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Portugal and Poland grab World Cup finals spots

PARIS (AFP) – Portugal beat North Macedonia 2-0 and Poland saw off Sweden by the same score in play-off finals on Tuesday to book their places in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Bruno Fernandes scored both goals for Portugal to overcome the Balkan nation that had knocked out European champions Italy in a stunning result last week.

Italy’s shock exit had North Macedonia dreaming of their first ever appearance at a World Cup finals but Portugal proved a step too far in Porto.

Fernandes set Portugal on their way at the Estadio do Dragao by finishing off Cristiano Ronaldo’s pass in the first half and then put the victory beyond doubt in the second, connecting with a sublime cross from Diogo Jota.

The victory means Portugal extend their run of qualifying for all six of the World Cups since the turn of the century while Manchester United forward Ronaldo is on course for his fifth, aged 37.

Ronaldo’s best previous result was reaching the semi-finals in 2006, when Portugal were beaten by Germany.

North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski punches the ball away from Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. PHOTO: AP

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said: “I would like to congratulate the players for their attitude and their quality. We controlled the match in a very clear way.

“Now, having already won the Euro and the Nations League we have a dream of bringing enormous joy to Portugal.”

Robert Lewandowski stroked home a second-half penalty as Poland booked their berth in front of a fervent home crowd in Chorzow.

After the Poland captain converted a spot kick, Piotr Zielinski completed the scoring with a superb second goal for the hosts.

Poland go into tomorrow’s draw for the group stages of the World Cup finals, from November 21 to December 18, after dominating the second half.

The Poles were awarded the crucial penalty just after half-time when midfielder Sebastian Szymanski rolled the ball to substitute Grzegorz Krychowiak, who was fouled by Jesper Karlstrom.

The referee pointed straight to the spot and Lewandowski casually arced his run, waited for Robin Olsen to move and then slotted the ball to the left of the Swedish goalkeeper.

It was his 75th goal for Poland and arguably one of his most important.

“It was really tough. I mean, this pressure!” Lewandowski said. “Even though I have taken many penalties in my career, this was one difficult. I knew this moment would have so much significance.

“We suffered, but now we can celebrate. I am proud and happy.”

Zielinski put the result beyond doubt when he capitalised on a slip by Sweden defender Marcus Danielson and sprinted clear.

He slotted his shot past Olsen with 18 minutes left to spark wild celebrations from the home crowd.

Only a superb save from Olsen denied Lewandowski a second goal when the Poland striker was allowed a rare late chance in the area by the Swedish defence.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for the final 10 minutes, but the 40-year-old Sweden striker was unable to influence the course of the match and will miss out on a third appearance at a World Cup finals.

Twelve European sides have now clinched a place at the World Cup.

Gareth Bales’ Wales will take part in the other playoff final but that is on hold until at least June because the war in Ukraine led to the postponement of the Ukrainians’ semi-final away to Scotland.

Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo in 2005 spotted in Texas

WICHITA, KANSAS (AP) – One of two flamingos that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago has been spotted on the coast of Texas, wildlife officials said.

The Coastal Fisheries division of Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed on Tuesday to The Associated Press that the African flamingo – known as No 492 because of the number on its leg band – was captured on video shot on March 10 by an environmental activist near Port Lavaca, Texas, at Rhodes Point in Cox Bay. Officials were able to make out the bird’s leg band on the video.

The bird and another flamingo escaped from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita on a stormy night in June 2005. Employees had not yet clipped the birds’ wings to prevent them from flying, which facilitated their escape.

While the other flamingo was never seen again, No 492 has been spotted several times in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Texas, sometimes with other wild flamingos. Officials said it had been a year or two since the bird was last seen in Texas.

New health action plan builds on previous results

James Kon

The Brunei Darussalam Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (BruMAP-NCD) 2021-2025, with the goal of reducing the risk of death between the ages of 30 and 69 from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases by 10 per cent by 2025, was launched yesterday.

Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar was the guest of honour at An-Naura Hall of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex.

The publication of BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025 aims to continue and improve the NCD prevention and control measures outlined in BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025 as well as identify new measures for the prevention and control of appropriate NCDs based on evaluations that have been done, and strengthen the national approach in the prevention and control of NCD in Brunei Darussalam.

There are four strategic objectives under BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025: to bolster national governance for NCD prevention and control; to reduce NCD risk factors; to strengthen early detection and clinical management of NCDs and NCD risk factors; and to improve NCD surveillance and research.

