RIGHTS-EAST TIMOR: UN Commission Recommends Continued Inquiry

The United Nations commission sent to investigate reported human rights abuses in East Timor reached the conclusion that the process should continue, and that those charged with the alleged atrocities should be brought to justice.

DISARMAMENT: Chechenya and Russia Using Land-Mines, Say Activists

Russia and the Chechen separatists are using anti-personnel land-mines in the conflict in which they are embroiled, peace movement activist Jody Williams denounced Tuesday.

RIGHTS: UN Concerned About Effects of Trade Liberalisation

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights warned governments of the possible negative effects of structural adjustment measures and the liberalisation of trade on human rights.

RIGHTS: UN Concerned About Effects of Trade Liberalisation

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights warned governments of the possible negative effects of structural adjustment measures and the liberalisation of trade on human rights.

HEALTH: More Funds Needed to Eradicate Polio in 2000/CORRECTED REPEAT/

The international effort to eradicate poliomyelitis by late 2000 could fall short due to a lack of funds for acquiring the vaccines still needed by a handful of countries in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

HEALTH: Shortfall in Funds for Eradicating Polio in 2000

The international effort to eradicate poliomyelitis by late 2000 could fall short due to a lack of funds for acquiring the vaccines still needed by a handful of countries in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

DEVELOPMENT: Cities Can Avert Earthquake Damage, Says UN

Developing countries must raise awareness about earthquake risks and take action to prevent damage in urban areas when the disaster strikes, advises a research team organised by the United Nations (UN).

TRADE: The Long Road to Equitable Exchange

Developing countries waged hard-fought wars of diplomacy in the 1960-70's to secure better, more stable terms of trade in basic products - practically their only source of income. Today, however, those raw goods have become bogged down in a period of historically low prices and the majority of developing countries have seen their shares in the world market drastically reduced.

HEALTH: WHO Sounds Alarm on State of Indigenous Health

Health indicators of the world's indigenous peoples reveal they are lagging far behind the general population, leading the World Health Organisation (WHO) to call for policies that protect and promote indigenous health-related rights.

TRADE: A Pinch of Social Justice in Each Exported Product

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) would like multilateral trade agreements to include, someday soon, sanctions against countries or businesses that violate the fundamental rights of workers.

/REPEATING TO SOME POINTS/ TRADE: WTO Ministers Lack Script for Seattle Conference

The entrenched differences among international negotiating teams have led to the failure of preparations for the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Third Ministerial Conference and threaten to ruin the chances for a new round of international trade talks.

TRADE: WTO Ministers Left Without Script for Seattle Conference

The entrenched differences among international negotiating teams have led to the failure of preparations for the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Third Ministerial Conference and threaten to ruin the chances for a new round of international trade talks.

TRADE: Agriculture Encumbers Talks in Run-Up to Seattle

The issue of agriculture is hindering the discussions on the declaration that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is to approve next week at its ministerial conference in the U.S. city of Seattle, Washington.

TRADE: Arab Nations Debate Strategy for Seattle Conference

The best strategy for the Arab states at the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Third Ministerial Conference will be to sign on to proposals made by the developing countries united in the Group of 77 (G-77), agreed the region's trade negotiators.

TRADE: China’s Admission to WTO Could Favour South

The trade deal struck by China and the United States Monday should pave the way for the Asian giant's admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and as a result help curb imbalances in the multilateral system unfavourable to the developing South, according to negotiators.

HEALTH: Final Assault on Leprosy

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the creation of a Global Alliance aimed at eliminating leprosy as a public health threat in the world by the year 2005.

TRADE: Poor Countries to Make Their Voices Heard in Seattle

The 37 countries unable to afford a permanent office in Geneva, where the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is based, plan nevertheless to make their voices heard at the ministerial meeting of the global trade body to begin late this month in the U.S. city of Seattle, Washington.

LABOUR: Transnationals Oust Small Businesses, Alter Job Market

A sharp reduction in the number of small and independent wholesalers and retailers is one sign of globalisation's consolidating impact on the world's commercial sector, but its effects on employment are varied, reports the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

TRADE: WTO Leader Names Deputies After Intense Lobbying

The World Trade Organisation's (WTO) relatively new Director-General, Mike Moore, has named his four Deputies, a selection of representatives from Africa, Latin America, Europe and the United States that has important regional implications.

TRADE: WTO Leader Names Deputies After Intense Lobbying

The World Trade Organisation's (WTO) relatively new Director-General, Mike Moore, has named his four Deputies, a selection of representatives from Africa, Latin America, Europe and the United States that has important regional implications.

LABOUR: Transnationals Oust Small Businesses, Alter Job Market

A sharp reduction in the number of small and independent wholesalers and retailers is one sign of globalisation's consolidating impact on the world's commercial sector, but its effects on employment are varied, reports the International Labour Organisation (ILO).