In this week's episode of The Irrawaddy Newscast we hear about the expansion of BRICS and whether the junta has any hope of joining. Also, it’s been two years since the civilian National Unity Government declared an armed uprising against the regime. We get a battlefield update. And we speak to a labor organizer about why she thinks it’s time for brands to leave the country. Plus, a rundown of this week’s headlines and the latest news from the ‘War Against the Junta.’

// Show Notes:

// Contact the show: justin.higginbottom@irrawaddy.org

// Help The Irrawaddy report the truth from Myanmar
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// https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/falling-out-of-fashion-garment-worker-abuse-under-military-rule-in-myanmar/

// https://khaingzaraung.com/about/

// Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
https://aappb.org/

// Stories mentioned in this episode:

// Myanmar Junta’s ‘Kickback King’ in Spotlight of Corruption Crackdown
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-juntas-kickback-king-in-spotlight-of-corruption-crackdown.html

// Heavy Fighting With Myanmar Junta Reported in Kachin State
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/heavy-fighting-with-myanmar-junta-reported-in-kachin-state.html

// Over 50 Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike at Notorious Myanmar Jail
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/over-50-political-prisoners-on-hunger-strike-at-notorious-myanmar-jail.html

// Crimes Against Humanity Are Getting More ‘Brazen’ in Myanmar, UN Told
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/crimes-against-humanity-are-getting-more-brazen-in-myanmar-un-told.html

// Cash-Starved Junta Milks Myanmar Migrant Workers With New Remittance Rule
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/cash-starved-junta-milks-myanmar-migrant-workers-with-new-remittance-rule.html

// Myanmar Junta Loses 76 Soldiers as PDF Kicks Off Special Operation in Mandalay, Shan
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-against-the-junta/myanmar-junta-loses-76-soldiers-as-pdf-kicks-off-special-operation-in-mandalay-shan.html

// Hunger Strike in Myanmar Ends After Dissidents Refuse to ‘Kneel’
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/politics/hunger-strike-in-myanmar-ends-after-dissidents-refuse-to-kneel.html

// Incursion by 100 Myanmar Soldiers Violated Thai Sovereignty: MP
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/politics/incursion-by-100-myanmar-soldiers-violated-thai-sovereignty-mp.html

// General Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Placed Under House Arrest, Interrogated for Corruption
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/general-close-to-myanmar-junta-boss-placed-under-house-arrest-interrogated-for-corruption.html

// Crony Close to Myanmar Junta Boss Arrested as Commodity Prices Soar
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/crony-close-to-myanmar-junta-boss-arrested-as-commodity-prices-soar.html