Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Jabs For All French Adults
France opens up vaccines to all adults a week before Germany, as Europe races to avoid another wave of infections caused by new COVID-19 variants.
Vietnam Suspends Flights
The international airport of Vietnam's capital will suspend inbound flights from abroad beginning Tuesday, after COVID-19 cases more than doubled in the past month.
Denmark Thinks Again
Denmark's government asks its health authority to reconsider rulings against using the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines – dropped over concerns about rare, but severe cases of blood clots – after struggling to keep its vaccination drive on schedule.
Boosting The WHO
The World Health Organization's (WHO) members agree to strengthen the global body and give it more secure and flexible funding to "rapidly and appropriately assess disease outbreaks" of possible global concern.
Indian Economy Plunges
India's economy contracted 7.3 percent in 2020-21, its worst recession since independence as coronavirus lockdowns put millions out of work.
Copa Moved To Brazil
South America's largest football tournament, the Copa America, is moved to Brazil after a COVID-19 surge in Argentina and social unrest in Colombia saw the co-hosts stripped of the right to host the event.
Vaccines For Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso, one of the few nations in West Africa still to launch a vaccination drive, receives a first batch of 115,200 doses, funded by the international COVAX scheme.
First Overseas Competitors
Australia's softball team flies out to Japan, where they will become the first overseas competitors to arrive for the coronavirus-plagued Tokyo Olympics.
3.5 Million Dead
The pandemic has killed at least 3,544,101 people worldwide since the virus first emerged in December 2019, according to an AFP compilation of official data at 1830 GMT.
The United States (US) is the worst-affected country with 594,461 deaths, followed by Brazil with 461,931, India with 329,100, Mexico with 223,507 and Britain with 127,782.
The figures are based on reports by health authorities in each country, but do not take into account upward revisions carried out later by statistical bodies.
The WHO says up to three times more people have died directly or indirectly due to the pandemic than official figures suggest. – AFP