Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Border Gate Forced to Open as Myanmar Migrant Workers Leave Thailand Amid COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 06:24 AM PDT

Myawaddy on the Thai border is being flooded with returning migrants as they flee COVID-19 and factory closures.

Suu Kyi Consoles Myanmar People Amid COVID-19, Stresses Health Guidelines, Calm

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 06:07 AM PDT

The State Counselor said the country will not face food shortages but will fight the outbreak using strength of the people and urged citizens to respect quarantine rules.

Myanmar Imposes Community Quarantines After COVID-19 Patient Visit

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 05:35 AM PDT

The Chin State village that one of Myanmar's first coronavirus patients visited is now under community quarantine and travel in surrounding areas is restricted.

Myanmar Bans Beach Tours Amid COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 05:16 AM PDT

Ayeyarwady Region has stopped tours of its popular beaches and other tourist destinations to counter the coronavirus threat.

Myanmar to Quarantine Arrivals from All Countries Over COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 04:43 AM PDT

The government has ordered quarantines at government facilities for all travelers except diplomats and UN officials arriving from any country.

Myanmar Health Ministry: Both Coronavirus Patients Stable

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 03:16 AM PDT

Neither of Myanmar's two COVID-19 patients had serious health conditions and the public should avoid spreading misinformation, said the health ministry.

Myanmar Govt Declares Arakan Army a Terrorist Group

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 03:08 AM PDT

The government has said that the Arakan Army, its political wing the United League of Arakan and associated groups "constitute a danger to law and order," peace and stability.

Arakan Army Attacks Myanmar Military Training School in Rakhine

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 03:00 AM PDT

The Arakan Army has attacked a military training school on the Yangon-Sittwe road in Rakhine State, resulting in multiple casualties, according to Myanmar's military.

Laos records first two coronavirus cases: Thai media

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 02:54 AM PDT

A 28-year-old male hotel worker and a 36-year-old female tour guide are treated at a hospital.

Myanmar Universities Suspend Exams as First COVID-19 Cases Confirmed

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 02:15 AM PDT

Many universities in Myanmar have suspended examinations after the government announced that the country's first two COVID-19 cases have been confirmed.

Yangon Minister Quarantined After Coronavirus Contact

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 01:37 AM PDT

Yangon social affairs minister U Naing Ngan Lin is in isolation after coming into contact with a student who has tested coronavirus positive after returning from the UK.

Key Data for Myanmar & COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 12:35 AM PDT

As Myanmar has confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19, The Irrawaddy traces key data for suspected and confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.

Myanmar reports first cases of coronavirus

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 07:36 PM PDT

A 36-year-old travelling from the United States and 26-year-old returning from Britain, both Myanmar nationals, had tested positive.

Monday, March 23, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


The Untouchable Articles in Myanmar’s Constitution

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 07:27 AM PDT

The Irrawaddy presents what the military and its proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party did not want to be changed in the 2008 Constitution.

Myanmar Prepares Quarantine Centers as Official COVID-19 Count Remains at Zero

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 05:57 AM PDT

The government is preparing stadiums, apartments, a meditation center and other sites to serve as quarantine centers for people arriving from areas hit badly by COVID-19.

Myanmar to Deport 86 Chinese Migrants for Illegal Residency After Yangon Bust

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 05:42 AM PDT

The Yangon authorities say they will deport 86 illegal Chinese migrants after 118 were found in two Yangon homes in a weekend raid.

Thai Border Closures Over COVID-19 Spark Myanmar Migrants Return, Health Concerns

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 05:27 AM PDT

Myanmar workers coming from Thailand face home quarantines and high-risk journeys back to their families as the two governments shut the border.

Myanmar’s Military Braced for Coronavirus Outbreak: Spokesman

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 02:49 AM PDT

Myanmar's military says it is well-prepared for a possible coronavirus outbreak with teams of medics and quarantine measures in place.

Long Way to Go but Marching to It: 20 Years of Pushing Political Reform in Myanmar

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 02:49 AM PDT

A letter from Myanmar's Assistance Association for Political Prisoners on the 20th anniversary of their founding shows how far the country has come and how far is left to go.

Malaysia Deploys Army as Coronavirus Measures Spread Across Southeast Asia

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 01:18 AM PDT

Malaysia has deployed its army to help police enforce a two-week restriction on travel in the country as it continues to see the region's highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir Tested Negative for Coronavirus, Still Under Quarantine

Posted: 22 Mar 2020 10:18 PM PDT

The 94-year-old former Malaysian prime minister tested negative for the coronavirus but remains under home quarantine.

H&M Lines Up Supply Chain to Deliver Protective Gear to Hospitals

Posted: 22 Mar 2020 10:13 PM PDT

Clothing retailer H&M says it will use its vast supply chain network to source protective equipment for hospitals in the European Union to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


This Week in Parliament

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 09:00 PM PDT

The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

Factories Should not use COVID-19 as an Excuse to Sack Staff

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 09:00 PM PDT

The heads of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar and Our Generation Network tell The Irrawaddy factories should not use COVID-19 as an excuse to sack staff.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 08:30 PM PDT

It's been a busy business week in Myanmar with the government looking to protect firms from COVID-19 and the textile sector taking drastic measures to import supplies.

The Day the Thai Princess Visited Myanmar

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:30 PM PDT

On this day in 1986, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made her first visit to Myanmar at the invitation of dictator General Ne Win.

Friday, March 20, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Thailand to Shut One of Two Border Crossings With Myanmar Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:37 AM PDT

Thai officials said one border crossing between Mae Sot and Myanmar's Myawaddy will be closed; the other will remain open to those with border passes.

NLD Government No Match for Myanmar Military Chief on Charter Change

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:33 AM PDT

The results of the recent parliamentary voting on charter change show us there is only person in the country who can change the Constitution.

Bangladesh Hands Over List of 492,000 Rohingya to Myanmar

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:16 AM PDT

Bangladesh's foreign minister says Myanmar's response to the Rohingya refugee crisis has been woeful. 

Singaporean and Myanmar Artists Blend Photos and Poetry at ‘Tempo(rary)’

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 05:29 AM PDT

"Tempo(rary)" is an exhibition by Myanmar artist Maung Day and Singaporean artist Marc Nair, featured at Singapore Festival 2020 and now on display at Rosewood Yangon.

NLD Proposal to End Immunity for Myanmar’s Ex-Military Govt Fails to Pass in Charter Vote

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 04:30 AM PDT

On Parliament's final day of voting on proposed constitutional amendments, the NLD's bid to scrap immunity for former junta members was voted down.

Foreign Arrivals to Thailand Require Medical Certificate, $100K Insurance for COVID-19

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 04:14 AM PDT

The Thai government has announced that all foreign arrivals to the country will need to carry health insurance and a medical certificate showing they don't have COVID-19.

Myanmar’s Nouveau Riche Wear Their Wealth on Their Sleeves

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 03:29 AM PDT

At a recent event to honor major donors to the welfare of Buddhism, the honorees—draped in gold and gems—made sure no one was in any doubt as to their staggering wealth.

Combating Fake News in the Time of Coronavirus in Myanmar

Posted: 20 Mar 2020 01:50 AM PDT

The Irrawaddy talks with Dr. Htoo Myint Swe from the Ministry of Health about how his team works to share the latest updates and information on COVID-19.

Hanoi Postpones ASEAN Leaders Summit Until Late June Amid Coronavirus Fears

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:43 PM PDT

Vietnam has postponed next month's ASEAN leaders summit in Danang until June due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

India Executes Four Men for Brutal 2012 Delhi Bus Rape and Murder

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:36 PM PDT

Four men convicted of the brutal 2012 rape and murder of a young woman riding a bus in New Delhi were executed by hanging on Friday.

Amid Coronavirus, God Goes Online to Reach Worshippers

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:24 PM PDT

Religious leaders of many faiths are turning to streaming technology to reach congregations as more and more countries ban public gatherings due to the coronavirus.

Indonesia Should ‘Prepare for the Worst’ on Coronavirus, Red Cross Says

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:06 PM PDT

The head of Indonesia's Red Cross has warned that the number of coronavirus cases in the country is likely to be far higher than reported due to insufficient testing.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Civilians Killed, Wounded by Landmines in Southern Myanmar

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 06:44 AM PDT

An ethnic Mon man died after stepping on a landmine in Mon State's Ye Township while going fishing in an area that has seen clashes between Mon and Karen armed groups.

Myanmar Closes All Land Borders to Foreigners

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 06:36 AM PDT

Myanmar has announced the closure of all its land borders to foreign nationals in a preventative measure against the coronavirus.

NLD’s Bid to End Myanmar Military’s Constitutional Grip on National Security Voted Down

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 05:25 AM PDT

The NLD's bid to scrap charter provisions giving the military sole responsibility for all armed forces and 'safeguarding the nation' fell short in parliamentary voting.

Myanmar Airbase Accident Injures Local Woman in Explosion

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 05:21 AM PDT

A local resident in Magwe was injured Tuesday when a piece of a weapon at Magwe Airbase slipped and struck a warehouse. The air force is allegedly compensating the victim.

Myanmar’s Bygone Rangoon Government House

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 04:33 AM PDT

Over 80 years, the Government House went through an evolution of British colonial governors, presidents of Myanmar and eventual neglect until Ne Win had it demolished in 1978.

Weaving Local Threads: How A Myanmar Designer Built Her Brand, Art Che Lone

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 03:43 AM PDT

A local Yangon clothing designer has built a made-in-Myanmar brand selling trendy, colorful and simple clothes for women, made entirely from Inle Lake cotton.

Myanmar Unveils $70-Million Stimulus Package to Ease Economic Blow From Virus

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 12:54 AM PDT

SMEs, travel, garment and other businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic will receive low-interest loans and tax deferrals under the government's new stimulus package.

Pandemic Makes Case for Partnership Between ROK and Myanmar, Other Mekong Nations

Posted: 19 Mar 2020 12:41 AM PDT

The steps Korea has taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus, recently held up as exemplary by the WHO, hold valuable lessons for its partners in the Mekong region.

China’s Wuhan Reports No New Coronavirus Infections for First Time

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 10:15 PM PDT

For the first time since the coronavirus emerged there late last year, the Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday reported no new infections.

Coronavirus Surges Across SE Asia as Malaysia Warns of ’Tsunami’ of Cases

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 10:14 PM PDT

The number of coronavirus infections across Southeast Asia surged on Wednesday, with Indonesia now leading the region in virus-related deaths.

Coronavirus Compensation Promised to Poor Workers in India

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 09:59 PM PDT

India's Uttar Pradesh state has announced it will compensate day laborers who lose work due to the coronavirus; first it must tackle a shortage of data on workers.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Myanmar’s Military MPs Accuse NLD of Smear Campaign After Constitutional Amendment Failure

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 06:05 AM PDT

The National League for Democracy is trying to drive a wedge between the people and armed forces because its constitutional amendments were rejected, claim military MPs.

Myanmar’s Military Ditches Irrawaddy and Reuters Lawsuits

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 05:50 AM PDT

After almost a year, Myanmar's military has abandoned its lawsuit against The Irrawaddy over coverage of the Rakhine State conflict.

Myanmar Suspends Overseas Employment Process to Counter Coronavirus 

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 05:28 AM PDT

Myanmar's Department of Labor has suspended its international employment program to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

Myanmar Parliament Approves Amendment to Constitution’s Language on Chief Minister Appointments

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 03:46 AM PDT

The Myanmar Parliament has approved a proposal to remove language deemed unnecessary from a charter provision on the appointment of state and regional chief ministers.

UK Embassy Tells Citizens to Leave Myanmar Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Posted: 18 Mar 2020 01:57 AM PDT

The UK Embassy in Yangon is concerned the coronavirus will pressure Myanmar's healthcare system and flights may be cancelled, though the country so far has no confirmed cases.

Myanmar’s Churches Close, Scale Back Easter Services to Prevent Coronavirus

Posted: 17 Mar 2020 11:25 PM PDT

To prevent an outbreak of coronavirus, Myanmar's churches have limited prayer services and announced scaled-back plans for Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations.

How a Mass Pilgrimage at a Malaysian Mosque Became a Coronavirus Hotspot

Posted: 17 Mar 2020 10:32 PM PDT

A gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur in late February and early March appears to have been the source of hundreds of new coronavirus infections across Southeast Asia.

Italy Reports Over 30,000 Coronavirus Cases With More Than 2,500 Deaths

Posted: 17 Mar 2020 10:21 PM PDT

In Italy, the hardest-hit country after China, infections and deaths from coronavirus rose by 3,526 and 345 respectively in the latest count.

In Slums and Windowless Apartments, Asia’s Poor Bear Brunt of Coronavirus

Posted: 17 Mar 2020 09:56 PM PDT

High population density and lack of sanitation infrastructure put Asia's slums and informal low-income settlements at risk.