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South Korea

South Korea reports biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases

South Korea reported its biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

USA

US to begin rollout of authorised Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

The US Food and Drug Administration authorised the emergency use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which will be the first coronavirus vaccine distributed in the country.

Europe News

'Safety and quality' of COVID-19 vaccine top priority, says EMA chief

Emer Cooke, who has taken up the role as the new director of the European Medicines Agency, is heading the body whose top priority is approving a coronavirus vaccine. It's a heavy responsibility.

My Europe Series

COVID-19 has created a new poverty class in Europe

In this edition of Unreported Europe, we look at how Spain and Austria have been affected by the 'new poverty' created by the pandemic. We speak to people whose lives have been turned upside by the virus.

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Germany

Germany pondering new lockdown amid spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder called for the country to be "shut down" for the next few weeks.

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Virus-hit Cyprus shuts hospitality and restaurants for holiday season

The measures were set to span the Christmas holidays and will stay in force until December 31.

United Kingdom

GSK-Sanofi says its COVID-19 vaccine won't be ready until late 2021

The companies said in a statement that "insufficient response in older adults demonstrates the need to refine concentration of antigen in order to provide high-level response across all age groups."

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Filipinos head to Christmas parks for festive cheer amid the pandemic

The country has one of the world's longest festive seasons, that kicks off in September, but this year Christmas parties and mass gatherings are banned.

Sweden

Sweden to text every phone in country about new Christmas COVID rules

Sweden's mass SMS campaign will be sent on December 14 when new coronavirus restrictions come into force.

My Europe Series

Do we need 'vaccine passports' to get Europe moving again?

The rollout of a viable coronavirus vaccine is bringing hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight. It will likely be months before normality returns. Could "vaccine passports" be the way forward to kickstart international travel and the global economy?

Italy

First quarantine-free flight from JFK to Fiumicino arrives in Rome

Passengers had to prove they had tested negative for COVID-19 before they departed -- and they were tested again upon landing.

France

New Year's Peeve? France to impose nighttime curfew on December 31

The curfew will be in place from 20h to 6h and even on New Year's Eve.

Europe News

EU agrees €1.8 tr budget - but what brought Hungary & Poland onboard?

The €1.8 trillion package includes the EU's seven-year budget (€1.1 tr) and the €750 billion COVID-19 recovery fund.

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Mural in Mexico honours nurses helping in fight against COVID-19

"It's a beautiful feeling," said one nurse upon seeing the mural in Mexico City, which is over 100 metres long.

My Europe Series

How has Finland's female-led government fared in its first year?

Finland's coalition government is made up of five parties - all led by women.

Focus

Football for Friendship goes digital

In partnership with Gazprom

Football for Friendship is an International Children’s Social Programme which unites kids worldwide. Its aim is for kids to share their experiences, meet new friends and learn from one another whilst promoting a health and human values.

Russia

Vaccine or vodka? Russians told to choose their shot

Health authorities say the Sputnik V vaccine — which requires two shots three weeks apart — is not effective if booze is consumed.

USA

US records the world's highest daily death toll from COVID-19

The tally from Johns Hopkins University showed on Wednesday that an additional 3,054 people died from the novel coronavirus in 24 hours in the US.

Travel News

Britons could face COVID travel ban to EU countries from January 1

Due to the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK will no longer be exempt from COVID-related travel curbs within the bloc.

Europe News

EU summit in Brussels: Five key things to look out for

In the first physical summit since October, EU leaders are set to discuss COVID-19 vaccinations, security and the bloc's budget.