The prime minister greeted by Indian nationals. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar in a group photo with Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and other officials. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who is in the Sultanate for a two-day official visit, visited the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital on Tuesday night.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman greeted the Prime Minister on arrival.
The Prime Minister later watched a video depicting the mosque’s history and its construction before signing the visitors’ book and receiving a memento.
Indian nationals residing and working in the country along with their family members also greeted the Prime Minister.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, as Minister-in-Attendance; Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan and other senior government officials were also present. – Azlan Othman
The prime minister greeted by Indian nationals. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANIPHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
Sailor Craig McCarthy stands on the deck of the yacht 'Spirit of Mateship' in Sydney. PHOTO: AP
SYDNEY (AP) – Two people were rescued unharmed on Tuesday after spending a night aboard a disabled yacht in heavy seas off the Australian coast.
The 60-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were rescued at 7.30am from their 19-metre yacht, which was abandoned 300 kilometres east of the New South Wales state coast, Police Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill said. The pair were expected to reach Sydney aboard a police boat on Tuesday night.
The pair had activated their emergency beacon around 1pm on Monday, about 185 kilometres east of the New South Wales coastal town of Nowra, police said.
The yacht, “Spirit of Mateship”, had experienced a mechanical failure, lost a rudder, was taking water and was drifting east away from the shore, Brazzill said. With an ocean swell of five to six metres and winds of up 110 kilometres per hour, he said, conditions were considered too dangerous to attempt a rescue in the dark.
An air force C-130 Hercules transport plane flew to the yacht and made radio contact with the two people onboard. A police boat and an Australian navy warship reached the yacht early Tuesday.
Brazzill said a winching rescue by military helicopter was considered, but ruled out as too dangerous because of the sea conditions.
The pair were rescued in a small craft launched from the police boat, he said.
Sailor Craig McCarthy stands on the deck of the yacht ‘Spirit of Mateship’ in Sydney. PHOTO: AP
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag applauds supporters at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Manchester, England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
London (AFP) – Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada said struggling manager Erik ten Hag has the full backing of the club despite a poor start to the Premier League season.
United finished eighth in the league last season – their worst since 1990 – but Ten Hag led his men to an unexpected FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
The Dutchman was handed a one-year contract extension in July but only after club bosses considered alternatives.
Now Ten Hag is under pressure again following Sunday’s miserable 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool, United’s second loss from three games this season, which left them 14th in the table.
Speaking alongside new sporting director Dan Ashworth shortly before kick-off against Liverpool, Berrada said it would take more than a couple of bad results to shake the club’s belief in their manager.
“Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely,” he said. “We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.”
Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag talks to Matthijs de Ligt. PHOTO: AP
Ten Hag’s contract was extended before either Berrada or Ashworth had taken up their positions but both said they were happy with the decision.
Ashworth said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Erik for the last eight weeks.
“I see my job is to support him in every way I possibly can and whether that’s operationally, whether that’s with recruitment, whether that’s with medical, whether that’s with psychology, whether that’s training ground flow, it’s just to take as much of that off him to allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and the match tactical plan to deliver success for Manchester United.”
Ashworth’s first few weeks in the job were dominated by the transfer window, in which United signed defenders Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui; striker Joshua Zirkzee; and midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
But just as notable were the departures of players including Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho.
After a falling-out with Ten Hag early last season Sancho returned to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
The pair appeared to have made up as Sancho took part in United’s pre-season and played in the Community Shield but on deadline day he joined Chelsea on loan with an obligation to buy.
Asked what had changed, Ashworth said it had been down to the player’s wish to move on.
“We felt we had enough depth in that particular position to be able to cover it, we’ve got four really good wide players – Jadon was a fifth – and it just enabled us to make that decision that if it was good for him and good for us it was something we were willing to consider,” he said.
“He wanted to explore the opportunity at Chelsea, like Scott wanted to explore the opportunity at Napoli, like Aaron (Wan-Bissaka) wanted to explore the opportunity at West Ham. We’re not in a position where we’re kicking players out of the club.”
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office welcomes Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office welcomes Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), as Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was at the Brunei International Airport on Tuesday, to welcome Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, who is in Brunei Darussalam for a two-day official visit.
A press release from the PMO said that the official welcoming ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries. The Prime Minister of India subsequently inspected the guard of honour that was mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
At the ceremony, the Prime Minister was introduced to Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar as Minister-in-Attendance; Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof; Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid; Deputy Minister (Security and Law) at the PMO Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu; Deputy Minister (Energy) at the PMO Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah; Commissioner of Police of the Royal Brunei Police Force Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali; Commander of the RBAF Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan; High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to India Dato Paduka Haji Alaihuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Utama Haji Awang Mohd Taha; foreign envoys in Brunei Darussalam; as well as permanent secretaries from the PMO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His Royal Highness was then introduced to the official delegation of India. Also present was High Commissioner of India to Brunei Darussalam Alok Amitabh Dimri.
The official visit is the first visit of Modi as the Prime Minister of India to Brunei Darussalam. Modi began his third term as the Indian Prime Minister on June 9, 2024.
