Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

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December

• About 50,000 Rohingya Muslims flee from Myanmar to Bangladesh: Dhaka government Press TV 29 Dec 2016 -- Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry says some 50,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled persecution and violence in Myanmar to Bangladesh since early October.
• Criticism Taints Myanmar's Media Access to Rakhine Crisis Zone VOA 23 Dec 2016 -- Almost three months after insurgents killed nine border guard police officers in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, the government loosened its grip on the area this week by inviting a group of journalists and photographers on a three-day tour of places affected by the violence.
• Rights group wants ASEAN countries to act on Rohingya plight Press TV 18 Dec 2016 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged countries from the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) to make strong efforts at an emergency meeting of the group to resolve the ongoing Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.
• Myanmar's handling of northern Rakhine lesson in how to make 'bad situation worse' - UN rights chief UN News 16 Dec 2016 -- Expressing concern over the situation in Myanmar's northern Rakhine, the top United Nations human rights official warned that the Government's "short-sighted, counterproductive, even callous" approach to the handling of the crisis could have grave long-term repercussions for the country and the region.
• Rakhine Violence Testing Limits of Aung San Suu Kyi Leadership in Myanmar VOA 14 Dec 2016 -- Since coming to power nine months ago, Myanmar's de factor leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has represented the country at regional summits, met with the presidents of China and the United States, and supported the removal of longstanding economic sanctions.
• Myanmar military behind torching of Rohingya villages: HRW Press TV 13 Dec 2016 -- Human Rights Watch says evidence shows Myanmar's military is behind the torching of villages belonging to persecuted Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State, urging the government to allow aid agencies and media into the troubled region.
• HRW: Myanmar Military Burned Hundreds of Rohingya Buildings VOA 13 Dec 2016 -- The government and military of Myanmar are responsible for burning down hundreds of buildings in the Rakhine State during the past three months as retribution for militant attacks on security forces, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.
• Myanmar Farmers Hope NLD Can End Suffering of Junta-era Land Grabs VOA 10 Dec 2016 -- The siblings Kaw Nan and La Moi appear glum and still shocked when asked to explain what happened to their father after he removed some fences that a company had built on his farmland in Phang Meti Village.
• Myanmar urged to allow aid deliveries to Rakhine Press TV 09 Dec 2016 -- Several Western countries have called on Myanmar's government to allow humanitarian aid deliveries to Rohingya Muslims in the western state of Rakhine.
• UN calls on Myanmar's Suu Kyi to take action to end Rohingya crackdown Press TV 09 Dec 2016 -- The United Nations has called on Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi to take action to end a brutal military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya minority in the country's northern Rakhine state.
• Diplomats Urge Myanmar to Allow Aid in Rakhine State VOA 09 Dec 2016 -- Fourteen diplomatic missions including the United States urged Myanmar to allow humanitarian aid into troubled Rakhine state, where tens of thousands of people in need have not had access to medicine or other assistance since a military operation began two months ago.
• Myanmar must strengthen effort to diffuse tension in Myanmar - UN Special Adviser UN News 08 Dec 2016 -- The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Myanmar, Vijay Nambiar, said today that the UN is "seriously concerned" by the developing situation in Northern Rakhine state and has called on the security forces to act in accordance with the "rule of law and accepted international norms," and to exercise caution in avoiding disproportionate responses that could cause violence to civilians.
• Kofi Annan urges Myanmar army to act within rule of law Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on Myanmar's army to act within the rule of law amid a heavy crackdown on the Rohingya Muslims in the northwestern state of Rakhine.
• IOM says 21,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar crackdown to Bangladesh Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says nearly 21,000 Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar have fled persecution and violence to Bangladesh in the past two months.
• Kofi Annan arrives in Myanmar to probe army abuse against Muslim minority Press TV 02 Dec 2016 -- Former UN chief Kofi Annan is on a fact-finding mission in Myanmar to probe a bloody army crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in the country.

