October 4, 2021 - Page 2 of 2 - Brunei News Gazette

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021

188 New Cases, 6 New Clusters, 176 Cases Recovered

188 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, taking the total cases to 7,904.

There are 45 additional new cases to 17 of the existing active clusters who were previously close contacts with several positive cases. 6 new clusters have been detected. 4 of these new clusters are private home clusters that involved 32 cases. Meanwhile, two clusters namely Fazrul Sendirian Berhad Cluster and Kamal Sendirian Berhad Cluster are workplace clusters involving 17 cases. Therefore, the current total active clusters are 142 clusters. 94 new cases are still being investigated to determine the source of the infection.

Meanwhile, 176 cases have recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 5,501, whereas the total number of active cases are 2,343. Among the cases being treated at the National Isolation Centre, 8 cases are in Category 5 and currently treated at the Intensive Care Unit. All of them require assistance of artificial ventilation with two cases requiring the help of additional heart/lung machine, ECMO. Meanwhile, 32 cases in Category 4, require oxygen assistance and are under close monitoring. In the past 24 hours, 4,687 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, taking the total laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 374,059.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021

4 Cases Passed Away

The Ministry of Health informed that four COVID-19 confirmed cases have returned to the grace and mercy of Allah. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health stated the matter at the media conference on the latest COVID-19 situation yesterday afternoon. Joining the media conference was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

Case 7766 was a 51-year-old man, and Case 7229 who was an 82-year-old woman suffered lung problems after being infected with COVID-19. Whereas Case 3000, a 40-year-old man and Case 4043, a 70-year-old woman suffered from several health problems and were not categorised as death due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, the cause of death for Case 6997, which was previously under investigation has been confirmed as death due to the COVID-19 infection. The Minister of Health, representing the Ministry of Health and the people of Brunei Darussalam, expressed deepest condolences to the cases’ families and pray their souls will receive blessings and are placed among the pious.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021

Malaysia Calls in China Ambassador To Protest Ships in its EEZ

Malaysia protested on Monday the presence of a large Chinese survey ship which sailed into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) last week.

Ship-tracking data on Sept. 29 revealed the 4,600-ton Da Yang Hao operating in an area that runs through the EEZs of three countries: Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

At one point it was only 40 nautical miles from Philippines’ Balabac Island and 60 nautical miles from Malaysia’s coast.

The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement Monday saying it “called in the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to convey Malaysia’s position and protest against the presence and activities of Chinese vessels, including a survey vessel, in Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak.

The statement said the presence and activities of these vessels “are inconsistent with Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984, as well as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

“Malaysia had also protested against the previous encroachments by other foreign vessels into our waters,” it added.

“Malaysia reiterates that all matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.”

UNCLOS defines an EEZ as extending 200 nautical miles ((370 km) from shore, and grants the coastal state the sole right to explore and exploit the natural resources.

While it took several days for Malaysia to issue this statement after the Chinese survey ship showed up in its EEZ, the strong wording shows that Kuala Lumpur, under increasing domestic pressure, felt the need of speaking up against China’s assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

The Da Yang Hao first appeared in the area around Sept. 25-26. Its exact location on Monday could not be determined by ship-tracking as it was not broadcasting its position.

It’s not uncommon for Chinese vessels to show up uninvited in the EEZs of its neighbors.

Another Chinese survey vessel, the Haiyang Dizhi 10, was conducting a survey in an oil field in Indonesia’s EEZ for a month before retiring to Fiery Cross Reef last week for re-supply.

And last Thursday, the Philippine foreign secretary ordered that diplomatic protests be filed against Beijing over the ongoing presence of more than 100 Chinese ships in waters claimed by Manila in the South China Sea. He complained about “incessant and unlawful restriction” of Filipino fisherman at Scarborough Shoal.

Like its neighbors, Malaysia faces a dilemma in its relationship with China – challenging Beijing over its maritime incursions without straining ties with what is the region’s dominant economic power.

“A fundamental calculation for Malaysia in managing China’s increasingly aggressive approach in the South China Sea is the latter’s escalation dominance and willingness to escalate if given an excuse. Malaysia has and will practice caution in its response, especially at sea,” Thomas Daniel, senior fellow at the Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies, told BenarNews last week.

