News headlines in March 2013, page 4

SANTIAGO, Mar 27 (IPS) - The prevalence of obesity and hypertension among the poor in Chile is a factor that aggravates inequality, requiring public policies for prevention and mitigation of the high cost of a healthy diet.

MÁLAGA, Spain, Mar 27 (IPS) - Spain has more large-scale plantations of genetically modified seeds than any other country in the European Union (EU).

BRAZZAVILLE, Mar 27 (IPS) - Despite assurances by the leader of the Séléka rebel alliance, self-proclaimed president of the Central African Republic Michel Djotodia, that a "red brigade" would be established to stop the looting and violence that has ensued since Sunday's coup, citizens do not feel security has been restored.

GENEVA, Mar 27 (IPS) - For decades, commodity trade has been understood from the point of view of "commodity dependent" exporting countries, those whose revenues are largely generated by commodities exports. The trend of decreasing agricultural commodity prices was the focus of attention. However, from the beginning of the 2000s, there was an upward trend in agricultural commodity prices culminating in the price peak of 2007-08.

KIEV, Mar 27 (IPS) - A 300 million euro loan to improve nuclear safety in the Ukraine has been attacked by environmental groups who say it will instead be used to keep ageing reactors working well beyond their planned lifespans – increasing the risks of a nuclear accident - while doing nothing to address serious issues with the country's energy intensity.

HONOLULU, Hawaii, Mar 27 (IPS) - Since Barack Obama became president of the United States, messages marking the Iranian New Year – Norouz - celebrated at the onset of spring have become yearly affairs. So have responses given by Iran's Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from the city of Mashhad where he makes a yearly pilgrimage to visit the shrine of Shi'i Islam's eighth imam, Imam Reza.

GAZA CITY, Mar 27 (IPS) - "An ark is literally a large floating vessel designed to keep its passengers and cargo safe," say the group preparing ‘Gaza's Ark'. But their ark, they say, is "a vessel that embodies hope that the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip can soon live in peace without the threat of the Israeli blockade."

DAKAR, Mar 27 (IPS) - Congolese small-scale miner Elizabeth Tshimanga has made a successful living from prospecting. But like many artisanal miners in Africa, hers has been a long and tough journey marred by harassment and disputes over her legal status as a miner.

WASHINGTON, Mar 26 (IPS) - Researchers have unveiled new data warning that governments in Latin America are infringing on the rights of their indigenous populations in a bid to fuel development through the extraction of natural resources.

LIMA, Mar 26 (IPS) - In the dense Amazon rainforest of Peru, there are five reserves inhabited by indigenous groups who have chosen to remain totally or partially isolated from the rest of society. But these areas are not officially demarcated as indigenous lands, and only one is protected with a control post.