INDIA and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to fostering secure, reliable, and interoperable digital connectivity and ICT infrastructure during the US-India Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group meeting.

EFFORTS are being made to put the ‘culture of Myanmar’s Thanaka’ into UNESCO’s world intangible cultural heritage list, similar to the traditional Myanmar New Year Atar Thingyan festival, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.
The department is making preparations to submit the ‘culture of Myanmar’s Thanaka’ to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO by 31 March 2025, and the Form Compilation Task Force started compiling the proposal to the nomination form (ICH-02) from 15 to 17 January.

NAY PYI TAW  January  17

A meeting to hold the Union Level MSME product exhibitions and competitions took place at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Industry in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the MSME Development Work Committee Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.

Politics and national causes intertwined

THE board of trustees of the Phayathonzu Mountain Monastery in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, announced that a new standing Buddha statue will be built near the sitting Buddha statue, which is the largest in Myanmar and the second largest in the world, located on Phayathonzu Mountain in Kyaikto Township.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the standing Buddha statue and the ceremony to receive teachings from the abbot of the Phayathonzu Mountain Monastery were held on 10 January. The ground-breaking work has already begun.

THE Naga Literature and Culture Committee organized the 2025 Naga New Year Festival at Naga tradition ground in Homalin township, Homalin District, Sagaing Region, on 15 January.
The festival was inaugurated in accordance with Naga tradition and culture. Patron of committee U Peter and District Administration Body Chairman U Ye Win made greeting speeches, and relevant officials explained the emergence of the Naga New Year Festival.

IMPEACHED South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday over his failed martial law bid, ending a weeks-long standoff with authorities and becoming the first sitting president to be detained in the nation’s history.
Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection over his short-lived effort to impose martial law last month, said he would comply with investigators to avoid “bloodshed”.

State Administration Council Member Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister at the Prime Minister Office Admiral Tin Aung San attended the 73rd Anniversary of Kayah State Day held at Loikaw State Hall yesterday.
After the ceremonial procedures, the Admiral read out the message sent by State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing to the occasion.

ACCORDING to locals, there has been a steady flow of tourists to major attractions in Hpa-an this month.
Tourists’ destinations include Kyaukkalat, Saddan Cave, Htuntpadaing, Kaukkhameit Bridge, Naung Lone Valley, and Kaw Ka Thaung Cave, in addition to Mount Taung Wine.

Insurgents committing terrorist activities have been engaging in battles, firing heavy weapons and improvised rockets and dropping bombs using drones into the public towns, wards and villages.