INTERNATIONAL
Htin Kyaw is Myanmar’s First Elected Civilian President
Myanmar’s Parliament on 15 March elected Htin Kyaw as the first civilian president to lead the country after 53 years of military rule. Army took power in a 1962 coup. He is a close aide and adviser of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of National League for Democracy (NLD) party. He was elected with 360 of the total 652 votes casted while, military-nominated Myint Swe received 213 votes and stood second followed by the other NLD candidate, Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes. Kyaw will replace Thein Sein who will step down at the end of March 2016 after five years of army-backed rule.
China To Set Up International Maritime Judicial Centre
China’s Supreme Court has decided to set up its own International Maritime Judicial Centre (IMJC) to handle territorial disputes and protect its sea rights. It was announced by China’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Zhou Qiang at the annual meeting of the national legislature National People’s Congress (NPC). This move will help China to bolster its claims in the disputed South and East China seas and also help it become a maritime power.
China To Build Second Railway Line Into Tibet
China will build a second railway line to Tibet, linking capital Lhasa with the south-western city of Chengdu. The new railway was announced in a draft of China’s new five-year development plan. In 2006, China opened a railway line to Lhasa as part of government development efforts. It passes through the spectacular Tibetan highlands, at altitudes as high as 5,000 metres (16,400ft) above sea level.
US FAA certifies China’s ‘Y-12F’ Regional Liner
The Chinese aircraft Y-12F, a new third regional Y-12 series, manufactured by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The means aircraft has met high industry standard and global sales.The Y-12F aircraft has take-off weight of 8.4 tonnes, cruising speed of 400 km per hour and a longest cruising range of 2,255 km. Over 30 countries 200 units of the Y-12 series are delivered.
Hashim Thaci Elected as President of Kosovo
Hashim Thaci has been elected as the President of Kosovo by the Parliament of the country in the third round. He will succeed Atifete Jahjaga. With this, Hashim Thaci becomes fourth President of Kosovo after the country had unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008.