A slump in gold sales has goldsmiths facing business difficulties, with purveyors blaming a spike in gold prices after Myanmar’s military coup, which was accompanied by a decline in buyers of the precious metal. 

All nine prosecution witnesses in the case of the Taungup Youth Network’s chair, Ko Min Ko Oo, have been examined and the next court hearing will see arguments on whether he should be officially charged or not, said lawyer Daw Theingi Maung. 

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) for nearly a month in February in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) has forced more than 100,000 locals to flee to nearby forests, according to KNU sources. 

Students in the Arakan State capital are pushing back against orders to remove both their union office and that of the Teachers’ Union on the Sittwe University campus, calling the edict an act of dictatorial oppression.

A plaintiff and prosecution witnesses in the case against Ko Wunna Khwar Nyo, editor-in-chief of Western News, and a reporter from the Arakan State-based news outlet who have been charged under Section 124(a) of the Penal Code, were reportedly questioned during a court hearing on February 25. 

Winter crop peanut farmers say they are facing difficulty due to lower yields following bad weather, as well as rising fuel, labour and fertiliser expenses.

Military and police personnel carried out arrests of some residents of Mawlamyine Township, Mon State, over two consecutive days this week for their alleged participation in the anti-regime “Six Twos revolution” on February 22. 

Some people who are living on lands owned by Myanma Railways in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, have been instructed to vacate the area within five days. 

Brickmakers are facing losses due to lower demand in Arakan State amid the suspension of many construction projects as prices for construction materials and cement are rising.

The young author Ko Min Di Par from Pan Maw village in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, who was arrested on suspicion of financing the anti-regime forces (PDFs) and charged under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour on Friday, according to a lawyer.

Officials at Sittwe University in Arakan State have instructed students to remove the students’ union office and teachers’ union office on February 28.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing nine types of agricultural seeds to farmers in some Arakan State townships who have had difficulty growing winter crops.

With Covid-19 cases on the rise over recent weeks in Arakan State, health officials say there are plans to expand virus testing of travellers. 

Trade has declined this month due to poor quality products and mismatched trade prices, which have made it difficult to make cross-border deals with Bangladesh, according to businesspeople.

A training officer for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Myanmar in Sittwe has been arrested under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, according to the Arakan State Police Commander’s Office.

Two men in Gwa Township, Arakan State, were arrested on February 19, and a lawsuit has been brought against them under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law after they were accused of providing money to the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF).

Squatters living near the Sittwe-Pyitawthar-Yaychanpyin rail route, which is undergoing repairs ahead of a planned resumption of train services, will be removed from the area, the Arakan State military government’s transportation minister told DMG, describing the targeted population’s dwellings as illegally built. 

Renewed fighting took place between the Myanmar military and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) in Demoso, Kayah State, on Wednesday evening, destroying some houses and injuring many locals, according to local sources.

A female teacher from Bago Region’s namesake town was arrested on accusations of providing financial support to the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF), with the woman’s house later sealed by authorities.