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-malaria: Red Cross, Red Crescent hail Global Fund support to Thailand, Russia: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2003; GENEVA, Oct 19 (AFP) - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Sunday welcomed a decision by the Global Fund for the struggle against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to provide help to intravenous drug-users in Russia and Thailand.
Health-US-China: US seeks coordinated health strategy with China on AIDS, SARS: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 19 (AFP) - The United States Sunday sought to collaborate more closely with China on the fight against HIV-AIDS and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), while urging Beijing to become more transparent with its health regime.
APEC-AIDS: APEC urged to step up cooperation to address HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2003; BANGKOK, Oct 18 (AFP) - APEC economies were urged Saturday to work more closely to address the HIV/AIDS health scourge threatening the region, with Australia leading the call for wider cooperation.
SAfrica-Britain-Germany-AIDS-pharmaceutical: Pharmaceutical giants inflated AIDS drugs prices: S.African watchdog: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 17 (AFP) - South Africa's Competition Commission has found two pharmaceutical giants guilty of charging excessively high prices for anti-AIDS drugs and recommended they be fined 10 percent of their annual turnover in South Africa.
APEC-spouses: Massages, visits with children on agenda for APEC spouses: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2003; BANGKOK, Oct 17 (AFP) - APEC first ladies are to enjoy a traditional Thai massage and other pampering while their husbands engage in high-stakes regional diplomacy during a summit here next week, officials said Friday.
Botswana-AIDS-testing: Botswana to introduce routine HIV testing next year: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2003; GABORONE, Oct 17 (AFP) - Botswana will introduce HIV testing centers in all government facilities from early next year in a bid to prevent the epidemic from ravaging the country, President Festus Mogae said Friday.
Vietnam-UN-AIDS-health: Vietnam must take urgent action to prevent HIV/AIDS crisis: UN: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2003; HANOI, Oct 17 (AFP) - Vietnam, which is already facing an alarming HIV/AIDS infection rate, needs to take urgent action to prevent a crisis, a senior UN official said Friday.
US-AIDS: US researchers identify HIV-friendly proteins: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (AFP) - US researchers have identified a series of proteins that enable HIV to bypass the human body's natural anti-viral defenses and multiply, a discovery they say could lead to new treatment drugs for HIV and AIDS.
Health-AIDS-malaria: Global Fund approves 623 million to fight AIDS, other diseases: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (AFP) - A global partnership of governments and private groups said Thursday it had ear-marked 623 million dollars to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the lion's share of the cash to go to Africa.
Swaziland-royals-Mswati: Swaziland's King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2003; MBABANE, Oct 16 (AFP) - Africa's last absolute monarch, King Mswati III of Swaziland, is still revered by many of his subjects, but has reached a political crossroads as opposition and international pressure mounts for change in the tiny country wedged between South Africa and Mozambique.
Food-WFP: Numbers of world hungry continue to grow, says WFP: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2003; ROME, Oct 16 (AFP) - Donations from the international community are failing to keep pace with the needs of the world's hungry, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said Thursday in a message to mark World Food Day.
SAfrica-AIDS-stigma: South Africans must be encouraged to take HIV tests: researcher: Agence France-Presse - October 15, 2003; POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Oct 15 (AFP) - South Africa's government needs to encourage the destigmatisation HIV and AIDS so that more people volunteer to to be tested for the disease, an AIDS researcher said Wednesday.
Ethiopia-health-excision: Ethiopian traditional circumcisers agree to abandon practice: Agence France-Presse - October 15, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 15 (AFP) - At least 350 traditional circumcisers in northern Ethiopia's Gonder region have agreed to abandon the harmful practice as well as other forms of genital mutilation, the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) reported Wednesday.
IIIS-2003-Africa: AIDS, poverty feed conflict in sub-Saharan Africa: IISS: Agence France-Presse - October 15, 2003; LONDON, Oct 15 (AFP) - Sub-Saharan Africa remains torn by international and internal conflicts with regional fighting worsened by widespread poverty and the spread of AIDS, the IISS security think-tank said Wednesday.
Zimbabwe-prisons-AIDS-health: Homosexuality rampant in Zimbabwe's prisons: report: Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2003; HARARE, Oct 14 (AFP) - Up to 70 percent of Zimbabwean prisoners are involved in homosexuality in jails where the HIV prevalence rate is estimated to be 60 percent, the state-owned ZIANA news agency said Tuesday.
Britain-crime-health-AIDS: London court convicts man of passing on HIV in landmark ruling: Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2003; LONDON, Oct 14 (AFP) - In a landmark ruling, a man with HIV was Tuesday found guilty by a British court of infecting two women with the virus which causes AIDS by having unprotected sex.
Vietnam-AIDS-health: Vietnam must change tack to halt "serious" HIV epidemic: experts: Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2003; HANOI, Oct 14 (AFP) - Vietnam has a serious and fast growing HIV/AIDS epidemic that requires a more liberal approach by the government to control, UN and international health experts warned Tuesday.
Vatican-religion-health-AIDS: Catholic cardinal suggests health warning on condom packets: Agence France-Presse - October 13, 2003; VATICAN CITY, Oct 13 (AFP) - Condom packages should carry a health warning similar to that printed on cigarette packets, a Roman Catholic cardinal suggested Monday.
India-AIDS-health: Bill Gates doubles grant to fight AIDS in India to 200 million dollars: Agence France-Presse - October 13, 2003; NEW DELHI, Oct 13 (AFP) - A foundation set up by Microsoft head Bill Gates to combat the spread of AIDS in India announced Monday that it was doubling its spending on the programme to 200 million US dollars.
Thailand-AIDS-health: Red Cross condemns rich nations for reneging on Global Fund promises: Agence France-Presse - October 13, 2003; BANGKOK, Oct 13 (AFP) - The Red Cross on Monday condemned the world's wealthiest nations for failing to contribute the billions of dollars needed to run the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Uganda-commonwealth: Commonwealth secretary general starts two-day visit to Uganda: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2003; KAMPALA, Oct 12 (AFP) - Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon began a two-day visit to Uganda on Sunday for talks on education, HIV/AIDS and the possibility of Kampala hosting the 2005 Commonwealth summit.
Tanzania-US-UNICEF-refugees: US donates 1.5 million dollars to UNICEF for refugees in Tanzania: Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 11 (AFP) - The US government has provided a 1.5 million dollars grant to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for humanitarian programmes in refugee camps in Tanzania, the US embassy here said in a statement on Saturday.
Africa-Botswana-US-AIDS: Africa to get lion's share of Bush's AIDS pledge: US official: Prof Malema; Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2003; GABORONE, Oct 10 (AFP) - Africa was to get the lion's share of a 15 billion dollar pledge by US President George W. Bush to fight AIDS, a top Washington official said in the Botswanan capital on Friday.
Vatican-religion-health-AIDS-Kenya-reax: Kenyan health chiefs disgree with Vatican's position on condoms: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2003; NAIROBI, Oct 10 (AFP) - Health officials in Kenya, where 2.5 million people are HIV-positive, on Friday dismissed claims by the Vatican that condoms were ineffective as a barrier to the deadly virus.
Vatican-religion-health-AIDS-WHO: WHO rejects Vatican claims that condoms don't protect from AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2003; GENEVA, Oct 10 (AFP) - The World Health Organization Friday rejected claims from Roman Catholic leaders that condoms were ineffective in halting the spread of AIDS.
SAfrica-Vatican-religion-health-AIDS-reax: South African churches "shocked" by Vatican condom message: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 10 (AFP) - The South African Council of Churches (SACC) was "shocked and disgusted" by a call by the Vatican to HIV sufferers around the globe not to use condoms, the organisation's spokesman said Friday.
Vatican-religion-health-AIDS: Roman Catholic church urges HIV sufferers to ditch condoms: BBC: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2003; LONDON, Oct 10 (AFP) - The Vatican is urging HIV sufferers around the globe not to use condoms, claiming contrary to health experts' advice that they do not help protect against the deadly virus, a BBC investigation has revealed.
Botswana-US-Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe lacks respect for human rights: US official: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2003; GABORONE, Oct 9 (AFP) - The closure of Zimbabwe's only independent daily last month showed a lack of democracy and a lack of respect for human rights in the southern African country, a senior US official said in the Botswanan capital on Thursday.
Africa-religion-health-AIDS: African church rejects condom use despite high HIV infection rate: Coumba Sylla; Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2003; DAKAR, Oct 9 (AFP) - Roman Catholic leaders in Africa have pledged to step up their involvement in the fight against the continent's AIDS pandemic, but steadfastly refuse to endorse the use of condoms to fight the disease.
UN-world-population-youth: "Urgent" attention to world's youth needed to curb poverty, AIDS: UN: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2003; PARIS, Oct 8 (AFP) - Meeting the needs of the world's 1.2 billion adolescents, especially in terms of sex education, has become "urgent priority" if countries want to break the cycle of AIDS and poverty, the UN Population Fund said in a report released Wednesday.
Canada-Mexico-US-AIDS: US, Mexico back Canada on plan to export cheap AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2003; MONTREAL, Oct 7 (AFP) - Canada on Tuesday won support from the United States and Mexico for its plan to alter its legislation to allow exports of generic AIDS drugs to developing nations unable to afford expensive medications.
Ethiopia-health-AIDS: Smugglers selling dubious AIDS drugs in Ethiopia: officials: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 7 (AFP) - Smugglers in Ethiopia are passing off illegally imported concoctions as antiretroviral drugs used to treat people with AIDS, authorities said, warning the public against buying them.
China-AIDS: Rights groups urge China to release jailed Chinese AIDS official: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 7 (AFP) - China was urged Tuesday to release a detained health official for allegedly leaking a restricted government report on an AIDS outbreak from a blood scandal in central Henan province.
US-Kenya: Bush welcomes Kenya's Kibaki in state visit: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (AFP) - Hosting his first state visit by an African leader, US President George W. Bush urged Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Monday to stick to the hard road of democratic and economic reform.
Somalia-Somaliland-Italy: Award-winning Italian aid worker killed in Somaliland: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2003; NAIROBI, Oct 6 (AFP) - Unidentified gunmen shot and killed an award-winning Italian aid worker in the west of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, police and the territory's president said on Monday.
China-AIDS: Chinese health official sentenced to prison for leaking AIDS "secrets": Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 6 (AFP) - A leading health official in China's AIDS-stricken Henan province has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on a conviction of leaking state secrets, AIDS activists said Monday.
China-AIDS: Wife of jailed Chinese AIDS official denies jail sentence: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 6 (AFP) - The wife of a leading health official in China's AIDS-stricken Henan province denied on Monday claims that he had been sentenced to 10 years in jail for leaking information about the epidemic.
SAfrica-AIDS-company-Anglo: South African mining giant to implement multi-million dollar AIDS project: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 6 (AFP) - South African mining giant Anglo American said Monday it had formed a 1.3-million-dollar partnership project to accelerate AIDS services in poor areas.
US-China-rights-politics: China protests US Congress criticism of rights record as "interference": Agence France-Presse - October 5, 2003; BEIJING, Oct 5 (AFP) - China has strongly protested a report by the US Congress which criticized its human rights record and "tepid" response to the AIDS crisis, calling the report an "interference" in China's internal affairs.
Canada-health-AIDS-UN: Canada aims to set example in exporting AIDS drugs to developing world: Jean-Louis Pany; Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2003; MONTREAL, Oct 4 (AFP) - Canada this week sought to be an example to other industrialized nations by altering its legislation to allow for generic AIDS drugs to be exported to developing nations.
Zambia-social-children: Hundreds of Zambians demonstrate against child rape: Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2003; LUSAKA, Oct 3 (AFP) - Hundreds of Zambians Friday marched through the capital Lusaka to protest at an increase in the number of young girls being raped by older men, an AFP correspondent witnessed.
Malawi-AIDS-politics: Malawi parliament urges lawmakers to test for HIV: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2003; BLANTYRE, Oct 2 (AFP) - A parliamentary committee in Malawi has proposed that all lawmakers in the country undergo voluntary HIV tests as a way of drawing attention to the epidemic, an official said Thursday.
US-China-rights-politics: US Congress says China failing to act on human rights promises: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 2 (AFP) - The US Congress on Tuesday launched a renewed attack on China's human rights record and called on the US government to put greater pressure on Beijing to improve conditions.
Vietnam-UN-children: Some 2.5 mln children in need of special protection in Vietnam: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2003; HANOI, Oct 2 (AFP) - Amid rapid economic growth, some 2.5 million children in Vietnam are in need of special protection from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Thursday.
Uruguay-AIDS: Two-year-old infected with HIV during surgery in Uruguay: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2003; MONTEVIDEO, Oct 1 (AFP) - A two-year-old boy who was undergoing heart surgery was infected with HIV after receiving a transfusion of contaminated blood, the director of the Institute for Children's Cardiology said Wednesday.
US-SAfrica-health: Vaccine against pneumonia scores promising results in South Africa tests: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2003; WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (AFP) - A vaccine against pneumonia has reduced by 25 percent the cases of the disease in 40,000 children in a clinical trial in South Africa, researchers said Wednesday.
Canada-health-AIDS: UN welcomes Canada's decision to allow generic AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2003; TORONTO, Oct 1 (AFP) - UN special envoy for AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis thanked Canada Wednesday for its decision to allow the production of low-cost generic AIDS drugs in developing countries.
SouthernAfrica-UN-aid: UN projects in Africa may stall due to lack of funds: envoy: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 1 (AFP) - The UN's special envoy in southern Africa on Wednesday warned that essential projects to help the region may not be implemented or have to be cut back because of a lack of funding.
Japan-Africa-development: African development conference calls for global support, fair trade system: Shino Yuasa; Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2003; TOKYO, Oct 1 (AFP) - Africa and the international community on Wednesday called for more concerted global efforts to support the continent's economic growth and political stability and the creation of a fair global trade system at the end of a three-day conference here.

