Africa/Global: Campaigners slam World Bank 'sham' on environment

Campaigners have condemned plans by the World Bank to relax its environmental and social requirements when lending money to the private sector. The proposed changes, which deal with controversial issues such as pollution and the mistreatment of indigenous people by Western companies, were condemned by Friends of the Earth last night. 'They make a sham of the World Bank's declared mission to alleviate poverty,' a spokesperson said.