News brief: Big stories of the day

Iran says US accusing Tehran of having chemical weapons programme is 'obscene and dangerous'

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday said that US accusations that Tehran has a chemical weapons programme were "obscene and dangerous".

Climate change could cost US 'hundreds of billions' a year: Study

Climate change is already hurting the global economy and will cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars annually by century's end unless drastic action is taken to cut carbon emissions, a major US government report warned on Friday.

Taiwan vote spotlights social and political rifts

Millions of Taiwanese go to the polls Saturday in key elections which tap into a raft of divisive issues, from relations with Beijing to gay rights. 

Pakistan detains hardline cleric behind blasphemy protests: Information minister

Pakistani police late Friday detained a hardline cleric whose party recently paralysed the country with violent protests over the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy.

Brexit deal critics gather in Belfast on eve of EU summit

Opposition to a draft Brexit deal due to be approved by EU leaders will dominate a conference on Saturday of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Northern Irish party whose support is vital to Prime Minister Theresa May's government and Brexit plans.