Morning Briefing

"There is no doubt that" a 10 percent reduction in funding from donor governments for the AIDS response in low- and middle-income countries in 2010 from the previous year's levels "is linked to economic strain felt by countries across the globe," a VOA News editorial says. "UNAIDS estimates that an investment of at least $22 billion will be needed by 2015 in order to avert more than seven million deaths," the editorial states, adding, "It is clear that continued support to HIV prevention and treatment is a necessary investment, even in these difficult times."