Bangkok - The number of political prisoners in Myanmar jails has almost doubled to more than 2,000 over the past year, a report compiled by anti-government activists revealed on Sunday.

Myanmar's prisons now hold 2,123 political prisoners, compared with 1,192 in June 2007, the last time the United Nations ventured an estimate on inmates in the military-run state, according to a report compiled by the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) and the US-based US Campaign for Burma.

Yangon - The United Nations' flash appeal for the survivors of Cyclone Nargis remains 50 per cent unfunded, five months after the disaster, the group managing the relief effort disclosed Tuesday.

"Total contribution now stands at 240 million dollars out of the 482 million required. Agriculture and early recovery continue to be the least-funded sectors," a statement issued by the Tripartite Core Group said.

The group, which has handled relief efforts for Cyclone Nargis victims since June, comprises representatives from the Myanmar government, UN agencies and the Association of South-East Asian Nations.

Bangkok  - Myanmar has attracted 69 Chinese companies to its energy and mining sectors, raising environmental and security concerns for local populations, EarthRights International (ERI) revealed Tuesday.

According to a survey conducted by ERI, a non-profit activist group, there are now 69 Chinese companies involved in Myanmar's hydropower, oil, natural gas and mining sectors compared with only 26 known companies in 2007.

New Delhi, Sept 27 : Scores of Myanmarese nationals gathered in New Delhi on Saturday to take out a march to commemorate the first anniversary of ‘Saffron Revolution’, when thousands of monks marched down the streets of Rangoon to call for democratic change.

Myanmar or Burma''s military regime had brutally cracked down on one of the most powerful and peaceful demonstration led by thousands of Buddhist monks and nuns in
2007.

The revolution came to be known as “Saffron Revolution” – named after the colour of the robes worn by the militant young monks spearheading the protests.

Yangon - Myanmar's military government arrested at least three National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters Saturday before the opposition party celebrated its 20-year anniversary, witnesses said.

Police detained two men and one women near the NLD headquarters before the anniversary ceremony to mark the establishment of the party in 1988.

Yangon (Myanmar), Sept. 26: The ruling military junta in Myanmar still remains in firm control of the country and its affairs even a year after it began a deadly crackdown on thousands of Buddhist monks protesting sharp rises in the price of food and fuel.

Now the country’s ruling generals are steeling themselves for a reprise.