The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Fear Loss of Vote Share as Lower House Approves Eased Residency Rules
• Yangon Photo Festival Awards Address Myanmar’s Pressing Issues
• Myanmar’s Wa Army Confirms It Has a Helicopter
• Myanmar Prisons to Educate Inmates on Coronavirus, Work on Prevention
• Myanmar Launches Online “Project Bank” for Development Projects
• North Koreans Told to Avoid Group Meals to Prevent Virus Spread
• Virus Deaths in China Top 2,700; Total Infection Cases Exceed 78,000
• Chinese Minister Blames Police Force for Prison Coronavirus Cases
• More Than a Dozen Killed, Hundreds Injured as New Delhi Riots Overshadow Trump Visit
• In ‘Pacified’ Eastern Myanmar, the Military Is Free to Pursue Its Agenda

Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Fear Loss of Vote Share as Lower House Approves Eased Residency Rules Posted: 26 Feb 2020 05:58 AM PST Ethnic parties say the Election Commission has ignored their concerns over a proposed legal change that would make it easier for Burmese workers to vote in ethnic states.

Yangon Photo Festival Awards Address Myanmar’s Pressing Issues Posted: 26 Feb 2020 05:47 AM PST The Yangon Photo Festival awards have honored photographers who brought attention to the poor and forgotten across Myanmar.

Myanmar’s Wa Army Confirms It Has a Helicopter Posted: 26 Feb 2020 05:43 AM PST The United Wa State Army's new chopper is strictly for 'personal and leisure' use, the rebel group's spokesman told The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar Prisons to Educate Inmates on Coronavirus, Work on Prevention Posted: 26 Feb 2020 03:25 AM PST The Prisons Department says it is working to educate inmates about COVID-19 and prevent the virus from spreading inside prisons.

Myanmar Launches Online “Project Bank” for Development Projects Posted: 26 Feb 2020 01:55 AM PST The new Myanmar Project Bank is a publicly-accessible online database to provide key data and transparent information on sustainable development projects.

North Koreans Told to Avoid Group Meals to Prevent Virus Spread Posted: 25 Feb 2020 09:35 PM PST North Korea's main newspaper has urged citizens to avoid communal eating and shun restaurants amid coronavirus fears.

Virus Deaths in China Top 2,700; Total Infection Cases Exceed 78,000 Posted: 25 Feb 2020 09:24 PM PST The death toll from coronavirus in China has risen to 2,715, health officials said, but the number of new daily infections in Hubei province slowed to 401 on Tuesday.

Chinese Minister Blames Police Force for Prison Coronavirus Cases Posted: 25 Feb 2020 09:11 PM PST The Chinese government has criticized local law enforcement officials after hundreds of coronavirus infections were discovered in prisons.

More Than a Dozen Killed, Hundreds Injured as New Delhi Riots Overshadow Trump Visit Posted: 25 Feb 2020 08:48 PM PST More than a dozen people have been killed in New Delhi in violent demonstrations over the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Act, amid a visit by Donald Trump.

In ‘Pacified’ Eastern Myanmar, the Military Is Free to Pursue Its Agenda Posted: 25 Feb 2020 05:30 PM PST Conveniently for the military, the Myanmar government and the international community have opted to push a discredited 'development over peace' strategy in Karen State.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Switzerland Agrees to Resettle Wife, Children of Myanmar’s Rakhine Rebel Leader 
• Angry Exchange Between Military MP, Speaker Mars First Day of Myanmar Charter Debate
• Myanmar ICJ Defender to Give Lecture in Yangon
• KNU Rejects Myanmar General’s Appeal to ‘See the Big Picture’
• Myanmar Restaurant Owner Arrested After Child Employee Burned
• Myanmar to Upgrade Urban Infrastructure in State Capitals, Border Town
• Myanmar-China Border Trade Drops US$200 M Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
• Residents of Myanmar’s Biggest City Must Be Educated Not to Litter, Advocacy Group Says
• Coronavirus Deaths in China Top 2,600 as Hubei Records More Infections
• China Bans Trade, Consumption of Wild Animals Due to Coronavirus
• Trump Stumbles on Indian Names, Hindi Word in Cricket Stadium Speech

Switzerland Agrees to Resettle Wife, Children of Myanmar’s Rakhine Rebel Leader  Posted: 25 Feb 2020 06:10 AM PST With the help of the UNHCR, the wife and children of the leader of the Arakan Army will be resettled in Switzerland from Thailand.

Angry Exchange Between Military MP, Speaker Mars First Day of Myanmar Charter Debate Posted: 25 Feb 2020 06:01 AM PST A military MP received a warning from the Myanmar Parliament Speaker after angrily complaining about the accidental omission of one of the military's amendment proposals.

Myanmar ICJ Defender to Give Lecture in Yangon Posted: 25 Feb 2020 05:18 AM PST Professor William Schabas, who defended Myanmar at the International Court of Justice against genocide charges, will deliver a lecture at Yangon University on March 5.

KNU Rejects Myanmar General’s Appeal to ‘See the Big Picture’ Posted: 25 Feb 2020 04:47 AM PST The Karen National Union denounced a Tatmadaw general's claim that they are taking the "narrow view" of the military's project to expand a road in Karen State.

Myanmar Restaurant Owner Arrested After Child Employee Burned Posted: 25 Feb 2020 03:54 AM PST Ayeyarwady police have arrested a Labutta restaurant owner after a 13-year-old employee was allegedly doused in fuel and set on fire.

Myanmar to Upgrade Urban Infrastructure in State Capitals, Border Town Posted: 25 Feb 2020 02:17 AM PST Myanmar has secured international loans to develop three cities in Mon and Karen states that fall along Japan's East-West Economic Corridor linking Yangon to Vietnam.

Myanmar-China Border Trade Drops US$200 M Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Posted: 25 Feb 2020 01:21 AM PST Producers struggle with unsold stocks and garment factories cut their hours as overland trade with China slumps amid the coronavirus outbreak and Chinese New Year.

Residents of Myanmar’s Biggest City Must Be Educated Not to Litter, Advocacy Group Says Posted: 25 Feb 2020 12:04 AM PST To keep Yangon clean, the laws against littering must be explained to the public and strictly enforced, the head of a waste-disposal advocacy group told The Irrawaddy.

Coronavirus Deaths in China Top 2,600 as Hubei Records More Infections Posted: 24 Feb 2020 09:22 PM PST China reported another 71 coronavirus deaths in the 24 hours through Monday, taking the toll to 2,663, with almost all of the new fatalities occurring in Hubei province.

China Bans Trade, Consumption of Wild Animals Due to Coronavirus Posted: 24 Feb 2020 09:21 PM PST China's National People's Congress will ban all trade and consumption of wild animals in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Trump Stumbles on Indian Names, Hindi Word in Cricket Stadium Speech Posted: 24 Feb 2020 09:11 PM PST US Donald Trump entertains a crowd of more than 100,000 people at a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad by mangling Indian names and Hindi words during his state visit to India.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Survey Finds Decade-High Numbers of Irrawaddy Dolphins
• Myanmar Police Probe Boss over Child Employee Burns
• Myanmar Court Issues Arrest Warrant for US Citizen in Alleged Marijuana Farming Case
• Myanmar Health Ministry Warns of Possible Coronavirus Outbreak as Global Toll Climbs
• Military Proxy USDP Adds Leaders Ahead of Myanmar’s Election
• Direct Flights Between Myanmar and Buddha’s Birthplace in Nepal to Begin in May
• Malaysian PM Mahathir Sends Resignation Letter to King
• Int’l Group Agrees to Tighten Controls on Military Software Exports
• South Korea on Alert After Surge in Coronavirus Cases

Survey Finds Decade-High Numbers of Irrawaddy Dolphins Posted: 24 Feb 2020 05:39 AM PST Despite a decade-high number, there are challenges like electro-fishing, poor water quality and food supplies for the Irrawaddy dolphin.

Myanmar Police Probe Boss over Child Employee Burns Posted: 24 Feb 2020 04:07 AM PST A 13-year boy was allegedly doused in fuel and set on fire by his boss, who accused him of stealing from the till, according to a children's rights group.

Myanmar Court Issues Arrest Warrant for US Citizen in Alleged Marijuana Farming Case Posted: 24 Feb 2020 04:04 AM PST A US citizen on trial for running an alleged marijuana farm in Mandalay has gone missing and a court has issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.

Myanmar Health Ministry Warns of Possible Coronavirus Outbreak as Global Toll Climbs Posted: 24 Feb 2020 02:28 AM PST The Health Ministry has advised against non-essential public meetings as the coronavirus continues its global spread; Myanmar still officially virus-free as of Sunday.

