Iran Declining Help in Aftermath of Quakes

Iran is declining offers of assistance from other countries after two earthquakes measuring 6.4 and 6.3 in magnitude devastated rural villages in the country's northwest Saturday, killing at least 306 people, Baptist Press reports. The quakes struck in quick succession, leveling homes in an estimated 230 villages. Iran's government has launched a fund to quickly rebuild homes in the mountainous region before the beginning of winter, and the Red Crescent Society is distributing tents, blankets, food and water to the 16,000 people left homeless. Authorities called off rescue operations on Sunday, saying all possible survivors had been recovered.