Iran’s president promises swift earthquake assistance +++ President Trump ends his tour of Asia

15. Dezember 2017, 02:00

Iran’s president promises swift earthquake assistance

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has promised to take swift action to help people affected by a powerful earthquake, after visiting areas devastated by the disaster. More than 400 people were killed in the magnitude 7.3 quake, which struck on Sunday near the Iran-Iraq border. Survivors of the quake have reportedly spent a second night outdoors in freezing temperatures. Red Crescent spokesperson Mansoure Bageri says a huge relief effort is underway. “About 12,000 residential buildings have been totally collapsed and more than 500 villages and two main cities (have suffered) many big damages. Now the relief operation, distribution, the tents, blankets, kitchen sets and food items are being done in the areas.”

President Trump ends his tour of Asia

US President Donald Trump has ended his tour of East Asia with a renewed commitment to reform the trade relationship between the US and its partners. Trump told reporters as he left the Philippines capital Manila that he wanted to increase trade but only on terms that were fair, saying the US had been taken advantage of by other nations.

UN chief voices concerns over Rohnigya crisis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told Myanmar's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other Southeast Asian leaders attending a regional summit in the Philippines that he has deep concerns about the plight of Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya minority. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled Myanmar's Rakhine State for neighbouring Bangladesh since August, amid a crackdown by the security forces.

British leader accuses Russia of cyber campaign

British Prime Minister Theresa May has accused Russia of attempting to sow discord in the west by meddling in elections and carrying out cyber espionage. Speaking at a meeting of business leaders in London, May said Moscow was engaged in a sustained campaign of disruption. “It is seeking to weaponise information, deploying its state run media organisations to plant fake stories and photoshopped images in an attempt to sow discord in the west and undermine our institutions.” May said Russia had underestimated the resilience of western democracies and, while the UK did not want perpetual confrontation with Moscow, it was ready to protect its interests.

More than 20 Afghan police die in Taliban attacks

Reports from Afghanistan say more than 20 police officers have been killed in a series of attacks by Taliban militants on security checkpoints in southern Kandahar province. Afghan officials say the security forces were able to repel the attacks, killing over 40 insurgents.

Greenpeace takes Norway to court over oil licences

The environmental campaign group Greenpeace has launched legal action against Norway in an effort to stop planned oil and gas exploration in the Arctic. Greenpeace told a court in Oslo that exploration licenses issued by Norway last year were unconstitutional, saying they broke commitments made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate agreement.

The weather

It will become increasingly sunny this afternoon, with some fog lingering in parts of Upper and Lower Austria. Top temperatures will range from -1 to +9 degrees.

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