22-year-old surfer, Olympic hopeful dies after being struck by lightning

A 22-year-old Salvadoran woman who had hoped to compete in the Tokyo Olympics was struck and killed by lightning when the weather quickly turned while she was surfing, according to an emailed statement from Federacion Salvadoreña de Surf (FESASURF).

Video shows bystander grabbing man’s foot after he falls backward off of balcony

A shocking video showed a man narrowly escaping serious injury or death after falling backward over a balcony thanks to a quick-thinking bystander who grabbed his foot.

Iran made threats against US Army base Fort McNair and a top general: AP sources

Iran has made threats against an Army base in the nation's capital and against the Army’s vice chief of staff, according to two senior U.S. intelligence officials.

Lava spews as Iceland volcano comes to life for first time in 6,000 years

The Fagradals Mountain volcano had been dormant for 6,000 years, and this is the first volcanic eruption in this area of the country in nearly 800 years.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccinations resume in Europe after blood clot reports

After several leaders suspended the shot following reports of blood clots, countries across Europe are resuming COVID-19 vaccinations with the AstraZeneca shot.

7.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Japan, triggering tsunami advisory for part of coast

The 7.0 quake happened in the country’s rugged northeast, which was heavily damaged during the huge earthquake and tsunami of 2011 that left more than 18,000 people dead.

Spectators from abroad to be barred from Tokyo Olympics

Spectators from abroad will be barred from the Tokyo Olympics when they open in four months, the IOC and local organizers said Saturday.

US and China spar in 1st face-to-face meeting under Biden administration

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi took aim at each other’s country's policies on Thursday at the start of two days of talks in Alaska.

EU medicines regulator says 'no indication' AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are cause of reported blood clots

After a growing number of countries are suspending use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine following reported blood clots, the head of the European Medicines Agency said the agency is “firmly convinced” the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks.

New Dead Sea Scrolls dating back nearly 2,000 years discovered in Israel

The new Dead Sea Scroll fragments bearing a biblical text are believed to have been hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago.

Sweden is latest country to pause use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Sweden on Tuesday became the latest country to pause use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine as European regulators review safety data following reports of dangerous blood clots in some recipients.

Vatican says Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions as God ‘can’t bless sin’

The Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response Monday to a question about whether Catholic clergy can bless gay unions.

Ireland is latest country to pause AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine following blood clot reports

At least five European countries have now paused AstraZeneca’s vaccine following sporadic reports of blood clots, despite a lack of evidence the shot was responsible. The European Medicines Agency is investigating.