WTO : FAO highlights importance of permanent solution for public stockholding (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The fate of the permanent solution for public stockholding programs for food security (PSH), as demanded by a large majority of developing countries, hangs in the balance at the upcoming World Trade Organization's 12th ministerial conference (MC12).

Trade : China blocks Australia's panel request over duties on wine (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
A request for the establishment of a dispute panel by Australia to examine anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures imposed by China on imports of wine from Australia was blocked by China at a meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 27 September.

UN : When Taliban ministers avoided eye contact with senior female officials (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan during 1996-2001, the United Nations was engaged in a losing battle for women's rights.