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World News

Brazil and Japan report first cases of the omicron variant

Brazil and Japan joined the rapidly widening circle of countries to report cases of the omicron variant. It was already present in Europe nearly two weeks ago, the Netherlands found.

Greece

COVID in Europe: Portuguese hospital worker tests positive for Omicron

A hospital worker in Portugal tested positive for the new COVID-19 variant, forcing the paediatric services unit to close. New restrictions have also entered into force in Portugal and other European countries.

Health news

COVID vaccines less effective on Omicron, warns Moderna boss

The vaccine maker said the large number of mutations in the newly-identified Omicron variant could make it more resistant to current COVID vaccines.

Health news

Nurses call for COVID vaccine patents to be lifted as Omicron spreads

Nursing unions representing 2.5 million healthcare workers called on the UN to back a move that supporters say will make vaccines cheaper and easier to produce.

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Netherlands

Couple arrested in Netherlands after escaping COVID hotel quarantine

A couple was arrested at the airport in Amsterdam after they fled hotel quarantine.

Europe News

EU to support targeted patent waiver on COVID vaccines, say sources

The waiver could allow developing countries to manufacture their own COVID vaccines.

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.

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.

France

France pushes booster vaccines and makes masks mandatory

From 15 January, booster vaccines will be required for health passes to be valid.

Russia

Doctors invite anti-vaccine celebrities to visit Russia's COVID wards

"Since many people are reading and listening to you, we will find time to arrange a tour of the 'red zones'," the letter read.

Health news

Developing countries get free access to Spanish COVID testing tech

Spain's public medical research body and the World Health Organization struck a deal that could make COVID testing cheaper and more accessible for poorer nations.

Netherlands

Social distancing mandatory as Dutch COVID infections spike

Dutch coronavirus infection numbers hit a new weekly record on Tuesday.

Germany

German defence ministry to make COVID-19 jab mandatory for soldiers

German soldiers could soon be required to get a COVID-19 jab, amid a growing debate over vaccine mandates.

World News

Europe and Central Asia 'could see 700k extra COVID deaths by March 1'

“Cumulative reported deaths are projected to reach over 2.2 million by spring next year, based on current trends,” WHO said in a statement.

My Europe Series

Is it fair for European countries to single out the unvaccinated?

Before, whole populations were locked down. Now, some countries are targeting only the unvaccinated. Is it justified?

Czech Republic

Czechs protest restrictions on unvaccinated as cases soar

Protesters marched through the Czech capital of Prague on Monday to decry the government’s restrictions on unvaccinated people as new infections soared.

France

French PM Jean Castex tests positive for COVID-19

French PM Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 after he learned that his 11-year-old daughter had the virus. Earlier in the day, Castex met with Belgian PM Alexander De Croo, who is now quarantining.

Germany

Berlin Christmas market opens while COVID forces others to stay closed

A Christmas market in Berlin opened on Monday, one of a few that will do so as the country faces the fourth wave of COVID-19.

Sport

Five Bayern Munich footballers in quarantine over vaccine status

The German club is without eight players for this week's UEFA Champions League game against Dynamo Kyiv.

Health news

COVID boosters: Are you now only fully vaccinated if you have 3 doses?

Amid a new surge of COVID cases, countries are scrambling to issue vaccine boosters. Are two doses enough to be counted as "fully vaccinated"?