Thousands of Rohingya flee to Bangladesh from violence in Myanmar, official says
Around 8,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in recent months, escaping escalating violence in… Read More
2 weeks ago
Myanmar
Myanmar, also called Burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland Southeast Asia. In 1989 the country’s official English name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar. In 2005 the government began to shift its administrative center, first to the city of Pyinmana and then to Nay Pyi Taw, a newly constructed city near Pyinmana. Nay Pyi Taw was proclaimed the capital of Myanmar in 2006.
Myanmar is primarily a Theravada Buddhist society, with about 89% of the population. Most Burmese are very devout and treat monks with great respect. Under British colonial rule, Burma was the richest country in Southeast Asia, awash in rubies, oil, and valuable timber. Sadly, after decades of mismanagement by post-independence dictators, Myanmar has become one of the poorest nations in the world.
Estimates of the per capita income are unreliable, but it is probably about $230 US. Myanmar’s currency is the kyat. As of February 2014, $1 US = 980 Burmese kyat.
In 2015, the citizens of the country held their first general elections with the National League for Democracy taking the majority in both national parliament chambers and placing Ktin Kyaw as the first elected non-military president since the coup of ’62. A prime minister-type role, called the State Counsellor, was established in 2016 and Aung San Suu Kyi took the role.
Myanmar displaced now at 3 million: UN
YANGON: The number of displaced people in Myanmar has reached three million, the United Nations… Read More
4 months ago
Myanmar armed group says captured hundreds of junta personnel
BANGKOK: A Myanmar ethnic armed group said on Monday it had captured a military command… Read More
5 months ago
Myanmar records hottest ever April temperature of 48.2C
YANGON: Myanmar recorded its hottest ever April temperature of 48.2 degrees Celsius (118.76 Fahrenheit), authorities… Read More
5 months ago
Myanmar’s detained ex-leader Suu Kyi moved to house arrest
Myanmar's detained former leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from… Read More
5 months ago
Myanmar troops retreat as rebels declare control over key town
About 200 Myanmar military personnel withdrew to a bridge to Thailand on Thursday after a… Read More
5 months ago
No bids as house of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi auctioned
YANGON: The lakeside mansion where Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi spent years under… Read More
6 months ago
India says to end Myanmar free border movement
NEW DELHI: India's interior minister said Thursday that he had "recommended the immediate suspension" of… Read More
7 months ago
Myanmar ethnic minority fighters claim control of port town
BANGKOK: Fighters from a Myanmar ethnic minority armed group have seized control of a port… Read More
8 months ago
Myanmar armed ethnic groups claim key northern town
BANGKOK: An armed ethnic alliance in Myanmar claimed late Friday to have taken a northern… Read More
9 months ago
Myanmar pro-democracy fighters battle to take state capital
LOIKAW, Myanmar: Myanmar pro-democracy fighters in a battered pickup truck drive past abandoned and bombed-out… Read More
10 months ago
Myanmar armed group seizes China-Myanmar border crossing
BANGKOK: An ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar has seized control from the country's ruling… Read More
10 months ago
China urges Myanmar to ‘cooperate’ on border stability
BEIJING: A senior Chinese diplomat has urged Myanmar to "cooperate" in maintaining stability on their… Read More
11 months ago
95 arrested in Myanmar scam operation raids
YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar police arrested 95 people during raids this week on an online scam… Read More
11 months ago
Army strike kills 29 in Myanmar camp for displaced: rebels
BANGKOK: Twenty-nine people killed, and dozens wounded in a military strike on a camp for… Read More
11 months ago
At least 25 missing after Myanmar jade mine landslide
YANGON: At least 25 people are missing after a landslide at an unregulated jade mine… Read More
1 year ago
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi pardoned in 5 cases: state media
YANGON: Jailed Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pardoned in five criminal… Read More
1 year ago
Myanmar army postpones election promised after coup
CHIANG MAI: Myanmar's ruling junta has officially postponed an election promised by August this year… Read More
1 year ago
Thai FM says met Myanmar’s Suu Kyi in first foreign envoy talks since coup
JAKARTA: Thailand's foreign minister said Wednesday he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San… Read More
1 year ago
Rebels attacked Chinese convoy in Myanmar: junta
YANGON: The Myanmar junta on Saturday accused an armed ethnic group of attacking a vehicle… Read More
1 year ago