In Lesotho, trade ministers from the world’s poor countries are meeting over the next three days to discuss moves to liberalize trade. Poor and rich nations have been at odds over such things as agricultural subsidies and tariffs. The NGO ActionAid is criticizing past efforts at liberalization, saying they have cost sub-Saharan African countries hundreds of millions of dollars.

“The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Tuesday that developing countries must play an active role alongside global partnerships to further cut child mortality and raise overall care.

Exercise is strongly promoted for the maintenance of good health – particularly as regards people on lower incomes, who are generally less physically active. However, new research published in PLoS Medicine suggests that one barrier to physical activity in low-income areas may be that people do not consider their environment safe enough to allow them to walk, cycle or take other forms of outdoor exercise.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says the poorest countries in the world could prosper in the biofuel industry, which produces fuel from crops such as corn and grain.

Poor Countries Catching up with Rich Nations in Cancers, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Other Chronic Illnesses

The World Bank said on May 31st it is taking a step forward to try to limit the damage of the so-called vulture funds on heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs), and announced the extension of its Debt Reduction Facility for another five years to help such countries reduce the commercial debts they owe.