Shwe Phi Oo

Taiwan to elect new president

2008-03-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

More than seventeen-million people in Taiwan are voting to elect a successor to their pro-independence president, Chen Shui-bian. Over the past eight years, Mr Chen has frequently angered Beijing, which has always regarded Taiwan as part of China.

There are two candidates hoping to succeed him -- Frank Hsieh, of Mr Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and the frontrunner, Ma Ying-jeou, who represents the opposition Kuomintang (KMT).

Correspondents say both men are pragmatists who favour better economic ties with China.

Saturday, 22.March.2008

Chinese police hunt down Tibetan protesters

2008-03-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

A Tibetan monk in Hezuo in China's Gansu province has told the BBC that the military have taken over the town, and police are searching for Tibetans who took part in recent unrest. According to the monk, the demonstrations were started by school students who heard about the protests in Tibet against Chinese rule there.

They smashed cars and shops. Meanwhile, the authorities in Beijing say the death toll among ethnic Chinese in the Tibetan violence has risen from thirteen to eighteen.

Our reporter in Delhi reports on Tibet Youth Congress members protested and broke into Chinese Embassy.

Saturday, 22.March.2008

Breach of US candidates' files probed

2008-03-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

The United States government has announced an internal inquiry into how the personal files of the three main presidential hopefuls came to be breached.

A State Department spokesman said the files which contained information including biographical details and passport applications were accessed by employees working for independent contractors.

The Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, telephoned the candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, to apologise to them in person.

A BBC correspondent in Washington says it's still not clear exactly what information the contractors were able to see and what they did with it.

Saturday, 22.March.2008

PALAUNG MUSIC/ I DAN WIN

2008-03-16T23:08:00.000-07:00

Palaung Musics

2008-03-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Mr, Bin - Durmmer

2008-03-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

Corrupt regime authorities aiding the spread of opium production in Shan State

2008-03-06T00:37:00.000-08:00

The number of private producers of opium poppies has increased in Man Tong Township, Northern Shan State, Palaung area, according to a local source. The report is confirmed by The Palaung Women's Organization, based on Thai-Burma border in Mae Sot, which recently reported that opium production has become widespread since the Palaung Liberation Army gave up arms to the Burmese Army in 2005.

Many wealthy businessmen in Palaung Area, Man Tong Township, Shan State, are investing their money in the poppies, used to make lucrative drugs like opium and heroin. Most opium crops are grown in the hills, where they are not likely to be seen by local people, said the source, who recently left Palaung area to the Thai-Burma border area.
According to the US State Department, Burma is the second largest producer of opium poppies, second only to Afghanistan. While a United Nations Development Project subsidizes other crops in an attempt to limit opium production the program extends only into regions controlled by the Burmese Army. As the area is not suited to rice farming, the main agricultural product in the area is tea, or would be were opium farming not more lucrative.

Thursday, 6.March.2008

Bloodiest day in Gaza

2008-03-01T20:39:00.001-08:00

More than fifty Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the bloodiest single day of fighting with Israeli forces for many months.

At least two Israeli soldiers were also killed. Reports say many of the Palestinians who died were militants, but civilians, including children, were also killed.

Israel says it is retaliating for persistent rocket attacks on its territory from Hamas-controlled Gaza. The Palestinians have called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The clashes are overshadowing a forthcoming visit to the region by the American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

Sunday, 2.March.2008

Many killed in latest Gaza attacks

2008-03-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

Palestinian medical officials say more than thirty people have been killed in further Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip -- one of the bloodiest days for months.

The latest deaths bring to more than sixty the number of people killed in Israeli operations since Wednesday -- many of them were militants, but civilians, including children, have also died.

The Israelis say their troops, tanks and aircraft have been attacking Gaza because of persistent Palestinian rocket fire into Israeli territory.

The Islamist group, Hamas -- which controls Gaza -- said it would respond with every available means, while the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the killing of civilians.

Suday, 2.March.2007

Death of Karen leader blow to Myanmar Group-15.Feb.08

2008-02-17T00:09:00.000-08:00

Zardari urges calm after Pakistan bombings

2008-02-16T23:30:00.000-08:00

The leader of one of Pakistan's main opposition parties, Asif Ali Zardari, has appealed for calm after a suicide bombing at an election meeting killed thirty-seven people.

It happened in Parachinar near the Afghan border.

