The Daily Brunei Resources

BEIJING (Xinhua) – The zodiac animal of China’s coming Lunar New Year has caused much confusion in the English world, as its translation results in at least two candidates: sheep or goat. Chinese folklorists say the animal symbol can be either a sheep or a goat but more likely goat, given the latter’s popularity as a farm animal among Han Chinese. The Chinese lunar calendar assigns an animal symbol to each year in every 12-year cycle. Yet the Chinese character for the eighth zodiac animal is “Yang”, which can refer to either of the two ruminants when used without attributes. Huang Yang, a prominent researcher on the role of sheep/goats in Chinese culture, says tracing the origin of the zodiacal Yang could be difficult, as the Chinese zodiac first appeared after the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046BC), when the Chinese people did not differentiate between sheep and goats in language or in sacrificial offering. Both species have a long history of domestication in China and have appeared on oracl...

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (L) and British Prime Minister David Cameron at the Chequers Court in Buckinghamshire. They discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and international matters of interest. Infofoto His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (L) and British Prime Minister David Cameron signing the ‘Exchange of Letter and Note’ on the stationing of the Battalion of British Brigade of Gurkha and Amendment to the Exchange of Notes Dated 22 September 1983 concerning the arrangement for the United Kingdom Force in Brunei Darussalam. Infofoto His Majesty (R) and Cameron at the Chequers Court in Buckinghamshire. Infofoto The monarch (2nd L) during a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron (2nd R) at the Chequers Court in Buckinghamshire. Brunei...

Posted date: February 14, 2015 | Azlan Othman | MEMBERS in the World Trade Organization (WTO) are encouraging Brunei Darussalam to accelerate the pace of economic diversification away from its hydrocarbon resources. In view of the current low world oil prices, Brunei has also been encouraged to reduce remaining restrictions and barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI) and promote a more business-friendly environment so as to increase participation of the private sector in the economy – which remains limited. This was highlighted in the WTO chairperson’s closing remarks on trade policy review on the Sultanate which was released this week. To this effect, Brunei indicated that it will establish government-linked companies to serve as catalyst in areas where the private sector has been constrained by lack of access to technology and resources. Members have praised Brunei for having further simplified and liberalised its trade regime, notably by reducing its average MFN applied ...

On 13th February 2015, the Oxford Business Group produced this economic news update: +++++ Brunei Darussalam's Renewed Focus on Alternative Energy Economic News Update | 13 February 2015 Plans to revive a stalled renewable energy deal between Brunei Darussalam and neighbouring Sarawak that would see hydropower exported from the Malaysian state to the Sultanate have thrown a focus on its efforts to increase renewable energy sources. Bruneian officials confirmed at the end of January that they would soon be receiving the business plan and details of a proposal to jointly develop hydroelectric dams in northern Sarawak, with a 40km power transmission line to Brunei Darussalam. This forms part of a wider plan to reduce the Sultanate’s reliance on fossil fuels by increasing its solar capacities and creating feed-in tariff mechanisms. Electricity Exports Tapping Sarawak’s considerable sustainable energy resources offers a shortcut to raising renewable energy’s contributi...

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, wife of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pengiran Dr. Haji Mohd. Yakub, by the grace of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala, has safely given birth to a prince on Friday, 24th Rabiulakhir 1436H corresponding to February 13, 2015 at 6.55pm. | FILE PHOTO BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN Saturday, February 14, 2015 HER Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah safely gave birth to a boy at 6.55pm on Friday, 13 February 2015. The Grand Chamberlain, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, made the royal birth announcement last night by command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Her Royal Highness is the wife of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pengiran Dr. Haji Mohd Yakub. Her Royal Highness also gave bi...

Posted date: February 13, 2015 PARIS – Media freedom suffered a “drastic decline” worldwide last year in part because of extremist groups such as Islamic State and Boko Haram, the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders The Reporters Without Borders 2015 World Press Freedom Index stated that there were 3,719 violations of freedom of information in 180 countries in 2014 – eight per cent more than a year earlier. The best-rated nations were northern European states such as Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, with New Zealand, Canada and Jamaica also making the top 10. RSF’s ranking put Iran, China, Syria and North Korea among the countries with the very worst levels of press freedom out of the 180 evaluated. Brunei Darussalam is ranked 121st but is above some of its neighbours – Thailand (134), India (136), Indonesia (138), Cambodia (139), Philippines (141), Malaysia (147), Singapore (153), Vietnam (175) and China (176). Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

What is the history and origin of Valentine's day? How did it start? Where did it's traditions come from? Read and find out the answers. February 14 is Valentines Day, the day on which we celebrate and explore love in all it's many ideals. How a day for lovers came to be celebrated during the middle of February is an interesting and ages old story. The story of Valentines Day begins during the heyday of the Roman Empire, which held a festival every February. This Lupercian Festival was held in honor of the God of Fertility and during the festivities young men would get to choose their mate. At the time marriage was a common occurrence, but when Claudius became Emperor he changed all of that. Fearing that men would refuse their duty to fight because they would not want to leave their wives behind, he outlawed all marriages. Young couples still fell in love though and still wished to marry and they took these desires to the Catholic Bishop Valentine who, understanding love,...