German doctor gets over 2 years in prison for illegally issuing mask exemptions during pandemic

A regional court in the southwestern town of Weinheim confirmed Tuesday that the doctor was convicted of “issuing incorrect health certificates” to people from across Germany, most of whom she had never met or examined.

India expected to surpass China as the world's most populous nation in 2023

China’s weak population growth is falling closer to zero as fewer couples have children, government data showed Tuesday, adding to strains on an aging society with a shrinking workforce.

Drivers use rock, paper, scissors to settle parking space dispute

A pair of Irish drivers settled their dispute over a parking space during Christmas week with an old-fashioned game of rock, paper, scissors.

New Omicron subvariant becoming dominant COVID strain in U.S.

A new Omicron variant known as XBB.1.5 is reportedly spreading quickly nationwide as doctors say COVID-19 continues to evolve.

Prince Harry says he wants his father and brother back in TV interview

Harry has discussed his estrangement from his father, King Charles III, and brother Prince William since his departure from the U.K. Harry and Megan stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California.

Tens of thousands view Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's body at Vatican

Vatican security officials estimated that by mid-afternoon Monday, some 40,000 people had filed by the retired pontiff's body.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un orders ‘exponential’ expansion of nuclear arsenal

Kim Jong Un reportedly ordered the production of a new ballistic missile with a swift, retaliatory attack capability. The leader also said North Korea will launch its first military spy satellite in the near future.

Brazil's Lula sworn in as president amid a polarized country

Lula’s presidency is unlikely to be like his previous two mandates, coming after the tightest presidential race in more than three decades.

More countries imposing COVID rules on travelers from China

China is battling a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

From Boise to Bhutan: Here are the top travel destinations of 2023

Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2023” features 30 destinations that are sorted by 5 of the best types of experiences you can have there: eating, journeys, connecting, learning and unwinding.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dead at 95

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who will forever be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign, died Saturday.

Mean Mother Nature: Top 5 extreme forces of nature in 2022

From the historic Mauna Loa volcano eruption to a deadly earthquake in Indonesia, 2022 saw some of the most extreme forces of nature.

College student solves ‘revolutionary’ 2,500-year-old language puzzle

While researching for his Ph.D. thesis, Rishi Rajpopat decoded a 2,500-year-old rule, which makes it possible to use “the father of linguistics” Pāṇini’s “language machine.”