Nicaragua cuts ties with Taiwan

(News 1st); Nicaragua has become the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China.

Taiwan said it was "deeply saddened", adding that Nicaragua had "disregarded the many years of friendship".

The decision was widely praised by China, who demands that any country that wants diplomatic relations with it must cut existing ties with Taipei.

The decision comes as the US State Department on Friday (10) called for democracies to "expand engagement with Taiwan".

Taiwan's list of international allies has dwindled from 21 down to 14 since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 2016.