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AP-ML-IRAN-PLANE-CRASH
Iran state TV says Ukrainian airplane crashes near Tehran
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian state TV is reporting a Ukrainian airplane carrying at least 170 people has crashed near an airport in the capital, Tehran. There is no immediate word on casualties. The state TV report says the crash Wednesday morning is suspected to have been caused by mechanical issues. A civil aviation spokesman says an investigation team was at the site of the crash in southwestern outskirts of Tehran. The crash came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack targeting two bases in Iraq housing U.S. forces in retaliation for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
IRAN-SOLEIMANI
Iran strikes back at US with missile attack at bases in Iraq
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister is calling a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops a “proportionate measures in self-defense.” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also tweeted early Wednesday that Iran does not seek escalation or war, but will defend itself against any aggression. Zarif's tweet follows Iran's missile attack that was in revenge for the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike last week in Baghdad.
AP-ML-IRAN-SOLEIMANI-THE-LATEST
The Latest: Japan calls for easing of Middle East tensions
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Japan says it will urge governments to do their utmost to help ease tensions following an Iranian missile strike at bases in Iraq used by U.S. forces. Japanese Chief Cabinet spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday that his “government will coordinate with the related governments to collect intelligence while we ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in the region." He added: “Japan will also urge all related nations to do their utmost diplomatic effort to improve the relations." He said Japan remained on track to soon deploy a warship to the Gulf to help safeguard Japanese vessels and oil tankers transiting the area.
AP-US-IRAQ-ATTACK-CONTRACTOR
Military contractor slain in Iraq buried in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A U.S. military contractor who was killed in a rocket attack in Iraq last month _ an attack that has sparked reprisals and inflamed tensions between the U.S. and Iran _ has been buried in California. The Sacramento Bee says Nawres Waleed Hamid was buried Saturday at a Muslim cemetery in Sacramento. He leaves a wife and two young children. Hamid was a linguist working at a U.S. base near Kirkuk that was hit by rockets on Dec. 27. The U.S. blamed an Iranian-connected group. The attack has sparked a series of air attacks by both the U.S. and Iran.
BC-FINANCIAL MARKETS
Asian stocks tumble after Iran missile attack on US troops
BEIJING (AP) — Oil prices have climbed and Asian stock markets have fallen after Iran fired missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of an Iranian general. Tokyo's benchmark was down 2% and Hong Kong's lost more than 1%. The Pentagon said Iran fire more than dozen missiles at bases used by U.S. troops in Iraq. The Iranian foreign minister said the attacks were self-defense. They followed last week's killing of a top Iranian general by U.S. forces in Iraq. The killing sparked fears of U.S.-Iranian military conflict and disruption of oil supplies.
AP-AS-AUSTRALIA-WILDFIRES
Storms bring relief and danger to Australian wildfires
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Thunderstorms and showers have brought some relief for firefighters battling deadly wildfires across Australia’s drought-parched east coast. But the storms have also raised concerns that more fires will be sparked by lightning strikes when hot and windy conditions return. Fire officials say 2,300 firefighters in New South Wales state are making the most of relatively benign conditions by frantically consolidating containment lines around more than 110 fires blazes and patrolling for lightning strikes. The unprecedented fire crisis that has killed 25 people, destroyed 2,000 homes and shrouded major cities in smoke has also focused many Australians on how the nation adapts to climate change.
CONGO-MEASLES
WHO: Death toll from measles outbreak in Congo hits 6,000
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The World Health Organization is warning that more funds are needed to stop a measles outbreak in Congo that now has claimed 6,000 lives. That's nearly three times as many deaths as have been caused by Ebola, which has simultaneously affected parts of eastern Congo. WHO said Tuesday that $40 million is needed for a special six-month plan to vaccinate older children against measles between the ages of 6 and 14. A vaccine against measles has existed for decades but some 310,000 cases have been reported in Congo since the beginning of 2019. Health workers in Congo struggle to access remote parts of the country and vaccination rates remain low in areas where armed groups operate.
TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT
Pelosi's next move on impeachment unclear as Senate waits
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given little indication of her next move as the Senate waits for her chamber to transmit the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he has secured enough Republican votes to start Trump’s impeachment trial and postpone a decision on witnesses and documents Democrats want. Pelosi cut short a closed-door impeachment discussion with her leadership team at the Capitol when an aide handed her a note about the crisis unfolding in the Middle East. The Senate can't start the proceedings until the impeachment charges against Trump are sent.
AP-LT-MEXICO-BUS-TRAIN-CRASH
7 dead in Mexico bus-train crash, 3 dozen injured
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Seven people are dead three dozen people have been hurt in a crash between a bus carrying day laborers and a cargo train in northern Mexico. Tuesday's crash took place in Vicam, in the northern border state of Sonora. Health authorities say 36 people were hospitalized. The Sonora state prosecutors'office said the driver of the bus had apparently tried to outrun the train at a grade crossing. The driver survived and was taken into custody for drug and alcohol testing. The office said the dead included five men ranging in age from 16 to 30, a woman and a 16-year-old girl.
UNITED STATES-IRAN
Trump insists 'All is well!' after Iran missile attack
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is insisting “All is well!” after Iran fired missiles Tuesday at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. The president is promising to make a statement to the nation Wednesday morning about the increasingly precarious situation with Iran. Trump is offering no immediate indication of whether he will retaliate. But he is tweeting that an assessment of casualties and damages is under way. The initial outlook, he says, is “So far, so good!” The Iranian missiles came in retaliation for an American drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
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