Tuesday, September 18, 2012

First debit cards in limited use in Burma now


Monday, 17 September 2012 14:48 Mizzima News
Burma launched its first domestic debit cards this week, allowing some Burmese 
to access their bank accounts and pay for shopping, dining and travel 
for the first time at some locations.

Thein Sein on 3-day visit to China


17-Sep-12
President Thein Sein will pay a three-day visit to China and a trade expo 
in Nanning, China. He departed Naypyitaw on Sunday, said the president’s office. 

Burma on US drug ‘blacklist,’ but aid waiver granted


Monday, 17 September 2012 13:35 Mizzima News
The United States said Burma has “failed demonstrably” in fighting the drug war, 
but that it will grant it a “national interest waiver” for development aid because of 
its ongoing democratic reforms.

Correction of misunderstanding saves the day for ethnic conference


Monday, 17 September 2012 18:45 S.H.A.N.
Nagging suspicions cast against Norway and the Burmese government pulling 
strings behind the 3 day Ethnic Nationalities Conference almost wrecked 
the day for the 150 participants and observers attending it in Chiangmai yesterday, 
saved at the last minute by a timely explanation by the organizers.

Burmese former political prisoners under travel restrictions


Monday, 17 September 2012 14:08 Mizzima News
 (Bangkok) – The government of Burma should immediately release all remaining 
political prisoners and lift travel and other restrictions on those freed, 
Human Rights Watch said on Monday.
Independent international monitors alsonshould be permitted unhindered 
access to Burma’s prisons to provide a

Forced labour continues in Rakhine State


Monday, 17 September 2012 13:12 Mizzima News
The systemic and discriminatory practice of forced labour against the Rohingya 
has continued, or even intensified, across large areas of northern Arakan (Rakhine) 
State in Burma, since deadly communal violence broke out in June 2012, 
says a new report by the Arakan project.