Agence France-Presse - Table of Contents 'English'

2005

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January February March April May June July August September October November

December

AIDS groups question whether Nigeria can meet free drugs vow: Emmanuel Coujon; Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2005; LAGOS, Dec 24 (AFP) - Nigerian AIDS workers on Saturday welcomed a government announcement of free treatment for people suffering from the disease but questioned whether the government could fulfill its promises.
Nigeria promises free AIDS drugs next year: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2005; LAGOS, Dec 23 (AFP) - Nigeria will dispense free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV/AIDS patients from January next year, the government announced on Friday.
Bulgaria, Libya agree fund for AIDS families in condemned nurses case: Diana Simeonova; Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2005; SOFIA, Dec 23 (AFP) - Bulgaria and Libya will set up a special fund for AIDS-infected children in Libya, where five Bulgarian nurses face the death penalty after being convicted of causing the infections, the foreign ministry said Friday.
Namibia facing growing legion of orphans: Brigitte Weidlich; Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2005; WINDHOEK, Dec 20 (AFP) - Clutching her script, 15-year-old Delfi Kamush speaks into the microphone, her voice trembling as she recounts her life as one of Namibia's growing legion of orphans.
Bono proves U2 can influence presidents through music: Catherine Hours; Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2005; NEW YORK, Dec 18 (AFP) - Bono has built up an unparalleled influence in the world of rock and international politics which he has used to fight for poor nations and the victims of the world AIDS emergency.
Global AIDS, TB and malaria fund lacks money: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2005; GENEVA, Dec 16 (AFP) - A UN-created fund to fight the scourges of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria warned Friday that it faced a 1.1 billion dollar shortfall for 2006, after scraping together enough funding this week to seal 2005 projects.
LA County allows anonymous Internet notification of sex diseases: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2005; LOS ANGELES, Dec 15 (AFP) - Los Angeles County health officials have opened an internet website on which users can anonymously notify their sex partner of having been infected with a sexually transmitted disease.
Swiss Serono pleads guilty in AIDS drug marketing scheme: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2005; WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (AFP) - Serono Laboratories Inc., the US subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical group Serono SA, pleaded guilty and was sentenced Thursday on US criminal charges over the illegal marketing of its AIDS drug Serostim.
25 percent leap in new Greek HIV cases in 2005: Agence France-Presse - December 13, 2005; ATHENS, Dec 13 (AFP) - Greece recorded 522 new cases of HIV in 2005, some 25 percent more than in 2004, Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis told a press conference Tuesday.
China's human trials of AIDS vaccine going "smoothly": researcher: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2005; BEIJING, Dec 12 (AFP) - China's human trials of an AIDS vaccine were proceeding "smoothly," state press reported Monday, nine months after the program was launched.
Abstinence is hot topic at African AIDS conference: Helen Vesperini; Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 9 (AFP) - At a keynote African conference this week on how best to control the devastating spread of AIDS, one issue that sparked rare discord was the value of saying no to sex, health experts said Friday.
Appeal for treatment for children, the forgotten face of the AIDS epidemic: Jerome Cartillier; Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 8 (AFP) - Governments, aid donors and drug companies have not done enough to help the growing army of African children infected by the HIV/AIDS virus, experts said at the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) on Thursday.
Winnie Mandela recommends abstinence in fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 8 (AFP) - Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, on Thursday came out firmly and vehemently in favour of sexual abstinence as the only efficient way to fight the spread of AIDS.
Rethink strategies in the fight against AIDS: UN expert: Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 8 (AFP) - It is time to rethink the strategies used so far in the fight against HIV/AIDS as they have shown their limitations, particularly in Africa, according to Michel Sidibe, the Malian who is deputy head of UNAIDS, the body coordinating the fight against the pandemic.
Slow but promising start for ARVs on the African continent: Jerome Cartillier; Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 7 (AFP) - Half a million Africans living with AIDS have access to antiretroviral treatment, a tiny number given the scale of the pandemic on the world's poorest continent, but experts say while treatment been slow to start, the future looks promising.
Women more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection than men, less apt to cope: Helen Vesperini; Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 7 (AFP) - Not only are women biologically more prone to HIV infection than men, but for a variety of social, cultural and economic reasons they also have a harder time coping with the illness once infected, particularly in Africa, experts told a major conference Wednesday.
WTO approves generic drug measure for poor countries ahead of Hong Kong: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2005; GENEVA, Dec 6 (AFP) - The World Trade Organization Tuesday confirmed a 2003 agreement to make generic medicines more widely available to poor countries.
AIDS destroys Monique's dream of life in the big city: Fiacre Vidjingninou; Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2005; COTONOU, Dec 5 (AFP) - Two years after escaping her African village to find an exciting new life in the big city, Monique lies shrunken, pale and feverish on her hospital death bed, gripped by a killer virus and by denial: "I'm not a prostitute. I can't have AIDS."
Youths mount sit-in protest at African AIDS summit: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 5 (AFP) - Around 100 young AIDS activists bound their mouths shut with bandages and staged a sit-down protest in the main hall of Africa's biggest conference on controlling the disease Monday, demanding that their opinions be heard.
Experts call for targeted responses to AIDS pandemic: Jerome Cartillier; Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 5 (AFP) - African and international health experts stressed Monday the need for targeted responses to the specific problems the HIV/AIDS virus poses for different sections of society around the continent.
African health experts meet to hone AIDS battle plan: Helen Vesperini; Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2005; ABUJA, Dec 4 (AFP) - African and international health experts gathered in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Sunday to launch a major conference on how best to break the deadly grip of the HIV/AIDS virus on the continent and care for its 24 million victims.
Chinese blood donor with HIV infected at least 21 others: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2005; BEIJING, Dec 3 (AFP) - An HIV carrier in northeast China who gave blood 15 times before he was diagnosed with the virus unknowingly infected at least 21 people, state media reported Saturday.
Nigeria's virgin ambassadors join AIDS fight: Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2005; BENIN CITY, Nigeria, Dec 2 (AFP) - Africa's top health experts will gather this weekend to discuss ways of halting the spread of the AIDS virus, but 22-year-old Kemi Ojie already has a simple plan; she's steering clear of sex, at least until December 29.
Support groups at the forefront of AIDS fight in South Africa: Florence Panoussian; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2005; SOWETO, South Africa, Dec 2 (AFP) - A plethora of AIDS support groups are helping South Africans cope with their illness in Soweto, stepping into a breach left by the national government.
Buenos Aires' obelisk wears pink condom for World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; BUENOS AIRES, Dec 1 (AFP) - The obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires was covered by a giant pink condom Thursday as the city marked World AIDS Day.
Rapid HIV test kit launched in Singapore: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; SINGAPORE, Dec 1 (AFP) - A Singapore biotechnology firm on Thursday unveiled a diagnostic oral test kit that can detect the HIV virus in 20 minutes, the first time that the product has been made available in Asia since its launch in the United States last year.
'AIDS is wiping us out': Tanzanian president: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 1 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS is "wiping out" whole generations in Tanzania, outgoing President Benjamin Mkapa warned his east African country, urging behaviorial changes to stop the spread of the killer disease.
Indian premier urges safe sex courses for youth: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, kicking off a national convention to mark World's AIDS Day, also called for a revamp of programs used to stem the spread of the infection among the country's billion-plus population, more than half of which is under 25 years old.
Malaysia expects HIV cases to hit 300,000 in 10 years: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (AFP) - Malaysia is expected to register a jump in HIV cases in 2015 to 300,000 people from about 65,000 now, a senior official said Thursday.
UN envoy urges "exceptional response" to AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; JAKARTA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Countries around the world must make an exceptional response to the global AIDS epidemic if they wish to stem the crisis, the executive director of UNAIDS Peter Piot warned Thursday.
Swedish HIV vaccine revives hopes for DNA path: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; STOCKHOLM, Dec 1 (AFP) - A vaccine undergoing early trials in Sweden is reviving hopes for a so-called DNA vaccine against the AIDS virus, Swedish researchers said on Thursday.
Estonia unveils plan to cut EU's highest per capita HIV rate: Tarmu Tammerk; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; TALLINN, Dec 1 (AFP) - Estonia unveiled an action plan Thursday to slash its soaring HIV infection rate, the highest per capita in the European Union, and held events to dispel myths about HIV-AIDS.
Indian premier urges 'safe sex' for youth on AIDS day: Pratap Chakravarty; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (AFP) - India's premier called Thursday for safe sex to be taught to young people to stem the rise of HIV/AIDS in the country, home to the second highest number of people with the virus after South Africa.
AIDS experts to meet in bid to save the African family: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; ABUJA, December 1 (AFP) - African leaders and health experts are to gather on Sunday in Abuja for a major conference to seek ways to protect the continent's families from the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Angola fears AIDS explosion after 27 years of civil war: Manuel Muanza; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; LUANDA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Angola officially has an HIV/AIDS infection rate of five percent, the lowest in southern Africa, but health officials fear a rapid spread of the virus arising from three free movement after a 27-year civil war.
Government says India not ready to accept homosexuality: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (AFP) - India is not ready to accept gays, the government has said, in response to a Supreme Court petition seeking to amend a law banning homosexuality.
Chinese local officials force AIDS petitioners to go home: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - At least two AIDS patients who travelled to Beijing to highlight their plight on World AIDS Day have been forced to go home by local officials, their friends said.
Experts warn Afghanistan sitting on "HIV time bomb": Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; KABUL, Dec 1 (AFP) - Afghanistan has recorded only three deaths from AIDS but is sitting on a ticking "time bomb" of HIV with thousands of people injecting drugs, the United Nations and a think tank warned Thursday.
UN chief urges world to make good on vows to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 1 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday that the time had come for world leaders to make good on their promises to curb the global spread of HIV/AIDS.
Italian AIDS groups condemn government inaction and Vatican influence: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; ROME, Dec 1 (AFP) - Italian AIDS activists blamed government inaction and Vatican influence Thursday, World AIDS Day, for failing to produce prevention campaigns at a time when HIV infection rates among homosexuals are rising.
Europe splits with US over AIDS prevention: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; LONDON, Dec 1 (AFP) - The European Union signalled a split with the United States over curbing the AIDS pandemic by urging African governments to ignore the US campaign promoting sexual abstinence, as it marked World AIDS Day on Thursday.
World must act, says UN on AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2005; JAKARTA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Countries across the globe marked World AIDS Day on Thursday as the United Nations warned that drastic action was needed to counter a global epidemic that was infecting record levels of people with HIV.

November

China urges HIV tests amid warnings of AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2005; BEIJING, Nov 30 (AFP) - The Chinese government Wednesday urged its citizens to get tested for HIV, as activists warned the country faced another AIDS crisis surrounding people who contracted the disease from blood transfusions.
South Africa's AIDS lobby sues government over controversial vitamins: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2005; CAPE TOWN, Nov 29 (AFP) - South Africa's most influential AIDS lobby group Tuesday said it had sued the government for failing to prevent a controversial German vitamins distributor from selling unregistered 'wonder cure' drugs here.
Saudi seeks to break AIDS taboo: Lydia Georgi; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2005; RIYADH, Nov 29 (AFP) - Conservative Saudi Arabia, where nearly 11,000 cases of HIV/AIDS have been reported, is speaking out about the once-taboo subject, as government and UN bodies run awareness campaigns to fight the disease.
Indonesia on cusp of AIDS epidemic: UNAIDS chief: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2005; JAKARTA, Nov 28 (AFP) - Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, is on the brink of an AIDS epidemic and must act quickly to fight its spread, UNAIDS chief Peter Piot said Monday as he began a four-day visit here.
AIDS: A timeline: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2005; PARIS, Nov 28 (AFP) - Here are landmarks in the history of AIDS:
Child-friendly AIDS medicine desparately needed in Africa: charity: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2005; NAIROBI, Nov 28 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical companies must develop cheap and child-friendly versions of anti-AIDS drugs if the scourge of the killer disease is to stopped, particularly in impoverished Africa, a global medical charity said Monday.
AIDS in 2005: The figures: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2005; PARIS, Nov 28 (AFP) - Following are the latest estimates for the world AIDS epidemic.
Drop in new San Francisco AIDS cases gives hope in prevention battle: Glenn Chapman; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2005; SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 26 (AFP) - San Francisco is the only US city to report a drop in new AIDS cases this year, prompting hopes that it signals a decline in risky, drug-induced gay sex.
African leaders to account for AIDS grants at Abuja conference: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2005; ABUJA, Nov 26 (AFP) - African leaders are to account for funds and grants received for the fight against HIV/AIDS during next week's international conference on the deadly disease here, organisers said Saturday.
Ignorance, denial wreak havoc in South Africa's AIDS-ravaged province: Jerome Cartillier; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2005; UFAFA, South Africa, Nov 26 (AFP) - In South Africa's picturesque but AIDS-ravaged Zulu heartland the pandemic is rarely discussed and victims suffer in silence due to a mixture of ignorance, denial and fear.
Zinc supplements help HIV-infected children: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2005; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Doctors have lifted a cloud of doubt as to whether zinc supplements could be safe and beneficial for children infected with the AIDS virus.
Thailand re-arrests German at center of HIV scare: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2005; BANGKOK, Nov 25 (AFP) - A German national at the center of an HIV scare involving hundreds of Thai women was arrested for trying to enter the country for the third time and will be expelled, police said Friday.
Women find no shelter from violence at home: WHO study: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2005; GENEVA, Nov 24 (AFP) - Urgent action is needed to tackle domestic violence against women, which is widespread, deep-rooted and largely hidden in a wide range of societies, a study by the UN health agency said Thursday.
Africa in urgent need of AIDS prevention programs: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 21 (AFP) - African governments must urgently expand HIV/AIDS prevention programs, UN officials said Monday as an annual report on the global AIDS crisis showed sub-Saharan Africa as the hardest-hit.
UN says China slow to fight AIDS, praises Thailand: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2005; NEW DELHI, Nov 21 (AFP) - China and Myanmar are not doing enough to prevent the spread of AIDS, a UN report said Monday, praising Thailand as the Asian success story for bringing about a decline in the number of new HIV cases.
AIDS claims more lives in Africa: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 21 (AFP) - AIDS is keeping Africa in its death grip, claiming 2.4 million lives on the continent in 2005 out of the worldwide death toll of 3.1 million from the epidemic, the annual AIDS report said Monday.
HIV cases pass record 40 million mark: UN: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2005; NEW DELHI, Nov 21 (AFP) - Progress has been made in tackling HIV infection in key African countries, but five million people were infected across the world in 2005 taking the total beyond a record 40 million, a UN report said Monday.
Pacific too slow in tackling AIDS threat: UNAIDS ambassador: Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2005; NUKU'ALOFA, Nov 20 (AFP) - Time is running short to prevent the spread of a devastating AIDS epidemic throughout the Pacific Island region, the UNAIDS ambassador for the Pacific has warned.
UN says urgent need to ensure funds reach HIV/AIDS prevention workers: Zarir Hussain; Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2005; GUWAHATI, India, Nov 19 (AFP) - The UN's top official on HIV/AIDS said Saturday there was an urgent global need to ensure funds and assistance actually reached those on the ground working to prevent the further spread of the disease.
HIV infection rate among US blacks in steady decline since 2001, data shows: Agence France-Presse - November 17, 2005; WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (AFP) - The HIV infection rate among African-Americans has fallen by five percent a year since 2001, but the group still has a sharply higher rate than whites, US federal data published Thursday showed.
Hong Kong records largest gain in HIV, big rise among gays: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2005; HONG KONG, Nov 16 (AFP) - Hong Kong registered a record number of HIV cases in the third quarter with a big rise among the gay community, official figures showed Wednesday.
Bulgarian slams Libya over delay in AIDS case: Vessela Sergueva; Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2005; SOFIA, Nov 15 (AFP) - The families of five Bulgarian nurses facing execution in Libya for allegedly infecting children with HIV reacted with anger Tuesday after Libya's supreme court delayed the case until next year.
Discrimination holding back AIDS progress in Russia: minister: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2005; MOSCOW, Nov 14 (AFP) - Despite increased spending on AIDS programs, Russia's efforts to combat the disease are being hampered by discrimination against people infected with HIV, United Nations and Russian officials said Monday.
Southern China builds special prisons to house HIV/AIDS inmates: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2005; BEIJING, Nov 14 (AFP) - Southern China's Guangdong province plans to build at least two special prisons for HIV/AIDS inmates to cope with an increasing number of carriers who are serving jail terms, state media reported Monday.
British medics give cautious response to HIV patient 'cure' claim: Phil Hazlewood; Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2005; LONDON, Nov 13 (AFP) - Doctors urged a British man to come forward for further tests Sunday after he claimed to have become the first person in the world to become clear of the HIV virus.
Briton world's first to beat HIV: reports: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2005; LONDON, Nov 13 (AFP) - A British man is believed to have become the first person in the world to get rid of the HIV virus, newspaper reports said Sunday.
Bulgaria will not buy freedom for nurses on death row: minister: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2005; SOFIA, Nov 11 (AFP) - Bulgaria will not pay compensation to secure the release of five of its nurses on death row in Libya for allegedly infecting hundreds of children with the HIV virus, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin said Friday.
Global Fund against AIDS, TB and malaria resumes aid to Uganda: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2005; GENEVA, Nov 10 (AFP) - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said Thursday it had lifted its suspension on 367 million dollars (313 million euros) in assistance to health programmes in Uganda.
Poor legal protection for women, children exposes them to HIV: experts: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (AFP) - Women and children are the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and failure to protect their legal rights is exposing them to the disease, experts said Wednesday at an international convention for women lawyers.
UNICEF launches campaign to protect Nigerian children against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2005; LAGOS, Nov 6 (AFP) - The United Nations children's agency was set Tuesday to launch a major campaign to protect children against the AIDS virus in Nigeria, which has the third highest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world.
32,000 HIV, 50,000 TB cases in Russian jails: official: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2005; MOSCOW, Nov 2 (AFP) - Russian jails house some 32,000 HIV positive prisoners and nearly 50,000 inmates with tuberculosis (TB), out of a total prison population of 808,000, according to justice ministry figures presented to parliament on Wednesday.

