Qatar launches air bridge to send aid to Afghanistan
Qatar announced the launch of an air bridge Saturday to deliver aid to Afghanistan following a devastating earthquake, one day after confirming that n...
International financial leaders will discuss ways to restore aid to Syria during next week’s IMF and World Bank meetings.
Efforts to restore international financial support for Syria will be on the agenda at next week’s spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), though ongoing sanctions remain a major hurdle, a U.N. official said.
A roundtable focused on Syria, hosted by the Saudi government and the World Bank, is expected to take place on the sidelines of the annual financial gatherings in Washington.
As part of the initiative, Saudi Arabia plans to pay off approximately $15 million in Syria’s arrears to the World Bank, a move that could unlock millions in potential reconstruction grants and economic aid through the Bank’s International Development Association, which supports low-income countries.
Since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year following nearly 14 years of civil war, Syria’s new leadership has urged the international community to lift sanctions imposed during Assad’s rule.
However, most sanctions remain in place, with the U.S. and other Western nations insisting the new government must first demonstrate a commitment to inclusive and peaceful governance.
Syria also holds $563 million in Special Drawing Rights at the IMF, but accessing those funds requires approval from member countries holding 85% of the total vote share — giving the U.S., with 16.5%, the power to block any disbursement.
Syria’s finance minister, central bank governor, and foreign minister are all expected to attend the meetings next week.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Qatar announced the launch of an air bridge Saturday to deliver aid to Afghanistan following a devastating earthquake, one day after confirming that nine aircraft had already arrived in Kabul.
Ukrainian drones hit the roof of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant training centre, causing no major damage and no increase in radiation levels, the Russian-installed administration of the Russia-held plant in Ukraine said on Saturday.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to broaden their strategic partnership and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, the Uzbek presidency said on Friday following a phone call between the two leaders.
Over 100,000 people have been evacuated in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province as floodwaters continue to rise, officials said on Friday.
Nearly a week after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, more than 2,200 people have died and tens of thousands are homeless. Residents of Bambakot and other villages are living under tents, too afraid to return to their damaged homes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment