The Solomon Islands said Friday that no decision had yet been made on switching the Pacific island nation's diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.

The Solomons are among only 17 nations to recognise Taiwan, but Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare vowed to review the relationship after he was elected in April.

A switch would reduce the number of nations backing Taiwan which Beijing regards as a renegade province as well as boosting China's influence among the strategically important Pacific isles.

For the Solomons, where less than half the population has access to electricity, the debate offers a chance to weigh up promises of aid from Taipei and Beijing.

Government frontbencher Peter Shanel Agovaka, who led a recent ministerial delegation to Beijing to discuss the issue, told a parliamentary committee this week that his preference was to recognise China.

"We cannot sit for the next 40 years with our friends Taiwan, it is time that we make new friends," he said, arguing links with China would help boost the Pacific nation's economy.

The Solomon Islands' foreign affairs department said no decision had been made and the issue would not be finalised until the cabinet had reviewed a task force report.

"As far as can be determined, the Office of Prime Minister has not announced when it is likely to decide on whether or not the government agrees to switch diplomatic ties to China or remain with Taiwan," the department said in a statement issued to media in Taiwan on Friday.

The Solomons parliament's foreign relations committee is accepting submissions on the Taiwan-China issue until the end of this month and has an October 31 deadline to report to the legislature.

Nations such as Australia and the United States fear Beijing's interest is fuelled by a long-term goal to establish a military base in the islands, offering control of vast swathes of the Pacific Ocean.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper last month accused China of destabilising the region using such tactics, citing "predatory economics and debt-for-sovereignty deals".

However, China's ambassador to Samoa Chao Xiaoliang has labelled critics "ignorant" and "prejudiced", saying Beijing's main interest is forming partnerships to help Pacific nations.

The Solomon Islands said Friday that no decision had yet been made on switching the Pacific island nation's diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. The Solomons are among only 17 nations to recognise Taiwan, but Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare vowed to review the relationship after he was elected in April.

The Solomon Islands said Friday that no decision had yet been made on switching the Pacific island nation's diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. The Solomons are among only 17 nations to recognise Taiwan, but Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare vowed to review the relationship after he was elected in April. A switch would reduce the number of nations backing Taiwan which Beijing regards as a renegade province as well as boosting China's influence among the strategically important Pacific isles. For the Solomons, where less than half the population has access to electricity, the debate offers a chance to weigh up promises of aid from Taipei and Beijing. Government frontbencher Peter Shanel Agovaka, who led a recent ministerial delegation to Beijing to discuss the issue, told a parliamentary committee this week that his preference was to recognise China. "We cannot sit for the next 40 years with our friends Taiwan, it is time that we make new friends," he said, arguing links with China would help boost the Pacific nation's economy. The Solomon Islands' foreign affairs department said no decision had been made and the issue would not be finalised until the cabinet had reviewed a task force report. "As far as can be determined, the Office of Prime Minister has not announced when it is likely to decide on whether or not the government agrees to switch diplomatic ties to China or remain with Taiwan," the department said in a statement issued to media in Taiwan on Friday. The Solomons parliament's foreign relations committee is accepting submissions on the Taiwan-China issue until the end of this month and has an October 31 deadline to report to the legislature. Nations such as Australia and the United States fear Beijing's interest is fuelled by a long-term goal to establish a military base in the islands, offering control of vast swathes of the Pacific Ocean. US Defence Secretary Mark Esper last month accused China of destabilising the region using such tactics, citing "predatory economics and debt-for-sovereignty deals". However, China's ambassador to Samoa Chao Xiaoliang has labelled critics "ignorant" and "prejudiced", saying Beijing's main interest is forming partnerships to help Pacific nations.

Solomons say no decision yet in Taiwan-China debate

Bangladesh on Thursday said it has banned two aid agencies from Rohingya camps in the country's southeast, alleging they were telling refugees to reject repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.

The move came amid growing impatience from Dhaka about the presence of the refugees in the country, two years after some 740,000 were driven over the border by a military crackdown on the Muslim minority.

The latest repatriation attempt by Bangladesh and Myanmar two weeks ago, the second in less than a year, failed with not a single refugee volunteering to cross the border back home.

US-based Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and local organisation Al Markaz ul Islami were accused by the government's NGO Affairs Bureau of "instigating" the stateless minority against the recent repatriation attempt.

Kamal Hossain, the government administrator of Cox's Bazar district where the refugee camps are located, said Dhaka had issued a notice for the NGOs to immediately stop their activities across the country.

"The administration is taking action accordingly to the issued order," he told AFP, adding that the NGO Affairs Bureau also ordered bank transactions by the two agencies to be halted.

More than 130 aid agencies work in the three dozen squalid camps in Cox's Bazar, where the 740,000 Rohingya fled to, joining some 200,000 others already living here.

Foreign Minister 'A K Abdul Momen' last week said Dhaka would crackdown on aid agencies if they "do something going beyond their terms and references".

The Rohingya have refused to go home until Myanmar gives them guarantees of safety and citizenship status.

Tensions have ratcheted up in the camps in recent weeks as refugees marked the two-year anniversary of the 2017 exodus.

Four refugees have also been killed in the fallout over the murder of local ruling party official Omar Faruk, which police blame on Rohingya hitmen.

Bangladesh on Thursday said it has banned two aid agencies from Rohingya camps in the country's southeast, alleging they were telling refugees to reject repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.

Bangladesh on Thursday said it has banned two aid agencies from Rohingya camps in the country's southeast, alleging they were telling refugees to reject repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar. The move came amid growing impatience from Dhaka about the presence of the refugees in the country, two years after some 740,000 were driven over the border by a military crackdown on the Muslim minority. The latest repatriation attempt by Bangladesh and Myanmar two weeks ago, the second in less than a year, failed with not a single refugee volunteering to cross the border back home. US-based Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and local organisation Al Markaz ul Islami were accused by the government's NGO Affairs Bureau of "instigating" the stateless minority against the recent repatriation attempt. Kamal Hossain, the government administrator of Cox's Bazar district where the refugee camps are located, said Dhaka had issued a notice for the NGOs to immediately stop their activities across the country. "The administration is taking action accordingly to the issued order," he told AFP, adding that the NGO Affairs Bureau also ordered bank transactions by the two agencies to be halted. More than 130 aid agencies work in the three dozen squalid camps in Cox's Bazar, where the 740,000 Rohingya fled to, joining some 200,000 others already living here. Foreign Minister 'A K Abdul Momen' last week said Dhaka would crackdown on aid agencies if they "do something going beyond their terms and references". The Rohingya have refused to go home until Myanmar gives them guarantees of safety and citizenship status. Tensions have ratcheted up in the camps in recent weeks as refugees marked the two-year anniversary of the 2017 exodus. Four refugees have also been killed in the fallout over the murder of local ruling party official Omar Faruk, which police blame on Rohingya hitmen.

Bangladesh bans two aid agencies from Rohingya refugee camps

China has made huge investments in Pakistan in the energy sector under the US $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative and Beijing will provide US $1 billion grant to Islamabad for the socio-economic development in the country, a minister said Friday.

Addressing a seminar by the CPEC Forum in Islamabad, Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiar said industrial and agricultural development will be targeted in the next phase of CPEC.

"Cooperation in education, health, water, poverty alleviation and other sectors has been included in socio-economic development," Bakhtiar said at the seminar titled Regional Cooperation and Industrial Development through Business to Business Cooperation.

He urged the private sector to take a lead in the industrial development, asserting that cooperation in the industrial sector will further strengthen relationship between Pakistan and China.

China will provide US $1 billion grant to Pakistan for the socio-economic development, he said.

China has made huge investments in the energy sector under the CPEC which was launched in 2015 when President Xi Jinping visited the country, he added.

Bakhtiar said China had offered free access for export of 313 Pakistani items and a Pakistan-China Business Forum is being set up to promote trade between the two countries.

The CPEC Forum provides platform for exchange of ideas on the CPEC, and the latest event was a collaboration between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Pakistan China Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Research and Development International.

The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of Chinese President Xi's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India has been boycotting the BRI to protest over the CPEC being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

China has made huge investments in Pakistan in the energy sector under the US $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative and Beijing will provide US $1 billion grant to Islamabad for the socio-economic development in the country, a minister said Friday.

China has made huge investments in Pakistan in the energy sector under the US $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative and Beijing will provide US $1 billion grant to Islamabad for the socio-economic development in the country, a minister said Friday. Addressing a seminar by the CPEC Forum in Islamabad, Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiar said industrial and agricultural development will be targeted in the next phase of CPEC. "Cooperation in education, health, water, poverty alleviation and other sectors has been included in socio-economic development," Bakhtiar said at the seminar titled Regional Cooperation and Industrial Development through Business to Business Cooperation. He urged the private sector to take a lead in the industrial development, asserting that cooperation in the industrial sector will further strengthen relationship between Pakistan and China. China will provide US $1 billion grant to Pakistan for the socio-economic development, he said. China has made huge investments in the energy sector under the CPEC which was launched in 2015 when President Xi Jinping visited the country, he added. Bakhtiar said China had offered free access for export of 313 Pakistani items and a Pakistan-China Business Forum is being set up to promote trade between the two countries. The CPEC Forum provides platform for exchange of ideas on the CPEC, and the latest event was a collaboration between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Pakistan China Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Research and Development International. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of Chinese President Xi's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). India has been boycotting the BRI to protest over the CPEC being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

China to provide $1 billion grant to Pakistan for socio-economic development

South Korea has provided its largest food and aid donation since 2008 to UN aid programmes in North Korea, officials said on Wednesday, amid warnings that millions of dollars more is needed to make up for food shortages.

South Korea followed through on a promise to donate $4.5 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and announced it was also providing 50,000 tonnes of rice for delivery to its northern neighbour.&nbsp;

North Korea has said it is facing droughts, and UN aid agencies have said food production fell "dramatically" last year, leaving more than 10 million North Koreans at risk.

"This is the largest donation from the Republic of Korea to WFP DPRK since 2008 and will support 1.5 to 2 million children, pregnant and nursing mothers," WFP senior spokesman Herve Verhoosel said in a statement, referring to his agency`s operation in North Korea, or the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

More aid would be needed, however, to make up for the shortfalls, he said.

"WFP estimates that at least 300,000 metric tons of food, valued at $275 million, is needed to scale up humanitarian assistance in support of those people most affected by significant crop losses over successive seasons," Verhoosel said.

North Korea is under strict international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

While inter-Korean engagement spiked last year amid a push to resolve the nuclear standoff, Seoul`s efforts to engage with Pyongyang have been less successful after a second US-North Korea summit ended with no agreement in February.

Sanctions a problem

South Korea would work with the WFP to get the aid as quickly as possible to the North Korean people who need, the South`s Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, said in a statement.

"The timing and scale of additional food assistance to North Korea will be determined in consideration of the outcome of the aid provision this time," the ministry said.

According to South Korean officials the rice is worth 127 billion won ($108 million).

The government would aim to have the rice delivered before September, and officials were in touch with counterparts in North Korea, Unification minister Kim Yeon-chul told reporters.

South Korea`s Agriculture Ministry said the last time South Korea sent rice to North Korea was in 2010, when 5,000 tonnes were donated. The largest donation ever was in 2005 when South Korean sent 500,000 tonnes of rice.

Seoul also recently donated $3.5 million to the United Nations Children`s Fund (UNICEF) for humanitarian projects in North Korea.&nbsp;

Technically humanitarian aid is not blocked by the sanctions, but aid organisations said sanctions enforcement and a US ban on its citizens travelling to North Korea had slowed and in some cases prevented aid from reaching the country.

Aid shipments have also been controversial because of fears that North Korea`s authoritarian government would divert the supplies or potentially profit off it.

Verhoosel said the WFP would require "high standards for access and monitoring" to be in place before distributing any aid.&nbsp; 
In March, Russia donated more than 2,000 tonnes of wheat to the WFP`s North Korea programme.

South Korea has provided its largest food and aid donation since 2008 to UN aid programmes in North Korea, officials said on Wednesday, amid warnings that millions of dollars more is needed to make up for food shortages.

