Tokyo new COVID-19 cases near 2,000 a day before Olympics open

A day before the Olympics open, Tokyo hit another six-month high in new COVID-19 cases. Fans are banned from venues as worries grow of a worsening surge.

Norwegian women’s beach handball team fined for ‘improper clothing’ over shorts

The team reportedly wore blue thigh-length shorts instead of their usual uniform of bikini bottoms and a sports bra in a championship game against rival Spain.

Pfizer vaccine will be made at South African firm, a first for Africa

This is the first time Pfizer's vaccine will be produced in Africa, in a move to help address the continent's desperate need for more doses amid a recent surge of cases.

More than 1.5M children lost at least 1 caregiver from a death related to COVID-19 last year

A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health estimated that 1.5 million around the globe lost at least one caregiver to a death related to COVID-19 in the first 14 months of the pandemic.

India's pandemic deaths could be 10X official toll, researchers say

India's deaths during the pandemic could be 10x the official COVID-19 toll, likely making it modern India’s worst human tragedy, researchers said.

Japanese prime minister says the world needs to see a safe Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday the world needs to see that Japan can stage a safe Olympics amid a local state of emergency.

Olympic sponsor Toyota pulls Games-related ads in Japan, citing 'mixed sentiment' over event

One of the Olympic Games' top sponsors announced it will be pulling any Games-related TV ads in Japan, citing "many issues with these Games that are proving difficult to be understood."

Afghans who aided US military to be evacuated to Army base in Virginia

The Biden administration says it will evacuate about 2,500 Afghans who worked for the U.S. government and their families to a military base in Virginia pending approval of their visas.

Canada to open U.S. border to fully vaccinated citizens Aug. 9

Those that wish to cross the border will need to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of crossing the border, as well as showing proof of a full series of vaccines at least two weeks prior to crossing the border.

Prince Harry working on memoir, expected in 2022

The book by the Duke of Sussex, currently untitled, is expected to come out late in 2022.

Biden to host King Abdullah II of Jordan amid Middle East tensions

President Joe Biden is set to host King Abdullah II of Jordan during one of the most difficult moments of the Jordanian leader's 22-year rule and at a pivotal time in the Middle East for Biden.

Guantanamo Bay detainee transferred for 1st time to home country

The Biden administration has transferred a detainee out of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for the first time in a major shift in policy from the Trump presidency.

Video: Dogs rescued from deadly European floodwater

A video shows some people in Belgium rescuing a pair of dogs that were trapped in the floodwater that’s devastated Western Europe and killed nearly 200 people.

Canada closing in on US’ COVID-19 vaccination rate

Canada’s current vaccination rate continues to accelerate, while efforts here in the U.S. have stalled.

Eiffel Tower reopens for first time in 9 months

The Eiffel Tower is reopening for the first time in nine months, despite France's new rules aimed at taming COVID-19' fast-spreading delta variant.

European floods leave more than 120 dead; rescues underway

Rescue operations are underway after flooding left more than 100 people dead in parts of Germany and Belgium.