The U.S. State Department clarified on Saturday that the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—the world’s largest HIV initiative—is exempt from the 90-day pause on foreign aid ordered by President Donald Trump.
Shortly after taking office on January 20, Trump halted all foreign aid contributions for review under his "America First" policy. While emergency food aid was granted an exemption earlier, the lack of clarity left aid organizations uncertain about which programs could continue.
The State Department's Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy issued a formal memo confirming that PEPFAR remains operational, allowing for:
HIV care and treatment, including testing and counseling
Prevention and treatment of infections such as tuberculosis (TB)
Laboratory services and medicine supply chains
Mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention
The memo stated that all other activities not explicitly mentioned require express approval.
PEPFAR directly supports over 20 million people living with HIV worldwide, accounting for two-thirds of all those receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the wider foreign aid freeze remains in place. As of Tuesday, all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) payments were suspended, marking the first halt in funding since October 1.
Additionally, sources indicate that the Trump administration is considering placing USAID under direct State Department control, a move that would significantly reshape U.S. foreign aid policy.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is created. The statement follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Riyadh was not making such a demand.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit since Trump’s re-election. Talks focused on a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal, the Gaza war, and the ongoing hostage negotiations.
The FireAid benefit concerts have raised over $100 million for wildfire relief in Los Angeles, with more than 50 million viewers tuning in across 28 platforms. The event, featuring Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Stevie Nicks, aims to support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery.
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that the family of an American killed in the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 can sue Russia’s Sberbank for allegedly funding the separatist group blamed for the attack.
China retaliated against U.S. tariffs by imposing its own levies on American imports and launching an antitrust probe into Google, escalating trade tensions between the two nations.
The Kremlin has declined to comment on a preliminary report on the investigation of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 tragic crash and suggested waiting for final report.
Santorini shaken by ongoing tremors for six days, prompting thousands of tourists to evacuate. Authorities implement safety measures as seismic activity continues, raising fears of a major earthquake.
The U.S. Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two U.S. defense officials.
Google has revised its AI principles, removing previous commitments not to develop artificial intelligence for weapons or surveillance technologies.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has released the preliminary report on the investigation on Azerbaijan Airlines's flight J2-8243's tragic crash. Read excerpts from the report and watch AnewZ's complete coverage.
An American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.
The U.S. has officially entered a new trade war. President Donald Trump has slapped 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, citing immigration and drug trafficking concerns. The move has immediate consequences for businesses and consumers—so what happens next?
Uganda has launched a trial vaccination program for the Sudan strain of Ebola as confirmed cases rise to three. With no approved vaccine for this strain, the trial aims to protect communities and strengthen outbreak response, according to the WHO.
Coca-Cola recalls drinks in Europe over elevated chlorate levels, citing potential health risks. Authorities are investigating, and the company assures consumer safety.
The CIA now concludes COVID-19 is "more likely" to have originated from a Wuhan lab, though with "low confidence." This aligns with the FBI and DOE, sparking renewed debate as China rejects the claim. The origins remain contested, influencing global health and diplomacy.
China bans livestock imports from multiple countries, citing disease outbreaks, to protect its agriculture and public health, impacting global trade and export-dependent nations.
Turkish and European researchers will collaborate on brain disease treatments and patient care under the EU Joint Program on Neurodegenerative Diseases, with TUBITAK supporting projects up to €225,000.
The Kremlin has declined to comment on a preliminary report on the investigation of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 tragic crash and suggested waiting for final report.
Santorini shaken by ongoing tremors for six days, prompting thousands of tourists to evacuate. Authorities implement safety measures as seismic activity continues, raising fears of a major earthquake.
The U.S. Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two U.S. defense officials.
Google has revised its AI principles, removing previous commitments not to develop artificial intelligence for weapons or surveillance technologies.
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