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Violence flares at pandemic protests in Germany

BERLIN (AP) – Police in Germany have reported sporadic violence at demonstrations against the country’s pandemic restrictions, with one protester in the eastern town of Lichtenstein biting an officer and another attempting to steal a service weapon.

Tens of thousands of people in total took to the streets in scores of German towns and cities for weekly marches that have organisers have labelled “strolls” in an attempt to bypass restrictions on public gatherings. Counter-protests were also held in towns such as Rostock and Trier, the dpa news agency reported.

Most of the rallies passed peacefully, though many broke rules on social distancing, prompting officers to intervene. Dozens of people were detained, some of whom face criminal charges or fines for breaching COVID-19 rules.

Police in the eastern state of Saxony said the incident late Monday in Lichtenstein, about 20 kilometres west of Chemnitz, occurred when officers tried to pull about 60 rowdy people out of a march to check their identities. Several of the protesters attacked police and sprayed them with chemical irritants.

“One person attempted to seize an officer’s service weapon and another police officer suffered a bite wound from a participant of the gathering,” Saxony police said in a statement.

Police officers and participants of a meeting face each other in the city centre of Magdeburg, Germany. PHOTO: AP

In Bautzen, further east, some participants of a 600-strong march attempted to break through a police cordon. Officers responded with pepper spray and batons.

In Magdeburg, the capital of neighbouring Saxony-Anhalt state, protesters hurled bottles and fireworks at police. No officers were injured, police said.

The protests took place before a meeting yesterday of Germany’s pandemic expert panel, which is expected to submit new recommendations to the government for how to respond to the outbreak. A meeting of state and federal leaders is scheduled for Friday.

The national disease control centre, the Robert Koch Institute, said yesterday that 30,561 new coronavirus cases were reported in the past 24 hours, over 9,000 more than a week earlier. The officially recorded infection rate was 239.9 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week.

The health minister has said the real rate is probably two or three times higher because of patchy testing and reporting over the holiday period.

At least 356 new deaths from COVID-19 were reported in Germany yesterday.

Brunei added to Laos travel green zone list

Azlan Othman

Brunei Darussalam is among 14 countries placed on Laos’ Travel Green Zone Plan permitted to enter the country under its re-opening scheme.

The Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos has approved Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Israel, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, New Zealand, Poland, Denmark, and Belgium for permission to enter Laos under the new travel scheme.

The 14 nations have been added to the initial list of 17 countries officially announced two weeks ago. The initial list includes China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia.

Tourists will be authorised to travel within two zones, namely Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails, which will be rolled out in three phases.

During Phase One, from January 1 to March 30, tourists may visit Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang Province, and Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province.

Meanwhile, five provinces will be authorised for Green Travel Trails, including Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, and Champasack.

During Phase Two, the Green Travel Zones will consist of nine provinces: Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet, and Champasack.

Four provinces will be authorised for Green Travel Trails during Phase Two, including Houay Xay District in Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha Province, Sekong Province, and Salavanh Province.

Mbappe hat trick as PSG beats Vannes 4-0 in French Cup

PARIS (AP) – Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half hat trick as French Cup holder Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won at fourth-tier Vannes 4-0 to reach the last 16 on Monday.

Goalkeeper Clement Petrel made a couple of smart saves before PSG central defender Presnel Kimpembe stooped to score a powerful header from a Nuno Mendes corner in the 28th minute.

Mbappe was kept quiet by the Vannes defence in the first half on a rainy night in the Brittany region of northwestern France. But he made it 2-0 in the 59th when he latched onto Kimpembe’s long pass from defence to sprint clear and finish with a low shot that looped in.

His next goal was far more emphatic as he arrowed a shot high into the net from 20 metres, after good work from midfielder Marco Verratti allowed 18-year-old Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons to send Mbappe through in the 71st.

His third goal was from close range after swapping passes with substitute Eric Ebimbe in the 77th. PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino also picked 18-year-old French midfielder Edouard Michut, who impressed with his technical ability albeit against modest opposition.

PSG was without Lionel Messi, isolating at home in Argentina after being among four players who tested positive for the coronavirus during a brief winter break. Pochettino was uncertain if Messi will recover in time to play at Lyon in the league on Sunday.

