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Abortion-rights activists harassed across Americas, Amnesty says

Scores of women promoting access to safe abortions, sex education and contraception across the Americas have endured death threats, public harassment and physical attacks, a human rights group said Wednesday. Amnesty International said those activists are facing “increasingly vicious smear campaigns” and threats aimed at curbing any debate on these issues, with public attacks from private citizens and government representatives alike. “Daring to speak about abortion and sex education in Latin America seems to be reason enough to be labelled a 'criminal,' a 'murderer,' and even a 'terrorist,'” said Amnesty International's Americas director Erika Guevara.

Scotland says to ban growing of genetically modified crops

Scotland’s devolved government said on Sunday it intended to ban the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops on its territory to protect its “clean and green brand” and because there was little evidence that Scottish consumers wanted GM products. Widely grown in the Americas and Asia, GM crops have divided opinion in Europe, with some green groups saying they are worried about their environmental impact. Richard Lochhead, the Scottish government’s minister for the environment, food and rural affairs, said on Sunday he planned to take advantage of new European Union rules allowing countries to opt out of growing EU-authorised GM crops.