English

More about this topic

World News

Protest against COVID restrictions and vaccines in Madrid

Nevertheless, mandatory outdoor mask-wearing is expected to be lifted by 10 February in Spain.

World News

COVID in Europe: Germany mulls easing restrictions after peak subsides

Meanwhile, Russia registered new record numbers of cases and total deaths, while anti-measures protests in Helsinki spilt into the weekend.

No Comment

Protesters stage demo against COVID-19 restrictions and high fuel taxes

Protesters stage demo against COVID-19 restrictions and high fuel taxes

Turkey

Turkey's Erdogan tests positive for COVID, has 'mild symptoms'

Erdogan said on Saturday that he and his spouse tested positive for COVID-19, but that both have mild symptoms "due to the Omicron variant".

ADVERTISEMENT

China

COVID-positive Olympians criticise conditions in quarantine hotels

The unlucky competitors who tested positive for COVID-19 are demanding that the organisers improve quarantine conditions, including the quality of meals served and access to equipment.

Finland

Protests highlight Finnish frustrations at ongoing COVID restrictions

There are rising levels of frustration across Finland over what protesters see as a government slow to allow society to open up again.

China

Beijing Winter Olympics under way amid strict COVID restrictions

The ceremony at the Chinese capital's National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, took place at 13:00 CET.

Austria

Austria moves a step closer to making COVID vaccines mandatory

It is set to become the first country in Europe to make COVID jabs compulsory for all adults.

World News

Europe could be heading for 'a long period of COVID tranquillity'

That's the view of WHO Europe director Dr Hans Kluge.

Russia

Putin mulls loosening COVID-19 restrictions even as Russia cases soar

Russia had only one, six-week lockdown in 2020, and in October 2021 many people were also ordered to stay off work for about a week. But besides that, life in most of the country remained largely normal.

Serbia

Serbian prosecutors: Djokovic's COVID-19 test was valid

Djokovic was deported from Australia and barred from playing in the Australian Open last month because he failed to meet Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Travel News

EU travel restrictions could never have stopped Omicron, report finds

Aviation bodies are now calling for all EU countries to adopt the new person-based approach.

United Kingdom

'I'll comply with the law': Boris Johnson faces MPs after Gray report

The British prime minister could face a fine if UK police discover that he breached COVID-19 regulations.

My Europe Series

Austria is to make COVID jabs mandatory. Will other EU nations follow?

COVID vaccines will be mandatory for all adults in Austria from 3 February.

New Zealand

Pregnant journalist in Kabul finally allowed to return to New Zealand

Charlotte Bellis' case had become a source of embarrassment for New Zealand's COVID-19 policy which has left hundreds of nationals stranded overseas.

Italy

Italian businessmen scammed €440 million in virus tax credits

Authorities carried out 80 raids across the country on Monday as part of the investigation.

United Kingdom

What did Sue Gray's report say about lockdown parties in Downing St?

The verdict is in.

Travel News

These are the world's most powerful passports in 2022

If you have a passport for any of these countries, the world is your oyster.

Tech News

No bleach, no COVID parties: Spotify reveals its content rules

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said he didn't want the company to be a "content censor" after controversy over alleged COVID misinformation in its biggest podcast.

World News

Spotify adds COVID warnings after Joe Rogan controversy

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said he didn't want the company to be a "content censor" after controversy over alleged COVID misinformation in its biggest podcast.