At least 26 civilians, including six children, have been killed as a result of the recent fighting between Myanmar's army and local militant groups. The recent round of fighting has taken place in Mobye, a cluster of villages, located about 100 kilometres east of the capital, Naypyitaw.

At least 26 civilians, including six children, have been killed as a result of the recent fighting between Myanmar's army and local militant groups. The recent round of fighting has taken place in Mobye, a cluster of villages, located about 100 kilometres east of the capital, Naypyitaw. The area is between the capital city and an area dominated by the Karenni ethnic minority group which is currently fighting against the military. Since the military removed Myanmar’s democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2021 and overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi, the top leader has been forced to change her position on non-violence. The country's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), formed out of the ashes of NLD, has established the People's Defence Force (PDF) which is responsible for training civilians to fight alongside established ethnic armed groups. Armed ethnic minority groups such as the Karenni, the Karen and the Kachin are part of this group. Last month, over 100 soldiers marched into one of Mobye's villages and arrested about 100 residents, most of whom were released after being detained for a few days in the Buddhist monasteries. WATCH | Myanmar: Abysmal state of armed conflict, insurgency, chaos & anarchy | Details × Villagers killed by army However, some villagers who opted to hide in their homes to avoid arrest were perused and later shot at point-blank by the army. According to one of the villagers, as quoted by the Associated Press, those hidden were among the 26 people killed. They were either shot dead in their homes or when they went out onto the street. Three local armed resistance groups have also blamed the army for the killings. The Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian organisation, also corroborated the claims made by the villager and said they had tallied the death count to 26. PDF and ethnic groups have been regularly attacking military bases and outposts in the region. Experts believe that the massacre ordered by the army was a way to send a message to the resistance groups to curb their violence. On Wednesday, a report published by the Peace Research Institute of Oslo stated that more than 6,000 civilians were killed in Myanmar in the first 20 months after the February 2021 military coup. Also read | 6,000 Myanmar civilians killed in 20 months post coup: Report More than 23,000 people have been arrested by the junta since the coup in February 2021, according to a local monitoring group. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Myanmar: At least 26, including six children, killed in fresh fighting between army and resistance fighters

Four people were killed while several others were injured in a series of car bombings at a pagoda in eastern Myanmar on Thursday. The incident took place at the Yan Taing Aung pagoda in Lashio township, Shan state where revellers had gathered to celebrate the start of the Buddhist new year.

Four people were killed while several others were injured in a series of car bombings at a pagoda in eastern Myanmar on Thursday. The incident took place at the Yan Taing Aung pagoda in Lashio township, Shan state where revellers had gathered to celebrate the start of the Buddhist new year. The Thingyan festival is usually a joyful occasion where people come together to celebrate and play public water fights. However, since Myanmar plunged into the nadir of unending violence following the military coup, the event has been politicised with pro-democracy activists calling for a boycott of junta-organised events. At least three vehicles were destroyed in the attack with a rescue worker saying, "Four men were killed on spot." Overall, 12 people were injured while two remained in serious condition, all had been quickly transported to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, the authorities are sanitising the area for further explosives. Junta airstrike on village The bombings come in the backdrop of the Myanmar junta carrying out airstrikes on a village that killed over 130 people, in what many have termed as the deadliest attack by the military after seizing power in a coup two years ago. The villagers told AFP that it was difficult to identify the dead. "We can not identify anymore who is who among the dead because they are all pieces." Will crush dissent: Junta chief The attack transpired a few days after junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said he would take "decisive action" against the country’s rebel National Unity Government (NUG) and its allied ethnic armed groups. "The terror acts of NUG and its lackey so-called People's Defence Forces (PDFs) need to be tackled for good and all," said Hlaing. To crush the resistance led by the NUG and PDFs, he commanded his soldiers to "effectively use the firearms provided." The junta chief said that the military would then hold "free and fair elections" upon the completion of the state of emergency. ALSO READ | Myanmar junta's airstrikes kill at least 100, leave town with screaming people and body parts everywhere The Myanmar army has dealt with dissenting groups using an iron fist ever since coming to power. Those opposing the junta rule have been mercilessly killed. According to various estimates, the crackdown against anti-junta voices has left more than 3,200 people dead. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Four killed, several injured in car bomb blasts during New Year festival in Myanmar

In photos: Myanmar junta celebrates Independence Day; to free 7,012 prisoners

Ousted&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;leader Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;returned for hearings in a&nbsp;junta&nbsp;court&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;after&nbsp;being quarantined when&nbsp;Covid-19 was detected&nbsp;among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said.

The 76-year-old's civilian government was removed in a coup last year that triggered mass protests, and she faces a raft of charges that could see her sentenced to more than 150 years in jail.

Currently on trial for alleged corruption, breaching&nbsp;Myanmar's official secrets act and pressuring the election commission, Suu Kyi was placed in&nbsp;quarantine&nbsp;last week&nbsp;after&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;was found among her staff.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-in-quarantine-after-staff-tests-covid-19-positive-466279">Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'in quarantine' after staff tests COVID-19 positive</a>

On Thursday she "appeared before the district judge" for her official secrets act trial in a special&nbsp;court&nbsp;in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, said a source with knowledge of the matter.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;is accused along with Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was arrested in the days following the coup last February.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and her personal staff have been fully vaccinated against&nbsp;Covid-19 since being taken into military custody, her lawyer told AFP last July.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-says-will-annihilate-coup-opponents-on-crackdown-anniversary-465854">&nbsp;Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary</a>

She missed a hearing in September due to illness, and in October her lawyer said her health had suffered during her frequent appearances before the&nbsp;junta-run&nbsp;court.

Journalists are barred from the proceedings and her lawyers have been banned from speaking to the press.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;has already been sentenced to a total of six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching&nbsp;Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she remains under house arrest while she fights other charges.

Watch |&nbsp;US determines Myanmar Junta committed genocide against Rohingya

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Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned for hearings in a junta court Thursday after being quarantined when Covid-19 was detected among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said.

Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned for hearings in a junta court Thursday after being quarantined when Covid-19 was detected among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said. The 76-year-old's civilian government was removed in a coup last year that triggered mass protests, and she faces a raft of charges that could see her sentenced to more than 150 years in jail. Currently on trial for alleged corruption, breaching Myanmar's official secrets act and pressuring the election commission, Suu Kyi was placed in quarantine last week after Covid was found among her staff. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'in quarantine' after staff tests COVID-19 positive On Thursday she "appeared before the district judge" for her official secrets act trial in a special court in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, said a source with knowledge of the matter. Suu Kyi is accused along with Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was arrested in the days following the coup last February. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Suu Kyi and her personal staff have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 since being taken into military custody, her lawyer told AFP last July. Also read | Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary She missed a hearing in September due to illness, and in October her lawyer said her health had suffered during her frequent appearances before the junta-run court. Journalists are barred from the proceedings and her lawyers have been banned from speaking to the press. Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to a total of six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she remains under house arrest while she fights other charges. Watch | US determines Myanmar Junta committed genocide against Rohingya

Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court after Covid quarantine

Myanmar's junta is set to replace&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi&nbsp;at the UN's top court Monday as it seeks to dismiss a&nbsp;case&nbsp;over the alleged genocide of&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;Muslims.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;personally presented&nbsp;Myanmar's arguments at the&nbsp;International Court of Justice&nbsp;(ICJ) when the&nbsp;case&nbsp;was first heard in December 2019, but was ousted as civilian leader in a military coup last year.

The Nobel peace laureate, who faced criticism from rights groups for her involvement in the&nbsp;case, is now under house arrest and trial by the same generals she defended in The Hague.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/arson-attacks-and-raids-myanmar-military-has-destroyed-over-4500-homes-since-coup-454365">Arson attacks and raids: Myanmar military has destroyed over 4,500 homes since coup</a>

In its "preliminary objections" on Monday,&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;will argue that the court has no jurisdiction over the&nbsp;case, and must throw it out before it moves on to substantive hearings.

Local&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;media said the junta has a new delegation led by Ko Ko Hlaing, international cooperation minister, and Thida Oo, attorney general, who will attend virtually.&nbsp;

Both have been hit with US sanctions over the coup.

The&nbsp;case&nbsp;brought by the mainly Muslim African nation of The Gambia accuses predominantly Buddhist&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;of genocide against the&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;minority over a bloody 2017 military crackdown.

The&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;made a provisional order in January 2020 that&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;must take "all measures" to prevent the alleged genocide of the&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;while the years-long proceedings are underway.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-asean-myanmar-envoy-says-wants-to-meet-junta-opponents-454056">New ASEAN Myanmar envoy says wants to meet junta opponents</a>

Bloody crackdown

Gambia will make its counter-arguments on Wednesday.

Around 850,000&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;are languishing in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh while another 600,000&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;remain in&nbsp;Myanmar's southwestern Rakhine state.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;was set up after World War II to rule on disputes between UN member states. Its judgments are binding but it has no real means to enforce them.

The&nbsp;Rohingya&nbsp;case&nbsp;at the&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;has been complicated by the coup that ousted&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and her civilian government, and triggered mass protests and a bloody military crackdown. More than 1,500 civilians have been killed, according to a local monitoring group.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;now faces trial herself in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;on a raft of charges that could see her jailed for more than 150 years.

Ahead of the hearing, the shadow "National Unity Government" dominated by lawmakers from&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi’s ousted party said it, not the junta, "is the proper representative of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;at the&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;in the&nbsp;case".

It also rejects&nbsp;Myanmar’s preliminary objections, saying the hearings for these should be cancelled and the court should quickly get down to the hearing of the substantive&nbsp;case.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar's military to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICJ on Rohingya genocide

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The NUG holds no territory and has not been recognised by any foreign government, and has been declared a "terrorist" organisation by the junta.

The Gambia accuses&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention.

Its&nbsp;case&nbsp;is backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands.

