Myanmar begins general strike in face of military threats

Millions expected to join protests calling for restoration of democracy three weeks after military seized power.

Myanmar began a nationwide general strike on Monday despite a curfew, road blockades and more overnight arrests, as the United States warned it would “take firm action” against the military if it continued to crack down on people calling for the restoration of the country’s elected government. At least two people were killed after violence over the weekend as thousands gathered on Sunday in Naypyidaw for the funeral of 20-year-old Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who was shot in the head at protests in the capital on February 9 and died from her injuries on Friday. The deaths over the weekend, one of them a 16-year-old, took place in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-biggest city after police fired live bullets to try and disperse the crowd. At least 20 people were injured.