*) Myanmar forces raid compound of protesting rail workers

In Myanmar, security forces have raided a compound of railway workers on strike against the military junta.

The railway staff in Yangon are part of a civil disobedience movement that has disrupted public services.

Myanmar has been experiencing strikes and deadly protests since the military coup replaced Aung San Suu Kyi in February.

*) Biden to meet allies in first 'Quad' summit

US President Joe Biden will hold the first-ever joint talks with the leaders of Australia, India and Japan, boosting a four-way alliance tipped to rival China.

This will be one of Biden's first summits. The president vowed to revive US alliances in the wake of Donald Trump's divisive policies.

The meeting of the so-called "Quad" comes amid rising tensions between US and China.

*) UAE in world's top 10 tax havens

The UAE is in the world's top ten tax havens for the first time.

A new report says OECD nations account for more than two-thirds of "global corporate tax abuse."

According to the Tax Justice Network, UAE rose in the rankings after multinationals in South Africa and the US routed $218 billion in funds to the gulf monarchy.

*) China launches Covid-19 passport system for travel

China has launched a system of virus passports to kickstart international travel.

Chinese citizens can download and use the certificates to enter and exit the country.

It is unclear how China’s scheme would work internationally as it is not mandatory and is only available for Chinese citizens.

And finally…

*) Bangladesh TV hires country's first transgender news anchor

In Bangladesh, a television station has hired the country’s first transgender news anchor.

Tashnuva Anan Shishir, who previously worked as a rights activist and actor, debuted on Boishakhi TV on International Women’s Day.

It was an emotional moment for Shishir, who cried after reading the three-minute news bulletin amid applause from her colleagues.