HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: Parliament approves amendment to Schedules 2 and 5 of Section 436(b): "Nay Pyi Taw, 8 July — Parliamentary approval was sought by secret ballot at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Wednesday in connection with the constitution amendment bill of Section 436(b), of which amendment to chapters, sections and sub-sections did not win the support of over 75 percent of the vote of the representatives but Schedules 2 and 5 were approved with over 75 percent of the vote. U Khin Maung Nyo of Loikaw constituency urged the parliament and the central government to continue to use the existing retirement system, which allows civil servants to retire on the day they turn 60. He added that changes to the retirement system are against the will of the people and that the plan to extend the retirement age will involve taking into consideration the population growth, the life expectancy of the people, literacy rate, the population of able workers, unemployment rate, economic aspects, GDP rate and healthcare. According to him, eight of 10 ASEAN countries regard the age of 60 years as retirement age. Myanmar has a life expectancy of 66 years in average, with 64 years for men and 68 for women, he added."..... NOTIFICATIONS: Republic of the Union of Myanmar Union Election Commission, Nay Pyi Taw, Notification No. (30/2015), 7th Waning Day of First Waso, 1377 ME (8 July 2015): Arkha National Development Party allowed to register as political party..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: President U Thein Sein?s radio message on air...Thilawa SEZ wharf project targets 2017 completion...UEC allows election candidates to begin campaigning...UEC announces Nov. 8 general election date...UEC instructs parties to submit election candidate lists...NGOs seek support for needy monastic school students...Construction of Yangon metrological radar station one-third complete...Co-op ministry provides rural development loans in Shan State...Commander-in-Chief honours outstanding students...Low pressure persists over Bay of Bengal...Six-storey main building under construction at MIIT...Temple excavation unearths ancient tablets...Mongyawng Township DAC receives garbage van...3 Wundwin Tsp villages get cash assistance for libraries...Thandaunggyi hill station to undergo B&B makeover...PTT Group grants scholarship award to 20 Myanmar students..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: KOTRA to implement MYANTRA Project...MRCCI talks business ties with China?s Guangxi Province...DNA queried as Myanmar men go on trial for murder of UK tourists...Japanese, Myanmar experts discuss development of agriculture, forestry, fishery and food sectors...Union minister explains efforts to conserve Inlay Lake..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Surge in private tuition reveals system?s shortcomings" by Kyaw Thura..... ARTICLE: "Make PEACE a Priority" by Htun Tin Htun