Mr Zardari, the widower of the assassinated party leader Benazir Bhutto, said the bombers wanted Pakistan to give up the path of democracy.

Pakistan's general election on Monday is intended to complete a transition to civilian rule. More than eighty-thousand security personnel have been deployed ahead of the vote.

Monday, 17.February.2008

KNU official implicated Burmese government for the killing of its leader

2008-02-16T23:27:00.000-08:00

A top official from the Karen National Union, who did not want to be named, told the BBC that they have found concrete evidence of Burmese government's involvement in the assassination of Padoh Mahn Sha, Secretary-General of the group.

The official also said Padoh Mahn Sha may have been seen by the Burmese government as an obstacle in ceasefire negotiations which apparently have been stalled for several months.

The outspoken Karen leader was shot dead by two gun men at his home in Mae Sot on Thursday.

So far, there is no mentioning about the incident from the Burmese government side, nor any media report inside the country about the death of Padoh Mahn Sha.

Monday,16.February.2008

Bush urges Kenya power-sharing

2008-02-16T23:24:00.001-08:00

At the start of his tour of Africa, President Bush has urged an end to violence in Kenya.

He said his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, would underline that message in her upcoming visit there.

But speaking in Benin, the first stop on his tour, Mr Bush said Africa's many conflicts were not the main focus of his visit. He said he wanted to highlight success stories.

Correspondents say the tour is being seen as an attempt by Mr Bush to emphasise the positive aspects of his foreign policy legacy.

Monday, 16.February.2008

Attack on residence of East Timorese President

2008-02-10T19:37:00.001-08:00

Reports from the East Timor capital, Dili, say that the President, Jose Ramos Horta, has been shot and wounded in an attack on his home.
There is no word yet on his condition.A military spokesman said the rebel leader Alfredo Reinado was killed in the attack, and one report also spoke of another soldier being killed.The attack took place in the early hours of the morning.Jose Ramos Horta was inaugurated as the second president of East Timor last May.

He was awarded the Nobel peace Prize in 1996.

Monday, 11.February.2008

Gates in Baghdad to assess 'surge'

2008-02-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

The American defence secretary, Robert Gates, is holding talks with US commanders and Iraqi leaders in Baghdad.

Shortly before his arrival, Mr Gates said he would discuss prospects for a possible reduction in American troop levels in Iraq following recent improvements in the security situation.

His visit comes a year after thousands more soldiers were sent to Iraq as part of President Bush's "surge" strategy.

Monday, 11.February.2008

Gates warns Europe: Back Afghan mission

2008-02-10T19:33:00.001-08:00

The American defence secretary, Robert Gates, has urged European governments to make the case to their people that the war in Afghanistan is necessary to defeat violent Islamic extremism.

Mr Gates, speaking at a security conference in Munich, warned that the threat was not going to go away.

Some NATO allies, he said, could not enjoy the luxury of opting for civilian operations, while others bore a disproportionate share of the fighting and dying.

That would turn NATO into a two-tier alliance - and destroy it.

Monday, 11.February.2008

Burma's announcement of new elections meets with scepticism

2008-02-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

The Burmese opposition has described as vague, incomplete and strange the military government's decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in May.

The generals said a multi-party election would follow in 2010, two decades after they annulled the last election. The surprise announcement comes just months after the brutal suppression of last September's pro-democracy protests.

Britain said Burmese political leaders had not been consulted, and called for a genuine process of reconciliation. But Singapore's Foreign Ministry hailed the move by Burmese military government to set a timeframe for a referendum on a new constitution and elections as a "positive" one.

The pro-democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, remains under house arrest, and hundreds of political prisoners are in jail.

Monday,11.February.2008

Annan says Kenyan politicians agree plan

2008-02-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

An agenda for negotiations to end Kenya's political violence has been agreed by the government and the opposition.

The former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan who's been mediating between the two sides -- said the the first step of the four-point plan was to end the violence, which has killed over nine hundred people since the disputed presidential election in December.

Mr Annan's announcement came after Kenya's president, Mwai Kibaki said he was the rightful elected leader of Kenya, and repeated that the opposition party should take their grievances to the courts.

Saturday, 9.February.2008

President Putin warned new arms race

2008-02-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

President Putin has warned that a new arms race is being unleashed on the world, but Russia must not allow itself to be drawn into it.

