Topic: Ayeyarwady River

Is Myanmar about to rejoin the world?

One of the three most closed and isolated countries in the world is opening up. The long-repressed Burmese say it's unbelievable - but they want to believe in a new Myanmar.

Not just Suu Kyi: How a former general is opening up Myanmar

President Thein Sein has advanced reforms partly through his choice of advisers, allowing critical voices to be heard even before today's freer elections. 

Myanmar's about-face: 5 recent reforms

Since 1962, Myanmar's dictatorship has jailed the opposition, beat up monks, denied aid to disaster victims, and run scorched-earth campaigns against ethnic minorities. That may be changing, however. Here are five key changes the regime has made in just a matter of months.

Burma (Myanmar) border conflict threatens to complicate ties with China

Analysts say China is caught between its need to secure energy supplies from Burma (Myanmar) and its fears of escalating conflict on its borders.

Amid Burma (Myanmar) election, China-built dam highlights plight of ethnic minorities

Ethnic minorities are grappling with a rush by outsiders to exploit their natural resources that is stirring tensions amid the first election in Burma (Myanmar) in two decades.

Pink dolphins are being slaughtered for bait

Pink dolphins in the Amazon river are being killed to be used as bait. The pink dolphin population could collapse, scientists say, if this practice continues.

Everything Is Broken

A journalist’s coverage of the May 2008 tropical cyclone that killed more than 100,000 Burmese offers the best available picture of contemporary life in Burma.

What Burma (Myanmar) needs to fill its rice bowl

In Burma (Myanmar), once the world's leading rice exporter, indebted farmers are losing their land or cannot afford quality seeds. More aid and credit are available these days, but not nearly enough, say development experts.

Policy on Burma shouldn't pivot on Aung San Suu Kyi

Millions still need her. But her release should not be the focal point of US policy toward the junta.

Reporters on the Job

Burma (Myanmar) cyclone interim report: Aftermath less dire than predicted

A survey by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the UN, and the Burmese government finds that most of the hardest-hit villages have received some emergency aid. But many people are living hand-to-mouth and have limited access to clean water.

Burma (Myanmar) boots medics, citing no need

Authorities have ordered Asian doctors in the cyclone-hit south home. The urgent need is for volunteers who bring basic care to far-flung villages, some aid workers say.

World

Volunteers send aid through Burma's (Myanmar's) back door

They are channeling supplies across the Thai-Burmese border to existing underground networks spread across the disaster zone.

Volunteers send aid through Burma's (Myanmar's) back door

They are channeling supplies across the Thai-Burmese border to existing underground networks spread across the disaster zone.

World

Burma's (Myanmar's) elite help with aid

Business leaders, some under US sanction, are delivering relief supplies.

In Burma (Myanmar), how many cyclone orphans?

Aid groups are trying to curb child labor and reconnect families – without the help of surnames.

Burmese forced from relief camps

Cyclone refugees are being evicted from shelters, according to Amnesty International. Analysts say the regime is dispersing those who might foment opposition.

World

Amid aid delays, locals in Burma (Myanmar) rebuild

Cyclone victims are rebuilding homes and collecting rainwater as foreign aid workers slowly spread out.

Aid efforts begin to gather momentum in Burma (Myanmar)

More workers are being allow in, but some who have been in cyclone-affected areas say bureaucracy is impeding access to victims.

World's top envoy entreats Burma (Myanmar)

United Nations chief Ban Ki Moon arrived Thursday and hopes to meet Burma's leader Gen. Than Shwe today.

Europe tries threats to open Burma (Myanmar) to aid

Leaders hope their charges of a crime against humanity will push the junta to expand relief efforts.

Burma (Myanmar) dodges a bullet

The big lesson: Threats to force aid into the delta may have pushed the junta to relent.