The Ministry of Health continues its ongoing COVID-19 surveillance activities. Within a week from 8:00 PM on June 15, to 8:00 PM on June 22, a total of 2,199 laboratory samples were tested.

Of these, 29 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified, resulting in a positivity rate of 1.32%. 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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A group art exhibition titled ‘Hidden Vault Vol 2: Still Life’, featuring works by seven veteran painters, is currently being held at the Myanmar Ahla Art Gallery in Kyauktada Township, Yangon Region. The exhibition opened on 22 June and will run until 29 June, according to sources.
“This exhibition includes rare pieces by the late master artist Kin Maung Yin and the renowned painter Mon Thet. A special highlight will take place at 11 am on 23 June, when veteran artist U Win Pe Myint will conduct a live demonstration of still-life painting for fellow artists and enthusiasts. For those who are unable to attend in person, the session will be livestreamed via the Myanmar Ahla Art Gallery Facebook page,” said one of the organizers.
The ‘Hidden Vault Vol 2: Still Life’ group exhibition showcases a colourful and diverse collection of paintings created in various styles and mediums by master artists Kin Maung Yin, Win Pe Myint, Mon Thet, Ko Pyae, Shwe Thein, MT Aung, and Kin Maung Zaw. — ASH/MKKS

Source: GNLM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, flagged off the Olympic Day Run from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. Rekha Gupta said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation is continuously progressing towards better sports infrastructure and facilities for athletes.

The Chief Minister also said that Delhi and the entire country are fully prepared to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Later, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, led the Fit India Sunday on Cycle campaign, promoting fitness and environmental awareness.

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Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Jeng Phang Naw Taung, along with the Deputy Minister and officials, visited the sports teams, undergoing training for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday. They observed the training sessions of athletes in Petanque, weightlifting and boxing.

The Union Minster also instructed the managers and coaches to provide nutritious foods under the guidance of the medical experts. He also stressed the need to provide necessary training equipment for effectiveness.

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For the first time in the history of Turkmen medicine, local doctors successfully performed a neurosurgical operation on a newborn with a diagnosis of “occlusive hydrocephalus. The patient was a one-month-old child from the Balkan velayat. The operation was performed at a domestic medical institution by Turkmen specialists and was successful. The baby’s condition is assessed as stable.

This case has become a landmark example of the development of high-tech medicine in the country. Turkmenistan is actively investing in strengthening the medical infrastructure, as well as in training specialists capable of performing complex surgical interventions at the level of international standards.

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Religious buildings in the Sri Ksetra Cultural Zone, a World Heritage Site in Pyay Township, Bago Region, will be renovated while preserving their original features, according to U Tun Tun Aye, head of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Sri Ksetra Branch).
Cracks appeared in the Bawbawgyi Pagoda and the Lemyethna Pagoda within the zone due to the Mandalay earthquake on 28 March, and the damaged areas will reportedly be repaired without compromising the original structures.
“When the Mandalay earthquake struck, the Sri Ksetra Cultural Zone was also affected. Most of the pagodas here were not very tall and therefore did not sustain serious damage. However, the slightly taller Bawbawgyi Pagoda and the Lemyethna Temple were damaged, as their structures were already weakened. Since they have been damaged, we must take the time to restore them while preserving their originality,” said U Tun Tun Aye.
The Bawbawgyi Pagoda is one of the oldest structures in the ancient Pyu city of Sri Ksetra, while the Lemyethna Temple is another notable example of Pyu architecture. Built around the 6th–7th century AD, the Bawbawgyi Pagoda stands 46.634 metres high and has a circumference of 64.8 metres. Its design features a five-tiered platform topped by a long, cylindrical brick structure. The pagoda is said to resemble the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, India, a memorial site where the Buddha delivered the Anattalakkhana Sutta, also known as the Discourse on the Characteristic of Non-self.
Similarly, the Lemyethna Temple is the only cave pagoda found in the ancient city of Sri Ksetra. This small, square structure features four arches and entrances and is estimated to have been built during the late Pyu period, between the 7th and 9th centuries. The Lemyethna Temple is a significant monument that illustrates the development of cave pagodas in Pyu Buddhist architecture.
Three ancient Pyu cities in Myanmar — Beikthano, Halin, and Sri Ksetra — were designated as World Heritage Sites in June 2014. — ASH/TH

