WTO : DG urges reform amid ambiguity, defers key decisions to December (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
As members convene for the World Trade Organization's General Council meeting on 6 October, its Director-General, Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is urging trade ministers to focus "on delivering a reform package for this organization," which she viewed as being "critical."

UN : Rights chief decries rising civilian casualties in Ukraine (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Three and a half years after Russia's full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.

Sudan : UN calls for urgent civilian protection amid spiraling crisis (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
A group of United Nations human rights experts has expressed grave concern at reports of indiscriminate killings, mass displacement, sexual violence, enforced disappearance and obstruction of humanitarian assistance in Sudan.