WILLINGLY LEARN EDUCATION TO EMERGE EDUCATED CITIZENS IN FUTURE PAGE-8 (OPINION)

Vol. VIII, No. 117, 7th Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Saturday, 14 August 2021

Five-Point Road Map of the State Administration Council

1. The Union Election Commission will be reconstituted and its mandated tasks, including the scrutiny of voter lists, shall be implemented in accordance with the law. 2. Effective measures will be taken with added momentum to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Actions will be taken to ensure the speedy recovery of businesses from the impact of COVID-19. 4. Emphasis will be placed on achieving enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. 5. Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards.

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 Announcement 6th Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME 13 August 2021

1. The State Administration Council issued Notification No 226/2021 dated 12-8-2021 declaring from 16 to 22 August 2021 as successive public holidays. 2. To effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 during these public holidays, the people must obey the following disciplines:- (a) to reside at homes or dormitories, and not to travel at all except for duty and funeral services; (b) not to decrease productivity, operate the factories and industries under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour, Nay Pyi Taw Council and region/state govern- ments in line with the COVID-19 health rules of the Ministry of Health; SEE PAGE-3

Non-stop imports of essential medical supplies distributed daily

THE Ministry of Commerce is working hard to ensure people have access to essential medical supplies which are critical to the COV- ID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities, including liquid oxygen and oxygen cylinders, arranging the continuous importation on public holidays. Yesterday, a total of 2,205 oxygen concentrators were imported via airways at the Yangon International Airport. In addition, 46 tonnes of liquid oxygen, five tonnes of oxygen cylinders, four liquid oxygen containers, 6 liquid oxygen distributors, 6,154 oxygen containers, 2 oxygen plants, 331 oxygen concentrators, 31,680 PPE suits, 12 tonnes of gloves and 39 tonnes of masks were important through border trade points. A total of 780 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 71 tonnes of oxygen cyl- inders, 4 oxygen containers, 6 oxygen distributors, 89,833 tonnes of empty oxygen containers, 22 oxygen plants, 10 oxygen generators, 67,385 oxygen concentrators, 150,268 test kits, 432,332 PPE suits, SEE PAGE-2 Medicines and medical equipment are being unloaded from truck.

INSIDE TODAY NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL NEWS LOCAL BUSINESS Current political progress, Union Minister for IFER chairs Myanmar’s border Myanmar corn policy matters clarified to 8th AEC Committees Meeting trade reaches over export exceeds heads of Myanmar missions for Implementation of ASEAN $8.6 bln in first 10 $447 million in to foreign countries Economic Community (AEC) 2025 months of FY 2020-21 eight months PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 14 AUGUST 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Notification of COVID Vaccination Fund Management Republic of the Union of Myanmar Subcommittee

State Administration Council FROM 9-8-2021 to 13-8-2021, local / foreign donors contributed 6.920 million Kyats Order No 174/2021 to the COVID-19 Vaccination Fund Myanmar currency account OA 013733 opened at the Myanma Economic Bank (Nay Pyi Taw). The status of the fund account till 6th Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME 13-8-2021 is as follows: 13 August 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Fund OA-013733 List Kyat Appointment of Deputy Minister Account opening balance on 9-8-2021 31,159,264,615.39 Received amount of money from State from (9-8-2021 to 13-8-2021)(+)214,774,877,888.52 THE State Administration Council has appointed U Aung Myaing as Deputy Received amount of money from (9-8-2021 to 13-8-2021) (+) 6,920,000.00 Minister for Transport and Communications in accordance with Section 419 of the Constitution. Closed balance on 13-8-2021 245,941,062,503.91

By Order, COVID-19 Vaccination Fund EDC 600012 List Aung Lin Dwe USD Lieutenant - General Account opening balance on 9-8-2021 150,162,149.53 Secretary Received amount of money from (9-8-2021 to 13-8-2021) - State Administration Council Closed balance on 13-8-2021 150,162,149.53

Non-stop imports of essential medical supplies distributed daily

FROM PAGE-1 72 tonnes of gloves and 946 tonnes of masks have been im- ported by far in August. Of 67 liquid oxygen bows- ers imported between July and 12 August, 50 of them were distributed to Yangon, 11 to Mandalay, 2 to Bago, 3 to Mawlamyine and 1 to Tha- ton respectively. Among 30 oxygen plants, 4 were trans- ported to Yangon, 5 to Lash- io, 4 to Bago, 2 to Pakokku, 3 to Mandalay, 2 to Hpa-an, 2 to Mawlamyine, one each to Taunggyi, Thanbyuzayat, Mag- Cargo trucks carrying medical supplies are ready to distribute them to regions and states.

Medical equipment and oxygen are being transported to major cities across the nation.

way, Dawei, Wakema, Myittha, announced that the border August, and import operations cordance with the SOP prior- allowed as usual during the Kyaukpadaung and Mogaung trade points will not be sus- will be conducted as usual. ity, negotiated by relevant de- office hours.—MNA respectively. pended from work on declared The importation of COVID-19 partments, and online import The Ministry on 8 August public holidays, from 9 to 15 devices will be allowed in ac- licence application will also be

3,456 new cases of COVID-19 reported on 13 August, total figure rises to 348,186

MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 348,186 after 3,456 new cases were reported on 13 August 2021 according to the Ministry of Health. Among these con- firmed cases, 263,172 have been discharged from hospitals. Death toll reached 12,879 after 212 died. —MNA 14 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA Emphasis must be placed on development tasks while prioritizing peace and stability, especially political stability

THEY are carrying out the government tasks in a smooth process. It is necessary to consider extension of new sectors. The unrests and terror acts based on vote-rigging in the 2020 election are being combated. Emphasis must be placed on development tasks while prioritizing the peace and stability, especially political stability. The provisional government temporarily takes the responsibility of the country, and when the emergency period runs out, the election will be held under the law. Undertakings will be carried out to hand over the State duty to the government emerged by the election in accord with the Constitution.

(Excerpt from the speech to the meeting 13/2021 of the State Administration Council made by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 8 August 2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 Announcement 6th Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME 13 August 2021

FROM PAGE-1 (c) to adopt the work-from-home system or other proper ways for important office work of the relevant departments; (d) to open the shops selling basic essential things like fuel, purified drinking water, livestock, fish and foodstuffs; (e) to open the pharmacy shops and medical companies; (f) to realize the take away system at restaurants; (g) to continue healthcare services (government hospitals/private hospitals and clinics); (h) to wear protective gears, including masks, if you go outside without fail; (i) to operate the land, sea and aviation services for those wishing to travel without fail under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Nay Pyi Taw Council, and region/ state governments; (j) to comply the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of trucks to facilitate the flow of goods; (k) to continue opening of freight handling ports; (l) to strictly follow the COVID-19 health rules of the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health without fail. 3. Action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the above-mentioned disciplines under the existing laws.

Current political progress, policy matters clarified to heads of Myanmar missions to foreign countries

UNION Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin and Union Minister for Inter- national Cooperation U Ko Ko Hlaing co-hosted a virtual coor- dination meeting with Myanmar Ambassadors and permanent representatives from the Middle East and Africa Zone, Europe Zone and America Zone on 13 August 2021, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. During the Meeting, Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Union Minister U Ko Ko Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing meet Myanmar ambassadors and permanent representatives to clarify Hlaing briefed them on current current political progress. political situations and develop- nent representatives discussed and explained the necessary permanent secretary and sen- nation meeting with the heads ments and highlighted the policy and presented ongoing missions measures. ior officials from the Ministry of Myanmar Missions from Asia matters. Subsequently, Myan- work plans and Union Ministers The meeting was also at- of Foreign Affairs. It was learnt and Pacific Zone was held on 11 mar Ambassadors and perma- gave guidelines on work plans tended by the deputy minister, that the similar virtual coordi- August 2021.—MNA 14 AUGUST 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Union Minister for IFER chairs 8th AEC Committees Meeting for Implementation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2025 UNION Minister for Investment plementation plan which aimed and Foreign Economic Relations to remedy the adverse impact of U Aung Naing Oo chaired the 8th COVID-19 pandemic in the re- AEC Committees Meeting for the gion. The framework was adopted Implementation of the ASEAN by the leaders at the 37th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Summit in November 2020, and 2025 via video conference yes- included the activities under the terday together with attendance five broad strategies. He also of deputy ministers, permanent explained the implementation secretaries, directors general status of the framework under and representatives from 22 AEC purview of AEM. He also ex- working committees. pressed the drafting of Myanmar The Union Minister ex- Economic Recovery Plan in line plained the objective of the with the ACRF. He informed the meeting as preparations for the participants that the ministry will th 53rd ASEAN Economic Minis- Union Minister for IFER U Aung Naing Oo joins 8 AEC Committees Meeting for Implementation of ASEAN explore to receive the technical Economic Community 2025. ters (AEM) Meeting and related and financial support for the im- meetings which will be held in of them, 67 annual Priorities are implementation and the nation- completion of domestic pro- plementation of activities. September. He said that the com- completed. Myanmar implement- al scorecard of sectoral imple- cedures for the signing of the According to the agenda, mittees needed the pragmatic ed the most of annual priorities, mentation will also be conducted. agreements and ratification of Director General Dr. Wah Wah approach for the AEC 2025 im- and the rest are mostly ongoing The necessary preparation will the signed agreements in time, Maung from Foreign Econom- plementation activities, stream- regional activities. He urged them be done for the rest of the imple- and he also mentioned that the ic Relations Department clari- lining the process of committees to expedite utmost effort for en- mentation period and Myanmar coordination mechanism is es- fied the outcomes of the Third and developing specific terms of suring the implementation of the mid-term review will be support- sential for sectoral bodies in order Meeting of the ASEAN Senior reference for the focal depart- remaining annual priorities in a ed for further AEC implementa- to receive the policy decision in a Economic Officials for the Fif- ments and members. timely manner. tion activities and also point out timely manner. ty Second Economic Ministers’ He stated that 148 Annual He also highlighted that the where Myanmar position in the Deputy Minister U Than Meeting. Economic Priorities are set out plan of Myanmar will undergo its implementation of AEC. Aung Kyaw explained the ASE- Then, participants reported to implement ASEAN Economic mid-term review based on AEC The Union Minister ex- AN Comprehensive Recovery on the progress and status of the Community as a whole and out Mid-term Review for the effective plained the importance of the Framework (ACRF) and its im- relevant sectoral bodies.—MNA

