The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar-Based Diplomats Told to Cancel Events Amid Coronavirus Fears
• NLD, Ethnic Parties Vote Down Myanmar Military’s Charter Amendment Proposals
• Mon State MPs Urge Govt: Ban Pilgrimages to Myanmar’s Golden Rock Over COVID-19
• Myanmar Govt Suspends Advance Tax on Exports to Aid Virus-Hit Businesses
• RCSS Dialogue with Shan Residents Postponed Over Myanmar’s Coronavirus Concerns
• Nine Civilians Injured in Rakhine as Myanmar Military Shells Villages
• Tracing the More Than Century-Old Dream of Building a Myanmar-China Railway
• The Day British Bombers Destroyed Mandalay Palace
• Coronavirus Closes India’s Taj Mahal; Mumbai Tells Half Its Office Workers to Stay Home
• China Reports One Locally Transmitted Virus Case, 20 Imported Ones

Myanmar-Based Diplomats Told to Cancel Events Amid Coronavirus Fears Posted: 17 Mar 2020 06:40 AM PDT The government has told diplomats based in Myanmar and its staff overseas to cancel all public events to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

NLD, Ethnic Parties Vote Down Myanmar Military’s Charter Amendment Proposals Posted: 17 Mar 2020 06:06 AM PDT NLD, ethnic MPs reject proposed charter amendments by the military and USDP, including one that would have allowed state parliaments to elect chief ministers.

Mon State MPs Urge Govt: Ban Pilgrimages to Myanmar’s Golden Rock Over COVID-19 Posted: 17 Mar 2020 05:47 AM PDT The Mon State parliament is calling on their state government to ban pilgrimages and tours to the famous Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.

Myanmar Govt Suspends Advance Tax on Exports to Aid Virus-Hit Businesses Posted: 17 Mar 2020 03:29 AM PDT In a bid to ease pressure on Myanmar's coronavirus-hit businesses, the government has unveiled a raft of measures including tax relief, soft loans and training programs.

RCSS Dialogue with Shan Residents Postponed Over Myanmar’s Coronavirus Concerns Posted: 17 Mar 2020 02:33 AM PDT The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)'s first political dialogue with stakeholders—a key step in the peace process—has been postponed over concerns about coronavirus.

Nine Civilians Injured in Rakhine as Myanmar Military Shells Villages Posted: 17 Mar 2020 01:55 AM PDT More civilians were injured early Monday morning as the Myanmar navy allegedly shelled villages near the Kalanda River in Rakhine, according to local lawmakers and residents.

Tracing the More Than Century-Old Dream of Building a Myanmar-China Railway Posted: 17 Mar 2020 01:40 AM PDT If China's plan for a high-speed railway between Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State and Yunnan goes ahead, it will realize a vision first put forward by 19th-century colonizers.

The Day British Bombers Destroyed Mandalay Palace Posted: 17 Mar 2020 01:01 AM PDT On this day in 1945, British forces bombed Mandalay Palace, the last home of Myanmar's kings, reducing it to rubble as Japanese troops put up fierce resistance.

Coronavirus Closes India’s Taj Mahal; Mumbai Tells Half Its Office Workers to Stay Home Posted: 17 Mar 2020 12:00 AM PDT To prevent the spread of coronavirus, India has closed the Taj Mahal and ordered millions of Mumbai office workers to stay home; cases in Pakistan spike to 183.

China Reports One Locally Transmitted Virus Case, 20 Imported Ones Posted: 16 Mar 2020 11:16 PM PDT All but one of the 21 new coronavirus cases reported in China on Tuesday were imported from overseas, health authorities said.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• The Myanmar Govt Has Been Spared a Real Test on Coronavirus—but No One’s Luck Lasts Forever
• 21 Killed, Many More Injured as Myanmar Military Jets Strafe Villages in Chin State
• Myanmar Preschools Braced for Coronavirus Closures
• Myanmar Migrants in Thailand Discouraged From New Year Homecoming Amid Covid-19 Concerns
• With Failed Myanmar Charter Reform, Military Still Controls Amnesty for Political Prisoners
• Myanmar Military Case Against Irrawaddy Editor to Move Ahead
• Two Women Injured by Myanmar Military in Rakhine Die in Hospital
• TNLA Attacks Five Poppy-Growing Hubs in Northern Myanmar
• Myanmar Orders Quarantine, Monitoring for Arrivals from Countries Hit by Coronavirus
• India Proposes Regional Fund to Fight Coronavirus as Cases Exceed 100
• French Infant Among Four New Coronavirus Cases in Cambodia
• BOJ Starts Moved-Up Policy Meeting After Fed’s Rate Cut

The Myanmar Govt Has Been Spared a Real Test on Coronavirus—but No One’s Luck Lasts Forever Posted: 16 Mar 2020 08:28 AM PDT The government has been slow to act on coronavirus, on both the health and economic fronts; so far only luck has spared it a real test of its crisis-management skills.

21 Killed, Many More Injured as Myanmar Military Jets Strafe Villages in Chin State Posted: 16 Mar 2020 07:48 AM PDT Some 21 villagers were killed and dozens hurt when fighter jets allegedly strafed several villages in Chin State's Paletwa amid fierce clashes with the AA, locals said.

Myanmar Preschools Braced for Coronavirus Closures Posted: 16 Mar 2020 06:13 AM PDT Although there are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Myanmar, all nursery schools are likely to be forced to close until late April as a precaution.

Myanmar Migrants in Thailand Discouraged From New Year Homecoming Amid Covid-19 Concerns Posted: 16 Mar 2020 06:03 AM PDT The Myanmar Embassy in Thailand tells migrants not to travel home for water festival celebrations in April. Anyone who ignores the advice faces 14 days in quarantine.

With Failed Myanmar Charter Reform, Military Still Controls Amnesty for Political Prisoners Posted: 16 Mar 2020 05:35 AM PDT Parliament rejected a proposed constitutional amendment on Monday that would have revoked the military's power to control the presidential amnesty process in Myanmar.

Myanmar Military Case Against Irrawaddy Editor to Move Ahead Posted: 16 Mar 2020 05:30 AM PDT A Yangon court has accepted a military lawsuit filed against U Ye Ni over the media outlet's coverage of clashes in Rakhine State.

Two Women Injured by Myanmar Military in Rakhine Die in Hospital Posted: 16 Mar 2020 05:20 AM PDT Two women died at a hospital in Rakhine State after being hit on Friday by fire from Myanmar military forces.

TNLA Attacks Five Poppy-Growing Hubs in Northern Myanmar Posted: 16 Mar 2020 04:47 AM PDT The Ta'ang National Liberation Army says it has attacked five militia bases in northern Shan State in an attempt to end heroin cultivation.

Myanmar Orders Quarantine, Monitoring for Arrivals from Countries Hit by Coronavirus Posted: 16 Mar 2020 04:07 AM PDT A mandatory quarantine is in effect for anyone who has been in Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Spain or Germany, and arrivals from China and the US will be monitored.

India Proposes Regional Fund to Fight Coronavirus as Cases Exceed 100 Posted: 16 Mar 2020 12:06 AM PDT Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed the creation of an emergency fund to help South Asian countries fight the coronavirus.

French Infant Among Four New Coronavirus Cases in Cambodia Posted: 15 Mar 2020 11:54 PM PDT Cambodia reported four new coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the country's total to eight.

BOJ Starts Moved-Up Policy Meeting After Fed’s Rate Cut Posted: 15 Mar 2020 11:18 PM PDT Japan's central bank has move forward its policy meeting after the US Federal Reserve announced an emergency rate cut to curb the economic effects of the coronavirus.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• This Week in Parliament
• The Irrawaddy Business Roundup
• Will the Myanmar Military Ever Allow Charter Reform?

This Week in Parliament Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:30 PM PDT The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup Posted: 13 Mar 2020 08:00 PM PDT The coronavirus has dominated business in Myanmar with interest rates falling, the Indian border closing and a special committee opening to address the economic impact.

Will the Myanmar Military Ever Allow Charter Reform? Posted: 13 Mar 2020 07:30 PM PDT The Irrawaddy discusses this week's failed constitutional amendment vote with political analyst Ma Mon Mon Myat and Ko Thiha Thu of the Than Lwin Citizen Empowerment Program.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Karenni Farmers Jailed in Land Dispute With Army Leave Prison
• 20 Villages Abandoned as Rakhine Rebels Attack Myanmar Army Outpost
• Tourist Arrivals in Myanmar Will Drop 50% Over COVID-19: Tourism Ministry
• Chinese Electricity: Blessing or Curse for Myanmar?
• Myanmar Central Bank Cuts Rates, Business Circle Says Move Falls Short
• Myanmar Military Still Wields Veto on Charter Change as NLD Reform Attempt Fails
• Myanmar Govt Cancels Mass Gatherings and Thingyan Water Festival as Coronavirus Precaution
• Death Toll From Coronavirus in Italy Tops 1,000
• After Fleeing Abuse, Trafficked ‘Brides’ Stuck in China Due to Coronavirus

Karenni Farmers Jailed in Land Dispute With Army Leave Prison Posted: 13 Mar 2020 06:23 AM PDT A total of 41 Karenni farmers and activists jailed for damaging property during a land dispute with the army have been freed after completing their six-month sentences.

20 Villages Abandoned as Rakhine Rebels Attack Myanmar Army Outpost Posted: 13 Mar 2020 06:00 AM PDT Villagers near the Kaladan River have fled their homes as fighting continues around a Myanmar army hilltop outpost which is besieged by the Arakan Army.

