ESTABLISH MANGROVE FORESTS TO CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO PREVENTION OF NATURAL DISASTERS PAGE-8 (OPINION) NATIONAL NATIONAL Thanakha, symbol of Myanmar’s cultural Myanma Railways operates rail heritage in the world transportation services normally

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Vol. VIII, No. 84, 4th Waxing of Waso 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Monday, 12 July 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.

Taninthayi Region sees development of sound foundations

OCATED in the south- ern part of Myanmar, LTaninthayi Region has plenty of mountains and hills. It is bordered by the Andaman Sea to the west and the Taninthayi mountain ranges to the east, narrowing the coastal plain. Taninthayi Region is con- stituted with 18 towns including Dawei District, Myeik District and Kawthoung District. Of a to- tal of 1,240 villages in 2017, when the department was formed, 494 villages were accessible in any season and 746 villages were ac- cessible only in the dry season. Due to the implementation of the Taninthayi Region Depart- ment of Rural Road Develop- ment, Ministry of Construction, a total of 706 villages can be reachable in any season in 2021. The Region Department of Rural Road Development has been undertaking upgrade works on earthen roads to SEE PAGE-4 The 7/4-mile-long Kyaynyantine-Katharai-Nandawya road in Myeik District.

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS LOCAL BUSINESS Seventy per cent of Public cooperates 6 police CDMers and Myanmar-India border Natural gas export tops rural water supply to arrest gold shop one financial supporter trade up by $111.94 US$1.32 bln in seven projects completed robbers in Yangon arrested with firearms mln as of 2 July months from Oct to in Leshi Township in Mandalay Apr PAGE-5 PAGE-6 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 PAGE-7 12 JULY 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports Order No 285/2021 3rd Waxing of Waso 1383 ME 11 July 2021

The Ministry of Health and Sports hereby announced the order by exercising the (3) except for staff from airlines, such as relief flights, cargo flights and authority stipulated in Sub-Section (b) of Section 21 of the Prevention and Control specially chartered flights, general aviation transport services, ground of Communicable Diseases Law. services, fuel services, aviation export and import services, interna- 1. The Ministry of Health and Sports has taken preventive measures against tional freight forwarder companies, customer service companies and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in real-time. Therefore, people from agencies, boarding foodstuff production and transport services and some townships of Magway Region, Mon State and Yangon Region need to aircraft maintenance; stay at home due to the number of confirmed patients on the rise in these (4) except for staff from private ports, shipping agencies offices, inter- townships. national freight forwarder companies, customer service companies and agencies, container truck services, port export and import cargo 2. Hence, the people residing in the following townships in Bago Region and trucks and watercraft, inland container depot and dry ports; Yangon Region are involved in the Stay-at-Home Programme. (5) except for staff from communication service providers such as post (a) Bago Region services, line phones and mobile phone communication services, (1) Ottwin Township internet services (exclusive of sales of telephone and data at shops), (2) Kawa Township tower and fibre maintenance services; (3) Kyaukdaga Township (b) relevant region and state administration councils to issue necessary orders (4) DaikU Township and directives and supervision for the prevention of COVID-19 infection (5) Waw Township at CMP factories and workplaces; (6) Okpo Township (c) organizations and companies to perform their works from homes; (b) Yangon Region (d) one person from each house to go out shopping; (1) Taikkyi Township (e) only two persons per house to go to hospitals and clinics; (2) Tamway Township (f) wear masks if they go outside the houses; (3) Dagon Myothit (North) Township (g) allow ferries and registered vehicles only to transport returnees from (4) Yankin Township workplaces to pass the wards; (5) Thakayta Township (h) allow one person only in addition to the driver in a vehicle for shopping (6) Thingangyun Township in the ward and two persons except for the driver to go to hospitals or (7) Kayan Township clinics; (8) Kamayut Township (i) abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) for trucks to ensure (9) Kyimyindine Township smooth flow of commodities in the township; (10) Sangyoung Township 4. People need to inform relevant ward/village administration bodies about (11) Dagon Township seeking approvals to go outside the houses if they have reasons to raise the (12) Hline Township limited number of participants in the measures and other emergency issues 3. The people inclusive of the Stay-at-Home programme of the townships need mentioned in subparagraphs (d), (e) and (h) of Paragraph 3. The relevant to abide by the following disciplines: administrative bodies need not allow ingoing and outgoing persons, except (a) Reside at their homes only for officials and those returnees from duty. (1) except for service personnel serving at government department; 5. Action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the order under the (2) except for those serving at private firms such as banks and monetary existing laws. services, filling stations, foodstuffs and livestock and fishery, cold 6. The order came into force at 4 am on 12-7-2021. storage, medicine and medical equipment production and distribution, purified water production and sales, factories of manufacturing daily Dr Thet Khaing Win personal goods and related industries; Union Minister

State Administration Council Information Press Conference 7/2021 of Information Team to hold press conference 7/2021 Team to be broadcast live

THE Information Team of the State Administration Council will hold a press THE press conference 7/2021 of the Information Team of the State Adminis- conference on 7/2021 at the assembly hall of the Ministry of Information in Nay tration Council will be broadcast live on MRTV, MITV, MOI Website and MOI Pyi Taw at 10:00 am on 12 July. Local and foreign media personnel are invited to YouTube and aired live on Myanma Radio starting from 10:00 am on 12 July, at the press conference. — MNA the assembly hall of the Ministry of Information. — MNA

3,461 new cases of COVID-19 reported on 11 July, total figure rises to 192,213

MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 192,213 after 3,461 new cases were reported on 11 July 2021 according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. Among these confirmed cases, 146,358 have been discharged from hospitals. Death toll stands at 3,838 after 82 died. —MNA 12 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3

Public Announcement 11 July 2021

1. The Ministry of Commerce cooperates with the ministry concerned to facilitate the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures, and allows the imports of medicines and other related equipment via sea route/border checkpoints in a timely manner. 2. The imports of Oxygen Concentrators, the current essentials for the treatment of COVID-19, were exempted from paying 3 per cent tax and applying for FDA approval and import licences. 3. It has now reported that some unscrupulous persons post the false information on social media to raise the prices in the market and public awareness by making a fake office letter that bans on importation of medicines and medical supplies. 4. It is here announced that the spreading office letter is just a fake one and actions will be taken against those who spread fake information under existing law, and the certain restrictions on the import of medicines and medical equipment are eased and allowed in a timely manner. Ministry of Commerce

Thanakha, symbol of Myanmar’s cultural heritage in the world

THE young courtiers used nalia oliveri, Tectona Hamilto- Thanakha during the reign of nian, Acacia leucophloea, East- ancient Myanmar kings. Nowa- ern gooseberry, Acacia catechu, days, the Myanmar women like Diospyros burmanica and so on. to decorate themselves with The stem of the tree is about 3ft. Thanakha. Even with the arriv- als of modern beauty products, Thanakha Plantation Thanakha remains the reigning Although Thanakha plants cosmetic of choice. can be seen across the nation, they are mostly grown in the Features country’s central dry zone. The Thanakha can cool the skin, plants are grown in Ayadaw provide protection from the sun- township with more than 100,000 ray, and its fragrance makes the acres and the township boasts 75 people fresh. The courtiers and per cent of Thanakha plantation female farmers used Thanakha. of the country. The Thanakha Most of the Myanmar girls ap- plantation is also expanded ply Thanakha after bathing, or in Pakokku, Yesagyo, Myaing, they wear it whenever they go to Shwebo, Budalin, Yinmabin, pagodas or religious occasions. Monywa, Myinmu and Pauk townships. There are now more Potency of Thanakha than 300,000 acres of Thanakha Thanakha can protect the Thanakha plants in a row are thriving in the farm. plantation. human body from heat-related problems. Those working under fer from the headache, dull pain, the girls dry Thanakha to make as a driving lever in grinding oil Public participation direct sunlight can use Thanakha toothache and blurred vision due powder. There is a tradition in or paddy, in carving industry and Therefore, the people as sun protection. The fragrance to urinary disease, they can take the central Myanmar like offer- as measuring tools. should work together to ensure of Thanakha can also cure the liquid Thanakha by grinding the ing the Thanakha to the Bud- that Myanmar’s Thanakha, headache, dull pain, neck pain root of Thanakha. dha at the bonfire. Such culture Mixed-cropping plants which has been conserved as a and nasal congestion. If the emerged in the Bagan era. The Thanakha is called Li- traditional culture since the time women suffer from the menses, Donation to the Lord Buddha monia acidissima in the botani- of the ancient Myanmar kings, they can apply Thanakha with Although Myanmar girls Usefulness of Thanakha cal term, in Rutaceae Family and exists as a gift and a symbol of the turmeric. If they have high grind Thanakha in longitu- Thanakha is hard and in yel- is in the same group with Aegle Myanmar and remains a part of body temperature, they can take dinal, the courtiers grind in a low colour. The dried Thanakha marmelos, orange, lemon, lime Myanmar’s cultural heritage in liquid Thanakha with the nectar vertical way to get the smooth- weighs 61 pound per cubic foot. and clausena. Thanakha trees the world.—Zeyar Htet (Minbu)/ of Mesua Ferrea. If the men suf- er Thanakha paste. Moreover, Therefore, the Thanakha is used can grow together with Termi- GNLM 12 JULY 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Taninthayi Region sees development ...

