Agence France-Presse - Table of Contents 'English'

2004

AFP maintains the most far-reaching network of any news service with journalists in 165 countries covering events 24 / 7. The AFP brand guarantees editorial quality and reliability, a reputation built since the agency was founded in 1835. The agency offers text, photo, graphic and video as well as multimedia products. AFP covers all the news worldwide, from politics and diplomacy to economy and finance, sports and culture to science, technology, health and people. Its clients include the world's major media organizations as well as corporations, governments and international agencies.

January February March April May June July
August September October November

December

The pope's on the phone!: Agence France-Presse - December 22, 2004; ROME, Dec 22 (AFP) - Christians with state of the art mobile phones can follow Pope John Paul II's annual midnight mass on Christmas Eve on their mobiles while contributing to the pope's anti-AIDS charity, Italy's H3G phone company said Wednesday.
New Roche drug given nod in Switzerland for hepatitis B sufferers: Agence France-Presse - December 22, 2004; BASEL, Switzerland, Dec 22 (AFP) - Sufferers of the life-threatening disease hepatitis B have a new treatment to hand after Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche said on Wednesday that Switzerland has approved its Pegasys drug.
South African court throws out cheaper drug pricing rules: Agence France-Presse - December 20, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 20 (AFP) - A South African court Monday scrapped drug pricing regulations by the government aimed at slashing the cost of essential medicines pending an appeal by pharmacists who say the new prices will force them to close shop.
Zimbabwe camp offers AIDS orphans desperately-needed support: Susan Njanji; Agence France-Presse - December 19, 2004; MAPHISA, Zimbabwe, Dec 19 (AFP) - During every school vacation, the Sikhethimpilo Centre in remote southwestern Zimbabwe gathers dozens of children for week-long camps to help them deal with the trauma of losing their parents to HIV/AIDS.
Anti-AIDS alliance calls in Africa for free therapy: Agence France-Presse - December 18, 2004; DAKAR, Dec 18 (AFP) - An alliance of health experts, institutions and worldwide non-governmental organisations this week called for free healthcare for AIDS as well as anti-retroviral drugs in Africa and other developing regions.
Pope kick-starts AIDS foundation with 100,000 euro Christmas gift: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2004; VATICAN CITY, Dec 17 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II has kick-started a new Roman Catholic charity for people with HIV/AIDS with a 100,000-euro (133,000-dollar) donation, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan announced here Friday.
AIDS ignorance high in Singapore: survey: Agence France-Presse - December 17, 2004; SINGAPORE, Dec 17 (AFP) - One in three Singaporeans believe they can acquire AIDS through a mosquito bite, according to a survey published Friday that said ignorance of the deadly disease had not improved in five years.
Church warns of refugees' plight amid new DR Congo fighting: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2004; NAIROBI, Dec 16 (AFP) - New fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) threatens millions of refugees already affected by decades of unrest in the Great Lakes region, a pan-African church group warned Thursday.
Singapore hospitals begin HIV testing on pregnant mothers: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2004; SINGAPORE, Dec 16 (AFP) - Singapore hospitals have begun testing pregnant women for HIV following a directive from the government concerned about the rising number of AIDS cases, the Ministry of Health said Thursday.
Erasure frontman says he is HIV-positive: Agence France-Presse - December 16, 2004; LONDON, Dec 16 (AFP) - The singer of the British pop group Erasure has said he is HIV-positive.
Ex-Serono director accused by US feds of AIDS drug kickbacks: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2004; BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec 15 (AFP) - A former director of a Swiss pharmaceutical group was charged Wednesday for rewarding US doctors with trips to France in exchange for prescribing a Serono AIDS medicine, prosecutors said.
German government proposes anti-discrimination law: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2004; BERLIN, Dec 15 (AFP) - New legislation to be submitted to parliament by the German government next month will allow anyone discriminated against because of their skin colour, gender or religion, to sue for damages.
Winfrey hands over money saved by US girl to South African children's home: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 15 (AFP) - US talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey personally handed over money to a South African children's home to fulfil her pledge to the parents of a dead American girl who had been saving her lunch money for charity, a daily said Wednesday.
HIV infection rate soars in Portugal among those over 50: Daniel Silva; Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2004; LISBON, Dec 15 (AFP) - Portugal, the nation with the highest HIV infection rate in Europe, is facing a surge in infections among a previously little affected group -- those over 50.
Nearly a quarter of China gays have 100 partners and no AIDS knowledge: Agence France-Presse - December 15, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 15 (AFP) - Almost a quarter of China's gay men have more than 100 partners with about 80 percent of them admitting to total ignorance about HIV/AIDS, state media reported Wednesday.
Nordics call on other rich nations to give more development aid: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; OSLO, Dec 14 (AFP) - The Nordic countries, which are among the world's most generous development aid contributors, called Tuesday on other rich nations to step up their efforts to reach millennium aid goals, stressing the link between reducing poverty and peace.
Eritrea dwarfs rest of Africa in level of child malnutrition: UNICEF: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; ASMARA, Dec 14 (AFP) - The level of malnutrition among children in Eritrea, currently standing at 16 percent, is the highest in Africa, United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in Asmara on Tuesday.
Human Rights Watch allowed to participate in China meeting for first time: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; SHANGHAI, Dec 14 (AFP) - International campaigner Human Rights Watch (HRW) Tuesday took part in a meeting in China for the first time, delivering a landmark speech at a conference on AIDS and law in Shanghai.
China bans planned daring TV show focusing on sex: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 14 (AFP) - China has banned a planned groundbreaking television talk show which had promised to deal frankly with sexual issues, state media said Tuesday.
New condom quality control rules cause shortage in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; KAMPALA, Dec 14 (AFP) - New rules requiring that condoms be tested before and after shipment to Uganda have caused a shortage of the rubber prophylactic, which the east African country credits for curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS, a senior health ministry official said on Wednesday.
South African AIDS lobby group wins costs in case against government: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 14 (AFP) - South Africa's government was Tuesday ordered to pay the costs of a legal battle launched by the country's leading AIDS lobby group in the latest bid to speed up the rollout of free anti-retroviral drugs.
Papua New Guinea could dissolve into several criminal mini-states: report: Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; SYDNEY, Dec 14 (AFP) - Papua New Guinea could break up into around six lawless mini-states and destabilise much of the Pacific, a report warned Tuesday as Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer flew to the country for talks on a plan to restore order.
In Zimbabwe, the old and poor pay the price in raising AIDS orphans: Susan Njanji; Agence France-Presse - December 14, 2004; KEZI, Zimbabwe, Dec 14 (AFP) - Until a week ago, elderly Hannah Dube and her five grandchildren living in the dusty village of Kezi in soutwestern Zimbabwe had been surviving on small portions of dried white melon.
Swazi king buys himself 500,000-dollar luxury sedan: report: Agence France-Presse - December 12, 2004; MBABANE, Dec 12 (AFP) - Swaziland's King Mswati III has bought himself a 500,000-dollar (390,000 euros) luxury sedan while his debt-ridden country continues battling AIDS and crippling poverty, a newspaper reported on Sunday.
Tanzanian president pardons 3,656 prisoners: official: Agence France-Presse - December 10, 2004; DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 10 (AFP) - Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa has pardoned 3,656 prisoners, including the sick, elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, to mark the country's 43rd independence anniversary, the home affairs ministry said late Thursday.
One billion children suffer from poverty, war, AIDS: UNICEF: Michelle Hoffman; Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2004; LONDON, Dec 9 (AFP) - More than one billion children, half of the world's population of children, suffer from poverty, violent conflict and the scourge of AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Thursday in its annual report.
Gene clue throws light on HIV vulnerability: Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2004; PARIS, Dec 9 (AFP) - Researchers said Thursday they had pinpointed gene variations that could explain why some people are more vulnerable to HIV than others, a finding which could also boost the quest for an AIDS vaccine.
Promising new antibiotic for TB: Agence France-Presse - December 9, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (AFP) - A new antibiotic may speed up treatment of tuberculosis, the most deadly infectious disease in the world after AIDS, drugmaker Johnson and Johnson announced Thursday.
Libya asks Bulgaria for multi-million euro damages to drop AIDS case: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2004; TRIPOLI, 8 Dec (AFP) - Libya said it would drop a case against five Bulgarian nurses condemned to death on charges of spreading AIDS if Sofia paid out 10 million euros for every child infected with the virus at a Libyan hospital.
UN readies small-islands conference in Mauritius: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2004; UNITED NATIONS, Dec 8 (AFP) - The United Nations will host an international conference on the problems faced by developing small island nations in Mauritius next month, officials said on Wednesday.
Zambia's Mwanawasa says AIDS hampering free trade in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 8, 2004; LUSAKA, Dec 8 (AFP) - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said Wednesday that AIDS was hampering free trade in Africa, the world's poorest continent.
Libya lists conditions for release of condemned Bulgarian nurses: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2004; TRIPOLI, Dec 7 (AFP) - Libya Tuesday listed three conditions under which it is prepared to drop charges against five Bulgarian nurses condemned to death on suspect charges of spreading AIDS.
