Pilih Laman
Myanmar’s Military Chief Pledges Elections by Year’s End

Myanmar’s Military Chief Pledges Elections by Year’s End

The head of Myanmar’s military has utilized an address during the annual Armed Forces Day to emphasize intentions of conducting a general election before the year ends and urged opposing factions battling the armed forces to participate in political parties and the voting procedure.

Min Aung Hlaing stated that his military administration plans to conduct an election in December, with the assurance that it will proceed based on the safety circumstances across various areas of the nation, which frequently experience armed clashes.

He addressed over 7,000 military members gathered in the capital city of Naypyidaw.

Servicemen and women carrying rifles came to attention as the general inspected them from an open-backed vehicle at the rear.

They proceeded past him in sequence, giving him a salute as they went, with fighter jets soaring above them, releasing flares into the dark evening.

Seizing power

In 2021, a military takeover removed the democratically chosen State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from power. This action faced significant backlash, leading to extensive demonstrations and igniting an armed rebellion that has caused many regions across the nation to descend into turmoil.

The military government has stated that holding an election is their main objective; however, they have continually delayed the scheduled date.

The overall strategy for holding a general election is largely perceived as an effort to validate the military’s takeover via voting processes, aiming to produce outcomes that guarantee continued dominance for the armed forces.

In his address, Min Aung Hlaing attempted to rationalize the ousting of Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration by citing well-worn yet largely refuted claims about its failure to probe alleged discrepancies during the November 2020 national elections. He reiterated that his regime would organize “a clean and impartial vote” before transferring authority thereafter.

The present security scenario in the nation, where the military reportedly holds sway over fewer than half of the regions, presents a significant obstacle for conducting elections.

Critics argue that the military-organized election won’t be free or fair since there’s no access to independent media, and many leaders from Suu Kyi’s well-supported yet disbanded National League for Democracy party remain detained.

Aung San Suu Kyi is currently facing imprisonment for a total of 27 years after being found guilty in multiple cases that many believe were driven by political intentions.

The 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1945 when the military of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, started their battle against the occupying Japanese forces that had seized control following the expulsion of the British.

During his trip to Belarus earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing disclosed the timeline for the election.

He mentioned at that time that 53 political parties had already handed over their lists to take part in the elections.

The state media mentioned that he restated the election plans during an official gathering on Tuesday. However, the reports did not clearly specify if the voting will take place within the final two weeks of December, the initial two weeks of January, or throughout the entire span covering these four weeks.

In a separate report, state-owned MRTV television stated that Min Aung Hlaing had approved amnesty for seven foreign inmates, among whom were four Thais imprisoned in the southern coastal town of Kawthaung; these individuals will be sent back to their home country.

It is common for prisoner amnesties to be declared on state or religious holidays.

Myanmar’s Military Chief Vows Elections Will Be Held This Year

Myanmar’s Military Chief Vows Elections Will Be Held This Year

The head of Myanmar’s military reiterated during an annual Armed Forces Day address his commitment to holding a national election before the year ends. He also urged various opposition factions battling against the armed forces to participate in political parties and engage with the electoral system.

Min Aung Hlaing stated that his military administration was gearing up for an election scheduled for December, with the conduct of the poll contingent upon the varying security situations across different areas of the nation, which frequently experience armed clashes.

He addressed over 7,000 service members gathered in the capital city of Naypyidaw.

Service members carrying rifles came to attention as the general inspected them from an open-backed vehicle.

They proceeded past him in sequence, giving him a salute as combat aircraft zoomed above, releasing flares into the dark evening.

Seizing power

In 2021, a military takeover removed the democratically elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from power, leading to significant backlash. This resulted in large-scale demonstrations and initiated an armed struggle that has brought about widespread unrest across many regions of the nation.

The military junta has stated that holding an election was their main objective; however, they have consistently delayed the scheduled date.

The proposal for a general election is broadly interpreted as an effort to legitimize the military’s takeover of power via democratic means and to produce outcomes that guarantee the armed forces maintain their influence.

During his address, Min Aung Hlaing attempted to rationalize the ousting of Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration by citing well-worn yet largely refuted claims about its failure to probe alleged irregularities during the November 2020 national elections. He reiterated that his regime would organize “a free and fair election” before transferring authority accordingly.

The nation’s present security scenario, where the military reportedly holds sway over fewer than half of its territories, presents a significant obstacle for conducting elections.

Critics argue that the military-organized election will lack freedom and fairness due to the absence of independent media and the arrest of many key figures from Suu Kyi’s once-popular yet now disbanded National League for Democracy party.

Suu Kyi is currently serving cumulative prison terms totaling 27 years following convictions in multiple cases that many view as politically motivated.

The 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1945 when the military of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, commenced its battle against the invading Japanese forces that had ousted the British occupiers.

During his trip to Belarus earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing disclosed the timeline for the election.

He mentioned at that time that 53 political parties had already handed in their lists to take part in the election.

The state media mentioned that he restated the election schedule during an official gathering on Tuesday. However, the reports did not specify if the voting will take place within the final two weeks of December, the initial two weeks of January, or throughout the entire span covering these four weeks.

In a separate report, state-owned MRTV television stated that Min Aung Hlaing has approved pardons for seven foreign inmates, among whom were four Thais incarcerated in the southern seaside town of Kawthaung, set to be expelled from the country.

It is common for prisoner amnesties to be declared on state or religious holidays.

F1 Update: Yuki Tsunoda Takes Over From Liam Lawson at Red Bull Post-Japanese Grand Prix

LONDON – Yuki Tsunoda is set to compete for Red Bull starting at their home Japanese Formula One Grand Prix next week. This move comes as underperforming New Zealander Liam Lawson gets relegated to the subsidiary team, Racing Bulls, in an exact role reversal.

When former champions Red Bull released Mexican driver Sergio Perez at the end of last year, they opted for Lawson over the more seasoned Tsunoda. However, Lawson, now partnered with four-time world champion Max Verstappen, hasn’t managed to secure any points yet.

Tsunoda began the season with great momentum and has overcome his earlier image of being impulsive and inconsistent. At 24 years old, he has eagerly awaited this opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities within a premier squad.


READ:
F1: Yuki Tsunoda appears to be the biggest casualty of Red Bull’s restructuring.

“It has been challenging to witness Liam facing difficulties with the RB21 during the initial two races. As a consequence, we have jointly decided to make an earlier change,” stated Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in a press release on Thursday.

“In the 2025 season, we entered with two goals: defending our status as world drivers’ champions and regaining the world constructors’ title, which is entirely based on sports-related choices.”


“We recognize that substantial efforts are required for the RB21, and Yuki’s expertise will be immensely valuable in advancing the development of the present vehicle,” added the British individual.

We’re delighted to have him join our team and eagerly anticipate watching him drive the RB21.

Throughout his career, Tsunoda has received support from Honda, who have been Red Bull’s engine partners up until the conclusion of this season. Additionally, they own the Suzuka circuit where the Japanese Grand Prix will take place on April 6th.


READ:
Formula 1 racer Yuki Tsunoda ‘was almost sent back’ at the US border

Honda will be transitioning to Aston Martin in 2026, and Tsunoda’s prospects for next season have appeared unclear as his fellow countryman Lawson was promoted ahead of him, with Tsunoda being consistently overlooked.

Horner had cast doubt on the logic of retaining Tsunoda beyond 2025 for Racing Bulls, considering that the primary aim of the team is to ready young drivers for advancement. There are also other prospects in line.

“You cannot keep a driver in the support team for five years. It’s not sustainable to constantly come close but never win. At this juncture, you must either release them or explore another option,” Horner stated to journalists in December.

I believe he’s highly resolute,” Horner further stated. “He understands how swiftly circumstances can evolve.” Then he continued, “Nine months prior, who could have imagined that we’d be discussing Liam Lawson as our driver for 2025?

The choice made on Thursday, which will likely be viewed as harsh following only two races, has resulted in Lawson being added to the roster of young drivers who fell short when placed beside Verstappen and were subsequently let go.

