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Cases surge across Australia as Omicron explodes

SYDNEY (AP) – Coronavirus cases surged across Australia yesterday as an outbreak of the Omicron variant exploded, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to schedule an emergency national Cabinet meeting.

The surge has already overwhelmed testing stations, prompted new vaccine mandates and caused at least one state to cut back on elective surgeries.

New infections in Sydney and surrounding parts of New South Wales state skyrocketed to more than 11,000, up from 6,000 a day earlier. Victoria state also reported a record 3,700 cases, up by more than 1,000 from the previous record set on Tuesday.

Morrison said the nation’s leaders would meet ahead of schedule today.

“As Omicron continues to go forward we will see further pressures, but states and territories are working very closely on their plans to deal with those challenges,” Morrison told reporters.

Cars line up at a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney. PHOTO: AP

He said he hoped the meeting would help give a clearer definition on what constituted a close contact and which tests should be used in different circumstances as case numbers ballooned.

Other states also reported surging numbers, with more than 1,500 new infections in Queensland, 1,400 in South Australia, 138 in the Australian Capital Territory and 55 in Tasmania. Queensland health officials said about 80 per cent of cases were the
Omicron variant.

Neighbouring New Zealand also reported its first case of possible community exposure to Omicron, when a returning traveller tested positive after leaving quarantine. However, health authorities said the traveller wasn’t considered highly infectious and there was no evidence yet of any community spread.

South Australia announced it would place limits on elective surgery and mandate vaccine booster shots for frontline healthcare workers.

State Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia would no longer be conducting screening tests for interstate travel because it doesn’t have the capacity.

“Omicron is moving too quickly,” Marshall said, adding that resources needed to be focused on the “very imminent” increase in hospitalisations.

More than three-quarters of Australians are fully vaccinated, and just how deadly the latest outbreak will prove remains to be seen.

Brunei drawn in Group ‘A’ in under-23 meet

Fadhil Yunus

The national football team will be expected to make their debut appearance in the upcoming Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship 2022 following an official draw ceremony in Singapore yesterday.

The young Wasps are poised to meet Cambodia, Timor Leste and Philippines in Group ‘A’ while Group B pit Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Laos. Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore complete Group C.

Teams were ranked based on the previous edition of the tournament in 2019.

The premier tournament for under-23 national teams in Southeast Asia will see Cambodia play host for the second consecutive time from February 14 to 26 next year. Matches will take centre stage at the Morodok Techno Stadium and Prince Stadium.

Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan said, “As a member of AFF, it is obligatory to participate in this tournament.”

He added, “It was earlier informed to all members that this tournament is used as a warm-up and trial for Cambodia hosting the Southeast Asian Games.”

AFF officials draw names for the groups in the upcoming AFF Under-23 Championship 2022. PHOTO: AFF

He said preparations had commenced and officials and players had been called up.

“However, with the current situation, it had thrown preparations into chaos to the extent that FABD had to withdraw from the Suzuki Cup.”

“While other teams are in full preparations, we are in a dilemma. We’ll keep trying to maximise whatever can be done.

He concluded, “We’ll do our best and we have to be realistic. Our players deserve more and let’s hope we can prepare and train properly.”

Meanwhile, AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth said, “In just over a month from now, the AFF Under-23s will kick off and fans in our region will again be on their toes cheering on their favourite national under-23 teams.

He added, “We are all eagerly looking forward to this exciting competition that will feature the region’s future stars.”

The president highlighted that the AFF Under-23 Championship will be a permanent fixture in the competition calendar.

“This age-group competition will complement the existing programmes of the Southeast Asian teams and help them prepare for key competitions including the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games.”

AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth and AFF Vice President Dato’ Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay conducted the draw.

37 students complete Al-Quran virtual programme

Azlan Othman

A total of 37 students of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) completed the ‘Quranic Journey: Quranic Mates’ programme for the first intake held for three months from September 19.

The ‘Quranic Journey: Quranic Mates’ programme is jointly organised by the Spirituality and Community Service Unit (UKKM), Student Affairs Division (HEP) and the Religious and Spiritual Executive Alumni (EKK Alumni), UBD.

It is an initiative to train prospective Al-Quran mentors comprising UBD students to cover the shortage of mentors faced every year, and indirectly help students instill a habit of reading Al-Quran.

Two workshops were also organised by EKK Alumni during the three-month period to further strengthen participants’ knowledge. The first workshop, a Tajwid workshop titled Al-Fatihah Basic Clinic was presented by Najib Latif from Al-Muyassar Group on October 13.

The second workshop, a communication workshop titled VaQcine, was presented by a certified speaker from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) Muhammad Yadiy bin Haji Mat Yassin on November 21.

The workshops aimed to make full use of time during the pandemic by reciting Al-Quran, and bridging ukhuwah among participants and the facilitator.

An appreciation ceremony was held on December 19, attended by Religious and Spiritual Officer at UKKM HEP UBD Dayangku Siti Norainul Fathni binti Pengiran Haji Tajuddin.

EKK Alumni chairman Muhammad Azib bin Alias expressed hopes that the programme has showed participants how to appreciate and love Al-Quran.

Participants during the programme. PHOTO: UKKM HEP UBD

Liverpool beaten by Leicester after Salah’s penalty miss

LEICESTER, ENGLAND (AP) – Liverpool lost 1-0 at Leicester in a big blow to its Premier League title hopes after Mohamed Salah missed a first-half penalty early yesterday.

Ademola Lookman’s 59th-minute goal consigned Liverpool to its second loss in the league – and in all competitions this season – and left the Reds six points behind leader Manchester City after 19 games of the 38-round season.

City, riding a nine-match winning run in the league, could be 12 points clear of Liverpool by the time Jürgen Klopp’s team next plays, at Chelsea on January 2.

A big turning point in the game came when Salah had a penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel in the 16th minute after he had been tripped by Wilfred Ndidi.

The Egypt forward had converted his previous 15 spot kicks in the league.

Sadio Mane also missed a big chance in the 55th when played clean through on goal by Diogo Jota’s pass and, four minutes later, substitute Lookman glided between Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk and fired a shot inside the near post.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah reacts after missing a chance to score from penalty. PHOTO: AP

It was the only shot on target by Leicester, which started with a midfielder in Ndidi and a reserve midfielder/full back in Daniel Amartey as an emergency center-back partnership amid a defensive crisis.

Leicester had also played two days earlier, in a 6-3 loss at Man City, while Liverpool was fresh after its match against Leeds – scheduled for the same day – was postponed.

“It is so hard to put it into words – to play Manchester City and Liverpool within 48 hours… It’s an absolutely heroic performance,” said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, who used to coach Liverpool.

“We knew we’d have to defend well at times but we knew we could play football as well. An amazing result for us with everything we’re going through against one of the best teams in the world.”

Klopp said too many of his players delivered performances “below normal level”.

“It was a very strange game,” Klopp said. “We were just not good enough. We still had enough chances. What we did with the balls was just not right. We played a really bad game, so it was well deserved (for Leicester).”

Brunei-India ties special, says outgoing envoy

Lyna Mohamad

The ties between India and Brunei Darussalam is special and the Sultanate plays an important role in strengthening India’s relationship with ASEAN, particularly from 2012 to 2015 when Brunei was the country coordinator for India.

This was said by Indian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ajaneesh Kumar during a farewell lunch hosted the Indian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam at a restaurant in Gadong.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Health were present at the event.

The diplomat – leaving Brunei next month at the end of his three-year tenure – also shared highlights of bilateral ties and cooperation between both nations, particularly in defence and economy.

The high commissioner said, “The mission has taken some initiatives to strengthen our economic engagements. To help develop collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, the mission is in contact with both Indian and local pharmaceutical companies to facilitate linkages including investments in the sector.”

Indian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Ajaneesh Kumar speaks during the farewell lunch. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

He also noted that culture plays an important role in bringing the people from both the countries closer. He endeavoured to foster closer cultural relations between the two countries and increase people to people linkages.

Citing an example, the Indian High Commission has opened registration for the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Quiz – taking place from January 1-31, 2022 – for all nationals between 16-35 years.

