HERE are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
Belgium to vaccinate 16-17 year-olds
Belgium plans next month to start vaccinating people between the ages of 16 and 17 years old.
"Starting in the month of July, they will start receiving an invitation concerning the first dose," ministers said in a statement.
They will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus jab, the first vaccine to be approved for children by the European Union medical watchdog.
Brazil okays vaccine imports
Brazil's health regulator Anvisa issues exceptional clearance for imports of Russia's vaccine against Covid-19, Sputnik-V, and India's Covaxin, while at the same time setting limits on their use.
The agency had originally opposed their use because of a lack of data on them.
Italy logs vaccinations record
Italy logs 600,000 vaccinations Friday, the most for a single day, the authorities announce.
A total of 37.06 million doses of vaccine have now been administered, and 12.7 million people have been fully vaccinated.
Italian tourism fighting back
Italian tourism is fighting back and the Italian tourism federation expects a 20-percent increase in summer tourist numbers this year over 2020 amid eased Covid-19 restrictions.
But most revenue is set to come from domestic visitors as Italians look to visit coastal resorts and city draws such as Rome, Venice and Florence and Assoturismo said the rise "would not be enough to return to pre-Covid levels".
Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for 14 percent of GDP in Italy the EU's third largest economy and coronavirus fallout helped tip Italy into its worst recession since World War II.
New Delhi eases lockdown
Markets and shopping malls in New Delhi will be allowed to partially reopen from Monday in a further easing of the Covid-19 lockdown, the chief minister says as infections fall in major Indian cities after weeks of restrictions.
Delhi Metro will also resume services at 50 percent capacity, the city's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal says.
The government of the state of Maharashtra, which includes business hub Mumbai, meanwhile unveiled a
five-stage plan to ramp down restrictions, depending on infection data and hospital capacity.
Olympic champion queasy
Australia's defending Olympic 100m freestyle champion Kyle Chalmers says the prospect of being in Japan for the Tokyo Games is a "little bit scary".
Tokyo is currently under emergency measures, less strict than blanket lockdowns.
Over 3.7 million deaths
The novel coronavirus has killed at least 3,714,923 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1000 GMT on Saturday.
The United States is the worst-affected country with 597,001 deaths.
After the US, the hardest-hit countries are Brazil with 470,842 deaths, India with 344,082 deaths, Mexico with 228,568 deaths, and Peru with 185,813 deaths.
The World Health Organization estimates that the pandemic's overall toll could be two to three times higher than official records, due to the excess mortality that is directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19.
ETX Studio
Sun Jun 06 2021
Students exit a school as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Brooklyn, New York. - REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.