Vol. II, No. 235, 2nd Waxing Day of Nadaw 1377 ME
Sunday, 13 December, 2015 ANALYSIS
Dr Sai Mauk Kham describes literature as centre of national characteristics and cultural variations
Encourage FDI to stimulate the national economy Page 8
Page 3
reaching for the bar
Capacity building imperative to improve SMEs performance Ye Myint REVISING rules and regulations alone is not enough to boost the performance of SMEs, an attendee at a SME development talks said yesterday, highlighting the importance of building the capacity and skills of industrial stakeholders. Capacity building should be the first priority for improving the competitiveness of SMEs so that stakeholders will be able to face the ASEAN Economic Community, said U Zin Phyo Paing, Business Consulting Director at Future Myanmar (Consult - Training - Service). “Only having their capacity built will they be able to understand and follow the practices through the implementation of AEC as well as global economic integration, he added.” He also stressed the need for having access to updated information so as to be adapted for the changes in the market. The SMEs Saturday Talks on Trade given by Dr Maung Aung, adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, drew local businesspeople including officials from the country’s SME Development Centre under the Ministry of Industry. See page 2>>
A man make ploughing tool which can be used with a power tiller. Photo: Aye Min Soe
Beautiful landscapes of Northernmost Myanmar brought to life at exhibition “I would like all citizens to explore the country while they are healthy and able,” said Photographer Kyaw Kyaw Win Khaing Thanda Lwin
Petrified pine-trees. Photo: supplied by KKW
PHOTOGRAPHER Kyaw Kyaw Win plans to feature his works depicting the landscapes and lives of ethnic nationalities in the Northern part of the country through a solo exhibition. This is the 8th time the 45-year-old photographer has held a solo event since 2010. The event, entitled “A visit to Mt. Phoneyin Razi”, is scheduled to open to the public from 19 to 23 December, showcasing around 100 photographs at Gallery 65 on Yawmingyi Street in Dagon Township. Kyaw Kyaw Win took the
photographs during his visit to Mount Phoneyin Razi in April of this year. The artist says he went on a two-week trip to Putao of Kachin State with the aim of taking photographs as well as making documentary films about the livelihoods, traditional customs, religions and beliefs of ethnic people in the area. He added, “I would like all citizens to explore the country while they are healthy and able, in the prime of life when they have the time to meet the citizens of those regions and be intimate with them.”
Kyaw Kyaw Win is also a documentary film maker since 2012. He produced three pictorial books with documentary films. His first book was printed in 2013, with plans to publish further a book focusing on the lives of the people of Inlay Lake in Shan State next year. The photographer published will third pictorial book about his journey to Mt Phoneyin Razi later this year. He said, “I hope this book will encourage, in some degree, those who would like to pay a visit to Putao and snow-capped mountains in northernmost Myanmar.”
2 national
13 December 2015
MoI to assist development of ethnic media AS part of their efforts to develop ethnic media the Ministry of Information, the National League for Democracy’s central information committee, BNI and the Mizzimma New agency met for the second time in Yangon on Friday, focusing on seeking ways to lend assistance to the progress of ethnic media by the News and Periodicals Enterprise.
During the meeting, U Tint Swe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, went over the previous meeting with the minister, saying that both sides had discussed how the News and Periodicals Enterprise can assist ethnic media without influencing their editorial freedom. NPE has a plan to start pro-
viding assistance to ethnic media in the first phase, according to U Kyaw Soe, Managing-Director of the NPE, adding that NPE has set a budget allocation to ethnic media enterprise in the 201617 FY. U Aung Shin (Monywa Aung Shin), a member of the National League for Democracy’s central information committee, welcomed the program
More than 200 participate in “Bike for Dad”
of the Ministry of Information, suggesting representatives of the ethnic media to set a timeframe to meet with the ministry again after holding inclusive talks with the ethnic media. U Soe Myint, the Editor-in-Chief of the Mizzima Media, clarified current cooperation between Mizzima and the ethnic media, and Daw Nann Hpaw
Gay, Executive Director of BNI, and U Zin Lay clarified the struggles being faced by ethnic media in regions and states. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on 20 January, focusing on the outcomes of the first ethnic media meeting and to finalise the program in the last week of January.— Myanmar News Agency
1,750 jade lots auctioned on Saturday MERCHANTS purchased 1,750 jade lots yesterday at the 52nd annual Myanmar gems emporium which is being held at the Maniyadana Jade Hall in Nay Pyi Taw from 7 to 13 December. A total of 1,340 jade lots were sold under open tender system and competitive bidding systems on
Friday. The central committee announced updated information through LED screen at the emporium. The sale of jade lots continues tomorrow for the final day, with the committee planning to sell 1,576 further lots.—Myanma News Agency
Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe and dignitaries wave hands to support participants of “Bike for Dad” event. Photo: MNA Thai nationals in Yangon participated in the “Bike for Dad”, cycling in Yangon, to mark the 88th Anniversary Birthday of the King of Thailand. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe greeted them before they started the cycling at the People’s Park on 11 December. More than 200 cyclists in-
cluding Thailand nationals, businessmen and families of the Thai Embassy in Yangon took part in the cycling which was held in 80 countries on the same day. The event called “Bike for Dad” comes a week after King Bhumibol’s 88th birthday, which is a national holiday celebrated each year as Father’s Day in Thailand.
The once-vigorous monarch, who is widely revered in Thailand, is frail and ailing and hasn’t been seen in public since September. The participants of the event wearing shirts in bright yellow, the king’s colour cycled through the busiest roads in Yangon to the suspension bridge.—Myanma News Agency
Two traders check cut jade stones. Photo: MNA
Youths in border areas enjoy access to technical, Police mark 68th Anniversary of vocational training Independent Day THE Ministry of Border Affairs currently runs a technical and vocational training school in Hpa-An town of Kayin State, in partnership with Japanese non-government organisation Bridge Asia Japan (BAJ). The training school plans to spend US$1.5 million over six years from 2013-14 to 201819 fiscal years with the ministry saying that the school has provided training to 319 young people from border areas.
Some of the trainees who have completed their courses are reported to be working in private enterprises and governmental departments. The Ministry of Education in partnership with the Nippon Foundation is engaged in conducting courses on capacity building and leadership skills in seven states as part of helping develop human resources. The courses are run at a cost of $1.5m. The projects of conducting
biannual courses cover Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Rakhine, Mon and Shan states in addition to self-administered regions. The Ministry of Border Affairs is working together with the British Council to conduct a course on “English for Education College Trainers (EfECT). 61 teachers from the University for Development of National Races have so far completed the course.–Myanmar News Agency
reaching for the bar >>from page 1 The talks were aimed at enablingthe SME stakeholders to understand the multilateral trading system and its opportunities prior to the country’s accession into the AECplanned for late 2015 as well as global economic integration
agenda. “The talks helps them improve their competitiveness in the free movement of goods, services, investment, capital and people in the region and the world by fully understanding international practices in trade,” said Director U
Aung Myo Khaing of the Centre. According to the SEMs Development Centre, those from small and medium businesses including staff from the Centre, numbering 7,400 trainees, have been trained under the capacity building programmes so far.
Police volunteer for sanitation to mark 68th Anniversary of Independence Day. Photo: MNA TO mark the 68th Anniversary of Independence Day, which falls on 4 January next year, members of the Myanmar Police Force carried out sanitation services at a 1,000bed General Hospital in Nay Pyi
Taw. Altogether, 100 police force staff collected garbage within the compound of the hospital yesterday. 30 of those police force staff donated blood.—Police
national 3
13 December 2015
Dr Sai Mauk Kham describes literature as centre of national characteristics and cultural variations
Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham poses for photo along with ministers and life-long literary award winners in Yangon. Photo: MNA LITERATURE is the origins of without society and vice versa,” erati are honoured on Literati’s and U Ko Law (Ko Lay-Inwa films, music and dramas as well he said, stressing the uses and Day every year for their excellent Gon Yi). Union Ministers U Ye Htut, as the centre of national character- abuses of literature across the literary works that contribute to society. U Soe Win, Dr Daw Khin San Yi istics and cultural variations, Vice world. Vice President Dr Sai Mauk and U Aye Myint Kyu presented President Dr Sai Mauk Kham said Literature is sometimes used yesterday at a prize ceremony for as a vehicle for nationalistic prop- Kham urged the literary commu- National Literary Awards to winliterary and manuscript awards at aganda and also as an effective nity to serve the interest of the ners, with deputy ministers and the National Theatre in Yangon. means of pointing out the weak- people and the country with their officials presenting Sapay Beikman Manuscript Awards. The vice president said that nesses of state heads, politicians literary works. He then presented NationCommander-in-Chief of Deliterature and society are closely and societies. intertwined and largely interdeIn line with the motto “The al Lifelong Literary Awards to fence Services Senior General pendent. greatness of literature, the gran- U Win Pe (Mya Zin), U Khin Min Aung Hlaing and his wife “Literature cannot survive deur of its people”, seasoned lit- Maung Soe (Maung Paw Tun) Daw Kyu Kyu Hla honoured the
Yangonites hold second mass December walk on Saturday
Yangon Region Chief Minister U Yangon. Photo:MNA YANGONITES held their second mass December walk on Saturday. The mass walkers included the Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe and wife, Chief Region Hluttaw Speaker, regional officials and
three winners of the National Lifelong Literary Award with K1 million each. The National Lifelong Literary Awards are worth K2.5m each, the National Literary Awards K1.5m each. The Sapay Beikman Manuscript Awards fall into three levels: K700,000, K500,000 and K300,000 for first, second and third prizes respectively. –Myanmar News Agency
Hotel and Tourism Union Minister welcomes MS Seabourn Sojourn at Thilawa Port Union Minister for Hotel and Tourism U Htay Aung greeted the crew and tourists of cruise liner MS Seabourn Sojourn which had arrived at Yangon’s International Thilawa Port, on the evening of Friday (11 December). The liner had sailed from Penang of Malaysia. It was the liner’s second trip to Myanmar during this year, carrying 450 passengers and 330 crew members. The tourists, mostly from the US and Britain, will visit Bagan, Mandalay, Bago, Thanlyin
and Yangon while in Myanmar. The liner will leave for Phuket of Thailand, on 14 December . The Union Minister, on Saturday, also attended and made an address at the completion ceremony of No 7 Tourist Guide Refresher Course, conducted at the Tourism School of Directorate of Hotel and Tourism in Yangon. The event was attended by senior officials of DHT and Myanmar Tourism Federation, course instructors and the trainees. —Myanmar News Agency
Myint Swe and dignitaries participate in 2nd Mass December Walk in locals of the Mayangon, Setkan, Kyoutada, Ahlone, Kyeemyindine, Lanmadaw, Sanchaung and Dagon townships. There was a total of 5000 participants. The walk began at 5 am
at the Myoma and Sagawa road junction of Dagon township and ended at the Bahan Sports Ground. The group held mass exercises together before concluding.—Myanmar News Agency)
Union Minister U Htay Aung welcomes tourists at Thilawa Port. Photo:MNA
4 local news
13 December 2015
4th Myanmar gems and jewellery KOICA held the Myanmar Economy Seminar emporium held at Mandalay YANGON — KOICA held the Myanmar Economy Seminar at Yangon at on 12 December for Master Degree students in Yangon University of Economics to have enhanced understanding on economic environment in Myanmar. Myanmar graduate students provided presentation about social benefit & responsible business, economy in tourism sector and current economy issues in Myanmar, and delivered fresh point of view to Korean attendee. Myanmar graduate students also had discussion session to exchange their knowledge of country economy and strengthen the cooperation relationship between Myanmar and Korea. The seminar was planned by a KOICA-WFK vol-
Gems merchants evaluate gems at 4th Myanmar gems and jewellery. Photo: Thiha Ko Ko THE 4th Myanmar gems and jewellery emporium, jointly organised by the Myanmar Gems Association, the Mandalay Region Gems Association and Future Asia Connect Co. Ltd from Thailand was held at Diamond Plaza, Chan Aye Tharzan Township in
Mandalay yesterday, with Mandalay mayor U Aung Maung, Myanmar Gems & Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association secretary U Tun Hla Aung and officials in attendance. Mr. Micheal, Director of Future Asia Connect Co. Ltd spoke
unteer specialised in International Development, Ms. Choi Eseul, studied in the Economics in Seoul National University. Some of the students in Yangon University of Economics are expected to join the MDI as a researcher in early future. KOICA is planning to hold the seminar in every half of year to provide the latest economy issues in Myanmar. Mr. Kwon Tae-Myon Vice President for the Projects Development Coordination of KOICA, Dr. Khin Naing Oo Rector of Yangon University of Economics, Dr. Thida Kyu Head of Department of Economics, around 10 professors and 100 graduate students attended the seminar.—GNLM
Car Accidents occur mostly at night
at the ceremony while the Mayor and officials looked around the gallery of Gems and Jewellery. During the emporium, Gems and jewellery were displayed by Myanmar, Thai, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India and France yesterday.—Thiha Ko Ko
Mon traditional event will be held coming Sunday
Traffic police officers gives press confeence on road accidents in Yangon. Photo: Ko Moe
A MON event will be held at People’s park, near the Western stairway of Shwedagon Pagoda by the Mon Literature and Culture Committee (Yangon) on 20 December.
