Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

World Food Day is commemorated annually on October 16 to recognize food shortages among the poorest countries. According to the UN, hunger continues to plague the poorest people across the globe. Nearly 1 billion people remain hungry on a daily basis. Rising food shortages, climate change and high fuel costs are exacerbating the situation. Most victims of hunger live in rural areas where their main source of income is the agricultural sector. Global warming is threatening to push the number of hungry even higher in the decades to come.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) met with UN officials today to highlight the increase in violence throughout the country. Many civilians in North Kivu have had to flee from their homes.

In Somalia, direct talks are now being set up for October 25-26 to address the growing frustration and lack of support for African Union peacekeepers. Tensions have escalated significantly in recent months. A preparatory meeting for the talks has been scheduled for Monday, October 20 in Stockholm.

UNICEF has called for urgent action to be taken to boost primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe. The Organization said poor salaries for teachers and a lack of school attendance are main causes of the decline.

In Sri Lanka, a major food convoy was forced to turn back due to fighting. The UN continues to dispatch food aid to the internally displaced in the northern districts. An estimated 230,000 civilians have been forced from their homes due to fighting between the Sri Lankan government forces and the Tamil Tigers.

The Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to continue the work of the expert group on Sudan which has been tasked with investigating suspected government led atrocities in Darfur and to deal with the humanitarian crisis throughout the region.