Myanmar's junta is set to replace Aung San Suu Kyi at the UN's top court Monday as it seeks to dismiss a case over the alleged genocide of Rohingya Muslims. Suu Kyi personally presented Myanmar's arguments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) when the case was first heard in December 2019, but was ousted as civilian leader in a military coup last year.

Myanmar's junta is set to replace Aung San Suu Kyi at the UN's top court Monday as it seeks to dismiss a case over the alleged genocide of Rohingya Muslims. Suu Kyi personally presented Myanmar's arguments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) when the case was first heard in December 2019, but was ousted as civilian leader in a military coup last year. The Nobel peace laureate, who faced criticism from rights groups for her involvement in the case, is now under house arrest and trial by the same generals she defended in The Hague. Also read | Arson attacks and raids: Myanmar military has destroyed over 4,500 homes since coup In its "preliminary objections" on Monday, Myanmar will argue that the court has no jurisdiction over the case, and must throw it out before it moves on to substantive hearings. Local Myanmar media said the junta has a new delegation led by Ko Ko Hlaing, international cooperation minister, and Thida Oo, attorney general, who will attend virtually. Both have been hit with US sanctions over the coup. The case brought by the mainly Muslim African nation of The Gambia accuses predominantly Buddhist Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya minority over a bloody 2017 military crackdown. The ICJ made a provisional order in January 2020 that Myanmar must take "all measures" to prevent the alleged genocide of the Rohingya while the years-long proceedings are underway. Also read | New ASEAN Myanmar envoy says wants to meet junta opponents Bloody crackdown Gambia will make its counter-arguments on Wednesday. Around 850,000 Rohingya are languishing in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh while another 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar's southwestern Rakhine state. The ICJ was set up after World War II to rule on disputes between UN member states. Its judgments are binding but it has no real means to enforce them. The Rohingya case at the ICJ has been complicated by the coup that ousted Suu Kyi and her civilian government, and triggered mass protests and a bloody military crackdown. More than 1,500 civilians have been killed, according to a local monitoring group. Suu Kyi now faces trial herself in Myanmar on a raft of charges that could see her jailed for more than 150 years. Ahead of the hearing, the shadow "National Unity Government" dominated by lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s ousted party said it, not the junta, "is the proper representative of Myanmar at the ICJ in the case". It also rejects Myanmar’s preliminary objections, saying the hearings for these should be cancelled and the court should quickly get down to the hearing of the substantive case. Watch | Myanmar's military to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICJ on Rohingya genocide The NUG holds no territory and has not been recognised by any foreign government, and has been declared a "terrorist" organisation by the junta. The Gambia accuses Myanmar of breaching the 1948 UN genocide convention. Its case is backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands.

Myanmar to contest ICJ Rohingya case, without Aung San Suu Kyi

Four months after being put on trial by the Myanmar military, ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi testified for the first time in a junta court on Tuesday.

As per a AFP report, a source with knowledge of the case revealed that she "gave her statement at the court by herself" in response to incitement charges stemming from two statements she made in February criticizing the coup.

The source said the contents of her testimony cannot be revealed until after the court has certified it, which is expected to happen next week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-refuses-to-negotiate-with-coup-dissidents-423381">Myanmar junta refuses to negotiate with coup dissidents</a>

However, media reports claim the ousted leader has denied charges of incitement to cause public alarm.

Her trial began in June, four months after she was taken into custody, and she now faces charges that could see her imprisoned for decades.

She is accused of numerous offenses, including breaking Coronavirus protocols, illegally possessing two-way radios, accepting bribes of cash and gold, inciting public alarm, and violating the Official Secrets Act.

The media is barred from attending the trial of Suu Kyi in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, and her legal team has also been prohibited from speaking to the media.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyis-lawyer-says-he-has-been-issued-a-gag-order-420842">Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order</a>

Before this ban was imposed, her attorneys had told the media that the Nobel Laureate wouldn't call any defence witnesses during her incitement trial and would represent herself.

As the junta continues to wage its bloody campaign against those opposed to its rule, it has threatened to dissolve Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party.

The Tuesday meeting of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States also focused on Myanmar. In the wake of the crisis, international pressure has mounted on ASEAN to broker a diplomatic resolution.

Watch |&nbsp;ASEAN summit kicks off without Myanmar representative

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After ASEAN demanded a "non-political representative" be sent in the place of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, the generals boycotted the summit.

The rare rebuke came after Myanmar refused to meet with a special envoy who was to meet with "all stakeholders" in the country, a phrase that was seen as including former leader Suu Kyi.

Since the February 1 coup, the country has been rocked by nationwide protests. According to local monitoring groups, more than 1,100 people have been killed by security forces since the beginning of the coup.

Four months after being put on trial by the Myanmar military, ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi testified for the first time in a junta court on Tuesday. As per a AFP report, a source with knowledge of the case revealed that she "gave her statement at the court by herself" in response to incitement charges stemming from two statements she made in February criticizing the coup.

Four months after being put on trial by the Myanmar military, ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi testified for the first time in a junta court on Tuesday. As per a AFP report, a source with knowledge of the case revealed that she "gave her statement at the court by herself" in response to incitement charges stemming from two statements she made in February criticizing the coup. The source said the contents of her testimony cannot be revealed until after the court has certified it, which is expected to happen next week. Also read | Myanmar junta refuses to negotiate with coup dissidents However, media reports claim the ousted leader has denied charges of incitement to cause public alarm. Her trial began in June, four months after she was taken into custody, and she now faces charges that could see her imprisoned for decades. She is accused of numerous offenses, including breaking Coronavirus protocols, illegally possessing two-way radios, accepting bribes of cash and gold, inciting public alarm, and violating the Official Secrets Act. The media is barred from attending the trial of Suu Kyi in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, and her legal team has also been prohibited from speaking to the media. Also read | Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer says he has been issued a gag order Before this ban was imposed, her attorneys had told the media that the Nobel Laureate wouldn't call any defence witnesses during her incitement trial and would represent herself. As the junta continues to wage its bloody campaign against those opposed to its rule, it has threatened to dissolve Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. The Tuesday meeting of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States also focused on Myanmar. In the wake of the crisis, international pressure has mounted on ASEAN to broker a diplomatic resolution. Watch | ASEAN summit kicks off without Myanmar representative After ASEAN demanded a "non-political representative" be sent in the place of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, the generals boycotted the summit. The rare rebuke came after Myanmar refused to meet with a special envoy who was to meet with "all stakeholders" in the country, a phrase that was seen as including former leader Suu Kyi. Since the February 1 coup, the country has been rocked by nationwide protests. According to local monitoring groups, more than 1,100 people have been killed by security forces since the beginning of the coup.

Myanmar leader Suu Kyi testifies before junta court

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was unable to attend a scheduled court hearing for health reasons, her legal team said on Monday.

A member of her legal team described her condition as dizziness caused by motion sickness.

The 76-year-old leader, who has been detained on various charges since her overthrow in a military coup on 1 February, did not have coronavirus but felt ill having not travelled in a vehicle for a long time, her lawyer Min Min Soe told Reuters.

“It is not serious sickness... She suffered car sickness. She cannot stand that feeling and told us she wanted to take a rest,” Soe was quoted as saying.

Suu Kyi is on trial in the capital Naypyitaw over charges that include illegal importation and possession of walkie-talkie radios and violating coronavirus protocols.

She is also facing charges in a separate case of accepting bribes and violating a state secrets law

&nbsp;Her lawyers reject all of the allegations.

Khin Maung Zaw, who is leading her legal team, said Aung San Suu Kyi could not take the stand on Monday and the judge consented to her absence.

“She seemed to be ill, sneezing and said she was drowsy. Therefore, the lawyers talked only briefly with her,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was unable to attend a scheduled court hearing for health reasons, her legal team said on Monday. A member of her legal team described her condition as dizziness caused by motion sickness.

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was unable to attend a scheduled court hearing for health reasons, her legal team said on Monday. A member of her legal team described her condition as dizziness caused by motion sickness. The 76-year-old leader, who has been detained on various charges since her overthrow in a military coup on 1 February, did not have coronavirus but felt ill having not travelled in a vehicle for a long time, her lawyer Min Min Soe told Reuters. “It is not serious sickness... She suffered car sickness. She cannot stand that feeling and told us she wanted to take a rest,” Soe was quoted as saying. Suu Kyi is on trial in the capital Naypyitaw over charges that include illegal importation and possession of walkie-talkie radios and violating coronavirus protocols. She is also facing charges in a separate case of accepting bribes and violating a state secrets law Her lawyers reject all of the allegations. Khin Maung Zaw, who is leading her legal team, said Aung San Suu Kyi could not take the stand on Monday and the judge consented to her absence. “She seemed to be ill, sneezing and said she was drowsy. Therefore, the lawyers talked only briefly with her,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi skips court hearing citing ‘dizziness’

According to the United Nations, at least 138 people have been killed so far in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taiwan-advises-firms-in-myanmar-to-fly-flags-hand-signs-to-distinguish-from-china-370632">Myanmar's </a>anti-coup protests against the military since February 1.&nbsp;

Watch:

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres office said the deaths include 38 people who were killed on Sunday, the majority in the Hlaing Thayer area of Yangon, while 18 people were killed on Saturday.

A local monitoring group said &nbsp;Assistance Association for Political Prisoners informed that at least 20 had died in Monday's violence as anti-military protests continued to rise in the country.

The military which ousted<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/suu-kyis-court-hearing-postponed-over-myanmar-internet-block-370596"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/suu-kyis-court-hearing-postponed-over-myanmar-internet-block-370596">Aung San Suu Kyi's</a> democratically elected government last month has imposed a state of emergency for one year amid raging nationwide protests.

The United Nations, the United States, China and Britain all condemned the escalation in violence. State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said: "The junta has responded to call for the restoration of democracy in Burma with bullets, adding, "The United States continues to call on all countries to take concrete actions to oppose the coup and escalating violence."