French media watchdog moves against Lebanese TV channel: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2004; PARIS, Dec 7 (AFP) - French media authorities Tuesday launched a procedure against Lebanese television channel Al-Manar that could lead to sanctions against the broadcaster, which last month accused Israel of exporting AIDS to the Middle East.
Global Fund chief warns of catastrophe if China eases up on AIDS efforts: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 7 (AFP) - The head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria praised China Tuesday for its efforts in addressing HIV/AIDS, but warned that any letup could prove catastrophic.
Powell says US will not drop case of condemned Bulgarian nurses in Libya: Agence France-Presse - December 7, 2004; SOFIA, Dec 7 (AFP) - The United States will continue to push for the release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor sentenced to death in Libya on suspect charges of spreading AIDS, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.
Bulgaria refuses to buy release of nurses condemned in Libya: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2004; SOFIA, Dec 6 (AFP) - The Bulgarian government on Monday rejected a proposal by Tripoli that it pay compensation to secure the release of five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya.
India, WFP to provide food aid to HIV/AIDS sufferers: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2004; NEW DELHI, Dec 6 (AFP) - India has signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme to provide food aid to those suffering from HIV/AIDS, a report said Monday.
United Nations needs 102m dollars for Africa's Great Lakes region: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2004; NAIROBI, Dec 6 (AFP) - United Nations needs some 102 million dollars to address needs in the Africa's Great Lakes region, a vast zone that was been ravaged by conflicts for several decades, UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said here on Monday.
Mandela launches education drive for vulnerable African children: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Dec 6 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Monday kicked off a fund-raising drive to help children orphaned or left vulnerable by AIDS on the world's poorest continent.
UNICEF chief hails polio elimination efforts in Pakistan: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2004; ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (AFP) - The head of the United Nations Children's Fund on Monday praised the "exceptional" progress towards eradicating polio in Pakistan, one of only six countries where the disease is still endemic.
Oxfam wants more rich-world action on global poverty: Agence France-Presse - December 6, 2004; LONDON, Dec 6 (AFP) - Rich nations need to do much more to overcome global poverty, Oxfam said Monday in a report aimed at influencing Britain's turn at the helm of the Group of Eight leading industrialised nations.
Tripoli may review death sentences for five Bulgarians: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2004; TRIPOLI, Dec 5 (AFP) - Tripoli said Sunday that it could review death sentences handed down to five Bulgarian nurses found guilty in an AIDS-tainting blood scandal, provided Sofia compensates families of the victims.
China, Myanmar sign border security accord: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 5 (AFP) - China signed a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar Sunday to set up a mechanism to manage border affairs, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
TV show on sex issues to debut in China: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 5 (AFP) - A groundbreaking daily television show dealing in a frank manner with sex issues will debut in more than 50 Chinese cities from January 1, reports said Sunday.
Singapore mulls HIV testing for couples planning to tie the knot: report: Agence France-Presse - December 5, 2004; SINGAPORE, Dec 5 (AFP) - Couples planning to get married in Singapore may have to undergo HIV testing as the government seeks to intensify measures against rising new infections in the city-state, the Sunday Times reported.
Two million elderly Tanzanian women risk exposure to HIV/AIDS: study: Agence France-Presse - December 4, 2004; DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 4 (AFP) - Over two million elderly Tanzanian women are at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS due to neglect, ignorance and poverty, a new study by HelpAge International has revealed.
Caribbean gets six-million euro grant from Germany to help combat HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2004; GEORGETOWN, Dec 3 (AFP) - Germany on Friday gave the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom) a six-million euro grant to help the region intensify the war against HIV/AIDS among the poor through education and increased condom use.
Woody Allen to give Rome clarinet concert to support AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2004; ROME, Dec 3 (AFP) - US film director and comedian Woody Allen will give a clarinet concert in Rome on December 12 in support of research into the killer disease AIDS, organisers said on Friday.
Germany more than doubles pledge for Global Fund in 2005: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2004; GENEVA, Dec 3 (AFP) - Germany has more than doubled a pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for 2005 to 82 million euros (109 million dollars) from this year, the fund said on Friday.
Zimbabwe's government hospitals suffer acute staff shortages: Agence France-Presse - December 3, 2004; HARARE, Dec 3 (AFP) - The shortage of health workers in Zimbabwe's government hospitals has reached alarming levels, the ruling ZANU-PF party heard Friday.
US report reveals dysfunction in teen sex ed classes: Charlotte Raab; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (AFP) - A congressional staff probe has revealed that sex ed classes, backed by the administration of President George W. Bush, that preach abstinence for US teens feature incorrect or misleading information about the safety of condoms and the risks of abortion.
OPCW gives go-ahead for Libyan chemical weapons factory conversion: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; THE HAGUE, Dec 2 (AFP) - A request by Libya to convert chemical weapons production facilities into a pharmaceuticals plant has been given the go-ahead by an international weapons watchdog.
US and Nigeria are working together, Obasanjo says: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush voiced support Thursday for Nigeria's efforts at helping to settle conflicts in Ivory Coast, and Darfur in Sudan, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said after a visit to the White House.
Croatian police investigate alleged deliberate HIV infection of prostitutes: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; ZAGREB, Dec 2 (AFP) - Croatian police are investigating an anonymous letter from a sailor claiming to have deliberately infected prostitutes with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, a report said Thursday.
PM calls for ban on Arab TV channel over Israel AIDS remarks: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; PARIS, Dec 2 (AFP) - French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin on Thursday called for a television channel close to the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah to be taken off air after accusing Israel of exporting AIDS to the Middle East.
Britain to tackle poverty, climate change, AIDS during G8 presidency: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; LONDON, Dec 2 (AFP) - Britain will give priority to tackling global poverty, climate change and the AIDS epidemic when it assumes the presidency of the Group of Eight nations in 2005, the government said Thursday.
Bangladesh doctors urged to screen blood to curb spread of HIV: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; DHAKA, Dec 2 (AFP) - Bangladesh's health minister appealed to doctors Thursday to test all donated blood to prevent transfusion patients from being infected with the HIV virus.
Donors pledge 3.4 billion dollars to Vietnam: Ben Rowse; Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; HANOI, Dec 2 (AFP) - International donors pledged 3.4 billion dollars Thursday to help Vietnam's poverty reduction and economic growth efforts in 2005 but called on the communist government to speed up structural reforms.
Many mainland Chinese prostitutes in Hong Kong not using condoms: survey: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; HONG KONG, Dec 2 (AFP) - A large proportion of mainland Chinese prostitutes in Hong Kong are not using condoms because they fear police would use them as evidence, a sex workers' rights group said Thursday.
North Korea claims zero cases of HIV infection: Agence France-Presse - December 2, 2004; SEOUL, Dec 2 (AFP) - North Korea has no cases of AIDS and has adopted a plan to block infiltration of the killer syndrome from outside the country, a top Pyongyang health official said, according to a report monitored here Thursday.
HIV/AIDS cases up among US bisexual and homosexual men: CDC: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - The number of HIV/AIDS cases is up in the United States among homosexual and bisexual men, according to government figures published Wednesday, suggesting a nationwide resurgence of the epidemic.
Groups mark World AIDS Day with call for women's empowerment: Charles Hoskinson; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - The world's deadliest year yet for AIDS was marked with concerts, processions and speeches Wednesday, as the United Nations focused on women, who are suffering a increasing share of new cases.
Bush's AIDS policy takes heat from gay group: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - The largest US lesbian and gay civil rights group, Human Rights Campaign, on Wednesday called for change in President George W. Bush's AIDS prevention strategy, which puts abstinence ahead of emphasis on condom use.
World Bank calls for urgent action to prevent AIDS outbreak in Bosnia: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; SARAJEVO, Dec 1 (AFP) - A World Bank report called Wednesday for urgent action to prevent the outbreak of HIV among young people in Bosnia who lack the mechanisms and financial means for regular monitoring of the virus that causes AIDS.
Nations turn focus toward global AIDS pandemic for World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (AFP) - The international community on Wednesday turned the spotlight on the devastating and increasing impact of AIDS on women and girls to mark World AIDS Day.
300 Russians demand free treatment on World AIDS day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; MOSCOW, Dec 1 (AFP) - Some 300 Russians demanded free AIDS treatment at a demonstration held in front of the government building in Moscow Wednesday to mark World AIDS Day.
Southern African leaders call for mass action on World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; CAPE TOWN, Dec 1 (AFP) - Southern African leaders at several events marking World AIDS Day on Wednesday called for mass mobilisation to take up the spear against the pandemic ravaging the worst-hit region in the world.
Health officials blame insurgency for spread of AIDS in Nepal: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; KATHMANDU, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thousands of people staged rallies across Nepal Wednesday to mark World AIDS Day, as government health officials blamed a Maoist insurgency for the spread of the disease in the country.
