Geneva  - Measles deaths fell by 74 per cent globally between 2000 and 2007, with countries in the eastern Mediterranean region cutting the death rate by 90 per cent, the United Nations reported Thursday.

The Arab states and other countries in the bloc, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia, made the "remarkable" progress thanks to immunization programmes.

Margaret Chan, the head of the World Health Organization, called on all states affected by the disease to step up efforts to immunize children in order to meet the UN's goal of cutting measles deaths by 90 percent by 2010.

Abuja  - The number of babies who died after being administered a locally made teething mixture in Nigeria has risen from 25 to 34, the state-run food and drugs regulatory agency said Wednesday.

Dora Akunyili, Director-General of the National Food and Drugs Administration and Control, said the additional deaths were recorded at one of Nigeria's oldest medicine training institutes, the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, where eight had died earlier.

Washington  - As most Americans were beginning to think about hanging their Christmas decorations, the White House first paused to mark another anniversary - the
20th World AIDS Day - with a giant red AIDS ribbon on the presidential residence.

The 8.5-metre-high decoration which appeared Monday on the north portico symbolized the US "resolve to confront" the dreaded scourge that has infected 33 million people worldwide, US President George W Bush said.

But his commitment to fighting the disease is more than just symbolic, and even his critics and political opponents have lauded his administration's work on the issue.

Washington  - A huge red AIDS ribbon hung Monday on the north portico of the White House Monday, symbolizing the US "resolve to confront" the dreaded scourge that has infected 33 million people worldwide, US President George W Bush said.

Bush emphasized the accomplishments of his nearly eight years in office in supporting the fight against AIDS, which even his critics acknowledge was one of the strongest overtures of his administration.

The ribbon, Bush said, affirmed "the matchless value of every life."

He claimed his emergency plan for AIDS relief, known as PEPFAR, was the "largest international health initiative dedicated to a single disease."

Oslo  - Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit was Monday awarded the country's Plussprisen prize for her efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.

The prize - announced in connection with World AIDS day - was awarded by the Norwegian group HivNorway that was formed to safeguard the rights and interests of people infected and affected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The princess is a goodwill ambassador for the joint United Nations programme, UNAIDS.

The 35-year-old princess shared the prize with Ragnhild Backstrom, who has worked to prevent discrimination against HIV-positive children.

Backstrom works to spread awareness about HIV in kindergartens, schools and local neighbourhoods.

New York  - Michel Sidibe of Mali was appointed Monday director of the United Nations programme to fight AIDS, a disease that has infected an estimated 33 million people worldwide.

The appointment came as the world marked World AIDS Day.

Sidibe is currently deputy executive director of the UN programme and will replace his departing boss, Peter Piot, whose name has been linked with the global fight against HIV/AIDS for years. Sidibe has 27 years in public healthcare services and has been Piot's deputy since 2001.

"The leadership of UNAIDS is in very capable hands," Piot said about the appointment. "UNAIDS has a vital role to play in sustaining the progress made in the global response to AIDS."