Time to make masks mandatory? It's not just a US debate

Whether to make masks mandatory isn't just a matter of debate in the United States, where infection rates are still climbing fast.

China warns Kazakhstan is facing pneumonia outbreak more deadly than COVID-19

The Chinese embassy warned its citizens about an outbreak of pneumonia with a death rate higher than that of COVID-19. Kazakhstan dismissed the claim.

Bolivian president has COVID-19 as virus hits region's elite

Bolivia’s interim president and Venezuela’s No. 2 leader announced Thursday that they have been infected with the new coronavirus, just days after Brazil’s leader tested positive as the pandemic hits hard at some of Latin America’s political elite.

Missing Seoul mayor's body found after massive search

Park Won-soon’s body was located in hills in northern Seoul early Friday, more than seven hours after they launched a massive search for him.

Snaking the drain? 8-foot python removed from toilet

“It had quite a grip with its tail in the ‘S’ bend of the toilet bowl, but after some encouraging words and gentle persuasion it finally let go and went into the bag,” Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers Inc said.

WHO acknowledges 'emerging evidence' that coronavirus can spread through the air

The World Health Organization has long maintained that COVID-19 is spread via larger respiratory droplets, most often when people cough or sneeze, that fall to the ground.

Doctors say experimental treatment may have rid man of HIV

“I’m very moved because it’s something that millions of people want,” said the 35-year-old man, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition that his name not be published. “It’s a gift of life, a second chance to live.”

China's Inner Mongolia region reports bubonic plague case

While China appears to have reduced coronavirus cases to near zero, other infectious threats remain, with local health authorities announcing a suspected bubonic plague case in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Italy denies entry to American vacationers after landing on private plane

Customs officials told the Americans they would be “repatriated” immediately as the jet’s other passengers were told they could stay but had to abide by a mandatory two-week quarantine, reports say.