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Want your designer bags to last longer?

CNA – Big-ticket luxury bags are supposed to be designed and made to last a lifetime. Yet some of them arrive prematurely at the finish line – and it could be because of what you’ve been doing to it.

The way you store your bag plays a critical role in their lifespan. So if you have plans to pass on that gorgeous Bleu Brume Hermes Kelly to your daughter, read on to learn how to sidestep some common mistakes many of us make when storing handbags.

It is never too late to cultivate good habits, your daughter will thank you for it.

NOT CLEANING YOUR BAG AFTER USE

Not putting your bag on the floor doesn’t make your purse pristine clean. The first and possibly most important step to proper bag storage is cleaning it.

After each use, it is necessary to clean the bag both inside and out. If your purse is made of leather, wipe the exterior with a slightly damp cloth or an alcohol-free baby wipe, followed by a dry cloth. For untreated leather or suede bags, dust with a dry cloth. On the inside, use a lint roller or a handheld vacuum cleaner to get into hard-to-reach places.

OVERSTUFFING YOUR PURSE

You’ve heard that filling up an empty bag helps it retain its shape. But how much is enough? All you need is to stuff your bag enough for its structure to be supported. Under-stuffing can cause the bag to crease permanently while overstuffing can stretch out the material.

It is recommended to use purse pillows or acid-free paper as stuffing. But never use newspaper as the ink can transfer and stain the lining inside the bag.

LEAVING HARDWARE EXPOSED

Exposed hardware can leave marks on your bag. Chains, zippers, rivets and buckles that are left to sit against the bag can leave indentation marks.

Wrap chain link straps in soft tissue or cloth and place them inside the bag so they never get a chance to leave marks on the leather. Also avoid placing your purses too closely together as exposed hardware can scratch or leave marks on the other bag that is pressed up against it.

NOT PROTECTING YOUR BAG

Ideally, store your bag in its original box. But if space is an issue, place your bag in a dust bag to protect it from unnecessary light exposure. Bags may discolour over time, especially if exposed to prolonged light. If you don’t have a dust bag, a cotton pillowcase or a cotton tee will also work.

HANGING YOUR BAGS

Bag handles are not designed to endure sitting on hooks or hangers for extended periods of time. By so doing, you’re, in fact, hastening the wear and tear of bag handles. Over time, the bag will eventually lose its shape. You’ll be doing your bag a favour by placing them upright on a flat surface – either on a shelf or inside drawers.

TOSSING OUT THE SILICA GEL

The tiny sachets of silica gel that come with most bags are meant to absorb excess moisture in the air so don’t be quick to toss them out. They are your saving grace for keeping leather bags free of mould.

If your purse does become mouldy, wipe it down with a soft dry cloth and let it air out for a day. If that doesn’t do the trick, take it to a professional for deep cleaning.

NOT AIRING THEM OUT

Your bags need to get out from time to time. Make it a point to take them out of their boxes or dust bags once a month for some air and while they are out, give them a once-over to ensure that they are free of mould.

Germany unveils fuel subsidies, discounted public transport

BERLIN (AP) – The Germany government is announcing a package of measures to help cushion the blow of high energy prices to consumers, with fuel subsidies, discounted public transport, tax benefits and additional support for the poorest.

Senior lawmakers unveiled the measures yesterday after lengthy haggling between the three parties that make up the governing coalition. Rising energy costs due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia have caused significant price pain for companies and consumers across Europe in recent months.

The measures announced include temporary tax cuts on gasoline, a EUR300 (USD330) refund for taxpayers, EUR100 per child and a further EUR100 for people on benefits.

A special 90-day ticket to use public transport in Germany will be made available for EUR9 (USD9.90), lawmakers said.

‘The Batman’, still top, crosses USD300 million

Lindsey Bahr

AP – The Batman is still going strong three weeks into its theatrical run, with a tight grip on the top spot at the box office.

Robert Pattinson’s debut as the Dark Knight earned an additional USD36.8 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates last Sunday. It also slid past the USD300 million mark ahead of projections.

The Warner Bros film is the highest grossing movie of 2022 and the second highest since the beginning of the pandemic (first place goes to Spider-Man: No Way Home).

