The Netherlands has become the first European country to enact a strict lockdown over Christmas. Omicron infections are spreading rapidly across the country. All nonessential businesses have been closed until at least mid-January.

As tensions rise in both the Indo-Pacific and the Black Sea, France is preparing for every eventuality in terms of conflict. Before departing on mission in February, the Charles de Gaulle, the EU's only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is honing its response capabilities. Polaris 21 is a high-intensity simulated combat scenario in the Mediterranean organised by France to ensure operational readiness.

This week on The Observers, we spoke to Cynthia Kå who is using her social media pages to raise awareness of breast cancer among young people. She shares tips on how to prevent, as well as cope, with the disease. Next, we spoke to Murhula Zigabe, an entrepreneur in the Democratic Republic of Congo who is searching for eco-friendly solutions to common problems. He has been raising larvae from black soldier flies to be used as animal feed: an environmental and economical solution to food insecurity.

Parched soil and empty reservoirs aren't just warning signs of droughts in the summer, they’re also becoming the new normal in the early days of winter. Can science or nature help farmers endure future dry spells? We take a closer look in this edition of Down to Earth.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke to FRANCE 24 about the four-way agreement on the export of Ukrainian wheat, the delivery of arms to Ukraine and the military situation on the ground, especially around the city of Kherson. He stressed that Ukraine would do everything in its power to resume the export of agricultural products and combat famine and rising food prices, especially in Africa and Asia.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke to FRANCE 24 about the four-way agreement on the export of Ukrainian wheat, the delivery of arms to Ukraine and the military situation on the ground, especially around the city of Kherson. He stressed that Ukraine would do everything in its power to resume the export of agricultural products and combat famine and rising food prices, especially in Africa and Asia.

The spokesperson for the French foreign ministry, Anne-Claire Legendre, granted an interview to FRANCE 24's Armen Georgian. She discussed the current challenges faced by French diplomats and explained the "diplomacy of combat" championed by President Emmanuel Macron at a recent address to French ambassadors.

French foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre discussed the current challenges faced by French diplomats and explained the "diplomacy of combat" championed by President Emmanuel Macron at a recent address to French ambassadors.

Former top Taiwanese defense official Admiral Lee Hsi-ming told DW he is concerned that forces are not ready to fight off China, and that a new defense concept is needed.

Rising homelessness is a worldwide problem that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. An exhibition in Hamburg is looking at how to deal with the crisis.

The German government has adopted an action plan against antisemitism that is being described as a milestone. But much depends on its implementation, with antisemitic hate speech on the rise.

Warmer winters and sparse rainfall have dried up southern Europe. Water scarcity in Italy, France and other countries is threatening this year’s harvests. What to do?