Myanmar's military has ruled the country for most of its post-independence history, presenting itself as the only force capable of guarding the fractious Southeast Asian nation from rupture and ruin.
Myanmar's military-run elections are being pilloried abroad and shunned at home, but neighbouring China has emerged as an enthusiastic backer of the pariah poll.
Myanmar's junta is set to preside over voting starting Sunday, touting heavily restricted polls as a return to democracy five years after it ousted the last elected government, triggering civil war.
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Sports
Australian skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon were Tuesday ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test against England with the veteran spinner facing surgery and an extended period on the sidelines.
December 23, 2025
RECENT NEWS
The Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces on Monday ordered their fighters to cease fire following deadly clashes that came as Turkey's top diplomat urged the Kurds to integrate into the Syrian army.
December 22, 2025
RECENT NEWS
As US forces deployed in the Caribbean have zoned in on tankers transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil, questions have deepened about the real motivation for Donald Trump's pressure campaign on Caracas.
December 22, 2025
The US Interior Department on Monday said it had paused all leases for offshore wind projects over unspecified national security risks, casting new doubt over the future of an industry detested by President Donald Trump.
December 22, 2025
Prominent figures on Brazil's right wing are calling for a boycott of Havaianas, the iconic Brazilian flip-flop sandals, over an ad seen as taking sides ahead of next year's presidential elections.
December 22, 2025
Culture
Nicki Minaj long reigned as pop's unruliest shape-shifter -- a hyper-sexual, neon-bright provocateur whose latex-clad persona, explicit lyrics and affinity with outsiders made her a global icon.
December 22, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored on 79 minutes as South Africa edged Angola 2-1 in Marrakesh on Monday to win their opening match of an Africa Cup of Nations campaign for the first time in 21 years.
Russia on Monday expressed "full support" for Venezuela as the South American country confronts a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers by US forces deployed in the Caribbean.
Music streaming service Spotify said Monday it had disabled accounts from a piracy activist hacker group that claimed to have "backed up" millions of Spotify's music files and metadata.
Organisers of the 2026 Winter Olympics said Monday they have solved the problems impacting the production of artificial snow at the site that will host the the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events.
December 22, 2025
Economy
Denmark said Monday it would summon the US ambassador after President Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland who immediately vowed to make the Danish autonomous territory "a part of the US".
December 22, 2025
RECENT NEWS
British street artist Banksy unveiled his latest work in central London on Monday amid speculation over an identical second work which has appeared elsewhere in the city.
Lawyers representing hundreds of former rugby players who allege they suffered brain injuries during their careers have lost a bid to challenge orders that could lead to their High Court claims being thrown out.
British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, best known for the 1980s festive hit "Driving Home for Christmas", has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Monday.
The European Union hit out at China on Monday, saying it was "unjustified" for Beijing to impose duties of up to 42.7 percent on some dairy products from the 27-nation bloc.
December 22, 2025
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