INTEGRATED STRENGTHS OF THE STATE, PEOPLE AND RELEVANT MINISTRIES ARE OF CRUCIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN COMBATTING COVID-19 PAGE-8 (OPINION)

NATIONAL NATIONAL Importation of oxygen tanks, anti- Union Minister for International Cooperation U Ko Ko COVID-19 medicines and related Hlaing attends the 11th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Foreign materials continues Ministers’ Meeting via Video Conference PAGE-4 PAGE-5

Vol. VIII, No. 94, 14th Waxing of Waso 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Thursday, 22 July 2021 Defence Services Commander-in-Chief’s Five-Point Road Office (Army, Navy and Air) holds 2021 Map of the State Waso robes offering ceremony 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 State Administration Council Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is offering the Waso Robe to Pauk Myaing Sayadaw on 21 July 2021. Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. FAMILIES of the Defence Servic- tion Council Commander-in-Chief Then, the Senior General and 5. Upon accomplishing the provisions of es Commander-in-Chief’s Office of Defence Services Senior Gen- party took nine precepts from Pauk the state of emergency, free and fair (Army, Navy and Air) held a cer- eral Min Aung Hlaing also joined Myaing Sayadaw. emony to donate Waso robes to the ceremony together with SAC The Senior General, Vice-Sen- multiparty democratic elections will be the members of the Sangha at the Vice-Chairman Vice–Senior Gen- ior General and other SAC mem- held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. eral Soe Win, other council mem- bers also donated Waso robes, of- A total of 18 monks led by bers, Union Ministers and military fertories, day-meals and desserts further work will be undertaken to hand Ovada Cariya of Uppatasanti Pa- officials. to Pauk Myaing Sayadaw and mem- goda Presiding Sayadaw of Pauk The Chairman of SAC firstly bers of Sangha after the Metta Sut- over State duties to the winning party in Myaing Monastery in Lewe Town- paid homage to the Buddha image ta was recited by the Sayadaws. accordance with democratic standards. ship of Nay Pyi Taw Abhidhaja Ma- in Anawrahta Hall and offered Em- The congregation shared the haRahta Guru Bhaddanta Zanida erald Bowl containing Soon (day- merits gained and concluded the attended the donation ceremony. meals), flowers, water and light to ceremony.—MNA Chairman of State Administra- the Buddha image.

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS LOCAL BUSINESS Tatmadaw aircraft MoHS to start Poultry Lettuce farmers transport oxygen tanks, e-registration breeders get earn extra incomes medical products for system for COVID-19 good price in Kyaukpadaung hospitals vaccination of eggs Township PAGE-5 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 PAGE-7 22 JULY 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR MoHS responses to Inquiries about private hospitals and laboratories licenced for COVID-19 diagnosis Q: We would like to know the address and contact information of private hospitals and laboratories that are licenced for COVID-19 diagnosis. A: Here is the list of private hospitals that are licenced for COVID-19 diagnosis.

No Name of Hospital Address Contact information

1 Hnin Si Kone hospital Bahan Township, Yangon Region Dr Hein Lin Htoo 09966527885 2 Dagon Medicare Hospital Dagon Myothit (North) Township, Yangon Region Dr May Kason 09795737500 3 Bahosi Hospital Lanmadaw Township, Yangon Region Dr Khin Myat 095108204 4 KBC Hospital Insein Township, Yangon Region Dr Htoo Khu Kalu Phaw 095173021 5 SSC Hospital Bahan Township, Yangon Region Dr Nilar Soe 09785100414 6 Ar Yu Hospital Tamway Township, Yangon Region Dr Wah Wah Win Myint 09421094018 7 OSC Hospital North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region Dr Myo Win Aye 095141820 8 Victoria Hospital Mayangon Township, Yangon Region Dr Khin Thiri Moe 09795893612 9 Pan Hlaing Hospital Hlinethaya Township, Yangon Region Dr Su Lei Win 09782994133 10 Myotaw Hospital Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay Region Dr Nan Oo Hline 0979752227 11 Academy Hospital Ahlon Township, Yangon Region Dr Htin Paw 095005478 12 Asia Royal Hospital Sangyaung Township, Yangon Region Dr Kyaw Zin Thant 095006890

Here is the list of the licenced COVID-19 diagnosis centres No Name of the centre Address Contact information 1 N Health Myanmar Laboratory Lanmadaw Township, Yangon Region Dr Khin Maung Htwe 09447222326 2 Aye Laboratory Lanmadaw Township, Yangon Region Dr Win Thein 09452668216 3 Yangon Airport Molecular Laboratory Mingaladon Township, Yangon Region U Wai Phyoe Naing 09420726205 4 SML Advanced Medical Laboratory Bahan Township, Yangon Region 09785314833

Q: How many patients can be examined per day and how much does it cost? We also would like to know what arrangements are being made to make sure that patients do not have to wait a long time to be examined. A: There is no limitation on the number of patients that can be examined per day in private hospitals. The hospitals are examining as many patients as possible. The test fee costs around 30,000 kyats and the RT-PCR test costs around 20,000 kyats. Q: We would like to know the address and contact information of private hospitals that will receive COVID-19 patients and we also like to know the number of patients who can be treated there. A: Here is the list of the address and contact information of the private hospitals that will receive the patients, with the number of COVID-19 patients that can be treated there. Number of beds No Name of Hospital for COVID-19 Address Contact Information patients 1 Pan Hlaing Hospital 67 Hlinethaya Township, Yangon Region Dr Su Lei Win 09782994143 2 Dagon Medicare Hospital 20 Dagon Myothit (North) Yangon Region Dr May Kasone 09795737500 3 Myotaw Hospital 100 Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay Region Dr Nan Oo Hlaing 09797572227 4 Academy Hospital 43 Ahlon Township, Yangon Region Dr Htin Paw 095005478 5 Asia Royal Hospital 50 Sangyaung Township, Yangon Region Dr Kyaw Zin Thant 095006890

Customs Department gives permit Corrigendum PLEASE read “… Section 419 of the Constitution to …” instead of “… Section 419 of the Constitution Law to …” in the first for anti-COVID-19 supplies daily and second line of the State Administration Council Order No 147/2021 and also read “2. On 1 February 2021 and before CUSTOMS Department grants daily permission for importation processes of COVID-19 protective that date …” instead of “2. On 1 February 2021 and afterwards equipment and medical products through airports, harbours and land border checkpoints during …” in the number 2 point of the same order on page 2 of The Global New Light of Myanmar on 21 July 2021. the current public holidays, officials said. Errors are regretted. – Ed. On 21 July, the Customs Department issued import process permissions for 42 companies. The department has already issued import permissions for 1,717 oxygen concentrators, 20,438 Oximeters, 60 sets of oxygen regulators, 4,060 tablets of NOVA-C. 3,080 tablets of Immurich at Yangon International Airport. Next, 30,027 kg of surgical masks, 15,583.2 cubic metres and 38.32 tonnes of oxygen liquid, 3,878 sets of oxygen cylinders were also given permits at land border crossings of Muse, Chinshwehaw, Kawthoung, Myawady and Tachilek, respectively. — MNA 22 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA To benefit the State

THE teachers who joined the CDM due to misunderstanding based on the weakness in administrative measures and political attacks need to report back to the respective schools. The requirements of teachers will be fulfilled during the school opening period. In performing State responsibilities, Council Members need to consider from different perspectives so as to benefit the State. (Excerpt from the speech of the meeting 10/2021 of the State Administration Council by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 10 May 2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD Defence Services Commander-in-Chief’s Office (Army, Navy and Air) holds 2021 Waso robes offering ceremony NEWS ON PAGE - 1

State Administration Council Chairman Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the congregation are taking the Nine Precepts from Pauk Myaing Sayadaw at the Waso robes offering event of the Defence Services Commander-in-Chief’s Office on 21 July 2021. PHOTO: MNA

State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Soe Win is presenting the offertories to Pauk Myaing Sayadaw on 21 July 2021. PHOTO: MNA

Personal preventive practices against 6,093 new cases of COVID-19 reported on COVID-19 infection 21 July, total figure rises to 246,663 (1) Wear the mask systematically when going out in public. (2) Keep a proper physical distance. MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 246,663 after 6,093 new cases were (3) Avoid the crowd. reported on 21 July 2021 according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. Among (4) Wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently. these confirmed cases, 170,779 have been discharged from hospitals. Death toll (5) Avoid entering unventilated closed spaces as much as possible. reached 5,814 after 247 died. —MNA 22 JULY 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Importation of oxygen tanks, anti-COVID-19 medicines and related materials continues

