Recreation and leisure
People watch from behind a security fence during the final day of the surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan. The Olympic beach party that never was may be the only sore spot for surfing’s long-awaited debut that finished triumphantly this week. The Olympic beach party that never was may be the only sore spot for surfing’s long-awaited debut that finished triumphantly this week. Some local Japanese fans and beachgoers did manage to find a way to lay eyes on the athletes and the competition site once the games began. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
COVID cancels the Olympic surfing beach party that never was

By Sally Ho Jul. 28, 2021 06:01 AM EDT

Vanessa Ferrari, of Italy, performs during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
AP PHOTOS: Taboo in Tokyo, tattoos on display at Olympics

Jul. 26, 2021 08:17 AM EDT

United States' Kaleigh Gilchrist plays against Japan during a preliminary round women's water polo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Gilchrist's comeback arrives at Tokyo Olympics

By Jay Cohen Jul. 24, 2021 05:38 AM EDT

Natalia Santos of Angola, carry her country's flag during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Olympics ceremony uses music from Japanese video games

By Walsh Giarrusso Jul. 23, 2021 07:59 AM EDT

Naomi Osaka carries the Olympic Torch during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)
The Latest: Osaka lights cauldron at Tokyo opening ceremony

Jul. 22, 2021 09:51 PM EDT

This image provided by Hudson's Bay shows Team Canada's denim jacket to be worn by athletes in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. Olympic gear makes for lively social media fodder, starting with the hours-long Parade of Nations. The year's wait due to the pandemic has given enthusiasts extra time to ponder what they love or hate. (Hudson's Bay via AP)
Let the fashion policing begin on opening day of Tokyo Games

By Leanne Italie Jul. 21, 2021 08:16 AM EDT

A man and a woman wearing face masks visit the rooftop park of a commercial building across from Tokyo Station, right, in Tokyo on Thursday, July 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Cases surge to 6-month high in Tokyo a week before Olympics

By Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 15, 2021 06:07 AM EDT

United States' Bradley Beal brings the ball up court against Argentina during the second half of an exhibition basketball game in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
AP source: Beal in protocols, Tokyo Olympics status in doubt

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 14, 2021 08:26 PM EDT

People eat and drink at a restaurant in the evening in Tokyo on July 9, 2021. A state of emergency began Monday, July 12, 2021, in Tokyo, as the number of new cases is climbing fast and hospital beds are starting to fill just 11 days ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Explainer: How will the virus emergency affect the Olympics?

By Mari Yamaguchi Jul. 12, 2021 04:38 AM EDT

FILE - First-place finisher Adam Ondra, of the Czech Republic, celebrates after the men's boulder finals at the climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City, in this May 22, 2021, file photo Climbing has always been a niche sport among outdoor enthusiasts. Inclusion in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics will take it mainstream and the world will see just how difficult it is clinging to tiny hand holds with fingers and toes. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
ITF Czech Republic F1, Men Singles

Jun. 29, 2021 12:24 PM EDT

NC Zoo to drop requirement for reservations on July 1

Jun. 28, 2021 12:54 PM EDT
ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Zoo is ending the requirement for visitors to make reservations in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. ...

Shravan Chinnala cleans the Peetam, a silver pedestal for the image of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, in preparation for Maha Kumbhabhishekam, a five-day rededication ceremony at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Penn Hills, Pa., Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Built in the 1970s, the Sri Venkateswara Temple is the oldest major Hindu temple in the country. Maha Kumbhabhishekams occur about every 12 years and involve ceremonies to reenergize the temple and its deities. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
At landmark US Hindu temple, a timely rite of rejuvenation

By Peter Smith Jun. 28, 2021 12:25 PM EDT

Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press Jun. 28, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Quad-City Times. June 9, 2021. Editorial: It’s time to step up Unfortunately, the people of Davenport have become...

Editorial Roundup: Texas

By The Associated Press Jun. 28, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Dallas Morning News. June 25, 2021. Editorial: ERCOT shouldn’t be exempt from laws of open government The Electric...

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller speaks to media during a COVID-19 update in Sydney, Monday, June 28, 2021. Two naked men were rescued by emergency services from an Australian forest after they were startled by a deer while nude sunbathing on a beach and became lost, police say. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)
Police rescue spooked nude sunbathers from Australian forest

Jun. 28, 2021 02:24 AM EDT

Bobbie Uno displays photographs of burnt brushes outside her home Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Clearfield, Utah. July Fourth fire works are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease, but the megadrought gripping the West means the colorful sparklers and exploding bottle rockets could be seriously dangerous. They also carry risk, starting thousands of fires a year - including one that burned Uno's home on the holiday last year. "Within five seconds my house, from the bushes to the rooftop, it was burning," she said. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Drought woes in dry US West raise July 4 fireworks fears

By Lindsay Whitehurst Jun. 27, 2021 11:20 AM EDT

Amid Iravanipour rallies at the Queer Liberation March on Sunday, June 27, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman)
With virtual and in-person events, NYC commemorates Pride

Jun. 27, 2021 11:07 AM EDT

Patrons dine at City Winery Thursday, June 24, 2021, in New York. Customers wanting to wine, dine and unwind to live music at the City Winery's flagship restaurant in New York must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to get in. But that's not required at most other dining establishments in the city. And it's not necessary at other City Winery sites around the U.S. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
States hesitant to adopt digital COVID vaccine verification

By David A. Lieb Jun. 26, 2021 11:34 AM EDT

Chicago's Adler Planetarium won't fully reopen until 2022

Jun. 26, 2021 09:17 AM EDT
CHICAGO (AP) — While most of Chicago’s cultural institutions have reopened their doors, the Adler Planetarium won’t do so fully until next year. ...

People relax at the shore, Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Island Beach State Park in Ocean Gate, N.J. As New Jersey prepares for July 4 fireworks displays, the state's parks have already seen an explosion in popularity, with more than 100,000 people signing up for annual park passes as part of New Jersey's COVID-19 vaccine incentive. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini)
NJ residents flock outside as vaccine earns free state parks

By Mike Catalini Jun. 25, 2021 09:41 AM EDT