Tuesday, May 19, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar to Double Health Spending to Supply Free Medicines

Posted: 19 May 2020 06:17 AM PDT

The health ministry will spend 300 billion kyats (US$216 million) in the next fiscal year as the numbers seeking treatment at public hospitals has increased year by year.

Thailand Allows Stranded Myanmar Migrants to Return

Posted: 19 May 2020 05:22 AM PDT

Buses under police guard will bring migrants from Bangkok to Mae Sot each night as Thailand grants an exception to its travel bans to send migrants home.

Investigation of Nursing University Building Collapse Underway

Posted: 19 May 2020 05:08 AM PDT

The Myanmar Engineering Society is investigating the partial collapse of the Yangon Nursing University building on Sunday to determine the cause.

Almost 200 Homes Set Ablaze in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Posted: 19 May 2020 03:39 AM PDT

Displaced residents of Lekka Village say the Myanmar military burned down over half of their homes, while the military blames the Arakan Army.

Myanmar Power Plants Delayed by COVID-19 to Start Operating in Coming Months

Posted: 19 May 2020 03:31 AM PDT

Five emergency power projects approved in the wake of outages last year but delayed by COVID-19 will be operating by September, the deputy electricity minister said.

Myanmar Police Make Asia’s Biggest-Ever Drugs Bust in Shan State

Posted: 19 May 2020 02:12 AM PDT

A massive drug bust in Shan State included a huge haul of liquid fentanyl—a sign that local drug syndicates are moving into the lucrative opioid business.

Myanmar Court Releases Muslim Boys With Orders Not to Break COVID-19 Restrictions

Posted: 19 May 2020 02:05 AM PDT

A Mandalay juvenile court ordered two Muslim boys not to violate restrictions again after they were arrested for attending a religious gathering in April.

Scholar’s Account of Myanmar’s Intelligence Apparatus Lets Its Former Chief Off Lightly

Posted: 19 May 2020 01:55 AM PDT

David Scott Mathieson reviews Andrew Selth's 2019 book 'Secrets and Power in Myanmar: Intelligence and the Fall of General Khin Nyunt'.

Progress in Myanmar Will Require Patience: Outgoing US Ambassador Marciel

Posted: 18 May 2020 11:35 PM PDT

US Ambassador Scot Marciel said the peace process faltered during his posting, but he leaves the country confident it has the human talent needed to reach its goals.

Trump Threatens Permanent Freeze in WHO Funding, Weighs US Membership

Posted: 18 May 2020 11:33 PM PDT

US President Trump said he would permanently cut off funding to the World Health Organization if it did not agree to 'substantive improvements' within 30 days.

India Coronavirus Infections Surge Past 100,000; Deaths Top 3,000

Posted: 18 May 2020 11:23 PM PDT

India's coronavirus outbreak is continuing to spread rapidly, with infections now exceeding 100,000 and more than 3,000 deaths reported.

Colonial Communications Hub Linked Myanmar with Outside World

Posted: 18 May 2020 08:00 PM PDT

The Central Telegraph Office in Yangon was completed by the British in 1917 and continued to play an important communications role under the Japanese and junta.
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Monday, May 18, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Return of Indian Rebels: Act of Friendship or Strategic Trade-Off?

Posted: 18 May 2020 07:11 AM PDT

Myanmar's recent repatriation of 22 captured Indian rebels suggests Naypyitaw's embrace of New Delhi as a counterweight to China is entering a more concrete phase.

Myanmar Government Promises Cash to Families Hit by COVID-19

Posted: 18 May 2020 06:07 AM PDT

Cash delivered to struggling families through phone apps is more efficient than delivering food packages, the government says.

Myanmar to Introduce Tougher Law to Control Communicable Diseases

Posted: 18 May 2020 05:54 AM PDT

Parliament is set to debate a new law on communicable disease control that will create a central committee to tackle outbreaks and boost punishments for violators.

Myanmar Hands 22 Assam, Meitei Rebels Over to Indian Govt

Posted: 18 May 2020 05:42 AM PDT

The rebels were detained for over a year after a raid on a Naga nationalist base near the Indian border.

Myanmar Migrants Deported from Malaysia Test Positive for COVID-19

Posted: 18 May 2020 05:24 AM PDT

Five Myanmar migrant workers out of hundreds deported from Malaysia in recent weeks have tested positive for COVID-19.

