Freedom or folly? UK’s end to mandatory masks sows confusion
LONDON (AP) — For many, it’s common courtesy or a sensible precaution. For others, it's an imposition, a daily irritation. The
Moscow lifts dining restrictions; Russia hits record deaths
MOSCOW (AP) — Authorities in Moscow on Friday canceled their order that restaurants only admit customers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from the virus or have had a recent negative test.
‘It pays to be vaccinated’: Quebec launches COVID-19 vaccine lottery worth $2 million
MONTREAL — The Quebec government announced a lottery worth $2 million in cash prizes and student bursaries on Friday, hoping it will be the extra push needed to get more younger Quebecers vaccinated against COVID-19. Health Minister Christian Dubé and ...
Eiffel Tower reopens; COVID passes required as of next week
PARIS (AP) — With “Welcome” messages in multiple languages, the Eiffel Tower greeted tourists Friday for the first time in nearly nine months, reopening to the public even as France introduces new virus rules aimed at taming the fast-spreading delta
Ex-St. Louis officer gets probation in colleague’s beating
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A former St. Louis police officer has been sentenced to three years of probation for her role in the beating of a Black, undercover police officer during a 2017 protest.
Officials now say no ban on animal sacrifice in Kashmir
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday said there is no ban on the sacrifice of animals during the upcoming Islamic Eid al-Adha holiday, a day after the government asked law enforcers to stop the sacrifice of
Hong Kong national security police raid student union office
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s national security police on Friday raided the office of a university student union after student leaders last week commemorated a man who killed himself after stabbing a police officer.
With Delta variant on the march, Canada eyes mid-August to welcome back U.S. visitors
WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials issued more ominous warnings about COVID-19's dangerous Delta cousin Friday just as Canada finally started floating the prospect of letting fully vaccinated American visitors back into the country as early as mid-Augu...
Belarus expands crackdown on independent media
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Authorities in Belarus raided the homes and offices of independent media outlets and civil society activists Friday, widening a crackdown on opposition in the ex-Soviet nation.
Supreme Court sides with Lac Seul First Nation over flooding compensation
OTTAWA — The Lac Seul First Nation of northern Ontario has won a key round in its long fight to be properly compensated for the flooding of its lands caused by construction of a dam. In an 8-1 ruling Friday, the