Myanmar morning news for July 8

Hundreds protest in Myanmar over two-year-old Victoria rape case
Hundreds of protesters have marched in Yangon amid outrage over the alleged rape of a two-year-old girl following a viral online campaign in a case that has left Myanmar society reeling.
— Aljazeera

Myanmar’s temple city Bagan awarded UNESCO World Heritage status
UNESCO inscribed Myanmar’s ancient capital of Bagan as a World Heritage Site on Saturday, nearly a quarter of a century after the complex of Buddhist temples was first nominated for listing.
— Thai PBS News

Myanmar-Thailand border trade reaches over $3.14 bln in 2018-2019 FY
Border trade between Myanmar and neighboring Thailand reached over US$ 3.14 billion as of 28 June in 2018-2019 fiscal year (FY) which started in October, according to the official weekly statistical report of the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar economic zone reimagined as export hub to India
Plans for an economic zone in southern Myanmar will be reworked by Japan into an export base to such markets as India, Nikkei has learned, in an attempt to kick-start the stalled project as China expands its economic influence in the Southeast Asian country.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Digital money transfers in Myanmar set to triple this year
Digital money transfer services in Myanmar by mobile phone operators and banks have all but replaced traditional remittances in only a few years.
— DealStreetAsia

Myanmar: Expert calls for continued pressure as situation reaches ‘human rights crisis’
A UN human rights expert implored the international community to maintain pressure on Myanmar amid a deterioration of human rights in the country, citing concerns about possible war crimes in Rakhine state, the treatment of minorities, the environment and freedom of expression.
— Aliran

Local people opposed to feasibility study conducted by Myanmar Yang Tse Copper Limited: Chin ethnic affairs minister
Local people are opposed to a feasibility study on copper mining in Waseintaung in Yinmabin Township, Yinmabin District in Sagaing Region conducted by Myanmar Yang Tse Copper Limited, said U Lar Htaung Htan, Minister for Chin Ethnic Affairs of Sagaing Region.
— Eleven Myanmar

Sagaing Regional govt steps up efforts for development tasks
“A small hydropower project is being built near Nantpanga Creek in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region at a cost of K 24 billion,” said Sagaing Regional Minister for Electricity, Technical, Road and Communications U Than Nyunt Win.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

12 regions, states form new ministry of immigration and human resources
Myanmar has so far established the new ministry of immigration and human resources in 12 regions and states.
— Eleven Myanmar

Top leaders of AA charged under anti-terrorism law
Rakhine National Party (ANP) Vice-Chairperson Aye Nuu Sein told Mizzima that the top leaders of Arakan Army (AA) have been charged under section 52(a) of the Counter Terrorism Law.
— Mizzima

NSSA certificate awarding ceremony held in Yangon
Certificate awarding ceremony of National Skill Standards Authority(NSSA) was held at Central Construction Training Center in Thuwunna, Yangon at 9 am. Present at the event were Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population, U Thein Swe, Yangon Regional Ethnic Affairs, Labour and Rakhine Affair Minister U Zaw Aye Maung,
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Govt yet to decide on mobile network improvement in NE border areas
The Indian government is yet to decide on the improvement of mobile networks along the international border areas of the northeastern states due to security reasons, a Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) official said here on Saturday.
— Morung Express

Over 120 human trafficking cases reported in six months
From January to June, this year, there were 171 victims of human trafficking and 126 reported human trafficking cases nationwide, according to the Anti-Human Trafficking Police.
— Eleven Myanmar

Constructive support is key in moving our journey forward
Myanmar has travelled some distance on its way to creating a democracy, defeating many challenges along the way. The current government is committed to overcoming the remaining challenges. Myanmar’s transition to democracy is an uphill battle, with achievements and challenges. T
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

How India-Myanmar Economic & Defence Relations Are Changing The Dynamics In The Region?
India and Myanmar have shared a very interesting relationship in the past. The reluctance to engage with the Indian insurgents in the forests of Myanmar had set doubts in India about the relationship with the nation. The lack of military prowess and an incapacity to reach the inhospitable reaches of the forested regions made for a meek alliance. But the things have changed between India and Myanmar.
— Eurasian times

First Spanish film festival in Yangon sparks interest
In the face of accelerating interest in the Spanish language and culture in Myanmar, the first Spanish Film Festival Yangon has been organized by the Embassy of Spain from 5 to 7 July at the German Goethe-Institut Myanmar. It features five Spanish films with English subtitles, which record some significant points of European history.
— Mizzima

Rights group urges India to protect Rakhine refugees
Following reports of Indian authorities using force to send refugees back to Myanmar, a rights group on Friday called on New Delhi to protect the refugees, who fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
— AA

Myanmar’s surfers ride high
From modest beginnings, the Surf Association of Myanmar is hoping members will enjoy success at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games, following the first national championships at Ngwe Saung last month.
— Frontier Myanmar

Vice President U Henry Van Thio addresses event marking International Day of Cooperatives
Vice President U Henry Van Thio delivered a speech at the 2019 International Cooperative Day event held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Department of Cooperative in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chinese initiative needed for Rohingya repatriation
It is encouraging that the issue of repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar within a short time was given importance in the recent Bangladesh-China meeting. Foreign secretary of Bangladesh, quoting prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese president Xi Jinping, said that the two leaders agreed that the Rohingya crisis needs immediate solution and Rohingya refugees should go back to their country.
— Prothomalo

National Health Laboratory signs MoU with Japanese university
Niigata University of Japan and National Health Laboratory signed MoU in Yangon yesterday in the presence of Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe and officials. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe stated gradual development of both the government and the private sectors for progress of the …
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Research data in joint Myanmar government-USAID project helps health planning
New analyses from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey have been released to help with the scaling up of health services in Myanmar.
— Mizzima

Union Ministers Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Dr Win Myat Aye attend school soy milk feeding programme in Kyaukpadaung
Under a programme operated by the Shwe Parami Soy Milk Nutrition Foundation, a ceremony to provide the soy milk feeding to the school children was held yesterday afternoon at the No. 1 B.E.H.S in Kyaukpadaung Town, Mandalay Region.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Raising Unit Prices of Electricity
Recently the announcement by the Electricity Supply authorities that Unit prices of electricity would be raised on a revised utilization scale depending on the number of units used, has been a topic of discussion on National Television.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Bloody Day on the Rangoon University Campus
Fifty-seven years ago today, Ne Win issued a bloody crackdown on Rangoon student protests. The next day, he dynamited the Students’ Union building.
— Irrawaddy

How expats and locals can work together for success
The expat experience in modern-day Myanmar is not all hearts and flowers, as a number of foreigners and locals will attest. But a book just released offers insight into how culture-clash can be avoided and both “sides” in a business endeavour could thrive.
— Mizzima

Polio vaccine to be administered three more times in Myawady
As Poliovirus strain mutation has been found in Hpapun, Kayin State, polio vaccine will be administered to children under 5 three more times in Myawady Township.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Non-Resident Nepali Association holds 7th Asia Pacific Regional Meeting
The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) held its 7th Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, in conjunction with the 2nd Asia Pacific Women’s Meeting, yesterday at the Chatrium Hotel in Yangon. The meeting was attended by Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

New marionette theatre opens in Mandalay
A new marionette theatre was formally opened on Sunday in Mandalay as part of efforts to sustain and revive the traditional art in Myanmar. The new theatre is located near the two big lion statues at the entrance of the Mandalay Hill in Aungmyethazan Township.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Union Minister discusses childhood care, development in Kayah State
Early childhood care and development should be carried out in conjunction with child protection, said Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye in Kayah State yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

C-in-C of Defence Services honours students of Tatmadaw families, war veterans, servicemen
Students, teachers, parents and administrative officials dubbed as educational triangular must be strong in improving necessary technologies for the State and human resources, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to honour outstanding servicemen, offspring of servicemen.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Residents of Yay Pauk Gyi village earn additional income from weaving
Local families living in Yay Pauk Gyi Village, Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region, said they are happy with the additional earnings generated from weaving cloth by hand on a small scale. There are more than 3,000 people residing in 623 homes in Yay Pauk Gyi Village.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Members of Sangha in “Wa” region offered with Waso robes
The 22nd Waso Robe Offering Ceremony for the Members of Sangha in the eastern side of the Thanlwin River was held yesterday at the Wailuwan Pariyatti Monastery in Tangyan Township, Shan State. Under the arrangement of Central Committee to Implement the Development of Border Areas and Ethnic Nationals, Ministry of Border Affairs.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo ASAP

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focuses on Asean’s endangered species, here, the white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis)

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.