Registration can be made through www.akamquiz.in and the mission encourage participation from Brunei in the spirit of bilateral relations between the Sultanate and India.

Amrit Mahotsav is a series of cultural events and digital initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence and was launched by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in March this year, exactly 75 weeks before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence on August 15, 2022.

Celebrations during the Amrit Mahotsav will be inspired by the five pillars of ‘freedom struggle’; ‘achievements at 75’; ‘ideas at 75’; ‘actions at 75’; and ‘resolves at 75’ as the guiding force.

Following the launch, the high commission here has been organising various events including blood donation campaigns, beach cleaning drive, free health camp, book donations and painting competition.

China urges US to protect its space station from satellites

BEIJING (AP) – China is calling on the United States (US) to protect a Chinese space station and its three-member crew after Beijing complained that satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX nearly struck the station.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman accused Washington on Tuesday of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the Tiangong station’s three-member crew following the July 1 and October 21 incidents.

The Tiangong performed “evasive manoeuvers” to “prevent a potential collision” with Starlink satellites launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the government said in a December 6 complaint to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The US should “take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said the spokesman Zhao Lijian.

Zhao accused Washington of failing to carry out its obligations to “protect the safety of astronauts” under a 1967 treaty on the peaceful use of space.

The American Embassy in Beijing didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk also is chairman of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, Inc. The company opened its first factory outside the US in Shanghai in 2019.

The Tiangong, however, is a prestige project for the ruling Communist Party, making it unlikely Beijing would tolerate disruption even by a major foreign investor in China.

The main module of the Tiangong was launched in April. Its first crew returned to Earth in September following a 90-day mission. The second crew of two men and one woman arrived on October 16 for a six-month mission.

SpaceX plans to launch some 2,000 Starlink satellites as part of a global Internet system to bring Internet access to underserved areas. In its 34th and latest launch, SpaceX sent 52 satellites into orbit aboard a rocket on December 18.

SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. PHOTO: AP

Vietnam’s growth slides to new 30-year low

HANOI (AFP) – Vietnam reported economic growth for 2021 of just 2.58 per cent yesterday, beating a 30-year low set last year as the pandemic continues to take a toll.

The communist state has long been a success story among Asian economies, posting growth of seven per cent in 2019.

But shutdowns caused by coronavirus have battered the export-reliant economy, sending gross domestic product (GDP) growth plunging to 2.91 per cent in 2020 – the lowest reported in three decades.

The General Statistics Office (GSO) in Hanoi said fourth quarter growth was at 5.22-per-cent, but the annual figure was dragged down by a contraction of 6.02 per cent in the third quarter.

“The complicated situation of the Covid-19 pandemic since the end of April seriously impacted commercial and service activities… pulling down the growth of the service sector and the whole economy,” GSO said in a statement.

For at least three months, almost the entire country was in complete lockdown, with a huge impact on production, supply chains and businesses.

GSO Head Nguyen Thi Huong gave an upbeat gloss, saying that achieving even the modest growth under such difficult circumstances was a “huge success” in remarks reported by state media.

Vietnam is now trying to re-open by shifting away from its strict “zero-covid” policy. Around 88 per cent of adults in Vietnam have been fully vaccinated, the country’s Health Ministry said.

Employees working at a factory belonging to Maxport Vietnam in Hanoi. PHOTO: AFP

Webinar highlights migrant workers’ issues

James Kon

The Bangladeshi High Commission in Brunei Darussalam recently organised a webinar titled ‘Issues Related to Migrant Workers in Brunei’ to help Bangladesh nationals working in the Sultanate.

Brunei is a popular destination for migrant workers from Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and other Asian nations.

The webinar hosted by Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nahida Rahman Shumona and moderated by Counsellor (Labour) and Head of Chancery Jelal Hossain saw participation by experts and analysts from Bangladesh and Brunei sharing their experience, expertise and policy recommendations.

Bangladesh National Parliament’s Secretary General of Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration & Development Mahjabeen Khaled was the guest of honour. She was accompanied by economic affairs analyst Md Mazadul Hoque and migration activist Aminul Haque from Bangladesh.

