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☆ Cyclone Mocha: Myanmar junta travel restrictions are holding up vital aid to cyclone-hit communities
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Myanmar’s military junta is holding up humanitarian access to some cyclone-hit communities in western Rakhine state after Cyclone Mocha devastated the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the poorest parts of the country. Storm damage has hampered efforts to access rural and hard-to-reach areas while pre-existing travel restrictions imposed by the junta have delayed the delivery of vital aid to communities in urgent need. “It seems that many agencies haven’t even been able to conduct needs assessments, let alone deliver aid, because SAC (junta) officials have not granted travel authorization. This is extremely worrying.”A girl draws water from a pump at Basara refugee camp in Sittwe on May 16 in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha. A Rohingya woman stands in her damaged house at Basara refugee camp in Sittwe on May 16 following Cyclone Mocha.

☆ Aid groups seek green light from Myanmar junta to access cyclone-hit state
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A view of the damage caused by Cyclone Mocha in Sittwe, Myanmar in this handout image released May 17, 2023. The U.N. Development Programme, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and U.N. refugee agency UNHCR also said their requests were pending approval. "It is important for humanitarian actors to ascertain damage, needs and provide immediate lifesaving assistance, not least as the monsoon season nears," UNHCR spokesperson Reuben Lim Wende said. State media on Wednesday said junta leader Min Aung Hlaing had visited affected areas in Bagan, another region, and separately met with a UNHCR representative to discuss relief efforts. About 5.4 million people were expected to have been in the storm's path, the majority of whom were considered vulnerable.

It is in these poorly constructed camps that aid agencies fear Cyclone Mocha has hit the hardest. A man walks past destroyed buildings in Sittwe, in Myanmar's Rakhine state, on May 15, 2023, after Cyclone Mocha made landfall. Residents ride motorcycles past broken utility poles in Sittwe, in Myanmar's Rakhine state, on May 15, 2023, after Cyclone Mocha made landfall. At one point Cyclone Mocha had been predicted to hit the camp but it was spared a direct hit with the storm making landfall further down the coast. According to the UN, roughly 15,000 homes were destroyed in Rakhine state during that storm.

☆ China says Myanmar's sovereignty should be respected
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, May 2 (Reuters) - China supports Myanmar in finding its own path to development and urges the international community to respect its sovereignty and help it achieve peace and reconciliation, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. "China supports Myanmar in exploring a development path with Myanmar characteristics that suits to its national conditions," Qin's ministry cited him as saying in the talks. The international community should respect Myanmar's sovereignty and play a constructive role in helping it achieve peace and reconciliation, he said. On economic development, Qin said China would accelerate investment linked to a China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and implement projects on agriculture, education and health care. China also supported Myanmar on improving its relations with its western neighbour, Bangladesh, the Chinese foreign minister said.

☆ Japan, Australia concerned over Myanmar disbanding Suu Kyi party
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 77, is serving 33 years in prison for various offences and dozens of her NLD allies are also in jail or have fled. The NLD had repeatedly ruled out running in the election, for which no date has been set, calling it illegitimate. "We are seriously concerned that the exclusion of the NLD from the political process will make it even more difficult to improve the situation," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement. "Japan strongly urges Myanmar to immediately release NLD officials, including Suu Kyi, and to show a path toward a peaceful resolution of the issue in a manner that includes all parties concerned." It said all stakeholders should be allowed to participate in the political process and warned their exclusion could lead to further violence and instability.

☆ Myanmar junta dissolves Suu Kyi's party as election deadline passes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the opening session of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines, November 13, 2017. "It doesn't matter whether they say our party is dissolved or not. The shadow National Unity Government (NUG), which the junta has declared "terrorists", said the military had no authority to hold what would be a sham election. The election would return Myanmar to the quasi-civilian democratic system that experts say the military can control with the NLD out of the picture. Richard Horsey, senior adviser to the International Crisis Group, said the election was dangerous for the country.

☆ Myanmar junta leader urges foreign powers to back its return to democracy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The junta will hold an election in August that has already been widely dismissed as a sham. It is likely to be dominated by a proxy party of the military that was trounced in the past two elections. "The military and government need to take action against the terrorist groups that are trying to devastate the country and are killing people," Min Aung Hlaing said. His coup abruptly ended a decade of tentative democracy and unprecedented economic development in Myanmar, which has been under military rule for five of the past six decades. Human rights groups accuse the military of committing atrocities in operations against the resistance fighters, including attacks on the civilian population.

