The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• New Kachin Party Eyes Electoral Triumph Next Year
• Renewed Fighting in Shan and Rakhine as Myanmar Military Lets Ceasefire Expire
• Myanmar Court Considers Bail for Defendant in Toddler Rape Case
• Rakhine State Parliament Votes to Investigate Civilian Deaths in AA-Myanmar Army Clashes
• Myanmar Energy Analysts Alarmed at Floating Power Plant Plans for Yangon
• Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Dismiss NLD’s Ethnic Affairs Committee as Pre-Election Ploy
• South Korea to Help Reform Myanmar’s Once Military-Controlled Administration
• Remembering Saffron: Of Monks and Military Men
• ‘My Soul’s Calling,’ Says Indonesian Police Officer Battling Forest Fires
• Hong Kong Leader Defends Police From Brutality Accusations
• From Myanmar to Gabon, Countries Turn to Nature to Cut Climate Risks
• The Assassination of Myanmar’s Communist Leader

New Kachin Party Eyes Electoral Triumph Next Year Posted: 24 Sep 2019 06:48 AM PDT The chief of the newly formed Kachin State People's Party, Dr. Manam Tu Ja, says next year's election could bring sweeping federal reforms and a chance of real peace.

Renewed Fighting in Shan and Rakhine as Myanmar Military Lets Ceasefire Expire Posted: 24 Sep 2019 06:44 AM PDT Violence has broken out again in Shan and Rakhine states, with ethnic armed groups expressing surprise at the Myanmar military's refusal to extend its ceasefire.

Myanmar Court Considers Bail for Defendant in Toddler Rape Case Posted: 24 Sep 2019 06:36 AM PDT Dekkhina Thiri District Court in Naypyitaw to rule Oct. 9 on whether driver Aung Gyi, thought by many to be a scapegoat in the case, will be granted bail.

Rakhine State Parliament Votes to Investigate Civilian Deaths in AA-Myanmar Army Clashes Posted: 24 Sep 2019 06:03 AM PDT The Rakhine State parliament has voted to investigate the deaths of at least 80 civilians during recent violence between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military.

Myanmar Energy Analysts Alarmed at Floating Power Plant Plans for Yangon Posted: 24 Sep 2019 04:33 AM PDT Electricity Ministry asked why it is opting for expensive LNG from a power ship in the Yangon River rather than investing in cheaper solar power.

Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Dismiss NLD’s Ethnic Affairs Committee as Pre-Election Ploy Posted: 24 Sep 2019 02:45 AM PDT Ethnic leaders say the ruling party's new Ethnic Affairs Committee is evidence that the NLD would rather compete for votes than cooperate with ethnic parties.

South Korea to Help Reform Myanmar’s Once Military-Controlled Administration Posted: 24 Sep 2019 02:45 AM PDT Myanmar's main public administration department has been under civilian control for less than a year. Now South Korea is stepping in to help the reform process.

Remembering Saffron: Of Monks and Military Men Posted: 24 Sep 2019 12:25 AM PDT This month marks 12 years since thousands of monks protested against military misrule; The Irrawaddy revisits a 2014 commentary on the Saffron Revolution's legacy.

‘My Soul’s Calling,’ Says Indonesian Police Officer Battling Forest Fires Posted: 23 Sep 2019 10:30 PM PDT Indonesian volunteer firefighter uses buckets and branches to help put out Borneo forest fires that are choking swathes of Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong Leader Defends Police From Brutality Accusations Posted: 23 Sep 2019 10:14 PM PDT HK leader Carrie Lam supports police for upholding rule of law, acknowledges 'long road ahead' to heal rifts in society amid anti-China protests.

From Myanmar to Gabon, Countries Turn to Nature to Cut Climate Risks Posted: 23 Sep 2019 09:59 PM PDT Environmental resilience experts tout 'nature-based solutions' to climate change such as planting mangroves and forests at a meeting in New York.

