Saturday, October 5, 2024
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Red flag raised on two cosmetic products

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has raised the red flag on two cosmetic products found to be adulterated with undeclared, potent Western medicine, following testing by the Laboratory of Pharmacy Section, Department of Scientific Services, MoH.

The RYX Skin Sincerity Clear Bomb Advanced Exfoliating Toner as well as the RYX Skin Sincerity Beyouthiful Starter Kit Day and Night Rejuvenating Toner were found to be adulterated with Hydroquinone. Both products are manufactured in the Philippines.

Hydroquinone can cause adverse effects potentially hazardous to users. It is used in Western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations.

Unsupervised use may cause skin hypersensitivity, skin discolouration resulting in gradual darkening of the affected skin area and an increased risk of skin cancer.

The MoH has not issued an approval for the importation for the sale of the products and/or Cosmetic Notification Acknowledgement Letter for the sale of the rest of affected products.
Following the findings, the products are prohibited from being imported and sold in Brunei Darussalam.

ABOVE & BELOW: RYX Skin Sincerity Clear Bomb Advanced Exfoliating Toner and RYX Skin Sincerity Beyouthiful Starter Kit Day and Night Rejuvenating Toner. PHOTOS: MOH

Members of the public who have purchased or are using these products are advised to discontinue use immediately. They should also consult a medical practitioner if they feel unwell or experience undesirable reactions as a result of using them.

Members of the public involved in the retail of these products (including online retail such as through Facebook) are reminded that it is an offence under the Poisons Act 1956 to sell any product containing any substance controlled under the Act. The penalty for such an offence upon conviction is a BND8,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment.

Furthermore, if a person commits an act that amounts to such a degree of negligence so as to endanger or be likely to endanger human life, then the individual shall be guilty of an offence which carries a penalty of a fine of BND16,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment.

The public is also reminded that it is an offence under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations, 2007 to import and market cosmetic products in the local market without a Cosmetic Product Notification Acknowledgement Letter issued by the authority. The penalty for contravening these regulations upon conviction is a fine not exceeding BND5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

The MoH calls for public cooperation in reporting to the Compliance and Licensing Section should any of these products be found on the market.

For information and communication, contact the Compliance and Licensing Section at 2393298 (ext 208), e-mail to pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn, visit the Compliance and Licensing Section, Department of Pharmaceutical Services in Kampong Madaras in Mukim Gadong A, or call Darussalam Line at 123.

Talk to highlight importance of Astrofiqh in life

Rokiah Mahmud

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) through the Centre of Leadership and Lifelong Learning will conduct a complimentary Academic Service programme on April 1, from 8.30am to 10am.

The programme is open to the public and will be conducted online via the Zoom platform.
Deputy Director of Mazhab Shafi’e Research Centre at UNISSA Associate Professor Dr Ibnor Azli bin Ibrahim is expected to deliver the lecture on the importance of Astrofiqh in life.

The programme aims to enhance public knowledge on the subject, and allows UNISSA academicians to execute their social responsibilities.

Brunei detects 756 new COVID cases

James Kon

For the second consecutive day, Brunei Darussalam’s daily number of new COVID-19 cases stayed below the 1,000 mark with 756 new cases detected yesterday. This brings the national tally of confirmed cases to 129,837. Of the new cases, 664 were from antigen rapid test (ART) results uploaded to the BruHealth app, while 92 were from 1,448 RT-PCR laboratory tests performed in the past 24 hours.

No COVID-19 fatalities were recorded in the past 24 hours.

The latest updates were shared by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at the daily press conference yesterday.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin was also present.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said, “The number of cases in Category 4 has risen to nine with the addition of a new case, while the number of cases in Category 5 has reduced to one with the reduction of two cases. The total number of cases in Categories 4 and 5 is 3.8 per cent of the treatment capacity of the categories at the National Isolation Centre (NIC).”

Meanwhile, 1,581 cases have recovered, bringing the national tally of recovered cases to 120,561 with 9,076 active cases, said the minister.

