Hluttaw Round-ups: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Round-up: "SPEAKER of the Pyihtaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) U Shwe Mann sent a letter to President U Thein Sein, urging the government to report on the actions of the Ministry of Mines in response to landslide cases in Kachin State to the parliament. The ministry was tasked with responding to this year?s landslides in Hpakant by an urgent proposal by parliament. During the parliament session yesterday, the speaker offered clarifications about political pensions. Meanwhile, the Joint Bill Committee discussed the disagreement between the two houses of parliament over amending the Legal Supports Bill. Four MPs discussed the Condominium Bill."...Pyithu Hluttaw Round-up: "THE Pyithu Hluttaw convened the 13th meeting of its last session yesterday. During the meeting, the Mercantile Canal Bill and the Banking and Financial Institutions bill, which were sent back from Amyotha Hluttaw, were designated to be discussed again in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw."...Amyotha Hluttaw Round-up: "THE Amyotha Hluttaw also convened the 13th meeting of its last session yesterday. During the meeting, Deputy Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry Daw Thet Thet Zin answered questions raised by MP U Khin Maung Htay of Mandalay Region Constituency No. 10 over farmland issues in Nay Pyi Taw. She said the ministry would remove more than 29,100 acres of farmland in two districts in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area from the list of protected forests in accordance with rules and regulations. In response to a proposal submitted by MP U Khet Htein Nan urging the Union Government to prevent further deadly landslides in Hpakant, Kachin State, Deputy Minister for Mines U Than Tun Aung clarified that the ministries concerned, the Kachin State Government, the Tatmadaw and armed groups will work together to enforce the rule of law and security in jade-mining areas. The deputy minister pledged that the ministry would scrutinise the number of heavy machines in the at-risk area in order to conserve the environment and protect its resources. He also said measures would be taken to implement the rules and regulations of the Myanma Gems Law and to remove squatters working as migrant workers in Lonkhin and Hpakant from at-risk areas."..... DOMESTIC NEWS: Finish on time: President calls for accelerating SEZ tender process... UPMWC invites Wa leaders to attend political dialogue in January...Blue Plaque unveiled at Maha Bandoola Park...MPT to bring light to monastic education schools...Diplomatic Course No. 5/2015 opens...C-in-C attends meritsharing ceremony at Lawkamarnaung Pagoda...Tamoatshinpin Shwegugyi Pagoda complex designated Ancient Monument Zone...Meikhtila rural health care team treats remote villagers...Bamboo handicraft course opened...Man commits suicide by hanging in Mandalay...Opium, heroin seized in Kachin state...Fisherman drowned in Kyaikto...The European Union to provide additional EUR 70 million for food and nutrition security, rule of law and peace-building in Myanmar...People in rural areas gets free cleft lip, palate repair surgery...Wild boars destroy peanut farms in Yedashe..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Korea plans to establish new maritime training centre in Myanmar...Thailand donates farming implements for Mrauk U..... "OPINION": "The cost of turning enemies into friends" Myint Win Thein..... ARTICLE: "Raw Honey" U Win Sein