H&T Union Minister inspects Ngalaik Sakhantha Elephant Camp UNION Minister for Hotels and camp clarified the work plans Tourism Dr Htay Aung visit- and the Union Minister inspect- ed the Ngalaik Kantha Resort ed the elephant museum and yesterday. enjoyed the elephant show. He During the visit, he in- also provided cash assistance structed the hotel managers for the elephants. and staff to make efforts to There are 19 elephants at grab national level certificates the 573-acrea elephant camp as they were fully vaccinated where the visitors can observe against COVID-19 and complet- the nature of elephants and ride ed the regional level training them in the jungle enjoying the courses. nature. He then went to Ngalaik The Union Minister also Sakhantha Elephant Camp held a meeting with the officials developed by the Ministry of of Nay Pyi Taw Hotel Entrepre- Natural Resources and Envi- neurs Association and general ronmental Conservation on managers of quarantined hotels Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. at Hotel Amara in Nay Pyi Taw Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Htay Aung and officials visit Ngalaik Sakhantha elephant camp. The officials of the elephant on 12 August.—MNA

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UNION Minister for Information cal world to revitalize the mu- U Maung Maung Ohn met with of- sical arena, solve the problems ficials and musicians from music in prevention and treatment of organizations in Yangon through COVID-19, and coordinate with video conferencing system yester- relevant departments for taking day afternoon. out money from the banks. Speaking on the occasion, the The government shows its Union Minister said the Prime genuine goodwill for the artistes Minister of the State emphasiz- taken action under Section 505 es not only the fine arts arena (a) of the Penal Code for many and the role of media but also reasons. Full assistance will be artistes, intellectuals and intel- given under the existing laws ligentsia with the concept that to the artistes who contact the the fine arts is for the sake of the authorities in line with the press people. As such, the government release. provided necessary assistance for Union Information Minister U Maung Maung Ohn meets artistes from music arena to solve their difficulties in The Union Minister urged COVID-19 infection. emergence of the fine arts centres the artistes as professionals to in Yangon and Mandalay. Every- hands with the government in out any political colours and they heads gave discussions. analyze dos and don’ts based on body knows the government undertaking the tasks beneficial can motivate the people to have In his response, the Union the current situations for serv- recognizes that the artistes are to the State and the nationals. correct concepts to participate in Minister said the Ministry of In- ing the interests of their arena, taking part in the important role He expressed his belief that the reconstruction of the country. formation will solve the problems the State and the people. On 10 in nation-building tasks. artistes would be ideal persons In response to reports of ar- in coordination with relevant de- August, the Union Minister for The Ministry of Information through artistic creativity win- tistes on difficulties, Deputy Min- partments. He pledged to give a Information cordially conserved met with those artistes to join ning the hearts of the people with- ister U Ye Tint and departmental helping hand to those of musi- with film artistes.—MNA

Myanmar’s foreign trade brings more than $24.71 billion in 2020-2021 financial year (till July) Public request by

ACCORDING to temporary inventory of Myanmar’s foreign trade volume till July for 2020-2021 financial Ministry of Health year, exports hit $12.45 billion, while imports have reached $12.25 billion, with trade volume of $24.71 ONLY when the people cooperate will the work process billion. The exports volume was $14.79 billion and imports hit $16.29 billion, with $31.08 billion of foreign achieve success in a short time for effective prevention, control trade volume compared to the same period of 2020-2021 FY. The export volume is 16pc less than that of last year and import is down 25pc as well, with lower 21pc of total trade volume. and treatment of COVID-19 among the people. As such, all Export volumes compared to the same period of last year are as follows:- the people are requested to abide by the following points: -

Value: USD million 1. Stay at home as much as possible. Sr Export Group 2020-2021 finan- 2019-2020 finan- Comparison on in- 2. Don’t accept the guests at the house. You don’t visit cial year (up to cial year (up to crease (+)/ decrease other houses. July) (tempo- July) (-) 3. The older persons above 65 or those suffering from rary) chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and 1 Agricultural prod- 4225.576 3312.070 (+)913.506 heart must be worn masks in the house. They must uct be placed at well-ventilated sites. 4. Wear masks if you go outside without fail. System- 2 Animal product 17.793 67.027 (-)49.234 atically wash hands. Take a six-foot distance from 3 Marine product 640.170 750.234 (-)110.064 others. Avoid visits to the rooms where ventilation is not good. 4 Minerals 776.737 1553.654 (-)776.917 5. Avoid the crowds. 5 Forest product 106.401 125.289 (-)18.888 6. If possible, go shopping once a week. Don’t buy an- 6 Industrial finished 6,236.182 8120.510 (-)1884.328 ything from the vendors who don’t systematically goods wear masks. 7. Take care of carrying the virus to the houses whenev- 7 Other products 451.449 865.096 (-)413.647 er return home from outside. Systematically discard Total 12,454.308 14793.880 (-)2339.572 the used masks and single disposable equipment outside the houses. Avoid close contact with family Import volumes compared to the same period of last year are as follows:- Value: USD million members before changing clothes or washing the body. Export group 2020-2021 financial 2019-2020 financial Compare increase 8. As the vaccines for your quota is the best, accept year (up to July) year (up to July) (+)/ decrease (-) (temporary) vaccinations for full time. Despite receiving the vac- cination, you should abide by the protective ways. 1 Capital goods 4115.964 6281.988 (-) 2166.024 9. Systematically cooperate in prevention, control and 2 Intermediate goods 4536.402 5906.627 (-) 1370.225 treatment of the disease with manpower, money, materials and expertise. 3 Consumer goods 3601.505 4100.194 (-) 498.689

Total 12253.871 16288.809 (-)4034.938 Ministry of Health (2-8-2021) 14 AUGUST 2021 6 LOCAL NEWS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Domestic pure gold price rises to over K1.6 mln per tical

THE price of domestic pure 1,562,300 (26 July) and the high- gold has risen to over K1.6 mil- est level of K 1,587,000 (9 July), lion per tical (0.578 ounces, or gold traders said. 0.016 kilograms), according to The local gold price reached the Yangon Gold Entrepreneurs the lowest level of K 1,310,500 Association (YGEA). (2 September) and the highest Although the local prices level of K 1,314,000 (1 Septem- for gold reached K1,574,500 per ber). In October, the rate ranged tical (roughly 16.33 grams) on 1 between K 1,307,800 (30 October) August, the price dramatically and K 1,316,500 (21 October). The jumped to K1,626,000 per tical rate fluctuated between the high- on 13 August. As a result, the est of K 1,317,000 (9 November) price rose by over K5,000 per and the lowest of K 1,270,000 (30 tical within a half month. November). In December, the The domestic gold price pure yellow metal priced moved has increased due to dollar ap- in the range of K 1,280,000 (1 preciation. The current dollar December) and K 1,332,000 (28 exchange rate exceeded over December). K1,700 in the market, according With the global gold prices to the foreign exchange counter. on the uptick, the domestic price The local gold market rose a hit fresh highs in 2019, reaching new high of K1,709,000 per tical K 1,000,000 per tical between on 12 May, which hit the high- 17 January and 21 February, Gold shops display gold ornaments and gold wares at the market. est record in the domestic gold crossing K 1,100,000 (22 June to history. uary. It got the lowest level of lowest of K1,302,000 (4 March). est level of K1,709,000 (12 May). 5 August), climbing to K 1,200,000 In January 2021, domestic K1,340,000 (2 February) and the The lowest price was K1,389,000 In June, the rate hit the (7 August-4 September), and gold fetched the highest price of highest level of K1,410,000 (3 Feb- (1 April) and the highest was lowest level of K 1,543,000 (19 then reaching a fresh peak of K K1,336,000 per tical on 6 January. ruary). In March, the rate fluc- K1,455,000 (30 April). The gold June) and the highest level of 1,300,000 on 5 September, accord- It reached the lowest price of tuated between the most elevat- price touched the lowest level of K 1,575,500 (11 June). In July, ing to the gold traders.—NN/ K1,316,000 per tical on 28 Jan- ed of K1,391,000 (25 March) the K1,447,000 (3 May) and the high- it priced the lowest level of K GNLM

