Myanmar or Burma

The group commonly known as the Ta’ang army painted over symbols representing the culture of the Shan people who make up the town’s majority

U.S. President Donald Trump has extended by one year the declaration of a “national emergency” in Myanmar, a measure that allows Biden-era sanctions against the military junta to continue.

NUG is the government in exile formed by elected parliamentarians who were able to escape the Junta's dragnet at the time of the coup. They work in collaboration or have direct/indirect command of PDFs (People's Defense Forces) - local militias formed in the aftermath of the deadly protests. These healthcare facilities are being run in areas under control of PDF and ethnic insurgents who are cooperating with NUG. NUG gets funding from Burmese expats and diaspora.

In areas under control of PDFs, NUG provides basic administrative services, including healthcare, education, justice, etc.

Hunger has reached alarming levels in Myanmar with the situation set to worsen in 2025, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned 29 January.

A staggering 15 million people are expected to face hunger in 2025, up from 13.3 million last year. Those living in active conflict areas, particularly in Chin, Kachin and Rakhine states, as well as Sagaing Region, are experiencing the highest levels of food insecurity in the country.

Almost 20 million people – 1 in 3 – will need humanitarian assistance this year, according to the Myanmar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

This is MAL sucking up to China. He's made Chinese new year an official holiday in Burma.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) claimed in a statement on Monday to have captured two of the military’s artillery battalion bases and an airfield in Bhamo Township, Kachin State after days of fighting.

Healthcare services in refugee camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) were suspended on 27 January 2025, following an order from the new United States (US) President, Donald Trump.

The junta’s amendments to the conscription law introduced on 23 January 2025 have been condemned by political groups and legal experts who warn they will oppress the Myanmar people even more.

The junta introduced 10 new chapters containing 59 new rules and 12 annexes to the conscription law, which it started enforcing on 10 February 2024.

Regime authorities appear to be increasingly abducting young men on the street or during household inspections to boost the number of military conscripts, while families and activists say bribes are no longer enough to free them.

Dr. Nay Soe Maung, the son-in-law of former military dictator Than Shwe, has been handed three years in jail for alleged sedition nearly three months after being detained and tried at a junta court in Mandalay’s Obo Prison.

Chin refugees in Malaysia who were due to go to the United States (US) because their refugee applications had been approved had their flights and visas cancelled by Donald Trump, the new US president.

China and India are competing for their interests in Rakhine State as the Arakan Army (AA) takes increasing control of the strategically important Bay of Bengal coastline.

China reopened all its border crossings to areas of Myanmar controlled by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) after the junta and MNDAA signed a peace deal.

The Arakan Army (AA) and its allies have extended operations from Rakhine State into Ayeyarwady Region and are reportedly 62km northwest of the regional capital, Pathein.

Junta troops have been rapidly retreating since the AA attacked Magyizin on January 5 following the seizure of Gwa Township in southern Rakhine on December 29, according to residents.