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World News

France mulls some autonomy for Caribbean territories amid COVID riots

The recent tensions in Guadeloupe and Martinique started because of France's obligatory vaccinations for health care workers, and nationwide health pass to get into restaurants and other venues.

Travel News

South Africa slams travel bans over Omicron variant as 'unjustified'

South Africa's health minister says the travel bans over the new Omicron variant first detected in his country are "draconian", "unjustified," and contrary to WHO guidance.

Switzerland

Swiss voters back COVID-19 pass in bid to tackle rise in infections

62 per cent of Swiss voters backed a controversial COVID certificate in a national referendum on Sunday, official results showed.

Travel News

New COVID variant Omicron prompts fresh travel curbs across the world

From Asia-Pacific to North Africa and the Middle East, here is a round-up of the latest travel restrictions prompted by concerns over the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

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Travel News

Italy ski slopes reopen after 2020 closure, France to follow suit

Regulations require a health pass to access areas with closed lifts in Italian resorts.

Business

COVID fears dampen trade at Europe's Christmas markets

The traditional holiday tree is standing tall in Frankfurt’s main square - but trade is quiet at the annual Christmas market. Covid fears and sanitary restrictions mean business is down 50% on two years ago. Many stall owners though are just glad to be open at all.

Health news

Could a nasal spray be the solution to preventing and treating COVID?

Trials are underway in the UK on a COVID nasal spray called pHOXWELL which researchers believe is capable of stopping any variant of concern.

Work

Workers' paradise? Portugal's new remote work law blasted by critics

Portugal's new remote work law, which says employers can't text or email employees after work hours, is being blasted as being unworkable.

My Europe Series

Europe's week: Fresh COVID wave and possible vaccine patent waiver

Fresh restrictions were imposed in multiple different countries across the continent, as caseloads continued to spike.

World News

WHO labels new COVID-19 variant 'of concern', names it Omicron

"Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of infection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs (variants of concerns)," the United Nations' health agency said in a statement.

Destinations

Try these nature-filled destinations if South Africa was on your list

With travel bans returning to South Africa, we’ve rounded up some other great nature-filled destinations for holidaymakers.

Travel News

Travellers ‘bewildered’ by sudden ban on South Africa flights

After the sudden red-listing of ten southern African nations, visitors have a short and expensive window in which to leave.

Europe News

Hungary silently rejoins the EU's joint vaccine pool

The move comes as a surprise, after the Hungarian government signalled last May that it did not want any more vaccines from the EU's joint procurement scheme.

Belgium

Europe's first reported case of new COVID variant found in Belgium

Europe's first reported case of new COVID variant has been discovered in Belgium.

Money

Bitcoin's price has slumped after a new COVID variant was found. Why?

The markets have seen investors dump riskier assets during this time of uncertainty and fears of fresh lockdowns.

Europe News

EU countries restrict air travel from southern Africa over new variant

Germany, Italy and France restrict travel from southern Africa over new COVID variant as Brussels mulls EU-wide flight restrictions

Travel News

UK travel changes: Testing, quarantine and a red list addition

The Omicron variant is believed to be the worst strain of COVID-19 yet, with scientists fearing it is more transmissible.

World News

COVID vaccines saved nearly half a million lives in Europe

A WHO and ECDC-run study shows that at least 470,000 lives were saved across 33 European countries due to vaccination rollout.

Travel News

Austrian hotel selling drive-thru chocolate as fourth lockdown bites

With the tourism sector shut again, one luxury hotel in Vienna is taking to the streets to sell its world famous Sacher Torte cake.

My Europe Series

Finnish Lapland fears Europe's COVID surge could hit it hard

Last year’s COVID travel restrictions and lockdowns saw tourist numbers from outside Finland slump by 98% compared with the previous 12 months.