‘Major breakdown’ of polar vortex blamed for unusual winter weather around the world

Texas and Oklahoma are seeing record subzero temperatures. Greenland is warmer than normal. Snow fell in Greece and Turkey. Meteorologists call this one of the biggest, nastiest and longest-lasting polar vortex breakdowns they've seen.

WHO greenlights AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, opening door for use in the UN

The World Health Organization has granted an emergency authorization to the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca, likely allowing the U.N. health agency's partners to ship millions of doses to countries worldwide.

Cow attacks people in hospital waiting room

A cow on the loose ran into a hospital waiting room and attacked people waiting to see the doctor.

New Zealand enters first lockdown in 6 months after unexplained COVID-19 cases found

The lockdown in Auckland, which extends through Wednesday, is the first in New Zealand in six months and represents a significant setback in the nation's largely successful efforts to control the virus.

18 bags of hacked-up body parts found in western Mexico

Mexican police have found 18 plastic bags full of hacked-up body parts on the outskirts of the city of Guadalajara.

World's second-oldest person survives coronavirus at age 116

A 116-year-old French nun who is believed to be the world’s second-oldest person has survived COVID-19 and is looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday.

'Captain Tom,' 100-year-old veteran who raised millions for COVID relief, hospitalized with virus

Captain Sir Tom Moore raised more than $40 million toward COVID-19 relief last year, and now he’s been admitted to the hospital after testing positive and having trouble breathing.

Thousands arrested in Russia for 2nd week straight at protests backing activist Alexei Navalny

Thousands were arrested for the second week straight during protests in Russia demanding the release of Alexei Navalny, Putin's best-known critic. Now the U.S. is criticizing the crackdown and urging Russia to release Navalny.

EU regulator authorizes AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for all adults

Regulators have authorized AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for use in adults throughout the European Union, amid criticism the bloc is not moving fast enough to vaccinate its population.

Study finds new UK coronavirus variant is 'substantially' more transmissible

A new study has confirmed that the new variant B.1.1.7 first discovered in the U.K. and since reported in the U.S. is more transmissible than COVID-19.

New Year's Eve celebrations toned down worldwide

The coronavirus scourge that dominated the year is also looming over New Year's festivities and forcing officials worldwide to tone them down.

Spain to keep registry of people who refuse COVID-19 vaccine, will share with EU: health minister

Spain will begin keeping a record of those who refuse a coronavirus vaccine and will share that information with other nations in the European Union, the country's health minister said Monday.

UK approves second COVID-19 vaccine with easier storage

Britain became the first country to authorize an easy-to-handle COVID-19 vaccine whose developers hope it will become the “vaccine for the world.”

Girl Scout cookies tied to child labor in palm oil industry

An Associated Press investigation has found an army of children toiling beneath a canopy of towering palm oil trees in Indonesia and Malaysia, the main suppliers of the world’s most consumed vegetable oil.

Europe comes together to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Doctors, nurses and the elderly rolled up their sleeves across the European Union to receive the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine Sunday.

First two cases of more contagious COVID virus detected in Canada

Two people in Canada have the new, more contagious strain of COVID-19. They are a couple. They have not been traveling. They did not have any exposure to anyone who was at high risk.

Hospital develops 'hugging curtain' for sick children to touch loved ones

A hospital in Rome has come up with a unique solution to allow families to have personal contact with children who are patients while also minimizing the risk of them catching the coronavirus.

Trump pardons of Blackwater contractors in killing of Iraqi civilians stir angry response

The pardons of four Blackwater contractors convicted in the shooting deaths of more than a dozen Iraqi civilians has prompted outrage from some human rights activists and Iraqis.