Nations rush to help islands devastated by Hurricane Irma

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — French, British and Dutch rescuers rushed aid to a heavily damaged string of Caribbean islands Thursday after Hurricane Irma left at least seven people dead and thousands homeless as it spun toward Florida for what could be a catastrophic blow this weekend.
Warships and military planes were dispatched with food, water and troops after the fearsome Category 5 storm smashed homes, schools and roads, laying waste to some of the world’s