Mr Teddy Chia, the president of SAM and general manager of Parkroyal Hotel, said the tournament was aimed not only at raising money for charity projects, but also at fostering friendship and closer rapport among people from various ASEAN countries living in Yangon.

THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed last month to implement a project aimed at training staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation on how to provide education and other help to farmers in Myanmar.

THE Institute of Marine Technology will install an on-ship bridge simulator in its training room by the second week of September to help students learn how to pilot ocean-going vessels, said U Win Thein, the principal of the institute.

A FIRE broke out at a garment factory in Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone west of Yangon on August 15, killing two people and injuring eight others, state-run media reported last week.

FOOTBALL fans who have enjoyed free, live coverage of English Premier League matches on Myawady TV (MWD) in past years are out of luck so far this season as the broadcasts have been available only on the 5 Sport pay channel.

EXPERTS said last week that an increase in fuel prices in Myanmar on August 15 was in line with a global trend among governments of withdrawing fuel subsidies to deal with the rising cost of oil.

THE Yangon Division Supervisory Committee Ensuring Smooth and Secure Transport “temporarily” increased bus fares in the city last week in reaction to a massive rise in fuel prices, said an official from the committee.

THE Accident Prevention Project under the Department of Health is planning to collect injury data during the month of September for use in starting accident prevention programs.

RESIDENTS in Aphyauk in Yangon Division’s Taikkyi township have been working closely with government officials to prevent high waters on the Ayeyarwady River from spilling over and flooding the town, an official from the Yangon Division Peace and Development Council said last week.

MORE educational programs and advocacy activities are needed to raise awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS in the business environment in Myanmar, Mr Martin Pun, the chairman of the Myanmar Business Coalition on AIDS (MBCA), told a meeting of the Tuesday Club on August 10 at Traders Hotel.

ABOUT 200 children have gathered in the dining area of an orphanage at Sama Mountain in Lewe township, Mandalay Division. They seem happy and free from care as they scoop steamed rice, gourd soup and fried fish paste onto their plates.

A SENIOR medical official from the Hospital Administration Society under the Myanmar Medical Association has warned nurses to be careful when handling used needles to prevent transmission of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

AN international distributor of drugs and cosmetics donated thousands of sachets of Ovaltine earlier this month for distribution to tuberculosis patients seeking treatment at privately run Sun Quality Health clinics throughout Myanmar.

THE Minister of Livestock and Fisheries said last week that cooperation among members of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation (MFF) was crucial to the development of the fisheries sector in Myanmar.

The four chicks were hatched at the department’s compound at 9-Mile in Yangon. The first hatched on July 14, while the other three followed on August 4, 9 and 10 after the eggs had incubated for 40 days. A fifth chick that hatched on August 4 did not survive.

“We teach them about dhamma (the way of truth) through art and music because we don’t want the kids to get bored,” said U Lin Aung Pyae, a member of the association. “Our main subject is the life of the Buddha but we also teach them how to be smart in eating, in their behaviour and in other aspects of their lives.”

“We are offering return fare for US$200, down from the normal charge of $220 each way, until December 31 this year” said Ma Sanda, the reservation ticketing officer at the Yangon branch office of Malaysia Airlines.

A LIVER specialist at Yangon General Hospital said that in the past five years an increasing number of couples have been getting blood tests for HIV and hepatitis B and C before marriage.

THE Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) will soon offer a bore pile technology course in cooperation with the Public Works Department under the Ministry of Construction, said an official from the society.

After a long, boring day’s ride, the bus turned into Chaung Oo-Pakokku, a small road that runs leads off the main highway. Soon we crossed over the Hsinphyushin Bridge that spans the Chindwin River and entered Magwe Division.

“The number of tourists coming to Bhamo is increasing every year. Tourists like the region because the transportation is smooth and convenient,” said U Moe Naing, manager of Kong Tong Travel and Tour Company.

The 15-by-20-foot billboard will be lit up from 8am to 9pm each day at Myaynigone junction by thousands of tiny bulbs that create a TV-like moving image, which will be accompanied by a built-in audio system just in case passers-by miss it’s glowing hulk of marketing finesse.

THE Ministry of Post, Telegraphs and Communications has unveiled plans to introduce high-speed wireless internet connections at universities and colleges in Myanmar.

STATE-RUN Myanma Post and Telecommunications (MPT) has reduced monthly charges for its satellite communication services by 75 percent. According to Global Technology Co., Ltd, MPT’s local service provider, monthly access charges for MPT satellite terminals have been reduced since the end of July.

SOUTHEAST Asia unveiled its own regional golf tour on August 15, announcing upcoming events in five countries and negotiating for five others, including one in Myanmar.