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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• 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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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• EU Honors Myanmar Rights Advocates at Fourth Schuman Awards
• Accountability Lacking as Civilian Casualties Mount in Myanmar’s Rakhine Conflict
• Fighting Blocks off Food Supplies to Myanmar’s Chin State Township
• Timeline: Irregularities & Significant Events from Toddler Rape Case in Myanmar
• Myanmar Ministers Survive Attack on Military Chopper in Rakhine
• Myanmar’s Garment Factories Face Closure as Coronavirus Blocks Supplies
• World Bank: Myanmar Must Push Deeper Reform for Inclusive Economic Growth
• The Day a Pioneering Myanmar Education Reformer Was Killed
• Coronavirus Slows China’s Belt and Road Push
• Southeast Asia Courts Local Tourists as Virus Shuts Chinese Out
• Virus Death Toll Tops 2,000 in China; Hong Kong Sees 2nd Fatality

EU Honors Myanmar Rights Advocates at Fourth Schuman Awards Posted: 19 Feb 2020 07:08 AM PST The EU has bestowed its Schuman Awards on a women's rights activist, a human rights lawyer and a satirical troupe who 'carry the flame of freedom for others' in Myanmar.

Accountability Lacking as Civilian Casualties Mount in Myanmar’s Rakhine Conflict Posted: 19 Feb 2020 06:48 AM PST The Rakhine conflict is increasingly marked by civilian casualties, for which neither of the warring parties is being held accountable.

Fighting Blocks off Food Supplies to Myanmar’s Chin State Township Posted: 19 Feb 2020 05:15 AM PST Fighting between Myanmar's army and the Arakan Army has blocked food supplies to Paletwa in Chin State and left hundreds of civilians stranded.

Timeline: Irregularities & Significant Events from Toddler Rape Case in Myanmar Posted: 19 Feb 2020 04:50 AM PST The Irrawaddy provides an overview of key events and controversies in the prominent child-rape case while the culprit is still at large.

Myanmar Ministers Survive Attack on Military Chopper in Rakhine Posted: 19 Feb 2020 04:46 AM PST A helicopter with the Union minister for social welfare and the Rakhine State chief minister aboard was shot Wednesday as the two went to visit an IDP camp.

Myanmar’s Garment Factories Face Closure as Coronavirus Blocks Supplies Posted: 19 Feb 2020 02:51 AM PST Myanmar's garment factories might be forced to close as China's coronavirus restricts the imports of raw materials.

World Bank: Myanmar Must Push Deeper Reform for Inclusive Economic Growth Posted: 19 Feb 2020 02:29 AM PST A new World Bank report says Myanmar's current reforms fall short and urges steps to address economic mismanagement, resource exploitation, conflict and social exclusion.

The Day a Pioneering Myanmar Education Reformer Was Killed Posted: 18 Feb 2020 10:16 PM PST On this day in 1957, education reformer U Kaung died in a car crash in India. He initiated free education, expanded the school curriculum and promoted foreign study.

Coronavirus Slows China’s Belt and Road Push Posted: 18 Feb 2020 09:30 PM PST The coronavirus outbreak has dealt a blow to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative across Asia, leaving Chinese staff unable to access projects, and cutting supply lines.

Southeast Asia Courts Local Tourists as Virus Shuts Chinese Out Posted: 18 Feb 2020 09:16 PM PST With restrictions on Chinese tourists due to the coronavirus costing billions of dollars, Southeast Asian travel firms, hotels and airlines are wooing domestic tourists.

