The Omicron COVID-19 variant, first detected in South Africa, has spread to 85 countries. European nations are among those with confirmed cases, with varying numbers reported by each country. The UK has experienced a significant outbreak, with over 11,000 cases and one confirmed death. Governments are responding with new restrictions and considering mandatory vaccinations. The situation is evolving, with updates on case numbers and government responses.

The Omicron COVID-19 variant, first detected in South Africa, has spread to 85 countries, with confirmed cases across Europe. The article provides updates on the number of cases in various European countries as of December 16, 2021, and mentions measures taken by governments in response to the variant. The UK has reported the only known fatality from Omicron, and the variant's spread is doubling every two to three days according to Prof Neil Ferguson. The article also notes that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the UK Health Security Agency are sources for the case numbers.

Germany's new government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is extending subsidies for electric vehicle purchases into 2022, with up to €9,000 for electric cars and €6,750 for plug-in hybrids. The goal is to have 15 million electric cars by 2030, a significant increase from the current 520,000. The subsidies have been crucial for the market growth, with electric vehicle sales soaring by 207% from 2019 to 2020. Germany is now the largest electric vehicle market in Europe and the second-largest globally. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is also working to simplify the charging process, with new stations accepting standard credit and debit cards from mid-2023. The subsidy policy will be revised in 2023 to focus more on climate protection.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered that air pollution causes brain inflammation in mice, leading to a reduction in sperm count. The study, published in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives, suggests that the damage caused by air pollution in the mice's brains can be corrected by targeting the inflammation marker, potentially leading to therapies that can mitigate the effects of air pollution on fertility. The research highlights that 92% of the world's population lives in areas where the level of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers exceeds the World Health Organization's standard levels, originating from vehicle exhausts, factory emissions, forest fires, and the burning of coal and wood.

Businesses and consumer groups are challenging the traditional Black Friday shopping frenzy, advocating for sustainable consumption and environmental responsibility. The French consumer association UFC-Que Choisir criticizes deceptive Black Friday promotions, while the Make Friday Green Again network and the American sporting goods group REI promote environmentally friendly alternatives. The slow fashion startup ASKET, co-founded by August Bard-Bringeus, boycotts Black Friday, emphasizing the need to produce fewer, better-quality items and to slow down resource extraction to respect planetary boundaries.

Black Friday, traditionally a day for Americans to find discounted items, is evolving with consumer demands for sustainability. European consumers are increasingly interested in quality and product origin, with many preferring local, organic, and environmentally conscious products. Back Market, a marketplace for refurbished electronics, operates in several European countries and the US, offering a warranty and a customer-friendly experience. OnBuy, a UK-based start-up, provides an ethical e-commerce platform with vetted sellers. EthicalSuperstore.com in the UK supports the Food Bank Friday campaign, donating items with every order over a certain amount. Local bookshops and charity shops offer sustainable alternatives for book purchases. A French collaborative system, Près de chez nous, maps out eco-friendly businesses, promoting sustainable shopping.

World Toilet Day on November 19 highlights global access to clean water and sanitation. The article lists five innovative toilets, including the Gates Foundation's water-free Nanomembrane toilet, Tokyo's transparent toilets funded by the Nippon Foundation, D Free's app for toilet reminders, Le Trône's advanced Japanese toilets in Paris, and a South Korean eco-friendly toilet by Cho Jae-weon that produces electricity and mines cryptocurrency. These innovations showcase advancements in hygiene, technology, and environmental sustainability.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the Pandora Papers, revealing how world leaders and business executives hid $11.3 trillion in offshore companies. The leak implicates 336 politicians and executives, including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, and Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso. The Pandora Papers consist of 11.9 million documents and follow previous ICIJ investigations such as the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers. The ICIJ's work has led to over 150 investigations worldwide, highlighting issues of tax evasion and money laundering.

A petition in the UK is calling for a ban on the sale of artificial grass due to its negative environmental impact, including high plastic volumes, non-recyclability, soil pollution with microplastics, and contribution to flooding and overheating. The petition emphasizes the benefits of natural grass for biodiversity and carbon footprint reduction. Despite a previous petition with fewer signatures, the UK government has preferred to encourage correct choices over outright bans. The article also discusses the water and electricity savings of artificial grass but questions its overall eco-friendliness, as it does not clean the air or contribute to compost after disposal.

Conscious travel is a growing trend in 2021, encouraging positive impacts on visited communities and environments. In line with EU Green Week's focus on ocean protection, several trips are highlighted where travelers can contribute to ocean, beach, riverbed, and pond conservation. These include shark protection in Fiji with WWF and ProjectAWARE, turtle conservation in Greece with Responsible Travel, coral reef data collection in Puerto Rico with Amigos de Tres Palmas and the Oceanic Society, volunteering on Sea Shepherd vessels, improving the River Thames' water quality with Thames21, participating in coral reef regeneration in Costa Rica with Black Tomato and CIMAR, and hiking, kayaking, and whale watching in the Azores with Much Better Adventures. These experiences aim to enhance travelers' connection with nature and inspire them to protect it.

In Kyiv, skirmishes broke out and injuries occurred as Ukrainians protested against plans to allow the sale of the country's farmland, a proposal that would overturn a 2001 ban. Ukraine, with 32.5 million hectares of fertile arable land, currently restricts sales to rentals. The draft law, which passed its first reading, would enable land acquisition by any entity, including foreigners, who have used the land for three years. The World Bank suggests this could boost Ukraine's economy, but many Ukrainians fear it will benefit only oligarchs and foreigners. President Zelenskiy has offered a referendum before opening sales to foreign buyers.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has assessed the UK Conservative and Labour parties' manifesto spending pledges as not credible. The Conservatives are expected to exceed their spending promises, while Labour is unlikely to achieve the proposed investment spending increases. The IFS director, Paul Johnson, critiqued both parties for their modest proposals and suggested that Labour would need to implement broad-based tax increases to fund their ambitions.

French police began relocating migrants from an illegal campsite in northern Paris' Porte d'Aubervilliers on Thursday morning. The operation moved 500 of the 2,000 people there to safer locations, focusing on vulnerable individuals. Despite not being a camp dismantlement, the action aimed to ensure the security of those affected. The operation was supported by France Terre d'Asile, and migrants were transported to sports halls and shelters. A previous evacuation attempt was canceled due to a large crowd. Paris has been a primary destination for refugees since the closure of Calais' migrant camp in 2016, leading to the emergence of several illegal campsites.

In Crêts en Belledonne, southeastern France, fifteen sheep were symbolically enrolled in a local primary school as part of a protest against education cuts that led to the closing of one of the school's classes. The protest was organized by three mothers of students and supported by the mayor, aiming to go viral and stand against target-based policies, advocating for equal education for all children.