SUCCESS OF FARM MECHANIZATION KEY TO BRINGING OPPORTUNITIES TO FARMERS PAGE 8 OPINION

NATIONAL NATIONAL Pilgrims peacefully visit pagodas Tatmadaw arranges transport for across nation 70 quarantine-completed „shers PAGE 2 PAGE 2

Vol. VII, No. 342, 12 th Waxing of Tabaung 1382 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Wednesday, 24 March 2021 Announcement of Union Election Commission 21 March 2021

1. Regarding the Multiparty General Election held on 8 November 2020, the Union Election Commission has inspected the voter lists and on the ground with- drawal/receipt/use/remaining of ballot papers of 44 townships (except Cocogyun) in the Yangon Region. 2. According to the inspection findings, the previous election commission released 6,135,581 eligible voters in 44 townships of the Yangon Region. The list of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population in November 2020 showed 3,978,934 eligible voters who had turned 18. The voter lists mentioned that there were 747,099 citizens, associate citizens, naturalized citizens, and non-identity voters, 11,070 persons repeated on the voter lists more than three times and 269,412 persons repeated on the voter lists two times. 3. Findings in the inspection were as follows: SEE PAGE6 Information Team of State Administration Council meets media at 3/2021 press conference

THE Information Team of the State Administration Council held a 3/2021 press conference at the Ministry of Information yesterday afternoon, and Brig- Gen Zaw Min Tun, member of the Union Election Commis- sion and representatives of de- partmental information team replied to queries raised by media. Leader of the Information Team Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun clarified the situation of the State Administration Council to assume State duty because of voting frauds and vote-rigging in the 2020 election across the nation, neglecting the requests of the Tatmadaw to solve prob- lems of voting frauds under the law in accord with the practice of democracy but now empha- sizing negotiation, the trans- Press conference of the Information Team of the State Administration Council 3/2021 is in progress in Nay Pyi Taw on 23 March 2021. formation of peaceful protests to riots, then to anarchic mobs fire to schools three times, the tracks two times. Destruction machinery factories, one elec- to 19 March. Tens of thousands and rebellion, destruction of six bridge once, ATM and banks of railroads which play a key tronic factory, one fertilizer of workers and dependents be- public-owned offices, 30 police two times, communication tow- role in transportation, was very plant, one bag factory, one pol- came jobless. Fire trucks were stations, 12 police outposts and ers, once, fire stations once, dangerous for the State. yethylene bag factory and one violently barred not to leave the five buildings in 30 townships vehicles four times, houses two In Yangon Region, 10 gar- polystyrene foam factory total- stations. in riotous rebellion, setting times, shops two times and rail ment factories, two garment ling 17 were set on fire from 14 SEE PAGE3

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL MoHS holds meeting Four kinds of oertories, Venerable Sayadaws, Detainees from Angry protestors on opening of day meals donated to government sta, Shwepyitha and attack security postgraduate medical monasteries, nunneries, locals receive COVID19 Hlinethaya riots given forces in courses religious teaching centres vaccines respective sentences Mandalay PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 5 PAGE 7 PAGE 11 24 MARCH 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Nine Objectives

1. Political aairs sectors of the economy as well (a) Building of a Union based on democracy and federalism in practising genuine (b) Stability of market economy and inviting international investments to develop disciplined multiparty democracy in a full fairness manner the economy of entire ethnic people (B) Emphasizing of restoration of eternal peace for the entire nation in line with (c) Encouragement of local businesses to create employment opportunities to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) be able to produce many products of the State (c) Continuous practising of the “principle” of peaceful co-existence among countries by holding up the independent, active and non-aligned foreign 3. Social aairs policy (a) For ensuring of dynamism of Union spirit which is genuine patriotic spirit (b) Following customs and traditions of all ethnic nationalities and preservation 2. Economic aairs and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national characters (a) Further development of production based on agriculture and livestock (c) Enhancement of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation breeding through modern techniques and all-round development of other

Five future programmes of State Administration Council

1. The Union Election Commission will be reconstituted to carry out tasks that should be done, including inspection of voting lists in accordance with the law. 2. Effective measures will be taken for the prevention of current infectious COVID-19 with added momentum. 3. Efforts will be made to recover businesses that faced loss caused by COVID-19 in various ways as quickly as possible. 4. Emphasis will be placed on restoring eternal peace in the entire nation in line with agreements from the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) as much as possible. 5. When missions will be accomplished in accord with provisions of the state of emergency, a free and fair multiparty democracy election will be held in accordance with the Constitution (2008), and further tasks will be undertaken to hand over State duty to the winning party meeting the standards of democracy.

Pilgrims peacefully visit pagodas Tatmadaw arranges across nation transport for 70 quarantine- completed fishers

TATMADAW officials arranged of the Regional Disaster Man- transport for a total of 70 fish- agement Department U Than ermen who have completed Soe and officials greeted them. their quarantine period in the According to the instruc- COVID-19 Quarantine Centre tions of the Chairman of the in Hline Township, Yangon Re- State Administration Council gion, yesterday. Commander-in-Chief of De- Yangon Region Adminis- fence Services, the fishers tration Council Chairman U were brought back from An- Hla Soe, Commander of the daman Island, India, by Tat- Yangon command Major Gen- madaw navy vessels. — MNA eral Nyunt Win Swe, Director

Devotees are seen worshipping at Shwedagon Pagoda.

ALTHOUGH the pagodas, in- and visitors, including monks health rules. Moreover, Islam- cluding buildings or temples of and nuns, visit the Shwedagon ic religious schools, Churches other religions, were temporar- of Yangon Region, Maha Muni and Hindu temples across the ily closed during the COVID-19 Pagoda of Mandalay Region nation are also reopened under pandemic, all were reopened as and Uppatasanti Pagoda of the COVID-19 health rules, and per the COVID-19 health rules Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and the people of respective religions starting 8 February. other pagodas of regions and peacefully do their religious af- Meanwhile, the pilgrims states following the COVID-19 fairs. —MNA Returnee shers are seen receiving treatments at the military hospital. 24 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3

MNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNNMNM MNM It is also essential to serve the country’s interest MNM

MNM without corruption MNM

IN questioning people from the NLD, we treat them properly. Some of their revelations during the process have been announced. At the NN same time, there are plans to announce further revelations. Action will be taken against responsible officials at the state, region and union NN levels involved in corruption. It is also essential to serve the country’s interest without corruption when the SAC is discharging duties. N N N N N (Excerpt from the speech to the 6/2021 meeting of the State Administration Council made by N N the Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman N N N

N Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 16 March 2021) N N N MNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNMMNN Information Team of State Administration Council meets media at 3/2021 press conference

FROM PAGE1 peace and tranquillity and the A total of five police mem- rule of law and incitements to bers fell, and 163 members were cause riots. Media blacked out injured in the violent attacks the events with one-sided pres- while four Tatmadaw members entations of setting fire by riot- fell and one family member was ers, killing persons identified as dead. A total of 33 men and two informers in firing tyres, killing women were killed in identifying persons by breaking their eyes them as informers. So, 44 per- and torturing to kill a woman sons were dead and 163 persons who innocently did her liveli- injured in the violent attacks. hood. The clarification was used Moreover, social punishment with a Power Point presentation was committed with shaving and video clips. heads, hanging placards on Member of the Union Elec- necks and tattooing faces. Those tion Commission U Khin Maung rioters committed firing at se- Oo explained tasks of the cur- curity forces, attacking police rent Union Election Commis- stations and destroying evi- sion, voting frauds before and dences intentionally. Weapons after the 2020 election, events and equipment used in violent of putting pressure to cause attacks were found from various Media persons are viewing riot equipment used in the violent attacks. voting frauds, the inspection of areas. Some persons were dead voter lists, talks of those who the law and said, “Democracy saw pressure imposed for caus- is based on the wish of the ma- ing voting fraud in the election jority, but such wish must be and those who were ordered to authentic with honest politics. commit such acts with the use If the wish of the majority is not of video clips and evidence. honest, it is difficult to identify UEC member U Khin such politics is of democracy”. Maung Oo, Leader of Informa- With regard to events of riot- tion Team of the State Admin- ous protests, the Senior Gener- istration Council Brig-Gen Zaw al said, “It was seen that some Min Tun and representatives incite the youths to commit the of departmental information acts against nationality, lan- teams replied to queries raised guage, religion and culture so as by media. to cause violence and riots and Those attending the press these attempts are dangerous conference viewed round facts for the State.” As such, youths about the press conference, en- need to review their futures and deavours of the current UEC, aims and notice incitements and the inspection of voter lists, nec- Display panel at the press conference. acts of politicians to push them essary documents, seized home- into troubles. made arms and equipment. and injured in riotous attacks. Chairman of the State Ad- cogyun in Yangon Region last Some media intentionally The press conference was Some innocent patients were ministration Council Command- week cordially met with officers, incite and publish misinforma- also attended by reporters from dead due to a lack of opportunity er-in-Chief of Defence Services other ranks and families of local tion despite having responsibili- local news agencies, daily news- to receive medical treatment be- Senior General Min Aung Hlaing battalions and explained Tat- ties to write news under the cor- papers, local TV broadcasting cause health staff did not abide on his tour of Myeik and Kyunsu madaw’s dutiful serving State rect and bilateral views, avoid stations and local-based foreign by ethics. of Taninthayi Region and Co- responsibilities in accord with presentations harming State news agencies. —MNA 24 MARCH 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR MoHS holds meeting on opening of postgraduate medical courses

