'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.

More EU nations ban travel from UK, fearing virus variant

A growing list of European Union nations and Canada barred travel from the U.K. on Sunday and others were considering similar action, in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from spreading to the continent.  

Russia banned from using its name, flag and anthem at next 2 Olympics

Russia has been banned from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at any world championships for the next two years.

Germany enters stricter lockdown as coronavirus deaths hit new high

Germany has hit a new record level of deaths from the coronavirus as it enters a stricter lockdown, closing shops and schools.

Canadian health officials approve Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine

Canadian health officials on Wednesday approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, days ahead of possible approval in the United States.