UN Envoy Visits Insein Prison, Meets Suu Kyi

By SAW YAN NAING

Tomás Ojea Quintana visits prisoners of conscience in Insein and holds a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.

NLD to Reopen Mandalay Offices

By NYEIN NYEIN

Despite a setback to plans to hold a major rally in Mandalay over the weekend, the National League for Democracy will go ahead with its reopening of two branch offices in Burma's second largest city.

Mon to Mark National Day in Rangoon

By LAWI WENG

For the first time in nearly two decades, Burma's ethnic Mon will be permitted to celebrate their national day in the country's largest city.

Burmese Banks Balk as Exchange Rates Rise

By THE IRRAWADDY

Many official bureaus de change at private banks in Rangoon have stopped purchasing US dollars due to competition from outside moneychangers.

FEATURE
Burma Farmers Fear Land Act

By JOSEPH ALLCHIN

While Naypyidaw appears committed to a market-oriented economy, farmers fear that a new Land Act will cede control over the agriculture sector to government.

Caution Urged on Asia’s New Economic Frontier

By WILLIAM BOOT

Analysts see the West remaining wary, China still influential, and more political fireworks to come in Burma.

North Korea Opens Door to Talks with South Korea

By KIM KWANG HYON

Pyongyang is open to immediate talks with rival South Korea if Seoul responds to several preconditions for dialogue, according to a North Korean military official.

US Urges Monitoring of Burma By-elections

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON

The United States has urged Burma to allow local and international monitors at April 1 by-elections, seen as an important step in the country's democratic transition.

Monastic Council Restores Status of Released Monks

By LIN THANT

The state council that governs Buddhist monastic affairs in Burma officially restores the status of three monks who were imprisoned for their involvement in the 2007 Saffron Revolution.

Hearing to be Held in Army Abduction Case

By THANT SIN NYEIN CHAN

Burma's Supreme Court has set a date for a hearing in the case of a Kachin woman who was allegedly abducted by Burmese soldiers more than three months ago.

Burmese SIM Card Provider Challenges Monopolistic State Interests

By BA KAUNG

A private Burmese company’s proposal to sell cheap SIM cards bumps up against vested state interests with mobile telecommunications ties to business tycoon Tay Za.

FEATURE
The Main Issue is Survival

By AUNG THET WINE

Young girls continue to flock to Rangoon to escape hardship at home and support their families, with many ending up as sex workers in the cities multitude of massage parlors and karaoke bars.

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UN Envoy Visits Insein Prison, Meets Suu Kyi

Tomás Ojea Quintana visits prisoners of conscience in Insein and holds a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.

BURMA SPOTLIGHT»

IMF: Burma Could Become Asia’s Next Economic Frontier

The IMF says Burma has high growth potential but must first institute a series of major economic reforms that would allow the country to take advantage of its resources.

A Monk on a Political Mission of Mercy

U Gambira, one of the leaders of the 2007 Saffron Revolution, recalls his time in prison for peacefully protesting the economic hardships imposed on Burma's people by their rulers.

Kachin Peace Could Take Three Years: Govt Negotiator

Peace in Kachin State could take three years despite the Burmese government’s recent policy of engaging in talks with ethnic armed groups, claims Naypyidaw.

Sanctions Debate Heats Up in Naypyidaw

There is reportedly conflict among the members of Burma’s National Defense and Security Council over Western sanctions and Aung San Suu Kyi’s role in determining whether they are reduced.

Nine Years Sleeping on a Cold Concrete Floor

The Irrawaddy speaks to Ko Ko Gyi, the well-known 88 Generation Students Group leader about conditions in prison and his thoughts now that he is free.

Art for Rangoon's Sake

Rangoon gallery owner Aung Soe Min speaks about contemporary Burmese art and a fickle public.

EXCHANGE RATES

1 US = 770 kyat
1 BT = 25.10 kyat

October 28, 2011
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OPINION

With Suu Kyi On Board, Is Burma Finally Moving Toward Real Change?

By ASIA SENTINEL

On a state visit to Singapore with a delegation of ministers and busin ...

The ‘Rule of Law’ in Burma

By STEPHEN BLOOM

Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of Burma’s opposition forces now ...

Myanmar: On Claiming Success

By DAVID I. STEINBERG

Many in the international community are claiming credit for the progre ...

Ceasefires Won't Bring Peace

By RIMOND HTOO

Burma's ethnic people should know better by now than to believe the co ...

New Doors are Opening in Burma

By AUNG ZAW

The release of Burma’s most prominent political prisoners has signif ...

Editorial: Burma’s Much-Awaited News Finally Arrives

By THE IRRAWADDY

Many of Burma’s most prominent political prisoners have finally been ...

LATEST NEWS

Suu Kyi Postpones Mandalay Trip

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has postponed a trip to Mandalay because she could not obtain permission to hold a political gathering at a football stadium there, a party official said on Thursday. Ohn Kyaing, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, said she would reschedule the trip, which had been slated for this weekend. The failure to receive permission to use the stadium for the rally was seen as a setback for the NLD's plans to prepare for upcoming by-elections. “We are a bit saddened with the inconvenience,” said Ohn Kyaing.—AP