The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves, also picked up USD49.1 million internationally last weekend, bringing its global total to USD598.1 million. The only place The Batman seems to be stumbling is in China where it earned USD12.1 million in its first weekend. But about 43 per cent of cinemas in China are closed due to the pandemic and The Batman still did slightly better than Unchartered which also opened there this weekend to USD10.3 million.

The Batman cost an estimated USD200 million to make, not counting the many millions spent on marketing. But it is already a win for Warner Bros, which took a hit at the box office in 2021 because all of its films were released simultaneously in theatres and on HBO Max.

This image released by Warner Bros Pictures shows Zoe Kravitz (L) and Robert Pattinson in a scene from ‘The Batman’. PHOTO: AP

It also helps that marketplace competition has been slim. The biggest competitor last weekend was the anime Jujutsu Kaisen 0, which was released by Crunchyroll and Funimation, and took in an estimated USD17.7 million in its first weekend in North America, where it was playing on 2,748 screens. The Japanese film is based on a best-selling manga and available to watch dubbed or with subtitles.

“Fans made this movie a big hit this weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “It shows how passionate fans of anime are and how beautiful these films are when presented on the big screen.”

The horror film X also debuted last weekend on 2,865 screens and is projected to gross around USD4.4 million. Directed by Ti West and distributed by A24, X is about a group of people who are terrorised while shooting a film.

Focus Features launched the crime drama The Outfit, starring Mark Rylance in 1,324 locations. It made an estimated USD1.5 million. And outside of the top 10, Vertical Entertainment and Roadside Attractions had Alice, the Sundance breakout about an enslaved woman who gets transported to 1973, which made USD176,120 from 170 locations.

Ash Barty’s retirement not really hard to fathom

AP – At first glance, Ash Barty’s retirement from tennis might be hard to fathom.

She is still only 25, after all. And she’s been thriving with a racket in her hands lately: number in the WTA rankings for 114 consecutive weeks, the champion at two of the past three Grand Slam tournaments, an 11-0 record this season.

So, to some, it seems natural to ask: Why stop now?

But Barty made clear, both in her announcement via social media on Wednesday and in other things she’s said and done over time, that she learned to measure success and fulfillment in ways that are uncommon – and certainly have little to do with the number beside her name or how many trophies reside in her home.

Listen, for example, to what the Australian said during an interview with the Associated Press in March 2019, back before she had won any of her trio of major singles championships, before she had ranked inside the Top 10, and three years before telling the world she was ready to stop for good.

“I know if I keep doing things the right way and keep going about things the right way, enjoying the process and the journey, those results will come. If they don’t, it’s not the end of the world,” she said. “And if they do, I can sit back, celebrate and just enjoy them.”

It was believable then. Her latest news is believable now, even if there surely are folks wondering whether this will stick. Barty already did take a break years ago before returning, but she said the feeling is different this time. What’s key to remember is Barty does things her way, on her timetable, and for her own reasons, and there is nothing wrong with that, as much as fans of tennis would like to see her continue competing.

Barty’s style of play was unique and varied, reliant on a mix of backhand slices and big serves and forehands. In an era when many players will speak quite plainly about not worrying about what is happening on the other side of the net, Barty was as adept at analysing, dissecting and dismantling an opponent’s game as anyone.

Yet Barty is so self-aware, so focussed on what’s best for her, that it makes perfect sense that she would head for the exit at the height of her powers rather than in any state of decline.

Barty was a prodigy who won a Wimbledon junior title at 15 in 2011, left the tour for nearly two years in 2014 because of burnout and the burden of expectations, played pro cricket, and later discussed how that hiatus made her a better player and person.

She always wanted to win Wimbledon, and did last year. She always wanted to win the Australian Open, and did in January.

There were other on-court triumphs, millions of dollars in prize money and endorsements, and icon status at home.

“I know that people may not understand it, and I’m OK with that,” she said. “Because I know that for me, Ash Barty the person has so many dreams that she wants to chase after that don’t necessarily involve travelling the world, being away from my family, being away from my home.”

Makes perfect sense.

RBPF to conduct ‘Mara Lasak’ exercise tomorrow

Rokiah Mahmud

The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) will conduct the Mara Lasak exercise tomorrow from 6am to 11.30am.

The exercise will start from Simpang 189 of Jalan Dang Kumala, Rimba, through Agro Tungku area, The Empire Brunei, Bukit Shahbandar Recreational Park, before returning to Simpang 189 of Jalan Dang Kumala, Rimba.

