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Germany, Spain in World Cup clash as Iran and USA vow to put politics aside

DOHA (AFP) – Former winners Germany and Spain will clash early in the World Cup finals in Qatar after being placed in the same group while the coaches of bitter geopolitical rivals United States (US) and Iran vowed to put animosity aside when their sides meet.

The glitzy draw in Doha on Friday also set reigning champions France on a potential collision course with England in the quarter-finals, if they win their relatively kind groups.

But the world’s top-ranked team Brazil face a tougher task in the first stage.

Four-time winners Germany were in the second category of teams, making them the obvious country to avoid for the top seeds.

The match with Spain will revive unhappy memories for the Germans who were thrashed 6-0 in a Nations League match in 2020, but Germany have improved fast since Hansi Flick replaced Joachim Loew as coach.

Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. PHOTO: AP

“We have negative memories, but something like that doesn’t happen to us twice,” Germany captain Manuel Neuer said.

The European heavyweights were joined by Japan in Group E, which will be completed by the winner of an intercontinental play-off between Costa Rica and New Zealand.

Iran and the US – who severed formal diplomatic relations in 1980 – last met at the 1998 World Cup when the Iranians won a politically-charged game 2-1.

“Football transcends a lot of the political stuff and we are able to remain friends on the pitch,” insisted US coach Gregg Berhalter. Iran’s Croatian coach Dragan Skocic took a similar view of the hostilities that continue with US efforts to constrain Iran’s nuclear programme.

“I don’t care about this. Of course there is a story, but we are focussed on the playing,” he said.

England are also in Group B and Gareth Southgate’s side might come up against neighbours Wales or Scotland, although Ukraine could also take the last spot in the European play-offs, to be decided in June, after they were delayed by Russia’s invasion.

England’s chances will face the sternest possible test though if they come up against France’s talented squad in the last eight.

The French, seeking to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, will meet familiar foes Denmark and Tunisia in a Group D completed by the winners of an intercontinental play-off – Australia, Peru or the United Arab Emirates.

In a break with recent tradition, hosts Qatar will not feature in the tournament’s opening match on November 21, with that honour going to Senegal’s Group A game with the Netherlands. The Qataris, making their debut at a World Cup finals, will face Ecuador in the group’s other game that evening.

Brazil, the record five-time winners, will have to be on form from the go when they face Serbia and Switzerland as well as Cameroon in a tough-looking Group G.

Two-time champions Argentina drew Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C. It might be Lionel Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup as he turns 35 in June. The same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be approaching 38 when Portugal come up against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.

Croatia, runners-up in 2018, were drawn with Belgium and Morocco in Group F, which is completed by Canada, returning to the World Cup after 36 years.

The first World Cup in the Middle East will also be the first played in November and December because of Qatar’s extreme summer heat.

Europe’s leading leagues will wrap up on the weekend of November 12-13 before players head to Qatar, leaving little time for national squads to prepare. “Players will be fresher than they normally would be at a World Cup, but the lack of time is a handicap, albeit it is the same for everyone,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique.

Southgate is also concerned about preparation time as England play Iran just eight days after the final Premier League games before the pause.

“We’re in on day one so it’s quite clear now what our programme looks like for the end of the Premier League season and getting out here as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said in a speech at the draw he was “proud and happy that the world will see Qatar as we promised”, vowing an “exceptional World Cup in our Arab world”.

Conservative firebrand Sarah Palin announces bid for US Congress

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Incendiary United States (US) conservative and former vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin announced on Friday she is running for Alaska’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives, eyeing a return to national politics during a period of deep political division.

The 58-year-old far-right former governor is seeking to succeed Republican Don Young who died unexpectedly last month after serving in the US House for 49 years.

Palin is a fierce supporter of Donald Trump, and has joined with the former president in making unfounded claims that the 2020 election was tainted by fraud.

“America is at a tipping point,” she said in a statement on Facebook announcing her candidacy. “As I’ve watched the far left destroy the country, I knew I had to step up and join the fight.”

The US midterm elections, in which all 435 House seats are up for grabs, is set for November 8.

While the largest US state by area, Alaska has only one representative in the House, due to its sparse population.

Palin was Republican nominee John McCain’s running mate during his 2008 presidential election, in which the duo lost to Barack Obama and his vice presidential pick, then senator Joe Biden.

Palin served as Alaska’s governor from 2006 until 2009, when she resigned and emerged as a darling of the conservative Tea Party movement.

As an anti-establishment flamethrower capable of electrifying the Republican base, she is widely seen as the political precursor to Trump.

In the statement announcing her candidacy, Palin painted a nation in crisis under US President Biden, decrying a surge in illegal immigration, “out-of-control inflation”, high gas prices and “socialist” policies enacted by Democrats.

In February, a Manhattan judge tossed out a defamation case Palin had brought against The New York Times.

Palmer holds two-shot lead after two rounds of Valero Texas Open

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Ryan Palmer shot a bogey-free round of 6-under 66 at the Valero Texas Open to lead by two shots over Kevin Chappell, Dylan Frittelli and Matt Kuchar after Friday’s second round.

Palmer, at 10 under, surged into the lead with consecutive birdies midway through the back nine.

Chappell, the 2017 tournament winner, had the day’s low round of 65. Frittelli also got away with no bogeys during his 66, and Kuchar shot 69 with four-straight birdies on the back.

Palmer’s last Tour win came in 2019. He took the lead with a 5-foot birdie putt at the par-5 14th. At 15 he converted another birdie putt inside 10 feet.

“It’s a golf course, if you get it offline, you’re going to struggle,” Palmer said. “I was able to keep the ball in front of me. When I’ve missed fairways, I’ve gotten fortunate breaks, I think. So the weekend, it’s a matter of just avoiding those big misses.”

Ryan Palmer hits off at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. PHOTO: AP

Hideki Matsuyama withdrew after nine holes on Friday with a sore neck, leaving early ahead of his Masters title defence next week.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth was making a move, getting to four-under for his round after a short birdie putt on his 14th hole. He was in good shape for par at the next after chipping to three feet away – where he three-putted.

The double-bogey put him on the projected cut line, ultimately making the weekend by two shots at two-under. It wasn’t as good for some other notable names. Bryson DeChambeau triple bogeyed the first hole and missed the cut. Rory McIlroy failed to break par in his two rounds and missed the cut.

JJ Spaun is in a group of players three shots back of Palmer. He led during the morning at 10-under when he dropped an 18-foot birdie at his 14th hole. He finished with three bogeys.

“I’m still in a good position – there’s a lot of golf left,” Spaun said. “It got kind of tough with the finish, and two bad swings made me make a couple bogeys. Still happy to have a shot.”

Those joining Spaun at seven-under include US Open champions Lucas Glover (66) and Gary Woodland (67), Charles Howell III (67) and Brendon Todd (69).

Kuchar bogeyed three of four holes in the middle of his round. Starting at the 14th, Kuchar made four-straight birdie putts of 10 feet or more. He said there was nothing special about the run.

“I don’t think so – they fall where they fall and you never know,” he said. “You try to stay as positive as you can thinking they’ll fall at some point. You never know in a round of golf, and it’s nice that they fell at some point today.”

Chappell’s only Tour win came here five years ago. His 65 had no bogeys on the card. He eagled his 11th hole and finished with two birdies, a 17-footer on the finishing hole.

“I just feel at ease around this place,” Chappell said. “My soul and this golf course get along. I really enjoy being here. I’m excited about where my game is because I don’t think I played great yet.

“It’s not like the ball is coming out of the middle of the clubface every time and flying where I’m looking, but I’ve been able to scramble and get the ball in the hole.”

Off-duty Texas deputy killed in shooting near Houston

HOUSTON (AP) – An off-duty Texas deputy sheriff was killed in a shooting on the northern outskirts of Houston when he interrupted three men apparently trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle, authorities said.

Deputy Darren Almendarez, 51, was fatally shot on Thursday night in a grocery store parking lot, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Two of the suspects were shot and wounded during an exchange of gunfire with Almendarez and were hospitalised on Friday in custody, Gonzalez said.

Joshua Stewart, 23, and Fredarius Clark, 19, are charged with capital murder, according to court documents. Clark remained hospitalised on Friday in stable condition, while Stewart was discharged and booked into Harris County Jail, said Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland. It was unclear from court documents if they had attorneys.

A third person, believed to be a male teenager, fled the scene and was being sought.

Gonzalez said Almendarez had been shopping with his wife to buy groceries for a Friday cookout for Almendarez’s sister, whose birthday was on Thursday.

“We’re tired that people aren’t even safe to go out to the grocery store. This is a cop. This is a cop that’s just out with his family. It could be any one of us – and it happened to be him,” Gonzalez told reporters.

Law enforcement officers investigate the scene of shooting in Houston. PHOTO: AP

Stocks edge higher, Treasury yields soar after jobs data

NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks notched modest gains and Treasury yields soared on Friday on Wall Street after a healthy report on the United States (US) job market strengthened expectations for coming interest rate hikes.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3 per cent after bouncing between small gains and losses. The benchmark index eked out a slight gain for the week, it’s third straight amid lingering concerns about high inflation, higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve and the economic effects of the war in Ukraine.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4 per cent and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3 per cent. Small company stocks outgained the broader market, driving the Russell 2000 one per cent higher.

The sharpest action was again in the bond market, where the yield on the two-year Treasury approached its highest level in more than three years.

Yields jumped after a US government report showed employers added 431,000 jobs last month.

The New York Stock Exchange operates during normal business hours in the Financial District in the Manhattan borough of New York. PHOTO: AP

That was slightly below economists’ expectations for 477,500, but the report also revised earlier months’ data to reflect more strength. It showed raises for workers accelerated last month but at a slower pace than overall inflation, while the unemployment rate improved to 3.6 per cent from 3.7 per cent.

“This was a solid report,” said senior investment strategist at Allspring Global Investments Brian Jacobsen.

“You can see the worries about COVID fading. Fewer people are working remotely. Fewer people are saying they can’t work due to the pandemic.”

A separate report showed that US manufacturing is continuing to grow, though at a slower rate than in February.

A strong jobs market and economy give the Federal Reserve more leeway to raise interest rates sharply to beat down the high inflation that’s sweeping the country.

The Fed has already raised its key overnight rate once, the first such increase since 2018. Following Friday’s jobs report, traders increased bets that the Fed will raise rates at its next meeting by double the usual amount.

Such expectations drive shorter-term Treasury yields in particular, and the two-year yield leaped to 2.45 per cent from 2.28 per cent late Thursday.

The two-year yield again rose above the 10-year yield, which was also climbing, but not as quickly. The 10-year yield rose to 2.38 per cent from 2.33 per cent. On Tuesday, the two-year yield briefly topped the 10-year yield for the first time since 2019, a potentially ominous sign.

Such a flip of the usual relationship between two- and 10-year yields has preceded many recessions in the past, though it hasn’t been a perfect predictor. Some market watchers caution the signal may be less accurate this time, because of distortions in yields caused by extraordinary measures by the Federal Reserve and other central banks to keep interest rates low.

Shares in more than 65 per cent of the companies in the benchmark S&P 500 rose, with healthcare and communications stocks making up a big share of the gains. A slide in industrial, technology and financial stocks kept the index’s gains in check.

Ramadhan welcomed with 12th Sirah Amal

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) yesterday concluded its annual Sirah Amal activities for the 12th year running in the spirit of welcoming the holy fasting month of Ramadhan.

The bank’s employees visited 100 households and donated shopping vouchers, relief items and contributions such as food and Hari Raya items to support preparations for Ramadhan and Syawal.

The recipients comprised 60 BIBD ALAF students and 40 underprivileged Muallaf, obtained in cooperation and coordination with the Islamic Da’wah Centre under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The charity drive first began with visits to families in Brunei-Muara District on March 18, and extended to all four districts nationwide, with the last drive carried out on Friday led by Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BIBD Hajah Noraini binti Haji Sulaiman. Despite improving environment in the Sultanate following the COVID-19 outbreak, the bank’s personnel observed and ensured strict adherence to preventive measures including social distancing. Only two staff were assigned per household to hand over the contributions.

BIBD Chief Marketing Officer Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Md Jaafar said, “Alhamdulillah, we are delighted to welcome Ramadhan with the continuation of our annual charity drive. The BIBD Sirah Amal provides an excellent platform to share our blessings, especially with the less fortunate, so that they are able to better enjoy the festive months with their loved ones.”

She added, “The initiative is also aligned with our commitment to the BIBD Sustainability Framework and support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1,2,3 and 10 – to end hunger and poverty; ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing of people of all ages; and reducing inequalities within our community.”

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam employees handing over contributions. PHOTO: BIBD

COVID in UK at record levels with almost five million infected

LONDON (AP) – The prevalence of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom (UK) has reached record levels, with about one in 13 people estimated to be infected with the virus in the past week, latest figures from Britain’s official statistics agency showed.

Some 4.9 million people were estimated to have the coronavirus in the week ending March 26, up from 4.3 million recorded in the previous week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Friday. The latest surge is driven by the more transmissible Omicron variant BA.2, which is the dominant variant across the UK.

Hospitalisations and death rates are again rising, although the number of people dying with COVID-19 is still relatively low compared with earlier this year. Nonetheless, the latest estimates suggest that the steep climb in new infections since late February, when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrapped all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England, continued well into March.

