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White Helmets clear rubble in Idleb, Syria, in November 2014
[USAID]
CONTROVERSIAL pseudo-humanitarian group the White Helmets are reported to have had their funding frozen by the US State Department.
A statement from the White Helmets expressed concern over the development, with the US accounting for almost one-third of its overall funding.
The US State Department, which had previously pledged long-term support for the group, said the arrangement is now “under active review” after President Donald Trump put a $200 million freeze on funding for recovery efforts in Syria in late March.
The British government won’t confirm wide reports it has withheld intelligence sharing with the US over fears Trump’s attacks on boats near Venezuela are illegal, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
While Trump praises the ‘successful’ attack on Iranian nuclear sites, the question arises as to the real motives behind this escalation. MARC VANDEPITTE explores the issues