EASE TENSIONS FOR ENSURING BETTER HEALTH AND FITNESS PAGE-8 (OPINION)

NATIONAL NATIONAL Supervision of the relevant authorities and good cooperation of the Union Attorney-General people help drop disease infection to an extent: Senior General attends AIPA-42

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Vol. VIII, No. 127, 2nd Waning of Wagaung 1383 ME www.gnlm.com.mm Tuesday, 24 August 2021

Five-Point Road Map of the State Administration Council

1. The Union Election Commission will be reconstituted and its mandated tasks, including the scrutiny of voter lists, shall be implemented in accordance with the law. 2. Effective measures will be taken with added momentum to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Actions will be taken to ensure the speedy recovery of businesses from the impact of COVID-19. 4. Emphasis will be placed on achieving enduring peace for the entire nation in line with the agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. 5. Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards.

All the people need to emphasize national interests by forging the Union spirit: Senior General

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses the SAC 14/ 2021 meeting in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

THNIC armed organiza- yesterday afternoon. will not reflect the essence of tions need to take care of In his address, the Senior democracy. The Senior General stressed the Eavoiding the acts harm- General said the findings of the As the Nay Pyi Taw is the ful to national unity and peace, Union Election Commission re- capital of the nation, the devel- need to strive for the resurgence of said Chairman of the State lated to the election has been opment of Nay Pyi Taw must Administration Council Prime released, and in the near future, be symbolized for regions and the internal economy as a short- Minister of the Provisional the summarized findings will be states. Government of the Republic of expressed to the people and the The infection rate of COV- term plan and encouraging the the Union of Myanmar Senior State. Although any person or ID-19 in the third wave has de- people in line with the motto: The General Min Aung Hlaing at the any organization has the right clined to some extent thanks to 14/2021 meeting of the State Ad- to criticize something, they must the utmost efforts of the govern- strength of the nation lies within. ministration Council at the SAC have firm evidence and reasons. ment and systematic restrictions Chairman Office in Nay Pyi Taw The talks without any evidence SEE PAGE-2 24 AUGUST 2021 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR All the people need to emphasize national interests by ...

FROM PAGE-1 have been reduced and sus- democracy the people inspire. with examining the contact pended for the resurgence of The right to recall law cannot persons and managing the stay businesses, but it is necessary be enacted. If the decisions of Plans are underway to vaccinate at home programme. The gov- to provide more aid to them. As Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu ernment set an aim to decline garment industries are being Hluttaw are different, it will all ethnic armed organizations a half down of infection rate. operated in Myanmar, work- be a problem. As such, it is At present, the vaccine is ers get jobs. Necessary assis- necessary to consider the Pro- and the people from their are- being given to people above tance will be given to these portional Representation-PR as. So far, more than six million aged 18, and international industries. And, the economic system with all participants. medical experts approved that development project will be It is necessary to amend the vaccines have been given to peo- people above 12 can receive implemented. elected representatives and the vaccine. Myanmar has Some attacks on Myanmar election system. During its ple. Vaccines that arrived from about 36.9 million people above are based on the economic tenure, the government will 18 years and some six million sector through the banking amend them through coordi- abroad will be distributed to re- above 12, totalling some 43 mil- system. The banking system nation with all. lion. As Myanmar contacted is the life of a country. Some The emergence of some gions and states by the Tatmad- the friend countries for having countries which became vic- ethnic armed organizations aw and the Ministry of Transport the COVID-19 vaccines, China, tims of the 1997 financial crisis was based on ethnic affairs India, Cambodia and Thailand banned entry visas for George and some on the rights of de- and Communications. provided vaccines and acces- Soros. mocracy. Ethnic affairs are sories to Myanmar. It is nec- Plans are underway to based on federalism and de- essary to strive for the preven- vaccinate all ethnic armed mocracy. Relevant groups and tion of COVID-19 through the organizations and the people regions must have to exercise ists, use of AMI digital meters illegal use of electricity. cooperation of the people. As from their areas. So far, more the practice of democracy. All across the nation, measures An oxygen plant will be global countries are facing a than six million vaccines have citizens and ethnic people of Kyaukpyu special economic built in Namhsam. Machinery need to abide by the practice zone, systematic formation of to generate oxygen is being of democracy. Ethnic armed village people’s militia troops, installed at region and state, organizations need to follow the building of oxygen plant in district and township level hos- The infection rate of COVID-19 the practice of democracy Namhsam, prohibition for gold pitals, and all hospitals will be such as abiding by the laws, mining not to harm natural formed with COVID-19 ICU. in the third wave has declined disciplines and human values environment, and opening of The meeting is in progress to in addition to the behaviours an agricultural bank branch build a COVID-19 vaccine fac- to some extent thanks to the ut- and talks in conformity with in Mabein. tory in Yangon in cooperation the democracy. In his response to the with the Russian Federation. most efforts of the government The Senior General discussions, the Senior Gen- Relevant officials will ar- stressed the need to strive for eral said effective action will range the tasks for damage and systematic restrictions with the resurgence of the internal be taken against CRPH and caused by the natural disasters examining the contact persons economy as a short-term plan NUG and their subordinate in some townships of the Pa- and encouraging the people terrorist organizations under laung Self-Administered Zone. and managing the stay-at-home in line with the motto: The the law. The Anti-Corruption Arrangements are being made strength of the nation lies Commission scrutinizes the to open institutes of livestock programme. The government set within. tasks in the past government breeding in all regions and Members of the State not in conformity with the law. states for the interests of the an aim to decline a half down of Administration Council dis- Ethnic armed organizations local people. cussed taking action against need to take care of avoiding It is necessary to con- infection rate. those who provide money and acts harmful to national unity sider serving the interests of equipment to CRPH, NUG and and peace. Necessary energy the State based on national subordinate terrorist organiza- for factories will take out from interest. In this regard, past pandemic, foreign aid is under been given to people. Vaccines tions and terrorists, rewarding natural gas and coal through history cannot be ignored, and limitation. As such, Myanmar that arrived from abroad will the people who inform the au- modern technologies. In the lessons should be taken from must rely on its strength. be distributed to regions and thorities about the terrorists, future, natural gas produced past events. Laws cannot be Instructions have been states by the Tatmadaw and taking action against USD ma- at home will be used for local drawn for solving the current given to region and state the Ministry of Transport and nipulators, effective hinder- factories. AMI modern digital problems. All the people need chief ministers to strive for Communications. ing the ethnic armed organ- meters are being installed in to emphasize the national in- the resurgence of businesses The government is walk- izations which give training, Yangon and Mandalay Region terests by forging the Union triggered by COVID-19. Taxes ing on the path of multiparty arms and equipment to terror- for the prevention of loss and spirit.—MNA

Daily newspapers available online 2,186 new cases of COVID-19 reported on 23 August, total figure rises to 375,871 FOR those who would like to read the Myanma Alinn, the Kyemon and the Global New Light of Myanmar, published daily by the Ministry of Information, please visit www.moi. MYANMAR’S COVID-19 positive cases rose to 375,871 after 2,186 new cases were reported on gov.mm/mal, www.moi.gov.mm/km, www.moi.gov.mm/nlm and www.gnlm.com.mm/e-paper. 23 August 2021 according to the Ministry of Health. Among these confirmed cases, 302,447 have

been discharged from hospitals. Death toll reached 14,499 after 125 died. News and Periodicals Enterprise 24 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3 BGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGA Consider how to develop the country

SINCE 1948 when the country regained her independence, the armed conflicts of ethnics have been long-lasting for some 75 years. Due to immigration problems related to some neighbouring countries, citizenship problems came out. It was scrutinized that there are some four million of citizens who do not have citizenship scrutiny cards after turning 18. These are actual situations of Myanmar. Depending on these facts, the government needs to consider how to develop the country.

(Excerpt from the speech to the meeting 1/2021 of the Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar made by Republic of the Union of Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister of the State Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on 11 August 2021) CHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD Supervision of the relevant authorities and good cooperation of the people help drop disease infection to an extent: Senior General

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing makes the address at the ninth coordination meeting on COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw.

HAIRMAN of the State dropped due to the supervision of there are people trading foods ease infection, he continued. The healthcare and entertainment Administration Council the relevant authorities and the and essential medicines with Prime Minister stressed the need programmes on newspapers, CPrime Minister of the Pro- good cooperation of the people, greed. Due to systematic inspec- to effectively take action against television and radio; primary visional Government of Myanmar adding the need to diagnose the tions, the high prices of medicines the traders of counterfeit COV- foods being sold in mobile carts Senior General Min Aung Hlaing ID-19 vaccines. to avoid food shortages; servic- addressed the 9th coordination Afterwards, those present es in quarantine centres and meeting on COVID-19 prevention, He continued that the Ministry of at the meeting discussed the construction of oxygen plants, control and treatment activities preventive measures of variant production of essential medi- yesterday morning in Nay Pyi Information is conducting educa- viruses spreading in the neigh- cal supplies locally; operation Taw. tion programmes and the respec- bouring countries; the need to of garment factories under the The meeting was also at- use oxygen cylinders with SOP COVID-19 guidelines; COVID-19 tended by Vice-Chairman of the tive regions and states should guidelines; disaster prepared- vaccines plantation of more than State Administration Council ness in various hospitals; health- 80,000 factories workers as of 22 Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Sen- accelerate the educative cam- care service to be provided to August and further plans. ior General Soe Win, members healthcare workers; posting of Union Ministers for the of the Council, Union Ministers, paigns, especially in ethnic areas. immunization status on WHO respective regions and states Tatmadaw Officials, and the Re- and ASEAN Websites; vaccine briefed on the COVID-19 vacci- gion/State Chief Ministers joined contact persons of the COVID-19 have returned to normal in recent arrival and status of re-orders nations in the regions of ethnic the meeting through videocon- positive patients in order to con- months in Yangon and Mandalay. and coordination to re-purchase; armed forces; implementation ferencing. tinue to reduce the infection and The Government has been status of plans to develop COV- to vaccinate more than 5 million Firstly, Chairman of the to be cautious despite the decline making a concerted effort to get ID-19 vaccine locally; interna- IDPs in Kachin State, Shan State, State Administration Council rate in virus infection. the COVID-19 vaccines during tional humanitarian assistant of Kayin State and Rakhine State Prime Minister of the Provision- He said the COVID-19 out- the difficult time to provide the COVID-19 vaccines and related in this week, and the systematic al Government Senior General break has caused travel prob- people with the vaccines as soon equipment; importation status record of vaccinated people in Min Aung Hlaing said the rate of lems and affected production, as possible, as vaccinated peo- of essential medical supplies; regions and states. COVID-19 disease infection has and amid the striving for living, ple are more resistant to the dis- education programmes on SEE PAGE-4 24 AUGUST 2021 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Supervision of the relevant authorities and good ...

