HLUTTAW SESSIONS: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: Speaker warns recall bill could have unwanted consequences: "Nay Pyi Taw, 23 July — The Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Thursday sought approval from members of parliament in connection with the recall bill, over which the Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw were divided. Thura U Shwe Mann said the recall bill might have negative effects on measures for national consolidation, national reconciliation and democratic reforms, provoking confrontation and misunderstanding among political parties and ethnic groups. The speaker stressed the possibility of taking legal action against unprincipled MPs in accordance with the constitution, the parliamentary law and existing laws, warning that the issue had the potential to obstruct the upcoming general election. He urged the Bill Committee to negotiate with political parties and MPs for the recall bill and inform the parliament of the outcomes. The parliament observed two minutes? silence to remember U Aung Thaung, late representative of Taungtha constituency."...Pyithu Hluttaw: Region, state ethnic ministries can be formed: President?s Office: "Nay Pyi Taw, 23 July — If regional and state governments wish to form their own ministries for ethnic minorities? affairs, they must put the issue forward to President?s office, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Kyaw Win told the Pythu Hluttaw on Thursday. Responding to an MP?s question, the deputy minister said the President?s Office had suggested regional and state governments put forward the issue so that the Union government can carry out procedures for formation of the regional ministries. The government has been working on formation of a union-level ministry for ethnic minorities?affairs, aiming at serving in the interests of ethnic minorities in accordance with the law to protect their rights, he said. The deputy minister responded to Dr Soe Moe Aung of Bilin Constituency, who had asked the President?s Office if it had a plan to form a union ministry or regional ministries on ethnic affairs. During the meeting, U Kyaw Ni Naing of Laukkai Constituency asked how many members would be allowed within an expanded leading body of the Self-Administered Division or Self-Administered Zone. Deputy Minister U Kyaw Kyaw Win replied that expansion of the leading body was not within the rights of the Union Government, as the constitution limited a leading body to not more than 10 members."...Amyotha Hluttaw: Farmers in Oaktwin Tsp to receive compensation over land acquisition: "Nay Pyi Taw, 23 July — The Ministry of Construction plans to compensate farmers in Oaktwin Township over the resumption of more than 1,000 acres of farmland for construction of the Yangon- Mandalay Highway, the deputy minister said Thursday in the Amyotha Hluttaw. The ministry will disburse more than K1.5 billion to farmers on 29 and 30 July, setting compensation at K 1.5 million per acre, said Deputy Minister for Construction U Soe Tint told the Upper House. The deputy minister explained the programme in answering a question raised by a MP from Bago Region over delays in compensating farmers. The Yangon-Mandalay Expressway was opened in 2010. Regarding the national races and ethnics in the 2014 national census, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Win Myint said that the ministry would release the draft of the list of ethnics in the future after discussing the issue with organizations concerned. Currently, Myanmar has eight national races and more than 135 ethnics. During the meeting, the Upper House bill committee put forward its recommendations on the Bill Amending the Election for the President and Vice Presidents Law and the marriage bill. The Amyotha Hlutaw also agreed to discuss the Basic Education Bill and the Technical and Vocational Educational Bill."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: Gov?t, ethnic armed groups optimistic of ceasefire deal after Day 2...Park visitors raise concerns over rowdy behaviour...Over 100 pearl lots sold on second day of auction...Handover Ceremony for the Project on Establishing theMaster Plan for Arterial Road Network Development in Myanmar...Volunteers remove dead fish from Nawntung Lake in Kengtung...Evacuees return home as floodwaters recede...Negotiation, Stability and Peace Party allowed to register as political party...All Myanmar Kaman National League for Democracy Party, Dynet National Race Development Party apply for registration as political parties...Officials seize unauthorized jade stones...Public Remonstration...Public Remonstration... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker meets French Ambassador to Myanmar...Laotian delegation pays homage at Shwedagon Pagoda...Japan Grants US$110,587 for Water Supply System in Kawhmu Township, Yangon Region...Thai pilgrims top visits to Shwedagon...Taiwanese-run trade expo showcases autos parts, tools... "PERSPECTIVES": "Fluctuations, manipulation have serious consequences" by Aung Khin..... ARTICLES: "Let?s try to control the greed for superlatives" by Myo Myint..."Is it possible to eradicate Nepotism?" by Tommy Pauk