The Irrawaddy:Burmese Writers Offered Asylum in Maldives

By MIN LWIN

The president of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has offered asylum for Burmese writers and opposition journalists from other countries, in an effort to promote freedom of expression.

A press release from the President’s Office of the Republic of Maldives issued on Thursday said the offer was made during a meeting with Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on Opinion and Freedom of Expression.

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Burma dismisses US reports on human rights and counter-narcotic efforts

 

 

by Mungpi

Thursday, 05 March 2009 17:53

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s military rulers on Thursday rejected two recent US reports on Human Rights records and counter-narcotic efforts, claiming the reports were baseless and politically motivated.

Thailand exempts tourist visa fee for 42 countries including Burma

by Salai Pi Pi

Wednesday, 04 March 2009 19:30

New Delhi (Mizzima) – In a bid to promote tourism, Thailand has decided to exempt Burmese tourists as well as tourists from several other countries, of visa fees to Thailand for three months –March to June—an official at Thailand’s immigration office said. Thailand, which has been reeling under internal political turmoil since last year, decided to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications for 42 countries, including military-ruled Burma, as part of its promotion of tourism.

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Thai protests over Malaysian scholarship

 

BANGKOK, March 6 — The selection of the second batch of 60 students from southern Thailand to study at two religious boarding schools in Malaysia has met with controversy, with accusations of bias and lack of transparency.

Top 13 finalists chosen on ‘American Idol’

 

 

Lil Rounds is one of the 13 finalists. — AP pic

LOS ANGELES, March 6 — Thirteen turned out to be the lucky number for Anoop Desai on “American Idol”. After announcing the three remaining finalists at the end of yesterday’s wild-card round, Simon Cowell announced that the much-loved 22-year-old college student won a previously unannounced 13th spot in the next round of the popular Fox singing contest. In past seasons, 12 finalists were picked to move on.

 

“We decided — recently — we’re going to make this a top 13,” Cowell revealed.

Singapore soldiers get “Facebook warning”

MARCH 6 – National servicemen have been discouraged from forming online military groups on the popular social networking website Facebook. Notices circulating in camps warn soldiers about Facebook”s “dangers” and caution against revealing sensitive information about army life or posting photos taken in camp – especially during training – on their own Facebook pages.