The Assassination of Myanmar’s Communist Leader Posted: 23 Sep 2019 07:00 PM PDT On this day in 1968, communist and rebel leader Thakhin Than Tun was betrayed and killed by a comrade after 20 years fighting the Myanmar government.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar Military Abandons Truce Citing EAOs’ Lack of Interest in Peace
• 39 Rohingya Killed in `Gunfights’ With Bangladeshi Authorities in 2019
• MNLA Attacks DKBA Splinter Group in Myanmar’s Karen State
• Myanmar Corruption Busters Defend Poor Record Against Top Figures
• Three Chinese With Fake IDs Detained at Myanmar Jade and Gems Emporium
• How Myanmar’s Military Chief Could Become President
• The Death of an Exiled Myanmar Prince
• Hong Kong Cleans Up After Latest Violence Ahead of Oct. 1 Anniversary
• Asia Expert to Become Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser

Myanmar Military Abandons Truce Citing EAOs’ Lack of Interest in Peace Posted: 23 Sep 2019 07:24 AM PDT Myanmar's army says it will not extend its truce in Kachin and Shan states, claiming the three rebel armies active in the area are not interested in peace.

39 Rohingya Killed in `Gunfights’ With Bangladeshi Authorities in 2019 Posted: 23 Sep 2019 05:14 AM PDT An increasing number of Rohingya refugees have been killed in alleged gunfights with law enforcement in Cox's Bazar.

MNLA Attacks DKBA Splinter Group in Myanmar’s Karen State Posted: 23 Sep 2019 04:26 AM PDT Mon armed group attacks DKBA faction after latter fails to leave area controlled by MNLA near Three Pagodas Pass on Thai border, detaining fighters and seizing weapons.

Myanmar Corruption Busters Defend Poor Record Against Top Figures Posted: 23 Sep 2019 03:52 AM PDT The Myanmar Anti-Corruption Commission chief says the body targets lower-level civil servants because most complaints involve junior staff.

Three Chinese With Fake IDs Detained at Myanmar Jade and Gems Emporium Posted: 23 Sep 2019 03:42 AM PDT Three Chinese men may face jail time for using fake Myanmar ID cards to attempt to enter the Jade and Gems Emporium, an event for merchants in Naypyitaw.

How Myanmar’s Military Chief Could Become President Posted: 23 Sep 2019 12:26 AM PDT Under the 2008 Constitution, if the USDP and its allies win 26 percent of Parliament seats, the army chief could become president without even running for office.

The Death of an Exiled Myanmar Prince Posted: 22 Sep 2019 10:30 PM PDT On this day in 1921, Prince Myingun, who tried take down both the royal court and British rule over Burma, died in Vietnam.

Hong Kong Cleans Up After Latest Violence Ahead of Oct. 1 Anniversary Posted: 22 Sep 2019 10:20 PM PDT Police used tear gas to disperse weekend protests in Hong Kong, which saw railway station, mall vandalized a week ahead of China's national day.

Asia Expert to Become Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser Posted: 22 Sep 2019 09:50 PM PDT Matt Pottinger, a former journalist and ex-US Marine who helped forge Trump's China and North Korea policies, named deputy to president's new national security adviser.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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How a Prime Minister of British Burma Became a Killer Posted: 20 Sep 2019 07:00 PM PDT On this day in 1946, Galon U Saw survived an assassination attempt that would lead him, less than a year later, to assassinate General Aung San and his ministers.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar Military Eyes More Powers for National Security Council
• Armed Groups Must Ask Before Contacting Intl Community: Peace Commission
• Ethnic Armed Alliance Extends Ceasefire for Rest of Year
• Yangon Court Jails Former Myanmar Army Officer for Criticizing Commanders
• NLD Sues Myanmar Cartoonist for Facebook Post Criticizing Party
• Myanmar Court Jails Farmers for Using Vacant Land
• Caring for Myanmar’s Orphaned Elephants
• From the Constitution to Religious Freedom: Has Myanmar Achieved Democracy?
• Philippines’ Duterte ‘Bugged’ Again as Gecko Stalls Speech
• North Korea Faces Widespread Food Shortages, UN Agency Says
• Cambodia to Curb Recruitment Fees in Bid to Protect Workers From Slavery Abroad