FROM PAGE-1 Road in Thayetchaung Township, concrete ones, asphalt roads, which has been upgraded by the gravel roads and reinforced Taninthayi Region Rural Road roads as well as bamboo and Development Department to be wooden bridges to concrete and a 9/3-mile-long village-to-village bailey bridges with the Union/ concrete road in Dawei District, Region Funds. connects the Dawei-Myeik Union Living standards improve- Highway, benefiting nine villages ment activities and 6,775 people. In upgrading rural roads to The 7/4-mile-long Kyaynyan- reduce the disparity between ru- tine-Katharai-Nandawya road, ral and urban living standards 14/6-mile-long East Banlaw-Ka- and to develop harmoniously wtaw-Thameehla-Koin-Kyauk- in line with the Rural Develop- sarit-Titekan Road and the ment Strategic Framework, a 13/4-mile-long West Banlaw-Yay- total of 1968/6.71 miles long paw-Thameehla road upgraded roads—367/2.706 concrete roads, as village-to-village roads in My-

A straight and smooth road is stretching in Taninthayi Region.

The 350-foot Phaungseik Bridge on the Shankoeywa Border Ring Road in Kawthoung Township,. The 420-foot Pitat bailey bridge on the Pulaw-Laku-Myadaung Road.

162/5.035 miles of asphalt road, eik District will benefit 29 villages lages and a population of 17,960 as to support the national trans- bridges; 5,048 box culverts total- 403/3.36 miles of gravel road, and a population of 25,221. people. port project. ling 7,565 bridges were upgraded. 392/2.05 miles of reinforced road, The 29/4-mile-long Shanko- In addition, 900-foot Pay- It is also a goal of the Rural The strategic goal of the de- 643/1.554 miles of dirt road—have eywa Border Ring Road in Ka- itaung-Wunpho Bailey Bridge is Road Development Department partment is to have 80% of the been under the upgrade scheme wthoung District which was under construction that is ex- to make annual improvements villages and 90% of the rural pop- and it has been upgraded from upgraded to 16/5-mile concrete pected to complete in the current for 80% of villages and 90% of ulation in Myanmar by 2030 have 39% into 67% of the all-season- road and 12/7-mile gravel road fiscal year and when complet- rural people to be able to use access to rural roads, all villages round accessible road. has provided 18,161 people in 9 ed, it will benefit six villages and the roads that are accessible all with a population of 1,000 or more The Taninthayi Region villages who are using the road 6,400 people, as well as up to 33 year round by 2030. The Min- will be able to access rural roads Rural Road Development De- in day-to-day life. tonnes of vehicle/cargo, will be istry of Construction expanded by 2020; by 2025, 95% of all vil- partment has made efforts to up- As the department is mak- able to pass on it. The 1,200-foot the Department of Rural Road lages with a population of 500 or grade a total of 789/5 miles long ing continuous efforts to provide Ohntawkan reinforced concrete Development from its previous more.; by 2030, 75% of all villages roads—234/1 miles of concrete convenient transportation for bridge is being built on the Bok- four departments on 21 July 2017 with a population of more than road, 49/7 miles of asphalt road, the rural people in Taninthayi pyin-Ohntawkan Road in Bok- to implement these goals for the 250 and 50% of all villages with 146/6 miles of gravel road and Region, the 420-foot Pitat bai- pyin Township that will benefit people. a population of less than 250 will 358/7 miles of reinforced road— ley bridge on the Pulaw-Laku- 8 villages, 1,720 households and The Department’s Activities be accessible to all-season-round for the rural people to travel any Myadaung-To Road was complet- a population of 7,834 when it is From the 2017-2018 financial village roads. season. ed, benefiting five villages and completed in the current fiscal year to the 2019-2020 financial Improvement to be contin- In terms of rural bridges, 4,956 people. In Myeik Township, year. The Minthan-Maunghlaw year when the Department of ued a total of 183 concrete bridges the Taungshay Bridge on the river bridge that connects Myeik Rural Road Development was As the department in Tanin- including 10 concrete bridges Kyaynantine-Kathari-Nandawya Township and Kyunsu Township established, 1237/4.6 miles of thayi Region will continue to up- over 180 feet, 19 wooden bridg- Road has been completed from is under construction to benefit concrete roads, 995/5.0 miles grade the roads leading to villag- es, 15 bailey bridges including the original wooden bridge and 18 villages and 25,430 people. of asphalt road, 1619/1.1 miles es in the region to be accessible two over 180 feet, and 494 box is now a 295-foot reinforced The department is making of gravel road, 3674/5.7 miles in any season and the work of culverts, totalling 711 bridges concrete bridge, benefiting 17 efforts to build the rural roads of reinforced road and 3957/1.6 the department becomes more have been upgraded to make it villages and 17,960 villagers. In sustainably for the socio-eco- miles of earthen road, a total of successful, the production/flow easier to cross economic, social Kawthoung Township, the 350- nomic development of the rural 114484/2 miles were upgraded. of rural goods in Taninthayi Re- and educational barriers and to foot Phaungseik Bridge on the people so that they could trans- Rural bridges include 1873 gion will increase as well as so- quickly and easily access rural Shankoeywa Border Ring Road port their products to markets concrete bridges; 80 wooden cio-economic life will inevitably products to market. was built as a reinforced con- and travel for education, health- bridges; 185 cable-stayed bridg- develop rapidly. — Cham Myae The Sonsin-Gonnyinseik crete bridge, benefiting nine vil- care and social matters, as well es/bailey bridges; 379 floodplain MaungGNLM 12 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 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 Myanma Railways operates rail transportation services normally

for some schedules. It depends daily,” said an official of Yangon Yangon-Mandalay and Manda- on the number of passengers. If railway station. lay-Yangon trains operate daily. the infection rate declines and Train services Saving costs people normally go out, the train The 63-up and 64-down “The train services are services will be the same like trains on Yangon-Pyay route more convenient for the basic before. However, the 1-up and run once two days, and also level people like us during this 2-down trains running along Yan- the 89-up and 90-down trains period. The charges are not so gon-Mandalay railway are being on Yangon-Mawlamyine route. high. Although the buses run operated daily as before. Simi- Moreover, the Yangon-Nay Pyi currently, we have to pay for two larly, the Bago-Yangon train and Taw and Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon seats. So, it is not convenient for Insein-Okkan train offer service trains run every other day. The us. Although the duration of tak- ing trains and bus are different, I prefer taking trains for nor- mal trips. We can get fresh air Train of Myanma Railways. and save the cost. So, the train services are good for us,” said a MYANMA Railways (MR) Resumed service as nor- passenger from Yangon to Pyay. under the Ministry of Trans- mal The trains from the Yan- ports and Communications “During the third wave of gon railway station operate the operates rail transportation COVID-19, we, MR runs the services normally and they will services from Yangon as usu- trains as usual for the peo- not suspend even in early July al during the third wave of ple. We do not change any (COVID-19 third wave). COVID-19 as per the stipu- train schedules of Yangon Therefore, the MR offers lated health rules, according railway station during this safe train services to the passen- to Yangon Railway Station. period but change the dates gers as per the COVID-19 health rules, according to MR.—Myint Train of Myanma Railways. Mo/GNLM Seventy per cent of rural water supply projects completed in Leshi Township

SAGAING Region rural water out exploration work. In doing cal year 2020-2021. holds and 3,412 houses. water to the rural population supply works are being carried so, the water from the spring Water supply works have With a population of 18,800 each fiscal year, according to out to create easy access of will be connected to PVC pipes been fully completed in four vil- in the region, the Department the Leshi Township Rural De- drinking water for the rural with a capacity of 5,000 gallons. lages: Cheya, Myenigon, Kukki of Rural Development (DRD) velopment Department.—Lu people in Leshi Township, The water is supplied to the Sanpya and Shwepyiaye. is working to provide clean Lay/GNLM Naga Self-Administered Zone. village only after the water is “As our Naga area is hilly, At present, 70% of these works stored in 3,000-gallon tanks. we are skillful to use bamboo to have been completed, said of- This fiscal year, water connect water to the villages. ficials. supply will be provided to six With the help of the govern- The construction of dams villages. So far, water supply ment, enough water can be in six villages in Leshi Town- works have been completed used in the villages.” ship was completed in the in four villages. Water sup- “In addition, we have fiscal year 2020-2021, and the ply to the remaining villages formed water management construction of springs and will be completed as soon as committees in each village to reservoirs began the last week possible,” said U Khaung Po, raise awareness of the bene- of February 2021. township head of the Rural fits of using clean water in the At present, water supply is Development Department in villages,” U Khaung Po added. sufficient in the villages. Leshi Township. Leshi Township, Naga “As our area is mountain- Constructions works for Self-Administered Zone of ous, access to water is also dif- dams, springs and reservoirs Sagaing Region consists of 69 ficult. The water supply was in- in six villages of Leshi Town- villages in 19 village-tracts, DRD carrying out to creat easy access of drinking water for the rural convenient, so we had to carry ship were started from the fis- which are home to 3,321 house- people. 12 JULY 2021 6 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

State Administration Council Press Release Re-invitation to Myanmar citizens who reside in various regions for many reasons 1. Some student youths, State service personnel and citizens, with worries, have evaded to areas of EAOs and foreign countries due to the incitements and intimidation of NLD members, extremist followers, unlawful associations and terrorist groups such as CRPH and NUG, stimulation of CDM, and persons and organizations at home and abroad not wishing to restore peace and stability of the State since Tatmadaw assumed the State responsibilities on 1 February 2021. 2. They are further worried about the dictatorship statement and speeches of unlawful association and terrorist group CRPH and NUG, and some relevant persons. As they face no security guarantee and difficulties in socio-economic life in those areas, they wish to return to their native lands. 3. The State Administration Council will specifically ease restrictions for service personnel, intellectuals and intelligentsia, and persons from various arenas and citizens who, with worries, absconded from the country except for persons who committed murders, robberies, setting fires, mine explosions and intentional attacks on security troops, those who crowded to attack public service personnel and some people, those who destroyed government and private-owned buildings and those who are highly involved in the CDM activities by providing monetary assistance and other means. 4. As those who evade their native areas are also citizens, the State Administration Council will arrange their returns from the evaded areas to various parts of Myanmar. 5. As such, the information was released that if those who evaded to various areas, except for persons who committed any kinds of crime, wish to return to their native lands in Myanmar of their own accord due to multiple worries, the citizens abroad can contact nearby ward, village, township and district administration bodies and relevant embassies, military attaché offices and consulates in accord with the easing restrictions under the law. Information Team State Administration Council

The State Administration Council will specifically ease restrictions for service personnel, intellectuals and intelligentsia, and persons from various are- nas and citizens who, with worries, absconded from the country except for persons who committed murders, robberies, setting fires, mine explosions and intentional attacks on security troops, those who crowded to attack public service personnel and some people, those who destroyed government and private-owned buildings and those who are highly involved in the CDM activities by providing monetary assistance and other means.

