Monday, May 6, 2024
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Giving back to the community

ABOVE & BELOW: Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar; KUPU SB Acting Assistant Ra’es Dr Hajah Norwati binti Haji Abu Bakar; and KUPU SB Acting Deputy Ra’es Dr Haji Abang Hadzmin bin Haji Abang Taha hand over donations. PHOTOS: IZAH AZAHARI

Izah Azahari

The Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) yesterday organised a Barakah Mahabbah Ramadhan, a distribution of iftar to selected mosques across the Sultanate.

KUPU SB Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar officiated the event at the college, attended by officers, lecturers and staff as well as students.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Student Affairs Division’s acting assistant welfare officer Abdul Hadi bin Haji Abdullah, followed by a welcoming speech from Dean of Students Dr Haji Mohd Shahrol Azmi bin Haji Abdul Mulok.

Dr Haji Mohd Shahrol Azmi shared that the event was organised by the Student Affairs Division and the KUPU SB Student Representative Council as part of the KUPU SB Ihya Ramadhan programme this year.

The Dean of Students stated that the Student Affairs Division received BND4,931 towards the programme’s success from lecturers, staff, and families of KUPU SB, which led to the preparation of 530 iftar for the project.

ABOVE & BELOW: Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar; KUPU SB Acting Assistant Ra’es Dr Hajah Norwati binti Haji Abu Bakar; and KUPU SB Acting Deputy Ra’es Dr Haji Abang Hadzmin bin Haji Abang Taha hand over donations. PHOTOS: IZAH AZAHARI

Mosques that received the contributions were Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Serusop, Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong, RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque in Kuala Belait, Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar, Sultan Sharif Ali Mosque, Kampong Bunut Mosque, Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Mosque in Kampong Tamoi and Kampong Burung Pingai Mosque.

The event continued with the presentation of the Barakah Mahabbah Ramadhan to the KUPU SB delegation to mosques.

Dr Haji Adanan handed iftar to Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in the Brunei-Muara District, while the contribution for RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque in the Belait District was handed by KUPU SB Acting Deputy Ra’es Dr Haji Abang Hadzmin bin Haji Abang Taha.

For the Tutong District, KUPU SB Acting Assistant Ra’es Dr Hajah Norwati binti Haji Abu Bakar handed over the contribution to Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, and Acting Registrar Adi Rani Soffian bin Abdul Rahman handed over the iftar for Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in the Temburong District.

The Barakah Mahabbah Ramadhan iftar was prepared by staff and students of the Student Affairs Division and the Fikrah Club.

The objective of the activity was to cultivate a sense of devotion in the KUPU SB community during the holy month of Ramadhan and gain knowledge about the noble conduct of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that can be implemented in the following months.

Social platform for Belait senior citizens

Belait District Senior Citizens Association members at the event. PHOTO: PWEDB

Daniel Lim

Belait District Senior Citizens Association (PWEDB) members organised the recitation of Tahlil and Doa Arwah yesterday at Jalan Panglima, Belait District.

PWEDB General Secretary Mohd Yunos bin Haji Pungut said the activity represented one of the many held to enliven the fasting month while providing senior citizens with an opportunity to interact with each other.

He added, “It also serves to mark the 30th anniversary of the association.”

He said the association has plans to host more activities, with one being the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Belait District Senior Citizens Association members at the event. PHOTO: PWEDB

Taleban raid kills six IS group members

A Taleban fighter stands guard in Kabul, Afghanistan. PHOTO: AP

ISLAMABAD (AP) – An overnight raid by Taleban forces in Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province killed six members of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group, a Taleban spokesman said yesterday.

The regional affiliate of the IS group – known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province – has been the key rival of the Taleban since their takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

The militant group has increased its attacks, targetting both Taleban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s minority.

According to spokesman for the police chief in Balkh Mohammad Asif Waziri, the operation late on Monday night targetted an IS hideout in Nahri Shahi district and six members of the militant group were killed.

The Taleban swept across Afghanistan in August 2021, seizing power as United States (US) and NATO forces withdrew after 20 years of war.

The international community has not recognised the Taleban government, wary of the harsh measures they have imposed since their takeover – including restricting rights and freedoms.

In March, a member of the IS group carried out a suicide bombing that killed three people, including Daud Muzmal, the Taleban’s appointed governor for Balkh. Muzmal is one of the most senior Taleban officials to have been killed since they took power in mid-August 2021.

A Taleban fighter stands guard in Kabul, Afghanistan. PHOTO: AP

Iftar for 70 Pusat Ehsan members

Mulia Hotel Marketing Manager Brandon Tay hands over a donation. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

Lyna Mohamad

Mulia Hotel hosted an iftar for 70 Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan) children, their guardians and teachers recently.

In attendance were the hotel’s General Manager Jake Goh, Marketing Manager Brandon Tay, Mulia Hotel Operations Manager Molly Bong and F&B Manager Kee Taufek Kee Harrith.

Meanwhile, accompanying the Pusat Ehsan group were its board of trustee members Pengiran Sarimah binti Pengiran Haji Abdul Latiff and Audrey Choo Wah.

The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat followed by Tay presenting green packets and Bong handing over goodie bags.

Mulia Hotel Marketing Manager Brandon Tay hands over a donation. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

Papua New Guinea quake toll rises to seven

PORT MORESBY (AFP) – The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Papua New Guinea rose to seven yesterday, as emergency crews made contact with remote communities hit by the disaster.

The 7.0 magnitude temblor hit a jungle-clad area near the Sepik River in the early hours of Monday.

The Provincial Disaster Office said a total of seven people were now believed to have died – up from three on Monday – and at least 17 have been injured.

Samaritan Aviation country director Chris Cooke said his humanitarian group had evacuated patients with significant injuries by sea plane.

“We have also been working closely with the East Sepik Provincial Disaster Relief Office performing aerial and ground surveys of the affected areas,” he said.

One local official, Emil Kongian, said 178 homes had been destroyed in the Karawari area, near the quake’s epicentre.

Violent earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea, but rarely cause widespread destruction. Outside major towns and cities, most areas are sparsely populated and buildings tend to be made of wood.

Xavi tries to repeat Guardiola’s feat against Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. PHOTO: AP

MADRID (AP) – Xavi is on the verge of leading Barcelona back to the Copa del Rey final and repeating a feat last achieved when Pep Guardiola was in charge more than a decade ago.

Barcelona, the 2021 champion eliminated in the round of 16 last year, can return to the final with just a draw against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou tomorrow but a win would make it four straight triumphs over its rival for the first time since Guardiola won five in a row
from 2008-10.

The Catalan club has never defeated Madrid four times in a row in the same season. It beat Madrid four times in 1982-83 but not in consecutive matches.

Barcelona lost 3-1 to Madrid in the first “clasico” of the season in the Spanish league, but since then it won 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final, 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa semifinal and 2-1 in the other league match.

“I think they are hurt and will be wanting to get revenge after losing the last three games,” Xavi said yesterday. “But they always compete well.”

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. PHOTO: AP
Xavi Hernandez. PHOTO: AP

The last time Barcelona had won three in a row was in 2011-12. Madrid won five consecutive against its rival in a period from 2020-22. Guardiola’s winning run included a 6-2 rout at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a 5-0 triumph at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s most recent league win against Madrid left the club close to its first league title since 2018-19. It has a comfortable 12-point lead over Madrid with 11 matches remaining.

“The clasico is the most important match, for the fans, for the players,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “There is a very big rivalry and this is an important competition. We need to play a complete match because things didn’t go well in the last ones.”

After winning the Spanish Super Cup, advancing to the Copa final would give Xavi a chance to lead Barcelona to its second title of the season.

It would come after a gloomy period in which it struggled amid a financial crisis that led to the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti is also hoping to keep alive Madrid’s chances of winning another trophy in addition to the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA’s Club World Cup. Madrid is also alive in the Champions League, facing Chelsea in the quarterfinals.

Madrid hasn’t won the Copa since 2014, when it beat Barcelona the last time it made it to the final. Barcelona is the competition’s most successful club with 31 trophies. Its triumph two years ago marked the team’s last title with Messi in the squad.

Barcelona has succeeded in the recent clasicos under Xavi with a formation that includes four midfielders and Gavi in a more advanced position. The coach could also opt to use three forwards, with Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres playing up front along with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. Franck Kessié, who scored the late winner in the last league clasico, would drop from the lineup in that scenario.

Xavi still won’t be able to count on four important players because of injuries – Ousmane Dembélé, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen.

Ancelotti will have all of his regular starters available with the exception of injured left back Ferland Mendy.

Karim Benzema is coming off a hat trick in the team’s 6-0 rout of Valladolid in the Spanish league, and the French striker is among the Madrid veterans who are ending their contracts this season and could be making their last appearance in the clasico, along with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets, the player with a record of 47 appearances in the clasico, is in a similar situation as his contract with the Catalan club also expires this season.

PAPDA receives donation

PAPDA members and Emperor's Court Restaurant Manager Yi Biyi with the donation. PHOTO: JAMES KON

James Kon

The Paraplegic and Physically Handicapped Association (PAPDA) yesterday received a donation of BND5,698.80 raised from the successful sixth Dine & Donate charity sungkai buffet’ organised by Emperor’s Court Restaurant on Monday.

