United Nations : Israel persistently violating human rights in OPT (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
Recurring and persistent human rights violations by Israel, including excessive use of force, collective punishment, forced displacement, and restrictions on the freedom of movement have been reported in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) throughout 2016, according to the latest report by a UN human rights expert.

United Nations : Oh Happy Day! (PRIV)
(IPS, Rome)
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 - World Happiness Day, which is marked every year on March 20. So far, so good.

United Nations : Smiling towards development (PRIV)
(IPS, Rome)
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.

Latin America : Argentina and UAE agree to strengthen economic ties (PRIV)
(IPS, Buenos Aires)
Argentina and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed Friday Mar. 17 to explore the possibility of this South American country receiving investment from the Gulf nation, particularly tourism and health, while they pledged to strengthen bilateral relations and increase trade.

Latin America : Brazil and UAE determined to explore new bilateral frontiers (PRIV)
(IPS, Brasilia)
The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, made his fifth visit to Brazil Thursday, Mar. 16, in search of new opportunities to exploit the enormous potential in relations between the two countries.