INDONESIA welcomed 13.9 million foreign tourists in 2024, marking a significant increase from the 11.68 million visitors recorded in 2023, the Ministry of Tourism announced in a press release on Saturday. 

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri attributed this achievement to the effective policies implemented during President Prabowo Subianto’s first 100 days in office. “In the first 100 working days, the government has successfully maintained the growth in the number of foreign tourists, which continues to increase compared to the same period in 2023,” said Putri in the press release. She added that the stable political and social conditions in Indonesia, coupled with its diverse nature-based tourism offerings, have made the country a safe and attractive destination for international visitors. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Artistes were urged to uphold national and ethnic interests based on their expertise in the arts through a national spirit for the benefit of the nation and its people.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that it is necessary to take measures to eliminate the actions carried out through social networks and unethical media that undermine religion, national culture, and unity, mislead young people in their thoughts and beliefs, and weaken the attempts that could harm the nation’s interests.
The Myanmar Motion Pictures Outstanding Award Presentation ceremony for 2024 took place at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday evening, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who delivered an opening address and awarded the outstanding artistes.
The Senior General and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla viewed the documentary photos bearing motion pictures of outstanding award winners, films and outstanding artistes and technicians from 1952 to 2023 displayed along the entrance to the Jade Hall.
The Senior General opened the ceremony for 2024 by keeping an Academy Statue on the digital machine board.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General delivered an opening address. He said: Myanmar motion pictures, with their rich history spanning over 100 years, have not only entertained the public by providing relaxation and a variety of artistic experiences across different eras but have also played a significant role in reflecting the nation’s important affairs and real situations through art. As a result, it has fulfilled its responsibility to both the country and its people.
Film artistes played a role in inspiring patriotism and unity among ethnic communities during the struggle for independence. Through their artistic talents, they encouraged national spirit, cultural preservation, and solidarity. Even after independence, they continued to contribute to internal peace, national unity, and national development through their artistic endeavours.
Everybody must continuously strive to preserve and document valuable existing national cultural heritage as part of the world’s cultural heritage for all of humanity. For the success of this endeavour, all citizens of Myanmar have to work together and contribute.

The principles conveyed through an art form reflect a nation’s cultural values, making motion pictures an extremely significant medium. As a fusion of art, craftsmanship, and technology, motion pictures possess a profound influence, subtly yet effectively touching the hearts and minds of the people, standing as a powerful form of media and a key instrument of soft power.
All film artistes have to create films that leave a lasting impact on people’s hearts and bring meaningful benefits.
Through artistic expression, they have to aim to raise international awareness of Myanmar and people, fostering deeper connections and understanding seeking to use art as a means to spread knowledge and insights, ensuring that public thoughts and perspectives align with the nation’s progress. Ultimately, these works must initiate collective participation from all citizens in nation-building through powerful and effective artistic works.
As the actions carried out through social networks and unethical media that undermine religion, national culture, and unity, mislead young people in their thoughts and beliefs, and weaken their morale are deliberate attempts that could harm the nation’s interests, it is necessary to take measures to reduce and eliminate them.
Artistes from all arenas have to contribute to the successful implementation of national peace, prosperity, development, and the achievement of goals.
A special request is made to ensure that Myanmar’s traditions and customs do not fade or disappear, to prevent the influence of foreign cultures from overshadowing own culture, and to preserve Myanmar’s cultural identity without losing its essence.
The Senior General also urged all to adapt harmoniously to the changing times while upholding national and ethnic interests based on their expertise in the arts through a national spirit for the benefit of the nation and its people.
Chairman of the Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization Academy U Kyi Soe Tun spoke words of appreciation.
Receptionists of the academy awarding ceremony were introduced to the audiences, and artistes from the MMPO and the National University of Arts and Culture presented a dancing performance with the song titled Myu-hmaung-way-kin.
Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn announced the winners of the Lifetime Awards for Motion Pictures Achievement for 2024.
The Senior General and his wife presented Lifetime Awards for Motion Pictures Achievement to veteran actor U Kyi Soe, veterans Academy director Maung Hnin Moe, Academy Wah Wah Win Shwe and Academy Khin Than Nu who spoke words of appreciation.
At the announcement of Film Academy Awards for the year 2024, the Best film award was handed to the film ‘Chitthuthar Pantapwint Phyitkhehlyin’ produced by Taurus V Production, the Best cinematography award to Kaung Zan from the film ‘Chitthuthar Pantapwint Phyitkhehlyin’, the Best film music award to Di Ra Mo from the film ‘Eainmet Karyan’, the Best Film Sound Award to Aung Myo Myat and Ye Win from the film ‘Mee’, the Best Film Editing Award to Arkar Kyaw from the film ‘Hnaung’, the Best Film Script Award to Aye Thiri Ko from the film ‘Tein Pachi’ and the special award to makeup performer Lon Lon (Linkadipa).
Myanmar Academy Fashion Awards for 2024 were presented to Yan Aung, Soe Moe Kyi, Htet Aung Shine and Nann Su Yati Soe.
The Best Director Award was presented to Win Lwin Htet from film ‘Eainmet Karyan’, the Best Supporting Actress Award to Chuu Lay from the film ‘Bodaw Kin’, the Best Supporting Actor Award to Aye Chan Maung from the film ‘Mee’, the Best Actress Award to Wut Hmon Shwe Yi from the film ‘Tein Pachi’, and the Best Actor Award to Nay Toe from the film ‘Hnaung’.
Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn and veteran Academy award winner artistes presented gold statues for Academy Award to relevant winners.

