Beikthano find resolves an historical mystery: THE discovery of a bronze Buddha image and a small bronze bell in central Myanmar early this month had proved that Buddhism flourished at Beikthano during the Pyu era from the second to the ninth centuries, a senior official said last week... Deputy FM visits Japan as special government envoy: THE Deputy Foreign Minister, U Khin Maung Win, left for Japan on July 3 for a two-day visit to explain political developments in Myanmar in the aftermath of the May 30 incident in Sagaing Division. U Khin Maung Win was making the visit as a special envoy of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, a diplomat from the Japanese embassy in Yangon told Myanmar Times on July 2... ASEAN attorneys-general fail to back anti-terror plan: ASEAN attorneys-general have failed to agree on a Malaysian-drafted treaty to deepen anti-terror cooperation, the official Bernama news agency reported. The draft was a focus of three days of talks that ended on July 2 in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah... Horn ban extended to 3 more townships: A DECISION to ban the use of vehicle horns in downtown Yangon from last May has proved so successful in reducing noise pollution that it has been extended to another three townships, a senior traffic official said last week... Smithsonian Institution revises guide to Myanmar?s unique flora... Champion body-builder hungry for gold at SEA Games: BODY-BUILDER Ko Win Lwin has a golden ambition. He?s hoping to win gold for Myanmar at the... • India to study railway link • Kalay gets a soaking, as Yangon tops average • Life insurance scheme introduced for seamen • Australia grants Myanmar free access to its markets • MPT extends public telephone service • Upgrade for Mandalay zoo... Mobile testing laboratory to help monitor food, drug standards... More birthing centres on way, says doctor... Shoppers make ‘seconds? their first choice for clothes... • Myanmar boats on show • Diesel-fired stoves still prove popular.