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A young female recruit of the Kachin Independence Army, one of the country's largest armed ethnic groups, participates in battle drills at a training camp near Laiza. Pic: AP.

UN urges action to end child soldiers in Burma

By AP News Wed, May 22, 2013 9:59AM UTC 0 Comment

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Burma’s government has made progress in reducing the recruitment of children into the armed forces but still needs to stamp out the practice. Ban’s comments came as Burma President Thein Sein was making a landmark visit to Washington. The former general met with President Barack Obama...

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Key senator to let Burma sanctions bill lapse

By AP News Wed, May 22, 2013 9:51AM UTC 0 Comment

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a significant move, a prominent Republican senator said Tuesday he plans to let key sanctions legislation against Burma lapse because of the country’s progress toward democracy. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell made the announcement after meeting the nation’s President Thein Sein who is making a landmark visit to Washington. On Monday,...

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7 Burma Muslims jailed for killing Buddhist monk

By AP News Tue, May 21, 2013 3:33PM UTC 0 Comment

Smoke and flames billow from a burning building set ablaze during sectarian violence in Meikhtila in March. Pic: AP.

MEIKHTILA, Burma (AP) — A Burma court sentenced seven Muslims to prison — one of them to a life term — in the killing of a Buddhist monk amid deadly sectarian violence that was overwhelmingly directed against minority Muslims but has produced no serious charges against the members of the country’s Buddhist majority. At least...

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Obama vows US support as Burma leader visits

By AP News Tue, May 21, 2013 8:35AM UTC 0 Comment

President Barack Obama gestures during a meeting with Burma's President Thein Sein in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Monday. Pic: AP.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Barack Obama told Burma’s president during a long-awaited White House visit that he appreciates the leader’s efforts to lead the Asian country on its long, and sometimes difficult, path to democracy and assured him of U.S. support. Former general Thein Sein was the first president of Burma to visit the...

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Opinion: Obama must maintain pressure on Burma

By Zin Linn Mon, May 20, 2013 7:30PM UTC 0 Comment

The White House welcomed ex-general Thein Sein on Monday as the first president of Burma to visit in roughly 47 years after the late Gen. Ne Win’s visit in 1966. Thein Sein has been attempting to improve diplomatic relations for Burma (also known as Myanmar) after decades of isolation from the US. Self-styled reformist President...

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