Merkel says Germany in 'a new pandemic' as country extends COVID-19 lockdowns amid rising cases

Germany has extended its lockdown measures by another month and imposed several new restrictions, including largely shutting down public life over Easter, in an effort to drive down the rate of coronavirus infections.

North Korea conducts short-range missile test, White House says

North Korea fired short-range missiles this past weekend, just days after the sister of Kim Jong Un threatened the United States and South Korea for holding joint military exercises.

22-year-old surfer, Olympic hopeful dies after being struck by lightning

A 22-year-old Salvadoran woman who had hoped to compete in the Tokyo Olympics was struck and killed by lightning when the weather quickly turned while she was surfing, according to an emailed statement from Federacion Salvadoreña de Surf (FESASURF).

Study: Summer could last for 6 months by century’s end

A new study revealed that summer could stick around for six months in the Northern hemisphere by 2100 if efforts to mitigate global warming don’t continue.

Video shows bystander grabbing man’s foot after he falls backward off of balcony

A shocking video showed a man narrowly escaping serious injury or death after falling backward over a balcony thanks to a quick-thinking bystander who grabbed his foot.

Lava spews as Iceland volcano comes to life for first time in 6,000 years

The Fagradals Mountain volcano had been dormant for 6,000 years, and this is the first volcanic eruption in this area of the country in nearly 800 years.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccinations resume in Europe after blood clot reports

After several leaders suspended the shot following reports of blood clots, countries across Europe are resuming COVID-19 vaccinations with the AstraZeneca shot.

7.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Japan, triggering tsunami advisory for part of coast

The 7.0 quake happened in the country’s rugged northeast, which was heavily damaged during the huge earthquake and tsunami of 2011 that left more than 18,000 people dead.

Spectators from abroad to be barred from Tokyo Olympics

Spectators from abroad will be barred from the Tokyo Olympics when they open in four months, the IOC and local organizers said Saturday.

People remain resilient despite COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 World Happiness report says

An annual report on happiness around the world suggests the coronavirus pandemic has not crushed people’s optimism about the future after a year of loneliness, anxiety, lockdowns, illness and death.

US and China spar in 1st face-to-face meeting under Biden administration

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi took aim at each other’s country's policies on Thursday at the start of two days of talks in Alaska.

Putin points to problems in US after Biden's 'killer' remark

President Vladimir Putin responded Thursday to U.S. President Joe Biden’s description of the Russian leader as a killer by citing America’s past and present troubles, from slavery and the slaughter of Native Americans to racial injustice.

President Biden’s 100M vaccinated goal to be reached Friday

President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that his ambitious goal to have 100 million Americans vaccinated in 100 days will be accomplished well ahead of schedule.

EU to propose COVID-19 vaccine passport to allow free travel by summer

The European Union’s executive body has presented a proposal that would allow EU residents to travel freely across the 27-nation bloc by the summer as long as they have been vaccinated, tested negative for COVID-19 or recovered from the disease. SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press

EU medicines regulator says 'no indication' AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are cause of reported blood clots

After a growing number of countries are suspending use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine following reported blood clots, the head of the European Medicines Agency said the agency is “firmly convinced” the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks.