Here are the key developments from the last few hours:

 WHO to scrap interim report on virus origins – report. The

Wall Street Journal reported that a World Health Organization team
investigating Covid’s origins is planning to scrap an interim report on its
recent mission to China amid mounting tensions between Beijing and
Washington over the investigation and an appeal from one international
group of scientists for a new inquiry.
 Japan to extend Tokyo state of emergency. The Japanese
government plans to extend a state of emergency for Tokyo and three
neighbouring prefectures to combat Covid until March 21, two weeks
longer than originally scheduled, Economy Minister Yasutoshi
Nishimura said on Friday.
 New coronavirus variant under investigation in UK. Scientists
have identified 16 cases of a new coronavirus variant in the UK, Public
Health England announced. Cases of the variant, referred to as VUI-
202102/04, were first identified on 15 February. The variant, which is
understood to have originated in the UK, was designated a “variant
under investigation” on 24 February.
 Survey shows UK parents’ concern over Covid effect on
children’s activity. More than two-thirds of UK parents believe their
children have become less active during the pandemic, new research has
found, placing more pressure on schools before their reopening next
week.
 Calls grow to prioritise Italy’s priests for Covid
vaccination. Calls are growing in Italy to prioritise the vaccination of
priests against Covid-19 as the death toll among members of the clergy,
many of whom have assisted and comforted the sick since the beginning
of the pandemic, approaches 270.
 Australia says Italy’s block on AstraZeneca vaccine frustrating
but not crucial. The Australian government on Friday expressed
frustration at Italy’s decision to block a shipment of AstraZeneca’s Covid
vaccine, but stressed it would not affect the rollout of Australia’s
inoculation program.
 China to develop vaccines against major infectious
diseases. China pledges to develop vaccines to cope with major
infectious disease, part of its flurry of efforts to boost the
competitiveness of its manufacturing sector, the government said on
Friday in its development plan for 2021-2025.
 Vietnam to launch vaccinations on Monday. Vietnam will launch
its Covid vaccination campaign on Monday, the country’s health
 minister said, after the country received the first batch of 117,000 doses
of the AstraZeneca vaccine last month.
  Papua New Guinea hospitals run out of funding as Covid
cases surge. Papua New Guinea is battling to control a surge in
coronavirus cases across the archipelago, just as hospitals are shutting
their doors because they have run out of money.The country’s crowded
capital, Port Moresby, is the epicentre of the latest outbreak.
 Australian experts warn Covid vaccines being sold on darknet
likely to be scams. Three major Covid-19 vaccines are being
advertised for sale on the darknet – the part of the internet not visible to
search engines and which requires specialised software to access, an
analysis of 15 marketplaces has found.
 Jacinda Ardern announces Auckland’s Covid lockdown will
lift on Sunday. Auckland’s seven-day lockdown is due to lift on
Sunday morning after no new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the
community on Friday.
 ‘Fear of missing out’ boosting global acceptance of Covid
jab. An international survey shows vaccine confidence is already on the
rise even though relatively few countries have launched public
awareness campaigns, with the fear of missing out on a jab suggested as
one driver.
 South Korea approved the Pfizer vaccine. South Korea’s drug
safety ministry s