News headlines in 2017, page 85

ROME, Mar 21 (IPS) - "Politics of division and the rhetoric of intolerance are targeting racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, and migrants and refugees. Words of fear and loathing can, and do, have real consequences," warns the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

NEW DELHI, Mar 21 (IPS) - In Asia, it likely will not be straightforward water wars.

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Mar 21 (IPS) - Though key to good health and economic wellbeing, water and sanitation remain less of a development priority in Africa, where high costs and poor policy implementation constrain getting clean water and flush toilets to millions.

ISLA DE MÉNDEZ, El Salvador, Mar 20 (IPS) - After an exhausting morning digging clams out of the mud of the mangroves, Rosa Herrera, her face tanned by the sun, arrives at this beach in southeastern El Salvador on board the motorboat Topacio, carrying her yield on her shoulders.

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 20 (IPS) - A group designated as a hate group for its "often violent rhetoric" against LGBTI rights was an invited member of the United States Official Delegation to the annual women's meeting say rights groups.

STOCKHOLM, Mar 20 (IPS) - Despite the LuxLeaks scandal, the number of secret tax deals is skyrocketing. Such deals between companies and governments across Europe increased by almost 50 percent the year after the scandal broke.

ROME, Mar 20 (IPS) - Previous indications of national prosperity have focused on income, poverty, health and, above all, Gross Domestic Product, but on March 20th, World Happiness Day commemorates what is perhaps becoming the new way to measure welfare: happiness.

DUBAI, UAE, Mar 18 (IPS) - Though still fearful for her life and the safety of her family, one of the girls who escaped abduction by Boko Haram in Nigeria has appealed to global leaders to intervene and help bring back 195 schoolgirls still being held by the terrorist network.

ROME/GENEVA, Mar 18 (IPS) - Religious discrimination, fanaticism and xenophobia have worsened in several countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North America, thus there is a need for alternatives to identify a common strategy to address these challenges, a Geneva-based think tank promoting global dialogue stated.

ROME, Mar 18 (IPS) - Once a year, there is a day when the seven billion inhabitants of Planet Earth should feel happy or at least are encouraged to do so--the World Happiness Day, which is marked every year on March 20. So far, so good.