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2008 Global
For climate change and other environmental issues see the Hunger Notes special report Global issues: the earth, the environment, and poor people
Wealthy countries seek land in Cambodia, Madagascar, and Brazil David Montero Christian Science Monitor December 22, 2008
Number of children immunized has been inflated for years David Brown Washington Post December 9, 2008
Ecuador defaults on foreign debt it considers 'illegitimate' BBC News December 6, 2008
Democracy in Nicaragua in peril, Ortega critics say William Booth Washington Post November 19, 2008
Boost: Maria Joelma da Silva (c.) used state subsidies to build a cistern and start a business selling crops and honey. Photo: Sara Miller Llana/The Christian Science Monitor
Brazil becomes antipoverty showcase as the Bolsa Familia program that pays poor mothers to keep their children in school and follow healthcare rules reduces poverty Sara Miller Llana Christian Science Monitor November 13, 2008 Among Latin leftists, Brazil's moderate Lula leads the way Sara Miller Llana Christian Science Monitor November 13, 2008
Early on Nov. 16, 1989, six priests, a housekeeper and her 16-year-old daughter were killed by the Salvadoran Army on the campus of the Central American University in San Salvador. International outrage over the murders proved to be pivotal in sapping American support for United States military assistance to the Salvadoran Army. Photo: Associated Press
1989 killing of Jesuits by military in El Salvador could reach trial in Spain Victoria Burnett New York Times November 15, 2008 Obituary: peace activist Amparo Lopez Palacios: fought US aid to Salvadoran military Patricia Sullivan Washington Post December 9, 2008
Peru economy grows, but problems abound Joshua Partlow Washington Post November 16, 2008 In Peru, a rebellion reborn: dreaded Shining Path returns as a drug-financed movement seeking popular support Joshua Partlow Washington Post November 12, 2008
Bolivia halts US anti-drug work BBC News November 2, 2008 Bolivia set for vote on new constitution BBC News October 22, 2008 More Bolivia stories
Workers eradicate coca leaf plantations as part of a government counter-narcotics program in El Penol Narino province, August, 14, 2007. After receiving billions in U.S. aid to spray illegal coca crops from the air, Colombia shifted strategy to emphasize more eradication on the ground to attack the bright leaves used to make drugs that end up on European and U.S. streets. Photo: Jose Miguel Gomez/ Reuters
Colombia's army chief steps down Juan Forero Washington Post November 5, 2008 Witness ties top Colombian general to paramilitaries Juan Forero Washington Post September 17, 2008 Colombia: America's forgotten and longest-running war Alfonso Cuéllar Washington Post/Woodrow Wilson Center Fellow October 29, 2008
Photo reportedly showing helicopters at the scene of the Syria attack. Photo: BBC
US conducts raid into Syria, which condemns attack BBC News October 28, 2008
Financial meltdown worsens food crisis Ariana Eunjung Cha and Stephanie McCrummen Washington Post October 26, 2008
Fearing a drought of aid Dan Eggen and Anthony Faiola Washington Post October 22, 2008
Construction begins on one of two massive hydroelectric dams that are to span the Madeira River, helping the government feed the nation's appetite for electricity. But the project has been widely criticized by social and environmental groups for its potential damage to the environment, river residents and nearby indigenous tribes. Photo: Andre Penner/Associated Press
Doubt, anger over Brazil dams--many question environmental costs Joshua Partlow Washington Post October 14, 2008
Lives lost through lack of leadership in UN response to humanitarian crises, Britain warns. Principal problem is lack of trained humanitarian coordinators for key crisis countries, envoy says. Julian Borger The Guardian October 7, 2008
Saad Eddin Ibrahim lobbies for conditions on US aid to Egypt Nora Boustany Washington Post September 23, 2008 (You will leave this site.) [Saad Eddin Ibrahim was sentenced by an Egyptian judge to 2 years in prison in August 2008 essentially for the op-ed below that appeared in the Washington Post in 2007 Also included below are the related Washington Post editorial and news story.] Egypt's unchecked repression Saad Eddin Ibrahim Washington Post August 21, 2007 As Egypt's Hosni Mubarak continues to hound an advocate for democracy, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, the administration is nearly silent Washington Post August 21, 2008 Egyptian judge sentences exiled dissident to prison for writings in 'foreign press' Ellen Knickmeyer Washington Post August 3, 2008
The city of Gonaives has been left in ruins after recent storms. Photo: Associated Press
Haiti overwhelmed after storms BBC News September 19, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Billions wasted by international aid system, CARE says BBC News September 18, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
