Trade: Majority reject WTO reform proposals amid credibility concerns (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Attempts by the chair of the World Trade Organization's General Council (GC) to drive progress through a seemingly irrational agenda for meetings on WTO reform apparently failed last week, with a large majority of developing and least-developed countries indicating that the proposed reforms lack credibility, said people familiar with the development.

UN: El Nino set to intensify, driving higher risk of extreme weather (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
El Nino conditions have now formed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to intensify quickly over the coming months, sharply increasing the risk of heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather across multiple regions in the months ahead, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned.

UN: South Sudan nearing tipping point as food security crisis worsens (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
South Sudan's food security crisis is deteriorating rapidly, with United Nations agencies warning that humanitarian assistance is falling far short of escalating needs, as conflict, displacement and economic pressures deepen vulnerabilities.