The public is advised to be cautious when around the area and to not be alarmed.

 

S’pore to maintain ‘measured approach’ to re-opening: Lee

SINGAPORE (CNA) – Singapore will significantly relax COVID-19 safety measures, but will also continue to take a “measured approach” to opening up, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

This approach has “served us well over the past two years”, said Lee in a national address.
“After this major step, we will wait a while to let the situation stabilise. If all goes well, we will ease up further.”

Earlier, he said that Singapore will allow gatherings in groups of up to 10 people, and that the wearing of masks outdoors will be optional, from March 29.

Singapore will also increase the capacity limit for workplaces and events.

But the country should also be “psychologically prepared for more twists and turns ahead”, he cautioned.

People wear face masks in Orchard Road, Singapore. PHOTO: CNA

“With more interactions, we too may see another wave of cases, and Omicron will not be the last variant we encounter. The virus will continue to evolve,” said Lee.

“Hopefully, new variants will become progressively milder and more flu-like. But it is also possible that more aggressive and dangerous mutants will turn up, just like Delta did.”

If that happens, Singapore may have to backtrack and tighten up restrictions again, he said.

“We cannot rule this out, even though we hope it will not be necessary. But whatever happens, we now have the knowledge and the means to keep everyone safe.”

This could mean giving everyone another booster jab, or administering an updated vaccine, Lee said.

The Prime Minister also announced that Singapore will ease travel restrictions substantially with a new vaccinated travel framework.

Lee said that Singapore was cautious earlier because of uncertainty over the Omicron variant’s impact, but imported cases now constitute only a very small proportion of cases.
“We can therefore safely open up our borders,” he said.

He added that Singapore will “drastically streamline” testing and quarantine requirements for travellers, and that the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force will provide details.

This simplified vaccinated travel framework will let Singaporeans travel abroad more easily – “almost like before COVID-19”, Lee said. It will also lift most restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors entering Singapore, he said.

“This will reconnect Singapore with the world. It will give a much-needed boost to businesses, particularly the tourism sector, and it will help Singapore reclaim its position as a business and aviation hub,” said Lee.

1MDB management conned Najib over investment agreement: Witness

THE STAR – The High Court was yesterday told that the management of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had conned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the company’s board of directors (BOD) into entering an investment agreement with its purported business partner PetroSaudi International Limited (PSI).

Former non-executive director of 1MDB Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, 58, who agreed with Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah’s suggestion, also admitted that several members of the management had misled Najib and the BOD by crafting detailed proposals to enter into the investment agreement.

The lawyer then suggested that the said proposals were crafted by 1MDB’s former general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, former chief financial officer Azmi Tahir and Casey Tang Keng Chee (former executive director) and Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi (former chief executive officer).

Muhammad Shafee: This is a 100 per cent con job. All the proposals were crafted by the 1MDB management. It was detailed crafting by the management. Ismee replied “yes”.

The senior counsel was referring to the deal where 1MDB agreed to convert its 40 per cent stake in the joint venture company 1MDB-PetroSaudi International Limited that it had bought at USD1 billion, into an Islamic loan to the same joint venture company.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. PHOTO: THE MALAY MAIL

The deal saw 1MDB agreeing to sell off the 40 per cent share to the joint venture company, by giving, on paper, the Islamic loan via Murabahah notes to the joint venture company at a value of USD1.2 billion.

With the conversion to the Murabahah notes, the joint venture company would on paper owe USD1.2 billion to 1MDB, effectively giving 1MDB a paper profit of USD200 million after accounting for the initial USD1 billion.

Explaining further on the conversion to the Murabahah notes, Muhammad Shafee told the court that the 1MDB management did a “magic show”, whereby the sovereign wealth fund would get the USD1.2 billion on paper, but not the actual cash.

Muhammad Shafee: From Shahrol Azral’s testimony, we got to know that he was being directed by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, purportedly it was from Najib to do this (proposals).

This was a very detailed nitty-gritty of paperwork convincing enough for the BOD. Do you agree with me? Ismee replied “yes”.

Muhammad Shafee: In your wildest imagination, do you think Najib, the then PM would be involved in directing on how to con 1MDB? Can you imagine? Ismee answered “I don’t think any PM would have time for that”.

To another question, the 13th prosecution witness also agreed that 1MDB faced difficulties during an audit process when audit firm Ernst & Young (E&Y) queried on the USD700 million which was transferred out from 1MDB to the joint venture.

