Putin's annual press conference tends to be a lengthy affair.

Xi’an on Thursday reported another 63 locally transmitted cases, pushing the city’s total to at least 211 over the past week.

Here's a round-up of the COVID situation across Europe, where countries are tightening restrictions and trying to boost vaccinations amid a spike in cases.

This is not the first time that the Macron couple has been targeted by rumours mixing gender and sexual orientation.

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

Over 100 pro-democracy activists have been arrested since Beijing implemented the national security law in Hong Kong.

Early studies suggest that Omicron COVID cases have a reduced risk of hospitalisation, compared with the Delta variant.

Russia in January will start talks with the US and NATO to discuss a number of demands including that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, Russia's top diplomat said.

Belgium will close cinemas, theatres and ban most indoor activities to curb COVID-19 infections.

“The government has blocked all the classical ways of getting money into the country, so we had to find an alternative."

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev formally resigned, in a move he had announced after his governing party's defeat in October's local elections.

Leaders from Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia met in Tirana to discuss and agree on furthering their Open Balkan initiative to promote political and economic ties.

People in Moscow are being treated to a spectacular display of Christmas trees themed on cities from around the world, an attempt to cheer up Russians as the COVID pandemic continues to restrict travel this holiday season.

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

The UK registered a record-breaking 106,122 new COVID-19 infections in 24 hours ahead of the holidays.

The World Health Organization gave a briefing on COVID-19 as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads ahead of the festive holidays.

It comes with Europe in the midst of another wave of COVID, driven in some countries by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 people on board.

Rio Tinto's plans to mine one of Europe's largest lithium deposits might be on hold for now. But the stage is set for future conflicts. We must find greener alternatives to lithium batteries to meet our future needs, argues RSK's Jordi Bruno.

"The world will follow in our footsteps," said Israeli PM Naftali Bennett

Washington rebutted allegations from Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that US companies delivered “tanks with unidentified chemical components” to war-torn Eastern Ukraine to “commit provocations".

Brussels begins legal action against Poland over primacy of EU law row

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, and experts say the trends in Europe are troubling.

Rather than an Anglo-Saxon turkey, some Czechs prefer carp, traditionally fried in bread crumbs and served with potato salad.

"We will not stop until Saakashvili is free, until Georgia is back to its European path," said one demonstrator.

The chips are down for some fast food fans in Japan.

With Omicron taking hold in France, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday "the situation is critical."

Spain's €2.4 billion Christmas lottery offers a distraction from pandemic

Truss was appointed to lead the UK's post-Brexit negotiations after the surprise resignation of Lord David Frost.

Dozens of miners in Myanmar die each year working in dangerous conditions in jade quarries, an opaque and poorly regulated industry.

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

Police Minister Serge Gellé was one of two survivors. Two other people are missing, feared dead.

Hungary will not change its immigration policies despite a recent ruling from the EU's top court that found them in contradiction with the bloc's laws, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

Israel will begin administering a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers and people over the age of 60 as the more transmissible omicron variant spreads.

Germany announced new restrictions that will begin after Christmas to slow the spread of the new omicron variant.

Slovenian authorities have now started to implement intensive controls, with the help of horseback units and Roma police officers.

Vladimir Putin reiterated his demand for guarantees from the US and its allies that NATO will not expand eastwards, blaming the West for tensions.

Delegations from Turkey, Russia, and Iran meet in Nur Sultan for the 17th meeting of the Astana Peace process that aims to find a solution to the decade-long crisis in Syria.

Omicron has already become the dominant strain in the US, accounting for nearly three-quarters of new infections last week.

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

"Why are we doing this? Because sailors never leave a person to die at sea, same as a mountaineer will never leave a person to die in the mountains," revealed Paquerette Forest, a retired teacher who volunteered to help migrants.

Dr Kluge stressed warned last week that as Europe goes into the holiday season, it will be dealing "with two highly transmissible variants."

The UK has reported record cases in recent days, with 91,743 in the last 24 hours reported on Monday.

US intelligence officials say Russia has amassed 70,000 troops near its border with Ukraine and is preparing for a possible invasion early next year. Moscow has denied any intention to attack.

Did you know Christmas celebrations were born in Italy?

One union said the proposal was a covert attempt to impose mandatory vaccination.

The inmates will be sent to a prison in Gjilan – a town located some 50 kilometres from the capital Pristina, starting from 2023.

Dubai ruler ordered by UK court to pay €645 million to his ex-wife and their children

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.