October

UN campaign to target "missing" child victims of AIDS: Giles Hewitt; Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24 (AFP) - With AIDS claiming the life of a child every minute of every day, the United Nations launched a campaign Monday to focus global attention on the "missing face" of the HIV-AIDS pandemic.
Tiny Lesotho struggles as AIDS timebomb ticks away: Florence Panoussian; Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2005; MOKHOTLONG, Lesotho, Oct 24 (AFP) - Sejeng Leotla, a young shepherd in the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, fears his flock being stolen but is even more scared of AIDS, which has led life expectancy in the country to plummet from 52 to 35 in less than four years.
Zambia starts traditional medicine trials on AIDS patients: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2005; LUSAKA, Oct 19 (AFP) - Zambia on Wednesday began a three-month trial of traditional medicines on 25 HIV patients to test claims that they could cure the deadly virus.
Bush demands Libya free Bulgarian nurses: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2005; WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Monday demanded that Libya spare the lives of five Bulgarian nurses facing a firing squad and release them from prison.
Russia's spiralling HIV, health problems highlighted in UN report: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2005; MOSCOW, Oct 17 (AFP) - Almost one in 150 people in Russia lives with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and other health problems are spiralling, a UN report said Monday.
In Malawi, AIDS pushes food shortages to crisis point: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2005; WASI, Malawi, Oct 12 (AFP) - Martha Nakaramba's two teenage children are taking turns traveling to nearby Mozambique to bring food home to this drought-stricken area of southern Malawi and care for their 35-year-old mother who is sick with AIDS.
Zimbabwe says AIDS rate has dropped: report: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2005; HARARE, Oct 10 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's HIV prevalence rate has dropped by 4.5 percent in the past two years because of changed sexual behaviour, a state-run daily reported Monday, quoting from a recent survey.
South African big business at forefront of AIDS battle: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 9 (AFP) - Big business in South Africa has become a leading force in the fight against AIDS, investing effort and money into treatment programmes to put ailing workers back on the job.
Tanzania launches 35-million-dollar AIDS testing, treatment facility: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2005; DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 6 (AFP) - Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa on Thursday launched a 35-million dollar HIV/AIDS testing and treatment facility in the country's main hospital.
American arrested for knowingly selling HIV-tainted blood: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2005; LOS ANGELES, Oct 4 (AFP) - Police in the US state of Idaho have arrested a man suspected of trying to peddle his HIV-infected blood to a blood bank when he knew he was carrying the deadly virus, officers said Tuesday.
South Africa, US launch anti-AIDS drive to protect teachers: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 4 (AFP) - South Africa and the United States Tuesday launched a 3.4-million-dollar (2.8-million-euro) programme to contain the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS among school teachers in three badly hit provinces.
Ivory Coast HIV rate worsened by conflict: government: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2005; ABIDJAN, Oct 4 (AFP) - Efforts to help people with HIV/AIDS in Ivory Coast have been hampered by three years of conflict and lack of funds, making it the hardest hit nation in west Africa, health officials have warned.
Europe needs to 'wake up' to rising HIV infections: UN AIDS chief: Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2005; LISBON, Oct 3 (AFP) - Europe needs to "wake up" and step up its fight against rising HIV infections across the continent, the head of the United Nations agency that spearheads the global battle against the virus said Monday during a visit to Portugal.
Rock Hudson : Movie star who galvanised the fight against AIDS: Tangi Quemener and Maria Lorente; Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2005; LOS ANGELES, Oct 1 (AFP) - Twenty years ago, suave Hollywood leading man Rock Hudson died shortly after stunning the world with the revelation he was stricken with AIDS, kickstarting the global fight against the unknown scourge.

September

South African blacks no longer considered high-risk blood donors: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 29 (AFP) - South African blacks will no longer be considered high-risk blood donors because of the higher incidence of HIV/AIDS among them, the National Blood Service said Thursday.
Baltic state may have highest HIV rate outside Africa: officials: Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2005; TALLINN, Sept 23 (AFP) - Around one in 100 Estonians is believed to be infected with HIV, giving the small Baltic state in highest incidence of the virus which causes AIDS outside of Africa, officials said Friday.
Chinese basketball star Yao gives Hong Kong kids lesson in life and hoops: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2005; HONG KONG, Sept 22 (AFP) - Towering Chinese basketball star Yao Ming treated Hong Kong children Thursday to a demonstration of his slam-dunking skills, combined with a lecture on AIDS awareness.
Despite AIDS scourge, African working age population is growing: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2005; WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (AFP) - Despite the scourge of HIV/AIDS, the working age population in sub-Saharan Africa is on the rise and should increase substantially in the next 40 years, holding out welcome prospects for faster growth and healthier investment, the IMF said Wednesday.
Breakaway Somaliland intensifies war on deadly AIDS virus: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2005; NAIROBI, Sep 19 (AFP) - Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland has intensified efforts to halt the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus, whose prevalence has steadly risen there over the last six years, United Nations said Monday.
Evangelista talks about supermodel life at 40: Deborah Haynes; Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2005; LONDON, Sept 19 (AFP) - Veteran supermodel Linda Evangelista believes age is no barrier in the fickle world of fashion and the 40-year-old still struts down catwalks when she is not hiking, skiing or raising awareness about AIDS.
Angola records 3,000 new HIV/AIDS cases: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2005; LISBON, Sept 17 (AFP) - Angola, the southern African nation least hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has recorded some 3,000 new infections of the deadly virus so far this year, a top health official has said.
AIDS dissident takes on drug giants in German election: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - September 15, 2005; BERLIN, Sept 15 (AFP) - A German doctor accused of swindling AIDS patients in Africa, Matthias Rath, has co-founded a political party that is contesting Sunday's general elections on a platform targeting big drugs companies.
Full text of Bush speech to UN: Agence France-Presse - September 14, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, Sept 14 (AFP) - Full text of US President George W. Bush's speech to the United Nations on Wednesday:
China looks to cabbage in massive condoms drive: Agence France-Presse - September 14, 2005; BEIJING, Sept 14 (AFP) - The once prudish Chinese government is hoping to make condom use as common as eating cabbage and will distribute more than 300 million of them to help curb AIDS, a report said Wednesday.
Clinton Foundation to provide free drugs to China's HIV/AIDS children: Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2005; BEIJING, Sept 11 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton's AIDS foundation has committed to providing free anti-HIV/AIDS drugs to infected children in China, foundation officials said Sunday.
Canada pledges 210 million dollars to global anti-AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - September 9, 2005; MONTREAL, Sept 9 (AFP) - Canada will give 250 million dollars (210 million US) over two years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, diseases that kill six million people a year, officials said Friday.
Mugabe says land reforms key to meeting UN development targets: Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2005; HARARE, Sept 8 (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe said Thursday that Zimbabwe's land reforms were at the core of its efforts to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015.
Yasser Arafat died of poisoning, AIDS, or infection: book: Patrick Anidjar; Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2005; JERUSALEM, Sept 8 (AFP) - The Palestinians' iconic leader Yasser Arafat died of poisoning, AIDS or an infection, an author of a new Israeli book charged Wednesday, citing a confidential medical report on his death and expert doctors.
Leading China rights campaigner beaten and arrested during UN, EU visits: Agence France-Presse - September 7, 2005; BEIJING, Sept 7 (AFP) - Leading AIDS activist and rights campaigner Hu Jia said Wednesday China's state security officers beat him and placed him under house arrest for 14 days during visits by top United Nations and European Union officials.
Global drive to combat AIDS, other deadly ailments, falls short: Dario Thuburn; Agence France-Presse - September 6, 2005; LONDON, Sept 6 (AFP) - A campaign to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria fell 3.4 billion dollars short of its goal of raising 7.1 billion dollars during a donors conference in London chaired by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
South Africa orders probe after controversial AIDS drug resurfaces: Agence France-Presse - September 6, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 6 (AFP) - South Africa's Health Department Tuesday ordered a probe into the resurfacing of controversial AIDS drug Virodene, a highly toxic industrial solvent which was slapped down by authorities in the late 90s.
New antimalarials threatened by drug resistance, WHO says: Agence France-Presse - September 6, 2005; GENEVA, Sept 6 (AFP) - Malaria could become resistant to new drugs developed to treat the mosquito-borne disease unless they are used properly and in combination with a second drug, the World Health Organisation warned Tuesday.
EU helping Libyan AIDS sufferers: Agence France-Presse - September 6, 2005; BRUSSELS, Sept 6 (AFP) - The European Commission has begun providing Libya with advice on dealing with AIDS and technical help to help treat the disease, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Mozambique police AIDS toll hurting crime fight: interior minister: Agence France-Presse - September 2, 2005; LISBON, Sept 2 (AFP) - Mozambique's efforts to curb crime are undermined by the death each year in the southeastern African nation of around 1,000 police officers from AIDS, Interior Minister Jose Pacheco was quoted as saying Friday.
Syringe-wielding gang threatens Peru bus riders with AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2005; LIMA, Sept 1 (AFP) - Bus riders in Peru's capital city are being menaced by a gang of thieves armed with syringes they claim hold AIDS-contaminated blood, police said Thursday.

August

Uganda names international auditors to oversee anti-AIDS programs: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2005; KAMPALA, Aug 31 (AFP) - Uganda has appointed an international audit firm to oversee its anti-AIDS programs following the suspension of more than 200 million dollars in assistance by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a senior official said Wednesday.
French leader renews call for global airline levy: Agence France-Presse - August 29, 2005; PARIS, Aug 29 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac said on Monday that he would seek the implementation of an international tax on plane tickets to fund humanitarian aid projects, including the fight against AIDS, from next year.
Myanmar vows to continue AIDS projects despite fund's withdrawal: Agence France-Presse - August 28, 2005; YANGON, Aug 28 (AFP) - Myanmar vowed Sunday to continue its fight against HIV/AIDS despite the withdrawal of an international anti-AIDS body from the military-ruled country because of operational restrictions.
Cash-strapped Zimbabweans living with AIDS resort to wonder concoction: Fanuel Jongwe; Agence France-Presse - August 26, 2005; HARARE, Aug 26 (AFP) - After mocrea in the 1990s and the African potato five years ago, the moringa powder is the latest medical craze for Zimbabweans battling one of the world's highest HIV/AIDS infection rates.
Singapore seeks business help, rejects condom campaign in AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - August 25, 2005; SINGAPORE, Aug 25 (AFP) - Singapore on Thursday sought the private sector's help in the fight against AIDS but rejected headline-grabbing condom promotion campaigns used in other Asian countries.
Global Fund against AIDS freezes Uganda financing amid mismanagement: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2005; GENEVA, Aug 24 (AFP) - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said Wednesday that it had frozen financing for Uganda after uncovering "serious mismanagement" in the organisation overseeing its programmes there.
Swazi maidens drop their woollen tassles as sex ban ends: Agence France-Presse - August 22, 2005; LUDZIDZINI, Swaziland, Aug 22 (AFP) - A five-year no-sex rite for Swazi girls aimed at halting the spread of AIDS ended Monday as more than 20,000 young women symbolically dropped their woollen "don't touch me" tassles in a ceremony.
Myanmar AIDS fighters regret withdrawal by Global Fund: Agence France-Presse - August 20, 2005; YANGON, Aug 20 (AFP) - The decision by an international anti-AIDS body to leave military-ruled Myanmar will set back efforts to fight the disease, a local doctor and campaigner said on Saturday.
Global Fund against AIDS cuts Myanmar funding over junta's restrictions: Agence France-Presse - August 19, 2005; GENEVA, Aug 19 (AFP) - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said Friday it was pulling out of Myanmar because the country's junta had slapped too many restrictions on relief efforts.
Zimbabwe reaches out to its destitute AIDS orphans: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - August 19, 2005; HARARE, Aug 19 (AFP) - Zimbabwe is struggling to cope with one of the world's highest numbers of AIDS orphans amid an economic crisis that is pushing children deeper into poverty and hardship.
Libya holds talks with Britain, US on Bulgaria AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - August 18, 2005; TRIPOLI, Aug 18 (AFP) - A Libyan official held talks Wednesday with US and British diplomats over the five Bulgarians sentenced to death for infecting children with AIDS, saying the only solution was a compromise with the families of the victims.
UN warns of possible HIV/AIDS explosion in Somalia: Agence France-Presse - August 16, 2005; NAIROBI, Aug 16 (AFP) - The United Nations warned Tuesday of an explosion of HIV/AIDS in lawless Somalia unless steps are taken quickly to stop the spread of the deadly disease and reduce numerous risk factors.
Obasanjo hails first made in Nigeria AIDS drug: Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2005; LAGOS, Aug 15 (AFP) - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has lauded the production of the first anti-retroviral drugs used to battle AIDS to be produced by an indigenous firm in the country, his office said Monday.
WHO, US regulator reach deal on anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2005; GENEVA, Aug 15 (AFP) - The UN health agency said Monday that it had reached an agreement with the United States that should expand the number of drugs available for use in HIV/AIDS treatment programmes in poor countries.
Welsh detectives probe man who gave HIV to 15 year-old mother of his child: Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2005; LONDON, Aug 10 (AFP) - Detectives in Wales said Wednesday they are investigating a man who infected the 15-year-old mother of his child with HIV, while adding that no criminal charges had yet been filed.
Gay Australian files suit over blood ban: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2005; SYDNEY, Aug 2 (AFP) - A gay man launched a legal case against the Red Cross Blood Service in Australia on Tuesday, calling on them to change their policy of banning active homosexual men from donating blood.

