Amid the ongoing international condemnation of the Myanmar coup, several tenants of a high-end office block built on military-owned land have moved out or are reviewing their leases.

The military takeover which took place on February 1 has now started to affect the economy of the country with firms like Mckinsey, Coca-Cola and Reuters looking to pull out of the country.

Activists had earlier urged commercial tenants in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon to stop indirectly supporting the Army.

Meanwhile, a&nbsp;judge ordered Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to appear in person in court on May 24. The Myanmar leader was arrested by authorities as it took control of the country leading to large scale protests. &nbsp;

Suu Kyi had earlier attended via video conferencing from under house arrest

As firms have begun pulling out due to the volatile political atmosphere in the country post the military coup, Coca-cola cited "changing business requirements" for not renewing its lease, a Singapore-based private equity firm including Norwegian fertiliser firm Yara have begun looking for options.

Telenor said it was aware of the military-owned land under Sule Square before it moved in, however, it had picked the location due to factors such as safety.

Japan's Sony said it had a representative in Myanmar but its office closed "due to the local situation".&nbsp;

Mckinsey had already terminated its lease in Sule Square early this year.&nbsp;

Amid the ongoing international condemnation of the Myanmar coup, several tenants of a high-end office block built on military-owned land have moved out or are reviewing their leases.

Amid the ongoing international condemnation of the Myanmar coup, several tenants of a high-end office block built on military-owned land have moved out or are reviewing their leases. The military takeover which took place on February 1 has now started to affect the economy of the country with firms like Mckinsey, Coca-Cola and Reuters looking to pull out of the country. Activists had earlier urged commercial tenants in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon to stop indirectly supporting the Army. Meanwhile, a judge ordered Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to appear in person in court on May 24. The Myanmar leader was arrested by authorities as it took control of the country leading to large scale protests. Suu Kyi had earlier attended via video conferencing from under house arrest As firms have begun pulling out due to the volatile political atmosphere in the country post the military coup, Coca-cola cited "changing business requirements" for not renewing its lease, a Singapore-based private equity firm including Norwegian fertiliser firm Yara have begun looking for options. Telenor said it was aware of the military-owned land under Sule Square before it moved in, however, it had picked the location due to factors such as safety. Japan's Sony said it had a representative in Myanmar but its office closed "due to the local situation". Mckinsey had already terminated its lease in Sule Square early this year.

Foreign companies begin pulling out of Myanmar over military's stranglehold

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of Myanmar's most powerful rebel groups, said on Monday it had shot down a helicopter after returning fire following air strikes by the military, an official at the group said.

The United Nations estimates that tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes as a result of the fighting between the military and ethnic minority insurgents in remote northern and eastern frontier regions. The conflict intensified after Myanmar's generals seized power on February 1, ousting the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The KIA's information department head, Naw Bu, said the helicopter was shot down around 10:20 a.m. at a village near the town of Moemauk in Kachin province.

"The military council launched air strikes in that area since around 8 or 9 this morning ... using jet fighters and also fired shots using a helicopter so we shot back at them," he said by telephone. He declined to say what weapons were used.

​News portals MizzimaDaily and Kachinwaves also reported the downing of the helicopter next to photographs showing a plume of smoke coming from the ground.

A resident in the area, who declined to be named, said by telephone that four people had died in hospital after artillery shells hit a monastery in the village.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports and a military spokesman did not answer a phone call seeking comment.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, with protests almost daily against military rule across the country.

On Sunday, Myanmar security forces opened fire on some of the biggest protests in days, killing eight people, media reported.

The protests, after a spell of dwindling crowds and what appeared to be more restraint by the security forces, were coordinated with demonstrations in Myanmar communities around the world to mark what organisers called "the global Myanmar spring revolution".

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group says security forces have killed at least 765 protesters since the coup. Reuters is unable to confirm the toll.

The military said it had to seize power because its complaints of fraud in a November election won by Suu Kyi's party were not addressed by an election commission that deemed the vote fair.

Suu Kyi, 75, has been detained since the coup along with many other members of her party.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of Myanmar's most powerful rebel groups, said on Monday it had shot down a helicopter after returning fire following air strikes by the military, an official at the group said.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of Myanmar's most powerful rebel groups, said on Monday it had shot down a helicopter after returning fire following air strikes by the military, an official at the group said. The United Nations estimates that tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes as a result of the fighting between the military and ethnic minority insurgents in remote northern and eastern frontier regions. The conflict intensified after Myanmar's generals seized power on February 1, ousting the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The KIA's information department head, Naw Bu, said the helicopter was shot down around 10:20 a.m. at a village near the town of Moemauk in Kachin province. "The military council launched air strikes in that area since around 8 or 9 this morning ... using jet fighters and also fired shots using a helicopter so we shot back at them," he said by telephone. He declined to say what weapons were used. News portals MizzimaDaily and Kachinwaves also reported the downing of the helicopter next to photographs showing a plume of smoke coming from the ground. A resident in the area, who declined to be named, said by telephone that four people had died in hospital after artillery shells hit a monastery in the village. Reuters could not independently verify the reports and a military spokesman did not answer a phone call seeking comment. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, with protests almost daily against military rule across the country. On Sunday, Myanmar security forces opened fire on some of the biggest protests in days, killing eight people, media reported. The protests, after a spell of dwindling crowds and what appeared to be more restraint by the security forces, were coordinated with demonstrations in Myanmar communities around the world to mark what organisers called "the global Myanmar spring revolution". The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group says security forces have killed at least 765 protesters since the coup. Reuters is unable to confirm the toll. The military said it had to seize power because its complaints of fraud in a November election won by Suu Kyi's party were not addressed by an election commission that deemed the vote fair. Suu Kyi, 75, has been detained since the coup along with many other members of her party.

Myanmar rebel group says it shot down military helicopter

Opponents of Myanmar's junta announced a National Unity Government on Friday including ousted members of parliament and leaders of anti-coup protests and ethnic minorities, saying their aim was to root out military rule.

Myanmar has been in violent turmoil since a February&nbsp;1 coup that ousted a civilian government led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, which had held power for five years and was starting its second term after a landslide election victory in November.

People have been taking to the streets day after day to demand the restoration of democracy, defying crackdowns by the security forces in which more than 700 people have been killed, according to a monitoring group.

At the same time, political leaders, including ousted members of parliament from Suu Kyi's party, have been trying to organise to show the country and the outside world that they and not the generals are the legitimate political authority.

"Please welcome the people's government," veteran democracy activist Min Ko Naing said in a 10-minute video address announcing the formation of the National Unity Government.

While setting out few positions, Min Ko Naing said the will of the people was the unity government's priority, while acknowledging the scale of the task at hand.

"We're trying to get this out from the roots so we have to sacrifice a lot," he said, referring to the junta.

One of the unity's government's primary objectives will be to win international support and recognition.

The generals justified their take-over by accusing Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), of voter fraud in the November election, though the election commission dismissed their objections.

The military's bloody suppression of the protests has shocked and angered much of the world. International pressure has also been slowly building, particularly from Western governments, though the military has a long record of brushing off what it sees as outside interference.

The unity government released a list of office holders including members of ethnic minorities and protest leaders, underlining the unity of purpose between the pro-democracy movement and autonomy-seeking minority communities, some of whom have battled the central government for decades.

A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment.

The unity government's minister of international cooperation, Dr Sasa, who goes by one name, told Reuters in an interview the objective was to end violence, restore democracy and build a "federal democratic union".

"A new day has come for our people, a new era for Myanmar has started," he said.

Federal army

While the politicians were announcing the unity government, other opponents of military rule observed a "silent strike" staying home to mourn those killed or wearing black in small marches in several cities and towns.

"The most silent voice is the loudest," protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on her Facebook page.

Streets in the main city of Yangon were largely deserted, residents said, while black-clad protesters held small rallies in half a dozen cities and towns, media reported.

There were no immediate reports of violence but overnight, two people were shot and killed in the central town of Myingyan, Radio Free Asia reported.

The military has also been rounding up its critics and has published the names of more than 200 people wanted under a law that makes it illegal to encourage mutiny or dereliction of duty in the armed forces.

Two prominent protest organisers were arrested on Thursday along with an actor and singer, both known for speaking out against the coup.

In another show of defiance, a previously unknown group called the Ayeyarwaddy Federal Army said on Facebook it aimed to fight the military to restore an elected government and protect the people and it called for volunteers.

It gave no details about how it aimed to take on the well-equipped and experienced army.

The turmoil has alarmed Myanmar's neighbours in Southeast Asia, who have been trying to encourage talks between the rival sides.

Southeast Asian leaders will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai and Indonesian media reported.

Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was due to attend, a Thai broadcaster said, but the Jakarta Post said it had not been confirmed whether the summit would include representatives of the junta or the former government.

Sasa says ASEAN should not invite "murderer-in-chief" Min Aung Hlaing to the summit.

The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on another 10 individuals linked to the coup and to target two businesses run by the armed forces for the first time in protest at the military takeover, two diplomats said.

Opponents of Myanmar's junta announced a National Unity Government on Friday including ousted members of parliament and leaders of anti-coup protests and ethnic minorities, saying their aim was to root out military rule.

Opponents of Myanmar's junta announced a National Unity Government on Friday including ousted members of parliament and leaders of anti-coup protests and ethnic minorities, saying their aim was to root out military rule. Myanmar has been in violent turmoil since a February 1 coup that ousted a civilian government led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, which had held power for five years and was starting its second term after a landslide election victory in November. People have been taking to the streets day after day to demand the restoration of democracy, defying crackdowns by the security forces in which more than 700 people have been killed, according to a monitoring group. At the same time, political leaders, including ousted members of parliament from Suu Kyi's party, have been trying to organise to show the country and the outside world that they and not the generals are the legitimate political authority. "Please welcome the people's government," veteran democracy activist Min Ko Naing said in a 10-minute video address announcing the formation of the National Unity Government. While setting out few positions, Min Ko Naing said the will of the people was the unity government's priority, while acknowledging the scale of the task at hand. "We're trying to get this out from the roots so we have to sacrifice a lot," he said, referring to the junta. One of the unity's government's primary objectives will be to win international support and recognition. The generals justified their take-over by accusing Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), of voter fraud in the November election, though the election commission dismissed their objections. The military's bloody suppression of the protests has shocked and angered much of the world. International pressure has also been slowly building, particularly from Western governments, though the military has a long record of brushing off what it sees as outside interference. The unity government released a list of office holders including members of ethnic minorities and protest leaders, underlining the unity of purpose between the pro-democracy movement and autonomy-seeking minority communities, some of whom have battled the central government for decades. A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment. The unity government's minister of international cooperation, Dr Sasa, who goes by one name, told Reuters in an interview the objective was to end violence, restore democracy and build a "federal democratic union". "A new day has come for our people, a new era for Myanmar has started," he said. Federal army While the politicians were announcing the unity government, other opponents of military rule observed a "silent strike" staying home to mourn those killed or wearing black in small marches in several cities and towns. "The most silent voice is the loudest," protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on her Facebook page. Streets in the main city of Yangon were largely deserted, residents said, while black-clad protesters held small rallies in half a dozen cities and towns, media reported. There were no immediate reports of violence but overnight, two people were shot and killed in the central town of Myingyan, Radio Free Asia reported. The military has also been rounding up its critics and has published the names of more than 200 people wanted under a law that makes it illegal to encourage mutiny or dereliction of duty in the armed forces. Two prominent protest organisers were arrested on Thursday along with an actor and singer, both known for speaking out against the coup. In another show of defiance, a previously unknown group called the Ayeyarwaddy Federal Army said on Facebook it aimed to fight the military to restore an elected government and protect the people and it called for volunteers. It gave no details about how it aimed to take on the well-equipped and experienced army. The turmoil has alarmed Myanmar's neighbours in Southeast Asia, who have been trying to encourage talks between the rival sides. Southeast Asian leaders will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai and Indonesian media reported. Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was due to attend, a Thai broadcaster said, but the Jakarta Post said it had not been confirmed whether the summit would include representatives of the junta or the former government. Sasa says ASEAN should not invite "murderer-in-chief" Min Aung Hlaing to the summit. The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on another 10 individuals linked to the coup and to target two businesses run by the armed forces for the first time in protest at the military takeover, two diplomats said.

Opponents of Myanmar coup announce unity government

Myanmar&nbsp;security forces arrested on Thursday one of the main leaders of the campaign against military rule after driving into him with a car as he led a motorbike protest rally, friends and colleagues said.

Opponents of a February&nbsp;1 coup that ousted an elected government led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi have kept up their campaign against the military this traditional New Year week with marches and various other displays of resistance.

"Our brother Wai Moe Naing was arrested. His motorbike was hit by a private car of the police," Win Zaw Khiang, a member of a protest organising group, said on social media.

Wai Moe Naing, a 25-year-old Muslim, has emerged as one of the most high-profile leaders of opposition to the coup.