6 police CDMers and one Public cooperates to arrest gold financial supporter arrested shop robbers in Yangon with firearms in Mandalay

A total of six police members who have participated in the CDM campaign and one woman financial supporter were arrested together with firearms and related materials in Patheingyi Township and Aungmyethazan Township in Mandalay Region on 10 July. According to the report, security forces searched the house of Daw Win Thi who was supporting financially the CDMers and arrested her on the morning of July 10. Following her confession, security forces went to U Khani Monastery at the foot of Mandalay Hill and arrested three mem- bers of the police force who have joined the CDM campaign. Arrestee Wai Yan, his pistol, Hla Thida gold shop and vehicle used by fugitives. Similarly, security forces arrested three other members of SECURITY forces and the and attempted to rob the jewel- due to the cooperation of the the police force staying in Kyikon village in Patheingyi Township, public cooperated to arrest lery in the shop by threatening people, will be investigated and together with six homemade mines and 2 I-Cons. one of five men trying to rob a with a gun. effective action will be taken in While being arrested, one of them was shot and died of a gold shop with a gun yesterday The staff and security per- accordance with the law, and bullet wound at the scene. morning in Mayangon Town- sonnel surrounded and tried the security forces have ac- It is reported that the arrested suspects will be taken action ship, Yangon Region. to arrest them. Four men es- celerate the search to arrest under the existing laws. —MNA A total of five men came in caped by the same car and one the fugitives who attempted front of the “Hla Thida” gold was arrested with a pistol and to rob the gold jewellery by shop in Mayangon Township 8 rounds of ammunition. threatening with a gun.—MNA by Toyota Crown YGN 7D-8630 Wai Yan, who was arrested

Terrorist bombers arrested with homemade mines in Thanapin Township

ACCORDING to the report of the dutiful citizens, Security forces were investigating the armed five terrorist bombers were arrested with home- attack that happened in the “Apyogyi” teashop made mines yesterday afternoon in Thanatpin which resulted in two men dead and two men in- Township in Bago Region. jured, and due to the responsible citizens who The bombers were arrested with materials reported the location of the terrorists, the bombers Suspects (from L) police lance corporal Ye Lin, constables Nyi Nyi used in terrorist acts including 23 homemade mines were arrested. It is reported that investigations are Min Htet and Win Naing Ko. in the Kyaikasi paddy field in Auksupine ward, underway to take effective action against them in Suspects (from L) police lance corporal Pho Pyae (injured), constables Thanatpin Township on 11 July. accordance with the law.—MNA Kyaw Min Htet and Khant Ko Ko Maung (dead). 12 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7

Myanmar-India border trade up by $111.94 mln as of 2 July

THE value of border trade Thantlang border posts. between Myanmar and India Over the past nine months, climbed up to US$193.2 million trade values were registered between 1 October and 2 July of at over $32.39 million via Tamu the current financial year 2020- border and $160.8 million via 2021 although India stepped up Reed. There was no trade re- the border security. The figures corded at the Thantlang post. reflected an increase of $111.94 Myanmar conveys mung million as against a-year ago beans, pigeon peas, green period. grams, areca nuts, ginger, India tightened the border saffron, turmeric, bay leaves, control in wake of the coronavi- fishery products, fruits, and rus pandemic, and the traders vegetables to India, while it suffered the negative impact of imports pharmaceuticals, oil the outbreak. The cross-border cakes, electronic appliances, trade between Myanmar and motorbikes, steel and other India has become sluggish. construction machines and Myanmar conducts bor- building materials from the der trade with neighboring In- neighboring country.—KK/ File photo shows Myanmar - India friendship bridge between Myanmar and India. PHOTO IPRD dia through Tamu, Reed, and GNLM Natural gas export tops US$1.32 bln External trade in seven months from Oct to Apr dramatically plummets by $6 bln as of 2 July

MYANMAR’S external trade between 1 October and 18 June in the current financial year 2020-2021 indicated a drastic plunge to US$22.6 billion, a sharp drop of over $6 billion compared with the corresponding period of the FY 2019-2020, according to the Ministry of Commerce. During the same period in the previous FY, the trade stood at $28.6 billion, according to data released by the ministry. Over the past nine months, Myanmar’s export was worth over $11.19 billion, which plunged from $13.6 billion registered a year-ago period. Meanwhile, the country’s import was valued $11.4 billion, showing a significant decrease of $3.6 billion compared with the last FY. Both maritime trade and border trade dropped amid the coronavirus impacts. The neighbouring countries tightened the border security and the border posts came to abrupt stop amid the COVID-19 surging in Myanmar. At the present time, the traders have transaction problem triggered by the restriction of the private banks. Furthermore, the pandemic triggered the cargo shipping MYANMAR’S exports of nat- ation with the foreign invest- gas to Thailand. Natural gas is crisis, a market observer shared his opinion. ural gas in the seven months ment. Natural gas extraction also extracted in Yedagun, lo- Myanmar exports agricultural products, animal prod- (Oct-Apr) of the current finan- is being made at the Yadana, cated offshore from Taninthayi ucts, minerals, forest products, and finished industrial cial year 2020-2021 exceeded the Yedagun, the Shwe, and and discovered in 1992. The goods, while it imports capital goods, raw industrial US$1.32 billion, the Commerce the Zawtika offshore blocks as Zawtika Project in the Gulf materials, and consumer goods. Ministry’s data showed. well as onshore drilling blocks. of Mottama mainly supplies The country’s export sector relies much on the The figures indicated a Yearly extraction is elevated to natural gas to neighboring agricultural and manufacturing sectors. However, the sharp drop of over $880 mil- cubic feet in 670.36 billion from Thailand. suspended trade in the border checkpoints and the or- lion compared to the year-ago 600 billion last year, according Production at Yadana der cancel from the western countries amid the political period. to the statement of the Minis- and Yedagun is declining, and changes exacerbate the export sector for now. Natural gas is included in try of Electricity and Energy. those projects will be halted in The Ministry of Commerce is focusing on reducing the list of major export items The Shwe natural gas the coming years. trade deficit, export promotion and market diversification. of Myanmar. About six per field, located offshore from Myanmar’s exports of nat- The external trade stood at $36.73 billion in the 2019- cent of the country’s total ex- Rakhine State, was discovered ural gas stood at $3.5 billion in 2020 FY, $35.147 billion in the 2018-2019 FY, $18.728 billion port earnings come from the in 2014. Natural gas extracted the 2019-2020 FY, $3.9 billion in the 2018 six-month mini budget period, $33.578 billion sales of natural gas. from the field is exported to in the 2018-2019 FY, $3.5 bil- in the 2017-2018 FY and $29.209 billion in the 2016-2017 There are 53 onshore China. lion in the 2017-2018 FY, $3.116 FY respectively, as per the Commerce Ministry’s statis- blocks and 51 offshore blocks, The Yadana natural gas billion in the 2016-2017 FY, and tics.—KK/GNLM totalling 104 blocks. A total of project is being carried out $3.445 billion in the 2015-2016 25 onshore blocks and 31 off- by the TOTAL Company, with FY, as per Commerce Ministry shore blocks are under oper- its pipeline supplying natural data.— KH/GNLM 12 JULY 2021 12 JULY 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE / NATIONAL 9

Establish mangrove Personal preventive practices Delta puts brakes on return to post-COVID normality against COVID-19 infection

