United Nations officials say special envoy Tomas Quintana spoke with political prisoners at Burma’s notorious Insein Prison on Wednesday, ahead of what he described as a “very productive” meeting with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (more…)

Yangon — Myanmar’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi said Wednesday she believes the country’s army-backed president wants “real positive change” amid warmer relations between the regime and its most famous critic. (more…)

A group of lawyers who had their licenses revoked under the previous military government for being politically active are preparing to hold a press conference tomorrow to explain a legal challenge they are planning to regain the licenses. (more…)

Naypyidaw — A trusted disciple of Snr-Gen Than Shwe, the former dictator who is still believed to wield ultimate power over Burma’s new government, has reportedly been appointed to lead the country’s powerful military intelligence unit. (more…)

New Delhi – Eight political parties that contested in the 1990 general election have sent a letter citing four demands to UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana. (more…)

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Because of a grammatical error in Burmese in a headline that said, “President Aung San Suu Kyi meets,” the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (PSRD) has issued a warning to True News (aka) the Thitsar Journal, said a PSRD official.  The error appeared on the publication’s cover. (more…)

High gold prices have prompted many Burmese migrant workers in Thailand to sell gold they brought with them from their home country, hoping for a handsome profit, but the gold shops here say the Burmese gold is of low purity. (more…)

The Malaysia United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is accused of betraying refugees by conspiring with Putrajaya Immigration Office to take their fingerprints and send them back to their own countries, it has been claimed. (more…)

International investors are lining up to get into Burma, but the political situation there must improve before any legitimacy can be conferred. (more…)

Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Mijarul Quayes will be paying a visit to Myanmar to meet his counterpart on August 24 for two days to discuss bilateral and regional issues. The last meeting at the foreign secretary level took place in Dhaka on December 28, 2009. The trip is welcomed. (more…)