Myanmar’s border trade reaches over Two mln doses of China’s $8.6 bln in first 10 months of FY 2020-21 Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine to arrive this month

ACCORDING to the Ministry million Sinovac COVID-19 vac- of Health, two million doses of cine being bought from China China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 arrived at the Yangon Interna- vaccine will arrive in Myanmar tional Airport on 8 August. The this month. country has already received “We have already received four million doses of vaccine in the four million doses of COV- total which are China donated ID-19 vaccine. A new batch of two million Sinopharm vaccine two million doses of Sinopharm and Myanmar bough two mil- (Beijing) vaccine will also ar- lion doses of Sinovac vaccine. rive this month. Myanmar is set Both vaccines have been to receive six million doses of approved from the World Health COVID-19 vaccine from China Organization (WHO) for emer- to inoculate three million peo- gency use. The vaccine has ple,” said an official from the been recommended for over Ministry of Health. 18 years old, according to the Currently, about 150,000 WHO’s guidance. Freight handling tasks are being undertaken. people of targeted groups are Myanmar already deliv- MYANMAR’S trade with for- amounted to $9.16 billion, the billion. being vaccinated daily in My- ered the vaccines to across the eign countries through border ministry’s figures said. Border trade with Bangla- anmar. Those who are not listed country. Authorities are started checkpoints reached over US$ The country conducts bor- desh, India, Thailand and China in targeted groups need to wait, administering the vaccine to the 8.6 billion as of 30 July in pres- der trade with neighbouring has dropped compared to the said the Ministry’s official. targeted groups, it is learnt.— ent financial year 2020-21 which China through Muse, Lwejel, last FY. Including the maritime The second batch of one Aye Maung/GNLM started in October, according to Kanpikete, Chinashwehaw and routes, total trade so far this year figures released by the Ministry Kengtung with Thailand via is over $24.7 billion. That’s about of Commerce. Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, $6.37 billion less than the same During the period, the coun- Myeik, Hteekhee, Mawtaung and period last year. Myanmar main- try’s export via border check- Meisei gates, with Bangladesh ly exports agricultural products, points amounted $ 5.7 billion via Sittway and Maungtaw and animal products, marine prod- while its import shared $2.87 with India through Tamu and ucts, minerals, forest products, billion. Reed border gates, respectively. manufacturing goods and others This FY’s border trade de- Muse topped the list of bor- while capital goods, intermediate creased by over $554 million, der checkpoints with the most goods and consumer goods are compares with the same peri- trade value of $ 3.55 billion, fol- imported to the country.—ACM/ od of last FY 2019-2020 when it lowed by Myawady with $1.52 GNLM 14 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Myanmar corn export exceeds $447 million in eight months

MYANMAR’S corn exports to ent, corn is cultivated in Shan, foreign countries generated rev- Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states enue of more than US$447.24 and Mandalay, Sagaing and million in the past eight months Magway regions. Myanmar has (Oct-April) of the current finan- three corn seasons. The coun- cial year 2020-2021, Myanmar try yearly produces 2.5-3 million Customs Department’s statis- tonnes of corns. tics showed. The corn is mostly demand- The prices of Myanmar’s ed by feedstuff processing busi- corn are climbing up in Manda- ness. This being so, it is potential lay market on the back of strong business for both domestic and demand by Thailand, coupled external markets, said an official with the growing demand in of the Ministry of Commerce. domestic market, traders from During last FY 2019-2020 Mandalay depot said. ended 30 September, the country Prior to Thingyan Festival exported 2.2 million tonnes of in April, the corn fetched only corns to external market, with K28,000 per three-basket bag. an estimated value of $360 mil- Both the foreign demand and lion, the Ministry of Commerce’s Photo shows storage of corns in warehouse with natural breezing. domestic demand prompted the data showed. sellers raise the prices starting via land border. The shipment between 1 February and 31 Au- of World Trade Organization re- As per data from the Minis- from first week of May. Follow- to Singapore, Malaysia and Viet gust. garding corn import of Thailand, try of Commerce, Myanmar ex- ing a gradual upward trend, the Nam abruptly stopped owing to Thailand has granted tax said a corn exporter. ported 1.5 million tonnes valued corn was priced above K32,900 zero demand, he added. exemption on corn imports be- With the local corn con- at $270 million in the 2018-2019 per bag in early June and the At the present time, Myan- tween February and August. sumption growing, Myanmar’s FY, 1.4 million tonnes of corn price surged to above K36,700 mar is conveying corns to Thai- However, Thailand imposed corn export to foreign markets worth over $290 million in the per bag in early August, Soe land through land border, with a the maximum tax rate of 73 per is expected to reach 1.6 million 2017-2018 FY, 1.2 million tonnes Win Myint depot from Manda- tonne of corn fetching up about cent on corn import to protect tonnes this year, the association of corn worth $250 million in the lay stated. 8,000 baht. the rights of their growers if the stated. 2016-2017 FY, and 1.1 million Myanmar has been deliver- Thailand gives green light corns are imported during the Myanmar is the second tonnes of corn worth $300 mil- ing corns to the neighbouring to corn imports through Mae Sot corn season of Thailand, in ac- largest exporter of corn among lion in the 2015-2016 FY.—MM/ countries Thailand and China under zero tariff (with Form-D), cordance with the notification regional countries. At pres- GNLM CBM sells $13 million in August Myanmar ships over THE Central Bank of Myanmar private banks under the rules data showed that the dollar (CBM) has sold US$13 million at and regulations of the FX auc- exchange rate touched the 618,700 tonnes of green its FX auction rate as of mid-Au- tion market. maximum of K1,345 and the gust. The dollar gain will benefit minimum of K1,327 in January gram in ten months In August, the CBM report- the exporters. Yet, it will hike up 2021. The rate moved in the edly sold $3 million on 2 August, the local food prices. The cur- range of K1,335-K1,465 in Feb- MYANMAR conveyed more ed products from green gram $2 million on 3 August, $3 million rency intervention is required ruary. It reached the lowest of than 618,763 tonnes of green and send them to foreign on 4 August, and $2.5 million to steer the own currency value. K1,420 and the highest of K1,550 gram to foreign trade part- markets. Moreover, it pro- each on 9 and 12 A ugust in the The current political changes in in March. The rate fluctuated ners between 1 October and duces bean by-products as auction market. Myanmar and the COVID-19 im- between K1,550 and K1,610 in 30 July in the current finan- feedstuffs. Kyat is depreciating against pacts affect the currency mar- April. The rate fluctuated be- cial year 2020-2021, accord- Myanmar’s green gram US dollar at K1,650 in the local ket. As some people want to hold tween K1,585 and K1,730 in May ing to the Ministry of Com- exports were registered at forex market. The CBM’s move the hard currency during the and it moved in the maximum merce’s trade data. over 330,000 tons in the 2015- is aimed at governing the mar- difficult time, a market observer of K1,595-K1,620 in June. The The country generat- 2016 fiscal year, over 400,000 ket volatility and strengthening shared his opinion. rate stood at K1,625-K1,645 last ed an income of US$481.73 tons in the 2016-201FY, and the local currency value, the The local forex market’s month.—KK/GNLM million from the exports of over 350,000 tons in the 2017- CBM stated. green grams over the past 201FY and over 300,000 in the The Central Bank of Myan- ten months. 2018-201FY. Green grams mar (CBM) sold US$93.8 mil- The price of green are mostly exported to Chi- lion at its FX auction rate in gram is over K120,000 per na through the border trade the past six months (Feb-July), three-basket bag depending channels. according to the auction results on the varieties and quality. Of the total pulses’ ex- released by the CBM. China accounts for 60 ports, green gram accounted The bullish hard currency per cent of Myanmar’s green for more than 26 per cent of gained in local forex market, gram exports. In addition, the exports in the previous reaching the peak of K1,730 on countries in the European years. 12 May from K1,330 in Janu- Union, India, Thailand and As per green gram plan- ary-end. In a bid to strengthen Viet Nam also purchase tation data, there are over the local currency, the CBM re- green gram from Myanmar. 300,000 acres of plantations in portedly sold about 6.8 million China prefers green gram the country. Green grams are dollars on 3 February 2021, $12 (golden) variety. At present, primarily grown in Sagaing, million in April, $24 million in the demand slips due to bor- Magway, Mandalay, Yangon, May, $12 million in June and der trade restrictions amid Bago, and Ayeyawady regions $39 million in July in the auction the COVID-19, traders said. and Mon and Kayin states.— market. China makes value-add- KK/GNLM The CBM trades the foreign currency with the authorized The photo depicts US and Myanmar currency notes. 14 AUGUST 2021 14 AUGUST 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE / NATIONAL 9