September

SAfrica-AIDS: South African team hands over AIDS treatment plan: Agence France-Presse - September 30, 2003; PRETORIA, Sept 30 (AFP) - A government-appointed team on Tuesday handed over to the health minister a detailed plan on how to fight the scourge of AIDS in South Africa, including the provision of anti-retroviral drugs, a spokesman for the team said.
UNESCO-US-Paige: US education secretary says UNESCO membership will help with national priorities: Agence France-Presse - September 30, 2003; PARIS, Sept 30 (AFP) - US Education Secretary Rod Paige on Tuesday hailed his country's return to the UNESCO fold after a 19-year absence as an opportunity to advance US priorities, particularly in bringing peace to Iraq and furthering trade with other countries.
Japan-Africa-development: UN warns of 20 million AIDS orphans in Africa: Agence France-Presse - September 30, 2003; TOKYO, Sept 30 (AFP) - The United Nations warned Tuesday that 20 million African children could be orphaned by AIDS in 2010, as some 50 nations from the continent discussed peace and the failure of global trade talks at an African development conference here.
Turkey-education-AIDS: Turkish HIV boy returns to school amid boycott: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; ANKARA, Sept 29 (AFP) - A Turkish boy infected with the AIDS virus was greeted by an almost empty classroom when he returned to school Monday as fearful parents kept their children away in protest.
Japan-Africa-development: UNDP slams double-standard on Africa as Japan makes billion-dollar pledge: Shino Yuasa; Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; TOKYO, Sept 29 (AFP) - Japan opened a three-day conference on Africa Monday with a billion-dollar aid pledge, as the chief of the UN's development agency blasted the global community's double-standard over aid to the continent and Iraq.
UNESCO-US-Bush-France: Laura Bush marks US return to UNESCO, meets Chirac during busy Paris visit: Susan Stumme; Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; PARIS, Sept 29 (AFP) - US first lady Laura Bush on Monday feted the United States' return to UNESCO after a nearly 20-year absence by arguing that the UN cultural organization's work to promote education can help stamp out terror.
Philippines-health-AIDS: Philippines risks AIDS epidemic warns health chief: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; MANILA, Sept 29 (AFP) - The Philippines risks an AIDS epidemic should it fail to curb behavior that has produced a rise in sexually-transmitted diseases, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit warned Monday.
Japan-Africa-development: African development conference opens with one bln dlr Japanese aid pledge: Shino Yuasa; Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; TOKYO, Sept 29 (AFP) - Japan offered one billion dollars in aid to Africa Monday at the opening of a three-day conference drawing representatives of nearly 50 nations from the continent to discuss ways to boost development.
Thailand-Myanmar-AIDS: Thailand to give Myanmar one million condoms, AIDS medicine: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; BANGKOK, Sept 29 (AFP) - Thailand will give Myanmar one million condoms and much-needed HIV/AIDS medicine to help its neighbour combat the deadly epidemic, the health minister said Monday.
Zambia-social-children: Sexual abuse of young girls rife in Zambia: Dickson Jere; Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2003; LUSAKA, Sept 29 (AFP) - Growing numbers of girls in poverty-stricken Zambia are being raped by men who believe that having sex with minors can cure HIV/AIDS.
Zimbabwe-drugs: Zimbabwe hospitals refuse non-emergency ops: report: Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2003; HARARE, Sept 28 (AFP) - As drug shortages hit Zimbabwe's cash-strapped medical facilities, patients with non-emergency conditions are being refused operations in the second city of Bulawayo, a newspaper reported Sunday.
Japan-Africa-Burkina: Low-profile Japanese volunteers reap high praise in Burkina Faso: Boureima Hama; Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2003; BOBO-DIOULASSO, Burkina Faso, Sept 28 (AFP) - Whether they teach karate, help street children, stem progression of the desert or the AIDS pandemic, Japan's low-profile aid volunteers have become extremely popular in Burkina Faso.
Bangladesh-AIDS-prostitution: Bangladeshi prostitutes take up condom campaign in fight against AIDS: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2003; SAVAR, Bangladesh, Sept 28 (AFP) - Bangladeshi prostitutes, used to abuse from police and isolation in a conservative society, are taking the fight against AIDS into their own hands, launching a campaign to make clients practice safe sex.
Ethiopia-Britain-drought-AIDS: Ethiopian president, British MP discuss drought, AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 27 (AFP) - Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis has held talks with the British member of parliament Lord Bill Deeds, in the country to gather information on the drought and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a foreign ministry official said Saturday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-fathers: Widowed by AIDS, an African father struggles alone: Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 27 (AFP) - Every evening, Leonard Okello watches as his three daughters sit at the dinner table, clasp their hands and utter the same prayer: "Dear Lord, I want a mummy."
Health-AIDS-Africa: AIDS treatment for Africa: Focus now on medical infrastructure: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 27 (AFP) - The horror story of the AIDS pandemic in Africa has at last switched from prevention to hopes of treatment, but the groundwork that lies ahead is daunting for the goal dwarfs anything in medical history.
SAfrica-AIDS-Mbeki: Opposition furore after South Africa's Mbeki AIDS comments in US: Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 26 (AFP) - South African opposition parties strongly criticised comments by President Thabo Mbeki in the United States earlier this week on AIDS, saying it showed his lack of sympathy and understanding of the killer disease.
SouthernAfrica-famine-UN: Significant shortfall in southern African food aid: WFP: Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 26 (AFP) - The UN's food agency on Friday warned that despite an urgent aid appeal made in the summer, it now faced a "significant" funding shortfall that could leave millions in southern Africa facing food shortages.
Uzbekistan-media-rights: Uzbek court upholds homosexuality charge against journalist: Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2003; TASHKENT, Sept 26 (AFP) - An appeal court in Uzbekistan has upheld homosexuality charges against journalist Ruslan Sharipov in what Human Rights Watch has condemned as a political case, the US-based organisation said Friday.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Corruption, fair access to drugs are keys to AIDS fight, Africa told: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 26, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 26 (AFP) - The United Nations' top official on AIDS told Africa on Friday that its long battle against AIDS was at a turning point, but the key to a further influx of donor funds lay mainly with African countries themselves.
Nigeria-WBank: World Bank managing director to make three-day visit to Nigeria: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; ABUJA, Sept 25 (AFP) - The World Bank managing director Shengman Zhang will travel to Nigeria this week on a three-day visit that will include talks with President Olusegun Obasanjo, an official statement said Thursday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-drugs-UN: G7 state should export generic HIV drugs to Africa: UN envoy: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 25 (AFP) - One of the world's wealthiest countries should start producing cheap copies of anti-HIV drugs and export them to Africa to help tackle the continent's AIDS pandemic, UN special envoy Stephen Lewis said here Thursday.
Germany-Tanzania: Germany says will continue to support Tanzanian reforms: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; BERLIN, Sept 25 (AFP) - Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder pledged Thursday that Germany would continue to help Tanzania's market reforms after talks here with visiting Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
Zambia-WFP-hunger: Southern Africa still facing famine: UN: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; LUSAKA, Sept 25 (AFP) - Six southern African countries are still faced with famine and require more food aid to solve the crisis, which has been caused by poor rains, an official of the UN food agency said here Thursday.
Health-AIDS-UN-Eritrea: Armed forces should be mobilised in war against AIDS: UN: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 25 (AFP) - A groundbreaking experiment involving UN peacekeepers and government troops in Eritrea has demonstrated that military forces can help stop the spread of HIV and AIDS, the UN said in a report released Thursday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-drugs: Fair access to HIV drugs in Africa is "political timebomb": UNAIDS chief: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 25 (AFP) - The United Nations' AIDS tsar warned Thursday that some African governments faced upheaval if they gave preference to the elite when anti-HIV drugs finally arrive in their countries in big quantities.
Turkey-education-AIDS: Turkish parents protest decision to send boy with HIV to school: Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; ANKARA, Sept 25 (AFP) - Some 20 parents in western Turkey on Thursday refused to send their children to school, a day after education authorities ordered a classmate with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, back to class, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Health-AIDS-Africa-vaccine: Give quest for vaccine same push as HIV drugs, AIDS forum told: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 25 (AFP) - A top UN health expert on Thursday appealed to AIDS campaigners to fight for an HIV vaccine in the same way that they had lobbied, with success, for poor countries to gain access to antiretroviral drugs.
Vietnam-Mekong-drugs: Mekong-region countries warn of rapid spread of new-generation drugs: Didier Lauras; Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; HANOI, Sept 25 (AFP) - The governments of six Asian countries, including those from the region's notorious drug-producing Golden Triangle, Wednesday warned against the rapid spread of new-generation drugs and called for greater cooperation to fight their influence.
Health-AIDS-Africa-men: Entrenched machismo is one of biggest challenges in war on AIDS: Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - September 25, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 25 (AFP) - Male attitudes towards women and sex have long been acknowledged as one of the biggest sources of Africa's AIDS pandemic, but changing them is a task that would have made Hercules himself throw up his hands in despair.
Botswana-health-AIDS-Gates: Microsoft's Gates pledges long-term fight against AIDS in Botswana: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; GABORONE, Sept 24 (AFP) - Microsoft tycoon and philanthroper Bill Gates pledged a longterm fight against the AIDS crisis Botswana Wednesday on the final leg of the world's wealthiest man tour through southern Africa.
Health-AIDS-Africa-drugs-money: Five billion dollars needed by 2005 to meet anti-HIV drugs target: UN: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 24 (AFP) - Meeting the UN's goal of distributing antiretroviral drugs to three million people living with AIDS by the end of 2005 will cost more than five billion dollars, United Nations health officials said here Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-drugs: 2005 target for anti-HIV drugs is realistic, despite major problems: UN: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 24 (AFP) - UN health chiefs on Wednesday stood by a goal of providing antiretroviral drugs to three million people with HIV by the end of 2005, despite a price tag of more than five billion dollars and the lack of a basic infrastructure needed to administer the treatments.
Turkey-education-AIDS: Turkey allows boy with HIV to resume schooling: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; ANKARA, Sept 24 (AFP) - Education authorities in western Turkey on Wednesday ordered a boy with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, back to school despite objections from parents who fear their own children will be infected, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Health-AIDS-Africa-demo: Rowdy protest disrupts AIDS in Africa conference: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 24 (AFP) - Several dozen demonstrators demanding swift access to antiretroviral drugs for HIV-infected Africans staged a noisy protest at Africa's biggest AIDS conference here on Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-slum: In an AIDS-ridden slum, a brave couple bail out an ocean of misery: Richard Ingham and Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 24 (AFP) - The sunlight peeks through the corrugated steel roof, lighting up Mary's face from above and for the briefest moment, she is very beautiful: an exquisite oval face, cheekbones a fashion model would kill for and large eyes, burning with brightness.
Health-AIDS-Kenya: Kenya govt drafts law to end discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 24 (AFP) - The Kenyan government has drafted a law which would outlaw discrimination against people infected with the HIV virus or full-blown AIDS, a junior minister said Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-women: African first ladies want laws against sexual abuse of women: Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 23 (AFP) - The wives of African heads of states said Tuesday they would lobby for laws which would criminalise sexual abuse of women in a bid to reduce their vulnerability to AIDS.
Health-AIDS-Africa-tradition: Traditional medicine has role in war on AIDS, conference told: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 23 (AFP) - Champions of traditional medicine on Tuesday told a major conference on AIDS in Africa that they had much to contribute to the war against the devastating epidemic.
Health-Africa-AIDS-stigma: Africa's AIDS pandemic finds a friend in stigma: Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 23 (AFP) - Titus, a shy four-year-old with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), carries Africa's stigma against AIDS. Literally.
Health-AIDS-Africa-microbicide: Anti-HIV gel is great but distant goal, AIDS conference told: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 23 (AFP) - An HIV-killing barrier cream, used like a spermicidal contraceptive gel, is one of the most important yet also most elusive goals in the fight against AIDS, a top scientist said here Tuesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-drugs: Black market, drug resistance are risks for Africa's AIDS push: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 23 (AFP) - Campaigners gearing up for Africa's big offensive against AIDS, the tantalising weapon of antiretroviral drugs at last in their hands, have a horror film in the back of their mind: "The Third Man."
US-health-AIDS: Manufacturers pressured to cut AIDS drug prices: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (AFP) - Major drug companies face increased moral, market and activist pressure as the United Nations sought cheaper HIV/AIDS drugs for millions of patients in poor countries, officials said Monday.
WHO-AIDS-health: Failure to fight AIDS is global health emergency: WHO: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; NEW YORK, Sept 22 (AFP) - The failure to fight AIDS is a global health emergency that must be tackled with the same urgency as the Iraq crisis and the deadly SARS outbreak, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Monday.
Angola-health-AIDS: At least one million Angolans are HIV-positive: health ministry: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; LUANDA, Sept 22 (AFP) - At least one million people in Angola's population of 12 million are HIV-positive, Angola's health ministry said Monday.
Health-AIDS-UN: AIDS pandemic a global emergency, current efforts insufficient: UN: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS is spreading at an alarming rate and current efforts to fight the pandemic are "wholly insufficient," UN officials said Monday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS-Gates: Microsoft tycoon Gates says Africa's AIDS crisis nearly invisible in West: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 22 (AFP) - Bill Gates, the world's richest man, warned Monday that Africa's AIDS pandemic was nearly invisible in the West, in an appearance here alongside South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela.
Sweden-economy-budget-aid: Sweden increases development aid to 0.87 percent of GNP: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; STOCKHOLM, Sept 22 (AFP) - Sweden said Monday it would boost its development aid from 0.81 to 0.87 percent of gross national product (GNP) in 2004, focusing on efforts to combat AIDS and drug abuse and promote sexual and reproductive health and conflict prevention.
Health-Africa-AIDS-UN: World falls far short of goals to fight AIDS in Africa: UN: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 22 (AFP) - With its litany of depressing statistics, Africa's AIDS crisis exposes goals set just two years ago to fight the disease as dismally beyond reach, the United Nations said Monday.
Ethiopia-health-Africa: Ethiopia to host African health science conference: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 22 (AFP) - Some 450 researchers from Africa and other parts of the world will gather in Addis Ababa next week to discuss Africa's health problems including AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, organisers said Monday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-women: Helping women is key to tackling Africa's AIDS disaster, forum told: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 22 (AFP) - Raped or coerced into unprotected sex, denied justice or rights by law or tribal practice, lacking access to health care and education: women are clearly the biggest victims of Africa's AIDS crisis, experts here said Monday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-Chissano: African Union head urges joint effort in fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; LISBON, Sept 22 (AFP) - AIDS will continue to devastate Africa unless the nations on the continenet begin coordinating their policies to fight the deadly disease, the chairman of the African Union, Mozambique's President Joaquim Chissano, warned in an interview published here Monday.
Vietnam-Mekong-drugs: Mekong sub-region ministers to meet in Vietnam on drug control: Agence France-Presse - September 22, 2003; HANOI, Sept 22 (AFP) - Ministers and high-ranking officials from six countries in the Mekong sub-region will start a three-day meeting in Vietnam Tuesday to boost regional cooperation in drug control, officials said.
Health-AIDS-conference-reax: US funding against "terror", Iraq war under fire at Africa's AIDS forum: Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - The United States came under fire at a major AIDS conference here on Sunday, where some delegates scorned Washington for lavishing unlimited funds on Iraq and the war against global terror while millions of Africans battled alone against HIV.
Health-AIDS-Africa-conference: Anti-terror funding a "grotesque obscenity" compared to AIDS crisis: UN envoy: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy on Sunday blasted as a "grotesque obscenity" the money lavished on the US-led war on terror given the relative pittance spent on Africa's AIDS orphans and HIV-infected millions.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Funds for Africa's AIDS crisis reached 1 bln dollars in 2002: UNAIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - Nearly a billion dollars was spent fighting Africa's AIDS war in 2002, almost twice as much as two years earlier, the agency UNAIDS said at a major conference here on Sunday.
Mozambique-health-US-Gates: Bill Gates gives 168 mln dollars to fight malaria in Mozambique: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; MANHICA, Mozambique, Sept 21 (AFP) - US Microsoft owner Bill Gates said here Sunday he was donating 168 million US dollars to fund anti-malaria programmes in Mozambique.
Botswana-health-economy-AIDS: Botswana president predicts budget deficit due to AIDS programmes: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; GABORONE, Sept 21 (AFP)- Botswana President Festus Mogae has predicted a budget deficit of close to two billion pula (400 million dollars), partly due to the high cost of government AIDS programmes.
Health-AIDS-Malawi: Half of Malawi's workforce could die of AIDS by 2005: World Bank: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; BLANTYRE, Sept 21 (AFP) - Up to half of Malawi's professional workforce could die of HIV/AIDS by 2005, the World Bank said in a report timed to coincide with opening Sunday of a major conference in Kenya on the pandemic in Africa.
Health-AIDS-Africa-UNAIDS-regions: UN hands out plaudits, brickbats in Africa's AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - The United Nations' latest update on Africa's struggle against AIDS dished out praise for some countries on Sunday but warned others who were floundering in the face of a rampaging pandemic.
Health-AIDS-Africa-conference-open: Major AIDS conference opens in Nairobi: Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - A major conference on the impact of AIDS in Africa and the means to tackle the disease opened in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Sunday.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Africa's AIDS crisis: Curtain up on council of war: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 21, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 21 (AFP) - Thousands of experts gathered here Sunday for a council of war on Africa's battle against AIDS, a combat characterised by a relentlessly spreading pandemic but also by some good news at last about funds and access to drugs.
Kenya-health-AIDS-women: Kenyan women run in show of unity in anti-AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 20 (AFP) - Kenyan marathon gold medalist Catherine Ndereba led thousands of women in a 10-kilometre (six-mile) run in Nairobi on Saturday organised to show their solidarity with those fighting against AIDS.
Bangladesh-health-AIDS-politics: Bangladeshi MPs to close ranks to fight AIDS, human trafficking: Agence France-Presse - September 20, 2003; DHAKA, Sept 20 (AFP) - Bangladeshi lawmakers, who do not see eye-to-eye on most issues, have agreed to close ranks to fight against AIDS and human trafficking, a statement said Saturday.
Kenya-health-AIDS-women: Women victims of traditions that spread AIDS: Kenya's first lady: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 19 (AFP) - Kenya's first lady, Lucy Kibaki, expressed concern Friday that women are bearing the brunt of cultural practices that increase the spread of AIDS, and urged health experts and communities to help women fight the disease.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS vaccine: US wants to structure research: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; NEW YORK, 19 Sept (AFP) - A high-ranking US health official asked private US and foreign laboratories to make use of US AIDS research infrastructure to speed development of an AIDS vaccine.
US-Uzbekistan-rights: US diplomat raises human rights concerns with Uzbekistan: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; TASHKENT, Sept 19 (AFP) - Amid criticism of US support for the autocratic regime in Uzbekistan, a senior US diplomat insisted on Friday that the United States was not blind to the allegedly systematic abuses committed by its anti-terror ally.
Health-AIDS-Africa: In South Africa, AIDS funerals have become big business: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; KHUTSONG, South Africa, Sept 19 (AFP) - In South Africa, where a proper burial is considered the last decent thing you can do for a person, poor families often spend up to six months' wages to bury AIDS victims.
Kenya-health-AIDS-drugs: Kenya govt distributes first subsidized AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 19 (AFP) - Kenya's health ministry this week launched a programme to supply subsidized antitretroviral drugs to 6,000 people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the ministry said Friday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-stigma: Understanding AIDS stigmas key to breaking them, say researchers: Prof Malema and Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; GABORONE, Sept 19 (AFP) - The stigma surrounding AIDS remains a major barrier to treatment in southern Africa, but in Botswana, 31-year-old Kgalelo Ntsete dazzled about 3,000 spectators when she won a beauty competition for the HIV-positive earlier this month.
Health-AIDS-Africa-pharma-activists: African AIDS campaigners want more money, even cheaper drugs: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - September 19, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 19 (AFP) - AIDS campaigners say that the billions of dollars pledged to fight the killer disease in Africa are not enough to subdue the pandemic, and that a landmark deal last month on access to generic drugs falls far short of the needs of the devastated continent.
AIDS-US: Researchers optimistic about an AIDS vaccine ... eventually: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2003; NEW YORK, Sept 18 (AFP) - AIDS researchers meeting at a major international conference here are optimistic that a vaccine to fight the deadly illness can be developed -- though not for a long time.
Kenya-health-AIDS-UNICEF: African youths to meet in Kenya for HIV/AIDS talks: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 18 (AFP) - More than 100 youths from across Africa will meet in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Saturday to discuss ways of tackling HIV/AIDS and the role of young people in overcoming the pandemic, the United Nations Chidren's Fund (UNICEF) said.
Health-AIDS-Africa-Rwanda: Africa's Great Lakes nations call for AIDS treatment for all: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2003; KIGALI, Sept 18 (AFP) - The second international conference on AIDS in Africa's central Great Lakes region on Thursday called for antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all AIDS sufferers.
Health-AIDS-Africa-Madagascar: Madagascar races clock to remain relatively AIDS-free: Patrick Mercier; Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2003; ANTANANARIVO, Sept 18 (AFP) - Health authorities on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar are battling to resist the spread of AIDS, but admit that while they have so far had some success, the deadly disease is slowly gaining ground.
AIDS-US: Conference on AIDS vaccine research opens in New York: Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2003; NEW YORK, Sept 18 (AFP) - An international conference on AIDS vaccine research opened here Thursday, bringing together experts from about 50 countries to deliver the results of some 500 studies on preventive and therapeutic HIV test vaccines.
Health-AIDS-Africa-security: Africa's battle with AIDS raises security, terrorism fears: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 18, 2003; PARIS, Sept 18 (AFP) - Already a human disaster of almost unimaginable proportions, Africa's AIDS pandemic is also fast emerging as a security concern, with fears it will breed regional wars, civil strife and terrorism.
Ethiopia-UN-Africa-health-HIV-AIDS: Former Zambian president urge humanity to held Africa tackle AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 17 (AFP) - Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda on Wednesday appealed to the international community to help Africa fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, currently ravaging the continent.
Health-AIDS-Africa-security: Several delegates to miss AIDS meeting in Kenya over security fears: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 17 (AFP) - Several delegates will miss an international AIDS conference to begin Sunday in Kenya because of security fears, the chairman of the meeting said Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa: Africa dares to look beyond "condom" phase in war on AIDS: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; PARIS, Sept 17 (AFP) - Experts from across Africa gather in Nairobi on Sunday to assess the continent's life-or-death struggle against AIDS, characterised by a new phase in which money and medications are at last joining the fight.
US-film-people-Magic: Former basketball ace Magic Johnson signs Hollywood movie deal: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; LOS ANGELES, Sept 17 (AFP) - Former US basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson's new production company has signed a multimillion-dollar Hollywood movie deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio said Wednesday.
SAfrica-AIDS-justice: Natural deaths in South African prisons up due to AIDS: report: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 17 (AFP) - Natural deaths in South African prisons have quadrupled from 1995 to last year, mainly because of HIV/AIDS, the Johannesburg-based Star newspaper reported Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-Africa-church: Too poor to afford drugs, Kenya's HIV-positive turn to pastor: Lillian Omariba; Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 17 (AFP) - Four times a week, hundreds of desperate Kenyans afflicted with AIDS, some too ill to stand on their own, flock to a makeshift church in a Nairobi suburb, where the pastor claims to have divine powers and promises to heal them -- for a price.
Health-AIDS-Africa-figures: AIDS in Africa: a factfile: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; PARIS, Sept 17 (AFP) - Following are facts on the AIDS pandemic in Africa...
US-AIDS-Bono-Bush: Bono urges Bush to keep his promises to fight AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - September 17, 2003; WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (AFP) - U2 rocker and activist Bono told President George W. Bush of his fears of seeing the United States fall down on its promise to finance the battle against AIDS.
SriLanka-President-UN: Sri Lankan president pulls out of UN AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - September 16, 2003; COLOMBO, Sept 16 (AFP) - Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga has pulled out of a United Nations AIDS conference after a row with the prime minister over who will address the general assembly, officials said Tuesday.
Kenya-health-AIDS-elderly: Kenya conference to examine role of elderly in caring for AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - September 16, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 16 (AFP) - Health workers from across Africa and Britain will gather on Wednesday for a three-day conference in the Kenyan capital to discuss the role played by older people in caring for orphans infected with HIV/AIDS, organisers said.
China-AIDS: Chinese AIDS campaigner faces defamation trial in central Henan: Agence France-Presse - September 15, 2003; BEIJING, Sept 15 (AFP) - A Chinese doctor fighting to stop the spread of AIDS and other diseases in China will be tried for slandering a man who claims to have invented a cure for the disease, state press reported Monday.
Zimbabwe-social-sex: Sex for groceries in hungry Zimbabwe: report: Agence France-Presse - September 14, 2003; HARARE, Sept 14 (AFP) - Under-age teenagers are selling sex for groceries in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo as food shortages and high prices bite, the Standard newspaper reported Sunday.
Ethiopia-UN-Africa-health-HIV-AIDS: New AIDS initiative for Africa to be launched Wednesday: ECA: Agence France-Presse - September 14, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 14 (AFP) - The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is to officially launch a new commission next week to help tackle the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in Africa, according to a statement released on Sunday.
SAfrica-AIDS-sex: South African women trade sex for the good things of life: Agence France-Presse - September 13, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 13 (AFP) - Young women in South African cities living in the shadow of AIDS are using sex with multiple boyfriends to bargain for cellphones, clothes and make-up, according to research reported in the Saturday Star.
Ethiopia-NewYear-AIDS-orphans: Addis Ababa mayor hosts New Year luncheon for AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - September 13, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 13 (AFP) - The mayor of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Saturday hosted a luncheon for about 400 AIDS orphans and other children to mark the New Near on the Ethiopian calendar.
US-Kenya-Kibaki-Bush: Bush to host Kenyan president for state visit: Agence France-Presse - September 12, 2003; WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush will welcome Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki October 6 for a state visit, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Friday.
Health-AIDS-mothers-drugs-nevirapine: HIV study boosts nevirapine for combatting child infection: Agence France-Presse - September 12, 2003; PARIS, Sept 12 (AFP) - A study says a frontline anti-HIV drug, nevirapine, can provide a cheap, lasting shield to infants in poor countries who are at risk of catching the AIDS virus from their mother's breast milk.
Health-AIDS-insurance: Life-insurance ban is unfair for many with HIV: study: Agence France-Presse - September 12, 2003; PARIS, Sept 12 (AFP) - A ban on life insurance for people with the AIDS virus is in many cases unjustified, according to the first study to provide hard actuarial evidence about the benefits of anti-retroviral drugs.
Africa-EU-AIDS: EU urged to pour more money into anti-AIDS projects: Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2003; GABORONE, Sept 11 (AFP) - International lawmakers urged the European Union Thursday to commit more money to fight AIDS in Africa to avoid "murder by silence".
Africa-AfDB-development-health-AIDS: AfDB grants 8.3 million dollars to central Africa for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2003; TUNIS, Sept 11 (AFP) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday announced an 8.3 million dollar (7.4 million euros) grant to help four central African countries fight the AIDS pandemic.
WHO-AIDS-Asia: UN envoy asks Asia to act now on AIDS or face dire consequences: P. Parameswaran; Agence France-Presse - September 11, 2003; MANILA, Sept 11 (AFP) - The United Nations Thursday called for immediate wide-ranging action to prevent Asia emerging as the epicentre of a global HIV/AIDS pandemic in the next decade.
SAfrica-health-TB: TB, South Africa's number one killer of AIDS sufferers: expert: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - September 10, 2003; MERAFONG, South Africa, Sept 10 (AFP) - Tuberculosis is the number one killer among South Africans suffering from HIV and AIDS, an international expert said Wednesday.
Thailand-health-AIDS-UN: 140 community leaders living with HIV/AIDS gather in Thailand: Agence France-Presse - September 9, 2003; BANGKOK, Sept 9 (AFP) - Some 140 community leaders living with HIV/AIDS gathered Tuesday in Thailand to foster self-empowerment and help formulate new battle strategies in the war against the epidemic, activists and the United Nations said.
Ireland-health-HIV: Ireland's HIV cases rose by 22 percent last year: Agence France-Presse - September 9, 2003; DUBLIN, Sept 9 (AFP) - The number of people in Ireland with HIV rose by 22 percent in 2002, the country's National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) said Tuesday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: South African AIDS activist starts antiretroviral treatment: Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Sept 8 (AFP) - South Africa's leading AIDS activist Zackie Achmat announced Monday he had taken his first antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, which he had refused to do until the government committed to a national AIDS plan.
Kenya-Africa-women-AIDS: Some 27 first ladies to join 10,000-strong African women's AIDS run: Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2003; NAIROBI, Sept 8 (AFP) - Some 27 African first ladies will take part in a charity run to celebrate African women's strength in the fight against HIV/AIDS, their Kenyan counterpart Lucy Kibaki said Monday in a statement sent to AFP.
Botswana-Africa-military-AIDS: AIDS could lead to wars in Africa: general: Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2003; GABORONE, Sept 8 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic in Africa could provoke civil wars and wars between states, a Botswanan army general warned Africa's first military conference on the pandemic on Monday.
Ethiopia-US-UN-HIV-AIDS: Ethiopia launches plan to cut mother-to-child AIDS transmission: Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 8 (AFP) - Ethiopia on Monday launched a UN-sponsored programme to prevent mothers from transmitting HIV/AIDS to their newborn children.
Bulgaria-Libya-AIDS: Death sentence, billions in compensation demanded in Libyan AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - September 8, 2003; SOFIA, Sept 8 (AFP) - A Libyan prosecutor Monday demanded the death sentence for seven chiefly Bulgarian medical workers accused of spreading AIDS in a Libyan children's hospital, while the victims' relatives asked for more than four billion dollars in damages, Bulgarian radio reported.
Botswana-AIDS-women: Botswanan women fight AIDS stigma through beauty pageant: Agence France-Presse - September 7, 2003; GABORONE, Sept 7 (AFP) - A Botswanan woman with HIV has won a beauty competition which aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding the disease in the country with the worst infection rate in the world.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Ethiopia sounds alarm on spread of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Sept 5 (AFP) - The Ethiopian government Friday urged its people to step up their efforts in the fight against the spread of AIDS, saying the disease was spreading at an alarming rate in the Horn of Africa country.
Africa-health-WHO: African health conference ends with pledge to fight killer diseases: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 5 (AFP) - A five-day African health conference ended in Johannesburg Friday with the continent's health ministers promising to step up the fight against AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and to bring poverty and malnutrition under control.
SAfrica-Zimbabwe-bishops-militias-testimony: Zimbabwean militia youth haunted by their atrocities: Philippe Bernes-Lasserre; Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 5 (AFP) - Young Zimbabweans who have fled recently to South Africa on Friday recounted, shamefaced, the savage crimes they committed as members of pro-government youth militias.
Laos-health-AIDS-donors: Round-table donor talks end in Laos with warning on HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 5, 2003; HANOI, Sept 5 (AFP) - A meeting between the Lao government and a group of 150 international donors ended in Vientiane Friday with a warning on the risk of the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.
India-UNICEF: UNICEF official begins India visit: Agence France-Presse - September 4, 2003; NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (AFP) - UNICEF chief executive director Carol Bellamy Thursday met a host of Indian officials on the state of children in India and hailed the country's role in meeting global goals to make "a world fit for children", a release said.
Africa-health-WHO-AIDS-SARS: Western world should react to AIDS as it did to SARS: minister: Agence France-Presse - September 4, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 4 (AFP) - Africa would make far more progress in fighting AIDS if the Western world reacted as it did to the recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Zambia's health minister said here Thursday.
Brazil-AIDS-drugs: Brazil moves to import generic drugs from China, India to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 4, 2003; BRASILIA, Sept 4 (AFP) - Brazil threatened Thursday to begin importing generic anti-AIDS drugs from China and India amid so-far-unsuccessful talks to get producers to lower their prices.
India-UNICEF: UNICEF official begins India visit: Agence France-Presse - September 4, 2003; NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (AFP) - UNICEF chief executive director Carol Bellamy Thursday met a host of Indian officials on the state of children in India and hailed the country's role in meeting global goals to make "a world fit for children", a release said.
China-AIDS: China defends AIDS policy, says it is determined to address epidemic: Agence France-Presse - September 4, 2003; BEIJING, Sept 4 (AFP) - China Thursday slammed an international rights group for "falsely" blaming government policy for a massive AIDS outbreak, and said it was determined to care for victims of the epidemic.
US-Netherlands-AIDS: US, Netherlands sign accord on fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 3, 2003; WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday signed up to a cooperation agreement with the Netherlands as part of the fight against AIDS, the White House announced Wednesday.
Bulgaria-Libya-AIDS: Pioneering AIDS doctor says Libyan epidemic result of negligence: Agence France-Presse - September 3, 2003; SOFIA, Sept 3 (AFP) - The French doctor who first isolated the HIV virus said on Wednesday that a hospital AIDS epidemic in Libya was probably caused by poor hygiene, and not by the seven medical workers who are on trial on charges of deliberately spreading the disease.
US-diplomacy-AIDS: HIV-positive aspiring diplomat sues Powell, US State Dept for discrimination: Agence France-Presse - September 3, 2003; WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (AFP) - An aspiring diplomat who was turned down for a job in the US Foreign Service because he is HIV-positive sued Secretary of State Colin Powell for discrimination in federal court on Wednesday.
US-India-condoms: Female-condom maker gets distribution deal in India: Agence France-Presse - September 3, 2003; CHICAGO, Sept 3 (AFP) - The Female Health Company, the manufacturer of the world's only female condom, said Wednesday it had signed a deal with an Indian company to market and distribute its product on the subcontinent.
China-AIDS: Human Rights Watch calls for full investigation into China AIDS scandal: Martin Parry; Agence France-Presse - September 3, 2003; BEIJING, Sept 3 (AFP) - A leading human rights group Wedneday called for a full and impartial investigation by the Chinese authorities into a blood collection scandal that led to millions of people being infected with HIV.
Africa-health-WHO: Most AIDS sufferers in Africa lack access to drugs: WHO: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - September 2, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 2 (AFP) - About 99 percent of AIDS sufferers in dire need of life-saving treatment in Africa lack access to antiretroviral therapy, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says in its annual report.
Asia-UN-AIDS: Asia in danger of Africa's AIDS disaster: UN: Agence France-Presse - September 2, 2003; BANGKOK, Sept 2 (AFP) - Asia-Pacific leaders must take drastic measures to combat the regional HIV/AIDS crisis if they are to avoid the disaster gripping African nations, a United Nations envoy said Tuesday.
Africa-health-WHO: Staffing crisis threatens AIDS treatment in Africa: WHO: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Sept 1 (AFP) - A staffing crisis in Africa's overburdened health system is jeopardising a plan to treat the continent's AIDS sufferers, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Monday.
Netherlands-drugs: Netherlands launches world-first pharmacy sales of cannabis: Gerald de Hemptinne; Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2003; THE HAGUE, Sept 1 (AFP) - The Netherlands, already known as a haven for soft drug use, marks a new world first this week as residents will now be able to obtain cannabis on medical prescription from the local pharmacy.
HongKong-Health-HIV-drug-US: 23 Hong Kong HIV-infected haemophiliacs to sue US drug firm: report: Agence France-Presse - September 1, 2003; HONG KONG, Sept 1 (AFP) - At least 23 Hong Kong haemophiliacs who contracted HIV through contaminated blood products in the 1980s are planning to sue a US drug company for compensation, a press report said Monday.

