*) Myanmar hit by new protests as junta's UN pick quits

People in Myanmar are out on the streets once again to join anti-coup demonstrations as military rulers face tussles over diplomatic loyalties overseas, the threat of a global arms embargo, and frozen US funds.

This comes a day after the US slapped more sanctions on the country. Myanmar saw its worst violence since last month's coup after security forces killed at least 38 people on Wednesday.

But it hasn't stopped thousands continuing to rally – calling for a return to democracy.

*) Large quakes spark Pacific-wide tsunami threats

Authorities in New Zealand have lifted tsunami evacuation orders triggered by multiple Pacific quakes in the northeast.

The National Emergency Management Agency says everyone who evacuated can now return to their homes.

Earlier, thousands of people on the east coast of North Island were evacuated to higher ground.

*) China boosts 2021 defence spending by 6.8%

China has increased its defence spending by 6.8 percent, amid high government debt and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

A national budget report issued on Friday said China will spend $210 billion on national defence in the coming year.

That's up from the 6.6 percent increase last year to $180 billion, the lowest percentage increase in at least two decades.

*) Pope Francis embarks on four-day visit to Iraq

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq on Friday. It will be the first visit by a head of the Roman Catholic Church to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

It's also the Pontiff's first trip abroad since the pandemic started.

The March 5-8 trip is expected to provide a spiritual boost to Iraq’s Christians while furthering the Vatican’s bridge-building efforts with the Muslim world.

And finally…

*) Banksy takes credit for prison artwork

Street artist Banksy has claimed responsibility for a painting on the wall of a former British prison that once held playwright Oscar Wilde.

The artwork shows a prisoner escaping on a rope made of bedsheets tied to a typewriter.

The elusive artist confirmed he was responsible in a video posted on his Instagram account.

The footage shows the artist carrying out the painting, and parodies the cult instructional videos of late US artist Bob Ross.

*) Protests continue in Myanmar after bloodiest day since coup

Protestors remain defiant in Myanmar a day after the deadliest police crackdown since the coup.

Security forces have killed dozens of pro-democracy protesters weeks after a military coup in the country. Those on the streets are demanding the restoration of their democratically-elected leaders.

Meanwhile, Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention and ousted president Win Myint is facing new charges.

*) Australia PM rejects calls for probe into Porter rape allegation

Australia's attorney-general Christian Porter is accused of raping a 16 year-old-girl in 1988.

The woman died by suicide last year after she went to the police who closed their investigation into the matter.

The 50-year old former prosecutor denied the allegation and said he would not be standing down from Cabinet.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has expressed support for his attorney-general.

*) US House approves 'George Floyd' police reform bill

The US House of Representatives have passed a bill banning controversial police tactics and easing the way for lawsuits against officers violating suspects' constitutional rights.

Democrats pushed the "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act" through the House with 220 votes, with the support of only one Republican.

The shocking killing was caught on video and sparked mass protests across the nation in the midst of the 2020 election.

The act cleared the House last year but was blocked in the Republican-led Senate.

*) Pakistan PM Khan to seek vote of confidence after election setback

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence in parliament after the government's finance minister lost a Senate bid.

Local media reports suggested the ruling PTI and its allies gained ground in Senate, possibly enough for a majority.

However, an election official announced Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Sheikh lost the seat he was contesting.

And finally…

*) SpaceX Starship blows up after test flight landing

SpaceX's latest Starship prototype rocket exploded just minutes after landing in Texas.

It was the third such attempt by US business magnate Elon Musk's rocket destined for the moon and Mars.

The rocket reached its target altitude of 10 kilometres. It demonstrated a few complex manoeuvres mid-air, made a soft touchdown moments before it became consumed in a fireball.

The reason for the explosion is still unknown.

*) Envoy, junta make rival claims over Myanmar's UN seat

Myanmar's military junta and the envoy have launched contradictory claims over who represents the country at the United Nations.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun broke with the junta before the General Assembly on Friday in an emotional plea for help to restore ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The next day, the junta said the envoy had been sacked, but on Monday, Kyaw Moe Tun sent a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly to say that he still holds the post.

