Myanmar ethic armed group claims control of western town

13 Sept 13:35 Key points summarised by AI

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority armed group, claims to have seized complete control of Buthidaung town in western Rakhine state, including a strategic military headquarters, marking a significant blow to Myanmar's ruling junta.
This capture follows renewed clashes since November, which ended a 2021 ceasefire, with AA fighters actively gaining territory along the Indian and Bangladeshi borders and taking hundreds of junta personnel prisoner.
The intensified conflict has spread across 15 of Rakhine state's 17 townships, leading to hundreds of casualties and displacing over 300,000 people.
The AA states its primary objective is to fight for greater autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population within the state.

Thailand secures US$200m World Bank loan for clean energy and low carbon cities

Yesterday 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).