WTO : Time to prepare credible report on MC13 deliverables after SOM (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization apparently faces a litmus test as to whether it can produce a seemingly credible repor t on the views expressed by the majority of capital-based senior officials who are t aking part in a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 23-24 October "to point the way to deliverables for MC13 and provide political guidance and support," said peo ple familiar with the development.

Gaza : Humanitarian crisis worsens even as first aid convoys arrive (PRIV)
(IPS, Cairo/New York)
The ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip has resulted in a humanitarian crisis de scribed as "catastrophic" - and even as aid arrived, strikes intensified.

Afghanistan : The Taliban's war on women - the ongoing struggle (PRIV)
(IPS, Kabul)
Afghanistan can be likened to an open prison, where ne arly 20 million women struggle daily for their freedom.