HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Round-up: "THE 13th regular session of the first Pyidaungsu Hluttaw held its 30th meeting yesterday, seeking parliamentary approval for two bills and debating one draft law. First, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw speaker Thura U Shwe Mann announced the recording of the second revision of the bill to amend the Myanmar Gems Law. The joint bill committee read out a draft of the Pesticide Bill, after which the speaker invited parliamentarians to sign up to discuss the bill. Next, the parliament approved the draft of the Commercial Tax on Special Goods Bill and the Legal Supports Bill, each with remarks from the president. The two bills will now be sent back to the president. During a discussion on the draft of the Union Tax Law (2016), deputy ministers Dr Lin Aung, Dr Maung Maung Thein, Brig-Gen Kyaw Zan Myint, U Khin Zaw, U Thaung Tin, U Aung Than Oo, U Than Tun Aung and Daw Lei Lei Thein responded to parliamentarians? questions about the law."...Amyotha Hluttaw: "THE 13th regular session of the first Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) held its 24th meeting yesterday, with parliamentarians approving the Presidential Security Bill. Following the presentation of the findings of the Amyotha Hluttaw bill committee on the Presidential Security Bill, the bill was read out and submitted for MPs? approval. Next, a progress report on the activities of the Amyotha Hluttaw was submitted to the Upper House speaker and submitted for approval. Members of various committees read out reports, and the speaker invited MPs to sign up to discuss them. During Q-and-A session, Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation U Myint Thein said no plan has been laid to build a railcum- road tunnel from Htaukkyant village in Kalay Township to the Var Bridge in Falam Township, as the construction of a 20-mile tunnel would be too costly. At the meeting, the speaker asked MPs to enlist their names if they want to discuss reports on works done by the committees in the term of the first parliament."..... OTHER DOMESTIC NEWS: Treasures unearthed: Refuge of Queen Pan Htwar discovered in Magway...Union Peace Conference continues in Nay Pyi Taw...Second Employment Expo to be opened in Yangon on Saturday...President attends opening of office, mini hydropower plant in Lahe...Ray of peace dawning upon Kayah State...VP Dr Sai Mauk Kham visits Loikaw to fulfill requirements in health, education sectors...Parliamentary committees plan for next parliament...Ministry of Culture now protecting ancient Bagaya Buddhist Monastery...New bypass aims to reduce accidents on Mandalay-Lashio highway...Drying lakes...Yabba seized in Phakant...Yabba pills worth 21 million seized in Tachilek...Forestry Department seizes animals? horns and teeth...Illegal logs seized in Sagaing...Foreign tourist visits to ancient Min Hla fort exceeded 3,000 in 2015...Smart card system to expose forged driving licences...Suspect for robbery, rape arrested...CSOs ask Ministry of Forestry to tackle illegal logging in border regions...NLD hosts environmental discussion forum..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Japanese company awards scholarships to Myanmar Maritime University students..... "OPINION": "In pursuit of intergenerational justice" by Khin Maung Aye..... ARTICLE: "Navigating the choppy waters of Myanmar?s post-election era" by Soe Thane