Blair pledges Britain's help in AIDS fight in Africa: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; LONDON, Dec 1 (AFP) - Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday called Britain's commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa a "moral question", pledging that the pandemic-stricken continent would receive the attention of his government and the Group of Eight nations.
Sex workers join Sri Lanka's AIDS awareness drive: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; COLOMBO, Dec 1 (AFP) - Dozens of Sri Lankan sex workers Wednesday distributed leaflets and collected money to boost AIDS awareness in a campaign to mark World AIDS day.
Iran's growing AIDS crisis shifts from the needle to the bed: Hiedeh Farmani; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; TEHRAN, Dec 1 (AFP) - Health experts warned Wednesday that Iran's growing AIDS problem was moving away from drug users and into the bedroom, and appealed to Islamic authorities to go further in breaking a taboo over all things sexual.
Swedish HIV vaccine due to be tested in Tanzania next year: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; STOCKHOLM, Dec 1 (AFP) - An HIV vaccine being developed by Swedish researchers will soon be tested on HIV-negative people in Sweden and will then be tested on people in Tanzania in 2005, Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter reported on Wednesday.
Bollywood icon Bachchan joins Mandela's anti-AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; PANAJI, India, Dec 1 (AFP) - Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was Wednesday appointed a key player in an anti-AIDS campaign headed by South African former president Nelson Mandela during a World AIDS Day ceremony here.
Malawian president sets target of one million HIV tests for 2005: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; BLANTYRE, Dec 1 (AFP) - President Bingu wa Mutharika wants to see at least one million Malawians going for voluntary HIV tests in 2005, he said at an event marking World AIDS Day on Wednesday.
India plans all-out fight against AIDS: Palash Kumar; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (AFP) - Thousands took to the streets across India Wednesday to mark World AIDS Day as the government announced a huge media blitz to make the entire billion-plus population aware of the pandemic in six months.
Benin AIDS sufferers targeted by greedy and incompetent charities: Fiacre Vidjingninou; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; COTONOU, Nov 30 (AFP) - Every week Africa's AIDS pandemic notches up new victims in the small west African republic of Benin while local doctors and health staff complain, generating a large income for a new breed of charlatan medical charities.
Miss World beauties call for awareness and education on World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; SANYA, China, Dec 1 (AFP) - Miss World contestants Wednesday called for better awareness and education among women in the battle against AIDS, as they prepared to strut their stuff on China's tropical Hainan island.
Big increase in infected drug users prompts HIV/AIDS fears in Bangladesh: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; DHAKA, Dec 1 (AFP) - More than 5,000 people including sex workers rallied Wednesday to mark World Aids Day in Bangladesh where figures showed the number of infected drug users had more than tripled in six years.
Rate of HIV infection doubles in Philippines: Health Department: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; MANILA, Dec 1 (AFP) - The rate of new infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS has doubled in the Philippines as the disease spreads beyond sex workers to the public, the Health Department warned on Wednesday.
Australian company claims vaginal gel could halt spread of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; SYDNEY, Dec 1 (AFP) - An Australian drug company announced Wednesday that it had developed a vaginal gel which could halt the spread of AIDS.
China's "first" TV documentary on AIDS to debut: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - China's first television documentary about AIDS has been completed and will air nationwide soon, state media Wednesday quoted the production company as saying.
AIDS low down on Asians' health concerns: survey: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; HONG KONG, Dec 1 (AFP) - AIDS is way down the list of health concerns for most people in East and Southeast Asia, according to a survey published Wednesday to coincide with World AIDS Day.
Sex between men now a significant cause of HIV infection in China: survey: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - Sex between men has become a significant cause of HIV infections in China but half of Chinese gays mistakenly believe they are safe from the virus, according to a first-ever government survey.
Premier Wen admits China facing "stark" AIDS situation: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday called for "unremitting efforts" in China's fight against AIDS, admitting the country was facing a "stark situation" in tackling the epidemic.
Malaysian researchers launch new AIDS test kit: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (AFP) - Malaysian researchers said Wednesday they have developed the world's fastest home test kit for the HIV virus.
China still not doing enough to combat AIDS, critics say: Boris Cambreleng; Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; BEIJING, Dec 1 (AFP) - Despite growing political will to combat the march of HIV/AIDS in China, efforts to stem the deadly scourge and improve care for sufferers are still insufficient, victims and officials fighting the epidemic say.
Australian report sees progress, big problems in PNG: Agence France-Presse - December 1, 2004; SYDNEY, Dec 1 (AFP) - The Australian government on Wednesday said the economic prospects for Papua New Guinea had brightened recently but it warned that corruption and mismanagement still undermined progress in the troubled Pacific nation.

November

AIDS back on the rise in the United States: Jean-Louis Santini; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (AFP) - The United States is losing ground again in its fight against AIDS with blacks, particularly African-American women, suffering most from the resurgent spread of the virus.
AIDS poses same threat as nuclear terrorism: UN report: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; UNITED NATIONS, Nov 30 (AFP) - AIDS is a global threat on a par with nuclear terrorism, according to a report on UN reform that warned of the potential of viral infections to claim tens of millions of lives worldwide in a matter of months.
Read the World: Novelists fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; UNITED NATIONS, Nov 30 (AFP) - Nobel prize-winning novelist Nadine Gordimer launched Tuesday a literary-style Live Aid, with a short-story collection by some of world's most distinguished writers to benefit HIV/AIDS treatment.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe hits out at "neo-colonials" ahead of World AIDS Day: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; HARARE, Nov 30 (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe Tuesday hit out at what he termed a "neo-colonial onslaught" against the southern African country that he said had affected the fight against AIDS.
HIV infection rates in China, India, Russia on verge of crisis: Charles Hoskinson; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (AFP) - The number of HIV infections in China, India and Russia is on the verge of exploding into a crisis that could lead to tens of millions of new cases and threaten the stability of the world economy, the head of the UN AIDS program said Tuesday.
Vatican calls for chastity against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; VATICAN CITY, Nov 30 (AFP) - The Vatican on Tuesday reiterated its view that chastity and responsible sexual behaviour are the best way of avoiding AIDS, in a message on the eve of World AIDS Day.
EU presses Libya over Bulgarians on death row: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; THE HAGUE, Nov 30 (AFP) - The EU pressed Libya Tuesday over the fate of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor facing death over an AIDS-tainted blood scandal, saying it hoped for a rapid solution to their plight.
Two AIDS drugs reinstated to help global fight as WHO focuses on quality: Deborah Haynes; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; GENEVA, Nov 30 (AFP) - The World Health Organisation on Tuesday reinstated two generic AIDS drugs that had been withdrawn from an international list for failing to meet safety standards.
More Nigerians need quality HIV/AIDS treatment, not only drugs: MSF: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; LAGOS, Nov 30 (AFP) - People living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria urgently need better access to anti-retroviral treatment, the international medical aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF - Doctors Without Borders) - said Tuesday.
Spanish bishops criticised over condom doubt in AIDS fight: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; MADRID, Nov 30 (AFP) - Spain's Roman Catholic Church leadership came under fire Tuesday for appearing to doubt the effectiveness of condoms in the fight to prevent AIDS, focusing instead on fidelity.
EU warns young face unprecedented AIDS risk: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; BRUSSELS, Nov 30 (AFP) - Young people face an unprecedented risk of catching AIDS, in particular because they missed the first wave of safe sex campaigning about the disease a decade or more ago, the European Commission warned Tuesday.
Abstinence message gets blasted ahead of World AIDS Day: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) - A US-backed approach of encouraging sexual abstinence among young people to protect them from HIV was caught in crossfire on Tuesday on the eve of World AIDS Day, devoted this year to the vulnerability of women and girls.
AIDS activists splash paint on Chirac's offices; eight arrested: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) - Eight AIDS activists splashed red paint on the gates of French President Jacques Chirac's official residence Tuesday before being arrested by police, officers said.
China president shakes hands with AIDS patients, vows end to discrimination: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 30 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday shook hands with AIDS patients and vowed an end to discrimination, signalling a new drive to confront an epidemic which experts warn needs urgent attention.
Taiwan to launch AIDS prevention campaign amid alarming rise in female cases: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; TAIPEI, Nov 30 (AFP) - Taiwan will launch a campaign to promote women's awareness of HIV/AIDS amid an alarming increase in the number of women affected with the deadly virus, health officials said Tuesday.
Hong Kong HIV, AIDS cases on the rise: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; HONG KONG, Nov 30 (AFP) - The Hong Kong government said Tuesday the number of new HIV cases in the territory rose to 73 for the third quarter of 2004, from 56 cases in the same period last year.
Condom sales shrivel as Japan logs onto cyber porn: Ryan Nakashima; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; TOKYO, Nov 30 (AFP) - Japanese condom sales are sagging as a passion for the Internet leads the Japanese to choose unprotected sex, if any sex at all, the nation's largest condom manufacturer said ahead of World Aids Day on Wednesday.
UN warns of growing HIV/AIDS threat among young adults in Vietnam: Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; HANOI, Nov 30 (AFP) - HIV/AIDS is spreading at an alarming rate in Vietnam, especially among young adults, a senior United Nations official said Tuesday.
