MYANMAR: A man was sentenced to seven years hard labour today for criticising the government’s plans to hold elections in December.

It’s the first known conviction under the new electoral law, which targets anyone who opposes or disrupts the voting.

Nay Thway, 36, was sentenced in a Taunggyi township court in the eastern state of Shan for the “offence” of attempting to undermine the elections. Other crimes under the new law carry sentences up to the death penalty. It was not immediately clear whether he would appeal.

LITHUANIA: Powerful explosions were heard in the suburbs of Vilnius this morning after several railway wagons loaded with liquefied gas caught fire.

One person was injured, according to the fire and rescue department. Columns of smoke were visible across the capital and residents of the area were warned to stay indoors.

Speaking to reporters, Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovicius said initial information suggested that “the fire was most likely caused by a violation of occupational safety conditions, but all versions are being investigated.”

FRANCE: Three people died after attempting to cross the Channel today and at least three others are believed to be missing.

“These deaths are not inevitable,” said Lachlan Macrae from activist group Calais Food Collective.

“They are the result of deliberate choices by the UK and French governments, who have closed safe routes and ramped up violent enforcement on the beaches.

“Families are being forced into ever more dangerous crossings, hiding life jackets from police and launching from riskier points along the coast.”

CUBA: The island suffered a total blackout today, the latest in a series of power cuts blamed on ageing infrastructure and fuel shortages at power plants.

It was the second island-wide loss of electricity this year, with three other blackouts reported in late 2024.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines said on social media that the latest power cut could be tied to a malfunctioning thermoelectric plant, although a investigation was ongoing.

The ministry said crews were working to restore power to the island of roughly 10 million people.