November

• Abuse of Rohingyas in Myanmar may be crime against humanity: UN Press TV 30 Nov 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) has warned that ongoing, widespread human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar could be tantamount to "crimes against humanity."
• Rohingya Refugees Seek to Return Home to Myanmar VOA 30 Nov 2016 -- Rohingya Muslims who have sought refuge in Bangladesh say they are desperate to stop living as refugees and return to their homeland in Myanmar.
• Myanmar: UN rights chief warns of 'spiral of violence' in Rakhine state UN News 29 Nov 2016 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today expressed alarm over reports of serious rights violations in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state that cite allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and sexual violence, and a renewed spike in hate speech – including on social media.
• Myanmar to Probe Allegations of Abuse Against Rohingya VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- The Myanmar government is to set up a "national level committee" to investigate conditions and allegations of abuses amid international pressure from rising violence and a humanitarian crisis in northern Rakhine state.
• 'Myanmar armed, manipulated group of Rohingyas' Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- A group in Europe advocating Rohingya Muslims says Myanmar's military manipulated some members of the community into carrying out an attack on a border outpost back in October in order to legitimize a crackdown on the Muslims.
• Myanmar pursues ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims: UN official Press TV 24 Nov 2016 -- A high-ranking United Nations official says Myanmar authorities have stepped up persecution of Rohingya Muslims in the Southeast Asian country, and are actually conducting a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" against members of the community.
• China accepts over 2,000 Myanmar refugees People's Daily 22 Nov 2016 -- Local governments in Wanting and other areas of Yunnan province have undertaken emergency response procedures after military conflicts broke out in northern Myanmar.
• Thousands have fled Myanmar clashes to China: Beijing Press TV 22 Nov 2016 -- Thousands of people have fled ongoing fighting between the military and ethnic rebels in northern Myanmar for China, says the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
• Bangladesh Keeps Border Shut for Myanmar Rohingyas VOA 22 Nov 2016 -- Ignoring international appeals, Bangladesh is holding to its decision to bar Rohingya Muslim refugees fleeing Myanmar by boat after new sectarian violence broke out in the Buddhist-majority country.
• Defense ministry: China's army on high alert in wake of armed conflicts in northern Myanmar People's Daily 21 Nov 2016 -- Chinese armed forces are on high alert after armed groups in Myanmar attacked military and law enforcement posts close to the country's border on Nov. 20, according to a statement from China's defense ministry.
• Military conflicts break out in northern Myanmar amid gov't peace efforts People's Daily 21 Nov 2016 -- Military conflicts broke out in the border area of northern Myanmar's Shan state early on Sunday morning with an alliance of three ethnic armed groups launching simultaneous and surprise attacks on government's military outposts and police stations in Muse and Kutkai townships as well as a border trade center there.
• Hundreds Rohingya Muslims flee Myanmar to Bangladesh over past three days: Aid workers Press TV 21 Nov 2016 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says hundreds of minority Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have crossed the border to seek shelter in neighboring Bangladesh over the past three days, as violence escalates in the country's northwest.
• Myanmar wrecked 1,250 Rohingya homes during 6-week lockdown: HRW Press TV 21 Nov 2016 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the government in Myanmar has destroyed as many as 1,250 residential structures belonging to minority Rohingya Muslims in the country just over the past 6 weeks.
• Heavy clashes occur in northern Myanmar town People's Daily 20 Nov 2016 -- Heavy clashes between Myanmar government forces and some ethnic armed groups occurred near the 105th Mile Muse Border Trade Zone in Shan State north Sunday morning, resulting in some casualties, local sources said.
• Bangladesh prevents 125 Rohingya Muslims from entering country Press TV 19 Nov 2016 -- Bangladeshi coast guards have pushed back 125 Rohingya Muslims, mostly women and children, as the desperate group attempted to enter the Bangladeshi territory to flee violence and persecution back in their home country Myanmar.
• Violence has displaced 30k in Myanmar's Rakhine: UN Press TV 18 Nov 2016 -- The United Nations says violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state has left up to 30,000 people displaced since October.
• Myanmar: UN urges aid access, warns of rights violations after 'lockdown' in northern Rakhine state UN News 18 Nov 2016 -- Deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of civilians in the northern part of Rakhine state in Myanmar, United Nations entities today urged the country's authorities to take immediate actions to address humanitarian and human rights situations.
• Myanmar troops have killed 150 Rohingya Muslims, advocacy group says Press TV 16 Nov 2016 -- Myanmar's military has killed scores of Rohingya Muslims in its recent crackdown across the western state of Rakhine, a London-based advocacy group says.
• Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence stranded on Bangladesh border Press TV 15 Nov 2016 -- Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims fleeing a surge in violence in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine are stranded on the Bangladesh border.
• 30 killed as Myanmar's army intensifies crackdown on Muslims Press TV 14 Nov 2016 -- Myanmar's forces have killed dozens of Rohinya Muslims in its latest wave of crackdown on the country's most persecuted minority in western Rakhine State.
• Myanmar Reports Fierce Fighting in Rakhine State VOA 13 Nov 2016 -- Myanmar on Sunday reported heavy fighting in the western state of Rakhine, where government forces near the border with Bangladesh have been hunting insurgents linked to attacks that authorities say killed nine police last month.
• Myanmar army raid taking terrible toll on Muslim kids: UNICEF Press TV 10 Nov 2016 -- The UN children's agency UNICEF says Myanmar's military crackdown on Muslim-majority Rakhine state is taking a "terrible toll" on children following earlier reports of rape and other atrocities.
• Myanmar paper banned from reporting on soldiers' violence against Rohingyas Press TV 07 Nov 2016 -- A leading English-language newspaper in Myanmar has suspended its reporting on the western Rakhine state, home to many Rohingya Muslims.
• Rebel Tensions Rise With Myanmar Army's Offensive VOA 07 Nov 2016 -- Under the scorching midday sun, a drill sergeant for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) shouts commands at around 100 young soldiers, some barely out of their teens.
• Foreign diplomats urge Myanmar to probe rights violation Press TV 05 Nov 2016 -- Foreign diplomats have called on Myanmar's government to launch a transparent inquiry into human rights violations in the western Rakhine state, home to many Rohingya Muslim minorities.
• Myanmar's Rakhine Violence Flares as Army Moves In VOA 02 Nov 2016 -- Myanmar's Rakhine State is no stranger to conflict or controversy.