A riot police officer keeps watch over residents shouting slogans outside the military airport in El Alto, where the governor of the northern province of Pando was to arrive after being detained on genocide charges. Photo: Aizar Raldes/AFP/Getty Images
Negotiators inch forward in Bolivia Patrick J. McDonnell Los Angeles Times September 17, 2008 Bolivia expels US ambassador on grounds of encouraging the country's breakup BBC News September 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Bolivia sets date for referendum on new constitution in face of strong opposition by 5 state governors--land distribution to poor people, control of oil and gas revenues key issues BBC News August 29, 2008 (You will leave this site.) More Bolivia stories
Venezuela deports two officials from Human Rights Watch Juan Forero Washington Post September 20, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Chavez has undermined democracy in Venezuela, Human Rights Watch says Juan Forero Washington Post September 19, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See full report.
Gen. Mario Montoya, left, helps raise the flag in Medellin in 2002. A former paramilitary fighter accuses Montoya of collaborating with death squads that took control of the city's poor neighborhoods from guerrillas a few years ago. Photo: Fernando Vergara/Agence France-presse/Getty Images)
Witness ties top Colombian general to paramilitaries Juan Forero Washington Post September 17, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Armed killings cost nations billions of dollars each year, UN-Swiss study says Elaine Engler Associated Press/Denver Post September 12, 2008 See study executive summary, and main webpage. See Hunger Notes special report Harmful Economic Systems
Ecuador giving US air base the boot Joshua Partlow Washington Post September 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
A girl plays in a pile of coca leaves at the coca market in the Bolivian jungle town of Chimore as her mother gathers the leaves together into 50 pound bags. Photo: Evan Abramson/ Washington Post
Despite US aid, coca cultivation on rise in Andes Juan Forero and Joshua Partlow Washington Post September 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Photo: BBC
Haiti overwhelmed after storms BBC News September 19, 2008 (You will leave this site.) UN warns of Haiti flooding crisis BBC News September 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
World's wealthiest countries are failing to deliver on their promises to give money to the world's poorest nations, UN says Laura Trevelyan BBC News September 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Social injustice is killing people on a 'grand scale' World Health Organization August 28, 2008
World Bank warns that poverty is much more widespread than previously thought Steve Schifferes BBC News August 26, 2008 (You will leave this site.) An even poorer world New York Times September 2, 2008 See also World Bank updates poverty estimates for developing world and full study,
A key issue has been oil production in the northern Amazon region of Peru. 30 years of oil production there has left indigenous peoples suffering malnutrition, sickness and social disruption. Since 1971, Los-Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum, using practices outlawed in the U.S., pumped an average of 800,000 gallons a day of salty formation water and other toxic wastewaters into local rivers with appalling consequences for local communities. Shown: a crude oil dump outlet. Photo: Amazon Watch
After protests by indigenous groups, Peru's Congress votes to repeal two land laws aimed at opening up Amazonian tribal areas to development BBC News August 20, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Paraguayan low-income farmers. One issue in Paraguay is the expulsion of farmers from their lands by agribusinesses. Photo: Jody and Andrea/Rainforest Action Network
Paraguay's president, committed to the poor, faces huge task in country with a high degree of poverty, inequality and corruption James Painter BBC News August 15, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Shafiqual Haque Choudhury runs ASA, a competitor to microcredit pioneer Grameen Bank. ASA has become the largest microcredit bank in Bangladesh and the world, surpassing Muhammad Unis' Grameen Bank. Photo: Shehab Uddin/Drik/Agentur Focus
Micro-loans increasingly made by for-profit businesses--aid or exploitation? Uwe Buse Spiegel Online International August 19, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Brazil's farms see quiet revolution Gary Duffy BBC News August 18, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Strong economy propels Brazil to world stage Alexei Barrionuevo New York Times July 31, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Millions eating food grown with polluted water, says UN report says. Study of 53 cities across the world finds 'widespread' use of waste water contaminated with heavy metals and sewage John Vidal The Guardian August 18, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
In the mostly indigenous city of Warisata, President Evo Morales greets a crowd of several thousand people commemorating Bolivia's National Day of the Indian on Saturday. Photo: Evan Abramson/Washington Post
Bolivia sets date for referendum on new constitution in face of strong opposition by 5 state governors BBC News August 29, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Bolivia referendum keeps both President Morales and opposition state governors in office--deep divisions continue BBC News August 12, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Bolivian referendum points up clashing visions: control and use of natural resource revenue key issue Joshua Partlow Washington Post August 6, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
A key issue has been oil production in the northern Amazon region of Peru. 30 years of oil production there has left indigenous peoples suffering malnutrition, sickness and social disruption. Since 1971, Los-Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum, using practices outlawed in the U.S., pumped an average of 800,000 gallons a day of salty formation water and other toxic wastewaters into local rivers with appalling consequences for local communities. Shown: a crude oil dump outlet. Photo: Amazon Watch
After protests by indigenous groups, Peru's Congress votes to repeal two land laws aimed at opening up Amazonian tribal areas to development BBC News August 20, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Paraguayan low-income farmers. One issue in Paraguay is the expulsion of farmers from their lands by agribusinesses. Photo: Jody and Andrea/Rainforest Action Network
Paraguay's president, committed to the poor, faces huge task in country with a high degree of poverty, inequality and corruption James Painter BBC News August 15, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Foreign fields: rich states look beyond their borders for fertile soil Javier Blas and Andrew England Financial Times August 19, 2008 UN warns of food 'neo-colonialism' Javier Blas Financial Times August 20, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Trade talks failure end Doha dreams (with Africa not represented in negotiations' inner circle) David Loyn BBC News July 29, 2008 (You will leave this site.) WTO negotiator receives praise in India for his efforts to protect Indian farmers Rama Lakshmi Washington Post August 1, 2008 (You will leave this site.) World trade talks break down over agricultural developed country reluctance to cut agricultural subsidies; developing country reluctance to give up tariffs on food Keith Bradsher New York Times July 30, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Deal still elusive at trade talks BBC News July 28, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See Hunger Notes special report Trade and hunger
As her t-shirt indicates, this Kenyan woman is taking anti-retroviral therapy. US funding through PEPFAR (the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) has supplied funding for 1.73 million people throughout the developing world, including Kenya. Photo: Waweru Mugo/IRIN
Progress and setbacks in AIDS battle Duncan Kennedy BBC News August 1, 2008 (You will leave this site.) AIDS deaths down 10% in 2007 with greater access to treatment key factor, UN report says Thomas H. Maugh II Los Angeles Times July 30, 2008 AIDS funding binds longevity of millions to US David Brown Washington Post July 26, 2008 (You will leave this site.) AIDS drugs reaching more people in developing world, UN says Colum Lynch Washington Post June 10, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
The dispute between the Argentinean government and farmers began in March, when President Fernandez's government raised taxes on soya exports from 35% to 45%, and imposed new taxes on other farm exports. Argentina is a major producer of soya, grains and beef, which fetch high prices on international markets. The issue sparked extensive protests by farmers. Photo: Agence France-Presse
Argentina drops disputed farm tax BBC News July 14, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Ingrid Betancourt said the rescue was a "perfect operation." She was captured by the FARC in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency of Colombia. Photo: AFP
US government played a significant role in hostage rescue with Special Forces team, large Embassy-based intelligence gathering operation Juan Forero Washington Post July 9, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See Hunger Notes special report: Development Assistance Colombian security forces rescue 15 hostages from FARC Jeremy McDermott BBC News July 3, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Humanitarians cool on G8 summit response to food crisis IRIN News July 11, 2008
Secret World Bank report: biofuel caused world food crisis Aditya Chakrabortty The Guardian July 5, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
About 50 million more people hungry in 2007 due to high food prices Food and Agriculture Organization July 3, 2008
