January 19, 2016

Computer ‘mole’ found in Myanmar gov’t computers

A sophisticated computer “mole” has been discovered in the computers of Myanmar government and non-governmental organizations, which is believed to have been launched by an Asian source.

The cyber threat was announced by Arbor’s Security Engineering and Response Team (ASERT) on its website on January 11. ASERT called the computer threat “The Seven Pointed Dagger.”

The computer threat  involves a newly discovered Remote Access Trojan (RAT) which has been labeled Trochilus by security researchers at Arbor Networks.

Trochilus (pronounced “tro kil us”) is part of a seven-piece malware cluster that offer hackers a variety of capabilities, including deep entry into compromised networks and snooping on data, ASERT said on its website. (Courtesy of Mizzima)

Manipuri people on the verge of losing their identity

The ever growing fear of losing one’s own distinct identity has plagued the people residing in the bordering areas of Myanmar and Bangladesh and in the north-eastern states including  Assam and Tripura.

Notably, Manipuris have their own script and they are the only mountain tribes who extensively follow the ‘Vaishnavite’ branch of Hindu religion.

Community leader K Sunder Gopal Sharma told reporters, “today, Manipuris in Myanmar hardly number 10,000 as against over one lakh decades ago. Thousands of Manipuris, including devout Vaishnavas, have since converted to Buddhism”. He said military rulers in Myanmar did not encourage the community members to study their own language in schools or converse in it at social gatherings.  Gopal said he feared that if nothing is done, the Manipuris in Myanmar will soon see their distinct cultural identity lose out to the native population there. (Courtesy of NewsGram)

Bangladesh makes record $10.5 million drug bust

In a record drug bust, Bangladesh has seized 2.8 million methamphetamine tablets from Myanmar with a street value of around USD 10.5 million and arrested three persons as the country struggles to tackle the problem of drug abuse.

Contraband yaba tablets often referred to as 'horse drug' were seized in near simultaneous security clampdowns in the capital and northeastern port city of Chittagong.

Elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) called it the country's biggest-ever drug and arrested three suspected drug peddlers. (Courtesy of Times of India)
The first US envoy to visit Myanmar since last year's landmark polls on Monday urged President Thein Sein to release all remaining political prisoners before Aung San Suu Kyi's government takes power next month.

Myanmar's quasi-civilian government steered reforms culminating in the November election that saw Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party win an outright majority.

Those reforms included the release of hundreds of political prisoners, many jailed for long sentences under the junta which ruled the country with an iron-fist for five decades. (Courtesy of Bangkok Post: News)

Myanmar motorbike driver, 39, dead after being run over by cement mixer truck

Thalang police are considering whether or not to charge a 41-year-old Thai man who ran over a 39 year old Myanmar last night in Thalang.

At about 6:10 on January 17, Thalang Police were alerted to the incident, which happened in Sisunthon’s Moo 3, along the northbound lane of Thepkrasattri Rd, about 150 meters north of the heroines monument. (Courtesy of news.thaivisa.com)