` Willingly learn Peace Boat goes virtual with A-bomb survivors’ education to Myanmar Daily Weather Report stories amid pandemic (Issued at 7:00 pm Friday 13 August 2021) emerge educated BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is moderate to strong over the Andaman Sea and South Bay and weak to moderate elsewhere citizens in future Japanese nongovernmental organization Peace Boat has brought more than 170 survivors of the 1945 atomic over the Bay of Bengal. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki around the world to date, telling people across the globe of their experi- FORECAST VALID UNTIL MORNING OF THE 14 August, 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be scattered in Nay Pyi YANMAR is a nation which strives for turning out a ences and calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Taw, Lower Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway Regions and Kayah large number of educated people while alleviating the State, fairly widespread in Bago Region and Southern Shan M poverty rate of the country. Amid these difficulties, the HILE the outbreak of a storyteller. She joined Peace with hibakusha bringing their mes- State and widespread in the remaining Regions and States with country decides to encourage the education of all citizens to have the coronavirus pan- Boat’s inaugural Orizuru project sage to all corners of the globe. But likelihood of isolated heavyfalls in Upper Sagaing, Mandalay, better skills and knowledge to be applied in the academic and W demic forced a halt to voyage in 2008 and again in 2015, while the hibakusha often go with Taninthayi Regions and Kachin State. Degree of certainty is vocational arenas in their lives. ocean voyages in early 2020, reduc- the year of the 70th anniversary of the intent of sharing their experi- (100%). Section 28 (c) of the Constitution (2008) mentions that the ing the chances for atomic bomb the bombings. ences of suffering, they often find Union shall implement free, compulsory primary education system survivors, known as hibakusha, to Now 79, Mitamura regularly themselves being touched instead, STATE OF THE SEA: Squalls with moderate to rough seas and Section 28 (d), the Union shall implement a modern education interact with others directly, it has volunteers as a guide with her hus- according to Watanabe. are likely at times Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and along system that will promote all- also brought about opportunities band around sites related to the She described the feelings of Mon-Taninthayi Coasts. Surface wind speed in squalls may round correct thinking and a for them to reach previously inac- bombing, such as the Shiroyama solidarity hibakusha share when reach (30-35)mph. Sea will be moderate elsewhere in Myanmar good moral character con- cessible areas virtually. Elementary School ruins and the they meet other victims of war, waters. Wave height will be about (7–9) feet in Deltaic, Gulf of But, the tributing towards the build- “Every second counts for the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. such as those of Agent Orange Mottama, off and along Mon- Taninthayi Coasts and about (5-7) ing of the nation. survivors,” also known as “Orizuru in Vietnam, and survivors of the feet in off and along Rakhine Coasts. educated As such, region and state Project Online,” was launched last “Global Voyages for a Nucle- Auschwitz concentration camp authorities need to cooperate October with the aim of reaching ar-free World” in Poland. Although nothing can OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood of persons with relevant ministries in 190 countries. In the 10 months Officially known as “Glob- quite compare to meeting and in- increase of rain in Taninthayi Region and Kayin, Mon States. order to manage the uplift since its launch, online testimonies al Voyages for a Nuclear-free teracting with locals in various are always of education qualification of have already been held 37 times, World” in English, the project was countries, Watanabe says that on- FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING emphasizing the local people. reaching over 30 countries and launched as a one-time event, but line events, which usually last up to AREA FOR 14 August, 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. Hence, it is necessary 2,400 live viewers in total world- its huge impact on the 103 atomic two hours, bring their own advan- Degree of certainty is (100%). modernity of the to emphasize the improve- wide. bomb survivors who participated tages. “If you can communicate in ment of school buildings with 76th anniversary made organizers decide to contin- a language, you can cross borders FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA nation with their fulfillment of teaching aid In the latest session held ue it annually. and get people together in one FOR 14 August, 2021: One or tworain or thundershowers. and deployment of qualified Aug. 9, the 76th anniversary of Hibakusha participants and staff of an Orizuru Project voyage made on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the “We felt that we shouldn’t stop place,” she said, describing a time Degree of certainty is (100%). vigorous efforts teachers in order to teach the bombing of Nagasaki, Shizuko atomic bombings return to Yokohama port in July 2015. PHOTO: PEACE BOAT / KYODO with just one event, but since we when listeners from Kyrgyzstan, the students to have com- Mitamura presented her testimo- couldn’t have 103 or 100 people Uzbekistan and Tajikistan tuned FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING in creation, prehensive understanding ny online with Peace Boat for the 4 kilometers away from the hypo- The effects of that radioactive but the turning point came when each time, we decided to make it in for a session held in Russian. AREA FOR 14 August, 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. in lessons and develop their first time, sharing her story to an center. White ash believed to have exposure have rippled down the cancer also took Mitamura’s own sustainable by having a group of The virtual events have also Degree of certainty is (100%). innovation, physical and mental skills audience in France. been radioactive fallout from the generations, with not only Mitamu- daughter around 10 years ago. about 10 or 20 people each year,” enabled Peace Boat to reach out to and knowledge through When the bomb dropped, blast had fallen on their rice, but ra and her sisters suffering from “That was when I really felt said Peace Boat International Co- inland countries such as Mongolia, WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR WEEKEND: Rain or thunder- production and modern education system Mitamura, then 3 years old, was not knowing what it was, Mita- various types of cancer, but their war is not right,” Mitamura said, ordinator Rika Watanabe. which were previously inaccessi- showers will be scattered in Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay Region mentioned in the constitu- having a meal with her brother and mura and her siblings continued daughters also. A number of them adding that it became a catalyst Over 18 voyages have been ble due to their lack of ports. and widespread in Yangon Region. distribution tion (2008). two sisters at their home around eating. subsequently died from the illness, for her to become more active as made as part of the project to date, SOURCE: Kyodo of their better On one hand, local peo- ple from regions and states knowledge and need to set aims for com- pletion of the middle school skills to benefit education through the liter- China rejects need for further WHO coronavirus origins probe acy campaigns. Only when the society. they have completed at least middle school education, will HINA on Friday reject- how the virus began. jumping from bats to humans via open to considering the theory they have a wider knowledge ed the World Health Or- On Thursday the WHO urged an intermediate animal was the that the virus might have leaked based on experiences than Cganization’s calls for a China to share raw data from the most probable scenario, while a out of a lab, once dismissed as a the lowest level to guide to their children how to pursue education renewed probe into the origins earliest Covid-19 cases to revive leak from Wuhan’s virology labs conspiracy propagated by the US for meeting their great gold in the future. of Covid-19, saying it supported its probe into the origins of the was “extremely unlikely”. far-right. The Provisional Government of Myanmar accepts that the “scientific” over “political” efforts disease. Ma rejected suggestions of Even WHO chief Tedros plan to turn out a large number of educated persons in the nation to find out how the virus started. China hit back, repeating its new lines of investigation. Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said is its first prioritized task. If the country has plentiful of educated Pressure is once more position that the initial investi- “The conclusions and recom- that the initial probe into Wu- persons, they can turn out intellectuals and intelligentsia, tech- mounting on Beijing to consider gation was enough and that calls mendations of WHO and China han’s virology labs had not gone nologists, law experts, agriculturists, economists and so on to a fresh probe into the orgins of a for further data were motivated joint report were recognised by far enough, while President Joe participate in the nation-building tasks for improvement of the pandemic which has killed more by politics instead of scientific the international community and Biden in May ordered a separate nation and the people. than four million people and para- inquiry. the scientific community,” he said. investigation into the virus origins Governments will hand over State duties to one another at lysed economies worldwide since “We oppose political tracing “Future global traceability from the US intelligence commu- an opportune time. It is a political nature of the country. But, it first emerged in the central Chi- ... and abandoning the joint re- work should and can only be fur- nity. A WHO call last month for the educated persons are always emphasizing the modernity nese city of Wuhan. port” issued after the WHO expert ther carried out on the basis of the investigation’s second stage of the nation with their vigorous efforts in creation, innovation, A delayed and heavily politi- team’s Wuhan visit in January, this report, rather than starting to include audits of the Wuhan People have their information registered before COVID-19 nucleic acid production and distribution of their better knowledge and skills cised vist by a WHO team of inter- vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu a new one.” labs infuriated Beijing, with vice testing in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, Aug. 3, 2021. PHOTO: WU ZHIZUN/XINHUA to benefit the society. national experts went to Wuhan told reporters. “We support sci- health minister Zeng Yixin saying with us/ That is why the people need to learn education without fail in January 2021 to produce a first entific tracing.” Lab leak theory the plan showed “disrespect for Peter Ben Embarek, who led the under one of the likely hypotheses for the sake of their families as well as the nation. phase report, which was written In the face of China’s reluc- common sense and arrogance international mission to Wuhan, as to how the virus passed from A d v e r t i s e Hot Line : in conjunction with their Chinese Most probable scenario tance to open up to outside inves- towards science”. said a lab employee infected while bats to humans. 09974424848 counterparts. It failed to conclude That report said the virus tigators, experts are increasingly Meanwhile, Danish scientist taking samples in the field falls SOURCE: AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 10 TECH/ENVIRON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Japan, Israel startups to team up to make oxygen on Moon

