The Asia Pacific Division (APD) of the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) recently awarded the development project of Royal Brunei Culinary’s (RBC) Central Kitchen as one of the winners of its inaugural Project Excellence initiative.
RBC’s Central Kitchen is one of the largest central production facilities in the country.
Hospitality Total Services (HTS) Australia, a professional member of FCSI provided design master planning for the project.
The work involved moving from four separate production facilities comprising in-flight catering, healthcare, restaurant and bakery into one modern commissary kitchen.
The objective of RBC’s project was to maximise its production efficiencies through supply chain optimisation. Equipment was selected towards efficient production and ease of operation.
RBC Senior Manager and Project Manager of the Central Kitchen development project Alvin Voon said, “It is a great honour for RBC’s Central Kitchen to receive this recognition, made even more special as it was awarded by experts in the international food service industry.
This is a credit to the hard work put in by all the stakeholders involved in ensuring this project was a success”.
As the Sultanate’s largest central production facility, the project helped RBC improve its production yield on a significant scale.
Nintendo recently revealed the top 30 best-selling Switch games on the Japanese eShop for 2021, with titles from a wide variety of genres making the list.
Emerging as the top best-selling game from the eShop for Japan was Monster Hunter Rise, the most recent entry in Capcom’s critically acclaimed action role-playing game series.
First released on March 26 last year, Monster Hunter Rise is set in the ninja-inspired land of Kamura Village and sees players “explore lush ecosystems and battle fearsome monsters to become the ultimate hunter”. The game allows players to hunt solo or with friends to earn rewards that they can use to craft a wide variety of weapons and armour.
Taking the second spot on the list was online multiplayer social deduction game, Among Us.
Developed by Innersloth, the highly popular Among Us sees four to 15 players join together as they attempt to prepare their spaceship for departure. However, one or more random players among the crew are impostors aiming to eliminate everyone else.
‘Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury’ Switch game. PHOTO: NINTENDO‘Monster Hunter Rise’. PHOTO: CAPCORN
Meanwhile, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl placed third and fifth on the list. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes from 2021 that provide a re-imagining of the adventure first embarked upon in the original Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl released 15 years prior.
As the protagonist, the player adventures across the Sinnoh region, catching wild Pokémon and making new friends as they strive to complete their Pokedex, an electronic device that catalogues and provides information on the various species of Pokémon.
Fourth spot went to Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!, the latest entry in a long-running series of board-game style video games. The game from Konami sees players become the president of a railroad company and acquire properties across Japan with the goal of having the highest total assets in the country.
Human Fall Flat was the sixth game on the list. Developed by No Brakes Games, Human Fall Flat is described as “a hilarious, light-hearted physics platformer set in a world of floating dreamscapes. Each dream level provides a new environment to navigate, from mansions, castles and Aztec adventures to snowy mountains, eerie nightscapes and industrial locations”.
The seventh game on the list was Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, an enhanced port of the title that originally released on the Wii U in 2013, which also brings with it additional content. As described by Nintendo, “In Super Mario 3D World, choose from Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad and set off to save the Sprixie Kingdom.” Meanwhile, Bowser’s Fury is a new adventure in which Mario arrives on Lake Lapcat to find that Bowser has become gargantuan, has lost all control and is on a rampage.
Nintendo’s mascot also appears in the eighth game on the list, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the 2017 enhanced Switch version of Mario Kart 8, which initially launched on the Wii U in 2014.
Featuring all previously released downloadable and additional content, the game sees players engage in kart racing, controlling various characters from Nintendo franchises and making use of an array of items they can collect and use to gain an advantage against opponents.
Minecraft took the ninth spot on the best-sellers list. In the ever popular Minecraft, players “explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles”. They have the option of playing in creative mode with unlimited resources or delving into survival mode, where they have to mine and gather resources as well as craft weapons and armour to survive and fend off dangerous mobs.
Rounding up the top 10 was fighting game Super Smash Bros Ultimate. This fifth instalment of the Super Smash Bros series sees players do battle by taking control one of a multitude of characters from a roster ranging from Nintendo mascots to characters from third-party franchises.
The next 10 titles on the list are: Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, a collection of board games, card games and sports games in 11th place; Mario Party Superstars, featuring a collection of classic Mario Party gameboards and minigames in 12th; life simulation game Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 13th; open world adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in 14th; cooperative cooking simulation title Overcooked! 2 in 15th; photography game New Pokemon Snap in 16th; mutiplayer action shooter Splatoon 2 in 17th; role-playing game Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin in 18th; Together! Nyanko Great War in 19th; and Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise in 20th.
