Trade : US rejects EU-led interim appeal arbitration arrangement (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States on 5 June has objected to a proposal, mooted by the EU and 18 other nations, for the establishment of a new WTO secretariat division to service an alternate interim appellate arbitration arrangement, to overcome the impasse in the Appellate Body that has become dysfunctional since December 2019.

Philippines : Senior citizens' vulnerabilities rise due to COVID-19 lockdown (PRIV)
(IPS, Hyderabad)
In the Philippines, May has long been a month of joy when farmers harvest their rice crop and celebrate the Pahiyas harvest festival. But this year, the mood was somber.

COVID-19 : Its impact on Pacific Island States (PRIV)
(IPS, Toronto)
By now, the impact of COVID-19 on our daily lives has been well documented, especially in advanced economies. Anxiety about the future continues to grow everywhere.

Zimbabwe : Digital agriculture benefits farmers but mobile money is costly (PRIV)
(IPS, Harare)
Shurugwi communal farmer Elizabeth Siyapi (57) can no longer be scammed by unscrupulous middlemen to sell her crops cheaply.