HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw gives green light to $400m loan from World Bank: "Nay Pyi Taw, 12 May — Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Tuesday approved borrowing US$400 million loan from the World Bank. U Nu, a member of Joint Public Accounts Committee, suggested the loan should be agreed as the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development is carrying out compulsory services for livelihoods of rural populace, while it is promoting the capabilities of government staff, the early response system to natural disaster and the emergency management. He added that the ministry needs the loans to expand implementation of people-centered projects for rural people. Daw Khin San Hlaing, MP from Pale Township constituency, said service charge of 0.7 percent on the loan for more than 30 years will cost millions of dollar, adding that the loans should be used effectively..."...PYITHU HLUTTAW: No discrimination against degree holders of universities of distance education, according to chairman of UCSB: "Nay Pyi Taw, 12 May- ...Another question at the session concerning discrimination against graduates from universities of distance education, Chairman of Union Civil Services Board U Kyaw Thu said that the board has never discriminate between degree- holders of universities of distance education and those of other universities in its written tests, interviews and all those who are qualified for good civil servants are chosen for government posts..."...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: Amyotha Hlutaw discusses agricultural issues: "Nay Pyi Taw, 12 May — Amyotha Hlutaw session on Tuesday focused on questions on agriculture sector and Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Than responded to the questions. One of the representatives asked whether the government has plans to suspend one year to repay agricultural loans in Kyangin and Myanaung Townships in Ayeyawady Region as farmers there did not earn enough from failed crops due to shortages of rainwater and adverse weather conditions. Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Than said that Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank may suspend loans when crops are damaged due to natural disasters and losses are reported to the bank on time. Although the bank can suspend loans with the recommendation of local authorities at different levels, new loans will not be available for farmers who fail to repay their old loans under the rules and regulations of the bank, the deputy minister added..."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: President extols virtues of modern fruit and vegetable cultivation techniques during visit to cold storage facility...Myanmar Railways holds third public consultation meeting on Yangon circle rail upgrading...Union demands recruitment firms pay compensation over sunken Russian trawler.....State Councillor and Secretary General of China?s State Council donates computers to Nay Pyi Taw BEHS No 7, visits Bagan NyaungU...Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham praises 2015 basic literacy movement...workshop promotes climate-friendly agriculture...Roadwork for inter-village link reaches completion in Myeik Tsp...Erosion destroys bridge on Mohnyin-Kadu laterite road...New library opens in Hinthada Township...Kachin State Gov?t to take action against contractors for unfinished construction works...Fire brigade members receive uniforms...Students of Yezin University of Agriculture visit paddy, organic vegetable farms...Construction of inter-township roads depends on budget...Vets provide eye drop vaccination for livestock...National Council for Road and Traffic Safety meets...Gov?t troops control three more hill posts of Kokang insurgents..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President extols virtues of modern fruit and vegetable cultivation techniques during visit to cold storage facility...Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw meets State Councillor and Secretary General of China?s State Council...Commander-in-Chief visits Serbian president, 204th Air Brigade...Union minister meets special adviser to Japanese PM...Myanmar, Singapore to cooperate in legal affairs..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Myanmar must avoid cowhand status" by Aung Khin..... ARTICLE: "A short introduction to Community Colleges in some countries" by Sayar Mya