The final 10 titles listed in the top 30 are: farming and life simulation game Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town in 21st place; action adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD in 22nd; role-playing games Dragon Quest X1 S: Echoes of An Elusive Age and Dragon Quest III in 23rd and 24th; Pokémon Sword in 25th; game creation title Game Builder Garage in 26th; Super Mario Party in 27th; side-scrolling action-adventure game Metroid Dread in 28th; indie role-playing game Undertale in 29th; and role-playing game Miitopia in 30th.
SEOUL (AP) – North Korea claimed yesterday to have conducted the second successful test flight of a hypersonic missile, days after leader Kim Jong-Un vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.
Wednesday’s launch, the North’s first known weapons test in about two months, indicates the country will press ahead with plans to modernise its nuclear and missile arsenals rather than return to disarmament talks anytime soon.
The official Korean Central News Agency said the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party expressed “great satisfaction” at the results of the missile test, which was observed by leading weapons officials. Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose crucial challenges to missile defence systems because of their speed and manoeuvrability.
It’s unclear whether and how soon.
North Korea could manufacture such a high-tech missile, but it was among a wish-list of sophisticated military assets that Kim disclosed early last year, along with a multi-warhead missile, spy satellites, solid-fueled long-range missiles and underwater-launched nuclear missiles.
The North’s latest launch was first detected by its neighbours.
The United States (US) military called it a ballistic missile launch that “highlights the destabilising impact of (North Korea’s) illicit weapons program”, while South Korea and Japan expressed concerns or regrets over the launch.
China, for its part, called for dialogue and said that “all parties concerned should keep in mind the big picture (and) be cautious with their words and actions”.
A test launch of a hypersonic missile in North Korea. PHOTO: AP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Federal Reserve officials last month were concerned about the Omicron impact, but believed the United States (US) economy had recovered enough from the pandemic downturn that interest rate hikes could come sooner than expected, according to minutes of the December meeting released on Wednesday.
The document provides a behind-the-scenes look at the deliberations of the Fed’s policy committee, which convened as the US central bank faced increasing pressure to act against the wave of inflation that sent consumer prices surging to multi-decade highs.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) accelerated the withdrawal of the pandemic stimulus measures and released forecasts showing central bankers expect to hike interest rates – their most potent weapon against price increases – as many as three times in 2022.
One of the two criteria for raising the benchmark lending rate off zero is how close the economy is to maximum employment, and many officials believe it is nearing that point or already there.
That means “it may become warranted to increase the federal funds rate sooner or at a faster pace than participants had earlier anticipated”, the minutes said.
With the faster pullback, the Fed’s stimulus bond-buying program now is set to end in March, setting the stage for rate hikes after that, though the minutes acknowledge they could move even quicker, if necessary given rising prices.
Tamu Tutong’s return was met with a muted response in comparison to its usual crowds before it was temporarily closed during the second wave of COVID-19 infections in the country.
The weekly open-air market, held every Thursday, usually welcomes visitors from Brunei-Muara, Belait and the Temburong districts.
A frequent visitor of the Tamu Tutong, who had never missed her visit every Thursday while the market was in session, was surprised they had no problem finding parking space.
“It was not a usual sight, with only a small crowd coming to the tamu,” she said, adding that reasons for the quiet response might be the lack of awareness for the market’s re-opening or that public confidence to visit markets wasn’t quite there yet. The same goes with vendors who have not resumed business activities, she said.
Another visitor, who drove all the way from Kuala Belait early morning was disappointed when her favourite vendors weren’t there and went back empty handed.
She also had issue with the handling of exits and entries into the market. Since the way in was also the way out, it got congested and the queues were fairly long. “It is probably bearable for the younger visitors, but it is definitely a hassle for senior citizens,” she said.
“Some visitors just left after visiting one block as they do not want to go through the hassle.”
Stall operators were similarly disappointed as sales were below average, compared to before the temporary closure. Some came as early as 4am so they can park close their allocated stall locations. Tamu Tutong re-opened yesterday, following guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Health.
Both market operators and visitors were required to scan the a QR code with their BruHealth app and check their temperature before entry.
Face masks must be worn at all times and visitors were reminded to practice social distancing.
Visitors to the Tamu Tutong when it re-opened yesterday after a hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTOS: LYNA MOHAMAD
LAS VEGAS (AFP) – Driverless ploughs and autonomous tools to weed vegetable plots are the latest innovations ready to help farmers juggling labour shortages, climate change and environmental protection, while trying to feed a growing world population.
