BEWARE OF FLOODING AND STRONG WINDS IN MONSOON PAGE-8 (OPINION)

Vol. VIII, No. 111, 1st Waxing of Wagaung 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Sunday, 8 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.

Message from Senior General , Chairman of State Administration Council on the occasion of 54th Anniversary of ASEAN to the people

TODAY marks the 54th Anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN was established with a common desire and collective will to live together in a region of lasting peace, security and stability, sustained economic growth, and shared prosperity and social progress. On this auspicious day, I have the pleasure to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to our fellow citizens and to the peoples of ASEAN across the region. SEE PAGE-3 will accept negotiation with any ethnic armed organizations except for organizations declared as terrorist groups: Senior General

nly when the country restores peace which O can prevail stability and tranquility, will it carry out de- velopment of the country, said Chairman of the State Admin- istration Council Prime Minis- ter Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting 13/2021 of the State Administration Coun- cil at the SAC Chairman Office yesterday afternoon. In his opening address, security and political situation of the State are being system- atically managed despite high infection rate of COVID-19 at present. Terror acts could be wiped out as of August through cooperation of region and state administrative bodies and secu- rity personnel. SEE PAGE-4

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL Imports of required receives Union Minister for Foreign Domestic medical supplies, liquid oxygen Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin gold market COVID-19 devices donated by Yunnan participates in 28th ASEAN sees quiet continue Province Regional Forum (ARF) trading PAGE-2 PAGE-3 PAGE-5 PAGE-5 8 AUGUST 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Notification No 224/2021 Treatment of COVID-19 th 15 Waning of Waso 1383 ME Announcement 7 August 2021 15th Waning of Waso 1383 ME Extension of public holidays for further 7 August 2021 prevention, control and treatment over 1. The State Administration Council issued Notification No 224/2021 dated 7-8- 2021 infection of COVID-19 declaring from 9 to 15 August 2021 as successive public holidays. 2. To effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 during these public holidays, THE State Administration Council has set the successive public holidays for three the people must obey the following disciplines: - times to head off the infection chains of COVID-19 for the people to abide by the (a) to reside at homes or dormitories, and not to travel at all except for duty restricted disciplines during the public holidays. In order to soonest reach the and funeral services; normal situation with controlling the infection of COVID-19, the notification was (b) to open the of Myanmar, its subordinate government banks announced that the period from 9 to 15 August 2021 was further set as the succes- and private banks as usual; sive public holidays (except for the Central Bank of Myanmar and its subordinate (c) not to decrease productivity, operate the factories and industries under the government banks and private banks under the specific situation) in accord with supervision of the Ministry of Labour, Nay Pyi Taw Council, region/state Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. governments in line with the COVID-19 health rules of the Ministry of Health; (d) to adopt the work-from-home system or other proper ways for impor-tant By Order, office work of the relevant departments; Aung Lin Dwe (e) to open the shops selling basic essential things like fuel, purified drinking Lieutenant - General Secretary water, livestock, fish and foodstuffs; State Administration Council (f) to open the pharmacy shops and medical companies; (g) to realize the take away system at restaurants; (h) to continue healthcare services (government hospitals/private hospitals and clinics); Republic of the Union of Myanmar (i) to wear protective gears, including masks, if you go outside without fail; Central Committee on Prevention, Control (j) to operate the land, sea and aviation services for those wishing to travel and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 without fail under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Com- munications, Nay Pyi Taw Council, region/ state governments; (COVID-19) (k) to comply the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of trucks to facilitate Announcement the flow of goods; 15th Waning of Waso 1383 ME (l) to continue opening of freight handling ports; 7 August 2021 (m) to strictly follow the COVID-19 health rules of the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 and the Ministry of IT is here announced that the basic education schools (including private schools Health without fail. and monastic schools) will be temporarily closed for one more week from 9-8-2021 3. Action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the above-mentioned to 15-8-2021 due to the need to continuously curb the spread of COVID-19. disciplines under the existing laws.

Imports of required medical supplies, COVID-19 devices continue

AS the Ministry of Commerce is making trade points. continuous efforts to make sure import A total of 449 tonnes of liquid ox- of anti-COVID-19 medicines, equipment ygen, 62 tonnes of oxygen cylinders, and necessary medical supplies are be- 47,880 empty oxygen containers, 6 oxy- ing shipped from overseas, loosening gen plants, 9 oxygen generators, 42,189 restrictions to facilitate imports, in col- oxygen concentrators, 141,642 test kits, laboration with relevant ministries and 280,932 PPE suits, 39 tonnes of gloves providing continuous import on a daily and 569 tonnes of masks have been im- basic. ported thus far in August. The ministry is also reportedly In July, a total of 1,294 tonnes of making diplomatic arrangements with liquid oxygen, 114 tonnes of oxygen cyl- China, Thailand, Bangladesh and India inder, 40,491 empty oxygen containers, to import the medicines and equipment 69,146 oxygen concentrators, 8 oxygen through the border trade points. plants, 11 oxygen generators, four ox- Yesterday, a total of 2,507 oxygen ygen filling machines, 322,878 test kits, concentrators were imported through 1,104 tonnes of mask and 182,975 PPE the Yangon International Airport, while suits were imported. 81 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 9 tonnes of In addition to the cooperation with oxygen cylinders, 8,422 empty oxygen relevant ministries, the Ministry of containers, one oxygen plant, 4,090 Commerce has posted contact persons household oxygen concentrators, 49,030 and department announcements on the PPE suits and 67 tonnes of masks were Ministry’s website, Commerce.gov.mm, imported through Muse, Myawady, Chin- to access direct contact with relevant au- A bowser of Oxygen Liquid. shwehaw Kanpitee and Tachilek border thorities if assistance is needed.—MNA 8 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA Facing severe problems

THE globe has overcome various pandemics in the past. Although various pandemics such as plague and smallpox diseases can be controlled in the advance- ment of medical technologies at present, respiratory disease COVID-19 may cause infections whenever breathing. If public cooperation lacks, it is sure to difficultly control the disease. It can be seen that even developed and developing countries are yet to perform control, prevention and treatment of the disease on the upper hand. Even in the United States, hospitals cannot give adequate accommodation to patients, facing shortages of ventilators and air fresheners. So, the patients are receiving treatments at home. The problem of oxygen is a difficulty for the countries facing the outbreak of disease. Myanmar’s neighbouring countries India and Indonesia are facing severe problems. (Excerpt from the speech to the occasion of six months on 1 August 2021 since the State Administration Council has taken the State’s responsibilities made by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 2 August 2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD

Message from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of State Administration Council on the occasion of 54th Anniversary of ASEAN to the people

FROM PAGE-1 It is a timely opportunity for us to reflect on the journey of how far ASEAN has come to be where we are today. Today, ASEAN has evolved from an “association” of five countries to a “community” of full-fledge regional organization comprising ten Member States. Indeed, it did not come thus far easily. Along the arduous journey, ASEAN has passed through many difficulties and challenges, ranging from the financial crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic today. After having passed over half a century, ASEAN has made many achievements despite obstacles. The collective effort of ASEAN has paved the way for ASEAN to overcome these challenges. But there remains many more to be done, and the unified will and collective effort among ASEAN Member States must continue to preserve the identity of ASEAN – “unity in diversity”. Since its inception on 8 August 1967, ASEAN has successfully evolved into a rules-based regional organization, giving legal personality in the pursuit of its purposes and principles as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. In this ever evolving regional architecture with rising strategic competitions and diverse interests among countries, the fundamental principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) remain important for the conduct of inter-state relations. Above all, the ASEAN spirit of unity and the ASEAN way of 2C – “consultation and consensus” must be preserved. We are encouraged by the increasing number of parties to the TAC as well as growing number of interested countries to establish partnership with ASEAN. This reflects trust, confidence and respect on ASEAN’s norms and values by others. On the other hand, the enhanced partnership with its dialogue partners, for example, the elevation of ASEAN-EU dialogue partnership into a strategic level also proves that ASEAN treasures its relations with its partners. In engaging with external partners, we are committed to pursue our efforts to upholding ASEAN centrality and unity. To expand ASEAN’s wings across the world, ASEAN has stationed the ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organizations (ACTCs). To date, there are fifty four ACTCs that have been formally established in the national capitals and other key cities across the world. These committees are functioning to promote ASEAN’s interests and identity and to facilitate in strengthening ASEAN’s relations with external partners through close engagement with respective host countries and in bridging ASEAN with the rest of the world. Since the COVID-19 pandemic is the immediate challenge that we all are facing at hand, ASEAN will continue to prioritize its efforts in the fight against the virus from spreading in the region and swiftly recovery from its multiple impacts. We are confident that collective efforts will enable ASEAN to overcome the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a responsible Member State of ASEAN, Myanmar has been working hand-in-hand with ASEAN as guided by the theme “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper” formulated by 2021 ASEAN Chair. Myanmar has contributed USD 100,000 dollars to COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund. Once all the tasks are completed, ASEAN will be able to deliver the benefits of this initiative to the peoples, at its earliest possible. While staying focused on current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also continue our efforts on regional integration which is the key aspect for the success of ASEAN Community building effort as well as for a better future for international community at-large. The far-reaching insights and aspirations of ASEAN founding fathers paved the way for ASEAN to become a rules-based, vibrant and thriving regional organization. Today, it is up to the people of ASEAN to see how the future of ASEAN will be written. For Myanmar, we remain firmly committed to work with ASEAN and its peoples to ensure a successful ASEAN Community building and regional integration. Now is the right time for ASEAN Community to care and to share for each other. With this, Iwould like to encourage our fellow citizens to actively join us in pursuing ASEAN’s aspirations.

Yangon receives liquid oxygen donated by Yunnan Province

THE donation ceremony of 250 The truck carrying an initial and district administration body tonnes of liquid oxygen con- 25 tonnes of liquid oxygen out of chairman U Htoo Lwin inspect- tributed by Yunnan social wel- 250 tonnes arrived at Yangon ed the filling process. fare association and residents yesterday under the supervision The liquid oxygen donat- of Yunnan Province from the of Myanmar-China Chamber of ed by Yunnan province will be People's Republic of China was Commerce. The region Chief distributed to general hospi- held at Waibagi Specialty Gen- Minister gave certificates of tals and COVID-19 treatment eral Hospital in North Okkalapa honour to Chairman of associa- centre under the management Township yesterday. tion U Aing Tun and permanent of Yangon Region government Yangon Region Chief Min- honorary chairman of Yangon's and the liquid oxygen received ister U Hla Soe, senior govern- Yunnan temple U Yone Mu. yesterday was refilled into the ment officials and Deputy Direc- Myanmar Fire Brigade and oxygen tanks of North Okkalapa tor-General Dr Thidar Hla of the technicians filled the liquid ox- General Hospital, New Yangon Department of Medical Services ygen into the high-pressure General Hospital (JICA) and of the Ministry of Health attend- oxygen tank of the hospital and Yangon General Hospitals. — Yangon Region Chief Minister U Hla Soe presents certificate of honour ed the ceremony. the Chief Minister, Ministers San Kyaw Oo (IPRD) to donors of Yunnan Province. PHOTO: SAN KYAW OO (IPRD) 8 AUGUST 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Tatmadaw will accept negotiation with any ethnic armed organizations except for organizations declared as terrorist groups: Senior General

FROM PAGE-1 ASEAN special envoy. The Sen- Rewards will be given to those The Senior General ior General said he proposed who inform the authorities stressed that the direct man- Relevant departments are the deputy foreign minister of about the terrorists. Relevant agement beyond the steps may Thailand. ASEAN Chair Brunei departments are conducting the decline the capabilities of ad- conducting the research to produce Sultan offered his foreign minis- research to produce COVID-19 ministration and management ter as ASEAN envoy, so he was vaccine with the use of tradi- bodies. Requirements can be COVID-19 vaccine with the use of approved. tional medicinal plants. Efforts submitted while management Myanmar will take meas- will be made for ensuring a half is authorized. The management traditional medicinal plants. Efforts ures in the ASEAN framework down of COVID-19 infection rate arena cannot allow anyone to be on the correct international re- in August. And the people were beyond the policies and laws, will be made for ensuring a half lations. Myanmar exercises the urged to cooperate in reducing work procedures as they like. down of COVID-19 infection rate independent and active foreign the disease infection rate. The assigned duties must be policy based on five principles Health personnel will be implemented to have success. in August. And the people were of peaceful co-existence and assigned for Kayah State. De- Correctly walking along the good relationship with all coun- velopment tasks depend on in- path of multiparty democracy urged to cooperate in reducing the tries. Such standing will never come of the State. At present, is the main aim with firm guar- change, and it will continue some trips of rail and aviation antee. disease infection rate. within the framework. transportation are being oper- As infection of COVID-19 SAC members discussed ated with loss with the aim of depended on travels and follow- soonest enactment of national ensuring proper connections ing the disciplines of the people, security act, invitation to for- among regions and states and temporarily closing of schools negotiation based on proposals The new Union Election eign investment for importing for travelling the people. The and restriction of travels were of EAOs. The Tatmadaw pledg- Commission was assigned to fuel, establishment of the plants sports sector plays a key role undertaken. High infection rate es to continuously walk along scrutinize the voter lists in the to produce fuel in the country, in uplifting morality of the citi- and death rate can be seen in the peace route by standing on 2020 general election in respec- assistance of Ministry of Co- zens. So, arrangements are be- other countries. Office holidays the NCA path. The Tatmadaw tive regions and states. Final operatives and Rural Devel- ing made to build gymnasiums, were set to be able to mitigate will accept negotiation with findings were released on 26 opment for the people during stadiums and swimming pools the infection rate. At present, any ethnic armed organiza- July. Representatives from in- COVID-19 period, production in all regions and states. infection and death rates grad- tions except for the organiza- ternational community and dip- of traditional medicine which A plan is underway to vac- ually decline thanks to cooper- tions declared as the terrorist lomats will be invited to show can fight against COVID-19, es- cinate health staff and their ation of the people. Likewise, groups. Only when the country the vote-rigging measures. tablishment of oxygen plants families. The government em- relevant ministries, private restores peace which can pre- The Senior General said in respective townships, assis- phasizes narrowing of the de- organizations, companies and vail stability and tranquility, will that he clarified situation of My- tance for displaced persons, velopment gap between regions individual persons cooperate it carry out development of the anmar at the ASEAN Leaders prioritized vaccination on med- and states as well as urban and in ensuring availability of COV- country. If so, the country will Meeting on 24 April. It declared ical doctors, nurses and their rural areas so as to encourage ID-19 vaccines and oxygen for be stable on the path of mul- the five-point consensus of ASE- families, and appointment of the ethnic people. the people. tiparty democracy the people AN. Former foreign ministers medical doctors and nurses in In his conclusion speech, Coordination has been inspire. Prevention, control from Indonesia and Malaysia Kayah State. the SAC Chairman Prime Min- undertaken with India, China, and treatment of COVID-19 and former deputy foreign The Senior General said ister said that they are carrying and other countries to are being taken in the areas minister from Thailand were he will scrutinize the plan to out the government tasks in a purchase COVID-19 vaccines of ethnic armed organizations. proposed for appointment of draft the national security act. smooth process. It is necessary to be injected into the people. Those EAOs need to have be- to consider extension of new To supply oxygen, all the facto- haviors, talks and moves based sectors. The unrests and ter- ries across the nation which can the peace if they actually wish ror acts based on vote-rigging generate oxygen produce the to restore the peace. If NCA Emphasis must be placed in the 2020 election are being gas to be supplied to the people non-signatories implement the combated. Emphasis must be in time whenever they need. It points of NCA, they cooperate on development tasks while placed on development tasks is necessary to vaccinate the in peace and democracy. while prioritizing the peace people, continuously import As COVID-19 affects busi- prioritizing the peace and and stability, especially polit- the medicines for treatment nesses, the road map compris- stability, especially political ical stability. The provisional as well as produce the medi- es that actions will be taken to government temporarily takes cines with sufficient volume at ensure the speedy recovery of stability. The provisional the responsibility of the coun- home. Quarantine centres are businesses from the impact of try, and when the emergency extended while hospitals should COVID-19 as much as possi- government temporarily takes period runs out, the election be prepared. ble. Incorrect ways of operating will be held under the law. Un- The Senior General the businesses are breaking the the responsibility of the country, dertakings will be carried out stressed the need to call back law. The State will provide nec- to hand over the State duty to the citizens who arrive in for- essary assistance for resump- and when the emergency period the government emerged by eign countries with various tion of businesses at home. the election in accord with the reasons. So far, 6,209 citizens Some countries exercise runs out, the election will be held Constitution. returned from China, Thailand e-banking system and card sys- The Senior General said and Laos from 25 July to 6 Au- tem but Myanmar emphasizes under the law. Undertakings will be the Provisional Government of gust. Among them, COVID-19 currency note systems in bank- Myanmar is implementing the patients are being admitted at ing services. CDM activities carried out to hand over the State policies adopted by the State the hospitals. Relief flights are caused shortages of banking duty to the government emerged Administration Council, primar- arranged to call back the citi- servants. Such situation was ily emphasizing the economic zens from other countries. stable to some extent in July. by the election in accord with the affairs. All the SAC members The Tatmadaw is an organi- Now, banks allow withdrawl of need to prioritize the interests zation which has signed the Na- currency with the purpose of Constitution. of the State in carrying out the tionwide Ceasefire Agreement prevention, control and treat- tasks based on their individual (NCA) which emerged due to ment of COVID-19. experiences.—MNA 8 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin participates in 28th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

U WUNNA MAUNG LWIN, Un- anmar. He also pointed out that ion Minister for Foreign Affairs, a meaningful political dialogue participated in the 28th ASEAN should not include non-state Regional Forum via video con- actors and unlawful associa- ference at 5:30 pm on 6 August tions and terrorist group that 2021 from the Ministry of For- are committing terrorist acts in eign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. the country. In this regard, he The Meeting was chaired called on the ARF participating by Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, countries to condemn the vio- Minister of Foreign Affairs II lence and terrorist acts com- of Brunei Darussalam and mitted by the so-called People was attended by Foreign Min- Defense Force (PDF) who were isters and representatives from receiving support and financial ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) assistance from unlawful asso- participant countries. The Sec- ciations and terrorist groups retary-General of ASEAN also such as NUG and CRPH. attended the meeting. On the situation in Rakhine During the 28th ARF, Min- State, he reiterated Myanmar’s isters exchanged views on re- commitment to work with ASE- th gional and international issues Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin attends 28 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) via video AN in the implementation of the conference. as well as on the future direc- recommendations made under tion of the ARF. ARF Vision Statement which is He also informed the meet- the special envoy on 4 August the Preliminary Needs Assess- At the Meeting, the Union the future plan of ARF, encom- ing on the successful convening 2021 and Myanmar’s willing- ment (PNA), and stressed that Minister emphasized that My- passing seven priority areas of of the 14th ARF Experts and ness to work closely with the a successful repatriation also anmar attached great impor- cooperation and action lines Eminent Persons (EEPs) Meet- special envoy. He pointed out needs close cooperation from tance to the ARF as a primary on Institutional enhancement ing on 6 July 2021 via video con- that while ARF participating Bangladesh, and requested the forum to foster constructive of the ARF. He was of the view ference co-chaired by Myanmar countries have had welcomed ARF participating countries to dialogue and cooperation on that strengthening cooperation and China. the appointment of the special also encourage Bangladesh to political and security issues in these priority areas could On regional and interna- envoy their support must com- work with Myanmar on the re- of common interest and con- help promote confidence build- tional issues, he explained the pliment the five-point consen- patriation of displaced persons cern in the region. He also ing measures and preventive reason why state of emergency sus and the five-point roadmap from Rakhine State. said that he was happy to see diplomacy that pave the way was declared in Myanmar; im- because anything beyond the The 28th ARF was also the progress achieved in the forward for the ARF to become plementation of the five-point five-point consensus and the attended by senior officials implementation of the Hanoi more action-oriented forum at consensus of the ASEAN Lead- five-point roadmap would not from the Ministry of Foreign Plan of Action to implement the a pace comfortable to all. ers’ Meeting; appointment of help the special envoy nor My- Affairs.—MNA

