World

“The world’s attention must remain on Myanmar” – Obama left ‘heartbroken’ by military coup scenes

Published

1 year ago

April 27, 2021

U.S. President Barack Obama talks to the media as he meets with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. September 14, 2016.

Former US President, Barack Obama has weighed in on the crisis that continues to unfold across Myanmar, stating he was “appalled by heartbreaking violence” it had used against civilians after retaking power in a coup.

Releasing a rare statement, Obama said he supported his President Joe Biden’s move to impose sanctions on the nation and impose costs on Myanmar’s generals.

“The military’s illegitimate and brutal effort to impose its will after a decade of greater freedoms will clearly never be accepted by the people and should not be accepted by the wider world”

Obama has called for those in Myanmar to continue to protest for their democracy.

The world’s attention must remain on Myanmar, where I’ve been appalled by heartbreaking violence against civilians and inspired by the nationwide movement that represents the voice of the people. pic.twitter.com/zBkJqEeq0E
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 26, 2021

What’s happening in Myanmar

Myanmar was taken over by the nation’s military in February, after detaining the country’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mass protests have been taking place across Myanmar since the military seized control on 1 February.

It comes as elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained, and so do other members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Hundreds of people, including children, have been killed.

The military is now back in charge and has declared a year-long state of emergency. The armed forces had backed the opposition, who were demanding a rerun of the vote, claiming widespread fraud.

Global Impacts

Countries from across the globe have responded to the crisis in Myanmar, many imposing sanctions on the nation.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on 10 of Myanmar’s military leaders, as well as two giant military conglomerates.

The United States has also responded, imposing the following:

APRIL 21, 2021 Imposing Sanctions on Two Burmese State-Owned Enterprises

APRIL 21, 2021 Treasury Sanctions Key Timber and Pearl Enterprises in Burma

APRIL 8, 2021 Imposing Sanctions on Burmese State-Owned Enterprise

APRIL 8, 2021 Treasury Sanctions Key Gems Enterprise in Burma

MARCH 25, 2021 Sanctions on Two Burmese Entities in Connection with the Military Regime

MARCH 25, 2021 Treasury Sanctions Military Holding Companies in Burma

MARCH 22, 2021 Designating Officials and Military Units in Response to Escalating Violence in Burma

MARCH 22, 2021 United States Targets Burmese Military Forces for Repression of Pro-Democracy Protests

MARCH 10, 2021 Promoting Accountability and Responding to Violence against Protestors in Burma

MARCH 10, 2021 United States Targets Family Members Profiting from Connection to Burmese Coup Leader

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 Promoting Accountability for Those Responsible for Violence Against Protestors in Burma

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 United States Targets Members of Burma’s State Administrative Council following Violence against Protestors

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 Designating Officials and Entities in Connection with the Military Coup in Burma

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 United States Targets Leaders of Burma’s Military Coup Under New Executive Order Archive: Find releases prior to January 20, 2017

The United States has imposed new Myanmar sanctions on state-owned Myanma Timber Enterprise and Myanmar Pearl Enterprise, according to the Treasury Department. #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar
— Matthew Tostevin (@TostevinM) April 21, 2021

Experts are now urging that the agenda for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders Meeting in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Saturday should be able to produce concrete actions to end violence in Myanmar.

Calls for Industries to cut ties with Myanmar

IndustriALL ExCo unanimously adopts a resolution on **Myanmar**, calling on companies to end commercial ties with the military; on all affiliates to pressure governments for economic **sanctions**; on governments to recognise the new National Unity Government of **Myanmar**.

World

Four dead in Russian military plane crash

Published

16 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

Four people have been killed after a Russian military plane suffered an engine malfunction

The plane reportedly crashed in the city of Ryazan, which is located southeast of Moscow.

It’s believed five others are also injured. However, it is unclear how many were on board.

The Ilyushin IL-76 military cargo plane is a long-range aircraft, which can reportedly carry over 100 troops.

An Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft, which is similar to the one involved in the incident.

Local authorities say the plane suffered a malfunction while on a training flight.

Russia’s Defence Minister is yet to give any further details on the crash, or about the victims.

World

Double election defeat for UK Conservatives

Published

17 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives have suffered defeat in two parliamentary by-elections

UK Conservatives have lost two crucial seats in England, which could spark concerns about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s future.

The centrist Liberal Democrat party won the seats of Tiverton and Honiton.

The seats are in a Conservative part of south-west England, where a majority of 24,000 has been overturned.

The Liberal Democrats say it is their biggest ever majority turn around at a parliamentary by election.

“Tonight, the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for Britain. They’ve sent a loud and clear message: It’s time for Boris Johnson to go, and go now.”
winning candidate Richard Foord

The losses have renewed calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign after a police investigation into gatherings at his Downing Street offices.

Johnson recently survived a vote of no-confidence, which secured his term as Prime Minister for another 12 months.

It also follows the Conservatives winning a landslide majority in three decades during the last national election.

World

Protestors disrupt Chinese ambassador’s speech in Sydney

Published

18 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

Protesters are causing disruptions during an address by China’s Ambassador to Australia

Xiao Qian is in Sydney, where is he speaking about how to improve ties between the two countries.

One protester described Mr Xiao as a “representative of a dictatorship” and accused the Chinese Government of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.

Others were heard shouting “Free Tibet”, and another was asked to leave the venue prior to the event because he was dressed in a military costume.

The speech was widely seen as an attempt to ease relations between the two countries.

China has put trade sanctions on Australia, while a recent encounter took place between a Chinese fighter jet and an Australian maritime aircraft over the South China Sea.

Security guards reportedly ushered the protesters.