We begin in Kazakhstan, where the country's president has given the green light to security forces to shoot to kill those taking part in the unrest that's been sweeping the Central Asian nation this week. Dozens of people have been killed in the violence which erupted after a sharp increase in fuel prices, reflecting wider discontent with authoritarian rule. In response to a call from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Russian-led troops have already begun arriving in Kazakhstan.

Authorities in Europe are being very cautious, but it seems the record-breaking infection rate of the Omicron variant could soon be followed by a sharp decline in Covid-19 cases. This scenario still leaves the most vulnerable at risk, such as the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions and the unvaccinated.

‘Tis the season… for emotional manipulation. These images show children seemingly barred from a Christmas market and Father Christmas being dragged away by police. But they are being wielded to pull on people’s heartstrings as the holidays approach, with the fake news mill continuing to twist the facts.

Starting Monday, Austria will ban unvaccinated patrons from entering cafes, restaurants and large events. Meanwhile, Australia has met its 80% vaccination target. DW has the latest.

A video doing the rounds showing Alitalia flight crew engaging in a choreographed protest in Rome has been attributed to them being fired for being unvaccinated against Covid-19. In fact, it was to show their discontent at the new state airline ITA absorbing just 3,000 of the 10,000 former Alitalia employees. Also, pharmaceutical companies deny there are living microorganisms in the Covid-19 vaccines, as one US osteopath claims to have seen under the microscope. That claim has quite literally grown legs in some videos circulating online.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro says he was prevented from seeing a football match in the city of Peruibe when he could not provide a Covid pass. The mandate applies for access to popular tourist spots and other public spaces such as cinemas, theaters, gyms, museums, sports stadiums and conference venues -- but not restaurants, bars or shopping malls. Brazil had a late start with coronavirus vaccination but is now the country with the fourth-most doses administered.

The World Health Organization has chided wealthy nations for offering a third vaccine shot to citizens while poorer nations go without. Several countries are nevertheless forging ahead with the plan.

US President Joe Biden says unvaccinated Americans are "sowing confusion" after being asked about potential uncertainty regarding the recent mask mandate. People fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in high-risk parts of the United States have been advised to resume wearing masks, a major reversal in guidance that underscored the country's struggle to suppress the Delta variant.