WTO: Questions mount over integrity of "Minister-Facilitator" list for MC14 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation on 23 February made changes to her earlier roaster of "Minister-Facilitators" after inducting Pakistan's federal minister, Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, to oversee negotiations on agriculture at the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14), to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March 2026, said people familiar with the development.

Trade: Trump threatens "obnoxious" tariffs after EU halts trade deal (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
United States President Donald Trump on 23 February threatened countries with "obnoxious" tariffs if they try to renege on the framework reciprocal trade agreements signed with Washington to date, after the European Parliament decided to postpone discussion on the agreement reached between the US and the European Union in Turnberry, Scotland last July.

UN: Rule of law "out-muscled" by rule of force, warns UN chief (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
"Human rights are under a full-scale attack around the world. The rule of law is being out-muscled by the rule of force. And this assault is not coming from the shadows or by surprise. It is happening in plain sight and often led by those who hold the greatest power," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on 23 February.