Burma Update: April 3, 2008

News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Transport and Commodity Costs Hit by Diesel Price Rise
Democratic Voice of Burma: Solo Demonstrator Given 20-Year Sentence
Democratic Voice of Burma: Karenni Rebels Clash with Government Troops
Kachin News Group: Junta to Announce Voters' List Week before Referendum
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Maung Aye Visits India, Activists Protest
Irrawaddy News Magazine: N Korea Sells Rocket Launchers to Burma
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Authorities Stifle Opposition to Constitution
Irrawaddy News Magazine: US, Britain and France Seek UN Statement on Burma
Irrawaddy News Magazine: US Police Say Man Admits Causing Burmese Girl's Death
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma's Gas Pipeline to be Fixed in 5 Days
Kaladan Press Network: Refugees and Police Clash, Ten Injured
Narinjara News: 53 Burmese Nationals Pushed Back
Narinjara News: More Arrested, Others Hiding in Maungdaw



News from Regional/International Media

Central Chronicle: India, Myanmar Ink Transport Deal
The Economic Times: India, Myanmar Inks Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty
International Herald Tribune: UN Statement would Press Myanmar on Democratic Reforms
Xinhua Online: Mobile Phones in Myanmar Increase to Over 200,000 in 2007
Reuters: Petronas Finds Two Ruptures in Mayanmar Pipeline
The Straints Times: S'pore to Probe Alleged N. Korea Rocket Exports to Myanmar
The Straints Times: Eight More Activists Arrested in Myanmar
Asian Tribune: 25 Per Cent of Burma's Karenni State Internally Displaced



Statement/Press Release

National Democratic Party for Human Rights (Exile): Press Release on the Arrest of Myanmar Muslims Council Chariman U Than Tun



Fun

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Better to have No Haircut Today - David Paquette

"... Suddenly, the door bursts open and U Toke Kyee comes marching in looking flustered. He stands in the middle of the barber shop and looks at them for a minute, taking deep breaths. Then, he pulls what looks like a paperback manual from a plastic bag and holds it up, waving it in the air.

“Have you seen this?” he calls to the barber, his eyes bulging behind his spectacles.

“Seen what?” chirps the barber playfully. “Is it a list of duties your wife has given you?”

Ko Paing giggles, but keeps still, so the barber won’t be distracted and cut his ears off.

U Toke Kyee just shakes his head in exasperation. He takes two large strides closer to the barber and whispers in his ear:

“No, you dope. It’s the new constitution.”

“Oh really?” yawns the barber and bends over to trim behind the student’s ear... "