August

China-AIDS-doctor: Prominent Chinese AIDS campaigner faces defamation lawsuit: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2003; BEIJING, Aug 31 (AFP) - China's best-known AIDS activist, an elderly doctor who volunteers her time and resources to care for farmers stricken with the disease, is facing trial on accusations of defamation, sources said Sunday.
Ethiopia-US-aid: US congresswomen vow to seek more aid for drought-hit Ethiopia: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Aug 31 (AFP) - Three US congresswomen, who visited Ethiopia to review food security, have pledged to ask the US congress to support the troubled Horn of Africa nation in combating famine and AIDS, a foreign ministry official said on Sunday.
China-AIDS: Blood selling AIDS scandal claims lives in southwest China: Agence France-Presse - August 31, 2003; BEIJING, Aug 31 (AFP) - China's AIDS scandal from unsafe blood collection, which has mainly affected central China, has claimed several lives in southwest China, a Chinese report said Sunday.
WTO-trade-pharma-reax: WTO cheap prescription drugs deal draws cheers, dismay: Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2003; GENEVA, Aug 30 (AFP) - The World Trade Organisation's long-fought deal Saturday to improve access to generic drugs for poor countries drew wide praise, but critics said the agreement could aggravate the plight of millions suffering from AIDS, malaria and other grave diseases.
WTO-trade-pharma-SAfrica: Cheap drugs deal, aid, offer hope for South Africa: Hugh Nevill; Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 30 (AFP) - A landmark agreement Saturday to allow access to cheap drugs, coupled with huge increases in aid, should give South Africa -- lagging in the fight against AIDS -- the opportunity to prolong the lives of millions of its citizens.
WTO-trade-pharma: WTO clinches long-sought deal on cheap medicines: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2003; GENEVA, Aug 30 (AFP) - The World Trade Organisation on Saturday clinched a deal to allow poor countries better access to cheaper medicines for fighting deadly scourges such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
WTO-trade-pharma-Africa: Cheap drugs deal, aid, offer hope for tens of millions of Africans: Hugh Nevill; Agence France-Presse - August 30, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 30 (AFP) - A landmark agreement Saturday to allow poor countries access to cheap drugs, coupled with huge increases in aid, will give African governments the means to prolong the lives of tens of millions of people suffering from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Tanzania-WBank-health-AIDS: World Bank to grant Tanzania 70 million dollars to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - August 29, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 29 (AFP) - The World Bank said Friday it has approved a 70-million-dollar (64-million-euro) grant for a project in Tanzania aimed at reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the east African country.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Silence over HIV/AIDS driving millions to their graves in Ethiopia: Abraham Fisseha; Agence France-Presse - August 29, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Aug 29 (AFP) - Ethiopia's conservative society is facing the crunch, as tradition has prevented raising of voices to warn the population against the deadly HIV/AIDS which is silently ravaging the country.
WTO-Cancun-trade-pharma: WTO agree deal on access to cheap drugs for poor countries: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - August 28, 2003; GENEVA, Aug 28 (AFP) - World Trade Organization (WTO) members agreed late Thursday on a deal to ease access to cheap drugs for poor countries struggling to fight diseases such as AIDS and malaria, ending a two-year trade battle.
Vietnam-US-AIDS: Vietnam government delegation to head to US for HIV/drugs study tour: Agence France-Presse - August 28, 2003; HANOI, Aug 28 (AFP) - A Vietnamese government delegation will travel to the United States next week for a study tour on HIV prevention among drug addicts, the US embassy said Thursday.
WTO-Cancun-trade-pharma: WTO set for deal on cheap medicines to end longstanding row: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - August 28, 2003; GENEVA, Aug 28 (AFP) - WTO countries looked set Thursday to clinch a deal here to solve a longstanding problem over access to cheap drugs for poor countries to fight diseases such as AIDS and malaria after the US dropped its opposition in return for assurances for its pharmaceutical producers.
WAfrica-summit-children: West African leaders to discuss fate of region's children: Agence France-Presse - August 27, 2003; ABUJA, Aug 27 (AFP) - West African leaders will meet next month in the Senegalese capital Dakar to discuss child welfare in a region where children are often pressed into labour or military service.
WTO-Nigeria-Cancun-health: Nigerian AIDS treatment in crisis ahead of WTO meet: Dave Clark; Agence France-Presse - August 27, 2003; LAGOS, August 27 (AFP) - Next month's World Trade Organisation meeting in Cancun will be a critical date for Africa's spiralling population of AIDS-HIV sufferers, Nigerian doctors said Tuesday.
Africa-development-summit-close: Southern African meeting in Tanzania closes with AIDS plan: Agence France-Presse - August 26, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 26 (AFP) - A two-day summit of southern African leaders closed in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday with heads of state pledging to fight AIDS in their poverty-stricken region.
Africa-development-summit: Southern African leaders zoom in on AIDS, defence at Tanzania summit: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 26, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 26 (AFP) - Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders were meeting behind closed doors Tuesday, the last day of their summit, examining issues that are crippling growth in the region, including AIDS, political instability and poverty.
Africa-development-summit: Southern African leaders talk up economic growth, stability as SADC summit opens: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 25, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 25 (AFP) - Southern African leaders said Monday economic growth in their region can only be achieved by creating peace and stability, as they kicked off a two-day summit in Tanzania.
Swaziland-king-people: Swaziland's King Mswati picks 11th wife: report: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2003; MBABANE, Aug 24 (AFP) - Southern Africas last absolute monarch, Swaziland's King Mswati III, has picked his 11th bride -- and has already paid an "admission of guilt" fine for courting a virgin.
US-apes: Bushmeat poses AIDS menace while threatening Africa's great apes: Judy Seckler; Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2003; LOS ANGELES, Aug 24 (AFP) - In the marketplaces of Central Africa it's a common sight to see the body parts of gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees hanging on hooks to be sold as food.
Afghanistan-drugs-UN: UN anti-drugs chief visits leading drugs producer Afghanistan: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2003; KABUL, Aug 24 (AFP) - United Nations anti-drugs chief Antonio Maria Costa is visiting Afghanistan to discuss measures to control narcotics production in the country, which has regained its position as the world's leading producer of illicit drugs, a UN spokesman said on Sunday.
Thailand-UN-Aids-Buddhism: Buddhist leaders gather in Bangkok to tackle HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - August 24, 2003; BANGKOK, Aug 24 (AFP) - Dozens of Buddhist leaders, including Cambodia's supreme patriarch, are to gather in the Thai capital from Monday to review the religion's approach to tackling the HIV/AIDS crisis ravaging parts of Asia.
Africa-US-AIDS: Nine US mayors to visit Africa on AIDS awareness tour: Agence France-Presse - August 23, 2003; KAMPALA, Aug 23 (AFP) - Nine mayors from US cities will from Thursday visit four African countries in a bid to strengthen cooperation between America and Africa in the fight against AIDS, the US embassy in Uganda announced.
Belgium-AIDS-bananas: Anti-AIDS drugs can help bananas battle disease: Belgian study: Agence France-Presse - August 22, 2003; BRUSSELS, Aug 22 (AFP) - Drugs used to fight the AIDS virus and Hepatitis B can help eradicate a disease afflicting banana and plantain plants in the Third World, according to a study by Belgian researchers released Friday.
Brazil-AIDS: Brazil considers breaking patents on AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - August 21, 2003; BRASILIA, Aug 21 (AFP) - Brazilian authorities threatened Thursday to break patents on three key anti-AIDS drugs unless their makers agree to lower their prices.
Zimbabwe-AIDS: Zimbabwe revises HIV/AIDS infection figures downwards: Agence France-Presse - August 21, 2003; HARARE, Aug 21 (AFP) - The incidence of HIV/AIDS infection among adults in Zimbabwe has dropped by nearly 10 percent in three years, according to figures released Thursday by the government of President Robert Mugabe.
WHO-Asia-condoms: Asia health experts to step up anti-AIDS programme for sex workers: Ben Rowse; Agence France-Presse - August 21, 2003; HANOI, Aug 21 (AFP) - Asian health experts agreed Thursday to expand a programme to ensure rigorous condom use in the sex industry in a bid to prevent the escalation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Bangladesh-AIDS-rights: Bangladesh could face AIDS 'epidemic' if police are not reformed: HRW: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - August 20, 2003; DHAKA, Aug 20 (AFP) - Bangladesh, which has remained relatively free of the HIV virus, could face an "AIDS epidemic" due to police abuse against people most vulnerable to the disease including prostitutes and gays, Human Rights Watch warned Wednesday.
Kenya-US-aid: United States grants Kenya nearly 25 million dollars in aid: Agence France-Presse - August 19, 2003; NAIROBI, Aug 19 (AFP) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is to grant Kenya nearly 25 million dollars in aid to support the east African country's economic recovery programme, following agreements signed here on Tuesday.
China-AIDS: Chinese health official arrested for leaking AIDS secrets: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - August 19, 2003; BEIJING, Aug 19 (AFP) - A leading health official in China's AIDS-stricken Henan province has been arrested, allegedly for leaking secret documents on the infection of tens of thousands of villagers through blood transfusions, an AIDS activist said Tuesday, citing officials.
WHO-Asia-condoms: Billions more condoms needed to halt HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia: WHO: Ben Rowse; Agence France-Presse - August 18, 2003; HANOI, Aug 18 (AFP) - Billions more condoms are needed to prevent the escalation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday, calling on the region to put safety before pleasure.
US-Bush-Mandela: Bush, Mandela, break silence: White House: Agence France-Presse - August 16, 2003; CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug 16 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush and revered South African statesman Nelson Mandela on Saturday took a step towards mending fences by speaking for the first time since the Iraq war, the White House said.
Liberia: Aid trickles into war-torn Liberia, UN official to back lifting sanctions: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2003; MONROVIA, Aug 15 (AFP) - Humanitarian aid started trickling into Liberia Friday, a day after the rebel handover of the country's main port to peacekeepers as a top UN official vowed to support the lifting of sanctions imposed by the world body on the war-riven nation.
WHO-Asia-condoms: AIDS battle reaches new climax in Asia with aggressive condom policy: P. Parameswaran; Agence France-Presse - August 15, 2003; MANILA, Aug 15 (AFP) - No condom, no sex. In an aggressive policy to stem the growing HIV/AIDS problem, the World Health Organisation (WHO) wants sex workers in Asia to adopt this uncompromising stand when facing clients.
Swaziland-Cwealth-conference: Swaziland gov't denies pro-democracy protester's death: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - August 14, 2003; EZULWINI, Swaziland, Aug 14 (AFP) - The Swazi government Thursday rejected as "nonsense" reports that a pro-democracy protester had been beaten to death by police, saying trade unionists were out to embarrass the country currently hosting a Commonwealth conference.
Uganda-Africa-AIDS-women: Domestic violence spreading AIDS in Africa: rights group: Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2003; KAMPALA, Aug 13 (AFP) - Human Rights Watch, the US-based group, warned on Wednesday that the failure by Uganda and other African governments to tackle domestic violence against women had increased the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Japan-health-blood: Japanese Red Cross to revise donor system after tainted blood scare: report: Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2003; TOKYO, Aug 13 (AFP) - The Japanese Red Cross Society told the health ministry Wednesday it would store blood plasma for longer after a ministry probe revealed thousands of units of tainted blood had likely been used, a report said.
Africa-religion-church: Africa church group preaches denominational unity for continent: Agence France-Presse - August 13, 2003; NAIROBI, Aug 13 (AFP) - A pan-African church group on Wednesday called for Protestant denominations in Africa to unite in order to better tackle economic, political and health problems plaguing the world's poorest continent.
Iran-drugs-AIDS: Iranian government to distribute free syringes to drug addicts: Agence France-Presse - August 12, 2003; TEHRAN, Aug 12 (AFP) - Iran's health ministry is to start distributing free syringes to drug addicts in Tehran to fight the spread of AIDS and other contagious diseases, a ministry official said Tuesday.
SAsia-Bangladesh-women: South Asian women plea for justice as they recount horrors inflicted by men: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - August 12, 2003; DHAKA, Aug 12 (AFP) - South Asian women who have endured beatings, rape and other abuse with little hope of ever seeing justice shared their stories Tuesday before a symbolic court that pledged to turn their tragedies into political action.
India-AIDS-Kamasutra: Indian sex workers hone their art of love from Kamasutra to prevent AIDS: Sailendra Sil; Agence France-Presse - August 11, 2003; CALCUTTA, Aug 11 (AFP) - Sex workers in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal are picking up tricks from the Kamasutra, the ancient Hindu treatise on sex, to try to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
SAfrica-AIDS: S.African health minister should be tried for AIDS deaths: politician: Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 10 (AFP) - South African politicians on Sunday called for Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang to resign and be put on trial for dithering in providing an AIDS treatment programme.
SAfrica-AIDS: S.Africa minister warns unresolved questions still hamper AIDS drug plan: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 10 (AFP) - South Africa's Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, has warned that a number of questions must be answered before an AIDS treatment programme can be put into place, a media report said Sunday.
SAfrica-AIDS: Call for Mbeki to apologise after S. Africa AIDS treatment turnaround: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 10 (AFP) - In a sign that South Africa's AIDS debate continues to rage even after a radical shift in government policy, an opposition leader called for President Thabo Mbeki to apologise and his health minister to resign, in comments published Sunday.
SAfrica-AIDS: Mandela joins millions in welcoming government's AIDS drugs decision: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 10, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 10 (AFP) - Former president Nelson Mandela joined millions of fellow South Africans Sunday in welcoming a government decision to roll out a programme that will eventually see AIDS sufferers receive antiretroviral treatment.
SAfrica-AIDS: South Africa's "historic" AIDS treatment decision wins warm welcome: Agence France-Presse - August 9, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 9 (AFP) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and its largest labour organisation gave the government a thumbs up Saturday for deciding to phase in a programme to treat its AIDS infected population.
SAfrica-AIDS: S.African AIDS activists celebrate drugs decision, experts sceptical: Agence France-Presse - August 9, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 9 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists celebrated Saturday after a government decision to develop a plan to make antiretroviral (ARV) drugs available, but experts were hesitant in expressing optimism.
US-health-HIV: New York needs more protected sex in the city: survey: Agence France-Presse - August 9, 2003; NEW YORK, Aug 9 (AFP) - Most New Yorkers with multiple sexual partners are ignorant of their HIV status and 42 percent did not use a condom the last time they had sex, according to an official report released Saturday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: South Africa orders plan to make key AIDS treatment drugs available: Agence France-Presse - August 8, 2003; PRETORIA, Aug 8 (AFP) - The South African cabinet has instructed the health ministry to develop a detailed plan to make antiretroviral drugs available to HIV and AIDS sufferers "with urgency", the government announced Friday.
DRCongo-Ituri-UNICEF: UNICEF envoy Jessica Lange "heartbroken" on DR Congo mission: Agence France-Presse - August 7, 2003; BUNIA, DR Congo, Aug 7 (AFP) - American actress Jessica Lange said she was heartbroken by the plight of the thousands displaced by the ongoing ethnic conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the second day of her tour as UNICEF ambassador.
SAfrica-AIDS-pharma: South Africa launches locally-made anti-AIDS drug: Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2003; PRETORIA, Aug 6 (AFP) - South Africa launched the continent's first locally-manufactured AIDS drug in the capital Wednesday, saying it could be almost half as cheap as the original, as an acrimonious AIDS conference ended elsewhere in the country.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: South Africa's ANC refuses to buckle under AIDS pressure: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Aug 6 (AFP) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) refused to buckle under mounting pressure at a national AIDS conference this week to provide free anti-AIDS drugs -- despite nearly 1,000 sufferers dying per day.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: South African AIDS conference ends on emotional note: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 6 (AFP) - An AIDS conference here ended on an emotional note Wednesday after four days of vicious attacks on the government for stalling with anti-AIDS treatment that could save five million lives.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference-women: HIV-positive woman makes emotional plea to South African govt: Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 6 (AFP) - An HIV-positive woman tearfully related to an AIDS conference here Wednesday how she wanted to fall pregnant, but was prevented from doing so by the government's refusal to provide anti-AIDS drugs.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: Activists, media viciously attack South African AIDS policies: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 6, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 6 (AFP) - South Africa's government came under attack Wednesday for its hesitancy in implementing an AIDS treatment plan, with a leading activist and a major newspaper begging it to stop the "madness".
SAfrica-AIDS-conference-ribbon: World record ribbon made at South African AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 5 (AFP) - A team of 30 women finished sewing together 2.39 kilometres (1.5 miles) of red cloth Tuesday to form the world's longest AIDS ribbon at an AIDS conference in South Africa.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: Africa must act now to avoid wave of AIDS orphans: expert: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 5 (AFP) - Sub-Saharan Africa faces a catastrophic increase in the number of children orphaned and infected by AIDS unless treatment is improved, a leading South African paediatrician warned on Tuesday.
Zambia-AIDS: Zambia battling to cope with 600,000 AIDS orphans: Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; LUSAKA, Aug 5 (AFP) - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said on Tuesday his country was struggling to provide for more than 600,000 orphans whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS related diseases.
Health-WHO-AIDS-Finland: AIDS "like Armageddon," says UN health chief, rapping South Africa: Paal Aarsaether; Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; HELSINKI, Aug 5 (AFP) - The head of the World Health Organization warned Tuesday that South Africa's strategy of denying drugs to AIDS sufferers was wrong, adding fodder to a war of words led by activists at an AIDS conference railing against Pretoria.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: South African civil servant urges state to act on AIDS: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 5 (AFP) - A South African government health official Tuesday urged the state to "refocus" its budget and provide anti-AIDS drugs that could save the lives of five million infected citizens.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference-apartheid: South Africa's AIDS scourge as disgraceful as apartheid: church: Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 5 (AFP) - The South African government's lack of action to provide anti-AIDS drugs is as disgraceful as apartheid, a prominent religious leader said Tuesday.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: Experts, laymen seek AIDS solutions in South Africa meeting: Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 5 (AFP) - An AIDS conference united experts and laymen to take stock of the pandemic Tuesday, a day after scientists warned that South Africa was entering a "death phase" of the disease and should expect a rapidly rising mortality rate.
China-US-health-AIDS: US scholars pressure China to review way it deals with AIDS: Peter Harmsen; Agence France-Presse - August 5, 2003; BEIJING, Aug 5 (AFP) - A group of top US scholars have sent an open letter to Premier Wen Jiabao criticising the way China is handling its looming AIDS crisis, as international pressure builds for change.
Nigeria-AIDS: Nigerian president launches national AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; ABUJA, Aug 4 (AFP) - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo Monday launched a nationwide campaign to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, which currently affects close to four million Nigerians.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference-crime: Professor loses "priceless" AIDS work in South African mugging: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 4 (AFP) - A professor of microbiology at George Washington University in the US capital said Monday he lost "priceless" work on an AIDS vaccine when he was mugged at knife-point while attending an AIDS conference in South Africa.
Bulgaria-Libya-AIDS: French AIDS doctor to testify at trial in Libya: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; SOFIA, Aug 4 (AFP) - Luc Montagnier, the French doctor who isolated the AIDS virus, will testify at the trial of a Palestinian and six Bulgarian medical workers accused of spreading the pandemic in Libya, Bulgarian radio reported Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: South African campaigner vows to continue fight against gov't for AIDS drugs: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 4 (AFP) - A leading South African AIDS campaigner vowed Monday to continue fighting President Thabo Mbeki's government until it provides the public with free access to AIDS drugs.
Health-AIDS-India: 2,931 AIDS deaths in India since 2000: health minister: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; NEW DELHI, Aug 4 (AFP) - There are 53,171 AIDS cases in India while 2,931 people have died of the disease in the past three years, Health Minister Sushma Swaraj told parliament on Monday.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference-protest: South African activists vow to fight state AIDS policies: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 4 (AFP) - A South African AIDS lobby group vowed to fight the government's AIDS policies during a protest march Monday, accusing the state of committing a crime against humanity by not giving sufferers life-saving drugs.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: Scientists warn South Africa of rapid rise in AIDS deaths: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; DURBAN, Aug 4 (AFP) - South Africa should brace itself for a rapidly rising AIDS mortality rate, scientists warned at a national AIDS conference Monday, insisting that antiretroviral drugs were crucial in containing the pandemic.
Zambia-UN-AIDS: UN envoy on AIDS due in Zambia: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; LUSAKA, Aug 4 (AFP) - UN special envoy on HIV/AIDS Stephen Lewis and Graca Machel, the wife of South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela, are due in Zambia Monday for talks, an official said.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: Row over anti-AIDS drugs overshadows South Africa conference: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; DURBAN, Aug 4 (AFP) - Scientists, businessmen and community leaders were to discuss ways to defeat AIDS at a South African conference Monday, but bickering between politicians and activists urging easier access to anti-AIDS drugs is threatening to overshadow the event.
Vietnam-health-AIDS: More than 900 AIDS deaths in Vietnam in 2003: Agence France-Presse - August 4, 2003; HANOI, Aug 4 (AFP) - More than 900 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in Vietnam during the first seven months of 2003, reports said Monday, an increase of nearly 100 percent compared to the same period last year.
SAfrica-Aids-conference: South African AIDS conference opens amid threats to sue government: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 3, 2003; DURBAN, August 3 (AFP) - A South African AIDS conference opened Sunday evening amid threats to sue the government for failing to provide anti-AIDS drugs that could save nearly 1,000 lives per day.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: South African AIDS group to sue gov't over failure to provide drugs: Agence France-Presse - August 3, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 3 (AFP) - As a national AIDS conference was set to open Sunday in South Africa, a lobby group said it would sue the government for its failure to provide anti-AIDS drugs in a country where nearly 1,000 people die every day from the disease.
China-AIDS: China allows first marriage between HIV positive couples: Agence France-Presse - August 3, 2003; BEIJING, Aug 3 (AFP) - China has permitted two HIV positive people to wed for the first time since its marriage laws were amended, state press said Sunday.
Lifestyle-Vietnam-gays: Vietnam's gays begin to gain recognition: Agence France-Presse - August 3, 2003; HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug 3 (AFP) - With his pink lipstick, eye makeup and black nail varnish, Ti prefers not to shake hands and instead raises his arm into the classic, cliched limp-wristed position.
Uganda-AIDS-UN-Machel: UN official, Graca Machel hail Ugandan approach to fighting AIDS: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2003; KAMPALA, Aug 2 (AFP) - UN envoy Stephen Lewis and Graca Machel, the wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, Saturday said Uganda's approach to fighting AIDS should be a model for the continent.
SAfrica-AIDS-conference: South African lobby group meets ahead of AIDS symposium: Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2003; DURBAN, Aug 2 (AFP) - A South African AIDS lobby group, Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), will elect a new leadership at its national congress in Durban this weekend, ahead of the start a four-day AIDS symposium Sunday.
SAfrica-Aids-conference: AIDS conference starting amid row over garlic, African potatoes: Stuart Graham; Agence France-Presse - August 2, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Aug 2 (AFP) - An AIDS conference starts this weekend in South Africa -- where close to 1,000 people die of the disease every day -- amid controversy over an eccentric diet proposed by the country's health minister.
Australia-health-HIV: Australian company to trial anti-HIV gel on humans: Agence France-Presse - August 1, 2003; SYDNEY, Aug 1 (AFP) - An Australian company said Friday it was preparing for human trials of an hi-tech gel that had been 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection in monkeys.
Lifestyle-Nigeria-Fela-music-offbeat: Fela's heirs organise rival memorial gigs this weekend: Agence France-Presse - August 1, 2003; LAGOS, Aug 1 (AFP) - The heirs of Nigeria's Afro-beat legend Fela Kuti are planning rival concerts to mark the sixth anniversary of their father's death, organisers said Friday.
Health-SAsia-AIDS: India urges parliamentarians to join fight against AIDS in Asia: Pratap Chakravarty; Agence France-Presse - August 1, 2003; NEW DELHI, Aug 1 (AFP) - An international meet on AIDS in South and Southeast Asia called Friday for greater commitment from politicians to fight the disease, warning that HIV could spiral out of control if urgent measures are not taken.
China-police-rights: China's police chief urges end of 'arrest quotas': Agence France-Presse - August 1, 2003; BEIJING, Aug 1 (AFP) - China's top police boss has urged the country's law enforcers to respect human rigths and stop using "arrest quotas" as a measure of their job performance, state media said Friday.

