The second day of the Post-Earthquake Technical Forum, under the title of technically reviewing post-earthquake construction and renovation process and preparing potential technical challenges in the future, took place at Mingala Thiri Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
State Administration Council Member Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye, who is also Chairman of the Buildings Restoration, Utilization, and New Buildings Construction Supervision Committee, made a speech and presented certificates to international experts and officials of three Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Associations for their participation and efforts in holding the event.
During the first session of the event, the Myanmar and foreign experts read papers titled “Retrofitting and Reconstruction of the Earthquake Affected Pagodas and Historical Monuments’’, “Lesson Learned from Retrofitting of Private Houses in Nepal after the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake’’, Analysis of Major Earthquakes in Myanmar and Future Earthquake Risks”, “ Resilient Structures for Buildings and Infrastructures in High Seismic Zones’’ and “ Application of Isolation Technology in Post Earthquake Reconstruction and Reinforcement”.
During the second session, the researchers read out the papers titled “Techniques for Repairing Earthquake-Damaged Buildings”, “Challenges and Lessons Learned from Earthquake Hazards”, “Developing Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure through Construction Sector Growth and Strict Compliance with Standards” and “Assessments and Survey of Earthquake-Affected Pagodas and Ancient Monuments”.
During the third session, the participants discussed the topic of “Construction of Earthquake-Resistant Buildings and Provisions of MNBC-2025”, while the fourth session was about “Standards for Construction Materials and Challenges in Compliance and Usage” and the fifth session about “The Role of Local Supervisory Committees and Builders in Constructing Earthquake-Resistant Buildings”.
After the events, Myanmar Engineering Council Patron Union Minister U Myo Thant made a concluding remark. — MNA/KTZH

GLNM

On International Tiger Day, India highlights the remarkable recovery of its tiger population while acknowledging persistent threats such as poaching and habitat loss. Around 1947, India had nearly 40,000 tigers, but by 2006, only 1,411 remained in the wild. Since then, the introduction of revived, ecosystem-based approach led to significant gains. The majestic predators still serve as ecological guardians, maintaining forest balance and protecting biodiversity.

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The Fisheries Department and Myanmar Fisheries Federation released notices for the fish farmers to be aware of weather conditions and make preparations, as some of the regions and states face flooding due to storms in the 2025 monsoon. In the 2024 monsoon, 4,215.93 acres of fish ponds in Bago Region were flooded, and the Fisheries Department provided fingerlings to resume fish farming.
According to the weather forecast of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology yesterday, five regions and states, including Bago Region, will have heavy rainfalls, and the low-lying areas such as Kyaukgyisu ward, southern Zaiganine, Kyunthaya ward and Myothit ward are flooded, but not the fish ponds.
In October 2023, Bago Region also experienced sudden heavy rain, causing fish ponds to flood and water to overflow up to the foot of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda.
In July and August 2024, 56 fish farmers faced losses due to floods, and the Bago Region government and Fisheries Department provided 2,000 fingerlings of rohu, tilapia and catfish per acre, and over 300,000 tonnes of fish were produced per year.
“Bago City’s danger water level is 880 centimetres, and as of today, the water level is at 870 centimetres, so officials are closely monitoring the situation. Unlike previous years, the regional government had already repaired and prepared the streams and canals in advance to ensure proper water flow this year. Therefore, water has not yet entered the fish ponds. The water level in Bago has not reached the danger mark yet, although it is expected to. So far, there have been no reports of water entering or overflowing into fish farms. Everything is in a ready and stable condition,” said U Tun Tun Naing, chair of the Bago Region Fisheries Federation.
The fish produced from over 3,000 fish ponds are transported nationwide and exported to foreign countries. — 

Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH

Eight of the 22 axolotls, rescued from illegal trafficking in Mato Grosso do Sul in 2022, are now on display at Rio de Janeiro's aquarium, AquaRio, to raise awareness about their critically endangered status.

Native to Mexico and known for their remarkable regenerative abilities, these fascinating creatures have gained worldwide fame through video games. The latest census shows there are fewer than 1,000 axolotls left in the wild according to a marine biologist at the aquarium, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

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Local residents of Japan's Hokkaido evacuate to higher ground after a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east early Wednesday, causing tsunamis up to four metres across the Pacific and sparking evacuations from Hawaii to Japan. In Japan, nearly two million people were advised to evacuate, and many left by car or on foot. But there were no injuries or damage reported by early afternoon. 

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India on Tuesday sent a fresh batch of essential medicines to Syria, reaffirming its humanitarian commitment to support conflict-hit regions with critical healthcare supplies.  India handed over a consignment of 5 MT of essential life saving medicines, including anti-cancer, antibiotics and anti-hypertensive to Syria.

The gesture is part of India’s ongoing efforts to provide relief and medical assistance to conflict-affected regions and underscores New Delhi’s commitment to extend support during humanitarian crises.

