Russian media: Mikhail Gorbachev, who presided over Soviet Unionโs end, has died
Mikhail Gorbachev, who as the last leader of the Soviet Union waged a losing battle to salvage a crumbling empire but produced extraordinary reforms that led to the end of the Cold War, has died at 91, Russian media reported Thursday.
This week in photos: Destruction continues, U.S. to leverage Russia-Ukraine bloc against China as the war wages on
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that U.S. President Joe Bidenโs administration is aiming to lead the international bloc opposed to Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine into a broader coalition to counter what it sees as a more serious, long-term threat to global order from China.
Photos from overseas: Russia pounds Ukraine, targeting supply of Western arms
Russian forces pounded targets across Ukraine, taking aim at supply lines for foreign weapons in the west and intensifying an offensive in the east, as the European Union moved Wednesday to further punish Moscow for the war with a proposed ban on oil imports.
These latest images illustrate the reality of the harrowing situation in Ukraine
Russiaโs relentless bombardment of Ukraine has edged closer to central Kyiv. Large explosions thundered across Kyiv before dawn Tuesday as Russiaโs assault on the capital appeared to become more systematic, The Associated Press reported.
Biden now โconvincedโ Russia will launch invasion of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing a sharp spike in violence in and around territory held by Russia-backed rebels and increasingly dire warnings that Russia plans to invade, has called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek a resolution to the crisis.
This sinkhole in Mexico has swallowed a house and 2 dogs. And itโs still growing.
Back in May, a farm in Mexico started developing a sinkhole that has since caused the evacuation of a family living in a nearby house, the collapse of that same house and a rescue operation for two dogs that, like the house, were also swallowed up by the sinkhole.
Universalโs Super Nintendo World gets opening date
Universal Studios Japan will hold its grand opening of the worldโs first SUPER NINTENDO WORLD on March 18, 2021OSAKA, Japan โ Universal Studios Japan said its interactive Super Nintendo World will open to guests on March 18, kicking off the parkโs 20th-anniversary celebration. Guests will immerse themselves in the Super Nintendo world even further by wearing a power-up band. AdPower-Up Band Challenge at Super Nintendo World (Universal Studios Japan)The land was originally scheduled to open in July of last year but Universal delayed the opening due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The news about Super Nintendo World comes as Universal Orlando said last week its resuming construction on its fourth theme park, Epic Universe. Last year, leaders with Comcast, Universalโs parent company, said a Super Nintendo World would be coming to the new theme park in Orlando.
Negative COVID-19 test required before traveling to US starting Jan. 26
Tests can be taken up to three days in advance and are required for anyone 2 years or older. Orlando International Airport leaders said Tuesday, a week before the new rule begins, travelers should begin planning for a COVID-19 test prior to booking any air travel. [TRENDING: Fla. leads nation in cases with new COVID variant | 12-year-old Orlando girl still missing | Biden inauguration will be different]Airlines will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding. The test result documentation must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. The CDC issued the latest order on Jan. 12, expanding the requirement to all international travelers.
2020 in headlines: All the biggest news stories of the year
(2020 Getty Images)On Jan. 9, the World Health Organization first announced news about the deadly coronavirus that had emerged in Wuhan, China. (2020 Getty Images)On March 24, it became official: The Olympics would be postponed. (2020 Getty Images)On May 4, it was reported that giant insects called โmurder hornetsโ were spotted in the U.S., specifically, Washington state. (Getty Images)On Aug. 18, on the second night of the (virtual) 2020 Democratic National Convention, the party officially nominated Biden. (Getty Images)On Oct. 11, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat in NBA Finals to win another championship.
Global coronavirus cases top 30 million
India's coronavirus cases jumped by another 96,424 in the past 24 hours, showing little sign of leveling. India is expected to have the highest number of confirmed cases within weeks, surpassing the United States, where more than 6.67 million people have been infected. The announcement came as the university reported 130 newly confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 671 cases since classes began about a month ago. John Hopkins University says that through Thursday, Idaho had more than 36,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 434 deaths. That tally raised the stateโs rolling average number of daily new confirmed coronavirus cases to 726, more than double 381 just one week ago.
