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Portugal

Towards 'total freedom': Portugal eases COVID-19 restrictions

As COVID-19 indicators improve, Portugal plans to relax pandemic measures introduced last month to curb the fast-spreading Delta variant, including localised curfews.

Travel News

'Infuriating': British expats in France slam UK's quarantine decision

The mandatory 10 day quarantine makes it almost impossible for British expats based in France to visit their families at home.

Health news

AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID vaccines have 'similar' blood clot risk

Researchers in Barcelona found both jabs carried a similarly low risk of blood clots, while people infected with COVID-19 were much more likely to develop them.

France

UK defends France quarantine decision amid row with Paris

The UK transport minister says the beta variant has been a concern not just in French overseas territories but also in parts of mainland France.

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Japan

Officials in Tokyo alarmed as COVID cases hit record highs

Tokyo reported 3,177 new cases on Wednesday, up from 2,848 on Tuesday, setting an all-time high and exceeding 3,000 for the first time.

France

France's Macron sues billboard owner for depicting him as Hitler

The offending poster portrays Macron in the uniform of Nazi leader Hitler, with a small moustache, a lock on his forehead and the acronym of the presidential movement LREM turned into a swastika. A message reads: "Obey, get vaccinated."

My Europe Series

How legitimate are protests against the use of COVID health passes?

An increasing number of EU countries require people to present a health pass to visit museums, bars and restaurants. But challenging its use might be tricky.

Destinations

Six COVID-free Greek islands to visit this summer

Looking for a worry-free getaway? These six Greek islands are entirely COVID-free.

Europe News

'We've delivered': 70% of EU adults have one vaccination, says VDL

The target of 70% of EU adults having at least one vaccination has been reached. And a total of 57% of people aged 18 and over are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 across the EU.

Travel News

US keeps European travel ban in place

Europeans continue to be banned from entering the US as they struggle to keep Delta under control.

Europe News

EU nations 'should have done better' with COVID-19 travel rules: MEP

The bloc's COVID digital travel certificate has been operational since July 1, but teething errors still remain.

World

WHO Europe Chief Kluge calls for a greater vaccination push

Global Conversation speaks to Hans Kluge at the Mental Health Summit in Athens about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

United Kingdom

COVID-19 cases drop in the UK for sixth consecutive day

Overall, over the past week to Sunday, new infections fell by 15.4% compared to the previous seven-day period.

Mobility

Can I get a seat on the train? Google Maps crowding predictions expand

The search giant says it will show crowding information for "over 10,000" transport agencies as travellers look to maintain social distancing.

Germany

Germany mulls restrictions for unvaccinated people if COVID cases rise

The German government is considering imposing a health pass, similar to those announced in France and Italy, should COVID-19 cases rise in the coming months.

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Clashes at Paris protest over virus passes

Clashes at Paris protest over virus passes

Lebanon

Lebanon's hospitals fear new COVID wave as economy begins to collapse

On Friday the UN warned that clean water may soon no longer be available for more than four million people. The government is so cash-strapped it's struggling to run both water and power plants.

Russia

Russia sends aid to Cuba amid rise in COVID-19 cases

Russia said it had sent two planes full of humanitarian aid to Cuba, which is suffering from a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Experiences

Why we should start travelling again as soon as we feel comfortable

Travel writer Mark Bibby Jackson explains why the global tourism sector needs us in order to survive.

World News

Delta variant of COVID-19 now dominant in Europe, says WHO

The World Health Organization has said that the Delta variant of COVID-19 is now dominant in much of the European Region and has urged governments to step up vaccination programmes.