Trade : Brazil seeks "structured discussions" on investment facilitation (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Despite the rejection of multilateral discussions on the controversial issue of investment facilitation at the eleventh ministerial meeting (MC11) in Buenos Aires nearly two months ago, Brazil has chosen to fire the first salvo for "structured discussions on investment facilitation" at the World Trade Organization.

United Nations : LDCs' outlook improving, but fraught with uncertainties (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
While real GDP growth for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as a group is forecast to strengthen somewhat to 5 per cent in 2017 and 5.4 per cent in 2018, the modest improvements in the international context fall short of what would be needed to spur growth and structural transformation in the LDCs.

United Nations : Iraq's toxic conflict (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
In Iraq, thirty years of armed conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people, wounded countless more, displaced millions and laid cities and towns to waste.

El Salvador : Healthy nutrition spreads in schools (PRIV)
(IPS, Atiquizaya)
Eating healthy and nutritious food in schools in El Salvador is an effort that went from a pilot plan to a well-entrenched programme that has now taken off.