SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia’s ruling Liberal Party splashed the cash in a pre-election budget yesterday filled with goodies for voters souring on nine years of conservative rule.
With an election expected in May, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s party trailing Labor heavily in the polls, his government announced a budget that cuts fuel duty in half and promises AUD8.6 billion (USD6.4 billion) in tax rebates.
About half the adult population – or 10 million people – will get a USD420 tax handout to sweeten the deal.
Having promised and failed to put the budget “back in black” with fiscal prudence, Morrison’s plan foresees the deficit exploding to AUD78 billion or 3.4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, and set to remain in the red for a decade.
“The past two years have been tough for our country,” said Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, informing parliament of the plans.
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivers his 2022 Budget in Parliament House in Canberra. PHOTO: AFP
“We have overcome the greatest economic shock since the great depression.”
Morrison has been pilloried for his handling of devastating bushfires, floods and a painfully slow vaccine rollout.
According to the latest Newspoll survey, his Liberal-led coalition is trailing Labor 45-55 in the two-party vote.
Morrison faces an uphill battle to win over women voters after his handling of rape allegations made by a female political staffer in government, as well as young voters repelled by his pro-coal stance.
His government has swatted aside calls to ween the Australian economy off its dependence on coal and natural gas, touting a “gas-fired recovery” from the pandemic and vowing to dig coal for as long as people are buying.
According to the latest Newspoll, Anthony Albanese’s Labor has the vote of more than 60 per cent of 18 to 49-year-olds.
DENVER (AP) – Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets certainly figured a recent stretch of winning 14 of 18 games would propel them in the Western Conference standings.
Or at least give them some breathing room in the post-season race. Not the case.
What their 14-4 run did was allow them to merely tread water in the sixth spot – teetering on the brink of tumbling into the play-in scenario for the teams that finish between seventh and 10th in the conference.
“The depth of the Western Conference, I think, is incredible,” marvelled Nuggets coach Michael Malone, whose team has been playing without injured standouts Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. “The West is loaded.”
The final two weeks of the regular season should provide entertaining theatre as teams jockey for playoff position. With, of course, the notable exception of the Phoenix Suns, who can sit back and wait to see who they play after sewing up the top seed in the West.
Everyone else has work to do. In the East, there is very little settled, either. The top six teams are separated by just four-and-a-half games, with Miami currently leading the way.
Every matchup is a big one for the Lakers. The road may have gotten even bumpier for them after LeBron James hurt his ankle. He very well could be limited going forward – or even possibly miss some time.
Obviously, the Lakers can’t afford that. Not with the Lakers dangerously close to falling out of the play-in. The New Orleans Pelicans are in the number nine spot and the Lakers in 10th.
There was a preview of that possible matchup last Sunday as the Pelicans rallied from 23 points down late in the second quarter to knock off the Lakers 116-108.
James didn’t hide his feelings over blowing a big lead in a game in which he twisted his left ankle. “Excuse my language but that’s what it feels like,” James said after using profanity to describe his emotions. “It feels like another wasted opportunity obviously for myself and for our team.”
There’s no margin for error for the Lakers with the San Antonio Spurs – winners of four straight – only a half-game out of the last spot.
At the moment, the Los Angeles Clippers occupy the eighth position. Imagine if they were to get back some combination of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell.
All of a sudden, they’re an even scarier eighth seed.
The current standings would pit the Clippers against the Timberwolves in a play-in scenario. But the Timberwolves could still catch the Nuggets for number six.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves remain two games behind the Nuggets and they play on Friday in Denver. Whoever grabs the sixth seed will more than likely draw Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who are third in the standings. Memphis comfortably sits in the second spot.
“It’s really, really hard going into the playoffs to predict a clear winner,” said Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault, whose team is eliminated from the post-season. That’s why being at home could mean everything. Which is precisely why the Dallas Mavericks’ 114-100 win over the Utah last Sunday may prove so pivotal.
The Mavericks moved a game ahead of the Jazz in the race for the fourth and fifth seeds in the West, and earned a split of the season series. The home team has won all four games.
“That’s what we wanted, but it’s a long way to go,” said Mavericks All-Star point guard Luka Doncic, whose team hosted the Lakers on last night in another important matchup.
Some areas of Sungai Bakong, Jalan Kecil Sungai Bakong and its surrounding areas in Kampong Lumut will experience temporary water disruptions or low water pressure from tonight at 9pm.
According to the Public Works Department (JKR), the disruption in water supply is to allow for installation works of the ductile iron overcrossing water pipes measuring 125mm by 180mm in diameter along Simpang 76 and Simpang 455-11, Jalan Kecil Lumut, Sungai Bakong and Simpang 71, Jalan Kecil of Sungai Bakong Lumut.
JKR seeks public cooperation to conserve water and contact Darussalam Line 123 for any complaints relating to the disruption.
HONG KONG (AFP) – Equities mostly rose yesterday in Asia and Europe on optimism over talks between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending their month-long war, while there was further support from another drop in oil prices.
While the conflict in eastern Europe continues to rage, traders have grown increasingly confident about shifting back into stocks as diplomats work to find a peaceful solution.
Analysts also said markets have been helped by the lack of any alternative investment for
quality returns.
Focus is now on Istanbul, where officials from the warring parties began their first face-to-face talks since March 10, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging them to “put an end to this tragedy”.
“The whole world is waiting for good news from you,” he added.
Hopes that a way out could be found were boosted last week when senior Russian general Sergei Rudskoi appeared to scale back Moscow’s campaign by saying the first phase of the war was over and the “main goal” was now on controlling Donbas.
All three main indexes on Wall Street posted healthy gains, and Asia followed suit.
A trader works on the floor at New York Stock Exchange. PHOTO: AP
Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Bangkok and Wellington rose, though Shanghai, Singapore, Manila and Jakarta dipped. London, Paris and Frankfurt were sharply higher in the morning, while United States (US) futures were also on the front foot.
“A lot of negative news is already reflected in market pricing and investor positioning, and we still see upside in US equities for the rest of 2022,” Solita Marcelli at UBS Global Wealth Management said.
And market strategist Louis Navellier added that “growth forecasts of both overall earnings and gross domestic product (GDP) remain positive for the next several quarters on the strength of the post-pandemic re-opening”.
Still, uncertainty remains rife on trading floors as soaring inflation ramps up expectations that the Federal Reserve will act increasingly more aggressive in tightening monetary policy.
That has sent Treasury yields rocketing, fuelling fears of a sharp economic slowdown.
There has been some respite for inflation expectations thanks to a sharp drop in oil prices, which has come on the back of a COVID lockdown in Shanghai, China’s biggest city and financial hub of 25 million people.
The news sparked fears of a sharp drop-off in demand in the world’s number two economy, sending both main contracts down about seven per cent on Monday. They edged up slightly yesterday.
OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley said if there is a breakthrough in Ukraine talks “watch out for sub-USD100 Brent, a mad rush into the euro and European equities, and a slump in the US dollar and gold.
“Asian equities should catch a nice tailwind as well.”
On currency markets, the yen rose against the dollar but remains under pressure and around six-year lows after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) said it will buy 10-year government bonds to keep yields from running above its target.
The move reinforced the divergence between the BoJ and Fed as US officials battle to rein
in inflation.
CHINA DAILY – What is this? Japanese ikebana? No, it’s Chinese traditional flower arrangement. They seem similar, but actually differ.
Recalling experiences in flower arrangement competitions abroad, Zhang Yan said her works were often mistaken for ikebana. “Some were quite astonished when I told them I’m from China,” Zhang sighed. “We need more publicity on Chinese traditional flower arrangement.”
Zhang Yan first encountered Chinese traditional flower arrangement in college from an optional course she took. Back then, she never imagined that a single course could be the starting point of her life-long career.
Her interest grew as she read several titles on flower arrangement and began to arrange flowers herself. Later on, she learnt from a prominent figure in Chinese traditional flower arrangement Wang Lianying, and took part in many competitions at home and abroad and raking numeral awards under her belt.