July

Malaysians ignorant about HIV spread: survey: Agence France-Presse - July 31, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (AFP) - Malaysians are alarmingly ignorant about how HIV/AIDS is spread, with forty percent of them believing that beautiful women cannot get infected with the virus, survey results showed Sunday.
Circumcision can cut AIDS transmission: study: Agence France-Presse - July 26, 2005; RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26 (AFP) - Male circumcision can reduce the risk of transmitting the AIDS virus during sex, and could be a valuable tool in AIDS prevention programs, according to a study presented Tuesday at the third annual International Aids Society congress.
AIDS battle needs greater political backing, conference told: Fabiola Puerta; Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2005; RIO DE JANEIRO, July 25 (AFP) - AIDS activists called for greater political backing to exploit scientific progress in the battle against the pandemic, at the start of a major international conference Monday.
India asks Pepsi to help spread AIDS awareness: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2005; MADRAS, India, July 23 (AFP) - India, which has the world's second largest number of people with HIV/AIDS, has asked US cola giant Pepsi to carry anti-AIDS messages on its bottles and cans to help combat the spread of the disease in the country.
Clinton wants to make Rwanda an African anti-AIDS model: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2005; KIGALI, July 23 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton said Saturday he wanted to make Rwanda a model for other African countries to follow in their efforts to combat the spread of AIDS.
Massive urban migration China's biggest AIDS risk: Jon Walter; Agence France-Presse - July 22, 2005; TOURS, France, July 22 (AFP) - China's massive wave of urban immigrants represents the greatest danger in the country's struggle to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS, researchers at an international population conference said Friday.
Swedish PM backs gay men as blood, organ donors: Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2005; STOCKHOLM, July 21 (AFP) - Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson said gay men should be allowed to give blood or donate organs, in an interview published on Thursday.
Clinton, Mkapa unveil new anti-AIDS program in Tanzania: John Kulekana; Agence France-Presse - July 20, 2005; DAR ES SALAAM, July 20 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton unveiled a new anti-AIDS program for Tanzania here Wednesday, appealing for aggressive intervention to prevent the spread of the deadly disease and prolong the lives of those inflicted with it.
UN, NGOs say China must do more to help children affected by HIV/AIDS: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - July 20, 2005; BEIJING, July 20 (AFP) - China lacks a clear understanding of how many children are suffering from HIV/AIDS but the problem is believed to be much worse than estimated and needs a stronger response, UN and other experts said Wednesday.
UN Security Council urged to do more to protect peacekeepers from AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (AFP) - The head of the UN AIDS agency on Monday urged the Security Council to fully implement measures to improve AIDS testing and treatment for UN peacekeepers and the populations they are meant to protect.
Bill Clinton in Mozambique on first leg of Africa AIDS tour: Agence France-Presse - July 17, 2005; MAPUTO, July 17 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton arrived in Mozambique Sunday on the first leg of a six-nation Africa tour announcing a 50-million-dollar donation to the country in the fight against HIV and AIDS on the continent.
Facts and figures on population growth worldwide: Agence France-Presse - July 17, 2005; PARIS, July 17 (AFP) - The world's population has risen more than six-fold in the last 200 years to reach 6.5 billion people this month and despite declining fertility levels between 2005 and 2050 it is predicted to reach 9.1 billion by then.
Cherie Blair, Laura Bush end African tour: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2005; KIGALI, July 15 (AFP) - US first lady Laura Bush and Cherie Blair, the wife of Britain's prime minister, Friday wound up an African tour visibly shocked, 11 years on, by the lasting horror of the genocide of some 800,000 people in Rwanda as the world looked on.
Spouses of HIV patients in Singapore to be informed: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2005; SINGAPORE, July 15 (AFP) - The Singapore government will make it compulsory for the spouses of HIV patients to be informed that their partner has the disease, a senior health official said in remarks published Friday.
Thailand to make cheap AIDS drugs available on health scheme: Agence France-Presse - July 14, 2005; BANGKOK, July 14 (AFP) - Thailand will make low-cost anti-retroviral drugs available on its national health scheme for the more than half a million people in the kingdom living with HIV/AIDS, the health ministry said Thursday.
Bill Clinton to push AIDS initiative on Africa tour: Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2005; NEW YORK, July 12 (AFP) - Former US President Bill Clinton will embark on a week-long, six-nation African tour this weekend aimed at boosting the work of his foundation in combatting the scourge of AIDS in the continent.
US first lady links AIDS struggle to violence against women: Sivuyile Mangxamba; Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2005; CAPE TOWN, July 12 (AFP) - US First Lady Laura Bush on Tuesday said ending violence against women was essential to curb the rising tide of AIDS after touring a township on the first day of her three-country Africa tour.
Chinese company develops new drug to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2005; BEIJING, July 11 (AFP) - A Chinese pharmaceutical company has developed a new drug to fight AIDS which aims to block the HIV virus from entering cells, state media said Monday.
Brazil and Abbott Laboratories agree on lower price for AIDS drug: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2005; BRAZILIA, July 8 (AFP) - Brazil's Ministry of Health announced Friday that Abbott Laboratories has agreed to lower the price of its HIV/AIDS drug Kaletra to prevent Brazil from breaking the company's patent, as it had threatened.
Namibia seeks to protect AIDS widows' property rights: Brigitte Weidlich; Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2005; WINDHOEK, July 8 (AFP) - As AIDS continues to claim lives in rural Namibia, the government is trying to get rid of an age-old custom dictating that women and children lose their homes, cattle and crop fields to their inlaws after the husbands die.
Malaysia to tighten health checks on migrant workers: Agence France-Presse - July 7, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (AFP) - Malaysia will tighten health checks on foreign workers who will be forced to undergo medical tests within a month of arrival and will be deported if found unhealthy, the health minister said Thursday.
Zimbabwean doctors warn of death, disease from demolitions campaign: Agence France-Presse - July 5, 2005; HARARE, July 5 (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans displaced in the government-driven demolitions campaign are at risk of death and disease including the spread of HIV, a group of doctors warned Tuesday.
Women becoming new face of AIDS in Asia: Hiroshi Hiyama; Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2005; KOBE, Japan, July 4 (AFP) - Even after contracting HIV through no fault of her own and enduring discrimination, Periasamy Kousalya manages to stay cheerful as she relates the plight of Indian women like her.
Malaysia to distribute needles, condoms to curb HIV: report: Agence France-Presse - July 3, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (AFP) - Predominantly Muslim Malaysia will begin distributing free needles and condoms to intravenous drug users in January to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, a report said Sunday.
Asia needs to wake up to groups at risk to AIDS: conference: Hiroshi Hiyama; Agence France-Presse - July 3, 2005; KOBE, Japan, July 3 (AFP) - To head off an expected explosion in HIV infections, Asia must focus on vulnerable groups such as sex workers, drug users and gay men by providing clean needles, condoms and education, experts said.
Facts about HIV/AIDS in Asia-Pacific: Agence France-Presse - July 1, 2005; KOBE, Japan, July 1 (AFP) - Here are key facts and figures from the latest report on HIV/AIDS infections in the Asia-Pacific region, released Friday by the Joint UN Programmes for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS):

June

Three by Five Initiative: Latest figures: Agence France-Presse - June 29, 2005; PARIS, June 29 (AFP) - Here are the latest figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on progress towards meeting its goal of providing anti-HIV therapy to three million people in developing and transitional countries by the end of 2005:
Brazil seeks to halve cost of Abbott's AIDS drug by violating patent: Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2005; GENEVA, June 27 (AFP) - Brazilian Health Minister Humberto Costa said Monday he was aiming to halve the cost of a key HIV/AIDS medicine by breaking the patent of the Abbott Laboratories drug under an international agreement.
Thai activists fear losing cheap drugs in free trade talks with Japan, US: Paris Lord; Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2005; BANGKOK, June 26 (AFP) - As Thailand prepares for new rounds of free trade talks with Japan and the United States, AIDS activists are voicing increasing concern that patients here could lose access to cheap, life-prolonging drugs.
Gays march through Europe demanding right to marry: Harmonie Toros; Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2005; PARIS, June 25 (AFP) - Demanding "Marriage, Adoption, and Equality," hundreds of thousands of gays marched through European capitals on Saturday, in festive "Gay Pride" parades focused this year on same-sex marriages.
Brazil signals it may break patent on Abbott AIDS drug: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2005; BRASILIA, June 25 (AFP) - Brazilian Health Minister Humberto Costa signalled his government was set to move to break the patent on Abbott Laboratories' Kaletra AIDS drug because it would reduce treatment costs.
AIDS: Risk behaviour rising among French gays: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2005; PARIS, June 22 (AFP) - French health watchdogs sounded the alarm on Wednesday after research found that unprotected sexual intercourse is rising fast among French homosexuals.
Pakistan sex workers in India to learn about HIV prevention programme: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2005; KOLKATA, India, June 22 (AFP) - Pakistani sex workers have toured the brothel district of the eastern Indian city of Kolkata for tips on how to organize and to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, a spokeswoman for a local sex workers' union said Wednesday.
New partnership aims to develop AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2005; LONDON, June 21 (AFP) - The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) said Tuesday it is teaming up with a major international pharmaceutical manufacturer to develop an AIDS vaccine using new technology.
Former Zambian official arrested over graft involving AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2005; LUSAKA, June 20 (AFP) - Zambian police on Monday arrested a former senior government official and ally of ex-president Frederick Chiluba on corruption charges involving government contracts to buy AIDS drugs.
China and WHO to provide AIDS intervention for homosexuals: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2005; BEIJING, June 19 (AFP) - China and the World Health Organization (WHO) will run a joint project to help homosexuals protect themselves against AIDS in the central province of Hunan beginning this year, state media said Sunday.
South African grandmothers shoulder the care of AIDS orphans: Joelle Garrus; Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2005; SOWETO, South Africa, June 19 (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of grandmothers, some of them in their twilight years and struggling to make ends meet, are getting a second, often dismal turn at motherhood, raising AIDS orphans in South Africa.
AFP correspondent wins Asian press award for articles on AIDS in India: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2005; HONG KONG, June 19 (AFP) - Agence France-Presse's New Delhi Correspondent Ed Lane has won a merit honour in one of Asia's top journalism awards for a series of articles exploring the growing AIDS crisis in India, organisers announced.
War, famine and disease orphan 40 million children in sub-Saharan Africa: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2005; ADDIS ABABA, June 16 (AFP) - War, famine and disease have robbed some 40 million children in sub-Saharan Africa of their parents, the UN Children's Fund said Thursday, a number expected to skyrocket in the next five years due to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Swedish drug addicts to finally receive free needles: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2005; STOCKHOLM, June 16 (AFP) - Years after many other countries took the plunge, traditionally liberal-minded Sweden will finally allow drug addicts to trade in their used needles for free clean ones, after decades of thorny debate.
Zimbabwe study reports drop in HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2005; HARARE, June 15 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's HIV prevalence rate has declined from 24.6 percent two years ago to 21.3 percent, due to greater AIDS awareness and changed sexual behaviour, according to a new study quoted in the state-run daily on Wednesday.
More than one million Americans infected with AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 13, 2005; WASHINGTON, June 13 (AFP) - More than a million Americans were infected with AIDS at the end of 2003, with black, homosexual and bi-sexual men making up the largest group among them, according to government statistics made public Monday.
Mandela issues plea for global response to AIDS at Arctic concert: Pierre-Henry Deshayes; Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2005; TROMSOE, Norway, June 11 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela joined up with a star-studded cast of rock stars in the Arctic on Saturday to plead for a global response to the AIDS pandemic which affects 40 million people around the world.
Mandela says anti-AIDS treatment is a 'turning point' for South Africa: Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2005; DURBAN, South Africa, June 10 (AFP) - Former president Nelson Mandela said Friday that South Africa must "embrace" anti-AIDS drugs in its fight against the pandemic affecting one in five adults.
South Africa at the forefront of microbicides, AIDS-fighting gel for women: Agence France-Presse - June 9, 2005; DURBAN, South Africa, June 9 (AFP) - African women, by far the hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic, will be able to protect themselves from HIV infection perhaps as early as 2009 if South African research into microbicides is successful, a top researcher said Thursday.
South African government urged to take ARVs seriously at AIDS conference: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - June 8, 2005; DURBAN, South Africa, June 8 (AFP) - President Thabo Mbeki's government was urged on Wednesday to firmly back anti-retroviral treatment for South Africans living with HIV and AIDS at a national AIDS conference that targeted the health minister for challenging the drugs' benefits.
Court clears Libyan police in torture case of Bulgarian nurses: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2005; TRIPOLI, June 7 (AFP) - A Libyan court acquitted 10 police officers on Tuesday accused of having used torture to extract confessions from Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, all later sentenced to death for spreading the AIDS virus.
Annual Singapore gay party moves to Phuket after police ban: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2005; SINGAPORE, June 7 (AFP) - This year's edition of an international gay and lesbian party will be moved to the Thai resort of Phuket after the Singapore police turned down an application for a permit, organisers said Tuesday.
South Africa's military fights war against AIDS: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2005; DURBAN, South Africa, June 7 (AFP) - South Africa's military is "fighting a war" against HIV and AIDS which affects 23 percent of its forces and is hampering its ability to serve in peace missions abroad, a brigadier general told a national AIDS conference on Tuesday.
South Africa's AIDS conference to hear from 'Dr Garlic' health minister: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, June 6 (AFP) - South Africa holds its second national AIDS conference this week with a much-awaited address on the program from the health minister who has questioned the use of anti-retrovirals to fight the pandemic.
Zimbabwe steps up anti-AIDS fight, vice-president laments lack of funding: Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2005; HARARE, June 3 (AFP) - The Zimbabwean government Friday launched a set of guidelines to stall the spread of HIV and AIDS claiming at least 3,000 lives weekly and avoid discrimination against people living with the virus.
Factfile on global spread of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday warned that HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths increased in 2004, despite increased efforts to stop the spread of the disease.
UN makes new pleas in global fight against AIDS: Herve Couturier; Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (AFP) - The United Nations on Thursday sounded new alarms over the devastating spread of the AIDS epidemic, and called on world leaders to immediately take new steps to solve a problem that threatens to overwhelm future generations.
At least 16 people infected with HIV after blood transfusions in China: Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2005; BEIJING, June 2 (AFP) - At least 16 people have been infected with the HIV virus after a hospital used tainted blood for transfusions, state media said Thursday in a case that indicates the government's efforts to fight AIDS still face major hurdles.
Annan demands more action in the fight against HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2005; UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday warned that HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths increased last year, despite growing international efforts to stop the spread of the disease.

