Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Johnson's Troubles Deepen
Revelations of more boozy lockdown gatherings at Downing Street rock embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, including one just hours before Queen Elizabeth II had to sit alone in church at her late husband Prince Philip's memorial service.
Djokovic Visa Cancelled
Australia cancels Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time in a new attempt to deport the unvaccinated Serbian tennis superstar.
Blow For Biden
The United States (US) Supreme Court delivers a blow to President Joe Biden, blocking his COVID vaccination-or-testing mandate for employees of large businesses. But it backs the measure for healthcare workers.
Hong Kong Transit Passenger Ban
Hong Kong bans passengers from more than 150 nations from transiting through its airport, in the latest radical measure to conform with China's zero-COVID policy.
Germany Economy Slows
The German economy only grew modestly last year, likely shrinking in the final months as pandemic and supply chain issues held back Europe's industrial powerhouse, official data shows.
Pandemic 'On Way Out'
Virus-hit Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says the pandemic is "on the way out" even as his country faces record infections from the highly contagious Omicron strain.
No Pink, We're Police
An Italian police union is objecting to officers having to wear pink face masks, warning they do not go with their uniforms and "risk damaging the institution's image".
Lessons Halted
Schools in the Philippine capital Manila are ordered to suspend online classes for a week to ease the burden on teachers and families as a record surge in cases hits the city.
WHO Backs New Treatments
The World Health Organization (WHO) approves two new COVID-19 treatments, the synthetic antibody treatment Sotrovimab and the arthritis drug baricitinib used with corticosteroids.
Premier League Hit
Burnley's home match against Leicester City is postponed due to injuries and virus cases in Sean Dyche's struggling English Premier League side.
More Than 5.5 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,519,380 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Friday.
The US has recorded the most COVID deaths with 846,488, followed by Brazil with 620,545, India on 485,350 and Russia 319,911.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the WHO estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.