Wednesday, January 11, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Kachin IDPs Turned Away at China Border

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 07:44 AM PST

Kachin IDPs are trapped in a conflict zone after being turned away at the China border following the Burma Army's capture of four KIA outposts.

The post Kachin IDPs Turned Away at China Border appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Government Releases Trafficking Statistics for 2016

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 06:24 AM PST

More than 300 people were trafficked to neighboring countries including China, Thailand and Malaysia for forced marriage, labor and prostitution.

The post Government Releases Trafficking Statistics for 2016 appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Digital ID Cards Trialed in Arakan State

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 06:17 AM PST

The govt begins a pilot project replacing National Registration Cards with 'smarter' digital IDs in Sittwe, Buthidaung and soon Maungdaw.

The post Digital ID Cards Trialed in Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Fondly Recalls Obama Visits

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 05:56 AM PST

As US President Barack Obama gives his final address, Burma's State Counselor says his visits are 'something that I would always remember.'

The post Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Fondly Recalls Obama Visits appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD Cabinet Members Forego Naypyidaw Land Plots

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 05:01 AM PST

Cabinet members appointed by the NLD, as well as the President and State Counselor, have not applied for land plots in the administrative capital.

The post NLD Cabinet Members Forego Naypyidaw Land Plots appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Hkaw Sha Hpung: The All-Women Anti-Drug Task Force

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 04:55 AM PST

Retired Kachin nurse Esther, 65, is fearless when it comes to both fighting drug abuse and treating patients in northern Shan State's conflict zone. 

The post Hkaw Sha Hpung: The All-Women Anti-Drug Task Force appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Anti-Corruption Commission to Prosecute Corrupt Judge

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 04:16 AM PST

'The judge jailed those defendants who did not give her bribes,' says a complaint received by the government's Anti-Corruption Commission.

The post Anti-Corruption Commission to Prosecute Corrupt Judge appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

TNLA Attacks Burma Army Bases in Namhsan

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 02:53 AM PST

The Ministry of Defense confirms they repelled attacks on two of their bases in Shan State's Namhsan Township.

The post TNLA Attacks Burma Army Bases in Namhsan appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Who is Burma’s New Security Adviser?

Posted: 10 Jan 2017 11:28 PM PST

Former ambassador U Thaung Tun—who once said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should not 'rock the boat'—will take up the newly created position.

The post Who is Burma's New Security Adviser? appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NCA Non-Signatories, Govt Peace Commission to Hold Informal Talks

Posted: 10 Jan 2017 11:21 PM PST

'Our goal is to persuade them to sign the NCA and to join the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference,' says Peace Commission member.

The post NCA Non-Signatories, Govt Peace Commission to Hold Informal Talks appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State Counselor Sends Envoy to Bangladesh over Arakan State Crisis

Posted: 10 Jan 2017 09:06 PM PST

Deputy minister of foreign affairs U Kyaw Tin travels to Dhaka as UN reports 65,000 refugees have arrived in Bangladesh from Burma.

The post State Counselor Sends Envoy to Bangladesh over Arakan State Crisis appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Christmas and Karen New Year on the Tanintharyi River

Posted: 10 Jan 2017 07:18 PM PST

The KNU's challenge lies in being a credible government in areas under its control—and where authority is shared with the Burmese government.

The post Christmas and Karen New Year on the Tanintharyi River appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


Court considers fourth bail request in NLD member’s defamation trial

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:41 AM PST

Hoping for better luck on a fourth try, the defence counsel for a jailed National League for Democracy member again applied for bail yesterday, with the Kamaryut Township Court expected to rule on the appeal at the next hearing.

Special rapporteur barred from Laiza, Hpakant

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:38 AM PST

Just a few days into her fifth visit and the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar has already encountered a few bumps in the road, with the government blocking her from going to Laiza and Hpakant, in Kachin State.

Second Panglong meet looks set to be a lonely affair

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:37 AM PST

With the government showing little sign of backtracking on the stipulation that only ceasefire signatories can attend the upcoming second Panglong meeting, it looks likely that one-third of the armed ethnic groups will attend, while many influential actors will be left in the dark, according to peace analysts.

On Kachin State Day, activists ask govt to take larger strides for peace

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:36 AM PST

As armed conflicts continue to rage close by, 5000 participants turned out to mark the 69th anniversary of Kachin State Day in Myitkyina yesterday with tensions simmering just beneath the surface of the celebrations.

Police investigated for alleged murder of suspect in custody

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:35 AM PST

Ten Bago Region police officers are being investigated after they appear to have killed a suspect in custody and then dumped his body in an attempt to hide the crime, The Myanmar Times has learned. Police records indicate the man was beaten to death after he refused to cooperate with the officers.

Shwedagon’s image not for advertising: board

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:34 AM PST

Using the image of Shwedagon Pagoda in advertisements or marketing campaigns could earn violators hefty fines or even prison terms, the pagoda trustee board has cautioned.

Ministry of Information website taken down by unknown hackers

Posted: 11 Jan 2017 12:33 AM PST

The Ministry of Information has announced that its website was attacked by unidentified hackers and taken offline for several days.

FDA medical laboratory in Nay Pyi Taw receives international accreditation

Posted: 10 Jan 2017 11:35 PM PST

Nay Pyi Taw now has the country's first internationally accredited, state-owned medical testing laboratory.

Mandalay prison opens exam centre

Posted: 10 Jan 2017 11:33 PM PST

Mandalay prison is making it easier for youth inmates to continue their schooling with the announcement yesterday that the correctional facility opened an assessment department for the upcoming matriculation exam.