Human Rights Watch urged Japan to reject Myanmar's request to lift its ban on new development aid. Myanmar's parliament claimed citizens suffer from the suspension, but HRW cited the military junta's human rights abuses.
US reportedly waged a diplomatic campaign to deter countries from attending Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Tehran. At least 13 nations allegedly scaled back or withdrew participation following US pressure, with some citing potential cuts in aid.
African leaders and financiers convened for the African Development Bank's annual meeting in Congo Republic, facing reduced aid flows and the shadow of an Ebola outbreak. The bank is urging a shift towards leveraging Africa's own financial resources to address a significant development financing gap.
