‘Feel the Speed’ with Progresif

December 29, 2022

Adib Noor

Progresif Sdn Bhd officials launched the ‘Feel the Speed’ event filled with augmented reality-based activities and experiences at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday.

Progresif Chief Executive Officer Hajah Nurul Haniah binti Haji Jaafar kicked off the event, along with the company’s management.

The event aims to educate the public on 5G connectivity and high-speed data, as well as introduce a range of 5G-ready devices that are available exclusively at Progresif.

Over nine exclusive partners and vendors collaborated in the Feel the Speed event with exhilarating activities, such as F1 Racing Simulator Experience by Apex Racing, Golf Simulator Experience by The Golf Club, Zwift Cycle Experience by Cycle Nation and FIFA Tournament by Game On, fitting the event’s theme.

“We are thrilled to bring you the 5G experience live this weekend.

“Feel The Speed is all about exploring the capability of 5G connectivity and technology to consumers, from mobile devices as basic use of communication to the future of mobile gaming that have now been revolutionised with the existence of 5G,” said Hajah Nurul Haniah.

ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Progresif’s Chief Executive Officer Hajah Nurul Haniah binti Haji Jaafar at the event. PHOTOS: MUIZ MATDANI/PROGRESIF

“With the support of Unified National Networks and our shareholder, Darussalam Assets, Progresif has been conducting consumer 5G trials in selected areas of the country, to study the reliability and capability of 5G connectivity. The results have been very promising.”

During the event, Progresif will be offering 6GB data free – prepaid and postpaid – for new and port-in customers.

Meanwhile, customers on fixed plans can also look out for attractive offers such as gaming bundles with Tech Haven, Meta Quest 2 bundles with Chong Hock Computers and more.

The event also features various mobile plans on offer, exclusively by Vicom and INCOMM, with offers on 4G and 5G devices ranging from Vivo and Samsung as well as iPhone devices.

Customers will receive vouchers and gifts from Vivo and INCOMM for every sign up or purchase of any of the plans.

Feel The Speed runs until December 31 at Yayasan Complex, from 9am to 6.30pm.

There will be lucky draws every day where customers can win prizes such as top-up cards and gift vouchers.

For more information and daily updates on the event, visit Progresif’s Instagram and Facebook pages or reach out to Progresif through its call centre at 177.

Asian markets fall as China re-opening spurs inflation fears

December 29, 2022

HONG KONG (AFP) – Asian markets were mostly lower yesterday following declines on Wall Street as China’s move to re-open after abandoning its zero-COVID policy revived inflation fears.

China has abruptly reversed tight pandemic restrictions that kept the world’s second-largest economy isolated for the past three years.

On Monday, Beijing announced it was ending quarantine measures for overseas arrivals from January 8, the latest move to loosen its zero-COVID regime, after it dropped mandatory testing and lockdowns earlier this month.

China’s scrapping of pandemic restrictions has spurred hopes for its economic revival but also raised fears it will add to inflationary pressure.

Moving to reopen even as the Asian giant battles a massive spike in COVID cases has caused jitters, with the United States (US) and several other countries saying they may restrict travel from China and introduce mandatory PCR tests for arrivals.

“While a full China reopening could provide a much-needed and timely boost to the global economy, it may come with unwelcome ambiguous strings attached,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

“The good news is that inflation subsides as China reprises its role as a supplier of low-cost goods globally and supply chain bottlenecks ease,” Innes said.

A currency trader talks on the phone near the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index. PHOTO: AP

“Still, the bad news is as growth accelerates through Q1, China’s insatiable demand for raw materials and all things energy will push up prices of those commodities, much to the consternation of the Fed and ECB. Indeed, re-opening is rekindling some inflationary spirits.”

Fresh data last week indicated a slowing of US inflation, but the news was not definitive and eyes will be on how the Federal Reserve moves to balance inflationary concerns alongside the possibility of a recession caused by increased borrowing costs.