His Royal Highness with the Indian Prime Minister during the singing of national anthem. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANIThe Prime Minister inspects a guard of honour. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI
This year’s Cambodia Town Film Festival marks the 10th anniversary of the event, which began in 2014. PHOTO: THE PHNOM PENH POST
ANN/THE PHNOM PENH POST – One of the US Cambodian diaspora’s greatest cinematic occasions is set to celebrate a decade of showcasing the Kingdom onscreen, as the Cambodia Town Film Festival once (CTFF) again features on California’s cultural calendar.
This year’s festival will give audiences the opportunity to experience a lineup of 30 diverse films, including documentaries, shorts and features that delve into Cambodian culture and experiences.
Founded by Prach Ly and Caylee So, members of the large Cambodian-American community of Long Beach, the festival was created to highlight Cambodian films and celebrate their cultural heritage.
Caylee So, a filmmaker and US military veteran, co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced the 2018 film In the Life of Music, which was the Cambodian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Prach Ly, an artist and activist, is well-known for his music, which addresses the Cambodian genocide and social issues.
Launched in 2014, the festival has become a prominent event in the Cambodian-American community and a platform for promoting Cambodian cinema globally. Long Beach’s Cambodia Town, a vibrant community, attracts over 20,000 visitors to its Khmer New Year celebrations each year.
As a vital component of this cultural hub, the CTFF has grown significantly over the past decade.
The festival’s evolution is marked by an increase in both the quantity and quality of films showcased.
“Initially focused on a limited selection of Cambodian films, the festival has expanded to feature diverse content from Cambodian filmmakers and stories from the broader Southeast Asian community,” explains co-founder So.
She believes that this diversity has enriched the festival’s programming and attracted a wider audience, with many films receiving critical acclaim and international recognition.
By showcasing Cambodian cinema, the festival fosters pride and cultural identity among community members, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and dialogue. This connection to heritage is especially meaningful for members of the younger generations who are seeking to understand their roots. The festival also positively impacts local businesses by attracting a diverse audience, boosting foot traffic and sales in the area.
The journey to the 10th edition has not been without challenges. Securing funding and sponsorships to support the festival’s operations and programming remains a significant hurdle.
“This often involves extensive outreach to potential sponsors and fundraising efforts,” says So.
Curating a diverse selection of quality films – while ensuring a cohesive vision for the festival – also requires constant communication and collaboration with filmmakers and industry professionals.
This year, the ‘RuMBa Foundation of Long Beach’ has enabled CTFF to offer free screenings for all students and seniors.
“We’re proud to support the films and filmmakers while ensuring there is an audience to experience these amazing works,” adds So.
The festival prioritises films that reflect the Cambodian experience, encompassing themes such as identity, heritage and history, as well as contemporary issues.
Happy Ending, directed by Elodie Yung, is a 17-minute film about a Cambodian woman who works in an illicit massage parlour in the US to support her family.
The Night Curse of Reatrei, directed by Leak Lyda and produced by Leng Soklin, is a 94-minute feature set in an orphanage with a haunting past, starring Paing Takhon, Shin Yubin, Princess Jenna Norodom and Sam Tharoth.
Satook, a 30-minute documentary directed by Prach Ly, explores the transformation of religious traditions within Cambodian American communities.
Elvis of Cambodia, directed by Chris G Parkhurst, is a 70-minute documentary that delves into the legacy of Sinn Sisamouth, Cambodia’s most famous singer, whose music continues to endure globally through Cambodian refugees around the world.
Work Life, directed by Keving Ung and produced by Raphael Buisson, is a 14-minute film about four corporate co-workers whose lives intertwine through improbable twists of fate.
“We look for compelling storytelling with strong performances, direction and cinematography, as well as overall impact,” explains So.
The Royal Brunei Police Force is seeking an Indonesian woman Ani binti Hasan Karim, 47, who is believed to have run away from her employer. She bears the passport number C7400994.
Members of the public with information can contact the Sengkurong Police Station at 2661334 or call 993 or visit the nearest police station.
Amiruddin bin Haji Mohammad Amir with team members and prizes on the podium. PHOTO: ANAK BRUNEI CYCLING TEAM
Local cyclist Amiruddin bin Haji Mohammad Amir won the men’s open category in the 6th Layar Cycling Carnival in Sarawak on Sunday.
Amiruddin, representing Anak Brunei Cycling Team, was among the winners at the competition organised by Saberkas N36 Layar; the Betong Survery and Land Division; and the Sarawak Bicycling Association.
The competition saw some 200 participants compete across an 89-kilometre route across the hilly terrain of Ulu Layar Road. Other categories include Junior, Master A, Master B, Super Master, Women Open, Sarawak Closed, Men Open, and Betong Closed
Amiruddin came first in the men’s open category with a time of 2:15.46.
Among the 200 participants that represent the best cyclists from across the region, Brunei cyclist Amirudddin bin Haji Mohammad Amir from Anak Brunei Cycling Team was among the winners in the 6th edition of the Layar Cycling Carnival (LCC).
