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| - These are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: Brazil broke its deaths record for the second straight day with 1,910 fatalities in 24 hours after 1,641 died on Tuesday, a situation its public health institute described as alarming. The World Health Organization warns that the number of new cases is rising in Europe after six weeks of decline. The European Union's drug watchdog starts a "rolling review" of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, a key step towards approval for use across the 27-nation bloc. Russia says it is ready to provide 50 million doses to Europe by June if the jab is approved. Modified vaccines designed to protect against emerging variants will get fast-track approval under a pact between medicines regulators in Britain and four other countries. The pandemic is impacting childhood cancer care worldwide, with 79 percent of hospitals in nearly 80 countries reporting a reduction in surgery and more than half noting shortages in blood products and chemotherapy treatment. Germany will soon join Belgium in authorising the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine for people over 65, after both countries say recent studies prove its effectiveness. Japanese media says overseas spectators will not be welcome at the Tokyo Olympics, after organisers said that public safety would be the "top priority" at the virus-delayed Games. German Chancellor Angela Merkel caves to pressure from regional leaders saying that from Monday socialising between households will be allowed and book and flower shops and garden centres will be allowed to reopen. The German flag carrier lost a record 6.7 billion euros ($8 billion) in 2020, as the pandemic wiped out demand for travel and left flights grounded. The Pakistan Super League is suspended after seven cases came to light, with the country's Twenty20 competition, which started on February 20, put on hold. New York's governor says its famed theatres could soon reopen at limited capacity from April 2. The virus has killed at least 2,560,789 people since it emerged in China in December 2019, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. The US is the worst-affected country with 519,064 deaths, followed by Brazil (259,271), Mexico (188,044), India (157,435) and Britain (123,783). burs-nrh/fg/jv
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