Trade : US asks WTO DG not to politicize WTO accessions & other issues (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States on 19 February appears to have conveyed to the World Trade Organization's Director-General not to politicize the accessions of new members to the trade body, as attempts are underway to construct a "development package" for the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in which the issue of WTO accessions is likely to be included, said people familiar with the development.

Health : In major win, a key HIV drug arrives in Colombia under a CL (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The first batch of a generic version of dolutegravir (DTG), a key antiretroviral drug used in the treatment of HIV, has arrived in Colombia under a compulsory license (CL) issued by the country, the Make Medicines Affordable (MMA) campaign reported on 19 February.

Afghanistan : Fatima's story - the struggles of women under Taliban rule (PRIV)
(IPS, Kabul)
Fatima Mohammadi was a manager in a government office in Afghanistan's Parwan province before the Taliban came to power. But having been forced out of her job, she is now back home un-employed.