Tip Of Trick or Treat

In the 19^th century Irish immigrants took their Halloween custums to the United States. They introduced the custums of " trick or treating hundred of years ago. In Ireland,groups of farmers travelled from house to house. They asked for food for the villages Halloween party. They promise good luck to those who were generous, and they frightened those who were not generous.

American and British children and teenagers go " trick-or-treating" on Halloween evening. They go around their neighbourhood from house to house in their costumes and masks and ring doorbells. When the door opens they shout, " Trick or treat?, and people usually give them a treat: sweets, biscuits, fruit or money; if the neighbour doesn´t give a treat, the children often play a trick. Typical Halloween tricks are: writing on doors with coloured pens, writing on windows with soap, and spraying cream on cars and people.

In the United States, these are the "safety rules" when you go trick-or-treating:

.Always go trick-or-treating in groups. Never go alone!

. Never go inside the house of a stranger. Always wait outside the door for the treat.

. Stop trick-or-treating at 8 p.m.

. Ask an adult to look at the sweets and biscuits before you eat them. Do not eat sweets or biscuits that are not factory wrapped.

Happy Hallowen

· If you go out on Halloween, make sure you don´t travel in the dark. If you do then carry a piece of bread with some salt on it. This will protect you if you meet a supernatural being.

· Halloween was once thought to be the best time for predicting the future. If a girl wanted to know who her future husband would be, she would brush her hair in front of a mirror and hope to see his reflection. Iff she wanted to know his name then she would peel and apple in one long strip and throw it over her left shoulder. The peel would fall in the form of a letter, the initial of her future husband´s name.

· If someone wanted to know if they would have a lucky year, they put apples and a sixpence in a tub of water. If the person could extract either of them with his mouth ( without using his teeth), he or she would have a lucky year.

· Make sure that you shut all your windows and doors on Halloween.If a poltergeist gets in, it may never leave.

· Avoid crossroads at Halloween. It is here that withes meet, and spirits do business with the Devil.

Hamilton poised to become youngest champion

ENGLAND expects Lewis Hamilton to become Formula One's youngest world champion in Brazil on Sunday at the same circuit where last year he buckled under pressure and blew his chance.

Brazil hopes Ferrari's Felipe Massa can somehow upset the odds and, with his home Interlagos crowd roaring him on, be crowned the country's first champion since the late Ayrton Senna in 1991.

After last year's astonishing finale, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen clawing back a seven-point deficit to prevent Hamilton becoming the first rookie to take the title, anything could happen.

The only certainty is there will be a first-time champion.

Hamilton, 23, is back with another seven-point advantage while Massa must win and hope the hand of fate favours him.

All the McLaren driver has to do, to become Britain's first champion since Damon Hill in 1996 and his team's first since Mika Hakkinen in 1999, is finish fifth.

That proved beyond him at Interlagos last year, despite starting alongside Massa on the front row, when he struggled to seventh place.

This time Formula One's first black driver is determined to make amends and show he has learned from the past by playing it safe.

"I remember last year, going into the final race, I was really on the back foot," he told Britain's Observer newspaper.

"I felt the whole country, the whole world ... I just felt this huge weight on my shoulders. I went in and made several mistakes and we dropped back. This year, because I've experienced it, I'm much better prepared."

Massa will be favourite to win the race but, even if he ends up with six victories to Hamilton's five this season, it could all be in vain for a driver who has successfully shrugged off his image as a supporting act at Ferrari.

Previously one of the more under-estimated competitors on the starting grid, Massa has shown he is a serious contender.

"I have a tougher job than Lewis in terms of the points situation but my own objective for the weekend is much more straightforward than his," he told Ferrari's website (www.ferrariworld.com).

"The only thing I am thinking about is winning. After that the matter is not in my hands and we will have to wait and see exactly what and how much we have won."

Meanwhile, Raikkonen won in Brazil last year, with help from Massa, and he will be called on to secure the one-two unless Massa is out of the reckoning.

With the constructors' title still to be decided, Ferrari lead McLaren by 11 points with 18 still to be won, Hamilton's team mate Heikki Kovalainen must go for victory.

"I want to be able to help the team and Lewis wherever necessary. The easiest way to do that is by running at the front," said the Finn.

Hamilton will also need to keep an eye out for Renault's Fernando Alonso, his former teammate who favours Massa, and BMW-Sauber's Robert Kubica as potential trouble.

Double world champion Alonso, winner in Singapore and Japan, has been in the top four in his last five races and also on the podium in Brazil in four of his five previous visits.

Kubica, a title contender until the penultimate race, needs to score enough points to prevent Raikkonen from snatching overall third place from him.

Maktab Duli sweeps dzikir contest

TEN finalists pitted against each other in the Dzikir Daiba'ie competition for secondary schools and colleges at the Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School (SM PDSM) .

During the finals, Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College emerged as champions for the male category while Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College won second place, followed by Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School.

The female category saw Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School taking home the champions trophy. Second place went to Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College while Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College secured the third place.

Yesterday's competition also saw awards given to the male and female categories for Best Solo which was won by Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College students, Ak Ehsanuddin Pg Hj Mulek and Irfah Mazidah Zinul Ariffin Lubis.

A total of 45 teams took part in the national competition as part of the 18th Teachers' Day celebrations.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Hj Dani Hj Ibrahim urged students to take active participation in all religious activities, as it not only concerns academic achievements, but also spiritual and physical in line with the country's national philosophy, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).

Participation in religious activities also aids in fostering moral and ethical values in one's self, he added. The guest of honor further suggested conducting a Tafsir competition in the future for better understanding of the dzikir.

Pehin Dato Hj Dani also launched the Dzikir Daiba'ie 2007 CD yesterday, which was released by the Religious Section of the Ministry of Education's Co-curriculum Education Department. Hjh Ajijah Hj Md Saleh, SM PDSM principal, said that the soloist is the key person in leading a dzikir team and hoped that by adding this award, it will motivate students to be more competitive in improving their dzikir while making them closer to Allah SWT at the same time.

The deputy minister also presented the winners with their respective trophies and certificates.

Noor Hafizah Hj Ajak, the winner for best solo in the female category, said that she has always been interested in religious activities like nasyid, dzikir, Quranic recitation and the like. She urged other students to join such competitions as it will improve their Quranic recitation.

Currently under the Youth Tilawah Al-Quran Special Scheme Programme, Noor Hafizah said her aspiration is to become one of the nation's qariah.

The winner of Best Solo for the male category, Ak Md Ehsanuddin Pg Hj Mulek from Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College, shared Noor Hafizah's view and stated that participation in this type of competition will improve one's knowledge in the different types of dzikir.

He said that perhaps dzikir competitions should be preserved in its own Arabic language as it would not be the same if dzikir is localised to the Malay language.

The preliminary round of the competition saw the 21-member male team and 24-member female team reduced to the top five males and females in the finals. (DKR1)

26 medics go on pilgrimage

A TEAM of six medical officers and 20 nurses from the Ministry of Health will be among the more than 800 Haj pilgrims in this year's Haj season.

As an official send-off to the medical crew and intending Haj pilgrims made upof the ministry's staff, a doa selamat ceremony was held yesterday at the ministry's multipurpose hall.

Attending the event was Health Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Suyoi Hj Osman.

The ministry will dispatch a first batch comprising three doctors and seven nurses to make early preparations before the country's Haj pilgrims arrive in Medina on November 13.

The subsequent batch will accompany the Haj pilgrims as instructed by the ministry.

Members of the medical team were given briefings to update their knowledge and skills such as the weather conditions, pediatrics and women's healthcare.

The Haj delegation were given medical check ups along with physiotherapy training and refresher courses in basic life support.

During the ceremony, the head of the medical team, Dr Hj Azlan Hj Jaludin pointed out that the temperature in the holy land this year can be high, thus reminding the Haj delegation to avoid staying in the sun for a long time.

He also advised them to bring their medical cards and get enough rest, drink plenty of water and always listen to the advice of the medical team.

The event saw the minister handing over donations to those going for the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. (AII1)

HM presents and receives credentials from new envoys

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to present letters of credentials to three newly appointed Brunei High Commissioners and ambassador and received credentials from three newly-appointed foreign envoys.

