MABA 10th Anniversary Festival: The Japan Myanmar Business Alliance Association (MABA) will mark its 10th year with a two-day “Mandalay-Japan Festival & SME Bazaar” on June 6–7 at Mingalar Mandalay, featuring SME booths, Japanese sake introductions, Yukata try-ons, cosplay, Japan Foundation dance programs, and traditional Mandalay elephant and ethnic performances. Ethnic-language Catholic radio expands: Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) launched new Akha and Kayan language broadcasts in Yangon on Pentecost, bringing its Myanmar language services to 12 and aiming to reach hundreds of thousands of Akha and Kayan Catholics amid conflict and disinformation. Myanmar peace claims questioned: Myanmar’s military-proxy leadership says it aims for “perpetual peace” within five years and is holding “ground-level” talks, but rights groups warn the plan is meant to pressure resistance rather than enable real dialogue. War and displacement pressures: Reports say the military has made gains against ethnoreligious minorities, while Shan Youth Congress condemns MNDAA’s alleged territorial expansion and “Kokangization” in northern Shan State. Culture & media under strain: Photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike remains jailed and reportedly denied medical treatment, as CPJ and Amnesty urge his release. Regional culture lens: A feature on Southeast Asia’s “soft power” highlights how culture and creative economies shape attraction for work and travel across the region.