Dec 28, 2012 (English Version)

Update: KIA Under Heavy Attack Near Headquarters

The government’s army launches a mass air assault with five jet fighters and two helicopters near rebel headquarters in Laiza. Read More

Private Daily Newspapers to Return After 45-Year Ban

The government announces that dailies can apply for publishing licenses in February and start printing on April 1, the second anniversary of the quasi-civilian government. Read More

Key Education Reforms Will Start at Rangoon University, Suu Kyi Says

Rebuilding Burma’s outdated education system should be a national priority and reforms will start with improving education at Rangoon University, Aung San Suu Kyi says. Read More

As Burma Turns West, China Looks North

Feeling increasingly enclosed along its southern flank, China is hoping that closer ties with Russia will help to counteract growing US influence in Southeast Asia. Read More

Far From Home, Arakan Rebels Fight on Kachin Frontline

Buddhist Arakanese are fighting alongside the mostly Christian Kachin against a majority-Buddhist Burma Army in the country’s far north. Read More

2012—The Year in Review

The past year has brought both positive developments and disappointments as the Burmese government and people adjust to rapidly changing circumstances. Read More

The Killing in Kachin State Must Stop

Until Burma’s government calls the armed forces to heel, the country’s prospects of achieving lasting peace and progress look dim. Read More

India Rape Victim in Singapore; PM Pledges Action

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledges to protect the nation’s women while the victim of a notorious gang rape is flown to Singapore for treatment. Read More

China Tightening Controls on Internet

China’s new communist leaders are increasing already tight controls on Internet use and electronic publishing following a spate of embarrassing online reports about official abuses. Read More

Four Thais Jailed over 54 Burmese Migrant Deaths

A Thai court has sentenced four people to up to 10 years in prison for their role in a human trafficking case that left 54 Burmese migrant workers dead. According to a report by AFP, the four were convicted on Thursday of gross negligence resulting in death and of breaking immigration laws. The Burmese workers, [...] Read More

Sweater Knit by Suu Kyi Sells for $50K

A hand-knit woolen sweater made by Aung San Suu Kyi has sold at an auction in Burma for almost US $50,000. A local radio station won a bidding war for the sweater during an auction on Thursday night held by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). The bidding started at $6,000. Suu Kyi has [...] Read More

Japan to Help Burma Install Radar System

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will help Burma install its second radar system in early 2013, official media reported on Wednesday. The radar system, to be installed in Rangoon, Mandalay and Kyaukphyu, will be used to upgrade weather forecasting in the country. Kyaukphyu, in western Burma’s Arakan State, already has a radar system installed [...] Read More

Black Box of Crashed Plane Found

Air Bagan said that is has located the black box of a plane that crashed on Christmas Day, killing two people and injuring around a dozen others. The plane, which was carrying 65 passengers, including 48 foreign tourists, crashed in a rice paddy near the Heho Airport in southern Shan State. Air Bagan said it [...] Read More

Indian State Seeks Reopening of Stilwell Road

Nabam Tuki, the chief minister of northeastern India’s Arunachal Pradesh State, has called on the Indian government to reopen the Stilwell Road to establish border trade with Burma. The road, built by the Western Allies during WWII as a supply route to assist China in its resistance against Japan’s Imperial Army, cuts across Kachin State. [...] Read More

China Court Orders Apple to Pay in Rights Dispute

A Chinese court has ordered Apple Inc. to pay 1.03 million yuan (US $165,000) to eight Chinese writers and two companies who say unlicensed copies of their work were distributed through Apple’s online store. The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court ruled on Thursday that Apple violated the writers’ copyrights by allowing applications containing their [...] Read More

Thai ‘Yellow Shirt’ Leaders Charged for 2008 Rally

Protest leaders in Thailand were indicted on Thursday for storming the prime minister’s office compound and sealing off Parliament during massive anti-government rallies in 2008. Prosecutors filed charges against leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, or Yellow Shirts, for trespassing at Government House during an August 2008 rally, in which thousands occupied the grounds [...] Read More