AIDS overshadowing the economic progress of Estonia: Anneli Reigas; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; TALLINN, Nov 30 (AFP) - Although Estonia is one of the biggest economic successes among the new EU countries, progress in the tiny Baltic state of just 1.4 million people is being undermined by one of the fastest growing rates of HIV/AIDS in Europe.
Pakistani woman battles to prevent HIV/AIDS explosion: Bronwyn Curran; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (AFP) - Shukria Gul, a Pakistani woman infected with HIV by her late husband, campaigns fervently in this Islamic republic for funds and awareness to prevent it going down the path of rampant HIV/AIDS infection.
HIV infected Indian women band together to fight discrimination: Biman Mukherji; Agence France-Presse - November 30, 2004; NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (AFP) - Three months after she was married, 20-year-old Asha Ramiah was accused by her in-laws of being "unchaste" and thrown out of the house when her husband discovered he was HIV-positive.
Portugal to launch national study of HIV prevalence in 2005: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; LISBON, Nov 29 (AFP) - Portugal, the only western European nation where HIV infections increased over the past decade, said Monday it would launch a major national study in 2005 into the prevalence rate of the disease in the country.
Italy seeks to postpone UNAIDS Fund payment: minister: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; ROME, Nov 29 (AFP) - Italy's Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia said Monday that Rome was seeking to postpone a pledged 100 million euro (132 million dollars) contribution to the United Nations Global Fund to fight AIDS, because of domestic cutbacks.
Asia-Pacific societies could collapse under HIV/AIDS pandemic: UN envoy: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (AFP) - Asia-Pacific societies could collapse like some in Africa as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, a top United Nations envoy warned at a regional conference in the Pakistani capital Monday.
Prototype French AIDS treatment seen as highly promising: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; PARIS, Nov 29 (AFP) - French doctors have issued a highly encouraging report about a test treatment which slashed levels of the AIDS virus among a small group of HIV-infected volunteers.
China AIDS cases rising by 40 percent a year: report: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 29 (AFP) - The number of HIV/AIDS cases in China is increasing at a rapid rate of 40 percent a year, a health ministry official was cited as saying by state media Monday.
South African AIDS orphans robbed of their childhood: Grant Clark; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; MTUBATUBA, South Africa, (AFP) Nov 29 - Playing contently on a grass mat at her grandmother's feet, Anele Mtimkulu looks like any other one-year-old in this coastal village in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.
In Malawi, AIDS 'cures' multiply amid growing despair: Felix Mponda; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; BLANTYRE, Nov 29 (AFP) - Pearson Kamanga stopped taking anti-retroviral drugs four months ago when he started hearing about the wonders of "Chambe", a home brew of herbs from Malawi's tallest mountain sold by a healer who claims it can cure AIDS.
Swaziland's unconventional queen takes up spear in AIDS battle: Fienie Grobler; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; NKOYOYO PALACE, Swaziland, Nov 29 (AFP) - Swazi Queen Sibonelo Mngomezulu takes on her kingdom's record-high AIDS rates with as much passion as she fights to bring women out of men's shadows in Africa's last absolute monarchy.
Gordimer, Grass, Rushdie: literature's best offer tales for AIDS: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 29 (AFP) - One year after music stars took to the stage in Cape Town to raise AIDS awareness, the literary world's glitterati is making its mark, coming together to help fight the pandemic with some of their best stories.
In Zimbabwe, one woman's crusade to save girls from HIV: Ryan Truscott; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; CHITUNGWIZA, Zimbabwe, Nov 29 (AFP) - The shyly smiling 11-year-old girl in a striped-blue T-shirt loitering outside a drab bungalow in the Zimbabwean town of Chitungwiza does not look like the victim of a horrendous crime.
Factfile on women and AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; PARIS, Nov 29 (AFP) - Here is a factfile on women and AIDS:
Why are women so vulnerable to AIDS?: Richard Ingham; Agence France-Presse - November 29, 2004; PARIS, Nov 29 (AFP) - No-one is immune to HIV. But this is not to say the peril is equal, for some people are at greater risk of getting infected by the AIDS virus than others.
China art exhibition to dispel discrimination against HIV/AIDS women: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 28 (AFP) - An art exhibition depicting how women living with HIV are viewed in China has opened here in a bid to dispel strong public discrimination against AIDS patients, state media said Sunday.
Zimbabwe church pastors go for HIV tests: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2004; HARARE, Nov 28 (AFP) - Twenty-seven church pastors in Zimbabwe underwent HIV testing in a working class suburb of Harare at the weekend to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic ahead of World AIDS Day, according to a newspaper report.
Singapore fights rise in HIV infections with testing of pregnant women: Agence France-Presse - November 28, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 28 (AFP) - Singapore will carry out HIV tests on pregnant women from December onwards as part of intensified measures against the rising number of new infections in the city-state, the Sunday Times reported.
Singapore to advocate condom use by gays and sex tourists: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 27 (AFP) - Singapore will encourage condom use by gays and men who pay for sex but will stop short of a high-profile campaign because it might encourage casual sex among youths, a senior official said Saturday.
Chinese authorities detain dozens ahead of activist's trial: Agence France-Presse - November 27, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 27 (AFP) - Dozens of people were detained or placed under house arrest Saturday as the trial of a high-profile Beijing activist opened in a local court, said some of the detainees.
Sierra Leone buys antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS infected populations: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2004; FREETOWN, Nov 26 (AFP) - Sierra Leone's health ministry announced Friday that it had purchased 200,000 dollars (150,000 euros) worth of antiretroviral drugs to distribute to populations living with HIV/AIDS.
Blair and Mandela meet in London to discuss Africa development plan: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2004; LONDON, Nov 26 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela met Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Friday to discuss the British leader's personal project to spearhead development activities in Africa.
Concern in Singapore as new HIV cases hit record high: Agence France-Presse - November 26, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 26 (AFP) - Singapore health officials called Friday for an intensified effort against HIV/AIDS as the number of new infections hit a record high, with 257 cases reported in the first 10 months of the year.
South Africa's AIDS crisis will shake all of Africa: Lancet: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - The AIDS crisis gripping South Africa will have repercussions across Africa, troubling many economies and, in some countries, threatening political stability, a commentary published in next Saturday's Lancet says.
Mandela dons prison number for AIDS campaign: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; LONDON, Nov 25 (AFP) - Nelson Mandela, South Africa's former president and apartheid hero, donned his former prison identification number 46664 on Thursday for a fundraising event aimed at fighting the AIDS/HIV epidemic.
Zimbabwe's economic outlook good, finance minister says: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; HARARE, Nov 25 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's economic decline has been halted and the outlook for the coming year is good, the country's acting finance minister said Thursday as he presented the budget for 2005.
French prime minister to have AIDS test in awareness campaign: report: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will submit to an AIDS test early next year to encourage other people to follow his example, in a year devoted by France to the fight against the killer disease, a local official said on Thursday.
Progress in easing drugs toll may not last, European watchdog warns: Nicholas Gaudichet; Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; BRUSSELS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Drug consumption is at record high levels in Europe, where three million people a day smoke cannabis, and progress in curbing abuse may be short-lived, with potential addiction epidemics in new European Union members, a watchdog body warned Thursday.
China to test prisoners for HIV: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 25 (AFP) - China will begin to test its prisoners for the HIV virus starting this month, state media said Thursday.
South African mines reeling from AIDS pandemic: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 25 (AFP) - South Africa's staggering AIDS rate is severely impacting on the profits of nearly two-thirds of mines surveyed in a study released on Thursday.
Designer lightbulbs spark hope for S Africa's HIV/AIDS women: Agence France-Presse - November 25, 2004; PARIS, Nov 25 (AFP) - Nearly 40 top world fashion designers from Jean Paul Gaultier to Calvin Klein and John Galliano have turned their creative talents to decorating a light bulb in support of South African women living with HIV/AIDS.
Free condom handout suspended by Beijing universities: Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 24 (AFP) - Two top Beijing universities have suspended a program to distribute free condoms to students to prevent HIV/AIDS, frowning on it as "inappropriate," state media reported Wednesday.
AIDS-ravaged Africa is victim of 'genocide by indifference': UN: Agence France-Presse - November 24, 2004; BERLIN, Nov 24 (AFP) - The AIDS pandemic ravaging Africa is tantamount to "genocide by indifference," says Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy on AIDS in Africa.
Indian HIV prisoner surviving on food scraps in Calcutta jail, says official: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; CALCUTTA, India, Nov 23 (AFP) - Shunned by staff and fellow convicts, a prisoner with HIV in eastern India is struggling to survive on rice and vegetables thrown through his cell window, jail officials said Tuesday.
UN report sounds grim new warning over AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; BRUSSELS, Nov 23 (AFP) - The UN warned Tuesday that the world is facing a "unique development challenge," as new data showed nearly 40 million people now have HIV and over 3 million will die of AIDS this year, the highest tolls in the 23-year history of the killer disease.