Domestic gold market sees quiet trading Lawsuits of 53 runaways who THE trading of the domestic price and US dollar exchange and the highest level of K return to the legal fold closed gold market has been cool, said rate, the domestic gold price 1,587,000 (9 July), gold trad- Chair U Myo Myint of Yangon is rising to K1,576,5000 per ers said. APART from the those who been released since 3 August, Region Gold Entrepreneurs tical (0.578 ounces, or 0.016 The local gold price committed murders, robberies, to contact the police stations Association (YGEA). kilogram). reached the lowest level of K arson attacks, mine explosion in respective regions and It is a quiet day in the pre- In January 2021, the do- 1,310,500 (2 September) and and intentionally attacking se- states with trust. A total of 53 cious domestic gold market, mestic gold fetched the highest the highest level of K 1,314,000 curity troops, citizens including runaways from different back- with the high record of the price of K 1,336,000 per tical (1 September). In October, civil servants, scholars and per- grounds contacted the police global gold price and US dollar on 6 January. It reached the the rate ranged between K sonnel from respective fields forces in the regions and states exchange rate. lowest price of K 1,316,000 per 1,307,800 (30 October) and K who have been on the run due between 4 and 7 August, and “The gold trading has been tical on 28 January. On 2 Feb- 1,316,500 (21 October). to various concerns have been their cases have been reported- sluggish. But, the value of gold ruary, it got the lowest level of The rate fluctuated be- invited to return to the legal ly closed under the law. Those in Myanmar soared due to the K 1,340,000 and the highest lev- tween the highest of K 1,317,000 fold, following the closure and wishing to return home of their rising of global gold price. Peo- el of K 1,410,000 (3 February). (9 November) and the lowest withdrawal of their lawsuits own accord are encouraged to ple from gold market are no In March, the rate fluctuated of K 1,270,000 (30 November). under the law. trustfully contact to a nearby longer trading in this situation between the most elevated of In December, the pure yellow The announcement has police station.—MNA and they are trading only one K 1,391,000 (25 March) and the metal priced moved in the or two pieces to prevent the lowest of K 1,302,000 (4 March). range of K 1,280,000 (1 De- shortage of stocks in the mar- In April, the rate touched cember) and K 1,332,000 (28 ket,” said U Myo Myint. the lowest level of K 1,389,000 December). 3,651 new cases of COVID-19 Consequently, the dai- (1 April) and the highest lev- With the global gold pric- ly business of 50 viss (a viss el of K 1,455,000 (30 April). es on the uptick, the domestic reported on 7 August, total equals 1.6 kg) of gold was ear- In May, the highest gold rate price hit fresh highs in 2019, lier done in the market. Now, was recorded at K 1,709,000 reaching K 1,000,000 per tical figure rises to 326,489 about five or ten viss are only (12 May) and the lowest price between 17 January and 21 being traded daily. was K 1,447,000 per tical (3 February, crossing K 1,100,000 MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 326,489 after Currently, global gold May). In June, the rate hit the (22 June to 5 August), climbing 3,651 new cases were reported on 7 August 2021 according price was around US$1,800 lowest level of K 1,543,000 (19 to K 1,200,000 (7 August-4 Sep- per ounce and US dollar value June) and the highest level of tember), and then reaching a to the Ministry of Health. Among these confirmed cases, against Kyat was equalized at K 1,575,500 (11 June),. fresh peak of K 1,300,000 on 5 238,747 have been discharged from hospitals. Death toll K1,665 per dollar. In July, it priced the lowest September, according to the reached 11,526 after 264 died. —MNA With rising of global gold level of K 1,562,300 (26 July) gold traders.— NN/GNLM 8 AUGUST 2021 6 WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Iran rejects G7 and US What now for Ennahdha after Tunisia allegations over drone political ‘earthquake’? attack on ship fragmented 217-seat legislature, IRAN on Saturday rejected Iran dismissed the alle- which is also headed by Ghan- Western allegations its drones gations. nouchi. were used in a deadly tanker “We strongly condemn But since 2014, the party’s attack, while accusing Israel the baseless statement by share of the vote has plummet- of concocting the “scenario” in the foreign ministers of the ed. In elections two years ago it a bid to undermine the Islamic G7 and the European Un- lost 36 of its 89 seats. republic. ion’s high representative for In total, since Tunisia’s first The MT Mercer Street, foreign affairs in which they democratic elections in 2011, an oil products tanker oper- have directed baseless accu- it has lost more than a million ated by Israeli-controlled Zo- sations at the Islamic Repub- votes nationwide. The party has diac maritime, was struck last lic of Iran,” foreign ministry also seen internal fractures in week off Oman’s coast, killing spokesman Saeed Khatibza- recent years as younger mem- two crew members -- a Briton deh said. Tunisia’s President Kais Saied (R) receives Ennahdha leader and bers have demanded changes parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi at the presidential palace in this and a Romanian. The tanker attack and the file picture taken on 15 November 2019. PHOTO: AFP at the top, including replacing The incident on July 29 accusations against Iran were 80-year-old Ghannouchi himself. upped the stakes in what an- a “scenario” concocted with TUNISIAN President Kais nahdha? Those divisions burst into alysts have called a “shadow “notable” timing, he said, as Saied’s move to sack the gov- Ennahdha was founded the spotlight when Saied, a bit- war” that has seen a spate of they came days before Iran’s ernment and dissolve parlia- four decades ago by Rached ter critic of the party system, attacks on vessels linked to new ultraconservative Pres- ment two weeks ago has trig- Ghannouchi, who has remained on July 25 sacked the Ennah- Iran and Israel. ident Ebrahim Raisi took the gered what experts say is an at the helm ever since despite dha-supported government and G7 foreign ministers on oath of office. existential crisis for his neme- years of exile under the dictator- suspended parliament. Friday pointed the finger of Raisi was inaugurated on sis, the Islamist-inspired party ship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Coming after months of blame for the latest attack August 3 by Iran’s supreme Ennahdha. After Ben Ali fell in Tuni- public outrage at the govern- at Iran, as the US military leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- Despite remaining the sia’s 2011 revolution, Ennahdha ment’s mishandling of Tunisia’s released the findings of an nei, and sworn in by parlia- most influential party in the made a return to politics and grinding economic and health investigation alleging the ment two days later, taking decade since the North African has since been part of every crises, Saied’s move was a drones were made in the Is- over from moderate president country’s revolution, Ennahdha parliamentary coalition backing crushing blow for Ennahdha. lamic republic. Hassan Rouhani. — AFP was already wracked by internal the country’s string of short- Some party members have divisions before last month’s lived governments. since accused its leadership of “earthquake”. Ennahdha is the most or- putting its existence in danger Second Afghan city falls as So can it survive, and how? ganised party in the country and through their lack of political Taliban tighten noose over How did July 25 affect En- the biggest bloc in the deeply vision. — AFP countryside THE Taliban seized the strong- vast parts of rural Afghan- Venezuelans desperately ditching hold of a notorious Afghan war- istan since launching a se- lord Saturday, officials said, the ries of offensives in May to bolivars as inflation bites second provincial capital to fall coincide with the start of the to the insurgents in less than final withdrawal of foreign WORKING at her vegetable stall in 24 hours. troops. Caracas, Marisela Lopez wonders The deputy governor of On Friday, Zaranj city what she’s going to do with the sud- Sheberghan city in Jawzjan in Nimroz fell to the Taliban den flood of cash customers have said government forces and “without a fight”, according to been unloading on her. officials had retreated to the its deputy governor, becoming Venezuela announced airport on the outskirts of the the first provincial capital to be Thursday it would knock six northern Afghan city, where taken by the insurgents. zeroes off its currency -- the they were preparing to defend There was more resistance third time in 13 years it has themselves. “The city has un- in Sheberghan, several sources redenominated the bolivar. fortunately fallen completely,” told AFP, but an aide to Dostum Faith in physical bank notes Jawzjan deputy governor Qa- confirmed the city had been tak- is at an all-time low, and people der Malia told AFP. en. Dostum has overseen one of want rid of them. “We also have to The city is home to notorious the largest militias in the north, quickly get rid of the cash because Venezuelans have been rushing to offload their bolivars, creating warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, which garnered a fearsome rep- if we keep collecting the cash, what concern for market stall holders who do not want to be burdened with the banknotes, either. PHOTO: AFP who only returned to Afghanistan utation in its fight against the next? What will we do with the this week from medical treatment Taliban in the 1990s -- along with banknotes?” said Lopez, 34. highest inflation: almost 3,000 wards the US dollar, increas- in Turkey but is believed to be in accusations that his forces mas- The new measure, which percent in 2020. ingly favored by customers and Kabul. sacred thousands of insurgent will go into effect in October, That has created wild businesses alike in the country The Taliban have gained prisoners of war. — AFP is the result of the world’s price swings and a move to- of 30 million. — AFP

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Should you submit www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com a text longer than 500 words please be aware that your letter will be edited. 8 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: WORLD 7 White House says 50% of Americans fully India approves J&J’s single-shot vaccinated against Covid Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use INDIA gave emergency ap- given as to when the US com- was reached in late May. proval to Johnson and John- pany’s doses will reach India. President Joe Biden has son’s single-shot coronavirus The nation of 1.3 billion been pressing hard for Ameri- vaccine Saturday to ramp up people has administered 500 cans to get vaccinated ever since its flailing immunisation cam- million vaccine doses so far, he took office in January but has paign as fears grow of a new but barely eight percent of the faced stubborn resistance, es- wave of infections. population has had two shots. pecially in conservative parts Health minister Mansukh Johnson and Johnson’s of the country, with inoculations Mandaviya said the approval vaccine is the fifth to be ap- dropping off sharply in April. will boost the fight against the proved after Oxford-Astra- The aggressive vaccination pandemic in India, where at Zeneca’s Covishield, the home program had raised hopes of a least 200,000 people died in a developed Covaxin, Russia’s return to some semblance of brutal two-month wave up to Sputnik V, and the US-made normal life this summer, but the mid-June. Moderna jab. plan was hindered by the Delta “India expands its vaccine India remains the second variant. basket! Johnson and Johnson’s worst-hit nation after the United In an increasingly assertive single-dose COVID-19 vaccine States, with more than 32 mil- approach, the Biden adminis- is given approval for Emergen- lion confirmed cases and 427,000 People wait to get vaccinated against Covid-19 at a baseball game on tration has asked all federal cy Use in India,” the minister deaths. Because of under-re- 5 August 2021, in Springfield, Missouri. PHOTO: AFP employees to get vaccinated or said on Twitter. porting experts say the real toll HALF of the US population is White House’s Covid-19 data face Covid testing twice a week. No indication has been is much higher. — AFP now fully vaccinated against director, tweeted. Biden hinted Friday there Covid-19, the White House said That means more than 165 would be further measures, say- Friday, as inoculations rise in million people have received ei- ing, “There will be more to come response to the surging Delta ther the two-dose Moderna or in the days ahead.” White House Tourists caught short variant of the coronavirus. Pfizer vaccine, or the one-and- spokeswoman Jen Psaki said “50% of Americans (all ages) done Johnson & Johnson shot. there were “early conversations, as Italy ushers in Covid are now fully vaccinated. Keep The threshold of half of all early discussions about a range going!” Cyrus Shahpar, the adult Americans fully vaccinated of options.” — AFP ‘green pass’ “DO you have your green Texas, used his US vaccina- pass?” tion card to gain entry and Visitors across Italy were welcomed the new checks, Hip-hop dream thrives in India’s being asked the question on even though they caused some Friday as new coronavirus longer queues. largest slum rules for museums and indoor “I know there are mixed dining came into force -- with feelings... but we did it back AFTER India’s largest slum those answering ‘no’ left frus- at home and to us at least it defeated the pandemic, some trated. gives us a little bit of a peace of its young residents pulled out At the Vatican Museums, of mind that we probably are their phones to write, shoot and a number of tourists were more protected,” he told AFP. release a triumphant rap video. turned away despite having But tourists are not the “At first we were afraid, pre-booked tickets, after failing only ones caught short. Mil- what would happen to us? But to provide proof of a Covid-19 lions of Italians are still not we stood with the doctors... now vaccine, previous infection or vaccinated and therefore it’s your turn”, rapped the young a negative coronavirus test. those who have not recently men in the video. “We were looking forward recovered from coronavirus “We Did It” -- “Kar Dikhaya” to it, so we are kind of disap- can only get a green pass by in Hindi -- showcased new talent pointed. But it is what it is,” taking a test. and won acclaim from celebri- said Tereza Poganyova, 20, on There have been pockets ties, but its creators’ abiding holiday with a friend from the of protests, most recently on goal was to fight the stigma Czech Republic. Thursday night, when thou- dogging this densely-populated Long stigmatised, young residents of Mumbai’s Dharavi slum have However, she admitted sands of people gathered in corner of Mumbai. embraced hip hop in a bid to highlight glaring inequality and the having received an email re- Turin’s main plaza, Piazza Cas- mistreatment of marginalised communities. PHOTO: AFP The Dharavi slum is home minding her of the require- tello, in an event dubbed ‘No to around one million people, 16-year-old said. bourhood, but the teenagers she ment, and most of the visitors Fear Day’. many of whom live in sin- Ayush began breakdancing met struck a chord with her. lining up to see the Sistine Most were without masks gle-room shanties and share three years ago, brushing off his “I was raised in a very con- Chapel on Friday morning and some held signs saying communal toilets. widowed mother’s pleas to give servative family... I never knew were prepared. “Freedom” and “State Dis- Its labyrinthine alleys up a pursuit she feared would there was a bigger world out Hugo Munoz, 48, from crimination”. — AFP have long been associated result in a trip to the hospital. there,” the 38-year-old told AFP. with filth and disease despite She was not alone. Many “And I was worried that its remarkable success in the parents were initially reluctant these kids might lose out on battle against Covid-19, and its to enrol their children in the life because they didn’t know residents battle constant dis- school’s free classes, dismissing the possibilities open to them.” crimination. But Ayush Tegar hip-hop as dangerous, a distrac- The school opened its doors Renuka, one of the star students tion from homework or simply in 2015, offering free classes in of the Dharavi Dream Project a waste of time. The Dharavi breakdancing, beatboxing and hip-hop academy, told AFP he Dream Project’s co-founder rapping to around 20 students, feels “so proud” of belonging Dolly Rateshwar was deter- with digital media start-up to the community. mined to change their minds. Qyuki -- Rateshwar’s employer “The Dharavi shown on TV The daughter of a Hindu -- and US entertainment titan channels and the real Dharavi priest, Rateshwar was nervous Universal Music Group footing A customer shows her Green Pass on a mobile phone in a central are very different places,” the about venturing into the neigh- the bill. — AFP Rome bar. PHOTO: AFP 8 AUGUST 2021 8 AUGUST 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE/ NATIONAL 9 Beware of flooding ` and strong winds Toward a relationship between the people and the Tatmadaw Myanmar Daily Weather Report where common understanding and suffering are shared (Issued at 7:00 pm Saturday 7 August 2021) in monsoon BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is moderate to strong over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. By Suzuka Yoshida (Researcher, reparedness should be undertaken since early monsoon. YANMAR began aim- end, some states were formed by own forces. With this thought, it Tatmadaw was weak, Myanmar Chiba University) FORECAST VALID UNTIL MORNING OF THE 8 August, Every monsoon brings various kinds of natural disasters ing to be a ‘modern, powerful groups, such as prom- makes it impossible to establish would have ceded its territory to 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be isolated in Magway P such as flooding, cyclonic storms, landsides, erosion and M developed democratic inent individuals in the armed a national identity for the people. its neighbours at an early stage. countries” during the five years Democracy cannot be at- Region, scattered in Lower Sagaing, Regions and heavy rains to all parts of Myanmar. nation’ following the inauguration forces and police, taking power of their administration. In the 21st tained through worshipping it as (Northern, Eastern) Shan State, fairly widespread in Nay Especially, the people need to beware of flooding and of U ’s administration. and suppressing the diverse voic- Surrounded by countries The concept of public rela- century, the education level of the a “goddess” in the same way as if Pyi Taw, Southern Shan and Kayah States and widespread in strong winds in the monsoon. It is because the flooding may The meaning behind this was for es within their borders., These where nearly 39% of the tions held by both the Tat- people has greatly improved, and praying within to Buddha. the remaining Regions and States with likelihood of isolated cause landslides, erosions and inundation, and strong winds the people to enjoy a free and de- are known as dictatorships, as world’s population congre- madaw and the people the international community and For the concept of public heavyfalls in Nay Pyi Taw, Upper Sagaing Region and Kachin, can destroy public buildings such as collapse of the buildings veloped economy, along with the can be seen in Africa and Latin gate The Tatmadaw, with its lim- the people are directly connected, relations, people should form Rakhine, Mon States. Degree of certainty is (100%). and blowing off of roofs in wards and villages and falling political freedom to choose polit- America. In the academic world Why, then, is the Tatmadaw ited number of decision-makers, such as through earning income relationships with each other in off and breaking of tree branches to block transportation ical parties and politicians. The of international politics, countries united so tightly? Why are they has been in charge of politics and abroad and receiving internation- each unit of affiliation, such as STATE OF THE SEA: Squalls with moderate to rough seas routes. international community, sensing that do not allow their people to trying to take a strong stance has given the highest priority to al remittances. The horizons of industry, agriculture, academic are likely at times off and along Myanmar Coasts. Surface wind Hence, the local authorities should seek the safer places that direction, had expectations have a free economy and politics, against other actors? national defence, but has not clar- the people have expanded, and research, education, health care, speed in squalls may reach (30-35)mph. Wave height will be on higher lands in advance for the development of Myanmar. and cannot operate a stable state, More of an understanding ified the decision-making process. more people can understand if the communities, religion, ethnic about (6 - 9)feet off and along Myanmar Coasts. for the local people to take However, since 1 February, that are classified as “failed states”. can be gained by looking at the There is neither transparency nor military gives explanations. The units, the armed forces, etc., and shelter during the period community has been disappoint- Is Myanmar also a failed countries neighbouring Myan- accountability, both of which are Tatmadaw is not the only body have internal discussions. In this OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood Anyone of natural disasters. If ed due to those expectations be- state? Based on the definition, mar—China to the northeast, required for a ‘modern developed capable of governing state affairs. way, consensus can be reached. of increase of rain in Upper Sagaing Region and Kachin State. there are cyclone shelters, ing set too high and has ridiculed there is a difference. No dicta- Bangladesh and India to the west. democratic nation’. The people On the other hand, the people The various opinions are then re- should not be local people are lucky for Myanmar, run by the Tatmadaw, tor (individual), who holds and These three countries alone make have been regarded as “objects are also under the impression ported in the media and include FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING easily taking shelter. If not, as a failed state. Some political controls all power, exists. There up 38.14% of the world’s popula- protected by the Tatmadaw” or as that democracy can be obtained both commentary and criticism. AREA FOR 8 August, 2021: One or two rain or thundershow- the local authorities need scientists have further expressed are civil servants, including the tion (from World Population Pros- “people who communicated with as a ‘package’ through the ap- The presence of civilian commen- ers. Degree of certainty is (100%). downhearted to arrange safer accom- criticism that the Tatmadaw will military and police. The branch- pects 2019 Revision). Bangladesh foreign actors” and not as “mutu- peal of demonstrations. Democ- tators is also necessary. By the modation for them with someday split and the national es of legislation, justice, and ad- has the sixth highest population al parties with whom to conduct racy, however, does not come in government approaching each FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA for the damage fulfillment of food supplies. polity collapse. ministration are functioning. So, density in the world. China has national affairs together”. The packages. It is something that is relationship unit to consult with FOR 8 August, 2021: One or two rain or thundershowers. Moreover, it is neces- a more realistic understanding been using ethnic armed groups Tatmadaw didn’t hold the concept achieved gradually. them, this will become an accu- Degree of certainty is (100%). in the natural sary to collect pharmaceu- Myanmar is not a failed state would be that the Tatmadaw, living along the border with Myan- of public relations and this is their I can give an example of this. mulation of efforts that gradually ticals for common use as The problems that Myanmar which currently have full power, mar to exploit natural resources transgression. Japan had a system to listen to puts into practice how the peo- FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING well as for prevention of currently faces are common chal- are not dictators, but act rather (jade, rubies, gold, timber, etc.) The CDM activists stated that the proceedings of the people ple and the Tatmadaw can work AREA FOR 8 August, 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. disasters. Even the diseases which may lenges faced by many emerging as a “system that narrows down necessary for the development “Cooperation with ethnic armed even when the samurai held all together and build channels of Degree of certainty is (80%). cause in the monsoon and countries that became independ- decision-makers”. of its inland areas. Britain, when groups is necessary to counter three types of power (judiciary, dialogue with the government at Phoenix can during the flooding peri- ent after World War II. Fortunate- The reasoning behind this it colonized the former Bengal the Tatmadaw.” What gave them administrative, and legislative) each respective level. The result od. If drinking water is not ly, after independence, emerging narrowing down of decision-mak- region of India, had sent the sur- this excuse was the Tatmadaw (1603-1867), and after Japan of this will be a democracy. be born again safety, local people may nations no longer had outside par- ers is so that the Tatmadaw lead- plus impoverished population, and police turning their guns on opened to the world in 1868, the The road to the realization of suffer from various diseas- ties intimidating them. However, ers can make quick decisions; which had increased due to the the people. Above all though, it is system shifted to one based on a a ‘modern developed democratic es related to cholera and leaders began to compete, saying they want to prevent information land tax system, to Myanmar as because the Tatmadaw has not Western-style constitutional de- nation’ asks questions of both the and again from seasonal flu. The officials that they should be the main char- leaks to foreign countries; and the workers and encouraged them explained to the people clearly mocracy. Still, there was a bitter Tatmadaw and the people. Can should collect necessary acters of their state’s “myths” fact that it is difficult to gather to settle there. Now Bangladesh enough that “this is a necessary history of war caused by a runa- you put into words what you can its ashes. The medicines before disas- and decide what ideals their state opinions due to a large number of tries to ease its economic burden action for national defence” or way army. Following World War do and what words do you want to ters. should meet. Conflicts continued ethnic groups and ethnic armed by shifting the surplus population given them the reason for “why II, a solid channel of institutional convey to the new government? humans can In addition, local peo- within governments over the al- groups. There have also been con- to the Myanmar side. This is be- the Tatmadaw must be strong”. dialogue was established between ple need to participate in location of authority and budget, flicts between the Tatmadaw and cause of abundant living resourc- The Tatmadaw should explain the government and the people, (The opinions and views the rehearsals for prepar- and with no progress in mutual ethnic armed groups, as well as es available, such as water and that there were suspicions such which has remained up to today. in this article are those of the have victories edness of natural disas- understanding, it became impos- among the various ethnic armed cultivated land. The Tatmadaw’s as “NLD leaders were breaching If I may say, the Japanese feel the author only). ters since the summer. sible to cooperate, stalling the groups. It can be said then that role is to repel such pressure by national security interest in its value of democracy that has been over all. If their residences face running of those nations. In the the Tatmadaw can only trust their keeping the border secure. If the relationship with some foreign obtained from blood. natural disasters yearly, they should make more efforts for preventive measures of the disasters. If they participate in the dis- aster prevention rehearsals, they will have capability to U.S. virologists synthesize infectious encounter the disasters without any fear and they can stably make decisions how to overcome the challenges during the disasters. SARS-like coronavirus in 2008: PNAS On one hand, the people should do preparedness for the disasters based on the weather information disseminated by GROUP of U.S. virol- epithelial cell cultures. He has been exploring the anal- coronavirus and the tremendous the authorities in time. If so, those from the disasters may lose ogists reported “the Researchers have the abili- ysis, manipulation and creation damage coronavirus could inflict nothing but may face damage of various structures naturally. A design, synthesis, and ty to design and synthesize var- of coronavirus, and recombining, on humanity. So, anyone should not be downhearted for the damage in recovery of the largest synthetic ious SARS-like coronaviruses, cloning, modifying and transform- In 2006, after an unknown the natural disasters. Even Phoenix can be born again and replicating life form,” a 29.7-kb said Ralph Baric, professor at ing different viruses for more than number of generations of targeted Daily newspapers available again from its ashes. The humans can have victories over bat SARS-like coronavirus in an the University of North Carolina 30 years, according to a report by culture of viruses by Baric’s team, all. article published in the U.S. sci- and leading author of the article China’s Science and Technology a mutation that can successfully online That is why all the people should not tremble with any entific journal PNAS as early as published in the scientific journal Daily on Thursday. cause rapid death in mice ap- FOR those who would like to read the Myanma Alinn, the kinds of natural disasters but they should beware of these October 2008. PNAS. Insufficient fund had been peared, and this new virus can Kyemon and the Global New Light of Myanmar, published daily disasters with proper plans how to overcome the challenges The article reported the crea- Since 1983, Baric has pub- the biggest headache of Baric in infect humans and lead to pneu- by the Ministry of Information, please visit www.moi.gov.mm/ and difficulties. tion in laboratory of the coronavi- lished over 400 papers in his own his study of coronavirus until the monia and higher mortality. A group of U.S. virologists reported “the design, synthesis, and recovery mal, www.moi.gov.mm/km, www.moi.gov.mm/nlm and www. gnlm.com.mm/e-paper. rus, which was not only infectious name or as an instructor, includ- outbreak of SARS in 2003, which of the largest synthetic replicating life form,” a 29.7-kb bat SARS-like News and Periodicals Enterprise in mice, but also in human airway ing 268 papers on coronavirus. proved to the world the lethality of SOURCE: Xinhua coronavirus in an article published in the U.S. scientific journal PNAS as early as October 2008. PHOTO: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/FILE 8 AUGUST 2021 10 SCI/ENVIRON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NASA Mars rover fails to collect rock in search of alien life

NASA’S Perseverance drilled ancient microbial life that may into the surface of Mars but have been preserved in ancient failed in its initial attempt to col- lakebed deposits. lect rock samples that would be Scientists also hope to bet- picked up by future missions for ter understand Martian geology. analysis by scientists on Earth. The mission took off from The US space agency pub- Florida a little over a year ago lished images Friday of a small and Perseverance, which is the mound with a hole in its center size of a large family car, land- next to the rover -- the first ever ed on February 18 in the Jezero dug into the Red Planet by a Crater. robot. Scientists believe the crater But data sent to Earth by contained a deep lake 3.5 billion the rover after its first attempt years ago, where the conditions to collect a sample and seal it may have been able to support in a tube indicated no rock had extraterrestrial life. been gathered. NASA plans a mission to “While this is not the ‘hole- bring around 30 samples back to in-one’ we hoped for, there is An artist’s depiction of NASA’s Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance, storing samples of Martian rocks in tubes for Earth in the 2030s, to be analyzed future delivery to Earth. PHOTO: NASA/JPL-CALTECH/AFP always risk with breaking new by instruments that are much ground,” said Thomas Zurbu- rectorate, in a statement. will persevere toward a solution of a sampling process that is ex- more sophisticated than those chen, associate administrator “I’m confident we have the to ensure future success.” pected to take about 11 days, with that can be brought to Mars at for NASA’s science mission di- right team working this, and we The drill hole is the first step the aim of looking for signs of present.—AFP Dixie Fire becomes third-largest in Mediterranean faces California history fiercer heatwaves, drought, fires: UN draft report week razed the Gold Rush town of Greenville, has torched more than 1,700 square kilometers (650 THE Mediterranean will be for official release in February square miles) since it erupted in hit by ever fiercer heatwaves, 2022. mid-July. drought and fires supercharged “Reasons for concern in- Plumas County Sheriff Todd by rising temperatures, accord- clude sea-level rise related Johns, who is helping to coordi- ing to a draft United Nations risks, land and marine biodi- nate the fight against the fire, assessment seen exclusively versity losses, risks related to said the destruction was devas- by AFP that warns the region drought, wildfire, alterations of tating. “I am a lifelong resident of is a “climate change hotspot”. water cycle, endangered food Greenville. My heart is crushed The assessment from the production, health risks in both by what has occurred there,” he Intergovernmental Panel on urban and rural settlements told a briefing on Thursday. Climate Change (IPCC) -- to from heat, and altered disease “To the folks that have lost be published next year -- details vectors,” is its grim assess- residences and businesses... the future impacts that carbon ment. The draft predicts that The Dixie Fire is now the third-biggest in California history. their life is now forever changed. pollution will have on the region, temperatures across the Medi- PHOTO: AFP “All I can tell you is: I’m which this week sweltered in terranean are likely to rise fast- A huge wildfire tearing through scientists say is driven by cli- sorry.” above-average temperatures er than the global average in the northern California became the mate change has left the western The town of Greenville stood while Greece and Turkey battle decades to come, threatening third-largest in the state’s his- United States parched -- and vul- charred and in ruins Friday, with record-breaking blazes. the region’s vital agriculture, tory Friday, and looked set to nerable to explosive and highly timber structures gone com- The Mediterranean’s more fisheries and tourism sectors. continue growing. destructive fires. pletely and some stone buildings than half-a-billion inhabitants Tens of millions more in- A long-term drought that The Dixie Fire, which this reduced to rubble.—AFP face “highly interconnected habitants will face heightened climate risks,” says a chapter risk of water shortages, coastal dedicated to the region in a draft flooding and exposure to poten- Portuguese discover mechanism that of the IPCC’s Working Group II tially deadly extreme heat, it report on climate impacts, due warns.—AFP predicts severity of COVID-19

