Agence France-Presse - Table of Contents 'English'

2002

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January February March April May June July
August September October November December

December

Iran-AIDS: Iranian doctors ordered not to turn away AIDS patients: Agence France-Presse - December 30, 2002; TEHRAN, Dec 30 (AFP) - Doctors in Iran have received a government order not to turn away patients infected with HIV or AIDS as part of a new effort to control the spread of the disease, medical workers said Monday.
Africa-famine: Southern Africa still faces threat of famine in new year: Susan Njanji; Agence France-Presse - December 30, 2002; HARARE, Dec 30 (AFP) - A severe food crisis that has dogged southern Africa throughout 2002 is expected to continue, largely due to slow food imports, erratic rainfall and shortages of seeds and fertilisers.
US-AIDS-UN: AIDS has a "woman's face" in Africa, UN chief says: Agence France-Presse - December 29, 2002; NEW YORK, Dec 29 (AFP) - Famine and AIDS threaten the women who keep African societies going and make up the economic foundation of rural communities, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan wrote in Sunday's New York Times.
China-health-AIDS: Cheap AIDS drugs to combat China's spiralling crisis: Agence France-Presse - December 27, 2002; BEIJING, Dec 27 (AFP) - In a fresh sign that Chinese government attitudes are becoming more open, locally-produced drugs to treat AIDS patients will be on the market in January, official media said Friday.
Bangladesh-AIDS-sex: Bangladeshi schools to have sex education from 2004: Agence France-Presse - December 25, 2002; DHAKA, Dec 25 (AFP) - Bangladesh will introduce sex education in its schools from 2004 in an effort to stem the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, a top official was quoted saying Wednesday.
France-WTO-medicines: Chirac urges US to show "generosity" over drugs for poor countries: Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2002; PARIS, Dec 24 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac urged "all countries, and in particular the United States" Tuesday to display a spirit of generosity and compromise to ensure that poor nations have access to life-saving drugs.
EU-WTO-medicines: EU says US offer leaves issue of poor country access to medicine unresolved: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2002; BRUSSELS, Dec 23 (AFP) - The European Union's executive commission said Monday a US proposal in the WTO debate on ways to ensure poor countries have access to life-saving medicines was important but insufficient.
Malawi-Muluzi: Malawi government not taking blood from villagers: Muluzi: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2002; BLANTYRE, Dec 23 (AFP) - Malawi President Bakili Muluzi has dismissed allegations that his government is collaborating with international aid organisations to take blood from famished villagers in exchange for food.
Ethics-Nestle-Ethiopia: Nestle says part of compensation from Ethiopia to go to famine relief: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2002; VEVEY, Switzerland, Dec 23 (AFP) - The multinational food giant Nestle said Monday it would use an initial 1.6-million-dollar (1.55-million-euro) compensation payment from the Ethiopian government for famine relief.
US-WTO-medicines: US promises to let drugs go to needy countries: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2002; WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (AFP) - The United States has promised to let countries export life-saving drugs to needy countries without making any challenge to the World Trade Organization.
France-WTO-ActUp: Rich countries rejected serious talks on medicines for the poor: Act Up: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2002; PARIS, Dec 23 (AFP) - An anti-AIDS activist group charged Monday that rich countries failed to mount a serious effort at WTO talks last week to reach an agreement ensuring that poor nations have access to affordable medicine.
Health-AIDS: Monkey tests give a boost to hopes for tackling HIV: Agence France-Presse - December 22, 2002; PARIS, Dec 22 (AFP) - A novel treatment, tested on monkeys by a team of Chinese and French scientists, has given a small boost to hopes for dampening the AIDS virus without having to resort to anti-retroviral drugs.
Myanmar-AIDS: Myanmar AIDS sufferers escape sorry plight in their homeland: Son Moe Wai; Agence France-Presse - December 22, 2002; CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Dec 22 (AFP) - Shunned and mistreated by a government which would prefer to pretend they didn't exist, HIV-AIDS sufferers from military-ruled Myanmar who make their way into Thailand say they escaped a sorry plight in their home country.
Italy-prostitution: Italy poised to sweep away street prostitution: Agence France-Presse - December 21, 2002; ROME, Dec 21 (AFP) - Italy's government says it will go ahead with plans to sweep prostitution off the streets with a bill likely to meet strong resistance from the opposition left and the Catholic Church.
Swaziland-drought: Swazis struggle in drought-stricken areas: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - December 21, 2002; GAMULA, Swaziland, Dec 21 (AFP) - A lone herd of cattle, their ribs framing their skeletal bodies, roam restlessly, seeking a patch of green in the dry, sandy plains of eastern Swaziland.
WTO-medicines: WTO fails to clinch deal on cheap medicine for developing world: Agence France-Presse - December 21, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 21 (AFP) - The World Trade Organisation (WTO) suffered a setback in the small hours of Saturday when the United States failed to rally around a deal aimed at providing poor countries with better access to life-saving medicines.
SAfrica-ANC-poverty: Impoverished South Africans struggle as ANC mulls their future: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2002; STELLENBOSCH, South Africa, Dec 20 (AFP) - An ageing street trader with slumped shoulders sat on a sidewalk as she watched members of South Africa's ruling party trickle into a hall to talk about helping the poor.
Swaziland: Swazi protesters march as low-key strike enters second day: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2002; MANZINI, Swaziland, Dec 20 (AFP) - Some 2,000 protesters marched Friday through Swaziland's second town, Manzini, on the second day of a strike called by opposition groups to protest the Swazi king's purchase of a luxury jet.
Ukraine-health: World Bank grants Ukraine 60 million dollars to fight TB and AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2002; KIEV, Dec 20 (AFP) - The World Bank said here Friday that it has allocated 60 million dollars (euros) to combatting AIDS and tuberculosis in Ukraine where both diseases are rampant.
Zimbabwe-Mugabe: Mugabe admits serious famine in Zimbabwe, attacks Britain: Agence France-Presse - December 19, 2002; HARARE, Dec 19 (AFP) - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe admitted Thursday that his country was facing serious difficulties related to the famine that has hit the country, but blamed it solely on drought.
Zambia-IMF-AIDS: HIV/AIDS a heavy burden on Zambia's economic recovery: IMF: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2002; LUSAKA, Dec 18 (AFP) - The HIV/AIDS epidemic and a severe drought have placed a heavy burden on Zambia's efforts to restore economic prosperity, an official from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday.
WTO-medicines: WTO races against clock to unblock access to medicines deal: Jean-Louis de La Vaissiere; Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 18 (AFP) - The World Trade Organisation has until Friday to reach agreement on how to help poor countries gain access to affordable medicines in the face of US resistance prompted by Washington's concerns for the patent rights of its pharmaceutical industry.
SAfrica-ANC: ANC positions itself ideologically in post-apartheid South Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2002; STELLENBOSCH, South Africa, Dec 18 (AFP) - The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is positioning itself in post-apartheid South Africa as a social democratic party, committed to the interests of the poor, its policy document states.
Bangladesh-AIDS: 310 Bangladeshi children have HIV: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2002; DHAKA, Dec 18 (AFP) - At least 310 Bangladeshi children are suffering from HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said here Wednesday.
WTO-medicines: US increasingly isolated at WTO talks on cheap medicines: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 17 (AFP) - The United States appeared increasingly isolated on Tuesday as more countries rallied around a draft WTO accord on ensuring better access for poor countries to cheap medicines, trade sources said.
UN-AIDS-Taiwan: Non UN-member Taiwan makes donation to Global Fund for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 17 (AFP) - Taiwan, a non-member of the United Nations, has donated a million euros (1.03 million dollars) to the UN-initiated Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, Taiwan's cultural and economic delegation has announced here.
Namibia-AIDS-tax: Namibia to institute 'orphan tax': report: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; WINDHOEK, Dec 17 (AFP) - Namibia is set to introduce "orphan tax" to help alleviate the plight of some 82,000 children, more than half of them left parentless because of HIV/AIDS, The Namibian newspaper reported Tuesday.
FAO-food-Africa: UN food agency warns of worsening crisis in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; ROME, Dec 17 (AFP) - Up to 40 million people face hunger across Africa, in a crisis worsened by high rates of HIV/AIDS, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in a grim pre-Christmas report released here Tuesday.
UN-population-US: US backs down on hardline stance at UN population conference: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; BANGKOK, Dec 17 (AFP) - The United States backed down Tuesday from its hardline stance which threatened to derail a UN population conference, in the face of united opposition from 43 Asia-Pacific nations.
France-US-WTO: France slams US stand on poor country access to medicines: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; PARIS, Dec 17 (AFP) - A senior French official sharply criticized the US position Tuesday on expanding access for poor countries to life-saving cheap medicines, which he said was holding up a global agreement on the question at the World Trade Organisation.
China-Tibet-doctors: Medecins Sans Frontieres leaving Tibet after 14 years: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; BEIJING, Dec 17 (AFP) - One of the first non-governmental organizations (NGOs) allowed to work in Tibet is to close its two medical assistance projects in the region following years of administrative problems, an official said Tuesday.
Year-Africa-famine: Southern Africa facing unprecedented famine as year ends: Stephane Barbier; Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 17 (AFP) - Southern Africa is facing unprecedented famine, but rich countries are failing to provide enough aid to feed more than 14 million people -- many weakened by AIDS -- threatened with death by starvation, relief agencies say.
WTO-medicines: US holds out at WTO talks on medicines access: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 16 (AFP) - The United States was still holding out on Monday at crunch WTO talks on the scope of diseases to be covered under a key WTO accord on ensuring poor countries access to life-saving cheap medicines, trade sources said.
SAfrica-ANC-open: Crucial conference for ruling party starts in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2002; STELLENBOSCH, South Africa, Dec 16 (AFP) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) started a crucial five-day national conference Monday to devise strategies for the post apartheid struggle against poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Vietnam-UN-survey: Vietnam capital tops UN living standards survey: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2002; HANOI, Dec 16 (AFP) - Hanoi has the highest standard of living in Vietnam but the southern business capital of Ho Chi Minh City ranks a lowly 14th out of 61 provinces because of the threat of HIV/AIDS, the UN said Monday.
Vietnam-UN-children: Vietnam needs to tackle malnutrition, trafficking, HIV: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2002; HANOI, Dec 16 (AFP) - Sexual exploitation, malnutrition, inadequate sanitation and HIV transmission are just some of the problems facing children in Vietnam, the United Nations Children's Fund said Monday.
IMF-WBank-Africa: IMF and World Bank plea for aid in Africa food crisis: David Williams; Agence France-Presse - December 13, 2002; WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (AFP) - A spiralling food crisis in Africa threatens to envelop 30 million people next year and there is a massive shortfall in required aid, the IMF and World Bank warned Friday.
Singapore-sex: Singapore to use shock tactics to steer teens away from sex: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2002; SINGAPORE, Dec 12 (AFP) - Singapore teens are to be bombarded with horror pictures showing body parts disfigured by sexually-transmitted diseases in a government attempt to quell a growing cavalier attitude to casual sex.
RedCross-appeal: Red Cross launches appeal for 2003: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 12 (AFP) - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (ICRC) on Thursday appealed for 220 million Swiss francs (149.6 million euros, 150.6 million dollars) for its activities in 2003.
WHO-AIDS: New alliance to help poor countries with AIDS treatments: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 12 (AFP) - A group of some 50 non-governmental bodies, international agencies and national governments on Thursday announced the creation of a new alliance to help poor countries gain access to costly treatments to halt the spread of AIDS, the United Nations said.
China-sex: China urges safer sex in rural areas and among migrant workers: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2002; BEIJING, Dec 11 (AFP) - Family planning associations throughout China will be asked to do a better job of teaching the rural and migrant population about safe sex to prevent HIV/AIDS, state media said Wednesday.
Malawi-UN-famine: UN envoy condemns slow reaction to Southern Africa food crisis: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2002; BLANTYRE, Dec 8 (AFP) - A United Nations special envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa said on Sunday he was disappointed with the world's slow reaction to the food crisis in southern Africa, where people in six countries face starvation.
WTO-medicines: WTO meets to resolve differences over access to cheap drugs: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2002; GENEVA, Dec 8 (AFP) - World Trade Organisation (WTO) delegates met on Sunday in the hope of resolving differences over access for poor countries to cheap medicines.
China-AIDS: Parents of 10-year-old AIDS victim sue China hospitals: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2002; BEIJING, Dec 8 (AFP) - The parents of a 10-year-old child who died of AIDS after being infected with HIV in a series of tainted blood transfusions, have filed suit against the hospitals, state media reported Sunday.
Zimbabwe-famine: Spirit of hope cracks among Zimbabwe's starving villagers: Ryan Truscott; Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2002; BIKITA, Zimbabwe, Dec 7 (AFP) - The crop fields are lush green in Bikita. But 1,000 hungry people in this remote southern area of Zimbabwe queue quietly under the midday sun for food aid.
SAfrica-US-Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela lauch AIDS concert: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2002; CAPE TOWN, Dec 6 (AFP) - US talk-show host Oprah Winfrey and former South African president Nelson Mandela hosted a lavish dinner at Cape Town's botanic Kirstenbosch Gardens Friday to launch a concert to raise funds to fight AIDS which will be held at Robben Island, where Mandela was jailed under apartheid.
Zimbabwe-famine-UN: Zimbabwe worst off among southern Africa's famished countries: UN: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2002; HARARE, Dec 5 (AFP) - Zimbabwe is worst off among the six southern African countries threatened with famine, which is a crisis rooted in the AIDS epidemic and not just crop failures and hunger, a top UN official said Thursday.
SAfrica-AIDS-race: AIDS in South Africa hits blacks twice as hard as whites: report: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 5 (AFP) - A report on AIDS in South Africa released Thursday shows that the rate of HIV infection among the black population is twice as high as among whites and coloureds (mixed race).
Zimbabwe-population: Zimbabwe's population grew by 1.2 million during 1990s: census: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2002; HARARE, Dec 4 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's population grew by about 1.2 million, to 11.6 million, over the last 10 years, according to preliminary results released Wednesday of a census conducted in August.
Vietnam-crime-AIDS: Vietnamese man charged with causing death in HIV needle attack: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2002; HANOI, Dec 4 (AFP) - Police in Vietnam have charged a drug addict with causing the death of a six-year-old boy by stabbing him with an HIV-infected needle after a neighbourhood dispute, state media said Wednesday.
UN-Africa-WFP: World Food Programme calls for funds to fight hunger and AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2002; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 3 (AFP) - The World Food Programme called Tuesday for "a massive infusion of funds" to save 38 million people from starvation in Africa, saying food aid was also a crucial part of the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
US-AIDS-Powell: Powell challenges foreign envoys to tackle AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2002; WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday challenged foreign diplomats to take a greater role in tackling the global HIV/AIDS crisis.
US-China-Internet: Big part of Internet blocked in China: study: Rob Lever; Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2002; WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (AFP) - As much as one-tenth of the Internet's sites may be blocked by Chinese authorities as part of efforts to prevent access to information on dissidents, Taiwan, Tibet and other subjects, according to a US study released Tuesday.
Bangladesh-AIDS: Bangladesh plans action against dirty needles to stem AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2002; DHAKA, Dec 3 (AFP) - Bangladesh, which has so far been relatively untouched by the AIDS scourge, plans to crack down on dirty needles to prevent the disease from making inroads, an official said Tuesday.
UN-population: UN urges investment in women to boost economic growth: Andrew Gully; Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2002; LONDON, Dec 3 (AFP) - Developing countries should invest in women and family planning if they want to seize an opportunity to bolster economic growth by lowering fertility rates, the authors of a new UN report said Tuesday.
UN-population: Falling fertility opens "demographic window" for developing-world growth: UN: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2002; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 3 (AFP) - The United Nations on Tuesday urged developing countries to invest in family planning to cut fertility rates and open a "demographic window" for economic growth.
SAfrica-AIDS-orphans: South African AIDS orphans struggle to survive: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 2 (AFP) - Naledi Maphoto is a normal 13-year-old, strutting around playfully in her grandmother's white high heels and wearing fake blue jewellery around her neck.
Mideast-AIDS: 700,000 people infected with AIDS in the Middle East: WHO: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2002; CAIRO, Dec 2 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation said Monday that 700,000 people were suffering from HIV/AIDS in the region lying east of the Mediterranean.
China-AIDS-sex: China to lift ban on condom advertisements: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2002; BEIJING, Dec 2 (AFP) - China will lift a ban on condom advertisements in an effort to promote safe sex and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, state press said Monday.
Botswana-AIDS: Botswana president urges nation to take HIV/AIDS tests: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; GABORONE, Dec 1 (AFP) - Botswanan President Festus Mogae Sunday urged his nation to go for voluntary HIV tests, as the country with the highest infection rate in the world celebrated World AIDS Day.
World-AIDS: World AIDS Day spurs global calls to action: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; PARIS, Dec 1 (AFP) - The world's most powerful leaders and most vulnerable rag-swaddled children were united for World AIDS Day on Sunday in their calls for action to stem the spread of the ravaging epidemic that has struck scores of millions across the globe.
Kenya-AIDS-church: Kenyan church leaders join anti-AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; NAIROBI, Dec 1 (AFP) - A consortium of Kenyan religious groups took the war against HIV/AIDS to pulpits and academic institutions on World AIDS Day on Sunday in an effort to curtail the spread of the deadly disease.
India-AIDS: India looks at ticking AIDS clock to mark World day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (AFP) - India, home to the second-largest HIV/AIDS-infected population in the world, took stock of the problem on World AIDS Day Sunday amid renewed pledges to fight the scourge, provide affordable medicines and end discrimination.
SAfrica-AIDS-Mandela: Mandela lends weight in fight against AIDS: Rene Flipo; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 1 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Sunday lent his weight in the fight against AIDS, but defended the government's policies on research into the safety of anti-retroviral drugs.
