His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam left the country Monday night for a six-day State visit to Australia.

Before leaving, Doa selamat was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.  Present at the Brunei International Airport to bid farewell, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen.  Also present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers,Members of  Council, Deputy Ministers as well as senior government officers.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam Monday held an open house in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.  Present were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

Her Royal Highness was welcomed by the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to the country, Her Excellency Yang Yanyi. The open house was not only to enhance further relations among the community, but also served to inculcate the feeling of respect for one another and thus, strengthen solidarity between the communities.

The Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Doctor Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Retired Major General Pengiran Haji Ibnu Ba'asith and other ambassadors in the country as well as the Chinese community were also at the occasion to convey their greetings.

Brunei Darussalam is free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and that all poultry and poultry products available in the market are safe for human consumption. This was stated during a media conference on Zoonotic Diseases-Avian Influenza, which took place at the Ministry of Health Monday.

The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources through the Agriculture Department are currently taking preventive measures by prohibiting the imports of live poultry and poultry products from affected countries. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health is continuing close monitoring and surveillance on fever and flu like symptoms at all hospitals and health centres in the country.

Supply of drugs, vaccines and protective gear for health personnel have been procured, for any emergency. In Hospitals proper infection control guidelines according to the WHO requirements are in place and special treatment and isolation facilities have been set up. An internationally certified laboratory has been built and equipped with bio-safety requirements in the Department of Scientific Services.

Both the Agriculture Department and Health Ministry continues their monitoring and stepping up surveillance activities to prevent any occurrence of the disease. Stringent and ongoing inspections at every control post are undertaken to prevent any illegal entry of poultry and poultry products in collaboration with the Royal Customs and Excise Department and Royal Brunei Police Force. The Agriculture Department also calls for public cooperation in reporting any unusual deaths of birds or poultry.

The Annual National Seminar/Workshop in Education organised by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institue of Education, or SHBIE, has great potential to attract local educators to network and share professional expertise. It also creates a focal point for educators in Brunei Darussalam to explore the progress of education in the country. This initiative augurs well for the future development of SHBIE as the main teaching institution in the country, as well as the progress of education in general.

to local educators and administrations in the long run. It is hoped that in the future, the seminar workshop will discuss issues such as integrated curriculum and integration of Islamic values in education, and local teachers and administrators will be encouraged to present papers and workshops.

The Belait District Tsunami Disaster Victims Relief Fund Monday received more than 5-thousand dollars, bringing the total collected to date to more than 120-thousand dollars. The Syarikat Perniagaan Melayu donated 3-thousand dollars while the Indian Community in Kuala Beliat donated 2-thousand 156 dollars. Both donations were received by the Belait District officer, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yusof, who is also the chairman of the fund.

The ceremony was held at the Belait District Office. Meanwhile, a charity sale will be held on the 18th of this month aimed at collecting monies for the fund.

Law enforcement agencies from various government departments in the Beliat District Monday demolished eleven squatter houses in Seria. The joint operation involved more than 20 officers from the Municipal Department, the District office, the Land Department and the Royal Brunei Police Force.

According to sources, the demolished houses were built illegally within the municipality area and were left vacant. Investigations have revealed that the owners of these houses already own proper homes.

Apart from curbing illegal construction in the area, the operation was also aimed at controlling pollution in the area as there was no proper sewage system available. Building houses illegally and indiscriminately could bring about pollution and diseases.

In the N.B.T Challenge Trophy 2005, QAF F.C. emerged as champion in the final match Monday night after defeating Royal Brunei Police Force at the Berakas Sports Complex, 4 goals to 3. QAF F.C. led the game in the first half by 2 nil.

Hardi Anak Bujang netted the first goal in the fifth minute, while Awangku Kamarul Ariffin scored the second goal of the first half in the 37th minute. Meanwhile, Royal Brunei Police Force scored the first goal in the second half by Rosmini Abdul Kahar in the 50 minute of the game.

QAF F.C’s third goal was netted in the 56th minute by Ratano bin Haji Tuah but 1 minute later Royal Brunei Police Force scored their second goal by Mohammad Nazrin bin Abdullah, who then scored another goal in the 66th minute, tying the score by 3-3. Six minutes before the game ended, Awangku Kamarul Ariffin scored his second goal and fourth for his team. Final score was QAF F.C. 4; Royal Brunei Police Force 3.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Awang Haji Mohammad Hamid bin Haji Mohammad Jaafar was on hand to present the prizes to the winners. Third place was shared by Prison Department and Survey Department.