Hpapun, once a thriving town in Myanmar, is now a ghost town due to ongoing conflict, and its residents are unable to participate in the upcoming election, which is widely viewed as a sham by rebel groups. The election process is marred by violence, displacement, and a lack of voter turnout in urban areas, with the military-backed USDP expected to win most seats.
Myanmar's military-led election, criticized as a sham and lacking credible opposition, is underway amid ongoing conflict and low voter turnout, with the military-backed USDP leading and concerns about legitimacy and future stability.
Myanmar's military government released over 6,100 prisoners and reduced sentences to mark the country's independence anniversary, but it remains unclear if political detainees like Aung San Suu Kyi were included. The move coincides with ongoing elections and widespread political unrest, with thousands of political prisoners still detained. The release is part of traditional holiday amnesties, but critics question its sincerity amid ongoing repression.
In 2025, Myanmar's border region of Kokang was the epicenter of a brutal and extensive cyber scam industry run by powerful crime families, which involved torture, trafficking, and illegal activities, leading to significant crackdowns by Chinese authorities who arrested and sentenced key figures, revealing a complex web of crime, politics, and regional instability.
Myanmar's military government announced the release of 6,186 prisoners, including 52 foreigners, as part of an Independence Day amnesty, amid ongoing political turmoil and a recent general election that has been widely criticized. The amnesty excludes those convicted of serious crimes, and it remains unclear if political detainees will be freed. The country continues to face conflict and unrest following the 2021 military coup.
Myanmar's military government released over 6,100 prisoners and reduced sentences to mark the country's independence anniversary, but it remains unclear if political detainees like Aung San Suu Kyi were included. The amnesty coincides with ongoing elections and widespread political unrest.
Myanmar's military-backed USDP is leading in the first phase of a contentious election since the 2021 coup, with partial results showing significant wins for the USDP and low voter turnout, amid international criticism and ongoing conflict.
Myanmar's military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party leads in the first phase of the 2025 general elections, with low voter turnout of 52%, amid ongoing political instability following the 2021 coup and the detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The election process is criticized internationally, and final results are pending.
Nearly five years after Myanmar's military coup, life remains tense and fearful for its citizens, with a widely condemned sham election underway amidst ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and suppression of dissent, leaving many to feel that true democracy is still out of reach.
Scientists discovered a 100-million-year-old fossil of a spider in Myanmar amber that had a tail, revealing that ancient spider ancestors possessed tails, a trait previously only hypothesized. The fossil, named Chimerarachne yingi, shows a blend of ancient and modern features, including spinnerets and a tail similar to early arachnids, suggesting web-building evolved later. The discovery provides new insights into spider evolution and raises the possibility that similar species might still exist in unexplored rainforests.
Myanmar's military has regained momentum in its conflict, aided by shifting Chinese support, despite ongoing civil war and international condemnation of its elections, which are largely controlled by the military's proxy party. China plays a complex role, supporting the military while also engaging with opposition groups, and is likely to continue backing the military as long as it aligns with its strategic interests, including infrastructure projects and regional stability.
Last week featured significant global events including the plight of displaced Palestinians in Gaza, Christmas celebrations in Ukraine amid war, Bangladesh's opposition leader Tarique Rahman's return from exile, French farmers protesting cattle culling policies, and Myanmar's controversial general election, highlighting ongoing conflicts, political developments, and humanitarian issues worldwide.
Myanmar's recent election, heavily controlled by the military junta that seized power in 2021, is expected to favor the ruling regime, though some voters see it as a potential, albeit limited, opportunity for change amid fears and repression.
Myanmar's first general election in five years is underway under military supervision amid ongoing civil war and repression, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party expected to win, raising questions about the election's legitimacy and democratic credibility.
Myanmar's elections have begun under military control amid widespread violence, with key opposition figures banned and large areas excluded due to ongoing conflict. The vote is widely condemned as illegitimate, with international observers present but the military claiming public support. Violence and repression continue, with arrests and attacks reported, and the UN warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
