The European Union’s drug regulator said the benefits of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine continue to outweigh the risks, and thus the shot can still be administered while investigations into possible blood clots proceed. In the U.S., as more states ignore medical advice and dispense with precautions, the downward trend in cases after the third wave is near a dangerous juncture, one where earlier recoveries stalled and new waves of infection began. Here is the latest on the pandemic. —David E. Rovella

Bloomberg is tracking the progress of coronavirus vaccines while mapping the pandemic globally and across America. 

Here are today’s top stories  

U.S. stocks jumped to another record, powered by a renewed rally in tech shares as investors salivate over a $1.9 trillion spending injection from the federal government. President Joe Biden signed the third coronavirus bailout package a day early, and individual payments to qualifying Americans could arrive this weekend. The Nasdaq 100 Index surged more than 2.5% as it continued to rebound from its recent rout. Here is your markets wrap.

It took Lex Greensill two decades to ascend from the red dirt of a family farm in Australia to running his own finance firm and traveling the world aboard a fleet of private jets. His fall back to Earth, however, only took a week.

Almost a year ago, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was beginning his star turn as a calming national figure just as America was sliding into the depths of the pandemic. Today, the Democrat’s political career may hang by a thread as six accusations of harassment, including one alleging criminal behavior, fuel calls for his resignation or impeachment. 

Andrew Cuomo

Photographer: Seth Wenig/AFP/Getty Images

This week, the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa challenged new voting restrictions as a violation of the state’s constitution. It’s one of the first lawsuits over a flood of Republican efforts (largely pinned to the falsehood of voter fraud) that will likely limit voting by traditionally Democratic constituencies. State lawmakers have proposed more than 200 laws in 43 states that would limit the time, place and manner of voting while imposing more ID requirements. The Washington Post reported on a study showing the legislative onslaught could hinder tens of millions of Americans who want to exercise their franchise. 

The U.S. sanctioned the adult children of Myanmar coup leader Min Aung Hlaing along with their business holdings, saying they “have directly benefited from their father’s position and malign influence.” The United Nations, citing potential crimes against humanity, said the military junta has killed at least 70 civilians in its effort to crush widespread democracy protests. Twelve more people were reportedly shot dead by security forces on Wednesday.

Protesters hold homemade shields during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, on March 8.

Photographer: STR/AFP

Warren Buffett surpassed $100 billion in net worth on March 10, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, but his investing track record isn’t perfect. Moreover, Peter Coy writes in Bloomberg Businessweek, his cautious road to riches may not be ideal for society.

Suburban American men searching for ways to look tough have long flocked to oversize pickup trucks, the kind where the vinyl-covered bed never sees the light of day, let alone anything approaching tools, lumber or bags of cement. And as these gas-guzzling monuments to aspirational masculinity get ever larger, more and more pedestrians are getting killed.

What you’ll need to know tomorrow 

What you’ll want to read tonight

Reining In the Wild West of Laser Hair Removal

Using lasers to remove hair, among the most popular cosmetic treatments in America, straddles the line between personal care and medical procedure. New York it turns out is the only state where licensing and training aren’t even required for devices that can cause discoloration, burns or worse. Now, the state legislature finally wants to regulate the industry: for many of these businesses the timing couldn’t be worse.

Photographer: Gent Shkullaku/AFP

Photographer: Gent Shkullaku/AFP

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