ASEAN insists Myanmar must take part in ASEM despite EU objections: HANOI ? Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations insisted last Thursday that Myanmar must take part in October?s Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), despite objections from the European Union. ASEAN wants its newer members ? Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar ? to be included in the biennial summit in return for the participation of the 10 European Union candidate countries... Thinking Aloud talks to U Nyein, the patron of the Myanmar Rice Traders? Association... Monsoon rice harvest may hit 17 million tonnes: THE monsoon paddy harvest is expected to exceed last year?s figure because of an increased growing area and favourable weather conditions, the director general of the Agricultural Planning Department, U Tin Htut Oo, said last week... UN seeks $26 million more for fight on drugs: THE United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said last week it was seeking another US$26 million from the international community for alternative income and community development projects in the Kokang and Wa regions of Shan State... US report riddled with errors - Govt: THE government has rejected what it called a ?one-sided and unbalanced” report on Myanmar in the latest annual survey by the United States on human rights throughout the world.The report, issued by the US State Department on February 25, included criticism of a number of countries, including Myanmar, China and North Korea, over alleged human rights violations... Catching a glimpse; Students help music ‘dream school? make comeback; You get what you paid for; Modern material, old-school methods... Yangon dominates cycling competition: WIN Hlaing of Yangon Division men?s cycling team was the star performer in the 34th State and Division Cycling Competition from February 24 to March 1, winning gold medals in the 1000-metre, 4000m and 100-kilometre races.The Yangon cyclist also won the trophy for Best Male Rider at the event, held at the National Cycle Racing Ground in Thuwanna Youth Training Centre... We will deter child sex tourism - Govt: THE government is doing all it can to ensure that child sex tourism does not occur in Myanmar, the Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism, Brigadier General Aye Myint Kyu, said last week... Honey export earnings tipped to rise: Honey exports are projected to earn more than $365,000 in 2003-2004, up from about $310,000 during the previous 12 months, said U Maung Maung Sein, the director of the Apiculture Department under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries... Overpass for Parami Road: MYANMA Railways has begun preliminary work on a bridge over the Yangon circular line on Parami Road that will help to ease traffic congestion on the busy thoroughfare.?Trains cross the road 46 times a day and each time about 150 vehicles are banked up,” said U Myat Linn, the deputy general manager of Myanma Railways civil engineering department... Train whistle ban affects three sections of circular line: ?The use of train whistles has been banned from February 24 in three areas that cover seven stations in three townships,” said U Hla Aye, the general manager of the Myanma Railways operations department... Bean and pulse prices drop: PRICES of pulses and beans have fallen dramatically in the past two months, especially those for Black-eyed beans and Black Matpe varieties, industry sources said last week... Greater knowledge of business laws required, say legal experts: ?Many Myanmar companies face problems because they sign contracts without consulting lawyers,” said U Than Maung, an advocate and legal associate with Kelvin Chia in Yangon, which is affiliated with the Kelvin Chia Partnership in Singapore... Yangon serviced apartments enjoy increased occupancy: ?Occupancy has increased since October, and by four per cent in just the past month. Also, this financial year, our occupancy rate has increased by two per cent over the year 2002-2003. We have had more long stay guests working for airlines, garment factories, non-governmental organisations, and oil and gas companies,” said Daw Khin Khin Htay, public relations manager at Micasa Hotel Apartments.