Alex Albon, currently driving for Williams, along with Pierre Gasly, competing for Alpine, are two racers who managed to revive their standings following their departures from Red Bull.

Horner stated following the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix this past weekend that Red Bull would do their best to back Lawson, and he reaffirmed this position.

“He mentioned that we have a responsibility to ensure Liam’s safety and growth.”

And together, we realize that after such a challenging beginning, it’s wise to move swiftly so Liam can accumulate experience as he progresses in his F1 career with… Racing Bulls, a squad and atmosphere he is thoroughly familiar with.

Lawson will link up with French newcomer Isack Hadjar at the team based in Italy.

Watch Moscow’s Squirrels Go High-Tech: AI-Powered Feeders Live Stream Their Adventures

A pair of individuals based in Moscow is transforming wildlife tracking through the use of artificial intelligence to tally and monitor squirrels within the city’s green spaces.

Viktor Bokrenev and Olga Gorlova have set up remotely controlled feeding stations fitted with cameras, enabling observers to view the creatures live.

Their artificial intelligence program monitors not just the activities of squirrels but also recognizes different individuals, offering useful information about what they eat.

Having seven feeding stations set up, they aim to broaden their initiative and enhance the preservation of urban wildlife.

You can check out Viktor Bokrenev and Olga Gorlova’s site at
smotrikormi.ru
And observe the fuzzy inhabitants in motion around the clock!

White House DITCHES Nomination for Key Cabinet Role: Elise Stefanik

White House DITCHES Nomination for Key Cabinet Role: Elise Stefanik

The
White House
has withdrawn the nomination of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to serve as the U.S. ambassador to
United Nations
.

President Trump chose the New York Republican Congressmember and close confidante as his pick for the position shortly after securing victory in the 2024 election.
election
.

However, the White House notified them about
Senate
Her name was selected on Thursday.

Stefanik had previously appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just a day following Trump’s inauguration on January 21 for her confirmation hearing.

She was anticipated to breeze through the confirmation process with some bipartisan backing. However, the vote was never set up.

This occurs as Republican members of the House are only just managing to maintain their control over the majority.

Her confirmation would have reduced their seating capacity, hence discussions about postponing it until after the special elections in Florida to fill the seats vacated by Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz.

Read more

White House DRAWS BACK Nomination of Top Cabinet Pick Elise Stefanik

White House DRAWS BACK Nomination of Top Cabinet Pick Elise Stefanik

The
White House
has withdrawn the nomination of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to serve as the U.S. ambassador to
United Nations
.

President Donald Trump selected the New York Republican Congressmember and close confidante as his pick for the position shortly after securing victory in the 2024 election.
election
.

However, the White House notified the
Senate
Her name was selected on Thursday.

Stefanik had previously appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just a day following Trump’s inauguration on January 21 for her confirmation hearing.

She was anticipated to glide smoothly through the confirmation process with some bipartisan backing. However, the vote wasn’t ever set up.

It comes as House Republicans are just managing to keep their majority.

If she had been confirmed, it would have reduced their seating by one. Therefore, discussions emerged about postponing her confirmation until after the special elections in Florida aimed at replacing Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz.

Trump shared a post on social media immediately following when the story was reported on Capitol Hill.

“As we move forward with our America First Agenda, it is crucial that we retain ALL Republican Seats in Congress,” he stated.

“We need to stay united to achieve our mission, and Elise Stefanik has been an essential member of our team since day one,” he went on to say.

“I’ve requested Elise, who is among my strongest allies, to stay in Congress to assist me in delivering historic tax cuts, fantastic jobs, record economic growth, a secure border, energy dominance, peace through strength, and many other initiatives, allowing us to Make America Great Again,” the statement continued.


He mentioned that the congresswoman would return to the House GOP leadership, though her specific position remained unclear.

Stefanik held the role of House Republican Conference chair from 2021 to 2025, however, she chose not to run for reelection to this position after being selected to join the Trump administration.

The president indicated that she might become part of the administration in the future, stating that he was looking forward to that day.

Last month, Stefanik went on a goodbye trip through her district to express her gratitude to the people she served in Congress.

