International
Myanmar Convenes First Parliament in Five Years Under Military Dominance
Myanmar on Monday opened its first parliamentary session in more than five years following elections widely criticised for excluding major opposition parties, effectively consolidating the military’s grip on power.
The parliament’s reconvening comes after the military seized control of the country in the 2021 Myanmar coup d’état, overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and suspending the legislature.
The new session took place in the capital, Naypyitaw, where lawmakers gathered at the heavily guarded parliamentary complex for the opening of the 373-seat lower house.
Security was tight around the complex, with roads sealed and vehicles searched for explosives before being allowed entry.
The parliament was convened following elections held in December and January, which the military government described as a step toward restoring democratic governance. However, critics say the process lacked credibility as major opposition groups, including the National League for Democracy, were either barred from contesting or refused to participate under what they described as unfair electoral conditions.
According to official results, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party secured an overwhelming majority of seats.
During Monday’s session, Khin Yi, a former general and police chief, was elected speaker of the lower house. He is widely regarded as a close ally of the country’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing.
Another former general and ex-information minister, Maung Maung Ohn, was elected deputy speaker.
Under Myanmar’s military-drafted constitution, the armed forces are automatically allocated 25 per cent of the seats in parliament. In the latest vote, the USDP and allied parties also captured the majority of the remaining contested seats, giving pro-military lawmakers nearly 90 per cent of the total representation.
The 213-seat upper house is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, while regional legislatures are expected to open two days later.
Parliament’s immediate responsibilities include electing speakers for both chambers and subsequently choosing a president and two vice presidents.
Observers expect Min Aung Hlaing, who currently heads the military government, to emerge as president. However, the constitution prohibits a sitting president from simultaneously serving as the army’s commander-in-chief, raising questions about whether he would relinquish that position.
The political developments come amid ongoing instability following the 2021 coup, which sparked widespread protests and plunged the country into a prolonged civil conflict.
Meanwhile, an opposition shadow legislature formed by lawmakers who were prevented from taking office after the coup also held an online session on Monday, maintaining that it remains the country’s only legitimate parliament.
Suu Kyi, now 80, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence on charges widely viewed by critics as politically motivated. Her party had won landslide victories in the 2015 and 2020 elections before it was forced to dissolve in 2023 after refusing to register under new military electoral rules.
Government
Nigeria, Sweden Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Explore Trade, Digital, and Creative Sector Collaboration
Nigeria and Sweden have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, technology, energy, and the creative industries.
The announcement came during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Anna Westerholm, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Both sides emphasized the importance of trade, investment, and partnerships as central pillars of their engagement.
Ambassador Westerholm highlighted Sweden’s readiness to support Nigeria’s green and digital transition, focusing on digital infrastructure, innovation, and technology development. She also stressed potential collaboration in the energy sector and the cultural and creative industries, noting Nigeria’s global influence in Afrobeats and creative talent. Sweden plans to leverage its expertise in music production and business models to strengthen the partnership.
The Swedish Trade Office in Lagos, recently upgraded and led by a government-appointed Trade Commissioner, reflects Sweden’s commitment to boosting commercial engagement in Nigeria.
Minister Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to democratic governance, regional cooperation through ECOWAS, and addressing security and development challenges across the Sahel and West Africa. Both nations agreed to continue high-level consultations and explore additional avenues for cooperation.
The Swedish State Secretary is expected to visit Nigeria next week for further discussions on deepening trade and partnership initiatives.
Government
President Tinubu Meets King Charles III on Historic UK State Visit, Discusses Ports and Trade
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to meet with King Charles III on Wednesday, marking Nigeria’s first state visit to the United Kingdom in nearly 40 years.
The president and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, arrived Tuesday at London’s Stansted Airport to commence the historic engagement.
The official itinerary includes meetings with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who will accompany them to Windsor. Later, President Tinubu will have an audience with King Charles at Windsor Castle, followed by a state banquet.
The visit underscores the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
A strategic partnership signed in November 2024 aims to enhance cooperation in trade, immigration, and security. Bilateral trade reached £8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year ending September 2025, an 11.4 per cent increase from the previous year.
Key topics likely to be discussed include major Nigerian port renovations supported by Britain and other trade and investment opportunities.
The state visit comes amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, following suspected suicide bombings in the northeast that claimed at least 23 lives. President Tinubu directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation.
On Thursday, he is also scheduled to meet Keir Starmer and members of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom.
This visit follows Tinubu’s earlier meeting with Charles in September 2024 and marks the first Nigerian state visit to the UK since 1989.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that a projectile struck the premises of Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, without causing damage or casualties.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Vienna-based agency said Iranian authorities reported that the impact occurred on Tuesday evening. Despite the incident, no harm was recorded to the facility or its personnel.
IAEA Director-General, Rafael Grossi, renewed calls for caution amid rising tensions, warning of the potential risks associated with military activity near nuclear infrastructure.
He urged all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint to prevent any nuclear accident.
Located in southwestern Iran, the Bushehr facility remains the country’s only functioning nuclear power reactor and has been connected to the national grid since 2011.
The development comes against the backdrop of heightened hostilities involving United States, Israel, and Iran, raising global concerns about the safety of critical infrastructure.
Iran has long faced stringent sanctions, particularly after the United States withdrew in 2018 from a nuclear agreement that had offered sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
While Western powers have expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Tehran continues to insist that its activities are strictly for peaceful purposes.