Domestic News Updates – March 17, 2025 Morning
๐๐ 1. The U.S. May Impose Entry Bans on 41 Countries, Including Myanmar
March 15
Radio NUG
The U.S. Trump administration has announced new travel restrictions as part of its latest policy, affecting 41 countries, including Myanmar, according to a report by Reuters.
These 41 countries have been categorized into three separate groups:
Group 1: Ten countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, face a complete ban on entry into the U.S.
Group 2: Five countries—Myanmar, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, and South Sudan—are subject to partial restrictions on certain visa categories, such as travel visas, student visas, and specific immigration visas.
Group 3: Twenty-six countries, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, must address deficiencies in their governance within 60 days. Failure to comply may result in partial suspension of visa issuance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other administrative officials have yet to officially confirm the list, and there is a possibility of changes, according to an unnamed U.S. official cited in reports.
President Trump issued an executive order on January 20 to tighten security screenings for foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S., citing national security threats. Under this directive, a final list of countries recommended for full or partial travel restrictions due to insufficient background checks and data-sharing must be submitted by March 21.
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๐๐ 2. President Trump Signs Executive Order Restricting VOA and RFA Operations
March 16
Radio NUG
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order imposing restrictions on the operations of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA)—U.S.-based media outlets broadcasting in multiple languages, including Burmese—according to reports from European news agencies.
As a result, full-time government employees at VOA Burmese have received email notifications instructing them not to report to the office, effectively placing them on leave. Employees who received these emails have already left their workplaces.
Michael Abramowitz, VOA’s senior executive, expressed deep regret over the closure, stating that this marks the first time in VOA’s long and prestigious history that it has been forced to shut down.
According to BBC reports from March 16, the executive order led to the termination of salaries for nearly 1,300 employees at VOA, including reporters, producers, and support staff.
Meanwhile, there are growing concerns that RFA could also shut down operations after the U.S. government suspended its funding. RFA has confirmed receiving an official notice on the morning of March 15 stating that annual funding for RFA and its partner media organizations has been halted.
The executive order also instructs six government-affiliated organizations, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), museums, homelessness aid programs, and minority-owned business development initiatives, to cease operations to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Since RFA relies entirely on U.S. federal funding, its future remains uncertain. While the exact timing and manner of its shutdown have yet to be determined, RFA President Bay Fang has stated that the organization is exploring legal avenues to respond to the situation.
This decision under the Trump administration means that the Burmese-language broadcasts of VOA and RFA, along with their online news platforms, may soon disappear, ending decades of existence.
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๐๐ 3. Over 8,867 People Killed During the Spring Revolution, Including 1,017 Children
March 16
Radio NUG
Between February 2021 and January 31, 2025, a total of 8,867 people lost their lives during the Spring Revolution, according to a report by the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children’s Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG).
Among the casualties:
1,017 were children
56.3% were boys
32.7% were girls
10.9% were of unspecified gender
Sagaing Region recorded the highest number of child fatalities.
Additionally, 2,288 young people lost their lives:
78.9% were young men
20.7% were young women
0.4% were LGBTQ+ or individuals of unspecified gender
Furthermore, 1,910 women were also among the deceased.
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๐๐ 4. 659 Cases of Crimes, War Crimes, and Human Rights Violations Recorded in 10 Districts Across Naypyidaw, Yangon, Sagaing, and Magway Regions
March 16
Radio NUG
Between September 2024 and February 28, 2025, a total of 659 cases involving war crimes, human rights violations, and other criminal activities were recorded across 10 districts in Naypyidaw, Yangon, Sagaing, and Magway Regions, according to a report from the Fifth Mandalay-PMCSG (Pancham Mandalay Conflict Study Group).
The research covered the following districts:
Naypyidaw: Lewe, Pyinmana, Zeyathiri, and Ottarathiri Districts
Yangon Region: Western Yangon District
Sagaing Region: Monywa, Yinmabin, Kale, and Tamu Districts
Magway Region: Gangaw District
The report stated that the 659 recorded cases represent only verified incidents, while the actual number of cases on the ground is likely higher. Some incidents were excluded due to insufficient data.
The study categorized perpetrators into three groups:
Myanmar Military (SAC) and its affiliated forces
Revolutionary armed groups
Unidentified armed groups
According to PMCSG's findings:
487 cases were linked to SAC forces and its affiliates
103 cases involved Revolutionary armed groups
87 cases were attributed to unidentified armed groups
Among the incidents:
SAC forces and their affiliates were responsible for 252 attacks targeting civilians
Revolutionary forces were involved in 103 incidents, including 6 attacks on civilians
Unidentified groups were linked to 87 cases, with 73 attacks specifically targeting civilians
The total number of fatalities from these 659 incidents reached 443, and 874 houses and buildings were damaged or destroyed.
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๐๐ 5. Nearly 1,500 IDPs in a Village in Pakokku Township Facing Severe Water Shortages
March 16
Radio NUG
Nearly 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from around 350 households in a village in Pakokku Township are experiencing severe drinking water shortages, according to a statement from the Pakokku Youth Development Council (PYDC).
Since September 2023, Myanmar military troops have been stationed at the western monastery of the village. As a result, villagers have been forced to flee northward into the forest, where they have been sheltering for over a year.
Although there was a water well in the forest, the dynamo-powered water pump was stolen during the conflict, rendering the well unusable for over four years.
During the rainy season, IDPs were able to collect water from small forest ponds. However, in the dry season, these water sources have dried up, leading to the current crisis.
The IDPs are now requesting urgent assistance to install a new water pump, dynamo, and necessary pipelines. The estimated cost for these essential supplies is around 10 million MMK (approximately $4,800). As the community cannot afford the full amount, they are seeking collective contributions to resolve the crisis.
This report was sent by Radio NUG correspondent Khur Shel.
#SpringRevolution
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