The world’s largest tiger reserve, in the wilds of northern Burma, is being rapidly eroded as a businessman with links to the junta replaces trees with cash crops, according to a report published yesterday. (more…)

The Burmese regime plans to launch the country’s first ever national web portal in September, two months ahead of the election, according to sources close to Yatanarpon Teleport Co. Ltd. (YTP), based in the new Yatanarpon Cyber City in Pyin Oo Lwin Township. (more…)

Beijing – China is planning three oil product pipelines in the southwestern border province of Yunnan as it prepares to receive crude oil from its neighbour, Myanmar, local reports said on Thursday. (more…)

Rangoon — Burmese businessman Tay Za’s E-Lite company has been granted a license for an optical fiber broadband network service, called FTTx, which will offer high speed access to Internet, television and telephone communication, according to the company staff. (more…)

A packed train leaves Myanmar’s Taungbyone station. The isolated country could enjoy easy connectivity to India. (more…)

New Delhi – India is keeping an eye on neighbouring Myanmar after recent reports about an alleged nuclear weapons programme in the military-run country, Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna said Thursday. (more…)

On 24 Aug, the United States officially confirmed that it is “exploring how best to proceed” on the initiative to push for “a properly structured international commission of inquiry that would examine allegations of serious violations of international law in Burma”. (more…)

The military junta has entered into ceasefire agreements with 17 ethnic rebel groups.

Myanmar’s forthcoming election, the fifth step of the so-called roadmap to democracy introduced in 2003, has of late generated much cautious optimism. The elections are likely to throw up a ‘disciplined democracy.’ Shorn of rhetoric, this implies likely space for a civilian government and national reconciliation as the Constitution 2008 will come into effect once the new parliament is in place after the elections. (more…)

‘The record of horrific human rights abuses by the military government of Burma is lengthy.’ – James Clancy.

James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)Ottawa (26 Aug. 2010) – The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is urging the Harper government to support the call for a United Nations (UN)  commission of inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. (more…)

The case of Ko Mya Aye, a leading pro-democracy leader incarcerated in Burma, now calling itself Myanmar, has been taken to court at the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention by the Burma Justice Committee. The case is being pleaded by Sappho Dias and Adam Zellick, Chairman and Vice-chairman respectively of the Burma Justice Committee, which comprises some of the leading lawyers at the English Bar. (more…)

The Kaladan Multi–Modal Transit Transport Facility envisages connectivity between Indian Ports on the eastern seaboard and Sittwe Port in Myanmar and then through riverine transport and by road to Mizoram . The Kaladan Multi – Modal Transit Transaport Project envisages a timeline of five years from the date of the signing of the agreement. The Framework Agreement and Protocols were signed in April, 2008. The Project is being implemented as per schedule. (more…)

The Secretary-General of ASEAN has welcomed the news that Myanmar would hold its general elections on 7 November 2010. “It is certainly a welcome relief in the sense that the date is now definite. Not only has ASEAN has been anxious about the preparations for the general elections in Myanmar, but the entire global community has been concerned that it would not be free, fair and effective as a mechanism of national reconciliation.” (more…)

Yangon – Myanmar’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has suggested that people who want to back her disbanded party in upcoming elections refrain from voting, her lawyer said Wednesday. (more…)

Pakokku, Myanmar — With undercover police lurking nearby, breakaway opposition leader Than Nyein pleaded in vain with local democracy activists to contest army-ruled Myanmar’s first election in 20 years. (more…)

Chiang Mai – National Democratic Force party central executive committee member Khin Maung Swe announced today he is withdrawing from nationwide polls on November 7. (more…)

Three years since their arrests in August 2007, the imprisoned leaders of the 88 Generation Students group are unchanged in their common view that the conditions for the coming election are unacceptable, according to their family members and friends. (more…)

Rangoon — Some human trafficking victims in Burma have become traffickers themselves, perhaps due to insufficient support in rehabilitation or a lack of jobs, according to Police Col. Sit Aye, the head of the police force’s Department against Transnational Crime. (more…)

The Burmese government will launch attacks on two ethnic armies in Burma’s volatile border regions if they continue to refuse to transform into border militias. (more…)

For the first time during its sixteen year old ceasefire agreement with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Burmese army said it wants the KIO to disarm. That information came on August 22, after a series of meetings between the two sides, according to sources close to the KIO. (more…)

Sydney (Mizzima) – Senior Burmese government officials are salting away assets of all kinds and stashing funds in offshore banks in a sure sign the insiders are beginning to hedge their bets on the ruling military junta’s future, a prominent Australian analyst of the Burmese economy has said. (more…)