Rakhine Court Frees Civilians, Says No Evidence in Terrorism Case

Posted: 18 May 2020 01:54 AM PDT

A Rakhine court freed six civilians on Friday due to lack of evidence after they spent over a year in prison awaiting trial on terrorism charges.

Operator of China’s Alipay to Invest Over US$73 Million in Myanmar’s Wave Money

Posted: 17 May 2020 11:25 PM PDT

Alibaba's Ant Financial Services Group plans to invest US$73.5 million in Myanmar's Wave Money to upgrade the mobile payment company's technology and services.

Philippines Urges Coronavirus Vigilance as Shoppers Ignore Safety Protocols

Posted: 17 May 2020 10:20 PM PDT

As viral videos showed shoppers ignoring social distancing rules, the Philippine government reminded citizens of the need for continued vigilance against COVID-19.

China Reports Seven New Coronavirus Infections

Posted: 17 May 2020 10:13 PM PDT

China detected seven new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, including two in the northeastern province of Jilin.

Thai Economy Shrinks Most in Eight Years in Q1; Worse Yet to Come

Posted: 17 May 2020 10:12 PM PDT

Thailand's economy contracted by 1.8 percent in the first quarter and is predicted to shrink by 5-6 percent this year, as COVID-19 has decimated the tourism industry.
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Sunday, May 17, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Day Myanmar Experienced the Socialist Era’s First Demonetization

Posted: 16 May 2020 08:11 PM PDT

On this day in 1964, Gen. Ne Win's regime caused financial havoc when it demonetizedtwo banknotes and ceased exchanging them for legal tender just a few days later.
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Saturday, May 16, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

What Will it Take to Bring Struggling Myanmar Migrant Workers Home from Thailand?

Posted: 15 May 2020 08:30 PM PDT

The Irrawaddy talks with migrant worker rights advocates U Aung Kyaw and U Htoo Chit about why Myanmar migrants remain stuck in Thailand and the challenges they face.

The Irrawaddy Business Round-up

Posted: 15 May 2020 07:30 PM PDT

Businesses are emerging from COVID-19 restrictions and overseas investments have been announced but workers and fishing crews face economic turmoil.

The Day the Lawyer Behind Myanmar’s First Constitution Died

Posted: 15 May 2020 06:30 PM PDT

On this day in 1988, renowned Myanmar legal expert U Chan Htoon died in Yangon after a career spent designing the country's first constitution and serving on its Supreme Court.
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Friday, May 15, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Lockdown Lifted in Village That Reported Myanmar’s First COVID-19 Case

Posted: 15 May 2020 06:35 AM PDT

The government of Chin State has lifted a lockdown for residents of Keptel Village, where one of the first cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar was detected.

Myanmar to Reopen Schools in July with COVID-19 Challenges

Posted: 15 May 2020 05:28 AM PDT

Myanmar plans to reopen schools in July with face shields, masks, temperature checks and a staggered schedule designed to keep teachers and students safe.

Kachin Rebels Blame Law for Stopping COVID-19 Cooperation

Posted: 15 May 2020 04:21 AM PDT

The Kachin Independence Army says the colonial-era Unlawful Association Act blocks the group from working to control coronavirus.

Wild Elephant Poached in Myanmar’s Largest National Park

Posted: 15 May 2020 04:14 AM PDT

A wild elephant was found dead with its tusks cut in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, the first case of elephant poaching in 20 years in the sanctuary.

Taiwan’s Representative Vows to Help Myanmar Build Capacity to Fight COVID-19

Posted: 15 May 2020 02:21 AM PDT

Taiwan's representative in Myanmar talks to The Irrawaddy about Taipei's success in fighting COVID-19 and offers his thoughts on the post-pandemic investment landscape.

Myanmar Extends Ban on Gatherings, Int’l Flights, Other COVID-19 Measures

Posted: 15 May 2020 02:08 AM PDT

The Myanmar government has extended measures to control COVID-19, including a ban on gatherings and suspension of visas and international flights, until May 31.

China’s Wuhan Says It Has Tested Almost a Third of Its Residents for Coronavirus

Posted: 14 May 2020 10:38 PM PDT

Health officials in Wuhan, China have tested one-third of the city's 11 million residents for the coronavirus amid fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

Health Groups Ask India to Rescind Gilead’s Patents for COVID-19 Drug

Posted: 14 May 2020 10:09 PM PDT

Advocacy groups in India want the government to rescind drugmaker Gilead's patents for the COVID-19 drug remdesivir to ensure it is distributed fairly around the world.
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Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Major Cities to Ease Some COVID-19 Business Restrictions

Posted: 14 May 2020 06:50 AM PDT

While Mandalay is allowing businesses to reopen, some Yangon townships with no new cases for 20 days will lift various restrictions.

