Authorities in the Philippines are getting a better handle on the extent of the damage from Typhoon Haiyan, as more disaster responders get into remote areas. International aid is starting to get to the hardest-hit parts in the central Philippines.

Simone Orendain reports from Manila.

The United Nations humanitarian affairs office says close to 13 million people have been affected by the super typhoon that blasted its way across the central Philippines.

Orla Fagan is the spokeswoman of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.At a briefing in Manila, she said with each passing day since the typhoon struck 11 days ago, aid is reaching more people.But it has been a mammoth task.

President Benigno Aquino, whose administration has been criticized for a slow response to the disaster, continues to tour the hardest-hit towns and provinces.

Simone Orendain,Manila.

The Philippine government says the typhoon killed almost 4,000 people and left about 1,200 others missing.

French President Francois Hollande is urging Israel and the Palestinians to finally make peace, saying Jerusalem must be the capital of both Israel and a Palestinian state.

Mr. Hollande made the comments while addressing Israel's parliament (the Knesset) late Monday, urging both sides to make gestures that could further advance the peace process.

He also sought to reassure Israel about negotiations between world powers and Iran, telling Israeli lawmakers France would never allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says talks to limit Iran's nuclear program do not threaten Israel's security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is campaigning against what he says is a "bad agreement" that does not require Iran to dismantle any of its nuclear activities.
VOA Scott Stearns has more.

Israel has long threatened to attack Iran to prevent it from developing an atomic bomb.

Iran says it is not seeking such weapons. But parts of its program go beyond what experts say is needed for nuclear power and research.

Speaking to reporters following talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu, Kerry said he has great respect for Prime Minister Netanyahu's concerns about Israeli security.

"Nothing that we are doing here, in my judgment, will put Israel at any additional risk. In fact, let me make this clear. We believe it reduces risk,"

The United States says it respects Iran's right to conduct a civilian nuclear program, a position that Davutoglu says is shared by the government in Ankara.

Scott Stearns VOA News at STATE DEPERTMENT.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is also commenting,saying there is a "real chance" to resolve the decade-long standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

The Kremlin said Monday Mr. Putin delivered the statement in a telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who welcomed Russia's efforts in the negotiations.

Russia is one of six nations, including the United States, set to take part in another round of talks with Iran in Geneva Wednesday.

Russian investigators are trying to determine why a passenger airliner crashed while trying to land in the city of Kazan, killing all 50 people aboard.

Video shown Monday by Russian television stations shows the plane plunging to the ground in a near-vertical descent and then exploding.

Investigators say they have found both black boxes, which record the plane's flight data and the crew's conversations.

The Toronto City Council has stripped Mayor Rob Ford of most of his powers, as the embattled city leader refuses to step down following admissions of smoking crack and binge drinking.

Ford, who has admitted to smoking crack cocaine, buying illegal drugs and driving after consuming alcohol, has issued a string of emotional apologies, but has refused to resign.

The council does not have the authority to remove him from office unless he is convicted of a crime. Ford retains his title and ability to represent Toronto at official functions.

The 44-year-old Ford, who has promised to fight the council's decision, called the vote a "coup d'etat." He contends that council members acted because they opposed his agenda to save taxpayers' money.

But most council members say it is about the mayor's conduct and that he has become an embarrassment to North America's fourth most populous city.

The U.S. space agency has launched a new exploratory mission to Mars, hoping to learn more about the Red Planet's mysterious atmosphere and climate.

If all goes well, Maven, carrying eight science instruments, will reach Mars in 10 months , and then settle into an orbit around the planet.

NASA said Maven is the first spacecraft designed to explore the upper Martian atmosphere.