Trade: US Section 301 actions against Brazil, Vietnam breach WTO rules (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined that "certain of Brazil's acts, policies, and practices" in various sectors are "unreasonable and burden or restrict US Commerce and are thus actionable under Section 301(b)" of the Trade Act of 1974, according to a statement issued by the USTR on 1 June.

UN: Hormuz crisis fueling price surge, pushing millions into hunger (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The surge in the Middle East tensions since early 2026 is driving up global fuel and food prices, disrupting shipping routes and supply chains, and squeezing household incomes, leaving many families struggling to afford basic necessities, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

Yemen: Hunger crisis deepens as falling aid leaves millions without support (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
One in two people in Government of Yemen (GoY)-controlled areas of Yemen continue experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, with continued instability, localised violence, security incidents, and a deteriorating macroeconomic crisis leaving millions unable to meet basic food needs, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.