A total of 115 tonnes of liquid to the importation of anti-COV- oxygen, 37 oxygen generators, ID-19 medicines and related 1,848 oxygen concentrators and equipment. And relevant de- 30 tonnes of masks were import- partmental officials are coop- ed through the Yangon Interna- erating to facilitate and speed tional Airport and border trade up the importation even during posts yesterday. the period designated as public The government is allowing holidays. the continuous importation of As of yesterday, from July, oxygen, medicines and relat- a total of 557 tonnes of liquid ed materials that are in urgent oxygen, 62 tonnes of oxygen cyl- need for the COVID-19 preven- inders, 17,409 oxygen concen- tion, control and treatment ac- trators, 134,500 test kits and 450 tivities in the country. tonnes of masks were import- Since 12 July, when the ed, mainly from the Myawady COVID-19 outbreak began to Trade Zone and Muse Trade rise nationwide, priority is given Zone. — MNA 22 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Ko Ko Hlaing attends the 11th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via Video Conference

U KO KO HLAING, Union Minister for International Co- cooperation under the MGC operation attended the 11th Framework. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation The Meeting adopted the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Joint Ministerial Statement of (11th MGC FMM), which was the 11th Mekong-Ganga Coop- held via video conference in eration Ministerial Meeting, the evening of 21 July 2021, and noted the Progress Report from the Ministry of Foreign on MGC Plan of Action (2019- Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. 2022) and the list of Quick Im- The Meeting was co- pact Projects. chaired by Prak Sokhonn, Mekong-Ganga Cooper- Deputy Prime Minister and before the meeting. for providing assistance to The Union Minister high- ation (MGC) was formed in Minister of Foreign Affairs and Subsequently, the Minis- Myanmar such as COVID-re- lighted the importance of clos- 2000 at Vientiane, Laos with International Cooperation of ters reviewed the progress lated assistance, scholarships er cooperation and coordina- an aim to take collective action Cambodia and Dr Subrahman- made in the prioritized areas at various fields, restoration of tion among the MGC member towards inclusive regional so- yam Jaishankar, Minister for of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, Pagodas affected by the earth- countries in the area of health cio-economic development and External Affairs of the Repub- and exchanged views on future quake at Bagan and renovation security. strengthening the bondage of lic of India. The Foreign Min- direction. The meeting also of two historic temples built He acknowledged that friendship among the people isters of other MGC countries, agreed to enhance cooperation by King Mindon and King Ba Mekong-Ganga Cooperation of the region. The cooperation Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, between India and the Mekong Gyi Taw at Bodh Gaya, grant- has been achieving several was composed of India and five also attended the meeting. countries. ing five Quick Impact Projects milestones during its 21-year Mekong countries: Cambodia, The Ministers launched In his statement, Union (QIP) for the 2020-2021 Budget journey of cooperation and Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and MGC Website and observed Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing ex- Year and the Lines of Credit reiterated Myanmar’s con- Vietnam.—MNA the MGC Documentary Video pressed appreciation to India extended to Myanmar. tinued commitment of active

Tatmadaw aircraft transport oxygen tanks, medical products for hospitals COVID-19 protective equipment from Mingaladon Air Force Base, to be used for the Department of Yangon on the same day. Public Health of the Ministry of Yesterday, well-wishers donat- Health and Sports were trans- ed 50 buckets of bleaching powder, ported to Kalay Township by mil- 50 boxes of surgical gowns, 50 box- itary aircraft from Nay Pyi Taw es of exam gloves, three boxes of airport yesterday. the surgical cap, eight boxes of the Next, oxygen tanks were apron, two boxes of the face shield, also transported to Haka, Mindat, 167 boxes of the surgical mask, 240 Kandi, and Thandwe Townships sets of PPE, 25 boxes of surgical

Covid-protective equipment and devices are transported by the military aircraft.

gloves, eight boxes of KN-95, 25 sets of UPS to be used for oxygen boxes of goggle, and three gener- production. ators, three compressors, three It is reported that donors are dryers, nine tanks, three sets of given certificates of honours for RIX, three sets of Rank and three their contributions. — MNA

Anti-Covid medical supplies transported by a military aircraft arrive in Thandwe. Preparations continue to provide healthcare services to COVID-19 patients TATMADAW hospitals, military townships. 473 positive patients in the Hline training schools, interrogation Yesterday, chairpersons of Township Interrogation and Ac- and accommodation camps in the respective state/region ad- commodation Camp in Yangon respective military headquar- ministration councils and mili- Region; 56 positive patients in ters are preparing to provide tary officials from the respective the Ye Mon station battalion; 34 healthcare services to the COV- commands inspected the sites, positive patients in the Pathein ID-19 positive patients and those provided food and cash assis- Station Training School respec- who need to be quarantined, and tance, and coordinated where tively and a total of 98 people healthcare services are being necessary. recovered from the illness were provided at the completed As of yesterday, a total of 252 sent back home yesterday. sites. In addition, the Ministry people have been quarantined in The military station medical of Health and Sports, in collab- the Nay Pyi Taw Interrogation teams and officials are taking oration with department offi- Camp; 40 COVID-19 positive pa- care of the patients with neces- cials, charitable organizations tients are being provided with sary healthcare services. They and the public, is preparing for necessary healthcare services in are in good health, it is reported. quarantine centres in respective the Ottarathiri station battalion; — MNA 22 JULY 2021 6 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR MoHS to start e-registration system for COVID-19 vaccination fection rates in the country. and second doses. The 1.75 million people who The Tatmadaw technical received the vaccines will be experts will help in this case. registered in the electronic Therefore, an electronic regis- Vaccine Management Infor- tration system will be set up to mation System. It should be ensure a systematic inventory of careful for those who have the vaccination for the priority been fully vaccinated not to groups and the systematic vac- get vaccinated again. It needs cination programmes in each to use the COVID-19 vaccine township depending on the lists. effectively. The priority groups The vaccination record are identified for vaccination. cards containing QR codes will Therefore, the electron- be distributed to the people in ic system will be used in col- advance considering the easy lecting data for vaccination of ways for the users and also THE Ministry of Health and COVID-19 vaccination pro- Thet Khaing Win said the COV- priority groups, issuing vacci- time-saving for them. Sports held a coordination gramme on 16 and 20 July. ID-19 vaccination programme nation record cards, scanning Then, the attendees to the meeting to adopt an electron- On the first day of the is being conducted to control the record cards with mobile meeting coordinated the dis- ic registration system in the meeting, Union Minister Dr and prevent the spread of in- tablets and registering the first cussion. — MNA

Tatmadaw provides COVID-19 Healthcare system for secondary COVID-19 protective equipment, oxygen tanks contacts, suspected COVID-19 patients

- those who had close contact with COVID-19 patients (or) - those who are supposed to have close contact - those who are suffering from symptoms of COVID-19

Respective regional health department

Lab tests - township regional (or) public hospitals - laboratories - private laboratories

COVID-19 confirmed patient TATMADAW medical control and treatment equip- food and cash assistance. team, healthcare workers ment and oxygen tanks and Donors from Pathein, and civil society organiza- foods to the hospitals. Laputa, Maubin, Nyaung- management tions are working togeth- From 1 July to yester- don and Ein Mae Town- Patients with severe COVID-19, committee on er for COVID-19-positive day, Commanders from ships, Ayeyawady Region emergency patients hospital admissions patients in the military the respective military provided medical equip- hospitals, public hospitals, commands have donated ment related to the dis- healthcare departments 3,952 oxygen tanks, 323,762 ease, nutritious food and Relevant public hospitals and COVID centres while surgical masks, 1,560 sets cash assistance to COV- report of emergency the third wave of COV- of PPE, 689 hand gel bot- ID-19 centres and certif- patients ID-19 is increasing. tles, 200 face shields, four icates of honour for the COVID-19 treatment In doing so, Tatmadaw buckets of hand wash, well-wishers were given centres members have been donat- 1,200 surgical gloves, 900 by Commanders and re- Upon the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, decision will be made for treatment ing the disease prevention, hair covers, with petrol, spective officials. — MNA at respective centres. Healthcare system for secondary COVID-19 Consumption of beans, milk, meat, fish contacts, suspected COVID-19 patients instead of eggs prevent COVID-19 1. Those who have had close contact arrangement of the management EGG prices are skyrock- but eat more fruits for nu- during an interview with or have been in contact with COV- committee on hospital admissions. ID-19 confirmed patients and those 4. However, patients with severe COV- eting and could cause a trition. Myanma Radio and Tel- with COVID-19 symptoms must ID-19 and emergency patients can shortage in the market Eat vegetables, evision. first inform the respective township directly go to the relevant public due to misinformation beans, red beans, yellow When the price of health departments or hospitals. hospitals and COVID-19 treatment that they could prevent beans, nuts, wheat, rice, eggs goes up, the Minis- 2. Then, the swab tests will be con- centres for medical treatment. COVID-19 disease. corn, brown rice, potatoes, try of Health and Sports ducted at township regional (or) 5. The public hospitals and COVID-19 Eggs are just one of fish and meats. You can inform the public that public laboratories and private treatment centres must report the the food items that should also drink milk to protect they can also eat different laboratories. emergency cases to the manage- be eaten to build a strong from the COVID-19,” said sorts of food: chickpeas, 3. The confirmed COVID-19 patients ment committee on hospital ad- must report to their respective missions. immune system. Eating a spokesman for the De- soybeans, lentils, peanuts, township/region/state health com- only eggs does not protect partment of Public Health. bananas, potatoes, milk, mittees and they will be sent to the Ministry of Health and Sports from COVID-19, officials Dr Khin Khin Gyi, Director chicken, and various kinds relevant public hospitals and COV- said. of the Central Infectious of fish instead of eating ID-19 treatment centres under the “Eggs can be eaten Disease Control Division, eggs. — MNA 22 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Poultry breeders get good price of eggs