Iran-AIDS: Iran wakes up to AIDS as dirty needles spread disease: Siavosh Ghazi; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; With television spots focussed on a young AIDS victim, radio warnings and increasing press coverage, Iran has been steadily waking up to the threat of AIDS and pushing aside taboos associated with the disease.
SAfrica-AIDS: South Africa reaches deal on AIDS treatment: report: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; South Africa's government, labour, business and AIDS activists reached a deal Saturday that could soon broaden the access to anti-retroviral therapy, a news report said Sunday.
France-AIDS: French groups cast spotlight on growing number of women AIDS sufferers: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; Several French groups used World AIDS Day Sunday to call on authorities to draw public attention to the growing number of women afflicted with the disease or its precusor, HIV.
Nepal-AIDS: 2,000 march in Nepal on World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; Over 2,000 people joined a rally through the streets of Nepal's capital Kathmandu Sunday to mark World AIDS Day, organisers said.
SAfrica-AIDS: S. African orphanage buries babies' ashes on World AIDS Day: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 1 (AFP) - South Africa commemorated World AIDS Day on Sunday with a Johannesburg-based orphanage burying the ashes of 17 babies who died of AIDS-related illnesses and hundreds of activists marching through the city's streets.
Thailand-AIDS: Thailand reducing its new HIV cases: ministry: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; Thailand is seeing a decrease in the number of new AIDS cases, the health ministry said Sunday amid hope that the neediest of the country's 600,000 HIV-positive citizens will soon receive less than dollar-a-day treatment for the virus.
Asia-AIDS: World AIDS Day marked across Asia with calls for urgent action: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; The AIDS crisis spreading across Asia was accorded official recognition from China to Afghanistan Sunday as countries marked World AIDS Day.
WTO grapples with defining poor countries in trade rules: Jean-Louis de la Vaissiere; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; Two sets of negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) recently, dealing with sugar and medicines, have highlighted the difficulty of placing all developing countries in the same basket.
Bangladesh-AIDS: 20 people have died of AIDS in Bangladesh: officials: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; A total of 20 Bangladeshis have died from AIDS so far as health workers are working across the country to prevent the spread of the fatal disease, government officials said Sunday.
AIDS-US-Clinton: Ex-US president Clinton calls for greater access to AIDS treatment, testing: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; Former US president Bill Clinton strongly criticized the world's governments for failing to provide widespread testing and effective medical care for those infected with the AIDS virus, in an opinion piece Sunday in the New York Times.
Afghan-AIDS: UN calls for action to prevent AIDS 'catastrophe' in Afghanistan: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; The United Nations Sunday urged swift action by the international community to support Afghanistan's AIDS awareness campaign, warning the incurable disease could reach "catastrophic" levels in the once-isolated country.
Jordan-AIDS: AIDS virus has claimed 313 victims in Jordan since 1986: minister: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; The HIV/AIDS virus has claimed 313 victims in Jordan, including 129 Jordanians, since 1986, Health Minister Walid Maani said in a statement published by the press on Sunday to mark World AIDS Day.
India-AIDS: Northeastern India marks World AIDS day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; Thousands of people in India's northeast pledged Sunday to prevent AIDS from spiralling out of control in a region where the disease has already assumed epidemic proportions.
China-AIDS: China warned AIDS epidemic could jeopardise economy: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; China brought its rapidly spiralling AIDS crisis into the spotlight Sunday on World AIDS Day as experts warned an epidemic of the disease could jeopardise the country's economic growth.
Vietnam-AIDS: Marchers take to streets of Vietnamese capital on World AIDS day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; More than 2,000 people took to the streets of the Vietnamese capital Sunday to mark World AIDS Day and to call for an end to discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers.
Amnesty-AIDS: Basic rights are key to battling AIDS: Amnesty International: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2002; AIDS and human rights are so closely linked that any attempt to stop the spread of the killer virus must also fight against poverty and exclusion, the French chapter of Amnesty International said Sunday to mark World AIDS Day.

November

AIDS-Africa-UN: Africa makes faint, fragile progress on AIDS: UNAIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; ADDIS ABABA, Nov 30 (AFP) - Progress, fragile but real, has been made in sub-Saharan Africa's fight against AIDS, the head of the UN specialist agency UNAIDS said Saturday, ahead of World AIDS Day, warning that the continent was still far from having subdued the ravaging epidemic.
Britain-AIDS: Britons infected with HIV up 25 percent in a year: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; LONDON, Nov 30 (AFP) - The number of people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus HIV has gone up by a "disturbing" 25 percent in a year in Britain, the Public Health Laboratory Service announced Saturday.
India-AIDS: Most Indian AIDS sufferers victims of unsafe sex: health minister: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; NEW DELHI, India, Nov 30 (AFP) - Most of India's HIV-AIDS sufferers contracted the virus through unsafe sex, Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha said Saturday.
SAfrica-AIDS-march: South African men protest violence against women, children: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 30 (AFP) - More than 2,000 South African men, many of them well-known artists and sport stars, marched in Johannesburg Saturday to protest violence against women and children, and AIDS, organisers said.
SAfrica-AIDS-mines: South African city look at old mines to bury dead: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 30 (AFP) - South Africa's largest city was looking at burying its dead in disused mineshafts as the death rate here increased due to factors including AIDS, the Johannesburg-based Saturday Star reported.
Africa-AIDS: Some African communities remain in AIDS denial: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; OTJANDJAMUENJO, Namibia, Nov 30 (AFP) - AIDS has been ravaging Africa for 20 years now, with 2.4 million people dying of the disease last year and close to 30 million people infected by its precursor HIV, but some communities maintain it does not affect them.
China-AIDS: China opens groundbreaking self-help group ahead of World AIDS Day: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 30 (AFP) - China announced Saturday ahead of World AIDS Day that it was setting up its first officially sanctioned self-help group for HIV carriers, marking a further official move towards facing up to the deadly disease.
Africa-AIDS-Botswana: Thousands to march in Botswanan capital on World AIDS day: Prof Malema; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; GABORONE, Nov 30 (AFP) - Thousands of AIDS activists wearing T-shirts commemorating World AIDS Day are expected to march in Botswana Sunday in a show of solidarity in a country where nearly four out of every ten people have either AIDS or are infected with HIV.
Health-AIDS: World AIDS Day targets stigma, discrimination: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) - Doctors and activists muster on Sunday for World AIDS Day, launching a campaign for easing the burden of stigma suffered by many of the 42 million people with AIDS and HIV.
SAfrica-AIDS: South Africa sees significant changes on AIDS front: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 30 (AFP) - On World AIDS Day last year, South Africa's official opposition described the government's AIDS policy as a "monstrous failure of leadership".
Bush-AIDS: Bush pledges support and funds before Worlds AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; CRAWFORD, Texas, Nov 29 (AFP) - President George W. Bush on Friday urged people to commemorate Worlds AIDS Day on December 1, and pledged US support and funds to fight the spread of the disease.
Italy-AIDS: AIDS support groups in uproar over Italian govt brochure promoting chastity: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; ROME, Nov 29 (AFP) - Italian AIDS organisations were in uproar Friday over the publication of a government brochure which promotes chastity as "the only true form of protection".
UN-AIDS-discrimination: UN rights chief urges end to discrimination against AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; GENEVA, Nov 29 (AFP) - People suffering from HIV/AIDS are victims of a "human rights emergency" because they are alienated in the societies they live in, top UN human rights officials said on Friday.
Ukraine-AIDS: AIDS epidemic a disaster in Ukraine: government official: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; KIEV, Nov 29 (AFP) - The AIDS epidemic has reached catastrophic proportions in Ukraine, a country with one of the fastest-growing rates of HIV infection in the world, a senior official with the Ukrainian health ministry said Friday.
Namibia-AIDS: Africa begins to turn attention to its millions of AIDS orphans: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; WINDHOEK, Nov 29 (AFP) - The plight of Africa's millions of AIDS orphans, often forgotten by policymakers, is gaining as a regional priority, but 22 nations meeting here still have not produced a strategy that matches the magnitude and urgency of the tragedy.
Namibia-AIDS-women: "Flying mothers" helping AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; UUTAPI, Namibia, Nov 29 (AFP) - A group of women in northern Namibia have become "flying mothers" for children orphaned by AIDS.
Namibia-AIDS-Africa: Africa's extended family system in crisis: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; UUTAPI, Namibia, Nov 29 (AFP) - The extended family in southern Africa is no longer coping, with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents unable to care for all the orphans produced by 15 years of AIDS.
China-AIDS-prostitution: China's sex workers heading blindly towards AIDS catastrophe: Peter Harmsen; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 29 (AFP) - Huddled in a thick winter coat, 22-year-old Lily seems more concerned about protecting herself from Beijing's icy wind than from China's looming AIDS crisis.
Canada-health: Canadian government must invest more in crisis-hit health sector: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2002; OTTAWA, Nov 28 (AFP) - The Canadian government was urged Thursday by a special commissioner to boost spending on the nation's public health system by 6.5 billion dollars (4.1 billion US) per year by 2006.