Reuters was not able to contact Wai Moe Naing by telephone. Earlier, Reuters spoke to him as he set off to lead the rally in the central town of Monywa, about 700 km (435 miles) north of the main city of Yangon.

Video posted on social media showed an oncoming car swerving into a group of motorbikes. Reuters was not able to verify the footage.

A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment.

Monywa has been one of main centres of the pro-democracy campaign with big rallies day after day and repeated crackdowns by the security forces.

Some colleagues said they feared for Wai Moe Naing's safety in detention.

"We have to continue the fight by doubling our energy for Ko Wai Moe Naing, for the truth, for the present and future of the country," another leader, Tayzar San, said on Facebook.

Earlier on Thursday, soldiers opened fire in the city of Mandalay to disperse protesting medical workers and one man was killed and several wounded when security forces fired in a nearby neighbourhood, media reported.

Medical workers, some of whom have been at the forefront of the campaign against the coup, gathered early in the second city but troops soon arrived, opening fire and detaining some people, witnesses and the BBC's Burmese-language service said.

The BBC and other news outlets did not have details of casualties or arrests at the protest but Khit Thit media said a man was shot and killed in the compound of a nearby mosque as security forces broke up the medics' protest.

"There was no protest here. The soldiers came and seemed to be searching for someone," a resident of the neighbourhood where the mosque is located, who declined to be identified, said by telephone.

Clashes

The five-day New Year holiday, known as Thingyan, began on Tuesday but pro-democracy activists cancelled the usual festivities to focus on their opposition to the generals.

Hundreds of people joined protests marches and motorbike rallies in several towns, according to pictures posted by media outlets.

The coup has plunged&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;into crisis after 10 years of tentative steps toward democracy, with, in addition to the daily protests, strikes by workers in many sectors that have brought the economy to a standstill.

An activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, says the security forces have killed 715 protesters since the ousting of Suu Kyi's government.

The military says the protests are dwindling but the state-run Global New Light of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;newspaper reported that "rioters" had been committing an increasing number of "terrorist acts", attacking security forces with grenades, planting "homemade mines" and starting fires.

The coup has also led to an increase in clashes between the military and ethnic minority forces fighting for autonomy in border regions, in particular in the east and north, where the military has been launching air strikes.

Government forces had suffered heavy casualties in an assault on ethnic Kachin insurgents in the north this week, the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;Now and Democratic Voice of Burma media groups reported.

Myanmar security forces arrested on Thursday one of the main leaders of the campaign against military rule after driving into him with a car as he led a motorbike protest rally, friends and colleagues said.

Myanmar security forces arrested on Thursday one of the main leaders of the campaign against military rule after driving into him with a car as he led a motorbike protest rally, friends and colleagues said. Opponents of a February 1 coup that ousted an elected government led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi have kept up their campaign against the military this traditional New Year week with marches and various other displays of resistance. "Our brother Wai Moe Naing was arrested. His motorbike was hit by a private car of the police," Win Zaw Khiang, a member of a protest organising group, said on social media. Wai Moe Naing, a 25-year-old Muslim, has emerged as one of the most high-profile leaders of opposition to the coup. Reuters was not able to contact Wai Moe Naing by telephone. Earlier, Reuters spoke to him as he set off to lead the rally in the central town of Monywa, about 700 km (435 miles) north of the main city of Yangon. Video posted on social media showed an oncoming car swerving into a group of motorbikes. Reuters was not able to verify the footage. A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment. Monywa has been one of main centres of the pro-democracy campaign with big rallies day after day and repeated crackdowns by the security forces. Some colleagues said they feared for Wai Moe Naing's safety in detention. "We have to continue the fight by doubling our energy for Ko Wai Moe Naing, for the truth, for the present and future of the country," another leader, Tayzar San, said on Facebook. Earlier on Thursday, soldiers opened fire in the city of Mandalay to disperse protesting medical workers and one man was killed and several wounded when security forces fired in a nearby neighbourhood, media reported. Medical workers, some of whom have been at the forefront of the campaign against the coup, gathered early in the second city but troops soon arrived, opening fire and detaining some people, witnesses and the BBC's Burmese-language service said. The BBC and other news outlets did not have details of casualties or arrests at the protest but Khit Thit media said a man was shot and killed in the compound of a nearby mosque as security forces broke up the medics' protest. "There was no protest here. The soldiers came and seemed to be searching for someone," a resident of the neighbourhood where the mosque is located, who declined to be identified, said by telephone. Clashes The five-day New Year holiday, known as Thingyan, began on Tuesday but pro-democracy activists cancelled the usual festivities to focus on their opposition to the generals. Hundreds of people joined protests marches and motorbike rallies in several towns, according to pictures posted by media outlets. The coup has plunged Myanmar into crisis after 10 years of tentative steps toward democracy, with, in addition to the daily protests, strikes by workers in many sectors that have brought the economy to a standstill. An activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, says the security forces have killed 715 protesters since the ousting of Suu Kyi's government. The military says the protests are dwindling but the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that "rioters" had been committing an increasing number of "terrorist acts", attacking security forces with grenades, planting "homemade mines" and starting fires. The coup has also led to an increase in clashes between the military and ethnic minority forces fighting for autonomy in border regions, in particular in the east and north, where the military has been launching air strikes. Government forces had suffered heavy casualties in an assault on ethnic Kachin insurgents in the north this week, the Myanmar Now and Democratic Voice of Burma media groups reported.

Myanmar security forces arrest prominent leader of campaign against coup

The Myanmar military has been terrorising civilians since a coup two months earlier. The armed forces of the country have killed more than 700 civilians since the February 1 coup, a human rights group reported over the weekend.&nbsp;

At least 82 people were killed in the city of Bago on Friday during a crackdown against anti-coup protesters.

The actual number of those killed is likely much higher, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which has been tracking deaths since the coup began.

On records a total of 701 people have been killed, 3,100 people detained, and 650 arrest warrants were issued during the protests.

Myanmar spends twice as much on defence as it does on education and health combined. With half a million soldiers, at least on paper, Myanmar has the world’s 38th strongest military, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks 140 nations on their capability to wage war.

Myanmar's military seized power on February 1 after allegations of rigging during the November 8, 2020 elections and rising political tensions in the country.

The military detained several officials and ruling party leaders, including the country's de facto leader and Foreign Minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, and declared a state of emergency for one year. High-ranking officials in custody are being tried in a military court, as widespread demonstrations continue.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Myanmar military has been terrorising civilians since a coup two months earlier. The armed forces of the country have killed more than 700 civilians since the February 1 coup, a human rights group reported over the weekend.

The Myanmar military has been terrorising civilians since a coup two months earlier. The armed forces of the country have killed more than 700 civilians since the February 1 coup, a human rights group reported over the weekend. At least 82 people were killed in the city of Bago on Friday during a crackdown against anti-coup protesters. The actual number of those killed is likely much higher, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which has been tracking deaths since the coup began. On records a total of 701 people have been killed, 3,100 people detained, and 650 arrest warrants were issued during the protests. Myanmar spends twice as much on defence as it does on education and health combined. With half a million soldiers, at least on paper, Myanmar has the world’s 38th strongest military, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks 140 nations on their capability to wage war. Myanmar's military seized power on February 1 after allegations of rigging during the November 8, 2020 elections and rising political tensions in the country. The military detained several officials and ruling party leaders, including the country's de facto leader and Foreign Minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, and declared a state of emergency for one year. High-ranking officials in custody are being tried in a military court, as widespread demonstrations continue. (With inputs from agencies)

More than 700 civilians killed by Myanmar junta since coup

Myanmar's junta said on Friday that a protest campaign against its rule was dwindling since people wanted peace, and that it would hold elections within two years, the first timeframe it has given for a return to democracy since its Feb. 1 coup.

Troops fired rifle grenades at anti-coup protesters on Friday in the town of Bago, near the main city Yangon, witnesses and news reports said. At least 10 people were killed and their bodies piled up in the corner of a pagoda, they said.

Myanmar Now news and Mawkun, an online news magazine, said at least 20 people were killed and many wounded. It was not possible to get a precise toll because troops had cordoned off the area near the pagoda, they said.

Junta spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, that the country was returning to normal and government ministries and banks would resume full operations soon.

More than 600 people have been killed by security forces cracking down on protests against the coup, according to an activist group. The country has ground to a standstill because of the protest campaign and widespread strikes against military rule.

"The reason of reducing protests is due to cooperation of people who want peace, which we value," Zaw Min Tun said. "We request people to cooperate with security forces and help them."

He said the military had recorded 248 deaths and he denied that automatic weapons had been used. Sixteen policemen had also been killed, he said.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group has said 614 people, including 48 children, had been killed by security forces since the coup, as of Thursday evening. More than 2,800 were in detention, it said.

"We are humbled by their courage and dignity," a group of 18 ambassadors in the country said of the protesters in a joint statement.

"We stand together to support the hopes and aspirations of all those who believe in a free, just, peaceful and democratic Myanmar. Violence has to stop, all political detainees must be released and democracy must be restored."

The statement was signed by the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland and several other European nations.

"The suggestions from neighbouring countries and big countries and powerful people in politics, we respect them," Zaw Min Tun said. He also accused members of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy of arson and said the protest campaign was being financed by foreign money, but gave no details.

Suu Kyi and many of her party colleagues have been in custody since the coup.

Zaw Min Tun said reports that some members of the international community did not recognise the military government were "fake news".

"We are cooperating with foreign countries and working together with neighbouring countries," the spokesman said.

The United Nations special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, had wanted to visit the country but said she has been rebuffed by the generals.

She said on Friday she had arrived in Bangkok, the capital of neighbouring Thailand.

"I regret that Tatmadaw answered me yesterday that they are not ready to receive me," Schraner Burgener said on her official Twitter account, referring to the Myanmar military. "I am ready for dialogue. Violence never leads to peaceful sustainable solutions."

Myanmar's junta said on Friday that a protest campaign against its rule was dwindling since people wanted peace, and that it would hold elections within two years, the first timeframe it has given for a return to democracy since its Feb.

Myanmar's junta said on Friday that a protest campaign against its rule was dwindling since people wanted peace, and that it would hold elections within two years, the first timeframe it has given for a return to democracy since its Feb. 1 coup. Troops fired rifle grenades at anti-coup protesters on Friday in the town of Bago, near the main city Yangon, witnesses and news reports said. At least 10 people were killed and their bodies piled up in the corner of a pagoda, they said. Myanmar Now news and Mawkun, an online news magazine, said at least 20 people were killed and many wounded. It was not possible to get a precise toll because troops had cordoned off the area near the pagoda, they said. Junta spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, that the country was returning to normal and government ministries and banks would resume full operations soon. More than 600 people have been killed by security forces cracking down on protests against the coup, according to an activist group. The country has ground to a standstill because of the protest campaign and widespread strikes against military rule. "The reason of reducing protests is due to cooperation of people who want peace, which we value," Zaw Min Tun said. "We request people to cooperate with security forces and help them." He said the military had recorded 248 deaths and he denied that automatic weapons had been used. Sixteen policemen had also been killed, he said. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group has said 614 people, including 48 children, had been killed by security forces since the coup, as of Thursday evening. More than 2,800 were in detention, it said. "We are humbled by their courage and dignity," a group of 18 ambassadors in the country said of the protesters in a joint statement. "We stand together to support the hopes and aspirations of all those who believe in a free, just, peaceful and democratic Myanmar. Violence has to stop, all political detainees must be released and democracy must be restored." The statement was signed by the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland and several other European nations. "The suggestions from neighbouring countries and big countries and powerful people in politics, we respect them," Zaw Min Tun said. He also accused members of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy of arson and said the protest campaign was being financed by foreign money, but gave no details. Suu Kyi and many of her party colleagues have been in custody since the coup. Zaw Min Tun said reports that some members of the international community did not recognise the military government were "fake news". "We are cooperating with foreign countries and working together with neighbouring countries," the spokesman said. The United Nations special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, had wanted to visit the country but said she has been rebuffed by the generals. She said on Friday she had arrived in Bangkok, the capital of neighbouring Thailand. "I regret that Tatmadaw answered me yesterday that they are not ready to receive me," Schraner Burgener said on her official Twitter account, referring to the Myanmar military. "I am ready for dialogue. Violence never leads to peaceful sustainable solutions."

Myanmar military sentences 19 to death, says anti-coup protests dwindling

Myanmar troops fired at anti-coup protesters on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people and wounding several, media said, as a series of small blasts hit the commercial capital Yangon and a Chinese-owned factory was set on fire.

The country's military ruler said the civil disobedience movement was "destroying" Myanmar.

More than 580 people have been killed, according to an activist group, in the turmoil in Myanmar since a February&nbsp;1 coup that ended a brief period of civilian-led democracy. Nationwide protests and strikes have persisted since then despite the military's use of lethal force to quell the opposition.

