Feb 08, 2013 (English Version)

Shan Celebrate National Day amid New Freedoms

On Thursday the government allowed ethnic Shan across Burma to openly celebrate Shan State National Day for the first time in decades. Read More

Traditional Oil Drilling Supports Hundreds in Central Burma

In Thayet Township, poor villagers use makeshift drills to collect that most coveted of energy sources: oil. A photographer documented the traditional oil drilling methods. Read More

Pressure and Pragmatism in Burma

Under increasing international criticism over the civil war in Kachin State, Burma’s government seeks to refocus attention on the reformist narrative. Read More

UWSA Announces Death of Senior Military Leader

The death of Li Wen, a senior figure in Burma’s largest ethnic militia, comes amid growing concern over the conflict in neighboring Kachin State. Read More

After Burma Violence, Almost 6,000 Rohingyas Arrive in Thailand

Nearly 6,000 Rohingyas have arrived in Thailand since tens of thousands were displaced by sectarian violence in Burma last year, says a Thai security agency. Read More

Jets Roar as US, Japan, Australia Drill in Pacific

Fighter jets from the US and two key allies roar during annual exercises that have gained importance as the Asia-Pacific region responds to China’s rise. Read More

China Detains 70 in Crackdown on Tibet Protests

China’s government detains 70 people in ethnic Tibetan areas as it steps up a crackdown on self-immolations aimed at protesting communist rule. Read More

Funding Woes Spell More Trouble for Thai Rice Scheme

A lack of government funding poses a new threat to a subsidy program that has generated huge rice stockpiles, sparked graft allegations and unnerved markets. Read More

Traditional Oil Drilling Supports Hundreds in Central Burma

In Thayet Township, poor villagers use makeshift drills to collect that most coveted of energy sources: oil. A photographer documented the traditional oil drilling methods. Read More

Indonesia Pushing for Tennis and Gymnastics in SEA Games

After helping to bring badminton back to the lineup for this year’s Southeast Asia Games in Burma, Indonesia is pushing to restore tennis and gymnastics. Read More

US Welcomes Kachin Ceasefire Talks

The US welcomes the ceasefire talks between Burma’s government and Kachin rebels that took place in China on Monday. “We encourage cooperation between the two sides in order to achieve sustainable peace,” State Department spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala told The Irrawaddy. “We continue to raise our concerns about the plight of internally displaced persons and refugees,” [...] Read More

Burma’s Foreign Minister Visits EU in Brussels

Burma’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin visited Brussels on Wednesday, where he met with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, an EU statement said. Ashton praised Burma’s ongoing political and socio-economic reforms, while she also extended an invitation to President Thein to visit Brussels. The two sides also “discussed ways to [...] Read More

Amnesty Intl Cautions UK about Burma Military Ties

Amnesty International has warned the British military about its plans to build defense ties with Burma, as Burma’s military is still linked to human rights abuses. Britain wants to open a defense office and post a defense attaché in its embassy in Rangoon in order to develop ties with Burma’s armed forces. Amnesty International UK [...] Read More

Elephant Poaching Rising in Burma: Officials

Since 2011, 18 endangered Asian elephants have died in Burma, 11 of which were killed by poachers, Burma’s Forestry Department told state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar. “They were poached … because the ivory tusks are offered for high prices at illegal markets. People in China, [Taiwan], Hong Kong and Japan believe that ivory [...] Read More