Red Cross seeks to bolster health care in 2005 global appeal: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; GENEVA, Nov 23 (AFP) - The international Red Cross federation on Tuesday appealed for 209 million Swiss francs (180 million dollars, 138 million euros) in funding for next year, about 40 percent of it for health care.
Singapore gay website offers "live" tips on safe sex: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (AFP) - Singapore's oldest gay Internet portal said Tuesday it had begun offering interactive online information about safe sex through its "live" chat forums.
First-ever Southeast Asian car rally rolls out of India's northeast: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; GUWAHATI, India Nov 23 (AFP) - The first Southeast Asian car rally aimed at spurring regional trade links rolled out of India's northeast Tuesday with thousands of people cheering the drivers along on their historic journey.
Asia at critical stage of AIDS battle as infections top eight million: UN: Jack Barton; Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; BANGKOK, Nov 23 (AFP) - The booming sex trade has contributed to an HIV/AIDS crisis in Asia with more than eight million people now living with the virus and numbers rising sharply among women, the United Nations reported on Tuesday.
Beijing starts promoting condom use to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2004; BEIJING, Nov 23 (AFP) - China has begun promoting the use of condoms in the runup to World AIDS Day, allowing advertisements and condom dispensers to be prominently displayed in the Chinese capital at least.
Mandela to launch new anti-AIDS drive in South Africa: Agence France-Presse - November 22, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22 (AFP) - Nelson Mandela will Tuesday launch a campaign using the world's most famous prison number -- his own -- to try to raise an army of volunteers to fight HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
Namibia's chosen presidential successor wins election: official results: Brigitte Weidlich; Agence France-Presse - November 21, 2004; WINDHOEK, Nov 21 (AFP) - Namibian President Sam Nujoma's chosen successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba, won a landslide victory with more than 76 percent of the vote in the country's third elections since independence, according to final results released Sunday.
Another Indian company pulls cheap AIDS drugs from WHO listing: Peter Capella; Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2004; GENEVA, Nov 19 (AFP) - Another Indian pharmaceutical company, Hetero Drugs, has withdrawn its generic anti-AIDS drugs from special World Health Organisation certification amid doubts about tests designed to prove their effectiveness, the UN health agency said Friday.
Thailand to deport German at centre of HIV scare: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2004; BANGKOK, Nov 19 (AFP) - A German at the centre of an HIV scare involving potentially hundreds of Thai women and girls will be deported to his home country next week, Thai police said Friday.
UNICEF hails Zambia study on AIDS treatment as "major breakthrough": Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2004; NEW YORK, Nov 19 (AFP) - The United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) late Thursday hailed a study done in Zambia on a cheap, common antibiotic that greatly reduces the death rate among children with the AIDS virus as "a major breakthrough."
Ethiopian MPs turn to music and song to raise AIDS awareness: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2004; ADDIS ABABA, Nov 19 (AFP) - More than 400 Ethiopian MPs, almost 80 percent of the country's parliament, have recorded a song in a bid to raise awareness of the problems and dangers of AIDS.
Global Fund agrees to consider releasing more funds next year: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2004; NAIROBI, Nov 19 (AFP) - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said on Friday it had agreed to consider releasing another round of grants in September next year.
Cheap antibiotic slashes AIDS deaths among children: Zambian study: Agence France-Presse - November 19, 2004; PARIS, Nov 19 (AFP) - A common antibiotic that costs less than 10 US cents per person a day can dramatically cut the death rate among children with the AIDS virus, according to a study in Zambia published in next Saturday's issue of The Lancet.
Annan calls for greater urgency in efforts to help Africa AIDS sufferers: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2004; ARUSHA, Tanzania, Nov 18 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for greater urgency in efforts to provide help for sufferers of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa.
Croatian gays demand legalisation of prostitution: Agence France-Presse - November 18, 2004; ZAGREB, Nov 18 (AFP) - An association of Croatian gays demanded Thursday the legalisation of prostitution to prevent AIDS and human trafficking.
Summit on AIDS opens Wednesday amid funding row: Bogonko Bosire; Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2004; NAIROBI, Nov 16 (AFP) - Four African heads of state are due in the Tanzanian town of Arusha on Wednesday at the start of a two-day board meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria amid debate over whether the fund will release another round of grants to health projects.
UN children's fund accepts first ever donation from oil firm: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2004; LIBREVILLE, Nov 16 (AFP) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has broken with tradition and accepted money from an oil company, taking almost half a million dollars from US firm Marathon Oil Corporation, an UNICEF official has said.
MTV unveils 70 nominees for its Asian music awards: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2004; BANGKOK, Nov 16 (AFP) - More than 70 artists were unveiled Tuesday as contenders for the 2005 MTV Asia music awards with rock band Jet and British group Keane both receiving three nominations.
African leaders call for help in fight against AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis: Christophe Parayre; Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2004; ARUSHA, Tanzania, Nov 16 (AFP) - Four African presidents appealed to the international community Wednesday for help in the battle against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the continent's biggest killers.
AIDS: Lab success is good news for vaccine quest: Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2004; PARIS, Nov 16 (AFP) - French researchers announced on Tuesday that, in laboratory conditions, they had stimulated antibodies which dramatically barred the AIDS virus from infecting human immune cells.
Shortage of infectious disease specialists in Singapore: report: Agence France-Presse - November 15, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 15 (AFP) - Singapore has a major shortage of infectious disease specialists amid a rise in cases of communicable illnesses including AIDS, the Straits Times reported Monday.
Singapore will not promote condom use publicly to fight AIDS: report: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 14 (AFP) - Despite facing an "alarming AIDS epidemic," Singapore will not go on a publicity blitz to promote condom use out of respect for residents who hold conservative views on sexual behaviour, a minister said in reports Sunday.
Namibia at a glance: Agence France-Presse - November 14, 2004; WINDHOEK, Nov 14 (AFP) - Namibians prepare to vote Monday and Tuesday in elections that are expected to hand a third victory to the country's ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) and see President Sam Nujoma hand over power to his successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba.
Blair's Commission for Africa demands swift international action: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2004; LONDON, Nov 11 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair's personal organisation to spearhead development activities in Africa issued a call Thursday for massive international cooperation to assist the continent.
Sweden grants Kenya 101.6 million dollars for governance, AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2004; NAIROBI, Nov 11 (AFP) - Sweden has granted Kenya 101.6 million dollars (8.2 billion shillings) to strengthen democratic governance and fight AIDS in the next two years, the finance ministry said in a statement.
Singapore facing "alarming AIDS epidemic": govt: Agence France-Presse - November 11, 2004; SINGAPORE, Nov 11 (AFP) - Singapore is facing an "alarming AIDS epidemic" with gay men's unsafe sexual practices the biggest cause of concern, the government has warned.
US signs 81 million dollar agreements on trade, HIV/AIDS prevention: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2004; GEORGETOWN, Nov 10 (AFP) - A top official with the 15-nation Caribbean Community on Wednesday said the United States has allocated 81 million dollars (US) to improve the region's economic competitive edge and help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Kenyan AIDS activists fear Global Fund may not release new funding: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2004; NAIROBI, Nov 10 (AFP) - AIDS activists in Kenya on Wednesday expressed fear that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria might not launch a new round of funding for poor countries at the end of this year.
Report sees rise in HIV-positive babies born in Lesotho: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2004; MASERU, Nov 10 (AFP) - As many as 7,000 babies are born HIV-positive in Lesotho every year -- more than double the number two years ago, a joint report by the government and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday.
Judges keep up battle with Swazi monarchy: Agence France-Presse - November 10, 2004; MBABANE, Nov 10 (AFP) - A two-year feud between Swaziland's highest court and the monarchy showed no signs of abating on Wednesday after the judges renewed demands that an eviction order from King Mswati III be scrapped, a source said.
Indian company pulls cheap AIDS drugs from WHO listing amid test doubts: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2004; GENEVA, Nov 9 (AFP) - India's top pharmaceutical group Ranbaxy has withdrawn all its anti-AIDS drugs from World Health Organisation certification after it found the laboratory tests proving their effectiveness were deficient, the UN health agency said Tuesday.
African leaders to discuss strategies against malaria, HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2004; DAR ES SALAAM, Nov 9 (AFP) - At least five African presidents are to meet in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha next week to strategize on ways to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, an official told AFP on Tuesday.
NGOs demand free treatment for HIV/AIDS in Russia: Agence France-Presse - November 9, 2004; SAINT PETERSBURG, Nov 9 (AFP) - Several dozen people held a rally Tuesday in Russia's second city Saint Petersburg to demand free treatment for HIV/AIDS sufferers, of which only a fraction qualify for such care.
Taiwanese gays march to protest discrimination: Agence France-Presse - November 6, 2004; TAIPEI, Nov 6 (AFP) - More than 2,000 gay activists marched in Taipei on Saturday calling for an end to discrimination as organisers accused police in the southern Kaohsiung city of infringing their rights by raiding a gay bar.