YANGON Region has seen 88 accidents and 37 people dead in the last two week, according to local police. December saw 43 recorded car accidents in which 24 people
The event will begin with Mon traditional dance, educational talks on Mon literature and culture by a Mon expert. Music entertainment will be included.
During the event, Mon traditional dress and traditional food (including thagyin rice) will be on sale. The event is free to the public.—Ko Chit
died and 55 people were injured while 13 people died and 55 people were injured in November. Police Major Myo Aaung Myint noted that car accidents occurred mostly at night. – Ko Moe
More traffic police assigned Crime News Stimulant pills seized in Shan State, Yangon Region to construction overpass
Simtae, Ma Linti, Thant Zin Oo, Mai Nyi Lin and Win Myint Myat. Photo: Police
AUTHORITIES have seized heroin and yabba pills (a synthetic-amphetamine based stimulant) at a house in Kyaynan Ward in Moemauk, Shan State. Acting on a tip-off, members of the Moemauk Police Station searched a house owned by Simtae and found 26 kilograms of heroin in plastic bottles and 1,495 pills. Five people—House Owner Simtae, his daughter Ma Linti and Thant Zin Oo, Mai Nyi Lin and Win Myint Myat—who are involved in the case are currently under arrest. Action was taken against all suspects under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.—Myanma News Agency
POLICE Lieutenant Colonel Aung Ko Oo recently spoke on traffic problems in Yagnon, saying that there are a number of ways to solve traffic jams at places where the construction of over passes is in progress. He aims to increase the number of traffic police around Yangon Region. The Yangon Region government constructed overpasses in Hledan, Bayintnaung, Shwegondaing and Myaynigon in 2013. The government has increased the number of traffic police on duty to 24 to solve traffic problems in each section while the construction of further overpasses to reduce traffic jams is underway in Tamwe and Kokkai.
Police Officer Win Lwin said that there are two reasons that traffic jams are a major problem. Firstly, drivers in Yangon are breaking traffic rules and regulations. The other reason is overcrowding. While traffic police are being deployed to solve the problem of traffic violations, engineers are working to solve the overcrowding problem within the system. In Yangon Region there are over 1000 traffic police officers assigned to the roads however traffic problems are highlighted by the fact that there are 2.3 times more cars on the road in 2015 than there were in 2011.—Zaw Gyi (Panita)
regional 5
13 December 2015
Pakistan tests medium-range, nuclear-capable missile ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Friday successfully test-fired its Shaheen-III medium-range, surface-to-surface, nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the Defence Ministry said. The ministry did not say in its press release where the missile was launched from, but it said it impacted in the Arabian Sea. Prime Minister Nazaw Sharif congratulated scientists and engineers of strategic organizations on the successful missile test. Pakistan has developed the solid-fuel missile Shaheen-III, along with the liquid fuel Ghauri missile, based on North Korean technology and with Chinese assistance. The Shaheen-III is said to have a maximum range of 2,750 kilometres, which would enable Pakistan to strike anywhere in rival India. —Kyodo News
China security chief calls for better intelligence on terrorism BEIJING — China needs to improve its intelligence gathering abilities and intelligence sharing between different departments it if wants to better deal with the threat of terrorism, its domestic security chief said, in a rare admission of the problems faced. Hundreds of people have been killed in the past few years in China’s western region of Xinjiang, home to the mainly Muslim Uighur people, in violence blamed by the government on Islamist militants who want to establish an independent state called East Turkestan. Speaking in Xinjiang’s regional capital Urumqi, domestic security chief Meng Jianzhu said while some success had been achieved in the fight against terrorism, the situation remained serious. Meng said intelligence gathering had to improve, in both what he called “hard and soft intelligence”, according to a government statement issued late on Friday. “Push the joining up and deeper integration of both the national and Xinjiang anti-terrorism intelligence platforms, put into ef-
Paramilitary policemen patrol past a building in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in 2014. Photo: Reuters fect the sharing of intelligence information,” the statement paraphrased Meng as saying. “Raise the early warning ability of intelligence analysis, effectively prevent against (terrorism), discover things in a timely way, react quickly and resolutely nip in the bud violent terrorist activities, destroy them before anything happens.”
China has been hampered in the past by poor intelligence in a part of the country where few officials understand the Uighur language or Islam and the government has had difficulty recruiting Uighur operatives, diplomats and experts say. In one embarrassing incident for China last year, three people were killed and 79 wounded in a
bomb and knife attack at an Urumqi train station just as President Xi Jinping was wrapping up a visit to the area under supposedly tight security. China needs a better command system to respond to incidents too, Meng said. Rights groups and exiles say the violence in Xinjiang stems more from widespread Uighur resentment at Chinese controls on their religion and culture rather than the action of a well-organised militant group. China strongly denies abusing human rights in Xinjiang, and says it is facing a determined campaign from Islamist radicals and separatists. China has blamed overseas militants for stoking tension in Xinjiang, and Meng said border controls also had to be tightened and more effort put into de-radicalisation. “Deepen de-radicalisation work, strengthen management of religion in accordance with the law, have targeted propaganda and persuasive education to eliminate the atmosphere for radical religion,” Meng said.—Reuters
Asian MPs vow to combat terrorism, urge peaceful talks to disputes Director - Maung Maung Than mnmnthn2@gmail.com Acting Chief Editor - Aye Min Soe koayeminsoe2006@gmail.com Chief Reporter Ye Myint, uyemyint76@gmail.com, Consultant Editors Jacob Goldberg jgold.news@gmail.com Alec Wilmot alec.wilmot.gnlm@gmail.com Editors Ye Htut Tin mryehtuttin@gmail.com Kyaw Thura, kthura.spk@gmail.com, Myint Win Thein journalist.sss@gmail.com International news Tun Tun Naing tunyunaing@gmail.com Reporters Khaing Thanda Lwin juniorlwin25@gmail.com Tun Aung Kyaw tunaungkyaw.31@gmail.com Translators Ma Than Htay, Hay Mar Tin Win haymarfat@gmail.com Proof reader Nwe Nwe Tun Computer Team Tun Zaw, Thein Ngwe, Zaw Zaw Aung, Ye Naing Soe, Nyi Zaw Moe, Hnin Pwint, Kay Khaing Win, Sanda Hnin, Zu Zin Hnin Circulation & Advertising San Lwin (+95) (01) 8604532 Ads and subscription enquiries: adv.gnlm@gmail.com Printed and published at the Global New Light of Myanmar Printing Factory at No.150, Nga Htat Kyee Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, by the Global New Light of Myanmar Daily under Printing Permit No. 00510 and Publishing Permit No. 00629.
PHNOM PENH — Asian Members of Parliaments (MPs) vowed on Friday to combat terrorism and urged countries to settle their differences through peaceful negotiations, according to a joint declaration. The Phnom Penh Declaration was released at the end of the 8th Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), which was attended by MPs from 22 countries. “Violent extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism, should not be associated with any culture, civilization, religion or ethnicity and should be neither tolerated nor condoned,” the declara-
tion said. It said the settlement of issues through radicalisation, violent extremism, terrorism, or war causes great hardship, and breeds even more violence. “We combat all forms of terrorism,” it said. They also denounced the use of violence, force and war in the settlement of differences and disputes in international relations. “We uphold the principles of peaceful coexistence and negotiations in solving international disputes,” it said. The declaration added that countries in disputes should adhere to the relevant principles of international law enshrined in the
United Nations Charter, instruments and other conventions pertaining to the solution of international conflicts. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the assembly, Cambodia’s National Assembly President Heng Samrin said that regional and global peace is a key
factor and prerequisite for each country’s development. “As leaders of Parliaments, representing the will of people in the region, we have a moral obligation and deep responsibility to ensure security and prosperity for our nations,” he said.—Reuters
“As leaders of Parliaments, representing the will of people in the region, we have a moral obligation and deep responsibility to ensure security and prosperity for our nations.” Heng Samrin Cambodia’s National Assembly President
2 Koreas end vice-ministerial talks without reaching agreement SEOUL — North and South Korea yesterday ended two days of vice-ministerial talks without reaching any agreement, according to a South Korean news pool report. The talks, aimed at finding ways to improve relations following heightened crossborder military tensions in August, began Friday at a joint industrial zone in the North’s border city of Kaesong and continued late into the night. They resumed Saturday morning and were held on and off throughout the day. South Korean Vice Unification Minister Hwang Boo Gi and two other officials
attended the talks with a threemember North Korean delegation headed by Jon Jong Su, vice director of the secretariat of North Korea’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea. The two sides failed to set a date for the next round of talks. Topics likely taken up include a programme that had enabled South Korean tourists to visit the North’s Mt. Kumgang resort. It was suspended in 2008 after a South Korean tourist was shot dead by a North Korean soldier for crossing into an offlimits zone. North Korea has repeatedly demanded that the South restart
the tour programme, which had been an important source of hard currency for the North. South Korea is widely expected to prioritize the holding of additional rounds of reunions of families left divided by the 1950-1953 Korean War. Only 20 inter-Korean reunions have been held since 2000, when leaders of the two rival Koreas held a landmark summit. The South regards the reunions as an urgent humanitarian issue, as many members of separated families are of advanced age and strongly wish to see their relatives in the North before they die.
