US to slash refugee limit by half

The US government has vowed to cut the number of refugees allowed into the country by almost half.

The US state department says 18,000 people will be accepted under the government’s refugee programme over the next 12 months which is a record low.

It adds that places will be reserved for Iraqis who helped the US military, as well as members of persecuted religious minorities.

Human rights groups have criticised the move.

A former US ambassador to the UN, Samantha power, described the move as an abomination.