July

FAO-Haiti: Four million Haitians suffer from hunger: UN food agency: Agence France-Presse - July 31, 2003; ROME, July 31 (AFP) - The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation warned Thursday of a "silent" food crisis affecting 3.8 million people in the Caribbean island of Haiti.
Botswana-politics-health: Botswana announces new health minister: Agence France-Presse - July 31, 2003; GABORONE, July 31 (AFP) - Botswana President Festus Mogae appointed a new health minister Wednesday to replace Joy Phumaphi, who spearheaded the southern African country's aggressive campaign against HIV/AIDS.
Madagascar-sapphires: Sapphire boom in Madagascar: Patrick Mercier; Agence France-Presse - July 31, 2003; ILAKAKA, Madagascar, July 31 (AFP) - A hundred men are in the water of the little river that runs through Ilakaka, sifting pebbles and ocher mud through a rudimentary sieve in a search for precious sapphires.
SAfrica-Uganda-health-AIDS: South African medicine council rejects Ugandan AIDS trial results: Agence France-Presse - July 30, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, July 30 (AFP) - South Africa's Medicine Control Council (MCC) has rejected a study of the anti-AIDS drug nevirapine and is demanding new data on its safety and efficacy even though the UN World Health Organisation supports its use to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Health-Switzerland-Britain-AIDS-vaccine-trial: Possible European HIV vaccine to start human safety trial next week: Agence France-Presse - July 30, 2003; LAUSANNE, Switzerland, July 30 (AFP) - An initial trial on humans to test the safety and potency of a possible vaccine to prevent HIV infection will start next week in the Swiss city of the Lausanne and in London, Lausanne's university hospital (CHUV) said on Wednesday.
UN-FAO-Africa: UN food agency seeks help for Africa to counter effects of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 29, 2003; ROME, July 29 (AFP) - The UN's food agency said Tuesday it was seeking a 43 million dollar aid package to help 6.5 million people in southern Africa whose livelihoods are being wrecked by the effect of the AIDS pandemic on food production.
Japan-health-blood: Japan Red Cross supplied 6,400 units of possibly contaminated blood: Agence France-Presse - July 29, 2003; TOKYO, July 29 (AFP) - The Japanese Red Cross said it had shipped 6,419 units of possibly contaminated blood products for use in transfusions since June last year through this month, news reports said Tuesday.
Uganda-AIDS-UN-Machel: Graca Machel urges Uganda to share story of successes against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 29, 2003; KAMPALA, July 29 (AFP) - The wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, Tuesday urged Ugandan authorities to share lessons learned in its fight against AIDS with other African states.
SouthernAfrica-famine-UN: UN agencies launch 530 million dollar appeal for Southern Africa: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - July 29, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, July 29 (AFP) - UN agencies on Tuesday launched a new 530-million-dollar emergency appeal for aid to southern Africa, saying the humanitarian crisis in some countries, notably Zimbabwe, had worsened.
US-AIDS: HIV infection rate in US men continues to climb: Agence France-Presse - July 28, 2003; ATLANTA, Georgia, July 28 (AFP) - The infection rate for people with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, continued to climb among US males during 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.
Health-Botswana-Africa-Caribbean-US-AIDS: Flight of health professionals hurting AIDS fight, conference told: Agence France-Presse - July 28, 2003; GABORONE, July 28 (AFP) The AIDS pandemic in Africa is being worsened by the flight of many health professionals to other continents, Botswanan Local Government Minister Gladys Kokorwe warned here Monday at the opening of a five-day conference on the disease.
Health-syphilis-Germany-AIDS: Sharp rise in syphilis cases alarms Germany: Agence France-Presse - July 28, 2003; BERLIN, July 28 (AFP) - Germany saw a dramatic jump in syphilis cases last year, part of an alarming trend in many Western countries that may point to increasing carelessness when it comes to safe sex, officials said Monday.
China-AIDS: Several villagers detained in China AIDS raid formally arrested: Agence France-Presse - July 28, 2003; BEIJING, July 28 (AFP) - Several villagers arrested in a controversial night raid in central China's AIDS-ridden Henan province have been formally arrested, while others have been freed, villagers and police said Monday.
Health-India-AIDS: India makes first step in open discussion of growing AIDS scourge: activists: Agence France-Presse - July 27, 2003; NEW DELHI, July 27 (AFP) - Official India had its most open discussion yet on the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic at a workshop that closed Sunday but activists stressed more was needed than just a conference from which leaders of the worst-affected states were glaringly absent.
Health-India-AIDS: Indian PM calls for more political courage against growing AIDS epidemic: Elizabeth Roche; Agence France-Presse - July 26, 2003; NEW DELHI, July 26 (AFP) - Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee pledged Saturday an "undelayed response" to India's AIDS epidemic and admitted New Delhi had been slow in taking action to curb the HIV virus infecting at least 4.58 million Indians.
Health-India-AIDS-victim: Indian AIDS victim urges legislators to make anti-AIDS drugs more accessible: Agence France-Presse - July 26, 2003; NEW DELHI, July 26 (AFP) - India's first-of-its-kind AIDS workshop attended by about 1,000 policymakers and activists Saturday heard a direct appeal from an HIV-positive woman who told them drugs to treat the disease must be made more affordable.
Health-AIDS-India: UN warns India is sitting on AIDS bomb as 4.58 million already infected: Uttara Choudhury; Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2003; NEW DELHI, July 25 (AFP) - India announced a sharp rise in its number of HIV/AIDS cases Friday after the United Nations warned New Delhi it must ramp up efforts to fight the disease to avoid catastrophe.
ECOWAS-Senegal-children: West African nations to tackle problem of child soldiers: Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2003; DAKAR, July 25 (AFP) - The Econonic Community of West African States will tackle the problem of child soldiers at a summit meeting in Dakar September 6, a government spokesman said Friday.
Uganda-AIDS-UN-Machel: UN AIDS envoy to visit Uganda: Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2003; KAMPALA, July 25 (AFP) - UN special envoy for AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis and the wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, are due here next week to witness Uganda's success in fighting against the disease, the UN said Friday.
WTO-trade-health-pharma-AIDS: Deal on medicines for poor countries taking shape: negotiators: Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2003; GENEVA, July 25 (AFP) - Negotiators at the WTO said a deal on providing poor countries with cheaper drugs to treat major diseases such as HIV/AIDS was taking shape, as top trading nations prepared to wind up a round of meetings on trade liberalisation talks on Friday.
Malaysia-health-HIV: Malaysian wives can say no to sex with HIV-infected husbands:minister: Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2003; KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (AFP) - Women in Malaysia should be allowed to refuse sex if they know their husbands suffer from HIV, a minister said in remarks published Friday.
Health-AIDS-India: Smash sexual taboos, UN's AIDS tsar tells India: Brigitte Castelnau; Agence France-Presse - July 25, 2003; PARIS, July 25 (AFP) - The United Nations' top official on AIDS has bluntly told India that if it wants to skirt catastrophe, it must pump money into distributing condoms, tackle stigma and smash a wall of silence about sex.
Congo-health-AIDS: Congolese president calls for "attitude revolution" against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 24, 2003; BRAZZAVILLE, July 24 (AFP) - Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Thursday called for a "revolution in attitudes" to help confront the spread of HIV and AIDS.
FAO-Africa: 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa face emergencies: FAO: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2003; ROME, July 23 (AFP) - The UN food agency Wednesday identified 23 countries which it said were facing food emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly because of armed conflicts, drought and population displacement.
WBank-health-economy: HIV/AIDS has force to destroy economies: WBank: Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2003; WASHINGTON, July 23 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS has enough force to destroy an economy within a few generations, packing a far more powerful punch than previously believed, a World Bank study warned Wednesday.
Russia-prisons-Europe: Tuberculosis and AIDS rule in Russia's overflowing prisons: Viktoria Loginova; Agence France-Presse - July 23, 2003; MOSCOW, July 23 (AFP) - Shoved into cells by the dozens, prisoners in Russia's jails are subject to incessant outbreaks of tuberculosis and AIDS, according to a report handed to a Council of Europe envoy as he was to begin a tour of the country's prisons on Wednesday.
India-parliament-AIDS: Indian MPs join fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2003; NEW DELHI, July 21 (AFP) - A forum of Indian MPs Monday called for a decisive fight against AIDS, announcing a national convention this weekend to plan strategies to battle the pandemic, organisers said.
WHO-SKorea: New WHO chief targets fight against HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 21, 2003; GENEVA, July 21 (AFP) - The new director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Jong Wook Lee of South Korea, took office Monday, vowing to provide three million HIV/AIDS patients in poor countries with key drugs by the end of 2005.
SAfrica-Mandela-Clinton: Fight AIDS, cut Africa's debt as gift to Mandela: Clinton: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - July 19, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, July 19 (AFP) - The greatest gift the world can give South Africa's beloved statesman Nelson Mandela is to help solve Africa's challenges, former US president Bill Clinton said Saturday in celebration of the former president's 85th birthday.
Sweden-health-HIV: HIV-infected man get fours years in prison for unprotected sex: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2003; STOCKHOLM, July 18 (AFP) - A Swedish court Friday sentenced a 27-year-old man who suffers from HIV to four years in prison for having unprotected sex with nine men without informing them that he carried the virus.
Japan-UN-women-health: Women can be solution to world's difficult problems: UN women's body chief: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2003; TOKYO, July 18 (AFP) - The head of a UN women's body on Friday urged Japan to enhance gender equality aid, arguing investing in women was key to solving major world problems such as extremism, cross-border crimes and lack of growth.
France-Australia-AIDS: Australia, France start joint fight against AIDS in Pacific islands: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2003; PARIS, July 18 (AFP) - The French and Australian governments have launched a joint initiative to combat the spread of AIDS in the Pacific islands, the Australian foreign ministry said Friday in a statement issued by its Paris embassy.
EU-health-lifestyle-tattoos-piercing: European Union issues warning on body piercing, tattoos: Agence France-Presse - July 18, 2003; BRUSSELS, July 18 (AFP) - The European Union has warned of the health risks inherent in popular fashion practices such as tattooing and body piercing, asking member states to ensure stricter controls are put in place.
SAfrica-Mandela: "Surprise" gift gets Mandela's birthday celebrations rolling: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - July 17, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, July 17 (AFP) - Celebrations for Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday got under way a day early Thursday as the South African statesman received a surprise gift of a compilation of some of his most famous speeches and tributes by friends.
Health-AIDS-meetings: Bangkok, Rio, Toronto host next big AIDS meetings: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro and Toronto will host the next big global conferences on AIDS, organisers said here Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-funding-France: France suggests international taxes to boost Global Fund for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday suggested that countries impose new taxes to help boost the coffers of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Health-AIDS-funding: Money crisis troubles AIDS fight: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - A major gathering on the AIDS crisis ended here Wednesday offering only glimmers of hope on the medical front and leaving unresolved a looming financial crunch in the agency heading the charge against the pandemic.
Health-AIDS-demo-Chirac: French president heckled by protestors at AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - Noisy AIDS activists demanding more funding in the fight against the deadly virus on Wednesday interrupted a speech by French President Jacques Chirac as he spoke to a major conference on AIDS here.
Health-AIDS-drugs: AIDS virus more resistant to drugs, world conference told: Brigitte Castelnau; Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - The fight against the global AIDS pandemic received grim news Wednesday with the release of a new study showing that 10 percent of newly infected patients in Europe have developed drug-resistant strains of the disease.
Health-AIDS-funding: White knight sought to save global AIDS fund from money crunch: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; PARIS, July 16 (AFP) - A meeting of an international fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria hoped for a white knight Wednesday to help it overcome a looming financial gap estimated to be at least half a billion dollars.
Japan-health-blood: Japan's Red Cross discovers HIV-infected man donated blood: Agence France-Presse - July 16, 2003; TOKYO, July 16 (AFP) - The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRC) has found the first case of an HIV-infected man donating blood without being detected by a rigorous testing system introduced in 1999, it said Wednesday.
Uganda-US-aid: US aid to Uganda to total 62 million dollars this year: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; KAMPALA, July 15 (AFP) - The United States is to give Uganda 62 million dollars in development aid under an agreement signed here Tuesday, finance ministry officials said.
Health-AIDS-drugs: Future seems bright for new class of anti-HIV drugs: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; PARIS, July 15 (AFP) - Fresh data put forward at the Paris AIDS conference Tuesday confirmed a surge of optimism surrounding a new drug aimed at blocking the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from infiltrating immune cells.
Germany-EU-AIDS-Bono: U2's Bono makes last appeal to Germany for Africa funds: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; FRANKFURT, July 15 (AFP) - Irish activist rocker Bono made an eleventh-hour appeal Tuesday to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to help secure a billion dollar EU pledge to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa.
Health-SARS-AIDS-Japan: Anti-AIDS drug has impact on SARS virus: Japanese researchers: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; TOKYO, July 15 (AFP) - Japanese researchers have found that an anti-AIDS medicine already sold commercially restrains an increase in the SARS virus, a news report said Tuesday.
Uganda-unrest-rights: Army, rebels commit human rights violations in north Uganda: report: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; KAMPALA, July 15 (AFP) - Security forces and rebels in northern Uganda have stepped up atrocities such as illegal killings, torture, rape and abduction over the last year, according to a report released Tuesday.
Japan-health-blood: Japan's Red Cross recalling potentially tainted blood products: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; TOKYO, July 15 (AFP) - The Japanese Red Cross Society is recalling donated blood after it was found that 29 people may have been infected with hepatitis B and C through tainted blood transplants, the health ministry said Tuesday.
Health-AIDS-fund-facts: Factsheet on global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria: Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; PARIS, July 15 (AFP) - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, whose partners meet here on Wednesday, weaves private and public resources together in an attempt to combat three notorious diseases that last year claimed six million lives.
Health-AIDS-funds-US: Give more to world AIDS fund, US tells other rich countries: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; PARIS, July 15 (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday called on other wealthy nations to contribute more to the main fund for tackling the global AIDS pandemic, warning that as much as 800 million more dollars was needed this year alone.
China-AIDS: China starts offering free AIDS drugs but lacks doctors to administer them: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; BEIJING, July 15 (AFP) - China has begun providing free AIDS drugs to thousands of farmers who contracted the HIV virus after selling blood but the drugs are dated and there are not enough doctors to administer them, experts said Tuesday.
SAfrica-Mandela: Stars to sparkle at "living legend" Mandela's 85th birthday bash: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - July 15, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, July 15 (AFP) - South Africa's "living legend" Nelson Mandela turns 85 on Friday and organisers are planning to give the elderly statesman a three-day birthday bash which will see the world's stars converge on Johannesburg.
Health-AIDS-Mandela: Mandela, the veteran activist, steals show at AIDS meeting: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 14, 2003; PARIS, July 14 (AFP) - He turns 85 on Friday, looks a little frail now and walks with a stick, but Nelson Mandela showed at the Paris AIDS conference here Monday that his campaigning spirit and charisma remain undimmed.
Health-AIDS-economics: Economic argument now favours poor countries in AIDS drugs controversy: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 14, 2003; PARIS, July 14 (AFP) - It makes economic sense for poor countries bearing the brunt of the AIDS pandemic to spend precious resources on providing treatment to HIV patients, according to results from the latest studies presented Monday at an international AIDS conference.
Health-AIDS: "Extraordinary journey": Scientists appraise 20-year war against AIDS: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 14, 2003; PARIS, July 14 (AFP) - Scientists meeting here Monday for a council of war on the AIDS pandemic were lauded for the strides they had made during a two-decade-old campaign, but were also told they faced a foe unique in its stealth and tenacity.
Health-AIDS: Calls for access to HIV generic drugs mark start of AIDS meet: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 13, 2003; PARIS, July 13 (AFP) - The biggest AIDS conference this year was launched on Sunday to calls for poor countries to make cheap copies of anti-HIV drugs, a policy stridently opposed by the pharmaceutical giants.
India-population: Growth of India's billion-plus population slowing: UN official: Biman Mukherji; Agence France-Presse - July 13, 2003; NEW DELHI, July 13 (AFP) - The growth of India's billion-plus population was slowing and southern parts of the country were approaching fertility rates close to those of European nations, a top United Nations official said.
Health-AIDS-US: Praise for Bush plan at AIDS conference, but worries over details: Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2003; PARIS, July 12 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush won applause on Sunday from AIDS fighters for his 15-billion-dollar plan to fight the disease in Africa and the Caribbean, but some said they remained troubled by key details.
US-Africa-Nigeria: Bush leaves Africa vowing support on peace-making and AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2003; ABUJA, July 12 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush ended a five-nation tour of Africa on Sunday in the continent's oil giant Nigeria, pledging support for peace-making efforts and the war on HIV/AIDS.
Africa-summit-Libya-Kadhafi: AIDS is a "peaceful virus", Kadhafi tells African leaders: Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2003; MAPUTO, July 12 (AFP) - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi told statesmen at the closing of an African Union (AU) summit in Maputo that AIDS was a "peaceful virus".
Africa-summit-wives: African first ladies tackle AIDS at Maputo summit: Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2003; MAPUTO, July 12 (AFP) - African first ladies gathered on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit in Maputo Saturday to discuss efforts to tackle AIDS, but agreed there was no "magic solution" to the deadly pandemic.
China-AIDS-Amnesty: Amnesty International urges China to come clean on AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - July 12, 2003; BEIJING, July 12 (AFP) - The London-based rights group Amnesty International Saturday expressed concerns over indiscriminate beatings and arrests of HIV-positive villagers in central China and urged a full and public report on how the people contracted the disease during blood donation drives.
UN-population-AIDS-Annan: Education crucial to curbing population growth, stemming AIDS: Annan: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Friday that educating and informing youths was a vital and necessary tool to curb population growth and stop the spread of AIDS.
US-Africa-Uganda: Bush meets AIDS victims, Ugandan leader on whistle-stop trip: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 11 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Friday came face-to-face with the carnage wrought by AIDS in a flying four-hour visit to Uganda which included talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Health-AIDS: Labcoat warriors assess fight against AIDS: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; PARIS, July 11 (AFP) - Scientists from around the world gather in Paris this Sunday for an update on the war against AIDS, gloomily aware that good news will be rare and that, after more than two decades, they still lack basic knowledge about their foe.
US-Africa-AIDS-event: Bush meets Uganda AIDS victims, praises Museveni for stemming disease: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 11 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Friday met Ugandan victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is sweeping Africa and praised his host President Yoweri Museveni for helping to stem the rise of the killer disease in his country.
US-Africa-AIDS: Activists urge Bush to keep his pledge, as Congress cuts AIDS funds: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 11 (AFP) - Africa activists warned US President George W. Bush Friday that "real" leaders keep their promises, as he met AIDS victims just hours after Congress limited funding for his multi-billion dollar plan to fight the virus.
Africa-summit-IMF-AIDS: IMF calls on developed nations to back Africa's struggle against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; MAPUTO, July 11 (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Friday called on developed nations to help Africa in its struggle against the AIDS pandemic, which continues to take a devastating toll across the continent.
Philippines-sex: 11 percent of young Filipino males have had homosexual sex: survey: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; MANILA, July 11 (AFP) - About 11 percent of young Filipino males have had homosexual sex, according to a survey released Friday, raising concerns about the spread of AIDS.
China-AIDS: AIDS group demands China come clean on AIDS statistics: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; BEIJING, July 11 (AFP) - China was urged Friday to be more transparent and to release figures detailing the number of people infected by AIDS after selling their blood through government approved or managed collection centres.
China-sex: China launches first ever sex health website: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; BEIJING, July 11 (AFP) - The first ever website giving advice on sexual health to young people has been launched in China as the population becomes more sexually active and at an earlier age, state press said Friday.
US-Africa-AIDS-Bush: Bush challenged on choice of AIDS tsar: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; PARIS, July 11 (AFP) - A leading medical journal has challenged US President George W. Bush over his planned choice of Randall Tobias as the man to lead the US fight against AIDS, saying he may be tainted by his close links to the pharmaceutical industry.
US-politics-AIDS-Bush: US Congress split over funding Bush's AIDS package: Agence France-Presse - July 11, 2003; WASHINGTON, July 11 (AFP) - US lawmakers split Thursday over how to fund US President George W. Bush's much-touted AIDS plan, with a vote in the House of Representatives slicing one billion dollars from the program.
US-Africa-Botswana: America cries for Africa's AIDS orphans: Bush: Stephen Collinson; Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2003; GABORONE, July 10 (AFP) - Americans cry for AIDS orphans and bereaved mothers, President George W. Bush told Africans on Thursday, pledging to stand by them as they battle the continent's "deadliest enemy".
US-Africa-Botswana: Bush confronts terrible toll of AIDS on Botswana trip: Stephen Collinson; Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2003; GABORONE, July 10 (AFP) - President George W. Bush journeyed into Africa's AIDS heart of darkness Thursday in Botswana, where impressive diamond-fuelled economic growth is held in check by the world's highest rate of the killer disease.
US-Africa-SAfrica-press: Bush's Africa visit is proof he has warmed to the continent: S. Africa press: Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, July 10 (AFP) - South African newspapers on Thursday hailed US President George W. Bush's historic visit to the country, saying he had shown a positive change in attitude towards the continent.
US-Africa-Uganda-AIDS-pharma: Ugandan activists question Bush's sincerity in fighting AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2003; KAMPALA, July 10 (AFP) - AIDS activists in Uganda questioned US President George W. Bush's purported commitment to fighting the pandemic on Thursday, asking whether his policies were aimed more at helping major drugs companies.
US-Africa-Uganda-AIDS: US and AIDS in Uganda: great strides made and the road ahead: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - July 10, 2003; KAMPALA, July 10 (AFP) - Alice Oyella, a 36-year-old HIV-positive widow who earns a dollar a day selling mangoes, vegetables and dried fish in Kampala's ramshackle Acholi Quarters district, wouldn't ask much of the US president if she got the chance during his brief visit to Uganda.
US-Africa-AIDS: Bush treads line between AIDS victims and drugs firms: Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2003; PRETORIA, July 9 (AFP) - President George W. Bush, touting a 15 billion dollar anti-AIDS plan through Africa, Wednesday stood up for giant drugs firms condemned for making lifesaving medicines too expensive for poor Africans.
Health-AIDS-virus: How HIV does its vanishing act: Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2003; PARIS, July 9 (AFP) - Scientists in the United States believe the AIDS virus craftily hijacks an immune cell to help it evade elimination by powerful anti-retroviral drugs.
US-Africa-SAfrica: Bush, Mbeki meet in South Africa with Zimbabwe, AIDS topping agenda: Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2003; PRETORIA, July 9 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush met his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki in the South African capital Wednesday, with talks expected to be dominated by differing views on Zimbabwe, and joint approaches to the struggle against terrorism and AIDS.
Thailand-AIDS-UN: Life expectancy in Thailand drops as AIDS takes heavy toll: UN: Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2003; BANGKOK, July 9 (AFP) - Life expectancy in Thailand has dropped 1.4 years to 68.9 due to the number of young people dying of AIDS, in a crisis worsened by the lack of anti-retroviral drugs, according to a new UN report.
Uganda-US-Bush-EAfrica: Uganda is a donor darling accused of rocking the regional boat: Vincent Mayanja; Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2003; KAMPALA, July 9 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush's brief visit to Uganda this week takes him to an east African state that has long been the darling of international donors and lenders but which also stands accused of destabilising neighbouring countries.
China-AIDS: China steps up arrests, violence against HIV-positive protestors: group: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - July 9, 2003; BEIJING, July 9 (AFP) - China has stepped up arrests and violence against HIV-positive villagers protesting for more government help, rights groups and activists said Wednesday.
Tanzania-WBank-AIDS-forests: World Bank gives Tanzania 77m dollars to fight AIDS, manage forests: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, July 8 (AFP) - The World Bank has approved 77 million dolars grant for Tanzania to support its HIV/AIDS reduction efforts and to sustain conservation of forests, the bank said Tuesday.
Libya-Bulgaria-trial: AIDS trial of Bulgarians in Libya adjourned again: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; TRIPOLI, July 8 (AFP) - The trial of six Bulgarians and a Palestinian accused of spreading an AIDS epidemic in Libya reopened but was adjourned again indefinitely Tuesday, court sources said.
Africa-summit-women: Women challenge African traditions at AU summit: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; MAPUTO, July 8 (AFP) - A document on women's rights challenging age-old African traditions such as female circumcision, polygamy and arranged marriages will be put to African heads of state in Maputo this week.
US-media-Savage: MSNBC sacks best-selling shock jock for anti-gay tirade: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; NEW YORK, July 8 (AFP) - Cable network MSNBC said Tuesday it had fired right-wing "shock jock" host Michael Savage for referring to a caller to his weekend TV show as a "sodomite" who should "get AIDS and die."
Botswana-Britain-royal: Britain's Princess Anne arrives in Botswana: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; GABORONE, July 8 (AFP) - Britain's Princess Anne arrived in Gaborone Tuesday for a three-day official visit to support the Botswana government's fight against AIDS, an AFP reporter witnessed.
UNDP-goals-Millennium: UN Millennium Summit goals aimed to eradicate poverty, hunger and disease: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, July 8 (AFP) - The United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, the largest gathering of state and government in history, adopted eight goals to be met by 2015 with the aim of eventually eradicating poverty, hunger and disease.
Africa-US-UNICEF-children: African children on Bush's route face struggle to survive: UN: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; GENEVA, July 8 (AFP) - Children in the five African countries that US President George W. Bush will visit this week face a battle for survival, the UN children's fund (UNICEF) said Tuesday.
Thailand-AIDS: Elephants mating logo causes consternation at Thai AIDS conference: Agence France-Presse - July 8, 2003; BANGKOK, July 8 (AFP) - An irreverent alternative logo for the World Aids Conference to be held in Thailand next year, which features two elephants mating, has caused outrage among event organisers, a report said Tuesday.
US-Africa-Bush: Bush heads to Africa with AIDS, Liberia and terrorism on the agenda: Agence France-Presse - July 7, 2003; WASHINGTON, July 7 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush was due to leave Monday for a whirlwind five-nation tour of Africa, seeking to prove that America cares about the continent's misery, but also to bolster his war on terrorism.
Botswana-politics: Botswana's health minister to take WHO post: Agence France-Presse - July 6, 2003; FRANCISTOWN, Botswana, July 6 (AFP) Botswana's health minister resigned on Sunday after spearheading a losing fight against HIV/AIDS, and will take up a senior post at the World Health Organisation.
US-Bush-Africa-AIDS-Oil: Bush, activists trade barbs on AIDS, GMOs and Oil ahead of Africa trip: Stephen Collinson; Agence France-Presse - July 6, 2003; WASHINGTON, July 6 (AFP) - Depending on whom you believe, President George W. Bush is either bent on a callous drive to exploit Africa's pain, or is using US wealth to wage an historic battle against Africa's war, AIDS and poverty.
Africa-US-Bush-facts: African factfile ahead of Bush tour: Agence France-Presse - July 6, 2003; DAKAR, July 6 (AFP) - Ahead of US President George W. Bush's July 7-12 tour of Africa, here follows a fact file on the 54-nation continent, which faces critical political, economic and health problems at the dawn of the 21st century, with armed conflicts involving some 20 countries.
China-AIDS-US: US group denounces China's arrests of 'AIDS village' farmers: Agence France-Presse - July 5, 2003; BEIJING, July 5 (AFP) - A US-based AIDS group has denounced China's arrests of at least 13 farmers -- including several AIDS sufferers -- from a village stricken by AIDS, a statement from the group said Saturday.
SouthernAfrica-health-AIDS: Southern Africa plegdes to step up fight against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2003; MASERU, July 4 (AFP) - Representatives of southern African countries meeting in Lesotho to discuss the AIDS epidemic sweeping through the region pledged Friday to spend 15 percent of their annual budgets on health.
Zambia-media: Zambia's churches demand withdrawal of 'immoral' TV reality show: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2003; LUSAKA, July 4 (AFP) - Zambian church groups said Friday they had started collecting signatures to petition the government to withdraw Big Brother Africa (BBA), a reality TV show, from state television because it promotes "immorality".
China-health-AIDS: Villagers demand release of AIDS sufferers arrested in China village raid: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2003; BEIJING, July 4 (AFP) - Farmers in central China's Henan province are demanding the release of more than a dozen villagers, some of whom are suffering from HIV/AIDS, who were arrested in a police raid last month.
Australia-women: Women gather in Australia to thrash out solutions to global problems: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2003; SYDNEY, July 4 (AFP) - More than a thousand women from 100 countries gather in Australia this weekend for a summit on issues ranging from AIDS, girl soldiers and sexual abuse in the church.
Lifestyle-offbeat-Indonesia: Durian-flavored condoms sell well in Indonesia: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2003; JAKARTA, July 4 (AFP) - Indonesian activists have sold durian-flavored condoms as part of a campaign to fight HIV/AIDS, a report said Friday.
Health-AIDS-treatment: HIV cocktail halves AIDS death rate, progression to full-blown disease: Agence France-Presse - July 4, 2003; PARIS, July 4 (AFP) - The death rate from acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the risk of HIV's progression to full-blown AIDS can be dramatically halved by the anti-retroviral cocktail, a study says.
India-Kashmir-AIDS: Schools to fight AIDS with education in conservative Kashmir: Izhar Wani; Agence France-Presse - July 3, 2003; SRINAGAR, India, July 3 (AFP) - Authorities in insurgency-wracked Indian Kashmir have decided to make AIDS awareness a part of the school syllabus, but could face opposition from parents in the conservative Muslim-majority state.
China-health-AIDS: Hundreds of police storm 'AIDS village' in China, arrest 13 farmers: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - July 3, 2003; BEIJING, July 3 (AFP) - Hundreds of police officers and hired thugs stormed an "AIDS village" in central China last month, smashing TVs and windows, indiscriminately beating up residents and arresting 13 farmers, villagers said Thursday.
Asia-health-AIDS: China, India, Cambodia facing AIDS "catastrophe": US expert: Agence France-Presse - July 3, 2003; SINGAPORE, July 3 (AFP) - The world's two most populous nations, China and India, are facing an AIDS "catastrophe", one of the United States' most senior experts on infectious diseases warned here Thursday.
Pacific-health-AIDS: Pacific group heads on AIDS factfinding mission to Africa: Agence France-Presse - July 3, 2003; SUVA, July 3 (AFP) - A group of young people from some of the world's least developed countries have declared war on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and are heading to the African continent to see for themselves the ravages of the virus.
US-Bush-AIDS: Bush names global AIDS coordinator: Agence France-Presse - July 2, 2003; WASHINGTON, July 2 (AFP) - Days before leaving on a whirlwind trip to Africa, President George W. Bush on Wednesday tapped former drug company executive Randall Tobias to coordinate global US policy to fight HIV/AIDS.
SouthernAfrica-famine-UN: UN seeks 308 million dollars to fight food crisis in southern Africa: Agence France-Presse - July 2, 2003; GENEVA, July 2 (AFP) - The UN's food agency on Wednesday appealed for 308 million dollars to fight the food crisis in southern African countries over the next year and help contain the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in the region.

