With at least 10 Burmese workers in Singapore getting laid off in the past two weeks, workers in Singapore worries that more will follow in the coming days as Singapore harbours itself from the impacts of global financial meltdown.

As consequences of the global financial crisis continue to surface, the livelihood of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand has also been negatively affected, with a growing scarcity of employment expected next year.

The mining industry in Burma is desperately trying to keep its head above water given the mounting taxes and fuel costs at the black market, sources in the mining industry said.

"K" Line Singapore Pte Ltd, the regional ship operator for Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd, has temporarily suspended the shipment of container cargo to Burma and plans to terminate business entirely in the coming month.

(Commentary) Since both the Republican and Democratic parties support the Burmese democracy cause, whether John McCain or Barack Obama becomes the next president is not a major issue with Burmese citizens in the United States. But among Burmese American voters there is a visible loyalty to John McCain and the Republican Party for having been vocal supporters of the struggle for democracy inside Burma.

Without yet knowing the end story of the current financial crisis gripping much of the world, valuable lessons for Burma's future – including the prospects and avenues for the positive development of the country – can be observed.

An already struggling Burmese tourism industry is now facing additional hardship on the heels of the global economy's downward spiral sparked by the United States financial crisis...

Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden issued a warning last night that in light of the financial crisis in the United States a Democratic White House come 2009 may have to reassess its earlier promise of doubling foreign aid.