Tourist Arrivals in Myanmar Will Drop 50% Over COVID-19: Tourism Ministry Posted: 13 Mar 2020 05:49 AM PDT The Tourism Ministry estimates Myanmar will see a 20 to 50 percent drop in tourism this year as most Chinese travelers and many other tourists cancel travel plans.

Chinese Electricity: Blessing or Curse for Myanmar? Posted: 13 Mar 2020 05:28 AM PDT Hungry for electricity, Myanmar is accepting China's offers of cheap LNG stations and crossborder transmissions. But relying on Chinese power poses dangers, experts warn.

Myanmar Central Bank Cuts Rates, Business Circle Says Move Falls Short Posted: 13 Mar 2020 04:34 AM PDT The Central Bank will cut interest rates by 0.5 percent on April 1 in a bid to boost growth but economists say it won't be enough as the bank's rates remain high.

Myanmar Military Still Wields Veto on Charter Change as NLD Reform Attempt Fails Posted: 13 Mar 2020 03:58 AM PDT As the Parliament fails to reform the undemocratic terms of Article 436, the military will retain its power to block amendments to the Constitution.

Myanmar Govt Cancels Mass Gatherings and Thingyan Water Festival as Coronavirus Precaution Posted: 13 Mar 2020 01:03 AM PDT All public gatherings, including Water Festival celebrations, are banned until the end of April to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak, the government said.

Death Toll From Coronavirus in Italy Tops 1,000 Posted: 12 Mar 2020 10:08 PM PDT More than 1,000 people have died from the coronavirus in Italy, with over 15,000 confirmed infections, the government said.

After Fleeing Abuse, Trafficked ‘Brides’ Stuck in China Due to Coronavirus Posted: 12 Mar 2020 10:05 PM PDT Aid groups in Cambodia and Vietnam say local women fleeing Chinese human trafficking networks are stranded in the country due to the coronavirus.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar Military Chief Retains Special Powers as NLD Charter Reforms Stymied
• Myanmar Court Sentences Man to Five Years in Prison Under Colonial Sodomy Law
• U Win Tin’s Lasting Legacy
• Landmine Kills Two Shan Civilians in Northern Myanmar
• Myanmar’s Failed Charter Reform Will Soil Military’s Image: Military Proxy MP
• As Myanmar Charter Change Fails, a Good Time to Remember U Win Tin
• Bangkok Airways Suspends Most Flights to Myanmar as Virus Hits Air Travel
• Returning to Scene of 2003 Massacre, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Focuses on Present
• Tom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson Test Positive for Coronavirus in Australia
• Some Businesses Allowed to Resume in Wuhan, Origin of Virus Outbreak
• WHO Declares Coronavirus a Pandemic as Cases Keep Rising Globally
• Asia’s Rapid Urbanization, Deforestation Linked to Deadly Viruses

Myanmar Military Chief Retains Special Powers as NLD Charter Reforms Stymied Posted: 12 Mar 2020 05:35 AM PDT The commander-in-chief will continue to hold the right to exercise sweeping powers in states of emergency as the military blocks Myanmar's push to reform its Constitution.

Myanmar Court Sentences Man to Five Years in Prison Under Colonial Sodomy Law Posted: 12 Mar 2020 05:14 AM PDT The owner of a Yangon restaurant was sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexually abusing a waiter under a colonial-era law used to criminalize homosexuality.

U Win Tin’s Lasting Legacy Posted: 12 Mar 2020 04:35 AM PDT Today would have been the 90th birthday of the late democracy activist and political prisoner U Win Tin. The Irrawaddy revisits an article from 2014 examining his legacy.

Landmine Kills Two Shan Civilians in Northern Myanmar Posted: 12 Mar 2020 04:22 AM PDT A landmine has killed two Shan villagers and wounded another near Kyaukme, where two rebel armies and government forces are clashing.

Myanmar’s Failed Charter Reform Will Soil Military’s Image: Military Proxy MP Posted: 12 Mar 2020 03:55 AM PDT A USDP lawmaker said the failed charter reform attempt creates a negative image of Myanmar's military in the international community as military MPs opposed all amendments.

As Myanmar Charter Change Fails, a Good Time to Remember U Win Tin Posted: 12 Mar 2020 03:15 AM PDT For decades, U Win Tin bravely defied the military; it's only fitting that we mark his 90th birthday just as the army thwarts his party's bid to demilitarize politics.

Bangkok Airways Suspends Most Flights to Myanmar as Virus Hits Air Travel Posted: 12 Mar 2020 01:53 AM PDT Thai carrier Bangkok Airways has announced a dramatic reduction in flights to Myanmar and other local and regional destinations as COVID-19 slows the global economy.

