Thursday, August 6, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Election Officials Scramble to Correct Error-Riddled Voter Lists

Posted: 06 Aug 2020 06:47 AM PDT

Pressure is building on election officials amid public complaints that preliminary voter lists are missing names, include deceased people, and contain faulty data.

Myanmar Ministry to Probe Whether Pro-Army Video Was Shot in Violation of COVID-19 Ban

Posted: 06 Aug 2020 04:19 AM PDT

After an outcry on social media, the Information Ministry will check to see whether a pro-military video by singer Yone Lay violated a ban on film shoots during COVID-19.

Myanmar Pastors Jailed for Defying COVID-19 Restrictions

Posted: 06 Aug 2020 04:18 AM PDT

Pastors Saw Kwae Wah and Saw David Lah were sentenced to three months in prison with hard labor for organizing religious gatherings in violation of COVID-19 restrictions.

Myanmar Govt Says Arakan Army Not Invited to Union Peace Conference

Posted: 06 Aug 2020 03:08 AM PDT

As a terrorist group, the AA will not be invited to this month's Union Peace Conference, the government said, prompting the Brotherhood Alliance to threaten a boycott.

Myanmar Lawyers Elect New Bar Council for First Time Since Military Regime

Posted: 06 Aug 2020 02:58 AM PDT

Myanmar has a democratically-elected Bar Council for the first time in 30 years, marking a major step towards judicial reform in the country.

Dengue at Record High in Singapore Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 11:07 PM PDT

The large number of people working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic is believed to have contributed to a record number of dengue cases in Singapore this year.

North Korea to ‘Support’ Border City Where Suspected Virus Case Found

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 11:01 PM PDT

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered special resources sent to the locked down city of Kaesong, where a suspected COVID-19 case was detected, state media said.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Volunteers Help Myanmar Migrant Workers Register to Vote in Thailand

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 07:17 AM PDT

Volunteers are helping Thailand's large population of migrant voters, many of whom are voting for the first time, register to cast ballots early.

Myanmar Health Experts Fear Public Complacency Could Lead to Second Wave of COVID-19

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 04:28 AM PDT

Health authorities need to get tougher about enforcing COVID-19 prevention measures to instil a 'new normal' among the public, experts warned amid fears of a second wave.

Myanmar OKs Venture With Japan’s AEON to Build Country’s Biggest Mall in Yangon

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 03:14 AM PDT

Myanmar's investment agency has approved a venture between local firm Shwe Taung and Japan's AEON, which will build the country's largest mall in Dagon Seikan Township.

Chair of Myanmar Military Proxy Party Will Run for Parliament

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 03:06 AM PDT

U Than Htay, chair of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, will run for a Lower House seat in Naypyitaw's Zayarthiri Township, which the party won in both 2010 and 2015.

Myanmar Govt Restores Internet in Rakhine, Locals Complain of Weak Signal

Posted: 05 Aug 2020 01:59 AM PDT

After a year-long internet blackout, 2G service has resumed in western Myanmar's conflict zones but locals say the signal is weak and telecom firms appear to be limiting access.

Love of the Lingo

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 11:17 PM PDT

To mark Monday's passing of John Okell, a noted British instructor of the Burmese language, The Irrawaddy revisits this 2015 profile of the much-loved teacher.

Philippines Begins Avigan Clinical Trials for COVID-19 Treatment

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 10:13 PM PDT

Clinical trials of the Japanese drug Avigan have begun in the Philippines as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

China Raps US for Using National Security as Reason to Bully TikTok

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 10:07 PM PDT

Beijing has urged the US to allow an open investment environment after President Trump vowed to shut down Chinese-owned app TikTok's US operations if they weren't sold.

Massive Blast in Beirut Kills at Least 73, Injures 3,700

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 09:39 PM PDT

A huge explosion in Beirut, believed to have originated at a facility storing ammonium nitrate, has killed more than 70 people and injured some 3,700.
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Tuesday, August 4, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Police, Military Troops Killed in Fighting With Arakan Army in Western Myanmar

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 05:34 AM PDT

At least seven police and military personnel were killed in fighting with the Arakan Army in Rakhine State, along with one immigration officer who was conducting a census.

Ex-Aide to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Contest Election, but Not Under NLD

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 05:20 AM PDT

Dr. Tin Mar Aung, former secretary to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, will contest a seat in the Rakhine parliament on the Arakan League for Democracy ticket, in an NLD stronghold.

Fighting in Western Myanmar Disrupts Voter List Posting Ahead of Election

Posted: 04 Aug 2020 03:01 AM PDT

Fighting in Chin State has prevented election authorities in conflict areas from making initial voter lists public ahead of the November election.

Trump Says He Will Ban TikTok on Sept. 15 Unless US Firm Buys It

Posted: 03 Aug 2020 09:57 PM PDT

President Trump said he would ban Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless a local firm buys its US operations; Microsoft in talks on purchase.

Travelers to Singapore to Be Electronically Tagged for 14 Days

Posted: 03 Aug 2020 09:49 PM PDT

All travelers arriving in Singapore will be electronically tagged to ensure they abide by the required 14-day quarantine to curb COVID-19.
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Monday, August 3, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Thai Border Town a Shadow of Its Former Self Due to COVID-19 Lockdown

Posted: 02 Aug 2020 07:30 PM PDT

The Thai town of Mae Hong Son near the border with Myanmar remains eerily empty despite a partial lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown.
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Saturday, August 1, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 31 Jul 2020 07:30 PM PDT

This week, Myanmar announced new industrial and economic zones and approved US$1 billion in loans, including $250 million for COVID-19 relief and $747 million for a highway.

