Japan's emperor is 'extremely worried' about Olympics amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

The head of the Imperial Palace in Japan says Emperor Naruhito is “extremely worried” that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics could accelerate the spread of the coronavirus.

Nearly 650 US troops to remain in Afghanistan, officials say

U.S. officials tell The Associated Press that about 650 U.S. troops are expected to be kept in Afghanistan to provide security for the American diplomatic presence after the Pentagon completes its military withdrawal, which is set to be largely done in the next two weeks.

COVID-19 delta variant reported after outdoor Euro 2020 match, health officials say

Danish health officials say at least seven people have tested positive for the coronavirus after attending European Championship soccer games in Copenhagen.

Philippines president threatens to arrest refusers of COVID-19 vaccine

“I’ll have you arrested and I’ll inject the vaccine in your butt,” Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to arrest people refusing a COVID-19 shot and inject them with the vaccine himself.

COVID-19’s global death toll this year has already surpassed 2020’s count

Despite a drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations, cases and deaths in much of the developed world, the death toll this year has already eclipsed the total count for 2020.

EU launches new antitrust investigation against Google

LONDON (AP) -- European Union regulators have launched a fresh antitrust investigation of Google, this time over whether the U.S. tech giant is stifling competition in digital advertising technology.

US student found dead in Russia, suspect arraigned in court

Russian news reports said Alexander Popov has been arraigned for the murder of Catherine Serou, a 34-year-old student from the U.S.

Transgender weightlifter selected to compete at Tokyo Olympics

Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard from New Zealand will be the first transgender athlete to ever compete at an Olympic Games.

Armenian PM’s party far ahead with partial election results

Partial results in Armenia’s snap parliamentary elections show a strong lead for the party of acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, who called the election in a bid to ease anger over a peace deal he signed with Azerbaijan.

Russian man suspected in killing of American student arraigned on murder charges

A court in Russia has arraigned a suspect on murder charges in the death of an American woman studying at a local university. The body of 34-year-old Catherine Serou was found Saturday in the woods area near the city of Nizhny Novgorod, 250 miles east of Moscow.

Israel's ousted PM Netanyahu to leave residence by July 10

After being unseated as Israel's prime minister earlier this month, Benjamin Netanyahu and his family will leave the country's official prime minister's residence no later than July 10.

Body of missing US student found in Russia, suspect arrested

Russian news reports said searchers on Saturday found the body of an American student who went missing several days earlier and that a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Palestinians call off 1M dose COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Israel

The Palestinian Authority called off an agreement whereby Israel would transfer 1M doses of vaccines to it in exchange for the same later this year.

Tens of thousands in dark after blackout hits U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands’ power company on Friday reported a complete blackout in St. John and St. Thomas, which is the U.S. territory’s most populated island.

Tokyo Olympics: Japan’s top medical adviser says 'no fans' safest

Japan’s top medical adviser said the safest way to hold the Tokyo Olympics is without fans, seeming to put him at odds with organizers.

U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan locked down amid huge COVID-19 surge

The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan is locking down because of a massive spike in coronavirus cases among employees. The embassy is ordering staffers into virtual isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Biden-Putin summit: Leaders set 'consultations' on updating nuclear pact

President Joe Biden and Russia's Vladimir Putin met Wednesday in Geneva for a highly-anticipated summit, wrapping up more quickly than expected.