Representatives from a dozen intellectual and cultural groups called for a boycott of the BBC, in protest at its refusal to screen on UK television a humanitarian aid appeal for Gaza and for what they describe as "unbalanced reporting".

BBC: UN launches $613m appeal for Gaza

The ruling military junta in Myanmar -- traditionally known as Burma -- made a rare appeal for humanitarian aid as it continues plans to hold a referendum Saturday on a draft constitution.

CNN: Relief groups scramble to aid Myanmar

These same players have been behind nearly every congressional appeal to halt military aid from the U.S. to Latin America for the past two decades, while falling silent during administrations that they consider friendly to their interests.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: A rare victory in the judicial war in Peru

The big aid agencies are gearing up for an appeal, but fear it will be hard to raise money until there is evidence that people are starving to death.

ECONOMIST: Among other troubles, Yemen faces a creeping famine

But blaming Europe for where the axe falls when the aid map is announced next week is not a strategy likely to appeal to Mr Blair, who is trying to make Europe more popular.

ECONOMIST: Regional aid