UK variant, South Africa variant, Brazil variant: A guide to known coronavirus mutations

As the novel coronavirus continues to claim the lives of Americans and people across the world, multiple coronavirus variants are now circulating around the globe, triggering alarm among scientists and health officials.

Zookeeper tumbles into penguin pool

Video from a zoo security camera shows a staffer's slippery mishap into a chilly pool.

'Cookie Monster' gemstone found in Brazil goes viral

A geologist recently discovered a gemstone in Brazil that looks just like Cookie Monster from "Sesame Street." The scientist said he's been offered $10,000 for the rare rock.

Coronavirus variant from South Africa detected in US for 1st time

A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa has been found in the U.S. for the first time, with two cases diagnosed in South Carolina.

Pakistani court orders release of man accused of beheading American journalist Daniel Pearl

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of a Pakistani-British man convicted and later acquitted in the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.

COVID-19 variant found in Brazil, South Africa could pose higher reinfection risk, study suggests

Researchers analyzing preliminary data of recently discovered COVID-19 mutations in South Africa and Brazil say the new variants exhibit a higher possibility of reinfection as well as evasion of immune responses.

UK COVID-19 variant ‘may be’ more deadly, prime minister says

There is emerging evidence to suggest that the recently discovered, highly transmissible COVID-19 variant first reported in the United Kingdom is potentially more deadly, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

Soldier from Austin killed in non-combat related incident

Staff Sgt. Timothy Manchester, 34, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2018, after serving in the U. S. Marine Corps.

President Biden proposes 5-year extension of Russian nuclear arms treaty

The Biden administration is proposing to Russia a five-year extension of the New START treaty limiting the number of U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons, U.S. officials said Thursday.

Under Biden, world leaders hope for renewed US cooperation

World leaders welcomed into their ranks the new U.S. President Joe Biden, noting their most pressing problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, require multilateral cooperation, an approach his predecessor Donald Trump ridiculed.

Pigeon set to be euthanized in Australia gets reprieve after identifying leg band deemed fake

A pigeon initially believed to have made an 8,000-mile journey across the Pacific from Oregon to Australia was set to be killed because the country declared it a quarantine risk. But the bird has now been given a reprieve after its identifying leg band was deemed a fake.

Woman mistakes 'poppers' for candy, burns mouth and cracks tooth after eating some

A woman says she mistook a small box of firework poppers for popping candy. When she tried to eat a handful of the poppers, she reportedly suffered burns to her mouth.

Ice cream from China contaminated with coronavirus: report

Officials believe the coronavirus was able to survive in the ice cream due to the cold temperature and was likely transferred from a person who had the disease. 

More than 2 million people dead globally from COVID-19

The number of dead from the virus is about equal to the population of Brussels, Mecca, Minsk or Vienna.

Dad arrested for breaking curfew to buy formula for newborn

A South African father was arrested after going out to buy baby formula for his newborn baby during curfew hours.