Security forces opened fire on Wednesday on protesters in the northwestern town of Kale as they demanded the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, domestic media said.

A resident of the area and the Myanmar Now news outlet said 11 people were killed and several wounded.

Reuters could not independently verify the toll.

Two protesters were killed in the town of Bago near Yangon, Myanmar Now said.

At least seven small explosions were heard in Yangon, including at government buildings, a military hospital and a shopping mall, residents said. There were no casualties and no claims of responsibility.

The U.S. Embassy in Yangon said it had received reports of "handmade 'sound bombs,' or fireworks meant to create noise and cause minimal damage".

A fire broke out in the Chinese-owned JOC Garment Factory in Yangon on Wednesday, the Fire Department said. There were no reports of casualties and no details on the extent of damage.

In another Yangon neighbourhood, activists set fire to the Chinese flag, according to pictures posted on Facebook.

China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta and last month arson attacks were made on 32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon.

Details of the blasts and the fire were difficult to obtain because of the junta's curbs on broadband internet and mobile data services.

A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment.

'DESTROY THE COUNTRY'

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the junta, said in a statement on Wednesday the civil disobedience movement, or CDM, had halted the working of hospitals, schools, roads, offices and factories.

"Although protests are staged in neighbouring countries and the international community, they do not destroy businesses," he said. "CDM is an activity to destroy the country."

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, 581 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by troops and police in almost daily unrest since the coup, and security forces have arrested close to 3,500 people, with 2,750 still detained.

Among those detained are Suu Kyi and leading figures in her National League for Democracy party, which won an election in November that was anulled by the coup.

The mostly youth-led anti-coup movement's ability to organise campaigns and share information via social media and instant messaging has been hamstrung by the internet curbs.

"Myanmar has been subject to a stepwise collapse into the information abyss since February," Alp Toker, founder of internet blockage observatory NetBlocks, told Reuters.

"Communications are now severely limited and available only to the few."

With print media also halted, protesters have sought other ways to get their message across, producing their own A4-sized daily news pamphlets that are shared digitally and printed for distribution among the public.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed how Britain and the international community could support a Southeast Asian effort to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said after meeting him in Jakarta.

Indonesia is among several Southeast Asian countries leading a push for high-level talks on Myanmar.

Thailand, Myanmar's neighbour and which has close military ties with the junta, said on Wednesday it did not agree with the violence but the problem had to be addressed carefully.

"We cannot really do what we want because we have shared borders and we need to live and rely on each other on many areas," said Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who had himself seized power in a 2014 coup when army chief, before taking on his current civilian role in 2019.

Fitch Solutions said in a report on Wednesday that targeted Western sanctions alone were unlikely to succeed in restoring democracy. It predicted in the medium-term a violent revolution pitting the military against an armed opposition comprised of members of the anti-coup movement and ethnic militias.

Fitch said Myanmar was heading towards being a failed state.

"The escalating violence on civilians and ethnic militias show that the Tatmadaw (military) is increasingly losing control of the country," it said, adding that the vast majority of people backed Suu Kyi's ousted government.

Myanmar troops fired at anti-coup protesters on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people and wounding several, media said, as a series of small blasts hit the commercial capital Yangon and a Chinese-owned factory was set on fire.

Myanmar troops fired at anti-coup protesters on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people and wounding several, media said, as a series of small blasts hit the commercial capital Yangon and a Chinese-owned factory was set on fire. The country's military ruler said the civil disobedience movement was "destroying" Myanmar. More than 580 people have been killed, according to an activist group, in the turmoil in Myanmar since a February 1 coup that ended a brief period of civilian-led democracy. Nationwide protests and strikes have persisted since then despite the military's use of lethal force to quell the opposition. Security forces opened fire on Wednesday on protesters in the northwestern town of Kale as they demanded the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, domestic media said. A resident of the area and the Myanmar Now news outlet said 11 people were killed and several wounded. Reuters could not independently verify the toll. Two protesters were killed in the town of Bago near Yangon, Myanmar Now said. At least seven small explosions were heard in Yangon, including at government buildings, a military hospital and a shopping mall, residents said. There were no casualties and no claims of responsibility. The U.S. Embassy in Yangon said it had received reports of "handmade 'sound bombs,' or fireworks meant to create noise and cause minimal damage". A fire broke out in the Chinese-owned JOC Garment Factory in Yangon on Wednesday, the Fire Department said. There were no reports of casualties and no details on the extent of damage. In another Yangon neighbourhood, activists set fire to the Chinese flag, according to pictures posted on Facebook. China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta and last month arson attacks were made on 32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon. Details of the blasts and the fire were difficult to obtain because of the junta's curbs on broadband internet and mobile data services. A spokesman for the junta could not be reached for comment. 'DESTROY THE COUNTRY' Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the junta, said in a statement on Wednesday the civil disobedience movement, or CDM, had halted the working of hospitals, schools, roads, offices and factories. "Although protests are staged in neighbouring countries and the international community, they do not destroy businesses," he said. "CDM is an activity to destroy the country." According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, 581 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by troops and police in almost daily unrest since the coup, and security forces have arrested close to 3,500 people, with 2,750 still detained. Among those detained are Suu Kyi and leading figures in her National League for Democracy party, which won an election in November that was anulled by the coup. The mostly youth-led anti-coup movement's ability to organise campaigns and share information via social media and instant messaging has been hamstrung by the internet curbs. "Myanmar has been subject to a stepwise collapse into the information abyss since February," Alp Toker, founder of internet blockage observatory NetBlocks, told Reuters. "Communications are now severely limited and available only to the few." With print media also halted, protesters have sought other ways to get their message across, producing their own A4-sized daily news pamphlets that are shared digitally and printed for distribution among the public. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed how Britain and the international community could support a Southeast Asian effort to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said after meeting him in Jakarta. Indonesia is among several Southeast Asian countries leading a push for high-level talks on Myanmar. Thailand, Myanmar's neighbour and which has close military ties with the junta, said on Wednesday it did not agree with the violence but the problem had to be addressed carefully. "We cannot really do what we want because we have shared borders and we need to live and rely on each other on many areas," said Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who had himself seized power in a 2014 coup when army chief, before taking on his current civilian role in 2019. Fitch Solutions said in a report on Wednesday that targeted Western sanctions alone were unlikely to succeed in restoring democracy. It predicted in the medium-term a violent revolution pitting the military against an armed opposition comprised of members of the anti-coup movement and ethnic militias. Fitch said Myanmar was heading towards being a failed state. "The escalating violence on civilians and ethnic militias show that the Tatmadaw (military) is increasingly losing control of the country," it said, adding that the vast majority of people backed Suu Kyi's ousted government.

Myanmar security forces kill 13 protesters; small blasts hit Yangon

The military chiefs of a dozen countries including the United States, Britain, Japan and South Korea joined together Saturday to condemn Myanmar's use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.

According to Reuters, the joint statement released this weekend is a rare declaration by the most senior military commanders from countries around the world, including in Asia and Europe.

It came after news reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people on Saturday, including some children, on Armed Forces Day -- the bloodiest day of its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters since last month's military coup.

While the&nbsp;statement did not explicitly condemn the February 1 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, it said that a professional military must follow international standards for conduct "and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-over-100-protesters-killed-by-security-forces-in-single-day-373778">Also read |&nbsp;Myanmar: Over 100 protesters killed by security forces in single day</a>

"As Chiefs of Defence, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services," read the draft statement -- signed by 12 chiefs of defense from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

"A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting -- not harming –- the people it serves," the officials said in the joint statement.

"We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

Diplomats from these countries have already condemned the bloodshed by Myanmar's military, making the statement largely symbolic. Myanmar's military has so far ignored criticism of its violent crackdown on dissent.

The draft statement added the country's military must "cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

Myanmar's military has said it took power because November elections won by Suu Kyi's party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the country's election commission. Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her National League for Democracy party are also in custody.

Meanwhile, new US and European sanctions this week has already increased external pressure on the junta. But Myanmar's generals have enjoyed some support from Russia and China, both veto-holding members of the UN Security Council that could block any potential UN action.

Diplomats said eight countries - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - sent representatives to the Armed Forces Day parade, but Russia was the only one to send a minister.

The deaths on Saturday, Myanmar's annual Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the start of resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945, would take the number of civilians reported killed since the coup to more than 440.

(with inputs from agencies)

The military chiefs of a dozen countries including the United States, Britain, Japan and South Korea joined together Saturday to condemn Myanmar's use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.

The military chiefs of a dozen countries including the United States, Britain, Japan and South Korea joined together Saturday to condemn Myanmar's use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. According to Reuters, the joint statement released this weekend is a rare declaration by the most senior military commanders from countries around the world, including in Asia and Europe. It came after news reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people on Saturday, including some children, on Armed Forces Day -- the bloodiest day of its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters since last month's military coup. While the statement did not explicitly condemn the February 1 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, it said that a professional military must follow international standards for conduct "and is responsible for protecting - not harming - the people it serves." Also read | Myanmar: Over 100 protesters killed by security forces in single day "As Chiefs of Defence, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed people by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services," read the draft statement -- signed by 12 chiefs of defense from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States. "A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting -- not harming –- the people it serves," the officials said in the joint statement. "We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions." Diplomats from these countries have already condemned the bloodshed by Myanmar's military, making the statement largely symbolic. Myanmar's military has so far ignored criticism of its violent crackdown on dissent. The draft statement added the country's military must "cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions." Myanmar's military has said it took power because November elections won by Suu Kyi's party were fraudulent, an assertion dismissed by the country's election commission. Suu Kyi remains in detention at an undisclosed location and many other figures in her National League for Democracy party are also in custody. Meanwhile, new US and European sanctions this week has already increased external pressure on the junta. But Myanmar's generals have enjoyed some support from Russia and China, both veto-holding members of the UN Security Council that could block any potential UN action. Diplomats said eight countries - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - sent representatives to the Armed Forces Day parade, but Russia was the only one to send a minister. The deaths on Saturday, Myanmar's annual Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the start of resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945, would take the number of civilians reported killed since the coup to more than 440. (with inputs from agencies)

Military chiefs from US and its allies condemn Myanmar crackdown

The United Kingdom and the United States on Thursday sanctioned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL), a military-owned conglomerate as a measure to target the junta that ousted the civilian government.&nbsp;

"Today's sanctions target the military's financial interests to help drain the sources of finance for their campaigns of repression against civilians," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a statement said.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/myanmar-coup-united-states-plans-to-impose-sanctions-on-two-conglomerates-373040/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Britain alleged that MEHL was sanctioned as it backed Myanmar's military in its efforts "on ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in 2017".

Shortly After the announcement by the UK, the US said it was sanctioning MEHL and also the Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC). &nbsp;

Myanmar's military "controls significant segments of the country's economy through these holding firms," a statement from the US treasury department said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-blacklist-myanmar-military-companies-after-coup-crackdown-372962">US to blacklist Myanmar military companies after coup, crackdown</a>

The organisations are dominant in many sectors of Myanmar's economy, including natural resources, consumer goods, trading, and alcohol.&nbsp;

"These sanctions specifically target the economic resources of Burma's military regime, which is responsible for the overthrow of Burma's democratically elected government and the ongoing repression of the Burmese people," the US said.

Washington also said that the sanctions were not "directed" towards Myanmar people.&nbsp;

The latest measures follow sanctions by the EU and the US on Myanmar individuals and groups on Monday who were responsible to overthrow the nation's democratically elected government.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom and the United States on Thursday sanctioned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL), a military-owned conglomerate as a measure to target the junta that ousted the civilian government.

The United Kingdom and the United States on Thursday sanctioned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL), a military-owned conglomerate as a measure to target the junta that ousted the civilian government. "Today's sanctions target the military's financial interests to help drain the sources of finance for their campaigns of repression against civilians," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a statement said. Watch | Britain alleged that MEHL was sanctioned as it backed Myanmar's military in its efforts "on ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in 2017". Shortly After the announcement by the UK, the US said it was sanctioning MEHL and also the Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC). Myanmar's military "controls significant segments of the country's economy through these holding firms," a statement from the US treasury department said. Also read | US to blacklist Myanmar military companies after coup, crackdown The organisations are dominant in many sectors of Myanmar's economy, including natural resources, consumer goods, trading, and alcohol. "These sanctions specifically target the economic resources of Burma's military regime, which is responsible for the overthrow of Burma's democratically elected government and the ongoing repression of the Burmese people," the US said. Washington also said that the sanctions were not "directed" towards Myanmar people. The latest measures follow sanctions by the EU and the US on Myanmar individuals and groups on Monday who were responsible to overthrow the nation's democratically elected government.

US, UK sanction Myanmar military-owned company

The crackdown by security forces on pro-democracy protesters has left 250 people dead since the beginning of the coup on February 1.

