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Global trends of AIDS
I hope Tony Blair and other world leaders do all in their power to continue with their commitment to helping countries stricken by AIDS. There are fears that they could renege on the G8 countries agreement for treating AIDS made two years ago..
The alarm has been raised by the UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Elizabeth Mataka, who said that negotiations which took place prior to the latest G8 Summit in Germany suggested that some G8 countries favoured a dramatic scaling back of its commitment to universal access to treatment.
Between 10 and 12 million will need treatment by 2010, yet it has been suggested that it should be halved to a target of only “5 million in the next few years”
Perhaps G8 should be informed how AIDS is now posing a serious threat to African democracies. Reuters has reported how AIDS may be killing elected officials in some Southern African countries faster than they can be replaced.
AIDS figures continues to soar globally, as the chart shows. More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans.
At the end of 2006, women accounted for 48% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa. Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide - around 6,000 become infected with HIV every day.
In developing and transitional countries, 7.1 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.015 million (28%) are receiving the drugs.
The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to nearly 40 million today, and is still growing. Around 63% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is vital that these wealthy G8 countries demonstrates its continuing commitment to tackling AIDS, providing the essential drugs, research and education so badly needed. I hope Tony Blair remembers what he said on this two years ago when he called it “a beginning not an end”.
Katie had no choice but to stand down last night after confessing that she could not swear to relocate if offered Sir Alan’s £100,000 job.
Surely that should have been a pre-requisite of being selected for The Apprentice, otherwise it’s pretty pointless taking part. Was she really interested in the job, or simply looking for fame, as so many think?
I remember a very promising political candidate being asked during a selection panel if he would relocate to the constituency if selected. He admitted he had not even discussed it with his wife. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
I’m disappointed, Katie would have added some spark to next week’s finals. However, I’m sure it’s not the last we have heard of her.
Luke Durbin is a local lad who went missing a year ago. His disappearance has
had considerable media and internet coverage thanks to an excellent campaign to keep his profile raised.
Luke, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, was 19 when he vanished in the early hours of 12 May, 2006 following a night out with friends at the Zest nightclub in Ipswich. His disappearance was totally out of character. He is described as a happy and sociable boy with a huge circle of friends.
I assume that a reported sighting of Luke last month in Taunton, Somerset drew a blank as there has been no further mention of it. Luke’s mother Nicki was unable to be optimistic until she knew the results of CCTV footage which was being examined.
“Last year I was shown CCTV footage of a man in Devon and I was convinced it was Luke. He had the same mannerisms and clothes so I asked police to keep re-running it. When it was enhanced though I realised it wasn’t him.
“As soon as I heard this sighting was in Taunton, I thought it must be the same man as last year. My hopes have been raised so many times that I’m trying to stay incredibly grounded. I just want it to be Luke.â€?
In memory of those who are still missing.