☆ Russian support for Myanmar junta 'destabilising' Southeast Asia – U.S envoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Poppy Mcpherson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Anyone who is talking to Moscow needs to tell them that their continued military support for the junta is unacceptable. It's destabilising," he said in an interview during his trip to Southeast Asia. "What I have seen over the last several years is a military relationship that is only growing," Chollet said. "I'm more concerned right now about the supply of weapons going into Myanmar from Russia principally." Chollet said the Biden administration saw the crisis in Myanmar as "the most acute threat" in Southeast Asia, including instability, cross-border crime and illegal narcotics.

☆ Protesters mark Myanmar coup anniversary, junta due to make statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Filipino activists stage a protest in solidarity with Myanmar citizens, two years since Myanmar's military coup, outside the Embassy of Myanmar in Makati City, Philippines, February 1, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa LopezFeb 1 (Reuters) - Protesters marked the two-year anniversary of Myanmar's military coup with a "silent strike" in major cities and rallies overseas on Wednesday, as exiled civilian leaders vowed to end what they called the army's "illegal power grab". Myanmar's military took power after complaining of fraud in a November 2020 general election won by Suu Kyi's party. PROTESTS IN BANGKOKIn the main commercial cities of Yangon and Mandalay, images on social media showed deserted streets in what coup opponents said was a silent protest against the junta. State media recently announced tough requirements for parties to contest, a move that critics say could sideline the military's opponents and cement its grip on politics.

Tun Min Latt is in pre-trial detention; his lawyer could not be reached for comment. Min Aung Hlaing’s two children face no legal action over the assets, according to the two people with knowledge of the case. They added that Thai authorities did not consider them relevant to the investigation against Tun Min Latt. The discovery of the documents indicated close ties between Tun Min Latt and the Myanmar junta chief’s family. Since the coup, Min Aung Hlaing’s forces have launched a bloody crackdown on dissent, killing thousands of opponents, according to the United Nations, which accuses Myanmar's troops of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

☆ Myanmar junta hits out at critics while thanking some countries for help
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Myanmar’s junta chief on Wednesday lashed out at countries for intervening in his country’s affairs while thanking others for “positively” cooperating, noting how it was working closely with neighbors such as China, India and Thailand. We will work together for border stability and development,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a televised speech from a national day parade in the capital, Naypyitaw. Suu Kyi is being held in a jail in Naypyitaw in solitary confinement, and the military insists she has received due process in an independent court. The United States, the European Union and countries such as Britain and Canada have imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military and individuals deemed to have helped the junta come to power. Referring to international pressure, Min Aung Hlaing hit out at what he said were “disruptions from countries and organizations who want to intervene in Myanmar’s internal affairs.”Still, the junta has maintained some international support.

☆ Myanmar junta hits out at critics, thanks neighbours for help
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Jan 4 (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta chief on Wednesday lashed out at countries for intervening in his country's affairs while thanking others for "positively" cooperating, noting how it was working closely with neighbours such as China, India and Thailand. We will work together for border stability and development," Min Aung Hlaing said in a televised speech from a national day parade in the capital Naypyitaw. Suu Kyi is being held in a jail in Naypyitaw in solitary confinement and the military insist she has received due process by an independent court. The United States, the European Union and countries such as Britain and Canada, have imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military and individuals deemed to have helped the junta come to power. Referring to international pressure, Min Aung Hlaing hit out at what he said were "disruptions from countries and organizations who want to intervene in Myanmar's internal affairs."

☆ Myanmar court convicts Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption in final case
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

BANGKOK — A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption on Friday, sentencing her to seven years in prison in the last of a string of criminal cases against her, a source with direct knowledge of the proceedings confirmed to NBC News. The 77-year-old Suu Kyi has also been convicted of several other offenses, including illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching the country’s official secrets act, sedition and election fraud. Suu Kyi was the de facto head of government, holding the title of state counsellor. The U.N. said in August that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military-installed government, had “expressed openness to arranging a meeting at the right time” between Suu Kyi and U.N. special envoy Noeleen Heyzer. “The Myanmar junta’s farcical, totally unjust parade of charges and convictions against Aung San Suu Kyi amount to politically motivated punishment designed to hold her behind bars for the rest of her life,” he said.

Dec 8 (Reuters) - In a monastery in central Myanmar, a Buddhist monk, Wathawa, rallies his militia with a cry: "What's our spirit like?" shout a group of rifle-bearing men, loyalists of the military junta that seized power last year, now fighting to crush fledgling pro-democracy groups. Myanmar's Buddhist clergy previously sought to topple successive military dictatorships that kept citizens impoverished and isolated. Myanmar monks teach laypeople who in turn provide them with essentials such as food and clothing. State media broadcasts have shown military commanders showering Wathawa and his militia with cash and food donations.

