UN warns of massive death toll from AIDS

MORE than 80 million Africans may die from AIDS by 2025, the United Nations said in a report released yesterday, and infections could soar to 90 million - or more than 10% of the continent's population - if more isn't done soon to fight the disease.

More than 25 million African have already been infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. UNAIDS estimated that nearly €160 billion is needed to save 16 million people from death and 43 million people from becoming infected, but donors have pledged nowhere near that amount.

In its report "AIDS in Africa," the UN agency examines three potential scenarios for the continent in the next 20 years depending on the international community's contribution to fighting the epidemic.