The figures came on the day the government ended free rapid COVID-19 tests for most people in England, under Johnson’s “living with COVID” plan. People who do not have health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the coronavirus now need to pay for tests to find out if they are infected.

“The government’s ‘living with COVID’ strategy of removing any mitigations, isolation, free testing and a considerable slice of our surveillance amounts to nothing more than ignoring this virus going forwards,” said associate professor at the University of Leeds’ medical school Stephen Griffin.

“Such unchecked prevalence endangers the protection afforded by our vaccines,” he said. “Our vaccines are excellent, but they are not silver bullets and ought not to be left to bear the brunt of COVID in isolation.”

More than 67 per cent of people 12 years old and above in the UK have had their booster or third dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Beginning yesterday, parents can also book a low-dose vaccine for children between five to 12 years old in England.

Biology professor at the University of Oxford James Naismith said he believed that except for those who are completely shielded or not susceptible to the virus, most people in the country would likely be infected with the BA.2 variant by the summer.

A pedestrian in central London. PHOTO: AFP

Brown, Tatum pair up to lead Celtics past Pacers 128-123

BOSTON (AP) – Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and Jayson Tatum had 31 to help the Boston Celtics stop a rare late-season stumble and beat the Indiana Pacers 128-123 on Friday night.

It was the eighth time this season that “The Jays” each scored at least 30 points.

“We’re not trying to take turns. Just playing the game the right way,” Tatum said. “If he takes six good shots in a row, that’s fine with me.”

The Pacers lost their sixth straight game despite getting 30 points from Tyrese Haliburton before he fouled out early in the fourth quarter with Indiana trailing 103-101.

The Celtics led 124-120 with 40 seconds left when Al Horford found Tatum coming down the lane for a dunk that all but sealed Boston’s win.

FROM LEFT: Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown; and Jayson Tatum. PHOTO: AP

Horford scored 17 points with 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who had won 24 of 28 games before losing to Toronto last Monday night without four of their starters. They followed it up with a loss to Miami on Wednesday – the first time they lost back-to-back games in two months as they climbed from below .500 to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

But a loss to the Pacers, a non-playoff team with the fifth-most losses in the league, would have been more concerning.

“Credit to them for making it tough on you,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said.

“They’re playing loose and free with nothing to lose right now. You can tell. At the same time, we’re aiding them.”

Oshae Brissett and Jalen Smith scored 17 points apiece for the Pacers. The Celtics scored 11 of the first 13 points in the game before giving up the next nine to tie it.

Boston took a 37-28 at the end of the first quarter and led by as many as 10 points in the second.

Malaysia’s King, Queen test positive for COVID-19

CNA – Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah are undergoing self-quarantine at Istana Negara after being confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said that Sultan Abdullah will be undergoing quarantine until April 7, while Tunku Azizah will be quarantined until next Friday.

Ahmad Fadil said the king and queen consented to undergo self-quarantine in line with the protocols and standard operating procedures stipulated by the Health Ministry for COVID-19 cases with no or mild symptoms.

“The King and Queen are only experiencing mild symptoms and Their Majesties are in good health condition,” he said.

Ahmad Fadil said that in conjunction with Ramadhan, Sultan Abdullah called on his subjects to always be vigilant and practise self-discipline even though the country entered the transition to endemic phase on Friday.

He also urged the people to pray for the king and queen’s speedy recovery and long-lasting health.

Malaysia reported 17,476 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

File photo of Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. PHOTO: AFP

Prepping students for Ramadhan

Lyna Mohamad

Students of Religious Teacher Diploma for degree graduates (DPULI) held an online assessment programme, Ready.Set.Ramadhan for students of the DPULI programme and Sarjana Perguruan Ugama (SPU), in line with the co-curriculum management course syllabus under the Core Knowledge Centre of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB).

The programme provided an opportunity for students to venture into non-academic fields such as interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, including team resilience and spirit. Programme Manager Abu Yazid al-Busthami bin Haji Abas said the course aimed to impart knowledge and vital information on fasting ahead of the holy month of Ramadhan.

Among the topics were the importance of sahur and Lailatul Qadr, and tips on keeping spirits up when performing religious practices during Ramadhan.

The programme also saw the announcement of 10 quiz winners.

The programme attracted alumni students of Hassanal Bolkiah Male Arabic Secondary School and other Arabic secondary schools, as well as the public.

Co-curriculum management programme coordinator Mohammad Amirol bin Abdul Rahim attended as the advisor.

ABOVE & BELOW: Programme committee members and participants. PHOTOS: KUPU SB

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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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