· March, 2013

Stories about Myanmar (Burma) from March, 2013

Religious Extremism Blamed for Myanmar Riots

The Meikhtila riots in central Myanmar which also spread to other towns have killed more than 40 people and raised fears that religious and ethnic clashes would continue to worsen in the country. Many people have analyzed the roots of the violence, in particular, the rise of religious extremism which have caused division and hate in many parts of Myanmar.

31 March 2013

History of Myanmar's Movie Industry

Ei Ei Su writes about the history of Myanmar's movie industry beginning with the country's first silent film in 1920, up to the 1940s when the industry was producing about...

30 March 2013

Drones and Drug Politics in China and Myanmar

Burmese drug lord Naw Kham was executed by China through lethal injection last March 1 after being found guilty of killing 13 sailors on the Mekong River in 2011. His death sparked discussion about his criminal activities, drug politics in Myanmar, and an admission on the part of China that it has acquired drones.

26 March 2013

Myanmar: Who is Plotting the Meikhtila Riot?

For three days, riots raged in the town of Meikhtila in the Mandalay division of Myanmar. A curfew was imposed by the police after a group of people reportedly set buildings and motor bikes on fire in the area. Netizens condemned those who are speading hate messages online and those who are provoking religious and ethnic clashes

24 March 2013

Google Myanmar is Now Online

Google Myanmar is now available in local domain at www.google.com.mm a few days before the arrival of Google CEO Eric Schmidt in Myanmar. Google play store which is inaccessible in Myanmar also...

21 March 2013

Myanmar: ‘Save Our Zoo’ Campaign

Arguing that it is already a health threat, the government of Myanmar wants to relocate the Yangon Zoological Gardens which has been a city landmark since 1906. Residents and netizens are opposing the proposal and they suspect that the relocation is being pursued to build hotels in the area.

18 March 2013

Aung San Suu Kyi Endorses China-backed Mine in Myanmar

The commission formed by the government and headed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to probe the violent dispersal of protesters in the Chinese copper mine project has released its report. It found out that police used smoke bombs to disperse protesters. But it still approved the project as long as reforms are implemented in the contract. Residents are criticizing the report

14 March 2013

China Executes Burmese Drug Lord on Live TV

Naw Kham, a Burmese drud lord was executed through lethal injection in China. Many people in Myanmar are shocked and angered to learn that Naw Kham's execution was aired on live TV. Some are also disappointed over the failure of the government to arrange a prisoner exchange deal with China

6 March 2013

Deadly Clash Between Police and Farmers in Myanmar

A deadly clash broke out between farmers and the police in southern Myanmar over a confiscated land property. One police officer was killed and 45 people were injured. Land grabs and land protests are getting frequent in Myanmar

2 March 2013