World focus on Burma (25 September 2008)

.

The new Asia crisis
Sify, India –
Meanwhile the government of Myanmar (formerly Burma), which stubbornly stood by while nature wiped out parts of its population, keeps its democratically …

The Best Progressive Media Rises to the Top
Huffington Post, NY –
… articles and videos about the monks rising up to challenge the military junta. Within days, the Burma NewsLadder was the top source of Burma news, …

US Urged to Keep Eye on US Firms Abroad
OneWorld US, DC –
In Burma, where Chevron has a contract with the ruling military junta, soldiers providing security for the company’s operations along the Yadana pipeline …

Candidates Set to Debate on Foreign Policy
NPR –
Both have criticized China for its human-rights record and its relations with repressive governments in Sudan and Burma. US policy on North Korea may enter …

The Best Progressive Media Rises to the Top
Huffington Post, NY –
Approximately one year ago, James Boyce launched the very NewsLadder, for Burma where people literally from all around the world linked up all the top …

Bomb Explodes in Burma on Anniversary of Crackdown
Voice of America –
… blast in the main Burmese city of Rangoon Thursday, the one-year anniversary of the ruling military’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. …

Burma’s dictatorship turns 50
MyNews.in, India –
It is also 20 years since the extinguishing of the 1988 uprising by a newly comprised and utterly ruthless junta, which has since reincarnated itself a …

Myanmar junta threatens action against opposition
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria –
AP YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Myanmar’s military government has threatened the party of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi with legal action unless …

One on One with Henry Rollins
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL –
In Burma, the Junta, they’ve done the people a great disservice. Again, wonderful people with this idiot, Than Shwe, for a ruler. …

Next US President Likely Will Have More Use for the UN
World Politics Review –
Bolton, McCain argued, was the “hard, dedicated individual” needed to shakeup a body marred by Sudan’s election to the Human Rights Commission, …

Neil Hrab: Conservative war room sees no benefit in Harper …
National Post, Canada –
… on the struggle to bring democracy to Burma, for example — or that Stephan Harper has forgotten Canada’s obligation to end the civil war in Sri Lanka. …

Burma’s Democracy Roadmap Back on Track?
Asia Sentinel, Hong Kong – Written by Larry Jagan
“It is our sincere hope that the government of Myanmar will listen to the voices of the international community. As long as political prisoners including …

Trevor Manuel
Oxford Analytica (subscription), UK –
by the numbers This week’s third place is awarded to the Burmese government, following its decision to release some 9000 prisoners including seven jailed …

Tim McGarry joins campaigners in welcoming release of Burma’s …
Amnesty International UK, UK –
TV comedian Tim McGarry has joined local Amnesty International campaigners in welcoming the release of U Win Tin, a 78-year-old Burmese journalist who has …

Jacob Blaustein Institute: Lantos Commission Elevates Human Rights …
MarketWatch –
He shed a spotlight on well-known and lesser-known causes ranging from abuses against Tibetans, Kurds, Burmese, Uighurs, and other peoples throughout the ..

Burma releases political prisoners
The Australian, Australia –
The junta’s charity did not extend to releasing 73-year-old Shan political leader, Sao Hso Ten, sentenced to 106 years in Hkamti prison, said Charm Tong, …

One year after Burma crackdown monks’ demands unmet
National Catholic Reporter, Missouri –

Burma, also called Myanmar, is designated as one of the least developed countries in Asia with 90 percent of the population living on less than one US …-

NLD ordered to withdraw statement
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
Sep 25, 2008 (DVB)–National League for Democracy leaders have been told by Burma’s police chief to retract a statement they issued on 18 September calling …

Released Dissident’s Call For Talks
自由亚洲电视, Washington DC –
He also pledged unswerving support for Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is herself under house arrest at her Rangoon home. …

MOST E-MAILED
RTT News, NY –
… pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, along with 9000 other prisoners — a gesture that the state media described as “loving kindness and goodwill”. …

UN welcomes release of political prisoners
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
Sep 25, 2008 (DVB)–The United Nations secretary-general and special rapporteur on Burma have welcomed the release of seven political prisoners, …

Security Clampdown Follows Rangoon Bombing
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –

The rumors were accompanied by speculation that the bombing could have been orchestrated by the regime to justify a security clampdown in anticipation of an …

