Russia summons German ambassador, Albania reopens Soviet-era airbase, US citizens leave Haiti as soon as possible...

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some notable world news this morning, March 5.

Asia

XINHUA. General Secretary, President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and many other senior leaders attended the opening of the All-China People's Political Consultative Conference ( CPPCC ) in Beijing.

At the session, which is scheduled to end on March 10, CPPCC delegates will hear the Work Report of the CPPCC Standing Committee and several other reports. (Source: Xinhua)

CHINA DAILY. The government of China's capital Beijing plans to add 100 smart factories and digital manufacturing facilities over the next three years.

KYODO. Asian stock markets were steady as Japan's Nikkei index crossed the 40,000 mark for the first time in 34 years.

KOREA TIMES. The Seoul Metropolitan Government of South Korea is stepping up its crackdown on unfair tourism practices (“dumping tours”) to prevent them from damaging the city’s reputation.

YONHAP. South Korea and the United States began the Buddy Squadron air exercise at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek to enhance air combat capabilities using fighter jets.

MONTSAME. This winter's cold weather has killed more than 3 million livestock, forcing Mongolia to raise its disaster preparedness level to a high level.

TEMPO. To ensure food demand for the upcoming Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr festival, the Indonesian Logistics Agency has proactively increased rice imports from Thailand and Pakistan.

THE NATION. Thailand's economy is in a "critical situation" and needs measures to tackle household debt, boost tourism and provide stimulus, Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Prommin Lertsuridej said.

DAWN. 72-year-old Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan , beginning his second term as leader of this South Asian country.

INDIAN EXPRESS. Indian authorities have asked the country's tech companies to seek permission before rolling out "untrusted" or experimental artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

DD NEWS. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stressed the need to boost domestic production and said that New Delhi cannot continue to depend on imports of military hardware.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh speaks at the DefConnect 2024 event which opened on the morning of March 4 in the capital New Delhi. (Source: India Sentinels)

Europe

BLOOMBERG. The Eurozone investor confidence index rose 2.4 points - the highest level since April 2023, according to a survey of 1,267 investors conducted by consultancy Sentix.

REUTERS. The situation on the border with Poland, which continues to be blocked by Polish protesters, has crossed the line “both economically and morally,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

POLITICO. Poland plans to ask the EU to impose sanctions on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, Prime Minister Donald Tusk admitted.

EURO NEWS. The European Commission (EC) plans to ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) from next April, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson reiterated under the EC's RePowerEU plan.

TASS. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador in Moscow after Russian media published a recording of a meeting of senior Berlin military officials.

AFP. Swiss police have stepped up security around Jewish establishments in the city following an attack on an ultra-Orthodox Jew in Zurich.

DW. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed hope that the British court system will protect WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from extradition to the United States.

REUTERS. Albania has reopened its Soviet-era Kucova air base, which was rebuilt to serve bloc aircraft, Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed.

NATO is spending more than 50 million euros ($54.26 million) on the Kucova air base to boost its presence in the region. (Source: Reuters)

America

CNN. Four people were killed and many others injured in a shooting in a residential area in King City, Monterey County, California, USA.

AP. The Dominican Republic immediately deployed troops and the specialized land border security unit (Cesfront) after the escape of nearly 3,600 prisoners , equivalent to 97% of those being held at the National Prison of Haiti.

“US citizens should depart Haiti as soon as possible using commercial or other available private transportation options...” (US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti)

PRENSA LATINA. Cuba's population continued its natural aging and decline trend in 2023, recording only about 90,300 births, the lowest number in six decades.

BLOOMBERG. Bitcoin surpassed $64,000, hitting a two-year high and bringing the cryptocurrency close to a record price.

Africa

BNN BREAKING. South African authorities have warned of seal attacks on snorkelers, after reports of an incident at Oudekraal beach in Cape Town.

The incident happened to a diving boat carrying 4 sailors and 8 scuba divers. When the group of tourists went into the water to prepare for diving, a seal rushed to bite them. (Source: News365)

APS. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune signed several cooperation agreements with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in the fields of energy, startups, tourism, information and communications.

AGENZIA NOVA. Algeria and Bolivia signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the oil and gas sector, on the sidelines of the 7th Summit of the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries (FPEG) in Algiers.

AFRICA NEWS. At least 19 people have been killed and 20 injured in crocodile attacks in the past five years in the Sengerema district of Tanzania's Mwanza region.

Oceania

SBS. Australia will strengthen its cooperation with Southeast Asia through a $10 million (US$6.51 million) “ Climate and Clean Energy Window ” program, announced at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

The program is “a testament to how we are creating opportunities and addressing common challenges together.” (Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong)

BERNAMA. Malaysia and Australia signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in Melbourne, in the areas of science and technology, cyber security, sports and higher education.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this was a remarkable milestone in charting a more progressive future in bilateral relations. (Source: Bernama)

1NEWS. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will meet a number of leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia.

NZ HERALD. The New Zealand government has announced plans to improve the transport system , through adding new key national routes, increasing investment in public transport...

WHO. Pacific island nations account for nine of the 10 places with the highest obesity rates among women and men over 20, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

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