HERE'S what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:
Scientists on alert over rising cases caused by Omicron cousin BA.2
The highly transmissible Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus - the most common form of which is known as BA.1 - now accounts for nearly all of the coronavirus infections globally, although dramatic surges in COVID-19 cases have already peaked in some countries.
Scientists are now tracking a rise in cases caused by a close cousin known as BA.2, which is starting to outcompete BA.1 in parts of Europe and Asia. Some early reports indicate that BA.2 may be even more infectious than the already extremely contagious BA.1, but there is no evidence so far that it is more likely to evade vaccine protection.
China punishes cold-chain managers for 'obstructing' COVID prevention
Investigations into China's cold-chain sector have led to several managers, officials and business owners being punished for failing to meet COVID prevention standards, the country's corruption watchdog said in a notice.
Several officials have been expelled from the Communist Party and could face further criminal punishment, according to a notice published by the CCDI late on Sunday. China has been an outlier in asserting that COVID can be transmitted via cold-chain imports such as frozen meat and fish, even though the World Health Organization has played down the risk.
Spotify says it will add content advisory to podcasts that discuss COVID
Spotify Technology SA will add a "content advisory" to any podcast episode that includes discussion about COVID, CEO Daniel Ek said, after coming under fire from rock and folk legends for giving voice to misinformation about COVID vaccines.
The advisory will direct listeners to a COVID hub that contains facts and information from medical and health experts, as well as links to trusted sources.
The move comes after singer-songwriters Neil Young and Joni Mitchell announced they are removing their music from Spotify in protest that the popular streaming service has allowed the airing of misinformation about COVID vaccines.
Australia reports fewer COVID deaths, infections as students return to schools
Australia reported its lowest daily COVID deaths in two weeks on Monday while cases continued to trend lower as authorities braced for staff shortages in schools due to likely outbreaks as thousands of students return after their summer break.
Masks are mandatory indoors for older children and millions of at-home antigen tests, still not readily available in many stores, are being rolled out to families free of cost, with children asked to undergo COVID tests twice a week.
About 40% of children aged 5-11 years have been administered their first vaccine dose, while around two-thirds of eligible Australians have received their boosters.
Intranasal booster uses virus spike to enhance immunity
Once the body has been "primed" by mRNA vaccines to recognise and attack the coronavirus, a booster containing purified versions of the virus' spike protein that could be given intranasally would have many advantages, researchers believe. Their "Prime and Spike" strategy employs a booster vaccine currently being tested in animals.
In mice with waning immunity after two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech shot, the purified spike protein vaccine strongly boosted first- and second-line immune responses to the virus in the nose, lungs and blood and protected against lethal doses of the virus, researchers reported on Wednesday on bioRxiv ahead of peer review.
In mice whose immune systems had not been "primed" with the mRNA vaccine, the spike protein vaccine had no effect, however, because it takes advantage of the body's adaptive immunity, building on what the immune system has learned from the mRNA vaccine.
Reuters
Mon Jan 31 2022
![What you need to know about the coronavirus right now What you need to know about the coronavirus right now](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/71643612626_COVID.jpg)
Once the body has been "primed" by mRNA vaccines to recognise and attack the coronavirus, a booster containing purified versions of the virus' spike protein that could be given intranasally would have many advantages, researchers believe. - REUTERS
![Kerajaan Persekutuan, negeri perlu tingkat kepantasan beri kelulusan untuk tarik pelabur - PM Anwar Kerajaan Persekutuan, negeri perlu tingkat kepantasan beri kelulusan untuk tarik pelabur - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723712785_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Kerajaan Persekutuan, negeri perlu tingkat kepantasan beri kelulusan untuk tarik pelabur - PM Anwar
Kerajaan Persekutuan, negeri perlu meningkatkan kepantasan dalam memberi kelulusanbagi menjadikan Malaysia tumpuan pelabur.