Myanmar Military Eyes More Powers for National Security Council Posted: 20 Sep 2019 07:17 AM PDT Military MPs, parliamentary allies propose charter changes that would allow the NDSC, which is already dominated by generals, to push for parliamentary dissolution.

Armed Groups Must Ask Before Contacting Intl Community: Peace Commission Posted: 20 Sep 2019 05:43 AM PDT The Myanmar government's peace negotiation team says ethnic armed groups must ask permission before contacting any international actors, citing concerns about misuse of funds.

Ethnic Armed Alliance Extends Ceasefire for Rest of Year Posted: 20 Sep 2019 05:30 AM PDT TNLA, AA, MNDAA say truce extension aimed at facilitating peace talks; observers say move gives them a political edge.

Yangon Court Jails Former Myanmar Army Officer for Criticizing Commanders Posted: 20 Sep 2019 04:52 AM PDT A former army captain has demanded freedom of speech and for generals to obey the government after being jailed in Yangon for speaking out.

NLD Sues Myanmar Cartoonist for Facebook Post Criticizing Party Posted: 20 Sep 2019 04:04 AM PDT In the NLD's latest legal action against a critic, the ruling party's office in Maubin Township hits cartoonist 'Ahtee' with a defamation lawsuit under Article 66(d).

Myanmar Court Jails Farmers for Using Vacant Land Posted: 20 Sep 2019 03:23 AM PDT Irrawaddy Region farmers have been jailed for working on land that was seized from them in 1999 but left unused.

Caring for Myanmar’s Orphaned Elephants Posted: 20 Sep 2019 12:00 AM PDT Meet the residents of the Wingabaw elephant orphanage in Myanmar's Bago Region; some were rescued from traps, while others lost their parents to poaching.

From the Constitution to Religious Freedom: Has Myanmar Achieved Democracy? Posted: 19 Sep 2019 11:50 PM PDT This week, The Irrawaddy takes the pulse of Myanmar's democracy, religious freedom and the military's role in it all, with analyst U Maung Maung Soe and columnist Ko Wa.

Philippines’ Duterte ‘Bugged’ Again as Gecko Stalls Speech Posted: 19 Sep 2019 11:34 PM PDT Pesky reptile is just the latest in a long line of animal critics to disrupt an address by the Philippine leader.

North Korea Faces Widespread Food Shortages, UN Agency Says Posted: 19 Sep 2019 10:24 PM PDT Some 40 percent of North Koreans may require food assistance as harvest expected to drop to lowest level in 5 years, FAO says.

Cambodia to Curb Recruitment Fees in Bid to Protect Workers From Slavery Abroad Posted: 19 Sep 2019 10:11 PM PDT Phnom Penh finalizing plan to bring its recruitment law in line with Myanmar's, Cambodian official says.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Karen Martyrs’ Day Case Shows Ethnic Rights in Retreat Under Present Myanmar Govt
• Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory General Manager’s Corruption Hearing Delayed
• Lawmaker Demands Probe Into Civilian Deaths in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
• Chinese Charm Offensive Aims to Win Support for Giant Pipelines in Myanmar
• Ethnic Chin Oppose Plan for Statue of Myanmar Independence Hero
• Yangon Govt Submits New Regional Planning Bill With 149 projects
• Tight Competition Among Myanmar’s Indie Films at 9th Wathann Film Festival
• Karen State Vows to Tackle Chinese Influx Into Myawady After Brawl Erupts
• When Monks Led a Revolution in Myanmar
• Smothered by Smoke, Malaysia Seeds Clouds to Bring Rain Relief
• Apples Rot in Kashmir Orchards as Lockdown Puts Economy in Tailspin
• US Congress to Advance ‘HK Human Rights and Democracy’ Bill
• Thailand Culls 200 Pigs as Fears Grow Over African Swine Fever

Karen Martyrs’ Day Case Shows Ethnic Rights in Retreat Under Present Myanmar Govt Posted: 19 Sep 2019 07:33 AM PDT The case against three Karen activists for using the word 'Martyr' sends a negative signal to all ethnic communities in Myanmar.

Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory General Manager’s Corruption Hearing Delayed Posted: 19 Sep 2019 06:35 AM PDT Remand for detained chief of Burma Pharmaceutical Industry in Yangon extended to Oct. 2.

Lawmaker Demands Probe Into Civilian Deaths in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Posted: 19 Sep 2019 06:05 AM PDT A Rakhine State MP has called for an inquiry into the spiraling number of civilian deaths during clashes between govt troops and the Arakan Army.

Chinese Charm Offensive Aims to Win Support for Giant Pipelines in Myanmar Posted: 19 Sep 2019 05:51 AM PDT China is screening pro-Chinese movies along the route of the proposed oil and gas pipelines to Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State.

Ethnic Chin Oppose Plan for Statue of Myanmar Independence Hero Posted: 19 Sep 2019 05:38 AM PDT Chin State residents said a government plan to build a statue of General Aung San is wrong as long as ethnic conflict continues.

Yangon Govt Submits New Regional Planning Bill With 149 projects Posted: 19 Sep 2019 05:20 AM PDT Yangon's planning bill for the next fiscal year prompts questions among some lawmakers about the details of the plans.

Tight Competition Among Myanmar’s Indie Films at 9th Wathann Film Festival Posted: 19 Sep 2019 04:17 AM PDT Yangon's Wathann Film Festival continues to attract an ever-higher caliber of talent as Myanmar's independent film industry grows.

Karen State Vows to Tackle Chinese Influx Into Myawady After Brawl Erupts Posted: 19 Sep 2019 03:43 AM PDT YANGON—The Karen State immigration minister has vowed to crack down on what local residents say is an influx of illegal Chinese immigrants into Myawady, a town on the border with Thailand, following a brawl between Chinese citizens and local residents. The town has seen a surge in the number of Chinese immigrants over the past […]

When Monks Led a Revolution in Myanmar Posted: 18 Sep 2019 11:03 PM PDT On This Day in 2007, Buddhist monks in cities around Myanmar held protests against the military government that lasted for weeks and became the Saffron Revolution.

Smothered by Smoke, Malaysia Seeds Clouds to Bring Rain Relief Posted: 18 Sep 2019 10:59 PM PDT As smoke from Indonesian fires chokes its citizens, Malaysia tries releasing chemicals from aircraft in an effort to bringing rain and clear the skies.

Apples Rot in Kashmir Orchards as Lockdown Puts Economy in Tailspin Posted: 18 Sep 2019 10:39 PM PDT Markets are empty in Jammu and Kashmir as a lockdown following the end of the Indian state's special status hits transport and trade.

US Congress to Advance ‘HK Human Rights and Democracy’ Bill Posted: 18 Sep 2019 10:25 PM PDT US legislators to vote next week on bills that would subject the city's special economic status to scrutiny and hold threat of sanctions over officials.