FROM PAGE-3 of international hospitals and set The Chairman of the State up the ICU for other diseases. He Administration Council said to also pleaded that the government encourage the operation of gar- will provide cash assistance in ment factories under the COV- implementing these operations. ID-19 guidelines and to coordi- The hospital staff, Tatmadaw nate as necessary. and social organizations need to In his concluding speech, cooperate for these processes the SAC Chairman Prime Min- including the upgrade of hospitals ister said that it needs to conduct and cleansing operations. healthcare services including Regarding the need for oxy- prevention, control and treat- gen, he said,” What I want to say ment activities continuously now is oxygen-related matters. as the mutation of COVID-19 is The oxygen demand rose in June occurring. The WHO and oth- and July. Meanwhile, all strived to er health organizations set the get oxygen. The highest demand The Senior General and the Chief Ministers of the States/Regions attend the 9th COVID coordination meeting online. norms and all should follow them. was 31,298 cylinders on 18 July ac- The relevant organizations and cording to the global monitoring it in previous meetings. Please oxygen plants. There is nothing groups. The Tatmadaw (air) pro- heads of respective regions/ indicator. We found the demand produce even the oxygen cylin- more important than human be- vides the needed assistance in states also should strictly control was 18,667 on 20 July. We can pro- ders systematically and try to ings and lives.” transporting the vaccines across the public in order to follow the duce more than 40,000 currently. I be clean oxygen. Then, all speak He also gave instructions the nation. Elderly people have a health rules. mean we can produce more than out about oxygen especially in regarding the importation pro- higher mortality rate, account- He then stressed the need to the highest demands. However, I townships like in remote areas. cesses of anti-COVID-19-related ing for 80 per cent of all deaths upgrade the hospitals, establish want the oxygen in the hospital to For example, Nanyun township. materials and equipment via bor- is over the age of 50. Therefore, the township, station and district be clean and systematically pro- The Kachin and Chin states and der trade camps, air and sea with- elderly people are prioritized for hospitals by observing the figures duced. I’ve already highlighted the Sagaing region are just like out any delays, and inspections vaccines. Nanyun township. It is a little dif- on the illegal trade of restricted Currently, the country re- ficult to get there. It is easier to drugs and counterfeit medicines. ceives 8 million vaccines and uses get to Lahe via Khamti. I mention He continued that the Minis- 6 million while 2 million are for The Tatmadaw (air) provides the just for an example. For another try of Information is conducting second doses. On the other hand, needed assistance in transport- example, Manaung where we can education programmes and the people should have a proper im- reach by aircraft and by ship if respective regions and states mune system and do exercise. ing the vaccines across the na- the weather is fine. There is no should accelerate the educative In conclusion, he urged to road transportation. Manaung campaigns, especially in ethnic run the manufacturing, agricul- tion. Elderly people have a higher Kyun must obtain the chance areas. ture and livestock industries to (for oxygen). They can survive He said that the frontline ensure food security. It should mortality rate, accounting for 80 in their own ways. For the remote healthcare workers and other make efforts for the better eco- areas in states and regions, all employees of manufacturing or- nomic system of people and per cent of all deaths is over the should try hard regardless of the ganizations, transport services, country. If the individuals have age of 50. Therefore, elderly peo- areas even for the electricity. For defence services and security good-wills for the country, they example, the small-scale hydro- members and their family mem- can accomplish their works and ple are prioritized for vaccines. power project. If it can generate bers need to be in good health and it can also provide the develop- 500kW, 1000kW or 200kW, 300kW, so, it should conduct vaccination ment of the country and living they should contact them for the programmes as per the priority standards of the public. — MNA

Public request by Ministry of Health

Only when the people cooperate will the work process achieve success in a short 6. If possible, go shopping once a week. Don’t buy anything from the vendors who time for effective prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 among the people. don’t systematically wear masks. As such, all the people are requested to abide by the following points: - 7. Take care of carrying the virus to the houses whenever return home from out- 1. Stay at home as much as possible. side. Systematically discard the used masks and single disposable equipment 2. Don’t accept the guests at the house. You don’t visit other houses. outside the houses. Avoid close contact with family members before changing 3. The older persons above 65 or those suffering from chronic diseases such as clothes or washing the body. diabetes, hypertension and heart must be worn masks in the house. They must 8. As the vaccines for your quota is the best, accept vaccinations for full time. be placed at well-ventilated sites. Despite receiving the vaccination, you should abide by the protective ways. 4. Wear masks if you go outside without fail. Systematically wash hands. Take a 9. Systematically cooperate in prevention, control and treatment of the disease six-foot distance from others. Avoid visits to the rooms where ventilation is not with manpower, money, materials and expertise. good. 5. Avoid the crowds. Ministry of Health (2-8-2021)

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Printed and published at the Global New Light of Write for us (+95) (01) 8604532, Myanmar Printing Factory at No.150, Nga Htat Kyee www.gnlm.com.mm Hotline - 09 454237515 Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, by the Global We appreciate your feedback and contributions. If you have any ADVERTISING & MARKETING New Light of Myanmar Daily under Printing Permit www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com comments or would like to submit editorials, analyses or reports ( +95) (01) 8604530, No. 00510 and Publishing Permit No. 00629. please email [email protected] with your name and Hotline - 09 251022355 title. [email protected] [email protected] Due to limitation of space we are only able to publish “Letter [email protected] www.gnlm.com.mm to the Editor” that do not exceed 500 words. Should you submit www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com a text longer than 500 words please be aware that your letter will be edited. 24 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 5 Union Attorney-General attends AIPA-42

MYANMAR delegation led by “Forging Parliamentary Union Attorney-General Dr Cooperation in Digital Inclusion Thida Oo joined the virtual 42nd towards ASEAN Community General Assembly of the ASEAN 2025”, is taking place from 23 to 25 Inter-Parliamentary Assembly August. The theme highlighted hosted by Brunei yesterday. women›s empowerment, During the meeting, the At- boosting of cyber security torney-General said that being and information, ASEAN an ASEAN member country, parliamentary cooperation, Myanmar is cooperating with digitalization for SMEs, other member countries in build- collaboration in the tourism ing the ASEAN community to industry in the post-COVID-19 achieve regional integration. period and to response the Moreover, the country will keep challenges of climate change. maintaining the proper relation- The meeting was also at- ship with the world countries and tended by officials from Union nd participating in AIPA’s activities. Attorney-General office and Py- Myanmar delegation led by Union Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo joined the virtual 42 General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly hosted by Brunei yesterday. The AIPA-42, themed idaungsu Hluttaw office. — MNA

CBM sells $23 million in August Kachin State ex-chief minister Dr Khet Aung and ministers charged portedly sold about 6.8 mil- lion dollars on 3 February under anti-corruption law 2021, $12 million in April, $24 million in May, $12 million in FORMER Chief Minister for 10,000 tonnes of quartz seized in June and $39 million in July Kachin State Dr Khet Aung 2020 and sold 5,000 tonnes each in the auction market. and former Ministers U Ne to two companies with K36,000 The CBM trades the for- Win, U Zaw Win, U Wai Lin, per tonne by the time the local eign currency with the au- U Win Nyunt, U La Sai (a) U price set by the Department thorized private banks under Dashee La Sai, U Naw Le (a) Za of Mines is K60,000 per tonne, the rules and regulations of Khaung Kham Ye, U Zaw Win, causing loss of K240 million the FX auction market. U Ne Win and former Director in the state budget for 10,000 The local forex market’s of the Kachin State Develop- tonnes. Due to the non-payment data showed that the dollar ment Committee U Soe Naing of K72 million, which is 20% of Central Bank of Myanmar. exchange rate touched the have been charged under the revenue from the sale to the maximum of K1,345 and the Anti-Corruption Law yesterday, Union Budget, it caused a loss THE Central Bank of Myanmar ening the local currency value, minimum of K1,327 in Jan- according to the Anti-Corruption to the state fund. (CBM) sold US$23 million at its the CBM stated. uary 2021. The rate moved Commission. The former chief minister FX auction rate in August so far. The Central Bank of Myan- in the range of K1,335-1,465 According to the inves- and minister U Wai Lin spent This month, the CBM report- mar (CBM) sold US$93.8 million in February. It reached the tigation, former Kachin State K1,492.400 million from the Gen- edly sold $3 million on 2 August, at its FX auction rate in the past lowest of K1,420 and the chief minister Dr Khet Aung, eral Reserve Fund-GRF of the $2 million on 3 August, $3 million six months (February-July), ac- highest of K1,550 in March. former Kachin State Finance, 2018-2019 financial year to build on 4 August, $2.5 million each on 9 cording to the auction results The rate fluctuated between Taxes, Planning and Economic a two-storey building in the State and 12 August and $10 million on released by the CBM. K1,550 and K1,610 in April. minister U Wai Lin and former Government Office, although 23 August in the auction market. The bullish hard currency The rate fluctuated between Kachin State minister for Trans- the State Finance Department Kyat is weakening against gained in the local forex market, K1,585 and K1,730 in May and port, Electricity and Industry U presented such act was not fol- the US dollar at K1,660 in the reaching the peak of K1,730 on it moved to the maximum Win Nyunt, during their tenues lowing the financial regulation. local forex market. The CBM’s 12 May from K1,330 in Janu- of K1,595-1,620 in June. The as ministers, granted permis- During their tenures as move is aimed at governing the ary-end. In a bid to strengthen rate stood at K1,625-1,645 last sion a private company to pave ministers, they reportedly failed market volatility and strength- the local currency, the CBM re- month. — KK/GNLM 23 miles of AC asphalt Myitkyi- to comply with the tender rules na-Bamo road, which was not in- and regulations for bridge con- cluded in the original plan in the struction and road paving works Curfew imposed in Homalin township amid 2017-2018 financial year, without in Kachin State, causing loss to calling for tender as per the di- the state fund, as well as they, re- fear of COVID-19 spread rective of the President’s Office ceived bribery numerous times (1/2017). The company was able from business persons. HOMALIN township has been home areas must follow rules violators under the Penal Code to operate with 11,007.009 million In addition, Kachin State placed under an 11 am to 3 pm issued by the authority. Apart or the natural disaster man- kyats to be handed over to the former Development and So- curfew as part of the efforts to from the civil servant, company agement law or other existing state. According to the QC team, cial minister U Ne Win, U Nawl control the spread of COVID-19, staff and factory workers, only laws, according to the Ministry the road needed to be repaired Le (a) Zakhaung Kham Ye, and it is learnt. one person must go outside for of Natural Resources and Envi- and due to non-compliance with Director of the Kachin State Homalin Township General shopping. If they have to go to ronmental Conservation. the terms of the contract, the Development Committee U Administrative Department re- clinics or hospitals, two people The statement of curfew state’s property was damaged. Soe Naing, were found to have leased the announcement on 22 per household are permitted. orders is effective until 31 Au- Former chief minister Dr spent more than K219 million August. During the pandemic, For buying food using a vehicle, gust. Homalin township was Khet Aung, former minister U for fuel and vehicle repair works Homalin township has recorded a driver and another one are declared under stay-at-home Wai Lin and former minister for of 23 unlicensed vehicles from 1,601 cases of COVID-19 and permitted. To go to clinics using rules starting from 3 July, ac- Natural Resources and Environ- the 2018-2019FY to 2019-2020FY, 73 deaths. There is no sign of a vehicle, a driver plus two are cording to the announcement mental Conservation U La Sai which caused damage to the decline yet. permitted. of the Ministry of Health. — Aye (a) U Dashee La Sai auctioned state. – MNA Those living in the stay-at- Action can be taken against Maung/GNLM 24 AUGUST 2021 6 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Indonesia hosts 4th International Maritime Security Symposium (2021)