The UN also urged the international community "including regional actors, to come together in solidarity with the people of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-myanmar-people-protest-against-military-coup-with-tattoos-370718">Myanmar</a> and their democratic aspirations."

Yangon became the epicentre of protests over the weekend as demonstrators razed multiple Chinese-owned factories with six Yangon townships put under martial law even as the Chinese foreign ministry described the violence as "nasty".

The violence on Monday occurred amid reports of block on mobile data networks across the country which also scuppered a scheduled video court appearance by Suu Kyi.

According to the United Nations, at least 138 people have been killed so far in Myanmar's anti-coup protests against the military since February 1. Watch: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres office said the deaths include 38 people who were killed on Sunday, the majority in the Hlaing Thayer area of Yangon, while 18 people were killed on Saturday.

According to the United Nations, at least 138 people have been killed so far in Myanmar's anti-coup protests against the military since February 1. Watch: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres office said the deaths include 38 people who were killed on Sunday, the majority in the Hlaing Thayer area of Yangon, while 18 people were killed on Saturday. A local monitoring group said Assistance Association for Political Prisoners informed that at least 20 had died in Monday's violence as anti-military protests continued to rise in the country. The military which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government last month has imposed a state of emergency for one year amid raging nationwide protests. The United Nations, the United States, China and Britain all condemned the escalation in violence. State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said: "The junta has responded to call for the restoration of democracy in Burma with bullets, adding, "The United States continues to call on all countries to take concrete actions to oppose the coup and escalating violence." The UN also urged the international community "including regional actors, to come together in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations." Yangon became the epicentre of protests over the weekend as demonstrators razed multiple Chinese-owned factories with six Yangon townships put under martial law even as the Chinese foreign ministry described the violence as "nasty". The violence on Monday occurred amid reports of block on mobile data networks across the country which also scuppered a scheduled video court appearance by Suu Kyi.

138 killed in Myanmar's anti-coup protests since February 1: UN

Myanmar coup: From viral workout video to bloody Sunday

Myanmar's ousted leader&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in the court through video conferencing on Monday, for the second time since she was detained following a military coup.

Her legal team has claimed that&nbsp;Suu Kyi appeared in good health during the video conference and requested&nbsp;to see her legal team during the hearing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-prepare-for-confrontation-after-bloodiest-day-so-far-366977">Myanmar protesters prepare for confrontation after bloodiest day so far</a>

Monday's hearing did not go much as expected as two additional charges were added to the list of those that have already been filed against her after the military coup, which took place nearly a month ago. One of the additional charge is, reportedly, from the country's colonial-era penal code which prohibits her from publishing any information that may "cause fear or alarm", lawyer Min Min Soe told Reuters.

Suu Kyi is facing obscure criminal charges for possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies as well as violating coronavirus restrictions by staging a campaign event during last year's election. She is majorly&nbsp;being charged for violation of communications laws as well as inciting public unrest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-court-files-another-charge-against-suu-kyi-under-colonial-era-penal-code-367138">WATCH |</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-court-files-another-charge-against-suu-kyi-under-colonial-era-penal-code-367138">&nbsp;</a>

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Her lawyer said the 75-year-old leader has been unable to speak with her legal team ahead of the hearing.

The next hearing for Suu Kyi is scheduled for March 15, as of now.

Her appearance in court has come after the ousted leader's supporters witnessed one of the&nbsp;bloodiest day till date as&nbsp;at least 18 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the "abhorrent violence" by security forces.&nbsp;Canada joined the protest as the country's foreign minister, Marc Garneau, called the military's use of lethal force against its own people "appalling".

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in the court through video conferencing on Monday, for the second time since she was detained following a military coup.

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in the court through video conferencing on Monday, for the second time since she was detained following a military coup. Her legal team has claimed that Suu Kyi appeared in good health during the video conference and requested to see her legal team during the hearing. Also read | Myanmar protesters prepare for confrontation after bloodiest day so far Monday's hearing did not go much as expected as two additional charges were added to the list of those that have already been filed against her after the military coup, which took place nearly a month ago. One of the additional charge is, reportedly, from the country's colonial-era penal code which prohibits her from publishing any information that may "cause fear or alarm", lawyer Min Min Soe told Reuters. Suu Kyi is facing obscure criminal charges for possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies as well as violating coronavirus restrictions by staging a campaign event during last year's election. She is majorly being charged for violation of communications laws as well as inciting public unrest. WATCH | Her lawyer said the 75-year-old leader has been unable to speak with her legal team ahead of the hearing. The next hearing for Suu Kyi is scheduled for March 15, as of now. Her appearance in court has come after the ousted leader's supporters witnessed one of the bloodiest day till date as at least 18 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the "abhorrent violence" by security forces. Canada joined the protest as the country's foreign minister, Marc Garneau, called the military's use of lethal force against its own people "appalling".

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi appears in court via video; two new criminal charges filed

Protesters came out on the streets in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-warns-protesters-to-return-to-work-amid-nationwide-demonstrations-363028">Myanmar </a>on Friday against the military rule imposed last Monday even as the country's leaders announced the release of &nbsp;23,000 inmates as part of a prison amnesty.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-myanmar-slipping-into-chinas-grip-363019/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Demonstrations began in Myeik with large crowds gathering in Yangon and Mandalay for the seventh consecutive day defying ban on protests.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-military-controls-myanmars-lucrative-mines-banks-and-oil-sectors-363079">In Pics:&nbsp;How military controls Myanmar's lucrative mines, banks and oil sectors</a>

Reports claimed protests spread to ancient UNESCO heritage city of Bagan where anti-coup demonstrators marched joining calls for nationwide civil disobedience even as the military rulers urged civil servants to come back to work.

The protesters have been calling for a return to democracy and freeing National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Su Kyi who was detained in the early morning hours on February 1 as the military staged a coup in the country.

Su Kyi hasn't been seen in public for the past fortnight even as the military has detained several top NLD leaders.&nbsp;

The military leaders alleged there was voter fraud during last year's election, a claim which has been dismissed by protesters. &nbsp;The protests have been joined by cross-section of people of society with civil servants, teachers and other government employees joining the anti-military demonstrations.

As tensions escalated between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-rights-council-weighs-approach-to-myanmar-coup-362991">Myanmar's</a> citizen's and the military, President Biden's administration cut military's access to $1 billion in funds in the United States and warned against further sanctions.

Several countries have condemned the military's action with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab declaring that the international community will not accept the coup in Myanmar, while declaring that &nbsp;"we will hold those responsible to account".&nbsp;

Protesters came out on the streets in Myanmar on Friday against the military rule imposed last Monday even as the country's leaders announced the release of 23,000 inmates as part of a prison amnesty.

Protesters came out on the streets in Myanmar on Friday against the military rule imposed last Monday even as the country's leaders announced the release of 23,000 inmates as part of a prison amnesty. Watch: Demonstrations began in Myeik with large crowds gathering in Yangon and Mandalay for the seventh consecutive day defying ban on protests. In Pics: How military controls Myanmar's lucrative mines, banks and oil sectors Reports claimed protests spread to ancient UNESCO heritage city of Bagan where anti-coup demonstrators marched joining calls for nationwide civil disobedience even as the military rulers urged civil servants to come back to work. The protesters have been calling for a return to democracy and freeing National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Su Kyi who was detained in the early morning hours on February 1 as the military staged a coup in the country. Su Kyi hasn't been seen in public for the past fortnight even as the military has detained several top NLD leaders. The military leaders alleged there was voter fraud during last year's election, a claim which has been dismissed by protesters. The protests have been joined by cross-section of people of society with civil servants, teachers and other government employees joining the anti-military demonstrations. As tensions escalated between Myanmar's citizen's and the military, President Biden's administration cut military's access to $1 billion in funds in the United States and warned against further sanctions. Several countries have condemned the military's action with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab declaring that the international community will not accept the coup in Myanmar, while declaring that "we will hold those responsible to account".

Anti-coup demonstrators in Myanmar protest for seventh consecutive day

Protests erupted in Myanmar as hundreds of teachers and students came out on the streets in Yangon as the military arrested a key aide of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-calls-on-myanmars-military-to-relinquish-power-361506/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Teachers belonging to a Myanmar university wearing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unsc-stops-short-of-condemning-coup-in-myanmar-as-military-arrests-another-suu-kyi-aide-361430">Suu Kyi's</a> NLD party colours and students waving three-fingered salutes chanted "Long live Mother Suu".

The military had earlier arrested NLD's senior party leader Win Htein,79, who was considered to be a key aide of Suu Kyi, just days after arresting the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Reports said at least &nbsp;200 teachers and students from Yangon's Dagon University staged a rally where they displayed the three-finger salute borrowed from Thailand's democracy movement.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), over 130 officials and lawmakers have been detained after the coup which took place in the early morning hours on Monday.

The military cut off the internet in the country and blocked Facebook while arresting pro-democracy activists. The coup has been roundly criticised worldwide, however, the UNSC in a meeting on Thursday stopped short of condemning it after intervention from China and Russia.

President Joe Biden urged the military to "relinquish power" asserting that detained advocates, activists and officials should be freed.

Protests erupted in Myanmar as hundreds of teachers and students came out on the streets in Yangon as the military arrested a key aide of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday.

Protests erupted in Myanmar as hundreds of teachers and students came out on the streets in Yangon as the military arrested a key aide of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday. Watch: Teachers belonging to a Myanmar university wearing Suu Kyi's NLD party colours and students waving three-fingered salutes chanted "Long live Mother Suu". The military had earlier arrested NLD's senior party leader Win Htein,79, who was considered to be a key aide of Suu Kyi, just days after arresting the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Reports said at least 200 teachers and students from Yangon's Dagon University staged a rally where they displayed the three-finger salute borrowed from Thailand's democracy movement. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), over 130 officials and lawmakers have been detained after the coup which took place in the early morning hours on Monday. The military cut off the internet in the country and blocked Facebook while arresting pro-democracy activists. The coup has been roundly criticised worldwide, however, the UNSC in a meeting on Thursday stopped short of condemning it after intervention from China and Russia. President Joe Biden urged the military to "relinquish power" asserting that detained advocates, activists and officials should be freed.

Protests erupt in Myanmar as teachers, students defy military rule

An offline&nbsp;messaging app called Bridgefy was downloaded more than 600,000 times in a few hours in Myanmar after the country's military seized power on Monday and temporarily disrupted internet traffic.

Bridgefy, which a&nbsp;Mexico-based startup,&nbsp;gained popularity during Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests in 2020, tweeted that it hoped people in Myanmar would find its app "useful during tough times."

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We're grateful to share that the Bridgefy App was downloaded more than 600,000 times in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Myanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Myanmar</a> today, in just a few hours. Hopefully, people will find it helpful during tough times. Please stay safe!
— Bridgefy (@bridgefy) <a href="https://twitter.com/bridgefy/status/1356383496999219202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Myanmar&nbsp;was plunged back into direct military rule when soldiers detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders in a series of dawn raids on Monday, ending the country's brief experiment with democracy.

Suu Kyi, who has not been seen in public since the coup, won a huge landslide with her National League for Democracy (NLD) last November but the military -- whose favoured parties received a drubbing declared the polls were fraudulent.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-army-chief-military-ouster-was-was-inevitable-360972/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Army chief Min Aung Hlaing appointed himself head of a new cabinet stacked with former and current generals, justifying his coup on Tuesday as the "inevitable" result of civilian leaders failure to heed the army's fraud warnings.

The military declared a one-year state of emergency and said it would hold new elections once their allegations of voter irregularities were addressed and investigated.

The move stunned&nbsp;Myanmar, a country left impoverished by decades of junta misrule before it began taking steps towards a more democratic and civilian-led government ten years ago.

After the country's democratically elected leaders were arrested, phone and internet connections were disrupted in the main city Yangon and the capital Naypyitaw and some other parts of the country.

Communications had been restored by late Monday but, in social media posts&nbsp;activists in Myanmar encouraged the download of Bridgefy as a solution to possible further shutdowns.

Bridgefy, whose backers include Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and which has also been used at anti-government rallies in Thailand, is one of several apps based on Bluetooth that use mesh networks to allow users to communicate without internet connections.

They have gained popularity globally, especially in countries which have a history of imposing restrictions on social media platforms and internet providers - though security experts say they can be penetrated, exposing users to surveillance risks.

A similar app, Firechat,&nbsp;uses wireless mesh networking to enable smartphones to connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi&nbsp;without an internet connection by connecting peer-to-peer. It has been used in protests in Iran and Iraq.

An offline messaging app called Bridgefy was downloaded more than 600,000 times in a few hours in Myanmar after the country's military seized power on Monday and temporarily disrupted internet traffic.

An offline messaging app called Bridgefy was downloaded more than 600,000 times in a few hours in Myanmar after the country's military seized power on Monday and temporarily disrupted internet traffic. Bridgefy, which a Mexico-based startup, gained popularity during Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests in 2020, tweeted that it hoped people in Myanmar would find its app "useful during tough times." We're grateful to share that the Bridgefy App was downloaded more than 600,000 times in #Myanmar today, in just a few hours. Hopefully, people will find it helpful during tough times. Please stay safe! — Bridgefy (@bridgefy) February 1, 2021 × Myanmar was plunged back into direct military rule when soldiers detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders in a series of dawn raids on Monday, ending the country's brief experiment with democracy. Suu Kyi, who has not been seen in public since the coup, won a huge landslide with her National League for Democracy (NLD) last November but the military -- whose favoured parties received a drubbing declared the polls were fraudulent. Army chief Min Aung Hlaing appointed himself head of a new cabinet stacked with former and current generals, justifying his coup on Tuesday as the "inevitable" result of civilian leaders failure to heed the army's fraud warnings. The military declared a one-year state of emergency and said it would hold new elections once their allegations of voter irregularities were addressed and investigated. The move stunned Myanmar, a country left impoverished by decades of junta misrule before it began taking steps towards a more democratic and civilian-led government ten years ago. After the country's democratically elected leaders were arrested, phone and internet connections were disrupted in the main city Yangon and the capital Naypyitaw and some other parts of the country. Communications had been restored by late Monday but, in social media posts activists in Myanmar encouraged the download of Bridgefy as a solution to possible further shutdowns. Bridgefy, whose backers include Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and which has also been used at anti-government rallies in Thailand, is one of several apps based on Bluetooth that use mesh networks to allow users to communicate without internet connections. They have gained popularity globally, especially in countries which have a history of imposing restrictions on social media platforms and internet providers - though security experts say they can be penetrated, exposing users to surveillance risks. A similar app, Firechat, uses wireless mesh networking to enable smartphones to connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi without an internet connection by connecting peer-to-peer. It has been used in protests in Iran and Iraq.

Bridgefy: 600,000 people download offline message app in hours after Myanmar coup

The United Nations Security Council has failed to agree on a joint statement condemning Myanmar Military’s Coup after China blocked the statement as a veto-holding permanent member of the council.

The Myanmar military Monday seized power in a coup and declared a state of emergency in the country for a year. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/bridgefy-600000-people-download-offline-message-app-in-hours-after-myanmar-coup-361000">Bridgefy: 600,000 people download offline message app in hours after Myanmar coup</a>

The Security Council was negotiating a possible statement, drafted by Britain, that would condemn the coup, call for the military to respect the rule of law and human rights, and immediately release those unlawfully detained, diplomats said. Such statements have to be agreed by consensus. 
 
Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained along with other members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, as the military declared void their landslide victory at the polls.

Yesterday, Chinese state media, who rolled out the euphemisms to avoid calling a coup a coup had said that military takeover in Myanmar and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi was "a major cabinet reshuffle".

Myanmar is also a vital piece of Beijing's huge Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

President Xi Jinping visited the country last January, and promised to support the Myanmar government on a development path "suited to its own national conditions".

The Myanmar military has justified its seizure of power by alleging widespread fraud in elections held three months ago that the NLD won in a landslide. It has imposed a state of emergency for a year, and claimed it would then hold fresh elections.

The last Security Council meeting on Myanmar was in September and was also behind closed doors.

Its last joint declaration on the country was adopted in 2018.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations Security Council has failed to agree on a joint statement condemning Myanmar Military’s Coup after China blocked the statement as a veto-holding permanent member of the council.

The United Nations Security Council has failed to agree on a joint statement condemning Myanmar Military’s Coup after China blocked the statement as a veto-holding permanent member of the council. The Myanmar military Monday seized power in a coup and declared a state of emergency in the country for a year. Bridgefy: 600,000 people download offline message app in hours after Myanmar coup The Security Council was negotiating a possible statement, drafted by Britain, that would condemn the coup, call for the military to respect the rule of law and human rights, and immediately release those unlawfully detained, diplomats said. Such statements have to be agreed by consensus. Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained along with other members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, as the military declared void their landslide victory at the polls. Yesterday, Chinese state media, who rolled out the euphemisms to avoid calling a coup a coup had said that military takeover in Myanmar and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi was "a major cabinet reshuffle". Myanmar is also a vital piece of Beijing's huge Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. President Xi Jinping visited the country last January, and promised to support the Myanmar government on a development path "suited to its own national conditions". The Myanmar military has justified its seizure of power by alleging widespread fraud in elections held three months ago that the NLD won in a landslide. It has imposed a state of emergency for a year, and claimed it would then hold fresh elections. The last Security Council meeting on Myanmar was in September and was also behind closed doors. Its last joint declaration on the country was adopted in 2018. (With inputs from agencies)

China blocks UN Security Council statement condemning Myanmar coup

In the aftermath of the coup in Myanmar, United States has been in touch with Japan and India and sees both countries having "better contact" with the military of that country. &nbsp;A senior state department official briefing the reporters on the issue said, "We have certainly been in frequent contact with our like-minded allies and partners in the region."

Pointing out in response to a specific question on the 2 countries, official said, "You mentioned Japan and India. Those are – we’re having daily ongoing conversations with them, and we certainly appreciate that some other countries have better contact with Burmese military than we do. So we’re continuing those conversations. "

Last year saw high profile visit of the Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Indian Army Chief MM Naravane to the country. India also handed over INS Sindhuvir to the country. It was commissioned as UMS Minye Theinkhathu and inducted on the 73rs anniversary of the Myanmar Navy in 2020.

This is the first time India has given a submarine to any country and shows growing defence cooperation between the 2 neighbouring countries. The Indian side has been training Myanmese Naval personnel. Last year, Indian and Myanmar naval undertook joint exercises IMNEX 2019 in Bay of Bengal.

Asked if US is in touch with "members of the NLD party or Aung San Suu Kyi herself", the official of the state department said, "No we’ve not been able to do that. &nbsp;Our understanding is that most of the senior officials are under house arrest in the NLD leadership as well as some of the regional government figures and civil society figures." Explaining, "But we’ve not been able to reach them. &nbsp;We’ll obviously continue to try to do that."

Monday saw a bloodless coup in the country, with the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi being overthrown. The development raised widespread concern, with strong reactions from Washington, Delhi and Tokyo, among others.

In the aftermath of the coup in Myanmar, United States has been in touch with Japan and India and sees both countries having "better contact" with the military of that country.

In the aftermath of the coup in Myanmar, United States has been in touch with Japan and India and sees both countries having "better contact" with the military of that country. A senior state department official briefing the reporters on the issue said, "We have certainly been in frequent contact with our like-minded allies and partners in the region." Pointing out in response to a specific question on the 2 countries, official said, "You mentioned Japan and India. Those are – we’re having daily ongoing conversations with them, and we certainly appreciate that some other countries have better contact with Burmese military than we do. So we’re continuing those conversations. " Last year saw high profile visit of the Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Indian Army Chief MM Naravane to the country. India also handed over INS Sindhuvir to the country. It was commissioned as UMS Minye Theinkhathu and inducted on the 73rs anniversary of the Myanmar Navy in 2020. This is the first time India has given a submarine to any country and shows growing defence cooperation between the 2 neighbouring countries. The Indian side has been training Myanmese Naval personnel. Last year, Indian and Myanmar naval undertook joint exercises IMNEX 2019 in Bay of Bengal. Asked if US is in touch with "members of the NLD party or Aung San Suu Kyi herself", the official of the state department said, "No we’ve not been able to do that. Our understanding is that most of the senior officials are under house arrest in the NLD leadership as well as some of the regional government figures and civil society figures." Explaining, "But we’ve not been able to reach them. We’ll obviously continue to try to do that." Monday saw a bloodless coup in the country, with the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi being overthrown. The development raised widespread concern, with strong reactions from Washington, Delhi and Tokyo, among others.

US in touch with Japan, India in the aftermath of Myanmar coup

Talk about dedication! An aerobics instructor unwittingly captured the first moments of Myanmar's dramatic coup in her dance video on Monday morning. The viral video shows the woman doing her dance routine in the capital Naypyidaw in front of what appears to be the entrance of Myanmar's parliament. 
 
Seconds later, as she continues with her workouts, the video shows black SUVs drive up behind her to security checkpoint on the road leading to the Assembly of the Union complex.&nbsp; 
 
The dancer, identified as Khing Hnin Wai, continues to do her workout routine in front of the camera, unaware of the convoy behind her. 
&nbsp; 
At one point, as the tempo of the music increases, she even makes small punching motions – as series of black cars behind her halt briefly. Then, as she moves side to side, men behind her can be seen rushing to open the barricade and let the cars through. 
 
Khing Hnin Wai posted the video around 3 am on Tuesday confirming that the video was real and revealed that she had been filming dance videos outside the assembly for the last 11 months.&nbsp;

Watch the dramatic video here:&nbsp;

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Una mujer hizo su clase de aerobic sin darse cuenta de que estaban dando el golpe de Estado en Myanmar. Y pues puede verse como el convoy de militares llega al parlamento. <a href="https://t.co/fmFUzhawRe">pic.twitter.com/fmFUzhawRe</a>
— Àngel Marrades (@VonKoutli) <a href="https://twitter.com/VonKoutli/status/1356278671267557382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The full video is available on her Facebook page and she identifies herself as a physical education teacher. As the video begins, sirens can be heard in the distance before the convoy appears in the background. Needless to say, the video has gone viral since then and many have compared it to the dystopian TV show 'Black Mirror'. There are also memes doing rounds of the internet which show Khing Hnin Wai doing her routine in front of other historical moments including the recent US Capitol Hill siege.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark" style="display: inline !important;">×</a>

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Kind of a perfect video of the decline of human civilization. <a href="https://t.co/8bSZySEgKl">https://t.co/8bSZySEgKl</a>
— Kevin 🐟 (@kkislonli82) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkislonli82/status/1356415390335688704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This remix is so good. And like. Khing Hnin Wai deserves a trophy. Tell me you wouldn’t want her in your online covid exercise classes. That is a teacher that will keep everyone calm. And carrying on. <a href="https://t.co/pqA5ChN69y">https://t.co/pqA5ChN69y</a>
— Naomi Gingold (@naomigingold) <a href="https://twitter.com/naomigingold/status/1356467243375157249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A viral video of a woman doing aerobics class to the tune of Indonesian hit song “Ampun Bang Jago” in Myanmar, apparently without realizing a military convoy arriving at parliament behind her and a military coup happening. 
ht <a href="https://twitter.com/Vinncent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vinncent</a> <a href="https://t.co/mK4UYUp0Gv">pic.twitter.com/mK4UYUp0Gv</a>
— Yenni Kwok (@yennikwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/yennikwok/status/1356399721514958850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Reports said Myanmar military has taken control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) said that leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures were detained on Monday.

Talk about dedication! An aerobics instructor unwittingly captured the first moments of Myanmar's dramatic coup in her dance video on Monday morning. The viral video shows the woman doing her dance routine in the capital Naypyidaw in front of what appears to be the entrance of Myanmar's parliament.

Talk about dedication! An aerobics instructor unwittingly captured the first moments of Myanmar's dramatic coup in her dance video on Monday morning. The viral video shows the woman doing her dance routine in the capital Naypyidaw in front of what appears to be the entrance of Myanmar's parliament. Seconds later, as she continues with her workouts, the video shows black SUVs drive up behind her to security checkpoint on the road leading to the Assembly of the Union complex. The dancer, identified as Khing Hnin Wai, continues to do her workout routine in front of the camera, unaware of the convoy behind her. At one point, as the tempo of the music increases, she even makes small punching motions – as series of black cars behind her halt briefly. Then, as she moves side to side, men behind her can be seen rushing to open the barricade and let the cars through. Khing Hnin Wai posted the video around 3 am on Tuesday confirming that the video was real and revealed that she had been filming dance videos outside the assembly for the last 11 months. Watch the dramatic video here: Una mujer hizo su clase de aerobic sin darse cuenta de que estaban dando el golpe de Estado en Myanmar. Y pues puede verse como el convoy de militares llega al parlamento. pic.twitter.com/fmFUzhawRe — Àngel Marrades (@VonKoutli) February 1, 2021 × The full video is available on her Facebook page and she identifies herself as a physical education teacher. As the video begins, sirens can be heard in the distance before the convoy appears in the background. Needless to say, the video has gone viral since then and many have compared it to the dystopian TV show 'Black Mirror'. There are also memes doing rounds of the internet which show Khing Hnin Wai doing her routine in front of other historical moments including the recent US Capitol Hill siege. × Kind of a perfect video of the decline of human civilization. https://t.co/8bSZySEgKl — Kevin 🐟 (@kkislonli82) February 2, 2021 × This remix is so good. And like. Khing Hnin Wai deserves a trophy. Tell me you wouldn’t want her in your online covid exercise classes. That is a teacher that will keep everyone calm. And carrying on. https://t.co/pqA5ChN69y — Naomi Gingold (@naomigingold) February 2, 2021 × A viral video of a woman doing aerobics class to the tune of Indonesian hit song “Ampun Bang Jago” in Myanmar, apparently without realizing a military convoy arriving at parliament behind her and a military coup happening. ht @Vinncent pic.twitter.com/mK4UYUp0Gv — Yenni Kwok (@yennikwok) February 2, 2021 × Reports said Myanmar military has taken control of the country for one year after the country's governing National League for Democracy (NLD) said that leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures were detained on Monday.

Watch: Aerobics instructor does her routine as Myanmar coup dramatically unfolds behind her

The Gambia condemned Aung San Suu Kyi's "silence" over the plight of Rohingya Muslims on Thursday after the Nobel Peace Prize laureate defended Myanmar against genocide charges at the UN's top court.

Lawyers for the mostly Muslim African country said her arguments that Myanmar's 2017 military crackdown was a "clearance operation" targeting militants ignored widespread allegations of mass murder, rape and forced deportation.

"Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words," The Gambia's lawyer Philippe Sands told the International Court of Justice (ICJ), referring to Suu Kyi, who is officially acting as Myanmar's agent in the case.

"The word 'rape' did not once pass the lips of the agent," Sands added, as Suu Kyi sat impassively in the courtroom, wearing traditional Burmese dress and flowers in her hair.

The Gambia has taken majority-Buddhist Myanmar to the court in The Hague, accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide convention and seeking emergency measures to protect the Rohingya.

Once regarded as an international rights icon for standing up to Myanmar's brutal junta, Suu Kyi has seen her reputation tarnished by her decision to side with the military over the Rohingya crisis.

She used a dramatic appearance at the ICJ on Wednesday to say there was no "genocidal intent" behind the operation that led to some 740,000 Rohingya fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Suu Kyi defended Myanmar's actions saying it faced an "internal conflict" and that the military conducted "clearance operations" after an attack by Rohingya militants in August 2017.

'Imminent risk of genocide'

But Paul Reichler, another of The Gambia's lawyers, said that those killed included "infants beaten to death or torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into rivers to drown. How many of them were terrorists?

"Armed conflict can never be an excuse for genocide," he said.

The lawyer said Suu Kyi had also failed to deny the conclusions of a 2018 UN investigation that found that genocide had been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya.

"What is most striking is what Myanmar has not denied," Reichler said.

He also dismissed Suu Kyi's insistence that Myanmar's military should be left to probe the allegations itself, saying it was not credible when its own top generals have themselves been accused of genocide.

"How could anyone expect the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to investigate when six of its top generals, including Min Aung Hlaing, have all been accused of genocide by the UN fact-finding mission?" he asked.

The US on Tuesday slapped fresh sanctions including a travel ban on military chief Min Aung Hlaing over the Rohingya crisis.

The lawyer added that Suu Kyi in her speech to the court had also followed Myanmar's "racist" policy of refusing to refer to the Rohingya Muslim minority by their name.

Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou pushed the court to impose the emergency measures, saying there was a "serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring" and that "the lives of these human beings are at risk."

Suu Kyi was expected to make closing remarks later Thursday.

A decision on the measures could take months, while a final ruling if the ICJ decides to take on the full case could take years.

The Gambia condemned Aung San Suu Kyi's "silence" over the plight of Rohingya Muslims on Thursday after the Nobel Peace Prize laureate defended Myanmar against genocide charges at the UN's top court.

