Finance : Credit rating agencies need fundamental reform, says UN expert (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
Reform of credit rating agencies must be part of the reform of the global financial architecture, and that these agencies should play a gatekeeper role for debt crisis prevention instead of contributing to the debt crisis, according to a UN human rights expert.

Trade : US warns over moves to discontinue moratorium on e-commerce duties (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States has apparently warned developing countries led by India and South Africa that any move to discontinue with the moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions under the 1998 e-commerce work program at the World Trade Organization will be fraught with serious consequences, said people familiar with the development.

Rights : Fantasy turned nightmare for human trafficking survivor (PRIV)
(IPS, Kingston)
Marcela Loaiza was just 21 years old when a man approached her at her workplace in Pereira City, Colombia with promises of fame and money.