Poor weather and a locust plague has caused a 30 percent decline in crop production in East Timor, leaving a fifth of its population vulnerable to food shortages. East Timor's farmers depend on traditional agriculture for their food, mainly rice and corn. Sika and Siska were not born prematurely and yet between them the twins weigh a little over four kilograms (nine pounds), a testament to food shortages gripping impoverished East Timor. This leaves "one fifth of the population, or more...

We'll also provide you with a recipe or two for preparing the many fruits and vegetables that can be found at markets throughout the summer. If you are a patron of local farmers' markets, you know to buy it when you see it because before long it will be gone. Here are two recipes for items you should find at markets this week -- peas, which are near the end of their season, and Swiss chard, which is plentiful. We'll tell you what you can expect to find at the market each week, what's the...

About 170,000 toothpaste products imported from China have been recalled nationwide by a Florida based company because they may contain a poisonous chemical. Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Kipp Brothers at (800) 428-1153 for instructions on returning the product for a full refund. The company is now recalling products that possibly came in contact with other products that were tainted with Melamine. People who have an allergy or severe...

Look over Hanoi's eclectic architectural styles, from red-roofed yellowing houses to grand French colonial-era buildings along tree-lined avenues and a few new office towers. pm: If you have enough energy, you can stop along the way to your centre city hotel at one of the night markets in and around the ancient quarter. am: Everyone gets up early in Hanoi and many start the day with morning exercise and then a breakfast bowl of Pho, or noodle soup with beef or chicken. pm: A ride by cyclo...

Even more shocking is the revelation that one in every five samples drawn from the market had adulteration levels of over 25 percent; over 25 percent of the samples had complex mixes of three or more varieties, which result in inconsistent cooking; and less than 15 percent of the samples were of pure traditional Basmati. Even more shocking is the revelation that one in every five samples drawn from the market had adulteration levels of over 25 percent; over 25 percent of the samples had...