*) Saudi Arabia makes Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for Hajj

Saudi Arabia's health ministry has ruled that only vaccinated people will be allowed to attend the Hajj this year, Saudi newspaper Okaz reported.

Riyadh stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina and its peaceful organisation of the Hajj.

In 2020, the kingdom reduced the number of pilgrims to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the virus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first time in modern times.

*) UN envoy says Turkey cannot shoulder Syria's tragedy alone

The international community cannot leave the Syria tragedy on Turkey's shoulders, Turkey's UN envoy Feridun Sinirlioglu has said.

The Syrian war is nearing its 10th anniversary, on March 15th.

With 5 million Syrians living on its borders, Turkey is protecting 9 million Syrians in total, the UN envoy said.

*) China to focus on tech autonomy at this year's Congress

Chinese leaders have been shifting focus from the coronavirus back to long-term goals of making China a technology leader at this year's highest-profile political event.

The ruling Communist Party will use the National People's Congress,a gathering of 3,000-plus delegates, to showcase economic and social plans.

In October, party leaders declared that making China a self-reliant "technology power" is this year's economic priority.

And finally…

*) Japan billionaire offers eight free seats to Moon trip

Japanese billionaire is throwing open a private lunar expedition to eight people from around the world.

Online fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa in 2018 became the first man to book a spot aboard the lunar spaceship being developed by SpaceX.

On Wednesday, he revealed on Twitter he was not planning to go alone.

"I'm inviting you to join me on this mission. Eight of you from all around the world," he said.

*) Kidnappers release all schoolgirls abducted from Nigeria's Zamfara

All 279 Nigerian students kidnapped from their boarding school in Zamfara state have been released.

Authorities initially said 317 girls were abducted by hundreds of gunmen from the school in remote Jangebe village on Friday.

But Zafara Governor Dr Bello Matawalle confirmed that the total number of female students abducted and released is 279.

*) US urges Saudi Arabia to disband force behind Khashoggi killing

The US State Department has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A declassified US report concluded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the killing of Khashoggi. However, the US has not sanctioned him.

The Biden administration is trying to tip the balance of power towards Washington in its ties with the kingdom, a longtime US beneficiary and benefactor.

*) WHO says world won’t vanquish virus this year

The World Health Organization has warned that it is unrealistic to think the world will be done with Covid-19 pandemic by the end of this year.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed over 2.5 million people and infected 115 million globally.

Meanwhile, Turkey has lifted weekend lockdowns in low-and medium-risk cities.

*) Armenia PM says ready for early elections

Armenia’s embattled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he is ready to hold early elections to end the country's political crisis.

Pashinyan has been under fire for his handling of last year’s disastrous war with Azerbaijan, facing calls for his resignation by the military's top brass.

With Pashinyan accusing the military of an attempted coup, political uncertainty is threatening to set off a power struggle in the ex-Soviet republic.

And finally…

*) Police search Barcelona clubs offices, make several arrests

Spain's police have raided the offices of football club Barcelona and arrested several people, six days after the club’s presidential elections.

Local media said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The raids were reportedly carried out in connection with last year’s “Barcagate” that saw a smear campaign against club players and officials.

*) More deaths in Myanmar as police disperse protestors

We start in Myanmar, where protests against the February 1 coup continue in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people on Sunday.

The latest use of force on protesters has been the bloodiest action so far following the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi last month.

International condemnation of the coup has been fierce and calls for an international response continues to grow as violence escalates.

*) Trump calls for GOP unity, hints at run for 2024 election

In the US, former President Donald Trump has called for unity in the Republican Party.

Speaking at a conservative political conference, the former US president took the stage for the first time since leaving office.

He hinted at another run for the White House in 2024 and repeated false claims that the Democrats stole the 2020 election.

*) Deadly twin explosions strike Somali capital

At least three people were killed as two explosions rocked Somalia’s capital Mogadishu within a span of a few hours on Sunday.

