Trade: "Flexible multilateralism" a threat to WTO's consensus principle? (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The controversial World Trade Organization reform discussions focusing on "decision-making", "development", "level playing field issues" and "foundational issues" have resumed, despite these very topics being firmly rejected by a large majority of developing and least-developed countries at the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, earlier this year, said people familiar with the development.

Climate: Fractious talks on GGA end in no results (PRIV)
(Eqram Mustaqeem, Kuala Lumpur)
The adaptation agenda closed on a fractious note as Parties failed to conclude deliberations on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), at the recently concluded Bonn climate talks that ended on 18 June.

UN: Venezuela quakes inflict $6.7 billion in economic losses, says UNDP (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The earthquakes that hit Venezuela on 24 June have caused extensive human suffering and widespread destruction, with an estimated $6.7 billion in direct physical damage, equivalent to around 6% of GDP, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).