October

• Rights groups urge probe into new Myanmar abuses against Rohingya Muslims Press TV 29 Oct 2016 -- Rights groups have called for an independent investigation into reports that Myanmar forces are killing, raping and torturing villagers in the restive Rakhine region, home to Rohingya Muslims.
• Rohingya women say Myanmar soldiers raped them amid crackdown Press TV 28 Oct 2016 -- Dozens of Rohingya Muslim women in Myanmar's Rakhine state say government forces have committed acts of rape or sexual assault against them.
• UN expert urges international community to continue to address human rights challenges in Myanmar UN News 28 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, called upon the international community today to not forget about ongoing human rights challenges in the country, including continued detention of political prisoners, the constitutional guarantee of 25 per cent of seats in Parliament to the military, and increasing unrest and discrimination against Muslim communities.
• UN urges Myanmar to probe recent violence against Rohingyas Press TV 25 Oct 2016 -- The UN has called on Myanmar to investigate new reports of human rights violations, including the killing of unarmed people and torching of rural settlements in the Muslim-majority Rakhine state.
• Renewed Violence Puts Rohingya, Rakhine on Edge VOA 25 Oct 2016 -- More than 3,000 Rakhine Buddhists have been driven from their homes in Maynamar's Northern Rakhine state after a series of attacks by a group of suspected militants raised the possibility of another sectarian conflict.
• Myanmar army forces about 2,000 Rohingyas from homes Press TV 24 Oct 2016 -- The Myanmar army has forced about 2,000 Rohingya Muslims to abandon their homes in a village, as part of a crackdown on the religious minority following the recent attacks on border security forces.
• Myanmar urged to allow passage of aid to Muslim-majority areas Press TV 21 Oct 2016 -- Humanitarian agencies and rights groups have urged Myanmar to allow the passage of much-needed aid to the restricted Muslim-majority areas that they have no access to.
• UN calls for protecting civilians as fighting, though reduced, continues in north-west Myanmar UN News 19 Oct 2016 -- Even though fighting between security forces and a group, identified by the Government as the Aqa mul moujahideen, in some villages on the outskirts of Maungdaw township in Myanmar's Northern Rakhine province appear to have reduced in severity, an atmosphere of fear and tension continues to grip the local population, a spokesperson for the United Nations said today.
• Concerned by recent violence in Myanmar, UN aid chief calls for stronger humanitarian action UN News 14 Oct 2016 -- Concluding a three-day mission to Myanmar today, the top United Nations aid official called on all sides to find peaceful ways to resolve their differences and urged strengthened humanitarian action to support the people affected by violence in the Southeast Asian country.
• Rohingya Muslims flee Myanmar army assault Press TV 14 Oct 2016 -- At least 26 people have been killed as terrified civilians flee violent attacks by Myanmar's security forces in northern Muslim-majority Rakhine state.
• Myanmar Rohingyas worried after deadly clashes Press TV 12 Oct 2016 -- Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state is in the throes of a sharp escalation of violence after several troops and armed men were killed in clashes on the border with Bangladesh.
• Myanmar: UN adviser expresses deep concern at recent violence in Rakhine, calls for calm UN News 11 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations envoy for Myanmar today expressed his deep concern at the violent attacks by unidentified individuals and groups against border guards and security forces on 9 October and the resultant fighting that claimed the lives of security personnel and civilians in the three affected areas of Northern Rakhine.
• 2 police officers killed, 6 missing in attacks in Myanmar's Rakhine state Press TV 09 Oct 2016 -- Myanmar has announced that attacks on three police posts along the country's western border with Bangladesh have claimed the lives of at least two officers while six more remain unaccounted for.
• Myanmar abolishes law meant to silence dissent by junta Press TV 04 Oct 2016 -- Myanmar's parliament has abolished a law that the former military government had excessively acted upon to suppress dissent.
• New Fighting, Displacement Show Limits of Myanmar Peace Process VOA 03 Oct 2016 -- Ethnic activists and community leaders from northern and southeastern Myanmar have condemned recent outbreaks of fighting, large-scale civilian displacement and alleged rights abuses in their areas.

