As the stars glitter, Mystery of Snow scoops Academy Awards: THE Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards Ceremony rarely passes by without the occurrence of at least one significant event or the setting of a new milestone that sets it apart from other years, and the 52nd annual ceremony, held on December 30, was no exception... Military engineers urged to maintain adaptability: THE Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Than Shwe, last month urged junior military engineers who were about to be commissioned to... WFP Myanmar highlights successes: THE head of the United Nations World Food Program in Myanmar, Mr Bhim Udas, has hailed governmental support that has enabled its staff to travel freely to the project areas to... BIMSTEC project promotes renewable energy for schools: The Minister of Energy, Brigadier-General Lun Thi, said in his opening address at the meeting that the project would promote sustainable energy use and would increase access to ... Protection zone for our dolphins: THE Department of Fisheries last month announced the establishment of a protected area for the rare Ayeyarwaddy dolphin in the upper reaches of the Ayeyarwaddy River... Women guides face extra challenges: ?As a woman tour guide, I have faced a number of challenges, from people misunderstanding my job to my parents being worried because in the past being a tour guide was considered inappropriate for women... Senior General calls on youths to protect national independence: THE Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, warned against outside interference in the domestic affairs of Myanmar in a message to the nation on January 4, to mark the 58th anniversary of Independence Day... Synchronized swimming exhibited: THOSE who attended the gala celebration of the 102nd anniversary of the Kokkine Swimming Club on January 3 were also treated to an exhibition of synchronized swimming, a sport that is unfamiliar to most people in Myanmar... New Malaysian ambassador approved by government: The 52-year-old career diplomat is replacing Mr Cheah Sam Kip, who left Myanmar in September after completing a three-year posting, said a notice released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 28... Animal quarantine labs to be built near China border: THE Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department is planning to build two animal quarantine laboratories to help control transboundary animal diseases, an official from the department said last week... Sculpture sales slide as overseas orders drop: HANDICRAFT sculptors in Yangon said in December that sales have declined significantly during the past year, largely due to decreased demand from overseas buyers... Industrial sector urged to expand to boost economy: THE industrial sector has been urged by the Government to advance its position alongside other economic sectors, such as the agricultural and service sector, and play a more dominant role in Myanmar?s economic growth... Hundreds expected at gem and jade sale: MYANMAR?S largest gem and jade trading consortium, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL), will hold its 20th biannual sale at the Myanma Gem Enterprise headquarters on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road from January 16 to 19... Stars glitter at Academy Awards: JUST like at its Hollywood equivalent, fashion only just barely misses out on taking centre stage at the Myanmar film industry?s night of nights, the Academy Awards... City FM names the most popular musicians of 2005: HEARTTHROB singer R Zarni took out the award for the best selling modern music album of 2005, at the City FM music awards on January 1. R Zarni was also awarded most popular male singer at the ceremony held at the Myanmar Convention Centre... J's opens house for famed writer: J?S IRRAWADDY Dream and Bistro will hold an open house on Friday, January 13, in its newly refurbished garden setting to introduce writer Dr Donald Stadtner... She plays ball with the boys and beats them every time: THE little cane-ball bounces up and down for several minutes on the instep of a beautifully elongated right foot. It is then switched to the left foot, before being thrown up high in the air and rebounded off the head.