forests to contribute (1) Wear the mask systematically when going out in public. much to prevention EU claims it has delivered enough shots for 70 per cent of its population. (2) Keep a proper physical distance. (3) Avoid the crowd. ATIONS across the globe European Economic Area is still — although cases are on the rise medical association. (4) Wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently. of natural disasters hit new pandemic highs only 44.1 per cent. again. Authorities said on Friday Nand reimposed COVID-19 Slow going Party’s over before starting that medics would be given a (5) Avoid entering unventilated closed spaces as much as possible. YANMAR possessing long coastal areas faces possibili- restrictions on Saturday as the Supply shortages in South After an “exponential” rise third booster jab using the vaccine ties on dangers in natural disasters such as strong winds, highly contagious Delta variant Korea have meant only about 11 in cases in recent days, officials made by US company Moderna, Mtidal waves, landslides, tsunami and so on triggered by forced governments to put the per cent of the country’s 52 mil- in the autonomous north eastern to provide them extra protection. cyclonic storms in the Indian Ocean, the Andaman Sea, the Bay brakes on plans to return to nor- lion population is fully vaccinated, Spanish region of Catalan said The southeast Asian nation Warning for visitors to Martyr of Bengal and the Mottama Gulf. mality. according to health authorities. they had no choice but to reim- has been depending heavily on Mangrove forests are invaluable barriers against the natural The highly transmissible Del- The nation, held up as a mod- pose restrictions. China’s Sinovax shots amid the Beikman disasters, especially tsunami, tidal waves, landslides and storms. ta variant, first detected in India, el of how to combat the pandemic, Nightclubs will close and a global shortage of alternatives In fact, these mangrove forests are natural retaining walls to bar is sweeping the globe as countries reported 1,378 new coronavirus negative COVID-19 test or proof of that have been mostly supplied THE people wishing to visit the Martyr Beikman on the 74th Anni- the calamities. race to inoculate their populations cases on Saturday, a third straight vaccination will be needed to take to rich nations. versary of Martyr Day are urged to strictly abide by the following Recently, the good news was released that the Department to ward off fresh outbreaks and record high. part in outdoor activities involving The rapid spread of the Delta points not to suffer from infection of Coronavirus Disease-COV- of Forest decided to establish the protected public mangrove allow for economies and daily life From Monday, gatherings more than 500 people. variant across Asia, Africa and ID-19 due to the high infection rate at present. (a) Systematically wear the mask on the mouth and the nose forests in Yangon Region’s Southern District involved in the to recover. of more than two people will be “The pandemic has not end- Latin America is exposing cru- and if necessary, and wear a face shield during the period of Mottama Golf area for pre- The European Union — lam- banned after 6:00pm, schools, ed, the new variants are very con- People check in for their COVID-19 vaccine at a mobile clinic on Friday in cial vaccine supply shortages for departure from the house to arrival. an East Los Angeles neighbourhood which has shown lower vaccination vention of natural disasters. basted early on in the pandemic bars and clubs will be closed. tagious and we still have signifi- some of the world’s poorest and (b) Take six feet distance to each other. rates especially among the young. PHOTO: AFP Among 10 townships in the response for a botched vaccine In Pakistan, where less than cant segments of the population most vulnerable populations. (c) Systematically wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds southern district, the de- acquisition programme — said on 8 per cent of the population has that are not vaccinated,” Patricia State statistics agency Ross- Levada-Centre published this Senegal, the EU, the United or use hand gel for cleaning the hands, and not to touch eyes, This fiscal partment prioritizes the cul- Saturday it has delivered enough been vaccinated, the government Plaja, a spokeswoman for the re- tat, which defines coronavirus-re- week. States, several European govern- nose and face without cleaning the hands. tivation of mangrove plants shots to cover 70 per cent of the said only those who had received gional government told a news lated deaths more broadly, put Third shot ments and other partners, signed (d) If everybody wishes to sneeze or cough, cover the nose and in Kungyangon, Kyauktan bloc’s population. jabs would be allowed to fly. conference. the figure at 270,000 by the end While vaccines have been an accord in Dakar on Friday to mouth with a handkerchief or tissue or bunt elbow, after moving to the site in a far distance from the crowds. and Kayan townships. “By tomorrow, some 500 mil- “We could face dangerous Russia also announced on of April. successful in mitigating the worst finance vaccine production in the year, six (e) Not to take a long time for viewing round there if not necessary. Yangon Region’s South- lion doses will have been distrib- consequences if we do not take Saturday that cases continued Less than 20 per cent of Rus- effects of infections, concerns west African state. (f) If anyone suffers from symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, ern District has reclaimed uted to all regions of Europe,” steps to control the Delta variant,” to surge and it had a new record sians have received a single dose, have been raised about how well And Cuba approved its home- body pain, tiredness, coughing, defecating, neck pain, headache, five protected public man- EU Commission President Ursula the National Command and Oper- number of daily deaths, the fifth despite shots of locally developed some of them will cope with more grown Abdala vaccine for emer- suffocation and exhaustion or currently contacts any confirmed more for- grove forests on 6,089 acres von der Leyen said. ation Centre said in a statement. since the beginning of the month. vaccines being readily available. virulent strains. gency use, the first Latin Amer- patient, they should reside at home and present reports to the of land. These are Kanhlyas- But according to the Euro- The country of around 215 The 752 new deaths bring Despite the rising infections In Indonesia, which is fight- ican coronavirus jab to get the relevant township health department. hay and Myaseinthaung pean Centre for Disease Preven- million people has largely escaped Russia’s total toll to 142,253. The and deaths, 54 per cent of a deep- ing a ferocious wave of infections, green light and a possible lifeline Health Subcommittee 74th Anniversary of Martyr Day Organizing Work Committee protected public mangrove tion and Control, the proportion the worst of the pandemic, with country also recorded 25,082 new ly sceptical Russian public don’t more than a dozen fully inoculat- for a region trying to battle a killer ests will forests in Kungyangon of adults aged 18 years or over under a million recorded infec- infections, meaning there have plan to get vaccinated, according ed frontline health workers have pandemic with modest means. Township, Aungchantha fully vaccinated in the EU and tions and around 23,000 deaths been more than 5.7 million cases. to a survey by the independent died, according to the country’s SOURCE: AFP ` mangrove forest in Kyauk- tan Township, Yekyaw Bo- be set up galay and extended Kan- Myanmar Daily Weather Report hlyashay mangrove forests (Issued at 7:00 pm Sunday 11th July, 2021) in Kayan Township. 90-year-old infected with ‘two virus variants at once’ BAY INFERENCE: According to the observations at (17:30) on 40,167 This fiscal year, six hrs M.S.T today, the low pressure area over Westcentral Bay more forests will be set up A 90-year-old woman who died after falling ill with Covid-19 was infected with both the Alpha and Beta variants and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal still persists. Monsoon on 40,167 acres of land in the is moderate to strong over the Andaman Sea and South Bay and district. Two mangrove for- of the coronavirus at the same time, researchers in Belgium said Sunday, adding that the rare phenomenon may moderate elsewhere over the Bay of Bengal. acres of ests each will be established FORECAST VALID UNTIL AFTERNOON OF THE 12th in the southern district. The be underestimated. July, 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be scattered in Kachin, newly-planned mangrove Northern Shan States, fairly widespread in Naypyitaw, Magway, forests are Shwepyi Aye- HE unvaccinated wom- viruses from two different peo- the OLV Hospital who led the know how she became infect- was difficult to say whether the ed with two different strains of Bago Regions and (Southern and Eastern)Shan, Rakhine, Kayah land in the chanphoh and extended an, who lived alone and ple,” said molecular biologist research. ed.” co-infection played a role in the the coronavirus, but the study States and widespread in the remaining Regions and States Aungchantha mangrove for- Treceived at-home nurs- Anne Vankeerberghen from “Unfortunately, we don’t Vankeerberghen said it fast deterioration of the patient. has yet to be published in a sci- with likelihood of isolated heavyfalls in Lower Sagaing, Magway, ests in Kyauktan Township, ing care, was admitted to the The research, which has not entific journal. Ayeyarwady, Taninthayi Regions. Degree of certainty is (100%). district. Minywa Athin and Beiktheik OLV Hospital in the Belgian city yet been submitted to a medical In comments reacting to STATE OF THE SEA: Squalls with rough seas are likely at Maha Thatha mangrove for- of Aalst after a spate of falls in journal for publication, is being the research, Lawrence Young, times Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and along Mon-Taninthayi ests in Thongwa Township March and tested positive for presented at the European Con- a virologist and Professor of Coasts. Surface wind speed in squalls may reach (35)m.p.h. Sea and green wall and Aleywa Covid-19 the same day. gress of Clinical Microbiology & Molecular Oncology at the Uni- will be moderate elsewhere in Myanmar waters. Wave height mangrove forests in Kawhmu Township. While her oxygen levels Infectious Diseases. versity of Warwick, said it was will be about (8-11)feet in Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and along A plan is underway to raise the awareness for conservation were initially good, her condi- While Vankeerberghen said not a surprise to find an indi- Mon-Taninthayi Coasts and (6-8)feet in Deltaic, off and along of mangrove forest plantations to the local people in open season. tion deteriorated rapidly and in a press release that there had vidual infected with more than Rakhine Coasts. If so, the local authorities can mobilize the local people for active she died five days later. been “no other published cas- one strain. OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Weak to mod- participation in conservation of the mangrove plants to be able to When medical staff tested es” of similar co-infections, she “This study does highlight erate monsoon. prevent impacts of landslides and tidal waves whenever natural for the presence of any variants added that the “phenomenon is the need for more studies to FORECAST FOR NAYPYITAW AND NEIGHBOURING disasters fall. of concern they found that she probably underestimated”. determine whether infection AREA FOR 12th July, 2021: One or two rain or thundershowers. Mangrove plants can thrive in muddy area sharing border was carrying both the Alpha This is because of limited with multiple variants of con- Degree of certainty is (100%). with the water area such as creeks, rivers and seaside. Naturally, strain, which originated in Brit- testing for variants of concern, cern affects the clinical course FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA mangrove plants stronghold the muddy plains with their com- ain, and the Beta variant first she said, calling for an increase of Covid-19 and whether this in FOR 12th July, 2021: One or two rain or thundershowers. Degree plicated roots to protect the areas against landslides. Along the detected in South Africa. in the use of fast PCR testing to any way compromises the effi- of certainty is (100%). banks of rivers and creeks, the mangrove plants prevent silting “Both these variants were detect known variant mutations. cacy of vaccination,” he added. FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING in the water. As such, all the people should protect the mangrove circulating in Belgium at the In January, scientists in SOURCE: AFP AREA FOR 12th July, 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. plants valuable for the society. time, so it is likely that the lady A member of the medical staff takes care of a patient infected by COVID-19 at the Intensive Care Unit of the Brazil reported that two people Degree of certainty is (100%). was co-infected with different Etterbeek-Ixelles Hospital on 6 April, 2021, in Brussels. PHOTO: AFP had been simultaneously infect- 12 JULY 2021 10 ASIA: TOP STORIES THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Air defences installed at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport as Taliban gain ground

AFGHANISTAN’S Kabul airport ist group’s rapid gains in recent been installed at the airport, has been fitted with an air de- weeks have raised fears about the though officials did not offer de- fence system to counter incoming security of the capital and its air- tails about the type of system or rockets, officials said Sunday, as port, with NATO keen to secure who had installed it. the Taliban pressed on with a a vital exit route to the outside The Taliban have regularly blistering offensive across the world for foreign diplomats and launched rockets and mortars country. aid workers. at government forces across the Washington and its allies are “The newly installed air countryside, with the jihadist Is- due to end their military mission defence system has been oper- lamic State group (IS) carrying in Afghanistan at the end of next ational in Kabul since 2:00 am out similar strikes on the capital Washington and its allies are due to end their mission in Afghanistan at month, even as the insurgents Sunday,” the interior ministry in 2020. IS also claimed responsi- the end of next month, even as the insurgents say they now control 85 percent of the country. PHOTO: AFP say they now control 85 percent of said in a statement. “The system bility for a rocket attack this year the country -- a claim impossible has proven useful in the world in at Bagram Air base, the biggest the US military installed several to destroy incoming rockets tar- to independently verify and dis- repelling rocket and missile at- US military facility in the country, C-RAMs (Counter Rocket, Artil- geting the facilities, a foreign se- puted by the government. tacks.” Interior ministry spokes- which was recently handed over lery and Mortar Systems) across curity official and media reports The Islamic fundamental- man Tariq Arian told AFP it had to Afghan forces. Over the years its bases, including at Bagram, said.—AFP Six years a slave: Indian farm workers exploited in Italy

community leaders and an Ital- labourers in the Agro Pontino and 30,000 Indians live in the ian rights activist. -- the Pontine Marshes, the plain Agro Pontino, mostly Sikhs from Officers found him living in around Latina -- and elsewhere the Punjab region. a caravan, with no gas, hot water in Italy. Under an illegal but well-es- or electricity, and eating the left- The UN’s special rapporteur tablished system, they live un- overs that his boss either threw on contemporary forms of slav- der the thumb of “caporali”, the in the bin or gave to chickens ery estimated in 2018 that more gangmasters who recruit farm and pigs. than 400,000 agricultural workers labourers on behalf of land own- Singh had to wash in the sta- in Italy risk being exploited and ers. bles, with the same hosepipe he almost 100,000 likely face “inhu- Typically, they are offered used to clean cattle, and it was mane conditions”. contracts but then are paid for made clear to him he should not Last month, a 27-year-old only a fraction of their work. complain. from Mali collapsed and died “You may work 28 days, but “When I found a lawyer in the southeastern Apulia re- they’ll mark only four on your ready to help me, (the owner) gion after working a day in the pay slip, so at the end of the Activists say between 25,000 and 30,000 Indians live in the Agro fields in temperatures of up to Pontino, mostly Sikhs from the Punjab region. PHOTO: AFP/FILE told me... ‘I’ll kill you, I’ll dig a month you may get 200, 300 eu- hole, throw you in it, and fill it 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees ros,” Omizzolo told AFP. WHEN Balbir Singh refers to “I was working 12-13 hours up’... he had a gun, I saw it,” he Fahrenheit). The reality is far grimmer, his ordeal, he uses the Italian a day, including Sundays, with recalled. In the Agro Pontino, a major as shown by a recent police in- word “macello”, which roughly no holidays, no rest,” Singh told Singh said he was beaten hub for greenhouse farming, flo- vestigation that offered fresh translates as “mess” -- but it is AFP. The farm owner paid him up a couple of times, and had riculture and buffalo mozzarella evidence of widespread opioid hardly enough to convey what 100 to 150 euros ($120 to $175) a his identity papers taken away. production, Indians have been a abuse among the Indian com- the migrant Indian farm worker month, he said, which amounts His former employer is now presence since the mid-1980s. munity. That operation led to the has endured. to less than 50 cents an hour. on trial for labour exploitation, They work on land drained arrest of a doctor in the beach For six years, he lived in The legal minimum for farm while Singh is living in a secret from marshes in the 1930s, one of town of Sabaudia. He was ac- what can only be described as workers is around 10 euros an location for fear of retribution. the biggest public works projects cused of illegally prescribing slave-like conditions tending hour. enacted under dictator Benito more than 1,500 boxes of Depal- cattle in the province of Latina, Singh was rescued by a po- Brutal exploitation Mussolini. gos, a powerful painkiller con- a rural area south of Rome that lice raid on March 17, 2017 after Singh’s story is extreme, but Sociologist Marco Omizzolo, taining Oxycodone and given to is home to tens of thousands of appealing for help via Facebook it fits into a wider picture of bru- the rights activist who helped cancer patients, to 222 Indian Indian migrant workers like him. and WhatsApp to local Indian tal exploitation of migrant farm free Singh, says between 25,000 farm workers.—AFP Thai beauty pageant investigated after coronavirus cluster

THAI beauty queens who took Thailand is grappling with event, but had to comply with 20 part in a pageant last month could a deadly third wave of infections specific rules, including mask face criminal charges for not with 9,539 new cases announced wearing, police said. “People who wearing masks, police warned Saturday and 86 deaths. “There attended the pageant and did not Sunday, after a cluster of 22 in- are likely to be many people in- wear masks also (breached) the fections emerged from the event. volved in the pageant including emergency decree and diseases Thirteen contestants and contestants who violated rules control laws,” Piya said. nine others associated with the and regulations,” Piya Tawichai, Organisers and partici- Miss Grand Samut Sakhon pag- deputy commissioner of the met- pants in the province-level pag- eant, which was held at a Bang- ropolitan police told reporters in eant were being investigated Photos on the event’s Facebook page show finalists in gowns and sashes, kok venue late June, have tested Bangkok on Sunday. Organisers and could face possible criminal not wearing masks and not socially distancing. PHOTO: MISS GRAND positive for the virus, officers said. had got permission to hold the charges, the force added.—AFP THAILAND/AFP 12 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: GLOBAL 11 Hokkaido region bans fans at Olympic football matches NEWS IN BRIEF Japan’s northern Hokkaido re- place largely behind closed doors. Netherlands, Catalonia gion has decided to ban spec- A handful of competitions reimpose virus rules tators at the Olympic football will take place outside the capi- as Delta strain wreaks matches hosted in the area, ex- tal, including Sapporo, which will panding unprecedented steps to also host marathon and race walk global havoc hold the Games mostly behind events. Olympic and local officials closed doors due to the pandemic. have already asked the public not THE Spanish region of Cata- Local governor Naomichi to come out to watch the races lonia was on Saturday set to Suzuki announced the move late live. reimpose virus restrictions in Friday night, reversing a decision Suzuki said he made the lat- the face of rising coronavirus a day earlier by Olympic organis- est call about the football matches infections, as the highly con- ers to ban spectators from events after assessing that anti-pandem- tagious Delta strain forced in the greater Tokyo region but ic measures proposed by the or- nations worldwide to put the allow some fans at competitions ganisers were insufficient and brakes on a long-awaited return held elsewhere. “All events to be would not limit flows of people to normalcy. held in Sapporo will take place Sapporo Dome stadium will be hosting five Olympic football matches from Tokyo, which is seeing a rap- The highly transmissible but without spectators. PHOTO: JAWOC/AFP/FILE with no spectators,” Suzuki said idly increasing wave of infections. Delta variant, first detected in in a written statement, referring only a day after Tokyo 2020 and which will be under a virus emer- Organisers had pushed to India, is sweeping the globe as to the five matches the regional government officials said they gency throughout the Games. allow up to 50 per cent capacity countries race to inoculate their capital is hosting. would ban fans from events in the The pandemic-postponed audience or fewer than 10,000 populations to ward off fresh The announcement came capital and surrounding areas, Games will be the first to take people in Sapporo Dome.—AFP outbreaks that are increasing- ly affecting the unvaccinated young. After an “exponential” Australia records first death in Sydney virus outbreak rise in cases in recent days, offi- cials in the autonomous region in the northeast of Spain said ly-acquired infection in Australia matic turnaround. they had no choice but to re- this year. “Given where we’re at and impose restrictions. It came as authorities an- given the lockdown was sup- Nightclubs will be closed nounced a record 77 new cases, posed to be lifted on Friday, as of this weekend and a neg- and warned that numbers were everybody can tell it’s highly un- ative Covid-19 test or proof of expected to spike above 100 on likely at this stage, given where vaccination will be needed to Monday. the numbers are,” she said. take part in outdoor activities “Tomorrow and the few days Sydney has recorded 566 involving more than 500 peo- afterwards will be worse, much new infections since the begin- ple. “The pandemic has not worse than we’ve seen today,” ning of the outbreak mid-June. ended, the new variants are New South Wales state premier While that is low compared very contagious and we still Gladys Berejiklian said. to most global cities, Australia have significant segments of Sydney is now in its third has taken a zero-tolerance ap- the population that are not week of lockdown, but the num- proach to widespread communi- vaccinated,” Patricia Plaja, a Sydney is now in its third week of lockdown, but the number of new ber of new cases continues to ty transmission throughout the spokeswoman for the regional cases continues to grow among a population that is overwhelmingly grow among a population that pandemic. Authorities have been government told a news con- unvaccinated. PHOTO: AFP/FILE is overwhelmingly unvaccinated. quick to impose restrictions in ference.—AFP AUSTRALIA announced its first Delta variant under control. Lockdown rules were tight- an attempt to stamp out clusters coronavirus-related death in the The woman in her 90s died ened Friday and Berejiklian early, and the country’s borders current Sydney virus outbreak Saturday, hours after testing warned that stay-at-home or- remain largely shut with only Argentina: on Sunday, as the country’s big- positive for Covid-19, and was ders were expected to remain about 10 percent of Australians Restrictions gest city struggles to bring the also the first death from a local- in place unless there was a dra- fully vaccinated.—AFP extended due to Delta variant