September

• China, Myanmar vow to strengthen law enforcement, security cooperation People's Daily 28 Sep 2016 -- China and Myanmar have vowed to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation.
• Mosques, Madrasas to be Razed in Myanmar's Rakhine State VOA 21 Sep 2016 -- A high-level government official in Myanmar's Rakhine State is set on demolishing hundreds of buildings, including mosques and Islamic religious schools, in the state's Muslim-majority townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung.
• US Lawmakers Meet With Aun San Suu Kyi, Speak Out on Myanmar Sanctions VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- U.S. lawmakers met Thursday with Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and expressed mixed reactions to President Barack Obama's intention to lift economic sanctions on the country formerly known as Burma.
• U.S.-Burma Relations US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- Aung Sang Suu Kyi's historic visit in her new capacities as State Counsellor and Foreign Minister is testament to the far-reaching change Burma has undergone in the past few years. Burma now has a civilian-led, democratically elected government focused on bringing peace and national reconciliation, economic prosperity and social welfare, and respect for human rights to its people.
• Terminating the National Emergency for Burma US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- On September 14, President Obama announced his intent to terminate the National Emergency with respect to Burma, nearly 20 years after economic and financial sanctions were first imposed on Burma. The announcement came after the President met and discussed these issues with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, during her first visit to the United States in her new capacity.
• US Signals Changes in Economic Ties with Myanmar VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- The United States pulled its ambassador from Myanmar in 1990 after the military refused to cede power to a civilian government. U.S. sanctions were imposed in 1997 and have been in place in some form ever since. Here is a look at those sanctions:
• US Prepared to Lift Sanctions on Myanmar VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- President Barack Obama announced the U.S. is prepared to lift economic sanctions on Myanmar, following talks at the White House with the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Advocates for Rohingya Press Aung San Suu Kyi for Immediate Relief VOA 13 Sep 2016 -- When Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi meets President Barack Obama at the White House this week, activists will be watching to see how the pro-democracy icon will address the plight of the country's ethnic Rohingya, whom human rights groups say are among the world's most persecuted minority groups.
• Kofi Annan: Myanmar Rohingya Panel Will Not Police Human Rights VOA 08 Sep 2016 -- Former United Nations chief Kofi Annan assured residents of Myanmar he is not in the country to police human rights violations, but instead to recommend solutions to ease tensions between Buddhists and the Muslim minority.
• India Arms Myanmar to Secure Northeastern Border Sputnik 06 Sep 2016 -- Forging ahead in its effort to quell an insurgency of more than five decades in the north eastern part of the country, the Indian Government has started supplying advanced weaponry and electronics to the Myanmar Army.

