Thousands throng Myanmar's Shwedagon to mark Buddhist festival of lights

13 Sept 13:44 Key points summarised by AI

Thousands of Buddhist devotees congregated at Myanmar's Shwedagon Pagoda to observe the Thadingyut festival, commemorating Buddha's descent from heaven.
Many attendees offered prayers for peace and stability in Myanmar, a nation still engulfed in turmoil since the 2021 military coup.
The festival, traditionally celebrated with lights and fireworks, provided a moment of solace for people seeking respite from daily struggles amidst the ongoing crisis.
Unlike the previous year's festival, which featured a junta amnesty for protesters, no such release was announced this year, underscoring the persistent political unrest.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.