Agence France-Presse - Table of Contents 'English'

2003

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December

NewYear-SAfrica-Tutu: South Africa's Tutu gives message of hope for 2004: Agence France-Presse - December 31, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 31 (AFP) - South African Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Wednesday said much had changed in his country 10 years after apartheid ended, calling it "a beacon of hope for lands reeling from hatred and conflict."
NewYear-UNICEF-children: UNICEF lists five top fears for children in 2004 including AIDS and war: Agence France-Presse - December 31, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 31 (AFP) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said AIDS, war, child abuse, life expectancy and a lack of investment in education will be the key concerns for child welfare in 2004.
Russia-health-AIDS: World Bank to give Russia 150 mln dlr loan for AIDS, tuberculosis: official: Agence France-Presse - December 30, 2003; MOSCOW, Dec 30 (AFP) - The World Bank will provide Russia with a 150-million-dollar loan to fight AIDS and tuberculosis, a top Russian official said Tuesday.
Lesotho-weather-food: Lesotho needs 19,000 tonnes of food aid: WFP: Agence France-Presse - December 29, 2003; MASERU, Dec 29 (AFP) - Lesotho will need 19,000 tonnes of food aid to feed some 322,000 people facing severe hunger over the next six months, the UN World Food Programme said Monday.
Japan-health-AIDS-blood: Japanese patient infected with HIV by donated blood: Hiroshi Hiyama; Agence France-Presse - December 29, 2003; TOKYO, Dec 29 (AFP) - A patient was infected with HIV after testing procedures failed to spot a contaminated blood donation that was later used in a transfusion, the Japan Red Cross said Monday.
Britain-health: Britain closing the door on free health care for foreigners: Agence France-Presse - December 28, 2003; LONDON, Dec 28 (AFP) - The British government is to announce measures Tuesday to stamp out "health tourism" whereby foreigners come to Britain to take advantage of free health care, Health Secretary John Reid said.
Mozambique-health-malaria: Mozambique hospitals short of blood for malaria patients: Agence France-Presse - December 26, 2003; MAPUTO, Dec 26 (AFP) - Mozambican hospitals including the main health facility in the capital Maputo are desperately short of blood, especially for malaria patients, the head of the country's Roll Back Malaria Group said Friday.
Health-China-AIDS: Officials confirm HIV/AIDS outbreak in northeast China: Agence France-Presse - December 26, 2003; BEIJING, Dec 26 (AFP) - Officials in an area of northeast China's Jilin province not previously recorded as having been affected by HIV/AIDS confirmed that several villages had in fact been heavily hit, state media reported on Friday.
Health-India-syringes: Indians using unsafe syringes: health ministry: Agence France-Presse - December 25, 2003; NEW DELHI, Dec 25 (AFP) - Three out of five syringes in India are unsafe because the glass syringes are not sterilised while the plastic disposable ones are "reused indiscriminately," the health ministry said.
Health-AIDS-China: Chinese AIDS protestors beaten by government-hired thugs: farmers: Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2003; BEIJING, Dec 24 (AFP) - Thugs hired by government officials in central China's Henan province on Wednesday beat more than 10 AIDS patients who protested against the assault of another AIDS sufferer, farmers said.
Canada-health-sex: Vancouver facing worst outbreak of syphilis in the developed world: Michel Comte; Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2003; VANCOUVER, Canada, Dec 24 (AFP) - Vancouver is facing the worst outbreak of syphilis per capita in the developed world, with city health officials fearful of a looming epidemic of the sexually transmitted disease once thought almost wiped out in North America.
Health-AIDS-India-Kashmir: Troubled Indian Kashmir to test prisoners for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2003; SRINAGAR, India, Dec 24 (AFP) - Prisoners in Indian Kashmir including captured Muslim rebels will be tested for AIDS in an effort to stem the disease's spread, the region's health minister said Wednesday.
Portugal-prisons-health-drugs: Portugal debates setting up heroin injecting rooms in prisons: Levi Fernandes; Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2003; LISBON, Dec 24 (AFP) - Portugal is under pressure to set up heroin injection rooms in its overcrowded prisons, where widespread drug use is leading to rising rates of HIV infection amongst the nation's 14,000 inmates.
Year-India-AIDS: India no longer shying away from AIDS epidemic: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - December 24, 2003; NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (AFP) - The Indian government suddenly woke up to AIDS in 2003 by proposing cheaper drugs and moving away from its past stress on abstinence, but critics say more needs to change to combat the epidemic.
Bangladesh-religion-women: Bangladesh PM wants Muslim clerics to work for women's rights: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2003; DHAKA, Dec 23 (AFP) - Prime Minister Khaleda Zia called Tuesday for Bangladesh's 600,000 Muslim clerics to work to improve the status of women.
SAfrica-crime-health-AIDS-teenager: South African boy taunted with AIDS after being forced into sex: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 23 (AFP) - A group of three women welcomed a South African boy "to the world of AIDS" after forcing him to have sex with them at gunpoint in grassland outside of Johannesburg, police said Tuesday.
US-Canada-Martin: Canadian PM says financial stability, helping poor nations top his agenda: Agence France-Presse - December 23, 2003; WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (AFP) - Canada's new prime minister, Paul Martin, said in remarks published Tuesday that he wants to keep his country financially stable and help poor nations deal with the effects of globalization.
Zimbabwe-food: Food aid to Zimbabwe slashed due to funds shortfall: WFP: Agence France-Presse - December 22, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 22 (AFP) - The World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to cut food aid to some 2.6 million Zimbabweans after donors came up with less than half the funds requested by the UN agency, it said on Monday.
SAfrica-crime-AIDS: S.African woman killed for revealing HIV status after being raped: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Dec 20 (AFP) - A South African AIDS activist was beaten to death last week after she told a group of men who had raped her that she was HIV positive, the leader of an AIDS activist group said Saturday.
Cuba-economy: Cuba Inc.'s capital investment overseas more welcome than Das Kapital: Miguel Enesco; Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2003; MIAMI, Dec 20 (AFP) - Cuba has defied isolation as the Caribbean's lone communist holdout to build an empire of Asian restaurants, European bars, and African biotech firms, and to peddle its famous Coppelia ice creams and even guayabera shirts abroad.
ECOWAS-Ghana: Ivory Coast, Liberia tops agenda at West African summit: Lauren Gelfand; Agence France-Presse - December 19, 2003; ACCRA, Dec 19 (AFP) - West African leaders from 15 countries opened a summit on Friday in Ghana that was likely to be dominated by the faltering peace process in Ivory Coast and the post-war transition in Liberia.
UN-health-AIDS: UN's Annan calls AIDS "weapon of mass destruction": Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday he hoped international attention would focus next year on the AIDS epidemic, which he said was killing 8,000 people daily around the world.
Health-AIDS-China: Chinese vice premier visits AIDS village but police force patients home: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2003; BEIJING, Dec 18 (AFP) - Chinese Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi visited an "AIDS village" Thursday in another sign of a stepped up government drive to confront an epidemic experts warn could explode if not addressed.
China-EU-embargo-parliament: EU parliament resists end to arms embargo against China: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2003; STRASBOURG, Dec 18 (AFP) - The European Parliament demanded Thursday the EU maintain its arms embargo against China because of the communist country's human rights record and its "threats against Taiwan".
Malawi-US-corruption: Malawi fails to qualify for US AIDS package due to corruption: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2003; BLANTYRE, Dec 18 (AFP) - Malawi fails to qualify for a share in a 15 billion-dollar package from the United States to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean because corruption remained rife, the US envoy has said.
Health-WHO-crisis: World faces crisis with shortage of health staff: WHO: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 18 (AFP) - The world is facing a critical shortage of nurses and doctors which is blighting attempts to tackle major infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organisation warned Thursday.
Zimbabwe-agriculture: After the land, Zimbabwe now wants white farmers' equipment: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2003; HARARE, Dec 17 (AFP) - The Zimbabwe government has introduced new regulations that allow it to compulsorily acquire any idle movable farming equipment, the farmers union and the state-run media said Wednesday.
Uganda-AIDS-health: Uganda to start giving free drugs to AIDS patients in February: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2003; KAMPALA, Dec 17 (AFP) - Uganda will in February start supplying free antiretroviral drugs to people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, Health Minister Brigadier Jim Muhwezi said Wednesday.
RedCross-fund: Red Cross appeal puts largest-ever focus on fighting disease: Deborah Haynes; Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 16 (AFP) - The worldwide Red Cross launched its 2004 appeal on Tuesday, earmarking the largest ever slice of its budget to fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS that kill millions more people than natural disasters every year.
Vietnam-ILO-AIDS: HIV carriers suffer severe discrimination at work in Vietnam: ILO: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2003; HANOI, Dec 16 (AFP) - HIV carriers in Vietnam suffer severe discrimination at work, a situation that must be addressed to guarantee equality and ensure the disease is efficiently fought, the UN's International Labour Organization said Tuesday.
India-health-AIDS: India's nitpicking stalls 100 million dollar AIDS grant: report: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2003; NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (AFP) - Bureaucratic nitpicking by the Indian government has delayed a 100 million dollar grant from a global anti-AIDS fund, a report said Tuesday.
Bangladesh-health-diarrhoea-AIDS: Bangladesh research centre expands role to include HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2003; DHAKA, Dec 15 (AFP) - An international disease research centre in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka has expanded operations to include HIV/AIDS, officials said Monday.
DRCongo-women-rape: DRCongo rape victims face a life of loneliness and shame: Helen Vesperini; Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2003; KALUNDJA, DRCongo, Dec 15 (AFP) - Since the start of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) war in 1998, aid workers say that in eastern Sud-Kivu province alone more than 8,000 rape cases have been reported, or around 30 people every week.
Tajikistan-Russia-AIDS: Tajik migrant workers bring back money, gifts and often AIDS from Russia: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2003; DUSHANBE, Dec 14 (AFP) - With the approach of the holiday season, Tajiks working in Russia are returning home bearing gifts, money and often sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.
Tanzania-AIDS-condoms: Condom opponents disappoint anti-HIV/AIDS campaigners in Tanzania: John Kulekana; Agence France-Presse - December 13, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 13 (AFP) - Twenty years after the first HIV case was diagnosed in Tanzania, anti-HIV/AIDS campaigners are surprised and disappointed by challenges to the effectiveness of condoms in checking the deadly infection.
UNICEF-children: UN body says lack of education for girls is a global emergency: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 11 (AFP) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Thursday the 65 million girls who go without schooling is a serious global emergency holding up economic development and leaves the girls open to exploitation and a life of poverty.
China-AIDS: China builds first AIDS treatment and care center: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2003; BEIJING, Dec 11 (AFP) - China has responded to the drastic shortage of professional treatment for AIDS sufferers by building its first dedicated medical center, state media said Thursday.
Bangladesh-health-Pacific: Lack of safe drinking water main cause of infectious diseases in Pacific Rim: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2003; DHAKA, Dec 11 (AFP) - Lack of safe drinking water is the main cause of infectious diseases in the Pacific Rim while HIV/AIDS has overtaken other once widespread illnesses in the region, experts said here Thursday.
UNICEF-children-Asia: UNICEF official urges Asia to widen secondary education opportunities: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2003; SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (AFP) - East Asian countries have made major progress in providing primary education to children but limited access to secondary education remains an acute problem, UNICEF officials said Thursday.
Tajikistan-UN: Tajikistan needs 53 million dollars in aid next year: UN: Agence France-Presse - December 11, 2003; DUSHANBE, Dec 11 (AFP) - Tajikistan will need more than 53 million dollars (43 million euros) next year to fund programs addressing its humanitarian needs and support its economy, said a spokesman for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Dushanbe.
Uganda-parliament-family-polygamy: Ugandan men face having to prove wealth for polygamy: Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2003; KAMPALA, Dec 10 (AFP) - A bill before the Ugandan parliament requires men in the country wishing to become polygamous to first prove they have enough wealth to cater for more than one wife, parliament spokesman Kagole Kivumbi said Wednesday.
SAfrica-Britain-AIDS-pharma-company-health-GlaxoSmithKline: GlaxoSmithKline to allow second firm to make AIDS drugs in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 10 (AFP) - The South African arm of GlaxoSmithKline, which has been rapped for inflating prices of its AIDS drugs, on Wednesday said it would allow a second manufacturer to produce generic versions of its antiretroviral (ARV) medicines.
SAfrica-health-AIDS-business: AIDS slashes company profits in South Africa: survey: Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 10 (AFP) - South Africa's rocketing AIDS rates have slashed profits in at least a third of companies surveyed in the largest such domestic study, published on Wednesday.
US-China-health-AIDS: Powell pays tribute to Chinese Premier's AIDS counselling: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2003; WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday praised Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's public inclusion of AIDS patients, unprecedented for a senior Chinese leader.
US-Congress-budget: House approves 2004 budget: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2003; WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (AFP) - The House of Representatives approved the final, 820-billion-dollar piece of the 2004 US budget, which includes 2.4 billion dollars to fight AIDS in developing countries.
Ethiopia-IGAD-WBank-HIV-AIDS: IGAD launches HIV/AIDS programme in member states: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Dec 8 (AFP) - The regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Monday launched a one-year pilot programme to monitor and evaluate HIV and AIDS in its seven member states.
Africa-FAO: Food shortages forecast in 23 African countries: FAO: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2003; ROME, Dec 8 (AFP) - Food shortages due to drought and armed conflicts are forecast in 23 African countries and in some regions millions of people will need emergency aid to subsist, the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned Monday in a report.
Taiwan-AIDS: Fury over Taiwan vice president's 'wrath of God' AIDS comments: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2003; TAIPEI, Dec 8 (AFP) - Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu provoked uproar among gay rights campaigners and politicians here Monday after suggesting AIDS was God's punishment for homosexuality.
China-bloodselling: College students among sellers of blood to make money: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2003; BEIJING, Dec 7 (AFP) - College students, migrant workers and the unemployed are selling their blood in the Chinese capital Beijing to make money, according to a Beijing newspaper Sunday.
Lifestyle-Singapore-gays: Singapore opens first help centre for gay community: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2003; SINGAPORE, Dec 7 (AFP) - Singapore's first ever help center catered specially to the needs of gays and lesbians opened over the weekend in another sign of the city-state's increasing tolerance of the homosexual community.
Commonwealth-Nigeria-AIDS: Prostitution rife in Nigerian capital as AIDS rates soar: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2003; ABUJA, Dec 7 (AFP) - Vivian Nyoko wears a low cut white top and tight denims as she perches on a dirty plastic chair outside a bar on a potholed trash-strewn dirt road in downtown Abuja, trying to lure clients.
Health-AIDS-Bhutan: Isolated Bhutan to encourage condom use to stop AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2003; NEW DELHI, Dec 7 (AFP) - Bhutan will encourage condom use among travelling civil servants and tour guides to prevent AIDS from spreading in the Buddhist kingdom which has reported just 43 cases of HIV infection, state media said.
RedCross-conference-humanitarian: Red Cross, bombed out of Baghdad, seeks more protection for aid workers: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 6 (AFP) - The head of the International Red Cross appealed here Saturday for greater safety measures for humanitarian aid workers in conflict zones following an October bomb blast at its mission in Iraq that killed 12.
Ethiopia-Africa-ILO: ILO parley closes with call for poverty reduction, economic growth: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Dec 5 (AFP) - The 10th Regional International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference ended in Addis Ababa on Friday with a call to all its members to join hands to improve working conditions in their respective countries to sustain development and economic growth in Africa.
Health-Africa-ILO-AIDS: Employers, governments, workers should fight HIV/AIDS together: ILO: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Dec 5 (AFP) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) on Friday called for employers, governments and workers to join forces in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Health-AIDS-India-Gates: Gates Foundation grants 25 million dollars to fight AIDS in south India: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2003; BANGALORE, India, Dec 5 (AFP) - A foundation started by software mogul Bill Gates Friday launched a 25 million-dollar program to curb AIDS in south India that will include highway centres providing condoms and education about HIV.
Health-AIDS-Uganda: US health chief arrives in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2003; KAMPALA, Dec 4 (AFP) - US Secretary for Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson arrived in Uganda for a three day visit to assess the US-sponsored programmes on HIV/AIDS in country.
RedCross-conference-health-AIDS: Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention measures cause storm at conference: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 4 (AFP) - An attempt by the Red Cross to get governments to sign up to a declaration advocating prevention against HIV/AIDS has run into trouble because it endorses controversial measures including needle exchanges and condom distribution in prisons.
Uganda-US-health-AIDS: US give Uganda 6.2 million dollars for anti-retroviral programme: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2003; KAMPALA, Dec 4 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday gave a Ugandan centre dealing mainly with HIV/AIDS research some 6.2 million dollars to help local organizations provide anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy, Health Minister Brigadier Jim Muhwezi said.
Health-AIDS-SAsia-religion-Nepal: South Asian religious leaders study ways to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2003; KATHMANDU, Dec 4 (AFP) - More than 140 religious leaders from South Asia gathered Thursday in Kathmandu to chart out ways to halt the spread of AIDS among the region's young people.
Health-AIDS-Africa-firms: Seven multinationals to step up fight against AIDS in Africa: Bogonko Bosire; Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 4 (AFP) - Seven multinational companies, which operate in developing countries, have promised to step up HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programmes in Africa to combat the pandemic, according to a statement obtained by AFP Thursday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-US-Bono: Irish rocker Bono says a little money goes a long way to fight AIDS, poverty: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (AFP) - U2 frontman Bono Wednesday said he still hasn't found what he's looking for in terms of funding to fight poverty and AIDS, suggesting just a bit of money can make tremendous strides in helping needy people suffering from the disease, particularly in Africa.
Health-AIDS-US-Africa-GBC: US health chief calls on large firms to join assault on AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 3 (AFP) - US Secretary for Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson on Wednesday called on large companies to join the assault on AIDS in Africa at the launch of Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC-HIV/AIDS).
Health-AIDS-India-Gere-people: Film star Gere tells Indian AIDS patients to live a full life: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; MADRAS, India, Dec 3 (AFP) - Hollywood heartthrob Richard Gere on Wednesday took his campaign to raise AIDS awareness to India, telling patients they should shake off the threat of death to live life to the full.
UN-rights-disabled-people: UN agencies seek to bolster rights of world's 600 million disabled: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 3 (AFP) - UN agencies called on governments to make greater efforts to ensure the rights of the world's 600 million disabled people on Wednesday as they marked the International Day for the Disabled.
