Global Issues
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U.S. High Court in Hot Seat over Same-Sex Marriage
- Inter Press Service
WASHINGTON, Mar 27 (IPS) - On the second day of oral arguments in two different cases involving the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed serious doubts about the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which codifies the non-recognition of same-sex marriage for federal and inter-state purposes.
Argentina vs Holdouts Could Set Precedent for Future Debt Crises
- Inter Press Service
BUENOS AIRES, Mar 27 (IPS) - The fate of countries with major debt problems is at stake in federal courts in New York, which are to decide in April whether or not they accept Argentina's proposal to the bondholders who rejected two restructurings of sovereign debt.
Subsidies Play “Significant Role” in Climate Change, IMF Says
- Inter Press Service
WASHINGTON, Mar 27 (IPS) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is urging national governments around the world to roll back or eliminate subsidies on petroleum-based energy sources, estimating that this alone could result in a 13-percent decline in global carbon dioxide emissions.
Obesity and Hypertension - Signs of Inequality in Chile
- Inter Press Service
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.
Spain Leads the EU in GM Crops, but No One Knows Where They Are
- Inter Press Service
MÁLAGA, Spain, Mar 27 (IPS) - Spain has more large-scale plantations of genetically modified seeds than any other country in the European Union (EU).
Will CAR Rebels Respect the Peace Agreements?
- Inter Press Service
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.
The Two Faces of International Commodity Trade
- Inter Press Service
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.
Nuclear Safety Plan Has Ukrainians Worried
- Inter Press Service
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.
Iranian People Caught in Crossfire of Dueling Messages
- Inter Press Service
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.
Now Gaza’s Ark Prepares to Dare Israel
- Inter Press Service
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."
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