His Majesty first presented the letter of appointment to Brunei's new High Commissioner to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Hj Abdul Razak Hj Mohd Hussaini.

This was followed by Malai Hjh Halimah Malai Yussof, the country's ambassador to the Republic of Philippines, and lastly to Hj Adnan Hj Mohd Ja'afar, Brunei's new High Commissioner to Australia.

His Majesty then received letters of credentials from newly appointed foreign envoys to Brunei led by Kuwaiti Ambassador, Ghassan Mohammed Abdurrahman Al-Dowaisan. Next was Republic of Korea's Ambassador, Kim Dae-Sik, followed by Sayyid Fakhri Mohammed Said Al-Said of the Sultanate of Oman.

His Majesty later granted an audience to the three newly-elected Bruneian envoys. Brunei's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Hj Abd Razak Hj Mohd Hussaini, 50, who began his service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) in 1982, was previously Minister Counsellor at the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Brunei's ambassador to the Philippines, Malai Hjh Halimah Malai Yussof, 49, was previously the Director of the Department of Politics II at MOFAT.

Meanwhile Brunei High Commissioner to Australia, Hj Adnan Hj Mohd Ja'afar, 41, served as the director for the Department of International Organisations at MOFAT.

His Majesty then consented to receive in separate audience the three newly appointed foreign envoys.

His Majesty first received Ghassan Mohammed Abdurrahman Al-Dowaisan, 54, who was previously Counsellor at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Oman.

Next was the Korean Ambassador Kim Dae-Sik, 57, who prior to his present appointment, was his country's envoy to Romania.

Finally granted an audience was the Oman Ambassador, Sayyid Fakhri Mohammed Said Al-Said, 56, who previously served as Charge d'affaires of the Sultanate Of Oman Embassy to Vienna, Austria. (SHR1)

RECORD-BREAKING 800th EPISODE OF RAW!

I WANNA THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT. NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP BABY! DONT MISS THE RECORD-BREAKING 800TH EPISODE OF RAW, WITH 3 HRS SPECIAL OF NON-STOP ACTION! WATCH MY FIRST TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST Y2J ON A STEEL CAGE MATCH!

Global stock markets stage rebound on bargain hunt

GLOBAL stock markets rallied yesterday as investors hunted for bargains after days of losses amid hopes of an end to the ongoing financial crisis, analysts said.

Shares were also helped by the likelihood that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in a bid to ease pressure on the slowing economy today.

Asian equities mainly bounced back, helped by a big rebound in Hong Kong where stocks rocketed 14.4 per cent to rebound strongly after plunging sharply the previous day.

Frankfurt jumped 9.26 per cent near the half-way stage yesterday, with carmaker Volkswagen boosted as Porsche prepares to take over the company.

London soared 4.25 per cent and Paris won 2.99 per cent in volatile trading despite continued worries about the ailing global economy.

"Rallies like this are to be expected in bear markets, but there need to be a number of other indications that show a bottom in equity prices have been hit," said Capital Spreads managing director Simon Denham in London.

"Whilst it is incredibly difficult to predict what happens in the future, the general rule of thumb is that equity prices hit a bottom about two to three quarters before the economy comes out of a recession.

"With many predicting this recession to be a long and hard one, it's a brave investor who piles into equities now, believing that we'll be back in positive growth territory at the end of 2009."

It emerged last week that Britain's economy shrank in the third quarter of 2008 for the first time in 16 years, stoking fears of a global recession which is defined as two successive quarters of negative economic growth.

Elsewhere yesterday, Tokyo finished with a gain of 6.4 per cent as the yen fell sharply and investors picked up bargains after the Nikkei index had hit a 26-year low. Seoul rose 5.6 per cent and Shanghai firmed 2.8 per cent.

"The equity market was massively oversold and a rally was due," said RBS Securities analyst John Richards.

But some Asian markets missed the rebound, with Sydney ending down 0.4 per cent.In the foreign exchange arena, the euro rallied from two-year lows against the US dollar as rebounding stock markets turned investors away from the US currency.AFP

Don't expect overnight success for PMB

IT WON'T happen overnight, the operators picked for Brunei Darussalam's deep water container port Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) said of the sultanate's success in turning it into a competitive transshipment hub.

"When you look at a national development plan like this, you look at being competitive from 15 years onwards to 30 years," said Enrique K Razon Jr, chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), the Philippines-based company chosen by the Brunei government to operate the port. "It is a very long-term issue."

Brunei is up for competition from existing ports in neighbouring states that have already established their presence in the region's trade lanes.

Among well-entrenched players is the Port of Singapore, which on average attracts some 140,000 vessel calls a year and serves 250 shipping lines connecting to 600 ports in 123 countries.

In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, Razon said the initial challenges for the port would be that everything has to run very efficiently and that the cost has to be beneficial.

"I think with the existing terminal already happening, it will be simply transferring everything there and having the technology in place," he said. Razon emphasised that the success of a project like this doesn't happen overnight.

ICTSI, regarded as one of the giants in the region's port operations, will perform its role to work to bring in some of their existing clients from their other port terminals in terms of economies of scale and will aim to bring more shipping lines to Brunei, he said.

Razon added that the ability of the port to co-exist with other major ports is not a pricing issue but a matter of location and circumstances of the local economy. The port will have a design capacity of up to 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), which means that the port can handle roughly 1 million containers a year.

Asked about the physical advantages the PMB Port has over other regional ports, Razon said the island is very close to mainland and will require a short bridge to build. "Should the island want to expand, it can do so through reclamation and will not damage any of the mangrove forest and natural vegetation surrounding it," he said.

The port is already under construction and the entire project, whose other components include a manufacturing hub, is projected to generate 4,000 jobs. "We can already prepare the port to serve the existing market well before the PMB port is finished," Razon said.

ICTSI currently manages 16 ports in 11 countries including Brazil, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, the Philippines, Poland, Syria, Ecuador and Georgia. It has a market capitalisation of US$1.5 billion and handled over 3 million containers last year.

Credit crunch may spur rise of syariah finance

THE fast growing syariah financial system may receive a further boost as an alternative to capitalism amid the credit crunch and banking crisis, Islamic academics and clerics believe.

Already said to be worth US$300 billion and expanding at 15 per cent a year, the Islamic system forbids the levying or payment of interest, preferring shared ownership and splitting of profits.

The global economic meltdown shows "the need for a radical and structural reform of the global financial system. The system based on the principles of Islam offers an alternative which could reduce risks," said Hatem al-Naqrashawi, head of theological studies at Doha University.

"Islamic banks don't buy credit but manage concrete assets ... which shelters them from the difficulties that American and European banks are experiencing," explained Abdel Bassat al-Shibi, managing director of Qatar International Islamic Bank.Islamic finance is different from capitalism in two main ways. It bans interest-bearing loans, seen as usury, a practice forbidden by Islam, and also forbids speculation. Instead, it favours sharing risks and profits between a bank and a client.

In the past three decades, the number of Islamic financial institutions has risen above 300, spread among 75 countries. Their total assets are more than US$300 billion and are growing an at average rate of 15 per cent a year, according to studies.

"The collapse of capitalism based on usury and paper and not on the trading of goods on the market is proof that it is in crisis and shows the Islamic economic philosophy is holding up," said prominent cleric Sheikh Yussef al-Qaradawi.AFP

Prince Charles says climate the real crisis

BRITAIN'S Prince Charles urged the world Tuesday to fight climate change, saying that while the global credit crunch may be temporary, the effects of the "climate crunch" were irreversible.

The heir to the British throne issued his appeal on a visit to Tokyo, where he and his wife Camilla are marking the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Britain.

"Given the current turbulence in the international financial system and the immediate and damaging effect it is having on the whole world, the credit crunch is rightly a preoccupation of vast significance and importance," Charles said.

"But we take our eye off the limate crunch' at our peril," he said in a speech at Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

"While we hope and pray that the underlying strengths of the global economy will once again enable it to bounce back, the effects of climate change will be far from temporary and will, indeed, be irreversible," he said.

Global markets have been battered in recent weeks by a global crunch in credit as some of the world's top financial institutions crumble under the weight of toxic subprime housing loans.

