France: Third national lockdown amid ICU surge

France has entered its third national lockdown as it battles a surge in cases of Covid-19 that threatens to overwhelm the country’s hospitals. All schools and non-essential shops will shut…

Italy: Rome returns to strict lockdown for Easter

Italy has entered a strict three-day lockdown to try to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases over Easter. All regions are now in the “red zone” – the highest tier…

UK: Seven blood clot deaths after AstraZeneca vaccine

Seven people have died from unusual blood clots after getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK, the medicines regulator has confirmed. In total, 30 people out of 18 million vaccinated…

UK: Police uncover teenage girl ‘suicide’ Instagram group

Social media groups involving teenage girls that led to “suicidal crises” and “serious self-harm” have been uncovered by UK police. Twelve girls, aged between 12 and 16 years old and…

UK: 30 blood clot cases found in AstraZeneca recipients

The UK’s medicines watchdog says it has found 30 cases of rare blood clots in people who have had the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency…

Netherlands: The Dutch to halt AstraZeneca jabs over blood clot fears

The Netherlands is halting AstraZeneca vaccines for under-60s after new reports of rare blood clots following vaccination, Dutch health authorities have said. “The immediate cause for the decision are reports…

Russia: Will your pet need a covid vaccine?

From the start of the pandemic, experts have shared their concerns about the impact of coronavirus on animals. And while scientists say there is currently no evidence that animals play…

UK: New countries added to England’s travel ban list

Travel from the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh is to be banned from next week, the UK government says. They are being added to England’s “red list” amid concerns about…

France: Schools to close under third lockdown

French schools will close for at least three weeks as part of new national restrictions to fight rising Covid cases, President Emmanuel Macron says. Mr Macron said that schools would…

Germany: Berlin limits use of AstraZeneca Covid jab for under-60s

Germany is suspending routine use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for people aged below 60 because of a risk of rare blood clots. The German medicines regulator found 31 cases…