The seed of interest bloomed. Now, Zhang is a master and an inheritor of Chinese traditional flower arrangement, and she hopes to do her part to introduce the art form to the world.
Chinese traditional flower arrangement artist Zhang Yan at work. PHOTO: CHINA DAILY
The art of Chinese traditional flower arrangement has been handed down since 1046 BC.
Historical records show it has served as offerings at temples, decorations in the palace and art at homes.
“Despite a history of more than 3,000 years, the image of flower arrangement oftentimes is still confined to the bouquets they see in flower shops,” Zhang said. To break that stereotype, Zhang began to study historical records on flower arrangement in China. “If people are familiar with the history of Chinese traditional flower arrangement, they would definitely take pride in its centuries-old history, reflect why it’s not as well-known as ikebana, and seek ways to revitalise it.”
In 2008, Chinese traditional flower arrangement was included in the second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. To Zhang, it is the art form’s rich historical connotation that makes it heritage, and this national recognition would lead to more public awareness.
Today, more and more people are learning Chinese traditional flower arrangement, not just professional florists but also amateurs, even little kids.
Zhang’s own daughter has also grown an interest in flower arrangement. “Whether she makes it her career or not, I hope she can continue to hold an ability to appreciate the beauty around her,” Zhang added.
Chinese traditional flower arrangement is not only a decoration, but can also serve as a form of therapy for modern busy bees.
“Unlike its Western counterpart, Chinese traditional flower arrangement emphasises simplicity,” Zhang said.
BANGKOK (BERNAMA) – Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry will propose to the government’s COVID-19 task force to scrap the mandatory RT-PCR test for international arrivals and replace it with self-administered antigen rapid test (ART) starting May.
In a bid to boost its tourism industry, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said fully vaccinated travellers would no longer be required to stay in a pre-booked hotel and undergo mandatory RT-PCR test upon arrival.
“We expect the move to be approved and implemented from May 1, provided that there is no surge in new COVID-19 infections and deaths during and after Songkran festival (April 13 to 15),” he was quoted saying by The Nation.
At present, international travellers entering the kingdom need to apply online for the ‘Thailand Pass’ at least seven days before travel.
Under the quarantine-free ‘Test & Go’ programme, travellers also need to book a designated hotel in advance, as well as perform an RT-PCR test on the first day of arrival and an ATK test on the fifth day. Travellers will have to purchase medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD20,000.
Beginning on April 1, international travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need to undergo the COVID-19 test 72 hours before travelling to Thailand.
Last week, Phiphat said the ministry would propose easing travel restrictions including scrapping the ‘Test & Go’ and ‘Thailand Pass’ registration by June 1 if there is no surge in infections or fatalities during Songkran festival.
“The move will restore normal travel to Thailand “just like in 2019” before COVID-19 triggered global travel bans,” he said.
In 2019, Thailand recorded almost 40 million visitors, including 4.1 million visitors from Malaysia. The number of tourist arrivals dived to 6.7 million in 2020.
The National Economic and Social Development Council on Monday projected 5.5 million tourists this year.
Thailand recorded 21,678 new COVID-19 cases and 78 fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the total infections in the kingdom to 1,351,963 and 24,958 deaths, to date.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (AP) – Denmark’s domestic security yesterday designated pandemic-linked “anti-governmental extremism” as a menace for the first time ever.
The agency, known by its Danish acronym PET, said in its annual assessment that although this type of extremism is not “a significant driving force for the extremist threat” in the country, it does make the situation “more complex”. PET said the menace which expresses the need to use violence against elected representatives, appeared in connection with the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Head of PET’s Centre for Terror Analysis that analyses the threat of terrorism against Denmark and Danish interests abroad Michael Hamann said the vast majority of instances where authorities were heavily criticised for their handling of the pandemic unfolded peacefully.
Hamann cited examples where such criticism has been expressed by “threats and intimidation” in Denmark, while there have been examples abroad “of planning or carrying out actual violent acts”.
But he said in a statement that the threat from antigovernment extremism is “limited in level”.
However, the risk that the Danish population would be affected by terrorism remains “very low”.
