Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

‘The People Will Decide if Myanmar’s Election Is Free and Fair’

Posted: 27 Oct 2020 06:10 AM PDT

The head of the NLD's Naypyitaw chapter discusses the intense electoral battle for control of the capital, campaigning amid COVID-19 and the challenge of military voters.

Myanmar’s Election Body Faces Crisis of Confidence Ahead of Election

Posted: 27 Oct 2020 06:03 AM PDT

Numerous unanswered questions have arisen surrounded the way the Union Election Commission is running the November 8 general election.

Myanmar Reaches 98% of Foreign Investment Target in FY2020 Despite COVID-19

Posted: 27 Oct 2020 03:14 AM PDT

Declaring the NLD's economic reforms are yielding results, the State Counselor said Myanmar attracted nearly $5.7 billion in FDI in FY2020—98% of the government's target.

Myanmar to Use Private Hospitals to Fight COVID-19

Posted: 27 Oct 2020 01:52 AM PDT

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says private health care can help the government cope with coronavirus.

Court Verdict Looms for Disgraced Party Leader in Myanmar

Posted: 27 Oct 2020 12:02 AM PDT

Michael Kyaw Myint, leader of the disbanded United Democratic Party, has withdrawn his witnesses and now faces an early judgment.

China’s Top Leaders Meet to Lay Out Five-Year Economic Plan

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 10:30 PM PDT

The leaders of the Chinese Communist Party have begun a four-day meeting to lay out a five-year economic plan to take effect next year.

Thai PM Endorses Charter Rewrite as Students March to German Embassy

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 10:24 PM PDT

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has vowed to accelerate the parliamentary process to rewrite the constitution in the face of growing anti-government protests.

China Punishes US Entities as Retaliation for Arms Sales to Taiwan

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 10:22 PM PDT

Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Raytheon are among the US companies China says it will hit with sanctions over Washington's arms sales to Taiwan.
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Monday, October 26, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s New COVID-19 Cases Decrease in Yangon but Climb Outside City

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 05:36 AM PDT

The rate of COVID-19 infections is easing in Yangon but increasing elsewhere, with Rakhine, Bago, Mandalay and Ayeyarwady seeing between 20 and 100 new cases a day.

Myanmar Receives 16 Proposals for New Yangon City Project

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 04:46 AM PDT

Sixteen international proposals have been submitted for the New Yangon City project to challenge the bid by the China Communications Construction Co.

Incoming Myanmar Govt Must Tackle Chinese Casino Haven in Myawaddy

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 02:29 AM PDT

The presence of a Chinese-backed gambling and illicit trade hub in Karen State makes a mockery of Myanmar's sovereignty; the incoming government must clean it up.

NLD Supporter Dies After Clash Ahead of Myanmar’s Election

Posted: 26 Oct 2020 01:40 AM PDT

A man died after a clash between rival Union Solidarity and Development Party and National League for Democracy supporters in Sagaing Region.

Taiwan’s Inclusion in Post-COVID-19 Global Public Health Network Deserves Support

Posted: 25 Oct 2020 11:12 PM PDT

Taiwan's successful COVID-19 response shows it is an integral part of the global health network. To recover better, WHO needs Taiwan, the island's health minister writes.
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Sunday, October 25, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Day Japan’s ‘Death Railway’ was Completed in Myanmar

Posted: 24 Oct 2020 09:46 PM PDT

In 1943, Japanese forces finished the short-lived "death railway" at the cost of over 100,000 lives.
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Saturday, October 24, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 08:30 PM PDT

Myanmar continues to attract foreign investment from Europe and Hong Kong, despite the impact of COVID-19, which continues to hit exporters.

Election 2020: The Week in Review

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 07:30 PM PDT

This week the Arakan Army admitted abducting three ruling party candidates, unsealed advance ballots from the military were rejected, and ethnic parties asked that cancellation areas be reconsidered.

Can Young Female Candidates Gain a Foothold With Myanmar’s Voters?

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 07:30 PM PDT

The Irrawaddy talks with two candidates in their 20s about what motivates their candidacies and what unique challenges they are encountering in their campaigns.
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Friday, October 23, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Sinners Against Myanmar’s Elections

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 08:12 AM PDT

They had many accomplices, but we can lay the worst sins that have been committed against Myanmar's democracy over the past six decades squarely at the feet of three men.

