Saturday, November 21, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

No Change in Our Commitment to Support Myanmar’s Economic Development: Japanese Ambassador

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 07:49 PM PST

Ichiro Maruyama also revealed Japan's key role in bringing AA, Tatmadaw and government together to set in motion a Rakhine State election.

Myanmar’s Losing Party Keeps Pushing Claims of Election Fraud and Seeks to Overturn Outcome

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 07:39 PM PST

Legal analysts dismiss the USDP's claims and warn the party it may find itself breaching the defamation law and COVID-19 restrictions.

The Day Myanmar Voted for the First Time

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 07:00 PM PST

A flawed voting process selected a rubber-stamp parliament while Myanmar was under British colonial rule. But it did introduce concepts of democracy to the population.

Will the Incoming Biden Administration Reshape US Policy Toward Myanmar?

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 06:30 PM PST

The Irrawaddy discusses the issue with the executive director of the Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security in search of an answer.
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Friday, November 20, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Citizens Asked to Stay Home During Cool Season to Avoid COVID-19

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 05:52 AM PST

The authorities are reporting a spike in coronavirus cases after this week's National League for Democracy victory celebrations.

Western Media Fail to Grasp Meaning of Myanmar Ruling Party’s Election Win

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 05:20 AM PST

While insulting voters, Western media dismissed the NLD's election win as a display of blind faith in Suu Kyi; the world's understanding of Myanmar is the poorer for it.

Myanmar Condemns UN Rohingya Resolution

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 04:51 AM PST

The United Nations General Assembly handed Myanmar a heavy defeat over its treatment of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State and other minorities.

Myanmar’s Decentralization Will Boost National Reconciliation: SNLD Spokesman

Posted: 20 Nov 2020 03:29 AM PST

Shan Nationalities League for Democracy spokesman Sai Leik says the new government should offer jobs to ethnic political leaders and devolve powers away from Naypyitaw.

US Navy Chief in Asia Stresses India’s Role in Regional Stability

Posted: 19 Nov 2020 09:13 PM PST

The commander of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet said India's role in the Quad defense grouping is important to regional stability as China increasingly flexes its muscles.
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Thursday, November 19, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Proportion of Women in Myanmar’s Legislatures Rises Following Nov. 8 Election

Posted: 19 Nov 2020 05:03 AM PST

Civil society groups welcome the trend toward more female MPs, but some are frustrated by the slow pace of change.

Myanmar Considers Relaxing COVID-19 Restrictions

Posted: 19 Nov 2020 03:42 AM PST

Stay-at-home orders and restrictions on domestic travel could be eased while small religious gatherings may be permitted.

Myanmar’s Central Bank Updates Interbank Payment Network

Posted: 18 Nov 2020 11:58 PM PST

With help from Japan, the Central Bank of Myanmar has launched a revamped settlement system that allows 24/7 payroll, tax, bill and other payments between banks.

Pfizer to Seek US Green Light for COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Within Days’

Posted: 18 Nov 2020 09:09 PM PST

Drugmaker Pfizer plans to seek emergency use authorization in the US for its COVID-19 vaccine, which it now says is 95-percent effective, in the next few days.

The Day Myanmar’s Bodybuilding Pioneer Met His End in a Motorbike Accident

Posted: 18 Nov 2020 05:30 PM PST

Walter Chit Tun was not only a bodybuilder, but also a doctor and a movie actor known for his physique.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

“We Never Had Bamar-Dominated Thinking”: NLD Vice-Chair

Posted: 18 Nov 2020 04:52 AM PST

National League for Democracy vice-chairman Dr. Zaw Myint Maung rejects claims the party ignores Myanmar's ethnic minorities.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Vows to Improve Quality of Cabinet Appointments in New Govt

Posted: 18 Nov 2020 04:43 AM PST

The NLD has vowed it won't repeat the poor appointments that harmed its performance during its first administration when forming the next government.

China Again Pushes BRI Projects in Congratulatory Message to Myanmar’s NLD

Posted: 18 Nov 2020 01:38 AM PST

Chinese President Xi expressed a desire to get his BRI infrastructure projects off the ground in a note congratulating Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her party's election win.

Three Die in Landmine Blast in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 11:11 PM PST

A car filled with civilians triggered a landmine in Maungdaw Township, killing three civilians and seriously injuring six others.

Taiwan Congratulates Myanmar’s NLD on Election Victory

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 11:05 PM PST

Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Taipei and Myanmar share values of freedom and democracy.

US, Japanese Astronauts Arrive at Int’l Space Station on SpaceX Ship

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 09:37 PM PST

Three US and one Japanese astronaut docked with the International Space Station on Monday after being launched from NASA's space center aboard a SpaceX spacecraft.
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Tuesday, November 17, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

A Tale of Two Elections

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 05:50 AM PST

The Trump administration would do well to look to Myanmar's election for a reminder of what a functioning democratic process looks like.

Myanmar’s Main Opposition Party Files 630 Electoral Complaints

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 05:00 AM PST

The military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party blames its humiliating electoral defeat on alleged massive fraud.

In Myanmar’s Election, Military Proxy Party Fares Better in Militia-Controlled Areas

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 03:43 AM PST

The military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party won seats in Shan State because armed militia chiefs told villagers how to vote, claim other parties.

Suu Kyi Warns of COVID-19 Spread After Myanmar’s Election Celebrations

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 02:36 AM PST

The National League for Democracy leader says coronavirus is likely to spread more rapidly because of large gatherings by her supporters.

