These days, it seems to be incumbent upon academics, journalists and other public commentators to make predictions about the likely course of world events. The prospect of nation-wide elections in Myanmar on 7 November has certainly raised such expectations.. (complete news..)

President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono has pledged to intensify the government’s battle against companies operating illegally in rainforests to cut forest losses and help regain the trust of foreign countries. The government is currently revising a 2005 presidential.. (complete news..)

Private sector reforms have accelerated in Myanmar, but not without a heavy dose of cronyism, as the military junta strengthens control over major assets and the business elite before ceding power to a civilian government. About 300 state assets -- from real.. (complete news..)

House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie said Monday that the construction of a controversial new building to host the nation’s parliament — originally scheduled to start in October — would be postponed. The Rp 1.2 trillion (US$133 million) plan.. (complete news..)

Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan on Monday vowed to speed up issuing permits for orangutan release areas in Central Kalimantan, saying the longer they were kept in cages, the harder it would be for them to adapt to their natural habitat. round 611 orangutans.. (complete news..)