World News Update, What you need to know

Violent storms and flooding along the French Riviera have killed at least 17 people with another four still missing, with locals describing the devastation as "apocalyptic".

ELSEWHERE

KABUL - Medical charity Doctors without Borders says it has shut down operations in the Afghan city of Kunduz after an apparent US bombing raid on its hospital, demanding an independent investigation into what has been labelled a war crime.

DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned the success of Russia's military intervention in his war-torn country is vital for the entire Middle East, with Moscow ramping up its bombing campaign.

ATLANTA - Reports of an agreement between the United States and Australia over protections for biologic drugs have raised hopes of a final deal on a Pacific trade pact.

PARIS - The EU's border agency chief has pleaded for radical changes to the way Europe is dealing with its migrant crisis, after revealing 630,000 people have entered the bloc illegally so far this year.

MIAMI - Forecasters have downgraded hurricane Joaquin to a Category Two storm as it heads towards Bermuda, where it is expected to dump rain and generate damaging winds.