WTO : US blocks AB vacancies, doubts over robust appeal/review mechanism (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
For the 76th time, the United States on 2 4 May blocked a request from 130 members to expeditiously fill the vacancies at the Appellate Body (AB), the highest adjudicating arm at the WTO for resolv ing global trade disputes, citing its oft-repeated claims that Washington's lon gstanding concerns over the AB remain unaddressed, said people familiar with the development.

Trade : India inveighs against Australia, US on alleged sugar support (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
India has inveighed against Australia and the United States over their joint counter-notification filed against New Delhi 's alleged support for sugarcane and sugar policies at the World Trade Organiz ation last week, unequivocally rejecting it on grounds of "unjustifiable assumpti ons and incorrect interpretation," said people familiar with the development.

Canada : UN experts voice concerns over detention of marginalized groups (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
While Canada has positive systems in place to avoid arbitrary detention, serious concerns still remain, particularly in r elation to Indigenous Peoples, groups facing racial discrimination and other groups at risk, according to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.