Trade : A tale of two proposals on changing WTO negotiating processes (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Attempts to bring process-related changes such as improving the preparatory process before a World Trade Organization's ministerial conference and maximizing the value of a ministerial conference can only succeed if substantive mandated issues are addressed on an expeditious basis, said people familiar with the development.

Rights : Gender backlash reaching extreme proportions, warns UN body (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The backlash against women's and girls' huma n rights is intensifying and has reached extreme proportions in certain count ries, the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls has observed.

UN : UNHCR seeks $1.5 billion in aid as fighting rages in Sudan (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
As the impact of the conflict in Sudan conti nues to spread, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners are seeking $1.5 billion to assist and protect up to 3.3 million people forced to flee, as well as loca l communities in neighbouring countries, until the end of the year, according to a UNHCR official.