Four moderate quakes recorded in Myanmar in 24 hours
The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) recorded four moderate earthquakes in Yangon, Sagaing and Mandalay regions since Monday. A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck 10 miles (16 km) east of Sagaing’s Kalewa town on May 26, according to the DMH. It followed a magnitude 4 earthquake that hit 23 miles (37 km) northeast of Sagaing’s Mawlaik town on the same day.
In Yangon Region, the DMH recorded a 3.3 magnitude tremor 36 miles (58 km) south-southeast of Kungyangon town on the same date, May 26. It was preceded by a 4.1 magnitude earthquake — the 300th aftershock of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025 — six miles (10 km) east-southeast of Wundwin town in Mandalay Region on May 25.
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Social, Labour and Humanitarian Affairs also reported on the four earthquakes albeit with slightly different magnitudes. Yangon residents told DVB they felt a moderate earthquake on May 18, which the DMH recorded at a magnitude of 5.2. The March 2025 earthquake killed at least 4,477 people nationwide, according to DVB data.
Military schools accused of being training camps
Residents of Yangon Region’s Hlegu Township told DVB that very few students have enrolled in the regime’s “Youth Education Training School” No. 1, which began on May 22. Burma’s new Commander-in-Chief Ye Win Oo announced that 13 schools in Yangon and Naypyidaw, as well as other states and regions, will begin operations in the 2026-27 academic year, in June.
“It looks like a military training school. The teachers are active-duty military personnel,” one parent of a prospective student told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Basic education students wear white shirts paired with green pants or a longyi—a sarong-like Burmese garment wrapped around the waist—but the uniforms at the Youth Training School are “army green,” the parent added.
Another Hlegu resident told DVB that even military families have chosen to enroll their children in public schools rather than send them to the new Youth Training Schools. The academies are apparently designed to educate teenagers, but critics and families fear they are a mechanism for military indoctrination and forced conscription. Hlegu is located 20 miles (32 km) north of Yangon.
UK hunger strike to demand ‘Proof of Life’ for Aung San Suu Kyi
Members of the Burma diaspora in the United Kingdom have announced plans to stage a 24-hour hunger strike outside the military regime’s embassy in London, England. The protest, scheduled for June 18, aims to demand the release of jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of her 81st birthday. It is organized in coordination with the global “Proof of Life” campaign.
The hunger strike is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. on June 18 and will conclude on June 19 at the same time, marking her 81st birthday. Organizers confirmed that shelters and drinking water will be provided for all participants outside the embassy, though the total number of expected demonstrators has not yet been disclosed.
“The aim is to make the international community more aware of the people’s wishes and concerns. We want them to know how worried we are [about Aung San Suu Kyi],” a Myanmar citizen living in the U.K told DVB on the condition of anonymity. “Through this movement, we will also send letters demanding action from governments [around the world].” Read more
News by Region
NAYPYIDAW—Belarusian media reported that President Alexander Lukashenko signed a visa-free travel agreement between Belarus and Burma on Monday. The agreement allows citizens of both countries visa-free entry for up to 90 days within one calendar year. It wasn’t reported when it will take effect.
The deal was first reached between President Lukashenko and Min Aung Hlaing during his first-ever visit to Burma on Nov. 27. Aleksandr Shpakovsky, a Belarusian lower house lawmaker, stated on April 17 that 300 Belarusian citizens have visited Burma while 147 Burma citizens visited Belarus in 2025.
SHAN—Farmers told DVB that cabbage prices have dropped 3,000-1,300 MMK ($0.71-0.30 USD) per head. Farmers from Pindaya and Ywangan townships in the Danu Self-Administered Zone (SAZ), as well as from Pinlaung Township and Tigyit sub-township in the Pa-O SAZ, sell their produce at the market in Aungban Township.
The farmers added that it has become impossible to break even due to rising transportation costs over the last three months. One farmer told DVB that she has destroyed her cabbage farm, adding that she will not grow cabbage next year. Aungban is located 35 miles (56 km) west of the state capital Taunggyi.
YANGON—Residents in Dala Township told DVB that many commuters into the city have returned to crossing the Yangon River by boat due to the limited number of buses operated by the Yangon Bus Service (YBS) across the Yangon–Dala Bridge. Dala is located nine miles (14 km) south of Yangon.
A Dala resident told DVB that long bus wait times have pushed 80 per cent of commuters back to boats despite the dangers posed by the monsoon season. A one-way trip between Yangon and Dala typically costs 400 MMK ($0.09 USD) by boat, the same as the minimum fare for the YBS.
A DVB reporter said that the life jackets provided on an unknown number of boats from Yangon to Dala were either worn out, dirty, or ineffective.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,205 MMK)
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