JAPANESE and Israeli startups “We are very excited by their ygen from lunar soil is vital for recently agreed to cooperate technology and we believe this humans to engage in activities on an experimental project to effort will stimulate more play- on the Moon in the future. generate oxygen on the Moon, a ers to enter this market,” Ispace The accord marks the first potential technology that could CEO Takeshi Hakamada told a Japan-Israel collaboration by make possible long-term lunar ceremony to sign memoranda of private companies in the field of missions independent of Earth understanding held at the Japa- space development, according to in the future. nese Embassy in Tel Aviv last the Israeli space authority. Under the project, Israel’s month, which he joined online Helios has been developing Helios Project Ltd. will under- from Tokyo. a reactor that can process lunar take demonstration tests to ex- “We hope there will be many soil to extract oxygen and met- Jonathan Geifman (C), CEO of Israeli space startup Helios Project tract oxygen by melting lunar more opportunities to collaborate als such as iron, aluminum and Ltd., poses for a photo with Israel Space Agency Director General Avi soil at a high temperature and on the shared interest in lunar silicon, in order to allow Moon Blasberger (L) and Japanese Ambassador to Israel Koichi Mizushima electrolyzing it. Japan’s Ispace exploration together,” Hakam- colonists to “live off the land,” it at a signing ceremony of Helios’s agreement with Japanese space Inc. will deliver equipment for ada added. After attending the said on its website. The reactor is startup Ispace Inc., held at the Japanese Embassy in Tel Aviv on July 19, 2021, which Ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada joined online from the experiments twice between ceremony, Helios CEO Jonathan also being developed to process Tokyo. PHOTO: ISPACE/ KYODO 2023 and 2025. Geifman said that extracting ox- Martian soil.—Kyodo Dutch lead charge for electric car stations

THEY are best known for of drivers is crucial for coun- While it was a headache at bike-riding, but the climate-vul- tries that have set targets for first to get used to the rhythm of nerable Dutch are leading the an all-electric car future. charging, she said she was now way for electric cars with the For Nienke Bergsma, the “very happy” to have taken the largest number of charging sta- lightbulb moment when she de- leap. Around one in every five of tions in Europe. cided to buy an electric car came the 400,000 new cars sold annu- Teslas and other vehicles when four charging posts were ally in the Netherlands is now can be seen plugged in on prac- installed at the bottom of her electric, due partly to tax breaks tically every street corner thanks Rotterdam road. and other incentives during the to a network of some 75,000 sta- Bergsma, a 37-year-old last decade. But the Dutch gov- Almost a third of Europe’s network of charging stations is in the Netherlands. PHOTO: ANP/AFP/FILE tions -- nearly a third of the entire mature student living in the ernment has also ensured that EU total. centre of the port city, said she drivers have the infrastructure With one-third of the Neth- from climate change, which UN Investing to put enough had wanted to “contribute to the to support efforts to kick the ad- erlands lying below sea-level, experts this week warned was at charging stations in the reach protection of the environment”. diction to fossil fuels. the country is particularly at risk “code red”.—AFP

NEWS In the footsteps of a woolly mammoth, IN BRIEF 17,000 years ago Turkey’s flash floods death toll soars to 27 THE death toll from Turkey’s flash floods soared to 27 on Friday Mat Wooller, director of as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared to inspect one of the the Alaska Stable Isotope hardest-hit regions and lend his moral support. Facility, kneels among The devastations across Turkey’s northern Black Sea regions came mammoth tusks at the just as the disaster-hit country was winning countrol over hundreds University of Alaska Museum of wildfires that killed eight people and destroyed swathes of forest of the North. PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA along its scenic southern coast. FAIRBANKS/AFP Turkey also suffered another bout of flooding in the northeastern province of Rize last month that killed six. World scientists believe that natural disasters like those in Turkey are becoming more intense and frequent because of global warming and climate change.—AFP

Tens of thousands urged to evacuate as heavy rain hits Japan

TENS of thousands of people were urged to evacuate on Friday as “unprecedented” levels of torrential rain hit western Japan, raising the risk of floods and landslides, the weather agency said. WALKING the equivalent of journal Science, could shed light aille, assistant professor at the The downpours are forecast to continue for several days over twice around the world during on theories about why the mam- University of Ottawa and one of a large swathe of the country, from the northern Tohoku region to a life lasting 28 years, one woo- moth, whose teeth were bigger the lead authors of the study. Kyushu in the south. “There is a possibility that a grave disaster will ly mammoth whose steps have than the human fist, became But there is no clear reason occur” in the coming days, a Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) been traced by researchers has extinct. “In all popular culture why mammoths should have official told an emergency news conference shown live on public proven the huge beast was a -- for example if you watch (the trekked great distances “because broadcaster NHK. In Unzen city in southern Nagasaki prefecture, two long-distance wanderer. cartoon) ‘Ice Age’ -- there are it is such an enormous animal houses were hit by a landslide with one woman in her 50s feared dead, The findings, published always mammoths who move that moving around uses a lot of a local official told AFP.—AFP Thursday in the prestigious around a lot,” said Clement Bat- energy,” he told AFP. —AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: WORLD 11