POULTRY breeders of Minbu chicken feeds has also risen. (Sagu) township in the Magway But the price of eggs is steady at region enjoy good selling due to around K100 per egg. This is the price hikes on growing demand reason why the poultry breeders amid COVID-19 resurgence, ac- are making less profit. But it is cording to the poultry breeders convenient for the consumers. from Hsin Gaung village, Minbu Since the beginning of July, the (Sagu) township. price of eggs has been fluctuating “There are three sizes of egg: and the price has risen to K200 small, middle, and big ones in our from K110 per egg. Hsin Gaung village. The egg pric- “The villages that raise poul- es have increased to K180, K200 try chickens in Minbu (Sagu) and K220 per egg from about K80, township are Kyaukdon, Yed- K100 and K120 per one,” said Daw wingone, Chaungphyu, Thigone, Aye Kywe, a retail-egg consumer. Hsingaung, Zee Ai and Sagu. Regarding poultry farming, There are three or four poul- the breeders are making less try farms in each village. Some of profit because the cost of the poul- the local breeders are self-raising try farm is very high. Besides, while some are joint-farming with sometimes, they are facing loss foreign companies. Now, the local when the boiler chicken died due breeders are happy due to a good to climate changes. Tempera- price of eggs this year,” said U tures of 18 to 25 Celsius are best Myint Aung, a local breeder from Regarding poultry farming, the breeders are making less profit because the cost of the poultry farm is for poultry chick farming. Hsin Gaung village. — Zeya Htet very high. Besides, sometimes, they are facing loss when the boiler chicken died due to climate changes. This month, the price of (Minbu)/GNLM` Temperatures of 18 to 25 Celsius are best for poultry chick farming.

Lettuce farmers earn extra incomes in Kyaukpadaung Township CBM sells $78 million over five past months

THE Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) sold US$78 million at an auction rate over the past five months this year. The bullish hard currency gained in local forex market, reaching the peak of K1,730 on 12 May from K1,330 in January-end. In a bid to control the sharp daily gains of the US dollar, the CBM reportedly sold about 6.8 million dollars on 3 February 2021, $12 million in April, $24 million in May, $12 million in June and $24 million as of mid-July in the auction market. Consequently, the exchange rate stands at around K1,650 in mid-July. The CBM trades the foreign currency with the authorized private banks under the rules and regulations of the FX auction market. The CBM’s move is aimed at governing the market volatility and supporting the state’s foreign exchange reserves, the CBM stated. The currency intervention is required to steer the own currency value. It is Lettuce cultivation is started with two feet wide and 15 feet long frame. After sowing, one of the responsibilities of the CBM to control the price. This is why the CBM they need to be replanted. The lettuce plants germinate within three days of sowing and practiced the foreign exchange intervention. are harvested within 45 days. The dollar gain will benefit the exporters. Yet, it will hike up the local food FARMERS in Kyauk Mauk Taung Sel farmer U Tin Tun Aung said. prices. The currency intervention is required to steer the own currency value. Village, Kyaukpadaung Township, Next, U Nang Tin, a villager in The current political changes in Myanmar affect the currency market. Some Mandalay Region, are earning extra Mong Kone village, also explained people want to hold the hard currency during the difficult times, a market ob- incomes by growing a variety of let- that rural farmers should cultivate server shared his opinion. tuce, said U Tin Tun Aung, a farmer the easy-to-make-money lettuce salad, The local forex market’s data showed that the dollar exchange rate touched who grows lettuce in Laegwa Village. which is sold every three days. the maximum of K1,345 and the minimum of K1,327 in January 2021. The rate “Villages around Kyauk Mauk “Lettuce plants sprout two to moved in the range of K1,335-1,465 in February. It reached the lowest of K1,420 Taung Sel are engaged in subsistence three buds at a time, once every two and the highest of K1,550 in March. The rate fluctuated between K1,550 and farming and grow vegetables for their days. It is harvested and sold every K1,610 in April. The rate fluctuated between K1,585 and K1,730 in May and it livelihood. They grow a variety of let- three days. A bunch of lettuce leaves moved in the maximum of K1,595-1,620 last month. tuce that provide a quick source of sells for fifty kyats”, U Nang Tin said. In 2020, the exchange rate moved in the range of K1,465-1,493 in January, income for the family. The lettuce is “The Kyauk Mauk Taung Sel vil- K1,436-1,465 in February, K1,320-1,445 in March, K1,395-1,440 in April, K1,406- kind of fast-growing vegetables and lagers grow Lettuce and cauliflowers. 1,426 in May, K1,385-1,412 in June, K1,367-1,410 in July, K1,335-1,390 in August, reaches quicker in the domestic mar- Fuecho, a kind of groundwater-grown K1,310-1,355 in September, K1,282-1,315 in October, K1,303-1,330 in November ket.” Lettuce is popular for its quick growth and K1,324-1,403 in December. Lettuce cultivation is started to make a better profit. In 2019, the rates are pegged at K1,508-1,517 in July, K1,510-1,526 in August, with two feet wide and 15 feet long “Lettuce is a plant that is easy to K1,527-1,565 in September, K1,528-1,537 in October, K1,510-1,524 in November frame. After sowing, they need to be grow and quick to make money, so it and K1,485-1,513 in December. replanted. The lettuce plants germi- should be grown by every rural farmer On 20 September 2018, the dollar exchange rate hit an all-time high of K1,650 nate within three days of sowing and for their extra incomes,” U Nang Tin in the local currency market.—GNLM are harvested within 45 days”, lettuce added. – Ko Htein-KPD/GNLM 22 JULY 2021 22 JULY 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE / NATIONAL 9

