Trade : WTO hosts second global review of Aid for Trade    (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization together with key international aid and development organizations will be conducting the Second Global Review of Aid for Trade on 6-7 July, to evaluate the progress made since the first review held in November 2007.

Health : "Global response needed for global (flu) challenge"    (PRIV)
(IPS, Mexico City)
Health ministers and representatives of 43 countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO) began to meet Thursday in the Mexican resort city of Cancun to discuss a common strategy to curb the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

Afghanistan : Four thousand marines to "drink lots of tea"    (PRIV)
(IPS, Washington)
After months of planning and putting pieces in order, aspects of the new US strategy in Afghanistan are beginning to be concretely implemented - including a surge of troops and attempts to curtail the poppy trade that allegedly funds insurgents.

United States : Uses false Taliban aid charge to pressure Iran    (PRIV)
(IPS, Washington)
The Barack Obama administration has given new prominence to a Bush administration charge that Iran is providing military training and assistance to the Taliban in Afghanistan, for which no evidence has ever been produced, and which has been discredited by data obtained by IPS from the Pentagon itself.

Pakistan : Public backs army's push against Taliban, poll finds    (PRIV)
(IPS, Washington)
Pakistani public opinion remains supportive of the military's fight against the Pakistani Taliban, said a new poll released on 1 July. However, Pakistanis roundly reject the US military campaign in the region.

Health : Sri Lanka's battle with dengue    (PRIV)
(IPS, Colombo)
Sri Lankan health authorities have had to combat an upsurge in cases of the lethal dengue flu in the island nation this year.