Onion Research for Food Security
UK research is helping to ensure that Japanese and other growers really know their onions, in a bid to enhance global food security, the London Press Service reported on 22 November.
A project led by the University of Warwick and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has developed a unique collection of information about the disease resistance of 96 of the world’s onion varieties.
It will be a crucial resource for commercial growers and seed producers trying to combat one of the most difficult diseases affecting onions. The work may also have benefits in terms of reduced fertiliser consumption and enhanced drought tolerance.
Probe into Tobacco Firm Gifts
MPs who received thousands of pounds worth of hospitality from Japan Tobacco International (JTI) have opposed a new law banning smoking in cars, the Daily Mail reported on 22 November.
Over the previous six months, JTI had spent £23,000 entertaining 20 MPs, almost half of whom voted against a Private Member’s Bill banning smoking in cars carrying children.
The Labour Party’s Alex Cunningham has asked Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon to investigate.
The tobacco industry fears the bill could be the first step in a total ban on smoking in cars, which would seriously affect its profits. It is keen to lobby MPs to limit new regulations that have already led to a ban on smoking in public places.
JTI said: “Like other businesses or bodies, we invite politicians and their parliamentary staff to our events, and this exchange of views has helped bring more balance to an otherwise one-sided debate”.
Bristol Hosts Rubik Finals
Almost 80 “speedcubers” from 13 countries as far away as Japan entered the UK Open on 12 and 13 November, according to the Bristol Evening Post. Ayano Maria Yoshida came 56th out of 69 first-round Rubik’s Cube competitors, and 40th of 42 in the one-handed event. In a competition dominated by the host nation, her average score was 35.95 seconds, with Breandan Vallance successfully defending his title with a best time of 8.13 seconds.
Royal Encounter for Lennon Widow
The Queen met Yoko Ono at the opening of the £78mn Museum of Liverpool which includes exhibits on the Beatles, the Daily Mirror reported on 2 December. The widow of John Lennon said she was impressed by the Queen’s burgundy coat, dress and matching hat, saying it “made her look so young, so elegant. She is always elegant. It’s always nice to meet her”.
George Harrison Remembered
Kadokawa cinema, in Yurakucho, held an event to observe the 10th anniversary of the death of George Harrison, CDJournal. com reported on 30 November. The former Beatle died of cancer aged 58 in 2001. Living in the Material World, a documentary directed by Martin Scorsese, is now playing at the cinema.
The event was attended by music critics Reiko Yukawa and Rumiko Hoshika, who have collected items relating to the Beatles since they played in Tokyo in 1966.
First Foreign Referee at FA Cup
Masaaki Toma made history on 12 November when he became the first non- British official, in the competition’s 131-year history, to take charge of an FA Cup fixture, the Daily Mail reported. Toma, in the UK as part of a referee exchange programme, officiated the first-round match between Brentford and Basingstoke, which the hosts won 1-0 at Griffin Park. “Both managers said it was a great performance. However, some people also told me my English was poor”, said Toma.
