International News

China says positive peace talks held over north Myanmar conflict

BEIJING: China said Monday peace talks had been held over the conflict in northern Myanmar and yielded "positive results", after weeks of fighting between the country junta and ethnic minority armed groups.
Clashes have raged across Myanmar northern Shan state after the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched an offensive in late October.
The groups have seized military positions and border hubs vital for trade with China in what analysts say is the biggest military challenge to the junta since it seized power in 2021.

Iran unveils drones armed with air-to-air missiles

TEHRAN: Iran has reinforced its air defence capabilities by adding combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to its arsenal, state media reported on Sunday.
"Dozens of Karrar drones armed with air-to-air missiles have been added for air defence in all border areas of the country," the official IRNA news agency said.
The drones, with an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), were exhibited Sunday morning during a televised ceremony organised at a military academy in Tehran.

China deflation accelerated in November: official data

BEIJING: Deflation in China accelerated in November, official data showed Saturday, underlining the difficulties the world second-largest economy faces in reviving slowing demand.
The figures came after President Xi Jinping said Friday that the Asian giant post-pandemic recovery was "still at a critical stage" and warned of "increasing adverse factors in the international political and economic environment".
The consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, fell 0.5 percent year-on-year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Russia presidential election set for March 17, 2024

MOSCOW: Russia upper house of parliament on Thursday set March 17, 2024 as the date for the next presidential election.
In a meeting televised live, the senators unanimously approved the date in a decision that "practically kicks off the presidential campaign", according to the head of the chamber, Valentina Matvienko.