Burma rebel battles 'leave 31 dead'

Recent battles between Burmese government troops and Kachin ethnic rebels have killed 31 people, a state-run newspaper said, as the ongoing fighting threatens the country’s reform and reconciliation process.

The New Light of Myanmar reported 11 clashes in the last week of April, including what it said was an attack by rebels of the Kachin Independence Army on a government border guard base.