TOP HEADLINES

· Germany is barring unvaccinated citizens from much of civic life as Health Minister Jens Spahn revealed that 1 percent of the country's population is currently infected with COVID-19. Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany might require all its citizens to get vaccinated in 2022. Incoming premier Olaf Scholz said he agreed – and could implement a mandate by February.  

· A UK government-funded report in medical journal The Lancet found "booster" injections of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines dramatically improve antibody levels no matter which vaccine was originally given. "These are remarkably effective immunological boosters," said Saul Faust, the trial director. 

· In South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first identified, cases have risen by 300 percent over the past week, according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla. He did not agree, however, with those countries that have already enforced travel bans for southern African nations. Phaahla said it was an "outrage," which "undermines international cooperation and solidarity."

· The U.S. is one of the countries that earlier banned any and all arrivals from eight southern African nations and on Friday extended its entry requirements to every arrival – regardless of nationality. Masks will be required on all planes, trains and public transport such as buses, and all people arriving will be asked to show negative test results from no more than a day before travel. Vaccination will not be required. 

· Slovakia reported 15,278 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number in a single day since the pandemic broke out. The country of 5.5 million people has 3,404 currently in hospital, with more than 600 of those in intensive care. 

· In Norway, at least 17 people who reported symptoms after attending a Christmas party with at least 100 guests in Oslo are suspected of having the Omicron variant, city officials said. 

· Meanwhile in the UK, Chairman of the ruling Conservative Party Oliver Dowden has told the UK to "keep calm and carry on with your Christmas plans." It comes amid the rise in cases across Europe and differing advice regarding traditional Christmas gatherings on the continent. The specific example has also raised eyebrows, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to deny he held an illegal gathering at Downing Street (his official residence) last December. 

· France's Health Minister Olivier Veran said the current wave of the country's pandemic could peak in late January, which he said "has a very noticeable impact on the hospital system." France has confirmed nine cases of Omicron so far. 

· And, finally, COVID-19-related fraud is a tough topic. But a clear-cut case has arisen in Piedmont, Italy, where a man was found to be wearing a fake arm to his vaccine appointment. The man in his 50s aroused suspicion when a nurse attempted his jab and noticed something odd about the arm in front of her. His plan to get a vaccine certificate without actually receiving a shot was foiled when he was asked to remove his shirt, and he was consequently charged with fraud.

FROM OUR GLOBAL COLLEAGUES

CGTN Europe: UK approves new COVID-19 drug

CGTN China: China speeds up R&D of vaccines against Omicron

CGTN America: Renewed focus on international supply of vaccines

CGTN Africa: France to lift ban on southern Africa flights