Trade : China unlikely to get US assurances over lifting 5G ban on Huawei (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Despite extending an olive branch to the United States and the European Union by enacting a new foreign investment l aw to provide liberal treatment to foreign companies, Beijing is unlikely to s ecure any firm assurances from Washington over the lifting of blanket restrictions on Chinese telecom giant Huawei providing 5G mobile-internet infrastructure in various countries.

Latin America : People affected by leprosy unite for their rights and their voice (PRIV)
(IPS, Rio de Janeiro)
With the decision to found a re gional coalition to promote rights and greater participation in national and inter national forums and decisions, the First Latin American and Caribbean Assembly of Organisations of People Affected by Hansen's disease, popularly known - and stigmatised - as leprosy, came to an end.

Africa : Using climate-smart solutions to promote peace in South Sudan (PRIV)
(IPS, Yambio)
Almost a month to go ah ead of the traditional rainy season in Gbudue State, 430 kilometres west of Sou th Sudan's capital, Juba, smallholder farmers are already tilling their land a s they prepare to plant purer, drought-tolerant seeds.

Opinion : The crisis in Venezuela (PRIV)
(IPS, Geneva)
My mission to Venezuela in November/December 2017 was the first by a UN rapporteur in 21 years.

Opinion : The rising trend of zero-waste lifestyles (PRIV)
(IPS, Melbourne)
Not too long ago, the term "zero waste" was just one of those boring policy directives or catch-phrases thro wn around by governments.