England, U.S. Boost Pakistan Aid

Finally: The British government announced on Thursday that it will double its aid for the flood-ridden areas of Pakistan to about $93 million. This relief will help an estimated eight million people in need. “However slow it's been so far,” International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell told the BBC, “we now need a meaningful set of strong offers from the wealthy world to help Pakistan in its desperate plight.” The U.K. is the fourth-highest donor to Pakistan behind the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. The U.S. is continuing its support, too: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. has promised another $60 million, bringing the U.S. total pledged contributions to $150 million.