News headlines in March 2016, page 3

PALMIRA, COLOMBIA, Mar 24 (IPS) - As we move the Sustainable Development Goals from ideas into actions, tracking progress is going to be paramount. Goal two, to achieve food security, can be measured in many ways. This week, scientists are revealing new research that will be invaluable for reaching target 2.5: maintaining the genetic diversity of crop plants and their wild relatives.

KATHMANDU, Nepal, Mar 24 (IPS) - Early evening, there is a play of light and shadow over Kathmandu's famous Durbar Square. The rising monuments, damaged by the April 2015 earthquake, appear as dark silhouettes while large flash lights streak through in between them.

VILLETA, Paraguay, Mar 23 (IPS) - A soybean processing plant that does not use fossil fuels and generates practically no waste products from soy reflects Paraguay's growing industrialization.

BRUSSELS, Mar 23 (IPS) - The sun was shining brightly on the second day of springtime in Belgium. I kissed my children goodbye when they took off for school and I fed the hungry cats. I love this in-between-time after getting everybody ready for school and before work. The house is quite and I still have some time left to take another coffee and read the newspaper.

NJABINI, West Central Kenya, Mar 23 (IPS) - Peter Wainaina's focus is on the fresh Irish potatoes he has just harvested. He assembles them into a 90-kilogramme bag while sorting out the unmarketable ones like sliced and tiny tubes. He lives on a small plot of land in Njabini, 600 metres away from a farm in Aberdares forest, west central Kenya, where he has been growing this fast-maturing crop for the past three months.

MOMBASA, Kenya, Mar 22 (IPS) - While the United Nations marked this year's World Water Day on March 22 focusing on the connection between water and jobs, a new report has rung loud alarm bells about the heavy impact of corruption on the massive investments being made in the water sector.

NEW YORK, Mar 22 (IPS) - More than 35 leading media outlets commit to increase women's representation in the newsroom and in news content

Media Contacts: Oisika Chakrabarti, Ph: +1 646 781-4522; Email: oisika.chakrabartiunwomen.org Sharon Grobeisen, Ph: +1 646 781-4753; Email: sharon.grobeisenunwomen.org

BONN, Germany, Mar 22 (IPS) - For three consecutive days this week, we gave thought to our future. On International Forests Day, Monday, 21 March, we were reminded that forests are vital for our future water needs. On Tuesday, 22 March, World Water Daywe learned that half the world's workers are involved in the water sector and some 2 billion people, especially women and girls, still need access to improved sanitation. World Meteorological Day, on Wednesday, 23 March, concluded with the warning of a hotter, drier and wetter future. A reality that is already evident and frightening, as productive land turns to sand or dust.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Mar 22 (IPS) - Creating healthy and sustainable food systems is key to overcoming hunger and all forms of malnutrition (undernourishment, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity) around the world. Food production has tripled since 1945 while average food availability per person has risen by 40 per cent. Current food systems are not delivering well on ensuring healthy diets for all. We have to fix the problem. The most efficient and sustainable approach will be to reshape and strengthen food systems that support healthy diets for all.

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 22 (IPS) - "No child in Colombia today knows what it is like to live in a country at peace," said UN Children's Fund's (UNICEF) Representative in Colombia Roberto De Bernardi during the launch of a new report.