Myanmar army leader calls for decisive action to crush foes
March 27, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — As Myanmar’s military put on an annual show of strength Monday, its top leader told its assembled ranks they need to take decisive action against those fighting army rule of the country.
Myanmar, Russia sign pact on developing nuclear power
February 8, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military-led government, working with Russia’s state atomic energy company, has inaugurated a nuclear power information center as a step toward developing atomic power to fill energy shortages in the strife-torn Southeast Asian nation.
ASEAN vows to conclude pact with China on disputed territory
February 5, 2023 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian foreign ministers vowed to finalize negotiations with China over a proposed pact aimed at preventing conflicts in the disputed South China Sea in their annual retreat on Saturday in Indonesia’s capital.
ASEAN ministers urge reduced violence, dialogue in Myanmar
February 3, 2023 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian foreign ministers urged Myanmar's military rulers on Friday to reduce violence and allow unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to pave the way for a national dialogue aimed at ending the country's worsening crisis.
Myanmar extends state of emergency, delaying expected polls
February 1, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government announced Wednesday that is extending a state of emergency it imposed when it seized power two years ago, a move that appears to set back its plans for an election that had been expected in August.
Myanmar army leader touts election plan on Independence Day
January 4, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s ruling military leader pardoned over 7,000 prisoners, including some political detainees, and detailed plans for an election later this year during a ceremony Wednesday marking the 75th anniversary of independence from Britain.
UN envoy: Myanmar crisis deepens, taking ‘catastrophic toll’
October 26, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar warned Tuesday that the political, human rights and humanitarian crisis in the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation is deepening and taking “a catastrophic toll on the people.”
Myanmar court convicts Suu Kyi of vote fraud, adds jail time
September 2, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — A court in Myanmar on Friday sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to three years’ imprisonment with labor after finding her guilty of election fraud, adding more jail time to the 17 years she is already serving for other offenses prosecuted by the military government.
UN: Myanmar’s ruler open to UN visit to Suu Kyi but not now
August 18, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military-installed government “expressed openness to arranging a meeting at the right time” between U.N. special envoy Noeleen Heyzer and the country’s imprisoned former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the United Nations said Thursday.
UN envoy tells Myanmar general: End violence, seek democracy
August 17, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, met Wednesday with the head of its military-installed government and called on him to urgently halt all violence, support a political path back to civilian rule and democracy, and allow the country’s imprisoned former leader Aung San Suu Kyi to return home and to meet with her.
Cambodian leader asks Myanmar to reconsider foes’ executions
June 11, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s prime minister urged military-ruled Myanmar to reconsider the death sentences against four political opponents, suggesting that executing them will draw strong international condemnation and complicate efforts to restore peace to the strife-torn nation.
Myanmar leader begins peace talks with ethnic militia groups
May 20, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military government on Friday held the first in a monthlong series of person-to-person peace talks he has initiated with the country’s historically restive ethnic minority groups, state media reported.
Myanmar’s ruling military offers minorities new peace talks
April 22, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The leader of Myanmar’s military-installed government offered Friday to participate personally in proposed peace talks with ethnic minority groups that have long sought greater autonomy through armed struggle.
Myanmar’s military chief pardons prisoners to mark holiday
April 17, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government on Sunday began releasing more than 1,600 prisoners to mark the traditional new year holiday, but they didn't include any political detainees despite the country’s ruling general vowing to bring peace this year.
Myanmar leader vows to ‘annihilate’ opponents of army rule
March 27, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar's leader vowed Sunday to intensify action against homegrown militia groups fighting the military-run government, saying the armed forces would “annihilate” them.
Myanmar’s military ruler appeals to restive minorities
February 12, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military government appealed Saturday for national unity among the country’s restive ethnic minorities as he presided over a parade marking the 75th anniversary of a historic agreement that has failed to ensure harmony.
Cambodian leader admits error over Myanmar prisoner release
February 7, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday that Myanmar’s military government had released an Australian economist detained for the past year, but Myanmar authorities denied his claim.
