Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Muted New Year Celebrations
Fireworks burst above eerily quiet landmarks from Sydney Harbour Bridge to Copacabana beach, as the world ushered in the New Year with muted celebrations.
In New York's famous Times Square, the public were blocked from entry and the usual overflowing crowd replaced with a group of specially invited frontline workers, separated by barricades to enforce social distancing.
Illegal Rave
Some 2,500 partygoers attend an illegal New Year rave in north western France, violently clashing with police who failed to stop it and sparking concern the underground event could spread the virus, authorities say.
WHO Emergency Validation
The World Health Organization (WHO) granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve its import and distribution.
The WHO says the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the first to receive its "emergency validation" since the virus first broke out in China a year ago.
UK Nears One Million Vaccinated
Britain says it has vaccinated almost 950,000 people, as a surge in cases prompts the reopening of field hospitals.
According to the latest government figures, 944,539 people in the United Kingdom had received a first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as of Sunday.
A second approved vaccine, developed by Oxford University and British drugs firm AstraZeneca, will be given from next week.
France: No 'Unjustifiable Delays'
With France's vaccination programme so far paling in comparison to many other EU countries, President Emmanuel Macron in his New Year address vowed to avoid "unjustifiable delays" in efforts to immunise citizens against COVID-19.
Since Sunday, fewer than 200 people have been given the Pfizer/BioNTech jab in the country.
Shortly before Macron's speech, Health Minister Olivier Veran announced plans to expand the vaccination campaign which so far has solely targeted care-home residents and health workers aged over 65.
Veran says that from Monday health workers aged over 50 could also get the jab.
Ramping Up Vaccine Production
The German firm BioNTech says it is racing to ramp up production of its COVID-19 jab in Europe, to fill the "gap" left by the lack of other approved vaccines.
NBA Tracking Devices
The NBA is expected to require its players to wear tracking devices on team buses and airplanes in its ongoing fight to control the spread of the virus, United States (US) media reported.
The sensor program will go into effect on 7 January and will involve players and team officials, including coaches, American sports broadcaster ESPN said.
No Neymar Mega Party
Football superstar Neymar laughed off controversy over reports he had been planning a mega New Year's party for 500 guests, taking to Instagram several hours before midnight to show his plans, which he described as small-scale.
1.8 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 1,818,946 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally on Friday based on official sources.
More than 83 million cases have been registered.
The US is the worst-affected country with 345,844 deaths, followed by Brazil with 194,949 and India with 148,994.
The tallies are based on daily tolls provided by health authorities in each country and exclude later re-evaluations by statistical organisations, as has happened in Russia, Spain and Britain. – AFP