Sunday, November 8, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Minorities Claim They Cannot Vote in Ethnic Affairs Ministerial Races

Posted: 08 Nov 2020 04:42 AM PST

Ethnic minorities say they have been denied the right to vote in ethnic affairs ministerial contests with the authorities blaming them for not checking voter lists.

Myanmar’s Military Chief Agrees to Accept Election Result

Posted: 08 Nov 2020 03:32 AM PST

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing says he will accept Sunday's election result, despite condemning polling preparation this week.

Myanmar Voting Goes Smoothly, Election Monitor Group Says

Posted: 08 Nov 2020 02:33 AM PST

Poll monitor PACE reported no major disruptions to Sunday's general election, saying polling stations had the appropriate voting and anti-COVID-19 materials, and voting mostly began on time.

Myanmar Voters Flock to Polls Despite Coronavirus, Criticism of Election Body

Posted: 08 Nov 2020 12:57 AM PST

Mask-clad voters headed to the polls in Myanmar's second democratic election on Sunday, some lining up before dawn to ensure that the country's fledgling political transition moves forward.

Biden Clinches Win in Tight US Presidential Race as Trump Resists

Posted: 07 Nov 2020 10:00 PM PST

Joe Biden declared victory in the US presidential race on Saturday, but Donald Trump refused to concede, clinging to widely dismissed allegations of fraud.
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Saturday, November 7, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 07:00 PM PST

Despite the twin distractions of the general election and COVID-19, Myanmar continues to attract investment for major development projects.

Election 2020: The Week in Review 

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 06:30 PM PST

In the run-up to Sunday's election, military-government tensions grew, the Tatmadaw chief issued a controversial warning to civilian leaders, and explosions and bomb scares caused alarm. 

The Day India’s Last Mughal Emperor Died in Myanmar

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 05:30 PM PST

After a century of dramatic decline, India's Mughal dynasty ended in colonial Burma when its last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, died in pitiful exile in Rangoon.
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Friday, November 6, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Whoever Wins the Election, the Country Must Be the Winner

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 06:15 AM PST

The next government cannot afford to alienate any stakeholders if the constitutional crisis and ethnic conflicts are to be solved, and Myanmar is to move forward.

Ahead of Sunday Polls, Election Office in Myanmar Attacked With Explosives

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 04:34 AM PST

An explosion occurred in the compound of the Bago Region election sub-commission on Friday; no injuries were reported.

Myanmar’s State Counselor, Thai PM Agree to Boost Cooperation on Trade, COVID-19

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 03:33 AM PST

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha discussed the possibility of opening another consulate in Thailand to assist migrant workers, in a phone call on Wednesday.

Militias Accused of Forcing Voters to Back Military Proxy Party in Northern Myanmar

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 02:52 AM PST

The Union Solidarity and Development Party is denying claims it is using armed militias to boost support in Shan State.

Myanmar Military’s Criticism of Union Election Commission Provokes Concern Over Possible Threat of Coup

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 12:13 AM PST

The Irrawaddy asks political observers to respond to provocative comments by the military chief on UEC and the institution's claim on his position.

North Korea Bans Smoking in Public Places for Health, ‘Cultural’ Reasons

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 10:12 PM PST

North Korea watchers are looking to see if Kim Jong Un will set an example for his fellow citizens following the country's ban on public smoking.

Biden Edges Closer to White House as Trump Seeks to Undermine Vote Results

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 10:04 PM PST

As his election rival Joe Biden cut into his lead in key states, Donald Trump demanded an end to the counting of mail-in ballots and tweeted unproven claims of fraud.
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Thursday, November 5, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Amid Tense Relations, Myanmar Military Warns President of Impeachment

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 06:20 AM PST

The war of words between the military and the government over the election continued Thursday, with the Tatmadaw warning the President could be impeached over electoral irregularities.

Over-60s Vote Early in Large Numbers Ahead of Myanmar’s Election

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:56 AM PST

Myanmar has seen high early voter turnout among its older citizens in many regions.

Myanmar Offers Struggling Families COVID-19 Cash

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 04:30 AM PST

Days ahead of the November 8 general election, the government has offered cash handouts to families suffering because of coronavirus.

Long Silence From Abducted NLD Candidates in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Prompts Fears

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 04:23 AM PST

Myanmar's ruling party said it feared for the lives of three of its candidates abducted by the Arakan Army in Rakhine State after three weeks without any word from the rebel group.

Myanmar’s Opposition Parties Ramp Up Facebook Ad Spending as Election Nears

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 04:20 AM PST

The main opposition party, the USDP, has spent more than $18,000 on Facebook ads in the past three months to get its message out in the run-up to the Nov. 8 election.

Thousands of Myanmar Fishermen Denied Chance to Vote

Posted: 05 Nov 2020 02:03 AM PST

Nearly 9,000 fishermen at sea off the Ayeyarwady coast will not be allowed to vote in the November 8 general election.

Pundits’ Takes on Myanmar’s 2020 Election

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 10:35 PM PST

As Myanmar prepares to vote, The Irrawaddy asks international observers who have been following the country's political issues for years for their views on the Nov. 8 election.

Xi Vows to Open China’s Market Further, Raps US Trade Protectionism

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:39 PM PST

In comments apparently aimed at the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to open China's markets further and urged against protectionism.

The Day the First Greater East Asia Assembly Began

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:35 PM PST

The first Greater East Asia Assembly sought to bring together Asian countries under shared principles that would lead to common prosperity.

