US urged to ‘roll up sleeves? and help: THE government has called on the United States to lift its sanctions and start an open and constructive dialogue with Yangon as a means of promoting economic and political development in Myanmar... S1 reassures public that private banks are safe: SECRETARY 1, General Khin Nyunt, last Friday reassured the business community and hundreds of thousands of bank customers nationwide that their money was safe despite some short- term concerns within the private sector financial institutions... Mysterious ruby worth $200m sparks a dispute: A RUBY reportedly worth about US$200 million has become the centre of international dispute involving an ex-diplomat from Laos, a Singapore-based company and a former Thai police general, officials said last week... 27 mountaineers set to conquer 12,553 foot peakS: TWENTY seven members from the Myanmar Hiking and Mountaineering Association will conquer one of the nation?s highest mountains when they reach the peak of the 12,553-foot Saramayti Mountain in Sagaing division at the end of this week... 14,000 hits daily Yangon City website lures net surfers: FEATURING increasingly diversified content including commercial ads and special features, the number of ‘hits? ? people who have visited the Yangon City website ? has increased rapidly, according to a city official... Within months a high tech park for Mandalay: MYANMAR?S second biggest information and communication technology centre will be established in Mandalay within the next four months, according to sources close to the project. .. No vampire, but expectancy high for discovery of new bat species: A SCHOLAR from Mandalay University?s Zoological Department has discovered what is believed to be an unusual new bat species, but is still awaiting confirmation from experts in England who are visiting the second city next month...Yangon a ready market for oils and lubricants: THE OIL and lubricants market is enjoying strong demand in Yangon because of the widespread use of automobiles as well as heavy machinery in the industrial sectors, according to a recent market survey... Program to re-develop Hlawga National Park: A WILDLIFE park naturally endowed with a broad bio-diversity of flora and fauna has been targeted for re-development under an ambitious program to attract tourists... Art galleries hold exhibitions to support struggling painters: DESPITE a mini boom in the number of art exhibitions and showings in Myanmar, the major art galleries are still not making healthy profits, according to U Aung Tun, manager of the Lokanat art gallery... Belgian doctors cure 35 patients in Sagaing: A TEAM of surgeons from Belgium last week treated 135 eye and cleft lip patients at a Sagaing hospital run by Buddhist monks... Joint degree for PhD in computer studies: AS A STEPPING stone for promoting higher education in computer studies the commemoration program for "Asean-Japan 2003" was held on February 20 at the University of Computer Studies Yangon... Challenge for Asean private sector: A MYANMAR business leader has told a regional conference that the private sector is the engine of growth for the region. Farm trailer: MOTORISED farm trailer rental is growing in popularity as an inexpensive means of transporting commodities and raw materials to market, reported the Kumudra journal... Arrested for drugs: MORE than 4000 people were arrested in connection with the 2899 cases of drug trafficking last year, the government announced last Tuesday...Long-term downturn hurts speciality print shops: THE screen printing and speciality printing industry has suffered a downturn in business since May last year, due mainly to reduced demand and an increase in the costs of fabrics and quality printing inks... Foreigners look to meditation to quell modern-day anxieties: The legacy of global terrorism and the September 11 attacks is that more and more westerners are striving for peace of mind...Quality of drinking water under review: THE availability of safe drinking water was discussed at a two-day workshop on the ‘Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in Myanmar? last week... Aid brings water to Zalun: THE People of Zalun township in Ayeyarwaddy division no longer suffers a scarcity of safe drinking water. The Eishin pharmaceutical association in Japan has donated US$10,000 for the digging of deeper tube wells in five areas of Zalun township... Redraft for antique Act: THE MINISTRY of Culture is redrafting antique protection rules to protect the country?s vast cultural wealth. The department examines artefacts for export to determine if they are allowed out of the country in accordance with the 1957 Antiquities Act, which prohibits the traffic of Myanmar antiques out of the country... Child artists sought: CHILDREN have been invited to contribute works of art for a magazine published by the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association.