Fighting Against Hunger Vocabulary and Expressions micronutrients roadmap donor agencies smallholder food security put sb. at a disadvantage political will Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)Fighting Against Hunger To walk the talk means to keep your promises — to do what you said you would do. Walk the Talk is also the name of a new report by the . IFPRI says there has been a lot of talk about fighting hunger, but not enough action. As a result, it says the international community could fall far short of the goal of cutting the number of hungry people in half by next year. The report says an estimated 870 million people were hungry last year. 2 billion did not get enough micronutrients, vitamins and minerals. IFPRI Director General Shenggen Fan describes last year as a mixed year, for progress against hunger. He said that “African countries, India, China, Brazil continue to commit themselves to increase investment in agriculture, in agricultural research — to really increase their agricultural productivity at a global level. Donor agencies, the World Bank, USAID, have also increased their investment in agriculture, in food security and nutrition. “ But Mr. Fans says a lack of political will limited progress on food security. “ Last year, we had lots of debates, action discussions, conferences without a clear roadmap — without a clear, actual plan to implement. “ After the food crisis a decade ago, many promises were made to increase investment in smallholder agriculture. Many countries have made progress in supporting smallholders. However, many other countries have also failed in doing that. Supporters of greater agricultural investment in poor countries have often criticized farm support programs in rich nations. They say subsidy in rich nations put developing countries at a disadvantage in producing and selling their goods. Now, countries such as India and China are also turning to subsidies. Mr. Fan says this year is an important year, both to review the progress of the Millennium Development Goals. He says that, “Ending hunger would have effects far beyond nutritional concerns. The global community will be more peaceful; probably will be more prosperous because if people don’t worry about the food they have the energy to think of something else. “

America’s Diplomatic Challenges Vocabulary and Expressions combat mission Taliban separatist Department of Defense Democrats withdraw air force place sanctions on Sony Pictures EntertainmentAmerica’s Diplomatic Challenges A new year joins new challenges to old ones. Many disputes between countries — and between governments and rebels — continued throughout last year. And they continue as this year begins. In December, Mr. Obama marked the end of America’s longest war. After more than 13 years, America’s combat mission in Afghanistan will be over. But the Department of Defense says that does not mean America will no longer help Afghanistan. More than 10, 000 American troops will remain in Afghanistan this year. They will help the Afghanistan air force. They will train Afghan troops. And they will help fight terrorists. The Afghan troops need the help because Taliban fighters have increased their attacks. In Iran, the United States and five other world powers will continue to try to reach a nuclear agreement. A November deadline passed without an agreement. Now, negotiators are hoping to reach an agreement by July. Secretary of State John Kerry says the negotiations will be difficult. He said that these talks aren’t going to suddenly get easier just because we extended them. They’re tough. And they’ve been tough. And they’re gonna stay tough. Experts say the new, Republican-controlled U. S. Congress could make it more difficult for President Obama’s foreign policy team to be successful. The Republicans are the opposition party to Mr. Obama’s Democrats. The United States has already placed sanctions on Russia because of Russian support of Ukrainian separatists. The sanctions have hurt Russia’s economy and reduced the value of its money. But American officials say they do not want the Ukraine conflict to stop the U. S. and Russia from having a good relationship. The U. S. says it would end sanctions against Russia if it meets conditions, including withdrawing its troops from Ukrainian territory. The U. S. also faces challenges in its relationship with North Korea. Investigators in the United States blamed North Korea for an attack on the computers of Sony Pictures Entertainment in November. President Obama answered with new sanctions against North Korea. So the relation between the U. S. and North Korea is likely to deteriorate. It was the first foreign policy decision he made in the new year.

The international community is likely to reach the goal of cutting the number of hungry people in half this year.

About 870 million people were hungry last year.

Three billion people suffer from malnutrition.

China, India and Brazil stepped up their efforts to develop agriculture research.

Donor agencies and the World Bank have lost their momentum in supporting agricultural programs worldwide.

Political will has been put in place to further food security.

Smallholder agriculture should be supported and cultivated.

Subsidy in rich nations gives developing countries some advantage in producing agricultural goods.

Countries like China and India are turning to agriculture subsidies.

Ending hunger will bring peace and prosperity to people of all land.