United Nations : Israeli occupation creating huge resource gap in OPT (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
The occupation by Israel of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, since 1967 has "significantly distorted and disoriented the Palestinian economy", according to a new study released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

United Nations : Journalist killings in Sri Lanka predicated on a deadly irony (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
The widespread belief in the politically-motivated killings of journalists in Sri Lanka is predicated on a deadly irony: the hidden hand has always been visible, but the fingerprints have gone missing.

Pakistan : Mob killing sparks fresh outrage over blasphemy laws (PRIV)
(IPS, Karachi)
Aimal Khan, 27, an airman in Pakistan's Air Force, warns that the country will end up in the throes of mayhem if the state does not do something about the abuse of the blasphemy laws.

United Nations : Kenya is doing its part to battle drought, we must too (PRIV)
(IPS, Nairobi)
After three years of drought and failed harvests, Kenya is in the grip of a national crisis.