Returning to Scene of 2003 Massacre, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Focuses on Present Posted: 12 Mar 2020 12:02 AM PDT Myanmar's State Counselor on Wednesday returned to Depayin Township, where pro-junta thugs killed scores of her followers in 2003, but did not raise the incident.

Tom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson Test Positive for Coronavirus in Australia Posted: 11 Mar 2020 10:27 PM PDT Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, have tested positive for coronavirus while in Australia, the movie star announced via Twitter.

Some Businesses Allowed to Resume in Wuhan, Origin of Virus Outbreak Posted: 11 Mar 2020 10:25 PM PDT The Hubei provincial government in China said certain key industries in Wuhan—the origin of the coronavirus pandemic—can resume operations, citing a drop in new cases.

WHO Declares Coronavirus a Pandemic as Cases Keep Rising Globally Posted: 11 Mar 2020 10:19 PM PDT The World Health Organization has labeled the spread of coronavirus a pandemic, citing the rate of its spread and the disruption it has caused; cases now exceed 120,000.

Asia’s Rapid Urbanization, Deforestation Linked to Deadly Viruses Posted: 11 Mar 2020 10:02 PM PDT The spread of coronavirus has put a spotlight on the link between deforestation, unplanned development and the spread of infectious diseases.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• AA Claim Seizure of Myanmar Battalion Commander After Heavy Fighting
• Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Still Barred From Presidency as Proposed Charter Change Fails
• Jubilee Hall—From Colonial Social Hub to Hotbed of Myanmar Independence Activity
• Nationalists Protest in Naypyitaw Against Constitutional Amendments
• Myanmar Prepared to Ease Coronavirus Impact on Economy: Suu Kyi
• Myanmar Touts $200M in Drug Seizures in Military-Backed Militia Territory
• Is Myanmar’s Democracy Lost in a Labyrinth of Constitutional Amendment?
• Myanmar State Counselor’s Public Meetings Draw Criticism Amid Coronavirus Fears
• US Urged to Downgrade Thailand in Annual Human Trafficking Report
• Japanese PM Calls for Event Cancellations for Another 10 Days to Prevent Spread of Virus

AA Claim Seizure of Myanmar Battalion Commander After Heavy Fighting Posted: 11 Mar 2020 06:42 AM PDT The Arakan Army says it has detained 20 Myanmar troops, including a battalion commander, and found over 20 soldiers dead after heavy fighting near the Kaladan River.

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Still Barred From Presidency as Proposed Charter Change Fails Posted: 11 Mar 2020 06:33 AM PDT Unelected military lawmakers and their USDP allies have successfully blocked an NLD proposal to scrap the Constitution's ban on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi becoming president.

Jubilee Hall—From Colonial Social Hub to Hotbed of Myanmar Independence Activity Posted: 11 Mar 2020 05:59 AM PDT Rangoon's Jubilee Hall, one of British Burma's architectural landmarks, survived bombing raids and earthquakes, but fell to the socialist regime's wrecking ball in 1985.

Nationalists Protest in Naypyitaw Against Constitutional Amendments Posted: 11 Mar 2020 04:45 AM PDT Nationalists have protested in Naypyitaw against NLD attempts to change Article 59(f) of the Constitution, which bars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency.

Myanmar Prepared to Ease Coronavirus Impact on Economy: Suu Kyi Posted: 11 Mar 2020 04:07 AM PDT The State Counselor said Tuesday that the government has plans in place to ensure the coronavirus outbreak does not lead to an economic crisis but gave few details.

Myanmar Touts $200M in Drug Seizures in Military-Backed Militia Territory Posted: 11 Mar 2020 02:49 AM PDT Over 11 days, the Myanmar military has seized drugs and paraphernalia worth nearly US$200 million in an area controlled by a military-backed militia in northern Shan State.

Is Myanmar’s Democracy Lost in a Labyrinth of Constitutional Amendment? Posted: 11 Mar 2020 02:20 AM PDT As the long process to amend Myanmar's Constitution appears lost, The Irrawaddy sits down with lawmakers U Aung Thein and U Sai Tun Aye to look for a way out.

Myanmar State Counselor’s Public Meetings Draw Criticism Amid Coronavirus Fears Posted: 10 Mar 2020 11:26 PM PDT The State Counselor's public meetings around the country—held despite her government's advice against such gatherings—have been criticized amid concerns over coronavirus.

US Urged to Downgrade Thailand in Annual Human Trafficking Report Posted: 10 Mar 2020 11:13 PM PDT Rights groups say Thailand has made little progress in efforts to protect fishing and garment workers from neighboring countries.

Japanese PM Calls for Event Cancellations for Another 10 Days to Prevent Spread of Virus Posted: 10 Mar 2020 10:58 PM PDT Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked sports and cultural officials to cancel events for another 10 days so that coronavirus prevention efforts can be assessed.

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