Former US President Donald Trump referred to India as an “abuser” due to its high import tariffs while speaking in Michigan on Tuesday. However, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “fantastic man.” Trump mentioned that he would meet PM Modi during his upcoming visit to the United States, scheduled from September 21 to 23.

“India is a major abuser when it comes to tariffs. Modi is coming to meet me next week, and he’s a fantastic person. Many of these leaders are,” Trump said, emphasizing that India imposes steep import tariffs. He also described India as “very tough,” alongside countries like Brazil and China. Trump noted that while China is the toughest in terms of trade, his administration had addressed this with tariffs.

Trump promised that if elected, he would implement “reciprocal trade,” meaning the US would match the tariffs imposed by other nations. “If someone charges us 10 cents or even 250%, we’ll charge them the same. This will either eliminate tariffs altogether or bring in significant revenue,” he stated.

This speech marked Trump’s first campaign appearance since a second assassination attempt in Florida. During Modi’s visit, he will participate in the Quad Leaders’ Summit alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and US President Joe Biden. Modi will then travel to New York, where he will address a large community event in Long Island on September 22.

Iran has granted early release to Austrian citizen Christian Weber, who was originally convicted of offenses including espionage, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced on Tuesday.

“I am very pleased that the Foreign Ministry and our embassy in Tehran have successfully secured the early release of Christian Weber from Iranian custody,” Nehammer shared on the social media platform X.

He added that the Austrian embassy in Tehran is now working diligently to ensure Weber can leave the country as soon as possible and reunite with his family in Austria.

Both Austria and Iran have disclosed little about the case, which Vienna first revealed in late 2022. This was during a period of widespread anti-government protests in Iran, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died in custody after allegedly violating dress code laws. Austria had clarified at the time that Weber’s charges were unrelated to the Amini case.

In February, Austria’s foreign minister stated that Weber’s espionage conviction had been overturned on appeal, and his sentence for other unspecified offenses had been reduced by half.

On Tuesday, Austria’s foreign ministry said that “administrative steps” still need to be finalized with Iranian authorities.

According to the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency, Weber had been detained for crimes in West Azerbaijan Province and was released out of Islamic mercy. The report noted that Weber was handed over to Austria’s ambassador to arrange his departure, though the specific crime for which he was jailed was not disclosed. Calls to the Austrian embassy outside regular business hours went unanswered, and Iran’s judiciary was not immediately available for comment.

Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, has claimed at least 226 lives in Myanmar and affected over half a million people, further straining the resources of a country already grappling with conflict.

The storm’s torrential rains caused rivers and creeks to overflow, leading to floods that damaged infrastructure and crops in 84 townships, including the capital, Naypyidaw, according to the Ministry of Information. Official reports indicate that more than 70 people are still missing.

Tens of thousands have sought refuge in safer areas, with 438 relief camps set up nationwide. Floodwaters have submerged over 158,000 homes and destroyed 2,116 others, the government reported. The devastation from Typhoon Yagi has prompted junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to make an unusual request for international aid. “Government officials must reach out to foreign countries for rescue and relief assistance,” he was quoted by state media. So far, Myanmar has received 10 tons of aid from neighboring India, including dry rations, clothing, and medicines.

The death toll in Myanmar is expected to rise. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that 631,000 people have been affected, and “multiple sources indicate that hundreds have died, with many more missing,” the agency said in a report.

In neighboring Thailand, heavy rains are forecast to continue in its flood-hit provinces for the next four days. Since mid-August, flooding and related incidents have claimed at least 45 lives, with about 28,000 households still impacted across 13 provinces, according to Thailand’s disaster prevention department.

Typhoon Yagi also caused devastation in Vietnam, where over 350 people lost their lives, and damages amounted to $1.6 billion. The storm, Vietnam’s most powerful in decades, is seen as another indication that global warming is intensifying tropical cyclones.

Evacuation and rescue efforts in Myanmar continue but face challenges due to damaged infrastructure, ongoing conflict, and limited resources, according to the UN agency. Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that a comprehensive damage assessment would be carried out to ensure proper aid distribution.

Myanmar’s meteorology department has urged residents near rivers in three towns to evacuate, as the Sittaung River has exceeded its danger level by about five feet. Heavy rains are also forecast in three provinces, including the conflict-ridden Rakhine State, over the next 24 hours.