Myanmar: The military dictatorship of Myanmar (once known as Burma) arrested 13 leading dissidents who were protesting against a huge rise in fuel prices. A week ago, without explanation or even a formal announcement, petrol was put up by two-thirds, diesel doubled and canisters of gas quintupled in price. Four days after the rises pro-democracy activists led a rare, 400-strong demonstration on the streets of Yangon, the main city. The arrests were followed by more protests. (The economist)