Charles, who has long championed environmental causes, cited predictions by UN scientists that temperatures could rise by more than six degrees Celsius by 2100 if no action is taken.

He called it a "level unprecedented in human experience."

Rising sea levels would "threaten the survival of coastal cities such as Tokyo, London and indeed New York," the prince said.

"With the melting of the Himalayan glaciers, three billion people living beside Asia's major rivers, the Ganges, Yellow River and Yangtze, would face flooding and then water shortages," he said.

"Nothing less than an urgent, full-scale transformation to a low-carbon society is needed," he said.

Charles said that rich nations such as Britain and Japan needed to cut carbon emissions by 70 to 80 percent by 2050.

Leaders of the Group of Eight rich nations — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States — called at a summit in Japan in July for global cuts of at least 50 percent by 2050, without specifying the base year.

Negotiations are under way to draft a new environmental treaty covering the period after the Kyoto Protocol's obligations expire in 2012.

Key ways to slash carbon emissions are developing new green technology and finding alternatives to deforestation, Charles said.

The prince had a taste of Japanese technology during his visit to the museum, where he was welcomed by a dancing Asimo, the humanoid turned robot celebrity designed by Honda Motor Co.

Charles, who is on his first visit to Japan since 1990, and Camilla afterwards attended a dinner hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Charles and Camilla will later tour the ancient western Japanese town of Nara, home to some of the country's most famed Buddhist temples, and the central mountain city of Nagano.

Royal audience for haj pilgrims

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to meet with this year's batch of Haj Pilgrimage at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

Present to meet with the Haj pilgrims was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar and Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah.

This year's haj pilgrimage includes 20 muslim converts (muallaf) who will be performing their haj courtesy of His Majesty through the Religious Council, who will be providing airfares and accommodations in the holy city of Mekah.

Md Sofian Abdullah, a resident of Perpindahan Mentiri who converted in 1982, was grateful for the opportunity to fulfil his wish and perform the Haj Pilgrimage for the first time this year.

Another convert from Seria, Abd Rahim Abdullah, said that he was also grateful for the opportunity and thankful for the support of his friend who encouraged him to apply for His Majesty's kurnia which enabled him to conduct the holy pilgrimage.

"It has always been my life's wish to perform the Haj obligation, not only as a new convert but also to become a whole muslim," said Abd Rahim, who converted to Islam in 1979.

The 880 intending pilgrims will be divided into five groups. The first batch will be leaving on November 13 while the subsequent departures are scheduled through November 15 to 18.

The pilgrims will be arriving home on December 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17. In addition, 17 of the ministry officials who will be accompanying the pilgrims will be leaving on October 30. (SHS1)

Royal audience for haj pilgrims

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to meet with this year's batch of Haj Pilgrimage at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

Present to meet with the Haj pilgrims was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar and Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah.

This year's haj pilgrimage includes 20 muslim converts (muallaf) who will be performing their haj courtesy of His Majesty through the Religious Council, who will be providing airfares and accommodations in the holy city of Mekah.

Md Sofian Abdullah, a resident of Perpindahan Mentiri who converted in 1982, was grateful for the opportunity to fulfil his wish and perform the Haj Pilgrimage for the first time this year.

Another convert from Seria, Abd Rahim Abdullah, said that he was also grateful for the opportunity and thankful for the support of his friend who encouraged him to apply for His Majesty's kurnia which enabled him to conduct the holy pilgrimage.

"It has always been my life's wish to perform the Haj obligation, not only as a new convert but also to become a whole muslim," said Abd Rahim, who converted to Islam in 1979.

The 880 intending pilgrims will be divided into five groups. The first batch will be leaving on November 13 while the subsequent departures are scheduled through November 15 to 18.

The pilgrims will be arriving home on December 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17. In addition, 17 of the ministry officials who will be accompanying the pilgrims will be leaving on October 30. (SHS1)

BUSINESS BRIEFS

China to invest in rail network

BEIJING: China will invest nearly US$300 billion in its overburdened rail system as a stimulus measure aimed at blunting the impact of the global financial crisis, state press said yesterday. The investment is part of plans to extend the country's railway network from the current roughly 78,000 miles to nearly 100,000 miles by 2010, Shanghai's Oriental Morning Post reported.

East Asia growth seen at 3%-5%

SINGAPORE: East Asia should be able to achieve an annual economic growth of 3 per cent to 5 per cent considering the current global financial crisis, Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said, in press reportsyesterday. Giving the assessment, Lee was upbeat about Asian economic growth supported by China and India.

US govt to buy stake in insurers

WASHINGTON: Following its purchase of shares of leading US banks, the US government is considering buying equity stakes in insurance companies using the US$700-billion rescue package approved by Congress, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. The newspaper said the insurance firms are offering their shares themselves, feeling they could benefit from the government's money pool amid financial turmoil.

M'sian inflation tamer in Sept

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's inflation eased slightly to 8.2 per cent in September after a series of retail fuel price cuts which saw the transportation index expand at a slower pace, government data showed. "Among the contributing factors to this decline is the reduction in the price of petrol and diesel announced by the government," the statistics department said in a statement late Friday.

US banks get capital, National City sold

NEW YORK: The US took further steps to prop up its banking system on Friday, starting to inject capital into a new group of banks, and helping to finance a US$5.2 billion takeover of ailing National City Corp by PNC Financial Services Group Inc. The Treasury Department plans to provide funds for 20 to 22 additional lenders as part of its next round of a US$250 billion bank recapitalisation programme. It has already committed half that amount to nine of the nation's largest banks in exchange for preferred shares.

Tata, Mahindra interested in Hummer

NEW YORK: General Motors Corp and Chrysler have moved closer on Friday to offloading two niche vehicle brands associated with the era of cheap gasoline and big profits for Detroit, even as both sides intensified talks on a merger that would combine the struggling automakers. GM will send out a sales prospectus for Hummer to possible bidders in the next few days and Indian automakers Tata Motors Ltd and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd are among those who will take a look, a source familiar with the matter said. Parties interested in looking at the prospectus have signed nondisclosure agreements and sent them in. Agencies

US$70-US$90 band for oil prices sought

VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez on Friday said Opec should create a price band for crude oil between US$70 and US$90 per barrell.

"Let's put that band back again, but not between US$22 and US$28 (per barrel) ... that was 2002, 2003, and it worked," Chavez said during the inauguration of a power plant.

"The band could be US$80 to US$90, US$70 to US$90, and we could perfectly handle that scenario," he said.

Opec on Friday announced it was taking 1.5 million barrels per day off the market after oil prices collapsed by half since July and by US$40 per barrel in the last month.

Opposition leaders and Wall Street analysts have said Chavez's self-styled revolution could face a financial crisis if oil prices continue falling, but Chavez insisted his government could withstand oil prices even of the late 1990s.

"If (prices) reached $7 per barrel again this revolution would not fall, it would actually get stronger I say that as a challenge," Chavez said.

Analysts said Opec could meet regularly over the coming months to announce further cuts in oil output as a worldwide recession weighs on energy demand and crude prices.

Opec is meeting on Dec 17 to review its decision to cut supply.

Even after the cut, the price of Brent North Sea crude sank to US$61, the lowest point for 17 months, as recession looms around the globe.

Following the Vienna gathering, DnB NOR Markets analyst Torbjorn Kjus said the cartel "probably needs to meet also in November ... to initiate further cuts to support prices".

Opec produces 40 per cent of world crude.

School to hold special events

ST GEORGE school which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, have lined up several activities to commemorate this momentous and special occasion.

The celebration started with the official launching of the school's exclusive website (www.stgeorges.edu.bn), and the 70th anniversary website last year. The website had been especially set up to mark the occasion and provides an opportunity for all fellow St Georgians and public to keep in touch.

A series of special events has been thoroughly organised from September 2007 to November 2008 to celebrate the 70 years of the school existence.

From a previous The Brunei Times article, the acting Principal of the school, Shanti Han said to commemorate the celebration, a lot of events were organised to finance a very grand celebration where they hope to invite as many ex-St George's students as possible.

The school can be proud of itself as many of its ex-St George's students are holding very high positions in Brunei and overseas.

According to the press release issued by the school, among the events line up for the celebration are the Special Assembly slated for November 19.

The celebration will be culminated by the 70th anniversary Gala Dinner at the Rizqun International hotel on November 21.

The event aim to provide the opportunity to reunite present as well as ex-students and teachers of the school. The occasion will be an ideal opportunity to reminisce the past and celebrate the present.

Tickets for the 70th anniversary Gala Dinner are still available for purchase, interested parties are asked to contact the school's office at 2224458 or 2228449.

The school will also be publishing a special edition magazine that showcase the school's humble beginning, memoirs and achievements of students through the years.

St George is also big in showcasing its students talents, previously 'A Year End Concert' themed 'Down The Memory Lane' was held last year showcasing the students talents through various performances ranging from cultural presentations to the different eras from the 50's until today. The concert was part of the 70th anniversary celebration.

A catholic mission school established since 1937, St. George's School mission is to provide opportunities for the overall integral development of each student. Fr. Piet de Wit started the first Catholic school in 1937 which later saw a string of the Mill Hill Missionary priests continued to come to Brunei. The school was named after its founder and benefactor George Newn Ah Foott .

The school's multi-cultural community comprises of preschoolers, primary students and secondary students. It also has dedicated staff to provide a stimulating environment that prepares students to be more independent learners coupled with curriculum that equips them to further their studies to any prestigious universities . (RSH1)

Sepak takraw team ready for action

THE sultanate will be looking to add to their two silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia, when the national sepak takraw team take to the beach today.

Competing in the inter-regu category of the competition, national head coach Ittiphol Chomchaissak had stated before leaving for the Games that his team had a 50-50 chance of winning bronze in the event.

Picking out Thailand as the team to beat, Ittiphol said that it was because of the quality of their players and the fact that the team had been training for the past three months.

Though he had added that he felt the country's athletes were at a lower level than the Thais, the Thai head coach earlier this week refuted Ittiphol's comments.

Sompong Sangkhasuram rated Indonesia's and Malaysia's strength below his squad but in a comment which may come as a surprise to many, said that he considered the sultanate's competitors equal in terms of technique.

"Indonesian and Malaysia are two countries whose skills are slightly below us so we are not easily intimidated by their challenges," Sompong was quoted as saying in last Monday's edition of the Jakarta Post.

"Brunei players ... are tall and have strong fighting spirit, which will boost their performance.

"Those things are what we must worry about," added the Thailand coach.

So far, all of Brunei's medals have come in the only other sport the sultanate is competing in at the inaugural edition of the Games pencak silat.

To say that the Games have been a good showing for the sultanate's pencak silat exponents would be a fair judgment, as four of the country's five exponents won a medal in the sport.

Hj Md Khairul Bahrin Hj Duraman got the celebrations started for Brunei last Sunday when he collected 449 points to win bronze in the men's pencak silat singles artistic category, losing out on the silver medal by a single point.

Siti Zuliza Omar lost 5-0 to Indonesia's Ni Nyoman Suparniti on Wedensday the last day of competition in the sport to claim silver in the 55kg to 60kg division final.

Earlier in the day, one of the sultanate's shining stars in the sport, Norleyermah Hj Raya, won the country bronze after collecting 446 points in the women's pencak silat singles artistic category.

Results for the other silver medal were not available at Press time.

More suspected melamine tainted products recalled

THE Ministry of Health yesterday issued another list of recalled products which contain traces of the potentially lethal industrial chemical, melamine.

The list includes all Julie's biscuits, Khong Guan, Khian Guan, Leo, Santa and Swan products that originated from Malaysia.This press release is issued following a recall from the Agri-Food agency and Veterinary in Singapore.

There has been a huge recall on China products that have been contaminated and those suspected of being tainted with melamine from Malaysia. This recall had started since late September 2008 as news first hit the nation.

The public are urged to return the tainted products to the respective shops or to the Food Quality and Safety Control Section, Environmental Health Services. They could do without any reservations as the directive has been issued.

The ministry also noted that those who are seeking for more information or worried on the consumption or use of certain products regarding melamine-tainted milk and dairy products from China can directly contact the Food Quality and Safety Control Section, Environmental Health Services of the MoH at Jalan Delima Dua at these numbers 2331100/5/6/8/9/10 or to visit website to obtain information at www.moh.gov.bn (AIS1)

New smart school to improve education system in Brunei

A NEW secondary school in Kg Meragang equipped with quality equipment and systematic infrastructure is expected to provide a better and more conducive teaching and learning environment for all the Form Six students once it begins it full operation in January 2009.

Yesterday witnessed the key handing-over ceremony at the new school on its spacious 12 acre land, enough to accommodate up to 1,200 students and 40 classrooms. The whole school is further equipped with ICT rooms, an art room with an additional dark room facilities for photography as well as a gallery and exhibition area to showcase students' work.

In catering to special needs students, the new school offers several facilities for disabled students, including an elevator for students in wheelchairs to move about more easily without any problems.

One of the more impressive features of the new school is the sunken amphitheater, built outdoors as a new and innovative way for students to learn in a new environment away from the traditional classrooms.

The Kg Meragang Secondary School is a project under the 8th National Development Plan that was managed by the Ministry of Education's Department of Estate Planning and Management and supervised by the Public Works Department at the Ministry of Development.

At the cost of $16.4 million, the construction of the school began last year on February 8 and was completed in early August of this year. This project is a milestone in the aspirations of the sultanate to create more skilled labour in the country in the near future.

Yesterday's ceremony saw Pg Anak Hjh Norhasimah, Director of Development of the Public Works Department, handing over the keys to Hj Mohd Daud Hj Mahmud, permanent secretary (Higher Education) of the Ministry of Education, who was guest of honour at the event.

Hj Mohd Daud then toured the school premises, including the school's laboratories and library, accompanied by Pg Anak Hjh Norhasimah.Present at the event were personnel attached to the MOE.(AIS1)

'Bank runs unlikely in Brunei'

BANK RUNS and other financial troubles hounding countries like Hong Kong and Singapore are not likely to happen in Brunei, according to an economist at the global research division of Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore.

"Countries that are not so connected (to) the global system Malaysia, Brunei are hardly affected by this financial crisis," Alvin Liew said in a talk on the global economic outlook for Brunei at Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday.

Brunei, however, cannot be complacent about its financial health and ignore the repercussions of the global financial crisis, particularly in relation to its plans of diversifying economic activity.

"The flip side is that on a longer term basis, we know that the government plans to diversify the economy ... which is a good thing. But this currency crisis points out to danger if they diversify to oil and financial services, that would tip the economy down much faster," Liew said.

He said that with Brunei being one of the main oil exporters in the region, with 90 per cent of the revenue coming from the oil and gas sector, Brunei has benefitted from the strong oil prices as seen in the past 12-18 months.

"(But) it could also be the Achilles heel for the country, where countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, who also have oil exports, would be inevitably affected in the price easing. The truth is that there could be more of a downside to it because the global economy looks weak," he added.

He added that in terms of currency, the world will see the US dollar strengthening still because of the natural and logical choice of securing funds in the US currency.

"Logically, even though their economy is going through a recession, there is seriously no safe haven to run to, so people will still run to the US," he said. "On the longer term, they will still look at a multi-year depreciation trend but for this year, at the end of the year, the Brunei and Singapore dollars will end at 1.49 to 1.50 against the US dollar," he added.

Liew also said that next year, weaknesses are likely to persist right up to the middle of 2009 where he views that after most of the currencies have found the bottom, they will start strengthening against the US dollar. "It will not be to the levels that we have seen but they will make up for the losses that happened from August till the middle of 2009, but they will not return back to the highs that we have seen in 2008," said Liew.

He said that he thinks growth for 2008 for Southeast Asia and Brunei will be fine, but a bit slower than in 2007 however, the problem and challenge will come in 2009 where most of the Southeast Asian markets have been downgraded to 3 per cent of the lower growth for 2009.

"I think the risk is still on the downside for 2009 especially with this global slowdown that is sharper than expected," he added.

Atletico handed two match ban

UEFA have ordered Spanish club Atletico Madrid to play their next two Champions League home matches at least 300 kilometres outside of Madrid following crowd trouble earlier this month against Olympique Marseille.

European soccer's governing body said the punishment could be extended to a third home match should there be further trouble at the club within a five-year probationary period.

"Atletico were charged with a lack of organisation during the Marseille match, which led to crowd incidents, and for the improper conduct of their supporters," UEFA said on their website (www.uefa.com).

"The Spanish club were also fined €150,000 euros (US$206,100) for the offences." The Primera Liga club, who have until midday Friday to respond to the punishment, were unavailable to comment. The closure of the Calderon means Atletico will have to find alternative venues for their remaining Champions League Group D home matches against Liverpool on Oct 22, and PSV Eindhoven on Nov 26.

It also means the much-awaited return of Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres to his former club will have to wait.

DPMM FC head to Cambodia

A FLAG handing over ceremony was held yesterday for DPMM FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. The football team set to represent Brunei embark today for Cambodia to compete in the Asean Football Federation's (AFF) Suzuki Qualifying Cup.

The eight-day qualifying cup starting from Oct 17 will see coach Vjeran Simunic's boys go against Laos, Philippines, Timor Leste and host Cambodia in a round robin format for the two remaining slots in December's 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup.

The best two teams that qualify for the finals will meet Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and defending champions Singapore.

"It will not be easy to qualify but we're taking it each step at a time hoping to make Brunei proud," coach Simunic said.

"We did our best during training taking into account that we have not been going through our normal training sessions because of the fasting month and Hari Raya season," Simunic added. During the fasting month, the team trained solely at night.

"Nevertheless my boys are hungry to win and hopefully through their combined talents we will achieve something," he added.

Players such as striker Shahrazen Hj Md Said, defender Pg Sallehudin Pg Hj Damit and winger Sairol Sahri are once again expected to be key figures in the team when they take to the pitch in Cambodia.

"I did my best to engrain the spirit into the team that no one is better than us," the coach said.

Pg Hj Mohd Yussoff Pg Hj Bahar, the Brunei team manager and Vice President of Bafa said that the team will be hoping to turn their luck around this year as they lost on goal differences to Philippines in the final of the 2006 AFF Championship, hopefully they will see this as something to motivate and increase their drive to improve their performance.

Bush move to inject US$250b in 10 banks as equity stake

THE United States ushered in a new era in banking yesterday with plans to take equity stakes worth up to US$250 billion in financial institutions, an incursion into the private sector that US officials called a regrettable last resort.

The US government followed European powers that agreed to recapitalise their banks a day earlier, triggering a global stock market rebound that continued yesterday.

"This is an essential short-term measure to ensure the viability of America's banking system," US President George W Bush said in a televised address. "These measures are not intended to take over the free market but to preserve it," Bush said. The US Treasury will buy non-voting preferred shares in major financial institutions, with stakes in each limited to US$25 billion. Bank executives must accept limits on their pay, and standards of corporate governance.

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said nine banks that he described as "healthy institutions" had agreed to accept government stakes for the good of the US economy — a government intervention unthinkable before the credit crisis, the worst since the 1930s Great Depression.

"Government owning a stake in any private US company is objectionable to most Americans, me included," Paulson said. "Yet the alternative of leaving businesses and consumers without access to financing is totally unacceptable." Bush also said the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation would guarantee new bank debt, temporarily insure senior preferred debt issued by banks and thrifts, and that the Federal Reserve would become a buyer of last resort of commercial paper — the debt instruments companies use to fund activity.

The latest measures are intended to stimulate interbank lending and the commercial paper markets, whose stagnation may have already pushed the US economy into recession.

Some relief was evident in money markets with interbank costs for overnight lending down. Similar moves in Europe helped restore confidence among investors last Monday.

Britain, Germany, France and others pledged more than US$1.36 trillion in direct capital injections for banks and to underwrite lending between banks that has all but frozen, choking off funds that drive business and industry.

Japan joined the global push, saying it could inject public funds into regional banks to make sure small firms can get cash. The Dow and the S&P 500 slipped after a 4 per cent surge at the open that came one day after both indexes registered their biggest one-day point gain in the wake of last week's panic sell-off. The Nasdaq was down slightly. European shares rose nearly 3 per cent, also paring earlier gains. Japan's Nikkei climbed more than 14 per cent — its biggest one-day gain in history.

"Clearly the markets are relieved by these actions and see them as a way of ensuring the financial system doesn't collapse in on itself," said David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities in New York. But, he warned, "We're in a period of economic stagnation and contraction. It's probably going to last another few months and into next year, but at the same time this is happening we should be a little encouraged by the drop of oil prices we've had recently."

With three weeks to go before the US presidential election, Republican candidate John McCain yesterday was due to reveal a proposal aimed at helping Americans cope with a sharp plunge in the stock market. Democrat Barack Obama announced a raft of relief measures on Monday.

The chief executive of one of the world's biggest private equity firms said last Tuesday the injection of government cash into US banks, alongside similar measures around the world, could break the back of the credit crisis. "We will be looking today to an absolute sea change in the global financial system in terms of liquidity," Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman told a private equity conference in Dubai. This could be the action that "breaks the back of the credit crisis," he said. But the world economic outlook was littered with recessionary signals. Europe's major economies showed signs of flagging output and falling business confidence, and experts warned of dangers ahead as U.S. companies report shrinking third-quarter earnings.

Reuters

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

13-year-old girl busted for drugs

A 37-year-old repeat drug offender was caught alongside a 13-year-old girl during a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) operation in Brunei-Muara district earlier this week, the drug enforcement agency said yesterday.

The 37-year-old man, a repeat offender since 1991, was apprehended by the authorities with five other females aged between 13 to 27 and was involved in a scuffle with NCB officials whilst trying to escape, the bureau said in a media statement.

"During the operation a struggle occurred between NCB officers and the 37-year-old man, who tried to injure some officers but failed to escape," the statement read.

The NCB said investigations revealed that the man, who has ongoing cases from the past that are currently awaiting the court's verdict, have been enlisting the use of the five apprehended females to run his drug dealing operations.

Confiscated items from the operation included used clear packets of plastic and straw cuttings containing crystal fragments which the authorities believe to be syabu, or methylamphatemine, weighing 15.66 grammes. Instruments for drug consumption as well as cash in undisclosed amounts were also found.

The NCB also noted in its press statement released yesterday that the arrested females have fled their home to stay with the 37-year -old drug dealer.

If found guilty under section 3(A) of the Misuse of Drugs Act for possession of controlled substances with intent for distribution, the offender may face five years imprisonment and five strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of 20 years jail and 15 strokes of the cane.

The offender may also face additional charges, including a minimum of two years jail, a maximum of 10 years imprisonment or a $20,000 fine under section 6(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. If found guilty under section 6(b), the offender may face maximum imprisonment of 10 years or a $20,000 fine.

For the possession of instruments for drug consumption, the offender may face an additional three years jail or a $10,000 fine. (HHM1)

Park boosts South Korea against UAE

IN-FORM Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung will return to boost South Korea against UAE today as they seek their first win of the last Asian round of 2010 World Cup qualifying.

Park and Borussia Dortmund defender Lee Young-Pyo, who were unavailable for the opening 1-1 draw with North Korea, are both recalled as South Korea look to kick-start their campaign here.

The pair, who have combined for 170 caps, will anchor the Korean squad, which needs to beat the winless UAE to bolster its hopes of reaching their seventh consecutive World Cup.

The Koreans, who reached the 2002 World Cup semis, beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in a friendly on Saturday in a rare goal spree in front of their home fans.

South Korean head coach Huh Jung-Moo said the victory was encouraging but admitted his squad still has some work to do.

"I wish our players were more accurate with their passing and shooting," he said. "And we still have to improve our ball control deep in the box."

Huh will look to Park, the only Premier Leaguer in the line-up, to control the pace of the offence and to provide leadership on and off the pitch.

Park, wore the skipper's armband Saturday for the first time in his international career, was his usual tireless self in the win over Uzbekistan.

The versatile midfielder said the victory was more than just a boost for the team's collective confidence.

"I think the guys are really coming together as a team and they're more willing to make sacrifices for each other," Park said after a practice Monday.

