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UN lauds $6 billion US funding approval towards ending HIV/AIDS

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“This US investment will provide lifesaving support for millions of people in partner countries and help to ensure that the global HIV response remains efficient, data-driven and delivers results,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

“I thank President [Donald] Trump and the US Congress for their continued commitment to HIV and global health.”

The UN agency said the $5.88 billion spending package approved on Tuesday “reinforces the continued commitment and leadership of the United States in the global response to HIV”.

Where are the funds going?

For more than two decades, US investments have been the leading driver of the global HIV response, saving millions of lives and supporting countries’ efforts to end their AIDS epidemics, the UN agency said.

The package allocates:

  • $4.6 billion to bilateral HIV support through the America First Global Health Strategy
  • $1.25 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
  • $45 million to UNAIDS

The law advances the America First Global Health Strategy, which emphasises the achievement of UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets as an integral part of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and accelerates the strategic shift towards country ownership and self-reliant HIV responses.

UNAIDS in the lead 

The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) coordinates and drives the efforts of 11 UN organizations, including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO), towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. 

Since the establishment of UNAIDS in 1996, the US Government has been a leading partner of UNAIDS and recently renewed its membership in the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board through to 2028.

As for the new bipartisan law, UNAIDS said the agency is committed to leverage the funding to provide data and rigorous technical and strategic support to countries and communities most affected by HIV and for the implementation of the America First Global Health Strategy, working closely with the US Government, the Global Fund, partner governments and communities.

Learn more about UNAIDS work here. 

Gigi Hadid’s dad has positive reaction to her new romance with DiCaprio

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Supermodel Gigi Hadid may have gotten a stamp of approval from her father to date Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.

When giving his two cents on the supermodel’s rumoured new romance, her father Mohamed Hadid said that he “likes” the ‘Titanic’ star, reports aceshowbiz.com.

In an interview with Daily Mail, 73-year-old Mohamed told the outlet, “I met Mr. DiCaprio in St. Tropez four or five years ago and he is a very nice man.” He further noted, “I liked him.”

Mohamed added that Gigi and Leonardo “are friends” and that they’ve “known each other for some time.”

Of the swirling dating rumours, the famous real estate developer said: “I have not spoken to my daughter about Mr. DiCaprio.”

“I don’t think they are dating, I believe they are just good friends. But I really don’t know,” Mohamed said.

“While he could not confirm if there’s any truth to the romance rumours, the ex-husband of Yolanda Hadid later pointed out, “I don’t comment on my daughter’s personal relationships. I have no say in who she is dating.”

Gigi Hadid pens open letter seeking privacy for 10-month-old daughter

Gigi and Leonardo are reportedly dating as the ‘Don’t Look Up’ star is allegedly “pursuing” the 27-year-old beauty following his recent split from Camila Morrone.

Further fueling the romance rumours, the two were spotted getting cozy at a party in New York City on September 10.

Last week, it’s reported that while the mom of Khai is flattered by the actor’s advances, she isn’t looking to jump into anything serious right away.

“Leo’s clearly got an interest in Gigi, he’s been pursuing her, but she’s playing it very cool because dating just isn’t a priority for her right now, between her daughter and everything she has going on with work, she has her hands full,” a source explained.

More recently, it’s said that Gigi and Leo’s possible romance is ‘upsetting’ for Gigi’s ex Zayn Malik.

“Zayn still has hopes of reuniting with Gigi, they’re on good terms right now for their daughter’s sake but he’s made it clear he would love another chance with her so all of this news about her and Leo has been upsetting for him,” an insider told HollywoodLife.com on September 15.

“Gigi is doing her best to manage it all, but it’s definitely stirring up drama on Zayn’s side that she’s having to deal with.” (IANS)

Move Over Pellets or Tear Gas, Here is ‘Stink Bomb’ to Disperse Protesters

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Indian security forces are contemplating using stink bomb instead of usual pellet guns or other deterrents to mob stone pelting practise and tests are underway on some prototypes.

The Guinness Book of Records has listed two stink bombs – US Government Standard Bathroom Malodor with a mixture of eight chemicals resembling human feces smell while the other titled “Who me?”, is a mixture of five sulfur-related chemicals and smells like rotting food and dead bodies. Usually, harmless stink bombs use ammonium sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs.

The Kannauj-based Indian Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) has proposed a “stink bomb” that can burst to emit smoke with a “stinking” odour that can put off the stone pelters and keep them leave the place in disgust.

Currently, the other effects of such stink bomb are under evaluation and the FFDC is testing the impact on health when people breathe the bad odour from the burst of a stink bomb.

A report by ANI said the minister of state for Micro Medium and Small Industries (MSME) Giriraj Singh had asked the Defence Ministry to review the stink bomb and provide necessary guidelines and approval.

The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is likely to conduct tests and certify on its use or improvements before using it on people. Israel and the United States are also developing stink bombs as riot control and area denial weapons.

 

Indian Cabinet Okays MoU with Portugal, Kenya, Uruguay

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Indian Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved signing of bilateral agreements with Portugal, Kenya and Uruguay in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

The Agreements cover exchange of scientific and technical information, trade in plants and plant products, exchange of information in phytosanitary issues, training programmes, seminars and visits of experts and consultants.

These agreements will faciitate constitution of a Joint Working Groups comprising of representatives from both countries, to monitor the implementation of MoU and making concrete proposals for agriculture cooperation in the future.

The agreements will remain in force for five years, to be automatically extended for another five years unless either Party gives written notice through diplomatic channels to the other Party of its intention to terminate the Agreement at least six months before its expiration, said a statement by the government.

The agreement with Uruguay is significant as it also envisages cooperation in Customs Matters. It vouches for help in the availability of information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences to ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the two countries.

The Agreement also takes care of Indian Customs’ concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the Customs value declared, the authenticity of certificates of origin of goods and the description of the goods traded between the two countries.

Uruguay is an important trading partner of India among members of the MERCOSUR, a trading block in Latin America, with which India signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that came into effect from 1st June, 2009.

As trade between India and the Uruguay has been expanding gradually, the pact provides a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries and help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.