How Putin and Friends Stalled Climate Progress A handful of powerful world leaders rallied around Russia and undercut global cooperation. Mr. Putin has gained from this as the increasingly autocratic Mr. Xi finds common cause with the Kremlin. “Much depends on whether authoritarian leaders perceive climate action to be in their self-interest.”Though their actions help Mr. Putin, their track records on climate are mixed. Mr. Xi called Mr. Putin his “best friend.”He was returning the favor from a year earlier, when Mr. Putin hosted Mr. Xi at the Grand Kremlin Palace and awarded him one of Russia’s highest medals for foreign dignitaries. At a news conference with Mr. Putin, Mr. Bolsonaro thanked his “dear friend,” saying that Mr. Putin had offered him support when other world leaders were criticizing his Amazon policy.

CNN —At least six children were killed and 17 wounded when army helicopters shot at a school in Myanmar, media reports and residents said on Monday, as the military said it opened fire because rebels were using the building to attack its forces. Myanmar has been gripped by violence since the army overthrew an elected government early last year. According to reports in the Mizzima and Irrawaddy news portals, army helicopters had opened fire on the school housed in a Buddhist monastery in the village. Since seizing power early last year, the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing has embarked on a bloody crackdown against any opposition to its rule. “European Union member states, the United States, and other governments should show the junta that there will be a reckoning for its crimes.”

☆ Even as the West tries to wean itself off Russian oil, Moscow has found itself yet another buyer: Myanmar
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Myanmar is buying Russian oil, which it says is "high-quality" and cheap. This time, Myanmar is joining the line to buy Russian gas and fuel oil, according to Reuters and Bloomberg. He said military chief Min Aung Hlaing sealed a fuel oil deal with Russia during a trip to Moscow in July. Russian fuel oil exports are expected to start arriving in Myanmar in September, Reuters reported, citing local media. Myanmar is the latest in a list of crisis-hit countries — including Sri Lanka and Laos — to actively seek out Russian oil.

☆ UE va impune noi sancţiuni contra regimului militar din Myanmar
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-03 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +2 min

Uniunea Europeană va impune în zilele următoare un nou set de sancţiuni împotriva regimului militar din Myanmar şi intereselor sale economice, a anunţat joi, la Jakarta, şeful diplomaţiei europene Josep Borrell, informează Reuters, citează Agerpres. Armata birmană a preluat controlul în Myanmar pe 1 februarie şi a arestat-o pe lidera civilă Aung San Suu Kyi, care a condus o luptă fără violenţă împotriva dictaturii în ultimele două decenii ale regimului militar din 1962-2011. În luna aprilie, Uniunea Europeană a decis sancţionarea a zece membri ai regimului militar aflat la conducere în Myanmar şi a două companii care îl finanţează, pentru a condamna reprimarea violentă a manifestanţilor pro-democraţie, au anunţat surse diplomatice europene. Sancţiunile europene au constat într-o interdicţie de deplasare sau de tranzitare în UE şi în îngheţarea activelor pe teritoriul Uniunii Europene. De asemenea, a fost interzisă orice finanţare din UE a companiilor vizate.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Reuters, San Suu Kyi, Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Aung Organizations: Uniunea Europeană, Armata birmană, Armata, Liga Naţională, Uniunii Europene, UE, Myanmar Economic Holdings Locations: Myanmar, Jakarta, Asia de Sud - Est, deşi, Democraţie, Myanmar Economic, Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, Corporation

☆ UE adoptă sancțiuni împotriva unor oficiali implicați în lovitura de stat din Myanmar; Care sunt măsurile luate
▼ + stars: | 2021-03-23 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +3 min

Sursa foto: ProfimediaUE adoptă sancțiuni împotriva unor oficiali implicați în lovitura de stat din Myanmar; Care sunt măsurile luateUniunea Europeană a anunțat luni că au fost adoptate sancțiuni împotriva mai multor oficiali din Myanmar pentru represiunea din ţară de după lovitura de stat. Decizia a fost luată la începutul unei reuniuni a miniştrilor de externe din statele UE de la Bruxelles. Acestea sunt primele sancțiuni pe care Uniunea Europeană le-a luat împotriva juntei militare din Myanmar instalate la putere printr-o lovitură de stat. În Myanmar, conexiunile de internet mobile au fost tăiate, precum şi mai multe reţele wi-fi, în prezent fiind disponibile numai ziarele de stat. Opt persoane au fost ucise duminică şi circa 50 rănite în acest oraş, a declarat pentru AFP o sursă medicală.

Persons: Min Aung, Sancţiunile, San Suu Kyi, Mandalay, Vivian Balakrishnan Organizations: Uniunea Europeană, UE, Agerpres, Media, ONU Locations: Myanmar, UE, Bruxelles, Mandalay, SUA, Asia de Sud - Est, Indonezia, Brunei, Malayezia, Shan (, Birmania, Justice

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