In his audiences and public liturgical duties this week, Pope Benedict XVI, leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, has highlighted the concerns of World Food Day and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Church and development organisations across Africa say the extreme rainfall experienced by the continent this summer is the worst in decades and is having a devastating impact on the food supply. They are warning that immediate action is needed.

In order to fight poverty, Africa needs to mobilize similar efforts to those rallied against colonialism, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Dr Samuel Kobia has told Tanzanian church leaders.

Nicaraguan President-elect Daniel Ortega has announced that he will this week call on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to relax its stringent policy towards Nicaragua in order to be able to tackle endemic poverty and hunger.