Wednesday, September 9, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Military Questions Authenticity of Soldiers’ Confessions on Rakhine Atrocities

Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:08 AM PDT

Legal experts also say Myanmar troops' videotaped confessions to killing Rohingya civilians may have been made under duress while in AA custody and might not hold up in court.

Myanmar Election Campaign Muted by COVID-19

Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:08 AM PDT

Candidates struggle with coronavirus restrictions – on top of security, transport and internet troubles – as the general election campaign starts with a whimper.

During High-Level Visit, China Takes Note of Myanmar’s ‘High Standards’ on BRI Projects

Posted: 09 Sep 2020 03:02 AM PDT

When Beijing sent a member of its elite Politburo to press for implementation of China's BRI projects, Myanmar officials stressed the need for 'quality investment'.

Myanmar’s Main Opposition Party Accuses NLD of COVID-19 Rules Breach During Campaign

Posted: 09 Sep 2020 02:18 AM PDT

Campaigners from the National League for Democracy gathered in large numbers in the capital, Naypyitaw, breaking health guidelines, claims the USDP's chairman.

Myanmar Reports 12th COVID-19 Death

Posted: 09 Sep 2020 01:53 AM PDT

Four coronavirus deaths have occurred in 12 hours as Yangon's case numbers overtake those in Rakhine State.

Dozens of Aides to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar President Quarantined

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 11:05 PM PDT

Nearly 30 staff of the Union President's Office and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's State Counselor's Office have been quarantined after an official tested positive for COVID-19.

Beijing Expects Japan’s Next PM to Be Conciliatory Amid US-China Tensions

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 10:55 PM PDT

China is expecting the likely next Japanese prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, to continue outgoing leader Shinzo Abe's conciliatory attitude toward Beijing.

ASEAN Talks Begin With Pandemic, S. China Sea, Rohingya on Agenda

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 10:46 PM PDT

ASEAN foreign ministers are meeting via videoconference to discuss COVID-19, the South China Sea dispute and the failure to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Policeman Catches COVID-19 After Rohingya Arrest

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 05:34 AM PDT

A police officer involved in the arrest of 42 undocumented Rohingya in Ayeyarwady Region has tested coronavirus-positive.

Myanmar Relaxes Criteria for Discharging COVID-19 Patients as Hospitals Fill Up

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 04:35 AM PDT

Myanmar's Health Ministry said most recovered COVID-19 patients can be released a minimum of 14 days after falling ill, and will no longer have to test negative twice.

Myanmar’s Election Body Bans Campaigning in COVID-19-Hit Townships

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 02:55 AM PDT

Coronavirus stay-at-home orders are expected to be imposed on more townships as campaigning begins ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.

Myanmar Extends Tax Deadline Until End of Year to Aid COVID-Hit Businesses

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 01:31 AM PDT

The Myanmar government has again pushed back its tax deadline, giving businesses until the end of the year to pay as the economic impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt.

Thailand Puts Border on Alert Amid COVID-19 Surge in Myanmar

Posted: 08 Sep 2020 01:23 AM PDT

Thai officials are closely monitoring the country's western border amid predictions that Myanmar's COVID-19 outbreak could reach the area in two weeks.

Chinese Institutions Gain Ground in Ranking of World’s Best Universities

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 09:54 PM PDT

Beijing's Tsinghua University leads a group of Chinese universities that have climbed the rankings of the world's finest academic institutions this year.

India Now Has World’s Second-Highest Number of COVID-19 Cases, Overtaking Brazil

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 09:43 PM PDT

India has reported more than 4.2 million cases of COVID-19, overtaking Brazil and making it the world's second-worst-affected country after the US.
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Monday, September 7, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Cancels First Campaign Trip as Health Minister Intervenes Over COVID-19 Concerns

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 06:29 AM PDT

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has dropped plans to kick off her election campaign in Kawhmu Township after two men with access to her residence tested positive for COVID-19.

Suu Kyi Urges COVID-19 Suspects from Myanmar’s Rakhine to Come Forward as Cases Soar

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 05:54 AM PDT

More than 2,000 returnees from the coronavirus hotbed have still failed to report to health centers upon arrival in Yangon.

