Malawi's Daily Times newspaper reported that the United Democratic Front (UDF) has drawn up a list of journalists to be assaulted allegedly for discrediting the ruling party.

Ruling United Democratic Front's (UDF) party activists, the so-called "young democrats", have become embroiled once again in allegations of intimidation and violence.

Feeding programmes to assist the poor should begin soon to prevent starvation, and possible death, by the end of the year, World Vision relief manager for Malawi, Elton Ntwana, warned on Wednesday.

About 78 percent of Malawi's rural poor may not have food by December, according to the preliminary results of a World Vision survey.

The international NGO World Vision is carrying out a food and nutrition assessment in Malawi to determine how best to combat the hunger that is ravaging most of the country. Many desperate people are reportedly eating maize husks and wild roots.

Pupil enrolment increased a staggering 63 percent when Malawi introduced free primary school education in 1994, but education authorities are still battling to keep young girls in class.

The trial of four men accused of attempting to overthrow the Malawian government in March began on Tuesday with prosecutors alleging that the group had planned to take over the presidential palace and the radio station, AFP reported.

USAID's Population Technical Assistance Project (POPTECH) is currently recruiting a team to evaluate USAID/Malawi's STAFP project. This assignment was to have begun next week but has been postponed. The new start-up date is not known, but will hopefully be within the next few weeks. Knowledge of USAID a must.

The Malawi Digest, produced by MIDEA, raises concerns about the growing demise of democracy in Malawi. According to the Digest, Malawi is in danger of sliding back into one-party rule. There are real concerns about the government's lack of respect for the constitution and the rule of law, and the real dangers that are now faced from the abuse of human rights, the intolerance of dissent and the emergence of politcally motivated violence.

The Malawi Economic Justice Network welcomes the 2001-2002 Budget as one that laregely focusses on improving the lives of the poorest in Malawi. However, MEJN retains a number of serious concerns over whether the commitments made in the budget to spending on key Priority Poverty Expenditures will actually be fulfilled, as no new systems for detailing, reporting and guaranteeing expenditures have been included in the budget, despite assurances given by the Minister during his pre-budget consultations.

Families affected by floods earlier this year continue to return to their homes, but their living conditions are getting more difficult as winter approaches, according to OCHA. The agency said in its latest situation report that because the floods had washed away crops, and relief aid had consisted of mainly non-food items, food had become a priority. "Relief items so far received and distributed by the government have mainly been non-food items. Malnutrition especially among children and pregnant women for the coming months is of great concern. The food resources of the Department for Disaster Preparedness, Rehabilitation and Relief have almost been exhausted."

This report examines the case of Malawi, where several institutions offer credit to poor, smallholder farmers to allow them to buy fertilizer, seeds, and other inputs. Diagne and Zeller show that for credit to work effectively, the conditions surrounding credit programs must be right--that is, they must reflect the actual opportunities and constraints faced by poor farmers.

When female underachievement is found at every level of the education system, where should policymakers focus their efforts to break its cycle? Should greater attention be given to the creation of female role models and a supportive environment for girls to promote gender equity in schools?

The President of Malawi Bakili Muluzi has said he is disappointed by the slow international response to the devastating floods that hit the country last month.

A journalist with Malawi's state-run news agency is under police protection after reporting critically on an opposition party visit to flood victims, prompting a string a threats against him.