Seiko Hashimoto named president of Tokyo's Olympic organizing committee

A woman has been named president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee. Seiko Hashimoto had been serving as Olympic minister and replaces 83-year-old Yoshiro Mori.

‘Major breakdown’ of polar vortex blamed for unusual winter weather around the world

Texas and Oklahoma are seeing record subzero temperatures. Greenland is warmer than normal. Snow fell in Greece and Turkey. Meteorologists call this one of the biggest, nastiest and longest-lasting polar vortex breakdowns they've seen.

Fauci awarded $1M prize from Israeli foundation for ‘defending science in the face of uninformed criticism’

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, was awarded $1 million by the Dan David Foundation for “defending science in the face of uninformed criticism” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci wins $1 million Israeli prize for ‘defending science’

Dr. Anthony Fauci has won the $1 million Dan David Prize for “defending science” and advocating for vaccines now being administered worldwide to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

No new virus cases raise hopes New Zealand will end lock-down

For a second consecutive day, New Zealand reported no new community cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, raising hopes that a lockdown in Auckland will be lifted Wednesday. 

WHO greenlights AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, opening door for use in the UN

The World Health Organization has granted an emergency authorization to the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca, likely allowing the U.N. health agency's partners to ship millions of doses to countries worldwide.

New Zealand finds no new COVID-19 cases after largest city goes on lockdown for 1st time in 6 months

As people in Auckland adjust to a new lockdown, health officials say they’ve found no evidence the coronavirus has spread further in the community, raising hopes the restrictions might be short-lived.

New Zealand enters first lockdown in 6 months after unexplained COVID-19 cases found

The lockdown in Auckland, which extends through Wednesday, is the first in New Zealand in six months and represents a significant setback in the nation's largely successful efforts to control the virus.

English soccer at breaking point over abuse on social media

Death threats. Racist abuse. Sexist slurs. And social media accounts allowed to stay active even after spreading bile.

Strong quake hits Japan's northeast coast; no tsunami alert

A strong earthquake hit off the coast of northeastern Japan late Saturday, shaking Fukushima, Miyagi and other areas, but there was no threat of a tsunami, officials said.

South Korea offers free COVID-19 tests for pet cats and dogs

South Korea’s capital says it will give free coronavirus tests to pet dogs and cats if they come into contact with infected humans and show symptoms.

18 bags of hacked-up body parts found in western Mexico

Mexican police have found 18 plastic bags full of hacked-up body parts on the outskirts of the city of Guadalajara.

UK hospital adopts transgender-friendly terms for birthing

A UK hospital is adopting gender-inclusive language for perinatal services to cater to trans and non-binary people who are giving birth.

China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft enters Mars' orbit one day after Arab ship arrives

China says its Tianwen-1 spacecraft has entered orbit around Mars on a mission to land a rover and collect data on underground water and possible signs of ancient life.

Powerful quake strikes New Zealand, prompting tsunami warnings

The U.S. Geological Agency said the magnitude 7.7 quake was centered at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles) southeast of the Loyalty Islands. The shaking was not expected to cause significant damage or fatalities on land.

World's second-oldest person survives coronavirus at age 116

A 116-year-old French nun who is believed to be the world’s second-oldest person has survived COVID-19 and is looking forward to celebrating her 117th birthday on Thursday.

WHO team says coronavirus unlikely to have leaked from China lab

A World Health Organization expert says the coronavirus is unlikely to have leaked from a Chinese lab and most probably jumped to humans via an intermediary species.