Trade: WTO reform draft declaration triggers outcry over plurilateral push (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The Norwegian facilitator overseeing the discussions on the reform of the World Trade Organization on 4 March released a "draft Yaounde Ministerial Statement on WTO Reform" under his own responsibility, in an alleged attempt to radically transform the multilateral trade organization into a plurilateral body designed to serve the interests of the industrialized countries, particularly the United States, according to people familiar with the development.

WTO: Facilitator outlines three reform issues & questions for ministers (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The facilitator overseeing the controversial reform work at the World Trade Organization on 4 March outlined the three issues - "decision-making," "development," and "level-playing-field issues" - for the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14), to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon, beginning on 26 March.

UN: Experts decry US-Israeli strikes on Iran, urge de-escalation (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
United Nations human rights experts on 4 March condemned the recent military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Iran as unlawful, stressing that the attacks were unprovoked, carried out without UN Security Council authorization, and in violation of the core principles of the UN Charter.