Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


UN Rapporteur: Finding the Truth or Furthering False Narratives in Myanmar?

Posted: 30 Sep 2020 04:40 AM PDT

Incoming UN special rapporteur on human rights Thomas Andrews' ties to Fortify Rights—a group whose reporting on Myanmar has been discredited—are cause for concern.

Myanmar’s Military Claim Dead Suspect Was Arakan Army Sergeant

Posted: 30 Sep 2020 04:10 AM PDT

Myanmar's armed forces are accused of torturing another civilian to death in Mrauk-U, Rakhine State, with the Arakan National Party saying deaths in custody must end.

Controversial Head of Myanmar’s ‘Rose Party’ Arrested on Fugitive Warrant

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 11:54 PM PDT

UDP chairman Michael Kyaw Myint was arrested Monday night following reports he escaped from prison in the '90s and had unscrupulous financial dealings.

Global COVID-19 Death Toll Tops 1 Million

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 11:15 PM PDT

The worldwide death toll from COVID-19 now exceeds 1 million, with more than 33 million infections, according to a US university tally.

Thailand Extends State of Emergency, Allows Some Foreign Tourists

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 10:45 PM PDT

Thailand has extended its COVID-19 state of emergency for a month, though some special tour groups on chartered flights will now be allowed to enter the country.

Trump, Biden Clash Over Pandemic in First US Presidential Debate

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 10:27 PM PDT

Amid repeated interruptions from his opponent, Joe Biden said Donald Trump had failed to produce a plan to fight COVID-19, in their first debate ahead of the US election.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Myanmar Launches Election App to Keep Voters Informed

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 05:25 AM PDT

The mVoter 2020 app aims to keep voters informed about potential disruption as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. 

Yangon Health Official Vows ‘All-Out Battle’ Against COVID-19

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 04:48 AM PDT

The vice chairman of Yangon's COVID-19 committee said all city residents must observe prevention guidelines; the city is preparing more facilities as testing increases.

Myanmar’s Election a High-Stakes Game in War-Torn Rakhine State

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 04:09 AM PDT

Will politicians help the public imagine new post-election democratic possibilities in the wake of violence and COVID-19?

G-20 Summit in November to Go Online Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted: 28 Sep 2020 10:25 PM PDT

Saudi Arabia, which currently holds the presidency of the G-20, said the group's leaders' summit would be held online in November due to COVID-19 concerns.

India’s Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Top 6 Million

Posted: 28 Sep 2020 10:03 PM PDT

India's total coronavirus cases have passed 6 million with more than 95,500 deaths—second only to the US in both categories.

Monday, September 28, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Myanmar Health Official Warns of Political Campaign as COVID-19 Cases Exceed 10,000

Posted: 28 Sep 2020 06:01 AM PDT

The campaign for the November general election is endangering lives, according to a health ministry disease specialist as the coronavirus death toll reaches 226.

Leader of Myanmar’s Top Shan Party Resigns in Shock Announcement

Posted: 28 Sep 2020 05:02 AM PDT

Just weeks before the election, SNLD chairman Khun Htun Oo has announced his resignation; party leaders have declined to accept it as they ponder their next move.

Myanmar Govt Vows to ‘Build Back Better’ With Latest COVID-19 Recovery Plans

Posted: 28 Sep 2020 03:34 AM PDT

Minister U Thaung Tun said the government has put together a medium- to long-term economic recovery plan based on promoting investment in sustainable industries.

Bangladesh Deploys Troops on Myanmar’s Border

Posted: 28 Sep 2020 02:06 AM PDT

Bangladeshi deployments appear to be in response to increased activity by Myanmar's military along the border, saying it is cracking down on "terror" groups.

North Korea Accuses South of Intrusion in Search for National’s Body

Posted: 27 Sep 2020 10:07 PM PDT

Pyongyang has accused South Korea of intruding into its territory while searching for a man killed by N. Korean troops and warned of heightened tensions.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Years On, Family Still Demands Answers in Slain Japanese Journalist’s Death

Posted: 26 Sep 2020 11:17 PM PDT

To mark the 13th anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, The Irrawaddy revisits this 2017 story on the aftermath of the death of a Japanese journalist covering the event.

Where There’s Struggle, There’s Hope

Posted: 26 Sep 2020 09:40 PM PDT

To mark the 13th anniversary of the Saffron Revolution this month, The Irrawaddy revisits this commentary on the power of hope from November 2007.

The Day Gen. Aung San Visited His Future Assassin in Hospital

Posted: 26 Sep 2020 07:51 PM PDT

On this day in 1946, Gen. Aung San visited the bedside of political foe U Saw, who had survived an attempt on his life; months later, U Saw plotted the general's death.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Saffron Revolution: A Rangoon Diary

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 09:30 PM PDT

To mark the 13th anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, The Irrawaddy revisits this 2007 account of the protests and bloody crackdown by photojournalist Thierry Falise.

The Power Behind the Robe

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 08:30 PM PDT

To mark the 13th anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, The Irrawaddy revisits this analysis of the political power of the monkhood first published in October 2007.

Election 2020: The Week in Review

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 07:45 PM PDT

This week, the UEC refused to delay the election, the 'Rose Party' came into the spotlight, and an early date for migrants voting overseas was set.

Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 07:30 PM PDT

This week Myanmar's authorities continued to dig deep into reserves to help firms struggling with COVID-19 while the ban on international flights was extended.

The Day Myanmar’s Elected Prime Minister Handed Over Power

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 06:30 PM PDT

On this day in 1958, the democratically elected government handed power over to Myanmar's military in the wake of civil strife.

