Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei is still experiencing slightly hazy conditions.

Although the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) readings recorded from air quality monitoring stations in all four districts were relatively higher than normal, the air quality in the country is generally good.

According to a press release from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, the PSI readings recorded yesterday (up to 5pm) were: Brunei-Muara District 10, Belait 21, Temburong 33, and Tutong 32. The air quality in all four districts was good.

Ground surveillance carried out by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation over the past few days have shown that open burning activities are still rampant and carried out in many locations in the country, especially during the evening hours.

In view of the current conditions, the public is urged to refrain from conducting any open burning activities. The Department of Environment, Park and Recreation will meanwhile continue to closely monitor the air quality and conduct joint efforts with other relevant authorities to curb open burning activities during this specified period.

The public can contact the department for any complaints on open burning through hotlines 899 9900. For enquiries on the air quality contact 238 3222 ext 514 during normal office hours. The public can also access and obtain the PSI readings on-line at www.env.gov.bn and more information on health guidelines at www.moh. gov.bn. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Religious Affairs has taken serious steps to make sure that religious education is compulsory to all Muslim children in the country.

Among the steps is to revise the Religious Education Order the guidelines for which are being looked into by the Attorney General's Chambers. The Minister of Religious affairs YB Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain bin Hj Serudin yesterday responded to His Majesty's titah on making religious education compulsory during the sixth Legislative Council Meeting.

The minister revealed that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has conducted a research to find out the number of children who did not go to religious schools and have not completed religious education in 2009.

"From the research, there are an estimated 41,715 Muslim students nationwide who studied from Year 2 to Year 8 last year in government and private schools. "Of that figure, some 712 students or 1.71 per cent did not have to religious school. And 1,095 students or 2.62 per cent did not finish their religious education.

The parents of the students who did not go to religious school have been contacted and as a result 209 have resumed their religious studies in religious schools near their homes from May and June 2009. "Students who will be entering pre religious class 2010 number 5,300 children who were in Year 1 in 2009. From the number of applications received, 4,960 students have registered to enter religious school for year 2010.

As many as 340 students have yet to register and their parents have been contacted and advised," he highlighted. "As a result, on January 13, 2010, the number of students who registered to enter religious school for pre religious class stood at 5,695 comprising 5,590 Muslim and 105 non Muslim students.

"Compared to 39, 902 students last year, as of January 31, 2010, 41,006 students have registered an increase of 1,104 students."To fulfil the requirement of compulsory religious education in the country, 35 religious teachers are needed," he added. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei-Muara District Department through the Enforcement Unit of the Enforcement and Licensing Section, reminded members of the public - particularly owners of business premises - to always keep clean as well as maintain their property and its immediate surroundings.

The department also took the opportunity to stress that both companies and residents should not do anything that may prevent the use of emergency equipment facilities such  as fire hydrants, which are provided by the authorities for emergency situations.

The Brunei-Muara District Department, through its enforcement unit, issued a compound fine to a company located at Kg Lambak Kanan, under the Minor Offences Act, Section 12, 1(d), If the company fails to pay the fine, the matter will then be brought to court, and if found guilty, it will be liable for a B$1000 fine for the first offence.

Subsequent offence can lead to a B$3,000 fine as well as being sentenced to a maximum of three months' jail. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Hayya Ala Shalat' programme, organised by the Department of Islamic Studies, will be held to assist Muslim students in the country to garner and develop a true appreciation of life in Brunei.

For secondary students, the programme will be taking place during the upcoming first-term school break according to an announcement by the Islamic Dakwah Centre yesterday. It was explained during a briefing that the programme will be divided into three sessions.

An introduction to the programme was delivered by Ustazah Hajah Fatimah bte Hj Abd Ghani, as well as explanations into its evaluation and the programme content, which was delivered by Ustazah Hajijah bte Hj Moktal and Ustaz Hj Tarmizi bin Hj Mohammad Al Hafiz respectively.

Over 200 people comprising committee members and instructors attended the briefing. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - Universiti Islam Sharif Ali's (UNISSA's) annual `Musabaqah TilawahAl-Quran' or the Al-Quran Recitation Competition was held recently to mark the third year of the local university's establishment.

The contest saw the participation of four higher institutions - UNISSA, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Institute Technology Brunei (ITB) and the Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPUS The Deputy Minister of Education, Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman, during the closing ceremony urged all higher institutions in the country to emphasise onAl-Quran and religious studies.

It is our hope that all Muslim undergraduates be proficient in reading the Quran and for those who aren't be given proper instructions," he said, adding that religious education should not be excluded from local students overseas.

"We want to see the future generation of Muslims be afforded the best possible religious education... in support of the new National Education System (SPN2 1)." Meanwhile, Dr Hj Serbini Hj Matahir, Rector of UNISSA, stressed the importance of truthful and accurate dissemination of knowledge.

"Any deviations by educators in disseminating knowledge will result in the disruption and unbalancing of faith. "This is exactly why the competition is held every year to educate the future generation on the Quran's true words and to apply them into their daily lives," said the Rector.

