Politicians prepare for lengthy hluttaw sessions
“We prepared the proposals and questions for the coming hluttaw meeting and gave our representatives the information they need to formulate their questions properly,”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
As parliament prepares to sit, expectations high for ‘solid’ legal changes
“The Bill Committee of the Amyotha Hluttaw has received draft [laws] and the committee members are looking at them without taking a rest, even on the weekends,” said one Amyotha Hluttaw representative, who asked not to be named for legal reasons. “We expect that more than 10 laws will be passed at the coming hluttaw sessions.”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Optimism after NPT meeting
The government invited the leader of the deregistered National League for Democracy (NLD) to Nay Pyi Taw ostensibly to observe the National Workshop on Reforms for Economic Development, held from August 19-21.
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Flooding hits outlying quarters of Mandalay
UNUSUAL weather conditions in the first half of 2011 are further evidence that man-induced climate change is affecting Myanmar, the deputy director of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said last week.
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Package tour sales drop despite arrival growth
“We need programs that are more than just pagoda, restaurant, hotel. People travel to interact with other cultures and experience the differences. Our tour programs are too conventional and don’t allow tourists to have an interactive experience. For example, instead of just getting tourists to watch a Myanmar traditional dance show, we should encourage them to get behind the curtains, talk with the performers or even teach them some rudimentary steps,”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Cautious welcome for ‘return home’ offer
“And if a Myanmar citizen in a foreign country who committed crimes applies for returning home to serve terms, we will show our benevolent attitude in dealing his case,”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Human rights envoy to visit this week
A UNITED Nations human rights envoy was due to arrive in Yangon over the weekend at the invitation of the government, in what would be his first visit in more than a year.
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Deforestation causing landslides, says expert
“Soil erosion is … exacerbated by heavy rainfall and deforestation. The uncontrolled flow of rainwater on a sloped surface washes away soil and boulders, threatening people living along the base of hilly regions,”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi tours Bago
She was welcomed by thousands of supporters in Bago Region on August 14, on a trip which was ostensibly to open libraries and free English language classes in Bago and Thanatpin townships to mark her 66th birthday.
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Govt, NGOs mark World Humanitarian Day
“As disasters become more complex, it is obvious that we can’t respond alone. We have to respond as partners. We – the authorities, the communities, the UN agencies, the local and international organisations, and civil society – have to join hands for the best interest of the world and societies we live in. Working together, our humanitarian goals can and will be achieved,”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Migrant passport applications surge
THE number of temporary passports issued to illegal migrant workers in Thailand has more than quadrupled in the past 12 months, largely because of the opening of a registration office in Thailand, a senior Special Branch official said last week.
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Heart conference to be held in October
“This is the first conference in Myanmar focusing on heart-related issues,” Dr Tin Latt said. “We’ve got foreign doctors coming here from England, Australia, France, Poland, India, Singapore and Thailand for the conference. They’ll share their knowledge and medical experience on topics, such as paediatric heart surgery, heart disease, and teaching and training students.”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Diet pill demand high despite ban
“That feature talked about the benefits of these weight loss products and after reading it I started used Slimmax-10,” she told The Myanmar Times last week. “I really wanted to lose weight so I took it without a doctor’s prescription. After five or six months I had lost 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) but was getting headaches a few hours after I took the medicine, and then stomach problems as well.”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Sangha hospital to open branch clinic
JIVITADANA Sangha Hospital plans to open a clinic in Mingalardon township to expand its healthcare services, the hospital’s president said last week.
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Philosophy writer Nandar Thein Zan dies, aged 65
He released about 20 books on philosophy and religion and his works were highly regarded. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Dhamma Beikman Sarpay group and in May won the Dr Tin Shwe Award for the book Naungda Kin Yar Tho (To the way that is away from regret).
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Sitagu targets foreign students
“We have prepared the syllabus for foreign students and are accepting enrolments now. We will offer theoretical as well as practical instruction, especially in meditation,” he said. “If the introductory course is successful, we will conduct intermediate and advanced courses later on.”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Illegal wildlife trade on increase: govt
“About 50 percent of the arrests we make are in relation to turtle and tortoise trafficking,” he said. “Trafficking of wildlife has increased in recent years and this is reflected in the higher number of arrests.”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Shwe Parami Sayadaw establishes group to provide free healthcare
“We formed this foundation on the full moon day of Wagaung, a day specially connected with the concept of metta (loving kindness), because we are going to provide free healthcare for those who need help, regardless of race or religion,”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
Lost and found at Kyaikhtiyo
“We are allowing him to use the microphone because he is a foreigner,” the ill-tempered boor tells me as he idles in his chair. “You visitors are always walking around losing your companions, and then you bring your problems to us.”
(Volume 30, No. 589 - August 22 - 28, 2011)
