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Belgium

Belgium's government warns against using its own facemasks

Belgian authorities said their freely distributed masks contain small traces of silver and a chemical compound and are undertaking further studies.

Italy

Italy marks one year since country's first known COVID-19 death

Ceremonies were held across Italy to remember virus victims on the anniversary of the first known COVID death in the country.

Italy

The town of Codogno remembers being at the centre of Italy's epidemic

In a ceremony on Sunday, Codogno will mark one year since it recorded the first locally acquired case of COVID-19 in Italy.

Argentina

Argentine health minister forced to resign amid COVID vaccine scandal

The scandal erupted after journalist Horacio Verbitsky said he received preferential treatment from the health ministry to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

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Netherlands

Dutch senators approve new coronavirus curfew law in late night vote

The government, which is appealing the decision by a judge to strike down the curfew, succeeded in gaining some opposition support for the new law.

World News

Europe's air passenger numbers 'at lowest level since 1995' last year

Passenger traffic in European airports has fallen by 70.4% in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, regressing to its 1995 level, according to ACI Europe.

Czech Republic

Czech MPs refuse to extend pandemic-related state of emergency

Government ministers have warned the move will further worsen the country's COVID-19 situation and might cause the struggling health system to collapse.

United Kingdom

No end in sight for UK hospitality after six weeks of lockdown

When the third lockdown began, hopes were raised that it could be over by now, but the government is following advice from health experts not to make any estimates of when businesses can reopen.

Travel News

Snow lovers turn to new wintry pursuits as French lifts remain closed

Many resorts are seeing ticket sales for cross-country skiing jump by more than 30 per cent.

Travel News

What are the new UK hotel quarantine rules and who do they apply to?

The British government has set out stricter quarantine procedures and warn of the consequences if arrivals do not comply.

Greece

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis accused of breaking COVID-19 rules again

A viral video showed the Prime Minister attending a lunch with around thirty guests on the island of Ikaria over the weekend. A government spokesperson has described the allegations as "inaccurate".

France

COVID-19 in France: Student meals for just one euro in Paris

A restaurant in Paris is offering students a meal at knockdown prices to help them cope during the pandemic.

World

Merkel asks Germans to 'hold out a little longer'

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Germany is past the peak of the latest surge in coronavirus cases. But the German leader wants to wait for more data on the spread of new variants before deciding whether to ease lockdown restrictions.

World News

The most striking images from this week's top stories

Here are the key stories of the week captured through the lens' of photographers from around the world.

Europe Decoded

Police on the beat as European feelgood dance challenge goes viral

Swiss and Irish police have boogied their way to viral fame with the #JerusalemaChallenge, hoping to give people a good laugh during COVID-19 restrictions.

Europe Decoded

Criminals are selling fake COVID-19 test results, says Europol

"Given the widespread technological means available, in the form of high-quality printers and different software, fraudsters are able to produce high-quality counterfeit, forged or fake documents," Europol warned.

Europe News

EU needs radical new approach to cutting poverty, says UN expert

The UN's Olivier De Schutter said the EU should commit to cutting poverty by 50% by 2030.

Business

Firms 'double spending on online privacy' amid surge in home working

"Suddenly, everyone is working remotely, data is off premises and people have access to highly confidential data on devices, which aren't directly controlled by IT departments," said one expert.

Green News

Countries prepared for the climate crisis have had fewer COVID deaths

New research shows that nations who are best equipped to fight climate change have handled the pandemic best.

Israel

Thousands join in Jerusalem funeral, flout pandemic rules

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis attended a rabbi's funeral, flouting the country's ban on large public gatherings during the pandemic.