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Scotland 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

Egypt's Mursi complains about prison food, requests medical exam – state media

Egypt’s ousted former president Mohamed Mursi, who has been in detention for two years, is to undergo a medical examination at his request after he complained about prison food, state media said on Saturday. Mursi, who has diabetes, described the meals served to him as “very bad”, and has refrained from eating prison food “because he senses it is not safe for him,” state news agency MENA reported. According to

Venezuela patients resort to pet medications

Kevin Blanco got a life-saving kidney transplant 15 years ago, but the chronic shortages gripping crisis-hit Venezuela have put his life at risk again. Faced with the disappearance of prednisone and CellCept, the drugs he needs to take every day to keep his immune system from attacking his kidney as a foreign object, Blanco had to resort to taking veterinary versions designed for pets. “It’s a bit humiliating,” he said