MAPUTO , 8 February (PLUSNEWS) - Subjects like HIV/AIDS and child trafficking, usually considered taboo in Mozambican society, are being openly discussed by the teenage presenters of radio and television programmes for young people. Full report

JOHANNESBURG, 7 February (PLUSNEWS) - Confusion has erupted over the safety of the microbicide trials, which were halted after preliminary results showed the proposed prophylactic could increase the risk of HIV infection. Full report

MBABANE, 6 February (PLUSNEWS) - In a remarkable reversal of perceptions about AIDS, public testing by religious and business leaders is changing attitudes towards both the disease and being tested for it. Full report

JOHANNESBURG, 6 February (PLUSNEWS) - A major campaign by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to scale up its HIV and AIDS programmes in Southern Africa is being threatened by a looming funding shortfall. Full report

LAHORE , 3 February (PLUSNEWS) - Beena, 50, runs an 'establishment' in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, where her two daughters and a niece sell their bodies. "Most of us here know all about this AIDS thing. Some NGO people keep coming and talk to the girls about it – but just knowing about it is not always of much use," she mused, chewing on a wodge of tobacco. Full report

NAIROBI/JOHANNESBURG, 1 February (PLUSNEWS) - Progress in developing an effective anti-HIV microbicide was dealt a major blow this week when researchers halted trials of a microbicide gel after preliminary results showed it could increase the risk of HIV infection. Full report

HOEDSPRUIT, 7 February (PLUSNEWS - DFID) - January is mango season in Hoedspruit, in South Africa's Limpopo Province, and casual fruit pickers, mostly women, flood the area's farms in search of work. Full report

PRETORIA, 5 February (PLUSNEWS - DFID) - Though sexual violence affects millions around the world every year, deeply entrenched cultural taboos and a lack of political leadership have historically left the issue largely unrecognised in government boardrooms, health ministries, and scientific research. But that may change, as an emerging global initiative argues sexual violence is a legitimate public health and human rights issue that warrants its own research, prevention, and interventions. Full report

YANGON, 1 February (PLUSNEWS - DFID) - Isolated Myanmar is grappling with one of the worst HIV/AIDS epidemics in Asia - a struggle made all the harder by the tiny amounts of international aid received by the military government. Full report

NAIROBI, 31 January (PLUSNEWS - DFID) - Somali women are taking the initiative in the fight against AIDS with a programme to educate their peers in this conservative Muslim nation. Full report

HARARE, 31 January (PLUSNEWS - DFID) - As Zimbabwe's disgruntled doctors and nurses continue their strike over low salaries and poor working conditions, concern is growing about how the prolonged stayaway is affecting HIV-positive patients. Full report

NAIROBI, 29 January (PLUSNEWS - DFID) - The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, has launched a new policy to ensure that HIV-positive refugees and other displaced people around the world have access to life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) medication. Full report