The Latest: Arizona COVID-19 cases down despite high rate

PHOENIX -- Health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Arizona are declining despite the state having the worst infection rate in the country. Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said Friday that the number of patients and even the positivity test rate have dipped...

The Latest: Shanghai locks down 2 major hospitals over cases

BEIJING — Shanghai has imposed lockdowns on two of China’s best-known hospitals after they were linked to new coronavirus cases. Outpatient services have been suspended at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Renji Hospital, both of which have been cordoned off along with some surrounding...

The Latest: China's Hebei toughens virus rules over outbreak

BEIJING — China’s Hebei province is enforcing stricter control measures following a further rise in coronavirus cases in the province, which is adjacent to the capital Beijing and is due to host events for next year’s Winter Olympics. The National Health Commission on Wednesday reported 20...

The Latest: Japan's PM seeks to enforce virus measures

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says he plans to submit legislation that will make coronavirus measures legally binding for businesses, punish violators and include economic compensation as his government struggles to slow the ongoing upsurge. Japan had a state of emergency in April and May...

The Latest: Japan sharply tightens ban on foreign visitors

TOKYO — Japan’s government will temporarily ban entry of all nonresident foreign nationals as a precaution against a new and potentially more contagious coronavirus variant that has spread across Britain. The entry ban will start Monday and last through Jan. 31 for the time being, the Foreign...

Germany, Hungary give 1st vaccine shots ahead of EU rollout

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany, Hungary and Slovakia began giving out their first coronavirus vaccine shots on Saturday only hours after receiving their first shipments, upsetting the European Union's plans for a coordinated rollout Sunday across the bloc's 27 nations. “Every day that we wait is...

Hungary starts giving 1st coronavirus vaccine shots, a day before the EU's larger planned vaccine rollout

6 Hungarian parties join forces to try to defeat Orban

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Six Hungarian opposition parties have announced that they will unite in an effort to unseat Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his ruling Fidesz party in 2022 national elections. The parties on Sunday formally agreed to coordinate a single joint candidate to oppose Fidesz in each of...

Holiday traffic clogs Balkan borders despite virus warnings

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Balkan citizens leaving Western Europe to go home for the holidays created huge traffic jams at border crossings Saturday despite coronavirus restrictions that seek to discourage travel over Christmas and New Year's. Huge lines of cars formed on the borders between Slovenia and...

The Latest: S Koreans line up for virus tests as cases surge

SEOUL, South Korea — Long lines are snaking from coronavirus testing sites in the South Korean capital of Seoul on Saturday as the country reports 1,053 more confirmed cases, the fourth straight day over 1,000. Thousands are taking advantage of free tests being offered temporarily in the capital area. The...