Yangon – One of Myanmar’s self-described “pioneer bloggers” proudly opens his popular website — officially banned by the military rulers — and scrolls to his updates on the approaching election. (more…)

The Burmese opposition is gearing up ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in November. A Young Burmese man told us how he and other activists are expressing their dissatisfaction with the ruling junta through rap music and street art. (more…)

Thousands of people in Pegu sought refuge in schools and temples after heavy rain and floods forced them from their homes. (more…)

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Many Irrawaddy residents and party members have agreed to boycott Burma’s first elections in 20 years on November 7, according to National League for Democracy party vice-chairman Tin Oo. (more…)

Seventeen farmers from Kachin State in northern Burma are taking their fight over land seized in the Hukawng Valley “tiger reserve” by a junta-linked tycoon to the state’s Supreme Court tomorrow. (more…)

One of Burma’s most prominent armed ethnic groups has made a final deadline day decision to reject the junta’s request to transform into a Border Guard Force. (more…)

Bangkok – A new report on Burma’s tax system says it lacks transparency and accountability, and many taxes are paid to corrupt officials.  Burma rights activists say arbitrary taxation adds another layer to the economic burdens and rights abuses many Burmese suffer. (more…)

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), a Bangkok-based independent organization for monitoring elections in the Asia region, issued a statement on Tuesday calling for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation to review the credibility of Burma’s election on Nov. 7. (more…)

There can be no more cynical regime in Southeast Asia than that of Burma’s military junta. The generals and colonels who have controlled that poor country since 1962 have looted the economy, mistreated citizens and made Burma a worldwide synonym for tyranny. (more…)

“On average, villagers have to provide military government organizations with more than 10,000 kyat a month. Even though villagers have no food to eat they still have to pay them. At the hands of the SPDC the villagers have to work harder but they still have not enough food for their families.” (more…)

Ottawa – Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth). (more…)

“A dictator in civilian clothing is still a dictator. The fact that they are moving out of uniform but still constricting the political space within Burma is a problem for Burma…. Burma has to open up its political space, have a dialogue with the ethnic groups within Burma would allow for an effective and viable political opposition and have a real competition within civil society in Burma.” – Philip J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary, US Department of State

Yangon, Myanmar — A message from Myanmar’s junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe appeared in state media Tuesday, dispelling reports that he had stepped down from the army as part of a major military reshuffle ahead of elections. (more…)

Yangon – Myanmar’s two pro-junta parties have submitted large candidate lists for the country’s November 7 general election, dwarfing the number of pro-democracy candidates, party sources said Tuesday. (more…)

Rangoon—Family members of recently retired top military officers and government ministers in Burma have been collecting diamonds, gold jewelry and solid gold, according to business sources. (more…)

Burma’s ethnic Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has put its foot down and in a statement today has reiterated that it will not transform its armed-wing the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) till a genuine federal union comes about and lasting peace is restored in Burma. (more…)

ILLEGAL immigrants to Thailand have accused officials in the border town of Ranong of selling them by the boatload to people-smugglers and engaging in the sexual enslavement of young women. (more…)

Stroke is a major cause of disability in Ayeyarwady Division, which has the highest proportion of people with a disability in the country, a survey has found. (more…)

Trust has been built between the UN and the Burmese junta in the two years since cyclone Nargis, a UN representative said at a regional conference on Monday. (more…)

MYANMAR and the other three developing members of ASEAN should open up their economic sector more in order to participate in the regional single market due to open in 2015, a senior ASEAN spokesperson said last week. (more…)