Day: September 13, 2025

Naypyidaw – On Saturday, an airstrike by Myanmar’s ruling military junta in western Rakhine state resulted in the deaths of at least 19 students, including minors, according to the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority armed group., reports 24brussels.

The AA stated on Telegram that the attack targeted two private high schools in Kyauktaw township just after midnight on Friday, leaving 22 others injured. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 21 years old.

“We feel as sad as the victims’ families for the death of the innocent students,”

the statement read. The AA accused the junta of conducting the airstrike, which local media outlet Myanmar Now reported involved a junta warplane dropping two 500-pound bombs on the schools while students were sleeping.

Context of the Conflict in Rakhine State

The military junta is currently embroiled in intense conflict with the AA for control over Rakhine, an area where the AA has expanded its territorial influence significantly over the past year. This conflict is part of the larger turmoil plaguing Myanmar since the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021, sparking a nationwide armed uprising.

As of 2025, the AA reportedly controls 14 of the 17 townships in Rakhine, with ambitions to liberate the entire state, including critical areas vital for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the regional capital, Sittwe, and important ports and pipeline sites.

The military junta faces increasing territorial losses as ethnic armed groups, including the AA, consolidate their power in Rakhine and beyond. The AA has established local governance structures in the areas under its control, further complicating the military’s position.

Condemning the attack, UNICEF stated it reflects a “disturbing pattern of escalating violence in Rakhine State,” highlighting the severe impact on children and families in the region.

Previous Incidents of Violence in Rakhine State

The recent incident is not isolated. In January 2025, an airstrike in Mrauk-U Township resulted in 28 deaths and 25 injuries. In northern Shan state, another airstrike killed 11 civilians, including children, and left many others wounded. Such strikes frequently target camps and villages, leading to widespread destruction of property, infrastructure, and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions.

Brussels – European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautions that discussing potential territorial concessions by Ukraine could lead to a Russian trap, reports 24brussels.

In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Kallas emphasized that the Kremlin aims for Western nations to debate what Kyiv should surrender for peace, while ignoring that Moscow has made no concessions to date. This strategy, she argues, empowers Russia’s negotiating position.

Kallas highlighted Moscow’s classic three-step negotiation tactic: first demanding territories that do not belong to it, followed by ultimatums and threats of violence, and culminating in efforts to convince Western actors to concede what Russia never possessed. This method creates a façade of compromise, even when excessive demands underlie it.

“But that is not really a compromise if completely excessive demands were made beforehand. That’s why I say once again: We must not fall into Putin’s trap. Our goal must be that this war does not pay off for Putin. The reward for aggression would bring more war, not less,”

Kallas stressed her concerns about the implications of yielding to such demands. She asserted the imperative for Europe to maintain firmness in its stance against Russian aggression.

How does Kallas view Washington’s role against Moscow?

While acknowledging significant changes in U.S. foreign policy under previous administrations, Kallas affirmed that Washington remains the EU’s most critical ally in countering threats from Moscow. She expressed a commitment to enhance relations between the United States and Brussels, recognizing recent advancements in collaboration.

What are the Russian demands on Ukraine?

Russia has outlined specific demands for Ukraine, including withdrawing from all territories in the eastern Donbas region, officially recognizing Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, and relinquishing claims on parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine. Additionally, Moscow insists that Ukraine renounce any aspirations to join NATO and adopt a neutral status that would prevent foreign military forces from being stationed on its territory.

• The resale market is bigger than ever, and some shoppers are making purchases with that in mind.
• Certain classic items, like an Hèrmes Birkin or Rolex Datejust, hold their value.
• These five items make smart investments, according to the luxury resale platform The RealReal.

What’s old is new again — and, sometimes, more expensive.

The resale market has reached new heights this year: One in three American luxury consumers has bought or sold on a resale platform, according to McKinsey’s 2025 State of Luxury report.

And some shoppers are buying with an eye toward investment. Online thrift store ThredUp found in a survey about the secondhand market that 47% of shoppers considered the resale value of clothing before making a purchase.

A new report from luxury consignment shop The RealReal looks at which items have maintained their price over time.

While some trendy items — the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff or Row Margaux bag — have seen their resale prices skyrocket over the past few years, certain products are “classics” whose value “holds strong,” the report said.

With tariffs causing luxury price increases, there’s reason to believe their value will continue to climb on the secondhand market.

“The domestic closet, there’s $200 billion trapped in there, and as pricing increases in the primary market, our pricing algorithms follow,” The RealReal CEO Rati Sahi Levesque said on last month’s earnings call. “We benefit and see pricing increase as well.”

While even the CEO of Rolex urges against buying luxury goods purely as an investment, if you are keen on an accessory with an ROI, these five items have “consistent resale-value growth,” The RealReal determined based on sales data since 2021.

Louis Vuitton Speedy bag

Launched in 1930, the Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag — which has been made in numerous sizes and patterns over the decades — is an enduring silhouette.

The average sale price of a Speedy on The RealReal is up 13% since 2021.

The Louis Vuitton retail price of a brand-new Speedy starts at $1,920. On The RealReal, they are selling for between $380 and $13,500, with pricing dependent on the model, condition, and size.

Louis Vuitton is regularly among the most searched brands on The RealReal. This year it took the top spot, with searches for the Speedy, specifically, up 110%.

Hermès Birkin 30

Birkin bags are largely considered the holy grail of luxury resale, with the handbag garnering an average of 4,000 searches a day on The RealReal.

The Birkin and its Hèrmes sister, the Kelly, represent “the most desirable — and exclusive — handbags on the market,” Luca Solca, a senior analyst covering global luxury goods at Bernstein, wrote in a recent report. Given their long-standing appeal and limited availability, the bags command, on average, 1.7 times their retail price on the resale market, Bernstein found.

The average price of the Hermès Birkin 30, its most popular size, has increased 15% on The RealReal since 2021.

A new Birkin in that size starts at about $13,900 in the US if purchased from the designer. The RealReal’s current selection ranges in price from $9,450 to $350,000.

The latter is for a rare Himalayan crocodile version with diamond-encrusted hardware. It’s a hefty price, but not as much as the most expensive Birkin ever sold at The RealReal: a $385,000 model sold at its West Hollywood store.

Rolex Datejust

The secondary watch market has become a popular asset class. While it has declined over the past few years, certain models and brands — particularly Rolex — have maintained impressive resale value.

The average resale price of the Rolex Datejust has increased 17% on The RealReal since 2021.

“The Datejust remains a timeless entry point, attracting both first-time buyers and seasoned collectors,” Bob’s Watches CEO Paul Altieri previously told Business Insider.

At retail, the model starts at $7,300. On The RealReal, it’s available for between $4,000 — stainless steel and yellow gold — and $84,500 — white gold, mother of pearl, and diamonds.

Goyard Saint Louis

Originally designed as a beach bag, the Goyard Saint Louis has become the status tote.

With a starting retail price of $1,890, the brand charges a pretty penny for its signature canvas product.

On The RealReal, where its average resale price has increased 18% since 2021, the bag is available for between $720 and $5,200.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra styles

Van Cleef & Arpels’ four-leaf clover motif has been a signature of the brand for decades. Routinely called out on parent company Richemont’s earnings calls, the Alhambra has become a worldwide status symbol.

“It’s probably one of the most important jewelry lines in the world, but we feel it’s far from having reached its full potential,” Richemont CEO Nicolas Bos said in May.

Pieces from the line — which spans necklaces, rings, watches, earrings, and bracelets —  cost between $1,540 for a delicate bracelet with a single clover and $192,000 for a diamond necklace.

On The RealReal, prices for Alhambra pieces have increased 20% since 2021 and range from $1,425 to $165,000.