Accordingly, Brunei Darussalam aims to achieve a 30 per cent relative reduction in tobacco use among adults and adolescents (13 to 17 years), a 35 per cent relative reduction in sweetened beverage consumption among schoolchildren and adolescents, a 15 per cent relative reduction in salt/sodium intake, a 10 per cent relative reduction in physical inactivity among adults and adolescent, a 10 per cent increase in the number of public education and health awareness campaigns and activities on smoking cessation, healthy eating and physical activity, and control the number of obesity cases.

Additionally, it is targetted that there will be a 10 per cent increase in screening for raised blood pressure among adults, a 20 per cent increase in screening for raised blood glucose among adults, a 10 per cent increase in screening for high cholesterol among adults, a 10 per cent increase among adults aged 40 to 69 who have an electronically documented cardiovascular risk score which includes fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels, a 50 per cent increase among age 40 to 69 who have been screened for breast cancer using mammography in the last three years, and a 50 per cent increase among men and women aged 50 to 75 who have been screened for colorectal cancer using faecal immunochemical tests in the last two years.

Head of Health Promotion Centre and the Chair of the launching ceremony for BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025 Dr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Kassim in her welcoming address said, “Alhamdulillah, the Ministry of Health will continue to improve measures to prevent and control NCD in the country with the BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025. The measures outlined previously in the BruMAP-NCD 2013-2018 were based on cost-effective actions recommended by the WHO, as well as best practices that have been proven in other countries.

ABOVE & BELOW: Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar views an exhibition; and Head of Health Promotion Centre Dr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Kassim. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR

“BruMAP-NCD 2013-2018 focussed on creating an environment that allows for healthy choices and improving the continuity of care for NCD patients. Five main objectives were identified at the time which comprised various actions to address NCD risk factors, namely tobacco use, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and two objectives focussing on identifying and managing those at risk for NCDs as well as improving the quality of care and management of NCD patients.”

After the end of the BruMAP-NCD 2013-2018 framework period, she shared “an evaluation of the implementation and results was conducted jointly with the WHO which took more than a year starting in 2019”.

“The evaluation assessed progress on NCD targets at the national and global level and provided insights to policy makers on the factors that influence the sustainability of the implementations.

“It showed that technically sound policies and programmes are important but can be complicated in implementation. Adopting a variety of approaches and policies and maintaining resources as well as technical commitments is challenging and requires perseverance, innovation and broad-thinking.”

Dr Hajah Norhayati said the publication of BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025 “was completed and to be launched last year but was postponed due to the second and third waves of COVID-19.

The actions to reduce NCD risk factors and conduct surveillance of NCDs have already begun, or are being continued”.

“Among these actions are the promotion and enforcement of the Code on Responsible Marketing of Food and Beverages to Children in Brunei Darussalam; the granting of the Healthier Choice Initiative to the relevant food industry; preparatory work for the Salt Reduction Strategy; as well as planning and preparation to conduct the third National Health and Nutrition Status Survey,” she added.

To continue the NCD risk factor prevention measures, she highlighted that “several support activities were also organised in conjunction with the launch ceremony, namely, the introduction of an online health education platform for the Workplace and Health Programme, (WAH), for civil servants and the Smoking Cessation Campaign (Quit2Win) in Ramadhan for smokers. Insya Allah, such programmes and other actions in BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025 will begin fully with the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic later”.

After the launch, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar handed over copies of the BruMAP-NCD 2021-2025 to stakeholders and then toured the exhibitions.

Osaka breezes into last four at Miami

MIAMI (AFP) – Naomi Osaka moved into the Miami Open semi-finals with another impressive performance as an out-of-sorts American Danielle Collins was brushed aside at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday.

The clinical Japanese star, yet to drop a set in this tournament, won 6-2, 6-1 and will meet Swiss Olympic gold medal winner Belinda Bencic in the last four.

Collins, who appeared to be struggling with a neck injury and has been suffering with a viral infection, will return to the top 10 when the rankings are released on Monday having briefly been there following her run to the Australian Open final earlier this year.

But Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has been in fine form in south Florida and on this evidence will take a lot of stopping if she is to be denied the title this weekend.

“I hope she is ok,” said Osaka after her victory over the struggling Collins.

“This was my first night match so I didn’t know what the conditions were like but I was fine and the fans were great,” added Osaka who hit 12 aces in a match that lasted exactly one hour.

Bencic, the world number 28, who beat Australia’s Daria Saville 6-1,6-2, said: “I have played Osaka before, so I know how it feels to play her.

“I’m really happy I achieved a great result here and everything else is a bonus. I’m going to enjoy and do the best I can.”

