BENEVOLENT

Donors Offer Afghanistan $16B

Roadside bomb kills 18 on Sunday.

Donors from around the world pledged $16 billion in development money to Afghanistan on Sunday to show they’re serious about keeping ties with the country. There was one string attached, however, the donors said—the Afghan government had to show that the distribution of the funds was not tainted by corruption. Responding to news of the donations, which came from international donors from more than 70 countries or charitable organizations, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Afghanistan has made important progress, but the gains are fragile.” Three roadside explosives killed 18 people in Afghanistan on Sunday, including women and children.