#UK: Foreign Aid To Be Cut 30%, Says Foreign Secretary Raab

[world politics news] 

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has confirmed that Britain’s foreign aid budget will be cut nearly 30%, to below £10 billion for the first time since 2012.

Despite the government announcing its intention to cut overseas aid last year, the assurance comes as a result of comments made by Lord Garnier, the former solicitor general, who suggested the planned cut could not go ahead without a change in the law.

Giving evidence to the International Development in Parliament, Raab said legislation will need to be passed to amend Britain’s overseas aid obligation from 0.7% to 0.5% of Gross Domestic Product.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#DENMARK: Development Minister Withholding Aid To Tanzania Over "Homophobic" Comments By Public Official

[world politics news]

Denmark is withholding US$9.8 million in aid to Tanzania after "unacceptable homophobic comments" from a senior politician, a minister says. Development Minister Ulla Tornaes did not name the official but said she was "very concerned" by the comments.

Last month, Paul Makonda, commissioner for the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, called on the public to report suspected gay men to the police. He said he would set up a surveillance squad to track down gay people. The government stressed at the time that Makonda was expressing his personal opinion, not government policy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PAKISTAN: Desperate, Cash-Strapped Nation Cannot Afford To Boycott Saudi Conference, Says Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Newly installed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says his country must continue its good relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of its dire economic crisis.

Khan was slated to travel to the Saudi capitol of Riyadh Tuesday to attend an investment summit that has been boycotted by many western officials and companies following the murder of the journalist. In an interview with foreign journalists, Khan admitted that he could not afford not to attend.

He said the Pakistani government needed urgent access to Saudi loans to avoid defaulting on record levels of debt within months. "We’re desperate at the moment," Khan said. He also blamed Pres. Trump with stoking conflict in the region with continued sanctions on neighboring Iran, which he says is hurting Pakistan's economy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SPAIN: Gov't Announces Doubling Aid To UN Agency Helping Palestinians

[world politics news]

The Spanish government will double its humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, following the United States' decision to pull funds from the UN agency that allocates material assistance to five million Palestinians. The announcement came from Spanish Foreign Minister José Borrell at a press conference in Madrid with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad Maliki. Borrell said it is a, "symbolic gesture" because, "our contribution, going from one million to two million, is still very far from what the United States brought." Maliki said, "The United States have shown that they wish to be part of the problem, not the solution."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#EGYPT: US, Human Rights Groups, Expresses Concern Over New Anti-Terror Law

[world politics news]

The US and human rights groups are expressing concern about Egypt’s newly expanded counter-terrorism law. The law expands the government’s surveillance powers and, according to critics, muzzle dissent and target critics. Human rights activists have accused Sisi of leading an increasingly repressive regime. Terror attacks in Egypt are on the rise.

#KENYA: Deputy Pres. Says "No Room In Kenya" For Gays

[world politics news]

Deputy President William Ruto says there is "no room" for homosexuality in Kenyan society, a widely-shared view in African countries that puts their leaders at odds with Western aid donors who back gay rights. He made the remarks at a church service the day U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived for talks. 

#GHANA: #EU Blocks Millions In Aid Over Anti-Gay Law, Other Human Rights Concerns

[world politics news]

#UK: Tory Backbenchers Rebel Over Plans to Enshrine Higher Foreign Aid Budget into Law

[world politics news]

Plans to enshrine David Cameron's pledge to budget .07% of the nation's GDP for foreign aid annually has some Conservative backbenchers in parliament up in arms. Cameron says even if the bill fails, he is still committed to the higher figure.

#IRAQ: #Germany Sends Burgers, Sausages to Embattled #Kurds Fighting #ISIS

[world politics news]

#RUSSIA

Duma to Vote on Forgiveness of $29 Billion of Soviet-Era Aid to Cuba [world politics news]

SOUTH SUDAN: Gov't to Probe Missing US$1.7 Billion in Food Aid [world politics news]

Justice Minister Jon Luk Jok vows to probe missing funds.

JAPAN: Gov't Providing $5 Million to USA to Aid in Clean-up of Tsunami Debris [World Politics News]