CROP BREEDING FOR DROUGHT RESISTANCE PAGE-8 (OPINION)

NATIONAL NATIONAL Tatmadaw True News Information Team: Coordination meeting discusses Healthcare services offered at military hospitals environmental, forest and mining sectors PAGE-2 PAGE-3

Vol. VII, No. 295, 9th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME www.gnlm.com.mm, www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com Friday, 5 February 2021 State Administration Council Chairman discusses banking services for economic development

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets the patron of Myanmar Banks Association, its chairman and officials, the chairmen, the vice-chairmen and officials of private banks at the President House in Nay Pyi Taw on 4 February 2021. PHOTO : OFFICE OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF DEFENCE SERVICES

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of Senior General Min Aung The Senior General talked Administration Council offered reduction of interest rate, per- Defence Services and Chair- Hlaing explained the reason for on his support to e-banking assistance to the requirements mits to use foreign currency in man of the State Administration meeting on the banking sector services not waste time for the of the banking sector. border trade, transformation to Council met with the local bank- as it is pivotal to the economy, customers at the banks, and Chairman of the Myan- digital payment, successful im- ers at the President House in which is a driving force for the rumours about demonetizing mar Banks Association U Khin plementation of microloans and Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. development of the country. K5,000 and K10,000 banknotes as Maung Aye and Patron U Thein insurance, and tax reduction The meeting was also at- He also called for the de- the Constitution has guaranteed Tun, Chairman of UAB Bank in construction and property tended by the members of cline of commodity prices with not to do so. U Nay Aung, Vice-Chairman of markets. State Administration Council, the helps in mass production He also reaffirmed that the Ayeyarwady Bank Daw Khin Union Minister U Win Shein the patron of Myanmar Banks of goods and creating employ- Tatmadaw would not change Saw Oo, Chairman of Shwe and Governor of Central Bank Association, its chairman and ment opportunities, regular the existing policies on politics, Bank U Kyaw Win discussed of Myanmar U Than Nyein dis- officials, the chairmen, the transaction of businesses in line economy, peace and internation- the policy reforms in finance, cussed possible cooperation of vice-chairmen and officials of with the rules and guidelines al relations during the term of investment, commerce, foreign the CBM, the MBA and the pri- private banks. for COVID-19 which will not be interim organization. banking services, improvement vate banking sector. In delivering the speech, changed unnecessarily. The Chairman of the State of long-term national interest, SEE PAGE-3

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL NEWS LOCAL BUSINESS 137 courses for diploma, MoC holds first coordination MoEE joins UN MR reopens circular, Muskmelon zone postgraduate in medical meeting on future work Roundtable passenger trains from to be developed for education to be conducted plans on Extractive Yangon to other regions agro-based tourism Industries online in Pauk Inn Gyi PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-4 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 5 FEBRUARY 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR CBM issues announcement on public rumours about monetary issue THE Central Bank of Myanmar released an announcement on 3 February to wipe out rumours among the public about the monetary issue and possible closure of banks. The announcement said, “There were false rumours that K5,000 and K10,000 banknotes would be demonetized and banks would close in relation to the current situations in the country. It was also learnt that some people were worried because of the rumours and were reportedly withdrawing their money from the banks. The Central Bank of Myanmar has been working hard to stabilize the financial system, and the banks have been providing proper services in accordance with the rules and regulations. The general public can continue using the banknotes and banking services without any worries, and all the banks have been instructed to provide regular banking services.”—MNA

Tatmadaw True News Information Team: Healthcare services offered at military hospitals

THE Tatmadaw True News Information Team released a statement on 4 February 2021 that healthcare services are offered to all the national people at the military hospitals. The statement said that some persons who are creating disturbances, aiming to destabilize the administrative mechanism and stability of the State, have incited Civil Disobedience Campaign through social networks, causing failure to perform duties among the health workers. Doctors have vowed during their convocation that “ Health and well-being of the patients will be our own issues as the first priority ; I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with a good medical practice; I will serve my medical profession regardless of nationality, race and social status; and I will maintain the utmost respect for human life”. It is also advised all the health workers not to follow the incitement that can jeopardize the interest of country and people, and keep their professional vows to the public. The Tatmadaw has received the permission of the State Administration Council to solve the current healthcare problems of people across the nation by the military medics. Therefore, people can get proper medical treatments at the nearest military hospitals.—MNA

136 Myanmar nationals brought back home from Malaysia by relief flight

THE 47th relief flight of Myanmar Air- ignated hotels, followed by the 7-day ways International organized by the home quarantine. Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur The Myanmar Embassy in Kuala landed at Yangon International Airport Lumpur is working closely with the bringing back a total of 136 Myanmar relevant organizations in Malaysia to nationals including 40 Myanmar citi- bring back Myanmar citizens who have zens who were convicted in Malaysia no national verification and who were for various reasons after they were in detention centres after their citizen- stranded in Malaysia due to the sus- ship has been identified in accordance pension of international flights yes- with the directives of the Ministry of terday evening. Foreign Affairs. Myanmar has organ- The Ministry of Labour, Immigra- ized 16 relief flights for repatriation of tion and Population, and the Ministry nationals from Malaysia.—MNA of Health and Sports arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or des- (Translated by EPPA) Myanmar returnees undergo immigration process at the Yangon International Airport. PHOTO : MNA

177 new cases of COVID-19 reported on 4 February, total figure rises to 141,104 MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 141,104 after 177 new cases were reported on 4 February 2021 according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. Among these 141,104 confirmed cases, 3,163 died, 126,869 have been discharged from hospitals.—MNA

Updated at 8 pm, 4 February 2021 Daily death toll until 8 pm 4-2-2021 Total Cases 141,104 New Cases 177 3

Total Death Tally 3,163 Discharged from Hospital 126,869 Ministry of Health and Sports 5 FEBRUARY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 State Administration Council Chairman discusses ...

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets local bankers at the President House in Nay Pyi Taw on 4 February 2021. PHOTO : OFFICE OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF DEFENCE SERVICES

FROM PAGE-1 of currency policy, recovery of to the production of foodstuffs for foreign markets, making the ly emphasized working for the In his concluding remark, the ailing economy, the assis- for sufficient domestic con- best plans for the reduction of best taxation policy, financial Senior General Min Aung Hlaing tance of CBM to the local banks, sumption, collecting informa- interest rate, the requirement of assistance for increasing lo- talked on lower international certain losses in border trades, tion by Myanmar commercial strong domestic currency value cal market demand, creating banking interest rates, smooth a higher volume of foodstuffs attaché about foreign markets and the most appropriate tax- employment opportunities and currency flow for the economic imports, production of import in respective countries, the as- ation policy as it is the crucial recovery of declining economy development of the country, cap- substitutions from livestock and sistance of local bankers to be source of state revenue. during COVID-19 crisis.—MNA ital investments, the importance agricultural sector, assistance able to produce quality products The Senior General final- (Translated by Aung Khin)

Coordination meeting discusses environmental, forest and mining sectors THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Envi- forest, ecosystem, biodiversity and forest re- ronmental Conservation held a virtual coordi- serve and 10-year district management plan. nation meeting regarding environmental con- He also emphasized the National Environ- servation, forest and mining sectors yesterday. mental Policy, Myanmar Climate Change Policy In his opening remark, Union Minister U and Strategy, National Waste Management Khin Maung Yi said Tatmadaw took office after Strategy and Action Plan and other plans to the declaration of the state of emergency and measure the water and air quality in Nay Pyi so it needs to carry out the work plans under Taw and other regions and States, Natural Re- the instructions of the current government in sources Management Strategy and reorganiza- accordance with the short, mid and long term tion of National Environmental Conservation perspective. and Climate Change Central Committee. The Union Minister also discussed the He then instructed the necessary things delays in implementing plans amid COVID-19 for wood production sector without affecting pandemic and better work plans to ease the the environment and for the mining sector to impacts of country and people. be responsible for mining. He then stressed the need to carry out the The participants coordinated the discus- work plans for the forestry sector in accordance sion, and the Union Minister concluded the with the forest policy of Myanmar and 30-year meeting.—MNA Union Minister U Khin Maung Yi presides over the virtual coordination meeting on national forest master plan, conservation of (Translated by KTZH) the environmental, forest and mining sectors on 4 February 2021. PHOTO: MNA

137 courses for diploma, postgraduate in medical education to be conducted

A total of 2,082 trainees will be allowed for 137 courses of diploma and postgraduate at medical universities and related universities under the Ministry of Health and Sports in 2021 academic year. The applications for these courses shall be submitted commencing 2nd week of February. Sr University Diploma M.Sc Doctorate Total 1 Universities of Medicine 7 31 47 85 2 Universities of Dental Medicine 2 10 9 21 3 Universities of Nursing 1 9 1 11 4 Universities of Medical Technology 1 3 3 7 5 Universities of Pharmacy - 4 4 8 6 University of Public Health 1 2 1 4 7 University of Community Health - 1 - 1 Total 12 60 65 137 Ministry of Health and Sports 5 FEBRUARY 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR MoC holds first coordination meeting on future work plans