The Gambia condemned Aung San Suu Kyi's "silence" over the plight of Rohingya Muslims on Thursday after the Nobel Peace Prize laureate defended Myanmar against genocide charges at the UN's top court. Lawyers for the mostly Muslim African country said her arguments that Myanmar's 2017 military crackdown was a "clearance operation" targeting militants ignored widespread allegations of mass murder, rape and forced deportation. "Madame agent, your silence said far more than your words," The Gambia's lawyer Philippe Sands told the International Court of Justice (ICJ), referring to Suu Kyi, who is officially acting as Myanmar's agent in the case. "The word 'rape' did not once pass the lips of the agent," Sands added, as Suu Kyi sat impassively in the courtroom, wearing traditional Burmese dress and flowers in her hair. The Gambia has taken majority-Buddhist Myanmar to the court in The Hague, accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide convention and seeking emergency measures to protect the Rohingya. Once regarded as an international rights icon for standing up to Myanmar's brutal junta, Suu Kyi has seen her reputation tarnished by her decision to side with the military over the Rohingya crisis. She used a dramatic appearance at the ICJ on Wednesday to say there was no "genocidal intent" behind the operation that led to some 740,000 Rohingya fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh. Suu Kyi defended Myanmar's actions saying it faced an "internal conflict" and that the military conducted "clearance operations" after an attack by Rohingya militants in August 2017. 'Imminent risk of genocide' But Paul Reichler, another of The Gambia's lawyers, said that those killed included "infants beaten to death or torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into rivers to drown. How many of them were terrorists? "Armed conflict can never be an excuse for genocide," he said. The lawyer said Suu Kyi had also failed to deny the conclusions of a 2018 UN investigation that found that genocide had been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya. "What is most striking is what Myanmar has not denied," Reichler said. He also dismissed Suu Kyi's insistence that Myanmar's military should be left to probe the allegations itself, saying it was not credible when its own top generals have themselves been accused of genocide. "How could anyone expect the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to investigate when six of its top generals, including Min Aung Hlaing, have all been accused of genocide by the UN fact-finding mission?" he asked. The US on Tuesday slapped fresh sanctions including a travel ban on military chief Min Aung Hlaing over the Rohingya crisis. The lawyer added that Suu Kyi in her speech to the court had also followed Myanmar's "racist" policy of refusing to refer to the Rohingya Muslim minority by their name. Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou pushed the court to impose the emergency measures, saying there was a "serious and imminent risk of genocide recurring" and that "the lives of these human beings are at risk." Suu Kyi was expected to make closing remarks later Thursday. A decision on the measures could take months, while a final ruling if the ICJ decides to take on the full case could take years.

Suu Kyi criticised for 'silence' over Myanmar genocide claims

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar today at United Nations' World Court said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-told-to-stop-the-genocide-in-united-nations-court-over-rohingya-crisis-267445">genocide case</a> brought against her country is ''incomplete and misleading''. She was defending her country, which has faced accusations of mass murdering the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.&nbsp;

The case against Myanmar was launched by the Gambia, a small West African country. It was taken up at the International Court of Justice, the United Nations' highest court. According to the Gambia, Myanmar violated the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Yesterday, Suu Kyi listened on as lawyers for Gambia detailed graphic testimony of suffering of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-arrives-at-un-court-for-genocide-hearings-267407">Rohingya</a> at the hands of the Myanmar military.

Suu Kyi travelled to The Hague to present her country's stance. According to her office, she was going to "defend the national interest".

The Gambia made its case for the close relationship between Suu Kyi and her country's military by sharing a picture of her with government ministers - Lieutenant-General Ye Aung, Lieutenant General Sein Win and Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe.

The hearing will span for three days with the first phase being about ''provisional measures'' - a somewhat equivalent of a restraining order against Myanmar.&nbsp;

"It cannot be ruled out that disproportionate force was used by members of the defence services in some cases in disregard of international humanitarian law, or that they did not distinguish clearly enough between fighters and civilians," she said.

But she said that Myanmar was undertaking its own investigations, adding: "Surely under the circumstances, genocidal intent cannot be the only hypothesis."

Watch:&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi to defend Myanmar at ICJ

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/aung-san-suu-kyi-to-defend-myanmar-at-icj-267434/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Although Suu Kyi has not revealed details of her government's defence, she and her legal team are expected to argue that the court lacks jurisdiction and that no genocide has taken place in Myanmar.

The Gambia has argued it is every country's duty under the convention to prevent a genocide from taking place. The Gambia has political support from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands.

More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar after the military launched a crackdown in western Rakhine state in August 2017. Most now live in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Myanmar argues the military&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-arrives-at-un-court-for-genocide-hearings-267407">"clearance operations"</a>&nbsp;in Rakhine were a justifiable response to acts of terrorism.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar today at United Nations' World Court said that the genocide case brought against her country is ''incomplete and misleading''.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar today at United Nations' World Court said that the genocide case brought against her country is ''incomplete and misleading''. She was defending her country, which has faced accusations of mass murdering the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. The case against Myanmar was launched by the Gambia, a small West African country. It was taken up at the International Court of Justice, the United Nations' highest court. According to the Gambia, Myanmar violated the 1948 Genocide Convention. Yesterday, Suu Kyi listened on as lawyers for Gambia detailed graphic testimony of suffering of Rohingya at the hands of the Myanmar military. Suu Kyi travelled to The Hague to present her country's stance. According to her office, she was going to "defend the national interest". The Gambia made its case for the close relationship between Suu Kyi and her country's military by sharing a picture of her with government ministers - Lieutenant-General Ye Aung, Lieutenant General Sein Win and Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe. The hearing will span for three days with the first phase being about ''provisional measures'' - a somewhat equivalent of a restraining order against Myanmar. "It cannot be ruled out that disproportionate force was used by members of the defence services in some cases in disregard of international humanitarian law, or that they did not distinguish clearly enough between fighters and civilians," she said. But she said that Myanmar was undertaking its own investigations, adding: "Surely under the circumstances, genocidal intent cannot be the only hypothesis." Watch: Aung San Suu Kyi to defend Myanmar at ICJ Although Suu Kyi has not revealed details of her government's defence, she and her legal team are expected to argue that the court lacks jurisdiction and that no genocide has taken place in Myanmar. The Gambia has argued it is every country's duty under the convention to prevent a genocide from taking place. The Gambia has political support from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar after the military launched a crackdown in western Rakhine state in August 2017. Most now live in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh. Myanmar argues the military "clearance operations" in Rakhine were a justifiable response to acts of terrorism. (With inputs from Reuters, AFP)

'Incomplete and misleading': Suu Kyi at UN court while referring to accusations of Rohingya genocide

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-suu-kyi-looks-on-gambia-asks-un-judges-to-stop-genocide-in-myanmar-267424">Aung San Suu Kyi</a>, the Nobel laureate from Myanmar was directed to ''stop the genocide'' of Rohingya Muslims at United Nations' top court today.

Kyi, who was for long hailed as a rights icon has suffered setbacks due to her approach in dealing with the Rohingya crisis.

West African state of Gambia has accused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-arrives-at-un-court-for-genocide-hearings-267407">Myanmar</a> of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention.

"This is very much a dispute between Gambia and Myanmar," Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou told the judges of the court, which was set up in 1946 to resolve disputes between UN member states.

Suu Kyi is representing Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.

Around 740,000 Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar military in 2017 that UN investigators have already described as genocide. 
 
"All that The Gambia asks is that you tell Myanmar to stop these senseless killings, to stop these acts of barbarity that continue to shock our collective conscience, to stop this genocide of its own people", Tambadou added.

Tambadou, a former prosecutor at the tribunal into Rwanda's 1994 genocide, said Myanmar's military operation involved "mass murder, mass rape and mass torture, children being burned alive in their homes and places of worship."

The Gambia is seeking emergency measures to prevent further harm to the Rohingya, pending a wider case at the ICJ which could take years. 
 
Suu Kyi listened to accounts by The Gambia's lawyers of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-arrives-at-un-court-for-genocide-hearings-267407">Rohingya victims</a>, including a mother whose one-year-old son was beaten to death and an eight-month-pregnant woman who was stamped on and then repeatedly raped.

A group of some 50 pro-Rohingya protesters gathered outside the gates of the ICJ for the hearing, carrying banners saying: 'Say yes to Rohingya, justice delayed is justice denied" and "Stop Burma military attack Rohingya."

Thousands of people have also turned out in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-in-myanmar-rally-behind-suu-kyi-ahead-of-hague-court-date-266956">Suu Kyi's support in Myanmar</a> in recent weeks since she announced that she would personally lead the southeast Asian nation's case at the court.

Suu Kyi is set to speak in Myanmar's defence on Wednesday. She is expected to argue that Myanmar was conducting legitimate operations against Rohingya militants and that the ICJ has no jurisdiction in the case. 
&nbsp;

Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate from Myanmar was directed to ''stop the genocide'' of Rohingya Muslims at United Nations' top court today. Kyi, who was for long hailed as a rights icon has suffered setbacks due to her approach in dealing with the Rohingya crisis.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate from Myanmar was directed to ''stop the genocide'' of Rohingya Muslims at United Nations' top court today. Kyi, who was for long hailed as a rights icon has suffered setbacks due to her approach in dealing with the Rohingya crisis. West African state of Gambia has accused Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention. "This is very much a dispute between Gambia and Myanmar," Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou told the judges of the court, which was set up in 1946 to resolve disputes between UN member states. Suu Kyi is representing Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Around 740,000 Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar military in 2017 that UN investigators have already described as genocide. "All that The Gambia asks is that you tell Myanmar to stop these senseless killings, to stop these acts of barbarity that continue to shock our collective conscience, to stop this genocide of its own people", Tambadou added. Tambadou, a former prosecutor at the tribunal into Rwanda's 1994 genocide, said Myanmar's military operation involved "mass murder, mass rape and mass torture, children being burned alive in their homes and places of worship." The Gambia is seeking emergency measures to prevent further harm to the Rohingya, pending a wider case at the ICJ which could take years. Suu Kyi listened to accounts by The Gambia's lawyers of Rohingya victims, including a mother whose one-year-old son was beaten to death and an eight-month-pregnant woman who was stamped on and then repeatedly raped. A group of some 50 pro-Rohingya protesters gathered outside the gates of the ICJ for the hearing, carrying banners saying: 'Say yes to Rohingya, justice delayed is justice denied" and "Stop Burma military attack Rohingya." Thousands of people have also turned out in Suu Kyi's support in Myanmar in recent weeks since she announced that she would personally lead the southeast Asian nation's case at the court. Suu Kyi is set to speak in Myanmar's defence on Wednesday. She is expected to argue that Myanmar was conducting legitimate operations against Rohingya militants and that the ICJ has no jurisdiction in the case.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi told to 'stop the genocide' in United Nations court over Rohingya crisis

Myanmar will be represented by a government minister at a UN conference in Geneva next week, and not by the country`s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the latest agenda for the meeting on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, an agenda for the Conference on Disarmament seen by Reuters showed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-united-nations-in-geneva-in-next-week-198796">Suu Kyi</a>, who has been criticised by the West over the government`s treatment of Rohingya Muslims and other human rights concerns, was scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Two officials confirmed she was expected, raising the prospect of a possible meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is due to speak at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday and the disarmament forum on Tuesday.&nbsp;

But an agenda posted on the conference`s website later in the day listed Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation, as the speaker from Myanmar. UN officials said they did not have any information about Suu Kyi coming to Geneva.

