The three-day closure of the Ambassador bridge has badly hit the automobile industry. Also, vaccine supplies assigned to North Korea have been reallocated and the heir to the British throne tests positive again for covid-19.

The global initiative launched by WHO and partners wants 16 billion dollars, it funds Covid testing, treatments and vaccines around the world. Also: Spanish tourism takes a hit because of its child vaccine policy, and Sweden aims to start 'living with Covid'.

Justin Trudeau held an emergency debate on demonstrations which have paralysed Ottawa for twelve days. Also, Chinese scientists say they have developed a new quick and accurate method of coronavirus testing and Hong Kong announces further restrictions to control the virus.

Sir John Bell says reputation of the vaccine was damaged and lives were lost as a result. Also, Australia opens its borders to tourists and protests by lorry drivers continue in Canada.

Thousands of people across Canada have been protesting against the government's Covid measures, China detects ten new cases among Olympic Games-related personnel, and Copenhagen is holding Europe's largest lights festival following the repeal of restrictions

A law comes into force requiring the vast majority of adults to be vaccinated. Also: The number of Covid deaths in the United States surpasses 900,000, and the African Union's annual summit hears calls for a fair distribution of vaccines.

South African copy of the Moderna vaccine could be a breakthrough for poorer countries. Also, trials on experimental nasal vaccine show promise, and the number of dead with coronavirus in India passes half a million.

New Zealand announces plans to reopen its borders in five stages as it starts to ease some of the world's toughest Covid restrictions. Also, scientists discover why some people have remained untouched by the virus, and Novak Djokovic speaks in public for the first time since being deported from Australia.

Cases are rising in Beijing - though the authorities aren't too worried. Also: Tonga goes into covid lockdown; and the WHO says the new subvariant of omicron is more transmissible - but not more serious.

The WHO says tonnes of medical waste have been created responding to covid – including used masks, syringes and test kits. Also: Pakistan aims to administer 35 million vaccine shots in two weeks; and the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, condemns three-days of protests against pandemic restrictions.

The inquiry is into alleged Covid-nineteen lockdown violations at his office and residence. Also: Spotify announces plans to take action against Covid disinformation, and a woman aged one-hundred-and-one receives more than 30-thousand birthday cards.

Fears some people may struggle to cast votes. Also: Canadian truckers take their objections to Covid-19 measure to the country's capital; and a pregnant New Zealand journalist turns to the Taliban for help...

Winter Olympics' medical chief says the measures work well. Also:10 billion Covid jabs administered worldwide, and Austria to lift some restrictions.

Scientists in the UK urge the government to do more to help poorer countries manufacture their own vaccines, Doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive Covid test Novak Djokovic used to enter Australia and Pakistan records its highest daily number of coronavirus cases

More than eight million people have tested positive in the past week. Also: Kanya plans to vaccinate 19 million adults and in England, Covid restrictions in care homes are to be relaxed.

100,000 volunteers took part in one of the largest Covid infection studies in England. Also, the IMF downgrades global economic growth forecasts, and Tonga battles to contain the virus.

The government of Tonga fears foreign aid workers could bring coronavirus. Also, British police investigate whether parties at Downing Street broke lockdown rules; and Japan extends restrictions to more of the country.

The head of the World Health Organisation says it's dangerous to assume the pandemic is coming to an end; Also tens of thousands of Germans are due to protest against Covid restrictions. And the airline, Cathay Pacific, is operating at just two percent of its pre-pandemic capacity.

Eleven million people were quarantined in the Chinese city of Wuhan on this day in 2020. Also: Red list restrictions come into force in New Zealand and a new sub variant of Omicron is detected in 40 countries.

The figure is double that of the official tally. Also: Scientists fear Covid could spread to wild animals, and tourists bring the disease to an island that had escaped it

It comes as the country registers record daily infections driven by the Omicron variant. Also: Australia reports its deadliest day of the pandemic, President Biden's chief medical advisor warns it's too soon for life to go back to normal and could new clip-on devices detect covid in the air?

Researchers say people outside the country did not believe their research; Spain wants to treat coronavirus like seasonal flu. And: a court in Australia explains why it allowed Novak Djokovic to be kicked out.

Britain's Prime Minister has come under sustained attack in parliament today over allegations that parties at his residence broke Covid lockdown rules, France’s education minister is facing calls to resign after announcing Covid protocol for schools while holidaying in Ibiza, and museums and theatres in the Netherlands are opening up as temporary hair dressers and gyms to evade Covid lockdown measures.

The government says it will continue the programme for people over 60. Also: Quebec is banning alcohol sales to unvaccinated people to encourage them to get jabbed; and thousands of hamsters are being culled in Hong Kong over concerns of animal to human transmission of the virus.

Beijing fears items delivered from overseas could spread the Omicron variant. Also: tsunami-hit Tonga fears foreign aid could bring coronavirus to the country; and Greece begins to fine people over 60 who haven’t been vaccinated.