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    Ukraine war to almost halve Germany’s 2022 growth

    BERLIN (AFP) – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have a heavy impact on the German economy, cutting its 2022 growth forecast by almost half to 2.1 per cent, economic institute IfW said yesterday.

    “Without the strong post-pandemic boost, German economic output would be in recession in the current year,” said IfW vice president Stefan Kooths.

    The war on the edge of the European Union (EU) will cost Germany some EUR90 billion in output for this and next year, said the IfW, the first to issue a forecast since Russia’s assault began on February 24.

    “The Ukraine shock will delay the return to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels in the second half,” it said, adding that production capacities will not be fully utilised up to the end of the year as supply chains are broken and demand disrupted.

    The German economy was previously forecast to grow by four percent this year. At the same time, Europe’s biggest economy will have to battle a sharp leap in consumer prices that could reach up to 5.8 per cent – a level not seen since German reunification.

    Energy prices have leapt since war broke out, forcing the first German companies to take drastic action like idling their plants while consumers are faced with hefty power bills.

    Germany had warned of severe consequences on its economy as it joined allies in imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russia, including shutting key banks out of the SWIFT payment network and putting the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline on ice.

    Numerous German multinationals including Volkswagen have also suspended their business in Russia.

    Power of sleep

    Hakim Hayat

    Today marks World Sleep Day, an annual opportunity for us all to focus in on our sleep patterns and look for ways to have quality rest.

    World Sleep Day is an annual event, intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving.

    It is organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of World Sleep Society, aimed at lessening the burden of sleep problems on society through prevention and better management of sleep disorders.

    Organisers are using the occasion to raise awareness on the importance of sleep during the pandemic. This year’s theme is “Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World”.

    If getting a good night’s sleep is something you struggle with, it looks like you’re not alone.

    Recent research from the Phillips Global Sleep Survey 2020 revealed that only 49 per cent of adults are satisfied with their sleep, and only 32 per cent of people feel well-rested every morning.

    Research conducted by the World Sleep Society indicates that a bad night’s sleep can effect one’s mood and energy levels during the day. So it is something worth improving on if you don’t usually feel well functioning during the day.

    Research from the Sleep Health Foundation also shows that disturbances in our slumber can lead to sub-standard physical and mental health and may increase the risk of developing other chronic health issues such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke, cancer and mental health conditions.

    Health Psychologist and Board Member of the Sleep Heath Foundation (SHF) Dr Moira Junge said, “Regular sleeping patterns are vitally important in ensuring an overall healthy lifestyle.

    “Consistency is key, go to sleep at similar times most days to help maintain alertness during the daytime and assist you to sleep during the night.”

    Dr Jungle added, “For those that struggle to have a regular sleeping pattern such as new parents, or shift workers that may alternate between day and night shifts, there are strategies available to help reduce the disturbances from these lifestyle factors.

    “These include being aware of the importance of light and dark and their relationship to our body clock. We need dark conditions to optimise sleep and we want light conditions when wanting to optimise alertness. It is also really important to keep our stress, workloads and caffeine and alcohol levels to a minimum.

    “Healthy sleep requires a prelude of a wind-down period in which we prepare our brains and body for sleep.”

    Unforeseen circumstances can also affect established sleep routines and impact our health in ways we might not expect. With the widespread introduction of working from home due to COVID-19, many people experienced less light exposure on their daily commute, which in turn affected the body clock by not receiving the light/dark cues at consistent times.

    It is important to ensure you make an effort to get out in the daylight by factoring in outdoor activities to your daily routine.

    Here are top tips that should help to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep:

    CREATE A REGULAR SLEEP SCHEDULE

    Creating a bedtime routine, in which you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, is a helpful way to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. You can also practise the same activities each night to signal to your brain and your body that it is time to get ready for bed.

    Taking a warm bath, reading a book or meditating are helpful ways to wind down in the evening. If you need to take a nap during the day, make sure it only lasts about 15 minutes or less. Napping too long can make it difficult to fall asleep at bedtime. A regular sleep routine can also help with schedule changes.