Su Su Nway’s Sister Banned from Visiting
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
By LAWI WENG The sister of jailed Burmese human rights activist, Su Su Nway, said she has not been allowed to see her sister for two months by prison …

SKorea upholds asylum for Myanmar refugees
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria –
Myanmar’s military junta routinely jails dissidents. Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi has been detained for 13 of the past 19 years, …

Burma to Destroy 16 Metric Tons of Chinese Milk
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
By AP RANGOON — Burma’s authorities said it would destroy 17 1/2 tons (16 metric tons) of powdered milk made by one of 22 Chinese dairy companies found to …

New Wave of Dissent Comes to Myanmar
findingDulcinea, New York –

… in a flutter of new tactics for dissent, reports The Christian Science Monitor in a three-part series about activism in Myanmar (also known as Burma). …

China tainted milk crisis causes more global recalls
USA Today –
Burma’s state media said authorities will destroy 17 1/2 tons of Chinese powdered milk, valued at $50000, because it was made by one of 22 dairy companies …

INFORMATION WARFARE: Cyber War Mercenaries
Strategy Page –
September 25, 2008: In Myanmar (Burma), the military dictatorship has used Cyber War techniques to shut down the three opposition web sites that provide the …

Mon State ID holders being arrested in Kaw Thaung
Independent Mon News Agency, WA –

In the wake of 54 Burmese migrants being asphyxiated to death in a ten-wheel container truck last April, the Burmese military junta authorities in Tenasserm …

Shans show their true colors
Shan Herald Agency for News, Thailand –
9.25% of the 162 respondents had also wanted blue and white for the cover of SHAN’s bilingual (Shan and Burmese) Independence and 1.85% black. …

Than Shwe’s Gambit
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
Besides trying to win support for the planned election, the regime may also be obliquely responding to the demands of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, …

Burma: Dissident Freed After 19 Years
UNPO, Netherlands –
U Win Tin, 78, a poet and editor who had been a close aide of Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy advocate, was released after 19 years in prison. …

Congo church leader wins Rafto Prize
Aftenposten, Norway –
Many Rafto winners have gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize, including Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, Kim Dae-jung of South Korea and Shirin Ebadi of Iran.

Help Burma situation
Harlow Herald 24, UK –
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (Human Rights Charity) is launching a campaign called Change for Burma! – we’ve set up our website so you can e-mail your …

Myanmar Junta Rules Roost 1 Year After Crackdown
ABC News –

Provisions of the new constitution would also bar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding any kind of political office in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

False Amnesty: Burmese activist arrested 24 hours after release
AsiaNews.it, Italy –
U Win Htein was released two days ago as part of a general amnesty granted by the junta in power in Myanmar. The military regime allowed the release of over ……..With this latest arrest order for Win Htein, the junta has once again clarified that that individual freedom, and more importantly human rights, are not the nation’s political agenda.

Sustained effort from all quarters needed in Burma
Mizzima.com, India –
However, the United Nations envoy expects to meet all the primary players on his next trip, saying, “When I visit Myanmar the next time, I hope I will be …

Conversation with ‘Man of Steel’

Mizzima.com, India –

Q: Don’t you want to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi? A: I think you must talk of releasing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. She hasn’t yet been released and I cannot meet …

Myanmar junta rules roost 1 year after crackdown
The Associated Press –
… of the new constitution would also bar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding any kind of political office in Myanmar, also known as Burma. …

RI welcomes release of Myanmar political prisoners
Antara, Indonesia –
New York, (ANTARA News) – Indonesia welcomes the release of a number of Myanmar political prisoners but still feels mystified about what the Myanmar …

Former Fairport family use small donations to change lives in …
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, NY –
When a cyclone hit Myanmar (still better known as Burma) this May, Nat Yogachandra immediately sought a visa that would allow him to cross the border with …

On this day
News24.com, South Africa –
1988 – Security forces kill 12 people and injure five others in Rangoon, Burma, as political unrest continues. 1992 – The first contingent of a 600-member …

The Hunger Site Works with Zardozi to Help Afghan Women
PR.com (press release), NY –
In May and June, The Hunger Site’s $25 Gift That Gives MoreTM for relief work in Burma (Myanmar) raised more than $70000 for the Foundation for the People …

………………………..

