Trade : WTO's GC chair shows his hand in DG selection process (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Without a formal decision at the World Tr ade Organization's General Council (GC) over advancing the selection process to ensure a second term for the incumbent Director-General, the GC chair appea rs to have made an unusual announcement on 22 July that he would start discussion s with members based on the "sentiments" they expressed at the meeting, said people familiar with the development.

UN : Syria remains in a state of profound conflict, says Special Envoy (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Syria remains "in a state of profound confl ict, complexity and division", the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Mr Ge ir O. Pedersen, reminded on 22 July.

UN : Rights chief voices concern over racism, inequality in Guatemala (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Volker Turk, has highlighted several manifold challenges being faced by Guatemala, including high levels of inequality, structural discrimination, polarization between State institutions, racism and corrupt ion, following a four-day official visit to the Central American country.