South Korea has lifted almost all of its COVID-19 precautions in a major step towards a return to normal life as the Omicron variant recedes and daily infections retreated to a more than two-month low of fewer than 50,000.
China's financial hub Shanghai has reported over 27,000 coronavirus cases, a new high, a day after President Xi Jinping said that the country must continue with its strict "dynamic COVID clearance" policy and pandemic control measures.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has paid a fine for attending his birthday bash in Downing Street and offered a "full apology" for the lockdown-busting event.
Shanghai has reported nearly 25,000 locally transmitted COVID-19 infections in a day, as residents of China's most populous city voiced complaints over food and basic supplies and concern spread more cities may soon be in the same situation.