Photo – Nicknayman, AljaeeraMizzima and AFP.

Rangoon Bomb Blast

Blast in Burma’s Rangoon Injures Three – Kyodo RedOrbit, TX –

Burma: Deadly bomb attack in Rangoon on protest anniversary آكي, Italy –

Myanmar explosion injures seven United Press International –

Bomb blast in Yangon injures seven (Roundup) Monsters and Critics.com –

Bomb goes off in Rangoon Turkmenistan News, Turkmenistan –

MOST E-MAILED RTT News, NY –

Bomb explodes in Burma on anniversary of government crackdown Times Online, UK –

Six injured in Myanmar bomb blast: police AFP –

Yangon blast wounds 4 as protest anniversary looms Reuters UK, UK –

Yangon bomb wounds 4 as protest anniversary looms Boston Globe, United States –

Bomb blast in Rangoon injures seven Bangkok Post, Thailand –

Explosion hits Rangoon on anniversary of protests InTheNews.co.uk, UK –

Yangon bomb wounds 4 as protest anniversary looms Swissinfo, Switzerland –

Blast rattles Yangon on anniversary eve CNN International –

Small explosion hits Burma’s capital Radio Australia, Australia –

Explosion hits Myanmar city GulfNews, United Arab Emirates

6 hurt in Myanmar bomb blast–police Inquirer.net, Philippines –

Blast rocks central Yangon Aljazeera.net, Qatar –

Explosion rattles Yangon amid tight security The Associated Press –

Blast injures three in Yangon: police The News International, Pakistan –

Blast in central Yangon, four injured – police Reuters AlertNet, UK –

Blast in central Yangon, one injured – witnesses Reuters India, India –

Bomb Blast in Rangoon Park Injures Three The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –

……………………..

Angelina Jolie – ‘Changeling’ Poster – FIRST LOOK
Just Jared, NY –

In other news, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie recently gave $1 million to fund Human Rights Watch’s work in Burma and Zimbabwe. The gift will help to continue …

Burma’s longest-serving political prisoner released
InTheNews.co.uk, UK –

Full Story A 78-year-old journalist and prominent dissident who was the longest-serving political prisoner in Burma has been released after 19 years of …

UN PLEASED AT FREEING OF DETAINEES BUT SAYS “ALL POLITICAL …
MaximsNews Network, NY –
UNITED NATIONS – / MaximsNews Network / 24 September 2008 — In a positive development, the government of Myanmar let seven prominent political prisoners …

UN welcomes Burma prisoner release
Radio Australia, Australia –
The UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, has welcomed the release of seven political prisoners in Burma as part of an amnesty for more than 9000 inmates. …

IFEX MEMBERS HAIL RELEASE OF JOURNALIST U WIN TIN
IFEX, Canada –
IFEX members welcomed Tuesday’s release of U Win Tin, the longest-serving political prisoner in Burma. The frail 79-year-old journalist and founding member …

HIV Continues To Rise Among Self-Injecting Drug Users
RedOrbit, TX –
… among these kind of users topped 40 percent in nine nations: Estonia, Ukraine, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Argentina, Brazil and Kenya. …

Release of Burmese Political Prisoners Positive but Overdue
NewsBlaze, CA –
By Stephen Kaufman The State Department welcomes the release of 9000 Burmese prisoners, including the journalist Win Tin, but urges the country’s military …

Burma frees dissident detained for 19 years
Financial Times, UK –
By Amy Kazmin in Bangkok Burma’s ruling military junta yesterday freed its longest-serving political prisoner in an amnesty for 9002 inmates that state …

Burmese democracy activist: ‘I don’t know how I kept my sanity’
Independent, UK –
By Andrew Buncombe, Asia Correspondent He spoke against a noisy background of friends celebrating his release, but the Burmese journalist Win Tin – freed …

Gender inequalities must be tackled immediately
Bangkok Post, Thailand –
Women accounted for approximately 61% of deaths from Cyclone Nargis in Burma and more than 70% of fatalities from the Indian Ocean tsunami. …

Reporters on the Job
Christian Science Monitor, MA –
… plight of illegal Burmese migrants inside Thailand, reporter Anand Gopal saw just how dangerous life can be for those who have fled Burma (Myanmar) in …