Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest on Saturday, an official said.
Burma’s Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal by Aung San Suu Kyi against her extended house arrest, keeping her in detention.
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/ 4 November 2009
A top US official held talks with Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday as Burma’s ruling junta gave the democracy icon a rare break from house arrest.
US Senator Jim Webb began historic talks with Than Shwe on Saturday, becoming the first senior Washington official to meet the head of Burma’s regime.
Burma’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi marked a grim 64th birthday in prison on Friday, as activists took to the internet to call for her release.
Burma’s junta chief Than Shwe urged parties to shun foreign ideologies if they want democracy as the military put on a show of might on Friday.
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/ 26 December 2008
With tents still serving as homes and schools seven months after Cyclone Nargis lashed Burma, survivors are struggling to rebuild their lives.
Burma’s junta on Saturday came under renewed international pressure from rights groups and the United States defence chief, who said its slow response to the cyclone disaster had cost "tens of thousands of lives". US Defence Secretary Robert Gates criticised the delay in allowing in foreign aid, saying US ships could have swiftly brought relief.
Burma tightened access to its cyclone disaster zone on Wednesday, turning back foreigners and ignoring pleas to accept outside experts who could save countless lives before time runs out. A top European Union humanitarian official said there was now a risk of famine, after the storm destroyed rice stocks in a main farming region.
The United States sent its first aid flight to Burma on Monday, but experts warned the relief effort was floundering and 1,5-million cyclone survivors were at grave risk from hunger and disease. The US military transport plane laden with emergency supplies was permitted to land by the ruling junta.