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The Japan Culture and Education Fair, a combination of Kira Kira Japan Summer Festival, which can give a taste of Japanese summer and Japan Education Fair, which can provide advice on studying in Japan, will be held on 2-3 August.
At Kira Kira Japan Summer Festival, games which are played in summer festivals of Japan, Kanji Bingo game, Karate and Kendo demonstration, wearing Yukata, lucky draw and dance performance will be included, said the Japan Foundation, Yangon.
At the end of the second day, bon dance, which is a symbol of Japanese summer, will be performed together with participants, and Japanese traditional fans will be presented on a first-come, first-served system. Participants can take a photo with Japanese traditional fans and can join the bon dance.
Organized by the Japan Foundation and Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA), the festival will be held on 2 and 3 August at Hledan M-Tower, 18th Floor. No registration is necessary, and anyone can come to enjoy for free.
There will be a Yukata corner at the festival, and interested participants need to register for the first day at https://forms.gle/GvygUqzB9unzWNnd7 and the second day at https://forms.gle/rVoNpNJiwW21xcE68. MAJA has provided the contact numbers at 09 428756746 and 09 986093637 for more information.
Licensed Academy will host the Japan Education Fair, which brings learning opportunities in Japan, at the same time. To know about it, individuals can visit https://www.facebook.com/share/19SWFoejQj/?mibextid=wwXIfr. — MT/ZS

Member of the State Administration Council (SAC) Porel Aung Thein met with the staff and members of the State Development Committee and members of the market affairs board at the new Thiri Mingala Market in Loikaw of Kayah State on Monday.

During the meeting, the SAC member addressed the need, inspected the newly constructed market complexes and ongoing construction processes, and cordially greeted the shoppers and sellers.

At the Loikaw University, he met with faculty members and oversaw the maintenance work in the university compound. The university construction processes have been completed over 60 per cent. The SAC Member also inspected road paving and drainage construction sites in Yaynikan Village of Mahtawkhu Village-Tract.  Also, at the pig farms in the same village, the SAC member emphasized the need to expand pig breeding to ensure food security in the state and the meat sector of the country.

On 27 July, the SAC member visited Chikel Kandarawadi monastery in Loikaw, paid homage to the Presiding Sayadaw and donated offerings and alms. He also comforted the people living in Htaythama ward and in the villages of ChiKal village-tract. He also visited the Thiri Mingala Hill (Taungkwe) and Sutaungpyae Myonan pagodas, and donated cash for the all-around renovation of the pagodas.

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The inauguration ceremony of the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy (MDA) and the launch of its flagship “Diploma in Diplomacy (1/2025)” were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday at the Lawkanatt Hall and the MDA premises in Nay Pyi Taw.

At the inauguration ceremony, U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs delivered the inaugural speech. The event was also attended by U Wunna Maung Lwin, Member of the State Administration Council, union ministers and many other high-ranking officials as well as trainees from Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon classes of the Diploma in Diplomacy Programme (1/2025). In his address, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister U Than Swe emphasized that the launch of the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy is a milestone for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an important investment for the future of Myanmar international relations.

He also stated that diplomacy is one of the key foundations for peace, stability and development of a nation, and it needs life-long learning. He stated that prior to the year 2000, Myanmar had no formal diplomatic training centre and relied exclusively on on‑the‑job mentoring.

Recognizing the vital role of diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched structured training through Basic Diplomatic Skills (BDS) and Enhanced Diplomatic Skills (EDS) courses from 2000 onward. These have trained over 8,000 young professionals who now serve the nation building.

He also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration of the Diplomatic Corps in Myanmar to supporting the Academy's programs. Afterwards, a documentary video on the establishment of the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy was displayed, followed by group photos.

The second part of the ceremony was held at the Academy premises, with the symbolic sprinkling of scented water on the Academy’s commemorative plaque by Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister U Than Swe, together with Member of the State Administration Council U Wunna Maung Lwin, and Union Minsters U Ko Ko Hlaing and Dr. Nyunt Pe.

After the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minster U Than Swe delivered a special lecture titled “The Implementation of Myanmar’s Foreign Policy” to the participants of the Diploma in Diplomacy Programme (1/2025). sJointly conducted by the Myanmar Diplomatic Academy and Naypyitaw State Academy, the Diploma in Diplomacy Programme (1/2025) is an eight-month programme comprising of two semesters.

A total of 113 participants—62 in Nay Pyi Taw and 51 in Yangon, representing a cross-section of government ministries, the private sector, and recent university graduates with a demonstrated interest in diplomacy and global affairs will attend the programme.

Russia on Sunday began direct commercial flights to North Korea. North Korean officials welcomed Russian passengers with flowers at Pyongyang's international airport as the countries resume the flights in decades.

The first Moscow-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines, took off at 1625 GMT, according to the Sheremetyevo airport's website. Russia's state news agency TASS reported that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow would take place on Tuesday.

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