Myanmar Morning News For May 4

UN Council chief calls for action on Rohingya refugees
Ambassador Joanna Wronecka of Poland, this month’s UN Security Council president, said on Thursday that the United Nations has to act when Rohingya refugees are suffering.
— Xinhua Net

US to continue pressure on Myanmar
US President Donald Trump has assured Bangladesh of continuing its pressure on Myanmar over repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
— The Daily Star

The Real Trouble with the Myanmar Reuters Journalists Trial
This week, headlines were focused on a surprising decision by a Yangon court in favor of two jailed Reuters reporters in what has become a landmark case for press freedom in Myanmar.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

US to continue pressure on Myanmar
US President Donald Trump has assured Bangladesh of continuing its pressure on Myanmar over repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
— The Daily Star

Myanmar hires China Communications to survey bold new city
Myanmar’s plans to build a city twice the size of Singapore took a step forward this week with the signing of a framework agreement with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) to conduct preconstruction surveys as a prelude to the $1.5bn first phase of the scheme.
— Global Construction Review

Unicef raises money for Myanmar crisis with cryptocurrency mining
Unicef has turned to a novel kind of fundraising by using the processing power of people’s computers to raise money via cryptocurrency mining.
— Telegraph

More than 3,000 People Now Trapped by Fighting in Kachin State
More than 3,000 poeple are now trapped in conflict zones amid clashes between the Myanmar Army (or Tatmadaw) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State, according to the Kachin Baptist Council (KBC).
— The Irrawaddy

Mobile services improve in Myanmar: Report
4G services may be a recent phenomenon in Myanmar, but the mobile broadband experience is by no means bad according to the finding of OpenSignal that discovered that the country’s three major operators delivered not only fast speeds but also a high level of LTE access.
— Mizzima

Myanmar pearl farms to focus on quality, sustainable production
The Myanmar Pearl Enterprise (MPE) will raise production of high quality local pearls for the purpose of selling more of the gems to international buyers and raising income.
— The Myanmar Times

‘What Future Do We Have?’ Caught in the Crossfire of Myanmar’s Northern Conflict, Civilians See Little Hope
While the world’s attention has focused on the horror unleashed against the Rohingya population in Myanmar’s West, an old war in the country’s North has taken on a new ferocity, forcing thousands to leave their homes and farms and flee for their lives.
— Time

Myanmar bishops call for peace and justice in war torn Kachin state
Five months after Pope Francis’ visit to the country, Myanmar’s Catholic leaders are in Rome to shares their concerns, including the search for peace and reconciliation between the Burmese Buddhist majority and the nation’s many different ethnic minorities
— Vatican News

Myanmar to screen refugees before delivering aid to war-torn Kachin state
Myanmar will “scrutinize” the identity of refugees in war-torn Kachin State to ensure ethnic insurgents do not receive humanitarian aid after weeks of fighting, a government spokesman said on Thursday.
— New Indian Express

Sushma Swaraj to Pay Two-day Visit to Myanmar from May 10
External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Myanmar next week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.
— News18

Better connectivity to boost trade among South Asian nations: CUTS International
Strengthening transportation and connectivity in South Asia holds the key to boost intra-regional trade between nations, India-based think tank CUTS International has said.
— Mizzima

Investment Application Guidebook to be launched
The Investment Application Guidebook, which provide easier access to valuable information on investment application procedures will be launched at the Yangon Investment Forum developed by the DICA with technical assistance provided by the German Cooperation through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH GIZ (commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), according to a statement.
— Mizzima

SSPP Likely to Sign Nationwide Ceasefire, Peace Broker Says
The Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N) is likely to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), according to a peace broker between the government and the SSPP.
— The Irrawaddy

Yangon’s “new city” authority to publicise project documents in bid to improve transparency
The authority responsible for Yangon’s new city development has vowed to release the project documents of selected tenders for public scrutiny, and allow third parties to challenge the awarded party.
— The Myanmar Times

Yangon government to demolish Myanmar Convention Centre and rebuild it by 2019
Yangon’s regional government will rebuild Myanmar Convention Centre located Mindhama road, in an effort to revamp the complex for international exhibitions and events.
— The Myanmar Times

Feature photo Debbie Eisenach

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Myanmar morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Myanmar news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Myanmar Morning News For May 4 added by Leakhena Khat on May 4, 2018
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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.