“We may get a pivot later on next year from the Federal Reserve where they actually start cutting rates, but that’s going to happen when the situation is going to become much more dire than it is now,” chief market strategist for Miller Tabak Matt Maley said on Bloomberg TV.

“If we just have this slow grind lower, the Fed’s going to keep interest rates at high levels even if they stop raising rates in any kind of way.”

Asian markets mostly headed south, with Tokyo giving up 0.4 per cent, Seoul sliding more than 2.2 per cent and Shanghai down 0.3 per cent. Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta also retreated while Wellington and Bangkok were among the few gainers.

Hong Kong jumped 1.4 per cent as investors digested the COVID news from Beijing on the first trading day after the holiday break, with China-related stocks and technology issues seeing big gains.

Oil prices slipped in Asian trade after China’s moves to reopen had given them a boost on hopes for renewed demand from the world’s biggest importer of crude.

Russia’s move to ban exports to countries complying with a price cap on its crude had also helped drive prices higher.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was down 0.3 per cent while international benchmark Brent slipped 0.5 per cent to just shy of USD84 a barrel.

Mystical cure-all gel

December 29, 2022

ANN/THE STATESMAN – Let’s discuss the aloe vera, a wonder plant that has a number of health advantages. It is utilised as a natural cure in numerous cultures all over the world for anything from skin moisturisation to hair volume.

Here are some straightforward DIY beauty tips from The Ayurveda Co (TAC) Co-Founder Shreedha Singh.

Nourish your dry skin: With lots of fluid content inside aloe vera, you can rejuvenate your dry skin. It is a natural remedy to a host of skin problems besides having nourishment properties. Aloe vera gel can be applied straight onto your skin to hydrate it.

Additionally, you can add a few drops of Neroli oil and combine one tablespoon of Aloe Vera Gel with vitamin E capsules.

Use this mixture to massage your face for beautiful skin. The remaining mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for three days.

Get freedom from dark spots and blemishes: Aloe vera contains astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.

Due to these characteristics, it is excellent in lessening the visibility of scars and blemishes.

Through a simple DIY remedy, you can keep your skin free from spots and blemishes.

Create a smooth paste by combining one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and two tablespoons of honey. Spread it over your face, then wait for 10 to 15 minutes. After rinsing it with warm water, you will discover a renewed and lighter skin of yours.

Flaunt shining skin using ice cube rub: The ice cube rub can help you achieve the trendy “glass skin”, with a smooth texture, reduced pore size, and natural glow. Aloe vera gel can be added to an ice cube tray to create an aloe vera gel cube.

For a revitalising dose of freshness or to just soothe skin burns, use it at least twice a week.

Keep infection and acne at bay: People with acne-prone skin can get relief with the constant use of aloe vera as it helps in gentle cleansing and removing bacteria with its antiseptic properties. The usage is simple and anyone can try it with ease at home.

Take one tablespoon of aloe vera gel with one teaspoon of Moringa and Neem oil.

Mix all the ingredients well to make a thick paste and apply it all over your face and massage gently in a circular motion.

Leave it for 30 minutes, and then rinse it off.

You may follow up with a clay-based mask for best results.

Shine with glistering soft hair: Aloe vera has the ability to treat rough and dry hair as it contains proteolytic enzymes that help to rebuild the scalp’s dead skin and stimulate new hair growth by promoting blood circulation over there.

To make a smooth paste, combine two tablespoons of castor oil with one tablespoon of aloe vera.

Apply it to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for an hour, and then rinse it off with water and mild herbal shampoo.

This will add intense hydration, shine, and softness to your hair through the antioxidant-rich aloe vera gel and castor oil, which strengthens hair follicles while promoting growth.

Dodge dandruff: Aloe vera is a natural and hassle-free solution to eliminating dandruff because it is rich in anti-fungal and anti-viral qualities.

