Jan 16, 2013 (English Version)

Suu Kyi Says Kachin War Should ‘Stop Immediately’

Responding to criticism of her silence on the conflict in Kachin State, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi urges an immediate end to the fighting. Read More

Thein Sein Repeals Repressive Law on Public Speeches

Burma’s President Thein repeals a draconian law that was used to stifle public speeches and sentence dissidents under the previous military regime. Read More

Airstrikes, Ground Fighting Continue Near Laiza

The Burmese government launched ground and air assaults on Kachin rebels near Laiza Tuesday. Elsewhere, three children of displaced villagers died when a bunker collapsed. Read More

Burma Still an ‘Extreme Risk’ for Investors Despite Reforms

Despite the economic reforms of 2012, Burma remains one of the riskiest places in the world for foreign investors, according to a new assessment. Read More

Kachin Villagers Recall Terror of Laiza Shelling

Still in a state of shock, Sau Nam explains how she and her son nearly lost their lives when an artillery strike hit on Monday. Read More

‘It’s About Burma’

US Ambassador to Burma Derek Mitchell says America’s engagement with Burma is about helping the country realize its potential, not about countering China’s influence. Read More

Why Is There No Asean Food Day?

Asean needs to find something to rally around. What better subject than food, which has long been a source of pride to the whole region? Read More

Burma’s Economic Growth to Hit 6.5% in 2013

The World Bank projects that Burma’s economy will grow with 6.5 percent in 2013, slightly up from last year’s 6.2 percent growth. In 2014 and 2015, the economy will expand with 6.6 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively. The bank said on Tuesday that Burma has “potential to deliver strong growth over the projection period due [...] Read More

EU Voices Concern over Laiza Shelling

EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday she is “deeply concerned about the continuous fighting in the Kachin State” in northern Burma following Monday’s artillery attack on Laiza by the Burmese government, which killed three civilians and injured four. The conflict “is putting at risk the nation-wide peace [...] Read More

Malaysia Rounds Up 383 Burmese Nationals

Two boats carrying 354 men, women and children, who are supposedly from Burma, landed in Malaysia on Tuesday night, where local police rounded them up for being illegal immigrants, Malaysian newspaper The Star reports. The boats came from Bangladesh and Arakan State in Burma, and landed on Cenang Island in northwest Malaysia. “One of the [...] Read More

Burma Opens Market to Foreign Telecom Firms

Burma’s government began the process of opening up the country’s telecom market on Tuesday, by inviting companies to apply for two national licenses to operate in the telecom sector. In a statement, the government invites companies to express their interest before Jan. 25, adding that it would issue the licenses by June. The announcement opens [...] Read More

Burma’s Army Commander Visits Singapore

Burma’s Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Vice-Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Singapore’s Minister of Defense Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday, Channel News Asia reports. Gen Min Aung Hlaing is on an introductory visit to Singapore from January 13-16. On Tuesday he also met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and he visited several [...] Read More

Sri Lankan Leader Replaces Chief Justice with Ally

Sri Lanka’s president swears in a trusted aide to replace the chief justice he fired, a move that lawyers and judges say was illegal. Read More

Wildlife Group Wants Thailand to Ban Ivory Trade

An international conservation group urges Thailand to ban all ivory trading to stem an unprecedented slaughter of elephants in Africa. Read More

Thailand to Ask Burma to Help Identify Rohingya

The Thai government might seek help from Burma in identifying the nationality of 857 people accused of entering Thailand illegally. Read More