August

• Myanmar's promising path to reconciliation to require compromise, Ban tells peace conference UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- Addressing a major peace conference in Myanmar, the United Nations chief today highlighted that the country's path to reconciliation is a promising one, but that after decades of conflict it will not be easy and will require compromise for all involved.
• Myanmar Government, Ethnic Rebels Begin Peace Talks VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Talks aimed at ending nearly seven decades of fighting between Myanmar's government and ethnic rebel groups opened in the capital of Naypyitaw Wednesday.
• UN says Rohingya entitled to Myanmar citizenship Press TV 30 Aug 2016 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says Myanmar's stateless Rohingya Muslims should be given the right to citizenship.
• In Myanmar, UN chief spotlights country's challenging path towards multi-ethnic democracy UN News 30 Aug 2016 -- Following a meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the great challenges her country faces on its path of reform towards a harmonious, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and prosperous democracy.
• UN chief calls on Myanmar to respect human rights, ahead of his visit to Southeast Asian country Press TV 29 Aug 2016 -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Myanmar's new leadership to pay "full respect" to human rights in the Southeast Asian country.
• Upcoming peace conference an opportunity to transform Myanmar - UN rights expert UN News 29 Aug 2016 -- Speaking ahead of a major peace conference in Myanmar, a United Nations independent expert has urged its participants to prioritise human rights issues in their discussions over the coming days, and to do more to ensure the process is fully inclusive.
• Rakhine Nationalists Reject Annan's Commission on Myanmar Ethnic Violence VOA 26 Aug 2016 -- Rakhine nationalists in Myanmar have rejected the news that former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan will head a commission to discuss ethnic conflict and clashes in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
• Chinese, Burmese Leaders Look to Strengthen Ties VOA 19 Aug 2016 -- Myanmar's leader, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, met with Chinese president Xi Jinping Friday to discuss the future of relations between the two countries.
• China, Myanmar agree to solve suspended dam issue People's Daily 18 Aug 2016 -- China and Myanmar agreed on Thursday to enhance cooperation between energy departments to find a proper solution for the suspended Myitsone Dam project.
• Contentious Dam Project Tops Myanmar Leader's China Visit VOA 17 Aug 2016 -- The fate of a long-suspended and contentious Chinese dam project in Myanmar is expected to be a key topic of discussion during State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's visit this week to China.
• 7 Myanmar soldiers on trial admit to killing villagers: Witnesses Press TV 11 Aug 2016 -- Seven Myanmarese soldiers have acknowledged during a rare court martial hearing that they were involved in the June killing of five villagers in northern Shan State, witnesses say.
• With Sanctions Eased, US Sees Economic Potential in Myanmar VOA 06 Aug 2016 -- U.S. officials are looking to boost economic engagement with Myanmar, a country that has been dubbed by some as "the final frontier" because it is one of the last markets largely untouched by Western companies.

July

June

• Myanmar: Trafficking Downgrade Would be a Mistake VOA 28 Jun 2016 -- Myanmar is pushing back against a report the U.S. will demote the country to the lowest level on Washington's human trafficking index.
• Myanmar Migrants in Thailand Rush Police, Greet Suu Kyi VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- Thousands of Myanmar migrants, eager to get a glimpse of Aung San Suu Kyi, overwhelmed police in a Thai coastal fishing center Thursday afternoon.
• Media Told to Dress Up, Keep Quiet on Myanmar Leader's Thai Visit VOA 21 Jun 2016 -- Journalists attempting to cover this week's three-day visit to Thailand by Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi will find themselves unusually constrained.
• Myanmar bans officials from using 'Rohingya' Press TV 21 Jun 2016 -- Myanmar's Information Ministry has banned government officials from using the term "Rohingya" to describe a persecuted Muslim minority in the country.
• Violations against Rohingyas may amount to crimes against humanity: UN Press TV 20 Jun 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) has warned that widespread and ongoing human rights violations against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims could amount to crimes against humanity.
• Myanmar must address 'serious' human rights violations against minorities - UN rights chief UN News 20 Jun 2016 -- Issuing a new report on the situation of minorities in Myanmar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has urged the Government to take concrete steps to end the "systemic discrimination" and ongoing human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state.
• UN humanitarian coordinator reports more than 26,000 people affected by Myanmar floods UN News 15 Jun 2016 -- Heavy monsoon rains since the beginning of June have caused flooding in five states and regions of Myanmar, resulting in 14 deaths and affecting at least 26,000 people, a United Nations humanitarian coordinator reported today.

