Trade : MC8 closes after adopting several decisions (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The eighth Ministerial Conference (MC8) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) came to a close on 17 December night, after adopting some seven draft decisions, and approving the accessions of Russia, Samoa and Montenegro over the course of the two-and-a-half-day session.

Trade : Chairman's Concluding Statement at MC8 (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The eighth Ministerial Conference (MC8) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) wrapped up on 17 December night, after adopting seven draft decisions, approving the accessions of Russia, Samoa and Montenegro and a Concluding Statement by the Chairman of the conference, Nigerian Minister Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga of Nigeria.

Trade : North-South divide across issues, India defends policy space (PRIV)
(Ranja Sengupta, Geneva)
Balancing anti-protectionism and domestic policy space of Member States emerged as a key issue at the eighth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) with quite a few member countries speaking on commitments to anti-protectionism during the plenary session on 15 December.

United States : Foreign aid spared drastic cuts for next year (PRIV)
(IPS, Washington)
Despite the budget cutting and anti-UN frenzy that seized Republican lawmakers over the past year, US foreign aid and support for multilateral institutions emerged in somewhat better shape than many observers had expected.