The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• The Untouchable Articles in Myanmar’s Constitution
• Myanmar Prepares Quarantine Centers as Official COVID-19 Count Remains at Zero
• Myanmar to Deport 86 Chinese Migrants for Illegal Residency After Yangon Bust
• Thai Border Closures Over COVID-19 Spark Myanmar Migrants Return, Health Concerns
• Myanmar’s Military Braced for Coronavirus Outbreak: Spokesman
• Long Way to Go but Marching to It: 20 Years of Pushing Political Reform in Myanmar
• Malaysia Deploys Army as Coronavirus Measures Spread Across Southeast Asia
• Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir Tested Negative for Coronavirus, Still Under Quarantine
• H&M Lines Up Supply Chain to Deliver Protective Gear to Hospitals

The Untouchable Articles in Myanmar’s Constitution Posted: 23 Mar 2020 07:27 AM PDT The Irrawaddy presents what the military and its proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party did not want to be changed in the 2008 Constitution.

Myanmar Prepares Quarantine Centers as Official COVID-19 Count Remains at Zero Posted: 23 Mar 2020 05:57 AM PDT The government is preparing stadiums, apartments, a meditation center and other sites to serve as quarantine centers for people arriving from areas hit badly by COVID-19.

Myanmar to Deport 86 Chinese Migrants for Illegal Residency After Yangon Bust Posted: 23 Mar 2020 05:42 AM PDT The Yangon authorities say they will deport 86 illegal Chinese migrants after 118 were found in two Yangon homes in a weekend raid.

Thai Border Closures Over COVID-19 Spark Myanmar Migrants Return, Health Concerns Posted: 23 Mar 2020 05:27 AM PDT Myanmar workers coming from Thailand face home quarantines and high-risk journeys back to their families as the two governments shut the border.

Myanmar’s Military Braced for Coronavirus Outbreak: Spokesman Posted: 23 Mar 2020 02:49 AM PDT Myanmar's military says it is well-prepared for a possible coronavirus outbreak with teams of medics and quarantine measures in place.

Long Way to Go but Marching to It: 20 Years of Pushing Political Reform in Myanmar Posted: 23 Mar 2020 02:49 AM PDT A letter from Myanmar's Assistance Association for Political Prisoners on the 20th anniversary of their founding shows how far the country has come and how far is left to go.

Malaysia Deploys Army as Coronavirus Measures Spread Across Southeast Asia Posted: 23 Mar 2020 01:18 AM PDT Malaysia has deployed its army to help police enforce a two-week restriction on travel in the country as it continues to see the region's highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir Tested Negative for Coronavirus, Still Under Quarantine Posted: 22 Mar 2020 10:18 PM PDT The 94-year-old former Malaysian prime minister tested negative for the coronavirus but remains under home quarantine.

H&M Lines Up Supply Chain to Deliver Protective Gear to Hospitals Posted: 22 Mar 2020 10:13 PM PDT Clothing retailer H&M says it will use its vast supply chain network to source protective equipment for hospitals in the European Union to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• This Week in Parliament
• Factories Should not use COVID-19 as an Excuse to Sack Staff
• The Irrawaddy Business Roundup
• The Day the Thai Princess Visited Myanmar

This Week in Parliament Posted: 20 Mar 2020 09:00 PM PDT The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

Factories Should not use COVID-19 as an Excuse to Sack Staff Posted: 20 Mar 2020 09:00 PM PDT The heads of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar and Our Generation Network tell The Irrawaddy factories should not use COVID-19 as an excuse to sack staff.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup Posted: 20 Mar 2020 08:30 PM PDT It's been a busy business week in Myanmar with the government looking to protect firms from COVID-19 and the textile sector taking drastic measures to import supplies.

The Day the Thai Princess Visited Myanmar Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:30 PM PDT On this day in 1986, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made her first visit to Myanmar at the invitation of dictator General Ne Win.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Thailand to Shut One of Two Border Crossings With Myanmar Amid COVID-19 Concerns
• NLD Government No Match for Myanmar Military Chief on Charter Change
• Bangladesh Hands Over List of 492,000 Rohingya to Myanmar
• Singaporean and Myanmar Artists Blend Photos and Poetry at ‘Tempo(rary)’
• NLD Proposal to End Immunity for Myanmar’s Ex-Military Govt Fails to Pass in Charter Vote
• Foreign Arrivals to Thailand Require Medical Certificate, $100K Insurance for COVID-19
• Myanmar’s Nouveau Riche Wear Their Wealth on Their Sleeves
• Combating Fake News in the Time of Coronavirus in Myanmar
• Hanoi Postpones ASEAN Leaders Summit Until Late June Amid Coronavirus Fears
• India Executes Four Men for Brutal 2012 Delhi Bus Rape and Murder
• Amid Coronavirus, God Goes Online to Reach Worshippers
• Indonesia Should ‘Prepare for the Worst’ on Coronavirus, Red Cross Says

Thailand to Shut One of Two Border Crossings With Myanmar Amid COVID-19 Concerns Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:37 AM PDT Thai officials said one border crossing between Mae Sot and Myanmar's Myawaddy will be closed; the other will remain open to those with border passes.

NLD Government No Match for Myanmar Military Chief on Charter Change Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:33 AM PDT The results of the recent parliamentary voting on charter change show us there is only person in the country who can change the Constitution.

Bangladesh Hands Over List of 492,000 Rohingya to Myanmar Posted: 20 Mar 2020 07:16 AM PDT Bangladesh's foreign minister says Myanmar's response to the Rohingya refugee crisis has been woeful.

Singaporean and Myanmar Artists Blend Photos and Poetry at ‘Tempo(rary)’ Posted: 20 Mar 2020 05:29 AM PDT "Tempo(rary)" is an exhibition by Myanmar artist Maung Day and Singaporean artist Marc Nair, featured at Singapore Festival 2020 and now on display at Rosewood Yangon.

NLD Proposal to End Immunity for Myanmar’s Ex-Military Govt Fails to Pass in Charter Vote Posted: 20 Mar 2020 04:30 AM PDT On Parliament's final day of voting on proposed constitutional amendments, the NLD's bid to scrap immunity for former junta members was voted down.

Foreign Arrivals to Thailand Require Medical Certificate, $100K Insurance for COVID-19 Posted: 20 Mar 2020 04:14 AM PDT The Thai government has announced that all foreign arrivals to the country will need to carry health insurance and a medical certificate showing they don't have COVID-19.

Myanmar’s Nouveau Riche Wear Their Wealth on Their Sleeves Posted: 20 Mar 2020 03:29 AM PDT At a recent event to honor major donors to the welfare of Buddhism, the honorees—draped in gold and gems—made sure no one was in any doubt as to their staggering wealth.

Combating Fake News in the Time of Coronavirus in Myanmar Posted: 20 Mar 2020 01:50 AM PDT The Irrawaddy talks with Dr. Htoo Myint Swe from the Ministry of Health about how his team works to share the latest updates and information on COVID-19.

Hanoi Postpones ASEAN Leaders Summit Until Late June Amid Coronavirus Fears Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:43 PM PDT Vietnam has postponed next month's ASEAN leaders summit in Danang until June due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

India Executes Four Men for Brutal 2012 Delhi Bus Rape and Murder Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:36 PM PDT Four men convicted of the brutal 2012 rape and murder of a young woman riding a bus in New Delhi were executed by hanging on Friday.

Amid Coronavirus, God Goes Online to Reach Worshippers Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:24 PM PDT Religious leaders of many faiths are turning to streaming technology to reach congregations as more and more countries ban public gatherings due to the coronavirus.

Indonesia Should ‘Prepare for the Worst’ on Coronavirus, Red Cross Says Posted: 19 Mar 2020 10:06 PM PDT The head of Indonesia's Red Cross has warned that the number of coronavirus cases in the country is likely to be far higher than reported due to insufficient testing.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Civilians Killed, Wounded by Landmines in Southern Myanmar
• Myanmar Closes All Land Borders to Foreigners
• NLD’s Bid to End Myanmar Military’s Constitutional Grip on National Security Voted Down
• Myanmar Airbase Accident Injures Local Woman in Explosion
• Myanmar’s Bygone Rangoon Government House
• Weaving Local Threads: How A Myanmar Designer Built Her Brand, Art Che Lone
• Myanmar Unveils $70-Million Stimulus Package to Ease Economic Blow From Virus
• Pandemic Makes Case for Partnership Between ROK and Myanmar, Other Mekong Nations
• China’s Wuhan Reports No New Coronavirus Infections for First Time
• Coronavirus Surges Across SE Asia as Malaysia Warns of ’Tsunami’ of Cases
• Coronavirus Compensation Promised to Poor Workers in India

Civilians Killed, Wounded by Landmines in Southern Myanmar Posted: 19 Mar 2020 06:44 AM PDT An ethnic Mon man died after stepping on a landmine in Mon State's Ye Township while going fishing in an area that has seen clashes between Mon and Karen armed groups.

Myanmar Closes All Land Borders to Foreigners Posted: 19 Mar 2020 06:36 AM PDT Myanmar has announced the closure of all its land borders to foreign nationals in a preventative measure against the coronavirus.

NLD’s Bid to End Myanmar Military’s Constitutional Grip on National Security Voted Down Posted: 19 Mar 2020 05:25 AM PDT The NLD's bid to scrap charter provisions giving the military sole responsibility for all armed forces and 'safeguarding the nation' fell short in parliamentary voting.

Myanmar Airbase Accident Injures Local Woman in Explosion Posted: 19 Mar 2020 05:21 AM PDT A local resident in Magwe was injured Tuesday when a piece of a weapon at Magwe Airbase slipped and struck a warehouse. The air force is allegedly compensating the victim.

Myanmar’s Bygone Rangoon Government House Posted: 19 Mar 2020 04:33 AM PDT Over 80 years, the Government House went through an evolution of British colonial governors, presidents of Myanmar and eventual neglect until Ne Win had it demolished in 1978.

Weaving Local Threads: How A Myanmar Designer Built Her Brand, Art Che Lone Posted: 19 Mar 2020 03:43 AM PDT A local Yangon clothing designer has built a made-in-Myanmar brand selling trendy, colorful and simple clothes for women, made entirely from Inle Lake cotton.

Myanmar Unveils $70-Million Stimulus Package to Ease Economic Blow From Virus Posted: 19 Mar 2020 12:54 AM PDT SMEs, travel, garment and other businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic will receive low-interest loans and tax deferrals under the government's new stimulus package.

Pandemic Makes Case for Partnership Between ROK and Myanmar, Other Mekong Nations Posted: 19 Mar 2020 12:41 AM PDT The steps Korea has taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus, recently held up as exemplary by the WHO, hold valuable lessons for its partners in the Mekong region.

China’s Wuhan Reports No New Coronavirus Infections for First Time Posted: 18 Mar 2020 10:15 PM PDT For the first time since the coronavirus emerged there late last year, the Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday reported no new infections.

Coronavirus Surges Across SE Asia as Malaysia Warns of ’Tsunami’ of Cases Posted: 18 Mar 2020 10:14 PM PDT The number of coronavirus infections across Southeast Asia surged on Wednesday, with Indonesia now leading the region in virus-related deaths.

Coronavirus Compensation Promised to Poor Workers in India Posted: 18 Mar 2020 09:59 PM PDT India's Uttar Pradesh state has announced it will compensate day laborers who lose work due to the coronavirus; first it must tackle a shortage of data on workers.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar’s Military MPs Accuse NLD of Smear Campaign After Constitutional Amendment Failure
• Myanmar’s Military Ditches Irrawaddy and Reuters Lawsuits
• Myanmar Suspends Overseas Employment Process to Counter Coronavirus 
• Myanmar Parliament Approves Amendment to Constitution’s Language on Chief Minister Appointments
• UK Embassy Tells Citizens to Leave Myanmar Amid Coronavirus Concerns
• Myanmar’s Churches Close, Scale Back Easter Services to Prevent Coronavirus
• How a Mass Pilgrimage at a Malaysian Mosque Became a Coronavirus Hotspot
• Italy Reports Over 30,000 Coronavirus Cases With More Than 2,500 Deaths
• In Slums and Windowless Apartments, Asia’s Poor Bear Brunt of Coronavirus

Myanmar’s Military MPs Accuse NLD of Smear Campaign After Constitutional Amendment Failure Posted: 18 Mar 2020 06:05 AM PDT The National League for Democracy is trying to drive a wedge between the people and armed forces because its constitutional amendments were rejected, claim military MPs.

Myanmar’s Military Ditches Irrawaddy and Reuters Lawsuits Posted: 18 Mar 2020 05:50 AM PDT After almost a year, Myanmar's military has abandoned its lawsuit against The Irrawaddy over coverage of the Rakhine State conflict.

Myanmar Suspends Overseas Employment Process to Counter Coronavirus  Posted: 18 Mar 2020 05:28 AM PDT Myanmar's Department of Labor has suspended its international employment program to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

Myanmar Parliament Approves Amendment to Constitution’s Language on Chief Minister Appointments Posted: 18 Mar 2020 03:46 AM PDT The Myanmar Parliament has approved a proposal to remove language deemed unnecessary from a charter provision on the appointment of state and regional chief ministers.

UK Embassy Tells Citizens to Leave Myanmar Amid Coronavirus Concerns Posted: 18 Mar 2020 01:57 AM PDT The UK Embassy in Yangon is concerned the coronavirus will pressure Myanmar's healthcare system and flights may be cancelled, though the country so far has no confirmed cases.

Myanmar’s Churches Close, Scale Back Easter Services to Prevent Coronavirus Posted: 17 Mar 2020 11:25 PM PDT To prevent an outbreak of coronavirus, Myanmar's churches have limited prayer services and announced scaled-back plans for Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations.

How a Mass Pilgrimage at a Malaysian Mosque Became a Coronavirus Hotspot Posted: 17 Mar 2020 10:32 PM PDT A gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur in late February and early March appears to have been the source of hundreds of new coronavirus infections across Southeast Asia.

Italy Reports Over 30,000 Coronavirus Cases With More Than 2,500 Deaths Posted: 17 Mar 2020 10:21 PM PDT In Italy, the hardest-hit country after China, infections and deaths from coronavirus rose by 3,526 and 345 respectively in the latest count.

In Slums and Windowless Apartments, Asia’s Poor Bear Brunt of Coronavirus Posted: 17 Mar 2020 09:56 PM PDT High population density and lack of sanitation infrastructure put Asia's slums and informal low-income settlements at risk.

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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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