KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will not endorse elections in military-ruled Myanmar, Malaysia’s foreign minister said Tuesday, citing concerns over the lack of inclusive and free participation.
Myanmar’s military-backed political party appeared headed for a parliamentary majority after the second round of voting earlier this month in the country's first general election since the army ousted a civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The takeover triggered widespread opposition that has grown into a civil war.
Human rights and opposition groups say the polls were neither free nor fair and are an effort by the military to legitimize its rule.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan told Parliament that ASEAN leaders decided at their summit in October not to send observers to Myanmar because conditions for a credible election were not met, though some member countries chose to do so individually. Myanmar's Information Ministry said last month that ASEAN members Cambodia and Vietnam were among several nations that sent observers.
Mohamad Hasan said ASEAN has made clear that the election must be conducted with comprehensive and free participation, rather than being held in phases or under restrictive conditions that bar certain candidates.
“We didn't send observers and by virtue of that, we don't certify the election,” he said. His comments were the first clear statement from the 11-member regional bloc that it will not recognize election results.
ASEAN has repeatedly urged Myanmar’s military government to implement a peace plan that it had agreed on, which includes ending violence, allowing humanitarian access and holding inclusive dialogue with all parties. ASEAN suspended Myanmar’s military leaders from attending its summits but such efforts have been limited by divisions in the bloc, with some favoring engagement and others urging stronger pressure on Myanmar generals.
Final results for all seats in national and regional legislatures are expected to be announced this month.
FILE -Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan delivers a speech during the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File)
The New England Patriots are back in the AFC championship game for the first time since 2019, still alive for a chance to win their seventh Super Bowl since 2001.
This time, it's Drake Maye at quarterback and Mike Vrabel coaching on the sidelines instead of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick combo that dominated the NFL during their six title runs.
All that's standing between the Patriots and a trip to Super Bowl 60 are the Denver Broncos and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who will be forced into action after starter Bo Nix broke his ankle.
It's an all-NFC West affair for the other conference championship when the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams. The division rivals split their two meetings during the regular season, with each winning tight contests at home.
Here's a few more things to know now that the NFL's postseason is down to four teams:
Conference Championships (all times EST)
NFC
No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (Fox)
AFC
No. 2 New England Patriots at No. 1 Denver Broncos, Sunday, 3 p.m. (CBS/Paramount+)
Super Bowl 60
AFC winner vs. NFC winner, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m., Santa Clara, California. (NBC)
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Past results
Divisional round
NFC
— No. 5 Los Angeles Rams 20, No. 2 Chicago Bears 17 (OT)
— No. 1 Seattle Seahawks 41, No. 6 San Francisco 49ers 6
AFC
— No. 1 Denver Broncos 33, No. 6 Buffalo Bills 30 (OT)
— No. 2 New England Patriots 28, No. 5 Houston Texans 16
Wild-card weekend
NFC
— No. 2 Chicago Bears 31, No. 7 Green Bay Packers 27
— No. 6 San Francisco 49ers 23, No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles 19
— No. 5 Los Angeles Rams 34, No. 4 Carolina Panthers 31
AFC
— No. 2 New England Patriots 16, No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers 3
— No. 6 Buffalo Bills 27, No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars 24
— No. 5 Houston Texans 30, No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers 6
Not surprisingly, Nix's ankle injury has had a big effect on how the sportsbooks see the Patriots-Broncos matchup.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Patriots are favored by five points to win the AFC championship and the over-under is currently at 41.5 points, suggesting a low-scoring defensive showdown in Denver.
In the NFC, the home Seahawks are 2.5-point favorites over the Rams while the over-under is at 47.5 points. The Seahawks haven't lost a game in more than two months, though that loss was a 21-19 setback on Nov. 16 against the Rams.
As for the Super Bowl winner, the Seahawks have a slight edge at +150, followed by the Rams (+220), Patriots (+250) and longshot Broncos (+1300).
One bit of intrigue entering the postseason was that five of the 14 teams had never won a Super Bowl, including the Bills, Panthers, Jaguars, Texans and Chargers. The Texans and Jaguars have never even played in a Super Bowl.
After two weeks of postseason games, all five of those teams were eliminated. As a result, Bills coach Sean McDermott was among 10 NFL coaches who lost their job this offseason.
The last time the four teams remaining won the Super Bowl was relatively recent. The Rams won following the 2021 season while the Patriots (2018), Broncos (2015) and Seahawks (2013) have also won over the past dozen years.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts to the crowd after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates after a touchdown scored by running back TreVeyon Henderson during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
