Friday, September 4, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Military ‘Burns Down’ Rakhine Village in Western Myanmar: Residents

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 07:43 AM PDT

Troops allegedly responded to a landmine blast by killing two villagers and burning more than 200 homes.

China Grows More Assertive Ahead of Myanmar’s Election

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 07:29 AM PDT

China is clearly betting on the NLD to win November's election and support its BRI projects, but in Myanmar, embracing Beijing carries political risks.

Westerner Behind the Wheel

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 05:55 AM PDT

In the third article about touring by car in Myanmar, Oliver Hargreave describes researching a self-drive route.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Says Kayah State Chief Minister Removed Over ‘Personal Grudge’

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 03:41 AM PDT

The NLD has accused the Kayah parliament speaker of orchestrating ex-chief minister L Phaung Sho's removal after being denied a chance to run in November's election.

While Elephants Enjoy Some Rest, Humans Suffer as COVID-19 Hits Thai Tourism

Posted: 04 Sep 2020 01:10 AM PDT

At one of Thailand's biggest elephant parks in Chiang Mai, the pachyderms and Myanmar migrants wait in vain for tourists to return.

Myanmar Reports Its Seventh COVID-19 Death; First in Over Four Months

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 11:18 PM PDT

A 46-year-old woman with an underlying health condition on Thursday became the seventh person in Myanmar to die of COVID-19; she was the first fatality since April 29.

Thailand Reports First Local Coronavirus Transmission in 100 Days

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 09:38 PM PDT

A jailed man undergoing a 14-day quarantine at a prison has become Thailand's first locally transmitted COVID-19 case in 100 days.

Malaysia Bans Foreigners From Countries With Over 150,000 Virus Cases

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 09:32 PM PDT

To curb a growing number of imported COVID-19 cases, Malaysia will deny entry to foreigners from countries with more than 150,000 infections.
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Thursday, September 3, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s COVID-19 Cases Exceed 1,000

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 06:41 AM PDT

As the government imposes partial lockdowns in more areas to curb the spread of coronavirus, some fear restrictions are crushing the economic recovery.

Myanmar President Removes Kayah State Chief Minister From Office for Misusing Funds

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 05:28 AM PDT

Myanmar President U Win Myint dismissed the ruling party's L Phaung Sho as Kayah State chief minister on Thursday following his impeachment in a funding scandal.

Myanmar’s Election Body to Decide on COVID-19 Election Delay in October

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 05:23 AM PDT

While undecided on whether to delay, the Union Election Commission has approved 8,120 domestic observers and two international NGOs to monitor the November election.

Myanmar’s Military Blamed for Rakhine Civilian Deaths and Disrupting COVID-19 Quarantine

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 02:34 AM PDT

Villagers say they were forced out of coronavirus quarantine by soldiers searching their homes in northern Rakhine State.

Myanmar in China’s Plans for Expanded Overseas Network of Military Facilities, US Says

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 01:57 AM PDT

Along with Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and others, Myanmar is eyed by China to host infrastructure needed to expand its global military reach, a Pentagon report says.

Rejected Candidate in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Says He’s Been Bullied off the Ballot

Posted: 03 Sep 2020 12:57 AM PDT

An ANP lawmaker disqualified from seeking reelection over his son's alleged ties to the AA says the election commission has not produced evidence to support its move.

China to Double Nuclear Warhead Stockpile Over Next Decade, US Predicts

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 10:11 PM PDT

The Pentagon said China will likely double its stockpile of nuclear arms over the next decade and is outpacing the US in production of ships and other military hardware.

Taiwan Unveils New Passport to Avoid Confusion With Mainland China

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 10:03 PM PDT

In a move that is sure to ruffle feathers in Beijing, Taiwan has unveiled a new passport with features designed to make it more distinct from Chinese travel documents.

