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; ABU