The ruling junta in Burma has appointed a Cabinet official to handle contact with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The decision comes as Burma faces intense international pressure to hold talks with the democracy movement.

Burma's military leaders have reportedly released 80 monks and 149 women believed to be nuns arrested last week during the biggest anti-government protests in nearly 20 years.

U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari met Burma junta boss Than Shwe on Tuesday in a bid to end a bloody crackdown on the biggest democracy protests in 20 years, a diplomat said.

MSN takes a look at the origins of the Burma protests and at the similar demonstrations of 1988 when 3,000 monks were killed.

As the world watches the dramatic scenes unfolding in Burma (Myanmar), MSN UK News takes a look at the relatively unknown country from an alternative angle.

Windows Live Maps presents a geographical guide to the Burma protests.