Jan 17, 2013 (English Version)

Burma’s Media Landscape Shifts, But Self-Censorship Remains

Journalists take advantage of new press freedoms after nearly half a century of military rule but caution that the road ahead is uncertain. Read More

Reforms Make Burma More Free than China, US Group Says

Burma’s political rights and civil liberties’ situation continues to improve and it has now “surpassed China” in terms of these freedoms, Freedom House says. Read More

Govt Agrees to Increase Loans to Farmers

Burma’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is set to increase loans to farmers by 200,000 kyat per acre from the current 800,000 kyat. Read More

Activists for Political Prisoners Meet in Rangoon

After 16 years in exile, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners returned to Burma to host a fundraising event for the remaining prisoners of conscience. Read More

China Grows Wary as Kachin Conflict Intensifies

Authorities in China’s Yunnan Province are watching warily as the conflict in neighboring Kachin State raises fears of a crisis on the Sino-Burmese border. Read More

Burma Seeks Partners to Free up Telecoms Sector

Burma’s government invites local and foreign companies to submit proposals for nationwide telecommunications services, as the country’s telecoms minister steps down. Read More

‘We’re Not Targeting Civilians’

President’s Office spokesperson Ye Htut tells The Irrawaddy why Burma’s armed forces is using airstrikes against the KIA, and why some refugees aren’t getting aid. Read More

Amnesty Int. Concerned over Kachin Civilians

Amnesty International is concerned over the safety of Kachin civilians affected by the fighting between the Burmese government and Kachin rebels, following a government artillery strike that killed three civilians and injured four others on Monday. “Both the army and [Kachin rebels] must ensure that civilians caught in the conflict area are protected. The three [...] Read More

Lift All Western Sanctions on Burma, Russia Says

All remaining western sanctions against Burma should be lifted in the light of the country’s ongoing political reforms, Russian Foreign Minister Sergie Lavrov said during a visit to Burma on Wednesday, US news agency UPI reports. “There is no justification for any kind of sanctions under the current conditions,” he was quoted as saying. Lavrov [...] Read More

US Assists Burma with Future Nuclear Inspections

US government nuclear specialists held a workshop in Naypyidaw last week to assist Burma in its plan to let international observers inspect its atomic activities, according to a US Embassy statement on Wednesday. The US officials, a representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Burma’s Ministry of Science and Technology’s Department of Atomic [...] Read More

Tourist Visits to Burma Top 1 Million

Tourism visits to Burma surged to a record one million visitors last year, in the wake of the political reforms and a relaxation of visitor restrictions, AFP reports. It cited government figures, which showed an annual increase of almost 30 percent. “This is a very outstanding year for the industry,” said Phyoe Wai Yar Zar [...] Read More

Clinton Calls on Laos to Find Missing Activist

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton adds to international pressure on the authoritarian government in Laos to investigate the disappearance a prominent social activist. Read More

Japan Woos Vietnam Amid Shared China Concerns

Japan’s prime minister travels to Vietnam to bolster an alliance that shares concerns over rising Chinese territorial assertiveness in regional waters. Read More

SKorea: NKorea Behind Cyberattack on Seoul Daily

An investigation by South Korea’s National Police Agency reveals that North Korea was behind a cyberattack last year against a Seoul newspaper critical of Pyongyang. Read More