Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Police Warn Canada Truckers, Protest Widens
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lambasts trucker-led protests that have strangled the capital and blocked a key bridge to the United States (US), with police warning they will arrest those responsible as copycat movements gather steam as far afield as Europe and New Zealand.
NZ Clears 'Freedom Convoy'
New Zealand police arrest 120 after moving in on anti-vaxxers occupying part of the grounds of the country's parliament in a copycat "Freedom Convoy" protest.
Paris, Brussels, Vienna Ban Convoys
French police warn they will prevent so-called "Freedom Convoys" from blockading Paris, as protesters against COVID rules begin to drive towards the capital.
Belgian authorities say they will block similar protests in the Belgian capital next week, while Austrian police also announce a ban as several hundred vehicles prepare to converge Friday in central Vienna.
EU Growth To Slow
The eurozone economy will grow less than expected this year, the European Commission (EC) says, as energy prices and supply chain problems due to the pandemic jack up inflation.
French Anti-Vax Nobel Winner Dies
French researcher Luc Montagnier, who shared the Nobel medicine prize for his vital early discoveries on AIDS, and later became a scientific pariah and hero for French anti-vaxxers, dies aged 89.
AstraZeneca Profits Dive, Warns On Sales
British vaccine maker AstraZeneca's net profit collapsed last year, hit by the vast takeover of US biotech firm Alexion and other charges. Profits slumped from US$3.2 billion to US$112 million (98 million euros).
AstraZeneca also warns that coronavirus product sales and profit margins will drop this year as the pandemic recedes and after record-high group revenue in 2021.
Johnson In New Quiz Fizz
British police widen their probe into Downing Street lockdown parties after a new photo emerges of Prime Minister Boris Johnson with sparkling wine at a Christmas quiz, with officers set to question more than 50 individuals.
World Cup Optimism
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is "cautiously optimistic" that the World Cup finals in Qatar in November will be the first mass global sports gathering with crowds since the pandemic started two years ago.
Berlinale Begins Despite Spike
The Berlin film festival, Europe's first top movie gathering of the year, returns as a live event in German capital despite the country dealing with record daily infections.
Tonga Gets Omicron
The Omicron variant entered Tonga for the first time in the wake of last month's volcanic eruption, officials confirm, as the number of cases in the kingdom heretofore almost untouched by the virus nearly doubles to 64.
Spain Drops Outdoor Mask Rule
Spain drops the mandatory use of face masks outdoors, though many people keep them on in Madrid, with face coverings now an everyday staple.
Prince Charles Positive, Again
Prince Charles is isolating after testing positive for the coronavirus for the second time, his office says.
Over 5.7 Million Deaths
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,775,516 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 912,255, followed by Brazil with 635,074, India 506,520 and Russia 338,091.
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.