HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- Pyidaungsu Hluttaw: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw suspends commercial tax for all recharges from mobile users until new fiscal year: "The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on Wednesday discussed an important motion concerning a 5% commercial tax for all recharges from mobile users, with members of parliament calling for its suspension until the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Union Minister for Finance U Win Shein cited two foreign mobile operators, Telenor Myanmar and Ooredoo Myanmar, as stating that the service of telecommunications is internationally regarded as the same as that of information and technology. ?Their complaint has caused confusion in differentiating the two kinds of services.” According to the union minister, the government has informed the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw of the rescheduling of the new tax for the new fiscal year in line with the 2015 Union Tax Law. He said he would accept the parliament?s decision on whether to excuse the application of the new tax in 2015-2016 fiscal year. The parliament decided in favour of the suspension of the 5% commercial tax for all recharges from mobile users. Another motion discussed at the parliament was concerned with inviting tenders for privatization of an old broadcasting station, which was built on nearly 90 acres of land in Mayangon township in 1958. The current broadcasting station is on Pyay Road near the Hanthawady Roundabouts in Kamayut township. Mps called for the suspension of the selloff, demanding the requirements of the tender be reexamined and stressing the need to form an investigative committee to ensure transparency. Deputy Minister for Information U Pike Htway pledged greater transparency in tendering. According to him, the old station will be turned into a media complex. The parliament approved the suspension of the tenders for privatization of the old broadcasting station."...Pyithu Hluttaw: New exams to improve outcomes for students: deputy education minister: "Nay Pyi Taw, 27 May — Myanmar?s new examinations for fourth and eighth standards will help teachers improve educational outcomes for students, Deputy Minister for Education Dr Zaw Min Aung told the Pyithu Hluttaw on Wednesday, at the 53rd-day session of the Lower House. The deputy minister was responding to a question from U Kyin Thein of Bago Constituency about whether the new examinations are an improvement to the education system. Dr Zaw Min Aung said the new examinations were introduced in order to scrutinize qualification of students and to provide necessary assistance to schools in townships, districts, regions and states with a high rate of ?D” grade students in both examinations. U Sai Uam Hsai Mai of Kehsi constituency asked whether education staff receive travel allowances promptly and without hassle. The deputy minister said the Ministry of Education delivers travel allowance to staff for their trips on duty under the financial rules as quickly as possible. The ministry has installed facsimiles and e-mail services at departments at different levels for smooth processing of paperwork."...Amyotha Hluttaw: Defence Ministry explains rights to pensions at Amyotha Hluttaw: "Nay Pyi Taw, 27 May — The law does not allow any privileges to the spouse of a deceased soldier with less than 10 years of service in military, Deputy Minister for Defence Maj-Gen Kyaw Nyunt responded to a query raised at the Amyotha Hluttaw on Wednesday. Military personnel who die due to a service-connected disability after seven years in retirement are entitled to special family pension which is 70% of their last salary, the deputy minister said, adding that defence personnel with less than 10 years of service who retire due to disability are allowed to enjoy the same benefits as those with 15 years of service since their retirement, but the plan exclude their spouses. The Pyithu Hluttaw sent a bill that restricts marriages of Myanmar Buddhist women, which the Amyotha Hluttaw approved."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: SECM to announce underwriter licensees in June...River Ayeyawady Gallery plans 1-yr anniversary exhibition...Information for Public Remonstration...Information for Public Remonstration...New Era Union Party, United Kayin National Democratic Party apply for registration as political parties...Protesters denounce foreign media for portraying boat people as Myanmar nationals...Kalay fire damage bill already surpasses 2014 total...Taninthayi Region Police Force selects model officers...New school buildings under construction in Seikpyu Tsp...Villagers receive funds through Emerald Green Project...Basic education students begin enrolment in Natogyi Tsp...Police lecture residents on crime reduction, traffic safety...Free clinic provides healthcare in Myanaung Tsp...Water supply eases shortage in rural areas...Bullock-cart and equestrian contests mark umbrella-hoisting at Jade Pagoda..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President U Thein Sein hosts special advisor to UN Secretary-General...Staff of UNHCR gather addresses of Bengali boat people from Bangladesh...Plan to open Myanmar Theravada Buddhist Centre (Mascow) on 1 July...President U Thein Sein sends messages of felicitations to Azerbaijan, Nepal...China.com website launched...Union FM sends messages of felicitations to Azerbaijan, Nepal....Protesters denounce foreign media for portraying boat people as Myanmar nationals...Oscar winner Whitaker visits Myanmar as part of UNESCO ambassadorship...Myanmar, Bulgaria to exchange forest management...Japan grants US$116,644 for school in Kawa Township, Bago Region...Union Electric Power minister meets Vice Administrator of NEA, Yunnan Province governor...Industrial Bank of Korea to donate computers, school equipment to monasteries..... "PERSPECTIVES": "There is no such thing as an unproductive life" by Kyaw Thura..... ARTICLE: "Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar?s ?hidden biodiversity”" by Tim Johnson