Police said a roadside bomb targeted a deputy army commander who remained unhurt but three others were killed and several others wounded.

A second explosion a few hours later targeted another local official but there were no injuries reported.

*) Dozens of Hong Kong activists detained on charges of subversion

Dozens of Hong Kong activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion are appearing in court for their hearing.

Forty-seven people have been charged under the new national security law imposed on the semi-autonomous territory by mainland China.

The activists are accused of organising and participating in an unofficial primary poll last year which authorities call a plot to “overthrow the government”.

And finally…

*) ‘The Crown’, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ win top honours at Golden Globes

A very socially distanced 78th Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and a continued furore over diversity.

Drama "Nomadland" and satire "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" won big for movies in the bicoastal ceremony.

The much-binged Netflix British royal drama "The Crown'' led the television honours along with Canadian "Schitt's Creek".

*) US bombs Iranian militia facilities in Syria

The US Air Force has bombed facilities run by Iranian-backed militant groups in Syria.

The Pentagon said the strikes were in retaliation for a rocket attack against US forces in Iraq earlier this month.

This was the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration.

*) Armenian PM in stand-off with military

Armenia's prime minister is in a stand-off with his country's military, accusing the Armed Forces of an attempted coup.

On Thursday, the army chief called on Nikol Pashinyan to resign.

The PM responded by firing the commander and calling his own supporters onto the streets of capital Yerevan.

The political turmoil is a result of Armenia's defeat against Azerbaijan in last year's war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

*) Pakistan, India agree to ceasefire along Kashmir border

India and Pakistan have agreed to observe a ceasefire along the disputed border of Kashmir.

In a joint statement, the military chiefs of the countries have agreed to calm tensions in the Himalayan region.

The Line of Control has witnessed increased military exchanges in recent months.

*) Former US Olympics gymnastics coach kills himself after being charged

Former US Olympics women's gymnastics coach John Geddert committed suicide hours after he was charged with human trafficking and abuse of athletes in his care.

Geddert owned an elite training facility in Michigan, where convicted sex offender Larry Nassar served as the gym doctor.

He faced 24 charges that could have carried years in prison had he been convicted.

And finally…

*) Gorilla and two lions test positive for Covid-19 in Prague

A gorilla and two lions have tested positive for Covid-19 at the Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic.

Zoo director Miroslav Bobek says the lions have a cold and cough and the gorilla is tired and has no appetite.

He added that the animals were mostly likely infected by staff, and other animals will now be tested.

*) New coronavirus variant identified in New York City

A new coronavirus variant has been discovered in New York City.

Columbia University researchers say it shares some similarities with the more transmissible South African variant.

It was first identified in samples collected in New York in November, and by mid-February represented about 12% of cases

*) Australia passes law to make tech giants pay for news

Australia has passed a law requiring social media platforms to pay media outlets for the content they generate.

US tech giants Facebook and Google have objected to the law.

Google is already making deals with local news companies, while Facebook has resumed talks with the lawmakers.

Britain and Canada say they are planning similar laws.

*) Myanmar junta in talks with Thailand, Indonesia

Talks with Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister resume in Thailand's Bangkok.

Indonesia is leading regional efforts to broker an end to three weeks of deadly unrest triggered by a military coup.

It comes as the international community ramps up pressure on the junta to cede its power back to the democratically-elected government.

*) US designer Alexander Wang faces new sexual assault allegation

A New York fashion student has become the latest person to accuse US designer Alexander Wang of sexual assault.

Keaton Bullen told the BBC that Wang assaulted him at a nightclub in August 2019.

Lawyer Lisa Blooms says she represents 11 men who claim to be victims of the designer.

Some of her clients are considering pursuing charges while others, civil claims.

And finally…

*) Holloway breaks world indoor record for 60-metre hurdles

US athlete Grant Holloway has broken the world record for indoor 60-metre sprint hurdles that had stood for 27 years.

He clocked 7.29 seconds and took 0.01 second off the previous record set by Colin Jackson in 1994.

Holloway's win at the event in Madrid secured him overall victory in the World Athletics Indoor Tour.