Wednesday, March 4, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Parliament to Vote on Proposed Constitutional Amendments Next Week

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 05:22 AM PST

After nearly a week of tense debate, the Parliament Speaker announced that MPs will begin voting on March 10 on whether to accept proposed amendments to the Constitution.

11 Factories in Myanmar Close Due to Lack of Orders, Raw Materials

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 05:20 AM PST

Labor activists claim factories looking to break trade unions are exaggerating the impact of supply disruptions linked to the coronavirus in order to justify closures.

Kachin State Inks Border Business Park Deal With China-Myanmar Joint Venture

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 04:26 AM PST

Kachin State has signed an MOU to develop a border business park with a joint venture between a Chinese company and a firm linked to a government-allied Kachin militia.

Parami Pizza Adjusts Well to Downtown Hotspot

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 03:31 AM PST

Parami Pizza Downtown is serving up a storm on Strand Road with authentic Italian dishes and an intoxicating range of drinks.

Myanmar Military Seizes US$64M of Drugs in Shan State

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 03:26 AM PST

The military seized drugs, chemicals and equipment in northern Shan State's Kutkai Township, the constituency of the Union Parliament Speaker.

The Day Myanmar’s First Steam Tram Began Operating in Yangon

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 03:23 AM PST

On this day in 1884, the first steam tram took to the streets of Yangon, covering passengers in soot and embers, and ushering in a new era of modern transport in Myanmar.

In Eastern Myanmar , the Karen Watch Over a Revolutionary Forest

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 02:33 AM PST

Amid the world's longest-running ethnic insurgency, Karen people have initiated a conservation project that advances a vision for peace and self-determination.

Myanmar Garment Factory Closes As COVID-19 Cuts Supplies

Posted: 04 Mar 2020 01:49 AM PST

A garment factory in Ayeyarwady Region with a history of labor issues has closed and left 1,000 workers without jobs after the coronavirus outbreak cut off its supply chain.

Coronavirus Cases Top 90,000 Worldwide: WHO Chief

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 09:49 PM PST

The World Health Organization has announced that the number of coronavirus cases worldwide has passed 90,000, with 3,110 deaths.

As Myanmar Farmers Lose Land to Erosion, Sand Mining for Singapore Is Blamed

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 09:48 PM PST

Mon State farmers are losing land to erosion along the Salween River; they blame Singapore sand-mining firms, but the companies and the Myanmar government deny any link.

Australian Stores Ration Toilet Paper Amid Coronavirus Panic Buying

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 08:47 PM PST

Major grocery store chains in Australia have been forced to ration toilet paper after consumers panicking over the coronavirus began stocking up.

Global Supplier India Curbs Drug Exports as Coronavirus Fears Grow

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 08:39 PM PST

India, which is the world's largest supplier of generic drugs, has restricted exports of dozens of pharmaceuticals due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Police Arrest Chinese Suspects at Myanmar Beach over Thailand Murder

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 05:47 AM PST

Two of four Chinese suspects wanted for a murder in Thailand have been arrested at an Ayeyarwady Region beach resort, according to Myanmar's police.

Mandalay Court Collects US$227,000 for American’s Bail in Cannabis Plantation Case

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 05:22 AM PST

A bondsman has paid a Mandalay court US$227,000 to cover the bail for a US citizen who failed to appear in court in an alleged marijuana plantation case.

Fighting Continues in Shan State Between Myanmar Military and RCSS

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 05:04 AM PST

Fighting in Mong Kai and Keysi, Shan State has continued despite the ethnic armed group's efforts to deescalate the situation.

Myanmar Will Benefit From Deeper Ties With India

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 04:49 AM PST

As China's influence grows, Myanmar would do well to seek stronger contributions from India to the country's development, democratic transition and military capacity.

Myanmar’s Ruling Party Sacks Media-Friendly Spokesman

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 03:40 AM PST

The NLD has sacked its respected spokesman, leaving one media representative who suffers from leukemia and is renowned for refusing to answer questions.

Wa Army Says It’s Willing to Work With Myanmar Govt to Hold Voting in Its Territory

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 02:40 AM PST

Wa leaders have promised to arrange voting on their territory during this year's general election, and have invited the State Counselor to visit their capital, Panghsang.

Myanmar Military Postpones Armed Forces Day Parade Over Coronavirus

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 01:43 AM PST

The Myanmar military has postponed celebrations of the 75th anniversary of its anti-fascist struggle due to COVID-19 and the Health Ministry's warning against large gatherings.

The Tragedy and Hope of a Palace

Posted: 03 Mar 2020 12:11 AM PST

Locals fear for the future of a dilapidated but storied manor in northern Shan State.

Japan, South Korea Among Countries of ‘Greatest Concern’ for Virus: WHO

Posted: 02 Mar 2020 09:41 PM PST

The World Health Organization has singled out Japan, South Korea, Iran and Italy as the countries of greatest concern regarding the spread of coronavirus.

Malaysia’s New PM Takes Office Amid Economic Challenges

Posted: 02 Mar 2020 09:23 PM PST

Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as prime minister of Malaysia on Monday amid slowing growth and efforts to contain the coronavirus.

Indonesia Confirms First Cases of Coronavirus, Link to Japanese Visitor

Posted: 02 Mar 2020 09:13 PM PST

An Indonesian mother and daughter have become the country's first two confirmed cases of coronavirus infection, the president announced.

Bangladesh Police Kill Seven Suspected Rohingya Robbers in Raid

Posted: 02 Mar 2020 08:58 PM PST

Police in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh have killed seven Rohingya members of a gang allegedly engaged in drug and human trafficking.
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, March 2, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Pioneers of Burmese Cartooning

Posted: 01 Mar 2020 06:30 PM PST

February marked the 67th anniversary of the death of cartoonist U Ba Gyan. His art and that of his predecessor U Ba Gale were the focus of this Irrawaddy piece from 2003.
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, March 1, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Who Are the Wa?

Posted: 29 Feb 2020 06:00 PM PST

With the UWSA in the news over their helicopter purchase, we revisit this 2017 article on the Wa, who have never been fully controlled by any central Myanmar authority.
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, February 29, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

This Week in Parliament

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 06:30 PM PST

The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

Will Baby ‘Victoria’ Get Justice?

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 06:30 PM PST

This week, The Irrawaddy discusses why justice has proved so elusive in the 'Victoria' toddler rape case.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 05:30 PM PST

Myanmar got its own barcode, the Dawei Special Economic Zone may move ahead, Myanmar's new online Project Bank went live and Kachin State approved a BRI project.
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, February 28, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Govt Warns of Jail Time for Not Reporting Coronavirus Suspects

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 06:39 AM PST

Although there are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Myanmar, the Health Ministry says reporting symptoms is mandatory and failure to do so could lead to a month in jail.

Myanmar and India Sign Ten Deals During State Visit

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 06:25 AM PST

President U Win Myint's delegation in India has signed deals to boost cross-border financial and security cooperation and development in western Myanmar.

Myanmar Military Says Soldiers Killed, Wounded in Attack by RCSS

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 05:27 AM PST

The Myanmar army said an officer was among a group of soldiers killed and wounded in an attack by the RCSS in Shan State; the armed group said it was attacked first.

Myanmar Mobile Users Told to Re-Register SIM Cards by June 30

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 05:07 AM PST

The Posts and Telecommunications Department has told all of Myanmar's mobile phone users to re-register their SIM cards by June 30 or face deactivation.

Myanmar Authorities Close Thai Border, Thousands Unable to Work at Textile Factories

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 04:51 AM PST

Textile workers in Three Pagodas Pass have been unable to go to work at factories in Thailand amid an ongoing dispute between Thai authorities and a Karen Border Guard Force.

Myanmar Opposition Lawmaker Falsely Claims US Presidency Limited to Christians

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 03:26 AM PST

During the House charter debate, a USDP lawmaker claimed the US presidency is restricted to Christians—a claim so outlandish the US Embassy felt compelled to correct it.

Myanmar Parliament Speaker to MPs: Act Civil or Face Lawsuits

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 01:54 AM PST

Parliament Speaker T Khun Myat told lawmakers to stop making inflammatory remarks or face lawsuits as the first week of debate on constitutional amendment comes to an end.

Pupils Should Stay Home While Japan Schools Closed Over Virus: Govt

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 10:03 PM PST

The Japanese education minister has urged that children be kept at home for a month while schools close amid coronavirus fears.

A Delhi Neighborhood Divided by a Highway and Now Hatred

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 09:47 PM PST

Two neighborhoods in New Delhi—one Muslim, one Hindu—that once co-existed peacefully have become a battleground over India's controversial new citizenship law.

Indonesia Says Lack of Coronavirus Cases a Blessing From God

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 09:22 PM PST

Indonesia's health minister has attributed the absence of coronavirus cases in his country to a 'blessing from the almighty'.

Saudi Arabia Bars Pilgrims and Tourists Amid Coronavirus

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 09:19 PM PST

Amid the coronavirus, the Saudi government has closed its borders to religious pilgrims and barred tourists from more than 20 countries.

Myanmar’s Wa Rebels Procure a Helicopter: What’s Next?  

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 05:30 PM PST

Wa leaders finally have the helicopter so long speculated about in local and foreign media. What does its purchase say about the power balance in Myanmar's northeast?
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Military and USDP Reject NLD Attempts to Limit the Armed Forces’ Political Powers

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 06:10 AM PST

Military and former ruling party MPs have rejected NLD attempts to limit the armed forces' extensive political powers during three days of constitutional debates.

The Building that Dominated Inland Water Trade in British Burma

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 05:52 AM PST

The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company dominated river trade during the colonial period from its headquarters on Strand Road, which is the Myanma Port Authority building today.

Myanmar Military Chief Places ‘ Hti ’ at Bagan Temple Known for Divine Blessings 

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 05:32 AM PST

Following in the footsteps of some of Myanmar's most powerful leaders, Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has placed the ornamental umbrella, or 'Hti', at an ancient Bagan pagoda.

Kachin State Approves Chinese-Backed Business Park in Border Town

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 04:55 AM PST

The Kachin State parliament has approved the US$22.4-million Kanpiketi Business Park on the China-Myanmar border as part of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative.

MP for Military-Proxy USDP Supports Myanmar Nationalists With Apartment, Funding

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 01:32 AM PST

A high-ranking official with the former ruling party has donated an apartment, expenses paid, for a group of Myanmar nationalists to use as an office.

‘Secret Garden’ in Wa Special Region Leaves Much to the Imagination

Posted: 26 Feb 2020 11:36 PM PST

Facebook user Yex Nang Song Nyi Nyi offers a glimpse into a mysterious park in Wa Special Region, where children can explore retired aircraft.

Indo-Myanmar Ties Should Go Beyond Geopolitical Interests

Posted: 26 Feb 2020 11:08 PM PST

India's engagement with Myanmar should be aimed at fostering democracy, building a federal union and achieving peace—not merely chasing geopolitical goals.

Pakistan Confirms First Coronavirus Cases

Posted: 26 Feb 2020 09:32 PM PST

Pakistani health authorities said the country's first two confirmed cases of coronavirus are being kept in isolation in a hospital in Karachi.

A Mob Out for Blood: India’s Protests Pit Hindus Against Muslims

Posted: 26 Feb 2020 09:21 PM PST

Paramilitary forces have been deployed to streets of New Delhi as fears grow that religious violence in India over a controversial new law could be hard to contain.

Asian Cities Urged to Bolster Defenses Against Rising Seas

Posted: 26 Feb 2020 09:02 PM PST

Eleven of the global cities most at risk from rising sea levels are in Asia, according to a new study, whose authors say more resources should be put into flood defenses.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)