    PRACTISE GOOD SLEEP HABITS – DITCH THE SCREEN!

    Keeping your bedroom dark, at a cool temperature and quiet tends to be more conducive to good sleep. It’s important to avoid excessive light, especially light from electronics, at bedtime. Disrupting the room with a bright or noisy TV, or social media scrolling on a screen, can signal to the brain that it is time to wake up. If you can’t fall asleep, get out of bed to read a book or do other relaxing activities until you feel sleepy again. The Phillips Global Sleep survey 2021 revealed that 84 per cent of respondents use their phone in bed, up from 74 per cent in 2020. Spending time on screens before bed can delay sleep, as the blue light from your phone has been proven to block the hormone that makes you feel sleepy.

    With that in mind, you’re better off replacing that late night scrolling with a wind-down routine that doesn’t involve screen time. Reading, meditation or sipping a chamomile or lavender tea or a glass of hot milk before bed are all sleep-friendly activities you can replace that time on your phone with, and they’re sure to set you up for a better night’s sleep too.

    CUT OUT HABITS THAT AREN’T SLEEP-FRIENDLY

    A quick coffee can feel like a saving grace on a day where you’re not feeling too well-rested, but it can also contribute to a cycle of poor sleep. In fact, caffeine reduces total sleep time and sleep efficiency and it can worsen perceived sleep quality.

    Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Most people don’t realise how long caffeine stays in your body.

    You may be surprised to know that the half-life of caffeine is three to seven hours. This means if you have a cup of coffee at 10 am, you may still have a significant amount of caffeine in your system at bedtime. In addition, alcohol and tobacco use disturb sleep.

    Alcohol is a known contributor to sleep apnea, and can cause fragmented sleep, especially during the second half of the night.

    SCHEDULE ‘WORRY TIME’ IN EARLY EVENING

    Stress is a major contributor to insomnia, and many people find it difficult to “shut off” their minds once it’s time for bed.

    If you have a tendency to worry about things, reserve yourself a 30-minute slot in the early evening to plan for the next day.

    It may be helpful to write out a schedule of events if you’re worried about checking off your to-do list. A clear mind will lead to a better night’s sleep.

    If you feel that you’re not getting good sleep, you may want to discuss it with your doctor.

    Cambodia opposition figures hit with jail terms

    PHNOM PENH (AFP) – A Cambodian court handed out jail terms yesterday to 20 opposition figures including exiled leader Sam Rainsy, who condemned the judgement as a fresh bid by strongman ruler Hun Sen to quash dissent.

    Rainsy has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail on a number of convictions he sayidare politically motivated, including a 25-year sentence passed in March last year.

    The court jailed Rainsy and six other senior opposition figures for 10 years, and 13 more activists for five years. One other activist was given a suspended five-year sentence. “The justice system has again been used as a blunt political tool in an attempt to quash opposition to Hun Sen’s dictatorship. Opposing dictators is a duty, not a crime,” Rainsy wrote on his Twitter account.

    There were scuffles outside the court as security officers tried to confiscate a banner from the defendants’ wives and supporters, knocking some of them to the ground.

    “After the verdict was announced, my jailed clients screamed out injustice – they were so angry with the judgment,” lawyer Sam Sokong told AFP, saying they would appeal.

    Relatives of jailed opposition members protest in front of Phnom Penh Municipal Court. PHOTO: AFP

    Outside the court, relatives were bereft.

    “This is very unjust. I expected he would be released today,” So Ith, the wife of one defendant, told AFP.

    For the defendants sentenced to five years in prison, the court suspended part of their terms, so they will serve three years and eight months.

    The charges related to Rainsy’s planned return to Cambodia in 2019, when he called on people to rise up against Hun Sen.

    Around 150 opposition figures and activists have been put on trial for treason and incitement charges – mostly for sharing social media messages supporting Rainsy’s return to the kingdom.

    Uncertainty for Russian tourists in Turkey hotspot as war rages

    ANTALYA, TURKEY (AFP) – With its shimmering azure waters, secluded coves and golden sands, Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is a destination beloved by Russian tourists, nearly five million of whom visited last year.

    But many visitors currently on holiday in the area now fear they will be unable to return home because of extensive Western sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

    Restrictions on card payments and flight operations have also raised fears of a slump in Russian tourism to Turkey, a key source of revenues for Ankara.

    Holidaymaker Margarita Sabatnikaya, 31, said her vacation plans have been thrown into doubt and that she fears being stranded.

    “We have come here for a holiday with our children. It’s unclear when we’ll return to Russia, by which plane,” she said.

    Sabatnikaya said that she wanted to continue her holiday but her bank cards had stopped working. “It’s unclear how to stay here and how to survive,” she said.

    Some of Turkey’s tourist locations. PHOTOS: AFP

    While flag carrier Turkish Airlines said flights to and from Russia will “continue for the moment”, no frills carrier Pegasus has suspended its services leaving its customers desperate to rebook elsewhere.

    Dozens of Western countries have banned Russian planes from their airspace while some carriers operating flights to Russia have had their insurance policies cancelled. Some Turkish holiday operators have cited the impact of Western sanctions when cancelling the plans of their Russian clients.

    United States (US) card giants MasterCard and Visa have suspended their Russian operations, although Russian cardholders in Turkey are able access to their funds through Russia’s homegrown payments system Mir.

    “We heard the company that brought us here stopped flights but I am not sure,” said Russian tourist Anton Gavrilov, 34.

    “Of course I had a little bit of cash but if I’d like to pay with my card I don’t know if it will be possible for me,” he added having swapped the icy Moscow winter for Turkey’s sun-kissed Mediterranean coast.

    The damage wrought on Turkey’s crucial travel industry will depend on how long sanctions on Russia are enforced for, industry experts said.

    But there is a chance that Russians fleeing their homeland could offset some of the losses, they said.

    “We foresee that the impact of this crisis on Antalya tourism will be very serious,” deputy general manager of an Antalya resort hotel Anna Yigit told AFP. “We are prepared for it, we have antibodies!”

    Around 4.5 million Russian and two million Ukrainian tourists descended on Turkey last year. The government was hoping for a post-COVID rebound this year, with a target of almost USD35 billion in total tourism revenues, back at pre-pandemic levels.

    “Russians were among number one arrivals for Turkey before the pandemic, maybe this year Turkey was on course for 10-15 million Russian tourists,” said Washington Institute fellow Soner Cagaptay.

    All this “will be lost if the sanctions are so severe that the Russian middle class won’t be able to afford travel to Turkey”, he said.

    Turkey has weathered a drought of Russian tourists before when, in the first half of 2016, Ankara shot down a Russian warplane over Syria.

    In this conflict Turkey has sought to avoid antagonising the Kremlin despite Kyiv using Turkish drones in the battlefield.

    DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO

    Holidaymaker Gavrilov said he fears this holiday will be his last as sanctions have caused the ruble to reach all-time lows against the dollar. “It will be really hard to afford a trip for family,” he said.

    Hoteliers in Turkey’s resorts have been left guessing how many Russian guests will pull out of their bookings, although there has not yet been a wave of cancellations.

    Russian tourists who paid a deposit for holiday packages may not now be able to afford to pay the difference after the ruble slumped in value.

    Western restrictions on flights to and from Russia have pushed up air fares for the countries that continue to have services to Russia, like Turkey. Typical ticket prices have jumped from EUR180 euros to EUR400.

    One Russian family told AFP they paid EUR900 for a one-way ticket from Russia to Antalya on a ‘low-cost’ airline.

    Anastasia Zanolotnaya, 27, a diving instructor living in Antalya for four years, said many Russians who came to Turkey for holidays were now stranded.

    “I have two Russian friends who stay with me right now. They cannot get back because (plane tickets) are very expensive,” she told AFP. Ukrainian tourists are also affected.