In yesterday’s WTA quarter-finals, American Jessica Pegula played Spain’s Paula Badosa while Czech Petra Kvitova took on world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland.

Naomi Osaka returns a shot to Danielle Collins. PHOTO: AFP

Cybersecurity awareness campaign promotes resilient, secure society

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) is currently embarking on a 12-month cybersecurity awareness campaign in collaboration with Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) and Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team (BruCERT), aimed at fostering greater awareness of cyber threats and empowering members of the public to be safer and more secure online.

BIBD’s Chief Information Officer Adi Shamsul bin Haji Sabli said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more and more of our daily activities being conducted online. With higher demand and utilisation of digital banking, it is therefore more important than ever to be aware of and adopt good cyber security practices.”

He added, “BIBD takes online security very seriously. It was and always has been at the top of our agenda.

“However, we see online threats these days are becoming more sophisticated and are constantly evolving. Hence we want to provide the necessary information not just to our customers but the public in general on how to stay safe and protected from cyber threats and online scams”.

Meanwhile, CSB Interim Commissioner Shamsul Bahri bin Haji Kamis said CSB will continue to collaborate with other organisations, in its effort to inculcate a security-aware culture among the public.

He added, “The banking and finance sector is one of the critical information infrastructures which is highly targetted by cybercriminals, whether during the pandemic or otherwise.

“With BIBD, we are working towards not just a safer digital banking environment for its customers and constituents specifically but also towards a better cyber hygiene among the population in general.”

The BIBD, CSB and BruCERT cybersecurity awareness campaign will use social media to educate the public on topics such as how to stay safe while working remotely, online shopping, best practices when selecting passwords and using social media as well as awareness on different cyber threats such as phishing, smishing and social engineering attacks.

As a Partner in Progress, BIBD is deeply invested in supporting the nation’s drive towards becoming a Smart Nation, empowered by a digital economy.

The campaign is part of BIBD’s contribution to drive to ensure a more resilient and secure society as we move to achieve Brunei Vision 2035, and is in support of Brunei’s Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 which call on both the government and private sector to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity landscape, together with the growth of digital usage towards the protection of data, infrastructure, and networks against growing cyber threats.

Temporary suspension on cross-border activities extended

The temporary suspension on cross-border activities has been extended for 15 days, from April 1-15, a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) press statement stated yesterday.

This is 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, and in reference to a PMO media release dated March 14, the statement added.

The temporary suspension applied to entry of foreign nationals via land and sea ports, including transits through Brunei Darussalam, except for entry and transit travels granted approval by the Brunei Government.

Entry and transits through Brunei Darussalam may only be considered for transit vehicles with transit permits issued by the Brunei Government, provided the travellers have attained endorsement from their local authorities for their travels, and will be subject to existing entry conditions and procedures, for official government travel, students who are required to attend school, emergency services (such as ambulances, police and military); and vaccinated foreign-registered transport operators with cross-country permits issued by the Brunei Government for import deliveries of essential goods.

Conditions for the consideration of entry and exit travel mentioned above are subject to review by the COVID-19 Steering Committee from time to time.

Information can be obtained from www.pmo.gov.bn/travelportal, contact travel hotline 120 during working hours or e-mail travelapplication@jpm.gov.bn.

Vietnamese carmaker to build electric vehicles in North Carolina

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (AP) – A Vietnamese automaker announced plans on Tuesday to build a plant in North Carolina to manufacture electric vehicles, promising to bring 7,500 jobs and ending the state’s streak of near-misses for landing carmakers.

VinFast will build its first North American plant in Chatham County southwest of Raleigh, with production expected to start in 2024. It expects to employ 7,500 by 2027 with average salaries of USD51,000, according to the state Commerce Department.

“VinFast’s transformative project will bring many good jobs to our state, along with a healthier environment as more electric vehicles take to the road to help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement.

The company is expected to invest USD4 billion in building the plant on a nearly 2,000-acre site about a 30-minute drive southwest of Raleigh. The plant is planned to be able to manufacture 150,000 cars per year. The state has agreed to use job development grants to reimburse USD316 million over 32 years if it hits job-creation and investment goals. The state is also planning to provide as much as USD450 million for site preparation, road improvements and other infrastructure work.

A release from the state Commerce Department said the manufacturer considered sites in 12 states before narrowing its search to North Carolina and a site in Savannah, Georgia. The release said the workforce, incentives and site preparation were key factors in its choice.

