France levies
airline tax to raise AIDS funds

A new tax approved by the French parliament that takes effect July 1 levies a tax of up to $47 for anyone boarding a departing aircraft in the country, Agence France-Presse reports. The money raised by the tax will fund HIV, malaria, and hepatitis treatments around the world, says French president Jacques Chirac, who initially proposed the tax last year. Chirac is encouraging other countries to follow suit, and officials in Algeria, Brazil, Chile, and Norway have expressed interest in creating a similar tax. The U.S. government and U.S.-based airline companies oppose any such additional tax. (Advocate.com)