Newsline - 19 July 2010: The US pledges half a billion dollars to Pakistan. Eastern Europe is in the midst of an HIV/AIDS epidemic. And one man purchases as many cocoa beans as there are in all of Europe.

Millions to Pakistan
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced more than 500 million US dollars in aid projects for Pakistan. Secretary Clinton is on a two-day visit to the country to try and win hearts and minds in the battle against the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. Newsline's Paul Anstiss asked South Asia expert Dr Marie Lall whether the aid package will make any difference.

HIV explosion in Eastern Europe
Just last week, we reported on how Africa is in the midst of an HIV/AIDS revolution with infection rates dropping as a result of increased awareness and safer sex being practised by young people. But a report released today highlights an underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where rates have risen by as much as 66 percent in the past nine years, according to UNICEF. Listen to an interview with UNICEF's Mina Seremcic, co-author of the report.

A sweet deal
It's used to make chocolate and sweet bedtime drinks, but a British financier's decision to buy up Europe's entire stock of cocoa beans has left a bitter taste. Anthony Ward bought over 240,000 tonnes of cocoa for more than 750 million euros. The single purchase has dramatically affected the world Cocoa market - European prices rose sharply after the sale - and trading is expected to remain unstable in coming weeks. Listen to an interview with Laurent Pipitone, an analyst with the International Cocoa Organisation.