No peace in Myanmar 1 year after military takeover
January 29, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The army takeover in Myanmar a year ago that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi not only unexpectedly aborted the country's fledgling return to democracy. It also brought a surprising level of popular resistance, which has blossomed into a low-level but persistent insurgency.
Cambodia defends leader’s trip to Myanmar as ‘positive step’
January 8, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's foreign minister on Saturday defended Prime Minister Hun Sen's trip to Myanmar, the first by a foreign leader since the military takeover last year plunged the country into turmoil, though there was little evidence the mission yielded any immediate breakthrough.
Anger as Cambodia’s Hun Sen meets Myanmar military leader
January 8, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Myanmar seeking to revive peace efforts after last year's military takeover has provoked an angry backlash among critics, who say he is legitimizing the army’s seizure of power.
Cambodian leader to make controversial visit to Myanmar
January 6, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen begins a visit to strife-torn Myanmar on Friday that he hopes will invigorate efforts by Southeast Asian nations to start a peace process, but critics say will legitimize the rule of the military that seized power last year and its campaign of violence.
Rights group calls for ICC probe into Myanmar crackdown
December 10, 2021 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A human rights group has called on the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into the crackdown on dissent by Myanmar's military rulers, alleging that the leader of the February coup in the Southeast Asian nation is responsible for widespread and systematic torture.
Xi says China will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia
November 22, 2021 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday said his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbors, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea.
Xi made the remarks during a virtual conference with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, held to mark the 30th anniversary of relations between China and the grouping.
Richardson adds to diplomatic wins with journalist’s release
November 16, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Richardson's success in helping secure journalist Danny Fenster's release from a Myanmar prison is the latest demonstration of the former New Mexico governor's knack for flying into some of the most closed societies on earth and persuading those in charge to do Washington a favor.
Former US diplomat Bill Richardson meets Myanmar leader
November 2, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson, on a humanitarian mission to strife-torn Myanmar, met Tuesday with the head of the Southeast Asian nation’s military-installed government.
Brunei says Myanmar still ‘integral’ to ASEAN despite rebuke
October 28, 2021 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The sultan of Brunei said Thursday that Myanmar remains an integral part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the bloc hopes its military government will work with an ASEAN envoy to defuse the political crisis triggered by its seizure of power in February.
Myanmar skips ASEAN summit after its military ruler excluded
October 26, 2021 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders began their annual summit without Myanmar on Tuesday amid a diplomatic standoff over the exclusion of the leader of the military-ruled nation from the group's meetings.
Unusual small pro-military rallies held in Myanmar
October 25, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Rare demonstrations in support of Myanmar's military-installed government were held Monday in several of the country's towns and cities, as militants opposed to the army’s February seizure of power continued their resistance.
ASEAN leaders hold summit with Myanmar’s general shut out
October 25, 2021 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders are holding their annual meeting this week without Myanmar’s top general, who seized power in February and shattered hopes for one of Asia’s most dramatic democratic transitions, and was excluded for refusing to take steps to end the deadly violence.
Crowds outside Myanmar’s prisons greet freed detainees
October 20, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Crowds gathered Tuesday outside prisons around Myanmar, waiting for at least a glimpse of friends and relatives who were being freed under an amnesty for people arrested for protesting against military rule.
Myanmar leader says ASEAN blind to opposition’s violence
October 18, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The leader of Myanmar’s military-installed government said Monday that other Southeast Asian countries should share responsibility for failing to help quell the violence that has engulfed his nation since the army seized power in February.
ASEAN downgrades Myanmar presence in summit in major rebuke
October 17, 2021 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Southeast Asian foreign ministers have agreed to downgrade Myanmar's participation in an upcoming summit in their sharpest rebuke yet of its leaders following a Feb. 1 military takeover.
Envoy aborts visit to Myanmar, straining ASEAN relations
October 15, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar's military-installed government said Thursday that a special envoy appointed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations abruptly canceled his visit this week after it told him he would not be able to meet with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others he had proposed.
Malaysia warns Myanmar to cooperate with envoy or no summit
October 4, 2021 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's foreign minister warned Monday that Myanmar may be excluded from a summit of Southeast Asian leaders this month if it refuses to cooperate with the bloc's special envoy in resolving the military-ruled country's deepening crisis.
UN calls Myanmar military actions moves away from democracy
August 2, 2021 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations on Monday called the Myanmar military’s election delay and extension of the state of emergency a move in the wrong direction from international calls for the restoration of democracy.
Myanmar military extends emergency, promises vote in 2 years
August 1, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Six months after seizing power from the elected government, Myanmar’s military leader on Sunday declared himself prime minister and said he would lead the country under the extended state of emergency until elections are held in about two years.
Myanmar’s junta leader attends military conference in Moscow
June 23, 2021 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — The leader of Myanmar's military junta on Wednesday attended an international conference in Moscow, an appearance that reflected Russia's eagerness to develop ties with the junta despite international criticism.
Myanmar military plane crash kills 12, including senior monk
June 10, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — A well-known senior Buddhist monk was among at least 12 people who died when a plane belonging to Myanmar’s military crashed Thursday in the country’s central Mandalay region, state media reported.
ASEAN envoys meet Myanmar junta leader to press for dialogue
June 5, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar’s junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress toward a solution but produced no tangible results.
Indonesia urges ASEAN to quickly appoint envoy for Myanmar
June 2, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s foreign minister on Wednesday urged the Association of Southeast Asia Nations to immediately appoint a special envoy on Myanmar in response to its military coup, and reiterated a call for the safety of civilians as the ruling junta cracks down on opposition.
Myanmar election chief considers dissolving Suu Kyi’s party
May 21, 2021 GMTNAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military-appointed state election commission said Friday that his agency will consider dissolving Aung San Suu Kyi's former ruling party for alleged involvement in electoral fraud and having its leaders charged with treason.
EU extends Myanmar sanctions, including against junta leader
April 29, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has extended for a year sanctions against senior officials in Myanmar, including junta leader Senior Gen...
Myanmar protests continue after ASEAN peace initiative
April 26, 2021 GMTYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Protesters in Myanmar’s largest city braved potential violence by security forces on Monday to demonstrate against February’s military coup, showing their resolve to continue their resistance two days after Southeast Asian leaders met to address the country’s crisis...
ASEAN leaders tell Myanmar coup general to end killings
April 25, 2021 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders demanded an immediate end to killings and the release of political detainees in Myanmar in an emergency summit Saturday with its top general and coup leader who, according to Malaysia's prime minister, did not reject them outright...
Southeast Asian summit to address Myanmar’s post-coup crisis
April 23, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — When the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations holds a special summit Saturday to discuss Myanmar, the regional body will be under as much scrutiny as the general who led the February coup ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi...
Myanmar junta pardons prisoners, to attend regional summit
April 18, 2021 GMTYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s junta on Saturday released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the traditional new year holiday, including at least three political detainees, and the military leader behind the February coup confirmed he would attend a regional summit later this month...
EU targets 11 Myanmar officials over coup, crackdown
March 22, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions Monday on a number of Myanmar officials accused of involvement in the country's military coup and the ensuing crackdown on protesters...
White House names generals targeted by Myanmar sanctions
February 11, 2021 GMTThe Biden administration announced Thursday that new sanctions against Myanmar will target the country's top military officials who ordered this month's coup in the Southeast Asian country...
A decade after junta’s end, Myanmar military back in control
February 2, 2021 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The man installed by army leaders as Myanmar’s president after Monday's military coup is best known abroad for his role in the crackdown on 2007 pro-democracy protests and for his ties to still-powerful military leaders...
Myanmar military denies coup threats over vote fraud claims
January 31, 2021 GMTNAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s military on Saturday denied its chief was threatening to stage a coup over complaints of election fraud, saying the media had misinterpreted his words...
UK sanctions Russians, Saudis under new Magnitsky powers
July 6, 2020 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain on Monday announced economic sanctions against individuals and organizations from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and North Korea under new U...
Pope defends Myanmar silence, says he spoke truth in private
December 2, 2017 GMTABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday defended his silence in Myanmar over the plight of Rohingya refugees, saying a public denunciation would have "slammed the door in the face" of his hosts and prevented his message from being heard...