Myanmar

Oct 15 (Reuters) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed on Friday to sideline Myanmar's military ruler from a leaders' summit this month, sources said, a rare tough stand by a bloc known for its policy of engagement and non-interference.

Foreign ministers made the decision at a special meeting called to address the failure of Myanmar's military to follow a peace process it agreed to with ASEAN five months ago, aimed at tackling a bloody crisis triggered by its Feb. 1 coup.

Oct 12 (Reuters) - Myanmar's deposed president testified on Tuesday that the military tried to force him to relinquish power hours before its Feb. 1 coup, warning him he could be seriously harmed if he refused, according to his lawyer.

The testimony of Win Myint, his first public comments since he was overthrown, challenges the military's insistence that no coup took place, and that power had been lawfully transferred to the generals by an acting president.

YANGON, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will launch a COVID-19 vaccination program for schoolchildren aged over 12 years next week, state-run media reported on Sunday.

About 1 million students of middle and high school level who have enrolled for 2021-2022 academic year will be vaccinated, in an effort to cut the spread of COVID-19 infections, the report said.

Sept 29 (Reuters) - Myanmar's currency has lost more than 60% of its value since the beginning of September, driving up food and fuel prices in an economy that has tanked since a military coup eight months ago.

Many gold shops and money exchanges closed on Wednesday due to the turmoil, while the kyat’s dive trended on social media with comments ranging from stark warnings to efforts to find some humour as yet another crisis hits the strife-torn nation.

YANGON, Sept 25 (NNN-MNA) – Five suspects were arrested, in connection with vandalism of aircraft in Myanmar, state media reported today.

A flight of Air KBZ, which planned to fly to Heho of Shan state from Yangon, was replaced with another, as leaves were found in both of the pilot tubes of the aircraft, before its journey on Aug 12, the report said.

Due to a malfunction of Auto Pilot System, the replaced flight had to return to the Yangon International Airport seven minutes after take-off, and it was later found out that both pilot tubes were stuffed with leaves.

Sept 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian and Western countries have urged all sides in Myanmar to refrain from violence and allow in humanitarian aid, after a shadow government, formed by opponents of military rule, declared a nationwide uprising against the junta.

The National Unity Government (NUG) said on Tuesday it was launching a "people's defensive war", signalling what appeared to be a bid to coordinate groups fighting the military as well as calls for troops and officials to switch sides.

Sept 7 (Reuters) - Myanmar's shadow government, formed by opponents of military rule, called for a nationwide uprising against the junta on Tuesday, amid reports of new protests and a flare-up in fighting between the army and ethnic military groups.

Duwa Lashi La, acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG), said the shadow government was launching a "people's defensive war", signalling in a speech what appeared to be a bid for greater coordination of armed militias and ethnic forces after months of fighting the military.

YANGON, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar received funds from China for 21 projects under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund on Tuesday, the state-run media reported on Tuesday.

An agreement on the transfer of the funds was signed by Myanmar's Foreign Affairs Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai.

Aug 2 (Reuters) - Members of a shadow government set up by opponents of Myanmar's coup condemned on Monday the country's military ruler for taking on the role of prime minister in a caretaker government and said the move was designed to try to win legitimacy.

Military ruler Min Aung Hlaing made the announcement in a speech on Sunday, six months after the army seized power by overthrowing an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

July 23 (Reuters) - Myanmar has appointed a new temporary head of its embassy in London, Britain's foreign ministry said on Friday, replacing the previous ambassador who was ousted after breaking ranks with the military government over its Feb. 1 coup.

The selection of the new "charge d'affaires ad interim" did not require the consent of the British government, a foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters, which first reported the move earlier on Friday.