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Sacrificial meat distribution marks Aidiladha

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad distributes korban meat to a recipient. PHOTO: ADIB NOOR

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) held its annual korban ceremony at the ministry’s building yesterday.

Four buffaloes were sacrificed and the meat distributed to 177 recipients, including residents from temporary shelter centres under the Community Development Department, orphans and staff of the ministry and its departments.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad officiated the distribution of korban meat. The ceremony was organised by the Welfare and Religious Body of MCYS to celebrate the significance of Hari Raya Aidiladha and strengthen the bonds between the ministry personnel. – Adib Noor

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad distributes korban meat to a recipient. PHOTO: ADIB NOOR

State Mufti’s Office & Royal Brunei Airlines

Six cattle and four buffaloes were sacrificed by the State Mufti’s Office and Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) during a korban ceremony at DaruIfta, State Mufti’s Office of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) yesterday, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha.

The korban meat was distributed to 262 asnaf individuals living in Kota Batu, Kianggeh and Tamoi. It was also distributed to 100 heads of families or their representatives.

State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned handed over sacrificial meat to the recipients.

The korban ceremony was part of both State Mufti’s Office and RB annual collaboration since 1999.

Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance) at the PMO Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of RB, and Chief Executive Officer of RB Captain Sabirin bin Haji Abdul Hamid were also present. – Rokiah Mahmud

State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos and Royal Brunei Airlines Chief Executive Officer Captain Sabirin bin Haji Abdul Hamid hand over korban meat to recipients. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz and Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza during the ceremony. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI


Syariah Court

Two buffaloes were sacrificed for a korban ceremony organised by the Syariah Court yesterday.

The korban meat was distributed to 20 heads of families from mukims in the Brunei-Muara District during the ceremony at the multipurpose hall of the High Courts and Syariah Courts in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar officiated the ceremony.

The korban meat was also distributed to officers and staff at the Syariah Courts.

The ceremony served as a platform for officers and staff at the Syariah Courts and their family members to enliven Hari Raya Aidiladha together. – Lyna Mohamad

Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar presents korban meat to a recipient. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

Attorney General’s Chambers

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) held a Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration at the Law and Courts building, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha yesterday.

Attorney General Datin Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib and Solicitor General Hajah Zuraini binti Haji Sharbawi were among those in attendance.

The event aimed to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha and strengthen bonds among officers and staff of the AGC. – Fadley Faisal

Attorney General Datin Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib and Solicitor General Hajah Zuraini binti Haji Sharbawi at the ceremony. PHOTO: AGC

Islamic Da’wah Centre

The Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI) held its 11th korban ceremony at its centre in Kampong Pulaie yesterday, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha.

PDI Assistant Director Haji Ahmad Abdussalam bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the guest of honour, handed over the sacrificial meat of four buffaloes to recipients comprising of underprivileged convert families in the Brunei-Muara District.

The ceremony is an annual activity of PDI aimed at glorifying Syi’ar Islam while inculcating awareness towards religious obligations and helping those in need. – Lyna Mohamad

PDI Assistant Director Haji Ahmad Abdussalam bin Haji Abdul Rahman presents korban meat to a recipient. PHOTO: PDI

 

June’s page turners

PHOTO: ENVATO

JACKPOT SUMMER BY ELYSSA FRIEDLAND

Growing up, the Jacobson siblings were taught by their parents to value every penny. But their frugal upbringing have done little for their financial discipline as adults, and their personal lives leave much to be desired.

When their mother passes away, the four siblings reunite to clean out their old beach house and put it up for sale.

Three of them pitch in to get a lottery ticket, while the eldest scoffs at the idea. When they hit the jackpot, the siblings are overwhelmed with their sudden wealth and make questionable choices.

THE PARIS WIDOW BY KIMBERLY BELLE

Happily married couple Stella and Adam are on vacation in Paris when a bomb explodes in the city. While Stella makes it out safely, Adam is nowhere to be found.

