News
Commentary: Myanmar on the cusp of opening up to mediation on Rakhine crisis
Myanmar has recognised ASEAN’s role in assisting with the displaced communities’ humanitarian needs. It has also indicated willingness to address this via the good offices of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Centre). To this end, the ASEAN Emergency Response ...
Myanmar seizes largest crystal meth haul this year
Myanmar authorities seized more than 1,700kg of crystal meth worth nearly US$29 million in a multi-state operation this week, the biggest haul of 2019 in a country widely believed to be the world’s largest methamphetamine producer. High-grade crystal meth – or “Ice” – is smuggled out of ...
Land Lost, Families Uprooted as Myanmar Pushes Industrial Zones
Than Ei lived in the Thilawa area near Yangon for years, growing vegetables in her backyard and sending her two children to school with money from her husband’s construction job. Then came the government order to move. Than Ei’s family was among 68 households relocated in ...
Myanmar: Women, Girls Trafficked as ‘Brides’ to China
The Myanmar and Chinese governments have failed to stem the trafficking of ethnic Kachin women and girls as “brides” to families in China, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Keep reading ...
Guangdong to support Myanmar in infrastructure, productivity
Guangdong province will cooperate with Myanmar to support the development of four sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, Mr. Ouyang Weimin, Deputy State Administrator from Guangdong province government in China, said at the China-Myanmar Trade and Investment Forum held in Yangon on March 12. Guangdong ...
Thailand offers loans for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam entrepreneurs
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank Thailand) has unveiled a new loan facility for entrepreneurs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam who purchase products from Thai businesses, a move aimed at boosting exports to the subregion. Under the scheme, each borrower is offered up to ...
Will China decide the future of Myanmar’s rivers?
Chinese companies are pushing to resume destructive dam projects, ignoring a key assessment. Much media attention in Myanmar is focussed on China’s apparent efforts to revive the stalled Myitsone dam, its role in advising the Myanmar government on developing a new hydropower strategy white paper, and ...
Myanmar: Tanintharyi Chief Minister Arrested on Bribery, Corruption Charges
Tanintharyi Region Chief Minister Daw Lei Lei Maw was arrested on bribery and corruption charges in Dawei on Sunday, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC spokesperson U Kyaw Soe confirmed to The Irrawaddy that the chief minister has been detained at Dawei Myoma Police Station, ...
China offers Rohingyas money if they return to Myanmar: Report
A Chinese government delegation reportedly met Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh, promising each refugee up to USD $6,000 if they returned to Rakhine state in Myanmar, a Bangladeshi official and refugee leaders said Tuesday. Keep reading ...
Some 331 species are endangered in Myanmar
More than 5,000 species are endangered in Asia, around 800 in the Greater Mekong region alone. Plants and wildlife are used to produce traditional medicines, clothes and accessories. Hunting and poaching are practiced in about 70 pe cent of sanctuaries. In Southeast Asia and the ...
