Rich governments and corporations are triggering alarm for the poor as they buy up the rights to millions of hectares of agricultural land in developing countries in an effort to secure their own long-term food supplies.
The head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, Jacques Diouf, has warned that the controversial rise in land deals could create a form of "neo-colonialism", with poor states producing food for the rich at the expense of their own hungry people
Net immigration to the UK increased to 237,000 in 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics.
That is 46,000 more than in 2006 - as a result of emigration falling faster than immigration.
Community First is a charity that works at the forefront of community development to help improve the quality of life and economic well being of people and local communities throughout Wiltshire and Swindon.
We work in close partnership with local grass roots communities, voluntary organisations, statutory agencies and funders to help develop and deliver wide ranging community programmes that bring social, economic and environmental benefits to local people in Wiltshire and Swindon.
Led by Cornwall Enterprise, actnow is a not-for-profit partnership project dedicated to accelerating economic growth and social inclusion in Cornwall through the use of the Internet and ICT.
HIE is the Scottish Government's economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We work with private businesses and enterprising public and third sector organisations to build sustainable economic growth across a diverse and beautiful region, from Shetland to Argyll and from the Outer Hebrides to Moray. We are committed to developing the Highlands and Islands as a competitive region which is home to strong communities, successful, high growth businesses and excellent quality of life.
About the fair
Sound water governance is one of the key challenges facing our world in the 21st century. UNDP has organized this virtual exhibition to enable experts and practitioners to share best practices and solutions.
This page describes regeneration and renewal activities by the various agencies in West Cornwall
Ten years ago, Amazon started selling books. Today, in the UK alone, it is receiving nearly 1m orders a day, having transformed itself into a giant online shopping mall. It is now challenging all the major high street chains for the title of Britain's biggest retailer, shipping millions of items at rock-bottom prices.
Earlier this year it opened one of Europe's largest warehouses in Swansea, 60% bigger than its existing monster-sized distribution centre in Milton Keynes. But already the firm is seeking a site for another huge warehouse as it anticipates sales growth of at least 15%. Other retailers are mired in gloom as consumer spending is hit by the credit crunch. But not Amazon - it is already tooling up for its next big move, with the launch early next year of a low-cost, music download service that could rival Apple iTunes
What the UNESCO map reveals is just how many aquifers cross international borders. So far, the organisation has identified 273 trans-boundary aquifers: 68 in the Americas, 38 in Africa, 155 in Eastern and Western Europe and 12 in Asia.
Each trans-boundary aquifer holds the potential for international conflict - if two countries share an aquifer, pumping in one country will affect its neighbour's water supply.
Games Monitor is a network of people raising awareness about issues within the 2012 London Olympic development processes.
This site provides information from the press and local sources. Support us by contributing articles and comments, and join our discussion forum.
The eruption of the Lusi mud volcano in Indonesia was caused by drilling for oil and gas, a meeting of 74 leading geologists has concluded.
Lusi erupted in May 2006 and continues to spew out boiling mud, displacing around 30,000 people in East Java.
Drilling firm Lapindo Brantas denies a nearby well was the trigger, blaming an earthquake 280km (174 miles) away.
Around 10,000 families who have lost their homes are awaiting compensation, which could run as high as $70m (£43m).
At 10 a.m. on November 13, join millions of people throughout Southern California in the ShakeOut Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history! Please register today.
Three Rural Revival projects in Yorkshire, Cumbria and Cornwall, aimed at tackling the real but often hidden areas of disadvantage facing rural communities, are the focus of a Seminar hosted by The Prince of Wales at Highgrove House today: 28 March.
This site monitors what is happening to poverty and social exclusion in the UK and complements our annual monitoring reports. The material is organised around 50 statistical indicators covering all aspects of the subject, from income and work to health and education.
The indicators and graphs can be viewed by age group or by subject using the menu on the left.
