U. S. WITHHOLDS $65M FROM REFUGEE AID PROGRAMS

The Trump administration on Tuesday cut tens of millions of dollars in money for Palestinian refugees, demanding that the UN agency responsible for the programs undertake a “fundamental re-examination,” the State Department said. In a letter, the department notified the UN Relief and Works Agency that the U.S. is withholding $65 million of a planned $125 million funding instalment to the body. The letter also makes clear that additional U. S. donations will be contingent on major changes by UNRWA, which has been heavily criticized by Israel. “We would like to see some reforms be made,” said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, adding that changes are needed both to the way the agency operates and is funded. “This is not aimed at punishing anyone.”