Crucial 10th standard examinations begin for half a million students: ABOUT 500,000 students have begun the crucial 10th standard examinations for the first time since the curriculum was changed last year... Secretary 1 accuses West of making ‘slanderous attacks?: SECRETARY 1 of the State Peace and Development Council, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, has accused the West of launching "slanderous attacks" on Myanmar by describing its anti-narcotics endeavours as ineffective... 10,000 new email accounts to be offered within weeks: THOUSANDS of new e-mail and internet users in Yangon and Mandalay will be able to go on line within a month, according to the service provider Bagan Cybertech Company... Couple held over 13 murders: THAI police have arrested a married couple over the deaths of 13 Myanmar nationals who suffocated while they were being smuggled into Thailand... Airlines deal a step closer: THE national carriers of Myanmar and Thailand have moved a step closer to implementing a code sharing agreement, the Yangon general manager for Thai Airways International, Mr Chatchai Panyoo, said last week... Government rejects US report on human rights: THE government has rejected as "incorrect and outlandish" references to Myanmar in the annual report issued by the United States on human rights in countries throughout the world... Another five NLD members set free: THE government released another five members of National League for Democracy last Thursday, bringing the number of party members freed so far this month to 15... Lavish rewards for young champions: RICH rewards have been lavished on the team that won the under 17 Asean championship in Kuala Lumpur last week, the first national football team to win gold at a regional event in 30 years... Gems auction is under way: A RESERVE totalling nearly US$25 million has been placed on 1551 lots of gems, jade and pearls up for sale at a week-long emporium which began in Yangon last Monday... Club appoints new patron: MYANMAR Foreign Correspondents? Club appointed U Hla Htway as its patron, or leader, at its annual meeting at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel last week... Japan trade centre being considered: THE Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry says it is considering opening a trade promotion centre in Japan... Foreign aid welcomed by schools: PRIMARY school pupils have benefited from funding totalling US$140,500 provided last week under Japan?s grassroots grant aid scheme... Revived production sees exports of naturally-dyed yarn to Japan: ASSISTANCE from Japan has helped to revive the production of naturally-dyed yarn and about seven companies have begun exporting to the Japanese market since the start of the year... Foreign investment in oil and gas reaches US$2.6b: FOREIGN investment in Myanmar?s oil and gas sector has reached US$2.563 billion since late 1988, according to figures released by the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise under the Ministry of Energy... Cooperation urged over use of GIS technology: USERS of Geographic Information System technology should be given greater opportunities to share their knowledge, a Yangon workshop was told last Monday... City FM now on-air 10 hours a day: YANGON?S City FM radio station has extended its broadcasts to 10 hours a day in the latest sign that its audience is continuing to expand... Envoy extols benefits of meditation: MEDITATION brings many benefits to those who practise it, including helping to focus a scattered mind, Mr U. Mapa, the Sri Lankan ambassador said in Yangon last week... New women?s dormitory provides welcome refuge: A NEW dormitory was opened last week at a home for disadvantaged women and girls operated by the Myanmar Women?s Development Association in Bahan township, about four miles from downtown... Hydro-electric power station to come on line: A 30 megawatt hydro-electric power station near Kantbalu township in Sagaing Division is due to be commissioned next month, a senior government official said last week... HIV-AIDS awareness a feature of drama festival: A PLAY about HIV-AIDS education was applauded during an International Schools Theatre Association drama festival in Yangon last week... Private coaching schools await summer influx: PRIVATE coaching schools are preparing for an influx of primary and secondary students for the summer holidays... New training centre to bridge development gap within Asean: A multi-million dollar training centre opened in Yangon last Monday as part of a program by Singapore to assist the four least developed members of Asean... Readers flock to mobile library: BICYCLES, boats and bullock carts were used to deliver reading materials to borrowers in remote areas under the government?s increasingly popular mobile library service last year... ATMs to provide even faster bank services: MYANMAR Mayflower Bank says it is trialing a data transmission system which will enable its customers to make faster Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) transactions... Restraint call for Thingyin revellers: THE government has issued a caution against inappropriate behaviour during next month?s water festival to celebrate Thingyan, the traditional new year... Cartoon exhibition celebrates two masters: THE centenaries of the birth of two pioneering cartoonists, U Hein Sunn and U Ba Gyan, will be marked next month with a cartoon competition and exhibition... Fake K1000 notes seized: THE government says the Karen National Union is believed to be responsible for circulating counterfeit K1000 notes. The accusation follows the seizure of counterfeit notes in Yangon last month.