Coronavirus: A global look on developments

- Ganges mega-gatherings -

Despite huge infection risks, millions of Hindu pilgrims in India -- which has the second-highest number of infections in the world -- gather on the banks of the Ganges river for the start of the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage and festival.

- China death -

China reports its first virus death in eight months as 10 World Health Organization (WHO) scientists land in the country on a mission to examine the origins of the pandemic.

- Two popes get vaccine -

Both Pope Francis and his predecessor, former pope Benedict XVI, have received their first jabs, with Italian media saying it was the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine.

- Infected then protected? -

A British study finds healthcare workers who have had the virus are largely protected against it for at least five months, though some could still carry and transmit it.

- 10 million US shots -

Official data shows more than 10 million people have received their first shot in the United States even as the country trails behind its targets.

- Spain record cases -

Spain registers a record daily number of cases at nearly 39,000.

- Turkey takes China jab -

Turkey starts vaccinating with China's Sinovac jab despite conflicting data abouts its efficacy.

- WHO meets over variants - 

The WHO's emergency committee mets two weeks early to try to combat more infections variants emerging in South Africa and Britain.

- Jabs for Africa - 

The African Union says it has secured 270 million jabs for the continent. The continent has a population of 1.2 billion.

- 'Happiest place on Earth' -

California's Disneyland -- which sells itself as the "happiest place on Earth" -- opens a giant vaccination centre in its car park.

- Nearly 2 million dead -

The pandemic has killed more than 1,979,596 million people worldwide, according to a tally compiled by AFP at 1100GMT using official sources and information from the WHO.

The US is the country most affected with more than 384,784 deaths, followed by Brazil (205,964), India (over 151,727), Mexico (136,917) and Britain (84,767).

The number of deaths globally is broadly under-estimated. The toll is calculated from daily figures published by national health authorities and does not include later revisions by statistics agencies.

- UK job losses... - 

Analysts say shopping streets in England's towns and cities could lose another 400,000-plus jobs even after the pandemic, as Britons continue to work from home and buy online.

- ...but record sales - 

Britain's biggest retailer Tesco reports record Christmas sales, with online demand booming.

- Tennis star Murray out? -

Andy Murray's participation in the Australian Open is in doubt after he tests positive.

- No football hugs - 

Premier League officials repeat warnings against hugging during goal celebrations, saying that they and high-fives could bring English football to a stop. 

- Game paused -

The opening of the first ever Super Mario theme park is delayed again as Japan battles a surge in cases.