Integrated strengths of the ` State, people and relevant India’s Covid deaths 10 times higher ministries are of crucial Myanmar Daily Weather Report than reported: study (Issued at 4:00 pm Wednesday 21 July 2021) significance in combatting BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is strong to vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. COVID-19 NDIA’S coronavirus death Some estimates say up to two India’s death rate per million toll is up to 10 times higher million died. was nearly half the world average FORECAST VALID UNTIL MORNING OF THE 22 July I than the nearly 415,000 fatali- India’s official death toll of and Guilmoto said “such a low 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be scattered in Nay Pyi ORLD nations are nowadays tackling the deadly disease ties reported by authorities, likely just over 414,000 is the world’s figure contradicts the apparent Taw,Mandalay and Magway Regions, fairly widespread in of coronavirus across the globe. Much more dedicatedly making it the country’s worst hu- third-highest after the United severity of a crisis that has struck Sagaing, Bago Regions and Southern Shan, Kayah States W than ever, all countries do not rule out any possible manitarian disaster since inde- States’ 609,000 fatalities and Bra- most Indian families across the and widespread in the remaining Regions and States with health directives or protocols to restrict their respective citizens pendence, a US research group zil’s 542,000. Experts have been country”. likelihood of regionally heavyfalls in Ayeyawady Region and just to following the most fundamental mandates: mask-wearing said Tuesday. casting doubt on India’s toll for Guilmoto’s team concluded Rakhine, Kayin and Mon States and isolated heavyfalls in on all occasions in public, social-distancing of about six feet with The Centre for Global Devel- months, blaming the already over- that only one coronavirus death Bago, Yangon, Taninthayi Regions. Degree of certainty is one another, hand-washing frequently for at least 20 seconds, and opment study’s estimate is the stretched health service. in seven was recorded. (100%). non-gathering nor uncrowdedness amongst others. highest yet for the carnage in the Several Indian states have A model by the US-based The WHO dashboard has very recently vindicated the num- South Asian nation of 1.3 billion revised their virus tolls in re- Institute for Health Metrics and STATE OF THE SEA: Occasional squalls with rough seas ber of new cases at 390,026. Among 190,671,330 confirmed cases, people, which is emerging from cent weeks, adding thousands of Evaluation estimated that the will be experienced off and along Myanmar Coasts. Surface regretfully, fatalities reached 4,098,758 while 3,568,861,733 vaccine a devastating surge partly fuelled “backlog” deaths. Covid toll could be more than wind speed in squalls may reach (40) m.p.h. Wave height doses have already been accessed to the world population. To date by the Delta variant in April and The Centre for Global De- 1.25 million. will be about (8-13) feet off and along Myanmar Coasts. in Myanmar, Covid-positive May. The study — which analyzed velopment report was based on India’s health ministry last instances had increased to data from the start of the pandem- estimating “excess mortality”, the month slammed The Economist OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Strong 240,570 after 5,860 new infec- ic to June this year — suggested number of extra people who died magazine for publishing a sto- to vigorous monsoon. However, we tions were reported as of 21 that between 3.4 million and 4.7 compared with pre-crisis figures. ry that said excess deaths were July. There are 167,171 recov- million people had died from the The authors — who included between five and seven times FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOUR- resolutely call eries and 5,567 losses of lives virus. Arvind Subramanian, a former higher than the official toll, call- ING AREA FOR 22 July 2021: Isolated rain or thunder- accordingly to the Ministry of “True deaths are likely to be chief government economic advis- ing it “speculative” and “misin- showers. Degree of certainty is (100%). Health and Sports. We all felt in the several millions, not hun- er — did this partly by analyzing formed”. for integrated disconsolate! dreds of thousands, making this death registrations in some states A World Health Organization FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING The dreadful pathogen arguably India’s worst human as well as a recurring national report in May said up to three AREA FOR 22 July 2021: Some rain or thundershowers. A policeman distributes food to the poor people at Guwahati, India, on April 4, 2020, as Indian government strengths of matters most in the poli- tragedy since partition and inde- economic study. ordered lockdown in entire country to fight against the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: XINHUA times more people had died Degree of certainty is (100%). cymaking body: the State. pendence,” the researchers said. They also compared surveys around the globe during the the State, the The State has established After the sub-continent’s par- of the spread of Covid-19 in India mating mortality with statistical magnitude greater than the offi- cialist in Indian demography at pandemic — from coronavirus FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING its central committee on a tition in 1947 into mainly Hindu with international death rates. confidence was difficult. cial count,” they said. France’s Research Institute for or other causes — than indicated AREA FOR 22 July 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. coordinated response to the India and Muslim-majority Paki- The researchers, which also “(But) all estimates suggest Development, this month esti- by official statistics. Degree of certainty is (100%). people and pandemic since Myanma stan, sectarian bloodshed killed included a Harvard University that the death toll from the pan- Speculative mated that the death toll was SOURCE: AFP found the first case on 23 hundreds of thousands of people. expert, acknowledged that esti- demic is likely to be an order of Christophe Guilmoto, a spe- nearer 2.2 million by late May. government March 2020. It has been la- bouriously sparing little or no ministries efforts in its preventative and protective measures against Lockdown is hard, but uncontrolled COVID-19 is worse: Australian experts the original virus and its con- concerned in sequent alpha, beta, gamma OCKDOWNS can affect Australia’s University of Wollon- looked at the impact of lockdowns impacts of intensive government not had large numbers of deaths, tween mental health and lock- and delta variants. One of people’s health, but a COV- gong (UOW) and James Cook on deaths, health services, global restrictions, including social and while places with few restrictions downs is commonly discussed, confronting the top health bureaus or LID-19 outbreak is worse, University (JCU), found this was health programmes, suicide and economic costs, these are not such as Brazil, Sweden and much researchers found it is “extremely departments concerned of according to Australian and in- “challenging” to determine but mental health, by using the World apparent in short-term increas- of the United States, have suffered challenging” to ascertain whether COVID-19 while Myanmar: The Ministry of ternational researchers who have “it is unlikely that government in- Mortality Dataset (WMD), which es in mortality. In fact, the WMD high death tolls, according to the these psychological issues were Health and Sports are also reviewed pandemic responses in terventions have been worse than accumulated statistics from 94 appeared to show that countries research. “We found that although caused by government interven- extensively exercising its countries with and without lock- the pandemic itself in most situa- countries and regions. with concerted COVID-19 restric- lockdowns are undoubtedly asso- tions or driven by the underlying suppressing executive power to fight the downs. tions”. Their research, published The findings indicate that, tions have had fewer deaths than ciated with health harms, their stresses of the pandemic itself. fatal disease. Well done job! The research team, including in BMJ Global Health on Monday, while there may be multifaceted in previous years, with the au- impact on health is unlikely to The equally important link our weaknesses The people: one of the thors estimating that lockdowns be worse than the impact of the between major COVID-19 out- key components in response may reduce annual mortality by COVID-19 pandemic itself,” said breaks and depression and anx- for the time endeavours should also be three to six percent from eliminat- Dr Lea Merone from JCU and the iety is often overlooked, the au- still more vigilant at all times ing influenza transmission alone. University of Queensland (UQ). thors add. against the Covid pandemic These findings have been Researchers said, the severe Whether the lockdowns are being. and whichever forms it may supported by Australian Health loss of life that comes with an responsible for reduced access take. Apart from the good Minister Greg Hunt who told re- uncontrolled pandemic and the to healthcare services, which can practice of paying greater porters on Tuesday that there had resulting anxiety, grief and de- cause health problems in the long heed to the health protocols strictly, all national peoples should been no deaths from influenza in pression seems to outweigh the term, is another component of rise up and mobilize their consolidated strengths to resist whatever the nation this year and only 408 psychological effects that come the equation for the experts to waves of the coronavirus resiliently. Philanthropic or charity organ- diagnosed cases so far. with the social isolation caused determine. They certainly do not izations – Parahita: the welfare of others in Pali and the Myanmar “In an average year, over the by a lockdown. conclude that lockdowns cannot Language – are encouragingly helping, in both cash and kind, the last five years, at this stage, we But they added that although be harmful. “Often the most that it people who are in dire need of oxygen cylinders as an example to would have had 53,000 diagnosed stringent control measures will be is possible to say is that there are ever keep up Myanma spirit of loving-kindness with one another. flu cases and 157 lives lost,” Hunt accompanied by negative conse- harms associated with both large Lastly not the least, we all need to realize that we can have said, saying the result was an “im- quences in many sectors of the COVID-19 outbreaks and govern- weaknesses and strengths in what we are doing. However, we portant by-product” of the COVID economy, “it is often extremely ment interventions to prevent the resolutely call for integrated strengths of the State, the people and rules. difficult to separate the potential disease,” they said. “The causal government ministries concerned in confronting COVID-19 while Places that locked down be- impacts of lockdowns from those relationships are, unfortunately, suppressing our weaknesses for the time being. fore a major epidemic (such as of the pandemic itself.” extremely difficult to untangle.” Sydney and some surrounding areas entered a hard two-week Covid-19 lockdown on Jun 26, 2021. PHOTO: AFP Australia and New Zealand) have While the relationship be- SOURCE: Xinhua 22 JULY 2021 10 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Fifth Month of the State Administration Council Government By Kanaung

