NBA All-Star Game to go ahead amid COVID-19 pandemic

21 Sept 04:17 Key points summarised by AI

The NBA confirms the 2021 All-Star Game will proceed in Atlanta on March 7, despite player concerns about staging an exhibition during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The league commits over $2.5 million towards Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and critical COVID-19 relief efforts.
High-profile players, including LeBron James, publicly expressed strong displeasure and questioned the necessity of holding the game amidst the pandemic and a compressed season.
Strict health and safety protocols, including a 'mini bubble' environment for participants and enhanced COVID-19 testing, will be implemented, with all events consolidated to a single day and no fan activities.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.