WTO: Reform facilitators press ahead despite calls for a "rethink" (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Notwithstanding calls from members on 23 October for a "rethink" of the controversial reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the chair of the WTO's General Council and facilitators overseeing the discussions across the four reform tracks appear to be pressing ahead with the same practices that many members have criticized on both procedural and substantive grounds, said people familiar with the development.

UN: Conflict, Ebola and climate shocks drive hunger crisis in DRC (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to face a severe food security crisis amid persistent conflict in the east, large-scale population displacement, and the expansion of the Ebola outbreak, along with climate and economic shocks, a United Nations-backed food security monitor has warned.

UN: Funding shortfalls threaten winter relief for 9 million, warns UNHCR (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Facing funding shortfalls and soaring energy costs, an estimated 9 million people across the war-affected countries of Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan will require additional support to survive the coming winter, according to UNHCR.