*) US ready to join talks on Iran nuclear deal

The US says it's ready to join talks with Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

The country’s State Department says it would accept an invitation to the EU-led meeting of the participants in the original agreement.

The US also began easing strict travel limits on Iranian diplomats in New York accredited to the UN.

*) Myanmar protests focus on junta's economic support

Nationwide anti-coup protests continue in Myanmar, with demonstrators focused on wearing down the army's economic support.

Daily calls for civil disobedience have resulted in a civil servants strike and the closure of all private banks.

Protesters want the international community to act with tough economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

*) Danger far from over as US freezes under deadly winter storms

Power has been restored to some US states hit by a deadly winter weather system that brought record-busting cold to the southern and central United States.

But the crisis is far from over as many in the South lack safe drinking water.

Over four dozen people have died from a week of historic winter storms. *) Rich nations stockpiling more Covid-19 shots than they need

A new report by advocacy group ONE campaign has found that wealthy countries will have over a billion more Covid-19 vaccines than they need, leaving poorer nations scrambling for leftovers.

The group says rich nations should share the excess doses to supercharge a global response to the pandemic.

A failure to do so would deny vaccinations to billions and would prolong the pandemic, it added.

And finally…

*) NASA's Perseverance rover successfully lands on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully landed on Mars.

The rover is there to hunt for signs of life on the red planet.

Perseverance is a car-sized rover equipped with a helicopter drone among its high-tech instruments.