National News

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• Diplomat noncommittal on sanctions
• Civil society groups push for local administration law revamp
• Nationalists reluctant to pressure govt over defamation case
• US ambassador avoids the ‘R’ word
• Minister apologises to Christians in Kayin State
• MPs quiet as state counsellor ministry approved
• Amid cabinet-building spree, govt priorities questioned
• Hluttaw approves enhanced Myanmar-Russia military cooperation
• Migrant workers call for urgent policy reform
• Temporary market to be built in Mandalay

Diplomat noncommittal on sanctions Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT With the remaining US sanctions on Myanmar up for re-evaluation later this month, the American ambassador would not give much of a hint into which way the nation was leaning.

Civil society groups push for local administration law revamp Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT A lack of transparency and accountability in the election of local administrative officers is discrediting the administration and should be addressed, according to civil society groups.

Nationalists reluctant to pressure govt over defamation case Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT A prominent nationalist Buddhist monk has said the Ma Ba Tha movement has no plans to pressure the government over the recent arrest of a nationalist provocateur on defamation charges, but he warned that authorities should tread carefully when dealing with the movement.

US ambassador avoids the ‘R’ word Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT US ambassador Scot Marciel avoided using the term "Rohingya" in his first public speech as ambassador to Myanmar, but stressed that Muslims in Rakhine State have the right to self-identify.

Minister apologises to Christians in Kayin State Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT The Union minister for religious affairs has apologised to Christian communities in Kayin State for the construction of two stupas in a church compound by a Buddhist monk.

MPs quiet as state counsellor ministry approved Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT The highly secretive Ministry for the State Counsellor was approved by parliament yesterday with no objections, despite lingering questions about the constitutional legitimacy of the new bureau.

Amid cabinet-building spree, govt priorities questioned Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT More than one-third of the way into the administration's first 100 days, ministries are still loath to set out details of their agenda. Instead, charting the course for reform are a spate of new, powerfully staffed bodies appointed by President U Htin Kyaw to address issues the government has flagged as priorities.

Hluttaw approves enhanced Myanmar-Russia military cooperation Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT The Tatmadaw's request for closer links with the Russian armed forces was green lighted by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw yesterday.

Migrant workers call for urgent policy reform Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT As the new labour minister gets comfortable in his role, Myanmar workers in Thailand say their situation is quickly deteriorating. They have been left in a sort of legal limbo that makes factories wary of hiring them.

Temporary market to be built in Mandalay Posted: 10 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT A tempoary market will be built in Mandalay to help sellers still waiting for the burned-out Mingalar market to be repaired, according to officials.

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