Local officials say at least 12 people are feared dead after a strong earthquake hit northern Burma Sunday, causing terrified residents to flee swaying buildings. The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.8-magnitude quake hit before 8 a.m. local time, 117 kilometers north of the city of Mandalay, at a depth of just 10 kilometers. The […]
At Least 5 Dead, Several Missing After Burma Quake
Posted November 11th, 2012 at 3:15 am (UTC-5)
Burmese officials say that at least five people are dead and several are missing after a strong earthquake hit northern Burma Sunday, causing terrified residents to flee swaying buildings. The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.6-magnitude quake hit before 8 a.m. local time, 117 kilometers north of the city of Mandalay, at a depth of […]
Earthquake Hits Burma
Posted November 11th, 2012 at 1:55 am (UTC-5)
A strong earthquake hit northern Burma Sunday, causing terrified residents to flee swaying buildings. At least one person is reported to have been killed. Local media say a bridge under construction across the Irrawaddy River collapsed, and there may have been several casualties. No other major damage has been reported. The U.S. Geological Survey said […]
Earthquake Hits Burma, No Damage or Casualties Reported
Posted November 10th, 2012 at 11:25 pm (UTC-5)
A strong earthquake hit northern Burma Sunday, causing terrified residents to flee swaying buildings. No major damage or casualties have been immediately reported. The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.6-magnitude quake hit before 8 a.m. local time, 117 kilometers north of the city of Mandalay at a depth of just 10 kilometers. The earthquake was […]
Overturned Burmese Tankers Burst into Flames; 25 Dead
Posted November 9th, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
A derailed tanker train burst into flames in northern Burma Friday, killing at least 25 people. Burmese officials say the train — carrying fuel — derailed early Friday in the country’s Sagaing Region, injuring 62 people. People from nearby villages came to the scene. Officials said some were trying to collect the spilled fuel when […]
China Sentences 4 Members of Burmese Drug Gang to Death
Posted November 6th, 2012 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
A court in southern China has sentenced four members of a Burmese drug smuggling gang to death for last year’s kidnapping and murder of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River. China’s official Xinhua news agency said Tuesday the gang leader, Naw Kham, and three of his associates were guilty of hijacking two Chinese cargo […]
Norway to Help Update Burma Electricity Law
Posted November 5th, 2012 at 12:20 am (UTC-5)
The Asian Development Bank says Norway has pledged $850,000 to help Burma bring its electricity law up to current international standards. Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s minister of foreign affairs, said during a visit to Burma Monday that energy access for all is a priority for Norway. He added that, without access to modern energy, there […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Refuses to Take Sides in Burma Ethnic Violence
Posted November 4th, 2012 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has urged tolerance in response to a wave of ethnic violence in the west of the country, but says she will not take sides. In an interview with the BBC Saturday, the Nobel Peace laureate said she does “not think one should use one’s moral leadership” to promote […]
World Bank Approves First Burma Aid in 25 Years
Posted November 2nd, 2012 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
For the first time in 25 years the World Bank has approved a grant for Burma and developed a strategy for helping the government improve its economic management. The bank issued a statement Thursday saying the $80 million grant is for infrastructure projects in poor rural areas. World Bank president Jim Yong Kim said he […]
ASEAN Chief: Burma Unrest Could Radicalize Rohingya Muslims
Posted October 30th, 2012 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
The head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is warning that ongoing sectarian violence in western Burma could radicalize minority Rohingya Muslims and threaten the stability of the region. ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan is calling for the international community to intervene in Burma’s western Rakhine state, where dozens have been killed and tens of […]
