‘Warm words’ not enough: McCain
ANY improvement in relations between Myanmar and the United States must be built on “concrete steps” towards democratic reform, US Senator John McCain reiterated at the conclusion of the three-day visit last week. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Fugitive nabbed in Yangon returned to US to face charges
THE American embassy has thanked the Myanmar government for its role in helping to arrange the return to the United States of a man wanted there for a range of offences, including passport fraud. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
‘Monitor’ special brings the general to a new generation
THROUGH decades of political turmoil, at least one thing has remained unchanged: the widespread reverence for Bogyoke (General) Aung San. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Late monsoon to reach north this week
THE monsoon was expected to advance to the northern part of the country this week, after reaching central Myanmar and the northern Bay of Bengal on May 29, slightly later than normal. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
New political party aims to secure vacant Yangon seats
A YOUNG politician who ran as an independent against former Yangon Mayor U Aung Thein Linn in the November election has applied to form a political party. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
USDP to contest all by-elections: U Htay Oo
THE Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), winner of almost 80 percent of seats in the November election, is planning to field candidates in all 45 by-election constituencies, a senior official said last week. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
USDP signs deal with China party
THE Union Solidarity and Development Party last week inked a formal agreement with the Communist Party of China on rural development projects and bilateral exchanges. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
MPs optimistic of better governance after meeting
THE issues of good governance and clean government have dominated a parliamentary committee meeting being held in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, committee members said last week. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Myanmar not wealthy enough for nukes: state media
YANGON – Myanmar is not wealthy enough to acquire nuclear weapons, a top government official told visiting US Senator John McCain, who called on June 3 for an end to any military ties with North Korea. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
HIV networks call for cooperation from govt
NON-GOVERNMENT organisations working on HIV issues last week described a new five-year plan to fight HIV/AIDS as “encouraging” but said the government needs to ensure it is properly implemented by working more closely with grassroots networks. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
China, Myanmar upgrade relations
MYANMAR has opened “a new chapter” in its relations with China, President U Thein Sein declared at the end of his three-day official visit to Beijing last month. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
‘There are now funds to adequately respond to the HIV epidemic’
We’ve seen many media reports this week on the global fight against HIV and the spiralling costs of treatment and prevention programs. In Myanmar, where are we at now in terms of the fight against new HIV infections? (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
After 25 years of work, dictionary set for release
FOR Mr Tobias Esche, June 2011 will be a momentous month. In the mid-1980s, his grandparents, Dr Annemarie Esche and Dr Otto Esche, began full-time work on the first German-Myanmar dictionary – a labour of love that, almost three decades and 70,000 entries later, is about to begin hitting a handful of bookstore shelves in Asia and Europe. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Mingalar Myanmar begins delta tube well program
NON-GOVERNMENT organisation Mingalar Myanmar plans to spend up to K5 billion (about US$6 million) this year in an effort to solve perennial water shortage issues in 100 Ayeyarwady delta villages, a spokesperson said last month. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Dogs need love – and vaccinations, say health experts
HEALTH authorities in Myanmar are urging animal lovers to vaccinate not only their own pets but also stray dogs once a year to prevent the spread of rabies, a 100 percent fatal disease that can be communicated to humans through animal bites. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Forced labour complaints rise on public awareness, says ILO
IMPROVED public awareness about the law on forced labour has led to “a large increase” in formal complaints, including those involving underage recruitment into the military, the International Labour Organisation’s liaison officer in Yangon, Mr Steve Marshall, said last month. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Ministry targets shoddy fertilisers
A COMBINATION of education and law enforcement will be used to control the use of unregistered and “fake” fertilisers, a Myanmar Agricultural Service (MAS) official said last month. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Kamaryut judge adjourns hearing until June 14
THE presiding judge at Kamaryut Township Court in Yangon on May 30 adjourned until June 14 the next hearing in the case against Mr Ross Dunkley, cofounder of The Myanmar Times and publisher of The Phnom Penh Post. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Sex workers find solace from HIV stigma in clinics
YANGON – When Ma Thida Win contracted HIV after selling her body on the streets of Yangon, it was her fellow sex workers that she turned to, not Myanmar’s health service. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Signs of recovery for cruise line visits
CRUISE line operators are slowly rediscovering Myanmar, with nine ships expected to call at Yangon in 2011-2012, up from six the previous year. Tourist arrival numbers are also expected to rise year-on-year, with one cruise liner alone expected to bring more than 1000 passengers. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)
Air KBZ acquires new aircraft
RECENTLY launched Air KZB plans to expand its local destinations in August following the acquisition of an additional aircraft late last month, an airline spokesperson said. (Volume 29, No. 578 - June 6 - 12, 2011)