WHO: Majority of NCD Civil Society WG receives industry funding (PRIV)
(K. M. Gopakumar and Amit Sengupta, Geneva)
The majority of members of the Civil Society Working Group on the third High Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on non-communicable diseases have links with the pharmaceutical or medical device industry.

Opinion: Agricultural trade liberalization undermined food security (PRIV)
(IPS, Kuala Lumpur/Sydney)
Kuala Lumpur/Sydney, 21 May (IPS/Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Anis Chowdhury*) -- Agriculture is critical for achieving the Sustainable Develo pment Goals (SDGs).

United Nations: Can preventive diplomacy avert military conflicts? (PRIV)
(IPS, Stockholm)
In the paradoxical battle against mi litary conflicts, is preventive diplomacy one of the political remedies that can h elp deter wars before they break out?

Nicaragua: Protests fuel harassment faced by media (PRIV)
(IPS, Managua)
Assaults on journalists, persecuti on of press workers' unions, direct censorship and smear campaigns are a high cos t that freedom of expression has paid in Nicaragua since demonstrations against th e government of Daniel Ortega began in April.

Brazil: Optimal use of water works miracles in semi-arid region (PRIV)
(IPS, Ipira)
Cattle ranching has been severely affected by drought in Brazil's Northeast region, but it has not only survived but has made a comeback in the Jacuipe river basin thanks to an optimal use of water.