New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Myanmar has been under military rule since its generals seized power in a coup in February last year. Despite the country’s military possessing more modern arms and weapons, the coup opponents have made significant gains in the country.
In a piece by Al Jazeera, the country’s anti-coup fighters have only strengthened their resolve despite suffering from serious injuries due to the military. Previous reports found that the resistance, paired with militia groups that oppose the military rule, has made territorial gains in more rural areas in Myanmar, with the shadow government and international experts revealing that the resistance has control of over half the country.
The shadow government, the National Unity Government, declared a nationwide “people’s defensive war” against the well-armed military back in September last year. Over a year later, the NUG reported that resistance forces have control of more than half the country while describing the year ahead as a “decisive year” of the final standoff with the military.
This September, a panel of independent international experts that make up the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar also had similar findings as the NUG. In the assessment published by the council, resistance forces have control of 52 percent of Myanmar, and the country’s military is in an “irreversible decline” in its capability to function as a government.
The gains made by the resistance were not without casualties of their own. The NUG said that at least 1,500 members of the resistance groups were killed and 700 were injured as of August this year.
The military has killed hundreds and detained thousands in its crackdown on coup protesters shortly after the generals seized power from the elected government. Since the coup, Myanmar has become isolated and sanctioned by several countries.
The United States and the European Union have announced additional sanctions on Myanmar. This time the sanctions are targeting officials, arms dealers, and companies as experts and activists are urging tougher measures to be implemented against the generals. The EU’s sanctions target 19 additional individuals and entities, including a minister and a chief justice.
Washington’s sanctions target arms dealer Kyaw Min Oo and his Sky Aviator Company.
