Issue No. 540 (1-15 Mar 2013)
US spending cuts will hurt developing countries

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Poor countries hit by US spending cuts
The government spending cuts in the United States as the President and Congress fail to reach a deal will also affect poor developing countries as the aid budget especially for food and medicines is reduced.
by Martin Khor

WTO General Council approves new slate of chairs for this year
A new lineup of chairpersons for the various WTO bodies and prospects for this year’s Bali Ministerial Conference were among the subjects taken up by the WTO General Council at its 25 February meeting.
by Kanaga Raja

Members voice their views on possible deliverables at Bali
Prior to the General Council session, a 22 February meeting of the WTO’s Trade Negotiations Committee had seen member states discuss at some length their expectations for the yearend Ministerial Conference and the way forward after Bali.
by Kanaga Raja

“Stalling” could force acceptance of onerous TPP
US-spearheaded talks to craft a free trade accord spanning the Pacific region have come under fire from civil society groups concerned that the lack of transparency is masking a corporate-driven agenda.
by Carey L Biron

The economics and politics of the crisis
The policy response to the global economic crisis will hinge on which of three differing perspectives is seen as best explaining the cause of the crisis.
by Thomas Palley

Europeans urge US action on financial transactions tax
With agreement having been reached among 11 EU countries to put in place a financial transactions tax, the US is now facing calls to do the same.
by Carey L Biron

Illicit flows undermine human rights, says UN expert
Highlighting the worrying magnitude of illicit financial outflows from developing countries, a UN rights expert says that such fund movements impede development and the realization of human rights in the countries of origin
by Kanaga Raja

Human rights and the post-2015 development agenda
A recent panel discussion at the UN Human Rights Council underlined the need for human rights principles to guide the setting of the UN’s development agenda beyond the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
by Kanaga Raja