LFM News Service 6-28-19

The Love for Myanmar Weekly Newsletter will be undergoing some changes starting Friday, July 5.  In addition to providing news updates on what is going on in Myanmar and surrounding countries, we will also provide occasional updates on some of our ministries along with a few photos.  The weekly newsletter will be sent using MailChimp. We hope this change will be a positive one.  Stay Tuned!

Myanmar shuts down internet in conflict areas as UN expert warns of potential abuses during blackout
According to Telenor, a Norwegian telecoms firm which operates mobile internet services in Myanmar, on June 20 all mobile phone operators were ordered to “temporarily stop mobile internet traffic in nine townships in Rakhine and Chin State.” Read More

Volunteering efforts from Hong Kong youngsters to teach in Myanmar
Under the HKU-Jockey Club Nurturing Global Leaders Programme (NGL), a group of student volunteers from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has come to Myanmar this summer, starting from June to August, to teach students in different schools and education centres.  Read More

The smuggled stone that was once more precious than gold
Myanmar is one of the world’s largest Jade producers – but with trade bound by international sanctions, many of the precious gemstones are smuggled out of the country.  Read More

Electricity prices to rise in July for the first time in five years
The government has declared a significant increase in electricity prices from July 1, but will retain some subsidies in an effort to protect low-income households.  The increase announced in state media on Tuesday is the first price hike since 2014. It will help to reduce electricity subsidies that have ballooned to K630 billion in the 2018-19 fiscal year, and were expected to hit K1.5 trillion annually if prices remained unchanged.  Read More

Kachin displaced by war mark a grim anniversary, despite police harassment
For the second consecutive year, police in the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina, tried to block activities that marked the resumption of the Kachin civil war eight years ago and showed solidarity with people displaced by the conflict, and have also hit two organisers with criminal charges.  Read More