Military Proxy USDP Adds Leaders Ahead of Myanmar’s Election Posted: 24 Feb 2020 01:26 AM PST The Union Solidarity and Development Party has appointed two new vice-chairs and three new executive committee members in a bid to ramp up preparations for the election.

Direct Flights Between Myanmar and Buddha’s Birthplace in Nepal to Begin in May Posted: 23 Feb 2020 11:30 PM PST Charter flights will begin carrying Buddhist pilgrims directly to Lumbini, Nepal in two months; scheduled flights are expected to follow.

Malaysian PM Mahathir Sends Resignation Letter to King Posted: 23 Feb 2020 11:10 PM PST Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad has submitted his resignation after weekend negotiations to form a new coalition that would exclude his anointed successor, Anwar Ibrahim.

Int’l Group Agrees to Tighten Controls on Military Software Exports Posted: 23 Feb 2020 09:18 PM PST The US, Japan and 40 other countries have agreed to expand restrictions on the export of software and microchips for use in military weapons systems.

South Korea on Alert After Surge in Coronavirus Cases Posted: 23 Feb 2020 09:02 PM PST A spike in the number of coronavirus cases in South Korea has prompted museum closures and a mask-buying spree.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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When Gen. Ne Win Seized Domestic and International Banks in Myanmar Posted: 22 Feb 2020 06:30 PM PST On this day in 1963, the military regime nationalized 31 domestic and international banks, including HSBC and Chartered.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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This Week in Parliament Posted: 21 Feb 2020 06:30 PM PST The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup Posted: 21 Feb 2020 05:30 PM PST This week, Myanmar saw news of a South Korean oil project, a new link to India and rising foreign investment while the gem and garment sectors faced setbacks over coronavirus.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar President Vows to Punish Officials Responsible for Failed Toddler Rape Investigation
• Myanmar Military Asks NLD Patron to Join Armed Forces Day Celebration
• Myanmar Military to Probe Two Alleged Massacres by Troops in Rakhine
• Myanmar Parliament Sets Debate for Charter Reform, Caps Military Participation
• Two Kachin Pastors Freed After Myanmar Army Drops Unlawful Association Case
• Photos Reveal Impact of Illegal Banana Plantations on Workers, Land in Myanmar’s Kachin State
• South Korea Sees Surge in Coronavirus Cases
• China Says Media That ‘Insults’ the Country Must Pay a Price
• Vietnam Eases Border Trade Restrictions With China to Help Virus-Hit Businesses
• The Free British Colonial Library in Myanmar that Welcomed Everyone

Myanmar President Vows to Punish Officials Responsible for Failed Toddler Rape Investigation Posted: 21 Feb 2020 05:59 AM PST President U Win Myint said officials who failed to properly investigate the rape of a 2-year-old would be punished, but stopped short of announcing a new investigation.

Myanmar Military Asks NLD Patron to Join Armed Forces Day Celebration Posted: 21 Feb 2020 03:58 AM PST It is the first time the military has invited the former commander-in-chief since he was forced to retire from the military in 1976.

Myanmar Military to Probe Two Alleged Massacres by Troops in Rakhine Posted: 21 Feb 2020 03:45 AM PST The alleged killings of nearly 300 people—mostly civilians—by troops in Rakhine in 2017 will be investigated and courts-martial will be conducted, the military said.

Myanmar Parliament Sets Debate for Charter Reform, Caps Military Participation Posted: 21 Feb 2020 01:35 AM PST Just over one-third of military lawmakers who registered for the debate will be allowed to participate.

Two Kachin Pastors Freed After Myanmar Army Drops Unlawful Association Case Posted: 21 Feb 2020 01:17 AM PST A Kachin pastor who spent two weeks in jail for celebrating Kachin Revolution Day said the order to release him and his colleague 'came from the top' of the military.

Photos Reveal Impact of Illegal Banana Plantations on Workers, Land in Myanmar’s Kachin State Posted: 21 Feb 2020 12:12 AM PST At the Yangon Photo Festival, Hkun Li's exhibition 'The Price of Bananas' chronicles the human and environmental cost of illegal banana plantations in Kachin State.

South Korea Sees Surge in Coronavirus Cases Posted: 20 Feb 2020 08:54 PM PST South Korea has reported a large jump in coronavirus infections; special measures are being implemented in the country's fourth-largest city, Daegu.

China Says Media That ‘Insults’ the Country Must Pay a Price Posted: 20 Feb 2020 08:49 PM PST The Chinese government has defended its decision to expel three Wall Street Journal reporters over an op-ed Beijing deemed 'racist' and 'slanderous'.

Vietnam Eases Border Trade Restrictions With China to Help Virus-Hit Businesses Posted: 20 Feb 2020 08:39 PM PST Vietnam has partially lifted restrictions on border trade with China to ease the burden on businesses hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Free British Colonial Library in Myanmar that Welcomed Everyone Posted: 20 Feb 2020 05:30 PM PST It is 137 years since the Bernard Free Library was established by British colonialists, becoming today's National Library of Myanmar.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar Lower House Votes to Scrap Polling Stations on Military Bases
• Military-Initiated Steel Project Costing Myanmar Govt $345,000 in Daily Loan Payments to China
• Shan Armed Group May Sign Myanmar’s Nationwide Ceasefire
• India-Myanmar Cross-Border Bus Service to Operate Soon
• KNU to Myanmar Military: Stop Road Building Until Dispute is Settled
• Fighting Closes Schools Ahead of Key Exams in Myanmar’s Chin State
• Blaze in Yangon’s Chinatown Injures 15
• Myanmar’s Union-Level Ceasefire Monitoring Committee to Meet Next Month
• China Says Aerosol Infection Possible in Coronavirus Outbreak
• Myanmar Reportedly Set to Be Placed on Global Money-Laundering Watchlist
• Tranquil Thailand’s Gun Culture in Spotlight After Shooting Sprees
• Batman’s Butler Alfred on Colonialism: Does ‘Burning Down the Forest’ Work?

Myanmar Lower House Votes to Scrap Polling Stations on Military Bases Posted: 20 Feb 2020 05:35 AM PST The Lower House has voted in support of an election commission proposal requiring military personnel and their families to cast their votes outside military barracks.

Military-Initiated Steel Project Costing Myanmar Govt $345,000 in Daily Loan Payments to China Posted: 20 Feb 2020 04:59 AM PST Myanmar taxpayers are bearing the burden of repaying the loan to China Development Bank.

Shan Armed Group May Sign Myanmar’s Nationwide Ceasefire Posted: 20 Feb 2020 04:58 AM PST The Shan State Progressive Party says it is considering signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement this year if it will move Myanmar towards political reform.

India-Myanmar Cross-Border Bus Service to Operate Soon Posted: 20 Feb 2020 04:43 AM PST Mandalay in central Myanmar and Imphal in northeastern India is due to be connected by a bus service from April after 17 years of planning.

KNU to Myanmar Military: Stop Road Building Until Dispute is Settled Posted: 20 Feb 2020 04:29 AM PST The Karen National Union and the Myanmar military are struggling with military tensions over road construction in Karen territory as they work to build a stronger ceasefire.

Fighting Closes Schools Ahead of Key Exams in Myanmar’s Chin State Posted: 20 Feb 2020 03:11 AM PST Fighting between Myanmar's army and the Arakan Army has forced numerous schools to close across Paletwa in Chin State as vital exams approach in March.

Blaze in Yangon’s Chinatown Injures 15 Posted: 20 Feb 2020 12:43 AM PST Residents were trapped in elevators and choked by smoke as fire raged through two floors of a mixed-use building.

Myanmar’s Union-Level Ceasefire Monitoring Committee to Meet Next Month Posted: 20 Feb 2020 12:41 AM PST The government and 10 ethnic armed groups have agreed to convene the Union-level Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee next month after a yearlong delay.

China Says Aerosol Infection Possible in Coronavirus Outbreak Posted: 19 Feb 2020 09:59 PM PST The coronavirus can be contracted by inhaling tiny airborne particles carrying the virus, Chinese officials said; those exposed to high concentrations are most at risk.

Myanmar Reportedly Set to Be Placed on Global Money-Laundering Watchlist Posted: 19 Feb 2020 09:54 PM PST A global watchdog is set to put Myanmar on its money-laundering 'gray list', sources close to an ongoing meeting in Paris said, citing trafficking, regulatory concerns.

Tranquil Thailand’s Gun Culture in Spotlight After Shooting Sprees Posted: 19 Feb 2020 09:34 PM PST A series of deadly shootings has drawn attention to Thailand's widespread gun ownership and the prevalence of illegal firearms in the country.

Batman’s Butler Alfred on Colonialism: Does ‘Burning Down the Forest’ Work? Posted: 19 Feb 2020 05:30 PM PST When the Myanmar military, like the British colonial army, hammers a population into desperation, the result may be more destructive than the problem they set out to resolve.

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