According to U Bo Thin, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Shwedagon Pagoda, a series of Buddhist devotional ceremonies and observances of moral precepts will be held at the sacred site from the full moon day of Waso to the full moon day of Thadingyut, marking the period of Buddhist Lent.
During this period, various significant religious events will be held grandly and vibrantly. These include the Dhammacakka Day ceremony and the ceremonial offering of Waso robes on the full moon day of Waso, the Metta Day ceremony and the Offering of 84,000 flowers on the full moon day of Wagaung, the Garudhamma Day ceremony on the full moon day of Tawthalin, the Lighting Festival on the eve of the Thadingyut full moon day, and the Abhidhamma Day ceremony on the Thadingyut full moon day.
In addition, on all full moon days, new moon days, and Sabbath days during the Buddhist Lent, Ovadacariya Sayadaws of the Pagoda’s Board of Trustees will deliver Dhamma talks and offer precepts to visiting pilgrims. — ASH/KNN

Source: GNLM

The Costume Show with the title “Polite Myanmar, wearing traditional costumes” in conjunction with the music concert, took place at Thiri Yadana Hall of the head office of the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon, attended by MWAF Honorary Patron Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the State Administration Council Chairman and Prime Minister.
The costume show and concert were organized by the Myanmar National Women’s Committee and arranged by the MWAF as a gesture of hailing the Myanmar Women’s Day, which falls on 3 July 2025.
At the ceremony, renowned vocalists presented songs and one-act plays with modern attire created by famous designers, honouring the Myanmar Women’s Day.
Honorary Patron of MWAF Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, and Honorary Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay presented bouquets to the patron, the chair and the vice-chair of MWAF, MWAF Secretary Director Daw Myat Myat Oo, who arranged the costume show and music concert, and multiple Academy Award winners Yan Aung and Soe Myat Thuzar, on behalf of the artistes who participated in the performance.
After the ceremony, MWAF Honorary Patron Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Honorary Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay and officials cordially greeted artistes.
Also, present at the ceremony were the wife of the SAC Secretary, the wife of the Joint Secretary, SAC members and their wives, the wife of the Chairman of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, Union ministers and their wives, the Auditor-General of the Union, the wife of the Union Civil Service Board, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman and his wife, wives of the senior Tatmadaw officers, the wife of the Chairman of Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Co Ltd, the wife of the Nay Pyi Taw Command Commander, judges of the Supreme Court of the Union, female members of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, deputy ministers and their wives, the deputy auditor-general, member of the Anti-Corruption Commission, officials, representatives from MWAF and women’s organizations, permanent secretaries, directors-general and artistes. — MNA/TTA

Source: GNLM

The Ministry of Health continues its ongoing COVID-19 surveillance activities. Within a week from 8:00 PM on June 22, to 8:00 PM on June 29, a total of 2,314 laboratory samples were tested.

Of these, 16 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified, resulting in a positivity rate of 0.69%. During this reporting period, there were no severe cases, no patients requiring intensive care, and no deaths due to COVID-19. While there is currently no concerning situation regarding COVID-19 transmission or deaths in the country, it's still essential to follow personal protective measures to prevent infection.

For individuals at higher risk of severe illness and potential death if infected, such as elderly individuals (aged 60 and above), those with underlying conditions like diabetes, chronic lung disease, or cancer, pregnant mothers. A priority program for COVID-19 booster vaccinations will be implemented, and it's crucial for these individuals to get vaccinated. For more detailed information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Ministry of Health's website at moh.gov.mm.

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The coastal Indian city of Puri is buzzing with devotion and celebration as the famous annual Rath Yatra reaches its third day. This major Hindu festival started on June 27 and will conclude on July 8. Pilgrims from all corners of India and abroad have poured into the coastal city for this deeply symbolic journey.

They line the procession route, eager for a glimpse of the deities and the chance to pull the sacred chariot ropes—a gesture believed to cleanse sins and usher in good fortune.

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After a night start at the foot of the mountains of Lake Tahoe, California, American ultra-trail runner Caleb Olson and the first ultra-trailers of the Western States 100 completed the 161 kilometers in nearly 14 hours.  

After weaving through chilly snowfields of the Sierra Nevada mountains, runners then faced the brutal heat of canyons where temperatures neared 40 degrees Celsius. Spaniard Kilian Jornet finished in third place fifteen years after his last participation and victory. American Abby Hall wins the women's race.

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Myanmar defeated Turkmenistan 8-0 in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers on Sunday.

Myanmar is hosting the Group C matches of the qualifiers at Thuwunna Stadium, where Myanmar, Bahrain, Bangladesh, and Turkmenistan are competing. Myanmar will face Bangladesh on July 2 and Bahrain on July 5. The qualifiers feature six groups of four teams each, with the six group winners automatically advancing to the 12-team 2026 finals.

Already qualified are Australia as hosts, China as the 2022 champions, South Korea as runners-up, and Japan, who finished third in 2022.

