Agence France-Presse - Table of Contents 'English'

2001

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December

Vietnam-prostitution: Vietnam braces for return of 60,000 prostitutes from Cambodia: Agence France-Presse - December 31, 2001; HANOI, Dec 31 (AFP) - Vietnam is bracing for the return of more than 60,000 prostitutes being kicked out of neighbouring Cambodia, state media reported Monday.
Swaziland-AIDS-virginity: Swazi teacher orders female pupils to take chastity pledge: Agence France-Presse - December 30, 2001; PIGGS PEAK, Swaziland, Dec 30 (AFP) - A head teacher has ordered female pupils at Mhlatane High School in northern Swaziland to take a chastity pledge or face expulsion from school.
Libya-Bulgaria: Bulgarian FM meets with Kadhafi amid delay in HIV trial: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2001; TRIPOLI, Dec 23 (AFP) - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi on Sunday met with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passi, who was in the country to attend the verdict in the trial of six Bulgarians accused of killing Libyan children by infecting them with HIV.
Libya-Bulgaria: Libya postpones verdict in Bulgarian HIV trial: Agence France-Presse - December 22, 2001; TRIPOLI, Dec 22 (AFP) - The verdict in the trial of six Bulgarians who are accused of deliberately killing Libyan children by infecting them with the virus that causes AIDS has been put off until February 17, a judicial official said Saturday.
Libya-Bulgaria: Bulgarian foreign minister arrives in Libya for HIV trial verdict: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2001; TRIPOLI, Dec 20 (AFP) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passi arrived in Tripoli early Thursday to be present for the verdict in the trial of six Bulgarians facing death for allegedly deliberately infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus, the official JANA agency reported.
Thailand-AIDS: First Asian HIV-AIDS care conference ends with call for wider effort: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2001; BANGKOK, Dec 20 (AFP) - The fight against HIV-AIDS must be waged by a wider array of organisations, including those outside the field of healthcare, if the epidemic is to be contained globally, the Red Cross said Thursday.
Latvia-AIDS-health: HIV cases among Latvian prisoners more than doubles: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2001; RIGA, Dec 20 (AFP) - The number of HIV positive inmates in Latvian prisons more than doubled this year, officials said Thursday, prompting calls for more spending to slow the spread of the virus which causes AIDS.
UN-Annan: Annan asks world not to forget Mideast, poverty and AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 19, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 19 (AFP) - The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, AIDS and poverty should not be forgotten as nations of the world focus on fighting terrorism, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Wednesday.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African government to appeal AIDS court ruling: Agence France-Presse - December 19, 2001; PRETORIA, Dec 19 (AFP) - South Africa's government will appeal a high court ruling ordering it to give a key drug to HIV-positive pregnant women to help protect their unborn babies from AIDS, the health minister said Wednesday.
US-health-AIDS: 75 percent of North Americans with HIV have drug-resistant virus: study: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - December 19, 2001; CHICAGO, Dec 19 (AFP) - For more than half of North Americans infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, their infection is resistant to one or more of the drugs used to inhibit its spread.
UN-AIDS-fund: New AIDS, disease fund to begin work in Geneva in January: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2001; GENEVA, Dec 18 (AFP) - A new global fund for combatting AIDS and other major diseases, which has 700 million dollars (776 million euros) to pay out in 2002, will be based in Geneva and begin operating from the end of next month, organisers said on Tuesday.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African government under pressure to amend AIDS policy: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 18 (AFP) - The South African government, facing growing calls for reform of its AIDS policy, Tuesday considered its response to a high court decision ordering the public health service to give HIV-positive pregnant women a key drug to protect their unborn babies.
Bulgaria-Libya: FM heads for Libya to discuss Bulgarians in AIDS death case: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2001; SOFIA, Dec 18 (AFP) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Soloman Passi is to visit Libya Wednesday to discuss the trial of six Bulgarians facing death for allegedly deliberately infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus.
Japan-childsex: More to sexual exploitation than sex tourism: UNICEF executive: Claudine Dreuilhe; Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2001; YOKOHAMA, Japan, Dec 18 (AFP) - The sexual exploitation of children is a global problem that goes well beyond the problem of sex tourism, according to the director-general of the United Nations Children's Fund.
Swaziland-AIDS-virginity: Swazi royal family brings back princess to promote chastity vows: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2001; MBABANE, Dec 17 (AFP) - Swaziland's royal family has brought back the eldest daughter of King Mswati III to promote traditional chastity vows that could help the country in the fight against AIDS.
Thailand-AIDS: Red Cross urges Asia to prevent AIDS pandemic on an African scale: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2001; BANGKOK, Dec 17 (AFP) - Asia must seize on a "window of opportunity" to prevent the HIV-AIDS crisis from developing into a pandemic on the same scale that has devastated Africa, the Red Cross said at a major conference Monday.
SAfrica-Vlakplaas: S. African traditional leaders 'transform' former death squad base: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2001; VLAKPLAAS, South Africa, Dec 16 (AFP) - Some 600 South African traditional leaders, wearing animal skins and beating drums, gathered on national reconciliation day Sunday for a healing ceremony at Vlakplaas, once the secret base of apartheid-era hit squads infamous for torture and executions.
Thailand-AIDS: First AIDS care conference in Asia launches in Thailand: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2001; BANGKOK, Dec 16 (AFP) - Thousands of AIDS activists, researchers and public health officials will convene in northern Thailand this week for talks on patient care in the first meeting of its kind in Asia, organisers said Sunday.
SAfrica-AIDS: S. African court orders government to provide AIDS drug: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2001; PRETORIA, Dec 14 (AFP) - The Pretoria High Court on Friday ordered the South African government to give a key drug to HIV-positive pregnant women across the country, to help protect their unborn babies.
Health-AIDS-Africa: AIDS and Africa: the daunting road ahead: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 14 (AFP) - When walking up a mountain, it's usually best to keep your eyes firmly on the ground and concentrate on moving forward, step by step, rather than look to the distant summit and suddenly feel your morale plummet.
SAfrica-mining-AIDS: S African gold company forms pact with labour to treat HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 14 (AFP) - South Africa's second biggest gold producer, Goldfields, has this week sealed an agreement with mining unions to test and treat workers for the AIDS-causing HIV virus, a spokesman said.
Botswana-AIDS: Botswana's AIDS drugs programme suffers setback: Agence France-Presse - December 13, 2001; GABORONE, Dec 13 (AFP) - A programme in Botswana to provide all HIV/AIDS sufferers free treatment suffered a setback when a pharmaceutical supplier failed to meet a deadline, a cabinet minister said Thursday.
Health-AIDS-Africa: AIDS in Africa conference calls for further help on drugs: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 13, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 13 (AFP) - African countries rounded up a conference on AIDS here Thursday with appeals for further international help to cut the cost of anti-retroviral drugs against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Health-AIDS-vaccine: Quest for African AIDS vaccine hampered by focus, virus mutation: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 13, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 13 (AFP) - The search for a vaccine to combat Africa's AIDS pandemic is being clouded by a focus on viral sub-types that predominate in western countries and the worrying ability of the virus itself to mutate, scientists said Thursday.
Health-AIDS-cost: Educating sex workers is best weapon in Africa's AIDS fight: experts: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 12 (AFP) - Providing HIV awareness counselling to prostitutes is more than 2,000 times more cost-effective as a life-saver in Africa than treating AIDS victims with anti-retroviral drugs, researchers said Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-women: The trouble with men: African women speak out at AIDS conference: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 12 (AFP) - African man got a bashing at a major conference on AIDS here Wednesday, where he was branded a feckless, walking HIV risk.
Health-AIDS-tradition: Traditional African healers want greater role in AIDS battle: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 12 (AFP) - Practitioners of traditional African medicine systems Tuesday appealed for their inclusion in new AIDS research as well as the global fight against the pandemic.
Health-AIDS-drugs: Cost of AIDS drugs: Africa's Schindler's list: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 12 (AFP) - The time is approaching, maybe sometime next year, when Jean-Baptiste Kiwallo will feel like he is playing God.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Africa AIDS meet dominated by appeals for increased funding: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 11 (AFP) - Demands for increased funds to Africa to fight the AIDS pandemic on a war footing dominated discussions Tuesday at a UN conference on AIDS in this poverty-stricken continent.
Health-AIDS-Africa: New studies back use of anti-HIV retrovirals in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 11 (AFP) - Two new studies confirmed Tuesday the stunning effectiveness of anti-retroviral drugs in Africa, dealing a blow to critics who claim the continent is ill-equipped to administer these powerful treatments against the AIDS virus.
Health-AIDS-Africa: African countries sign up for cheaper anti-HIV drugs: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 11 (AFP) - Ten African countries have signed up to deals with pharmaceutical companies that have helped slash the cost of AIDS anti-retroviral drugs by 85 percent on average, the UN programme UNAIDS said Tuesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-WBank: Africa must be empowered to fight AIDS, says World Bank official: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 11 (AFP) - A World Bank official said Tuesday that Africa should be given the resources to fight AIDS and that its people should not be deprived of new therapies, not matter what the cost.
SAfrica-child-rape: S. Africa: Two men in court for baby rape amid protest, petition: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 11 (AFP) - Two South African men appeared in a magistrate's court here Tuesday for the brutal rape of a five-month-old baby, while some 5,000 people signed a petition demanding that they be denied bail.
US-AIDS-Congress: House lawmakers approve 1.3 billion dollars for global HIV/AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2001; WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (AFP) - House lawmakers on Tuesday approved by voice vote a 1.3 billion dollar one-year bill to help alleviate the global HIV/AIDS crisis.
Health-AIDS-Africa: UNAIDS calls for 'massive' global funding to fight AIDS in Africa: Stephane Orjollet; Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 10 (AFP) - UNAIDS director Peter Piot Monday urged "massive international support" to finance the fight against AIDS in poverty-stricken Africa, where the scourge is the worst in the world.
Health-AIDS-Nigeria: Nigeria launches Africa's first generic AIDS drugs trial: Ola Awoniyi; Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2001; ABUJA, Dec 10 (AFP) - Nigeria on Monday launched Africa's first trial of cheap, imported, generic AIDS drugs, in a bold iniative aimed at tackling an epidemic that has killed millions across the continent.
Malawi-AIDS: AIDS kills 70,000 Malawians annually: official: Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2001; BLANTYRE, Dec 10 (AFP) - About 70,000 Malawians die of AIDS every year, health authorities said Monday.
Health-AIDS-hospital: AIDS patients line up for treatment in Nigeria: Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2001; LAGOS, Dec 10 (AFP) - In a military hospital in Nigeria's largest city, doctors and patients lined up Monday, awaiting the delivery of cheap imported generic AIDS drugs promised by the government.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Access to better treatment dominates African AIDS conference: Stephane Orjollet; Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 10 (AFP) - Access to superior AIDS treatments, notably tritherapies, talks Monday at the 12th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (CISMA).
Africa-AIDS-conference: African AIDS meet goes into second day: Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 10 (AFP) - The 12th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (CISMA) goes into a second day on Monday, with mounting demands for easier access to treatment on the continent worst-hit by the pandemic at the centre of discussions.
Africa-AIDS-conference: African AIDS meet opens amid mounting calls for cheap treatment: Christophe Koffi and Stephane Orjollet; Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 9 (AFP) - The 12th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (CISMA) opened here Sunday amid mounting demands for easier access to treatment on the continent worst-hit by the pandemic.
Africa-AIDS-France: France's Kouchner urges Africa to be more vocal on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 9 (AFP) - French Health Minister Bernard Kouchner on Sunday urged African nations to be more vocal in demanding treatment against AIDS and promised them France's assistance in this regard.
Malaysia-condom: Malaysian state's plan to curb condom sales under fire: Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (AFP) - Plans by a state in predominantly Muslim Malaysia to restrict the sale of condoms in a bid to curb promiscuous behaviour have come under fire, a report said Sunday.
UN-AIDS-babies: UN launches operation to cut mother-child HIV infection in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 7 (AFP) - Philanthropic foundations said Friday they expected to commit 100 million dollars to a five-year pilot project to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, which infects 600,000 babies a year.
Burundi-debt-AIDS: World Bank, West to help Burundi debt repayment, AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2001; GENEVA, Dec 7 (AFP) - Western governments and the World Bank agreed on Friday to provide a multi-million-dollar package to Burundi to help with debt repayments and to invest in programmes to fight the spread of AIDS.
Health-AIDS-ICoast: ICoast promotes condoms to fight HIV/AIDS menace: Stephane Orjollet; Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2001; ABIDJAN, Dec 7 (AFP) - Monesta and her friends live in dingy rooms behind a popular cinema theatre in the teeming Abidjan quarter of Adjame where they ply the world's oldest trade.
Health-AIDS-Africa-facts: Factfile on HIV/AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2001; PARIS, Dec 7 (AFP) - Following are estimates for the global spread of HIV and the extent of the pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa (source: annual report by the UN agencies UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation (WHO), November 2001)
Health-AIDS-Africa: Grassroots work, cheap drugs to dominate forum on AIDS in Africa: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2001; PARIS, Dec 7 (AFP) - Africa comes under the spotlight next week at a key five-day conference where community work will be championed alongside cheap anti-retroviral drugs as a means of combatting the AIDS crisis ravaging the continent.
Malaysia-condom: Malaysian women slam proposed curb on condom sales: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (AFP) - Women's groups in Malaysia have slammed a state's proposal to restrict the sale of condoms in an attempt to put them out of the reach of young unmarried people.
US-health-AIDS: Garlic hinders anti-AIDS treatment: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2001; WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (AFP) - Garlic can have a serious impact on anti-HIV/AIDS treatment based on saquinavir, a medication which slows down the progress of the infection, US researchers said Thursday.
AIDS-Nigeria: Nigeria says will trial AIDS drugs but doubts grow on readiness: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2001; LAGOS, Dec 6 (AFP) - In a first for Africa, the Nigerian government says it will on December 10 launch a trial of cheap generic anti-AIDS drugs, imported from India, but doubts are growing about whether it is ready.
Philippines-AIDS: Young Filipinos playing Russian roulette with sex habits: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2001; MANILA, Dec 6 (AFP) - Nearly two million young people in the Philippines continue to have unprotected sex despite the risk of infection with the AIDS virus, according to a new study.
AIDS-Nigeria: AIDS in Nigeria: "I no go fit catch am in Jesus name": Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2001; LAGOS, Dec 6 (AFP) - Venetia, a 26-year-old sex worker in a Lagos brothel, knows how to get AIDS and how to avoid it.
Romania-AIDS-justice: Nurses fired for stealing food from AIDS children: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2001; IASI, Romania, Dec 5 (AFP) - Four Romanian nurses have been fired for stealing food from children in their charge suffering from AIDS, the country's child protection service announced on Wednesday in a report.
SAfrica-politics: Apartheid era politician becomes premier of key S.African province: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Dec 5 (AFP) - A member of South Africa's apartheid-era New National Party (NNP) was Wednesday sworn in as premier of the key Western Cape province as part of a power-sharing deal with the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
UN-AIDS-Rwanda: African first ladies team up to combat AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2001; GENEVA, Dec 5 (AFP) - The wife of the Rwandan president, Jeannette Kagame, held talks here on Wednesday with UNAIDS to garner firm support for an African anti-AIDS initiative involving 18 'first ladies' from the region.
RedCross-AIDS-appeal: Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to boost HIV/AIDS action: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2001; GENEVA, Dec 4 (AFP) - The umbrella organisation for the world's national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies is to shift its focus next year to deal with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, primarily in Africa, the agency said on Tuesday.
US-France-AIDS: Washington joins French project of hospital partnerships against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2001; WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (AFP) - The United States has agreed to join a French project that pairs hospitals in participating countries to hospitals in the developing world, to improve their access to AIDS therapies, French Health Minister Bernard Kouchner announced during a visit here.
Nigeria-AIDS-threat: Nigerian AIDS activist threatened after criticising quack's 'cure': Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2001; LAGOS, Dec 4 (AFP) - A prominent Nigerian AIDS activist received death threats Tuesday hours after appearing on television and criticising a controversial doctor's claim to have found a cure for the disease, he told AFP.
China-EU: EU pushing cheaper AIDS drugs in China: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2001; SHANGHAI, Dec 3 (AFP) - The European Union has been pushing EU pharmaceutical companies to offer cheaper anti-AIDS to developing countries including China, European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy told AFP Monday.
Burkina-AIDS-Canada: Canadian NGO targets AIDS among west African prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 3 (AFP) - A Canadian non-profit organisation on Monday launched the third phase of a programme to combat HIV and AIDS in west Africa, focusing on prostitutes who have a high HIV-positive rate.
Cameroun-AIDS: AIDS fund raiser held in Cameroon: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2001; YAOUNDE, Dec 3 (AFP) - A fund raiser for AIDS victims was held in Yaounde, Cameroon at the weekend as part of efforts to sensitize people about the virus and raise money for treatment, officials said Monday.
Burundi-Europe: Burundi's Buyoya visits European donors ahead of Geneva meeting: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2001; BUJUMBURA, Dec 3 (AFP) - Burundi's President Pierre Buyoya began a European tour Monday aimed at drumming up support ahead of a donor's meeting in Geneva later in the week.
Japan-Africa: African development conference opens in Tokyo: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2001; TOKYO, Dec 3 (AFP) - A two-day ministerial-level conference on Africa's development began Monday in Tokyo, calling on the international community to step up efforts to back the continent's fight against conflict and poverty.
China-AIDS: Henan AIDs patients jailed for demanding medicine: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2001; BEIJING, Dec 2 (AFP) - Four men stricken with the HIV/AIDS virus after selling their blood to blood banks were arrested in central China for disturbing public order when they demanded medication at a local hospital.
India-AIDS-vaccine: Top Indian institute close to developing HIV vaccine: report: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2001; NEW DELHI, Dec 2 (AFP) - A top Indian medical institute is close to a breakthrough in developing a vaccine against one of the most common strains of HIV, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported on Sunday.
Singapore-AIDS: Activists press Singapore to step up help for AIDS victims: Pang Ai Lin; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2001; SINGAPORE, Dec 2 (AFP) - Singapore is Southeast Asia's most affluent country, but to AIDS activists in the city-state it might as well be a Third World nation where victims of the dreaded disease are marginalized by poverty and social stigma.
Safrica-AIDS-Mandela: Mandela hails world leaders who fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Dec 1 (AFP) - Making an implicit dig at his successor Thabo Mbeki, former South African President Nelson Mandela on Saturday praised world leaders who actively sought to combat AIDS, particularly African presidents.
Health-AIDS-US: World AIDS Day in United States commemorated with quilts, speeches, testing: Lauren Gelfand; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - Across the United States and here in the capital, where the AIDS infection rate is 12 times the national average, people gathered Saturday to commemorate World AIDS Day.
Italy-AIDS-vaccine: Vaccine prototype boosts hopes in fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; MILAN, Dec 1 (AFP) - A prototype of an AIDS vaccine will be tested soon in Italy, possibly before Christmas, Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia said Saturday on World AIDS Day.
ICoast-WBank: WBank ready to resume aid to ICoast after Abidjan clears dues: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; ABIDJAN, Dec 1 (AFP) - The World Bank will resume aid worth 532 million dollars to Ivory Coast if Abidjan returns 40 million dollars it owes to the Washington-based body, a Bank official said here Saturday.
Health-AIDS-RedCross: Five million grandparents looking after Africa's AIDS orphans: Red Cross: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; GENEVA, Dec 1 (AFP) - At least five million grandparents in Africa alone have gone back to being parents as a result of HIV/AIDS, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said.
Bangladesh-AIDS: Bangladeshis march to curb the spread of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; DHAKA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thousands of Bangladeshis marched Saturday for World AIDS Day, as activists said the empowerment of women was key to curbing the spread of the disease before it takes a greater toll here.
Health-AIDS: Nations around the world mark World Aids Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; PARIS, Dec 1 (AFP) - Rallies and media campaigns around the world forced the AIDS scourge back into the international limelight on World AIDS Day Saturday in a bid to maintain awareness of the disease and its dangers.
Vatican-AIDS: Vatican backs scientists fighting AIDS: Pope: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; VATICAN CITY, Dec 1 (AFP) - The Roman Catholic Church backs scientists fighting AIDS and encourages all those working to cure and curb the diseases, Pope John Paul II said Saturday.
AIDS-Asia: Seven million cases later, Asia wakes up to AIDS: Talek Harris; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; HONG KONG, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thousands marched Saturday for the millions of Asians facing a slow death by AIDS, as the region finally showed signs of taking the pandemic seriously.
Health-AIDS-EU: EU Commission confirms battle against AIDS on World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; BRUSSELS, Dec 1 (AFP) - European Commission President Romano Prodi on Saturday confirmed the EU executive body's commitment to the battle against AIDS as countries worldwide were marking World AIDS Day.
Health-AIDS-Nigeria: Nigerian government defends generic AIDS drugs from India: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; LAGOS, Dec 1 (AFP) - The Nigerian government on Saturday rose in defence of cheap generic AIDS drugs imported from India saying that they had the same quality as the branded ones.
WHO-AIDS: WHO chief says world ready to turn back AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; GENEVA, Dec 1 (AFP) - The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Saturday the world was now ready to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic in its tracks but warned the fight would be long.
Cambodia-AIDS: Cambodia marks World AIDS Day with a Condom Cafe: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; PHNOM PENH, Dec 1 (AFP) - Cambodia marked World AIDS Day Saturday by applying the finishing touches to this country's first Condom Cafe amid warnings another generation could be lost to the deadly virus.
Nepal-AIDS: Kathmandu march raises awareness of killer virus: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; KATHMANDU, Dec 1 (AFP) - More than 10,000 Nepalese including actors and athletes marched through Kathmandu Saturday to raise AIDS awareness in a bid to stop the disease spreading.
Pakistan-AIDS: Marches and music mark World AIDS day in Pakistan: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (AFP) - Marches and musical concerts were held across Pakistan on Saturday to mark World AIDS day, while Health Minister Abdul Malik Kasi urged Pakistanis to join the fight against the pandemic.
India-AIDS-northeast: India's drug-wracked northeast steps up fight against AIDS scourge: Zarir Hussain; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; GUWAHATI, India, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thousands of people in India's northeast, where the large number of drug users has sparked fears of a worsening AIDS epidemic, pledged Saturday to step up the fight against HIV by spreading awareness about the dreaded virus.
Thailand-AIDS: Thai AIDS activists mark World AIDS Day with rallies, memorials: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; BANGKOK, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thai AIDS campaigners are leading parades, rallies and fund-raisers Saturday to mark World AIDS Day and promote awareness about the disease which has become the country's leading cause of death, officials said.
India-AIDS: Male-dominance, alcohol hinder India's efforts to combat AIDS: Jay Shankar; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; BANGALORE, India, Dec 1 (AFP) - A male-dominated society and alcohol abuse are proving to be huge barriers in battling the AIDS epidemic in India, which has the second highest number of HIV carriers in the world, officials said.
China-AIDS: Merck slashes AIDS drug price in China: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2001; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - A major producer of anti-AIDS drugs, Merck Sharp and Dohme, has said it will slash the Chinese prices of two drugs from this month, the official Xinhua news agency reported Saturday.

November

Uganda-Africa-prisons: African prisons in dire need of better health services: conference: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; KAMPALA, Nov 30 (AFP) - Prison and health officials from 17 African nations called Friday on politicians and other decision makers on the continent to improve pathetic health conditions existing in African prisons.
France-AIDS-travel: Paris roller skaters roll in anti-AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) - Thousands of roller skaters are due to flood the French capital on Saturday in a demonstration as part of World AIDS Day, police said.
AIDS-Canada: AIDS cases on the rise among gay Canadian men: federal report: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; TORONTO, Nov 30 (AFP) - The number of AIDS cases in Canada among gay men rose 13.7 percent from 1999 to 2000 and HIV infection in the same group is also up for the first time since the beginning of the epidemic, a new report said Friday.
AIDS-Ethiopia: Ethiopian leader calls on population to stop spreading AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; ADDIS ABABA, Nov 30 (AFP) - Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis appealed to his countrymen Friday to "save the next generation" by changing their sexual behaviour to stop the propagation of HIV/AIDS.
Mozambique-AIDS: Mozambique to introduce AIDS/HIV anti-retrovirals: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; MAPUTO, Nov 30 (AFP) - Mozambique is expected introduce for the first time anti-retrovirals, the drugs which can delay the reproduction of the virus that caused AIDS, a cabinet minister said Friday.
Kenya-AIDS-heal: HIV and AIDS no match for Kenyan preacher, apparently: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; NAIROBI, Nov 30 (AFP) - Day in and day out, men, women and children stand up inside God's Power Centre, a ramshackle hovel in Ruaraka, northern Nairobi, to tell of their HIV-positive status, or how they or a relative are sick with AIDS.
AIDS-Asia: One day to fight AIDS as millions of sufferers face death in Asia: Talek Harris; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; HONG KONG, Nov 30 (AFP) - Asia will mark World Aids Day Saturday with cases soaring into the multi-millions and experts warning countries such as China, India and Cambodia are sitting on a time-bomb.
China-AIDS: Rising AIDS cases in Shanghai ring alarm bells about ignorance: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; SHANGHAI, Nov 30 (AFP) - Alarm bells are ringing in Shanghai at a 45 percent jump in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the eastern Chinese city in the year to November, the Shanghai Daily reported Friday.
Thailand-AIDS: Thai activists press for AIDS treatment as part of national health: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; BANGKOK, Nov 30 (AFP) - Some 1,000 AIDS activists from across Thailand demonstrated outside Government House early Friday calling for key HIV/AIDS treatments to be included in the state-sponsored health scheme.
Nigeria-AIDS-brothel: Putting on condoms in a Lagos brothel: Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; LAGOS, Nov 30 (AFP) - In the early evening half-light of a dingy Lagos brothel, Venetia, a 26-year-old sex worker, tears open little metallic packet and firmly rolls a condom down the wooden phallus strapped to the waist of the man before her.
EU-AIDS: EU says more action needed to get low-cost AIDS drugs to needy countries: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; BRUSSELS, Nov 30 (AFP) - On the occasion of World AIDS Day Saturday, the European Commission said a greater effort was called for to get low-priced AIDS medication within easier reach of poor and needy countries.
Cambodia-AIDS: AIDS seen killing another Cambodian generation: Luke Hunt; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; PHNOM PENH, Nov 30 (AFP) - Cambodia risks losing another generation, this time through AIDS, unless a forecast dramatic increase in social dislocation left by the deadly virus can be averted, foreign aid workers said.
SAfrica-AIDS: Growing clamour for action in SAfrica AIDS crisis: Jean-Claude Boksenbaum; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 30 (AFP) - The fate of a South African boy born HIV-positive who died at the age of 12 has become a global symbol in the struggle against AIDS.
US-Denmark-medical: Danish, US firms reach accord to develop anti-HIV AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; COPHENHAGEN, Nov 29 (AFP) - Danish pharmaceutical firm Bavarian Nordic said Thursday it had reached agreement with Epimmune of the United States to develop a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of the HIV virus.
UNICEF-children: Millions of children in CIS, Central, Eastern Europe in poverty: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; GENEVA, Nov 29 (AFP) - Nearly 18 million youngsters live in poverty in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) 10 years after the shift from communist to market-led economies, a UN report said on Thursday.
Africa-AIDS-poverty: Africa caught up vicious AIDS-poverty cycle: UNDP: Christophe Koffi; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Nov 29 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic directly affects poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, which in turn is a "fertile breeding ground" for the disease, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Sudan-AIDS: Sudan announces AIDS awareness campaign: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; KHARTOUM, Nov 29 (AFP) - Sudanese health authorities are preparing plans for fighting AIDS, in cooperation with UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, a Sudanese health official announced Thursday.
Africa-prisons: 140 inmates die in Ugandan prisons each year: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; KAMPALA, Nov 29 (AFP) - Over 140 inmates die in Ugandan prisons every year due to poor conditions, a situation aggravated by the country's HIV/AIDS epidemic, a prisons official said Thursday.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigeria to launch generic AIDS drugs, mother-child prevention: Ola Awoniyi; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; ABUJA, Nov 29 (AFP) - In a first for Africa, Nigeria will next month finally launch a trial programme, announced in September, to use cheap, imported generic AIDS drugs to combat the disease, a top official said Thursday.
Nigeria-AIDS-facts: Alarming rise in AIDS cases in Africa's most populous nation: Ola Awoniyi; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2001; ABUJA, Nov 29 (AFP) - Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is showing an alarming rise in HIV/AIDS, with the number of people infected rising to 3.47 million, officials said Thursday.
Kenya-Africa-AIDS: African employers adopt workplace AIDS strategies: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; MOMBASA, Kenya, Nov 28 (AFP) - Organisations of employers from east, central and southern Africa on Wednesday adopted an action plan aimed at tackling the AIDS scourge in the workplace, participants said here.
UN-AIDS-Africa: AIDS cuts life expectancy in some African countries to under 40 years: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; PARIS, Nov 28 (AFP) - AIDS is cutting such a swathe through sub-Saharan Africa that in some countries, life expectancy is nearly half that in the West and the economy could shrink by a fifth over the next two decades, the UN said Wednesday.
UN-AIDS: AIDS "most devastating disease" in history: UN report: Bernard Besserglik; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; MOSCOW, Nov 28 (AFP) - Twenty years after it was first identified, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has emerged as "the most devastating disease" in human history, the UN's top AIDS official warned Wednesday.
UN-AIDS-Asia; Big Asian countries on brink of AIDS explosion: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; PARIS, Nov 28 (AFP) - The big-population countries of Asia face the threat of "major, generalised epidemics" of AIDS, driven by unsafe sex, intravenous drug use and tainted blood transfusions, a UN report warned Wednesday.
UN-AIDS-figures: AIDS epidemic: latest UN figures: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; PARIS, Nov 28 (AFP) - Following are global and regional estimates of the state of the AIDS epidemic, released by the UN agencies UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
UN-AIDS-MSF: MSF calls for worldwide adoption of anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; GENEVA, Nov 28 (AFP) - French medical volunteers, Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF), called Wednesday on governments worldwide to provide treatment with anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to fight AIDS.
Malaysia-sex-AIDS: Forced HIV tests spark calls for sex education in Malaysian schools: Eileen Ng; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (AFP) - Controversy sparked by a fatwa, or religious decree, requiring Muslim brides and grooms to be tested for the AIDS virus has prompted calls to introduce sex education in Malaysian schools.
UN-AIDS-Russia: Kremlin must show leadership in fight against AIDS: UN official: Bernard Besserglik; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; MOSCOW, Nov 28 (AFP) - The Russian authorities must become more deeply involved in the fight against AIDS if the country is to curb a galloping epidemic that represents a serious threat to its future, top UN officials warned Wednesday.
China-AIDS: China seeks to raise AIDS awareness via prime-time TV play: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 28 (AFP) - China hopes to raise AIDS awareness with its first-ever televised play on the problem, using a medium that reaches 92 percent of the population, state media reported Wednesday.
UN-US-Annan: Annan to discuss Afghanistan, AIDS with Bush on Wednesday: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Nov 27 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will visit Washington Wednesday for talks on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and on the AIDS pandemic with US President George W. Bush, Annan's spokesman said.
WBank-AIDS: World Bank to pump extra 500 million dollars into AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2001; WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (AFP) - The World Bank said Tuesday it would consider pumping an extra 500 million dollars into a battle against HIV/AIDS, doubling the financing of its existing program.
SEAsia-education: SE Asian nations agree high-tech education programme: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2001; BANGKOK, Nov 27 (AFP) - Southeast Asian countries agreed Tuesday to pool their resources to tackle the shared problems of illiteracy and the rampant spread of AIDS/HIV in the region's rural areas, an official said.
SAfrica-AIDS: S.Africa blames lack of resources for not providing anti-AIDS drug: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2001; PRETORIA, Nov 27 (AFP) - Health authorities in South Africa on Tuesday said the country lacked resources to distribute the anti-AIDS drug Nevirapine to all HIV-positive pregnant women, in a legal case brought against the government here.
Russia-AIDS: Number of HIV-infected in Russia doubles in 10 months: ministry: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2001; MOSCOW, Nov 27 (AFP) - The number of people in Russia recorded as being infected with the virus that causes AIDS has doubled over the past 10 months, statistics released by the Russian health ministry showed Tuesday.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African anti-AIDS group takes on government in court: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2001; PRETORIA, Nov 26 (AFP) - South Africa's leading anti-AIDS group took on the government in court Monday to win treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women to reduce mother to child transmission in a landmark case.
SAfrica-AIDS: Anti-AIDS drug in S.Africa could save thousands of babies: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2001; PRETORIA, Nov 26 (AFP) - The anti-AIDS drug Nevirapine could save the lives of thousands of newborn babies every year in South Africa if the government made it freely available, a leading anti-AIDS group said Monday in a landmark legal case against the government.
Africa-age: OAU meeting in Nairobi to discuss Africa's ageing population: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2001; NAIROBI, Nov 26 (AFP) - An inter-govermental conference opens here next week to discuss the ageing population in Africa, where the number of people over 60 is expected to increase from 38 million to 212 million in 2050, HelpAge International (HAI) said Monday.
Singapore-AIDS: Singapore a Third World country for HIV victims: activists: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2001; SINGAPORE, Nov 26 (AFP) - Seven in 10 Singaporeans living with HIV/AIDS cannot afford basic treatment despite living in one of Asia's most affluent countries, local activists said Monday.
Malaysia-AIDS: Compulsory HIV tests in Malaysian state a setback in AIDS war: experts: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (AFP) - The imposition of mandatory pre-marital HIV tests on Muslim couples in Malaysia's southern Johor state was a big setback in the war against AIDS, health experts and activists said Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African anti-AIDS group takes government to court: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 25 (AFP) - South Africa's leading anti-AIDS group takes its former ally, the government, to court on Monday to demand treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women to reduce HIV transmission to some 70,000 babies infected every year.
Zimbabwe-AIDS-ministers: Six Zimbabwe cabinet ministers are HIV positive: report: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2001; HARARE, Nov 22 (AFP) - Six Zimbabwe ministers in the country's 22-strong cabinet are receiving treatment for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, a private weekly newspaper reported Thursday.
SAfrica-labour: South African labour urges meeting with its alliance partners: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22 (AFP) - South Africa's most powerful federation of labour on Thursday urged its alliance partner, the ruling African National Congress, to agree to a meeting next year to iron out differences.
China-AIDS-children: Fewer than one thousand children in China with HIV: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 21 (AFP) - Fewer than 1,000 Chinese children are currently infected with HIV, even though the country as a whole could be standing on the brink of a major AIDS epidemic, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday.
EU-drugs: Cannabis the drug of choice in Europe, says EU agency: Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2001; BRUSSELS, Nov 20 (AFP) - Cannabis has been widely sampled by Western Europeans, and in some countries as many as a quarter of the adult population has puffed on a joint, a European Union agency reported Tuesday.
China-AIDS: Chinese firms hold out drug hope to AIDS patients: Rachel Morarjee; Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2001; SHANGHAI, Nov 20 (AFP) - Two Chinese pharmaceutical firms are hoping to be able to offer new hope to the country's AIDS patients by producing cheap generic versions of Western-made drugs which can curb the disease.
US-AIDS: HIV "rides" into cells via cholesterol rafts in membrane: study: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2001; WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (AFP) - HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, attaches itself to cholesterol-rich areas of cell membranes in order to access and proliferate inside the cell, according to a new study that suggests ways by which the virus' progress might be blocked.
Russia-society: Horrors of Russian prisons exposed in Moscow exhibition: Francoise Michel; Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2001; MOSCOW, Nov 18 (AFP) - Torture, tuberculosis, AIDS, and rampant promiscuity in Russia's hellish jails are being exposed in a dark Moscow exhibition which has just opened that aims to make the public at large come to grips with the horrors inmates face on a daily basis.
China-AIDS: China to launch methadone project amid growing response to AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 16 (AFP) - China is to launch its first project using methadone to help drug users beat their addictions, state media said Friday, in a further sign the country is beginning to take its AIDS crisis more seriously.
France-medicine-Aids: French researcher wins award for anti-Aids molecule: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2001; MARSEILLE, France, Nov 15 (AFP) - A French researcher, Erwann Loret, is to receive a 75,000 dollar prize Wednesday from the British pharmaceuticals firm GlaxoSmithKline for his work in designing molecules to inhibit the spread of Aids.
WTO-Uganda: Uganda welcomes access to generic drugs, subsidies pact at WTO: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2001; KAMPALA, Nov 15 (AFP) - Uganda on Thursday welcomed a declaration by the 142-member World Trade Organisation (WTO) allowing developing nations to use generic drugs and potentially phasing out farm export subsidies in Europe.
Japan-health-HIV: World's first in-vitro baby born from HIV-cleared sperm: doctor: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2001; TOKYO, Nov 16 (AFP) - A Japanese woman has given birth to an infection-free baby after the HIV virus was removed from her husband's sperm before the in-vitro fertilisation process, a doctor said Friday.
Health-AIDS: Criminalisation of HIV transmission boosts AIDS epidemic: study: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2001; PARIS, Nov 16 (AFP) - Moves to punish people who knowingly transmit the AIDS virus may paradoxically help the disease to spread, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Africa-development: African panel discusses ambitious poverty reduction plan: Jacques Lhuillery; Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2001; ABIDJAN, Nov 15 (AFP) - Dozens of prominent Africans have wrapped up a forum in Ivory Coast by presenting ambitious measures to halve the continent's poverty rate by the year 2015, making best use of African's own resources.
Ghana-AIDS: Ghanaian police round up prostitutes as HIV spreads alarmingly: Ben Ephson; Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2001; ACCRA, Nov 15 (AFP) - A crackdown on prostitution in Ghana's capital Accra has led to more than a score of arrests, police said, but medical sources said much more needs to be done to control the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS.
SAfrica-child-rape: Deputy president says baby-rape part of apartheid's legacy: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Nov 14 (AFP) - South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday attributed the gang-rape of a nine-month-old baby to a lack of morality he blamed on apartheid.
China-AIDS: Infected peasants kept in hospital during AIDS conference: Boris Cambreleng; Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 14 (AFP) - Chinese peasants infected with AIDS who travelled to Beijing for a national conference on the epidemic are confined to hospital and will not be released until it is over, a source close to them said Wednesday.
SAfrica-child-rape: 1,000 demonstrate at baby-rape case: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2001; UPINGTON, South Africa, Nov 13 (AFP) - About 1,000 people demonstrated outside a court in the small South African town of Upington Tuesday as six men appeared on a charge of raping and sodomising a nine-month-old baby, police said.
Uganda-Africa-WBank-AIDS: World Bank urges Africa to emulate Uganda in HIV/AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2001; KAMPALA, Nov 14 (AFP) - Visiting World Bank vice president for Africa, Callisto Madavo, on Wednesday urged African countries to emmulate Uganda's programme against HIV/AIDS, if the pandemic is to be stemmed.
Ghana-WFP: WFP announces 15.3 million dollars in food aid for Ghana: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2001; ACCRA, Nov 14 (AFP) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) Wednesday announced the approval of a 15.3 million dollar programme aimed at providing food aid to 482,000 Ghanaians until 2005, a communique said.
Russia-prisons-AIDS: Number of HIV-positive Russian prisoners continue rise: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2001; MOSCOW, Nov 13 (AFP) - The number of Russian prisoners infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has increased to 21,000, up nearly 30 percent over the past six months, the justice ministry said Tuesday, cited by ITAR-TASS.
China-AIDS: China needs urgent action to stop 10 million new HIV cases: UN: Boris Cambreleng; Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 13 (AFP) - China needs to take urgent action to halt the spread of AIDS or risk 10 million more people becoming infected over the next decade, the head of the United Nations AIDS programme told a pioneering conference on Tuesday.
China-AIDS: Pioneering China AIDS conference opens as experts warn of mistakes: Boris Cambreleng; Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 13 (AFP) - The opening of China's first ever national conference on AIDS Tuesday showed the country is beginning to wake up to the grave crisis posed by the disease, experts said, but warned mistakes are still being made in dealing with it.
China-AIDS-drugs: China refuses to rule out breaking patents on AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 13 (AFP) - Beijing has held talks with drugs companies about paying reduced prices for AIDS treatments but has not ruled out breaking patent laws if necessary, China's most senior official dealing with the disease said Tuesday.
WTO-health: Ministers race towards WTO deal on health: David Williams; Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2001; DOHA, Nov 12 (AFP) - World trade ministers closed in Monday on a WTO agreement to settle an emotional dispute over the availability of drugs to fight scourges such as AIDS in developing countries.
Taiwan-Chad-AIDS: Taiwan finances Chad's anti-AIDS project: Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2001; TAIPEI, Nov 12 (AFP) - Taiwan on Monday agreed to bankroll an international organisation to help Chad battle an AIDS epidemic which is gripping the African nation.
China-AIDS: Peasants suffering from AIDS arrive in Beijing ahead of conference: Boris Cambreleng; Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 11 (AFP) - A group of desperate Chinese peasants suffering from AIDS have arrived in Beijing just ahead of the country's first national conference on the disease to beg the central government for help.
SAfrica-child-rape: Baby rape in S.Africa provokes outcry at rampant child rape: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 10 (AFP) - The gang-rape of a nine-month-old baby has finally jolted South Africans into acknowledging everyday sexual violence against children, and to demand why it is so widespread.
US-attacks-UN-Annan: War on terrorism must not eclipse fight against poverty and AIDS: Annan: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Nov 9 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will urge world leaders Saturday not to allow the war on terrorism to divert them from the fight against poverty, AIDS and environmental degradation, his office said.
Turkey-AIDS: Transexual prostitute with AIDS spreads fear in Turkey: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2001; ISTANBUL, Nov 9 (AFP) - A transexual prostitute who has tested positive for AIDS has spread panic in Turkey, where local media reported Friday that up to 5,000 people may have risked infection by coming into contact with the man.
WTO-Thailand-protest: Thai farmers and activists rally against WTO, US: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2001; BANGKOK, Nov 9 (AFP) - More than a thousand Thai farmers, workers and AIDS activists staged a peaceful demonstration against the United States and the World Trade Organisation at the US embassy here Friday.
WTO-developing: Developing states press WTO on past accords before new trade talks: Luke Phillips; Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2001; DOHA, Nov 9 (AFP) - Developing countries insisted Friday that past trade liberalisation accords had to be honored before they can commit to the new round of trade talks sought by WTO ministers gathering here.
US-health-parasite: Parasitic worms able to "read" immune system and spawn freely: study: Agence France-Presse - November 8, 2001; WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (AFP) - The 250 million people affected by parasitic worms that can cause schistosomiasis are further debilitated by the worms' ability to "read" their immune systems and evade immune defenses, a study due out Friday in the journal Science concluded.
WTO-health: WTO chief says drugs row may scuttle trade round: David Williams; Agence France-Presse - November 8, 2001; DOHA, Nov 8 (AFP) - A rich-poor divide over patents for drugs to fight scourges such as AIDS threatens to scuttle the launch of a new global trade round, World Trade Organization head Mike Moore warned here Thursday.
China-AIDS: Chinese family given compensation for AIDS blood transfusion: Agence France-Presse - November 8, 2001; SHANGHAI, Nov 8 (AFP) - A Chinese court has awarded 362,042 yuan (43,725 dollars) in compensation to a family who contracted AIDS after the mother received an infected post-natal blood transfusion, officials and a report said Thursday.
Kenya-AIDS-WTO: AIDS treatment still out of reach in Kenya despite new law: Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2001; NAIROBI, Nov 7 (AFP) - Drugs used to treat people with AIDS are still too expensive for most who need them in Kenya, four months after a law was passed to ease access to cheaper drugs, campaigners lamented Wednesday.
UN-Turner: Ted Turner announces 35 million dollars in new UN project grants: Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Nov 7 (AFP) - Media tycoon and philanthropist Ted Turner on Wednesday announced a series of grants totalling 35 million dollars for projects in developing countries through his United Nations Foundation (UNF).
WTO-Thailand-protest: Activists urge WTO to give poor AIDS victims access to cheap drugs: Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2001; BANGKOK, Nov 7 (AFP) - A high-profile activist alliance Wednesday urged ministers at this week's WTO talks in Doha to rewrite trade rules that bar millions of poverty-stricken AIDS sufferers from access to modern drugs.
Bangladesh-children: Political will needed to stop exploitation of South Asia children: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2001; DHAKA, Nov 7 (AFP) - A lack of political will among governments in South Asia is responsible for the continuing commercial sexual exploitation of children, the United Nations and experts said Wednesday.
ASEAN-drugs: Golden Triangle nations claim success in drug eradication: M. Jegathesan; Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 6 (AFP) - Broad security cooperation among China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand has inflicted a major blow on drug producers in the Golden Triangle region, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said Tuesday.
ASEAN-Japan: Japan pledges aid to open Indochina development "corridors": Miwa Suzuki; Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 6 (AFP) - Japan on Tuesday vowed to help open up development "corridors" in eastern and western parts of Indochina rather than back a railway linking Southeast Asia to southern China, officials said Tuesday.
US-justice-Internet: HIV-positive convicted pedophile gets more than 17 years in prison: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2001; NEW YORK, Nov 6 (AFP) - A convicted pedophile who has tested positive for the virus which causes AIDS was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison, US authorities said Tuesday.
Brazil-AIDS: Brazil begins testing AIDS vaccines on humans: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2001; RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 6 (AFP) - Brazil has begun testing AIDS vaccines on humans, and the first volunteer, a healthy 38-year-old man, has received his first dose of a vaccine.
US-AIDS: Some HIV strains can resist medication: researchers: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2001; WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (AFP) - Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have established that certain strains of the AIDS virus could develop a resistance to medication, according to a study released Tuesday.
ASEAN-AIDS: AIDS activists applaud ASEAN drug initiative: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 5 (AFP) - Southeast Asian AIDS activists hailed an ASEAN declaration Monday to launch a four-year war on a regional HIV/AIDS epidemic, which would include the supply of affordable drugs for people living with AIDS.
RedCross-medicines-Doha: Red Cross urges WTO ministers to ensure access to affordable drugs: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2001; GENEVA, Nov 5 (AFP) - WTO trade ministers must put humanitarian concerns ahead of commercial ones in their upcoming talks in Qatar, especially the issue of improving the poor's access to affordable medicines, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Monday.
ASEAN: ASEAN summit puts spotlight on terrorism, economy: Bernice Han; Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 5 (AFP) - Southeast Asian leaders opened their annual summit here Monday, going on the offensive against terrorism and preparing a roadmap for regional economic integration.
ASEAN-AIDS: ASEAN launches four-year war on AIDS, activists hail group's pledge: M. Jegathesan; Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 5 (AFP) - Southeast Asian leaders Monday adopted an ambitious four-year program to combat a regional HIV/AIDS epidemic, and warned drug use threatened to overtake sexual transmission as the major cause of infection.
ASEAN: ASEAN confronts terrorism, slowdown and AIDS in Brunei talks: P. Parameswaran; Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 4 (AFP) - Southeast Asian leaders will hold an annual summit here Monday with terrorism and recession high on the agenda of a regional group torn between support for the United States and sympathy for Muslims.
SAfrica-education-AIDS: AIDS deaths amongst S. African teachers rocket by 40 percent: report: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 4 (AFP) - Deaths amongst South African teachers due to HIV/AIDS have rocketed by 40 percent in the past year, according to statistics compiled by the country's largest teachers' trade union, a newspaper report said Sunday.
China-AIDS: AIDS-stricken villagers' plea for help falls on deaf ears: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2001; BEIJING, Nov 4 (AFP) - China's government has helped one AIDS-ravaged village whose plight was highlighted by international media, but is ignoring nearby settlements out of the limelight, farmers dying of the disease say.
India-crime: India man kills five relatives after testing HIV positive: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2001; NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (AFP) - A man in southern India hacked to death five members of his family, including his three-year-old son, after he was told that he tested positive for HIV, a news report said Saturday.
WTO-medicine: Drug patents in times of crisis likely to be hot issue at WTO meeting: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2001; PARIS, Nov 3 (AFP) - A smoldering conflict pitting rich nations anxious to defend patents held by big pharmaceutical firms against poor countries battling scourges such as AIDS could envenom the atmosphere at next week's meeting of WTO trade ministers.
ASEAN-AIDS: ASEAN leaders to devise blueprint to fight AIDS scourge: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 2 (AFP) - Southeast Asian leaders are to devise a regional blueprint to fight AIDS which is exacting a heavy toll on economies already reeling from a severe downturn, officials said here Friday.
WTO-France-medicine: France suggests US double standards over generic drugs: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2001; PARIS, Nov 2 (AFP) - French Trade Secretary Francois Huwart said in an interview published Friday the United States could be accused of double standards over the issue of developing countries' access to medicines.
Tanzania-Ghana: Former Ghanaian president arrives in Tanzania for UN AIDS visit: Agence France-Presse - November 1, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, Nov 1 (AFP) - Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings arrived here on Thursday evening for an official visit to Tanzania as a UN volunteer (UNV) working for the fight against AIDS.

October

Malaysia-AIDS: Malaysian AIDS body against plan to force pre-marriage HIV tests: Agence France-Presse - October 31, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (AFP) - The Malaysian AIDS Council has opposed a plan by the southern Johor state to carry out mandatory pre-marital HIV tests on Muslim couples.
Nigeria-Britain-royals: Britain's Princess Anne meets HIV/AIDS sufferers in Nigeria: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2001; ABUJA, Oct 30 (AFP) - Britain's Princess Anne Tuesday met Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS in a village project near here run by London-based charity ActionAid, on the second day of a week-long visit.
Cambodia-festival: Cambodia celebrates water festival with condom distribution: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2001; PHNOM PENH, Oct 30 (AFP) - Cambodia kicked off a three-day water festival Tuesday by handing out thousands of condoms to participants in a 400-boat race along the Tonle Sap river, officials said.
Burkina-malaria: Malaria more fatal than AIDS in Burkina Faso: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Oct 29 (AFP) - Malaria in Burkina Faso claims nearly 20,000 lives annually and is more fatal than the HIV-AIDS pandemic, Health Minister Pierre Tapsoba said in Ouagadougou Monday.
Malaysia-AIDS: Muslims in Malaysian state to undergo pre-marriage HIV test: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (AFP) - Muslims in Malaysia's southern Johor state who wish to marry will from next month have to undergo compulsory tests for HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, a report said Monday.
WTO-medicine: Delegates begin battle over WTO generic drug talks: Agence France-Presse - October 28, 2001; GENEVA, Oct 28 (AFP) - Delegates preparing this weekend for an upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Doha failed to muster a coherent position on the controversial issue of providing drug access to countries suffering public health catastrophes.
AIDS-Trinidad: AIDS conference opens in Trinidad: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2001; PORT OF SPAIN, Oct 27 (AFP) - A United Nations conference on AIDS opened here Saturday with more than 450 delegates from around the world.
Mozambique-economy: Global partners pledge 722 million dollars for Mozambique: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2001; MAPUTO, Oct 27 (AFP) - Mozambique's main international partners have pledged a total of 722 million dollars in aid for the southern African state in the fiscal year 2002, the World Bank said Saturday.
China-AIDS: China shifts AIDS alarm from drug use to sexual transmission: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2001; BEIJING, Oct 27 (AFP) - Chinese health officials warned Saturday that sexual transmission threatens to overtake intravenous drug use as the major cause of HIV/AIDS and blamed homosexuality in particular.
Kenya-AIDS-UN: New African soap opera to help war againtst AIDS: Gerard Vandenberghe; Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2001; NAIROBI, Oct 27 (AFP) - Africa's airwaves are shortly to become a new battleground in the war against AIDS, with Kenyan television stars and a supporting cast of numerous UN agencies and other international backers joining forces in a new soap opera for the continent.
Mozambique-HIV: Mozambique revises HIV/AIDS statistics downwards: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2001; MAPUTO, Oct 26 (AFP) - The Mozambican government has revised national statistics on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the southern African country, from 15 percent of the population to 12 percent, an official said Friday.
Tanzania-EU: EU grants Tanzania 76 million euros to fight poverty: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 26 (AFP) - The European Union has given Tanzania a 76.1 million euros (85.6 million dollars) grant to support efforts to combat poverty, following an agreement signed here Friday.
Germany-Madagascar: Germany to send funds to Madagascar for environment, fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2001; BERLIN, Oct 26 (AFP) - Germany is to provide aid totalling 28 million marks (about 14 million euros, 12.5 million dollars) for the protection of the environment and combatting AIDS in Madagascar, the economic cooperation and development ministry said Friday.
US-anthrax-drugs: Bayer price cut on Cipro fails to mollify critics; new lawsuit filed: Rob Lever; Agence France-Presse - October 25, 2001; WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - Bayer's decision to cut prices for an emergency US stockpile of antibiotics to fight anthrax has failed to quell criticism of the drug firm and has prompted new scrutiny of the government's policy on drug patents.
Mozambique-economy: Mozambique seeks World Bank aid to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 25, 2001; MAPUTO, Oct 25 (AFP) - Mozambique wants an upcoming World Bank aid package to include funding anti-AIDS programmes, a government spokesman said Thursday.
SAfrica-Mbeki-AIDS: Anti-retrovirals as dangerous as AIDS: Mbeki: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Oct 24 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday said it has been found that anti-retroviral drugs are as dangerous as AIDS.
China-AIDS: China begins HIV/AIDS tests for military recruits: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2001; SHANGHAI, Oct 24 (AFP) - China's military has added HIV testing to the physical examination for new recruits in a move which reflects growing government concern about the spread of the virus, it was reported Wednesday.
UNICEF-protocol: UN agreement against child abuse gets legal teeth: Agence France-Presse - October 23, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 23 (AFP) - The UN Children's Fund UNICEF hailed Romania on Tuesday for ratifying an international agreement on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and thus making it legally binding.
World-health: WHO, World Bank launch accelerated fight against TB: Agence France-Presse - October 23, 2001; WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (AFP) - The world must spend another 4.5 billion dollars to fight a tuberculosis crisis, a coalition led by the World Health Organization and World Bank said here Tuesday.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigeria's Obasanjo leads anti-HIV/AIDS rally in Abuja: Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2001; ABUJA, Oct 22 (AFP) - Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo Monday led thousands of Nigerian workers on an anti-HIV/AIDS rally to raise awareness about the deadly disease, officials said.
Tanzania-Africa-health: Tanzania's Mkapa wants enhanced drive against diseases: Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 22 (AFP) - Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa on Monday expressed concern over poor health in sub-Saharan Africa and called for international support to make tackling disease a priority human rights issue.
India-AIDS: Indians sing against AIDS at Hindu festival: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2001; CALCUTTA, Oct 20 (AFP) - Folk singers and actors began a 10-day AIDS awareness campaign Saturday in India's eastern state of West Bengal timed to coincide with the biggest annual Hindu festival.
Zambia-poverty: AIDS, weak economic growth cause poverty in Zambia: report: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2001; LUSAKA, Oct 19 (AFP) - Lack of sustained economic growth and the high incidence of AIDS are the main causes of poverty in Zambia, according to a joint report Friday by the finance ministry and non-government organizations.
Health-AIDS: One in six on HIV drugs has side effects: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2001; PARIS, Oct 19 (AFP) - Nearly one person in six taking strong anti-retroviral drugs to combat HIV suffers serious toxic side effects, according to a study published in Saturday's issue of The Lancet.
US-anthrax-Cipro-patent: Mixed reactions to US move toward patent waiver on anthrax drug: Peter Capella and Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2001; GENEVA, Oct 18 (AFP) - US attempts to seek a relaxation of patents for the anthrax treatment Cipro triggered mixed reactions on Thursday, with pharmaceutical producers warning it could set a worrying precedent, while Brazil, a champion of generic drugs, welcomed the step.
Burkina-poverty: 45 percent of Burkinabes live in abject poverty: UNDP: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Oct 17 (AFP) - Forty-five percent of Burkina Faso's 11 million people live in abject poverty, earning less than 111 euros (99 dollars) a year, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said here Wednesday.
Zambia-AIDS: AIDS kills half of teachers trained annually in Zambia: report: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2001; LUSAKA, Oct 17 (AFP) - AIDS is claiming the lives of about half the teachers Zambia produces each year, creating serious human development problems in the education sector, according to a report made public Wednesday.
SAfrica-AIDS: Contested report asserts AIDS the leading killer in S. Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Oct 16 (AFP) - A report asserting that AIDS has become the leading cause of death in South Africa was released Tuesday despite government attempts to delay it.
Germany-prostitution: Leipzig campaign against kerb-crawlers: Audrey Kauffmann; Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2001; LEIPZIG, Germany, Oct 16 (AFP) - Leipzig authorities have mounted a campaign against prostitution, but are targeting the customers rather than the prostitutes.
Nobel-peace-Annan,bio: "Global citizen" Annan wins Nobel peace prize: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 12 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan might have written his own Nobel Peace Prize citation when he told world leaders at their millennium summit last year to "put people at the centre of everything we do".
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigerian president wants agency for prevention of HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; ABUJA, Oct 10 (AFP) - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo Wednesday said he is seeking a law to establish an agency for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
MSF-drugs-poor: "Fatal imbalance" in drugs research for poor: Medecins Sans Frontieres: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; GENEVA, Oct 10 (AFP) - Major pharmaceutical companies acknowledge they are not developing drugs to counter diseases that affect millions of people in poor countries, according to a survey by the humanitarian aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) released on Wednesday.
Thailand-UN: Child protection experts to meet in Thailand ahead of global congress: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; BANGKOK, Oct 10 (AFP) - More than 200 child protection experts from aid agencies, governments and civil society groups, are to meet in Bangkok next week to map out ways to protect young people from sexual exploitation.
Malawi-court: Malawi woman jailed for infecting boy with HIV: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; BLANTYRE, Oct 10 (AFP) - A Malawian court has sentenced a 60-year-old woman to seven years in jail for infecting an 11-year-old boy with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, police said Wednesday.
Asia-AIDS-bias: AIDS conference urges end to discrimination and drug profits: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 10 (AFP) - AIDS workers here Wednesday called on drug companies to put care before profit to help turn back the HIV pandemic sweeping the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia-AIDS: Ministers take up fight against AIDS in Asia-Pacific: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 10 (AFP) - Ministers from 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific region committed themselves Wednesday to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping the region.
China-AIDS: Father of eight-year-old with AIDS begs for help in Beijing: Boris Cambreleng; Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; BEIJING, Oct 10 (AFP) - Zhang Xiaqing, aged eight, has AIDS. Her peasant father has left their home province, which is devastated by the disease, and come to Beijing to ask one question: can anyone, anywhere, help my daughter?
Zimbabwe-AIDS: Zimbabwean healer tries magic chastity potion to help curb AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2001; HARARE, Oct 10 (AFP) - A Zimbabwean healer wants to promote the use of a traditional spell that ensures fidelity, alongside the more conventional methods of condoms and abstinence to curb the spread of AIDS in the country.
Mozambique-AIDS: US gives Mozambique 11.5 million dlrs for AIDS programme: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2001; MAPUTO, Oct 9 (AFP) - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has granted 11.5 million US dollars (12.5 million euros) to Mozambique for an anti-HIV/AIDS programme, officials said Tuesday.
Asia-AIDS-children: AIDS orphans forced into life on the streets: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 9 (AFP) - More than 13 million children under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents to AIDS since the condition was first detected 20 years ago, the Save the Children fund said on Tuesday.
Asia-AIDS: Asia-Pacific countries risk being locked into AIDS poverty trap: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 9 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS threatened to swamp any chance the Asia-Pacific region had of escaping the poverty trap, an AIDS conference was told here Tuesday.
SAfrica-census: Census will show changes in living standards in S. Africa: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 9 (AFP) - South Africa will on Wednesday start its second post-apartheid census, a gigantic task to measure the changes in the living conditions of blacks, whites and coloureds (mixed race) over the past five years.
UN-US-attacks-Afghan: Afghanistan is one of the world's most destitute countries: UN: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 8 (AFP) - After 22 years of war, Afghanistan ranks among the most destitute, war-weary countries in the world, according to figures released Monday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
SAfrica-AIDS-drugs: Cheaper anti-AIDS drugs for S African public sector: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 8 (AFP) - Three key anti-AIDS drugs will be produced in South Africa for the public sector for about half the current price following a deal between pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and local drug company Aspen Pharmacare, Aspen said Monday.
Asia-AIDS: Poverty blamed for helping spread of AIDS in Asia: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 8 (AFP) - Grinding poverty is accelerating the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in Asia and the Pacific region, a conference here was told Monday.
Asia-health: WHO plans action against rising HIV count from blood transfusions: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2001; SINGAPORE, Oct 8 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced Monday plans for a training centre for blood bank officials in the Western Pacific, saying the current lack of training was endangering lives from HIV infection.
Asia-AIDS: HIV vaccine on sale within decade, reveals health expert: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 7 (AFP) - A vaccine for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, will be ready to go on the market within 10 years, an AIDS conference here was told Sunday.
Iran-AIDS: Iran organisation warns against expulsion from work of HIV patients: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2001; TEHRAN, Oct 6 (AFP) - Iran's hemophilia organisation has warned employers against the expulsion of HIV-infected employees after a young factory worker, infected with the HIV virus, was recently fired, a press report said Saturday.
Asia-AIDS: Developing countries face five billion dollar AIDS drugs bill: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 6 (AFP) - Developing countries will be faced with a drugs bill that could reach five billion US dollars next year to combat the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, an AIDS conference here was told Saturday.
US-attacks-charity: New York charities confront dwindling donations following attacks on US: Sophie Laubie; Agence France-Presse - October 5, 2001; NEW YORK, Oct 5 (AFP) - Donors have flooded the coffers of disaster relief organizations with an unprecedented outpouring of support following the September 11 terror attacks on the United States, but other charities are struggling desperately to keep their funding wells from running dry.
SAfrica-AIDS: AIDS has reached 'shattering dimensions' in S Africa: report: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - October 5, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 5 (AFP) - Researchers have concluded that AIDS last year accounted for one in four deaths in South Africa and is the country's leading cause of death, with "shattering dimensions", a report said Friday.
Russia-AIDS: More than 150,000 infected with HIV in Russia: Agence France-Presse - October 5, 2001; MOSCOW, Oct 5 (AFP) - More than 150,000 people, including 2,012 children, are infected with the HIV virus in Russia, although the true figure may be more than 20 times higher than that, medical officials said Friday.
UN-AIDS-Annan: Annan holds new talks on AIDS with drug firms: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 4 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan met Thursday with senior executives of seven leading pharmaceutical firms to discuss ways of reducing the price of AIDS drugs to the Third World, Annan's spokesman said.
Asia-AIDS: New report sounds alarm over AIDS in Asia: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2001; MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 4 (AFP) - Asia risks an explosion of HIV infection unless governments wake up to the problem, a report released on the eve of the Sixth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) warns.
Ethiopia-AIDS: 250,000 Ethiopian children under five have HIV: health ministry: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2001; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 2 (AFP) - Some 250,000 Ethiopian children aged under five are HIV-positive, the health ministry stated Tuesday, calling for further AIDS prevention measures on national radio as it released the figures.
AIDS-UN-Japan: Asia is new battleground against AIDS: UN: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2001; TOKYO, Oct 2 (AFP) - The UN's top AIDS official warned Tuesday that Asia must wake up to the battle against the disease if it wants to avoid the fate of Africa.
Japan-health-HIV: Baby born via artificial insemination using sperm of HIV positive man: Nao Kaneko; Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2001; TOKYO, Oct 2 (AFP) - A Japanese woman has given birth via artificial insemination using sperm from her HIV-positive husband, with both mother and child confirmed infection-free, doctors said Tuesday.
Nigeria-US-people: Nigerian musician refused visa for US tour, AIDS concert: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2001; LAGOS, Oct 1 (AFP) - US officials have refused to issue a visa to Femi Kuti, the popular musician son of late Afro-beat legend Fela, for a tour including an appearance at a UN-backed AIDS concert for Africa alongside megastar Madonna, the singer told AFP Monday.
Bulgaria-Libya: Khadafi son urges release of Bulgarians in AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2001; SOFIA, Oct 1 (AFP) - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's son is pressing for the release of six Bulgarians facing death for allegedly deliberately infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus, he said in an interview Monday.
Thailand-health: Thailand launches cut-price healthcare scheme nationwide: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2001; BANGKOK, Oct 1 (AFP) - Thailand Monday rolled out a nationwide healthcare scheme under which uninsured poor people will pay just 30 baht (67 cents) for a visit to the doctor.