In a speech designed to highlight his eight-year legacy, Mr Putin said while Russia dismantled Soviet-era military bases, NATO was setting up bases close to Russia's border -- and the United States was planning missile defence systems in Central Europe.

He said there'd been no tangible steps on NATO's part to accommodate Moscow's concerns and find a compromise.

But Mr Putin said Russia will always respond to the challenges of a new arms race by developing more hi-tech weaponry.

Saturday, 9.February.2008

NLD proposes talks with Burma minorities

2008-02-05T16:48:00.001-08:00

The opposition National League for Democracy in Burma has invited ethnic minority groups that support the military government to hold talks on resolving their differences.

The highly unusual offer came less than a week after senior members of the party were allowed to meet their detained leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Many of Burma's minority groups have fought for autonomy during the decades of military rule, but some have signed ceasefires with the Burmese government.

These groups have criticised Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, over a statement she issued in November, saying she had no right to speak on their behalf.

6,February.2008

NLD invites ethnic groups for discussion on tripartite talks

2008-02-05T16:45:00.001-08:00

The offer was disclosed in the statement issued by Burma’s main opposition group the National League for Democracy, NLD, on Tuesday 8 February.

NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asked the junta to allow ethnic groups who have entered cease fire agreements with the military regime to join the dialogue process in the statement released through the UN special advisor to Burma, Mr Gambari last November.

Some of the ethnic groups rejected the offer and insisted that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did not have the mandate to speak on their behalf.

In a rare meeting with her party leaders last week, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reiterated the need to hold a tripartite talks bringing together the NLD, the junta and the ethnic groups.

6,February.2008

Frenzied campaigning ahead of US Super-Tuesday

2008-02-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

The main candidates for the Democratic and Republican Party presidential nominations are jetting across America in the final day of campaigning before Super Tuesday -- the biggest ever day of voting in a nomination race.

More than twenty states -- including two of the largest, New York and California -- will hold contests which could decide who the parties will select to fight the presidential election.

On the Democratic side, the latest opinion polls indicate a dead heat between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

But polls on the Republican race put Senator John McCain ahead of his main challenger, Mitt Romney.

Burmese-Americans told BBC their choices of presidential candidates.

Tuesday, 5.February.2008

Civilians flee Chadian capital

2008-02-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

Thousands of civilians have been fleeing the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, taking advantage of a lull in the fighting between government forces and rebels who attacked the city on Saturday.

Many have streamed across a bridge into neighbouring Cameroon. The Chadian government says it has routed rebel forces after two days of intense battle in the centre of Ndjamena.

The rebels say they've withdrawn to regroup and await reinforcements before launching a fresh assault, and they've urged civilians to leave the city.

Aid workers say hundreds of civilians have been wounded, and there are bodies lying in the streets.

Tuesday, 5.February.2008

A group to protect journalists raises last year's media death toll to 65

2008-02-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

At least 65 journalists were killed around the world because of their work last year, the highest figure for 13 years, and nearly half of them died in Iraq, a leading media watchdog reported on Monday.

The figure compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ, said some 7 in 10 of journalist deaths last year were murder, with the others due to combat cross-fire.

In its report, the CPJ mentioned Burmese journalists came under heavy assault in August and September when covering pro-democracy street protests and military government's retaliatory crackdown.

A prominent Burmese poet Aung Way told the BBC how journalists inside Burma are deeply polarised and those who do not support the regime have built a network to protect themselves from the oppression.

2008-02-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

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2008-02-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

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Annan says Kenyan politicians agree plan

2008-02-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

An agenda for negotiations to end Kenya's political violence has been agreed by the government and the opposition.

Mr Annan's announcement came after Kenya's president, Mwai Kibaki said he was the rightful elected leader of Kenya, and repeated that the opposition party should take their grievances to the courts.

Saturday, 2.February.2008

Rumbling of discontent in China weather crisis

2008-02-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

With the worst snow storms seen in China for decades still battering the country, questions are being raised about the government's ability to handle the crisis. Some of the millions of people stranded at transport terminals in freezing temperatures have complained of lacking medicine, or being unable to use toilets. Chinese television has broadcast footage of passengers fainting in the crush as they rushed to board the few trains still running. The authorities say they've mobilised a million troops to help with the chaos, and electrical workers have been struggling to restore power in blacked-out cities.

