World News Summary - 070309

US retains Zim sanctions
The United States has retained sanctions against Zimbabwe saying the country is yet to resolve its political crisis. The announcement made by US president Barack Obama comes after a plea by Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for Western countries to lift sanctions.

President Obama said some of the country's policies which undermine democracy are yet to be dealt with. The sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe ban more than 250 individuals and companies from trading with the US. The ban was due to expire today. Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund has said it will visit Zimbabwe this month to review the economy situation. It will hold talks with the Zimbabwean government on ways to handle the severe economic and humanitarian crisis.

Safe passage for Sri Lanka civilians
Sri Lanka's government has urged thousands of civilians trapped in its northern conflict zone to leave.  Officials say two safe passages will be opened to allow civilians through. Aid groups estimate 200,000 civilians are trapped inside a small strip of land, where government forces have launched an offensive to drive out Tamil Tiger fighters. Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona asked civilians to move to government-controlled areas toward the north and south. He said he hoped the Tamil fighters will let the people leave. The government said the move is only a temporary ceasefire. Human rights groups accuse the military of attacking civilian areas inside the war zone and accuse the rebels of using civilians as human shields. Both sides deny the accusations.

HIV drugs seized in Europe
An international organisation has accused the Dutch authorities of putting the lives of several HIV patients at risk. The Geneva-based agency Unitaid, spoke out after Dutch authorities seized a batch of Indian-made antiretroviral drugs heading for clinics in Nigeria. Dutch officials said the drugs were faked and violated patent rules. But Unitaid, which paid for the drugs, demanded their release and called the Dutch statement misleading. The seizure draws attention to tension between European Union regulation and special patent rules on medicines by the World Trade Organisation. James Love from the advocacy group, Knowledge Ecology International described the EU position as ‘indefensible'. The seized drug is a follow-up antiretroviral treatment given to patients who no longer respond to first-line medicines.

MSF reports rape upsurge
The medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says more needs to be done to tackle an upsurge in rape in the world's conflict zones. It said its projects around the world had helped more than 12,000 rape victims, approximately 35 women a day. Meinie Nicolai, director for the charity in Belgium, said rape is being used as a weapon of war in Congo, is common in poor South African townships and among Zimbabwean refugees arriving in South Africa. She appealed to medical, legal and social support organisations to work together to bring relief to those traumatised by the experience.

Guadeloupe's 44-day strike ends
Union leaders in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe have agreed to call off a 44 day strike. The leaders of the union which organised the strikes said most of their demands have been met. But they warn strikes will resume if the government fails to keep its promises. The government has agreed to lower fuel prices and give some workers a pay rise of 252 US dollars a month. The president of Guadeloupe's regional council, Victorin Lurel, described it as an historic moment after signing the agreement alongside other leaders. The strike crippled Guadeloupe's economy, causing schools and businesses to close. Demonstrations escalated into shootings, looting and the killing of one union member.

Thailand-Laos rail link
Thailand and Laos have launched the first railway line to link the two countries. The 3.5 km railway will link Laos's capital, Vientiane to Thailand's Nongkhai province. Laos's Minister of Public Works and Transport, Sommad Pholsena, praised the new connection saying an improved transport system was crucial to the landlocked country. The railway is due to be completed in April. Officials say it will improve trade.
 

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