From the buffet, the sales and public donations made up BND4,698.80 while Emperor’s Court contributed another BND1,000.

Emperor’s Court Restaurant Manager Yi Biyi handed over the donation to PAPDA Deputy Chairman Haji Sahari bin Haji Tinggal.

On behalf of PAPDA, Haji Sahari thanked Emperor’s Court Restaurant and donors for the contribution, adding that it will be used to carry out projects to help people with disabilities, such as sewing workshops and entrepreneurs programmes.

PAPDA members and Emperor’s Court Restaurant Manager Yi Biyi with the donation. PHOTO: JAMES KON

Fire breaks out at dam construction camp in Pakistan

PESHAWAR (AFP) – A fire ripped through the camp of a Chinese company managing the construction of a remote hydropower dam in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, officials said.

Since 2015, Beijing has poured billions of dollars into Pakistan under an investment scheme known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Private firms have also flooded over the border to service contracts on ambitious infrastructure projects, despite persistent threats from Pakistani militants.

Police said yesterday’s pre-dawn blaze ruined a warehouse complex for the Dasu hydropower project in the Kohistan district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“It was a huge fire,” a Rescue 1122 official at the site told AFP. “Initially, the flames were very high and we had to call for fire brigade vehicles from two other districts.

“It was quite a big storehouse, and apart from oil drums, stationery and machinery were also stockpiled there. That’s all been destroyed in the fire,” he added.

In 2017, Pakistan’s Water Ministry awarded the construction contract for the Dasu dam to the China Gezhouba Group Company.

The camp housed Chinese engineers, surveyors and mechanics, but both police and Rescue 1122 said none were injured or killed.

One police official said an electrical fault was the suspected cause of the fire.

In July 2021, 12 people – including nine Chinese workers – were killed aboard a bus carrying staff to the Dasu site, with Beijing insisting it was a bomb attack.

Islamabad initially blamed the explosion on a “gas leak”, but security at the site was dramatically ramped up in the aftermath.

Despite close economic ties, the security of Chinese workers in Pakistan has long been of concern to Beijing, with militants resentful of foreign influence.

Brunei sets to welcome APEC business leaders

Group photo of APEC Business Advisory Council members. PHOTO: ABAC BRUNEI

Over 100 business leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will be meeting in Brunei April 27-30 to particpate in the Brunei Business Conference and to further their work on ABAC recommendations to APEC Leaders under the theme ‘Equity. Sustainability. Opportunity.’ due at the APEC Summit in November.

“We are honoured and delighted to be hosting ABAC’s 2nd Meeting.” said ABAC Brunei Chair for Brunei Nik Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii.

“The Brunei Business Conference will be a unique platform for the business community to network with the ABAC and to discuss and deliver substantive recommendations on how we can all work together to face global issues of digital transformation and sustainable growth as well as; identify opportunities for business growth.” she added.

The ABAC is the leading voice of business in the Asia-Pacific region, made up of appointed members by each of the 21 APEC economies.

In 2023, ABAC will commission reports and develop recommendations to APEC leaders on how trade and investment policies can be leveraged to tackle climate change, living standards, and digital transformation.

Group photo of APEC Business Advisory Council members. PHOTO: ABAC BRUNEI

Colombia evacuates families living near active volcano

File photo of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano near Villa Maria, Colombia. PHOTO: AP

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (AP) – Colombian officials to evacuated 40 families from their homes on Monday after a volcano in the centre of the country showed high levels of seismic activity that could signal an eruption in the coming days or weeks.

Officials also shut down a popular national park that surrounds the Nevado del Ruiz volcano and said that schools located within 10 kilometre radius of the volcano’s crater will hold classes online only when children return home from Easter holidays next week.

“These are preventative measures”, said Governor Luis Carlos Velasquez of the Colombian province of Caldas, which is located to the west of the 5,300-metre-tall volcano. Velasquez was speaking from the village of Villamaria, which is close to the volcano’s crater and was the first settlement to be evacuated.

Dozens of towns are located along rivers that originate near the top of Nevado del Ruiz.

The volcano’s last major eruption took place in 1985. It unleashed mudslides that buried the town of Armero and killed about 25,000 people.

Last week Colombia’s national agency for risk management issued an orange alert for the volcano after it noticed a greater than normal amount of seismic activity near its crater.

File photo of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano near Villa Maria, Colombia. PHOTO: AP
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Borneo Bulletin is the leading English daily in the country. It was first published by Brunei Press. Today, Borneo Bulletin has become the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs, and the region’s business news.

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