Iran Opposition Holds Mourning Rallies
Witnesses say huge crowds pack Tehran's Imam Khomeini square, in growing demonstrations triggered by re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Demonstrators Question Iran Election Results on World's Streets 
Protesters in US, Australia, Germany, Seoul answer rally call in show of solidarity with Iranians who are protesting election outcome in Tehran
Obama Administration Denies Interfering in Iranian Affairs
At the same time, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defends US efforts to keep internet social networking service Twitter active in Iran
Blast Kills Somali Security Minister, at Least 20 Others
Insurgent group al-Shabab claims responsibility for suicide bombing that also killed Somali ambassador to Ethiopia
![[insert caption here]](http://www.voanews.com/english/images/pakistan_waziristan_map_5.jpg)
Suspected US Drones Kill 9 in Pakistan
Attack targeted Pakistan's South Waziristan, near Afghan border
 |  | Iran's top legislative body says it is considering 646 poll complaints and invites the defeated candidates to talks, as a "day of mourning" rally starts in Tehran. |
Tehran protests| Somalia's security minister is killed in a suicide bomb attack north of the capital Mogadishu, according to witnesses. | | Freshwater dolphins in the Mekong River are on the verge of extinction, according to the conservation group WWF. |
| QUOTE OF THE DAY | |
 |  If the fighting continues, at least 8,000 more villagers will have to escape across the border.  — Zipporah Sein, the general secretary of the Karen National Union |
SLIDE SHOW Thousands of Karen Seek Safety in Thailand |
| By LARRY JAGAN |
| The current Burmese military offensive near Mae Sot, Thailand, sends thousands of Karen villagers to refugee camps. |
More Mobile Phone Service Available to Burmese |
| By MIN LWIN |
| Cellular phone service will expand significantly in Rangoon and Mandalay. |
KNU to Abandon Bases |
| By THE IRRAWADDY |
| The KNU is to abandon its military bases near Thai-Burmese border "to save lives." |
DKBA: Burma’s Second Largest Non-state Armed Group? |
| By WAI MOE |
| The DKBA embraces the Burmese junta in its fight with the KNU, seeing its future role as a border guard force as a road to riches. |
Kachin Youths Beaten and Hospitalized |
| By THE IRRAWADDY |
| Burmese soldiers mercilessly beat Kachin youths who prevented them from gang-raping a teenage Kachin villager, a human right group reported. |
Ban ‘Wants Suu Kyi Freed before Visiting Burma again’ |
| By LALIT K JHA |
| The Burmese military junta has invited UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to visit Burma next month, but UN sources say he is unlikely to accept if opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or a further term of house arrest. |
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Readers’ Artwork of Aung San Suu Kyi |
To commemorate Aung San Suu Kyi’s 64th birthday, we would like to invite you, our readers, to submit your artwork featuring Suu Kyi.  Download |
Karen rebel Army forced to retreat
Burma’s largest active ethnic rebel group has been forced to abandon its stronghold on the Burmese border with Thailand after weeks of fierce fighting with government,...Junta continues to recruit children into army: Rights defender
Despite the Burmese junta’s claim of eliminating the use of children in the military, a human rights advocate said children in Burma are still recruited into the army and,.....Chinese firms to have stakes in two mega damsBusiness stakeholders from Burma, China and Thailand are into discussions for Chinese investors to involve themselves in two huge hydro power dams in Burma, said... | Mekong citizens appeal to Thai PM against construction of damsCitizens of six countries which share the Mekong River on Thursday submitted a petition with 16,000 signatures to Thailand’s Prime Minister to save the Mekong River. ‘The Save the Mekong... |
Htoo Company Smuggles Teak to Bangladesh
6/18/2009
Maungdaw: Htoo Company, owned by Burmese tycoon U Te Za, has been illegally exporting teak from western Burma to Bangladesh since the company got permission to harvest teak in western Burma, said a source close to the company. full story
Security beefed up in Taungup ahead of Suu Kyi’s birthday
6/18/2009Taungup: Security in Taungup, a town located in southern Arakan State, was beefed up today with the deployment of many additional police personnel at key places in the town, according to an activist. full story
Burmese Army soldiers abandon 210 wives in eight villages
6/17/2009Burmese Army soldiers have deserted over 210 women from eight villages located near the town of Rathidaung, 20 miles north of Sittwe, after marrying them, said a youth who compiled a list. full story
