Ukraine's airport, subway hacked

KIEV • Ukraine's Odessa Airport yesterday said it tightened security measures after being hit by a cyber attack, while the metro system in Kiev also reported a hack on its payment system.

"We report that the IT system of Odessa International Airport has been hit by a hacker attack. All services of the airport are working in a stricter mode," the airport said in a statement. Ukraine's cyber police said it was monitoring the situation, which did not appear to be a mass cyber attack on the country.

REUTERS

Far-right AfD vows new era in Germany

BERLIN • Dozens of lawmakers from the far-right AfD party made their debut yesterday at the first sitting of Germany's new Parliament, an unprecedented showing for a nationalist force since World War II.

"Take note: the old Bundestag has been voted out. The people have decided, a new era begins now," said AfD's parliamentary group chief Bernd Baumann. "From this hour on, the issues will be renegotiated... the euro, massive debt, enormous immigration numbers, open borders and brutal criminality in our streets."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

New Saudi business, industrial zone

RIYADH • Saudi Arabia yesterday announced a US$500 billion (S$680 billion) plan to build a business and industrial zone linked with Jordan and Egypt, the biggest effort yet to free the kingdom from dependence on oil exports.

The 26,500 sq km zone, known as NEOM, will focus on industries including energy and water, biotechnology, food, advanced manufacturing and entertainment, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.

REUTERS

Austrian far-right party in govt talks

VIENNA • Austria's far-right FPO party yesterday agreed to enter talks on forming a coalition government at the invitation of incoming chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

"We have accepted this invitation," said FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache, raising the prospect of his party entering government for the first time in 17 years.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE