Education helps needy children build better lives, says NGO: PROVIDING needy children with access to education is one of the most effective ways of preventing them from being abused and neglected, an official from the international non-government organisation, World Vision, said in Yangon last month... Petrol quota doubled in Yangon Division: THE Ministry of Energy last week increased the monthly petrol quota for private motor vehicles in Yangon Division by 15 gallons.Under the new quota that took effect on November 23, each private vehicle can buy up to 30 gallons a month at the special rate of K700 a gallon... Official welcomes ASEAN agreement on haze pollution: AN agreement among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to control haze pollution in the region would be beneficial for Myanmar, an official said last week... Govt dismisses Thai report on drug production: THE government has dismissed a report in a Thai newspaper claiming that the far southeastern port of Kawthaung has become a production base for methamphetamine tablets destined for sale in Thailand... INSIDE THIS WEEK HEALTH & MEDICINE 2003... Y Petronas role for Mahathir: KUALA LUMPUR ? Malaysia?s former prime minister, Mahathir Moha-mad, has been appointed advisor to national oil firm Petronas, a report said last Friday. ?(Mahathir) has agreed to be a Petronas advisor for quite some time,” Petronas chairman Azizan Zainul Abidin was quoted as saying by the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia.... Japanese PM to host ASEAN leaders: THE leaders of Japan and ASEAN are to sign documents outlining the future relationship between the two sides at a commemorative summit to be held in Tokyo later this month, a Japanese news agency reported last week... Psychology tests begin for bus drivers and conductors: THE Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee has begun psychology tests for bus drivers and conductors as part of its campaign to reduce road accidents and improve the safety of commuters... First email directory: THE first internet and e-mail directory in Myanmar will be published early next year in a joint effort by a website design company and one of the country?s two internet service providers, Bagan Cybertech Company... Export decline affects inspection and fumigation business in Yangon: A DECLINE in exports has affected companies involved in inspecting and fumigating shipments destined for overseas markets, say industry sources.?Until August our business was doing well, but sales have dropped since September. November has been the worst month, with the number of clients down by 50 to 70 per cent,” said Daw Aye Aye Soe, the manager of GITE pest control and fumigation company... The rise and rise of Yangon: WORK is underway on a series of high-rise projects which will transform the skyline along Pyay road, one of Yangon?s major thoroughfares.Ten high-rise developments of nine-storeys or higher are due to be completed within the next three to five years... Myanmar media industry thriving: YANGON?S local printed media market is thriving, with journals available on a wide range of topics for competitive prices.The publishers of these magazines and newspapers have created healthy businesses by quickly finding their niches in the market, according to industry sources.