Rwanda-US-AIDS: US health secretary in Rwanda as part of fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; KIGALI, Dec 3 (AFP) - US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson was in Rwanda on Wednesday heading a large delegation on a five-state African tour aimed at boosting the war against AIDS.
Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan-UN-drugs: UN envoy gets frontline tour of Iran's no-win war on drugs: Stefan Smith; Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; ZAHEDAN, Iran-Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Dec 3 (AFP) - The bulldozed trenches and mounds of dust and the string of machine-gun posts ought to be enough to put off all but the most suicidal drug traffickers hoping to enter Iran.
Health-AIDS-Indonesia: Indonesia to produce cheap AIDS/HIV drugs soon: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2003; JAKARTA, Dec 3 (AFP) - The Indonesian government will soon provide cheap anti-retroviral drugs for AIDS patients, an official said Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Ethiopia-drugs: Ethiopian Red Cross to offer free ARVs to AIDS patients: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Dec 2 (AFP) - The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) is to start distributing free anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) from mid-December to people living with HIV/AIDS and cannot afford them, an ERCS official said late Monday.
Africa-Ethiopia-ILO-labour: Africa must improve working conditions threatened by AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Dec 2 (AFP) - African countries must improve its working conditions, while its performance was being undermined by rising labour costs mainly due to the AIDS pandemic, a labour conference was told on Tuesday.
Health-AIDS-Kenya-women: Kenya's first lady declares war against AIDS stigma, discrimination: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 2 (AFP) - Kenya's first lady Lucy Kibaki on Tuesday declared total war on discrimination against AIDS patients in Kenya, a presidential press service (PPS) statement said.
Health-AIDS-Bangladesh: Bangladeshi lawmakers moved by plight of HIV/AIDS sufferers: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2003; DHAKA, Dec 2 (AFP) - In their first ever meeting with people living with HIV/AIDS, Bangladeshi lawmakers Tuesday listened to harrowing personal accounts and pledged to work to remove the disease's social stigma in the Muslim-majority country.
Health-AIDS: China takes axe to stigma on AIDS Day as UN seeks help for drugs scheme: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; PARIS, Dec 1 (AFP) - China laid an assault on stigma on Monday in the global action to mark World AIDS Day, as the United Nations pounded the drum for its plan to distribute HIV drugs to three million people by 2005.
Health-AIDS: World AIDS Day tackles stigma; UN seeks help for drugs: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - The United Nations on Monday asked for help in an ambitious scheme to bring medication to three million poor HIV patients by 2005, as developing nations sought to reduce the stigma of the disease on World AIDS Day.
Health-AIDS-Canada: Number of Canadian AIDS sufferers rises: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; OTTAWA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Canada saw a 12 percent rise in the number of AIDS/HIV sufferers in 2002 while a large number do not know they have the disease, the health authorities said Monday.
Health-AIDS-US: Vigils, calls for increased aid on World AIDS Day in US: Griffin Shea; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - Americans on Monday commemorated World AIDS Day with vigils to remember the dead and rallies to call on President George W. Bush to meet his pledge to spend 15 billion dollars battling the disease over the next five years.
Health-AIDS-Zambia-US: US gives Zambia 2.5 million dollars for AIDS programmes: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; LUSAKA, Dec 1 (AFP) - US Secretary for Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, touring Africa to observe the impact of AIDS, on Monday signed a 2.5-million-dollar grant to Zambia to help it fight the pandemic, officials said.
Health-AIDS-SouthernAfrica: Stray events in AIDS-ravaged southern Africa to mark AIDS day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Dec 1 (AFP) - South Africa led countries marking World AIDS Day in southern Africa, the world region hardest hit by AIDS, with top personalities such as Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Irish rocker Bono taking part in events Monday around the country.
Health-AIDS-MSF-drugs-price: Indian manufacturer massively extends cheapest AIDS drugs offer: MSF: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 1 (AFP) - The international medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF - MSF Doctors without Borders), on Monday - World AIDS Day -- announced that an Indian drug manufacturer had slashed by half the cost of one of the most effective treatments used to fight AIDS.
Kenya-AIDS-deaths: At least 1.5 million Kenyans killed by AIDS in two decades: Kibaki: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 1 (AFP) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said Monday that Kenya has lost 1.5 million people to AIDS since the disease was discovered in 1984, the presidential press service reported on World AIDS Day.
Health-AIDS: Stigma under assault on World AIDS Day as UN seeks help for drugs scheme: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; PARIS, Dec 1 (AFP) - Developing countries led by China and backed by sports and movie stars attacked stigma on World AIDS Day on Monday, as the United Nations pleaded for support to distribute HIV drugs to three million poor by 2005.
Uganda-AIDS-toll: Ugandan president says over 75,000 Ugandans died of AIDS in 2002: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; KAMPALA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Monday that more than 75,000 Ugandans died of AIDS last year and called on parents to participate more in educating their children about the disease.
Health-AIDS-Russia: Russians must overcome rejection of HIV-AIDS sufferers, says top official: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; MOSCOW, Dec 1 (AFP) - Russians must overcome their rejection of patients suffering from HIV-AIDS, the head of Russia's epidemiological services, Deputy Health Minister Gennady Onishchenko, said Monday on World AIDS day.
Health-AIDS-Canada-Africa: Canada gives 76 million dollars to Africa's AIDS battle: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; MONTREAL, Dec 1 (AFP) - The Canadian government said Monday it would give 100 million Canadian dollars (76 million US dollars) to help Africa's fight against AIDS.
Health-AIDS-Britain: AIDS epidemic "colossal" global problem: Blair: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; LONDON, Dec 1 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday called for decisive action against the "colossal" AIDS epidemic, as Britain said it would double its contribution to fight the disease worldwide.
Health-AIDS-Egypt: AIDS costs 670 lives in Egypt since 1986: official: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; CAIRO, Dec 1 (AFP) - AIDS has claimed 670 lives in Egypt out of a total of only 1,300 registered sufferers since the disease was first recorded in the North African country in 1986, an official said Monday.
Health-AIDS-Europe-WHO: Dramatic increase of HIV in Europe: WHO: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; COPENHAGEN, Dec 1 (AFP) - The number of people diagnosed with the HIV virus is rising dramatically in Europe, in particular in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the World Health Organization said in a report on Monday.
Health-AIDS-Southern Africa: Stray events in AIDS-ravaged southern Africa to mark AIDS day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; South Africa led countries marking World AIDS Day in southern Africa, the world region hardest hit by AIDS, with top personalities including Nobel laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu and Irish rocker Bono, taking part in events Monday around the country.
Health-AIDS-India-Bollywood: Bollywood stars join fight against HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; BOMBAY, Dec 1 (AFP) - Bollywood stars came out in numbers on Monday, World Aids Day, to express their concern over the rising threat of AIDS in India and to educate children about the disease in schools and orphanages.
Health-AIDS-Britain: Britain pledges 10 million dollars to fight AIDS in 2004: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; LONDON, Dec 1 (AFP) - Britain on Monday said it would double its contribution to the worldwide fight against AIDS to six million pounds (10.3 million dollars, 8.6 million euros) in 2004, after Prime Minister Tony Blair called for decisive action against the epidemic.
Health-AIDS-Iran: Iran counts 5,780 HIV cases but unofficial estimate six times higher: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; TEHRAN, Dec 1 (AFP) - Iran has registered 5,780 cases of people with HIV, including 700 AIDS sufferers and 634 others who died, a health ministry official said in newspaper reports Monday that gave estimates six times higher.
Health-AIDS-DRCongo: Half of hospital beds in DRCongo taken by AIDS sufferers: UN: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; KINSHASA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Half of hospital beds in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are occupied by people suffering from AIDS, the UN Secretary General's special representative to the country said Monday.
Health-AIDS-Sudan: Sudan to observe AIDS day in Juba seven weeks late: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; KHARTOUM, Dec 1 (AFP) - Sudan will officially mark World AIDS Day next month, seven weeks behind everyone else, in the main southern city of Juba, which is hit by the country's highest rate of infection, its chief AIDS fighter said Monday.
Health-AIDS-pope: Chastity the best protection against AIDS: Vatican: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; VATICAN CITY, Dec 1 (AFP) - The Vatican called Monday on governments worldwide to promote the virtue of chastity, saying it offered the best protection against the virus that causes AIDS.
Somalia-UNICEF-AIDS: UNICEF appeals to Somali leaders to help youths fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 1 (AFP) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday urged Somali leaders to back youth in fighting the deadly HIV/AIDS disease, instead of engaging in political wrangles, a UNICEF statement said Monday.
Health-AIDS-AFrica-MSF-medicine: MSF urges further cuts in AIDS drug prices for wider access: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; NAIROBI, Dec 1 (AFP) - International medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) on Monday urged that the price of AIDS drugs be reduced even further in Africa to allow more patients on the pandemic-stricken continent to access them.
Health-AIDS-Bangladesh: Hundreds of Bangladeshis join anti-AIDS rally as infections rise: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; DHAKA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Prostitutes, eunuchs and gays were among the hundreds of people who gathered Monday in Dhaka for an AIDS awareness rally with figures showing registered cases in Bangladesh rising sharply over the past year.