Several graduates from Kolej International Graduate Studies (KIGS) recently received their certificates at the KIGS 2021 Convocation Ceremony themed ‘Digital Technology Transformation Enrichment’.
Several graduates spoke with the Bulletin, sharing their thoughts on graduating and digital transformation.
For Dayangku Nur Hazirah binti Pengiran Sahar, a graduate of Diploma in Graphic Design Technology, digital transformation involves both physical and philosophical change, designed to meet the ever growing demands of students and the faculty as well as continuously changing students’ work tasks giving substantial impact on daily lives.
Currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Design Visual Communication at KIGS, while also working part-time to gain experience in her related field, Dayangku Nur Hazirah pointed out that graphic designers are in high demand in today’s world of modern technology.
This, she added, is because businesses require more visual communication when it comes to social media and advertising to make brands stand out even more.
ABOVE & BELOW: Dayangku Nur Hazirah binti Pengiran Sahar; Mohammad Izzat Hadi bin Haji Mahadis; Asyhira Nur Nazeefa binti Haji Mohammad Ashraf; and Muhammad Faiq bin Mohammad Yaakub. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof presenting the Tan Sri Limkokwing Award for Academic Excellence to Hajah Amirah Fatin Syafiqah binti Haji Zilani. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
“Taking this programme at KIGS allowed me to develop a wide range of skills, not only in design but also in photography, marketing and advertising. We also have workshops by local artists and designers, an exhibition at the end of our final year to showcase our work, and on some occasions, KIGS students participate in designing competitions to gain experience as part of our assignments,” she said.
Asked on her preference of being employed in the public or private sector, she said it doesn’t really matter to work in any sector because graphic design is a wide-open field. In addition, one of the most significant advantages of becoming graphic designers is the ability to be self-employed as a freelancer and generate a source of income anywhere as long as they stay creative and enjoy making art.
Fellow graduate Mohammad Izzat Hadi bin Haji Mahadis said that the transformation of digital technology is both for the future and current times, as most rely on digital technology such as mobile phones and computers for their speed in sending and accessing information.
He said, “For example in the current COVID-19 situation, information from the Ministry of Health can be searched and accessed through their social media platform, which is much efficient compared to physically going to their premise.”
Graduating in Advertising Multimedia and Broadcasting, Izzat said that while it was a bumpy ride throughout his studies, he gained and learnt a lot and experienced many challenges throughout his college years which turned him into a more determined and disciplined individual.
He highlighted that choosing the programme was the right decision for him as he has benefitted a lot from it, being a person who enjoys flexibility in any situation.
He added that as a multimedia student involved in videography, photography, illustration and motion graphics, the skills will be beneficial for his future.
If an opportunity arises for him to pursue further studies, Mohammad Izzat said he will grab it as he wishes to expand his knowledge, discover himself more and reach his full potential. He shared that he would indulge more into multimedia covering illustration, 3D, motion graphics, visual effect, videography and photography.
Meanwhile, Hajah Amirah Fatin Syafiqah binti Haji Zilani, who graduated with First Class in Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) and received three awards to her name, said the implementation and utilisation of digital technologies has transformed the learning styles of students in KIGS and has provided them with quick access to information, e-learning content, and a user-friendly interface for student affairs applications.
Expressing gratitude on her excellence in studies, Hajah Amirah said her passion and mindset have been centred on graduating with honours and making her parents proud, which has been her source of motivation.
She was awarded with a scholarship by Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to pursue any master’s degree programme related to her bachelor’s degree.
“I am incredibly honoured, grateful and blessed to have received these unexpected accolades. I thank Limkokwing University for the scholarship and KIGS for being my platform and providing me with a diverse range of academic and non-academic experiences,” she said.
Muhammad Faiq bin Mohammad Yaakub, a graduate of Diploma in Advertising, Multimedia and Broadcasting shared that he has positive thoughts towards digital transformation especially in the modern era and in the current pandemic times, adding that digital technology has proven to be very efficient and convenient.