So putting it on your scalp can help nourish it and reduces dandruff. You can try this homemade aloe-methi mask to treat dandruff and hair loss since it is a high source of protein and iron that promotes blood circulation.

To make a smooth paste, combine one tablespoon of aloe vera gel with the methi seeds that have been soaked overnight.

The combination should be applied to the scalp for 30 minutes, and then you should rinse it out.

Ukraine aims to develop air-to-air combat drones: Minister

World

December 29, 2022

KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) – Ukraine has bought some 1,400 drones, mostly for reconnaissance, and plans to develop combat models that can attack the exploding drones Russia has used during its invasion of the country, according to the Ukrainian government minister in charge of technology.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov described Russia’s war in Ukraine as the first major war of the Internet age. He credited drones and satellite Internet systems like Elon Musk’s Starlink with having transformed the conflict.

Ukraine has purchased drones like the Fly Eye, a small used for intelligence, battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance.

“And the next stage, now that we are more or less equipped with reconnaissance drones, is strike drones,” Federov said. “These are both exploding drones and drones that fly up to three to 10 kilometres and hit targets.”

He predicted “more missions with strike drones” in the future, but would not elaborate. “We are talking there about drones, UAVs, UAVs that we are developing in Ukraine.

Well, anyway, it will be the next step in the development of technologies,” he said.

Russian authorities have alleged several Ukrainian drone strikes on its military bases in recent weeks, including one on Monday in which they said Russian forces shot down a drone approaching the Engels airbase located more than 600 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.

Russia’s military said debris killed three service members but no aircraft were damaged.

The base houses Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers that have been involved in launching strikes on Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities have never formally acknowledged carrying out such drone strikes, but they have made cryptic allusions to how Russia might expect retaliation for its war in Ukraine, including within Russian territory.

Ukraine is carrying out research and development on drones that could fight and down other drones, Federov said.

Russia has used Iranian-made Shahed drones for its airstrikes in Ukrainian territory in recent weeks, in addition to rocket, cruise missile and artillery attacks.

New beauty trend, ‘skinification’ calls to treat hair like skin

Lifestyle

December 29, 2022

AFP – It’s a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore.

While shampoos, masks, and various oils used to be enough for taking care of our manes, now a new generation of haircare products is emerging to pamper our hair like we do our skin.

It’s a trend that places the scalp at the centre of our new beauty routine. Welcome to the era of “skinification”.

Everyone has their own hair routine. Some spend hours on it, others are content with the traditional shampoo and conditioner, while for a handful it’s a matter of going to their favourite hairdresser at least once a month.

Whatever your case may be, with the rise of “skinification”, it’s bound to change.

You’ve surely guessed that the inclusion of the word “skin” here means that your haircare routine will soon resemble your facial skincare routine.

As a result, categories of haircare products are evolving, brands are increasingly modelling these on skincare essentials.

REVENGE OF THE HAIR

If you’re a haircare enthusiast, you probably saw it coming a while ago. During a trip to the supermarket or drugstore, you probably noticed that the hair section is no longer just about shampoos, conditioners and masks.

In fact, new categories have been stealing the spotlight for the past few months with dedicated products that you’d never expect to see for your hair.

Scrubs, anti-blemish treatments, exfoliating brushes, nightcare products, exfoliating shampoos, and micellar shampoos.

There’s no longer any doubt: these new-generation products are indeed designed specially for your hair and are about to transform your hair routines.

As with skin, prevention now is a major focus that gets a complete routine rather than just treating damage caused by the sun, pollution, excess sebum, as well as the many styling treatments like dye, straightening, and extensions which can damage the hair.

And even more than that, it’s about creating a personalised routine at home, whether according to the hair texture, colour, length, or special needs. Just like skin, in essence.

This elevates the scalp, the link between skin and hair, to the new star of the hair department.

