Politician defends political associations
A RAKHINE politician has hit out at accusations that all associations and quasi-political parties allowed to form unofficially prior to the release of the Political Parties Registration Law are “government stooges”. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Tiger conservation groups praise Hukaung expansion
ALMOST the entire Hukaung Valley region in Kachin State has been declared a protected tiger reserve, two environmental organisations said last week. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
For US, time to butt out of South China Sea dispute
BANGKOK – It is time for the region’s leaders to recall the adage that when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. Otherwise, their nations are in danger of suffering massive collateral damage in an elephantine conflict that may crush their dreams of progress for decades. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
The new face of democracy
IT has been four months since you announced you would form the NDF. Why was that the right decision? We think we’ve chosen the right path … and feel that we’re progressing. [The public] are quite interested in our party, [I noticed this] especially when I went around the country last month. The response was quite favourable. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Shwedagon, Sangha hospital seek blood donors
THE Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees is calling on volunteers to donate blood at its ninth group donation event on August 15. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Postage stamp to mark Vienna ozone accord
NATIONAL Commission of Environmental Affairs, the leading government environ-mental affairs body, is inviting designs for a postage stamp to commemorate the 25th anniversary of an agreement to fight ozone depletion. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Sailors home after piracy ordeal
AFTER spending almost five months in the hands of Somali pirates, the 21 Myanmar seamen of the UBT Ocean arrived home on July 31 and August 2, unhurt and grateful to be alive. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Air Bagan to resume flights to Pathein
AIR BAGAN will resume bi-weekly flights to the Ayeyarwady Division capital Pathein from November, a spokesperson said. Pathein is the gateway to beach resorts at Ngwe Saung and Chaungtha. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Lent spurs demand for religious wares
A LONGER Buddhist lent, has led to sales increases is a variety of religious wares, wholesalers and retailers in Yangon and Mandalay said last week. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Safety plan for bus lines unveiled
OFFICIALS have unveiled a two-year “road safety plan” for Yangon’s bus lines to counter the increasing number of traffic accidents in the city. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Shwedagon trustees offer visiting cards for foreign residents
VERY few foreigners residing in Myanmar are aware they are eligible for a special visiting card to Shwedagon Pagoda that reduces the entrance fee by 90 percent, an official from the pagoda’s board of trustees said. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Private FM radio stations agree to song payment deals
SIX private radio stations have signed one-year contracts with the Myanmar Music Association (Central) that will see them pay K400 each time they broadcast a locally made song. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Two Chin parties plan on alliance
SENIOR officials from two ethnic Chin political parties say they are considering forming an alliance ahead of this year’s election. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
About 170 exhibitors expected at 2010 expo
YANGON Expo 2010 will be held at Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road in Dagon township from August 12 to 16, the head of the exhibition organising committee said last week. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Parties seek support among frustrated, disengaged youth
REGISTERED political parties are devising strategies to engage young voters and encourage them to participate in this year’s election. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
A New World for special needs children
NI Pyar War, Ni Pyar War,” sings a boisterous group of young students. Borrowing from the tune of the famous French nursery rhyme Frère Jacques, the teacher conducts the Myanmar language version – Red, Yellow, Blue – from the front of the room, while three other adults attentively watch the class from behind. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Monsoon failure expected in August
THE Department of Meteorology and Hydrology warned late last month of the possibility of monsoon failure and extreme weather events in August. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Buddhist group recognises more than 50 centenarians
THE Mingala Byuha Buddhist Association held its sixth annual donation ceremony for the elderly on July 24, supplying 59 centenarians with medicine and K50,000 each. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Updated medical guide released
MYANMAR Medical Association (Central) and the Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Entrepreneurs Association earlier this month published the second edition of a guide to pharmaceutical products. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Sitagu Sayadaw to preach to Insein inmates and staff
A LEADING Sayadaw is to donate food and preach to about 9000 inmates at Insein Prison later this month, the secretary of the Sitagu Buddhist Association said last week. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
Drivers warned to report pedestrian accidents
DRIVERS who flee the scene of an accident following a collision with a pedestrian risk a more significant penalty if caught, an official from the Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee said last month. (August 9 - 15, 2010 - Volume 27, No. 535)
