News headlines in March 2012, page 29

Iran's Mar. 2 parliamentary elections were touted by many Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the most 'critical' event since the establishment of the Islamic Republic 33 years ago.

Scientific studies show that global warming is causing irreversible damage to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the world’s second largest coral reef, yet efforts to protect this biologically and economically vital ecosystem remain insufficient.

Is war against Iran, either by Israel, the U.S. or both, closer or farther off after this week's meeting here between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

U.S. President Barack Obama Sunday made a clear statement against a rush to war - either by the U.S. or Israel - with Iran, while also emphasising that he would pursue that option if alternatives were unsuccessful in ensuring that Iran would not develop a nuclear weapon.

There is every indication that major disasters could be the new midwives of history. Seeking to prevent them, the green economy aims to reduce 'environmental risks' and 'ecological scarcities' while improving human well-being and social equity.

As donors struggle to meet their aid commitments, and the number of people around the world in need of direct humanitarian and development assistance skyrockets, many experts and activists are asking the tough question: are donors being effective?

When the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution back in September 2000 laying out eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it specified 2015 as the target date to achieve them.

The More Women in Power campaign in Chile, carried out by a group of social organisations, is seeking to increase the number of women in public decision-making positions, to move towards 'parity democracy'.

The arrest and release of a Dutch activist in Japan has put in bad light this country’s refusal to heed international calls to limit traditional dolphin and whale hunting practices in favour of conservation.

What gets measured gets done, a powerful message delivered by Elise Scalise, attorney and director for the Landesa Center for Women's Land Rights, during the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held at the United Nations.