Asia

While Bangladesh’s interim government backs the idea of a UN aid corridor to Rakhine State, some political parties have raised concerns over sovereignty and security.

The Lang Pacha ritual offers dignity to the nameless dead and calls attention to the need for better systems to identify those who die after going missing.

The Jamaat-e-Islami party raised the possibility in a meeting with Chinese Communist Party officials who were visiting Dhaka.

Poisonous heavy metals flowing from Chinese-owned gold mines in Shan State pose a deadly threat to residents in northern Thailand – and a headache for their government. 

The ‘fraud suspects’ were arrested since March 24 in raids carried out by Myanmar, China’s Ministry of Public Security said.

Authorities cite illegal ownership, fake engineering signatures and faulty materials.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he urged Min Aung Hlaing to stop fighting and allow quake aid during their meeting in Bangkok on Thursday.

Anwar, the current ASEAN chair holder, spoke with Mahn Winn Khaing Thann in a videocall after Thursday’s talks with the Myanmar junta chief in Bangkok.

The meeting drew sharp criticism from rights groups, who say engaging the junta chief risks legitimizing Myanmar’s brutal military regime.

Anwar to meet Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok, pushing for quake relief access and ceasefire extension beyond April 22.