Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann visited Norway as part of a European fact-finding tour and emphasized that Burma requires both an economic and political transformation to achieve prosperity. (more…)

YANGON — If members of the National League for Democracy sit in Myanmar’s Parliament today, it’s thanks to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Not only has she been the main opposition party’s leader, figurehead and inspiration since its creation in the aftermath of a bloody military crackdown in 1988. Last month, she was also instrumental in deciding that, after all, it wasn’t worth staying out of power for a relatively small matter of principle. (more…)

Two countries should forget past, start anew. (more…)

Burmese President Thein Sein seems to have done a good job again! His straightforward, honest confession and down-to-earth instructions made his fans admire him more and even impressed his critics. (more…)

This week marks the week of action for the global launch of International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict. (more…)

(Washington, DC) – The US government should not ease sanctions on business activities in Burma until adequate safeguards are in place to prevent new investment from fueling human rights abuses. A US presidential order imposing a ban on investment and financial services in Burma is scheduled to expire on May 20, 2012, unless it is renewed or revised. (more…)

Pinned against the Chinese border, the isolated Kachin people fear a bloody end to a long conflict (more…)

New Delhi – The situation over the presence of about 2,500 asylum seekers from Myanmar at the Sultan Garhi monument near Vasant Kunj remained volatile on Monday. After about 30-40 persons were moved away from in front of the 13th century Sultan Garhi monument on Sunday, no one was shifted on Monday. (more…)

While foreign governments heap praise on the Burmese government’s liberal tilt, land theft appears to be increasing as state agencies and powerfully placed domestic firms position themselves to welcome foreign investment. (more…)

Poland and Burma agreed to cooperate in the energy sector and other areas during the visit of Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Naypyitaw last week, The New Light of Myanmar reported. (more…)

Dried-fish vendors at a market in Arakan state’s capital Sittwe protested municipal authorities policies that promote “high” taxes last Friday. (more…)

The abrupt resignation of Burmese Vice-President Tin Aung Myint Oo has forced the government to hold several private meetings to find a suitable replacement candidate. (more…)

Burma (also known as Myanmar) may be on the verge of a dramatic expansion of international assistance. After last month’s parliamentary by-elections, there is likely to be more support for easing sanctions and increasing foreign assistance to the country to support the changes underway. Several major donor governments have announced easing of sanctions and increased aid to Myanmar, including Canada, the European Union, and Denmark. Dozens of donors and international NGOs are poised to establish new programs in the country in the coming months. (more…)

Yangon, Myanmar — Myanmar’s president has confirmed that his country bought weapons from North Korea during the past 20 years and assured his South Korean counterpart that it will no longer do so. (more…)

Seoul—South Korean President Lee Myung-bak wrapped up a two-day trip to Myanmar on Tuesday by meeting with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and securing promises from the country’s leaders to release a North Korean defector and stop trading weapons with North Korea. (more…)

NAYPYIDAW // Two solitary cars are all that can be seen on the 20-lane motorway that leads into Naypyidaw. From a distance, a solitary motorbike comes into view. This is rush hour in the world’s emptiest capital. (more…)

An interim press council will form in June following a presidential order aimed at dealing with media regulations before the country’s new media law is adopted. (more…)

This Thursday, Burma will hold its first-ever public LGBT Pride. The celebrations are scheduled as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. (more…)

Yangon, Myanmar – Myanmar tightened security for a visit by President Lee Myung-bak on Monday, the first by a South Korean leader since an assassination attempt by North Korean commandos nearly 30 years ago. (more…)

Myanmar’s president has urged the nation’s millions-strong diaspora to return, state media reported Saturday, as the country seeks skilled workers to help smooth the passage of reform. (more…)