Trade : US countered on transparency requirement by key developing countries   (D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva) (PRIV)
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South Africa, India, and six other developing countries on Tuesday (9 July) countered the US proposed "reforms" in transparency and notification requirements at the World Trade Organization by offering "an inclusive and developmental approach" that calls for rationalizing the "existing notification obligations" commensurate with the level of development of members, trade envoys told the SUNS.

Trade : Russia initiates dispute over US duties on hot-rolled steel   (Kanaga Raja, Geneva) (PRIV)
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The Russian Federation has initiated a dispute at the World Trade Organisation over anti-dumping duties imposed by the United States on hot-rolled, flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products from the Russian Federation.

UN : Will UN, WB continue to lag behind Europe in ending male leadership?   (IPS, New York) (PRIV)
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The nominations of Christine Lagarde of France as the first woman to head the European Central Bank (ECB) and Ursula von der Leyen of Germany as the first woman to lead the 28-nation European Commission, have been described as significant landmarks in the higher echelons of international institutions long dominated by men.

Brazil : Japan boosts complex fight to eliminate leprosy   (IPS, Brasilia) (PRIV)
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When cases of Hansen's disease, better known as leprosy, increase in Brazil, it is not due to a lack of medical assistance but to the growing efficacy of the health system in detecting infections, contrary to the situation in other countries.

Opinion : Right to information in Latin America & the Caribbean   (IPS, New York) (PRIV)
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Transparency is a critical element of making governance more effective. By making information available, it creates a foundation for greater accountability to citizens.