ASEANEWS HEADLINES-ECONOMY: YANGON- Myanmar gems industry targetted in push for sanctions
A merchant examines a jade stone displayed at the Gems Emporium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on November 13, 2018. PHOTO: AP
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BANGKOK (AP) – Human rights activists are lobbying major jewellers to stop buying gems sourced in Myanmar as a way to exert pressure on Myanmar’s military leaders by limiting profits from the country’s lucrative mining industry.
A report by the group Global Witness released yesterday outlines how the army is involved in gemstone mining despite a moratorium on new licences put in place before the military seized power on February 1, ousting the government of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
It comes as legislation is pending in the United States (US) Congress, the Burma Act of 2021, which would prohibit all US imports of Myanmar gemstones.
“There is no such thing as an ethically sourced Burmese ruby,” Clare Hammond, senior Myanmar campaigner at Global Witness, said in a statement. “These gemstones are sold as symbols of human connection and affection, yet the supply chain is steeped in corruption and horrific human rights abuses.”
Last week, luxury jeweller Harry Winston announced it would no longer buy gemstones with Burmese origins regardless of when they were imported.
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Indian jewellery company Vaibhav Global said in late November it had removed all listings of products including Myanmar gems while it investigates their sourcing. Vaibhav’s products are sold widely online, including on Amazon, Overstock and Walmart’s sites.
Tiffany & Co never resumed using Burmese gems after US sanctions against Myanmar were lifted in 2016 when the country was in the midst of political and economic reforms following decades of military rule. Cartier, Signet Jewellers – the owner of the Zales, Kay Jewellers and Jared chains – and Boodles also have declared they are not sourcing gemstones from Myanmar.
But prized Burmese “pigeon blood” rubies and other beautiful gemstones are easily available on many e-commerce sites, as are costly items of jewellery adorned with gems from strife-torn Mogok and other mining areas.
Global Witness and other groups are urging all retailers of gems and jewellery to follow suit in halting purchases and sales of such products, describing the jade and gemstone sector as one of the military’s most important sources of funding, especially following the takeover 10 months ago that has ignited widespread political turmoil.
Smuggling and illicit sales make it hard to know exactly how big the industry is, but revenues from sales of jade, pearls and gemstones are estimated to run into the billions of dollars.
Myanmar’s “natural resource wealth is proving to be a lifeline for the generals”, the report said. “For decades the military has consolidated its rule by looting the country’s valuable natural resources.”
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MYANMAR
COVID-19 TOTALS
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ASEAN Covid-19 Table – 16 December 2021
Khmer Times
Asean as a whole has reported more than 14.6 million COVID-19 cases. Of this, more than 580,000 are active cases as of December 16.
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1. BRUNEI:
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2. CAMBODIA:
Cambodia finds first case of Omicron variant of COVID-19
Cambodia has detected its first case of OMICRON variant of COVID-19 on a 23-year-old Cambodian woman who returned from work in Ghana.
This is according to the press release (below) of the Ministry of Health last night.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that the 23-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Omicron was born in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province. She flew from Ghana to Dubai and then from Dubai to Thailand before flying from Thailand to Cambodia.
The woman is reported to be 15 weeks pregnant and had arrived in Cambodia on the 12th of December.
With the discovery of the first case of the Omicron variant, the Ministry of Health has called on people to be very careful by implementing “3 do not 3 protection” measures consistently.
The urgency of being fully vaccinated and also getting the third booster dose has now become even more pressing and urgent.
RELATED POST: Empty PP vaccination centre shows low uptake of booster shots as Omicron looms
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3. INDONESIA:
12.15.21
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4. LAOS:
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5. MALAYSIA:
Top News
Second Omicron case in M’sia detected
Health Minister Khairy
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has detected the second case of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
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Jamaluddin(pix) said the case was detected after an eight-year-old patient returned from Nigeria with her family on Dec 7.
The girl, who was asymptomatic, is currently undergoing isolation and quarantine at home.
He also announced that 18 other suspected cases of Omicron, whose genomic sequencing is pending confirmation.
Among them includes the girl’s mother, father, sister and a cab driver who transported the girl and her family from the airport to her house.
The results he said is expected to be known on Friday.
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6. MYANMAR:
A merchant examines a jade stone displayed at the Gems Emporium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on November 13, 2018. PHOTO: AP
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BANGKOK (AP) – Human rights activists are lobbying major jewellers to stop buying gems sourced in Myanmar as a way to exert pressure on Myanmar’s military leaders by limiting profits from the country’s lucrative mining industry.
A report by the group Global Witness released yesterday outlines how the army is involved in gemstone mining despite a moratorium on new licences put in place before the military seized power on February 1, ousting the government of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
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7. PHILIPPINES:
Manila Standard
WE’RE RENOVATING!
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Today’s Paper: December 16, 2021
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8. SINGAPORE:
What you need to know about Singapore’s new property cooling measures
SINGAPORE – Spikes in private housing prices and Housing Board resale flat prices in Singapore have prompted the authorities to introduce a new round of cooling measures.
The move, announced at close to midnight on Wednesday (Dec 15), will affect the buoyant property market, which has been thriving despite the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here is what you need to know:
1. What are the measures?
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/what-you-need-to-know-about-singapores-new-property-cooling-measures
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9. THAILAND:
NY planning begins
Businesses welcome easing of Covid rules
People shop for gifts for the festive season at Sampheng market in Samphanthawong district, Bangkok, last Friday. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)
The country’s major tourist cities — Bangkok, Pattaya in Chon Buri, Phuket and Chiang Mai — are in planning mode for New Year festivities after the government further relaxed Covid-19 control measures, including extending the alcohol serving time to 1am on New Year’s Eve.
The rule relaxation by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) was welcomed by tourism operators and other businesses in these major tourist destinations.
Pattaya City is organising New Year’s celebrations from Dec 29-31 at its iconic Bali Hai Pier where popular artists will entertain the nighttime crowds, said Sonthaya Khunpluem, the city mayor.
READ MORE: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2232543/ny-planning-begins
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10. VIET NAM:
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