His Royal Highness Prince Haji Mohamed Bolkiah, the Deputy Sultan, Monday received in audience the Ambassador of Brazil to Mexico and Special Envoy of the Brazilian President. His Royal Highness received His Excellency Ambassador Luiz Augusto de Araujo Castro at the Balai Penghadapan Bukit Kayangan.
 

During the audience His Royal Highness and His Excellency exchanged views on a number of bilateral and international affairs. His Royal Highness was also presented with a letter from President Lula da Silva of Brazil to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam. His Excellency is in the country on a three-day visit.

Brunei Darussalam is being represented at the InfoComm Media Business Exchange ministerial forum on ICT that is taking place at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore. The Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abu Bakar is heading the country's delegation.

Among the objectives of the forum are to offer a platform for exchange of information and ideas pertaining to the policy development of ICT by participating countries, and strengthening of policy level government - industry relationship within the ICT industry stakeholders in the Asian region.

The Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin stressed that sermons are a channel to convey messages whereby the contents advocate people to be sincere towards Allah the Almighty. Yang Berhormat Pehin made the reminder Monday when he declared open a Khutbah or Sermon Competition for Mosque Youth Nationwide that took place at the Kampung Batu Marang Mosque in Jalan Kota Batu.
 

Awang Hamzah bin Haji Jali from Kampung Sungai Bunga Mosque with his sermon entitled "Bad Temperess" emerged champion after defeating six other participants. In second place was Awang Mohammad Arif bin Haji Raya from Kampung Jerudong Mosque and Mohammad Shazwan bin Ramli from Kampung Sungai Teraban mosque was third.

The competition was organized by the Mosque Affairs Department to fill in youths spare time during the current second term school vacation.

A road show on financial planning was held Monday that was attended by officers and staff of the Ministry of Health. Talks were delivered by representatives from a number of financial institutions in the country that focused on the importance of instilling the habit of thrift or financial prudence as well as encouraging people to seek advice from professionals on investing properly.
 

The roadshow is also to enhance the basic financial literacy of Bruneians and to help them take responsibilities of their own finances and be less dependent on others and on the country for their financial needs. The project will be extended to other government departments and schools throughout the country.

Police have arrested three men, two of whom were locals, who were believed to have stolen one hundred and fifty units of NOKIA mobile phones from the Brunei International Air-Cargo Centre at the Brunei International Airport. Of the total number, twenty units of the phones, the price of which ranged from three to seven hundred dollars, were recovered by the police.
 

The Berakas Police District has been investigating 6 cases of newly arrived mobile phones from abroad gone missing from the air cargo centre, reported since November last year until March this year. Acting on tip-off from the public and investigation by the CID Berakas Police district, 8 men, all servicemen workers at the centre were initially detained for investigation pertaining to the case. Five of them were later released.
 

It is believed that some of the stolen mobile phones were sold to members of the public at a cheap price. In this regard the police have advised the public not to buy mobile phones the origin of which are not known. Investigation of the case is still ongoing.

A Development Programme for Young Entrepreneurs for secondary schools nationwide was launched Monday. The Acting Tutong District Officer Awang Haji Mutalib bin Haji Idris who officiated the event said that youth play an important role in the country's development and progress and in securing peace and prosperity.
 

Positive contributions from the youth, he added, was especially needed in facing current economic and social challenges. Some 40 students from five secondary schools are involved in the six-day session. The project is organised by the Resource Centre and Standards of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. It is aimed at providing knowledge and skills on the aspect of entrepreneurships. The course is being held at the centre in Kampung Sinaut.