Friday, August 9, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Govt Again Bans Use of ‘Martyr’ to Mark Karen Revolutionary’s Death

Posted: 09 Aug 2019 06:33 AM PDT

Official letter from regional govt orders Karen cultural committees not to refer to Karen hero Saw Ba U Gyi as a 'martyr' in events to mark his death on Aug. 12.

TNLA, MNDAA Attack Myanmar Army Base in N. Shan State

Posted: 09 Aug 2019 04:13 AM PDT

Tatmadaw says the attack shows the groups do not want peace; no casualties reported in assault on battalion HQ in Muse District.

Myanmar, Korea to Build Industrial Facility North of Yangon

Posted: 09 Aug 2019 03:36 AM PDT

$110-million complex in Hlegu to focus on exports, create up to 100,000 jobs; the KMIC project is a joint venture between two state agencies.

Megaprojects a Double-Edged Sword for Myanmar

Posted: 09 Aug 2019 03:13 AM PDT

Ten major projects currently planned with powerful neighboring countries promise to address Myanmar's infrastructure needs, but have the social, environmental and other costs been fully assessed?

Myanmar Parliament Approves Constitutional Amendment Committee Report

Posted: 09 Aug 2019 02:24 AM PDT

With a majority of lawmakers voting in favor of the report, the committee will now begin drafting an amending bill to Myanmar's Constitution.

Ten Dead, Dozens Missing in Landslides in Myanmar’s Mon State

Posted: 09 Aug 2019 01:24 AM PDT

Ten people have died and 30 are missing after a landslide—brought on by the heavy monsoon rains that are now plaguing southern Myanmar—buried ten homes.

Smart Home Tech Makes Inroads into China’s Emerging Elderly Care Market

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 10:31 PM PDT

With a half a billion people 60 or over expected by 2050—35 percent of its population—Chinese entrepreneurs are leveraging technology to care for the elderly.

US Calls China ‘Thuggish Regime’ for Singling out US Diplomat in Hong Kong

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 10:15 PM PDT

The Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao published a photo of a diplomat in the US consulate's political section meeting with student leaders of the protest.

Hong Kong Airport on Alert Ahead of Fresh Wave of Protests

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 10:05 PM PDT

Activists plan to converge on the airport on Friday afternoon, with more protests planned across the city at the weekend.

Bangkok Bombings May be Linked to Politics: Police

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 09:52 PM PDT

Two suspects from a restive southern Thai province were detained Friday. They're among 15 suspects, not all of them have ties to the south, police say.
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Thursday, August 8, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Ominous Rumblings in Myanmar’s ‘Abode of Kings’

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 07:42 AM PDT

The generals who built Naypyitaw will not be forced from it via charter change; can the city's old and new residents work together to manage a transition to democracy?

Hotels in Myanmar’s Capital Struggling to Survive

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 05:19 AM PDT

In the Naypyitaw Hotel Zone, in Myanmar's sleepy administrative capital, 'doing fine' generally means incurring only small annual loses, hoteliers say.

Sedona Hotel Brings Taste of China to Myanmar

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 04:47 AM PDT

If you're in Myanmar's commercial capital this mid-autumn but craving a festive Chinese treat, you're in luck. The Sedona Hotel offers nine flavors of Chinese mooncake.

Japanese Firms to Push Growth in Myanmar Insurance Market

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 04:06 AM PDT

With foreign companies receiving the green light to partner with local insurers, Japanese firms are taking the lead in growing Myanmar's insurance market.

Floods Displace Scores Across S. Myanmar

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 03:46 AM PDT

A deep tropical depression over India has brought heavy monsoon rains to Myanmar this week, displacing tens of thousands across regions in southern Myanmar.

Myanmar’s ’88 Uprising Veterans Call for Military’s Full Withdrawal from Politics

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 03:34 AM PDT

At an event to mark the 31st anniversary of Myanmar's mass protests against dictatorship, ex-student leaders say the movement's democratic goals have yet to be achieved.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Former Myanmar Military Officer

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 03:34 AM PDT

U Hla Swe, former Tatmadaw lieutenant-colonel and USDP representative in Myanmar's Upper House, has been charged with sedition.