Cuba approves emergency use of home-grown Covid ARGENTINA is extending the pandemic-related restrictions vaccine, Latin America’s first until August 6. “The Delta var- iant has been detected in 86 CUBA on Friday approved its May started immunizing its countries and is 50 to 70 per- home-grown Abdala vaccine for population using two of them cent more contagious than the emergency use, the first Latin -- Abdala and Soberana 2 -- even Alpha variant,” said a govern- American coronavirus jab to before they received approval. ment decree published on Fri- reach this stage and a possi- By this week, 6.8 million of day. Since the beginning of the ble lifeline for a region trying Cuba’s 11.2 million people have pandemic, around 4.6 million to battle a killer pandemic with received at least one dose of Covid infections have been reg- modest means. either vaccine, while 1.6 million istered in Argentina, a country The country’s CECMED have the required three doses. with some 45 million inhabit- health regulator gave the go- The country has not bought ants. The extension of the re- ahead after Abdala’s makers or sought vaccines from else- strictions means that the border last month announced the vac- where, and aims to immunize closings will be maintained for cine candidate was more than its population before the end of A sticker of the Cuban coronavirus vaccine Abdala on the windshield of a the time being. Also, no more 92 percent effective at prevent- the year. car in Havana on July 9, 2021. PHOTO: AFP than ten people are allowed to ing Covid-19 disease after three In June, the state-run Bio- The World Health Organi- global roll-out, though individ- gather in public. On the other doses. CubaFarma laboratory said Ab- zation has set a 50-percent effi- ual countries can green-light hand, shops and educational Cuba is working on five dala “shows efficacy of 92.28 per- cacy threshold for coronavirus jabs without the UN stamp for institutions are not affected by coronavirus vaccines, and in cent in its three-dose scheme.” vaccines to qualify for approved domestic use.—AFP the restrictions.—AFP 12 JULY 2021 12 GLOBAL: ENVIRON/SOCIAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Atami mudslide evacuees take comfort from hotel accommodations

MORE than 500 people continue New WelCity Yugawara took government the morning follow- to take shelter following a mas- in about 90 people on July 3, the ing the disaster that it was ready sive mudslide a week ago in day of the disaster. to accommodate evacuees. central Japan, but not in school “I could rest in a clean tat- After receiving a formal re- gymnasiums as is usually the ami room,” said Kenji Aikawa, quest from city officials to accept case for evacuees from natural a 51-year-old chef. “In addition, a group of elderly people who disasters in the country. I could soak in a hot spring and needed to evacuate from a care As the disaster occurred in relax.” facility near the disaster zone, Atami, a famed spa resort with A hotel with a hot spring is a the hotel spread futons over a plenty of hotels less than an hour world apart from a gymnasium, large tatami room usually used Photo taken July 5, 2021, shows a hotel in Atami, where mudslide from Tokyo by bullet train, local which is where evacuees usually for banquets. evacuees are taking shelter. PHOTO: KYODO hotel operators have offered to end up, sleeping on the floor in It also provided rice balls accept those affected by the mud- large numbers with little or no accompanied by pork and vege- “We thought about what we of the hotel staff got fired up in slide, which claimed at least nine privacy. table soup to others affected by could do as a hotel,” said Shino- preparations” for helping out, lives with 20 people still missing. Hotel New Akao told the city the disaster. bu Kamei, a spokeswoman. “All she said.— Kyodo New June record for deforestation Cannes falls for of Brazilian Amazon ‘The Worst Person in trying to protect the jungle as a “cancer.” the World’ However, he recently pledged to eliminate Brazil’s illegal deforestation by 2030, THE Cannes film festival has an awful lot of her in the charac- some 10 years ahead of tar- fallen head over heels for a Nor- ter. She has had a big, big impact get, though environmental- wegian film about a young wom- on this film. ists say he is insincere. Last an trying to find herself and the “I wrote it specifically for month, vice president Hamilton unknown actress who plays her. her,” he said knowing her gift Mourao announced a military “A star is born,” declared for improvisation. “I could cut operation against Amazonian The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw. four of five different versions of deforestation. Two weeks ago, Renate Reinsve “takes off any scene with her in this film. Brazilian Environment Minister like a rocket and deserves star “I always wondered why the Aerial view of burnt areas of the Amazon rainforest, near Porto Velho, Ricardo Salles resigned after status to rival Lily James or Ali- hell is Norwegian film so messed Rondonia state, Brazil. PHOTO: AFP the Supreme Court ordered an cia Vikander,” he added, giving up that she hasn’t had a lead role DEFORESTATION of the Bra- to measure forest cover. investigation into allegations “The Worst Person in the World” yet?” Trier added. zilian Amazon reached a record In total, 3,609 km2 of Ama- he was involved in a timber a five-star review -- one of sever- in June for the fourth consecu- zon was lost in the first quarter trafficking scheme. He was al it has already garnered. Love in the time of #MeToo - tive month, according to official of 2021, up 17 percent from the replaced by Joaquim Alvaro In her first big screen lead, Reinsve told AFP that she data released Saturday. same period last year. Pereira Leite, allied to one of Reinsve plays a twenty-some- had “been through the same” A total of 1,062 square kilo- The figure was the highest the country’s largest agricultur- thing trying and failing to define labyrinth of self-doubt and inde- meters of forest was destroyed for a month of June since the al lobby groups. The Brazilian herself through her pinballing cision as her character. -- an area almost the size of the INPE started gathering data Amazon also marked its worst relationships with men until she And she too would often city of Rio de Janeiro. in 2015. Since coming to pow- June for forest fires since 2007 finally strikes out on her own think of herself as the worst This was up from 1,043 km2 er in 2019, far-right President this year, with some 2,308 fires path. Variety predicted it would person in the world as she saw in the same month last year, Jair Bolsonaro has promoted detected -- an increase of 2.3 become a “touchstone” movie others around fly.—AFP said the INPE research insti- the commercialization of the percent from the same month for millennials, Britain’s Daily tute, which uses satellite images Amazon and described NGOs last year.—AFP Telegraph called it “wondrous”, while Xan Brooks of The Observ- er said it was “simply gorgeous”. Rwanda to deploy 1,000 troops to Bradshaw -- one of several critics to admit wiping away a insurgency-hit Mozambique tear or two during the premiere -- credited the director Joachim Trier with inventing a whole new RWANDA said on Sunday it will ernment of Mozambique, will lows last month’s decision by genre. send a thousand troops to Mo- today start the deployment of a regional bloc the Southern Afri- “Trier has taken on one of zambique to help the country 1,000-person contingent of the can Development Community the most difficult genres imagi- battle extremist militants wreak- Rwanda Defence Force and the (SADC) to send forces to help nable, the romantic drama, and ing havoc in the north of the gas- Rwanda National Police to Cabo quell the insurgency. Daily news- combined it with another very rich nation. Delgado Province,” Kigali said in letterReceive essential interna- tricky style -- the coming-of-ager Islamic State-linked jihad- a statement. tional news every morning. –- to craft something gloriously ists have been terrorising the im- The forces will “support The Rwandan contingent sweet and beguiling,” he said. poverished Cabo Delgado prov- efforts to restore Mozambican will work with the Mozambique The French media were ince since late 2017, stoking fears state authority by conducting Armed Defence Forces and equally bewitched. that the violence could spill over combat and security operations, those from SADC “in designat- And everyone wondered into neighbouring countries. as well as stabilisation and se- ed sectors of responsibility”, why the world has never heard “The government of Rwan- curity-sector reform”, it added. said the statement from Kigali. of 33-year-old Reinsve before. Hugely praised: Norwegian actress da, at the request of the gov- Rwanda’s deployment fol- —AFP Trier told AFP that “there is Renate Reinsve. PHOTO: AFP 12 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD / AD 13 G20 finance ministers back ‘historic’ tax deal

G20 finance ministers ture,” the ministers said in she said in a statement. on Saturday gave their a final statement following French Finance Min- backing to a historic deal two days of talks in Venice, ister Bruno Le Maire said to overhaul the way mul- hosted by G20 president it was a once-in-a-century tinational companies are Italy. opportunity to change the taxed, and urged hold-out “We endorse the key global tax system, adding: countries to get on board. components of the two “There is no turning back.” Some 132 countries, pillars on the reallocation The reforms aim to including Malta, have al- of profits of multinational prevent countries com- ready signed up to a frame- enterprises and an effec- peting to offer the lowest work for international tax tive global minimum tax.” tax rates to attract invest- reform, including a mini- US Treasury Secre- ment, which has often re- mum corporate rate of 15 tary Janet Yellen, among sulted in multinationals per cent, struck earlier this those attending the group- paying derisory levels of month. ing’s first face-to-face tax. Final agreement is But the endorsement meeting since February expected in the run-up to by the 19 biggest econo- 2020, said the reform must the G20 leaders’ summit mies plus the European now be implemented. in Rome in October, with Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Union will help ensure it “The world is ready hopes the reforms can be Mathias Cormann of Australia (L) arrives for the G20 finance ministers and central bankers becomes a reality following to end the global race to in place by 2023. meeting in Venice on July 9, 2021. PHOTO: AFP years of negotiations. the bottom on corporate Pressure on hold-outs “We have achieved taxation, and there’s broad Countries including fam, have been pressing which lured Apple and other EU hold-outs Hun- a historic agreement on consensus about how to do the United States, France for a higher rate. But some Google to Dublin with gary and Estonia, the Eu- a more stable and fairer it -- with a global minimum and Germany, along with nations are opposed even low tax rates. Without the ropean Union cannot im- international tax architec- tax of at least 15 per cent,” aid agencies such as Ox- to this, including Ireland, agreement of Ireland and plement the deal.— AFP High-tech startups breaking into LA restaurants boost disaster prevention field pay to lure wary

to quickly develop goods kyo, volunteered to bring a workers and services responding prototype of Wota Box for to actual needs in afflict- use in providing showers BUSINESSES have reo- around two hours’ drive ed areas. Wota Corp. re- at evacuation centers. pened in Los Angeles and north of Los Angeles. leased a portable recycled Encouraged by evac- elsewhere in the United “Our experience in water treatment device uees’ favorable reaction, States, with “We’re hiring” the last six to nine months in 2019. Called Wota Box, Wota set up similar show- signs everywhere. But if as business levels have it is capable of making 98 er facilities at shelters life has a pre-Covid feel, a rebounded, is that fewer percent of the water that is when western Japan was new challenge has arisen and fewer candidates re- discharged after showers, deluged by heavy rains for restaurants: workers spond to job postings.” The handwashing and laundry in 2018. Nevertheless, a are not willing to return at hospitality industry was reusable. With the quality problem arose: the de- any cost. “We are dealing slammed by coronavirus of water managed by artifi- vice needed someone well with a staffing shortage and pandemic-related re- cial intelligence technology, versed in how it worked to that I have not experi- strictions, shedding mil- Wota Box makes drinkable be on hand to operate it. enced in my career,” said lions of jobs. water available when the Wota thus improved the AI Skyler Gamble, a manager But any restaurateurs supply of water is cut off. system to make it friendlier at Acme Hospitality, which counting on a return to More than 20 local govern- to users. During a series of oversees several restau- normal have experienced ments have introduced the floods brought on in July rants in Santa Barbara a rude awakening.—AFP Photo taken on March 30, 2021, in Tokyo shows Yosuke device for use at times of 2020 by heavy rains in the Maeda, president of Wota Corp., next to the Wota Box, disaster. When a series of prefectures of Kumamo- a portable recycled water treatment device used in earthquakes hit Kumamo- to and Kagoshima, staff disasters. PHOTO: KYODO to and Oita Prefectures members at shelters were CLAIMS DAY NOTICE STARTUP companies are prevention and reduction, in southwestern Japan in able to use Wota Box after M.V TS SYMPHONY VOY.NO. (49W/E) acquiring a growing pres- leveraging their strength in 2016, the startup, spun off receiving instructions from Consignees of cargo carried on M.V TS ence in the field of disaster technology and their ability from the University of To- the company.—Kyodo SYMPHONY VOY.NO. (49W/E) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on 12-7-2021 and cargo will be discharged into the premises of MIP where it will lie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the China’s banking sector expected to see 3 pct byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am profit growth in Q2, Q3: report to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo CHINESE commercial report. its of Chinese commercial ry Commission showed. from the Vessel. banks are likely to see In the first half of the banks in the first quarter The research institute No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. their profits grow by year, obvious signs of im- rose 2.4 percent year on also predicted that the Phone No: 2301185 around 3 percent in both provement were seen in year to total 614.3 billion sector will present a bet- Shipping Agency Department the second and third quar- the profitability of China’s yuan (about 95.07 billion ter growth trend in profits Myanma Port Authority ters of 2021, forecast the banking sector, while the U.S. dollars), earlier data and strong risk offset abil- Agent For: Bank of China Research asset quality was stable, from the China Banking ity in the third quarter.— M/S GOLD STAR LINES Institute in a recent said the report. Net prof- and Insurance Regulato- Xinhua 12 JULY 2021 14 SOCIETY THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Who will lead Haiti after president’s killing? NEWS IN BRIEF THREE days after the assassi- only 10 elected lawmakers, just nation of Haitian leader Jovenel one-third of the Senate, since Abiy hails ‘historic’ Moise, questions are mounting January 2020. Ethiopia election about how the power vacuum left His administration had also after landslide win by his sudden death will be filled, not nominated any replacements in a violence-wracked country for members of the Superior with no working parliament and Council of the Judiciary when Ethiopia’s ruling party won a no workable succession process. their three-year terms ended -- landslide in a landmark parlia- The following is a look at or after the council’s president mentary poll, results showed what could happen next in the died last month of Covid-19. Saturday, ensuring a new five- impoverished Caribbean nation, “As concerns the constitu- year term for Prime Minister which was already mired in a tion, there is no possibility of Abiy Ahmed despite a brutal war deep political and security crisis finding a solution, for Jovenel in the northern region of Tigray. when the slaying -- its motive Moise and his team had made Abiy hailed the outcome of still unclear -- took place early sure to dismantle all the institu- what he described as a “historic” Wednesday: Haiti’s Senate leader Joseph Lambert (C) -- seen here in 2018 -- could tions,” said Marie Rosy Auguste election -- the first time he faced be the country’s provisional president, but it is unclear if the resolution Ducena, a lawyer with the Na- voters since being appointed naming him is valid and can be enforced. PHOTO: AFP/FILE Three weakened branches tional Network for the Defense prime minister in 2018 following of power other branches -- the legislative crisis for more than a year. of Human Rights. several years of anti-government With Haiti’s executive and the judiciary -- face enor- Moise had organized no “Whether you turn to the protests. branch brutally shaken by the mous pressures in a country elections since arriving in pow- parliament or to the judiciary, The winner of the 2019 murder of the president, the two crippled by a grave institutional er in 2017, leaving Haiti with there is nothing.”—AFP Nobel Peace Prize had hoped to frame victory at the ballot box as a mandate for political and economic reforms and military US city removes flashpoint statues including operations. But the poll was held in the midst of the gruel- Confederate generals ling conflict in Tigray that has battered Abiy’s global reputation THE southern US city of Char- “Taking down this statue is and raised fears of widespread lottesville on Saturday took down one small step closer to the goal of famine.—AFP controversial statues including helping Charlottesville, Virginia, two honoring Civil War pro-slav- and America, grapple with the sin ery generals which had become of being willing to destroy Black Widow of Haiti’s the focus of protests. The statues people for economic gain,” Char- slain leader of generals Robert E. Lee and lottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson are who is African American, told re- speaks as political among hundreds of Confederate porters before the monuments’ intrigue swirls monuments in the United States removal. Tensions over the fate now widely considered symbols of of the Lee statue led to violence in racism, even if their supporters August 2017, when a white nation- The widow of slain Haitian argue they are a historical legacy. alist drove his car into a crowd of leader Jovenel Moise, who was Workers in the Virginia city demonstrators in Charlottesville, critically wounded in the attack used a crane to remove the stat- killing a woman. The protesters that claimed his life, on Saturday Workers remove the statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee from ues -- which depicted Lee and had gathered in opposition to issued her first public remarks a park in the southern US city of Charlottesville, where it had been the Jackson in uniform mounted on white supremacists who staged focal point of protests. PHOTO: AFP since the assault, calling on the horses -- as a crowd watched and a “Unite the Right” rally against nation not to “lose its way.” cheered. No violence was imme- plans to remove the statue of Lee. came under fire when he said fine people on both sides” of the Martine Moise’s comments diately reported. Then-president Donald Trump afterward that there were “very protests.—AFP came three days after she was airlifted to a Miami hospital for treatment of grave wounds suf- Expat pill couriers: Lifeline in medicine-starved Lebanon fered early Wednesday when gunmen stormed the family home in the Haitian capital Port- that have vanished from Leb- Lebanese expats, has become au-Prince. anese pharmacies because of a courier for family and friends They also come as the im- crippling shortages. grappling with a raft of shortages poverished Caribbean nation They started knocking on due to what the World Bank has reels from the slaying of its lead- her door as early as 7:30 am -- termed one of the world’s worst er, with no clear succession plan before she even had a chance financial crises since the 1850s. on the horizon. to unpack two suitcases and a As pharmacies run out of “I am alive, thanks to God,” backpack stuffed with medicine hundreds of medicines, includ- Martine Moise said in an audio she had purchased from France ing over-the-counter pain kill- message in Creole that was for more than $1,000. ers, the suitcase of a Lebanese posted on her official Twitter “I didn’t even have a chance expat, once teeming with gifts account, and verified as authen- to sleep, but I understand be- and duty-free purchases, now tic to AFP by Haiti’s minister of cause there’s nothing worse resembles a portable pharmacy. culture and communications, than running out of medicine,” “I brought everything: an- Pradel Henriquez. “In the blink especially if you have a chronic tibiotics, medicine for hyper- of an eye, the mercenaries en- Lebanese pharmacies have staged a nationwide strike to protest the illness, the woman in her sixties tension, cholesterol, diabetes, tered my home and riddled my severe shortage of medicine. PHOTO: AFP said from her home in Baabdat, Parkinson’s and cancer as well husband with bullets ... without BARELY two hours after Lydia friends and relatives flocked to north of Beirut. as many antidepressants,” Lydia even giving him a chance to say landed from Marseille in France, her apartment to collect drugs Lydia, like many other told AFP.—AFP a word,” she said. —AFP 12 JULY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15 Leaders of China and North Korea vow to NEWS IN BRIEF strengthen ties: KCNA Bulgaria votes factor, their relationship forged situation in recent years the again in a bid to end in the bloodshed of the Korean comradely trust and militant political deadlock War, when Mao Zedong sent friendship between the DPRK millions of “volunteers” to fight and China get stronger day by Bulgarians went to the polls for US-led United Nations forces to day,” Kim wrote in his message a second time in three months a standstill. to Xi, referring to the North by on Sunday, hoping the political The two countries signed its official name. parties can this time agree on a treaty of friendship, coopera- In the message carried by a stable government coalition. tion and mutual assistance in the the KCNA news agency, Kim After almost a decade in event of an armed attack on July highlighted the role of the pact power, the conservative GERB 11, 1961, with Mao describing the in “ensuring peace and stabil- party of three-time Prime Minis- allies as close as “lips and teeth”. ity in Asia and the rest of the ter Boyko Borisov came out first Relations have fluctuated world now that the hostile forc- in the last election in April with over the years due to Pyong- es become more desperate in 26 percent of ballots. yang’s growing nuclear ambi- their challenge and obstructive But badly damaged after Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in tions, but with negotiations be- moves”. Xi wrote he planned to massive anti-corruption pro- the Chinese city of Dalian in May, 2018. PHOTO: AFP/AFP/FILE tween North Korea and the US bring “greater happiness” to the tests in summer 2020, GERB was CHINESE President Xi Jinping 60th anniversary of a friendship at a standstill, both sides have two countries and their people isolated in a fragmented legisla- and North Korean leader Kim pact, Pyongyang’s state media moved to strengthen their al- “by steadily leading the relations ture and failed to find partners Jong Un have vowed to bring reported Sunday. liance. of friendship and cooperation to govern. their relations to a “new stage” China is North Korea’s long- “Despite the unprecedent- between the two countries to a Since then, the 62-year-old as the two countries mark the time ally and economic bene- edly complicated international new stage,” KCNA said.—AFP Borisov -- a former bodyguard with a black belt in karate -- has suffered a series of further blows US alarmed as Saudi lawsuits threaten to expose secrets from revelations by the interim cabinet about bad governance and allegations of corruption TWO lawsuits pitting Saudi Ara- Mohammed bin Nayef (MBN), under his watch. bia’s de facto ruler against a for- is currently in Saudi detention On top of that came unprec- mer intelligence czar threaten after being deposed as heir to edented US sanctions against to expose highly sensitive US the throne in a 2017 palace coup. Bulgarian oligarchs who, accord- government secrets, prompting The legal drama sheds light ing to Borisov’s critics, were fa- Washington to consider a rare on Shakespearean rivalries in the voured during his time running judicial intervention, documents top echelons of the Saudi roy- the European Union’s poorest show. The cases in US and Ca- al family, but Washington fears and most graft-ridden member nadian courts centre on corrup- that a bitter courtroom show- state.—AFP tion allegations levelled by state- down risks exposing sensitive owned Saudi companies against information related to its covert Saad Aljabri, a former spymaster operations. A rare US Justice Spanish PM who long worked closely with Department filing in a Massa- Sanchez reshuffles American officials on covert coun- chusetts court in April noted government terterrorism operations. Aljabri’s intention to “describe That marks the latest twist information concerning alleged That marks the latest twist in a long-running feud between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) and former spymaster Saad in a long-running feud between national security activities”. “The SPANISH Prime Minister Pedro Aljabri. PHOTOS: AFP, AFP/ALJABRI FAMILY Crown Prince Mohammed bin (US) government is considering Sanchez on Saturday reshuffled Salman (MBS) and Aljabri. whether and how to participate in and applicable, through an asser- privileges,” the filing said, without his government for the first time Aljabri’s patron, Prince this action, including if necessary tion of appropriate governmental elaborating.—AFP since the left-wing coalition came to power in January 2020. Sanchez said it represented Polls open in Moldova’s snap election set to weaken Russia’s influence “a generational renewal” because the mean age of the ministers was now 50 instead of 55. sition against pro-Russia forces. ly after 7 am (0400 GMT) and will And women now make up Sandu, who wants to bring Mol- close at 9 pm. 63 per cent, over 54 per cent in dova into the European Union, “We have a chance to get rid the previous government. in November defeated Krem- of thieves and choose a holistic “This will make our coun- lin-backed incumbent Igor Dodon and good government,” Sandu try once again the reference for on a pledge to fight corruption said in a video address Thurs- women-men equality,” Sanchez in one of Europe’s poorest coun- day, speaking in Moldova’s main said. His minority coalition is tries. language Romanian. In another composed of Socialists and the Wedged between Ukraine speech in Russian -- the ex-So- radical-left Podemos party. and EU member Romania, viet country’s second language Podemos kept their five Moldova has long been divided -- she said: “The time for change portfolios in the 22-member over closer ties with Brussels or is coming in Moldova.” cabinet. Foreign Affairs Minis- maintaining Soviet-era relations The slogans resonate with ter Arancha Gonzalez Laya was with Moscow. With lawmakers many Moldovans, who in recent replaced by Jose Manuel Albares, The Kremlin-backed ex-president Igor Dodon has urged supporters to be loyal to Dodon blocking Sandu’s years have seen their country who was Spain’s ambassador to ready to protest to “defend” his bloc’s victory. PHOTO: AFP promises of reform, the former rocked by political crises, includ- France. Socialist Carmen Calvo, POLLING stations in Moldova parliament after the previous one World Bank economist dissolved ing a $1 billion bank fraud scheme who was number two in the opened Sunday morning with was dissolved by new President parliament in April and scheduled equivalent to nearly 15 percent of government, has also left the voters eager to choose the new Maia Sandu to shore up her po- the snap vote. Polls opened short- the country’s GDP.—AFP cabinet.—AFP 12 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 federalism, through a disciplined and genuine multiparty democratic system that is fair and just. (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). (c) To continue implementing the principle of peaceful co-existence among countries through an independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. 2. Economic affairs (a) To enhance production based on agriculture and livestock through modern techniques and strengthen all-round development in other sectors of the economy. (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote international investment in order to enhance the economic development of the entire National people. (c) To promote and support local businesses to create employment opportunities and increase domestic production. 3. Social affairs (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the genuine spirit of patriotism. (b) To respect and promote the customs and traditions of all National peoples and preserve and safeguard their cultural heritage and national character- istics. (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education quality of the entire nation.