"We're going to be relaxed and will be ready to show fans everything we have. I've been gearing up for the match."

The UAE team, which drew Japan 1-1 in their own friendly last Thursday, arrived in South Korea on Monday.

Dominique Bathenay, who was promoted from assistant coach to head coach earlier this month, told reporters he is here to win.

"Korea are a strong team but we can also survive the final round," said Bathenay, who replaced Bruno Metsu after the team lost the first two games in the final qualifying round.

"We know it won't be an easy match but we will just play our own game."AFP

photo of the day – johnny knoxville

So here is me arriving on the scene of this horrible (but true) act of delinquency. Rick Kosick informed me that the hooligan who did this fled the scene stinking of booze, clutching his back, and shouting anti-Khali propaganda to all within earshot. Too bad I will never get to meet this man to shake his hand, slap his back, and offer to get him into some remedial spelling program. (Yes, it seems our comrade not only misspelled the Great Khali’s name but also “wee wee.”) Oh well, guts and brains don’t always go hand in hand. If you want to see video footage of our hero in action go here. Woo-hoo! —Johnny Knoxvilleee

photo of the day – the great khali

So you know the book Where’s Waldo where you have to find Waldo on every page? Well, today’s photo of the day is kinda like that except instead of locating Waldo you have to find the “big sissy” in this picture. One hint, it’s not the gorgeous guy holding the sign. I don’t want to help you any more than that, though, because I know our jackassworld members love a challenge. I love a challenge as well. It’s just too bad I won’t have one this Monday night on Raw.

Sincerely,

The South Knoxville Strong Boy

johnny knoxville’s rebuttal to the great khali

So this is gettin’ outta control. Someone sent me a link to the WWE RAW show last night and the “Great” Khali is calling me out. Looks like somebody is a little infatuated with ol’ Knoxville. Un-fucking-believable. Have you seen this guy? It’s like they shaved down Chewbacca and put him in wrestling tights. He kinda sounds like Chewbacca, too. I guess that’s why they have that little Puerto Rican translator beside him “translating” what Khali groans and mumbles. That translator speaks about as much Indian as I do. Anyway, I am getting a little sidetracked with this shit. I am not someone who watches a lot of wrestling, but let me say I FUCKING HATE bullies. And for a 7-foot 3-inch (we know what the 3-inches represent) wookie to call out a 6-foot me on national TV over a stupid fucking interview that makes me irrationally mad. I say irrationally because I know it’s wrestling and it shouldn’t make me mad, but I can’t help the way I’m feeling. If this dude wants to start a war with me, then good. I just want to let you know, Khali, I don’t fight the way the other fellas fight. I am at a great disadvantage in the ring, but outside of the ring you’re mine.

Sincerely, Knoxville

Markets could fall another 20%: IMF

US finalises plan to acquire direct stakes in American banks

THE International Monetary Fund yesterday warned markets could drop another 20 per cent in a worst-case scenario as the US government pushed on to finalise a plan to buy direct stakes in American banks.

Global stocks plunged to five-year lows on Friday as panic gripped. The US S&P index and European stocks suffered their worst week ever, losing around a fifth of their value.

"In a worst-case scenario, governments will need a few more weeks to take the correct measures and the markets could fall another 20 per cent. Then, we'll turn around," the IMF's chief economist Olivier Blanchard was quoted as saying in Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

The world's rich nations vowed on Friday to take all necessary steps to unfreeze credit markets and ensure banks can raise money, but they offered no collective course of action to avert a deep global recession.

In a statement, the Group of Seven stopped short of backing a British plan to guarantee lending between banks, something many on Wall Street saw as vital to end growing market panic.

However, an emergency meeting of eurozone leaders today would discuss a bank rescue package taking Britain's initiative as a reference point, a source close to the French presidency said, even though as a non-euro member Britain would not attend.

Reports say Germany is thinking along the same lines.

Britain's rescue plan, launched last week, involved injecting £50 billion (US$86 billion) of taxpayers' money into its banks and, crucially, to underwrite interbank lending which has all but frozen around the globe.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the US government would buy shares of financial institutions if necessary to halt market turmoil that has wiped out trillions of dollars of wealth and threatens to throw the global economy into major recession.

"We're going to do it as we can do it in a proper way that will be effective. Trust me, we're not wasting time, we're working around the clock," Paulson said late on Friday after the G7 meeting broke up.

He declined to discuss the size of the US bank equity purchases, but said details were being developed quickly.

Analysts said the G7 statement was unlikely to allay the panic that has swept through markets in recent weeks.

"Right now, everybody's scared, they're panicking," said Mark Waggoner, president of Excel Futures Inc in California.

"No matter what they (G7) do it's not going to be an instantaneous fix and everybody wants a fix that's immediate."

The IMF's Blanchard estimated there was about a 50 per cent chance of a recession in the US and Europe.

Leaders of eurozone countries will meet in Paris today.

EU chiefs are due to hold a regular summit in Brussels on Oct 15, but the ferocity of this week's turbulence persuaded French President Nicolas Sarkozy to summon the 15 states that have adopted the euro for emergency talks.

"There are two competing models. The American model, which no one wishes to draw inspiration from, and the British model. This is what everyone is talking about," the source close to the French presidency said.

Rich nations vow to fight credit crunch but no details

WASHINGTON

THE United States appealed for patience yesterday as world leaders raced to restore financial market confidence and avert the deepest global recession in decades.

President George W Bush met with Group of Seven economic chiefs and officials from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, and said top industrial nations grasped the gravity of the crisis and would work together to solve it.

"I'm confident that the world's major economies can overcome the challenges we face," Bush said, adding that Washington was working as fast as possible to implement a US$700 billion ($1,001 billion) financial bailout package approved a week ago.

"The benefits will not be realised overnight, but as these actions take effect, they will help restore stability to our markets and confidence to our financial institutions."

Confidence has been in short supply and panic has swept through global markets, driving stocks to a five-year low on Friday and prompting banks to hoard cash. That has choked off lending to businesses and households, threatening to turn a global economic slowdown into a dangerously deep recession.

The world's rich nations vowed on Friday to take all necessary steps to unfreeze credit markets and ensure banks can raise money but they offered no specifics on a collective course of action to avert a deep global recession.

In a surprisingly brief statement after a 3-1/2 hour meeting, the G7 stopped short of backing a British plan to guarantee lending between banks, something many on Wall Street saw as vital to end growing market panic.

Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard University professor and former IMF chief economist, said the G7 would have been better served adopting some version of the British plan so that banks would feel confident enough to loosen their grip on lending.

"Saying that they'll take all steps necessary leaves hanging the question of whether they know what is best and necessary," he told Reuters. "It was a signature moment for the G7. I think markets are going to be very disappointed."

European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said markets needed time to digest a series of dramatic steps taken by world central banks in recent days, including pouring billions of dollars into financial markets and lowering interest rates in the broadest coordinated cut on record.

An emergency meeting of euro zone leaders today will discuss a bank rescue package taking Britain's initiative as a reference point, a source close to the French presidency said, even though as a non-euro member Britain would not attend.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said euro zone countries were working on a joint solution.Britain's rescue plan, launched last week, makes available £ 50 billion pounds ($125 billion) of taxpayers' money for injection into its banks and, crucially, to underwrite interbank lending which has all but frozen around the globe.

Germany was also considering injecting capital into its banks, Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday.

Reuters

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Markets could fall 20%: P8

Singapore investors demand money back: P8

At least 12 killed as major quake rattles Caucasus

MOSCOW

A STRONG earthquake reverberated through the Caucasus mountains yesterday, killing at least twelve people and disrupting power supplies in Russia's Chechnya region, reports said.

The quake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale according to Strasbourg observatory estimates, was felt in five regions of the Russian north Caucasus and neighbouring Georgia and Armenia.

The dead were found in Chechnya's east, several of them killed in the Kurchaloy district and the other in Gudermes, said Itar-Tass news agency, citing Chechen vice emergency situations minister, Akhmed Dzheirkhanov.

One was a soldier who died when a wall collapsed, while at least 24 people were injured, said Russian news agencies, which added there were no reports of major damage.

Some 52,000 people from three Chechen districts were left without electricity, according to the Russian emergency situations ministry, cited by Interfax.

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov said he had ordered the creation of a special commission to assess the needs of people following the earthquake.

"We have received information on damage from various districts... each and every (victim) will receive the necessary help and support," said Kadyrov, quoted by Interfax.

The American Geological Institute, which put the strength of the quake at 5.3 on the Richter scale, said its epicentre was 40km east of the Chechen capital Grozny, and 10km underground.AFP

Hamilton should get a penalty'

FUJI, JAPAN

WORLD championship leader Lewis Hamilton yesterday brushed aside criticisms of his aggressive driving style by Poland's Robert Kubica.

The 23-year-old Englishman, who leads Brazil's Felipe Massa by seven points with three races remaining, said he was not bothered by what the other drivers thought and would continue to stick to his own way of attacking races.

"I don't care what the other guys think," said the McLaren driver.

"I'm here doing my own job. I represent my team, myself, my family, my country and I do it the best way I can.

"At the end of the day there are always going to be people you are beating who aren't particularly happy about things, but that's motor racing."

BMW-Sauber driver Kubica, also 23, had told German media: "There are two different ways you can drive. You can be aggressive, but stay fair. Or you can be too aggressive and too self-confident.

"What Lewis did in Monza, for example, that was too much. He cut in the way of Timo Glock and forced him to go on the grass. And Fernando Alonso had to lift the pedal on the straight because Lewis had crossed his line.

"That was too much by far. It was too dangerous. We did mention this in the drivers' briefing and I think everybody has a similar opinion.

"But in the end we can talk as much as we want, but if somebody is convinced that he has the right to do so, we have no chance to stop him. That's why we have penalties.

"In Monza they should have given a penalty to Lewis."

Hamilton said he wasn't going to let any mind games affect his performances in the last three races as he seeks to become the youngest champion in Formula One history.

"I am not worried by any of this. I've been fairly relaxed at the end of the season to be honest," he said.

"I went back home (after Singapore) and I felt good at home. I'm not worried about the last three races.

"I've come here and I've got in the car and driven as well as I ever drive, and so I feel I'm on top of things. I haven't got any particular worries.

"We have just got to try to avoid any potential, you know, speed humps that come along because there is always some kind of problem that appears in some way, shape or form.

"So we have to try and make sure we are prepared the best we can be." AFP

Japan looks to boost economy

JAPANESE Prime Minister Taro Aso sought new ways to stimulate the economy yesterday, as a 14.5 per cent dive in machinery orders provided further evidence the global financial crisis is pushing Japan into recession.

Tokyo has already prepared an US$18 billion stimulus package. But, a day after major central banks staged coordinated rate cuts to kick-start financial markets, Aso asked his ruling party to consider compiling another one.

"It is extremely unclear how financial market developments will affect the real economy, and we need to respond to it," Aso told reporters.

Lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party met to discuss a package, which may include loans for small firms and corporate tax cuts.

The world's second-largest economy has so far proven more resilient than Europe and the United States in the face of global financial turmoil, and its banks have bought into US lenders hit by bad subprime debt.

The fear is that Japan will suffer as the crisis spreads beyond banking and markets.

The slide in machinery orders for August reinforced expectations that Japan is on the brink of recession, after the economy contracting at its fastest rate in seven years in the second quarter.

"There is a chance Japan's economy may contract again towards the end of this year and early next year. In this market environment, corporate revenues and sentiment could worsen further," said Yoshiki Shinke, a senior economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

In the midst of global panic alternating with cautious hope, Japan's benchmark Nikkei share average dipped slightly yesterday, after suffering on Wednesday its biggest one-day fall since the 1987 stock market crash.

The safe-haven yen hovered around ¥100 to the US dollar, not far from a six-month high hit on Wednesday. Japanese government bond futures dropped after a plunge in US Treasuries.

Unlike its East Asian neighbours, China, South Korea and Taiwan, Japan has not joined a round of interest rate cuts by central banks around the world, part of an effort to contain the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression.Reuters

DPMM FC step up Shukor chase

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, October 10, 2008

DPMM FC have opened talks with Muhammad Shukor Adan in an attempt to sign the 29-year-old midfielder.

The former captain of the Selangor team and the skipper of the Malaysian national squad, Shukor is currently a free agent.

Shukor captained the Malaysian team against English Premier League side Chelsea at the Shah Alam Stadium in July.

They lost 2-0 to the Blues, but the current EPL leaders' manager Luiz Felipe Scolari praised Shukor and Co for putting up a good fight.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) came up with a ruling in August that banned all foreign players from its domestic leagues next season. The move has led Brunei's premier club to look at signing quality Malaysian players to shore up its squad.

"He (Shukor) has good leadership qualities and we hope he can motivate our players," said DPMM FC manager Hj Eady Sardi PDDDP Hj Abd Razak when contacted yesterday.

"He is also a very good player. We hope our players can learn from him. That's why we want to sign him," he added.

"But no final decision has been made yet. If he agrees to play for DPMM FC he will arrive on Dec 1," said Hj Eady.

DPMM FC announced last month that they were chasing Shukor and another Malaysian international Indra Putra Mahyuddin.

Hj Eady, however, said that they were no longer pursuing Indra Putra, a prolific forward who plies his trade at Selangor and has represented Malaysia since 2002.

In August 1995, Shukor represented Melaka in the Under-18 FAM-Milo Championships.

He was then selected by German coach Holger Obermann to represent Malaysia in the 25th Asian Schools Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 1996.

Malaysia finished third in the tournament after losing 1-0 to South Korea in the semi-finals.

On Sept 28, 1997, Shukor scored a hat-trick against Brunei in the 26th Asian Schools Championships in Patna, India.

In 1998 he represented Negri Sembilan in Malaysia Games (Sukma) and helped his team become runners-up after losing to powerhouse Selangor.

Nakajima's nerves jangle ahead of first-ever home Grand Prix

FUJI SPEEDWAY, JAPAN

KAZUKI NAKAJIMA admits the nerves are jangling ahead of his first-ever home Grand Prix, but the rookie Williams driver is determined to put on a show for his fans.

He is the only Japanese driver in the field at Fuji Speedway this weekend, but is riding high after the team announced last week it would retain him for the 2009 season.

Williams Team Principal Frank Williams said Nakajima was getting stronger by the race and the Japanese star, who knows the circuit in the foothills of Mount Fuji well, is determined to again prove his credentials on Sunday.

"I'm really excited about my home Grand Prix and this will be the first time I've been back to Fuji for three years," he said.

"It used to be my Formula 3 team's home track so I lived in the area for a year. It feels really good to be going back, and this time I'll be driving a Formula One car so I can't wait."

Japanese Formula One fans are renowned for their fervent support of home drivers and they will be expecting their hero not to disappoint.

Nakajima knows the pressure is on.

"I think there will be some expectation from the fans because I'm the only Japanese driver at the moment so I'm a bit more nervous for this race," he admitted.

"The atmosphere will be great though and I'll just do my best to relax, enjoy the weekend and hopefully bring home some points."

Nakajima currently lies in 15th place in the drivers' standings while Williams are eighth in the constructors' race.

A second place for Nakajima's teammate Nico Rosberg at the last Grand Prix in Singapore has raised hopes of another podium finish for Williams this weekend.AFP

Ministry gives Raya gifts to Ripas hospital patients

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

HOLIDAY cheer was spread among the patients of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (Ripas) Hospital this Hari Raya Aidil Fitri as the Ministry of Health presented hampers and goody-bags to them yesterday at the hospital wards.

The distribution of the gifts was led by the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, who was accompanied by his wife.

The presentation of hampers and goody-bags is held every year by the ministry in the hopes of raising the patients' spirits since they could not be at home to celebrate the festive season with their families.

The hampers and goody-bags were filled with food items derived from the collective contributions from Baiduri Bank, Chop Eng Hong Supermarket and the Ripas welfare fund.

The children of the Pediatric Unit were also given the traditional green packets, which were contributed by philanthropists and the ministry's Sports and Social Welfare Body.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah and spouse also participated in the handing over of the contributions.

