Merkel: Europe ‘on thin ice’ amid delta virus variant rise
BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe is “on thin ice” in its battle against COVID-19, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday as EU leaders agreed that vaccinations should be sped up to fight the highly contagious delta variant.
A look at COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada on Thursday, June 24, 2021
The latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada as of 4:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 24, 2021. In Canada, the provinces are reporting 516,201 new vaccinations administered for a total of 33,565,223 doses given. Nationwide, 8,273,857 people or 22 ...
Critic of Palestinian Authority dies after violent arrest
JERUSALEM (AP) — An outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority who was a candidate in parliamentary elections called off earlier this year died after Palestinian security forces arrested him and beat him with batons on Thursday, his family said.
Russia in showdown with UN and West over aid to Syria
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia previewed a showdown with the United Nations, United States and Western nations Wednesday over the delivery of humanitarian aid to rebel-held northwest Syria from Turkey, rejecting their warnings that closing the only borde...
Philippine air force Blackhawk helicopter crashes, killing 6
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A recently delivered Philippine assault helicopter crashed during a night training exercise north of Manila, killing all six air force personnel on board, officials said Thursday.
Turkey welcomes back tourists, hopes to recoup losses
ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — At the Ananas Hotel on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, the rooms were cleaned, the pool filled and the sun loungers distanced, as staff prepared to welcome back Russian tourists after nearly 20 months of pandemic-induced closure. ...
‘Scary’ Sydney virus cluster blamed on delta variant grows
SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney was going through one the “scariest” times of the pandemic as a cluster of the highly contagious delta variant infects more people, an Australian state leader said on Thursday.
Indonesian cleric gets 4 years for concealing COVID-19 test
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An influential firebrand cleric was sentenced to another four years in prison in Indonesia on Thursday for concealing information about his coronavirus test result.
Stocks add to weekly gains, pushing S&P 500 back to record
BANGKOK — Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street, continuing an upturn this week that has brought the S&P 500 back to the record high level it reached a week and a half ago. The benchmark index was up 0.6%
Hungry grasshoppers spurred by US drought threaten rangeland
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A punishing drought in the U.S. West is drying up waterways, sparking wildfires and leaving farmers scrambling for water. Next up: a plague of voracious grasshoppers.