“Unfortunately, Malaysia’s strategic space continues to tighten, leading to difficult challenges that policymakers might not have an immediate solution to,” he added.

Last year Malaysia and China were entangled in a month-long standoff in South China Sea. Chinese survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 was operating in the EEZ, close to a drillship contracted by Malaysian state oil firm Petronas in waters claimed by Malaysia and Vietnam as well as China.

Both the Malaysian drill ship and the Chinese ship left after a month. The incident had prompted the United States to call on China to stop its “bullying behavior” in the disputed waters.

At that time, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hishammuddin Hussein, now defense minister, said in a statement: “Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, all parties must work together to maintain peace, security and stability in the South China Sea.”

He said that disputes should be resolved amicably, indicating that even if Malaysia had not spoken publicly about it, it had been working to resolve the situation behind the scenes.

On Sept. 22 this year, Hishammuddin told parliament he would seek Beijing’s views on a new U.S.-U.K.-Australia security pact and determine what action China plans in response – comments that some critics viewed as inappropriate given China’s frequent incursions by its ships and planes around Malaysia.

Hishammuddin said he would have to “tread carefully” to try and balance the “two major powers” (China and the U.S.) and that was “not any easy thing” to do.

Copyright © 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036Radio Free Europe–Copyright (c) 2015. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021

Malaysia Warns Myanmar to Cooperate with Envoy or No Summit

Malaysia’s foreign minister warned on Monday that Myanmar may be excluded from a summit of Southeast Asian leaders this month if it refuses to cooperate with the bloc’s special envoy in resolving the military-ruled country’s deepening crisis.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Myanmar, picked Brunei’s Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof in August as their special envoy and mediator following a military takeover in February that toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. He is reportedly still negotiating with Myanmar’s military on the terms of a visit.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said he expressed disappointment during a meeting Monday with his ASEAN counterparts that Myanmar’s authorities have not cooperated with Yusof.

“Unless there is progress, it would be difficult to have” Myanmar’s military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing at the ASEAN summit later this month, he tweeted.

Yusof said last month he is seeking full access to all parties including Suu Kyi and other officials detained since the February 1 takeover.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a report last week that the opportunity to prevent the army from entrenching its rule could be narrowing. He welcomed Yusof’s appointment but with ASEAN’s slow progress, he called for unified regional and international action to prevent the crisis from becoming a large-scale conflict and multifaceted catastrophe in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Myanmar’s military-installed government claimed with scant evidence that the general election Suu Kyi’s party won last November in a landslide was marred by widespread fraud.

Security forces used deadly force to try to quash the peaceful protests, killing more than 1,100 people, according to the detailed tallies of the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners and human rights groups. Opponents of military rule have turned to armed self-defense, sabotage and killings of soldiers and officials on a near-daily basis.

The military leader has pledged to hold fresh elections in two years and cooperate with ASEAN on finding a political solution.

Source: Voice of America

October 4, 2021

Sweegen Expands Sugar Reduction Portfolio With High-Intensity Sweetener Brazzein

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Oct. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sweegen is expanding its extensive sweetener portfolio in early 2022 with the zero-calorie, high-intensity sweetener brazzein. The product was developed in collaboration with long-term innovation partner Conagen, which has scaled it to commercial production. Brazzein is a small, heat-stable protein, 500 to 2,000 times sweeter than regular sugar, making it very attractive to food and beverage manufacturers seeking excellent value in a sweetener.

As a sweetener, brazzein promises little to no bitter aftertaste and helps to reduce sweet linger, reducing taste modulation challenges in the natural sweetener space. Brazzein is stable in a wide range of pH and retains its qualities after pasteurization. It is also readily soluble, making it ideal for sugar reduction across a spectrum of food and beverage applications.

“Introducing a high-purity brazzein to Sweegen’s portfolio of natural sweeteners is one more creative solution for helping brands make low-calorie better-for-you products,” said Sweegen’s SVP, Head of Global Innovation, Shari Mahon. “Brands can look forward to exploring the synergistic benefits of combining brazzein and stevia for reducing sugar in food and beverages in a cost-effective way.”

As a sweet protein, brazzein has great promise to fit into consumer diets, such as Keto, diabetes, or low-to-no carbohydrate lifestyles. Health-conscious consumers are also turning away from artificial sweeteners and accepting nature-based sweeteners, such as stevia and allulose.

Brazzein’s extraordinary qualities stand out among high-intensity sweeteners, but the quest to scale and commercialize it has proven difficult until now. Found sparingly in nature, brazzein derives from the West African climbing plant’s fruit, oubli. To scale brazzein sustainably, Conagen produces it by a proprietary precision fermentation process, a technology producing clean, nature-based ingredients.

“Brazzein is the first product generated from our new peptide platform, which fits well into our existing world-scale, precision fermentation infrastructure,” said Conagen’s Vice President of Innovation, Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D. “Peptides and small proteins like brazzein can be very difficult to make economically. However, now that we have successfully scaled this peptide, we expect more sustainable, novel peptide ingredients will rapidly follow.”

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.

We are on a mission to reduce the sugar and artificial sweeteners in our global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best next-generation stevia sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Signature Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Be well. Choose well.

For more information, please contact info@sweegen.com and visit Sweegen’s website, www.sweegen.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb M stevia leaf sweetener. These statements are based on current expectations but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of Sweegen, Inc.

Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in the historic filings of Sweegen, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and therefore should be carefully considered. Sweegen, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements due to new information or future events or developments.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian
Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583
ana.arakelian@sweegen.com

October 4, 2021

Meet the six incredible animals you didn’t know were in Qatar

Qatar Tourism / Azzam Al Mannai

DOHA, Qatar, Oct. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Qatar is giving great attention and effort to preserving wildlife in the region
On World Animal Day, Qatar Tourism highlights six animals you didn’t know were in Qatar:
1. Arabian Oryx – the national animal
2. Whale shark – world’s largest fish
3. Dugong – only vegetarian marine mammal
4. Hawksbill turtle – critically endangered
5. Flamingo – a colourful migration
6. Honey Badger – the world’s bravest animal

To celebrate World Animal Day, Qatar Tourism highlights six unexpected animals for visitors to see in the country.

Despite its small size, Qatar is home to an abundance of interesting land and aquatic creatures that make up the country’s diverse ecosystem. Home to many nature reserves, the peninsula puts great emphasis on preserving and developing local wildlife to protect it from extinction.

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “Visitors will be amazed by just how many interesting and unique animals there are here. Qatar is home to dolphins, falcons, sand cats, and the red fox, among many more. We are home to a plethora of amazing animals, birds, and fantastic fauna, many of which are indigenous – visitors just have to know where to look for them.”

Here is a list of the six most unexpected animals in Qatar and where to find them:

Arabian Oryx

With long spear-like horns, the Arabian Oryx is one of four species of antelope that lives in Qatar’s desert and is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is also the national animal of Qatar.

This majestic creature used to be on the verge of extinction, but after immense conservation measures taken through Operation Oryx, the animals were reintroduced into the wilderness in 1982.

Visitors can visit the Arabian Oryx at the Al-Maha sanctuary, also called the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary. They can also be seen at Al Sheehaniya Reserve — located 45 km to the west of Doha — and Al Mashabiya Reserve in south-west Qatar, at country’s the oldest natural reserves.

Azzam Al Mannai, a Qatar-based wildlife photographer, says: “No picture can do the Arabian Oryx justice. I have been photographing them for the last three years and they always continue to amaze. They can be found in many natural reserves around Qatar and are known as ‘Al Wudhaihi’ due to their pure white colour. A truly beautiful creature.”

Whale shark

These grand aquatic creatures, often referred to as ‘gentle giants’ have been endangered since 2002. As the largest fish in the world, they can grow up to 20 metres long, and often migrate around the globe in search of tropical waters.

Qatar hosts one of the largest gatherings of whale sharks on the planet, appearing from April to September off the northeast coast of the Al Shaheen restricted marine zone.

