UK cuts aid to global disease initiative by 15% to 850 million pounds

Britain on Tuesday slashed by 15% its contribution to a global initiative to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with an 850-million-pound ($1.14 billion) pledge, the latest reduction in aid by nations struggling with tighter budgets.
Britain, historically a major donor to the Geneva-based Global Fund, has, like other major nations, been paring back its aid budget to fund increased defence spending.