His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send congratulatory message to His Excellency Professor Iajuddin Ahmed, President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on the 26th March 2005.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamad Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, also sent a similar congratulatory message to his Bangladeshi counterpart, His Excellency Morshed Khan. In the message, His Royal Highness congratulates His Excellency, the government and the people of Bangladesh on their Independence Day. His Royal Highness also expresses his appreciation on the close and friendly relationship and looking forward to working with His Excellency to strengthen the friendship and cooperation.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Friday night consented to watch the final matches the Under 21 Youth Football Championship 2005 to vie for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. The final match was between Thailand and Myanmar.

Upon arrival at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Pehin Dato Doctor Awang Haji Hussein as The Chairman of Main Organizing Committee of the Championship as well as its committee members. Also present was His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik.

Thailand beat Myanmar 3 goals nil. Olan Limsamphansanti netted the first goal in the 20 seconds in the first half of the match. 24 mintues later, Preecha Chaola added another goal. The Thai team scored the third goal in the 34th minute.

In the second half of the match, both teams failed to score any goals. His Royal Highness then consented to present prizes to the winners. The champion, Thailand received $20,000 dollars along with gold medals and the Hassanal Bolkiah Challenge Trophy. Meanwhile, Myanmar received $10,000 and silver medals.

The Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic and wife have left the country after ending their three day official visit to the sultanate. The delegation left the country late Friday evening.

Present at the Brunei International Airport to bid farewell to His Excellency Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith and Mrs. Khammeung Vorachith were the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Doctor Haji Awang Hussain, who's also the Minister-in-attendance, and wife, Datin Setia Hajah Dayang Norliah and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pehin Dato Haji Awang Mohd Ali b Hj Mohd Daud.

During the visit, the Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic and wife toured the Belalong Field Study Research Centre and Ulu Temburong National Park, visited the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah and other places of interest in the country.

Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic established diplomatic relations in July 1993. The relation was further upgraded by the setting up of Brunei Darussalam embassy in the Laotian capital, Vientiane in February 1997. Laos in turn opened its diplomatic mission in Bandar Seri Begawan two months later.

The 5th Ministerial Level Meeting on the Environment and the Development of the Asia-Pacific region, with the theme 'Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth' will be held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea next week, Tuesday.

The Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Doctor Awang Haji Ahmad, together with Senior Officers at the Ministry of Development will attend the two-day Meeting.

The Meeting among other things will discuss matters of Economic Growth relating to the involvement of the usage of natural resources and the increasing development of products that will help to decrease the levels of pollution.

Penghulus and heads of villages are reminded to play a role in improving continuous cooperation, not only on the programs focused on development and improving the living standards of the residents, but also in restoring the peace especially around the village and mukim.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yusoff made the reminder at the presentation of certificate to the Kampung Ketua of Serdang. Awang Mohamad bin Bakar, 54, received the certificate from the chief guest.

Awang Mohamad was appointed as the Ketua Kampung of Serdang in June last year. Kampung Serdang is one of the villages in Mukim Kota Batu with a population of 700 people and 92 houses.

A forum entitled Health, Safety and Well-being of Working Women was held Friday at the Civil Service Institute in Rimba. It was organised by the Women Graduates Association.

Three speakers presented their working paper during the forum. The Director of Personnel, Public Service Department, Awang Haji Johari bin Haji Awang, in his working paper among others touched on disciplinary action for women in civil service. Since, the year 2000 until 2004, fifty women were reported involved in several cases such as absence, corruption or breach of trust, drug abuse, leaving the country without permission and others.

The Deputy Senior Council at the Attorney General's Chambers, Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohd Taib in her working paper touched on women exposed to danger and health risks while they are working. This includes women working in laboratories who spend much of their time with chemical substances for certain purposes. They may also be exposed to surroundings such as mental disturbances caused by stress.

Matters related to abuse or sexual harassment were also reported recently. Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Suraya Noraidah binti Abdullah, a member of the Women Graduates Association, in her working paper touched on how women still suffer discrimination in their male-dominated work place.