Palm oil is one of the biofuels stirring controversy. Photo: AFP
Biofuel use increasing poverty, Oxfam report says BBC News June 25, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See full report
Conflict with farmers takes toll on Argentina. Farmers lead major protests against increased agricultural export tax, designed to increase government revenue and keep more agricultural products in Argentina, but which also decreases farmers' income. Alexi Barrioneuevo New York Times June 24, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Conflicts displacing more people--up from 9.9 million to 11.4 million Colum Lynch Washington Post June 18, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
At 15,000 feet, Mount Toromocho, 86 miles from Lima, is comparable to any mountain in Europe. It gets its name from its shape - The Bull With No Horns. And it is composed almost entirely of copper ore: two billion tons of it. It could become the most productive copper mine anywhere on earth. Now it belongs, in effect, to China. Photo: BBC
Peru's copper mountain in Chinese hands John Simpson BBC News June 17, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
AIDS drugs reaching more people in developing world, UN says Colum Lynch Washington Post June 10, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
International efforts to reduce hunger have been insufficient, US Government Accountability Office says Anthony Faiola Washington Post May 29, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.) See the GAO report.
World failing on human rights, Amnesty International says BBC News May 28, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See the full report.
Leaders speak of their own issues at a conference addressing world food shortages Elisabeth Rosenthal and Andrew Martin New York Times June 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Workers extract gold at a mine in Ghana, a country whose growing wealth has allowed it to rely less on the International Monetary Fund. Photo: Olivier Asselin/Associated Press)
As global wealth spreads, the IMF recedes Anthony Faiola Washington Post May 24, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.)
Mexico's poor get food cash boost BBC News May 19, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Gunmen kill three top Mexican policemen BBC News May 11, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Bolivians to hold confidence vote on their president as he struggles to enact reform against wishes of people in some resource-rich regions of Bolivia BBC News May 9, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
US scrambles to address world food crisis Dan Eggen Washington Post April 26, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.) Food crisis Is depicted as 'silent tsunami'--sharp price hikes leave many millions hungry Kevin Sullivan Washington Post April 23, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.) Bush releases $200 million in emergency food aid Reuters April 15, 2008 UN body urges agricultural reforms to stave off food crisis Angela Balakrishnan The Guardian April 15, 2008 (You will leave this site.) World Bank tackles food crisis BBC News April 13, 2008 IMF head gives food price warning (You will leave this site.) BBC News April 13, 2008 (You will leave this site.) More world food and hunger crisis stories
In Sri Lanka, local government workers, like this man from the Colombo Municipal Council, are regularly deployed to spray insecticide in homes, gardens and along roadways islandwide. Photo: Christine Jayasinghe/IRIN
Eradicating malaria worldwide seen as a distant goal, at best David Brown Washington Post April 26, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.) Sri Lanka: on track to eliminate malaria IRIN April 24, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Leaders of Mexico and Canada back President Bush on trade Steven Lee Myers New York Times April 23, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See Hunger Notes special report Trade and hunger
A man places photographs of people murdered or missing, allegedly because of paramilitary groups, on the fence of the Costa Rican Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. Photo: William Fernando Martinez/Associated Press
Cousin of Colombia's president arrested in death squad probe Juan Forero Washington Post April 10, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.)
Former bishop wins Paraguay presidency, ending the Colorado party’s 62-year rule Alexi Barrionuevo New York Times April 21, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
In Sri Lanka, local government workers, like this man from the Colombo Municipal Council, are regularly deployed to spray insecticide in homes, gardens and along roadways islandwide. Photo: Christine Jayasinghe/IRIN
Eradicating malaria worldwide seen as a distant goal, at best David Brown Washington Post April 26, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post, and thereafter sign in using your email address.)
Venezuela 'to tax oil windfall' BBC News April 3, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Exxon Mobil acts to freeze Venezuelan oil assets; Venezuela denies full freeze BBC News February 8, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See Hunger Notes special report: Global issues: harmful economic systems and 2007 Venezuela oil nationalization stories
Ecuador’s leader purges military and moves to expel American base Simon Romero New York Times April 21 2008 (You will leave this site. Ecuador plans foreign bases ban, ending US base there BBC News April 2, 2008 (You will leave this site.) See Hunger Notes special report on development and military aid
Court slows Bolivian reform BBC News March 8, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Militia groups claim to offer protection to poor communities Photo: AP
Brazilians look to regional force to root out death squads Monte Reel Washington Post March 18, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post and thereafter sign in using your email address.) Vigilantes take over Rio shanty towns Gary Duffy BBC News March 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Soaring food prices putting US emergency aid in peril Anthony Faiola Washington Post March 1, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post and thereafter sign in using your email address.) Millions more face starvation because of rising food prices and large food aid budget deficit, UN says Julian Borger The Guardian February 26, 2008 UN warns over food aid rationing BBC News February 25, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Grain price increases hit poor countries BBC News February 14, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
The Colombian raid inside Ecuador left 17 rebels dead including FARC leader Raul Reyes. Photo: AP
Leaders say Colombia crisis over BBC News March 8, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Ecuador and Venezuela cut ties with Colombia over cross-border raid BBC News March 4, 2008 (You will leave this site.) FARC aura of invincibility shattered Jeremy McDermott BBC News March 1, 2008
Colombians in Cali demonstrate against the FARC. Photo: AP
FARC releases 4 of 40 political hostages it holds; thousands of other hostages still captive as well BBC News February 28, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Colombians in huge FARC protest BBC News February 4, 2008
Brazil unveils anti-poverty drive BBC News February 26, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Drug resistant TB 'at new high' BBC News February 26, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Nutritional supplements and education are helping to save the lives of displaced children in the Central African Republic. Photo: © UNICEF/Holtz
Governments fail to invest enough to prevent malnutrition IRIN February 22, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
US sanctions on businessman target Syria's inner sanctum Robin Wright Washington Post February 22, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post and thereafter sign in using your email address.) See Hunger Notes special report: Harmful economic systems
Fidel Castro announces retirement, ending 49 years in power BBC News February 19, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Grain price increases hit poor countries BBC News February 14, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Wealthy neighbors need Bolivia's gas Monte Reel Washington Post February 10, 2008 (You will leave this site, be required to register once with the Post and thereafter sign in using your email address.)
The rate of mangrove loss is higher than the loss of any other forest type. Mangroves protect coastal areas against erosion, cyclones and wind. Mangrove forests provide habitats for many animals like crocodiles and snakes, tigers, deer, otters, dolphins and birds. A wide range of fish and shellfish also depends on these coastal forests. Photo: FAO
An alarming 20 percent of mangrove forest area has been destroyed since 1980 Food & Agriculture Organization February 8, 2008
A single crossing point allowed Palestinians to return to Gaza as Egyptian troops seal border. Photo AFP
Egyptian troops seal border with the Gaza Strip, ending 12 days of freedom of movement for Palestinians. BBC News February 3, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
Palestinians flooded over the border as the wall tumbled down. Photo: AFP
Gaza has been under an almost complete blockade for months. Photo: BBC
Egypt reluctant to check Gaza's surge Ian Pannell BBC News January 23, 2008 Gazans flood through Egypt border after militants destroy parts of the border wall BBC News January 23, 2008 (You will leave this site.) Israel briefly eases grip on Gaza: EU, UN allowed to truck in limited supplies on fifth day of blockade Ellen Knickmeyer Washington Post January 23, 2008 (You will leave this site and be required to register [once] with the Post.)
Survey finds world freedom reduced in 2007 with one-fifth of countries showing declines Freedom House January 18, 2008
Suitcase of cash tangles US, Venezuela and Argentina in intrigue Simon Romero and Alexei Barronuevo New York Times January 9, 2008 (You will leave this site.)
New study estimates 151,000 violent Iraqi deaths since 2003 invasion World Health Organization January 9, 2008