Venerable American farm equipment manufacturer John Deere and French agricultural robot start-up Naio debuted their latest innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show, which began on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Touted as a means to feed the world, John Deere combined its popular 8R tractor, a plough, GPS and 360-degree cameras to create a machine a farmer can control from a smartphone.
Once the tractor is driven into the field, the farmer can simply swipe right to send it on its way, with no need to be in the cab.
Equipped with six pairs of cameras and artificial intelligence capabilities, the equipment constantly checks its position to the inch, and stops automatically as soon as it perceives an obstacle and sends a warning signal.
The autonomous plough will be available in North America this year, John Deere Chief Technology Officer Jahmy Hindman told AFP.
The John Deere 8R fully autonomous tractor is displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show. PHOTO: AFP
Other versions to seed or fertilise fields will come later, but combines to harvest crops are more complicated. The company has not yet specified the price for the equipment.
Technology is not new to the agriculture industry. For nearly 20 years, farmers have used GPS to aid steering, allowing them to plough straighter than a human.
“The customers are probably more ready for autonomy in agriculture than just about anywhere else because they’ve been exposed to really sophisticated and high levels of automation for a very long time,” Hindman said.
Other major farm equipment manufacturers are working on similar tractors.
American company New Holland presented a concept machine in 2016, while Japan’s Kubota in 2020 unveiled a prototype that even eliminates the cab.
Machines to automate farm tasks, including mechanical milking machines for dairy farms, generally improve productivity while freeing farmers from repetitive and physically demanding tasks.
Gaetan Severac and Aymeric Barthes launched Naio in 2011 after discussing the problems farms faced finding workers.
And they realised that robots, guided by centimetre-accurate GPS, could limit the use of chemicals.
At the Las Vegas tech show, they introduced the American market to Ted, a robot that can step over vines to weed around plants, and turn around on its own at the end of a row.
They also have a little “farm assistant” called Oz that can hoe, weed, or furrow, as well as a dedicated row crop weeding robot, Dino.
All are equipped with sensors, lasers, cameras or probes, allowing the robot to understand its environment, as well as collect data useful to the operator.
Farmers “no longer consider us as a gadget for the future”, Severac told AFP.
He said it’s likely the use of autonomous machines will first gain ground in specialised crops, with very high added value and requiring the most work, such as vegetables or vines, before moving to large cereal crops.
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, drones and even satellites all contribute to the move towards automating farm work, and the agricultural sector accounts for a quarter of the revenues of satellite imagery company Planet Labs.
“You can see the chlorophyll content in the sensors that we use that take pictures,” company co-founder Robbie Schingler told AFP. That allows a farmer to determine the health of a crop and possibly to add water or fertilisers.
The ‘Pasar Kitani’ weekend market will resume this Sunday at the parking area of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), Jalan Menteri Besar from 6am to 11am.
The market, which is a programme under Bandarku Ceria will be held every Sunday. Re-opening the market is one of the strategies under the Department of Argiculture and Agrifood (DAA) in support of the MPRT’s efforts to help farmers to market their products and increase their farm yields. Vendors and visitors will need to comply with COVID-19 preventative measures under which open air stalls and markets are permitted to operate during Brunei’s Early Endemic Phase.
This include allowing only registered vendors under the DAA who had completed two doses of vaccine with green and yellow BruHealth colour codes to operate at the market.
Any vendor who is unwell is advised not to attend; vendors should wear a face mask at all times; practice social distancing and personal hygiene and ensure the cleanliness and sanitation of the stalls.
Meanwhile, visitors are required to wear face masks at all times, scan BruHealth code with only those with green and yellow BruHealth codes allowed to enter the market.
Visitors above 18 years old with two doses of vaccines, and partially vaccinated single dose or unvaccinated children are allowed entry, provided they are accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians. Individuals who are not feeling well are advised not to visit the market.
The DAA encourages the public to support local farmers by visiting this weekly event.
Local farm produce available at the market. PHOTOS: DAA
TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi yesterday asked that the United States (US) military in Japan stay inside its bases to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Hayashi said he spoke on the phone with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and was promised utmost efforts to ensure people’s health. It was not immediately clear if a base curfew would be issued.
Major Thomas R Barger, a US Forces in Japan spokesperson, said he could not comment on the request, but that a team was carefully monitoring cases and trends.
Hayashi’s request came as the US military is promising more stringent measures to curb spreading cases.