Saturday,2.February.2008

OUR CUlTUER OF PHOTO

2008-01-31T10:52:00.000-08:00

US disappointed on no progress of dialogue in Burma

2008-01-31T03:22:00.000-08:00

The White House said Wednesday that it was "pleased" that a spokesman for Burma's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi had been able to make contact with the outside world.

But White House spokesman Tony Fratto said the US was "disappointed to hear that there has been no progress on a meaningful time-bound dialogue," between her and the military junta that rules Burma.

Earlier, the spokeperson of NLD said that pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not satisfied with the progress of her meeting with a representative of the ruling junta.

31 January, 2008

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi unhappy with dialogue process

2008-01-31T03:17:00.000-08:00

Burma's detained pro-democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has told members of her political party that she's not satisfied with the dialogue started by the military government following the mass demonstrations last September.

Following a rare meeting with Ms Suu Kyi, NLD party spokesman U Nyan Win said she'd expressed frustration that the military hadn't given a time frame for the dialogue process and had said she didn't want to give false hope to the Burmese people.

The military government agreed to talk to the opposition under heavy international pressure following the violent suppression of the protests.

30 January, 2008

French trader under investigation

2008-01-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

The trader blamed for huge losses at French bank Societe Generale has been placed under formal investigation.

A Paris prosecutor has also asked for preliminary charges of forgery, breach of trust and fraud to be filed against Jerome Kerviel.

The prosecutor said Mr Kerviel hid his trades to make him appear as an "exceptional trader", but he did not mean to damage the bank.

Societe Generale says his actions cost it 4.9bn euros ($7bn; £3.7bn).

Monday,28.January.2008

Gangs on rampage in western Kenya

2008-01-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Police are struggling to restore order in western Kenya, amid a recent wave of violence linked to disputed elections.

Riots were continuing in the towns of Naivasha and Nakuru in the Rift Valley, where dozens of people have been killed in five days of ethnic violence.

In some cases, a few police officers are trying to keep gangs of hundreds apart by firing bullets into the air.

Amid the political impasse a cycle of violence is emerging, warn analysts, of attacks followed by reprisal attacks.

The national death toll since December's polls is now about 800.

Members of President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe have been fighting with Luos and Kalenjins who backed his rival Raila Odinga in the election a month ago.

Map showing distribution of main ethnic groups in Kenya

Mr Odinga accuses Mr Kibaki of stealing the vote and has refused to recognise the result.

Monday,28.January.2008

Inter-ethnic scores settled in Nakuru

2008-01-25T21:28:00.000-08:00

Terrifying mobs of young men armed with panga (machetes), rungus (wooden clubs) and bows and arrows stormed through the streets of Nakuru on Friday.

The market town, the capital of Kenya's Rift Valley, has not witnessed scenes like this for many years, if ever.

It is about two and half hour's drive from Nairobi to Nakuru and as we came into the town on the main road we were confronted by a mob advancing down the tarmac.

A stone smashed a back-door window of our car, crashing against the head of my colleague Nawaz Shah, showering him with broken glass.

He was not badly hurt and our troubles were nothing compared to those of hundreds of people in the town who had been attacked or forced to abandon their homes.

Saturday,26.January.2008

Egyptian police routed by Palestinian shoppers

2008-01-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

There's been a third day of chaotic scenes on the border between Gaza and Egypt, as thousands of Palestinians defied continuing efforts by Egyptian forces to seal the crossing.

Egyptian police withdrew after violent skirmishes with Gazans, who have been pouring in to stock up on supplies, in the face of an Israeli blockade of their territory.

As the Egyptians sealed the original breaches, the Palestinians used a bulldozer to punch fresh holes in the border fence.

A BBC correspondent at the scene described it as a humiliating setback for Egypt.

Saturday,26.January.2008

Gambari said there is room for dialog in Burma

2008-01-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

Dialog in Burma may be slow but not at standstill, insisted UN Special envoy to Burma, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, told the BBC in an exclusive interview on the telephone.

He said that the international community is more united now on the issue of Burma in considering how best the available leverage could be used to move the process forward.

Mr Gambari also acknowledged the role of China, not least in helping him to obtain visa to Burma, but he insisted that the UN is not completely relying on the country for the success.

He is planning to travel to Brussels and Delhi very soon to make further efforts in solving the problems in Burma.

