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.

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.

ICU doctor runs 22 miles while wearing mask to prove it doesn’t drop oxygen levels

A U.K. doctor decided to run 22 miles while wearing a mask to help reassure anyone who has seen misinformation on social media claiming masks drop oxygen levels, that for the most part, it's simply not true.

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.

More coronavirus cases found in New Zealand after 102 days

New Zealand's prime minister says authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.

Beirut pauses to remember the dead a week after explosion

People in Beriut observed a minute of silence at 6:08 p.m. local time, the moment on Aug. 4 that thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in the city's port.

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab steps down in wake of Beirut explosion, protests

In a brief televised speech, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Monday that he is taking “a step back” so he can stand with the people “and fight the battle for change alongside them.”

Sinabung volcano ejects towering column of ash over Indonesia

Indonesia's rumbling Mount Sinabung has erupted with a column of volcanic materials shooting high into the sky.

Video captures massive explosion erupting from gas station in Russia

Eyewitnesses captured the dramatic moment an explosion occurred at a gas station in Volgograd, Russia, just 600 miles southeast of Moscow, causing a terrifying mushroom cloud of fire and smoke. 

Extreme poverty rises amid pandemic and a generation sees a future slip away

Decades of progress in one of modern history’s greatest achievements, the fight against extreme poverty, are in danger of slipping away because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

China sanctions 11 US politicians, heads of organizations

China announced unspecified sanctions against 11 U.S. politicians and heads of organizations promoting democratic causes, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who have already been singled out by Beijing.

World donors demand change before money to rebuild Beirut

World leaders and international organizations say the $300 million pledged to rebuild Lebanon’s shattered capital will come only with the reforms demanded by mourning protesters in Beirut.

Mauritius races to contain oil spill, protect coastline

Thousands of students, environmental activists and residents of Mauritius are working around the clock to reduce the damage done to the Indian Ocean island from an oil spill after a tanker ran aground on a coral reef.