Passengers wait for jeepneys along a street in Manila, the Philippines. PHOTO: AFP
MANILA (XINHUA) – The Philippines’ overall balance of payments (BOP) posted a surplus of USD642 million in December 2023, higher than the USD612 million dollars recorded in the same month 2022, the country’s central bank said yesterday.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the BOP surplus in December 2023 reflected inflows arising mainly from the national government’s net foreign currency deposits with the BSP, net income from the BSP’s investments abroad, and the BSP’s net foreign exchange operations.
“The BOP surplus in December brought the full-year 2023 BOP level to USD3.7 billion surplus, a reversal from the USD7.3 billion deficit recorded in the same period a year ago,” the BSP said.
Based on preliminary data, the BSP said the development reflected mainly the improvement in the balance of trade alongside the higher net inflows from personal remittances, trade in services, and foreign borrowings by the national government.
“Net inflows from foreign direct investments contributed to the surplus, albeit lower during the period,” said the central bank.
The BSP said the gross international reserves (GIR) level increased to USD103.8 billion as of the end of December 2023 from USD102.7 billion in November 2023.
Passengers wait for jeepneys along a street in Manila, the Philippines. PHOTO: AFP
Palestine's Tamer Seyam shoots during the Asian Cup Group C match against United Arab Emirates. PHOTO: AP
DOHA (AP) – The Palestinian football team’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time were boosted after a 1-1 draw against 10-man United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday.
An own goal from Bader Nasser secured a point at Al Janoub Stadium after Sultan Adil had headed UAE in front in the first-half.
The Palestinian team had earlier missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot and then failed to convert a host of chances to win the game in Group C.
“I believe that we’ve delivered a heroic match,” said Palestinian coach Makram Daboub.
“We deserved to win. We wasted a lot of chances. The players were very brave.
“One point keeps our chances alive.”
UAE coach Paulo Bento praised the resilience of his players.
“I want to say that our players were warriors to the end. This is what we take from this match. The sacrifice our players had in this match is something that belongs to our team,” he said. “With 10 players or with 11 players, the team shows everything every time.”
The evening had started with chants of “Free, free Palestine” before kickoff and they were repeated at intervals during the match. UAE went in front in the 23rd minute after Adil headed in Ali Saleh’s cross from the right for his second goal of the tournament.
The Palestinian team was given the chance to even the score after Khalifa Al Hammadi hauled Oday Dabbagh to the ground in the area.
Video assistant referee (VAR) had to tell referee Ahmad Alali to review the sideline monitor after the official had initially played on. And when he subsequently pointed to the penalty spot, cheers rang around the stadium as if a goal had been scored.
Al Hammadi was shown a red card during a lengthy delay and there were more pro-Palestinian chants as Tamer Seyam stepped up to take his spot kick.
But he failed to level as UAE keeper Khalid Eisa pushed his effort away.
The Palestinian team created a slew of chances in its search for a winner, with Dabbagh repeatedly coming close without finding a way through.
Palestine’s Tamer Seyam shoots during the Asian Cup Group C match against United Arab Emirates. PHOTO: AP
BERNAMA – Bentley’s global sales fell by 11 per cent last year due to “challenging market conditions”, reported German Press Agency, (dpa), quoting an announcement by the United Kingdom (UK)-based luxury car maker.
The Crewe-based company said it delivered 13,560 cars in 2023, compared with 15,174 during the previous 12 months.
The decline was driven by a 18-per-cent decreases in sales to both the UK and China.
Despite the year-on-year fall, 2023 was still the manufacturer’s third best year for sales.
Bentley, owned by the Volkswagen Group, also said customers were “increasingly attracted to higher revenue models” such as the Azure, S and Speed, which made up a combined 70 per cent of total sales, compared with 30 per cent in 2022.
The company has previously stated it is focusing on the profit it makes from each sale rather than chasing volume.
ABOVE & BELOW: Aryna Sabalenka; and Jannik Sinner. PHOTO: AP
MELBOURNE (AFP) – Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner emphatically stated their Australian Open title credentials yesterday, surging into the fourth round as a below-par Novak Djokovic prepared for another testing examination.
US Open champion Coco Gauff also signalled her intent in a 6-0, 6-2 romp while 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva kept her dream run going with a battling fightback against France’s Diane Parry.
Belarusian defending champion Sabalenka was unstoppable in a crushing 6-0, 6-0 canter over 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena while Sinner dropped just four games in crushing Sebastian Baez, ranked 29.
Rejuvenated former teen prodigy Amanda Anisimova was also a winner on day six at Melbourne Park, ending Paula Badosa’s injury comeback 7-5, 6-4.
Anisimova, returning from eight months on the sidelines due to burnout and mental health issues, faces Sabalenka next and will have to lift her level to stand any chance.
The second seed, who won her maiden Grand Slam crown in Melbourne last year, has dropped just six games over three dominant matches so far.
ABOVE & BELOW: Aryna Sabalenka; and Jannik Sinner. PHOTO: APPHOTO: AP
Wearing vivid red, she was in the zone against Ukraine’s Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena, racing home in just 52 minutes.
“Last year (world number one) Iga (Swiatek) won so many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals,” she said. “I’m trying to get closer to her.
“I’m super happy with the level I’m playing at so far and hopefully I can keep going like that or even better.”
Anisimova, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and won her first WTA title aged 17, sparking sky-high expectations, surprised even herself in beating former world number two Badosa.
“It’s quite unbelievable after taking some time off, but I’m really feeling good,” said the American, who is now aged 22.
Fourth-seed Sinner came into the opening Grand Slam of the year after ending 2023 in the best form of his life.
