Challenge to reduce the digital divide: WHEN the former chief engineer at Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, U Tint Lwin, spoke in Yangon in November 2002 on ‘narrowing the digital divide?, Myanmar?s technological development was still in its infancy.Nearly two years later, Myanmar has succeeded in dramatically increasing internet access. The challenge now, say industry sources, is to bridge the telecommunications gap, and the key to that is boosting mobile phone services... Nine new resorts underway as Ngapali beach booms: WORK has begun on nine hotel projects at Ngapali Beach to meet the growing demand for accommodation in the area, which is emerging as one of the country?s most popular seaside destinations, an official at the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism said last week... Preparations for convention nearly complete, says govt: Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council, Lieutenant-General Thein Sein, said on April 20 that work had been completed on most of the buildings at the convention venue, the government owned Nyaunghnapinkwin resort, about 20 miles west of Yangon... Ministry officials conducting surveys in massive Hukaung Valley tiger reserve: THE Forestry Ministry has begun working on plans to transform a 21,890-square-kilometre tiger conservation area in far northern Kachin State into a functional reserve.The plans follow the establishment of the world?s largest tiger reserve in the Hukaung Valley last month... Myanmar women fail to reach Athens: In their first game, Myanmar lost 11-0 to Asian silver medallists China in their Asia Zone Group B Olympic Games qualifying match in Hiroshima, Japan on April 18. A subsequent 7-0 loss to South Korea last Tuesday meant Myanmar finished third in Group B, despite a 2-0 victory over last-placed Guam last Thursday... Education officials put priority on new syllabi: OFFICIALS in the education sector say it is more important to upgrade the primary and secondary syllabus than to introduce more years of schooling.The director general of the Myanmar Education Research Bureau, U Myint Han, said introducing more years of schooling would require a complete overhaul of the primary and secondary education... Athletes need better diets, says doctor: IMPROVED diets for Myanmar soccer players are essential to improve onfield performance and endurance, says a leading sports medicine specialist.Doctor Molly Chit, the head of the institute?s medical department, told Myanmar Times that players often have their own ideas, beliefs, and food preferences... ‘Golden Rock? pagoda attracts record number of foreign tourists: ONE of Myanmar?s most revered Buddhist sites, the Kyaikhtiyo or ‘Golden Rock? pagoda in Mon State, has attracted a record number of foreign tourists since the annual Buddhist pilgrimage season began early last October, officials said last week.They said more than 19,000 tourists had visited the pagoda up until April 16, the highest number for the season, which finishes at the end of May... Increased salt intake sees goitre cases plummet: COOPERATION between the Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and the United Nations Children?s Fund since 1992 has led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of a disfiguring condition caused by a lack of iodine in the diet, a workshop has been told... Myanmar and China aim to increase trade to $1.5b by 2005: Speaking in Yangon last Thursday, Mr Yang Chonghui, senior advisor to the government of Yunnan Province, said economic ties with Myanmar were vital to increasing Chinese trade and investment in Southeast Asia. He also highlighted Myanmar?s increasing geo-economic importance as part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations trading bloc... Govt sells low-cost houses in Hlaing Tharyar township: The project is being developed by the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development. Private contractors began construction in February and are expected to finish by June, said U Myint Swe, the deputy director of the department... Diamond Condominium?s first three towers nearing completion: THE Asia Express Company is nearing the completion of its first three towers in its massive Diamond Condominium construction project, but developers say the second phase is being delayed by insufficient cement rations.