Reuters Alert Net: Should PEPFAR be Doing More for IDUs?
PEPFAR could do more to prevent HIV transmission among injection drug users (IDUs) in Africa, said a recent article in prominent British medical journal the Lancet. The article said that although heterosexual transmission is still the main means of HIV infection, in sub-Saharan Africa there could be up to three million people who inject drugs and that prevalence is often higher among intravenous drug users than in the general population. It criticizes PEPFAR’s prevention track record, which includes stipulations that one-third of funding be spent on programs promoting abstinence outside of marriage, and limited funds for programs targeting high-risk populations such as sex workers and intravenous drug users.

Financial Times Editorial: Nigerian Reform Gets New Champion
The FT editorial board writes that restoring confidence in Nigerian reform progress is a priority, if the foreign capital needed to sustain the country’s development is to flow again. The article says that since Nigeria’s current president, Umaru Yar’Adua, took office, excitement in investor circles about the country has given way to unease. The unease comes from the government’s failure to follow up on its promised reforms, particularly in terms of tackling corruption, addressing flaws in the electoral system, and re-energizing the oil industry. The FT says that there are, however, hopeful signs. The editorial predicts that Nigeria’s new central bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, will be a champion of reform in the country.

AP: Congress Largely Ignoring Obama Budget Cuts
Democrats in Congress crafting spending bills are largely rejecting the roster of program eliminations and budget cuts wanted by President Barack Obama. Lawmakers in both parties have combined to preserve more than $750 million worth of cuts suggested by Obama. On Tuesday, the House Appropriations panel easily approved a $48.8 billion foreign aid bill that provides $318.8 million for Mexico and Central America and $520 million for Colombia to fight narcotics and criminal gangs. The measure also provides $5.7 billion to fight AIDS across the globe.

-Grace Lamb-Atkinson