HLUTTAW SESSIONS:- PYIDAUNGSU HLUTTAW: FDI in Myanmar hit $3.676 bn in April-Sept 2014: "Nay Pyi Taw, 24 Feb — Chairman of Foreign Investment Commission U Zeyar Aung said foreign direct investment in Myanmar reached US$3.676 billion in the first half of 2014 fiscal year started in April. During 17th day of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session, MIC chairman said a total of 99 new foreign firms were allowed for investments with $3.584 billion and the four operating business companies were permitted for additional $92.786 million during this period..."...PYITHU HLUTTAW: UEC: Go through ?formalities? in political campaigns: "Nay Pyi Taw, 24 Feb— Union Election Commission has reiterated that Hluttaw candidates must abide by the existing laws and electoral laws during their political campaigns for 2015 general election. U Pe Than, an MP from Myebon Township constituency, asked if Hluttaw candidates could use the words and the issues mentioned in private media for criticism of parliament, government, government department,Tatmataw and individuals during their electoral campaigns. UEC member U Win Ko said during Pyithu Hluttaw?s 21 day meeting that actions will be taken against the candidates who breached the rules and regulations in their political campaigns. Regarding workers? affairs, Daw Win Maw Tun, Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Welfare, said plans are being made to promote health services for the workers in accordance with welfare programmes of the ministry. She also said the ministry has issued licenses for 202 overseas employment agencies and licences are annulled if they breached rules and regulations. The deputy minister also said Myanmar has appointed diplomats for migrant workers? affairs in Korea, Thailand and Malaysia, with one-stop-service centres in the neighbouring to help Myanmar people abroad and complaint mechanism centres in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon. She added that trainings are given to potential migrant workers with culture, customs and laws of their targeted countries."...AMYOTHA HLUTTAW: Health Department to raise health awareness for betel quid chewers: "Nay Pyi Taw, 24 Feb — Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) continued its 20th day session at its hall, here, on Tuesday. U Phone Myint Aung of Yangon Region Constituency No 3 asked a question on keeping warnings at betel quid shops for raising customers? health awareness. Deputy Minister for Health Dr Win Myint replied that under the supervision of region and state Health Department, district and township Health Department disseminate knowledge about danger of chewing betel quid to the people. Arrangements are being made for putting up vinyl and posters on danger and disadvantages of chewing betel quid at the public places. U Aung Cho Oo of Bago Region Constituency No 5 asked whether departments and organization extract sand and gravel from Ayeyawady River or not. Deputy Minister for Transport U Han Sein replied that Ministry of Transport does not have authority to allow extraction of sand and gravel from the river but it replies remarks of township and district authorities to the entrepreneurs. U Ha Shein Bwe of Chin State Constituency No 8 submitted a proposal calling for implementing the small-scale dams to irrigate highland farming and terrace farming in less developed states and the Hluttaw approved the proposal."..... DOMESTIC NEWS: Defence Services donate computers, cash for UDNR, college...Solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, to land in Mandalay on 10 March...Middle-class people top list for borrowing loans for building houses...Workshop on Understanding International Standards on Freedom of Expression and Elections held...Myanmar reviews its implementation of anti-corruption activities...Amyotha Hluttaw sets dates for discussion of amendments to education law...Supreme Court of the Union introduces Judiciary Strategic Plan...Buddhist monks recite Pathana treatise till 28 February at Uppatasanti Pagoda...Information staff discusses advantage of reading habit...Teachers from Laukkai arrive in Mandalay before proceeding to home...Bikers to choose motorcycles at showroom in Myawady...Rural primary school gets new building in Twantay Tsp...HIGER mini-bus introduced in Mandalay...Myanmar Good Governance Forum kicks off...State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee sends suggestions for bill amending the NEL...Military columns seize arms and ammunition, stimulant tablets from Kokang insurgents...Railway civil construction course kicks off...Students who came back from Laukkai sit for examinations...Workshop on promoting road safety awareness on 25 Feb...Athletes actively participate in martial arts, boxing, indoor sports events..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: President U Thein Sein sends messages of felicitations to Kuwait...Pyidaungsu Hluttaw speaker receives Asia-Pacific Regional Director of HD Centre...Solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, to land in Mandalay on 10 March...Union FM sends message of felicitations to Kuwaiti counterpart...Tourist caravan tours major destinations in Myanmar..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Who is responsible for equitable development?" by Kyaw Thura..... ARTICLE: "Doctors on front lines for health and climate" by Ms Helena Molin Valdes