Wednesday, March 8, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Questions Raised Over Land Ownership and Development in Ngapali Mangroves

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 07:13 AM PST

Who owns 50 acres of mangrove palms in Thandwe Township, and will developers construct a new hotel project on it?

The post Questions Raised Over Land Ownership and Development in Ngapali Mangroves appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma’s Next Generation of Tech Entrepreneurs Showcase Start-ups

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 06:35 AM PST

Burma embraces a fresh generation of tech entrepreneurs as the country's first startup accelerator presents its 'most promising' startups.

The post Burma's Next Generation of Tech Entrepreneurs Showcase Start-ups appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Social Welfare Minister: ‘I Will Always Campaign for Gender Equality’

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 06:27 AM PST

Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Win Myat Aye talks with The Irrawaddy about government plans to support women's rights.

The post Social Welfare Minister: 'I Will Always Campaign for Gender Equality' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar Now Journalist Sued Under Telecommunications Law

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 03:56 AM PST

A Mandalay resident files a lawsuit against Myanmar Now chief correspondent Ko Swe Win, accusing the reporter of insulting nationalist monk U Wirathu.

The post Myanmar Now Journalist Sued Under Telecommunications Law appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lawmakers Vote to Fix ‘Corrupt’ Judicial System

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 03:48 AM PST

Members of Parliament are considering adopting the jury system after a tense exchange in Burma's Lower House.

The post Lawmakers Vote to Fix 'Corrupt' Judicial System appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Northern Alliance Warns Civilians in Kokang of Ongoing Clashes

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 03:17 AM PST

Ta'ang National Liberation Army says clashes in the area are likely to be ongoing and 'quite serious.'

The post Northern Alliance Warns Civilians in Kokang of Ongoing Clashes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thousands Flee Burma Army Clashes with Insurgents Near China Border, Official Says

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 03:05 AM PST

Hotel workers in Nan San on the China side of the border say they are seeing disoriented people moving rapidly into the town.

The post Thousands Flee Burma Army Clashes with Insurgents Near China Border, Official Says appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Champions for Change

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 02:30 AM PST

On International Women's Day, we celebrate some of the inspiring private sector business leaders championing inclusivity and diversity.

The post Champions for Change appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

H&M Factory Damaged in Violent Labor Dispute

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 08:30 PM PST

Violence at Chinese-owned factory in Rangoon highlights need for social and labor reform in Burma as country's garment industry opens up to investors.

The post H&M Factory Damaged in Violent Labor Dispute appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

They Call It a Crime: Being Born Non-Bamar in a Conflict Zone

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 06:15 PM PST

Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act victimizes individuals based on ethnicity, gender or religious association, particularly in war zones.

The post They Call It a Crime: Being Born Non-Bamar in a Conflict Zone appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

The Judiciary Strategic Plan has yet to bear fruit

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 12:09 AM PST

The Union Judiciary Law contains good features but reforms of the judicial system will have to be implemented in accordance with democratic norms under the people-elected government

Sell food with banned colouring and get shut down: MCDC

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 12:03 AM PST

Businesses in Mandalay that are selling food containing banned food dye now risk having their shops shut down by the authorities, which have launched an operation to ensure food safety.

Mandalay workers vow to continue protest

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 12:00 AM PST

Without an amicable settlement in sight, Kan Kaung Chin Yadanar factory workers have vowed to continue their sit-in protest at the factory entrance in Bal Lin village of Mandalay's Singaing township.

No more K200 lottery tickets from June 1

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:59 PM PST

K200 lottery tickets will no longer be on sale from June 1, according to the Lottery Division of Internal Revenue Department.

China offers to renovate Thatbyinnyu Pagoda

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:58 PM PST

China has offered to restore and renovate the Thatbyinnyu Pagoda which was one of the few pagodas in Bagan damaged by an earthquake in August last year, Department of Archaeology,  National Museum and Library (Bagan branch) director U Aung Kyaw Kyaw said yesterday.

Govt to implement ‘Women and Girls First Initiative’

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:47 PM PST

The Union government is implementing the nation's 'Women and Girls First Initiative' in four areas - Rakhine, Kachin, Kayin and the northern Shan states.

Plans for daycare centres nationwide

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:43 PM PST

Working parents around Myanmar may soon find their babysitter problems solved.

Farmland to be returned to Mandalay farmers

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:37 PM PST

More than 768.9 hectares (1900 acres) of farmland seized by government departments during the years of former governments in Mandalay Region will be returned to the owners, said dr Soe Than, Mandalay Region Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.

Over Kyat 4 billion spent on farm irrigation

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:36 PM PST

The Mandalay regional government will spend K4.2 billion to ensure that farmers will have sufficient water to grow summer crops, Dr Soe Than, Minister for Mandalay Region's Agriculture and Irrigation Department, said on March 6.

Thousands flee Myanmar border town after rebel raid

Posted: 07 Mar 2017 11:32 PM PST

Thousands have fled a Myanmar town bordering China after over 30 people were killed as the army fought back ethnic rebels armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, officials said Tuesday.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Burmese army attacks RCSS ahead of peace talks

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 04:24 AM PST

Burma's armed forces have launched offensives against the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), only a week before the second round of national peace talks known as the 21st Century Panglong Conference (21CPC) are due to be held.


 According to Lt-Col Sai Nguen, the RCSS/SSA spokesperson, Burmese troops from battalions 502 and 242, which are under command of Military Operations Command (MOC 1) based in Kyaukme Township, opened fire on Tuesday on Shan positions in Oum Mu tract in northern Shan State's Hsipaw Township.

"Heavy fighting took place from 2pm until 6pm," he said. "It was a premeditated attack; that is why it was so heavy."

He said that since his group signed the NCA in October 2015, it has clashed more than 20 times with the Burmese army. However, he reported that on this occasion no casualties were sustained.

The Shan army spokesman speculated that the reason for the assault was part of a plan to push all ethnic armies out of Hsipaw and Kyaukme townships.

He added that the RCSS/SSA will report the incident to the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC), a government-backed team formed after the signing of the NCA, whose duty it is to monitor whether all sides follow the terms of the NCA, such as the military code of conduct, and ensure that each armed group stays within their designated areas.

"From our side, we take steps to control our people. We do not break the terms of the NCA," Lt-Col Sai Nguen said. "The Burmese army does not follow it. They have constantly been trying to create problems. I seriously doubt their sincerity with regards the NCA. Or is it that they wish to scupper the upcoming 21CPC peace talks that are due to be held later this month?"

On Monday, a clash broke out between the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Burmese armed forces in Laukkai in the Kokang-administered region of northern Shan State. Fighting continues in that area, where four ethnic armed groups – MNDAA, Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) – launched coordinated offensives against Burmese army positions on November 20 last year.

Shan rebel spokesman Lt- Col Sai Nguen reiterated that it must be questioned whether the conflict in the Kokang region is another attempt by the Burmese military to destroy the peace process.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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