Myanmar junta chief Than Shwe urged political parties to shun foreign ideologies if they want democracy as the military put on a show of might at its annual parade Friday. (more…)

Burma’s main opposition party repeated its calls for the ruling junta to begin a dialogue with its opponents and release all political prisoners during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of an important event in the country’s military history. (more…)

Myanmar’s military junta is open to talks with the United States, its information minister said after a rare visit by a top U.S. diplomat amid a review of Washington’s policy towards the regime. (more…)

A lone demonstrator in Twante Township, Rangoon was arrested by the police on Friday, an eyewitness said. (more…)

A powerful explosion at dawn on March 19 in Lashio, the capital of Shan State North, left a one and-a-half feet wide and two feet deep crater, according to sources coming to the Sino-Burma border. (more…)

The key decision making body of the primary political party representing Mon people has agreed to meet with the SPDC general charged with organizing Burma’s ethnic armed groups for the coming 2010 election. The plan for talks follow a quiet meeting between the groups following the Mon party’s announced refusal to join the election. (more…)

CHINA said on Friday that it had signed a contract with Myanmar to build cross border oil and gas pipelines, a move which will enable energy-thirsty Beijing to slash the journey time for crude oil imports. (more…)

India’s leading automaker TATA Motors on Thursday met Burmese Minister of Energy (2) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, and held parleys on setting up a truck manufacturing unit in Burma, the state-run media said. (more…)

The United Nations on Friday condemned what it called systematic human rights violations in Myanmar and urged the ruling military junta to release all its political prisoners, believed to number 2,100. (more…)

Some retired generals and senior officers in Burma have created a storm in Burma’s literary circles by publishing their autobiographies, which are being read with interest inside and outside the country. The books shed light on the inner thoughts of the reclusive military veterans and the famous battles they waged against Burmese communists, the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) and ethnic rebels. (more…)

You are cordially invited to join the Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN) 10th Anniversary Celebration on March 28, 2009. We would like to thank all our friends for your support over the past decade and for standing with us until today. Your support has strengthened our work for women’s rights and promoted justice for women in our struggle for social and political change in Burma. (more…)

Mr. Piero Fassino, paid a three day visit to Bangkok where he met Thai Government representatives and relevant partners and stakeholders. (more…)