Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
COVID 'Far From Over'
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over, the World Health Organization's (WHO) emergency committee says as it calls for research into next-generation vaccines for long-term control of the pandemic.
Pfizer For Kids Verdict Awaited
US government advisors meet to decide whether to authorise the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in five-to-11-year-olds, likely paving the way for younger children to get their shots within weeks.
COVID On The Rise In Europe
COVID infections and deaths are on the rise again in Europe, with Russia, Ukraine and Romania registering the highest fatalities on the continent, an AFP tally shows.
Social Media Time-Out For Bolsonaro
A Senate panel probing the Brazilian government's pandemic response asks the Supreme Court and prosecutor general's office to suspend President Jair Bolsonaro from social media for falsely linking COVID-19 vaccines to AIDS.
China Locks Down City
China places Lanzhou, a north western city of four million, under lockdown in a bid to stamp out a domestic coronavirus spike, with residents told not to leave home except in emergencies.
Boosters For Italians, Swiss, Argentina
All Italians are likely to be offered booster shots for the coronavirus vaccine to help contain the spread of new variants, a government official says, while Switzerland authorises the shots for the over-65s.
Argentina says it will in December launch a third shot campaign, starting with health workers and vulnerable people.
Cambodia Reopens
Foreign tourists will soon roam Cambodia's ancient Angkor Wat temples once again, after officials flag a partial reopening to vaccinated travellers.
Bayern's Anti-Vaxxer To Play
Bayern Munich footballer Joshua Kimmich will be under the spotlight when he plays at rivals Moenchengladbach on Wednesday after controversially revealing he opted not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Over 4.9 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 4,952,390 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Tuesday.
The US has suffered the most COVID-related deaths with 737,316, followed by Brazil with 605,804, India with 455,068, Mexico with 286,496 and Russia with 232,775.
The countries with the most new deaths were the United States (US) with 1,371, followed by Russia with 1,106 and Ukraine with 734.
Taking into account excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to COVD-19, the WHO estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher. – AFP