VW faces stiff fines in Australia over scandal

SYDNEY • Australia's competition watchdog yesterday warned that Volkswagen could be hit with up to A$1.1 million (S$1.1 million) in fines for each pollution-cheating device installed and in use in its cars in the country.

Separately, Volkswagen plans to recall as many as 120,000 diesel cars sold in South Korea, officials said yesterday.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Iran raises toll of haj stampede to 464

TEHERAN • Iran yesterday nearly doubled its death toll from the haj stampede to 464, giving up hope of finding missing pilgrims alive after a tragedy that has sparked a major row with Saudi Arabia.

After Iran threatened a fierce response to delays repatriating its dead, Teheran and Riyadh reached a deal to speed up the return of the bodies of Iranian victims.

Teheran has accused its regional rival Saudi Arabia of hindering its efforts to bring home the bodies.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Hurricane could threaten US East Coast

NEW YORK • The governors of New Jersey and Virgina have declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Joaquin intensified into a major Category 3 storm on a scale of one to five.

Yesterday, the National Hurricane Centre said Joaquim was pushing towards the Bahamas, with forecasts still inconclusive on whether the storm would slam into the US East Coast or head to sea without making landfall, Reuters reported.