AA Leader Says Myanmar Govt, Military Deliberately Spreading COVID-19 in Rakhine

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 04:49 AM PDT

A spokesman for the Myanmar President's Office has angrily rejected the AA leader's claim that government troops are intentionally spreading COVID-19 in Rakhine State.

Myanmar Hires German Firm to Oversee Bidding in Initial Phase of China-Backed New Yangon City

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 03:31 AM PDT

Germany's Roland Berger Co. will oversee a tender process to allow global firms to bid against China's CCCC to develop infrastructure for the New Yangon City project.

Health Workers Make Up 10% of Myanmar’s COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 07 Sep 2020 02:34 AM PDT

As of Monday morning, Myanmar reports 1,464 confirmed cases of which 1,090 cases were detected since Aug. 16.

Largest Party in Myanmar’s Rakhine Fires 4 Members for Registering as Independent Candidates

Posted: 06 Sep 2020 11:40 PM PDT

Three MPs and a township chapter chairman deny being kicked out of the Arakan National Party, saying they quit as the party broke its own rules on candidate selection.

Hundreds Arrested at Protest to Mark Date of Hong Kong’s Delayed Legislative Election

Posted: 06 Sep 2020 10:50 PM PDT

Hong Kong police arrested at least 289 people on Sunday for unlawful assembly at a protest to mark the original date of the territory's delayed legislative election.

N. Korea’s Kim Inspects Typhoon-Hit Areas, Criticizes Poor Coastal Safeguards

Posted: 06 Sep 2020 10:42 PM PDT

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered a recovery effort after inspecting typhoon-hit areas of the country's eastern coast.
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Saturday, September 5, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

COVID-19: The Facts About Myanmar’s ‘Second Wave’ and How Vaccines Work

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 08:00 PM PDT

This week, The Irrawaddy talks with public health expert Dr. Sitt Naing about the 'second wave' of COVID-19, virus mutations and what we can expect from a vaccine.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 07:30 PM PDT

COVID-19 continues to disrupt the global economy. Myanmar's exporters are being squeezed by the strong kyat and garment factories face a slump in orders.

Election 2020: The Week in Review

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 07:00 PM PDT

This week, the UEC approved 6,969 candidates, the NLD vowed to reform the military's role and Yangon's archbishop asked voters to reject crony politicians.

Better Protection of Myanmar Workers’ Rights Needed Amid COVID-19

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 06:30 PM PDT

More substantive action from the government is required to provide protection and relief for those who have lost their livelihoods due to COVID-19.
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Friday, September 4, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Military ‘Burns Down’ Rakhine Village in Western Myanmar: Residents

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 07:43 AM PDT

Troops allegedly responded to a landmine blast by killing two villagers and burning more than 200 homes.

China Grows More Assertive Ahead of Myanmar’s Election

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 07:29 AM PDT

China is clearly betting on the NLD to win November's election and support its BRI projects, but in Myanmar, embracing Beijing carries political risks.

Westerner Behind the Wheel

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 05:55 AM PDT

In the third article about touring by car in Myanmar, Oliver Hargreave describes researching a self-drive route.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Says Kayah State Chief Minister Removed Over ‘Personal Grudge’

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 03:41 AM PDT

The NLD has accused the Kayah parliament speaker of orchestrating ex-chief minister L Phaung Sho's removal after being denied a chance to run in November's election.

While Elephants Enjoy Some Rest, Humans Suffer as COVID-19 Hits Thai Tourism

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 01:10 AM PDT

At one of Thailand's biggest elephant parks in Chiang Mai, the pachyderms and Myanmar migrants wait in vain for tourists to return.

Myanmar Reports Its Seventh COVID-19 Death; First in Over Four Months

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 11:18 PM PDT

A 46-year-old woman with an underlying health condition on Thursday became the seventh person in Myanmar to die of COVID-19; she was the first fatality since April 29.

Thailand Reports First Local Coronavirus Transmission in 100 Days

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 09:38 PM PDT

A jailed man undergoing a 14-day quarantine at a prison has become Thailand's first locally transmitted COVID-19 case in 100 days.