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to calls seeking comment and diplomats at Myanmar`s mission in Geneva were unavailable throughout the day.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi is a former political prisoner who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 but her reputation has suffered badly in recent years.

Her government`s relations with the United Nations are tense following the Rohingya crisis. About 730,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar`s Rakhine State into Bangladesh since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts.

Myanmar has banned the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, from coming to the country and Suu Kyi`s administration has opposed raising the profile of the UN resident coordinator in Myanmar.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi has largely shunned travel to the West since the Rohingya crisis broke but she and senior officials in her administration travel regularly within Asia.

A UN mandated fact-finding mission said that Myanmar`s military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya with "genocidal intent" and called for generals to be prosecuted. Myanmar rejected the findings.

Last year Suu Kyi visited Australia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Nepal. She travelled to Switzerland in 2012, visiting the Swiss government in Bern and the UN and the International Labour Organization in Geneva.

Myanmar will be represented by a government minister at a UN conference in Geneva next week, and not by the country`s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the latest agenda for the meeting on Thursday.

Myanmar will be represented by a government minister at a UN conference in Geneva next week, and not by the country`s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the latest agenda for the meeting on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, an agenda for the Conference on Disarmament seen by Reuters showed Suu Kyi, who has been criticised by the West over the government`s treatment of Rohingya Muslims and other human rights concerns, was scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Two officials confirmed she was expected, raising the prospect of a possible meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is due to speak at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday and the disarmament forum on Tuesday. But an agenda posted on the conference`s website later in the day listed Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation, as the speaker from Myanmar. UN officials said they did not have any information about Suu Kyi coming to Geneva. Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to calls seeking comment and diplomats at Myanmar`s mission in Geneva were unavailable throughout the day. Suu Kyi is a former political prisoner who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 but her reputation has suffered badly in recent years. Her government`s relations with the United Nations are tense following the Rohingya crisis. About 730,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar`s Rakhine State into Bangladesh since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts. Myanmar has banned the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, from coming to the country and Suu Kyi`s administration has opposed raising the profile of the UN resident coordinator in Myanmar. Suu Kyi has largely shunned travel to the West since the Rohingya crisis broke but she and senior officials in her administration travel regularly within Asia. A UN mandated fact-finding mission said that Myanmar`s military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya with "genocidal intent" and called for generals to be prosecuted. Myanmar rejected the findings. Last year Suu Kyi visited Australia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Nepal. She travelled to Switzerland in 2012, visiting the Swiss government in Bern and the UN and the International Labour Organization in Geneva.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi drops off UN agenda in Geneva next week

Organisers of a summit in Myanmar's crisis-hit western state of Rakhine are this week pitching to investors its plentiful farmland and fishing grounds, tourist-ready beaches and historic temples.

The event's website describes the "untouched opportunities" available in the strategically located region, close to large markets in India and Bangladesh. But a session at the fair will also be devoted to how to invest responsibly in the state, from which an estimated 730,000 minority Rohingya Muslims fled an army offensive in 2017.

A UN fact-finding mission last year said the military campaign, which refugees say included mass killings and rape, was orchestrated with "genocidal intent". Myanmar denies the charge and says its offensive was a legitimate response to an insurgent threat and that it is welcoming the refugees back.

Myanmar hopes the Rakhine State Investment Fair – the first of its kind – will bring money into the impoverished region. Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who in the past has said economic development is the key to addressing the state's long-standing religious and ethnic tensions, is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech on Friday.

Suu Kyi's spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi last month pledged to make Myanmar more investment-friendly as she opened a separate investment summit in the capital, Naypyitaw.

But her government remains under pressure over the 2017 exodus of refugees to Bangladesh, and the plight of hundreds of thousands more Muslims still living in camps and villages inside Rakhine, where their movements and access to healthcare and education remain restricted. A separate conflict with Rakhine rebels that escalated in December has seen aid agencies blocked from reaching many areas.

"It's quite extraordinary that this investment fair is on, even though large chunks of central Rakhine are now off limits to prying eyes," said Laetitia van den Assum, a retired Dutch diplomat who was a member of a commission on Rakhine led by the late former U.N. chief Kofi Annan.

Changing news

The investment fair has been organised by the Rakhine state government and Myanmar Investment Commission, with backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).

More than 350 investors will mingle with local entrepreneurs and officials at the Rakhine tourist hotspot of Ngapali beach, discussing proposals to farm soft shell crabs or package cashew nuts.

"The Rakhine issue has tarnished the country's image. But the fair will change the international view of Myanmar," Htoo Min Thein, secretary of Rakhine's investment committee, said in an interview carried by the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

"A goal of the fair is to ensure the long-lasting peace, stability and progress in the state through investment," he said, adding that many areas of the state were unaffected by conflict.

Investment opportunities listed on the fair's website include several in the troubled north of the state, from where most of the Rohingya population fled in 2017.

Kazufumi Tanaka, JETRO's managing director in Yangon, said about 50 Japanese government officials, researchers and investors would attend the fair, and that Japanese firms were particularly interested in agriculture and fisheries investments.

Asked about human rights concerns, he told Reuters JETRO would advise Japanese firms on responsible investment practices, adding that most companies would be interested in projects in the south of the state, away from the conflict zone.

"Human rights due diligence is very, very critical of course," he said. "The image is a very negative image but the other parts of Rakhine state I believe are an opportunity for international investors."

JICA's Myanmar office also noted the need for responsible development in Rakhine, and said it hoped the fair would promote development in the state that leads to stability.

Ethnic segregation

The Rohingya crisis slowed Myanmar's economic growth, turned off Western tourists and worried new investors. The government's tally of new foreign investment approvals, which peaked before the violence at $9.5 billion in 2015-16, was just $3 billion for the 10 months up to January.

Peter Beynon, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, said investors should look beyond Myanmar's "negative press".

"Engagement is always better than isolation," he said, adding that foreign investment in Rakhine could bring employment opportunities that would make refugees more likely to return.

Rakhine is one of Myanmar's poorest regions, despite natural gas reserves offshore and infrastructure projects including a planned economic zone at Kyauk Pyu, where parallel oil and gas pipelines to China's Yunnan province already have their terminals.

But some experts warn purely economic solutions to the state's woes could cement the marginalisation of the mostly stateless Rohingya. Kofi Annan's commission said in 2017 that development in Rakhine had to be addressed alongside security and human rights, said van den Assum.

Investments that benefit all communities were welcome, she said, but companies should ask themselves, "Do they want to operate under a regime that strictly enforces ethnic segregation?"

A Reuters special report in December revealed that officials had built new homes for Buddhists where the Rohingya once lived, making the return of many refugees to their original homes impossible.

Myanmar says it has been ready to accept returning refugees since January, and denies discriminating against Muslims who remain in Rakhine.

In Myebon, about 200 km (125 miles) north of Ngapali beach, Muslim residents are barred from returning to their homes nearly seven years after they fled communal clashes.

"I don't think it’s a good time to invest in Rakhine," said Tin Aung, a Muslim community leader in the camp where they now live. "It might be good for outsiders, but we, the people in the camps, are not going to benefit from these investments."

Organisers of a summit in Myanmar's crisis-hit western state of Rakhine are this week pitching to investors its plentiful farmland and fishing grounds, tourist-ready beaches and historic temples.