INDONESIA hosted the 4th In- Yudo Margono made an open- ternational Maritime Security ing remark and launched the Symposium (2021) via Hybrid traditional dances of Indonesia. Symposium Online and Offline On the first day of the meet- system under the topic of "in- ing, the leaders exchanged ternational maritime cooper- views on the promotion of mar- ation for security, peace and itime cooperation, the collabo- prosperity." ration of military and civilians The senior officials of Tat- to overcome the challenges of madaw (Navy) led by Com- COVID-19 and delays, cargo mander-in-Chief (Navy) Admi- ships and impacts on ports, the ral Moe Aung and Myanmar establishment of Asia sailing military attaché (Army, Navy, training and competitions, ef- Air) to Indonesia, joined the forts for natural disasters and meeting. rescue works in Indo-Pacific The Navy Chiefs from 54 area during the decade and countries, including interna- plans to change disaster diplo- tional delegations and interna- macy in ASEAN regions as part tional maritime organizations, of Indonesia's foreign policy. the seminar. for military operations and in- information sharing and per- also attended the event. The officials of the Navy The 2nd day of 4th IMSS telligence activities in special spectives on maritime law for First, the chief of staff of made a PowerPoint presenta- 2021 will convene today and economic zones, enhancing the use of unmanned vessels. the Indonesian Navy, Admiral tion under three panels during discuss rules and regulations maritime security through — MNA

Imports of COVID-19 devices and essential medical supplies continued

gloves and masks were imported via airways and border trade points. Two vehicles carrying 40 tonnes of liquid oxygen were transported to Yangon and one oxygen plant each in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, respectively. It is reported that the Ministry of Commerce is coordinating with relevant departments, facilitating the importations of essential medical supplies required in prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19, as well as contact persons for inquiries can be reached through the Ministry’s Website — www.commerce. gov.mm. — MNA

THE Ministry of Commerce is making efforts to ensure people have access to the essential medical supplies that are critical to the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities, including liquid oxygen and oxygen cylinders, arranging continuous importation on public holidays. COVID-19 devices and medical supplies are imported as usual through land borders and Yesterday, a total of 45 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 4,967 transported to the needed places by lorries. liquid oxygen storage containers, 2 oxygen plants, 2 oxygen generators, 1,156 oxygen concentrators, 11,340 PPE suits, Shwe Pyi Tan express boat service resumes today

SHWE Pyi Tan express boats in Rakhine State gers that allows for social distancing on board. that were suspended due to COVID-19 resumed The Shwe Pyi Tan express boat, the main on 24 August as per the guidelines of the Min- water route of Minbya township, has been tem- istry of Health, it is leant. porarily halted due to the rising number of The express boat lines will run the Min- COVID-19 cases in Minbya Township, Rakhine bya-Sittway and Sittway-Minbya route daily State. as usual. Now, the number of COVID-19 cases has The express boat lines have been instruct- dropped and the Shwe Pyi Tan launched its ed to require staff and passengers to wear express boat service today (24 August) at 6 am Now, the number of COVID-19 cases has dropped and the Shwe Pyi Tan masks and wash their hands, as well as taking and 11 am to ensure the safety and convenience launched its express boat service today (24 August) at 6 am and 11 am to temperatures and arranging seating for passen- of travellers. — Thein Nu Aung/GNLM ensure the safety and convenience of travellers. 24 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 7 Pinkerton avocado farm acreage targeted to expand next year

THE marketable Pinkerton av- erton avocado on a trial basis variety. That is why it has more ocado farm acreage is planned reaped success this year. As a potential in the export market, to expand in the coming year, U result of this, the farm acreage making the growers lucrative”, Myo Nyunt, vice-president of My- will increase next year. Some U Myo Nyunt elaborated. anmar Avocado Producers and regions braced for scorching That avocado will be grown Exporters Association said. temperature and resulted in low in the PyinOoLwin area and the That Pinkerton avocado will production of Hass avocado. We northern Shan State. Earlier, My- be planted on the areas at 2,500- will choose Pinkerton avocado anmar’s avocado was shipped to 3,000 feet above sea level. That va- in those regions. It will be grown Thailand, India, China, Singapore riety is resistant to pests and ex- 3,000 feet above sea level. and Hong Kong SAR. This year, treme climate. Most importantly, The Pinkerton is popular in the avocado export halted amidst it is highly demanded both in the the export market rather than the COVID-19 impacts. It is heav- domestic market and the external Myanmar origins. About 85 per ily reliant on the domestic market market, growers highlighted. cent of avocado demanded in the only. – Min Htet Aung (Mandalay “The cultivation of Pink- international market are Hass Sub-Printing House)/GNLM

That avocado will be grown in the PyinOoLwin area and the northern Shan State. Earlier, Myanmar’s avocado was shipped to Thailand, India, China, Singapore and Hong Kong SAR. This year, the avocado export halted amidst the COVID-19 impacts. It is heavily reliant on the domestic market only.

Over 1.75 mln tonnes of various pulses shipped in ten months (Oct-July) MORE than 1.759 tonnes of beans market. per tonne. Similarly, the price export black bean and pigeon India’s counterpart signed on various pulses and beans were Following the policy change of pigeon peas is relatively high peas under the quota system 18 June. exported to foreign markets be- of India’s pulses import, the at K1.33 million per tonne. The and limit period. At present, the demand for tween 1 October and 30 July of prices of black gram and pigeon price rise is attributed to the On 15 May 2021, India’s Min- green gram slips due to bor- the current financial year 2020- peas have risen in the domestic relaxation of the bean import istry of Agriculture and Farmers der trade restrictions amid the 2021, with an estimated value of market, according to the traders quota by India. Welfare approved not only black COVID-19, with an estimated US$1.357 billion, the Commerce from Bayintnaung Commodity India set an import quota gram but also other pulses being value of around K100,000 per Ministry’s data indicated. Wholesale Centre. on beans including black gram imported from Myanmar that three-basket bag. During the past ten months, At present, black beans and pigeon peas starting from have a bill of lading up to Octo- Myanmar’s agriculture sec- the country shipped $760.7 mil- touched a high of K1.34 million 2017. Myanmar earlier had to ber-end 2021, with relaxations of tor is the backbone of the coun- lion worth 982,276 tonnes of conditions regarding clearance try’s economy and it contributes pulses and beans to foreign consignment up to 30 November to over 30 per cent of Gross Do- markets through the sea route, 2021. mestic Products. The country and $597.28 million valued at According to this statement, primarily cultivates paddy, corn, 777,631 tonnes were sent to the the previous notifications dated cotton, sugarcane, various puls- neighbouring countries through 19 March 2021 and 26 March es and beans. Its second-largest the land borders. 2021 were cancelled. production is pulses and beans, India is the main buyer Additionally, Myanmar can counting for 33 per cent of agro of Myanmar beans, especially export 250,000 tonnes of black products and covering 20 per black beans, green grams and gram (urad) and 100,000 tonnes cent of growing acres. Among pigeon peas. Besides India, My- of pigeon peas under the G to G them, black beans, pigeon peas anmar’s beans are purchased (government to government) and green grams constitute 72 by Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, pact during the April-March per cent of bean acreage. Other Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia, Chi- period between the 2021-2022 beans including peanut, chick- na (Taipei), Japan, and Europe- India is the main buyer of Myanmar beans, especially black beans, green financial year and the 2025- pea, soybean, black-eyed beans, an countries. But, the volume of grams and pigeon peas. Besides India, Myanmar’s beans are purchased by 2026FY, as per the Memoran- butter bean and rice bean are demand by those countries is Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia, China (Taipei), dum of Understanding between also grown in the country. – Mon small, according to the domestic Japan, and European countries. the Ministry of Commerce and Mon/GNLM

