Extra SNAP benefits that began due to COVID set to end next month in 32 states

Some 40 million Americans get help buying groceries each month through the federal food stamp program, called SNAP. Additional COVID funds are soon expiring for many.

China records 1st population decline in decades as births drop

China has long been the world's most populous nation but is expected to soon be overtaken by India — if it has not already.

Yosemite National Park reinstates indoor mask mandate

The national park is contained within multiple counties. However, Mariposa County, California, has a high transmission of the virus.

China reports 60,000 COVID-related deaths since early December

The deaths were reported after complaints that China was failing to release data from its latest COVID-19 emergency.

Pentagon: COVID-19 vaccine no longer mandated for troops

The Pentagon has formally dropped its COVID-19 vaccination mandate, but a new memo signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also gives commanders some discretion in how or whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated.

German doctor gets over 2 years in prison for illegally issuing mask exemptions during pandemic

A regional court in the southwestern town of Weinheim confirmed Tuesday that the doctor was convicted of “issuing incorrect health certificates” to people from across Germany, most of whom she had never met or examined.

The new omicron subvariant XBB.1.5: What you must know now

The strain, known as XBB.1.5, accounts for almost 41% of confirmed COVID-19 cases right now nationwide, according to data from the CDC.

New Omicron subvariant becoming dominant COVID strain in U.S.

A new Omicron variant known as XBB.1.5 is reportedly spreading quickly nationwide as doctors say COVID-19 continues to evolve.

More countries imposing COVID rules on travelers from China

China is battling a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

Chandler man who sold thousands of fake N95 masks avoids jail

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona said that 68-year-old Mark Forrest Cohn, of Chandler, has been sentenced to one year of probation. He must also pay restitution of more than $8,000 in tariffs and taxes.

US to require COVID-19 testing for travelers from China

Other countries have taken similar steps in an effort to keep infections from spreading beyond China’s borders.

World governments using COVID-19 tech to expand global surveillance

Now, from Beijing to Jerusalem to Hyderabad, India, and Perth, Australia, The Associated Press has found that authorities used these technologies and data to halt travel for activists and ordinary people, harass marginalized communities and link people’s health information to other surveillance and law enforcement tools.

Long COVID: Could mono virus or fat cells be playing a role?

Scientists are still trying to figure out why some people get long COVID and why a small portion have lasting symptoms. Here's some of the latest evidence.

‘Hard road’ lies ahead for China as COVID-19 cases spiral

China has reduced testing and stopped reporting most mild COVID cases. China is among a few countries that managed to stop most domestic transmission of the virus in 2020, but it’s the last to end restrictions.