UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
A United Nations special rapporteur said the approach countries took when it came to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would be needed when it comes to the ongoing unrest in Myanmar. The expert said sanctions on the military, as well as an arms embargo, would be required to stop the violence.
Speaking to reporters in New York Wednesday, the UN special rapporteur on human rights, Tom Andrews, said the kinds of weapons Russian forces are using on Ukraine are the same kinds of weapons Myanmar’s military are using to kill civilians. Andrews urged countries in the UN to form a coalition to put pressure on the junta through sanctions and an arms embargo.
“Some of the very types of weapons that are being used to kill people in Ukraine are being used to kill the people of Myanmar. And they come from the very same source – they come from Russia,” said Andrews. “The international community should be coordinating their efforts to target them, and then work together to implement these measures.”
“It’s not being done now. Not because we don’t know how to do it. We know how to do it. If you want a playbook, look at Ukraine,” said Andrews.
Russia is one of Myanmar’s biggest suppliers of arms and is among the countries who have defended the junta, since the generals staged a coup in February 2021, overthrowing the elected government. Over 2,300 people have been killed in the military’s crackdown on protests in Myanmar, and thousands have been detained.
Andrews expressed disappointment that the international community’s response to the ongoing coup in Myanmar has not changed.
“The world is failing the people of Myanmar, to me there’s no question whatsoever,” said Andrews.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional grouping has also expressed frustration with the junta’s lack of progress in enforcing the peace plan it had agreed upon since the generals seized power in the country. The junta said that it would not be “bound” by the outcome of the recent meeting among the bloc’s ministers, saying that any pressure by the bloc to put a timeframe on the progress would have negative effects.
