International aid agency Oxfam has warned of dire consequences from the drought that has hit parts of East Africa for the sixth year in a row. Its comments come after the failure of both rainy seasons in 2009.

Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa has won the Paul Carus Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Interreligious Movement by the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions.

Following recent action by Africa, a majority of the world's countries have now banned nuclear weapons from their national territory for the first time, says Jonathan Frerichs. The churches have played an important role in this.

In many parts of Africa 80% to 90% of people live in extreme poverty. Parents struggle to feed their children, and the life expectancy of many children in around five years. Adults rarely live beyond the age of 50 years.