No significant changes in Burma policy are expected from the new coalition government headed by Conservative leader David Cameron, but campaigners retain hope its foreign secretary’s knowledge of Burma and its desire to please may open avenues to press Burma issues. (more…)

For the past 10 years, Burma has been accused of trying to acquire a nuclear weapon. A number of developments during this period — notably Burma’s growing relationship with North Korea — have raised international concerns. Yet, to date, no hard evidence of such a plan has been produced. (more…)

At a recent press conference, the spokesperson for UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon asserted that “the United Nations has strongly encouraged the Myanmar [Burmese] authorities to invite regional and international monitors because we believe that that will inspire confidence in the elections”. (more…)

The recent bombings at the Myitsone dam project in Burma are an example of the root cause of ethnic armed conflict in Burma. While no one has claimed responsibility for the bombings, a farmer who was arrested is viewed by many as a scapegoat, who most likely lacked the resources and skills to plant such a series of bombs. (more…)

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…)

Twenty percent of the 302 human trafficking cases uncovered in 2009 involve children, 7-Day News reported on April 30. Acting as the minor’s mother, human traffickers take the children into foreign countries like China, where they are then sold. The price for one child is about US$3000. Some Chinese people buy children to adopt them, while others are bought and resold abroad. (more…)

Myanmar and Thailand bilateral trade reached 2.21 billion U.S. dollars in the first three quarters of the 2009-10 fiscal year (April- December), according to an official report. (more…)

Detained National League for Democracy (NLD) icon Aung San Suu Kyi said that the act of forming a new party by some of the NLD leaders is incompatible with the democratic process, according to her lawyer, Nyan Win, after meeting her on Friday. (more…)

New Delhi – Engineering procurement and construction company Essar Projects Limited has signed a contract with the Ministry of External Affairs to build a multi-modal transit transport project in Myanmar, which includes two jetties, a port and cargo barges. (more…)