Organisers of a summit in Myanmar's crisis-hit western state of Rakhine are this week pitching to investors its plentiful farmland and fishing grounds, tourist-ready beaches and historic temples. The event's website describes the "untouched opportunities" available in the strategically located region, close to large markets in India and Bangladesh. But a session at the fair will also be devoted to how to invest responsibly in the state, from which an estimated 730,000 minority Rohingya Muslims fled an army offensive in 2017. A UN fact-finding mission last year said the military campaign, which refugees say included mass killings and rape, was orchestrated with "genocidal intent". Myanmar denies the charge and says its offensive was a legitimate response to an insurgent threat and that it is welcoming the refugees back. Myanmar hopes the Rakhine State Investment Fair – the first of its kind – will bring money into the impoverished region. Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who in the past has said economic development is the key to addressing the state's long-standing religious and ethnic tensions, is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech on Friday. Suu Kyi's spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment. Nobel laureate Suu Kyi last month pledged to make Myanmar more investment-friendly as she opened a separate investment summit in the capital, Naypyitaw. But her government remains under pressure over the 2017 exodus of refugees to Bangladesh, and the plight of hundreds of thousands more Muslims still living in camps and villages inside Rakhine, where their movements and access to healthcare and education remain restricted. A separate conflict with Rakhine rebels that escalated in December has seen aid agencies blocked from reaching many areas. "It's quite extraordinary that this investment fair is on, even though large chunks of central Rakhine are now off limits to prying eyes," said Laetitia van den Assum, a retired Dutch diplomat who was a member of a commission on Rakhine led by the late former U.N. chief Kofi Annan. Changing news The investment fair has been organised by the Rakhine state government and Myanmar Investment Commission, with backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). More than 350 investors will mingle with local entrepreneurs and officials at the Rakhine tourist hotspot of Ngapali beach, discussing proposals to farm soft shell crabs or package cashew nuts. "The Rakhine issue has tarnished the country's image. But the fair will change the international view of Myanmar," Htoo Min Thein, secretary of Rakhine's investment committee, said in an interview carried by the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. "A goal of the fair is to ensure the long-lasting peace, stability and progress in the state through investment," he said, adding that many areas of the state were unaffected by conflict. Investment opportunities listed on the fair's website include several in the troubled north of the state, from where most of the Rohingya population fled in 2017. Kazufumi Tanaka, JETRO's managing director in Yangon, said about 50 Japanese government officials, researchers and investors would attend the fair, and that Japanese firms were particularly interested in agriculture and fisheries investments. Asked about human rights concerns, he told Reuters JETRO would advise Japanese firms on responsible investment practices, adding that most companies would be interested in projects in the south of the state, away from the conflict zone. "Human rights due diligence is very, very critical of course," he said. "The image is a very negative image but the other parts of Rakhine state I believe are an opportunity for international investors." JICA's Myanmar office also noted the need for responsible development in Rakhine, and said it hoped the fair would promote development in the state that leads to stability. Ethnic segregation The Rohingya crisis slowed Myanmar's economic growth, turned off Western tourists and worried new investors. The government's tally of new foreign investment approvals, which peaked before the violence at $9.5 billion in 2015-16, was just $3 billion for the 10 months up to January. Peter Beynon, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, said investors should look beyond Myanmar's "negative press". "Engagement is always better than isolation," he said, adding that foreign investment in Rakhine could bring employment opportunities that would make refugees more likely to return. Rakhine is one of Myanmar's poorest regions, despite natural gas reserves offshore and infrastructure projects including a planned economic zone at Kyauk Pyu, where parallel oil and gas pipelines to China's Yunnan province already have their terminals. But some experts warn purely economic solutions to the state's woes could cement the marginalisation of the mostly stateless Rohingya. Kofi Annan's commission said in 2017 that development in Rakhine had to be addressed alongside security and human rights, said van den Assum. Investments that benefit all communities were welcome, she said, but companies should ask themselves, "Do they want to operate under a regime that strictly enforces ethnic segregation?" A Reuters special report in December revealed that officials had built new homes for Buddhists where the Rohingya once lived, making the return of many refugees to their original homes impossible. Myanmar says it has been ready to accept returning refugees since January, and denies discriminating against Muslims who remain in Rakhine. In Myebon, about 200 km (125 miles) north of Ngapali beach, Muslim residents are barred from returning to their homes nearly seven years after they fled communal clashes. "I don't think it’s a good time to invest in Rakhine," said Tin Aung, a Muslim community leader in the camp where they now live. "It might be good for outsiders, but we, the people in the camps, are not going to benefit from these investments."

'Tarnished image': Myanmar touts troubled Rakhine as investment destination

Thousands of people sporting traditional ethnic costumes and Karen rebel fighters showing off their guns marched sang and danced last week to celebrate 70 years since the start of the struggle for greater autonomy from Myanmar.

Boasting more than 5,000 soldiers, the Karen National Union (KNU) is one of the most powerful and best-established of the country's myriad militia groups that have fought the government since shortly after Myanmar gained independence in 1948.

The KNU's parade served as a reminder that the biggest priority of the Aung San Suu Kyi's administration - ending decades of ethnic wars - remains elusive.

Suu Kyi has struggled to make progress with autonomy-seeking ethnic minority rebels, who have accused her government of a high-handed approach and ignoring their grievances and aspirations.

The KNU celebrations took place at a remote base in the mountains straddling the Myanmar-Thai border.

"The history of the revolution for 70 years is a very rough one. As someone who has been involved in the revolution for 50 years, I can say it's very tough and the sacrifices were very big," Man Nyein Maung, one of the KNU's executive members, told the Irrawaddy online news magazine.

The celebrations lasted several days and nights with a folk dance competition and theatre performances before a military parade and speeches on a cloud-shrouded, dusty parade ground carved from the hills at the crack of dawn.
<img alt="Soldiers of Karen National Union (KNU) march during the 70th anniversary of Karen National Revolution Day in Kaw Thoo Lei, Kayin state." data-caption="Soldiers of Karen National Union (KNU) attend a music concert during the &lt;g class=&quot;gr_ gr_111 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace&quot; data-gr-id=&quot;111&quot; id=&quot;111&quot;&gt;70th anniversary&lt;/g&gt; celebration." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="69d8068c-569e-456c-80c3-e51c1fc792a1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_1.jpg" /><img alt="Soldiers of Karen National Union (KNU) prepare for the 70th anniversary celebrations." data-caption="Soldiers of &lt;g class=&quot;gr_ gr_159 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep&quot; data-gr-id=&quot;159&quot; id=&quot;159&quot;&gt;Karen&lt;/g&gt; National Union (KNU) prepare for the &lt;g class=&quot;gr_ gr_160 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace&quot; data-gr-id=&quot;160&quot; id=&quot;160&quot;&gt;70th anniversary&lt;/g&gt; celebration." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf35b1b5-d3a2-40c5-a47c-78f638393a8e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29.jpg" />
A banner hoisted above the grounds listed some of the group's political demands, including calls to "retain our arms" and to "decide our own political destiny".

One of the dance groups was made up of women wearing yellow scarves, with their hair tied in a bun and an exposed fringe. Their yellow shirts with green patterns contrasted with their white face powder and red lipstick.

The performers mingled with villagers and soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army, the KNU's armed wing. The men smoked cigarettes as they watched, some with heavy bullet belts draped around automatic rifles, and with insignia in red, white and blue displayed on their uniforms.

The KNU signed a ceasefire with the government in 2012 after more than six decades of conflict that had driven tens of thousands of refugees into Thailand.

Some have come back although about 100,000 remain in the refugee camps on the other side of the border, according to the United Nations. While major clashes have been avoided, the KNU's relations with the Myanmar army remain tense.

Suu Kyi has struggled to secure peace elsewhere in the country and long-simmering conflicts in the north and the west have intensified in recent years.

In 2017, a military offensive drove out 730,000 Rohingya Muslims from the western state of Rakhine to Bangladesh, creating one of the world's largest refugee crises.

Thousands of people sporting traditional ethnic costumes and Karen rebel fighters showing off their guns marched sang and danced last week to celebrate 70 years since the start of the struggle for greater autonomy from Myanmar.

Thousands of people sporting traditional ethnic costumes and Karen rebel fighters showing off their guns marched sang and danced last week to celebrate 70 years since the start of the struggle for greater autonomy from Myanmar. Boasting more than 5,000 soldiers, the Karen National Union (KNU) is one of the most powerful and best-established of the country's myriad militia groups that have fought the government since shortly after Myanmar gained independence in 1948. The KNU's parade served as a reminder that the biggest priority of the Aung San Suu Kyi's administration - ending decades of ethnic wars - remains elusive. Suu Kyi has struggled to make progress with autonomy-seeking ethnic minority rebels, who have accused her government of a high-handed approach and ignoring their grievances and aspirations. The KNU celebrations took place at a remote base in the mountains straddling the Myanmar-Thai border. "The history of the revolution for 70 years is a very rough one. As someone who has been involved in the revolution for 50 years, I can say it's very tough and the sacrifices were very big," Man Nyein Maung, one of the KNU's executive members, told the Irrawaddy online news magazine. The celebrations lasted several days and nights with a folk dance competition and theatre performances before a military parade and speeches on a cloud-shrouded, dusty parade ground carved from the hills at the crack of dawn. A banner hoisted above the grounds listed some of the group's political demands, including calls to "retain our arms" and to "decide our own political destiny". One of the dance groups was made up of women wearing yellow scarves, with their hair tied in a bun and an exposed fringe. Their yellow shirts with green patterns contrasted with their white face powder and red lipstick. The performers mingled with villagers and soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army, the KNU's armed wing. The men smoked cigarettes as they watched, some with heavy bullet belts draped around automatic rifles, and with insignia in red, white and blue displayed on their uniforms. The KNU signed a ceasefire with the government in 2012 after more than six decades of conflict that had driven tens of thousands of refugees into Thailand. Some have come back although about 100,000 remain in the refugee camps on the other side of the border, according to the United Nations. While major clashes have been avoided, the KNU's relations with the Myanmar army remain tense. Suu Kyi has struggled to secure peace elsewhere in the country and long-simmering conflicts in the north and the west have intensified in recent years. In 2017, a military offensive drove out 730,000 Rohingya Muslims from the western state of Rakhine to Bangladesh, creating one of the world's largest refugee crises.

Parade and dances as Myanmar's Karen rebels mark 70th anniversary of struggle

Supreme Court today refused to pass an interim order on ensuring health and educational facilities for Rohingya refugees in India.

The Centre has told the top court that there has been no discrimination in granting health and educational facilities to Indians and outsiders.

The Rohingyas who fled Myanmar in August last year set up camps in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court directed the Centre to put up a status report on the condition of Rohingyas in various states in the country.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves had said that conditions at the camps are &quot;unhygienic&quot; and &quot;filthiest to say the least&quot;.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves had said that conditions at the camps are "unhygienic" and "filthiest to say the least".

Supreme Court today refused to pass an interim order on ensuring health and educational facilities for Rohingya refugees in India. The Centre has told the top court that there has been no discrimination in granting health and educational facilities to Indians and outsiders. The Rohingyas who fled Myanmar in August last year set up camps in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan. The Supreme Court directed the Centre to put up a status report on the condition of Rohingyas in various states in the country. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves had said that conditions at the camps are "unhygienic" and "filthiest to say the least".

File status report on condition of Rohingyas: Supreme Court to Centre

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