South Korea has provided its largest food and aid donation since 2008 to UN aid programmes in North Korea, officials said on Wednesday, amid warnings that millions of dollars more is needed to make up for food shortages. South Korea followed through on a promise to donate $4.5 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and announced it was also providing 50,000 tonnes of rice for delivery to its northern neighbour. North Korea has said it is facing droughts, and UN aid agencies have said food production fell "dramatically" last year, leaving more than 10 million North Koreans at risk. "This is the largest donation from the Republic of Korea to WFP DPRK since 2008 and will support 1.5 to 2 million children, pregnant and nursing mothers," WFP senior spokesman Herve Verhoosel said in a statement, referring to his agency`s operation in North Korea, or the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK). More aid would be needed, however, to make up for the shortfalls, he said. "WFP estimates that at least 300,000 metric tons of food, valued at $275 million, is needed to scale up humanitarian assistance in support of those people most affected by significant crop losses over successive seasons," Verhoosel said. North Korea is under strict international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. While inter-Korean engagement spiked last year amid a push to resolve the nuclear standoff, Seoul`s efforts to engage with Pyongyang have been less successful after a second US-North Korea summit ended with no agreement in February. Sanctions a problem South Korea would work with the WFP to get the aid as quickly as possible to the North Korean people who need, the South`s Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, said in a statement. "The timing and scale of additional food assistance to North Korea will be determined in consideration of the outcome of the aid provision this time," the ministry said. According to South Korean officials the rice is worth 127 billion won ($108 million). The government would aim to have the rice delivered before September, and officials were in touch with counterparts in North Korea, Unification minister Kim Yeon-chul told reporters. South Korea`s Agriculture Ministry said the last time South Korea sent rice to North Korea was in 2010, when 5,000 tonnes were donated. The largest donation ever was in 2005 when South Korean sent 500,000 tonnes of rice. Seoul also recently donated $3.5 million to the United Nations Children`s Fund (UNICEF) for humanitarian projects in North Korea. Technically humanitarian aid is not blocked by the sanctions, but aid organisations said sanctions enforcement and a US ban on its citizens travelling to North Korea had slowed and in some cases prevented aid from reaching the country. Aid shipments have also been controversial because of fears that North Korea`s authoritarian government would divert the supplies or potentially profit off it. Verhoosel said the WFP would require "high standards for access and monitoring" to be in place before distributing any aid. In March, Russia donated more than 2,000 tonnes of wheat to the WFP`s North Korea programme.

South Korea gives most aid to North Korea since 2008 amid food shortage

A U.N. official on Tuesday (May 14) has urged Myanmar to grant aid workers "predictable, sustained access" to Rakhine state, where fighting between government troops and rebels has displaced nearly 33,000 people since late last year, saying lack of aid has cost lives.

'People are dying': U.N official urges Myanmar to grant aid access to Rakhine state

Qatar said Tuesday it had allocated $480 million in aid to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-palestinians-killed-as-rocket-barrages-from-gaza-draw-israeli-strikes-216001">cash-strapped Palestinian Authority</a> to support education and health services and provide urgent humanitarian relief.

The authority led by president Mahmud Abbas has been hit by the cutting of two of its leading sources of revenues.

Washington has ended all bilateral US aid in response to the Palestinians' severing of contacts after it recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017.

A row with Israel has meanwhile led to a halt to transfers of customs duties it levies on goods destined for Palestinian markets.

Both Abbas and the leader of Hamas, the rival Palestinian faction which controls the Gaza Strip, welcomed the Qatari announcement.

"The state of Qatar has allocated $300 million in the form of grants and loans to support the health and education sectors' budgets with the Palestinian Authority," the official Qatar News Agency said.

It said Doha had also allocated another $180 million in "urgent relief and humanitarian aid and in support of UN programmes in Palestine."

Aid will also go to the power sector to ensure supplies are not interrupted.

In a statement on official Palestinian news agency Wafa, Abbas thanked the emirate for its financial assistance, which he said would "contribute to alleviating and supporting the burdens of our people."

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said the aid was "a continuation of the unwavering Qatari stances that support the Palestinian people."

In February, Israel February decided to deduct around $10 million a month from the customs duty it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, corresponding to the amount it said they paid families of prisoners or directly to inmates serving time in Israeli jails.

The Palestinians responded by saying they would refuse any funds where unilateral deductions had been made.

Israel sees the payments to those who have carried out attacks against Israelis as encouraging further violence.

The Palestinian Authority describes the payments as a form of welfare, while the Palestinian public regards prisoners jailed by Israel as national heroes.

Gas-rich Qatar is a major aid donor to the Palestinians, both to Abbas's West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and to the rival Gaza administration of Islamist group Hamas.

In November, the Gulf state, which is a longtime Hamas ally, committed to providing around $15 million a month in aid to Gaza over six months.

Qatar said Tuesday it had allocated $480 million in aid to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to support education and health services and provide urgent humanitarian relief.

Qatar said Tuesday it had allocated $480 million in aid to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to support education and health services and provide urgent humanitarian relief. The authority led by president Mahmud Abbas has been hit by the cutting of two of its leading sources of revenues. Washington has ended all bilateral US aid in response to the Palestinians' severing of contacts after it recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017. A row with Israel has meanwhile led to a halt to transfers of customs duties it levies on goods destined for Palestinian markets. Both Abbas and the leader of Hamas, the rival Palestinian faction which controls the Gaza Strip, welcomed the Qatari announcement. "The state of Qatar has allocated $300 million in the form of grants and loans to support the health and education sectors' budgets with the Palestinian Authority," the official Qatar News Agency said. It said Doha had also allocated another $180 million in "urgent relief and humanitarian aid and in support of UN programmes in Palestine." Aid will also go to the power sector to ensure supplies are not interrupted. In a statement on official Palestinian news agency Wafa, Abbas thanked the emirate for its financial assistance, which he said would "contribute to alleviating and supporting the burdens of our people." Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said the aid was "a continuation of the unwavering Qatari stances that support the Palestinian people." In February, Israel February decided to deduct around $10 million a month from the customs duty it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, corresponding to the amount it said they paid families of prisoners or directly to inmates serving time in Israeli jails. The Palestinians responded by saying they would refuse any funds where unilateral deductions had been made. Israel sees the payments to those who have carried out attacks against Israelis as encouraging further violence. The Palestinian Authority describes the payments as a form of welfare, while the Palestinian public regards prisoners jailed by Israel as national heroes. Gas-rich Qatar is a major aid donor to the Palestinians, both to Abbas's West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and to the rival Gaza administration of Islamist group Hamas. In November, the Gulf state, which is a longtime Hamas ally, committed to providing around $15 million a month in aid to Gaza over six months.

