US concerned over potential regional instability amid Rakhine conflict

The United States has raised serious concerns about the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, warning of its potential to destabilize the surrounding region.

Myanmar’s military junta has actively suppressed information about the country’s escalating hunger crisis by pressuring aid organizations and researchers to withhold data. 

The United States has called for India and Bangladesh to address their differences through peaceful means, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing Monday.

The Arakan Army, one of Myanmar`s most powerful ethnic armed groups, has declared full control of the 271-kilometer border with Bangladesh, following the capture of the last military outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw. 

Rohingya Muslims long persecuted by Myanmar`s Junta, are now facing new threats from the Arakan Army (AA), according to Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition. 

For Rohingya refugees who fled brutal violence in Myanmar, the announcement Wednesday that the International Criminal Court prosecutor was seeking an arrest warrant for the junta chief sparked celebrations.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced on Wednesday that his office is pursuing an arrest warrant for Myanmar`s junta leader in connection with crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingya Muslim community.

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the presidential election and called for stable ties between the world`s two largest economies.

Myanmar`s military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has embarked on his first visit to China since seizing power in 2021.

Chinese President Xi Jinping asked US President Joe Biden last year to change the language the United States uses when discussing its position on Taiwanese independence, according to two US officials familiar with the private conversation.

Three well-armed militias launched a surprise joint offensive in northeastern Myanmar a year ago, breaking a strategic stalemate with the regime’s military with rapid gains of huge swaths of territory and inspiring others to attack around the country.

Amnesty International has reported that the Rohingya community in Myanmar is facing its most severe threat since 2017, as newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh urgently need food, shelter, and medical care following extreme violence. 

A group of Russian navy ships arrived in war-torn Myanmar to join maritime exercises with the military junta`s navy, Myanmar state media said on Monday.

Iran, Russia and Oman have launched joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, with Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Pakistan, Qatar and Bangladesh participating as observers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the People`s Liberation Army`s Rocket Force to enhance their "deterrence and combat capabilities" during an inspection on Thursday.

Increasingly intense floods and droughts are a `distress signal` of what is to come as climate change makes the planet`s water cycle ever more unpredictable, the United Nations said Monday.