HLUTTAW SESSIONS: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: Parliament approves appointment of two union ministers: "Nay Pyi Taw, 24 Aug — A Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) session on Monday approved the appointments of two union ministers by the president. Lt-Gen Sein Win has been appointed the Union Minister for Defence and Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe the Union Minister for Border Affairs. Parliament also designated five new towns in Bago Region, before deputy ministers discussed arrangements for new foreign loans including Yen 24.866 billion for upgrading the Yangon Circular Rail Line, Yen 41.115 billion for the second phase of upgrading the national grid and Yen 33.869 billion for upgrading three bridges on Myanmar?s east-west economic corridor. The session also passed a marital law affecting Myanmar women, a law for the preservation of ancient buildings and discussed a new broadcasting law."...Pyithu Hluttaw: Deputy defence minister explains assignment of officers: "Nay Pyi Taw, 24 Aug — Deputy Minister for Defence Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe outlined the appointment of military officers to region and state Hluttaw, as well as self-administered zones and divisions, in the Pyithu Hluttaw on Monday. U Kyaw Ni Naing of Laukkai constituency asked for an explanation of the appointments for security and border affairs during the 86th day session of the Lower House. The deputy minister said experienced officers had been assigned to the posts in line with the constitution. Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation U Chan Maung, responding to a question from U Nanda Kyaw Swa of Dagon constituency, said Roman letters and Arabic numerals would be used in place of Myanmar characters on vehicle licence plates in line with international standards. Number plates identify 14 regions and states, as well as the Nay Pyi Taw council area, he said. The Hluttaw approved the bill amending the Highway Law and the bill amending the Expressway Law submitted by the Ministry of Construction. The bill committee read out the bill amending the blood and blood materials law and the body organs donation law submitted by Ministry of Health."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: search for new homes Land survey seeks relocation sites for landslide-hit households...Two senior military officers appointed as union ministers...MOFA?s diplomacy course begins...Getting to the goal of 100 percent birth registration...Cancer awareness campaign to focus on early diagnosis...Much remains to be done to repair flood damage: president...Centenarians receive honours at ceremony...Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets MPC (Interim) members...President?s Office appoints military personnel to new posts...Academy award winner Maung Tin Oo passes away...Township officials honour ?best mother?...Volunteers give relief supplies, Buddha images to Pwintbyu Township...UNDP helps farmers back on feet after Chin landslides...Irrigation Dept plans to improve Myanaung embankment...Football tournament begins in Mandalay Region..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Bangladesh to approve proposal for new road to Myanmar...Great fall of China sinks world stocks, dollar tumbles...Vice-Senior General observes Japan defense drill...Two Myanmar chess players to compete in Iran..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Subjective thinking is a risky business" by Myint Win Thein..... ARTICLE: "Promoting effective communication" by Myo Myint