Coronavirus: Germany brings in unprecedented restrictions on public life

Since North Korea reported its first official coronavirus case last week, the WHO has warned it might spread rapidly in the unvaccinated country. Ruler Kim Jong Un wants the military to turn the tide.

Japan's GDP fell at an annualised rate of 1 percent in the first three months of this year as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus hampered consumer spending. Rising commodity prices also weighed on businesses in the world's third-largest economy. Plus, as unemployment remains stable in France at 7.3 percent, a steelworks factory in the northern city of Dunkirk is offering a cash bonus to employees to encourage them to recruit family members.

For more than nine months, Afghan girls over the age of 11 have been prohibited from going to high school. The Taliban have not reneged on the ban they imposed on taking power last August, despite their initial promise to do so. In the western city of Herat, FRANCE 24's reporters followed one teacher who hopes that her former students will be able to continue their education. They also met a teacher who is defying the ban by giving clandestine lessons. Meanwhile, some fathers are trying to convince the authorities to reopen girls' schools for their daughters.

US authorities determined COVID-19 vaccines should be given to children under 5, the only age group that is still ineligible for the jabs in the country.

A new deal paves the way for the development of the first African-owned Covid-19 vaccines. Cape Town-based Afrigen is working with a Belgian biotech company to develop mRNA shots. Also, Kenya has no reproductive health legislation but the public is going to give its input on a regional bill that could make a big difference to sexual health services. Finally, in football news, Senegal's Sadio Mané moves to Bayern Munich.

A new deal paves the way for the development of the first African-owned Covid-19 vaccines. Cape Town-based Afrigen is working with a Belgian biotech company to develop mRNA shots. Also, Kenya has no reproductive health legislation but the public is going to give its input on a regional bill that could make a big difference to sexual health services. Finally, in football news, Senegal's Sadio Mané is moving from Liverpool to Bayern Munich.

The two pathogens that cause monkeypox and COVID-19 have a few things in common, but there are also many differences – especially when it comes to ease of transmission.

The COVID-19 variant Omicron BA.5 has the ability to reinfect people within weeks of contracting the virus, experts have warned. BA.5 is currently outpacing other variants in infection and is the dominant strain in the US and abroad. "What we are seeing is an increasing number of people who have been infected with BA.2 and then becoming infected after four weeks," Andrew Roberston, Chief Health Officer In Western Australia.

German hospitals are struggling as beds fill up and nursing staff falls ill with COVID. Even freshly trained health care workers complain about unsustainable levels of stress and worsening conditions.

United States of America's President, Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19. White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, disclosed in a statement, noting that the 79-year-old president is experiencing “very mild symptoms.” Biden is fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Speaking to reporters while en route home from Canada, Pope Francis said he didn't use the term "genocide" during his trip because it never came to mind.

German leaders are debating how to deal with a potential increase in coronavirus infections once the colder months begin. But COVID plans are controversial. DW's Thomas Sparrow has the details.