The United Nations humanitarian chief described the plight of Burma’s Rohingya Muslims as “dire,” as she toured crowded refugee camps filled with those who have fled deadly communal violence. Humanitarian chief Valerie Amos says she witnessed thousands of people in “overcrowded, substandard shelter with poor sanitation” during her tour on Thursday of several camps in […]
UN Humanitarian Chief Says Rohingya Plight ‘Dire’
Posted December 6th, 2012 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
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Burmese Protest at Copper Mine Grows, in Defiance of Gov’t
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Burmese villagers and monks are defying government orders to end a 10-day protest against the expansion of a Chinese-backed copper mine in northwestern Burma. Protesters remained in several camps near the Monywa mine, ignoring a warning to vacate by Tuesday or face unspecified action. A VOA reporter says the number of protesters is […]
Defying Gov’t Orders, Burmese Protesters Occupy Dam
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 6:30 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Burmese villagers are defying government orders to end a days-long occupation-style protest against a controversial Chinese-backed copper mine. A state television announcement Tuesday ordered protesters to vacate their camp sites at the mine in the northwest city of Monywa. But activists said dozens refused to leave before the Tuesday midnight deadline. There has […]
As US Sanctions Against Burma Ease, American Companies Start Investing
Posted November 19th, 2012 at 12:00 pm (UTC-5)
With the easing of longstanding U.S. economic sanctions against Burma, major American companies are quickly starting to invest in the Southeast Asian nation. Competing soft drink giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Co. are returning to Burma for the first time in many years. Meanwhile, both MasterCard and Visa have reached deals with Burmese banks for use of […]
China Hopes Obama’s Burma Visit is Beneficial
Posted November 19th, 2012 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
China said on Monday that it hopes U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Burma will encourage “peace, stability and development” in East Asia. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the visit was a bilateral affair between the U.S. and Burma, but China hopes that the historic event would benefit the region as a whole. Mr. […]
Burmese Leader to Consider Rights for Rohingya Minority
Posted November 17th, 2012 at 4:05 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s president has pledged to consider new rights for the stateless Rohingya minority ahead of a landmark visit by U.S. President Barack Obama. In a letter to the United Nations Friday, Thein Sein condemned what he called “senseless violence” in western Rakhine state between local Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya. The Burmese leader said he would […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Urges India’s Support for Democracy in Burma
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is calling for India’s support in helping Burma achieve democracy. She made the comments Wednesday during a visit to New Delhi aimed at restoring ties between the Burmese opposition and India. During a lecture commemorating former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Aung San Suu Kyi said Burma was […]
Death Toll from Burma Quake Rises to 26: Aid Group
Posted November 13th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
The death toll from a strong earthquake that struck northern Burma Sunday has risen to 26, more than twice as many as last reported. Red Cross officials said Tuesday that 230 people were injured and 12 others still missing as a result of the 6.8-magnitude quake that struck near Burma’s second biggest city, Mandalay. Several […]
Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi Greeted Warmly in India
Posted November 13th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by a crowd of supporters as she arrived Tuesday in New Delhi, her first trip to India in four decades. The Nobel laureate will meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other top officials during her week-long visit. She will also visit her alma mater, […]
Burma Quake Kills at Least 13 People, Collapses Bridge
Posted November 11th, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
Burmese officials and witnesses say a strong earthquake has killed at least 13 people and injured many others in the center of the country. The 6.8 magnitude tremor struck an area about 110 kilometers north of the Burmese city of Mandalay at 7:42 a.m local time on Sunday. Several aftershocks followed, one of them with […]
