Regulators in the UK are again the first in the world to provisionally approve a new COVID vaccine for use. The latest shot, from Moderna in the US, is supposed to offer protection against the Omicron variant as well.

The two German vaccine competitors are heading to court over a legal dispute concerning BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine. CureVac has called for "fair compensation."

Germany is looking to lower gas demand to ward off long-term shortages as Russia throttles the gas flow. Gas prices for consumers could rise even more as a consequence.

A year ago, South Africa celebrated the opening of the continent's first COVID vaccine production line. Now it's at risk of being shut down due to low demand.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is pushing for a vaccine mandate as part of Germany's COVID-19 containment strategy, and lawmakers in Parliament are debating compulsory vaccines. So how do German citizens feel about the prospect of a mandatory jab?

An expert panel has just given the green light to vaccinate children aged 5 to 11 in Israel — the first country to offer booster shots. It has also tightened its green pass system to keep the economy and schools open.

Russia says it has registered what it says is the world's first coronavirus vaccine for animals, describing the step as important to disrupting mutations. Russia says mass production of the vaccine could begin in April.

Ethiopia has received its first 2.2 million doses of vaccine against the coronavirus, and officials in Africa's second most populous country say the first jabs will be administered to health workers. The doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, were allocated under the UN-led Covax initiative which is working to facilitate vaccine access for poorer countries.

Country music star Dolly Parton receives her first dose of the Moderna vaccine, urging others to do the same. The 75 year old is credited with helping to fund the Moderna vaccine after donating $1M to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Parton sang a Covid-theme version of her hit song 'Jolene' before receiving the shot on Tuesday. "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate," she sings.

India's government has been supplying countries around the world with free coronavirus vaccine doses. However, there is some worry that this "vaccine diplomacy" will come at a cost to vulnerable Indians.

The European Commission says it has approved a contract with US drugs manufacturer Moderna for 300 million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Some British companies say they may require their employees to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. But the move could go against legislation designed to reduce workplace discrimination, and business groups are divided on whether the 'no jab, no job' policy is the right approach. Also in the show - Google announces a deal to pay for News Corp. content, while Facebook says it will block Australian users from sharing news content on the platform.