Around 30 military figures are reportedly running in Myanmar’s election as part of regime chief Min Aung Hlaing’s bid to maintain his grip on the new government.

Also this week, the regime reined in Karen allies, jailed an election critic, texted fighters trying to topple it, and cried fake news on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s health.

Rights groups warn Sweden’s withdrawal of aid to Myanmar could hasten collapse of independent reporting and human rights monitoring, leaving junta’s abuses largely invisible.