May

• Joint Press Availability With Burmese Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi US Dept. of State 22 May 2016 -- Press Availability by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• Kerry Urges More Reforms During Visit to Myanmar VOA 22 May 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has hailed Myanmar's transition to democracy, but urged its new civilian led government to continue its work on implementing key reforms meant to improve developments and human rights.
• US Sanctions on Myanmar 'Will Not Hurt,' says Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 18 May 2016 -- The Obama administration's decision to continue certain sanctions on Myanmar will not harm the Southeast Asian country, according to Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.
• US Eases Some Myanmar Sanctions VOA 17 May 2016 -- The Obama administration is further easing financial sanctions on Myanmar to support the nation's political reforms and economic growth, and to facilitate U.S. trade with the country also known as Burma. The United States is continuing other measures, however, in an effort to thwart human rights abuses and military trade with North Korea.

April

• Myanmar Monks, Protesters Denounce 'Rohingya' Outside US Embassy VOA 28 Apr 2016 -- Hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside of the U.S. embassy in Myanmar Thursday over its use of the term Rohingya to describe the country's ethnic Muslim minority group.
• Russia to Deliver 3 Yak-130 Fighter Trainers to Myanmar by Year End Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Irkut manufacturer plan to deliver three Yak-130 (Mitten) advanced jet trainers and light attack aircraft to Myanmar by the end of the year, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing defense cooperation sources.
• Myanmar, Latin America Interested in Russia's Yak-130 Fighter Trainer Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- Russia's Yak-130 jet trainer can fly as the American F-18, the Russian Su-30 and MiG-29, and it can mimic the Eurofighter Typhoon.
• Myanmar Eyes Nationwide Clemency for Political Activists VOA 20 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar officials are reviewing court cases against political prisoners and working to drop all remaining charges against them, according to a top official.
• Myanmar military officer killed in clashes with ethnic armed group in western state People's Daily Online 19 Apr 2016 -- A Myanmar military officer was killed and some wounded in clashes with an Arakan ethnic armed group in the western Rakhine state at the weekend, official media reported on Tuesday.
• UN rights chief welcomes release of 83 prisoners in Myanmar UN News 19 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations rights chief today welcomed the release of a second wave of 83 prisoners on Myanmar's New Year last Sunday, by Presidential amnesty.
• Suu Kyi Reaffirms Pledge to Revamp Myanmar's Constitution VOA 18 Apr 2016 -- Aung San Suu Kyi says Myanmar's constitution needs to be amended in order to transform the former military-ruled nation into a true "federal democratic union."
• Myanmar President Pardons Dozens of Prisoners VOA 17 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar President Htin Kyaw has granted pardons for 83 prisoners believed to be jailed for political reasons.
• Myanmar frees 113 political prisoners, jails two Muslim activists Press TV 09 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has issued an amnesty order for the release of 113 political prisoners, amid the sentencing of two Muslim peace activists to jail terms.
• Myanmar Begins Releasing Political Prisoners VOA 08 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar has begun releasing a number of political prisoners, as promised by ruling party leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday.
• Analysts: Myanmar May Need to Compromise to Advance Relations with China VOA 07 Apr 2016 -- The friendly handshake between Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week is being portrayed in China as a "good beginning" for Sino-Myanmar ties.
• Myanmar's Suu Kyi to Assume Another New Role VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar's parliament is creating a new role for the head of the newly elected ruling party, Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Drops 2 Cabinet Posts VOA 04 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar's ruling party leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has given up two of her cabinet positions, freeing her up to potentially take on a prime minister-like post the party wants to create for her.
• Stateless Rohingya Pose Challenge for New Myanmar Government VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations has given Myanmar's incoming civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) 100 days to improve living conditions for the country's ethnic minority Rohingya community. But doubts remain over the new government's ability to deliver.