Hamas wants border deal with Egypt

2008-01-24T05:14:00.001-08:00

The Hamas leadership in Gaza says it wants a long-term border agreement with Egypt so that people can travel from the Palestinian territory to buy essential goods.

Hamas made its comments after tens of thousands of Palestinians crossed the border between Gaza and Egypt through holes in a security barrier made by militants using explosives.

Egypt wants to close the border once the Palestinians have returned but says that it will not force Palestinians to go back.

Last week Israel tightened its blockade of Gaza in response to continued Palestinian rocket-fire into Israeli territory.

Recession fears weigh on markets

2008-01-22T03:29:00.000-08:00

Asian and European share indexes have continued to fall sharply on Tuesday amid fears of a recession in the US leading to a global economic slowdown.

London's FTSE 100 index has had a bumpy day, falling more than 3% at the open. It has since recovered and was recently trading between 1% higher and 1% lower.

Earlier, Asian markets had tumbled with Japan's Nikkei index closing down 5.7%, taking its decline this year to 18%.Many analysts are predicting indexes could fall further in coming weeks.

"I think we can safely say that the stomping, snorting optimistic beast of a market is fleeing the field, to be replaced by something scary and grizzly," said BBC Business Editor Robert Peston.

Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Analysis: What now for Hamas?

2008-01-22T03:22:00.000-08:00

Ever since the Hamas military takeover of Gaza in June, the territory has been subjected to an economic siege.

Israel labelled the Hamas-controlled Gaza a "hostile entity". The Islamist movement refuses to recognise Israel arguing that it is an illegitimate state.

Israel intensified the siege last week, saying the move was in response to heavy rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. Nowadays, Gaza is a territory where the economy has collapsed, power shortages are a daily occurrence, and Israeli air strikes are common.But how is Hamas faring under this pressure?

One of its leaders, Mahmoud Zahhar, insists that Hamas - which won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006 - does not need to change its course.

"We are giving all efforts to run a real administration," he told the BBC news website. "We are ready to continue for years."

Tuesday, 22 January 2008,

EU special envoy to tour Burma's neighbours

2008-01-21T05:55:00.000-08:00

Mr Peiro Fassino is due to arrive to Thailand on Sunday as his first leg of tour to the countries in the region to find solution on Burma.

In Bangkok, he is scheduled to meet with diplomats including Western diplomats from embassies in Rangoon, a spokesperson of Mr Fassino has said.

The Italian diplomat who has been appointed as a special envoy for the EU on Burma also travelled to New York earlier this month and met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and his special advisor on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari.

He has also planned to travel to Indonesia after his visit to Thailand.

We presented an interview with Mr Eugo Papi, a spokesperon of Mr Fassino, in today's programme.

Monday, 21.January.2008

New parliament meets in Thailand

2008-01-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

The Thai parliament has convened for the first time since the military coup in 2006 that ousted the then prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The new session follows elections in December to restore democracy and the announcement on Saturday that a six party coalition was ready to form a government.

The new administration will be led by the People Power Party which is loyal to Mr Thaksin and stood on a platform almost identical to his Thai Rak Thai party which was dissolved by the military-appointed government last year.

The new prime minister is due to be named later this week.

Monday, 21.January.2008

Bush announce economic stimulus package

2008-01-19T00:44:00.000-08:00

President Bush has called on Congress to pass a package of tax cuts to try to stabilise the United States economy.

Mr Bush said the cuts needed to be worth at least one-hundred and forty billion dollars (-- that's one percent of the gross US domestic product --) and should be directed at both consumers, to encourage spending, and at businesses, to ensure investment.

Mr Bush said the package had to be implemented swiftly to reduce the risk of a downturn in an economy damaged by falling house prices, tighter credit and inflation.

But some economists say past attempts to stimulate consumer spending through tax cuts have often failed -- as the money is saved and not spent.

Saturday, 19.January.2008

Iraq on alert for Shia festival

2008-01-19T00:41:00.000-08:00

The Iraqi authorities have stepped up security as Shia Muslims gather to mark the end of Ashura - one of the holiest events in the Shia calendar.

Up to two million pilgrims are expected to gather on Saturday in the city of Karbala for the festival's climax.

Tensions are high after dozens died in clashes on Friday in two southern cities between police and a group thought to be linked to a Shia cult.

Clashes between Iraqi troops and the cult last Ashura left 263 people dead.