Indonesian domestic helper Yayah Nurhayati, 41, pleaded guilty to a charge of child abuse on Tuesday, and will be sentenced on September 26.
Yayah was charged under Section 28(1)(a) of the Children and Young Persons Act, Chapter 219, for abusing her employer’s 10-month-old son on August 26. The incident took place at the family’s residence in Mukim Gadong ‘B’.
According to prosecutor Aeny Zullizam, the defendant, who was responsible for the care of the child, forcefully fed him by shoving food into his mouth, who started crying. She then pushed his forehead backwards and pinched the left side of his thigh.
The incident was recorded on CCTV. The child’s father lodged a police report the following day. Yayah was arrested and admitted to the offence during police investigations. She has no prior convictions in Brunei Darussalam.
Intermediate Court Judge Pengiran Masni Pengiran Haji Bahar will hand down the sentence on September 26.
The court will consider the penalties under the Children and Young Persons Act, which include a fine of up to BND20,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years. The court may also require the defendant to undergo counselling and psychotherapy as part of the sentencing. – Fadley Faisal
South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in (R) arrives for his trial on alleged drug use at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on September 3, 2024. A high-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty on September 3, of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term, the Yonhap news agency reported. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
SEOUL (AFP) – High-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty Tuesday of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Yoo, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, was accused of using propofol on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022. The drugs were administered at professional clinics, under the guise of having cosmetic procedures done.
South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in arrives for his trial on alleged drug use at the Seoul Central District Court. PHOTO: AFP
The prosecution had sought a four-year sentence for the actor, but the Seoul Central District Court handed the 37-year-old a one-year jail term, Yonhap reported.
“He is deemed guilty of all his purchases for habitual drug use,” the court stated in its ruling, according to Yonhap News TV.
The court said Yoo had committed the offences “in disregard of relevant regulations” and displayed a “lack of caution against drug substances”.
A doctor who administered propofol to Yoo without a proper prescription was fined KRW40 million (USD30,000) last month.
Propofol, while primarily used as a surgical anaesthetic, is sometimes abused recreationally, often with the involvement of medical professionals who may be willing to provide it without a legitimate clinical need.
An overdose of the drug was cited as the cause of pop star Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.
“I am sorry for having caused concern to many people,” Yoo was quoted as saying in court by Yonhap.
Yoo rose to stardom in the South following his debut in 2003, starring in a range of television dramas and films across genres, and becoming one of the country’s most recognisable actors.
This trial marks the latest drug scandal to hit South Korea.
In a similar incident, K-pop star G-Dragon faced allegations of drug use and was questioned by police, but the case was dropped in November due to insufficient evidence.
Actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, took his own life in December after being accused of illegal substance use, sparking public outrage over what many perceived as an excessive investigation by the police without substantial evidence.
Lee Jae-yong, then vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, was convicted in 2021 of illegally using propofol and was fined KRW70 million. He was found guilty of repeatedly receiving the anaesthetic at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul on numerous occasions over several years.
Crocodile feeding or fishing in Crocodile farm in Pattaya, Thailand
SYDNEY (Bernama-Xinhua) – People in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland will face fines for unintentionally feeding, and knowingly remaining close to crocodiles under new laws announced on Tuesday aimed at reducing attacks, reported Xinhua.
Leanne Linard, Queensland’s minister for the environment, announced a government crackdown on feeding and interfering with crocodiles.
Under new laws that are effective immediately, anyone who unintentionally feeds a crocodile by discarding food in a way that attracts them to a public place such as a boat ramp, jetty or campsite will be fined a maximum of AUD6,452 (USD4,372.20).
Additionally, anyone who knowingly remains within proximity of a crocodile that is on land will be fined up to AUD16,130 (USD10,930.50).
The existing fine for intentionally disturbing or feeding crocodiles in the state has been increased from a maximum AUD6,452 to AUD26,615 (USD17,729.30) and the maximum penalty for interfering with a crocodile trap has been raised from a fine of AUD19,356 (USD13,115.50) to AUD26,615.
For illustration purposes only. PHOTO: FREEPIK
The state government has also given conservation officers the power to order people to move away from crocodiles to avoid any potential human-crocodile interactions.
Linard said the reforms would help keep people safe in areas inhabited by crocodiles.
“People may think feeding crocs or interacting with them is fun or harmless, but experience shows that doing so increases the risk to public safety,” she said in a statement.
There have been three fatal crocodile attacks on humans in Australia in 2024, all in the country’s north.
David Hogbin, a 40-year-old doctor, was dragged into a river by a crocodile while walking with his wife near the far north Queensland town of Cooktown in August. His remains were found inside a 4.9-metre male saltwater crocodile that was euthanised by authorities days later.
In the Northern Territory, which shares a border with Queensland, a 16-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl were killed by crocodiles in separate incidents in April and July.
A three-year monitoring programme that ended in 2019 estimated that there were between 20,000 and 30,000 crocodiles in Queensland, with most found in the state’s far north.
Bob Katter, a federal senator representing Queensland, has repeatedly called for crocodile populations in the state to be culled to prevent attacks.