June

Kenya-UN-AIDS-children: Kenya needs massive aid package for orphaned AIDS children: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - June 30, 2003; NAIROBI, June 30 (AFP) - About 70 million dollars (61 million euros) are required annually for some 1.2 million Kenyan children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Monday.
UN-FAO-AIDS-Africa: HIV/AIDS epidemic hits food output in Africa: Agence France-Presse - June 30, 2003; GENEVA, June 30 (AFP) - The AIDS epidemic in Africa is hitting farm output and threatening millions of people with poverty and hunger, UN agencies said on Monday.
US-AIDS: Scientists unravel structure of HIV antibody, possible key to AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2003; WASHINGTON, June 26 (AFP) - Scientists have unraveled the structure of an antibody that effectively neutralizes the HIV virus which causes AIDS, the key to a possible vaccine against the fatal acquired immune deficiency syndrome, according to a report released Thursday.
UN-AIDS: Anti-AIDS funding still only half what is needed by 2005, says UN: Agence France-Presse - June 26, 2003; GENEVA, June 26 (AFP) - Anti-AIDS spending in low- and middle-income countries in 2003 will amount to just under five billion dollars, or only about half what is forecast to be needed to fight the epidemic annually by 2005, UNAIDS said Thursday.
UN-drugs: UN study on illicit drugs shows production down, abuse up: Agence France-Presse - June 25, 2003; PARIS, June 25 (AFP) - A UN report published Wednesday on the world's illegal drug markets showed production has fallen in Asia's notorious Golden Triangle, but the use of cannabis and synthetic drugs like ecstasy is on the rise.
Zambia-AIDS: Zambia denounces 'false' AIDS statistics: Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2003; LUSAKA, June 24 (AFP) - The Zambian government has slammed as false an advertising campaign claiming one Zambian is infected every five minutes with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, an official said Tuesday.
Health-Australia-cancer: New Australia cancer treatment hailed as major breakthrough: Jack Taylor; Agence France-Presse - June 24, 2003; SYDNEY, June 24 (AFP) - A new cancer treatment pioneered in Australia is to be trialled by six top hospitals in Europe and the United States after being hailed a major breakthrough by a Washington conference.
EU-summit-AIDS: Brussels disappointed at EU fudge on AIDS donation: Agence France-Presse - June 23, 2003; BRUSSELS, June 23 (AFP) - The European Commission expressed disappointment Monday after an EU summit failed to agree a concrete contribution to a UN global fund against killer diseases including AIDS.
WTO-Egypt-Doha-US-drugs: US tries to broker understanding on cheap medicine for poor by September: Lachlan Carmichael; Agence France-Presse - June 22, 2003; SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, June 22 (AFP) - US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said here Sunday he has made strides toward brokering an understanding between Western pharmaceutical firms and developing nations for the production of cheap generic drugs to fight AIDS and other diseases.
EU-summit-AIDS-SAfrica: Agence France-Presse - June 21, 2003; PRETORIA, June 21 (AFP) - South Africa's government delayed comment Saturday on the failure of European Union leaders agree on a pledge of one billion dollars to a global fund to fight killer diseases including AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa.
US-Africa-Bush: Bush travels to Africa, focus on HIV/AIDS, economic development: Jean-Louis Doublet; Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2003; WASHINGTON, June 20 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush will visit five African nations next month to promote economic development and the fight against HIV/AIDS, the White House announced here.
US-Brazil-Africa-AIDS: US, Brazil agree to joint fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2003; WASHINGTON, June 20 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush and visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced on Friday several joint initiatives, including a fight against HIV/AIDS in Portuguese-speaking Africa.
EU-summit-AIDS: EU fails to commit on billion dollar AIDS funding: Tanya Willmer; Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2003; PORTO CARRAS, Greece, June 20 (AFP) - EU leaders failed to agree Friday on pledging up to one billion dollars for a global fund to fight killer diseases including AIDS, a move that could have a knock-on effect on US aid.
EU-summit-AIDS: EU pledges cash for AIDS fight, but pressed to do more: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2003; PORTO CARRAS, Greece, June 20 (AFP) - European leaders are set to pledge Friday up to one billion euros next year to a UN global fund to fight killer diseases HIV/AIDS, turberculosis and malaria, but campaigners demanded more.
Zimbabwe-AIDS-school-arrests: Zimbabwe police break up school meeting on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2003; BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, June 20 (AFP) - Zimbabwe riot police Friday broke up a secondary school meeting on AIDS in the country's second city of Bulawayo and arrested some of the organisers, a witness told AFP.
Africa-refugees: African Union says refugee children need extra help: Agence France-Presse - June 20, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, June 20 (AFP) - The African Union pleaded on Friday -- World Refugee Day -- for the world to do more to help young African refugees, who are among the main victims of war, disease and, now, donor apathy.
Health-SAfrica-US-AIDS: South Africa to test first vaccine against fast-growing HIV strain: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, June 19 (AFP) - South Africa will soon launch the first trial of a vaccine against the HIV strain which predominates in southern Africa, the epicentre of the world AIDS pandemic, officials announced Thursday.
Somalia-Somaliland-economy-donors: Somaliland appeals for donor aid to fight poverty, AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2003; HARGEISA, Somalia, June 19 (AFP) - The breakaway republic of Somaliland in northwest Somalia on Thursday urged the international community to come to its aid to fight HIV/AIDS and help alleviate poverty.
Somalia-Somaliland-excision-AIDS: Female Gental Mutilation cause of increased HIV/AIDS in Somalia: doctors: Ali Musa Abdi; Agence France-Presse - June 19, 2003; BURAO, Somalia, June 19 (AFP) - The Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) of Somali women has increased the number of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and is a recipe for higher rates of HIV/AIDS in the country, a Somali gynaecologist warns.
US-tobacco: Cigarettes now leading cause of death in developing world: World Bank: Paul Handley; Agence France-Presse - June 18, 2003; SAN FRANCISCO, June 18 (AFP) - Cigarettes and tobacco have become a leading cause of illness and death in developing countries, outpacing AIDS and placing an onerous burden on economic systems, the World Bank said Wednesday.
France-justice-blood: French appeals court throws out victims' case in tainted blood scandal: Agence France-Presse - June 18, 2003; PARIS, June 18 (AFP) - France's highest court of appeal finally brought the country's long-running and bitterly fought tainted blood scandal to a close on Wednesday by throwing out charges against 30 health and government officials.
Health-SARS-disease: SARS shines spotlight on global fight against communicable diseases: Cecil Morella; Agence France-Presse - June 18, 2003; MANILA, June 18 (AFP) - As SARS takes what are hoped to be its last breaths in Asia, attention can now return to the scores of epidemic-level diseases that are rampaging across populations in the Asia-Pacific region.
ARF-US-AIDS: Powell appeals for Asia to recognize AIDS as a security threat: Agence France-Presse - June 18, 2003; PHNOM PENH, June 18 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday appealed for Asian nations to see HIV/AIDS as a security threat, saying the recent SARS epidemic had demonstrated the destructive nature of infectious disease.
Congo-health-AIDS: Three in four Congolese practise safe sex: survey: Agence France-Presse - June 17, 2003; BRAZZAVILLE, June 17 (AFP) - Three in four young people in Congo claim to practise safe sex to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to official survey results released on Tuesday.
Health-WHO-medicine-Japan-Africa-Asia: African, Asian scholars call for standards for traditional medicine: Hiroshi Hiyama; Agence France-Presse - June 17, 2003; KOBE, Japan, June 17 (AFP) - Standardised training and quality control for traditional medicine must be established, especially in Africa and Asia, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatments, public health experts and doctors said at a conference Tuesday.
France-blood: French high appeals court to rule in tainted blood scandal: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2003; PARIS, June 16 (AFP) - The 18-year judicial battle over France's tainted blood scandal could finally be brought to a close Wednesday when the high court of appeal rules whether to press charges against 30 former health and government officials.
France-Britain-Chirac-Blair-EU-AIDS: Blair, Chirac urge EU to give one bn dollars a year to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2003; PARIS, June 16 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac called Monday on their EU partners to give up to one billion dollars (845 million euros) a year in the global fight against AIDS.
Africa-children-Uganda: In Uganda, Day of African Child saddened by news of abductions, orphans: Agence France-Presse - June 16, 2003; KAMPALA, June 16 (AFP) - Uganda on Monday marked the Day of the African Child amid reports that the country has 1.3 million AIDS and war orphans, while thousands of children are in rebel captivity.
India-AIDS-campaign: Brides, grooms need pre-marital AIDS test, not horoscopes: Indian victim: Zarir Hussain; Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2003; GUWAHATI, India, June 15 (AFP) - Twenty-seven-year old Jahnabi Goswami has a personal reason for campaigning to make pre-marital AIDS tests mandatory -- she was infected with HIV by her husband soon after they married.
Africa-Zimbabwe-UN-food: About 5.5 million Zimbabweans face acute food shortages: UN: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, June 12 (AFP) - One in two people in Zimbabwe is in need of food aid in Zimbabwe, where food production has fallen by more than 50 percent, the United Nations said here Thursday.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS in chimpanzees emerged from hybrid simian virus: study: Agence France-Presse - June 12, 2003; WASHINGTON, June 12 (AFP) - Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), the equivalent in primates to the HIV virus that causes AIDS in humans, emerged from the recombination of two viruses in chimpanzees, according to a study released Thursday.
Russia-drugs: Russia confiscated 76 tonnes of drugs last year: official: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2003; MOSCOW, June 11 (AFP) - Russian authorities seized 76 tonnes of drugs worth over 2.7 billion rubles (90 million dollars, 75 million euros) last year, a deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
Kenya-Africa-AIDS-conference: Africa AIDS conference to be held in Nairobi in September: official: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2003; NAIROBI, June 11 (AFP) - The 13th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) in Africa will be held in Nairobi from September 21-26, the government announced here Wednesday.
Health-Britain-sex: Britain faces 'crisis' as sex diseases surge: Agence France-Presse - June 11, 2003; LONDON, June 11 (AFP) - Britain is on tottering on the brink of a sexual health crisis, doctors warned Wednesday, as a parliamentary committee reported an alarming surge in sexually transmitted diseases.
US-Uganda: Bush discusses AIDS, terrorism with Uganda's Museveni: Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2003; WASHINGTON, June 10 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Tuesday praised Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's "extraordinary leadership" in the fight against AIDS as the two leaders met at the White House.
Health-Australia-AIDS: Australian wins payout after doctors failed to warn of husband's HIV: Agence France-Presse - June 10, 2003; SYDNEY, June 10 (AFP) - An Australian woman who contracted the AIDS virus from her husband successfully sued two doctors Tuesday for not warning her he was HIV positive when they went for joint tests.
Health-SARS-China-AIDS: China issues directive on treating AIDS patients with SARS: Agence France-Presse - June 9, 2003; BEIJING, June 9 (AFP) - China Sunday issued new health directive on treating patients with both AIDS and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and threatened to prosecute any hospital refusing to treat such patients.
Ireland-media-Bono-people-AIDS: Rock star Bono takes AIDS cause to newspaper conference: Agence France-Presse - June 9, 2003; DUBLIN, June 9 (AFP) - Irish rock star Bono used the start of an international conference of newspaper editors and publishers Monday to press his case for the West to do more to combat AIDS.
Lifestyle-Senegal-dance: International dance festival reaches climax in Senegal: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2003; DAKAR, June 7 (AFP) - Senegal's capital on Saturday saw the climax of its second international dance festival, which brought 31 dance troupes to Dakar for eight days of performances, workshops and shows about living with AIDS.
SAfrica-politics-economy-health-AIDS: South African stakeholders sign growth accord but mum on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2003; MIDRAND, South Africa, June 7 (AFP) - Major players in government, business and labour signed on Saturday a blueprint for economic and social recovery in South Africa, but critics said the process lacked sufficient action on AIDS.
Tanzania-child-labour: Tanzania vows to eliminate child labour by 2010: Agence France-Presse - June 7, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, June 7 (AFP) - Tanzanian Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye vowed Saturday that his country would eliminate child labour in the next seven years.
UN-AIDS-fund: Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria seeks three billion dollars: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2003; GENEVA, June 6 (AFP) - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria appealed to donors Friday to help provide three billion dollars (2.5 billion euros) by the end of next year to finance prevention and treatnment programmes.
US-Uganda-visit: Bush to welcome Uganda's Museveni June 10: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2003; WASHINGTON, June 6 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush will welcome Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to the White House June 10 for talks on fighting AIDS and combatting terrorism, the White House announced in a statement Friday.
Pakistan-AIDS-WorldBank: World Bank pledges 37.1 million dollars to combat AIDS in Pakistan: Agence France-Presse - June 6, 2003; ISLAMABAD, June 6 (AFP) - The World Bank said Friday it has approved a 37.1 million dollar credit to fight the spread of AIDS in Pakistan which it describes as a high-risk country.
US-AIDS-SAfrica-Santana: Musician Santana to donate concert proceeds to S. African AIDS drive: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2003; LOS ANGELES, June 5 (AFP) - US rock legend Carlos Santana joined the battle against South Africa's AIDS pandemic Thursday, vowing to donate more than three million dollars from an upcoming concert tour to fight the scourge.
Switzerland-US-pharma-health-WHO-tuberculosis-company-Eli: Eli Lilly teams up with WHO to fight mult-drug resistant TB: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2003; GENEVA, June 5 (AFP) - US pharmaceutical group Eli Lilly announced here on Thursday it was teaming up with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a 70-million-dollar programme to combat the spread of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB).
Australia-condoms: Australia recalls nearly 300,000 glow in the dark condoms: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2003; SYDNEY, June 5 (AFP) - Australia's health watchdog ordered the recall Thursday of 285,000 defective glow-in-the-dark condoms, parliamentary health secretary Trish Worth said.
Philippines-AIDS: New AIDS epidemic warning in the Philippines: Agence France-Presse - June 5, 2003; MANILA, June 5 (AFP) - Without constant monitoring, the Philippines could be within a few years or a few thousand cases from the threshold of a devastating AIDS epidemic, despite currently low infection rates, experts warned Thursday.
Africa-AfDB-economy-outlook: AfDB tentatively predicts moderately better growth for Africa in 2003: Agence France-Presse - June 4, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, June 4 (AFP) - African economies will benefit from slightly increased growth this year, as long as recovery takes hold in developed countries, oil prices fall and droughts ease, the African Development Bank (AfDB) said in a report published Wednesday.
Russia-justice-prisons: Russia to cut down on prison overcrowding with alternative sentencing: Agence France-Presse - June 4, 2003; MOSCOW, June 4 (AFP) - Russia is planning to introduce alternative sentencing beginning next year in a bid to cut back the number of prisoners in its overcrowded and disease-infested jails, a justice official said Wednesday.
Australia-Thailand-AIDS: Australia set for human trials of HIV vaccine: Agence France-Presse - June 4, 2003; SYDNEY, June 4 (AFP) - Researchers began recruiting volunteers Wednesday for the first human trials of a new Australian-developed HIV vaccine.
G8-summit-Africa: Africa gets lots of promises but little help from G8: Kevin McElderry; Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2003; EVIAN, France, June 3 (AFP) - Africa, trumpeted as a valued guest at the G8 summit of world leaders, ended up Tuesday with plenty of promises but little, apart from some money on AIDS, to suggest real progress on tackling its myriad problems.
Africa-AfDB-economy: Growth in Africa slowed down in 2002: AfDB: Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, June 3 (AFP) - Weak European market growth, sluggish commodity prices, war, drought and the HIV/AIDS pandemic conspired to dampen economic performance in Africa in 2002, according to a report released Tuesday.
China-AIDS: Family of AIDS victim awarded 45,000 yuan in compensation case: Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2003; BEIJING, June 3 (AFP) - A family in central China's Anhui province has been awarded 45,000 yuan (5,430 US dollars) in compensation from a local hospital after their relative died after contracting AIDS during a routine surgical procedure, state press said Tuesday.
EU-health: EU reaches compromise on new medicines: Agence France-Presse - June 3, 2003; LUXEMBOURG, June 3 (AFP) - European health ministers have agreed on common rules for the release of new pharmaceutical products, bringing AIDS and cancer drugs under a centralised authority, after years of wrangling.
G8-summit-health-drugs: G8 nations pledge cheaper drugs for poor but charity slams plans: Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2003; EVIAN, France, June 2 (AFP) - Group of Eight leaders pledged Monday to make cheaper drugs for diseases such as HIV/AIDS more easily available in developing nations, but faced criticism from aid groups for failing to take specific action.
G8-summit-Africa: EU pledges billion dollars on AIDS as Africa joins G8 summit: Kevin McElderry; Agence France-Presse - June 2, 2003; EVIAN, France, June 2 (AFP) - African leaders won a promise of one billion dollars a year from the European Union for the fight against AIDS after joining the opening day Sunday of the G8 summit of the world's most powerful nations.
G8-summit-France-AIDS: Chirac triples contribution to AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2003; EVIAN, France, June 1 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac on Sunday announced that Paris would triple its contribution to the Global Fund for AIDS from 50 million euros to 150 million euros (177 million dollars) a year.
G8-summit-Africa: Africa waits as G8 leaders urged to do more on AIDS, food: Kevin McElderry; Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2003; EVIAN, France, June 1 (AFP) - World leaders were urged Sunday to close the gap between rhetoric and reality in helping Africa resolve its myriad problems as France placed the continent at the heart of the G8 summit's opening day.
Australia-health-AIDS: Australian study finds treatment could stop spread of AIDS in jail: Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2003; SYDNEY, June 1 (AFP) - Australian researchers produced evidence Sunday that quickly treating inmates exposed to HIV in prison with anti-viral drugs can prevent them becoming infected.
Thailand-AIDS: AIDS condom message slipping in Thailand, experts warn: Talek Harris; Agence France-Presse - June 1, 2003; BANGKOK, June 1 (AFP) - Thailand's celebrated anti-AIDS campaign slashed infection rates in the 1990s, but health workers warn the disease is again on the march because people are forgetting the golden rule -- always use a condom.