During the ceremony, artistes from MMPO, Myanmar Music Association and Myanmar Theatrical Association performed songs and dances.
The Senior General and his wife cordially greeted intellectuals, intelligentsia and artistes from motion picture, literary, theatrical and music arenas.
Also present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, the Council Joint Secretary, council members and their wives, union-level dignitaries, Union ministers and their wives, regional and state chief ministers, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, patrons, the chair and members of MMPO, officials from Myanmar Motion Pictures Assessment Board, Myanmar Theatrical Association, Myanmar Music Association (Central), Myanmar Press Council, Myanmar Comedian’s Association, international organizations and guests.
The Myanmar motion pictures which started in 1920 turn 105 years now. For the sake of improving standard of the Myanmar’s motion pictures, the Myanmar Motion Pictures Assessment Board has been selecting and awarding outstanding artistes and technicians since 1952. This year’s event was the 66th time in 73 years. — MNA/TTA

Source: www.moi.gov.mm

Rebuilt Sishay Bridge enhances cultural heritage of Myanansankyaw Golden Palace

A ceremony to inaugurate the Sishay Bridge rebuilt in its original form took place near Shishay Gate at the western wall of the Royal Mandalay City in Mandalay Region yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Mandalay Region Minister for Development Affairs Mandalay City Development Committee Chairman Mayor U Kyaw Hsan reported to the Senior General on the construction of the Sishay Bridge.
Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung presented a commemorative gift to mark the opening of the rebuilt bridge to the Senior General.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Director of Military Engineers Maj-Gen Zaw Naing Oo and Mandalay Mayor U Kyaw Hsan cut the ribbon to open the bridge.
The Senior General unveiled the stone plaque of the bridge and sprinkled scented water on it. The Senior General, his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla and his entourage strolled along the bridge and cordially greeted residents.
Also present at the ceremony were SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, the Mandalay Region Chief Minister, senior Tatmadaw officers and their wives of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, and officials.
King Mindon constructed the Sishay Bridge along the western wall of the Royal Mandalay City in 1221 ME (Myanmar Era), alongside the magnificent Myanansankyaw Golden Palace. This historical project stands as a testament to the architectural and cultural achievements of the era. These were damaged in World War II. Sishay Bridge is the main exit of the western wall of the royal city. Following the guidance of the SAC Chairman Prime Minister to rebuild the bridge in its original form and ensure its long-term existence, the Directorate of Military Engineers started construction tasks in August 2024. The bridge was commissioned into service successfully yesterday. Four dimensions of the walls of the Mandalay Palace were built with three gates, totalling 12. Significant titles were given to the central one of three gates each. Thanks to the reconstruction of the Sishay Bridge, Myanansankyaw Golden Palace can be filled with better characteristics of national cultural heritage. — MNA/TTA

Source: www.moi.gov.mm

KAZAKHSTAN is taking steps to enhance the safety and convenience of foreign tourists and has introduced a new initiative to provide every incoming traveller with a special QR code card linked to the SafeTravel.kz platform. 

This multilingual online resource offers essential safety information, emergency contacts, as well as travel recommendation. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in a press release stated, “At a recent expanded government meeting, the Head of State emphasized the strategic importance of tourism development and the creation of favourable conditions for foreign visitors.” 

It added, “In line with this directive, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to enhance the safety of incoming tourists. Now, every foreign visitor entering Kazakhstan, including those passing through border control, can receive a special card with a QR code linking to the multilingual online platform SafeTravel.kz. This platform provides essential information and recommendations for a safe stay in Kazakhstan, along with links to download useful mobile applications.” — ANI

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THOUSANDS of people were leaving the Greek island of Santorini by sea and air for a third day on Tuesday, as an unprecedented series of earthquakes shook the top travel destination.
Some 6,000 people have already left the island, known for its spectacular cliffside views and a dormant volcano, which has been hit by hundreds of tremors since last week, officials said.
A quake with a magnitude of 4.9 hit early on Tuesday morning amid other smaller tremors. No injuries or damage were reported on Santorini and the neighbouring islands of Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, which have also been affected by the seismic activity.
Experts say the region has not experienced seismic activity on this scale in recent history and do not know how long it will last.
“This is the first time this is happening, we have not seen it before,” Athanassios Ganas, research director at the national observatory’s institute of geodynamics, told state TV ERT.
He noted that the area had been hit with over 40 earthquakes with a magnitude of over 4.0 in the past 72 hours. Santorini lies atop a volcano which last erupted in 1950 — but an experts’ committee on Monday said the current phenomenon was “not linked to volcanic activity”.
According to the Greek coastguard, over 4,600 people have left the island by ferry since Sunday alone. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

CHINA’S manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong and research vessel Dayang Yihao (Ocean No 1) are set to complete major upgrades in preparation for deep-sea exploration missions this year, according to the country’s oceanic affairs administration.
Jiaolong, named after a mythical sea dragon, is capable of diving to depths exceeding 7,000 metres. The China-made underwater ship has explored waters in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.
Its upgrades are currently in progress, and technicians have already completed major enhancements to its critical components, including the lithium battery system.
The sea dragon-inspired submersible is scheduled to undergo tank tests in February and sea trials in the South China Sea in March. Major upgrades on Ocean No 1 include the installation of remotely-operated underwater vehicles, which will enhance its capabilities and provide reliable support for future deep-sea resources survey and development, said the administration.
Ocean No 1 is China’s first modern comprehensive ocean-going scientific research vessel. With over four decades of service, it has conducted 27 oceanographic scientific expeditions. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Research and Development Division of the Department of Fisheries found over 80 species of amphibians and reptiles and 90 species of fish inhabit Indawgyi Lake in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.
“The research findings showed that over 80 amphibians and reptiles were found residing in Indawgyi Lake by December 2022. More than 90 fish species are found in the lake. As the lake is associated with the Ayeyawady River, some fish species are researched to lay eggs in Indawgyi Lake as well. Fish species living in Ayeyawady River moved to the lake to spawn when river flooding occurred and then, they returned to their habitats.
Therefore, the department will conserve and protect fish spawning habitats,” said an official of the division. The Department has been researching habitats across lakes to protect the critically endangered freshwater fish originated in Myanmar and more conservation activities will be implemented.
Indawgyi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Myanmar and Southeast Asia’s third largest. It is home to a large number of mammals, amphibians, waterbirds, reptiles and fish species, boosting its rich biodiversity, surrounding wetlands and forests. The lake is 14 miles
north to south and seven miles east to west. It is located 700 feet above sea level, spanning 314.67 square miles. —ASH/KK

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Gaza   January 30
The landscape of Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip lies in ruins, a stark reminder of the violence that has engulfed the region. For displaced Palestinians recently allowed to return, the remnants of their homes have shattered fragile hopes for a life reclaimed.
After years spent in southern Gaza, where they endured relentless Israeli bombardments even in areas designated as "safe," these returnees now sought solace in the familiar. Instead, they encountered a harsh reality that rendered their home unrecognizable.
"Even all the words in the Arabic dictionary cannot describe the horror of what we see," Mariam Abu Shahla, a resident of Tal al-Hawa in Gaza City, told Xinhua.
Upon returning, she found her neighborhood, once alive with memories after 25 years, reduced to rubble. "The rubble swallowed everything. The homes once filled with memories are now piles of stones and silence as if the earth itself had consumed them," she said, her voice cracking with grief.
Uncertain of where to find shelter, Abu Shahla described her return as "hell." The smell of gunpowder still hung in the air, a testament to the violence that had ravaged the area. Returnees walked through the debris, their faces etched with disbelief and pain, each step heavy with the weight of grief. The silence was punctuated only by crumbling concrete, echoing the stillness of a place that had once thrived. Xinhua

Source: Yadanarbon Newspaper

Yangon is going EV all the way. EV private vehicle boom has been encouraged by the government through the abolition of import taxes on EVs. The imports become so popular that some auto traders are setting up entities to operate taxis from unsold stocks. Then came the coaches. Some of the popular coach companies are using EV tour buses to ply Yangon – Nay Pyi Taw route.The tide is not ending there. Now, another company has planned EV buses to be used in public transportation service in Yangon, said an official of the company.
“It is still underway. We need to seek approval for some requirements. The process is very strict so we need to ensure making our proposal more complete,” he said. Power Eleven Company is willing to test EV buses in YBS service so that weaknesses and advantages can be identified, and current buses are old, he said.
“We can identify weaknesses and advantages if we test it now. We will use EV buses in YBS services. It is very expensive and no one will consider trying it. But we won’t give up. It is less possible but we need to acquire feasibility. The problem is the project is very expensive so it might be difficult to ensure cost-effective. But we have planned to run on a trial so that we can identify its feasibility. It was not easy to run air-conditioned buses last seven or eight years, but we acquired feasibility to implement but lost as expected. However, we will have to try again after making calculations based on the data we acquired. It is impossible to do public transport like a commercial business,” he said.

Source : Myanmar Insider

BIRD feathers and bloodstains were found in both engines of the Jeju Air plane that crashed in December, according to a preliminary investigation released Monday.
The Boeing 737-800 was flying from Thailand to Muan in South Korea on 29 December when it crash landed and exploded into a fireball after slamming into a concrete barrier. It was the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew.
South Korean and American investigators are still probing the cause of the disaster, with a bird strike, faulty landing gear and the runway barrier among the possible issues. Both engines recovered from the crash site were inspected, and bird bloodstains and feathers were “found on each”, the report said.
“The pilots identified a group of birds while approaching runway 01, and a security camera filmed HL8088 coming close to a group of birds during a go-around,” the report added, referring to the Jeju jet’s registration number.
It did not specify whether the engines had stopped working in the moments leading up to the crash.
DNA analysis identified the feathers and blood as coming from Baikal teals, migratory ducks which fly to Korea in winter from their breeding grounds in Siberia.
After the air traffic control tower cleared the jet to land, it advised the pilots to exercise caution against potential bird strikes at 8:58 am, the report said.
Just a minute later, both the voice and data recording systems stopped functioning. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar