Scores of Russians have flown to North Korea for a private tour — the first foreign tour group to visit the reclusive state since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UN health agency said holiday gatherings and a new variant have fueled coronavirus cases globally with nearly 10,000 deaths in December alone.

The highly mutated COVID-19 variant has recently been detected in countries like Denmark, the UK and the US. It has been labeled a "variant under monitoring" by the WHO.

Beijing has lifted COVID-19 restrictions that kept tourists from traveling to several countries, including Germany. Chinese tourists, who generally travel in groups, are known for spending lavishly during trips abroad.

A European Union court has annulled Brussels' approval for German state aid granted to Lufthansa worth €6 billion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline said it would analyze the ruling.

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro denied taking a COVID-19 vaccine after police raided his home. Authorities said falsified COVID documents allowed himself and others to skirt restrictions in the US and Brazil.

The ECDC said the COVID-19 pandemic had taught "valuable lessons" and stressed that there needs to be better preparation for future health crises.

The number of COVID-19 infections is rising, and hospitals are filling up. While some countries say the pandemic is over, lawmakers in Germany are calling for tighter protective measures as winter approaches.