Thursday, January 14, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Ruling NLD Holds Talks With Three Ethnic Parties in Shan State

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST

Avoiding the venue disputes that have led to the cancellation of talks with parties in other states, the NLD delegation also plans to meet a fourth party on Friday.

Myanmar Military Chief Makes Life Awkward for Chinese Foreign Minister

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 05:30 AM PST

Given Beijing's support for the government—not to mention its views on democracy—did the senior general really expect Wang Yi to sympathize with his voter fraud claims?

Myanmar Closes Eight Temporary COVID-19 Hospitals in Yangon

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 04:56 AM PST

Coronavirus cases are falling in Yangon as the government talks about allowing people to go back to work.

Feasibility Study on BRI Railway Link in Myanmar to Take 18 Months

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 04:07 AM PST

The line forms part of the planned China-Myanmar Railway linking southern China with Mandalay and Rakhine via Shan State under Beijing's BRI network.

Myanmar Sends Rohingya Back to Rakhine

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 03:30 AM PST

Seven undocumented Rohingya were detained off the Ayeyarwady coast trying to flee Rakhine State.

Myanmar’s Shangri-La Hotel Temporarily Closes Amid COVID-19 Impact

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 03:25 AM PST

More than 1,000 hotels in Myanmar have closed since March last year with the Shangri-La in Yangon the largest operation to shut its doors so far.

Lawmakers Push Myanmar Military to Clear Landmines for Rakhine IDP Safe Return

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 03:12 AM PST

Fighting with the Arakan Army ceased in November but displaced villagers cannot return home until unexploded explosives are cleared, Rakhine MPs say.

Myanmar Terminates Thai-Led Consortium’s Involvement in Dawei Mega Project

Posted: 14 Jan 2021 12:16 AM PST

Italian-Thai Development failed to make concession payments and submit documents, the management committee for the Dawei Special Economic Zone in southern Myanmar said.

Thailand to Step Up COVID-19 Testing of Myanmar Migrant Workers

Posted: 13 Jan 2021 10:33 PM PST

Health authorities in Samut Sakhon province plan to test more than 35,000 migrant workers in the next 10 days.

What Thailand Should Learn From America, and Vice Versa

Posted: 13 Jan 2021 10:27 PM PST

Americans are learning what happens when a large part of the population loses confidence in the political system—something other countries understand all too well.

Trump Impeached for Second Time, Charged With Insurrection Over Capitol Riot

Posted: 13 Jan 2021 09:27 PM PST

Ten members of Trump's Republican Party supported the resolution in the House of Representatives; he is the first US president to be impeached twice.

Former Senior Diplomat Campbell to Lead Biden’s Asia Policy: US Media

Posted: 13 Jan 2021 09:20 PM PST

Kurt Campbell will serve as 'Indo-Pacific coordinator' in the National Security Council, according to The Washington Post.

Indonesia Starts COVID Shots as China Promotes Vaccine Diplomacy

Posted: 13 Jan 2021 09:10 PM PST

Indonesian President Joko Widodo received his first shot of a Chinese-made vaccine on Wednesday, as Beijing's top diplomat visited the country.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Lessons From the American Insurrection

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 07:00 PM PST

The political failures and media distortion that led to the current crisis in the US are challenges facing all countries with a democratic process.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Speaker Rejects Myanmar Military, Proxy Party’s Call for Special Parliament Session

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 05:56 AM PST

The military and USDP's attempt to take electoral fraud claims to Parliament is irrelevant, Speaker T Khun Myat says.

Another Meeting Between Myanmar’s NLD, Ethnic Party Collapses Over Venue Dispute

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 05:25 AM PST

The Kayah State Democratic Party is the second ethnic party to balk at a visiting NLD delegation's demand that their meeting be held at the ruling party's local office.

Calls For Myanmar Govt to Scrap Terrorist Label for Arakan Army

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 03:17 AM PST

Rakhine State politicians say calling the armed group a terrorist organization is an obstacle to peace.