Virus Death Toll Tops 2,000 in China; Hong Kong Sees 2nd Fatality Posted: 18 Feb 2020 08:40 PM PST China's death toll from the coronavirus has passed 2,000 with more than 74,000 infections; Hong Kong has reported its second fatality.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Yangon Photo Festival Spotlights Some of Myanmar’s Pressing Issues
• Rakhine Parliament Speaker: Myanmar Govt Must Do More to Help IDPs
• At Shan Army HQ, Another Twist in The Tale of Myanmar’s Fragile Peace Process
• Myanmar Postpones Gem Emporium Amid Coronavirus Scare
• Myanmar Military MPs to Debate Charter Reform en Masse, Defend Political Power
• Myanmar Lawmakers Submit Bill to Amend Controversial Privacy Law
• Rakhine Civilian in Sittwe Hospital After Alleged Beating by Myanmar’s Military
• Military MPs Urge Myanmar Govt: Improve Accountability, Don’t Waste Public Funds
• The Day Myanmar Lost an Influential Cartoonist
• Gunman Kills Ex-Wife at Bangkok Shopping Mall Days After Mass Shooting
• Deaths Rise to 1,868 in China as Nation Battles Coronavirus Epidemic
• Malaysia to Choose 5G Partners ‘Based on Own Security Standards’
• Virus Deals New Blow to Cambodian City Bound to China

Yangon Photo Festival Spotlights Some of Myanmar’s Pressing Issues Posted: 18 Feb 2020 07:27 AM PST Showcasing work by photographers from Myanmar and beyond, the 12th Yangon Photo Festival addresses issues like environmental threats, peace-building and social justice.

Rakhine Parliament Speaker: Myanmar Govt Must Do More to Help IDPs Posted: 18 Feb 2020 07:05 AM PST Rakhine State's parliament speaker called on the government to increase aid and allow humanitarian organizations to provide food for those displaced by armed conflict.

At Shan Army HQ, Another Twist in The Tale of Myanmar’s Fragile Peace Process Posted: 18 Feb 2020 06:48 AM PST On a cold night in Shan State's Loi Tai Leng recently, army generals shared whiskey with ethnic commanders; what does the uneasy camaraderie signal for the peace process?

Myanmar Postpones Gem Emporium Amid Coronavirus Scare Posted: 18 Feb 2020 06:36 AM PST As prospective buyers are mostly from China and Hong Kong, Myanmar has postponed a jade and gems emporium in Naypyitaw next month amid coronavirus fears.

Myanmar Military MPs to Debate Charter Reform en Masse, Defend Political Power Posted: 18 Feb 2020 06:27 AM PST Nearly all military-appointed lawmakers will join upcoming debates on constitutional amendments that would reduce the military's power over the government.

Myanmar Lawmakers Submit Bill to Amend Controversial Privacy Law Posted: 18 Feb 2020 05:50 AM PST A parliamentary committee has submitted a bill that would amend a controversial law that has been used to put government critics behind bars.

Rakhine Civilian in Sittwe Hospital After Alleged Beating by Myanmar’s Military Posted: 18 Feb 2020 03:23 AM PST A Rakhine factory worker says he was beaten by Myanmar's military in his village as fighting with the Arakan Army intensifies.

Military MPs Urge Myanmar Govt: Improve Accountability, Don’t Waste Public Funds Posted: 18 Feb 2020 03:01 AM PST Military lawmakers called for the government to end fiscal waste and improve accountability after a recent audit showed some civilian ministries mismanaged their budgets.

The Day Myanmar Lost an Influential Cartoonist Posted: 17 Feb 2020 10:30 PM PST On this day in 1953, Myanmar lost the prominent and pioneering cartoonist U Ba Gyan, author of scathing political cartoons and creator of Myanmar's first animated movie.

Gunman Kills Ex-Wife at Bangkok Shopping Mall Days After Mass Shooting Posted: 17 Feb 2020 10:25 PM PST A man shot and killed his ex-wife at a busy Bangkok shopping mall, just 10 days after a mass shooting killed dozens in Thailand's northeast.

Deaths Rise to 1,868 in China as Nation Battles Coronavirus Epidemic Posted: 17 Feb 2020 09:57 PM PST Chinese authorities reported another 98 coronavirus fatalities Tuesday, taking the country's death toll to 1,868 from 72,436 cases.

Malaysia to Choose 5G Partners ‘Based on Own Security Standards’ Posted: 17 Feb 2020 09:41 PM PST Amid pressure from the US to shun China's Huawei, the Malaysian government says it will choose 5G partners based on its own security needs.

Virus Deals New Blow to Cambodian City Bound to China Posted: 17 Feb 2020 09:24 PM PST In the Cambodia's Sihanoukville, the coronavirus has combined with a ban on online gambling to deal a double blow to the Chinese investment that had fueled local growth.

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