IN BRIEF (Page 11)

India

Russia to provide S-400 system

Russia will supply India with S-400 air defense missile systems worth $5.93 billion following the completion of talks, the RIA Novosti news agency reported on Wednesday. The Russian media report said parties are now working on ways to bypass US sanctions against countries and companies cooperating with Russia. The S-400 system is considered the most advanced of its kind in Russia, with a range of 400 kilometers and a height of 30 km.

Malaysia

Govt defends end to MH370 search

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Wednesday that the time has come for Malaysia to stop the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, after a three-month search carried out by an US-based firm officially ended on Tuesday without making major progress. He added that the government will consider resuming the search if fresh information is provided, but at the moment it must stop. "We regret it very much, and we understand the feelings of the relatives, but we cannot keep on searching for this MH370 forever," he said.

France

Libyan leaders agree on elections

Four Libyan leaders agreed on Tuesday to hold elections on Dec 10 after a peace conference in Paris aimed at unifying the war-torn north African country. The four men, who represent most but not all of Libya's rival factions, also agreed to "accept the results of elections, and ensure appropriate funds and strong security arrangements are in place". European leaders see stabilizing Libya as key to tackling extremism threats and migration from the fractured country.

Turkey

Govt will meet jet needs elsewhere

Turkey will meet its needs elsewhere if the United States does not allow it to procure Lockheed Martin's F-35 jets, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters on a return flight from a visit to Germany, Cavusoglu also said that Turkey's ambassador to Washington, who had been recalled for consultations after Israeli forces killed Palestinian protesters in Gaza earlier this month, would return to Washington.

Syria

'Army is ready' for southern battle

The Syrian army has completed preparations for an imminent offensive against rebel-held areas in southwestern Syria, a non-Syrian commander in a military alliance that backs Damascus said on Tuesday on condition of anonymity, raising the prospect of a major new escalation. However, a rebel commander in the Deraa region of the southwest said there was no sign of mobilization for such an assault. Nevertheless, rebels had prepared defenses, he said.

Mexico

Fifth journalist murdered in 2018

A Mexican journalist was found beaten to death on Tuesday in the northern state of Tamaulipas, on the border with the United States, prosecutors said. There have been at least five journalists murdered in the country this year. An investigation has started.

Xinhua - Reuters - AFP

(China Daily 05/31/2018 page11)