Herald section
The latest reporting from across the Belfast Herald news desks.
The French health authority has authorised the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. The decision follows a review of clinical data and safety assessments.
Kuwait requires incoming travellers who received their final vaccine dose more than nine months ago to get a booster from 2 January. All travellers must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival, or self-isolate for 10 days from 26 December.
Sadiq Khan declared a major incident in London due to a surge in Omicron variant cases, hospital pressure, and rising health worker absences. The move enables emergency coordination across agencies.
The UK reported 93,045 new daily cases of COVID-19, marking the third consecutive day of record infections amid the Omicron surge.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare reissues a nationwide face mask mandate recommendation in public space and public transport for adults aged 12 years and older due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
The UK recorded 88,376 new daily cases of COVID-19 on 16 December 2021, marking the second consecutive day of record infections amid the Omicron variant surge.
A Royal Air Force Typhoon destroyed a small hostile drone over Syria on 14 December 2021, marking the first enemy aircraft shot down by an RAF pilot since the Falklands War. The engagement occurred near the Al Tanf coalition base close to the Iraq border during a routine patrol.