News headlines in February 2018

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 28 (IPS) - Geraldine Boezio is the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in ConflictAt the invitation of the Government of Sudan, I visited Sudan from 18 to 25 February 2018. The objective of the visit was to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation, assess the challenges of addressing conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan, and establish constructive dialogue with national authorities in this regard.

SAN JOSE, Feb 28 (IPS) - Donald Vásquez points to the soil on a farm located in one of the most degraded basins on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica. Below, where he points with his index finger, there is a huge layer of white earth, with dozens of bare coffee plants struggling to produce beans in the next harvest.

DHAKA, Feb 28 (IPS) - More than half a million Rohingya refugees crammed into over 30 makeshift camps in Cox's Bazar in southeast Bangladesh face a critical situation as the cyclone and monsoon season begins in a few weeks' time.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 27 (IPS) - How many people know where their gold and diamond jewelry comes from?

How many people consider the human cost of its production?

GENEVA, Feb 26 (IPS) - António GuterresUN Secretary-General, in his address to the Human Rights CouncilAs this is the first time I have the opportunity to address a UN body after the Security Council resolution of last Saturday on Syria, allow me please to say a few words in that regard.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (IPS) - As sexual abuse and paternity claims continue to rise against UN peacekeepers overseas, the United Nations is actively collaborating with troop contributing countries (TCC) in collecting DNA samples: a protocol introduced back in 2014.

GENEVA, Feb 26 (IPS) - The Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue has inaugurated its exhibition to explore the history and the religio-cultural roots of the headscarf.

BANGKOK, Feb 26 (IPS) - Energy efficiency in industries presents a unique opportunity for Thailand's environmental and economic policies as regional trends push towards more inclusive and sustainable green cities for the country and its neighbors, says the Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Dr. Frank Rijsberman.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb 26 (IPS) - In early 2016, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement -- involving twelve countries on the Pacific Ocean rim, including the USA -- was signed in New Zealand. Right after his inauguration in January 2017, newly elected US President Donald Trump withdrew from the TPP, effectively killing the agreement as its terms require the participation of both the US and Japan.