Myanmar Supreme Court rejects jailed Suu Kyi appeals

October 8, 2023

The Supreme Court in military-ruled Myanmar has rejected appeals against six corruption convictions for the jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to media reports, Reuters reports. Suu Kyi, in detention since the military toppled her government in a 2021 coup, faces 27 years in prison. She is appealing dozens of convictions for crimes […]Continue Reading

Myanmar’s cash-strapped junta hikes taxes, utilities despite surging inflation

October 2, 2023

Myanmar’s cash-starved military regime is again preying on householders and businesses in a desperate bid to prop up its coffers, The Irrawaddy reports. In its latest moves, the regime has increased utility bills while announcing that license fees for jade and gems dealers will be hiked sixfold next year. The state-owned Myanmar Gems Enterprise issued […]Continue Reading

Arakan Army searches Western Myanmar for Muslim ‘criminal gangs’

September 30, 2023

The ethnic Rakhine armed group, the Arakan Army (AA), has been searching Muslim villages near the Bangladesh border in Rakhine State, searching for Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) alleged criminals, The Irrawaddy reports. Large numbers of AA troops have been searching at least nine Muslim villages in northern Buthidaung Township since last week, said residents. […]Continue Reading

UK, Canada, Taiwan criticise Myanmar as generals unleash ‘corrective purge’

September 30, 2023

The United Kingdom and Canada have joined the United States in condemning plans by Myanmar’s coup leaders to hold tightly controlled elections, as Taiwan voiced strong criticism of the regime’s atrocities and crackdown on its opponents, Al Jazeera reports. Their condemnation is an indication of the hardening divisions between China and Russia on one side, […]Continue Reading

UN: Myanmar military ups airstrikes, mass killings to subjugate population

September 26, 2023

NEWS DESK Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, is calling for international action to bring an end to the increasingly brutal, repressive regime of Myanmar’s military, which toppled the country’s democratically elected government February 1, 2021, VOA reports. In a report submitted Tuesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council, the U.N. rights […]Continue Reading

Myanmar junta massacres Sagaing resistance fighters

September 24, 2023

Myanmar’s junta killed 24 Sagaing Region resistance fighters and two civilian administrators on Friday evening, according to rebel groups, The Irrawaddy reports. Troops stationed at the entrance of Myaung Township reportedly surrounded resistance fighters from the Chay Yar Taw People’s Defense Force (PDF) and other PDFs under the civilian National Unity Government. “They Continue Reading

Myanmar Junta Hosts Chinese Envoy for Talks on Closer Ties

September 19, 2023

Two Myanmar junta ministers met with China’s special envoy to Myanmar, Deng Xijun, in Naypyitaw on Monday to discuss closer collaboration in ASEAN affairs and the United Nations, The Irrawaddy reports. Deng Xijun arrived in Myanmar just as the 78th UN General Assembly launched in New York, where delegates are expected to decide on Myanmar’s […]Continue Reading

Former Refugee Puts Plight of Myanmar Children Center Stage at Miss Universe Pageant

September 19, 2023

Sa Myer Oo who made it into the top 10 finalists at the Miss Universe Finland 2023 pageant, was born and raised in a refugee camp for displaced Karenni people on the Thai side of the Myanmar-Thai border, The Irrawaddy reports. She lived at the refugee camp until she was 11, before immigrating with her […]Continue Reading

Myanmar soon to offer visa on arrival to Indian and Chinese travellers, suggests report

September 16, 2023

In a recent development, Myanmar has announced to offer visas on arrival to Indian and Chinese tourists, as reported by local media. Reports suggest that the ruling junta (a group, especially of military officers, who rule a country by force) want to attract foreign visitors back to the country along with their cash, AFP reports. […]Continue Reading

UN rights expert urges US to go further with sanctions against Myanmar junta

September 16, 2023

The U.N. human rights expert for Myanmar on Wednesday called on the United States to further tighten sanctions on the country’s military rulers to include their main revenue source, the state oil and gas enterprise, Reuters reports. U.N. Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, a former member of the U.S. Congress, also said it was vital for […]Continue Reading