World Bank finds dramatic decline in global poverty, but progress uneven
The proportion of people living in dire poverty was nearly halved in the two decades to 2001, from 40 percent of global population in 1981 to 21 percent in 2001, but progress was strikingly uneven, with millions in Africa and Latin America left out of dramatic gains seen in Asia, the World Bank said. 5/3/2004

World Press Freedom Day: 2003 a 'black year' for journalists worldwide
2003 was a "black year" for journalists worldwide, with 42 reporters killed and more than 120 others still imprisoned, according to press freedom group Reporters Without Borders' annual report released to coincide with World Press Freedom Day. As many as 766 other reporters were arrested, at least 1,460 physically attacked or threatened and 501 media censored. "Nearly a third of the world's people live in countries without press freedom." 5/2/2004

18,000 Iraqis illegally held in jails and prison camps by U.S.
According to the Baghdad-based Organisation for Human Rights, at least 18,000 Iraqis are now being illegally held in jails and prison camps. The prisoners are held without charge and denied access to lawyers, family and friends for months on end. 4/22/2004

U.S. Massacre in Fallujah, Iraq: Death Toll for Week More Than 600
More than 600 Iraqis have been killed in Fallujah since U.S. Marines began a siege against Sunni insurgents in the city a week ago, most of them women, children and the elderly, the head of the city's hospital said Sunday. 4/12/2004

Western Leaders Absent as Rwanda Recalls Genocide
With Western leaders conspicuous by their absence, Rwanda marked the 10th anniversary of its genocide on Wednesday still bewildered and angry at the world's failure to stop one of the 20th century's worst crimes. 4/7/2004