World Bank suspends aid to Afghanistan

The World Bank has suspended aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country.

"We are deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the country’s development prospects, especially for women," a spokesperson said.

The bank is exploring ways to remain engaged and preserve "hard-won development gains" in the country, the spokesperson said.

The World Bank currently has more than two dozen development projects in Afghanistan and has provided $5.3 billion (£3.8 billion) since 2002, according to the bank's website.