The COVID-19 pandemic started to ease around the world this week after a three-and-a-half-month rampage of ever-increasing infections.Here is a state of play based on AFP's database.10 Percent Drop The average number of global daily cases dropped by a tenth this week to 3.03 million, after increasing for 15 weeks in a row, according to an AFP tally to Thursday.The confirmed cases only reflect a fraction of the actual number of infections, with varying counting practices and leve

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:Compulsory Jabs In Austria Austrians over the age of 18 must now be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face the possibility of a heavy fine, an unprecedented measure in the European Union (EU).The new measure, implemented on Saturday, is the culmination of a process that began in November in the face of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.Erdogan Tests Positive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has teste

As the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus continues its frenetic spread around the world, a new subvariant has been detected in dozens of countries.Omicron was first reported by South Africa in November and has since replaced the Delta variant in most countries as the most prevalent strain.

Scientists in South Africa have made a copy of the Moderna COVID vaccine, a move which they say could help boost vaccination rates across Africa.The continent currently has the lowest uptake of COVID shots in the world.The company behind the new vaccine - Afrigen Biologics - says it hopes to start clinical trials in November.Moderna previously said it would not enforce the patents on its vaccine, allowing scientists in Cape Town to make their own version of it.

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:Winter Olympics Open President Xi Jinping declares the Beijing Winter Olympics open, after a build-up overshadowed by COVID, but also by human rights concerns and a diplomatic boycott.Two Of German Team Positive Two members of Germany's team, including three-time Olympic Nordic combined champion Eric Frenzel, test positive for COVID before the opening ceremony.Austria Jab Law Comes Into Force Austria&#0

President Xi Jinping declared the Beijing Winter Olympics open Friday as China tried to turn the page on a build-up overshadowed by human rights concerns, COVID and a United States (US)-led diplomatic boycott.Fireworks exploded over the "Bird's Nest" as the lattice-shaped stadium took centre stage, just as it did at the 2008 Games, as Beijing becomes the first city to host both a Summer and Winter Olympics.Xi, under whose rule China has adopted a more muscular attitude internat

By early December United States (US) intelligence was certain: the man occupying the top floor of a nondescript house in Atme, northern Syria – who never left the premises, emerging only to bathe on the roof – was the head of the Islamic State (IS) group.In the White House Situation Room, a table-top model of the house was set up, and President Joe Biden was briefed on his options to neutralize Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, one of America's most wanted jihadist targets.US officials

In recent days, Beijing has called for calm on both sides and the end of a Cold War mentality, while also making it clear it supports Moscow's concerns.It would seem obvious that China would side with its long-time ally and former Communist comrade Russia.

Myanmar's junta suffered a fresh diplomatic blow Thursday as regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) barred its top diplomat from attending an upcoming meeting of foreign ministers.Cambodia, which currently holds the bloc's rotating chairmanship, said there had been too little progress on a "five-point consensus" agreed by leaders last year to try to defuse the crisis gripping Myanmar.The country has been in turmoil since the military ousted Aung

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:US Army To Sack Unvaxxed The United States (US) Army is to discharge soldiers who refuse to comply with a mandatory vaccination rule, saying they pose a risk to their comrades.Football's Seven-Billion Bill The pandemic has left Europe's football clubs with a massive seven-billion-euro hole in their bank accounts after two years of cancelled games and empty stadiums, a Union of European Football Associations