The new measures require all personnel, even when fully vaccinated, to wear masks on base until a third negative coronavirus test, and reiterate an order for all to wear masks when off base, Barger said.
American forces have come under fire after a spike in coronavirus cases in areas where they are based in large numbers, including Okinawa and Iwakuni, both in southern Japan.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki sent a request to Japan’s national government yesterday for permission for the prefecture to strengthen its anti-virus measures.
A daily record of 981 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Okinawa yesterday.
In December, there were zero new cases on some days.
Entrance gate to the US Marine Corps’ Camp Hansen in Japan. PHOTO: AP
LAS VEGAS (AP) – Allegiant Air said on Wednesday that it will buy 50 Boeing 737 Max jets and take options for 50 more, giving Chicago-based Boeing a major foothold in the discount airline’s all-Airbus fleet.
Financial terms were not released. The 737 Max 7 and Max 8 models selected by Allegiant list for USD99.7 million and USD121.6 million apiece, but airlines routinely receive deep discounts.
Allegiant said it will take delivery of the planes from 2023 through 2025.
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of parent Allegiant Travel Co Maurice Gallagher said the Las Vegas-based company will continue to buy used planes but the Boeing deal gives it the flexibility to increase passenger-carrying capacity and retire older planes.
Boeing said the new jets would burn 20 per cent less fuel than Allegiant’s current fleet, which includes 73 Airbus A320 planes and 35 slightly smaller Airbus A319s, according to an airline spokeswoman.
Allegiant previously used MD-80 planes from McDonnell Douglas, which Boeing bought in 1999. The airline retired the last of those planes and went to an all-Airbus fleet in 2018.
Raymond James & Associates, meanwhile, downgraded Allegiant two notches, from “strong buy” to “market perform”. Analyst Savanthi Syth said pilot wages are likely to rise, the airline has struggled with flight cancellations despite a conservative schedule, and now faces the complexity of having two makes of aircraft in its fleet.
Most other United States airlines’ stocks fell less than two per cent, but Allegiant closed down 8.8 per cent on Wednesday.
An Allegiant plane taxis at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Valparaiso, Florida. PHOTO: AP
LAS VEGAS (AFP) – A lifelike, child-size doll writhed and cried before slightly shocked onlookers snapping smartphone pictures on Wednesday at the CES tech show – where the line between cool and slightly disturbing robots can be thin.
“Oh! The eyes are very scary,” said Marcelo Humerez, an exhibitor from Peru who happened upon the Pedia-Roid, which is designed for medical training, as its eyes went white.
But just a few stands away, a humanoid named Ameca got a decidedly different reception, as it chatted with a curious crowd that marvelled at its ability to make a range of stunningly person-like gestures.
“Whoa, robot! I didn’t expect that when I turned the corner,” said Ricky Rivera, an exhibitor with Canada-based tech company Geotab. “But it looks amazing and it tracked me right away.”
Both reactions were, in some ways, exactly what the makers had been aiming for.
Morgan Roe from Britain-based Engineered Arts said the firm created software and technology to make Ameca person-like – though there are limits to how realistic it can be.
The Engineered Arts Ameca humanoid robot with artificial intelligence gestures as it is demonstrated during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTOS: AFPThe tmsuk Pedia-Roid ER training robot for healthcare worker training on paediatric patients
“We’ve designed Ameca to be as human-like as possible in movement,” he told AFP while standing next to the robot, whose greay face moved and blinked as he spoke.
“Humans are so complex, so making a robot exactly like a human is almost impossible,” he added. “But if we did that, then you wouldn’t be scared of it because you would just assume it was a human.”
Just before perfection, though, is a creation that is off in ways that reveal it isn’t a living being – it’s a concept called “the uncanny valley”.
“It doesn’t quite move like a human, it doesn’t quite express itself or emote or talk like a human. That’s the uncanny valley, that’s the scary bit,” said Roe.
Yet the slightly frightening aspect of the Pedia-Roid robot was done on purpose, said Yusuke Ishii from Japanese firm tmsuk, which was displaying the doll.
“We want to create a realistic scenario, so that’s the reason we added some of the scary noises, so it will behave like a child,” he said through a translator.
The firm’s brochure notes the robot can “realistically simulate the jittery movements of a child who is reluctant to receive treatment”.
At times, the roughly 43-inch (110-centimetre) tall robot moaned and talked, and its legs jerked – though it can also simulate convulsions or the vomiting reflex.
Ana Kloar, an exhibitor from Slovenia, watched the Pedia-Roid for a bit and found it pretty cool.
