WTO : Attempts to advance DG selection process in alleged violation of rules (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The alleged attempts to advance the selec tion process of the World Trade Organization's Director-General due to the upcom ing United States Presidential elections in November 2024 could cause irreparab le damage to the rules-based, member-driven multilateral trade organization, s aid people familiar with the development.

Trade : GC chair convenes retreat to make WTO a "forward-looking" body (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's General Council (GC) chair on 22 May informed members that a retreat will be conven ed on 8-9 July to discuss how the WTO can remain a "forward- looking organization" amidst continued stalemates on several issues, said people fa miliar with the development.

UN : Alarm over worsening situation in Kharkiv region in Ukraine (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The UN Refugee Agency, or UNHCR, has expressed extreme worry about the worsening situation and resulting spike i n humanitarian needs and forced displacement owing to the new ground offensiv e by the Russian Federation armed forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region o f Ukraine.