Governments From Asia-Pacific and Beyond Congratulate NLD on Election Victory

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 01:08 AM PST

Leaders and embassies of Myanmar's neighbors and other foreign powers have congratulated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the NLD's landslide election win.

Myanmar’s Transition to Democracy Vital for India’s Strategic Interests

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 10:04 PM PST

A strategic partnership between the two countries could reduce the impact of communist China's footprint in the region.

US Biotech Firm Moderna Says Vaccine 94.5% Effective for COVID-19

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 09:38 PM PST

Moderna said its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5 percent effective in preventing the disease; it is the second US drugmaker in just over a week to unveil promising results.

Thailand’s Economic Contraction Slows in Third Quarter

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 09:18 PM PST

Thailand's economy showed signs of improvement in the third quarter, with GDP declining 6.4 percent on-year, a far smaller contraction than the previous quarter.
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Monday, November 16, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Rights Groups Demand USDP Apology Over Disabled Voting Claims

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 04:31 AM PST

The military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party used the example of a voter with disabilities as proof of electoral fraud.

Myanmar Military Ready to Work With Arakan Army on Rakhine Voting

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 03:21 AM PST

The armed group has called for voting to be held in Rakhine State by the end of the year in the areas where it was canceled.

What Does the RCEP Trade Agreement Mean for Myanmar?

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 02:50 AM PST

Local officials say now is the time to put needed preparations in place to take full advantage of the RCEP—the world's largest trade pact—which Myanmar signed on Sunday.

USDP’s Call to Re-Run General Election Doesn’t Reflect Military View: Spokesman

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 01:18 AM PST

"There was no coordination with the Tatmadaw about it nor is it the stance of the Tatmadaw," said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

Official Results Show Another Election Landslide for Myanmar’s Ruling NLD

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 01:10 AM PST

The NLD fared better than in 2015 in the Nov. 8 polls, winning 82% of all elected constituencies, and 62% of Union Parliament seats after the military takes its share.

Time to Upgrade ASEAN-ROK Ties With Greater Focus on Myanmar

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 01:06 AM PST

Seoul's 'New Southern Policy PLUS' is designed to expedite South Korea's commitments to ASEAN and expand the horizons of its cooperation with the region and Myanmar.

Trump Says Biden ‘Won’ Because of Rigged US Election

Posted: 15 Nov 2020 08:55 PM PST

US President Trump on Sunday posted a tweet acknowledging Joe Biden 'won' the presidential election, but later repeated his baseless claim that the vote was 'rigged'.

Asia-Pacific Nations Sign World’s Biggest Trade Deal

Posted: 15 Nov 2020 08:47 PM PST

Leaders of 15 Asian countries including ASEAN member states, Japan and China signed the RCEP, the world's largest trade deal, on Sunday.
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Sunday, November 15, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Day Seaplanes Began Flying in Myanmar

Posted: 14 Nov 2020 05:30 PM PST

A short-lived experiment by Britain's Irrawaddy Flotilla Company to link colonial Burma by seaplane began in 1934.
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Saturday, November 14, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 13 Nov 2020 07:00 PM PST

Myanmar's government has received good news in its efforts to overcome the COVID-19 downturn with investment coming from Japan and Singapore.

Election 2020: The Week in Review

Posted: 13 Nov 2020 06:30 PM PST

This week the National League for Democracy scored a landslide election win and reached out to ethnic parties in a spirit of cooperation while the Union Solidarity and Development Party cried electoral fraud.
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Thursday, November 12, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

NLD Reaches Out to Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Seeking Federal Union and an End to Civil War

Posted: 12 Nov 2020 10:05 AM PST

In an unprecedented move, the NLD has followed its landslide victory with an overture for cooperation with ethnic political parties in the future.

Military-Backed USDP Leaders Defeated by NLD in Myanmar Election

Posted: 12 Nov 2020 06:48 AM PST

Among the senior USDP's figures running for election on Sunday, only the party chair and a former minister have won so far.

Myanmar Votes for a Continued Peaceful Transition

Posted: 12 Nov 2020 05:38 AM PST

Bucking pundits' forcasts and shrugging off the military's warnings, Myanmar voters gave the NLD an overwhelming mandate to advance the country's democratic transition.

In Myanmar, the NLD’s Main Rival Finds It Hard to Accept Electoral Defeat

Posted: 12 Nov 2020 05:20 AM PST

Unable to grasp the enormity of its defeat, the USDP has alleged Sunday's election was marred by fraud, but most in Myanmar view the claim as little more than a joke.

Suga, Biden Agree to Strengthen Japan-US Alliance in Phone Talks

Posted: 11 Nov 2020 09:49 PM PST

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President-elect Joe Biden have agreed to work together on battling COVID-19 and climate change.

Sweeping All Seats, Suu Kyi’s NLD Beats Rival USDP in Mandalay Region

Posted: 11 Nov 2020 09:42 PM PST

The winning seats include those the NLD lost to the military-proxy party in the previous election in 2015.

Myanmar Court Jails Leader of Defunct Political Party for Prison Escape

Posted: 11 Nov 2020 09:04 PM PST

Michael Kyaw Myint, leader of the UEC-dissolved United Democratic Party, has been jailed for two years by a court in Mandalay Region for a prison escape two decades ago.
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