WTO-drugs-IFPMA: WTO talks on access to cheap drugs must focus on major epidemics: IFPMA: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2002; GENEVA, Nov 28 (AFP) - Pharmaceutical manufacturers insisted here on Thursday that access to cheap medicines for poor countries must focus on major epidemics and not open the door for cut-price drugs for other widespread ailments.
Yugo-AIDS: AIDS patients face discrimination in Yugoslavia: Alexandra Niksic; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2002; BELGRADE, Nov 28 (AFP) - When he goes out, Milan wears dark glasses with a baseball cap pulled down to his eyes. He avoids shopping as he fears that his illness has already become the hottest topic in his new Belgrade neighbourhood.
Health-AIDS: Double infection by HIV poses challenge for AIDS fighters: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; PARIS, Nov 27 (AFP) - Scientists combatting the global AIDS epidemic may face yet another major challenge thrown up by the notoriously devious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
India-AIDS: Indian NGO plans to display massive condom to boost AIDS awareness: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; In a bid to create awareness about AIDS, a non-governmental organisation in this southern Indian city is to display what it claimed would be the world's largest condom banner on December 1, an official of the group said Wednesday.
MSF-AIDS: MSF accuses rich countries of not taking responsibility for AIDS battle: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; The French humanitarian group Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) said Wednesday that the anti-AIDS fight was being held back by a lack of funds from donors who, it said, were not taking seriously their responsibilities.
Russia-prisons: Half a million Russian prisoners ill: official: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; More than half of Russia's prison population is ill, many suffering from serious diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis, a justice official said Wednesday.
Russia-AIDS: Russia must lift taboo on AIDS, say health NGO's: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; International health organizations urged action Wednesday to lift the strong taboo surrounding AIDS in Russia, which has one of the fastest growing HIV contamination rates.
Kenya-AIDS: UNICEF seeks to place AIDS orphans in Kenyan election debate: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; The plight of Kenya's AIDS orphans should be a central issue in the campaign for next month's general elections, an official of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday.
Africa-AIDS-famine: AIDS a leading cause of southern Africa's famine: UN envoy: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 27 (AFP) - AIDS is one of the leading causes of the famine threatening 14 million people in southern Africa, and will compound the effects of the hunger, a UN envoy said Wednesday at the start of a five-nation tour.
Cambodia-AIDS: Impoverished Cambodia wages battle against AIDS epidemic: Luke Hunt; Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2002; PHNOM PENH, Nov 27 (AFP) - With the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in Asia and probably the worst access to modern anti-retroviral drugs, Cambodia has become a test case in the region's battle against the epidemic.
UN-AIDS: AIDS pandemic threatens world stability: UN official: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; LONDON, Nov 26 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic, which now claims some 42 million victims, is one of the greatest threats to world stability, Peter Piot, the head of the United Nations agency devoted to the ailment said Tuesday.
UN-AIDS-Africa: AIDS accelerates southern Africa's famine disaster, UN report warns: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; PARIS, Nov 26 (AFP) - AIDS will cruelly amplify the effects of a famine in southern Africa that has more than 14 million people in its grip, a United Nations report warned Tuesday.
UN-AIDS-Asia: Asia's "Big Two" on brink of AIDS nightmare, warns UN: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; PARIS, Nov 26 (AFP) - The United Nations on Tuesday warned China, India and other Asian countries that they had to race to prevent AIDS from leaping out of localised pools of infection and becoming an uncontrollable threat.
Asia-AIDS: One million new AIDS infections in Asia-Pacific in 2002: UN: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; One million people in the Asia Pacific region became infected with HIV this year, while an estimated half a million others died from the disease, the United Nations said Tuesday.
UN-AIDS: Worsening AIDS crisis strikes famine-hit countries, Asia, EEurope: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; PARIS, Nov 26 (AFP) - Five million people will have become infected with HIV this year, bringing to a record 42 million the number of individuals living with AIDS or the virus that causes it, the United Nations said Tuesday.
UN-AIDS-figures: Latest facts on global AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; PARIS, Nov 26 (AFP) - Following is a factsheet on the global AIDS epidemic in 2002, released Tuesday by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) ahead of World AIDS Day on Sunday.
Thailand-child: Seven Thai babies abandoned every day: senator: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; BANGKOK, Nov 26 (AFP) - Seven newborn babies are abandoned in Thailand on average every day, many by HIV-positive mothers who suspect they have infected their offspring, child activist Senator Wallop Tangkananurak said Tuesday.
Asia-sex: Asians are slouches in the sack, says Durex survey: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; BANGKOK, Nov 26 (AFP) - Asians are lousy lovers, according to a survey by condom manufacturer Durex which found they have far less amorous encounters than the global average.
China-AIDS: Province in China expects explosion of AIDS cases from blood sales: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 26 (AFP) - China's central province of Hubei is expecting an explosion of AIDS cases from farmers who became infected after selling blood years ago and now find they carry the HIV virus, state media said Tuesday.
Namibia-AIDS: International response to AIDS in Africa 'shameful': UNICEF: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2002; WINDHOEK, Nov 25 (AFP) - The international response to AIDS in Africa is "shameful", a UN official declared Monday as officials from 22 countries met to consider the plight of AIDS orphans.
China-health: High rate of unsafe injections in China threatening lives: WHO and UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 25 (AFP) - Thirty percent of medical injections in China are unsafe -- with much higher rates in some rural areas -- causing the spread of deadly diseases such as hepatitis B and AIDS, international health experts said Monday.
Japan-health-HIV: Japanese woman infected with HIV through artificial insemination: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2002; TOKYO, Nov 25 (AFP) - A Japanese woman who was given incorrect artificial insemination treatment using sperm from her HIV-positive husband has been infected with the AIDS virus, a researcher said Monday.
Namibia-Africa-AIDS: African officials to consider plight of AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2002; WINDHOEK, Nov 24 (AFP) - Health officials from 22 countries in eastern and southern Africa are meeting in Windhoek from Monday to consider the plight of the more than 11 million children orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Asia-RedCross: AIDS seen rising in Asia, terrorism identified as a threat: Red Cross: Jason Gutierrez; Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2002; MANILA, Nov 24 (AFP) - Asia-Pacific governments must act fast to curb rising AIDS figures and also to face the challenge of terrorism, officials of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said here Sunday.
China-AIDS-marriage: China gives first go-ahead for marriage of AIDS patient: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 23 (AFP) - China has approved the first ever marriage between an AIDS-infected patient and person without the deadly virus, state media said Saturday.
China-AIDS: GlaxoSmithKline to be first foreign firm to make AIDS drug in China: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 23 (AFP) - British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline is set to become the first foreign company to localize the production of an AIDS drug in China, state media said Saturday.
Kenya-AIDS-Africa: Education key weapon to battle AIDS in Africa: World Bank: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2002; NAIROBI, Nov 23 (AFP) - The World Bank said on Saturday an umbrella group of UN agencies, relief organisations and Africa countries believed better education for children could rescue Africa from the tragedy of AIDS.
Singapore-AIDS: Singapore travellers to get safe-sex packs: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2002; SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (AFP) - Singapore men travelling overseas are to be given "safe-sex" packs from next year, in a new initiative to stem the rate of HIV infections.
Malawi-AIDS: Malawi HIV/AIDS policy to stem high infection: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2002; BLANTYRE, Nov 22 (AFP) - Malawi is developing an HIV/AIDS policy to help it fight an epidemic that has infected 14 percent of the southern African country's 11 million people, a top health official said Friday.
WHO-director: Nine candidates line up for top job at UN health agency: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2002; GENEVA, Nov 22 (AFP) - Nine candidates, including the current head of the UN's programme against HIV/AIDS, Peter Piot, and Mozambique's prime minister, Pasqual Manuel Mocumbi, are competing to head the World Health Organisation next year, the WHO announced Friday.
Singapore-health-AIDS: HIV/AIDS infection slows in Singapore: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2002; SINGAPORE, Nov 22 (AFP) - The rate of HIV infection in Singapore appeared to be slowing for the first time in 13 years, according to official figures Friday showing 189 new cases detected in the first 10 months of this year.
SAfrica-AIDS-deaths: AIDS deaths nearly doubled in South Africa over four years: researchers: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2002; PRETORIA, Nov 21 (AFP) - The number of South Africans dying of HIV and AIDS nearly doubled from 1997 to 2001, with total deaths increasing over the four years by 38 percent, a study by Statistics South Africa showed Thursday.
China-sex: China's largest city to hand out free condoms: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 21 (AFP) - China's most populous city Chongqing has decided to stock hotels and public places with free condoms to encourage safe sex and curb rising AIDS infections, state media said Thursday.
India-AIDS: Indian AIDS activists slam minister over Bill Gates accusations: Parul Gupta; Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2002; NEW DELHI, India, Nov 21 (AFP) - AIDS activists on Thursday slammed a powerful Indian cabinet minister for accusing Microsoft head Bill Gates of "overdoing it" in releasing a 100-million-dollar grant to India to combat the spread of HIV-AIDS.
China-AIDS: AIDS-wary south China provides clean needles for drug addicts: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 21 (AFP) - Authorities in south China have started making clean needles available to intravenous drug users in a bid to stall the country's spiraling AIDS epidemic, state media reported Thursday.
Canada-justice-blood: Canada's Red Cross charged over 1980s blood scandal: Stefanie Batcho; Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2002; TORONTO, Nov 20 (AFP) - Canadian authorities on Wednesday laid charges of criminal negligence and common nuisance against the Canadian Red Cross Society, a US pharmaceutical company and four doctors stemming from the 1980s tainted blood scandal.
Honduras-US-bananas: Chiquita subsidiary in Honduras to fire 700 with drug, health problems: Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2002; TEGUCIGALPA, Nov 20 (AFP) - Chiquita Brands' Honduran subsidiary Tela Railroad Company said Wednesday it will fire 700 workers, 400 of whom have drug or alcohol problems and 300 of whom have chronic illnesses such as AIDS.
Health-vaccines: Lack of vaccine funding prompts somber warning for global health: Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2002; GENEVA, Nov 20 (AFP) - The world could see the re-emergence of old diseases if more money is not spent on vaccines, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and World Bank warned on Wednesday.
UN-appeal-humanitarian: UN appeals for three billion dollars for humanitarian crises: Catherine Rama; Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2002; BERN, Nov 19 (AFP) - The United Nations launched a three-billion-dollar appeal on Tuesday to help battle humanitarian crises around the world, particularly in southern Africa where nearly 14.5 million people are suffering dire food shortages.
Uganda-Africa-health: Uganda loses billion dollars annually to malaria, HIV/AIDS: Museveni: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2002; ENTEBBE, Uganda, Nov 18 (AFP) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Monday that HIV/AIDS and malaria were costing his country more than a billion dollars annually in terms of lost wealth and direct health costs.
France-AIDS: AIDS scare in France after fears that patient was infected during surgery: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2002; MASSY, Essonne, Nov 18 (AFP) - A French hospital on Monday urged nearly a thousand former patients to undergo an HIV test after fears that a surgical worker with the AIDS virus may have infected a heart patient.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Ethiopia ready to start Nevirapine trials for AIDS treatment: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2002; ADDIS ABABA, Nov 18 (AFP) - Ethiopia's government is ready to begin testing the AIDS drug Nevirapine, used for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the daily Addis Zemen reported.
AIDS-Africa: AIDS pioneers unveil joint vaccine scheme: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2002; YAOUNDE, Nov 15 (AFP) - Two pioneers in AIDS research who had fallen out bitterly over the discovery of the virus which causes the disease announced here Friday that they had joined forces to devise a trial vaccine.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African mining giant starts treating HIV-positive employees: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 15 (AFP) - South African mining giant Anglogold has started to administer anti-AIDS therapy to HIV-positive employees, who comprise between 25 and 30 percent of its workforce, the company said Friday.
Australia-WTO-drugs-deal: WTO ministers agree on drugs access for poor countries: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2002; SYDNEY, Nov 15 (AFP) - Leading trade ministers agreed Friday on a plan to give the world's poorest nations access to affordable medicines, a breakthrough in the drive to combat global health crises like HIV/AIDS, officials said.
Australia-HIV: Australian man who infected teenager with HIV jailed for seven years: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2002; PERTH, Australia, Nov 15 (AFP) - A 35-year-old married man was jailed for seven years here Friday for knowingly infecting a teenage girl he met via the Internet with the HIV virus.
WTO-Australia: WTO ministers reach breakthrough drugs deal at Sydney talks: Neil Sands; Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2002; SYDNEY, Nov 15 (AFP) - Leading trade ministers agreed on a plan Thursday give the world's poorest nations access to affordable medicines, a breakthrough in the effort to tackle global health crises like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, officials said.
Nigeria-prostitution: 30 women convicted of prostitution in Lagos: radio: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2002; LAGOS, Nov 14 (AFP) - Thirty girls and young women, arrested in Nigeria earlier this week for "night crawling" and charged with prostitution, were Thursday given a one-month jail term, a radio report said.
Africa-Pfizer: US pharmaceutical giant expands AIDS programme in Africa: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 14 (AFP) - US pharmaceutical company Pfizer will expand an AIDS programme treating opportunistic infections to cover Kenya and Zambia in the next few months, its South African manager announced Thursday.
Russia-prisons: Russia's prison population drops 17 percent in two years: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2002; MOSCOW, Nov 14 (AFP) - Russia's prison population has dropped 17 percent in the last two years to under one million people, Russia's justice minister said on Thursday, but still remains the second highest in the world.
WTO-drugs-Annan: Annan urges WTO to act on AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2002; UNITED NATIONS, Nov 13 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the World Trade Organisation on Wednesday to meet its year-end deadline to find a way of giving AIDS sufferers in poor countries access to cheap drugs.
Ethiopia-US-AIDS: US official visits Ethiopia over AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2002; ADDIS ABEBA, Nov 13 (AFP) - US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Health and Science Jack Chow paid an AIDS assessment trip on Wednesday to Ethiopia, one of the hardest hit countries in Africa, US diplomats said.
Australia-WTO-drugs: Drugs access to test WTO credibility in poor nations says Australia: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2002; SYDNEY, Nov 13 (AFP) - Providing poor countries with access to patented medicines is the most crucial issue facing this week's informal meeting of trade ministers in Sydney, according to Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile.
US-India-AIDS: Rising violence against AIDS patients in India: rights group: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2002; NEW YORK, Nov 13 (AFP) - A US human rights watchdog warned Wednesday that increasing violence against HIV carriers in India was threatening to undermine the generosity of international donors.
India-AIDS: Faced with AIDS crisis, Indian state pushes for mandatory HIV screening: Savitri Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2002; HYDERABAD, India, Nov 13 (AFP) - The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh seeks tough new laws to make it mandatory for couples wanting to marry to undergo HIV screening, the health minister said Wednesday.
Microcredit-AIDS: UN agencies back microcredit agencies in fight against HIV/AIDS: Robert Holloway; Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2002; NEW YORK, Nov 12 (AFP) - United Nations agencies on Tuesday endorsed a call for microcredit institutions to branch out into adult education so as to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
EGuinea-AIDS: AIDS rate doubles in west African state: study: Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2002; MALABO, Nov 12 (AFP) - The prevalence of AIDS in Equatorial Guinea has risen from just over three percent in 1997 to more than seven percent in 2001, said a study carried out by local health authorities.
Nigeria-prostitution: 33 women charged with prostitution in Lagos: radio: Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2002; LAGOS, Nov 12 (AFP) - Thirty-three girls and young women were Tuesday arraigned in a court here on a charge of prostitution, as the Nigerian government launched a crackdown on the illicit trade and a battle against the spread of HIV/AIDS, a radio report said.
India-AIDS-US: Bill Gates pledges 100 million dollars to fight AIDS in India: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2002; NEW DELHI, Nov 11 (AFP) - Microsoft head and the world's richest man Bill Gates on Monday announced he would give 100 million dollars to a health care programme to combat the spread of HIV-AIDS in India.
Cambodia-AIDS: AIDS and the Khmer Rouge: a Cambodian woman's nightmare: Karl Malakunas; Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2002; PHNOM PENH, Nov 10 (AFP) - Im Son spends most of her days carefully holding her dying five-year-old grandson in her lap, looking out through the dusty half light of her slum hut and pondering the twin evils that have destroyed her family.
Malaysia-health: HIV-positive Malaysian boy awarded 132 thousands dollars by court: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2002; KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (AFP) - A Malaysian court awarded 500,000 ringgit (132 thousand dollars) to an eight-year-old boy who was infected in utero with HIV by his mother after a tainted blood transfusion at a public hospital in 1994, a report said Saturday.
India-AIDS-US: Indian minister says Bill Gates, US 'spreading panic' over AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2002; NEW DELHI, Nov 9 (AFP) - India's health minister Saturday accused US software mogul Bill Gates and the US ambassador here of "spreading panic" over HIV and AIDS even as they pledged to help the country combat the deadly disease.
Kenya-China-health: China donates eight million TB tablets to Kenya: Agence France-Presse - November 8, 2002; NAIROBI, Nov 8 (AFP) - China donated eight million anti-tuberculosis (ANTI-TB) drugs to Kenyan health ministry to be used in treating tuberculosis among HIV/AIDS victims, Medical Services Minister Maalim Mohamed said here on Friday.
Health-US-AIDS: US approves new test detecting AIDS virus in 20 minutes: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - November 8, 2002; WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (AFP) - A new diagnostic device allowing to detect the AIDS virus in as little as 20 minutes has received government approval in the United States in what officials described as a major step toward curbing the deadly epidemic.