THE Ministry of Health and who attended the meeting are fessionals. scrutinize to prevent wastage to reward medical profession- Sports held the coordination not only medical professionals He added the opening of of state budget regarding finan- als who are working in medical meeting on the opening of post- but also civil service personnel postgraduate medical cours- cial matters, teaching matters, universities and those involved graduate medical courses at and professors, they have to obey es in the 2021 academic year, staffing and construction issues in medical treatment activities medical universities yesterday the codes of ethics. which was postponed due to the to reopen medical universities as per their ranks starting from morning in Nay Pyi Taw, and Un- He also urged them to work outbreak of COVID-19 disease as soon as possible. coming April. ion Minister Dr Thet Khine Win together to guide their students and coordination with the Min- He urged to arrange for the The meeting was also at- addressed the meeting. based on the experience of those istry of Education for university civil service personnel who are tended by officials from the The Union Minister said who have successfully attend- admission as the results of the absent from the hospital, office or Human Resource Department medical professionals have been ed local and international post- matriculation examination had departments for various reasons of the Ministry of Health and working for the continuous devel- graduate courses so that they do been released. to return to work, adding that Sports, rectors and vice-rectors opment of Myanmar’s medical not go astray and guide them to He said it is necessary to special coordination is under- from associated medical univer- field. He continued as the rectors become proficient medical pro- compile a list of university and way with relevant departments sities.—MNA Military hospitals continue providing healthcare to civilians

MILITARY hospitals in the 2259 cases are done in caesar- townships of regions and ean section and 3415 cases in states keep providing medi- ordinary delivery. cal treatments to the people Officials from the respec- to solve their healthcare ser- tive commands also provided vices difficulties. A total of 89, the patients with foods, and 551 outpatients and 4,002 inpa- medical workers were pro- tients reached these hospitals vided with cash assistance.— from 5 February to date. MNA Senior medical experts, medics and nurses have con- ducted 4,120 major operations A local seen receiving and 2,193 minor operations. healthcare services The senior doctors treat se- provided by Tatmadaw rious cases. These hospitals medical corps at the public managed for the birth of 5,674 hospital in Latpadan. babies while bringing 5,674 pregnant women to the respec- tive military hospitals. Of those Military medical corps provide healthcare in township hospitals

THE Tatmadaw medical teams services difficulties in Thazi Officials from respective comprising Tatmadaw doctors, Township Hospital, Hanza commands also inspected the specialists, and nurses, have hospital, Yinmabin hospital, hospitals’ medical services. been providing necessary med- Tagaung Hospital in Thabeik- They comforted the patients by ical treatments to the patients kyin Township, Sintgaing hospi- providing food aids and neces- in military hospitals and public tal in Kyaukse township, Yintaw sary things. Locals are report- hospitals. hospital in Pyawbwe township, edly satisfied with the medical The Tatmadaw medical Welaung hospital in Taungtha support of Tatmadaw. — MNA team continued to provide Township, People’s hospital healthcare services such as sur- in Kyaukpadaung Township, Tatmadaw medical team seen gery, dental and oral healthcare, People’s Hospital in Kyaukta- providing healthcare services osteoporosis, obstetrics, otorhi- ga Township, Donzayit hospi- at the military hospital in nolaryngology, gynaecology, hy- tal in Shwegyin Township and Mawlamyine. pertension and heart disease People’s hospital in Latpadan to the patients in healthcare township yesterday. Security measures conducted to ensure community peace

TATMADAW, Police Force and Fire Bri- members also jointly conduct security gade jointly conducted security measures measures for the peaceful night and com- to ensure the State’s stability, security of munity peace in respective regions and people, the rule of law and community states and keep serving security measures peace starting 14 February night. the whole day.—MNA Tatmadaw, police and fire brigade

A convoy of patrol vehicles is seen serving security measures at night. 24 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 Four kinds of offertories, Venerable Sayadaws, day meals donated to government staff, locals receive monasteries, nunneries, religious teaching centres COVID-19 vaccines

OFFICERS, other ranks and and Buddhist learning centres service personnel from Tat- in Taunggyi, Kunhing, Mong- madaw (Army, Navy and Air) hsat, Mawlamyine, Thaton, donate rice, cooking oil, salt, Hlaingbwe, Hlegu, Kawhmu, gram and other offerings as Sittway, MraukU and Taungoo well as day meals to monas- and day meals to 15 monaster- teries, nunneries and religious ies and nunneries in Mawlamy- teaching centres for ensuring ine, Pathein, Sittway, MraukU, smooth arrangements for alms Patheingyi, Pyigyitagon and in townships of respective mil- Taungoo. itary commands. Moreover, Tatmadaw medical teams health care services are also performed medical checkups provided. on members of the Sangha, Today, commanders and nuns and local people from officials offered four kinds of Kounghsan, Wamhongpang and offerings, medical supplies Maiknyaung monasteries in for COVID-19 prevention and Wamhong Village of Monghsat offertories to 13 monasteries in Shan State (East). — MNA

Sayadaws are seen getting COVID vaccine jabs.

TATMADAW provides medi- On 22 and 23 March, the gon Region, Ayeyawady Re- cal supplies to their relevant department staff and locals of gion, Sagaing Region and Bago military commands by planes Lashio and Laukkai in North- Region also received the COV- to keep launching COVID-19 ern Shan State received COV- ID-19 vaccine. vaccination programmes in ID-19 vaccines. Likewise, the The commanders of re- each military command for venerable Sayadaws, depart- spective region commands in- venerable Sayadaws, the el- mental staff and residents spected the medical services derly persons at the age of over from the townships of south- for the local populace and paid 65, departmental staff and res- ern and eastern Shan State, homage to the Sayadaws.— A monk is seen receiving oertories donated by the Tatmadaw. idents. Kayah State, Mon State, Yan- MNA Briefing ceremony on strategy development for ethnic rights held THE Ministry of Ethnic Affairs year. In formulating the strategy, held the briefing ceremony on the policy of the government. The the development of a strategy for Union Minister said it also needs the rights of Myanmar’s ethnic to be in line with the policies and nationalities yesterday morning goals of the State Government. in accordance with the COVID-19 He said the government is prevention rules. committed to building a demo- At the ceremony, the Union cratic federal union as well as Minister said his ministry would national reconciliation and peace coordinate with the Ministry of and it is well known that ethnic Education to give priority to issues play an important role in local people and allow them to achieving peace. receive higher salaries regard- He stressed his ministry ing the appointment of Teaching must work effectively to achieve Assistants (TA) and Language the national goals of the Union Teacher (LT). He continued his Government, and he called for the ministry will coordinate with rel- final drafting of the strategy and evant ministries regarding the its successful implementation Union Minister U Saw Tun Aung Myint presides over the brieng ceremony on ethnic rights yesterday. verification of ethnic nationality within ten years from 2021 to 2030. in applying for the national identi- The ceremony was attend- ty card. He added the importance The strategic goal that is tainable and Balanced Develop- essential strategy for ethnic ed by Union Minister for Ethnic of formulating and implementing being drafted is to ensure that ment Plan in accordance with nationalities to enjoy their legal Affairs U Saw Tun Aung Myint, necessary policies and visions in all ethnic groups enjoy equal the Objectives of the Law for the rights and development. It is Deputy Minister U Zaw Aye the ministry to have a strategy citizenship rights, to have full Protection of the Rights of Ethnic hoped that the development gap Maung, the Permanent Secre- as a roadmap for the ministry to access to constitutional rights Nationalities. will be narrowed as the strategic tary, Directors General and offi- achieve its goals. and to Achieve Myanmar’s Sus- It was found that it was an role can be implemented year by cials. — MNA 24 MARCH 2021 6 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Announcement of Union Election Commission 21 March 2021

FROM PAGE1 Findings on township-wise voting list of Yangon Region

21 Thanlyin 229 222,275 176,454 33,635 675 13,844 22 Kyauktan 192 132,208 113,651 18,017 118 4,656 23 Hmayby 175 199,474 109,910 26,280 688 13,102 24 Pabedan 26 25,408 31,449 597 12 718 Sr Township 25 Sangyoung 52 81,775 73,541 506 18 2,228 list 26 Kayan 204 128,116 141,538 25,836 154 6,024

department 27 Kawhmu 161 98,678 76,055 10,565 217 5,400 Polling station Polling scrutiny cards holding one CSC 28 Dala 182 130,599 107,488 30,179 433 8,384 list more than three List from Immigration list without citizenship times holding one CSC Those involved in voter Those involved in voter Those involved in voting list more than two times 29 Yankin 53 56,028 33,383 1,934 67 1,934 Township Sub-commission Township 30 North Okkalapa 238 273,481 127,355 23,763 837 16,828 1 Hlinethaya (East) 349 362,585 122,546 72,288 372 13378 31 Botahtaung 38 33,288 2,5327 712 6 324 2 Kyauktada 28 23,984 25,776 336 488 32 Hlinethaya (West) 287 278,219 139,314 52,925 235 8,058 3 Tamway 123 127,107 97,083 2,991 109 4854 33 Kungangon 180 89,932 87,007 15,768 178 4,372 4 Mingaladon 136 288,522 150,407 27,386 790 17482 34 Taikkyi 216 216,133 190,785 41,806 199 8,020 5 Lanmadaw 22 34,044 23,544 625 6 754 35 Thingangyun 139 184,485 88,665 16,544 80 4,626 6 Latha 18 17,863 20,391 149 188 36 Dagon Myothit 128 162,634 52,141 30,794 78 4,912 7 Mayangon 121 158,898 101,475 9,768 24 2078 (Seikkan) 8 Htantabin 119 140,760 70,792 20,059 291 7276 37 Dagon Myothit 171 151,978 59,511 19,905 201 6,220 9 Insein 196 237,230 177,687 17,440 255 9054 (East) 10 Dawbon 63 70,753 58,708 7,746 39 2084 38 Dagon Myothit 154 166,352 65,057 10,367 81 4,162 11 Hlegu 130 224,541 94,996 43,274 507 11622 (North) 12 South Okkalapa 124 136,155 136,224 5,234 74 3622 39 Twantay 384 174,441 135,079 23,372 558 12,284 13 Kyimyindine 71 88,180 60,231 10,674 157 3900 40 Ahlon 28 38,460 34,375 1,337 470 14 Pazundaung 26 35,871 27,390 521 18 1030 41 Dagon Myothit 221 299,768 130,682 47,396 485 13,086 15 Hline 87 141,442 100,750 6,145 126 5346 (South) 16 Kamayut 37 70,999 62,956 1,505 40 2322 42 Mingala Taungnyunt 77 10,4037 66,997 5,941 182 4,880 17 Dagon 13 21,004 20,943 373 3 328 43 Shwepyitha 123 313,783 235,473 45,053 2,417 24,944 18 Seikkyi/Khanaungto 35 26,055 25,574 3,651 6 404 44 Thongwa 175 126,063 123,799 21,172 96 3,564 19 Thakayta 211 174,751 139,647 11,119 235 8860 44 townships 5,807 6,135,581 3,978,934 747,099 11,070 269,412 20 Bahan 65 67,222 36,778 1,411 3 1302

4. The Union Election Commission has inspected the withdrawal/receipt/use/remaining numbers of ballot papers used for Pyithu Hluttaw Election of 44 townships (ex- cept Cocogyun) in Yangon Region, together with the respective township election sub-commission, head of police force, Immigration and Population and administrator according to Section 53 of the Hluttaw Election Law. 5. There are a total of 5,807 polling stations in 44 townships, and 6,687,638 ballots withdrawn, 4,084,281 ballot receipts, 2,603,357 ballots in exact remaining, and 2,336,870 ballots remaining on the ground. There are differences – 357,937 missing and 91,450 extra ballots. It was found that there were township-wise missing and extra ballots as well as constituency-wise illegally-printed ballot papers.

On the ground inspections on township-wise ballot papers

Difference 24 Sangyoung 52 86,563 48,662 37,901 30,544 9,517 2,160 25 Kayan 204 149,266 100,499 48,767 45,437 5,807 2,477 26 Kawhmu 161 114,822 78,268 36,554 35,259 1,891 596 Sr Township ing

Used 27 Dala 182 146,093 91,526 54,567 50,352 4,452 237 stations Extra Missing the ground 28 Yankin 53 63,689 36,704 26,985 23,111 4,224 350 Withdrawal Total polling Total Remaining on Exact remain - 29 North Okkalapa 238 297,657 177,176 120,481 107,617 27,398 14,534 1 Kyauktada 28 26,304 15,055 11,249 11,039 306 96 30 Botahtaung 38 36,146 23,229 12,917 12,530 574 187 2 Tamway 123 140,314 78,758 61,556 55,804 11,745 5,993 31 Hlinethaya 287 299,006 146,322 152,684 133,672 19,012 3 Mingaladon 136 294,008 162,656 131,352 114,091 21,522 4,261 (West) 4 Lanmadaw 22 38,888 19,920 18,968 17,795 1,183 10 32 Kungyangon 180 106,208 68,993 37,215 34,055 3,679 519 5 Latha 18 20,483 10,930 9,553 9,389 249 85 33 Hlinethaya 349 383,482 179,149 204,333 186,092 18,911 670 6 Mayangon 121 178,470 111,448 67,022 66,389 633 (East) 7 Htantabin 119 147,433 104,454 42,979 42,158 2,336 1,515 34 Taikkyi 216 241,204 171,211 69,993 61,954 8,039 8 Insein 196 261,350 165,510 95,840 82,806 16,526 3,492 35 Thingungyun 139 203,738 127,973 75,765 74,001 1,764 9 Dawbon 63 78,087 44,600 33,487 30,620 3,461 594 36 Dagon Myothit 128 170,628 90,786 79,842 64,978 20,483 5,619 10 Hlegu 130 241,265 160,476 80,789 64,837 21,960 6,008 (Seikkan) 11 South Okkalapa 124 151,195 98,155 53,040 48,707 4,986 653 37 Dagon Myothit 171 160,037 99,995 60,042 53,376 11,758 5,092 (East) 12 Kyimyindine 71 96,283 62,257 34,026 31,254 3,455 683 38 Dagon Myothit 154 183,687 116,179 67,508 58,317 11,980 2,789 13 Pazundaung 26 39,987 23,001 16,986 16,161 1,378 553 (North) 14 Hline 87 149,215 91,320 57,895 53,044 7,936 3,085 39 Twantay 384 207,880 142,047 65,833 60,000 9,614 3,781 15 Kamayut 37 70,490 43,992 26,498 25,487 2,816 1,805 40 Ahlon 28 40,937 26,245 14,692 13,899 1,226 433 16 Dagon 13 22,252 15,663 6,589 6,167 537 115 41 Dagon Myothit 221 323,286 197,719 125,567 112,448 14,539 1,420 17 Seikkyi/ 35 29,707 21,079 8,628 8,814 392 578 (South) Khanaungto 42 Mingala Taung- 77 114,327 64,410 49,917 45,927 4,811 821 18 Thakayta 211 196,178 120,130 76,048 62,691 19,539 6,182 nyunt 19 Bahan 65 72,447 42,636 29,811 21,741 9,021 951 43 Shwepyitha 123 326,951 182,352 144,599 123,932 26,574 5,907 20 Thanlyin 229 242,389 157,886 84,503 77,447 8,032 976 44 Thonegwa 175 144,366 97,599 46,767 45,519 1,248 21 Kyauktan 192 151,468 102,221 49,247 44,118 6,511 1,382 44 townships 5,807 6,687,638 4,084,281 2,603,357 2,336,870 357,937 91,450 22 Hmawby 175 211,903 149,500 62,403 61,509 5,649 4,755 23 Pabedan 26 27,549 15,590 11,959 11,782 263 86 24 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 7

6. According to the inspection of 44 townships (except Cocogyun) in Yangon Region, (f)The ward/village-tract election sub-commissions had returned the ballots and the voter lists of the township election sub-commission exceeded by 2,156,647 used receipts to the township election sub-commissions only after the election. those of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population’s eligible voters who (g) It was found that the names of voters, the voter list, the number of polling sta- had turned 18, citizens, associate citizens, naturalized citizens, and voters under tions, the names of ward/village-tract, and voter’s signature or fingerprint were Section 6(a) of the relevant Hluttaw Election Law. not filled in the receipts of ballot papers for advance voting. 7. It was inspected that there were 747,099 non-identity voters. Though Section 15(c) (h) There were massive numbers of the voting list without citizenship scrutiny of Chapter VI of the relevant Hluttaw Election Law provides, “Whoever has the cards, and they had voted only with the temporary certificate. right to vote in any constituency shall not be included in the voting roll of any (i) It was found that the collection of advance voting was not in conformity with constituency other than that of the constituency concerned at the same time”, it the law. was found that there included 11,070 repeated voters for three times and above (j) Upon the reason for the COVID-19 health directives, collection of the voting and 269,412 for two times in the Yangon Region. Thus, the voting roll of the Yangon list and advance voting were carried out at the approaching time of election by Region was not in conformity with the law. announcing new directives that were not in conformity with the law. 8. The following are on the ground inspection findings in 44 townships (except Coc- 9. It was found that the voting list (except Cocogyun) under inspection showed ogyun) of Yangon Region: there were errors that were contrary to the law. There were shortages, losses or (a) Though there were 4,186,853 voters and 4,084,281 ballot papers were used, missings and illegal extra ballot papers on the ground. Ballot papers were illegally 102,572 ballots were in shortage. printed as they should be done at exact numbers constituency-wise according to (b) There were differences between withdrawal and use of the ballot papers, and the law. The names of voters, signatures or fingerprints, the voter lists, the num- 357,937 were missing. bers of polling stations, and the names of wards/village-tracts were not filled in. (c) There were 91,450 extra ballot papers at some polling stations. It was also scrutinized that ballot papers exceeded eligible voter lists. Thus, it is (d) The ward/village-tract election sub-commissions failed to return the receipts announced that all these are not in conformity with the relevant Hluttaw election of advance voting ballots and extra ballot papers. law and rules. (e) There remained ballot papers and used receipts at the hands of ward/vil- Union Election Commission lage-tract election sub-commissions.

Detainees from Shwepyitha and Hlinethaya riots given respective sentences ACCORDING to the Myanmar Police Force’s state- ment, those arrested during the riots in Shwepyitha and Hlinethaya townships in Yangon Region were given respective sentences. Aung Pyae Phyo, son of U Hla Myint; Sein Thaung, son of U Hla Myint; Soe Than, son of U Hla Win; Tin Tun, son of U Soe Thein; Kyaw Thet, son of U Tin Win, were respectively detained for carrying sharp knives and dangerous weapons during the riots in Hlinethaya Township happened from 14 to 18 March. After a military tribunal investigated them, they were respectively sentenced to 3 years in prison with punitive labour due to the possession of any weapon without the right to possess it under the provisions of Section 19 (e) of the Arms Act (1878) on 19 March. Similarly, Min Htet (a) Linn Htet Paing, son of U Than Tun and Hla Win, son of U Sein Maung, arrested for burning Solamoda garment factory on 16 March in Shwepyitha, were sentenced to 20 years in prison with labour under Section 436 of the Penal Code for committing arson. Aung Tun (a) Sarmi, Aung Thet Paing (a) Pijay and Win Ko Ko were sentenced to 3 years in prison with labour under Section 414 of the Penal Code for buying items stolen from Myanmar Hong Bao Me- chanical Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd on 14 March. Kyaw Thein Win (a) Ko Ko Win, Thiha (a) San- shay, Yan Naing and Naing Min, who participated in the terrorist groups and incited civil service personnel to disobey the codes of conducts at work on 15, 16 and 18 March, were sentenced to 3 years in prison with labour under Section 505-A (c) of the Penal Code on 22 March. The Martial Law was declared in Hlinethaya Township, Shwepyitha Township, Dagon Myothit (North), Dagon Myothit (South), and Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township and North Okkalapa Township in Yangon Region due to the escalating terrorist attacks on garment factories and schools in the townships. Twenty-three types of crimes to be tried by mili- tary tribunals have been announced in the townships where the Martial Law was declared, and it is re- ported that effective and immediate legal action will be taken to those who commit these crimes.—MNA 24 MARCH 2021 24 MARCH 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL ARTICLE 9

Success of farm Objectives of 76th mechanization key to Inequity of COVID19 vaccines grows ‘more grotesque Anniversary Armed bringing opportunities every day’ – WHO chief Forces Day FOR the Tatmadaw to join hands with the entire nation to to farmers safeguard democracy, which is the aspiration of all the nation- HE growing gap between outrage, it’s also economically He flagged that AstraZeneca alities of the country, from deviating from its path, in accord YANMAR is facing some challenges, including a shortage the number of vaccines and epidemiologically self-defeat- is “the only company that has of farm labor, while making efforts for modernizing the Tbeing given in rich coun- ing”, he said, pointing out that committed to not profiting from with the basic principles of the Constitution, while observing Magricultural sector. There are several ways to resolve tries and those administered some nations are vaccinating low its COVID-19 vaccine during the Our Three Main National Causes, which is the national policy; farming issues. through COVAX is becoming risk, younger people at the cost pandemic” and the only vaccine To protect the people from all dangers including natural Mechanized farming is one method to overcome manual labor “more grotesque every day”, the of “health workers, older people developer that has made a sig- disasters at any time and in any situation and to provide all- shortage, which is a major problem in the country. head of the UN health agency and other at-risk groups in other nificant contribution to vaccine round assistance for ensuring social security of the people; The time is ripe to transform the country’s agricultural sector said on Monday. countries”. equity, “by licencing its technol- To restore eternal peace based on NCA, without deviat- by switching from a traditional system to mechanized farming, as “In January, I said that the And because more trans- ogy to several other companies”. part of efforts to boost the economy. world was on the brink of a cat- missions mean more variants, This includes in Korea and India, ing from Our Three Main National Causes, as the cessation Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation has expressed astrophic moral failure unless Tedros upheld that the imbal- which manufacturers are pro- of armed conflicts is the principal requirement in realizing its commitment to turning the country’s traditional agriculture into urgent steps were taken to en- ance in jabs only provides “a false ducing more than 90 per cent democracy; agricultural mechanization in sure equitable distribution of sense of security” as “the more of COVAX-distributed vaccines. To build a strong and compact Standard Army, which has cooperation with related de- vaccines”, Tedros Adhanom variants that emerge, the more Sharing vaccine technology the combat prowess and combat power, to effectively safeguard The Agricultural partments concerned. Ghebreyesus, Director-General likely it is that they will evade “We need more vaccine pro- the State peace and stability and sovereignty. With agricultural mech- of the World Health Organization vaccines”. ducers to follow this example and Mechanization anization services rising, the (WHO) told journalists at a reg- “As long as the virus contin- license their technology to oth- government is encouraging ular news briefing. ues to circulate anywhere, people er companies”, underscored the ` Department existing 135 groups providing “We have the means to avert will continue to die, trade and The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is geared to support UN partners in ensuring fair and equitable WHO chief. Myanmar Daily Weather Report agricultural mechanization ser- this failure, but it’s shocking how travel will continue to be disrupt- access to COVID19 vaccines (COVAX). PHOTO: UN He noted that a year ago, (Issued at 7:00 pm Tuesday 23 March 2021) has opened vices to form a conglomerate little has been done to avert it”, ed, and the economic recovery Costa Rica and WHO had BAY INFERENCE: Weather is partly cloudy over the An- and cooperatives. Meanwhile, he added, noting that WHO has will be further delayed”, he tion, it is of limited use if coun- to vaccine manufacturers on how following reassurances from top launched a mechanism called daman Sea and South Bay and a few cloud elsewhere over frontline camps the ministry has pledged to pro- been working “day and night to spelled out. tries do not work together to sup- to ramp up production, includ- regulators. On Monday, a large the COVID-19 Technology Access the Bay of Bengal. vide administration, financial find solutions to increase the Last Friday, WHO hosted a press transmission “everywhere ing the CEO of a AstraZeneca, study in the United States, Chile Pool or C-TAP, designed precise- FORECAST VALID UNTIL NOON OF THE 24 March and provides management to the coopera- production and equitable distri- meeting on enhancing genomic at the same time”. manufacturer of the Oxford Uni- and Peru, reportedly showed that ly to promote an “open-science 2021: Rain or thundershowers are likely to be isolated in Bago, tives to ensure they can operate bution of vaccines”. sequencing of the coronavirus, “If countries won’t share versity-AstraZeneca shots which the vaccine was 79% effective in model”, where licensing would Yangon, Ayeyawady, Taninthayi Regions and Shan (South in full swing. ‘False sense of security’ to better monitor its evolution in vaccines for the right reasons, were temporarily suspended by preventing the illness and 100% occur “in a non-exclusive, trans- and East), Kayah, Kayin, Mon States. Degree of certainty is ploughing services Besides, plans are under- The WHO chief pointed out the face of the many mutations we appeal to them to do it out of a group of countries, mainly in effective against severe symp- parent manner, to leverage as (60%). Weather will be partly cloudy in the remaining regions way to conduct trainings on ag- that while some countries are that are raising international self-interest”, he said. Europe, amid concerns over toms and hospitalization. much manufacturing capacity as and states. at reasonable ricultural machine operation vaccinating their entire popula- concern. AstraZeneca equity commit- blood-clotting statistics. “These data are further possible. So far, C-TAP remains a STATE OF THE SEA: Seas will be moderate in Myanmar for those who completed the tions, others have no shots. Tedros said that while know- ment Germany, France, Italy and evidence that the Oxford-As- highly promising, but under-uti- waters. Wave height will be about (4-7) feet off and along prices, along with agro science institute and tech- “The inequitable distribution ing when, how and where the Tedros also informed the Spain, are among those who have traZeneca vaccine is safe and lized tool.” Myanmar Coasts. nical schools and the trainings of vaccines is not just a moral virus is evolving, is vital informa- journalists that he had spoken begun using the vaccine again effective”, Tedros said. SOURCE: UN News OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood mechanic services will guarantee them to operate of slight increase of day temperatures in Sagaing Region and the machine in the field. Kachin, Shan, Chin States. for agricultural The Agricultural Mechani- Women ‘systematically excluded’ from COVID response, despite being worst affected zation Department has opened machinery owned frontline camps and provides ploughing services at reasona- to address the impacts of the pan- have urged governments to safe- 2021, only 13 per cent of the 2,280 ble prices, along with mechanic demic”, said UNDP chief Achim guard women’s equal participation COVID-19 fiscal, social protection, by farmers. services for agricultural ma- Steiner. in the COVID-19 response along and labour market measures have chinery owned by farmers. Citing “eye-opening new with equal decision-making pow- targeted women’s economic se- These steps are leading to the agricultural mechanization which data”, he underscored: “Women’s ers and leadership opportunities. curity. is also an important tool in crop production. Farmers who have full and inclusive participation in “It is inconceivable that we And measures that have been access to improved tools and technologies have the opportunity to public institutions is critical to en- can address the most discrimi- taken – from cash transfers and shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented farming. sure their needs are adequately natory crisis we have ever expe- food aid targeting or prioritising Theoretically, delivering mechanized solutions and providing addressed in the pivotal decisions rienced without full engagement women – have often been small training to farming cooperatives on equipment, business systems, now being made – these are choic- of women”, said UN Women chief scale and temporary. and soil management can help us raise the living standards of es that will determine their futures Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. For example, one year into farmers. for generations to come”. “At the moment, men have the pandemic, most of the cash However, modern processing machinery and technologies Gender lens needed given themselves the impossible transfer schemes lasted only 3.3 are beyond our farmers’ means. There are many other obstacles, For an effective COVID-19 re- task of making the right decisions months, on average. including lack of storage facilities. sponse, policies and programmes about women without the benefit of The UN agencies stressed Modernizing the agriculture sector is the fastest way to reduce UNFPA trains health care workers and sta† of one-stop centres on crisis counselling and other services. PHOTO: must include a “gender lens”, the women’s insights. This needs to be that fiscal packages must include UN WOMEN the incidence of poverty, tackle labor shortage, enhance labor ca- UN agencies said. set right without delay so we can “long-term specific measures to pacity, and increase efficiency. OTWITHSTANDING Women have suffered the (UNDP) and the Gender Inequali- Without women in deci- work together on a future that is boost women’s recovery”. Mechanized farming can not only help resolve labor shortage that women make up 70 worst impacts of COVID not only ty Research Lab at the University sion-making roles, government equitable, gender-responsive and Expand services by making the workers that remain much more productive, it can Nper cent of healthcare on the frontlines of healthcare, but of Pittsburgh. measures are more likely to ignore greener”, she added. Governments’ gender-related also ensure a stable quantity and quality of production. This means workers globally, and have been also through the loss of jobs as The data reveals that of 225 women’s needs and could further Economic recovery gaps COVID-19 efforts continue to focus a better and more stable income for farmers. most affected by the COVID-19 the informal economy shrinks; an COVID-19 task forces up and run- exacerbate an unequal recovery The COVID-19 Global Gen- mostly on the uptick of violence Practising modernized farming with machinery and shifting pandemic, they are also being alarming spike in domestic vio- ning across 137 countries, only 24 that is already threatening to der Response Tracker tool, which against women and girls during from traditional to modern agricultural practices with the use of “systematically excluded” from lence; and the unpaid care burden per cent of members were women. reverse decades of progress on analyses government pandemic the pandemic, according to Track- technology, information, and communications technology for pro- decision-making processes aimed that threatens to push 47 million “Women have been on the gender equality. policies, has pinpointed gaps in er data – with some 64 per cent duction and marketing would ensure that a new generation returns at ending the pandemic, includ- additional women into extreme frontlines of the COVID-19 re- Against the backdrop that 32 economic recovery processes that concentrating on preventing or to the farmland. ing government-run task forces poverty, said a report published sponse…however, they have been countries have registered gen- have excluded women-specific responding with helplines, shelters Good production would mean good income for farmers. We need around the world, according to the on Monday by UN Women, the systematically excluded from the der-sensitive pandemic recovery needs. and judicial actions. to create opportunities for them. head of UN Women. UN Development Programme decision-making processes on how measures, UNDP and UN Women It flagged that as of March SOURCE: UN News 24 MARCH 2021 10 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Press release for public information