THE Ministry of Construction mit their difficulties in a timely organized the first coordination manner not to occur delays in meeting on its works and poli- state-level projects and other cies yesterday. projects jointly conducted by During the meeting, Union international countries. Minister U Shwe Lay discussed Then, the Directors-Gen- the effective work plans and ob- eral of relevant departments jectives of the ministry to con- made powerpoint presenta- duct in line with the instructions tions regarding their completed of State Administration Coun- works and ongoing plans while cil-led government and current the Directors of region/state COVID-19 prevention, control departments briefed their per- and treatment activities. formance and future work plans. The Union Minister also The Union Minister co- stressed the need to implement ordinated the discussion and the projects in line with the law Union Minister U Shwe Lay chairs the first coordination meeting on the works and policies of the Construction instructed the necessary and regulations as the current Ministry yesterday. PHOTO: MNA things.—MNA road/bridge constructions and the policies and procedures. cedures, rules and regulations state departments need to ac- projects with private sectors will He also said the department and laws in auditing sectors. celerate the momentum to im- (Translated by KTZH) be permitted in accordance with needs to adopt the financial pro- The directors of region/ plement the works and to sub- MoEE joins UN Roundtable on Extractive Industries online PERMANENT Secretary of domestically; plan to expand the Ministry of Electricity and renewable energy to 2,000 MV Energy U Than Zaw joined the by 2030 and the active participa- Extractive Industries, Sustain- tion of Myanmar as a member in able Development and the 2030 the International Solar Alliance Agenda in Asia and the Pacific (ISA). online conference hosted by the The conference was attend- United Nations Economic and ed by the representatives from Social Commission for Asia and ESCAP and respective coun- the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok tries and discussed the work to yesterday. reduce fossil fuel consumption, At the conference, the Per- increase the use of clean ener- manent Secretary said that plans MoEE Permanent Secretary U Than Zaw joins the online Extractive Industries, Sustainable Development and the gy and renewable energy for to reduce carbon emission were 2030 Agenda in Asia Pacific Conference yesterday. PHOTO: MNA the development of the Green discussed at the Climate Ambi- servation of 0.25 million hectares which is being carried out ef- energy, and 1% of other energy, Growth and Green Economy tion Summit on 12 December of forest as public farmland and fectively by setting goals and the mainly focusing on using the re- sector, the socio-economic and 2020 and, he explained the im- to conserve the private land in plan to distribute Fuel-Efficient newable energy in Myanmar; the environmental development and plementation plan for expansion accordance with the Myanmar Stoves in 2010-2030 to reduce aim of the Ministry to have 100% more employment opportunities of carbon sink in Myanmar: to Reforestation and Rehabilitation carbon dioxide emissions. electricity nationwide by 2030; in Extractive Industry sector and expand the 10% of the country’s Plan from 2017 to 2027. He also discussed the use implementation of expanding current policies, strategies and total area into Protected Area He added the energy effi- of about 45% of natural gas, in- wind and solar power plants to technologies.—MNA Systems, to continue the con- ciency process of Myanmar, cluding LNG, 54% of renewable produce LNG and natural gas (Translated by EPPA)

MNA resumes Yangon-Myeik flights

A passenger checks in for the Yangon-Myeik flight. An MNA aircraft is seen receiving passengers for the flight. PHOTO: MNA

THE Myanmar National Airlines re- MNA’s branch office in Myeik, said, “The COVID-19 rules.” medical certificate tested in 36-hours sumed its Yangon-Myeik flights yester- daily flight of Embraer-190 aircraft be- Ticket price from Myeik to Yangon before the boarding. day, in accordance with the COVID-19 tween Yangon and Myeik will ply for the is K61,000 per person and it can be pur- The Air KBZ is also flying between preventive guidelines. convenience of passengers. Services chased at the MNA office in Myeik, and Yangon and Myeik.—Khaing Htoo U Tun Hla Aung, the manager of will be provided in accordance with the passengers will need COVID-19 free (IPRD) 5 FEBRUARY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council State Administration Council Order No (23/2021) Order No (24/2021) 8th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME 8th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME 4 February 2021 4 February 2021 Appointment and Duty Assignment of Duty Termination from Justices of Justices for Supreme Court of the Union Supreme Court of the Union

The following Chief Justices of Region High Court are appointed and assigned The following Justices of Supreme Court of the Union are terminated from to the duties of Justices at the Supreme Court of the Union in accordance with their duties. Article 419 of the State Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. 1. U Myo Win 1. U Myo Maung Chief Justice of the Sagaing Region High Court 2. U Mya Han 2. U Kyi Thein Chief Justice of the Mandalay Region High Court 3. U Soe Naing 4. U Khin Maung Kyi By order By order Sd/ Aung Lin Dway Sd/ Aung Lin Dway Lieutenant-General Lieutenant-General Secretary Secretary State Administration Council State Administration Council

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council State Administration Council Order No (25/2021) Order No (26/2021) 8th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME 8th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME 4 February 2021 4 February 2021 Appointment and Duty Assignment of Appointment and Duty Assignment of Union Minister Deputy Governors of Central Bank of Dr Daw Thet Thet Khaing is appointed and assigned to the duties of Union Myanmar Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement by the State Administration The following persons are appointed and assigned to the duties of Deputy Council in accordance with Article 419 of the State Constitution of the Republic Governors of Central Bank of Myanmar in accordance with Article 419 of the of the Union of Myanmar. State Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. By order 1. U Win Thaw Deputy Governor Sd/ Aung Lin Dway 2. Daw Than Than Swe Deputy Governor Lieutenant-General By order Secretary Sd/ Aung Lin Dway State Administration Council Lieutenant-General Secretary State Administration Council Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Myanma Thanaka Day to be Order No (27/2021) 8th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME launched in five townships 4 February 2021 MYANMA Thanaka Day will be launched United Nations Educational, Scientific on 26 February in five townships, said and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Appointment and Duty Assignment of Chairman U Kyaw Moe (Ahyardaw) of at the end of March. Deputy Ministers Myanmar Thanaka Association. “Now, suppose we can prevent the “The five townships which will cel- so-called Thanaka cosmetics being sold The following persons are appointed and assigned to the duties of Deputy ebrate the Myanma Thanaka Day are in the local Thanaka market. In that case, Ministers for Planning, Finance and Industry in accordance with Article 419 of Ahyardaw, Shwebo, Yesagyo, Myaing and our Thanaka market will be famous and the State Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Pauk townships. Myanma Thanaka Day get high demand,” he highlighted. 1. U Maung Maung Win aims to sustain the traditional culture, Thanaka is cultivated mostly in Yin- 2. Daw Than Than Linn to prevent Thanaka cosmetics that are mabin, Kani, Hsalingyi, Ahyardaw, Mony- By order not genuine Thanaka. For all Myanmar wa, Budalin and Chaung-U townships. Sd/ Aung Lin Dway people to appreciate Myanma Thanaka,” Among them, Ahyardaw has more acres Lieutenant-General he added. of Thanaka plantations with over 100,000 Secretary The Thanaka day will also include acres. Thanaka is sent to Monywa, Man- State Administration Council other performances such as offering to dalay, Yangon and Pakokku townships. Buddha of candles with Thanaka scent, Local growers mainly sell Thanaka at offering to Buddha Thanaka fragrance, pagodas and markets, U Kyaw Moe ex- pouring fragrant water onto the Buddha plained. Statues, offering Satuditha (charity food) Thanaka, a yellowish-white paste and distributing Thanaka awareness made from ground bark, is a natural Call Thin Thin May, information handouts and stickers. cosmetic used in Myanmar. Thanaka is 09251022355, Likewise, Myanmar submitted a typical face lotion of Myanmar women. Thanaka as a world’s intangible cul- — Hmway Kyu Zin 09974424848 tural heritage to be nominated by the (Translated by HM) 5 FEBRUARY 2021 6 LOCAL NEWS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

www.gnlm.com.mm Minbu boasts tourist attraction cultural sites www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com MINBU Township of Magway CHIEF EDITOR Aungthu Ya Region boasts of its famous cul- [email protected] tural areas and tourist attrac- tion sites. The people can make DEPUTY CHIEF EDITOR a trip to Shwe Settaw Pagoda, Aye Min Soe [email protected] Shin Pin Set Kein Te Pagoda, Dattaw Kone Pagoda, Shin Min- SENIOR EDITORIAL CONSULTANT bu Pagoda, Auk Kyaung Pagoda Kyaw Myaing and Naga Pwat Taung by cars, horse carts and three-wheeled EXECUTIVE EDITOR Aung Khin vehicles. Shin Pin Set Kein Te Pa- LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS goda is one of the famous pa- EDITORS godas in Magway. When the Ye Htut Tin [email protected] Buddha resided at Zaytawun Aung Htein monastery in Sàvatthi, He was Tun Tun Naing offered Sandakku Nant Thar Kyaung Taw Yar. Then, He went TRANSLATORS to Kay Lar Tha Ba Taung, and Hay Mar Tin Win, Ei Myat Mon, Kyaw Zin Lin, Kyaw Zin Tun, Thagyarmin (King of celestial) Maung Maung Swe, Khine Thazin Han, welcomed with couch and bowl Ei Phyu Phyu Aung made of emerald and Shwe Te temple while Brahma with the REPORTER Nyein Nyein Ei, white umbrella. Thagyarmin constructed PHOTOGRAPHER stone pagoda (Koe Taung Pyae) Kyaw Zeya Win @ Phoe Khwar with the enshrining of Shwe Te Kyaw Zeya Shin Pin Set Kein Te Pagoda of Minbu. PHOTO: U WIN NAING temple and erected the stone

