World briefs 11/20/03

DNA identifies Turks as synagogue bombers

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Istanbul's governor said DNA tests identified two Turks connected to Beyyiat al-Imam, a group formed in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan, as the bombers in last weekend's synagogue suicide attacks that killed 23 people and wounded 300. Police are still pursuing the bombers' suspected turkish accomplices.

South Africa agrees to free AIDS drugs for all

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- South African health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang announced that the government approved a plan Wednesday to distribute free anti-retroviral medicines within five years to everyone who needs it. About 4.7 million South Africans are infected with HIV. An estimated 600 to 1,000 die every day from AIDS-related complications. The government aims to treat 50,000 patients within the first year of the program, though no start date has been set.

Canada to scale back SARS detection efforts

TORONTO -- Canada plans to scale back its airport screening for SARS, including suspending the use of fever-detecting scanners, a World Health Organization official confirmed Wednesday. Screening can be reinstated within 48 hours if another outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome occurs.

Mubarak has weak spell during televised speech

CAIRO, Egypt -- During a speech to parliament on Wednesday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak began sneezing and coughing before his voice weakened and speech began to slur. After excusing himself from the podium for 30 minutes during the nationally televised address, Mubarak returned to applause and shouts of support. Doctors said effects of a cold combined with Mubarak's observance of the Muslim Ramadan fast had weakened him and caused a dip in his blood pressure. Mubarak has led Egypt since 1981.

China: Taiwan must stifle talk of independence

BEIJING -- With Taiwan's presidential elections set for March and constitutional changes including a declaration of independence from the mainland being discussed by candidates, a top Chinese official said Wednesday that the use of force might be "unavoidable" if the island nation it claims as a territory tries to separate. The U.S. has implicitly acknowledged Taiwan as an ally and promised to help in its defense, though formal ties were cut in 1979 to recognize Beijing.

Security Council OKs 'road map' for Middle East

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council unanimously endorsed the so-called "road map" to a permanent two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict on Wednesday. The plan, drafted by Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, aims to end more than two years of violence and establish a Palestinian state by 2005.

-- From wire reports