Read more

Ferry Company Cancels First Scheduled Departure

The initial voyage planned by the firm that secured the contract was set into motion.
operate the island’s ferry services
was canceled with little warning.

The DFDS service from Jersey to St Malo was set to leave on Friday.

The Tarifa Jet has been getting some refurbishment work done at Portland in anticipation of its new route, but DFDS mentioned that these improvements have faced delays because of technical problems.

More to follow.

Follow SANGGRALOKAJersey on
X
and
Facebook
. Share your story concepts with me
channel.islands@SANGGRALOKA.co.uk
.

More on this story

  • DFDS releases schedule for Jersey to France ferry services
  • Two high-speed ferries unveiled for Jersey
  • Additional routes to France included in the ferry timetable have been announced.

Related internet links

  • DFDS

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Must Issue Public Apology for Scandalous Conduct on Global Platform — Campaign for Democracy


The recall process will enhance democracy and keep legislators on their toes.


LAGOS

The Campaign for Democracy has stated that the measures implemented by the suspended senator from Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following the “preventable” crisis that emerged several weeks ago, have subjected Nigeria’s reputation to scrutiny on an international stage.

The leading civil society organization voiced worry that instead of tackling the fundamental problems related to her suspension through Nigeria’s democratic systems, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan opted for “a smear campaign against the Senate as an institution.”

On Thursday, the organization issued a statement under their President’s signature stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions both domestically and internationally have unfortunately tarnished Nigeria’s reputation from the onset of this dispute; thus, they demanded her apology.

As per the organization, this constitutes severe misbehavior towards Nigeria.

Nevertheless, the statement urged esteemed Nigerian leaders to consistently recognize instances where they should refrain from engaging in opposition politics concerning sensitive national matters, for the country’s benefit.

More concerning is the distortion of facts leading up to her suspension, along with her persistent claim of sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as justification for the initial actions taken against her.

“Bringing this kind of misinformation onto an international platform and falsely portraying Nigeria at the Inter Parliamentary Union to express these opinions can only be termed as severe misconduct towards the nation, warranting her apology. It’s important not to confuse this matter with political issues,” the statement read.

The CD expressed confusion about why the beleaguered senator had lost faith in Nigeria’s judicial system.

“The CSO pointed out that having already brought her concerns to the court, she should have let the legal proceedings unfold as intended,” they stated.

It pointed out that resorting to media trials, soliciting pity from international spectators while discrediting the institutions capable of addressing her issues has diminished the empathy she might have received from impartial civil society organizations and Nigerians as a whole.

Her present adversarial strategy does not serve any constructive purpose apart from bringing scorn upon Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“As a public servant, she must maintain the integrity of her position and foster national unity instead of involving the nation in unwarranted international disputes,” stated the leading proponent of enhanced democracy.

The activists praised the voters of Kogi Central for upholding their constitutional rights by initiating a recall process, stating, “This represents a crucial move toward bolstering democracy in Nigeria.”

“If legislators realize that their positions are not assured and can be influenced by public sentiment, they would focus more on serving others rather than pursuing personal gains. Being accountable is essential,” they stated.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).

Coalition Leader Denies Sight of Peter Obi for a Year, ADC Chairman Nwosu Claims – International Edition (English)

As political alliances shifted leading up to the 2027 general elections, Ralph Nwosu, who serves as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), mentioned that over the last year, he hasn’t encountered Peter Obi, the presidential nominee for the Labour Party.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja at the 97th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC, Nwosu stated that if Obi values what the party is doing and wishes to join them, they would be more than happy to welcome him with open arms.

When asked about alliances with other parties, Nwosu revealed that the ADC is holding discussions with the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) as well as various civil society groups.

At the NEC meeting, the ADC Chairman commented, “One of our resolutions aims to establish ‘the handshake’ as a nationwide tradition in Nigeria by October 1st. This custom will be observed in each of the country’s 36 states.”

