Roundabout upgrades to ease congestion - YCDC: YANGON City Development Committee says traffic congestion at four major city roundabouts will be sharply reduced when a project to upgrade the intersections is completed by March... Friend of man, rare Ayeyarwaddy dolphin struggles to survive: AN international survey has found that the number of dolphins in the Aye-yarwaddy River appears to have declined during the past four years... Injection of life for Wa drug project with an extra $1.1m: EXTRA funding from the international community will enable a United Nations drug control project in Shan State to be continued for two years longer than originally planned, a senior UN official has revealed... Government dismisses latest US rape claims: THE government has rejected the latest claims by the United States alleging that the Myanmar army has used rape as a weapon of war in Shan State... Private sector workforce up 17pc, figures reveal: THE number of private sector employees in urban areas rose 17 per cent during the past two years, according to figures released by the Department of Labour... Foreign Minister lauds ‘positive? political climate: A "positive political climate" last year was contributing towards nation building and helping to promote better living standards, Foreign Minister U Win Aung said in a New Year message... Demand for building materials keeps demolition crews busy: THE demolition of old buildings to make way for development projects is helping to sustain a lucrative market for second-hand construction materials, a Myanmar Times survey has found... Construction projects to change city skyline BUILDING companies have received approval for two big high-rise projects along Pyay Road involving a total investment of about K38 billion... Accurate statistics on Asean speed regional development: GOOD, comparative statistics from Asean member countries helped to accelerate the pace of cooperation in the regional grouping, the Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, U Soe Tha, told a meeting in Yangon earlier this month... Alternative energy project uses three power sources: AN electricity generation project using wind and solar power with diesel generators is being developed at Chaungtha, a popular beach resort in Ayeyarwaddy Division... Model village showcases nation?s ethnic diversity: A MODEL village featuring the traditional houses of the eight main national ethnic groups was opened on a 100-acre site on Yangon?s eastern outskirts on December 28... Funds shortage hampers regional group, says FM: THE Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, has expressed concern over a lack of funding for projects planned by a regional economic cooperation grouping comprising Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand... Travel group enjoys a bird?s eye perspective: A GROUP of 36 international travellers has been enjoying the sights of some of Myanmar?s best-known tourist attractions from an unusual perspective ? floating above them in hot-air balloons... SALES of commercially-produced calendars have been declining in recent years because supply exceeds demand, reported Living Color magazine... Workshop seeks more controls on tobacco: DRAFT recommendations on tobacco control measures in Southeast Asian countries were agreed at a World Health Organisation regional meeting in Yangon last month. The draft included recommendations tobacco advertising and promotions as well as smuggling and money laundering... Fire crew wins praise for ledge rescue: THE Fire Service Department has praised five of its staff for rescuing a young woman from a ledge on the fourth floor of a residential building in Yangon on Christmas Day... Coup plot death sentences upheld: THE Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences handed down on a son-in-law and three grandsons of the late former President U Ne Win, a source said... Thousands join fitness campaign: OFFICIALS have welcomed a big increase in the number of people taking part this year in exercise activities held every December as part of a campaign to raise the nation?s sports standard and levels of fitness... New train to ease crowding: MYANMA Railways says a third dual-engine train due to be commissioned in March will improve the service for commuters travelling between Yangon and the city?s outskirts. The Diesel Multiple Unit will have 600 seats, 100 more than each of the first two trains of the same type which went into service in 2001... Head of State to visit China: THE Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, is due to begin a six-day State visit to China early this month, a media source said. He will be accompanied by the Secretary 1 of the SPDC, General Khin Nyunt, and a number of senior ministers, the source said. Senior General Than Shwe is expected to meet Chinese leaders including President Jiang Zemin and the secretary general of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr Hu Jintao. The visit reciprocates Mr Jiang?s visit to Myanmar in December 2001... Long-distance vehicles get cheaper fuel: MYANMA Petroleum Products Enterprise is making more petrol available to long-distance passenger and cargo vehicles and inland waterways boats under a scheme which took effect from December 24.