Trade : US steel order on national security, and China's queries on subsidies (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
As the United States prepares the ground for imposing tariffs on steel imports based on national security considerations, China has asked the US to provide information on the subsidies it provides to the steel sector, including information on specific government support measures such as financial contributions to steel enterprises.

Finance : Banking activity weakens in last quarter of 2016, says BIS (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
International banking activity weakened in the last quarter of 2016, with cross-border claims dropping by $280 billion, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has reported.

Finance : Dispute settlement becomes speculative financial asset (PRIV)
(Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Kuala Lumpur)
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions in bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) have effectively created a powerful and privileged system of protections for foreign investors that undermines national law and institutions.

United States : Bannon down, Pentagon up, neo-cons in? (PRIV)
(IPS, Washington)
The apparent and surprisingly abrupt demise in Steve Bannon's influence offers a major potential opening for neo-conservatives, many of whom opposed Trump's election precisely because of his association with Bannon and the "America Firsters," to return to power after so many years of being relegated to the sidelines.

Yemen : "Everyday things are getting worse" for children (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
Persistent attacks on health care in Yemen is severely impacting children's well-being, civil society detailed at the launch of a report.