In The News

Brazil Spurns US Terms for AIDS Help

Sarah Boseley May 4, 2005
Washington's "global gag" – its refusal to fund any foreign-based organization with links to abortion – has caused a great deal of controversy in the international community. Brazil recently became the first country to publicly refuse to accept US funding for AIDS prevention and treatment programs, on account of the perceived strings attached. "I would like to confirm that...

The Spirit of Bandung

Josef Purnama Widyatmadja April 6, 2005
In 1955, epresentatives from nations across two continents convened at the first ever Asia-Africa conference, held in Bandung, Indonesia. That first summit was a statement of principle – world regions, under the constraints of imperialist or colonial powers, could indeed assert themselves on a global stage outside the sphere of Western influence. In the midst of a global ideological struggle,...

The First World Leader

Timothy Garten Ash April 4, 2005
The death Saturday of Pope John Paul II has released a global outpouring of grief and celebration of the life of one of the 20th century's most prominent figures. According to this Guardian commentary, the pope – born Karol Kojtyla – played the role of more than a religious figure, but an international political entity. His involvement with world leaders and his native Poland proved...

Cheap AIDS Drugs Under Threat

Randeep Ramesh March 23, 2005
Recent legislation passed by the Indian government will hamper the ability of poorer nations and individuals to treat the HIV virus. In order to comply with the World Trade Organization's patent licensing policies, India has criminalized the copying of patented drugs, which include the antiretroviral drugs used to treat AIDS. India's generic pharmaceuticals have treated almost half the...

The Year of Africa's Economic Turnaround?

Amarnath Singh March 8, 2005
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economies of 30 African countries, as well as the continent as a whole, are projected to grow at a relatively high rate this year. However, Africa's nations still face many obstacles to becoming market miracles. Many remain paralyzed by poverty, AIDS, bad governance, high development and infrastructure costs, and social instability....

A Pageant with a Purpose

Simon Robinson February 28, 2005
Last week, Botswana played host to a unique type of beauty pageant. Twelve competitors from around the nation danced, smiled, and glamorized in the 5th annual Miss HIV Stigma Free Pageant, designed to showcase the fact that even with the AIDS virus, life goes on. Botswana, regarded as one of the most progressive African nations in its handling of the AIDS crisis, views the culture of shame and...

Can the World Deliver for Africa?

Larry Elliott February 2, 2005
2005 may be the year of Africa, if UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and other officials have anything to do with it. Britain, charged this year with the coinciding presidencies of both the EU and the G8, has vowed to make African economic revival a priority. The poorest continent in the world is steadily growing poorer, as standards of living, health, education, and economic productivity are far...