March 4,2008

AFRICA

Despite HIV, the church is growing in Mozambique

HIV/AIDS is running rampant across the African continent. Over 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, and 74 percent of these infected people live in sub-Saharan Africa. 1.8 million of them live in Mozambique. That's a staggering number. Despite this, the church is reaching out and is growing.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/10967

HIV and AIDS programnme wants more research

Professor Fred T. Sai, Presidential Advisor on HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health and Population Issues on Monday called for the combination of basic sciences, clinical sciences with serious social science research for effective HIV/AIDS programme development.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/health/200803/14057.asp

Malawi seeks to oust fake AIDS healers

Lawmakers began examining Tuesday draft legislation aimed to rid HIV/AIDS-plagued Malawi of quacks claiming to cure the virus through such remedies as sex with virgins, health authorities said.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gyfef6mZQ_ABFBXZTdzejGeUhSOw

New hope for AIDS fight in Africa, says UN envoy

When UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Elizabeth Mataka as his new special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa in May, he chose a respected advocate with strong ideas about how to combat the deadly disease: “Unless we empower women we will remain with very limited success,” she told Africa Renewal from her office in Lusak

http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogEntryID=3765

CARIBBEAN (March is Virgin Islands History Month!)

TEENS for TOMORROW

They are some of the next generation of movers and shakers. From future politicians, to future moguls, these young people are making early marks on the Jamaican society.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20080303T190000-0500_133144_OBS_TEENS_FOR_TOMORROW.asp

Timeka Marshall Fighting for a place in the biz

Beautiful, sassy and talented are but a few words which describe 19-year-old Guyanese singer, Timeka Marshall…I thought it was necessary to inform and educate the students about HIV/AIDS and also the importance of staying away from drugs. It was a great experience.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20080303T210000-0500_133162_OBS_TIMEKA_MARSHALL_FIGHTING_FOR_A_PLACE_IN_THE_BIZ.asp

UNESCO supports Caribbean E-Librarian Workshop

Librarians and information professionals from nine Caribbean countries attended the Caribbean E-Librarianship Workshop in Belize City, Belize, from 20 to 22 February 2008. It was organized by UNESCO and the Belize National Library and Information Systems

http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=26117&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

OTHER NEWS

CW Restructures, Lays Off Employees

The CW is dropping its comedy division, laying off 25 to 30 staffers. The struggling network, born in 2006 from the former UPN and WB, is expected to focus on areas where it has had the most traction -- unscripted programs like "America's Next Top Model" and serial dramas like "Smallville."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i027bb05df1d76cf8b518acdbcfb60614

Mass. General Hospital receives Gates Foundation grant to expand HIV controllers study

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has received a five-year, $20.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand an international program investigating the biological factors underlying immune system control of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/mgh-mgh030408.php

USA Today to Launch OpenAir Magazine

The first major magazine launch of 2008 is coming from USA Today. This Friday, the Gannett newspaper is rolling out OpenAir, a glossy magazine insert focusing on the outdoors with a celebrity approach. OpenAir, to be published four times in 2008, may increase to 10 times yearly in 2009.

http://www.minonline.com/topstory.htm