Trump administration formally notifies United Nations of its demand to restore sanctions against Iran

None of the other council members believe the U.S. has the legal right to demand the re-imposition, or “snapback," of sanctions because President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018. As such, the demand is expected to further isolate the U.S. at the U.N. and test the Security Council’s credibility.

Amazon rainforest continues to burn in 2020 despite promises to save it

This year, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro pledged to control the burning. He imposed a four-month ban on most fires and sent in the army.

Trump: US demands restoration of United Nations sanctions against Iran

Trump said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to New York on Thursday to present the U.S. demand to reimpose the sanctions, accusing Iran of significant non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.

Palestinians in Gaza rally against deal between Israel and United Arab Emirates

Protesters burned Israeli and American flags, trampled on posters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, and chanted “normalization is betrayal to Jerusalem and Palestine.”

United States suspends extradition and tax agreements with Hong Kong

President Donald Trump already had determined that Hong Kong was no longer eligible for the continued preferential treatment that it enjoyed based on its autonomy following its reversion to Chinese rule in 1997. The three agreements cover the transfer of fugitives and convicted prisoners as well as reciprocal tax exemptions on income from international shipping.

French nursing home sees 9 deaths in one week as coronavirus returns

Nine people with the virus died over the past week in a single nursing home in eastern France, and other French care homes are shutting their doors as the country battles a new rise in COVID-19 infections.

International fugitive on the run 12 years after allegedly strangling Marietta teacher

Elizabeth Bowie was strangled to death in her Smyrna apartment in 2008. Her former boyfriend, Juan Lazaro-Abrego, has been indicted for her murder but never held accountable.

US says no bailout for Lebanon, calls for change

A U.S. official says there can be no financial bailout for Lebanon, calling on the country’s political leaders to heed popular calls for change, real reform and an end to endemic corruption.

Palestinians say United Arab Emirates deal with Israel hinders quest for Mideast peace

From the Palestinian perspective, the UAE not only failed to stop annexation, which would dash any remaining hopes of establishing a viable, independent state.

Iran briefly seizes oil tanker near Strait of Hormuz, US says

The U.S. military says the Iranian navy boarded and briefly seized a Liberian-flagged oil tanker near the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the U.S.

FBI to join Beirut explosion investigation, according to US official

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale said during a visit to one of the impacted neighborhood in Beirut on Thursday that the FBI will take part at the invitation of Lebanese authorities.

3 dead, 6 in hospital after passenger train derails in Scotland

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described the derailment as a “major″ incident and said she would be convening an emergency response meeting.

Two feared dead and 'serious injuries' rising from train derailment in Scotland

A train derailed in northeast Scotland amid stormy weather Wednesday, and there were early reports of at at least two deaths and injuries, authorities said.

Russia approves coronavirus vaccine despite scientific skepticism

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that a coronavirus vaccine developed in his country has been cleared for use and one of his daughters has already been inoculated, even as international experts have questioned its safety.