Luck is essential for any successful coronavirus variant, study shows

Let's say you are a new member of the SARS-CoV-2 family, with a few genetic tweaks that distinguish you from the rest of the clan. Maybe you have changes in your spike protein that allow you to more easily to invade cells, or a random mutation that helps you elude the virus-killing effects of a COVID-19 treatment.

As daily deaths near 4,000, worst may lie ahead for Brazil

Brazil currently accounts for one-quarter of the entire world's daily COVID-19 deaths, far more than any other single nation, and health experts are warning that the nation is on the verge of even greater calamity.

European countries tighten virus curbs, France 'critical'

France, Belgium and Poland on Saturday tightened curbs as coronavirus cases surged in Europe while the Philippines prepared for a giant lockdown and Chile confined over 80 percent of its population.

Cities worldwide turn off their lights to mark Earth Hour

Cities around the world were turning off their lights Saturday for Earth Hour, with this year's event highlighting the link between the destruction of nature and increasing outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19.

Balky sign-ups complicate virus vaccinations for blind, deaf

Unable to see, Carla McQuillan typically uses a program that converts the letters on a screen into audible words when she wants to read something online. The tool wouldn't work when she tried to schedule an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine, however.

Spurred by lockdown, Spain gives 4-day week a try

After years of waiting tables, Danae De Vries is one step closer to achieving her lifetime dream of becoming a theater coach.

'Treating us like robots': Amazon workers seek union

Linda Burns was excited at first to land a job at the Amazon warehouse outside Birmingham, Alabama. The former nursing assistant had always enjoyed ordering from the company, Now, she would be working for them.

Brazil reports 3,650 dead from COVID in one day

Brazil set a new daily COVID-19 death toll record of 3,650 on Friday, the health ministry said, as the pandemic spins out of control in Latin America's largest economy.

Pandemic fuels travel boom—in virtual reality

Jem Jenkins Jones was stuck at home in Wales for much of the past year amid pandemic lockdowns but managed to fulfill a promise to her 10-year-old daughter to see the northern lights from Iceland and South Africa's game reserves—in virtual reality.

Spain to require negative PCR at French land border

Anyone crossing the land border from France into Spain will have to present a negative PCR taken in the last 72 hours, the Spanish government's official bulletin said on Saturday.

Now vaccinated, older adults emerge from COVID hibernation

Bill Griffin waited more than a year for this moment: Newly vaccinated, he embraced his 3-year-old granddaughter for the first time since the pandemic began.

Philippines orders 24 million in and around Manila into virus lockdown

The Philippines announced Saturday that more than 24 million people in and around Manila will go into lockdown next week, as hospitals in the capital struggle to cope with a surge in coronavirus infections.