Trade : China for WTO reform to preserve MTS, respect development models (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
China has unveiled a set of proposals for reforming the World Trade Organization that calls for respecting "members' development models" while preserving the core values of the multilateral tr ading system (MTS), including the fundamental principle of consensus decision-making.

Climate : It is imperative for Caribbean to have seat at COP24 negotiating t able (PRIV)
(IPS, St. George's)
The Caribbean will not be left out of the negotiations at COP24 - the 24th Session of the Conference of the Pa rties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - that will take place from Dec. 3 to 14 in Katowice, Poland.

Environment : Over half of world's tropical forests have been destroyed (PRIV)
(IPS, Sharm El Sheikh)
Biodiversity conservationists have revealed that at least 10 percent more of land than w hat is currently being used to grow green crops will be required to successfully r eplace fossil fuels with alternatives derived from natural sources such as biofuel .

Australia : How world's last wild fishery of pearl oysters is sustainably ma naged (PRIV)
(IPS, Sydney)
Australia's remote north-western Kimberley coast, where the Great Sandy Desert meets the sapphire waters of the Indian Ocean, is home to the giant Pinctada maxima or silver- lipped pearl oyster shells that produce the finest and highly-prized Australian South Sea Pearl s.

Opinion : Thailand first Asian nation to join global efforts to control toba cco (PRIV)
(IPS, Bangkok)
Thailand is set to become the fir st Asian country to introduce standardized packaging of tobacco.