Charting Myanmar’s Course Through US-China Tensions

Posted: 31 Jul 2020 06:30 PM PDT

This week, The Irrawaddy talks with former Information Minister U Ye Htut about Myanmar's place in the latest stage of US-China tensions in Southeast Asia.
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Friday, July 31, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Travelers Return to Hpa-an as Myanmar’s Domestic Tourism Reopens

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 06:30 PM PDT

As Myanmar's tourism sector has reopened to domestic travelers, Hpa-an has become a hot spot those wanting a scenic, relaxed trip away to recover from lockdown.
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Thursday, July 30, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar MPs Approve ADB Loan for Mekong Corridor Highway

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 07:09 AM PDT

Opposition lawmakers condemned the proposed US$483.8 million loan as excessive for 62 km of road.

Two Myanmar Soldiers Face Court-Martial for Karen Woman’s Murder

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 05:41 AM PDT

Karen protesters are demanding the removal of several army outposts and reject military claims that a gun accidentally fired.

Myanmar Military Arrests Three Rakhine Women for Alleged Ties to Arakan Army

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 02:35 AM PDT

The Myanmar military has arrested three Rakhine women described as pillars of their community—the latest in a string of detentions over alleged ties to the Arakan Army.

Myanmar Naga Separatists NSCN-K Expel Three Accused of Splitting From Group

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 12:18 AM PDT

The Naga separatist group NSCN-K has expelled three members including its deputy military chief a day after the trio announced it was setting up its own faction.

Boeing to Terminate Production of 747 Jumbo Jet in 2022

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 09:56 PM PDT

Due to the introduction of more fuel-efficient models and changes brought about by the coronavirus, Boeing said it would stop making 747 airliners in 2022.

India’s Coronavirus Cases Surpass 1.5 Million

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 09:49 PM PDT

India's coronavirus caseload has passed 1.5 million with more than 34,000 deaths.

China Reports 101 New Coronavirus Infections; Highest Since April 12

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 09:41 PM PDT

China has reported its highest daily number of new coronavirus infections since April 12, with 101 new cases, many in the far west.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Closes Bagan’s Temples Ahead of Weekend Holiday Amid COVID-19 Fears

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 06:25 AM PDT

Employers in Bagan are reeling as they were counting on an influx of domestic visitors to help cope with the coronavirus downturn.

Myanmar Health Minister Urges Renewed Vigilance to Prevent Second COVID-19 Wave

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 05:53 AM PDT

Health Minister Dr. Myint Htwe noted that people in Myanmar have become relaxed about COVID-19 prevention measures, with many workplaces abandoning health guidelines.

Myanmar Takes US$250 M Loan from ADB for COVID-19 Relief

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 05:30 AM PDT

Myanmar's Parliament gave the green light to borrow US$250 million from the ADB to help fund the government's COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan which it began rolling out in April.

Myanmar’s Union Govt Splits Up Huge China-Backed New Yangon City Project

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 04:34 AM PDT

Citing the huge investment cost, the Myanmar government has broken up the New Yangon City project and will recruit an international consultant to help select a developer.

Myanmar to Lift Ban on Foreign Travel for Citizens With Urgent Business

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 02:22 AM PDT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Myanmar citizens with an urgent need to travel overseas will be cleared to do so on a case-by-case basis.

Almost 3 Billion Animals Affected by Australia’s Summer Fires: Report

Posted: 28 Jul 2020 09:42 PM PDT

Experts in Australia have revised upward their estimate of the number of animals killed or impacted by the country's recent bushfires to 3 billion from 1 billion.

Malaysian ex-PM Najib Sentenced to 12 Years in Jail Over 1MDB Scandal

Posted: 28 Jul 2020 09:32 PM PDT

A Malaysian court has sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to 12 years in jail on multiple charges in the first of a series of corruption trials.
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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Western Commander Appointed Deputy Minister at Military-Controlled Border Affairs Ministry

Posted: 28 Jul 2020 05:46 AM PDT

The three military-controlled ministries have seen major changes with Major General Phone Myat being appointed as deputy border affairs minister.

Thousands of Villagers in Myanmar’s Karen State Protest Army Killings of Civilians

Posted: 28 Jul 2020 05:39 AM PDT

In the second protest in less than a week, over 4,600 villagers in Karen State's Papun marched to demand an end to unaccountable killings of civilians by troops.

Migrants Returning Illegally From India Spark COVID-19 Alarm

Posted: 28 Jul 2020 05:37 AM PDT

Sagaing Region says many migrant workers are illegally returning from India to avoid quarantine centers, leading to fears of a coronavirus outbreak.

With No End in Sight to Fighting, Life in Myanmar’s IDP Camps Goes On

Posted: 28 Jul 2020 05:26 AM PDT

Thousands of displaced people remain trapped in IDP camps across northern Shan State as fighting continues between the Tatmadaw and the KIA.

New Zealand Suspends Extradition Treaty With Hong Kong

Posted: 27 Jul 2020 09:51 PM PDT

Following Australia, Canada and Britain, New Zealand has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of Beijing's new security law for the territory.

US Firms in Final Stages of Coronavirus Vaccine Trials

Posted: 27 Jul 2020 09:44 PM PDT

Drugmakers Moderna and Pfizer said they are in final-stage trials of a coronavirus vaccine as the US gears up to deliver millions of doses by January.
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