Death rates surge in Southeast Asia as COVID-19 spreads

A record number of new cases being reported in countries across the region have left health care systems struggling and governments scrambling to implement new restrictions to try to slow the spread.

As western wildfire smoke spreads across America, who's at risk?

Smoke from wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada is blanketing much of the continent. Here’s a look at why and how dangerous it is.

China rejects WHO's terms for further study of COVID-19 origins

A senior Chinese health official said he was “taken aback" that the WHO plan includes further investigation of the COVID-19 lab leak theory.

Tokyo new COVID-19 cases near 2,000 a day before Olympics open

A day before the Olympics open, Tokyo hit another six-month high in new COVID-19 cases. Fans are banned from venues as worries grow of a worsening surge.

Time’s World’s Greatest Places: 21 cities in US make 2021 list

Time announced this year’s World’s Greatest Places featuring 100 unique destinations, with 21 coming from the United States alone.

Powerful magnitude-6.8 quake shakes Panama and Costa Rica

A powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake shook Panama and Costa Rica on Wednesday afternoon, but it was relatively far from the largest population centers and there were no immediate reports of damage.

Twitter hack: UK man arrested in Spain, charged in US for attack

The Twitter accounts of prominent politicians, celebrities and technology moguls were compromised last year in the attack. A 22-year-old is now facing several charges.

Norwegian women’s beach handball team fined for ‘improper clothing’ over shorts

The team reportedly wore blue thigh-length shorts instead of their usual uniform of bikini bottoms and a sports bra in a championship game against rival Spain.

US extends restrictions on travel to Canada until Aug. 21

The United States has extended the non-essential travel ban to Canada until Aug. 21, days after Canada said the border would open to vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9.

Pfizer vaccine will be made at South African firm, a first for Africa

This is the first time Pfizer's vaccine will be produced in Africa, in a move to help address the continent's desperate need for more doses amid a recent surge of cases.

Brisbane picked to host 2032 Summer Olympics without a rival bid

Brisbane has been picked to host the 2032 Summer Olympics. It won in a new bidding format that let the IOC pick a preferred choice early.

Study: J&J COVID-19 vaccine significantly less effective against delta variant

Study authors found that while the two-dose vaccines were 94-95% effective in preventing COVID-19 from the delta and lambda variants, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had only 66.9% efficacy “in preventing moderate to severe disease.”

Monkey B virus: Veterinarian dies in 1st case reported in China

A veterinary surgeon who died in May has become the first reported Monkey B virus case in China, according to the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

India's pandemic deaths could be 10X official toll, researchers say

India's deaths during the pandemic could be 10x the official COVID-19 toll, likely making it modern India’s worst human tragedy, researchers said.

Japanese prime minister says the world needs to see a safe Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday the world needs to see that Japan can stage a safe Olympics amid a local state of emergency.

Olympic sponsor Toyota pulls Games-related ads in Japan, citing 'mixed sentiment' over event

One of the Olympic Games' top sponsors announced it will be pulling any Games-related TV ads in Japan, citing "many issues with these Games that are proving difficult to be understood."

CDC raises UK travel warning to highest level amid COVID-19 surge

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control raised its travel alert for the United Kingdom to the highest level amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.