COMPUTER TEAM inscription and also named the Thein Ngwe, Zaw Zaw Aung, pagoda as Set Kein Te. When pagoda and replaced with new height and located on 200ft com- stupas. Sin Pin Set Kein Te Kay Khaing Win, King Dut-Ta-Baung visited the diamond bud. The weather is pound. There are also booths Pagoda is located near the bank Sanda Hnin, Zu Zin Hnin, Sandakku Nant Thar Kyaung always full of dark cloud when- featuring emerald couch and of Ayeyawady River at No(1) Thein Htwe, Nyi Lin Thu Taw Yar in 132ME, he found the ever the golden crown umbrella Thagyarmin, history of , Shin Ward of Minbu. — U Win Na- EDITORIAL SECTION spectrum emanating from the is donated to Shin Pin Set Kein Pin Set Kein Te, Nagayon Pa- ing (Minbu IPRD), Zeyar Htet (+95) (01)8604529, Koe Taung Pyae pagoda. Then, Te Pagoda. goda, Sadhabava reclining pa- (Minbu) Fax — (+95) (01) 8604305 the King rebuilt the height of The pagoda is 109ft in goda, 28 pagodas and 20 small (Translated by KTZH)

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION San Lwin, (+95) (01) 8604532, Hotline - 09 974424114 MR reopens circular, passenger trains from Yangon to other regions

ADVERTISING & MARKETING MYANMA Railways (MR) re- ( +95) (01) 8604530, Hotline - 09 974424848 sumed its passenger and cir- [email protected] cular trains from Yangon to [email protected] other regions, said U Zaw Lwin, the assistant general manag- Printed and published at the Global New Light of Myanmar Printing Factory at er from Yangon Region No. 7 No.150, Nga Htat Kyee Pagoda Road, Bahan Division. Township, Yangon, by the Global New Light “We started our train of Myanmar Daily under Printing Permit No. schedule today. All train 00510 and Publishing Permit No. 00629. schedules are resumed, and [email protected] www.gnlm.com.mm the trains are running on all www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com regular routes,” he added. www.facebook.com/thegnlm The trains will run Yan- gon-Mandalay, Mandalay-My- itkyina, Yangon-Mawlamy- ine-Ye-Dawei, Yangon-Pyay, Mandalay-Lashio routes and other routes will be the ex- press trains, passenger and mail trains, passenger and cargo trains, short trip trains. Write for us Besides, more circular trains will be added starting from 4 MR resumes its operations in line with the COVID prevention rules. PHOTO: MYINT MAUNG We appreciate your feedback and February. contributions. If you have any The railway passengers railway stations’ entrance gate. 48 cargo trains and 13 short trip tion, Control and Treatment. comments or would like to submit editorials, analyses or reports please need to follow COVID-19 re- Also, MR is conducting to keep trains, and operating a circular Despite the declining number email [email protected] lated instructions issued by the two seats for one ticket so that train with 21 coaches. To pre- of railway passengers, MR has with your name and title. Ministry of Health and Sports. the commuters can keep social vent and control the outbreak been operating only six mail Due to limitation of space we are only able to publish “Letter to The railway staff will take distancing, of COVID-19, MR suspended trains, four parcel trains and the Editor” that do not exceed 500 COVID-19 prevention meas- Before the outbreak of running of some passenger cargo trains and running cir- words. Should you submit a text ures such as checking body COVID-19, MR was running 156 trains in line with the Nation- cular trains with three coaches longer than 500 words please be aware that your letter will be edited. temperature and making the trains with 168 routes, including al Level Central Committee’s for 12 routes. —Myint Maung sanitizer hand gels used in the 40 express trains, 52 mail trains, guidance for COVID-19 preven- (Translated by HM) 5 FEBRUARY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Sesame market slightly slides as Chinese New Year Holiday approaches

sesame. country. This year, Japan has Last year, the sesame pric- not purchased Myanmar’s ses- es drop by over 20 per cent com- ame yet. pared with the prices in the pre- Sesame is cultivated in the vious years due to the COVID-19 country throughout the year. negative impacts. Consequently, Magway Region, which has the growers do not make large gained a reputation as the oil pot profit this year, a trader from of Myanmar, is the main produc- Mandalay market stressed. er of sesame seeds. The seeds Normally, Myanmar ex- are also grown in Mandalay and ports about 80 per cent of sesa- Sagaing regions. me production to foreign mar- Of the cooking oil crops kets. China is the main buyer of grown in Myanmar, the acreage Myanmar sesame, which is also under sesame is the highest, shipped to markets in Japan, accounting for 51.3 per cent of South Korea, China (Taipei), the overall oil crop plantation. UK, Germany, the Netherlands, The volume of sesame ex- Greece, and Poland among the ports has registered at over EU countries. 96,000 tonnes, worth $130 million, The EU markets prefer in the financial year 2015-2016; organic-farming sesame seeds $100,000 tonnes, worth $145 mil- Myanmar exports about 80 per cent of sesame production to foreign markets. China is the main buyer of from Myanmar, said an official lion, in the 2016-2017FY; 120,000 Myanmar sesame. PHOTO: KYAW SWAR HEIN from the Trade Promotion De- tonnes, worth $147 million, in the THE sesame market is slug- the market faces slow-down dur- demand. At the same time, there partment. 2017-2018FY; 33,900 tonnes val- gish as Chinese New Year is ing that time, said U Zaw Moe, is low demand by foreign mar- Japan prefers Myanmar ued $43.8 million in the 2018 mi- approaching, and some buyers general secretary of Monywa ket. The price of black sesame black sesame seeds, cultivated ni-budget period, 125,800 tonnes, stop buying. Yet, the price is Commodity depot. seeds (Samone variety) shows under good agricultural practic- worth $212.5 million in the 2018- stable, traders from Mandalay At present, the black sesa- downtick. es (GAP), and purchases them 2019FY and over 150,000 tonnes market said. me price dips to K50,000 from On 4 February, the FOB after a quality assessment. of sesame, worth $240 million The market of edible oil K55,000-56,000 per basket, the prices of sesame stood at Black sesame seeds from My- in the previous 2019-2020FY, crop has been slow-moving depot stated. US$2,000-2,100 per tonne of anmar are also exported to the trade data of Central Sta- from the previous week as the The prices of white and Samone sesame, $1,250-1,300 South Korea and Japan. Mean- tistical Organization indicated. Chinese New Year festival is brown sesame varieties remain per tonne of white sesame and while, China purchases various — Ko Htet drawing nearer. It is normal that stable on the back of domestic $1,150-1,200 per tonne of brown coloured sesame seeds from the (Translated by EMM) Myanmar daily sends Muskmelon zone to be developed for 10,000 rice bags to China agro-based tourism in Pauk Inn Gyi via Muse land border THE plan is underway to de- and visit the muskmelon plan- 50,000 residents on 10,000 acres velop muskmelon plantation tations by tractors instead of of farmland, U Soe Lwin added. as muskmelon zone and agro- their vehicles. The place can — Hmway Kyu Zin By Nyein Nyein ers cannot go to Kyalgaung and based tourism industry in Pauk also offer job opportunities for (Translated by HM) Namhsan areas. Nevertheless, Inn Gyi region, which is symbol- ABOUT 10,000 rice bags are dai- trade went back to normal on ic as the sea of muskmelon in ly exported to China through the morning of 2 February at Chaung-U and Myaung town- Muse 105th mile trade zone un- 10:30 am,” he elaborated. ships in Sagaing region, said der the remaining permit quo- Chinese trade partners are U Soe Lwin, the chairman of ta of 2020, said U Min Thein, waiting for China’s rice import Region Watermelon and Musk- vice-president of Muse Rice permit this year, U Min Thein melon Growers and Exporters Wholesale Centre. highlighted. Association. When Chinese New Year is Rice import permit expired There are more than 10,000 approaching, Myanmar is send- on 31 December 2020. The rice acres of muskmelon plantation ing about 3,000 rice bags and trade has been suspended. Now, in Pauk Inn Gyi region. So, we 7,000 broken rice bags to China they are anticipated for permit are carrying out to implement per day via Muse border under grant for 2021. an agro-based tourism industry the remaining permit quota of The rice import permit for and be recognized as a musk- 2020. 2021 is likely to be granted in melon zone. “Public holiday for Chinese early March after the Chinese There are 30 muskmelon New Year will start on 11 Febru- New Year. The quota of permits shops on Mandalay-Pakokku ary. At present, about 10,000 rice is expected to increase this year, Road. We have also planned bags are delivered to China,” traders shared their opinions. to penetrate the international he added. Myanmar exported over market later. The agriculture Muse trade was suspended 720,000 tonnes of rice and bro- experts from Thailand, China, on 1 February, but the business ken rice to foreign countries be- Japan and the United States returned to normal on 2 Feb- tween 1 October and 15 January also observed the muskmelon ruary. of the current 2020-2021 budget plantations. “There is nothing changes year, generating US$275 million Local visitors are allowed to in border trade for now. Myan- incomes, Myanmar Rice Feder- shoot the photos at muskmelon mar’s Muse border was shut ation stated. plantations, pick the fruits by There are more than 10,000 acres of muskmelon plantation in Pauk Inn down on 1 February, and trad- (Translated by EMM) themselves, test the fruit taste, Gyi region. PHOTO: HMWAY KYU ZIN 5 FEBRUARY 2021 5 FEBRUARY 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL/ARTICLE 9 Crop Breeding THE JOINT UN-LED COVAX INITIATIVE FOR FAIR ACCESS TO CORONAVIRUS-BEATING JABS Key workers in 145 countries to receive COVID-19 vaccines Union Day Objectives for Drought 74th Anniversary of under UN-backed initiative Union Day – 2021