Irish victim of contaminated blood scandal appointed to watchdog: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2004; DUBLIN, Nov 4 (AFP) - An Irish woman infected with Hepatitis C by a contaminated blood product was appointed a director of the Irish Blood Transfusion Board watchdog on Thursday.
AIDS death sparks panic in Bosnian town: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2004; SARAJEVO, Nov 4 (AFP) - The death of a prostitute with AIDS has sparked panic in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar, police and residents said Thursday.
South African AIDS lobby group takes government to court: Agence France-Presse - November 4, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Nov 4 (AFP) - South Africa's leading AIDS lobby group went to court on Thursday to force the government to pay the costs of its latest legal bid to speed up the rollout of free anti-retroviral drugs.
African economic experts call for proper regulations for development: Agence France-Presse - November 3, 2004; NAIROBI, Nov 3 (AFP) - African economic and financial experts on Wednesday called on governments in the continent to establish well developed legal infrastructures essential for financial systems and economic development.
Botswana's Mogae pledges to fight AIDS, poverty in final term: Jean Batsy; Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2004; GABORONE, Nov 2 (AFP) - Botswana's President-elect Festus Mogae pledged to fight AIDS and poverty on Tuesday as he was sworn in for a second and final term at the helm of the diamond-rich southern African country.
Bacteria's increasing resistance to drugs worries international experts: Jean-Louis Santini; Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2004; WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (AFP) - World Health Organization and US medical experts warn that the increasing ability of bacteria to resist antibiotics threatens the existing arsenal of drugs against dangerous infectious diseases.
Nigerian president tells Japan more aid needed to meet development goals: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2004; TOKYO, Nov 2 (AFP) - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo urged Japan Tuesday to give more international aid to meet United Nations goals set in 2000 to reduce poverty and improve health.
Call for AIDS drugs adapted to children: Agence France-Presse - November 2, 2004; GENEVA, Nov 2 (AFP) - Children with HIV/AIDS are dying needlessly because of a lack of suitable drugs and the high cost of medicines adapted to their needs, the humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said Tuesday.
US grants Uganda 200 million dollars for HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - November 1, 2004; KAMPALA, Nov 1 (AFP) - The United States has granted Uganda 200 million dollars (157 million euros) for HIV/AIDS programmes, including support to orphans and vulnerable children, the US embassy announced in a statement released Monday in Kampala.
Party in power for 38 years wins landslide in Botswana: Jean Batsy; Agence France-Presse - November 1, 2004; GABORONE, Nov 1 (AFP) - President Festus Mogae's party scored a landslide electoral victory in Botswana, winning a new mandate in the southern African country that it has ruled since independence in 1966, results showed Monday.
Thai PM claims success in bird flu "war" but warns fight must continue: Boonradom Chitradon; Agence France-Presse - November 1, 2004; BANGKOK, Nov 1 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed success Monday in his government's 30-day "war" on deadly bird flu but warned the fight must go on, as health officials also praised the kingdom's efforts.

October

Mogae, Botswana's 'CEO' and AIDS crusader: Jean Batsy; Agence France-Presse - October 31, 2004; GABORONE, Oct 31 (AFP) - The son of poor cattle farmers whose good school grades paved the way to Oxford University, President Festus Mogae describes himself as the 'CEO' of diamond-rich Botswana, the southern African country he has lead since 1998.
UN pledges 83 million dollars for Malawi orphans: Agence France-Presse - October 30, 2004; BLANTYRE, Oct 30 (AFP) - The United Nations (UN) on Saturday pledged 83 million dollars to support the growing number of orphans in Malawi, where HIV/AIDS has cut life expectancy to 36.
Sudan threatens HIV/AIDS tests on Nigerian troops in Darfur: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2004; KHARTOUM, Oct 29 (AFP) - Sudan has given a contingent of Nigerian troops in Darfur until Saturday to produce certificates proving they are not infected with the HIV virus or undergo screening, the official SUNA news agency reported Friday.
EU Commission pushes exports of generic drugs to poor countries: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2004; BRUSSELS, Oct 29 (AFP) - The European Commission has proposed a licensing system that would make it easier for European generic drug makers to provide treatments against killer diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis to developing countries, it said Friday.
Botswana at a glance: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2004; GABORONE, Oct 29 (AFP) - Voters in Botswana go to the polls on Saturday for elections that are expected to hand another victory to President Festus Mogae's party, which has ruled the diamond-rich southern African country since independence in 1966.
Soviet legacy hard to overcome in Baltic states: Arturas Racas; Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2004; VILNIUS, Oct 29 (AFP) - Six months after entering the European Union, the three Baltic states are still struggling with the legacy of half a century of Soviet rule despite successful free-market reforms and rapid economic growth.
Malawi tells top UN official of poor access to AIDS funds: Agence France-Presse - October 29, 2004; BLANTYRE, Oct 29 (AFP) - Malawian health officials on Friday told UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, that it had got very little money from the Global Fund to fight the pandemic, which has hit nearly 14 percent of the southern nation's 11 million people.
UN AIDS envoy begins working visit to Malawi: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2004; BLANTYRE, Oct 27 (AFP) - UN special envoy for AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis Wednesday began a tour of Malawi to assess a programme for the free rollout of antiretrovirals in the impoverished AIDS-afflicted southern nation.
US gives Zambia 24 million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2004; LUSAKA, Oct 27 (AFP) - The United States has given Zambia 24 million dollars (18.7 million euros) to fight HIV/AIDS over a six-year period, a statement said Wednesday.
Botswana's Miss HIV fights stigma and ignorance: Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - October 27, 2004; GABORONE, Oct 27 (AFP) - Meet Kgalalelo Ntsepe, a soft-spoken former nanny with a flashy smile and short-cropped hair who last year beat 13 other women to be crowned Miss HIV Stigma Free in Botswana.
UN AIDS envoy urges Blair to make G8 do more for Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2004; LONDON, Oct 26 (AFP) - The United Nations envoy on AIDS urged Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday to persuade the world's richest countries to provide more funds to step up treatment of the disease in Africa.
Heroin use stabilizes in EU, intensive use of cannabis rises: drugs agency: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2004; LISBON, Oct 26 (AFP) - Heroin use has stabilized in the 15 older memmbers of the European Union following the sharp rises recorded throughout the 1980s and first half of the 1990s, the bloc's drugs monitoring agency said on Tuesday.
Sudan to check every new AU soldier for AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2004; KHARTOUM, Oct 26 (AFP) - Sudan's health minister said an AIDS-free policy would be applied to African Union troops tasked with monitoring a ceasefire deal in crisis-hit Darfur who have earned a steamy reputation for assiduous off-duty mingling.
Botswana confronts AIDS head-on, says Mogae: Jerome Cartillier and Carole Landry; Agence France-Presse - October 26, 2004; GABORONE, Oct 26 (AFP) - At the helm of one of Africa's most successful democracies, Botswana's President Festus Mogae says his country is also making headway in dealing more openly with AIDS as the world's second most-affected country.
African Anglicans plot course, reject homosexuality as "abomination": Dave Clark; Agence France-Presse - October 25, 2004; ABUJA, Oct 25 (AFP) - Africa's top Anglican bishops Monday announced plans for a network of theological colleges to promote traditional beliefs after clashing with some Western churches over what one termed the "abomination" of homosexuality.
Africa's success story, Botswana, gears up for elections: Jean Batsy; Agence France-Presse - October 24, 2004; GABORONE, Oct 24 (AFP) - Africa's economic star Botswana is heading for elections this week that are set to be won by the party of President Festus Mogae, who has led a multi-front offensive on AIDS in the world's second-worst affected country.
Prodi calls for resolution of case of Bulgarians condemned to death in Libya: Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2004; SOFIA, Oct 22 (AFP) - European Commission President Romano Prodi said here Friday that the case of the five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor facing the death sentence in Libya "has to be resolved as soon as possible".
Downbeat Zambians to mark 40 years of independence: Dickson Jere; Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2004; LUSAKA, Oct 22 (AFP) - Despite the military parade, free open-air concerts and laudatory speeches, Zambians are marking 40 years of independence from Britain on Sunday in low spirit, mired in poverty and tormented by a feeling of lost opportunity.
Samoa claims rights to AIDS-fighting gene found in Pacific tree bark: Michael Field; Agence France-Presse - October 22, 2004; AUCKLAND, Oct 22 (AFP) - The Samoan government has claimed sole rights to a gene believed to fight AIDS and cancer which grows in trees found in several Pacific nations, risking the ire of its neighbours.
China shuts down illegal blood collection stations: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2004; BEIJING, Oct 21 (AFP) - China has shut down more than 50 illegal or unsanitary blood collection stations as it steps up efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, said state media Thursday.
Forty years after independence, Zambians are poorer: Dickson Jere; Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2004; LUSAKA, Oct 21 (AFP) - Forty years after independence, Zambians are poorer, their country having missed an opportunity to boost its economy with its rich copper reserves.
WFP launches fresh appeal for drought, AIDS-stricken southern Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 21, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 21 (AFP) - The UN's food relief organisation on Thursday launched a fresh appeal to fund a three-year operation in five southern African countries it said was ravaged by "food shortages, AIDS and weakened capacity for governance."
Scientists announce slim breakthrough in war against AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2004; KAMPALA, Oct 20 (AFP) - Scientists on Wednesday said they had discovered how the AIDS virus stealthily penetrates and degrades the protein cells that are key to the development of immunity in the human body.
Pfizer-funded AIDS research institute opens in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2004; KAMPALA, Oct 20 (AFP) - A state of the art facility to annually train 250 specialists from across Africa in the treatment, training, research and diagnosis techniques in HIV/AIDS opened in Uganda on Wednesday.
Asia-Pacific moving "too late and too slow" in fight against HIV/AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 20, 2004; MANILA, Oct 20 (AFP) - Asia-Pacific risks an AIDS crisis similar in scale to Africa's unless governments across the region step up efforts to combat the spread of the disease, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.
Schwarzenegger breaks ranks with Republicans, backs stem cell research: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2004; LOS ANGELES, Oct 19 (AFP) - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has broken ranks with his Republican party and backed a controversial three-billion-dollar ballot measure to fund embryonic stem cell research.
Seven European countries demand push on AIDS vaccine: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2004; PARIS, Oct 19 (AFP) - Seven European countries issued a joint call here Tuesday for better lab coordination in the quest for an AIDS vaccine but sidestepped demands for commiting more money to the fight.
Global Fund approves 24 million dollars to fight malaria, TB in Somalia: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2004; NAIROBI, Oct 19 (AFP) - The Global Fund on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has approved a 24.4 million dollar grant to scale up health programmes in Somalia, an African country trying to emerge from 13 years of anarchy, officials said on Tuesday.
Vietnamese men caught with prostitutes face heavy fines: Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2004; HANOI, Oct 19 (AFP) - Vietnamese men caught using prostitutes will be fined up to 640 dollars under a new law aimed at curbing vice and the spread of HIV.
AIDS-ravaged Africa keenly awaits outcome of US polls: Florence Panoussian; Agence France-Presse - October 19, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 19 (AFP) - Africa is keenly awaiting the outcome of the US elections and wondering how it will affect the fight against AIDS on the world's poorest continent, which is also the hardest hit by the deadly viral disease.
German at centre of Thai AIDS scare remanded in custody: Jack Barton; Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2004; CHAIYAPHUM, Thailand, Oct 18 (AFP) - A German at the centre of an HIV scare involving potentially hundreds of Thai women and girls was detained by a court Monday for overstaying his visa.
Libyan mustard gas plant may be converted into pharmaceuticals factory: Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2004; THE HAGUE, Oct 18 (AFP) - A mustard gas factory in Libya may be converted into a pharmaceutical plant producing low-priced vaccines and medicines to treat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said Monday.
African musicians unite for song to combat AIDS and poverty: Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2004; DAKAR, Oct 17 (AFP) - Many of Africa's best-known musicians have joined forces for a continent-wide launch of a song they have composed that seeks to mobilise people in a campaign against poverty and AIDS, the scheme's organisers said Sunday.
In US senate race, AIDS-ravaged Kenyan village roots for native son: Bogonko Bosire; Agence France-Presse - October 17, 2004; NYANG'OMA, Kenya, Oct 17 (AFP) - A victory for Barack Obama in his battle for the US senate in the state of Illinois could spell hope for his ancestral Kenyan farming community, fractured by AIDS, years of poverty and illiteracy, villagers hope.
HIV infection rate in Eritrea worrying, UN says: Agence France-Presse - October 16, 2004; ASMARA, Oct 16 (AFP) - The AIDS situation in Eritrea is worrying, but there are reasons to be hopeful, UNAIDS has said here.
More than 80 percent of Russian prisoners ill: official: Agence France-Presse - October 15, 2004; MOSCOW, Oct 15 (AFP) - Disease and drug or alcohol addiction are soaring in Russian prisons, where over 80 percent of inmates are sick, RIA-Novosti news agency quoted a top justice ministry official as saying Friday.
Rock legend Freddie Mercury inspires summer fashion collection: Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2004; LISBON, Oct 14 (AFP) - One of Portugal's top fashion designers unveiled a summer 2005 collection Thursday inspired by flamboyant rock superstar Freddie Mercury who died of AIDS in 1991.
Russian-US crew goes to space, AIDS experiments planned: Viktoria Loginova; Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2004; BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan, Oct 14 (AFP) - A Russian-US crew blasted off from here Thursday bound for the International Space Station where they will spend six months conducting experiments including work on the search for an AIDS vaccine.
China vows to find and test all blood plasma sellers to control AIDS: Cindy Sui; Agence France-Presse - October 14, 2004; BEIJING, Oct 14 (AFP) - China will conduct its first nationwide study to learn the extent of an AIDS epidemic from blood selling, demanding local governments find and test every person who sold blood plasma, officials said Thursday.
Russia should spend more on children: UNICEF director: Claire Bigg; Agence France-Presse - October 13, 2004; MOSCOW, Oct 13 (AFP) - Nearly nine million Russian children live in poverty and the government has an obligation to use growing economic windfalls to take better care of them, UNICEF Director Carol Bellamy said here Wednesday.
US backs Libyan request to re-open chemical weapons plant to make drugs: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2004; WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday threw its weight behind a Libyan request to amend the international treaty banning chemical weapons to allow it to convert a former mustard gas production factory into a pharmaceutical plant.
Bangladeshi government announces plans for first-ever condom factory: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2004; DHAKA, Oct 12 (AFP) - The Bangladeshi government plans to set up the country's first-ever condom plant as part of a drive to combat AIDS and reduce the amount of foreign exchange spent on importing contraceptive devices.
Global sex survey shows South Africans careless of AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 12 (AFP) - A global online sex survey showed on Tuesday that almost 60 percent of South Africans engaged in unprotected sex despite the fact that the country has one of the highest AIDS rates in the world.
HIV/AIDS campaigns overlook rural Africa: experts: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2004; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 12 (AFP) - Africa's farmers and rural communities have become the forgotten victims of HIV/AIDS, health experts and political leaders from the across the continent were told Tuesday at a conference in Addis Ababa.
Annan urges greater peacekeeping role for China: Agence France-Presse - October 12, 2004; BEIJING, Oct 12 (AFP) - UN secretary general Kofi Annan urged China to take a greater role in UN peacekeeping missions and to face up to its environmental problems on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with President Hu Jintao.
Uganda to distribute free mosquito nets to reduce malaria fatalities: Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2004; KAMPALA, Oct 11 (AFP) - The Uganda Health ministry will distribute some 4.5 million insecticide-treated nets (ITN) to children under five years and pregnant women to fight malaria, which claims between 70,000 and 100,000 lives annually, officials said on Monday.
EU lifts Libya arms ban but presses Tripoli over medics: Michael Thurston; Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2004; LUXEMBOURG, Oct 11 (AFP) - The European Union agreed Monday to lift an 18-year-old arms embargo on Libya, welcoming the country's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction and movement towards "responsible government."
Southern China offers gay men free HIV tests: report: Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2004; BEIJING, Oct 11 (AFP) - The southern province of Guangdong is offering free HIV tests to homosexual men as part of its fight against the spread of the virus which causes AIDS, state media reported Monday.
Annan praises China on poverty, AIDS, calls for human rights visit: Verna Yu; Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2004; BEIJING, Oct 11 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Monday praised China's role in reducing world poverty and combating AIDS, while expressing hope that the top UN human rights official would be allowed to visit the country soon.
Pain relief a human right, leading professor says: Agence France-Presse - October 11, 2004; GENEVA, Oct 11 (AFP) - Treatment to alleviate pain is a human right, whether people are suffering from cancer, AIDS or any other distressing condition, a leading medical authority said Monday, marking the first-ever Global Day Against Pain.
Once-conservative Beijing to install 1,000 condom vending machines: Agence France-Presse - October 10, 2004; BEIJING, Oct 10 (AFP) - The once-conservative city of Beijing plans to set up 1,000 condom vending machines in a bid to curb the spread of AIDS, state media said Sunday.
10 girls raped in four days in eastern South African province: police: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 9 (AFP) - At least 10 girls aged five to 14 were raped in a four-day period in South Africa's eastern Mpumalanga province, police said Saturday.
Mozambique ready to face challenges of the future, says outgoing president: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2004; MAPUTO, Oct 9 (AFP) - Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, about to step down after an 18-year stint in power, said Saturday that he was leaving the country ready to face the challenges of the future.
Kenyan Nobel peace laureate claims AIDS virus deliberately created: Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2004; NAIROBI, Oct 9 (AFP) - Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, on Saturday reiterated her claim that the AIDS virus was a deliberately created biological agent.
European, Asian leaders wrap up summit, sidestep Myanmar divide: Ben Rowse; Agence France-Presse - October 9, 2004; HANOI, Oct 9 (AFP) - Asian and European leaders wrapped up summit talks here Saturday by calling for the United Nations to lead the fight against terrorism while largely side-stepping a rift over military-ruled Myanmar.