`Qari' (Quran reader) winners in the men's category were UBD's Abd Malik Hj Jumat in first place, Abd Mu' iz Hj Jumat from UNISSA in second and Nordin Hj Mohammad of KUPUSB in third position. Meanwhile, the `Qariah' winners were Fairuz Audadi Hj Abu Bakar from KUPUSB, Nur Ajaimah Pg Ajak of UNISSA and ITB's Rozainah Hj Abd Rahman came in first, second and third places respectively. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - A DZIKIR Syarafil Anam inter-house competition was held recently in conjunction with Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) birthday celebration at the Awang Semaun Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Awang Semaun, or SMAS).

The religious function - attended by Cikgu Hjh Kamsiah Hj Md Yusoff, the Principal of SMAS, deputy principals and teachers - was held in the school's multi-purpose hall. Four houses - namely the Nakhoda Ragam, Temanggung Dakula, Awang Alak Betatar and Pateh Berbai - took part in the programme that was adjudicated by invited judges.

Towards the end, a Dzikir Marhaban was also presented to enliven the event led by students. Temanggung Dakula was announced as the winner, followed by Pateh Berbai who shared the same score of 89 per cent. Nakhoda Ragam and Awang Alak Betatar came in third and fourth positions respectively.

It also saw prizes presented by the school's principal to all winners. The invited judges also received tokens of appreciation. The event concluded with a recitation ofthe doaselamat -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Treatment for Domestic Violence QuestionedAccording to a Kansas State University expert, treatment of violence among couples should be expanded and should involve co-treatment of male and female partners as they may decide to stay together.

Currently, men are often treated separately for power and control issues.

Sandra Stith, a professor of family studies and human services, and an expert in intimate partner violence says research supports treating substance abuse as a means to stopping violence in some situations.

However, she believes treatment philosophy should also consider that women can be violent themselves and that some couples choose to stay together regardless of violence in the relationship.

A completely upside-down house is to open as a tourist attraction in Germany.

Standing on a pointed roof and supported by steel beams in the attic, the house has an upside-down kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom.

This bizarre upside-down house was created on the grounds of a zoo in Gettorf, Germany. The roof is reinforced with steel girders, reports the Daily Mail.

Local carpenter Gerhard Mordhorst and his colleagues Gesellse Splettstober and Manfred Kolax put the unusual building together.

"It was a challenge for us," Mr Mordhorst said. "You had to constantly think of the mirror image."

They described the job as the "craziest" one they had been asked to do and found the bathroom the trickiest to put together because of bulky items like the shower.

In total they screwed 50 separate pieces into the floor-ceiling, including beds, tables, a microwave and pictures. The heaviest piece of furniture was a 100lb wardrobe with mirror.

The men spent months to perfect every little detail and even took to needle and thread to keep the bed linen in place.

The 'crazy' house was thought up by Hamburg investor Dirk Oster. He will open it to the public at the end of March.-- Courtesy of Ananova.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, in her capacity as the Royal Patron of the Brunei Ladies Golf Association attended the welcoming dinner for the 12' Borneo Ladies Golf Challenge Trophy 2010 held from March 15-17.

Also present at the dinner were HRH's parents and Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources and his spouse as well as members of the Brunei Ladies Golf Association.

Datin Seri Utama Rosnah binti Abdullah, the Chairlady of Brunei Ladies Golf Association in her welcoming speech said: "This is the first time that the Brunei Ladies GolfAssociation is hosting this very prestigious tournament at the Royal Brunei Golf and Country Club, Jerudong."

"I am indeed delighted to see such a great turnout from Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and for the first time participants from Kalimantan. I hope you will find time to visit some of our places of interest as well as go shopping at our malls," she added.

The dinner that was hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, witnessed the presentation of mementos to the main sponsors of the competition by Her Royal Highness. The competition will tee off today at the Royal Brunei Golf and Country Club, Jerudong. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei U-23 rugby team is currently on rigorous training to build a capable squad to vie for glory in the upcoming Sukma in Malacca in June.

Under coach Ben Bourne, the team comprised players from Brunei-Muara District and Kuala Belait District who trained three times a week to face the numerous state teams from Malaysia.

When met at the training ground of the team that has just been together for a few weeks, Bourne said: "I got high expectation of the team that comprised some of the best players in Brunei.

"The teams are coming together nicely, during the trial game, we play against team of mixture of expats and we won two tries to nil," he added. However, he also stressed that no matter how good the team is, the players need to come together as a unit. And I think, we just need more time to train together.

On the selection of players, the coach said: "We received plenty of recommended players from coaches and then we call the players for a trial-out. Players who passed the trial-out and willing to join the squad are selected."

Speaking about the Malaysian opponents, coach Bourne said: "I don't know much about them but I found out from the previous coach that they are fast." In 2005, Brunei also took part in the Sukma rugby event but the team didn't do well.

This time Brunei is hoping to reverse the result. Team captain Dinie Hj Abu Bakar, said: "We have a chance to win this year. What I can see now is that the team is getting stronger, however there is still room for improvement."

"We need to work on more ball handling and teamwork. Since the team just came together the last few weeks, we still need time to adjust to each other." On the Malaysian teams, Dinie who has been playing rugby for five years said:

"They are strong teams and some of them have participated in the ARFU 2008 competition." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin