Determination sees doctor?s orphanage dream come true: AN ORPHANAGE which can accommodate up to 100 children has opened in Yangon thanks to the generosity of the partners in the Yadana gas project and the determination of a French woman to ease the plight of the homeless. The US$170,000 orphanage at Mingaladon, about 15 miles from downtown Yangon, was funded mainly by the TotalFinaElf Exploration and Production Myanmar company. But the opening of the Yadana Foster Home last week was the realisation of a dream for Dr Dominique Viallard, a driving force behind the project, whose partner is the company?s general manager...MPT targets 100,000 users in GSM launch: THE long-awaited launch of a GSM (Global System for Mobile) network has taken place, paving the way for the release of 100,000 handset licences in Yangon and Mandalay... Breakthrough on ILO liaison officer: THE Government and the International Labour Organisation have reached agreement on appointing an ILO Liaison Officer in Myanmar not later than June... UN envoy Razali postpones visit: THE UN special envoy to Myanmar, Mr Razali Ismail, was was due to arrive in Yangon on March 19 for a four-day visit, on what would have been his seventh mission since being appointed to the position in April 2000... Coup plot: More evidence unveiled: THE Government has revealed that more than 70 walkie talkie radios and bullet proof vests were among equipment seized from a military officer involved in the coup attempt by the son-in-law and three grandsons of former president, U Ne Win... Government accuses rebels of plotting smear campaign: THE Government last week accused a Shan insurgent group of plotting a smear campaign against it in collusion with the Thai military... Physios need bigger role, says specialist: A SINGAPORE specialist says Myanmar physiotherapists should be playing a greater role in helping to rehabilitate stroke patients... Massive fire destroys MAPT headquarters: OFFICIALS say tens of millions of kyat in damage was caused by a huge fire which engulfed the head office of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading in downtown Yangon on Sunday, March 17. Locally-built train due in service next month while production of 10-ton trucks increases: A SECOND locally-designed and built train is expected to go into service early next month, Myanmar Railways said last week... Minister announces 16 per cent rise in Myanmar tourist arrivals: AN increasing number of tourists are travelling to Myanmar through border checkpoints, according to figures released by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism... Indigenous tigers face extinction: naturalist: URGENT action was needed to conserve Myanmar?s tiger population, an American naturalist has told a meeting in Yangon... Kato?s resignation won?t affect Shan crop substitution project: A CLOSE political ally of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and strong supporter of Myanmar?s buckwheat project has resigned from Japan?s ruling Liberal Democratic Party. .. New Israeli ambassador keen to promote trade, agriculture ties: THE newly-appointed Israeli ambassador, Mr Yaacov Avrahamy, is keen to expand opportunities for trade and investment...Foundation welcomes labour ward changes: A SINGAPORE gynaecolo-gist has welcomed the increasing use of equipment in Myanmar?s hospital delivery wards... Myanmar trade urged to value-add gemstones: MYANMAR has been urged to add-value to gems to increase earnings from exports... MPT to double public phone booths in city: MYANMA Posts and Telecommunications plans to install up to another 500 public telephone booths in Yangon in the coming months, bringing the total in the capital to about 1000... Bird exhibition aims to promote conservation: NEARLY 1000 different species are on show at Myanmar?s first bird exhibition at the Ministry of Forestry on Bayintnaung Road, Insein Township...New dam in Bago Division A K2063 million dam which will enable about 30,000 acres to be irrigated was due to be officially opened in Gyobingauk Township in Bago Division on March 24...Seafarers to band together: A MERCHANT seamen?s association to be formed in April will strengthen the bargaining power of seafarers when they negotiate with foreign shipping companies, U Soe Win, the director general of the Department of Marine Administration said...New Myanmar map released THE Design Printing Services company has released the eighth edition of its popular Tourist Map of Myanmar...Bangladeshi mission in Yangon THE Bangladesh Commerce Minister, Mr Amir Chowdhury, is leading a 41-member business delegation on a visit to Yangon this week which coincides with a trade fair being held by the Bangladesh embassy.