Myanmar Coup: Civil disobedience movement grips Myanmar

Security forces killed at least nine opponents of Myanmar's military junta on Friday, a funeral service and media said, as Southeast Asian countries urged an end to the violence and Western ambassadors condemned what they called the army's "immoral, indefensible" actions.

Police and soldiers have used increasingly harsh tactics to suppress demonstrations since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1. But crowds of protesters turned out again on Friday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bbcs-myanmar-journalist-goes-missing-as-crackdown-on-dissent-continues-371730">BBC's Myanmar journalist goes missing as crackdown on dissent continues</a>

Security forces opened fire in the central town of Aungban as they tried to clear a protesters' barricade, media and a witness reported.

"Security forces came to remove barriers but the people resisted and they fired," the witness, who declined to be identified, said by telephone.

An official with Aungban's funerary service told Reuters eight people were killed, seven on the spot and one wounded person who died after being taken to hospital.

The spokesman for the junta was not immediately available for comment but has previously said security forces have used force only when necessary.

One protester was killed in the northeastern town of Loikaw, the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;Now news portal said. One person was shot and killed in&nbsp;Myanmar's main city Yangon, social media posts showed. Reuters could not confirm that death.

Police ordered people in some Yangon neighbourhoods to dismantle barricades and have been hunting for protest leaders, residents said. Parts of Yangon are under martial law.

Demonstrators were also out in the second city of Mandalay, the central towns of Myingyan and Katha, and Myawaddy in the east, witnesses and media reported.

Ambassadors of Western countries condemned the violence as "immoral and indefensible", in particular in Yangon's Hlaing Tharyar industrial district, where dozens were killed over several days after Chinese-owned garment factories were torched last weekend.

"Internet blackouts and suppression of the media will not hide the military's abhorrent actions," they said in a statement.

The total number of people killed in weeks of unrest has risen to at least 234, based on a tally by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.

The army has defended its takeover, saying its accusations of fraud in a Nov. 8 election swept by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party were ignored by the electoral commission. It has promised a new election but not set a date.

Suu Kyi, 75, faces accusations of bribery and other crimes that could see her banned from politics and jailed if convicted. Her lawyer says the charges are trumped up. The Nobel peace laureate, who has campaigned for democracy in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;for three decades, is being held at an undisclosed location.

'NO MORE VICTIMS'

Stepping up the international pressure on the generals, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for an end to the bloodshed.

In some of the strongest comments yet by a regional leader on the crackdown, Jokowi, as the president he is known, said he would ask Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to call an urgent meeting.

"Indonesia urges that the use of violence in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;be stopped immediately so that there are no more victims," Jokowi said in a virtual address.

"The safety and welfare of the people must be the top priority. Indonesia also urges dialogue, that reconciliation is carried out immediately to restore democracy, to restore peace and to restore stability in&nbsp;Myanmar."

Brunei's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Backing Indonesia's call for a meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he was appalled by the persistent use of lethal violence against unarmed civilians in&nbsp;Myanmar.

"The military leadership in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is strongly urged to change its course, and choose a path towards peaceful solutions," Muhyiddin said in a statement.

Philippine foreign minister Teodoro Locsin said on Twitter that ASEAN "has to act. Because passivity is complicity; and silence gives consent."

The 10 ASEAN countries have long held to the principle of not commenting on each other's internal affairs, but the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;crisis seems to be forcing a reassessment of that.

The coup leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, took part in a video conference with regional defence chiefs on Thursday, his first international engagement since seizing power.

At the meeting, the head of Indonesia's armed forces, Hadi Tjahjanto, expressed concern over the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;situation, the Indonesian military said.

Singapore's military chief, Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, also expressed "grave concern" and urged&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;to avoid lethal force, the Singapore defence ministry said.

INTERNET RESTRICTIONS

Three international aid agencies criticised the military for occupying educational facilities and hospitals. More than 60 schools and universities had been taken over, a serious violation of children's rights, Save the Children, UNESCO and UNICEF said in a joint statement.

Teachers were beaten in at least one incident, they said.

Authorities have tightened restricted on internet services, making information increasingly difficult to verify, and also clamped down on private media.

The U.N. human rights office said this week about 37 journalists had been arrested so far. Two more were detained in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Friday while covering a hearing for an arrested member of Suu Kyi's party, said the Mizzima news portal, the former employer of one of them, Than Htike Aung.

The other detained reporter was Aung Thura of the British Broadcasting Corp. The BBC said they were taken away by unidentified men and it called on authorities to help find its accredited journalist and confirm he was safe.

Security forces killed at least nine opponents of Myanmar's military junta on Friday, a funeral service and media said, as Southeast Asian countries urged an end to the violence and Western ambassadors condemned what they called the army's "immoral, indefensible" actions.

Security forces killed at least nine opponents of Myanmar's military junta on Friday, a funeral service and media said, as Southeast Asian countries urged an end to the violence and Western ambassadors condemned what they called the army's "immoral, indefensible" actions. Police and soldiers have used increasingly harsh tactics to suppress demonstrations since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1. But crowds of protesters turned out again on Friday. Also read| BBC's Myanmar journalist goes missing as crackdown on dissent continues Security forces opened fire in the central town of Aungban as they tried to clear a protesters' barricade, media and a witness reported. "Security forces came to remove barriers but the people resisted and they fired," the witness, who declined to be identified, said by telephone. An official with Aungban's funerary service told Reuters eight people were killed, seven on the spot and one wounded person who died after being taken to hospital. The spokesman for the junta was not immediately available for comment but has previously said security forces have used force only when necessary. One protester was killed in the northeastern town of Loikaw, the Myanmar Now news portal said. One person was shot and killed in Myanmar's main city Yangon, social media posts showed. Reuters could not confirm that death. Police ordered people in some Yangon neighbourhoods to dismantle barricades and have been hunting for protest leaders, residents said. Parts of Yangon are under martial law. Demonstrators were also out in the second city of Mandalay, the central towns of Myingyan and Katha, and Myawaddy in the east, witnesses and media reported. Ambassadors of Western countries condemned the violence as "immoral and indefensible", in particular in Yangon's Hlaing Tharyar industrial district, where dozens were killed over several days after Chinese-owned garment factories were torched last weekend. "Internet blackouts and suppression of the media will not hide the military's abhorrent actions," they said in a statement. The total number of people killed in weeks of unrest has risen to at least 234, based on a tally by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The army has defended its takeover, saying its accusations of fraud in a Nov. 8 election swept by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party were ignored by the electoral commission. It has promised a new election but not set a date. Suu Kyi, 75, faces accusations of bribery and other crimes that could see her banned from politics and jailed if convicted. Her lawyer says the charges are trumped up. The Nobel peace laureate, who has campaigned for democracy in Myanmar for three decades, is being held at an undisclosed location. 'NO MORE VICTIMS' Stepping up the international pressure on the generals, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for an end to the bloodshed. In some of the strongest comments yet by a regional leader on the crackdown, Jokowi, as the president he is known, said he would ask Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to call an urgent meeting. "Indonesia urges that the use of violence in Myanmar be stopped immediately so that there are no more victims," Jokowi said in a virtual address. "The safety and welfare of the people must be the top priority. Indonesia also urges dialogue, that reconciliation is carried out immediately to restore democracy, to restore peace and to restore stability in Myanmar." Brunei's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Backing Indonesia's call for a meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he was appalled by the persistent use of lethal violence against unarmed civilians in Myanmar. "The military leadership in Myanmar is strongly urged to change its course, and choose a path towards peaceful solutions," Muhyiddin said in a statement. Philippine foreign minister Teodoro Locsin said on Twitter that ASEAN "has to act. Because passivity is complicity; and silence gives consent." The 10 ASEAN countries have long held to the principle of not commenting on each other's internal affairs, but the Myanmar crisis seems to be forcing a reassessment of that. The coup leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, took part in a video conference with regional defence chiefs on Thursday, his first international engagement since seizing power. At the meeting, the head of Indonesia's armed forces, Hadi Tjahjanto, expressed concern over the Myanmar situation, the Indonesian military said. Singapore's military chief, Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, also expressed "grave concern" and urged Myanmar to avoid lethal force, the Singapore defence ministry said. INTERNET RESTRICTIONS Three international aid agencies criticised the military for occupying educational facilities and hospitals. More than 60 schools and universities had been taken over, a serious violation of children's rights, Save the Children, UNESCO and UNICEF said in a joint statement. Teachers were beaten in at least one incident, they said. Authorities have tightened restricted on internet services, making information increasingly difficult to verify, and also clamped down on private media. The U.N. human rights office said this week about 37 journalists had been arrested so far. Two more were detained in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Friday while covering a hearing for an arrested member of Suu Kyi's party, said the Mizzima news portal, the former employer of one of them, Than Htike Aung. The other detained reporter was Aung Thura of the British Broadcasting Corp. The BBC said they were taken away by unidentified men and it called on authorities to help find its accredited journalist and confirm he was safe.

Myanmar security forces kill nine as Indonesia, envoys call for end to violence

A block on mobile data networks across Myanmar on Monday scuppered a scheduled video court appearance by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as protesters returned to the streets after the bloodiest day since the military coup six weeks ago.

At least 44 protesters were killed Sunday as security forces cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrations, taking the death toll since the coup to more than 120, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group.

Myanmar has been in uproar since the putsch, with daily protests demanding a restoration of democracy despite the junta's increasingly forceful attempts to quell dissent.

The court hearing for Suu Kyi -- who spent more than 15 years under house arrest during previous military rule -- was scheduled for 10 am (0330 GMT) in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, but it was postponed until March 24, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP.&nbsp;

"There's no court hearing because there's no internet and the hearing is conducted by video conference... We cannot do video," he said.

Myanmar authorities have throttled the internet every night for several weeks, normally restoring services in the morning, but monitoring service Netblocks said mobile data networks were kept offline Monday.

Suu Kyi faces at least four charges: possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching telecommunications laws, and intent to cause public unrest.

Military authorities have also accused her of accepting illegal payments of $600,000 in cash as well as a large quantity of gold -- allegations her lawyer says are "groundless".

Khin Maung Zaw had previously complained he was not allowed to meet Suu Kyi, who has been in custody since the coup, and on Monday said police have appointed two junior lawyers on his team to have the power of attorney.

"The police have no right to decide who represents the defendants," he said, adding that the whole situation is "strange" -- from the lack of Wi-Fi in the court to the appointment of junior lawyers.

- Martial law - 
Suu Kyi's postponed hearing came a day after violent clashes between security forces and protesters, and the torching of several Chinese-owned factories in a textile-producing district of commercial hub Yangon as many protesters believe Beijing is supportive of the coup.

The AAPP on Monday said six more deaths had been confirmed to add to an overnight toll of 38, making Sunday the deadliest single day since the military seized power.

Six Yangon townships were under martial law by morning -- anyone arrested there faces trial by military tribunal rather than civilian courts, with sentences ranging from three years' hard labour to execution.

But protesters were undeterred Monday, with local media publishing images showing crowds gathering in Karen state and a sit-in protest in Myanmar's second-largest city Mandalay.

State-run television confirmed on Monday that a police officer was shot dead in the city of Bago, 60 kilometres (37 miles) northeast of Yangon, during a protest.

The Chinese embassy in Myanmar issued a statement condemning the actions of "destroyers" after the violence in Yangon's garment-producing townships, urging the police to "guarantee the security" of Chinese businesses.

Taiwan, meanwhile, advised its companies in Myanmar to fly the island's flag to avoid being targeted.

- 'Junta leaders don't belong in power' - 
International alarm over the bloodshed is growing, but so far Myanmar's generals have shown no signs of heeding calls for restraint.

Tom Andrews, United Nations special rapporteur on rights in Myanmar, tweeted that he was "heartbroken/outraged" at Sunday's events.

"Junta leaders don't belong in power, they belong behind bars," he wrote.

"Their supply of cash &amp; weapons must be cut now."

UN envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener also condemned Sunday's bloodshed, while the country's former colonial ruler Britain said it was "appalled" by the use of force "against innocent people".

Last week, Andrews said there was growing evidence that the junta was committing crimes against humanity -- including murder, forced disappearances and torture.

Amnesty International has also accused the Myanmar military of premeditated killings and using battlefield weapons on unarmed protestors.

A block on mobile data networks across Myanmar on Monday scuppered a scheduled video court appearance by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as protesters returned to the streets after the bloodiest day since the military coup six weeks ago.

A block on mobile data networks across Myanmar on Monday scuppered a scheduled video court appearance by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as protesters returned to the streets after the bloodiest day since the military coup six weeks ago. At least 44 protesters were killed Sunday as security forces cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrations, taking the death toll since the coup to more than 120, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group. Myanmar has been in uproar since the putsch, with daily protests demanding a restoration of democracy despite the junta's increasingly forceful attempts to quell dissent. The court hearing for Suu Kyi -- who spent more than 15 years under house arrest during previous military rule -- was scheduled for 10 am (0330 GMT) in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, but it was postponed until March 24, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP. "There's no court hearing because there's no internet and the hearing is conducted by video conference... We cannot do video," he said. Myanmar authorities have throttled the internet every night for several weeks, normally restoring services in the morning, but monitoring service Netblocks said mobile data networks were kept offline Monday. Suu Kyi faces at least four charges: possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching telecommunications laws, and intent to cause public unrest. Military authorities have also accused her of accepting illegal payments of $600,000 in cash as well as a large quantity of gold -- allegations her lawyer says are "groundless". Khin Maung Zaw had previously complained he was not allowed to meet Suu Kyi, who has been in custody since the coup, and on Monday said police have appointed two junior lawyers on his team to have the power of attorney. "The police have no right to decide who represents the defendants," he said, adding that the whole situation is "strange" -- from the lack of Wi-Fi in the court to the appointment of junior lawyers. - Martial law - Suu Kyi's postponed hearing came a day after violent clashes between security forces and protesters, and the torching of several Chinese-owned factories in a textile-producing district of commercial hub Yangon as many protesters believe Beijing is supportive of the coup. The AAPP on Monday said six more deaths had been confirmed to add to an overnight toll of 38, making Sunday the deadliest single day since the military seized power. Six Yangon townships were under martial law by morning -- anyone arrested there faces trial by military tribunal rather than civilian courts, with sentences ranging from three years' hard labour to execution. But protesters were undeterred Monday, with local media publishing images showing crowds gathering in Karen state and a sit-in protest in Myanmar's second-largest city Mandalay. State-run television confirmed on Monday that a police officer was shot dead in the city of Bago, 60 kilometres (37 miles) northeast of Yangon, during a protest. The Chinese embassy in Myanmar issued a statement condemning the actions of "destroyers" after the violence in Yangon's garment-producing townships, urging the police to "guarantee the security" of Chinese businesses. Taiwan, meanwhile, advised its companies in Myanmar to fly the island's flag to avoid being targeted. - 'Junta leaders don't belong in power' - International alarm over the bloodshed is growing, but so far Myanmar's generals have shown no signs of heeding calls for restraint. Tom Andrews, United Nations special rapporteur on rights in Myanmar, tweeted that he was "heartbroken/outraged" at Sunday's events. "Junta leaders don't belong in power, they belong behind bars," he wrote. "Their supply of cash & weapons must be cut now." UN envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener also condemned Sunday's bloodshed, while the country's former colonial ruler Britain said it was "appalled" by the use of force "against innocent people". Last week, Andrews said there was growing evidence that the junta was committing crimes against humanity -- including murder, forced disappearances and torture. Amnesty International has also accused the Myanmar military of premeditated killings and using battlefield weapons on unarmed protestors.

Suu Kyi's court hearing postponed over Myanmar internet block

As<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-is-becoming-a-security-threat-for-the-region-while-china-looks-the-other-way-369797"> Myanmar's</a> military junta accused Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting illegal payment, the United Nations condemned the military’s violent crackdown against anti-coup demonstrators as eight more people were reported shot dead in protests.

Watch:

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The UN's top expert on human rights in Myanmar said that the country's military has murdered 70 people that constitute crime against humanity.

Thomas Andrew told the UN Human&nbsp;Rights Council that more than half of those who were killed were under the age of 25.

"As of this moment, credible reports indicate that Myanmar security forces have murdered at least 70 people. Madame president those murdered were fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, husbands and wives. They were educators, they were engineers, they were students, they were many ages but more than half of those murdered were members of Generation Z, or young people under the age of 25," Thomas Andrews, United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said.

The UN rights expert also sought unified and coordinated sanctions against the military and also said that basic rights to freedom of expression and assembly are being denied in Myanmar

"Myanmar is being controlled by a murderous, illegal regime. It's current leadership perpetuated the atrocity crimes that are the focus of the charge of genocide before the international criminal court of justice," &nbsp;Andrews said, adding, "I documented in the annexe to my report, the crimes against the Rohingya people continue," Andrews added.

The United Nations special rapporteur was presenting his latest report on the situation to the UN council but lamented that since its publishing last week, the numbers of people killed and detained by the military had swelled significantly.

Myanmar has been hit by violence for over a month ever since the military coup on February 1. The military has imposed an emergency for one year and arrested democratic leader Aung San Su Kyi.

As Myanmar's military junta accused Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting illegal payment, the United Nations condemned the military’s violent crackdown against anti-coup demonstrators as eight more people were reported shot dead in protests.

As Myanmar's military junta accused Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting illegal payment, the United Nations condemned the military’s violent crackdown against anti-coup demonstrators as eight more people were reported shot dead in protests. Watch: The UN's top expert on human rights in Myanmar said that the country's military has murdered 70 people that constitute crime against humanity. Thomas Andrew told the UN Human Rights Council that more than half of those who were killed were under the age of 25. "As of this moment, credible reports indicate that Myanmar security forces have murdered at least 70 people. Madame president those murdered were fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, husbands and wives. They were educators, they were engineers, they were students, they were many ages but more than half of those murdered were members of Generation Z, or young people under the age of 25," Thomas Andrews, United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said. The UN rights expert also sought unified and coordinated sanctions against the military and also said that basic rights to freedom of expression and assembly are being denied in Myanmar "Myanmar is being controlled by a murderous, illegal regime. It's current leadership perpetuated the atrocity crimes that are the focus of the charge of genocide before the international criminal court of justice," Andrews said, adding, "I documented in the annexe to my report, the crimes against the Rohingya people continue," Andrews added. The United Nations special rapporteur was presenting his latest report on the situation to the UN council but lamented that since its publishing last week, the numbers of people killed and detained by the military had swelled significantly. Myanmar has been hit by violence for over a month ever since the military coup on February 1. The military has imposed an emergency for one year and arrested democratic leader Aung San Su Kyi.

More than half of those murdered in Myanmar belong to Generation Z: UN human rights expert

Myanmar's military junta on Thursday accused detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting a $600,000 illegal payment and more than 11 kilograms of gold.

"We have learnt Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself took this $600,000 and seven visses (11.2 kilograms) of gold. The anti-corruption commission is investigating," the military's spokesman Zaw Min Tun told reporters in the capital Naypyidaw.

Meanwhile, rights group Amnesty International accused the military of adopting battle tactics against demonstrators.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-military-junta-removes-rakhine-rebels-from-list-of-terrorist-groups-369640">Myanmar's military junta removes Rakhine rebels from list of terrorist groups</a>

Six people were killed in the central town of Myaing when forces fired on a protest, a man who took part in the demonstration and helped carry bodies to hospital told Reuters by telephone. A health worker there confirmed all six deaths.

"We protested peacefully," the 31-year-old man said. "I couldn't believe they did it."

One person was killed in the North Dagon district of the biggest city of Yangon, domestic media said. Photographs posted on Facebook showed a man lying prone on the street, bleeding from a head wound. One death was reported in Mandalay.

Before Thursday's deaths, an advocacy group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, had said more than 60 protesters were killed and about 2,000 people detained by security forces since the Feb. 1 coup against Suu Kyi's elected government.

Amnesty International accused the army of using lethal force against protesters and said many killings it had documented amounted to extrajudicial executions.

"These are not the actions of overwhelmed, individual officers making poor decisions," said Joanne Mariner, the group's director of crisis response.

"These are unrepentant commanders already implicated in crimes against humanity, deploying their troops and murderous methods in the open."

A military spokesman declined to comment on the violence.

The junta has previously said it is acting with utmost restraint in handling what it describes as demonstrations by "riotous protesters" whom it accuses of attacking police and harming national security and stability.

The spokesman, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, told a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, that Suu Kyi had accepted illegal payments worth $600,000 as well as gold while in government.

The information had been verified and many people were being questioned, he added.

He said President Win Myint and several cabinet ministers had also engaged in corruption and that he had pressured the country's election commission not to act on the military's reports of irregularities.

UN fails to call takeover a coup

The army has justified the takeover by saying that a November election, overwhelmingly won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, was marred by fraud - an assertion rejected by the electoral commission.

Zaw Min Tun also reiterated that the military would only be in charge for a certain period before holding an election. The junta has previously promised a new election within a year, but has not set a date.

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday condemned violence against protesters and urged the army to show restraint.

But language that would have denounced the military takeover as a coup or threatened possible further action was removed from the British-drafted text, due to opposition by China, India, Russia and Vietnam.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped the Security Council statement would push the military to realise it "is absolutely essential" that all prisoners are released and the results of the November election are respected.

In&nbsp;Myanmar, state media said the junta had removed Arakan Army (AA) insurgents from its list of terrorist groups because the faction had stopped attacks in order to help establish peace across the country.

The move comes as the army struggles to restrain daily protests against the coup.

The AA, which is fighting for greater autonomy in the western state of Rakhine, had become one of the most formidable forces in challenging an army that has been fighting various ethnic wars for seven decades.

Myanmar's military junta on Thursday accused detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting a $600,000 illegal payment and more than 11 kilograms of gold.

Myanmar's military junta on Thursday accused detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi of accepting a $600,000 illegal payment and more than 11 kilograms of gold. "We have learnt Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself took this $600,000 and seven visses (11.2 kilograms) of gold. The anti-corruption commission is investigating," the military's spokesman Zaw Min Tun told reporters in the capital Naypyidaw. Meanwhile, rights group Amnesty International accused the military of adopting battle tactics against demonstrators. Also read: Myanmar's military junta removes Rakhine rebels from list of terrorist groups Six people were killed in the central town of Myaing when forces fired on a protest, a man who took part in the demonstration and helped carry bodies to hospital told Reuters by telephone. A health worker there confirmed all six deaths. "We protested peacefully," the 31-year-old man said. "I couldn't believe they did it." One person was killed in the North Dagon district of the biggest city of Yangon, domestic media said. Photographs posted on Facebook showed a man lying prone on the street, bleeding from a head wound. One death was reported in Mandalay. Before Thursday's deaths, an advocacy group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, had said more than 60 protesters were killed and about 2,000 people detained by security forces since the Feb. 1 coup against Suu Kyi's elected government. Amnesty International accused the army of using lethal force against protesters and said many killings it had documented amounted to extrajudicial executions. "These are not the actions of overwhelmed, individual officers making poor decisions," said Joanne Mariner, the group's director of crisis response. "These are unrepentant commanders already implicated in crimes against humanity, deploying their troops and murderous methods in the open." A military spokesman declined to comment on the violence. The junta has previously said it is acting with utmost restraint in handling what it describes as demonstrations by "riotous protesters" whom it accuses of attacking police and harming national security and stability. The spokesman, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, told a news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, that Suu Kyi had accepted illegal payments worth $600,000 as well as gold while in government. The information had been verified and many people were being questioned, he added. He said President Win Myint and several cabinet ministers had also engaged in corruption and that he had pressured the country's election commission not to act on the military's reports of irregularities. UN fails to call takeover a coup The army has justified the takeover by saying that a November election, overwhelmingly won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, was marred by fraud - an assertion rejected by the electoral commission. Zaw Min Tun also reiterated that the military would only be in charge for a certain period before holding an election. The junta has previously promised a new election within a year, but has not set a date. The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday condemned violence against protesters and urged the army to show restraint. But language that would have denounced the military takeover as a coup or threatened possible further action was removed from the British-drafted text, due to opposition by China, India, Russia and Vietnam. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped the Security Council statement would push the military to realise it "is absolutely essential" that all prisoners are released and the results of the November election are respected. In Myanmar, state media said the junta had removed Arakan Army (AA) insurgents from its list of terrorist groups because the faction had stopped attacks in order to help establish peace across the country. The move comes as the army struggles to restrain daily protests against the coup. The AA, which is fighting for greater autonomy in the western state of Rakhine, had become one of the most formidable forces in challenging an army that has been fighting various ethnic wars for seven decades.

Myanmar junta accuses Suu Kyi of taking $600,000 illegal payment

Google and Viber on Wednesday said that they were reviewing recent advertisements carried by a Myanmar military-backed telecommunications firm post the February 1 coup.

This comes as Justice for Myanmar, an advocacy group alleged on Wednesday that Google and Viber were running new ads for Mytel, a telecoms company partially owned by the Myanmar army, following a ban by Facebook.

Watch |&nbsp;

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About 2,000 people have been arrested and more than 60 people have died so far, reports news agency AFP as security personnel has intensified crackdown against the pro-democracy protesters.&nbsp;

Google said it was reviewing the ads and had separately disabled some accounts linked to the military including ones on Gmail, Blogger, and the Google Play store.

"We have taken action against accounts on our platforms... including disabling accounts on Google services and taking down a number of YouTube channels and videos related to the Myanmar military," a Google spokeswoman said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shoot-till-they-are-dead-some-myanmar-police-say-fled-to-india-after-refusing-orders-369360">‘Shoot till they are dead’: Some Myanmar police say fled to India after refusing orders</a>

Earlier, messaging platform Viber announced on Wednesday that it is stopping all advertisements in Myanmar temporarily.&nbsp;

"We are looking into the current situation to ensure all ads comply with guidelines," the company responded to a tweet of news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

"Viber continues to focus on the most important task - ensuring people in Myanmar continue to communicate freely and securely under the circumstances." 
&nbsp;

Google and Viber on Wednesday said that they were reviewing recent advertisements carried by a Myanmar military-backed telecommunications firm post the February 1 coup.

Google and Viber on Wednesday said that they were reviewing recent advertisements carried by a Myanmar military-backed telecommunications firm post the February 1 coup. This comes as Justice for Myanmar, an advocacy group alleged on Wednesday that Google and Viber were running new ads for Mytel, a telecoms company partially owned by the Myanmar army, following a ban by Facebook. Watch | About 2,000 people have been arrested and more than 60 people have died so far, reports news agency AFP as security personnel has intensified crackdown against the pro-democracy protesters. Google said it was reviewing the ads and had separately disabled some accounts linked to the military including ones on Gmail, Blogger, and the Google Play store. "We have taken action against accounts on our platforms... including disabling accounts on Google services and taking down a number of YouTube channels and videos related to the Myanmar military," a Google spokeswoman said. Also read | ‘Shoot till they are dead’: Some Myanmar police say fled to India after refusing orders Earlier, messaging platform Viber announced on Wednesday that it is stopping all advertisements in Myanmar temporarily. "We are looking into the current situation to ensure all ads comply with guidelines," the company responded to a tweet of news agency Reuters. "Viber continues to focus on the most important task - ensuring people in Myanmar continue to communicate freely and securely under the circumstances."

Google, Viber review ads posted by military-backed firm

Electricity supply was cut across many areas of Myanmar on Friday because of a "system breakdown", according to multiple government agencies.&nbsp;

People started posting on Twitter and Facebook about the widespread blackouts across commercial hub Yangon at around 1:30 pm local time (0600 GMT).

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Day 33 Myanmar Military Coup 
Electricity / Power has been cut off in the whole Myanmar by Military Terrorist Group 
We still can use internet service with mobile data 
We don't know what these terrorist will do<a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UN_HRC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN_HRC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/freya_cole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freya_cole</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TostevinM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TostevinM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsHappeningInMyanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mar5Coup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mar5Coup</a>
— Htoo Paing Zaw Oo (@KoHtooPaing) <a href="https://twitter.com/KoHtooPaing/status/1367729335566798848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Electricity has been cut off in almost entire Myanmar. Don’t know the reason yet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsHappeningInMyanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mar5Coup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mar5Coup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeNeedR2PInMyanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeNeedR2PInMyanmar</a>
— Keren Khin (@keren_khin) <a href="https://twitter.com/keren_khin/status/1367728908896890881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"A system breakdown is causing power outages across the country," reported Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation in central Yangon's Yankin township.

Further north in the city of Magway, along the Irrawaddy River, the region's Electricity Supply enterprise reported the same.

Netizens on Facebook -- an extremely popular platform in Myanmar -- similarly reported electricity blackouts in other parts of the country.&nbsp;

The supply cut comes as the junta has tightened its chokehold on communications, blocking social media platforms&nbsp;which people have skirted by downloading VPNs and imposing a nightly internet shutdown.&nbsp;

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the February 1 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power, with soldiers and police escalating the use of force on the streets to quell nationwide protests.&nbsp;

A protester was shot dead in Myanmar on Friday, in the latest round of bloodletting at anti-coup demonstrations as the UN Security Council prepared to meet on the escalating crisis.&nbsp;

Despite an increasingly brutal crackdown by the military authorities that has seen more than 50 people killed, protesters took to the streets again in towns around the country to denounce the February 1 coup.

The violence has brought condemnation from around the world, with the UN rights chief demanding the junta "stop murdering and jailing protesters", and the Security Council is set to discuss the crisis later Friday.

But despite the mounting international pressure, the generals have shown no signs of heeding calls for restraint.

In Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, hundreds of engineers took to the streets crying "Free our leader" in reference to ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, detained by the military since the first night of the coup.

A 26-year-old man helping at barriers set up in the city to slow security forces died after being shot in the neck, medical officials told AFP. &nbsp;

The killing follows the deadliest day of the crackdown so far on Wednesday, when the UN said at least 38 people were killed as graphic images showed security forces firing into crowds and bloodied bodies dragged away.

Electricity supply was cut across many areas of Myanmar on Friday because of a "system breakdown", according to multiple government agencies. People started posting on Twitter and Facebook about the widespread blackouts across commercial hub Yangon at around 1:30 pm local time (0600 GMT).

Electricity supply was cut across many areas of Myanmar on Friday because of a "system breakdown", according to multiple government agencies. People started posting on Twitter and Facebook about the widespread blackouts across commercial hub Yangon at around 1:30 pm local time (0600 GMT). Day 33 Myanmar Military Coup Electricity / Power has been cut off in the whole Myanmar by Military Terrorist Group We still can use internet service with mobile data We don't know what these terrorist will do@UN @UN_HRC@freya_cole @TostevinM#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #Mar5Coup — Htoo Paing Zaw Oo (@KoHtooPaing) March 5, 2021 × Electricity has been cut off in almost entire Myanmar. Don’t know the reason yet. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #Mar5Coup #WeNeedR2PInMyanmar — Keren Khin (@keren_khin) March 5, 2021 × "A system breakdown is causing power outages across the country," reported Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation in central Yangon's Yankin township. Further north in the city of Magway, along the Irrawaddy River, the region's Electricity Supply enterprise reported the same. Netizens on Facebook -- an extremely popular platform in Myanmar -- similarly reported electricity blackouts in other parts of the country. The supply cut comes as the junta has tightened its chokehold on communications, blocking social media platforms which people have skirted by downloading VPNs and imposing a nightly internet shutdown. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the February 1 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power, with soldiers and police escalating the use of force on the streets to quell nationwide protests. A protester was shot dead in Myanmar on Friday, in the latest round of bloodletting at anti-coup demonstrations as the UN Security Council prepared to meet on the escalating crisis. Despite an increasingly brutal crackdown by the military authorities that has seen more than 50 people killed, protesters took to the streets again in towns around the country to denounce the February 1 coup. The violence has brought condemnation from around the world, with the UN rights chief demanding the junta "stop murdering and jailing protesters", and the Security Council is set to discuss the crisis later Friday. But despite the mounting international pressure, the generals have shown no signs of heeding calls for restraint. In Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, hundreds of engineers took to the streets crying "Free our leader" in reference to ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, detained by the military since the first night of the coup. A 26-year-old man helping at barriers set up in the city to slow security forces died after being shot in the neck, medical officials told AFP. The killing follows the deadliest day of the crackdown so far on Wednesday, when the UN said at least 38 people were killed as graphic images showed security forces firing into crowds and bloodied bodies dragged away.

Myanmar hit with nationwide electricity outage; one protester killed in protests

Myanmar's military authorities have charged an Associated Press photographer and five other journalists over their coverage of anti-coup protests, their lawyer said on Wednesday.

AP photographer Thein Zaw, 32, was arrested on Saturday as he covered a demonstration in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon.&nbsp;

The country has been in uproar since February 1, when the army detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders, ending Myanmar's brief experiment with democracy and sparking protests far and wide.

Thein Zaw's lawyer said he and five other Myanmar journalists had been charged under a law against "causing fear, spreading false news or agitating directly or indirectly a government employee".

The junta amended the law last month, to increase the maximum sentence from two years to three years in jail.

"Ko Thein Zaw was simply reporting in line with press freedom law -- he wasn't protesting, he was just doing his work," the lawyer, Tin Zar Oo, said, adding that all six were being held at Insein prison in Yangon.

The United States, which has sharply criticized Myanmar's military for deposing the elected government, called for the journalists' release.

The United States is "forcefully making clear that it is unacceptable that journalists who are merely furthering their obligation to an informed citizenry are detained for undertaking that activity," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington.

The other five journalists are from Myanmar Now, Myanmar Photo Agency, 7Day News, Zee Kwet Online news and a freelancer, according to AP.

AP's vice-president of international news Ian Philips called for Thein Zaw's immediate release.

"Independent journalists must be allowed to freely and safely report the news without fear of retribution," he said.

"AP decries in the strongest terms the arbitrary detention of Thein Zaw."

Since the coup, authorities have steadily stepped up their tactics against anti-military protesters, deploying tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, as well as isolated incidents of live rounds.

Wednesday was the bloodiest day since the military takeover, with the UN saying at least 38 people had died across the country. AFP counted at least 17 who were reportedly shot by security forces.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group, more than 1,200 people have been arrested since the coup, with about 900 still behind bars or facing charges.

But the real number is likely far higher -- state-run media reported that on Sunday alone more than 1,300 people were arrested.&nbsp;

AAPP says that 34 journalists are among those detained, with 15 released so far.

"This repression is obstructing the flow of accurate information and news," AAPP said, adding that journalists were being subjected to "violent attacks" despite having clear credentials.

The most recent confirmed arrest came Monday, when a Myanmar journalist with broadcasting service Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) live-streamed a late-night raid on his home.

The footage -- posted on DVB's Facebook page -- appeared to show loud bangs outside his apartment building as he pleaded with authorities not to shoot.&nbsp;

Myanmar's military authorities have charged an Associated Press photographer and five other journalists over their coverage of anti-coup protests, their lawyer said on Wednesday.

Myanmar's military authorities have charged an Associated Press photographer and five other journalists over their coverage of anti-coup protests, their lawyer said on Wednesday. AP photographer Thein Zaw, 32, was arrested on Saturday as he covered a demonstration in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon. The country has been in uproar since February 1, when the army detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders, ending Myanmar's brief experiment with democracy and sparking protests far and wide. Thein Zaw's lawyer said he and five other Myanmar journalists had been charged under a law against "causing fear, spreading false news or agitating directly or indirectly a government employee". The junta amended the law last month, to increase the maximum sentence from two years to three years in jail. "Ko Thein Zaw was simply reporting in line with press freedom law -- he wasn't protesting, he was just doing his work," the lawyer, Tin Zar Oo, said, adding that all six were being held at Insein prison in Yangon. The United States, which has sharply criticized Myanmar's military for deposing the elected government, called for the journalists' release. The United States is "forcefully making clear that it is unacceptable that journalists who are merely furthering their obligation to an informed citizenry are detained for undertaking that activity," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters in Washington. The other five journalists are from Myanmar Now, Myanmar Photo Agency, 7Day News, Zee Kwet Online news and a freelancer, according to AP. AP's vice-president of international news Ian Philips called for Thein Zaw's immediate release. "Independent journalists must be allowed to freely and safely report the news without fear of retribution," he said. "AP decries in the strongest terms the arbitrary detention of Thein Zaw." Since the coup, authorities have steadily stepped up their tactics against anti-military protesters, deploying tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, as well as isolated incidents of live rounds. Wednesday was the bloodiest day since the military takeover, with the UN saying at least 38 people had died across the country. AFP counted at least 17 who were reportedly shot by security forces. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group, more than 1,200 people have been arrested since the coup, with about 900 still behind bars or facing charges. But the real number is likely far higher -- state-run media reported that on Sunday alone more than 1,300 people were arrested. AAPP says that 34 journalists are among those detained, with 15 released so far. "This repression is obstructing the flow of accurate information and news," AAPP said, adding that journalists were being subjected to "violent attacks" despite having clear credentials. The most recent confirmed arrest came Monday, when a Myanmar journalist with broadcasting service Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) live-streamed a late-night raid on his home. The footage -- posted on DVB's Facebook page -- appeared to show loud bangs outside his apartment building as he pleaded with authorities not to shoot.

Myanmar military charges six journalists over coverage of anti-coup protests

Armed Myanmar soldiers and police are using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters against last month's coup, researchers said, prompting the Chinese video-sharing app to announce it was removing content that incites violence.

Digital rights group Myanmar ICT for Development (MIDO) said it had found over 800 pro-military videos that menaced protesters at a time of increasing bloodshed - with 38 protesters killed on Wednesday alone according to the United Nations.

"It's just the tip of the iceberg," said MIDO executive director Htaike Htaike Aung, who noted that there's "hundreds" of videos of uniformed soldiers and police on the app.

A spokesman for the army and junta did not respond to a request for comment.

One video from late February reviewed by Reuters shows a man in army fatigues aiming an assault rifle at the camera and addressing protesters: "I will shoot in your fucking faces... and I'm using real bullets."

"I am going to patrol the whole city tonight and I will shoot whoever I see... If you want to become a martyr, I will fulfil your wish."

Reuters was unable to contact him or the other uniformed men who appear in the TikTok videos or to verify that they are in the armed forces.

TikTok is the latest social media platform to suffer a proliferation of menacing content or hate speech in Myanmar.

US tech giant Facebook has now banned all pages linked to Myanmar's army - and has itself been banned.