Two Muslim Children Killed, One Hurt in Mine Blast in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Posted: 14 May 2020 04:13 AM PDT

A Rohingya boy and girl died and a girl was injured when a landmine exploded as they were collecting firewood and fruit in an abandoned village in Buthidaung Township.

Residents Fined for Failing to use Face Masks in Myanmar’s Yangon

Posted: 14 May 2020 03:37 AM PDT

Anyone with an uncovered face risks court action as the authorities try to allow Myanmar's coronavirus hotspot to get back to work.

For Many in Myanmar, Working From Home Amid COVID-19 Poses Unexpected Challenges

Posted: 14 May 2020 01:36 AM PDT

Lack of human interaction, poor internet connections and frequent blackouts are among the problems employees face as they work from home amid COVID-19 restrictions.

New Zealand Lifts State of Emergency as COVID-19 Cases Decrease

Posted: 13 May 2020 10:44 PM PDT

New Zealand has lifted its state of emergency as the country prepares to ease its monthlong national COVID-19 lockdown.

US Accuses China-Linked Hackers of Stealing Coronavirus Research

Posted: 13 May 2020 10:39 PM PDT

The FBI is investigating hacking activity by China-linked 'cyber actors' attempting to illicitly obtain COVID-19 research, US authorities said.

Construction Delays, Dirty Pavements as Asian Cities Struggle Without Migrant Workers

Posted: 13 May 2020 10:25 PM PDT

With the cheap migrant labor that fuels much of Asia's economy unavailable due to COVID-19, cities in the region are facing shortages of workers in many key sectors.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Different Laws Applied to Myanmar COVID-19 Restrictions Lead to Inconsistent Punishments for Violators

Posted: 13 May 2020 06:57 AM PDT

While some violators of COVID-19 restrictions face light fines, others have been jailed, leading to questions over whether the courts are applying the laws consistently.

Five Civilians Injured by Shelling in Muslim Villages in Rakhine

Posted: 13 May 2020 05:52 AM PDT

Five civilians, including one Muslim religious scholar, were injured in Rakhine when Myanmar military troops fired artillery into their villages, according to local residents.

Yangon Extends Lockdown Measures for Myanmar’s COVID-19 Hotspots

Posted: 13 May 2020 05:00 AM PDT

Yangon has extended a partial lockdown for 10 townships that have the highest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Myanmar.

Thousands Sacked in Myanmar’s Commercial Hub Yangon Amid COVID-19 Downturn

Posted: 13 May 2020 04:24 AM PDT

The Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar says 6,355 factory jobs were axed last month as coronavirus hammers the manufacturing sector.

Myanmar Military Detains Soldiers Filmed Beating Rakhine Civilians

Posted: 13 May 2020 12:42 AM PDT

The Myanmar military will take legal action against a group of its soldiers shown beating five detained Rakhine civilians in a video that went viral online, a spokesman said.

China’s Wuhan to Test All Residents After New Virus Cluster Identified

Posted: 12 May 2020 11:42 PM PDT

In response to the discovery of a new COVID-19 cluster, the Chinese city of Wuhan will test all 11 million residents for the disease.

US Virus Death Toll ‘Almost Certainly’ Higher Than Official Count

Posted: 12 May 2020 11:27 PM PDT

Dr. Anthony Fauci, an adviser to the White House on COVID-19, told senators the death toll in the US is 'almost certainly' higher than the approximately 80,000 reported.

China’s Jilin City Imposes Travel Restrictions After New Coronavirus Cases

Posted: 12 May 2020 11:02 PM PDT

The city of Jilin in northeast China has reimposed travel restrictions in the wake of a spate of new COVID-19 cases.

Thai Social Entrepreneurs Helping the Needy Seek Assistance Amid COVID-19 Slowdown

Posted: 12 May 2020 10:36 PM PDT

Starved of cash by the COVID-19 lockdown, Thai social enterprises that employ socially disadvantaged people are calling for help from the government and companies.

India to Provide $266 Billion to Boost Pandemic-Hit Economy

Posted: 12 May 2020 10:21 PM PDT

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a sweeping package of financial and regulatory measures aimed at boosting the economy amid COVID-19.
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