WORLD : It’s Myanmar, Not Burma Anymore

RANGOON, Burma —  Burma has officially changed its name in English to the Union of Myanmar and renamed the capital of Rangoon to Yangon, the state-run Working People’s Daily said today.

The military government that seized power last September tightened controls today on political literature and reopened primary schools nationwide, one year after all classrooms were closed in the wake of pro-democracy demonstrations. The government said it would reopen junior high schools, high schools and universities but has not given specific dates.

In the law changing Burma’s name, the nationality--Burmese--also was changed to Myanmar. The words for Burma and Burmese in the Burmese language are both pronounced Myanmar.