![Pemandu maut lori terbalik, kesesakan 2 jam di Lebuhraya PLUS Ipoh-Kuala Kangsar Pemandu maut lori terbalik, kesesakan 2 jam di Lebuhraya PLUS Ipoh-Kuala Kangsar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723712690_kemalangantrelerP.jpg)
Pemandu maut lori terbalik, kesesakan 2 jam di Lebuhraya PLUS Ipoh-Kuala Kangsar
Seorang pemandu lori maut manakala kelindan cedera selepas kenderaan yang mereka naiki terbabas lalu terbalik di Kilometer 257 Lebuhraya PLUS arah utara, dekat sini, petang ini.
RADIO 360: Integrasi teknologi kumpul maklumat pendengar, data lebih komprehensif
RADIO 360 Malaysia merentasi 11 stesen radio Astro yang boleh diakses di aplikasi SYOK termasuk Era, Sinar, Gegar, Hitz, Mix, My dan Raaga.
![Tindakan Faisal Halim undang rasa sebak penyokong bola sepak Tindakan Faisal Halim undang rasa sebak penyokong bola sepak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723706908_TBFaisalHalim.jpg)
Tindakan Faisal Halim undang rasa sebak penyokong bola sepak
Tindakan bintang Selangor FC, Faisal Halim yang bertemu pemain Sabah FC ketika perlawanan Liga Super minggu ke-9 mengundang rasa sebak.
![KPDN fokus pengantarabangsaan produk tempatan ke empat negara - Armizan KPDN fokus pengantarabangsaan produk tempatan ke empat negara - Armizan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723712231_LotusKPDNKBBM.jpg)
KPDN fokus pengantarabangsaan produk tempatan ke empat negara - Armizan
KPDN menyasarkan penembusan produk buatan Malaysia di pasaran antarabangsa dengan kerjasama beberapa rangkaian pasar raya besar luar negara.
Ekonomi Gig: Persediaan awal belia ke arah pekerjaan stabil
Menurut Pensyarah, Asia Pacific University (Apu), Dr Nor Azrul Mohd Zin, platform ini memberi peluang kepada belia untuk menimba ilmu, mempelajari pelbagai kemahiran dan memperoleh pendapatan sementara menunggu peluang pekerjaan yang lebih stabil.
URA: Akta Pembangunan Semula Bandar ganggu hak pemilik rumah - Pakar
Kerajaan tidak sewajarnya meneruskan penggubalan Akta Pembangunan Semula (Urban Development Act, URA) yang menghilangkan hak pemilik rumah.
Kolaborasi MAPIM, ZUS mahu wujudkan jenama susah senang Malaysia
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) MAPIM Malaysia, Ahmad Sani Abdul Alim Araby berkata kolaborasi MAPIM dan ZUS Coffee merupakan kolaborasi yang unik antara syarikat kopi buatan Malaysia itu untuk menjadi jenama susah senang Malaysia.
Selain daripada memberi tumpuan kepada Gaza, perbincangan MAPIM dan ZUS juga melihat kepada peluang memberi perkhidmatan dan manfaat dalam negara seperti mangsa banjir, asnaf dan mereka yang memerlukan bantuan.
#AWANInews
Selain daripada memberi tumpuan kepada Gaza, perbincangan MAPIM dan ZUS juga melihat kepada peluang memberi perkhidmatan dan manfaat dalam negara seperti mangsa banjir, asnaf dan mereka yang memerlukan bantuan.
#AWANInews
[TERKINI] Pemain bola sepak bawa kerambit suspek kes baling bom petrol
Polis sahkan pemain bola sepak amatur yang ditahan kerana membawa disyaki kerambit merupakan suspek kes membaling bom petrol di sebuah pusat hiburan di ibu kota, pada Mei lalu.
Hanya 16,000 daripada 300,000 pekebun memohon setakat ini
Hanya 16,000 daripada 300,000 pekebun kecil memohon bantuan Budi Agri-Komoditi setakat ini, yang membolehkan mereka menerima insentif bulanan sebanyak RM200.
Menteri Perladangan Dan Komoditi, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani berkata, antara masalah yang dikenal pasti adalah pekebun kecil tidak mendapat maklumat berhubung bantuan itu, tidak tahu cara mendaftar, atau tiada kemudahan seperti capaian internet dan komputer.
