Tuesday, July 21, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

In Myanmar, Even a Chief Minister is Prone to Military-Controlled Intelligence

Posted: 21 Jul 2020 08:03 AM PDT

Mandalay's chief minister, Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, expelled special branch agents from his press conference after he noticed them recording him.

Chinese Firms Ready to Take Responsibility for Mandalay Flood: Vice Mayor

Posted: 21 Jul 2020 07:41 AM PDT

A proper study is needed to decide how an Amarapura embankment collapsed, according to the vice mayor of Mandalay, U Ye Mon.

As the US and China Spar, Myanmar Walks a Tightrope

Posted: 21 Jul 2020 07:24 AM PDT

Myanmar cannot separate itself from China, but to safeguard its sovereignty it must cultivate strong ties with the US.

Sino-US War of Words in Myanmar a Test of Naypyitaw’s Allegiances

Posted: 21 Jul 2020 07:03 AM PDT

The current spat between the US and Chinese embassies has put pressure on Myanmar to choose sides, but it must maintain its neutral foreign policy.

Myanmar Military Arrests Soldiers for Killing Unarmed Karen Woman

Posted: 21 Jul 2020 04:58 AM PDT

The military has arrested two privates for the murder of Naw Mu Naw, a 40-year-old ethnic Karen woman shot in Papun last week, after intense criticism from Karen civil society.

UAE’s Mars Orbiter Successfully Launched by Mitsubishi Rocket

Posted: 20 Jul 2020 10:36 PM PDT

The Hope explorer, a Mars orbiter developed in Dubai that is due to reach the planet in seven months, was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Monday.

China Blasts Britain’s Suspension of Extradition Pact With Hong Kong

Posted: 20 Jul 2020 10:16 PM PDT

China accused Britain of meddling in its internal affairs after London suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of new security legislation.
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Monday, July 20, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Japan’s Pompous Emissary to Occupied Burma in WWII

Posted: 20 Jul 2020 07:43 AM PDT

Renzo Sawada, Japan's ambassador to Japanese-occupied Myanmar, was so arrogant that then-Foreign Affairs Minister U Nu left his job to become information minister.
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Saturday, July 18, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

How the Erosion of Sovereignty Elsewhere Impacts Myanmar at Home

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 08:30 PM PDT

The Chinese government's disrespect for the sovereignty of its Asian neighbors is reflected in the dubious tactics it uses to advance its economic interests inside Myanmar.

Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 08:00 PM PDT

This week, garment factories say they have almost no orders from the EU, the government says GDP will grow by 6 percent next year and China okays official rice imports Myanmar.

Myanmar’s 1988 Uprising Leaders Found New Party, Rally Voters of All Ages

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 06:30 PM PDT

This week, The Irrawaddy discusses Myanmar's 2020 election with U Ko Ko Gyi, a leader from the 1988 pro-democracy protests and founder of the new People's Party.
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Friday, July 17, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Conservationists Slam Moves for Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin’s Captive Breeding

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 06:57 AM PDT

Governmental approval of commercial breeding of 90 protected species, including the dolphin, will fail to protect wild animals and could boost the illegal wildlife trade.

Will Outlawing of Polling Stations on Military Bases Change Myanmar’s Electoral Landscape?

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 05:36 AM PDT

Poll monitors are hopeful recent legal changes requiring military voters to cast ballots alongside civilians will boost transparency and lead to fairer results on Nov. 8.

Artists Freed After Anti-Buddhist Claims Dropped Against COVID-19 Mural in Myanmar

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 04:28 AM PDT

Three Kachin State artists spent three months fighting allegations that a depiction of the Grim Reaper spreading coronavirus was supposed to look like a Buddhist monk.

Myanmar Military Claims its Investigators Attacked in Shan State

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 03:42 AM PDT

The military says its probe was sent to investigate an alleged killing by its troops in northern Shan State only to be attacked by the Restoration Council of Shan State.

Shwedagon Monks Say Buddha Statue Resembling Myanmar Dictator Doesn’t Violate Scripture

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 03:35 AM PDT

Buddhist monks in charge of Myanmar's holiest pagoda say a jade Buddha statue that some say looks like former dictator Than Shwe is fully in line with Buddhist scripture.

Myanmar Military Chief Affirms Support for China’s BRI Projects

Posted: 17 Jul 2020 02:06 AM PDT

In a meeting with the Chinese ambassador, commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the Tatmadaw's support for China's infrastructure projects in Myanmar.

Hong Kong Reports Record Daily Number of New COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 10:11 PM PDT

Hong Kong reported 67 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, a new daily record for the region; almost all the cases were locally transmitted.

Thai Coconut Farmers Reject Monkey Abuse Charges, Suffer Lost Income

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 10:05 PM PDT

A PETA campaign alleging abuse of monkeys by Thai coconut growers is false and has caused their income to drop, the farmers say.

Brazil Tops 2 Million Coronavirus Cases; Disease Now Affects One in 100 People

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 09:51 PM PDT

Reporting 20,000-40,000 new cases a day recently, Brazil is second to the US in terms of both COVID-19 cases and deaths, which stand at 76,688.
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Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Ethnic Chin Armed Group Tells AA: Leave Chin State, End Fighting With Myanmar Military

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 04:17 AM PDT

The Chin National Front has told the Arakan Army again that it must withdraw from Chin State's Paletwa, where the Rakhine armed group has been fighting the Myanmar military.

Myanmar Authorities Bust Illegal Bordertown Casino

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 04:14 AM PDT

Myanmar's military has led a raid on a large casino on the Thai border. Under the May 2019 Gambling Law gambling is only legal for foreigners.

Civilian Who Died in Custody in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Killed Himself, Military Says

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 02:10 AM PDT

One of six villagers detained by troops in Rakhine State's Yanbye Township killed himself while awaiting interrogation, the Myanmar army said.

Joint Vision Statement Brings New Twists in Thai-US Alliance

Posted: 16 Jul 2020 12:27 AM PDT

After the signing of a bilateral strategic statement, Washington will expect Bangkok to be more assertive in its support for US policies, especially in relation to China.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Garment Sector Facing Implosion as Orders Slump with COVID-19

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:36 AM PDT

Myanmar's many clothing factories have received almost no orders this year and thousands of workers face unemployment, owners warn.

‘The Govt Must Handle It Decisively’: Myanmar MP on Controversial China-Backed Development in Karen State

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:12 AM PDT

Shwe Kokko New City, a joint project by a Hong Kong firm and the Karen Border Guard Force, has raised concerns over its social impact and the company's shady background.

Stranded Myanmar Migrants in Jordan Poised to be Flown Home Amid COVID-19

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 05:47 AM PDT

The Jordanian authorities are yet to grant landing permission to the Myanmar Airways International flights that are due to fly home of hundreds of migrants.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Naypyitaw Candidacy in Myanmar Election Still Unconfirmed: NLD

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 05:37 AM PDT

The National League for Democracy says the party hasn't confirmed whether the State Counselor will run for a Parliament seat in a Naypyitaw township, contrary to rumors.

Myanmar Green Lights Commercial Crocodile Breeding for Zoos, Meat, Leather

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 04:57 AM PDT

Crocodiles can now be grown and sold commercially, raising new possibilities for one crocodile farm in Yangon that houses 500 crocodiles, some as long as 10 feet.

Neither Return nor More Compensation: Myanmar Military Stands Firmly on Farmers’ Confiscated Land

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 03:36 AM PDT


The Defense Ministry has rejected calls by farmers for more compensation and the return of their land after it was taken for a military-owned sugar
mill.

Weapons Seized in Mae Sot Destined for Myanmar’s Rakhine State: Intelligence Sources

Posted: 15 Jul 2020 03:22 AM PDT

Despite claims by Thai police that arms seized in Mae Sot in June were intended for domestic use, intelligence sources say the weapons were ordered by the AA and ARSA. 

US Drops Plan to Oust Foreign Students in Online-Only Classes

Posted: 14 Jul 2020 09:42 PM PDT

The Trump administration has dropped its bid to deny visas to foreign students whose classes have switched to online-only due to the pandemic.