Friday's clashes in Nasiriya and Basra broke out after apparently co-ordinated assaults were launched on Shia worshippers and security forces by attackers thought to be linked to the Soldiers of Heaven cult.

The violence sparked fears of further attacks during the Ashura festival, which marks the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in 680 AD.

Saturday, 19.January.2008

UN security council critical of Burma

2008-01-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

The U.N. Security Council has bemoaned the slow progress on democratic reforms in Burma. In a statement, the council said Burma's military government had done too little to meet demands it set out last October following a crackdown on protestors.

The council then called for the early release of all political prisoners and a genuine dialogue with the opposition. Special U.N. envoy to Burma, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, told reporters yesterday that he was trying to return to Burma as soon as possible for his third visit since the crisis.

"I had requested to go there this month. They have sent word that it's not convenient and they will prefer mid-April. Now the Secretary-General has said that's not acceptable, and I agree, " said Mr Gambari.

Friday, 18.January.2008

British PM targets China trade boost

2008-01-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

The British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown -- making his first visit to China since he came into office last year -- says he wants trade between the two countries to increase by fifty per cent in the next two years.

He was speaking at a joint news conference in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao.

Mr Wen confirmed the target, saying it would bring two-way trade between Britain and China to some sixty billion dollars a year. Britain is already China's biggest European investor.

The BBC Beijing correspondent says Mr Brown's trip is expected to focus largely on business, as well as the environment.

Kenya 'turned into killing field'

2008-01-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has accused the government and the police of turning the country into "killing fields of the innocent".

His Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said seven people were shot dead in Nairobi on the second day of protests against elections it says were rigged.

Police denied Mr Odinga's claim that they were "on a killing spree" and said they were acting "with restraint".

EU politicians have meanwhile urged it to cut aid to Kenya's government.

Thursday, 17 January 2008

The Situation of the Fourth Pillar in Burma

2008-01-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

Zin Linn (10-1-08)

In the 1950s, Burma was at the forefront of press freedom in Southeast Asia, the country enjoyed free press without severe restriction. As many as three dozens newspapers, including English and Chinese dailies, existed between 1948 and 1962 under civilian government. Even the prime minister’s office never closed for the journalists in those days. There were also free to set up relation with international press agencies.

My Phoot

2008-01-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

Four killed in Beirut explosion

2008-01-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

Four Lebanese bystanders have been killed in a bomb blast targeting a US embassy vehicle in a northern suburb of the capital, Beirut, US officials say.

No American diplomats or citizens were in the car at the time, but a Lebanese driver working for the embassy was hurt, the US State Department said. The powerful explosion shook the mainly Christian Doura area and send a thick plume of black smoke over the city.

Lebanon has been hit by a series of bomb attacks in recent years. Television footage from the scene showed damaged cars and blood stains on the street of a mixed commercial and residential area.The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says it is one of the main roads running through the north of the city.

"It's the early moments after this bombing; our security people working with the Lebanese government are going to take a look at the circumstances of the blast," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

Japan plans missile shield in Tokyo

2008-01-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

Japan has carried out exercises to see whether a missile defence shield could be deployed in the capital, Tokyo.

A team of about fifty troops set up radio masts and tested communications at a park (Shinjuku Gyoen) close to the city's major business and entertainment districts.

The military wants to see whether Patriot missiles - designed to shoot down an incoming missile, possibly from North Korea - could be deployed at such sites.

Tuesday, 15.January.2008

Youtube Videos

2008-01-15T00:38:00.000-08:00

Explosion at Rangoon railway station

2008-01-13T22:58:00.000-08:00

A woman has been injured in an explosion at the main railway station in Burma's biggest city, Rangoon.

Officials said the blast happened in a toilet, but refused to give further details.

On Friday, a woman was killed by a bomb that exploded in the station toilets in the new capital, Naypyidaw, which the military government blamed on ethnic Karen rebels.

State media have also reported a bombing last week in Pyu township between Rangoon and Mandalay.

The government blames KNU for the explosion in Pyu township but KNU denies any involvment in the blast.

Insurgents from several ethnic groups in Burma are fighting the authorities for autonomy and an end to military rule.

Bush: "End Israeli occupation within year"

2008-01-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

President Bush has said there should be an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, as part of efforts to conclude a peace agreement before he leaves office.

Mr Bush also emphasised the need for Palestinians to halt attacks against Israel, outlining what he called the painful concessions both sides would have to make to reach a deal.

