When religion gets creative: Drive-in mass and holy water from a squirt gun

Russia is one of the countries with the lowest vaccination rates and highest Covid-19 death rates in the world. With just over 30 percent of the population vaccinated, the Russian authorities' vaccination campaign has been deemed a fiasco. And yet when Vladimir Putin announced the launch of the Sputnik V vaccine in summer 2020, it was supposed to "save humanity from Covid". More than a year later, the jab has still not arrived on the European market and the majority of Russians do not trust it.

South Africa's president warns of a "health apartheid", criticising travel bans once again. This as Omicron becomes the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the country. Meanwhile in Cameroon, we meet survivors of sexual violence from the Anglophone regions. Rape and abuse are being used as weapons of war in the conflict. Finally, our reporters are in Gambia ahead of Saturday's presidential poll. We bring you a report on voters waiting to take part in the country's democratic transition.

It was Europe's first coronavirus hot spot. Now, Italy already has one of the strictest anti-infection regimes in the world. And with case numbers rising again, the country is barring unvaccinated citizens from much of public life.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday⁣ ⁣

How effective will vaccines be against the new variant? Hope rests on research centers and vaccine developers to keep up with the speed of the variant's spread around the world.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday⁣⁣⁣

The United States has approved COVID-19 jabs for children from the age of five and over. But misinformation is circulating and unsettling many parents. DW's Ines Pohl visited a vaccination station in Norfolk, Virginia.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Friday.

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Saturday.⁣⁣

US President Joe Biden has unveiled a new plan to tackle his country's COVID-19 emergency. Announcing the measures on his first full day in power, he said drastic action is needed.

With Europe still grappling with Covid-19, Talking Europe speaks to Christa Schweng, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EESC is the body that brings together European employers, trade unionists and representatives of social, occupational, economic and cultural organisations.