The UN Security Council on Thursday will try once again to pass a resolution calling for a halt in fighting between Israel and Hamas after previous efforts to win Washington's backing fell short. Diplomatic wrangling at United Nations headquarters in Manhattan headquarters -- which caused the vote to be postponed again Wednesday -- has come against a backdrop of deteriorating conditions in Gaza and a mounting death toll. The UAE is sponsoring a draft resolution on the conflict which has already been watered down to secure compromise.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AGREEMENTS FOR AVOIDING A US VETO?

A volcanic eruption that rocked Iceland this week diminished in intensity for a second day Wednesday, though media reports said a nearby evacuated fishing village would remain off limits for at least another week. The eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula has produced spectacular lava flows. The eruption, which opened a fissure in the ground about four kilometres long, near the evacuated fishing port of Grindavik. Entry to Grindavik will remain blocked until at least Dec. 28.

SEE DRAMATIC PHOTOS OF ICELAND'S VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that maintaining close ties with Russia is a "strategic choice", calling for deeper bilateral cooperation during a meeting with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing. The strong relationship between the two nations, which has endured despite Russia's military invasion of its neighbor Ukraine in 2022, has faced pointed criticism from Western leaders in recent years.

What recently deceased US statesman called for "triangular diplomacy" to counter the threats of China and the former Soviet Union?

Wednesday's answer: The continent of Africa and the 33-island nation of Kiribati are the only land masses to cross into all four hemispheres.