Mr Bush stressed that Israel would not have to withdraw from all occupied land and that mutually agreed adjustments to the 1967 borders would be necessary.

Friday, 11.January.2008

Colombian rebels release two women hostages

2008-01-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Two women held hostage in Colombia for more than five years by FARC rebels have finally been released, after weeks of frustration and delay.

The two Colombian politicians -- Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez -- were reunited with their families at a Venezuelan airport.

Clara Rojas said they felt like they were being born again. Looking in good health, they hugged relatives and expressed their thanks to the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, for his help in brokering the deal.

The vice president of Colombia, Francisco Santos, said everyone should celebrate the women's release but not forget the other Colombians who remained hostages of the FARC.

Friday, 11.January.2008

Bush embarks on Middle East visit

2008-01-08T23:56:00.000-08:00

US President George W Bush is due in Jerusalem on a landmark visit to the region to help kick-start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Ahead of his arrival Palestinian and Israeli leaders agreed to begin tackling core issues dividing them. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli PM Ehud Olmert vowed at a US summit last year to try to achieve a two-state solution by the end of 2008.

It is Mr Bush's first visit to Israel and the West Bank since taking office. In a meeting on Tuesday, Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert authorised their negotiators to begin discussing "final-status" issues of the borders of a future Palestinian state and the status of Jerusalem.

After holding talks with Mr Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Mr Bush will go to the West Bank to meet Mr Abbas. He also plans to visit the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem before making stops in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Wednesday, 9 January 2008. 15:03.p.m

Clinton wins Democratic primary

2008-01-08T23:46:00.000-08:00

Democrat Hillary Clinton has won New Hampshire's presidential primary, beating rival candidate Barack Obama into second place.

Earlier, John McCain won the Republican presidential primary with a substantial lead, media projections indicated.Observers say it seems to have been a record-breakingturnout, with some half a million people having cast ballots.

Candidates are aiming to build momentum before more than 20states hold polls on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday. Senator Clinton told a cheering crowd of supporters that: "I come tonight with a very, very full heart "I want especially to thank New Hampshire. Over the last week I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice.

I felt like we all spoke from our hearts and I am so gratified that you responded." She echoed her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who in New Hampshire's primary in 1992 called himself the "comeback kid". "Now together let's give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me," she said.

The BBC's Justin Webb, reporting from Mrs Clinton's celebration rally, says she not only repeated her husband's feat but perhaps improved on it, because the opinion polls, the Obama team and the media had suggested strongly that victory was his. In conceding victory Senator Obama said: "I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an outstanding job, give her a big round of applause."

Wednesday, 9 January 2008

Kenya ethnic violence fears grow

2008-01-02T02:51:00.000-08:00

Both sides in Kenya's disputed election have accused each other of ethnic violence as tens of thousands have fled their homes fearing further clashes.

At least 250 people have been killed, including 30 in western Kenya burned to death while sheltering in a church.

Many Kenyans have been taking refuge from armed mobs and looters as fears mount of further attacks and reprisals.

The African Union chairman is due in Kenya, as the US and UK add their voices to AU calls to end the violence.

Mwai Kibaki, who was officially re-elected president in Thursday's vote, and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who says he was robbed of victory by fraud, have both called for an end to the killing.

A government spokesman told the BBC that Mr Odinga's supporters are "engaging in ethnic cleansing" in an "organised, calculated manner".Mr Odinga has countered in an interview with the Associated Press that Mr Kibaki's government was "guilty, directly, of genocide".

The majority of those killed in the church were Kikuyu, the same tribe as Mr Kibaki, and there have been reports of people being targeted on the basis of their ethnicity.

Abbass Gullet, secretary general for Kenya's Red Cross, told AFP that only those from "the right ethnic group" had been allowed through barricades in some places.

Correspondents say that although the election was more about economic and political issues than tribal ones, there is a danger that as the violence escalates it will take on more of an ethnic dimension.

Wednesday, 2 January 2008

Scores dead in Kenya poll clashes

2007-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

About 100 people have been killed across Kenya in violence blamed on the disputed presidential election.

A BBC reporter at a mortuary in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu saw about 40 bodies with gunshot wounds. A witness said police had opened fire.

There were running battles in Nairobi slums, and violence was reported in the coastal town of Mombasa.

