Black Lives Matter movement nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

A Norwegian lawmaker has nominated the Black Lives Matter movement for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for bringing attention to racial inequities around the world, while dismissing the riots and violence done in the name of the movement.

Canada to quarantine travelers, suspend flights to Mexico and the Caribbean

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced stricter restrictions on travelers in response to new, likely more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus.

Viral photos show horde of spiders piled up on bedroom ceiling

A Twitter user shared a series of photos that she says she got from a friend who made a creepy discovery in her daughter’s bedroom.

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.

Zookeeper tumbles into penguin pool

Video from a zoo security camera shows a staffer's slippery mishap into a chilly pool.

'Cookie Monster' gemstone found in Brazil goes viral

A geologist recently discovered a gemstone in Brazil that looks just like Cookie Monster from "Sesame Street." The scientist said he's been offered $10,000 for the rare rock.

Coronavirus variant from South Africa detected in US for 1st time

A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa has been found in the U.S. for the first time, with two cases diagnosed in South Carolina.

Pakistani court orders release of man accused of beheading American journalist Daniel Pearl

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of a Pakistani-British man convicted and later acquitted in the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.

Global shark populations have declined more than 70% since 1970, researchers say

When marine biologist Stuart Sandin talks about sharks, it sounds like he’s describing Jedis of the ocean. “They are terrific predators, fast swimmers and they have amazing senses — they can detect any disturbance in the ocean from great distance,” such as smells or tiny changes in water currents.

COVID-19 variant found in Brazil, South Africa could pose higher reinfection risk, study suggests

Researchers analyzing preliminary data of recently discovered COVID-19 mutations in South Africa and Brazil say the new variants exhibit a higher possibility of reinfection as well as evasion of immune responses.

'Circumstances force us to do these things': IOC, Tokyo Olympics to release game plan for beating pandemic

Organizers and the International Olympic Committee are finally going public with their planning, hoping to push back against reports the Olympics will be canceled with Tokyo and much of Japan still under a state of emergency with COVID-19 cases rising.

WHO doesn’t recommend Moderna vaccine for pregnant women, unless at risk of high exposure

The World Health Organization released recommendations for the Moderna vaccine, saying it is “currently not recommended” for pregnant women unless they are at high risk of exposure.

First known U.S. case of Brazilian COVID-19 variant discovered in Minnesota

A variant of COVID-19 that originated in Brazil has been discovered in a Minnesota patient, officials say. It is the first known case documented in the United States.  

Biden to reinstate COVID-19 travel rules

President Joe Biden on Monday will formally reinstate COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, Ireland, the United Kingdom and 26 other European countries that allow travel across open borders, according to two White House officials.

UK COVID-19 variant ‘may be’ more deadly, prime minister says

There is emerging evidence to suggest that the recently discovered, highly transmissible COVID-19 variant first reported in the United Kingdom is potentially more deadly, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.