According to the police, Adam is involved with the black market as a dealer of rare and stolen antiquities, leading Stella to consider the possibility of him having been deliberately targeted.

PHOTO: ENVATO

PHOTO: ENVATO

MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES BY RUFI THORPE

Margo Millet’s life as a college student takes an unexpected turn when she gets pregnant due to an affair with her professor who wants nothing to do with the baby.

Now an unemployed single mother, Margo is on the verge of eviction and is struggling to make ends meet. When Margo’s estranged father Jinx asks to move in, she agrees under one condition: he’ll have to help look after her child.

In order to pay rent and support her child, Margo turns to the Internet and learns to create a captivating online persona with her father’s advice based on his pro-wrestling days.

INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE BY JOSH MALERMAN

Eight-year-old Bela lives with her parents but they aren’t the only ones in the house.

“Other Mommy”, as Bela calls her, lives in her closet and asks the same question everyday:

“Can I go inside your heart?”

The story is written in Bela’s perspective, blending subtle horror with the innocence of a child as Other Mommy grows restless and strange incidents unfold around the house.

THE LONELY HEARTS TRIVIA NIGHT BY LAUREN FARNSWORTH

Bryony, Harry, Jaime, Luke and Donna have a few things in common – they’re all looking for friends and have a knack for trivia questions. In an attempt to meet new people, the five of them form a pop quiz team called the Red Hot Quizzy Peppers. Weeks pass by and the group gradually becomes more immersed as they try to win the quiz league and a GBP10,000 grand prize.

ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS BY ROB HART

As one of the most feared assassins, Mark is having second thoughts about his profession.

Deciding to leave his past behind, Mark joins a support group for former assassins and is now close to celebrating a year without having killed anyone – a record that he’s struggling to maintain when he’s being targeted.

Together with his trusted cat, Mark travels around the world in search of the mastermind. All the while trying his hardest not to relapse and ruin his recovery programme.

THE HOUSEMAID IS WATCHING BY FREIDA MCFADDEN

After years of meticulous saving, Millie and her husband finally have a new home to start a new life with their two children. As someone who used to clean people’s homes for a living, Millie couldn’t be happier – until she meets her neighbours.

When Mrs Lowell invites them for dinner, Millie thinks it’s an opportunity to break the ice but the maid’s cold stare makes her uncomfortable and Millie swears someone’s watching them.

Afterwards, a woman warns her to be careful of her neighbours and Millie begins to suspect there’s more to the quiet suburban street than meets the eye.

ERUPTION BY MICHAEL CRICHTON, JAMES PATTERSON

A volcano in Hawaii is on the verge of eruption, possibly the biggest of the century, threatening to destroy the island and expose a military secret that could put the entire world in danger.

To divert this crisis, they would have to redirect the lava flow, a seemingly impossible task.

The story is based on a partial manuscript left behind by Michael Crichton upon his passing, which was then completed by James Patterson. – Aqilah Rahman

China’s online shopping giants woo buyers

From Alibaba to upstarts such as ByteDance’s Douyin, the companies engaged in aggressive marketing. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES

ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES – China’s e-commerce giants are pulling out all the stops during the annual “618” shopping festival, in a bid to shake off the industry’s post-COVID malaise and return to something like the rah-rah years before 2020.

Alibaba Group Holding is offering 50 per cent off Lululemon apparel, while rivals like ByteDance and PDD Holdings advertise steeper-than-ever discounts.

Price cuts are just the start. Companies are enlisting A-list celebrities to flog products over live video and promising no-questions-asked returns.

Before taking on her duties as the new face of J’adore fragrance, singer Rihanna found time to rustle up jianbing (a type of crepe) on one Chinese platform. JD.com even created a digital avatar of its founder Richard Liu to hawk steak and blueberries.

“This year’s 618 is the most cut-throat shopping festival ever,” managing director at Kearney China Sherri He said. “E-commerce platforms are under huge performance pressure amid a consumption downgrade.”

The 618 event in 2024 – a USD100 billion extravaganza several times larger than a typical Black Friday sale – is more closely watched than ever. From incumbent leader Alibaba to upstarts such as Bilibili and ByteDance’s Douyin, the aggressive discounts and unprecedented marketing underscore an urgency to rekindle growth.

From Alibaba to upstarts such as ByteDance’s Douyin, the companies engaged in aggressive marketing. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES

Everyone in the ecosystem is feeling the pressure. For investors, 618 represents the first large-scale test in 2024 of whether the Chinese consumer is finally ready to splurge again – or to what extent a property crisis, stubborn deflation and uncertain job prospects are discouraging spending.

When all is said and done, how Alibaba and JD.com perform may be key to reviving share prices that are at about a quarter of their 2020 highs.

It’s unclear when the companies might release final results – or how comprehensive they would be. Initial and independent estimates paint a mixed picture.

JD.com said it racked up record gross merchandise value. Alibaba said its platform saw more than 36,000 brands, including Burberry and Ralph Lauren, double their gross merchandise value from the 2023 event, though it didn’t divulge overall figures.

Total sales across e-commerce platforms were down seven per cent from the previous year, at CNY742.8 billion, according to market tracker Syntun.

That’s in contrast to data from Analysys, which found short-video platforms led growth over the first two weeks of the festival: Douyin grew sales by 30 per cent and Kuaishou Technology improved by 18 per cent, outpacing Alibaba’s 15 per cent and JD.com’s 9.5 per cent growth, according to that research.

An increase in no-quibble returns may help account for some of the discrepancy. Some luxury brands reported return or cancellation rates as high as 75 per cent during last November’s Singles’ Day festival, far higher than the industry norm. And they’ve slashed prices in 2024 by as much as 50 per cent in a growing panic over unsold inventory.

Heavy discounting has alienated some merchants. More than 50 book publishers in Beijing and Shanghai refused to join JD.com’s 618 promotion, which required as much as 80 per cent discounts.

Royalty graces tennis clinic

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in action during the tennis clinic. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman and former Thai professional tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah participated in the junior tennis clinic, hosted by former Thai professional tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan Thursday evening.

Organised by the HappyBunch team, the former world number nine is in Brunei to conduct a series of tennis clinics at the Peak Club and the National Tennis Centre, engaging with local players ranging from juniors to adults.

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman during the clinic. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

Paradorn is accompanied by coaches Ten and O-Waris, from the Paradorn International Tennis Academy in Thailand. Their presence promises a rich learning experience for Brunei’s tennis community.

The clinics aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of local players, with the junior clinic enjoying a special highlight through the attendance of Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman.

Paradorn’s visit will conclude with an exciting exhibition match ‘Battle of the Legends’, where he will go up against the Sultanate’s former national tennis players on Sunday. – FADLEY FAISAL

Paradorn Srichaphan instructs participants during the clinic. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

Basma scores gold in China wushu competition

Basma Lachkar celebrates on the podium after winning gold in the Women’s Optional Taijijian event of the 2024 University Wushu Championship. PHOTO: BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WUSHU FEDERATION

National wushu athlete Basma Lachkar continues to shine in the international stage after winning gold in the Women’s Optional Taijijian event of the 2024 University Wushu Championship in Harbin, China on Thursday.

After her electrifying performance, Basma Lachkar collected a score of 9.510 to claim first place over Japan’s Hibiki Isono who scored 9.5003 to claim second place. Third place went to China’s Chen Yuxing, with the score 9.496. – JAMES KON

Basma Lachkar celebrates on the podium after winning gold in the Women’s Optional Taijijian event of the 2024 University Wushu Championship. PHOTO: BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WUSHU FEDERATION

Their Majesties receive in audience RTAF chief, spouse

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His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on Thursday received in audience Chief of Defence Forces, Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) General Songwit Noonpackdee. The Audience Ceremony took place at Istana Nurul Iman.

