Trade : G20 officials bicker over industrial subsidies, data flows & WTO reforms (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Attempts are currently underway to bring about new disciplines on industrial subsidies aimed at denying the developing countries from adopting new technologies, while the developed countries want to continue with their hundreds of billions of dollars for their research and development programs, said people familiar with the development.

Trade : WTO DG shows signs of a course-correction on TRIPS waiver (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's Director-General Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 7 October appears to have showed signs of a course-correction in her positions on issues concerning the temporary TRIPS waiver, fisheries subsidies, and proposed WTO reforms, said people familiar with the development.

United Nations : UN chief, in war of words, battles it out with a member state (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
A growing diplomatic battle is being played out at the United Nations between Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and one of the world body's member states: the politically-troubled Ethiopia which is desperately in need of international humanitarian assistance.

Zimbabwe : Mounting scramble for Covid-19 vaccines (PRIV)
(IPS, Harare)
More than a month ago, she lost her parents, brother, and wife, to the coronavirus.