Oliver Slow

BBC launches satellite news channel in Myanmar after Trump silences VOA Corporation responds to ‘urgent need’ following earthquake by taking over Voice of America’s former channel

The BBC is launching a news service in #Myanmar, replacing the satellite video channel for Voice of America, which has been halted by Donald Trump’s cuts.

BBC News Burmese reach quadrupled in the week after the devastating recent earthquake.

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...

Myanmar journalist freed after serving full sentence in Yangon Military authorities released Kamayut Media’s Hanthar Nyein and 22 political prisoners in various parts of the country as part of a broader amnesty

Journalist Hanthar Nyein, arrested a month after the #Myanmar military coup, has been released from prison having served his sentence for incitement.

myanmar-now.org/en/news/myan...

A light blue diagram depicting the sea, with the water's surface at the top, and just below it is an outline of the Mary Rose, with the depth (12m, 40ft or 6.7 fathoms). There is a line showing the seabed, which takes a rapid dive into the vertical...

On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked,

"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"

Allow our scaled diagram to explain...

Gwen Robinson, a driving force in Asia journalism, dies at 65 Trailblazing correspondent and mentor instrumental in shaping Nikkei Asia's global presence

This is a beautiful and fitting tribute to the fierce and fabulous journalist Gwen Robinson. Gwen was a force of nature, an excellent editor and deeply cared about issues across Asia, especially Myanmar. RIP - we will miss you, Gwen. asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Ob... via @nikkei-asia.com

Return of the Junta On the first day of February 2021, Myanmar's military grabbed power in a coup d'etat, ending a decade of reforms that were supposed to break the shackles of mil…

A sample of books on Myanmar from foreigners since the coup include former Frontier journalist, @oliver-slow.bsky.social Return of the Junta: ‘Why Myanmar’s Military Must Go Back to the Barracks’, published by Bloomsbury in January 2023
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/return-of...

A Crowdfunded Christmas In 1933, Joseph Mitchell wrote about a couple living in a cave in Central Park. Then the money started to arrive.

"Day in and day out, I was sent to breadlines, to relief bureaus, to cold-water flats; each morning I called on cringing, abject humans who sat and stared at me as I goaded them with questions."

The brilliant Joseph Mitchell, on a Christmas in New York in 1933.

www.newyorker.com/magazine/193...

World War Two: Child's memoir found on door panel after almost 80 years It details how a lack of power, the cold winter, and food rationing were creating struggles.

“To the person who reads this… I hope things are much better now.”

Note hidden in door panel from just after World War Two tells of food shortages, daily power cuts and the country “in a hell of a state”

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A 2025 #books thread that I'll try (and probably fail) and keep updated.

Powerfully written, dreadfully sad story on a little-known demographic - the Maltese community living in Cardiff's Tiger Bay.

Former Cambodian MP shot dead in Bangkok A former Cambodian opposition MP was shot dead by a motorcyclist near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok on Tuesday evening.

Lim Kimya, a former opposition #Cambodia MP, has been shot dead in central Bangkok.

He was one of few ex-CNRP members to have stayed behind in Cambodia after the party was dissolved.

www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...

Dull Men’s Club: The 'anti-influencers' honouring poles and benches Adherents say they are pushing back against “moreitis”- the need to do greater and grander things.

"For us, it's jomo (joy of missing out), not fomo (fear of missing out)."

Took a look at the Dull Men's Club, for those who happily embrace the boring things in life.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

‘It was all lies’: Myanmar’s military widows denied pensions and payouts There is growing evidence that the cash-strapped junta is refusing to pay the pensions and compensation that soldiers’ families are entitled to when their husbands or sons die on duty.

"When the families of low-ranking soldiers move into military compounds, we learn that we have to swallow all our resentment."

There is growing evidence that that the #Myanmar junta is refusing to pay pensions and compensation to fallen soldiers' families.

www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/it-was-al...

Why Jimmy Carter had a life-long love affair with Wales The former US president, an avid reader of the works of poet Dylan Thomas, visited Wales multiple times.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president who has died aged 100, had a life-long love affair with Wales - mainly fuelled by his passion for legendary poet Dylan Thomas.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Max and Mason: How boys' mistaken identity murders broke hearts BBC Social Affairs Correspondent Fiona Lamdin sat through the case that often stunned the courtroom.

The court heard of the "bleak and desolate" upbringings of those who killed Mason Rist and Max Dixon in Bristol.

The 15-year-old now had enough food in custody, so was growing in height.

Riley Toliver, 18, had only started to read and write since being in custody.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A tad late to this...

BBC Wales journalist, previously in London with World & UK desks.

Before that reported in Asia, mainly Myanmar. Lived in Indonesia, Thailand.

Wrote a book on Myanmar's military, which I'd love for you to check out if you haven't already - www.bloomsbury.com/uk/return-of...