Obama Meets With Chinese Premier
At the start of the talks, President Obama said he wants a relationship with China that goes beyond economic issuese
Iraqi Vice President Vetoes Part of Election Law
Tariq al-Hashemi says he wants more representation for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are Sunni Arabs
Obama: US Presenting Benchmarks for Afghan Government
US President Barack Obama also has promised a decision soon on if or how he will reinforce the nearly 68,000 US troops fighting militants in Afghanistan
NATO Chief Confident Afghanistan Will Have More Troops
Secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen makes it clear that despite intensifying insurgency and uncertainty over whether President Obama will send more troops, NATO will remain in Afghanistan
Afghan Corruption Concerns US Policy Planners
In Transparency International's 2009 survey of world corruption, Afghanistan was ranking 179th out of 180 countries surveyed, only Somalia is perceived as being more corrupt
President Obama admits the US will miss the January 2010 deadline he set for closing the Guantanamo Bay prison. |
One of Iraq's vice-presidents vetoes part of the new election law, putting the parliamentary polls due in January in doubt. | Women in developing countries will be the most vulnerable to climate change, a report from the UN Population Fund warns. |
QUOTE OF THE DAY | |
There are clear steps that must be taken: the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; an end to conflicts with minority groups; and a genuine dialogue between the government, the democratic opposition and minority groups. — US President Barack Obama |
Climate Change and Aung San Suu Kyi |
By AUNG ZAW |
The regime in Burma is like climate change—if you don’t contain it now, it could be catastrophic. |
A State-run ‘Market Economy’ |
By SEAN TURNELL |
Without the rule of law, there are no guarantees the economy will be free of state interference under the 2008 Constitution |
Burma Considers Private Education |
By ARKAR MOE |
The Ministry of Education is reportedly holding talks on legitimizing private school education in Burma. |
Gov’t Discriminates against ‘Distant Learning’ Graduates |
By AUNG THET WINE |
Students with distant learning degrees from Burmese universities say they are not treated equally when applying for government jobs. |
More Burmese Ring Tone Options for Mobile Phone Users |
By YAN PAI |
More than 100 popular Burmese songs will soon be available for use as ring tones and call-waiting tunes on mobile phones in Thailand. |
Junta Confiscates Land in Arakan State |
By BA SAW TIN |
The Burmese government confiscates land and traditional hand-dug oil wells in Arakan State. |
Junta Conscripts More Child Soldiers |
By LAWI WENG |
Burmese regime forces have conscripted 112 underage youths in the last seven months, according to child labor activists in Burma. |
Editorial, Opinion and Analysis
Aung San Suu Kyi’s letter to Than Shwe
(Letter) Aung San Suu Kyi’s letter to Than Shwe
Breaking News
Michael Learns to Rock to tour Burma
Shan women’s group reveals dark side of tourism
A Shan women’s group revealed the “dark side” and the ugly face of tourism promotion in Shan State by the Burmese military junta in their latest ‘guidebook’ released...Than Shwe should not let go of Suu Kyi’s offer: Observers
Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal to meet the ruling junta’s military supremo Snr Gen Than Shwe in person to further discuss easing of sanctions,...Chins gathers for 2nd National Assembly
Ethnic Chin leaders across the world are meeting this week at Aizawl, capital of India’s North-eastern State of Mizoram, to discuss the future of the political course of the Chin,......National Park on Thai–Burma border largely deforested
Thai authorities have increased surveillance in the National Park on the Thailand–Burma border in Chumporn Province because of severe deforestation and hunting of...Ferryboat capsize in Southern Burma; 31 drown, 21 missing
Two boats collided in Nga Wun River killing 31 people, while 21 are missing, officials of the Basein (Pathein) District Peace and Development Council (PDC) said...Burmese singers to attend Grammy Awards Ceremony
Three popular Burmese singers are to attend the 52nd Grammy Award ceremony to be held in Los Angeles on January 31, 2010. Noted pop singers Sone Thin Par,... Suu Kyi’s letter goes public Nov 18, 2009 (DVB)–Burma’s main opposition party has released the contents of a letter sent last week by Aung San Suu Kyi to the country’s ruling general in which she requests a meeting between the two. - more |
Newspaper typo leads to journalist arrest Nov 18, 2009 (DVB)–A glaring typo in one of Burma’s leading newspapers has landed a journalist in detention and temporarily delayed the printing run of the publication. - more |
Burma among world’s ‘most corrupt’ states Nov 18, 2009 (DVB)–Burma has been ranked third from bottom in an international report examining corruption in 180 countries around the world, with only the war-ravaged Somalia and Afghanistan ranking lower. - more |
50 percent rise in Burma forced labour Nov 18, 2009 (DVB)–Complaints of forced labour in Burma have risen by nearly 50 percent in the past five months, with more than half of these stemming from the recruitment of youths into the army. - more |