US criticises Israel on Gaza civilian toll as UN to hear ceasefire demand

December 8, 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his strongest public criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war on Hamas in south Gaza, said there was a gap between the government’s declared intentions to protect civilians and the casualties, Reuters reports. “As we stand here almost a week into this campaign into the south … it […]Continue Reading

Thailand, Myanmar to form aid task force as border unrest intensifies

December 8, 2023

Thailand and conflict-torn Myanmar will create a task force to boost humanitarian assistance to people displaced by fighting and could expand that to include other aid agencies, Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Friday, Reuters reports. Thailand hopes the plan will lead to constructive engagement between military-ruled Myanmar, the Association of Southeast Asian Continue Reading

US announces visa bans after warning Israel over West Bank violence

December 7, 2023

The US on Tuesday began imposing visa bans on people involved in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Washington officials said, after several appeals for Israel to do more prevent violence by Jewish settlers, Reuters reports. A new State Department visa restriction policy targets “individuals believed to have been involved in undermining peace, security, or Continue Reading

Despite Gaza death toll soaring, US unlikely to rethink weapons supplies to Israel

December 7, 2023

Facing a soaring death toll from Israel’s renewed offensive in southern Gaza, the Biden administration is trying to pressure its ally to minimise civilian deaths while stopping well short of the kind of measures that might force it to listen, such as threatening to restrict military aid. Top US officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris […]Continue Reading

Israel forces fight Hamas in southern Gaza, civilians seek shelter

December 7, 2023

Residents say Israeli bombing intensifies overnight across the Gaza Strip, killing or wounding a number of people, while tanks battled Palestinian militants north and east of Khan Younis. Khan Younis residents continue to flee their houses either to the west or to Rafah further south. Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hamas in southern Gaza […]Continue Reading

Myanmar junta chief calls for political solution with ethnic groups

December 7, 2023

Myanmar’s junta chief has called on ethnic armed groups battling the military across the country to find a political solution, state media reported on December 5, AFP reports. The junta is reeling from coordinated offensives near the borders with China, India and Thailand, in what analysts say is the biggest threat to its rule since […]Continue Reading

Myanmar junta continues to lose troops, bases in 5 days of resistance attacks

December 7, 2023

The Myanmar junta lost more bases and dozens more troops over the past five days as People’s Defense Force groups (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) stepped up attacks on regime targets across the country, The Irrawaddy reports. Incidents were reported in Rakhine, Kachin, Shan and Karenni (Kayah) states and Magwe and Sagaing regions. The […]Continue Reading

Myanmar’s Yangon hit by fuel shortage

December 7, 2023

Myanmar’s commercial hub Yangon is facing a fuel shortage, residents and junta-controlled media said Wednesday, with hundreds of vehicles queueing up at dawn in the hope of securing petrol, AFP reports. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the shortage had begun on Tuesday and was “due to delays in oil delivery from […]Continue Reading

Arakan Army declares seizure of major Myanmar junta base

December 7, 2023

The Arakan Army (AA) claims to have seized a large Myanmar junta base at Traunaing in Paletwa Township, Chin State, after 21 days of attacks, The Irrawaddy reports. The AA is also attempting to seize the major Hnonebuu base in the township since November 14. The armed group, which is based in neighboring Rakhine State, […]Continue Reading

UN warns 2 boats adrift with 400 Rohingya aboard desperately need rescue

December 5, 2023

The UN refugee agency on Monday sounded the alarm for about 400 Rohingya Muslims believed to be aboard two boats reported to be out of supplies and adrift in the Andaman Sea, reports The Associated Press. The UNHCR is worried that all aboard could die without efforts to rescue them, said Babar Baloch, the agency’s […]Continue Reading