Trade : TRIPS Council takes up Art. 27.3(b) review, "Para 6" solution (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
A meeting of the regular WTO TRIPS Council on 2 March amongst others discussed the implementation of the "Paragraph 6" solution in respect of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, and the review of Article 27.3 (b) of the TRIPS Agreement relating to the patentability of life forms and the protection of plant varieties.

Trade : Bolivia calls for in-depth review of TRIPS Article 27.3(b) (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
Bolivia has submitted a communication to the TRIPS Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) calling for an urgent review of Article 27.3 (b) of the TRIPS Agreement in order, amongst others, to prohibit the patenting of all life forms, ensure the protection of innovations of indigenous and local farming communities and prevent anti-competitive practices that endanger food sovereignty in developing countries.

United States : Debate over military action against Iran gains steam (PRIV)
(IPS, Washington)
While the ongoing US military "surge" in Afghanistan continues to capture the headlines, Iran's nuclear programme - and how best to deal with it - is rapidly emerging here as this year's biggest foreign policy challenge.

Middle East : Occupation turns Palestinian women into breadwinners (PRIV)
(IPS, Ramallah)
Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, with its ubiquitous closures, checkpoints, military raids and arrests, has decimated the Palestinian economy in the West Bank and Gaza.