FM tours South Asia on mission as special envoy: THE Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, visited India late last week as part of a three-nation South Asian tour to explain the political situation in Myanmar in the aftermath of the May 30 incident in Sagaing Division.A JOINT venture agreement for a second international carrier, United Myanmar Airlines, was signed in Yangon last Friday. The agreement was signed by Myanma Airways and Hong Kong-based Sunshine Strategic Investments Holding Company and its partners, Fortune International and Myanmar Smooth Travels Service Company... ASEAN members ready to lodge protests, says minister: MEMBERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are expected to protest to some Western countries if they impose further sanctions against Myanmar, a senior government minister said last week... Education budget to be increased by K1b: THE government plans to increase spending on education this academic year by about K1 billion, according to figures released by the Education Ministry last week... Garment industry workers send petition to Bush: A PETITION signed by hundreds of thousands of textile industry workers has been sent to the United States President, Mr George Bush, appealing to him not to endorse legislation banning imports from Myanmar... JV agreement signed for regional carrier: THE government plans to increase spending on education this academic year by about K1 billion, according to figures released by the Education Ministry last week... ‘I am very worried these days?: THE prospect of a ban by the United States on imports from Myanmar... Salons report strong demand for hair straightening treatments: BEAUTY salons are reaping rich rewards from a growing trend among women for treatments to make their hair straighter and softer, a Myanmar Times survey has found... • ICRC team visits Insein • Meeting to discuss border issues • Sharp increase reported in sales of radios • New Indonesian ambassador arrives later this month • Courses for seafarers • Doctors, lawyers establish NGO • Horn ban extended to more townships • Special task force cleans city?s drains and streams • Business sector urged to pay attention to ethical behaviour... Child pyschology focus for AIDS workshop... Hepatitis B added to immunisation program... Antique market in doldrums as tourist numbers drop... • Thein Group projects total K1.4b • Myanmar on course over WTO trade liberalisation...Thinking Aloud talks to Dr Richard Tomlins, from the Australian embassy medical clinic.