Members of Dissolved UDP Back Myanmar Military’s Proxy Party

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 07:09 AM PDT

The Tatmadaw-backed USDP is getting a pre-election boost in parts of the country as supporters of the defunct UDP throw their weight behind the former ruling party.

Myanmar Military’s Advance Votes Discounted for Violating Electoral Law

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 06:15 AM PDT

Election officials in Yangon have rejected ballots from 58 military personnel, saying they breach electoral law for arriving in unsealed envelopes.

Disgraced United Democratic Party Boss Faces Immigration Charges

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 06:13 AM PDT

Michael Kyaw Myint has been hit with fresh charges under the Immigration Law during his trial in Mandalay.

Myanmar’s COVID-19 Deaths Exceed 1,000

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 03:38 AM PDT

Coronavirus cases continue to spiral in Yangon as the authorities struggle to contain the outbreak.

No End in Sight for India’s Naga Peace Talks as Rebels Harden Stand on Flag, Constitution

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 01:24 AM PDT

India's peace talks with the NSCN (I-M) are looking more fragile than ever amid distrust of the government's interlocutor and New Delhi's overtures to other groups.

Military and USDP Play Nationalism Card Ahead of Myanmar’s Election

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 01:12 AM PDT

While the military chief faced complaints, its proxy party is recycling its old divisive tactics in the campaign, skirting election law prohibitions.

India to Allow Entry of Foreign Visitors, Except Tourists

Posted: 22 Oct 2020 10:01 PM PDT

India has decided to relax its COVID-19 restrictions to allow foreign nationals to enter for business, employment, studies, research and other non-tourist purposes.
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Thursday, October 22, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Signs up with EU’s EuroCham for More Investment

Posted: 22 Oct 2020 03:56 AM PDT

The European Chamber of Commerce is looking to streamline the flow of investment from EU countries to Myanmar.

Chin State NGO Accuses AA of Extorting Rice from Hungry Villagers in Western Myanmar

Posted: 22 Oct 2020 02:50 AM PDT

Paletwa in Chin State has been blocked off by fighting and the Chin Human Rights Organization says villagers are forced to feed rebel troops.

Myanmar’s NLD Calls for Release of Three Candidates Abducted by AA in Rakhine

Posted: 22 Oct 2020 02:29 AM PDT

The NLD has demanded the AA release three ruling party candidates kidnapped in Rakhine State, saying the trio were campaigning in line with the law and COVID-19 rules.

Myanmar Election Commissions’ Track Record Mixed at Best Over Past 30 Years

Posted: 22 Oct 2020 02:27 AM PDT

The four election commissions between 1990 and 2020 have all had their own shortcomings.

Thai PM Set to Lift State of Emergency as Concession to Protesters

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 11:25 PM PDT

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he would end the current state of emergency if there is no violence; demonstration leaders continued to demand his resignation.
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Wednesday, October 21, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Free Funeral Service Founder hit by COVID-19

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 06:27 AM PDT

U Kyaw Thu, the 60-year-old founder of the prominent Yangon-based social welfare organization, has tested positive for coronavirus along with two of his colleagues.

Myanmar’s Election Commission Defends Choice of No-Vote Areas After Criticism

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 05:57 AM PDT

The Election Commission has defended its choice of no-vote areas, saying it consulted security-related ministries and the military; it said some areas are under review.

Myanmar’s Election Body Confesses Sloppy Checks on Disgraced Party Leader

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 03:51 AM PDT

Myanmar's Union Election Commission says it did not properly scrutinize U Kyaw Myint when he set up his now-disbanded United Democratic Party.

Artillery Shell Kills Boy in Former Myanmar Tourist Hotspot Mrauk-U

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 01:56 AM PDT

Fighting between the Arakan Army and Myanmar's military is driving thousands of civilians from their homes across Rakhine State.

Students Face Prosecution for Protest Against Rakhine Govt, Myanmar Military in Sittwe

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 11:49 PM PDT

Police in Sittwe have opened a sedition case against four students who protested the actions of the government and military in Rakhine State.

Thai Parliament to Hold Special Session to Ease Political Tension

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 10:21 PM PDT

Thailand's parliament will hold a special session to address concerns raised by protesters demanding the resignation of the prime minister and reform of the monarchy.
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Tuesday, October 20, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Huawei Extends Cloud Services to Myanmar as Firms Go Digital

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 06:30 AM PDT

The Chinese tech giant is helping several major companies in Myanmar through their transition into the digital era amid fears over cybersecurity.

Arakan Army Admits Abducting Three Myanmar Ruling Party Candidates

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 04:59 AM PDT

Armed group demands release of ethnic Rakhine prisoners held by government in exchange for abducted NLD trio's freedom.

Myanmar’s Bustling Jade Hub Under COVID-19 Lockdown

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 04:19 AM PDT

Hpakant and Mohnyin townships in Kachin State face coronavirus restrictions as case numbers rise.

Myanmar’s Election Body Complains About Military Chief’s Voting Advice

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 02:21 AM PDT

The military's Myawady Daily has been told to stop publishing quotes from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing telling his subordinates how to vote on Nov. 8.

If Myanmar Voters Want Different Results, They Need to Elect New Leaders

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 02:15 AM PDT

Could electoral victories by merged ethnic parties in state governments and Hluttaw bring about better results in Myanmar?

Bye Bye, Big Brother

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 01:05 AM PDT

To mark this week's 16th anniversary of the former military junta's arrest of its own notorious security chief, Khin Nyunt, The Irrawaddy revisits a commentary from 2008.

COVID-19 Tests Thai-Myanmar Ties

Posted: 20 Oct 2020 12:00 AM PDT

Government and military ties between Naypyitaw and Bangkok have improved in recent years, but Thailand's strict entry restrictions amid COVID-19 provide a new challenge.

China’s Ambition to Involve Hong Kong in Economic Zone Creates Ripple

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 10:00 PM PDT

With its economy rebounding from COVID-19, China appears set on integrating Hong Kong economically via its Greater Bay Area project including Macau, analysts say.
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Monday, October 19, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Electoral Body Condemned for Choice of No-Voting Areas

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 06:46 AM PDT

Critics have raised questions over the areas where voting has been banned by the UEC for alleged security reasons.

COVID-19 Ravages Myanmar Nursing Home

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 06:45 AM PDT

Yangon's authorities say 62 out of 66 residents at a care home have tested coronavirus-positive as the virus continues to grip the city.

Shady Boss of Myanmar’s UDP Michael Kyaw Myint More Than Just a Fugitive

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 06:26 AM PDT

Before his detention, the key figure behind the UDP developed a network of connections ranging from Chinese triads and Wa warlords to the DEA and foreign diplomats.

Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Slam Decision to Cancel Voting in Strongholds

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 05:29 AM PDT

Five ethnic-minority parties have criticized the Union Election Commission's decision to cancel voting in constituencies where they were expecting to win on Nov. 8.

US, France Condemn Abduction of Three Ruling Party Candidates in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 05:19 AM PDT

The US and French embassies have called for the release of three NLD candidates abducted in Rakhine; the trio haven't been heard from since their kidnapping on Oct. 14.

NLD and USDP Organizers to be Prosecuted for Ignoring Myanmar’s COVID-19 Restrictions

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 03:06 AM PDT

Event organizers from the National League for Democracy and Union Solidarity and Development Party in coronavirus-hit Pathein face prosecution over Saturday's rallies.

The Day Myanmar’s Military Intelligence Chief was Sacked

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 02:57 AM PDT

On this day in 2004, the military regime's prime minister, General Khin Nyunt, was ejected from office for alleged corruption, defying orders and lawbreaking.

What the 2020 Election Holds for Myanmar’s Kayah State

Posted: 19 Oct 2020 12:51 AM PDT

In Kayah State, an alliance between ethnic parties and dissatisfaction with the NLD's record over the past five years could hurt the ruling camp in the election.

Myanmar’s Election Body Dissolves United Democratic Party Over Illegal Funding

Posted: 18 Oct 2020 11:59 PM PDT

The Union Election Commission has dissolved the United Democratic Party, saying its detained leader funded the party using money illegally transferred from China.
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