Covid-19: Omicron-specific vaccine trials launched in UK as volunteers needed

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentTelefonica’s Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest pay-TV/SVOD operator, has launched an in-house overseas sales division, Movistar Plus Internacional, headed up by former Sony and Buendía Estudios exec Maria Valenzuela. Lorena Molloy, an ex-exec at The Mediapro Studio, has joined Movistar Plus Internacional beginning in March as its head of communication and marketing. Valenzuela, who began working with the platform last summer, heading international strategy and business development, reports directly to Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus’ director of original production.Movistar Plus Internacional is making further appointments, raising staff to around 10 employees, Valenzuela said. It will attend all major markets, beginning with Series Mania and MipTV/Canneseries, focusing at least in the short term on sales to Europe, Eastern Europe, U.S.

many COVID-19 mandates starting Monday.“Our current guidance is through April 30, and we are scheduled to update that guidance on April 1,” Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement.

Beauty meets Barbie! In advance of International Women’s Day, Mattel has launched a handful of very special “role model” dolls — including one for makeup legend Pat McGrath. From the backstage uniform to a makeup brush holder fastened on her waste, the Barbie is truly a doppelgänger for the Dame. 

Jennifer Hudson, 40, is getting the talk show treatment. News broke on Wednesday, March 2 that The Jennifer Hudson Show will premiere in Fall 2022 on Fox Television Stations following the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Jennifer’s daytime show will be one-hour long, according to Variety, and will come from Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Ellen production company Telepictures. The test show was reportedly shot in November 2021 with Ellen executive producers Andy Lassner and Mary Connelly as showrunners.

Nicola Sturgeon is set to lay out her new strategic framework for dealing with covid later today.

K.J. Yossman Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the U.K.

Scooter Braun has his eyes on his friend, H.Wood Group co-founder John Terzian, as a potential super-spreader.

Queen Elizabeth tested positive COVID-19 on Sunday (Feb. 20). The 95-year-old monarch, who has been fully vaccinated and had a booster shot, is experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. She will reportedly still carry on with her “light” duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week. “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines,” the palace added.

Prince Charles, 73, and her 74-year-old daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall both contracted COVID-19 earlier this month. Charles has since returned to work.

After it leaked that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was planning on not requiring vaccination at the 94th Academy Awards, there was a massive pushback from members and the industry over the decision. Today, an AMPAS spokesperson revealed an updated policy that will raise many eyebrows and will leave the door open for major speculation on who on the telecast is and isn’t vaccinated.

show proof of vaccination plus booster shot (if eligible) and proof of a negative COVID-19 test.“I want to apologize to y’all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards,” Smith explained in a now-deleted video on his Instagram account. “I mean no offense to anyone. I’m not vaccinated, and it’s a requirement to be vaccinated.”The “Hell or High Water” actor then opened up further about his anti-vax beliefs.

The new Star Wars book, The Art of The Mandalorian: Season 2, reveals that Star Wars creator George Lucas had a very specific worry about Grogu, aka Baby Yoda.

Hollywood’s Covid safety protocols have been extended to April 30 and updated to redefine “fully vaccinated” to include booster shots, effective March 15.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeIf you’ve forgotten where “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” left off at the end of Season 3, you can be forgiven: So have executive producers Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino.“It’s been so long, we don’t remember what the season was about. I think they’re still Jewish,” Sherman-Palladino quips.

What’s an award season without a little controversy? Beyond some online discourse, there hasn’t been much for the 2021-2022 season. That changed on Wednesday with a surprising report the Oscars will not be requiring attendees to be vaccinated.

Prince Charles has Covid-19 for the second time in two years and after a positive test.

Manori Ravindran International EditorYou can’t say we weren’t warned.When the omicron wave hit in December, the Berlin Film Festival frantically pivoted to ensure a physical event went ahead, and organizers cautioned that heavy COVID restrictions would be in place at the 72nd edition of the fest.True to form, those measures are keenly felt on the ground in Berlin, where COVID-testing buses and strict vaccination and booster checks will be de rigueur over the next week. Depending on where you’re coming from, that may be a shock to the system, but it appears to be a lot more straightforward than it looks — and rest assured you’ll be spared the indignity of spitting into test tubes.A day before Thursday’s opening ceremony, which screens Francois Ozon’s “Peter von Kant,” the main festival grounds are noticeably subdued, with the Berlinale Palast red carpet still in the process of being set up.