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Myanmar

Latest news, updates and opinion on Myanmar, covering politics, economy, society and the country’s relationships with China and India, and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Capital

Naypyidaw

Head of State

Acting President Min Aung Hlaing

Head of Government

Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing

Thai investigators found high levels of arsenic and lead in two rivers in the Mekong basin. Photo: Handout

Environment

China backs Mekong pollution probe after reports point finger at mining firms

Media reports and activists have said Chinese firms operating in Myanmar are responsible for pollution downriver in Thailand.

9 Jun 2025 - 7:19PMvideocam

United States

Trump’s new travel ban takes effect, citizens of 12 nations barred from US

9 Jun 2025 - 2:17PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

8 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM

Asean

Opinion | How Trump’s tariffs could benefit Asean in the long run

While the tariffs may undermine the bloc’s growth in the short term, they are spurring increased cooperation between member states and with others.

6 Jun 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Asean

My Take | Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?

An unprecedented level of coordination is required to tackle such crimes as Southeast Asian economies become more digitalised.

6 Jun 2025 - 10:36AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘milestone’ engine, battery scientist leaves US: SCMP daily highlights

From Donald Trump banning new foreign students at Harvard to China’s helicopter engine milestone, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

6 Jun 2025 - 5:52AM

Singapore

Singapore jails helper who abused, choked elderly woman with dementia

The Myanmar national also slammed the 90-year-old victim against a sofa and tapped her face.

5 Jun 2025 - 10:23AM

Singapore’s skyline. A domestic helper was jailed for abusing a dementia patient in the city state. Photo: Xinhua

Science

China’s scientists unlock secrets of how early birds conquered the skies

Analysis of feathers trapped in amber sheds new light on evolutionary path that led to early birds’ ability to fly.

5 Jun 2025 - 2:40PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump bans nationals from 12 countries entering US, citing security concerns

Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar among 12 nations facing outright entry ban; seven additional countries to face heightened scrutiny.

5 Jun 2025 - 5:23PM

Thailand

Thai river turns orange as dangerous toxins from Myanmar mines flush downstream

Authorities say arsenic levels in the Kok Thai river now exceed safety limits, sparking fears of ecological disaster.

28 May 2025 - 6:00PM

Authorities say arsenic levels in the Kok River have now reached dangerous levels. Photo: Earth Thailand

Bangladesh

Yunus’ resignation threat throws Bangladesh election timing into turmoil

The army and opposition have been calling for early polls, but the interim leader wants to introduce economic and electoral reforms first.

28 May 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Photo: AFP

Disease

Heart disease is Southeast Asia’s biggest killer. And it’s only getting worse

A new study has found a huge surge in cardiovascular disease across the region in recent years. Researchers say immediate action is needed.

28 May 2025 - 8:53AM

Asean

‘Concerned’ Asean leaders fail to issue fresh condemnation of Myanmar’s junta

Southeast Asia’s leaders reaffirm the bloc’s backing of a so-called five-point consensus as a road map for resolving Myanmar’s crisis.

27 May 2025 - 11:26PM

Singapore

Turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines jet’s radar system sent for tests in US

Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau said a final report on the incident would be issued once the investigation is complete.

27 May 2025 - 6:46PMvideocam

Officials enter the turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines plane at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok last year. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

Asean summit: Malaysia pushes for US to hold tariff talks with bloc

Bloc also launches Kuala Lumpur Declaration – a blueprint to develop the region through to 2045 – as Anwar warns of ‘unsettled’ international order.

26 May 2025 - 7:40PMvideocam

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers a speech for the opening of the plenary session at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Diplomacy

Malaysia calls for expansion of Myanmar post-earthquake ceasefire

The ruling military junta initially declared a truce after an quake in late March killed nearly 3,800 and left tens of thousands homeless.

25 May 2025 - 8:33PM

Cambodia

Cambodia is home to world’s most powerful criminal network: report

The network’s illegal activities threaten global economic and political stability, says Jacob Sims, a transnational crime expert.

26 May 2025 - 3:55PMvideocam

Asean

Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean summit should tackle US tariffs, Myanmar crisis

The Asean chair calls for ‘assertiveness and independence’ among the 10 member countries ahead of the crucial summit on Monday.

22 May 2025 - 2:20PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during his visit to Moscow on May 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

United States

Judge challenges US deportation of Asians to conflict-plagued South Sudan

Judge says US officials must keep control of migrants sent to African nation in case removals are unlawful.

21 May 2025 - 9:18PM

War and conflict

How Myanmar junta’s China, Russia-supplied drones are turning the tide of war

Analysts say the use of advanced drones from China and Russia has resulted in more casualties and slowed down opposition offensives.

21 May 2025 - 8:13AMvideocam

India

‘Outrageous’: Indian navy reportedly forces Rohingya refugees into the sea

At least 40 refugees, including children and old folks, were given life jackets, then cast adrift near the India-Myanmar border, UNHCR says.

17 May 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

A Rohingya refugee child looks out of a window in a house on the outskirts of Chennai, India. Photo: AFP

Thailand

Thai tycoon wanted over deadly Bangkok tower collapse surrenders to police

Premchai Karnasuta among 17 people charged with the felony of professional negligence causing death.

16 May 2025 - 1:17PMvideocam

Rescuers work at the site of the collapsed building in Bangkok on March 29. Photo: Reuters

Xi Jinping

Xi’s Moscow meeting of Myanmar junta leader signals China’s backing of regime

Xi’s meeting highlights China’s increasing support for Myanmar’s isolated regime and indicates a strategic alignment with Russia, analysts say.

16 May 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Malaysia

Ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir says US economy to ‘suffer’ from Trump tariffs

The 99-year-old warned Trump’s tariffs will backfire, and suggested the 10-member Asean bloc can weather the storm.

12 May 2025 - 6:18PM

Natural disasters

Opinion | How Myanmar’s devastating earthquake threatens to leave a lasting economic scar

The earthquake in central Myanmar poses serious risks to its fragile economy, with damages disrupting agriculture, trade and infrastructure.

11 May 2025 - 10:30AMvideocam

People drive on a motorbike past a collapsed building in Mandalay on March 28 after the earthquake in central Myanmar. Photo: TNS

Natural disasters

‘Junta in the way’: Myanmar quake crisis worsens amid air strikes, scarce UN aid

Myanmar’s junta is conducting air strikes after a deadly earthquake, despite a ceasefire, while a US$275 million UN aid appeal has received only US$34 million.

8 May 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

People are seen at a shelter in a makeshift tent camp near a railway track, following a strong earthquake in Amarapura township, Myanmar. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Trump’s tariff chaos: top Hong Kong bra maker presses on to beat 90-day pause

Trump’s 90-day pause provides opportunity for manufacturer and US clients to avoid impact of tariffs.

7 May 2025 - 10:17AM

China travel

What Labour Day tourism, spending say about China’s economic activity

The five-day holiday saw a sharp rise in tourism, and consumers took advantage of a trade-in programme, as China leans more heavily on its domestic market.

6 May 2025 - 6:39PM

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