Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
New Year Dampener
Millions around the world brace for drastically curtailed New Year celebrations amid record coronavirus cases fuelled by the Omicron variant.
More Than One Million Cases
The number of daily new COVID-19 cases worldwide crosses one million for the first time since the pandemic began two years ago, according to an AFP tally of the week of 23-29 December.
J&J Booster 85 Percent Effective
A booster of US coronavirus vaccine Johnson & Johnson was 85 percent effective in preventing serious illness in areas where Omicron was dominant, a South African trial study indicates.
Israel Receives COVID Pill
Israel receives a first shipment of Pfizer's anti-COVID pill, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett hailing it as critical as the country reports nearly 4,000 new cases Wednesday, a high not seen since September.
Pope Cancels Nativity Visit
Pope Francis has cancelled his traditional New Year's Eve visit to the Nativity scene in St Peter's Square over concerns of spreading coronavirus among the gathered crowds.
French Transit Ban On Brits
France says it will suspend during the year-end holidays a new rule that prevents Britons from transiting through the country to reach homes elsewhere in the European Union.
German Travel Curbs
Germany says it will lift in early January strict travel rules for people arriving from countries hardest hit by the Omicron coronavirus variant, notably the UK and several southern African nations.
Don't Go On A Cruise
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges Americans against cruise travel, even if vaccinated.
Dutch Hop The Border
Thousands of Dutch tourists flock to neighbouring Belgium to escape a tough COVID lockdown over the festive period, despite appeals from the authorities not to head across the border.
Portugal Reduces Quarantine
Portugal becomes the latest country to reduce from 10 to seven days the period of self-isolation for asymptomatic COVID and contact cases.
More Than 5.4 Million Dead
The coronavirus has killed at least 5,422,462 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally Thursday from official sources compiled by AFP.
Overall, the United States has recorded the most COVID deaths with 822,920, followed by Brazil with 618,817, India with 480,860 and Russia with 307,948.
Taking into account excess mortality linked to COVID-19, the World Health Organization estimates the overall death toll could be two to three times higher.