Italy Italy surpasses UK to record worst coronavirus death toll in Europe While the way coronavirus deaths are recorded in both countries differs, Italy has now overtaken the UK as the worst hit country in Europe, according to the latest figures released on Sunday. 13/12/2020
No Comment COVID-19 vaccine set to be distributed throughout the US Dry ice, shipping labels and packing tape were on hand as workers in face masks and gloves prepared the packages of vaccine doses. 13/12/2020
Germany Germany to close businesses and schools in COVID-19 lockdown German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that schools and non-essential businesses will close from Wednesday through January 10 to stop the spread of COVID-19. 13/12/2020
Albania Fresh clashes in Tirana over death of man shot by police during curfew The clashes are becoming a flashpoint between the Socialist government and the centre-right opposition party who have demanded the prime minister's resignation. 12/12/2020
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. 12/12/2020
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. 12/12/2020
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. 11/12/2020
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. 11/12/2020
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. 11/12/2020
No Comment 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. 11/12/2020
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." 11/12/2020
No Comment 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. 11/12/2020
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. 11/12/2020
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? 11/12/2020
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. 11/12/2020
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. 10/12/2020
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. 10/12/2020
No Comment 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. 10/12/2020
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. 10/12/2020
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. 10/12/2020