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England hospital staff absences double as virus surges

LONDON (AFP) – Hospital staff absences due to COVID have more than doubled in a month in England as the virus surge puts strain on beds, according to data published on Friday.

The number of hospital staff ill or self-isolating due to the virus rose from 11,375 on November 29, 2021 to 24,362 on December 26, 2021 NHS England said.

The “sharply increasing staff absences” coincide with “a 10-month high for the number of patients”, warned national medical director Stephen Powis.

The number of patients in hospital with COVID in the United Kingdom (UK) reached 11,898 on Wednesday, the highest level since early March, and a rise of 40 per cent in a week.

“We don’t yet know the full scale of rising omicron cases,” Powis acknowledged.

A member of a construction team works on the erection of a temporary field hospital in the grounds of St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London. PHOTO: AFP

The National Health Service (NHS) “is on a war footing and staff remain braced for the worst”, he added.

The UK is one of Europe’s worst-hit countries with a death toll of 148,421. It reported 189, 846 new cases on Friday, slightly above Thursday’s figure and a new record.

NHS England reported that only 67 per cent of COVID patients were receiving treatment primarily for the virus, however, with others testing positive after being admitted with other conditions.

NHS England has already started building temporary field hospitals to contain a possible overspill of inpatients if beds in main hospitals become full.

It plans to make available as many as 4,000 “super-surge beds”, in some cases using existing hospital facilities such as gyms or education centres.

It is also trying to free up hospital beds by sending medically fit patients to care homes, hospices and even hotels.

Despite the surge in cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has opted not to increase virus curbs over the festive period in England, unlike the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Fire destroys home in Belait

Daniel Lim

A house went up in flames in Kampong Telingan, Rampayoh in Belait District on Friday morning.

ASO Mohd Azizie bin Othman led a team of nine firefighters from Labi Fire Station in response to an emergency call made at 10.03am and doused the fire within 15 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

PHOTO: FRD

Raducanu caps stunning year with New Year honour

LONDON (AFP) – Emma Raducanu was named in Britain’s New Year Honours list on Friday – alongside a clutch of Olympic stars – in recognition of her stunning breakthrough victory at the United States (US) Open.

Cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny – who have won 12 Olympic gold medals between them – received a knighthood and damehood and there was recognition for Tokyo gold medallists Tom Daley, Adam Peaty and Max Whitlock.

The honours list recognises outstanding achievements in various fields including showbusiness, sport and politics, as well as the contributions of people across society.

A number of medical chiefs leading Britain’s battle against coronavirus have also been given awards in the latest list.

Raducanu, who became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade in 1977, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Britain’s Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open Tennis tournament women’s final match against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York, on September 11, 2021. PHOTO: AFP

“It makes me immensely proud and grateful to be listed to receive an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen,” said the now 19-year-old Raducanu, who did not drop a set at Flushing Meadows on her run to the title.

“This year has been full of amazing surprises for me so to end 2021 with this appointment is very special.”

Jason Kenny has received a knighthood after becoming Britain’s most decorated Olympian of all time at the Tokyo Games, winning his ninth medal – and seventh gold – on the final day.

His wife, Laura Kenny, Britain’s most successful female Olympian, has been given a damehood – the female equivalent of a knighthood.

British Cycling’s performance director, Stephen Park, who himself becomes a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), praised the Kennys for their achievements.

“Not only are Jason and Laura true masters of their craft, they are also wonderful teammates, role models and ambassadors for our sport,” he said.

Diving star Daley, who won his first Olympic gold at his fourth Games, was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to diving, rights and charity.

Gymnast Whitlock and swimmer Peaty, both of whom have won three Olympic gold medals, also received OBEs.

Seven-time Paralympic wheelchair racing champion Hannah Cockroft was made an OBE after winning two golds in Tokyo.

Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes has been awarded an OBE after helping the Blues retain their Women’s Super League title in 2021 and reach the Champions League final.

New York rings in 2022 in the shadow of COVID

NEW YORK (AFP) – The city that never sleeps rang in the New Year with a scaled-down ceremony in Times Square on Friday night, marking 2022 with its famous ball drop and confetti.

New Year has been celebrated in bombastic style in Times Square, at the intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street in the heart of Manhattan, since the turn of the 20th Century.

The coronavirus meant last year’s festivities were a muted affair, with the pandemic-ravaged city’s decision to forgo the usual celebrations meaning Times Square was left strikingly empty.

But outgoing mayor Bill de Blasio kept his promise to bring back the party in 2021.

A crowd limited to 15,000 people, instead of the usual 60,000, all masked and vaccinated, watched as a crystal ball – measuring 3.5 metres and weighing more than five tonnes – was brought down to ring in 2022.

Spectators kissed and hugged when the bell struck midnight, as more than 1.3 tonnes of confetti carrying New Year’s greetings was thrown from the roofs of buildings bordering Times Square.

Times Square was also host to political theatre on Friday night with the transfer of power just after midnight from de Blasio to Eric Adams, a former policeman elected in November on a platform of fighting crime and socio-economic inequalities in the city.

Adams, holding up a portrait of his deceased mother, took an oath on religious scripture alongside his family – having earlier hailed the indefatigability of the city he is now tasked with running.

A sign reminds people to wear face masks as revellers gather on Times Square in New York. PHOTO: AP

Jail, whipping for young housebreaker

Fadley Faisal

The Intermediate Court on Thursday handed a three years and four months’ jail with two canings to a local man who broke into a room to steal property.

Mohammad Nazmenizam bin Abdullah, 23, pleaded guilty to the housebreaking charge and admitted to the statement of facts revealed in court by prosecutor Syafina Abdul Hadzid.

Judge Pengiran Masni Pengiran Haji Bahar heard that the defendant worked for almost a year at a food stall. The shop was housed in Bangunan Koperasi Tanjong Maya, Tutong District.

The prosecutor said investigations revealed that the defendant while working at the food stall on July 3, noticed his employer leaving along with a chef from another stall in the same premises.

Mohammad Nazmenizam went behind the building and headed for a room which he knew was rented by the chef.

He forced open the door using a fork. He stole a phone and its box, and a charger.

He then went back to work and hid them in the stall’s storeroom cabinet.

The defendant sold the stolen items to an unknown buyer through Facebook.

The victim, on realising that his phone was missing, lodged a police report leading to the defendant’s arrest.

The defendant told investigators that he received BND80 from the sales and bought food and petrol for his car.

Prosceutor Syafina also informed court that the defendant holds conviction records related to housebreaking.

James scores season-high 43, Lakers beat Trail Blazers

LOS ANGELES (AP) – One day after quietly celebrating his 37th birthday at home with his family, LeBron James put on an age-defying performance.

James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a game with at least 40 points and 14 rebounds, scoring a season-high 43 on Friday night as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 139-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

According to Sportradar, the oldest player to have a 40-14 game was Larry Bird, who was 35 when he had 49 points and 14 boards for the Boston Celtics in 1992 (which coincidentally also came against the Trail Blazers).

“I don’t feel like I have been in the league 19 years. When I am daily reminded of it, I feel it sometimes,” James said after his 67th 40-point game of his career and sixth in four seasons with the Lakers. “Sometimes you do have to remind people you can still do what you can do at a high level.”

James was 16 of 26 from the field and made five 3-pointers in a game where the Lakers led throughout.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) gets past Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell (24). PHOTO: AP

“If that’s what our team needs to win, I’m okay with that,” said James, who during the last seven games – including Friday – is averaging 36 points and has made 57.8 per cent of his shots from the field. “I’m not a guy who goes out and sees if I can jack up a bunch of shots. The streak I have been on with my scoring I have been efficient. I take pride in that as a player.”

His seven-game streak is not an anomaly: He’s done it four other times. But this is the first since he was with Miami Heat in February 2013. James’ longest stretch is 10 with the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the 2005-06 season.

The Lakers were up 69-54 at halftime on 27 points from James, who went coast-to-coast for a dunk to give Los Angeles a 53-37 advantage midway through the second quarter. He topped the 40-point mark on a 3-pointer from 27 feet out with 8:25 remaining to put the Lakers up 109-84.

Los Angeles’ largest lead was 35 in the game’s final minute.

“This is just LeBron James playing at a superior level more than what is happening around him,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “While (Anthony Davis) is out, he is intent on doing everything he can to pile up wins and play at an extra-high level.”

Malik Monk scored 18 points, Carmelo Anthony added 16 points and Russell Westbrook (15 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists) recorded his ninth triple-double this season for the Lakers, who had dropped six of their last seven coming into the game.

Portland’s Ben McLemore came off the bench to tie his season-high with 28 points in his first game back after clearing the league’s health and safety protocols. Damian Lillard added 18 points for the Trail Blazers, who have dropped four straight and 11 of their last 13.

“I don’t think we played with enough force. They dictated the start,” said Portland assistant coach Scott Brooks, who is directing the team while head coach Chauncey Billups is in the league’s COVID-19 protocols. “They were attacking on both ends of the floor and we were back on our heels. You can’t do that against good teams. We gave them too much respect.”

Opt for cycling: French car ads must back alternatives

PARIS (AFP) – Car advertisements in France will have to include messages encouraging people to consider less-polluting travel alternatives from 2022 as part of the government’s drive to rein in CO2 emissions.

The requirement, set to come into force in March, was confirmed in the government’s Official Journal this week after years of lobbying from environmental groups – many of which seek an outright ban on automobile ads.

Similar to mandatory reminders to eat healthy on food and drink ads, the standardised messages will suggest that drivers adopt more environmentally responsible options when possible.

Carmakers will have three choices: ‘Consider carpooling’, ‘For day-to-day use’, ‘take public transportation’ or ‘For short trips, opt for walking or cycling’.

They will be required for all media – print, TV, radio or Internet – and must also include the hashtag “#SeDeplacerMoinsPolluer” (Move and Pollute Less).

The ads will also have to include a vehicle’s CO2 emission class, a new ranking system to inform consumers about the environmental impact that is part of a widespread climate action law approved by lawmakers in July.

So far automakers appear ready to comply, if not enthusiastically.

“It means that overall, we have to find alternatives to the automobile. It’s the first time we’ve had such a direct message from the government,” head of Hyundai France Lionel French Keogh. told AFP.

“We are going to adapt – moving toward zero-emission vehicles is the course of history,” he added.

“But there is an irony: they make no distinction between the type of motorisation.

It’s a bit counterproductive to the government’s aim of promoting electric vehicles,” he said.

Volkswagen, the third-biggest car seller in France, after Stellantis and Renault, said “We will comply with the legislation and analyse how best to comply with our advertising agency.”

As part of the new French law, advertising for the most polluting vehicles – those that emit more than 123 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre, including many popular SUVs – will be completely outlawed from 2028.

CES gadget show shortened to three days

LAS VEGAS (AP) – The annual CES gadget convention will be three days instead of four following an uptick of COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some of its best-known tech presenters.

Convention organiser The Consumer Technology Association announced in a statement on Friday that CES will run from January 5-7, one day shorter than planned. The event still has over 2,200 exhibitors confirmed to show off their products at the Las Vegas convention, spokeswoman Jeanne Abella said.

The announcement follows the withdrawal of tech giants from CES last week citing health risks of the Omicron variant, including cellphone carriers like T-Mobile, whose CEO had been slated to deliver a keynote speech.

Computer maker Lenovo and social media companies like Twitter and Facebook parent company Meta also cancelled plans to attend. News outlets including CNN said they would cancel or reduce coverage.

CES was held entirely virtually last year. It will be a hybrid of online and in-person this year, with organisers offering digital registration allowing access to around 40 livestreamed events, Abella said.

On the convention floor, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks. Organisers are asking participants to get COVID-19 tests before they arrive, but negative results are not required.

The CES convention in January 2020. PHOTO: AP

Jazz pull away in 4th quarter, beat Timberwolves 120-108

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 39 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-108 on Friday night.

Mitchell added six rebounds and five assists in his return from a two-game absence due to a back strain. With both Mike Conley and Joe Ingles sidelined, he handled point guard duties in his first game back and shot 57 per cent from the field, including six of 11 from 3-point range.

Bojan Bogdanovic added 24 points and 12 rebounds, Jordan Clarkson chipped in 20 points and Rudy Gobert added 14 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards scored 26 points in his return after a six-game absence due to health and safety protocols. Malik Beasley added 22 points for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota was short-handed offensively with both Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell still sidelined due to health and safety protocols.

After Patrick Beverley hit a go-ahead 3-pointer a minute into the fourth quarter, the Jazz scored 22 unanswered points to pull away from the Timberwolves. Mitchell ignited the run with back-to-back baskets and scored 12 points during the outburst. Gobert and Mitchell finished it off with back-to-back baskets that gave Utah a 113-92 lead with 5:51 left.

Utah built a 13-point halftime lead, going up 63-50, by knocking down 3-pointers and repeatedly getting to the free throw line.

The Jazz made seven outside baskets – with four coming from Mitchell – and shot 54 per cent from the perimeter before halftime. Utah also shot 22 of 26 on free throws in the first half. Bogdanovic and Gobert each had eight free throw attempts, equaling Minnesota’s total free throw attempts in the first two quarters.

Minnesota rallied in the third quarter and erased Utah’s lead. Jaden McDaniels capped a 12-2 run with a go-ahead jumper that gave the Timberwolves a 79-78 edge. Edwards and Naz Reid each scored a pair of baskets to fuel the spurt.

Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic loses control of the ball. PHOTO: AP

Filipino community remembers national hero

The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, together with Filipino community representatives, paid tribute to Philippine national hero Dr Jose Rizal at the embassy grounds in the Diplomatic Enclave on Thursday to commemorate the 125th anniversary of his martyrdom.

Philippine Chargé d’Affaires Pete Raymond V Delfin led the flag-hoisting and wreath-laying ceremonies, followed by a brief programme.

Newly-appointed Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R Tirol-Ignacio, who arrived in the Sultanate the previous day and underwent quarantine procedures, delivered a virtual message in her first official event with the Filipino community.

Themed ‘Rizal: For Science, Truth and Life’, the Philippine ambassador underscored the relevance of Dr Rizal’s life and example today, and cited his steadfast sense of purpose and patriotism as a vital guidepost for the present generation in confronting the challenges brought forth by the pandemic.

The event concluded with a screening and brief discussion of Rizal’s Pen, a short film about a young man discovering the relevance of Jose Rizal’s writings to present-day Philippine realities, followed by a fellowship breakfast among embassy personnel and Filipino community members.

Staff of the Philippines Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and the Filipino community representatives paying tribute. PHOTOS: PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
Philippine Chargé d’Affaires Pete Raymond V Delfin leading the wreath-laying rites

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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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