May

Swaziland-politics: Swazi king dissolves parliament, presents draft constitution: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2003; MBABANE, May 31 (AFP) - King Mswati III of Swaziland dissolved parliament Saturday in preparation for parliamentary elections in October and presented a draft constitution for public debate.
G8-summit-Oxfam-Africa: Oxfam urges G8 leaders not to forget Africa's woes: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2003; NAIROBI, May 31 (AFP) - The international relief group Oxfam Saturday urged leaders of the world's largest economies not to forget the woes of sub-Saharan Africa at their annual Group of Eight meeting Sunday in the French Alps.
G8-summit-debt: G8 urged to make good on promise to end Third World debt crisis: Kate Millar; Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2003; GENEVA, May 31 (AFP) - Campaigners from across the globe urged the world's richest nations on Saturday to cancel the multi-billion dollar debt burden they say is pushing millions further into poverty and despair.
France-Africa-AIDS: Rock star Bono wants French leader Chirac to launch drive against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 31, 2003; PARIS, May 31 (AFP) - Irish rock singer Bono on Saturday called on French President Jacques Chirac use the G8 summit of industrialised countries set to begin in Evian to take a decisive step in the fight against the spread of AIDS.
Tanzania-World-Bank: World Bank to give Tanzania 250 million dollars to fight poverty: Agence France-Presse - May 30, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, May 30 (AFP) - The World Bank will give Tanzania 250 million dollars (210 million euros) to support government efforts to reduce poverty in the east African country, a World Bank statement said Friday.
Thailand-sex: Thai male prostitution on rise, attracting more women: study: Agence France-Presse - May 29, 2003; BANGKOK, May 29 (AFP) - Male prostitution is on the rise in Thailand, attracting surprising numbers of female customers -- many of whom are not using condoms, according to a report released Thursday.
US-AIDS: US Peace Corps promises 1,000 more workers to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 29, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 29 (AFP) - The US Peace Corps has pledged to add 1,000 workers to the current 2,100 fighting HIV/AIDS around the globe as part of the AIDS relief package signed into law this week.
Australia-health-AIDS: AIDS rise in Australia blamed on complacency: Agence France-Presse - May 29, 2003; SYDNEY, May 29 (AFP) - The Australian government was accused Thursday of complacency over an upsurge in AIDS cases which reached 20 percent in some states.
Cambodia-children: AIDS and drugs push Cambodia's middle-class children onto the streets: Stephanie Gee; Agence France-Presse - May 29, 2003; PHNOM PENH, May 29 (AFP) - Svat has been injecting heroin, or in its absence methamphetamine, for three to seven times a day over the past year with his "street friends" under a bridge in Phnom Penh.
Amnesty-rights-Russia: Amnesty denounces serious rights violations by Russia in Chechnya: Agence France-Presse - May 28, 2003; LONDON, May 28 (AFP) - Russia is carrying out "serious human rights violations" in Chechnya, and the routine use of torture by police to extract confessions from detainees and "degrading" prison conditions are also causing concern, Amnesty International said in its annual report published Wednesday.
Amnesty-rights: In new report, Amnesty faults abuses of 'war on terror': Agence France-Presse - May 28, 2003; LONDON, May 28 (AFP) - The West's preoccupation with fighting terrorism is leading to an "increase in human rights abuses," Amnesty International said Wednesday as it released its latest annual report.
US-Brazil-AIDS: Bill Gates to give one million dollars to Brazil's AIDS program: Agence France-Presse - May 28, 2003; SEATTLE, Washington, May 28 (AFP) - Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates will donate one million dollars to Brazil's fight against AIDS, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced Wednesday.
US-AIDS-Bush: Bush signs AIDS-fighting measure: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 27 (AFP) - Citing a "moral duty to act" against the spread of AIDS, US President George W. Bush on Tuesday signed into law a 15-billion-dollar plan to fight the disease in Africa and the Caribbean.
US-AIDS-Bush-UN: UNAIDS hails US "critical leadership" on HIV/AIDS with legislation: Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2003; NEW YORK, May 27 (AFP) - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS hailed Tuesday US President George W. Bush's signing into law a 15-billion-dollar plan to fight the disease in Africa and the Caribbean.
US-AIDS-Bush: Bush signs AIDS-fighting measure: Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 27 (AFP) - Citing "a moral duty to act" against the spread of AIDS, US President George W. Bush on Tuesday launched a 15-billion-dollar emergency plan to fight the disease in Africa and the Caribbean.
Italy-music-people: U2's Bono to urge Berlusconi to make good on Africa aid promises: Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2003; MODENA, Italy, May 27 (AFP) - Bono, the Irish rock singer turned campaigner, said he plans to corner Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to demand more aid for Africa when the two men attend a benefit concert in Italy later on Tuesday.
India-EU-medicines: EU must give room to poor nations' pharma exports: Indian expert: Agence France-Presse - May 27, 2003; NEW DELHI, May 27 (AFP) - The EU's approval of a plan to deliver cheap medicines to poor nations was a good step, but consideration has to be given to exports from developing countries' pharmaceutical firms, an Indian trade expert said Tuesday.
EU-medicines: EU clears cut-price drugs plan for poor countries: Aude Genet; Agence France-Presse - May 26, 2003; BRUSSELS, May 26 (AFP) - The EU cleared the way Monday to deliver cut-price medicines to poor countries, while rejecting charges it is starving the Third World due to a ban on genetically modified foods.
SAfrica-deaths-report: Murder and AIDS among leading killers in S. Africa: report: Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, May 25 (AFP) - Murder, AIDS, tuberculosis and road accidents account for more than half of South Africa's premature deaths, a media report said on Sunday.
Thailand-AIDS-conference: Thailand to host leaders summit on AIDS: health ministry: Agence France-Presse - May 25, 2003; BANGKOK, May 25 (AFP) - Thailand will next year host a world leaders' summit on AIDS in a bid to boost international cooperation in dealing with the disease, the kingdom's health minister announced Sunday.
UNICEF-Ethiopia-people: Geldof heads back to Ethiopia nearly 20 years after landmark trip: Agence France-Presse - May 24, 2003; GENEVA, May 24 (AFP) - Rock star Bob Geldof next week returns to Ethiopia for the first time since his landmark visit to the drought-stricken country nearly 20 years ago, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, said Saturday.
Cannes-film-AIDS-lifestyle: Stars raise 1.3 million dollars for AIDS research at glittering Cannes bash: Agence France-Presse - May 23, 2003; CANNES, France, May 23 (AFP) - A constellation of stars, including Elton John, Lionel Richie and Elizabeth Hurley helped raise 1.1 million euros (1.3 million dollars) for AIDS research at an exclusive benefit late Thursday in a restaurant on the French Riviera.
Cannes-film-Taylor-people: Liz Taylor hosts celebrity bash, despite reports of ill-health: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; MOUGINS, France, May 22 (AFP) - Elizabeth Taylor, looking a little unwell but still smiling, hosted a big celebrity AIDS bash late Thursday, a day after she suffered a bout of fatigue in Cannes.
US-politics-Bush: Bush thanks US Congress for AIDS bill, tax cuts: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 22 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush made a rare visit to the US Congress Thursday to thank lawmakers for reaching a deal to cut taxes by 350 billion dollars and approving a 15-billion-dollar AIDS-fighting measure.
SAsia-UN-education: UNICEF chief tells South Asia to invest in education or go backwards: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; ISLAMABAD, May 22 (AFP) - The first regional meeting of South Asian education ministers was inaugurated here Thursday by the head of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Carol Bellamy.
Health-US-AIDS: US Congress gives Bush AIDS bill ahead of G8 summit: Maxim Kniazkov; Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 22 (AFP) - The US Congress late Wednesday gave final approval to a 15-billion-dollar initiative designed to help poor nations combat AIDS, strengthening President George W. Bush's hand ahead of crucial talks with leading industrial powers.
US-Bayer-AIDS: Bayer AIDS-risk-prone blood clotting drug was sold overseas: report: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 22 (AFP) - A division of the pharmaceutical giant Bayer in the 1980s sold a medicine to Asia and Latin America that carried a high risk of transmitting AIDS while it was selling a new, safer product in the west, The New York Times alleged Thursday.
US-G8-EU-development: Bush lectures G8 on development aid: Jean-Louis Doublet; Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 22 (AFP) - President George W. Bush, on the defensive a year ago over meager US foreign aid, may turn the tables on his Group of Eight partners before the June summit in France.
Germany-US-health-company-AIDS-ethics-Bayer: Bayer denies it knowingly sold suspect blood-clotting products: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; LEVERKUSEN, Germany, May 22 (AFP) - The German pharmaceuticals giant Bayer denied Thursday a US newspaper report alleging that in the 1980s it knowingly sold blood-clotting products to Asia and Latin America that carried a high risk of transmitting AIDS while it was selling a new, safer product in the west.
Africa-AIDS-Britain-people: Bono, Geldof meet Blair for Africa, AIDS talks: Agence France-Presse - May 22, 2003; LONDON, May 22 (AFP) - Rock stars Bono and Bob Geldof urged world leaders to unite in the fight against AIDS and turn away from their disagreements over the war in Iraq in a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday.
Cannes-film-AIDS-people: Celebrities to attend AIDS benefit at Cannes: Agence France-Presse - May 21, 2003; CANNES, France, May 21 (AFP) - A constellation of showbiz stars will don their best designer outfits Thursday for an exclusive AIDS benefit to be presented by Elizabeth Taylor at a heavily-guarded property outside Cannes.
WHO-assembly-SKorea-bio: South Korean WHO insider named UN health agency's new boss: Agence France-Presse - May 21, 2003; GENEVA, May 21 (AFP) - South Korea's Jong Wook Lee, confirmed Wednesday as the new head of the World Health Organisation, is an experienced insider of the UN health agency and has played a key role in the WHO-led fight against infectious diseases.
Russia-health-AIDS: Up to 1.5 million Russians may have HIV: official: Agence France-Presse - May 21, 2003; MOSCOW, May 21 (AFP) - Up to 1.5 million Russians may have the HIV virus which causes AIDS, although the officially registered figure now stands at some 238,000, a top health official said Wednesday.
WHO-medicines-manual: WHO tries to shed light on cheaper medicines: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2003; GENEVA, May 20 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday released a manual offering a new approach for measuring the cost of medicines, aimed at highlighting that drugs can be cheaper.
EU-medicines: EU adopts 400-mln-euro plan to combat worldwide diseases: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2003; BRUSSELS, May 20 (AFP) - The European Union Tuesday adopted a 400-million-euro (460-million-dollar) programme to combat diseases linked to grinding poverty worldwide such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Russia-health-AIDS: Russian police arrest woman for donating HIV-positive blood: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2003; SAINT PETERSBURG, May 20 (AFP) - Russian police have arrested a woman after she donated blood with the knowledge that she was HIV-positive, sources at the local prosecutor's office told AFP Tuesday.
Australia-cannabis: Australian state to trial cannabis for medical purposes: Agence France-Presse - May 20, 2003; SYDNEY, May 20 (AFP) - Australia's most populous state on Tuesday unveiled plans to allow cannabis use for medical purposes.
Health-US-AIDS: Washington could seek its own way in AIDS fight: Jean-Louis Santini; Agence France-Presse - May 19, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 19 (AFP) - With its 15 billion dollar proposal to fight AIDS in poor countries stricken by the deadly disease, Washington is still unlikely to bend on its refusal to compromise on drug patents.
Health-WHO-assembly-Brundtland: WHO chief urges greater global cooperation after SARS "wake-up call": Agence France-Presse - May 19, 2003; GENEVA, May 19 (AFP) - The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Gro Harlem Brundtland on Monday called for greater international cooperation in combatting disease, dubbing the SARS outbreak a "wake-up call".
Cannes-film-Brazil: AIDS, sex and violence -- Babenco brings Brazil's jails to Cannes: Agence France-Presse - May 19, 2003; CANNES, France, May 19 (AFP) - The violence and despair of Brazil's overcrowded prisons served as the backdrop for director Hector Babenco's latest film, "Carandiru", screened Monday in competition for the Cannes film festival's prestigious Palme d'Or.
Laos-health-AIDS: Top UN adviser says Laos must act now to prevent AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - May 19, 2003; HANOI, May 19 (AFP) - Prejudice, a lack of open discussion and limited financial commitment are hindering efforts to prevent the rapidly growing risk of an AIDS epidemic in Laos, the United Nations said Monday.
Health-AIDS-figures: Latest facts on global AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - May 18, 2003; PARIS, May 18 (AFP) - Following is a factsheet on the global AIDS epidemic in 2002 (source: Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation).
Health-AIDS-SARS: 20 years on, lessons of the AIDS disaster help fight against SARS: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - May 18, 2003; PARIS, May 18 (AFP) - Twenty years ago this week, scientists identified the virus that causes AIDS, a discovery that met with a tragic complacency which only changed after the disease had claimed as many lives as a world war.
US-politics-AIDS: US Senate approves AIDS funding bill: Agence France-Presse - May 16, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 16 (AFP) - The US Senate early Friday unanimously approved a five-year, 15-billion-dollar budget for diagnosing, treating and preventing AIDS in 14 African and Caribbean nations, giving the White House an initiative it wanted to have in hand by the Group of Eight (G8) summit in June.
UN-AIDS-Fund: US/France antagonism could affect AIDS Fund, top UN official says: Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, May 15 (AFP) - A top UN official expressed fears Thursday that tension between France and the United States could obstruct efforts to get the Group of Seven industrial powers to increase contributions to the Global Fund on AIDS.
Health-SARS-China-system: China to invest in rural healthcare, pay greater attention to AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2003; BEIJING, May 15 (AFP) - China will invest more funding and resources in the rural health care system because of the SARS epidemic and will also pay more attention to fighting other epidemics such as AIDS, officials said Thursday.
Health-SARS-Asia-prevention: SARS disaster highlights need for preventive medicine: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2003; PARIS, May 15 (AFP) - "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is a simple and ancient proverb, but for China the message is new and has been learnt at a terrible cost.
US-politics-AIDS: US Senate debates AIDS funding bill: Stephanie Griffith; Agence France-Presse - May 15, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 15 (AFP) - The US Senate began debate on a five-year, 15-billion dollar spending bill that would provide funds to diagnose, treat and prevent AIDS in 14 African and Caribbean nations, with a vote on the legislation possible late Thursday, lawmakers said.
Health-SARS-worldwrap: Singapore sweats on SARS tests as Taiwan outbreak spreads: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2003; SINGAPORE, May 14 (AFP) - A new cluster of possible SARS infections Wednesday dealt a blow to Singapore's hopes of conquering the virus, as World Health Organisation (WHO) experts visited a Chinese province heavily populated by HIV carriers and the disease spread further in Taiwan.
Tanzania-Islam-AIDS: Tanzanian Muslim clerics call for break of silence on HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, May 14 (AFP) - A Muslim cleric in Tanzania on Wednesday marked the anniversary of the prophet Mohammed's birth with an appeal for behavioral changes to check the spread of HIV/AIDS in the east African country.
WBank-war-development: World Bank calls on international community to avoid civil wars: Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 14 (AFP) - A World Bank report Wednesday called on the international community to do all it can to avoid civil wars, saying they are mostly caused by endemic poverty rather than ethnic tensions.
Health-SARS-China: China SARS cases drop off dramatically as WHO hits AIDS province: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - May 14, 2003; BEIJING, May 14 (AFP) - China Wednesday reported the lowest number of SARS cases since the government admitted covering up the extent of the epidemic, with just 16 new infections outside Beijing among a population of 1.3 billion.
EU-Zimbabwe-state-aid: EU agrees new aid for Zimbabwe: Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2003; BRUSSELS, May 13 (AFP) - The European Commission has agreed a new 13-million-euro (15-million-dollar) aid package for Zimbabwe to counter drought and food shortages, it said Wednesday.
Health-AIDS-US: Rich countries get AIDS funding warning: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - May 13, 2003; WASHINGTON, May 13 (AFP) - International experts warned in a report released Tuesday that a world AIDS program funding shortfall estimated at 3.8 billion dollars a year means only a small fraction of those at risk are getting help.
Lifestyle-Denmark-art-offbeat: Danish museum director in court over liquidized goldfish exhibit: Agence France-Presse - May 12, 2003; COPENHAGEN, May 12 (AFP) - A museum director went on trial in Denmark on Monday on charges of cruelty to animals for an exhibit in which goldfish were liquidized in a blender to test visitors' sense of right and wrong.
ILO-discrimination-report: ILO spotlights new, more subtle forms of discrimination in workplace: Agence France-Presse - May 12, 2003; GENEVA, May 12 (AFP) - Discrimination in the workplace is still a common worldwide problem but it is becoming more insidious and taking on new forms such as bias based on HIV/AIDS or religion, the ILO warned Monday.
Iran-health-AIDS: AIDS cases rise in Iran: newspaper: Agence France-Presse - May 12, 2003; TEHRAN, May 12 (AFP) - AIDS cases continue to rise in Iran since the first case was detected 16 years ago, press reports said Monday, citing newly-released health ministry statistics.
Mexico-religion-sex: Mexican bishops attack first lady for advocating condom use against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 9, 2003; MEXICO CITY, May 9 (AFP) - Leading Mexican clergymen have attacked the country's first lady, Marta Sahagun, for advocating the use of condoms as protection against AIDS, the Reforma newspaper reported Friday.
Namibia-Brazil: Namibia, Brazil increase cooperation in range of sectors: Agence France-Presse - May 9, 2003; WINDHOEK, May 9 (AFP) - Namibia and Brazil will increase cooperation in several sectors, including defence, AIDS and agriculture, government officials said Friday.
Nigeria-RedCross-AIDS: Nigerian Red Cross launches stamps to support AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2003; LAGOS, May 8 (AFP) - The Nigerian Red Cross Thursday launched an HIV-AIDS commemorative postage stamp to support its campaign against the spread of the deadly disease in Africa's most populous country.
Health-SARS-Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe has enough problems already without SARS: minister: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2003; HARARE, May 8 (AFP) - Faced with a crumbling health system and one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS anywhere in the world, not to speak of other ailments, Zimbabwe could expect the worst if SARS also breaks out, the southern African country's health minister said on Thursday.
Iraq-AIDS-Saddam: HIV-infected haemophiliac brothers pay for father's Saddam handshake: Sonia Bakaric and Romeo Gacad; Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2003; BAGHDAD, May 8 (AFP) - The family of two young Iraqi haemophiliacs contaminated with the HIV virus has been through a nightmare since a chance meeting with Saddam Hussein on a road in northern Iraq 14 years ago.
Health-AIDS-RedCross-stigma: World Red Cross Day in fight against AIDS stigma: Agence France-Presse - May 8, 2003; GENEVA, May 8 (AFP) - The International Red Cross and Red Crescent on Thursday sharply criticised some religious groups over their attitude to HIV/AIDS, charging that they were helping to fuel the stigma surrounding the disease.
Africa-church-AIDS: African AIDS orphans risk being marginalised: official: Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2003; NAIROBI, May 7 (AFP) - Africa must help its 11 million AIDS orphans or risk them being driven to the margins of society, All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) President Kwesi Dickson warned here on Wednesday.
Health-SARS-China: China's countryside facing "extremely serious" SARS epidemic: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2003; BEIJING, May 7 (AFP) - Millions of migrant workers have ignored government warnings against returning from SARS-affected areas to their rural homes, as Premier Wen Jiabao warned Wednesday of a serious outbreak in the Chinese hinterland.
Health-SARS-Africa-AIDS: SARS could hurt poor African nations worse than AIDS, warns expert: Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2003; MANILA, May 7 (AFP) - An outbreak of SARS among poor nations in Africa could have more harmful effects than AIDS, a disease specialist who studied Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in that region warned Wednesday.
Asia-children: AIDS, child trafficking major problems in Asia-Pacific: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - May 7, 2003; DENPASAR, Indonesia, May 7 (AFP) - The HIV/AIDS epidemic and child trafficking have reached alarming levels in the East Asian and Pacific region, delegates at a regional conference on children said Wednesday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS-doctors: South African doctors in AIDS T-shirt protest: Agence France-Presse - May 5, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, May 5 (AFP) - Hundreds of South African doctors donned "HIV positive" T-shirts Monday, supporting a call by the country's largest AIDS lobby group for anti-retroviral treatment for people living with the disease.
Asia-children: UNICEF says East Asian children must be protected from AIDS, trafficking: Agence France-Presse - May 5, 2003; JAKARTA, May 5 (AFP) - The United Nations Children's Fund called Monday for a full commitment by East Asia and Pacific countries to protect children from sexual exploitation and the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Iraq-US-prisons-AIDS: Iraqi AIDS patients twice stricken under Saddam Hussein: Sonia Bakaric; Agence France-Presse - May 4, 2003; BAGHDAD, May 4 (AFP) - On the ragged outskirts of Baghdad, Dr. Karim Nada offered a visitor a tour of the ransacked remains of Iraq's only AIDS clinic -- a prison of shame and death where even patients' families were quarantined.
Iran-prostitution: Over 70 prostitutes arrested in Iranian prostitution crackdown: Agence France-Presse - May 4, 2003; TEHRAN, May 4 (AFP) - Iranian police have arrested over 70 prostitutes, some of them infected with HIV/AIDS, in a major three day-long crackdown in and around Tehran, press reports said Sunday.
Africa-church-AIDS: African churches urged to fight stigmatisation of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 3, 2003; NAIROBI, May 3 (AFP) - The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has appealed to its member churches to lead the fight against stigmatisation of AIDS, which has hampered efforts to eradicate the scourge from the world's poorest continent, it said in a statement released here on Saturday.
UN-AIDS-Kenya: New Kenyan government a model for Africa, top UN official on AIDS says: Agence France-Presse - May 2, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, May 2 (AFP) - Steps taken by the new Kenyan government to combat HIV/AIDS serve as a model for Africa as a whole, a top aide to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Friday.
UN-US-Population: US citizens campaign for UN Population Fund hits first million dollars: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (AFP) - Two women who started a campaign to raise 34 million dollars withheld by the US government from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said Thursday that they had reached their first million dollars.
MayDay-Kenya-wages-AIDS: Kenya raises minimum wages, warns against dangers to workforce of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - May 1, 2003; NAIROBI, May 1 (AFP) - Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki Thursday announced hikes to statutory minimum wages will be raised and repeated his government's promise to help create 500,000 jobs annually to reduce unemployment.

April

Health-SARS-Mozambique: Mozambicans warned not to visit SARS-affected countries: Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2003; MAPUTO, April 30 (AFP) - The Mozambique authorities have urged nationals not to travel to countries affected by SARS to avoid bringing back the disease and further straining health facilities in the southeast African country.
US-AIDS-politics: House approves AIDS bill providing billions in funding to Africa, Caribbean: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 30 (AFP) - The House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday providing billions of dollars in emergency AIDS funding to Africa and the Caribbean.
Health-SARS-Africa-analysis: Africa could be hit by SARS epidemic: expert: Jan Hennop; Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, April 30 (AFP) - Endemic poverty and over-population, combined with the effect of HIV and AIDS make Africa a likely candidate for a SARS epidemic, a medical expert said Wednesday following the death of the continent's first probable victim of the respiratory illness.
Nepal-health-AIDS: HIV/AIDS has claimed 240 lives in Nepal: government: Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2003; KATHMANDU, April 30 (AFP) - A total of 240 people have died of AIDS in Nepal while 2,800 have the disease, officials said Wednesday.
US-AIDS-politics: Supporters of AIDS bill reject calls for emphasis on abstaining from sex: Agence France-Presse - April 30, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 30 (AFP) - Backers of a congressional bill that would provide billions of dollars in emergency AIDS funding to Africa and the Caribbean vowed to fight efforts by conservatives to insert language that would emphasize refraining from sex as the best way to stem the spread of the disease.
US-AIDS-Bush: Bush pushes emergency AIDS assistance: Olivier Knox; Agence France-Presse - April 29, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 29 (AFP) - President George W. Bush urged US lawmakers Tuesday to approve a five-year, 15-billion-dollar campaign to battle AIDS, calling the global war on the deadly disease a "moral imperative."
SAfrica-health-AIDS: South African AIDS activists suspend civil disobedience campaign: Agence France-Presse - April 29, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, April 29 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists Tuesday suspended a civil disobedience campaign, saying they would meet with the government again next month to try to iron out disagreements on an AIDS treatment plan.
US-AIDS-justice: Lawsuit dropped against GlaxoSmithKline after AIDS medications price drop: Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2003; LOS ANGELES, April 28 (AFP) - The AIDS Healthcare Foundation announced Monday it would drop a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline after the pharmaceuticals giant agreed to slash AIDS drugs prices by 47 percent for the poorest countries.
Britain-pharma-health-AIDS-company-GlaxoSmithKline: GlaxoSmithKline slashes price of HIV/AIDS drugs for poor countries: Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2003; LONDON, April 28 (AFP) - GlaxoSmithKline, the world's leading supplier of HIV/AIDS drugs, said Monday that it was slashing the price of its top anti-retroviral treatment for the world's poorest countries by almost half.
Indonesia-health-AIDS: UNICEF highlights ignorance about HIV/AIDS among young Indonesians: Agence France-Presse - April 28, 2003; JAKARTA, April 28 (AFP) - Yong Indonesians are alarmingly ignorant about HIV/AIDS and related issues, a representative of the UN children's fund UNICEF said Monday.
Egypt-AIDS-justice: Egypt appeals court throws out sentence against doctors in AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2003; CAIRO, April 27 (AFP) - An appeal's court here threw out Sunday prison sentences handed down to a former hospital director and 24 doctors and nurses over allegations they infected 17 patients with the AIDS virus.
Health-SARS-WHO-Brundtland: WHO head urges global action to stem 'century's first epidemic': Agence France-Presse - April 27, 2003; LONDON, April 27 (AFP) - The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged countries worldwide Sunday to cooperate in stemming the spread of SARS, saying it was not too late to halt "the first epidemic of this century."
Vietnam-film-piracy: Pirate version of Vietnamese blockbuster hits the streets: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2003; HANOI, April 25 (AFP) - It usually happens to Hollywood blockbusters, but pirated copies of a local film involving a potent cocktail of sex, drugs and HIV/AIDS are on sale in Vietnam.
Nepal-AIDS: Philandering husbands spreading AIDS in Nepal: expert: Agence France-Presse - April 25, 2003; KATHMANDU, April 25 (AFP) - Philandering husbands who return to Nepal from jobs abroad and infect their wives with HIV/AIDS are hampering efforts to combat the virus, an HIV expert said here Friday.
Caricom-health-AIDS: Haiti, small Caribbean islands to get cheaper HIV/AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2003; GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 24 (AFP) - Haiti and countries of the nine-nation Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will soon get brand-name anti-retroviral drugs at a low price of 500 dollars per person each year, a top official of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) said Thursday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS-protest: South African AIDS activists demonstrate around the world: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2003; PRETORIA, April 24 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists protested around the world on Thursday to demand that the government supply anti-retroviral drugs to AIDS sufferers.
Health-SARS-China-WHO: Slowdown seen in SARS cases in China's Guangdong: WHO: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2003; GENEVA, April 24 (AFP) - Reported new cases of SARS in the southern Chinese province where the disease is believed to have originated five months ago are starting to fall, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday.
Burkina-India-health-AIDS: Burkina reaches deal with Indian firm for generic AIDS medicine: Agence France-Presse - April 24, 2003; OUAGADOUGOU, April 24 (AFP) - India's Chemical Industrial Pharmaceutical Laboratories (CIPLA) is to supply Burkina Faso with generic anti-retroviral medicines, enabling the west African country to slash by half the cost of treatment for sufferers of AIDS, medical sources told AFP Thursday.
Science-DNA-genes-anniversary-chrono: Genetic research: A historical timeline: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2003; PARIS, April 23 (AFP) - Here is a timeline of major events in the history of DNA research:
SAfrica-health-AIDS-world: South African AIDS activists to demonstrate around the world: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2003; CAPE TOWN, April 23 (AFP) - Protesters will demonstrate outside South Africa's diplomatic missions abroad on Thursday to demand that the government supply anti-retroviral drugs to AIDS sufferers, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) lobby group announced.
SAfrica-AIDS: South Africa's AIDS policies are failing: report: Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (AFP) - South Africa's AIDS policies are failing and the government urgently needs to make drugs freely available, a report by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) showed.
Health-SARS-China-AIDS: China's AIDS villages fear double whammy from SARS: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - April 23, 2003; BEIJING, April 23 (AFP) - China's AIDS villages are bracing for another health crisis -- SARS, which coupled with AIDS could wipe out huge segments of the population, local and international health officials said Wednesday.
Africa-liquor: Africa faced with another scourge: lethal home-made brews: Agence France-Presse - April 22, 2003; DAKAR, April 23 (AFP) - Africa has more than its fair share of woes -- ranging from war to the HIV/AIDS pandemic to rampant poverty, and even the homemade alcoholic brews that might serve as a panacea to its other sources of suffering.
Health-SARS-China-spread: Chinese SARS measures too late to prevent nationwide crisis: analysts: Peter Harmsen; Agence France-Presse - April 21, 2003; BEIJING, April 21 (AFP) - Drastic Chinese measures designed to curb SARS have likely come too late to prevent the epidemic from threatening virtually all the country's 1.3 billion people, according to analysts.
Health-SARS-China-Japan-Montagnier: SARS death rate higher among HIV sufferers: Montagnier: Agence France-Presse - April 21, 2003; TOKYO, April 21 (AFP) - The French biologist who was the joint discoverer of the HIV/AIDS virus voiced fears Monday the death rate from SARS would be much higher among people who are HIV-positive or suffering from full-blown AIDS.
CAsia-Kazakhstan-economy: Central Asia's newest capital emerges amid a fog of apprehension: Nick Coleman; Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2003; ASTANA, April 20 (AFP) - A gang of job seekers trudge through the snow beneath the towers rising from Kazakhstan's northern steppe seeking a piece of the success which authoritarian President Nursultan Nazarbayev insists his new capital will represent.
Health-China-SARS-Zhang: Zhang Wenkang -- open on AIDS, less so on SARS -- set to lose job: Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2003; BEIJING, April 20 (AFP) - Chinese Health Minister Zhang Wenkang, who is likely to lose his job over SARS, ironically hit the headlines in the past by representing a more open line on AIDS.
Romania-health-AIDS-US: Romania launches corruption probe into overpriced AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2003; BUCHAREST, April 19 (AFP) - The Romanian government set up an inquiry into the activities of the country's health ministry on Saturday after a senior US diplomat said AIDS medication was being sold to consumers there at grossly inflated prices.
Tanzania-social-women: Gender activists hit out at Tanzanian govt's dress code: Agence France-Presse - April 19, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, April 19 (AFP) - A leading gender activist group has criticised the Tanzanian government over a directive banning female civil servants from wearing miniskirts and tight dresses while on duty, saying the order is "unconstitutional."
UN-drugs: UN body presses on with war on drugs despite opposition: Patrick Rahir; Agence France-Presse - April 17, 2003; VIENNA, April 17 (AFP) - The United Nations on Thursday decided to press ahead with its controversial war on drugs despite opposition from European countries that favour a more liberal policy.
Russia-AIDS-prisons: More than 15 percent of Russia's HIV sufferers are in jail: Agence France-Presse - April 17, 2003; MOSCOW, April 17 (AFP) - More than 15 percent of Russians officially registered as HIV-infected are behind bars in the country's overcrowded prisons, a justice ministry official said on Thursday.
Nigeria-vote-challenges: Nigeria poses tough challenges for next president: Dave Clark; Agence France-Presse - April 17, 2003; LAGOS, April 17 (AFP) - Whichever ex-general wins Nigeria's presidential election, he will face a formidable array of foes: religious discord, a stagnating oil-dependent economy, and an exploding AIDS/HIV epidemic.
EU-drugs: Enlarged EU must help new members tackle growing drugs problem: EU agency: Agence France-Presse - April 16, 2003; LISBON, April 16 (AFP) - The European Union must help new member states tackle their growing drug problem when the 15-nation bloc expands to take in 10 new members next year from eastern and southern Europe, a leading EU drugs agency warned Wednesday.
Pakistan-India-peace: Pakistani music sensation and Indian singers team up for peace concert: Agence France-Presse - April 16, 2003; KARACHI, April 16 (AFP) - A top Pakistani rock band Junoon and a popular Indian vocalist calling for peace between the rival South Asian neighbours Wednesday joined hands to wage a "global peace" struggle with a mega concert in violence plagued Karachi this weekend.
Kenya-Italy-Somalia-UNHCR-refugees-award: Italian woman wins 2003 Nansen refugee award: UNHCR: Agence France-Presse - April 15, 2003; NAIROBI, April 15 (AFP) - Italy's Annalena Tonelii, who has devoted more than three decades to helping Somali refugees, has been given this year's 100,000-dollar Nansen Refugee Award, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers said Tuesday.
US-health-Glaxo: Calpers takes Glaxo to task over AIDS policies: Agence France-Presse - April 15, 2003; NEW YORK, April 15 (AFP) - Calpers, the largest US public pension scheme, said Tuesday it was sending a letter to British-owned GlaxoSmithKline, urging a major rethink of the company's AIDS medicine policies.
Health-pneumonia-Thailand-UN: UN postpones ministerial meet in Thailand over SARS fears: Agence France-Presse - April 15, 2003; BANGKOK, April 15 (AFP) - A key regional United Nations ministerial symposium scheduled for late April in the Thai capital has been postponed amid concerns over the deadly SARS virus, UN officials said Tuesday.
Health-pneumonia-US: Gene map could lead to cure for viral pneumonia: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - April 15, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 15 (AFP) - Cracking the genetic code of a new virus has paved the way toward creating a test to screen for SARS, the deadly pneumonia it causes, finding the medicines to cure it and even a vaccine to prevent it.
Switzerland-AIDS: Switzerland concerned over jump in HIV positive rate: Agence France-Presse - April 14, 2003; BERN, April 14 (AFP) - Switerland said Monday said it was concerned at a 25 percent rise in people who were HIV positive last year, after a drop in previous years.
IMF-WorldBank-activists: Activists fear noise of Iraq war will drown out Africa: Agence France-Presse - April 11, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 11 (AFP) - Activists, fearing the Iraq war will sidetrack the fight against poverty, warned Friday the world is sliding on its commitments to Africa.
IMF-economy-Africa: African growth resilient, threatened by conflict, mismanagement: IMF: Agence France-Presse - April 9, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 9 (AFP) - Africa's economy is holding up well to the global downturn, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday, but regional conflicts and mismanagement of natural resources continue to undermine development.
Health-AIDS-drugs-RedCross: Red Cross urges governments to help drug addicts and stem HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - April 5, 2003; GENEVA, April 5 (AFP) - The Red Cross on Saturday urged governments to stop treating people who are at high risk from HIV/AIDS as "social evils" and to ensure that all intraveneous drug users have access to clean syringes.
Health-pneumonia-Australia: SARS unlikely to develop into pandemic, Australian expert says: Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2003; SYDNEY, April 4 (AFP) - The mystery pneumonia virus which has claimed scores of lives across the world is unlikely to develop into a pandemic, an Australian expert said as suspected cases rose to seven in Australia on Friday.
WorldBank-Russia-health: World Bank releases 150 million dollars for Russian fight against epidemics: Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2003; WASHINGTON, April 4 (AFP) - The World Bank on Friday released a 150-million-dollar loan to Russia to fund programmes to fight tuberculosis and AIDS.
Kenya-IPI-media: International press watchdog IPI to hold conference in Kenya in June: Agence France-Presse - April 4, 2003; NAIROBI, April 4 (AFP) - More than 500 media managers from 150 countries are due to attend the International Press Institute's (IPI's) annual conference in the Kenyan capital in June, an organiser said Thursday.
Health-pneumonia-Africa: Few African countries yet taking steps against SARS: Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2003; NAIROBI, April 3 (AFP) - Few African states have taken steps to protect their citizens against the mystery SARS virus, which as of Wednesday evening had killed 78 people and infected well over 2,000 across the world, mostly in Asia.
Health-pneumonia-experts: Top health experts worried, perplexed by worsening SARS outbreak: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2003; LONDON, April 3 (AFP) - Top medical experts said Thursday they were perplexed by the killer respiratory disease called SARS and some pointed the finger at China, the suspected source of the epidemic, for failing to notify the world sooner of the problem.
SouthernAfrica-UNICEF-children: Humanitarian assistance paying dividends: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, April 3 (AFP) - Humanitarian assistance in southern Africa is paying dividends, UN children's relief organisation UNICEF officials said Thursday, but added they were worried the war in Iraq would overshadow aid projects elsewhere.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: South Africa starts non-invasive AIDS treatment trial: Agence France-Presse - April 3, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, April 3 (AFP) - A South African medical school will next week start clinical trials for a new non-invasive treatment for HIV/AIDS, the University of Natal in the eastern port city of Durban announced Thursday.
Russia-drugs: Young Russians spend over one billion dollars a year on drugs: study: Agence France-Presse - April 2, 2003; MOSCOW, April 2 (AFP) - Young Russians spend more than 1.5 billion dollars (1.4 billion euros) a year on illegal drugs, the education ministry's social research center said on Wednesday.
Health-pneumonia-India: India puts hospitals on standby to tackle SARS: report: Agence France-Presse - April 2, 2003; NEW DELHI, April 2 (AFP) - India has placed its key hospitals on standby to treat suspected cases of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) after alerting airports to screen passengers, reports said Wednesday.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: South African AIDS infections to peak at 7.7 million: report: Agence France-Presse - April 2, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, April 2 (AFP) - The number of South Africans infected with HIV or AIDS will peak at 7.7 million in the next three years, creating the potential for an economic disaster, a report said Wednesday.

