New Delhi – A number of members of a Cyclone Nargis volunteer group, ‘Lin Let Kye’, including freelance journalist Pai Soe Oo were arrested from Dagon Seikkan, Rangoon Division yesterday evening. (more…)

The National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), commonly known as the Mongla group, is meeting junta commanders today, according to reliable sources on the Thai-Burma border. (more…)

Villagers from rural areas as well as city residents are reporting that Burma’s military government is pushing for larger village security forces all over Mon State, as part of a ”People’s Militia Strategy” that will increase the governmental control all over the state. (more…)

The raid on the homes of 10 leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU) by Thai security forces in the border town of Mae Sot on Tuesday came just one month after a previous crackdown against Burmese opposition groups in Chiang Mai. (more…)

Three Burmese monks with refugee status in Utica, N.Y., shared their personal stories from the 2007 Saffron Revolution and commented on the human rights crisis in Burma last Wednesday. (more…)

The new message from Washington: Deal with Pyongyang, win diplomatic goodies. (more…)

The United States is taking the next step in its efforts to promote democratic reform in Burma, sending a high-level diplomatic delegation there in the coming weeks for exploratory talks with the nation’s military rulers. For a more complete picture of conditions on the ground, U.S. officials will also talk with representatives of ethnic nationalities and the democratic opposition, including the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi and others. (more…)

Australia has an often overlooked key role to play in drawing military ruled Burma out of its isolation, and is well placed to play a prominent supporting position in international efforts to engage the ruling State Peace and Development Council. (more…)

Normally, the Burma issue is at the core of every Asean summit, with all eyes on the Burmese delegation’s moves. (more…)

115 civil society organizations and political parties from 20 countries today submitted an open letter to China’s President Hu Jintao calling for the suspension of oil and gas pipelines through Burma in order to prevent rights abuses and regional instability, avoiding financial and image risks to China. (more…)