    “We came for holiday in early February, now (me and my family) cannot go back,” said Olga, who declined to give her surname.

    “We should have returned just two days after the war. No flight now. We have a small amount of money now. We don’t know what to do.”

    Brunei to transition to Intermonsoon season in April

    Brunei Darussalam is still in the Northeast Monsoon season when active weather conditions usually occur in the afternoon and at night until the early morning.

    The Sultanate is transitioning to the Intermonsoon season starting in April.

    During this season, the weather condition is generally sunny during the day, while thunderstorms potentially occur over inland areas in the afternoon and spread towards the coastal and sea areas at night. Thunderstorm events can be heavy and gusty and there is a risk of flash floods or flooding during the Intermonsoon season.

    Active weather condition is forecasted starting today until March 21 due to active development of rain clouds over the country. Occasional showers and thundershowers are expected, with wind gust up to 45 kilometres per hour during or near heavy showers or thundershowers.

    Over Brunei waters, sea state is generally slight, below one metre.

    The public is advised to take precautions with respect to the forecast active weather condition. There is risk of flash floods especially at low-lying and flood prone areas as well as near the river banks during continuous heavy rain that may last for over one hour and also during high tide. Risk of landslide and falling trees are also possible during heavy showers and gusty condition.

    More than 100 civilians killed in Mali in recent months

    BAMAKO, MALI (AP) – More than 107 civilians have been killed in recent months in Mali in attacks by Mali’s army and extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday.

    Among the civilians killed since December 2021, Mali’s soldiers have been responsible for at least 71 of the deaths, the international rights organisation said in a report.

    Mali’s army has contested some of the report, while adding that it is investigating a number of the attacks and allegations.

    The army has been accused of abuses against civilians in southwest and central Mali as soldiers try to stem violence from extremist fighters who have been staging attacks for nearly a decade.

    “The victims, mostly summarily executed, include traders, village chiefs, religious leaders and children,” the organisation said in its report.

    Extremists are responsible for killing at least 36 civilians since December, according to the report.

    “There has been a dramatic spike in the number of civilians, including suspects, killed by the Malian army and armed extremist groups,” said Sahel director at HRW Corinne Dufka. “This complete disregard for human life, which includes apparent war crimes, should be investigated and those found to be implicated, appropriately punished.”

    Since the Malian crisis in 2012, civilians continue to pay the price of war, with more than 320,000 people displaced, according to HRW.

    Hundreds of civilians have been killed, with extremists, rebels, ethnic militias and security forces implicated, the organisation said. Most of the killings have occurred in central Mali, the epicentre of conflict since 2015, it said.

    Extremists have also targetted and killed hundreds of security force members.

    A spike in violence comes as the French military has begun withdrawing troops from Mali.

    Many fear that the extremists could now regain territory as France continues pulling out its soldiers over the next five months.

    France first intervened in 2013, leading a military operation to force extremists from power in towns across northern Mali. But in the years since, those militants have carried out scores of attacks against the Malian military and United Nations peacekeepers.

    The rights report comes as neighbouring Mauritania accuses the Malian army of recurrent abuse against its civilians in Malian territory. The Mauritanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Ambassador of Mali.

    Dominoes: The game for everyone in Venezuela

    CHICHIRIVICHE DE LA COSTA, VENEZUELA (AFP) – Efren Rodriguez leaves the table annoyed as his fellow players, drunk and laughing, cry out “Zapato! Get out!”

    The 32-year-old has just suffered an embarrassing defeat in a game of dominoes in the little fishing village of Chichiriviche on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast.

    Zapato means shoe in Spanish and in dominoes is the equivalent of a “duck” in cricket – a score of zero.

    Dominoes “is the favourite past-time for everyone… in the rich people’s clubs just like poor neighbourhoods, in urban centres and rural areas”, wrote late former president Rafael Caldera in the prologue for Alfredo Fernandez Porras’s book The Art of the 28 Pieces.

    In Venezuela it is played in pairs, like Bridge, making it a more strategic game than when played one-on-one.