Mwai Kibaki was officially re-elected president while Raila Odinga says he was robbed of victory by voting fraud.

Odinga rejects Kenya poll result

2007-12-31T00:09:00.000-08:00

Monday, 31 December 2007,

The opposition candidate in the Kenyan presidential election has rejected the victory of President Mwai Kibaki, who has been sworn in for a second term.

Raila Odinga claims that he lost the election because of large-scale vote rigging.
Mr Odinga's party has said it will hold an alternative inauguration ceremony on Monday to declare him president. The election result has sparked fears of ethnic violence, with riots breaking out across the country. Overnight, there were reports that several people had been killed in the central Kenyan city of Nakuru. Local police chief Stephen Munguti, quoted by AFP news agency, said that seven people had been killed as a result of fighting between rival political groups.

On Monday morning, there were running battles between police and mobs armed with clubs and machetes in Kibera, a large slum in the capital. Mr Odinga has planned a ceremony for Monday in Nairobi's Uhuru Park. The event has been banned by police, and hundreds of riot officers have been deployed around the park. A team of observers from the European Union said the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) had failed to ensure the credibility of the vote. "We believe that... the ECK... has not succeeded in establishing the credibility of the tallying process to the satisfaction of all parties and candidates," chief EU observer Alexander Lambsdorff said in a statement.

The British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said London had "real concerns at the irregularities reported by the EU observers and others". But the United States congratulated Mr Kibaki on his re-election and called on all sides to respect the result despite the allegations of fraud.

Pakistan 'likely' to delay vote

2007-12-30T04:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 30 December 2007,

Pakistan's general election is "likely" to be postponed for several weeks in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination, the ruling party says.

Tariq Azim of the ruling PML-Q party said the vote would lose credibility if held as planned on 8 January. Pakistan has been swept by unrest since Ms Bhutto's death, and several parties have threatened to boycott the poll. Ms Bhutto's party has begun a meeting to decide on her successor, where her political will is due to be read.Members of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) gathered at Ms Bhutto's family home in Naudero, in the district of Larkana, to discuss her intentions. It is thought her political will - to be read out by her 19-year-old son Bilawal - may name her preferred successor. There has been speculation that this could be Bilawal himself, or Ms Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari. Another possible contender is the party's long-time vice-chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

Palaung ethnic national from Burma

2007-12-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

30.12.07

My name is Naw Kaung. I am a Palaung ethnic national from Burma. Palaung is an ethnic minority group, who live in the northern part of Shan State. There are over 1 million Palaung people living there, and most of them live in mountainous areas surrounding the central plain. I am very glad to have this opportunity to write about our people.

Hpao Lan Hpar Got a Heart Attack

2007-12-30T00:56:00.000-08:00

Kanbawza Win (13-12-07)

China, India and Burma’s Southeast Asian neighbors have brushed aside the Wasington’s calls for an
economic embargo and the diplomatic isolation of the Junta. As the attention of the world shifts elsewhere, the generals have made it clear that they intend to follow their own course, as they have through a half-century of self-imposed isolation.

PYNG OF [BACKGROUND]

2007-12-30T00:46:00.000-08:00

The Palaung Youth Network Group, PYNG (Ta’ang) is an organization to develop the social status of the whole Palaung nationality and young people an the way to peace, justice and equality and to develop the skill of the Palaung youth and to improve their knowledge and political awareness though training program, media dissemination and the publication of accurate independent information on events at home and aboard.

PYNG work to organize young people to develop their communities and to promote a peaceful society. In addition PYNG work to find opportunities for young people to
further their education and get job those contribute towards.

Qatar Airways to suspend flights to Myanmar

2007-12-30T00:19:00.000-08:00

December 29, 2007

REUTERS : YANGON (Reuters) - Qatar Airways, one of only 15 foreign airlines operating in and out of Myanmar, is suspending its four weekly flights to the military-ruled former Burma in January, a company official said on Saturday.
Read more… »

Myanmar detects new bird flu outbreak near Thai border

2007-12-30T00:11:00.000-08:00

December 29, 2007

KYODO : A new bird flu outbreak has been detected in Myanmar’s eastern Shan State close to the Thai border, a state-run newspaper reported Saturday.The H5N1 virus was detected and confirmed Thursday following the unusual deaths of chickens in Mongphyat township in the state, the New Light of Myanmar reported. Read more… »