UK approves second COVID-19 vaccine with easier storage

Britain became the first country to authorize an easy-to-handle COVID-19 vaccine whose developers hope it will become the “vaccine for the world.”

Girl Scout cookies tied to child labor in palm oil industry

An Associated Press investigation has found an army of children toiling beneath a canopy of towering palm oil trees in Indonesia and Malaysia, the main suppliers of the world’s most consumed vegetable oil.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout to US troops overseas gets underway

Troops based in Japan, South Korea and Europe were among the first to receive the vaccine amid rising cases of the coronavirus around the world.

'Wonder Woman 1984' brings in $16.7 million in theaters, best box office since pandemic began

HBO Max says that nearly half of its subscribers watched "Wonder Woman 1984" on Christmas Day. The film was playing in 2,150 theaters as well. This weekend, star Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins announced another sequel is in the works.

First two cases of more contagious COVID virus detected in Canada

Two people in Canada have the new, more contagious strain of COVID-19. They are a couple. They have not been traveling. They did not have any exposure to anyone who was at high risk.

Hospital develops 'hugging curtain' for sick children to touch loved ones

A hospital in Rome has come up with a unique solution to allow families to have personal contact with children who are patients while also minimizing the risk of them catching the coronavirus.

Coronavirus reaches Antarctica, bringing pandemic to last untouched continent

Chilean authorities announced that at least 58 people that were at two military bases in Antarctica or on a navy ship that went to the continent tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Cayman Islands jails Georgia college student in coronavirus case

A U.S. college student and her boyfriend have been sentenced to four months in prison in the Cayman Islands for violating strict COVID-19 measures following a recent ruling that will be appealed, their attorney said Thursday.

Peruvian police officers dress as Santa, elf for undercover drug bust

Police in Peru uploaded a video on social media showing officers dressed as Santa and an elf busting down the door of an alleged criminal with a hammer before arresting him.

Russia banned from using its name, flag and anthem at next 2 Olympics

Russia has been banned from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at any world championships for the next two years.

Air pollution ruled as cause of 9-year-old's death in UK

A British coroner has ruled that excessive air pollution from traffic fumes contributed to the death of a 9-year-old girl who died of a fatal asthma attack.

Germany enters stricter lockdown as coronavirus deaths hit new high

Germany has hit a new record level of deaths from the coronavirus as it enters a stricter lockdown, closing shops and schools.