Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency after new cases of the H5N1 avian influenza virus were detected in dairy cows in southern California, while insisting that the risk to the general public remains low. The virus has been spreading through US dairy cattle herds since March, affecting at least 16 states. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports no confirmed human-to-human transmission so far, at least 61 human cases have been detected across the country, including 34 in California.“ This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure that government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement on Wednesday. “While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus. ”The H5N1 virus is considered particularly dangerous with regard to human infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 860 confirmed cases since 2003, with about 53 percent resulting in death. No deaths have been reported in the US as part of the current outbreak, which began in 2022 on poultry farms and led to the culling of more than 100 million birds in an attempt to control the spread of the disease. California is the first state to declare an emergency, though Colorado issued a targeted ‘disaster’ alert in July. Newsom’s declaration follows the detection of new infections on dairy farms in southern California.  The state has already implemented measures to combat bird flu by working with dairy and poultry farms to minimize employee exposure, as most cases are linked to dairy and poultry workers. The CDC confirmed the first case of severe illness in a person due to bird flu from a Louisiana case on Wednesday. The patient was reportedly in close contact with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock.The Food and Drug Admini-stration (FDA) has assured consumers that grocery-shelf beef and dairy products are safe to consume but advised against drinking raw milk. RT

Source : Myawady daily Newspaper

Graduation Parade of DSMA 25th Intake

ON 18 December, Myanmar clinched their first victory in the 2024 ASEAN Cup Group B stage with a 3-2 triumph over Laos at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre. This marked both Myanmar’s first win in the tournament and head coach U Myo Hlaing Win’s debut international victory. Myanmar initially led 1-0 through Lwin Moe Aung’s header in 32 minutes but conceded two goals in the second half, falling behind 2-1. However, striker Win Naing Tun’s crucial goals in 87 minutes and during stoppage time ensured the dramatic win. The Myanmar squad, including Zin Nyi Nyi Aung in goal and key players like Heine Phyo Win, Nanda Kyaw, and Si Thu Aung, started with a balanced lineup. After making substitutions in the first 20 minutes to strengthen their attack, Myanmar created several chances but failed to capitalise in the early stages. Laos managed to equalize and take the lead with goals from Sovanny in 77 minutes and Vamparsath in 81 minutes. With four points from three matches, Myanmar will play their final group-stage match away against Vietnam on 21 December. 

Source: GNLM

Promoting Sports: A Defence and Safeguard for the Nation

SENIOR General Min Aung Hlaing noted that the successful sports achievements that have the potential to raise Myanmar’s State flag to the top in international competitions significantly enhance the nation’s pride and dignity while elevating the country’s status.
State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Fifth National Sports Festival 2024 at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday evening. In his speech, the Senior General underscored the notion that ‘promoting sports is akin to defending and safeguarding the nation’ represents the highest principle.

