UK aid programmes that provide assistance to some of the poorest and most vulnerable areas of the world could be slashed by upward of 60 per cent, with Middle Eastern and North African nations set to lose out.
Aid to Lebanon could fall by 88 per cent, Syria by 67 per cent and Libya by 63 per cent, according to figures leaked to openDemocracy, a UK-based political website.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Britain's aid contribution would be almost wiped out – with a cut of 93 per cent being considered.
The figures, which were marked "official sensitive", are an insight into the British government's plan to slash its overseas aid budget.
Britain decided last year to reduce its total spending on aid from 0.7 per cent of its gross national income to 0.5 per cent.
Last week, the UK was rebuked after confirming it would significantly reduce aid to Yemen in 2021, despite the threat of famine and death for millions of people there.
Middle East Minister James Cleverly told an online donor conference that the UK would give Yemen at least £87 million ($121.2m) over the next financial year, compared to the £160m it pledged at the same summit last year, and £214m across 2020.
The figures also show that Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo would face a 60 per cent cut in UK aid, South Sudan would lose 59 per cent and Nigeria 58 per cent.
If the sub-Saharan Africa funding is approved, it will reduce £340m of aid to £23m.
Andrew Mitchell, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, demanded that members of parliament vote on the proposed aid cuts.
Sarah Champion, an opposition Labour Party Member of Parliament who is a member of the on the International Development Select Committee, accused the government of turning its back on some of the world's most vulnerable people.
“Reports of aid cuts to countries such as the [Democratic Republic of the Congo], South Sudan and Syria – among many others on the brink of humanitarian crises – are deeply concerning,” she said.
“More of the most vulnerable people in the world will go hungry; healthcare systems already under strain from a global pandemic will struggle to operate; violence and conflict will no doubt escalate.
”The government must explain the rationale for any cuts and be held accountable for the decisions it will take.”
The Foreign Office did not comment on the leaked figures, except to say: "We are still working through what this means for individual programmes and decisions have not yet been made."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
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Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
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Lexus LX700h specs
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Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
The Sand Castle
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5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
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6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
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6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
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7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
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Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700
Engine 3.0L V6
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
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