Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
India's Rocketing Records
Grappling with the world's worst COVID surge, India logs another record number of daily cases with 414,000 in the past 24 hours, as well as almost 4,000 deaths.
Among the worst hit states is Goa, a tourist hotspot famed for its beaches, which reports a staggering COVID positive rate of 41 percent.
Nepal Next?
Infections are also spiralling in neighbouring Nepal, with two out five people tested now positive.
Another AstraZeneca Blow
Britain's vaccination programme recommends under-40s be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, citing a "precautionary approach" over blood clot risks.
WHO Gives China Jab OK
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use – the first Chinese jab to receive the body's green light.
London Goes For Final
Britain said it was willing to host the Champions League football final between English clubs Chelsea and Manchester City after Turkey – where the match was to be held – was put on a virus travel red list.
Japan Extends Emergency
A state of emergency in Tokyo and other parts of Japan will be extended, less than three months before the Olympics, as cases surge.
Wise Old Age
The world's oldest person, a Japanese woman aged 118, has given up her spot in the Olympic torch relay because "the spread of the coronavirus has not been contained", her family says.
Halting Third Wave
Germany seems to have halted a surge of infections driven by the British variant, Health Minister Jens Spahn said, but warns against lifting restrictions too quickly.
Oz Shut Till 2022
Australia's prime minister said the country will not extend its controversial ban on citizens returning from India, following widespread public outrage.
But the country is likely to remain shut to visitors until late 2022 as the wave of cases on the Indian sub-continent shows the near blanket ban on arrivals is still essential to keep it COVID-free, said the tourism minister.
Greek Beaches Open
Greece will reopen private beaches on Saturday and museums next week, as the tourism-dependent country gears up for a 15 May travel restart.
Rule-Flouting Ex-Leader
Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak, who has been convicted over a mammoth fraud scandal, is fined for breaking pandemic rules while dining out by failing to register at the restaurant or having his temperature taken.
Over 3.2 Million Dead
The pandemic has killed at least 3,258,595 people worldwide since the virus first emerged in late 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data.
The United States (US) is the worst-affected country with 580,064 deaths, followed by Brazil with 416,949, India 234,083, Mexico 218,173 and Britain 127,583. – AFP