China says Mars probe stable; no word on reusable spacecraft
BEIJING โ China's Mars probe Tianwen-1, which blasted into space in July, is now more than 15 million kilometers (9 million miles) from Earth en route to the red planet, the National Space Administration said Saturday. The administration said that Tianwen-1 was in stable condition, having completed its first mid-course orbital correction early last month. It will be about 195 million kilometers (118 million miles) from Earth when it arrives at Mars around February, having traveled 470 million kilometers (292 million miles) in all to get there. The administration, however, has yet to release information about a mysterious reusable experimental spacecraft that returned to Earth a week ago after a two-day flight. Last year, China's Changโe-4 became the first spacecraft from any country to land on the far side of the moon.
Disney criticized for filming 'Mulan' in China's Xinjiang
A man stands in a set promoting the Disney movie Mulan in Beijing on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. Disney is under fire for filming part of its live-action reboot Mulan in Xinjiang, the region in China where the government has been accused of human rights abuses against Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. Last year, a boycott movement was sparked when the lead actor, Liu Yifei, a Chinese-American originally from Wuhan, publicly supported Hong Kong police when they were accused of using excessive force against Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters. Donnie Yen, a renowned Hong Kong star who plays Mulans regiment leader Commander Tung, also drew ire from Hong Kong protesters for his pro-China stance. The controversy has revived calls for a boycott in Hong Kong, where the film will be released next week.
Norwegian lawmaker nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
COPENHAGEN A far-right Norwegian lawmaker said Wednesday that he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East. He said he nominated Trump on Wednesday, adding that Donald Trump meets the criteria for the Nobel Peace Prize. Any national lawmaker can nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize. Nominations must be sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee by Feb. 1. The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesnt publicly comment on nominees.
Chinas first reusable spacecraft lands after 2-day flight
BEIJING Chinas first reusable spacecraft landed Sunday after two days in orbit, a possible step toward lower-cost space flight, the government announced. The flight marks an important breakthrough in our countrys research on reusable spacecraft that promise a more convenient and inexpensive way to reach space, Xinhua said. Last year, it became the first country to land a robot rover on the moon's little-seen far side. The United States and the former Soviet Union both flew reusable spacecraft. The Soviet space plane, Buran, orbited the Earth twice during its single uncrewed flight in 1988.
4 found dead after shooting in home near Toronto, police say
OSHAWA, ON Police say four people have been found dead in a home east of Toronto after an early morning shooting. A spokesman for Durham regional police says multiple calls came in around 1:20 a.m. Friday reporting the sound of gunshots from a home in Oshawa, Ontario. He says investigators believe the shooter is among the dead. Police say theyre not looking for any more suspects and there are no community safety concerns. Were waiting for our homicide team to arrive so we can get a better understanding of what exactly happened and what led to the shooting, Tudos told reporters at the scene.
Locusts now threatening parts of southern Africa, UN says
JOHANNESBURG Locusts are threatening another part of Africa, with up to 7 million people in the southern region facing further food insecurity, the United Nations said Friday. The outbreaks of African migratory locusts in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are not related to the huge outbreak of billions of desert locusts that has affected East Africa for months, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said. While far smaller, the southern outbreaks need quick attention to prevent a wider problem as farmers and others already struggle to recover from a serious drought last year and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.N. agency said in a statement. Swarms of the voracious insects can eat enough food for 2,500 people in a day, according to a separate Food and Agriculture Organization document on the southern Africa outbreaks. Some of the worst-affected areas are very difficult to reach, FAO southern Africa coordinator Patrice Talla said.
Scary video: 3-year-old girl swept into air by kite at festival
A 3-year old girl survived being swept 30-40 feet into the air after becoming entangled with the strings of a large kite. The freak accident happened Sunday during a festival in Taiwans northern city of Hsinchu. Video posted on Facebook shows the girl being lifted up and swung in the air for a few seconds before falling to the ground as panicked onlookers rush to help her. The girl was shocked but not injured, her parents said. Authorities in Hsinchu halted the kite festival after the accident.
Face masks required: Not in all U.S. schools, but itโs happening in Spain
MADRID โ Masks will be mandatory for all students in Spain, ages 6 or older, when returning to schools in September because of increased coronavirus cases, the government announced Thursday. Previously, masks were only required for students above age 12 by some Spanish regions. Students will receive a daily body temperature check, must wash hands at least five times per day and classrooms will need frequent ventilation, the government said. That allows localized quarantines if thereโs a positive test, rather than closing entire schools. Parents and teachers have expressed concern, with new waves of outbreaks since the country emerged from a strict lockdown.
