World News Summary - 040309

It is a three per cent rise compared with figures in 2006. However health officials say the statistics do not necessarily indicate a rise in new infections. Sophia Mukasa-Monico from UNAIDS in Swaziland told IRIN news, it could also reflect the fact that more people are living because they are taking life-prolonging drugs.

 

Aftermath of Guinea-Bissau assassination
The army in Guinea-Bissau has promised to respect the constitution following the assassination yesterday of President Joao Bernardo Vieira. West African leaders are due to hold a crisis summit in the capital Bissau to discuss the consequences of the killing. Under the constitution the speaker of parliament, who has now assumed office, should call for elections within 60 days. Vieira was reportedly killed by soldiers in revenge for the death of the army chief of staff. He was killed at his private residence in Bissau, hours after the chief of staff, General Tagme Na Waie died in a bomb blast at the military headquarters. The African Union, the European Union and former colonial ruler Portugal have condemned the killings and called for the rule of law to be respected. The army has denied there was a coup.

Africa fastest growth of cell phones
Africa has the fastest growth rate of mobile phone users in the world according to a survey conducted by the International Telecommunications Union. The UN agent says the growth is being aided by mobile phone banking which allows people without bank accounts to send money quickly and safely by SMS text message. Developing countries now make up two-thirds of the world's mobile phone users compared with less than half in 2002. However the report found that despite major improvements the gap between those with access to information technology and those without remains wide.

EU discusses climate funds
Environment ministers from the European Union (EU) met yesterday to discuss ways to raise billions of dollars to help poor countries tackle global warming. The EU president, Martin Bursik detailed two funding options but a common EU position is yet to be agreed. The first option involves a carbon market where pollution permits would be sold to raise money. The second would involve taxing countries according their level of emissions and gross domestic product. Greenpeace claims industrialised countries are responsible for 64 per cent of climate change as a result of emissions.

Cuba cabinet shake up: DR police sackings
Cuban President Raul Castrol has announced a cabinet shake up, which he says will increase government efficiency. The state television reported that Cabinet Secretary Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque are among 10 officials who will go. It is the first major reshuffle since Castro took over as president from his ailing older brother, Fidel, last year. Commentators say he is putting his personal stamp on a government that still bears the mark of his brother.

Meanwhile Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez has sacked 700 police officers and forced 31 military and police generals to resign. The move comes two days after he promised to the rid the country of corruption. The officers are accused of aiding drug traffickers.

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