News | 2 October 2018

Death toll rises in Sulawesi disaster +++ French police raid Shia Muslim centre +++ May says no priority for EU citizens post-Brexit

Death toll rises in Sulawesi disaster +++ French police raid Shia Muslim centre +++ May says no priority for EU citizens post-Brexit +++ Germany agrees diesel car measures +++ China challenges US sea manoeuvres +++ Catalans mark illegal independence vote +++ Indian farmers demand government action +++ Nobel Physics award announced +++ The weather

2. November 2018, 02:00

News | 2 October 2018

Joanna King

Death toll rises in Sulawesi disaster

Over 1,200 people are now confirmed dead following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the central island of Sulawesi in Indonesia last Friday. Officials have said the death toll may rise further as rescuers reach more remote areas. Tens of thousands of people are homeless, and there are reports of looting in the island's main city of Palu, amid a desperate shortage of food and water. Iris van Diense is from the Red Cross in Jakarta: “There are huge needs. We are shipping in water trucks, body bags, food kitchens. We’re trying our best to help as soon as possible.”

French police raid Shia Muslim centre

French police in a major operation have raided the premises of a Shia Muslim association near the city of Dunkirk and the homes of some of its leaders. French authorities say three people have been taken into investigative detention in what was a counter terrorism operation at the Centre Zahra France.

May says no priority for EU citizens post-Brexit

British prime minister Theresa May, at her Conservative party conference in Birmingham, has said European Union citizens will no longer be given priority to live and work in Britain, after the UK withdraws from the EU next March. The final terms of EU immigration into Britain are expected to be subject to the Brexit negotiations.

Germany agrees diesel car measures

Germany's coalition parties say they've agreed on a plan to cut pollution in cities from diesel cars, without implementing driving bans. Berlin says the plan will also ease the cost of diesel car upgrades for owners, with carmakers reportedly ready to bear most of the cost. Dozens of German cities exceeded EU pollution levels last year.

China challenges US sea manoeuvres

The US military says a Chinese warship has sailed within metres of an American destroyer, forcing it to change course in contested waters in the South China Sea, while the vessel was carrying out a freedom of navigation operation. China has said the US operation was a threat to Chinese sovereignty.

Catalans mark illegal independence vote

Around 180,000 people gathered in Barcelona last night to mark the first anniversary of Catalonia’s illegal independence referendum. Pro-independence activists blocked motorways and a high-speed rail line earlier in the day. There were clashes with police around the Catalan parliament and outside the Barcelona headquarters of Spain’s national police.

Indian farmers demand government action

In India, police have used tear gas and water cannon in clashes with tens of thousands of farmers near the capital Delhi. Many farmers had walked for days in protests over financial hardship and fuel and electricity prices.

Nobel Physics award announced

Three scientists from the US, France and Canada have been awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in physics. The committee said the work of Arthur Ashkin, Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland in laser physics has opened up new areas of research and industrial and medical applications.