PSG forward Kylian Mbappe (R) controls the ball next to Vannes’ forward Sebastien Persico. PHOTO: AFP

Making a mark overseas

Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam has produced sporting talents who have spent time overseas specifically to hone their skills and expertise in moving towards the aim of stepping up their progress as athletes over the years.

While it is notably evident in football with local players venturing into rare opportunities with foreign clubs and leagues, the country has not stopped there, with athletes from other sports honing their skills at foreign-based institutions.

The Sultanate first took notice of one of their sporting representatives on the global stage when a then 13-year-old Faiq Jefri Bolkiah burst into the scene in the Lion City Cup 2013 in Singapore during his time with the junior team of English Premier League side Arsenal.

He scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Singapore National Football Academy (NFA) Under-16 side at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Kallang.

The youngster made such an impact that he was voted by Goal as one of the top 20 rising stars in Southeast Asia.

While Faiq was eligible to represent the United States (US), he chose to play for Brunei Darussalam and represented the under-23 national team in the Southeast Asian Games in 2015.

The Brunei international – who previously served as captain – was also in the books of Chelsea, Leicester City as well as Maritimo, and recently signed for Thai League 1 outfit Chonburi FC.

Faiq, who was named among the substitutes in a Primeira Liga game against Portuguese giants Sporting CP last season, is in contention to make his senior professional debut for the Sharks against Muangthong United in the Thai League 1 on January 9, 2022.

If selected, he will be the first Bruneian to play not only in the Thailand professional league but also the highest division of any league in the world.

In December 2018, DPMM FC star Adi Said was linked with a move abroad when he attended trials for then-Malaysia Premier League club UiTM FC.

The Brunei international had just come off the back of an impressive season in the Singapore League for the Gegar Gegar men after registering double digits in both goals
and assists.

His performances during the trials impressed the coaches and subsequently earned a permanent move to the club, hence making him the first-ever Bruneian to represent a club professionally in the Malaysian league.

Adi made a dream start to his debut after scoring twice and followed up by racking up a succession of assists and vastly contributed in sequences of plays that led up to
the goals.

Unfortunately, his time with the club was short-lived and he left the club just months later. He was then reunited with his teammates in DPMM FC.

Meanwhile, there was also interest among clubs pursuing local players over the years, though such moves were not confirmed.

The first signs of players associated with a move for an overseas club can be traced back when Shahrazen Said received an opportunity to play for Indian club Sporting Clube de Goa.

The move did not materialise and Shahrazen remained with the DPMM FC, becoming one of their longest serving players.

One of Brunei’s finest forwards, Shahrazen was also reportedly close to a high-profiled move to Malaysian club Perak FA at the end of the 2014 season.

In February 2020, local futsal player Mohammad Radhi bin Raduan earned a move to the Sarawak United futsal team after successfully completing his trial spell.

He made history as the first Bruneian to make an appearance in the Malaysia Premier Futsal League during his debut against Pahang Rangers FC at the Sukpa Indoor Stadium in Kuantan, Pahang a month later.

Nevertheless, his career was abruptly cut short following the immediate suspension of the league due to the coronavirus outbreak and eventually returned home.

Football was understandably not the only sport where national athletes found opportunities to make a mark overseas.

In swimming, former national swimmer and Olympian Anderson Lim swam for the famed Bolles School Sharks based in Jacksonville, Florida.

His records included top-16 finishes in five events in the Liberty League Championship, and a win in a 400-metre freestyle relay title.

National swimmer Nur Haziq Samil is currently on an International Swimming Federation (FINA) Scholarship programme in Thayanpura, Thailand. The scholarship has so far proved crucial in his development as a swimmer after setting national records in multiple freestyle events at the TSA-AIMG swim meet in Bangkok, Thailand.

US telecoms giants agree to airlines’ call for delay in 5G deployment

WASHINGTON (AFP) – United States (US) telecoms giants AT&T and Verizon on Monday agreed to postpone their deployment of 5G wireless service over concerns that it may interfere with flight safety equipment, AT&T and airline officials said.

AT&T confirmed the deal in a statement, noting that at the request of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, “we have voluntarily agreed to one additional two-week delay of our deployment of C-Band 5G services”.

“We know aviation safety and 5G can coexist and we are confident further collaboration and technical assessment will allay any issues,” the company said.

