Friday, November 11, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Commission Submits Myitsone Assessment Report

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 06:53 AM PST

The commission tasked with evaluating hydropower projects on Burma's Irrawaddy River submits its first assessment report to President U Htin Kyaw.

The post Commission Submits Myitsone Assessment Report appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

New Arakanese Party Commits to Greater Youth Representation

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 06:22 AM PST

Former ALD members host a conference to form a new party in which one-third of its central executive committee is expected to be under age 40.

The post New Arakanese Party Commits to Greater Youth Representation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Opposition Party to Contest All By-election Seats

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 05:12 AM PST

The USDP is looking to boost grassroots support with younger candidates and aims to field an equal number of men and women.

The post Opposition Party to Contest All By-election Seats appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lawmakers Oppose Yawnghwe Haw Night Bazaar

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 05:06 AM PST

Lawmakers in Shan State object to a plan to open a night bazaar inside Yawnghwe Haw, the residence of Burma's first President Sao Shwe Thaike.

The post Lawmakers Oppose Yawnghwe Haw Night Bazaar appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

China’s Plans for Burma Town Hold Few Local Opportunities 

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 03:30 AM PST

China plans to construct an industrial zone, refinery and deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu, but locals fear they won't be fairly compensated for their land.

The post China's Plans for Burma Town Hold Few Local Opportunities  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ethnic Alliance Holds Off on Signing Ceasefire Agreement

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 01:53 AM PST

After meeting with peace commission, the alliance says peace process is moving forward despite difficulties in negotiations.

The post Ethnic Alliance Holds Off on Signing Ceasefire Agreement appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma’s Modern History: What If…

Posted: 10 Nov 2016 10:34 PM PST

Speculations over the past may be an amusing parlor game, but they can also lead us to consider how events might have been different, or the same.

The post Burma's Modern History: What If… appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Philippine Leader to Honor Defense pacts with ‘Friends’ US

Posted: 10 Nov 2016 09:34 PM PST

Rodrigo Duterte says 'we have a military pact that would bind us' yet hints at revoking agreement that gives US troops access to Philippine bases.

The post Philippine Leader to Honor Defense pacts with 'Friends' US appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Report: Prison Reforms Must Respect Human Rights

Posted: 10 Nov 2016 06:45 PM PST

Prison reforms currently being considered in Burma fall short of meeting international human rights standards, Amnesty International says.

The post Report: Prison Reforms Must Respect Human Rights appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Tata Tea Project Fails to Protect Indian Workers

Posted: 10 Nov 2016 04:30 PM PST

World Bank probe finds Tata Global Beverages failed to tackle exploitation of impoverished workers.

The post Tata Tea Project Fails to Protect Indian Workers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Stalemate after DPN, government meet

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:45 AM PST

Talks between the government's peace commission and a delegation representing an ethnic bloc concluded yesterday without reaching any agreements.

Unidentified falling object in Hpakant

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:44 AM PST

A piece of an aircraft, believed to be an engine, struck a Hpakant jade mine near Kachin State's Hmaw His Zar village early yesterday morning, according to state officials and locals.

Eleven Media reps appear for questioning, transferred to Insein

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:44 AM PST

UPDATE: Eleven Media Group CEO U Than Htut Aung and chief editor U Wai Phyo were transferred to Insein Prison this afternoon after appearing for questioning at Tarmwe township Police Station. Eleven Media is facing a defamation suit brought by the Yangon Region government over a story it recently published alluding to potentially shady dealings involving the chief minister.

Court hears testimony of abused girls’ homecoming

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:43 AM PST

The village administrator who witnessed two girls being returned from the Ava Tailoring shop to their homes in Kawhmu township following a police complaint on grievous abuse charges offered his testimony yesterday.

Karen National Union pushes congress back to March

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:41 AM PST

The Karen National Union's central executive committee has decided to hold the KNU 16th Congress in March, postponing a meet-up that had originally been scheduled for this month.

America, Myanmar respond to shock Trump victory

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:39 AM PST

In 2015 she watched the National League for Democracy claim an enormous and historic election victory. In 2016, she saw Donald Trump seize the US presidency in an election result few had anticipated.

Cargo ferry goes down on the Chindwin

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:39 AM PST

A cargo ferry carrying oil barrels has capsized in Sagaing Region, along the same route where a ferry accident last month claimed the lives of at least 73 people.

KNU, WWF ink pact

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:38 AM PST

An international conservationist group and a major ethnic armed group have signed an agreement to preserve the environment. The Karen National Union (KNU) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Myanmar signed the memorandum of understanding to protect wildlife in a zone controlled by the KNU in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on November 8.

Yangon picks up its trash in volunteer effort

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:24 AM PST

About 100 Yangon residents spent an hour picking up trash downtown yesterday.

ANP to throw hat into by-election ring

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 12:14 AM PST

In spite of recent internal ructions, the Arakan National Party plans to compete in the April by-election.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

MPs demand halt to marketplace at Yawnghwe Palace

Posted: 11 Nov 2016 02:26 AM PST

More than 60 members of the Shan State parliament have signed a petition, demanding a halt to plans by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism to convert the Yawnghwe Palace compound into a marketplace.

Photo SHAN- Yawnghwe Haw
Nang Khin Tar Yi, an MP from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) representing Hsenwi Township, said that they had sent a letter on November 7 to the Shan State chief minister and the minister of hotels and tourism.

"Every political party represented in the Shan State regional parliament signed the petition," she said. "That includes ethnic Shan, Palaung [Ta'ang], Pa-oh, Lahu and Danu MPS, as well as lawmakers from the Union Solidarity and Development Party and the ruling National League for Democracy.

"We have asked the Shan State chief minister about this issue, and he told us that U Ohn Maung [Minister of Hotels and Tourism] had informed him that the project will be discontinued. We then requested that they release an announcement to that effect, but to date no action has been taken. Now we have served them an official letter demanding work on the site be stopped."

Located in Taunggyi District, close to the popular resort of Inle Lake, Yawnghwe Palace, known locally as Yawnghwe Haw, was the residence of Sao Shwe Thaike, an ethnic Shan prince who became the first president of the Union of Burma in 1948 on the day that the country gained independence from Britain. He was deposed and arrested when Gen. Ne Win seized power in 1962, and died in prison soon after.
"Yawnghwe Palace is our historical property," said SNLD's Nang Khin Tar Yi. "It's our royal residence. It represents our culture, and we do not want our culture and traditions to be disvalued or destroyed."

During the era of Burmese military dictatorship, many historical Shan buildings were razed; others crumbled under decades of neglect. Arguably the grandest Shan palace of all, Kengtung Palace, which was built in 1903, was demolished in 1991.
Nang Khin Tar Yi called on both the state and union governments, as well as every concerned citizen, to work together to protect to the country's heritage.
At the time of reporting, no formal action had yet been taken.

 By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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