WORKERS and areas who are at the highest risk the World Health Organization peratures as low as -80 degrees Resistance st KEY other vulnerable of exposure to COVID-19 infec- said, along with GAVI, the Vac- Celsius. The first two refrigera- 1. To work on the Union Peace Conference – 21 Century people in 145 countries should tions.” cine Alliance and the Coalition tors recently arrived...The rest Panglong, till the success of the internal peace process is HE increased water shortage and frequent drought receive COVID-19 vaccines in the Some 1.2 million doses of the for Epidemic Preparedness In- will follow as soon as possible.” achieved. in agricultural ecosystems have caused tremendous first half of this year, under the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which novations. In a related development on 2. Development of the socio-economic life of the ethnic na- problems worldwide, owing to the resulted yield joint UN-led COVAX initiative for requires ultra-cold chain storage, Wednesday, Fore also announced tionals. T losses for many crops. fair access to coronavirus-beat- are to be delivered to 18 countries ‘Ultra-cold’ project the signing of a deal securing 1.1 3. To work for the emergence of a constitution that is in align- It is therefore essential to breed water-saving and ing jabs, it’s been confirmed. in the first quarter of the year, out Ahead of Wednesday’s an- billion doses of COVID-19 vac- ment and harmony with the Democratic Federal Union. drought-resistant crops to ensure world food security. The aim of Wednesday’s an- of an agreed total of 40 million. nouncement, UNICEF chief Fore cines for around 100 countries. 4. All ethnic nationals to work for the preservation and protec- Due to warmer temperatures in the summer, droughts nouncement by the World Health An additional 336 million dos- noted that the agency had been The agreement with the Serum tion of non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration and depleting water supply will likely become more common Organization (WHO) and part- es of the AstraZeneca/Oxford jab getting ready by stockpiling half Institute of India is for the Astra- of national unity, and perpetuation of national sovereignty. in Myanmar. The water crisis in rural areas every summer ners, is to help Governments are to be lined up for dispatch a billion syringes and working Zeneca/Oxford vaccine and the 5. To nurture and develop new generations endowed with highlights the need for better urban planning and management. to prepare their vaccine distri- The aim of Wednesday’s announcement by the World Health Organization to nearly all countries that have with airlines, governments and Novavax vaccine, both of which high skills and capabilities imbued with strong Union spirit. In Myanmar, the drought has delivered a threat to crop bution programs, by providing (WHO) and partners, is to help Governments to prepare their vaccine signed up to the COVAX scheme, other partners to iron out poten- have yet to receive Emergency production and the needs of those living in rural areas, where details about which vaccine they distribution programs, by providing details about which vaccine they can from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe tial supply hiccups. Use Listing by the WHO. expect to receive, between now and the end of June. over 70 per cent of the country’s population resides. can expect to receive, between COURTESY PHOTO/UN — once it has been approved for “This work has already be- Low and middle income Now is the time for us now and the end of June. use by the UN health agency. gun”, she said. “For example, countries will pay approximate- to teach our farmers about UN Children’s Fund The total number of doses will Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of ly $3 per dose, Fore said. “This drought tolerant farming UNICEF — which plays a key Get it right receive the vaccines that require cover, on average, 3.3 per cent the countries that will be an early is great value for COVAX donors Union Day slogans Drought is a techniques to ensure they role in immunization campaigns “We must get this right”, ultra-cold chain (storage). of the population of the countries recipient of the Pfizer vaccine, and a strong demonstration of produce more food and more worldwide — welcomed the de- said Executive Director Henri- “This includes ensuring that benefiting from the scheme. which requires ultra-cold chain one of the fundamental principles for 2021 major agri- profit with less water. velopment, describing COVAX etta Fore. “Our country offices health workers are fully trained This will make it possible storage. UNICEF is providing of COVAX — that by pooling our th Drought is a major agri- as the largest vaccine procure- will support governments as they in how to store and handle the for governments to protect their Bosnia and Herzegovina with resources we can negotiate in (74 Anniversary) cultural chal- cultural challenge affecting ment and supply operation ever move forward with this first wave vaccines...Many of these doses most vulnerable citizens — such eight refrigerators that will be bulk for the best possible deals.” food production, farmers' mounted. to ensure that they are ready to will go to health workers in urban as front-line health care workers, able to store vaccines in tem- SOURCE: UN News lenge affecting livelihoods, and costs the 1. Equal opportunities and equal responsibilities, government billions of dol- AIR TRAVEL AND CORONAVIRUS MEASURES living in a peaceful, prosperous and stable Union. food produc- lars in relief efforts. Without 2. Unity is strength, solidarity is power water, no farmer can grow That is the heart of the Union. tion, farmers' crops. 3. Many fruits sprouting from one stem, We need to encourage Unprecedented 66% Drop In Air Passengers In 2020: Airlines this is our brotherhood of the Union. livelihoods, our farmers to take up dif- 4. Our Union built with brotherhood, ferent crops and different Never forget Union day. and costs the agricultural techniques, LOBAL air passen- to a rollout of vaccines but warned African airlines’ traffic fell 5. Drinking the same water, living on the same land, which need less water, and ger traffic plunged by the emergence of new coronavi- 69.8% last year compared to 2019, we are Union nationals of the same blood. government different methods of improv- an unprecedented 66 rus darkened the outlook. which was the best performance ing productivity. G per cent in 2020 due to “Last year was a catastrophe. among regions. Capacity dropped billions of dol- But, in some areas, travel restrictions imposed over There is no other way to describe 61.5%, and load factor sank 15.4 farmers must have the op- the Covid-19 pandemic, an indus- it. What recovery there was over per centage points to 55.9%, the lars in relief tion of learning another try group said Wednesday. the Northern hemisphere sum- lowest among regions. Demand trade or business to earn a The International Air Trans- mer season stalled in autumn and for the month of December was efforts. With- livelihood. port Association (IATA) also the situation turned dramatically 68.8% below the year-ago period, The dry zone in Myan- warned that the emergence of worse over the year-end holiday well ahead of a 75.8% decline in out water, no mar lies within the central new, more transmissible variants season, as more severe travel November. Carriers in the region Myanmar Daily Weather Report portion of the country, home of the coronavirus were hurting restrictions were imposed in the have benefitted from somewhat (Issued at 7:00 pm Thursday 04th February, 2021) farmer can to nearly one-third of My- the prospects for recovery this face of new outbreaks and new less severe international travel anmar’s total population. year. strains of COVID-19.” said Alex- restrictions compared to the rest BAY INFERENCE: Weather is partly cloudy to cloudy over grow crops. According to media reports, Given that travel restriction andre de Juniac, IATA’s Director of the world. the South Bay, a few cloud to partly cloudy over the Andaman temperatures there are pro- applied mostly to international General and CEO. China’s domestic passenger Sea and a few cloud elsewhere over the Bay of Bengal. jected to rise by up to three travel, domestic passenger traf- Asia-Pacific airlines’ full- traffic fell 30.8% in 2020 compared degrees Celsius (3° C) after fic fared better, dropping by 49 year traffic plunged 80.3% in 2020 to 2019. It was down 7.6% for the FORECAST VALID UNTIL NOON OF THE 5th February, 2040. per cent, compared to 76 per cent compared to 2019, which was the month of December versus De- 2021: Weather will be partly cloudy in Upper Sagaing, Tanin- According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2020, Myanmar for foreign passenger traffic. The deepest decline for any region. It cember a year-ago period, which thayi Regions and Kachin, Mon States and generally fair in Middle Eastern airlines’ annual passenger demand in 2020 was 72.9% below 2019. PHOTO: KARIM SAHIB/ has had the highest weather-related losses in the past two travel restrictions imposed during fell 94.7% in the month of Decem- AFP/FILE was a deterioration compared to the remaining Regions and States. decades, alongside Puerto Rico and Haiti. the first wave of the pandemic saw ber amid stricter lockdowns, little a 6.3% decline in November amid According to the Myanmar Climate Change Alliance, which global passenger traffic fall to just changed from a 95% decline in upturn over the 87% year-to-year December 2019, which improved Latin American airlines had new outbreaks and resulting re- STATE OF THE SEA: Seas will be moderate in Myanmar is a body that straddles the United Nations, the government and five per cent of its normal level, November. Full-year capacity was decline in November reflecting from an 86.1% drop in November. a 71.8% full-year traffic decline strictions. waters. Wave height will be about (4-8) feet off and along civil society, the total monsoon period has already decreased with airlines forced to park planes down 74.1% compared to 2019. pre-holiday momentum that was North American airlines’ compared to 2019, making it the Russia’s domestic traffic fell Myanmar Coasts. from 144 days per year in 1998 to 125 days. on runways because not enough Load factor fell 19.5 per centage reversed toward the end of the full-year traffic fell 75.4% com- best performing region after Af- 23.5% for the full year, but 12% for Due to common interests in drought-resistance of different space was available. points to 61.4%. month. pared to 2019. Capacity dropped rica. Capacity fell 67.7% and load the month of December, much OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood crops, any finding in a crop may provide informative references While traffic picked up during European carriers saw a Middle Eastern airlines’ an- 65.5%, and load factor sank 23.9 factor dropped 10.4 per centage improved over a 23% decline in of isolated rain in Upper Sagaing Region and Kachin, Shan for another crop. the summer, in December it was 73.7% traffic decline in 2020 versus nual passenger demand in 2020 per centage points to 60.1%. De- points to 72.4%, by far the high- November. Full year results were States. We welcome any study on drought-resistance in different down by 70 per cent, thus finishing 2019. Capacity fell 66.3% and load was 72.9% below 2019. Annual cember demand was down 79.6% est among regions. Traffic fell supported by booming domestic crops and it would benefit each other. out the year below average. IATA, factor decreased 18.8 per centage capacity fell 63.9% and load fac- compared to the same month a 76.2% for the month of Decem- tourism over the summer and FORECAST FOR NAYPYITAW AND NEIGHBOURING which unites 190 airlines, did not points to 66.8%. For the month tor plummeted 18.9 per centage year ago, a pick-up over an 82.8% ber compared to December 2019, falling fares. AREA FOR 5th February, 2021: Fair weather. formally lower its outlook for a of December, traffic slid 82.3% points to 57.3%. December’s traf- drop in November reflecting a somewhat improved from a 78.7% SOURCE: AFP pick up in traffic this year thanks compared to December 2019, an fic was down 82.6% compared to holiday surge. decline in November. 5 FEBRUARY 2021 10 PANDEMIC: WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NEARLY 2MN DOSES NEWS IN North Korea to receive Covid vaccine after making request BRIEF NORTH Korea has requested All countries receiving inter- Covid-19 vaccines and is expected im allocations of vaccines “have to receive nearly two million dos- submitted requests for vaccines”, Confidence in Covid es, according to the Gavi vaccine a Gavi spokesman told AFP on vaccines on the up alliance, part of the WHO-backed Thursday. Covax programme, although the The allocations cited in the A new report on attitudes isolated country has insisted it is report “reflect latest estimates around the world towards virus-free. of supply and take into account vaccines suggests people’s It is the first official confir- country readiness and regulatory willingness to be vaccinated is mation that the North has asked approvals,” he added. rising. for international help, with the According to the report, the The report from Imperial country’s medical infrastructure North is to receive the AstraZene- College London’s Institute of is seen as woefully inadequate ca-Oxford jab produced by the Global Health Innovation finds for dealing with any large-scale Serum Institute of India. that 54% of those surveyed outbreak. The Covax scheme, Pyongyang closed its bor- would take a vaccine if it was co-led by the Gavi alliance, will ders in late January last year -- offered to them next week. distribute 1.99 million doses to the the first country in the world to This represents an increase North Korea has requested Covid-19 vaccines and is expected to receive North, according to Covax’s inter- do so -- in a bid to protect itself from when the same survey nearly two million doses. PHOTO: AFP/FILE im distribution report released against the coronavirus. was run in November. At the this week. SOURCE: AFP time, just 41% of respondents were willing to be vaccinated. The survey ran across 15 MODERNA countries and both rounds featured 13,500 participants. French firm to start making Moderna Covid vaccine next month People in the UK were the most willing to take a Covid jab A French lab will start producing overriding the industry’s fierce (78%), while French respond- Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine in resistance to sharing intellectual ents were the most reluctant of March, while another will begin property secrets. those surveyed (44%). making the vaccine from Pfizer “Production at the first site SOURCE: AFP and BioNTech in April, Industry will begin in March for the Moder- Minister Agnes Pannier-Runa- na vaccine,” at a lab operated by Health workers cher said Wednesday. President Recipharm, Pannier-Runacher Emmanuel Macron pledged told RTL radio. to begin receiving Tuesday that four sites on French “We’ll then have a production Chinese-made soil would begin making corona- site running in April for the Pfiz- vaccine virus vaccines soon, as the gov- er-BioNTech vaccine,” she said. ernment draws sharp criticism “And in May, we should (also) Pakistan will begin administer- over an innoculation drive that be producing the CureVac vac- ing a Chinese-made Covid-19 has started off slowly. cine, for which we are waiting vaccine to frontline health work- French pride has also taken for approval,” she said, referring ers Wednesday, but the country A French lab will start producing Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine in March, a hit after its pharma giant Sanofi to the German biotech firm that is still months away from a mass while another will begin making the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech said its Covid vaccine would not could start French production at in April. ILLUSTRATION PHOTO: AFP roll-out. be ready until later this year. a lab owned by Fareva. Beijing has donated about The health crisis has A French Sanofi lab will start its own jab, as will the French could be used in France as long 500,000 doses of the Sinop- prompted governments to push making the Pfizer-BioNTech firm Delpharm. Separately, For- as it meets “scientific norms” and harm vaccine -- which has yet for more widespread production vaccine in the second quarter, eign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian European “standards.” to be fully approved by China’s of vaccines already available, even as it pursues research on said Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine SOURCE: AFP health authorities -- with a fur- ther million expected by the end of the month. The country of 10 BIGGEST SLUMS 220 million has recorded more than half a million coronavi- Brazil favelas launch bank amid economic hit of pandemic rus cases, with around 11,000 deaths, but limited testing THE economic toll of the corona- people killed. suggests true figures are likely virus pandemic has hit especially The impact has been espe- much higher. hard in Brazil’s favelas, but the cially devastating in the favelas, Lawmaker Nausheen country’s 10 biggest slums now the crowded jumbles of shacks Hamid, who leads parliament’s have a plan to fight back: they that are the postcard of pover- health committee, said a first are launching their own bank. ty in Brazil. Not only have the phase of vaccinations would Dubbed the “G10 Bank,” the poor suffered more from Cov- prioritise health workers. new financial institution is set to id-19 in health terms, they have “I can’t say with certainty, open later this month, offering also borne the brunt of the eco- but we would still need around microloans to small business nomic impact. Many favela res- two months to start a mass vac- owners struggling to survive idents work in the informal sec- cination campaign,” she added. the pandemic and debit cards tor -- jobs such as childcare and The Sindh province health to slum-dwellers excluded from housekeeping that disappeared authority said around 100 the traditional banking system. when stay-at-home measures health workers nationwide had Brazil has the second-high- took effect, sending the unem- died since the virus reached Elizandra Cerqueira, founder of the Bistro Mains de Marie restaurant, has est death toll worldwide in the ployment rate to a record 14.6 the world’s fifth most populous given out 1.3 million free meals to people who lost their income because pandemic, after the United per cent last September. country last spring. of the pandemic. PHOTO: AFP States, with more than 225,000 SOURCE: AFP SOURCE: AFP 5 FEBRUARY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR PANDEMIC: NEWS BULLETIN 11

TOUGHER QUARANTINE RULES Scotland to introduce ‘managed quarantine’ for all arrivals

SCOTLAND will require all ar- Arrivals from other nations areas but not immigration and rivals from outside the UK to will still be able to enter if they border enforcement, could not undergo “managed quarantine”, have tested negative for the vi- unilaterally implement quaran- First Minister Nicola Sturgeon rus within 72 hours and must tine on people who arrive into said Tuesday, as she criticized still self-isolate at home for other parts of Britain. the British government’s more specified periods. She said her devolved ad- limited self-isolation travel “Managed quarantine must ministration would continue to rules. be much more comprehensive,” urge UK Prime Minister Boris Sturgeon told the Scottish Sturgeon said on Tuesday. Johnson’s government to adopt parliament the new policy, which “We intend to introduce a a similar approach, and if it did is yet to be set out in detail, will managed quarantine require- not “to work with us to reduce begin as soon as possible and is ment for anyone who arrives the risk among people travelling necessary to prevent coronavi- directly into Scotland, regard- to Scotland”. rus strains from being imported. less of which country they have Britain, which has been the The UK government in come from.” However, it was un- worst hit country in Europe by London announced last week clear how the new policy would the pandemic registering more Scotland will require all arrivals from outside the UK to undergo “managed quarantine”, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said. that only travellers coming from work on a practical level if peo- than 106,500 deaths and nearly PHOTO: AFP/FILE 30 countries deemed at “high ple arrive into other parts of the 4 million cases, has been under risk” from Covid-19 variants will UK and travel on to Scotland. strict lockdown measures for month, the situation has slowly Ireland -- are mulling loosen- have to quarantine in hotels, Sturgeon acknowledged weeks. improved and leaders across ing restrictions in the coming under ramped-up regulations Edinburgh, which has responsi- After record infection levels the four UK nations -- England, weeks. yet to take effect. bility for various domestic policy and daily fatalities earlier this Scotland, Wales and Northern SOURCE: AFP

INTRODUCING THE VACCINE IN 2022 PORTUGAL GSK, CureVac to develop vaccine Full force of third virus wave against Covid variants breaks over Portugal PORTUGAL, currently feeling dramatic situation,” said Ger- the full force of its third wave of man Defence Minister Annegret The collaboration, building the coronavirus pandemic, has Kramp-Karrenbauer. “In such on an existing relationship, is appealed for international help times, solidarity in Europe is to develop next generation Cov- to relieve overwhelmed hospital indispensable.” id-19 vaccines “with the potential staff. Austrian Chancellor Sebas- for a multi-valent approach to Prime Minister Antonio tian Kurz said over the weekend address multiple emerging var- Costa has acknowledged that that they were willing to take iants in one vaccine”. the nation’s hospitals are under patients into their intensive care The pair noted that “the in- “gigantic pressure”. units, and the western Spanish crease in emerging variants with The government acted after region of ExtraMadura, which the potential to reduce the effi- the country’s 24-hour death toll borders Portugal, offered its cacy of first generation Covid-19 passed the 300-mark and televi- help Tuesday. vaccines requires acceleration sion stations broadcast pictures And the EU’s crisis com- The firms aim to have a new vaccine available next year that will offer of efforts to develop vaccines of ambulances queueing up out- missioner Janez Lenarcic said protection against various variants of Covid-19. PHOTO: STR, THOMAS against new variants to keep side Lisbon’s largest hospital. in a tweet that they were “closely KIENZLE AFP/FILE one step ahead of the pandemic”. The socialist administration following the critical situation” BRITISH pharmaceutical group with the target of introducing GSK chief executive Emma confirmed late on Monday it had in Portugal and stood ready to GlaxoSmithKline and German the vaccine in 2022, subject to Walmsley said “next generation accepted an offer of help from help if requested. Leaving aside biotech firm CureVac on Wednes- regulatory approval,” a joint vaccines will be crucial in the Germany, after an announce- low-populated microstates, Por- day announced plans to jointly statement said. continued fight against Cov- ment from Berlin that they tugal is the country that has develop a coronavirus vaccine GSK will also support the id-19”. were sending medics, 150 field been hardest hit by the corona- with the potential to counter mul- manufacture this year of up to The value of the new collab- hospital beds and respiratory virus over the pasts two weeks ti-variants of Covid-19. 100 million doses of CureVac’s oration was put at 150 million machines. in terms of the death rate. “The development pro- first generation Covid-19 vac- euros ($181 million). Portugal is “in a particularly SOURCE: AFP gramme will begin immediately, cine, it added. SOURCE: AFP