have been taken up by foreign CONTINUED FROM news agencies, who do not YESTERDAY check with alternate sources, even when the fake news are n Anti-terrorism: The An- clearly implausible. ti-Terrorism Central Com- On 11 June, the State Ad- mittee held a meeting to ministration Council Informa- combat the currently occur- tion Team broadcast a state- ring acts of violence in the ment of appreciation for the country under the existing dedicated efforts of principals laws and procedures on 23 and teachers serving in the June in Nay Pyi Taw. Among newly opened schools amidst other topics, the Central security concerns and other Committee members led challenges. by the Union Minister for On 12 June, the Informa- Home Affairs discussed the tion Team held its sixth media prevention of such acts by conference. Increasingly, as systematically investigating terrorists are tracked down potentially divisive factors and caught, their confessions and dealing with these in are shown on public broad- time, and actions to com- casts by the Information Team. bat extremist and terrorist Every media conference has acts. also included a report on the n Substance abuse and traf- investigations of the Union ficking: In June, the gov- Election Commission. ernment also implemented Rights Commission inspect- n New and renewable to promote sports competi- The Ministry of Informa- the international commit- ed prisons, police cells and energy: The Union Minis- tions to enhance the health tion issued a warning to media ments Myanmar had made prison camps in June with ter for Electricity and En- and fitness of youths. The outlets that spread false infor- towards the 1988 UN Con- a view to addressing the ergy inspected solar pow- final match of the States mation. On the other hand, the vention against Illicit Traf- rights of detainees and in- er plant construction sites and Regions Football Cup ministry granted licences to fic in Narcotic Drugs and mates under national law. and hydropower plants to for Under-21 Youth was held five journals, 22 general pub- Psychotropic Substances. n Housing: Seventy-five units monitor the progress and on 24 June. The stadiums lishers and two news agencies To mark the International of the Thukha Taw Win constraints in the provision across the country have on 8 June. Day Against Drug Abuse housing estate in Nay Pyi of energy for the country. seen a step-up in sports Each year, the government and Illicit Trafficking on 26 Taw, near the Myoma mar- n Legal issues: The special activities over the past few presents the national literature June, authorities in Yangon, ket, were allocated through appeal court comprising months. lifetime achievement award, Mandalay and Taunggyi a lottery system to buyers Chief Justice of the Union n Population registration: The national literature awards in burnt narcotic drugs that who had made payment in Supreme Court passed month of June also saw the 18 genres and Sarpay Beik- had been captured by se- early June. Moreover, the judgments on five excep- acceleration of the Pankhin man manuscripts award in curity forces. government constructed tional criminal appeal cases project, which aims to is- 14 genres to authors. With a n Child protection: The Com- housing units in MraukU and heard six special civil sue identity and citizenship view to promoting Myanmar mittee for the Prevention of and Minbya townships for appeal cases on 14 June. On cards to the whole popula- literature, the government Recruitment of Child Sol- Rakhine refugees. For civil 29 June, the cases against tion, together with the drive announced on 16 June that diers held its first meeting servants, steps were under- 24 artists under penal code to have all households legal- the prize values would be in- in 2021 on 9 June to accel- taken throughout June to 505-A were withdrawn on 29 ly registered. creased for achievements as erate the implementation make Mya Nandar govern- June. n Domestic travel: To meet of 2020, to K10 million for the of work plans. ment employee housing in n Sports. The State Adminis- domestic demand, a new national literature lifetime n Prisoners’ rights: The My- Yangon available starting tration Council government flight route Mandalay-Mag- achievement award, K3 mil- anmar National Human from 1 July. has made concerted efforts way-Sittway was imple- lion for each of the winners in mented on 14 and 24 June. the national literature award, Intercity buses resumed op- K1.5 million for the first prize erations on 12 June, while winner, K1 million for the sec- the Mandalay-Bagan and ond and K700,000 for the third Thazi-Myingyan trains also in the Sarpay Beikman manu- resumed operations on 15 scripts award. June. Conclusion Media issues Only a few of the under- The Information Team takings of the new government of the State Administration have been summarized here. Council regularly replies to As in previous months, the questions raised by the media. State Administration Council Daily news broadcasts address and the whole government issues of interest to the public. have worked hard and their In recent months, the State efforts, together with partici- Administration Council Infor- pation and cooperation from mation Team has made special the public, have led to several efforts to identify, quote, and notable accomplishments de- counter the fake news circu- spite the challenges over the To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, authorities in lated by unethical media and past month. Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi burnt narcotic drugs that had been captured by security forces. social media outlets, which 22 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: WORLD 11 Indonesians gather to pray for Eid al-Adha despite virus surge

INDONESIANS prayed outside ditional events that feature the domestic flights are subject mosques and slaughtered goats sacrifice of livestock, and urged to tighter restrictions to curb to commemorate a sombre Eid the public not to gather for acts travel. al-Adha festival on Tuesday de- of religious worship. “I usually get together with spite efforts to stop mass gath- In the capital Jakarta and family for a meal at Eid,” said erings as coronavirus deaths elsewhere, some heeded an of- Pringgo Trikusumo, who lives skyrocket in one of the world’s ficial request not to go inside near Jakarta. worst-hit countries. mosques but instead gathered “But this year is very differ- This is the second year that to pray on nearby roads, while ent. I’m not seeing relatives and the biggest Muslim-majority na- residents in Bandung laid out I can’t go anywhere.” tion has celebrated the Feast of their prayer mats in alleyways. ‘Sacrifice even more’ Sacrifice, which signals the end Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque, President Joko Widodo of the annual pilgrimage to Mec- the biggest in Southeast Asia, appealed to Muslims to pray at ca, during the pandemic. was shut, but thousands in home rather than risk infection Much of Southeast Asia is Banda Aceh on Sumatra island at public gatherings. This week marks the second time during the pandemic Indonesia has currently reeling under a coro- assembled outside the Baitur- “In the midst of the pan- celebrated Eid al-Adha, which signals the end of the annual pilgrimage navirus surge, as the highly to Mecca. PHOTO: AFP rahman Grand Mosque, where demic, we need to be willing to contagious Delta variant wreaks vendors hawked animal-shaped sacrifice even more,” he said in a havoc on nations struggling with overtaking India and Brazil as a 1,338 on Monday. balloons. Monday television address. “Put vaccine rollout capabilities. global Covid-19 hotspot and its Authorities have banned Checkpoints have been set the interests of the community Indonesia has recently been daily death toll hit a record of large crowds, including at tra- up on roads across Java and and others first.”—AFP Adelaide becomes latest Australian city to lock down