    A man takes part in a domino match during a tournament in Valencia, Venezuela. PHOTOS: AFP
    An overview of a national domino tournament in Venezuela
    ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show elderly people playing dominoes in tables set up at the Plaza Bolivar of the Petare neighbourhood in Caracas

    KILLING TIME

    The President of the Venezuelan Dominoes Federation Efrain Velazquez said “70 to 75 per cent” of the country’s 30 million people play the game.

    “You will always find a dominoes set in any house and whenever there is a family get-together.”

    Dominoes is often played in many places, like Chichiriviche, some 50 kilometres north of Caracas, it is played only by men.

    Far from the tourist beaches, young men play on old wooden tables, sat on plastic chairs, tree stumps or old barrels.

    “Take that!” said one player as he slams his piece down on the table theatrically, making the others bounce.

    “I play to kill time… it’s emotional. You win, you play another game and you win again,” said fisherman Ruben Mayoral, 26.

    “I play football and everything but I prefer dominoes.”

    “They gave me a ‘shoe’, I didn’t get one point; Zero! And they were teasing me… it’s always like this,” said Rodriguez.

    STAR BROTHERS

    It is a completely different atmosphere in Valencia where one of the four annual national titles is taking place in a large hotel conference room.

    Some 300 seasoned players play in silence punctuated only by the sound of the pieces being shuffled after each game.

    Some wear the jersey of the national team, others their state shirt.

    And here, women like Carlimar Aparicio are allowed to play.

    She said men always tell her she can’t play but then “they always end up calling me to play with them”.

    “It’s a sport,” said Luis Marquina, 41, a seven-time world champion whose brother Carlos, 45, has also been crowned six times as the best on the planet.

    “We view it from a sporting perspective, when we’re in a competition we’re taking part in a sport.”

    There are no winks, no shouts and no theatrical gestures, referees even walk around the room between the tables.

    “We have national, Pan-American, continental championships… it is played everywhere in the world. We hope it will be an Olympic event one day,” said Federation President Velazquez.

    PASSING COMMENTS

    Far away from the world or even national championships in the Petare neighbourhood of Caracas, which is often described as the largest slum in the world, a pensioners club hosts dominoes games every afternoon.

    “It’s fun, you have to use your brain. It’s mental agility, a mental sport. You have to think like in chess,” said Pedro Roberto Leon, a retired police officer.

    “Sometimes there are arguments but they’re quickly forgotten.”

    And while some play, those waiting their turn delight in pointing out mistakes.

    “Those that pass comments are the only ones that never make a mistake,” joked Enrique Benavente, 48, a technician.

    British Airways partner Comair resumes S Africa flights

    JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – British Airways’ franchise partner in South Africa, Comair, said it would start flying again yesterday after being suspended by the local regulator for security reasons.

    BA flights operated by Comair and its low-cost subsidiary Kulula.com would resume “following the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) reinstating Comair’s Air Operators’ Certificate”, the airline said in a statement on Wednesday night.

    The South African regulator suspended the airline last Saturday, after an investigation uncovered issues posing “an immediate risk to safety and security”.

    New Zealand on the ropes as South Africa eye World Cup semis

    HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND (AFP) – South Africa notched a two-wicket win over New Zealand yesterday to virtually guarantee themselves a spot in the Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals and leave the hosts in danger of elimination.

    South Africa emerged victorious from a tight, low-scoring contest and are the only team to match tournament favourite Australia’s record of four wins from four matches.

    It was a third loss in five games for New Zealand, who are in a precarious position after blowing their chance to set a big total and put the match beyond South Africa.

    New Zealand now face a must-win clash against holders England in Auckland on Sunday.

    South Africa bowled the home side out for 228 in 47.5 overs in Hamilton, then chased down the total with three balls to spare.

    South Africa’s quick bowlers nullified New Zealand’s potent batting line-up before Laura Wolvaardt scored 67, her third successive half century at the tournament.

    Friday, March 18, 2022

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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