Myanmar’s new government plans to complete the long-stalled Myitsone dam project within eight years, according to a Reuters report citing official sources. The $3.6 billion hydropower project, located in Kachin State in northern Myanmar, is being revived with Chinese support following President Min Aung Hlaing’s recent visit to China. The dam, originally suspended in 2011 after widespread local protests, had been a source of tension between the two countries.

Government officials said the project could supply more than half of Myanmar’s required 10 gigawatts of electricity, addressing the country’s severe power shortages. Presidential spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe stated that authorities are considering local concerns about flooding and displacement. Lawmakers from Kachin State confirmed that preparations for restarting construction are underway.

Revised cost estimates suggest the project could now reach $11.5 billion, more than triple the original budget. The renewed push comes amid heightened safety worries following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar in March that killed thousands. Forty-nine civil society groups have recently called for the project’s complete cancellation.

Five people were killed and around fifteen others went missing after a waste heap collapsed at an abandoned jade mine in Myanmar, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred following heavy rainfall that loosened piles of mining waste, burying people who were collecting leftover jade fragments.

The collapse took place in Kachin State, a region known as the world’s largest source of jadeite. Myanmar’s jade industry operates largely without regulation, and many mines are controlled by various armed groups involved in the country’s ongoing civil conflict. Poor local residents often scavenge discarded mining areas to find small jade pieces for survival.

State newspaper The Global New Light of Myanmar reported that search operations were underway to locate the missing individuals. The report added that continuous heavy rain in recent days had triggered the landslide, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by informal workers in the lucrative but hazardous jade sector.

Human Rights Watch’s May 2026 report detailed the killing of at least 170 Rohingya Muslims by the Arakan Army near Hwar Siri village in northern Myanmar’s Buthidaung area on 2 May 2024. The report suggested the actual death toll could be higher and found evidence of Myanmar military involvement. Witnesses, satellite images, and videos indicated that the army made no effort to protect civilians. The Arakan Army denied the allegations, claiming compliance with international law, but Human Rights Watch found no truth in those claims.

The article traced the historical roots of the Rohingya crisis, noting their centuries-long presence in Myanmar and the loss of citizenship under the 1982 law. It reviewed repeated waves of persecution since 1978 that forced hundreds of thousands into Bangladesh, where over 1.2 million refugees now reside. The piece argued that the new BNP government faces a severe challenge amid economic strain and must pursue multi-front diplomacy involving China, India, the United States, and the OIC.

The author recommended direct engagement with Myanmar and the Arakan Army, leveraging Chinese and Indian influence, and forming a regional asylum framework to address the protracted humanitarian crisis.

At least 46 people were killed and more than 70 injured in an explosion in northern Myanmar’s Shan State on Sunday, according to two rescue workers. The blast occurred in Namkham district, where rebels said it was caused by explosives used in mining operations. One rescue worker reported that six children were among the dead and warned that more bodies might still be trapped under the debris. Another emergency worker, speaking anonymously, suggested the death toll could be higher and said many houses were destroyed.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which controls the area, stated that many local residents were killed or injured and their homes damaged. TNLA is part of the “Three Brotherhood Alliance” along with the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The alliance had agreed to a ceasefire with the military in early 2024 through Chinese mediation but resumed attacks in Shan and Mandalay regions that June.

The explosion adds to instability in northern Myanmar, where ethnic armed groups and the military have repeatedly clashed despite previous ceasefire efforts.

At least 55 people were killed in a powerful explosion on Sunday in Kaung Tat village of Shan State, northeastern Myanmar, near the Chinese border. The incident occurred on June 1, 2026, and rescue workers confirmed the death toll. According to a source cited by the BBC, the victims included 25 women and 30 men, though other reports mentioned slightly different figures. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising over the village immediately after the blast.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an armed group involved in anti-junta operations in the region, stated that the explosion was accidental and caused by explosives used in mining and stone extraction. Some residents initially suspected an airstrike, but TNLA clarified the cause in a statement. The group’s political wing, the Palaung State Liberation Front, expressed condolences to the victims’ families through a Telegram post.