ADELAIDE will on Tuesday Australia moves into lockdown,” an outbreak of the fast-spreading become the latest in a string of state premier Steven Marshall Delta variant, which started after Australian cities to lock down, as said from Adelaide, indicating an overseas flight crew infected the largely unvaccinated nation the measures would be in place a Sydney driver. struggles to contain a rapidly for at least seven days. The virus has since jumped spreading coronavirus outbreak. “We hate putting these re- state borders, creating around The state of South Australia, strictions in place, but we believe 100 new cases every day across of which Adelaide is the capital, we have just one chance -- one the vast island nation. said it would join Sydney and chance to get this right.” A Sydney lockdown, now in For the past month, Australian authorities have been fighting to quash Melbourne in locking down after Only 11 per cent of Austral- its fourth week, has slowed the an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant. PHOTO: AFP/FILE five local cases were detected. ia’s 25 million people are cur- spread of the virus there but The decision means more rently vaccinated. But until now, has failed to eliminate new in- Residents are only allowed ities in Melbourne on Tuesday than 14 million Australians are widespread community trans- fections. The Sydney outbreak to leave home for exercise, to said a snap five-day lockdown, now under orders to stay at mission had been contained. has now grown to 1,418 cases, buy food or for a handful of other which had been due to end, home. For the past month, author- with 78 new infections reported closely defined reasons. would be extended at least an- “From 6 pm tonight, South ities have been fighting to quash on Tuesday. At the same time, author- other seven days.—AFP UK to roll out COVID-19 vaccines White House sees more for vulnerable children breakthrough COVID-19 cases among staff Down’s Syndrome, immunosup- pression and multiple or severe A fully vaccinated White House and interviews, finding no close learning disabilities will be eli- official tested positive for COV- contact among White House gible for vaccination, vaccines ID-19 but was found to have had principals, staff or President minister Nadhim Zahawi said. no close contacts with White Joe Biden. He told parliament the move House principals or staff, con- There have been other in- follows advice from the independ- firmed White House press sec- stances of vaccinated employ- ent Joint Committee on Vaccina- retary Jen Psaki on Tuesday. ees testing positive, Psaki said, tion and Immunisation (JCVI). “Yesterday, a fully vaccinat- though they were not commis- Health Secretary Sajid Javid ed White House official tested sioned officers and therefore said he had accepted the recom- positive for COVID-19 off cam- were not reported by the ad- mendations “and I have asked the pus. In accordance with our rig- ministration. NHS (National Health Service) to orous COVID-19 protocols, the “We committed that we Britain will administer coronavirus vaccines to clinically vulnerable prepare to vaccinate those eligi- official remains off campus as would release information pro- youngsters, the government said Monday, but not to all children due to ble as soon as possible”. they wait for confirmatory PCR actively if it is commissioned of- an ongoing review into potential side effects. Britain’s medicines regulator test,” said Psaki during Tues- ficers,” she said. Commissioned PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/AFP has already approved the Pfizer/ day’s press briefing, confirming officers hold a high-level position BRITAIN will administer coro- to all children due to an ongoing BioNTech vaccine for youngsters earlier local media reports of where they work for the presi- navirus vaccines to clinically review into potential side effects. aged 12 and over, noted Javid - the breakthrough case.She said dent, rather than working for vulnerable youngsters, the gov- Young people aged 12 to 15 who is currently self-isolating af- the White House medical unit another White House official. ernment said Monday, but not with severe neuro-disabilities, ter contracting COVID.—AFP has conducted contact tracing — Xinhua 22 JULY 2021 12 ECON: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR US says near deal with Germany on Russia pipeline NEWS IN “The Germans have put Ukraine, which has been bat- BRIEF forward useful proposals and tling pro-Moscow separatists we have been able to make pro- since 2014 but remains a transit Malaysian Ringgit to gress on steps to achieve that point for Russia’s crucial export trade stronger against shared goal... to ensure that to Europe. USD over longer term: Russia cannot weaponize en- US officials have said they ergy flows,” State Department hope that Germany will agree analysts spokesman Ned Price told re- to automatic repercussions if porters. Russian President Vladimir ANALYSTS on Wednesday fore- “We don’t have any final Putin exerts more pressure on saw that Malaysian Ringgit will details to announce yet but I Ukraine over energy. appreciate 0.2 per cent to 0.5 per expect we will be... in a position Biden drew rebukes even cent against the U.S. dollar over the to say more soon,” he said. from some allies in Congress longer term. His remarks came as a top when he waived most sanctions US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold AmBank Research said in a a joint press conference on 15 July 2021 in which they discuss Nord State Department official, Derek over Nord Stream that would note that it continues to believe Stream 2. PHOTO: AFP/FILE Chollet, landed in Ukraine have been triggered under US that the Ringgit would benefit from ahead of a stop in Poland — two law. a weaker U.S. dollar and could touch THE United States said Tuesday la Merkel on a visit last week countries that have sharply crit- The administration argued 4.15 against the U.S. dollar, which is it was near a deal with Germany to Washington acknowledged icized Germany over the deal that it was too late to stop the stronger than the mid-point of its over concerns on Nord Stream differences with President Joe with Russia. pipeline and that it was better long-term trading range of 3.80 to 2, the nearly complete pipeline Biden but said that both agreed The United States and a to focus on cooperation with 4.50. from Russia that Ukraine and that Ukraine must remain a number of nations historically Germany, which has rejoiced However, the research house others fear will embolden Mos- transit point for Russian gas suspicious of Russia say that at working with Biden after high maintained its forecast for the Ring- cow. even as Nord Stream 2 opens the new pipeline will reduce tensions with his predecessor git against the U.S. dollar at 4.10 German Chancellor Ange- shortly in the Baltic Sea. the remaining leverage of Donald Trump.—AFP to 4.15 for 2021 and 4.05 to 4.10 for 2022. It said the COVID-19 pandem- French President Macron ic uncertainties, coupled with the management, the speed of vacci- among potential Pegasus nation rollout, and the eventual reopening of the economy, external demand’s strength and domestic spyware targets: NGO political challenges will impact the PHONE numbers used by if it had been infected with the movement of the Ringgit going for- French President Emmanuel malware, the head of Forbidden ward.—Xinhua Macron and top members of his Stories, Laurent Richard, told government are among the po- LCI television. tential targets for the Pegasus “But it shows in any case Pandemic and politics spyware supplied to several there was an interest in doing governments worldwide, the it,” he said. French President Emmanuel Macron’s phone number was among leaves Hong Kong’s some 50,000 believed to have been identified as people of interest NGO that leaked the list of “If this fact is established, poor languishing since 2016 by clients of the Israeli firm NSO, developer of the Pegasus numbers said Tuesday. it’s obviously very serious,” a cyber-surveillance technology. PHOTO: FORBIDDEN FILMS/ AFP “We found these numbers spokesman for Macron’s office SQUEEZED into a tiny temporary but we obviously couldn’t do a said. Forbidden Stories, a Par- had access to the leaked num- cluding The Washington Post, apartment, Rainbow and her fam- technical analysis of Emmanuel is-based media nonprofit, and bers, which they then shared The Guardian and Le Monde. ily struggle to make ends meet in Macron’s phone” to determine Amnesty International initially with media organisations in- —AFP Hong Kong, where the number of households in poverty has soared during recent political turmoil and Thousands protest as Colombia gov’t submits new tax reform plan the coronavirus pandemic. For much of the last year, Rain- bow’s electrician husband left their THOUSANDS of Colombians lice and demonstrators, some 290 square-foot (27 square-metre) returned to the streets on Tues- armed with machetes, left studio flat each morning to look for day to protest against Presi- dozens of civilians injured in work. Most days he returns emp- dent Ivan Duque’s government, the cities of Medellin and Cali, ty-handed. which submitted a new tax re- while 20 police officers were “Before the pandemic, he form plan to Congress. also injured, according to of- could regularly work for 20 to 25 Tax reform was the issue ficials. The government de- days a month, but now he only that in April sparked mass na- scribed the protests as largely gets four to five days of work,” the tionwide protests that left more peaceful. 43-year-old told AFP, asking to use than 60 people dead and the The demonstrations were just her nickname. government facing accusations called by the influential Nation- “The worst was when he of use of excessive force. al Strike Committee that repre- couldn’t find any job for a whole Protesters in several cities sents indigenous people, trade month.” marked Colombia’s independ- unions and students, among On paper, Hong Kong is one of ence day by demanding police others. the world’s wealthiest cities. reform and greater support Thousands of Colombians marked their independence day with The group had suspend- Per capita incomes are around from the government in the another anti-government protest. PHOTO: AFP/FILE ed its protests on June 15 but $48,000 -- about the same level as wake of the coronavirus pan- vowed to kick them off again Germany -- while the government demic, which has seen the pov- gress will start to legislate in rich,” Ivan Zapata, a 46-year-old on the nation’s independence has enviable reserves of around erty rate rise from 37 to 42 per favor of the interests of all Co- dentist protesting in Bogota, day with the aim of taking dem- $116 billion despite a a year of heavy cent in the country of 50 million. lombians and not just a group told AFP. onstrators’ demands to Con- pandemic spending.­— AFP “I hope that finally Con- of individuals that are getting Clashes between riot po- gress.—AFP 22 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD/ AD 13 Honda to temporarily halt plant in central Japan amid chip crunch

HONDA Motor Co. said produces around 2,000 units The move came after Wednesday it will tempo- per day, including N-Box Toyota halted production rarily halt production at a minivehicles and Fit com- lines in June at two of its central Japan plant for five pact cars. plants in the northeastern days in early August due Toyota Motor Corp., prefectures of Iwate and Mi- to a global semiconductor meanwhile, has said it will yagi, affecting an estimated shortage, which would cut scale back production at its 20,000 vehicles. output by an estimated Takaoka plant in Toyota city, A global chip crunch 10,000 vehicles. Aichi Prefecture in August has disrupted the produc- The automaker said as the company faces diffi- tion plans of many Japanese it will make up for the lost culties in procuring chips. and overseas carmakers. output at its Suzuka plant Production at the plant, Semiconductors have been in Mie Prefecture from 2 which manufactures cars in high demand for use not Aug. to 6 Aug. by running such as the Corolla, will be only in cars but also a varie- the production lines on holi- partly halted for five days ty of products including lap- days from September. through 6 Aug., slashing tops and game consoles.— At the factory, Honda output by some 9,000 units. Kyodo Honda Motor Co.’s Suzuka factory in Mie Prefecture in June 2020. PHOTO: KYODO United Airlines suffers quarterly New US loss, but sees profits ahead homebuilding jumps sharply in June UNITED Airlines turned in during the Covid-19 pan- it lost $1.4 billion. Revenue employees... our airline another loss in the second demic when travel was rose to $5.5 billion, but is has reached a meaningful CONSTRUCTION pro- ic, driven by rock-bottom quarter but expects prof- largely shut down, a full still down by more than turning point: we’re expect- jects started in the hot borrowing rates, which its to return in the second recovery in the business half compared to the same ing to be back to making a US housing market has sent home prices half of 2021 as travel picks is not expected until 2023, three months of 2019 be- profit once again,” United jumped sharply in June, soaring and drained lim- up, the company reported United said. The major US fore the pandemic struck, CEO Scott Kirby said in a according to government ited supplies. Tuesday. passenger carrier lost $400 according to the statement. statement. data Tuesday, offering However, new build- But despite hitting a million in the quarter ended “Thanks to the pro- He said the company hope more homes will ing permits issued in the “turning point” following June 30, a big improvement fessionalism and perse- is focusing on plans for the come on the market and month fell 5.1 per cent, the damaging months over the first quarter when verance of the United future “as we emerge from ease the supply crunch. the data showed, which the most disruptive crisis Housing starts in- signals fewer homes in our company has faced.” creased 6.3 per cent com- the pipeline in the indus- Widespread Covid-19 pared to May surging to try squeezed by high ma- vaccinations have allowed an annual rate of over 1.6 terial costs and a labour travel to resume, even as million units, seasonally shortage. rising infections from the adjusted, the Commerce “The drop in permits highly-transmissible Delta Department reported. is more important than variant are sweeping the And new construc- the jump in starts,” said globe and putting the eco- tion of single-family Ian Shepherdson of Pan- nomic recovery in jeopardy. homes also jumped 6.3 theon Macroeconomics. Even so, United has per cent to nearly 1.2 mil- “The bad news is been preparing for a travel lion annualized, accord- that permits lead starts, rebound, announcing the ing to the report. and they are trending purchase of 270 new Boeing Any relief will be inexorably downwards, and Airbus aircraft -- the welcome in the US mar- in the wake of the fall A United Airlines plane sits at the gate at Denver International Airport. The airline industry largest combined order in ket which has boomed in new home sales.” has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: DANIEL SLIM/AFP the airline’s history.—AFP throughout the pandem- —AFP