Australia-trade: Australia hosts trade summit as protesters threaten disruption: Jack Taylor; Agence France-Presse - November 8, 2002; SYDNEY, Nov 8 (AFP) - Australia promised Friday adequate protection for ministers from 25 countries due here next week for a key trade meeting likely to be besieged by thousands of anti-globalisation protesters.
SAfrica-UNAIDS: UN agencies to join forces on southern Africa's AIDS, food crisis: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 7 (AFP) - UN agencies on Thursday here decided to give prority to the fight against AIDS in southern Africa in efforts to alleviate the region's "humanitarian disaster", in which 14 million people face starvation, a senior UN official said.
UN-AIDS-Bangladesh: Bangladesh's 'microcredit' bank chief appointed UNAIDS ambassador: Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2002; GENEVA, Nov 7 (AFP) - A top Bangladeshi economist and chief of the microcredit Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, has been named ambassador for the UN program to help fight the AIDS and HIV epidemic especially among the poor.
SAfrica-UNAIDS: UN conference in S. Africa agrees to major shift in disaster policy: Agence France-Presse - November 7, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 7 (AFP) - A two-day UN conference agreed Thursday on a major shift in disaster policy in southern Africa, saying a current food shortage in the region has become a full-blown humanitarian crisis because of HIV/AIDS.
Vatican-AIDS: Vatican defends opposition to condoms: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2002; VATICAN CITY, Nov 6 (AFP) - The Vatican on Wednesday defended its opposition to the use of condoms to avoid HIV infections and AIDS, saying chastity remained the most effective way of preventing the disease.
SAfrica-AIDS: Activists give S. African government ultimatum on AIDS plan: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 6 (AFP) - AIDS activists in South Africa have given the government a four-month ultimatum to implement a treatment plan and provide anti-AIDS drugs or face a civil disobedience campaign, a spokesman said Wednesday.
SAfrica-UNAIDS: UN agencies meet in South Africa to discuss AIDS, food aid: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 6 (AFP) - Teams from UN agencies began a two-day meeting in Johannesburg on Wednesday to discuss their approach to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its potential impact on the food crisis in southern Africa.
Sudan-press: Sudan closes newspaper for two days for graphic sexual description: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2002; KHARTOUM, Nov 5 (AFP) - The Khartoum Monitor, an English-language newspaper, was ordered to close for two days for publishing a column on AIDS considered too graphic about sex, the newspaper said.
Iran-AIDS: Iran identifies 4,200 AIDS cases, estimates total at 20,000: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2002; TEHRAN, Nov 5 (AFP) - Iran has identified more than 4,200 AIDS cases, almost all men, but estimates the total number of people affected by the disease to be five times higher, a top health ministry official said Tuesday.
Health-France-AIDS: Rape suspects should be tested for AIDS: French medical academy: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2002; PARIS, Nov 4 (AFP) - France's most prestigious medical authority on Monday said suspects in rape cases should be tested against their will for the AIDS virus in order to provide emergency help for victims.
China-AIDS: China urges international action on its AIDS problem: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2002; BEIJING, Nov 4 (AFP) - China's health minister, abandoning Beijing's usual reluctance to seek help from abroad, has called for more international cooperation in dealing with the country's potentially devastating AIDS crisis, state media said Monday.
India-AIDS-Microsoft: India could be model for prevention of AIDS: Bill Gates: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2002; NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (AFP) - India can become a model for preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS because of the interest shown by the government and organisations fighting the disease, US software mogul Bill Gates said Sunday.
Britain-royal-Mandela: Mandela pays tribute to Princess Diana's charity work: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2002; LONDON, Nov 3 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela paid tribute late Saturday to Diana, Princess of Wales, calling on people across the world to "learn from her example and embrace her legacy."
DRCongo-AIDS: Trade unions in two Congos call for AIDS programmes: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2002; KINSHASA, Nov 2 (AFP) - Trade unionists from Congo-Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo called Saturday for the establishment of teams to fight AIDS in the workplace, at the end of a conference here.

October

China-AIDS: China's youngsters think mosquitoes spread AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 31, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 31 (AFP) - China's young people are grossly unaware of how AIDS is spread, with many mistakenly believing people can contract the disease from mosquito bites, according to a survey published Thursday.
Swaziland-king: Swaziland judges defy king's order to drop abduction case: Agence France-Presse - October 31, 2002; MBABANE, Oct 31 (AFP) - Swaziland's chief justice on Thursday said the high court would continue hearing the case of a school girl allegedly abducted to become King Mswati III's wife, despite an order from the monarch to drop the case or resign.
WHO-health: WHO issues "wake-up call" on top 10 risks to human health: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2002; GENEVA, Oct 30 (AFP) - Governments worldwide can improve the health of their citizens and significantly raise life expectancy by tackling the top 10 health risks identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a report released Wednesday.
EU-medicines: Brussels clears plan to ship cheap drugs to world's poor: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2002; BRUSSELS, Oct 30 (AFP) - Brussels Wednesday gave the green light to plans to export cheap drugs to poor countries provided the pharmaceuticals do not end up back in the European Union.
WHO-health-data: Top 10 risks to human health: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2002; GENEVA, Oct 30 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday identified the top 10 risks to human health on a worldwide basis, in its annual report.
China-health: China adopts plan to improve rural residents' health: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 30 (AFP) - China has unveiled a major plan to boost rural health care, including inoculating the vast majority of children and providing care to AIDS sufferers, state press said Wednesday.
SAfrica-budget: South Africa to increase spending on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2002; CAPE TOWN, Oct 29 (AFP) - South Africa will increase spending on AIDS by 100 million dollars a year, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced Tuesday as he presented a mid-term budget which acknowledges the country will not meet its inflation targets.
EU-Lesotho: Brussels grants Lesotho 110 million euros: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2002; BRUSSELS, Oct 29 (AFP) - The European Commission Tuesday approved 110 million euros (dollars) to help development and battle AIDS in Lesotho over the next five years.
India-AIDS: India's shyness towards sexual education fuelling AIDS: activists: Santosh Jha; Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2002; PATNA, India, Oct 29 (AFP) - The Indian government's coyness towards sex education among young people, who are becoming increasingly promiscuous, is fuelling the spread of AIDS, social activists say.
Bhutan-health: Bhutan minister takes on bears, leeches to fund health service: Anjali Kwatra; Agence France-Presse - October 28, 2002; THIMPHU, Bhutan, Oct 28 (AFP) - The health minister of the kingdom of Bhutan this month braved dangerous Himalayan bears, blood-sucking leeches and raging monsoon rains in an attempt to raise millions of dollars to fund the tiny country's struggling health service.
APEC-WTO-drugs: WTO's Supachai sees trade deal on access to drugs by year's end: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2002; LOS CABOS, Mexico, Oct 24 (AFP) - WTO chief Supachai Panitchpakdi said Thursday the world trade body could agree this year to allow developing countries full access to generic drugs needed to combat epidemics such as AIDS.
Uganda-AIDS-toll: AIDS has claimed nearly a million lives in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2002; KAMPALA, Oct 24 (AFP) - Almost a million Ugandans have died from AIDS related illnesses, since the disease was first diagnosed in the country 20 year ago, an health ministry annual report released here said Thursday.
US-AIDS-march: 25,000 marchers in Tinseltown raise 2.5 million for AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2002; WEST HOLLYWOOD, California, Oct 21 (AFP) - Around 25,000 walkers on Sunday took to the streets of Los Angeles' bustling gay heartland to raise and estimated 2.5 million dollars for the fight against AIDS, organizers said.
Senegal-Gambia-health: Gambia, Senegal to step up medical surveillance along border: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2002; DAKAR, Oct 20 (AFP) - Gambian and Senegalese medical authorities have decided to step up medical monitoring along their border, an area susceptible to the spread of AIDS and other diseases due to a large number of travelers, Sengalese national radio RTS said on Sunday.
Kazakhstan-UN-AIDS: UN chief urges Kazakhstan to fight spread of HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2002; ASTANA, Oct 18 (AFP) - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan warned Kazakhstan Friday to take serious measures to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS.
China-AIDS-rights: Freed China AIDS campaigner succeeds in registering action group: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 18 (AFP) - Recently-released Chinese AIDS campaigner Wan Yanhai has been allowed to register his campaign group legally for the first time, he said, in an apparent relaxation by Beijing.
Uganda-Italy: Italy to finance Ugandan development programmes: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2002; KAMPALA, Oct 17 (AFP) - Italy is to give Uganda 19 million euros (14.6 million dollars) in the next three years to finance health, agriculture, poverty reduction and HIV/AIDS programmes, following an agreement signed here on Thursday.
UNICEF-Africa-AIDS: UN targets children for AIDS message in southern Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2002; GENEVA, Oct 17 (AFP) - Children under 12 should be the priority targets for education to combat HIV/AIDS, the main cause of southern Africa's humanitarian crisis, a United Nations official said on Thursday.
IISS-Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa blighted by conflict and AIDS: IISS report: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2002; LONDON, Oct 17 (AFP) - Local and internal conflicts continue to plague sub-Saharan Africa, while the AIDS epidemic is also a huge problem, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said in an annual report published Thursday.
