SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative announced its 2013 funding recipients this week, as it prepares to grant more than $360,000 to 10 San Diego area HIV/AIDS service organizations.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- A large-scale study of gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), conducted by the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), indicates that only one third of MSM can easily access condoms, lubricant, HIV testing and HIV treatment.

Combining a multi-lingual online survey and focus group discussions, the study suggests that structural barriers like homophobia play a significant role in blocking access to HIV services for MSM, while greater comfort with health service providers and more community engagement are associated with higher levels of service access.

LONDON -- Britain’s pin-up Princes, William and Harry, have been asked to be ambassadors for the country’s leading HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

The organization was started when Terry Higgins became one of the first to die of AIDS in the UK three decades ago. It was founded by his partner Rupert Whitaker and their friends.

Now the gay-run charity is celebrating its 30th anniversary. And William, Duke of Cambridge and his playboy brother Prince Harry have sent a message of support.

In response, the charity has said it would love them to become "ambassadors" for THT.

GENEVA, Switzerland -- A new World AIDS Day report by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows that a more than 50% reduction in the rate of new HIV infections has been achieved across 25 low- and middle-income countries –– more than half in Africa, the region most affected by HIV.

“The pace of progress is quickening—what used to take a decade is now being achieved in 24 months,” said Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS.