Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
COVID Pill For Europe
The European Union's (EU) drug watchdog approves Pfizer's coronavirus pill, making it the first oral antiviral treatment for the disease to be authorised in Europe.
England Lifts Restrictions
England lifts virus restrictions, with masks no longer required in enclosed places and vaccine passports shelved.
Unjabbed Man Refused Transplant
A Boston hospital refuses to perform a heart transplant on a patient who will not to be vaccinated.
Spotify Choose Rogan
Spotify take down veteran star Neil Young's music after he asked the streaming service to choose between him and Joe Rogan, its controversial podcaster accused of spreading disinformation on the virus.
Moderna Omicron Trials
US biotech firm Moderna says it has begun clinical trials of a booster vaccine dose designed specifically to combat the Omicron variant.
Israel's Fourth Booster
Israel is to start rolling out fourth vaccine shots to all vulnerable people over 18.
Hong Kong Cuts Quarantine
Hong Kong shortens its controversial lengthy quarantine for international travellers from three weeks to two.
Morocco Tourism Protest
Workers in Morocco's vital tourism sector protest for the second time this month against the two-month-old border closure aimed at countering the Omicron variant.
US Donates Doses To Uganda
The United States (US) is shipping nearly 1.7 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Uganda, a White House official says.
New Delhi Eases Curfew
New Delhi ends a weekend curfew, reopens restaurants and allows markets to operate at full capacity, as the Omicron variant outbreak slows.
Hong Kong Cuts Quarantine
Hong Kong shortens its controversial quarantine for international travellers from three weeks to two.
Ukraine Case Record
Ukraine reports a record number of 32,393 daily coronavirus cases as it faces a new wave of infections driven by Omicron.
Sweden Against Jabs For 5-11s
Sweden's health authority says it will not recommend COVID-19 jabs for all five- to 11-year-olds, the country again choosing a different COVID policy to much of Europe.
Canadian PM Self-Isolates
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has been exposed to COVID-19 and will isolate for five days, in accordance with health rules for vaccinated people.
McDonald's Profits Up On Curb Easing
McDonald's reports higher profits on price increases and fewer impacts from COVID-19 restrictions, while its results in China were dented by a resurgence in the virus.
LVMH Blows Past Pandemic
LVMH more than recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, posting record sales of 64.2 billion euros (US$71.5 billion) and net profit of 12 billion euros in 2021.
5.6 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,625,889 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Thursday.
The US has recorded the most COVID deaths with 876,066, followed by Brazil with 624,413, India on 491,700 and Russia 328,770.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the WHO estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.