Freighter With 43 Crew, 5,800 Cattle Missing off Southwestern Japan

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 09:42 PM PDT

Scores of crewmembers and thousands of cattle are missing after a freighter went missing off the southwest coast of Japan amid heavy seas caused by a typhoon.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Warns of Jail Terms for COVID-19 Rule Breakers

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 07:20 AM PDT

The spike in coronavirus cases in Yangon and Rakhine State means Myanmar is facing a "national disaster", Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has warned.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Vows to Reform Military in Election Manifesto

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 07:09 AM PDT

In its election manifesto, the ruling National League for Democracy vows to reduce the military's political powers and says national reconciliation is its top priority.

China Seeks Myanmar’s Assurances on Moving BRI Projects Ahead; Offers Aid for Rakhine

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 03:40 AM PDT

China's top diplomat on Tuesday lobbied the State Counselor and President to begin work on BRI projects; expert says Beijing wants assurances before November's election.

Rohingya Detainee in Ayeyarwady Tests COVID-19 Positive

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 03:02 AM PDT

Of the 42 Rohingya detained on the Ayeyarwady coast, one has coronavirus, forcing 14 police officers into quarantine.

Myanmar Civil Servants Offered COVID-19 Loans

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 02:57 AM PDT

The government says it will offer two months' salaries as interest-free loans to civil servants as it tries to boost the economy

Taiwan Can Help the World Come Back Stronger From COVID-19

Posted: 02 Sep 2020 01:58 AM PDT

The UN's recent pledge to become more inclusive as the world works to recover from COVID-19 is hollow as long as Taiwan is excluded, the island's foreign minister writes.

‘I Am a Taiwanese,’ Czech Speaker Tells Taiwan Assembly, Irking China

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 10:00 PM PDT

Referencing a speech by John F. Kennedy, the head of the Czech senate told Taiwan's legislature, 'I am a Taiwanese'; China condemned the 'interference' in its affairs.

Former Khmer Rouge Torture Center Chief ‘Duch’ Dies in Cambodian Hospital

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 09:47 PM PDT

Kaing Guek Eav, aka Duch, the head of the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 torture center who was convicted of crimes against humanity, has died in a Cambodian hospital.
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar Border Part of BRI Despite China’s Denials, Developer Claims

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 07:03 AM PDT

In a bizarre statement, Yatai IHG also insists it is not behind illegal gambling going on at the site, while revealing plans for a 'twin city' project on the Thai side.

Myanmar Sets Another Daily COVID-19 Record With 107 New Cases

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 05:07 AM PDT

Myanmar reported 107 new cases of COVID-19—all but two of them locally transmitted—in five states and regions on Monday.

Myanmar Garment Factories Report 75% Fall in Orders Amid COVID-19

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 05:01 AM PDT

Clothing bosses in Yangon say they have received as little as 20 percent of last year's orders as COVID-19 hammers consumer demand in the US and EU.

Myanmar Archbishop Urges Citizens to Go Vote

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 02:48 AM PDT

Amid the 'No Vote' campaign, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo says voters should back parties that support peace, federalism and democracy.

Myanmar Authorities Hunt More Than 4,000 Returnees from Rakhine in COVID-19 Clampdown

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 02:40 AM PDT

Yangon's health chiefs say thousands of people who returned from coronavirus-hit Rakhine State during August cannot be traced for testing and quarantine.

NLD Chief Minister of Myanmar’s Kayah State Impeached

Posted: 01 Sep 2020 01:55 AM PDT

Kayah State Chief Minister L. Phaung Sho of the NLD has become the first state leader to be constitutionally impeached after state MPs voted in support of his removal.

Nearly 7,000 Candidates Approved to Run in Myanmar’s November Election

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 11:49 PM PDT

Dozens of applicants rejected due to issues with citizenship and false information; one serving Rakhine State MP disqualified for alleged ties to Arakan Army.

Beijing, Prague Exchange Protests Over Czech Senate Leader’s Taiwan Trip

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 09:34 PM PDT

China has vowed retribution after the leader of the Czech senate visited Taiwan.
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Monday, August 31, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Fears Grow for IDPs in Myanmar’s Rakhine as COVID-19 Outbreak Disrupts Food, Health Services

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 07:09 AM PDT

With aid groups affected by lockdown orders and COVID-19 infections among staff, Rakhine State's IDP camps are suffering a lack of basic food and health-care services.

China’s Top Foreign Policy Official to Visit Myanmar

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 06:00 AM PDT

China's foreign affairs supremo, Yang Jiechi, is expected to visit Myanmar at some point this week, the embassy in Yangon has announced.

Popular Kachin Party Calls for Abolition of China-Backed Dam in Election Policy Platform

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 03:54 AM PDT

In its 2020 election manifesto, the Kachin State People's Party vows to push for the scrapping of the suspended, China-backed Myitsone Dam project on the Irrawaddy River.

Myanmar’s Military Blamed for Two Rakhine Civilian Deaths

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 03:50 AM PDT

Amid raging COVID-19 in Rakhine, two civilians were allegedly shot dead by Myanmar's military last week.

Myanmar Police Station in Lockdown After Chief Fails COVID-19 Test

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 03:45 AM PDT

A police station in Rakhine State capital Sittwe has been isolated as the state reels from a rising number of coronavirus cases.

Thailand Steps Up Moei River Patrols Against Illegal Migrants From Myanmar

Posted: 31 Aug 2020 01:02 AM PDT

Thailand has increased patrols along its border with Myanmar and will ask employers to delay hiring workers from the country amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Rakhine.

Japan’s Foreign Policy Likely to Continue on Path Set by Abe

Posted: 30 Aug 2020 09:44 PM PDT

The successor to outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to continue the long-serving premier's foreign policies, experts say.
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Saturday, August 29, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Election 2020: The Week in Review

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 07:30 PM PDT

This week, the NLD urged its candidates to put the people first; the army chief offered his troops some advice; and ultranationalists objected to a Muslim candidate.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 06:30 PM PDT

Business goes on, despite this week's COVID-19 spike, with major investment unveiled for Yangon and plans for a large power plant take shape.
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Friday, August 28, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

In Myanmar’s Karen State, Ex-Insurgents Create a Haven for Chinese Casino Bosses

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 07:47 AM PDT

Myanmar's military and government have looked the other way as a megaproject backed by shadowy Chinese interests threatens peace and social stability in Karen State.

At Least 10 UN, INGO Workers Hit by COVID-19 in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 06:53 AM PDT

Aid agencies including UNICEF and RI have been forced to suspend or limit activities as staff have been affected by COVID-19. 

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Pledges Full Support to Fight Rakhine COVID-19 Outbreak

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 05:07 AM PDT

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says Rakhine State will get the food, protective equipment and investment it needs to tackle its coronavirus spike.

Westerner Behind the Wheel

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 03:58 AM PDT

In the second of six articles about touring by car outside of Yangon, Oliver Hargreave journeys through Bago before making it to Mon State's Thaton by nightfall.

Myanmar’s Ruling NLD Rejects Calls to Ditch Muslim Candidate

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 03:26 AM PDT

The National League for Democracy has rejected a demand from voters and Buddhist monks to replace a Muslim candidate in Mandalay for the November election.

Myanmar to Jail Illegal Returnees Amid COVID-19 Surge

Posted: 28 Aug 2020 02:42 AM PDT

Myanmar's southernmost town, Kawthaung, has seen many migrants from Thailand and Malaysia cross the border illegally after losing work because of coronavirus.

South Korea Shuts Parliament as Coronavirus Outbreak Deepens in Capital

Posted: 27 Aug 2020 09:20 PM PDT

The South Korean parliament was shut down Thursday and a number of lawmakers were quarantined after a political reporter tested positive for COVID-19.
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