
Myanmar military lifts state of emergency, revamps government
Contributing writer
YANGON -- Myanmar's military regime on Thursday ended its four-year state of emergency in the war-torn Southeast Asian nation, dissolving the State Administration Council and launching a powerful new commission ahead of a general election scheduled to take place in the next few months.
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing remains acting president of the country, according to an announcement on state-run MRTV, a position he has held since last year when former interim President U Myint Swe fell ill.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Nikkei Asia
15 minutes ago
- Nikkei Asia
India's Modi faces opposition slam after Trump slaps 25% tariff
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures during a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Feb. 13. © Reuters KIRAN SHARMA NEW DELHI -- India's main opposition party is up in arms against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government after his "friend" U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on the country's goods along with an unspecified penalty for its oil and other purchases from Russia. Trump's action "will harm the country's trade; MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises] and farmers will also be adversely affected. Many industries will suffer heavy losses," Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X on Thursday. Modi's ministers "have been talking about negotiating a trade deal with America for months. Some of them camped in Washington for several days. This is how your friend [Trump] rewarded our country for your friendship?"

Nikkei Asia
15 minutes ago
- Nikkei Asia
Thailand-Cambodia clashes shake two labor markets
Cambodians who work in Thailand pour across the Ban Laem border checkpoint as they return home on July 28 due to border clashes between the countries. © Reuters APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT and ANANTH BALIGA BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH -- Tens of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers have returned home from Thailand in the past eight days as border clashes escalated, triggering fears among officials of an economic hit for both countries -- in Thailand as a result of a labor shortage and in Cambodia from rising unemployment. Estimates of how many Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand returned home over the past week vary widely. The Thai Labor Ministry said around 20,000 workers had returned to Cambodia as they feared for their safety as a result of the tension between the countries.


Nikkei Asia
44 minutes ago
- Nikkei Asia
Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: Thailand and Cambodia step back from the brink
Hello from Tokyo. A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, following an escalation in clashes that began on Thursday last week, took effect at 0:00 a.m. on Tuesday. At Nikkei Asia, we provided continuous coverage throughout the weekend via live blogs and breaking news updates. When reports emerged that Thailand had deployed F-16 fighter jets against Cambodia, our newsroom braced for the worst: the possibility of full-scale war between the two nations. Fortunately, the conflict -- which claimed more than 40 lives and displaced around 300,000 people -- was halted through mediation by Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN. Although sporadic violence continued in places even after the ceasefire, the truce -- fragile as it may seem -- has taken hold. For a detailed look at the ceasefire and behind-the-scenes analysis of the two militaries, please read our coverage here. This episode has underscored the fragility of ties among some Southeast Asian nations. Had tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated further -- especially amid the ongoing civil war in Myanmar -- it would have delivered a serious blow to the region's economy and political stability. That the crisis was contained within the ASEAN framework is significant. Maintaining regional peace is essential for the bloc at a time when it faces challenges such as intensifying U.S.-China tensions and high tariffs from the Trump administration. Nikkei Asia has a major editorial bureau in Bangkok, and contributing writers in Cambodia helped drive our coverage of the recent events. As editor-in-chief, I am deeply concerned about rising tensions in the region. At the same time, I also take great pride in how our journalists continue to deliver timely, responsible and impartial reporting during crises -- one of our greatest strengths. I invite you to log in to Nikkei Asia and explore our reporting on the turbulent period that unfolded. Nikkei Forum in Melbourne Lastly, I have an announcement. On Aug. 18, Nikkei will host the Nikkei Forum in Melbourne, where experts and our Sydney-based reporters will explore the deepening business and economic ties between Japan and Australia. Online viewing is free, so please register to join the discussion! My suggested reads 1. Australia's auto market is one of the most competitive in the world, and Chinese makers want a bigger slice of it. Our reporter in Sydney visited the imposing off-road track known as Beer O'Clock Hill to see how companies like GWM aim to prove they have both the tech and toughness to muscle out rival brands. 2. Tourism-related stocks in Thailand -- from airlines to hotels and retailers -- have slumped amid falling foreign visitor numbers, particularly from China, making the country's equity market one of the region's worst performers. As our reporter in Bangkok notes, ongoing tensions with Cambodia, despite a ceasefire agreement, may further dampen travel demand and pressure the sector. 3. Faith-based businesses in Malaysia are staging events attracting thousands of people from across the region as demand rises for accessible spiritual inspiration. With tickets, sponsors, merch and vendor booths, these gatherings -- held for both Muslims and Christians -- could easily be mistaken for pop concerts or cultural festivals, just with a higher purpose. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Akito Tanaka Sign up for the weekly Editor-in-chief's picks newsletter here. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram