HONG KONG (AFP) – Construction crews from mainland China were helping Hong Kong build two temporary isolation facilities to house thousands of coronavirus patients yesterday as a senior official declared the city “in full combat mode”.
The crowded Chinese financial hub is in the throes of its worst-ever coronavirus outbreak, registering thousands of confirmed cases a day as hospitals reach breaking point.
A strict zero-Covid policy like China uses kept infections at bay for two years but left the city cut off internationally.
ABU DHABI (AFP) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) warned yesterday of the rising threat of drone attacks, such as those launched against it by Yemen’s Huthi rebels, at a defence industry conference on unmanned systems.
“We have to unite to prevent the use of drones from threatening civilian safety and destroying economic institutions,” said UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohammed bin Ahmad al-Bawardi.
KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) – Hundreds of artillery shells exploded along the contact line between Ukrainian soldiers and Russia-backed separatists, and thousands of people evacuated eastern Ukraine, further increasing fears yesterday that the volatile region could spark a Russian invasion.
Western leaders warned that Russia was poised to attack its neighbour, which is surrounded on three sides by about 150,000 Russian soldiers, warplanes and equipment. Russia held nuclear drills on Saturday in neighbouring Belarus and has ongoing naval drills off the coast in the Black Sea.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Nick Cline gets calls about all kinds of items people want to sell through the Anchorage auction house where he works. But he was caught off-guard by a call he got last fall from a man saying he had “one of the largest opals in the world”.
“I was extremely sceptical but extremely excited,” said Cline, a partner and appraisal specialist with Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals.
According to the auction house, the opal, dubbed the ‘Americus Australis’, weighs more than 11,800 carats and is one of the largest gem-quality opals in existence. It also has a long history.
LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and is experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, Buckingham Palace said, adding that the famously stoic 95-year-old monarch plans to carry on working.
The palace said the queen would continue with “light” duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week.
FILE – Queen Elizabeth II speaks during an audience at Windsor Castle where she met the incoming and outgoing Defence Service Secretaries, Wednesday Feb. 16, 2022. PHOTO: AP
“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines,” the palace said in a statement.
People in the UK who test positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate for at least five days, although the British government says it plans to lift that requirement for England this week.
The queen has received three doses of coronavirus vaccine.
Both her eldest son Prince Charles, 73, and her 74-year-old daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall both contracted COVID-19 earlier this month. Charles has since returned to work. There are also thought to be several recent virus cases among staff at Windsor Castle, where the queen is staying.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court.
Accompanying His Majesty at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.
The ceremony began with the reading of the Letter of Appointment by Grand Chamberlain Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin bin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar. It was followed by the oath recitation by Muhammad Faisal bin Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli as Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court. Special Adviser to His Majesty and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, Chief Justice of the Brunei Supreme Court Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong Wan Oon and Judicial Commissioner and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court Haji Abdullah Soefri bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin were also present.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday. Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri BolkiahABOVE & BELOW: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah arrive for the swearing-in ceremony; and His Majesty with the newly appointed Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court. PHOTOS: INFOFOTO
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman yesterday attended a reception hosted by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) to mark His Royal Highness’ 48th birthday.
Accompanying Their Royal Highnesses were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah, and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commandant of Women Police.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival at the RBPF Headquarters in Gadong by Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah signed a royal parchment and joined a group photo followed by the cutting of a birthday cake while being serenaded by the RBPF Choir.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah also received a pesambah from the Commissioner of Police.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah were also present.
ABOVE & BELOW: His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office cuts a cake as Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman looks on; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commandant of Women Police during the reception to mark His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah’s birthday. PHOTOS: INFOFOTO
RBPF personnel during the reception at the RBPF Headquarters
MOSCOW (AFP) – Russia test fired nuclear-capable missiles yesterday as President Vladimir Putin oversaw a dramatic military exercise and as the United States (US) again warned that it believes Moscow plans to invade Ukraine within days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile arrived in Germany to shore up support among Western allies, despite a significant increase in shelling in the country’s east in which a Ukrainian soldier was killed.
The fierce US warnings and the evacuation of civilians from Russian-backed rebel regions in Ukraine have brought fears of a major conflict in Europe to their highest level after weeks of tensions.
The Kremlin insists it has no plans to attack its neighbour, which has angered Moscow by seeking closer ties with NATO and the European Union (EU).
But Moscow is doing nothing to reduce fears, with state media accusing Kyiv of plotting an assault on the rebel-held pro-Russia enclave in eastern Ukraine.
Russian television showed images of Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko sitting at a round table in the Kremlin situation room, in front of a bank of screens showing military commanders as they test-fired their latest hypersonic, cruise and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
“All the missiles hit their targets, confirming their performance objectives,” the Kremlin said, adding that the drills included Tu-95 bombers and submarines.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had made a reference to nuclear launch codes.
“Such test launches, of course, are impossible without the head of state. You know about the famous black suitcase and the red button,” he said.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said the exercise involved nearly all branches of the armed forces, including its strategic rocket forces, as well the Northern and Black Sea fleets, which have nuclear-armed submarines.
A Russian military technician checks a MiG-31K fighter of the Russian air force carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missile. PHOTO: AP
Around 3,800 participants are set to take part in a celebration to mark the 38th National Day at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital.
This was said by Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan as Co-Secretary of the Executive Committee of the 38th National Day celebration during a press conference at Sarmayuda Hall at the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) yesterday.
He said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to grace several events including the Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, mass Maghrib and Isyak prayers, recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Doa Kesyukuran at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the Grand Assembly and Parade at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
The permanent secretary said the 3,800 participants in the celebration will comprise heads of parade, national security agencies, Bestari community, public and private sectors, civil movements, cyclists, inline skaters and frontliners.
This year’s performance, titled ‘Berat Sama Dipikul, Ringan Sama Dijinjing’, will showcase patriotic songs performed by 2,500 participants, 2,000 of which will also take part in the parade.
File photo shows the national day celebration on February 23, 2021. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be followed in accordance to Ministry of Health’s (MoH) advice. Among them are: entry only for those aged 12 and above; no entry for those showing flu-like symptoms; full vaccination required for attendees, preferably boosted; only those with green or yellow codes are allowed entry; body temperature checks; antigen rapid test (ART) screening; attendees required to bring identity cards for identification; wearing face masks at all times; frequent handwashing or sanitising; and physical distancing.
The Doa Kesyukuran ceremony, mass Maghrib and Isyak prayers as well as the recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Doa Kesyukuran will be held on February 22 starting at 5.45pm with Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque as the focal point in Brunei-Muara District.
Focal points in other districts will be Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong, Mohammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait and Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar.
The SOPs for the ceremony is similar to Friday prayers such as entry only for green or yellow BruHealth codes; ablution at home before going to the mosques; wearing face masks; and bringing own prayer mats.
Attendees of the event at Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque are also required to perform the ART testing and be fully-vaccinated.
The permanent secretary said this year’s celebration remains the same as last year’s. ‘Menjayakan Wawasan Negara’ is still relevant as the Sultanate is aiming to realise Brunei Vision 2035.
Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan said, “With the nation being in the Early Endemic Phase, it is time we accept the new normal and move on to reducing disruption to our quality of life, which is choosing the right path to Allah the Almighty and not allowing COVID-19 to stop us from achieving our goals.
“This year’s celebration logo is in the shape of a flower signifying national spirit, unity and cooperation of the people in the development of the nation. Brunei Darussalam will remain a sovereign and independent country with adherence to the Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy.”
The logo was created by Awangku Mohammad Hazeq bin Pengiran Abdul Aziz, who won the logo competition for the national day celebration.
The permanent secretary called on Brunei citizens and residents to celebrate together by hoisting the national flags at their residences, offices and businesses as well as putting up decorative lights until February 25. The press conference concluded with a prize presentation to Awangku Mohammad Hazeq and the handover of national day posters to representatives of the ministries.
ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN (AP) – The Detroit Zoo’s massive penguin centre re-opened to the public over two years after it was shuttered to repair faulty waterproofing.
Visitors were welcomed inside the Polk Penguin Conservation Centre (PPCC) this week for the first time since the 3,065-square-metre facility closed in September 2019.
“The community has been waiting for this to come back for a long time,” Detroit Zoological Society Director and CEO Hayley Murphy said during an interview at the centre. “We are so happy to welcome everybody back. The penguins are loving it, the staff is loving it, the volunteers.”
Billed as the world’s largest penguin centre, the PPCC opened in 2016 and was an immediate hit, featuring an underwater gallery and two acrylic tunnels where visitors could watch four species of penguins swim above and around them.
Three years later, the zoo in suburban Royal Oak closed the USD30 million Polk Centre after officials said 34 litres of water were seeping into the building and being pumped out daily.
Visitors watch Gentoo penguins swim at the Polk Penguin Conservation Centre at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Michigan. PHOTO: AP
The penguins were sent back to their old habitat at the nearby Penguinarium, but that facility was not open to visitors. The tuxedoed birds were returned to the Polk Centre last year, and it re-opened to visitors in February. The delay in re-opening was lengthened in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy said.
In addition to the waterproofing work, the centre also received other upgrades, including a section of glass flooring that allows visitors to see penguins swimming below their feet, repainted rock surfaces, more nesting areas, a second snow machine within the habitat, enhanced lighting, and exhibits that focus on the changing climate.
Seventy of the stately birds moved to the Penguinarium in 2019, and 78 currently inhabit the Polk Centre, Detroit Zoo’s curator of birds Bonnie Van Dam said.
The 78 include king, rockhopper, macaroni and gentoo penguins and now a new fifth species – chinstrap. Since the building closed for repairs, five chicks joined the flock. In August 2020, a king penguin chick hatched at the Detroit Zoo for the first time in
20 years. Van Dam said some of the penguins are as enthused to see the visitors as their human friends are to see them.
“Some of them enjoy people-watching, so, just seeing their behaviour the last couple days, they’re very excited to see groups of people and kids coming through,” she said.