September

SAfrica-gays: S.Africans take gay pride to the streets: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 29 (AFP) - Some 2,000 gays and lesbians took to the streets of Johannesburg Saturday for South Africa's 12th annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, celebrating tolerance and lamenting lives lost to AIDS.
Japan-AIDS: Japanese bureaucrat found guilty over HIV blood scandal: Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2001; TOKYO, Sept 28 (AFP) - A Japanese court on Friday handed down a suspended term to a former high-ranking health ministry official over a scandal concerning HIV-tainted blood, a court official said.
China-AIDS: China to organise national conference on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2001; BEIJING, Sept 28 (AFP) - A national conference on AIDS would take place mid-November in the Chinese capital Beijing to "arouse vigilance in all sectors of society" against the disease, state media reported Friday.
SAfrica-Japan-Mbeki: Mbeki: an unorthodox intellectual with a vision of renaissance: Hugh Nevill; Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 28 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki, who starts a three-day state visit to Japan on Monday, is an intellectual who is convinced the time is ripe for an 'African renaissance'.
Kenya-Ghana-AIDS: Former Ghanaian president in Kenya to help fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2001; NAIROBI, Sept 27 (AFP) - Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings arrived here Thursday for a three-day visit to Kenya to lead a campaign against AIDS as a UN Volunteers' Eminent Person, Kenyan media reported.
Ethiopia-Ghana-AIDS: Former Ghanaian president on three-day visit to Ethiopia: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2001; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 24 (AFP) - Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings has arrived in Addis Ababa for a three-day visit to Ethiopia as a UN volunteers' eminent person for the International Year of Volunteers.
Libya-Bulgaria: Verdict delayed in case of Bulgarians facing death in Libya: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2001; TRIPOLI, Sept 22 (AFP) - A Libyan court has postponed a verdict until December 22 in a trial of six Bulgarians and a Palestinian facing the death penalty for allegedly deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV, judicial sources said Saturday.
SAfrica-AIDS: S African government begged to release AIDS death figures: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 21 (AFP) - South Africa's government faces impatient calls to publish a medical research report which states AIDS is the country's leading cause of death, contrary to recent assertions by President Thabo Mbeki.
Kenya-Africa-health: Africa, Mediterranean to discuss reproductive health problems: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2001; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - Kenya is next week to host international talks aimed at improving reproductive health in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean where 40 percent of the world's pregnancy-related deaths occur, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Friday.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigerian AIDS treatment programme delayed: minister: Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2001; LAGOS, Sept 20 (AFP) - Nigerian authorities said Thursday they have been forced to delay a trial treatment programme for 15,000 Nigerians suffering from HIV/AIDS using cheap imported drugs.
Burkina-AIDS: Burkina Faso creates new body to fight AIDS, STDs: Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Sept 20 (AFP) - Burkina Faso, one of the west African countries worst hit by the AIDS pandemic, has created a national body to fight the disease, officials said Thursday.
UN-Africa-AIDS: AIDS greatest threat to life in Africa: George McGovern: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 19 (AFP) - The spread of AIDS is the greatest threat to life in Africa and will kill more people on the continent than a terrorist attack on any scale, the US ambassador to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said Wednesday.
SAfrica-AIDS-prisons: S. African prisoners dying of AIDS up 328 percent: minister: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Sept 18 (AFP) - A total of 1,101 South African prisoners died of HIV/AIDS in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 328 percent over the same period last year, Correctional Services Minister Ben Skosana said Tuesday.
Swaziland-virginity: Swaziland imposes a five-year sex ban on young women: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2001; NHLANGANO, Swaziland, September 17 (AFP) - The Swaziland government has announced a five-year sex ban for young women in a bid to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the tiny mountain kingdom.
WHO-Asia-AIDS: WHO warns Asia against complacency after progress against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2001; SINGAPORE, Sept 17 (AFP) - The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Asian countries Monday against slipping into complacency after making progress in the fight against AIDS, and called for attention to be given to drug users.
SAfrica-AIDS: AIDS now leading cause of death in S. Africa: research council: Agence France-Presse - September 16, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 16 (AFP) - AIDS has become South Africa's biggest single killer, the country's Medical Research Council reports in a study made public Sunday, calculating that 40 percent of the deaths of those aged between 15 and 49 last year were due to the pandemic.
Uganda-health-AIDS: 2.5m dollars enough to slash HIV infection of world's babies: Agence France-Presse - September 13, 2001; KAMPALA, Sept 13 (AFP) - It would cost just 2.5 million dollars worth of drugs to drastically reduce HIV infection of unborn babies by their mothers across the world, an AIDS conference in Kampala heard Thursday.
WHO-Asia-AIDS: WHO chief calls for stepped-up campaign against AIDS in Asia: Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept 11 (AFP) - World Health Organization (WHO) chief Gro Harlem Brundtland called Tuesday for an intensified Asia-Pacific campaign against AIDS following breakthroughs in Cambodia and other countries.
World-reefs: UN study finds fast-disappearing coral reefs rarer than thought: Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2001; BANGKOK, Sept 11 (AFP) - The world's coral reefs are much rarer than previously thought, according to a United Nations survey released Thursday which urges better conservation for the delicate ecosystems.
FAO-report: Food security deteriorating worldwide: FAO: Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2001; ROME, Sept 11 (AFP) - Food security throughout the world is deteriorating due to droughts, flooding and other natural disasters, the UN food agency said in its annual report issued Tuesday, less than two months before a key food summit.
UN-SAfrica-AIDS: South African figures underestimate AIDS deaths: UN: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2001; GENEVA, Sept 11 (AFP) - A UN specialised agency estimates the AIDS death toll in South Africa in 1999 alone at a quarter of a million people, meaning that six-year-old statistics used by President Thabo Mbeki far underestimate the impact of the disease.
China-AIDS: China court awards huge compensation for HIV blood transfusion: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2001; BEIJING, Sept 11 (AFP) - A court in China has awarded up to 1.2 million dollars to the family of a woman who died after contracting the HIV virus from a hospital blood transfusion, raising the prospect of an avalanche of similar claims, state media and experts said Tuesday.
Kenya-AIDS: HIV/AIDS campaign stepped up on public transport: Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2001; MOMBASA, Kenya, Sept 10 (AFP) - An international health body has turned to a new medium, public transport buses, to try to reach out to millions of Kenyans in the fight against the deadly HIV/AIDS.
Burkina-IPU: Compaore opens IPU meeting with call to limit globalisation: Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, Sept 10 (AFP) - Opening the 106th conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore called on world leaders to limit the negative effects of globalisation.
SAfrica-AIDS: Mbeki challenges S.Africa's spending on AIDS pandemic: Bryan Pearson; Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 10 (AFP) - President Thabo Mbeki, who questions the link between HIV and AIDS, has come under fire again -- this time for using six-year-old statistics to bolster his claim that HIV/AIDS is not South Africa's leading cause of death.
Malaysia-transsexual,sched-feature: "Women in men's bodies" struggle for basic rights: Julia Yeow; Agence France-Presse - September 9, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (AFP) - In the lavender-scented room in the heart of bustling Kuala Lumpur, Sulastri plays with her waist-length hair and dreams of the day she will enjoy basic human rights.
Health-AIDS,sched-advancer: Experts gather in Uganda to discuss mother-to-child AIDS: Anna Borzello; Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2001; KAMPALA, Sept 8 (AFP) - Health researches from around the global gather in the Ugandan capital on Sunday to discuss the best ways to prevent the spread of AIDS from mother to child, officials said.
Malaysia-AIDS: Free sex, drug abuse threaten HIV explosion in Malaysia: Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (AFP) - Casual sex and drug addiction may spark an explosion of HIV infection in Malaysia, a senior health ministry official warned Monday.
WHO-Asia: WHO lauds Cambodia's "remarkable turnaround" against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2001; BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept 10 (AFP) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday hailed Cambodia's "remarkable turnaround" against the AIDS scourge and cited Phnom Penh's pro-condom policy as a potent weapon.
Health-ethics: Medical journals say big pharma interfering in clinical trials: Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2001; PARIS, Sept 10 (AFP) - Leading medical journals on Sunday accused the pharmaceutical industry of frequently meddling in tests of new drugs and said they would scrutinise clinical trials more carefully before deciding whether to publish their results.
Health-AIDS: AIDS conference commends four countries for anti-AIDS efforts: Agence France-Presse - September 9, 2001; KAMPALA, Sept 9 (AFP) - Four countries were singled out for praise Sunday at an AIDS conference after reducing mother to child transmission of the HIV virus by making the appropriate drugs readily available.
India-religion-drugs: Church takes up fight against drug abuse in India's northeast: Zarir Hussein; Agence France-Presse - September 9, 2001; GUWAHATI, India, Sept 9 (AFP) - Church and women's groups in India's northeastern states have joined hands to fight rampant drug abuse which has contributed to an AIDS epidemic in the region bordering Myanmar.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS vaccines promising in primate research studies: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - September 7, 2001; WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (AFP) - A number of new AIDS vaccines tested on primates have shown success in blocking development of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to studies presented this week at the biennial AIDS vaccine conference in Philadelphia.
Ghana-AIDS: HIV/AIDS leading killer in Ghanaian prisons for a second year: Agence France-Presse - September 7, 2001; ACCRA, Sept 7 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS has emerged as the biggest killer of prisoners in Ghana for a second year, according to a government report obtained by AFP Friday.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigeria launches Africa's first generic AIDS-drugs treatments: Ola Awoniyi; Agence France-Presse - September 7, 2001; ABUJA, Sept 7 (AFP) - Nigeria announced Friday the go-ahead of the first government-sponsored treatment in Africa of thousands of HIV/AIDS sufferers with imported generic antiretroviral drugs.
Tanzania-donors: Tanzania, donors open talks on poverty reduction: Agence France-Presse - September 7, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 7 (AFP) - The Tanzanian government and the country's major donors opened an annual consultative group meeting here on Friday on poverty reduction strategies, finance ministry sources said.
Brazil-health-people: Brazilian government handing out condoms to the elderly: Agence France-Presse - September 6, 2001; RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 6 (AFP) - Alarmed by the increasing rate of AIDS in Brazilians over 60, the government will begin distributing condoms to the rowdy geriatric crowd, the Ministry of Health said Thursday.
Rwanda-AIDS-transport: Rwandan taxi drivers want HIV clinics near pick-up points: Agence France-Presse - September 6, 2001; KIGALI, Sept 6 (AFP) - Drivers of Rwanda's minibus taxis have called through their public transport association ATRACO for the opening of HIV clinics near bus stations where they pick up customers, Radio Rwanda reported Thursday.
Bulgaria-Libya: Bulgarian premier ready to go to Libya over HIV deaths trial: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; SOFIA, Sept 5 (AFP) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg is prepared to travel to Tripoli to plead the cause of six Bulgarians who risk the death penalty there for allegedly infecting children with the virus that causes AIDS, an official said Wednesday.
Uganda-AIDS: Researchers on HIV/AIDS to discuss mother infections: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; KAMPALA, Sept 5 (AFP) - The world's leading HIV/AIDS experts and activists are to gather here next week to forge global strategies for reducing rates of mother-to-infant HIV transmission, organisers said Wednesday.
US-AIDS: Progression of AIDS virus slowed by another type of virus: study: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (AFP) - The progression of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, is slowed by a benign virus, researchers found in a study to be published in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Asia-AIDS: Five SE Asian countries sign up to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; PHNOM PENH, Sept 5 (AFP) - Five Southeast Asian countries Wednesday signed a memoradum of understanding to fight the spread of AIDS across the region, with a focus on highly mobile people.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigeria to launch Africa's first generic anti-AIDS drugs trials: Ola Awoniyi; Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; ABUJA, Sept 5 (AFP) - In a breakthrough on AIDS in Africa, Nigeria is set to launch the first trial treatment of thousands of HIV/AIDS sufferers with imported generic antiretroviral drugs since Western companies dropped a suit against them, Nigeria's health minister told AFP Wednesday.
US-health-AIDS: Researchers optimistic about future of anti-AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (AFP) - An anti-AIDS vaccine should be on the market in the near future, researchers said Wednesday from a conference gathering thousands of international AIDS specialists in Philadelphia for four days.
UN-racism-AIDS: AIDS epidemic underscores impact of discrimination: UNAIDS: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2001; DURBAN, South Africa, Sept 5 (AFP) - Discrimination and stigma intensify the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, the head of the UN programme on AIDS said Wednesday.
Bulgaria-Libya: Bulgarian MPs urge fair trial for six Bulgarians: Agence France-Presse - September 3, 2001; SOFIA, Sept 3 (AFP) - The speaker of Bulgaria's parliament on Monday urged Libya to give a fair and wise trial for six Bulgarians who could face the death penalty later this month for allegedly infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus.
China-AIDS: Patient's online account of fight with AIDS stirs controversy: Rachel Morarjee; Agence France-Presse - September 2, 2001; SHANGHAI, Sept 2 (AFP) - One man's online account of his battle with AIDS has stirred up a hornets nest of controversy in China, where the deadly disease is still shrouded in taboos and predjudice runs high.
Ethiopia-Norway-UN-AIDS: Norway to finance regional AIDS council heaquarters in Ethiopia: Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2001; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 1 (AFP) - Norway will provide 1.6 million dollars to build a regional AIDS council heaquarters in Ethiopia to run programmes aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, the UN Children's Fund said Saturday.
Brazil-AIDS: Brazil to proceed with trials of generic AIDS drug despite deal: Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2001; SAO PAULO, Sept 1 (AFP) - A public Brazilian laboratory said Saturday it will go ahead with trials of its generic version of the anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir next week, even though the drug's manufacturer reached a deal to keep its patent.
Russia-AIDS: Russia's official AIDS tally is well below reality: expert: Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2001; MOSCOW, Sept 1 (AFP) - Nearly 145,000 Russians are officially registered as being HIV positive, but the real figure is at least ten times higher, the director of the Russian centre for the prevention of AIDS said on Saturday.
Brazil-Swiss-AIDS: Roche satisfied with deal to cut price of AIDS drug in Brazil: Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2001; BASLE, Switzerland, Sept 1 (AFP) - Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Roche said on Saturday it was satisfied with a deal reached with the Brazilian government to cut by 40 percent the price of its AIDS drug Nelfinavir distributed for free to AIDS sufferers.

August

Brazil-Swiss-AIDS: Roche agrees to cut price of AIDS drug in Brazil by 40 percent: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2001; RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 31 (AFP) - Swiss manufacturer Roche agreed to cut by 40 percent the price of its AIDS drug Nelfinavir distributed for free to AIDS sufferers by the Brazilian government, Health Minister Jose Serra announced Friday.
Italy-film: Taylor hosts AIDS benefit, but Cruise, Kidman hog limelight: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2001; VENICE, Italy, Aug 31 (AFP) - Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor is to host a gala dinner for AIDS research Friday which will reunite divorced star couple Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise -- if only on the guest list.
Thailand-AIDS: AIDS now Thailand's number one cause of death: report: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2001; BANGKOK, Aug 31 (AFP) - AIDS has become the leading cause of death in Thailand, overtaking accidents, heart disease and cancer, Deputy Public Health Minister Surapong Suebwong-lee said in a report Friday.
Malawi-rape: Malawi herbalist arrested after raping woman over medicine: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2001; BLANTYRE, Aug 31 (AFP) - A traditional Malawian herbalist has been arrested on charges of raping a 20-year-old woman on the pretext of giving her medicine, police said Friday.
India-AIDS: Red tape behind rise in AIDS, drug abuse victims in India's northeast: Zarir Hussain; Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2001; GUWAHATI, India, Aug 31 (AFP) - Bureaucratic red tape and pilferage of government funds earmarked for AIDS prevention and anti-drug projects in India's remote northeastern region are leading to an increase in AIDS sufferers and drug abusers, community health workers said Friday.
Horn-Eritrea-Italy: Eritrean govt probing allegations of child prostitution ring: Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2001; ASMARA, Aug 30 (AFP) - Eritrean authorities are investigating allegations by a former member of the UN Italian contingent here that peacekeepers participated in a prostitution racket involving underage girls.
Uganda-HIV-vaccine: International AIDS vaccine group to start testing in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2001; KAMPALA, Aug 30 (AFP) - The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is to begin testing two HIV vaccines in Uganda soon with the collaboration of the Ugandan government, following an agreement signed here on Thursday.
Mozambique-US: US to give 40.5 million dollars to Mozambique for aid projects: Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2001; MAPUTO, Aug 30 (AFP) - The United States will give 40.5 million dollars to Mozambique for agriculture, training and anti-AIDS programs, the state Noticias paper reported Thursday.
China-AIDS: China has less than decade to prevent AIDS epidemic: US expert: Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2001; BEIJING, Aug 30 (AFP) - China has less than a decade before it is too late to prevent the AIDS virus from becoming an epidemic, a top US anti-HIV official said Thursday.
Ireland-SouthAfrica-HIV: HIV/AIDS could orphan a third of children in southern Africa: charity: Agence France-Presse - August 29, 2001; DUBLIN, Aug 29 (AFP) - Up to one third of children in southern and east Africa countries could be orphaned by HIV/AIDS by 2010, the head of a South African charity told a conference in Ireland Wednesday.
UN-racism-children: Street-kids tucked away as racism conferences take place: Agence France-Presse - August 28, 2001; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 28 (AFP) - The street-children in Durban have been tucked away as thousands of delegates meet in this city on South Africa's east coast for international conferences on racism.
Malaysia-AIDS: Malaysian nurse sues doctor, government over AIDS scare: Agence France-Presse - August 28, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (AFP) - A Malaysian nurse has sued a doctor and the government for 100 million ringgit (26.3 million dollars) after she was pierced with a needle believed to be HIV-infected, a report said Tuesday.
Swaziland-prostitutes: Swazi prostitutes offer credit to 'esteemed customers': Agence France-Presse - August 27, 2001; MBABANE, Aug 27 (AFP) - An organisation representing prostitutes in the Swaziland town of Manzini said at the weekend they had decided to offer credit facilities to "esteemed customers".
Thailand-childsex: International paedophiles flock to Asia despite high-profile arrests: Daniel Lovering; Agence France-Presse - August 26, 2001; BANGKOK, Aug 26 (AFP) - The arrest of a notorious American paedophile in Thailand last week has highlighted the growing problem of elaborate child exploitation rings which operate with impunity in Asia, experts say.
Health-AIDS-UN: UN chief Annan to press drug giants on cheaper AIDS medication: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; STOCKHOLM, Aug 24 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said here Friday that he would meet again this autumn with the top executives of the world's richest pharmaceutical companies to assess progress on their pledge to offer anti-AIDS drugs at lower prices to the world's poorest countries.
Amnesty-meeting: Amnesty International shifts focus to economic rights: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; DAKAR, Aug 24 (AFP) - International rights watchdog Amnesty International is broadening its definition of human rights to include socio-economic issues, delegates to its annual International Council meeting said here Friday.
Asia-AIDS: Adult death rates in Asia to climb 40 percent due to AIDS: WHO: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; MANILA, Aug 24 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned Friday that the death rate of adults in Asian nations will rise by up to 40 percent in the coming decade due to the AIDS problem.
Health-AIDS: Developing world told to come clean on HIV-tainted blood transfusion: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; PARIS, Aug 24 (AFP) - China and other developing countries facing a potential epidemic from HIV-tainted blood transfusions are urged Friday to face up to the problem and not shrink from seeking swift, expert help.
Zimbabwe-sex-law: New sex law to curb HIV/AIDS, marital rape in Zimbabwe: Susan Njanji; Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; HARARE, Aug 24 (AFP) - Zimbabwe has passed a new law that seeks to criminalise the deliberate transmission of HIV, recognise rape in marriages and imposes heavy penalities for a host of sexual offences.
Brazil-Swiss-AIDS: Swiss drug company seeks talks with Brazil: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; BRASILIA, Aug 24 (AFP) - Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche is seeking to restart talks with Brazilian authorities and head off production of a generic version of its anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir, a spokesman for Health Minister Jose Serra said Friday.
Swiss-Brazil-AIDS: Brazil's stubborn battle for cut price anti-AIDS drugs takes new turn: Bruno Franceschi; Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2001; GENEVA, Aug 24 (AFP) - Brazil's confrontation with Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche over its right to produce cheaper anti-AIDS drugs marks a new chapter in the long and bitter struggle by poorer countries to take on multinational drugs companies.
Nigeria-WBank: Nigeria, World Bank sign 304.3m dollar credit agreements: Agence France-Presse - August 23, 2001; ABUJA, Aug 23 (AFP) - Nigeria and the World Bank Thursday signed three separate financing agreements here -- on HIV/AIDS, electrical power and privatisation -- valued at a total of 304.3 million dollars.
US-AIDS-diplomacy: US ends mandatory HIV tests for local employees at embassies: Agence France-Presse - August 23, 2001; WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (AFP) - The State Department announced Thursday it was ending mandatory HIV testing for foreigners and locally hired Americans working in US diplomatic missions abroad.
Brazil-AIDS-Roche: Manufacturer of AIDS drug "surprised" at Brazilian move: Agence France-Presse - August 23, 2001; BASEL, Switzerland, Aug 23 (AFP) - Roche, the Swiss manufacturer of the anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir, on Thursday said it was surprised to learn that Brazil intended to violate Roche's patent rights by producing a generic version.
China admits tens of thousands infected with AIDS from selling blood: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - August 23, 2001; BEIJING, Aug 23 (AFP) - China admitted for the first time Thursday that tens of thousands of its citizens have been infected with the AIDS virus after selling their blood for money.
Brazil-AIDS: Brazil to make generic version of anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir in 2002: Agence France-Presse - August 23, 2001; BRASILIA, Aug 23 (AFP) - Brazil will begin producing a generic version of the anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir, which is patented by the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche, Health Minister Jose Serra confirmed Thursday.
Nigeria-WBank: Senior World Bank official on five-day visit to Nigeria: Agence France-Presse - August 22, 2001; ABUJA, Aug 22 (AFP) - The managing director of the World Bank Group, Peter Woicke, was due Wednesday to begin a five-day visit to Nigeria to launch a series of projects.
China-AIDS: China admits potential AIDS epidemic from unsafe blood handling: Agence France-Presse - August 22, 2001; BEIJING, Aug 22 (AFP) - China admitted Wednesday unsafe methods of blood collection and transfusion were spreading AIDS and could cause an epidemic in the world's most populous country.
SAfrica-AIDS: Lobby group sues S.African government over AIDS programme: Agence France-Presse - August 21, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 21 (AFP) - A South African AIDS lobby group asked the Pretoria High Court Tuesday to order the government to take immediate steps to prevent mother-to-infant transmission of HIV.
Ethiopia-AIDS-truckers: Ethiopian UN truckers taught about condoms, AIDS: Agence France-Presse - August 20, 2001; ADDIS ABABA, Aug 20 (AFP) - More than 2,000 truckers hired by the World Food Programme (WFP) in Ethiopia have been given lessons on the proper use of condoms as part of a two-month course on AIDS and HIV prevention, the UN agency said Monday.
Italy-people: City of Rome adopts HIV-positive baby girl: Agence France-Presse - August 19, 2001; ROME, Aug 19 (AFP) - The Rome municipality symbolically adopted a two-month-old baby girl infected with the virus that causes AIDS after her Nigerian-born mother died from a drug overdose, officials said this weekend.
Iraq-France-blood: Baghdad says it has proof French lab delivered AIDS-tainted blood to Iraq: Agence France-Presse - August 19, 2001; BAGHDAD, Aug 19 (AFP) - Baghdad said Sunday it had proof that French drug company Merieux delivered AIDS-tainted blood to Iraq in 1986 which it says infected 123 haemophiliacs through transfusions.
Italy-prisons: Italian prison population hits post-war high: party: Agence France-Presse - August 18, 2001; ROME, Aug 18 (AFP) - Overcrowding in Italy's prisons reached a new high last month with more than 57,000 people detained -- the highest number since the end of World War II, the small Radical party said Saturday.
Vietnam-vice-AIDS: Vietnam presses on with vice crackdown despite WHO tolerance plea: Agence France-Presse - August 17, 2001; HANOI, Aug 17 (AFP) - Vietnam's communist authorites are pressing on with a two-month-old vice crackdown despite pleas from the World Health Organization at a four-day conference here for greater tolerance of the sex trade, officials said Friday.
Jordan-AIDS: AIDS virus has claimed 272 victims in Jordan since 1986: Agence France-Presse - August 16, 2001; AMMAN, Aug 16 (AFP) - Jordanian Health Minister Faleh Nasser said Thursday 272 people, including 118 Jordanians, have contracted the AIDS virus in Jordan since 1986.
HongKong-AIDS: Hong Kong to introduce free HIV tests for pregnant women: Agence France-Presse - August 16, 2001; HONG KONG, Aug 16 (AFP) - Hong Kong will offer free HIV tests from next month as part of routine ante-natal blood tests for pregnant women, a health department spokesman said Thursday.
Japan-health-HIV: Japanese doctors raise hopes of healthy babies for HIV-positive men: Miwa Suzuki; Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2001; TOKYO, Aug 15 (AFP) - Two Japanese women have become pregnant with sperm from their HIV-positive husbands after doctors used a new technique to remove the AIDS-causing virus before vitro fertilisation, officials said Wednesday.
Thailand-AIDS: Thailand's health ministry declares AIDS "miracle cure" ineffective: Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2001; BANGKOK, Aug 15 (AFP) - A purported AIDS cure which has been distributed to thousands of sufferers in Thailand amid great fanfare in recent months has been proven to be ineffective, health authorities said Wednesday.
Britain-prostitution: Scottish prostitutes on the move: Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2001; EDINBURGH, Aug 15 (AFP) - Street prostitutes in Edinburgh were on the move Wednesday, with the blessing of police, to a new official tolerance zone.
US-AIDS: New AIDS data prompt fears of rising infection rates in US: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - August 14, 2001; WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (AFP) - After years of decline, the number of people contracting HIV/AIDS has leveled off while the mortality rate remains almost unchanged since 1998, prompting concerns of a resurgence in the pandemic.
AIDS-US: Number of US HIV cases stable: official: Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2001; ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug 13 (AFP) - The number of people infected with the virus which causes AIDS has remained stable in the United States, according to the latest available figures, but the risk of an explosion of new cases is high, the Centers for Disease Control said Monday.
SADC-summit: Ten African leaders in closed talks on AIDS, poverty, conflicts: Griffin Shea; Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2001; BLANTYRE, Aug 13 (AFP) - Ten southern African leaders met under a veil of secrecy Monday at an annual summit where they were slated to tackle the problems of AIDS, poverty and conflicts plaguing the region.
Australia-HIV: Australian medics approve IVF treatment for women with AIDS virus: Steve Kirby; Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2001; SYDNEY, Aug 13 (AFP) - Australian fertility specialists agreed Monday in principle to allow HIV-positive women to undergo treatment to become pregnant.
Asia-AIDS: Changes in Asia's sex industry threaten HIV explosion: WHO: Steve Kirby; Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2001; HANOI, Aug 13 (AFP) - Asia's sex industry is moving out of traditional red-light districts into the suburbs and shopping malls, threatening an explosion of HIV infection unless governments adopt a more tolerant attitude, the World Health Organization warned Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS-vaccine: Human trials of AIDS vaccine due in South Africa, US in March: Agence France-Presse - August 12, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 12 (AFP) - Human trials on a new AIDS vaccine will start simultaneously in the United States and in South Africa's eastern port city of Durban in March 2002, it was reported here Sunday.
SADC-summit: Southern African leaders to tackle AIDS, poverty at summit: Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2001; BLANTYRE, Aug 10 (AFP) - Leaders from 14 southern African nations open their annual summit here Sunday to grapple with the AIDS pandemic and the crippling poverty that ravages much of the region.
Health-ranking: Oman ranks first in efficiency of health service, WHO study says: Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2001; LONDON, Aug 10 (AFP) - Oman ranks first in a survey of national health systems of 191 countries with Britain and the United States far behind, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal on Friday.
SADC-summit: AIDS tops ministerial meeting ahead of SADC summit in Malawi: Agence France-Presse - August 9, 2001; BLANTYRE, Aug 9 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic in southern Africa topped the opening of a ministerial meeting Thursday, held ahead of an annual regional summit here next week.
China-AIDS: China admits to rural AIDS crisis but villagers unimpressed: Agence France-Presse - August 9, 2001; BEIJING, Aug 9 (AFP) - China has recognized for the first time that many villagers in Henan province contracted AIDS by selling blood, but villagers on Thursday said the government was doing too little, too late.
Tanzania-drugs: Tanzanian police seize tonnes of marijuana, nab 1,100 people: Agence France-Presse - August 8, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 8 (AFP) - Tanzanian police have seized 151.5 tonnes of marijuana, destroyed 42 hectares (106 acres) of the narcotic plant and arrested 1,100 suspected drug traffickers, police announced here Wednesday.
SAfrica-violence: Homicide leading cause of unnatural death in SAfrica: minister: Agence France-Presse - August 8, 2001; PRETORIA, Aug 8 (AFP) - More South Africans die as a result of homicide than any other unnatural cause, the country's Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Wednesday.
Iraq-France-blood: Aventis denies responsibilty in AIDS-tainted blood to Iraq: Agence France-Presse - August 7, 2001; PARIS, Aug 7 (AFP) - Franco-German pharmaceuticals group Aventis, which has been accused by Iraq of delivering AIDS-tainted blood for transfusions to the country in 1986, Tuesday denied all responsibility for the contaminations.
Myanmar-UN: UN denies that agencies in Myanmar want sanctions lifted: Agence France-Presse - August 7, 2001; YANGON, Aug 7 (AFP) - The United Nations Tuesday denied a report that its relief agencies in Myanmar had made a collective request to their leaderships and foreign governments to lift sanctions against the military regime.
Iraq-France-HIV: Iraq seeks compensation from French lab over HIV-contaminated blood: Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2001; BAGHDAD, Aug 6 (AFP) - Baghdad is seeking 33 million dollars in compensation from Merieux laboratories for 123 haemophiliacs infected with the HIV/AIDS virus from blood delivered by the French company, a newspaper said Monday.
SAfrica-Britain-Zimbabwe: Mugabe not listening, Mbeki tells BBC: Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 6 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki acknowledges in a television interview to be aired Monday evening that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is not listening to him, and says he believes that violence is the biggest killer in South Africa.
Singapore-gay: Gay and lesbian community parties into Singapore's National Day: Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2001; SINGAPORE, Aug 6 (AFP) - Singapore's usually low-profile gay and lesbian community is planning a "coming out" party this week to coincide with the republic's National Day.
Nigeria-AIDS: Obasanjo orders free condom distribution to soldiers: Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2001; LAGOS, Aug 5 (AFP) - Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered the free distribution of condoms to members of the armed forces to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, reports said Sunday.
SAfrica-women: S. Africa's first lady proposes special women's fund: Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 5 (AFP) - South Africa's first lady Zanele Mbeki on Sunday proposed a special development fund for women to give the struggle for gender equality more weight.
Iran-Khatami-AIDS: Iran's Khatami gives blood, warns against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2001; TEHRAN, Aug 4 (AFP) - Iran's reformist president President Mohammad Khatami on Saturday launched a blood donation campaign, and criticized the importation of blood products in a veiled reference to the HIV/AIDS virus.
SAfrica-prostitution: S African churches regret no criminalisation of prostitution: Agence France-Presse - August 3, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 3 (AFP) - Prostitution cannot be criminalised, but a landmark judgment in a South African court to take the profession one step closer to legalisation was unfortunate, the country's churches said Friday.
China-AIDS: China boosts AIDS funding and vows to clean up blood supply: Agence France-Presse - August 3, 2001; BEIJING, Aug 3 (AFP) - China is to spend 1.95 billion yuan (235 million dollars) to boost care for AIDS patients and to clean up its blood supply in a bid to control the rapid spread of the disease, state media said Friday.
UN-AIDS-Nigeria: Nigeria to launch AIDS treatment program on September 1: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Aug 2 (AFP) - Nigeria, Africa's third most AIDS-ravaged nation, will on September 1 launch a pilot program to treat thousands of sufferers with Indian-made generic antiretrovirals in a joint program with the UN, officials said Thursday.
SAfrica-prostitution: Prostitution legal, brothels not: S. African court: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2001; PRETORIA, Aug 2 (AFP) - Two South African High Court judges upheld an appeal by a self-confessed prostitute Thursday, a ruling which will legalise prostitution if confirmed by the Constitutional Court.
Malaysia-Mahathir: Mahathir hits out at ethnic Malays over growing social ills: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday launched another round of criticism against ethnic Malays, questioning the high number of rape and HIV cases among the community.
China-Germany: Two detained German journalists released in central China: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2001; BEIJING, Aug 2 (AFP) - Two German journalists detained in China's central Henan province have been released, a German embassy official in Beijing said Thursday.

