HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: Ministries officially allowed three more minutes for explanations: "Government ministries have got three more minutes for explanations at Pyithu Hluttaw beginning at the 18th day of 12th regular session despite only three minutes in the past. Responsible persons of ministers took more than three minutes which was officially allowed for each explanation, and Speaker of Hluttaw had to neglect the limited time. Decision of Hluttaw Rights Committee on Wednesday includes MPs are allowed three minutes for each question, while ministries are allocated a total of six minutes for explanation. The Speaker of Hluttaw may stop irrelevant questions with related issue; U Thein Nyunt, MP of Pyithu Hluttaw from Thingangyun Township constituency, remarked, ?Ministers and deputy ministers answered and explained with long stories for even sample and short questions, presenting the works of their respective ministries. It is a waste of time for Hluttaw and revenue of the country. So, union level officials should try to compete the answer during the allocated time.”...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: Measures being taken to prevent Ebola, says deputy health minister: "Nay Pyi Taw, 18 Feb — The Deputy Minister for Health said the ministry is taking measures to prevent the spread Ebola virus which was found in Guinea in West Africa, in March 2014. In reply to the question of U Khin Maung Yi, an MP of Ayeyawady region constituency 6, the deputy minister said according to the statistics of World Health Organization on February 8, 2015, a total of 22,894 people in six countries of West Africa, as well as in Spain and the United States, were infected with Ebola virus, with a death toll of 9,177. The deputy minister also said the Ministry is cooperating with WHO, International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organization, international airlines and World Courier Service to be able send blood samples of Ebola suspected patients as the establishments of laboratories with the highest biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) are very expensive. Detection of Ebola virus is being carried out at airports and border checkpoints, while training programmes for treating infected persons are conducted for healthcare staff. U Khet Htain Nan, an MP of Kachin State constituency 1, urged Union Government during the session to set up a sports institute in Myitkyina, the capital of state. The proposal was supported by U Phe Thaung, an MP of Kachin State constituency 6, saying that the Ministry of Sports should make strategies to nurture skillful sportspersons in ethnic areas. U Sai Tin Aung, an MP of Kachin State constituency 5, also suggested to make short and long term plans for sports in other states and regions in addition to a huge investments in Nay Pyi Taw. Deputy Minister then explained that the lack of budget allocation will not make it possible to construct a sports institution in Myitkyina."..... DOMESTIC NEWS: Laukkai Regional Control Commander to assume administrative and judicial powers...MAEA plans to end foreign black market in agarwood...Press Release (01/2015) Myanmar Red Cross Volunteers wounded in Shan State Fighting...Fighting continues between Tatmadaw personnel and Kokang renegade groups...Muskmelon plantations in Tatkon Tsp expect much profit...Physics champion in women?s football at Mandalay University...District Election Sub-commission focuses on electoral process and voter list...Betye in Kyangin Tsp to get concrete road...Mandalay Region government arranges transport for returnees from Laukkai region to homes...Flower growers in Tatkon Tsp to get good prices for aster...Rakhine State authorities destroy illegal liquor, beer...Myanaung Tsp joins second time nationwide measles and rubella immunization...Fourth National Sports Festival 2015...Group matches of football tourney in MSF continue..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Myanmar, Thailand to further strengthen bilateral relations...India-Myanmar trade can cross $10 billion mark by 2020, Indian Commerce & Industry minister says...Norwegian, Austrian ambassadors call on Pyidaungsu Hluttaw speaker...Tentatively selected U-22 team to take training in Japan..... "PERSPECTIVE": "When the sun cannot be filtered?" by Aung Khin..... ARTICLE: "A quick fascinating glimpse inside the library of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore" by By Sayar Mya