Why modern farmers and scientists are keen on growing more crops for cows and cars, not food for humans

Why modern farmers and scientists are keen on growing more crops for cows and cars, not food for humans

To see the yield gap in action, compare two important corn producers: the US and Kenya. In the US, the average yield is around 10.8 tonnes per hectare, while in Kenya it’s 1.5 tonnes. While the US is very close to its maximum theoretical corn yields, Kenya – taking into account its different climate – is way below its theoretical maximum. In other words, the US barely has a corn yield gap at all, while Kenya has a yield gap of about 2.7 tonnes per hectare below its theoretical maximum.

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Researchers at Washington University create ‘meat-rice’ they say is fleshier, has more protein

Researchers at Washington University create ‘meat-rice’ they say is fleshier, has more protein

According to the study, it’s essentially the same as eating 100 grams of rice with one gram of beef brisket – less than half a teaspoon. That’s because the beef-cell content is low and the cells probably form just a film over the rice, says John Yuen, a tissue engineer and molecular biologist at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. He says the nutritional content could be boosted by increasing the number of bovine cells on the rice grains.

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US gun violence: Police rule out extremism in Kansas City shooting at NFL Super Bowl rally

US gun violence: Police rule out extremism in Kansas City shooting at NFL Super Bowl rally

Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, stated that he heard gunfire while inside the Union Station along with other people. He and his family members took off, fleeing. At the news conference on Wednesday, Mr Lucas stated, “We went out today like everyone in Kansas City looking to have a celebration.”

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Death of Nigerian businessman, six others in California helicopter crash blamed on bad weather

Death of Nigerian businessman, six others in California helicopter crash blamed on bad weather

Herbert Wigwe, chief executive of Access Bank, and his wife and 29-year-old son were among those aboard the helicopter when it crashed shortly after 10pm near Interstate 15. Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chair of the Nigerian stock exchange, was also killed. Their deaths shocked many in Nigeria and in the banking sector.

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Ecuador, Haiti set to become main sources of refugees fleeing insecurity and climate change

Ecuador, Haiti set to become main sources of refugees fleeing insecurity and climate change

In Ecuador, conflict between government forces and criminal groups is escalating, the IRC said. Last month, a wave of violence resurged after a gang leader escaped from prison, shown most dramatically when an armed group stormed into a live TV news broadcast.

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Haiti reveals it is fine tuning deal with Kenya for deployment of police as 800 die gang warfare

Haiti reveals it is fine tuning deal with Kenya for deployment of police as 800 die gang warfare

The deployment was requested by Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in October 2022 and approved by the UN Security Council a year later. But it has since encountered multiple legal obstacles as gang warfare in Haiti’s capital and beyond continues to rise.

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Japan’s unexpected slip into recession elevates Germany to world’s third biggest economy

Japan’s unexpected slip into recession elevates Germany to world’s third biggest economy

While many analysts still expect the Bank of Japan to phase out its massive monetary stimulus this year, the weak data may cast doubt on its forecast that rising wages will underpin consumption and keep inflation durably around its 2 per cent target.

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Report: World has entered era of instability as Africa becomes key market for new arms exporters

Report: World has entered era of instability as Africa becomes key market for new arms exporters

The combination of Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising tensions between China and Western countries have been principal drivers of military spending. Global defence spending is up 9 per cent to a record $2.2 trillion from the previous year and poised to rise further in 2024, based on already announced spending commitments.

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South Africa asks UN court to urgently examine Israel’s targeting of Rafah in ongoing genocide case

South Africa asks UN court to urgently examine Israel’s targeting of Rafah in ongoing genocide case

South Africa already alleged Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people in its war against the Hamas militant group in Gaza and filed a case with the world court in December. A ruling on the genocide allegation could take years.

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US House Republicans win impeachment of Biden’s top border official, but only temporarily

US House Republicans win impeachment of Biden’s top border official, but only temporarily

The vote marked just the second time in US history, and the first time in almost 150 years, that the House has impeached a member of a president’s Cabinet. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said that senators would be sworn in as jurors shortly after they return from a break on February 26.

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