July

Bulgaria-Libya: Minister concerned for Bulgarians facing death in HIV trial: Agence France-Presse - July 31, 2001; SOFIA, July 31 (AFP) - Bulgarian Justice Minister Anton Stankov voiced concern on Tuesday about the trial in Libya of six Bulgarians who could face the death penalty for allegedly infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus.
UN-AIDS: Ugandan appointed to spearhead setting up of UN's AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - July 31, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appointed former Ugandan health minister Crispus Kiyonga to spearhead the establishment of a global fund to combat AIDS and other diseases.
UN-AIDS-racism: AIDS, racism and Africa: Annan's call to arms: Agence France-Presse - July 30, 2001; WASHINGTON, July 30 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called Monday on all sectors of society to come together to combat the global scourges of AIDS and racism, and to pull Africa out of its deathly cycle of poverty and violence.
SAfrica-Catholic-condom: Southern Africa Catholic bishops reject condom use against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 30, 2001; PRETORIA, July 30 (AFP) - The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference on Monday condemned the use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS, rejecting a proposal from a local bishop that a ban on condoms be lifted to help curb the spread of the virus.
Zimbabwe-health: Doctors' strike shuts down Zimbabwe's crumbling public health service: Griffin Shea; Agence France-Presse - July 30, 2001; HARARE, July 30 (AFP) - Five days after Zimbabwe's government doctors went on indefinite strike, the emergency room at the city's Parirenyatwa Hospital was empty, except for the smell of rot that filled the wing.
Uganda-AIDS-drugs: Ugandan firms bidding to manufacture generic HIV/AIDS drugs: Vincent Mayanja; Agence France-Presse - July 29, 2001; KAMPALA, July 29 (AFP) - Ugandan pharmaceutical companies are lobbying the government here for clearance to start manufacturing generic HIV/AIDS drugs, currently imported from India, health services chief Francis Omaswa said here.
Horn-Eritrea-UN-AIDS: Eritrean troops, UN peacekeepers end AIDS prevention training: Agence France-Presse - July 29, 2001; ASMARA, July 29 (AFP) - Some 50 Eritrean Defense Force (EDF) soldiers and peacekeepers from the UN Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE) have completed a joint AIDS prevention training course here.
Malawi-church-mass: 30,000 Malawians pack stadium for Catholic Church's centenary: Agence France-Presse - July 28, 2001; BLANTYRE, July 28 (AFP) - At an open-air mass Saturday celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Catholic Church in Malawi, a special papal envoy called for a fairer distribution of wealth in the impoverished nation.
Tanzania-media-ban: Tanzania cracks down on press pornography: Agence France-Presse - July 27, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, July 27 (AFP) - The Tanzania government has banned eight magazines and suspended three tabloid newspapers for publishing pornographic material, Information and Political Affairs Minister Omari Mapuri announced here Friday.
Education-Africa-AIDS: World education leaders sound alarm over AIDS pandemic: Agence France-Presse - July 26, 2001; JOMTIEN, Thailand, July 26 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic has had a bigger effect on teaching than any other profession, and threatens to wipe out the trade in Africa within 10 years, a global conference heard Thursday.
Libya-Bulgaria: 'No favours' for Bulgarians facing death in HIV trial: Libyan FM: Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2001; TRIPOLI, July 25 (AFP) - Foreign Minister Abdel Rahman Shalgham on Wednesday rejected any outside disturbance in the trial of six Bulgarians facing death for allegedly deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV.
Vietnam-Laos-drugs: Over 2,700 arrested for drug trafficking at Vietnam-Laos border in one year: Agence France-Presse - July 24, 2001; HANOI, July 24 (AFP) - More than 2,700 people have been arrested in Vietnam for drug trafficking from neighbouring Laos over the past year, officials said Tuesday.
US-China-AIDS: US firm to make quickie AIDS test kits in China: Agence France-Presse - July 24, 2001; SHANGHAI, July 24 (AFP) - US company Calcol Inc said Tuesday it will begin making quick result AIDS test kits in China this year to be sold to developing countries ravaged by the virus.
US-Ashcroft-Thai: US to halt efforts to deport HIV-positive Thai boy: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2001; LOS ANGELES, July 23 (AFP) - US Attorney General John Ashcroft said Monday he had instructed immigration officials to halt efforts to deport a four-year-old Thai boy used as a decoy in a human trafficking scheme.
Britain-health: British research centre fined over deadly virus danger: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2001; LONDON, July 23 (AFP) - A prestigious British research centre which exposed staff to possible risk of infection from an incurable, genetically modified virus was fined 25,000 pounds (about 40,000 euros, 36,000 dollars) Monday.
SAfrica-G8-Africa: S. Africa delighted by G8 focus, but waiting for results: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, July 23 (AFP) - South Africa's leaders are delighted that Africa captured the attention of the powerful G8 nations at their summit in Genoa, Italy, but analysts said Monday they were waiting for results.
ICoast-AIDS: Regional workshop on HIV-AIDS opens in Abidjan: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2001; ABIDJAN, July 23 (AFP) - A workshop on preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child in eight African countries opened here Monday in the presence of Ivory Coast's First Lady Simone Gbagbo.
Malaysia-AIDS: Nurse has breakdown after AIDS sufferer rapes her: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (AFP) - A Malaysian nurse suffered a mental breakdown out of fear of contracting AIDS after a drug addict raped her at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital two months ago, a report said Monday.
G8-AIDS: Group of Eight summit commits to AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - July 22, 2001; GENOA, Italy, July 22 (AFP) - Group of Eight leaders Sunday vowed "to break the vicious cycle between disease and poverty" by committing to a new war chest to fight AIDS and other infectious diseases that already has pledges of 1.3 billion dollars (1.5 billion euros).
Zimbabwe-virgins-AIDS: Zimbabwe fights AIDS by honouring certified virgins: Agence France-Presse - July 22, 2001; HARARE, July 22 (AFP) - Virgins in Zimbabwe have been enlisted in the fight against AIDS, attending a lavish banquet to emphasize the value of abstinence, the state-owned Sunday Mail reported.
G8-AIDS-Russia: Russia expects to benefit from world health fund: Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2001; GENOA, Italy, July 21 (AFP) - Russia has allocated 600 million rubles (21 million dollars) to a special worldwide fund to fight AIDS and other diseases but also expects to benefit from the war chest, a Russian minister said Saturday.
Liberia-children-health: Liberian children's health among worst in world: report: Terence Sesay; Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2001; MONROVIA, July 21 (AFP) - The state of health of children in the west African state of Liberia, which endured a devastating civil war between 1989 and 1996, is among the worst in the world, according to a study released here.
G8-AIDS-US: US ups AIDS fund by 100 million dollars: Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2001; GENOA, Italy, July 21 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush has decided to increase his country's contribution to a global fund to fight AIDS and other major diseases by 100 million dollars to 300 million, the White House said Saturday.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigerian govt launches first HIV/AIDS reference laboratory: Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2001; LAGOS, July 21 (AFP) - The Nigerian government has launched the nation's first comprehensive HIV/AIDS reference laboratory, donated by the US-based Ford Foundation, press reports said Saturday.
US-military-budget: US Congress approves 6.5 billion for military, fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 20, 2001; WASHINGTON, July 20 (AFP) - The US Congress gave its final approval Friday to a 6.5-billion-dollar supplemental budget request, channeling the bulk of the money to national defense programs favored by President George W. Bush.
G8-Russia-Putin-health: Russia contributes 20 million dollars to world health fund: Agence France-Presse - July 20, 2001; MOSCOW, July 20 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has allocated 600 million rubles (about 20 million dollars) to a special world-wide fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin said Friday.
G8-AIDS: Launch of global AIDS, health fund is top G8 priority: Agence France-Presse - July 20, 2001; GENOA, Italy, July 20 (AFP) - The Group of Eight summit and the United Nations on Friday launch an ambitious new war-chest to combat AIDS and other infectious diseases, the Global AIDS and Health Fund, already at more than one billion dollars.
SAfrica-US-drugs: SAfrican AIDS groups urge world protest over Pfizer drug patent: Agence France-Presse - July 19, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, July 19 (AFP) - South African AIDS groups called Thursday for a global protest against a patent belonging to US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer until it cuts the price of flucanazole or allows its production as a generic drug.
AIDS-Brazil-France: Brazil and France to cooperate on AIDS vaccine research: Agence France-Presse - July 19, 2001; BRASILIA, July 19 (AFP) - Brazil and France agreed Thursday to cooperate in developing a vaccine for AIDS and medicines to fight the deadly disease.
Mexico-AIDS: Mexican official under fire for saying AIDS patients should be shot: Agence France-Presse - July 19, 2001; MEXICO CITY, Jul 19 (AFP) - Civic groups Thursday demanded the ouster the head of a Mexican state's human rights commission, who was quoted as saying gravely ill AIDS patients should be shot dead.
UN-AIDS-G8: G8, UN, set to officially launch world health fund to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (AFP) - Confronted with the scourge of AIDS, which has already killed 22 million people, the world's industrial nations are set to launch a global fund of one billion dollars on Friday at a G8 summit in Genoa, Italy.
Canada-AIDS: Canada offers 100 million US to new UN global AIDS, health fund: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2001; OTTAWA, July 18 (AFP) - Canada on Wednesday announced it will contribute 150 million dollars (100 million US) to a new UN global AIDS and health fund, to be officially launched at the Group of Eight meeting this weekend.
US-AIDS-drugs: Bristol-Myers authorizes generic anti-AIDS medicines for Africa: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2001; NEW YORK, July 18 (AFP) - US drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb has licensed a South African laboratory to make cheaper generic copies of two of its anti-AIDS medications for sale in sub-Saharan Africa, a spokesman said Thursday.
Taiwan-AIDS: Taiwan's HIV cases expected to rise 18 percent this year: Agence France-Presse - July 17, 2001; TAIPEI, July 17 (AFP) - More than 3,500 people are HIV positive in Taiwan, a nine percent rise from the end of last year, according to the Department of Health Tuesday.
G8-Bush: Bush to push trade, fight against AIDS: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - July 17, 2001; WASHINGTON, July 17 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush Tuesday will call on the richest industrialized nations -- whose summit he attends late this week -- to work harder for global peace and prosperity, US officials said Monday.
UN-G8-Annan: UN chief urges G8 leaders to dig deep for anti-AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2001; GENEVA, July 16 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday urged the world's most industrialised countries, due to meet in Italy this week, to make major contributions to a new global fund targetting AIDS and other killer diseases.
Health-AIDS-G8: World health fund to be launched at G8 summit - Chirac: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2001; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - Leaders from the Group of Eight countries, meeting in Genoa later this week, will officially launch a global health fund to help the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, French President Jacques Chirac said on Monday.
SAfrica-condom: S.African Catholic paper supports condom proposal: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2001; CAPE TOWN, July 16 (AFP) - A Roman Catholic Church newspaper in South Africa supports the proposal of a local bishop to lift the ban on condoms by his church in a bid to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS.
SAfrica-AIDS: SAfrican who gave wife AIDS ordered to pay one million rand: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, July 15 (AFP) - A South African High Court has ordered a man to pay his wife a million rand (121,000 dollars) in damages for infecting her with HIV, it was reported Sunday.
CapeVerde-AIDS: Cape Verde Islands new plan to fight AIDS spread: Agence France-Presse - July 13, 2001; PRAIA, July 13 (AFP) - Cape Verde is expected this autumn to launch a new plan of action against AIDS because of concern about its spread on the islands off West Africa, specialists said in the capital Friday.
Myanmar-opposition: Myanmar democracy activist dies of AIDS in prison: Agence France-Presse - July 13, 2001; YANGON, July 13 (AFP) - A young student democracy activist died of AIDS in prison, a National League for Democracy (NLD) source said Friday.
Germany-AIDS: Germany pledges 130 million dollars to anti-AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - July 13, 2001; BERLIN, July 13 (AFP) - Calling AIDS a matter of global concern, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday pledged 130 million dollars to an anti-AIDS fund UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is trying to put together.
Kenya-AIDS-condoms: Muslim clerics oppose condom importation: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2001; MOMBASA, Kenya, July 11 (AFP) - Kenyan Muslim clerics on Wednesday condemned the government's plans to import and freely distribute hundreds of millions of condoms.
Ukraine-AIDS: Ukraine sets funds aside to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2001; KIEV, July 11 (AFP) - The government in Ukraine, battling one of the highest rates of AIDS infection in eastern Europe, announced Wednesday it will set aside 65 million dollars (75.4 million euros) to fight the epidemic.
US-military-budget: US Senate approves 6.5 billion for military, fight against AIDS: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2001; WASHINGTON, July 11 (AFP) - The US Senate late Tuesday overwhelmingly approved 6.5 billion dollars in supplemental government spending, channeling the bulk of the money to national defense programs favored by President George W. Bush. But the bill, which covers new government expenses for the remainder of the current fiscal year ending on September 30, also contains 100 million dollars for an international fund to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, reflecting growing concern in Washington about the spreading diseases.
G8-health-Japan: G8 summit to unveil fund to combat infectious diseases: report: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2001; TOKYO, July 11 (AFP) - Leaders of the Group of Eight rich nations will announce a plan next week to establish an international health fund in a bid to tackle pandemic diseases, a Japanese daily reported Wednesday.
Argentina-health-AIDS: Progress in development of AIDS vaccine, Argentine conference finds: Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2001; BUENOS AIRES, July 10 (AFP) - Some 3,000 scientists meeting in Argentina on Tuesday were cautiously optimistic about advances being made in developing a vaccine against AIDS.
SAfrica-health: More than quarter of young S.African doctors work abroad: Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2001; EAST LONDON, South Africa, July 10 (AFP) - More than a quarter of all South African doctors who graduated between 1990 and 1997 are currently working abroad, a new study by the South African Medical Association (SAMA) has found.
Brazil-AIDS: Brazil to produce generic anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2001; BRASILIA, July 9 (AFP) - The Brazilian Ministry of Health on Monday registered the first domestically produced generic anti-AIDS drug, which will cost about half as much as the imported brand-name medications.
Nigeria-WBank-AIDS: World Bank approves 90.3 mn dlr loan to Nigerian AIDS programme: Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2001; ABUJA, July 9 (AGP) - The World Bank announced Monday it has approved a 90.3 million dollar interest-free loan to Nigeria to support the government's three-year HIV/AIDS action plan.
OAU-summit: Landmark OAU summit opens in Zambia to 'depart from past ways': Susan Njanji; Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2001; LUSAKA, July 9 (AFP) - More than 35 African leaders met here Monday to "depart from ways of the past" at a historic summit aimed at transforming the 38-year-old Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into an African Union (AU).
SAfrica-condom: Catholic bishop in S. Africa proposes condom use: Agence France-Presse - July 7, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, July 7 (AFP) - A Catholic bishop in South Africa proposes lifting the ban on condoms by his church in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic, The Sunday Times newspaper reports.
Britain-AIDS-people: Elton John's party raises money for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 6, 2001; LONDON, July 6 (AFP) - Rock star Sir Elton John said Friday he was "bowled over" that a celebrity-studded party he threw for his AIDS charity raised one million pounds (1.45 million dollars).
Ireland-blood: Irish haemophiliacs settle HIV action against drug companies: Agence France-Presse - July 5, 2001; DUBLIN, July 5 (AFP) - A lengthy legal action against five international drug firms by Irish haemophiliacs who were infected with HIV by blood products has been settled, the Irish Haemophiliac Society (IHS) said on Thursday.
Ukraine-WB-health: World Bank promises Ukraine money to combat AIDS and tuberculosis: Agence France-Presse - July 5, 2001; KIEV, July 5 (AFP) - The World Bank will provide 58 million dollars (69 million euros) over four years to help Ukraine combat AIDS and tuberculosis epidemics, World Bank officials here said Thursday.
Canada-health-marijuana: Government to issue ID for chronically ill to possess marijuana: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2001; OTTAWA, July 4 (AFP) - Chronically ill Canadians, dying from such illnesses as AIDS and cancer, will be able to carry government-issued photo identity cards showing they can legally possess marijuana, the government revealed Wednesday.
Vietnam-AIDS: Vietnam opens first centre for terminally ill AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2001; HANOI, July 4 (AFP) - Vietnam's first care centre for terminally ill victims of AIDS has opened in Ho Chi Minh City, an official newspaper said Wednesday.
China-AIDS: China hosts AIDS prevention conference: Agence France-Presse - July 2, 2001; BEIJING, July 2 (AFP) - More than 100 Red Cross officials and medical experts held a seminar in China Monday on preventing AIDS in Southeast Asia, state media reported.
UN-Africa: UN says aid to Africa fell one third between 1994 and 1999: Agence France-Presse - July 2, 2001; GENEVA, July 2 (AFP) - Western public aid to Africa fell by a third between 1994 and 1999 while foreign investment in the continent remained at under five percent of all investment in developing countries worldwide, the UN said Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS-vaccine: S.Africa to start human trials with AIDS vaccine next year: Agence France-Presse - July 1, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, July 1 (AFP) - South Africa will next year begin human trials with a new vaccine which is meant to stimulate the body's immune system to fight off HIV infection, it was reported here Sunday.
Britain-royal: Diana remembered on 40th birthday: Agence France-Presse - July 1, 2001; LONDON, July 1 (AFP) - Princess Diana's life was remembered in contrasting fashions Sunday on what would have been her 40th birthday, a new exhibition on her legacy conflicting with criticism of her treatment of AIDS patients.
Kenya-AIDS: Kenya's Moi urges death penalty for those who spread AIDS deliberately: Agence France-Presse - July 1, 2001; NAIROBI, July 1 (AFP) - Kenya's President Daniel arap Moi has called for the death penalty for those who deliberately infected their sexual partners with the HIV virus, which can lead to AIDS, and life imprisonment for rapists, local newspapers reported Sunday.
Tanzania-AIDS: Tanzania's Mkapa urges Africa to step fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 1, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, July 1 (AFP) - Tanzania's President Benjamin Mkapa has urged African countries to step up the fight against HIV and AIDS, saying the disease threatened to wipe out the continent's population.

June

SAfrica-Mbeki-media: Mbeki tries to mend fences with the press: Agence France-Presse - June 30, 2001; PILANESBERG, South Africa, June 30 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki, several ministers and some 60 journalists on Saturday ended an extraordinary meeting aimed at mending the troubled relationship between his government and the press, a report said.
India-AIDS: Quacks in India's northeast hindering early detection of HIV: Agence France-Presse - June 29, 2001; GUWAHATI, June 29 (AFP) - Quack doctors in India's remote northeastern region are preventing the early detection of the HIV virus in infected patients, AIDS workers said Friday.
UN-Annan: "Global citizen" Annan sworn in for second term as head of UN: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 29, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (AFP) - Hailed as "a global citizen", Kofi Annan took the oath of office of UN Secretary General for the second time Friday, saying he hoped in his new term to make individuals feel closer to the organisation.
Germany-AIDS-UN: Church's stand against contraception costs lives - UN official: Agence France-Presse - June 29, 2001; BERLIN, June 29 (AFP) - The Catholic Church's stand against contraception is "a serious mistake which is costing human lives," Peter Piot, head of the UN's joint program against AIDS (ONUSIDA), said Friday in a interview in the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper.
AIDS-UN: Annan urgently seeks contributions to UN's anti-AIDS fund: Francis Temman; Agence France-Presse - June 28, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 28 (AFP) - As the United Nations this week declared war on AIDS, non-governmental organizations on the frontline of combating the disease are attempting to focus attention on the thorny issue of funding.
AIDS-UN-Australia: Australia wary of UN AIDS initiatives: Agence France-Presse - June 28, 2001; CANBERRA, June 28 (AFP) - Australia threatened Thursday to withhold its support for a United Nations-administered global anti-AIDS fund because its spending program remained vague.
Australia-Asia: Aid money for Asia should go to independent NGOs: Thai senator: Agence France-Presse - June 28, 2001; CANBERRA, June 28 (AFP) - A senior Thai politician urged donor nations Thursday to direct funds to privately-operated aid agencies and private sector investment in developing countries rather than governments.
AIDS-UN-peacekeepers: Security Council says UN peacekeepers must help with fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 28, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 28 (AFP) - The Security Council said Thursday that further efforts were needed to involve United Nations peacekeeping troops in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
AIDS-SAfrica-US: AIDS at center of Mbeki visit to US: Jean-Michel Stoullig; Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 27 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki used his visit to the United States to show his commitment to fight the plague of AIDS in his country, but was unable to quiet critics of his controversial positions on the disease.
AIDS-UN: UN General Assembly adopts global plan to fight HIV/AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - Delegates to a historic UN conference adopted a declaration on Wednesday containing a timetable and targets for reversing the AIDS epidemic, which has killed 22 million people.
US-AIDS-Congress: US congressional committee approves 1.36 billion dollars in AIDS funds: Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 27 (AFP) - The US House International Relations committee on Wednesday approved 1.36 billion dollars to help fund the global fight against AIDS, considerably more than what President George W. Bush has proposed.
AIDS-UN-declaration: The main points of the UN's declaration on fighting AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - The declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS to be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday calls for global action to confront a global crisis.
AIDS-UN-Fund: Annan foresees tussle over AIDS fund membership, not money: Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Wednesday he expected more wrangling for control of the global AIDS fund than over allocating the nine billion dollars a year he hoped it would raise.
AIDS-UN-women: Fighting AIDS means empowering women, Annan says: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - Women must be given more power over their lives if the battle against AIDS is to be won, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Wednesday.
AIDS-UN-women-Barbados: Caribbean island strikes contrast on women's empowerment against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - Striking a different tone from others at the UN conference on AIDS, one participant said that in her country, Barbados, inequality between the sexes was not a prominent factor in the spread of AIDS.
UN-Annan: Security Council members hail Annan's reforms, endorse him for second term: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - Members of the Security Council on Wednesday hailed reforms carried out by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during his first five-year term and unanimously endorsed his candidacy for a second mandate.
UN-AIDS-vaccine: AIDS vaccine could be marketed in as little as five years, but pitfalls abound: Francis Temman; Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - An anti-AIDS vaccine could be commercialized in as little as five years but numerous health, economic and industrial pitfalls stand in the way of its manufacture and large-scale distribution, according to researchers and experts attending the UN conference on AIDS here.
AIDS-UN: UN meeting participants reach compromise on declaration on AIDS: Francis Temman; Agence France-Presse - June 27, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (AFP) - Envoys of about 160 countries taking part in a special UN General Assembly session on AIDS have reached agreement on a "compromise" version of a final declaration, a UN official said late Tuesday.
AIDS-UN-business: Multinational companies join the fight against AIDS: Francis Temman; Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 26 (AFP) - While multinational companies are helping their workers, customers and communities fight the spread of AIDS worldwide, they can do more against the pandemic, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Tuesday.
AIDS-Cuba: Cuba offers help of 4,000 doctors to treat AIDS in poor countries: Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2001; HAVANA, June 26 (AFP) - Cuba has offered the services of some 4,000 doctors to the world's poorest countries in their battle against AIDS, the Communist Party newspaper Granma reported Tuesday.
US-health-hospital: Cash crunch closes Washington's only public hospital: Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 26 (AFP) - Washington's only public hospital has closed for lack of funding, leaving a gap in health care access for the US capital city's poorest residents.
AIDS-UN-fund: Major donors slow to announce contributions to AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - Major donor countries failed Monday to provide the UN General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS with specific pledges to the global fund to fight the epidemic.
Iran-drugs-AIDS: Tehran newspaper urges free syringes for addicts to stop AIDS spread: Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2001; TEHRAN, June 26 (AFP) - An Iranian reformist newspaper called Tuesday for free distribution of syringes to drug addicts to stop the spread of AIDS in a country where drug use is rising alarmingly despite heavy penalties.
AIDS-UN-Uganda-witness: Ugandan's story underlines importance of compassion in helping AIDS victims: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - While UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called Monday for compassion and frankness in confronting AIDS, a Ugandan carrying the HIV virus explained the difference this had made to his life.
AIDS-UN-filibuster: Islamic maneuver plunges UN conference on AIDS into disarray: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - Ignoring appeals to avert a "culture war," Muslim states threw the first UN General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS into disarray Monday with a filibuster over the participation of a gay and lesbian movement.
AIDS-UN-Powell: US says it will contribute more to global AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, 25 June (AFP) - The United States said Monday that it would top its own pledge of 200 million dollars to the global fund to fight HIV/AIDS.
AIDS-UN-fund-Canada: Canada announces 47.4-million-dollar US new spending on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - Canada on Monday announced an increase of 73 million Canadian dollars (47.4 million US) in its contribution to global efforts to fight the AIDS epidemic.
AIDS-UN: Discord persists over vulnerable groups at UN conference on AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - Secretary General Kofi Annan told the first UN General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS on Monday that a turning point had been reached in fighting the disease which has killed 22 million people.
WTO-AIDS-Brazil-reax: Brazil expresses "satisfaction" at US decision to withdraw WTO complaint: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; BRASILIA, June 25 (AFP) - The Brazilian government on Monday expressed its "satisfaction" at a decision by Washington to withdraw its complaint at the WTO against Brazilian laws allowing the production of generic anti-HIV/AIDS drugs.
AIDS-UN-fund-Norway: Norway to increase AIDS donations by 110 million dollars over five years: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - Norway announced on Monday that it would donate an additional 110 million dollars to international efforts to fight HIV/AIDS over the next five years, some of it to the global HIV/AIDS fund.
AIDS-UN-Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa is AIDS worst victim: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - Sub-Saharan Africa has felt the devastating impact from AIDS more than any other region of the world, with 25.3 million people there infected with HIV -- 70 percent of the 36.1 million cases globally, UNAIDS data from 2000 show.
WTO-US-Brazil-AIDS: US, Brazil aim to settle AIDS drugs dispute through bilateral mechanism: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 25 (AFP) - The United States has withdrawn its complaint at the WTO against Brazilian laws allowing the production of generic anti-HIV/AIDS drugs and wants to settle the dispute through negotiations, US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said Monday.
AIDS-UN-Annan: Annan appeals for compassion and frankness in fighting AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on world leaders meeting here Monday to show compassion and frankness in confronting the AIDS epidemic that is killing five million people a year.
AIDS-UN-Assembly: UN General Assembly begins debate on HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - The United Nations General Assembly on Monday began a three-day special session on HIV/AIDS with a minute's silence to commemorate the 22 million people who have died of the disease.
AIDS-UN-food: AIDS cuts into food security, FAO says: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (AFP) - The AIDS epidemic is "jeopardizing the basic human right to food for millions of people in the developing world," the director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jacques Diouf, said Monday.
Mozambique-independence: Mozambique leader calls for tolerance on independence day: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; MAPUTO, June 25 (AFP) - Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano on Monday called for the consolidation of national unity in the southern African country through dialogue and tolerance and pledged a major effort to tackle AIDS.
Kenya-AIDS-orphans: Human rights watchdog accuses Kenya of neglecting its AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2001; NAIROBI, June 25 (AFP) - The government of Kenya has failed to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS or whose family members suffer from the disease, Human Rights Watch charged in a report released here on Monday.
AIDS-UN-drugs: Drug companies to face more price cut pressure at UN conference: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical companies are likely to come under pressure at next week's special session of the UN General Assembly to make yet deeper cuts in the price of anti-AIDS drugs to the Third World.
AIDS-UN: AIDS epidemic worse than feared, but "historical forces" at work to reverse it: UN: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (AFP) - World leaders gather Monday to join forces against what one official called "the evil genius" AIDS, which has surpassed experts' worst fears and killed 22 million people since it was first clinically observed 20 years ago.
US-AIDS: Clinton calls on US to contribute to UN funds for AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 24 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Sunday appealed to the United States to be a major contributor to a global funds created by the United Nations to fight the HIV/AIDS virus.
UN-Annan: Anti-AIDS crusader Annan to be reappointed UN chief this week: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (AFP) - By a nice piece of timing, Kofi Annan is set to be appointed to a second five-year term as UN Secretary General on Friday, in the week that member states join forces behind his personal crusade -- the fight against AIDS.
AIDS-UN-drugs: Drug companies to face more price cut pressure at UN conference: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical companies are likely to come under pressure at next week's special session of the UN General Assembly to make yet deeper cuts in the price of anti-AIDS drugs to the Third World.
AIDS-UN-Russia-EEurope: Punishing drug users fuelling risk of AIDS explosion in former USSR: report: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 23, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (AFP) - Authoritarian governments in states of the former Soviet Union which punish illegal drug users are helping to fuel an imminent AIDS explosion, a report by the Open Society Institute said.
Nigeria-beauty-people: New Miss Nigeria after previous holder stripped of crown: Agence France-Presse - June 23, 2001; LAGOS, June 23 (AFP) - Judges in Nigeria have named a new "Miss Nigeria" 2001, Amina Eyo Ekpo, after the previous holder was stripped of her crown for lying about her age and school background, the newspaper group that sponsored this year's pageant announced Saturday.
Health-AIDS-vaccine: Hunt for AIDS vaccine: things slowly start to move: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - June 23, 2001; PARIS, June 23 (AFP) - The quest for a vaccine against HIV, one of the most neglected fronts in the war against AIDS, is starting to make slow yet encouraging progress, some researchers say.
AIDS-UN-US: Powell to lead US delegation to AIDS conference at UN: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (AFP) - Secretary of State Colin Powell will lead the US delegation to next week's UN General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS, the US mission to the United Nations said Friday.
WTO-medicines: WTO sets timeframe for drug patent rules: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; GENEVA, June 22 (AFP) - World Trade Organisation (WTO) members drew up a timeframe Friday for efforts at ensuring that intellectual property rights do not prevent poor countries from getting badly-needed drugs.
Colombia-AIDS: Colombian researchers develop drug to alleviate AIDS symptoms: report: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; COLOMBIA, June 22 (AFP) - A Colombian newspaper reported Friday that a team of Colombian researchers believe they have developed a drug which significantly alleviates the symptoms of AIDS.
AIDS-UN-culture: Avoid "culture war" at AIDS conference, UN says: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (AF) - A special session of the General Assembly next week provides the setting for what one senior UN official called an unnecessary culture war over the moral implications of the fight against AIDS.
US-Botswana: US praises Botswana for efforts to fight AIDS, "blood diamond" trade: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 22 (AFP) - The United States on Friday praised the government of Botswana for its efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS and stemming the trade in so-called "blood diamonds."
Burkina-AIDS: Donors start talks on funding AIDS programme in Burkina Faso: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, June 22 (AFP) - International donors began talks Friday in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou on funding a five-year programme to fight AIDS in the west African country.
UN-AIDS-hunger: UN warns against the vicious circle of AIDS and hunger: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; ROME, June 18 (AFP) - The UN's Rome-based World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday against the vicious circle of AIDS and hunger or malnutrition.
AIDS-UN-Tanzania-Kenya: Tanzanian, Kenyan heads to attend UN AIDS session in New York: Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, June 22 (AFP) - Tanzania's President Benjamin Mkapa will on Saturday travel to New York to attend a three-day UN General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS, the state house said on Friday.
AIDS-UN-facts: South Africa heads UN list of HIV infections: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (AFP) - South Africa has the largest estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS, according to UN data released Thursday ahead of next week's General Assembly special session on the pandemic.
Vietnam-AIDS: Vietnamese man gets eight years in jail for AIDS extortion: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; HANOI, June 22 (AFP) - A Vietnamese man has been jailed for eight years for extorting money from a mother by threatening to infect her children with HIV, the virus which leads to AIDS.
AIDS-Trinidad-religion: Trinidad religious leaders hit lifting of curbs on sale of condoms: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, June 21 (AFP) - Religious leaders in Trinidad are openly opposing the lifting of restrictions on the sale of condoms that were announced Monday by Health Minister Hamza Rafeeq.
AIDS-UN-Fund: UN says global AIDS fund will need 9.2 billion dollars in 2005: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (AFP) - The global fund to fight HIV/AIDS proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will need 9.2 billion dollars in 2005, about half for prevention and half for treatment, senior UN officials said Thursday.
AIDS-UN-Asia-EEurope: UN officials warn of AIDS explosion in Asia and Eastern Europe: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (AFP) - Top UN officials warned Asian and Eastern European leaders Thursday that their lack of political commitment put their countries at risk from an explosion of HIV/AIDS.
AIDS-Haiti: Plan to battle AIDS unveiled in Haiti, Caribbean's hardest hit nation: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; PORT-AU-PRINCE, June 21 (AFP) - Haiti, the Caribbean country most devastated by AIDS, is hoping a multifaceted battle plan against the virus coupled with a voluntary vaccine to control its transmission can stem the disease which kills 100, mostly young, people per day.
AIDS-UN: UN says leadership the key to turning the tide against AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (AFP) - The top UN official on HIV/AIDS, Peter Piot, said Thursday that the pandemic had exceeded the worst fears of a decade ago, and he singled out leadership as the key to turning the tide of infection.
SAfrica-AIDS: S.African AIDS orphans found abandoned, starving: study: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 21 (AFP) - Children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa are starving and sick, unknown to their communities or abandoned by them, while others have turned to prostitution, according to a study released Thursday.
Uzbekistan-AIDS: HIV cases double in former Soviet Uzbekistan: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2001; TASHKENT, June 21 (AFP) - The number of people infected with HIV has doubled over the last year in the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan against a background of increased drug abuse, officials said Thursday.
AIDS-UN-CocaCola: UN joins hands with Coca-Cola to fight AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (AFP) - The joint UN programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) announced Wednesday that it had formed a three-year partnership with Coca-Cola to fight the disease in Africa.
AIDS-UN-ribbon: UN headquarters to light up as red AIDS ribbon this weekend: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (AFP) - As a dramatic visual curtain-raiser to the three-day General Assembly special session on HIV/AIDS, the UN secretariat building will light up this weekend in the form of a huge red AIDS ribbon.
AIDS-UN: UN confident AIDS conference will make a difference: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (AFP) - The General Assembly holds a special session on HIV/AIDS next week, which the UN says should "make a real difference" in the lives of the 36 million people estimated to be infected with the AIDS virus.
AIDS-UN-Gates-US: US lauds Gates contribution to global AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 20 (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday hailed a 100-million-dollar donation to the global HIV/AIDS fund by American computer tycoon Bill Gates and urged others in the private sector to follow suit.
UN-Iraq: Security Council schedules Iraq debate, regrets clash with AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (AFP) - The Security Council on Wednesday scheduled an open debate on Iraq for June 26, saying it regretted the clash of timing with a special session of the UN General Assembly on HIV/AIDS.
Health-sex: Swedish sex "network" shows need for focussed education campaigns: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; PARIS, June 20 (AFP) - The sexual habits of Swedes -- including a man who had had 800 partners -- has cast light on the need to focus anti-AIDS campaigns on a small minority of people with many sex partners rather than on the general public, researchers say.
WTO-medicines: WTO focusses on access to affordable medicines for the poor: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; GENEVA, June 20 (AFP) - World Trade Organisation (WTO) members agreed here Wednesday on the need to clarify patent rules to ensure they do not hinder poorer countries from having access to badly-needed drugs.
Kenya-AIDS-rights: Kenya appoints task force to formulate laws for HIV/AIDS issues: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; MOMBASA, Kenya, June 20 (AFP) - Kenya has appointed a task force to consider challenges posed by HIV/AIDS to its laws, including legal aspects of cheap drug acquisition and human rights, Attorney General Amos Wako announced here on Wednesday.
India-AIDS-drugs: Indian drugmaker offers 'cheapest AIDS drug in the world': Savitri Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; HYDERABAD, India, June 20 (AFP) - Indian drugmaker Aurobindo Pharma said Wednesday that it would supply a three-drug cocktail to treat AIDS at possibly the lowest price in the world as a "humanitarian gesture".
AIDS-Japan: Japan's gaffe-prone ex-premier to attend UN AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2001; TOKYO, June 20 (AFP) - Yoshiro Mori, Japan's gaffe-prone former prime minister, will attend next week's UN AIDS conference in New York, a foreign ministry official said Wednesday.
AIDS-UN-women: UNIFEM urges world leaders to make women central to fighting HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 19 (AFP) - The UN fund for women (UNIFEM) on Tuesday urged world leaders attending next week's AIDS conference to make the fight against sexual inequality central to combating the pandemic.
US-UN-AIDS: US trying to broker compromise on AIDS declaration language: official: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 19 (AFP) - The United States is working to forge a compromise this week over controversial language in a draft UN declaration on AIDS, a US official said Tuesday.
US-Caribbean-AIDS: AIDS in the Caribbean a crisis overlooked, UN experts warn: Jose Antonio Puertas; Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 19 (AFP) - An estimated 360,000 Caribbean residents are infected with HIV/AIDS and the problem could get far worse if social stigmas prevail and prevention and treatment efforts are unheeded, UN officials warned Tuesday.
AIDS-UN-Gates: Bill Gates donates 100 m dollars to global AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 19 (AFP) - US computer tycoon Bill Gates announced a 100-million-dollar donation Tuesday to the global HIV/AIDS fund that is likely to be the centerpiece of next week's UN conference on fighting the epidemic.
UNICEF-AIDS: Discrimination makes women more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS: UN: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2001; GENEVA, June 19 (AFP) - The proportion of women with HIV/AIDS has seen a steady rise in the past few years, driven in many developing countries by gender discrimination, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
Italy-health-AIDS: Italian state told to compensate AIDS-infected hemophiliacs: Agence France-Presse - June 18, 2001; ROME, June 18 (AFP) - A court Monday ordered the Italian state to compensate 351 hemophiliacs who were infected with the virus that causes AIDS or with hepatitis through transfusions of contaminated blood, the victims' lawyers said Monday.
WTO-AIDS-TRIPS: WTO meets to discuss TRIPS agreement: Agence France-Presse - June 18, 2001; GENEVA, June 18 (AFP) - The department of the World Trade Organisation that covers intellectual property rights opened a five-day meeting Monday that is expected to include a debate on the controversial issue of access to drugs in developing countries.
Bulgaria-Libya: Verdict against Bulgarians facing death in Libya due Sept 22: Agence France-Presse - June 17, 2001; SOFIA, June 17 (AFP) - A court in Libya is on September 22 to hand down its verdict against six Bulgarians facing death for allegedly deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV, Bulgarian state television reported Sunday.
Austria-ball: Gay marriage ceremonies help raise AIDS funds at Vienna's Life Ball: Anne Padieu; Agence France-Presse - June 17, 2001; VIENNA, June 17 (AFP) - Gay marriage ceremonies, a kitsch fake chapel and Elton John came together here for this year's annual Life Ball to highlight homosexual rights and raise more than 400,000 euros for AIDS charities.
Bulgaria-Libya: Bulgaria's Simeon worried for six facing death penalty in Libya: Agence France-Presse - June 17, 2001; SOFIA, June 17 (AFP) - Former king Simeon II, the man tipped to take power after this weekend's Bulgarian general elections, expressed his concern Sunday over the fate of six Bulgarians possibly facing the death penalty in Libya.
Bulgaria-Libya: Libyan prosecutor wants death penalty in trial of Bulgarians: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2001; SOFIA, June 16 (AFP) - A prosecutor in Libya has requested the death penalty for seven people, including six Bulgarians, on trial accused of infecting hundreds of Libyan children with the virus that causes AIDS, Bulgarian media said on Saturday.
SAfrica-youth: SAfrica remembers apartheid uprisings, gears for new challenges: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 16 (AFP) - South Africa celebrated Youth Day on Saturday with President Thabo Mbeki honouring the memory of an apartheid-era youth hero and urging the country's youth to face new challenges with the same zeal.
Health-homosexuals: Safe-sex counselling for gays can be counter-productive: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2001; PARIS, June 15 (AFP) - Efforts to educate homosexuals about safe sex may ironically have the opposite effect, prompting them to engage in riskier sexual contact, say British doctors.
Russia-AIDS: Russian AIDS crisis mushrooms as HIV cases double in five months: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2001; MOSCOW, June 15 (AFP) - Russia's AIDS crisis has mushroomed this year, with the number of registered HIV cases doubling over the past five months to 122,000, Russian health ministry official Irina Kochkarova said on Friday.
Austria-ball: Elton John takes to the stage at Vienna's Life Ball: Anne Padieu; Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2001; VIENNA, June 15 (AFP) - The Life Ball, Vienna's star-studded charity knees-up for AIDS projects, has teamed up this year with Britain's veteran pop pianist Elton John for a party devoted to fundraising for African victims.
SAfrica-youth: HIV/AIDS at centre of post-apartheid youth struggle: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 15 (AFP) - South African children rose up against apartheid 25 years ago. Now their enemies are less visible but just as devastating, identified by youth leaders as HIV/AIDS, unemployment and racism.
Indonesia-AIDS: Indonesia wants to make condoms mandatory for sex workers: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2001; JAKARTA, June 15 (AFP) - Indonesia's health minister has suggested making the use of condoms by the country's sex workers mandatory to slow the spread of AIDS, but did not say how the law would be enforced, a report said Friday.
Health-homosexuals: Safe-sex counselling for gays can be counter-productive: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2001; PARIS, June 15 (AFP) - Efforts to educate homosexuals about safe sex may ironically have the opposite effect, prompting them to engage in riskier sexual contact, say British doctors.
Britain-SAfrica: Mbeki meets Blair, talks about Zimbabwe, investment: Peter Kononczuk; Agence France-Presse - June 14, 2001; LONDON, June 14 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki said on the last full day of his official visit to Britain on Thursday that "a lot of things have gone wrong" in Zimbabwe.
EU-summit-US-AIDS: EU, US back global AIDS fund project: Agence France-Presse - June 14, 2001; GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 14 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush and EU leaders Thursday agreed to support the creation of a global fund to combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa.
Nigeria-budget: Nigerian supplementary budget debated in Senate: Agence France-Presse - June 14, 2001; ABUJA, June 14 (AFP) - The Nigerian senate Thursday debated the government's supplementary 2001 budget increasing spending by 133.6 billion naira (1.2 billion dollars at the official exchange rate).
Iran-AIDS: AIDS cases in Iran up 23 percent since November 2000: Agence France-Presse - June 14, 2001; TEHRAN, June 14 (AFP) - The number of people in Iran suffering from full-blown AIDS has shot up 23 percent since November 2000, the health ministry was quoted as saying Thursday.
Thailand-sex: Thai minister suggests AIDS ward tours for teen sex workers: Agence France-Presse - June 14, 2001; BANGKOK, June 14 (AFP) - A Thai government minister has proposed that student prostitutes be taken on tours of AIDS wards as a deterrent to using the sex trade to fund lavish lifestyles and tuition bills.
Britain-SAfrica: Mbeki urges better deal for Africa, heckled over AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 13, 2001; EDINBURGH, June 13 (AFP) - Visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki appealed Wednesday for a better deal for Africa from the richer world.
Kenya-AIDS: Pharmaceutical groups will not contest Kenyan AIDS drugs law: Agence France-Presse - June 13, 2001; NAIROBI, June 13 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical groups will not contest a new Kenyan law that allows the country to import cheaper anti-AIDS drugs for people living with HIV, company representatives told AFP Wednesday.
Thailand-AIDS: License revoked for AIDS "miracle cure," ministry threatens action: Agence France-Presse - June 13, 2001; BANGKOK, June 13 (AFP) - The makers of a purported AIDS "cure" received notice from Thailand's health ministry declaring the substance illegal prior to a mass distribution last weekend, a representative said Wednesday.
India-AIDS: Green mussels hold key to new anti-AIDS drug: Indian scientists: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - June 13, 2001; DONA PAULA, India, June 13 (AFP) - Protein-rich compounds found in green mussels may hold the key to developing an effective low-cost anti-AIDS drug, Indian scientists said Wednesday.
Canada-immigration-AIDS: Canada to test all would-be immigrants for HIV: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2001; OTTAWA, June 12 (AFP) - Canada plans to test all would-be immigrants for AIDS, but won't necessarily ban applicants who test positive, Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan said Tuesday.
Swaziland-health: Swazi health centres get a shot in arm from United States: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2001; MBABANE, June 12 (AFP) - Swazilands rural health centres got a shot in the arm Tuesday when a team of US doctors and nurses promised to provide them with at least 1,000 computers.
Kenya-politics-AIDS: Kenya parliament passes bill to buy cheaper AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2001; NAIROBI, June 12 (AFP) - Kenya's parliament on Tuesday unanimously passed a draft bill to allow the country to import cheaper anti-AIDS drugs for people living with HIV.
UNICEF-AIDS: More than 10 million 15-to-24 year-olds living with HIV/AIDS: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2001; GENEVA, June 12 (AFP) - The United Nations said Tuesday that more than 10 million youths aged 15 to 24 are living with HIV/AIDS around the world, most in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kenya-AIDS: Kenyan AIDS orphans begin taking generic anti-retrovirals: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2001; NAIROBI, June 12 (AFP) - An orphanage in Nairobi on Tuesday launched a ground-breaking programme under which for the first time in Kenya generic anti-retrovirals are officially being dispensed to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Kenya-AIDS: Generic anti-AIDS drugs to be given to Kenyan HIV orphans: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; NAIROBI, June 11 (AFP) - Generic antiretrovirals will from Tuesday be given to 76 Kenyan orphans who have tested HIV-positive, under a ground-breaking programme, a priest spearheading the project said here.
Africa-AIDS-Uganda: Pfizer to fund Africa's first major AIDS facility: Vincent Mayanja; Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; KAMPALA, June 11 (AFP) - Scientists from the United States and Uganda unveiled plans Monday for Africa's first major AIDS facility to train medical personnel and give patients high standards of care.
Britain-SAfrica: Trade, Zimbabwe and AIDS on agenda as Mbeki visits Britain: Peter Kononczuk; Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; LONDON, June 11 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki will arrive in in Britain on Tuesday for a state visit during which he will seek badly-needed investment and may face questions on his policies on Zimbabwe and AIDS.
Pakistan-AIDS: Pakistan launches AIDS awareness programme: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; ISLAMABAD, June 11 (AFP) - Pakistan launched an AIDS awareness campaign Monday to combat social taboos which have muted discussion despite the country's high-risk status, officials said.
Britain-medical-AIDS: Britain's GSK to offer cheap AIDS drugs to 63 poor countries: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; LONDON, June 11 (AFP) - British pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced plans on Monday to offer cheap AIDS treatments to sufferers in 63 of the world's poorest countries.
Kuwait-health: Kuwait detects 900 HIV cases since 1984: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; KUWAIT CITY, June 11 (AFP) - One hundred nationals and 800 foreigners have tested HIV-positive in Kuwait since the start of screening in 1984, a top public health official was quoted as saying Monday.
EU-US: EU-US summit a chance for Bush to estabish global credentials: Allen Nacheman; Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2001; BRUSSELS, June 11 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush holds his first summit with the European Union on Thursday, a chance, some say, to show his mettle as a world leader and dispel an image of a foreign policy lightweight who sees Washington as the navel of the universe.
Thailand-AIDS: Thais clamor for AIDS "miracle drug" ahead of distribution halt: Daniel Lovering; Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2001; BANGKOK, June 10 (AFP) - More than 7,000 AIDS sufferers, some emaciated and weary after hours of travel to the Thai capital, filed into a police station at the weekend to receive what has been touted as a swift "cure" for their illness.
Thailand-AIDS: AIDS "miracle drug" makers to suspend distribution for three weeks: Daniel Lovering; Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2001; BANGKOK, June 10 (AFP) - Makers of a controversial "AIDS cure" said Sunday they would suspend distribution of the pill for three weeks in order to give the Thai health ministry time to consider regulations for the drug.
Cricket-Ban: Bangladeshi skipper to join New York anti-AIDS meet: Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2001; DHAKA, June 10 (AFP) - Bangladeshi skipper Naimur Rahman Sunday said he will leave Dhaka for New York next week to join an anti-AIDS meet at the United Nations.
Singapore-AIDS: Singapore cycling marathon raises cash to help pay AIDS victims' bills: Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2001; SINGAPORE, June 10 (AFP) - A seven-day cycling marathon to heighten awareness of the plight of AIDS victims in Singapore ended Sunday, raising more than 50,000 Singapore dollars (28,000 US) towards their medical care.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Funeral for South African child AIDS hero captures his legacy: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - June 9, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 9 (AFP) - At a funeral service Saturday for the child who woke South Africa up to the impact of AIDS, Nkosi's bright eyes stared down from banners above the challenge that is his legacy: "Care for infected and orphaned children."
SAfrica-AIDS-Piot: UN session on AIDS should make countries accountable: UNAIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 8, 2001; CENTURION, South Africa, June 8 (AFP) - The UN General Assembly session on HIV/AIDS in late June should define what member states plan to do about the pandemic and hold them accountable to this, UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot said Friday.
SAfrica-summit: Southern African summit closes with call for AIDS emergency: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - June 8, 2001; DURBAN, South Africa, June 8 (AFP) - The World Economic Forum (WEF) summit on southern Africa closed here Friday with a call on the region's leaders to declare an emergency on HIV/AIDS.
SADC-AIDS: Anti-AIDS drugs unaffordable for southern Africa: SADC ministers: Agence France-Presse - June 8, 2001; CENTURION, South Africa, June 8 (AFP) - Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are unaffordable for most southern African countries, health ministers from the region said Friday after meeting representatives of pharmaceutical companies.
Swiss-UN-AIDS: Winterthur pledges donation to global health fund: Agence France-Presse - June 8, 2001; WINTERTHUR, Switzerland, June 8 (AFP) - Swiss insurer Winterthur said Friday it was making the first corporate donation, of one million dollars, to a global health fund being set up by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Thailand-AIDS: Thai health experts call for "AIDS cure" handout to be banned: Agence France-Presse - June 8, 2001; BANGKOK, June 8 (AFP) - Thai health experts have called for a mass distribution of a controversial "AIDS cure" to some 10,000 sufferers at a Bangkok sports stadium this weekend to be cancelled, reports said Friday.
UN-children: Poverty, war and AIDS threaten advances on children's well-being: UN: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 7 (AFP) - Poverty, war and AIDS threaten to undermine a decade of progress in the health and education of children, the United Nations children's fund UNICEF said in a report released Thursday.
Tanzania-budget: Tanzania finance minister says government too big: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM, June 7 (AFP) - Tanzania plans to spend 1.95 billion dollars in the 2001/2002 financial year, but the funds are inadequate to meet the needs of a bloated government, Finance Minister Basil Mramba said on Thursday.
SAfrica-summit: Turning point reached in fight against AIDS: UN expert: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2001; DURBAN, South Africa, June 7 (AFP) - Peter Piot, the head of the United Nations' AIDS agency, declared Thursday that Africa, especially southern Africa, had reached a turning point in the fight against the pandemic.
Italy-G8: G8 summit must identify key issues, show leadership: Italian premier: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2001; ROME, June 7 (AFP) - Italy's outgoing prime minister Giuliano Amato said in a commentary published Thursday that an upcoming Group of Eight summit must identify key issues of concern to the world at large and provide solutions.
Kenya-health-AIDS: Some 50,000 Kenyans petition parliament on cheaper AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2001; NAIROBI, June 7 (AFP) - AIDS activists in Kenya handed a petition bearing 50,000 signatures to parliament on Thursday calling for legislation to make medical treatment cheaper.
Zimbabwe-Hunzvi-Mugabe: Mugabe dismisses rumour that war veterans leader died of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2001; HARARE, June 6 (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe Wednesday dismissed widespread rumours that Zimbabwe's war veterans leader Chenjerai Hitler Hunzvi had died from an AIDS-related illness.
UN-Pfizer-AIDS: Pfizer to give away AIDS drug to 50 poor countries: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, June 6 (AFP) - US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced Wednesday it would provide 50 of the world's poorest countries with unlimited supplies of the drug Diflucan to treat AIDS patients free of charge.
SAfrica-summit: Mbeki calls on Africans to unite behind economic recovery plan: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2001; DURBAN, South Africa, June 6 (AFP) - South African president Thabo Mbeki called on African leaders at the opening of a regional economic summit Wednesday to unite behind his Millennium Africa Recovery Plan (MAP).
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Service for S.African child AIDS icon celebrates his legacy: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 6 (AFP) - Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to pay tribute to child AIDS icon and activist Nkosi Johnson, who died aged 12 last Friday in his sleep after fighting for acceptance of people with HIV/AIDS.
US-AIDS-Congress: AIDS legislation would increase monies to fight the disease: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 6 (AFP) - Republican Representative Henry Hyde on Wednesday introduced legislation that would increase monies to fight HIV/AIDS as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat the global pandemic.
Russia-AIDS: 37,00 new cases of HIV in Russia this year: expert: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2001; MOSCOW, June 6 (AFP) - There have been 37,000 new HIV-AIDS cases in Russia so far thise year, bringing the total to 124,000, according to Vadim Pokrovski, head of Russia's anti-AIDS centre.
SAfrica-AIDS-UN: AIDS epidemic has only just started: UNAIDS director: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2001; CAPE TOWN, June 5 (AFP) - The United Nations warned here Tuesday, on the 20th anniversary of the discovery of AIDS, that the epidemic had only "just started" though more than 36 million people are infected and 22 million people have died.
AIDS-Botswana-SAfrica: Botswana to provide free AIDS drugs; S.Africa maintains "no": Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2001; GABORONE, June 5 (AFP) - Botswana, the country with the world's highest HIV infection rate, will provide free antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to all sufferers, President Festus Mogae announced.
Switzerland-AIDS: Swiss lab says new AIDS drug is far more effective than AZT: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2001; GENEVA, June 5 (AFP) - Researchers in Geneva said Tuesday they have developed a drug capable of curbing the onset of AIDS that is two million times as potent as the most commonly used medicine, AZT -- although it may be six years before the substance can be marketed.
UN-health-fund: Health officials want global fund operational by year's end: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2001; GENEVA, June 5 (AFP) - A new global health fund for combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis should be up and running by the end of the year, health officials recommended here at a weekend meeting.
US-Thai-boy: HIV-positive Thai boy can remain in US, judge rules: Agence France-Presse - June 4, 2001; LOS ANGELES, June 4 (AFP) - A three-year-old Thai boy brought to the United States as a human decoy in an immigrant smuggling scheme should be allowed to stay in the country until he is 18, a federal judge ruled Monday.
US-AIDS-gays: Complacency threatens fight against AIDS, activists say: Ana Maria Echeverria; Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2001; NEW YORK, June 3 (AFP) - Twenty years after it first appeared here, AIDS no longer threatens many gay New Yorkers, a fact that terrifies activists who remember the deadly disease's toll.
G8-Japan-AIDS: G8 to set up fund on AIDS, infectious diseases: report: Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2001; TOKYO, June 3 (AFP) - The Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized nations will create a fund to help the world battle against AIDS and other infectious diseases, a Japanese newspaper said Sunday.
Zimbabwe-AIDS: Zero population growth for Zimbabwe: report: Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2001; HARARE, June 3 (AFP) - Zimbabwe will have zero percent population growth next year, mainly because of the AIDS pandemic which is ravaging the country, state television has reported.
AIDS-Africa: AIDS ravaging Africa, but counter-measures increasing: Hugh Nevill; Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 3 (AFP) - AIDS has killed some 15 million people in Africa over the past 20 years, and and more than 25 million Africans are HIV-positive, according to the UN agency UNAIDS.
Singapore-AIDs: Singaporean pedallers out to put brakes on AIDS prejudice: Bernice Han; Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2001; SINGAPORE, June 3 (AFP) - More than 30 cyclists set out on a 900-kilometre (560 mile) fund-raising ride Monday to expose what they see as prejudice against AIDS victims in Singapore and to raise 100,000 Singapore dollars (55,555 US) towards their medical care.
Asia-AIDS: AIDS exacting a staggering impact on Asia: Martin Parry; Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2001; HONG KONG, June 3 (AFP) - Twenty years after the AIDS virus was discovered the impact on Asia has been staggering.
Bulgaria-Libya: Bulgarian PM questions fairness of Libyan HIV trial: Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2001; LONDON, June 2 (AFP) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov expressed concern on Saturday about the fairness of the trial in Libya of six Bulgarian medical workers accused of infecting hundreds of children with the virus that causes AIDS, the BBC reported, citing the Bulgarian news agency BTA.
Libya-Bulgaria-AIDS: Bulgarians accused in AIDS cause retract confessions: Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2001; TRIPOLI, June 2 (AFP) - Six Bulgarians and a Palestinian accused of contaminating 393 Libyan children with the AIDS virus, retracted their earlier confessions during a new hearing Saturday before a Libyan court where they have been on trial since February 7.
US-AIDS: United States marks somber 20th anniversary of AIDS: Leon Bruneau; Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 2 (AFP) - On June 5, 1981, the first cases of infection by a mysterious and murderous illness were discovered among five gay men living in Los Angeles.
SAfrica-Nkosi-speech: Nkosi Johnson's speech at the International AIDS Conference: Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 1 (AFP) - Nkosi Johnson, the 12-year-old boy who came to symbolise South Africa's fight against HIV/AIDS, died at his Johannesburg home early Friday.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi-reax: Tributes pour in for Nkosi, S Africa's child AIDS icon: Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 1 (AFP) - Tributes poured in Friday for South Africa's AIDS icon Nkosi Johnson, who died in the early hours of the morning, commending the courage of the 12-year-old boy who came to symbolise the fight against HIV/AIDS and discrimination.
Britain-health-AIDS: Big jump in new HIV/AIDS cases in Britain: Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2001; LONDON, June 1 (AFP) - The number of people in Britain diagnosed with the virus that causes AIDS is at an all-time high, nearly 20 years after the first cases came to light in the United States, British officials said Friday.
Zimbabwe-AIDS-drugs: EU grants Zimbabwe 33 million euros to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2001; HARARE, June 1 (AFP) - Zimbabwe will this year get a 33 million euro grant from the European Union to fight HIV/AIDS despite a call this year by the EU parliament to suspend aid to the southern African country, a commission official said Friday.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Nkosi, S Africa's child symbol in the war on AIDS, dies aged 12: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, June 1 (AFP) - Nkosi Johnson, the 12-year-old boy who came to symbolise South Africa's fight against HIV/AIDS, died peacefully at his Johannesburg home early Friday, his foster mother Gail Johnson announced.
UN-health-China: Annan regrets China's action against anti-AIDS activist: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2001; WASHINGTON, June 1 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan late Thursday expressed regret that a determined Chinese anti-AIDS crusader was blocked from attending an international health conference where she was to have received a prestigious award.

May

US-AIDS: Sharp increase in HIV-infection among young, gay blacks: study: Leon Bruneau; Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 31 (AFP) - The United States is at a critical threshold in the fight against AIDS, officials at the Centers for Disease Control said Thursday, releasing a report showing a significant increase in the infection rate of black gay males.
Africa-AIDS: African insurers to set up special bodies to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; ABIDJAN, May 31 (AFP) - African insurance firms and UNAIDS are to form special committees to plan country-specific strategies to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the African Insurers' Organisation said Thursday.
Russia-Soros: Financier Soros warns of Russian health crisis: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; MOSCOW, May 31 (AFP) - US financier and philanthropist George Soros warned of a looming AIDS-related health crisis in Russia Thursday as he kicked off a five-day visit with talks with deputy prime minister Valentina Matviyenko.
UN-AIDS-fund: Up to 95 percent of HIV-positive probably ignorant of fact: UNAIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; GENEVA, May 31 (AFP) - Up to 95 percent of people infected with the HIV virus in developing countries probably do not know they are carriers, making investment in preventing the virus from spreading crucial, UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot said here on Thursday.
SAfrica-France: Jospin promises France will aid Africa, announces AIDS donation: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 31 (AFP) - French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin pledged before South Africa's parliament Thursday that France would be a "loyal and respectful" friend to Africa.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: S.Africa's child AIDS icon remains critically ill: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, May 31 (AFP) - South Africa's 12-year-old AIDS icon Nkosi Johnson remains critically ill, his foster mother said Thursday, dismissing a charge that he was better and that she was concealing this for financial gain.
Thailand-AIDS: Thailand to host international AIDS conference in 2004: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2001; BANGKOK, May 31 (AFP) - Thailand has been chosen to host a global AIDS conference in 2004 after the venue was shifted from Canada to highlight the extent of the crisis in the Asia Pacific region, officials said Thursday.
US-HIV-testing: US reviewing State Department policy on pre-employment HIV testing: Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 30 (AFP) - The US State Department is reviewing its policy on pre-employment HIV testing of foreign nationals employed at US missions abroad, a department spokesman said Wednesday.
Thompson-people: Actress Emma Thompson to take year off for charity: Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2001; LONDON, May 30 (AFP) - British actress Emma Thompson is planning to spend a year away from stage and screen to do charity work in Africa, it was revealed on Wednesday.
EU-drugs: EU urges pharmaceutical price cuts for Third World countries: Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2001; BRUSSELS, May 30 (AFP) - The European Commission said on Wednesday it had urged the international pharmaceuticals industry to cut to the bone prices on medicines for communicable diseases such as AIDS for developing countries.
Africa-Bank-economy: African Development Bank meeting seeks ways to reduce poverty: Judi Rever; Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2001; VALENCIA, Spain, May 30 (AFP) - Experts attending an African Development Bank (ADB) meeting Wednesday said Africans needed to diversify their resource-based economies and become active in trade negotiations to lift the continent out of poverty.
China-AIDS: Chinese villagers dying of AIDS make desperate appeal for help: Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2001; BEIJING, May 30 (AFP) - A group of peasants from a village in central China devastated by AIDS said Wednesday the government had done almost nothing to help the dying, the orphaned or those too poor to buy medicine.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: Free condoms in schools urged for S. Africa: Agence France-Presse - May 29, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 29 (AFP) - A South African provincial health minister called Tuesday for free condoms to be distributed to schoolchildren as young as 12.
China-AIDS: Doctor fighting for Chinese AIDS victims banned from going to US: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - May 29, 2001; BEIJING, May 29 (AFP) - A 74-year-old retired doctor battling uncaring officials to provide vital help to AIDS-stricken villagers in central China has been banned from going to the United States to receive a prestigious humanitarian award.
ICoast-AIDS: African insurers vow to join fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic: Agence France-Presse - May 28, 2001; ABIDJAN, May 28 (AFP) - African insurance firms will join in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic and discuss the issue on the sidelines of a meeting of the African Insurers' Organisation, an official said Monday.
Kenya-health-AIDS: AIDS activists in Kenya launch campaign for cheap drugs bill: Agence France-Presse - May 28, 2001; NAIROBI, May 28 (AFP) - AIDS activists in Kenya launched a nationwide petition campaign Monday to gather support for legislation set for parliamentary debate next week aimed at making AIDS treatments cheaper.
US-Africa-AIDS: US to give 50 million dollars to anti-AIDS programmes in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2001; KAMPALA, May 27 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday the United States would provide 50 million dollars (58 million euros) over five years to finance anti-AIDS programmes in Uganda.
ICoast-AIDS: African women's group calls for systematic HIV testing: Agence France-Presse - May 26, 2001; ABIDJAN, May 26 (AFP) - An organisation of African women deputies on Saturday called on the Ivorian government and groups fighting the HIV-AIDS epidemic to consider adopting systematic testing for the deadly virus.
US-Africa-Kenya: Colin Powell arrives in Kenya on US-Africa tour: Agence France-Presse - May 26, 2001; NAIROBI, May 26 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived Saturday in Kenya and headed from the airport to State House for talks with President Daniel arap Moi, during an Africa tour representing the new US administration.
UN-AIDS: Row over gays and drug-users hits UN conference on HIV/AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (AFP) - Preparations for a major UN conference on HIV/AIDS have run into difficulties over the hard line demanded by some Muslim countries on homosexuals, drug-users and prostitutes, UN sources said Friday.
SAfrica-Us: Powell pledges aid to Africa, but calls for democracy: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, May 25 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell pledged continued American aid to Africa Friday, but called for democracy and open markets.
SAfrica-US-Soweto": Powell, 'the African,' takes the pulse of a black township: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2001; SOWETO, South Africa, May 25 (AFP) - Colin Powell -- "the African" -- took the pulse of the South African township of Soweto Friday, swaying and singing with AIDS activists and crouching beside youngsters at computers.
UN-Botswana-AIDS: 85 new HIV infections registered in Bostwana daily: UN official: Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2001; GENEVA, May 25 (AFP) - Botswana, the world's most AIDS-affected country, sees 85 new cases of HIV infection registered every day, a UN official said here on Friday.
SAfrica-US: Powell calls for tougher action on Zimbabwe, visits AIDS clinic: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2001; SOWETO, South Africa, May 25 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell called Friday in South Africa for tougher action over the crisis in Zimbabwe -- blaming much of it on President Robert Mugabe -- and said he would press for more US funding to counter AIDS.
US-UN-Congress: Senate Democrats tell Kofi Annan HIV/AIDS will be a priority: Agence France-Presse - May 24, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 24 (AFP) - Senate Democrats meeting with Kofi Annan here Thursday told the UN Secretary General that the fight against HIV/AIDS would be a priority for the upper chamber.
SAfrica-US: Powell praises Mbeki's leadership: Christophe de Rocquefeuil and Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - May 24, 2001; PRETORIA, May 24 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell met with South African President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria Thursday and gave a public vote of confidence in the leadership of the much criticised head of state.
SAfrica-US: Zimbabwe, AIDS, and Mbeki's MAP plan top Powell agenda: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - May 23, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, May 23 (AFP) - The political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, the AIDS pandemic, and a plan to redefine Africa's relationship with the developed world are expected to top the agenda when US Secretary of State Colin Powell jets into Pretoria on Thursday.
FAO-meet: FAO to assess world food security situation: Agence France-Presse - May 23, 2001; ROME, May 23 (AFP) - The Committee on World Food Security (CFS), a policy forum for FAO and UN member countries, will assess the world food security situation and consider the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security during a four-day meeting starting Monday.
Africa-Ladies-AIDS: African first ladies vow to fight spread of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 23, 2001; KIGALI, May 23 (AFP) - The wives of 11 African heads of state ended a summit here vowing to push for national AIDS policies aimed at halting the spread of the disease among women and youth.
WHO-health-AIDS: World health chiefs differ on AIDS policy, budget shortfall: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2001; GENEVA, May 22 (AFP) - World health officials on Tuesday closed an annual assembly dominated by discussions on the acccess to anti-AIDS drugs and a disagreement between rich and poor countries over a 20 million dollar funding shortfall for 2002.
COMESA-AIDS: COMESA chairman urges Africa to fight "war" against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2001; CAIRO, May 22 (AFP) - Africa must unite to fight the "war" against the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is threatening millions of people across the continent, the chairman of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) said Tuesday.
UN-AIDS: UN summit organisers stress global threat of HIV/AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - May 21, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (AFP) - Organisers of a special UN conference on AIDS appealed to the world Monday to understand that the disease is a fast-spreading threat to the security of entire countries that demands global action.
China-AIDS: AIDS stricken family battle for compensation in China's courts: Agence France-Presse - May 21, 2001; SHANGHAI, May 21 (AFP) - A father and daughter infected with HIV from a contaminated blood transfusion are battling for compensation in a landmark court case, a report said Monday.
Africa-Ladies-AIDS: African First Ladies against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2001; KIGALI, May 20 (AFP) - Eleven African First Ladies held their own summit in Rwanda's capital Kigali Sunday as part of the fight against AIDS which includes 25 million sufferers in Africa.
Bulgaria-Libya: Bulgarian FM asks ex-king to make clear his Libya trial tactics: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2001; SOFIA, May 20 (AFP) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadejda Mikhailova has requested a meeting with ex-king Simeon II who is to be asked to explain his tactics in "helping" six Bulgarians on trial in Libya for allegedly spreading the HIV virus.
SAfrica-AIDS-business: S.African business in denial about AIDS: Anglo American director: Agence France-Presse - May 18, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 18 (AFP) - South African companies have failed to realise the extent of the HIV/AIDS crisis here and wrongly believe that their well-paid white workers are not infected with the disease, an executive director of Anglo American said Friday.
Uganda-AIDS: Uganda targets businesses to fight AIDS in the workplaces: Vincent Mayanja; Agence France-Presse - May 18, 2001; KAMPALA, May 18 (AFP) - The Ugandan business community has joined the fight against HIV/AIDS, announcing steps to combat the disease which has killed up to 834,000 people since it was diagnosed in the country in 1982, officials said Friday.
WTO-US: US supports "focused agenda" for new global trade round: trade rep: Agence France-Presse - May 18, 2001; GENEVA, May 18 (AFP) - US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said Friday that Washington favoured a "focused agenda" for the next round of global trade liberalisation talks, which could be launched later this year.
US-Africa: Bush's point man for Africa focuses on "stopping the wars", AIDS pandemic: Agence France-Presse - May 17, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 17 (AFP) - President George W. Bush's point man for Africa on Thursday pledged that the United States would focus on resolving the continent's devastating wars and helping tackle the AIDS pandemic there.
Gabon-Africa-Ladies: African First Ladies hold peace summit: Agence France-Presse - May 17, 2001; LIBREVILLE, May 17 (AFP) - Twelve African presidents' wives met Thursday in Gabon for a summit on a range of issues, from helping people with AIDS in conflict zones to providing care for children and the displaced.
WHO-Annan-AIDS: Annan urges global partnership in AIDS battle: Agence France-Presse - May 17, 2001; GENEVA, May 17 (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called Thursday for global unity in the fight against HIV/AIDS and said both leadership and resources were crucial.
SAfrica-IISS: Pretoria rejects IISS criticism of Mbeki: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; PRETORIA, May 16 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki's office rejected criticism Wednesday of the president's leadership and his policies on race, AIDS and Zimbabwe by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Jordan-UN-children: Jordan's Queen Rania launches UN campaign to protect children: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; AMMAN, May 16 (AFP) - Queen Rania of Jordan on Wednesday signed the "Say Yes for Children" document officially launching a UN campaign aimed at collecting millions of pledges across the world to protect children.
UNICEF-violence: 60 percent of children face violence, aggression at home: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; BERLIN, May 16 (AFP) - Six out of 10 children say they face violence or aggression at home, according to a UNICEF poll in Europe and central Asia released in Berlin Wednesday.
UN-LDC-AIDS: "Single issue" AIDS fund for poorest countries not answer - Nielson: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; BRUSSELS, May 16 (AFP) - Establishment of a global fund aimed solely at treating and eradicating AIDS in the world's poorest countries will not solve their basic problem, European Commissioner for Development Poul Nielson said here Wednesday.
France-AIDS: 100 guinea pigs sought for French AIDS research: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; PARIS, May 16 (AFP) - French researchers are looking for 100 human guinea pigs to test new vaccines against AIDS, the National Agency for AIDS Research said Wednesday.
CentrAsia-AIDS: HIV threatens "epidemic" proportions in Central Asia: UN: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; ALMATY, May 16 (AFP) - The number of people infected with HIV in former Soviet Central Asia could reach epidemic proportions, a UN-sponsored conference in Kazakhstan heard Wednesday.
UNICEF-Asia: East Asia's children need greater protection: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2001; BEIJING, May 16 (AFP) - Children in East Asia and the Pacific are living longer and more are being educated compared with 10 years ago, but regional governments need to protect them from threats such as AIDS, UNICEF said Wednesday.
UN-LDC-US: US announces development aid plans for poorest countries: Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2001; BRUSSELS, May 15 (AFP) - The United States will increase spending for its education and debt relief programs to help the world's poorest countries, mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, a top US official said Tuesday.
SAfrica-sport-AIDS: Lack of free sports broadcasts fuels AIDS in S. Africa: claim: Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 15 (AFP) - The lack of free sports broadcasting in South Africa is fueling sexual activity among young people and contributing to the spread of AIDS, an African National Congress member of parliament claimed Tuesday.
Australia-US-marijuana: Australian state to trial marijuana despite US decision: Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2001; SYDNEY, May 15 (AFP) - The Australian state of New South Wales is to trial the medical benefits of marijuana despite a US decision to ban it for medicinal purposes, state Premier Bob Carr said Tuesday.
WHO-assembly: Brundtland targets tobacco, malaria, AIDS as WHO priorities: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2001; GENEVA, May 14 (AFP) - World Health Organization chief Gro Harlem Brundtland Monday targeted the fight against tobacco consumption, malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and mental illness as WHO priorities for the coming year.
Romania-childsex: German with AIDS jailed in Romania for paedophilia: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2001; BUCHAREST, May 14 (AFP) - A Romanian court on Monday sentenced a German AIDS sufferer to three-and-a-half years in prison for having sexual relations with minors, court officials said.
UN-LDC: UN-EU conference targets aid to Earth's poorest countries: Allen Nacheman; Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2001; BRUSSELS, May 14 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and a host of other world leaders Monday opened a week-long conference aimed at breaking the cycle of misery and despair in the world's least developed countries (LDCs).
UN-LDC-WBank: No trade benefit for LDCs before basic reforms: W. Bank chief: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2001; BRUSSELS, May 14 (AFP) - Talks on extending the benefits of globalization to the developing world are futile unless basic political and infrastructure reforms are implemented, World Bank President James Wolfensohn said Monday.
Africa-AIDS: AIDS leaves 12 million orphans in sub-Sahara: British charity: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2001; LONDON, May 14 (AFP) - More than 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa -- equivalent to every child in Britain under the age of 15 -- have been orphaned by AIDS, according to a report Monday by the British charity Christian Aid.
UNICEF-Asia: Asia's children lack basic knowledge about AIDS: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2001; BEIJING, May 14 (AFP) - Children in East Asia and the Pacific are woefully unprepared to deal with the rapidly growing threat of AIDS, according to a survey by the UN children's fund (UNICEF) released Monday.
SAfrica-health: World family doctors' conference starts in S.Africa: Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2001; DURBAN, South Africa, May 13 (AFP) - More than 2,000 delegates from about 60 countries are attending the 16th World Congress of Family Doctors (WONCA), opening Sunday in the Indian Ocean city of Durban, a WONCA spokeswoman said Sunday.
Bulgaria-Libya: Libyan trial of Bulgarians over HIV charges adjourned again: Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2001; SOFIA, May 13 (AFP) - The trial in Libya of six Bulgarians accused of deliberately infecting 393 Libyan children with the HIV virus was adjourned on Sunday for the twelfth time, Bulgarian state television reported.
SAfrica-condoms: S. African men 'too big' for standard condoms: prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, May 13 (AFP) - South African men are "too big" for standard condoms issued by the government, according to a national survey of prostitutes, The Sunday Times newspaper reported.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: S.Africa's AIDS activists turn to private sector as state dithers: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 13 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists have given up on the government for the moment and are now looking to business to bring affordable treatment to sufferers.
Russia-prostitution-AIDS: Prostitute jailed for spreading AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 12, 2001; MOSCOW, May 12 (AFP) - A prostitute in the Russian Urals city of Yekaterinburg has been sentenced to six years in prison for continuing to work despite being HIV postive, the Interfax news agency reported.
US-AIDS-fund: Annan hopes US contribution to AIDS fund will spur others: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 11 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan hopes Europe will be quick to contribute to the global AIDS-fighting fund, UN sources said after the United States pledged 200 million dollars to the fund on Friday.
US-AIDS-fRANCE: Chirac welcomes Bush AIDS initative: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 11 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac on Friday welcomed President George W.Bush's promise of 200 million dollars to fight AIDS and reaffirmed his own country's commitment to the struggle.
US-Brazil-AIDS: Oxfam says US hampers Brazil's anti-AIDS fight, urges end to WTO complaint: Nathaniel Harrison; Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 11 (AFP) - Oxfam America on Friday accused the United States of trying to scuttle Brazil's fight against HIV/AIDS, charging that in pursuing a trade complaint at the WTO, it was acting at the "behest" of big drug companies.
Cannes-film-ABCAfrica: Loose documentary on Ugandan AIDS orphans screens at Cannes: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2001; CANNES, France, May 11 (AFP) - The deepening plight of Africa's millions of AIDS sufferers rarely attracts the world's attention these days, and, when it does, compassion has been leached away by the sheer scale of the problem.
US-AIDS: Bush pledges 200 million dollars to fight AIDS: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 11 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Friday promised 200 million dollars to fight the global scourge of AIDS as he welcomed Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to the White House.
SAfrica-AIDS-politics: S.African MP goes public on family ordeal with AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 11, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 11 (AFP) - A South African MP's heart-rending account of her daughter's struggle with HIV may help break the silence around the disease, activists said Friday.
US-Africa-Powell: Powell to tour Africa this month with focus on AIDS, development: Agence France-Presse - May 10, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 10 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell is to travel to four African countries this month before heading to a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Hungary, the State Department said Thursday.
UN-US-AIDS: Bush to discuss AIDS with Annan, Obasanjo Friday: UN: Agence France-Presse - May 10, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will go to Washington on Friday to discuss his proposal for global AIDS fund of up to 10 billion dollars a year with US President George Bush, Annan's spokesman said.
FAO-AIDS-Africa: HIV/AIDS slashes rural workforce in many African countries: FAO: Agence France-Presse - May 10, 2001; ROME, May 10 (AFP) - Deaths caused by HIV/AIDS in the 10 hardest hit African countries could cut the rural workforce there by a quarter by 2020, a report issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Thursday.
Kenya-AIDS: Kenyan MPs urged to vote for cheaper AIDS drugs: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - May 10, 2001; NAIROBI, May 10 (AFP) - AIDS activists in Kenya on Thursday urged MPs to keep "life-saving safeguards" when reviewing legislation concerning drug patents and to be wary of the intentions of big pharmaceutical firms.
Burkina-Aids-medicines: Drugs majors agree price cuts for AIDS drugs in Burkina Faso: Agence France-Presse - May 9, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, May 9 (AFP) - Burkina Faso's Health Minister Pierre Tapsoba said on Wednesday an accord had been struck between three pharmaceutical laboratories to lower by up to 96 percent the price of retroviral AIDS drugs for the west African country.
IMF-SAfrica: IMF voices concern over impact of AIDS on SAfrican economy: Agence France-Presse - May 9, 2001; WASHINGTON, May 9 (AFP) - The IMF on Wednesday commended South African authorities for their management of the economy, but warned that the HIV/AIDS pandemic threatened "far-reaching" economic consequences, including lower growth and greater poverty levels.
UN-Olympic: IOC to donate 100,000 dollars to UN global AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 8 (AFP) - The International Olympic Committee will match a 100,000-dollar donation by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to a global fund for fighting HIV/AIDS, Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC president, said Tuesday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: S. African private sector is promised cut-price AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 8 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb on Tuesday promised a "significant reduction" in the price of AIDS drugs to South Africa's private sector, a move hailed by activists as likely to prolong tens of thousands of lives.
India-drugs-AIDS: India's Cipla slashes price of anti-AIDS drug in domestic market: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2001; NEW DELHI, May 8 (AFP) - Indian pharmaceutical firm Cipla Ltd, internationally recognised for selling a radically cheap anti-AIDS drug, said Tuesday it had cut its prices by 15 percent for the domestic market.
Haiti-AIDS: Haiti launches five-year plan to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2001; PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 7 (AFP) - A UN-backed project to fight AIDS was launched here Monday, in a ceremony attended by Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: Anglo-American, other S. African firms planning AIDS treatment: Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, May 7 (AFP) - South African mining giant Anglo American is planning to provide treatment to all employees in southern Africa with HIV or AIDS -- about 20 percent of its workforce -- an Anglo executive said Monday.
Kenya-AIDS: In the fight against AIDS, Kenyan widows reject forced remarriage: Juliette Hollier-Larousse; Agence France-Presse - May 5, 2001; MUMIAS, Kenya, May 5 (AFP) - If Mariam Salim had observed local tradition, she would, on the death of her husband, have been obliged to marry another member of his family, such as a brother-in-law or uncle.
UN-Annan-award: Annan wins Philadelphia Liberty Medal, gives cash award for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 3, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 3 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has been named the recipient of this year's Philadelphia Liberty Medal and will donate the 100,000-dollar cash award to fighting HIV/AIDS, his spokesman said Thursday.
Turkey-health-AIDS: Turkey compensates two families over AIDS-tainted blood: Agence France-Presse - May 3, 2001; ISTANBUL, May 3 (AFP) - Two Turkish families infected with the HIV virus following blood tranfusions won their court case Thursday against the Turkish Red Crescent and health ministry, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Bulgaria-Libya-trial: Bulgaria fears Libya will politicize trial of six for HIV contamination: Agence France-Presse - May 3, 2001; SOFIA, May 3 (AFP) - Bulgaria warned Libya Thursday against exploiting for political purposes a trial of six Bulgarians accused of infecting 393 Libyan children with the HIV virus.
Vietnam-AIDS: More than 34,000 Vietnamese HIV-positive: Agence France-Presse - May 3, 2001; HANOI, May 3 (AFP) - More than 34,000 people have been infected with the HIV virus in Vietnam and the number of cases is increasing rapidly each month, a ministry of public health official said Thursday.
UN-AIDS-Brazil: Brazil defends policy on anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, May 2 (AFP) - Brazil, the developing country which claims the greatest success in fighting HIV/AIDS, hit back Wednesday at US criticism of its policy of lifting patent protection on imported anti-retroviral drugs.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: Prostitutes study truck drivers in S. Africa, find high HIV rate: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2001; CAPE TOWN, May 2 (AFP) - Prostitutes who questioned long distance truck drivers in South Africa and took spit samples found that a third of those surveyed always stopped for sex during journeys, and more than half tested HIV-positive, according to a study made public Wednesday.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigerian church demands AIDS-free certificates before marriage: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2001; LAGOS, May 1 (AFP) - The Baptist Church in Nigeria is refusing to marry couples unless they present certificates proving they are free of the HIV virus that causes AIDS, Nigeria's Guardian newspaper reported Tuesday.
Malaysia-AIDS: Multinationals to slash prices for AIDS drugs: Malaysian consultant: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (AFP) - Several multinational pharmaceutical companies will soon announce big price cuts for drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases in Malaysia, a consultant said Tuesday.
Kenya-AIDS-children: Nyumbani: a home for HIV positive children in Kenya: Emmanuel Giroud; Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2001; NAIROBI, May 1 (AFP) - Eighteen-month-old Edel is one of the 75 residents of Nyumbani, the first hospice for HIV positive children in Kenya.
Cambodia-AIDS: Cambodian HIV rate drops as deaths rise: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2001; PHNOM PENH, May 1 (AFP) - The number of adults infected with HIV in Cambodia, one of Asia's worst-affected countries, is on the decline, a report said Tuesday.

