Next five years set to be hottest on record

UNITED NATIONS - A UN report published on Sunday said the world is falling badly behind in the race to avert climate disaster because of runaway warming, with the five-year period ending 2019 set to be the hottest ever.

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Iran vows to lead Gulf security as tensions rise

TEHERAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that his country should lead regional security in the strategic Persian Gulf and criticized the presence of foreign forces, as the country's nuclear deal with world powers appears near collapse and the United States deployed more troops to assist its Arab allies.

Activists pluck plastic dumped into oceans on mass cleanup day

PARIS - Thousands of volunteers wielding nets and bin bags scoured coasts, parks and riverbanks across the globe on Saturday, in a litter-picking drive highlighting the vast quantity of trash dumped worldwide, a day after mass international climate protests.

California to Trump: 'See you in court'

When Barack Obama was in the White House, the state of Texas sued his administration at least 48 times. For Donald Trump, no other state in the United States has resisted his administration in and out of court as frequently as California.

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US vows more Iran sanctions as stakes rise

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had ordered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to "substantially increase sanctions" imposed on Iran, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Teheran.

UK told to give fresh Brexit proposals by month's end

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been warned by the Finnish prime minister that he must come up with fresh Brexit deal proposals in writing by the end of the month.

China serves as development model, says Russian youth leader

China's achievements in economic development logged over the past decades are impressive and can serve as a model for other nations, a Russian official said.

Trump taps O'Brien to replace Bolton

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named Robert O'Brien, the State Department's chief hostage negotiator and an established figure in Republican policy circles, as his new national security adviser.

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Trump: Trade deals with Tokyo reached

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States had struck "initial" trade agreements with Japan that could be implemented without congressional approval, but stopped short of assuring Japan new tariffs would not be slapped on vital auto exports.