Import permit prices skyrocket
THE value of cars eligible for a substitution program shot up almost 40 percent in late December, just days before the government announced changes to the scheme, car brokers and traders in Yangon said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Thura U Shwe Mann praises ‘historic’ visit by British FM
PYITHU Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann said he was sorry that last week’s amnesty failed to meet the expectations of most observers, including the National League for Democracy.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
An uplifting year to the end
POLITICALLY speaking, it has been a refreshing and uplifting year for this region. Indeed, it is hard to know where to start when recapping the good tidings that have come our way over the past 12 months.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Unity vs uniformity: which do you mean?
MANY of us regularly say that there should be unity in our country, arguing that because of a lack of unity we have conflict and tension. But sometimes I wonder if people really understand what they are saying. I sense that when many of us talk about unity, ironically what they mean is uniformity. The two are in fact very different in meaning.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Free prisoners ‘without delay’, Hague urges govt
BRITISH Foreign Secretary William Hague urged the government to release all political prisoners immediately at the end of his historic two-day visit last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Soros to open aid office in Myanmar
NAY PYI TAW – US billionaire investor George Soros said he has agreed to set up an official base for his philanthropic work after meetings with President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
US corporate high-flyers plan visit
SOME of the most prominent names in corporate America plan to travel to Myanmar in the coming weeks on a visit
being organised by a leading United States’ non-profit, non-partisan group, Business Executives for National Security.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
US corporate high-flyers plan visit for late January
SOME of the most prominent names in corporate America plan to travel to Myanmar late this month for a six-day visit being organised by a leading United States’ lobby group, Business Executives for National Security.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Visitors up for 2012 Naga New Year festival
THE 2012 Naga New Year festival is expected to attract more than twice as many tourists as in recent years, the only company that offers tours to the festival said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Judiciary holding back democracy
THE lower levels of the judiciary are holding back the transition from military rule to democracy, the chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw Judicial and Legislative Committee said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Committee assessing old cases for bias
TWO-THIRDS of complaints submitted to a parliamentary committee investigating allegations of unfair verdicts and sentences have been forwarded to the judiciary for reassessment, the committee’s chairman said last month.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Next hluttaw session to focus on budget
THE 2012-13 budget is expected to dominate discussion in parliament when the third hluttaw session convenes in Nay Pyi Taw on January 26, representatives said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Donor aid begins to flow
BANGKOK – As the government of Myanmar continues to pledge political reform, donors are reassessing assistance to the country, which has historically received among the lowest levels of per capita aid of any developing country.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Liberated prisoners issue plea for further amnesties
PRISONERS of conscience released under an amnesty last week urged the government to free more of their counterparts to show it was serious about political reform.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Lottery prize rises but little joy for consumers
THE top prize in the national lottery will increase by 50 percent to K150 million (about US$185,000) from February 1, a spokesperson from the Internal Revenue Department said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Banking on financial sector reform
The financial sector in Myanmar, its banking sector, the central bank, microfinance is functioning way below its potential. The main reason for that seems to be it is being held back by the government, by legislation. The government is restraining the potential of the private banks, of the public banks, that is the agricultural banks in particular, of the microfinance institutions, by imposing very restrictive laws. The sector is not very well regulated. It is not very well supervised.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
No injuries in house collapse
A THREE-STOREY building that collapsed in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township last week had been weakened by the explosion at a nearby warehouse in the early hours of December 29, according to residents.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
New find at Pyu dig
EXCAVATION work at an archaeological site near Phayarma Pagoda at Sri Ksetra has uncovered a building unlike any other found at the ancient Pyu city, government officials say.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
With voting date set, candidates prepare for campaign
POLITICAL parties last week started preparations to contest by-elections in at least 48 constituencies, after the Union Election Commission announced voting would take place on April 1.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Fire victims call for fair distribution of relief items
PEOPLE affected by the fire and explosion in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township last month have urged the authorities to distribute relief items fairly, with many apparently missing out on promised provisions.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Tributes flow for a man who put his country first
“I CAN hardly believe that he has left at a time when changes he had fought so hard for were starting to take shape,” read the condolence message from Ms Ana Beatriz Martins, from the EU Delegation in Bangkok.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Remembering our 'Saya Nay'
THREE years ago I was a young person who dreamed of being a journalist but who also had many doubts about whether this was possible. I wanted to travel, I wanted to write and I wanted to photograph. I wanted to meet different people, retell their stories and reveal something to readers. At the same time, I rarely talked to strangers and lacked curiosity. However, when I read great stories I knew that being a journalist was what I wanted to do with my life.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
Films beat ban rumours to take honours
DESPITE rumours that it would be banned from the Art of Freedom Film Festival before the event even got underway, director Wine’s 18-minute satirical movie Ban that Scene proved its popularity by taking the three-day festival’s Audience Choice Award.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
MWJA plans press council as censorship eases
THE Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association plans to establish a national press council this year, a senior member said last week.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
US envoy to visit this week
UNITED States special envoy Mr Derek Mitchell will visit Myanmar and northern Thailand this week, the State Department announced on January 5.
(Volume 31, No. 609 - January 9 - 15, 2012)
