HERE'S what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:
EU to keep non-essential travel curbs amid chaotic border measures
European Union government leaders will agree on Thursday to maintain curbs on non-essential travel within the EU despite the bloc's executive asking six countries to ease border restrictions on Tuesday.
The executive European Commission is seeking a coordinated approach to border curbs among EU states. It said on Tuesday it had given Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary and Sweden 10 days to justify their unilateral restrictions, which Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said had "gone too far".
Japan regions push to end state of emergency
Regional Japanese governments have requested emergency pandemic measures be lifted ahead of the March 7 scheduled end as new COVID-19 cases trend lower, the country's economy minister said, adding the government will seek expert views before agreeing.
The state of emergency would likely be lifted in stages though businesses would be asked to continue closing early, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Wednesday.
AstraZeneca to miss 2nd-quarter EU vaccine supply target by half
AstraZeneca Plc has told the European Union it expects to deliver less than half the COVID-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply in the second quarter, an EU official told Reuters on Tuesday. The expected shortfall, which has not previously been reported, follows a big reduction in supplies in the first quarter and could hit the EU's ability to meet its target of vaccinating 70% of adults by summer.
Contacted by Reuters, AstraZeneca did not deny what the official said, but a statement late in the day said the company was striving to increase productivity to deliver the promised 180 million doses.
India says virus variants not behind upsurge in cases
India said on Tuesday mutated versions of coronavirus were not responsible for an upsurge in cases in two states, a potential relief for a country where mask-wearing and social distancing have largely disappeared.
Maharashtra in the west and Kerala in the south account for 75% of India's current active cases of about 147,000, and both states have seen a sudden rise in new infections in recent days, fuelling calls for a faster roll-out of vaccines.
More dancing in Australia, Madison Square Garden opens to fans
The Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia will loosen restrictions on dancing at indoor venues and ease other curbs from Friday after several weeks of no COVID-19 cases. In NSW, 30 people will be allowed to dance at weddings and as many as 30 people will be able to sing indoors together, up from five currently.
New York City welcomed ticketholders at live sports events for the first time on Tuesday night since the pandemic brought sports to a halt nearly a year ago, with 2,000 fans watching the Knicks take on the Golden State Warriors at Madison Square Garden.
Reuters
Wed Feb 24 2021
AstraZeneca Plc has told the European Union it expects to deliver less than half the COVID-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply in the second quarter. REUTERSpic
Born into war, Ukraine toddlers adjust as conflict nears 1,000 days
He was just three days old, Liudmyla Rodchenko remembers having to collect hot water from troops at checkpoints to make baby formula.
Gaza mother struggling to feed children says only death can end their suffering
Children in the town of Deir al-Balah crowd at a charity site with empty pots, are desperate for nourishment.
How social media is reshaping human connection
New hypothesis reveals social media's impact on human connection, possibly worsening social inequalities and mental health issues.
How ASEAN can help mediate in Myanmar
ASEAN faces pressure to mediate in a crisis that challenges its principles and unity.
Trump spends hours at UFC fight at Madison Square Garden
Trump sat between White and Musk for much of the night and paid rapt attention to the fights, sometimes chatting with the fighters after their matches.
No more monkey mania in Thai town after clamp down
Troops of macaques had taken over buildings, often confronting residents, stealing food and causing accidents.
More than 800 million adults have diabetes globally, many untreated, study suggests
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says in a statement, the rise documented in the study was alarming.
The 'morphing' wheel from South Korea that may transform lives and robots
Imagine a wheelchair equipped with wheels flexible enough to navigate all manner of obstacles from kerbs to humps and even staircases.
AI is changing the way we think
A new study shows AI shaping our thinking, adding a personalised layer that influences decision-making and affects human agency.
Developing nations are least responsible for climate change but cop it worst. Will the COP29 climate talks tackle this injustice?
Since the Industrial Revolution, country after country has turned to fossil fuels to power their transport and industry.
Chinese study recommends region-specific diets, amid rising obesity risks
The study adheres to a "Planetary Health Diet" and advocates a reduced consumption of dairy products and red meat.
Expect to hear the F-word a lot in the US Senate next year
That's "filibuster," the Senate rule that requires 60 of the chamber's 100 members to agree to pass most legislation.
'We will die from hunger': Gazans decry Israel's UNRWA ban
The law could deny thousands of their main source of aid at a time when everything around them is being destroyed.
Old money trend: Don't fall for the fashion trap
Don't just chase after brands or fashion without understanding what they truly represent, says fashion designer Bon Zainal.
Many long COVID patients adjust to slim recovery odds as world moves on
Recent scientific studies suggest the longer someone is sick, the lower their chances of making a full recovery.
Sugar overload: A growing threat to kidney function
Dr. Rosnawati Yahya reports nearly 50% of dialysis patients have diabetes, highlighting the serious health risks of high sugar intake.
Chinese social media reels over young woman's illegal surrogacy case
Authorities pledge a strict crackdown on illegal practices, including buying/selling of sperm, eggs, and surrogacy services.
![[COLUMNIST] Budget 2025 - Powering data centres](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Budget 2025 - Powering data centres")
[COLUMNIST] Budget 2025 - Powering data centres
A "radical" tax allowance scheme could help to position Malaysia to be a leading regional hub for data centres.
Selangor govt tables RM3 billion state budget for 2025
Allocation for operating, service and supply expenses is the largest component, accounting for 38.7 per cent of the total.
Google brings AI voice assistant Gemini Live to iPhone
The new Gemini app will include Gemini Live, a voice-based feature that allows users to have natural conversations with the chatbot.