Despite government pressure, most ethnic ceasefire groups are undecided on whether to disarm and form political parties to contest the Burmese general election scheduled for 2010, according to sources close to the ceasefire groups. (more…)

Many children orphaned by Cyclone Nargis are being employed in low-paid jobs in the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon, according to monks in the region. (more…)

The families of Zarganar, Zaw Thet Htway and others involved in voluntary aid work for cyclone victims who were arrested by Burmese authorities say they are still waiting for information on their relatives. (more…)

The All Burma Federation of Student Unions called on the military regime on Monday to allow university students from cyclone-devastated Irrawaddy division to enrol for the coming academic year. (more…)

Author and blogger Nay Phone Latt, in custody for six months, was charged again under the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act under section 5(j), a switch from the previous charge under section 32(b) of the Video Act. (more…)

As the crowd gathered in the hall of a Buddhist monastery to receive their free lunch, Hnin Mya sat listlessly, oblivious to the smell of warm curry, the sounds of clinking utensils and the chatter of her compatriots. (more…)

Myanmar’s military rulers have granted 1,670 visas to foreign aid experts to deliver humanitarian aid to victims of the cyclone that devastated the country two months ago, state media said Tuesday. (more…)

The Burmese Army’s severe human rights violations have forced 165 Karenni refugees to flee to refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border this year, camp officials said. (more…)

In the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, Burma’s military rulers have assigned several private companies to undertake reconstruction work in the affected areas. However, many are said to be reluctant to take on the job as there is no certainty of being paid the money they need to spend, sources said. (more…)

The growing gap between the value of the US dollar and Burmese foreign exchange certificates (FECs)-introduced in 1994 to ensure that most hard currency that enters the country ends up in government hands-is turning Cyclone Nargis relief efforts into a major cash cow for Burma’s ruling junta. (more…)

A large number of people in Maungdaw Township have been used as forced labor by local authorities on repair work on the Buthidaung – Maungdaw roadway since the road and bridges collapsed in heavy rains, said a resident from Maungdaw. (more…)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has emerged stronger in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis that whipped Burma and the rice crisis that plagued several member countries, a senior official said Tuesday. (more…)

Thailand is seeking to establish in Myanmar an early warning network system against cyclone and a delegation, led by Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Mun Patanotai, is currently on a visit in Yangon. (more…)

This year is the 20th anniversary of the democracy movement in Burma. In 1988, a few small student protests against late dictator Ne Win’s Burma Socialist Programme Party ignited the flame of democracy which quickly developed into the strongest uprising in Burma’s history. (more…)

The Burmese Army grabbed political power in a coup on 2 March 1962; and Burma again lost its political freedom 14 years after independence, to the native military dictatorship instead of a foreign colonial power. (more…)