U.K. marks World
AIDS Day with millions in funding

In acknowledgment of World AIDS Day on Thursday, United Kingdom prime minister Tony Blair released a statement that his government will donate PS20 million ($48 million U.S.) to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and PS7.5 million ($13 million U.S.) to help develop HIV microbicides. "The AIDS crisis represents a human tragedy for the more than 40 million men, women, and children suffering from the disease around the world," Blair said. "As president of the G-8 and the [European Union], the U.K. is showing leadership in the global fight against AIDS through a strong commitment to increased prevention and treatment." At July's G-8 summit of rich industrialized nations in Scotland, the eight heads of state pledged to work toward universal antiretroviral therapy access by 2010. (AP)