--- F R E N D Z of martian --- Something you might find amusing...from http://www.smh.com.au/news/0012/26/world/world5.html ----- Gates beats US in health spending Washington: Giving away money steadily, tens of millions of dollars at a time, Mr Bill Gates has become the single most influential force trying to reverse the growing health crisis afflicting the world's poor. With his wife, Melinda, he outspent the United States Government last year by nearly $US300 million ($538 million), to fight global health threats such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The man who led the computer software revolution accounts for more than a quarter of what all industrialised countries spend for the health needs of underdeveloped nations. His foundation gave $US1.44 billion last year, compared to about $US5 billion from industrialised nations. Mr Gates says he believes it is time for the rich nations to act less like Scrooge. "The world hasn't been allocating its resources properly at all in global health. Rich governments should be doing more." The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made 60 separate grants. The founder of CNN, Mr Ted Turner, offered last week to put up $US34 million to bridge the shortfall in US dues payments to the United Nations, after giving the organisation $US1 billion three years ago. Over the last several years, Mr Gates, 45, has spent hundreds of hours seeking information about global health. His foundation has a staff of seven, puny compared to other philanthropic groups. The foundation will give about $US1 billion a year. For the coming year, the US Congress has allocated $US1.49 billion for international health. The Boston Globe -- Sent to you via the frendz list at marsbard.com The archive is at http://www.mail-archive.com/frendz@marsbard.com/