12 April 2026 By Mon Lay JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has sparked outrage across social media after the regional bloc posted a lighthearted feature on traditional Myanmar snacks while the country remains gripped by a brutal and worsening civil conflict. On Sunday, as Myanmar prepared for its traditional New Year festival, Thingyan, the official ASEAN Facebook page highlighted...

12 April 2026 By MPA MANILA, Philippines — A prominent group of regional lawmakers has called on the Philippines, currently serving as the ASEAN Chair, to formally reject the appointment of Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, as President. The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) issued a stinging statement on Sunday, describing the junta chief’s transition into a civilian role as a "desperate...

12 April 2026 By Mon Lay BELIN, Myanmar — In a significant tactical victory for Myanmar’s resistance, allied pro-democracy forces have captured a strategic military base and detained a high-ranking battalion commander during a lightning raid in Mon State on Sunday morning. The base, known as Lay Kay camp, was home to Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 2, operating under the command of the 44th...

12 April 2026 By Hlaing KYAUKTAW, Myanmar — Residents in areas controlled by the Arakha Army (AA) in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are facing a severe cash shortage, with mobile money agents charging service fees as high as 6% for simple withdrawals. The crisis has intensified as the traditional Thingyan water festival approaches. Local traders, who typically facilitate the movement of cash in the absence...

12 April 2026 By Mon Lay YANGON, Myanmar — Authorities in South Dagon Township have been accused of running an illegal real estate scheme and a systematic extortion racket, using the threat of military conscription to fleece residents in one of the city's poorest districts. Local sources in Ward 54 report that the Ward Administrator, Thiha Myo Naing, in collaboration with members of the...