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Culture news

Groundbreaking concert will showcase symphony recorded in isolation

Mahler's eighth symphony is renowned for requiring large amounts of musicians. This will be the first performance of the piece since the pandemic started.

United Kingdom

'Nobody told me' Downing Street party broke COVID rules, Johnson says

The so-called "Partygate" has damaged Johnson's credibility and weakened his leadership as his MPs discuss a possible ouster.

World News

Pandemic is 'nowhere near over', World Health Organization warns

The pandemic is "nowhere near over" and new variants are likely to continue emerging after Omicron, the World Health Organization warned.

France

France's education minister faces calls to resign over Ibiza trip

It has emerged that education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer was on holiday earlier this month when he announced new strict rules for French schools.

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Spain

Spain to treat COVID-19 as an endemic illness instead of pandemic

The country has seen its COVID-19 fatality rate fall from an initial 13% to 1%, and according to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez "the virus is no longer so deadly".

Russia

Russia shortens COVID-19 isolation to 7 days as cases surge

Russian authorities are shortening the required isolation period for people infected with COVID-19 from 14 to seven days amid a surge of COVID-19 cases.

China

Hong Kong to kill 2,000 small animals after hamsters get COVID-19

Hong Kong authorities said that they will kill about 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, after several tested positive for COVID-19 at a pet store where an employee was also infected.

Russia

COVID-19: Russia's capital Moscow braces for Omicron 'storm'

Health authorities warn Moscow will be the first to face the Omicron "storm" forecasted between late January amd early February.

Health news

Get ready for yearly COVID-flu combo vaccines, say Moderna and Pfizer

Vaccine maker Moderna predicted that its seasonal COVID and flu boosters would be available in some countries within the next two years.

United Kingdom

UK to freeze BBC licence fee for two years amid 'partygate' scandal

The UK said it would freeze the BBC's licence fee while the opposition claimed the move was meant to create a distraction from the prime minister's current scandals.

China

China's birth rate drops to a record low

Changes to the strict "one-child policy" since 2016 have failed to result in a hoped-for baby boom

France

Foreign sports stars must be jabbed to compete in France - minister

It comes after the debacle in Australia over Novak Djokovic's visa.

Greece

Greece begins fining those over 60 who are unvaccinated

The fine will rise to €100 in February.

Work

Apple requires staff to show COVID booster proof amid Omicron surge

Starting January 24, unvaccinated employees or those who haven't submitted proof of vaccination will need negative COVID tests to enter workplaces.

World News

'Billionaire bonanza': Wealth of 10 richest men 'doubled during COVID'

The anti-poverty NGO called for governments to improve wealth distribution and to end the "shameful vaccine apartheid".

France

France: Virus law banning unvaccinated from public venues passed

The new law requires full vaccination to go to restaurants, movie theatres, museums, and many sites throughout the country.

Austria

Austria tweaks plans over being first in EU to make vaccines mandatory

“Without obligatory vaccination, we will always lag behind,” said Austria's health minister Wolfgang Mueckstein.

Portugal

Campaigning gets underway ahead of Portugal election

The vote comes two years ahead of schedule as the country’s president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called an early election after the parliament failed to pass the new budget.

Denmark

Denmark lifts COVID restrictions despite Omicron spread

Cinemas, zoos, museums, and theatres are among the places that could welcome visitors again.

World News

Omicron exposed European health care systems' flaws, experts claim

Two years into the pandemic, Omicron's effect on medical facilities has many reevaluating the resilience of public health systems that are considered essential to providing equal care.