Suu Kyi-led Rakhine Development Agency Says UN Report ‘Intended to Harm’ Myanmar

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 02:59 AM PDT

The report accused a public-private partnership program led by Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of contributing to international crimes against humanity.

Myanmar Govt Pushing At-Work Lactation Rooms for Nursing Mothers

Posted: 08 Aug 2019 02:08 AM PDT

In Myanmar, where over half of all mothers breastfeed for the recommended first six months, private-sector workers are entitled to just 14 weeks of maternity leave.

The Day Gen. Aung San Left in Search of an Ally against the British

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 09:56 PM PDT

On this day in 1940, Gen. Aung San sailed for China on a journey that would lead to the birth of Myanmar's first modern army and launch his fight against British rule.

The Day Myanmar Fought for Democracy

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 06:51 PM PDT

August 8, 1988 holds a special place in the modern history of Myanmar—a day when nearly every citizen took to the streets to demand democracy from a tyrannical regime.

The Women of 1988

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 06:29 PM PDT

On this historic day, read the stories of seven Myanmar women spanning several generations that helped shape the '88 uprising and the democracy movement it spawned.

30 Years on, the Mission of Regime Change Remains a Work in Progress

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 05:59 PM PDT

Thirty years on, which aims of Myanmar's '88 uprising have been realized and which remain to be achieved, asks The Irrawaddy English Editor Kyaw Zwa Moe in this 2018 op-ed.

Unexploded Firebomb Discovered in Thai Capital

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 05:45 PM PDT

Thai authorities recovered an unexploded firebomb at the popular Prathunam market in central Bangkok on Wednesday—leftovers, they say, from a recent explosion.

Chinese Ship Heads Away from Vietnam in South China Sea Standoff

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 05:43 PM PDT

A Chinese survey ship embroiled in a tense, month-long standoff with Vietnam has turned away from a Vietnamese exclusive economic zone, a US-based think tank says.
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Wednesday, August 7, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

African Swine Suspected in Eastern Myanmar

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 05:34 AM PDT

Several thousand pigs have died in the last 18 days. Serum samples are currently being tested and, if positive, it would be the first instance of the disease in Myanmar.

The Long-Lived Tyrants of the Khmer Rouge—and Myanmar

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 05:28 AM PDT

Thoughts on 'Brother No. 2' Nuon Chea and 'Big Daddy' Ne Win

Myanmar Times Co-Founder Ross Dunkley Jailed for 13 Years in Drugs Case

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 04:52 AM PDT

The Australian was arrested with a compatriot and five Myanmar women at his Yangon home last year with a huge stash of meth and heroin.

Shan Heritage Group to Petition Myanmar President for Return of Palace Land

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 03:42 AM PDT

Campaign calls on NLD to honor promise to allow Shan community to rebuild Haw Long Palace in Kengtung, which was destroyed by the military regime in 1991.

Deputy Commander of Myanmar Military Battalion Killed in Clash with Arakan Army

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 03:41 AM PDT

Family confirms death of Maj. Win Myo Aung of Light Infantry Battalion No. 105; Tatmadaw admits casualties in Chin State's Paletwa Township, but does not identify them.

Getting Serious About Food Safety in Myanmar

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 03:04 AM PDT

The Irrawaddy talks to the Mekong Institute's Dwight Jason Ronan, Myanmar country coordinator, about food safety at home and in neighboring countries.

Primary School Teacher Detained in Rakhine State

Posted: 07 Aug 2019 12:16 AM PDT

He was on his way to the monastery he teaches displaced children at when he was arrested for "doing something suspicious with his phone," school staff say they were told.

Tiny Loans Lead to Bigger Debts, Land Losses in Cambodia

Posted: 06 Aug 2019 10:28 PM PDT

About 10-15 percent of land held by Cambodian farmers has been lost due to failure to repay microloans, according to one expert.

Hong Kong Facing Biggest Crisis Since Handover: Senior China Official

Posted: 06 Aug 2019 09:59 PM PDT

Zhang Xiaoming, one of the most senior Chinese officials overseeing Hong Kong affairs, made the comments at a Shenzhen forum China organized to discuss the crisis.

India’s Ladakh Buddhist Enclave Jubilant at New Status but China Angered

Posted: 06 Aug 2019 09:39 PM PDT

Ladakh residents believe the move from New Delhi could spur tourism and help counter Chinese influence in the contested western-Himalayan region.
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Tuesday, August 6, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Govt Rejects UN Report Calling for Boycott of Military-Tied Companies

Posted: 06 Aug 2019 06:02 AM PDT

Fact-finding mission's call for sanctions over Rohingya crisis seeks to harm the country and its people, Foreign Ministry says.

Muslim Leader Files Suit Against Ex-Officer for ‘Hate Speech’ Against Islam

Posted: 06 Aug 2019 05:23 AM PDT

U San Aung says former USDP lawmaker U Hla Swe's speech during anti-sanctions rally violated Article 295(a), which outlaws attacks on religious beliefs.

Myanmar Tycoon Serge Pun Joins Panel in North Korea

Posted: 06 Aug 2019 04:03 AM PDT

The Yoma Strategic Group executive chairman took part in a panel in Pyongyang this week. Here's what we've learned so far.

Weather Concerns Halt Water Transit in Irrawaddy Region

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 11:30 PM PDT

Water transit has been shut down in parts of Irrawaddy Region due to strong winds and heavy rains, halting flows of people and commodities.

The Day 5 Former Residents of Hiroshima Counted Their Blessings

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 11:00 PM PDT

On this day in 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan in the final days of WWII. Luckily, five Myanmar scholars who had been studying in the city had moved to other parts of Japan by then.

Drought Reveals Lost Temple in Thailand Submerged by Dam

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 09:31 PM PDT

The Wat Nong Bua Yai temple was submerged during damn construction in Lupburi, Thailand just 20 years ago. A drought in 2015 similarly exposed the temple's ruins.

India Scraps Special Status for Kashmir in Step Pakistan Calls Illegal

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 09:18 PM PDT

The move applies India's national constitution to the region, which previously had special privileges, and lifts bans on property purchases by non-residents.
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Monday, August 5, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Military-Backed Mytel Announces Successful Test of 5G Service

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 07:49 AM PDT

Technology provided by China's Huawei; company says service should be available next year, though govt has yet to allocate spectrum, and handsets not yet available.

Nearly 60 Foreign Firms Tied to Military Businesses: UN Report

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 07:31 AM PDT

Mission experts say these companies contribute to financing the "wide array of human rights and humanitarian law violations" the military commits.

Hundreds Trapped on Highway in N. Shan as TNLA Fights Military

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 03:46 AM PDT

Commuters in dozens of vehicles stranded without food outside village in Kutkai Township; fighting erupted Sunday and resumed Monday.

Myanmar to Join International Anti-Corruption Academy

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 03:39 AM PDT

A proposal by President U Win Myint to join an international anti-corruption training institution was approved by Parliament on Monday.

Charter Amendments Won’t Pass Without Military Support: U Shwe Mann

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 03:36 AM PDT

The former Lower House speaker and ex-general said lawmakers must work with the Tatmadaw to overcome the current constitutional crisis.

Ex-Industry Minister ‘Violated Office Procedures’: Govt Spokesman

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 12:22 AM PDT

The finding against U Khin Maung Cho, who resigned late last month amid corruption allegations, was made by a team of ministers, not the anti-graft commission.

Strike Grips Hong Kong as Leader Warns Protests Challenge China’s Sovereignty

Posted: 04 Aug 2019 10:01 PM PDT

Beijing-backed Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam addressed media for the first time in two weeks Monday, saying the city is nearing an "extremely dangerous situation."

Kashmir Turmoil Rises as India Restricts Movement, Regional Leaders Fear Arrest

Posted: 04 Aug 2019 09:12 PM PDT

Indian authorities have mandated a bar on public rallies or meetings in the region, and officials say internet service has been shut down in parts of the state.
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Sunday, August 4, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Day Dictator Ne Win Won Asia’s Nobel Prize

Posted: 03 Aug 2019 07:00 PM PDT

Fifty-nine years ago today, the ruthless military dictator Ne Win was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award. He refused it, believing it to be a tool of the American CIA.
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Saturday, August 3, 2019

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Constitutional Amendment: What’s the best way forward?

Posted: 02 Aug 2019 08:30 PM PDT

This week, The Irrawaddy talks to one of the NLD's point men on charter change about the party's objectives for the process, and what's at stake for the country.
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