Thousands of Rohingya refugees have marked the second anniversary of their exodus from Burma into Bangladesh.

Malaysian authorities have intercepted a boat carrying 56 people believed to be Muslim Rohingya refugees who fled from Burma, and brought the vessel and its passengers to shore.

Burma's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has called the military's investigation into the deaths of Rohingya Muslims found in a mass grave a "positive indication", according to reports.

The Vatican has defended Pope Francis after human-rights groups expressed disappointment he did not publicly acknowledge the plight of Rohingya Muslims during a visit to Burma.

Pope Francis held 15 minutes of talks yesterday with Burma’s military chief at the start of a visit to a majority-Buddhist country. 

Burma and Bangladesh have signed an agreement covering the return of Rohingya Muslims who fled across their mutual border to escape violence in Burma's Rakhine state.

Burma has subjected Rohingya Muslims to long-term discrimination and persecution that amounts to "dehumanising apartheid", Amnesty International has said in a report.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it is "an absolutely essential priority" to stop all violence against Burma's Rohingya Muslims, allow them to return to their homes, and grant them legal status.

Burma security forces killed hundreds of men, women and children during a systematic campaign to expel Rohingya Muslims, Amnesty International has said in a new report.

Burma's embattled leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for national unity and created a committee that will coordinate all international and local assistance in violence-hit Rakhine state.

UN claims 'coordinated and systematic' attacks on Rohingya are intended to prevent their return.

At least 163 people have been killed and 91 others have gone missing over the past year in attacks carried out by Rohingya Muslim militants in the restive Rakhine state, Burma's government said.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Bangladeshi authorities on Sunday took steps to restrict the movement of Muslim Rohingya refugees living in crowded border camps.

Bangladeshi authorities have summoned Burma's envoy to protest against violations of their airspace amid an exodus of Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in the country.

Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has cancelled plans to attend the UN General Assembly, a government spokesman said as the country draws international criticism over violence against ethnic Rohingya Muslims.

Dublin City Councillors will debate removing the freedom of the capital from Aung San Suu Kyi this morning.

Catch up on this morning's headlines...

Burma's military has been accused of planting land mines in the path of Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in its western Rakhine state.

A trawler carrying Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Burma has capsized, drowning at least five people, as the UN said the crisis has pushed more than 125,000 refugees into Bangladesh.

About 18,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled fresh violence in Burma and crossed into Bangladesh, with hundreds stranded in no man's land at the border, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

A navy ship has found bodies and aircraft debris in the seas off Burma while searching for a military transport plane carrying 120 people, a spokesman said.

The party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi officially confirmed yesterday that she will not become Burma’s next president.

The party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has officially confirmed that she will not become Burma's next president.

The head of Burma’s military has joined growing criticism of the death sentences Thailand gave to two men from Burma for a double murder on a resort island, calling on Thailand’s military government to review the case.

Burma’s transition to greater democracy after decades of military rule surged ahead as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party continued its election sweep and the government promised a peaceful transition of power.

Myanmar's opposition party has won all of the first 12 parliamentary seats declared in the country's first free general election in 25 years.

A new toll has put the number of pilgrims killed during the crush and stampede that struck the hajj last month at 2,110 at least.

Burma says that thousands of migrants left the country to seek better jobs elsewhere, and were not fleeing persecution, a day after bringing to shore about 730 migrants, the latest arrivals in Southeast Asia’s ongoing crisis.

Navy ships from Indonesia and Malaysia are scouring south-east Asian waters for boats believed to be carrying thousands of migrants, as a senior US diplomat said Burma needs to shoulder some responsibility for the crisis.

Malaysia’s prime minister says he has ordered the navy and the coastguard to comb the sea for thousands of stranded migrants.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has deplored the use of chemical weapons in Syria and demanded that those responsible are held accountable.

Burma’s president has pardoned 56 political prisoners, moving forward with his pledge to release all those jailed for opposing the government by the end of the year.

Burma’s president has pardoned at least 70 more political prisoners, just days after promising to free all who remain jailed by the end of the year.

Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has indicated her intention to run for the presidency, with elections due to be held in 2015.

Cyclone Mahasan has weakened into a tropical storm, causing far less damage than had been feared as it passed over Bangladesh and sparing Burma almost entirely.

The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution welcoming positive changes in Burma but expressing serious concern at an upsurge of sectarian violence between Muslims and Buddhists in strife-torn Rakhine state.

Burmese security forces cracked down on protesters occupying a copper mine early today, using water cannons and other devices to break up the rally hours before opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to hear their grievances.

In a historic trip to a long-shunned land, President Barack Obama showered praise and promises of more American help for Burma today if it keeps building its new democracy.

US President Barack Obama has launched a three-day Southeast Asia tour, hailing alliances with countries such as Thailand as cornerstones of the administration’s deeper commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.

Victims of Burma's latest explosion of Muslim-Buddhist violence fled to already-packed displacement camps along the country's western coast as a United Nations humanitarian chief said the unrest had forced more than 22,000 people from their homes.

Burma’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for the release of the members of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot.

Burma democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be honoured in Washington and given the US Congress’ highest award, in the latest milestone in her remarkable journey from political prisoner to globetrotting stateswoman.

Burma’s government has removed 2,082 names from its notorious blacklist, opening travelling privileges to roughly a third of the people officially barred from entering or leaving the country, an official said today.

Burma yesterday abolished direct media censorship, the latest dramatic reform by its quasi-civilian regime, but journalists face other formidable restrictions including a ban on private daily newspapers and a pervasive culture of self-censorship.

Burma’s government said today it would no longer censor local media outlets, the most dramatic move yet towards allowing freedom of expression in the long-repressed nation.

Burma’s government has formed a commission to investigate sectarian violence in which at least 83 people were killed.