Mysterious Signs of Impending China-Backed Railway Worry Villagers in Myanmar’s Shan State

Local residents in northern Shan State are struggling with landmine use and some report that soldiers are extorting money from those who trigger their mines.

Zau Bauk is a carpenter in Kutkai, Shan State. In late August, as the military fought with ethnic armed groups, a shell hit his home, killing his wife, son and daughter.

Kachin farmers say they were too quick to take easy cash to rent land to Chinese-run banana plantations. They now pay the price in poor health and environmental damage.

The conflict in northern Rakhine has scared away the tourists who used to visit the area’s tatooed Chin women, while farming—and even weaving—has become too dangerous.

Amid constant threats to their security, Rakhine civilians are treated with suspicion by the military, while police and state officials are unable or unwilling to help.

For displaced Karen—including repatriated refugees and those receiving housing support in new settlements—peace is always fragile and jobs remain scarce.

Politicians, Kachin activists, environmentalists join displaced villagers in taking a stand against the BRI project on the Irrawaddy River.

In 2015 many farmers in Irrawaddy Region voted for the NLD expecting the party to win them their stolen land back. More than three years on, they have little to show for it.

Court and police procedure questioned in defamation case against Myanmar Now editor brought by follower of ultranationalist monk U Wirathu

With ambitions of becoming a genuine smart city, Mandalay — the country's last royal capital — is in the midst of a high-tech makeover.

Livelihoods come under threat as customary land rights have been denied and a developer claims ownership of much of Pulau Pari Island.