THE Institute for Research and complicated disease in others.” Pinho explained that this re- Innovation in Health (i3S) at the The study, led by researcher action “can be detected at diag- University of Porto announced Salome Pinho, showed that circu- nosis,” and therefore constitutes on Wednesday it has discovered lating T cells “provide protection a “new biomarker of COVID-19 the mechanism that defines why against the virus” by “exchanging prognosis and severity, as well as the severity of COVID-19 is so their glycans (sugar molecules) a new therapeutic target.” variable in each infected person. in a specific way after infection The research team also According to an official state- with SARS-CoV-2.” demonstrated that, in asympto- ment from i3S, a change in T lym- According to the study, there matic patients, blood mononu- phocytes explains “why SARS- is a more intense “immunological clear cells exhibit an “increased CoV-2 infection causes mild or response” in patients with more expression of a specific protein,” People bathe in the Mediterranean sea water off Libya’s capital Tripoli even asymptomatic disease in “glycosylated T lymphocytes,” capable of efficiently recognizing on August 18, 2020, amid a heatwave. some individuals and severe and making them asymptomatic. the virus.—Xinhua PHOTO: MAHMUD TURKIA / AFP 8 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: WORLD 11 NEWS Japan’s cumulative COVID cases top 1 IN BRIEF mil. as Delta variant surges UK launches $1 billion Covid

confirmed coronavirus cases hit months, with highly contagious insurance scheme record highs in recent days. Ja- Alpha and Delta variants of the vi- for live events pan confirmed its first COVID-19 rus spreading across the country case on Jan. 15 last year. and replacing the original strain. The UK has launched an insur- Also Friday, the Tokyo met- In the past few weeks, the ance scheme to cover music ropolitan government reported coronavirus situation has rap- festivals and other live events an additional 4,515 cases while idly worsened in many parts of as the beleaguered sector seeks Prefecture logged a record the country, including the Tokyo protection after months of 1,310 infections, amid growing metropolitan area, the Kansai mass cancellations due to the concern about a potential col- western region centering on coronavirus pandemic. lapse of the medical system in Osaka and the southern island The Live Events Reinsur- the country due to a resurgence prefecture of Okinawa. ance Scheme of £750 million, Japan’s cumulative total of confirmed coronavirus cases topped 1 million of the virus. The figure in Tokyo A state of emergency has created in partnership with on Friday as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread in was the second-highest for the been issued in those areas. But UK-based Lloyd’s insurance many parts of the country. PHOTO: KYODO capital, which reported a record the measure, which mostly re- company, will run from Sep- 5,042 cases Thursday. Tokyo is lies on a cooperative public and tember 2021 until the end JAPAN’S cumulative total of con- ues to spread in many parts of hosting the Olympics under its not a hard lockdown as in some of September 2022 to avoid firmed coronavirus cases topped the country. The development fourth state of emergency. countries, has had little effect in a third summer of cancella- 1 million on Friday as the highly came as many prefectures in Ja- The cumulative nationwide slowing infections, health experts tions at events such as music contagious Delta variant contin- pan have witnessed their daily total has doubled in about four said.—Kyodo festivals. The announcement comes as the government French constitutional court backs Macron’s COVID-19 pass launches an advertising cam- paign warning under-30s they will miss out on going FRANCE’S top constitutional au- and approved by parliament last to nightclubs if they are not thority on Thursday approved a month represented a “balanced vaccinated. Finance minister COVID pass that limits access to trade-off” between public health Rishi Sunak admitted while cafes, restaurants and inter-city concerns and personal freedom. “organisers are raring to go” trains and planes to people who Prime Minister Jean Castex following the lifting of most have been vaccinated or tested welcomed the court ruling, saying major restrictions, “the lack negative for the virus. it “will allow the full deployment of the right kind of insurance The controversial pass, of our battle strategy against is proving a problem”.—AFP which will become ubiquitous COVID-19”. The biggest change from Monday, drew several hun- concerns restaurants which will dred protesters outside the Coun- now have to turn away patrons Equatorial Guinea: cil of State in . who fail to produce the health Drugs shortage “All this undermines funda- pass. struggles as mental freedoms... Freedom is, first of all, the choice to be vac- ‘Not police’ A demonstrator carries a French flag past a line of gendarmes during pandemic strikes cinated or not,” said Marie Jose “There will be a cost, in protests against the compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for certain workers and the mandatory use of the health pass. PHOTO: AFP Libeiro, 48. “We are falling into terms of time spent checking IN medical terms, the country is an authoritarian state.” the pass, and in terms of sales association, told AFP. challenge for many restaurant suffering from a perfect storm, But the Constitutional Court because we will lose customers,” Cyril Wafik, manager of the owners who were already having in which years-long shortages of said the restrictions put forward Herve Becam, vice president of Indiana Cafe in central Paris, said trouble getting customers to wear drugs have combined with the by President Emmanuel Macron the UMIH hotels and restaurants the pass presented yet another masks.—AFP coronavirus pandemic. “We have received almost nothing for the past three years,” Francisco Ondo Nsue, director Philippine capital back in lockdown over Delta fears of Centramed, a government agency that supplies Equatorial Delta variant and ease pressure to include neighbouring Lagu- Guinea’s hospitals and pharma- on hospitals while trying to avoid na province. Restrictions were cies, said in early July. crushing economic activity. also tightened in other regions We lack many drugs here,” Police checkpoints across where coronavirus infections said a sales assistant at a hospi- the National Capital Region, have spiked. The Philippines tal in Malabo. where more than 13 million peo- has detected more than 330 Delta The health ministry has an ple live, caused long queues as cases in recent weeks and there annual drugs budget of around officers in camouflage uniforms are fears the strain could tear two million CFA francs ($3.6 inspected vehicles to ensure only through the nation as it has in million / three million euros) essential workers were on the neighbouring countries. Succes- but “only three percent is spent,” road. Experts warned that an sive lockdowns and other restric- said Ondo Nsue. explosion in Delta cases could tions, including a ban on children The meagre sum allocated overwhelm the health system if going outdoors, have shattered for drugs is also under pressure restrictions were not tightened the economy and left millions to help meet other needs, in- in the crowded capital, which jobless. There are concerns the cluding the Covid pandemic. Police checkpoints across the Philippines’ National Capital Region accounts for about a third of the new lockdown will deepen the The situation could soon caused long queues. PHOTO: AFP country’s economy. The stay- misery, with government assis- worsen if the ministry fails to THE Philippine capital Manila authorities sought to slow the at-home order announced last tance limited to 4,000 pesos ($80) buy drugs quickly, Ondo Nsue returned to lockdown Friday as spread of the hyper-contagious week was expanded Thursday per household.—AFP said.—AFP 8 AUGUST 2021 12 ECON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR India scraps ‘tax UK’s Johnson under fire over terrorism’ rule that ‘crass’ coal closure quip spooked foreign firms leaders and for- mer mining communities on Fri- INDIAN lawmakers approved ter’s India by brewing giant day lashed out at Prime Minister Friday the scrapping of a tax SAB Miller and the purchase Boris Johnson for joking that for- rule that allowed huge retroac- of an Indian vaccine maker by mer leader Margaret Thatcher’s tive claims, badly hurt its image French drug group Sanofi. coal mine closures had given for foreign investors, and led Two firms, Britain’s Voda- Britain a head start in fighting to embarrassing attempted fone and Cairn Energy, suc- climate change. asset seizures from Paris to cessfully challenged the tax Thatcher, in power from 1979 New York. claims in international arbitra- to 1990, fought a bitter battle with The 2012 legislation, which tion courts -- rulings that India coal miners in the 1980s, deliv- the then-opposition -- now in refused to accept. ering the unionised industry’s power -- dubbed “tax terror- Cairn this year moved to death knell by closing over 100 ism”, sought to claw back bil- seize properties in Paris and mines, devastating communi- lions of dollars from foreign Manhattan owned by the Indian ties in northern England, South Johnson’s joke about Thatcher’s pit closures helping climate change are firms from past deals that in- state in an attempt to get back Wales and Scotland. likely not to play well in former mining areas of northern England which volved Indian assets. the $1.2 billion that the arbitra- A year-long walkout against voted for him in 2019. PHOTO: POOL/AFP This reportedly included tion tribunal ruled it was owed closure plans by miners in 1984- the 2013 acquisition of Fos- by New Delhi.—AFP 85 was one of the defining mo- climate summit in Glasgow in ognises the huge impact and pain ments of her premiership, erod- November. “Thanks to Margaret closing coal mines had in com- ing union power and accelerating Thatcher, who closed so many munities across the UK”. her free-market reforms. coal mines across the country, But the quip risks backfir- Johnson made the com- we had a big early start and we’re ing with voters in former mining ments on a visit to an offshore now moving rapidly away from heartlands of northern England, wind farm in Scotland on Thurs- coal altogether,” he said. who switched from Labour to his day, as he talked about the chang- Johnson’s spokesman on Conservatives in the last gener- es in Britain’s energy mix ahead Friday refused to apologise, al election in 2019, largely over of convening the UN’s COP26 saying “the prime minister rec- Brexit.—AFP China exports robust in July as port

Cairn Energy successfully challenged Indian tax claims in an activity rebounds international arbitration court, a ruling that India refused to accept. PHOTO: AFP/FILE CHINA’S exports remained ro- for goods like medical gear and ta variant with local outbreaks bust in July despite losing some electronics needed to work from detected in more than a dozen steam, customs data showed home -- with a resurgence in provinces. NEWS Saturday, with analysts noting coronavirus cases elsewhere But trade remained strong a rebound in port activity but increasing reliance on Chinese in July, with exports growing IN BRIEF warning that the recent spread products. slightly less than expected at of the Delta variant could act as With strict lockdowns and 19.3 percent from a year ago, said US job gains pick up speed in July as economy a drag on growth. mass testing, business activity the Customs Administration. A reopens Outbound shipments from has largely returned to normal Bloomberg poll of analysts had the world’s second-largest econ- in China, although the country forecast the rise at 19.9 percent THE recovering US economy scored a big jobs gain in July, which omy have remained resilient is now stepping up measures to on-year, after a surprise spike President Joe Biden said Friday was further evidence his policies this year, boosted by demand contain the spread of the Del- of 32.2 percent in June.—AFP have been successful. “What is indisputable now is this: the Biden plan is working. The Biden plan produced results and the Biden plan is moving the country forward,” he said at the White House after government data showed 943,000 new jobs added last month. Despite progress in recovering from “the economic mess we inherited,” the president acknowledged that the recovery is “far from complete, and ... doubtless will have ups and downs along the way” as the Delta variant of the coronavirus casts doubts on the outlook.—AFP

French wine production faces historic low after frost disaster

FRANCE’S wine output this year will go on record as one of the worst in history, if not the worst, after severe spring frosts devastat- ed vines, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. France, the world’s second-largest wine producer after Italy, is likely to see its production drop between 24 and 30 percent in 2021, taking it to a “historically low” level, the ministry said. It is already certain to fall below output seen in 1991 and 2017, the two most recent years of disastrous harvests amputated by Outbound shipments from the world’s second-largest economy have remained resilient this year, boosted by bouts of late frost.—AFP demand for goods like medical gear and electronics needed to work from home. PHOTO: AFP/FILE 8 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD 13 Striking Canadian border agents reach deal on salaries, work environment

A strike by Canadian bor- will be allowed to enter entering Canada can ex- der agents has ended with Canada for non-essen- pect long lines and delays an agreement on raises tial travel from Monday at border crossings and and other issues, a union without any quarantine airports starting Friday, announced. requirements for the first August 6, as 9,000 members Thousands of agents time since March last year. of the Canada Border Ser- joined the work-to-rule But operations were vices Agency go on strike strike Friday, three days deliberately slowed at the across the country,” the un- before the land crossing border on Friday as strik- ion said earlier this week in reopens to Americans ers complained of a “toxic a statement. By evening, fully vaccinated against work environment at the the hours-long collective Traffic builds up on the Ontario side of a Canada-US crossing in March 2020 after the border was closed for non-essential travel. PHOTO: AFP/FILE Covid-19, according to the agency” and demanded action had ended as the Public Service Alliance of more robust protections union signed an agree- we have finally managed bers feel valued and safe at includes average salary in- Canada (PSAC). against harassment and ment with the authorities, to resolve long-standing is- work,” said Mark Weber of creases of two percent per Inoculated US citizens discrimination. “Travelers according to PSAC. “After sues, which will go a long the Customs and Immigra- year and a meal allowance and permanent residents and commercial carriers three years of negotiations, way to helping our mem- tion Union. The agreement for staff.—AFP Russia court hands Apple revives encryption debate with move US investor, French on child exploitation banker suspended APPLE’S announcement communication tools to re- cryptographic experts “is warned the tool could be that it would scan encrypt- cruit and exploit them, and secure, and is expressly exploited for other purpos- sentences ed messages for evidence limit the spread of child designed to preserve user es, potentially opening a of child sexual abuse has sexual abuse material.” privacy.” door to mass surveillance. revived debate on online The move represents The company said it “This sort of tool can encryption and privacy, a major shift for Apple, will have limited access be a boon for finding child raising fears the same which has until recently to the violating images pornography in people’s technology could be used resisted efforts to weak- which would be flagged phones. But imagine what for government surveil- en its encryption that pre- to the National Center it could do in the hands of lance. vents third parties from for Missing and Exploit- an authoritarian govern- The iPhone maker seeing private messages. ed Children, a nonprofit ment?” said a tweet from said its initiative would Apple argued in a organization. Matthew Green, a cryptog- “help protect children technical paper that the Nonetheless, encryp- rapher at Johns Hopkins from predators who use technology developed by tion and private specialists University.—AFP

US investor Michael Calvey said it is ‘simply outrageous to be convicted of a crime that never happened.’ PHOTO: AFP Huawei revenue plunges further in A Russian court on Friday months for a crime he said handed US investor Mi- he did not commit. Delpal, chael Calvey and French who spent six months in ‘challenging times’ banker Philippe Delpal jail before he was put un- suspended sentences after der house arrest, received CHINESE telecoms giant from the same period last convicting them of embez- a four-and-a-half year sus- Huawei’s second-quarter year. zlement in a high-profile pended sentence, accord- revenue plunged 38 per Huawei’s consumer case that has rattled the ing to an AFP reporter in cent, according to figures products division, which country’s business com- ’s Meshchansky released on Friday, with includes smartphones, munity. Even if they will district court. smartphone sales suffer- achieved first-half sales not spend any more time He also insisted ing from US sanctions and of 135.7 billion yuan, down in jail, Calvey and Delpal he was not guilty of any the offloading of its budget 47 per cent from a year decried as “outrageous” crime. Five Russian asso- brand Honor. earlier. and “shocking” a ruling ciates who said they were Huawei is at the cen- A company spokes- that brings down the cur- innocent also received tre of an intense US-China person said the decline tain on a business dispute suspended sentences of trade and tech rivalry after was due in part to the loss that further damaged the between three-and-a-half the government of former of Honor, which was sold investment climate in years and five years. “The president Donald Trump People try Huawei products using the HarmonyOS by Huawei late last year to Russia and triggered an court has come to the con- voiced concern the com- operating system. The US has barred Huawei from acquiring help it maintain access to outflow of foreign capital. clusion that the defend- pany could be used for es- technologies crucial to its operations, such as microchips, components and survive. and cut it off from using Google’s Android operating Calvey, the founder of pionage. The United States ants can be reformed with- system. PHOTO: STR / AFP Huawei’s travails investment fund Baring out being isolated from has provided no evidence have forced it to quickly Vostok who spent nearly society,” said judge Anna of spying but has barred using Google’s Android lion yuan (€41.7bn), down pivot into new business two years in detention Sokova, who took more Huawei from acquiring operating system. 29 per cent year on year, lines, including enterprise and under house arrest, than 15 hours Thursday technologies crucial to its For the first half of the Shenzhen-based firm computing, technology for received a suspended and Friday to read out the operations, such as micro- the year, Huawei’s overall said. Its net profit margin intelligent vehicles, and sentence of five years six judgement.—AFP chips, and cut it off from revenues were 320.4 bil- was 9.8 per cent, up slightly software.— AFP 8 AUGUST 2021 14 SOCIETY THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR India, China disengage from another part of disputed border

INDIAN and Chinese troops have been dismantled and mutu- and military hardware from the have disengaged from another ally verified. The landform in the north and south banks of Pan- area of their contested border area has been restored by both gong Lake. where they had been in a face-off sides to pre-stand off period,” the Tensions began escalating situation for nearly 15 months, army said. It also said that the in Ladakh in May last year, with the Indian army said on Friday. two sides’ agreement ensures India and China accusing each The army statement said that the Line of Actual Control other of crossing the Line of Ac- the disengagement process in the Gogra area will be strictly tual Control that separates the in Eastern Ladakh’s Gogra observed and respected by both two sides. area was carried out over last sides, with “no unilateral change The confrontation became Wednesday and Thursday, and in the status quo.” violent on June 15 last year the both sides’ troops are now The disengagement from when 20 Indian soldiers and an in their permanent bases. the area is the second phase of unknown number of Chinese “All temporary structures the process. ones were killed in a physical and other allied infrastructure In February, both sides altercation at Galwan Valley in Indian and Chinese troops at a Himalayan mountain border outpost. created in the area by both sides completed withdrawal of troops Ladakh.— Kyodo PHOTO: AFP/FILE

German prosecutors launch NEWS IN BRIEF probe over deadly floods Thai police probe death of Swiss woman found near waterfall whether enough was done to warn residents. THAI police are investigating the suspected murder of a Swiss woman Following an initial exami- whose body was found near a waterfall at a popular beach resort. nation of the case, prosecutors in Police found the woman, named as Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, Koblenz said they have “affirmed lying face down covered in a black sheet, in water among rocks near the initial suspicion of negligent a beauty spot on Phuket island on Thursday. homicide and negligent bodily The case casts a shadow over Phuket’s so-called “Sandbox” harm... and have initiated inves- scheme, a pilot project to reopen Thailand’s Covid-devastated tourism tigations.” sector after more than a year of draconian travel curbs. Ahrweiler district chief The 57-year-old victim had travelled to Phuket under the scheme, Juergen Pfoehler is the focus of which allows vaccinated travellers to visit the island without going the probe because he had “sole through Thailand’s otherwise mandatory two-week hotel quarantine. decision-making authority” and Results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death are ex- was meant to be in charge of the pected later on Friday, but officials believe Sauvain-Weisskopf died operation according to current at least three days ago.—AFP Waste is piled up on August 3, 2021 in a street in Stolberg, western Germany, a city that was hit by the historic floods. PHOTO: AFP regulations. Another member of the cri- GERMAN prosecutors said on resulting in the death of dozens sis group, who had for at least 10 passengers injured in Tokyo train Friday they have launched an of residents. part of the time taken over the attack, suspect arrested investigation against the dis- Some 189 people lost their command of the emergency re- trict chief of the flood-hit region lives in severe floods that pum- sponse, was also under investi- A knife-wielding man attacked passengers in a running Odakyu of Ahrweiler for negligence as melled western Germany in gation, prosecutors said, without Electric Railway commuter train in Tokyo on Friday evening, injur- warnings were made belatedly, mid-July, raising questions about naming the suspect.—AFP ing 10 people, and was arrested the next day after he fled the scene, police said. Yusuke Tsushima, 36, was charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a woman in her 20s with a knife. The woman was Gaza incendiary balloons spark seriously injured with multiple stab wounds to her back and chest. Tsushima has admitted to the assault, telling the police, “I have fires in Israel been wanting to kill a happy-looking woman for the past six years. Anyone would have been okay.”—Kyodo INCENDIARY balloons launched from the Gaza Strip on Friday caused four fires in Tropical storm to hit Tokyo on last southern Israel’s Eshkol region, Israeli firefighters said. day of Olympics The balloons are basic devices intended to set fire to A tropical storm is forecast to hit Tokyo on the last day of the Olym- farmland surrounding the Israe- pics, organisers said Friday, but did not announce any changes to li-blockaded Palestinian enclave. competition. The last time such an attack Japan’s weather agency warned of strong winds, high waves took place was on July 25, set- and the risk of landslides and floods along the eastern coastline ting off brush fires in the same from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, when Tropical Storm Mirinae region. The Israeli army at the is expected to pass over the capital. time retaliated with air strikes The Olympics closing ceremony is on Sunday evening, with on targets of the Islamist move- An Israeli firefighter extinguishes a fire caused by incendiary balloons medal events including water polo and rhythmic taking ment Hamas, which rules the launched from the Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AFP place at indoor venues in the city during the day. Palestinian enclave. tails about Friday’s blazes but Israeli media reports said Cycling track races are also scheduled in Shizuoka, southwest The Israeli fire department said firefighters were trying to fires broke out in forests in the of Tokyo, while the men’s marathon will kick off early Sunday in the did not immediately provide de- extinguish them. Eshkol region.—AFP far northern city of Sapporo.—AFP 8 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15 G7 fingers Iran in deadly tanker attack; US releases ‘evidence’

G7 foreign ministers said Fri- er that killed a former British the 2015 deal on the Iranian day that Iran was behind the soldier and a Romanian nation- nuclear program at a standstill. deadly July 29-30 attack on a al, the G7 said in a statement. The G7 ministers said “ves- tanker, while the US military “This was a deliberate and sels must be allowed to navi- released details of the explosive targeted attack, and a clear vi- gate freely in accordance with drone and said it was produced olation of international law... international law,” and vowed in Iran. There is no justification for this to “do our utmost to protect all Meanwhile, the UN Securi- attack,” the ministers from the shipping, upon which the global ty Council agreed to discuss the seven developed nations said in economy depends.” The Israeli-managed oil products tanker M/T Mercer Street anchored incident off the coast of Oman a statement. “Iran’s behaviour, along- off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates days after it was struck by an explosive drone, which killed two people on board. PHOTO: AFP on Monday as pressure mount- Iran has strongly denied side its support to proxy forces ed on Tehran. having any link to the attack on and non-state armed actors, inconsistent with UN Security their accusations at a closed- “All available evidence the M/T Mercer Street, which threatens international peace Council resolutions. door Security Council meeting clearly points to Iran” in the came as tensions grow in the and security,” they said, calling European countries and at the UN headquarters in New attack on the Israel-linked tank- region and with talks to revive on Tehran to stop all activities the United States renewed York Friday.—AFP

Main Nicaragua opposition party NEWS disqualified ahead of elections IN BRIEF Britain tells nationals to leave heads up the Citizens Alliance Afghanistan immediately for Liberty (CXL) bloc, which is spearheading opposition to the reelection of President Daniel BRITAIN has warned all UK nationals in Afghanistan to leave the coun- Ortega in November 7 polls. try immediately due to the “worsening security situation” as fighting But the Central American intensifies. country’s Supreme Elector- The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Friday al Council blocked the CXL’s updated its website to advise against all travel to Afghanistan. participation by ordering the “All British nationals in Afghanistan are advised to leave now by “cancellation of the legal status commercial means. If you are still in Afghanistan, you are advised to of the Citizens for Liberty par- leave now by commercial means because of the worsening security ty,” according to a court ruling situation,” it said. The foreign office warned Britons not to rely on it read before official media by for emergency evacuation, saying the assistance it could provide was the body’s secretary, Luis Luna. “extremely limited”. The warning comes after the Taliban launched a The move is another step in major offensive to coincide with the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces The Citizens Alliance for Liberty bloc registered their alliance at the a recent harsh political crack- after nearly two decades of conflict. “Terrorists are very likely to try to Supreme Electoral Council in the Nicaraguan capital Managua in May down ahead of the vote, with carry out attacks in Afghanistan. Specific methods of attack are evolving 2021. PHOTO: AFP/FILE critics accusing Ortega’s gov- and increasing in sophistication,” the foreign office said. NICARAGUA’S electoral council the latest move in an escalating ernment of trying to prevent The Taliban now control vast swathes of rural Afghanistan and on Friday disqualified the coun- political crackdown in the Cen- any meaningful opposition from are challenging government forces in several cities, including Herat, try’s main opposition party from tral American country. standing in the November elec- near the western border with Iran, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in upcoming presidential polls, in The Citizens for Liberty tion.—AFP the south.—AFP Hezbollah rocket attack on Israel Panama, Colombia to facilitate safer migrant passage to US draws retaliation PANAMA and Colombia agreed Friday to facilitate the controlled LEBANON’S Hezbollah fired a transit of undocumented migrants seeking to reach the United States, volley of rockets at Israeli posi- in an attempt to slow the surge of people and protect them from tions on Friday, prompting retal- organized crime. iatory shelling, in an escalation The two countries will establish a series of quotas next week of between the Iran-backed Shiite migrants that each nation can receive. movement and the Jewish state. So far this year, 49,000 migrants have crossed the border between A flare-up along the border Colombia and Panama, as many as in the last four years combined, this week has seen Israel carry fleeing the crisis caused by the pandemic, poverty and violence in out its first air strikes on Leba- their home countries. nese territory in seven years and The agreement followed a meeting in the town of Meteti, in Hezbollah claim a direct rocket southern Panama, attended by Colombian vice president and foreign attack on Israeli territory for the minister Marta Lucia Ramirez and Panamanian foreign minister Erika first time since 2019. Mouynes, in addition to other ministers and senior security officials. The exchanges coincide with Another Panamanian delegation will travel to Colombia Monday rising tensions between Iran and Israeli self-propelled howitzers fire towards Lebanon from a position “to determine a number, a quota of migrants” who can “be received Israel since a deadly attack on an near the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. PHOTO: AFP in a safe and orderly manner by the Panamanian side,” Mouynes said. Israeli-managed tanker in the exchange, Israel said it did “not force in the border region, UNI- “We are going to regularize a contingent or a daily amount of Gulf of Oman last week. wish to escalate to a full war”, as FIL, warned of “a very dangerous people who preferably move through a single place, who have a single Following Friday morning’s the United Nations peacekeeping situation”.—AFP place of arrival in Panama,” Ramirez added.— AFP 8 AUGUST 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Japan’s Kiyuna confident karate will return to Olympics Republic of the Union of Myanmar AFTER winning Japan’s first gold medal in ka- rate, Ryo Kiyuna said Saturday the sport’s debut State Administration at the Tokyo Olympics was a big step forward in introducing its attractions to the world and be- lieves one day it will return to the sports program Council at the major global event. A day after capturing the men’s kata title, Nine Objectives Kiyuna told a press conference he was excited to compete in karate’s Olympic debut, but he knew the games were different from any other tourna- 1. Political affairs ment because of the attention he would receive. (a) To build a Union based on democracy and fed- “Participating in the Tokyo Olympics, I no- eralism, through a disciplined and genuine mul- ticed (the Olympics) are a wonderful place,” said tiparty democratic system that is fair and just. Kiyuna, who is a native of Okinawa Prefecture, (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring peace karate’s birth place. for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide “We showed that the tradition of Okinawa has Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). spread and there are karate athletes around the world,” he said, adding that the athletes “made (c) To continue implementing the principle of peaceful history” by promoting the sport to a wide audience co-existence among countries through an inde- at the Tokyo Games. pendent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. The combat sport is said to have originated 2. Economic affairs in Okinawa during a 450-year period from 1429 (a) To enhance production based on agriculture under the Ryukyu Kingdom. There are now over Ryo Kiyuna of Japan competes in the men’s kata final and livestock through modern techniques and 130 million practitioners, according to the World bout for karate at the Tokyo Olympics on 6 August strengthen all-round development in other sectors Karate Federation, and it is also popular in Eu- 2021, at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. of the economy. PHOTO: KYODO ropean countries like France.—Kyodo (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote international investment in order to enhance the economic development of the entire National Israel’s Ashram ends Russian Olympic people. (c) To promote and support local businesses to create reign with shock rhythmic win employment opportunities and increase domestic production. ISRAEL’S points overall, just 0.150 ahead the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 3. Social affairs claimed a shock victory in the of Averina. is arguably one of the biggest (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the individu- The 22-year-old becomes surprises in the sport’s history. genuine spirit of patriotism. al all-around final on Saturday, just the third Israeli Olympic Russian gymnasts have (b) To respect and promote the customs and tradi- edging out three-time world champion, following in the also won 12 of the past 14 tions of all National peoples and preserve and champion Dina Averina to end footsteps of sailor Gal Fridman world championship all-around safeguard their cultural heritage and national two decades of Russian Olympic and Artem Dolgopyat, who won golds. One of the two times they characteristics. dominance. men’s floor gold in the artistic missed out was in 2001, when (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education Ashram clung on despite gymnastics in Tokyo. Alina Kabaeva was stripped of a mistake in her closing rib- It is the first time a Russian her title after testing positive quality of the entire nation. bon routine to win with 107.800 has failed to win the title since for a banned diuretic.—AFP Britain’s Yafai wins flyweight boxing gold, Ukrainian KO’d

BRITAIN’S Galal Yafai defeated kyo. sport in the Japanese capital. Carlo Paalam to win the Olym- Yafai, cheered on from the Despite the disappointment pic flyweight title on Saturday, stands by his British team- for 23-year-old Paalam, the Phil- denying the Philippines a first mates -- many of them with the ippines have enjoyed a break- boxing gold medal in the coun- country’s flag draped over their through fortnight in boxing at try’s history. shoulders -- had the Filipino the Games. The men’s middleweight down in the first round of the Nesthy Petecio won wom- final produced a shock as scheduled three after an inci- en’s featherweight silver and Ukrainian top seed Oleksandr sive three-punch combination. Eumir Marcial took men’s mid- Khyzhniak was knocked out in Paalam was always playing dleweight bronze. the third round of his bout by catch-up after that against Yafai, ’s Khyzhniak was Brazil’s Hebert Sousa. whose two older brothers are ahead on the judges’ score- The 28-year-old Yafai, a both professional boxers. cards and appeared destined former car-factory worker, won Britain, who like the Philip- for middleweight gold but out on split points in an enthralling pines have a proud boxing histo- of nowhere the unfancied Sousa contest against Paalam to earn ry, have now won one gold, two floored him with a left flush on Britain’s Galal Yafai won Olympic gold in the men’s flyweight division. Britain’s first boxing gold in To- silvers and two bronze in the the cheek.— AFP PHOTO: POOL/AFP