Health-AIDS-China-Wen: Chinese premier in landmark meeting with AIDS patients: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Monday shook hands with AIDS patients for the first time, signalling a stepped-up government drive to confront an epidemic experts warn could explode if not urgently addressed.
Health-AIDS-India: AIDS groups welcome India's plan to provide cheapest drugs in world: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (AFP) - AIDS action groups Monday hailed an announcement by the India government that it plans to provide patients with the cheapest drugs in the world but those living with the disease said it had come too late.
Health-AIDS-LatAm: Latin America marks World AIDS day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; MONTEVIDEO, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thousands of people will mark World AIDS Day in Latin America and the Caribbean on Monday, demanding better care and improved access to drugs for those afflicted with a disease that has affected two million and killed 100,000 in the region this year.
Health-AIDS-Thailand: Thailand to triple AIDS patient access to ARVs in 2004: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; BANGKOK, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thailand said Monday it plans to more than triple the number of HIV/AIDS patients receiving anti-retroviral (ARV) medicines next year, as health officials warned that hospitals may not be prepared to cope.
Health-AIDS-Saudi: Saudi Arabia has 6,787 HIV/AIDS cases, up five-times from 16 months ago: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; RIYADH, Dec 1 (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has 6,787 cases of HIV/AIDS of which about 22 percent are among Saudis, the daily newspaper Al-Riyadh said Monday quoting the director of the kingdom's HIV/AIDS prevention programme.
Health-AIDS-Malaysia: Asian values hindering Malaysia's fight against HIV/AIDS: activists: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (AFP) - Deep-rooted reticence about discussing sex and a reluctance to admit the existence of a problem are hindering Malaysia's fight against HIV/AIDS as levels of infections accelerate, activists said Monday.
Health-AIDS-Pakistan: Candlelight vigil, doctors parade mark World AIDS Day in Pakistan: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (AFP) - A candlelit vigil, parades by doctors and cricket players sporting red ribbons marked Monday's World AIDS Day in Pakistan, a Muslim country where cases are few but the risks are high.
Cambodia-AIDS: Activists, officials in Cambodia urge reduced AIDS discrimination: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; PHNOM PENH, Dec 1 (AFP) - More than 500 Cambodians rallied on Monday to mark World AIDS Day, urging reduced discrimination against those infected with HIV to help stem the rampant spread of the disease in the kingdom.
World-AIDS-SAfrica: South Africa to mark World AIDS day with mass awareness drive: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 1 (AFP) - South Africa, the country worst hit by AIDS, was set on Monday to mark World AIDS day with the culmination of its biggest ever awareness drive and events with top personalities, including Nobel laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu and the head of the United Nations AIDS agency, UNAIDS.
Health-AIDS-Asia-toll: One person dying of AIDS every minute in Asia: WHO: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; MANILA, Dec 1 (AFP) - AIDS now kills a person every minute in the Asia-Pacific, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Monday, warning HIV prevalence is increasing in China, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.
Health-AIDS-Kashmir: Conservative Kashmir raises eyebrows with condom campaign to stem AIDS: Izhar Wani; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; SRINAGAR, India, Dec 1 (AFP) - Indian Kashmir, where public discussion of sex is taboo, has startled elements of the conservative Muslim society by launching its first billboard campaign promoting condoms to combat AIDS.
Health-AIDS-Philippines: Philippines at risk from HIV/AIDS from overseas workers: minister: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; MANILA, Dec 1 (AFP) - AIDS could spread easily in the Philippines through millions of Filipino overseas workers who have had "risky sex behavior" abroad, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit warned Monday.
Health-AIDS-China-bloodsales: China faces uphill battle to stop deadly blood sales: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; DILOU VILLAGE, China, Dec 1 (AFP) - Blamed for causing a massive AIDS outbreak in China's heartland, blood-selling, despite being outlawed, continues clandestinely in rural areas where doctors buy it from poor farmers instead of blood banks.
Health-AIDS: Drug-cost pledges boost hope in global fight against AIDS: Samantha Brown; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; BANGKOK, Dec 1 (AFP) - Millions around the globe marked World AIDS Day Monday as the UN launched a major program to provide anti-retroviral drugs to the poor and India pledged to give AIDS patients the world's cheapest drugs.
Health-AIDS-UN-drugs: Three million AIDS patients to get drugs by 2005: UN: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2003; GENEVA, Dec 1 (AFP) - Two UN agencies fighting against HIV/AIDS kicked off World AIDS Day on Monday by unveiling an ambitious program to provide anti-retroviral drugs to three million people in developing countries and those in transition within two years.

November

Health-AIDS-drugs: Africa demands right to produce their own drugs: Emmanuel Defouloy; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) - In much of Africa, a trademark is often all that stands between life and death.
Health-AIDS-Afghanistan: UN warns drug use could push Afghanistan towards AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; KABUL, Nov 30 (AFP) - Increasing intravenous drug use could see war-ravaged Afghanistan risking an AIDS epidemic, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned Sunday.
Health-AIDS-India: Indian AIDS patients to get world's cheapest AIDS drugs: health minister: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (AFP) - India, which has more people with HIV than any country except South Africa, said Sunday it planned to provide its AIDS patients the cheapest drugs in the world through a deal with its pharmaceutical firms.
Kenya-health-AIDS-WFP: WFP says drugs, nutrition must go hand in hand to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; NAIROBI, Nov 30 (AFP) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday hailed a campaign to provide anti-retroviral drugs to three million people by 2005, while stressing that good nutrition should accompany the drive.
China-AIDS-orphans: AIDS leaves many children without parents in China: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; QULOU VILLAGE, China, Nov 30 (AFP) - Some are as young as three -- too small to know why their parents are gone. Others are teenagers, forced to drop out of school and fend for themselves.
Health-AIDS-Malaysia: Malaysia fights a losing battle against AIDS: M. Jegathesan; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (AFP) - Malaysia has posted sharp increases in HIV-AIDS patients, a senior minister said, prompting calls Sunday from AIDS activists for more aggressive measures to contain the disease.
Health-China-AIDS-Jilin: HIV/AIDS outbreak in northeastern China confirmed, blood selling suspected: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 30 (AFP) - A new outbreak of HIV/AIDS has surfaced in northeastern China's Jilin province where up to 300 villagers could be infected with AIDS after donating blood at government blood stations, villagers and a rights group said Sunday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-SAfrica: In a dusty township, containers hold AIDS key, but remain unused: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; DAVEYTON, South Africa, Nov 30 (AFP) - In a dusty South African township, two empty shipping containers could change the lives of hundreds of people dying of AIDS every week, but they remain unused.
Health-AIDS: World AIDS Day: Light in the darkness: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) - World AIDS Day will unfold on Monday in an annual funereal tradition: mourning for the three million who will die of the disease this year, appeals to help 40 million infected with HIV, and tears for the growing ragtag army of AIDS orphans.
Health-AIDS-Indonesia: Indonesia's HIV epidemic one of the fastest growing, expert says: Ian Timberlake; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; JAKARTA, Nov 30 (AFP) - On paper Indonesia doesn't have much of a problem with HIV and AIDS.
Health-AIDS-Asia: Asia's HIV threat galvanises governments for World AIDS Day: Paul Peachey; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; HONG KONG, Nov 30 (AFP) - An unlikely coalition of pop acts, Buddhist ceremony and a former Japanese porn star are combining to give the strongest indication to date that Asia is finally facing up to the threat of a devastating and widespread AIDS epidemic.
Health-AIDS-Cambodia: Lacking drugs, Cambodian AIDS patients turn to faith healers: Philippe Schwab; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2003; CHAMKAR BEY, Cambodia, Nov 30 (AFP) - In this remote village in southern Cambodia, dozens of desperate HIV-AIDS patients have converged to seek treatment from a traditional "kru" faith healer with a reputation for success.
Health-AIDS-SAfrica-Mandela: Music stars in gala concert to raise money against AIDS: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 29 (AFP) - Music stars from Bono to Beyonce responded Saturday to a call from South African elder statesman Nelson Mandela to sing at a gala concert to raise money against the scourge of HIV/AIDS.
Health-AIDS-SAfrica-Mandela: Fans cheer Mandela as music stars perform at South African AIDS concert: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 29 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people danced up a storm Saturday as music stars sang for the world's HIV and AIDS victims in Cape Town, but former South African president Nelson Mandela got the loudest cheers.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Africa's fight against AIDS hit by lack of staff, infrastructure, war: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 29 (AFP) - Money is starting to flow in to fight AIDS in Africa, but many countries have far too few health workers and face a crippling shortage of basic infrastructure.
Ethiopia-AIDS: AIDS sufferers urge Ethiopian leaders to go for tests, set example: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Nov 29 (AFP) - An organisation of AIDS sufferers in Ethiopia has urged the country's leaders to go for HIV/AIDS tests in order to set an example for others, state media said on Saturday.
Health-AIDS-SAfrica-Mandela: S.African leaders call for unity against AIDS as stars prepare for concert: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 29 (AFP) - South African leaders called on the world Saturday to unite in the fight against AIDS on Saturday, as famous music stars prepared to perform at a concert in Cape Town to raise money to fight the disease.
