March 26, Friday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. North Korea’s state media has confirmed Thursday’s launch of two missiles describing them as a “newly developed new-type tactical guided projectile.” State media says the improved weapon system can carry a warhead that weighs 2.5 tons. It claimed the weapon accurately hit a target in waters 600 kilometers east of the Korean Peninsula. 2.U.S. President Joe Biden says U.S.-China relations are a “battle” between democracy and autocracy and his country has to prove that democracy works. Biden was speaking on Thursday at his first official news conference since assuming the presidency. 3. Myanmar’s military is stepping up its crackdown while preparing for this weekend’s Armed Forces Day. Despite pressure from the authorities, protesters continue to rally against the coup.