News IN BRIEF CLAIMS DAY NOTICE M.V PRESIDIO VOY.NO. (062N)

Consignees of cargo carried on M.V PRESIDIO N. Korea buys leaf tobacco from China in June despite nonsmoking law VOY.NO. (062N) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on 22-7-2021 and cargo will be discharged into NORTH Korea has continued to import leaf tobacco from China, according to the Chinese government, even though the premises of HPT where it will lie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and Pyongyang has banned smoking nationwide in public places since late last year. conditions of the Port of Yangon. North Korea has closed its borders with China and Russia since early 2020 in response to the coronavirus pan- Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am demic, but the latest data, released Tuesday, indicates cigarettes are deemed a necessity in North Korea that must be to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now imported amid limited trade. declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo Analysts say the country’s state-run companies have bought leaf tobacco from China, with total sales accounting from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after for around 30 per cent of China’s exports of the product in June. the Claims Day. In November, North Korea enacted the “tobacco-prohibition law”. Legal and social controls on production and Phone No: 2301185 sales of cigarettes have been tightened, while penalties have been imposed on those violating the law. Shipping Agency Department At a ruling party meeting in June, meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the food situation in the Myanma Port Authority nation is “getting tense”, as the country’s agricultural sector was devastated by powerful typhoons and flooding last Agent For: year.—Kyodo M/S NEW GOLDEN SEA SHIPPING PTE., LTD. 22 JULY 2021 14 WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Philippine drug war NEWS IN BRIEF dead exhumed as Mali interim leader grave leases expire ‘safe’ after mosque attack RODZON Enriquez’s skeletal Many of the dead were put remains are pulled out of a cof- in “apartment” tombs stacked MALI’S interim president Assimi fin-sized tomb in Manila and metres high in jam-packed cem- Goita was “safe and sound,” his of- placed in a body bag. Five years eteries across the sprawling fice announced, after an AFP jour- after the 21-year-old was killed capital, where a five-year lease nalist said he had been attacked on in the Philippines’ drug war, the on a rectangular concrete box An armed agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency stands Tuesday by two armed men, one of lease on his grave is expiring. costs about 5,000 pesos ($100). guard next to seized illegal drugs during a news conference. PHOTO: TED ALJIBE/AFP/FILE whom wielded a knife, in the great Activists estimate tens As leases run out, a Catho- mosque in the capital Bamako. of thousands of people have lic charity is helping families Corazon Enriquez, 63, told AFP, rid the country of drugs. The attack took place during died since President Rodrigo unable to afford the renewal fee after her son’s bones were car- “If you know of any addicts, prayers for the Islamic festival of Duterte ordered police to go to retrieve the bones of their ried away on a stretcher by two go ahead and kill them yourself Eid al-Adha. after drug addicts and dealers loved ones with the aim of hav- men wearing masks, gloves and as getting their parents to do it Goita was taken from the in a widely-condemned cam- ing them cremated and put in a protective coats. would be too painful,” Duterte scene, according to the journalist, paign that has largely targeted permanent burial site. “I don’t The mother of seven had told the public soon after he was who said it was not immediately poor men. want his remains thrown away,” welcomed Duterte’s promise to sworn into office.—AFP clear whether he had been wound- ed. An official at the presiden- cy later said Goita was “safe and Severe rainstorms kill 12 in flooded China subway sound”. Goita arrived at the military bankments were breached in a Weibo post. Nerve-shredding camp of Kati, outside the capital, record downpours across Henan images shared on social media “where security has been rein- province, President Xi Jinping showed shocked passengers forced,” the official said.—AFP described the situation as “ex- contending with the fast-rising tremely severe” with flood con- waters inside a train carriage. trol measures entering a “criti- Rescuers cut open the roof of EU guards patrol cal stage”, state media reported the coach to pull people to safety, amid migrant ‘crisis’ Wednesday morning. local media reported. Around 200,000 city res- Others showed dramatic idents were evacuated, local rescues of pedestrians in Zheng- WITH a pair of binoculars, a Ger- government officials said, with zhou from torrents gushing man police officer working for the soldiers leading rescue efforts in through the streets. Relatives EU border agency Frontex scans the city of over 10 million people, outside the city made anxious an empty field crossed by the where days of rain have inundat- pleas on China’s Weibo for in- Belarus-Lithuania border on the ed the streets and subway. formation as communications to At least 12 people have died in the floods. PHOTO: AFP lookout for migrants. Rainstorms submerged the city went down. “Is the sec- The Baltic EU member state TWELVE people died after tor- showed passengers struggling Zhengzhou’s metro, killing 12 ond floor in danger? My parents has seen more than 2,000 arrivals rential rains flooded a subway against chest-high water inside people and injuring five, while live there, but I can’t get through since the start of the year across the in the central Chinese city of a train carriage. hundreds were rescued from to them on the phone,” one user border from Belarus. Zhengzhou, as shocking images As dams burst and river em- the subway, city officials said in wrote. — AFP Most of the migrants are from Iraq, and Lithuanian officials sus- pect the influx is being orchestrat- Flood-battered Germany prepares billions to rebuild ed by the Russia-backed Belarusian regime as retaliation against EU sanctions. CHANCELLOR Angela help in the short and long term. their backs”. reconstruction fund financed “I arrived on July 1 and the sit- Merkel’s cabinet will huddle “This was flooding that by the federal government and uation has been interesting from Wednesday to approve a mas- surpassed our imagination ‘Months if not years’ “solidarity contributions” from the start because it is very tense,” sive relief package to rebuild when you see the destruc- The stopgap aid will be all 16 of Germany’s regional said the guard, who gave his name German regions destroyed in tion it wrought,” Merkel supplemented by a longer-term states, she said.—AFP only as Mike in line with Frontex historic flooding and better told reporters after touring policy. protect them in future. what the Bild daily called the The officer, who previously A week into the region’s “apocalyptic” wreckage of the patrolled the Bulgaria-Serbia bor- worst flooding disaster in living 17,000-strong community in der, said he found 80 migrants on memory, which has killed at North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) his first night patrol. least 169 people in Germany state. Lithuania, which has a pop- and 200 in Europe, the right-left She said ministers would ulation of 2.8 million people, has “grand coalition” government clear the way for emergency declared a state of emergency over will unblock aid for demolished assistance for citizens who the arrivals and has redoubled dip- homes, businesses and vital had suffered losses and do lomatic efforts to stem the flow. infrastructure. everything in their power “so Lithuanian Foreign Minister With the damage estimated that the money is with people Gabrielius Landsbergis visited Iraq in the billions of euros, Merkel fast”. last week, where his Iraqi coun- told reporters on a visit to the “I hope it will be a matter terpart Fuad Hussein vowed to badly hit medieval town of Bad of days,” she said, noting that The west of the country was deluged over two days last week, with investigate “the plan to smuggle Muenstereifel on Tuesday that she had met local victims “left torrents of water sweeping away trees, cars and bridges and destroying Iraqis into Europe”.—AFP Berlin would come through to with nothing but the clothes on swathes of housing. PHOTO: AFP 22 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL: TOP STORIES 15 Erdogan presses hard line on Cyprus, pushes to reopen ghost town