He added that the impact brought about to how people live is also advantageous, especially keeping data or media items in a more convenient storage including saving photos, videos or music in MP3-files without the need of having CDs, books, newspapers or magazines.
Muhammad Faiq mentioned that he has had his fair share of digital transformation while studying in KIGS and that he was getting quite adaptive to it.
Since he started studying at KIGS from certificate to diploma and to currently doing his bachelor’s degree, Muhammad Faiq shared that every subject has proved to be increasingly difficult as the ladder goes up and gave him a great challenge to prove his skills in both theory and practical assignments.
Fortunately, with support from the lecturers who guided him and the support from fellow students, the challenge became lighter and he managed to overcome it.
“Choosing the multimedia programme has been greatly beneficial to me because it matches my skills and passion in the world of media. In this programme, we get to learn how radio, films and the journalistic world works in real life and as a fan of the media, you enjoy the assignments given to you,” he said.
Muhammad Faiq is currently taking a programme in digital media, which is an indirect continuation from his diploma under the Multimedia and Broadcasting Faculty.
Fellow graduate Asyhira Nur Nazeefa binti Haji Mohammad Ashraf from the same programme is also currently following her Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Digital Media at KIGS.
“Basically, digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new or modify existing businesses. By using digital technologies we can help small businesses promote their products such as making a website so that people can easily access by clicking on the website,” she said, adding that her interests in digital media has helped push her to know more about multimedia.
During her diploma studies, she learnt basic skills on editing and illustration. Asyhira Nur Nazeefa also finished in the top 10 in the logo designing competition for Brunei-China diplomatic relations 30th anniversary, which was part of their class assignment.
For her future, Asyhira Nur Nazeefa looks forward to pursuing a career in media illustrations and editing.
Prosecutors yesterday indicted a 42-year-old Bangladeshi man for human trafficking.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Rozaimah binti Abdul Rahman, Aminuddin Zaki bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman and Nor’adliatul Hidayah binti Haji Mohd Zaidi drafted the charges against Khairul Bashar in the High Court.
Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli heard that Khairul Bashar allegedly committed two counts under Section 4 of the Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Order 2004 for committing the offence of people trafficking.
Investigations conducted by the Human Trafficking Investigation Unit of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) revealed that the defendant is alleged to have trafficked two Bangladeshi nationals to Brunei Darussalam in 2018 through deception for the purposes of forced labour.
The instances having allegedly occurred in 2018, before the entry into force of the current Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, Chapter 230, means the charges brought by the Public Prosecutor automatically falls under the Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Order 2004.
The charges were read to and understood by the defendant and if found guilty of the offences, the defendant is liable to a fine not exceeding BND1,000,000, imprisonment for a maximum of 30 years and whipping.
The Court adjourned the case to April 11 to give way for prosecutors to finalise the charges.
LONDON (AFP) – Brighton recorded losses of GBP53.4 million (USD69.8 million) for the 2020/21 season, the Premier League club announced.
The south coast side played all but three of their competitive home games behind closed doors during the campaign because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, the Seagulls’ accounts show a GBP13.8 million reduction in losses from the GBP67.2 milllion deficit of the previous season.
Turnover rose from GBP132.9 million to GBP151.6 million compared to 2019-20, an increase of 13.4 per cent, while the latest figures do not include the transfer of Ben White to top-flight rivals Arsenal, which was worth a reported GBP50 million but finalised after the concluding date for these accounts.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said ”roughly half” of the loss could be attributed directly to the global pandemic. ”While we are once again reporting a loss, which is never ideal, we have seen an increase in turnover and reduction in the losses, despite the pandemic impacting the entire season,” he told Brighton’s website as he acknowledged the financial ”stability” provided by chairman Tony Bloom.
”Our matchday, commercial and event turnover was all but wiped out for the entire season, and we incurred various additional costs for providing a COVID-secure environment for players, officials, staff and fans.”
Barber added: ”Inevitably, these factors combined to have a significant bearing on our results, and roughly half of our total loss can be attributed directly to the coronavirus pandemic.
”Thankfully, we have now emerged from that uncertain period, and we hope we can move forward with more certainty.”
