61.  Neighbouring Kenya has also said it would import large quantities of grain this year to offset serious food shortages caused by drought in eastern Africa.

62.  North Korea is currently said to be on the verge of economic collapse, according to US intelligence experts, and gripped by serious food shortages.

63.  North Korea has resumed transporting rice aid that Japan promised to provide last year to alleviate serious food shortages in the North, a report said here Monday.

64.  North Korea, hit by torrential rains for two consecutive years, has been suffering serious food shortages.

65.  North Korea has been suffering from serious food shortges and has called for international aid.

66.  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat charged that the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip had caused serious food shortages and threatened to personally carry food into the territory if necessary.

67.  President Bakili Muluzi on Wednesday declared the impoverished southern African country a disaster state following widespread reports of serious food shortages across the country.

68.  South Korean officials have said they suspect there is a serious food crisis in the North.

69.  Tens of thousands of people are facing serious food shortages in Jaffna and as in neighbouring Kilinochchi district, Tamil sources said.

70.  The consecutive trips by US politicians came as Washington is seeking a slow rapprochement with the isolated North, now troubled by serious food shortages.