Trump Signs Order to Fully End Preferential Treatment for Hong Kong

Posted: 14 Jul 2020 09:35 PM PDT

The US will no longer extend economic privileges to Hong Kong following President Trump's order ending the region's preferential status in the wake of China's crackdown.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Karen Border Guard Force Denies Knowledge of Chinese Who Entered Thailand Illegally

Posted: 14 Jul 2020 08:51 AM PDT

The Karen Border Guard Force said it had no knowledge of 16 Chinese men who illegally entered Thailand and claimed to have worked at the group's casinos.

Myanmar Extends COVID-19 Restrictions Until July 31

Posted: 14 Jul 2020 04:56 AM PDT

Myanmar will remain out of bounds to foreign visitors as the country extends travel and gathering restrictions.

‘We Are Weary of War’: Myanmar Religious Leaders Appeal for Unity Ahead of Vote

Posted: 14 Jul 2020 03:13 AM PDT

In a statement, representatives of religious groups in Myanmar have called for peace and questioned who is responsible for the country's 'never-ending' conflict.

Shan Groups Demand Myanmar Military Punish Troops Over Civilian Killing

Posted: 14 Jul 2020 02:28 AM PDT

Shan State residents and civil society groups say three Myanmar soldiers accused of killing a civilian and injuring two others must be tried in civilian court.

Jokowi Says Indonesia’s Virus Outbreak Expected to Peak in Aug-Sept

Posted: 13 Jul 2020 10:04 PM PDT

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the coronavirus epidemic in the country was likely to peak in Aug-Sept, four months later than first thought.

Hong Kong Disneyland to Close Again Amid Coronavirus Uptick

Posted: 13 Jul 2020 09:51 PM PDT

Hong Kong Disneyland will close again on Wednesday as the region tries to stem a rise in coronavirus cases.
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Monday, July 13, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Difficulties in Voting Leave Myanmar Migrants in Limbo as Election Approaches

Posted: 13 Jul 2020 05:19 AM PDT

Myanmar migrants and rights groups are voicing concerns that millions of voters living abroad will be left out of November's election, just as they were in 2015.

Myanmar’s Jade-Rich Hpakant Caught in a ‘Winner’s Curse’

Posted: 13 Jul 2020 04:51 AM PDT

The government must reform the way gems are mined and revenue is reported, or locals in Hpakant will continue to suffer from the 'curse' of their area's jade wealth.

Myanmar, China to Promote Cross-Border e-Commerce Systems

Posted: 13 Jul 2020 03:33 AM PDT

Senior Myanmar and Chinese officials and executives agreed at an online meeting to implement e-commerce systems to facilitate trade amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rakhine Woman Files Complaint Accusing Myanmar Military Troops of Gang Rape

Posted: 13 Jul 2020 02:24 AM PDT

A woman from Rathedaung filed a complaint with police saying she was raped by three Myanmar military soldiers who also attempted to rape her 19-year-old daughter.

Toyota to Fully Resume Global Output for First Time Since February

Posted: 12 Jul 2020 10:17 PM PDT

With the resumption of output at its plant in Venezuela, Toyota was set on Monday to return to full production after COVID-19 shutdowns for the first time since February.

Hong Kong Coronavirus Cases See Worst Surge Since Outbreak Began

Posted: 12 Jul 2020 10:06 PM PDT

The current spike in COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong is worse than the initial outbreak in March, health officials said.

The Day General Aung San Gave His Final Speech

Posted: 12 Jul 2020 06:30 PM PDT

Though criticized for its harsh wording, the address by Myanmar's independence hero on the reconstruction of Myanmar and public morality remains popular after all these years.
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Sunday, July 12, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Day Myanmar Said Farewell to Japan’s Maverick Wartime Spy

Posted: 11 Jul 2020 06:30 PM PDT

Colonel Suzuki Keiji was summoned back to Japan in 1942 amid fears that he was placing Myanmar's independence struggle before Japan's wartime interests.
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Saturday, July 11, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 10 Jul 2020 07:30 PM PDT

Foreign direct investment continues to arrive in Yangon despite the global impact of COVID-19 as the Naypyitaw authorities promise larger loans to keep employers afloat.
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