NEWS China partly shuts world’s third busiest IN BRIEF cargo port over virus case France urges better protection of AUTHORITIES in China have Jiang Yipeng, the CEO of Mei- vaccine centres after suspended operations at a ter- dong Container Terminal, which minal in the world’s third busiest operates the Meishan zone, said. vandalism cargo port after a worker was The worker had been fully vacci- infected with the coronavirus. nated and it remains unclear how THE French government The closure of a key terminal they became infected. on Wednesday urged better at the Ningbo-Zhoushan port on Meishan terminal is a newly protection of vaccine centres the east coast, which handled built area of the expanded port after some two dozen acts of almost 1.2 billion tons in 2020, and is its second mega-termi- vandalism were recorded reflects China’s determination nal, with capacity for 10 million against Covid-19 related fa- to squash its worst coronavirus containers, state media reported. cilities over the last month outbreak in months no matter Almost 2,000 front-line work- alone. the economic costs. The worker ers at Ningbo-Zhoushan port The warning comes af- at the port’s Meishan terminal have been placed under “closed ter high tensions over recent tested positive for coronavirus management” -- effectively una- weeks as tens of thousands of Wednesday, Ningbo city officials ble to leave the port -- as a result protesters took to the streets said. The company “immediate- of the infection, Chinese media to rally against President Em- ly stopped production work and reported. Chinese port workers A cargo vessel to Denmark is anchored at the container terminal of manuel Macron’s health pass closed the port area,” as soon are routinely tested for Covid. Zhoushan Port in Ningbo City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 9, policy which aims to encourage as the infection was detected, — AFP 2017. PHOTO: XINHUA/ZHANG CHENG vaccination. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin sent a letter to senior local authority officials at the New restrictions in Finland as Covid cases hit record request of Macron seen by AFP in which he urged French po- ic, cases in Finland have been ple and outdoor gatherings to lice to mobilise to ensure better surging in recent weeks, with a 50 in Helsinki and the surround- protection for vaccine centres record 1,024 new infections on ing areas, southern Finland’s across the country. According Wednesday, public health agency regional administrative agency to the interior ministry, some 22 THL said. announced on Thursday. acts of vandalism against test- The Nordic nation of 5.5 Finland’s vaccination drive ing and vaccination centres as million has so far recorded over currently lags behind many other well as pharmacies have been 115,000 infections and 995 Cov- EU states, with only 40 percent recorded since July 12 alone. id-related deaths, with the Delta of the population fully vaccinated, Almost 60 threats have also variant behind 90 percent of new in part because officials decided been recorded.—AFP infections, THL said. on a longer, three-month gap be- “In a situation where vaccine tween doses to prioritise giving a coverage is still incomplete and first jab to as many as possible. US health many people have only had one New cases were overwhelm- authorities urge Passengers ask for instructions at the COVID-19 health information point dose or none at all, the risk of seri- ingly among younger, unvacci- pregnant women to of the Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Vantaa, Finland, August 3, 2020. ous infection is still there,” health nated people, the THL said, and PHOTO: AFP/FILE ministry official Pasi Pohjola told added that although hospitali- get Covid vaccine LIMITS on public gatherings chiefs said on Thursday. a press conference. “That is why sations are down compared to will be tightened in the Finnish Despite enjoying some of restrictions are continuing.” previous waves, “the burden on US health authorities urged capital as the country’s infection Europe’s lowest incidence rates As of 20 August, indoor healthcare services remains dif- pregnant women on Wednes- rates hit a new daily high, health during much of the pandem- events will be limited to 25 peo- ficult.”— AFP day to get inoculated against Covid-19, arguing that the data demonstrates they do not in- crease the risk of miscarriage. Delta variant crimps oil demand outlook: IEA Rochelle Walensky, direc- tor of the US Centers for Dis- GLOBAL oil demand is expected worsening of the pandemic and ease Control and Prevention, to grow slower than previously revisions to historical data,” the said the agency “encourages all forecast this year as the spread of report said. pregnant people or people who Covid’s Delta variant has prompt- “New Covid-19 restrictions are thinking about becoming ed lockdowns in major consuming imposed in several major oil con- pregnant and those breastfeed- countries, the International Ener- suming countries, particularly in ing to get vaccinated to protect gy Agency said Thursday. Asia, look set to reduce mobility themselves from Covid-19.” Demand surged in June and oil use.” “The vaccines are safe and as mobility increased in North The agency now forecasts effective, and it has never been America and Europe. demand rising by 5.3 million bar- more urgent to increase vacci- But it “abruptly reversed rels per day in 2021 to 96.2 mbd. nations as we face the highly course” in July as the Delta var- That is down 300,000 bpd from its transmissible Delta variant and iant undermined deliveries in previous estimations. Global oil demand is expected to grow slower than previously forecast see severe outcomes from Cov- China, Indonesia and other parts Global output, meanwhile, is this year as the spread of Covid’s Delta variant has prompted lockdowns id-19 among unvaccinated preg- of Asia, the IEA said in a monthly expected to rise further after the in major consuming countries, the International Energy Agency said nant people,” Walensky said. Thursday. PHOTO: AFP/FILE report. OPEC group of major oil produc- According to a recent study, “The outlook for the remain- ers and its allies agreed to boost the White House complained on was “simply not enough” to fuel only one in four pregnant wom- der of the year has also been ap- production, the IEA said. Wednesday that the production the global economic recovery en has received at least a first preciably downgraded due to the With US petrol prices rising, increase by the OPEC+ group from the pandemic.— AFP dose of a Covid vaccine.—AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 12 ECON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NEWS 90% of firms see Japan economy growing IN BRIEF Fewer American in 2022 COVID recovery hopes workers applying for greenhouse gases and striving to jobless benefits ensure economic security amid an intensifying U.S.-China rival- THE number of US workers ry, with a focus on supply chains filing applications for unem- for chips and energy resources. ployment benefits continues The survey found 75 percent to trend downward, with an- of the firms expect moderate other sharp drop last week, economic growth next year, fol- according to government lowed by 15 percent that said the data released Thursday. world’s third-largest economy While the early end of spe- will expand in 2022. cial federal pandemic benefits Five percent said they ex- in many states was expected to pect economic conditions to impact the data, applications for remain unchanged, while no that type of aid actually rose in company projected a moderate the week ended August 7, the decline or contraction. Labor Department said. With multiple answers al- Initial jobless claims fell lowed, 93 percent of the firms by 12,000 last week to 375,000 foreseeing economic expansion seasonally adjusted, the third said they believe so due to the consecutive week of declines, Ninety percent of major Japanese companies expect the country’s economy to expand in 2022 on hopes that progress in coronavirus vaccina- according to the report. the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will subside, a Kyodo News survey showed Thursday. tions, while 83 percent cited the PHOTO: KYODO The reopening of the recovery in private consumption world’s largest economy amid NINETY percent of major Japa- the coronavirus pandemic will nies, including Toyota Motor and 72 percent pinned hopes on widespread Covid-19 vacci- nese companies expect the coun- subside, a Kyodo News survey Corp. and Sony Group Corp., also an easing of coronavirus restric- nations has led to strong job try’s economy to expand in 2022 showed Thursday. showed companies increasing- tions on economic activities. growth and a steady downward on hopes that the fallout from The survey on 111 compa- ly joining global efforts to curb —Kyodo trend in the need for unemploy- ment aid since May.—AFP UN experts urge moratorium on surveillance tech sales The curious case of the $600 million UN experts called Thursday and harvest its data. torium on its sale and transfer,” for an international moratori- “It is highly dangerous and they said. The experts urged crypto heist um on the sale of surveillance irresponsible to allow the sur- Israel to “disclose fully what technology until regulations are veillance technology and trade measures it took to review NSO CRYPTOCURRENCY investors implemented to protect human sector to operate as a human export transactions in light of its have been transfixed over the rights following an Israeli spy- rights-free zone,” the United Na- own human rights obligations”. past few days by the antics of ware scandal. tions human rights experts said Israel’s defence establish- a mysterious hacker who stole An international media in- in a statement. A photographic illustration shows ment has set up a committee to more than $600 million -- be- vestigation reported last month The statement is signed by a smartphone with the website of review NSO’s business, includ- fore gradually giving it back. that several governments used three special rapporteurs on Israel’s NSO Group which features ing the process through which ‘Pegasus’ spyware PHOTO: AFP But was the thief a good the Pegasus malware, created rights and a working group on export licences are granted. samaritan who stole the money by Israeli firm NSO Group, to the issue of human rights and regulatory framework to pre- Pegasus’s list of alleged tar- to expose a dangerous security spy on activists, journalists and transnational corporations and vent, mitigate and redress the gets includes at least 600 politi- flaw, or did they simply realise politicians. other businesses. negative human rights impact cians, 180 journalists, 85 human they were about to be caught? Pegasus can switch on a “We urge the international of surveillance technology and rights activists and 65 business The hacker struck Poly phone’s camera or microphone community to develop a robust pending that, to adopt a mora- leaders.— AFP Network, a company that han- dles cryptocurrency transfers, on Tuesday in one of the big- Dubai airport passenger volumes slump 40% in first half of 2021 gest thefts of digital monies in history. But by Thursday the perpetrator had given back al- “robust growth” after the easing of the year,” the statement said. most all of the stolen funds in of travel restrictions. The emirate, one of the sev- a slow trickle of transactions. The number of passengers en that make up the UAE, was In messages embedded in that passed through the world’s one of the first destinations to the transfers, the thief insisted largest airport for international reopen to tourism in July last the money had been stolen with travel fell to 10.6 million in the year. It became a magnet for good intentions. first six months of 2021, accord- visitors escaping dreary winter “I am not very interested ing to a statement from the Du- weather and stringent COVID-19 in money!” the hacker wrote, bai Media Office. restrictions. The UAE launched adding it was “always the plan” In the first quarter of last a vaccination campaign in De- to return the funds. year, the airport had welcomed cember and has inoculated 72 - Digital sleuths - 17.8 million passengers before it per cent of its nearly 10 million Despite their volatility and The number of passengers that passed through the world’s largest temporarily suspended commer- population. Last year, Dubai In- concerns over the huge waste of airport for international travel fell to 10.6 million in the first six months cial flights in the second quarter ternational Airport reported a electricity they generate, cryp- of 2021, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office. to curb the spread of the coro- 70 per cent drop in traffic, with tocurrencies like Bitcoin and PHOTO: AFP navirus. “Dubai Airports is pro- the number of travellers falling Ethereum have soared in pop- DUBAI International Airport re- cent drop in traffic in the first jecting robust growth for Dubai from more than 86 million in 2019 ularity in recent years.—AFP ported on Wednesday a 41 per half of 2021, but said it anticipates International in the second half to 25.9 million in 2020.— AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD/ AD 13 Boeing Starliner launch faces further delays

BOEING’S troubled Star- our pace,” said John Vollm- the International Space liner spaceship could be er, Starliner vice president Station (ISS), has now set for further delays after and program manager. undertaken three crewed the company said Thurs- The glitch is the lat- missions. day it was working to solve est to delay development of Boeing said in a state- problems with the propul- the capsule, which Boeing ment it would work with sion system. built under contract with NASA to confirm a new The spaceship’s latest NASA to ferry astronauts launch date when the launch date on August 4 to low Earth orbit following spacecraft is ready. was cancelled over propul- the end of the Space Shut- During an initial un- sion issues, and it remains tle program. crewed test flight in De- unclear when the next test Boeing needs to suc- cember 2019, the Starlin- flight will be scheduled. ceed with an uncrewed er capsule experienced “Over the past couple test flight before flying glitches with its thrusters. of days, our team has tak- humans. It did not have enough en the necessary time to SpaceX, the other fuel to reach the Interna- safely access and test the company given a multi- tional Space Station and The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft’s latest launch date on August 4 was cancelled affected valves, and not let billion-dollar contract by had to return to Earth pre- over propulsion issues. PHOTO: NASA/BOEING/AFP/FILE the launch window dictate NASA for taxi rides to maturely.—AFP

NEWS China’s Tesla rival Li Auto makes HK debut after $1.5bn IPO IN BRIEF SHARES in Chinese elec- regulatory risks amid Chi- The firm raised $1.5 tric carmaker Li Auto fell na-US tensions. billion in the IPO but Credit Suisse to on its Hong Kong debut on Li Auto is the second on Thursday its shares pick risk experts Thursday, with investors Chinese electric vehicle slipped to HK$116.80 in after fund fiasco increasingly jittery over company to announce a early trade, down from its Beijing’s regulatory clamp- secondary listing, following IPO price of HK118. The of- down on tech companies rival XPeng’s initial public fering also comes during a CREDIT Suisse said Fri- and other industries. offering last month. The turbulent period for stocks day it will name two risk Regarded as a main- firms are among a num- in the city as investors management veterans to land rival to US titan Tesla, ber flocking to the financial grow increasingly jittery its board of directors after the listing makes it the lat- hub over the past year as over Beijing’s tightening the Swiss banking giant est mainland firm already firms guard against the grip there, including the was rocked by meltdowns traded on Wall Street to risk of being removed imposition of a sweeping at financial firms Greensill seek exposure in Hong from US exchanges over national security law last A worker at a Chinese factory making lithium batteries for and Archegos. Kong as a hedge against the standoff. year.— AFP electric cars in Nanjing, China. PHOTO: STR / AFP The bank’s new chairman, Antonio Hor- ta-Osorio, has vowed to Emirates offering clients complimentary make risk management a day pass to Expo 2020 Dubai priority since he took over in April in the wake of the EMIRATES, the premier Emirates customers visit- flight ticket booked with financial fiascos. partner and official airline ing Dubai, and travelling Emirates. Credit Suisse said it of Expo 2020 Dubai, has through Dubai anytime The special offer is valid was proposing Axel Leh- launched an exclusive during the much-awaited on all return tickets that mann, a former executive offer for customers to ex- mega event running from include a flight to or at Swiss rival UBS, as chair perience the excitement October 1, 2021, to March through Dubai, for travel of the risk committee. The of the world expo, the larg- 31, 2022, will be eligible to dates between October Swiss is an adjunct pro- An Emirates airplane with the Expo 2020 livery. est-of-its-kind event in the receive a free Emirates 1, 2021, and March 31, fessor at the University PHOTO: AFP region. Expo Day Pass for every 2022.— AFP of St. Gallen. He would take over for Richard Meddings, who has been Amendment to the Open Tender No 3/2021 interim chairman of the CLAIMS DAY NOTICE risk committee since his M.V ALS SUMIRE VOY.NO. (1053W) 1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Department of predecessor abruptly re- Mines announced the invitation for open tender regarding the sale of 5008.574 Metric Tons, Consignees of cargo carried on M.V ALS SUMIRE (21) Lots of Cathode Copper by US dollars. The tender opening date was on 21.7.2021 signed in April. VOY.NO. (1053W) are hereby notified that the vessel will and 30.7.2021, which is part of the public holidays and so, the tender opening date was It also nominated be arriving on 14-8-2021 and cargo will be discharged into postponed to 20.8.2021 by advertising in the state-owned newspapers. Juan Colombas, a non-ex- the premises of MIP where it will lie at the consignee’s risk ecutive director and mem- and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions 2. However, the tender has been rescheduled to open on 20.8.2021, which is now included of the Port of Yangon. in the extended public holidays, so the tender opening date will be re-schedules as follows: ber of the audit and risk Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am committees at Dutch bank (a) Closing date and time of tender: 22.8.2021 (14:00) to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now (b) Opening date and time of tender: 22.8.2021 (15:00) ING, to serve on its board. declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo The Spaniard is also a for- from the Vessel. 3. For any further detailed information, it is requested to contact the telephone numbers: mer executive at Lloyds No claims against this vessel will be admitted after 067-3409378 and 067-3409372, Mineral Development Division, Department of Mines, the Claims Day. Banking Group. Credit Su- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. Phone No: 2301185 Tender Committee isse will hold an extraordi- Shipping Agency Department Department of Mines nary general meeting of Myanma Port Authority its board on October 1 to Agent For: elect the two new mem- M/S OCEAN NETWORK EXPRESS (S'PORE) PTE LTD A d v e r t i s e with us/ Hot Line :09974424848 bers.—AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 14 SOCIETY THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Polish MPs approve controversial media law

POLISH MPs have voted in fa- TVN24 is often highly critical of ed attack on freedom of expres- vour of a new law that critics say the government. The ruling Law sion and media independence”. will curb media freedom and hit and Justice (PiS) party says the The vote came during a ties with the United States, but law is needed to stop hostile for- stormy session of parliament the ruling coalition also lost sev- eign powers from taking control that at one point was interrupted eral key votes, putting its long- of powerful broadcasters and is when MPs approved an opposi- term future in doubt. in line with rules in other Euro- tion motion to suspend proceed- The media law, passed on pean countries. But critics say ings to delay the media law vote Wednesday, would prevent com- it opens a path for a state-con- In the end, the session re- panies from outside the Euro- trolled company to take control sumed and the media law passed pean Economic Area from hold- of TVN, following a takeover of by 228 votes in favour and 216 ing a controlling stake in Polish the regional newspaper group against in the 460-seat lower media companies. That would Polska Press by state energy gi- house of parliament. force US group Discovery to sell ant PKN Orlen. Thousands of people took its majority stake in TVN, one TVN urged the Senate and to the streets in rallies across Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Poland in anger over of Poland’s biggest private TV the president to reject the law, la- Poland on Tuesday over the draft the proposals PHOTO: AFP networks whose news channel belling the vote “an unprecedent- law.—AFP Oil spills from freighter that ran aground at northeast Japan port

A cargo ship that ran aground at a meters in length and up to about port in northeastern Japan before 800 meters in width as of 5 p.m. being refloated and anchored off Thursday, reaching the coastline the coast was found Thursday of Misawa in the prefecture. The to have broken apart and was coast guard said its officials have spilling oil, the coast guard said. been engaging in cleanup work. The freighter, the Panama- About 1,600 tons of heavy oil nian-flagged 39,910-ton Crimson still remained inside the cargo Polaris, ran aground Wednesday ship. morning at Hachinohe port in The vessel was on course Aomori Prefecture. All 21 crew to enter the port on Wednesday members -- eight Chinese and morning but ran aground in shal- Photo shows the stern section of the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Crimson Polaris split apart and the vessel spilling oil off Hachinohe port in Aomori Prefecture on Aug. 12, 2021. PHOTO: 2ND REGIONAL COAST 13 Filipino nationals -- had been low water as it was carried away GUARD HEADQUARTERS/ KYODO) rescued without notable injuries, by strong winds, according to Nip- the coast guard said. pon Yusen K.K., which is respon- refloat the ship, which was carry- to navigate leading them to drop section of the ship had broken Leaked oil was confirmed sible for the operation of the ship. ing wooden chips from Thailand, anchor around 4 km off the coast. apart and the ship was leaking oil, floating in an area of about 24 kilo- The crew initially managed to but it soon became impossible On Thursday morning, the stern the coast guard said.— Kyodo

NEWS 21 dead as torrential rainfall IN BRIEF batters central China US population identifying as ‘white’

At least 21 people died as heavy province. In Hubei, torrential rains drops for first time downpours struck central Chi- China has been battered by caused power cuts and land- na’s Hubei province, authorities unprecedented rains in recent slides, destroying hundreds of THE number of US residents who identify as “white” has fallen for the said Friday, weeks after record months, extreme weather that homes and forcing the evacua- first time, according to the latest 2020 census data released Thursday. floods wreaked havoc and killed experts say is increasingly com- tion of nearly 6,000 people, the The United States has grown “more racially and ethnically hundreds in a neighbouring mon due to global warming. province’s Emergency Manage- diverse” and more urban over the past 10 years, according to the ment Bureau said, as reservoirs Census Bureau. reach dangerous levels. The “white” population decreased by 8.6 percent between 2010 “Twenty-one people were and 2020, a first since the earliest such data was taken in 1790. killed and four others are miss- It remains the largest group in the country, last year representing ing as heavy rain lashed town- 204 million residents, or 61.6 percent of the population. A decade ships from Wednesday,” state earlier people identifying as white comprised 72.4 percent. broadcaster Xinhua reported Nicholas Jones, an official working in the bureau’s population Friday. Footage showed families division, said that “improvements” on census questionnaires along wading in water that had risen with a new methodology compared to the 2010 report had “largely” to almost hip level and carry- influenced the results, along with “some demographic changes.” ing essentials in plastic bags in The category “white and some other race” -- African- or Yicheng, which saw a record 480 Asian-Americans, for example -- spiked 316 percent over the past millimetres (around 19 inches) decade to account for 235 million people. of rain on Thursday. Rescuers In the United States it is common to define oneself according In Suizhou, torrential rains have forced families to evacuate. carried people to safety on bull- to ethnic origins, and the census questionnaire specifically asks for PHOTO: CNS/AFP dozers.—AFP “race” identification.—AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15 Trudeau expected to call Canada Obituary

