Thursday, August 13, 2015

National News

National News


UPDATED: Security forces enter USDP HQ at pre-election meet

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 11:47 PM PDT

Security forces have entered the headquarters of Myanmar's ruling USDP compound as its conference on the upcoming elections is underway, and a security presence has been established outside the home of speaker Thura U Shwe Mann.

President opts out of election

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

Fifty members of the government will contest the November 8 election as Union Solidarity and Development Party candidates – but President U Thein Sein has decided not to run.

In Magwe, flood relief gets political for NLD

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

In the flood-ravaged town of Sidoktaya in Magwe Region, the streets are packed with thousands of villagers waving red flags bearing the fighting peacock image. An electric murmur fills the air, buzzing louder as National League for Democracy officials form human barriers around a small walkway. The crowd surges forward, clamouring and thrusting smartphones over the barricade of bracing bodies.

Rakhine govt pushes Nay Pyi Taw for flood aid

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

The Rakhine State government is requesting almost 12 times more funding to respond to flood devastation than the state has spent on all of its relief efforts nationwide, according to official figures.

MRCS volunteer missing

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

A 34-year-old father of two is missing after falling into a fast-flowing river while helping flood victims. Myanmar Red Cross Society volunteer U Kyaw Kyaw Lin was flung into the Hlaing River when the bank he was standing on collapsed. U Kyaw Kyaw Lin was helping a child disembark from a boat at the time.

Japan pumps $10m into agro research

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

Agro-Laboratories that will help Myanmar become the "food bank of Japan" will be completed next month. Nine labs being built by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the campus of Nay Pyi Taw's Yezin Agricultural University will be completed by the end of September, said university rector U Myo Kywel on August 10.

Kayin ‘revolution’ continues, 65 years after leader’s death

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

The revolution is not yet complete. That was the message from Karen National Union chair Padoh Saw Mutu Say Poe, who said at a ceremony to mark Karen Martyrs' Day yesterday that the group's goals had not yet been achieved.

Ministry backs down on jobs for soldiers

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

A public outcry has prompted the Ministry of Health to announce it will no longer appoint military officials to its departments.

More drugs found in Yangon outskirts

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

Another major stash of methamphetamines has been uncovered in Yangon, say police.

Floods delay youth centre opening

Posted: 12 Aug 2015 02:30 PM PDT

Hopes that the long-delayed Union Youth Centre might open in time for International Youth Day, which was celebrated yesterday, August 12, were dashed, with officials blaming the floods for the delay.