TURKEY’S President Recep The island is divided be- Tayyip Erdogan insisted Tues- tween the Greek Cypriot-run day on a two-state solution in Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus and threw his weight self-declared Turkish Republic behind plans for a coastal resort of Northern Cyprus, recognized that was emptied of its original only by Ankara. Greek Cypriot residents to be Turkish Cypriot leader partially reopened. Ersin Tatar, an Erdogan ally His speech in the north of who supports a two-state solu- divided Nicosia marked anoth- tion rather than the federation er step towards opening up the long sought in UN-led negotia- ghost town of Varosha in defi- tions, said an initial 3.5 per cent ance of UN resolutions and EU of Varosha would “be removed disapproval. from its military status”. Speaking at a parade to Erdogan said this showed mark the 47th anniversary of “how sensitively Turkish Cypriot the Turkish invasion that divid- authorities approach this issue”. ed the island, Erdogan took aim The speech sparked bicker- at failed UN efforts to reunite ing with the EU’s top diplomat the two sides, saying “we don’t Josep Borrell, who said any have another 50 years to waste”. such move was “an unaccept- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C-L) and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (C-R) wave as they take “No progress can be made able unilateral decision”. part in a parade in the northern part of Cyprus’ divided capital Nicosia. PHOTO: AFP in negotiations without accept- Turkey’s foreign ministry ing that there are two peoples hit back, accusing Borrell of administration”. Erdogan, with US Secretary of “was clearly inconsistent” with and two states with equal sta- “acting as a spokesperson or The United States con- State Antony Blinken saying UN Security Council resolu- tus,” he said. advocate for the Greek Cypriot demned the plan by Tatar and in a statement that the move tions.—AFP Roiled by presidential assassination, NEWS IN BRIEF Haiti swears in new PM S. Korea share wish to improve frosty of a new government in an at- tempt to stabilize a country on bilateral ties: Motegi the brink of chaos since the mur- der of president Jovenel Moise at JAPANESE Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tuesday he his residence in the early hours believes Tokyo and Seoul “share a wish to improve ties” soured over of 7July. wartime history, but declined to comment on South Korean President The swearing-in of Henry, Moon Jae In’s scrapped plan to visit Japan for the Olympics. who was named to the post by Motegi made the remark at an online press conference while vis- Moise days before his death, iting Jamaica. When asked about Moon’s aborted visit for the opening was seen as a key step towards of the Tokyo Olympics later this week, he only said, “The Japanese holding elections as demanded government is not in a position to answer.” by many Haitians and the inter- Seoul announced Monday that Moon will not visit Tokyo after national community. a senior Japanese diplomat made inappropriate remarks about the After the president was president’s efforts to address bilateral ties. Rivals for power -- Haiti’s former interim leader Claude Joseph (L) and killed by armed commandos, The trip was seen as a chance for Moon and Japanese Prime new Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince as Henry and his new government are sworn in. PHOTO: AFP acting prime minister Claude Minister Yoshihide Suga to hold their first face-to-face talks since the Joseph declared a “state of premier took office in September last year. Asked about the comment HAITI’S new prime minister Ari- pledging to improve the coun- siege” and said he was in charge, by Hirohisa Soma, Japan’s deputy chief of mission in Seoul, that Moon’s el Henry took office Tuesday in try’s dire security and to organ- launching a power tussle in the diplomatic efforts to mend frayed ties were tantamount to “mastur- the aftermath of the president’s ize long-delayed elections. violence-wracked, impoverished bating,” Motegi said, “I think the remark was extremely inappropriate assassination two weeks ago, Henry was installed as head Caribbean nation.— AFP as a diplomat and I regret it was made.”— Kyodo News

Belarus opposition leader asks US for Taliban in ‘defence status’ during targeted sanctions

Afghan Eid holiday THE exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition said Tuesday that she asked the United States for tighter sanctions on some companies, hop- THE Taliban said Wednesday but complete. For past Islamic holidays, ing to force them away from veteran strongman Alexander Lukashenko. they would fight only to defend “I can confirm we are in the militants have declared a Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who says she easily won last year’s themselves over the Muslim hol- defence status during Eid,” a pause in fighting with govern- election in which Lukashenko said he secured a sixth term, is on a iday of Eid al-Adha, but stopped spokesman for the Taliban told ment forces, offering a brief visit to Washington as President Joe Biden’s administration vows to short of declaring a formal AFP, without offering further de- respite to Afghans who can visit step up pressure on the pro-Moscow Belarusian leader. ceasefire. tails. Eid al-Adha is one of the family in relative safety. In a meeting Monday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, The militants are waging biggest festivals on the Muslim But the group has been Tikhanovskaya said she presented a list of companies on which she sweeping offensives across Af- calendar, and sees livestock criticised for using ceasefires hopes the United States can impose further sanctions. ghanistan, snapping up terri- sacrificed to share with the less to reinforce their positions and “We understand that only Belarusians themselves can bring the tory, seizing border crossings privileged. In Afghanistan, cel- resupply fighters, allowing them country to democratic changes, but we hope for American active and and encircling cities, with the ebrations started this Monday to attack Afghan security forces non-symbolic participation,” Tikhanovskaya told a roundtable of the withdrawal of foreign troops all and will run to the end of Friday. once the truce expires.—AFP State Department Correspondents’ Association.—AFP 22 JULY 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Nine Objectives

1. Political affairs (a) To build a Union based on democracy and fed- eralism, through a disciplined and genuine mul- tiparty democratic system that is fair and just. (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide Fireworks filled the sky after Brisbane was named host of the 2032 Olympics. PHOTO: AFP Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). (c) To continue implementing the principle of peaceful ‘We’ve done it, Brisbane!’: Australian city co-existence among countries through an inde- pendent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. 2. Economic affairs awarded 2032 Olympics (a) To enhance production based on agriculture and livestock through modern techniques and BRISBANE was awarded the Australian delegates in Tokyo, Australia has already host- strengthen all-round development in other sectors 2032 Olympics on Wednesday, while in Brisbane fireworks lit ed the Olympics twice, in Mel- of the economy. triggering wild celebrations and up the skies and crowds who bourne in 1956 and Sydney in fireworks as it became the third had gathered for the vote went 2000, widely considered one of (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote Australian city to host the Sum- wild. the most successful Games in international investment in order to enhance the mer Games after Melbourne Brisbane’s victory looked recent history. economic development of the entire National and Sydney. a certainty after it was unani- Hundreds of people packed people. International Olympic mously proposed as the single Brisbane’s Southbank riverside (c) To promote and support local businesses to create Committee president Thomas candidate for 2032 by the IOC’s precinct for the announcement, employment opportunities and increase domestic Bach confirmed the widely ex- 15-strong executive board in watching the city’s final pitch to production. pected result after delegates June. the IOC on a big screen. 3. Social affairs voted 72 to five with three ab- “I’m so excited -- I have so Rhys Cush, 24, one of those (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the stentions at the IOC session much pride for my state, for my in the masked-up crowd, said genuine spirit of patriotism. in Tokyo. people. Never in my lifetime he hoped to work at the 2032 (b) To respect and promote the customs and tradi- “The International Olympic did I think that this was going Olympics and also attend as Committee has the honour to to happen,” said Queensland a spectator. “I’m an extreme- tions of all National peoples and preserve and announce that the Games of the state premier Anna Palaszczuk. ly big fan. I even watched the safeguard their cultural heritage and national 35th Olympiad are awarded to “We”ve done it, Queens- softball this morning,” he told characteristics. Brisbane, Australia,” Bach said. land! We’ve done it, Brisbane! AFP. “I’m super excited about (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education The announcement was This is fantastic, this is amazing having the Olympics coming quality of the entire nation. greeted by cheers from the –- tonight is your night, enjoy.” here.” — AFP

One year late, Tokyo Olympics Arsenal cancel US trip after coronavirus cases sports finally gets underway ARSENAL announced on States after a “small number” of The Premier League side Wednesday they had cancelled their touring party tested positive were scheduled to play Italian THE Tokyo Olympics sports programme finally opened on their pre-season trip to the United for coronavirus. champions Inter Milan this week- Wednesday after a year’s pandemic delay with softball in dis- end in the opening round of the aster-hit Fukushima as the Games suffered their first drugs Florida Cup, which also includes controversy. Everton and Colombia’s Millonar- Japan thrashed Australia 8-1 in the first action of the 2020 ios. In a statement announcing Games, which are struggling for public support with Tokyo under their withdrawal, Arsenal did not a state of emergency following a surge in coronavirus cases. specify how many members of The formal opening ceremony of the games is due to be held their touring group had tested on Friday. Fans are barred from most of the Olympics and the positive for the virus, nor if any game took place in front of empty stands at Fukushima, which was players were among those with ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2011. a Covid-19 diagnosis. The Olympics are being staged in biosecure “bubble” condi- “Following a small number tions, with athletes tested daily and under orders to stay socially of positive Covid tests among the distanced and wear masks when not competing, training, eating planned party to travel to Ameri- or sleeping. ca tomorrow, we have sadly been Later, the Australian city of Brisbane is expected to be con- Arsenal announced on Wednesday they had cancelled their pre-season forced to withdraw from the Flor- firmed as host of the 2032 Olympics in a vote at the International trip to the United States after a “small number” of their touring party ida Cup,” the statement read. — Olympic Committee session. — AFP tested positive for coronavirus. PHOTO: AFP AFP