Khatija Bi Bi Yacoob Attia wife of Late snap elections Sunday Dr. Yacoob Mohamed Hassanjee has expired on the 12th of August 2021 at No. 94, Shwe Dagon CANADIAN Prime Pagoda Road, Pabedan Township, Yangon. Minister Justin Trudeau Leaving behind Two (2) daughters and one (1) is expected to pull the son, namely (1) Mariam Bi Bi Yacoob Hassanjee, plug on his minority Lib- (2) Mohamed Yacoob Hassanjee, and (3) Sara Bi eral government and call Bi Yacoob Hassanjee. She was buried at Yayway snap elections on Sunday Sunni Muslim Burial Gournds, Yangon. despite a nationwide up- tick in Covid infections that is worrying voters. Trudeau is to visit the NEWS governor general to ask her to dissolve parliament IN BRIEF and announce voting will be held on September 20, Israel to okay 2,000 new settler according to public broad- homes caster CBC and other lo- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to call snap elections on Sunday, cal media, citing unnamed according to local media. PHOTO: AFP/FILE ISRAEL is to approve 2,000 new homes for Jewish settlers sources. massive pandemic aid, Governor General Mary Party leader Jagmeet Sin- in the occupied West Bank, defence sources said Thursday, He and opposition passing a federal budget Simon to rebuff Trudeau, gh told reporters, echoing despite opposition from dovish members of the governing leaders have been criss- and other key legislation informing her in a letter public health warnings coalition. crossing the country in with opposition backing that his party was pre- of a looming Covid surge The Palestinians swiftly condemned the latest settle- recent weeks making elec- over the past year, he has pared to continue propping despite rising vaccination ment expansion plans, the first of Prime Minister Naftali tion-style announcements lamented that parliament up the minority Liberal rates. Bennett’s administration. as talk of a possible fall bal- in recent months has be- government to pass key Erin O’Toole, who has A security source told AFP the permits for Jewish set- lot has heated up. come dysfunctional, with legislation until the pan- struggled to make himself tlements would come alongside approvals for hundreds In power for six years, a “level of obstructionism demic ends. known to voters since be- of Palestinian homes in the large swathe of the West Bank Trudeau was reelected in and toxicity in the House “While Justin Trudeau coming head of the main known as Area C, where Israel exercises military and plan- 2019 but lost his majority that is of real concern.” wants to act like (the pan- opposition Tories last year, ning control. in his second term amid Opposition leaders demic) is over... it’s not said earlier this week: “We “There is an expectation to approve about 1,000 housing scandals. have pushed back on the over and people are still shouldn’t be rushing to an units for Palestinians in Area C next week and 2,000 housing Despite rolling out move, with one urging worried,” New Democratic election.”— AFP units in the Jewish communities,” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas -ex pressed its “strong rejection and condemnation” of the new US, UK to launch evacuation flights as settler homes, saying they contradicted “the clear American position” President Joe Biden expressed in a call with Abbas. Taliban advance across Afghanistan Biden is reportedly to meet with Bennett in the near future, although his office did not specify a date. THE United States and in government hands. Bennett, a former director of the Yesha Council settler Britain ordered Friday the “Kandahar is com- lobby, faced criticism from dovish partners in his coalition, deployment of thousands pletely conquered. The as well as from Israeli settler advocates in the opposition.— of troops to Afghanistan Mujahideen reached AFP to evacuate their nation- Martyrs’ Square,” a Tali- als, as the Taliban overran ban spokesman tweeted more key regional cities in on an officially recognised Six dead including suspected an offensive that has left account, referring to a city gunman in UK shooting the capital dangerously ex- landmark. posed. The orders came The claim was backed as the Taliban took control up by officials and a res- Six people, including the suspected gunman, died Thursday of Kandahar, the nation’s idents, who told AFP following a “serious firearms incident” in the southwestern second biggest city in the government forces had English city of Plymouth, police said, with reports one The Taliban are pressing a lightning offensive that has insurgency’s heartland, withdrawn en masse to a victim was a child aged under 10. seen them wrest much of Afghanistan from government leaving only Kabul and military facility outside the Devon and Cornwall Police declared a “critical incident” hands in just over a week. PHOTO: AFP pockets of other territory southern city.—AFP in the Keyham area of Plymouth early Thursday evening after the shooting, but later said it was not being considered terrorism related. Clashes in Syria’s Daraa: what is the fighting about? Officers responded alongside other emergency servic- es, including air ambulance staff, to reports of gunshots in THREE years after Syr- have fled heavy shelling in a “near siege-like” sit- Heights, is widely seen the residential neighbourhood near some of the city’s docks. ia’s government retook and ground battles, but uation. as the cradle of the 2011 “Two females and two males were deceased at the control of the flashpoint the United Nations warns “The situation is uprising in Syria, which scene,” Devon and Cornwall Police said in an update early southern province of that remaining civilians alarming,” Pedersen said. sparked a decade-long Friday after hours of uncertainty around the incident. Daraa, regime forces are cut off with dwindling Here is what you need to civil war that has killed al- Police added another male -- believed to be the gunman have clashed with rebels supplies. know about the conflict.\ most half a million people. -- was also found dead nearby while another female treated again, trapping thou- On Thursday, the UN In 2011, young boys who at the scene died a short time later in hospital. “All are be- sands of civilians in the Special Envoy for Syria Why is Daraa impor- had scrawled graffiti lieved to have died from gunshot wounds,” the force said. crossfire. Geir Pedersen said civil- tant? against President Bashar Shortly after police confirmed the death toll, local law- Nearly half of the pop- ians were suffering from Daraa, which borders al-Assad were detained in maker Luke Pollard reported one of those killed “was a child ulation of the rebel-held “acute shortages” of food, Jordan and is close to the Daraa, sparking nation- under ten years old”. “More people are being treated for Daraa al-Balad district fuel, water and medicines Israeli-occupied Golan wide protests.—AFP their injuries in hospital,” the Labour MP tweeted.— AFP 14 AUGUST 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar U-23 team falls into Group I with Viet Nam, China (Taipei) Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Nine Objectives

1. Political affairs (a) To build a Union based on democracy and fed- eralism, through a disciplined and genuine mul- tiparty democratic system that is fair and just. (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). (c) To continue implementing the principle of peaceful Myanmar U-23 football squad pose for a group photo at an international football match. PHOTO: MFF co-existence among countries through an inde- pendent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. THE Asian Football Confeder- winners from each group and coach. 2. Economic affairs ation (AFC) decided to host the four best runners-up will have The team Myanmar is (a) To enhance production based on agriculture 2022 U-23 Asian Cup in October, the chance to sail into the next made up of old players who have and livestock through modern techniques and with participation of Myanmar stage. The final round of the competed in the previous SEA strengthen all-round development in other sectors squad. tournament will be held in 2022 Games and newcomers from of the economy. The Myanmar U-23 squad with 16 teams including host Uz- the U-18 team. The team has (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote is in Group I together with Viet bekistan. been reformed for the 2022 Asian international investment in order to enhance the Nam and host China (Taipei). Velizar Popov, who helped Games and the Southeast Asian economic development of the entire National The AFC U-23 Champion- the Myanmar U-23 team win a Games (SEA Games) as well, people. ship will be held with 11 groups bronze medal at the last SEA officials said.—GNLM (c) To promote and support local businesses to create of Under-23 Asian teams. The Games, will serve as a head employment opportunities and increase domestic production. Medvedev, Tsitsipas power into Toronto ATP quarter-finals 3. Social affairs (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the TOP seed Daniil Medvedev powered through a you play much better,” Medvedev said of Duckworth. genuine spirit of patriotism. rough patch to beat James Duckworth 6-2, 6-4 on “He came closer at the end and put pressure on me. (b) To respect and promote the customs and tradi- Thursday and reach the quarter-finals of the ATP “I handled it. I’m really happy with this win. I tions of all National peoples and preserve and Toronto Masters. Russia’s Medvedev was in cruise had never trained with him or played him, so I didn’t safeguard their cultural heritage and national control, up a set and 5-1 in the third-round match, exactly know what to expect. characteristics. when he was broken by his 85th-ranked Australian “Sometimes, you need to find out things during (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education opponent. But the 2019 Canada finalist regained his the match.” Medvedev finished with 10 aces as he quality of the entire nation. edge to close out the win in 69 minutes on a second reached his eighth quarter-final at the Masters match point. “When your back is against the wall, level - all achieved since 2019.—AFP Boost for Liverpool as talisman van Dijk signs new contract

VIRGIL van Dijk gave a timely dear in their defence of the title reported £75 million ($104 boost to Liverpool on the eve last season and also saw him million) and was pivotal in of their first Premier League miss Euro 2020. Liverpool winning the 2019 match of the season with new- “Virgil van Dijk has today Champions League and the ly-promoted Norwich City by signed a new long-term con- Premier League the following signing a new long-term con- tract with Liverpool Football season. tract, the club announced on Club,” read the club statement. “Amazing. It is something Friday. He is the fourth senior to be very proud of, that I am The 30-year-old Dutch in- Liverpool player to extend his very proud of, that my wife and ternational central defender’s contract in the last couple of my kids are very proud of,” he new deal is reported to tie him weeks after England defender told Liverpool.com. to the club till 2025. Trent Alexander-Arnold and “All the hard work we’ve Van Dijk’s absence due to Brazilian duo Fabinho and put in so far continues and I a knee injury suffered in the Alisson Becker. Dutch international defender Virgil van Dijk gave Liverpool a timely am looking forward to what Merseyside Derby with Ever- Van Dijk signed from boost in signing a new long term contract on the eve of their opening the future brings together with ton last October cost Liverpool Southampton in 2018 for a Premier League match with Norwich. PHOTO: POOL/AFP Liverpool.—AFP