March

Iraq-war-Britain-WFP-Africa: UN food aid chief warns Iraq help must not lead to forgetting Africa: Agence France-Presse - March 31, 2003; LONDON, March 31 (AFP) - The UN's food aid chief said Monday he was working to make sure international focus on Iraq does not lead to ignoring the "extraordinary" humanitarian crisis in Africa.
Health-pneumonia-China-secret: China notoriously secretive over its own ailments: Robert J. Saiget; Agence France-Presse - March 28, 2003; BEIJING, March 28 (AFP) - China's near silence on the mysterious strain of pneumonia believed to have spread worldwide from Guangdong province reflects an image-conscious government that views bad news as a reflection of its ability to rule, health workers say.
Switzerland-pharmaceutical-US-company-Novartis: Novartis to expand into antiviral medicines with majority stake in Idenix: Agence France-Presse - March 26, 2003; BASEL, Switzerland, March 26 (AFP) - Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis has agreed to buy a 51-percent stake in the US biotech company Idenix, which specialises in antiviral medicines, the Swiss company said on Wednesday.
China-AIDS: More than 300,000 Chinese to contract HIV during 2003: state media: Agence France-Presse - March 26, 2003; BEIJING, March 26 (AFP) - More than 300,000 Chinese will contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in the course of 2003, statistics published in the state media Wednesday showed.
SAfrica-health-AIDS: AIDS activists disrupt South African health minister's address: Agence France-Presse - March 25, 2003; CAPE TOWN, March 25 (AFP) - AIDS activists disrupted a speech by South Africa's health minister Tuesday, scuffling with her and shouting her down as she tried to speak at a public health conference.
DRCongo-health-tuberculosis: Tuberculosis treatment in DR Congo well short of UN standards: Agence France-Presse - March 25, 2003; KINSHASA, March 25 (AFP) - The rate of cure for people suffering from tuberculosis in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) falls short of the standards set by the UN World Health Organisation, a health specialist said Tuesday.
WHO-disease-tuberculosis: TB spreads unabated in sub-Saharan Africa despite progress elsewhere: WHO: Agence France-Presse - March 24, 2003; GENEVA, March 24 (AFP) - The battle against tuberculosis (TB) has progressed well in the worst-hit countries of China and India, but the disease is spreading unabated in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the former Soviet Union, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Monday.
Malaysia-AIDS: Malaysia records positive results using herbs on AIDS patients: report: Agence France-Presse - March 23, 2003; KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (AFP) - A Malaysian herbal formula is being studied for its effectiveness as a complementary treatment to help HIV/AIDS victims enjoy a longer and better quality of life, a report said Sunday.
SAfrica-Mandela-Rockefeller-people: Mandela and Rockefeller discuss AIDS: Agence France-Presse - March 21, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, March 21 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela and US banking tycoon David Rockefeller met in Johannesburg this week to discuss poverty and AIDS, a media report said Friday.
Health-AIDS-EEurope: HIV epidemic to surge in Eastern Europe: study: Agence France-Presse - March 21, 2003; PARIS, March 21 (AFP) - The AIDS epidemic in the former Soviet Union is set to leap out of the social niche of drug users and spread through the wider population through heterosexual intercourse, said a study to be published on Saturday.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African activists charge ministers in AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - March 20, 2003; CAPE TOWN, March 20 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists started a civil disobedience campaign Thursday in a bid to force the government to agree to a treatment plan, laying homicide charges against two ministers and having themselves arrested.
ICoast-AIDS: Geneva-based body grants Ivory Coast 92 million dollars to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - March 19, 2003; ABIDJAN, March 19 (AFP) - The Geneva-based Global Fund for the Fight Against AIDS has decided to release 92 million dollars to fight the pandemic in Ivory Coast, one of the worst affected countries in west Africa, a government source told AFP on Wednesday.
Health-pneumonia-WHO: Pneumonia on way to containment outside three Asian countries: WHO: Agence France-Presse - March 19, 2003; GENEVA, March 19 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday it was confident that despite a rising toll, a deadly respiratory illness was being contained outside three Asian host countries.
China-crime-AIDS: Homosexual murders lover in Beijing over HIV: Agence France-Presse - March 19, 2003; BEIJING, March 19 (AFP) - A disgruntled man suffering from the HIV virus that causes AIDS has murdered his 70-year old male lover in Beijing, according to a rare report in the state press Wednesday on a subject long taboo in China.
Russia-health-AIDS: Russian spending on AIDS epidemic "ridiculous": official: Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2003; MOSCOW, March 18 (AFP) - Russia must dramatically increase its financing for AIDS treatment and prevention to stave off an epidemic that threatens to compound its demographic crisis, the head of Russia's Center for Aids Prevention warned Tuesday.
Zimbabwe-opposition-strike: Zimbabwe sees 'biggest' anti-government work stoppage in years: Susan Njanji; Agence France-Presse - March 18, 2003; HARARE, March 18 (AFP) - A two-day national anti-government strike called by Zimbabwe's main opposition on Tuesday saw most of the established companies shutting down and people who intended to work stuck for transport.
UN-rights: UN rights forum in Geneva warns of possible catastrophic war in Iraq: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - March 17, 2003; GENEVA, March 17 (AFP) - The Libyan envoy chairing the UN Human Rights Commission on Monday warned member states of the impact of a possible "catastrophic war" in Iraq at the opening of the annual session of the world's top human rights forum.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African AIDS activists give government deadline for treatment: Agence France-Presse - March 16, 2003; CAPE TOWN, March 16 (AFP) - AIDS activists in South Africa Sunday renewed threats to launch a campaign of civil disobedience if the government did not agree to a national treatment program.
Vietnam-film: Cocktail of sex, drugs and HIV proves Vietnam box office smash: Vu Quynh; Agence France-Presse - March 16, 2003; HANOI, March 16 (AFP) - A potent, homemade cocktail of sex, drugs and HIV/AIDS is proving to be a box office smash in a country more used to a staple diet of staid communist propaganda and Hollywood thrillers.
Caribbean-France-AIDS: France gives 1.15 million dollars to fight AIDS in Caribbean: Agence France-Presse - March 14, 2003; WASHINGTON, March 14 (AFP) - France and the Pan American Health Organization have signed a deal under which Paris will provide 1.15 million dollars to finance anti-AIDS programs in the Caribbean, the PAHO said in a statement Friday.
Mozambique-Zimbabwe-prostitution-AIDS: Zimbabwe truck drivers in Mozambique at high risk of HIV infection: Agence France-Presse - March 14, 2003; MAPUTO, March 14 (AFP) - Zimbabwean truck drivers who frequent prostitutes when they work in neighbouring Mozambique are at high risk of catching the deadly virus that causes AIDS because they are "forced" to have unprotected sex, state television reported Friday.
US-health-AIDS-medicine: US approves new class of drugs to fight HIV: Agence France-Presse - March 13, 2003; WASHINGTON, March 13 (AFP) - US drug authorities on Thursday approved the first in a new class of medications to fight HIV by preventing the virus from entering the immune system's cells.
US-AIDS: USAID announces 50 million dollar program to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - March 13, 2003; WASHINGTON, March 13 (AFP) - The US Agency for International Development on Thursday announced a new five-year, 50-million-dollar pact with a consortium of international development and religious organizations to fight HIV/AIDS in developing countries.
Zambia-Angola-refugees-health: Angolan govt concerned at HIV rate among returning refugees: Agence France-Presse - March 13, 2003; LUSAKA, March 13 (AFP) - The Angolan government has expressed concern that refugees who are returning home from exile may escalate HIV infection, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) official said Thursday.
Russia-justice: Putin demands crackdown on violent crime: Bernard Besserglik; Agence France-Presse - March 12, 2003; MOSCOW, March 12 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin called Wednesday for more efficient law enforcement to crack down on violent crime, warning that too many criminals were walking free while petty offenders languished needlessly in prison.
US-health-China: China faces hidden STD epidemic: study: Agence France-Presse - March 11, 2003; CHICAGO, March 11 (AFP) - Levels of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) chlamydia have reached epidemic proportions in China, putting incidence of the condition a scale comparable to developed western countries, a study released Tuesday said.
China-sex: China's first abortion clinic sparks public debate: Agence France-Presse - March 11, 2003; BEIJING, March 11 (AFP) - A public debate has ignited after China opened its first abortion clinic in one of its most populated cities, state media said Tuesday.
Vietnam-drugs-AIDS: Vietnam struggling to cope with HIV among drug users: Ben Rowse; Agence France-Presse - March 9, 2003; HANOI, March 9 (AFP) - Lying on a heap of filthy blankets and bloodied syringes beside the iron fence of Lenin Park in the Vietnamese capital, Nguyen Tra My looks at least twice her real age.
SAfrica-AIDS-women: AIDS now leading killer under pregnant South African women: report: Agence France-Presse - March 9, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, March 9 (AFP) - AIDS has become the leading cause of death among pregnant woman in South Africa, surpassing high blood pressure complications, a news report said here Sunday.
Health-bacteria-drugs-resistance: Invasion of the superbugs worries doctors: Agence France-Presse - March 9, 2003; PARIS, March 9 (AFP) - Doctors have sounded the alarm after discovering that two strains of drug-resistant "superbugs" are spreading like wildfire across the United States, and one of the bacteria may already have reached Europe.
China-aids: China sets up pilot AIDS treatment program: Agence France-Presse - March 8, 2003; BEIJING, March 8 (AFP) - China's Ministry of Health has set up a pilot program in several provinces to provide comprehensive medical services for HIV/Aids patients, state press reported on Saturday.
Botswana-health: AIDS scare in Botswana as nurse injects 170 pupils with one needle: Agence France-Presse - March 6, 2003; GABORONE, March 6 (AFP) - A Botswana nurse has injected some 170 school children with the same needle during an immunisation campaign, sparking an HIV/AIDS scare, a newspaper reported Thursday.
Zambia-military-AIDS: Zambia army to discriminate against HIV positive soldiers: Agence France-Presse - March 5, 2003; LUSAKA, March 5 (AFP) - Zambia will not recruit anybody who is HIV positive to its defence forces, a military chief was reported on Tuesday as saying.
India-health-AIDS: Global Fund pledges 140 million dollars to fight AIDS in India: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2003; NEW DELHI, March 4 (AFP) - The international Global Fund agency pledged on Tuesday to give 140 million dollars to India to help combat the spread of the AIDS virus and tuberculosis.
Lifestyle-Denmark-drugs-art: Bad boy of Danish art scene at it again with HIV drug art: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2003; COPENHAGEN, March 4 (AFP) - First it was goldfish in a blender, then heroin art. Now the bad boy of Denmark's art scene, Marco Evaristti, has drug addicts creating their own canvasses using paint mixed with HIV-contaminated blood, heroin and cocaine.
Kenya-women-rights: Kenyan traditions give women a raw deal: Human Rights Watch: Agence France-Presse - March 4, 2003; NAIROBI, March 4 (AFP) - Kenyan women are routinely deprived of their property, denied ownership rights and often subjected to violence when they lay claim to possessions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released Tuesday.
Bangladesh-children: Disease haunts lonely street children of Bangladesh: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - March 3, 2003; DHAKA, March 3 (AFP) - When he was a baby, Khokon was found abandoned by a couple and taken in. When he was 11, they put him on a ferry to Dhaka and told him to earn his own bread.
India-AIDS-schools: Indian school ostracised after admitting HIV positive children: John Philip; Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2003; KOLLAM, India, March 2 (AFP) - Seven-year-old Bency John and her five-year-old brother Benson are the only pupils left in their school in India's southern Kerala state after their schoolmates were all yanked out by parents fearing the orphaned siblings could infect their children with the HIV virus.
India-Pakistan-Clinton: Clinton says Northern Ireland peace can be model for Kashmir: Agence France-Presse - March 2, 2003; NEW DELHI, March 2 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton said Northern Ireland's peace process could provide a model for Kashmir but that Indian and Pakistani leaders found a resolution of the dispute politically risky.

February

Congo-justice-MSF: MSF to help Congo rape victims take their attackers to court: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2003; BRAZZAVILLE, Feb 28 (AFP) - French aid group Medecins sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors without Borders) has said it will help rape victims in the Republic of Congo take private legal action against their attackers, since the country's criminal court has failed to sit in more than four years.
Russia-justice: Half of Russian prisoners gravely ill with TB, HIV, drug addiction: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2003; MOSCOW, Feb 28 (AFP) - Nearly half of the 877,000 prisoners in Russia's overcrowded jails are seriously ill, a justice ministry official said Friday.
Asia-AIDS-Thailand: Asian business has key role in fighting HIV/AIDS: Holbrooke: Agence France-Presse - February 28, 2003; BANGKOK, Feb 28 (AFP) - The Asian business community has a key role to play in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS, former US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke said here Friday.
Lifestyle-film-AIDS: Living positively with HIV/AIDS at heart of African film festival: Thomas Marzahl; Agence France-Presse - February 27, 2003; OUAGADOUGOU, Feb 27 (AFP) - Pinki wants to run a red ribbon around her house in Soweto to proclaim to everyone -- her neighbors, her friends, or passerby -- that she has the AIDS virus.
India-politics-sex: India's parliament debates "obscene" condom ads: Palash Kumar; Agence France-Presse - February 27, 2003; NEW DELHI, Feb 27 (AFP) - Indian MPs Thursday expressed concern over "obscenity" and gender bias in TV advertisements, singling out a condom ad that shows a naughty man out for some fun.
UN-population: UN revises world population forecast for 2050 down by 400 million: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (AFP) - The United Nations on Wednesday revised its mid-century world population forecast downwards by 400 million to 8.9 billion because of HIV/AIDS and falling Third World fertility rates.
SouthAfrica-economy-budget-growth: South Africa bases budget on ambitious 3.3 pct economic growth: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Feb 26 (AFP) - South Africa's economy is set to grow by 3.3 percent this year and more public money will be given to the poor, children and elderly, the country's finance minister said Wednesday, unveiling what economists termed a "people's budget".
Asia-AIDS: Asia-Pacific nations urged to tackle mounting AIDS crisis: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; HONG KONG, Feb 26 (AFP) - Asia-Pacific nations must tackle the region's mounting AIDS crisis promptly if they are to avoid the problem escalating into the pandemic proportions of Africa, a leading United Nations official said Wednesday.
US-AIDS-Africa: Pro-abortion groups can get Bush AIDS money: official: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (AFP) - Groups providing abortion advice can participate in President George W. Bush's 15-billion-dollar anti-AIDS initiative, a State Department official said Wednesday.
US-AIDS-Africa-orphans: AIDS creating a generation of African orphans: experts: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (AFP) - The world has turned its back on 11 million African AIDS orphans, World Food Organization head James Morris said Wednesday.
US-AIDS-food: AIDS and hunger are grim allies in Africa: World Food Organization: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (AFP) - Africa's HIV-AIDS crisis has a new ally: starvation, World Food Organization head James Morris said Wednesday.
UN-drugs-Pakistan: Risk of HIV rises in Pakistan's half-million heroin addicts: Agence France-Presse - February 26, 2003; ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (AFP) - The AIDS threat for Pakistan's half-million addicts is rising amid increased intravenous heroin use, UN and Pakistani officials warned with the launch of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) report Wednesday.
China-AIDS: Chinese hospitals using new anti-AIDS drug: Agence France-Presse - February 25, 2003; BEIJING, Feb 25 (AFP) - A new anti-AIDS drug based on traditional Chinese healing has been approved for use in Chinese hospitals, state media reported Tuesday.
China-AIDS: AIDS-wary China to provide clean needles for drug addicts: Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2003; BEIJING, Feb 24 (AFP) - Major cities in China will soon provide clean needles to drug addicts in a bid to combat the rapid spread of AIDS, state media said Monday.
Bangladesh-offbeat-sex: Bangladeshi sex workers protest to get their brothel back: Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2003; DHAKA, Feb 24 (AFP) - Sex workers evicted from their brothel in western Bangladesh flooded the streets of the capital Dhaka Monday seeking compensated.
Health-AIDS-vaccine-UN: Some results from AIDS vaccine trial "promising": UNAIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2003; GENEVA, Feb 24 (AFP) - The first mass trial of an AIDS vaccine has yielded some "promising" results that warrant further research, even if it failed to meet hopes, the UN agency leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS said on Monday.
Swiss-medical-AIDS: Roche offers new HIV/AIDS treatment, but at a steep price: Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2003; BASEL, Switzerland, Feb 24 (AFP) - The Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche said on Monday that it was prepared to make a promising, new HIV/AIDS treatment available in EU countries while the drug is undergoing approval for licensing, but at a price of 52 euros (56 dollars) a day.
Health-AIDS-vaccine: Disappointment but no surprise after AIDS vaccine failure: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2003; PARIS, Feb 24 (AFP) - Campaigners were disappointed but remained resolved on Monday after the first mass trial of an anti-HIV vaccine showed the long-awaited molecule had largely failed to shield volunteers from the AIDS virus.
Health-AIDS-vaccine: Disappointing results for world's first mass trial of AIDS vaccine: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - February 24, 2003; WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (AFP) - The first mass trial on an AIDS vaccine failed to produce the hoped for shield against the global pandemic but did give some protection to blacks and Asians, the makers said Monday.
EU-drugs: Europe's drug addicts in prison get inadequate treatment: EU agency: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2003; LISBON, Feb 23 (AFP) - Thousands of drug-addicted prisoners across Europe are not receiving treatment for their habits while in jail, raising the risk that they will return to a life of crime once they are released, a leading EU drugs agency has warned.
Guyana-US-AIDS: US senators visit Guyana, Haiti ahead of Congressional debate on AIDS funds: Agence France-Presse - February 23, 2003; GEORGETOWN, Feb 23 (AFP) - Two US senators wrapped up a two-day visit to Guyana and headed for Haiti Sunday as part of a fact-finding mission ahead of Congressional debate about a multi-billion dollar HIV/AIDS initiative.
SAfrica-AIDS: South African activists ready to 'fill jails' to get AIDS drugs: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Feb 21 (AFP) - South African AIDS activists reminded the government Friday of their deadline for a civil disobedience campaign, warning they were prepared to "fill jail cells" if it did not agree to a national treatment programme.
Uganda-AIDS: Uganda gets 97 million dollars for its anti-AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2003; KAMPALA, Feb 21 (AFP) - Uganda has received a grant of 97 million dollars from the Global Fund on HIV/AIDS to help it intensify its campaign against AIDS and to fight Malaria and tuberculosis in the next three years.
Malaysia-censorship: AIDS campaign hampered by 'condom' ban on Malaysian airwaves: Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2003; KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (AFP) - A ban on the word "condom" on Malaysian airwaves is hampering AIDS awareness campaigns on local television and radio, a report said Friday.
Mideast-AIDS: Experts warn against AIDS spread in Mideast, West Asia region: Assaad Abboud; Agence France-Presse - February 21, 2003; CAIRO, Feb 21 (AFP) - The number of AIDS/HIV sufferers in the Middle East and West Asia has more than trebled in the past three years, experts said, warning several states in the region were not combating the disease seriously.
Canada-OECD: Canadian minister heads to Paris to discuss international aid strategy: Agence France-Presse - February 20, 2003; OTTAWA, Feb 20 (AFP) - Canadian Minister for International Cooperation Susan Whelan flew to Paris Thursday for talks on how to improve strategic international aid planning with other donor countries.
France-Africa-AIDS: UN chief urges African leaders to put women at center of AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - February 20, 2003; PARIS, Feb 20 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday urged African leaders to place women squarely at the center of the fight against AIDS, which he called "a governance and development crisis of catastrophic dimensions" on the world's poorest continent.
Indonesia-AIDS: Indonesia mulls clean syringes for drug users to curb AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 19, 2003; JAKARTA, Feb 19 (AFP) - The Indonesian government is considering supplying the rising number of drug users with sterile syringes in an effort to contain the rapid spread of AIDS, a report said Wednesday.
Singapore-AIDS: HIV-positive man jailed for threatening doctor with blood: report: Agence France-Presse - February 19, 2003; SINGAPORE, Feb 19 (AFP) - A man infected with the virus that causes AIDS has been jailed for eight months for threatening to inject a female doctor with his infected blood, a report said Wednesday.
India-US-trafficking: US urges joint strategy with India to combat human trafficking: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2003; BOMBAY, Feb 18 (AFP) - The United States and Indian governments should formulate a joint strategy to combat the growing menace of global human trafficking, an American diplomat said Tuesday.
Caribbean-AIDS-fund: Global AIDS Fund asks Caribbean to slash 56 million dollar proposal: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2003; GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Feb 18 (AFP) - The cash-strapped Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has asked the Caribbean to slash its 56 million dollar proposal to battle AIDS in 15 island nations, officials said Tuesday.
Vietnam-AIDS: Vietnam makes low-cost AIDS drug available to sufferers: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2003; HANOI, Feb 18 (AFP) - Vietnam has made a low-cost AIDS drug available to local health centres across the country in a bid to reduce mortality rates from the killer disease, state press said Tuesday.
Malawi-AIDS-minister: Malawi cabinet minister says he lost three children to AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 18, 2003; BLANTYRE, Feb 18 (AFP) - A cabinet minister in Malawi surprised his staff by openly declaring that he has lost three children to AIDS and condemning taboos and stigmas surrounding the disease ravaging southern Africa.
SAfrica-politics: S.African opposition criticises Mbeki for neglecting AIDS, Zimbabwe: Agence France-Presse - February 17, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Feb 17 (AFP) - South African opposition parties criticised President Thabo Mbeki on Monday for neglecting issues such as AIDS and Zimbabwe in his State of the Nation address at the opening of parliament last week.
NKorea-health-AIDS: North Korea has ability to nip AIDS epidemic in the bud: Peter Harmsen; Agence France-Presse - February 17, 2003; PYONGYANG, Feb 17 (AFP) - AIDS and North Korea have been among the big horror stories in recent years and combining the two might seem the recipe of endless misery, but it could in fact be the other way around.
France-Africa-seminars: French associations host parallel Franco-African summit: Agence France-Presse - February 17, 2003; PARIS, Feb 17 (AFP) - Human rights activists, researchers and artists will take part later this week in two days of seminars on the challenges facing Africa, coinciding with the Franco-African summit, organizers said Monday.
WTO-Japan-medicines: Brazilian compromise plan puts emphasis on production of medicines: Agence France-Presse - February 16, 2003; TOKYO, Feb 16 (AFP) - A Brazilian compromise proposal to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) aimed at securing greater access to life-saving drugs for poor countries, is based on the ability to manufacture specific drugs, rather than tied to a particular health crisis, sources said Sunday.
SAfrica-Mbeki: Mbeki boosts economy in State of Nation address but neglects AIDS: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Feb 14 (AFP) - South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki devoted key parts of his State of the Nation address to social and economic transformation Friday, but failed to make any significant mention of the country's AIDS crisis.
Kenya-drugs: Kenyan NGOs urge government to reject drug restrictions: Agence France-Presse - February 14, 2003; NAIROBI, Feb 14 (AFP) - Activists from charities campaigning for accessibility to cheap drugs in Kenya on Friday urged the government to reject proposals restricting use of compulsory licensing in developing countries to meet "national emergencies", they said here.
US-health-AIDS: HIV drugs are effective, even in poorer countries: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2003; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 13 (AFP) - The current generation of AIDS drugs has proven effective even in poor countries most ravaged by the fatal and incurable disease, according to several studies presented Thursday.
India-AIDS: Two HIV positive children in India demand aid and right to attend school: Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2003; TRIVANDRUM, India, Feb 13 (AFP) - Two HIV positive children Thursday staged a sit-in demonstration outside a government office in the southern Indian state of Kerala, demanding aid to live, relatives and officials said.
Portugal-AIDS: Over 21,000 HIV infections in Portugal: Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2003; LISBON, Feb 13 (AFP) - The total number of HIV infections recorded in Portugal since 1983 reached over 21,000 at the end of last year, according to a report released Thursday by Portugal's national committee for the fight against AIDS.
Cambodia-Britain-UN-AIDS: Britain, UN pledge 24.9 million dollars for Cambodia's AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2003; PHNOM PENH, Feb 13 (AFP) - Britain and the United Nations Development Programme on Thursday pledged 24.9 million dollars over five years for Cambodia's campaign against HIV/AIDS.
Swiss-pharma-AIDS-ethics: Roche to extend price cuts on key AIDS drugs for poor: Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2003; BASEL, Switzerland, Feb 13 (AFP) - Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche said on Thursday that it had decided to extend substantial cuts in the price of its HIV/AIDS drugs sold in poorer countries.
Britain-immigration-HIV: Britain plans HIV tests for immmigrants: press: Agence France-Presse - February 13, 2003; LONDON, Feb 13 (AFP) - Britain plans to introduce compulsory HIV tests for immigrants after new cases of the virus soared 26 percent in the last year, The Times newspaper said Thursday.
Uganda-AIDS: Clinical trials of AIDS vaccine start in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - February 12, 2003; KAMPALA, Feb 12 (AFP) - Researchers in Uganda have begun clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine developed by British and Kenyan scientists, officials said Wednesday.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS researchers say they have gained edge over virus: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - February 12, 2003; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 12 (AFP) - Development of new drugs and improved, simplified therapies have given researchers an edge over the deadly AIDS virus, experts told a conference here.
Health-US-AIDS: Internet, risky behavior make explosive cocktail: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - February 11, 2003; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 11 (AFP) - Internet chat rooms and increasingly risky behavior among homosexuals and some heterosexual people are contributing to the spread of the AIDS virus in the United States, researchers at a conference here said.
US-health-AIDS-Clinton: AIDS is a menace to democracy: Clinton: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - February 11, 2003; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 11 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton has made AIDS a political target, saying it is a menace to democracy and calling on world leaders to make treatment of the disease readily available in developing nations.
US-health-AIDS: AIDS conference to hear progress report on new treatments: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - February 10, 2003; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Feb 10 (AFP) - Four thousand AIDS specialists on Monday started a week of work studying the latest advances in the battle against the virus that now affects 42 million people around the world.
Health-AIDS: Hunt revives for anti-HIV gel after breakthrough tests on monkeys: Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2003; PARIS, Feb 9 (AFP) - The quest for a gel that can kill the AIDS virus, offering protection to women and homosexuals exposed to HIV-infected sperm, has suddenly revived after tests showed it worked with monkeys.
Myanmar-health-leprosy: Myanmar has eliminated leprosy: government: Agence France-Presse - February 9, 2003; YANGON, Feb 9 (AFP) - Myanmar has announced that it has eliminated leprosy, according to a media report here.
Swaziland-politics: Swazi monarch opens parliament, calls for resolve on judicial problems: Agence France-Presse - February 7, 2003; LOBAMBA, Swaziland Feb 7 (AFP) - Swaziland's King Mswati III on Friday opened the tiny country's parliament, saying citizens could resolve a judicial crisis and pledging money to help with food aid and children orphaned by AIDS.
WFP-AIDS-hunger: UN bodies join forces to fight hunger and AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 6, 2003; ROME, Feb 6 (AFP) - Two UN bodies joined forces on Thursday against the growing links between chronic hunger and HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa, South East Asia and the Caribbean.
Tanzania-US-AIDS: Clinton's foundation to support anti-HIV/AIDS drive in Tanzania: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2003; DAR ES SALAAM, Feb 5 (AFP) - Tanzania is among three African countries to benefit from support of a foundation of former US president Bill Clinton in the campaign against HIV/AIDS, a State House aide said here Wednesday.
Nepal-SAsia-AIDS: South Asian ministers pledge action to curb AIDS epidemic: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2003; KATHMANDU, Feb 5 (AFP) - South Asian health officials pledged Wednesday to work to curb the exploitation of women and increase awareness about AIDS to stem the epidemic in the world's second worst affected region.
WTO-medicines: Japanese bid to break WTO impasse on access to cheap medicines: Agence France-Presse - February 5, 2003; GENEVA, Feb 5 (AFP) - Japan on Wednesday put forward a new proposal for trying to break a stubborn impasse in World Trade Organisation talks on access to cheap medicines for poor countries, trade sources said.
Nepal-SAsia-AIDS: South Asia second worst AIDS-affected region in the world: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - February 4, 2003; KATHMANDU, Feb 4 (AFP) - South Asia is the second largest HIV/AIDS-affected region in the world and needs tough action to control the disease, United Nations officials said here Tuesday.
Caricom-health: Caribbean negotiating further slash in HIV/AIDS drug costs: Agence France-Presse - February 3, 2003; GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Feb 3 (AFP) - The Caribbean Community said Monday it is about to clinch deal on lower-cost AIDS/HIV drugs.
RedCross-AIDS: Red Cross official slams denial of treatment to millions of AIDS victims: Agence France-Presse - February 3, 2003; GENEVA, Feb 3 (AFP) - Millions of HIV/AIDS victims will be denied access to life-saving anti-retroviral therapy unless more cash is provided for a global anti-AIDS fund, a member of the fund's board said on Monday.
Nepal-SAsia-AIDS: Nepal PM inaugurates South Asian conference on HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - February 3, 2003; KATHMANDU, Feb 3 (AFP) - Nepal's Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand said Monday the speed at which HIV and AIDS were engulfing the world was worrying, as he inaugurated a conference aimed at boosting the fight against the disease in South Asia.
Libya-Bulgaria-trial: Bulgaria optimistic six facing AIDS charges will have fair trial: Agence France-Presse - February 1, 2003; TRIPOLI, Feb 1 (AFP) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passi said here Saturday he was optimistic six Bulgarian medical workers accused of infecting nearly 400 Libyan children with the HIV virus would recive a fair trial.
US-Bush-AIDS-Africa: Bush touts emergency AIDS plan: Agence France-Presse - February 1, 2003; WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Saturday tried to drum up public support for his plan to help AIDS patients in Africa and the Caribbean, vowing to bring "the merciful powers of modern medicine to people in great need."

January

Zambia-budget: Zambia unveils 1.4 billion dollar budget for 2003: Agence France-Presse - January 31, 2003; LUSAKA, Jan 31 (AFP) - Zambia's finance minister on Friday unveiled a 1.4 billion dollar budget for 2003 which aims to alleviate poverty and combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
US-AIDS: US Health and Human Services Secretary Thompson to head world AIDS fund: Agence France-Presse - January 30, 2003; WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (AFP) - US Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson is to be named Friday to head the Geneva-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, according to US AIDS activists.
Ethiopia-AIDS: Ethiopia to get 27m dollars to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Jan 29 (AFP) - The UN-initiated Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria will give Ethiopia 27 million dollars over the next two years, the Ethiopian health ministry said Wednesday.
UN-US-Bush-AIDS: Annan hails Bush plan to fight AIDS in Africa, Caribbean: Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Jan 29 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan congratulated President George W. Bush on Wednesday for asking the US Congress for an extra 10 billion dollars to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.
US-Bush-AIDS: Activists call for US to release AIDS funds quickly: Pascal Barollier; Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2003; WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (AFP) - AIDS activists on Wednesday urged the US government to quickly carry out President George W. Bush's pledge to spend 15 billion dollars on AIDS over the next five years to save hundreds of thousands of lives.
US-Bush-AIDS-Bono: Bono welcomes Bush's initiative on AIDS: Agence France-Presse - January 29, 2003; WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (AFP) - U2 lead singer and prominent AIDS activist Bono welcomed late Tuesday US President George W. Bush's plan to increase allocations to combat the spread of AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean by 10 billion dollars.
Kenya-Britain: Britain's Africa minister happy with Kenya's anti-graft effort: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2003; NAIROBI, Jan 28 (AFP) - Britain's Minister for Africa, Baroness Valerie Amos, on Tuesday praised Kenya's new administration for its commitment to fight corruption.
WTO-medicines: WTO talks resume to overcome impasse on access to medicines: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 28 (AFP) - WTO members met here on Tuesday to try to break a deadlock on access to life-saving medicines for poor countries without pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, in their first talks since the US blocked a draft accord at the end of last year.
SAfrica-US-AIDS: Major AIDS group files complaint against drug giant in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2003; DURBAN, South Africa, Jan 28 (AFP) - A major AIDS group in the United States said Tuesday it had filed a complaint against a pharmaceutical giant in South Africa, seeking to overthrow its rights as the sole maker of some anti-AIDS drugs.
WHO-director: South Korean elected to helm of WHO, sees Africa as priority: Katharine Millar; Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 28 (AFP) - South Korean Jong Wook Lee was elected on Tuesday to replace Norway's Gro Harlem Brundtland at the helm of the World Health Organisation (WHO), pledging to put Africa at the top of the UN health agency's agenda.
US-Bush-AIDS: Bush pushes emergency plan to fight AIDS in Africa, Caribbean: Agence France-Presse - January 28, 2003; WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush pushed lawmakers Tuesday to allocate 10 billion more dollars to an "emergency plan" to combat the spread of AIDS in the hardest-hit areas of Africa and the Caribbean.
Zambia-AIDS-rights: Sex abuse puts girls at higher risk of AIDS in Zambia: rights group: Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2003; NEW YORK, Jan 27 (AFP) - Girls in the southern African country of Zambia suffer from HIV at a rate five times higher than boys, largely because they are victims of sexual abuse that often goes unpunished, Human Rights Watch said in a report Tuesday.
WTO-medicines-Forum: Moves intensify to strike WTO deal on cheap medicines for poor: Peter Capella and Joel Dimmock; Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2003; DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 27 (AFP) - An accord on the controversial issue of access to life-saving cheap medicines at the World Trade Organisation is "fairly close", the chief executive of US drug company Pfizer, Henry McKinnell, said on Monday.
WHO-medicines-Pharmacia: WHO hails Pharmacia's generic HIV/AIDS treatment accord: Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 27 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation hailed Monday news the US drug firm Pharmacia will license a Dutch group to provide developing countries with a generic treatment for HIV/AIDS.
China-AIDS: Chinese men buy just three condoms a year as AIDS threat lingers: Agence France-Presse - January 27, 2003; BEIJING, Jan 27 (AFP) - Men in AIDS-threatened China buy roughly three condoms a year, and the ones they purchase are highly likely to have defects, state media reported Monday.
Malawi-UN-famine: Top UN official says Malawi food situation fragile: Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2003; BLANTYRE, Jan 26 (AFP) - A top UN official said Sunday that the food security situation in Malawi remains fragile, placing millions of people at risk of starvation.
Myanmar-AIDS: UN official praises Myanmar anti-AIDS campaign: report: Agence France-Presse - January 26, 2003; YANGON, Jan 26 (AFP) - A senior United Nations official has praised Myanmar's progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS but urged concerted action to avoid a "terrible epidemic", according to a media report here.
Zimbabwe-UN-AIDS: AIDS will kill one million Zimbabweans by 2010: UN envoy: Agence France-Presse - January 25, 2003; HARARE, Jan 25 (AFP) - A top UN official said Saturday that one million Zimbabweans are likely to die from AIDS between now and 2010, as the virus continues to take its toll on the famine-hit southern African country.
US-film-Sundance-Asia: Asian films make splash at Sundance: James Joseph; Agence France-Presse - January 24, 2003; PARK CITY, Utah, Jan 24 (AFP) - Asian films have made a splash at this year's Sundance Film Festival, including a wrenching Chinese AIDS documentary and an epic Thai film produced by top US director Frances Ford Coppola.
Zimbabwe-UN-famine: UN envoy meets Zimbabwe's Mugabe over famine: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; HARARE, Jan 24 (AFP) - A UN special envoy for humanitarian needs in southern Africa on Friday held talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe over a famine threatening some eight million people here.
US-Bush-AIDS: Bush choice withdraws nomination from AIDS panel: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (AFP) - Jerry Thacker, who was to be nominated to serve on the US Presidential Advisory Commission on HIV and AIDS, withdrew his name from the list Thursday amid criticism over his comments that AIDS was a "gay plague."
Lesotho-famine: UN delegation warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Lesotho: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; MASERU, Jan 23 (AFP) - A UN delegation reviewing poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic on a week-long trip to southern Africa on Thursday warned the situation in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho was worsening.
Sudan-talks-AIDS: Sudanese president calls for AIDS to figure in peace talks with rebels: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; KHARTOUM, Jan 23 (AFP) - Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir has called for peace talks between his government and southern rebels which reopened in Kenya Thursday also deal with fighting against AIDS.
SAfrica-IMF: IMF commends South Africa's monetary policies: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; CAPE TOWN, Jan 23 (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund commended South Africa's National Treasury Thursday for its handling of the country's finances and forecast three-percent economic growth for 2003.
Cambodia-childsex: Cambodia shuts down notorious red-light district: Reach Sambath; Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; SVAY PAK, Cambodia, Jan 23 (AFP) - Cambodia's most notorious brothel village, Svay Pak, where women and girls as young as 10 have been coaxed or enslaved into the sex trade over the past 20 years, has been shut down by the government, officials said Thursday.
Vietnam-US-AIDS: US-funded anti-AIDS project launched in Vietnam: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; HANOI, Jan 23 (AFP) - A US government-funded anti-AIDS project was launched Thursday to tackle escalating HIV infection rates in Vietnam and ensure protection for those struck down by the killer virus.
Malaysia-China-vice: Chinese girls tricked into forced prostitution in Malaysia: Hazlin Hassan; Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (AFP) - An increasing number of naive young girls from China are being tricked into forced prostitution in Malaysia, according to a local organisation which is regularly called to their rescue.
Lifestyle-fashion-AIDS: Fashion world puts on glittering dinner to raise AIDS funds: Agence France-Presse - January 23, 2003; PARIS, Jan 23 (AFP) - Top figures from the world of high fashion mingled with film stars and politicians in Paris on Thursday, at a charity dinner held to collect funds to fight the killer disease AIDS.
France-Africa-famine: France announces 18 million euros in aid for Southern Africa: Agence France-Presse - January 22, 2003; LILONGWE, Malawi, Jan 22 (AFP) - France on Wednesday announced 18 million euros (19 million dollars) in emergency funding for famine-struck southern African countries.
Indonesia-CGI-health: Indonesia appeals for international funds for pro-poor health programs: Agence France-Presse - January 22, 2003; NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Jan 22 (AFP) - Indonesia on Wednesday called on international creditors to support its efforts to provide adequate health services for the country's poor.
UN-Africa-aid: Humanitarian agencies call for funds to alleviate famine, AIDS in southern Africa: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 21 (AFP) - The world's main relief organizations called Tuesday for urgent international action in the face of the human tragedies provoked by famine and the AIDS epidemic in southern Africa.
SAfrica-SADC-AIDS: African medicines, diet fight AIDS, SADC ministers told: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 21 (AFP) - Traditional African medicines and a traditional diet could complement modern drug therapies in treating HIV/AIDS on the continent, a Commonwealth Regional Health Services spokesman said Tuesday.
SAfrica-justice-sex: Far-reaching South African sex law changes recommended: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2003; PRETORIA, Jan 21 (AFP) - South Africa's Law Commission handed a series of far-reaching recommendations on sexual offences to the government Tuesday, including that not disclosing having HIV/AIDS before having sex amounted to rape.
Philippines-WTO-drugs: Developing countries should have greater access to drugs: Philippines: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2003; MANILA, Jan 21 (AFP) - Developing countries facing major health problems should be allowed greater flexibility in accessing cheap drugs, Philippine trade minister Manuel Roxas said Tuesday.
WHO-director-selection: UN health agency to start selection process for new head: Agence France-Presse - January 21, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 21 (AFP) - Mozambique's prime minister, the Belgian head of the global fight against HIV/AIDS and a South Korean tuberculosis expert have emerged as favourites to take over at the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), a nomination which is to be thrashed out in the coming week.
SAfrica-AIDS: AIDS to hit population growth in South Africa: study: Agence France-Presse - January 20, 2003; PRETORIA, Jan 20 (AFP) - South Africa's population in 2015 will be one-fifth less than predicted earlier due to the scourge of AIDS, reaching only 49 million instead of 61 million, said a study published on Monday.
Singapore-health-AIDS: Singapore firm claims cure for HIV, but told to hold tests: Agence France-Presse - January 20, 2003; SINGAPORE, Jan 20 (AFP) - A Singaporean pharmaceutical firm specialising in traditional Chinese medicine said Monday that it was ready to test and market pills that can cure the virus that causes AIDS.
China-health-AIDS: China's HIV/AIDS victims accuse government of negligence: Benjamin Morgan; Agence France-Presse - January 19, 2003; SHANGHAI, Jan 19 (AFP) - They call themselves brothers although they are not related. Instead they are bound together by what is missing from their blood: clotting factors that allow blood to coagulate and prevent them from bleeding to death.
SAfrica-Mandela-concert: Organisers devastated over AIDS benefit concert cancellation: report: Agence France-Presse - January 18, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 18 (AFP) - The organisers behind a day-long AIDS benefit concert set to attract some of the world's top entertainers to South Africa say they were stunned after the event was cancelled, a news report said Saturday.
SAfrica-Mandela-concert: Mandela's AIDS benefit concert cancelled: Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 17 (AFP) - An AIDS benefit concert dreamt up by former South African President Nelson Mandela that was due to showcase the world's top artists next month was cancelled on Friday because of a disagreement between the funders and organisers.
Africa-trade-AIDS: AIDS putting the brakes on trade and development in Africa: experts: Anthony Morland; Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2003; PORT LOUIS, Jan 17 (AFP) - HIV and AIDS are hampering Africa's chances of attracting foreign investment and of boosting its economic development through free trade, top officials from across the continent were told Friday during a key trade conference in Mauritius.
Bangladesh-health-sex: Bangladesh eunuchs, gays, sex workers respond to safe sex campaign: Nadeem Qadir; Agence France-Presse - January 17, 2003; DHAKA, Jan 17 (AFP) - Bangladeshi sex workers, eunuchs and gays are slowly responding to safe sex campaigns with more and more seeking advice on prevention of diseases, including HIV and AIDS, officials say.
India-homosexual: Indian court asks government to explain ban on homosexuality: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; NEW DELHI, Jan 15 (AFP) - A court in the Indian capital New Delhi on Wednesday gave the government four weeks in which to explain why homosexuality should not be legalised.
Latvia-AIDS: Latvia records 33 percent drop in new HIV cases in 2002: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; RIGA, Jan 15 (AFP) - Latvia's new HIV cases dropped by one-third last year from 2001, proving the need to press on with recently begun prevention work, the Baltic country's AIDS prevention centre said Wednesday.
Kenya-UN-education: UNICEF donates funds to help Kenya's new free basic education: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; NAIROBI, Jan 15 (AFP) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Wednesday donated 2.5 million dollars to support the Kenyan government's decision to immediately provide free basic education in the country.
Bangladesh-AIDS-UN: Bangladesh needs help of religious leaders in AIDS fight: UN: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; DHAKA, Jan 15 (AFP) - A United Nations special envoy on AIDS said Wednesday Bangladesh needed the help of religious leaders to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
Taiwan-health-AIDS: HIV infection rates in Taiwan up 16 percent in 2002: CDC report: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; TAIPEI, Jan 15 (AFP) - Another 759 Taiwan residents were diagnosed HIV-positive in 2002, a 16-percent increase over new diagnoses a year earlier, official statistics showed Wednesday.
China-health-AIDS: China hospitals turn away HIV/AIDS patients in need of care: Benjamin Morgan; Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; SHANGHAI Jan 15 (AFP) - In China's modern city of Shanghai riches will buy most things: a foreign car or penthouse apartment, perhaps the respect and admiration of family and friends, even political influence, but it won't buy surgery for locals infected with HIV.
France-Sweden-AIDS: AIDS group paints Swedish embassy red to protest woman's sex conviction: Agence France-Presse - January 15, 2003; PARIS, Jan 15 (AFP) - Activists from a French AIDS awareness group daubed the Swedish embassy in Paris with red paint Wednesday to protest the recent conviction of an HIV-infected woman who had unsafe sex with men.
UN-Annan-Zimbabwe: Annan urges Zimbabweans to work together "before it is too late": Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Jan 14 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday urged Zimbabweans to work together to face the threats of famine and HIV/AIDS before it is too late.
Thailand-AIDS: Thai AIDS activists demand govt drop support for Bristol-Myers patent: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2003; BANGKOK, Jan 14 (AFP) - AIDS activists Tuesday called on the Thai government to withdraw its request for court protection to allow pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) to produce a major AIDS drug in any dosage.
UN-Annan-peace: Peace still possible in Iraq and North Korea: Annan: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Jan 14 (AFP) - Peace is still possible in Iraq, in North Korea and between Israel and the Palestinians, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Tuesday.
Rights-Vietnam: New deterioration of human rights in Vietnam: HRW: Agence France-Presse - January 14, 2003; HANOI, Jan 14 (AFP) - Human rights continued to deteriorate in Vietnam, Human Rights Watch said in its annual report, denouncing the repression of dissidents and minorities as well as arbitrary detentions.
UN-Africa-famine: UN says southern African famine worsening, region risks crisis: Agence France-Presse - January 13, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 13 (AFP) - The United Nations said on Monday the food crisis was deteriorating in southern Africa, where more than 15 million are at risk of starvation, and the region was at risk of irreversible decay.
China-AIDS: China's full-blown AIDS to double to 200,000 in five years: report: Agence France-Presse - January 13, 2003; BEIJING, Jan 13 (AFP) - China's number of full-blown AIDS sufferers will double to 200,000 in five years, but more than 80 percent of them may not receive medical treatment due to limited health care resources, state media said Monday.
SAfrica-UN-AIDS: UNAIDS officer urges South Africa to speed AIDS drug delivery: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 12 (AFP) - UN envoy Stephen Lewis on Sunday added his voice to calls for South Africa to speed delivery of anti-retroviral therapy to some five million citizens who are infected with HIV or have full-blown AIDS.
Thailand-AIDS: AIDS activists condemn Thai govt support for Brisol-Myers patent case: Agence France-Presse - January 12, 2003; BANGKOK, Jan 12 (AFP) - Thai AIDS activists Sunday condemned a government request for court protection to allow pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) to produce a major AIDS drug in any dosage.
Swaziland-famine: Latest figures put almost 300,000 Swazis at risk of starvation: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2003; MBABANE, Jan 10 (AFP) - Almost 300,000 people face starvation in Swaziland, an 80 percent increase since August last year, forcing many young people to survive on a meal a day, the country's disaster task team said Friday.
SAfrica-Mandela-concert: Top artists confirm performances at Mandela's AIDS benefit concert: Agence France-Presse - January 10, 2003; JOHANNESBURG, Jan 10 (AFP) - An AIDS benefit concert, the brainchild of former South African President Nelson Mandela, will showcase the world's top artists next month on Robben Island, where Mandela was jailed under apartheid.
WTO-EU-medicines: EU offers new WTO deal on access to cheap medicines: Jitendra Joshi; Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2003; BRUSSELS, Jan 9 (AFP) - The European Union Thursday proposed a compromise deal at the World Trade Organisation to give poor countries access to cheap medicines, after the United States blocked an accord last month.
WTO-EU-medicines-expert: WHO expert rejects listing diseases in WTO medicines talks: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 9 (AFP) - A World Health Organisation expert rejected Thursday the idea of drawing up lists of diseases that should fall under any new regime agreed by the WTO for better access for poor countries to life-saving medicines.
WTO-EU-medicines-talks: Deadlock in WTO talks on access to cheap medicines for poor: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 9 (AFP) - World Trade Organisation talks on access to cheap life-saving medicines for countries without pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity were blocked by the US last month over the scope of illnesses to be covered.
Indonesia-Aceh-women: Jailed US nurse to be freed on Friday: lawyer: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2003; BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Jan 9 (AFP) - An American nurse jailed for visa violations will be released on Friday after being detained for four months, one of her lawyers said.
WTO-EU-medicines-WHO: World Health Organisation: a global leader in health standards: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2003; GENEVA, Jan 9 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the United Nations' specialised agency for health whose objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Lithuania-AIDS: Number of HIV cases in Lithuania doubles after prison outbreak: Agence France-Presse - January 9, 2003; VILNIUS, Jan 9 (AFP) - The outbreak of HIV in one of Lithuania's prisons last year has caused the number of people infected in the Baltic country to double, the Lithuania AIDS centre said on Thursday.
UN-AIDS-Iraq: War in Iraq would undermine international fight against HIV/AIDS: UN envoy: Agence France-Presse - January 8, 2003; UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8 (AFP) - The United Nations envoy for HIV/AIDS, Stephen Lewis, urged donors Wednesday to contribute more to the Global Fund lest war in Iraq eclipse every other priority.
Canada-health-AIDS: Native IV drug users twice as likely to contract HIV/AIDS: study: Agence France-Presse - January 7, 2003; TORONTO, Jan 7 (AFP) - Native intravenous drug users are twice as likely to contract HIV/AIDS as non-indigenous IV drug users, a Canadian study published Tuesday showed, shedding light on the disease's risk factors for natives.
France-G8: Development and terrorism to top agenda at G8 summit in France: Agence France-Presse - January 7, 2003; PARIS, Jan 7 (AFP) - Economic development in Africa, sustainable development and the ongoing global fight against terrorism will top the agenda at the Group of Eight (G8) summit in France in June, President Jacques Chirac said Tuesday.
Indonesia-Aceh-women: Jailed American woman ends hunger strike in Aceh: Agence France-Presse - January 7, 2003; BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Jan 7 (AFP) - A terminally-ill American woman jailed for immigration offenses in Indonesia's rebellious Aceh province said Tuesday she had ended a hunger strike.
Indonesia-Aceh-women: Sick American woman returned to prison: lawyer: Agence France-Presse - January 4, 2003; BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Jan 4 (AFP) - A terminally-ill American nurse jailed for an immigration offense in Indonesia's rebellious Aceh province was taken back to prison Saturday due to a lack of private hospital rooms, her lawyer said.
Thailand-AIDS: Rate of HIV infection grows among Thai teenagers: Agence France-Presse - January 2, 2003; BANGKOK, Jan 2 (AFP) - The rate of HIV infection among Thai teenagers has jumped from 11 to 17 percent over the past year, Thailand's health ministry said Thursday as it vowed to make condoms more freely available to the young.
NewYear-Africa: African Union chief hopes for 'determined' Africa in 2003: Agence France-Presse - January 1, 2003; ADDIS ABABA, Jan 1 (AFP) - The chief executive of the African Union (AU), Amara Essy, urged Africans in his New Year address, obtained by AFP Wednesday, to show determination in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in bringing peace to the continent.

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