UN : Politicizing COVID pandemic is "utterly reprehensible", says rights chief (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Wednesday said that it was astounding that even to this day some political leaders are still playing down the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, disparaging the use of simple measures such as wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings.

Trade : JSI negotiating text on e-com could be "very damaging" for South (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
A consolidated negotiating text on electronic commerce issued by the three coordinators of the non-mandated informal plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) group at the WTO is "very damaging" for the interests of developing countries.

UN : Drop in remittances could impact financial stability of numerous countries (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
On Dec. 2, Gabriel Arias, 42, left a Washington Heights, New York, money transfer agency after sending money home to the Dominican Republic.