Malaysia Bans Foreigners From Countries With Over 150,000 Virus Cases

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 09:32 PM PDT

To curb a growing number of imported COVID-19 cases, Malaysia will deny entry to foreigners from countries with more than 150,000 infections.
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Thursday, September 3, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s COVID-19 Cases Exceed 1,000

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 06:41 AM PDT

As the government imposes partial lockdowns in more areas to curb the spread of coronavirus, some fear restrictions are crushing the economic recovery.

Myanmar President Removes Kayah State Chief Minister From Office for Misusing Funds

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 05:28 AM PDT

Myanmar President U Win Myint dismissed the ruling party's L Phaung Sho as Kayah State chief minister on Thursday following his impeachment in a funding scandal.

Myanmar’s Election Body to Decide on COVID-19 Election Delay in October

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 05:23 AM PDT

While undecided on whether to delay, the Union Election Commission has approved 8,120 domestic observers and two international NGOs to monitor the November election.

Myanmar’s Military Blamed for Rakhine Civilian Deaths and Disrupting COVID-19 Quarantine

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 02:34 AM PDT

Villagers say they were forced out of coronavirus quarantine by soldiers searching their homes in northern Rakhine State.

Myanmar in China’s Plans for Expanded Overseas Network of Military Facilities, US Says

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 01:57 AM PDT

Along with Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and others, Myanmar is eyed by China to host infrastructure needed to expand its global military reach, a Pentagon report says.

Rejected Candidate in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Says He’s Been Bullied off the Ballot

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 12:57 AM PDT

An ANP lawmaker disqualified from seeking reelection over his son's alleged ties to the AA says the election commission has not produced evidence to support its move.

China to Double Nuclear Warhead Stockpile Over Next Decade, US Predicts

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 10:11 PM PDT

The Pentagon said China will likely double its stockpile of nuclear arms over the next decade and is outpacing the US in production of ships and other military hardware.

Taiwan Unveils New Passport to Avoid Confusion With Mainland China

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 10:03 PM PDT

In a move that is sure to ruffle feathers in Beijing, Taiwan has unveiled a new passport with features designed to make it more distinct from Chinese travel documents.

Freighter With 43 Crew, 5,800 Cattle Missing off Southwestern Japan

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 09:42 PM PDT

Scores of crewmembers and thousands of cattle are missing after a freighter went missing off the southwest coast of Japan amid heavy seas caused by a typhoon.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Warns of Jail Terms for COVID-19 Rule Breakers

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 07:20 AM PDT

The spike in coronavirus cases in Yangon and Rakhine State means Myanmar is facing a "national disaster", Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has warned.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Vows to Reform Military in Election Manifesto

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 07:09 AM PDT

In its election manifesto, the ruling National League for Democracy vows to reduce the military's political powers and says national reconciliation is its top priority.

China Seeks Myanmar’s Assurances on Moving BRI Projects Ahead; Offers Aid for Rakhine

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 03:40 AM PDT

China's top diplomat on Tuesday lobbied the State Counselor and President to begin work on BRI projects; expert says Beijing wants assurances before November's election.

Rohingya Detainee in Ayeyarwady Tests COVID-19 Positive

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 03:02 AM PDT

Of the 42 Rohingya detained on the Ayeyarwady coast, one has coronavirus, forcing 14 police officers into quarantine.

Myanmar Civil Servants Offered COVID-19 Loans

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 02:57 AM PDT

The government says it will offer two months' salaries as interest-free loans to civil servants as it tries to boost the economy

Taiwan Can Help the World Come Back Stronger From COVID-19

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 01:58 AM PDT

The UN's recent pledge to become more inclusive as the world works to recover from COVID-19 is hollow as long as Taiwan is excluded, the island's foreign minister writes.

‘I Am a Taiwanese,’ Czech Speaker Tells Taiwan Assembly, Irking China

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 10:00 PM PDT

Referencing a speech by John F. Kennedy, the head of the Czech senate told Taiwan's legislature, 'I am a Taiwanese'; China condemned the 'interference' in its affairs.

Former Khmer Rouge Torture Center Chief ‘Duch’ Dies in Cambodian Hospital

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 09:47 PM PDT

Kaing Guek Eav, aka Duch, the head of the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 torture center who was convicted of crimes against humanity, has died in a Cambodian hospital.
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