March

• Presidential-Style Powers Proposed for Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 31 Mar 2016 -- The party of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi submitted a proposal that would make her an official "state advisor," a move that would allow her to play a dominate role in running the country.
• U Htin Kyaw sworn in as Myanmar's new president People's Daily 30 Mar 2016 -- U Htin Kyaw of the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, was sworn in on Wednesday as Myanmar's new president.
• Aung San Suu Kyi appointed as Myanmar's new foreign minister People's Daily 30 Mar 2016 -- Chairperson of Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi, was appointed on Wednesday as the country's new minister of foreign affairs, concurrently holding three other portfolios in the new government led by President-elect U Htin Kyaw.
• Myanmar Swears In First Civilian Head of State Since 1962 VOA 30 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar has sworn in its first civilian head of state in more than five decades.
• Myanmar swears in 1st civilian president Press TV 30 Mar 2016 -- Htin Kyaw is officially sworn in as Myanmar's first democratically-elected civilian president, ending more than five decades of military rule in the country.
• Myanmar Military Vows to Uphold Democratic Transition VOA 27 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar's powerful military chief vowed to keep the country and its citizens on the road to "prosperity" and warned about the challenges the nation could face as it becomes a democracy.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Nominated to Join Myanmar Cabinet VOA 22 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been nominated to become a member of President-elect Htin Kyaw's cabinet.
• Myanmar Government Plan Includes New Ethnic Affairs Ministry VOA 17 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar's incoming government has released its plan for a new government, including a new ethnic-affairs ministry for the nation scarred by sectarian tensions and repression of some ethnic groups.
• Myanmar: UN chief welcomes election of first civilian President in more than 50 years UN News 16 Mar 2016 -- Following the historic national polls last 8 November, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Htin Kyaw, who was elected today by the Myanmar Parliament as the first civilian President in more than five decades.
• U Htin Kyaw of ruling party elected as president of Myanmar People's Daily 15 Mar 2016 -- U Htin Kyaw from Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won the presidential election Tuesday through a secret ballot, thus becoming the country's new president for the next five-year term.
• Myanmar's Next President Propelled from Obscurity VOA 15 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar's parliament has voted to elect Htin Kyaw as the country's next president.
• Who Is Htin Kyaw, Myanmar's Newly Elected President? VOA 15 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar's parliament voted Tuesday to elect Htin Kyaw as the country's next president.
• Myanmar army releases 46 child soldiers under UN deal Press TV 13 Mar 2016 -- Myanmar's military has released nearly 50 more child soldiers from service as part of an agreement with the United Nations, state media say.
• Myanmar's NLD Presidential Nominee Has Deep Party Roots VOA 11 Mar 2016 -- Htin Kyaw, confirmed Friday as presidential nominee for Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD), is a close aide to party leader Aung San Suu Kyi who's believed likely to win the country's top office and govern on her behalf.
• Party nominates Suu Kyi's ex-driver for Myanmar president Press TV 10 Mar 2016 -- The party of Myanmar's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has nominated her former driver and close friend for president.
• Aung San Suu Kyi's Party Chooses Myanmar's Next President VOA 10 Mar 2016 -- Longtime Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday apologized to her supporters for not becoming the country's next president, who is likely instead to be one of her closest confidantes, an unelected retired bureaucrat.
• Aung San Suu Kyi 'Apologizes' for Not Becoming President VOA 10 Mar 2016 -- Longtime Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has released a letter to her supporters apologizing for not becoming the country's next president.
• Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims still in dreadful conditions: UN Press TV 02 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations has warned that persecuted Rohingya Muslims continue to live in "dreadful conditions" despite promises by the election-winning opposition party to protect the rights of the minority in the Southeast Asian country.
• Senior UN relief official calls for end to discrimination against displaced Muslims in Myanmar UN News 01 Mar 2016 -- Many of the Muslims displaced by inter-communal violence in Myanmar are still prevented from moving freely and often denied access to local hospitals, a senior United Nations humanitarian official said today, calling for an end to such discriminatory practices.

February

• Myanmar's Suu Kyi Meets Army Chief for Talks on Transition VOA 17 Feb 2016 -- Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met with Myanmar's army chief for talks aimed at transitioning to a democratically-elected government, following nearly five decades of military-rule.
• 3,000 displaced in violence in northern Myanmar state: UN Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) says thousands of people have been displaced amid clashes between different ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar's northern state of Shan.
• Myanmar Parliament Sworn In; Next President Unknown VOA 01 Feb 2016 -- New members of Myanmar's parliament, most dressed in traditional garb, took a joint oath of office Monday in the capital, Naypyidaw, as the prelude to installing the country's first democratically elected government in more than half a century.

January

• Child malnutrition on rise in Myanmar's Rakhine: EU agency Press TV 29 Jan 2016 -- A EU agency says the number of severely-malnourished children has risen in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State, which is home to the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Takes Center Stage at Myanmar Peace Talks VOA 12 Jan 2016 -- Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is calling for all factions to be included in the newest round of peace talks between armed ethnic groups and the country's outgoing quasi-civilian government.
• Why can't Myanmar clear its landmines? IRIN 07 Jan 2016 -- The morning that everything changed for three young cousins began like almost every other in this quiet community near Myanmar's border with China. The children were walking down a dirt road in the morning sunshine, chatting as they went, when the tranquility was shattered by a huge blast.