The move came a day after AT&T and Verizon rebuffed a request to delay their rollout of 5G technology, scheduled for today, prompting airlines to threaten legal action.

According to representatives of the airline industry, a last-minute draft agreement was reached first with telephone operator AT&T and then with Verizon to put off the deployment of their new 5G frequency bands by 15 days.

People walking past an AT&T store in New York. PHOTO: AFP

Aviation regulators have raised concerns that the new system might interfere with the devices planes use to measure altitude and the rollout, initially scheduled for December 5, had already been postponed once.

“Nobody has signed anything yet, but at this moment we will be holding in abeyance for this two weeks period as people are working frantically to come to an agreement,” an airline industry official said.

During this two-week break, changes made to facilities at airports in particular will need to be reviewed by the air safety regulator, the FAA, to “deem those mitigation factors in that deployment in those airports to be safe for flying”, the airline official said.

The 3.7-3.8 GHz frequency bands were awarded to AT&T and Verizon in February after a bid for tens of billions of dollars.

Faced with concerns about potential interference problems with devices measuring altitude in airplanes, the FAA had issued new directives limiting the use of these devices in certain situations.

US airlines have protested against the potential costs incurred, and called on the authorities to quickly find a solution.

Marine officer faces discharge over training mishap

CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA (AP) – A Marine Corps panel convened yesterday to decide if an officer should be discharged over the sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle in the ocean off Southern California that killed nine service members.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael J Regner was relieved of command of the landing team of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shortly after the mishap off the coast of San Clemente Island on July 30, 2020. A Marine Corps statement at the time said his removal was based on “a substantial amount of information and data” and cited a loss of trust.

If the Board of Inquiry, composed of three officers, determines Regner should be discharged, he could potentially lose retirement benefits and privileges. The hearing is expected to run up to four days.

A Marine Corps investigation found that inadequate training, shabby maintenance and poor judgement by leaders led to the sinking of a seafaring tank in one of the deadliest Marine training accidents in decades.

The amphibious assault vehicle had 16 people aboard when it sank rapidly in 385 feet of water. Seven Marines were rescued as the vessel was returning to a Navy ship on a training exercise.

The US flag is lowered to half-staff at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente, California. PHOTO: AP

The Marines use the vehicles to transport troops and their equipment from Navy ships to land. The armoured vehicles outfitted with machine guns and grenade launchers look like tanks as they roll ashore for beach attacks, with Marines pouring out of them to take up positions.

Colonel Christopher J Bronzi, who supervised Regner, was relieved of command of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit last year.

The investigation found inadequate training of platoon members who were provided amphibious assault vehicles that had not been used in more than a year and were in “poor condition”. The platoon made repairs in a rush to meet a deadline, according to the investigation.

It took 45 minutes for the tank to sink and if the distress signal had been seen sooner, it’s likely rescuers could have saved the troops, the report stated. But there were no safety boats nearby.

As the water levels continued rising, the troops who had only trained on land remained inside the broken-down tank in seas that were rougher than expected, according to the findings.

They were not told to remove their helmets, weapons and other gear, which prevented them from being able to escape. Their life jackets also may have prevented them from removing their body armour and proved useless in keeping them afloat because of the weight, according to the investigation.

Quirky, but timely inventions

LAS VEGAS (AFP) – A finger-nibbling plush cat and a cooling fan for the ever-present anti-COVID mask: the CES tech show in Las Vegas on Monday offered a glimpse of the offerings at this year’s meet-up.

CES, one of the world’s largest trade fairs, is pushing ahead with an in-person edition after being online-only last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are timely – and quirky – products that will be pitched at the convention:
Entrepreneur Eric Fouchard got tired of feeling hot and stuffy under his anti-COVID mask, so he came up with a tiny ventilation system that can be mounted under a face covering.

The fan is held in place with a magnet assembly and is powered by a small rechargeable battery held in a strap that passes over the back of a user’s neck.

“The first way to use it is when you are on a plane or a train,” he told AFP. “The second one is when you are working and you need to remove the mist on your glasses.”

The CES tech show in Las Vegas. PHOTOS: AFP

“The filtration of the mask stays the same,” Fouchard, a Frenchman, said of his Aeronest system.

The Japanese phrase amagami translates roughly to “sweet biting” in English.

“We find it very comfortable and we want to bring it to the world,” Japanese entrepreneur Shunsuke Aoki said.

