Apr 18, 2013 (English Version)

Former Thai PM Thaksin Meets Min Aung Hlaing in Burma

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra paid a recent visit to Burma, where he met with the commander-in-chief of Burma’s armed forces. Read More

No Need for OIC Intervention, Burma Govt Says

The government rejects calls by the world’s top Islamic body for an international inquiry into recent anti-Muslim violence, saying the unrest is an internal affair. Read More

EU Set To Lift Burma Sanctions, Except On Arms

The EU is expected to lift all sanctions on Burma next week, except for an arms embargo, in recognition of the “remarkable process of reform.” Read More

Suu Kyi Says Burma’s Peace Depends on Security

The opposition leader says Buddhist-Muslim clashes threaten progress toward democracy and urges Burma’s government to provide greater security for dialogue. Read More

Burma and Bangladesh in Battle of the Bengal Bay Gas Blocks

A year after settling a maritime territorial dispute, the neighboring countries are now competing for investment in their offshore gas fields. Read More

Asean Football Federation Hopes Local Money Can Fuel Ambitious League

As Southeast Asian money floods into English football while local leagues rot, the proposed Asean Super League might offer investors a viable alternative. Read More

Bomb in South India City of Bangalore Injures 16

A bomb planted on a motorcycle explodes near the office of a political party in the Bangalore, injuring at least 16 people. Read More

US Footing Greater Bill for Overseas Bases in Asia

An investigation focuses on burden-sharing as the United States spends more than $7 billion annually to support its military in Japan, South Korea and Germany. Read More

Suu Kyi Says Investment in Burma Held Back by Law Uncertainty, Infrastructure

Aung San Suu Kyi says poor infrastructure and legal limbo are serving as a bottleneck to investment in Burma, according to Bloomberg. The opposition leader said “foreign investment is increasing more in theory than in actual fact,” on Wednesday while on a weeklong visit to Japan, adding that greater clarity on foreign investment laws would [...] Read More

Shan Poppy Plantations Sprouting Up Unchecked, Locals Say

Locals in Shan state says poppy plantations are thriving in the absence of government provision of a suitable substitute crop, Radio Australia reported. The Kayan New Land Party, an armed ethnic group from the region, says government officials are turning a blind eye to the illicit agriculture because shutting down the lucrative poppy trade could [...] Read More

Suu Kyi Voted Time Magazine’s Most Influential Person of the Decade

Nobel laureate and activist-turned-politician Aung San Suu Kyi was on Wednesday voted Time magazine’s most influential person of the decade. Commemorating its 10th edition of the Time 100, which annually lists the world’s most influential people, the magazine opened the contest up to online voters, starting with a bracket of 16 past honorees from four [...] Read More

Athletes from Burma to Train in China ahead of SEA Games

Eleven athletes from Burma left Rangoon for China on Wednesday, reported the Indo-Asian News Service, the first among 176 athletes, officials and coaches that will train for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in neighboring China. Under a cooperative agreement, the arrangement is aimed at improving Burma’s competitiveness in the biannual event. The 11 athletes will [...] Read More

Hundreds More Pigs, Dogs Found Dead in Central China

Hundreds more pigs have been found dead in China — this time together with dozens of dogs. A total of 410 pigs and 122 dogs were discovered in homes and at farms earlier this week in a village in central Henan province, authorities said on Wednesday. The local propaganda office said the deaths were being [...] Read More