October 4, 2021 – Page 3 – Cambodia News Gazette

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021

Almost 300 Cambodian Peacekeepers Back Home from UN Mission in Mali

A total of 298 Cambodian blue helmet troops, 25 of them are women, of the Airport Engineering Unit 972 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 882 arrived home this morning, after successfully completing their mission under the UN umbrella in the Republic of Mali.
H.E. Gen. Sem Sovanny, Director General of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and ERW Clearance (NPMEC), presided over the homecoming ceremony at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Earlier on Oct. 1, more than 300 Cambodian peackeepers, including 26 women, departed for Mali to replace their counterparts who returned home this morning.
According to NPMEC, since 2006, Cambodia has sent over 7,000 troops for the UN peacekeeping operations in Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Cyprus, Lebanon, Mali, Syria, and Yemen.
Currently, nearly 800 Cambodian peacekeepers, of them about 80 are women, have been fulfilling their missions in Lebanon, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, and Central African Republic.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021

Malaysia Warns Myanmar of Exclusion From Upcoming ASEAN Summit

Myanmar may be excluded from the upcoming ASEAN summit if its military government does not cooperate with the regional bloc’s special envoy tasked with helping resolve the post-coup crisis there, Malaysia’s foreign minister said Monday.
Saifuddin Abdullah said on Twitter that he made Malaysia’s views known at a meeting Monday of the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that included a representative from Myanmar.
The Malaysian minister’s comments came after a report last week that Myanmar’s junta had rejected the ASEAN envoy’s request to meet ousted and jailed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
“At the ASEAN FMs meeting today, I stated that we are disappointed that the Myanmar authority [has] not cooperated with the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar,” Saifuddin said about the virtual meeting.
“[U]nless there is progress, it would be difficult to have the Chairman of the SAC at the ASEAN Summit.”
He was referring to the twice-yearly ASEAN summits, which this year will be combined and held Oct. 26-28.
Saifuddin said that Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s junta chief and chairman of the State Advisory Council – the de facto government – had not been working constructively with the special ASEAN envoy to Myanmar, Erywan Yusof, who was named by the bloc in August.
The junta spokesman said it would be “difficult to allow for [the envoy’s] meetings with those who are facing trial,” Agence France-Presse reported last week.
Erywan had said he would insist on meeting with jailed members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) government – including Aung San Suu Kyi – which the military toppled on Feb. 1.
The Malaysian minister’s comment was the harshest public communication by a Southeast Asian diplomat to a representative of Myanmar’s junta since the February coup.
When the Burmese military ousted the elected government, it claimed that voter fraud had led to a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party in the general election last November.
The junta has yet to provide evidence of its claims and has violently suppressed nationwide demonstrations calling for a return to civilian rule, killing at least 1,158 people over the past eight months.
‘ASEAN should not act business as usual’
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also raised the issue of Myanmar’s participation in the upcoming summit at Monday’s ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting.
She said no progress had been made since the bloc’s 10 members, including Myanmar, agreed to a five-point path toward resolving the crisis brought about by the military coup.
“The [Myanmar] military has not responded positively to the efforts of the Special Envoy. … Some member countries are of the view that ASEAN should not act ‘business as usual’ with regards to this development,” Retno told a news conference.
“In Indonesia’s view, it is time for ASEAN foreign ministers to report this situation to the nine ASEAN leaders, and to receive a directive on how ASEAN should engage with Myanmar, especially in connection with the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits.”
Myanmar military-appointed officials have participated in all ASEAN sub-meetings since the Feb. 1 coup, and a warning that such participation may be discontinued will make a difference, noted Aaron Connelly, who leads a Southeast Asian politics program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore.
“If anything is going to motivate the SAC to come even partly into compliance with its obligations under the Five Point Consensus, it is the threat of a de facto suspension along these lines – as many Malaysian foreign policy scholars have argued for several months,” Connelly tweeted in response to the Malaysian foreign minister’s Twitter post.
International watchdog Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson concurred with Connelly’s views.
“Malaysia’s foreign ministry has [the] right idea to exclude Myanmar military junta from the ASEAN meeting in October unless Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and Tatmadaw take seriously the grouping’s Special Envoy,” he said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Malaysian lawmaker Charles Santiago said the regional bloc must put in place “very real consequences if the junta continues to toy with ASEAN.” This could include banning junta officials from meetings and preventing generals from traveling in the region, he said.
“The ASEAN Summit later this month presents the perfect opportunity to immediately put these measures into practice,” Santiago, a member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said in a statement.
“Time and again since the coup, the junta has played ASEAN for a fool, using it to try and gain legitimacy.”
ASEAN consensus on suspending Myanmar ‘difficult’
Regional analyst Oh Ei Sun from the Institute of International Affairs in Singapore said he was not hopeful that ASEAN would suspend Myanmar from the bloc or not invite the country’s military representative to the upcoming summit.
Indonesia and Malaysia may not be able to convince fellow ASEAN members Thailand and Cambodia that the bloc should snub Myanmar, Oh said.
“It can only happen if there is consensus, which is difficult, because Thailand and Cambodia would say, what is wrong with having Myanmar at the summit?” Oh told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, naming countries whose leaders who are said to be close to the Myanmar military.
ASEAN can make decisions only when all member countries agree – a principle that many critics believe is the reason the regional bloc is not effective.
Whether or not these two countries agree to sideline Myanmar, it is unlikely that the Burmese military will allow the ASEAN envoy into the country any time soon, said another regional analyst, James Chin from Tasmania University.
“The junta will only open up once they get the upper hand against the rebels. They need to control the urban areas 110 percent before they will be ready to talk,” Chin told BenarNews.
“The five point agreement with ASEAN is not worth the paper it is signed on.”

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, 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