Record temperatures in Burma have led to an increased number of deaths among children and the elderly in Rangoon and Mandalay townships, according to social workers. (more…)

Maungdaw – The Union Solidarity Development Association party, or USDA, is now arranging to open a “Regional Development Office” in order to mobilize Muslim communities in Maungdaw and Buthidaung for the upcoming election. (more…)

Text of report by Norway-based Burmese Democratic Voice of Burma website, on 15 May
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Yangon– Myanmar authorities are considering to grant permission to four giant private entrepreneurs to open private banks in the country, sources said on Monday. (more…)

India’s leading engineering, procurement and construction company Essar Projects (India) Ltd announced on May 14 that it has signed a contract with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to execute port and inland water transport components of the ‘Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project’ in Myanmar. (more…)

Yangon – The Myanmar authorities are planning to export more items of commodities directly through the Mandalay International Airport in the northern city, starting June this year, as part of its bid to enhance foreign trade, sources with the aviation authorities said on Monday.
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Hong Kong – HIV prevalence among gay and bisexual men has hit alarming levels in Asia and most of them do not have access to services and care due to punitive laws which drive them underground, a U.N.-backed report said on Monday.
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A joint task force will be formed to monitor a long-awaited agreement to protect Indonesian workers in Malaysia after it is signed today.
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The United States has formally extended sanctions against Burma’s military government for another year. (more…)

Bangkok – After the only outcomes of a visit to Myanmar by a high-level United States diplomat were “profound” disappointment over its election preparations and a stronger line over its nuclear links with North Korea, President Barack Obama on Friday formally extended sanctions against the country.
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Yangon — Germany will provide full scholarships for Myanmar graduate students to help the country develop human resources, according to the German embassy here Monday. (more…)

Foreign investment and income from oil and gas companies have enabled the military dictatorship in Burma to greatly expand the country’s armed forces who use rape as a weapon against ethnic women and girls, writes Zetty Brake. (more…)