The current talks are the result of an agreement by the two nations in August to hold highlevel talks in a bid to improve relations. Tensions had escalated earlier that month after South Korea accused the North of planting land mines in the Demilitarized Zone between the two countries that seriously injured two South Korean soldiers. Tensions rose further after the two sides exchanged artillery fire. The two Koreas are still technically in a state of war as the Korean War ended in an armistice, not a permanent peace treaty.—Kyodo News
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13 December 2015
India to get Japan’s bullet train, deepens defence and nuclear ties NEW DELHI — Japan will provide $12 billion of soft funding to build India’s first bullet train, the two countries announced during a visit by Japanese Prime Minister ShinzoAbe, that also yielded deeper defence ties and a plan for civil nuclear cooperation. Relations have strengthened between Asia’s second and third largest economies as Abe and his Indian counterpart, NarendraModi, seek to balance China’s rise as Asia’s dominant power. Both men are nationalists who enjoy a personal friendship. The deal to build a highspeed train line between the financial hub of Mumbai and
Ahmedabad gives Japan an early lead over China, which is conducting feasibility studies for high speed trains on other parts of the Indian rail network. “This enterprise will launch a revolution in Indian railways and speed up India’s journey into the future. It will become an engine of economic transformation in India,” Modi said in a speech. Under the defence deals announced yesterday, the two sides will share technology, equipment and military information, but the long-awaited sale of Japanese aircraft in a deal worth about $1.1 billion was not concluded.
Similarly, while they agreed to work towards cooperation in civil-nuclear technology, they stopped short of signing an agreement, citing outstanding technical differences. Japan, the only country to have suffered a nuclear attack, has been demanding additional non-proliferation guarantees from India before it exports nuclear reactors. India and Japan have been negotiating a nuclear energy deal since Japan’s ally, the United States, opened the way for nuclear commerce with India despite its weapons programme. “The memorandum we signed on civil nuclear energy cooperation
is more than just an agreement for commerce and clean energy, it is a shining symbol of a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause of peaceful and secure world,” Modi said. “I know the significance of this decision for Japan and I assure you that India deeply respects that decision and will honour our shared commitment,” Modi added. India and Japan have been holding talks for two years on the purchase by India of US-2 amphibious aircraft made by ShinMaywa Industries, which would be one of Japan’s first arms sales since Abe lifted a 50-year ban on weapon exports.—Reuters
Afghan forces end siege near Spanish embassy in Kabul
Afghan security forces stand guard at the site of an explosion in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on 11 December. Photo: Xinhua KABUL — Afghan security forces suppressed a suicide attack on a guest house near the Spanish embassy in Kabul, killing three Taliban fighters after hours of intermittent gunfire and explosions that lasted into the early hours of yesterday. A Spanish security officer was killed in the attack, in a heavily protected part of Kabul close to several embassies and government buildings, while
five Afghan police were killed or wounded, Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said. In addition, one Spanish citizen and nine Afghan civilians were wounded and another 47 Afghans and foreigners were rescued from nearby buildings where they were trapped as security forces sealed off the area around the guest house. The latest in a series of attacks on foreign targets in Kabul
began at about 6 pm (0830 ET) on Friday when a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb near the guest house, allowing three gunmen to take up positions and open fire on security forces. “The operation took time because we wanted to rescue the people trapped in surrounding buildings and we had to move cautiously and in a proper tactical manner,” Rahimi told Reuters. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the
attack, just days after President Ashraf Ghani returned from a regional peace conference in Pakistan, where he sought support to revive peace talks that stalled this year. It followed a separate Taliban attack on the airport complex in the southern city of Kandahar, in which at least 50 civilians and security forces personnel were killed. —Reuters
South Korean suspect in Yasukuni blast had no gunpowder in luggage SEOUL — A South Korean man arrested in Japan in connection with an explosion at a controversial shrine in Tokyo last month had no gunpowder in his belongings when he left from a Seoul airport, a media report said Friday, quoting airport authorities. The revelation came after Japanese investigative sources claimed that what appeared to be gunpowder was found in the baggage of the suspect, Chon Chang Han, 27, when he came back to Japan on Wednesday. Yonhap News Agency said a security officer at Gimpo International Airport noticed a bag of black powder Chon had when he was departing on the day. The substance was screened through an explosive detection device but no gunpowder ingredients were spotted. However, since the detailed nature of the substance was unknown, he was asked not to pack it in his carry-on baggage, the report said. He put the substance in with his checked luggage for the flight, it said. “We have judged that it was not an explosive after close inspection and we let him depart,” Korea Airports Corp. told Yonhap. “We have followed our regulations and procedures.” Chon was arrested on his arrival in Japan Wednesday on a charge of entering the premises of Yasukuni Shrine with unlawful intent. Tokyo police suspect he set explosives in a men’s restroom at the shrine on 23 November and was planning to carry out another blast there, the sources said. No one was injured in the incident. The sources said Chon has denied involvement in the blast at the shrine, viewed as a symbol of Japan’s militarist past as it enshrines war criminals along with the war dead. Chon emerged as a possible suspect after being caught on surveillance camera footage both before and after the blast at the shrine restroom.—Kyodo News
Book depicting Cambodian achievements under Chinese aid, investment unveiled PHNOM PENH — A 161-page picture album showing Cambodian achievements under Chinese grants, concessional loans and investments was released here on Friday evening, aimed to reflect true and faithful friendship relations between the two countries. Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon and Chinese Ambassador to
Cambodia Bu Jianguo jointly launched the book titled “Good Friend, True Friend,” which was compiled by the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia. The picture album depicted China’s grants, concessional loans and investments in constructing roads and bridges, ir-
rigation systems, and electricity systems. Besides, it showed Chinese enterprises investing in various sectors including industrial zones, tourism, agriculture, telecom, air transport services, and banking and finance. Speaking at the launching ceremony of the picture album, Keat Chhon said the album truly reflected Cambodia’s develop-
ment under fruitful cooperation with China. “Cambodia is very satisfied with the achievements that were born from friendship relations and fruitful cooperation between the governments and the peoples of the two countries,” he said. “China is a close and reliable friend of Cambodia in all circumstances.”
Ambassador Bu said the picture album showed numerous achievements in Cambodia under China’s grants, concessional loans and investments in the last decade. “This book is another testament to excellent relations and fruitful cooperation between China and Cambodia,” the ambassador said.—Xinhua
world 7
13 December 2015
World climate accord hailed as turning point from fossil fuels
News in Brief
Laser aimed at shinkansen train in western Japan OSAKA — A laser was apparently aimed at the driver of a waiting shinkansen bullet train in late November in western Japan, an official of West Japan Railway Co. said yesterday, following similar incidents targeting flying aircraft in Okinawa and elsewhere. A Kodama train halting at Tokuyama Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line was targeted for several seconds, the official said, adding that the railroad is
consulting with local police about the incident. The incident did not affect the driver, although it could have posed a danger by affecting the driver’s sight if the ray had entered the driver’s eye, the official said. The operator of the shinkansen line stretching from Osaka to Fukuoka did not report the incident to the transport ministry as it occurred only once and did not affect the train run, according to the official.—Kyodo News
ISIS graffiti daubed in Zubin Potok ZUBIN POTOK — An unknown perpetrator daubed Islamic State (ISIS) graffiti on a retaining wall by the road near the Ibar Lepenac hydropower plant in Zubin Potok, northern Kosovo, late Wednesday, TV Most reports. A placard with the slogan ‘1.5 Degrees Celsius = rich countries do your fair share’ is seen on a replica of the Eiffel Tower during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Le Bourget, near Paris, France, on 11 December. Photo:Reuters PARIS — French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius presented a landmark global climate accord yesterday, a “historic” measure for transforming the world’s fossil fuel-driven economy within decades and turn the tide on global warming. At the tail end of the hottest year on record and after four years of fraught UN talks often pitting the interests of rich nations against poor, imperilled island states against rising economic powerhouses, Fabius urged officials from nearly 200 nations to support what he hopes will be a final draft. “Our responsibility to history is immense,” Fabius told thousands of officials, including President Francois Hollande and US Secretary of State John Kerry, in the main hall of the conference venue on the outskirts of Paris. “If we were to fail, how could we rebuild this hope?” he asked. “Our children would not understand or forgive us.” Barring any last-minute objections as negotiators pore over the final text for the next few hours, they will reconvene at around 1545 local time (1445 GMT) to approve
the agreement, a major breakthrough in global efforts to avert the potentially disastrous consequences of an overheated planet. Calling it an “ambitious and balanced” agreement, Fabius said it would mark a “historic turning point” for the world. Hollande cautioned that the pact would not be “perfect for everyone”, urging delegates to see the common need. “Faced with climate change our destinies are bound together,” he said. In talks that lasted into the early morning, officials appeared to have resolved the final sticking points, and Fabius highlighted the key points: a more ambitious goal for limiting the rise in global temperatures to less than 2 degrees Celsius; a $100 billion a year floor for funding developing nations beyond 2020; and a five-year cycle for reviewing national pledges to take action on greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to the session, China’s top negotiator Gao Feng said there “there is hope today” for a final pact, while Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony De Brum told Reuters: “I think we’re done here.” A deal, if finalised, would be a
powerful symbol to world citizens and a potent signal to investors -for the first time in over two decades, both rich and poor nations will agree to a common vision for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and a roadmap for ending two centuries of fossil fuel dominance. While some climate change activists and US Republicans will likely find fault with the accord -either for failing to take sufficiently drastic action, or for overreacting to an uncertain threat --many of the estimated 40,000 officials and environmentalists who set up camp on the outskirts of Paris say they see it as a long overdue turning point. Six years after the previous climate summit in Copenhagen ended in failure and acrimony, the Paris pact appears to have rebuilt much of the trust required for a concerted global effort to combat climate change, delegates say. “Whereas we left Copenhagen scared of what comes next, we’ll leave Paris inspired to keep fighting,” said David Turnbull, Director at Oil Change International, a research and advocacy organisation opposed to fossil fuel production.—Reuters
US and Russia trade accusations at UN over Ukraine conflict UNITED NATIONS — The United States and Russia blamed each other on Friday for the continued conflict in Ukraine, with Washington accusing the Kremlin of attempting to suppress public discussion of facts about the nearly two-year-old war. The mutual accusations came during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine, a session that was delayed for an
hour and a half after Russia insisted UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic should not brief the 15-nation council. In the end, Simonovic spoke during the meeting, though Russian United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin made clear his displeasure. He said human rights discussions belong in Geneva at the Human Rights Council. Churkin also criticised US
Ambassador Samantha Power’s handling of the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month, saying she has “introduced wrong elements.” On Thursday, China and Russia tried unsuccessfully to block a US-organised council meeting on alleged human rights abuses in North Korea. “Washington is playing a destructive role” in Ukraine, Churkin said.—Reuters
Zubin Potok Mayor Stevan Vulovic and municipal officials vehemently condemned the act, urging the international community and law enforcement authorities to put an end to such misdeeds.—Tanjug