Myanmar Aviation Chief Charged with Corruption

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 03:16 AM PST

U Soe Paing of the Department of Civil Aviation is accused of demanding bribes from flight operators.

China Inks Economic Agreements With Myanmar, Promising COVID-19 Vaccine Donation

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 02:56 AM PST

Visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing would supply 300,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine to Myanmar.

Donations Pour in as People of Myanmar Dig Deep to Help Cover Cost of Vaccine

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 01:38 AM PST

With a vaccine due to arrive in February, the government asked for help from the public to pay the bill. The public responded generously.

US Chaos Shocks the World—but Tomorrow Never Dies

Posted: 12 Jan 2021 01:08 AM PST

It is tempting to savor the irony of Washington being lectured on democracy and rule of law, but we must hope a chastened US will again lead the free world by example.

Democrats Gear Up to Impeach Trump Over Capitol Riot

Posted: 11 Jan 2021 08:57 PM PST

The party introduced to the House of Representatives a resolution accusing the president of inciting 'insurrection' on Capitol Hill.
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Monday, January 11, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Claiming Electoral Fraud, Myanmar Military and Proxy Party Calls Special Parliament Session

Posted: 11 Jan 2021 06:06 AM PST

Aiming to discredit the NLD's landslide victory, the military and Union Solidarity and Development Party have pressed to take the election fraud claims to parliament.

No Security Guarantees Made for Rakhine Voting: Myanmar Government

Posted: 11 Jan 2021 04:36 AM PST

Voting for most Rakhine State residents was canceled ahead of the November 8 general election amid fears of Arakan Army violence.

Local Militia Officer Behind Controversial Chinese Casino Hub on Thai-Myanmar Border Quits

Posted: 11 Jan 2021 04:09 AM PST

Major Saw Maw Tho of the Karen BGF reportedly resigned under pressure from the Myanmar military over illicit activities at the China-backed Shwe Kokko project in Myawaddy.

China Has to Remove Any Permanent Border Fences in Buffer Zone: Myanmar President Office

Posted: 11 Jan 2021 04:02 AM PST

China says it has erected border fencing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but Myanmar says it encroaches on neutral land.

Myanmar, China to Conduct Feasibility Study on Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Rail Link

Posted: 11 Jan 2021 02:13 AM PST

After a year of talks, China's CREEG and Myanma Railways have inked an MoU to begin a study on constructing the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Railway, part of Beijing's BRI scheme.

More Thais Returning From Casinos in Myanmar Test Positive for COVID-19

Posted: 10 Jan 2021 11:22 PM PST

Despite a Myanmar government-ordered 'lockdown', gambling operations in Myawaddy continue to fuel illegal movement back and forth across the Thai border.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Takes Over Party’s Top Position From Late Father

Posted: 10 Jan 2021 09:16 PM PST

The leader was elected general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea at its first congress in five years.

Indonesia Locates ‘Black Box’ Recorders From Crashed Airliner

Posted: 10 Jan 2021 09:04 PM PST

The Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 crashed into the sea off Jakarta on Saturday with 62 people aboard.

The Day the Burma Road Between Myanmar and China Opened

Posted: 09 Jan 2021 06:00 PM PST

On this day in 1939, colonial authorities opened the Burma Road, creating a short-lived lifeline for Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese nationalist forces fighting the Japanese.
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Saturday, January 9, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar’s Migrants Face Discrimination Amid Surging COVID-19 in Thailand

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 08:06 PM PST

In wake of December outbreak at wholesale seafood market in Mahachai near Bangkok, Myanmar migrants still feel targeted for spread of coronavirus.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 07:30 PM PST

This week a Japanese beer giant took a stand against Myanmar's military, tea orders arrived from the United States and remittance firms were licensed to transfer cash.

Will Glimmers of Good News Continue as Myanmar Moves Into a New Year?

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 07:00 PM PST

The Irrawaddy discusses the year just ended and the challenges facing the country in the year that has just begun.
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Friday, January 8, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar President, State Counselor’s Pre-Poll Campaign Activities Legal: Spokesman

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 06:04 AM PST

U Zaw Htay dismissed a legal challenge against the two leaders as sour grapes by the losers of the Nov. 8 general election.