The second resolution states that according to one of our guidelines, you must be part of the ADC party for at least two years before being able to contest an election within the organization. However, due to many individuals advocating for more flexibility, we are modifying this rule. If you decide to join ADC today, you will immediately become eligible to run for elections or take on a leadership role within the party without having to wait those two years. Therefore, we are adopting this new resolution which eliminates the waiting period requirement.

We have considered organizing a national convention as well. Some among us, including myself, do not plan to vie for the position of National Chairman this time around. My intention is not to seek office; instead, I wish to pass the torch to fellow Nigerians capable of rallying more than 80 million citizens. We aim to enter the upcoming political phase alongside regular Nigerians known for their integrity and lack of corrupt practices. These politicians will confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on and declare ‘enough is enough.’

Nwosu was asked whether he had met with Peter Obi. He replied, “In the last twelve months, I haven’t encountered Mr. Peter Obi; we can’t engage with him at this time. However, should he decide to observe what we’re undertaking after witnessing it firsthand—though our efforts aren’t geared toward politicians but rather towards uplifting Nigerians—I’m far more invested in the African Farmers Club, which boasts over ten million members. If his observation of ADC leads him to conclude ‘enough is enough’ and prompts him to want to align himself with us, then we would gladly extend an invitation to join forces—we welcome them all as our doors remain wide open.”

We are holding meetings with PRP and various civil society groups, these traditions of confronting Nigerians head-on and declaring that enough is enough, we will appeal to Nigerians to embrace us.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

Tesla Model Y Battery Endurance Tested: Shocking Truth After 100,000 Miles

Even with less than 100,000 miles on the odometer, this Tesla shows more significant range degradation compared to most others.

  • This Tesla Model Y has slightly less than 100,000 miles on the odometer.
  • Even with the fairly low mileage, the battery pack shows more than usual wear and tear.

These days, electric vehicle batteries are quite durable, featuring numerous
studies
demonstrating that the high-voltage systems energizing contemporary electric vehicles are expected to endure far beyond initial projections. Nonetheless, occasionally, anomalies will emerge.

That’s precisely how things were in the year 2022.
Tesla Model Y
Long Range showcased by renowned YouTube electric vehicle tester
Bjorn Nyland
In the video below, even though it’s only three years old and has less than 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometers) on the odometer, the electric crossover’s battery shows more deterioration than average.

Usually,
Tesla
For EVs with identical age and mileage, the battery degradation typically ranges from 5% to 7%. However, this specific Model Y shows a computed degradation of 11.5%.

More Stuff Like This

  • This Tesla Model 3 has logged 216,000 miles. See how much its battery capacity has diminished.
  • Study Reveals LFP Battery Health Declines When Fully Charged
  • Rapid Charging Does Not Damage Batteries More Than Slow Charging, Research Shows
  • Here’s How You Can Check Your Tesla’s Battery Degradation

The reason for this excessive degradation isn’t clear. Some studies say fast charging accelerates degradation, while others say there’s no clear indication that this will happen. This car had roughly a third of charging done at DC stalls and two-thirds from AC sources. So even if fast charging does have negative side effects, it likely wouldn’t be a major factor here.

Nyland filled the car’s battery to full charge and proceeded onto the expressway driving around 62 mph (100 kph). He halted his journey once the battery dropped down to 2%, covering a distance of 171 miles (276 km), with the surrounding air temperature being approximately 34°F (1°C).

Apart from providing reduced mileage compared to its brand-new state, the LG-produced battery pack in this Model Y seems to struggle with fully absorbing up to 250 kilowatts during rapid charging. In Nyland’s tests, despite pre-conditioning the battery and employing two individual chargers able to supply over 500 amps each, including a V4 Tesla Supercharger, the vehicle only managed to exceed slightly past 200 kW. Consequently, drivers can expect more frequent and longer breaks for charging sessions.

Every electric vehicle battery deteriorates with time; however, it’s important to recognize that this decline tends to be more significant during the initial years. Following this period, the decrease slows down considerably. Many electric vehicles continue to retain above 85% of their original capacity even after a decade of use.
hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of miles
As a general guideline, most electric vehicle owners shouldn’t consider battery degradation a significant issue. However, exceptions do occur, and this specific Model Y appears to fall into that category.

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