The new president of the International Olympic Committee has disclosed a shift from its conventional stance on setting gender eligibility criteria in sports.

Kirsty Coventry addressed an online news conference after the first executive board meeting of her presidency on Thursday. She had taken over the post from Thomas Bach following a handover ceremony in Switzerland on Monday. Coventry said IOC members agreed that the organization "should take a leading role" in setting up a working group on gender regulations.

The IOC has conventionally entrusted the governing bodies of individual sports with drawing up their own gender rules. In recent years, discussions have been continuing about eligibility criteria for transgender athletes in Olympic competitions. Some say that given biological differences in muscular strength, it is unfair for people who have changed their gender from male to female to take part in women's events.

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The ancient stones of Rome’s Colosseum witnessed a historic moment as it hosted its first-ever Mevlevi Sema ceremony, bringing Türkiye’s spiritual heritage to the heart of Europe. The event, organized by Turkish Ministry of Culture, was part of the prestigious “Musica in Venere” summer concert series.

The ceremony took place at the Temple of Venus and Roma within the Colosseum complex, drawing significant attention from local audiences, with many unable to secure tickets due to high demand. The event showcased Türkiye’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, featuring both the traditional Whirling Dervishes ceremony and Turkish Sufi music.

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A sustainable tourism exhibition showcasing products from the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries, including Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, opened in northern Laos’ Luang Prabang province, alongside the Mekong Tourism Forum.
The exhibition, running from Tuesday to Friday, aims to promote Lao tourism to target visitors from the GMS countries, which are key markets for Laos.
In his speech, Phouthone Dalalom, deputy director general of the Tourism Marketing Department at the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, emphasized that these neighbouring countries are vital sources of tourists for Laos, and the event is expected to attract more visitors.
The fair also seeks to strengthen regional and international tourism cooperation, supporting the industry’s recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition allows tourism operators to showcase their products, provide tourism information, showcase souvenirs and their unique national cuisine, among others. — Xinhua

Source: GNLM

BARCELONA announced on Wednesday their long-awaited return to the new Camp Nou for a 10 August friendly after years of work to expand and modernise the iconic stadium.
The traditional pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy match will only mark the stadium's partial reopening, with construction work continuing in various areas, the current Spanish champions said in a statement.
This includes the completion of the new third tier, the dual VIP ring, the roof installation, interior spaces and development of the stadium's surrounding area.
The Catalan giants have not confirmed the initial capacity, but local media reported that the available stands can hold 35,000 fans. "Barcelona takes a symbolic and emotional step into the future, reclaiming its home in a new era that will culminate with the complete inauguration of the new stadium," the club said.
Barca will have another month to continue work on the stadium after requesting to play their first three La Liga games of the upcoming season away from home. — AFP

Source: GNLM

To mark International Yoga Day, over 300 MPT staff from across the country participated in the second annual “TeamFit: Unite and Move” yoga wellness activity. The event was held online during the third week of June 2025 and included staff from various regions and states.
This yoga event aims to promote collaboration within the organization, foster a positive work-life balance and encourage healthy and active lifestyles. As part of the broader “TeamFit: Unite and Move” programme, which began in 2024, MPT has also organized activities such as yoga, Zumba, and futsal competitions for its employees. These efforts are intended to support the physical and mental well-being of staff.
Mr Naoki Shimane, from the Operations Department of MPT-KSGM Joint Operations, stated, “Our employees’ well-being is essential to a healthy working environment and efficient day-to-day operations. That is why we launched the “TeamFit: Unite and Move” programme in 2024, encouraging active participation nationwide. Following the positive response to our first yoga event, we continued with the second edition to further support our staff’s physical and mental health”.
MPT remains committed to promoting the importance of health and wellness among its employees and continues to implement staff wellness and social responsibility programmes to build a unified and strong organization. — Oktha/KZL

Source: GNLM

TurkIye Education Fair 2025 will be held at the Lotte Hotel on 29 June 2025.
The fair will feature top-ranking universities such as Istanbul Okan University, Özyeğin University, BAU Başakşehir University, Beykoz University, Altinbas University, Istanbul Topkapi University, Istanbul Arel University, Istanbul Gelisim University, İbn Haldun University, Biruni University, Istanbul Nisantasi University and Atlas University.
Additionally, an interview with more than 20 top-ranking universities of Turkiye with eligible subjects including Science, Business, Arts, Technology and other majors, scholarship opportunities and exclusive benefits of a K1.3 million discount for instant walk-in application process.
Those interested can register through https://shorturl.at/qTRl9 and enquire about details at the Yangon office located at 275/C on Pyay Road, Dhammagaha (self-help road), Sangyoung Township, Yangon, at 09 664 125 941. — NN/KK

Source: GNLM

The fourth capacity-building training course based on Paticcasamuppada concluded on 22 June at the Kayakam Metta Foundation Monastery in Ywa Tha Gyi, Ward 140, Dagon Myothit (South) Township, Yangon Region.
According to Sayadaw Ashin Kusala of the Kayakam Metta Foundation, the course aimed to promote the Dhamma and support monks in carrying out charitable activities effectively.
“The Kayakam Metta Foundation holds this annual training course to enhance monks’ preaching skills and support their charitable work. We also provide cultural courses and free healthcare services for monks,” said Sayadaw Ashin Kusala.
During the closing ceremony, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kovida, Chairman of the Dagon Myothit (South) Township Sangha Nayaka, delivered a sermon to the trainees and guests. Offerings were then presented to the attending monks by the guests.
Certificates were awarded to 60 monks and nuns by Sayadaw Dr Ashin Suvanna of the Shwethuwun Mogok Vipassana Training School and Sayadaw Ashin Kusala of the Kayakam Metta Foundation. — ASH/MKKS

Source: GNLM

Mosquito-borne dengue fever was rarely a major problem in Bangladesh's coastal districts, but some hospitals are so full of those with the potentially deadly virus that patients are treated on the floor.

In the worst cases, intense viral fevers trigger bleeding, internally or from the mouth and nose. Barisal has recorded nearly half of the 7,500 dengue cases across Bangladesh this year, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. Five people have died there this year with dengue fever, out of 31 deaths recorded across the entire country of some 170 million people.

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The key artifacts excavated from Niuheliang Archeological Site, the most important archaeological site of China's Hongshan culture in northeast China's Liaoning Province, have proved the establishment of a systemic ritual system for offering sacrifice over 5,000 years ago.

The findings were released jointly by China Academy of Social Science (CASS) and Liaoning Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau on June 14. The released findings included burned artifacts and ceremonial objects, evidence that proves the existence of rituals similar to those documented in later historic periods and used in offering sacrifice to heaven and ancestors.

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Archaeologists in southern France have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved mosaic over 2,000 years old.

Found in the hills of Ales in the Gard region, the piece stands out for its vivid colours made from rare and costly pigments. Experts believe the discovery may be unique in the Roman world due to the mosaic's painted details. 

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