SCALPS AT THE (LITERAL) ROOT OF IT ALL

A quick trip to the hairdresser is all it takes to see that some services have already evolved; for a few months now or in some cases a few years, it’s been possible to get a massage or thorough exfoliation of the scalp.

Until now, hair tips were the focus of pampering, but those days seem to be over – or nearly.

And this focus on the scalp isn’t that surprising considering that it’s the area from which hair grows.

A good reason to take care of it, and make sure it isn’t dry, nor greasy, free from irritation and buildup of dead skin, pollution, or remains of hairspray, gel, oils, and other styling products.

In an annual report, Pinterest observes a particular appetite for products and techniques designed to pamper the scalp coming our way in 2023.

This includes scalp treatments for dry scalp (+70 per cent), scalp massage techniques (+55 per cent), and anything related to scalp cleansing (+55 per cent).

Based on several months of analysis and evaluation of the searches of its 400 million users, the report shows the scale of interest in these new practices.

When concocting your overall routine, consider all the beauty essentials you use for your skin – except for makeup removal, which won’t be necessary.

On the other hand, a scalp scrub is essential for getting rid of all the dirt that can accumulate on a daily basis, followed by a shampoo according to your hair type – an area which has expanded from oily, dry or normal to include anti-ageing and much more – a serum, and (why not?) a night treatment.

You can take this new kind of routine a step further by using anti-acne products and even micellar waters to clean your hair without overly stripping it.

It’s enough to give you hair worthy of a Disney prince or princess.

NZ tourist dies in Thailand while taking selfie over ‘death railway’

December 29, 2022

ANN/THE NATION THAILAND – A New Zealand tourist fell to his death from a local train over the World War II “death railway” in Kanchanaburi province on Tuesday.

Sai Yok Police Station was alerted at 11.50am that a foreign tourist had died after falling about 10 metres from a train to the ground below the death railway at Krasae Cave in Sai Yok district.

The tourist was identified as Patrick Ward, 45.

His fall was captured on video by a tourist in the area. The victim was seen falling on his back out of the train in the short video clip.

Since there is no ladder or other way to climb down in that area, rescuers had to create a makeshift pulley system to lower themselves and pull the body out.

When rescuers spotted him, he was barely breathing, police said.

Ward’s right arm and neck broke in the fall. Rescuers tried to resuscitate him for about half an hour but their efforts were in vain.

Commander of the police station Colonel Phuchong Narong-in said the tour guide had revealed that the tourist had come with a group led by the guide from River Kwai bridge and he rode the train to see the death railway.

The tourist reportedly opened a door of the train and tried to take a selfie to show the view outside but he slipped on the steps at the door and fell to his death.

The police station said it would contact the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok to take custody of the body for the funeral.

Photo from the video that showed Patrick Ward falling from the train. PHOTO: THE NATION THAILAND

BIGBANG members Taeyang, Daesung leave YG Entertainment and sign with new label

December 29, 2022

ANN/KOREA HERALD – Two members of BIGBANG have left the group’s long-time agency, YG Entertainment. The label said on Monday that Daesung is leaving, soon after it was announced on the same day that group mate Taeyang had signed with a new label.

Both artistes are now signed with THEBLACKLABEL.

YG Entertainment stressed that both Taeyang and Daesung are still part of BIGBANG. It also said that it was in negotiations with G-Dragon, the last member of the K-pop group still signed with the agency.

The statement released on Monday by YG Entertainment read: “Daesung has decided to end his contract with us. He’s looking for a fresh start. The fact that Daesung is a BIGBANG member has not changed. We support Daesung’s choice and new start, and we are always open to cooperating with him.”

On Taeyang, it said: “We are sincerely pleased to deliver the news that Taeyang is making a fresh start.”

Earlier this year, fellow BIGBANG member T.O.P. left the agency to “broaden the scope of his individual activities”, while remaining with the group.

BIGBANG, initially a five-member group, now consists of T.O.P, Taeyang, G-Dragon and Daesung after the departure of Seungri in March 2019, following a scandal.

