Monday, November 7, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Deputy Director of MSEC Dies in Paragliding Accident

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 07:21 AM PST

Myanmar Securities Exchange Center Deputy Director Makota Sukoma passes away in India after a crash, in which he sustained head injuries.

The post Deputy Director of MSEC Dies in Paragliding Accident appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burmese Missionaries Allegedly Destroy Naga Cultural Relics

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 07:07 AM PST

Two traditional 'Morung' huts and a log drum are reportedly destroyed after visitors attribute recent crises in the Naga community to 'the devil.'

The post Burmese Missionaries Allegedly Destroy Naga Cultural Relics appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Media Conference Explores Continued Challenges to Burma’s Press Freedom

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 05:27 AM PST

Experts criticize the NLD govt over restricted access to information for independent media houses and continued domination of state-run publications.

The post Media Conference Explores Continued Challenges to Burma's Press Freedom appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

On Clinton’s Campaign Trail

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:39 AM PST

The Irrawaddy hits the trail with the US democratic candidate for President at a rally on Saturday in Pembroke Pines Florida.

The post On Clinton's Campaign Trail appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

British Suspect on the Run After Dead Body Found in his Apartment

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:37 PM PST

Forty-seven-year-old British teacher found dead with bruising on his head and chest at the suspect's 39th Street Rangoon apartment.

The post British Suspect on the Run After Dead Body Found in his Apartment appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Prominent UK rights activist, fearing for safety, leaves Thailand

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 09:28 PM PST

Andy Hall, who works on the rights of migrant workers in Thailand, has been facing defamation lawsuits by companies he accused of labor violations.

The post Prominent UK rights activist, fearing for safety, leaves Thailand appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Mayor: ‘New city’ going forward, imperative for Yangon’s future

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 12:14 AM PST

The Yangon Region government is pressing ahead with plans in the commercial capital townships of Twante, Seikgyi Khanaungto and Kyeemyindaing for the "new city" development, in line with a broader master plan it has for Myanmar's biggest city, Mayor U Maung Maung Soe told the regional parliament last week.

Activists take aim at Telecoms Law

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:47 PM PST

A civilian committee aiming to reform the Telecommunications Law intends to submit its findings to the parliamentary Bill Committee in the next three months.

NLD pledges to support party member accused of defaming Tatmadaw commander-in-chief

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:44 PM PST

Senior officials from the National League for Democracy said the party would stand in support of a member recently hit by a defamation charge for a Facebook post deemed incendiary toward the Tatmadaw. The ruling party has pledged to provide legal aid if needed, but also to not intervene if the case heads to trial.

They’re with him: Provocative nationalists side with Trump

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:42 PM PST

With one day left until Americans head to the polls in a US presidential election that has drawn unprecedented global attention, two controversial figures in Myanmar have weighed in to endorse an equally contentious nominee: Donald Trump.

Health authorities seek to tackle Zika threat

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:36 PM PST

The arrival of Myanmar's first documented case of Zika has prompted health authorities to boost disease control efforts, in a bid to contain its spread.

Tatmadaw troops killed in TNLA clash

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:31 PM PST

Clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army claimed five government troops on November 5, military media outlet Myawaddy has reported.

Commander-in-chief heads to EU meet

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:30 PM PST

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will discuss the role of the Tatmadaw in democratisation at a meeting of the European Union Military Committee tomorrow.

Capital looks to boost police force

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:25 PM PST

Help is at hand for residents of the nation's capital who fear for their security. The police are hiring 100 new officers, and already enough people have applied to fill more than half the slots available.

Environmental conference participants demand govt reject Myitsone dam

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:20 PM PST

Angry villagers, government officials, MPs, experts, and national and international NGOs came together to denounce the troubled Myitsone dam project in Kachin State. Convened by the Myanmar Green Network, last week they spoke out in a bid to influence the commission set up by the state counsellor to report on the dam's future.

China-funded reforestation effort slated for Magwe

Posted: 06 Nov 2016 11:05 PM PST

To combat the effects of illegal logging and deforestation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation will partner with China to implement a new ecological project in Magwe Region, said Union Minister U Ohn Win.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan-based parties form coalition

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 05:21 AM PST

Thirteen ethnic political parties based in Shan State last Thursday formed a new alliance aimed at promoting Shan State unity, according to Sai Ai Pao, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), which led the motion to form the coalition.


Of 18 ethnic political parties in Shan State, thirteen have joined the new League for Shan State Ethnic Political Parties (LSSEP), said Sai Ai Pao.

"We invited all 18 parties to join," he said. "At the first meeting, 13 parties attended. But at this meeting, only 10 parties were represented. However, we still welcome the absent parties to join us."
The SNDP chairman said he also wanted to urge all groups and individuals in Shan State – civil society organizations, political parties, and members of parliament both at union and state levels – to join the new coalition.

"As the second national conference is slated for February, we have to start working and making preparations together," he explained.

"This is a critical time for our Shan State," he said.

According to Tun Naing, the leader of the Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, which has joined the coalition, all ethnic parties in Shan State have a responsibility to support unity in Shan State.

"If we all just worked independently, it would be impossible to reach our goals," he said. "We must work together to achieve our aims."

According to an LSSEP statement issued on November 4, only eight signatories had officially joined the coalition.

The 18 parties based in Shan State are: Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, Lahu National Development Party, Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, Inn National League, Danu National Organization Party , Federal Union Party , Danu National Democracy Party, Pa-O National Organization, Lisu National Development Party, Inn National Development Party, Wa National Unity Party, Ta'ang (Palaung) National Party, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, Wa Democratic Party, Eastern Shan State Development Democratic Party, Akha National Development Party, Union Pa-O National organization, and Shan State Kokang Democratic Party.

SNDP ‘will win’ 2017 by-election, says Sai Ai Pao

Posted: 07 Nov 2016 12:34 AM PST

The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) will win next April's by-elections in Shan State, according to party chairman Sai Ai Pao.

Photo by SHAN- Sai Ai Pao, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP).

"We will contest the two vacant seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw [Lower House of Parliament] and the five seats in the regional parliament," said Sai Ai Pao, the former Shan State minister of forestry and mining. "We are contesting them because we believe we will win. If not, we would not compete."

The SNDP chairman called for next year's polls to be free and fair, adding that armed groups should not interfere in the process. He also called for advanced voting to be transparent.

A total of 18 vacant seats will be up for grabs in both Union and regional parliaments when by-elections are held on April 1 next year, according to an announcement from the Union Election Commission (UEC) on October 11.

The SNDP won only one seat in the 2015 general election, a far cry from the 57 seats it won in the 2010 election (21 seats in the upper and lower houses; 36 seats at state level).
The party was formed in 2010 by a group mostly made up of former members of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) at a time when several of that party's leaders were serving lengthy prison sentences, including SNLD Chairman Khun Htun Oo and General-Secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin.
Polls were cancelled in many parts of Shan State during the general election in 2015 due to ongoing clashes between Burmese government forces and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA). Constituencies where polling was postponed include Kehsi and Monghsu townships in central Shan State, and Kengtung Township in eastern Shan State.

Polling was also cancelled in areas under the control of the United Wa State Army, such as Pangsang, Narpan, Pangwai and Mongmaw; as well as Mongla Township, which is the base of the Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). The UEC maintains that those areas are still too volatile for by-elections to take place next year.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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