By Aye Aye Win Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s parliament voted against several constitutional amendments June 25, ensuring that the military’s veto power remains intact and that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president in an election this year. The legislature ended a 3-day debate on proposed changes to the 2008 […]
UN chief says save migrants, deal with cause of flight
By Robin McDowell and Tran Van Minh Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged Southeast Asian nations to deal with the causes behind a growing humanitarian crisis that has forced thousands of Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladeshi migrants to flee by sea, leaving many still stranded in boats. Ban […]
Obama says ‘Rohingya,’ displeasing Myanmar hosts
By Todd Pitman and Julie Pace Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s minority Rohingya Muslims are among the most persecuted people on earth, and advocates of their cause were hoping President Barack Obama would not only press the issue during his visit this week — they were hoping he would simply say their name.
Myanmar-Rohingya Trafficking — Myanmar profits off Rohingya exodus
By Todd Pitman and Esther Htusan Associated Press MYIN HLUT, Myanmar (AP) — The small wooden boats leave the shores of western Myanmar nearly every day, overloaded with desperate Rohingya Muslims who are part of one the largest boat exoduses in Asia since the Vietnam War.
2-child limit for Muslims in part of Myanmar
By Staff The Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Authorities in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state have introduced a two-child limit for Muslim Rohingya families in an effort to ease tensions with the Rohingya’s Buddhist neighbors after a spate of deadly sectarian violence, an official said May 25.
Myanmar president frees prisoners ahead of visit to US
By Aye Aye Win The Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s president pardoned at least 20 political prisoners on May 17, just ahead of a historic state visit to the United States that will highlight the two sides’ improved relations brought about by the former pariah nation’s democratic reforms.
Myanmar apologizes for violence against monks
By Aye Aye Win The Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s government apologized for a violent crackdown on Buddhist monks and other foes of a copper mine in northwest Myanmar, which was the biggest use of force against demonstrators since reformist President Thein Sein took office last year.
Myanmar releases more prisoners
By Aye Aye Win The Associated Press YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s leader has ordered a new prisoner amnesty ahead of a historic visit to the country by President Barack Obama on Monday, Nov. 19. State television said Sunday, Nov. 18 that President Thein Sein had ordered 66 detainees released, but it was not clear […]
Myanmar invites exiled revolutionary home
By Staff The Associated Press YANGON, MYANMAR (AP) — One of Myanmar’s legendary ‘Thirty Comrades,’ who spearheaded the struggle against British colonialism, has been invited back from exile by President Thein Sein.
Police collect dead bodies in strife-torn Myanmar town
By Associate Press Staff SITTWE, Myanmar (AP) — With fearful residents cowering indoors, security forces patrolling a tense town in western Myanmar collected bodies Monday from the debris of homes burned down over the weekend in some of the country’s deadliest sectarian bloodshed in years.