Greece battles coronavirus resurgence after early success
The number of confirmed virus cases and deaths in Greece remains lower than in many other European countries. Its logical because there are many young people, you cant restrict them.The number of confirmed virus cases and deaths in Greece remains lower than in many other European countries. But Greece's new confirmed cases have been spiraling in recent weeks, reaching a record 284 on Sunday. Inevitably, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases mounted. Extra measures have been imposed, including compulsory coronavirus tests for employees returning from vacation.
Police in one country are using drones to enforce social distancing
Police in Singapore have taken an extraordinary step to ensure people are following social distancing rules. In a 3 1/2-month trial, police have used 22-pound pilotless drones, developed by Israelโs Airobotics, as a way to enforce social distancing and contain the spread of COVID-19, according to Reuters. Airobotics CEO Ran Krauss told Reuters the company is simply helping police maintain normal operations, specifically related to COVID-19. โThe pandemic created a situation where it might be difficult for police to maintain,โ Krauss said. The trial continues on in the social distancing aspect, according to Airobotics, and Krauss said the company is in talks with other cities to deploy drones.
Experts warn Spain is losing the 2nd round in virus fight
(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)BARCELONA Not two months after battling back the coronavirus, Spains hospitals are beginning to see patients struggling to breathe returning to their wards. Experts are searching for reasons why Spain is struggling more than its neighbors after western Europe had won a degree of control over the pandemic. The data don't lie, Rafael Bengoa, the former health chief of Spains Basque Country region and international consultant on public health, told The Associated Press. Yet it seems that adjusting to the new normal of co-existing with the virus has been uneven across Spains regions. Catalonia's public health director, Josep Argimon, said Wednesday that the situation is stabilized."
Coronavirus positive? Thousands in Germany left wondering
German authorities worked through the night to clear a backlog of coronavirus tests from travelers after it emerged 900 people who were positive for COVID-19 had yet to be informed. The state Health Ministry said there had been delays in releasing 44,000 test results to people who were checked on their way into Germany, primarily at highway rest stops, including 908 who had tested positive for COVID-19. The governor said state Health Minister Melanie Huml offered her resignation, but that he did not accept it and Humi still had his confidence. Soeder, who has national political aspirations, has been widely criticized for the failure to ensure people were promptly informed of the test results. As of Saturday, any travelers arriving anywhere in Germany from high-risk areas were required to take coronavirus tests.
UK scientists openly question government's pandemic response
The British government insists that science is guiding its decisions as the country navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic. But a self-appointed group of independent experts led by a former government chief adviser says it sees little evidence-based about Britains response. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)LONDON As Britain navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic, the government insists that science is guiding its decisions. And at nearly every turn, the independent experts have essentially pointed out glaring mistakes in the governments approach. We fear that the government has given up trying to control the pandemic further," the independent scientists wrote in a July report.
Fireworks, ammonium nitrate likely fueled Beirut explosion
A Lebanese army helicopter throw water at the scene where an explosion hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)Fireworks and ammonium nitrate appear to have been the fuel that ignited a massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, experts and videos of the blast suggest. That likely came from a fire that engulfed what initially appeared to be fireworks that were stored at the port. Online videos of the disaster's initial moments show sparks and lights inside the smoke rising from the blaze, just prior to the massive blast. The devastation surrounding the port resembled other ammonium nitrate explosions, such as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and a 1947 ship explosion that struck Texas City, Texas.
PHOTOS: Beirut explosion leaves behind unspeakable damage
Photo by Daniel Carde (Getty Images)Scenes in Beirut, Lebanon following an explosion near the city's port area on Tuesday. Photo by Daniel Carde (Getty Images)Scenes in Beirut, Lebanon following an explosion near the city's port area on Tuesday. Photo by Daniel Carde (Getty Images)Scenes in Beirut, Lebanon following an explosion near the city's port area on Tuesday. Photo by Daniel Carde (Getty Images)Scenes in Beirut, Lebanon following an explosion near the city's port area on Tuesday. Photo by Marwan Tahtah (Getty Images)Scenes in Beirut, Lebanon following an explosion near the city's port area on Tuesday.
Outcry in Sweden after drive-by shooting kills 12-year-old girl
COPENHAGEN โ The Swedish government vowed Tuesday to find the perpetrators of a drive-by shooting that killed a 12-year-old girl in what authorities said appears to be the latest violence from suburban feuds between criminal gangs fighting over territory. โIf we don't stop the new recruitment of young people into the criminal circles, harsh measures will not mean anything,โ Home Affairs Minister Mikael Damberg told Swedish broadcaster SVT. โYou feel a great anger toward the criminal gangs who show no empathy because their shootings affect others, " Damberg said. The girl was shot late Sunday at a parking lot in the municipality of Botkyrka that is a popular hangout for teenagers. Swedish media say investigators think the gunfire that killed her was intended for two men with ties to a criminal gang.
3 men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sand
The men were missing in the Micronesia archipelago east of the Philippines for nearly three days when their "SOS" sign was spotted by searchers on Australian and U.S. aircraft, the Australian defense department said. (Australian Defence Force via AP)WELLINGTON Three men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above, authorities say. The men were found about 190 kilometers (118 miles) from where they had set out. The men were found in good condition, and an Australian military helicopter was able to land on the beach and give them food and water. SOS is an internationally recognized distress signal that originates from Morse code.
Huge explosions rock Beirut with widespread damage, injuries
BEIRUT Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital. An Associated Press photographer near the port saw people lying injured on the ground, and hospitals called for blood donations, but exact casualties were not immediately known. Deeply shocked with the visuals of massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. #Beirut pic.twitter.com/mdrZXXwuLC Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) August 4, 2020The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Some local TV stations reported the blast was at Beiruts port inside an area where fireworks were stored.
American charged with aggravated murder of wife in France
LE PECQ A Brooklyn man who told French police investigators that he killed his wife by stabbing her twice during an argument, has been charged with her murder, a prosecutor said Monday. Kruger was placed under formal investigation Sunday on a preliminary charge of aggravated murder and ordered held in jail, pending a possible trial. The body of his wife, 52-year-old Laure Bardina-Kruger, was found Friday in Peyriac-de-Mer, on the Mediterranean coast, south of Narbonne. The couple had a holiday home in Peyriac-de-Mer, and police found the wifes body hidden in the storm drain nearby. During police questioning, the man said he stabbed his wife twice, the prosecutor said.
Tokyo head: Olympics not possible under current conditions
TOKYO The delayed Tokyo Olympics could not be held next year if conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continue as they are, the president of the organizing committee said Wednesday. If this kind of situation (with COVID-19) continues, is it possible to hold the games? Mori was asked by NHK. The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to open on July 23, 2021 a year from Thursday. The IOC and organizers have also said the Olympics will not be postponed again and would be canceled. Whether the Olympics can be done or not is about whether humanity can beat the coronavirus," Mori said.
UK coronavirus vaccine prompts immune response in early test
British researchers first began testing the vaccine in April in about 1,000 people, half of whom got the experimental vaccine. Such early trials are designed to evaluate safety and see what kind of immune response was provoked, but can't tell if the vaccine truly protects. We are seeing good immune response in almost everybody, said Dr. Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford University. The experimental COVID-19 vaccine caused minor side effects like fever, chills and muscle pain more often than in those who got a control meningitis vaccine. They reported that in their study of about 500 people, an immune response was detected in those who were immunized.
Bahamas banning US travelers starting Wednesday
Were you planning an upcoming vacation or business trip to the Bahamas? Those plans might be on hold for the near future, as the Bahamas is closing its borders to travelers from the United States starting Wednesday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. The Bahamas had just opened back up to international tourism three weeks prior to this new order. Along with the international traveler restrictions, the Bahamas is closing all beaches and parks, banning indoor dining, weddings, funerals, religious services and sporting events on Grand Bahama, according to the Sun-Sentinel. We are trying to open parts of our economy and our society while promoting and requiring health measures to protect lives.For more information on Bahamas travel restrictions, click here.
Rising virus totals force rethink of bars, schools, tourism
Nearly 40,000 people were fined about $1.30 each in the past two weeks for not wearing face masks. As is true of many places, Tokyo's nightlife bars, clubs, cabarets and karaoke parlors has been seen as a weak link in efforts to contain the virus. Officials have struggled over the trade-off between curbing the spread of the virus and protecting the ailing economy. The Democrat's order came as the state reported a record number of new confirmed cases. Few other countries have shown the will to impose such stringent measures to keep the virus at bay.
China becomes first economy to grow since virus pandemic
Chinas economy rebounded from a painful contraction to grow by 3.2% over a year earlier in the latest quarter as anti-virus lockdowns were lifted and factories and stores reopened. Growth reported Thursday for the three months ending in June was a dramatic improvement over the previous quarters 6.8% contraction Chinas worst performance since at least the mid-1960s. Economists say China is likely to recover faster than some other major economies due to the ruling Communist Partys decision to impose the most intensive anti-disease measures in history. On Tuesday, the government eased some curbs on domestic tourism after China reported no new locally acquired infections in nine days. Online retail sales rose 14.3%, up from the previous quarters 5.9%.
