Coronavirus variants: Experts fear mutations could mean COVID-19 reinfections

Evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect a person against getting infected again with some of the new variants emerging around the world.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine rollout halted in South Africa after shot appears less effective against variant

South Africa is considering giving a COVID-19 vaccine that is still in the testing phase to health workers, after suspending the rollout of another shot that preliminary data indicated may be only minimally effective against the mutated form of the virus dominating the country.

UAE, China and US spacecrafts will reach Mars in quick succession

After hurtling hundreds of millions of miles through space since last summer, three robotic explorers are ready to hit the brakes at Mars.

AstraZeneca tweaking COVID-19 vaccine to fight South African variant

The lead researcher of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine says she expects to have a modified jab to cope with the South Africa coronavirus variant by the autumn.

Canada blocks cruise ships until 2022, affecting Alaska tourism, too

The Canadian government has extended a ban on cruise ships through February 2022, which is expected to block trips from visiting Alaska this year. 

Couple carves their own life-size red Ferrari out of snow

A couple of sports car enthusiasts in Lithuania decided if you can’t buy a multi-million dollar vehicle, build one in the snow.

Man wakes up from 11-month coma, as family weighs how to explain pandemic to him: report

A teenager from the United Kingdom has woken up from a roughly 11-month long coma, leading his family to weigh how they will explain the coronavirus pandemic to him, according to reports this week. 

Coronavirus variant P.1 surging in Brazil 'deeply worrying,' experts say

A new variant of the coronavirus that’s exploded in Brazil and has since been found in the U.S. is causing some concern among scientists. Here’s what one Harvard researcher is saying.

Canada designates far-right Proud Boys as a terrorist group

The Proud Boys is a far-right, male chauvinist extremist group known for engaging in violent clashes at political rallies. Canada is the first country to designate them as a terrorist entity.

'Captain Tom,' 100-year-old veteran who raised millions for COVID relief, hospitalized with virus

Captain Sir Tom Moore raised more than $40 million toward COVID-19 relief last year, and now he’s been admitted to the hospital after testing positive and having trouble breathing.

Thousands arrested in Russia for 2nd week straight at protests backing activist Alexei Navalny

Thousands were arrested for the second week straight during protests in Russia demanding the release of Alexei Navalny, Putin's best-known critic. Now the U.S. is criticizing the crackdown and urging Russia to release Navalny.

From runt to Guinness Record: Freddy, world’s tallest dog dies at 8

Freddy, a Great Dane in the UK, grew from the runt of the litter to the tallest living dog in the world. Standing on his hind legs, he measured in at more than 7 feet tall.

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.