UN Human Rights Council to meet on Burundi next week GENEVA — The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Burundi next Thursday after a request from the United States, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday. The call was backed by 18 members of the Council, more than the 16 required to reach a quorum of a third of the membership, but only one Afri-
can state, Ghana. A further 24 observer states also supported the move to hold the session. Gunmen attacked military sites in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura on Friday and heavy fighting followed, the army said, in the latest flare-up of violence in a nation Western powers fear may be sliding back into ethnic conflict.—Reuters
Cuba, US agree to resume direct mail service HAVANA — Cuba and the US have agreed to resume direct mail services between the two countries, after an interruption of over 50 years, it was announced here Friday. An official note from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this decision was taken during a recent round of talks in the US, which took place in a “respectful, professional and constructive setting.” A pilot plan for the transportation of mail will now be elaborated over the next few weeks, with a per-
manent re-opening of the service set to begin soon, said the note. It added that, after over five decades without services, direct deliveries of correspondence and packages will resume between the US and Cuba, with the last technical, operational and security details now being worked out. During the meeting, the Cuban delegation presented examples of how the economic blockade is affecting the island, including on the operations of Grupo Empresarial Correos de Cuba, the country’s mail company.—Reuters
Rio’s Olympic metro extension short of money RIO DE JANEIRO — Another $255 million is needed to complete the extension of Rio de Janeiro’s metro line connecting tourist areas to the site of the 2016 Olympics, city officials said Friday. Rio’s transport secretary said that the city was waiting for a late payment this month of about $120 million from the federal budget and that then another $135 million would be needed to finish the project. “These funds are indispen-
sable for us to finish the work in time for the Olympics, which means in July,” said the official. The extension will reach Barra de Tijuca, the western area of the sprawling city where much of the events will be held and where the Olympic Village is located. It is considered a vital element in plans to handle the huge number of visitors. The 2016 Olympic Games will be staged from 5 to 21 August in Rio de Janeiro.—Xinhua
8 ANALYSIS
13 December 2015
an open and effective international economic system and a major catalyst to development”. As is known to all, our country is rich in natural resources, with most of them intact. It is absolutely necessary to manage these resources in inviting capital and technical know-how from external sources. This initiative should be seen as a powerful motivator that will encourage more sustainable businesses. Kyaw Thura Our economy is in urgent need of external aturally, emerging economies have sources bringing new financial services to its budto rely on foreign direct investment in ding markets through the innovative use of techthe belief that it helps stimulate national nology. economic development by creating jobs and At a time when the government has pledged providing employment. As a potential an unprecedented smooth transfer of state reeconomy, Myanmar is in a better position to sponsibility to the incoming government, compacompete against its neighbours given the recent nies should follow suit by developing good labour influx of foreign investment into the country. relations based on mutual respect and underThe Organisation for Economic Coopera- standing while encouraging workers to unlock tion and Development (OECD) has described their potential by means of in-house training. foreign direct investment as “an integral part of The time has come for our country to pay un-
Opinion
Encourage FDI to stimulate the national economy
N
divided attention to creating a transparent and effective policy environment for foreign investment, while developing human resources and improving institutional capacities to implement them. On the whole, foreign direct investment is a major determinant of dynamic economic performance that will enable local markets to fulfill their potential.
Write for us We appreciate your feedback and contributions. If you have any comments or would like to submit editorials, analyses or reports please email thantunaungnlm@gmail.com with your name and title. Due to limitation of space we are only able to publish “Letter to the Editor” that do not exceed 500 words. Should you submit a text longer than 500 words please be aware that your letter will be edited.
The Gantaloka Translation Contest and Thakin Ba Thaung Dr. Saw Mra Aung
T
wo months ago, I happened to read a piece of news in the Kyemon, a public newspaper, saying that a translation contest was jointly to be held by the Sarpay Beikman under the Ministry of Information and the Shanti Volunteer Foundation of Japan, that the first, the second and the third winners were to be awarded a handsome money and that the work of the first winner was to be published. I was reminded by that news of the Gantaloka Translation Contest held in Myanmar about 90 years ago and its outshining product Thakin Ba Thaung, who was later reputed to be one of the best translators in Myanmar. In fact, the Gantaloka was the name of the Myanmar Section of the book titled “The World of Books”, a monthly periodical published by the Burma Book Club found by Mr. Furnivall in 1924 with the aims of translating the books written in various languages into Myanmar, opening libraries which could provide easy access to the reading population of Myanmar and encouraging literary scholars to lecture on their literary works. It first opened its book stall in the compound of an old university on Commissioner Road (which is today in the compound of State High School No.(1), Latha Township) and then shifted it to the corner of Pansodan Street in April 1932. This club published “The World of Books” monthly, which carried the review of the books which were on sale at the stall. Although it originally consisted of 12 pages written only in Eng-
lish, a Myanmar section was added to it two years later, bringing the number of the pages to 16. When the Burma Book Club was reorganized as the Burma Education Extension Association, the page number of the World of Books was increased to 48 and the English and the Myanmar sections were made equal in volume. Since May 1929, the book was renamed “ The Globe Journal”(ကမာၻလုံးဂ်ာနယ္). The name continued to be in use till January 1930. But since February that year, the Myanmar section was called “Gantaloka” in Pali which means “ The World of Books” which was the original name of the book. The Gantaloka Translation Contest was held for 54 times up to December 1941 from February 1927. The first winner was to be awarded 15 Rupees. In No.(1) Contest, the contestants were to translate the essay titled” On Studies” written by Bacon into Myanmar. In the contest, the first prize was jointly won by U Maung Hla, Deputy District Administrative Officer, Minbu and Maung Nyunt from Bagan Hostel, Yangon College. The award of 15 Rupees was equally divided between them. When it came to No.(3) Contest, it was expanded into two categories: Section (A) and Section (B). The first winner of each section was to be awarded 10 Rupees each. When it came to No.(3) Contest, Maung Ba Thaung who lived at No. (1) (B), 63th Street, Yangon, alone won the first prize by translating the article titled, `To Lucasta Going to War´by Richard Lovelace into Myanmar as`လကတ္စ တားေပးစစ္ထြက္ဘဲြ႔မွာတမ္း´ in Section (B). He won then four consecutive first prizes by translating`There is a Lady Sweet and
kind’
into
Myanmar as in No.(4) Contest, Section (B), ` The Structure of Matter”, written by Professor Andrade into Myanmar as `ပထ၀ီဖဲြ႔စည္းပုံအေၾကာင္း´ in No.(5) Contest, Section (A), “Policemen in China” into Myanmar as`တရုတ္ျပည္ပုလိပ္သားတို႔ အေၾကာင္း in No. (6) Contest, Section (A) and “Encouragement to a Lover´ into Myanmar as `အပူသယ္အားေပးလကၤာ´ in No. (6) `ကညာတစ္ဦး ရွိခဲ့ဖူးသည္မွာ´
Mr. Sloss, the then Principal of Yangon College, was highly impressed with his elusive translation caliber. So he, though not matriculated, was appointed a tutor at the translation branch of the Myanmarsar Department in on 15 June 1930. But like many other like Myanmar young men working at the university, he combined his teaching with nationalist propaganda. He composed `ကမာၻ႔ရာဇ၀င္ေပါင္းခ်ဴပ္´.
“I was reminded by that news of the Gantaloka Translation Contest held in Myanmar about 90 years ago and its outshining product Thakin Ba Thaung, who was later reputed to be one of the best translators in Myanmar.” Contest, Section (B). When the editorial board of the Gantaloka Translation Contest found that their prizes went to the same competitor month after month, they became afraid that their competition would be a farce. Coincidently, an editor for the Myanmar Section of the Globe Journal was then in urgent need. They, therefore, appointed Maung Ba Thaung on the editorial board in August 1928. In 1928, Maung Ba Thaung translated “ The Doctor Perforce “ written by French Dramatist Moliere into Myanmar as “ ဆ၇ာ၀န္ပါဘဲ” . It was acknowledged as the first western drama ever translated by a Myanmar. In 1929, he was also awarded of Prince of Wales Translating Prize for his rendering the book titled `Outlines of General History´ written by Professor Renouf into Myanmar as
the song titled “ Doe-ba-hmar” with the aid of Y.M.B. Saya Tin and sang it at Thaton Hostel on 19 July at the permission of warden U Pe Maung Tin and sang it again in public at the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda the next day and then published the manifesto of the Doe-ba-hmar Asiayone. When orders were passed forbidding nationalist propaganda, Maung Ba Thaung resigned from his prestigious position of university teacher. Regarding his resignation, Principal Sloss commented that he was the only one to sacrifice his job rather than his consciousness. He resigned from the editorial board of the Myanmar Section of the Gantaloka Magazine in July 1931 and entered into the politics. Then he branded himself as Thakin , together with Thakin Hla Baw, Thakin Thein Maung, Thakin Thein Han,
Thakin Tun Shwe, Thakin Ba Tin, etc , undertook nationalist propaganda. When Myanmar regained her independence, he resumed his literary tasks. In 1953, he, in conjunction with Saya Tet Toe, published the” Commentator”, an English Newspaper. In 1959, he served as an editor of the Myanmar and World Journal published by the Ministry of Defence. After 1962, he was appointed a translation tutor at the head-office of the Myanmar Socialist Lazin Party. While doing so, he contributed English articles to the Working People’s Daily. Thakin Ba Thaung wrote about 50 books in total. Most of them were translated ones. Out of them, ပန္းသာမစာဥ (Tess of Durbbervilles by Thomas Hardy) and ဆ၇ာ၀န္ပါဘဲ (The Doctor Perforce by Moliere) were most well known to the people of that time. The UNESCO Translation Prize was conferred on him in 1960 in recognition of his translation talent. In fact, translators can help the reading population of our country imbibe the knowledge of the best brains of the world, thus bringing about the human resource development. Today, the senior generation of translators like Thakin Ba Thaung, Sayagyi Shwe U Daung, Dagon Shwemyar, P. Moe Hnin, Saya Mya Than Tint, Saya Tet Toe, etc has gone by. A new generation of competent Myanmar translators is, therefore, badly in need of Myanmar which is now on course to democracy. Therefore, it is hoped by the author that the translation contest being jointly organized by the Sarpay Beikman and the Shanti Volunteer Foundation can produce some promising young Myanmar translators. *****
local news 9
13 December 2015
POem
Let’s Win-Win Together
Stone Inscription is unveiled to mark 120th anniversary of GTI’s Education (Government Technical Institute) and blue plaque of Yangon National Heritage building is installed at the building. Photo: Myanma News Agency
Business watchdog identifies three priorities for coming year in Myanmar Ye Myint A LIST of priorities needing to be addressed in the coming year in Myanmar includes land disputes, human rights defenders and public participation in responsible business, according to a recent statement by a business watchdog. Based on an online poll carried out in October and November, the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business identified these priority issues. The statement said land issues topped the list as some abuses have been remedied but many others remain. “A draft Land Use Policy discussed in 2014-2015 is still to be adopted, and once it is, new
and revised laws will be needed,” it said. Another priority on the list is the situation of human rights defenders. “Although the climate for human rights defenders has improved in recent years, rights organisations voiced concern that 2015 still saw the harassment and arrests of workers’ representatives, farmers protesting against land grabs, community leaders challenging destructive mining practices as well as citizens using social media to express their views peacefully,” said the MCRB. A final key priority area for next year is public participation in responsible business. The statement stressed the
Traffic flowing on Sule Pagoda Road in Yangon. Photo: Ye Myint
need of making public engagement and full disclosure of information compulsory in many projects and supporting civil society in its efforts to hold companies to account and ensure that development strategies benefit local communities. “As Myanmar embarks on a new phase of transition in 2016, a range of challenges and opportunities exist for strengthening public participation,” it said. The MCRB, a Yangon-based initiative funded by a number of European countries, is a neutral platform that aims to improve knowledge, capacity and dialogue concerning responsible business in Myanmarin cooperation with businesses, civil society and the government.