SAUDI ARABIA Entry from 20 countries barred as Covid-19 surges

SAUDI Arabia on Tuesday sus- according to the official Saudi as the US, it applies to Argentina, pended entry from 20 countries, Press Agency. The ban applies Brazil, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, ranging from some neighbouring to neighbouring Egypt and the Japan, Pakistan and South Africa. states to the United States, in a United Arab Emirates, and in Saudi citizens, as well as bid to curb a jump in coronavirus the wider region, to Lebanon diplomats and health workers infections. and Turkey. coming from those countries, will The interior ministry an- In Europe, the ban includes be allowed to enter the kingdom nounced the “temporary suspen- Britain, France, Germany, Ire- “in accordance with the precau- sion” would be effective from 9:00 land, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and tionary measures”, it added. The third wave has hit Portugal the hardest. PHOTO: PATRICIA DE pm (1800 GMT) on Wednesday, Switzerland. Elsewhere, as well SOURCE: AFP MELO MOREIRA/AFP 5 FEBRUARY 2021 12 BIZ THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

FULL-YEAR OPERATING INCOME RISES Nokia boosts profitability but warns of tough 2021

FINNISH telecoms equipment Shorthand for fifth-gener- took over in August, reiterated and 5G player Nokia announced ation mobile technology, 5G is his pledge to “invest whatever on Thursday a fall in net income expected to pave the way for it takes to win in 5G”. for 2020 despite a strong fourth rapid-fire video downloads and “If everything goes well, quarter, and warned of “mean- innovations such as fast-think- 2023 could be the year when ingful headwinds” this year. ing self-driving cars. Nokia resumes what we call “We saw healthy gross mar- But despite fourth-quarter profitable growth,” said Mikael gin and operating margin per- growth of 11 per cent in North Rautanen, analyst at Inderes. formance for both (the fourth America, Lundmark said that “Like the company has said, it’s quarter) and full year 2020,” predicted market share loss a three-year project,” he said. thanks to a renewed focus on there in 5G and 4G, along with Nokia said it has signed a to- North America and ongoing re- price erosion meant the firm’s tal of 145 5G deals and deployed search and development (R&D) 2021 outlook remained un- 45 live networks, although sales efforts, chief executive Pekka Finnish telecoms equipment and 5G player Nokia announced on changed, with a seven to 10 per declined by six per cent for the Lundmark said in a statement. Thursday a fall in net income for 2020 despite a strong fourth quarter, cent operating margin target. year “primarily due to network and warned of “meaningful headwinds” this year. PHOTO: AFP Full-year operating income Increased R&D spending deployment and planning ser- rose by 5.5 per cent to €2.1 bil- increased by 2.5 percentage fought for its share of the tough will also weigh on the firm’s vices in Mobile Access”. lion, and Nokia’s gross margin points to 39 per cent as the firm 5G market. profitability as Lundmark, who SOURCE: AFP

ANNUAL NET PROFIT RISES 7% Roche posts higher profits as COVID tests surge

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche, which has 14 per cent, largely due to sales of its COVID-19 tests, been at the forefront of producing coronavirus tests which offset a downturn in other tests such as those and research into treatments, on Thursday reported for diabetes. higher profits for 2020. “Roche continues to make important contributions Annual net profit rose seven per cent to 15 billion to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” CEO Severin Swiss francs (€13.9bn), despite the negative effects of Schwan said in the statement. “We developed in record exchange rates and a drop in over-the-counter sales, time a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic solutions it said in a statement. and entered new partnerships to develop and produce Sales were down five per cent overall from the effective COVID-19 medicines.” previous year, at 58.3 billion Swiss francs. Analysts For the current year, Roche predicted sales would surveyed by Swiss agency AWP had forecast sales of grow “in the low- to mid-single digit range” at constant 59.7 billion Swiss francs. exchange rates. Roche CEO Severin Schwan. PHOTO: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP Revenues from its diagnostics division jumped SOURCE: AFP

NEWS ‘UGLY NUMBERS’ REFLECT OVER-SUPPLY IN BRIEF Oil giant Shell follows rivals into huge annual loss A GLOBAL SHORTAGE Mazda expects chip shortage to cut Feb. around 10,000 roles, reported on global output by 7,000 units Tuesday a 2020 net loss of $20.3 billion. US giant Exxon Mobil suf- MAZDA Motor Corp. said Thursday its global production will be fered a 2020 loss of $22.4 billion, cut by 7,000 vehicles in February from its initial plan, as it will not while for Chevron it was $5.5 bil- be able to procure enough chips for key safety and environmental lion. “Recent results from other technology amid a global shortage. oil majors paved the way for an The automaker will review its production plan for the fiscal uncomfortable read and Shell’s year through March 2021 to factor in the impact of the chip supply results indeed contain some ugly crunch, Mazda chief executive Akira Marumoto said at a press con- numbers,” noted Richard Hunter, ference on its latest earnings report. The February output shortfall head of markets at Interactive is equivalent to 0.7 per cent of its worldwide shipment plan for the Investor. current fiscal year. A Mazda spokesman said the company was not “The pandemic has clearly sure if the supply shortage would affect production beyond Febru- had a severe impact on perfor- ary. SOURCE: Kyodo mance and the oil price in particu- Royal Dutch Shell on Thursday became the latest oil major to reveal lar. The dual effect of over-supply 112 BILLION EUROS huge annual losses as the coronavirus pandemic slashed energy demand and crippled demand as aircraft and prices in 2020. PHOTO: JUSTIN SULLIVAN/AFP/FILE E-commerce in France grows by 8.5 pct in stood idle, travel reduced to a 2020, says sector federation ROYAL Dutch Shell on Thursday “2020 was an extraordinary trickle and manufacturing all became the latest oil major to year,” said chief executive Ben but ceased during lockdown, has THE e-commerce sector in France went up 8.5 per cent year-on- reveal huge annual losses as the van Beurden. “We have taken shown itself in these numbers,” year and reached 112 billion euros (about 134 billion U.S. dollars) in coronavirus pandemic slashed tough but decisive actions,” he Hunter added. After lockdowns 2020, the Federation of e-commerce and distance selling (Fevad) energy demand and prices in said, with Shell having already an- began to spread towards the end said on Thursday. While e-commerce only represented 9.8 per cent 2020. nounced plans to axe up to 9,000 of last year’s first quarter, oil pric- of retail trade in 2019, it now represents 13.4 per cent, Fevad said Shell dived into a net loss of jobs, or more than 10 per cent of es dropped off a cliff, even briefly in a press release. The federation brings together more than 600 $21.7 billion (€18.1bn) last year as its global workforce. turning negative. Prices then re- companies and 800 websites in France.“This growth is driven by factories shut and planes were ‘Ugly numbers’ bounded sharply however – and the increase in sales of products on the internet estimated at 32 per grounded. The Anglo-Dutch Shell’s results and large by Thursday the benchmark cent up while services are down 10 per cent, under the effect of the group’s loss compared with a job cuts mirrors the situation Brent North Sea oil contract was sharp drop in travel and leisure activities during the (pandemic) net profit of $15.8 billion in 2019, elsewhere in the energy sector. closing in on $60 per barrel. crisis,” said the federation. SOURCE: the company said in a statement. British rival BP, which is cutting SOURCE: AFP 5 FEBRUARY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ECON/AD 13

FULLY ELECTRIC CARS SALES UP 117% FACE-TO-FACE FOCUS Electric vehicle sales surge in EU Davos 2021 summit in Singapore amid COVID slump postponed until August DEMAND for electric vehicles soared in es fell,” said Eric Esperance, an analyst the EU last year as buyers took advan- at the Roland Berger consulting firm. THE World Economic Fo- tage of government subsidies for clean “Once you’ve shifted manufacturing lines rum said Wednesday that cars aimed at helping manufacturers to electric, your goal is to sell as many its annual meeting, which weather the unprecedented hit from vehicles as possible.”“Starting in 2023, has already been post- the COVID-19 pandemic, the European prices are going to come into line with poned and moved from Automobile Manufacturers Association petrol models and subsidies will no longer Switzerland to Singapore, (ACEA) said on Thursday. be necessary,” he added. will be pushed back again Some 538,772 fully electric cars were Renault’s Zoe hatchback took poll due to pandemic-related sold across the bloc, up 117 per cent from position thanks to strong sales in France challenges. 2019, while sales of plug-in hybrids more and Germany in particular, with nearly The annual gathering than tripled, to 507,059 from 139,954. 100,000 sold last year on 23 key European of the world’s political, eco- Overall, sales of alternatively-pow- markets, according to industry analysis nomic and business elite The annual gathering of the world’s political, economic ered cars – including fuels like ethanol group Jato Dynamics.Tesla’s Model 3 is traditionally held each and business elite is traditionally held each January in the or natural gas – made up one-fourth (24.5 came in second with some 86,000 sold January in the Alpine vil- Alpine village of Davos. PHOTO: AFP/FILE per cent) of the market last year, a figure while Volkswagen’s ID3 took third place lage of Davos. But, they said, “the would “be the first global that climbed to 34 per cent for the fourth with nearly 56,000, despite launching only While a virtual meet- change to the meeting’s leadership summit to ad- quarter alone. last autumn. ing of world leaders was timing reflects the inter- dress the challenges of “There was a volume effect and pric- SOURCE: AFP held last month, the phys- national challenges in recovering from the pan- ical meeting had already containing the pandemic.” demic and laying the basis been moved due to the “Current global trav- for a more inclusive and Covid-19 crisis and re- el restrictions have made sustainable world.” scheduled to take place in planning difficult for an “It will bring leaders Singapore in May. in-person meeting in the face-to-face to focus on But on Wednesday, first half of the year,” the shaping solutions to the organisers said it would WEF said. most pressing challenges now be postponed again “Furthermore, dif- of our times.” until August 17-20. fering quarantine and Klaus Schwab, the They stressed in a air transport regulations WEF founder and exec- statement that they re- have increased the lead utive chairman, said the mained “confident of the time necessary to ensure meeting would “provide measures in place to en- that participants globally the place for leaders from sure a safe and effective can make arrangements business, government meeting,” adding that “lo- to join.” and civil society to come cal transmission of Cov- WEF stressed the im- together to address the id-19 in Singapore remains portance of its 2021 meet- steps for global recovery.” The Volkswagen ID.3 electric car. PHOTO: JENS SCHLUETER / AFP at negligible levels.” ing, pointing out that it SOURCE: AFP

