The Latest: New Zealand gives tentative OK for 2nd vaccine

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand medical regulators have approved use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, after earlier in the year approving the Pfizer vaccine.

The Latest: Virus lockdown in Sydney extended another week

SYDNEY — A two-week-old pandemic lockdown in Australia’s biggest city is being extended for another week due to the vulnerability of a population largely unvaccinated against the coronavirus.

The Latest: New cases in S Korea near its pandemic high

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea is reporting more than 1,200 new coronavirus cases, a level unseen since the worst of its outbreak in December as it slips into another virus surge with most of its people unvaccinated.

Eric Adams wins Democratic primary in NYC’s mayoral race

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City after appealing to the political center and promising to strike the right balance between fighting crime and ending racial injustice in policing.

The Latest: Zimbabwe back to strict lockdown, virus surges

Zimbabwe has returned to strict lockdown measures to combat a resurgence of COVID-19 amid vaccine shortages.

The Latest: Biden: With rise of variant, reconsider vaccine

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden says the rise of a more transmissible COVID-19 variant in the U.S. “should cause everybody to think twice.”

The Latest: Arizona’s confirmed death toll reaches 18,000

PHOENIX — Arizona’s confirmed pandemic death toll reached 18,000 on Tuesday with 21 more deaths. There were 900 confirmed coronavirus cases after the three-day July 4 holiday weekend.

The Latest: Russia adjusts tests for arrivals from abroad

MOSCOW — Russian authorities allowed vaccinated Russians and those who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months not to get tested for the virus upon arrival from abroad.

In hunt for infrastructure deal, every Dem has leverage

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a crucial moment for Democrats, party leaders are hunting for a sweet spot that would satisfy their rival moderate and progressive wings on legislation to finance

As leaders hunt Biden budget deal, every Dem has leverage

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a crucial moment for congressional Democrats, leaders are hunting for a sweet spot that would satisfy the party’s rival moderate and progressive wings on legislation to finance

The Latest: Bangladesh hits record 11,525 daily virus cases

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has reported 11,525 positive cases, the highest in a day since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Latest: Britain to scrap isolation of fully vaccinated

LONDON -- Britain’s government says it is scrapping rules for self-isolation for those who are fully vaccinated starting mid-August, as the country prepares to lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions.

The Latest: Chinese city near Myanmar imposes virus lockdown

BEIJING — A Chinese city bordering Myanmar is stepping up efforts to fight a third coronavirus outbreak after several locally transmitted cases were reported this week.

The Latest: COVID-19 deaths hit daily record in Russia

MOSCOW -- Coronavirus deaths in Russia have hit another daily record, with authorities reporting 737 more fatalities amid a rapid rise in infections.

Fighting to save every drop of water

Quincy unveils system to reuse scarce resource

QUINCY — “Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting.”

Riding home: Rodeo family returns for Coulee City Last Stand

Shane Proctor, of Grand Coulee, has ridden bulls in professional rodeos across the globe. Of them all, Coulee City PRCA Last Stand Rodeo was one of the most nerve-wracking, he said. “They always say the hardest rodeo to win is your hometown rodeo, because that’s where all the pressure is,” he said.

Beyond DC partisanship, Warnock makes broad pitch in Ga.

SMYRNA, Ga. (AP) — On Capitol Hill, Sen. Raphael Warnock assails Republicans’ push for tighter voting rules as “Jim Crow in new clothes,” while his campaign operation blasts emails bemoaning dire risks to democracy.

Israel looks to renew law that keeps out Palestinian spouses

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's parliament was set to vote Monday on whether to renew a temporary law first enacted in 2003 that bars Arab citizens of Israel from extending citizenship or even residency to spouses from the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Israel blocks law that keeps out Palestinian spouses

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament early on Tuesday failed to renew a law that bars Arab citizens from extending citizenship or residency rights to spouses from the occupied West Bank and Gaza, in a tight vote that raised doubts about the viability of the country’s new coalition government.

Biden goes in for cherries on campaign-style Michigan trip

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — President Joe Biden stayed mum on policy during a Saturday trip to Michigan, focusing instead on cherries — and cherry pie and cherry ice cream — and voters who were mask-free as coronavirus restrictions have eased. It had all the hallmarks of a campaign stop that he couldn’t make last year.