Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Canada Truckers 'Have To Stop'
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demands an end to the protest by hundreds of truckers against COVID-19 restrictions that have paralysed the capital Ottawa for 11 days.
Protests Spread To New Zealand
A convoy of trucks and campervans block streets near New Zealand's parliament in Wellington in an anti-vaxx protest inspired by a similar demonstration in Canada.
Hong Kong Crackdown
Hong Kong imposes its strictest social distancing measures yet, capping gatherings to two families, as it struggles to maintain China's "zero-COVID" policy amid an Omicron-fuelled spike in cases.
Fast New Chinese Test
Chinese scientists say they have developed a new virus test that is as accurate as a PCR lab test but gives results within four minutes.
HK Gets Round Tracking App
Hong Kongers in their thousands have begun ordering takeaways and picnicking in groups outside to avoid a government tracking app.
Unjabbed Skier Unrepentant
Unvaccinated Swiss snowboarder Patrizia Kummer says she had "no problem" competing at the Beijing Olympics after three weeks of quarantine, and didn't "care what people think" of her.
Car Sales To Rebound
European Union (EU) car sales are likely to rebound by 7.9 percent in 2022, but still remain far below levels before the pandemic, car makers predict.
France To Lift Tests For Travellers
France is to drop its requirement for negative test for vaccinated travellers from outside the EU as daily infection numbers continue to fall.
Over 5.7 Million Deaths
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,748,498 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on Tuesday.
The United States (US) has recorded the most COVID deaths with 905,544, followed by Brazil with 632,621, India 504,062 and Russia 336,721.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.