Health-AIDS-Japan: Japanese nursery rejects child of HIV-carrying parent: reports: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; TOKYO, Nov 29 (AFP) - A Japanese private nursery school has rejected a child because one of its parents is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), news reports said Saturday.
Health-AIDS-Ukraine: Ukraine faces spiralling AIDS figures and battles ignorance: Sylvie Briand; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; KIEV, Nov 29 (AFP) - Ukraine, where many still think you can catch AIDS with a simple handshake and others say it is not a deadly disease, has the highest infection rates of all the former Soviet republics.
Health-AIDS-Brazil: Pioneering Brazil presses on with AIDS fight: Claire de Oliveira; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 29 (AFP) - Brazil has cut AIDS deaths by half since 1997, but officials want to reduce infections by another 30 percent over the next three years.
Health-AIDS-US: Bush urges fighting AIDS in Africa, but gets criticized back home: Jerome Bernard; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush, an advocate of battling AIDS in the African continent has been criticized in the United States for favoring sexual abstinence over condom use.
RedCross-aid: Red Cross chief denounces political grip on aid: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; GENEVA, Nov 28 (AFP) - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Friday denounced the use of humanitarian aid for political means, warning that the agency needed to change to cope with new challenges such as growing violence and extremism.
Health-AIDS-SAfrica-Mandela: Mandela calls for mass action against AIDS on eve of star-studded concert: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; ROBBEN ISLAND, South Africa, Nov 28 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Friday returned with music stars from around the world to the island where he spent 18 years in prison to appeal to the world to get behind the fight against AIDS.
China-EU-rights: EU-China end human rights dialogue with visit to AIDS treatment center: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 28 (AFP) - European and Chinese delegates wrapped up talks on human rights Friday, concluding the two-day dialogue with a visit to an AIDS treatment center in Beijing, officials said.
Health-AIDS-China-SARS: Facing AIDS epidemic and fearing SARS return, Beijing opens health hotline: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 28 (AFP) - Beijing authorities Friday unveiled a hotline to help it stay alert about public health dangers such as AIDS and SARS, as the Chinese capital prepared a slew of activities to mark World AIDS Day.
Health-AIDS-Annan: World is lacking political will to fight AIDS, Annan: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; LONDON, Nov 29 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic has become one of the world's biggest security threats, along with terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Friday.
Sudan-Nuba-health: Ceasefire delivers healthcare respite for Sudan's Nuba Mountains: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; LUWERE, Sudan Nov 26 (AFP) - Under the welcome shade of a fig tree in the village of Luwere in Sudan's Nuba Mountain region, a couple of dozen brightly dressed women and their young children are receiving medical care.
Health-AIDS-ILO: ILO warns of growing labor discrimination vs. AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; MANILA, Nov 28 (AFP) - People infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS face discrimination in getting jobs, according to a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) released here Friday.
Health-AIDS-Pakistan: Pakistan has only a small window to curb HIV/AIDS: experts: Mohammad Rizwan; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (AFP) - A narrow window exists for curbing HIV/AIDS infection in Pakistan, an ultra-conservative Islamic republic where real infection rates are likely to be 40 times the recorded levels, experts have warned.
Thailand-health-AIDS: Thai students say no to condom vending machines in universities: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; BANGKOK, Nov 28 (AFP) - Thailand's university student union wants to scuttle a plan by the public health ministry to install condom vending machines on university campuses, representatives said Friday.
Health-AIDS-India: Barbers hand out condoms to prevent India's AIDS "epidemic": Anjali Kwatra; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; NEW DELHI, Nov 28 (AFP) - At his ramshackle shop in a huge New Delhi slum, barber Dinesh Takur hands out a free condom with each haircut in an innovative scheme to prevent HIV in India, where experts fear an AIDS epidemic similar to that which has devastated parts of Africa.
Health-AIDS-China-drugs: China struggles with challenges of offering free AIDS drugs: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2003; DONGGUAN SOUTH VILLAGE, China, Nov 28 (AFP) - Years after being infected with HIV from selling blood, poor farmers in China are finally getting life-saving drugs from the government, but many are shunning the free medication.
Mideast-Israel-Palestinians-Nigeria-Peres: Peres calls for compromise to achieve Mideast peace: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; LAGOS, Nov 27 (AFP) - Israeli opposition leader and former prime minister Shimon Peres urged his country on Thursday to make peace with the Palestinians, calling for compromise and saying that "violence will lead us nowhere."
Health-AIDS-RedCross-fund: Red Cross societies launch unique AIDS fund to treat their own people: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; GENEVA, Nov 27 (AFP) - The Red Cross on Thursday launched its first ever fund to treat staff and volunteers worldwide who have AIDS, saying that too many deaths among its own people were hampering its ability to help others.
Health-AIDS-MSF: MSF appeals to rich nations to help fight AIDS, "silent disaster": Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; NAIROBI, Nov 27 (AFP) - Wealthy nations should donate money to facilitate free AIDS treatment and help ward off the "silent disaster" ravaging the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, the MSF medical charity said Thursday.
WHO-AIDS-Asia: WHO asks HIV/AIDS sufferers to provide peer support to new victims: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; MANILA, Nov 27 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) opened an Asian forum on HIV/AIDS in Manila Thursday with a call to those suffering from the disease to provide peer support to new victims.
China-AIDS-drugs: Over 60 percent of China's HIV carriers infected through drug use: report: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 27 (AFP) - More than half a million Chinese HIV carriers, or 61.6 percent of the country's total, have been infected through intravenous drug use, state media reported Thursday.
India-AIDS-superstition: Indian family try to bury alive relative with AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; MADRAS, India, Nov 27 (AFP) - An Indian family convinced they would be infected with HIV by touching a relative who suffered AIDS tried to bury him alive hours before he died, a doctor said Thursday.
Thailand-AIDS: In sobering lesson for Asia, Thailand struggles to care for AIDS victims: Sarah Stewart; Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; BANGKOK, Nov 27 (AFP) - As one of the first Asian nations to be hit with HIV-AIDS, Thailand is now struggling to bear the burden of caring for hundreds of thousands of dying victims and the families they leave behind.
China-AIDS-condom: Condoms make rare appearance in Chinese TV infomercial: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 27 (AFP) - Condoms have made a rare appearance on Chinese state television in an infomercial about the dangers of AIDS, state media reported Thursday.
India-AIDS-drugs: Windfall for Indian firms after Clinton drugs deal, but patients must wait: Salil Panchal; Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; BOMBAY, Nov 27 (AFP) - Indian pharmaceutical companies are expecting huge growth after former US president Bill Clinton brokered a deal to slash the costs of their AIDS drugs in 13 countries, but activists are worried that Indian patients will not immediately benefit.
China-AIDS: China finally begins taking AIDS crisis seriously: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; ZHUMADIAN, China, Nov 27 (AFP) - Three years after a dark secret in China's heartland was revealed to the world, the government has finally recognized the need to help those devastated by AIDS, but critics say more needs to be done.
Health-AIDS-vaccine: AIDS vaccine: When Natural Killers could save lives: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2003; PARIS, Nov 27 (AFP) - French and Vietnamese researchers believe they have shed light on one of the big puzzles of the AIDS pandemic: how some lucky individuals never become infected by HIV even if they are chronically exposed to the virus.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS epidemic worsens among American gays: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (AFP) - The United States saw an alarming jump in the number of new HIV/AIDS cases among homosexual men between 1999 and 2002, US health authorities said Wednesday.
Ukraine-AIDS: UN warns of alarming HIV spread in Ukraine: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2003; KIEV, Nov 26 (AFP) - Ukraine is suffering from an alarming spread in the HIV virus that causes AIDS, a senior United Nations official warned in the ex-Soviet republic on Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-children-warning: UN urges Africa to care for its 11 million AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 26 (AFP) - The UN children's agency and UNAIDS Wednesday urged African countries to finalise action plans for AIDS orphans, noting that nearly four-fifths of the world's AIDS orphans are African.
Health-AIDS-Africa-UNICEF-children: AIDS set to orphan more than 20 million African children by 2010: UNICEF: Deborah Haynes; Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2003; GENEVA, Nov 26 (AFP) - Twelve-year-old Tewodros nearly lost a leg in a car accident while selling tissues on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to support his younger sister after the pair were left orphaned by AIDS, according to the UN Children's Fund.
WHO-AIDS-Asia: Ignorance, intolerance spreading AIDS in Asia: WHO regional chief: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2003; MANILA, Nov 26 (AFP) - Ignorance, denial and intolerance have created an environment which allows HIV/AIDS to spread easily in Asia, the Western Pacific regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday.
Russia-Belarus-health-AIDS: Over 260,000 Russians HIV-positive: UN: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2003; MOSCOW, Nov 26 (AFP) - Over 260,000 Russians are infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, the Interfax news agency reported late Tuesday, quoting figures from the United Nations' Moscow office.
Health-AIDS-Africa: World AIDS crisis: Africa enters the death phase: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2003; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Africa has entered a phase of upward-spiralling mortality from AIDS that underscores the urgent need to distribute life-prolonging anti-HIV drugs, United Nations agencies reported Tuesday.
Health-AIDS-Asia: Drug use, prostitution put Asia's "Big Three" at AIDS risk: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2003; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Three Asian nations that are home to 40 percent of the world's population are now at the point where HIV infection could leap out of narrow "risk" groups and into the mainstream, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.
