Trade : US-inflicted shocks on international bodies, time for collective action (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Yerevan)
With the Trump administration having seemingly inflicted systemic shocks on various international organizations, including the World Trade Organization, there is mounting concern as to whether the United States should continue in those organizations where it is seen to be blatantly violating the core provisions of their rules, said people familiar with the development.

UN : Funding cuts increasing risks of danger & death for refugees - UNHCR (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Deep funding cuts are removing critical support for the world's most vulnerable refugees, who face even greater risks of abuse, poverty, being forced to return home to danger or the prospect of new perilous journeys, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has warned.

Finance : Cross-border bank credit remains unchanged in Q4 2024, says BIS (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Global cross-border bank credit remained virtually unchanged in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, ending the year with an outstanding stock of $32.6 trillion, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).