Muhammad Shafee: Do you agree with me that the management was dragging its feet for so long and not answering E&Y? Ismee replied “yes”.

Former England striker Jermain Defoe retires at 39

LONDON (AP) – Former England striker Jermain Defoe announced his retirement from football yesterday at the age of 39, ending a 22-year professional career in which he became one of the Premier League’s greatest scorers.

Defoe scored 20 goals in 57 games for his country and was in England’s squad for the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.

At club level, he played for English teams West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland as well as Rangers in Scotland. Defoe is the ninth-highest scorer in Premier League history with 162 goals in 496 appearances.

The final appearance of his career saw him come on as a substitute for Sunderland in a 0-0 draw at Lincoln in a third-division match last Saturday.

In a post on social media announcing his retirement, Defoe devoted special thanks to his mother.

“You gave me a ball at two years old,” he wrote, “and you made me believe my dream could happen”.

More than 30 killed in twin attacks in central Somalia

MOGADISHU (AFP) – The death toll from twin attacks in central Somalia on Wednesday night has climbed above 30, the police chief in Beledweyne district told AFP yesterday.

“We are still trying to establish the overall number of casualties, but so far we have confirmed that more than 30 people were killed in the second blast alone, which was caused by a car bomb,” said Colonel Isak Ali Abdulle.

“The terrorists carried out the first attack using a suicide bomber and readied a car loaded with explosives in front of a hospital to cause more casualties,” he said.

“These were devastating simultaneous attacks which damaged property as well as causing mass civilian casualties.”

The first attack in Beledweyne killed two local lawmakers, including Amina Mohamed Abdi and several of her guards as she campaigned for re-election. The second occurred minutes later outside the hospital and left cars in charred, twisted ruins.

The attacks occurred the same day as three people were killed near Mogadishu’s airport in an attack claimed by the insurgent group Al-Shabaab.

The Al-Qaeda-linked extremists frequently attack civilian, military and government targets in Somalia’s capital and outside.

Rick Astley celebrates his 1987 debut album with reissue

Mark Kennedy

NEW YORK (AP) – Most pop stars take some time before they hit the big time, putting out a few albums before one sticks. With Rick Astley, it took just his first song.

“With me, it’s like, song one – Boom! Number one all over the world,” he said via Zoom. “I was just trying to write something that you could sing along to in the chorus.”

That album was 1987’s multi-platinum debut Whenever You Need Somebody, with, of course, that single Never Gonna Give You Up that went from radio earworm to Internet prank sensation.

It’s been 35 years since Astley’s debut and BMG is marking the anniversary in May with a two-CD set and digital release that boasts the remastered original album plus B-sides, remixes and Astley’s own reimagined versions of the album’s original singles.

Astley was only 20 and 21 while recording Whenever You Need Somebody with the songwriting and record production trio known as Stock, Aitken and Waterman, who had crafted songs for Bananarama and Dead or Alive.

“I was just happy to be in a professional recording studio, making noises with guys who were having hit records,” said Astley, who came from a small town in the north of England. He knew nothing about the recording process. “I was inexperienced, I guess, and naïve.”

Never Gonna Give You Up spent two weeks at number one on the United States (US) Billboard Hot 100 and Together Forever spent a week atop the same chart. The songs It Would Take A Strong Strong Man and She Wants To Dance With Me also made it into the top 10. Listening to it again, the album fits today’s ’80s-vibing, dance soundscape very well.

He would make more albums, leave the business for many years and then reemerge with the strong albums 50 in 2016 and Beautiful Life in 2018, dogged by rick-rolling – when a promised link on a website turns out instead to be an Astley video – but making his peace with it.

Shortly after the anniversary release of his debut album, Astley will join New Kids on the Block, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue for the 57-date Mixtape 2022 US arena tour. He credits Whenever You Need Somebody for all of it, for basically making his career.

“The overwhelming thing is just gratitude. If I’m honest, it’s simply that. I’ve had a really nice, comfortable existence because I got to make a pop record in 1987.”

Singer Rick Astley poses for photos in New York. PHOTO: AP
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Borneo Bulletin is the leading English daily in the country. It was first published by Brunei Press. Today, Borneo Bulletin has become the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs, and the region’s business news.

© 2013 Borneo Bulletin Online - The Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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