Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

MPs Criticize YCDC’s Proposed Budget

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 09:07 AM PDT

Regional lawmakers questioned gaps between income and expenditure, spending on technology, and funds requested for golf course maintenance.

The post MPs Criticize YCDC's Proposed Budget appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

China Army Carries Out Drills on Burma Border Amid Tensions

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 07:04 AM PDT

State news agency Xinhua said it was a show of force highlighting China's resolve to protect its people.

The post China Army Carries Out Drills on Burma Border Amid Tensions appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State Counselor Visits IDP Camps in Kachin State

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 06:57 AM PDT

The plight of IDPs is highlighted during Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to Myitkyina where she meets with Kachin leaders and visits camps.

The post State Counselor Visits IDP Camps in Kachin State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Authorities Urge Repatriation of Karen Refugees

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 04:39 AM PDT

Thai military general says area for 70,000 refugees to safely return to Karen State has been prepared.

The post Authorities Urge Repatriation of Karen Refugees appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Photos of Than Shwe’s Ex-Generals Gathering Taken Last Year

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 04:01 AM PDT

One former general's son says he posted the photo in order to generate well wishes that he could read to his ailing father.

The post Photos of Than Shwe's Ex-Generals Gathering Taken Last Year appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Farmer Killed by Wild Elephant in Irrawaddy Division

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 01:33 AM PDT

Locals who say the animals have killed four people in four months are requesting help from the divisional government.

The post Farmer Killed by Wild Elephant in Irrawaddy Division appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Bhamo Sayadaw: U Wirathu Could Be Imprisoned

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 01:04 AM PDT

As ultra-nationalist monk U Wirathu continues to conduct 'silent sermons' despite ban, head of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee says he could be imprisoned.

The post Bhamo Sayadaw: U Wirathu Could Be Imprisoned appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:40 AM PDT

A Thingyan boat party, cartoon exhibition, orchid show, concerts and more – all in Rangoon this week, as picked by The Irrawaddy.

The post Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Malaysia Says Kim Jong Nam’s Body Still in Kuala Lumpur

Posted: 27 Mar 2017 10:53 PM PDT

Media reports say the body of estranged half brother of the North Korean leader is being prepared at a funeral home to go on a flight to Beijing.

The post Malaysia Says Kim Jong Nam's Body Still in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Understanding the UWSA’s Perspective on the Peace Process

Posted: 27 Mar 2017 10:16 PM PDT

After the recent UWSA-hosted Pangkham summit, analyst Liu Yun gives an update on the Wa's part in Myanmar's peace process.

The post Understanding the UWSA's Perspective on the Peace Process appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
Posted by at No comments:

National News

National News

One conjoined twin dies after separation

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:35 AM PDT

One of the 14-month-old twin brothers conjoined at the pelvis has died after a surgery separating them at Mandalay Hospital.

Wanted: Thingyan contestants in Mandalay

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:33 AM PDT

Registrations are now open for the Mr Thingyan, Miss Thingyan and choral dancing contests in the upcoming "Revelling together with Myoma, this is Mingalar Mandalay Thingyan Festival" event.

High biddings for Thingyan pandal permit auction

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:32 AM PDT

Sis permits for the construction of pandals for next month's Thingyan festival around the Mandalay palace moat were auctioned by Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) for a total of over K236 million, with one fetching as high as K54 million, said committee member U Kyaw Zaw Aung.

Vendors, beggars banned from pedestrian-only zone

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:30 AM PDT

Vendors and beggars will not be allowed on 26th Street to the south of the Mandalay palace moat during the Thingyan festival next month and will face action if they are caught, warned Police Major U Nyein Chan Aung from Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) Police Force.

Actor Kyaw Thu to lead Thangyat group

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:29 AM PDT

Award-winning actor, director and well-know philanthropist Kyaw Thu will be leading a Thangyat (traditional satirical chanting) group formed by groups in Mandalay to entertain and raise money for his charity network.

Rice husk power plant opens in Myanmar

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:23 AM PDT

A biomass gasification power plant which uses rice husks to generate electricity was opened by the Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation (MAPCO) in Nay Pyi Taw, said the company's chairman, U Chit Khine.

Authorities find grenade launcher in car

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:20 AM PDT

Authorities in Mandalay's Patheingyi township found weapons, including a grenade launcher, in a car driven by a member of the Pansay Militia, at the township's 16-mile check point.

Demand to stop dam projects

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:17 AM PDT

About 400 villagers gathered on the banks of the Namtu River in Hsipaw township, Shan State last week to protest the construction of a dam which they said will submerge their homes and lands.

Govt will assist, not protect, local banks

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:16 AM PDT

The government prefers to help than protect local bank services, Union Minister of Finance and Planning U Kyaw Win said.

NLD calls for peace, end armed conflicts

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 12:10 AM PDT

National League for Democracy (NLD) patron U Tin Oo urged all parties in Myanmar to end conflicts and move towards peace as the country celebrates the 72nd anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Revolutionary Day.
Posted by at No comments:

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

NLD fails in bid to close polling stations in Mong Hsu

Posted: 28 Mar 2017 06:30 AM PDT

A request by the National League for Democracy (NLD) to cancel by-election voting at three polling stations in Mong Hsu Township, southern Shan State, has been denied by the Union Election Commission.


On March 21, the Mong Hsu branch of the NLD submitted a letter to the state election commission, calling for the closure of polling stations in Wanloi, Mawmea and Kunkyaung village tracts due to what it called security issues. The cancellation of polls at these three village tracts in Loilem District would have affected more than 4,000 registered voters.

The state commission in turn forwarded the letter to the Union Election Commission in Naypyidaw for a decision.

Reached for comment by Shan Herald, Than Thin, the head of the Loilem District Election Commission, said, "We will not cancel voting at these three polling stations. However, we will move the polling stations closer towards the main towns."

He added: "In order for this by-election to go smoothly, we all have to work together. That's why we will not close down these polling facilities. We have not yet announced where the new polling station sites will be, because the time is not right to make that announcement. We will wait until security is assured before we make the move."

The polling stations will not be relocated to sites more than four miles from their respective village tracts, according to sources from the state election commission.
"It is better that these polling stations are not closed down completely," said Sai Leik, the spokesperson for the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). "Actually, there is no fighting in these areas. The situation is calm. However, the villagers will have to travel to polling stations about four or five miles from their homes. That is an inconvenience.

"Whenever it comes to voting, many people in Shan State have little interest in participating," he added. "Therefore, in situations like this, we have to put in some extra effort to encourage them."

There are 17 village tracts in Mong Hsu. The three village tracts in question are located in areas recognized as territory of the Shan State Progess Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA).

The SSPP/SSA made an announcement on February 25, saying that they welcomed the by-election and were ready to support any political party that was campaigning in its territory.

Voting was cancelled in Mong Hsu Township, as well as Mong Nong and Kehsi townships, during the 2015 general election due to the commencement of heavy offensives by Burmese government forces on positions of SSPP/SSA troops in those three areas.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)