He won his first Masters title in Toronto and reached the championship match at the ATP Finals, beating Djokovic in group play, before leading Italy to the Davis Cup title. So far, he has lived up to expectations and is yet to drop a set, unlike the trio of players ahead of him in the rankings – defending champion Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
“Generally, I’m playing really well and feeling great here,” said Sinner, who will next play Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov. “I’m just happy with how I’m feeling right now.”
Andreeva underlined her huge potential by crushing sixth seed Ons Jabeur in under an hour in round two and showed off her grit to overcome Parry 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/5).
Down 5-1 in the deciding set, she reeled off five games in a row to leave herself in a position to serve for the match at 6-5.
Parry, herself only 21, stopped the rot by breaking to set up a tie-break. But the teenager had all the momentum and imposed herself again for a remarkable victory.
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With the consent of 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, the collection for the National Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023 has been extended for another three months, until April 18, allowing public to continue contributing financial assistance to Palestinians.
The announcement of the extension of collection period was made by the fund’s national committee.
The fund, set up by the Government of His Majesty on October 18, 2023, had collected BND2,370,225.43 as of January 18, 2024.
The total collection are donations through SMS Brunei Prihatin, donation boxes at mosques, suraus, religious halls, bank buildings, commercial and public buildings, and charity activities.
Those intending to hold a donation collection for the fund can apply for permission from the Community Development Department (JAPEM) as the secretariat of the national committee for the fund, if the net collection is 100 per cent towards the fund.
Individuals, associations and other registered agencies intending to donate partially from the net proceeds from holding activities in the form of public entertainment are recommended to apply permission in advance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The public can also make online donation through Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) at the account number 00-001-01-0089051 (Tabung Kemanusiaan Rakyat Palestin di Gaza 2023) or through BIBD QuickPay by scanning the QR code on posters and stickers of the fund.
The public can also contribute to the donation boxes or via the secretariat of the humanitarian fund. – James Kon
Travel agencies’ representatives during the signing ceremony.
PHOTO: TITIAN TRAVEL AND TOURS SDN BHD
The Ministry of Religious Affairs, through the Haj Management Department, announced that the payment for haj packages for this year’s intending pilgrims will run until January 31.
Intending haj pilgrims are required to make a full payment to haj operators. Meanwhile, four local travel agencies – Titian Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Raudah Al-Amin Sdn Bhd, Dar El Ehsan Travel Sdn Bhd and Continental Yachting Sdn Bhd – signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently to provide affordable packages for Bruneians.
Signing on behalf of the travel agencies were Titian Travel and Tours Operation Manager Haji Eddy Neason bin Embran, Raudah Al-Amin Owner and Managing Director Haji Abdul Rahman Mat, Dar El Ehsan Travel Managing Director Haji Ahmad Baihaki bin Haji Mohd Taha and Continental Yachting Tours and Travel Division Head of Haj and Umrah Operations Mohamed Taariq bin Haji Jamal. – Azlan Othman & James Kon
Travel agencies’ representatives during the signing ceremony. PHOTO: TITIAN TRAVEL AND TOURS SDN BHD
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Junaidi bin Haji Masri, BIBD employees and heads of divisions in a group photo. PHOTO: BIBD
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) celebrated its 31st anniversary by participating in the 120th Munajat night recently.
The religious event, organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) at the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque was attended by BIBD’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Junaidi bin Haji Masri along with 40 BIBD employees and heads of divisions.
It began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Mulk led by Haji Roslan bin Haji Alli from BIBD’s Shariah Division, followed by a religious talk by the Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan.
The event proceeded with the recitation of Asmaa Ul-Husna led by Mohammad Hazame bin Haji Zainal from BIBD’s Internal Audit Division.
BIBD’s presence at the event underscores the bank’s commitment as an Islamic financial institution to support the realisation of 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’s vision as a Zikir Nation.
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Junaidi bin Haji Masri, BIBD employees and heads of divisions in a group photo. PHOTO: BIBD
Acting Director of Community Development Department Fauziah binti Haji Mohd Salleh receives a mock cheque from Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Advocating Life-Long Learning for an Aspiring Future representatives. PHOTO: BIBD
Students from Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s (BIBD) Advocating Life-Long Learning for an Aspiring Future (ALAF) programme concluded its ‘Cookies for Palestine’ campaign.
The campaign, which ran from November 27 to December 3, 2023, involved 60 students, who handled the baking and packing process, while another 20 sold the cookies at Bandarku Ceria.
The effort led to the production of 462 packets containing three cookies each which were sold out, raising BND2,310.01.
In a gesture of solidarity and support, four representatives from BIBD ALAF handed over the proceeds to Acting Director of Community Development Department Fauziah binti Haji Mohd Salleh at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, said the bank in a statement yesterday.
“The gesture signifies the success of the campaign and the wider commitment of BIBD in upholding the Maqasid Syariah principles, promoting community development, and fostering a sense of global citizenship among its students.”
Acting Director of Community Development Department Fauziah binti Haji Mohd Salleh receives a mock cheque from Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Advocating Life-Long Learning for an Aspiring Future representatives. PHOTO: BIBD
Imams urged the ummah to be prudent in financial management by reviewing and reorganising personal finances through self-reflection on their expenditure sand lifestyle.
In the Friday sermon, imams said if it is beyond one’s means, then it is crucial to reduce unnecessary expenditure. One should also save money for the future.
Imams also urged the ummah to practice saving for emergencies and avoid incurring
debts.
The religious authorities called upon parents to set an example by instilling a saving habit in their children.
This includes teaching the importance of saving, maintaining a safety deposit box at home or a bank, and cultivating thriftiness.
Imams also urged the ummah to develop essential financial skills by making decisions aligned with Islamic principles, increasing awareness on financial management, improving financial knowledge, maintaining the right attitude towards personal finance and managing money wisely. – Azlan Othman