He transformed that impulse into a small, battery-powered plush creature that nibbles gently on your finger.

Aoki said young dogs or cats will harmlessly do the same thing, which is a source of comfort for people – noting that he likes to let the device nibble his finger while driving.

“In a COVID situation, with people staying home every day, it gives you very good comfort,” he added.

Who will be behind the wheel of the race cars scheduled to hit the track at CES? No one.

“It’s completely self-driven. There’s software that tells the car what to do,” said president and CEO Paul Mitchell of Energy Systems Network, the organisers of the Indy Autonomous Challenge racing competition.

“It takes the information from the sensors and it tells the car whether to turn, whether to brake, accelerate or overtake another vehicle,” he added.

Autonomous cars will race on Friday on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.

The exercise is not just for fun: Mitchell said the competition tests autonomous tech at high speeds so that, one day, cars can operate themselves on highways.

“Race cars and racing in general is a great platform to push the technology to the absolute edge,” he added.

The white plastic shell of these masks covers the nose and mouth – and looks like something out of Star Wars.

But their inventors say they can stop pollution, bacteria and even COVID. Connected to a belt-worn device, it contains an “active” filter capable of destroying fine particles and pathogens or pollutants.

“It’s a fantastic tool to fight the COVID crisis,” said Franck Glaizal, co-founder of Airxom.

“Traditional masks are not 100 per cent airtight, air passes through the sides. Our mask is completely airtight,” said an engineer with the company Trong Dai Nguyen.

The current model is due to be released in a few months, for about USD340. “If you change (surgical) masks every four hours, after three years it is more expensive than our mask,” he added.

Bulls extend win streak to eight games, beat Magic 102-98

CHICAGO (AP) – DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points, Zach LaVine added 27 and the Chicago Bulls won their eight straight game, beating the Orlando Magic 102-98 on Monday night.

Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls. Coby White came off the bench to score 17 points.

Franz Wagner led Orlando with 22 points. Wendell Carter Jr finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, who lost their sixth straight. Orlando has three wins since November 17.

LaVine and DeRozan combined for 17 points in the third quarter, helping the Bulls hold off the Magic. Chicago last lost on December 11, 118-92 to Miami. “We can’t be satisfied with anything,” DeRozan said.

“We work extremely hard, and can’t take anything for granted.

“Yeah, we’ve won some games and we’re on a winning streak, but we’re not satisfied with none of that.”

Orlando Magic centre Wendell Carter Jr drives against Chicago Bulls centre Nikola Vucevic. PHOTO: AP
Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan is fouled by Orlando Magic guard RJ Hampton. PHOTO: AP

Chicago led by eight points after LaVine hit a step-back three-pointer with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter. Orlando closed within two points after Wagner hit three free throws in the final 20 seconds. LaVine and DeRozan hit free throws that iced the game for the Bulls.

The second-half scoring outburst by DeRozan and LaVine was just what Chicago needed to overcome a slow start.

The Bulls shot just five of 22 in the first quarter, missing their first seven attempts and going one of nine on three-pointers.

“Our guys gave everything they had,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I don’t think we shot the ball particularly well. If you don’t defend and shoot it the way we did, we would not have had a chance to win. We’ve got to have the mentality of, if the ball’s not in the basket, we can still defend.”

Orlando started strong despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back, opening the game on an 11-2 run and getting points from all but one of its starters within the first four minutes.

The Magic hung with the Bulls throughout, and never fell behind by more than nine. But, the Magic was unable to come up with a key stop down the stretch.

“I was really happy with the way we battled until the end of the game,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said.

“Our guys did a great job of understanding our coverages. Offensively, trying to move the ball, understanding how to exploit some of their defence.

“But their ability to compete for the entire 48 was what I’m most impressed with.”

Chicago outscored the Magic 20-9 in the opening minutes of the second quarter to take the lead. LaVine hit a three-pointer and a driving layup over Magic centre Mo Bamba, pushing Chicago’s edge to eight points. A Hassani Gravett three-point buzzer-beater cut Orlando’s deficit to 45-40 at halftime.

BILLY’S BACK
Donovan returned on Monday after missing five games while in NBA health and safety protocols. He entered protocols on December 24, and dealt only with mild symptoms.

“It really was not that bad for me at all,” Donovan said. “I was fortunate. A lot of families have been hit hard with this.”

Donovan was initially cleared to travel for Saturday’s game at Washington, but his flight was cancelled because of a snowstorm in Chicago.

Chris Fleming went 5-0 serving as the Bulls’ interim coach in Donovan’s absence.

TIP-INS:
Magic: Bamba was assessed a technical foul early in the fourth despite being on the bench at the time. Carter returned to Chicago for the second time since the Bulls included him in a deal for Nikola Vucevic at last season’s trade deadline. The Bulls drafted him seventh overall in the 2018 draft.

Bulls: F Javonte Green (groin) is expected to miss two to four weeks. Green became a starter for Chicago after the team lost F Patrick Williams to an early season wrist injury. … G Alex Caruso (foot) has been ramping up his conditioning, but needs to go through contact drills before the Bulls determine his return date.

F Tyler Cook is expected to miss a couple weeks after spraining his ankle in Saturday’s game against Washington.

Prepping students with virtual orientation programme

Lyna Mohamad

Menglait Secondary School welcomed its new batch of Year 7 students with a three-day orientation programme conducted virtually starting Monday.

The programme began with the registration of students, followed by the singing of national anthem and Doa led by Nuzul Asmadi bin Haji Abdullah.

School Principal Huzaimi bin Moksin shared that the school recorded an 18-per-cent increase in student admission this year, with 177 Year 7 students.

Despite the number exceeding the limit, the principal said that the school will always strive to provide quality education to all students.

“I would like to call on all parents and guardians to play a role in your children’s education. The school also hopes that parents and guardians can guide these students at home and always stay informed on their academic development from the teachers,” the principal said.

Students during the virtual orientation. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

“I believe that with your involvement, the students’ enthusiasm to always want to improve will never fade.”

The principal also called on parents and guardians to be actively involved in the school’s parents-teachers association.

Deputy Principal (Administration) Hajah Khadijah binti Haji Md Salleh, Deputy Principal (Academic) Dayangku Nurul Aminatun Faridah binti Pengiran Haji Ali and senior teacher (HEP) Sareah binti Haji Mahali also briefed the students on the first day.

On the second day, the programme continued with a briefing on co-curricular activities by Pengiran Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Haji Ghani, followed by a session on ‘Growth Mind Set’ by Afrizah binti Haji Ahmad and Hajah Yusmawati binti Haji Alim. An activity with counsellor Hajah Mal Hafiza binti Haji Malek concluded the programme yesterday. Today, students will attend a sharing session on the school’s library by Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Aman, before the second session of ‘Growth Mind Set’.

An ice-breaking session with teachers will also be held on the final day of orientation.

Fraud trial: Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes guilty

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – Fallen United States (US) biotech star Elizabeth Holmes was convicted on Monday of defrauding investors in her blood-testing start-up Theranos, in a high-profile case seen as an indictment of Silicon Valley culture.

Holmes is a rare example of a tech exec being brought to book over a company flaming out, in a sector littered with the carcasses of money-losing companies that once promised untold riches.

Her case shone a spotlight on the blurred line between the hustle that characterises the industry and outright criminal dishonesty.

Jurors took seven days of deliberations to reach their verdict, finding her guilty of four counts of tricking investors into pouring money into what she claimed was a revolutionary testing system.

But the panel – who had listened to weeks of sometimes complex evidence – also acquitted her on four charges and could not reach a verdict on three others.

Elizabeth Holmes entering federal court in San Jose. PHOTO: AP

“The guilty verdicts in this case reflect Holmes’ culpability in this large-scale investor fraud and she must now face sentencing for her crimes,” US Attorney Stephanie Hinds said in a prepared statement read outside the courthouse by a representative.

Holmes made no comment as she left the court when asked if she intended to appeal.

The 37-year-old now faces the possibility of 20 years behind bars for each conviction. She remains at liberty ahead of another hearing on the terms of her bail next week. No date was set for sentencing.

Holmes was hailed as the next tech visionary on magazine covers and collected mountains of investors’ cash, but it all collapsed after Wall Street Journal reporting revealed the machines did not work as promised.

Prosecutors spent 11 weeks presenting over two dozen witnesses, as they painstakingly laid out their argument that Holmes knew her technology fell short, and deliberately misled investors and patients.

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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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