Video: Australian man fights off deadly snake while driving on highway
An Australian man had the fright of his life fighting off a deadly snake while speeding down the highway. Police say the man, identified only as Jimmy, noticed an Eastern Brown Snake in his truck. The man killed the snake and police pulled him over as he was speeding to the hospital. The police called for help and paramedics said the man hadn't been bitten. Jimmy says heโs never been so happy to see red and blue lights.
International students must leave country if classes taught only online, ICE says
Thousands of international students pursuing higher education in the U.S. may have to leave if their colleges go to online-only classes. The U.S. Department of State says it will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools that are fully online for the fall semester. In response to coronavirus, Harvard is going to deliver all course instruction online in the fall. Other universities are following suit, which creates a challenge for many pursuing their degrees in the U.S. from foreign countries. In some circumstances, some exchange or foreign students may not be able to study in the U.S. or return home.
Palm Bay man faces extradition to Netherlands for murder charges, district attorney says
He told authorities he believed he saw three people inside the apartment in total. The girlfriend of the victim who died from their injuries told authorities two men pointed guns at her and (her boyfriend). Authorities said Margas did not have a license to carry a firearm in St. Maarten. Sint Maarten authorities were unable to locate Margas in St. Maarten; however, they received information indicating that he traveled to Anguilla, and from there to St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) on approximately February 10, 2020. According to the motion, Margas was arrested on Monday and the Kingdom of the Netherlands sought extradition on charges of co-perpetrating murder/manslaughter and attempted murder/manslaughter.
These basic functions prove challenging on International Space Station -- hereโs how astronauts cope
Here are answers to five questions about what โbasicโ life is like for astronauts on the ISS. As if they are going to a restaurant, astronauts can choose which food items they want off of a menu. On the ISS, astronauts use liquid soap, water and no rinse shampoo. Given the microgravity means, there is no up or down, and astronauts can sleep in any orientation, according to NASA. The station has small crew cabins with sleeping bags that astronauts sleep in.
This week, the world lost Ravi Zacharias: A look inside his life
This week was a sad one for Christians around the world, as advocate, author and apologist Ravi Zacharias died Tuesday of sarcoma. Here are notable facts about the life of Zacharias:He was an atheist until a suicide attempt changed his life. He attempted suicide by swallowing poison, but he survived, and his life completely changed while at an Indian hospital, according to the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries website. At age 19, Zacharias won a preaching contest, and his life in ministry was off to a flying start. Celebrities, politicians and church leaders around the world paid tribute to Zacharias this week on Twitter.
What do you get when a zebra mates with a donkey? This adorable zonkey
An ultra-rare, bouncing baby byproduct of two different species was spotted in the wild. Is it a zebra? The odd-looking foal was identified at a national park in Kenya and is a baby byproduct of the two species. According to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, mama and baby are thriving. More recently, a wildlife preserve in Georgia was home to the birth of its own zonkey.
Can you fathom no St. Patrickโs Day celebrations at pubs in Ireland?
A St. Patrickโs Day in Ireland without celebrations at local pubs? Yes, it is true, and just the latest example of how serious the coronavirus pandemic has become. The Irish government sent a release Sunday asking all pubs be closed from Sunday night until March 29 to help quell the spread of the coronavirus. St. Patrickโs Day celebrations surely will be affected around the world, and itโs hard to imagine you canโt even go to a pub in the heart of Ireland anymore to celebrate St. Patrickโs Day. But that once again emphasizes the seriousness of the pandemic and the sacrifices so many are making.
More harm than good: Compassion is noble, but what does Haiti really need, 10 years after quake?
โDeep down, I know there was an element of trying to get a pat on the back,โ Albert said. โThatโs when they completely blew me away with their response.โWhat the community leaders essentially told Albert and Zelaya was this: Thanks for your efforts and compassion, but you actually did more harm than good. The experience was such an eye-opener that it led Albert and Zelaya to a greater purpose and mission. โThat goes back to the negative aid that is undermining the natural development of the Haitian people,โ Albert said. The two discovered that nearly 80% of Haitian teachers havenโt been properly trained, and 60% of kids dropped out of classes during elementary school.