“UNEXPLAINED WEALTH ORDER” Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation Scottish parliament votes CLAIMS DAY NOTICE Department of Rural Development M.V OSLO TRADER VOY. NO. (050S) Regional Development for Poverty Reduction Phase II against probing Trump finances (Water Supply Sector) Consignees of cargo carried on M.V OSLO SCOTTISH lawmakers on acquired. “There are se- (Amendment of Deadline for Submission of the Tender) are hereby notified that TRADER VOY. NO. (050S) Project for JICA ODA Loan (Agreement MY-P17) Wednesday opted not to rious concerns about how the vessel will be arriving on 5-2-2021 and cargo will be demand an investigation he financed the cash pur- discharged into the premises of MITT/TMT where it will 1. DRD advertisement for Water Supply Project of lie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to into former US president chases of his Scottish golf Thanbyuzayat town, Mon State, was announced in the the byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Donald Trump’s financ- courses,” Scottish Greens Myanma Alinn and The Mirror newspapers on 20 January Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am es, amid concerns about co-leader Patrick Harvie 2021. It was also announced in the Global New Light of to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now Myanmar on 21 January 2021. The Previous deadline for how he funded the acqui- told The Scotsman news- declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo the submission of Tender was on 26 February 2021. We sition two golf courses in paper ahead of the vote. from the Vessel. would like to extend the last date of submission as 4 March No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the country. Members of “The government 2021 (4-3-2021) at 10:00 am local time instead of previous the Claims Day. the Scottish Parliament must seek an unexplained date as 26 February 2021. Phone No: 2301185 (MSPs) voted down a mo- wealth order to shine a 2. Any further information needs for the Thanbyuzayat Water Shipping Agency Department Supply Tendering Process, Bidders can communicate to tion calling for the probe light on Trump’s shadowy Myanma Port Authority DRD Office No.36, Panita Street, Naypyitaw, Tel. number into the Trump Organi- dealings,” he added. Agent For: 067-418633, 067- 418655. Email address: drdwsp.oda@ zation’s two Scottish golf The prospect of the gmail.com and [email protected] during the office M/S SEALAND MAERSK ASIA PTE LTD courses using an “unex- vote sparked a spat be- hour. plained wealth order”. tween Harvie and Trump’s Tender accepting and Evaluation Committee The legal instrument son Eric, a trustee and ex- Department of Rural Development requires individuals to ex- ecutive vice-president of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation plain the source of wealth the Trump Organization. used to acquire property “At a critical time and other assets in the UK. when politicians should Members of the Scot- be focused on saving lives tish Green Party who in- and reopening businesses itiated the vote have said in Scotland, they are fo- there are questions to be cused on advancing their answered about how the personal agendas,” Eric Trump Organization’s Trump said this week. holdings in Scotland were SOURCE: AFP 5 FEBRUARY 2021 14 GLOBAL AFFAIRS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

NEWS “CLOSED SKIES” IN BRIEF Covid travel ban hits PUBLIC SAFETY Canada Designates Netanyahu trip to Far-Right Proud Boys As Banned Bahrain and UAE Terrorist Group ISRAELI Prime Minister Ben- ter that the premier would visit CANADA on Wednesday jamin Netanyahu on Thursday the UAE and “perhaps Bahrain” described the far right Proud postponed a planned visit to the next week. The two states nor- Boys as a “serious and growing United Arab Emirates and Bah- malised relations with Israel in threat” and designated the rain, citing travel restrictions a US-backed accord last year. movement as a banned terror- imposed in the battle against The planned trip would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed his intention ist organization. Founded in coronavirus. been Netanyahu’s first official to travel to Abu Dhabi and Manama ahead of the March 23 Israeli 2016 and present in Canada, “Despite the importance of visit to the Gulf countries since elections. PHOTO: AFP the United States and other the trip to Abu Dhabi and Bah- the September signing. skies” and other lockdown meas- the two required doses of Pfiz- countries, the Proud Boys rain, Prime Minister Benjamin As part of a national corona- ures. er-made vaccine to more than played a “pivotal role” in the Netanyahu has decided to post- virus lockdown, Israel last month Netanyahu has said the three million people, with about insurrection at the deadly pone the visit at this stage due banned international flights and travel ban is a necessary weap- two million getting the second US Capitol on January 6, the to the closing of the skies,” an closed its land borders. on in the “arms race” against shot -- a pace widely described public safety ministry said in a English language statement The closure is due to expire coronavirus variants. as the world’s fastest per capita. statement. SOURCE: AFP from the premier’s office said. on February 7, but members of Israel has registered over Israel hopes to vaccinate its It did not mention a new date. Netanyahu’s government were 670,000 coronavirus cases, in- entire over-16 population by the A Netanyahu spokesman to meet on Thursday to debate cluding close to 5,000 deaths. end of March. POLICY UNCHANGED had written Wednesday on Twit- a possible extension of “closed It has given at least one of SOURCE: AFP U.S. supports one-

China policy: state LIMITING STOCKPILES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS department US extends New START nuclear treaty with Russia as rifts rise THE U.S. Department of State said on Wednesday that New START by the maximum it supports the one-China allowed time of five years. policy.“Our policy has not “President Biden pledged changed. It has not changed,” to keep the American people State Department spokesman safe from nuclear threats by re- Ned Price said during a press storing US leadership on arms briefing when asked if the Bid- control and nonproliferation,” en administration supports Blinken said in a statement. the one-China policy. “The United States is com- SOURCE: Xinhua mitted to effective arms control that enhances stability, trans- parency and predictability while ‘CLEAR MESSAGES’ reducing the risks of costly, dan- Outcry over Navalny gerous arms races.” crackdown as top Russian President Vladimir EU envoy heads to Putin signed off on legislation extending the accord on Fri- Moscow day, meaning that the treaty — THE outcry grew in Rus- signed by then-president Barack sia over the crackdown on Obama in 2010 — will run until peaceful protesters Thursday February 5, 2026.The last re- as EU foreign policy chief maining arms reduction pact Josep Borrell was set to visit The Russian army RS-24 Yars ballistic missile system moves through Red Square during a June 2020 military between the former Cold War the country under pressure parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. PHOTO: AFP rivals, New START caps to 1,550 to confront Moscow over the US President Joe Biden’s admin- it hoped to prevent an arms race Navalny. One day before the trea- the number of nuclear warheads imprisonment of opposition istration Wednesday extended despite rising tensions with Mos- ty was set to expire, Secretary of that can be deployed by Moscow figure Alexei Navalny. the New START nuclear treaty cow including over its imprison- State Antony Blinken said the and Washington. SOURCE: AFP with Russia by five years, saying ment of opposition leader Alexei United States was extending SOURCE: AFP

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MISSION Egyptian mummies with golden tongues discovered near Alexandria MUMMIES from around 2,000 years tombs cut into the rock... in the tem- ly preserved” condition. The aston- ago with golden amulets in their ple of Taposiris Magna, west of Alex- ishing detail about this discovery tongues were discovered in Alexan- andria”, the authorities announced in is the gold amulets in the shape of dria, Egypt recently. The informa- a statement. tongues found in the mouths of these tion was revealed by authorities on The statement added that such mummies. A handout picture released by the Egyptian Ministry of Wednesday and was undertaken by an burial techniques were common dur- The ministry claims that the gold Tourism and Antiquities on January 29, 2021 shows a 2,000-year-old mummy with a gold foil amulet inside Egyptian-Dominican archaeological ing the Greek and Roman periods. amulets were placed in the mouths his mouth uncovered at the Taposiris Magna Temple in mission working near Alexandria. Researchers found tombs that of the dead to allow them to speak in western Alexandria. PHOTO: AFP “The mission discovered 16 contained several mummies in “poor- the afterlife. SOURCE: AFP 5 FEBRUARY 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR SOCIETY 15

KNOWN FOR PUBLIC GAFFES NEWS Tokyo Olympics boss refuses to resign over sexist remarks IN BRIEF JAPAN’S gaffe-prone Tokyo questioned, insisting he had INCREASED AID Olympics chief apologized on heard complaints that women UN still hoping for Thursday for making sexist re- speak at length. humanitarian access marks that prompted outrage, “Board of directors meet- but refused to resign and dug a ings with many women take a lot to Tigray deeper hole when he admitted he of time,” Mori said Wednesday, EVERY member of the UN didn’t “speak to women much”. according to the Asahi Shimbun Security Council called Yoshiro Mori’s comments, daily. for increased aid during in which he said women speak “When you increase the a closed-door meeting too much in meetings, are the number of female executive Wednesday to discuss the latest headache for organizers members, if their speaking humanitarian situation in already battling public disquiet time isn’t restricted to a certain the Tigray region of Ethio- about the pandemic-postponed extent, they have difficulty fin- pia, according to diplomats. Games. ishing, which is annoying,” he The meeting had been The 83-year-old former was quoted as saying. Mori, who requested by Ireland, Esto- A former Japanese prime minister, the 83-year-old Yoshiro Mori has a prime minister triggered further is known for his gaffes, did not nia, France, Norway, Britain history of making public gaffes. PHOTO: POOL/AFP/FILE criticism when he admitted “I dispute the report and told re- and the United States. don’t speak to women much” in ence called to make his apology. itial remarks were “inappropri- porters he wanted to “retract” “Everyone said there a hastily organized press confer- And while Mori said his in- ate” he became defensive when his comments. SOURCE: AFP should be more humanitar- ian access,” one diplomat said under condition of BLAZING AT THE PERTH HILLS anonymity, though no offi- cial statement was released Firefighters hold off bushfire near Australia’s Perth after the discussions. A mammoth effort by Australian There was never meant firefighters saved homes from to be a declaration passed, an out-of-control bush fire near according to the same dip- Perth overnight, the authorities lomat, though another said said on Thursday (Feb 4), but the idea was abandoned warned that strong winds and because African members rough terrain posed an ongoing of the council had said they challenge. At least 81 homes have would refuse to vote for been destroyed in the blaze at the one, deeming it unproduc- Perth Hills, on the eastern fringes tive. of Australia’s fourth-biggest city, SOURCE: AFP with surveys of areas burned ear- lier this week adding another 10 AMAZONIA 1 to the tally on Thursday. Western Australia State Premier Mark Brazil to launch its McGowan said the devastation first domestically caused was “almost too much to comprehend”. designed But after “a bleak couple of observation satellite days”, he said, firefighters man- aged to keep the flames at bay BRAZIL is finalizing the overnight as the blaze threat- Firefighters managed to keep the flames at bay overnight as the blaze threatened homes in more populous details to launch the first areas. PHOTO: AFP ened homes in more populous Earth observation satellite areas. “This is a truly remarkable know, no additional homes have McGowan said. Seven firefighters the bush fire, which has scorched designed, integrated, tested achievement given the ferocity been lost overnight thanks to the have suffered minor injuries but 10,000ha since it was sparked on and operated by the country, of the fire. And that, as far as we incredible work of our fireys,” Mr no deaths have been reported in Monday. SOURCE: AFP said the National Institute of Space Research (INPE) on Wednesday. JOE DIMEO SUSTAINED THIRD-DEGREE BURNS The institute, which is 22-year-old gets world’s first double hand, face transplant responsible for the project, said in a statement that the nounced Wednesday. life-saving blood transfusions, satellite, named Amazonia 1, Joe DiMeo sustained and was placed in a medically will be launched on Feb. 28 third-degree burns on over 80 induced coma for nearly two and from the launch base in Sriha- per cent of his body when he a half months. rikota, India, and will be the fell asleep while driving home But DiMeo said he now had third Brazilian remote sensing from a night shift in July 2018, a “second chance at life” and satellite in operation. causing his car to flip over and offered a message of hope. The previous two, then explode. “There’s always light at the CBERS-4 and CBERS-4A, Though he was pulled to end of the tunnel, never give up,” were developed by Brazil in safety by a passerby, his injuries DiMeo said at a press confer- partnership with China. included amputated fingertips, ence organized by NYU Langone Amazonia 1 is a sun-syn- severe facial scarring, and the Health, which carried out the chronous orbit satellite that Joe DiMeo (L: before accident) sustained third-degree burns on over 80 per loss of his lips and eyelids -- af- pioneering procedure that made will generate images of the cent of his body when he fell asleep while driving home from a night shift in fecting his vision and ability to use of 3D printed cutting-guides. Earth every five days, and is July 2018, causing his car to flip over and then explode. PHOTO: AFP lead a normal, independent life. The surgery was carried out capable of observing a range A 22-year-old man from New Jer- world’s first person to undergo a He remained in a hospital on August 12 of 2020 and lasted of about 850 km with a reso- sey who suffered horrific injuries successful face and double hand burn unit for four months, where approximately 23 hours. lution of 64 metres. in a car accident has become the transplant, his medical team an- he received numerous grafts and SOURCE: AFP SOURCE: Xinhua 5 FEBRUARY 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ONE Championship: Unbreakable Winning at Chelsea is easy, III Fights to be launched tonight Mourinho tells Tuchel

Stamp Fairtex of Thailand will fight against Alyona Rassohyna of Ukraine. In the Men’s Bantamweight Fight, Shoko Sato of Japan will take on Fabricio Andrade of Bra- zil. In the Men’s Strawweight Fight, Ryuto Sawada of Japan will face Robin Catalan of the Philippines. In the Men’s Heavyweight Fight, Mehdi Barghi of Iran will fight with Kang Ji Won of South Korea. In the Men’s Lightweight Fight, Rahul Raju of India will Winning at Chelsea is easy, Mourinho tells Tuchel. PHOTO: AFP meet Ahmed Mujtaba of Paki- stan. In the Men’s Bantamweight LONDON—Tottenham boss Chelsea visit Tottenham on bout, Myanmar’s Tial Thang will Jose Mourinho has piled Thursday. fight against Paul Lumihi of In- pressure on new Chelsea The German will be tak- donesia. manager Thomas Tuchel by ing charge of his third Chel- PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP The ONE Championship: insisting it is easy to win tro- sea match since replacing Unbreakable Event III will be phies at Stamford Bridge. the sacked Frank Lampard Lynn Thit (Tgi) six fights: five men’s bouts plus broadcast live free on ONE Super Mourinho won three last week. THE third event of the ONE one main bout of women fighters. Application and ONE Champion- Premier League titles and “I don’t think it’s very dif- Championship in 2021 named Events will start from 8:30 ship YouTube Channel, according enjoyed FA Cup and League ficult to coach at Chelsea be- “Unbreakable III” featuring pm of Singapore Standard Time, to the statement with the ONE Cup success in two spells in cause I was champion three bouts of world-class fighters: will according to the ONE Champi- Championship. The first two charge at Chelsea. times, (Carlo) Ancelotti was be held at Singapore Indoor Sta- onship. fights will also be streamed live Although the Portuguese champion, Antonio Conte was dium in Singapore on 5 February In the main card of the event, on ONE Championship Facebook coach was sacked twice by champion,” Mourinho told re- (tonight). There will be a total of or Women’s Atomweight Fight page, officials stated. demanding Chelsea owner porters on Wednesday. Roman Abramovich, Mour- “It cannot be very, very inho is adamant the financial difficult because we win titles Inter seek Fiorentina lift, Juve and Roma backing available to Blues there. bosses means silverware “I believe Chelsea always battle for third spot should not be hard to come has great players and great by. squads and good coaches That might not be wel- are happy to work with these come advice for former Par- clubs and with players that is Saint-Germain manager give you a very good oppor- Tuchel, who will go head to tunity to be successful and to head with Mourinho when win titles.—AFP

Australian Open boss ‘confident’ event will go ahead despite

Inter Milan COVID-19 case forwards Romelu Lukaku (L) and Lautaro Martinez MELBOURNE—Australian would start as scheduled on (R) have scored Open chief Craig Tiley said Monday, and that there were more goals he was “absolutely confident” no plans to cancel. Play was between them than the tournament will start next suspended at six warm-up Fiorentina this week despite a fresh coronavi- tournaments in Melbourne season. PHOTO: AFP rus case that halted warm-up on Thursday. tournaments and forced hun- “We’re absolutely confi- MILAN—Antonio Conte’s Inter champions Juventus and Roma game against in-form Lazio and dreds of players and officials dent the Australian Open will Milan head for Fiorentina on Fri- go head-to-head for third place. then a huge Milan derby. into isolation on Thursday. go ahead,” Tiley told report- day hoping to bounce back from Inter are reeling after a Cris- Fiorentina have 22 points The case, a worker at ers. “The plan is to continue their Italian Cup setback against tiano Ronaldo double gave Juve a from 20 games, their lowest tally one of the Melbourne tourna- to play tomorrow as planned. Juventus and keep pace with title 2-1 Italian Cup semi-final, first leg since they were relegated in 2002. ment’s designated quarantine If we have to go through this rivals AC Milan. win at the San Siro on Tuesday, However the Tuscans are hotels, has caused yet more again, we’ll go through this Inter, two points behind lead- with the return trip next week. unbeaten in their last six league chaos before the year’s first again. ers Milan, can provisionally pull Inter need a win against meetings at home against Inter tennis Grand Slam, which has “We have three and a half ahead of their city rivals who host 11th-placed Fiorentina to keep who last won at the Stadio Arte- already been delayed three weeks of tennis to play and lowly Crotone on Sunday. their push for a first league title mio Franchi in February 2014.— weeks over coronavirus prob- we’ll go in as scheduled.”— Behind the Milan teams since 2010 on track before a tough AFP lems. But Tiley said the Open AFP