China-AIDS: China's farmers offer children for adoption before AIDS orphans them: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 17 (AFP) - Xie Yan's only son is nicknamed Tianci, or "Heaven Bestowed", as like many Chinese farmers Xie and her husband yearned for a boy. This week Xie travelled to Beijing to put the beloved four-year-old up for adoption.
India-AIDS: Indian AIDS patient thrown out of home by wife, shunned by family: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2002; PATNA, India, Oct 16 (AFP) - An HIV-infected truck driver in the eastern Indian state of Bihar was thrown out of his home by his wife and then shunned by his father at the prodding of paranoid villagers, officials said Wednesday.
China-AIDS: Chinese city passes law to protect rights of AIDS patients: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2002; SHANGHAI, Oct 16 (AFP) - A city in eastern China has passed the country's first law to protect the rights of people suffering from AIDS, state press reported Wednesday.
SAfrica-AIDS-nevirapine: South Africa to manufacture, export cheaper generic AIDS drug: Agence France-Presse - October 15, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 15 (AFP) - South Africa will soon manufacture its own generic anti-HIV drugs and export the cheaper version to southern African countries hit by the AIDS pandemic, Boehringer Ingelheim SA announced Tuesday.
UN-China-Annan: Annan talks Iraq and AIDS on China visit: Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 14 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday discussed the international row over Iraq with China's President Jiang Zemin, emerging from talks with a confident prediction that consensus would be reached soon.
UN-China-Annan: Annan warns of 'explosive' AIDS epidemic at start of China visit: Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 14 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned China on Monday that it "stands on the brink of an explosive AIDS epidemic" and must act immediately to halt the potential catastrophe.
China-AIDS: Second Chinese drug maker to produce cheap versions of AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 13, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 13 (AFP) - A second Chinese drug company has received approval to make cheap, local versions of patented foreign AIDS drugs, bringing hope to a million sufferers in China, state media said Sunday.
Iraq-US-books-Achebe: Fight poverty, not Iraq: Nigerian author urges Bush: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2002; FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct 12 (AFP) - Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, set to receive the German book trade's prestigious peace prize, Saturday urged US President George W. Bush to fight wars against poverty, AIDS and illiteracy rather than against Iraq.
UN-China-Annan: Human rights group urges Annan to raise rights issues with China: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 12 (AFP) - International rights campaigner Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to ask China to allow activists freedom in fighting AIDS and to open its ethnically-tense Xinjiang region to unrestricted monitoring.
China-AIDS: China plans to drop customs duties on AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2002; BEIJING, Oct 11 (AFP) - China plans to remove import duties on foreign drugs used to treat people with AIDS, state press said Friday, the latest in a series of measures designed to help the country's spiralling numbers of AIDS patients.
SAfrica-AIDS: S. Africa launch AIDS guide for civil service, take stock of disease: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 10 (AFP) - South Africa launched a guide for its civil servants to deal with HIV/AIDS Thursday, with its government saying it was looking at ways to lower the costs of anti-retroviral treatment.
Poland-AIDS: Poland concerned about AIDS explosion in eastern neighbours: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2002; WARSAW, Oct 10 (AFP) - Poland is worried about the explosium of cases of AIDS in neighbouring Russia and Ukraine, officials at the government AIDS prevention office said on Thursday.
Lifestyle-China-posters: From slinky ladies to AIDS -- 80 years of Chinese poster art: Claire Rosemberg; Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2002; PARIS, Oct 10 (AFP) - Who remembers "Prosperity" and "Rejuvenation" cigarettes? A Chinese bathing beauty advertising the first brand on a 1938 poster, and an elderly man posing in 1930 for Rejuvenation, a cigarette said to be good for smokers of any age.
Australia-lemons-HIV: Australian researcher claims lemons can put the squeeze on HIV: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2002; SYDNEY, Oct 10 (AFP) - An Australian scientist claimed Thursday that lemons provided a cheap and easy-to-use method of preventing AIDS and unwanted pregnancies in developing countries.
SAfrica-justice-sex: Prostitution, brothels still illegal, S. Africa's highest court rules: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 9 (AFP) - South Africa's highest court Wednesday ruled that owning a brothel, or being a prostitute was illegal, overturning a lower court ruling which decriminalised prostitution.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Almost a million AIDS orphans in Ethiopia: govt: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2002; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 9 (AFP) - Almost a million children in Ethiopia have lost one or both parents to AIDS, according to government figures released here Wednesday by UNICEF.
Thailand-AIDS: Thai activists lodge case against Bristol-Myers AIDS drug patent: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2002; BANGKOK, Oct 9 (AFP) - Thai AIDS activists said Wednesday they had lodged a case against pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) calling for the withdrawal of its patent on an anti-AIDS drug.
Kenya-AIDS-music: Kool and the Gang rocks against AIDS in Kenya: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2002; NAIROBI, Oct 8 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people turned out in Nairobi on Tuesday to hear veteran US funksters Kool and the Gang perform in a free concert aimed at raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Ethiopia-politics: Drought and AIDS crisis top agenda for Ethiopian parliament: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2002; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 7 (AFP) - The fight against drought and the AIDS pandemic should be Ethiopia's top priorities, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis told deputies on Monday in a keynote speech as parliament resumed in the east African nation.
Uganda-AIDS-drugs: Uganda's AIDS programme in trouble as donated drugs are sold: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2002; KAMPALA, Oct 7 (AFP) - A programme to supply Ugandans with free AIDS treatment has ran into trouble after drugs donated to the country were diverted and sold on the open market here, the health ministry admitted Monday.
ILO-mining: Mining jobs worldwide dwindling, ILO says: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2002; GENEVA, Oct 7 (AFP) - The number of workers in the global mining industry has steadily fallen since the early 1990s although production is on the rise, the International Labour Office said Monday.
Asia-WEF-AIDS: UN warns Asia of HIV/AIDS threat to economic growth: Eileen Ng; Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2002; KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (AFP) - The United Nations warned Monday that HIV/AIDS could hamper economic growth in Asia with "tens of millions" infected over the next decade if the region failed to move fast to curb the epidemic.
Asia-AIDS-Vietnam: HIV/AIDS could erode Vietnam's economic development: UN: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2002; HANOI, Oct 7 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS could severely erode Vietnam's economic development and its poverty reduction plans unless the government adjusts its mindset to dealing with the killer virus, international experts said Monday.
Kenya-AIDS-music: US pop group urges more anti-AIDS partnerships for Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2002; NAIROBI, Oct 6 (AFP) - US pop group Kool and the Gang Sunday urged African countries to step up the fight against AIDS and seek help from the rest of the world to stem the spread of the disease.
SAfrica-AIDS: South Africa on AIDS orphan time bomb says researcher: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 6 (AFP) - Up to three million children will be orphaned by HIV/AIDS within the next 10 years, creating a potential timebomb of crime and civil unrest, a senior researcher said Sunday.
China-AIDS: AIDS virus could infect 10 million Chinese soon: UN: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2002; KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (AFP) - Ten million Chinese could be infected with the AIDS virus within 10 years, UN AIDS chief Peter Piot said Sunday.
Asia-AIDS: Experts to discuss escalating HIV infection among Asia's drug addicts: Ben Rowse; Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2002; HANOI, Oct 6 (AFP) - Policy-makers from four Asian countries will meet with non-governmental organizations and international experts in the Vietnamese capital from Monday to address escalating HIV infection rates among drug addicts.
Russia-military: One in three Russian conscripts unfit for service: official: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2002; MOSCOW, Oct 4 (AFP) - One in three Russian conscripts is unfit for military service on health grounds, a senior defence ministry official in charge of the autumn call-up said on Friday.
Zimbabwe-AIDS: Fears of social backlash hampers Zimbabwe's fight against AIDS baby deaths: Ish Mafundikwa; Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2002; HARARE, Oct 3 (AFP) - Efforts to reduce the infant mortality rate in Zimbabwe are threatened because many pregnant women who are tested for HIV are too frightened to call back at the clinic for the results, a health ministry official has told AFP.
EU-drugs: Drug use on the rise in EU prisons: report: Jean-Francois Buglet; Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2002; BRUSSELS, Oct 3 (AFP) - Drug use in European prisons has become a major public health problem as up to two-thirds of prisoners engage in high risk intravenous drug taking that can spread AIDS and other diseases, an EU report warned Thursday.
Australia-AIDS: Australian father faces long jail term after HIV infection conviction: Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2002; PERTH, Australia, Oct 3 (AFP) - An Australian father of three is facing a long jail term after being found guilty here Thursday of infecting a teenage girl with HIV after meeting her on the Internet.
Angola-summit: Southern African leaders open summit in Angola: Griffin Shea; Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2002; LUANDA, Oct 2 (AFP) - Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos opened a two-day summit of southern African leaders Wednesday with a call to bolster regional peace efforts, but famine and AIDS could dominate the talks.
Australia-sex: Australian man accused of giving HIV to teenage girl: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2002; PERTH, Australia, Oct 2 (AFP) - A teenage girl became infected with HIV after she had unprotected sex with a married man she met via an Internet chat room, a court here was told Wednesday.
Thailand-AIDS: Thai activists to challenge Bristol-Myers AIDS drug patent: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2002; BANGKOK, Oct 2 (AFP) - Thai AIDS activists Wednesday said they hope to force pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) to withdraw the patent on one of its anti-AIDS drugs after a landmark court decision against the firm.
US-intelligence-AIDS: AIDS epidemic to hit up to 110 million by 2010: US: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2002; WASHINGTON, Oct 2 (AFP) - The AIDS epidemic, fueled by risky behavior and inadequate health care, will affect up to 110 million people in Africa, Russia, India and China by 2010, straining the world's financial resources and heightening tensions, the US intelligence community has concluded.
Cambodia-AIDS: AIDS, road accidents more deadly than Cambodian civil war: Hun Sen: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2002; PHNOM PENH, Oct 1 (AFP) - Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday said AIDS and road accidents together were killing more people in Cambodia than the country's 19-year civil war.
UN-Millennium-goals: Children the focus of Millennium Summit goals: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2002; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 1 (AFP) - The eight development goals adopted at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000 aimed at eradicating poverty, hunger and disease, largely through action to improve the lot of children.
WHO-Timor: Timor-Leste faces shortage of doctors: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2002; GENEVA, Oct 1 (AFP) - Newly-independent Timor-Leste, formerly East Timor, has just 47 doctors for its 850,000 citizens because of large-scale emigration, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.
Cambodia-AIDS: Cambodian AIDS victims demand rights and free medicine: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2002; PHNOM PENH, Oct 1 (AFP) - More than 500 HIV-positive Cambodians marched through Phnom Penh Tuesday demanding equal rights and access to free antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the AIDS-ravaged nation.
SADC-summit: Famine, AIDS to overshadow southern Africa summit, despite hope for peace: Griffin Shea; Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2002; LUANDA, Oct 1 (AFP) - The 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) opens a two-day annual summit Wednesday in Angola, as the region faces a growing threat from famine and AIDS but also new hopes for peace as the host nation emerges from a 27-year war.

September

Thailand-AIDS: Thai province's population shrinking as AIDS deaths mount: Agence France-Presse - September 30, 2002; BANGKOK, Sept 30 (AFP) - Mortality rates in the northern Thai province of Phayao are out-stripping births due to AIDS-related deaths, Deputy Health Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said Monday.
Money-developing: World Bank says confident on funding for debt relief: Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2002; WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (AFP) - World Bank president James Wolfensohn expressed confidence Saturday that donors would bridge a one billion-dollar shortfall in financing for debt relief to the poorest countries.
SAfrica-AIDS-Clinton: Take responsibility and turn tide against HIV: Clinton: Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 28 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton on Saturday urged young South Africans to take responsibility themselves and turn the tide against AIDS in the country.
Mexico-US-health: US businessman offers health insurance to undocumented Mexicans in US: Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2002; MEXICO CITY, Sept 27 (AFP) - A US businessman Friday launched a nonprofit family health care plan for the estimated 3.5 million undocumented Mexicans living in the United States.
SAfrica-Clinton: Clinton urges debt relief, aid and trade: Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2002; CAPE TOWN, Sept 27 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton Friday called for accelerated debt relief and increased development aid to Africa to help fight the spread of AIDS, including grants to countries like South Africa.
Canada-drug-Viagra: Viagra-ecstasy cocktail a raver's delight, but authorities concerned: Stephanie Pertuiset; Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2002; MONTREAL, Sept 27 (AFP) - The combination of Viagra and ecstasy, known as "sextasy," that allows revelers to indulge in their heightened sensuality has become one of the most popular cocktails at rave parties across North America, according to authorities.
Health-sex: Widely used spermicide actually increases HIV risk: study confirms: Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2002; PARIS, Sept 27 (AFP) - An over-the-counter spermicide gel that has been proposed as a means of preventing HIV may in fact boost the risk of catching the AIDS virus, a study says.
US-health-AIDS: Researchers isolate natural immunity to AIDS: Francis Temman; Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2002; WASHINGTON, Sept 26 (AFP) - US researchers announced Thursday they have detected a group of proteins that naturally block HIV from developing into AIDS, a discovery that promises to revolutionize treatment for the deadly disease.
Mozambique-US: Clinton Foundation to help combat AIDS in Mozambique: official: Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2002; MAPUTO, 26 Sept (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton's foundation has agreed in principle to help fund Mozambique's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the country's health minister announced Thursday.
Pacific-health: AIDS cases emerge for first time in Marshalls and Vanuatu: Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2002; MAJURO, Sept 26 (AFP) - Two Pacific nations, the Marshall Islands and Vanuatu, that had long claimed to be AIDS free have now officially been tainted with the disease, political leaders and doctors said Thursday.
Russia-crime: Putin tells Russian government to get serious about drugs: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2002; MOSCOW, Sept 25 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the creation of a new state drugs enforcement agency to fight a surge in drug abuse seen as the main cause of a disastrous AIDS epidemic, Kremlin officials announced Wednesday.
Rwanda-US-Clinton: Former US president Bill Clinton arrives in Rwanda: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2002; KIGALI, Sept 25 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton arrived in the Rwandan capital early Wednesday for a one-day visit aimed mainly at focusing attention on the fight against AIDS, an official source said.
Russia-crime: Putin signs decree creating anti-drugs unit: Kremlin: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2002; Moscow, Sept 25 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree creating a special anti-drugs unit to combat the sharp rise in drug abuse which officials see as one of the main factors in the spread of AIDS, the Kremlin said in a statement early Wednesday.
Egypt-justice-AIDS: Egyptian doctors, nurses jailed for infecting patients with AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2002; CAIRO, Sept 24 (AFP) - The former director of a central Cairo hospital and 28 doctors and nurses were sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail for negligence after kidney dialysis patients were infected with AIDS, judicial sources said.
China-AIDS: Freed Chinese AIDS vows to fight government policy on epidemic: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2002; BEIJING, Sept 21 (AFP) - Newly released activist Wan Yanhai Saturday vowed to fight government policy on a growing AIDS epidemic in China, despite uncertainty over his recent detention by state security police.
Canada-China-AIDS: Human rights award winner Wan Yanhai invited to Montreal: Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2002; MONTREAL, Sept 20 (AFP) - A Canadian human rights organization announced Friday that it intends to invite Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai here, after Chinese authorities released him from three weeks' detention.
Lithuania-AIDS: AIDS calls for social action, not only drugs: European experts: Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2002; VILNIUS, Sept 20 (AFP) - Participants at a European AIDS conference on Friday said social measures and not only medical treatment were needed to fight the deadly disease.
China-AIDS: Chinese AIDS activist freed after confessing to 'leaking secrets': Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2002; BEIJING, Sept 20 (AFP) - Detained Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai was released on Friday after confessing to "illegally leaking state secrets", his wife and China's official media said.
US-Iraq-bioweapons: Iraq could use human germ carriers against West: defector: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2002; WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (AFP) - Iraq could unleash a biological attack on the West by using unsuspecting people traveling abroad as carriers of deadly germs, a prominent Iraqi defector warned late Thursday.
US-China-AIDS: Protest in New York against detention of Chinese AIDS activist: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2002; NEW YORK, Sept 19 (AFP) - Human rights groups joined up with AIDS lobbyists and gay activists in a demonstration Thursday outside the Chinese consulate in New York to demand the release of one of China's most prominent AIDS activists.
SAfrica-AIDS: AIDS lobbyists tackle drug giants in South Africa: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2002; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 19 (AFP) - AIDS activists in South Africa lodged complaints against two pharmaceutical giants on Thursday, accusing them of over-pricing their medicines and causing thousands of deaths.
Kenya-UNICEF-AIDS: UNICEF wants children affairs included in Kenya's poll agenda: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2002; NAIROBI, Sept 19 (AFP) - An official of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Thursday urged Kenyan politicians to include the problems facing children whose parents have died of AIDS in their poll programmes ahead of general elections expected in December.
UN-Aids-EEurope: UN warns of soaring HIV/AIDS among young in eastern Europe: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2002; GENEVA, Sept 18 (AFP) - Young people in eastern Europe and the former Soviet states are poorly educated about the risks of HIV/AIDS, helping the disease to spread at faster rates than anywhere else in the world, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Wednesday.
WHO-AIDS-Asia: East Asia must improve prevention of HIV infections: WHO: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2002; TOKYO, Sept 18 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation said Wednesday East Asia "urgently" needs to improve prevention programs for HIV infections among sex workers and drug users.
Africa-SADC-summit: Southern African leaders to discuss poverty, AIDS at annual summit: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2002; GABORONE, Sept 18 (AFP) - Poverty and the AIDS epidemic will take center stage early next month in Luanda, when regional leaders gather for the annual meeting of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Money-protests: Activists promise mass protest for IMF-World Bank meeting: David Williams; Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2002; WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (AFP) - Anti-glob