Philippines Braces to Evacuate its Workers in Iraq, Iran

Manila, Philippines (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to prepare to deploy its aircraft and ships “at any moment’s notice” to evacuate thousands of Filipino workers in Iraq and Iran should hostilities erupt there. Other Asian nations with large populations of expatriate labor may face similar decisions amid the rapidly escalating tensions between…

Trump’s threats draw Iran’s cultural sites into tensions

(AP) Iran’s ancient and rich cultural landscape has become a potential U.S. military target as Washington and Tehran lob threats and take high-stakes steps toward a possible open conflict. President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday evening that if Iran targets any American assets to avenge the killing of a top Iranian general, the U.S. has 52 Iranian…

Democrats Call US Killing of Iranian General ‘Reckless’

Washington, D.C. (AP) Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says President Donald Trump has “tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox” with the targeted killing of Iran’s top general in an airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport. The former vice president is joining other Democratic White House hopefuls in criticizing Trump’s order, saying it could leave…

Raging Wildfires Trap 4,000 at Australian Town’s Waterfront

Mallacoota, Australia (AP) Wildfires burning across Australia’s two most-populous states have trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions, destroyed many properties and caused at least two fatalities. About 4,000 people fled to the waterfront of a southeastern town as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards their homes. The town of Mallacoota was shrouded…