Around The World [11.01.14]

Myanmar (Burma)

Stopping violence against Burmese Muslims is our focus.
Non-violence is one of the cornerstones of "eightfold path" - that Buddha taught us and we expect the Buddhists of Burma to follow the path.

• On Visit, Obama to Face a Backsliding Myanmar (New York Times)

"Mr. Obama called President Thein Sein to press him on the pace of constitutional reforms and on the treatment of Muslims in remote western Myanmar, where thousands of people are languishing in internment camps after violent persecution by the Buddhist majority."

Ukraine

• Ukrainians in the Battered East Scramble in Darkness as Winter Nears (New York Times)

"The scale of destruction throughout the region is often breathtaking. Residential apartments bear craters from tank shells. Many places, especially smaller towns, lack basic utilities, like water and electricity. Power lines have been downed, mines flooded, substations incinerated and rail service halted.
In Novosvitlivka, no one expects electricity until around the new year, Ms. Svetlova said. The destroyed wing of the hospital will have to wait until spring, if not longer, for repairs. She said she had eaten nothing but buckwheat for days. 

“We need good leaders,” Ms. Svetlova said. “When there is no control, you see what gets done? Nothing gets done.”