April

Money-WBank: World Bank steering committee highlights trade as anti-poverty tool: Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 30 (AFP) - World Bank policymakers on Monday highlighted the role of trade in the campaign to eradicate poverty and said the institution should step up efforts to secure increased access to global markets for poor countries.
Money-AIDS: World Bank says AIDS plan imminent, no war chest yet: David Williams; Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 30 (AFP) - World Bank and IMF policymakers said Monday a global anti-AIDS battle plan was imminent but there was no agreement yet on financing to fight the disease in poor countries.
US-trade-AIDS: US pledges to continue "flexible" approach on AIDS drug patents: Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 30 (AFP) - The United States on Monday pledged to stick with a "flexible" approach to the distribution of patented AIDS drugs in developing countries but said there remained a need for intellectual property protection.
Britain-Burundi-AIDS: Burundi signs cheap AIDS medicine deal with GSK: Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2001; LONDON, April 30 (AFP) - Burundi has signed a deal with global pharmaceuticals giants to receive AIDS drugs at discounts of up to 90 percent, British group GlaxoSmithKline said Monday.
Africa-AIDS-summit: African leaders under pressure to deliver after AIDS summit pledges: Abhik Kumar Chanda and Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2001; ABUJA, April 28 (AFP) - After making hefty cash pledges for the battle against AIDS in Africa's biggest-ever summit on the disease, some 50 heads of state were Saturday already facing pressure to deliver.
Bulgaria-Libya-HIV: Libyan trial of Bulgarians over HIV charges adjourned again: Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2001; SOFIA, April 28 (AFP) - The trial of six Bulgarians accused of deliberately infecting nearly 400 Libyan children with the HIV virus was adjourned on Saturday for the eleventh time, Bulgarian state radio reported.
Zimbabwe-RedCross: International Red Cross and Crescent regret Zimbabwe harassment: Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2001; HARARE, April 28 (AFP) - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has expressed concern at the harassment of expatriate workers in Zimbabwe by veterans of the country's war of independence.
Zimbabwe-Botswana-AIDS: Botswana president calls for alliance to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2001; HARARE, April 27 (AFP) - Botswana President Festus Mogae on Friday said southern African countries must form an alliance and declare war against HIV/AIDS, which kills thousands of people in the region on a daily basis.
Africa-AIDS-summit: Mega-summit ends with leaders pledging big sums to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2001; ABUJA, April 27 (AFP) - Africa's biggest HIV/AIDS summit ended Friday with some 50 heads of state vowing to reserve at least 15 percent of their annual budget for healthcare and lift tariff barriers on AIDS-related programmes.
Africa-AIDS-Libya: CIA in AIDS vaccine conspiracy: Kadhafi: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2001; ABUJA, April 27 (AFP) - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi lashed out against the United States as being responsible for the AIDS scourge, in a fiery speech during Friday's closing session of Africa's biggest ever summit on the disease.
Portugal-blood: Blood scandal case to continue against ex-Portuguese minister: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2001; LISBON, April 27 (AFP) - An appeals' court in Lisbon has decided to continue proceedings against the former Portuguese health minister, Leonor Beleza, who is accused of spreading blood contaminated with the AIDS virus, an official source said Friday.
Africa-AIDS-Germany: Germany pledges aid in UN AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2001; BERLIN, April 27 (AFP) - Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Friday pledged Germany's support for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's multi-billion dollar initiative to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
SAfrica-Mbeki,sched-profile: Mbeki: an authoritarian president under fire: Jean-Claude Boksenbaum; Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 27 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki, who announced this week that conspirators were trying to oust him, is an authoritarian leader whose performance is coming under heavy fire.
Africa-AIDS-fund: African leaders, health officials applaud Annan's global AIDS fund proposal: Abhik Kumar Chanda; Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - African leaders and top health officials Thursday applauded a proposal by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to create a global fund of between seven and 10 billion dollars annually to fight AIDS.
Russia-prisons-AIDS: Dramatic increase in number of HIV-positive Russian prisoners: Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; MOSCOW, April 26 (AFP) - The number of Russian prisoners infected with the HIV virus has increased from 700 to 15,000 over the past five years, Deputy Justice Minister Yuri Kalinine said Thursday.
Africa-AIDS-summit: Annan calls for mega fund for fighting AIDS at summit in Nigeria: Abhik Kumar Chanda and Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday called for the creation of multi-billion dollar fund to tackle HIV/AIDS in Africa, in a speech that rallied support at the continent's biggest ever AIDS summit in Abuja.
Africa-AIDS-drugs: Drug firms to make AIDS drugs cheaper: Annan: Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - Six of the world leading pharmaceutical companies have agreed to make retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS affordable in developing nations, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday.
Africa-AIDS-summit: Africa's largest AIDS summit starts with Annan call for action, funds: Abhik Kumar Chanda; Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - Africa's biggest ever HIV/AIDS summit opened here Thursday with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan unveiling an action plan to fight the disease, including better prevention methods and an annual "war chest" of seven to 10 billion dollars.
Africa-AIDS-Clinton: Clinton says Africa's AIDS scourge can be curtailed with proper steps: Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton Thursday told the opening session of the continent's largest ever HIV/AIDS conference in Abuja that while the pandemic had ravaged the region it could be severely curtailed with proper steps.
Iran-AIDS-crime: Impostor nurses inject Iran children with AIDS virus: Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; TEHRAN, April 26 (AFP) - Two women pretending to be nurses in the southern Iranian city of Ahwaz intentionally injected an unknown number of children with the virus that causes AIDS, the Jam-e Jam paper said Thursday.
Africa-AIDS-summit-open: Africa's largest AIDS summit begins in Abuja: Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - Africa's biggest ever HIV/AIDS summit opened here Thursday with guest speaker UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expected to unveil a five-point programme to fight the disease.
Africa-AIDS-doctor: Nigerian doctor's 'HIV cure' claim sparks raging debate: Abhik Kumar Chanda and Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; GWAGWALADA, Nigeria, April 26 (AFP) - A Nigerian doctor's claim to have found a wonder cure for HIV has fuelled a raging controversy in this AIDS-ravaged African country, with critics branding him a charlatan but patients revering him as a saviour.
Africa-AIDS: African AIDS summit to kick off with UN chief's action plan: Abhik Kumar Chanda and Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - April 26, 2001; ABUJA, April 26 (AFP) - Africa's biggest HIV/AIDS summit was due to open here Thursday with guest speaker UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expected to unveil a five-point programme to fight the disease.
UN-children: UN launches campaign to protect children: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, April 25 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, South African statesman Nelson Mandela and US businessman Bill Gates were to lead the launch Thursday of a campaign to hold world leaders to commitments made to protect children.
Africa-AIDS: Annan to call for radical changes in African mores to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2001; ABUJA, April 25 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will tell African heads of state here Thursday that radical changes in their political and social behaviour are required to combat the AIDS pandemic.
US-Congress-debt: Lawmakers introduce bill to cancel debt of HIV/AIDS ravaged nations: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 25 (AFP) - Democratic Representative Barbara Lee on Wednesday introduced legislation calling on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to cancel the multilateral debt of countries ravaged by HIV/AIDS.
Africa-AIDS-origin: Scientists show that polio vaccine did not unleash HIV: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2001; PARIS, April 25 (AFP) - New scientific research published Wednesday tore apart a controversial theory that the world's HIV pandemic was accidentally unleashed by a contaminated polio vaccine in central Africa in the 1950s.
Africa-AIDS-trauma: Nigerian HIV patients allege discrimination, official apathy: Abhik Kumar Chanda; Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2001; ABUJA, April 25 (AFP) - Nigeria may be hosting Africa's biggest AIDS conference on Thursday but its track record in combatting the pandemic is pathetic, HIV sufferers say, recounting horror stories of discrimination, apathy and ignorance.
Africa-AIDS: African AIDS summiteers hope for concrete action: Abhik Kumar Chanda and Emmanuel Goujon; Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2001; ABUJA, April 25 (AFP) - Africa's glitziest HIV/AIDS summit, due to start here Thursday, has aroused hopes among officials and activists that it will culminate in concrete action, including access to cheap generic drugs.
UN-AIDS: Prevention still important after AIDS drugs agreement, Annan to tell AIDS summit: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, April 24 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will tell a conference of African heads of state that prevention is still as important as cheap drugs in the fight against HIV/AIDS, a senior UN official said Tuesday.
US-health-HIV: Combination of AIDs drugs reduces risk of mother-to-child HIV infection: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; CHICAGO, April 24 (AFP) - A drug regimen which combines the anti-AIDS drugs AZT and lamivudine can virtually eliminate the risk of HIV transmission between mother and child, a study released Tuesday said.
Africa-AIDS-meeting: African health ministers set the tone for mega-AIDS summit: Abhik Kumar Chanda; Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; ABUJA, April 24 (AFP) - African health ministers Tuesday began a technical meeting to set the agenda for the continent's biggest summit on HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases.
Africa-AIDS-summit-OAU: OAU chief appeals for 7 bn dollars to fight AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; PARIS, April 24 (AFP) - Africa has the will but not the means to overcome its HIV-AIDS pandemic on its own, the head of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) said Tuesday, appealing for seven billion dollars to fight the scourge.
Africa-AIDS-summit: African leaders to tackle major killer diseases at summit: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; LAGOS, April 24 (AFP) - African ministers and health experts began gathering in Nigeria's federal capital Abuja on Tuesday ahead of a summit called to address the triple scourges of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Africa-AIDS-Burkina: Organisers postpone Burkina conference on generic AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; PARIS, April 24 (AFP) - AIDS action groups on Tuesday announced they were postponing an international conference on access to generic drugs for treating HIV/AIDS, which they had planned to hold in Burkina Faso early next month.
India-AIDS-humour: Laughing your way to AIDS protection: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2001; NEW DELHI, April 24 (AFP) - Condoms and their use to prevent the spread of the HIV virus is not something organisations working in the field usually joke about -- especially in India which has three to five million infected adults.
Thailand-AIDS-children: Thai infants at growing risk of HIV: report: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2001; BANGKOK, April 23 (AFP) - Up to 5,000 Thai children will be born HIV-positive every year unless measures are taken to halt transmission from their infected mothers, a Red Cross report said Monday.
Asia-AIDS: Asia must look to Africa for lessons on AIDS: UN conference: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2001; BANGKOK, April 23 (AFP) - Asian nations fighting to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS should study the lessons learned in Africa where the disease has hit hardest, a UN conference heard Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS-crime: Armed men rob home of Nkosi, S. African child AIDS activist: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (AFP) - Three armed men early Monday robbed the Johannesburg home where ailing 12-year-old South African AIDS activist Nkosi Johnson lives with his foster mother.
ICoast-aids: Ivory Coast prepares anti-AIDS strategy: Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2001; ABIDJAN, April 22 (AFP) - The minister in charge of fighting AIDS in Ivory Coast said Sunday she has prepared a comprehensive plan for tackling the deadly disease in the West African nation.
Africa-Nigeria-health: African health: Nigeria's case study of how not to go about it: Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2001; LAGOS, April 22 (AFP) - Nigeria, which this week hosts a major conference on tackling Africa's three biggest killers -- malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS -- is a case study of how not to go about public health, experts and concerned officials here say.
Africa-health-malaria: A blind eye on a child killer: malaria, poverty, ignorance: Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2001; YENAGOA, Nigeria, April 22 (AFP) - Judith Banigo is dying. She is six years old and weak with malaria.
US-prison-rape: US human rights group contends prison rape ignored, underreported: Magan Crane; Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 21 (AFP) - US authorities are turning a blind eye to a chronic plague of male-on-male prison rape, particularly against young, slightly-built or gay men, a Human Rights Watch report charges.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigeria to launch emergency action plan on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2001; ABUJA, April 22 (AFP) - Nigeria is to launch an emergency action plan against AIDS this week, Health Minister Alphonsus Nwosu said Sunday.
SAfrica-drugs: South Africans to save on medicines following court victory: Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 22 (AFP) - South Africans could save millions of dollars in medicines following a court settlement this week between the government and drugs firms, The Sunday Times newspaper reported.
Americas-WBank-AIDS: World Bank proposes 150 million dollars to fight AIDS in Caribbean: Agence France-Presse - April 21, 2001; QUEBEC CITY, April 21 (AFP) - The World Bank is drafting a proposal to channel 150 million dollars into a program to battle AIDS in the Caribbean, the bank's president James Wolfensohn said here at the third Summit of the Americas.
SAfrica-drugs-OAU: OAU hails decision on cheap anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; ABIDJAN, April 20 (AFP) - The Organisation of African Unity Friday expressed "real satisfaction" and "hope" after 39 pharmaceutical giants agreed to allow the production and importation of cheaper generic anti-AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-drugs-UN: Annan says AIDS drugs agreement needs big financial support: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, April 20 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called Friday for a global fund to enable developing countries to put in place the infrastructure necessary to bring cheap generic drugs to AIDS sufferers.
SAfrica-drugs-AIDS: S.African AIDS activists demand treatment from reluctant government: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 20 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists, buoyed by the withdrawal of a lawsuit by drug companies over drug prices, intend to put pressure on the government and private sector to expand treatment, they said Friday.
SAfrica-drugs-Asia: Impoverished Asian nations hail access to cheaper AIDS drugs: Karl Malakunas; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; HONG KONG, April 20 (AFP) - Asian nations, unable to pay for expensive medical treatment to combat the AIDS epidemic, have hailed the backdown by the world's pharmaceutical giants to allow cheaper, generic drugs.
Nigeria-AIDS: 10,000 Nigerians to get free AIDS drugs: minister: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; LAGOS, April 20 (AFP) - Some 10,000 Nigerians infected with the HIV virus will be placed on therapy from the end of this month, Health Minister Alphonsus Nwosu has announced.
SAfrica-drugs-Cambodia: French experts hail South African drugs case, urge more research: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; PHNOM PENH, April 20 (AFP) - French AIDS experts Friday hailed the "victory" of the South African authorities over multinational drugs companies, but highlighted the importance of research to fight the epidemic.
SAfrica-drugs-India: Indian firms see bounty in cheap anti-AIDS drugs: Biman Mukherji; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; NEW DELHI, April 20 (AFP) - Indian pharmaceutical companies making cheap, generic anti-AIDS drugs are viewing a landmark case in South Africa as a lucrative opening for their products in the developing world.
Zambia-drugs: Zambians with HIV plead for further price cuts on drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; LUSAKA, April 20 (AFP) - Zambians living with HIV asked US drugmakers Friday to further reduce the price of life-prolonging medications to less than 50 cents a day, the Network of People Living with HIV said.
SAfrica-drugs-press: S.African press hails Big Pharma withdrawal: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 20 (AFP) - The South African press Friday hailed the decision by pharmaceutical companies to withdraw a court bid to stop South Africa from importing and producing cheap versions of patented AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-drugs: Activists warn that S Africa AIDS-drug victory is not complete: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; PRETORIA, April 20 (AFP) - The decision by pharmaceutical companies to drop a fight to keep cheap anti-AIDS drugs out of South Africa has been widely hailed, but activists warn that significant hurdles lie ahead, not least from the government itself.
SAfrica-drugs-Germany: Germany's Schroader welcomes AIDS-drugs agreement in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2001; BERLIN, April 20 (AFP) - German Vhancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Thursday welcomed an agreement between Pretoria and the major pharmaceutical manufacturers allowing cheaper generic AIDS drugs onto the South African market.
SAfrica-drugs-reax-US: US welcomes settlement of South African AIDS drug case: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 19 (AFP) - The United States Thursday welcomed the decision by pharmaceutical companies to drop their lawsuit against South Africa over imports of cheaper, generic anti-AIDS drugs, through a settlement with the government.
ICoast-AIDS: Almost one million people in I. Coast are HIV positive: minister: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; ABIDJAN, April 19 (AFP) - Ivory Coast's minister in charge of the fight against AIDS, Assana Sangare, said Thursday that one million people in the country of 15 million inhabitants are HIV positive.
Brazil-AIDS-health: Roche labs, Brazil unable to reach agreement on AIDS retroviral: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; BRASILIA, April 19 (AFP) - Switzerland's Roche Holding and the government of Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso failed to agree on a price for the anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir, a Health ministry official said Thursday.
SAfrica-drugs-UN: Annan and WHO welcome AIDS drugs settlement: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Thursday he was "delighted" that international drug companies had dropped a court case to prevent South Africa importing generic anti-AIDS drugs.
Uganda-AIDS-Museveni: Museveni urges developing countries to contribute to AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; KAMPALA, April 19 (AFP) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni appealed Thursday to developing countries to concentrate on helping AIDS patients to obtain access to drugs instead of just urging manufacturers to reduce costs.
SAfrica-drugs-health: WHO welcomes AIDS drug decision, willing to help South Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; GENEVA, April 19 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) welcomed the dropping of a court case by major drug companies against South Africa over imports of generic anti-AIDS drugs, and said it was willing to help South Africa fight AIDS.
SAfrica-drugs-cost: S. African activists show differences in drug prices: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 19 (AFP) - A South African activist group which imported copies of brand-name AIDS drugs in October last year demonstrated the huge difference in price.
SAfrica-drugs: S.Africa sets world precedent in fight to force down drug prices: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; PRETORIA, April 19 (AFP) - The South African government's settlement with 39 pharmaceutical companies Thursday vindicates its right to override patents to cut the price of anti-AIDS drugs and sets a precedent for other poor countries to do the same.
SAfrica-drugs-reax: Africans, drugs industry, charities hail AIDS drugs decision: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; ABIDJAN, April 19 (AFP) - The pharmaceutical industry, international charities and the African community on Thursday hailed the dropping of a court case by major drug companies against South Africa over imports of generic anti-AIDS drugs.
Burkina-AIDS: 2.5 million-euro German aid to combat AIDS in Burkina Faso: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; OUAGADOUGOU, April 19 (AFP) - Germany on Thursday donated 1.6 billion CFA francs (2.5 million euros/2.2 million US dollars) to combat AIDS in the west African country of Burkina Faso through distribution of subsidised condoms.
Swiss-SAfrica-drugs: Drug industry hails end of South Africa court case: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; GENEVA, April 19 (AFP) - The international pharmaceutical industry hailed Thursday the dropping of a court case by major drug companies against South Africa over imports of generic anti-AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-AIDS-generic: Failure of AIDS drug case may not help generic solutions: Philippe Coste; Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; PARIS, April 19 (AFP) - The withdrawal on Thursday of a court bid to stop South Africa importing cheap versions of brand-name AIDS drugs may be a tactical setback for major drug firms, but it will not necessarily open the way for the production of generic medicines.
SAfrica-drugs-firms: Drugs companies took public battering over S.African lawsuit: Kevin McElderry; Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; LONDON, April 19 (AFP) - Drugs giants tried Thursday to put on a brave face after dropping their case against South Africa over cheap anti-AIDS drugs, but took a public battering in the eyes of world opinion.
SAfrica-drugs-deal: Kofi Annan, Thabo Mbeki, clinched drugs case: health minister: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; PRETORIA, April 19 (AFP) - A telephone conversation between President Thabo Mbeki and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan clinched the deal under which pharmaceutical companies dropped a legal battle to stop South Africa importing cheap copies of AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-AIDS: AIDS and HIV total passes 36 million mark: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; PARIS, April 19 (AFP) - More than 36 million people worldwide are now suffering from AIDS or are HIV-positive, according to the latest figures published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS programme.
SAfrica-drugs-Oxfam: Oxfam hails S.Africa drugs case climbdown: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; LONDON, April 19 (AFP) - British charity Oxfam hailed the withdrawal by 39 pharmaceutical companies Thursday of their landmark lawsuit against the South African government over cheap AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-drugs: Drug firms drop case against S. Africa over cheap AIDS drugs: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; PRETORIA, April 19 (AFP) - The world's pharmaceutical giants bowed to heavy pressure Thursday and dropped a court bid to stop South Africa importing cheap versions of their brand-name AIDS drugs -- a decision expected to have ramifications worldwide.
Africa-AIDS-summit: AIDS summit in Nigeria: Africa to renew commitment: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2001; ABUJA, April 19 (AFP) - African countries meeting in Abuja next week are expected to renew their commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS, with participants including the UN secretary general and OAU leaders, Nigeria's health minister said Thursday.
SAfrica-justice-drugs: Drug case adjourned till Thursday as Pretoria, companies try to settle: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2001; PRETORIA, April 18 (AFP) - A landmark court battle between pharmaceutical companies and the South African government over cheap AIDS drugs appeared close to settlement Wednesday after the two sides spent the day negotiating behind closed doors.
SAfrica-justice-drugs,scene: Militant mood mounts against drug companies in South Africa: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2001; PRETORIA, April 18 (AFP) - A militant mood among demonstrators directed at international pharmaceutical companies at the Pretoria High Court mounted along with speculation that the firms would withdraw their case against the government Wednesday.
Zambia-US-AIDS: Three US firms offer Zambia cheap AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2001; LUSAKA, April 18 (AFP) - Three US drug firms have offered Zambia cheap anti-retroviral cocktail drugs to combat HIV, which has infected 20 percent of the population, Health Minister Enock Kavindele said Wednesday.
UN-health: Creditors urged to convert Third World debt to fight killer infections: Agence France-Presse - April 18, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (AFP) - Creditor nations were urged to convert the debt of the poorest African countries into funds to fight HIV/AIDS and other, newly resurgent, killer diseases, notably malaria and tuberculosis.
Nigeria-US: US parliamentarians meet Nigerian president, legislators: Agence France-Presse - April 17, 2001; ABUJA, April 17 (AFP) - A delegation from the US House of Representatives paid a one-day visit to Nigeria on Tuesday during which they met with President Olusegun Obasanjo, an official statement said.
SAfrica-justice-drugs: Pharmaceutical companies, activists, head-to-head on eve of case: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - April 17, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 17 (AFP) - Activists pleaded for the survival of AIDS patients and drug companies for the future of their industry Tuesday on the eve of the resumption of a landmark court case over medicine prices.
Nigeria-AIDS: Man kills lover over AIDS infection in Nigeria: Agence France-Presse - April 17, 2001; LAGOS, April 17 (AFP) - A man in Kano, northern Nigeria has killed his lover for infecting him with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and after she confessed she had slept with 95 men, witnesses said Tuesday.
France-SAfrica-AIDS: French AIDS council asks drug companies to scrap South African lawsuit: Agence France-Presse - April 16, 2001; PARIS, April 16 (AFP) - France's National AIDS Council on Monday asked 39 drug companies suing the South African government over its plan to use cheaper, generic AIDS-fighting drugs to withdraw their lawsuit.
Namibia-prostitutes: Register prostitutes, urges Namibian health minister: John Grobler; Agence France-Presse - April 16, 2001; WINDHOEK, April 16 (AFP) - Namibia's growing number of prostitutes must be registered as "a matter of national urgency" to prevent their clients spreading HIV to their families, Health Minister Libertine Amathila says.
Britain-SAfrica-health: Britain's finance minister urges cheap drugs for Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 15, 2001; LONDON, April 15 (AFP) - Britain's finance minister Gordon Brown urged multinational pharmaceutical companies to allow developing countries access to drugs to treat serious diseases such as AIDS, in a newspaper interview here.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Ethiopia to import AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 14, 2001; ADDIS ABABA, April 14 (AFP) - The Ethiopian government is planning for the first time to import anti-retroviral AIDS drugs, press reports said Saturday.
IMF-Botswana: IMF concerned about economic, social impact of AIDS on Botswana: Agence France-Presse - April 13, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 13 (AFP) - The IMF on Friday praised the government of Botswana for its efforts to fight AIDS, and expressed concern over the economic and social impact of the disease on the country.
UN-Africa-AIDS: Annan to attend April AIDS summit in Nigeria: Agence France-Presse - April 12, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will travel April 26 and 27 to Nigeria's capital Abuja to attend the African AIDS summit, the United Nations said Thursday.
India-AIDS: Indian company begins "humanitarian" shipment of anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 12, 2001; BOMBAY, April 12 (AFP) - Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla Ltd has begun "humanitarian" shipments of drugs to treat victims of AIDS to developing countries under an agreement with a global aid agency, officials said Thursday.
WHO-WTO-drugs: Major financing effort needed to get drugs to poor nations: Agence France-Presse - April 11, 2001; GENEVA, April 11 (AFP) - The international community will have to make a major financial effort, and drugs manufacturers will have to drop their prices, if poor countries are to be able to afford advanced drugs, international experts said Wednesday.
Benin-AIDS: Benin to offer AIDS treatment at up to 99 percent off: Agence France-Presse - April 11, 2001; COTONOU, April 11 (AFP) - Benin is to offer AIDS patients up to 99 percent off the cost of medical treatment with assistance from France and the World Foundation Against AIDS, the national AIDS agency said Wednesday.
UN-rights-Africa: AIDS threatening extended family in Africa: Red Cross: Agence France-Presse - April 11, 2001; GENEVA, April 11 (AFP) - Africa's extended family system is in danger of disintegration under the weight of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has caused some 11 million children on the continent to lose either one or both parents, a Red Cross official warned Wednesday.
Singapore-crime-AIDS: HIV man jailed in Singapore for lying to blood bank: Agence France-Presse - April 11, 2001; SINGAPORE, April 11 (AFP) - A Singapore blood donor, found to be HIV positive, has been jailed for 15 months for denying he had unprotected sex with a prostitute.
Asia-tourism-AIDS: Asia's tourism industry urged to be more open about HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 10, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (AFP) - Experts Tuesday urged Asia's tourism chiefs to be more open about the AIDS epidemic in the region, saying it was still in an early development stage.
ICoast-AIDS: New HIV vaccine to be tested in the Ivory Coast: Agence France-Presse - April 10, 2001; ABIDJAN, April 10 (AFP) - A new HIV vaccine under development will be tested in the Ivory Coast, one of the west African countries worst affected by AIDS, a French epidemiologist has announced.
Nigeria-India-AIDS: Nigeria orders AIDS drugs from India: Agence France-Presse - April 10, 2001; LAGOS, April 10 (AFP) - Nigeria has ordered drugs valued at four million dollars from India to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa's most populous country, Health Minister Alphonsus Nwosu said Tuesday.
China-AIDS: Chinese awareness of AIDS still frighteningly low: survey: Agence France-Presse - April 10, 2001; BEIJING, April 10 (AFP) - Public awareness of the AIDS virus and how to guard against it is still low in China, state media reported, noting fears that infection could spread out of control.
US-Bush-AIDS: Bush nominates head of gay Republican group to anti-AIDS post: Agence France-Presse - April 9, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 9 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush nominated an openly gay Republican Party member to head the US policy against AIDS, the White House announced Monday.
Swiss-AIDS-drugs: Protest at Swiss drug firm over cut-price AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 9, 2001; BASLE, Switzerland, April 9 (AFP) - Protesters blocked the entrance to Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche Monday demanding it withdraw from a landmark court battle against South Africa over cut-price AIDS drugs.
Zimbabwe-students: Police seal off University of Zimbabwe after student's death: Agence France-Presse - April 9, 2001; HARARE, April 9 (AFP) - Police have sealed off the University of Zimbabwe, after at least 1,000 protesters threatened to stone any car that passed by the campus, police said Monday.
WHO-WTO-drugs: Experts discuss cheaper drugs for world's poor: Agence France-Presse - April 9, 2001; OSLO, April 9 (AFP) - International experts on Monday examined ways of making advanced drugs more affordable to poor countries, where millions die each year of treatable diseases because they cannot pay for medicines used routinely in rich nations.
Mali-drugs-AIDS: Mali signs accord with pharma firms for cut-price AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 8, 2001; BAMAKO, April 8 (AFP) - The Malian government has signed an agreement with four international pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of anti-AIDS drugs by up to 89 percent from current prices.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigerians use hope, determination to fight stigma of AIDS: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - April 7, 2001; LAGOS, April 7 (AFP) - Dainty Yinka Jegede, a 22-year-old nursing student who became HIV-positive four years ago, has overcome the social stigma surrounding the disease and is now Nigeria's first "ambassador of hope" to help Africans living the virus.
Vietnam-AIDS: Vietnam restricts HIV testing after wrong result sparks tragedy: Agence France-Presse - April 7, 2001; HANOI, April 7 (AFP) - Vietnam's health ministry has banned district hospitals and health clinics from carrying out HIV testing after a man left his two-year-old son to die last month when his wife was wrongly diagnosed as positive.
Kenya-UN-AIDS: Nutrition key weapon in fight against AIDS: UN: Agence France-Presse - April 6, 2001; NAIROBI, April 6 (AFP) - Nutrition is a key weapon in the fight against AIDS and should be better integrated into the assistance provided to HIV carriers, especially in Africa, a World Food Programme (WFP) official said here Friday.
Russia-drugs: Up to three million drug addicts in Russia: expert: Agence France-Presse - April 6, 2001; MOSCOW, April 6 (AFP) - Nearly three million Russians use illegal drugs regularly, despite official figures that put the number of addicts at only half a million, a UN-sponsored health expert told reporters Thursday.
US-justice-AIDS: Man charged with marketing false AIDS drug arrested: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2001; NEW YORK, April 5 (AFP) - A man believed to have schemed to market a fake AIDS drug to boost the value of his company was arrested in Oklahoma, a US federal prosecutor said Thursday.
Nigeria-AIDS-justice: Nigerian judge withdraws from suit filed by HIV/AIDS carrier: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2001; LAGOS, April 5 (AFP) - A Lagos high court judge Thursday formally withdrew from a suit filed by a Nigerian nurse against her sacking, allegedly after she tested positive for HIV in 1995.
WTO-AIDS-Africa: WTO conference on trade in AIDS drugs set for June: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2001; GENEVA, April 5 (AFP) - The World Trade Organisation (WTO) will hold a special session here in June on accessibility to anti-AIDS drugs in developing countries and disputes over protection of intellectual property as applied to such drugs, WTO sources said Thursday.
Europe-rights-Italy: Italy to compensate for contaminated blood transfusions: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2001; STRASBOURG, April 5 (AFP) - Italy has agreed to pay more than two billion lira (one million euros, 900,000 dollars) to compensate 47 people whose children or themselves were contaminated by hepatitis or HIV through blood transfusions in the 1980s, the European Court of Human Rights said Thursday.
SAfrica-AIDS: AIDS report in S Africa shows up divisions, draws criticism: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 5 (AFP) - An interim report by a controversial AIDS advisory panel to the South African government shows little more than a predictable chasm between dissidents and orthodox scientists, analysts said Thursday.
SAfrica-AIDS: Report on AIDS shows chasm, but S African policy unchanged: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 5 (AFP) - A summary of an interim report by a controversial AIDS advisory panel to the South African government shows little more than the chasm between dissidents and orthodox scientists, analysts said Thursday.
US-Nigeria-Clinton: Clinton to speak at Nigeria AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 4 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton has accepted an invitation to attend an AIDS conference in Nigeria late this month and will address the gathering April 24 or 25, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Nigeria-AIDS-justice: Nigerian court to hear case of nurse sacked for having HIV: Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2001; LAGOS, March 4 (AFP) - A Lagos court will Thursday hear a suit filed by a Nigerian nurse against her employers who sacked her allegedly after she tested positive for HIV in 1995, a court official said.
SAfrica-AIDS-prisons: AIDS escalating prison deaths in South Africa: judge: Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 4 (AFP) - AIDS has increased non-violent prison deaths in South Africa by 584 percent since 1995 and is expected kill some 7,000 prisoners a year by 2006, an inspecting judge of prisons said Wednesday.
SAfrica-EU-AIDS: S. Africa hits back at EU over AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, April 3 (AFP) - South Africa hit back at the European Union Tuesday for criticising its AIDS policies, accusing a visiting delegation of making "sweeping statements".
Uganda-politics-AIDS: Uganda's AIDS slur row widens: Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2001; KAMPALA, April 3 (AFP) - A debate sparked by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni over the HIV status of his unsuccessful poll rival Kizza Besigye widened Tuesday with the father of Besigye's late former common-law wife stepping into the fray.
Nigeria-AIDS: Rights of Nigerians with AIDS continually violated: claim: Ade Obisesan; Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2001; LAGOS, April 3 (AFP) - The rights of Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS are being "violated with impunity", and a doctor whom the army believes can cure soldiers suffering from the disease is a fake, an AIDS activist claimed here Tuesday.
Uganda-AIDS-children: Conference on Africa's AIDS orphans opens: Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2001; KAMPALA, April 3 (AFP) - Over 13 million children have been orphaned worldwide by AIDS since the pandemic began in the early 1980s, Country and Regional Support for UNAIDS director Col Sec said here on Tuesday.
Brazil-AIDS-Merck: Brazil's Merck Sharp and Dohme to cut prices of AIDS medicines: Agence France-Presse - April 2, 2001; BRASILIA, April 2 (AFP) - Merck Sharp and Dohme in Brazil has agreed to cut the price of two AIDS medicines which the government has agreed to distribute free of cost, the Health Ministry told AFP Monday.
US-drugs-AIDS: Merck begins testing experimental AIDS vaccine on humans: Agence France-Presse - April 2, 2001; WASHINGTON, April 2 (AFP) - The US pharmaceutical company Merck and Co. Inc. has begun testing on humans an experimental HIV vaccine based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the company said Monday.
Singapore-HIV: Singapore couple plans to adopt baby infected with HIV: Agence France-Presse - April 1, 2001; SINGAPORE, April 1 (AFP) - A Singaporean couple are planning to adopt a baby boy found to be HIV-positive after he was given up for adoption, the Sunday Times reported Sunday.

March

Nigeria-AIDS: In face of AIDS, Nigeria struggles with open talk about sex: Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - Mars 30, 2001; LAGOS, March 30 (AFP) - While surveys show sex among the young is widespread and HIV/AIDS is spreading, Africa's most populous country still struggles with straight talk about sex, health workers here say.
UN-women-AIDS: Low status makes African and Asian women more vulnerable to AIDS: UN: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - Mars 29, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, March 29 (AFP) - Poverty and a lack of rights make women more vulnerable to AIDS in Africa and Asia, where the epidemic is most rampant, a United Nations campaigner said Thursday.
Hungary-AIDS: HIV-positive porn actor suspected of infecting screen partners: Agence France-Presse - Mars 29, 2001; BUDAPEST, March 29 (AFP) - Hungarian police said Thursday they suspected a gay pornographic film actor of murder because he has allegedly continued to have sex both on-screen and off despite being infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
Cuba-SAfrica: Cuba supports SAfrica in AIDS treatment battle: Agence France-Presse - Mars 29, 2001; HAVANA, March 29 (AFP) - Cuba on Thursday expressed support for South Africa's fight against multinational pharmaceutical companies for less expensive treatment for AIDS as South African President Thabo Mbeki ended a four-day stay here.
WHO-health-AIDS: WHO to push for lower drugs prices in poorer countries: Agence France-Presse - Mars 28, 2001; GENEVA, March 28 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday it plans to push for lower prices for AIDS drugs and other essential medicines in poorer countries.
Nigeria-US-race: Nigeria to host sixth African/African American summit in May: Agence France-Presse - Mars 28, 2001; ABUJA, March 28 (AFP) - Nigeria will from May 21-25 host the sixth summit of African and African American leaders in the capital Abuja, organisers said.
Swiss-US-medical: Serono obtains US approval for needle-free AIDS treatment device: Agence France-Presse - Mars 28, 2001; GENEVA, March 28 (AFP) - Swiss pharmaceuticals group Serono said on Wednesday it has received the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a needle-free aerosol device for administering the anti-AIDS drug Serostim.
Japan-crime-AIDS: Leading Japanese haemophilia expert found not guilty in HIV scandal: Takahiro Fukada; Agence France-Presse - Mars 28, 2001; TOKYO, March 28 (AFP) - Japan's former leading authority on haemophilia was found not guilty Wednesday of professional negligence resulting in death for allowing one of his patients to be treated with unheated HIV-infected blood products.
Kyrgyzstan-AIDS: HIV stuns isolated Kyrgyzstan, sends Soviet-era health care scrambling: Denise Albrighton; Agence France-Presse - Mars 28, 2001; BISHKEK, March 28 (AFP) - The remote, serene Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan has always shied away from things Western, but now stands stunned by the threat of an epidemic previously unheard of in the region -- HIV -- and is struggling to respond.
SAfrica-drugs-AIDS: S. Africa in conditional acceptance of cut price AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - Mars 27, 2001; PRETORIA, March 27 (AFP) - The South African government said Wednesday its acceptance of cut-price anti-AIDS drugs from pharmaceutical companies carried several conditions.
Cuba-SAfrica: Cuban cooperation with SAfrica could shine spotlight on AIDS drugs woes: Marie Sanz; Agence France-Presse - Mars 27, 2001; HAVANA, March 27 (AFP) - With controversy swirling around the cost of AIDS drugs, President Fidel Castro and visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki focused Tuesday on Cuba's patent-busting offer to help the African nation develop its own medications.
SAfrica-NAM-health: NAM health ministers declare right to cheap AIDS drugs: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - Mars 27, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 27 (AFP) - Health ministers from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) adopted a declaration here Tuesday stating that poor countries have a right to cheap medicines, including treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.
US-Africa-AIDS: Abbott Pharmaceuticals drops price of AIDS drugs for Africa: Agence France-Presse - Mars 27, 2001; NEW YORK, March 27 (AFP) - Abbott Laboratories announced Tuesday that it would join Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb in slashing the price of its anti-AIDS drugs for African consumption.
SAfrica-NAM-health: NAM health ministers mull policy to get access to cheap medicines: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - Mars 26, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 26 (AFP) - Health ministers from 20 member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) gathered here on Monday for a two-day meeting to mull a common policy on sourcing cheaper medicines, especially for AIDS sufferers.
India-AIDS: UN pledges 1.5 million dollars for India's fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - Mars 26, 2001; NEW DELHI, March 26 (AFP) - The United Nations Development Programme pledged 70 million rupees (1.5 million dollars) Monday to India's drive for the prevention and control of the deadly AIDS virus.
Vietnam-prostitute-AIDS: Vietnam reports explosion of HIV infection among prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - Mars 26, 2001; HANOI, March 26 (AFP) - The proportion of Vietnam's prostitutes who are infected with the AIDS virus has rocketed over the past two years, social affairs ministry figures revealed Monday.
Swaziland-AIDS: Swaziland reluctant to take up UN AIDS treatment offer: Agence France-Presse - Mars 23, 2001; MBABANE, March 23 (AFP) - Swaziland's official anti-AIDS programme on Friday expressed concern at government reluctance to take up on an offer by the United Nations to provide drugs to pregnant HIV-positive women.
Africa-AIDS: WHO Africa head favours cheap generic drugs to combat HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - Mars 23, 2001; ABIDJAN, March 23 (AFP) - World Health Organisation (WHO) director for Africa Ebrahim Mailick Samba Friday said he personally favoured cheap generic drugs to fight the HIV-AIDS pandemic.
UNHCR-Africa: UN appeals for 65 million dollars for West African refugees: Agence France-Presse - Mars 23, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, March 23 (AFP) - The United Nations refugee agency appealed Friday for 65 million dollars this year to meet the needs of three million people uprooted by conflict in West Africa.
Uganda-AIDS: Price cuts have little impact on access to AIDS drugs in Uganda: Vincent Mayanja; Agence France-Presse - Mars 23, 2001; KAMPALA, March 23 (AFP) - Drugs used to fight HIV and AIDS remain well beyond the reach of most of the two million people infected in Uganda even after their manufacturers, who are facing mounting international pressure, slashed prices in December.
SAfrica-NAM-health: Cheaper drugs, health care top issues for non-aligned forum: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - Mars 23, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 23 (AFP) - Better access to health care and cheaper generic drugs for developing countries will top the agenda for the 25th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) health conference in South Africa next week.
Health-India-AIDS: Indian pharmaceutical company offers cheapers AIDS treatments: Agence France-Presse - Mars 22, 2001; GENEVA, March 22 (AFP) - The Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla presented a plan to the World Health Organization (WHO) Thursday to offer anti-AIDS medication more cheaply to patients in developing countries, the WHO announced.
Italy-immigrants-AIDS: Italian opposition officials urge AIDS tests for immigrants: Agence France-Presse - Mars 22, 2001; ROME, March 22 (AFP) - Officials from Italy's opposition alliance led by Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday called for mandatory AIDS tests to be conducted among immigrants settling in the northern Trentino-Alto Adige region.
Namibia-AIDS-housing: Namibian housing provider refuses AIDS-related insurance claims: Agence France-Presse - Mars 22, 2001; WINDHOEK, March 22 (AFP) - Namibia's largest low-cost housing provider has stopped paying out mortgage insurance to relatives of home buyers who die of AIDS-related illnesses, the company said Thursday.
SAfrica-EU-AIDS: S. African government not doing enough about AIDS: EU: Agence France-Presse - Mars 22, 2001; CAPE TOWN, March 22 (AFP) - A visiting European Parliament delegation Thursday criticised South Africa for not doing enough to combat AIDS.
Health-tuberculosis: TB cases increase despite cheap medication: WHO: Agence France-Presse - Mars 22, 2001; GENEVA, March 22 (AFP) - Tuberculosis cases have increased by six percent in two years, despite the cheap and efficient medication which now exists to combat the disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Thursday.
Cuba-Brazil-AIDS: Cuba, Brazil discuss anti-HIV drugs: Agence France-Presse - Mars 21, 2001; HAVANA, March 21 (AFP) - Cuban president Fidel Castro and the governor of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state have discussed Cuba's offer to help Brazil produce more cheaply the drugs used in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Governor Anthony Garotinho Matheus de Oliveira said.
SAfrica-rights-AIDS: AIDS deadlier than apartheid in S. Africa: Pan Africanist Congress: Agence France-Presse - Mars 21, 2001; CAPE TOWN, March 21 (AFP) - AIDS has claimed more lives in South Africa than apartheid did, a Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) leader said Wednesday, South Africa's Human Rights Day.
SAfrica-AIDS: S. Africa's Treatment Action Campaign advances fight against AIDS: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - Mars 21, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 21 (AFP) - South African activist group Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has in two years marched from nowhere to the frontlines of the fight for the rights of victims of HIV/AIDS, which last year killed at least six of its members.
SAfrica-AIDS: 4.7 million South Africans infected with HIV: government survey: Agence France-Presse - Mars 20, 2001; PRETORIA, March 20 (AFP) - About 4.7 million South Africans -- one in nine -- were infected with HIV by the end of 2000 but the infection rate is slowing, according to a new government study released here Tuesday.
Vatican-AIDS-people: Nigerian prostitute with AIDS dies 10 months after blessing from pope: Agence France-Presse - Mars 20, 2001; ROME, March 20 (AFP) - A Nigerian prostitute, who broke out in tears after getting a blessing from Pope John Paul II at the Vatican last year, has died from an AIDS-related illness, a Catholic Church official said Tuesday.
AIDS-China: Chinese village dying of AIDS neglected and left to rot: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - Mars 20, 2001; BEIJING, March 20 (AFP) - Farmers at a village in central China riddled by AIDS say the local authorities are deliberately leaving them to die and have made a heart-rending plea to the government for help.
Namibia-homosexuals: Arrest, deport and imprison gays and lesbians: Namibia's Nujoma: Agence France-Presse - Mars 20, 2001; WINDHOEK, March 20 (AFP) - Namibia's President Sam Nujoma has called on police to arrest, deport and imprison gays and lesbians, saying homosexual behaviour was not permitted despite the country's liberal constitution.
Denmark-SAfrica-AIDS: Denmark calls on drug firms to end South Africa court battle: Agence France-Presse - Mars 19, 2001; COPENHAGEN, March 19 (AFP) - The Danish government has called on the country's top two pharmaceutical firms to drop a court challenge against South Africa for importing cheaper versions of branded anti-AIDS drugs, the press reported Tuesday.
Cuba-AIDS-SAfrica: Cuba wants to help South Africa, Brazil make cheaper AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - Mars 19, 2001; HAVANA, March 19 (AFP) - President Fidel Castro has announced Cuba has developed world-class AIDS drugs and wants to help South Africa and Brazil circumvent patent laws to produce cheaper, generic drugs for AIDS sufferers in their countries.
SAfrica-AIDS: S. African AIDS lobby group demands government treatment plan: Agence France-Presse - Mars 19, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 19 (AFP) - An AIDS activism group backing the South African government in a court battle with pharmaceutical giants demanded Monday that the state devise a plan for giving AIDS sufferers access to drugs.
SAfrica-AIDS-tests: South Africa rejects free AIDS test kits offer: Agence France-Presse - Mars 18, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 18 (AFP) - The South African government has turned down an offer of one million free HIV test kits despite doctors' complaints over a dire shortage of equipment, according to the Sunday Times newspaper.
US-Powell-Bono: State Department astir as U2's Bono talks debt relief, AIDS with Powell: Agence France-Presse - Mars 16, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 16 (AFP) - Bono, lead singer of legendary Irish rock band U2, caused a stir in the halls of US diplomacy on Friday when he met Secretary of State Colin Powell to discuss AIDS, Africa and debt relief, officials said.
Britain-AIDS: Scot jailed for infecting girlfriend with AIDS virus: Agence France-Presse - Mars 16, 2001; EDINBURGH, March 16 (AFP) - A man who infected his girlfriend with the HIV virus despite knowing it would put her life in danger was jailed by a Scottish court Friday for five years.
SAfrica-Mbeki: Mbeki has little support at home for handling of AIDS, Zimbabwe: poll: Agence France-Presse - Mars 16, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 16 (AFP) - President Thabo Mbeki's handling of the AIDS crisis and of political turmoil in neighbouring Zimbabwe has garnered a "cool" reception from South Africans, according to a poll published Friday.
EU-SAfrica-AIDS: Euro Parliament wants to get cheap AIDS drugs to South Africa: Agence France-Presse - Mars 15, 2001; STRASBOURG, March 15 (AFP) - The European Parliament on Thursday called for measures that would punch loopholes in national patent laws that keep high-priced AIDS drugs from sufferers in the Third World, particularly South Africa.
IMF-Tanzania: IMF approves 26-million-dollar loan, 17 million in debt relief for Tanzania: Agence France-Presse - Mars 15, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 15 (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund has approved a loan of 26 million dollars for Tanzania as well as 17 million dollars in additional debt relief assistance, the Fund said in a statement here.
Russia-children: Russian children face "acute crisis": UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - Mars 15, 2001; MOSCOW, March 15 (AFP) - The rise of AIDS and drugs has seen the plight of children in Russia deteriorate sharply over the decade since the collapse of communism, a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) official said Thursday.
US-Africa-AIDS: Bristol-Myers Squibb to sell AIDS drugs in Africa at below cost: Agence France-Presse - Mars 15, 2001; NEW YORK, March 15 (AFP) - The US drug firm Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said that it will sell patented AIDS medicines for one dollar per day in every African country taking part in its ACCESS program with international agencies.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS drug regimens considered too hard to follow: Agence France-Presse - Mars 14, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 14 (AFP) - People infected with the virus that causes AIDS are finding it harder to comply with their drug regimens and look forward to taking fewer and better drugs, according to a survey released Wednesday.
Namibia-budget: Namibian budget: deficit increases, growth at 3 percent: Agence France-Presse - Mars 14, 2001; WINDHOEK, March 14 (AFP) - Namibian Finance Minister Nangoloh Mbumba on Wednesday tabled a national budget of 9.8 billion Namibian dollars (about 1.255 billion dollars), with an estimated deficit of 3.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product.
China-AIDS: China lawmakers urge life imprisonment for spreading AIDS: report: Agence France-Presse - Mars 14, 2001; HONG KONG, March 14 (AFP) - Chinese lawmakers are proposing to make spreading the AIDS virus a crime punishable with life imprisonment for prostitutes, a report said Wednesday.
SAfrica-AIDS-Mbeki: Mbeki rules out declaring state of emergency on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - Mars 14, 2001; CAPE TOWN, March 14 (AFP) - President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday turned down opposition calls to declare a national state of emergency on AIDS, a move that would allow his government access to cheaper drugs to combat the disease.
US-health-AIDS: US AIDS sufferers living longer: study: Agence France-Presse - Mars 13, 2001; CHICAGO, March 13 (AFP) - The life expectancy of AIDS sufferers in the United States increased dramatically during the 1980s and '90s, according to a report released Tuesday underlining the success of a decade of improving drug treatments.
Germany-AIDS: HIV on the rise in Germany for first time in five years: Agence France-Presse - Mars 13, 2001; BERLIN, March 13 (AFP) - The number of people affected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, rose in Germany last year by 33 percent, the first increase in five years, German health authorities said Tuesday.
Russia-AIDS: 700,000 Russians could die from AIDS within a decade: expert: Agence France-Presse - Mars 12, 2001; MOSCOW, March 13 (AFP) - Up to 700,000 HIV carriers in Russia could die within the next decade, Russia's leading expert on the disease said Tuesday during an Internet press conference.
Russia-drugs: Russian PM warns of growing drugs threat: Agence France-Presse - Mars 12, 2001; MOSCOW, March 13 (AFP) - Russia faced a major social crisis caused by the twin threats of illegal drugs trafficking and spiralling rates of drug addiction, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov warned Tuesday.
US-SAfrica-AIDS: Act Up calls for AIDS drugs for sufferers in S Africa outside Pharma offices: Agence France-Presse - Mars 12, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 12 (AFP) - Police showed up in force Monday outside the Washington offices of pharmaceuticals industry association Pharma, as Act-Up Philadelphia staged an unauthorized demonstration to highlight the plight of untreated HIV-sufferers in South Africa.
Swiss-SAfrica-AIDS: Red Cross urges support of South Africa in search for AIDS solution: Agence France-Presse - Mars 12, 2001; GENEVA, March 12 (AFP) - The Red Cross called Monday for international support for South Africa, which is facing a lawsuit over a plan to provide cheap drugs to AIDS sufferers.
Nigeria-SAfrica: South Africa critical of progress on agreements with Nigeria: Ola Awoniyi; Agence France-Presse - Mars 12, 2001; ABUJA, March 12 (AFP) - Trade has risen between black Africa's two largest economies, but progress is still too slow in implementing signed agreements, a top South African official said Monday.
India-health-AIDS: Indian institute develops cheap test for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - Mars 12, 2001; NEW DELHI, March 12 (AFP) - Testing of the killer AIDS virus will become much cheaper in India with the development of an indegeneous testing kit based on the Western "blot" technology.
Russia-AIDS: Over 300,000 HIV cases in Russia: health officials: Agence France-Presse - Mars 11, 2001; MOSCOW, March 11 (AFP) - At least 300,000 Russians have contracted the HIV virus since 1987, more than double the number than previously estimated, Russian health officials told the ITAR-TASS news agency citing new UN figures.
China-sex: China tightens rules on profit-making sperm banks: Agence France-Presse - Mars 9, 2001; SHANGHAI, March 9 (AFP) - China is to tighten the management of sperm banks and put a stop to unsafe collecting methods which might encourage the spread of diseases such as AIDS, state media reported Friday.
SAfrica-drugs-MSF: MSF urges drugs giants to drop South Africa suit: Agence France-Presse - March 9, 2001; PARIS, March 9 (AFP) - The medical humanitarian organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) launched an international petition Friday to urge 39 drugs firms to drop their law suit against South Africa.
SAfrica-drugs: S.African government is making us the scapegoats on AIDS: drug companies: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - March 8, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 8 (AFP) - The world's largest pharmaceutical companies said Thursday they had become scapegoats for the South African government's own inability to treat people living with HIV/AIDS.
Population-women: Access to contraception, prenatal care greatest reproductive health challenges: Lauren Gelfand; Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 7 (AFP) - Each year, some 515,000 women -- about one woman every minute -- die in pregnancy or childbirth, according to a global study released Wednesday by Population Action International, ahead of International Women's Day.
Zimbabwe-AIDS-drugs: Zimbabwe supports SAfrica's bid to get cheap anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; HARARE, March 7 (AFP) - Zimbabwe has come out in support of South Africa and Kenya in their battle with international pharamaceutical companies for imports of cheaper drugs to fight AIDS.
UNICEF-women-marriage: Tragedy of child brides must stop, says UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; GENEVA, March 7 (AFP) - The UN Children's Fund UNICEF on Wednesday demanded an end to marriages of young girls, sometimes as young as 10, in a report highlighting the "silent despair" such children suffer, and the impact of the practice on society.
SAfrica-drugs-WHO: WHO says it is neutral in SAfrican row over anti-AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; GENEVA, March 7 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Wednesday that it backed efforts to get cheaper medicines to those in need but was neutral in South Africa's legal battle to import and produce cheap generic anti-AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-drugs-arrest: SAfrican AIDS activists in court after protest vs drug company: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; PRETORIA, March 7 (AFP) - Eighteen AIDS activists appeared in a South African court Wednesday after being arrested while demonstrating against the pharmaceutical industry, presently locked in a landmark legal battle with the South African government.
SAfrica-AIDS-Merck: S.African AIDS activists welcome Merck's offer of cheaper drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, March 7 (AFP) - AIDS activists in South Africa Wednesday welcomed US drug giant Merck's offer to slash the price of its AIDS drug treatments in developing countries, but said the company had not gone far enough.
Latvia-AIDS: Talk of compulsory AIDS tests in Latvia needles activists: J. Michael Lyons; Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; RIGA, March 7 (AFP) - As Latvia's registered HIV cases climbed above 1,000 this week, a dispute broke out about the rights of hospital workers and patients at a rural hospital, where doctors threatened involuntary AIDS testing after an HIV carrier failed to disclose his condition.
Kenya-AIDS: New patent bill seen as first step to cheaper AIDS drugs in Kenya: Juliette Hollier-Larousse; Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; NAIROBI, March 7 (AFP) - Agencies working in the AIDS sector in Kenya on Wednesday cautiously welcomed plans by the government to table legislation that would in theory improve access to drugs used to combat the HIV virus.
Britain-budget-medical: Britain plans tax breaks for drugs groups helping poor: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; LONDON, March 7 (AFP) - Britain announced plans on Wednesday to introduce a new tax credit to drugs companies supporting the battle against deadly diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis, which kill millions of people each year.
Botswana-AIDS: Big Botswana diamond company to subsidise AIDS drugs for staff: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; GABORONE, March 7 (AFP) - Botswana's biggest diamond company, Debswana, is to pay 90 percent of the cost of anti-retroviral treatment for its employees and their spouses with HIV/AIDS, press reports said Wednesday.
SAfrica-drugs-AIDS: Merck plans further cuts in price of AIDS drugs for Africa: report: Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; PARIS, March 7 (AFP) - The US pharmaceutical group Merck is considering making further big cuts in prices for its anti-AIDS drugs in Africa, company president Raymond Gilmartin told the Wall Street Journal Europe on Wednesday.
US-AIDS-Merck: Merck to cut price for AIDS drugs in developing nations: Marc Braibant; Agence France-Presse - March 7, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 7 (AFP) - Merck said Wednesday it cut the price of its AIDS drug treatments in developing countries, described as a humanitarian move aimed at helping counties, principally in Africa, affected by the disease.
US-AIDS-Congress: US lawmakers introduce bill to ease access to generic AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; WASHINGTON, March 6 (AFP) - US lawmakers Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at easing developing countries' access to cheap generic drugs to help fight the AIDS pandemic that has killed millions.
Nepal-conference: Conference to tackle communicable diseases opens in Nepal: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; KATHMANDU, March 6 (AFP) - A four-day regional conference to examine ways of tackling HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases afflicting Southeast Asian nations opened here Tuesday.
Italy-women-excision: Awareness campaign urged to end female genital mutilation: Gunther Kern; Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; ROME, March 6 (AFP) - Heightened awareness about the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in poor countries would help save lives and promote development, international leaders and experts said at a conference Tuesday.
SAfrica-drugs: AIDS sufferers allowed voice in landmark case for cheaper drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; PRETORIA, March 6 (AFP) - The world's biggest pharmaceutical companies were forced onto the defensive Tuesday in their court action to stop South Africa importing cheap generic drugs when the judge adjourned the trial to let the country's leading AIDS advocacy group make its case.
Kenya-AIDS: Kenya's seeks legal path to cheaper AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; NAIROBI, March 6 (AFP) - Kenya plans to relax stringent patent laws to enable the 14 percent of its population infected with HIV to buy cheaper drugs to fight the killer virus, Health Minister Sam Ongeri said Tuesday.
Kenya-AIDS-vaccine: Clinical trial of AIDS vaccine under way in Kenya: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; NAIROBI, March 6 (AFP) - A Kenyan doctor on Tuesday joined in a new clinical trial for an AIDS vaccine developed by British and Kenyan scientists with the collaboration of a group of prostitutes found to be resistant to the HIV virus.
Swiss-SAfrica-WHO: WHO backs South Africa in anti-AIDS drug case: Jean-Louis de la Vaissiere; Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; GENEVA, March 6 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation said Tuesday it was taking extraordinary action to support South Africa's legal battle to import and produce cheap generic anti-AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-drugs: South African court adjourns landmark AIDS drugs case: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; PRETORIA, March 6 (AFP) - A landmark court case which could allow cheaper drugs for millions of AIDS sufferers in South Africa was adjourned Tuesday for five weeks to allow drug companies time to defend their case against a law that would threaten patent rights.
India-sex: Asian sex workers to set up anti-trafficking network: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2001; CALCUTTA, March 6 (AFP) - Several thousand sex workers from India and other Asian countries wrapped up a four-day meet in Calcutta on Monday, after agreeing to set up a network to counter trafficking of women in the region.
SAfrica-drugs-opposition: S.African opposition urges government to withdraw medicines act: Agence France-Presse - March 5, 2001; CAPE TOWN, March 5 (AFP) - South Africa's official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday urged the government to withdraw a law aimed at lowering the price of medicine, and which is being challenged in court by international drug companies.
SAfrica-drugs: Drug manufacturers take S.African government to court: Agence France-Presse - March 5, 2001; PRETORIA, March 5 (AFP) - In a landmark case here, 39 drug companies on Monday took the South African government to court to fight a law that will make medicine cheaper but will threaten their patent rights.
SAfrica-drugs-Britain: GlaxoSmithKline sticks by patent rights in drugs row: Sylvie Lanteaume; Agence France-Presse - March 5, 2001; LONDON, March 5 (AFP) - British pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) insisted Monday that its patents had to be respected, despite a furious row over its policy on sales of expensive drugs, including HIV treatments, to developing and poor countries.
SAfrica-AIDS: NGOs mobilise ahead of key SAfrica court battle over AIDS: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2001; PRETORIA, March 4 (AFP) - Two leading aid agencies denounced Sunday the "corporate inhumanity" of 39 pharmaceutical giants fighting a South African law giving cut-price access to anti-AIDs medicines.
Bangladesh-AIDS: 33,000 Bangladesh Red Crescent workers join fight against diseases: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2001; DHAKA, March 4 (AFP) - Some 33,000 Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers are to join forces with other health organisations to fight against communicable diseases, officials here said Sunday.
India-sex: 5,000 Asian sex workers meet in Calcutta: Agence France-Presse - March 3, 2001; CALCUTTA, March 3 (AFP) - More than 5,000 sex workers from across Asia gathered in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta Saturday to demand social recognition and legal sanction for their profession.
Japan-Madcow-blood: Japan restricts blood donations over mad cow fears: Hiroshi Hiyama; Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2001; TOKYO, March 2 (AFP) - Japan anonounced Friday it will ban blood donations from people who have lived in Europe for more than six months since 1980 in an attempt to prevent the spread of the human variant of mad cow disease.
China-blood-AIDS: Chinese sperm donors in southern China add to AIDS threat: Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2001; SHANGHAI, March 2 (AFP) - Migrant workers in China's southern province of Guangdong are making a living as sperm and blood donors in unsafe procedures that could lead to the spread of AIDS, the Labor Daily reported Friday.
Cambodia-arrest: Cambodian cow dung scam ends in arrest: Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2001; PHNOM PENH, March 2 (AFP) - Cambodian police have arrested a woman for selling dung claiming it was from a sacred cow and could cure a range of ills including AIDS, a report said Friday.
Singapore-crime-AIDS: HIV mum jailed for abandoning new-born baby in Singapore: Agence France-Presse - March 1, 2001; SINGAPORE, March 1 (AFP) - An HIV-positive mother was Thursday jailed for nine months for abandoning her newborn baby in a Singapore hotel, a report said.

