*) Envoy, junta make rival claims over Myanmar's UN seat

Myanmar's military junta and the envoy have launched contradictory claims over who represents the country at the United Nations.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun broke with the junta before the General Assembly on Friday in an emotional plea for help to restore ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The next day, the junta said the envoy had been sacked, but on Monday, Kyaw Moe Tun sent a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly to say that he still holds the post.

*) Saudi Arabia makes Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for Hajj

Saudi Arabia's health ministry has ruled that only vaccinated people will be allowed to attend the Hajj this year, Saudi newspaper Okaz reported.

Riyadh stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina and its peaceful organisation of the Hajj.

In 2020, the kingdom reduced the number of pilgrims to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the virus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first time in modern times.

*) UN envoy says Turkey cannot shoulder Syria's tragedy alone

The international community cannot leave the Syria tragedy on Turkey's shoulders, Turkey's UN envoy Feridun Sinirlioglu has said.

The Syrian war is nearing its 10th anniversary, on March 15th.

With 5 million Syrians living on its borders, Turkey is protecting 9 million Syrians in total, the UN envoy said.

*) China to focus on tech autonomy at this year's Congress

Chinese leaders have been shifting focus from the coronavirus back to long-term goals of making China a technology leader at this year's highest-profile political event.

The ruling Communist Party will use the National People's Congress,a gathering of 3,000-plus delegates, to showcase economic and social plans.

In October, party leaders declared that making China a self-reliant "technology power" is this year's economic priority.

And finally…

*) Japan billionaire offers eight free seats to Moon trip

Japanese billionaire is throwing open a private lunar expedition to eight people from around the world.

Online fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa in 2018 became the first man to book a spot aboard the lunar spaceship being developed by SpaceX.

On Wednesday, he revealed on Twitter he was not planning to go alone.

"I'm inviting you to join me on this mission. Eight of you from all around the world," he said.