BIGBANG released Single Life, their first new music in four years, in April this year.

T.O.P, G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. PHOTO: YG ENTERTAINMENT

Oil prices little changed as Russia unveils export ban

Business

December 29, 2022

NEW YORK (AFP) – Russia on Tuesday banned oil sales to countries and companies that comply with a price cap agreed by Western nations, briefly helping to lift crude prices.

“The supply of Russian oil and oil products to foreign legal entities and individuals is prohibited if the contracts for these supplies directly or indirectly” are using a price cap, a presidential decree said.

The decree will be in effect from February 1 until July 1.

It added that the ban may be lifted in individual cases on the basis of a “special decision” from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The price ceiling of USD60 per barrel agreed by the European Union, G7 and Australia came into force in early December and seeks to restrict Russia’s revenue while making sure Moscow keeps supplying the global market.

Oil prices initially jumped on the announcement and analysts pointed to expectations for stronger demand due to reopening actions by China after lengthy COVID-19 restrictions.

Gas pumps are shown in Madison, Georgia. PHOTO: AP

But most of the gains in oil prices had evaporated by the end of the trading session. Analysts have noted that Moscow’s move will not impede deliveries to India, China and other importers that did not join the price cap.

The Russian action “should not come too much as a surprise for the market really, given what we heard from them over the recent months”, said Matt Smith of Kpler.

“It’ll tighten things up a bit, but not too much.”

Brent oil futures for delivery in February ended up 0.5 per cent at USD84.33 a barrel.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in February slipped less than 0.1 per cent to USD79.53 a barrel.

Introduced alongside an EU embargo on seaborne deliveries of Russian crude oil, the cap aims to ensure Russia cannot bypass the embargo by selling its oil to third countries at high prices.

Russia has said the cap will not affect its military campaign in Ukraine and expressed confidence it would find new buyers.

Club Brugge sack coach despite Champions League run

Sports

December 29, 2022

BRUSSELS (AFP) – Belgian side Club Brugge yesterday sacked its coach Carl Hoefkens due to disappointing domestic results, despite him guiding the outsiders to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

CEO Vincent Mannaert praised the former Belgium international defender as a “club man through and through”.

“His role in the successful Champions League campaign this season should not be underestimated,” a statement said.

But Mannaert said “our choices last summer did not bring the desired level of play and results in the league and the Belgian Cup”.

Hoefkens, 44, was a surprise choice when he was appointed as head coach in May after three seasons as assistant manager.

He led Club Brugge through to the round of 16 in the Champions League for the first time in its history during his brief tenure.

The team qualified second in its group after impressive wins over Bayer Leverkusen, Porto and Atletico Madrid.

Residents safe in Kampong Sinarubai fire

December 29, 2022

James Kon

Residents were safely evacuated during a fire that caused extensive damage to a two-storey house in Kampong Sinarubai on Tuesday.

Fifteen firefighters from the Bandar Seri Begawan Fire Station, with assistance from Beribi Fire Station and Pengkalan Batu Fire Station, responded to the incident, according to the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD).

Led by DSO Ibrahim bin Haji Omar, firefighters battled a huge blaze engulfing the house made of wood and concrete. The residents were evacuated before firefighters arrived. There were no injuries or fatalities reported.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within eight minutes. The estimated losses and cause of fire are under investigation.

Commanding Officer of Operation ‘A’ branch SFR Pengiran Haji Asmali bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad observed the operation.

The FRD reminded the public to equip their homes with fire extinguishers and fire blankets as well as to ensure that electrical appliances are switched off after use or before leaving the house.

The department also advised the public not to leave cooking unattended and, to make sure that windows and doors are open for ventilation in the event of a gas leak.

In addition, ensure that electrical wiring installations are done by accredited professionals in accordance with the standards issued by the Department of Electrical Services.

Borneo Bulletin OnlineThe Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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