Loving-kindness is of paramount importance for the peace and happiness Enduring patience is the highest austerity To avoid evil, to cultivate good and to cleanse one’s mind-this is the teaching of the Buddhas Should a person do good, let him do good it again and again; for blissful is the accumulation of good Wonderful indeed, it is to subdue the mind, so difficult to subdue, ever swift, seizing whatever it desires Ill done is that action doing which one repents later, and the fruit of which one, weeping, reaps with tears. Not despising, not harming, restraint according to the code of monastic discipline, moderation of food, dwelling in solitude, devotion in meditation-this is the teaching of the Buddhas. Wisdom never becomes perfect in one whose mind is steadfast, who knows not the Good Teaching and whose faith wavers Indeed, association with the wise is happy, like meeting one’s own kinsmen; one will always be happy by not encountering fools Neither in the sky nor in mid-ocean, nor by entering into mountain clefts, nowhere in the world is there a place where one will not be overcome by death To one ever eager to revere and serve the elders, those four blessings accrue: long life and beauty, happiness and power One who, while himself seeking peace and happiness, does not oppress with violence other beings who also desire peace and happiness, will find peace and happiness hereafter Good is restraint in thought; good is restraint in speech; good is restraint in bodily action; restraint everywhere is good Exert yourself; O holy man! Cut off the stream (of craving), and discard sense desires The wise ones ever meditative and steadfastly persevering, alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable freedom from bondage He, who inflicts violence on those who are unarmed and offends those who are inoffensive, will soon come upon one of ten woeful states Ever grows the glory of him who is energetic, mindful and pure in conduct, discerning and self-controlled, righteous and heedful Realize that”Calm is his thought; calm is his speech and calm is his deed, who, truly knowing is wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise.” Htun Tin Htun
Letter to the Editor The Asiatic elephant is an endangered species distributed across South and SE Asia including Myanmar. Human-elephant conflicts due to rapid loss of habitats and indiscriminate poaching have marginalized the wild population of elephants in Myanmar. Donating elephants to temples is a century old socio-religious custom in South and SE Asia. This is a not an acceptable practice in a new millennium involving an endangered wildlife species and people need to understand that. I can understand that this is not easy as it has a social aspect to this and deals with the faith of a vast section of religious minded people. But supporting superstitions and in appropriate activities in the name of religion cannot be tolerated. Constant campaign and public education need to be initiated to build general consensus and public opinion against this age old tradition. It is also important for the lawmakers in South and SE Asia to take this issue to their respective parliaments for discussion. The Government of India, Thailand and Sri Lanka have established elephant shelters for the sick and old elephants. Furthermore, India also banned the trade on elephants and use any elephants in circus and other recreation purposes to protect the endangered species. Several Indian birds are also bought and sold in this market and needs to be completely banned. The traders could be provided with some support or package to change their profession or may be absorbed in the forest department works as they are trained trackers and have multitude of experiences that may help in the efforts for conservation. My humble request to the Government of Myanmar through your esteemed daily is to kindly take some initiative in slowly banning the buying, donating, holding and caging of wild elephants in Myanmar following examples of from adjacent countries in the region. Thanking you Sincerely yours Saikat Kumar Basu
10 world
13 December 2015
Iraq urges UN council to demand immediate Turkish troop withdrawal UNITED NATIONS — Iraq appealed to the United Nations Security Council on Friday to demand an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Turkish troops from northern Iraq, calling Turkey’s military incursion a “flagrant violation” of international law. “We call on the Security Council to demand that Turkey withdraw its forces immediately ... and not to violate Iraqi sovereignty again,” Iraqi Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim said in a letter to US Ambassador to the
United Nations Samantha Power, president of the Security Council this month. “This is considered a flagrant violation of the principles of the UN Charter, and a violation of Iraqi territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Iraq,” the letter said, according to an unofficial translation of the Arabic original. The letter, which was seen by Reuters, was sent after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi instructed the Foreign Ministry to lodge a formal complaint at the United Nations. One diplomat on the 15-na-
tion Security Council said on condition of anonymity that there were no immediate plans to convene a special meeting during the weekend in response to the Iraqi letter. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he would not bow to Iraqi demands to withdraw Turkish troops from a camp close to the Islamic State-held city of Mosul. Alhakim made clear that bilateral diplomacy had failed so far to end the dispute between the two neighbours. “Iraq worked on containment of this issue by diplomatic means
and bilateral talks, but these efforts did not succeed in convincing Turkey to withdraw its occupying forces from Iraqi territory,” Alhakim wrote to Power, noting that the Turkish incursion was an “aggressive act.” He added: “Assistance with military training and advanced technology and weapons to fight the Islamic State terrorist entity must be based upon bilateral and multilateral agreements and in full respect of the national sovereignty and Iraqi constitution, and in coordination with the Iraqi armed forces.” The dispute over the de-
ployment has soured relations between Ankara and Baghdad, which denies having agreed to it. Ankara says the troops were sent as part of an international mission to train and equip Iraqi forces to fight Islamic State, which has seized large parts of Syria and Iraq. The Turkish military is helping to train local Iraqi volunteers and Kurdish peshmerga who are preparing for a long-anticipated offensive to retake Mosul, a major northern city seized by Islamic State more than a year ago. —Reuters
Swiss arrest two Syrians; Islamic State can make fake Syrian passports traces of explosives in car GENEVA — Two Syrian nationals were arrested in Geneva on Friday and traces of explosives were found in their car, the local newspaper Tribune de Geneve and Swiss television said. The newspaper gave no details on the identity of the two men or the circumstances of their arrest. It said it was unclear whether the arrests were linked to a heightened security alert Geneva authorities had declared on Thursday. It remained in effect at level 3 on a scale of 5. “Two men of Syrian origin were arrested in Geneva on Friday,” Swiss television said on its nightly news broadcast. “Traces of explosives were found in their car.” Geneva officials were not immediately available to comment, but a source close to the case told Reuters that two men had been arrested, without giving any details. Swiss media and Reuters have reported that authorities are
looking for four men believed to have been in Geneva this week. A van with Belgian plates and two men entered Switzerland from France via the Jura mountains on Tuesday and went back to France after three few hours, Swiss television said. Earlier on Friday, Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga said that Swiss federal authorities had put Geneva on a high security alert this week after getting a tip from foreign authorities about a suspected Islamic State cell in the region. Two sources confirmed to Reuters that the Central Intelligence Agency had provided a photo of four men to Swiss authorities on Wednesday, saying they could be on Swiss territory. The photo, published in Swiss newspapers, showed four bearded men seated, with their faces blurred and index fingers raised in the air. A CIA spokesman in Washington declined to comment on Thursday.—Reuters
Head of Geneva police Monica Bonfanti (L) meets with United Nations Director-General Michael Moeller outside the UN European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on 11 December. Photo: Reuters
Residents drive across a street with a fluttering Islamic State flag, in Tel Abyad town on the Syrian-Turkish border, Raqqa countryside in 2014. Photo: Reuters WASHINGTON — A US government agency report has warned that Islamic State has the ability to create fake Syrian passports, a federal official confirmed on Friday. A spokeswoman for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed the contents of a story by CNN on Friday about the report, but declined to provide a copy of the report. The report says Islamic State has access to Syrian government passport printing machines and blank passports, raising the possibility the travel documents could be faked, CNN reported, citing a law enforcement source. The CNN
source added that there was also concern that because the militant group had access to biographical and fingerprint data on Syrian citizens, there was also a possibility of identity theft. ABC News, which first reported the story on Thursday, said the report was released to law enforcement by the Homeland Security Investigations agency last week and raised the possibility that militants could use the documents to travel to the United States. “Since more than 17 months [have] passed since Raqqa and Deir ez-Zour fell to ISIS, it is possible that individuals from Syria with passports ‘issued’ in these
ISIS-controlled cities or who had passport blanks, may have traveled to the US,” ABC News quoted the report as saying. State Department spokesman John Kirby, asked at a briefing on Friday about the ABC report, replied: “We have been aware of reports, not just in the press, that they may have obtained this capability.” FBI Director James Comey told a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday: “The intelligence community is concerned that they [Islamic State] have the ability, the capability to manufacture fraudulent passports, which is a concern in any setting.” —Reuters
Saudi Arabian women vote for first time in local elections RIYADH — Saudi Arabian women voted for the first time yesterday in local council elections and also stood as candidates, a step hailed by some activists in the Islamic patriarchy as a historic change, but by others as merely symbolic. “As a first step it is a great achievement. Now we feel we are part of society, that we contribute,” said Sara Ahmed, 30, a physiother-
apist entering a polling station in north Riyadh. “We talk a lot about it, it’s a historic day for us.” The election, which follows men-only polls in 2005 and 2011, is for two thirds of seats on councils that previously had only advisory powers, but will now have a limited decision making role in local government. This incremental expansion of voting rights has spurred some
Saudis to hope the Al Saud ruling family, which appoints the national government, will eventually carry out further reforms to open up the political system. Saudi Arabia is the only country in which women cannot drive and a woman’s male “guardian”, usually a father, husband, brother or son, can stop her travelling overseas, marrying, working, studying or having