Thailand Culls 200 Pigs as Fears Grow Over African Swine Fever Posted: 18 Sep 2019 10:13 PM PDT Officials say cull a 'preventative action' as neighboring countries report outbreaks.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• No Peace in Myanmar Without Sacrifices: Kachin Christian Chief
• Details Scarce on Funding, Planning for Flood Prevention at New Yangon City Project
• Myanmar’s Ruling Party Sues Facebook Users for Chief Minister Memes
• Women Writing on Myanmar: There’s a Problem With How We Study Burma
• Myanmar Gov’t, Armed Groups Agree “In Principle” On Draft Ceasefire
• Myanmar Deputy Police Chief Reportedly Quits Amid Outcry Over Toddler Rape Case
• Mosques Reopen in Myanmar’s Magwe 10 Years After Bloody Riots
• Analysis: Myanmar Still Living with Legacy of 1988 Military Coup
• Democracy Activists Push US Congress to Pass Hong Kong Rights Bill
• Vietnam to Abolish Import Tax on Crude Oil From November
• Universal Music Opens Southeast Asia HQ Betting on Rap
• The Deadly Bombing That Killed Myanmar’s First Foreign Minister

No Peace in Myanmar Without Sacrifices: Kachin Christian Chief Posted: 18 Sep 2019 07:44 AM PDT Rev. Hkalam Samson of the Kachin Baptist Convention says leaders talk about peace but they benefit too much from war.

Details Scarce on Funding, Planning for Flood Prevention at New Yangon City Project Posted: 18 Sep 2019 06:39 AM PDT Building dykes to protect the flood-prone site of the mega-project will cost an estimated $100 million—and that doesn't cover the inevitable impact on surrounding areas.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Sues Facebook Users for Chief Minister Memes Posted: 18 Sep 2019 06:22 AM PDT The National League for Democracy in Mandalay has sued two Facebook users for allegedly defaming the regional chief minister, U Zaw Myint Maung.

Women Writing on Myanmar: There’s a Problem With How We Study Burma Posted: 18 Sep 2019 05:55 AM PDT The neglect of Myanmar scholarship by women and local authors impoverishes our understanding of the country; a new online resource seeks to address the problem.

Myanmar Gov’t, Armed Groups Agree “In Principle” On Draft Ceasefire Posted: 18 Sep 2019 05:50 AM PDT The Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups have agreed on parts of a draft ceasefire, including pledges to end fighting, cooperate to help IDPs and hold further talks.

Myanmar Deputy Police Chief Reportedly Quits Amid Outcry Over Toddler Rape Case Posted: 18 Sep 2019 05:34 AM PDT Officials deny reports that senior officer, who insisted on prosecuting a driver at the victim's school, has resigned; the girl told a court two teen boys abused her.

Mosques Reopen in Myanmar’s Magwe 10 Years After Bloody Riots Posted: 18 Sep 2019 04:36 AM PDT Magwe mosques have reopened after violence a decade ago as Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pledges to protect Myanmar's religious freedom.

Analysis: Myanmar Still Living with Legacy of 1988 Military Coup Posted: 18 Sep 2019 03:44 AM PDT To mark the 31st anniversary of the 1988 coup that would see Myanmar ruled by a military junta for more than two decades, The Irrawaddy revisits this analysis from 2018.

Democracy Activists Push US Congress to Pass Hong Kong Rights Bill Posted: 17 Sep 2019 10:38 PM PDT HK activists urge US legislators to pass bills that would require yearly review of trade privileges and pave way for sanctioning officials who undermine city's autonomy.

Vietnam to Abolish Import Tax on Crude Oil From November Posted: 17 Sep 2019 10:28 PM PDT Hanoi to scrap 5% crude oil import tax as country's reserves decline and Chinese assertiveness makes exploration more difficult.

Universal Music Opens Southeast Asia HQ Betting on Rap Posted: 17 Sep 2019 10:05 PM PDT Entertainment giant UMG looks to cash in on region's 'crazy' appetite for hip-hop as listeners look beyond US for home-grown talent.

The Deadly Bombing That Killed Myanmar’s First Foreign Minister Posted: 17 Sep 2019 06:58 PM PDT On This Day in 1948, Myanmar's first foreign minister died after he was injured in a bombing on Sparks Street that remains unsolved to this day.

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