*) New South Wales braced for more flooding, rains

Australian authorities will evacuate thousands of people from flood-affected suburbs in Sydney's west, which is set for its worst flooding in 60 years.

Around 18,000 people had been evacuated from flooding in New South Wales by Monday.

Emergency services fear up to 54,000 people could be displaced with rain forecast to continue until Wednesday.

*) Myanmar activists plan new protests after weekend bloodshed

Myanmar activists plan fresh protests despite reports of security forces killing more people at anti-coup demonstrations over the weekend.

The plan includes a call for vehicle convoys to drive through intersections honking horns with occupants raising three-finger anti-coup salutes.

The nation has been locked in crisis since the elected government was overthrown by the military.

*) Canadian Kovrig's trial on espionage charges begins in China

The trial of Michael Kovrig, who has been held in China for more than two years on espionage charges, is under way in Beijing.

China arrested Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor in December 2018, soon after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies.

Beijing insists the detentions are not linked to the detention of Meng, who remains under house arrest in Vancouver.

*) India sees worst Covid-19 cases and deaths in months

India reported its most Covid-19 cases and deaths in months on Monday, on the first anniversary of a chaotic nationwide lockdown.

Indian authorities reintroduced some curbs to slow the spread of the virus as it recorded 46,951 new infections and 212 deaths.

India's total cases surpassed 11.65 million, the highest in the world after the United States and Brazil.

And finally …

*) Ravers feel the music at socially distanced silent disco in Barcelona

Barcelona has found a way to get around Covid-19 curbs on clubs by holding outdoor silent raves in some of the city’s best-known locations.

On Sunday, people welcomed the first day of spring by putting on their headphones and busting some moves at Mar Bella beach along Barcelona’s famous seafront.

What started off as a fun meet-up between friends has grown into a regular Sunday morning event, the Tribu Silent Disco.