COMMITTEE Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw-CRPH illegally formed with (9) Lwin Ko Latt must be assigned to submit the charter issue in detail at the committing high treason and the groups formed by the committee were declared meeting before NUCC. as unlawful associations on 21 March 2021. (10) CRPH members must hold a meeting to apply the consistently response tactic According to the report sent by a duty-conscientious person, CRPH members of media for the Bengali issue. held an online meeting at 9 am on 22-3-2021. The decisions of the meeting were as (11) Phyu Phyu Thin and Lwin Ko Latt must be assigned to seek ways and means follows: for collecting and spending funds in Myanmar. (1) Zaw Wai Soe must soonest send his replies to queries raised by the VOA news (12) Win Myat Aye must be assigned to release the work process of the Ministry of agency at the interview. Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. (2) Htin Lin Aung must draft the proposal for NED to raise the fund. (13)Temporary vice-president Mahn Win Khaing Than must release a letter to thank (3) CRPH needs to decide the soonest release of the letter for pension for the aged. 47 members of the Sangha from the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee for (4) Lwin Ko Latt must release the cabinet protocol on 21-3-2021. closing their offices. (5) Kyaw Moe Tun must write the draft letter for enabling temporary vice-president Moreover, lawsuits have been filed against 15 leading members of the commit- Mahn Win Khaing Than to send a secret letter to the president of the United tee and those who accepted illegal assignments of the committee in accord with States of America. the existing laws, including high treason. Relevant courts have released warrants (6) Win Myat Aye and Zaw Wai Soe must meet with development partners. to arrest them. (7) CRPH members must hold a meeting on 22-3-2021 to discuss the issue of ICC As such, people are requested to inform nearby police stations about the in detail. above-mentioned persons, and action will be taken against those who admit those (8) Htin Lin Aung, Tin Tun Naing and Kyaw Moe Tun must hold a meeting on the persons under the warrants to arrest. offshore issue.

1. U Saw Shar Phong Uwa, 2. U Zay Latt, son of U 3. U Win Naing, son of U son of U Naw Htwel, 3/ Nyunt Aung, 7/Pa-Kha- Mya Maung, 1/Ma-Ta- Bha-Ah-Na (C) 169831, Na (C) 176215, CRPH Ka (C) 004809, CRPH CRPH representative representative member, representative mem- member, Ywama Ward, Ward 2 of Okta Myothit, ber, Namti, Mogaung Eindu Model Village, Bago Township Hpa-an Township

4. U Naing Htoo Aung, 5. U Myo Naing, son of U 6. Daw Myat Thida Tun, son of U Aye Swe, 9/ San Aye, 9/Ma-Ra-Ma (C) daughter of U Ngwe Na-Hta-Ka (C) 131228, 021317, CRPH represent- Myint, 10/Tha-Pha-Ra CRPH representative ative member, Seiktara- (C) 093046, CRPH member, Ward 3, Nato- mahi Ward, Chanayeth- representative member, gyi Township azan Township Satthit Ward, Thanbyu- zayat

7. Daw Phyu Phyu Thin, 8. U Tun Myint, son of U 9. U Wai Phyo Aung, son daughter of U Hla Tun, Tin Htut, 12/Ba-Ha-Na (C) of U Tin Win, 12/Tha- 12/U‘Ka-Ta (C) 108850, 086035, CRPH repre- Ka-Ta (C) 138269, CRPH CRPH representative sentative member, Bo representative member, member, Ward 7, South Sein Hman Ward, Bahan South 4 Ward, Thakayta Okkalapa Township Township Township

10. Daw Zin Mar Aung, 11. U Lwin Ko Latt, son 12. U Nay Myo (aka) U daughter of U Aung Kyi, of U Hla Win, 12/Tha-La- Win (aka) Myint Oo, 12/U‘Ka-Ta (C) 019919, Na (C) 008396, CRPH son of U Kyi, 13/Nya-Ra- CRPH representative representative member, Na (C) 057829, CRPH member, Ward 3, Thahtaykwin Village, representative member, Yankin Township Thanlyin Township Nandawun 6 Ward, Nyaungshwe Township

13. U Zaw Min Thein, son 14. U Yi Mon (aka) Maung 15. U Okkar Min, son of U of U Ngwe Shein, 14/ Tin Thit, son of U Kyaw Myint Soe, 6/Ma-Ma- La-Ma-Na (C) 053024, Swe, 9/Pa-Ma-Na (C) Na (C) 114942, CRPH CRPH representative 131895, CRPH represent- representative member, member, Zaytalay ative member, Ward 3, Theinnyinaung Road, Ward, Laymyethna Kyitaungkan, Pobbathiri Kanpya Ward, Myeik Township Township Township 24 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 11 Police seize homemade weapons