Qatar allocates $480 million in aid to Palestinians

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said on Sunday they had agreed to send Sudan $3 billion worth of aid, throwing a lifeline to the country`s new military leaders after protests led to the ousting of president<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudanese-authorities-arrest-members-of-bashirs-party-source-212213"> Omar al-Bashir</a>.&nbsp;

The two Gulf Arab countries will deposit $500 million with the Sudanese central bank and send the rest in the form of food, medicine and petroleum products, their state news agencies said in parallel statements.

The aid comes amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-protest-leaders-halt-talks-with-military-212459">wrangling between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and protesters</a> and opposition groups who are demanding that civilians lead a two-year transitional period.

The protesters who have kept up a sit-in outside the Defence Ministry since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cash-worth-113-mn-seized-at-bashirs-home-sudan-army-ruler-212460">Bashir</a> was removed on April 11. They have demonstrated in large numbers over the past three days, pressing for a rapid handover to civilian rule.

TMC head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told state TV that the formation of a joint military-civilian council - one of the activists` demands - was being considered.

"The issue has been put forward for discussion and a vision has yet to be reached," he said.

"The role of the military council complements the uprising and the blessed revolution," said Burhan, adding that the TMC was committed to handing power over to the people.

But a coalition of protesters and opposition groups said the TMC was not serious about handing over power to civilians, describing the council as an "extension of the old regime".

"We have decided to opt for escalation with the military council, not to recognise its legitimacy and to continue the sit-in and escalate the protests on the streets," Mohamed al-Amin Abdel-Aziz, of the Sudanese Professional Association, told one of the largest crowds outside the defence ministry.

KOBAR PRISON&nbsp;

Burhan also confirmed for the first time that Bashir and a number of former officials, including presidential aide Nafie Ali Nafie, acting party head Ahmed Haroun and former first vice president Ali Osman Taha, are being held at a high-security prison in Khartoum North.&nbsp;

"All of them are at Kobar prison," he said, adding that "a large number of symbols of the former regime suspected of corruption will stand trial".&nbsp;

Burhan said authorities had found 7 million euros ($7.8 million) in Bashir`s home, along with $350,000, slightly more than previously reported.&nbsp;

The aid from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is the first major publicly announced assistance to Sudan from Gulf states in several years.&nbsp;

"This is to strengthen its financial position, ease the pressure on the Sudanese pound and increase stability in the exchange rate," the Saudi Press Agency said.

Sudan`s state news agency said the central bank strengthened the Sudanese pound to 45 pounds to the dollar from 47.5, in a measure that coincided with the sharp rise in the price of the pound against the dollar on the parallel market.&nbsp;

The two Gulf states have ties with Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, through their participation in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.&nbsp;

Sudan has been suffering from a deepening economic crisis that has caused cash shortages and long queues at bakeries and petrol stations.

Analysts have blamed the crisis on economic mismanagement, corruption, and the impact of US sanctions, as well as the loss of oil revenue when South Sudan seceded in 2011.

In October 2017, the United States lifted some trade and economic sanctions on Sudan, but Sudan remained on the list of countries that the United States considers to be sponsors of terrorism.

Burhan said a committee could travel to the United States for discussions about lifting Sudan from the list by next week. Washington has said Sudan will not be removed from the list as long as the military is in power.

The designation makes Sudan ineligible for desperately needed debt relief and financing from international lenders.&nbsp;

The United States agreed in November to talks with Bashir`s government on how to get Sudan removed from the list, but no resolution was reached before his overthrow.

Over the last few years, Sudan`s cash-short government expanded money supply to cover the cost of expensive subsidies on fuel, wheat and pharmaceuticals, causing annual inflation of 73 per cent and the Sudanese pound to plunge against the dollar.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said on Sunday they had agreed to send Sudan $3 billion worth of aid, throwing a lifeline to the country`s new military leaders after protests led to the ousting of president Omar al-Bashir.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said on Sunday they had agreed to send Sudan $3 billion worth of aid, throwing a lifeline to the country`s new military leaders after protests led to the ousting of president Omar al-Bashir. The two Gulf Arab countries will deposit $500 million with the Sudanese central bank and send the rest in the form of food, medicine and petroleum products, their state news agencies said in parallel statements. The aid comes amid wrangling between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and protesters and opposition groups who are demanding that civilians lead a two-year transitional period. The protesters who have kept up a sit-in outside the Defence Ministry since Bashir was removed on April 11. They have demonstrated in large numbers over the past three days, pressing for a rapid handover to civilian rule. TMC head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told state TV that the formation of a joint military-civilian council - one of the activists` demands - was being considered. "The issue has been put forward for discussion and a vision has yet to be reached," he said. "The role of the military council complements the uprising and the blessed revolution," said Burhan, adding that the TMC was committed to handing power over to the people. But a coalition of protesters and opposition groups said the TMC was not serious about handing over power to civilians, describing the council as an "extension of the old regime". "We have decided to opt for escalation with the military council, not to recognise its legitimacy and to continue the sit-in and escalate the protests on the streets," Mohamed al-Amin Abdel-Aziz, of the Sudanese Professional Association, told one of the largest crowds outside the defence ministry. KOBAR PRISON Burhan also confirmed for the first time that Bashir and a number of former officials, including presidential aide Nafie Ali Nafie, acting party head Ahmed Haroun and former first vice president Ali Osman Taha, are being held at a high-security prison in Khartoum North. "All of them are at Kobar prison," he said, adding that "a large number of symbols of the former regime suspected of corruption will stand trial". Burhan said authorities had found 7 million euros ($7.8 million) in Bashir`s home, along with $350,000, slightly more than previously reported. The aid from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is the first major publicly announced assistance to Sudan from Gulf states in several years. "This is to strengthen its financial position, ease the pressure on the Sudanese pound and increase stability in the exchange rate," the Saudi Press Agency said. Sudan`s state news agency said the central bank strengthened the Sudanese pound to 45 pounds to the dollar from 47.5, in a measure that coincided with the sharp rise in the price of the pound against the dollar on the parallel market. The two Gulf states have ties with Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, through their participation in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. Sudan has been suffering from a deepening economic crisis that has caused cash shortages and long queues at bakeries and petrol stations. Analysts have blamed the crisis on economic mismanagement, corruption, and the impact of US sanctions, as well as the loss of oil revenue when South Sudan seceded in 2011. In October 2017, the United States lifted some trade and economic sanctions on Sudan, but Sudan remained on the list of countries that the United States considers to be sponsors of terrorism. Burhan said a committee could travel to the United States for discussions about lifting Sudan from the list by next week. Washington has said Sudan will not be removed from the list as long as the military is in power. The designation makes Sudan ineligible for desperately needed debt relief and financing from international lenders. The United States agreed in November to talks with Bashir`s government on how to get Sudan removed from the list, but no resolution was reached before his overthrow. Over the last few years, Sudan`s cash-short government expanded money supply to cover the cost of expensive subsidies on fuel, wheat and pharmaceuticals, causing annual inflation of 73 per cent and the Sudanese pound to plunge against the dollar.