Health-AIDS-figures: World AIDS pandemic: latest figures: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2003; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Following is a statistical roundup of the global AIDS pandemic.
Health-AIDS: UN cuts AIDS estimates, but warns pandemic still worsening: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2003; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - United Nations agencies on Tuesday marked down their estimates of the number of people living with HIV or AIDS but warned that this was only a statistical makeover and the global pandemic was worsening by the day.
Health-AIDS-EEurope-CAsia: Generation at risk as AIDS peril advances in former Soviet bloc: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2003; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - The tentacular spread of HIV in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet bloc is placing the region's post-Soviet-era generation at terrifying risk, according to the latest UN report on the world's AIDS crisis.
UN-FAO-food: UN signals setback in war against hunger: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2003; ROME, Nov 25 (AFP) - The number of the world's hungry is rising, the UN warned Tuesday in a report which said that nearly 800 million people, the "starving continent" of the Third World, are still awaiting the fulfillment of world leaders' promise to tackle global hunger.
Russia-health-AIDS: Number of Russians with HIV jumps nearly 10-fold: official: Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2003; MOSCOW, Nov 24 (AFP) - The number of HIV-positive Russians has increased nearly ten-fold during the past three years, a top health official said Monday.
UNICEF-AIDS-SesameStreet-Kami: HIV-positive Muppet chosen as UNICEF's champion for children: Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2003; GENEVA, Nov 24 (AFP) - UNICEF on Monday appointed Kami, an HIV-positive Muppet who appears in a South African version of the world-famous television show Sesame Street, to promote the rights of children affected by AIDS.
Singapore-health-AIDS: HIV/AIDS infection rises in Singapore: Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2003; SINGAPORE, Nov 24 (AFP) - Singapore's HIV infection rate worsened as the number of Singaporeans detected with the virus that causes the deadly AIDS illness numbered 201 in the first 10 months of the year, surpassing last year's 189 for the same period, the government said Monday.
India-US-Clinton-Taj: Clinton visits India's famed monument to love, the Taj Mahal: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2003; AGRA, India, Nov 22 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton finished a visit to India dedicated to fighting the AIDS epidemic with a private tour Saturday of the Taj Mahal.
India-AIDS-US-Clinton: No AIDS progress without affordable medicine, Clinton says in India: Biman Mukherji; Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2003; GURGAON, India, Nov 21 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton said Friday the AIDS epidemic will never be stopped without affordable medicine, as he visited an Indian pharmaceutical giant taking part in his drive to provide cheaper treatment to poor countries.
SAfrica-AIDS-concert: Music legends start arriving in S. Africa for AIDS concert: Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (AFP) - Two musicians from the British pop band Queen, whose lead singer Freddie Mercury died of AIDS, arrived in Cape Town Friday for a star-studded concert they are helping to organise to fight the pandemic.
US-health-sex: Syphilis returns in force to US: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (AFP) - Syphilis has made a dramatic resurgence in the United States and is particularly affecting the gay community, US health authorities said Thursday.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African AIDS plan hailed but delay lamented: Agence France-Presse - November 20, 2003; PRETORIA, Nov 20 (AFP) - A comprehensive health plan for AIDS sufferers in South Africa will see life-extending antiretroviral drugs distributed to around 57,000 people over the next four months, the government said Thursday.
LatAm-FTAA-trade-medicine: Proposed trade rules could limit AIDS drugs: Doctors without Borders: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2003; MIAMI, Nov 19 (AFP) - Proposed rules on intellectual property in the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement could keep cheap generic drugs to fight HIV and tuberculosis prohibitivly expensive, members of the group Doctors Without Borders said Wednesday.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS treatment raises heart attack risk: study: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (AFP) - Patients undergoing treatment for AIDS are at a sharply higher risk for heart attack, according to a study due to be published Thursday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: South Africa to provide anti-AIDS drugs: minister: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 19 (AFP) - South Africa, long criticised for failing to take action to fight AIDS, is to make antiretroviral drugs available to its citizens suffering from the disease or its precursor HIV, the government announced Wednesday.
SAfrica-France: Mbeki calls for rich nations to help Africa beat poverty: Susan Stumme; Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2003; PARIS, Nov 18 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday called on the developed world to work with African nations to help the world's poorest continent along the path to democracy and economic prosperity.
Madagascar-health-AIDS: More than one percent of Madagascans HIV-positive: health ministry: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2003; ANTANANARIVO, Nov 18 (AFP) - More than one percent of Madagascar's people are HIV-positive, the health ministry said Tuesday, signalling that the Indian Ocean island state is at risk of witnessing a sharp rise in AIDS cases.
India-Clinton-AIDS: Former US president Clinton to visit India this week: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2003; NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton is to visit India later this week to bolster efforts to prevent and control HIV and AIDS, sources said Tuesday.
Pacific-politics: Pacific nations risk being cast adrift by worsening crises: regional head: Michael Field; Agence France-Presse - November 17, 2003; SUVA, Nov 17 (AFP) - Spiralling social and political crises plaguing small Pacific nations threaten to "cast them adrift", the secretary general of the 16-nation Pacific Forum warned Monday, urging bold policy changes.
SAfrica-health-TB: New tuberculosis strain discovered in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - November 17, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 17 (AFP) - A rare new "super" strain of tuberculosis that is costly and time-consuming to treat has been identified in South Africa's Western Cape province, a leading scientist said Monday.
Lifestyle-Thailand-AIDS: Thai teenagers shunning condoms, health ministry warns: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2003; BANGKOK, Nov 16 (AFP) - Thailand's teenagers are shunning the use of condoms in an alarming trend, the health ministry warned Sunday as it called for more campaigns to encourage their use for protection against diseases like HIV-AIDS.
Cambodia-prostitution-AIDS: Female condom a hit with Cambodian sex workers: report: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2003; PHNOM PENH, Nov 16 (AFP) - The female condom has proved a hit with sex workers in Cambodia since its introduction by a non-government organisation as part of its battle against HIV/AIDS last year, according to a Sunday report.
Health-AIDS-Africa: African men urged to shun practices that expose women to AIDS: Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2003; NAIROBI, Nov 14 (AFP) - Health experts and policy-makers from five African countries meeting in Kenya this week urged the continent's men to shun practices such as polygamy, wife-inheritance and female circumcision, saying they help spread AIDS among women.
China-AIDS-grant: China wins 95 million dollar Global Fund grant to tackle AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 14 (AFP) - China has won a 95 million dollar grant from the Global Fund to fight its ballooning AIDS problem amid growing concerns that Beijing is not doing enough to tackle the crisis, officials and state media said Friday.
WBank-AIDS-Africa: World Bank grants 16.6 million dollars to fight AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (AFP) - The World Bank on Thursday approved a 16.6 million dollar grant to fight AIDS along the high-risk African corridor linking the Ivory Coast commercial hub of Abidjan with Lagos, Nigeria, and affecting three intermediary countries.
Africa-AIDS-health: Central African region adopts AIDS plan: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2003; BRAZZAVILLE, Nov 13 (AFP) - Eleven central African countries have adopted a 3.7 million dollar joint action plan to combat AIDS, which kills more than 400,000 people in the region each year.
DRCongo-rights-violence-women: Sexual violence a widespread weapon in DR Congo conflict: Francesco Fontemaggi; Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2003; BUKAVU, DR Congo, Nov 13 (AFP) - After raping teenaged Marie, three uniformed soldiers left her in a forest in Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province, where sexual violence is widespread.
Nigeria-prisoners-AIDS: Seven Nigerian prisoners died of HIV-AIDS this year: official: Agence France-Presse - November 13, 2003; LAGOS, Nov 13 (AFP) - Seven inmates of an overcrowded and ill-maintained Nigerian prison in Lagos died of HIV/AIDS in the first three quarters of this year, state-run NTA television quoted prison officials as saying on Thursday.
US-Botswana-AIDS: Botswana faces daunting AIDS challenges: Mogae: Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 12 (AFP) - Botswanan President Festus Mogae on Wednesday lamented slow progress in combating AIDS, but vowed to stop its spread in his southern African nation.
UN-education-girls: Global meet vows to speed up programme to educate girls by 2015: Pratap Chakravarty; Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2003; NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (AFP) - Rich and poor countries Wednesday pledged to speed up a global action-plan to educate tens of millions of girls and agreed to focus specially on 10 nations plagued by social taboos and economic constraints.
SAfrica-budget-AIDS: S.Africa to spend at least 1.7 billion dollars fighting AIDS: minister: Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 12 (AFP) - South Africa will spend at least 1.7 billion dollars (1.4 billion euros) during the next three years on fighting HIV and AIDS, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said Wednesday.
Health-SARS-China-Guangdong: A year on from first SARS case and much still unknown: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2003; FOSHAN, China, Nov 12 (AFP) - A year ago the deputy head of a local village came to this southern Chinese city looking for a doctor who could treat a raging fever, a worsening cough and increasing breathing difficulties.
Health-US-AIDS-vaccine: AIDS vaccine tested in Thailand shown to be ineffective: study: Agence France-Presse - November 12, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 12 (AFP) - The results of a large-scale test of an AIDS vaccine in Thailand, released Wednesday, showed the inoculation method to be ineffective, confirming the results of an earlier test conducted by the US pharmaceutical firm Vaxgen, which created the vaccine.