May

Libya delays ruling in death sentence AIDS case: Afaf El-Gueblaoui; Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2005; TRIPOLI, May 31 (AFP) - Libya's high court on Tuesday delayed a ruling on an appeal by six foreign medics sentenced to death for infecting hundreds of children with the AIDS virus in a case that has raised international concern.
Cambodian anti-drugs agency fears increased HIV rate: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2005; PHNOM PENH, May 31 (AFP) - Cambodia faces a potential resurgence in HIV transmission among drug users as trafficking through the kingdom has surged, the deputy prime minister said Tuesday.
Red Cross admits guilt in Canadian tainted blood scandal: Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2005; OTTAWA, May 30 (AFP) - The Canadian Red Cross pleaded guilty in court Monday to distributing tainted blood products in the 1980s and 1990s that infected tens of thousands of people with HIV and Hepatitis C.
Bulgarian president bids to save nurses in Libya: Afaf el-Gueblaoui; Agence France-Presse - May 28, 2005; BENGHAZI, Libya, May 28 (AFP) - Bulgaria's president, in Libya to save the lives of Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death for infecting hundreds of children with HIV, on Saturday visited both the young patients and the condemned medics.
Indian sex workers rail against US anti-prostitution bill: Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2005; KOLKATA, India, May 27 (AFP) - Indian sex workers poured on to the streets of this eastern city Friday to stage a massive protest against a US bill they say will cut off funds to non-governmental groups assisting them.
Indian AIDS groups dismiss government claims of huge infection rate drop: Penny MacRae; Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2005; NEW DELHI, May 27 (AFP) - Health groups in India have rejected government figures showing a 95 percent slide in the annual growth of HIV infections, calling the drop "beyond comprehension."
Clinton tells Indians no time to waste in fighting AIDS: Penny MacRae; Agence France-Presse - May 26, 2005; NEW DELHI, May 26 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Thursday told India, which has the world's second largest number of reported people with HIV/AIDS, that it has no time to waste in combating the disease.
Condom ads stir new battle in US culture wars: Stephen Collinson; Agence France-Presse - May 26, 2005; WASHINGTON, May 26 (AFP) - First came Madonna's steamy smooch with Britney Spears, then Janet Jackson ignited fury by baring a breast -- now new battlelines are being drawn up in America's culture wars -- over TV condom ads.
Muslim couples forced to undergo HIV tests before marriage: Agence France-Presse - May 26, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (AFP) - A third Malaysian state has announced plans to introduce compulsory HIV tests for Muslim couples who want to get married in an effort to fight the increasing incidence of AIDS, local media reported Thursday.
EU envoy presses Libya over death row nurses: Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2005; TRIPOLI, May 25 (AFP) - The European Union's external relations chief met Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi Wednesday to press for the release of five nurses from candidate member Bulgaria who are facing execution for allegedly infecting hundreds of children with the AIDS virus.
Clinton in India to bolster AIDS campaign, tsunami relief efforts: Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2005; NEW DELHI, May 25 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton arrived in India on Wednesday to boost the fight against AIDS and tour the tsunami-ravaged southern coastline as a UN special envoy.
Arab nations' health officials meet to combat taboo of sexually transmitted diseases: Agence France-Presse - May 24, 2005; TUNIS, May 24 (AFP) - Representatives from a dozen Arab nations gathered in the Tunisian capital Tuesday for a conference on fighting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, which infect 20 people in the Arab world every minute, organizers said.
South African doctors blast HIV/AIDS test kits: Agence France-Presse - May 24, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, May 24 (AFP) - South African doctors Tuesday blasted a supermarket franchise for hawking HIV/AIDS kits, saying self-testing without counselling would be disastrous and lead to possible misuse by employers, insurers and even state officials.
Fears of HIV-AIDS epidemic among Canadian aboriginals rising: Cathryn Atkinson; Agence France-Presse - May 21, 2005; VANCOUVER, May 21 (AFP) - A health crisis among aboriginals on Canada's west coast reminiscent of the beginnings of the HIV-AIDS catastrophe in Africa has officials worried that infection rates could soon skyrocket.
Sharon Stone leads celebrities in raising 3 mln dollars for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2005; CANNES, May 20 (AFP) - Sharon Stone and Liza Minnelli led a celebrity charity function at the Cannes film festival which raised more than three million dollars for AIDS research, organisers said Friday.
Up to 30 percent of South African miners have HIV/AIDS: minister: Agence France-Presse - May 19, 2005; CAPE TOWN, May 19 (AFP) - Up to 30 percent of South African miners suffer from HIV/AIDS, posing one of the greatest challenges to the sector, Mineral and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said Thursday.
World Bank boss heads for exit with regrets on AIDS: Stephen Collinson; Agence France-Presse - May 17, 2005; WASHINGTON, May 17 (AFP) - Retiring World Bank President James Wolfensohn Tuesday bemoaned the world's "late" awakening to the threat from AIDS, as the organisation warned the disease was reaping a heavy toll among young girls.
Worldwide Christian group winds up conference in Greece: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2005; ATHENS, May 16 (AFP) - The World Council of Churches, which groups most Christian faiths except Roman Catholics, completed a week-long conference in Athens expressing a desire to collaborate on major concerns such as violence and AIDS, a spokesman said on Monday.
Battle over anti-AIDS drugs flares in South Africa: Sivuyile Mangxamba; Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2005; CAPE TOWN, May 13 (AFP) - A new row in South Africa is pitting the influential AIDS lobby group pushing President Thabo Mbeki's government to provide more free anti-retroviral drugs against a vitamins salesman who says ARVs are poison.
AIDS-threatened Nigeria opens modern blood transfusion centre: Agence France-Presse - May 12, 2005; ABUJA, May 12 (AFP) - President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria opened his AIDS-threatened country's first modern blood transfusion centre on Thursday and became the first donor to contribute to its stocks.
HIV infections pick up alarmingly in the Philippines: official: Agence France-Presse - May 12, 2005; MANILA, May 12 (AFP) - AIDS infections have picked up significantly in the Philippines, with new case reports at least twice the rate of the 1990s, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit warned Thursday.
Earlier treatment for HIV positive babies improve survival rate: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2005; WASHINGTON, May 11 (AFP) - HIV-infected babies treated with Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the first two months after birth, show less HIV progression and improved survival rates, researchers reported Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Bangladesh bank to provide free drugs to women and children with HIV: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2005; DHAKA, May 11 (AFP) - A small group of women and children with HIV in Bangladesh will receive anti-retroviral drugs that could prolong their lives after a bank agreed to pay for the medication, officials said Wednesday.
United Nations blasts ad campaign by maverick German doctor: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2005; GENEVA, May 11 (AFP) - The United Nations' paramount health agencies launched a joint attack on Wednesday on a German doctor who has been running a media campaign that attacks anti-HIV drugs as toxic and claims vitamins destroy the AIDS virus.
Developing countries pledge to improve conditions for women: Agence France-Presse - May 10, 2005; PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, May 10 (AFP) - Ministers from the 116-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of developing nations committed themselves Tuesday to improving the conditions for women in their countries.
Libyan trial in Bulgarian torture case postponed: Agence France-Presse - May 10, 2005; TRIPOLI, May 10 (AFP) - The trial of 10 Libyan officers accused of torturing five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor to get them to confess to spreading AIDS among children was adjourned on Tuesday until May 17, a legal source said.
Taiwan mulls giving addicts access to needles to reduce HIV transmission: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2005; TAIPEI, May 8 (AFP) - Taiwan's health authorities on Sunday said they were considering providing drug addicts with access to sterile syringes as shared needles rather than sex were now the leading mode of HIV infection on the island.
Without drugs, HIV patients in Myanmar turn to meditation, herbs: Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2005; YANGON, May 7 (AFP) - For three years Phyu Phyu Thin has volunteered to work with HIV patients in military-ruled Myanmar, but like many charities, hers is unable to offer life-prolonging drugs.
Chinese cities in desperate need for more blood: Agence France-Presse - May 6, 2005; BEIJING, May 6 (AFP) - Beijing and other major Chinese cities are facing a desperate shortage of blood, with supplies occasionally sufficient for only a few days, state media reported Friday.
Over one billion dollars needed to fight TB in Africa: experts: Agence France-Presse - May 4, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (AFP) - More than one billion dollars will be needed in the next two years to fight tuberculosis in Africa, which claims at least 540,000 lives annually, international health experts and development officials said on Wednesday.
HIV rates in Uganda higher than previously thought: survey: Agence France-Presse - May 4, 2005; KAMPALA, May 4 (AFP) - HIV prevalence in Uganda is nearly one percent higher than previously believed, with about 800,000 adults infected with the virus that causes AIDS, according to a new nationwide survey.
China detains leading AIDS and pro-democracy activist: Agence France-Presse - May 3, 2005; BEIJING, May 3 (AFP) - Outspoken AIDS and pro-democracy activist Hu Jia has been detained by Chinese police for over a week and his family has lost touch with him ever since, his girlfriend said Tuesday.
Chinese region aims to provide free AIDS treatment for up to 20,000: Agence France-Presse - May 2, 2005; BEIJING, May 2 (AFP) - A poverty-stricken south Chinese region that has been severely hit by the AIDS epidemic plans to offer free anti-viral treatments for up to 20,000 people, state media said Monday.

April

Mandela to bring AIDS charity concert to Norway: Agence France-Presse - April 29, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, April 29 (AFP) - South Africa's first black president and hero of the anti-apartheid struggle Nelson Mandela will travel to Norway in June to lead the star lineup at an AIDS charity concert, his foundation said Friday.
Briton jailed for knowingly infecting lover with AIDS virus: Agence France-Presse - April 29, 2005; LONDON, April 29 (AFP) - A 37-year-old man was jailed Friday for three years in central England for infecting his lover with HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, while knowing that he carried the disease.
India signs pact with UNAIDS to battle HIV/AIDS in defence forces: Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2005; NEW DELHI, April 28 (AFP) - India on Thursday signed a pact with the United Nations to combat HIV infections among military personnel after defence authorities sounded a health alert last week.
American heartthrob Brad Pitt visits AIDS victims in Ethiopia, SAfrica: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2005; ADDIS ABABA, April 27 (AFP) - Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt, star of "Troy," "Oceans 11," and "Fight Club" is in South Africa this week after wrapping up a tour of Ethiopia visiting AIDS victims, trip organizers said Wednesday.
Annan's wife urges Indian police to treat HIV/AIDS sufferers with dignity: Pratap Chakravarty; Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2005; NEW DELHI, April 27 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's wife, Nane, urged Indian law enforcers Wednesday to treat people with HIV/AIDS with dignity, calling them "torch-bearers" in the fight against the disease.
Bisexual, gay men often unaware they have AIDS virus: study: Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2005; WASHINGTON, April 26 (AFP) - A significant number of young bisexual and homosexual men in the United States are unaware that they carry the AIDS virus, according to the findings of a study by US federal health authorities published Tuesday.
Drug resistant malaria haunts Southeast Asia, fuels illicit trade: P. Parameswaran; Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2005; WASHINGTON, April 25 (AFP) - Southeast Asia has emerged as the global center for drug resistant malaria and is fuelling illicit trade in counterfeit drugs used to fight the disease killing one million people every year, officials said Monday.