TikTok said in a statement: "We have clear Community Guidelines that state we do not allow content that incites violence or misinformation that causes harm... As it relates to Myanmar, we have been and continue to promptly remove all content that incites violence or spreads misinformation, and are aggressively monitoring to remove any such content that violates our guidelines."

TikTok's policies forbid displays of guns unless they are in "safe environments".

Reuters reviewed over a dozen videos where uniformed men, sometimes brandishing guns, threatened to harm protesters who are calling for the reversal of the coup and the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Some videos had tens of thousands of views. Those reviewed by Reuters were taken down this week. Some used hashtags relating to U.S celebrities.

Already growing fast in Myanmar, TikTok saw a strong rise in downloads after the military banned Facebook last month. It is in the top 20 most downloaded apps in Myanmar, according to industry data.

Facebook, which remains popular in Myanmar despite the ban, has toughened its scrutiny of content since being accused of helping to fan atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017.

Researchers like Htaike say they believe the military is now attempting to grow its presence on other platforms.

Armed Myanmar soldiers and police are using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters against last month's coup, researchers said, prompting the Chinese video-sharing app to announce it was removing content that incites violence.

Armed Myanmar soldiers and police are using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters against last month's coup, researchers said, prompting the Chinese video-sharing app to announce it was removing content that incites violence. Digital rights group Myanmar ICT for Development (MIDO) said it had found over 800 pro-military videos that menaced protesters at a time of increasing bloodshed - with 38 protesters killed on Wednesday alone according to the United Nations. "It's just the tip of the iceberg," said MIDO executive director Htaike Htaike Aung, who noted that there's "hundreds" of videos of uniformed soldiers and police on the app. A spokesman for the army and junta did not respond to a request for comment. One video from late February reviewed by Reuters shows a man in army fatigues aiming an assault rifle at the camera and addressing protesters: "I will shoot in your fucking faces... and I'm using real bullets." "I am going to patrol the whole city tonight and I will shoot whoever I see... If you want to become a martyr, I will fulfil your wish." Reuters was unable to contact him or the other uniformed men who appear in the TikTok videos or to verify that they are in the armed forces. TikTok is the latest social media platform to suffer a proliferation of menacing content or hate speech in Myanmar. US tech giant Facebook has now banned all pages linked to Myanmar's army - and has itself been banned. TikTok said in a statement: "We have clear Community Guidelines that state we do not allow content that incites violence or misinformation that causes harm... As it relates to Myanmar, we have been and continue to promptly remove all content that incites violence or spreads misinformation, and are aggressively monitoring to remove any such content that violates our guidelines." TikTok's policies forbid displays of guns unless they are in "safe environments". Reuters reviewed over a dozen videos where uniformed men, sometimes brandishing guns, threatened to harm protesters who are calling for the reversal of the coup and the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Some videos had tens of thousands of views. Those reviewed by Reuters were taken down this week. Some used hashtags relating to U.S celebrities. Already growing fast in Myanmar, TikTok saw a strong rise in downloads after the military banned Facebook last month. It is in the top 20 most downloaded apps in Myanmar, according to industry data. Facebook, which remains popular in Myanmar despite the ban, has toughened its scrutiny of content since being accused of helping to fan atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017. Researchers like Htaike say they believe the military is now attempting to grow its presence on other platforms.

'I will shoot whoever I see': Myanmar soldiers use TikTok to threaten protesters

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-germany-summon-myanmar-envoy-over-protest-crackdown-367274">Myanmar</a> police opened fire on protesters once again on Tuesday in&nbsp;Yangon as anti-military protests continued in the country.

Watch:

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The protesters had gathered in different parts of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-foreign-ministers-to-meet-on-myanmar-tomorrow-367236">Yangon</a> clutching makeshift shields as they chanted slogans against the military as authorities moved to quell the demonstrations.

Reports said several people were injured in the northwestern town of Kale after police fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd.&nbsp;

At least 21 protesters were killed over the weekend as authorities fired live rounds amid an escalation of violence in the country.

The increase in violence comes as foreign ministers of neighbouring countries are due to hold talks with the military as demonstrators continue to demand restoration of democracy in the country.

The military had taken ousted<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-appears-in-court-via-video-two-new-criminal-charges-filed-367060"> Aung San Suu Kyi's </a>democratically elected government on February 1 and imposed a state of emergency for one year triggering nationwide protests.

Several nations have condemned the coup with Canada, Britain and the US imposing sanctions against Myanmar generals involved in the military coup.

The military junta had complained of voter fraud during the November elections, a charge dismissed by the country's election authorities, including Germany and Italy who called on Myanmar envoys to restore democracy.

Myanmar police opened fire on protesters once again on Tuesday in Yangon as anti-military protests continued in the country. Watch: The protesters had gathered in different parts of Yangon clutching makeshift shields as they chanted slogans against the military as authorities moved to quell the demonstrations.

Myanmar police opened fire on protesters once again on Tuesday in Yangon as anti-military protests continued in the country. Watch: The protesters had gathered in different parts of Yangon clutching makeshift shields as they chanted slogans against the military as authorities moved to quell the demonstrations. Reports said several people were injured in the northwestern town of Kale after police fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd. At least 21 protesters were killed over the weekend as authorities fired live rounds amid an escalation of violence in the country. The increase in violence comes as foreign ministers of neighbouring countries are due to hold talks with the military as demonstrators continue to demand restoration of democracy in the country. The military had taken ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government on February 1 and imposed a state of emergency for one year triggering nationwide protests. Several nations have condemned the coup with Canada, Britain and the US imposing sanctions against Myanmar generals involved in the military coup. The military junta had complained of voter fraud during the November elections, a charge dismissed by the country's election authorities, including Germany and Italy who called on Myanmar envoys to restore democracy.

Myanmar police opens fire on protesters as ASEAN ministers aim for talks

As the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-foreign-ministers-to-meet-on-myanmar-tomorrow-367236">Myanmar </a>military continued its crackdown, the Italian and German governments on Monday summoned Myanmar's ambassador over the violence in the country and&nbsp;expressed their&nbsp;condemnation.

Watch:

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Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seiber said: "Such deadly violence against peaceful demonstrators can not be justified."&nbsp;

Italy said it had requested&nbsp;the "military authorities immediately put an end to all violent repression of the democratic protests underway in the country."

"The ministry also emphasised the illegitimacy of the military's decision to cancel the November elections," Italy's foreign ministry said. The move comes as National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi was hit with two new criminal charges on Monday, a month after the coup triggered mass protests.

The military had taken ousted Suu Kyi's government on February 1 and imposed a state of emergency for one year and detained several top NLD leaders close to Suu Kyi.

On Sunday, at least 18 people were killed as police opened fire on demonstrators in cities across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-prepare-for-confrontation-after-bloodiest-day-so-far-366977">Myanmar</a>. The Italian government urged the Myanmar ambassador to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all those arrested in connection with the coup.&nbsp;

Germany&nbsp;backed the Italian government as it called Myanmar's military to return to&nbsp;the democratic process through dialogue and to release Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

"We summoned Myanmar's ambassador today to make this position clear," the German government asserted.

As the Myanmar military continued its crackdown, the Italian and German governments on Monday summoned Myanmar's ambassador over the violence in the country and expressed their condemnation.

As the Myanmar military continued its crackdown, the Italian and German governments on Monday summoned Myanmar's ambassador over the violence in the country and expressed their condemnation. Watch: Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seiber said: "Such deadly violence against peaceful demonstrators can not be justified." Italy said it had requested the "military authorities immediately put an end to all violent repression of the democratic protests underway in the country." "The ministry also emphasised the illegitimacy of the military's decision to cancel the November elections," Italy's foreign ministry said. The move comes as National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi was hit with two new criminal charges on Monday, a month after the coup triggered mass protests. The military had taken ousted Suu Kyi's government on February 1 and imposed a state of emergency for one year and detained several top NLD leaders close to Suu Kyi. On Sunday, at least 18 people were killed as police opened fire on demonstrators in cities across Myanmar. The Italian government urged the Myanmar ambassador to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all those arrested in connection with the coup. Germany backed the Italian government as it called Myanmar's military to return to the democratic process through dialogue and to release Suu Kyi. "We summoned Myanmar's ambassador today to make this position clear," the German government asserted.

Italy, Germany summon Myanmar envoy over protest crackdown

Myanmar police fired canisters at protesters in the southeastern city of Dawei who blocked a road on Saturday (February 27) in protest against military rule, enveloping the area in smoke.

Protesters and police face off in Myanmar's Dawei city

Indonesia has taken the lead within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in efforts to resolve Myanmar's turmoil.

'Held intensive talks with both sides': Indonesia

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision&nbsp;has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters. Myanmar military removed civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1.

"Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban," Facebook said in a blog post.&nbsp;

"We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great."

The U.S tech giant said it would also ban all "Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities" from advertising on its platforms.

It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to "exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar", as well as the army's repeated history of violating Facebook's rules, including since the coup.

There was no immediate reaction from Myanmar military.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/japan-finalising-plans-to-halt-fresh-aid-to-myanmar-says-report-366083">Japan finalising plans to halt fresh aid to Myanmar, says report</a>

People in Myanmar have come out to protest every day soon after the coup. The military has chosen to take a hard stance and has begun a crackdown.

At least three protesters and one policeman have been killed in violence at rallies.

Facebook is widely used in Myanmar and has been one of the ways the junta has communicated with people, despite an official move to ban on the platform in the early days of the coup.

Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after facing international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns.

In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

(With Reuters inputs)

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters.

Facebook on Thursday announced that it was banning Myanmar military junta from its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The decision has come as there is no let-up in anti-coup protests and military's brutal crackdown against the protesters. Myanmar military removed civilian government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1. "Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban," Facebook said in a blog post. "We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great." The U.S tech giant said it would also ban all "Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities" from advertising on its platforms. It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to "exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar", as well as the army's repeated history of violating Facebook's rules, including since the coup. There was no immediate reaction from Myanmar military. Also Read | Japan finalising plans to halt fresh aid to Myanmar, says report People in Myanmar have come out to protest every day soon after the coup. The military has chosen to take a hard stance and has begun a crackdown. At least three protesters and one policeman have been killed in violence at rallies. Facebook is widely used in Myanmar and has been one of the ways the junta has communicated with people, despite an official move to ban on the platform in the early days of the coup. Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after facing international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns. In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour. (With Reuters inputs)

Facebook bans Myanmar military junta from its platforms

Supporters of the military junta in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/facebook-bans-myanmar-military-junta-from-its-platforms-366100">Myanmar</a> clashed with anti-military protesters in Yangon on Thursday.&nbsp;

Watch:

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Reports claimed at least 1,000 supporters of the military gathered in central Yangon with some wielding knives with signs carrying "we stand with the defence services", referring to the junta even as residents banged pots and pans in protest during the pro-junta demonstration.

Reports claimed clashes were also reported near Yangon central railway station&nbsp;compound as slingshots from cars were fired by the pro-military supporters.

Yangon University students took out a march carrying the red flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy(NLD) party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/japan-finalising-plans-to-halt-fresh-aid-to-myanmar-says-report-366083">Myanmar </a>has witnessed protests ever since the military coup on February 1. The country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi and several NLD party leaders were arrested as the military rulers took over the country while imposing a state of emergency for one year.

Four anti-coup protesters have been killed in the crackdown as authorities have targeted demonstrations and several have been arrested. The military has reported the death of at least one police officer.

Amid the protests, Indonesia officials held "intensive" talks with the Myanmar military and representatives of the ousted government.

Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi met Myanmar's foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin for talks in Bangkok. The military has declared it will hold elections but it hasn't put a timeline.

Several countries have condemned the coup, with Britain and the United States imposing sanctions against Myanmar's military rulers.

Supporters of the military junta in Myanmar clashed with anti-military protesters in Yangon on Thursday. Watch: Reports claimed at least 1,000 supporters of the military gathered in central Yangon with some wielding knives with signs carrying "we stand with the defence services", referring to the junta even as residents banged pots and pans in protest during the pro-junta demonstration.

Supporters of the military junta in Myanmar clashed with anti-military protesters in Yangon on Thursday. Watch: Reports claimed at least 1,000 supporters of the military gathered in central Yangon with some wielding knives with signs carrying "we stand with the defence services", referring to the junta even as residents banged pots and pans in protest during the pro-junta demonstration. Reports claimed clashes were also reported near Yangon central railway station compound as slingshots from cars were fired by the pro-military supporters. Yangon University students took out a march carrying the red flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy(NLD) party. Myanmar has witnessed protests ever since the military coup on February 1. The country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi and several NLD party leaders were arrested as the military rulers took over the country while imposing a state of emergency for one year. Four anti-coup protesters have been killed in the crackdown as authorities have targeted demonstrations and several have been arrested. The military has reported the death of at least one police officer. Amid the protests, Indonesia officials held "intensive" talks with the Myanmar military and representatives of the ousted government. Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi met Myanmar's foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin for talks in Bangkok. The military has declared it will hold elections but it hasn't put a timeline. Several countries have condemned the coup, with Britain and the United States imposing sanctions against Myanmar's military rulers.

