Parliament Blocks Move For Constitutional Change, Keeping Army In Control

Burmese lawmakers have blocked a move to weaken the army's effective veto power over changes to the constitution, reports the BBC.

The bill that would have reduced the military's clout received a majority vote, but fell short of the 75 percent required to pass. The lawmakers debated for three days over procedures that would have changed the army-drafted constitution.

The constitution gives the military 25 percent of unelected legislative seats, which in practice has been an...