The permanent secretary and other senior officials from the ministry as well as Ripas hospital and Baiduri Bank staff were also present yesterday.

At present, as many as 366 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital wards. A total of 48 of these patients are children.(ODM1)

Prison inmates share in Aidil Fitri cheers

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Muslim inmates at the Jerudong and Maraburung prison had the privilege of celebrating Hari Raya with their families, yesterday.

The celebration is considered an open visit which entitles the inmates to spend time with their families for 45 minutes. Although the mood was a little sombre considering the circumstances the families did their best to enjoy the moment and the 45 minutes spent were filled with tears and laughter as they exchange news.

Inmates were also allowed to shake hands and hug their loved ones those who are parents had the rare chance to hold their children.

The male and female inmates were separated into halls and rooms designated for the special occasion. Special cases inmates were not forgotten and in the spirit of Raya were also allowed visitors in a confined room although such visits were made by appointment only.

Visiting families were also permitted to bring home-cooked meals for their loved ones. However, precautions were made to prevent prohibited items such as cigarettes and other harmful substances from being smuggled into the cells and the food were inspected by prison officials before entering the halls.

Present to mingle with the families and inmates was the Director of the Prison Department, Dato Paduka Hj Ahmad Dullah who showed his support by taking the time to sit and talk to the families as well as the inmates.

The Raya celebration is part of the Prison Department's effective rehabilitation programme which aims to show the inmates that their families still care and to further promote their well-being.

The Raya visits will continue for four consecutive days starting from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon.

This rare opportunity to meet and greet families during the festive season is not an event organised for the Muslim inmates only as the other inmates would also be able to celebrate their own holidays such as Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Last year, members of the diplomatic corps from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia also visited the foreign inmates to celebrate the festive month together with them.

Man killed in road accident

Fatal accident: A head-on collision along the highway to Kuala Belait near Sungai Liang yesterday claimed the life of an Indonesian man.

BELAIT

Monday, October 6, 2008

TWO separate accidents occured at Liang Lumut Sg Lamit area in the Belait District yesterday, one of which cost a man's life.

A head-on collision along the highway to Kuala Belait near Sungai Liang between a grey four-wheel drive and a red saloon car killed the driver of the saloon car, 41-year-old Indonesian national, and injured several others. The accident near the Sg Liang Water Treatment Plant, which occurred at about 1.30 pm, caused a massive 10-km traffic jam on both sides of the lanes and also caused disruptions to the Hari Raya plans of those visiting friends, colleagues or relatives.

This section of the road, which narrows into a two-lane carriageway from a wider four-lane further up the road, is said to be an accident-prone area.

Meanwhile in the other accident involving a four-wheel drive, the driver, a 26-year-old Malaysian man and seven of his family members, escaped unhurt. The cause of the accidents is still under investigation.

Istana records 101,890 Raya visitors

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, October 6, 2008

Number queuing to meet and greet HM & Royal Family just shy of 2006 record

OVER 100,000 people were reported to have visited the Istana Nurul Iman throughout the three days that the residential palace was open to the public for the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebrations. This year's figure of 101,890 visitors fell shy of the 2006 record, when a total of 102,599 people converged to meet and greet with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Royal Family.

Thousands upon thousands of the Sultanate's loyal subjects, expatriates and foreign visitors of all ages flocked through the majestic entrance of the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday as the residential palace welcomed the public for the final day of its Hari Raya open house.

In spite of the presence of stormy clouds still lingering overhead from the previous night's torrential downpour, an eager crowd had already formed within the early morning hours, patiently waiting for their chance to convey their Raya greetings to His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family.

After passing through the registration and security checkpoints, His Majesty's guests were treated with the utmost hospitality as hotel-quality meals and free-flowing beverages were served, while festive music and decorations filled the backdrop to accompany the luxurious buffet.

With happily satisfied stomachs, they then proceeded to line up in the winding queue which spanned through the various halls of the grand palace. Parents stood cradling young children in their arms, while senior citizens were given tentative care and respect while they awaited their turn for a close-up encounter with the benevolent ruler and and the royal entourage.

Police, Fire and Rescue Service officers were on hand to ensure that the queue was orderly and were in the appropriate attire to be in the presence of royalty. The crowd was then ushered to the hall where the public could convey their Raya greetings to His Majesty and the Royal Family.

With a smile, the monarch shared a few words with his adoring public as they each took their turn to shake hands with His Majesty in one of the halls of the Istana Nurul Iman.

Also present to greet the masses were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen as well as other members of His Majesty's immediate family.

Meanwhile in another hall of the Istana, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha along with Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and other immediate Royal Family members received the female visitors to the palace.

After they each had their opportunity to meet with the Royal Family, the crowd was then directed to a station where goodies, greeting cards and green packets were handed out, in line with the generous mood that Hari Raya brings every year. Yesterday, the number of visitors reached 17,464 people to Istana Nurul Iman in the morning session alone. Some 8,321 visitors registered for the afternoon meet and greet session.

During the third day of the palace's open house last year, some 29,358 people were reported to have attended the event. In 2007, a total of 95,669 people showed up over the three days that the Istana was open to the public during Hari Raya. In the previous years, it was not unusual to find that the number of visitors surpassed 40,000 each day.

Truly an experience unique to the Sultanate, the Hari Raya open house at the Istana Nurul Iman is one of the much anticipated highlights of the year. Visitors, both local and foreign, throng to the palace annually to personally meet with the ruler of the nation, an opportunity considered rare in most countries. (ODM1)

Fergie reassures Capello on Rooney

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has moved to reassure Fabio Capello that Wayne Rooney will be made available for England's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The forward will almost certainly miss Manchester United's visit to Blackburn on Saturday with an ankle injury but Ferguson has played down fears he could fail to join Capello's squad for the qualifiers at home to Kazakhstan on October 11 and away to Belarus four days later.

Rooney limped out of United's impressive Champions League win over Aalborg in Denmark this week, generating concern that he would be unavailable for the England games.

But, although Ferguson is unable to guarantee his fitness for the first of the matches, the United manager has assured England boss Capello that Rooney will be joining the squad.

"I have no issue about Wayne Rooney joining England," said Ferguson, who rated Rooney "doubtful" for the visit to Blackburn, now managed by former United star Paul Ince.

"The only saving grace about him is that the games England have, they should be able to cope even if Wayne wasn't to make the Saturday game."

While Rooney is making a positive recovery from his injury, midfielder Paul Scholes has been ruled out for ten weeks after damaging knee ligaments in the same game this week.

However, despite Scholes approaching his 34th birthday and being in the final year of his current Old Trafford contract, Ferguson has no doubt the influential veteran will make a full and impressive return to first team action.

"The last few years, Paul has had some longer term injuries like this," said Ferguson. "But he has always come back nice and fresh.

"Of course, he is 34 next month but he is like Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville in how he looks after himself.

"He is only a couple of months apart from Gary in age and Gary has just been out a year and a half, but he has come back absolutely fantastically. You have got to admire that perseverance and determination, it's an in-bred characteristic they have.

"They look after themselves and that's the reason I am very very confident Paul will be back and playing, easily for another year. I have no fears about that, he has come back repeatedly.

"The problem Paul had with his eye was a worry at the time a couple of years ago because we couldn't find the answer to it. We were worried about that. But he came back from that and came back from injury last season. He'll come back from injury this year."

United's faith in Scholes was underlined on Friday when the midfielder signed an extension to his contract which will keep him on the Old Trafford payroll until the end of next season.

Darren Fletcher has also been given a new deal with his contract now extended to 2012.

Ferguson's claims that he has a deep squad are currently being put to the test with key midfielders Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves sidelined and Neville, like Rooney, rated doubtful to play at Blackburn.

But Ferguson is content with the way in which his personnel have responded to the number of absentees.

"I think we will continue to get better," he said.

"We have players now getting more miles on the clock and who are now getting games and we're strong. Very strong.

"You see the value of the squad now when you see the players we have out. At the moment we have three midfielders out but then you see the way John O'Shea played in midfield on Tuesday, he was excellent. Players like Anderson, Giggs, Fletcher have come in and done well. I'm blessed with a strong squad and we should cope."