In London Thursday at the unveiling of a progress update from the group DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), activist Bob Geldof urged leaders of the Group of Eight rich nations to honor their promises made last year to help alleviate suffering in Africa. Geldof, who coordinated ten Live 8 music concerts worldwide to coincide with last year's G-8 summit meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland, said progress on meeting G-8 commitments was "painfully slow." The report noted that G-8 was "on track" to meet commitments on debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries, but called for action on the crucial issues of aid and trade. The report said the number of people in Africa receiving AIDS treatment rose from 100,000 in 2003 to 810,000 by the end of 2005, but donors were still spending only half the amount needed to reach G-8 targets.

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