India-AIDS: India's AIDS epidemic could grow to African levels: activists: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2003; NEW DELHI, Nov 11 (AFP) - India could see an AIDS epidemic similar to that in some African countries where the disease is the leading cause of death, a study funded by Microsoft head Bill Gates said Thursday.
Tanzania-EU: EU to grant Tanzania 131 million dollars in budget support: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Nov 11 (AFP) - The European Union said Tuesday it will grant Tanzania 131 million dollars in budget support over the next two years in areas such as elementary education, primary health and rural roads.
Russia-US-Soros: Soros Foundation "paralysed" in Russia after forced expulsion: Henry Meyer; Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2003; MOSCOW, Nov 11 (AFP) - Fifteen years since it started work in Russia, US billionaire financier George Soros's foundation has been "paralysed" after camouflage-clad men seized its Moscow offices and confiscated its computer records and archives.
Britain-justice-AIDS: HIV-positive man charged with deliberately infecting three women: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2003; LONDON, Nov 11 (AFP) - An HIV-positive man was charged in Britain on Tuesday on suspicion of knowingly infecting two women and a girl with the virus, a week after a landmark ruling jailed another man for deliberately passing on HIV to his lovers.
China-AIDS: Chinese experts, rights groups tell government to come clean on AIDS: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 11 (AFP) - Senior Chinese health officials and a human rights group Tuesday urged the government to come clean about the scale of HIV/AIDS in the country and take urgent action to combat the growing crisis.
China-AIDS-doctor: China tries to put noose on prominent AIDS activist in Beijing: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 11 (AFP) - A prominent activist, invited to attend a conference in Beijing with former US president Bill Clinton, has been put under pressure by local officials from China's AIDS-stricken Henan province, sources said Tuesday.
China-AIDS-Clinton: Clinton slams cost of AIDS drugs, warns China to act on epidemic: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 10 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton Monday condemned the high cost of AIDS drugs in the developing world and warned of dire consequences if the epidemic was not brought under control.
Botswana-AIDS: Botswanan president calls for nation to "change behaviour": Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2003; GABORONE, Nov 10 (AFP) - Botswanan President Festus Mogae on Monday urged his southern African nation to commit itself to a change of behavior as part of plans to fight HIV/AIDS in the most heavily infected nation in the world.
SAfrica-health-AIDS-food: S.African medical journal slams minister's AIDS diet: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 10 (AFP) - A leading South African medical journal on Monday slated an eccentric diet of garlic, lemon and olive oil proposed by the country's health minister for HIV/AIDS sufferers.
Cambodia-anniversary: 50 years after independence, Cambodia struggles on: Suy Se; Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2003; PHNOM PENH, Nov 9 (AFP) - Cambodia, Southeast Asia's royal dynasty turned economic basket case, celebrates 50 years of independence Sunday, but its bitter legacy of violence and poverty continues to haunt the kingdom.
Health-Asia-injections: WHO experts blast India, others in South Asia for unsterilised injections: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; PARIS, Nov 6 (AFP) - World Health Organisation (WHO) experts say three injections out of every four in India and other countries in South Asia are made with unsterilised needles, exposing countless people to the risk of hepatitis, HIV and other infections.
France-justice-blood: Former French health minister cleared in tainted blood scandal: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; PARIS, Nov 6 (AFP) - A special French court on Thursday dismissed a case against former Socialist health minister Claude Evin, who stood accused of wrongdoing in a tainted blood scandal that rocked France in the mid-1980s.
Canada-health-AIDS: Canada introduces legislation to provide cheaper drugs to poorer nations: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; OTTAWA, Nov 6 (AFP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien introduced legislation Thursday to make it easier for cheaper drugs to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to developing countries.
Kenya-UN-development: UN launches 355 million dollar development plan for Kenya: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; NAIROBI, Nov 6 (AFP) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday launched a four-year 355 million dollar development strategy for Kenya to fund agriculture, environment, health and governance projects.
Mozambique-Brazil-AIDS: Visiting Brazilian president vows to help Mozambique combat AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; MAPUTO, Nov 6 (AFP) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday pledged immediate support to Mozambique to combat AIDS, which has reached epidemic levels in the southeast African country.
China-health-AIDS: China health minister official puts HIV/AIDS patients at 840,000: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; BEIJING, Nov 6 (AFP) - China's leading health official Thursday announced that the nation has 840,000 HIV/AIDS patients in the country and that since 1985 around 150,000 patients have died due to the disease, state press reported.
Myanmar-UN-rights: UN rights envoy meets Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; YANGON, Nov 6 (AFP) - UN rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro met Thursday with Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, after coming under fire from the US Congress for failing to achieve reforms in the military-run state.
UN-education-girls-SAsia: Education still a luxury for girls in South Asia: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; NEW DELHI, Nov 6 (AFP) - Education is still a luxury for girls in the male-dominated South Asian region where there are only 84 girls for every 100 boys in primary school, according to a UN report released Thursday.
UN-education-girls: Girls still face discrimination in access to schools: UNESCO: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2003; PARIS, Nov 6 (AFP) - Girls still face discrimination in getting an education in many parts of the world, even if there has been some limited progress in recent years, according to a UN report published Thursday.
Mozambique-Brazil-AIDS: Mozambique asks Brazil for help to combat HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2003; MAPUTO, Nov 5 (AFP) - Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano asked Brazil on Wednesday for aid to help his southern African country combat a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic.
SAfrica-AIDS: First AIDS vaccine trials start in South Africa: report: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 5 (AFP) - South Africa has started its first AIDS vaccine trials this week to test the safety of the drugs and to measure the immune response they generate, a news report said Wednesday.
Japan-vote-Kan: Opposition's Kan hopes grass-roots image will lure voters: Hiroshi Hiyama; Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2003; TOKYO, Nov 5 (AFP) - Naoto Kan, the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) who is challenging Junichiro Koizumi for the premiership in Sunday's general election, casts himself as a man of the people.
US-DRCongo-meet: Bush meets DR Congo's Kabila: Agence France-Presse - November 5, 2003; WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (AFP) - Democratic Republic of Congo's youthful leader, Joseph Kabila, said Wednesday he had discussed his country's humanitarian needs and political transition in talks here with US President George W. Bush.
Canada-SAfrica-AIDS-Zimbabwe: Canadian PM announces bill for access to cheaper drugs for poor countries: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2003; OTTAWA, Nov 4 (AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced in parliament for the first time Tuesday new legislation that would allow cheaper drugs to be shipped to poorer countries suffering from AIDS and other epidemics.
US-health-AIDS: Fight against AIDS is linked to war on terrorism: Clinton<: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2003; OSLO, Nov 4 (AFP) - The fight against AIDS is not just a humanitarian issue, it is also a question of international security in the fight against terrorism, former US president Bill Clinton said Tuesday.
SAfrica-Britain-Zimbabwe: Britain will help rebuild Zimbabwe once it has new government: minister: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Nov 3 (AFP) - Britain will help the international community rebuild Zimbabwe once it has a democratically-accountable government, British Minister for Africa Chris Mullin said in Cape Town on Monday.
Britain-courts-AIDS: Man gets eight years in British jail for spreading HIV: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2003; LONDON, Nov 3 (AFP) - In a landmark case, a London court Monday handed out an eight-year jail sentence to a man with HIV who infected two lovers with the virus that causes AIDS by having unprotected sex.
US-religion-gay-Africa-taboo: Gay bishop row highlights homosexual repression in Africa: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2003; NAIROBI, Nov 3 (AFP) - In roundly rejecting the consecration of a gay bishop in the United States, Africa's Anglicans on Monday reinforced a stigma against homosexuality that prevails across the continent, with the notable exception of South Africa.
Asia-UNICEF: UNICEF meet urges Asia to ensure children thrive, not just survive: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2003; BANGKOK, Nov 2 (AFP) - Asian nations must commit themselves to developing the potential of their 600 million children, ensuring they thrive and not just survive, delegates at a UNICEF conference said Sunday.
Thailand-Japan-AIDS: Fifty Thai prostitutes dying of AIDS every year in Japan: report: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2003; BANGKOK, Nov 2 (AFP) - More than 50 Thai women forced into prostitution in Japan die every year there from AIDS, Thailand's ambassador to Japan Kasit Pirom said, according to a report Sunday.
Europe-AIDS: The British man who has suffered AIDS for 19 years: Beatrice Khadige; Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2003; WARSAW, Nov 2 (AFP) - When Briton James Locke discovered he had AIDS 19 years ago, he thought he had been given a death sentence.
Brazil-Africa: Brazil's Lula building anti-subsidy trade bloc in Africa: Jorge Svartzman; Agence France-Presse - November 1, 2003; BRASILIA, Nov 1 (AFP) - President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva readied Saturday to tour five African countries where Brazil is seeking support to press rich WTO members to scrap agricultural export subsidies.

October

India-Bollywood-UN: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan new UN goodwill ambassador: Agence France-Presse - October 31, 2003; NEW DELHI, Oct 31 (AFP) - Bollywood's biggest star Amitabh Bachchan has been appointed UNICEF's goodwill ambassador to promote the rights of children in India and around the world, a UNICEF statement said Friday.
