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 The military regime has acknowledged forcibly recruiting young men for conscription, amid growing pressure to fill army ranks; The practice has sparked fear among civilians, with reports of abductions as the junta expands mandatory military service
Asia Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing announced plans to amend 43 provisions of the 2008 Constitution; Critics argue the amendments leave intact the military's constitutional powers and are unlikely to alter the armed forces' dominant role in politics
Asia Myanmar Peace talks with several smaller ethnic armed organizations have been promoted by Myanmar’s military government as evidence of ongoing national reconciliation; Critics argue the discussions exclude many of the country’s most powerful resistance groups
Asia Myanmar Government has regained full control of the strategic Mandalay–Myitkyina highway, a key route linking central Myanmar with Kachin State; The road is vital for military logistics, trade and access to northern border areas