WTO : Fisheries chair acknowledges significant divergences ahead of MC13 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The chair of the Doha fisheries subsidies negotiations on 5 February acknowledged that despite "constructive engageme nt" during the last several days, "some significant divergences in positions an d overall approach still remain" on various issues concerning subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing (OCOF) ahead of the World Trade Organization's 13th ministerial conference (MC13) beginning in Abu Dhabi on 26 February.

UN : Sudan crisis deepens with 25 million in dire humanitarian need (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Sudan is currently facing "one of the fastes t unfolding crises globally", with about 25 million people, including over 14 million children in dire need of humanitarian assistance and support, accor ding to a group of over 50 United Nations human rights experts.

Afghanistan : Taliban's crackdown on women over dress code must end - UN (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
A group of United Nations human rights exper ts has urged the Taliban to cease "all arbitrary deprivation of liberty" targe ting women and girls in Afghanistan based on the strict dress code that the de f acto authorities have imposed.