Footage from the site showed large craters, destroyed houses, and debris scattered across the area, with smoke still rising from the charred remains and damaged trees.

Myanmar’s military-backed government has transferred former leader Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest, according to a state television announcement on Thursday night. The move came as part of a general amnesty marking a Buddhist religious festival, during which the 80-year-old’s prison term was further reduced. A government information office released a photo showing Suu Kyi seated on a wooden bench in traditional attire, accompanied by two uniformed officials.

Suu Kyi had been detained since the February 1, 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government. She was last seen publicly during a court hearing in May 2021 and was sentenced by late 2022 to a total of 33 years in prison on multiple charges. Her supporters and human rights groups have long described the convictions as politically motivated efforts to sideline her from politics.

Officials said her sentence was reduced by another one-sixth, though the exact remaining term was not disclosed. State media reported that 1,519 prisoners, including 11 foreigners, were granted amnesty following General Min Aung Hlaing’s assumption of the presidency on April 10.

Myanmar’s military ruler and current president Min Aung Hlaing has announced a one-sixth reduction in prison sentences for all inmates, marking a general amnesty tied to a national holiday. According to official statements, the decision applies broadly without naming specific prisoners. Sources close to detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi indicated that her sentence could also be partially reduced under this order.

Suu Kyi, detained since the 2021 military coup, remains imprisoned on multiple charges including corruption and COVID-19 regulation violations. A former senior member of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party said it is still unclear how much her total sentence will decrease. An NLD-linked source claimed that the 80-year-old leader would be covered by the amnesty. In 2023, her sentence was previously reduced to 27 years following partial pardons.

Analysts view the move as a possible attempt by the junta to ease international pressure, while opposition groups and observers describe it as a limited and symbolic reform. Suu Kyi’s family and supporters have expressed concern over her deteriorating health and prolonged isolation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged Beijing’s firm support for Myanmar’s national sovereignty and security during a meeting with President Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. The meeting took place as part of Wang’s tour of Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar this week, aimed at strengthening regional ties and presenting China as a stable alternative to the United States amid existing regional risks.

According to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry released on Saturday night, Wang said Beijing would help Myanmar develop a path suited to its own conditions and supported by its people. He emphasized that both sides should use the first year of Myanmar’s new government to advance traditional friendship and open new opportunities in bilateral relations.

Wang also stated that China is ready to assist Myanmar in eradicating online gambling and telecommunications fraud, which have become major issues in recent years. Analysts cited in the report noted that China was the main supporter of the junta-backed election that brought Min Aung Hlaing to the presidency.

Myanmar’s government has declared a state of emergency across 60 townships in nine states and regions, according to local media reports on Friday. The measure, announced by the President’s Office on Thursday, aims to suppress armed unrest, restore stability, and reestablish law and order. Under the order, administrative and judicial powers have been transferred to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who has delegated authority to regional commanders to directly oversee security operations.

Officials stated that commanders may further distribute responsibilities among subordinate officers as needed. The move effectively places the affected townships under military control, significantly expanding the army’s influence over civil administration and the judiciary. Civilian trials may now be conducted in military tribunals, where penalties could range from long-term imprisonment to capital punishment.

Earlier in the week, President Min Aung Hlaing set a 100-day deadline for peace talks with anti-government armed groups, inviting both signatories and non-signatories of the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement to participate.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Homalin area along the India-Myanmar border on Tuesday at 6:29 a.m. local time. The tremor, originating in Myanmar’s Sagaing province at a depth of about 66 kilometers, caused mild shaking that was also felt in parts of Bangladesh, according to the international monitoring agency Earthquake Track.

Because the quake occurred at a relatively deep level, its intensity on the surface remained low. As of now, no reports of damage or casualties have been received from India, Myanmar, or Bangladesh. The event was described as a moderate seismic occurrence with limited impact.

Bangladesh, though not located directly on a major tectonic fault line, occasionally experiences tremors due to its proximity to seismically active regions in northeastern India and Myanmar. Authorities have not issued any warnings or alerts following this incident.

Myanmar’s military junta has expanded its ban on sanitary pads, claiming that resistance fighters use them for medical purposes. Although no official announcement has been made, the restriction is part of a broader strategy known as the “four cuts,” aimed at depriving opposition forces of essential supplies. The ban, which began in some rebel-held areas in August last year, now includes a transport blockade between Mandalay and Sagaing.

Women’s rights group Sisters2Sisters said the military alleges that the People’s Defense Force uses menstrual products to absorb sweat and blood in combat. Health experts, including Meredith Ban of Skills for Humanity, dismissed this claim, noting that sanitary towels are unsuitable for treating wounds. Activists described the policy as misogynistic and harmful, forcing women to rely on unsafe alternatives such as torn cloth or leaves, increasing risks of infections.

As prices for pads have tripled on the black market, many women face severe discomfort and reduced mobility. Observers believe the junta’s actions aim to further restrict women’s participation in public and political life, reflecting a broader pattern of gender-based repression.

Myanmar’s government has reduced the prison sentence of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as part of a New Year general amnesty. Her lawyer told Reuters on Friday that the reduction amounts to one-sixth of her total sentence. It remains unclear whether the Nobel laureate will be allowed to serve the remainder of her sentence under house arrest.

Suu Kyi has been serving a 27-year prison term on multiple charges, including incitement, corruption, electoral fraud, and violation of state secrets laws. She was ousted from power in a 2021 military coup that overthrew her elected government.

The partial reduction of her sentence comes amid continued political repression in Myanmar, though the government has not clarified whether the amnesty signals any broader policy shift toward detained political figures.

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group in Myanmar, has declared its goal to achieve “final victory” and take full control of Rakhine State by 2027. The announcement was made by Major General Twan Mrat Naing, the group’s leader, during the AA’s 17th founding anniversary on Friday, according to Myanmar Now. Since launching its offensive in late 2023, the AA has captured 14 townships in Rakhine and Paletwa in southern Chin State, leaving only three townships—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—under junta control.

In his anniversary address, Naing reaffirmed the group’s determination to continue fighting Myanmar’s military junta alongside allied forces. The AA is part of the Brotherhood Alliance, which began “Operation 1027” in Shan State shortly before the Rakhine offensive. The group has also established administrative, judicial, educational, and healthcare systems in areas under its control.

Despite these gains, ongoing air and naval attacks by junta forces have displaced large numbers of civilians, raising humanitarian concerns across the region.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has been elected president, five years after leading a coup that removed the country’s elected government. The parliamentary vote took place on Friday, where he secured at least 293 out of 584 votes, formally consolidating his control over the war-torn nation.

His nomination was proposed earlier in the week after the new parliamentary session began. In accordance with the constitution, Min Aung Hlaing stepped down as commander-in-chief of the armed forces before assuming the presidency. The current parliament is dominated by his loyalists, as one-quarter of the seats are reserved for the military and the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won about 80 percent of the remaining seats in the recent election.

Min Aung Hlaing, aged 69, had orchestrated the 2021 coup against Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration, triggering widespread protests that later evolved into nationwide armed resistance against military rule.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, is set to become the country’s next president after a parliament dominated by his loyalists convened on Friday. He resigned as commander-in-chief to assume the post, fulfilling a long-delayed promise of returning to civilian rule, though the process remains largely symbolic. The military’s party, the USDP, won nearly 80 percent of contested seats in an election widely seen as predetermined.

The new government is expected to remain heavily militarized, with General Ye Win Oo, a close ally of Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed as the new army chief. The incoming president has also formed a powerful advisory council with authority over both civilian and military affairs. Analysts and opposition groups say the shift will not alter Myanmar’s ongoing conflict, which has displaced millions and devastated the economy since the coup.

Opposition forces, including the National Unity Government, continue to reject the election as illegitimate and vow to fight for a federal constitution. Meanwhile, economic hardship, fuel shortages, and widespread displacement persist across the country.