International briefs
Cuba eliminates German measles
Cuba has become the first country in the world to eliminate German measles, according to the head of the Cuban health ministry's national vaccination program, Miguel Angel Galindo. Only 78 of the 214 nations belonging to the World Health Organisation have vaccination programs, and none have set the elimination of German measles as a goal.
Galindo said the last reported case of German measles in Cuba was in April 8, 1995. The announcement comes after more than three years of uninterrupted lack of transmission of the disease. Between 1959-95, some 209,000 Cubans were affected by German measles. Vaccination programs against the disease continue among children under 15 years old.
According to the ministry, Cuba has eliminated polio (in 1962), neo-natal tetanus (in 1972), diphtheria (in 1979), measles (in 1993), and now German measles.
Solomon Islands to nationalise logging
The Solomon Islands government will nationalise logging and end the domination of the industry by Malaysian companies, reported Radio Australia on April 22.
Forest minister Hilda Kari told Solomons' parliament that the private logging industry has failed to ensure improved living standards for traditional land holders. When the industry is nationalised, he said, it will be easier to ensure control and sustainability of the environment, adding that the government will help the industry with sensitive budgeting.
Foreign companies have been running logging operations throughout the Solomon Islands. Critics claim the tree felling was causing major environmental damage. However, since the Asian economic collapse, the Solomons' logging industry has largely closed down.
General strike in Denmark
The Danish Federation of Trade Unions began a general strike on April 27 after it rejected a proposed national award. The strike involved an estimated 550,000 unionised workers and sympathisers — more than 10% of the population.
The unions want a sixth week of paid holiday while the Danish Employers' Confederation offered only one extra day off. The action is the first in Denmark since 1985.