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This week’s pick is an extensive collection of short stories and thought-provoking daily reflections that cover a wide range of topics. “Cultivating positive qualities like love and compassion in our minds may be perceived as challenging. Yet, it can be a powerful tool to create a superficial impact,” a reflection quote on real-life events indicated.
The author explored a seafarer’s career. Then, he pursued his passion in writing once he returned to shore. He published a piece of his writing with the use of his savings. His pen name was not widely recognized among readers.
His writing experience reached a two-decade milestone indeed. He started this career with a “borderless state” short story in the Shwe Athit digital page of the September issue of the Shwe Amatay Magazine in 2005.
At that time, other contemporary writers were Min Wai Hin, Nyi Min Nyo and Ngwe Zinyaw Oo (Mogok). Readers were drawn to his stories from that time. He won a national literary award with his book titled “Fisherman” in 2019. His novellas gained traction to guarantee some reprints.
This book comprises 16 short stories, and it is the fourth book in a collection of short stories. Earlier, he named a book title as Short Stories from Magazines. This time, he just mentioned the current situation as on the long path of the desert in the preface.
One story that has been published in the Shwe Amutay Magazine ‘Snake’, four stories in U Dan Thit Magazine ‘Novel without Moustache’, ‘Mouth and Foot’, ‘River on the Train’, ‘Double Evening’, and the other 11 unpublished ones were included in this book.
“I am a big fan of Saya Moe Kyaw Zin’s seafarer short stories. His novellas reflect the experiences and life events of the seafarers. Short stories, such as ‘Coffee’, ‘Mouth and Foot’, and ‘At Sea, Sunday Special?’ in this collection, also portray the life of the seafarers. It depicts a blend of adventure, hardship, resilience and seafaring experiences.
In the coffee story, readers can see how he responded to the bossy senior by maintaining professionalism while setting boundaries. Unlike the coffee, he showed a perspective of the senior amid the escalating tensions with the junior in the ‘Mouth and Foot’ story. Both stories highlight mindfulness, different perspectives and mind-consciousness. Sunday at sea points out the undeniable working hours without a break on Sundays.
“All four seafarer short stories will satisfy readers’ thirst. A character called Lone Lone will make readers feel attached for sure. It is the writing craft and the thinking art, too. Readers will see how Saya Moe Kyaw Zin described Lone Lone and turned elements of this into a masterpiece.” Saya Soe Bardaing remarked.
“The author draws inspiration from fleeting moments in everyday life: Children in the Market, Bicycle in Alleys, and Chaos, and strikes powerful metaphors with the pen at his desk, with the stories emerging from all paths of life. This collection will let readers experience the essence of fiction, setting, background, different characters, emotions and plot advancement. Short story writers will inevitably keep writing and find ways to deliver the stories to readers. He likes to encourage those striving to write and nurture the ability to write. When writers stop writing and readers stop reading, they thereby diminish the role of literature in society.
“Reflecting on the phrase ‘Pen as Weapon’ used by esteemed writers, he contemplated the meaning of heavy weapons, small weapons and secret weapons,” criticized Saya Soe Bardine.
The author in his preface prays: “Long Live Short Story Lovers for Long Live Myanmar Short Stories.”

Source: GNLM

A youth fine art performance marking the 75th anniversary of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations was held yesterday morning at the National Theatre in Yangon.
Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Daw Nu Mra Zan, the Chair of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association, officials from the Chinese Embassy, Chinese Culture Centre (Yangon), the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon), the Myanmar Tourism Federation, and the Myanmar-China Business Cooperation and Development Association attended the event.
The programme opened with a remix performance of a Chinese song by LeHua International Education Centre’s Electric Drum Troupe, followed by a traditional dance by the State High School of Fine Arts (Yangon). Chinese Minister-Counsellor Ms Cao Jing then delivered a speech.
The Deputy minister highlighted that the commemoration not only recalls historical ties but also strengthens the foundation for deeper future relations. He noted China’s longstanding support for Myanmar in economic, technological, cultural, and youth exchanges, adding that bilateral cultural programmes and youth activities have enhanced mutual understanding between the peoples.
Students from various schools and centres, including Brain Works-Total, Bowen, ELBC, GESC, Lehua, and MIEC also showcased traditional dances at the event.—MNA/KZL

Source: GNLM

The Dambe World Series, organized by the African Warriors Fighting Championship, is set to kick off in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, marking the latest evolution of Dambe, a centuries-old form of boxing that originated among the Hausa people of northern Nigeria.  Traditionally fought with one fist wrapped in cloth and another hand acts as a shield, Dambe dates back to at least the 10th century and has deep ties to cultural and ceremonial celebrations.

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Thousands thronged the streets of India's Hyderabad for the annual Ratha Yatra Festival. The Hindu religious procession saw worshippers and members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness sang devotional hymns as they pulled a brightly decorated chariot carrying an idol of Lord Jagannath.

The festival is observed on the second day of the lunar month — a time considered spiritually auspicious due to the increasing brightness of the moon. The celebration is scheduled for nine days till the 5th of July. Multi-layer security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

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