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.
A mysterious collision between a U.S.-flagged chemical tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military and a Portuguese-flagged container vessel unfolded off Britain’s coast on Tuesday morning, leaving both ships ablaze and prompting an urgent investigation into what went wrong
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course on Tuesday, scaling back a planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum just hours after announcing the sharp hike, following a retaliatory electricity surcharge threat from Ontario.
Polling stations closed in Greenland on Tuesday in a closely watched parliamentary election, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to acquire the mineral-rich Arctic island fueled debate over independence from Denmark.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $1.2 billion disbursement to Egypt, completing the fourth review of Cairo’s $8 billion economic reform programme, the lender announced on Tuesday.
A mysterious collision between a U.S.-flagged chemical tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military and a Portuguese-flagged container vessel unfolded off Britain’s coast on Tuesday morning, leaving both ships ablaze and prompting an urgent investigation into what went wrong
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a suite of new developer tools designed to streamline the creation of advanced AI agents, signaling a strategic move amid intensifying competition from Chinese AI startups.
Mexico’s economy appears on track to contract in the first quarter, potentially plunging the country into a technical recession, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff policies disrupt growth that was already showing signs of weakness.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course on Tuesday, scaling back a planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum just hours after announcing the sharp hike, following a retaliatory electricity surcharge threat from Ontario.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
The World Health Organization WHO has announced a road map for cuts and tightening as it navigates a different reality in the absence of US funding.
A recent Brazilian study suggests that fish oil may play a key role in reducing insulin resistance and improving glucose tolerance, offering hope for non-obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Pope Francis is responding well to treatment for double pneumonia, with his overall condition gradually improving, the Vatican said on Saturday. The 88-year-old has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for more than three weeks with a severe respiratory infection.
A mysterious collision between a U.S.-flagged chemical tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military and a Portuguese-flagged container vessel unfolded off Britain’s coast on Tuesday morning, leaving both ships ablaze and prompting an urgent investigation into what went wrong
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a suite of new developer tools designed to streamline the creation of advanced AI agents, signaling a strategic move amid intensifying competition from Chinese AI startups.
Mexico’s economy appears on track to contract in the first quarter, potentially plunging the country into a technical recession, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff policies disrupt growth that was already showing signs of weakness.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course on Tuesday, scaling back a planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum just hours after announcing the sharp hike, following a retaliatory electricity surcharge threat from Ontario.
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