National News

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• Budget bill proposes $3b deficit
• Freed students defiant
• Speaker stalls on long-delayed and much-derided Condo Law
• Immunity bill causes waves, confusion
• Village torched as hundreds flee Shan State fighting: report
• Govt promises tougher stance on jade scavengers
• For migrants, the legal route brings few benefits: report
• Bagan schools slated for solar power
• Civil society backs ANP chief minister

Budget bill proposes $3b deficit Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST The current government headed by President U Thein Sein has proposed a K24 trillion (US$18.4 billion) budget for the incoming government, including a K3.9 trillion deficit – more than $3 billion at current exchange rates. The draft was submitted to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw yesterday, with MPs expected to finalise the budget bill by the end of next month.

Freed students defiant Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST Still defiant, three of the four Yadanabon University students jailed in October on riot charges were released from Mandalay's Ohbo Prison on December 22. A fourth, Ko Naing Ye Wai, remains behind bars.

Speaker stalls on long-delayed and much-derided Condo Law Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST Time seems to be running out for the controversial condominium bill, which was again stalled in parliament on December 21. Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann intervened to postpone the debate after fresh attempts to amend it failed.

Immunity bill causes waves, confusion Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST Legislation being rushed through parliament that would grant life-long immunity from prosecution to the president of Myanmar for actions taken while in office has stirred controversy among politicians and legal experts while provoking public indignation.

Village torched as hundreds flee Shan State fighting: report Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST Details are emerging of fighting involving the Tatmadaw and two ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State which has forced several hundred villagers to flee their homes, some reportedly torched along with stores of rice and corn by government forces.

Govt promises tougher stance on jade scavengers Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST The government will cooperate with the Tatmadaw and armed groups in an attempt to clear away illegal small-scale jade scavengers following the landslide last month that killed at least 114 people in Hpakant, according to Deputy Minister for Mines U Than Tun Aung.

For migrants, the legal route brings few benefits: report Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST They are mired in debt bondage, their pay slips are slashed by hidden fees and fabricated taxes, and they're forced to work excessive hours in slave-like conditions absent of breaks and without the guarantee of overtime pay. This is the lot of migrant workers who took the pains to go abroad legally, according to a new report.

Bagan schools slated for solar power Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Panasonic will provide solar-power systems to schools in the Bagan region to promote educational support aimed at sustainable development.

Civil society backs ANP chief minister Posted: 22 Dec 2015 02:30 PM PST More than 100 Rakhine civil society organisations have called on the incoming National League for Democracy government to appoint the state's chief minister from the Arakan National Party.

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