Parliament approves plan to accept US$260 million loan from World Bank

By DVB, 27 August 2013

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (L) shakes hands with Burma's President Thein Sein during a joint news conference following their bilateral meeting at the Japan-Mekong summit in Tokyo on 21 April 2012. Japan has since forgiven Burma's debt and is now preparing fresh loans to kick-start development projects in the country.(Reuters)


Burma’s Union Parliament has approved a plan, recommended by President Thein Sein, to agree a US$261.5 million loan from the World Bank to support various development projects.

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Bangkok Airways to Start Bangkok – Naypyitaw Service from late-September 2013

Posted 27 August 2013 12:18, Update at 0740GMT 27AUG13  

Subject to Government Approval, Bangkok Airways from 30SEP13 plans to launch Bangkok – Naypyitaw service, on board ATR72 aircraft. Naypyitaw is the carrier’s 3rd destination in Myanmar.
PG721 BKK1700 – 1900NYT AT7 135
PG722 NYT1930 – 2230BKK AT7 135

http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/215208/bangkok-airways-to-start-bangkok-a-naypyitaw-service-from-late-september-2013/

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Martin Luther King: 'I have a dream' revisited

To mark the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, BBC Radio 4 asked notable figures to record a recital of the celebrated text.

Listen to it in full below, and see striking images from a period of American history which became a tipping point for social change.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23853578

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Siam Cement plans $388M plant in Myanmar

Aug, 28 2013    
BANGKOK - Thailand’s Siam Cement Pcl plans to build a 12.4 billion baht fully integrated cement plant in Myanmar as part of its drive to tap strong demand for construction materials in Southeast Asia.

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Land Seizure In Myanmar Continues Despite Reforms, Government Faces Internal And External Pressure To Develop Land Policies

By Sophie Song on August 27 2013 4:23 PM  




Myanmar pro-democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi comforts a woman at a village in Sarlingyi township. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

With their country undergoing political and economic reforms, Myanmar farmers have finally found their voice in protesting against rampant land grabbing under the former junta that has continued under the current government.

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Top Asian News at 3:30 p.m. GMT

The Associated Press  

Bo's fans, gov't critics vent outside China court 

JINAN, China (AP) — Outside the courthouse where fallen political juggernaut Bo Xilai is about to stand trial, a woman pumped her fist, declared him a champion of ordinary folks and shouted that punishing him will turn the world upside down.

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Moving To Myanmar? 5 Factors About Myanmar Property Boom To Consider Before Hopping On A Plane

By Sophie Song, August 21 2013 11:53 AM   

A view of central Yangon, the commercial center of Myanmar, with Sule Pagoda. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun  

Myanmar is full of potential for everyone these days as global brands jockey among one another to enter one of the last frontiers of the commercial world.

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Myanmar steps up measures for reform

Aug 12,2013    

YANGON, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government last weekend established a separate national reform leading committee, led by President U Thein Sein, to direct efforts on reform program for the remaining 30 months of the present five-year term of office.

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Incheon preferred bidder on Myanmar’s new airport

August 13, 2013    
Bloomberg    

SEOUL (Bloomberg)—Incheon International Airport Corp. leads a group picked as the preferred bidder on Myanmar’s new $1.1 billion air hub, the latest in a series of global deals as the Southeast Asian nation opens itself after decades of isolation.

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Burma floods displace many thousands

By agency reporter 

12 Aug 2013  

UK-based global development NGO Christian Aid has sent funds to provide assistance to communities affected by the heavy rain and severe flooding which has devastated south east Burma (Myanmar) since late July, leaving three dead and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.

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BURMA/MYANMAR: Activist sentenced to eleven years' jail for opposing army copper mine

August 12, 2013  

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME  
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-105-2013  
12 August 2013  
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BURMA/MYANMAR: Activist sentenced to eleven years' jail for opposing army copper mine
ISSUES: Human rights defenders; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly; arbitrary arrest and detention
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Threat To Buddhism In Myanmar And The Arming Of Rohingyas – OpEd

By Shenali Waduge     
August 12, 2013   

When Hannah Beech writes “When Buddhists go bad” not only is it heralded world over but Time Magazine puts as its July cover Burmese monk Wirathu and christens the front cover “Face of Buddhist Terror”.

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