Nigeria, July 17 -- The United States Senate has moved to exempt the global anti-AIDS programme, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), from major foreign aid cuts proposed by President Donald Trump's administration. This development offers hope to millions of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and other developing countries.

The decision follows pressure from key Republican senators who resisted a White House-backed plan to slash $400 million from PEPFAR.

First launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush, the government says PEPFAR has provided life-saving antiretroviral treatment and healthcare support to more than 25 million people worldwide.

After a closed-door meeting on Tuesday with Senate Republicans, White...