US mutes praise for Kenyan Nobel laureate over AIDS statements: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2004; WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (AFP) - The United States on Friday congratulated Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, but tempered its praise over her claim that HIV/AIDS is a biological weapon aimed at wiping out the black race.
Little global progress in reducing child mortality rates, UNICEF warns: Agence France-Presse - October 8, 2004; DAKAR, Oct 8 (AFP) - Rampant HIV, poor prenatal care and a raft of other preventable illnesses mean children born today in sub-Saharan Africa are less likely to make it to their fifth birthdays than children born a decade ago, the UN children's agency UNICEF said in a new report out Friday.
US House joins Senate in seeking UN action against Myanmar: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2004; WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (AFP) - The US House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday calling on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to restore democracy and the rule of law in military-ruled Myanmar.
Blair in Ethiopia to outline vision for Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 7, 2004; ADDIS ABABA, Oct 7 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair was on Thursday due to outline his personal vision for the future of Africa at a meeting of the organisation he set up to spur development efforts in the region.
Angola records sharp rise in AIDS infections: health minister: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2004; LISBON, Oct 6 (AFP) - Angola, the southern African nation least hit so far by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, has recorded a sharp rise in the number of people infected with the deadly virus, the nation's health minister said Wednesday.
Nigerian vice-president set for trade talks in Uganda: Agence France-Presse - October 6, 2004; ABUJA, Oct 6 (AFP) - Nigerian vice president Atiku Abubakar is scheduled to leave Thursday for Uganda where he hold talks with his counterpart, Gilbert Bukenya, and officials on trade, an official statement said Wednesday.
Danish PM calls for more international aid to Africa: Agence France-Presse - October 5, 2004; COPENHAGEN, Oct 5 (AFP) - Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Tuesday called on rich countries to give more aid to Africa to avoid it becoming "a lost continent".
Norway's Crown Prince meets Cambodian PM during UN goodwill mission: Agence France-Presse - October 5, 2004; PHNOM PENH, Oct 5 (AFP) - Norway's Crown Prince Haakon met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Wednesday during a three-day mission in the kingdom in his role as a UN goodwill ambassador focusing on fighting poverty.
UN agency calls for "strong leadership" to fight AIDS in Asia: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2004; TOKYO, Oct 4 (AFP) - The United Nations agency fighting AIDS called on Asian countries Monday to exercise "strong leadership" to prevent the deadly disease from spreading at an alarming pace.
South Africa's ANC lost years in AIDS fight: De Klerk: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2004; JOHANNESBURG, Oct 4 (AFP) - South Africa's last white president Frederik de Klerk charged Monday that the post-apartheid government has lost years in the fight against AIDS by shunning an action plan draw up by his administration.
Kenyan drug firm strikes generics deal with second western pharma giant: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2004; NAIROBI, Oct 4 (AFP) - A Kenyan pharmaceutical company said Monday it had reached a deal with a second western drug producer to make generic versions of a patented antiretroviral (ARV) drug.
Strong rise in syphilis cases reported in Germany: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2004; BERLIN, Oct 4 (AFP) - Germany continued to see a strong rise in cases of syphilis last year with a 20 percent increase in the number of people who contracted the sexually transmitted disease, a health institute said Monday.
Two-thirds of Russian prisoners seriously ill: official: Agence France-Presse - October 4, 2004; MOSCOW, Oct 4 (AFP) - Some two-thirds of Russia's jail inmates suffer from mental illnesses, serious diseases from AIDS to tuberculosis and syphilis, or alcohol and drug addictions, a top justice ministry official said.
AIDS, trade top agenda of Ugandan leader's visit to Zimbabwe: Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2004; HARARE, Oct 3 (AFP) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is to pay a three-day visit to Zimbabwe this week to discuss a range of issues from trade to AIDS, reports here said Sunday.
Thailand to provide cheap anti-AIDS drugs to 300,000 people: report: Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2004; BANGKOK, Oct 3 (AFP) - Thailand has vowed to provide locally made cheap "copycat" anti-AIDS drugs to 300,000 HIV-positive people here and overseas within the next two years, media reported Sunday.
New EU member Estonia battles HIV: Anneli Reigas; Agence France-Presse - October 3, 2004; TALLINN, Oct 3 (AFP) - Martin, a 36-year-old homosexual, has lived under the shadow of death for 12 years after contracting the deadly HIV virus, a disease that is spreading at an alarming rate in the tiny Baltic state of Estonia.
Zimbabwe doctors hike fees: report: Agence France-Presse - October 2, 2004; HARARE, Oct 2 (AFP) - Doctors in Zimbabwe have doubled their consultation fees, the second such hike in recent months, putting medical care well out of the reach of most of the population, a newspaper reported Saturday.
G7 calls for more debt relief for poorest nations: Rob Lever; Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2004; WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (AFP) - The Group of Seven industrial powers called Friday for more debt relief for the world's poorest nations, but stopped short of endorsing a specific plan for writing off debt.
Global Fund gives Uganda 70 million dollars to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2004; KAMPALA, Oct 1 (AFP) - The Global Fund on Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria will give Uganda 70.35 million dollars (56.7 million euros) to fight AIDS in the country, following an agreement signed in Kampala on Friday.
Churches hamper condom campaign in Madagascar: Patrick Mercier; Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2004; ANTANANARIVO, Oct 1 (AFP) - Efforts to increase the use of condoms in Madagascar to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS have failed dramatically, largely because of the opposition of church leaders.
Rwanda's rape victims denied justice 10 years after genocide: rights group: Agence France-Presse - October 1, 2004; NAIROBI, Oct 1 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of women raped during and after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda have been denied any legal redress or help in dealing with their trauma and stigmatisation, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday.

September

Municipal elections in Brazil the first test of Lula's electoral strength: Jean-Claude Boksenbaum; Agence France-Presse - September 30, 2004; RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 30 (AFP) - Brazilian municipal elections October 3 and 31 are seen as the first political test for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva since his left wing government came to power two years ago.
Australia says UN risks becoming irrelevant: Agence France-Presse - September 30, 2004; UNITED NATIONS, Sept 30 (AFP) - Australia on Thursday warned that the United Nations risked becoming irrelevant if it performed only aid work and did not find a way to cope with international problems such as terrorism.
Global Fund faces huge cash deficit for new malaria therapy: MSF: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2004; NAIROBI, Sept 29 (AFP) - The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria faces a 340-million-dollar deficit in the next two years if countries adopt an effective anti-malaria treatment, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) warned on Wednesday.
Female-condom maker courts China: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2004; CHICAGO, Sept 29 (AFP) - The US company that makes the female condom said Wednesday it is looking to launch its product in China, a country that experts say is facing a potential AIDS crisis.
Mozambique's religious leaders urged to join AIDS battle: Agence France-Presse - September 29, 2004; MAPUTO, Sept 29 (AFP) - The UN children's agency UNICEF on Wednesday urged religious leaders in Mozambique to play a more active role in fighting AIDS as the country braces for a dramatic increase in the number of AIDS orphans in coming years.
Mr. Condom tells Philippines: don't rely on government to fight AIDS: Agence France-Presse - September 28, 2004; MANILA, Sept 28 (AFP) - A leading Thai senator and anti-AIDS campaigner known as "Mr. Condom" in his own country has urged Filipinos not to rely on the government to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS.
European centre for disease prevention and control opens in Stockholm: Agence France-Presse - September 27, 2004; STOCKHOLM, Sept 27 (AFP) - European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne on Monday opened the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control here, saying the new body would make the continent better prepared to face epidemics.
Child pornographer gets 100-year sentence: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2004; MIAMI, Sept 24 (AFP) - A child pornographer who taped himself molesting children in Latin America while carrying the AIDS virus was sentenced to 100 years in prison, US authorities announced Friday.
Stricter anti-AIDS measures needed for Indian bloodbanks: minister: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2004; NEW DELHI, Sept 24 (AFP) - Stricter measures have to be put in place to cut down the number of people in India contracting HIV/AIDS through contaminated blood transfusions, India's health minister said Friday.
Substance abuse in Asia-Pacific gives rise to social/health problems: WHO: Agence France-Presse - September 24, 2004; MANILA, Sept 24 (AFP) - Growing affluence in the Asia-Pacific region has been accompanied by rising substance abuse, partly helping spread the deadly AIDS virus, said a World Health Organisation (WHO) report released Friday.
Cestos City picks up the pieces in eastern Liberia: Zoom Dosso; Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2004; CESTOS CITY, Liberia, Sept 23 (AFP) - With handpumps, latrines and the unimaginable luxury of electricity, the inhabitants of Cestos City in eastern Liberia are slowly rebuilding their ruined town under the shadow of epidemic illness and rumors of weapons stashed in the forest.
Powell praises Libya on WMD decision, renews terrorism concerns with FM: Matthew Lee; Agence France-Presse - September 23, 2004; NEW YORK, Sept 23 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday praised Libya's decision to renounce weapons of mass destruction