Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.
Minaj Rapped
Singer Nicki Minaj, who has not been vaccinated and claims the jab made her cousin's friend's testicles swell up, is slapped down by Britain's virus tsar, who says those who "peddle untruths" should be ashamed.
Big EU Jabs Donation
The European Union (EU) is to donate another 200 million vaccine doses to poor countries, more than doubling its present pledge.
France Gets Tough
France orders tens of thousands of carers and health workers to get vaccinated or be suspended without pay.
Arizona Hits Back
Arizona makes a court challenge to President Joe Biden's order requiring federal employees to be vaccinated or regularly tested. The rule also applies to businesses with more than 100 workers.
Let Africa Buy Jabs
Africa wants to be given the chance to buy vaccines rather than wait for donor-funded doses to arrive, the African Union says.
God, No
Zimbabwe bans the unvaccinated from attending church services, the latest in a series of measures to boost uptake of the jab.
Sydney Eases Curbs
Australia's biggest city lifts curfews for virus hotpots, as infection numbers stabilise and vaccination rates surge.
Broadway Is Back
New York's Broadway celebrates the return of some of its biggest musicals after an 18-month pandemic shutdown.
United Kingdom Inflation Nine-Year High
British annual inflation spiked to a nine-year peak although last year's figure had been skewed by a restaurant discount scheme, official data shows.
United States Pandemic Aid Impact
Massive US government stimulus payments during the pandemic in 2020 boosted household income and lowered the share of Americans living in poverty, data shows.
Togo's Long Emergency
Togo extends a health state of emergency for 12 months after a surge in new cases.
Dutch Pass
The Netherlands says it will further ease restrictions, including an end to social distancing, but will introduce a pass for bars, restaurants and festivals.
Cross-Country Delay
The World Cross Country Championships, scheduled for February in Australia, have been postponed to 2023 due to virus travel restrictions.
Over 4.6 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 4,646,416 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data.
The US is the worst-affected country with 663,936 deaths, followed by Brazil with 587,797, India with 443,497, Mexico 269,016 and Peru 198,840.
Based on latest reports, the countries with the most new deaths were the US with 2,392, followed by Mexico with 1,047 and Russia with 792. – AFP