By Ko Myo/MPA Myanmar’s middle class is disappearing and urban poverty has reached alarming levels five years after the military coup, the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations has warned. Speaking during a dialogue with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated that nearly half of Myanmar's population has now fallen below the poverty line. In a statement...

By Hlaing / MPA Five civilians, including two children, have been killed after a military fighter jet bombed a village in Myanmar’s central Magway region on Thursday, local sources have told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA). Residents of Mi El village in Saw Township said two 500lb bombs were dropped on the community at approximately 17:00 local time on 5 February. Eyewitnesses reported that...

By Mon Lay / MPA Myanmar’s military leader has called for a significant overhaul of the country's civil service, urging a shift towards military-style discipline and strict obedience within government ministries. Addressing senior officers at the National Defence College via video link on Tuesday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the need to "systematically supervise" government employees and instill what he termed a "patriotic...

By Mon Lay / MPA Myanmar’s military leader has enacted a controversial new law establishing a "Union Advisory Council," a move analysts say is designed to ensure the military retains ultimate control over the incoming administration following recent elections. The legislation, signed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Tuesday, allows for the creation of a powerful body to "advise and coordinate" with the...

By Ko Myo/MPA Myanmar’s military regime has dismissed more than 125,000 teachers and killed at least 37 educators since seizing power, according to figures released by the shadow National Unity Government (NUG). Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the NUG Prime Minister’s Office, stated on Tuesday that the education sector has been severely targeted over the past five years. Between the coup in February...