Brigadier General Mohamed Al Jaidah, the lead whale shark research scientist in Qatar, says: “As an endangered species, conservation and protection of the whale sharks is our number one priority. We have been studying them extensively for the past 11 years in Qatar trying to understand more about them and their habitat.”

“Every year hundreds of majestic whale sharks congregate in Qatari waters to fine-dine on tuna eggs, essentially a caviar. I have seen up to 360 whale sharks at once. You see the fins, the tails, they’ll be under the boat, swimming, next to you, in all sorts of different locations.”

Dugong

Known as the ‘sea cow’, these vulnerable species are in decline and are classified as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Home to the second-largest population of dugongs globally, Qatar’s continued efforts to study and protect marine mammals resulted in a rare sighting of a group of 840 dugongs in 2020. Often seen to gather north of the peninsula’s shores between January and early March, these sea mammals can be found in large herds, which is not common behaviour for this sea mammal.

Mehsin Al-Ansi Al-Yafei, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences and dugong researcher, says: “What’s amazing about the dugongs of Qatar is we’ve seen gatherings of over 800 in one day over my past two years of research. Something that hasn’t been seen anywhere else in the world. They feed on the seagrass and have been swimming around the Arabian Gulf for more than 7,000 years. I have been studying marine life in Qatar since 2002 and am always amazed by the different creatures that call this country home.”

Hawksbill turtle

The 560 km coastline of Qatar is home to one of the largest and most important nesting habitats for the hawksbill sea turtle in the region. Critically endangered, they are considered by many to be the most beautiful of sea turtles for their colourful shells.

As the hawksbill turtles are popularly known to visit Fuwairit beach during their nesting season, the beach undergoes a cleaning campaign as part of the turtle protection project, before the area is closed off to the public for the nesting season. Last year was also the first time the public were allowed to witness the miracle of life during the hatching season, under the umbrella of Qatar Museums, in collaboration with the Wildlife and Protection Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.

Flamingos

Hundreds of flamingos make the northern Qatari wetlands their home for up to six months as they migrate from Europe in search of warmer climates. They may be spotted from the air during a flying tour of the Al Thakira Mangroves. BirdLife International, which aims to protect the habitats of migratory birds, works actively in Qatar to ensure it is a hospitable environment for these annual colourful visitors.

Honey Badger

Don’t be swayed by its size, the honey badger is one of the world’s toughest animals. It doesn’t start fights it can’t finish, and it makes an impressive foe. It has also been known to take on hyenas, leopards, lions, and pythons. Its scientific name is ‘ratel’, but it is commonly-called the honey badger since it is known for taking on a full hive of bees to taste its favourite snack. The animal can also turn around in its own loose skin to easily break free from predators, for a quick surprise attack.

Sightings in Qatar have been reported from Zuwair, Ilham, and Al Haym southwest Al Shammal.

To find out more information about animals in Qatar please visit http://www.visitqatar.qa or download the app via the App Store or Google Play.

-Ends-

For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism’s Press Office on:

+974 7774 7863 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa

About Qatar:

Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the Middle East, with 80% of the earth’s population within a six-hour flight. Ranked the safest country in the world in 2020 by Numbeo, Qatar welcomes all travellers, and guests from over 85 countries can enter visa-free. Qatar has an incredible variety of easily accessible tourist attractions, a plethora of fauna and flora including Whale Sharks and the majestic national animal the Arabian Oryx, and most experiences are a unique combination of cultural authenticity and modernity. From iconic museums to high-rise restaurants, from thrilling desert adventures to world-famous events including none other than the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, there is something for all types of travellers and budgets.

About Qatar Tourism:

Qatar Tourism is the official government body responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in Qatar, facilitating the sector’s exponential growth. Qatar is a destination where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in arts, culture, sports, and adventure, catering to family and business visitors, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism seeks to boost the entire tourism value chain, grow local and international visitor demand, attract inward investment, and drive a multiplier effect across the domestic economy. The Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030 sets an ambitious target to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030, making Qatar the fastest growing destination in the Middle East.

Web: www.visitqatar.qa

Twitter: @VisitQatar

Instagram: @VisitQatar