The rioters attempted to kill the security forces in some townships of regions and states. They also created weapons to use in riots. Therefore, the security forces conducted the investigation in relevant areas to take action, according to the Myanmar Police Force’s state- ment. According to the tip-off, the police raided the U Myint Tun workshop in Kawthoung at 3:45 pm on 22 March and found Rioters are arrested and riot equipment and handmade arms are seized. Zaw Myo (aka) Ko Ko Nge, aged 35, son of U Thein Myint, who lives in Pat Kalar of Shwe Hin- tha Ward of Kawthoung, and seized harpoon, stick with pipe, knives, dagger, four-finger ring buckle, jingalis, foldable knife and gas mask. Similarly, the security forces also arrested Than Lwin Oo (aka) Lwin Lwin, aged 40, son of U Si Kin Si, Aung Naing Soe, aged 20, son of U Kyaw Shwe, Kaung Kyaw Htet, aged 15, son of U Than Lwin, Aung Myo Oo, aged 18 son fo U Rioters are arrested and riot equipment and handmade arms are seized. Khin Maung Oo, Sit Phyo Paing, aged 18, son of U Zaw Naing and of Aung Win Htike on Paw Oo and Aung Zaw Myo, son of U bomb, hand speakers and other son of U Maung Bo from Hlegu Ma Juu Myat Myat Moe, aged 21, road of Aye Yeik Nyein Ward Soe Myint in Panan Village of materials in front of Shit Myat Township, was also arrested daughter of U Hla Thein at the at about 11:30 am on the same Kyaukse Township of Manda- Hnar Monastery in Sone Kone with weapons including knives, house of Than Lwin Oo located day together with handmade lay, together with gas bottles of No (4) Ward in NyaungU and spears and jingalis. on Paw Oo road of Aye Yeik Nyein air gun and other materials to and handmade air guns on 21 Myat Noe Oo, daughter of U Ye The security forces seized Ward of Kawthoung at 9 am on make weapons. March, while Zaw Moe Lwin, Htay from No (2) Ward also ar- steel shields, scabbard and 23 March together with harmful The security forces also de- son of U Aung Myint Sein from rested together with handmade other materials to be used in things such as Molotov, packages tained Kyaw Win, aged 65, son Pan Taw Pin Village of Min Hla shields at her house. riots from religious Hlaw and containing the bottles of petrol, of U Tun Ya, at his house locat- was arrested together with The security forces also ar- Twal Lat Myar Parahita’s office diesel and engine oil, gas mask, ed on Paw Oo road of Aye Yeik small weapons on 22 March, rested U Myo Kyi and his son located at the corner of Baho catapults, marbles, handmade Nyein Ward at about 12noon and Zwe Lin Pyo (aka) Ko Zwe, son U Kaung Htet Myo Kyi at their and Mya Thida streets in Mya smoke bombs and so on. Maung Maung, aged 65, son of U of U Myo Myint Thein from No house in South Okkalapa Town- Thida Ward, Pyin Ma Pin Vil- Then, the security forces Ohn Kywal, at his home at about (3) Ward of Kume Township was ship of Yangon Region togeth- lage in Mingalardon Township also arrested Aung Win Htike, 12:50 pm together with Molotov, detained yesterday morning to- er with handmade sound bomb yesterday. aged 38, son of U Aung Zaw, Nay harpoons and other materials to gether with handmade air gun made of PVC, knife, jingalis The police will take action Lin Oo, aged 27, son of U Ba create weapons. and iron balls, Thant Zin Aung, and other materials yesterday against those arrested togeth- Shwe and Yin Aung, aged 30, They arrested Su Naing son of U Bo Lay Ko also arrested morning. er with homemade weapons. son of U Bo Wa at the house Myo, daughter of U Moe Thee together with handmade smoke Likewise, U Moe Kyaw Thu, —MNA Angry protestors attack security forces in Mandalay ABOUT 150 angry protestors such a situation can cause enor- killed in Pekon, Ma Win Thandar made roadblocks and set tires on mous causalities as their officer Swe, wife of the military officer in fire on public roads on 105th street was injured. Hlinethaya Township, was also between 52nd and 53rd streets in Similarly, two police died in killed. So these cases can irk the Chanmyathazi Township of Man- Dabayin, one security force mem- security forces. If they use their dalay Region yesterday evening, ber was killed in Hninsi Housing weapons carelessly due to an- and the security forces removed of Aungmyethazan of Mandalay, ger, those who committed such these roadblocks due to the re- and four police members in Than- crimes might face causalities. port. lyin Township faced tortured, and But, the security forces When the security removed two police sergeants of Pyin Oo maintained the situation as per and dispersed the crowd in ac- Lwin, one police of Mawlamyine the directives of the State Admin- cordance with the law, the angry and another five police members istration Council, 1956 crowd and rioters attacked the security forc- of Chanmyathazi also faced bru- riot manual, 2015 crowd control es with handmade guns, sticks, talities. manual of Myanmar Police Force. knives and jingalis. Some of the Then, one acting head of Therefore, the security members, including one official Kyauktada Township police sta- forces detained 45 men partici- of security forces, were injured. tion was also killed, one police pating in the riot on 105th street During that moment, there second lieutenant died and three between 52nd and 53rd streets in were more than 100 Tatmadaw injured due to the shots by protes- Chanmyathazi Township without Riotous protesters attack security forces. men and about 100 police holding tors in Bago, four military mem- any injuries to conduct further riot control weapons. Therefore, bers, including officers, were investigations, it is learnt. —MNA 24 MARCH 2021 12 NATURE THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Paris metro operator sued over Yemen’s Socotra archipelago awaits ecotourists air pollution WITH its lush landscape, dis- turous travellers are showing tinctive trees, unique animals a growing interest in visiting A French air quality association and turquoise waters home to Socotra. has filed a complaint against the dolphins, Yemen is hoping its Many set off from the Paris metro operator accusing it Socotra archipelago will be- wealthy United Arab Emirates, of downplaying pollution risks come a dream destination de- which is close to the authorities for public transport users, who spite the country’s nightmarish that control the islands. are unwittingly exposed to dan- conflict. “Fortunately, Socotra has gerous levels of harmful com- Lying in the Indian Ocean never been affected by the pounds. some 200 kilometres (120 miles) war dynamics of the Yemeni The Respire (“Breathe”) off the Yemeni coast, the four mainland,” local travel agency group said it filed its suit in islands and two rocky islets are Welcome to Socotra told AFP. Paris on Monday after its own home to some 50,000 people “No tensions or fights have analyses at several stations, as and have remained relatively ever been reported, hence well as pollution readings by the untouched by the war that has there is no reason for tourists state-owned RATP operator, had A French air quality association has ­led a complaint against the Paris devastated the mainland. to worry.” revealed alarming levels of par- metro operator accusing it of downplaying pollution risks for public While most of Yemen is Since flights resumed with ticle pollution in recent years. transport users, who are unwittingly exposed to dangerous levels of embroiled in a conflict that a chartered Air Arabia aircraft It alleged that the RATP was harmful compounds. PHOTO: AFP erupted in 2014 between Huthi once a week from Abu Dhabi, refusing to provide commuters compounded by limited ventila- levels cited by Respire, saying rebels and the government -- the agency has received “hun- with data showing the true pol- tion as well as the braking action the organisation used portable, plus the ravages of the coro- dreds” of requests, it said. — lution risks, “which constitute on the trains’ metal wheels. non-certified measuring equip- navirus pandemic -- adven- AFP aggravated deceit and causing “The RATP practices a sort ment whose readings could not unintentional injuries.” of omerta on air pollution in the be compared with its own. Some four million people metro. It pretends there’s no It also insisted that it was use the metro system each day, problem, but it needs to tell peo- investing in its ventilation sys- and the RATP employs tens of ple the truth. Its denial is a key tems and experimenting with thousands of drivers and other part of the problem,” Respire’s air treatment technologies as workers. director Olivier Blond said in a well as “electronic braking” that The concentration of fine statement. would release fewer fine par- particles, which can penetrate Contacted by AFP, the ticles as trains enter stations. deep into a person’s lungs, are RATP contested the pollution —AFP Fire, wind and water: The new normal in a land Down Under Dragon’s blood (Dracaena cinnabari) trees at the top of Dixam mountain on the Yemeni island of Socotra. PHOTO: AFP escarpment, valleys and lush farmland of Australia’s east coast before it merges with the NEWS South Pacific. IN But a week-long downpour BRIEF has swollen the 16-million-year- old watercourse and several ‘Catastrophic’ Australia –oods prompt nearby rivers into 13-metre (43- helicopter rescues foot) high mud-brown torrents. The floodwaters have been Helicopters and boats were deployed to rescue residents laden with leaves, branches, stranded by “catastrophic” floods in eastern Australia Tuesday, plastic bags, sewage, cars, ship- as authorities warned more areas were now under threat. ping containers -- and at least A relentless week-long downpour has soaked most of New one house. South Wales, causing surging rivers to burst their banks; swal- “This is my front garden,” lowing homes, roads, bridges and farmland. This latest disaster in the Windsor area in northwestern Sydney -- which says a welly-clad Kirkland ges- Strained emergency services -- which just one year ago were hit during government-imposed travel restrictions to prevent the spread turing to a handful of treetops battling drought and unprecedented bushfires -- used military of coronavirus -- was not unexpected. PHOTO: AFP jutting out of what looks like a aircraft and watersports equipment to access cut-off communities. SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Rory precedented bushfires and now vast inland lake. So far, around 850 people have been winched or ferried to Kirkland has lived in Austral- floodwaters lapping the door of “That tree is about eight or safety, but tens of thousands have been told to flee their homes ia for three years, but he has his family home. nine-foot (three metres) tall, so and wild weather has spread to more inland areas. already experienced the full Most of the year, the you can see there is only a foot In hard-hit Windsor, near Sydney, residents traversed the range of the country’s extreme Hawkesbury River meanders of tree left. The water has come murky debris-strewn torrent on jet skis and other vessels nor- weather, from searing heat to un- calmly through the sandstone right up.” —AFP mally seen off the city’s golden beaches. —AFP

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UK unemployment dips to 5% – official data Oil prices slump on renewed lockdowns BRITAIN’S unemploy- Analysts said that ment rate dipped to 5.0 while the rate had stead- evening”, President Em- per cent in the three ied thanks to the UK gov- manuel Macron said as months to the end of ernment’s jobs support he tackles criticism that January, remaining close package paying the bulk the Covid-19 immunisation to five-year highs on the of wages for millions of drive has been too slow. fallout from the corona- private-sector workers, France is facing a third virus pandemic, official unemployment was set wave of infections but is data showed on Tuesday, to shoot higher once the lagging behind many West- The rate compared taps are turned off. ern countries in terms of with 5.1 per cent in the “The stability of the the number of people vac- three months to the end unemployment rate at... cinated. Events in Europe of December, the Office 5.0 per cent in January are “hurting demand pro- for National Statistics highlights once again the jections for crude oil”, not- said in a statement. extent to which the gov- ed ThinkMarkets analyst “The UK unemploy- ernment’s job furlough Fawad Razaqzada. ment rate, in the three scheme has protected “Everything else be- months to January 2021, jobs during the pandem- ing equal, it means that was estimated at 5.0 ic,” noted Ruth Gregory, growth will be slower to per cent, 1.1 percentage senior UK economist at Oil Storage tank in the port in Tsing Yi, Hong Kong. PHOTO: AFP pick up and inflationary points higher than a year Capital Economics re- pressures are likely to be earlier,” the ONS said. search group.—AFP OIL prices slumped Tues- stock indices drifted lower of financial turbulence. weaker than previously day on lower demand pros- after sharp losses in Asia. Germany will meanwhile thought.” Across the Atlan- pects as Europe’s biggest On currency markets, the enter a strict shutdown for tic, the focus is on the first US new home sales plunge economy Germany said Turkish lira stabilised a five days over Easter amid joint congressional testi- it would reimpose strict day after plunging in re- surging virus rates, Chan- mony by Federal Reserve 18.2% in February: govt coronavirus containment action to news that Pres- cellor Angela Merkel and boss Jerome Powell and SALES of new homes in sales last month was part- measures and struggles ident Recep Tayyip Erdo- regional leaders agreed Treasury Secretary Janet the United States plunged ly due to tightening inven- along with other EU na- gan sacked the country’s Tuesday. Yellen, who were due Tues- in February, government tory and rising prices that tions to roll out vaccines. market-friendly central Neighbouring France day to answer questions on data said on Tuesday, kept some buyers away. European stock mar- bank chief, raising con- should be vaccinating their policy response to the as bad winter weather But the decline was kets were mixed and US cerns about another round “morning, noon and pandemic. —AFP chilled the hot housing sharpened by poor win- market. ter weather, which also Sales decreased 18.2 caused drops in home- Asian markets drop as inflation spectre hangs percent from January’s building and existing upwardly revised rate home sales. ASIAN markets fell on there is a reluctance on who will answer questions 2024, as it has indicated. to a seasonally adjusted “Winter weather Tuesday as investors ex- trading floors to push a on their policy response to The pair have re- rate of 775,000 annualized, probably depressed sales tended recent sell-offs ow- year-long rally any fur- the pandemic. peatedly said they do not much worse than analysts as sales fell sharply in all ing to long-running fears ther, while a stuttering It comes as markets see the spike in inflation had expected and the regions. We look for new that the expected global vaccine roll-out and new are rattled by a sharp rise lasting and will maintain worst reading since May home sales to moderate recovery will force central lockdowns in Europe are in US Treasury yields in ultra-loose monetary of last year. over the course of 2021 as banks to wind down their adding to the angst. recent weeks that have policies – including re- Real estate has been high prices crimp afforda- easy-money programmes Focus this week will been fuelled by bets cord-low rates – until they in high demand even as bility, but still look for sales earlier than hoped. be on the first joint con- that the forecast strong have a grip on unemploy- the Covid-19 pandemic to be up about four per- While Wall Street gressional testimony by bounce in economic ac- ment, and price rises are harmed the wider US cent for the year,” Nancy provided a positive lead Federal Reserve boss Je- tivity this year will fan in- above two percent for an economy, and analysts Vanden Houten of Oxford with all three main index- rome Powell and Treasury flation and force the bank extended period. —AFP said the sharp decline in Economics said. —AFP es posting healthy gains, Secretary Janet Yellen, to lift interest rates before

The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Myanma Port Authority Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry No.3 Heavy Industrial Enterprise No.3 Heavy Industrial Enterprise “Notice of High Tide” Invitation for Expression of Interest (EoI) Invitation for Expression of Interest (EoI) Exceptionally high spring from 20.08 feet to 20.14 feet No.(7) Textile Factory (Myittha) is located near by Lan No.(8) Textile Factory (Pyawbwe) is located near by high above the chart datum are expected to occur in Yangon Khwa Village, beyond the Mile-Post No. (387/10) Myittha Pyi Tha Ya Quarter, (9) Street, Infront of Mya Kyaing Taung th st River during the period of March 30 to March 31 , 2020. Township, Kyaukse District, Mandalay Division of Myanmar. The Pagoda, About 500.8 km (313 miles) far from Yangon, Pyawbwe Please be noted that it is not serious level of tide because the Government of Myanmar through the Ministry of Planning, Finance Township, Yamethin District Mandalay Division of Myanmar. highest tide level have reached up to 22 feet above the chart and Industry is willing to invite EoI proposal form interested local The Government of Myanmar through the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry is willing to invite EoI proposal form datum in year 2014 and 2015, and this notice is normally and international companies for yarn production and upgrading of interested local and international companies for yarn production spinning machineries for Public-Private-Partnership. issued whenever high tide of Yangon River is expected to and upgrading of spinning machineries for Public-Private- reach over 20 feet high above the chart datum in order to The interested companies can get these EoI form during Partnership. take precautionary measures to the public living near river office hours at Planning Development, No, 3 Heavy Industrial The interested companies can get these EoI form during foreshore area of Yangon City. Enterprise, Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, Office office hours at Planning Development, No, 3 Heavy Industrial No.37, Naypyitaw and Textile Mill Branch, No. (1), Thukhawadi Enterprise, Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, Office Street, (6) Quarter, Yankin Township, Yangon: No.37, Naypyitaw and Textile Mill Branch, No. (1), Thukhawadi (a) Available date for Eor Form - (31-3-2021) to (28-5-2021) Street, (6) Quarter, Yankin Township, Yangon: (b) Deadline for submission of EoI - (31-5-2021) (16:00hr) (a) Available date for Eor Form - (31-3-2021) to (28-5-2021) (b) Deadline for submission of EoI - (31-5-2021) (16:00hr) For further detail information, please inquiry phone For further detail information, please inquiry phone Call no. 95-67-408185, 95-67-408156, 95-67-408338 and email: no. 95-67-408185, 95-67-408156, 95-67-408338 and email: [email protected] during office hours. [email protected] during office hours. 09251022355 No. 3 Heavy Industrial Enterprise No. 3 Heavy Industrial Enterprise 09974424848 Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry 24 MARCH 2021 14 GLOBAL AFFAIRS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Israel voters take fourth shot at deciding NEWS IN BRIEF Netanyahu’s fate Election workers in full for striking historic diplomatic 14 jihadists Covid protective gear staffed normalization deals with several sentenced to death polling stations for voters cur- Arab states. over plot to kill rently in quarantine -- but thanks But while his right-wing Li- to a world-leading vaccination kud party appears set to win the Bangladesh PM effort most citizens wore only most seats, Netanyahu will need face masks. coalition partners to secure a FOURTEEN jihadists were Netanyahu, 71, is Israel’s majority in the 120-seat Knesset. sentenced to death in Bangla- longest-serving premier and its That means Israel is looking desh on Tuesday for attempt- most popular politician, but his at three possible outcomes: an- ing to assassinate Prime inability to unite a stable gov- other coalition under Netanyahu Minister Sheikh Hasina more erning majority behind him has who has been in power for 12 than two decades ago, a prose- mired the country in unprece- straight years, an ideological- cutor said. dented political gridlock. ly divided government united The 2000 bomb plot He hopes to be rewarded only by its opposition to him, or a was one of several attempts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their by voters for the campaign that looming fifth election. As he cast on Hasina’s life in a wave of ballots at a polling station in Jerusalem. PHOTO:AFP has inoculated half of Israel’s his ballot in Jerusalem, Netanya- violence by Islamic extremists ISRAELIS were voting Tuesday deeply split on whether veteran roughly nine million people hu voiced hope for an end to the who were angry at her secular in their fourth election in less Prime Minister Benjamin Net- against the coronavirus, a pace gridlock, saying: “I hope this is stance at the time. than two years, with the nation anyahu should remain in power. envied by much of the world, and the last election”.—AFP Since then, a major crack- down against homegrown Islamist groups has seen more Norway vetoes sale of Rolls-Royce unit to Russian group than 100 extremists killed in raids by police and more than 1,000 suspected militants NORWAY said on Tuesday it the field of security,” Justice and arrested. would block Rolls-Royce’s sale Public Security Minister Monica A fast-track court hand- of a Norwegian engine maker Maeland said on Tuesday. ed down death sentences to to Russia over concerns that In a statement, the Norwe- all 14 accused -- Œve of them Moscow could get its hands on gian government explained that absconding -- after they were sensitive technology. “the technology used by Ber- found guilty of sedition and The Scandinavian country, gen Engines and the engines it criminal conspiracy, prosecu- a NATO member, two weeks manufactures would be of great tor Abu Abdullah Bhuilyan ago asked Rolls-Royce to tem- military importance to Russia. told AFP. porarily halt the sale of Bergen “It would strengthen Rus- They planted two bombs Engines while it examined the sia’s military capacity in a way in the grounds of a college consequences a sale would have that would clearly be contrary to Norway, a NATO member, two weeks ago asked Rolls-Royce to where Hasina was due to temporarily halt the sale of Bergen Engines while it examined the address a rally. The devices on national security. the best interests of the Norwe- consequences a sale would have on national security. PHOTO:AFP “We now have enough in- gian and allied security policy,” were discovered and defused. formation to conclude that it is it said. vessels and, according to local On March 9, when the sale —AFP absolutely necessary to prevent Bergen Engines, which em- media reports, for the top-secret was temporarily halted, the Rus- the sale of the company to a com- ploys 950 people, has been part intelligence gathering ship Mar- sian embassy in Oslo criticized pany controlled by a country with of Rolls-Royce since 1999, servic- jata. The veto risks angering the “anti-Russian implications” Ethiopia’s PM Abiy which we have no cooperation in ing engines for Norwegian Navy Moscow. of the decision. —AFP admits Eritrean forces are in Tigray

Dozens die in migrant ship fire off Libya: charity ETHIOPIAN Prime Minis- ter Abiy Ahmed admitted ROUGHLY 60 migrants are pre- Twitter. Tuesday that troops from sumed dead after their boat en- More than 1,200 migrants neighbouring Eritrea were gine caught fire off the Libyan died last year trying to reach present in the con‘ict-torn coast during an attempted Med- Europe by crossing the Med- Tigray region and suggested iterranean crossing, a rescue iterranean, according to the they may have been involved charity said on Tuesday. International Organization for in abuses against civilians. Alarm Phone, a volun- Migration (IOM). The admission comes teer-run Mediterranean rescue Since January, 295 mi- after months of denials from hotline, said it had spoken to grants have died or gone miss- Addis Ababa and Asmara, survivors of the March 18 ac- ing while trying to make the despite mounting accusa- cident in which the engine of journey. tions from rights groups and a wooden boat carrying more Alarm Phone said they were residents that soldiers from than 100 people caught fire. initially contacted by someone neighbouring Eritrea had car- “Several survivors report- on the boat and Libyan authori- ried out massacres in Tigray. ed to Alarm Phone that there ties told them shortly after that Abiy sent troops into the File photo. Rescued migrants sit aboard a Libyan coastguard vessel upon had been more victims than its arrival at the capital Tripoli’s naval base. PHOTO: AFP 45 people had been rescued and semi-autonomous region of survivors,” the group said in a five bodies retrieved. Tigray on November 4 after statement. Ocean Viking ship after they weather. The Italian authori- But the charity said witness he blamed the state ruling Also on Tuesday, Europe- were rescued in two operations ties have allocated the port of testimony they gathered sug- party, the Tigray People’s an humanitarian group SOS last week off the coast of Libya. Augusta, in Sicily, for the dis- gested about 60 people were Liberation Front (TPLF), Mediterranee said Italy would “Relief on board the Ocean embarkation of 116 rescued missing and presumed dead.— for attacks on federal army allow 116 migrants to leave its Viking after several days of bad people,” the charity wrote on AFP camps.—AFP 24 MARCH 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR SOCIETY 15 Five dead in stampede while Banksy painting to mourning Tanzania's Magufuli raise millions for UK health service A woman and four children A painting by UK street doll wearing a mask and were killed in a stampede in artist Banksy is expected a cape. Spiderman and Tanzania as crowds rushed to raise millions of pounds Batman superhero toys to mourn Tanzania's late for the staff of Britain's lie discarded in a bin be- president John Magufuli state-run National Health hind him. at the weekend, a relative Service (NHS) at auction The artist -- who first told AFP on Tuesday. on Tuesday. emerged out of Bristol's A second woman was The painting by graffiti scene in south- also missing after going to the elusive artist, titled west England in the 1990s Uhuru Stadium in Dar es "Game Changer", first -- left a note with the Salaam on Sunday, where appeared at Southamp- painting thanking hos- tens of thousands gathered ton General Hospital on pital staff for their work to mourn Magufuli whose England's south coast, battling the pandemic. sudden death after a mys- during the first wave of "Thanks for all you're terous short illness was the global health crisis doing. I hope this bright- announced last week. last May. ens up the place a bit, "They went to bid fare- The black-and-white even if it's only in black well at the stadium, but it painting shows a small and white," he wrote. — turned tragic when there boy playing with a nurse AFP was a stampede," Gerald A man reads a newspaper with a headline announcing the death of Tanzania's President Mtuwa, a relative of the John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam, on March 18, 2021. PHOTO: AFP dead woman, told AFP by phone from Dar es Salaam. hospitals and morgues in stadium where Magufuli's But the announce- The children were aged the financial capital for the casket was in state at the ment followed a mysterious between five and 12 years missing woman, but she weekend. The government absence of almost three old, he said. The woman has not been found and announced on March 17 weeks and questions re- killed was mother to two of the family fear the worst. that Magufuli, 61, had died main over the true cause them, while the other two The stampede occurred from a long-running heart of his death, which the op- were her nephews. Mtuwa as mourners crammed condition and declared 21 position has said was from The artist left a note with the painting thanking hospital said the family has checked the streets around the days of mourning. Covid-19. —AFP sta for their work battling the pandemic. PHOTO : AFP Mass shooting at Colorado grocery store

— and he was fatally shot," said Herold. Live- streamed video earlier had showed a white mid- dle-aged man — shirtless and seemingly covered in blood— detained by police and led from the supermarket. The suspect in cus- tody was the only per- son suffering "serious injuries at this point," said police commander Kerry Yamaguchi, with- An ambulance leaves the parking lot of the King Soopers out confirming that the grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. PHOTO: AFP man in the video was the suspect, or any possible A gunman killed at least metres) northwest of the motive. 10 people including a state capital Denver. President Joe Biden police officer at a gro- Among those dead -- who last month called cery store in Colorado was "heroic" police of- on Congress to enact on Monday, police said, ficer Eric Talley, 51, who "commonsense" gun in the latest shooting to was the first to respond law reforms -- had been hit the western state -- to the scene at a King briefed on the shooting, scene of two of the most Soopers supermarket, White House Press Sec- infamous US mass mur- said police chief Maris retary Jen Psaki tweeted. ders. Herold. Majority leader The shooter is being "We know of 10 fatal- Chuck Schumer said held in custody and was ities at the scene, includ- the Senate "must and injured, said Michael ing one of our Boulder will move forward on Dougherty, district attor- PD officers... Officer Tal- legislation to help stop ney for Boulder County, ly responded to the scene the epidemic of gun vio- located 30 miles (50 kilo- — was first on the scene lence." —AFP 24 MARCH 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Referees prepare for FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021

REFEREES from across the Special decisions for the of FIFA’s Referees Committee “It highlights FIFA’s com- uania, they will be challenged globe, including ASEAN and work parts of the tourney were supervising Futsal said, “The mitment to providing only the both mentally and physically, Asian regions, are now pre- made by the FIFA Referee Road to Lithuania 2021 is a best referees for the Futsal and they will need to earn the paring for the upcoming FIFA Committee Chairman Pierluigi first in the preparation of FI- World Cup. Every effort is be- right to step on the pitch in Futsal World Cup 2021, which Collina and FIFA Director of FA’s best Futsal referees and ing made to engage the pool of Lithuania. The aim is to reach is scheduled to be held from 12 Refereeing Massimo Busacca, speaks highly of FIFA’s focus referee candidates almost nine uniformity and consistency in September to 3 October 2021, according to the Asian Football to provide the highest quality months prior to the first match. their way of officiating games according to the football au- Confederation. Ahead of the officials for their top Futsal As the referees begin their and in taking decisions”, Brian thorities. tourney, Brian Hall, member competition”. journey on the Road to Lith- Hall added. —GNLM European teams start World Cup qualifying Solskjaer blames campaign amid COVID chaos fatigue for Man Utd’s FA Cup exit LEICESTER, UNITED while Marcus Rashford was KINGDOM– Ole Gunnar missing from the squad. Solskjaer defended his de- United responded to the cision to field a weakened switches with a lethargic dis- team as Manchester United play as they were beaten for crashed out of the FA Cup the first time in 30 domestic with a 3-1 quarter-final defeat away games. Mason Green- at Leicester early yesterday. wood cancelled out Kelechi Solskjaer made five chang- Iheanacho’s opener, but sec- es from the United side that ond-half goals from Youri beat AC Milan in the Europa Tielemans and Iheanacho League last-16 second leg on killed off United. Thursday. It leaves Solskjaer with Paul Pogba was back in only the Europa League left the starting line-up but Bru- as a realistic opportunity to no Fernandes was left on the win the first silverware of his bench until the second half, reign as United boss. —AFP

Kylian Mbappe and France begin their defence of the World Cup trophy against Ukraine as European qualifying begins despite the diculties caused by the pandemic. PHOTO: AFP

PARIS – Holders France begin in Asia were postponed, players in The consequences of that their defence of the World Cup Europe are having to work their have largely been confusion and this week as European qualifying way around travel restrictions plenty of backtracking by clubs for the 2022 finals in Qatar gets to join up with national teams. and authorities in recent days. underway against a backdrop FIFA’s decision to relax rules Winners in 2018, France host of confusion and chaos over the forcing clubs to release players Ukraine behind closed doors on release of players in a worrying during an international window Thursday before flying 5,500 health context across the con- remains in place until the end of kilometres to Kazakhstan and tinent. April, with world football’s gov- stopping off on the way back While this month’s sched- erning body unable to ignore the in Sarajevo for another game uled qualifiers in South America wider context of the COVID-19 against Bosnia and Herzegovi- Manchester United’s caretaker manager Ole Gunnar were called off and most matches crisis. na. —AFP Solskjaer. PHOTO: AFP Del Potro targets Tokyo with fourth knee operation

LOS ANGELES — JUAN Martin del Potro said “I’ve been consulting Dr. Jorge Chahla and Monday he will undergo a fourth operation on the news is that tomorrow I’ll undergo another his right knee in a bid to be fit for the Olympic surgery on my knee,” del Potro wrote. Games tennis tournament in Tokyo. “We’ve tried conservative therapy but the The 32-year-old Argentine star, winner of pain is still there. (Dr Chahla) knows I want 22 ATP titles including the 2009 US Open cham- to play tennis again and be able to play the pionship, has not played since June 2019 after Olympics, so we agreed that surgery should fracturing his kneecap at the Queen’s Club be done as soon as possible. Championships in London. “I hope I can overcome this painful situa- Del Potro, winner of a bronze medal at the tion. I won’t stop trying.” 2012 Olympics and silver four years later in Del Potro has undergone three operations Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro is to have a fourth operation on his Rio, said in a statement on social media that he to his knee since his injury at Queen’s, in June right knee in a bid to be t for the Tokyo Olympics. PHOTO: AFP would undergo surgery in Chicago on Tuesday. 2019, January 2020 and August 2020. —AFP