February

Russia-Kaliningrad: Kaliningraders face Europe's ills: AIDS and drugs: Pierre Celerier; Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; KALININGRAD, Russia, February 28 (AFP) - European Union officials have expressed concern about the supposed threat of crime, drugs and AIDS in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, but first in the firing line are the Kaliningraders themselves.
US-AIDS-Ghana: US Ex-Im Bank backs sales of AIDS medicines in Ghana: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (AFP) - The US Export-Import Bank on Wednesday said it was ready to provide up to 250 million dollars in loans, guarantees and insurance to help Ghana acquire US-made medicine and equipment to combat HIV and AIDS.
Health-Ebola: When Ebola and HIV are your friends: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; PARIS, Feb 28 (AFP) - Ebola and HIV, two of the most terrifying viruses known to Man, are being harnessed to fight a killer lung disease.
UN-population-AIDS: AIDS will reduce life expectancy by 20 years in parts of Africa: UN: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Feb 28 (AFP) - Over the next ten years, AIDS will cause average life expectancy in African countries worst hit by the disease to fall by 20 years, according to a UN report published Wednesday.
UN-population: UN sees world population rising to 9.3 billion by 2050 despite AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Feb 28 (AFP) - The world's population is expected to increase to 9.3 billion over the next 50 years despite the worsening impact of AIDS, according to a UN report released Wednesday.
SAfrica-Dutch: Netherlands donates 780,000 dlrs to Mandela's Children's Fund: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 28 (AFP) - The Dutch government has committed six million rand (780,000 dollars, 850,000 euros) to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the former South African president announced Wednesday.
SAfrica-diamonds: De Beers warns US economy to take shine off 2001: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 28 (AFP) - South African diamond giant De Beers warned Wednesday the slowing US economy would take the shine off sales this year after a record-breaking performance in 2000.
India-sex: Thousands of Asian sex workers to gather in Calcutta: Agence France-Presse - February 27, 2001; CALCUTTA, Feb 27 (AFP) - More than 20,000 sex workers from across Asia will gather in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta Saturday to demand greater respect for their profession.
SAfrica-Dutch: Dutch Prime Minister visits AIDS centre in S.Africa: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Feb 26 (AFP) - Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, on the third day of a five-day visit to South Africa, on Monday visited an AIDS care centre in a black township on the edge of Cape Town, officials said.
Russia-Siberia-exile: Home truths in Russia's Siberian city of exiles: Hugh Barnes; Agence France-Presse - February 25, 2001; IRKUTSK, Russia, Feb 25 (AFP) - Exile is a key to Russian history, a grim metaphor of displacement and upheaval that laced both Tsarist and Soviet regimes.
Malaysia-AIDS: Malaysia overcomes residents' objections to open first AIDS hospice: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2001; KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (AFP) - Malaysia's AIDS Council will open its first hospice for terminally ill patients this summer after five years of frustration due to objections from local residents, its president Marina Mahathir said Friday.
Britain-medical-budget: Britain dangles tax breaks for drugs groups helping developing world: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2001; LONDON, Feb 23 (AFP) - Britain could offer tax breaks to pharmaceuticals companies which throw their weight behind efforts to combat deadly diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis hitting developing countries.
US-health-syphilis: Incidence of syphilis 30 times higher among US blacks than whites: study: Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2001; WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (AFP) - The incidence of syphilis in the United States is 30 times higher among blacks than among whites, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SAfrica-SADC: SADC ministers meet to revamp regional body: Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2001; MIDRAND, South Africa, Feb 22 (AFP) - Ministers from the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Thursday began a three-day meeting in South Africa on reforming the regional body's institutions.
SAfrica-AIDS: South Africa approves drug Fluconazole for AIDS treatment: Agence France-Presse - February 22, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 22 (AFP) - South Africa's Medicines Control Council (MCC) has approved the distribution of the drug Fluconazole for treatment of opportunistic AIDS-related illnesses, it was announced Thursday.
AIDS-Africa: Kenya AIDS campaigners lash out at "greedy" drugs firms: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2001; NAIROBI, Feb 21 (AFP) - "Greedy" pharmaceutical companies came under fire here Wednesday from aid agencies which accused the firms of putting profits before human lives by not doing enough to make AIDS-related drugs affordable for the world's poor.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African budget increases funding against HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Feb 21 (AFP) - South Africa will provide more than one billion rand (129 million dollars/141 million euros) for HIV/AIDS programmes over the next three years, according to the budget presented in parliament Wednesday.
Nigeria-IMF-WBank: IMF and World Bank heads in Nigeria for talks on debt, governance: Peter Cunliffe-Jones; Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2001; ABUJA, Feb 21 (AFP) - The heads of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived Wednesday in Nigeria for talks with top officials on questions ranging from debt to good governance, 21 months after the end of military rule.
Britain-medical-AIDS: GlaxoSmithKline to speed up AIDS drug program for Africa: Mark Rice-Oxley; Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2001; LONDON, Feb 21 (AFP) - British drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline pledged Wednesday to accelerate supplies of HIV treatments to the developing world, following harsh criticism of its refusal to make cheap drugs available to AIDS-wracked poor countries.
UN-drugs-Africa: In Africa, women and children are the new junkies: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2001; VIENNA, Feb 21 (AFP) - Women and children are increasingly turning to drug abuse in Africa, where the scourge is fueled by war, poverty and crime, a UN report said Wednesday.
UN-AIDS: Annan urges governments to intensify fight against AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - February 20, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Feb 20 (AFP) - Calling AIDS "the most formidable development challenge of our time," UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday urged governments to mobilise resources on a massive scale to fight the epidemic.
Cambodia-security: Environment, AIDS top threats in Cambodia's first defense white paper: Agence France-Presse - February 20, 2001; PHNOM PENH, Feb 20 (AFP) - Environmental threats, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the looting of ancient temples are amongst Cambodia's top security concerns outlined in the country's first ever defense white paper published Tuesday.
Africa-IMF-WBank: African leaders, finance aides, discuss continent's poverty trap: Agence France-Presse - February 20, 2001; BAMAKO, Feb 20 (AFP) - The heads of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday wound up two days of talks with 10 African leaders on the continent's chronic debt and poverty crisis.
France-AIDS: Young French people less fearful of AIDS than their elders: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2001; PARIS, Feb 18 (AFP) - One in seven French people admit to having had unprotected sex in the past year, but the number rises to one in five among the 16- to 20-year-old age group, according to a study by the world's biggest condom manufacturer, Durex.
SAfrica-SADC: SADC ministers to consider joint action on floods, disease: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 18 (AFP) - Southern African ministers who will meet in South Africa from Thursday to Saturday will consider combined action on flooding and cholera, the acting secretary general of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) said Sunday.
Vietnam-AIDS: More than 20 percent of Vietnamese prostitutes have HIV: study: Agence France-Presse - February 17, 2001; HANOI, Feb 17 (AFP) - More than 20 percent of Vietnamese protitutes have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, 10 times more than just two years ago, according to an official study.
UN-goodwill: Miss Universe, new UN goodwill ambassador, warns of Asian AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - February 15, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Feb 15 (AFP) - Warning that Asia faces an AIDS epidemic on the scale of sub-Saharan Africa, Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta of India, became goodwill ambassador for the UN Population Fund on Thursday.
Russia-population: Russia says population drop now key security threat: Dmitry Zaks; Agence France-Presse - February 15, 2001; MOSCOW, Feb 15 (AFP) - The Russian government issued a dramatic report Thursday concluding that the country's relentlessly falling population now posed a grave threat to national security.
Britain-AIDS: Man on trial over HIV infection, in legal first for Britain: Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2001; GLASGOW, Scotland, Feb 14 (AFP) - A man went on trial Wednesday in Glasgow accused of knowingly infecting his former girlfriend with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in the first case of its kind before a British court.
SAfrica-AIDS-drugs: S. Africa frustrated by delay in cheaper drugs: minister: Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Feb 14 (AFP) - South Africa and other poor countries are frustrated by pharmaceutical companies' delays in announcing what price cuts they are prepared to offer on anti-AIDS drugs, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said Wednesday.
Spain-AIDS: 13 percent fall in AIDS cases in Spain: Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2001; MADRID, Feb 14 (AFP) - The number of AIDS cases reported in Spain in the year 2000 fell by 13 percent from 1999 figures, the health ministry announced on Wednesday.
Estonia-AIDS: Estonia declares HIV spread an epidemic: Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2001; TALLINN, Feb 14 (AFP) - A government panel has declared the spread of the HIV virus that causes AIDS an epidemic in Estonia, health officials said Thursday.
Namibia-refugees: Refugee move would threaten San, humanitarian organisations say: John Grobler; Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2001; WINDHOEK, Feb 14 (AFP) - Humanitarian organisations operating in Namibia fear that the planned move of a big refugee camp from the centre of the country to the northeast will disrupt the fragile way of life of the largely illiterate San hunter-gatherers there.
Britain-health: Oxfam launches stinging attack on drug industry over cheap medicines ban: Agence France-Presse - February 12, 2001; LONDON, Feb 12 (AFP) - British charity Oxfam on Monday accused the global pharmaceutical industry and the world's rich nations of waging "an undeclared drugs war" against poor countries by refusing to allow them to produce low-cost equivalents of some life-saving medicines.
Singapore-AIDS: Thousands petition to have AIDS-awareness classes in schools: Agence France-Presse - February 11, 2001; SINGAPORE, Feb 11 (AFP) - Fifty thousand Singapore residents have put their signatures to a petition calling for AIDS-awareness education in secondary schools, according to a report in the Sunday Times.
Japan-health-AIDS: HIV-patient fights prejudice against AIDS in Japan: Shino Yuasa; Agence France-Presse - February 11, 2001; TOKYO, Feb 11 (AFP) - Yasutomo Nakamae is gay and HIV-positive. Already battling numerous diseases caused by the infection, he has to muster his inner reserves of energy to fend off ignorance and prejudice against AIDS in Japan.
Bulgaria-Libya-AIDS: Libya postpones trial of Bulgarians accused of spreading HIV: Agence France-Presse - February 10, 2001; SOFIA, Feb 10 (AFP) - Authorities in Tripoli have postponed to March 17 the trial of six Bulgarians and a Palestinian accused of having infected hundreds of Libyan children with HIV, Bulgarian radio reported on Saturday.
SAfrica-Mbeki: Mbeki pledges to combat S Africa's economic and social ills: Emsie Ferreira; Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Feb 9 (AFP) - President Thabo Mbeki pledged Friday to raise the standard of living of the poorest in South Africa and to reinvigorate the economy.
Swiss-pharmaceutical: Roche open to discuss patent rights of AIDS drug with Brazil: Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2001; BASEL, Switzerland, Feb 9 (AFP) - The Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche Holding said on Friday it is open to talks on the patent rights of its AIDS treatment Nelfinavir with legal experts from the Brazilian government and with international trade organisations.
Denmark-AIDS: Denmark considers tougher stance against transmission of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 8, 2001; COPENHAGEN, Feb 8 (AFP) - Denmark is considering amendments to its law to make it easier to prosecute HIV carriers who transmit the virus through unprotected sex, the justice ministry said Thursday.
AIDS-India: Offer of low-cost AIDS treatment inspired by Gujarat quake: Cipla: Agence France-Presse - February 8, 2001; NEW DELHI, Feb 8 (AFP) - Indian drug company Cipla Ltd. said Thursday its offer to supply triple cocktail anti-AIDS treatment to humanitarian groups at at low prices had been inspired by the suffering in the Gujarat earthquake.
France-UNICEF: UNICEF chief speaks out in Paris for children: Claudine Dreuilhe; Agence France-Presse - February 8, 2001; PARIS, Feb 8 (AFP) - UNICEF Director General Carol Bellamy arrived in Paris Wednesday to plead the cause of children prior to a second world summit on the subject to be held in September at the United Nations in New York.
AIDS-India: Indian firm offers low-cost AIDS treatment to relief group: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2001; AMSTERDAM, Feb 7 (AFP) - An Indian drugs company has offered to sell triple cocktail anti-AIDS treatment to a relief organisation for only 350 dollars per patient per year, well below market price, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Kenya-Somalia-excision: Kenyan symposium condemns female genital mutilation: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2001; NAIROBI, Feb 7 (AFP) - Delegates attending a one-day seminar here on female circumcision have called for the eradication of the practice that is still prevalent in Kenya and Somalia.
China-Cockroach-AIDS: Chinese scientists say cockroach chemicals can fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2001; BEIJING, Feb 7 (AFP) - Chinese scientists say chemical components found in cockroaches have a "similar effectiveness" in the treatment of AIDS as the widely used American drug AZT, state press reported Wednesday.
Thailand-AIDS: Thailand's HIV infection rate slows in 2000: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2001; BANGKOK, Feb 7 (AFP) - Thailand's HIV infection rate slowed last year but the spread of the deadly disease among prostitutes increased slightly, the health ministry said Wednesday.
US-AIDS-hepatitis: Genetic mutation helps with AIDS but threatens hepatitis C: study: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; CHICAGO, Jan 6 (AFP) - A genetic mutation known to reduce the risk on contracting the AIDS virus could increase the risk of catching hepatitis C, according to a study made public here at a conference on retroviruses and opportunistic infections.
US-AIDS: Risky behavior among gay males again boosting incidence of HIV: scientists: Guy Clavel; Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; CHICAGO, Feb 6 (AFP) - New data showing an increase in the number of HIV cases among gay males in San Francisco prompted a researcher with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to announce Tuesday "the risk behaviors are coming back."
Russia-AIDS: HIV rate nearly triples in Russia in 2000: health officials: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; MOSCOW, Feb 6 (AFP) - More than 46,000 Russians contracted the HIV virus in 2000, tripling the previous year's rate, health officials told ITAR-TASS on Tuesday.
SAfrica-population: AIDS slowing South Africa's population growth: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 6 (AFP) - AIDS in South Africa -- which claimed about 200,000 lives in 2000 -- and urbanisation have reduced annual population growth to about 1.35 percent, a researcher told AFP.
SAfrica-AIDS: S. African doctors testing for HIV without consent: activists: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 6 (AFP) - South African doctors are testing the HIV status of workers without their knowledge or consent and revealing it to their employers, AIDS activists said Tuesday, calling for disciplinary action against them.
Thailand-health: Thai health officials try to calm fears over rare disease: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; BANGKOK, Feb 6 (AFP) - Thailand's public health ministry said there was no need for panic over the deaths of two people Tuesday from an amoebic disease not seen here for nearly 20 years.
Gabon-AIDS: Gabon's urban AIDS/HIV rate around eight percent mark: survey: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2001; LIBREVILLE, Feb 6 (AFP) - The number of people in Gabon's urban population living with AIDS or HIV has reached 7.7 percent of the population in Libreville and nine percent in the economic capital Port Gentil, the national AIDS institute said Tuesday.
US-AIDS-drugs: Future medications will be tough, wily in battling AIDS: Guy Clavel; Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2001; CHICAGO, Feb 5 (AFP) - A new generation of AIDS drugs will not only put up a good fight against the disease but will able to combat medication-resistant strains of the AIDS virus, researchers at an annual conference on retroviruses said here Monday.
Cuba-SAfrica: Castro receives South African minister: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2001; HAVANA, Feb 5 (AFP) - Cuban President Fidel Castro has met with visiting South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Zuma to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Ireland-madcow-blood: Irish doctors urged to minimise blood use amid mad cow fears: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2001; DUBLIN, Feb 5 (AFP) - Irish doctors were urged on Monday to be cautious about giving blood transfusions in order to minimise the risk of transmitting infections, amid fears that the human form of mad cow disease could also be passed on.
SAfrica-tuberculosis: Global TB initiative begins push for better drugs by 2010: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2001; CAPE TOWN, Feb 5 (AFP) - An international anti-tuberculosis initiative, the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, launched a campaign Monday to develop a more effective, cheaper treatment by 2010.
SKorea-AIDS: New HIV strain appears in South Korea: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2001; SEOUL, Feb 5 (AFP) - US and South Korean medical teams have discovered a previously unknown strain of the HIV virus that will require new types of treatment and AIDS vaccines, doctors said Monday.
US-AIDS: New guidelines recommend delay in anti-viral AIDS treatment: Agence France-Presse - February 4, 2001; CHICAGO, Feb 4 (AFP) - New guidelines for the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV released here Monday advise doctors to begin anti-viral therapy at a later stage than previously recommended.
US-AIDS-conference: Annual AIDS conference in US studies resistant strains, new treatments: Agence France-Presse - February 4, 2001; CHICAGO, Feb 4 (AFP) - Some 3,000 researchers and doctors are set to discuss the development of resistant strains of the devastating HIV virus and advances in treatment at the eighth annual US conference on AIDS that opens here Sunday.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Dying S African AIDS activist misses 12th birthday party: Agence France-Presse - February 4, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Feb 4 (AFP) - Ailing South African AIDS activist Nkosi Johnson turned 12 on Sunday and spent the day confined to bed, too ill to attend a party celebrities and friends held for him in Johannesburg.
US-Brazil-WTO: US says its patent complaint does not target Brazilian generic AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - February 2, 2001; WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (AFP) - The United States on Friday insisted that its WTO complaint against Brazil targets Brazilian law on patented technology and is not aimed at blocking the country's right to produce generic anti-AIDS drugs.
WTO-US-Brazil: WTO to examine US complaint against Brazilian generic AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - February 1, 2001; GENEVA, Feb 1 (AFP) - The World Trade Organization launched an examination Thursday into a US complaint that Brazilian production of generic drugs against AIDS discriminated against US patent owners.
Botswana-prisoners: Terminal AIDS sufferers go home as Botswana frees prisoners: Agence France-Presse - February 1, 2001; GABORONE, Feb 1 (AFP) - The Botswana authorities have freed more than a thousand prisoners, many of them terminally-ill AIDS sufferers, as part of a plan to ease congestion in crowded jails, the southern African country's prisons commissioner said Thursday.

January

Liberia-Taiwan: Taiwanese medical team arrives in Liberia: Agence France-Presse - January 30, 2001; MONROVIA, Jan 30 (AFP) - A team of 27 Taiwanese medical workers has arrived here offering free medical treatment for rural Liberians, team leader Ho Mei-shang announced Tuesday.
Davos-forum: Davos leaders urge partnership to tackle poverty-causing disease: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2001; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 29 (AFP) - Top political and business leaders called on Monday for greater partnership between governments, the private sector and international organisations to tackle poverty-causing diseases.
ICoast-children: Ivory Coast's children victims of economic crisis, AIDS and tradition: Isabelle Ligner; Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2001; ABIDJAN, Jan 28 (AFP) - The lives of many of Ivory Coast's children are blighted by lack of schooling, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the economic crisis which forces them into hard labour, and dangerous traditional rituals.
Kenya-AIDS-vaccine: Kenya allowes clinical tests of first AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2001; NAIROBI, Jan 28 (AFP) - Clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine are due to begin in Kenya soon following approval of the tests by the country's medical authorities, an official statement released here Sunday said.
US-Gates-AIDS: Gates donates 100 million dollars to fight AIDS: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2001; WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (AFP) - Microsoft founder Bill Gates expanded his philanthropic activities Saturday, as his foundation announced a 100-million-dollar grant to help develop vaccines to fight AIDS.
ICoast-health: A world first in Ivory Coast: a minister charged with fighting HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2001; ABIDJAN, Jan 26 (AFP) - In an apparent world first, Ivory Coast has appointed a minister whose sole task is to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and other pandemics.
Lithuania-drugs: Norway's Statoil tries blue lights in fight against drug addicts: Agence France-Presse - January 25, 2001; VILNIUS, Jan 25 (AFP) - The Norwegian petrol retailer Statoil is installing blue lights in the lavatories of its stations in Lithuania to discourage their use by drug addicts, a company representative said.
Russia-prisons: World Bank grants Russia 48 mln dollars for prison health: Agence France-Presse - January 25, 2001; MOSCOW, Jan 25 (AFP) - The World Bank is to grant Russia 48 million dollars in credits to help in the fight against tuberculosis and AIDS in prisons, Deputy Justice Minister Yury Kalinin said Thursday.
US-AIDS: AIDS cases on the rise in San Francisco: Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2001; SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 24 (AFP) - After years of decline, HIV infections are on the rise again among gay men in San Francisco, according to a report released here Wednesday.
US-Bush-abortion: Foes of abortion restriction lash Bush decision: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2001; WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (AFP) - President George W. Bush's move to bar US funds from overseas groups that support abortion will actually result in more abortions while crippling AIDS prevention and family planning efforts, opponents said Tuesday.
AIDS-Britain: Britons diagnosed with AIDS reached record high in 2000: officials: Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2001; LONDON, Jan 24 (AFP) - A record number of British people were diagnosed as having the HIV virus last year, public health officials said on Wednesday.
Indonesia-contraception: Plan to make condoms compulsory for extra-marital sex: Agence France-Presse - January 22, 2001; JAKARTA, Jan 22 (AFP) - Authorities in Indonesia's province of Irian Jaya plan to make the use of condoms compulsory for extra-marital sex, a report said Monday.
Bangladesh-AIDS: 157 Bangladeshis infected with HIV virus: minister: Agence France-Presse - January 22, 2001; DHAKA, Jan 22 (AFP) - At least 157 Bangladeshis are infected with the HIV virus, the government said Monday, ahead of a 3,130 million taka (58 million dollar) project to curb the infection's spread due to start this year.
UN-AIDS-peacekeeping: US calls on UN to budget AIDS testing in all peacekeeping missions: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2001; UNITED NATIONS, Jan 19 (AFP) - The United States called Friday on UN military planners to include the cost of testing troops for HIV/AIDS in the budget of every peacekeeping operation.
Africa-summit-AIDS: Wives of African leaders mobilise against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2001; YAOUNDE, Jan 19 (AFP) - Fourteen wives of African heads of state and Nane Annan, the wife of UN chief Kofi Annan, have signed a declaration here pledging to press their husbands into stepping up the fight against AIDS.
Africa-summit-UN: Africa must show it is not a "hopeless case": Annan: Agence France-Presse - January 18, 2001; YAOUNDE, Jan 18 (AFP) - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called on African leaders Thursday to take action to demonstrate that the world's poorest continent is "not a hopeless case," and asserted that democracy was beginning to take hold.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Critical condition of S.Africa's child AIDS icon unchanged Tuesday: Agence France-Presse - January 16, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (AFP) - The critical condition of South Africa's 11-year-old AIDS icon Nkosi Johnson remains unchanged, his exhausted foster mother Gail Johnson said from her Johannesburg home on Tuesday.
Pakistan-AIDS: HIV African women and Bangladeshi man in Karachi jail: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2001; KARACHI, Jan 14 (AFP) - Two African women and a Bangladeshi man jailed here on drug-related offences last year are suffering from AIDS, Pakistani prison officials said Sunday.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Prayers for AIDS icon in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 12 (AFP) - Some 300 South Africans gathered at Saint Mary's Anglican cathedral in Johannesburg Friday to pray for 11-year-old AIDS icon Nkosi Johnson.
Romania-AIDS: Romanian authorities pressed over AIDS paedophile: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2001; BUCHAREST, Jan 12 (AFP) - Romanian authorities were slammed for "passivity" Friday over the arrest of a paedophile dying of AIDS who has been accused of having sex with a string of so-called street children.
Bhutan-AIDS: Tiny Bhutan sounds AIDS alarm: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2001; NEW DELHI, Jan 12 (AFP) - The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has sounded an AIDS warning, despite recording a miniscule number of official cases.
Britain-health: HIV positive African nurses working in British hospitals: health chiefs: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2001; WOLVERHAMPTON, England, Jan 12 (AFP) - Trainee African nurses diagnosed as HIV positive are working in British hospitals, a senior health official confirmed on Friday.
US-genetics-monkey: US scientists raise first genetically modified monkey: Guy Clavel; Agence France-Presse - January 11, 2001; WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (AFP) - Scientists hope the world's first genetically modified primate will be the first in a long line of animals that can aid in finding genetic cures to such diseases as Alzheimer's, AIDS and cancer.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Child AIDS icon dying, but S. Africans still reject sufferers: Claire Keeton; Agence France-Presse - January 11, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 11 (AFP) - High-profile South Africans are uniting to support dying 11-year-old AIDS icon Nkosi Johnson, but two developments on Thursday made it clear that ordinary people still reject sufferers living among them.
Estonia-AIDS: Estonian HIV infection rate soars 43-fold in 2000: Agence France-Presse - January 11, 2001; TALLINN, Jan 11 (AFP) - The HIV infection rate in Estonia jumped 43-fold in 2000 with 390 new infections, compared to nine cases in 1999, mainly among intravenous drug users, health officials said on Thursday.
Zambia-AIDS-condoms: Zambian television axes condom commercial after criticism: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2001; LUSAKA, Jan 11 (AFP) - Zambia's state-owned television has withdrawn all anti-AIDS campaign advertisements on the use of condoms following criticism that the campaign promotes immorality, a television spokesman said Thursday.
SAfrica-AIDS: Mandela lauds 11-year old S.African, Nkosi Johnson: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 10 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Wednesday lauded ailing Nkosi Johnson -- an 11-year-old boy with full-blown AIDS -- as an "icon of the struggle for life".
Zambia-Kaunda-AIDS: Kaunda to set up radio stations to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2001; LUSAKA, Jan 10 (AFP) - Zambia's former president Kenneth Kaunda will soon launch two radio stations in Zambia primarily aimed at disseminating information on HIV/AIDS in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly virus, state media reported Wednesday.
Romania-Germany-childsex: Arrested German paedophile suspect is HIV-positive: Romania: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2001; BUCHAREST, Jan 9 (AFP) - A German man arrested for paedophilia in Romania has been tested HIV-positive, raising fears that he has infected his alleged victims with the deadly virus, Bucharest police said Tuesday.
Cambodia-Japan-court: Japanese tourist charged over sex with underage virgin sold by mother: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2001; PHNOM PENH, Jan 9 (AFP) - A Cambodian court on Tuesday charged a Japanese tourist for allegedly having sex with an underage girl who was sold as a virgin to a brothel by her mother, court officials said.
Zambia-AIDS: Zambian education minister condemns condom advertising: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2001; LUSAKA, Jan 9 (AFP) - Zambian Education minister Godfrey Miyanda has slammed state television for airing a condom commercial, saying the adverstisement promotes promiscuity in the country, state radio reported Tuesday.
Russia-AIDS: Half of Russian population could have HIV in 10 years: top official: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2001; MOSCOW, Jan 9 (AFP) - Russia could have a million citizens who are HIV positive by the end of this year and half of the population could become infected by the deadly disease within 10 years, the country's top AIDS official said Tuesday.
Denmark-AIDS-Africa: Denmark unveils new plan in fight against AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2001; ODENSE, Denmark, Jan 9 (AFP) - Denmark on Tuesday unveiled a new prevention-based plan of action in the fight against AIDS, especially in Africa.
Japan-health-HIV: Sperm from HIV positive husband used for artificial insemination: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2001; TOKYO, Jan 9 (AFP) - Japanese doctors have made the first attempt at artificial insemination using sperm from an HIV-positive husband in a technique that virtually guarantees the safety from infection of his wife and their unborn baby.
Nigeria-Islam-AIDS: Islamic clergy in northern Nigeria condemn HIV/AIDS seminar: Agence France-Presse - January 8, 2001; KANO, Nigeria, Jan 8 (AFP) - The council of Islamic clergy in Kano in northern Nigeria on Monday urged Muslims to boycott a US-backed seminar on HIV/AIDS saying it would increase promiscuity.
Latvia-AIDS-drugs: New HIV infections nearly double last year in Latvia: Agence France-Presse - January 8, 2001; RIGA, Jan 8 (AFP) - Fueled by intravenous drug use the number of new HIV infections in Latvia nearly doubled in 2000 compared to 1999 and registered a sharp increase among youths, health workers said Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS-Nkosi: Nkosi suffering from brain damage: Agence France-Presse - January 7, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 7 (AFP) - Nkosi Johnson, an 11-year-old with full-blown AIDS who won -- and broke -- the hearts of thousands of delegates at an international AIDS conference in Durban last July, is suffering from brain damage, his foster mother said Sunday.
Bulgaria-Libya: Libyan trial of Bulgarians postponed again: Agence France-Presse - January 6, 2001; SOFIA, Jan 6 (AFP) - The trial of six Bulgarians and a Palestinian who face the death penalty if found guilty of deliberately infecting nearly 400 Libyan children with AIDS has been postponed again, Bulgarian radio said Saturday.
Britain-Europe-drugs: GlaxoSmithKline wins European approval for Trizivir HIV drug: Agence France-Presse - January 4, 2001; LONDON, Jan 4 (AFP) - British drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline said on Thursday it had gained approval from the European Commission to market its HIV drug Trizivir throughout the European Union.
Zimbabwe-health-fees: Zimbabwe hikes hospital fees by up to 100 percent: Agence France-Presse - January 3, 2001; HARARE, Jan 3 (AFP) - The Zimbabwe government had hiked hospital fees by between 50 percent and 100 percent from January 1, the state-run daily The Herald reported Wednesday.
SAfrica-guards: S. African security guards end strike: Agence France-Presse - January 3, 2001; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 3 (AFP) - South African security guards ended an often violent 17-day strike Wednesday when five mainly black employer organisations reached an agreement with nine unions, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration announced.
Estonia-AIDS-prisons: Estonia starts mandatory testing of prisoners for AIDS virus: Agence France-Presse - January 3, 2001; TALLINN, Jan 3 (AFP) - All new prison inmates in Estonia will be subject to a compulsory test for the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, in order to prevent an outbreak in the country's overcrowded prisons, officials said Wednesday.
Britain-AIDS: HIV-positive British man wins discrimination payout from ex-employer: Agence France-Presse - January 3, 2001; LONDON, Jan 3 (AFP) - A British shop worker who claimed his employer forced him to wear gloves and work alone after he was diagnosed with HIV won an out-of-court settlement on Wednesday.
Brazil-people: Brazilian thieves drink AIDS-contaminated blood by mistake: Agence France-Presse - January 2, 2001; RIO DE JANEIRO - After stealing a car at the Porto Velho airport, two inebriated thieves mistook containers of AIDS-infected blood found inside the vehicle for yogurt and drank them completely, local press reported Tuesday.
Tanzania-NewYear-AIDS: Tanzania's Mkapa urges change of behaviour to stem spread of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 1, 2001; DAR ES SALAAM - Tanzania's President Benjamim Mkapa has urged Tanzanians to change their sexual behaviour in order to curb the spread of AIDS in the new year.

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