Legal expert on migration affairs Yusuf Halim, Abdul Haziq Rudiman, Yong Hong Jun and Nurul Amalina Shakinah binti Haji Jainal represented Brunei.

Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nahida Rahman Shumona attends the webinar.
PHOTO: BANGLADESH HIGH COMMISSION

Mahjabeen Khaled highlighted the conditions and incentives driving migrant workers to seek employment in Brunei Darussalam. She also touched on the formation of Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration & Development, budget shortage, policy loopholes and the problems of going through middlemen.

Social Media and Outreach Programme Assistant of Bangladesh High Commission Nurul Amalina Shakinah delivered a presentation on ‘Relevant Labour Laws of Brunei’.

Acknowledging migrant workers’ trials and tribulations, Yusuf Halim shared his views on legal issues faced by them. He identified the lack of language and communication skills and the over-reliance on authorities as two major problems suffered by Bangladeshi workers.

Md Mazadul Hoque gave an account of Brunei’s labour market as well as the history and present status of Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Sultanate. He also put forward some policy recommendations.

Aminul Haque focussed on the welfare of migrant workers in Brunei and stressed the need for their proper re-integration into the society once they return to Bangladesh.

The high commissioner underscored the necessity and importance of addressing migrant worker issues. She conveyed that all Bangladeshi workers were vaccinated and informed about her initiative of developing a database of all migrant workers in Brunei. The diplomat also expressed her support and commitment towards improving the conditions of the Bangladeshi workers in the Sultanate.

Kane scores again, Tottenham held 1-1 by Southampton in EPL

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND (AP) — Harry Kane scored for the third straight Premier League game and was denied a second goal by the narrowest of offside calls in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at 10-man Southampton on Tuesday.

Kane converted a penalty in the 41st minute after Son Heung-min was tripped by Mohammed Salisu, which earned the Southampton defender a second yellow card.

Southampton had looked good to that point, opening the scoring through James Ward-Prowse’s fierce shot from just inside the area in the 25th, but was pinned back in its own half in the second half.

Tottenham looked to have taken the lead in the 53rd when Kane ran onto Harry Winks’ ball over Southampton’s high line and dispatched a finish past Fraser Forster, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a video review.

The visitors were even more aggrieved in the 67th when another goal was disallowed, this time after Forster came out to catch the ball under pressure from Matt Doherty and dropped it onto his own heel.

The ball ricocheted back into the net but the referee blew for a foul by Doherty, even though contact appeared minimal.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane scores against Southampton. PHOTO: AP

 

Tutu to lie in state for two days

CAPE TOWN (AFP) – The body of South Africa’s revered anti-apartheid fighter Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died at the weekend aged 90, will lie in state for two days ahead of his funeral on New Year’s Day, his foundations said on Tuesday.

The lying in state was initially scheduled to last just one day – Friday – but has been extended to Thursday “to accommodate more mourners”, the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust and Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation said.

The statement expressed deep thanks for the outpouring of support expressed around the world after Tutu passed away.

“This deluge of love serves to compensate, to some extent, for COVID regulations restricting the size of gatherings and the nature of the send-off our beloved Arch so richly deserves,” the foundations said, referring to Tutu’s nickname.

Tutu’s body will lie in St George’s Cathedral, in his former Cape Town parish. His body will be cremated after the funeral and his ashes then placed in the cathedral.

Attendance at his farewell on Saturday has to be capped at 100 because of anti-coronavirus restrictions, the archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, has said.

Tributes from world leaders poured in after Tutu’s death was announced last Sunday.

Within South Africa, many deeply mourn the passing of the last great hero of the anti-apartheid struggle.

For years, Tutu was the visible emblem of the fight against white-minority rule while Nelson Mandela and other leaders were behind bars.

His hallmarks were religious faith, unfailing humour and an unstinting will to speak out against injustice – both before and after apartheid.

A boy carries flowers to be laid beneath the picture of the late South African anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu outside St Georges Cathedral in Cape Town. PHOTO: AFP
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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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