The VinFast VF e36 is shown at the AutoMobility LA auto show. PHOTO: AP

“North Carolina’s strong commitments in building a clean energy economy, fighting climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation make it an ideal location for VinFast to develop its premium, smart and environmentally friendly EVs,” VinFast Global CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy said in a statement.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has plans to organise workers at the new VinFast plant, as well as other electric vehicle and battery factories that are locating in Southern states, union President Ray Curry said on Tuesday. The union has funding available now to start organising efforts, Curry told the Automotive Press Association in Detroit.

The union, he said, already has a presence in North Carolina.

“We believe that we are the preferred union,” Curry said. “We are the auto workers, and our goal would be to be able to represent any auto work assembly that would take place in the country, especially EVs that are transforming right now.”

The UAW also will try to organise Ford and General Motors battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as factories run by Tesla and electric vehicle startup Rivian. Both have plants that were represented by the union under previous owners. Such campaigns, depending on their duration, could cost tens of millions of dollars, he said.

Landing the car manufacturing plant is considered a major accomplishment for Cooper, legislative leaders and economic recruiters following a series of disappointments stretching back decades.

Possible tornado hits Arkansas, Deep South braces for storms

SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS (AP) – Severe storms and a possible tornado damaged buildings and downed power lines in northwest Arkansas yesterday as tornadoes and hurricane-force winds were forecast in much of the Deep South, a week after severe storms struck the New Orleans area.

There were no immediate reports of injuries from yesterday’s storms that hit in Springdale, some 235 kilometres northwest of Little Rock, and prompted tornado watches and warnings.

Damage was extensive in Springdale, including to an elementary school gymnasium and a warehouse, KFSM-TV reported. The Springdale School District, which is the largest in Arkansas, cancelled classes yesterday because of the storms.

A tornado watch was issued for most of Arkansas, northern Louisiana, southern Missouri, southeastern Oklahoma, and northeast Texas through yesterday afternoon. Forecasters said tornadoes were likely, along with isolated wind gusts of 130 kilometres per hour or higher.

‘Monster’ Inoue to face Donaire in sequel to boxing classic

TOKYO (AFP) – Japan’s Naoya Inoue will face Nonito Donaire of the Philippines in a bantamweight title unification fight in Japan in June, adding a sequel to their classic 2019 encounter.

The unbeaten Inoue’s WBA and IBF titles and Donaire’s WBC belt will all be on the line when they meet on June 7 in Saitama, the same venue where Inoue beat Donaire three years ago at the World Boxing Super Series.

That bout was hailed as one of the fights of the year and saw Inoue recover from a fractured eye socket and double vision early on to floor Donaire in the 11th round and seal a unanimous points win.

The ferocious-punching Inoue, known as “Monster” and regarded as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters, is unbeaten in all his 22 bouts, winning 19 by knockout.

He said the rematch with Donaire (42-6) “feels like we’re continuing… the 13th round” after their previous fight went the distance. “I’m looking forward to seeing how he comes at me,” Japanese media quoted Inoue, 28, as saying yesterday.

Inoue’s last fight was in Tokyo in December, when he defended his titles with an eighth-round technical knockout of unheralded Thai challenger Aran Dipaen.

Donaire continues to impress at age 39 and retained his WBC title with a thunderous knockout of countryman Reymart Gaballo in December.

Donaire, who moved to the United States when he was 11, became the oldest world champion at 118 pounds when he beat Nordine Oubaali for the title in May 2021.

WBA and IBF bantamweight title holder Naoya Inoue. PHOTO: AFP

German economic advisers slash 2022 growth forecast to 1.8pc

BERLIN (AP) – The German government’s panel of independent economic advisers yesterday slashed its 2022 growth forecast for Europe’s biggest economy in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and concern over energy supplies and prices.

The group forecast that Germany’s gross domestic product will expand by only 1.8 per cent this year, compared with the 4.6 per cent it predicted in November.

Last year, the country’s GDP grew by 2.8 per cent; in the final quarter of 2021, it shrank by 0.7 per cent compared with the previous three-month period.

“The high dependence on Russian energy supplies entails a considerable risk of lower economic output and even a recession with significantly higher inflation rates,” the panel said.

The economists said in a statement that “Germany should immediately do everything possible to take precautions against a suspension of Russian energy supplies and quickly end its dependence on Russian energy sources.” They added that “in the long term, the goal must be to ensure higher energy security, for example by expanding renewable energies and diversifying energy imports”. Those steps reflect the German government’s policy.

A worker rides his bicycle to the BP oil refinery Ruhr Oil, Germany. 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.

© 2013 Borneo Bulletin Online - The Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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