Myanmar Orders 30 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses From India

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 05:45 AM PST

The government says it has paid half the bill for the Oxford vaccine with doses due to arrive by February.

Myanmar Govt Takes Steps to Rein In Controversial China-Backed Gambling Hub in Karen State

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 05:20 AM PST

A spokesman said Naypyitaw has drawn up standard operating procedures for all projects in Myanmar's border areas, but did not offer details.

Rakhine Campaigners Demand Myanmar Releases Political Prisoners

Posted: 08 Jan 2021 03:09 AM PST

Stickers are appearing in Ann Township demanding the release of elected politician Dr. Aye Maung and other political prisoners.

Myanmar Authorities Detain Scores of Rohingya, Human Traffickers in Multiple Raids

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 10:23 PM PST

At least five COVID-19-positive people are among more than 100 undocumented individuals from Rakhine State arrested over the past two weeks.

Fate of Villagers Abducted by Myanmar Military Still Unknown

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 09:23 PM PST

Relatives say 18 villagers have been missing since their abduction more than 300 days ago.

Trump Blocked From Facebook, Instagram, Says Mark Zuckerberg

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 09:21 PM PST

The social media platforms' CEO said the risks posed by Trump were 'simply too great' after the president incited a deadly storming of the US Capitol on Wednesday.

US to Send UN Ambassador to Taiwan, Angering China

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 09:14 PM PST

Beijing described the planned visit in the waning days of the Trump administration as 'the final madness staged by a handful of anti-China politicians.'
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Thursday, January 7, 2021

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

India-Myanmar Military Ties Pay Dividends as Naga Rebels Return to Mainstream

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 04:51 AM PST

Just months after India's top general visited Naypyitaw, NSCN (K) veteran Niki Sumi has returned to India from Sagaing and is reportedly engaging with the peace process.

Myanmar’s New Parliament to Convene on Feb. 1

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 02:45 AM PST

The second Union Parliament controlled by the National League for Democracy will meet for the first time on Feb. 1, the speakers of the two chambers announced.

Myanmar Rebel-Controlled Areas Carry Out Mass COVID-19 Testing

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 02:36 AM PST

The United Wa State Army and National Democratic Alliance Army are trying to isolate coronavirus cases in their territories.

Experts Warn of Backlash Against Chinese Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 02:24 AM PST

Opposition to Chinese BRI projects is likely to intensify in ethnic states due to the government's lack of transparency and failure to consult the affected communities.

Kirin to Continue Profit Denial to Myanmar Military Conglomerate

Posted: 07 Jan 2021 02:04 AM PST

After a suspension of dividends to probe military funding claims, the Japanese brewer says an investigation ended inconclusively due to denial of information.

Kim Jong Un Vows to Boost North Korea’s Defense Capabilities

Posted: 06 Jan 2021 09:33 PM PST

Speaking at the first Workers' Party Congress since 2016, the North Korean leader said the country's defense capabilities would be placed at a 'much higher level'.

Twitter Locks Trump’s Account, Warns of ‘Permanent Suspension’

Posted: 06 Jan 2021 09:29 PM PST

Following the storming of Congress by his supporters, the social media platform removed three tweets by Donald Trump for 'repeated and severe violations' of its policy.

US Congress Session to Certify Biden’s Election Win Thrown Into Chaos

Posted: 06 Jan 2021 09:27 PM PST

Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, disrupting congressional certification of Joe Biden's presidential election victory.

The Day Myanmar’s Independence Hero Met Pakistan’s Founder

Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:00 PM PST

General Aung San met Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah in January 1947 before flying to London for talks on independence.

Pro-Myanmar Policies Must Guide Govt’s Handling of China’s BRI Projects

Posted: 06 Jan 2021 05:30 PM PST

When it comes to mega projects, Myanmar should not be a passive partner of China; Naypyitaw should be the one to propose plans and dictate their terms.
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