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Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup, presides at an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo WASHINGTON - A Washington lobbying firm has signed an agreement worth $3 million a year with Myanmar's Ministry of Information to help the long-time military-ruled country rebuild relations with the United States. According to documents submitted under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the DCI Group signed the agreement with the ministry on July 31, the day Myanmar's military nominally transferred power to a civilian-led interim government ahead of a planned election. Myanmar's leadership under military chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a 2021 coup and that year an Israeli-Canadian lobbyist they hired to represent them in Washington and other capitals said he had stopped his work because U.S. sanctions on the generals prevented him from being paid. The U.S. Treasury Department, the DCI Group, the U.S. State Department and Myanmar's Washington embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment when asked if U.S. sanctions would affect the agreement between the Myanmar ministry and the DCI Group. The formation of an interim government signals no change to the status quo in Myanmar, with Min Aung Hlaing holding on to all major levers of power as acting president while retaining his position as chief of the armed forces. He has appeared eager to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration after years of isolation. When Trump threatened new tariffs on Myanmar's U.S.-bound exports this month as part of his global trade offensive, he did so in a signed letter addressed personally to Min Aung Hlaing. The general responded by lavishing praise on Trump for his "strong leadership" while asking for lower rates and the lifting of sanctions. He said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington, if needed. "TRADE, NATURAL RESOURCES" According to the FARA filing, the DCI Group "shall provide public affairs services to (the) client with respect to rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States, with a focus on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief." The filing was signed on August 1 by DCI managing partner Justin Peterson, who served in the previous Trump administration, and another managing partner, Brian McCabe. Reuters reported last year that the FBI has been investigating the DCI Group over its alleged role in a hack-and-leak operation that targeted hundreds of its client Exxon Mobil's biggest critics. The DCI Group has said the allegations that it commissioned the hacking operation were false and that it directs all of its employees and consultants to comply with the law. In 2008, two top aides to then Republican presidential nominee John McCain resigned after work they did with the DCI Group for a previous military junta in Myanmar came to light. Jim Murphy, a former DCI president and managing partner, served as Trump's national political director during his 2016 campaign. Myanmar's state media reported on Thursday that Myint Swe, who became Myanmar's president during the 2021 coup that saw the arrest of incumbent Win Myint and Nobel laureate and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, had died in hospital earlier in the day. Myint Swe, a 74-year-old former general, was placed on medical leave in July last year, with his duties passed to Min Aung Hlaing. Engaging the junta would be a sharp departure for the United States, given U.S. sanctions on the military leaders and the violence committed against the Rohingya minority that Washington calls genocide and crimes against humanity. Last month, the Trump administration lifted sanctions designations on several junta allies, but U.S. officials said this did not indicate any broader shift in U.S. policy toward Myanmar and was unrelated to the general's letter. Last week Reuters reported that the administration had heard competing proposals on ways to divert Myanmar's vast supplies of rare earth minerals away from strategic rival China, although nothing had been decided upon amid major logistical and geopolitical obstacles. Securing supplies of so-called heavy rare earths, used in high-tech weaponry, is a major focus of the administration in its competition with China, which is responsible for nearly 90% of global processing capacity. REUTERS
The Standard
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Standard
Myanmar junta ends state of emergency in election run-up
Myanmar's junta chief military Min Aung Hlaing arrives to deliver a speech during a ceremony to mark the country's Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on March 27, 2024. Myanmar's junta ended the country's state of emergency on July 31, 2025, ramping up preparations for a December election being boycotted by opposition groups and criticised by international monitors. (Photo by AFP)
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First Post
31-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Myanmar election in December: Junta lifts emergency 4 years after coup against Suu Kyi govt
Four years after Myanmar's military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in a coup, the junta has ended the emergency in the country and has formed a commission to hold elections in December. read more Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, 2021, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. (Photo: Reuters) Four years after taking over the 'country in a coup, Myanmar's military junta has ended the emergency and formed a commission to hold elections in December. On February 1, 2021, Myanmar's military ousted the country's civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing assumed power. He declared a state of emergency in the country and detained several civilian leaders. The outrage against the coup led to a civil war that continues to this day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After Hlaing on Wednesday said that elections will be held in December, the state media reported on Thursday that the junta has set up an 11-member commission led by Hlaing to hold elections. While Hlaing has called elections as an offramp in the civil war that has not gone in the junta's favour, critics and opposition groups have slammed elections as sham and announced a boycott. Analysts have said that Hlaing will stay in power after elections either as the head of state or the head of the armed forces. By all accounts, the civil war has not gone in favour of Myanmar's junta. As per estimates, the junta controls just a fifth of the country and the rest of the country remains in the hands of either the National Unity Government (NUG) of the opposition groups or various ethnic armed groups active in the country. Myanmar's junta enacts tough election law Just before the announcement of elections and the setting up of the commission, the junta on Wednesday enacted a law that imposes punishments of up to the death penalty for anyone who opposes or disrupts elections later this year, according to the Associated Press. The new law says that anyone who speaks, organises, incites, protests, or distributes letters to disrupt any part of the electoral process shall be punished with three to ten years of imprisonment and a fine. As the junta enacted the law, Hlaing said that 'we have already passed the first chapter' and 'now we are starting the second chapter'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The upcoming election will be held this December, and efforts will be made to enable all eligible voters to cast their ballots,' the state media reported him as saying.
Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
England fans risk £2,500 fine if they flout St George's Cross flag rules
As the England's women's football team gear up for the Euro 2025 final, supporters are being warned that proudly flying the St George's Cross could land them a hefty fine England supporters are being urged to check the rules before proudly flying the St George's Cross outside their homes, or risk a whopping £2,500 fine. With the Lionesses storming into the Women's Euro 2025 final this Sunday against Spain, excitement is reaching fever pitch. But while the nation gets ready to cheer on the team, there's a little-known planning law that could turn celebrations into a costly nightmare. If you're planning to fly an England flag during the big match, the government has mostly relaxed the rules, but there's a major catch. While you're allowed to fly flags from your rooftop, including England, Scotland, Wales, the NHS, LGBT Pride, and even Commonwealth country flags, the trouble starts when the flag is flown from a pole sticking out from the side of your house. In that case, size really does matter. Flags projecting from anywhere other than the roof must not exceed 2 square metres in size. If you go bigger than that, you're breaking the law. If you live in a protected area like an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), then you might need special consent just to put the flag up at all. And if you don't comply, you could be slapped with a fine of up to £2,500, and potentially face daily penalties until the flag is taken down. To stay on the right side of the law, follow these top tips - roof-mounted flagpoles are your safest bet as no size limit applies here, unless you're in an AONB. Side-mounted poles, from windows or balconies, should be under 2m², otherwise you are at risk of getting reported. People are also allowed to fly two flags from the same pole, but one must be a national flag and placed on top. According to the official guidance, all flags must be in good condition and safely displayed, on private property with the owner's permission, not blocking official signs or creating transport hazard, and taken down if ordered by the planning authority. Flags which don't need permission include UK national flags (in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), flags of the Commonwealth, UN or any UK-member international organisation, regional and local flags (e.g. Yorkshire, Wessex, Black Country), His Majesty's forces and Armed Forces Day flags, and Pride and NHS flags when flown correctly. So, before you deck out your home in red and white to support the Lionesses, make sure you know the rules, or you could be left footing a hefty legal bill instead of celebrating a win.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned they could be fined £2,500 for flying flags including Union Jack
The government has eased restrictions on flying flags, including not only the Union Jack but also the national flags of England and Wales - but falling foul of the rules could result in a fine The Union Jack has been in the limelight this week following an incident in which a 12-year-old girl was put in isolation for wearing the flag to school. However, as the government promotes increased flag displays across the country, households should be mindful of certain rules that, if breached, could lead to a hefty £2,500 fine. The Government has relaxed restrictions on flying flags, including not only the Union Jack but also the national flags of England, Wales, Ireland and indeed any other country. Even county flags, such as Yorkshire's, are being encouraged to fly more frequently as part of the Government's initiative. 'We stayed overnight at this castle's medieval-themed hotel and the kids loved it' It's worth noting that the Union Jack is often referred to as 'the Union Flag' - both terms are acceptable despite the Jack's maritime origins, but they must still be displayed in line with the law to avoid fines. The guidelines for rooftop flag displays are fairly flexible. The government allows certain flags to be flown from rooftops of any size, provided they meet specific criteria. It stipulates all flags must be kept in a safe condition, reports Yorkshire Live. Furthermore, it must have the permission of the owner of the site on which they are displayed (this includes the Highway Authority if the sign is to be placed on highway land). It must not obscure, or hinder the interpretation of official road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs, or otherwise make hazardous the use of these types of transport. It should be removed carefully where so required by the planning authority. Where flags can be flown without needing permission Any national flag, civil ensign or civil air ensign from any country. The flag of the Commonwealth, the United Nations or any other international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member. A flag representing any island, county, district, borough, burgh, parish, city, town or village within the United Kingdom. The flag of the Black Country, East Anglia, Wessex, any part of Lincolnshire, any Riding of Yorkshire or any historic county within the United Kingdom. The flag of Saint David (Wales). The flag of Saint Patrick (Ireland). The flag of any administrative area within any country outside the United Kingdom. Any flag belonging to His Majesty's forces. The Armed Forces Day flag. The government further clarifies: "There are no restrictions on the size of flag." However, if you plan to fly the flag from a pole extending from any part of a building other than the roof, the rules become more stringent. The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2007 stipulate maximum sizes for flags flown on your house if they're on a pole, not on the roof. The government adds: "The flag may not exceed 2 square metres in size. No restrictions on the size of characters. Consent is required if the flagpole is in a controlled area." Permission is needed if you reside in a designated controlled zone, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Failing to comply with these rules could result in individuals being reported and potentially hit with fines of up to £2,500 for ignoring local council orders to remove an oversized flag. The law states: "A person displaying an advertisement in contravention of these Regulations shall be liable, on summary conviction of an offence under section 224(3) of the Act, to a fine of an amount not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale and, in the case of a continuing offence, one tenth of level 4 on the standard scale [£2,500] for each day during which the offence continues after conviction."
