A device to remove debris from a reactor at the damaged Fukushima Nuclear power plant in Japan. PHOTO: AP
TOKYO (AFP) – A small amount of radioactive debris removed by a robot from Japan’s stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has arrived at a research lab near Tokyo, the plant operator said yesterday, after a journey kept secret for safety reasons.
The announcement comes after operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said last week that a tricky trial debris removal operation using a specially developed extendible device had been completed.
More than 13 years after a catastrophic tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered one of the world’s worst nuclear accidents, around 880 tonnes of hazardous material remain.
Removing this debris is seen as the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project, because of the dangerously high radiation levels.
Despite delays caused by technical snags, the trial debris removal from the plant in northeastern Japan went ahead with the aim of studying the sample for clues about conditions inside the reactors.
TEPCO said in an email to reporters yesterday that “the transportation of the fuel debris collected during the test removal operation… was completed” during the afternoon.
The company had not previously given details of when the 160 kilometre journey to the Oarai Nuclear Engineering Institute of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) would take place, citing safety concerns.
According to Japanese media reports, while the sample retrieved by the robot weighs 0.7 grammes, the JAEA has said it would need at least one gramme to conduct a proper analysis.
A device to remove debris from a reactor at the damaged Fukushima Nuclear power plant in Japan. PHOTO: AP
Travel agents from Hong Kong in a group photo. PHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Travel agents from Hong Kong were impressed with the country’s wildlife and landscapes, such as Luagan Lalak following a familiarisation trip to the Sultanate recently.
The trip, organised by the Tourism Development Department in collaboration with key tourism stakeholders, including the national airline and travel agents, aimed at showcasing Brunei’s diverse cultural, natural, and adventure-filled attractions.
The agents participated in a variety of activities during the four-day trip that highlighted the nation’s cultural heritage and natural scenery.
The highlights included the Tutong Cultural and Heritage Tour, offering an in-depth exploration of local traditions, wildlife and fireflies river cruise.
The group also took part in an Organic Farm Tour, where they engaged in hands-on organic farming and seasonal fruit harvesting.
Travel agents from Hong Kong in a group photo. PHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The agents conducted inspections of several hotels to evaluate their quality and suitability for clients and enjoyed a round at the newly refurbished The Empire Brunei’s golf course.
The visit concluded with a networking session with the Tourism Development Department officials, where the agents shared feedback and discussed future collaboration opportunities.
The dialogue laid the foundation for stronger partnerships and insights into upcoming promotional initiatives.
After completing the visit, the agents proceeded to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, to continue their familiarisation trip. The dual-destination concept has garnered increasing interest among international travellers, who are seeking diverse, enriching travel experiences in Borneo.
Several agents mentioned that Brunei is already featured in their travel portfolios, with plans to promote it as an extended layover or transit destination. They expressed keen interest in positioning Brunei as a primary destination and a stopover en route to other major locations, including Dubai.
The familiarisation trip highlights the Tourism Development Department’s dedication in enhancing Brunei’s presence in key markets and reinforcing its reputation as a distinctive and fulfilling travel destination. – James Kon
ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – A baby born weighing less than a large apple has defied medical odds and is now heading home after six months in intensive care, Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul announced yesterday.
Lee Ye-rang weighed a mere 260 grammes (g) when she was born on April 22 this year at just 25 weeks and five days, setting a record as South Korea’s smallest surviving infant. A typical newborn weighs about 3.2 kilogrammes (kg).
By the time of her discharge on November 5, she weighed 3.19kg. She was breathing on her own, without the aid of medical support, the Seoul general hospital that treated her since birth said.
Premature infants under 500g have just a 36.8 per cent chance of survival, according to South Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
For babies as tiny as she was, weighing less than 300g, the survival rate drops to below one per cent.
Ye-rang was born via emergency C-section after her mother developed severe pregnancy complications and was rushed to Samsung Medical Centre’s high-risk pregnancy unit.
The baby had stopped growing in the womb after 21 weeks.
That first month since birth saw one crisis after another as medical teams worked around the clock to keep Ye-rang alive. After overcoming multiple setbacks, the preemie began gaining weight steadily.
Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Police Cadet Unit at the Royal Brunei Police Training Centre Acting Senior Inspector Mohammad Zahrin bin Zakaria in a group photo with members of the Royal Brunei Police Cadet Team from Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
Nine members of the Royal Brunei Police Cadet Team from Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) were promoted during the Promotion Ceremony for 2024 at the Tarbiah Hall of the institution yesterday.
Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Police Cadet Unit at the Training Centre of the Royal Brunei Police Force Senior Inspector Mohammad Zahrin bin Zakaria presented the certificates.
The Royal Brunei Police Cadet Team at KUPU SB was established in 2018.
The membership, comprising second-year Bachelor of Religious Education students and second-year Diploma students in Religious Education, is part of the university’s co-curricular uniformed courses.
The programme offers students opportunities to explore career paths within uniformed services while enhancing their leadership and teamwork skills.
The promotion ceremony serves as an encouragement for KUPU SB students to remain actively engaged in national events and team activities, fostering teamwork, discipline, and a sense of responsibility in maintaining the peace and well-being of the Sultanate. – Fadley Faisal
Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Police Cadet Unit at the Royal Brunei Police Training Centre Acting Senior Inspector Mohammad Zahrin bin Zakaria in a group photo with members of the Royal Brunei Police Cadet Team from Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLIABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Acting Senior Inspector Mohammad Zahrin presents certificates to the recipients. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLIPHOTO: RAFI ROSLIPHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
A distinctive landmark in the Temburong District. PHOTO: HAJI MURSIDI BIN HAJI ABD GHANI
It is time for everyone involved – business leaders and the public – to work together to strengthen the economy and increase gross domestic product (GDP).
Areas such as foreign investment and tourism hold great potential to diversify and expand the economy.
Flexible and investor-friendly policies must be implemented to attract foreign investors.
Investors bring valuable capital, and they should be supported to establish and manage their businesses smoothly. Additionally, I believe the Temburong District offers a unique opportunity to develop tourism. Water-related activities and hotel development in Temburong could become a prime destination for visitors.
The low crime rate and freedom from natural disasters are valuable assets that set us apart as a stable and appealing location. With broader sectoral involvement, we can create more job opportunities for locals, provide economic stability and sustain long-term growth.
Warga Emas
A distinctive landmark in the Temburong District. PHOTO: HAJI MURSIDI BIN HAJI ABD GHANI
In an age where algorithms serve as digital DJs and playlists are crafted at the tap of a finger, there’s an undeniable thrill that only a live performance can ignite – a feeling no screen or speaker can truly deliver.
This irresistible charm was what drew crowds to the Festival ‘Berambih Ke Belait’, recently at the Kampong Pandan Community Hall.
For three days, the venue pulsed with energy as music lovers gathered from near and far to experience the festival’s crowning attraction: live band performances.
Among the highlights was the much-anticipated reunion of local legends, Forzart and Reunions.
Forzart’s leader and lead guitarist, Emran bin Mohd Seruji, stood at the centre of the spotlight.
He shared tales of their early days, transporting the audience back to 1992, when their journey first began, adding a touch of nostalgia to an already electrifying event.
ENCORE OF MEMORIES
“Before forming Forzart, I was involved in another band called Metal Blade in 1983 when I was just 11 years old. It was around 1992 that I went on to form Forzart with Pengiran Irwan bin Pengiran Haji Besar, who was a keyboard player from the band Frontline,” recalled Emran, a nostalgic glint in his eye as he recounted the early days of his musical journey.
The name Forzart was no random choice; it was carefully crafted, merging the Italian Forza – meaning strength – with Zart, a musical nod to delicacy.
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show the band in a performance and Forzart’s leader and lead guitarist, Emran bin Mohd Seruji. PHOTO: DANIEL LIMPHOTO: DANIEL LIM
“Combined, the name Forzart was born from the power and strength to play with a gentle and calm mind,” Emran explained, encapsulating the essence of their sound.
Since its formation, Forzart has graced numerous stages and earned accolades, including Emran and Pengiran Irwan’s recognition as the best guitarist and keyboard player at Radio Television Brunei’s (RTB) Rhythm Fiesta in 2005, and a victory at the Band Explosion competition at Jerudong Park Country Club (JPCC) Amphitheatre in 2006.
