Europe
Unprecedented Omicron spread, 'probably' in most countries: WHO
Omicron now accounts for around 3 percent of cases in the US, a figure that is expected to rise rapidly as has been seen in other countries
British PM Boris Johnson says UK and India are natural partners
Johnson said that over the coming decade, India and the UK will continue to deepen their bonds
UK announces booster drive to fight 'tidal wave' of Omicron
Uk began easing coronavirus restrictions in June and the alert level was at stage three, which means the epidemic is in general circulation
Olaf Scholz appointed as Germany's new chancellor, replacing Angela Merkel
Scholz, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), won the secret vote in the Parliament
Top WHO, US scientists say Omicron no worse than other virus variants
US scientist Anthony Fauci echoed the WHO's view, saying Omicron did not appear worse than prior strains based on early indications
WHO warns of 'toxic mix' as EU chief mulls mandatory Covid jabs
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also recorded their first cases of Omicron, making the Gulf the latest region to be affected
Omicron variant spreads to more countries as world on alert
New cases are confirmed in Germany and Italy, with Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong also reporting that the variant has been found in travelers
EU to propose 9-month limit on covid vaccine validity for travel
Some of the current thresholds for including countries on the list from which non-essential travel is allowed would be tweaked
Sweden’s first woman prime minister quits hours after appointment
Though the Green Party pulled its support for her government, it said it is prepared to stand behind Andersson in a new vote to tap a PM
Two shades of blue: Emmanuel Macron makes subtle change in French flag
President Emmanuel Macron ordered a change to the colour of the French flag to find echoes of heroism in France's past