Biden Edges Closer to Taking White House, Flips Two Key Midwest States

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 09:32 PM PST

The campaign of US President Donald Trump has mounted legal challenges to vote counts as his rival Joe Biden begins to take an edge in the presidential election.
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Wednesday, November 4, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

NLD Govt Slams Myanmar’s Military for Attacking Election Body

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 06:31 AM PST

A government spokesman has condemned comments by Myanmar's commander-in-chief questioning the independence of on the Union Election Commission's preparation of the poll.

Myanmar Military Chief’s Warnings Raise Specter of Post-Election Chaos

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 05:57 AM PST

Tatmadaw chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's repeated comments casting doubt on the legitimacy of next week's election are fueling talk of a possible military coup.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Warns of Incitement After Myanmar Military Chief’s Pre-Vote Attack on Govt

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 05:55 AM PST

The State Counselor has urged the public not to be 'trapped' by attempts to destabilize the upcoming election.

Myanmar Military’s Criticism of Election Commission Worries Local Observers, Foreign Diplomats

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 03:32 AM PST

The Tatmadaw overstepped its authority by criticizing the UEC and warning that the government would be responsible for the agency's failings, observers say.

USDP Members and Supporters Prosecuted over ‘Offensive’ Campaign Songs

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 02:08 AM PST

The military-backed party faces numerous legal cases in Mingin Township over allegedly defamatory speeches and songs.

USDP Representative, Teacher Face Prosecution Over Advance Vote Fraud Allegations

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 01:21 AM PST

A USDP representative and a schoolteacher are in hot water for allegedly using a fake stamp and casting two ballots during early voting, according to the Union Election Commission.

Will Local Ethnic Parties’ Popularity Make a Difference for Myanmar’s Largest State This Time?

Posted: 04 Nov 2020 12:17 AM PST

Merged ethnic parties may be the wild card in Shan as the election nears, but the NLD continues to dominate with urban voters.

Japanese Pop Group Arashi Performs Solo in Empty Olympic Stadium

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 10:01 PM PST

A concert by Japanese boy band Arashi at Tokyo's empty National Stadium was streamed to a global audience Tuesday.

Trump, Biden Neck and Neck in US Presidential Election

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 09:33 PM PST

The US presidential race was shaping up as a battle for the key Midwestern swing states on Tuesday night as early results showed Trump and Biden neck and neck.
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Tuesday, November 3, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Canceling Voting Will Boost Violence, Warn Rakhine Leaders

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 06:12 AM PST

The decision to cancel voting for more than half of Rakhine State's residents will drive people to support the Arakan Army, say politicians and analysts.

Malaysia Begins Deporting Nearly 1,000 Detained Myanmar Migrants

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 04:57 AM PST

Some 280 Myanmar migrants who had been detained in Malaysian immigration centers for months flew home Sunday, and many hundreds more are due to arrive later this week.

Myanmar Military Blames Govt, Ethnic Armies for Pre-Election ‘Irregularities’

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 03:59 AM PST

The Myanmar military chief's office said the Nov. 8 vote was shaping up to be less free and fair than previous elections organized by the generals and their proxy party.

Pundits’ Takes on Myanmar’s 2020 Election

Posted: 03 Nov 2020 12:06 AM PST

As Myanmar prepares to vote, The Irrawaddy asks David Mathieson, an independent analyst and researcher on Myanmar affairs, for his views on the Nov. 8 election.

Heated US Election Campaign Ends With Biden Leading Trump

Posted: 02 Nov 2020 09:33 PM PST

Joe Biden was ahead of President Donald Trump in polls going into Tuesday's US presidential election, though in key battleground states his lead had narrowed.
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Monday, November 2, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Party Poll Monitors Complain of Election Law Violations During Early Voting

Posted: 02 Nov 2020 05:45 AM PST

Election sub-commissions in several parts of the country are investigating complaints of improper ballot handling, fake stamps and other violations during early voting.

Myanmar’s Ultranationalist Monk U Wirathu Turns Himself In After a Year in Hiding

Posted: 02 Nov 2020 03:34 AM PST

Saying the NLD government forced him into a fugitive life, the firebrand nationalist monk U Wirathu has turned himself in to police after a year on the run.

Pundits’ Takes on Myanmar’s 2020 Election

Posted: 02 Nov 2020 02:25 AM PST

As Myanmar prepares to vote, The Irrawaddy asks Priscilla Clapp, a former US diplomat and long-term observer of Myanmar, for her views on the Nov. 8 election.

ADB Approves $484-Million Loan for Expressway Linking Myanmar’s Bago Region, Mon State

Posted: 02 Nov 2020 02:14 AM PST

The ADB has green-lighted a nearly $500-million loan to build an expressway from Bago to Mon State's Kyaikhto as part of Japan's planned East-West Economic Corridor.

Pundits’ Takes on Myanmar’s 2020 Election

Posted: 01 Nov 2020 09:59 PM PST

As Myanmar prepares to go to the polls, The Irrawaddy asks Thai journalist Kavi Chongkittavorn, an expert in regional politics, for his views on the Nov. 8 election.

England to Enter New Lockdown Amid Second Wave of Coronavirus Cases

Posted: 01 Nov 2020 09:49 PM PST

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a new national lockdown for England until Dec. 2 as COVID-19 cases surge; schools will remain open.

World’s Strongest Typhoon of 2020 Makes Landfall in Philippines

Posted: 01 Nov 2020 09:27 PM PST

Goni, the world's strongest typhoon so far this year and one of the biggest since Haiyan in 2013, has forced the evacuation of nearly 1 million people in the Philippines.

As Myanmar’s Election Approaches, Former Military Officials Hope to Rebound in Naypyitaw

Posted: 01 Nov 2020 06:30 PM PST

Military proxy USDP leaders believe they can reverse losses suffered at the hands of the NLD in 2015, but the ruling party is confident it can repeat its victory.
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