Yangon — A Myanmar court Friday rejected an appeal by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi against her extended house arrest, just days after the US re-engaged with the country’s ruling junta. (more…)

The Burmese military junta has again tightened security in Rangoon to quell any potential unrest over the political and economic situation, say sources in Rangoon. (more…)

New Delhi – A group of Burma’s ethnic political organizations in exile – the Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) – has urged US Senator James Webb not to condemn the junta’s 2010 election before it takes place but to call for more inclusiveness and for it to be free and fair. (more…)

New Delhi – The US embassy in Rangoon has got in touch with lawyers to defend its detained citizen, Aung Kyaw Zaw, arrested on arrival in the former Burmese capital’s international airport on September 3. (more…)

The Burmese refugee situation in Thailand may deteriorate as Burma’s ruling junta prepares for elections next year, an international refugee group has warned. (more…)

Since the year 2000 the Burmese military has been conducting a series of war games codenamed Sun Ye (Swooping Kite), ostensibly to defend Burma against foreign invasions, but in reality, according to Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), to fight against the country’s non-Burma ethnic armed groups demanding more autonomy for their peoples. (more…)

Burmese traders are under increasing pressure from the military government to keep their prices stable following Friday’s introduction of the 5,000 kyat (US $5) banknote. Most gold and currency dealers continued to suspend trading because of uncertainty about the effects of the arrival of the new banknote. (more…)

Rangoon — Tensions between Burmese junta crony Tay Za and the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, Ltd. (UMEHL), a military-owned conglomerate, are rising over the recent import of 1,000 cars, according to business sources in Rangoon. (more…)

Thailand has welcomed the announcement by the United States that it will engage directly with the Burmese junta, and said that Burma has already made positive steps toward reform. (more…)

Myanmar’s Government has missed an opportunity to prove its commitment to holding inclusive elections by extending the house arrest of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, effectively barring her from participating in next year’s polls, says an independent United Nations human rights expert. (more…)

China kept Myanmar off the agenda of the United Nations Security Council this month by seeking to put the issue of civilian deaths in Afghanistan on the schedule, Chinese and French envoys said. Neither subject made it. (more…)

Bangkok – The border dispute between two close allies, China and Myanmar, has now been compounded by concerns over the junta’s future relations with the United States, which this week announced a policy shift towards engagement with the military junta. (more…)

Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention: Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Myanmar (more…)

Today, the Burma Center Delhi on behalf of 58 Indian and International organizations submitted an appeal letter to Smt. Sonia Gandhi, President of All India Congress Committee (AICC) & Chairperson, UPA urging to draw attention on Aung San Suu Kyi and to revise India’s foreign policy and promote human rights in order to restore peace, harmony and fraternity in the region. (more…)