(ABOVE & BELOW) His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam receives in audience Chief of Defence Forces, RTAF General Songwit Noonpackdee. PHOTOS: RAFI ROSLI

Accompanying General Songwit Noonpackdee were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam Boosara Kanchanalai, and senior officials from the RTAF.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam receives a ‘pesambah’ from Chief of Defence Forces, RTAF General Songwit Noonpackdee. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

Meanwhile, in a separate audience, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam also received in audience the spouse of Chief of Defence Forces, RTAF Mrs Panyada Noonpackdee.

(ABOVE & BELOW) Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam receives in audience the spouse of Chief of Defence Forces, RTAF Mrs Panyada Noonpackdee. PHOTOS: MUIZ MATDANI

Brunei Darussalam and the Kingdom of Thailand have established diplomatic relations since 1984, marking 40 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. The close relations between both countries have been further strengthened through various regional and international platforms such as ASEAN, the United Nations (UN) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Defence and military activities conducted include courses, exchanges of visits, meetings and exercises, as well as through multilateral platforms particularly under the ambit of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM). 

Japan’s emperor looks forward to deepening ties with Britain’s royals

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in advance of his visit to Britain, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

TOKYO (AP) – Japan’s Emperor Naruhito said Wednesday he is “delighted” to finally be able to visit Britain after the trip was delayed by several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he looks forward to rekindling his friendship with the British royal family and exploring Oxford, where he studied about 40 years ago.

Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, will make a weeklong visit to Britain starting Saturday.

The trip was originally planned for 2020 at the invitation of the late Queen Elizabeth II as the first of his overseas visits after his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.

“I’m truly delighted to be able to make a visit to Britain this time,” Naruhito told reporters ahead of the June 22-29 trip. The emperor said he regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive.

“Through our upcoming visit, I would like to reflect on the long history of exchanges fostered between Japan and Britain,” Naruhito said.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in advance of his visit to Britain, Wednesday, June 19, in Tokyo. PHOTO: AP

He hoped to nurture the friendship with King Charles III and Queen Camilla and other members of Britain’s royal family, and boost relations between the two sides through meetings and exchanges.

Naruhito thanked King Charles III for accommodating the visit while he recovers from cancer treatment. He wished both Charles and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, a speedy recovery.

Japan’s imperial family has had close relations with Britain’s royal family for three generations starting from his grandfather, late Emperor Hirohito.

Naruhito acknowledged that there had been difficult times when Japan and Britain fought on opposing sides during World War II, but he said Japan has since focused on peace and prosperity on the global stage.

Japan and Britain have developed strong ties in areas from the economy to science and technology and culture, he said.

The trip includes a visit to Oxford University, where both he and Masako studied separately before their marriage. Naruhito said he looks forward to returning to Oxford and exploring the city with his wife together for the first time.

Naruhito researched the 18th-century Thames River transport system while at Merton College from 1983 to 1985.

The emperor recalled the late queen serving him tea at Buckingham Palace when he visited London in 1983. He also fondly remembered being invited to a barbecue with the queen and other royals, and going fly fishing in Scotland with then-Prince Charles.

During his upcoming trip, Naruhito will visit the Thames Barrier, pay respects to the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abby, lay flowers at the tombs of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the King George VI Chapel in Windsor, and visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, among other activities.

The couple has a relatively relaxed schedule in part due to considerations for Masako, who is still recovering from the stress-induced conditions she developed soon after she giving birth to the couple’s only child, Princess Aiko and amid pressure to have a son to continue Japan’s male-only imperial succession.

Australia announces AUD2 million aid boost for PNG landslide recovery

People gather at the site of a landslide in Maip Mulitaka in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province. PHOTO: AFP

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (AP) — The Australian Government announced Thursday it will provide a further AUD2 million (USD1.3 million) to support reconstruction efforts in the region of last month’s major landslide in Papua New Guinea’s mountainous interior.

The support comes as PNG continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster in the remote Enga province, which the United Nations estimates killed 670 villagers and immediately displaced 1,650 survivors. Papua New Guinea’s government has told the United Nations it thinks more than 2,000 people were buried.

This photo taken on May 26, 2024 and received on May 27 courtesy of local community leader Steven Kandai shows locals digging at the site of a landslide at Mulitaka village in the region of Maip Mulitaka, in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: AFP

“Road access is critical for essential services as well as food and fuel supply chains,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a written media statement on Thursday which coincided during a visit to the site of the landslide in Mulitaka with PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph and Enga province’s Governor Peter Ipatas.

“The additional support of AUD2 million announced today is in response to PNG’s request to restore connectivity of the Highlands Highway – the transport artery of the region,” she added.

Wong said the financial aid would also support local healthcare services and the provision of more than one thousand learning packs for children.

Thursday’s announcement builds on Australia’s initial assistance of AUD2.5 million for emergency supplies, support for humanitarian partners and the deployment of technical experts including a Disaster Assistance Response Team in the days after the landslide on May 24.

“Australia and Papua New Guinea are close neighbours, friends and equals,” Wong said.

“We stand ready to provide further assistance to the people and Government of Papua New Guinea.”

PNG security support

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Wong, with other senior government officials are currently in PNG for a ministerial forum, the most significant such bilateral gathering for Australia amongst the South Pacific island nations.

PNG has a population of nearly 10 million people and is the most populous Pacific Island nation.

During the visit, they unveiled a comprehensive aid package aimed at bolstering PNG’s internal security and advancing law and justice priorities under a bilateral security agreement established last year.

Key components of the package involve supporting a weapons management program and enhancing PNG’s legal framework to combat financial crime.

“A safe and secure Papua New Guinea is good for Papua New Guinea, it’s good for Australia and it’s good for the region,” Wong said Thursday on Channel Nine’s Today show.

“So, we have an interest, Australians have an interest in making sure we work with Papua New Guinea, our closest neighbour, to ensure security and stability,” she added.

Already this year, PNG has been beset by deadly riots in its two largest cities, Port Moresby and Lae, while long-running tribal fueds led to at least 26 men being killed in an ambush in February, as well as a clash between two rival clans that killed eight last month.

Indian toxic alcohol brew kills at least 34

For illustration purposes only. PHOTO: UNSPLASH

MUMBAI (AFP)A batch of toxic illegal alcohol in India has killed at least 34 people with more than 100 others rushed to hospital, Tamil Nadu state officials told reporters Thursday.

The deadly mix of locally brewed arrack drink was laced with poisonous methanol, chief minister M.K. Stalin said, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

Stalin said arrests have been made over the deaths and warned such crimes “ruin society and will be suppressed with an iron fist,” according to a statement from his office.

Hundreds of people die every year in India from cheap alcohol made in backstreet distilleries.

For illustration purposes only. PHOTO: UNSPLASH

In order to increase its potency the liquor is often spiked with methanol which can cause blindness, liver damage and death.

In the Tamil Nadu case, more than 100 people were hospitalised according to M.S. Prasanth, top government official in the state’s Kallakurichi district, quoted by Indian media.

State governor R.N. Ravi was “deeply shocked” at the deaths, adding that “many more victims are in serious condition battling for (their) lives”, writing on social media platform X.

Tamil Nadu is not a dry state, but liquor traded on the black market comes at a lower price than alcohol sold legally.

Selling and consuming liquor is prohibited in several other parts of India, further driving the thriving black market for potent and sometimes lethal backstreet moonshine.

Last year, poisonous alcohol killed at least 27 people in one sitting in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, while in 2022, at least 42 people died in Gujarat.