The difference indicates a surge in illegal trade between the two neighbours, said ISP-Myanmar.

Junta soldiers and police in eight vehicles raided the KTV venues at just after midnight on July 30 and took the manager and employees to Sittwe’s Myoma police station.

Nearly 10,000 tonnes were used for domestic consumption and other needs, but more than 10,000 tonnes remained unsold, according to the Arakan State Salt Production Division.

A final proposal seeking to designate Mrauk-U as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was submitted by the junta government in December 2021, following a series of delays.

Among 1,538 public schools damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State, repair works for 259 are expected to be completed by the end of August,

“Prices have increased since the plan to issue 20,000-kyat notes was announced. Prices have increased steadily,” 

Local business owners said they have yet to receive loans from the 10 billion kyats loan scheme for MSMEs announced by the junta nearly one year ago.

Trade between the two countries from April to July in the fiscal year 2023-24 stood at US$4.5 million, down from US$11.51 million over the same period in the fiscal year 2022-23.

Dozens of homes in some camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State’s Rathedaung, Ponnagyun and Kyauktaw townships have been damaged by strong winds in recent days, according to IDPs.

In Arakan State, residents charged under the Unlawful Associations Act for allegedly having ties to the AA were released in the amnesty.

Floodwaters receded on Wednesday in urban wards of Arakan State’s Thandwe after some parts of town were inundated by a swollen creek following days of heavy rainfall, according to local residents.

The Arakan State capital Sittwe accounted for 209 of this year’s cases to date, with Kyaukphyu Township reporting 206 cases and Taungup Township rounding out the top three with164.

AAPP said the junta did not publicly release the profile information of the prisoners, which hindered compilation of the list of those who had been released.

The pardoned prisoners — 38 from Sittwe Prison, 49 from Buthidaung Prison, 64 from Kyaukphyu Prison and 105 from Thandwe Prison — were released on August 1, according to prison authorities in Arakan State.

A resident of Kaingshae Ward in Taungup, Arakan State, was robbed and killed near Taungup University on Sunday, according to people close to the family.

Myanmar’s military regime extended its emergency rule for six more months at a National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) meeting on Monday in Naypyitaw, according to junta media.

The MRF said there is enough Paw Hsan Hmwe and glutinous rice, as well as other rice varieties, for domestic consumption, so that people do not need to panic buy rice.

Currently, the port is used by ships carrying relief aid from India for victims of the storm in Arakan State.

“I haven’t received it since I was pregnant. I registered and applied for the aid through the administrator. I don’t know why I don’t get it,” said a mother from Kyaukphyu.