Potato price jumps in retail market

THE price of the potato re- On 23 August, the price of in the range of K2,600-4,800 per mains in the bull market, as potato stood at K950 per viss viss depending on varieties. per the price data of the retail in the wholesale market and Lately, the garlic (Kyukok va- market. touched a high of K1,600 per riety) imported by China was a Normally, the price of po- viss in the retail market. lack of supply owing to the clo- tatoes rises in the monsoon Additionally, tracking the sure of border posts between season. This year, potato pric- strict restriction measures Myanmar and China. es keep rising as well. to contain the COVID-19, the Therefore, the exorbitant On 1 July, the potato was prices of commodity price fluc- price occurred in the retail priced at K820 per viss (a viss tuates in the domestic market. market, a trader stated. equals 1.6 kg) in the wholesale The prices of kitchen crops Next, onions from the On 1 July, the potato was priced at K820 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kg) in the market, whereas it dramatical- such as onion and garlic stay Myingyan area fetch K480- wholesale market, whereas it dramatically rose to K1,270 per viss at the ly rose to K1,270 per viss at the on the upward trend. 520 depending on size. end of July. On 23 August, the price of potato stood at K950 per viss in the end of July. The prices of garlic move – NN/GNLM wholesale market and touched a high of K1,600 per viss in the retail market. 24 AUGUST 2021 24 AUGUST 2021 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ARTICLE /NATIONAL 9

` Ease tensions for New Zealand queries virus approach as Delta outbreak grows ensuring better Myanmar Daily Weather Report New Zealand’s widely praised Covid-19 response — which has resulted in just 26 deaths in a population of five (Issued at 7:00 pm Monday 23 August 2021)

health and fitness million — centres on eliminating the virus from the community. It has relied on strict border controls backed by BAY INFERENCE: Monsoon is weak to moderate over the Andaman Sea and South Bay and weak elsewhere over the hard lockdowns when any cases do slip through, but Hipkins said Delta may force a rethink. Bay of Bengal. HE tensions bring mental sufferings to some persons who are working hard with vigorous efforts in the workplaces EW Zealand conceded its preparations begin to look less has made us all sitting ducks, com- FORECAST VALID UNTIL NOON OF THE 24 August Tsuch as schools, workshops, factories and so on, analyzing ambitious “Covid zero” adequate and raises some pretty pletely vulnerable to the Delta var- 2021: Rain or thundershowers will be widespread in Taninthayi something with critical thinking, making decisions in the manage- Nelimination strategy may big questions about the future of iant when it inevitably got into the Region and Kachin, Eastern Shan, Kayin, Mon State, fairly ment sector, and operating important machinery for the public no longer be viable Sunday, as an our long-term plans.” community,” he said. widespread in Upper Sagaing Region and Northern Shan, with restricted calculation and estimation. outbreak of the virulent Delta var- Neighbouring Australia has Another opposition figure, Chin, Rakhine States, scattered in Bago, Yangon, Ayeyawady The persons under tension lose the capabilities to work and iant continued to spread. also pursued a “Covid zero” strate- ACT Party leader David Seymour, Regions and Southern Shan State and isolated in the remain- decide regularly. They suffer to pack the burdens of tensions on Covid-19 Response Minister gy and been similarly frustrated as said Hipkins could not use the Del- ing Ragions and States with isolated heavyfalls in Kachin and their backs. At that time, their lives are in misery. Chris Hipkins reported a further its Delta cases continue to spike. ta variant as an excuse for current Mon States. Degree of certainty is (100%). In this regard, many persons may face two kinds of tensions 21 cases in a virus cluster that The New Zealand outbreak failures. — one is self-made tension and another is imposed tension. emerged in Auckland last week, has underlined the country’s slow “We’ve known about Delta STATE OF THE SEA: Seas will be slight to moderate in The self-made tension is based on their own thoughts that they ending a six-month run of no lo- vaccination rollout and prompted since December, what’s he been Myanmar waters. Wave height will be about (4 -7) feet off and themselves gradually exaggerate a single topic. A simple topic cal cases and sparking a national accusations the government be- doing in the meantime?” he asked. along Myanmar Coasts. becomes the terrible one based on the thoughts of the host per- lockdown. came lax after its early success Hipkins said elimination re- son. Another kind of tension is imposed by someone. Such kind Hipkins said Delta’s highly dealing with the pandemic. mained top priority for the ongoing OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Moderate of tension is based on many reasons with a personal attack, per- transmissible nature was mak- Only about 20 per cent of the Delta outbreak, which now totals monsoon over the Andaman Sea and South Bay of Bengal. sonal dissatisfaction, grudge ing this outbreak more difficult to population is fully inoculated, one 71 active cases -- 65 of them in and hatred also suppress the contain than others, raising “big of the lowest rates in the developed Auckland and six in Wellington. FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING victims. In fact, both kinds of questions” about the elimination world. The national lockdown is due AREA FOR 24 August 2021: Isolated rain or thundershow- Gradually, the tensions are never useful for strategy. Opposition National Party to expire late Tuesday, although ers. Degree of certainty is (80%). The New Zealand outbreak has underlined the country’s slow vaccination rollout and prompted accusations the the sufferers. “The scale of infectiousness spokesman Chris Bishop said the Hipkins indicated Auckland could government became lax after its early success dealing with the pandemic. PHOTO: AFP/FILE opponents will Hence, the tension suf- and the speed at which the virus outbreak had exposed a lack of face further restrictions even if FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA ferers need to remove the has spread is something that, de- Covid-19 response — which has It has relied on strict border “(Delta’s) like nothing we’ve urgency in Wellington’s vaccine they were lifted elsewhere. FOR 24 August 2021: Isolated rain or thundershowers. De- understand tensions from their souls by spite all the best preparations in resulted in just 26 deaths in a pop- controls backed by hard lockdowns dealt with before in this pandem- plans. “If I was an Aucklander, I’d gree of certainty is (100%). various ways and means of the world, has put our system un- ulation of five million — centres when any cases do slip through, ic,” he said. “The government’s com- certainly be preparing to be at the nature and easing. How do they remove der strain,” he told TVNZ. on eliminating the virus from the but Hipkins said Delta may force “It does change everything, placency and inability to ensure home for a bit longer,” he said. FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING it? Of course, they should New Zealand’s widely praised community. a rethink. it means that all of our existing supply and delivery of the vaccine SOURCE: AFP AREA FOR 24 August 2021: Isolated rain or thundershow- hold up the compassion to ers. Degree of certainty is (80%). attitudes of remove the tensions from their souls. They can eas- Flood Bulletin the sufferers ily remove the self-made Israel launches Covid antibody tests for children as young as 3 tensions by culturing good (Issued at 08:00 hrs MST on 23-8-2021) who respond thoughts and minds. They Flood condition of Chindwin River should not see anyone with Those children with sufficient antibodies will not be forced to quarantine when exposed to a Covid patient, a According to the (07:30) hrs MST observation today, the to them with mistakes. If they see them water level of Chindwin River at Homalin has exceeded by with mistakes, they should move aimed at limiting school-year disruptions. about (4) inches above its danger level. It may fall below its set aside the mistakes from danger level during the next (1) day. compassion those persons filled with SRAEL on Sunday launched istry. Education ministry director- rael’s roughly 9.3 million people a third jab. since the pandemic started early and loving- loving-kindness. They have antibody testing for children Those children with suffi- general Yigal Slovik said in a state- have received two doses of the Israel has recorded nearly last year, and over 6,700 deaths. Flood Bulletin to consider how to fulfil the Iaged as young as three, seek- cient antibodies will not be forced ment last month that last year’s vaccine, while 1.2 million have had 980,000 coronavirus infections SOURCE: AFP needs of other persons. ing information on the number to quarantine when exposed to a school closures caused “emotional (Issued at 15:00 hrs MST on 23-8-2021) kindness. If With regard to the im- of unvaccinated youths who have Covid patient, a move aimed at and social damage” to students. Flood condition of Thanlwin River posed tension, the sufferers developed protection against limiting school-year disruptions. “The lockdowns and remote According to the (14:30) hrs MST observation today, the water so, it is sure need to dodge confrontation coronavirus ahead of the new In a statement Sunday learning caused a 44 per cent in- level of Thanlwin River at Hpa-an has exceeded by about (1) with opponents elsewhere. school year. from the Jerusalem municipal- crease in referrals for suicidal risk inch above its danger level. It may fall below its danger level that they can Some persons may be sat- Despite surging daily infec- ity announcing Israel’s “largest diagnosis,” among other impacts, during the next (2) days. isfied with everything and tions caused by the highly trans- serological operation,” Mayor he said. everybody. Unfortunately, if missible Delta variant, Israel’s Moshe Leon urged parents to Israel was one of the first be free from the sufferers may wrongly government insists it wants to bring their children for the free countries to launch a vaccination talk about the unsatisfied avoid the hardships and devel- 15-minute test done by finger drive in mid-December via an the lives of persons, the latter may per- opmental setbacks caused by pin-prick. agreement with Pfizer to obtain sonally attack the sufferers. school closures. The survey is being con- millions of paid vaccine doses in sufferers at an If it does not have success, Israel has already begun ducted jointly by the health and exchange for sharing data on their the unsatisfied persons vaccinating children aged 12 education ministries and by the effectiveness. appropriate will change tactics to im- and above. army’s Home Front command, The inoculation campaign pose some troubles on the The national serological sur- which told AFP Sunday that its was hailed as a success story that time. sufferers. That is why the vey is focused on pupils between antibody testing operation had helped drastically reduce infec- sufferers should dodge their the ages of three and 12 who are begun. tions, but Israel is again register- attacks without harming oth- not yet eligible for the jab, nearly ing thousands of daily cases. er persons and without any 1.5 million children. ‘Emotional damage’ As it launches the serological response to the attackers. It is aimed at discovering A pilot programme conducted survey, Israel is also pushing for- Gradually, the opponents will understand the nature and how many children developed last week focused in mainly ul- ward with vaccinations, offering a attitudes of the sufferers who respond to them with compassion strong antibody protection tra-Orthodox Jewish communities third, or booster, shot to everyone and loving-kindness. If so, it is sure that they can be free from the against coronavirus after hav- found that roughly a fifth of chil- over 40 while urging the unvacci- lives of sufferers at an appropriate time. ing an unrecorded or latent case, dren had developed antibodies, nated to get the jab. The Israeli survey is focused on pupils between the ages three and 12 who are not yet eligible for the jab, nearly 1.5 according to the education min- army radio reported Sunday. More than 5.4 million of Is- million children. PHOTO: AFP/FILE 24 AUGUST 2021 10 WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Indian capital opens first ‘smog tower’