Pro-military supporters clash with protesters in Myanmar's Yangon

Myanmar military continued its internet blackout for the eighth consecutive day ahead of another day of planned protests on Monday.

Watch:

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At least three protesters were killed on Saturday which marked the deadliest day of nationwide protests which has continued for over two weeks.

Protesters in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/facebook-deletes-main-page-of-myanmar-military-365128">Yangon</a>, Monywa and Myitkyina held candlelight vigils to pay tribute to the dead as the military continued its crack down against the demonstrators.

Mandalay and Yangon have become the epicentre of protests with demonstrators clashing with authorities. Myanmar's military had replaced the democratic government on February 1 in a coup as it arrested pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top leaders of her NLD party.

The protesters have been demanding a return to democracy and freedom for Suu Kyi, however, the military has continued its clampdown and declared a state of emergency for one year, although they have promised to hold elections without setting a date.

The military has accused voter fraud in the November elections which was won by Suu Kyi's NLD party.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the use of "deadly violence" against the crowd, saying: "The use of lethal force, intimidation &amp; harassment against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable."

Canada, Britain and the United States had earlier sanctioned the Myanmar generals even as European Union foreign ministers are set to meet on Monday to discuss measures against Myanmar's military regime.

Myanmar military continued its internet blackout for the eighth consecutive day ahead of another day of planned protests on Monday. Watch: At least three protesters were killed on Saturday which marked the deadliest day of nationwide protests which has continued for over two weeks.

Myanmar military continued its internet blackout for the eighth consecutive day ahead of another day of planned protests on Monday. Watch: At least three protesters were killed on Saturday which marked the deadliest day of nationwide protests which has continued for over two weeks. Protesters in Yangon, Monywa and Myitkyina held candlelight vigils to pay tribute to the dead as the military continued its crack down against the demonstrators. Mandalay and Yangon have become the epicentre of protests with demonstrators clashing with authorities. Myanmar's military had replaced the democratic government on February 1 in a coup as it arrested pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top leaders of her NLD party. The protesters have been demanding a return to democracy and freedom for Suu Kyi, however, the military has continued its clampdown and declared a state of emergency for one year, although they have promised to hold elections without setting a date. The military has accused voter fraud in the November elections which was won by Suu Kyi's NLD party. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the use of "deadly violence" against the crowd, saying: "The use of lethal force, intimidation & harassment against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable." Canada, Britain and the United States had earlier sanctioned the Myanmar generals even as European Union foreign ministers are set to meet on Monday to discuss measures against Myanmar's military regime.

Internet blackout continues amid crack down against protesters in Myanmar

Facebook on Sunday deleted the page of Myanmar military. The action was taken in accordance with its standards of prohibiting incitement of violence, it said. This has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration.

"In line with our global policies, we’ve removed the Tatmadaw True News Information Team Page from Facebook for repeated violations of our Community Standards prohibiting incitement of violence and coordinating harm," a Facebook representative said in a statement.

Myanmar military's Truer News page was no longer available on Sunday. Reuters said that military spokesperson did not respond to phone calls.

Two people were killed in Myanmar's second city Mandalay on Saturday when police and soldiers fired at protesters demonstrating against the overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, emergency workers said, the bloodiest day in more than two weeks of demonstrations.

Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after coming under heavy international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-condemns-use-of-lethal-force-in-myanmar-365121">UN condemns use of 'lethal force' in Myanmar</a>

In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

Ahead of November elections, Facebook announced it had taken down a network of 70 fake accounts and pages operated by members of the military that had posted either positive content about the army or criticism of Suu Kyi and her party.

(With Reuters inputs)

Facebook on Sunday deleted the page of Myanmar military. The action was taken in accordance with its standards of prohibiting incitement of violence, it said. This has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration.

Facebook on Sunday deleted the page of Myanmar military. The action was taken in accordance with its standards of prohibiting incitement of violence, it said. This has come just a day after two protesters were killed after police opened fire at a demonstration. "In line with our global policies, we’ve removed the Tatmadaw True News Information Team Page from Facebook for repeated violations of our Community Standards prohibiting incitement of violence and coordinating harm," a Facebook representative said in a statement. Myanmar military's Truer News page was no longer available on Sunday. Reuters said that military spokesperson did not respond to phone calls. Two people were killed in Myanmar's second city Mandalay on Saturday when police and soldiers fired at protesters demonstrating against the overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, emergency workers said, the bloodiest day in more than two weeks of demonstrations. Facebook in recent years has engaged with civil rights activists and democratic political parties in Myanmar and pushed back against the military after coming under heavy international criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns. Also Read | UN condemns use of 'lethal force' in Myanmar In 2018, it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and 19 other senior officers and organisations, and took down hundreds of pages and accounts run by military members for coordinated inauthentic behaviour. Ahead of November elections, Facebook announced it had taken down a network of 70 fake accounts and pages operated by members of the military that had posted either positive content about the army or criticism of Suu Kyi and her party. (With Reuters inputs)

Facebook deletes main page of Myanmar military

The 20-year-old woman protester who was shot in the head during anti-military protests in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/britain-canada-impose-sanctions-on-myanmar-generals-amid-protests-364685">Myanmar's</a> capital Naypyidaw has died, the hospital said on Friday.

Watch:

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Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing received head injuries after being shot as the police opened fire with live bullets. Khaing was in the intensive care unit since February 9.

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing has become a symbol of resistance for the demonstrators who have been demanding a return to democracy after the military coup on February 1 which led to the arrest of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military has imposed a state of emergency for one year in the country after declaring voter fraud in the November elections which have been dismissed by protesters.

Canada and Britain imposed sanctions on Myanmar generals even as the US condemned the coup.

The 20-year-old woman protester who was shot in the head during anti-military protests in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw has died, the hospital said on Friday. Watch: Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing received head injuries after being shot as the police opened fire with live bullets.

The 20-year-old woman protester who was shot in the head during anti-military protests in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw has died, the hospital said on Friday. Watch: Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing received head injuries after being shot as the police opened fire with live bullets. Khaing was in the intensive care unit since February 9. Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing has become a symbol of resistance for the demonstrators who have been demanding a return to democracy after the military coup on February 1 which led to the arrest of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The military has imposed a state of emergency for one year in the country after declaring voter fraud in the November elections which have been dismissed by protesters. Canada and Britain imposed sanctions on Myanmar generals even as the US condemned the coup.

20-year-old protester shot in head in Myanmar dies in hospital

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-monks-march-seek-end-to-military-rule-364052">Myanmar</a> experienced another night of internet blackout as the net continued to be shut for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as protests continued against the military junta's coup.

Watch:

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Opponents of Myanmar's military coup called for big protests on Wednesday to show that the army's claim of widespread public support amid charges against leader<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-cops-file-new-charge-against-suu-kyi-to-extend-detention-indefinitely-364061"> Aung San Suu Kyi</a> who has been detained since February 1 when the military took control of the country in an early morning coup.

Suu Kyi faces charge of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law as well as charges of illegally importing six walkie talkie radios. Her case was held by video conference on Tuesday, her next hearing was set for March 1.

"Let’s gather in millions to take down the dictators," wrote activist Khin Sandar on Facebook.

Kyi Toe, a senior member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party who has not yet been arrested, said "let's march en masse. Let's show our force against the coup government that has destroyed the future of youth, the future of our country."

The Army's takeover has drawn strong Western criticism with renewed anger from the United States and the UK over additional charge for Suu Kyi. Although China has dismissed accusations it supported the coup.

Hundreds of people have been rounded up by the army since the coup many of them in night-time raids. Those arrested include several top NLD's senior leadership.

Reports say at least 450 people have been arrested since the coup earlier this month. A third night of internet blackout meant no news emerged of any arrests early on Wednesday.

The army had alleging voter fraud in the November 8 election which was rejected by the electoral&nbsp; commission. The military has declared a state of emergency for one year after taking over power.

"Our objective is to hold an election and hand power to the winning party," Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the ruling council, told the junta's first news conference since overthrowing Suu Kyi's government.&nbsp;

General Tun gave no time frame but said the army will not be in power for long.

The last stretch of army rule lasted nearly half a century before democratic reforms in 2011.

Myanmar experienced another night of internet blackout as the net continued to be shut for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as protests continued against the military junta's coup.

Myanmar experienced another night of internet blackout as the net continued to be shut for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as protests continued against the military junta's coup. Watch: Opponents of Myanmar's military coup called for big protests on Wednesday to show that the army's claim of widespread public support amid charges against leader Aung San Suu Kyi who has been detained since February 1 when the military took control of the country in an early morning coup. Suu Kyi faces charge of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law as well as charges of illegally importing six walkie talkie radios. Her case was held by video conference on Tuesday, her next hearing was set for March 1. "Let’s gather in millions to take down the dictators," wrote activist Khin Sandar on Facebook. Kyi Toe, a senior member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party who has not yet been arrested, said "let's march en masse. Let's show our force against the coup government that has destroyed the future of youth, the future of our country." The Army's takeover has drawn strong Western criticism with renewed anger from the United States and the UK over additional charge for Suu Kyi. Although China has dismissed accusations it supported the coup. Hundreds of people have been rounded up by the army since the coup many of them in night-time raids. Those arrested include several top NLD's senior leadership. Reports say at least 450 people have been arrested since the coup earlier this month. A third night of internet blackout meant no news emerged of any arrests early on Wednesday. The army had alleging voter fraud in the November 8 election which was rejected by the electoral commission. The military has declared a state of emergency for one year after taking over power. "Our objective is to hold an election and hand power to the winning party," Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the ruling council, told the junta's first news conference since overthrowing Suu Kyi's government. General Tun gave no time frame but said the army will not be in power for long. The last stretch of army rule lasted nearly half a century before democratic reforms in 2011.

Myanmar military blocks internet for third consecutive night amid protests

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/under-new-law-myanmar-protesters-to-face-up-to-20-years-in-prison-363806">Myanmar </a>military generals on Tuesday choked the internet for the second consecutive night as protesters continued their demonstrations as extra troops were deployed around the country.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-77th-battalion-soldiers-spotted-on-roads-363903/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The military junta had imposed a state of emergency for one year on February 1 after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi who has not been seen in public for the past fortnight.

Reports said Suu Kyi and detained president Win Myint may be questioned by a court "via video conferencing" in Naypyidaw this week. Armoured vehicles operated on the streets in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protests-armoured-vehicles-deployed-in-yangon-protests-erupt-after-internet-blackout-363705">Yangon</a> as the military tightened its hold over the country even as protesters demanded freedom for Suu Kyi and a return to democracy.

The protests have spread nationwide ever since the coup with &nbsp;Naypyidaw, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-security-forces-open-fire-to-disperse-protesters-in-mandalay-363793">Mandalay </a>and other cities reporting clashes between the state police and people.

The military has severely curtailed internet freedom with Tuesday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-military-blocks-internet-as-troops-fire-to-break-up-protest-363635">internet </a>blackout set to be the fourth since February 1 even the United Nations denounced the military's move to choke off the internet, however, protests have continued regardless with violence reported in several areas.

According to reports, at least 420 people have been detained since the coup.

The coup has been internationally condemned with a joint statement from the US, British and European Union ambassadors urging Myanmar security forces not to harm civilians.&nbsp;

Reports say communities across the country have formed neighbourhood watch brigades to prevent night-time arrests by the military.

Myanmar military generals on Tuesday choked the internet for the second consecutive night as protesters continued their demonstrations as extra troops were deployed around the country.

Myanmar military generals on Tuesday choked the internet for the second consecutive night as protesters continued their demonstrations as extra troops were deployed around the country. Watch: The military junta had imposed a state of emergency for one year on February 1 after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi who has not been seen in public for the past fortnight. Reports said Suu Kyi and detained president Win Myint may be questioned by a court "via video conferencing" in Naypyidaw this week. Armoured vehicles operated on the streets in Yangon as the military tightened its hold over the country even as protesters demanded freedom for Suu Kyi and a return to democracy. The protests have spread nationwide ever since the coup with Naypyidaw, Mandalay and other cities reporting clashes between the state police and people. The military has severely curtailed internet freedom with Tuesday's internet blackout set to be the fourth since February 1 even the United Nations denounced the military's move to choke off the internet, however, protests have continued regardless with violence reported in several areas. According to reports, at least 420 people have been detained since the coup. The coup has been internationally condemned with a joint statement from the US, British and European Union ambassadors urging Myanmar security forces not to harm civilians. Reports say communities across the country have formed neighbourhood watch brigades to prevent night-time arrests by the military.

Myanmar military chokes internet for second consecutive night amid protests

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