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Myanmar court sends Reuters journalists to jail for 7 years

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Myanmar court sends Reuters journalists to jail for 7 years

Myanmar’s court has sentenced two Reuters journalists to seven years in jail after finding them guilty of violating official secrets act. They were involved in investigating into the killings of a number of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine province.

The two journalists: Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were detained in December 2017 who were working to investigate the violence against the minority community.

UN described the large scale of violence as a form of “ethnic cleansing,” with military operations forcing more than 7 lakh Rohingya Muslims to flee the country to Bangladesh.

Read More: Myanmar books 2 Reuters journos for reporting on violence against Rohingya Muslims

In July, the journalists were charged with breaching the colonial-era official secret act, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. The two men pleaded not guilty.

Myanmar court sends Reuters journalists to jail for 7 years

Following sentencing at the Yangon court Kyaw maintained the pair’s innocence, but added that they were not surprised by the verdict. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We’re not exactly shocked by the verdict.”

The lawyer of the journalists Zaw Maung  reacted saying, “This is disappointing (and a blow) to democracy, rule of law and press freedom.”

Read More: Myanmar army chief downplays exodus, says Rohingya Muslims not native

The allegations were denied by the detained journalists. They testified in court that two police officers had given them papers relating to their investigation during a meeting in a Yangon restaurant which was followed by their arrests by plainclothes officers.

This was confirmed by a police officer, Moe Yan Naing, who testified  that he had witnessed a plot by senior police to frame the two journalists by planting secret documents on them.

The detention of the two journalists has led to criticism of Myanmar’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has also faced a loss in worldwide support for her handling of the Rohingya issue.

Meanwhile, Kunt Ostby, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country has condemned the ruling.  He said, “The United Nations has consistently called for the release of the Reuters journalists and urged the authorities to respect their right to pursue freedom of expression and information. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo should be allowed to return to their families and continue their work as journalists.”

Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler , while reacting to the Mayanmar court’s order said that the conviction was “a sad day” for the organization, the two men and “the press everywhere,” adding that the verdict “must be corrected by the Myanmar government as a matter of urgency.”

The prosecution of Rohingya Muslims occurred in late 2016 when Myanmar’s armed forces and police started a major crackdown against them in response to the alleged attacks on Burmese border posts in October 2016 by unidentified insurgents.

The Burmese military have been accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide by various United Nations agencies, International Criminal Court officials, human rights groups, journalists, and governments including the United States. The UN has found evidence of wide-scale human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, gang rapes, arson and infanticides, which the Burmese government dismisses as “exaggerations”.

The two journalists associated with Reuters were covering the unfolding developments in Rakhine province which was obviously not liked by the government. The police planted certain papers during a meeting with the duo in a restaurant. The journalists were immediately arrested by the other plain clothes officers.

Reuters news agency, having its headquarters in London, was established in 1851 by Paul Reuter, who worked at a book publishing firm in Berlin and was involved in distributing radical pamphlets at the beginning of Revolutions in 1848, which was known in some countries as the Spring of Nations, People’s spring or he Springtime of the Peoples.

The Myanmar Times reported on Saturday about dozens of protesters hitting the Yangon streets who were demanding the release of journalists ahead of Monday’s verdict on charges.

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Trump rejects Iran peace proposal, warns Tehran over uranium dispute

Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest response to a US peace proposal, escalating tensions over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Donald Trump statement

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest response to a US-backed peace proposal, calling Tehran’s position “totally unacceptable” as negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict remain stalled.

According to reports, Iran responded to the American proposal by demanding war reparations, the removal of sanctions, recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Tehran also warned it would retaliate against any fresh US military strikes and oppose the deployment of additional foreign warships in the region.

The dispute has intensified over Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly uranium enrichment. The US proposal reportedly sought strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, including a long-term halt to uranium enrichment and tighter international oversight. However, Iran’s counter-response did not accept key American demands related to dismantling or restricting its nuclear infrastructure.

Iran has maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, while the US and its allies continue to push for stronger safeguards amid concerns over regional security.

The latest exchange comes amid continuing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping route for global oil supplies. Concerns over disruptions in the region have already pushed oil prices higher in international markets.

Reports also suggest that the US proposal aimed to expand the current ceasefire framework and create conditions for broader negotiations involving regional conflicts and maritime security. However, both sides remain far apart on major issues, including sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions.

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Trump approves nearly $9 billion weapons sales to Israel, UAE and other allies amid Iran tensions

The US has fast-tracked nearly $9 billion in weapons sales to Israel, UAE and other allies as tensions linked to the Iran conflict continue despite a fragile ceasefire.

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Donald Trump statement

The United States has approved nearly $9 billion worth of weapons sales to key Middle Eastern allies, including Israel and the United Arab Emirates, amid ongoing tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

The decision, cleared by the administration of Donald Trump, includes expedited military transfers to Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. The approvals were granted under an emergency provision, allowing authorities to bypass the usual congressional review process.

Emergency clearance amid ongoing conflict

Officials said the move was necessary due to the evolving security situation in the region, particularly as the conflict involving Iran continues despite a fragile ceasefire. The war, which began earlier in 2026, has heightened instability across West Asia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked emergency powers to fast-track the deals, citing urgent defence requirements for allied nations.

What the arms package includes

The approved package includes a mix of advanced defence systems and precision weapons:

  • Patriot missile defence replenishments worth over $4 billion for Qatar
  • Precision-guided weapon systems for multiple countries
  • Integrated battle command systems for Kuwait
  • Additional advanced weapons support for Israel and the UAE

The total value of these deals is estimated at over $8.6 billion, often rounded to nearly $9 billion.

Timing linked to iran war

The approval comes nearly nine weeks into the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, with tensions still high despite a ceasefire that has been in place for several weeks.

Analysts note that the move signals continued US military backing for its regional allies, particularly in strengthening air defence and precision strike capabilities during uncertain conditions.

Criticism and concerns

The decision to bypass congressional oversight has drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly over transparency and the broader implications of increasing arms supplies in a conflict-prone region.

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Trump and Putin hold over 90-minute call, discuss Iran war and Ukraine conflict

Trump and Putin held a 90-minute call focusing on Iran tensions and the Ukraine conflict, with warnings over escalation and talks of ceasefire.

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Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation lasting more than 90 minutes, focusing on escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to official statements, the discussion was described as “frank and businesslike,” with both leaders addressing key global security concerns. A major part of the conversation centred on the situation involving Iran and developments in the Persian Gulf.

Putin supported Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire related to Iran, suggesting that continued restraint could create space for negotiations and help stabilise the region. However, he also issued a strong warning, stating that renewed military action by the United States or Israel could lead to “extremely damaging consequences” not only for Iran but for the wider international community.

Ukraine conflict also discussed

The leaders also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has continued for several years since Russia’s invasion in 2022. During the call, there were indications of potential efforts toward a temporary ceasefire, although no final agreement has been confirmed.

Reports suggest that the idea of a short-term pause in hostilities was explored, possibly linked to upcoming symbolic dates, but significant differences between the parties remain unresolved.

Focus on diplomacy amid global tensions

The call highlights ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions involving both the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

While both sides acknowledged the importance of dialogue, the situation on the ground in both conflict zones remains complex, with no immediate resolution in sight.

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