INDIA’S capital New Delhi industry, construction activity, opened its first “smog tower” the combustion of waste and on Monday aimed at reducing fuel, and in winter the burning the air pollution blamed for thou- of crops in neighbouring regions. sands of premature deaths every “Let’s just be clear that this year, but experts were sceptical. is futile, an absolute waste,” Concentrations of tiny Karthik Ganesan from the Coun- deadly particles in Delhi’s air cil on Energy, Environment and regularly exceed safe limits by Water told AFP. up to 20 times, particularly in “Now that taxpayers’ mon- winter when its 20 million people ey has been spent, let Delhi be are enveloped in a noxious grey the test case for all other Indian blanket of smog. cities... to ensure no other city Forty giant fans on the spends on such ideas which we 25-metre (82-foot) tower will can’t afford,” he added. pump 1,000 cubic metres of air India has 14 of the world’s 15 per second through filters that most polluted cities, according to halve the amount of harmful the World Health Organization. particulates in a radius of one A 2020 study in the Lancet square kilometre (0.4 square found there were 1.67 million miles), according to engineers. deaths in the country attribut- Workers climb a ladder at the 25-metre (82-foot) high smog tower, built to purify the air during pollution “Today is a big day for Delhi season, in New Delhi on 23 August 2021. PHOTO: MONEY SHARMA / AFP able to air pollution in 2019 in- in its fight for clean air against cluding almost 17,500 in Delhi. pollution,” Chief Minister Arvind looked at in an experimental way. The tower cost $2 million public money, and that efforts In 2018 China built a much Kejriwal said after the inaugura- We will analyse the data and if and critics say erecting a suf- would be better directed at the larger 60-metre smog tower in tion near the busy shopping area it’s effective, more towers will ficient number to clean the air sources of the smog. the polluted city of Xian, but the of Connaught Place. be built across Delhi,” Kejriwal substantially across the city These include vehicle ex- experiment has not spread to The installation “is being added. would cost huge amounts of haust, heavy and small-scale other cities so far. — AFP

UK to urge extension of Kabul Malaysia’s new PM pleas for unity to fix evacuations at G7 talks virus-hit economy

BRITAIN said Monday it would urge the United States at a virtual MALAYSIA’S new prime min- address Sunday evening. infrastructure is now over- G7 summit to extend an end-of-the-month deadline to complete ister called on his colleagues “Let us move forward. whelmed as it records an av- evacuations of Western citizens and Afghan colleagues from Kabul. Sunday to end a months-long Let us stem this grab for po- erage of 20,000 new infections US President Joe Biden has set an 31 August deadline for the political crisis and come to- litical power.” and hundreds of deaths every chaotic airlift organiszed by thousands of temporarily deployed US gether to fight the Covid-19 Malaysia has been envel- day. troops but has left the door open to an extension if needed. pandemic, in his first speech oped in a political crisis for Ismail said Sunday his Armed forces minister James Heappey and other UK officials as the country’s fourth pre- months amid growing public government aimed to help told British media that they would push for an extension at Tuesday’s mier in as many years. anger over the government’s the economy by focusing on online leaders meeting of the G7 group of wealthy nations while Just days after the previ- handling of the pandemic. raising people’s purchasing acknowledging that the Taliban would have a crucial say now that ous government collapsed in Thousands have lost their power and aid the country’s they control Afghanistan. a storm of political infighting, jobs as businesses nationwide embattled private sector. Heappey said it is a “hard reality” that the evacuations from Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged have been forced to close due “Our focus will be on Ma- Afghanistan’s capital could only be maintained beyond 31 August lawmakers to unite to help to a series of lockdowns put laysians who have lost their if led by the United States. the country recover from the in place to halt the spread of jobs and their livelihood,” he “Whether or not the US can be persuaded to stay is a matter for pandemic. Covid-19. said. the prime minister (Boris Johnson) tomorrow in the G7 meeting,” “The political crisis that Those measures are “I will also make sure that Heappey told Sky News, referring to an extension of the deadline. has hit the country is causing widely seen as having failed no Malaysian, regardless of Britain currently chairs the G7, also comprising Canada, France, unrest among the people,” the to mitigate the pandemic, race, religion or ethnicity, will Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. 61-year-old said in a televised and Malaysia’s healthcare be left behind.” — AFP “I think everybody has to be clear that this is not just a discus- sion that happens between G7 leaders tomorrow, it is a discussion which happens with the Taliban,” he added. Ukraine blocks access to popular Russian news sites “The Taliban will have a choice, they can either seek to engage with the international community and show that they want to be a UKRAINE on Monday blocked Ukraine and its Western was recently taken over by part of the international system. the websites of several promi- allies have accused the Krem- Kremlin-friendly editors, and “Or they can turn around and say there is no opportunity for nent Russian media outlets in lin of sending troops and weap- the Moskovsky Komsomolets an extension.” its latest round of sanctions ons to reinforce the separatists newspaper, among others. Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told BBC Radio Sunday against neighbouring Russia and also say Russia is leverag- The decree also ordered night that his government would appeal for the extension at the G7. which it has accused of spread- ing media as a propaganda tool the organizations’ local bank “Obviously the more time that we’ve got, the more people we ing propaganda. to stoke the conflict. accounts to be frozen. can evacuate and that’s what we’re pushing for,” Cleverly said. Ties between the ex-Soviet A decree from President The Kremlin criti- Britain, which has deployed 1,000 soldiers to aid its airlift efforts, countries have deteriorated Volodymyr Zelensky published cised the move, describing is pushing for longer to get everybody out who qualifies, with the sharply since Russia annexed Sunday ordered the websites Ukraine as being on a path trans-Atlantic allies’ defence ministers speaking by phone Sunday. the Crimean peninsula in 2014 of 12 Russian media organiza- towards “strangling freedom London has so far evacuated 5,725 people from Kabul since Au- and threw its weight behind tions to be blocked in Ukraine. of speech” and limiting “un- gust 13, including more than than 3,100 Afghans and their families, armed separatists in eastern They include the Vedo- wanted and uncomfortable” according to the Ministry of Defence. — AFP Ukraine. mosti business daily, which information.— AFP 24 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR WORLD 11 Rare tropical storm lashes northeastern NEWS IN United States BRIEF TROPICAL Storm Henri Turkey can’t bear slammed into Rhode Island Afghan refugee on the US east coast Sunday, burden for EU: knocking out power to thou- sands of Americans, uproot- Erdogan ing trees and bringing record rainfall before weakening as TURKEY cannot bail out the it moved across New England. EU by taking in Afghans who The storm — earlier down- worked for Western countries graded from a Category 1 Hur- in Afghanistan as the Taliban ricane — hit land near the town take power there, President of Westerly at approximately Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on 12:15 PM (1615 GMT), the Na- Sunday. tional Weather Service said. “We have received a Henri is a rare tropical request to welcome local em- storm to strike America’s ployees of a European Union northeastern seaboard and mission in Afghanistan,” a gov- comes as the surface layer of ernment statement quoted oceans warms due to climate Erdogan as saying to Europe- change. an Council President Charles Doug Luongo(L), looks on after evacuating with family members following a flash flood, as Tropical Storm The warming is causing cy- Michel in a telephone call. Henri makes landfall, in Helmetta, New Jersey, on 22 August 2021. PHOTO: TOM BRENNER / AFP clones to become more power- “The member states only ful and carry more water, pos- New England and New York’s The US National Hurri- er. Rhode Island Governor Dan open their doors to a tiny por- ing an increasing threat to the Long Island had been told to cane Centre (NHC) said Henri McKee said there was “signif- tion of the people who served world’s coastal communities, prepare for violent winds, days brought maximum sustained icant flooding” in areas. There them and who are in difficul- scientists say. without electricity and storm gusts of 60 mph, lower than the were no immediate reports of ty,” the statement quoted him Millions of residents in surges of up to five feet. 75 mph gusts predicted earli- any casualties. — AFP as saying. “You cannot expect Turkey to take on the respon- sibility of third countries,” he said. The head of state Prices at pump soar in Lebanon after new subsidy cut reiterated, the day after similar remarks during a conversation LEBANESE fuel prices soared work or power back-up genera- with German Chancellor An- by up to 70 per cent Sunday after tors during near round-the-clock gela Merkel, that Turkey was yet another subsidy cut, official electricity cuts. already hosting around five figures showed, heaping more Motorists have become million refugees and “cannot pressure on people struggling caught up in long lines outside support an additional migrato- to make ends meet in the cash- the petrol stations that have re- ry burden”.— AFP strapped country. mained open. The cost of hydrocarbons in The refusal of many petrol Lebanon has now roughly tripled stations to sell what they do have Egypt closing Rafah in the two months since the cen- saw the army deploy this month crossing with Gaza: tral bank started decreasing its to seize hoarded fuel and distrib- Palestinians support for imports. ute it to the needy. The latest cut, which is ex- Frustrations have boiled EGYPT has told Gaza author- pected to cause price hikes for over in recent weeks, with ities it will close the Rafah other key commodities, hits a scuffles repeatedly breaking border crossing from Monday, a Lebanese wait in a queue outside a closed petrol station in Beirut’s Mediterranean country mired in out over scarce fuel, leaving at spokesman for the Palestinian Hamra district on 20 August 2021. Lebanon’s energy crisis is dragging people to unlikely places in their desperate quest for daily life’s one of the world’s worst econom- least three people dead. enclave’s Hamas government essentials, be it fresh air, lighting, a working fridge or petrol for their cars. ic crises since the 1850s. Last weekend the explo- said. Power cuts lasting more than 22 hours a day have become the new norm Dire shortages have seen sion of a fuel tank in the north “We were informed by the in a bankrupt country running out of literally everything, from fuel and Lebanon’s people struggle of the country killed at least 30 Egyptian authorities that the gas to medicine and bread.Photo: ANWAR AMRO / AFP to find enough fuel to drive to people. — AFP Rafah crossing will be closed tomorrow, Monday, in both directions,” Iyad al-Bozom, a Hezbollah chief pledges more Iranian fuel for Lebanon spokesman for the Gaza interi- or ministry, said in a statement THE head of Hezbollah in Leb- ergy crisis. adds to the Mediterranean coun- the first Iranian ship loaded with Sunday evening. Security anon on Sunday promised that On Sunday alone, fuel prices try’s economic crisis, one of the fuel was “at sea”. sources in Egypt confirmed deliveries of Iranian fuel would soared by up to 70 per cent after world’s worst since the 1850s. “A second ship will set sail the move, saying the crossing arrive “in the days to come” to yet another subsidy cut, piling Fuel shortages have forced in the next few days, and it will would be closed until further help solve the beleaguered coun- more pressure on people strug- businesses and government of- be followed by others,” he said. notice, without offering details try’s dire shortages. gling to make ends meet. fices to close, even threatening Hezbollah, a close ally of or saying why. For the second time in four The cost of hydrocarbons blackouts at hospitals. Iran designated as a terrorist Egypt had ordered the days, Hassan Nasrallah said in a in Lebanon has now roughly tri- In his first televised ad- group by much of the West, is Rafah crossing between Gaza televised address that fuel ship- pled in the two months since the dress on Thursday, Nasrallah a major political force in Leb- and Egypt — the enclave’s only ments would leave the Islamic central bank started cutting its announced the departure “in the anon but its leaders are under border point not controlled republic for Lebanon. support for imports. coming hours” of a shipload of US sanctions. by Israel — to open in May to Nasrallah also dismissed as The latest cut, which is ex- fuel for Lebanon in defiance of “We will continue this pro- allow wounded Gazans to be “illusions” a reported US-backed pected to cause knock-on price US sanctions on Iran. cess as long as Lebanon needs treated in Egyptian hospitals initiative to ease Lebanon’s en- hikes on other key commodities, On Sunday, Nasrallah said it,” Nasrallah said. — AFP and to deliver aid.— AFP 24 AUGUST 2021 12 WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Graft and security issues feed the trade in Iraq’s past NEWS IN DO you want to buy a more than handed down but handed on, via BRIEF 3,000-year-old Sumerian tablet, smugglers and middlemen. listed as the property of a gen- The boom in looted objects tleman from Sussex in England from antiquity is a real problem Eurozone business and passed down as a family in Iraq, where corruption is prev- activity remains heirloom? alent and archaeological sites are strong despite On auction site liveauc- poorly protected. tioneers.com, bidding for the For some objects, it can be supply pressures “Sumerian clay tablet” starts at hard to prove that it was not in 550 pounds ($750). fact stolen from lands where the BUSINESS activity in the The item weighs just 70 Sumerian empire stood in the eurozone is hovering near a grams (2.5 ounces) but bears fourth millennium BC. 15-year high despite slightly traces of cuneiform writing — Chris Wren, from the British cooling in August due to supply the oldest recorded in the world firm TimeLine Auctions, parent pressures, a closely-watched (FILES) In this file photo taken on 6 March 2017, archeological findings — and is listed as “Property of a company of liveauctioneers.com, survey by IHS Markit showed are pictured inside an underground tunnel dug by the Islamic State (IS) West Sussex, UK, gentleman”. says they are aware “of the po- on Monday. group to carry out archaeological excavations in the heart of the hill This example comes with tential for looted, smuggled or The PMI Composite that houses the tomb of the Prophet Jonah (Nabi Younes) in east Mosul. letters of provenance by experts. other stolen materials” to come reading measuring corporate Sumerians, Assyrians and Babylonians have all trod on the ancient land that is now Iraq, and that makes it a land of choice for smugglers, But the ownership history of onto the market. “We spend a confidence slipped to 59.5 in turning the boom in looted objects from antiquity into a real problem some such objects can be harder great deal of effort and money in August, just under the strong in a country where corruption is prevalent and archaeological sites are to prove. seeking to weed such possibilities 60.2 figure given in July. A fig- poorly protected. PHOTO: ARIS MESSINIS / AFP They may not have been out,” he said. — AFP ure above 50 indicates growth. The dip was explained in part by some business concern Japan to oblige businesses to reduce 12 disposable plastic items over the effects of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, JAPAN will oblige business oper- restaurants and retail stores. tities such as convenience stores, new practices such as giving but especially by demand ators to reduce the provision of Business operators can choose hotels, laundries, and pizza deliv- points to customers who decline outstripping supply as activity 12 disposable plastic items such from among measures includ- ery companies will be affected by to take the items, introducing re- bounced back vigorously in the as spoons and straws from next ing charging for the items and the measure. usable products, and making it 19-nation eurozone. “Supply April to promote recycling and switching to recyclable products. The Environment Ministry standard practice to ask custom- chain delays continue to wreak tackle marine pollution, the gov- Targeted plastic items also and the Ministry of Economy, ers whether they need the plastic havoc,” IHS Markit’s chief busi- ernment said Monday. include forks, knives, combs, Trade and Industry will draft or- items at all. Businesses that fail ness economist, Chris William- The move is based on legis- toothbrushes, shower caps and dinances this fall after hearing to meet the new requirement will son, said. — AFP lation that was enacted in June clothes hangers. Businesses that public opinion on the measure. be advised or ordered to improve to cut down on plastic waste at provide these items in large quan- Operators will be asked to adopt their practices. — Kyodo News Israel to offer Covid jabs in schools to Anger as Covid-sceptic church flouts Sydney lockdown avoid closures

AUSTRALIAN police on Monday ISRAEL said Monday it would criticized a Sydney church for offer Covid-19 vaccinations to flouting the city’s Covid-19 lock- students on school grounds down by holding a service for 60 as it announced the school people in a pandemic hotspot. year would open on time next The church is part of Christ week, despite surging corona- Embassy, an international reli- virus cases. gious group headquartered in La- “Pupils— will be vac- gos, Nigeria, which has a record cinated on school grounds of spreading Covid-19 conspiracy during school hours, subject to theories. parental approval,” a govern- After being tipped off by resi- ment statement said, confirm- dents on Sunday, police moved in ing classes would begin on 1 on the Christ Embassy Sydney September. church, issuing a fine of 5,000 Israeli leaders say they are Australian dollars ($3,600) to the trying to avoid repeating dis- organization and Aus$1,000 fines ruptive school closures amid to 30 parishioners. the Covid-19 pandemic. Australian media quoted a The country has seen Facebook-streamed sermon on a steep rise in coronavirus Sunday from the church in the infections after months when This picture taken on 21 August 2021 shows workers walking along the quiet George Street in Sydney as western Sydney region’s Black- its world-beating vaccine cam- the city extended its two-month-old lockdown and introduced a partial curfew to contain a fast-spreading town as saying: “In the name of coronavirus outbreak. PHOTO: DAVID GRAY / AFP paign drove down cases. Jesus we refuse every lockdown The health ministry said in our cities. We declare the lock- people blatantly take it upon “That is the key: to keep peo- tralia’s largest city struggles to Monday that 6,467 new Covid downs are over in the name of themselves to contradict what we ple out of hospital, to make sure contain a Delta variant outbreak cases were recorded in Israel Jesus.” know works, to contradict what that we keep people as safe and that now tops 800 new cases a a day prior, with 1,142 people The Sydney church did not we know is keeping people out as healthy as possible. And we day.Residents are only allowed to hospitalized. About 30 per immediately respond to a request of hospital,” Gladys Berejiklian, know the vaccine is having such a leave home to shop for essential cent of children aged 12-15 to comment. premier of New South Wales state huge impact on that.” The whole items, exercise, in health emer- have received two vaccine “It is always disheartening — of which Sydney is the capital of greater Sydney is currently un- gencies or for a handful of other doses in Israel, far less than and disappointing when you see — told a news conference. der stay-at-home orders, as Aus- reasons. — AFP any other age group.—AFP 24 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR BIZ: WORLD 13 Asian markets and oil bounce Bitcoin jumps above $50,000 for after last week’s tumble first time since May STOCKS and oil rallied Mon- vance stall. day on bargain-buying after However, Dallas Federal last week’s blow-out, with Reserve boss Bob Kaplan, who BITCOIN broke back above traders tracking a healthy Wall is considered a policy hawk, $50,000 on Monday for the first Street performance fuelled by suggested he could rethink time in three months as inves- comments from a top Feder- his view to taper soon in light tors piled back into the cryp- al Reserve official that the of the Delta variant’s spread, tocurrency on bargain-buying. spread of the Delta variant which is showing signs of hob- The unit climbed around could cause him reconsider bling economic growth. two per cent to $50,249.15, its plans to taper monetary policy. “The thing that I am going highest since mid-May, when it Fears about the Covid to be watching very carefully began tumbling on a range of mutation have rattled world over the next month, before the issues including China’s crack- markets as it forces some next (Fed) meeting, is (wheth- down on cryptocurrencies and governments to reimpose er) it is having a more material Tesla boss Elon Musk’s decision containment measures, while impact on slowing demand and to stop accepting it on concerns sentiment was jolted further slowing GDP growth,” he said. about the environmental impact last week by minutes from the “I’m going to keep an open of mining. (FILES) This file photo taken on 17 December 2020 shows a physical Fed’s July meeting indicating mind on that, and if it is hav- The electric car giant has imitation of a Bitcoin at a cryptocurrency “Bitcoin Change” shop in it could start withdrawing its ing a more negative effect that Istanbul. Bitcoin broke back above 50,000 USD on 23 August 2021 since indicated its support for for the first time in three months as investors piled back into the vast financial support by year’s might cause me to adjust my bitcoin, while several other cryptocurrency on bargain-buying. PHOTO: OZAN KOSE / AFP end. views somewhat from ones high-profile investors includ- The colossal bond-buying that I’ve stated.” ing Twitter founder Jack Dorsey ing that it could begin its push expect as a new trading range in programme and record low Observers said the gener- have also flagged their interest. towards $100,000. the low-$40,000s to low-$50,000s”. interest rates have been a key al consensus is that even when It has now risen more than Rick Bensignor, at Ben- Bitcoin is still for now a pillar of the global recovery the Fed finishes winding back 70 per cent from the six-month signor Investment Strategies, long way off its record just be- for more than a year, and the support, it is unlikely to im- lows below $29,000 touched in said Monday that it was “getting low $65,000 that it achieved in prospect of the cash being mediately start hiking interest June, and speculation is swirl- nearer the higher end of what I April. — AFP withdrawn has seen that ad- rates.— AFP

Japanese packaging maker Rengo buys shares in Indonesian peers

JAPANESE packaging maker Rapipack Asritama, collectively under the earn out clause of near Jakarta, in the suburbs Containers, a joint venture be- Rengo Co. has bought shares called the Intan Group. The deal the agreement, a Rengo official of Surabaya in East Java, near tween Rengo and Indonesian in three Indonesian corrugated was carried out by Thai Contain- told NNA. Semarang in Central Java and food business Indofood Group, container producers through its ers Group’s wholly owned TCG The share purchases give Manado in North Sulawesi. The and three via Thai Containers Thai affiliate, Thai Containers Solutions Pte. Ltd., according Rengo control of four additional Rengo official declined to dis- Group. Group Co., for 822 billion rupiah to Rengo. corrugated packaging factories, close the group’s production Thai Containers Group is ($57 million). The investment amount bringing to 11 the total number capacity. owned 30 per cent by Rengo and The acquisitions involve 75 may rise up to 859 billion rupi- of plants the Osaka-based com- Elsewhere in the country, 70 per cent by SCG Packaging per cent each of PT Indonesia ah depending on Intan Group’s pany operates in Indonesia. Rengo has four corrugated Public Co, a subsidiary of Thai Dirtajaya Aneka Industri Box, incremental financial perfor- The plants of the group are packaging factories under its material giant Siam Cement PT Bahana Buana Box and PT mance for fiscal 2022 and 2023 located in Bekasi in West Java wing through PT Surya Rengo Public Co. — Kyodo News

PayPal to let UK users buy, Tokyo stocks end higher on dip-buying, hold and sell cryptocurrency speculation over stimulus PAYPAL on Monday said it will will be added to its platform, TOKYO stocks ended higher rine transportation, transpor- by some 40 per cent next month this week begin to allow users in showing real-time currency Monday on dip-buying after tation equipment and electric compared to its initial plan was Britain to buy, hold and sell cryp- prices, PayPal said. “The pan- the Nikkei’s lowest finish for appliance issues. deemed overdone, brokers said. tocurrency through the online demic has accelerated digital this year late last week and The U.S. dollar edged up Also contributing to stocks’ payment platform for the first change and innovation across growing speculation that the near the 110 yen line, as the gains was the loss of Hachiro time. The expansion into the all aspects of our lives, including defeat of a close ally of Prime unit was bought on expecta- Okonogi, who received support hot digital money trend follows the digitization of money and Minister Yoshihide Suga in a tions of a wider interest rate from Suga and some other mem- similar moves by the payments greater consumer adoption high-profile local election may gap between the United States bers of his ruling Liberal Dem- giant in the United States earlier of digital financial services,” prompt his government to draw and Japan after a rise in US ocratic Party in the Yokohama this year. said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, up measures, such as an addi- Treasury yields late last week, mayoral election on Sunday, they The US firm said its new of PayPal. He added the firm tional stimulus package, in the dealers said. said. service would allow UK-based hoped the new offering would hope of propping up his falling Stocks rebounded as in- The election outcome, seen customers to choose from four “help people in the UK to ex- popularity . vestors scooped up battered as a gauge for Suga’s popular- types of cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, plore cryptocurrency”. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock shares after the Nikkei bench- ity, fuelled speculation that his Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin “We are committed to con- Average ended up 480.99 points, mark fell about 2 per cent in the Cabinet may come up with an Cash. They will be available both tinue working closely with regu- or 1.78 per cent, from Friday at two days through Friday to its additional economic measure via the PayPal app and its web- lators in the UK, and around the 27,494.24. The broader Topix lowest level since. 28 Decem- against the coronavirus pan- site, with the expansion set to world, to offer our support and index of all First Section issues ber 2020. demic fallout in a bid to shore up start this week and be available meaningfully contribute to shap- on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Dip-buying kicked in as re- his approval ratings and win the to all eligible customers within ing the role digital currencies finished 34.46 points, or 1.83 per cent falls triggered by Toyota House of Representatives elec- the next few weeks. will play in the future of global fi- cent, higher at 1,915.14. Motor Corp.’s announcement tion due in the fall, the brokers A new cryptocurrency tab nance and commerce.”— AFP Gainers were led by ma- that it was cutting global output said.— Kyodo News 24 AUGUST 2021 14 WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

NEWS IN BRIEF US, S Korea nuclear envoys vow work People evacuated to resume talks with N Korea as new wildfire hits Greek island THE top nuclear envoys of South Kim told reporters that the to meet with my North Korean Kim, who arrived in South Korea and the United States United States supports inter-Ko- counterparts anywhere, at any Korea on Saturday, also held talks pledged Monday to work towards rean humanitarian projects. time.” with visiting Russian Deputy For- SCORES of firefighters backed an early resumption of dialogue With North Korea suggesting During his previous trip to eign Minister Igor Morgulov on by water-dropping aircraft with North Korea amid tensions countermeasures over the US- South Korea in June, the envoy Monday, according to Yonhap battled a forest fire that broke with Pyongyang over ongoing South Korea exercises, the US had made a similar remark, of- News Agency. out early Monday on the military exercises between the envoy stressed that Washington fering to meet with the North Ko- A Noh-Morgulov meeting is southern part of Greece’s Evia allies. does not have a “hostile intent” rean side “anywhere, anytime, scheduled for Tuesday. island, less than two weeks During their meeting in toward Pyongyang. He added without preconditions.” In late July, North and South after an inferno decimated its Seoul, Sung Kim, the US special that such drills are “long-stand- Noh said he and Kim pledged Korea restored their communi- northern part. representative for North Korea, ing, routine and purely defensive to work together to resume cations lines that had been left The fire was burning near and his South Korean counter- in nature.” North-South and US-North Ko- disconnected for about a year. the village of Fygia where two part Noh Kyu Duk also discussed Though US-North Korean rea dialogue “as soon as possible” But North Korea has since hard- neighbourhoods have been possible humanitarian assistance talks on denuclearization on the while monitoring the situation ened its stance as the United evacuated and was moving to Pyongyang, including meas- Korean Peninsula and sanctions surrounding North Korea, includ- States and South Korea moved towards the coastal tourist ures against infectious diseases, relief have stalled since 2019, Kim ing its response to the ongoing to hold regular joint military ex- village of Marmari, where au- Noh told reporters afterwards. said, “I’ll continue to stand ready military exercise. ercises. — Kyodo News ` thorities were preparing boats to evacuate people if needed, according to Athens News Agency. Forty-six firefighters Deadly firefight at Kabul airport as US boosts airlift were battling flames fanned by high winds — assisted by troops “participated in further 20 fire engines, three wa- exchange of fire”, the German ter-dropping airplanes and army said in a statement. two helicopters, the Greek fire This was the latest episode brigade said. — AFP in a chaotic operation overseen by the US army that has seen about 30,000 people evacuated Indonesian ex- from Afghanistan since the Tal- minister jailed for 12 iban marched into Kabul on 15 years in virus graft August, taking effective control of the country. case The Taliban, infamous for an ultra-strict interpretation of INDONESIA’S ex-social affairs sharia law during their initial minister was jailed for 12 1996-2001 rule, have repeatedly years on Monday after being vowed a softer version this time. convicted of taking $1.2 million But terrified Afghans contin- in bribes linked to food aid for ue to try and flee, overwhelming poor families hit by the corona- In this picture taken in the late hours on 22 August 2021 Afghans wait outside the foreign military- the operation at Kabul airport virus pandemic. controlled part of the airport in Kabul, hoping to flee the country following the Taliban’s military takeover of and leading to tragic scenes in Afghanistan. PHOTO: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP A Jakarta court handed which at least eight people have out the stiff sentence to Juliari WESTERN security forces were up the chaotic evacuation of tens dawn firefight that according died. The Taliban’s victory ended Batubara following his Decem- involved in an exchange of fire of thousands of people from Tali- to the German military erupt- two decades of war as they took ber arrest and a sting operation with unidentified gunmen Mon- ban-controlled Afghanistan. ed between Afghan guards and advantage of Biden’s decision to that turned up suitcases, back- day at Kabul airport, as US Pres- One Afghan was killed and unknown assailants. withdraw nearly all US troops packs and envelopes stuffed ident Joe Biden sought to speed three others were injured in a German and American from the country. — AFP with cash. “The court sentences the defendant to 12 years in prison Japan to send SDF planes to Afghanistan for evacuations and orders him to pay 500 million rupiah ($35,000) in JAPAN will dispatch a total deem it important to secure fines or serve six more months of three Self-Defence Forces the safety of local staff of the in prison,” presiding judge planes to Afghanistan to evac- embassy and JICA remaining Muhammad Damis told the uate Japanese nationals and there as they include those who hearing, which was held virtu- local staff who worked for the wish to leave the country,” Kato ally for virus safety reasons. Japanese Embassy there and said. The former politician other organizations amid the Prime Minister Yoshihide was also ordered to pay the worsening security situation Suga will join a Group of Sev- equivalent of about $1 million in the country, the top govern- en nations’ online summit to in restitution, or face an addi- ment spokesman said Monday. be held on Tuesday over the tional two years in prison, the Chief Cabinet Secretary situation in Afghanistan, he court said. Katsunobu Kato said the gov- added. Japanese diplomats Batubara would take cash ernment will send one C-2 were evacuated to Dubai last from two contractors hired to transport aircraft on Monday Tuesday after the embassy in supply basic food packages for and two C-130s on Tuesday. the capital Kabul was shut on Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato speaks at a press Indonesians hit hard by the “Securing the safety of Jap- 15 August, with the Taliban re- conference in Tokyo on 23 August 2021. PHOTO: KYODO health crisis, the court heard anese people (in Afghanistan) gaining control of the country from power by U.S.-led forces, for international organizations earlier.— AFP is our top priority, and we also 20 years after it was ousted but some Japanese working remain there. — Kyodo News 24 AUGUST 2021 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR GLOBAL AFFAIRS 15

Tokyo opens oxygen station for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms

A facility to provide oxygen sup- whose symptoms become severe The site, with some 60 staff, port to COVID-19 patients with will be considered for admission is aiming to inoculate 540 people relatively mild symptoms start- to hospital. per day. Registration for the shots ed operating Monday in Tokyo The station was opened in began on 16 August, with slots to relieve the strain on the cap- the former site of the National already filled up until 29 August. ital’s medical system as infections Children’s Castle, a complex that While the city said it still ex- surge. contained play and educational pects to complete inoculation of The oxygen station set up by facilities for children. its residents wishing to receive the metropolitan government in As of Sunday, more than shots using mainly the vaccines the capital’s Shibuya Ward will 39,000 patients in Tokyo are re- developed by Pfizer Inc. and run around the clock. It has 130 covering at home or elsewhere Moderna Inc. within November, beds and is staffed by three doc- without hospital admission, un- it hopes the AstraZeneca shots tors and 25 nurses. derscoring the urgent need to will speed up the process. It is designed to treat pa- expand the support system in The Ministry of Health, tients who have been asked to re- the capital. Photo taken on 21 August 2021, in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward shows Labour and Welfare approved cuperate at home but who expe- The metropolitan govern- an “oxygen station” for use by COVID-19 patients who have been the AstraZeneca vaccine in rience concerns over breathing. ment plans to add another 110 recuperating at home. PHOTO:KYODO NEWS May, but the government ini- Stays are likely to be short-term, beds in oxygen-station capacity tially withheld supplying the such as one or two nights. within hospitals it runs by the ID-19 vaccine at Shiromi Hall, a seen daily infections top 2,000 doses, taking into consideration Those who feel better after end of this month. multipurpose hall in Osaka Cas- since 18 August with Osaka city reported rare cases of blood receiving oxygen support will be Meanwhile, a site opened to tle Park in Osaka city. The move accounting for some 40 per cent clots among young people over- sent back home, while patients provide AstraZeneca Plc’s COV- came as Osaka Prefecture has of the cases. seas.— Kyodo News New Zealand to stay in lockdown, China reports zero local outbreak ‘yet to peak’ virus cases as Delta

“Delta had a head start outbreak retreats on us and we’ve needed to CHINA reported no new domes- with infections as part of their catch up as quickly as we tic coronavirus cases Monday, “zero case” approach to the pan- could — we don’t think we and Beijing appears poised to demic, which has virtually sealed have reached the peak of this bring to heel the pandemic’s off China’s borders but allowed outbreak,” she said. most serious resurgence in the economy to rebound. Ardern said 35 new cases months — driven by the highly New domestic infections had been detected, taking the contagious Delta variant — with have been falling for over two total to 107, with more than mass testing and targeted lock- weeks. 13,000 close contacts under- downs. On Monday, National Health going testing. The latest outbreak, which Commission data showed local New Zealand’s lockdown began in mid-July when clean- infections returned to zero after was due to expire late Tuesday ers at a Nanjing airport tested a five-week battle. but Ardern said it would con- positive, is the most severe since Meanwhile health experts tinue through to Friday nation- Covid-19 first surfaced in the cen- are attempting to shore up con- This picture shows empty streets during a nationwide covid-19 wide and until the evening of tral city of Wuhan. fidence in the country’s vaccina- lockdown in Wellington on 18 August 2021. PHOTO: AFP 31 August in Auckland. Over a thousand people tion drive with leading virologist NEW Zealand extended a na- of the highly transmissible vari- “The safest option for all have been infected across doz- Zhong Nanshan saying “effective tional Covid-19 lockdown Mon- ant meant it was too early to lift of us right now is to hold the ens of cities. herd immunity” is on the horizon day, with Prime Minister Jacinda restrictions imposed last week course for longer,” she said. But Communist authorities once over 80 per cent of the pop- Ardern saying a Delta variant after a virus cluster emerged in “This will allow us to have reacted with swift localized lock- ulation is vaccinated — a target outbreak has yet to peak. Auckland, ending a six-month run additional data and see if the downs, travel restrictions and likely achieved by year-end. — Ardern said the rapid spread of no local cases. virus has spread.”— AFP mass testing of neighbourhoods AFP

US VP Harris vows ‘enduring engagement’ in Asia

VICE-President Kamala Harris also include Vietnam, Harris re- “reassurances on American in- vowed “enduring engagement” peatedly insisted that the United tentions in the region, and in the in Asia on Monday, offering reas- States could be depended on. world”. surances of Washington’s com- “Our administration is com- US President Joe Biden’s mitment to the region following mitted to enduring engagement administration is seeking to the United States’ withdrawal in Singapore, into Southeast Asia reset relationships in Asia af- from Afghanistan and the Tali- and the Indo-Pacific,” Harris told ter the turbulent Trump era, ban takeover. a press conference alongside and project Washington as a The hardline Islamists’ swift Singapore’s leader. stabilizing force in the face of return to power a week ago, and “The reason I am here is growing Chinese aggression. desperate scenes of thousands because the United States is a But analysts say the Talib- trying to flee, have cast a shadow global leader, and we take that an’s seizure of power and rapid over the United States’ status as role seriously.” collapse of US-trained Afghan a global superpower. Singapore’s Prime Minis- forces have caused fresh con- US Vice-President Kamala Harris (R) and Singapore’s Prime Minister But on a visit to Singapore, ter Lee Hsien Loong said he cerns about US dependabili- Lee Hsien Loong attend a meeting in Singapore on 23 August her first stop on a trip that will welcomed the vice president’s ty.— AFP 2021. PHOTO: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN / POOL / AFP 24 AUGUST 2021 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar player Hein Htet renews Republic of the Union contract with Selangor FC of Myanmar give it my all every day”, My- anmar shining star said upon State Administration his renewal of the contract. Hein Htet Aung was orig- Council inally offered by Selangor FC until the end of 2023, but will Nine Objectives now be able to see the Myan- mar youth player in the Ma- laysian Super League until the 1. Political affairs end of the 2024 season. (a) To build a Union based on democracy and federal- In addition, gratuity plans ism, through a disciplined and genuine multiparty will be added to the player’s democratic system that is fair and just. salary, which will be increased (b) To emphasize the achievement of enduring peace from year to year, and if a play- for the entire nation in line with the Nationwide er is sold before the contract Myanmar youth player Hein Htet seen at physical training session of the end, a percentage of the sale Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). Selangor FC. PHOTO: SELANGOR FC amount will be returned to the (c) To continue implementing the principle of peaceful player. co-existence among countries through an inde- HEIN HTET AUNG, a Myan- reached between the agent and The Selangor FC board, pendent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. mar player in the Malaysian the player and a new contract authorities and coaches are Super League, assisted Sel- was signed after the match. particularly impressed with 2. Economic affairs angor FC winning 4-1 over “I’m very happy for the the Myanmar youngster’s abil- (a) To enhance production based on agriculture Penang FC last week. opportunity to play. I want to ity to adapt quickly to the team, and livestock through modern techniques and Thus, an agreement was do more. So I try my best and officials said. —GNLM strengthen all-round development in other sectors of the economy. (b) To develop a stable market economy and promote Bale scores but Real need Vinicius to earn draw international investment in order to enhance the GARETH BALE scored his first Liga goal since a second. Instead, Levante levelled 28 seconds into economic development of the entire National peo- 2019 but took two late goals from his replacement, the second half. The ball broke to unmarked Roger ple. Vinicius, to earn Real Madrid a 3-3 draw at Levante who beat Thibaut Courtois with a hard low shot (c) To promote and support local businesses to create on Sunday. That result allowed champions Atletico Levante took the lead in the 57th minute employment opportunities and increase domestic Madrid, who beat Elche 1-0 earlier in the evening, when Jose Campana met a deep cross with a production. to take top spot in La Liga. sweet volley into the top corner. Real manager In the late game in Valencia, Bale gave Real Carlo Ancelotti promptly yanked off Bale, Isco 3. Social affairs Madrid the lead after five minutes. Karim Ben- and Eden Hazard in a triple substitution. One (a) To ensure a strong and dynamic Union spirit, the zema ran in on goal but when the ball was held of the subs, Vinicius repaid his coach in the 73rd genuine spirit of patriotism. up by water on the pitch cut it back to Bale who minute, accelerating onto a pass from Casimeiro, (b) To respect and promote the customs and traditions side-footed the ball home. shrugging off a defender and rolling a shot into of all National peoples and preserve and safeguard It was the Welshman’s first goal in La Liga the corner of the net. since his second goal, an 86th minute equalizer, Seven minutes later, David Alaba nodded a their cultural heritage and national characteristics. in a 2-2 draw against Villarreal at the start of Levante free kick down into his own six yard box (c) To enhance the health, fitness and education September in 2019, a match which he ended by and Rober Pier gleefully thumped the ball home quality of the entire nation. collecting a red card. from close range. With five minutes left, Vinicius Real dominated the first half but could not find again equalised. — AFP

Tokyo Games chief Hashimoto vows to guard Paralympians from pandemic THE president of the Tokyo derlying health conditions. been asked quite often is, can Games organizing committee The number of daily in- we have safe games? And the on Monday pledged to take fections has roughly tripled answer is yes,” he said at the all possible measures against in Tokyo since the start of the press conference. “We would not the coronavirus to hold a safe Olympics on 23 July, and the be here if we did not believe that Paralympics for participants Japanese public remains wor- we could deliver a safe games.” and the Japanese public, on ried about going ahead with the The Tokyo Paralympics, the eve of the opening of the Paralympics during a global delayed for one year due to the largest global event for athletes health crisis. coronavirus pandemic, will fea- with disabilities. “We will protect Andrew Parsons, president ture about 4,400 athletes, while the games that will open tomor- of the International Paralym- competitions will be held with- row until the very end and guide pic Committee, expressed con- out spectators as part of efforts them to success,” Seiko Hashi- fidence that safety rules will to prevent the further spread of moto told a press conference. be followed by athletes and COVID-19. Hashimoto said the com- officials, and stressed that the The IPC said 161 countries mittee will strengthen corona- games can be held without risk- and regions, in addition to the International Paralympic Committee chief Andrew Parsons (C) and Seiko Hashimoto (L), head of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic virus countermeasures from ing their health or that of the refugee team, will compete in organizing committee, attend a press conference in Tokyo on 23 August those of the Olympics, since public. the 13-day games through 5 Sep- 2021. PHOTO : KYODO NEWS many Paralympians have un- “One of the questions I have tember.— Kyodo News