GNLM

The heatwave gripping Japan has turned deadly. Officials in the central prefecture of Gifu say one person has died from suspected heatstroke. A 90-year-old man was found lying in a field in the town of Ikeda on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Fire Department officials say that as of  on Thursday, 100 people in the capital aged between 11 and 97 had been taken to hospital during the day for suspected symptoms of heatstroke. The officials say one of them is in critical condition while two others are in serious condition.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Examiner's Office says two people in their 70s who died in the capital this month are believed to have suffered heatstroke. It says they were not using air conditioners at the time of their deaths.

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On 19th June, Union Minister for Education Dr. Nyunt Pe and officials visited Sagaing University of Education Exam Center and cordially met with the students sitting for the 4th day of matriculation exam.

There, the Union Minister encouraged the students to make exerted efforts during the exam to obtain the best outcome. At Sagaing Education Degree College and No.1 Basic Education High School, the Union Minister oversaw the damaged school buildings and construction of new school buildings and coordinated necessities.

Likewise, the Union Minister oversaw the condition of students taking matriculation exam at No.12, 5 and 16 Basic Education High Schools in Chanayethazan Township of Mandalay Region and fulfilled requirements. Subsequently, the Union Minister proceeded to UNITY Private School, cordially met with the founders and principels and instructed on edcuation sector development.

On 19th June, the 4th Day of Matriculation exam, 98.61% of registered examinees from Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, Kachin State, Mandalay Region and Sagaing Region took the exam at 195 exam centers. In the afternoon, the Union MInister visited Mandalay University of Foreign Language and Mandalar University, stressed on face-lifting of the universities and efficient teaching and learning environment.

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Myanmar Spiritists Disciplinary Committee (Central) aimed to organize to provide services to and control animists will be extended in the regions and states, according to sources close to that committee.
The committee was formed in March this year and it intends to supervise and monitor traditional animists to preserve the culture in their performances, dances and costumes, and to avoid indecent entertainment mixing with behaviours in contrast to the standard norm when they hold Nat-propitiating and other ceremonies.
“Later, representative committees will be formed in regions and states after the constitution of the organization is issued. The regions and states will not have chairmen and secretaries. Each state or region will have one representative,” he said.
The constitution of the organization is expected to be released this year, and the process will begin after such an announcement.
“The centre will lead the work. The representatives of the regions and states will report their work to the centre, which will decide and handle it. We will not appoint many people. We will not have chairpersons and secretaries,” he said.
Currently, since the organization rules have not been issued yet, they have not been able to handle the task properly, and they will take action according to the issuance of the rules.
“We will ban the ceremony, but we cannot imprison people. If the animist does not follow the rules, we will warn him. If he continues to fail to abide by, we will ban the ceremony or refuse to provide certificates,” he explained. — Htet Oo Maung/ZN

GNLM

THE 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) commenced on Saturday in Shanghai, with 49 works shortlisted for this year’s Golden Goblet Awards.
The festival, featuring over 400 domestic and international films screened across Shanghai, will run till 22 June. This year marks the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. Film Panorama will initiate a special section titled “Resonance: A Brief Encounter of Chinese and World Cinema,” emphasizing mutual learning and growth between Chinese and international film industries.
Twelve films from Asia, Europe, and Latin America headline the main competition. The Jury is led by renowned Italian film director and screenwriter Giuseppe Tornatore.
A series of events, including Belt and Road Film Week and Scifi Film Week, will also take place during the festival. Founded in 1993, SIFF is a prestigious global event, driven by Shanghai’s ambition to become an international cultural hub. The festival has garnered growing international attention thanks to China’s flourishing film market. — Xinhua