Menteri Perladangan Dan Komoditi, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani berkata, antara masalah yang dikenal pasti adalah pekebun kecil tidak mendapat maklumat berhubung bantuan itu, tidak tahu cara mendaftar, atau tiada kemudahan seperti capaian internet dan komputer.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Tahap pengurusan rantaian bekalan akan dipertingkat - PM Anwar Tahap pengurusan rantaian bekalan akan dipertingkat - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723553013_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Tahap pengurusan rantaian bekalan akan dipertingkat - PM Anwar
Mesyuarat MPN Ke-6 Tahun 2024 hari ini bersetuju dengan beberapa langkah bagi meningkatkan tahap pengurusan rantaian bekalan yang kukuh, berdaya tahan dan responsif kepada gangguan.
![Olimpik Paris: Lyles raih gangsa acara 200m lelaki, meskipun positif COVID-19 Olimpik Paris: Lyles raih gangsa acara 200m lelaki, meskipun positif COVID-19](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723164238_NoahLyles.jpg)
Olimpik Paris: Lyles raih gangsa acara 200m lelaki, meskipun positif COVID-19
Lyles terpaksa berpuas hati dengan pingat gangsa dalam acara 200m, dengan emas menjadi milik atlet Botswana, Letsile Tebogo.
![[KOLUMNIS] Bahaya maklumat salah: Ancaman keamanan dan keharmonian di Malaysia [KOLUMNIS] Bahaya maklumat salah: Ancaman keamanan dan keharmonian di Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/41622415528_fake.jpg)
[KOLUMNIS] Bahaya maklumat salah: Ancaman keamanan dan keharmonian di Malaysia
Maklumat yang salah bukan sahaja ancaman di negara-negara Barat tetapi juga semakin menjadi masalah besar di Malaysia.
![KKM belanja RM137 juta setahun bagi menyelenggara 201 klinik kesihatan KKM belanja RM137 juta setahun bagi menyelenggara 201 klinik kesihatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721221006_DzulkeflyAhmad.jpg)
KKM belanja RM137 juta setahun bagi menyelenggara 201 klinik kesihatan
KKM membelanjakan sebanyak RM137 juta setahun bagi menyelenggara 201 buah klinik kesihatan di seluruh negara di bawah PSK dengan kontrak selama 5 tahun bermula tahun 2022.
![Olimpik Paris 2024: Atlet renang Australia tarik diri selepas positif COVID-19 Olimpik Paris 2024: Atlet renang Australia tarik diri selepas positif COVID-19](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71722334055_LaniPallister.jpg)
Olimpik Paris 2024: Atlet renang Australia tarik diri selepas positif COVID-19
Atlet renang Australia Lani Pallister terpaksa menarik diri dari acara bebas 1,500 meter selepas positif COVID-19, menurut pasukan negara itu pada Selasa.
![Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19 Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71696492107_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19
Presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Joe Biden tiba semula di Rumah Putih pada Selasa selepas beberapa hari diasingkan akibat COVID-19 dan di tengah-tengah khabar angin mengenai kesihatannya.
![Gantung Parlimen: 2 wakil rakyat dibenar mulakan semakan kehakiman Gantung Parlimen: 2 wakil rakyat dibenar mulakan semakan kehakiman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721817034_MuhyiddinYassin.jpg)
Gantung Parlimen: 2 wakil rakyat dibenar mulakan semakan kehakiman
Mahkamah Persekutuan membenarkan dua wakil rakyat memulakan semakan kehakiman bagi mencabar nasihat Muhyiddin untuk menggantung Parlimen sepanjang tempoh darurat pandemik COVID-19.
![Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721785411_JoeBidenAirForce.jpg)
Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif
Ujian antigen pantas BINAX adalah negatif, bagaimanapun, beliau akan terus dipantau untuk sebarang penyakit berulang.
![Biden alami gejala COVID-19 ringan, ambil ubat antiviral Biden alami gejala COVID-19 ringan, ambil ubat antiviral](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71716240052_TBJoeBiden.jpg)
Biden alami gejala COVID-19 ringan, ambil ubat antiviral
Kevin O'Connor berkata gejala yang dialami presiden itu mempengaruhi sistem pernafasannya.