Health-AIDS-test: Cheap "dried blood" test could be boon for HIV drug campaign in Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 31, 2003; PARIS, Oct 31 (AFP) - One of the biggest obstacles hampering the campaign to distribute anti-HIV drugs across Africa may have been overcome by a technique that is simple, rugged and cheap, a study says.
Australia-environment-devils: Disease threatening Tasmania's devils likened to HIV and SARS: David Millikin; Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2003; MOLE CREEK, Tasmania, Oct 30 (AFP) - Wildlife experts battling a mystery disease which has killed half the world's population of Tasmanian devils said Thursday that the illness could prove as hard to eliminate as HIV or SARS.
Health-AIDS-Uganda: Appeal for free drugs made at AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2003; KAMPALA, Oct 30 (AFP) - An international conference of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) ended here on Thursday with a call to the world and governments to help victims get free drugs to fight HIV/AIDS.
US-diplomacy-AIDS: Second aspiring diplomat accuses US State Dept of discrimination over HIV: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (AFP) - For the second time in as many months, an aspiring US diplomat turned down for a job because he is HIV-positive accused the State Department of discrimination, his lawyers said Wednesday.
Kenya-Germany-paedophile-rape: German charged with raping minors, infecting them with HIV: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2003; MOMBASA, Kenya, Oct 29 (AFP) - A German man living in Kenya has been charged with raping his two stepdaughters aged six and eight and infecting them with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, judicial sources said Wednesday.
UN-health-clone: UN at odds again, this time on human cloning: Marc Carnegie; Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Oct 29 (AFP) - After Iraq and the Middle East, the United Nations is now divided again over another life-and-death question -- whether human beings should be cloned in the name of medical research.
EEurope-health-AIDS: Conference warns of rising AIDS deaths in Eastern Europe: Beatrice Khadige; Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2003; WARSAW, Oct 29 (AFP) - An international AIDS conference rang alarm bells on Wednesday, warning of a spiralling number of deaths from AIDS in eastern Europe unless people there are given equal treatment to sufferers in the West.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Ethiopian minister calls on media to help fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 28, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 28 (AFP) - An Ethiopian minister called on the country's media on Tuesday to play a key role in informing the society in efforts to fight the escalating HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Health-AIDS-women: HIV-infected women urge better mother-to-child prevention programmes: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2003; KAMPALA, Oct 27 (AFP) - HIV-positive women called Monday for improved global programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the AIDS-causing virus, saying existing ones did not include postnatal care for infected mothers.
Lifestyle-SAfrica-Collins-people: Pop star Collins gives royalties to AIDS foundation in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 27 (AFP) - British pop star Phil Collins has presented 54,000 dollars in South African royalties to the local Topsy Foundation, which cares for children suffering from AIDS or are affected by the disease, the foundation announced Monday.
NZealand-China: Chinese president seeks cooperation with NZ on SARS and AIDS: Michael Field; Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2003; AUCKLAND, Oct 27 (AFP) - President Hu Jintao urged greater collaboration between China and New Zealand to combat diseases such as SARS and AIDS on Monday as he wrapped up a three-day tour to New Zealand which focused heavily on trade issues.
Zimbabwe-media: Zimbabwe media director arrested, a day after police shut down Daily News: Ryan Truscott; Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2003; HARARE, Oct 26 (AFP) - A director of Zimbabwe's Daily News was arrested on Sunday, a day after police again shut down the troubled southern African country's only independent daily newspaper, the paper's legal adviser said.
Uganda-AIDS: Ugandan president calls on world leaders to step up AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2003; KAMPALA, Oct 26 (AFP) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday called on world leaders to take decisive action to step up the fight against AIDS, as a major international conference to help the tens of millions living with the disease opened here.
India-AIDS-military: HIV-positive Indian soldier challenges dismissal in court: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2003; NEW DELHI, Oct 26 (AFP) - An HIV-positive Indian soldier has launched a court challenge against his dismissal by the army, a report said Sunday.
Uganda-HIV-AIDS-conference: World's People Living with HIV/AIDS to meet in Ugandan capital: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2003; KAMPALA, Oct 26 (AFP) - Community activists and non-government organisation (NGO) workers representing People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from around the world open a conference here on Sunday to find ways patients can access anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.
Ethiopia-health-aid: Ethiopia receives 23.4 million dollars from global fund: Agence France-Presse - October 25, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 25 (AFP) - Ethiopia has received 23.4 million dollars from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Deputy Health Minister Demisse Tadesse said on Saturday.
Kazakhstan-WHO-AIDS: WHO head praises "progressive" anti-AIDS efforts in Kazakhstan: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2003; ALMATY, Oct 24 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation praised Kazakhstan on Friday for taking "progressive" steps, like the implementation of needle exchange programs, to fight the spread of AIDS in the former Soviet republic.
US-health-AIDS-Clinton-reax-SAfrica: South African AIDS lobby group welcome Clinton deal for cheaper drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 24 (AFP) - South African AIDS campaigners Friday welcomed a deal announced by former US president Bill Clinton to slash drug prices in the developing world by almost a third.
India-US-health-AIDS-Clinton: Indian firms see higher market share with Clinton deal on AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2003; BOMBAY, Oct 24 (AFP) - Indian drug companies eye a larger share in the world market after three firms entered a deal brokered by former US president Bill Clinton to slash the cost of AIDS drugs, an industry official said Friday.
Russia-health-prisons: Almost three-quarters of Russian prisoners seriously ill: justice official: Agence France-Presse - October 23, 2003; MOSCOW, Oct 23 (AFP) - Almost three-quarters of Russian prisoners, around 590,000, suffer from mental illness or serious diseases from AIDS to tuberculosis and syphilis, a top justice ministry official said on Thursday.
US-health-AIDS-Clinton: Bill Clinton announces deal to slash costs of AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 23, 2003; NEW YORK, Oct 23 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton announced Thursday a deal with four generic-drug companies to slash the price of AIDS drugs in parts of the developing world.
Iran-Sweden-US-AIDS-crime-arrest: Iran arrests HIV-positive man suspected of dozens of rapes in Sweden: press: Hossein Jasseb; Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2003; TEHRAN, Oct 22 (AFP) - Iranian police have reportedly arrested an HIV-positive Iranian wanted in Sweden on charges of having unprotected sex with scores of women, many of them drugged and raped, before fleeing the country.
Health-Japan-virus-seaweed: Seaweed extract effective against flu, possibly HIV: Japanese researcher: Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2003; TOKYO, Oct 22 (AFP) - A Japanese researcher said Wednesday his team had found that an extract from a common seaweed fights the flu virus more effectively and with fewer side-effects than existing medicine.
SAfrica-Mandela-AIDS-concert: Mandela launches music campaign to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2003; LONDON, Oct 21 (AFP) - South Africa's former president, Nelson Mandela, launched a worldwide campaign Tuesday that will culminate in a star-studded concert in Cape Town in November to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa.
APEC-Bush-AIDS: First Lady Laura Bush meets HIV-positive children and mothers in Bangkok: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2003; BANGKOK, Oct 21 (AFP) - First Lady Laura Bush met Tuesday with HIV-positive mothers and their children at a US-sponsored clinic in Thailand, which launched the developing world's first program to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Germany-health-AIDS: AIDS researchers deplore lack of funding in Germany: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2003; BERLIN, Oct 21 (AFP) - German researchers deplored Tuesday the lack of funding in Germany dedicated to efforts to find a vaccine for AIDS and called on the government to rethink its priorities.
Health-AIDS-UNICEF: Donors, UN agree to boost support for AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2003; GENEVA, Oct 21 (AFP) - Donors, UN aid agencies and advocacy groups agreed Tuesday to boost efforts to help a growing number of children -- mostly in sub-Saharan Africa -- orphaned by AIDS.
Health-EU-Vatican-AIDS-sex: HIV/AIDS: EU blasts Vatican over condom claims: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2003; PARIS, Oct 21 (AFP) - The European Commission has criticised the Vatican for suggesting condoms do not protect users against HIV, saying the assertion had no scientific basis and could worsen the global AIDS pandemic.
Canada-health-AIDS: Groups press Canada to broaden patent changes on generic exports: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2003; TORONTO, Oct 20 (AFP) - Health groups, including Doctors Without Borders, pressed Canada on Monday to broaden the scope of imminent changes to its patent laws to allow the export of generic AIDS drugs to developing nations.
Burundi-war-anniversary-economy: Burundi's economy ruined by decade of war: Esdras Ndikumana; Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2003; BUJUMBURA, Oct 20 (AFP) - A decade of interethnic war in Burundi, in addition to claiming more than 300,000 lives, has ravaged the economy of the central African state and impoverished most of its seven million people.
Health-AIDS-US-China: US ambassador warns China must act now to avoid AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 20 (AFP) - US Ambassador to China Clark Randt Monday warned that China must act now to avoid an AIDS crisis.
Health-China-AIDS: Arrested Chinese health official released without trial: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 20 (AFP) - A Chinese health official suspected of leaking information on a scandalous AIDS outbreak linked to blood transfusions in central Henan province has been released from jail, although he did not stand trial, his wife said Monday.
Health-AIDS-US-China: US aid can help China avoid AIDS crisis if Beijing cooperates: experts: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (AFP) - US aid could help China avoid a looming AIDS crisis if Beijing accepts the need to act, experts told US officials Monday.
Health-AIDS