But it wasn’t just trophies that marked their legacy. “Some of the most memorable moments (for the band Forzart) was being able to perform on stage with famous Malaysian rock artiste Amy Search,” Emran shared, his voice tinged with pride.
Sharing the stage at the festival was Reunions, led by manager Aidah binti Basir.
Reflecting on the event, she expressed how such gatherings breathe life into the community’s musical spirit.
“The purpose of the live music performance from Reunions is to inspire band members both new and old that the stage is still welcome to them wherever they are,” she said.
Aidah highlighted the unwavering support of the local community, emphasising that this encouragement is the heartbeat keeping seasoned and emerging bands alive.
“In my opinion, there are many who would come out to support bands to play on stage, with one such example being the live band performance that was conducted at the festival here at Kampong Pandan.”
RIFFS AND RESURGENCE
These reunion events are more than nostalgic indulgence; they are a rallying cry for veteran musicians and a beacon for new talent.
“It is an honour to see that we have not been forgotten over the past 32 years, and to have survived and thrived during these times is a showcase of strength and friendship found in live bands,” Emran reflected, capturing the resilience that defines Forzart’s legacy.
The festival also shone a spotlight on budding talent through events like the Guitar Solo competition, a platform where young guitarists could step into the limelight, met with cheers that hinted at the future of live music.
“This platform can help to unearth musical talent, both young and old,” Aidah affirmed, with Emran adding that such performances rekindle the spirit of the 80s, bridging the golden past with the present.
As the final notes echoed across the hall, a shared hope resonated: that these performances would kindle a new wave of live music.
“As long as there is a stage and time, we (Forzart) will continue to perform our hearts out,” Emran vowed, a promise met with a nod from Aidah, who added, “As their manager, I will continue to help Reunions as well as other aspiring bands opportunities to perform on stage.”
For some, the festival’s live performances sparked cherished memories of a golden era; for others, it marked the first steps of a newfound musical passion.
With music readily available at the touch of a button these days, these musicians remind us that the true magic of music lies in the way it brings people together.
It’s more than a sound to be heard, it’s an experience to be felt, shared, and carried forward, echoing through hearts long after the final note fades. – Daniel Lim
SYDNEY (XINHUA) – Light-based camouflage can prevent attacks by great white sharks on surfers, an Australian study has found.
In the new study, researchers from Macquarie University in Sydney fitted LED lights on seal decoys and towed them behind a boat in South Africa’s Mossel Bay, a renowned hot spot for great whites.
They found that sharks were significantly more likely to interact with seal decoys that did not have LED lights fitted and that brighter lights were more effective at deterring sharks.
The co-authors of the research, Laura Ryan and Nathan Hart, said that great white sharks have poor vision and rely on detecting dark objects silhouetted against sunlight from above.
The LED lights mimicked a natural ocean camouflage strategy used by several marine species and interrupted the silhouette of the seal decoys, making sharks not see them as food.
“It’s like an invisibility cloak but with the exception that we are splitting the object, the visual silhouette, into smaller bits. It’s a complex interaction with the shark’s behaviour.
The lights have to be a certain pattern, a certain brightness,” Hart said.
Covering the whole underside of the decoy with lights was found to be effective at deterring sharks but was not energy efficient. The team found the ideal approach was placing light strips across the decoy perpendicular to the direction they were being towed through the water.
Ryan said that the researchers were now working on embedding LEDs into the bottom of a surfboard and looking into whether the lights will still deter a great white when an object is stationary, like when a surfer is waiting for a wave.
She said that the team has also started testing the light system with other species of sharks.
ABOVE & BELOW: Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari in a group photo with the ASEAN delegates; and Hajah Nor Ashikin delivers a speech. PHOTO: MCYS
The critical role of youth as change-makers must be acknowledged, as they are not merely leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today, Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari said.
Across ASEAN, young people are already at the forefront of rural development and poverty alleviation, contributing as entrepreneurs, volunteers, advocates and innovators, she said in her welcoming remarks as the Co-Chair of the 13th ASEAN Public Private People (PPP) Partnership Forum on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (RDPE) yesterday.
ASEAN is home to a rich diversity of over 650 million people, nearly half of whom live in rural areas where access to vital resources such as healthcare, education, markets, and social services remains a pressing challenge. These rural communities, heavily reliant on agriculture, are among the most vulnerable to economic fluctuations, climate change, and social instability. Therefore, the discussions and initiatives that emerge from this forum are crucial in shaping a future where these rural communities are empowered, resilient, and thriving, she said.
“Our youth represent ASEAN’s greatest hope for a sustainable future. They bring innovation, adaptability and a passion for driving positive change – qualities essential for addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental concerns,” Hajah Nor Ashikin said.
Today’s youth, she added, have the potential to lead transformative changes in rural communities, making them more resilient to climate change and fostering sustainable livelihoods for generations.
ABOVE & BELOW: Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari in a group photo with the ASEAN delegates; and Hajah Nor Ashikin delivers a speech. PHOTO: MCYSPHOTO: MCYS
“It is their energy, creativity, and determination that drive new solutions to long-standing challenges, making their engagement not only beneficial but essential. “We are also pleased to celebrate ASEAN’s progress in integrating youth into its development frameworks. Initiatives such as the ASEAN Master Plan on Rural Development and the ASEAN Village Network have made strides in empowering youth and strengthening rural communities.”
However, much more remains to be done, said Hajah Nor Ashikin, adding that the forum presents a critical opportunity for everyone to come together, share insights, and identify practical, impactful solutions that will empower youth and advance rural development.
The sessions were ‘The Role of Young Entrepreneurs in Social and Economic Change’; ‘Youth Engagement and Volunteerism in Addressing Poverty’; ‘Tackling Poverty Through Digitalisation’; ‘Youth and Equitable Access to Education and Life-Skills Programmes’; and ‘Rural Revitalisation for Poverty Reduction’. Hajah Nor Ashikin also welcomed past awardees of the ASEAN RDPE Leadership Awards. ”Their exceptional contributions to their communities serve as an inspiration to all, and the forum looks forward to learning from their experiences and continuing the dialogue on creating sustainable, inclusive communities across ASEAN.“
Moving forward, she encouraged everyone to engage actively in the discussions, share their expertise, and foster collaborations.
“I also call on participants to use this opportunity to build stronger networks, inspire tangible action, and develop strategies that we can bring back to our respective communities,” she said, expressing confidence that the forum will be filled with fruitful exchanges and collaborative efforts that will help shape a resilient, inclusive ASEAN for generations to come.
The forum yesterday kicked off the 21st ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) and Related Meetings, hosted by Brunei Darussalam through the MCYS. Co-chaired by Hajah Nor Ashikin and Permanent Secretary (Municipality and Districts) at the Ministry of Home Affairs Abdul Walid bin Haji Matassan, the forum is held under the theme ‘Youths as Agents of Change Towards a Resilient ASEAN: Strengthening the Role of Youths in Poverty Eradication and Rural Development’.
A total of 100 delegates are attending the 21st ASEAN SOMRDPE meeting and related meetings from ASEAN member countries and the Plus Three countries. Yesterday’s forum ended with closing remarks by the Co-Chair, Abdul Walid, who highlighted that one of the ministry’s most important tasks moving forward is to ensure the provision of necessary support to help young change-makers. He emphasised the importance of encouraging the active participation of youth in rural development, poverty eradication, and decision-making processes across all sectors. – Lyna Mohamad
As a student at a higher learning institution, I find it extremely frustrating to discover that the soft drinks in the vending machines at the facility include expired products.
Our building is situated quite a distance from the main cafeteria, which exacerbates the inconvenience by limiting access to fresh and reliable refreshment options on campus.
Ensuring that the vending machines are stocked with safe and unexpired beverages is essential for our well-being and convenience.
I urge the supplier to implement regular inspections and maintenance of vending machines to ensure that only safe beverages are available for consumption.
Additionally, establishing a more frequent restocking schedule could help prevent expired products from being dispensed.
Addressing this issue promptly will not only enhance the student experience but also maintain trust in the campus facilities provided to us.
Collaborative efforts between the institution, suppliers and maintenance teams are crucial to ensure that all students have access to safe and convenient refreshment options throughout their time on campus.
