*) Death toll in weeks of Myanmar protests passes 180

More than 180 people have been killed by Myanmar security forces in weeks of protests against the military coup.

At least 20 people were killed on Monday, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said.

On Sunday, 74 people were killed in the bloodiest single day so far.

Demonstrators are calling for the release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose court hearing has been postponed until later this month.

*) Top US diplomat Blinken makes overseas debut with visit to Japan, Korea

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for deeper economic ties with Japan as he and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin use their first trip abroad to solidify Asian alliances against China and North Korea.

Their visit to Tokyo follows a virtual summit of leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India.

The trip comes at a time when the region is facing mounting pressure from China and threats from North Korea's ballistic missile programmes.

*) WHO vaccine experts to meet on AstraZeneca vaccine concerns

WHO safety experts are expected to meet and discuss concerns over AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine as the jabs get halted in several countries over blood clot fears.

Germany, Italy and France joined others in suspending the shot on Monday, dealing a blow to global immunisation as infection rates surge.

The WHO, European Medicines Agency and AstraZeneca insist the shot is safe and that there is no link between the vaccine and reported blood clots.

*) Covid-19 'most discriminatory crisis' for women

The head of UN Women has called the Covid-19 pandemic “the most discriminatory crisis” that women and girls have ever experienced.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka [Pumzeelay Mlambo-Ng-cuka] pointed to women losing jobs far more often than men, rising domestic violence, and more women being pushed into living on less than $1.90 dollars a day this year.

She said the WHO’s latest report shows the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the past 12 months.

And finally…

*) Messi equals Xavi's Barcelona appearance record

Lionel Messi scored a spectacular double the same night he equalled Xavi Hernandez's appearance record for Barcelona.

The Argentinian inspired Barca's 4-1 victory over La Liga basement club Huesca on Monday.

Messi has now tied Xavi's 767 games in all competitions for Barca.