Experts say purchase of SU-30SM planes is aimed at establishing regional air superiority; others warn planes will be used internally The post Russia Building Six Advanced Fighter Jets for Myanmar Military appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Formal talks on the 873 km rail line project began in 2014 but have been delayed due to disagreements over design, financing and technical assistance. The post Thailand Says ‘Making Progress’ with High-Speed Thai-Chinese Railway appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

China’s Finance Minister said China an analysis framework on debt sustainability would be established for Belt and Road projects to «prevent and resolve debt risks.» The post China Seeks to Allay Belt and Road Debt Concerns appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Hundreds of Pakistani Muslims fled the multi-ethnic port town of Negombo fearing for their safety after threats of revenge from locals. The post Muslims Flee, Christians Grieve in Sri Lankan Town Torn by Violence appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KIO vice chair Gen. Gun Maw denies China pressuring his group to join NCA, but says gov’t refusing to allow IDPs to go home until it signs; he urges gov’t, China to hold public hearings on Myitsone Dam. The post When NCA Is Comprehensive, We Will Sign: Senior KIO Official appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Tatmadaw says the armed group had been using the outposts to attack Army units in Muse District. The post Myanmar Army Overruns KIA Outposts in N. Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The development of the Wa capital Panghsang symbolizes the UWSA’s transformation into a force to be reckoned with, militarily and politically. The post The Wa Flex Their Muscles on The Hill appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Another American is still at large; police take huge haul of plants, chemicals The post American, 2 Others Held over Marijuana Plantation in Mandalay Division appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The Irrawaddy interviews Yun Sun, expert on China-Myanmar relations, ahead of the Belt and Road Forum at which some Myanmar BRI project agreements are expected to be signed. The post ‘China Doesn’t Want to be Perceived as an Enemy’ appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The prisoners complained that the pardon was unfair as many of those released were convicted under the same charges which they continue to serve time for. The post Prison Strikes and Riot Following ‘Unfair’ Presidential Pardon appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Organization disputes amount, says much of the money it received from the previous gov’t is now tied up in loans, projects The post Irrawaddy Gov’t to Sue Foundation to Reclaim Missing 1.8 Billion Kyats appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The bodies of the dead have not yet been returned to the family members while relatives of the 24 other detainees are waiting in fear for news of their loved ones. The post Three Dead During Military Detention in N. Rakhine appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Facebook’s rules, which bar users from posting offensive material, hate speech and celebrations of violence, were translated in only 41 languages out of the 111 supported. The post Facebook’s Flood of Languages Leaves it Struggling to Monitor Content appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit, leader of Future Forward Party which came third in the election, is accused of owning shares in a media company. The post Thai Election Commission Moves to Disqualify Anti-Junta Politician appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indian intelligence officers contacted their Sri Lankan counterparts before the first attack to warn of a specific threat on churches, according to sources. The post Sri Lanka Warned of Threat Hours Before Suicide Attacks — Sources appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Children growing up in camps vulnerable to recruitment, counterterrorism police chi The post Delayed Repatriation Risks Breeding Rohingya Terrorists: Bangladesh Official appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

At a meeting of the charter reform committee, it says council’s powers should be given to the President. The post ANP Calls for National Defense and Security Council(NDSC) to Be Scrapped appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Kachin group says Tatmadaw launched an offensive against it in Muse Township despite official ceasefire. The post KIA, Myanmar Army Clash for Several Days in N. Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

On this day in 1992, the ruling junta announced that Senior General Saw Maung was retiring as chairman for health reasons, ushering in an era dominated by Senior General Than Shwe. The post The Day Ex-Dictator Than Shwe’s Reign Began appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Five bodies found, more than 50 workers missing as lake that filled old mine gives way. The post Scores Feared Dead in Mudslide at Disused Jade Mine in Hpakant appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Residents of village in Buthidaung report hearing gunfire from nearby forest but unsure if it was a military clash or random firing. The post Pregnant Rohingya Woman Struck by Stray Bullet, Loses Unborn Baby in N. Rakhine appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Case opened against Burmese edition editor U Ye Ni under the Telecommunications Law; journalist granted bail, requests Press Council intervention The post Military Sues The Irrawaddy for ‘Unfair’ Coverage of Rakhine Conflict appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

As many as 10,000 residents of Waimaw Township near Myitkyina demand an end to all dam projects on the Irrawaddy River. The post Thousands of Downstream Villagers Protest Against Myitsone Dam appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Peacock Generation group face charges under articles 505(a), 66(d) for satirical performance during New Year holiday. The post Five Members of Thangyat Troupe Jailed for Criticizing Military appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Prominent activists, celebrities gather at the ‘Save the Irrawaddy by Offering Compensation’ event in Yangon The post Anti-Myitsone Campaign to Ask Citizens to Pay $1 Each to Compensate China appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

On this day in 1926, Daw Oo Zun, who opened Myanmar’s first Buddhist home for the aged, received the prestigious Taing Kyo Pyi Kyo Saung award from colonial authorities. The post The Day a Pioneer of Care for the Elderly Was Honored appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Many seem to think that Myanmar's civil war would surely end if all armed groups would only sign the NCA. But the NCA does not deliver what they crave most — self-determination. The post Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement No Panacea For What Ails Myanmar appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

On April 20, 1964, the scrapping of a popular radio show featuring advertisements for consumer goods signaled the start of two decades of Gen. Ne Win’s socialist economic agenda. The post The Day the Radio Advertising Jingles Disappeared appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UWSA Vice Chairman Zhao Guo An said it will not sing the NCA and accused the current government of failing to honor the deal it struck with its predecessor. The post Wa Rebel Group Resists Govt Push to Sign its Ceasefire Deal appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ma Kay Khine Tun is the 5th member of Peacock Generation detained over the New Year’s show The post Thangyat Troupe Member Arrested over Performance Satirizing Military appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Villagers say the shooting and shelling was unprovoked. The army claims a nearby military base was ambushed by rebels. The post Shelling Injures Two Civilians in N. Rakhine, Villagers Say appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

As the State Counselor prepares to discuss infrastructure plans with the Chinese president, The Irrawaddy collects its recent reporting on the controversial hydropower project. The post Myitsone Dam Roundup appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Local residents accuse NGOs assisting Rohingya of excluding host community in hiring practices. The post Bangladesh Gov’t to Hold Jobs Fair for Cox’s Bazar Youth Following Protests appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, among the Reuters team that won a Pulitzer this week for its coverage of the Rohingya crisis, are serving lengthy prison terms for exposing state secrets. The post Journalists in Myanmar Still Under Threat Despite Latest Pulitzer Wins appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Industry experts say incident could hurt Myanmar’s chances in increasingly competitive rice market. The post Authorities Vow Probe as Ivory Coast Destroys ‘Unfit’ Myanmar Rice Shipment appeared first on The Irrawaddy.