some forms of elective surgery. Under King Abdullah, who died in January and who announced in 2011 that women would be able to vote in this election, steps were taken for women to have a bigger public role, sending more of them to university and encouraging female employment. However, while women’s suffrage has in many other countries been a transformative moment in
the quest for gender equality, its impact in Saudi Arabia is likely to be more limited due to a wider lack of democracy and continued social conservatism. Before Abdullah announced women would take part in this year’s elections, the country’s Grand Mufti, its most senior religious figure, described women’s involvement in politics as “opening the door to evil”. —Reuters
business & technology 11
13 December 2015
Wirecard to process Alipay payments for Chinese tourists in Europe
A sales assistant sits behind and under Alipay logos at a train station in Shanghai. Photo: Reuters FRANKFURT — Alipay, a unit of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and German banking software company Wirecard AG, said on Friday the companies have agreed to a deal to provide mobile phone payment services for Chinese tourists visiting Europe. In Europe, the payments process will be run through Wirecard and run on existing payment terminals with no software upgrades necessary, the companies said in a joint statement. Customers paying for
goods with Alipay show their phone to a retail clerk who scans a barcode symbol with a checkout scanner. Alipay counts more than 400 million active users of its payment systems in China, representing an estimated 80 percent of the mobile payments market and 50 percent of the online market in the world’s second-largest economy. Its electronic wallet system is widely used in both retail shops and for online transactions.— Reuters
Two credit rating agencies warn of UK ‘Brexit’ risk LONDON — Two credit rating agencies said on Friday that Britain risked a hit to its creditworthiness and possibly a downgrade due to Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to hold a vote on whether to leave the European Union. Shortly after the International Monetary Fund said the referendum could hurt Britain’s growth prospects, Standard & Poor’s said it was keeping its outlook for Britain’s top-notch rating at negative, while Fitch affirmed a rating that was one notch weaker. S&P reiterated its decision in June to put the country on notice that it faced a one-in-three chance of a downgrade in the next two years, and Fitch said a vote to leave would be “moderately negative” and could trigger a move by Scotland to leave the United Kingdom. S&P challenged one of the main arguments of supporters of a British exit from the EU, saying
immigration had been positive overall for the economy over the past decade. It repeated its view that the referendum represented a risk to Britain’s large financial services sector, its exports, and the wider economy. If Britain quit the EU, it could jeopardise its ability to fund a large deficit in its balance of payments. “In a worst-case scenario, a Brexit could also harm the sterling’s role as a global reserve currency, removing what has been a significant support for our ‘AAA’ rating on the UK since the start of the global financial crisis,” it said. S&P said it expected Britain’s government would reach a compromise with the rest of the EU on reforms of the bloc in the first half of next year and both agencies said most voters in Britain would reject a so-called ‘Brexit’ in the referendum. But S&P noted that the ‘leave’ campaign was better funded and organised than the
China factory output strengthens, investment up in sign of stabilising economy BEIJING — China’s activity data was stronger than expected in November, with factory output growth picking up to a fivemonth high, signalling that a flurry of stimulus measures from Beijing may have put a floor under a fragile economy. Factory output grew an annual 6.2 percent in November, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed, quickening from
October’s 5.6 percent and beating expectations of 5.6 percent. Growth in China’s fixed-asset investment, one of the main drivers of the economy, rose 10.2 percent in the first 11 months, unchanged from the gain in the January-October. Analysts had forecast a 10.1 percent rise in the January-November period. Retail sales growth expanded at an annual 11.2 percent in
November — the strongest expansion this year, compared with 11.0 percent in October. Analysts had forecast 11.1 percent growth in November. “While low base could be the factor driving the headline growth, we still have to acknowledge that China’s data are illustrating signs of stabilisation, albeit at a low level,” said Zhao Hao, senior economist at Com-
An employee works at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., Ltd., in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Photo: Reuters
merzbank in Singapore, The data came after weak trade and inflation readings earlier this week, which underscored the persistent slack in the economy. The world’s second-biggest economy has been hit by weak demand at home and abroad, factory overcapacity and challenges posed by its transition to a consumption-led growth model from one reliant on investments. Now with the US Federal Reserve poised to raise interest rates for the first time in almost a decade at next week’s review, the risk of intensifying capital outflows has added to Beijing’s policy challenge. Over the past year Chinese authorities have launched the most aggressive policy stimulus since the 2008/09 global financial crisis, including cutting interest rates six times since late 2014. Premier Li Keqiang said earlier this month that China was on track to reach its economic growth target of about 7 percent this year, and the economy was going through adjustments to maintain reasonable medium- to long-term growth. But that would still mark China’s weakest economic expansion in a quarter of a century, and some analysts believe real growth levels are much weaker than official data suggest.—Reuters
‘remain’ campaign, raising the risk of a vote to leave the EU. S&P’s chief European sovereign rating officer told Reuters in October that Britain’s credit rating could be cut by as much as two notches if it leaves the EU. Fitch said the outcome of Britain leaving the European Union was highly uncertain, and would hinge on lengthy, complex talks. “The implications for the rating would depend on several factors, including the impact on medium-term growth and investment prospects, the UK’s external position, and the risk of triggering a second referendum on Scottish independence,” Fitch said. A separate plan to devolve powers to Scotland and Wales could distract the government from fixing some fundamental problems in the economy such as a shortage of new housing which would hurt Britain’s competitiveness, S&P said on Friday. —Reuters
Over 70% of high school students graduating next spring secure job TOKYO — More than 70 percent of high school students who wish to work after graduation next spring had secured a job as of 31 October, showing an improvement for the sixth consecutive year, the education ministry said Friday. At 73.4 percent, the rate was up 2.3 percentage points from the corresponding time a year earlier, maintaining the figure above 70 percent for the second year. “An improving trend of the economy has caused the job-to-applicants ratio to increase,” said an official of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The ministry surveyed approximately 193,000 students seeking jobs among the 1.07 million students graduating from public or private high schools across Japan. The number of students who have found jobs to take after graduation by the end of October was 141,000. The percentage of male high school students who have found jobs rose 1.9 points to 74.8 percent, while the figure for female students increased 2.9 points to 71.2 percent. By specialty, industrial high school students had the highest job offer rate at 86.9 percent, followed by those studying commerce and agriculture at 78.5 and 77.5 percent respectively. The rate for regular high schools stood at 59.8 percent.—Kyodo News
12 world
13 December 2015
More rain to hit Pacific Northwest amid mudslide concerns
A tree branch is pictured on Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast as crews work to restore a broken power pole in Issaquah, Washington. Photo: Reuters SEATTLE — A storm system moving across the western United States will bring heavy rain once again to the drenched Pacific Northwest and northern California on Friday, forecasts said, as officials warned of renewed mudslides and flooding following the record rainfall.
In addition to more rain, strong winds and mountain snow were expected across the Cascades, Sierra and northern Rockies, the National Weather Service said. In Oregon, where two women died in storm-related accidents, Governor Kate Brown
declared a state of emergency for 13 counties. On Friday, Brown told a news conference that more than 40 landslides had hit state highways. “Heavy rains and wind have required the evacuation of residences, and mudslides and high water have severely damaged or
blocked major roadways in these areas of the state,” she said in a statement. This week’s unusually powerful storms broke at least five weather records for the Seattle area, including the wettest first nine days in December, forced the closure of an interstate highway and swamped dozens of
streets and bridges. The storm felled trees, knocked out power to thousands of customers, and sent streams and rivers overflowing their banks. Two northbound lanes of Interstate 5, which connects Seattle to Portland, had been reopened to traffic by Friday after closing due to a mudslide. Emergency management officials in both Washington and Oregon have warned of more mudslides after days of ground saturation. In Oregon, a 60-year-old Portland woman died in bed this week when a tree fell on her house and another woman drowned when her car became submerged in the state’s north, officials said. In a rare event for the Pacific Northwest, the National Weather Service on Thursday said it had received reports of a moderate-strength tornado in Battle Ground, Washington. Television footage showed residents clearing debris from roads and blue tarps covering damaged roofs. NWS forecasters have also warned Alaskans about a powerful encroaching storm that could bring hurricane-force winds to the Aleutian Islands over the weekend. AccuWeather said that system could become “the strongest on record” for the region. Meteorologists say the El Nino weather phenomenon, which can trigger above-average precipitation on the West Coast, is expected to remain strong through this winter.—Reuters
Nile dam meeting ends with no deal, to resume next day
Finland cautious about joint EU border troops for Schengen area
KHARTOUM — Foreign and water ministers of Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia on Friday ended their closed-door meetings in Khartoum with not agreement on issues regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The closed-door meetings continued for about four hours, while the official opening session was not convened. Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour told reporters that the talks would be resumed yesterday, adding that there is hope to bridge the gaps. However, a source close to the closed-door consultations told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the difference between the Ethiopian and Egyptian delegations was still wide, pointing out that the Sudanese foreign and water ministers were exerting intensive efforts to narrow the viewpoints. According to the source, Egypt’s demands focus on the necessity to study the impacts of the dam and water shares allotted for each country concerned.
HELSINKI — Finland kept cautious towards a planned proposal to create a border force to guard the external EU frontiers in case of emergency, fearing it may infringe its sovereignty. According to a plan being prepared within the European Commission, the border guards could be deployed even without the approval of the member countries, local media reported on Friday. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said late Friday that the thought of limiting a country’ s
He added that Cairo also wants Ethiopia to suspend the construction of the dam until an abiding agreement is reached. Friday’s meetings were scheduled to be held in Khartoum last November, but Cairo insisted on delaying the meetings so that the foreign ministers of the three countries would be able to join the water ministers in a six-member meeting. Last March, the leaders of Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia signed an initial cooperation deal on sharing the Nile River and the construction of the GERD. The GERD puts Egypt on alert as Cairo fears that the construction of the dam would affect its share in the Nile water, which amounts to 55.5 billion cubic meter, while Ethiopia reiterates that the dam is likely to make a shift in its wealth, namely in the field of electricity. The GERD, extending on an area of 1,800 square km, is scheduled to be completed in three years at a cost of 4.7 billion US dollars.—Xinhua
power of decision seems to be “fairly far-reaching.” Finland is one of the Schengen countries and shares a long land border with a non-EU country — Russia. In an interview on Finnish national radio, Niinisto said the assistance will certainly be welcome to “those who want it.” He noted that in today’ s situation all states “perhaps are not capable of the duties.” Earlier in the day, chairman of the Finnish Parliamentary Defence Committee Ilkka Kanerva,
who was also cautious about the proposal, said he did not believe EU countries would give up their sovereignty in border issues. An opposition by two thirds of the EU countries would be enough to block the plan to send border troops to a country, Finnish national broadcaster Yle quoted sources in Brussels as saying. An Yle analysis said that such a front of opposition could hardly be ever created against the backdrop of the current refugee crisis.—Xinhua
New Argentine gov’t seeks to bolster ties with China BUENOS AIRES — Argentina’s newly installed President Mauricio Macri and his administration seek to strengthen ties with China, the country’s ambassador-designate to Beijing said Friday. “China is a trade partner, the second-largest after Brazil, but the No. 1 investor and No. 1
financier,” Diego Guelar said in an interview with local radio Del Plata. “We have a strategic partnership that has to be strengthened, and that I’m sure we are going to expand and develop,” he said. “The conditions (of bilateral ties) are hugely positive. Argentina is very actively on the map of
Chinese investments and credits, and our project is to strengthen and continue along this line,” Guelar said. An experienced diplomat, Guelar served as ambassador to the European Union (19891995), to Brazil (1995-1996) and to the United States (1996-1999 and 2002-2003).—Xinhua
world 13
13 December 2015
Heathrow delay endangers investment in Britain LONDON — Britain's inability to decide where to build a new airport runway after 25 years of deliberation is the latest major infrastructure delay that risks hurting investment in the world's fifth largest economy. Prime Minister David Cameron, who had guaranteed a final decision by
the end of this year, has been accused of putting short-term politics over long-term economic gain by delaying approval until next year. The decision on whether to build a new runway at Heathrow in the densely populated west of London, or at Gatwick to the south, will now come
after the mayoral election in May. The candidate for Cameron's Conservative Party had threatened to resign if the government backed Heathrow, which an independent report commissioned by the prime minister said was the best place for expansion. After the delay was
An aircraft lands at Heathrow Airport near London, Britain on 11 December. Photo: Reuters
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announced, the boss of British Airways parent IAG (ICAG.L) threatened to quit the company's base at Heathrow. "Some people may say that we have no other option," said Willie Walsh. "Actually we do. We can develop our business via Madrid which has spare capacity and Dublin where there are plans for a cost-effective and efficient second runway." Joanne Segars, head of national body the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, said pension funds wanted to invest in infrastructure. "But for pension funds to be able to invest further they need a pipeline of suitable projects and a stable planning environment," she said. Britain last built a new full-length runway in the southeast of the country shortly after World War Two and successive governments have failed to placate those living in the affluent neighbourhoods that lie under the flight paths.—Reuters
India slaps import duties on stainless steel to help local firms NEW DELHI — India imposed import duties for five years on some stainless steel imports from China, the European Union and the United States on Friday, as the government tries to protect local companies suffering from what it says is unfair competition. The government said the anti-dumping duties, on cold-rolled flat stainless steel products, ranged from 4.6 percent to 57.4 percent. Imports from South Korea, South Africa, Taiwan and Thailand will also be taxed. The moves follows the government's introduction of a 20 percent import tax on some other steel products in September, which failed to contain losses for Indian steel companies struggling to compete due to debts and high raw material costs. Firms including the Steel Authority of India, JSW Steel and Essar Steel have in recent months complained that surging imports are squeezing profit margins. They are lobbying the government to impose duties on a wider range of
CLAIMS DAY NOTICE MV PANJA BHUM VOY NO (071N)
Consignees of cargo carried on MV PANJA BHUM VOY NO (071N) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on 13.12.2015 and cargo will be discharged into the premises of H.P.T where it will lie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY AGENT FOR: M/S WAN HAI LINES PTE LTD Phone No: 2301185
CLAIMS DAY NOTICE MV MCC MERGUI VOY NO ( )
Consignees of cargo carried on MV MCC MERGUI VOY NO ( ) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on 13.12.2015 and cargo will be discharged into the premises of M.I.P where it will lie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY AGENT FOR: M/S MCC TRANSPORT (S’PORE) PTE LTD Phone No: 2301185
products to protect their market share. "It's a welcome step because today what is hurting the Indian manufacturing sector is dumping," said SeshagiriRao, Joint Managing Director at JSW Steel. Other industry experts said the duties were limited in scope and would be easily circumvented because they only applied to products measuring up to a certain width. "On paper this step looks good but in the long run it is not going to help unless the government removes the restrictions on width," Indian Stainless Steel Development Association President N.C. Mathur told Reuters. The Directorate General of Safeguards, a branch of the finance ministry that can impose temporary import curbs, said on Tuesday it found prima facie evidence that increases in imports "have caused or are threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic producers", as it investigates local industry complaints.—Reuters
Russian, Italian FM discuss fight against terrorism in Rome ROME — The Libyan unrest and the fight against the Islamic State (IS) were at centre of talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni here on Friday on the sidelines of a conference on the Mediterranean. Lavrov told a joint press conference after the talks that Russia is not seeking to join the United States-led coalition to fight against the IS in Syria, but wants coordination on an equal basis. As regards the Libyan issue, Lavrov said Russia is "sincerely interested in stabilization of the situation in Libya." "We welcome and support efforts of the Italian colleagues aimed at the international community's help to Libyans to overcome the current split and form a national government," he said ahead of a conference on Libya to be held in Rome on Sunday. "When such a national Libyan government is formed it will decide how to solve the problems Libya is facing," Lavrov also added.—Xinhua
14 entertainment
13 December 2015
Director Ron Howard gets a second Actress Daisy Ridley on major ‘Star Wars’ role: Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Ron Howard poses with his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard after he was honoured with the 2,568th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, on 10 December. Photo: Reuters LOS ANGELES — Hollywood director Ron Howard has received his second star on the Walk of Fame, honoring his award-winning career as a film maker. Howard, who won an Oscar
for best director for “A Beautiful Mind”, got a star on the Walk of Fame in 1981 for a television career that included roles in “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Happy Days.”
“Two stars are pretty remarkable ... I’m going to have double the foot traffic, twice as many people treading on my good name, but I think it’s a great thing and I’m proud of that,” Howard said at the ceremony on Thursday. “However, my ambitions run deep, so two is good, three would be better and I’ve got a lot of energy.” Howard, also known for “Apollo 13” and “The Da Vinci Code”, was accompanied by his family and actor Michael Keaton, whom he directed in several movies, for the ceremony on the famed boulevard. “I’ve been so lucky in this business, I’ve worked with so many great people,” Howard said. “I have so few regrets, practically none, and one of them is just only that it’s been far too long since Michael (Keaton) and I made a movie together, so I’m hoping to rectify that sooner rather than later.” Howard’s latest film is a shipwreck story, “In the Heart of the Sea”.—Reuters
The embroiderer strikes back. Meet Ukraine’s Darth Vader ODESSA — Darth Vader was bent on galactic domination, but his Ukrainian namesake enjoys more mundane pursuits — local politics, walking the family dog and embroidery. While audiences around the world have had to wait 10 years for the latest film in the Star Wars franchise — due to be released next week — residents of the Ukrainian port city of Odessa have become used to regular sightings of Lord Vader in his famous masked helmet and floorlength black cape. A Reuters photo essay — paints the picture: Vader on a bus, Vader patting his horse, Vader embroidering in his apartment, Vader’s helmet on a shelf surrounded by Orthodox icons. The Ukrainian citizen, who
officially changed his name to Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, ran in October for the post of mayor, backed up by a phalanx of supporters dressed as Star Wars Stormtroopers. The Sith Lord beat out more traditional candidates to place 15th out of 42 candidates in the mayoral race, while an online petition to appoint him prime minister later gained more than 25,000 signatures. His popularity is probably less a result of any significant support for the Dark Side among average Ukrainians than a sign of public frustration with the political status quo amid economic crisis and a violent separatist conflict. Some Odessa residents, meanwhile, clearly prefer the evil
Galactic Empire to their Communist past. In October a local artist refashioned a monument to Soviet revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin into a statue of Darth Vader. Asked about his plans for the future, Darth Mykolaiovych Vader said he was taking things slowly, but had not abandoned hope of gaining a top government job. “Considering the more than 25,000 signatures on the petition, (one plan is) to oust (Prime Minister Arseny) Yatseniuk and put me, Darth Vader, on the throne as prime minister,” he said by email. When not campaigning for public office, Vader enjoys his embroidery, home improvement and caring for his golden retriever in the large apartment he shares in Odessa with his wife and children.—Reuters
Darth Mykolaiovych Vader, who is dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader, poses for a picture as he waits for sunrise on the roof of his apartment block in Odessa, Ukraine, on 4 December 2015. Photo: Reuters
‘it’s very odd’
Cast member Daisy Ridley waves as she walks into a news conference for her upcoming movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens’’ in Urayasu, Chiba prefecture, the suburbs of Tokyo. Photo: Reuters LOS ANGELES — When the much-anticipated “Star Wars” film opens next week, little-known British actress Daisy Ridley will undoubtedly become one of the most recognised faces in the world. The 23-year-old plays scavenger Rey in “The Force Awakens”, a central character in the sci-fi movie. The reality of getting such a coveted role has not yet sunk in for the actress, whose past credits include a few television series appearances. “It’s not ever something I pictured so it’s a very odd thing, very odd,” Ridley told Reuters in an interview. “When I first got cast, no one could know, so it’s three months of me going ‘alright I can deal with this, this is me’,” she said. “And then everyone else knew, and it was like ‘OK, there’s a few more people to deal with now’.” “The Force Awakens”, the first “Star Wars” film in 10 years, also stars the saga’s old hands Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and