He highlighted that it is necessary for the entire population, including students, youth, and persons with disabilities, to actively participate in the process of implementing programmes that transition from mass sports to excellent sports, aiming to nurture outstanding athletes.
He emphasized that the successful sports achievements that have the potential to raise Myanmar’s State flag to the top in international competitions significantly enhance the nation’s pride and dignity while elevating the country’s status. Hence, it is emphasized that all citizens should actively collaborate in promoting the sports sector.
He continued to say that the government is making efforts to appropriately enhance the recognition and rewards, including cash awards, for national athletes who have won prestigious prizes in international competitions.
Moreover, the Senior General disclosed that the government is providing monthly allowances and honorary titles to veteran athletes who have once brought glory to the nation. As such, he urged athletes participating in the sports festival to strive for success, and aim to become nationally selected players in order to bring pride to the country.
By including sports in the scoring system, he added, the government manages to facilitate outstanding student-athletes to attend sports and physical education institutes, and awarding sports scholarships.
The Senior General stressed that the Ministry of Education should implement plans to encourage every student and youth to participate in various sports, organize a sports calendar, and systematically arrange annual competitions from the basic education level to college and university levels.
He pointed out that only then will the integration of sports and education-related activities become smoother, leading to the emergence of a new generation of athletes and supporting the continuous development of sustainable sports development of the nation. He urged entire people including student youths and people with disabilities to join the process of upgrading the mass sports level to an excellent sports level. In Myanmar, he explained that it is necessary to organize sports competitions for students and youth in the coming years, as well as inter-ministerial competitions and advanced sports events. These should be included in the sports calendar, and efforts must be made to enhance the level of Myanmar’s sports.
The Senior General stressed the need to systematically train and prepare outstanding athletes who emerge from various competitions, in order to develop Myanmar’s top athletes capable of competing in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and international competitions.
After the Senior General delivered a speech, fireworks were displayed to mark the festival’s opening ceremony. At the opening ceremony, paratroopers from the free-fall squad, carrying the flag of the National Sports Festival along with regional and state flags, landed on the ground and saluted the Senior General.
The renowned singer Htoo L Linn sang the song “Our Myanmar, a modern nation”. A lighting show was presented to accompany a traditional Myanmar orchestra and musical instruments, with music played in a lively and rhythmic fashion. The event continued with a grand opening, during which fireworks were launched. The Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education under the Ministry of Education, presented the song “Beautiful, Beloved Golden Myanmar”, with a performance.
After the State Military Band took the position in the stadium, the sports contingents from ministries, regions and states led by the flag bearers took the positions in the stadium. They hoisted the State flag and saluted it.
Veteran selection athletes conveyed the flag of the National Sports Festival into the stadium. Chairman of the National Sports Fes-
tival U Than Tun Oo ignited the torch to mark the festival and handed it over to Myanmar’s selected player Police Major Aung Cho Myint. The decorated float bearing the torch flanked by ethnic national people headed from the City Hall to Wunna Theikdi Stadium. Selected athletes relayed the torch along the designated route and ignited it at the dais in front of the grandstand. At that moment, the commemorative torch, positioned at the southeast corner of the stadium, was also ignited.
On behalf of athletes and referees, an athlete and a referee took Sports oaths and the flag bearers and athletes left the stadium. The Senior General and his wife, and dignitaries enjoyed choral dances representing six eras of Myanmar performed by artistes from the Fine Arts Department, demonstrated entertainment and songs by members from the Myanmar Paralympic Sports Federation, students from Nay Pyi Taw State Technical High School, Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization, Myanmar Chinlone Federation, Myanmar The atrical Association, Myanmar Comedians’ Association, students from University for Development of National Races, and Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College, performances of students from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The fireworks were displayed to mark the successful completion of the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival.
The Senior General and his wife waved to the attendees and cordially greeted the veteran athletes and artistes. Also present at the ceremony were SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Council
Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe and his wife, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and his wife, council members and their wives, union ministers, union-level dignitaries and their wives, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Command er-in-Chief, the commander of the Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, Olympic Committee members, presidents and officials of sports federations, guests, athletes and sports fans.
The first National Sports Festival was held in Yangon from 3 to 16 May 1992 with 22 sports events, the second in Yangon from 25 January to 6 February 1994 with 24 sports events, the third in Yangon from 11 to 24 January 1997 with 29 sports events, and the fourth in Nay Pyi Taw from 13 to 28 February 2015 with 27 sports events.
In 2024, the Fifth National Sports Festival is being held on a grand scale to aim at enhancing the nation’s sports standards, achieving success in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and other international competitions, and turning out outstanding athletes and new-generation athletes who can bring national honour, fostering greater collaboration and unity between regions, states, and ministries in order to further promote sports activities and stipulating public interest in sports to join in sports activities. The festival is in progress with six sports at the ministerial level and 23 sports at the regional and state level as well as four sports for athletes with disabilities, totalling 33, starting from early December. The para-sports events were held from 5 to 8 December. And, ministerial and regional and state level sports competitions are being held. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added Mongolia’s Mongol nomad migration and its associated practices to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, according to a statement from the country’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth on Friday.
The UNESCO’s decision was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, taking place in Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay, from 2 to 7 December. Mongolian nomadic culture is rooted in the interdependence between pastures, livestock and herders, and herder families moving between pastures to give
the earth time to rejuvenate, as noted by UNESCO.
The migration process is steeped in tradition. The head of the household determines the date for relocation, and the entire family contributes to the preparations, which include cleaning the area and readying the animals, said UNESCO. — Xinhua

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

AT the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay, on 2-7 December 2024, Myanmar’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture proposed the nomination file of “Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was officially made to include it, marking the first time that Myanmar’s “Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” has been officially added to the world list of intangible cultural heritage.

On 24 March 2023, a nomination file containing information related to Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival, communities’ statements about Myanmar, and video recordings of the Thingyan celebrations and traditional practices were submitted to the UNESCO Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The successful completion of the submission process was made possible by the support and cooperation of the government, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee and its chairman and members, NGOs from regions and states, ethnic communities, media and social media users, and the public who value Myanmar’s cultural heritage, as well as relevant experts and organizations.
This achievement was the result of the enthusiastic collaboration of the local communities.
The “Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” has been included in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition highlights the ongoing efforts to preserve and pass down the traditions of “Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” from the Bagan period to the present day.
With increased global awareness, it is expected to attract more international tourists, contribute to national development, and offer opportunities for the younger generations to inherit this cultural heritage.
It also aims to raise public awareness to help preserve and celebrate the Thingyan Festival in its traditional form. Furthermore, this recognition may lead to more opportunities and experiences for Myanmar to nominate other intangible cultural heritage elements for inclusion in the global list. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

