Asia Myanmar The Myanmar embassy in Bangkok announced that Myanmar citizens in Thailand can now obtain new passports on the same day without an appointment, urging people to go directly to the embassy to avoid the high fees charged by agents
Asia Myanmar A military airstrike on the gem-mining town Mogok killed at least 21 civilians, in a monastery and nearby homes; The Ta’ang National Liberation Army reported more casualties as the civil war intensifies under threats of an upcoming election
Asia Myanmar Ministry of Information signed a $3 million-per-year lobbying contract with Washington-based DCI Group; The deal comes amid the transition to a nominal civilian interim government, though military chief Min Aung Hlaing remains in powe
Asia Myanmar Government enacted a new electoral law imposing jail terms for disrupting planned elections while organizing dissent and destroying materials could bring life sentences; fatalities resulting from disruption may lead to execution
Asia Myanmar An armed attack on a Buddhist monastery in Sagaing region on 11 July left at least 23 civilians dead, including four children; The massacre reflects the deepening vulnerability of civilians amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict