BBC news with Marion Marshall.

A huge international relief effort is being organized in the Philippines as it has become clear that at least 10,000 people have probably been killed by Typhoon Haiyan. Four million people have been affected, many left without food or shelter. Countries have pledged millions of dollars in assistance while international aid agencies are preparing to fly in emergency supplies. Aaron Asbee works for the charity World Vision and is in Cebu. “It's really a race against time to really reach out to these people who have been affected in the isolated areas. We’re providing our ministerial and initial relief supplies like 5,400 blankets and 3,000 plastic sheets, this greatly benefit(s) the families who are solely feeling cold right now. There’s really a sense of mourning here in the center part of the Philippine, it’s really a great grief to see so much (many) people in pain.” In the next few hours, Typhoon Haiyan is expected to hit central and northern parts of Vietnam where the authorities have already evacuated more than 600,000 people, many have been moved from vulnerable coastal areas. Heavy rain and flooding is expected in the capital Hanoi where people have been rushing to stock up on food and water. Schools have been closed and flights suspended.

The American Secretary of State John Kerry has said there is no rush to reach an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program and without, what he called, the right deal, there will be no deal. Speaking to the American television network NBC, Mr. Kerry said United States was aware that any agreement must also be in the interest of America’s allies. “We are not blind and I don’t think we’re stupid, I think we have a pretty strong sense of how to measure whether or not we are acting in the interest of our country and of the globe, and particularly of our allies, like Israel, and gulf states and others in the region. We’re absolutely determined that this would be a good deal or there will be no deal.”