A new alliance of religious and secular groups committed to cooperation to "make poverty history in the UK" is to be launched on Thursday 11 September 2008, with involvement from major churches and Christian agencies.

The threatened mortgage guarantee market in the US betokens an economic crisis, says Philip Blond. But the real tragedy - often overlooked - is the betrayal of Fannie Mae's original mission to house the poor.

Faith leaders in the world's riches nation have told a hearing that it is time to stop the "poverty train" in the United States of America and rescue its 37 million citizens who are still living below the poverty line.

As the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation meets to discuss the food crisis in Rome today, debt campaigners have issued a call for a moratorium on debt repayments from afflicted countries.