Globe Trot: Loss of life and possessions in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES: Super Typhoon Haiyan has swept the Philippines, affecting more than 9 million people—and leaving an estimated 10,000 dead. In the heavily affected eastern provinces, workers from Campus Crusade (Cru) report they are safe “but lost their house and all their possessions.” The mayor and vice mayor in Tacloban also report they “lost everything but the clothes they are wearing.” A number of workers and university students served by Cru also are missing. Updates from the team are available here, along with photos of the devastation.

IRAN: With an Iran nuclear deal in tatters, Secretary of State John Kerry this morning is contradicting reports over the weekend that the French scotched a deal after a series of miscalculations by the United States. With Kerry on the scene in Geneva and a deal on the table, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told French media the arrangement was “a sucker’s deal” and with that consensus fell apart. Kerry contends the Iranians rejected a deal that critics say would have preserved Iran’s “right” to enrichment while easing U.S. sanctions.

FRANCE: The French socialist government has adopted a surprisingly muscular approach to Iran.

RUSSIA: The Russian Soyuz spacecraft landed safely on the Kazakh steppes this morning, returning to Earth with a three-person crew that included NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg—and the Olympic torch.

VETERANS DAY: At 107, Richard Overton is believed to be the oldest living U.S. veteran. He served in the South Pacific during World War II.

EXPATRIATE LIFE: Want to live overseas? British bank HSBC has put together a ranking of best-to-worst places to live as an expat. Surprisingly, China ranks first. Also, much of Western Europe ranks farther down due to its economic slide; Saudi Arabia, for example, ranks just above Italy.