Austria Imposes Vaccine Mandate
Tensions are rising in Austria, which this week became Europe’s first country to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults.
Netherlands
Netherlands Slightly Reopens After Europe’s Toughest Lockdown Amid Outrage
The Netherlands’ government pledged Tuesday to ease Europe’s strictest COVID-19 measures after mounting public pressure with protests and rioting in the streets.
Clashes At Huge Brussels Protest Against COVID Restrictions; Europe in Turmoil
At least tens of thousands of people demanding an end to government-imposed COVID-19 lockdowns, vaccinations, and mask mandates faced riot police in Brussels Sunday after similar rallies across Europe.
Netherlands Partially Lifts Europe’s Toughest Lockdown
The Netherlands government only partially lifted Europe’s toughest coronavirus lockdown Friday, despite mounting protests with bars and other businesses threatening to reopen anyway.
Dutch King Abandons Golden Carriage Over Slavery Row
The Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander said Thursday that Dutch royals would cease using a historic golden carriage amid a debate over slavery links and racism.
Netherlands’ New Government Sworn In
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte began his fourth term in office Monday despite mounting protests against his strict COVID measures.
Dutch Police Target Crowds Protesting Corona Restrictions
Outnumbered Dutch police used batons as they tried to halt thousands of people rallying in Amsterdam against Europe’s strictest Coronavirus measures.
Austria Starts New Year With Suicide Law
Austria rang in the New Year with a law allowing assisted suicide to adults deemed to suffer too much to stay alive, despite opposition from church leaders.
Europe, Canada Fear Russian Mercenaries In Mali
France and 14 European allies, as well as Canada, have condemned the alleged deployment of Russian mercenaries in the West African country of Mali.
Israel To Have 4th COVID Jab As Europe Struggles
Israel says it plans to become the first nation to introduce a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the new Omicron variant already overwhelms hospitals in several countries.
WHO: ‘Don’t Celebrate Christmas As Omicron Strikes’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has effectively urged Christians planning to celebrate Christmas and other religious groups to cancel their holiday plans citing rising Omicron infections.
Netherlands In Tough Lockdown As Europe Struggles With Omicron
The Netherlands’ government announced Europe’s toughest Christmas season lockdown Saturday as nations across the continent tried to halt massive COVID-19 infections spurred by the Omicron variant.
War Child Envoy Resigns Over Child Abuse Allegations
Dutch singer Marco Borsato has resigned as an ambassador of the War Child foundation amid allegations that he sexually assaulted one or more minors.
Holland to have new coalition government after months of deadlock
The Netherlands is finally set to have a new governing coalition made up of four Dutch parties, including incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s VVD party, after the March general election resulted in months of gridlocked negotiations between the country’s many political parties, DW reports. Rutte, who will become Europe’s longest-serving Prime Minister, led the country in a caretaker capacity during the intervening months since the election.
New German Government Signs Deal
The leaders of the Social Democrats, Greens, and the Free Democrats who pledged to phase-out coal and legalize soft drugs have signed their three-party coalition deal.
Belgium Rocked By Riots Against COVID Measures
Belgian police tried to disperse thousands of people marching through Brussels amid mounting anger across Europe against government-imposed coronavirus restrictions.
Dutch Detain COVID Quarantine Escapees Amid Airport Chaos
Dutch police say they have detained a couple who escaped from a COVID quarantine hotel amid criticism about how the Netherlands treats suspected coronavirus infected people.
EU, US Ban Travel From Southern Africa Amid New COVID Variant Fears
The United States joined the European Union Friday in imposing travel restrictions on visitors from southern Africa after discovering a new COVID variant.
EU Warns Of South Africa COVID Variant; Banning Flights
The European Union’s executive wants that EU countries introduce an “emergency brake” on travel from southern Africa due to a new coronavirus variant.
New Government In Germany To Phase Out Coal, Legalize Drugs
Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, will have a new government of Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal parties that seek to phase-out coal by 2030 while legalizing “soft” drugs.