Ethnic Shan rebels have agreed in a second round of talks that there will be no more fighting between the guerrillas and Burmese government troops, a government negotiator said.

Six people died and dozens were injured by three bombs which exploded at traditional New Year festivities in Rangoon today.

Burma government forces have overrun three Karen rebel positions in an offensive that has forced thousands of refugees across the Thai border, an aid group said, even as the rebels claimed to have killed or wounded scores of government soldiers.

A bus has plunged into a ditch along a road in eastern Burma, killing 27 passengers and injuring 10 others, it was reported today.

Burma’s military authorities arrested dissidents in raids today even as they responded to international pressure with apparent moves toward talks with their archenemy, democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, an exile group said.