Friday, September 25, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Myanmar Military Begins Treating Civilian COVID-19 Patients as Govt Facilities Struggle to Cope

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 07:11 AM PDT

The Tatmadaw has admitted 150 civilian COVID-19 patients at a military medical center in Yangon as government facilities struggle to cope with the soaring caseload.

Many Myanmar Migrants in Thailand To Be Denied Vote as Extra Polling Stations Ruled Out

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 06:32 AM PDT

Many Myanmar migrants in Thailand won't be able to vote in the upcoming election, as polling stations outside Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been ruled out due to COVID-19.

Chinese Companies Flocking to Southern Myanmar’s Industrial Complex Megaproject

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 03:44 AM PDT

Chinese investors are far outpacing their Japanese and Thai counterparts in proposing projects for the $8-billion Dawei Special Economic Zone in Tanintharyi Region.

Rakhine Villagers Defy COVID-19 Lockdown to Flee Myanmar’s Military Offensive

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 02:39 AM PDT

Nearly 3,000 villagers have fled their homes after naval shelling and the threat of military raids in response to alleged action by the Arakan Army.

Myanmar Reports Over 1,000 COVID-19 Cases in a Day

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 02:30 AM PDT

Twenty deaths were reported in a single day in Myanmar as Yangon, at the center of the outbreak, looks for a different strategy. 

Clothing Factories Forced to Close in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Region After COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 02:20 AM PDT

Four staff in Pathein factories have tested positive for coronavirus, forcing a two-week closure for all garment operations across the region.

Westerner Behind the Wheel

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 01:03 AM PDT

In the sixth and final installment of his series on driving outside Yangon, Oliver Hargreave visits sacred pagodas and majestic palaces in the Mon heartland and Bago.

Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong Arrested for 2019 Mask Protest

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:12 PM PDT

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong was arrested Thursday for demonstrating last year against a law that aimed to prevent pro-democracy protesters from concealing their faces.

The Day the Leader of a Historic Challenge to British Rule Died

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 07:00 PM PDT

On this day 77 years ago Myanmar lost Thakin Pho Hla Gyi, a pivotal figure in the struggle for independence and workers' rights, to cancer at the age of just 35.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Violence Erupts Shortly After Myanmar Political Parties Hit Campaign Trail

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 06:56 AM PDT

So far, this year's campaign period has seen more election-related violence than the previous poll, including vandalism, rioting and intimidation of an election official.

Staff Test COVID-19 Positive at Hotel in Myanmar’s Second-Biggest City

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 04:29 AM PDT

A Mandalay regional lawmaker has dismissed rumors that the 23 members of female staff were masseurs.

Myanmar Overtakes Malaysia’s COVID-19 Death Toll

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 03:25 AM PDT

One of Yangon's health chiefs says the infection rate in the city has fallen from around 500 per day to 300 during this week.

China Taking Increasingly Aggressive Posture in Border Row With India

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 01:48 AM PDT

Emerging reports of a Chinese troop buildup along its disputed border with India remind us of the region's bloody history.

Thai Health Authorities Keeping a Close Eye on Myanmar

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 01:35 AM PDT

The Thai Department of Disease Control has warned local businesses not to hire foreign workers after 592 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Myanmar on Wednesday.

Karen Ethnic Affairs Minister Candidates in Myanmar’s Yangon Square Off in Online Debate

Posted: 24 Sep 2020 01:05 AM PDT

Three candidates cover a wide range of issues while spelling out their differences of opinion.

Indonesia to Start ‘Food Estate’ Project Despite Criticism

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 10:45 PM PDT

Jakarta is proceeding with a controversial program to plant more crops to ensure food security; critics say the plan repeats the failed strategies of the past.

Fujifilm May Seek Approval for COVID-19 Drug Next Month

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 10:24 PM PDT

Japan's Fujifilm Holdings is considering seeking approval for use of its drug Avigan to treat COVID-19 as early as October after it successfully eased patients' symptoms.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Region Prepares Temporary Hospitals to Tackle Rise in COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 05:00 AM PDT

Ayeyarwady Region is preparing numerous temporary clinics as coronavirus cases rise to 143.

Chinese Media Say Western Groups Paying Myanmar NGOs to Oppose Investment Projects

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 04:15 AM PDT

Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece the Global Times has accused local groups opposed to Beijing's megaprojects in Myanmar of spreading 'Western propaganda'.

Myanmar Reports 69 COVID-19 Deaths in Six Days

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 04:11 AM PDT

Yangon continues to suffer the most from coronavirus with around 500 new cases reported per day.

Huge Explosion at KIA Arms Depot in Northern Myanmar

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 01:54 AM PDT

The Kachin Independence Army has denied rumors that valuable weapons were destroyed by the blast.

Economic Clouds Gathering on China’s Horizon

Posted: 23 Sep 2020 01:28 AM PDT

Even before COVID-19, China's economy was struggling due to over-investment, low productivity, modest consumer spending and demographic changes; its prognosis is bleak.

Japan to Ease COVID-19 Entry Ban to Allow Long-Term Stays

Posted: 22 Sep 2020 11:05 PM PDT

Japan plans to resume admitting foreigners for long-term stays from next month, but regular tourists will remain barred as a COVID-19 precaution.

US Coronavirus Deaths Exceed 200,000, University Reports

Posted: 22 Sep 2020 10:59 PM PDT

US President Donald Trump has faced renewed criticism of his handling of the coronavirus epidemic as the country's death toll passed 200,000.