Popov to coach team Myanmar for Messi ends trophy U-23 Asian Qualifiers drought as Argentina VELIZAR Popov, a Bulgarian a head coach of the Myanmar During the 2019 tourna- beat Brazil to win Copa national, will handle the Myan- U-22 team in early 2019 and the ment, Myanmar beat Macau mar U-23 men’s national football football federation extended his and Timor-Leste, but finished team ahead of 2022 U-23 Asian contract after winning a bronze second with a big loss to Japan Qualifiers to be held in October, medal at the 2019 SEA Games and failed to qualify for the quar- said Myanmar Football Federa- in the Philippines. ter-finals. tion officials. This is Popov’s second time The 2022 U-23 Asian Cup The Myanmar Football in charge of the tourney as the Championship Qualifiers will Federation appointed Popov as first time was in March 2019. be held from 27 to 31 October. Myanmar team is placing in Group I together with Viet Nam, Hong Kong and China Taipei. The 2022 U-23 Asian Cup Championship Qualifiers will be divided into 11 groups. A total of 15 teams will qualify for the next stage. Argentina’s Lionel Messi kisses the trophy after winning the Copa In 2019, Popov handled the America for the first time following a 1-0 win over Brazil. PHOTO: AFP Myanmar U-22 team in three international tournaments, SUPERSTAR Lionel Messi won phy. winning eight bronze medals, his first trophy with his national And while 34-year-old Mes- despite the poor results of the team as Angel Di Maria’s goal si’s odyssey has come to an end, ASEAN U-22 Championship and gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Brazil’s Neymar, five years his hosts Brazil in the Copa Amer- Myanmar U-23 men’s national football team head coach Velizar the Asian Cup U-23 Champion- junior, is still without a major Popov. PHOTO: MFF ship.—Ko Nyi Lay/GNLM ica final on Saturday. title at international level hav- The victory at Rio de Janei- ing missed the Selecao’s win ro’s Maracana stadium ended on home soil two years ago Mancini and Vialli – the ‘goal twins’ eyeing Argentina’s 28-year wait for a through injury. major trophy, and also ended Argentina edged a brutal Wembley glory with Italy Brazil’s unbeaten home record and fractious affair thanks to that stretched back more than Di Maria’s goal on 22 minutes. WHEN Roberto Mancini leads out Italy for Sun- their crowning glory, the Scudetto in 1991, the 2,500 days. The 33-year-old winger ran day’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley with his cherished club’s only Serie A title to this day. Argentina had last tasted onto Rodrigo De Paul’s sump- friend Gianluca Vialli in close proximity, both men It could have been even more glorious, but success at a major tournament tuous through ball to lob Brazil will inevitably think back to their most crushing Sampdoria lost the 1992 European Cup final to in 1993 when the great Gabriel goalkeeper Ederson with a first disappointment as players on the same ground. Barcelona thanks to Ronald Koeman’s extra-time Batistuta’s brace gave them a time finish. The two were born just a few months apart and free-kick at Wembley. After that Vialli -– the top 2-1 win over Mexico in the Copa Messi could have wrapped they were known as ‘I gemelli del gol’, the goal scorer in Serie A in that title-winning season — final in Ecuador. up the win two minutes from twins, during eight glorious years together at left for Juventus and their prolific partnership It was the first time in six time but slipped when clean Sampdoria. Mancini and Vialli played together in was broken up. Both men went on to finish their editions playing at home that through with only Ederson to a Samp side that won the Cup Winners’ Cup and playing careers in England and have managed in Brazil had failed to lift the tro- beat.—AFP lifted the Coppa Italia trophy three times before the Premier League. — AFP