Writing in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s “Impatient Optimists” blog, Joe Cerrell, director of the foundation’s Europe office, reports on deliberations by the E.U. on Friday on a “budget deal that would show deep cuts to life-saving aid for the world’s poorest.” He writes, “European governments are facing some very difficult decisions. But it’s crucial to remember that aid is only a small fraction of the European Commission’s proposed budget and cutting back on it isn’t going to solve our current fiscal challenges.” He adds, “I hope that European governments demonstrate real leadership and commitment to continue transforming millions of lives of the world’s poorest” (2/8).