LONDON will witness elite sumo wrestlers in action as well as the ancient sport's pageantry, the Japan Sumo Association said Tuesday in announcing its first tour to the city in 34 years.
Speaking to a press conference at London's Royal Albert Hall, the venue for the association's 1991 visit, JSA president Hakkaku said next year's event will take place from 15 to 19 October, and will include matches between top-level wrestlers as well the sport's ring-entering ceremony.
The overseas tour will be the JSA's 14th and its first since a 2005 visit to Las Vegas. Five other sumo events abroad have been staged since 2006, but these were not run by the association. — Kyodo

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

Literature contributes to emergence of a prosperous society

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that youths have to read good literature of literati in order to enhance their capacity to build themselves as a reliable strength of the future nation.
A ceremony to award winners in the National Lifetime Award for Literary Achievement, National Literature Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Contest to mark the Diamond Jubilee National Literature Awarding for 2023 took place at Myanmar International Convention Centre I in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla.
The Senior General, his wife and attendees viewed round biographies of winners, photos, award winning books, other books and booklets and other literary booths.
The Senior General and attendees watched a video clip on song honouring the diamond jubilee literary award ceremony and a documentary to uplift prestige of the State and national.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that a total of 15 out of 1,050 entries from 19 genres were selected for the national literary awards whereas 30 entries out of 284 submitted manuscripts were awarded in 13 genres for the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Contest for 2023.
He continued to say that six doyen literati were honoured as the National Lifetime Award winners for Literary Achievement for their excellent performance in the literary arena. He highlighted that fake news, hate speech and unaccredited information without ethics hinder peace and stability and development momentum of the State, disintegrating national solidarity and disturbing a goal of peace all the people aspire to.
He disclosed that the State Administration Council is shaping a peaceful and prosperous future of the State and citizens with the strength of literati.
Currently, the Senior General noted that the government is implementing the project of Sarso Beikman building in order to benefit literary scholars and literary arena in cooperation with the Indian government.
He noted that well-versed human resources are crucial in developing the Union based on democracy and federalism and restoring durable peace in shaping a future democratic nation.
Hence, he urged youths to read good literature of literati in order to enhance their capacity to build themselves as a reliable strength of the future nation.
The Senior General expressed his belief that knowledge and guidance from the literature will contribute a great deal to emergence of a prosperous society. He stressed that as doyen literati to hand down fine traditions of Myanmar’s literary strength and paying respects to monk literati and doyen literati in the Myanmar’s history, they have to hand down the fine traditions to new generation literary scholars in order to follow literary ethics and serve interests of the nationality and religion.
He emphasized that those new generations have to uplift prestige and integrity of the State and disseminate powerful literature to readers.
The Senior General and his wife presented medals, cash award and gifts to National Lifetime Award winners for Literary Achievement for 2023 Dr Min Tin Mon (Paragu Min Nanda), Dr Toe Hla, U Nyunt Swe (Maung Swe Thet), U Than Swe (Maung Than Swe-Dawei), Dr Kyaw Win (Professor of History Department-Retired), and U Nyunt Tin (Maung Nyein Thu-Gyobingauk) respectively. Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn presented gifts to mark the diamond jubilee celebration to the Senior General and his wife.
Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council members General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, General Maung Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers U Win Shein and U Maung Maung Ohn awarded winners in the national
literature award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Contest respectively.
National Lifetime Award winner for Literary Achievement Sayagyi U Kyaw Win (Professor of History Department-Retired) spoke words of appreciation. After the ceremony, the Senior General and his wife had lunch together with the winners, artistes and literati.— MNA/TTA

Source- www.moi.gov.mm

THE venues for the 2024 ASEAN Cup, the premier football tournament in the ASEAN region, have been officially announced. Scheduled from 8 December to 5 January, the competition will feature ten teams divided into two groups. Each team will play four group matches: two at home and two away.

In Group A, defending champions Thailand will play at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. Malaysia will host matches at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore at the National Stadium, Cambodia at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, and Timor-Leste at Hang Day Stadium in Vietnam.

In Group B, Vietnam will host matches at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho, Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the Philippines at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Myanmar at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon, and Laos at the National Stadium in Vientiane.

Myanmar’s national team will host home matches against Indonesia and Laos at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre. They will travel to play away matches against the Philippines and Vietnam. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZL

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

APPLICATIONS for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) for the 2024-2025 academic year are welcomed, the Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar announced.

It is a programme which will enable students to connect to worldwide education and an opportunity for students around the world to study a wide variety of subjects in Europe.

Among annual applications, outstanding candidates are selected and awarded the fully-funded scholarship by this programme which is backed by the European Union. Depending on the subjects that they prefer, applications can be submitted from October 2024 to January 2025.

More information about this scholarship is available at https://shorturl.at/Xicxl and applications can be sent directly. — MT/ZS

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar