*) 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.