Saudi Arabia, UAE to send $3 billion in aid to Sudan

Opposition leader Juan Guaido hailed a victory as the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday.

The delivery came after an about-face by President Nicolas Maduro, who last week said his socialist government had reached an agreement with the Red Cross to bring aid. Maduro had blocked previous efforts to deliver assistance and has denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis.

There was little hope that the shipment - intended to help hospitals cope with shortages of equipment and frequent power outages - would be anything more than a palliative measure for Venezuela, where over three million people have fled the chaos of hyperinflation and chronic shortages of food and medicine.

Venezuela was plunged into a political deadlock in January, when Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly invoked the country's constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido hailed a victory as the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido hailed a victory as the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Red Cross arrived in the once-prosperous, oil-rich country on Tuesday. The delivery came after an about-face by President Nicolas Maduro, who last week said his socialist government had reached an agreement with the Red Cross to bring aid. Maduro had blocked previous efforts to deliver assistance and has denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis. There was little hope that the shipment - intended to help hospitals cope with shortages of equipment and frequent power outages - would be anything more than a palliative measure for Venezuela, where over three million people have fled the chaos of hyperinflation and chronic shortages of food and medicine. Venezuela was plunged into a political deadlock in January, when Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly invoked the country's constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

Guaido says 'regime has run out of rhetoric' as Red Cross aid arrives in Venezuela

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday accused the United States of impending aid efforts after the authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-evacuates-flood-threatened-villages-after-heavy-rains-kill-dozens-206805">flood-stricken cities in western Iran</a>.

''Trump's 'maximum pressure'—flouting UNSC Res 2231 &amp; ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM,'' Zarif tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> ‘s "maximum pressure"—flouting UNSC Res 2231 &amp; ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranianRedCrescent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IranianRedCrescent</a> to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM. <a href="https://t.co/EEKTMiXLEi">pic.twitter.com/EEKTMiXLEi</a>
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1112792501872672770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At least 45 people were killed last week in flash floods in northern and southern Iran. Forecasters have predicted more heavy rains in the days ahead.

The government ordered an evacuation on Saturday for around 11 villages lying near the Dez and Karkheh rivers in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan.

The authorities declared a "situation red", the highest level of alert, in Lorestan province with four or five cities "completely critical", state television news network IRINN reported from Khorramabad, the region's capital.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday accused the United States of impending aid efforts after the authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of flood-stricken cities in western Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday accused the United States of impending aid efforts after the authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of flood-stricken cities in western Iran. ''Trump's 'maximum pressure'—flouting UNSC Res 2231 & ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM,'' Zarif tweeted. .@realDonaldTrump ‘s "maximum pressure"—flouting UNSC Res 2231 & ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM. pic.twitter.com/EEKTMiXLEi — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 1, 2019 × At least 45 people were killed last week in flash floods in northern and southern Iran. Forecasters have predicted more heavy rains in the days ahead. The government ordered an evacuation on Saturday for around 11 villages lying near the Dez and Karkheh rivers in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan. The authorities declared a "situation red", the highest level of alert, in Lorestan province with four or five cities "completely critical", state television news network IRINN reported from Khorramabad, the region's capital.

Iran's foreign minister accuses US of impending aid efforts, calls it 'economic warfare'

In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, the worst tropical cyclone to impact Africa that caused massive damage in several South East African nations -- ozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Madagascar -- India became the first country to respond to the disaster-hit nations by providing assistance.

The three ships operating in the Southern Indian Ocean were immediately diverted to Port Beira in Mozambique to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

India rushed its ships --INS Sujata, INS Sarathi and INS Shardul--in response to the request received from Mozambique government.

The category four cyclone stuck on March 15 and caused massive damage in central and northern provinces Mozambique while causing large scale devastation in the city of Beira.

According to an Indian Navy Release, "The disembarkation of HADR stores including food, medicines and clothing to the Mozambique Defence authorities has been completed. Arrangements are in progress to disembark potable water."

INS Sujata along with INS Sarathi arrived at Port Beira morning of March 18 while INS Shardul arrived on March 19.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a release said, "In this hour of tragedy, Government of India stands ready to extend support to the affected people."

How Indian ships helping the country

Indian Naval Ships are providing relief material in the form of food, clothes and medicine to the affected people. The Indian ships already had three medical practitioners and five nurses to provide immediate medical help and a medical camp has been set up.

Helicopters on board INS Shardul are operating from the local airport for rescue along with boats. Landing Craft Assault and Gemini rubberised craft with divers are being used to provide assistance for evacuation of marooned personnel.

The Defence Minister of Mozambique visited the Indian ships to oversee the relief efforts.&nbsp;

Reports of about 5000 personnel marooned at Buzi near Beira and those who required immediate evacuation are coming.

In 2016, after a drought in Mozambique, India had provided $10 million for the purchase of wheat and a donation of 100 tons of essential medicines and Transport vehicles for the country's Health and Interior ministry.

This is not the first time India has rushed its ships and provided support to regional countries. In past India provided help to countries like Sri Lanka in the aftermath of flooding in the country.

In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, the worst tropical cyclone to impact Africa that caused massive damage in several South East African nations -- ozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Madagascar -- India became the first country to respond to the disaster-hit nations by providing assistance.

In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, the worst tropical cyclone to impact Africa that caused massive damage in several South East African nations -- ozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Madagascar -- India became the first country to respond to the disaster-hit nations by providing assistance. The three ships operating in the Southern Indian Ocean were immediately diverted to Port Beira in Mozambique to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). India rushed its ships --INS Sujata, INS Sarathi and INS Shardul--in response to the request received from Mozambique government. The category four cyclone stuck on March 15 and caused massive damage in central and northern provinces Mozambique while causing large scale devastation in the city of Beira. According to an Indian Navy Release, "The disembarkation of HADR stores including food, medicines and clothing to the Mozambique Defence authorities has been completed. Arrangements are in progress to disembark potable water." INS Sujata along with INS Sarathi arrived at Port Beira morning of March 18 while INS Shardul arrived on March 19. The Ministry of External Affairs in a release said, "In this hour of tragedy, Government of India stands ready to extend support to the affected people." How Indian ships helping the country Indian Naval Ships are providing relief material in the form of food, clothes and medicine to the affected people. The Indian ships already had three medical practitioners and five nurses to provide immediate medical help and a medical camp has been set up. Helicopters on board INS Shardul are operating from the local airport for rescue along with boats. Landing Craft Assault and Gemini rubberised craft with divers are being used to provide assistance for evacuation of marooned personnel. The Defence Minister of Mozambique visited the Indian ships to oversee the relief efforts. Reports of about 5000 personnel marooned at Buzi near Beira and those who required immediate evacuation are coming. In 2016, after a drought in Mozambique, India had provided $10 million for the purchase of wheat and a donation of 100 tons of essential medicines and Transport vehicles for the country's Health and Interior ministry. This is not the first time India has rushed its ships and provided support to regional countries. In past India provided help to countries like Sri Lanka in the aftermath of flooding in the country.

India is first country to offer help to African nations wracked by Cyclone Idai

Cash-strapped Pakistan on Friday received US&nbsp;$1 billion from its close ally Saudi Arabia as part of a second bailout package to boost the country's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/where-is-debt-ridden-pakistan-heading-175637">dwindling dollar reserves</a>, according to media reports.

The latest package has shored up the central bank's foreign reserves, hitting the US $9.4 billion mark, said State Bank of Pakistan Spokesman Abid Qamar.

He said another Saudi financial package was expected in January next year, Dawn newspaper reported.

In October, Saudi Arabia agreed to provide Pakistan US $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year to address its balance-of-payments crisis.

During Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia on October 23, it was announced that the oil-rich country will provide a US $6 billion package to Pakistan to support its ailing economy.

The package included US $3 billion balance of payments support and US $3 billion in deferred payments on oil import.

Pakistan received the first tranche of US $1 billion from Saudi Arabia on November 9.

According to figures shared by Prime Minister Khan in October, the country's total foreign debt has surged to Rs 30,000 billion within the last decade, while circular debt has reached Rs 1,200 billion, the report said.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has also approached China, the UAE and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek packages to support the economy.

The second Saudi instalment will bolster Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, which fell to US $7.3 billion in the week ended December 7 - the lowest in more than four and a half years.

Cash-strapped Pakistan on Friday received US $1 billion from its close ally Saudi Arabia as part of a second bailout package to boost the country's dwindling dollar reserves, according to media reports.

Cash-strapped Pakistan on Friday received US $1 billion from its close ally Saudi Arabia as part of a second bailout package to boost the country's dwindling dollar reserves, according to media reports. The latest package has shored up the central bank's foreign reserves, hitting the US $9.4 billion mark, said State Bank of Pakistan Spokesman Abid Qamar. He said another Saudi financial package was expected in January next year, Dawn newspaper reported. In October, Saudi Arabia agreed to provide Pakistan US $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year to address its balance-of-payments crisis. During Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia on October 23, it was announced that the oil-rich country will provide a US $6 billion package to Pakistan to support its ailing economy. The package included US $3 billion balance of payments support and US $3 billion in deferred payments on oil import. Pakistan received the first tranche of US $1 billion from Saudi Arabia on November 9. According to figures shared by Prime Minister Khan in October, the country's total foreign debt has surged to Rs 30,000 billion within the last decade, while circular debt has reached Rs 1,200 billion, the report said. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has also approached China, the UAE and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek packages to support the economy. The second Saudi instalment will bolster Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, which fell to US $7.3 billion in the week ended December 7 - the lowest in more than four and a half years.

Pakistan receives second US $1 billion bailout package from Saudi Arabia

China will give El Salvador $150 million to spur development of social and technological projects, the Salvadoran president said on Wednesday, the latest sign of deepening ties between the countries that has alarmed the United States.

Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren is returning from his first trip to China since the countries established diplomatic ties in August. Speaking on local television, Ceren said he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit and agreed to 13 joint projects, without providing details.

The donation marks China`s latest gambit to make inroads in Central America, a campaign that has drawn the ire of the United States. Earlier this year, El Salvador cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China, following the Dominican Republic and Panama. The United States promptly recalled its ambassadors in the region.

"This historic meeting between the governments of the People`s Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador has produced excellent results," Ceren said. "This confirms that the establishment of diplomatic relations with China is my government`s most important decision in foreign policy."

Representatives for the Chinese government were not immediately available for comment.&nbsp;

The date when the funds will be received has not been set, a spokesman for the Salvadoran government said.&nbsp;

China will also donate three thousand tons of rice to support Salvadorans who are reeling from a drought in July and floods in October, Ceren said.&nbsp;

The White House warned in August that China was luring countries with incentives that "facilitate economic dependence and domination, not partnership."&nbsp;

Self-ruled Taiwan has formal relations with a dwindling number of countries, almost all of them small and less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific.

China will give El Salvador $150 million to spur development of social and technological projects, the Salvadoran president said on Wednesday, the latest sign of deepening ties between the countries that has alarmed the United States.

China will give El Salvador $150 million to spur development of social and technological projects, the Salvadoran president said on Wednesday, the latest sign of deepening ties between the countries that has alarmed the United States. Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren is returning from his first trip to China since the countries established diplomatic ties in August. Speaking on local television, Ceren said he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit and agreed to 13 joint projects, without providing details. The donation marks China`s latest gambit to make inroads in Central America, a campaign that has drawn the ire of the United States. Earlier this year, El Salvador cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China, following the Dominican Republic and Panama. The United States promptly recalled its ambassadors in the region. "This historic meeting between the governments of the People`s Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador has produced excellent results," Ceren said. "This confirms that the establishment of diplomatic relations with China is my government`s most important decision in foreign policy." Representatives for the Chinese government were not immediately available for comment. The date when the funds will be received has not been set, a spokesman for the Salvadoran government said. China will also donate three thousand tons of rice to support Salvadorans who are reeling from a drought in July and floods in October, Ceren said. The White House warned in August that China was luring countries with incentives that "facilitate economic dependence and domination, not partnership." Self-ruled Taiwan has formal relations with a dwindling number of countries, almost all of them small and less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific.

China to give $150 million in aid to El Salvador as relationship deepens

The first group of fighters surrendered their arms and were evacuated from Syria&rsquo;s rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on Friday, as an aid convoy delivered food to the hunger-stricken residents of the enclave despite renewed bombardment.

Reports say that a group of 13 unarmed militants left Eastern Ghouta, along the humanitarian corridor opened in Muhayam al-Wafideen, Maj Gen Yuri Yevtushenko, the chief of the Russian center for reconciliation of warring sides in Syria, said on Friday.

Some appeared to be young, while others wore hoodies to cover their heads and faces.

The limited operation came as the powerful Jaish al-Islam said HTS fighters would be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the United Nations and other international players.

&ldquo;It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam &hellip; (and) moved to Idlib at their request,&rdquo; Jaish al-Islam said.

Jaish al-Islam said it had come to an agreement with a variety of parties, including the UN, to evacuate the fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - an alliance of factions led by the Nusra Front, which sprung from al-Qaeda.

The Syrian government&rsquo;s two-week onslaught in eastern Ghouta has killed around 950 civilians, the war monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

As per reports, the pro-government has taken over half the area.&nbsp;

Eastern Ghouta&rsquo;s 400,000 inhabitants have lived under government siege since 2013 and the enclave &mdash; more than half of which has over the past three weeks been retaken by regime forces &mdash; is home to a myriad of armed groups.

On Friday, a convoy of relief trucks with 2,400 food parcels crossed front lines into the rebel-held Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta and unloaded all its food to the trapped population, despite fighting that the Red Cross said had come &ldquo;extremely close&rdquo;.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/SYRedCrescent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SYRedCrescent</a>,<a href="https://twitter.com/ICRC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICRC</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> get ready to enter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eastern_Ghouta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eastern_Ghouta</a> again and continue the delivery of Monday&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/humanitarian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#humanitarian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#aid</a> convoy <a href="https://t.co/1SFoxqNHsm">pic.twitter.com/1SFoxqNHsm</a>
&mdash; Syrian Red Crescent (@SYRedCrescent) <a href="https://twitter.com/SYRedCrescent/status/972026788863008768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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For eastern Ghouta&rsquo;s civilians, mostly trapped underground with little food or water, the choice of whether or not to emerge to seek supplies may be one of life or death.

&ldquo;People were hopeful after the bombardment decreased and went out onto the streets,&rdquo; said Moayad al-Hafi, a man in the Ghouta town of Saqba. &ldquo;But then air strikes began again, and there are still people under the rubble that we couldn&rsquo;t get out.&rdquo;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Now?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Now</a> :<a href="https://twitter.com/SYRedCrescent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SYRedCrescent</a> teams in cooperation with <a href="https://twitter.com/ICRC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICRC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> enter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eastern_Ghouta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eastern_Ghouta</a> on Friday, March 9, 2018. They will carry out a delivery of a remaining of aid that wasn&#39;t offloaded during the previous convoy on 5th March. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/convoy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#convoy</a> carries 2400 food parcels, 3240 flour bags <a href="https://t.co/DOTVItM4DQ">pic.twitter.com/DOTVItM4DQ</a>
&mdash; Syrian Red Crescent (@SYRedCrescent) <a href="https://twitter.com/SYRedCrescent/status/972083171268481024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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But &ldquo;shelling&rdquo; near the enclave&rsquo;s main town of Douma threatened &ldquo;to put at risk&rdquo; the joint ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and United Nations convoy, said the UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari.

The aid was delivered as helicopters hovered overhead and warplanes targeted areas outside Douma, a correspondent said.

&nbsp;

Reports say that a group of 13 unarmed militants left Eastern Ghouta, along the humanitarian corridor

The first group of fighters surrendered their arms and were evacuated from Syria’s rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on Friday, as an aid convoy delivered food to the hunger-stricken residents of the enclave despite renewed bombardment. Reports say that a group of 13 unarmed militants left Eastern Ghouta, along the humanitarian corridor opened in Muhayam al-Wafideen, Maj Gen Yuri Yevtushenko, the chief of the Russian center for reconciliation of warring sides in Syria, said on Friday. Some appeared to be young, while others wore hoodies to cover their heads and faces. The limited operation came as the powerful Jaish al-Islam said HTS fighters would be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, in an arrangement struck following consultations with the United Nations and other international players. “It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam … (and) moved to Idlib at their request,” Jaish al-Islam said. Jaish al-Islam said it had come to an agreement with a variety of parties, including the UN, to evacuate the fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - an alliance of factions led by the Nusra Front, which sprung from al-Qaeda. The Syrian government’s two-week onslaught in eastern Ghouta has killed around 950 civilians, the war monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. As per reports, the pro-government has taken over half the area. Eastern Ghouta’s 400,000 inhabitants have lived under government siege since 2013 and the enclave — more than half of which has over the past three weeks been retaken by regime forces — is home to a myriad of armed groups. On Friday, a convoy of relief trucks with 2,400 food parcels crossed front lines into the rebel-held Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta and unloaded all its food to the trapped population, despite fighting that the Red Cross said had come “extremely close”. #BREAKING: @SYRedCrescent,@ICRC & @UN get ready to enter #Eastern_Ghouta again and continue the delivery of Monday's #humanitarian #aid convoy pic.twitter.com/1SFoxqNHsm — Syrian Red Crescent (@SYRedCrescent) March 9, 2018 × For eastern Ghouta’s civilians, mostly trapped underground with little food or water, the choice of whether or not to emerge to seek supplies may be one of life or death. “People were hopeful after the bombardment decreased and went out onto the streets,” said Moayad al-Hafi, a man in the Ghouta town of Saqba. “But then air strikes began again, and there are still people under the rubble that we couldn’t get out.” #Now :@SYRedCrescent teams in cooperation with @ICRC and @UN enter #Eastern_Ghouta on Friday, March 9, 2018. They will carry out a delivery of a remaining of aid that wasn't offloaded during the previous convoy on 5th March. The #convoy carries 2400 food parcels, 3240 flour bags pic.twitter.com/DOTVItM4DQ — Syrian Red Crescent (@SYRedCrescent) March 9, 2018 × But “shelling” near the enclave’s main town of Douma threatened “to put at risk” the joint ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and United Nations convoy, said the UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari. The aid was delivered as helicopters hovered overhead and warplanes targeted areas outside Douma, a correspondent said.

First group of militants leave Eastern Ghouta, convoy delivers aid

The United States has decided to curb military support and other aid programs to Cambodia owing to recent &quot;democratic setbacks&quot; faced by the country. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Recent setbacks to democracy in Cambodia, however, caused us deep concern, including Senate elections on February 25 that failed to represent the genuine will of the Cambodian people,&quot; the White House said.

The official statement from the Trump administration noted that it was &quot;suspending or curtailing&quot; several programmes to Cambodia including USAID, military assistance and treasury aid among others due to the ongoing instability in the nation.

The aid cut is likely to affect Cambodia&#39;s military and taxation department among others. The White House will continue to extend its support to Cambodia&#39;s healthcare and agriculture.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The Trump administration noted that it was "suspending or curtailing" several programmes to Cambodia

The United States has decided to curb military support and other aid programs to Cambodia owing to recent "democratic setbacks" faced by the country. "Recent setbacks to democracy in Cambodia, however, caused us deep concern, including Senate elections on February 25 that failed to represent the genuine will of the Cambodian people," the White House said. The official statement from the Trump administration noted that it was "suspending or curtailing" several programmes to Cambodia including USAID, military assistance and treasury aid among others due to the ongoing instability in the nation. The aid cut is likely to affect Cambodia's military and taxation department among others. The White House will continue to extend its support to Cambodia's healthcare and agriculture. (With inputs from Reuters)

US cuts aid, military support to Cambodia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday accused the EU of not paying its way under a deal to send Syrian refugees back across the Aegean. 
 
Ankara and Brussels signed a controversial deal in March, in which Turkey agreed to take Syrian migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for political and financial incentives.&nbsp;The deal included billions of Euros in aid and visa-free travel for Turks in Europe, but ties have been strained by Erdogan&#39;s massive crackdown after a failed coup this month. 
 
The President said the EU had promised $3 billion, but so far only paid a nominal $1 million to $2 million.&nbsp;&quot;The (European) governments are not honest,&quot; Erdogan told German public television station ARD.&nbsp;&quot;Three million Syrians, or people from Iraq, are now in Turkey,&quot; he said. &quot;The EU has not kept its promises on the matter.&quot; 
 
Erdogan estimated the refugees, many of whom have fled the devastating five-year civil war in neighbouring Syria, have cost Turkey $12 billion.&nbsp;The EU made the deal with Turkey to temper a huge influx of more than a million migrants which overwhelmed the bloc last year.&nbsp;Late last month, Brussels said it had opened a new negotiating chapter with Turkey on its long-stalled bid for membership of the bloc. 
 
But that bid has been hit by Erdogan&#39;s sweeping crackdown in the wake of the failed July 15 military takeover, which has seen more than 13,000 people detained. 
 
The President repeated his call for capital punishment for the plotters, an issue that has perturbed the EU, saying: &quot;The people want the death penalty reinstated&quot;. 
 
&quot;We as a government need to hear what the people say,&quot; he added.&nbsp;Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its bid to join the EU. 
 
(AFP)

Turkey's deal with Brussels to absorb Syrian migrants in exchange for financial incentives was derailed by Erdogan's crackdown

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday accused the EU of not paying its way under a deal to send Syrian refugees back across the Aegean. Ankara and Brussels signed a controversial deal in March, in which Turkey agreed to take Syrian migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for political and financial incentives. The deal included billions of Euros in aid and visa-free travel for Turks in Europe, but ties have been strained by Erdogan's massive crackdown after a failed coup this month. The President said the EU had promised $3 billion, but so far only paid a nominal $1 million to $2 million. "The (European) governments are not honest," Erdogan told German public television station ARD. "Three million Syrians, or people from Iraq, are now in Turkey," he said. "The EU has not kept its promises on the matter." Erdogan estimated the refugees, many of whom have fled the devastating five-year civil war in neighbouring Syria, have cost Turkey $12 billion. The EU made the deal with Turkey to temper a huge influx of more than a million migrants which overwhelmed the bloc last year. Late last month, Brussels said it had opened a new negotiating chapter with Turkey on its long-stalled bid for membership of the bloc. But that bid has been hit by Erdogan's sweeping crackdown in the wake of the failed July 15 military takeover, which has seen more than 13,000 people detained. The President repeated his call for capital punishment for the plotters, an issue that has perturbed the EU, saying: "The people want the death penalty reinstated". "We as a government need to hear what the people say," he added. Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its bid to join the EU. (AFP)

Erdogan accuses EU of reneging on migrant deal

Cambodia&#39;s prime minister announced today that China will give his government nearly USD 600 million in aid to support the country&#39;s election infrastructure, education and health. 
 
Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a statement that the aid was finalized after he met with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang at an Asia-Europe meeting in Mongolia. 
 
&quot;At my request, our Chinese friends have agreed to provide fund for supporting the election process, health care, education and clean water,&quot; Hun Sen said. 
 
China is a key ally and economic partner of impoverished Cambodia. It has provided millions of dollars in aid and investment over the past decade, granted it tariff-free status on hundreds of trade items and written off its debt. 
 
In return, Cambodia supports China in international forums, including in Beijing&#39;s ongoing dispute with other Southeast Asian countries in the South China sea. 
 
Last month, Cambodia deported 39 suspected criminals to China, including 25 Taiwanese, over whom Beijing insists it has jurisdiction despite protests from self-ruled Taipei. 
 
(PTI)

Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a statement that the aid was finalized after he met with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang at an Asia-Europe meeting in Mongolia

Cambodia's prime minister announced today that China will give his government nearly USD 600 million in aid to support the country's election infrastructure, education and health. Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a statement that the aid was finalized after he met with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang at an Asia-Europe meeting in Mongolia. "At my request, our Chinese friends have agreed to provide fund for supporting the election process, health care, education and clean water," Hun Sen said. China is a key ally and economic partner of impoverished Cambodia. It has provided millions of dollars in aid and investment over the past decade, granted it tariff-free status on hundreds of trade items and written off its debt. In return, Cambodia supports China in international forums, including in Beijing's ongoing dispute with other Southeast Asian countries in the South China sea. Last month, Cambodia deported 39 suspected criminals to China, including 25 Taiwanese, over whom Beijing insists it has jurisdiction despite protests from self-ruled Taipei. (PTI)

China gives USD 600 million aid to ally Cambodia

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