Mark Hamill as well as newcomers John Boyega and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. “I started auditioning two years ago ... and it took like seven months and five auditions and then I got cast,” Ridley said. “I think they were just seeing many, many girls because obviously, if they weren’t, then I would never have been seen.” Details have been kept secret ahead of the film’s premiere in Los Angeles on Monday except for a few outlines about the characters. “It’s incredibly funny but touching and the story obviously is character-led, so there’s all of the fun stuff,” Ridley said. “And then there’s just a wonderful human story at the centre of it.” Ridley is one of the few people who has seen the film ahead of its premiere. She said her reaction after was unexpected. “I pretended that I was fine for about an hour and then got in the car and wept the whole way to the airport,” she said. “Many, many tears.”—Reuters
Megan Fox asks parents to get children off social media LOS ANGELES — Actress Megan Fox is not at all in support of the kids being active on social media and has urged parents to keep their children away from it. The 29-year-old “Jennifer’s Body” is not a fan of social media and feels it is toxic for the coming generation, reported ET online. “I think it’s really toxic for our youth culture,” Fox told ET on the set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. “There is a hierarchy in schools of who’s the cool kid based on who has the most followers and who has the most likes. “It’s a really terrible message to wake up every day and have your kids going, ‘Who liked my photo?’ and ‘Who’s fol-
lowing me?’,” Fox said. The actress, who has had some really terrifying first hand experiences with kids on Twitter, said the young followers at times posted destructive messages. “When I was on Twitter for five days, I would have 12- and 13-year-old kids going, ‘If you don’t follow me back, I am going to kill myself.’ I was like this is (expletive) awful. “Parents should pay attention to that and have your kids off of it. You’re not ready for that (expletive) when you’re a teenager. You need to be an adult before you can start messing around with that. It’s irresponsible and it’s dangerous,” she said.—PTI
lifestyle & travel 15
13 December 2015
‘Refugees’ chosen as Word of the Year 2015 in Germany
Migrant children from Syria pose in front of a Protestant church in Oberhausen, Germany, on 19 November. Photo: Reuters BERLIN — With roughly one million migrants arriving in Germany this year, the Society for the German language on Friday chose “Fluechtlinge” — refugees — as Word of the Year 2015. In second place was “Je suis Charlie”, a phrase that became a widespread slogan after January’s attack on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Then followed “Grexit”, the term coined to describe the risk of Greece tumbling out of the euro. But “Fluechtlinge”, which comes from the verb “fluechten” — to flee — and the derivative “ling”, a person who is character-
ized by a particular trait or feature, took the top honour because is stood for the “dominant theme of the year”, the jury said. Germany is expected to receive more refugees than any other European country this year and the influx has hit support for Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democrats (CDU). Despite being named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” for her leadership in the refugee crisis, a poll for broadcaster ZDF on Friday showed 49 percent of those surveyed rated her handling of the influx as rather poor. In a sign of how greatly the
influx has preoccupied politicians and German society this year, two other words pertaining to the refugee crisis were included in the top 10. “Durchwinken”, referring to the practice of other European countries “waving through” migrants as they traveled on to Germany, was placed sixth, while Merkel’s mantra “Wir schaffen das!” which translates as “We can do this” came tenth. Other words making the top 10 list were “Mogel-Motor” — cheat engine — in reference to the Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) emissions scandal and “Selfie-Stab” (selfie stick).—Reuters
Liverpool becomes England’s first UNESCO city of music LONDON — Liverpool, birthplace of one of the world’s most famous pop groups the Beatles, and home to one of Europe’s leading orchestras, was Friday declared as England’s first UNESCO City of Music. The accolade comes by 11 years after UNESCO made Liverpool’s historic waterfront a world heritage site. Glasgow became the first British city to receive a City of Music title in 2008. UNESCO said in a citation the new title has been awarded to the city due to music’s place at the heart of Liverpool’s contemporary culture, education and the economy — from the live music scene to tourism, music management courses and digital businesses. It was also given to the city based on its commitment to having a clearly defined music, education and skills strategy for young people so that Liverpool can continue to produce world class talent. The judges highlighted urban festivals like Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF), Liverpool Sound City and Liverpool Psych Fest that have cemented the city as a haven for music, and also helped to develop young
Entertainment Channel (13-12-2015, Sunday) 6:00 am • Shwe Pyi Aye Music Troupe 6:25 am • Myanmar Video
Chinese visitors help lift New Zealand accommodation business WELLINGTON — A record number of Chinese visitors helped boost guest nights in the New Zealand accommodation sector in October, according to official figures out Thursday. National guest nights for October were up 2.9 percent year on year, said the government’s Statistics New Zealand agency.
“Most of the rise in October was due to international guest nights in the South Island, supported by domestic guest nights in the North Island,” business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said in a statement. Domestic guest nights were up 2.1 percent and international guest nights were up 4.3 percent. For the year ended October,
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national guest nights were up 4.9 percent from the October last year. China provided the biggest increase in overseas visitor numbers in October, according to figures from the agency last month. The number of Chinese travellers was up 38 percent year on year to 27,000, a record for an October month.—Xinhua 5:35 pm • People’s Talks 6:35 pm • Documentary (Women in Myanmar Society) 8:00 pm • News/ International News/ Weather Report 8:30 pm • Documentary 9:00 pm • News • Tasty Trip • Sing & Enjoy
industry professionals. The designation also noted the importance and contribution of established names such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Creamfields music festival, and LIPA, the fame school launched by former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Liverpool is renowned for its musical influence and this status is the ultimate, and appropriate, accolade for a city which lives and breathes music. I’m confident that with the support of UNESCO, this will grow further and people will realize that it is not just about the city’s contribution to music history, but is about the exciting things happening right now.” Liverpool was one of 47 cities to Friday join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said: “The UNESCO Creative Cities Network represents an immense potential to assert the role of culture as enabler of sustainable development. I would like to recognise the many new cities and their countries that are enriching the network with their diversity.” —Xinhua
8:20 am • Game For Children 8:40 am • Sing & Enjoy 9:30 am • Myanmar Movie
Myanmar International (13-12-2015 07:00 am~ 14-12-2015 07:00 am) MST Today Fresh 07:03 Am News 07:26 Am Gardener: King Orange Plantation 07:40 Am Buddha Image Built of Bamboo Strip 07:52 Am Talented Musicians 08:03 Am News 08:26 Am Woodcut Artist 08:43 Am Tea Leaves 08:51 Am Great Minds of Myanmar (Anthropologist U Kyaw Win) 09:03 Am News 09:26 Am A Famous Pagoda in the Sea 09:50 Am Black Gold (Part- I) 10:03 Am News 10:26 Am A bike in pursuit of Mural Art (Episode-1) 10:44 Am The Art of Making Glaze Ware (11:00 Am ~ 03:00 Pm) - Saturday Repeat (07:00 Am ~ 11:00 Am) (03:00 Pm ~ 07:00 Pm) - Today Repeat (07:00 Am ~ 11:00 Am) Prime Time 07:03 Pm News 07:26 Pm Sons of the lake 07:49 Pm Today Myanmar “Private Teak Plantation” 08:03 Pm News 08:26 Pm Bogalay Tint Aung: A Man of Versatility (Part- 2) Pm Myanmar Masterclass: Cubism 08:53 (09:00 Pm ~ 11:00 Pm) - Today Repeat (09:00 Am ~ 11:00 Am) (11:00 Pm ~ 03:00 Am)- Saturday Repeat (07:00 Am ~ 11:00 Am) (03:00 Am ~ 07:00 Am) -Today Repeat (07:00 Am ~ 11:00 Am) (For Detailed Schedule – www.myanmaritv.com/schedule)
Sunday, 13 December, 2015
Myanmar National League approves new rule THE Myanmar National League (MNL) Committee of Myanmar Football Federation held a meeting for the next football season at the Novotel Hotel in Yangon on 11 December. The MNL committee decided four foreign players should be hired for each team but only three of them should play in each match. The Myanmar Football Federation & Myanmar National League Committee Chairman U Zaw Zaw, vice-chairman U Sai Sam Tun, owner of the Yadanarbon FC and owners of MNL Clubs, officials of Myanmar Football Federation
attended the meeting. U Zaw Zaw and the members of MNL discussed the discipline of players during the match, the financial statement and reduction of the number of foreign players for upcoming seasons. During the meeting, Myanmar National League CEO Mr. Jeyssing Muthiah explained preparations for the 2016 Football Calendar, the application of four news clubs to the MNL 2, training and discussion for MNL. Executive director U Suu Aung discussed the sponsorship of MNL and the emergence of qualified agents.—Ko Moe
MNL Committee of Myanmar Football Federation meeting held at the Novotel Hotel in Yangon. Photo: Ko Moe
Engaged McIlroy says eye surgery opens up whole new world
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy celebrates with the trophy after winning The Race to Dubai at DP World Tour Championship, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Reuters
LONDON — Newly-engaged world number three Rory McIlroy believes he can play even better golf next year after undergoing laser eye surgery this week. The 26-year-old Northern Irishman, who usually plays in contact lenses, is back home enjoying some time off before his 2016 season begins at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on 21 January. McIlroy will be bidding for a fifth major, and a career grand slam of all the ‘Big Four’ titles, at the US Masters in April. “It (the surgery) was successful,” said McIlroy while speaking at a charity event in Belfast where he also confirmed he was engaged to American Erica Stoll. “I had it (Wednesday) morning in Dublin and I woke up and it was like a whole new world, it’s incredible,” he told the BBC.
“I’ve struggled with my eyesight now for 10 to 15 years. I’ve had contact lenses and glasses and now I don’t have to worry about any of that,” added McIlroy. “I think it should hopefully improve me on the golf course and make everything a little bit sharper, that’s another positive to take into next year.” McIlroy was out of action for five weeks this year and missed the British Open at St Andrews after rupturing ankle ligaments playing soccer with his friends. Asked how he would spend the Christmas holidays, he said he would catch up with friends but “probably won’t play as much football”. Former world number one Tiger Woods underwent laser eye surgery in 1999 and 2007, winning his first tournament back on both occasions.—Reuters
Yaya Toure named BBC African Footballer of the Year London — Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has held off fierce competition from Algeria’s Yacine Brahimi, the 2014 winner, and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to pick up the BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2015. The Manchester City player captained his country to the African Nations Cup title in February, ending a 23-year wait to lift the trophy, and has remained an integral part of his club side throughout the year. “African football is grow-
ing up, becoming much better and we have fantastic young players coming through now,” Toure told the BBC. “For me, to be the winner today, I am delighted and very happy. And as an African player, I want to lead all my younger brothers to be successful in the future.” The 32-year-old became only the third player to win the award twice, following Nigerians Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.—Reuters
Manchester City’s Yaya Toure in action with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk during their Barclays Premier League at Etihad Stadium. Photo: Reuters
Man City don’t need new signings, says Pellegrini LONDON — Manchester City have no plans for new signings in next month’s transfer window despite recent inconsistency, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Friday. Before coming from 2-1 down with 12 minutes left to beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-2 and top their Champions League group in midweek, City had lost three games out of four, including a 4-1 home defeat by Liverpool and 2-0 loss to Stoke City. Pellegrini believes, however, that they will be strong enough once a number of senior players recover from injury. “I think we have a squad that is the best in this moment,” he told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s home game with managerless Swansea City. “At the moment — no changes.” Striker Sergio Aguero is still not ready to return, although Pellegrini said he was due to start training next week and hopes to be fit to play against Arsenal in a key game on Monday week. Captain Vincent Kompany will also return to training next week but fellow defender Pablo Zabaleta and midfielders Fernando and Samir Nasri are all still out. Argentine centre half Martin Demichelis is available again. Pellegrini wants more goals from Raheem Sterling, who scored twice in the comeback against Moenchengladbach. “Raheem Sterling’s not just a striker but one of his targets must be to improve the amount of goals he scores every season,” Pellegrini said. “Playing with Kun (Aguero), Yaya (Toure) and David (Silva) every day is important for a young player like Sterling. It will make him a better player.”—Reuters
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