16th March 2021 As I said yesterday, most communications from Myanmar are closing down. There are no mobile networks operational and the internet is down. The obvious question is why? Linking this to the convoy of troops crossing the bridge into Hlaing Thar Yar and the increased number of troops
Housing Keith Lynch (Stuff): What happened after Jacinda Ardern said house prices can’t keep skyrocketing Henry Cooke (Stuff): Housing crisis: Greens push to end equity-only mortgage deposits in bid to lower prices Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Megan Woods reminds foreign investors their money is still welcome in parts of
15th March 2021 Army vehicles are crossing the bridge from Insei to Yangon Industrial zone at Hlaing Thar Yar. Fires are raging from factory blazes. There is debate about whether they were started by protesters or agents provocateur/military. The other side of the bridge from Hlaing Thar Yar is
14th March 2021 This is the British reaction to the actions of the authorities today. (Nothing heard from New Zealand). The Embassy is on Strand Road in downtown Yangon and the Residence is near the main railway station, so they are well placed to observe what is going on in
1News-Colmar Brunton Poll 1News: Labour keeps strong lead as Collins plunges further in first 1 News-Colmar Brunton poll of 2021 Claire Trevett (Herald): PM’s drop in popularity will not worry her as National stays off its foils (paywalled) Jessica Mutch Mckay (TVNZ): Opinion: Saying goodbye to landlines
Economy, wage subsidy, inequality Branko Marcetic (Democracy Project): When the US Government becomes more economically progressive than NZ Bernard Hickey (Stuff): Where did the wage subsidy money really go? Gareth Vaughan (Interest): Why we should reframe the discussion on government spending Kate MacNamara (Herald): Treasury shows New Zealand’s 1
13th March 2021 We have just completed 50 days from the start of the coup and what have we learned? The resistance has been more widespread and stronger than the Military, especially Min Aung Hlaing ever considered possible. They were expecting it to peter out after a couple of weeks.
12th March 2021 In order to give you all a balanced view of the situation, I have a piece from the Global New Light of Myanmar (the State-owned paper) that gives a different perspective. Chickpea growers in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region are expecting a good price in the coming
The BFD is seeking journalists to write news articles for us in a voluntary capacity. We are looking for News stories without spin, just the facts. The BFD is a Conservative site opinion wise but real news shouldn’t have a political view, its job is to inform not to
The BFD is seeking citizen journalists to write news articles for us in a voluntary capacity. Regular contributor Lionred reported on a disaster in Lostwithiel, Cornwall at the end of last year, providing both commentary and photos of what was happening. This year he has been reporting on the coup
11th March 2021 The Infamous Insein Prison, Yangon Insein prison was cleared of many prisoners early in the coup to make way for the arrest of protesters later. It is well known for torture, brutality, and poor treatment of prisoners, many of whom are not recorded. Protesters Arrested in North
Policing and crime Robin Martin (RNZ): Facial recognition used on photos of unidentified suspects only – Coster Geraden Cann (Stuff): Police drones, body cameras likely to be scrutinised by new independent panel Jane Clifton (Herald): What about a long-term Level 4 for gang members? (paywalled) Te Aniwa Hurihanganui (RNZ): Police
10th March 2021 Well, the situation is getting interesting. The BBC carried a report today and an interview with members of the Myanmar police force who had crossed the border and sought asylum in India as they didn’t agree with killing innocent people. Following on from my report about
