ျပည္ပအိမ္ၿခံေျမသတင္းမ်ား

ONE FROM larger puzzles of the global pandemic are found in Southeast Asia. Although they are close to the source of covid-19 in China and one of the current hot spots of the epidemic, India, the partly or largely Buddhist countries of Cambodia, Laos, from Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam barely sneezed. Vietnam stands out: with 97 million inhabitants, there are no deaths from Covid-19. Thailand, at 70 meters above sea level, recorded only 58 deaths and no local transmission in more than 40 days. Depleted Myanmar has only six deaths out of 317 cases, while Cambodia (141 confirmed cases) and tiny Laos (19 cases) have also had no deaths and no local transmission since April. Compare this with...

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Philippine authorities and police will carry out house-to-house searches for COVID-19 patients to prevent wider transmission, a minister said on Tuesday, amid soaring death and infection numbers and some areas returning to a stricter lockdown. Interior Minister Eduardo Año urged the public to report cases in their neighbourhoods, warning that anyone infected who refused to cooperate faced imprisonment. The tough approach comes during a week where the Philippines recorded Southeast Asia biggest daily jump in coronavirus deaths and saw hospital occupancy grow sharply, after a tripling of infections since a tough lockdown was eased on June 1 to allow more movement and...

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(Reuters) - Arizona and Texas counties hit hard by COVID-19 are ordering coolers and refrigerated trailers to store bodies as their morgues fill up, authorities said on Thursday. Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to the state’s largest city, Phoenix, is bringing in 14 coolers to hold up to 280 bodies and more than double morgue capacity ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus fatalities, officials said on Thursday. In Texas, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County have acquired five refrigerated trailers to store up to 180 bodies as some morgues at hospitals and funeral homes reach capacity, Mario Martinez, San Antonio Metro Health assistant director, said in a video. New...

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All KRL Commuterline passengers must wear long sleeves starting next week in what seems to be a dubious measure in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. According to reports, the rule will come into effect in the upcoming work week as part of COVID-19 precautionary measures outlined in a regulation by the Transportation Ministry, which was issued in June. “We have raised awareness about the rule all this week. Hopefully, next week everyone will have the discipline [to wear long sleeves],” KRL Commuterline operator PT KCI spokeswoman Anne Purba said yesterday. Passengers not wearing long sleeves will be turned away from KRL Commuterline stations. Whether one...

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On Wednesday, the Shenzhen Housing and Construction Bureau announced a set of new home purchase restrictions designed to cool down what has become China’s hottest property market as home sales in the country rebound in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown. According to the government announcement, residents are now only allowed to purchase a home after holding hukou (local household registration permit) for at least three years. Previously, newly-minted residents were eligible to purchase a home immediately after winning the prized document. Potential homebuyers are also required to show proof of having paid their income tax or social security in the city for 36 consecutive months. And...

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A private island off the coast of Ireland boasting three beaches, seven houses and natural wildlife has been sold for more than $6.3 million -- with the anonymous buyer not even visiting the location in person before going through with the purchase. Horse Island, a 157-acre spot of land to the southwest of the Irish mainland, was sold after negotiations that mostly took place over WhatsApp. The unnamed European buyer saw it only over video before buying it, becoming the latest in a number of super-rich people who have sought out private islands during the coronavirus pandemic. The island offers rugged green landscapes, a main house and several guest cottages overlooking the Atlantic...

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A $5.5 million floating mansion in Miami allows the homeowner to take their one-of-a-kind home to the action. "This is the only property of its kind. A blend between a modern Miami mansion and a mega yacht, the Arkup allows you to live on the water and bask in everything Miami has to offer without paying property taxes, condo dues, an electric bill or a water bill," the Realtor..com listing states. Named The Arkup after the Biblical story of Noah’s ark The home also comes equipped with retractable legs for those who might be tempted to call it an upscale houseboat. Amazing for an end-user, as a second home, or as a lucrative investment with no rental restrictions," according to...

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The chief financial officer of a Guangzhou-based developer who was caught enjoying a quickie in the back of a Hong Kong taxi was given a hasty exit from his role after a video of the former Goldman Sachs executive and a female companion went viral last week. Times China Holdings announced to the Hong Kong stock exchange on 12 July that Wong Wing Nin had stepped down from his CFO role, and been replaced by long-time board member and vice president Niu Jimin, without giving reasons for Wong’s departure after just one year at his post. Local news reports, however, indicated that, in an internal memo to staff, the company said that its reputation had been damaged after the video showed...

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Travel again with taxpayer help when a program to boost domestic tourism begins July 15. That’s the new date for the THB22.4-billion fund to begin subsidizing travel and accommodations for Thai nationals 20 and up through October, the cabinet announced today. It’s also when travelers can register with Krung Thai Bank, where they must hold an account to participate. Though the ban on international travel will be lifted Wednesday, strict rules will limit who can enter the kingdom, and tourists will not be allowed in for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Pocket Money app (iOS and Android) will provide a promotional code that must be used to access the...

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A group of 83 of the world’s richest people have called on governments to permanently increase taxes on them and other members of the wealthy elite to help pay for the economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. The super-rich members, including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream co-founder Jerry Greenfield and Disney heir Abigail Disney, called on “our governments to raise taxes on people like us. Immediately. Substantially. Permanently”. “As Covid-19 strikes the world, millionaires like us have a critical role to play in healing our world,” the millionaires said in a letter shared with the Guardian. “No, we are not the ones caring for the sick in...

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