Health officials mark Africa Malaria Day with stress on nets: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2005; BRAZZAVILLE, April 25 (AFP) - The UN World Health Organisation's Africa director, Luis Sambo, on Monday urged governments to coordinate more closely in fighting malaria, as some officials said old-fashioned nets helped the most.
Vietnam to punish discrimination against HIV carriers: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2005; HANOI, April 25 (AFP) - Vietnam, which has faced criticism for tolerating the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS carriers, has passed a decree to punish anyone discriminating against people with the virus, an official said Monday.
AIDS research: Lab pioneers open up new paths: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2005; PARIS, April 24 (AFP) - Sometimes the shortest route to a goal is not a straight line, as two intriguingly-curved paths in AIDS research show.
Action movie star Jackie Chan on AIDS mission in Vietnam: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2005; HANOI, April 23 (AFP) - Action filmstar Jackie Chan Saturday began his first mission in Vietnam as a goodwill ambassador of UNICEF and UNAIDS with a visit to community programmes for children and family members of HIV/AIDS patients.
Hollywood's Jackie Chan plans film about Cambodia: Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2005; PHNOM PENH, April 22 (AFP) - Hollywood star Jackie Chan plans to make a film in Cambodia to raise awareness about landmines and HIV, he said Friday after a three-day visit to the kingdom as a UN goodwill ambassador.
Rights groups dismayed over mufti's call to isolate AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2005; KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (AFP) - Human rights activists on Friday reacted angrily to a suggestion by a mufti that people infected with AIDS and avian influenza be cast away on an island to prevent the spread of disease.
More soldiers killed by AIDS than bullets in India's northeast: general: Zarir Hussain; Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2005; SHILLONG, India, April 22 (AFP) - Indian defence authorities sounded a health alert Friday with scores of soldiers engaged in anti-insurgency operations in the country's troubled northeast struck by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Ghana's Ashanti king urges African royals to help fight poverty, HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 21, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, April 21 (AFP) - Africa's traditional leaders and rulers must use their influence and intervene to help uplift the world's poorest continent, the king of Ghana's gold-rich and powerful Ashanti tribe said Thusday.
Philippines approves condom promotion plan targeting poor: Agence France-Presse - April 21, 2005; MANILA, April 21 (AFP) - The Philippines Thursday approved a 45 million dollar plan to popularize condom use in the largely Roman Catholic country in a bid to curb a growing birth rate and fight AIDS.
AIDS groups, gay activists dismayed over new pope: Gina Doggett; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2005; ROME, April 20 (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI is likely to be even more rigid than his predecessor, the late John Paul II, on questions regarding the use of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS, gay rights activists said.
India disputes HIV infection claims: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2005; NEW DELHI, April 20 (AFP) - India on Wednesday strongly disputed claims by an international anti-AIDS group that India has outstripped South Africa as the country with the highest tally of people living with HIV-AIDS.
Africa hails conservative pope despite fears on AIDS prevention: Dave Clark; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2005; LAGOS, April 20 (AFP) - Roman African Catholic leaders hailed Benedict XVI as a worthy successor Wednesday to conservative Pope John Paul II despite concerns of many on the continent that his staunch opposition to the use of condoms will stymie efforts to control the AIDS pandemic.
South African bishop calls on new pope to face 'crucifying' AIDS: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, April 20 (AFP) - A South African bishop and leading advocate of scrapping the Catholic Church ban on condoms on Wednesday urged new Pope Benedict XVI to open a dialogue with those who have had the "crucifying experience" of the AIDS pandemic.
Sex, condoms, stemcells: Leading challenges that face new pope: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2005; PARIS, April 19 (AFP) - Of the many problems facing Pope Benedict XVI as leader of the world's more than one billion Catholics, perhaps the biggest and most intractable headache is that of bioethics.
India has overtaken South Africa for biggest HIV toll: Global Fund boss: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2005; PARIS, April 19 (AFP) - India has now outstripped South Africa as the country with the highest tally of people living with AIDS or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the head of the Global Fund said here Tuesday.
Catholic teaching on morals deeply contested in Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2005; DAKAR, April 18 (AFP) - As cardinals withdraw to elect a new pope, in Africa many Catholics have great difficulty in following the Vatican's conservative dictates on sexual questions such as contraception, co-habitation and abortion, which often clash with legal and social realities.
Taboos about sex hinder HIV prevention in Myanmar, but condoms gain ground: Hla Hla Htay; Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2005; YANGON, April 18 (AFP) - Tin Tin Win has made a career out of writing love stories for young people in Myanmar, but even she finds it difficult to talk openly about sex in one of the world's most repressive countries.
Iran records over 10,000 HIV/AIDS cases: Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2005; TEHRAN, April 18 (AFP) - Some 10,265 people in Iran are infected with the HIV virus and another 390 have full-blown AIDS, according to health ministry figures reported in the press on Monday.
South African AIDS activists seek to outlaw vitamins peddler: Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2005; CAPE TOWN, April 18 (AFP) - An influential AIDS lobby group on Monday threatened to take South African regulators to court for failing to outlaw a vitamins supplier who claims that his products can treat AIDS better than anti-retrovirals.
World Bank calls for action to fight AIDS, poverty in Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 16, 2005; WASHINGTON, April 16 (AFP) - World Bank president James Wolfensohn urged global action Saturday to help Africa meet targets to slash AIDS and poverty by 2015.
Woman tests positive for both HIV, bird flu in a first in Vietnam: Agence France-Presse - April 14, 2005; HANOI, April 14 (AFP) - A 21-year-old Vietnamese woman has tested positive for HIV and bird flu in the first such case in Vietnam, where the most deaths from the virus have occurred so far, health officials said Thursday.
Indian patent law will blight fight against HIV/AIDS: UNAIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 14, 2005; GENEVA, April 14 (AFP) - The UN official leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS warned Thursday that India's recent law banning the copy of patented medicines will become a major obstacle in fighting the rising tide of the disease in the country.
EU health ministers vow to step up fight on cancer, AIDS, flu: Agence France-Presse - April 14, 2005; PARIS, April 14 (AFP) - Health ministers from the 25-nation European Union (EU) agreed Thursday to step up efforts to combat cancer, AIDS and new infectious diseases such as feared strain of killer flu.
Ethiopian death toll from AIDS may double in three years: US study: Agence France-Presse - April 13, 2005; ADDIS ABABA, April 13 (AFP) - Ethiopia's AIDS death toll may double to 1.8 million in three years unless steps are taken to reduce current infection rates and care for those already taken ill, according to a US study released here Wednesday.
New epidemics threaten Africa as health services struggle to cope: Sofia Bouderbala; Agence France-Presse - April 13, 2005; KINSHASA, April 13 (AFP) - New epidemics of disease, ranging from the terrifying and extremely deadly Marburg virus, through AIDS to the old enemy cholera, are claiming lives across Africa as crippled health services struggle to cope.
Kenyan economy crippled by AIDS, government tells donors: Agence France-Presse - April 12, 2005; NAIROBI, April 12 (AFP) - The spread of HIV/AIDS is crippling Kenya's economy and unless checked will reduce the country's economic growth by 10 percent in five years, foreign donors were told at a meeting that ends Tuesday.
TV big guns join UN's global fight against HIV/AIDS: Audrey Stuart; Agence France-Presse - April 12, 2005; CANNES, France, April 12 (AFP) - A clutch of the world's most powerful television executives pledged here Tuesday to use their creative and broadcasting might to help combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic that continues to gain ground around the globe.
Southern Sudan's peace dividend threatened by possible AIDS explosion: Bogonko Bosire; Agence France-Presse - April 12, 2005; RUMBEK, Sudan, April 12 (AFP) - After more than two decades of devastating civil war, southern Sudan will soon confront the even deadlier threat of HIV/AIDS as millions return to the isolated region where international peacekeepers will soon deploy, relief workers say.
Clinton plans to provide AIDS treatment to 60,000 children worldwide: Alfons Luna; Agence France-Presse - April 11, 2005; NEW YORK, April 11 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Monday announced a plan to provide treatment for more than 60,000 AIDS-infected children in China and nine other countries, expanding a program already underway in Thailand and Brazil.
Millions of women and children can be saved with basic health care: WHO: Agence France-Presse - April 7, 2005; NEW DELHI, April 7 (AFP) - The lives of millions of newborn babies and thousands of women around the world could be saved each year by improving access to basic health care, World Health Organisation chief Lee Jong Wook said Thursday.
African AIDS activists describe late pope as obstacle in AIDS prevention: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2005; LIBREVILLE, April 5 (AFP) - AIDS activists in Africa describe the late Pope John Paul II's fierce opposition to the use of condoms as a major obstacle in the battle against AIDS in Africa, where the disease killed 2.3 million people in 2004.
Britain pledges funds for anti-HIV gel trials: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2005; LONDON, April 5 (AFP) - Britain pledged 24 million pounds (35.1 million euros, 45 million dollars) on Tuesday to fund trials for a gel that can prevent women from being infected by the HIV virus which leads to AIDS.
No praise for pope from AIDS campaigners: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2005; PARIS, April 4 (AFP) - AIDS campaigners sounded a jarring note Monday over the papacy of John Paul II, describing his ban on condom use, abhorrence of homosexuality and conservatism on women's rights as bleak failures in the fight against HIV.
Zimbabwe's outspoken archbishop remembers pope as 'outstanding leader': Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2005; BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, April 3 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's outspoken Archbishop Pius Ncube on Sunday paid homage to Pope John Paul II as an "outstanding leader" who had shown concern for Africa and its battle with AIDS.
International human rights groups call on Libya to free Bulgarian nurses: Agence France-Presse - April 1, 2005; SOFIA, April 1 (AFP) - Two international human rights organisations called Friday on Libya to release Bulgarian and Palestinian health workers sentenced to death for spreading the AIDS virus and infecting hundreds of children.
More than 4,000 South African teachers succumbed to AIDS last year: study: Agence France-Presse - April 1, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, April 1 (AFP) - More than 4,000 teachers died last year of complications linked to HIV/AIDS in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest caseloads, a daily reported Friday, quoting a study.
Kenyan businesses ignoring AIDS at their own peril: study: Agence France-Presse - April 1, 2005; NAIROBI, April 1 (AFP) - The vast majority of Kenyan firms are ignoring problems caused by AIDS by not developing workplace policies to combat the deadly virus here, where the disease kills more than 500 people a day, according to a survey released Friday.
Report says 80 percent of HIV-positive in CIS below 30 years old: Agence France-Presse - April 1, 2005; MOSCOW, April 1 (AFP) - More than 80 percent of HIV-positive people in most of the former Soviet Union are under the age of 30, according to a report published Friday.
Myanmar, terrorism, AIDS to top IPU agenda in Philippine meeting: Agence France-Presse - April 1, 2005; MANILA, April 1 (AFP) - Myanmar's continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, terrorism and AIDS are to top the agenda in an upcoming meeting of world parliamentarians in the Philippines, officials said Friday.

March

Australians say virus could point way to vaccine for HIV, cancer: Agence France-Presse - March 31, 2005; SYDNEY, March 31 (AFP) - A virus found in northern Australian mosquitoes could provide the basis for vaccines to prevent AIDS and cure cancer, researchers said on Thursday.
Benin gives free medication to 6,000 HIV sufferers: Agence France-Presse - March 30, 2005; COTONOU, March 30 (AFP) - Six thousand people living with HIV/AIDS in Benin will be given anti-retroviral drugs free of charge by the end of the year under a government programme, the health ministry said Wednesday.
US tells Libya to respect rights in AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - March 30, 2005; SOFIA, March 30 (AFP) - US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick on Wednesday urged Tripoli to handle the appeal of six foreigners sentenced to death in Libya in an AIDS case with respect for human rights and justice.
Russia slashes AIDS treatment costs by more than two-thirds: Agence France-Presse - March 30, 2005; MOSCOW, March 30 (AFP) - Russia has slashed the cost of AIDS treatment by more than two-thirds from 10,000 to 3,000 dollars after successful talks with multinational drug companies, Health Minister Mikhail Zurabov said Wednesday.
Singapore minister upholds ban on gay Christian concert: Agence France-Presse - March 30, 2005; SINGAPORE, March 30 (AFP) - Singapore's information and communications minister has upheld a ban on a planned weekend concert organised by a local gay Christian support group, the media industry regulator said Wednesday.
World Bank gives Vietnam 35 million dollars for AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - March 30, 2005; HANOI, March 30 (AFP) - Vietnam will get a 35-million-dollar grant to support its fight against HIV/AIDS, the World Bank said Wednesday.
Rights group slams US-funded shift in Uganda's anti-AIDS programs: Vincent Mayanja; Agence France-Presse - March 30, 2005; KAMPALA, March 30 (AFP) - A leading human rights watchdog on Thursday said a US-backed shift in Uganda's anti-AIDS program is jeopardizing the country's once successful efforts in combatting the deadly disease.
Libya to rule in two months on Bulgarian nurses' death penalty: Afaf Geblawi; Agence France-Presse - March 29, 2005; TRIPOLI, March 29 (AFP) - A Libyan court announced Tuesday it will rule in two months whether to consider an appeal from five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor against a death sentence for allegedly infecting children with AIDS.
Chirac calls for airline tax to help Africa during contentious Japan visit: Michel Leclercq; Agence France-Presse - March 28, 2005; TOKYO, March 28 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac called Monday for a tax on airline fuel and tickets by the end of the year to fight epidemics in Africa in what could be a test for a more far-reaching tax on financial transactions.
Zimbabweans battling AIDS also fight to get help: Fanuel Jongwe; Agence France-Presse - March 28, 2005; HARARE, March 28 (AFP) - Zimbabweans battling the world's fourth highest AIDS rate are getting little help from international donors while a clampdown on non-governmental organisations is threatening to take away the little assistance they do have.
Bulgaria awaits start of nurses' appeal against Libyan death sentence: Vessela Sergueva; Agence France-Presse - March 27, 2005; SOFIA, March 27 (AFP) - Five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor who were sentenced to death in Libya for allegedly infecting children with AIDS will have a new day in court on Tuesday as their appeal begins.
Indian patent law could prove a tonic for Bangladesh drug firms: Shafiq Alam; Agence France-Presse - March 27, 2005; DHAKA, March 27 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical firms in Bangladesh are hoping a new Indian patent law banning Indian companies from manufacturing cheap generic drugs could prove a tonic for their exports.
Japanese courts keep guilty verdict on bureaucrat over HIV blood: Agence France-Presse - March 25, 2005; TOKYO, March 25 (AFP) - A Japanese court Friday upheld a guilty verdict but declined to jail a former senior health official accused of killing two patients by failing to ensure HIV-free blood in the 1980s.
TB making gains in post-war Sierra Leone: Agence France-Presse - March 24, 2005; FREETOWN, March 24 (AFP) - Peace and ease of travel have contributed to a rise in the incidence of tuberculosis in post-war Sierra Leone, health officials in the west African state said Thursday, adding to the litany of health woes facing the world's poorest country.
India gets pat from WHO for war on TB, pledges to step up campaign: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - March 24, 2005; NEW DELHI, March 24 (AFP) - Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss pledged on World TB Day Thursday that India would step up its campaign against tuberculosis, as the WHO gave it a pat on the back for the strides it has already taken against the disease.
Bollywood makes second attempt to highlight AIDS issue on big screen: Agence France-Presse - March 24, 2005; BOMBAY, March 24 (AFP) - Bollywood will this weekend make a second attempt to bring the issue of HIV-AIDS into mainstream cinema when it releases "My Brother Nikhil", a story of a swimmer infected with the deadly disease.
Singapore moves against sexually active HIV/AIDS sufferers: Agence France-Presse - March 24, 2005; SINGAPORE, March 24 (AFP) - Singapore is drafting stiffer penalties against HIV/AIDS sufferers who knowingly have sex without informing partners about their condition, a senior health official said in remarks published Thursday.
TB the number one killer among AIDS sufferers in Africa: Agence France-Presse - March 24, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, March 24 (AFP) - Tuberculosis is the number one killer among people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa, the continent with the highest infection rate in the world, said a report released on Thursday by two international NGOs dedicated to fighting the lung disease.
Bulgarian nurses' lawyer vows to have death sentences overturned in Libya: Agence France-Presse - March 23, 2005; SOFIA, March 23 (AFP) - The lawyer of five Bulgarian nurses facing the death penalty in Libya for allegedly giving children AIDS-tainted blood vowed Wednesday to have their sentences overturned even though Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi called them "murderers".
Indian parliament passes patents bill amid criticism: Elizabeth Roche and Jay Deshmukh; Agence France-Presse - March 23, 2005; NEW DELHI, March 23 (AFP) - India's upper house of parliament passed a law Wednesday prohibiting the copying of patented drugs, despite strong criticism that the legislation would prohibit the manufacture of low-cost generic drugs.
Kadhafi says he won't free Bulgarian death-row nurses: Agence France-Presse - March 23, 2005; ALGIERS, March 23 (AFP) - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi insisted Wednesday that he would not pardon five Bulgarian nurses facing the death penalty for allegedly giving children AIDS-tainted blood, despite international appeals for their release.
Singapore says no to gay Christian concert: Agence France-Presse - March 23, 2005; SINGAPORE, March 23 (AFP) - An application by a local gay Christian support group to hold a concert in April has been rejected because it will promote a homosexual lifestyle, a Singapore government agency said Wednesday.
Trial postponed for Libyan police accused of torturing Bulgarian nurses: Agence France-Presse - March 22, 2005; TRIPOLI, March 22 (AFP) - The trial of 10 Libyan police officers accused of torturing five Bulgarian nurses into confessing that they gave children AIDS-tainted blood was on Tuesday postponed until April 26, one of the defendants said.
Indian legislators approve thorny drug patents bill despite protests: Agence France-Presse - March 22, 2005; NEW DELHI, March 22 (AFP) - The Indian parliament's lower house on Tuesday approved a controversial patents bill that will prohibit domestic firms from copying low-cost generic versions of patented drugs in a move critics say could deprive millions of life-saving medicines.
Disease-plagued Africa set to lose without cash for genome research: Bogonko Bosire; Agence France-Presse - March 21, 2005; NAIROBI, March 21 (AFP) - Scientists meeting in the Kenyan capital on Monday warned that Africa, a continent blighted by malaria and AIDS, is set to lose out on the benefits of genome research without adequate funding to facilitate further studies.
China plans national database of HIV/AIDS victims as epidemic looms: Agence France-Presse - March 20, 2005; BEIJING, March 20 (AFP) - China plans to set up a national database containing the records of its HIV/AIDS victims in a bid to get a better grip of the extent of the epidemic, state media said Sunday.
More than 2,000 new Spanish AIDS cases in 2004: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2005; MADRID, March 18 (AFP) - Spain registered 2,034 new cases of AIDS in 2004, the rate of growth in new cases falling 10 percent on 2003, the health ministry said Friday.
African AIDS sufferers plea for India to drop patents bill: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2005; NAIROBI, March 18 (AFP) - Groups representing African victims of HIV/AIDS appealed to the Indian government to withdraw a controversial patents bill introduced in parliament on Friday that will bar firms in India from producing cheap copies of brand name pharmeceuticals.
EU backs campaign to free Bulgarian nurses condemned to death in Libya: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2005; SOFIA, March 18 (AFP) - A European Union official Friday backed Sofia's attempts to secure the release of five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya for the infection of hundreds of children with the AIDS virus.
India introduces controversial patents bill in parliament: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2005; NEW DELHI, March 18 (AFP) - The Indian government Friday introduced a controversial patents law in parliament that will prohibit domestic firms from copying and churning out low-cost generic versions of patented drugs.
China urges business sector to help China fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2005; BEIJING, March 18 (AFP) - Vice Premier and Minister of Health Wu Yi urged domestic and international businesses on Friday to help China battle AIDS amid warnings that the number of sufferers was rising fast.
Gene study of mutant AIDS virus shows drug-resistant, vicious foe: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2005; PARIS, March 18 (AFP) - A genetic study of a strain of AIDS virus that triggered a health alert in New York describes the pathogen as unique, resistant to almost every class of HIV drug and apparently able to wreck the immune system with unprecedented speed.
Zimbabwe's children pay the price for disapproval of Mugabe: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - March 17, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, March 17 (AFP) - International donors concerned by President Robert Mugabe's rights record are punishing the children of Zimbabwe by denying aid to the southern African country, the UN children's agency UNICEF said Thursday.
Ethiopians clamor to call country's first toll-free AIDS hotline: Agence France-Presse - March 17, 2005; ADDIS ABABA, March 17 (AFP) - Thousands of Ethiopians are taking advantage of a new toll-free telephone hotline to educate themselves about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, how to avoid getting it and how to treat it, officials said Thursday.
Florida authorities probe letters sent to AIDS patients: Agence France-Presse - March 16, 2005; MIAMI, March 16 (AFP) - Authorities in Florida have launched an investigation after AIDS and HIV-positive patients received anonymous letters indicating that their names and medical condition were on a county public health services list, a spokesman said Wednesday.
AIDS epidemic slowed by change in sexual habits: study: Agence France-Presse - March 14, 2005; WASHINGTON, March 14 (AFP) - Changes in sexual behavior helped more to slow the spread of HIV in the early 1990s than the ensuing introduction of AIDS therapy drugs, a study published Monday revealed.
South Africa once again stumbles on AIDS treatment plan: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - March 14, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, March 14 (AFP) - South Africa's ambitious AIDS treatment plan is lagging as the government struggles to plug a shortage of doctors and pharmacists and other professionals needed to battle the world's biggest AIDS caseload.
Singapore may ask HIV carriers to help trace sexual partners: report: Agence France-Presse - March 14, 2005; SINGAPORE, March 14 (AFP) - Singapore may introduce legislation empowering health workers to ask HIV patients for information on their sexual partners, a senior health official said in remarks published Monday.
China launches human trials of AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - March 13, 2005; BEIJING, March 13 (AFP) - China, grappling with rising numbers of HIV/AIDS cases, has begun testing a vaccine on humans, state media said Sunday.
Ailing pope renews call for abstinence to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - March 11, 2005; VATICAN CITY, March 11 (AFP) - Ailing Pope John Paul II on Friday renewed his call for fidelity between spouses and abstinence to effectively fight the AIDS pandemic.
Gabon sets up central Africa's first factory for generic medicines: Philippe Alfroy; Agence France-Presse - March 10, 2005; LIBREVILLE, March 10 (AFP) - Within months, a revolutionary kind of factory being erected in Gabon will start producing generic medicines to treat Africa's two great plagues, malaria and HIV/AIDS, industry and government sources said.
Genetic legacy of plague outbreaks may help Europeans fights AIDS: report: Agence France-Presse - March 10, 2005; LONDON, March 10 (AFP) - A resistance to the HIV/AIDS virus shown by some Europeans might be a genetic legacy of plague outbreaks which swept through the continent centuries ago, a report said late Thursday.
EU gives aid to vulnerable groups in Zimbabawe: Agence France-Presse - March 10, 2005; BRUSSELS, March 10 (AFP) - The European Union's executive commission on Thursday announced 15 million euros (20 million dollars) in humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe.
Brazil to build AIDS drugs factory in Mozambique: Agence France-Presse - March 10, 2005; MAPUTO, March 10 (AFP) - Brazil will build a plant in Mozambique that will produce generic AIDS drugs in the southern African country where more than one million people are living with HIV and AIDS, the visiting foreign minister said.
France calls for doubling of international AIDS funds by 2007: Agence France-Presse - March 9, 2005; LONDON, March 9 (AFP) - The French government called Wednesday for a doubling of international AIDS funds to 15 billion dollars (11.2 billion euros) by 2007.
Gay festival may be behind HIV surge in Singapore: minister: Agence France-Presse - March 9, 2005; SINGAPORE, March 9 (AFP) - One of Asia's most popular gay and lesbian festivals may be behind a sharp rise in the number of new HIV infections in Singapore, a government minister told parliament on Wednesday.
Activists call for better deal for Hong Kong prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - March 8, 2005; HONG KONG, March 8 (AFP) - Hong Kong's government should legalise prostitution in a bid to make the profession safer for sex workers, activists said Tuesday in a protest to mark International Women's Day.
US under fire over needle exchanges for AIDS prevention: Jean-Michel Stoullig; Agence France-Presse - March 8, 2005; VIENNA, March 8 (AFP) - Non-governmental organizations have charged at a UN meeting that US opposition to programs offering needle exchanges to drug users to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS is threatening the lives of thousands.
US, UN disagreement over needle exchange for AIDS prevention: Agence France-Presse - March 8, 2005; VIENNA, March 8 (AFP) - The United Nations and the United States were in disagreement here Monday over the practice of offering needle exchanges to intravenous drug users in a bid to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Africa faces up to 89 million new HIV/AIDS infections by 2025: study: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2005; ADDIS ABABA, March 4 (AFP) - Governments could allow up to 89 million HIV/AIDS infections to develop virtually unchallenged in Africa over the next 20 years by failing to take effective measures and boost funding, a UN study issued Friday warned.
South Africa awards tenders to speed up rollout of AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, March 4 (AFP) - South Africa, grappling with one of the highest AIDS caseloads in the world, has awarded contracts to seven companies to speed up the slow roll-out of free anti-retroviral drugs to sufferers, reports said Friday.
New study brings good news about AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2005; PARIS, March 4 (AFP) - A long-term study into anti-HIV drugs confirms their ability to control the AIDS virus and suggests that, in the right conditions, the proportion of patients who fail to respond to these vital medications can be kept low and stable.
Poor countries: Washington to speed up approval for generic antiretrovirals: Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2005; WASHINGTON, March 2 (AFP) - Washington will accelerate its approval for generic anti-AIDS drugs that could be used in the next few months as part of a 15 billion dollar program launched in 2003 by President George W. Bush, a top US administration official told Congress Wednesday.
Mandela to get honorary doctorate from Swedish Nobel-awarding institute: Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2005; STOCKHOLM, March 2 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela will receive an honorary doctorate in medicine from Sweden's Karolinska Institute (KI) for his "unique efforts" to halt the spread of AIDS and HIV, KI said.
Afghanistan opium production soars to near-record levels, UN warns: Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2005; VIENNA, March 2 (AFP) - Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan soared to near-record levels in 2004, posing a serious threat to the country's stability, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said Wednesday.
Africa remains weakest link in the fight against drugs: UN agency: Agence France-Presse - March 1, 2005; VIENNA, March 1 (AFP) - Africa remains the world's weak spot in the fight against drugs because most countries on the continent lack the means to combat trafficking, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said here Wednesday.
Rising use of injectible drugs may lead to HIV epidemic in Pakistan: Agence France-Presse - March 1, 2005; ISLAMABAD, March 1 (AFP) - Pakistan could face an AIDS epidemic because many heroin addicts are starting to inject the drug, UN and Pakistani officials said Tuesday.

February

Australian researchers report HIV therapy breakthrough: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2005; SYDNEY, Feb 28 (AFP) - Australian researchers have discovered a way to significantly boost the body's immune system to fight HIV and other deadly viruses, the scientists said Monday.
South African radio show outs adulterers to fight AIDS: Abhik Kumar Chanda; Agence France-Presse - February 27, 2005; SOWETO, South Africa, Feb 27 (AFP) - A steamy radio show in Soweto is outing adulterers with shocking techniques that the creators say are justified to combat South Africa's alarming HIV/AIDS rate.
Two new HIV-related viruses likely came from monkeys, scientists say: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 26 (AFP) - US scientists have identified two new human retroviruses, cousins of HIV, which may have originated in monkeys, according to researchers presenting their work at an AIDS conference here.
HIV infection rate doubled in 10 years among US blacks: study: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 26 (AFP) - The HIV infection rate doubled among US blacks in 10 years while holding steady in the white population, according to a government report.
Promising inhibitor drug for AIDS sufferers resistant to treatments: Agence France-Presse - February 25, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 25 (AFP) - An international team of researchers announced Friday promising results of an experimental drug for HIV sufferers with resistance to most treatments.
South African health officials warn against bogus AIDS cure claims: Agence France-Presse - February 25, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 25 (AFP) - Health officials Friday cautioned South Africans against bogus AIDS cures after a pamphlet was distributed in Johannesburg claiming "The cure for AIDS is here!"
US doctors who raised AIDS alarm in New York defend their decision: Agence France-Presse - February 25, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 25 (AFP) - The physicians who found a rare and virulent strain of the AIDS virus in a New York patient defended their decision to alert New York health authorities about the threat.
AIDS drugs cocktail better than single nevirapine dose in newborns: Agence France-Presse - February 25, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 25 (AFP) - A cocktail of antiretroviral drugs works better than a single dose of nevirapine to prevent HIV infection in newborn babies, researchers said at the 12th Retrovirus Conference here.
African AIDS front shows signs of hope: Jean Louis Santini; Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 24 (AFP) - Condom use and multiple-drug "cocktails" have slowed the spread of AIDS cases in certain African countries, a global AIDS conference in Boston was told Thursday.
HIV-positive Indian boy kicked out of school after other parents protest: Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2005; GUWAHATI, India, Feb 24 (AFP) - A four-year-old HIV-positive boy has been kicked out of school in India's northeastern state of Assam under pressure from the parents of his classmates, a rights group said Thursday.
UNICEF calls on China to treat AIDS as a general public health issue: Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2005; BEIJING, Feb 24 (AFP) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Thursday urged China to treat AIDS as a general public health issue and not just a problem affecting a small group of people.
Scientists discover a key to how AIDS virus attacks the body: Jean-Louis Santini; Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2005; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 23 (AFP) - US scientists announced Wednesday the discovery of a key element in the workings of HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, which could eventually lead to the creation of effective vaccines against the virus.
South Africa unveils pro-growth budget: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2005; CAPE TOWN, Feb 23 (AFP) - South Africa's Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on Wednesday unveiled a budget that maintains an accent on social welfare while aiming to buttress growth in the continent's biggest economy.
Nigeria to dramatically increase drugs cover for HIV/AIDS patients: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2005; ABUJA, Feb 23 (AFP) - Nigerian plans to dramatically increase the number of AIDS/HIV sufferers covered by its subsidised anti-retroviral drugs programme but will still fall far short of meeting demand, officials said Wednesday.
Bill Clinton on low-key visit to China to promote AIDS awareness: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2005; BEIJING, Feb 23 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton was in Beijing Wednesday to promote AIDS awareness on a low-key visit which will also focus on aid to tsunami-hit countries around the Indian Ocean.
Sweden and ADB set up multi-donor trust fund to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2005; MANILA, Feb 23 (AFP) - Sweden and the Asian Development Bank Wednesday signed an agreement to set up a multi-donor trust fund to help developing countries in the Asia Pacific region fight HIV/AIDS.
Britain must compensate Africa for subsidising its state health: charity: Roland Jackson; Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2005; LONDON, Feb 22 (AFP) - A leading children's charity demanded Tuesday that the British government compensate African countries for providing trained staff for its state healthcare system.
Philippines sitting on HIV/AIDS iceberg: health minister: Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2005; MANILA, Feb 22 (AFP) - The Philippines is sitting on the tip of an HIV/AIDS iceberg and worried health authorities have no idea how big the problem facing the country is, a top official told an international conference here Tuesday.
Hong Kong registers largest-ever gain in HIV cases: Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2005; HONG KONG, Feb 22 (AFP) - Hong Kong registered a record number of new HIV cases last year partly as a result of greater movement between the enclave and mainland China, the government said Tuesday.
Spanish surgeon comes to aid of mutilated Kenyan children: Gabriela Calotti; Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2005; MADRID, Feb 22, 2005 (AFP) - A Spanish surgeon has come to the rescue of two Kenyan youngsters who had their penises cut off in their homeland during a bizarre ritual involving the creation of a potion reputedly able to cure AIDS.
AIDS vaccine needs more bang from fewer bucks: US: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2005; WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (AFP) - US funding earmarked for an AIDS vaccine will fall off in 2006, forcing scientists to cooperate among themselves and with the private sector, a top government researcher said Monday.
One in 12 children forced into world's 'worst forms' of labor: UNICEF UK: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2005; LONDON, Feb 21 (AFP) - One child in 12 is forced into the "worst forms" of labor, including slavery, the sex trade and hazardous and illicit activities, the British branch of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a report released Monday.
Novartis targets generics market in 5.65 bln euro two-company takeover: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2005; GENEVA, Feb 21 (AFP) - Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Monday it was aiming for global leadership of the expanding generic medicine market with the double-barreled acquisition of German firm Hexal and its US counterpart Eon Labs in a single 5.65-billion-euro (7.4-billion-dollar) cash takeover deal.
Britain's Prince Harry turns sights on fighting AIDS in Africa: report: Agence France-Presse - February 20, 2005; LONDON, Feb 20 (AFP) - Britain's Prince Harry, who sparked worldwide outrage last month for wearing a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party, will launch a fund to fight poverty and AIDS in Africa this week, a report said Sunday.
Sweden to grant Tanzania 22 million dollars for HIV/AIDS treatment project: Agence France-Presse - February 19, 2005; DAR ES SALAAM, Feb 19 (AFP) - Sweden has agreed to grant Tanzania 22 million dollars (16.8 million euros) to support the country's plan to treat HIV/AIDS patients, a health ministry official said Saturday.
France suspends two AIDS vaccine trials amid safety doubts: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2005; PARIS, Feb 18 (AFP) - France said on Friday it was suspending trials of two prototype vaccines against the AIDS virus as a precaution after an American volunteer suddenly fell ill with a neurological disorder.
South Africa's death rate jumps 57 percent, HIV/AIDS one of the biggest killers: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2005; PRETORIA, Feb 18 (AFP) - South Africa's death rate jumped 57 percent between 1997 and 2003 with HIV/AIDS emerging as one of the main killers in the 15 to 49 age bracket, the official statistics agency said Friday.
Mandela touts new AIDS concert, says 'not enough has been done': Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - February 17, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 17 (AFP) - Former president Nelson Mandela on Thursday announced that a second charity concert will be held in South Africa as part of a worldwide music campaign to raise awareness about AIDS.
AIDS activists urge South African government to 'wake up to AIDS': Agence France-Presse - February 16, 2005; CAPE TOWN, Feb 16 (AFP) - Some 2,000 AIDS activists Wednesday marched on the South African parliament to urge the government to "wake up" to the pandemic and provide free anti-retroviral drugs to 200,000 people by 2006.
Indian widow with HIV killed after biting children: Agence France-Presse - February 16, 2005; NEW DELHI, Feb 16 (AFP) - An Indian woman infected with HIV was beaten to death by her brothers who feared she could transmit the disease in the family, police said Wednesday.
Japanese medical giant to invest in two private Bangladesh hospitals: Agence France-Presse - February 16, 2005; DHAKA, Feb 16 (AFP) - Japan's largest medical chain will build two new hospitals in Bangladesh to grab a share of the estimated 330 million dollars now spent annually on overseas health care, officials said Wednesday.
Gay concern over hyping AIDS 'superbug': Giles Hewitt; Agence France-Presse - February 16, 2005; NEW YORK, Feb 16 (AFP) - Gay activists fear the announcement of a rare, highly virulent strain of the AIDS virus being found in a New York man may fuel panic of an HIV "superbug" and further stigmatise their community.
British opposition party plans to test immigrants for HIV: Deborah Haynes; Agence France-Presse - February 15, 2005; LONDON, Feb 15 (AFP) - Britain's main opposition party will stoke a heated debate on immigration Tuesday ahead of an expected May election by promising to test people seeking to live in the country for HIV and other diseases.
Suspended trial of AIDS drug in Cameroon was safe says US NGO: Agence France-Presse - February 15, 2005; YAOUNDE, Feb 15 (AFP) - The controversial trial of an AIDS drug on prostitutes, suspended by the Cameroon government, is not dangerous, a US group conducting the trial said Tuesday.
HIV/AIDS rate in South African army between 17 and 23 percent: minister: Agence France-Presse - February 15, 2005; CAPE TOWN, Feb 15 (AFP) - South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota Tuesday said the HIV/AIDS rate in the army was between 17 and 23 percent, according to a sample of blood tests from volunteers and those who had served on missions abroad.
Posh spice and other celebrities strip for charity: Agence France-Presse - February 15, 2005; LONDON, Feb 15 (AFP) - British pop singer Victoria Beckham, wife of footballer David Beckham, and other women celebrities have been photographed nude for a book whose sales will help raise money for an AIDS charity.
Unwelcome AIDS patients forced into underfunded hospices: Ed Lane; Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2005; BANGALORE, India, Feb 13 (AFP) - Manju watched her mother die at a decent house that was used as a care centre for 15 AIDS patients. Shortly after, neighbors won a battle to close the place and the seven-year-old was forced into a drab and undisclosed hospice in a shabby part of the city.
India's eunuchs want respect in battle to stem AIDS spread: Ed Lane; Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2005; DHARMAPURI, India, Feb 13 (AFP) - Once they guarded the royal harems of India's Mughal emperors, but today eunuchs say they get chased from public toilets by screaming women or are clobbered by surprised men.
Family sues Libya over children's deaths in AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2005; TRIPOLI, Feb 13 (AFP) - A Libyan family whose two daughters died of AIDS after being in a hospital hit by an outbreak of the deadly virus went to court on Sunday to sue the state over their deaths, a legal source said.
South Africa is stepping up its fight against AIDS, says Mbeki: Agence France-Presse - February 11, 2005; CAPE TOWN, Feb 11 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday his government was fighting AIDS, which affects about one in five adults in the country, with "greater vigour".
US physicians recommend routine testing for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 10, 2005; WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (AFP) - US physicians in two government-funded studies said routine testing for AIDS for the entire US population would reduce the rate of infection and perhaps "influence the course of the epidemic."
Mbeki to address the nation amid rumblings over Zimbabwe: Sivuyile Mangxamba; Agence France-Presse - February 10, 2005; CAPE TOWN, Feb 10 (AFP) - President Thabo Mbeki delivers his annual state of the nation address on Friday, reporting on his government's performance amid growing unease in South Africa over how to deal with Zimbabwe as it heads into elections.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao spends Lunar New Year with AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2005; BEIJING, Feb 9 (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao spent the Lunar New Year with AIDS victims in a destitute area that has become a symbol of the nation's struggle with the rapidly spreading disease, state media said Wednesday.
Schoolchildren in rural South Africa struggle to learn, report says: Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 9 (AFP) - Nearly two thirds of children in rural South Africa do not have parents educated enough to help them with homework, according to a report released Wednesday.
Sweden and ADB to establish HIV/AIDS Trust Fund: Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2005; MANILA, Feb 9 (AFP) - Sweden and the Asian Development Bank are to establish an HIV/AIDS Trust Fund to help raise regional awareness of the disease, the Swedish ambassador to the Philippines Annika Markovic announced Wednesday.
Africa's first ladies hold AIDS summit in Burkina Faso: Boureima Hama; Agence France-Presse - February 8, 2005; OUAGADOUGOU, Feb 8 (AFP) - Thirteen African first ladies gathered Wednesday in Burkina Faso for a summit to coordinate efforts in the continent's fight against HIV/AIDS, which killed some 2.3 million Africans last year.
Zimbabwean NGOs urge Mugabe to scrap controversial bill: Agence France-Presse - February 8, 2005; HARARE, Feb 8 (AFP) - A forum of Zimbabwean NGOs has urged President Robert Mugabe not to approve a controversial bill that severely clips their wings, saying it would have "devastating effects" and further dent Harare's image.
Sex workers must fight to survive men as well as AIDS in India: Ed Lane; Agence France-Presse - February 8, 2005; BANGALORE, India, Feb 8 (AFP) - After having had acid thrown in her face by a spurned lover, chili powder shoved inside her during a gang rape and money stolen by police, Asara says she knows one thing: "I am very put off by men."
Canada clinic to offer heroin, despite US needling: Deborah Jones; Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2005; VANCOUVER, Canada, Feb. 7 (AFP) - Despite harsh US protests, a Canadian government clinic will doll out free heroin to hard-core addicts after it opens on Wednesday, a stone's throw from the US border.
India tests AIDS vaccine on humans: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2005; NEW DELHI, Feb 7 (AFP) - India Monday launched its first human clinical trials of a vaccine designed to prevent HIV-AIDS, federal health minister Anbumani Ramadoss said.
Bangladesh to teach students about HIV/AIDS for first time: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2005; DHAKA, Feb 7 (AFP) - School pupils in Muslim majority Bangladesh will learn about HIV/AIDS for the first time from next year when the subject is added to the curriculum, officials said Monday.
Dutch patients prefer cannabis cafes to pharmacies for medical marijuana: Stephanie van den Berg; Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2005; THE HAGUE, Feb 7 (AFP) - With legal cannabis readily available, the Dutch government's program for issuing medical marijuana through pharmacies is losing money as stocks pile up because patients seem to prefer buying their stash at authorized cannabis cafes.
Sex education steers India's truckers away from AIDS highway: Ed Lane; Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2005; NELAMANGALA, India, Feb 6 (AFP) - Trilok Singh, 24, says he treats sex workers with "love and affection" and uses a condom. If his fellow road warriors did the same, India could drastically cut the spread of AIDS.
Highlights of G7 finance ministers' development statement: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2005; LONDON, Feb 5 (AFP) - Highlights from the final development statement of Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors, whose meeting in London ended Saturday:
Mandela calls on G7 to provide 100 percent debt relief: Agence France-Presse - February 4, 2005; LONDON, Feb 4 (AFP) - South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela issued a vibrant appeal Friday to Group of Seven finance ministers for 100 percent debt cancellation for Africa and a sharp increase in annual financial aid.
Business turns bad for Chinese brothels in Afghan capital: Michaela Cancela-Kieffer; Agence France-Presse - February 4, 2005; KABUL, Feb 4 (AFP) - On the surface they look like Chinese restaurants and occasionally prospective diners wander in and try to order food from the incredulous staff.
AIDS vaccine trial suspended in France: Agence France-Presse - February 3, 2005; PARIS, Feb 3 (AFP) - France's national AIDS research agency (ANRS) has suspended a vaccine trial after a US patient taking part in a study of the same vaccine developed a neurological disorder, the agency's director said Thursday.
Cameroon suspends controversial AIDS treatment on prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - February 3, 2005; YAOUNDE, Feb 3 (AFP) - Cameroon said Thursday it was suspending tests of a controversial antiretroviral HIV/AIDS drug on prostitutes in Douala, the west African country's economic capital, citing failings in their implementation.
Bush cites progress in Iraq, Middle East: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (AFP) - President George W. Bush declared Wednesday that a Palestinian state was "within reach" and said that elections in Iraq had opened a "new phase" in efforts to train security forces to replace US troops.
Recorded HIV/AIDS cases rise in Iran: Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; TEHRAN, Feb 2 (AFP) - Recorded cases of HIV or AIDS have risen to close to 10,000 in Iran, according to health ministry statistics reported in the press on Wednesday.
UN experts urge India to step up investments in health, education: Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; NEW DELHI, Feb 2 (AFP) - A panel of UN-appointed experts urged India on Wednesday to step up investments in the health and education sectors to make good on a worldwide pledge to halve extreme poverty worldwide by 2015.
Overcrowding, poor conditions claim 127 lives in Zimbabwe jail: study: Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; HARARE, Feb 2 (AFP) - Overcrowding and abysmal conditions at a jail in Zimbabwe's second city Bulawyo have led to the deaths of 127 people last year, the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) was quoted as saying Wednesday.
Grim figures hide some good news in Africa's AIDS crisis: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; PARIS, Feb 2 (AFP) - Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers, meeting in London on Friday to discuss ways of helping Africa, will find plenty of data to support the continent's stereotyped image as an AIDS-ravaged basketcase.
Factfile on HIV/AIDS in India: Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; NEW DELHI, Feb 2 (AFP) - Here is a factfile on HIV/AIDS in India:
US says graft threatens HIV/AIDS funding in Kenya: Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; NAIROBI, Feb 2 (AFP) - Government corruption in Kenya is threatening the disbursement of millions of dollars in foreign aid to fight HIV/AIDS, the US ambassador to the east African nation said in comments released on Wednesday.
ASIAN LIVES: High-flier leads AIDS crusade in India for Bill Gates: Ed Lane; Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2005; DHARMAPURI, India, Feb 2 (AFP) - Smiling and hands pressed together in greeting, Ashok Alexander sits cross-legged under the tent-covered roof of a house before dozens of women to talk about sex.
In Swaziland, AIDS orphans grow gardens to survive: Florence Panoussian; Agence France-Presse - February 1, 2005; BHUNYA, Swaziland, Feb 1 (AFP) - Tucked in the valleys of Swaziland, vegetable gardens are growing, tended by some of the tens of thousands of AIDS orphans struggling to survive in this poor southern African kingdom.

January

Swazi king picks 13th bride-to-be: Agence France-Presse - January 31, 2005; MBABANE, Jan 31 (AFP) - Swazi King Mswati III has picked a 17-year-old schoolgirl as his new fiancee who will be introduced to the public as his 13th bride-to-be once she passes a HIV test, royal sources told AFP on Monday.
Fourth summit of African Union wraps up with non-aggression pact: Agence France-Presse - January 31, 2005; ABUJA, Jan 31 (AFP) - The fourth summit of the African Union wrapped up Monday with agreements on a non-aggression pact for the continent and commitments to do more to fight the spread of deadly diseases such as AIDS, diplomats said.
Star status at Davos fest turns spotlight on poverty, AIDS: Kevin McElderry; Agence France-Presse - January 30, 2005; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 30 (AFP) - It wasn't hard to go celebrity-spotting at the World Economic Forum -- never have so many stars of stage and Hollywood screen stirred up so much fuss to plead the cause for humanitarian aid.
New push for public health, AIDS spending at African Union summit: Lauren Gelfand; Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2005; ABUJA, Jan 29 (AFP) - Activists hope this weekend's African Union summit will net commitments to boost government spending on public health, helping to curb the spread of AIDS which killed 2.3 million Africans in 2004.
Gere, Richie team up for AIDS song at Indian pop show finale: Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2005; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 29 (AFP) - Singer Lionel Richie, behind a string of hits over three decades, is writing a song about AIDS which will be performed at the final show of India's hit pop music show "Indian Idol", he said here.
US deploys navy ship, marines to Gulf of Guinea for exercises: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2005; WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (AFP) - The US military has deployed a navy ship with 1,400 sailors and marines to the Gulf of Guinea for exercises aimed at improving military cooperation with West African countries, the US European Command said Friday.
Zambia unveils 2005 budget forecasting 6.0 percent growth: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2005; LUSAKA, Jan 28 (AFP) - Zambia unveiled its multi-billion-dollar 2005 budget Friday, aiming for six percent growth and pushing down inflation to 15 percent in the poor southern African country.
AFP INTERVIEW: Music stars ready to buttonhole leaders over poverty: Marc Braibant; Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2005; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 28 (AFP) - Campaigning celebrities Bono and Youssou Ndour are plotting to take German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder around Africa and to pounce on French President Jacques Chirac in their struggle on behalf of the world's poor.
United States to assist Nigerian AIDS sufferers with drugs, care: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2005; LAGOS, Jan 28 (AFP) - The United States has set up an emergency plan to assist Nigerian AIDS sufferers with life-prolonging anti-retroviral treatment (ART), care and prevention programmes, a senior US official said here Friday.
Washington insists AIDS pledges on target: Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2005; WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (AFP) - The US administration said Thursday that promises made by President George W. Bush to increase monies to fight against the global AIDS threat were being held to.
Swiss bankers reject Chirac idea to tax capital flows to fund AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2005; GENEVA, Jan 27 (AFP) - Bankers in Switzerland, renowned for its secretive banking laws, Thursday rejected an idea by French President Jacques Chirac to tax international financial transactions to raise money to fight AIDS.
Bono, Gates say rich leaders carry hopes of generation for Africa: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2005; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 27 (AFP) - Rock star and anti-poverty campaigner, Bono, and computer billionaire Bill Gates warned the leaders of rich countries on Thursday they were carrying the hopes of a generation with promises to end poverty in Africa.
Japan's AIDS experts alarmed as HIV infections hit record high: Shino Yuasa; Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2005; TOKYO, Jan 27 (AFP) - The number of Japanese people who were infected with HIV or developed AIDS topped 1,000 for the first time in 2004, officials said Thursday, voicing concern the virus could be spreading more quickly due to a lack of awareness.
Health-disease-AIDS-drugs-figures: Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2005; PARIS, Jan 26 (AFP) - Here are the latest figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on progress towards meeting its goal of providing anti-HIV therapy to three million people in developing and transitional countries by the end of 2005:
Chirac proposes international tax to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2005; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 26 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac called Wednesday for an "experimental" international tax to help fund the war against AIDS, suggesting it could be raised via a levy on airline tickets, some fuels or financial transactions.
Fears of resurgent syphilis epidemic may be wrong: study: Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2005; PARIS, Jan 26 (AFP) - Worries that syphilis is spreading rapidly in America and Europe, mainly as a result of unsafe sex among gay men, are probably unfounded, according to a probe into the long-term cycles of this disease.
Swaziland strike protest falls short: Florence Panoussian; Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2005; MANZINI, Swaziland, Jan 26 (AFP) - A two-day strike protest against King Mswati III's rule in Swaziland failed to gather momentum, with unions saying on Wednesday that a strong police presence and the prospect of lost pay had kept people away.
Church fumes amid govt-led moral revolution in Spain: Pierre Ausseill; Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2005; MADRID, Jan 26 (AFP) - Under its Socialist government elected last March Spain is pushing on apace with a moral revolution which began tentatively with the 1978 restoration of democracy -- despite outrage within the influential Roman Catholic Church.
AIDS: "Three by Five" goal shadowed by funding shortfall, says WHO: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2005; PARIS, Jan 26 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Wednesday that access to AIDS therapy was spreading fast in many poor countries but warned its vision of reaching three million infected people by year's end needed further efforts and more cash.
Not for government to preach Christianity: Spanish minister: Agence France-Presse - January 25, 2005; MADRID, Jan 25 (AFP) - Defence Minister Jose Bono insisted Tuesday that it was not up to the government to preach Christianity to the electorate, a day after Pope John Paul II accused Spanish leaders of failing to defend the Christian way of life.
Swaziland security out in force during strike protest: Florence Panoussian; Agence France-Presse - January 25, 2005; MBABANE, Jan 25 (AFP) - Police and security troops staged a show of force in Swaziland on Tuesday during a march that drew only a few hundred people in the capital to protest the regime of King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch.
Libyan police go on trial for forcing confessions from Bulgarian nurses: Agence France-Presse - January 25, 2005; TRIPOLI, Jan 25 (AFP) - Ten Libyan police officers accused of torturing five Bulgarian nurses into confessing that they gave children AIDS-tainted blood appeared before a Tripoli court on Tuesday.
World leaders still failing on major global challenges: report: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2005; GENEVA, Jan 24 (AFP) - World leaders have made no progress in keeping promises to tackle key global challenges such as poverty or climate change and need to engage the corporate world far more, a think tank set up by the World Economic Forum said Monday.
Pope urges Spanish Catholics to defend Christian way of life: Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2005; VATICAN CITY, Jan 24 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II called on Spanish Catholics Monday to defend the Christian way of life, which he said was under attack in Spain in a climate of increasing secularism and moral laxity.
Cameroonian doctors tasked with testing AIDS treatment on prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2005; YAOUNDE, Jan 24 (AFP) - A team of Cameroonian doctors has been tasked with looking into prospects for testing a controversial antiretroviral HIV/AIDS drug on prostitutes in Douala, the west African country's economic capital, authorities said Monday.
Bulgaria urges European parliaments to help with nurses imprisoned in Libya: Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2005; SOFIA, Jan 24 (AFP) - Bulgarian parliament speaker Ognian Guerdjikov called Monday on European Union legislatures to help save five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya in a scandal over AIDS-tainted blood.
Ethiopia to provide free anti-retroviral drugs in major anti-AIDS drive: Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2005; ADDIS ABABA, Jan 24 (AFP) - The east African state of Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, Monday launched a plan to fight AIDS which will for the first time include the distribution of free anti-retroviral drugs.
Catholic Philippines says no to condoms in population control drive: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2005; MANILA, Jan 23 (AFP) - Health officials in the mostly Roman Catholic Philippines said Sunday they would not endorse the use of condoms to stem the country's galloping population growth.
Pope steers clear of condoms in plea for AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2005; VATICAN CITY, Jan 21 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II on Friday appealed to the Roman Catholic church to help victims of AIDS but avoided being drawn into a heated argument over the use of condoms.
Vatican spokesman 'hardly interested' in condoms: media: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2005; MADRID, Jan 21 (AFP) - Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro Valls sees condoms as a tool which does not resolve the issue of AIDS transmission and which as such does not interest him, Catalan daily La Vanguardia on Friday quoting him as saying.
Brigitte Bardot slams planned polar bear hunting permits in Greenland: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2005; COPENHAGEN, Jan 21 (AFP) - French former film star and now ardent animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has condemned Greenland's plans to organize polar bear hunts for wealthy tourists.
Swiss drug Roche says hepatitis B drug closer to EU approval: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2005; BASEL, Switzerland, Jan 21 (AFP) - The Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche said Friday that the European Union had moved closer to approving its Pegasys drug which treats life-threatening chronic hepatitis B.
US health authorities recommend preventive treatment for all potential HIV victims: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2005; WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (AFP) - US health authorities have recommended for the first time preventive drug treatment for all those potentially exposed to HIV, in a bid to fight harder against the virus that causes AIDS.
AFP INTERVIEW: Vaccine vital to ending AIDS epidemic despite hurdles: Penny MacRae; Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2005; NEW DELHI, Jan 21 (AFP) - Seth Berkley knows some people think he is shooting for the moon but this has not deterred him from pushing for the discovery of an AIDS vaccine even though the quest is now over two decades old.
About-face of Spain's Catholic Church on condom use met with disappointment: Pierre Ausseill; Agence France-Presse - January 20, 2005; MADRID, Jan 20 (AFP) - The Spanish Catholic Church's about-face on the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS was met with anger Thursday by left-wing politicians, commentators and gay rights groups who labeled the church's position as unreasonable and inhuman.
Ban on condoms part of campaign against 'fornication': Vatican: Agence France-Presse - January 20, 2005; ROME, Jan 20 (AFP) - The Vatican laid down the law on condoms to Roman Catholic bishops across the world on Thursday, saying the ultimate aim of forbidding the use of condoms was to discourage fornication.
Debt relief can help Zambia fight AIDS, says World Bank: Agence France-Presse - January 20, 2005; LUSAKA, Jan 20 (AFP) - Zambia could step up its fight against AIDS and build schools, hospitals and roads if a multi-billion dollar debt to international lenders is scrapped, the World Bank representative said Thursday.
Companies doing little or nothing to fight AIDS, says business forum: Agence France-Presse - January 20, 2005; LONDON, Jan 20 (AFP) - Businesses in Africa, Asia and Russia are being too slow in tackling the AIDS epidemic and averting the economic damage it causes, according to the results of a major global survey published Thursday.
Colombian Catholic Church to review position on condoms: Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2005; BOGOTA, Jan 19 (AFP) - Colombia's Roman Catholic Church will review its position on condom use after a top Spanish church officials said the contraceptive had a place in the fight against AIDS, a Colombian church official said Wednesday.
Shock words misunderstood, no change on condoms: Spain's Catholic Church: Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2005; MADRID, Jan 19 (AFP) - The Roman Catholic Church in Spain moved Wednesday to quench any notion of a sea-change in its attitude to the use of contraceptives, saying remarks by one of its top people had been misunderstood and that doctrine remained as before.
Vatican holds its ground over Spanish bishops' condom stance: Denis Barnett; Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2005; VATICAN CITY, Jan 19 (AFP) - The Vatican held its ground Wednesday after Spanish bishops broke a taboo by condoning the use of condoms as a legitimate way of fighting HIV/AIDS, much as it did when French bishops tested papal patience with a similar stance in the 1990s.
Vatican cool on Spanish Church's acceptance of condoms: Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2005; VATICAN CITY, Jan 19 (AFP) - The Vatican responded cooly Wednesday to news that the Catholic Church authorities in Spain had for the first time approved the use of condoms as part of an integrated strategy in combatting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Spanish church accepts condoms as part of anti-AIDS strategy: Marie-Noelle Valles; Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2005; MADRID, Jan 19 (AFP) - In a radical shift, Spanish Roman Catholic bishops have for the first time accepted the use of condoms to combat AIDS, reigniting a moral and religious debate but drawing a sharp response Wednesday from the Vatican.
Two million Nigerians orphaned by AIDS: MSF: Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2005; LAGOS, Jan 19 (AFP) - Two million Nigerian children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and 900 people are dying needlessly from the virus every day, the international medical aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF - Doctors Without Borders) said Wednesday.
Libya PM rejects MPs' intervention in case of death row nurses: Agence France-Presse - January 18, 2005; TRIPOLI, Jan 18 (AFP) - Libyan Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem insisted Tuesday that calls from MPs for the maximum penalty to be imposed against those responsible for an AIDS epidemic would not affect the case of five Bulgarian nurses on death row.
Ugandan taxis to give away condoms in new anti-AIDS program: Agence France-Presse - January 18, 2005; KAMPALA, Jan 18 (AFP) - Taxi drivers and operators of other forms of public transportation in Uganda are to begin distributing free condoms and advice as part of an innovative new scheme to fight HIV/AIDS, officials said Tuesday.
Bulgarian nurses on death row in Libya demand compensation for torture: Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2005; SOFIA, Jan 17 (AFP) - Five Bulgarian nurses on death row in Libya in a controversial AIDS case are demanding compensation for being tortured in detention, Bulgarian national television reported on Monday.
Medical charity intensifies fight against HIV-AIDS in Nigeria: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2005; LAGOS, Jan 17 (AFP) - The medical aid group Doctors Without Borders said Monday it was intensifying its fight against HIV-AIDS in Nigeria, where some four million people have already been caught up in a spiralling epidemic.
UN, foreign donors urge Kenya to boost war on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2005; NAIROBI, Jan 17 (AFP) - Foreign donors and the UN's frontline agency for HIV/AIDS on Monday urged Kenya to boost its fight against the deadly disease, saying the country should take advantage of new funding for the area.
New Bangladeshi hospital targets millions spent on overseas healthcare: Helen Rowe; Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2005; DHAKA, Jan 17 (AFP) - Bangladesh's first private multi-speciality hospital is to tap into the estimated 330 million dollars spent annually on overseas medical treatment, officials say.
Number of homosexuals infected with HIV more than doubles in Norway: Agence France-Presse - January 16, 2005; OSLO, Jan 16 (AFP) - The number of homosexuals annually infected with HIV in Norway more than doubled in the past two years, a Norwegian public health official told daily Dagsavisen in an interview published on Sunday.
Mandela buries his son stricken down by AIDS: Sivuyile Mangxamba; Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2005; QUNU, South Africa, Jan 15 (AFP) - Dressed in black and wearing a red ribbon, Nelson Mandela bade his only surviving son a final goodbye on Saturday in his home village in southeast South Africa, ten days after he died from AIDS.
Taiwan passes law forcing hotels, sauna parlors to offer condoms: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2005; TAIPEI, Jan 15 (AFP) - Taiwan has passed a law requiring all hotels and sauna parlors to make condoms available to their customers in the island's latest attempt to curb the spread of AIDS, local media reported Saturday.
South Africa's Mbeki, AIDS activist Achmat to attend Mandela son's funeral: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 14 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki and veteran AIDS activist Zackie Achmat together with thousands of mourners were expected to attend the funeral of anti-aprtheid icon Nelson Mandela on Saturday, a report said.
Britain's Brown arrives in Mozambique, promises more debt relief: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2005; MAPUTO, Jan 14 (AFP) - British Finance Minister Gordon Brown jetted into Mozambique on Friday promising more debt relief to poor African countries, hours after signed a debt relief pact with Tanzania.
Tsunami-dominated UN conference ends with vow to help small islands: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2005; PORT LOUIS, Jan 14 (AFP) - A UN conference on small islands wrapped up here Friday with a pledge to help protect such vulnerable states from climate change and natural disasters like last month's Asian tsunami.
Britain offers debt relief to Tanzania as Brown pushes plan for Africa: John Kulekana; Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2005; DAR ES SALAAM, Jan 14 (AFP) - Britain's visiting Finance Minister Gordon Brown signed a debt relief pact with Tanzania on Friday in a bid to jumpstart London's proposal for a "new Marshall plan" to help ease African nations' chronic poverty and help them fund development projects.
EU renews appeal to Libya in AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2005; BRUSSELS, Jan 14 (AFP) - The European Commission renewed Friday a call for Libya to act to secure the release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor sentenced to death in an AIDS-tainted blood scandal.
Libyan parliament seeks 'heaviest punishment' in child AIDS cases: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2005; TRIPOLI, Jan 14 (AFP) - Libya's parliament has called for the heaviest possible punishment for those responsible for an AIDS epidemic at a hospital in which nearly 400 children were infected, the state news agency JANA said Friday.
Human Rights Watch slam Pakistan, India for right abuses: Agence France-Presse - January 13, 2005; WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (AFP) - Pakistan has witnessed a severe deterioration in the rule of law while neighbouring India failed to protect marginalized castes and religious minorities, Human Rights Watch said in an annual report released Thursday.
Mozambique to more than double free HIV treatment in 2005: ministry: Agence France-Presse - January 13, 2005; LISBON, Jan 13 (AFP) - Mozambique plans to increase to 20,000 the number of HIV/AIDS patients whom it provides with free anti-viral treatment in 2005, more than double the 8,000 who received the treatment at no cost last year, a health ministry spokesman has said.
Moroccan drug industry slams US free-trade agreement: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2005; RABAT, Jan 12 (AFP) - Morocco's pharmaceutical industry is at threat from a free trade agreement signed with the United States in August last year, an industry spokesman warned on Wednesday.
Mandela lauded at memorial service for saying son died of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 11, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 11 (AFP) - A somber former South African president Nelson Mandela, accompanied by his wife Graca Machel, was lauded at a memorial service Tuesday for publicly announcing that his only surviving son died of AIDS last week.
Zimbabwe to raise 3.2 million dollars for tsunami victims: Agence France-Presse - January 11, 2005; HARARE, Jan 11 (AFP) - Cash-strapped Zimbabwe has unveiled plans to raise at least 3,2 million dollars in aid for Indonesia's earthquake and tidal wave victims, state media said on Tuesday.
Zambia's Mwanawasa re-shuffles his cabinet: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2005; LUSAKA, Jan 10 (AFP) - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa on Monday announced a cabinet reshuffle and sacked a confidant as well as parliament's chief whip in the southern African country, saying it would broaden their experience.
After tsunamis, aid agencies seek double pledge for rest of world: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2005; GENEVA, Jan 10 (AFP) - After pledging billions of dollars to help tsunami-hit areas around the Indian Ocean, governments will on Tuesday be reminded that crises in the rest of the world need at least as much help this year.
Malawi hopes to treble AIDS patients on free drugs by July: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2005; BLANTYRE, Jan 10 (AFP) - Malawi hopes to more than treble the number of AIDS patients on free drugs by July this year after receiving a 14-million-dollar (11 million euro) grant from a global fund, a health official said on Monday.
Will AIDS campaign be tsunami's next victim?: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2005; PARIS, Jan 9 (AFP) - In a critical year, fundraisers for the war on AIDS are eyeing the aftermath of Asia's tsunami disaster with mixed feelings.
Powell underscores US commitment to AIDS battle: Agence France-Presse - January 8, 2005; NAIROBI, Jan 8 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell met Saturday with a group of Kenyan youths to underscore Washington's commitment to battling AIDS, which he called the world's "greatest weapon of mass destruction."
Mandela saluted for openness about son's AIDS death: Agence France-Presse - January 7, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 7 (AFP) - South African newspapers, AIDS activists and political parties on Friday saluted former president Nelson Mandela for publicly saying his only surviving son had died of AIDS.
Zambian street kids go to 'military camps' for skills training: Dickson Jere; Agence France-Presse - January 7, 2005; LUSAKA, Jan 7 (AFP) - Zambia is beginning a new project this month to take street kids, most of them AIDS orphans, to military camps where they will learn carpentry and other skills.
Mandela announces son died from AIDS, urges openness: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - January 6, 2005; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 6 (AFP) - Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela announced on Thursday that his only surviving son had died of AIDS, becoming one of the first South African leaders to shatter the silence on a hush-hush disease.
Polish PM eyes end to row over condemned Bulgarian nurses in Libya: Agence France-Presse - January 5, 2005; TRIPOLI, Jan 5 (AFP) - Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka on Wednesday held out hope for a negotiated settlement in the case of five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya on charges of spreading AIDS, after talks with Libyan leaders.
Mass work stoppage planned in Swaziland: Agence France-Presse - January 3, 2005; MBABANE, Jan 3 (AFP) - Swaziland's labour movement Monday said it planned a two-day stay-away later this month to press for political reforms from Africa's last absolute monarchy.
German scientists announce new HIV treatment: Agence France-Presse - January 3, 2005; BERLIN, Jan 3 (AFP) - German scientists announced on Monday that they have developed a new treatment for HIV that was useful in targeted mutated strains of the AIDS virus that have become impervious to drugs.
Hundreds of thousands observe moment of silence before New York's crystal ball falls: Catherine Hours; Agence France-Presse - January 1, 2005; NEW YORK, Jan 1 (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of New Year revellers observed a moment of silence for the victims of the year's tragedies before kicking off celebrations to usher in 2005 in Times Square in the heart of New York.
Malawi president frees 651 prisoners on New Year's Day: Agence France-Presse - January 1, 2005; BLANTYRE, Jan 1 (AFP) - Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika on Saturday marked the New Year by pardoning 651 prisoners who were suffering from AIDS-related and other terminal illnesses or had shown remorse for their crimes.

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