Peace hopes grow, but snags ahead
NEGOTIATIONS with ethnic groups must go beyond ceasefires and address the underlying grievances if decades-old conflicts are to be resolved, analysts say.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Luc Besson asked to direct film on General Aung San
THE committee formed to spearhead a biopic about General Aung San has offered the director’s role to French filmmaker Luc Besson, a member of the group said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Fighting the extremists
THERE are two dominant politicians in Malaysia. One is Prime Minister Najib Razak, the other is opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Sooner or later, what goes around, comes around
Forgive me, but it’s hard not to gloat when an arrogant political harlot gets her comeuppance.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Momentum growing for Aung San biopic
THE Union Jack flag of Britain flies over the governor’s residence in Yangon, flapping languidly in the breeze.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Speakers seek US assistance for hluttaws
THE speakers of both hluttaws requested exchanges of Myanmar and US representatives in their meetings with United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this month, as part of efforts to strengthen the fledgling parliamentary system.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Amara Foundation starts ‘floating library’ service
AMARA Foundation earlier this month launched a “floating library” service to bring books and journals to remote villages in rural Ayeyarwady Region, a spokesperson said.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Pre-Pyu era remains uncovered in Pyawbwe tsp
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL dig in central Myanmar has uncovered a bounty of human remains, including at least 35 uncremated individuals thought to date from the Bronze or Iron Age, a spokesperson from the Department of Archeology, National Museum and Library said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
UNICEF, govt reviewing Child Law
THE Myanmar Child Law is being reviewed to bring it into line with international norms, a senior United Nations Children’s Fund official said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi eyes Kawhmu seat
DAW Aung San Suu Kyi is considering standing for election in the lower house seat of Kawhmu in rural Yangon Region but a final decision has not been made, a party spokesperson said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Ceasefires are not enough
I was asked by Railways Minister U Aung Min to help set up meetings for him with the Shan State Army-South, Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, Chin National Front and Kachin Independence Organisation on the Thai-Myanmar border. I did and I participated in all the meetings on November 19 as a facilitator. That was the extent of my involvement. I am not involved in any of the subsequent meetings or negotiations taking place between the government and the KIO or the SSA-S.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Jivitadana Sangha Hospital to hold fundraising event this week
JIVITADANA Sangha Hospital in Bahan township will hold its 22nd charity fair on December 17 to raise funds to expand the hospital’s services.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Green groups agree to establish network
LEADING environmental conservation groups last month agreed to establish an environmental network to share information and coordinate activities.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Myanmar still ‘true friend’ of China: Thura U Shwe Mann
YANGON – The government reassured China last week that its recent diplomatic overtures to the United States would not affect relations with its traditional ally.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Fake malaria drugs a growing problem, experts tell US hearing
WASHINGTON – Fake or poor quality malaria drugs are boosting resistance in parts of southeast Asia, a problem that is likely to worsen unless tighter regulations are adopted, US experts said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Censorship body eases grip on business, crime genres
ANOTHER 54 publications will no longer have to submit their content to the censorship board before publication, after the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division lifted restrictions on business and crime publications last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Eleven Media Group wins international press award
FRANCE-BASED Reporters Without Borders has awarded its annual Best Media Organisation prize to Eleven Media Group, publisher of Weekly Eleven and Bi-Weekly Eleven, reports said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
ADB looks to support tourism
THE Asian Development Bank is considering assistance to develop Myanmar’s tourism industry, a senior official said last week on the sidelines of the Greater Mekong Sub-region tourism meetings in Bagan.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Former worker’s attacks hurting operations: NGO
ONE of the biggest international non-government organisations in Myanmar said last week its ability to operate in the country was being affected by a media campaign against it by a former employee.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Group plans donation to Kachin refugees
THE Free Funeral Service Society plans to provide assistance to victims of a flare-up in violence in Kachin State next week. (Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Old pottery uncovered
RECENT excavations at Hanlin in Sagaing Region have uncovered pottery dating back 5000 years, a leading archaeologist says.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Press award body to draw up constitution
A NATIONAL Press Award Committee last month formed a group to draw up a constitution. Committee chairman Maung Wuntha told The Myanmar Times that the eight-member group, formed on November 29, will finalise the committee’s constitution before the end of this year.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
Remembering a martyr
Shia Muslims gathered in downtown Yangon last week to mark Ashura, a festival commemorating the death in the 7th century of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammed.
(Volume 31, No. 605 - December 12 - 18, 2011)