At present, the bed occupancy rate at isolation centres nationwide is 3.8 per cent with 139 active cases placed in isolation centres and hospitals, while 8,937 are undergoing home self-isolation.

As of March 24, the minister said under the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, 60.5 per cent of the population has received three doses.

Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar with Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin at the conference. PHOTO: JAMES KON

EU negotiators agree landmark law to curb Big Tech

BRUSSELS (AFP) – Negotiators from the European Parliament and European Union (EU) member states agreed yesterday on a landmark law to curb the market dominance of United States (US) big tech giants such as Google, Meta, Amazon and Apple.

Meeting in Brussels the lawmakers nailed down a long list of do’s and don’ts that will single out the world’s most iconic web giants as Internet “gatekeepers” subject to special rules.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has sped through the bloc’s legislative procedures and is designed to protect consumers and give rivals a better chance to survive against the world’s powerful tech juggernauts.

“The agreement ushers in a new era of tech regulation worldwide,” said German MEP Andreas Schwab, who led the negotiations for the European Parliament.

“The DMA puts an end to the ever-increasing dominance of Big Tech companies,” he added.
The main point of the law is to avert the years of procedures and court battles needed to punish Big Tech’s monopolistic behaviour where cases can end with huge fines but little change in how the giants do business.

Once implemented, the law will give Brussels unprecedented authority to keep an eye on decisions by the giants, especially when they pull out the chequebook to buy up promising startups.

“The gatekeepers – they now have to take responsibility,” said the EU’s competition supremo Margrethe Vestager.

Google is one of the tech giants targetted by the new regulations. PHOTO: AP

“A number of things they can do, a number of things they can’t do, and that of course gives everyone a fair chance,” she added.

The law contains about 20 rules that in many cases target practices by Big Tech that have gone against the bloc’s rules on competition, but which Brussels has struggled to enforce.

The DMA imposes myriad obligations on Big Tech, including forcing Apple to open up its App Store to alternative payment systems, a demand that the iPhone maker has opposed fiercely, most notably in its feud with Epic games, the maker of Fortnite. Google will be asked to clearly offer users of Android-run smartphones alternatives to its search engine, the Google Maps app or its Chrome browser.

Apple would also be forced to loosen its grip on the iPhone, with users allowed to uninstall its Safari web browser and other company-imposed apps that users cannot currently delete.

In a statement, Apple swiftly expressed regret over the law, saying it was “concerned that some provisions of the DMA will create unnecessary privacy and security vulnerabilities for our users”.

After a furious campaign by influential MEPs, the law also forces messaging services such as Meta-owned WhatsApp to make themselves available to users on other services such as Signal or Apple’s iMessage, and vice-versa.

France, which holds the EU presidency and negotiated on behalf of the bloc’s 27 member states, said the law would deliver “concrete impacts on the lives of European citizens”.

“We are talking about the goods you buy online, the smartphone you use every day, and the services you use every day,” said France’s Digital Affairs Minister, Cedric O.

Violation of the rules could lead to fines as high as 10 per cent of a company’s annual global sales and even 20 per cent for repeat offenders.

The DMA “will have a profound impact on the way some gatekeepers’ operations are currently conducted”, said partner at Clifford Chance lawyer Katrin Schallenberg.

“Clearly, companies affected… are already working on ways to comply with or even challenge the regulation,” she added. The Big Tech companies have lobbied hard against the new rules and the firms have been defended in Washington, where it is alleged that the new law unfairly targets US companies.

With the deal now reached by negotiators, the DMA now faces final votes in a full session of the European Parliament as well as by ministers from the EU’s 27 member states.

The rules could come into place starting on January 1, 2023, though tech companies are asking for more time to implement the law.

Post-COVID symptoms may persist in some cases

James Kon

COVID-19 cases who have completed their isolation may still feel the long-term effects of COVID-19 or even develop new symptoms related to COVID-19 in a condition known as post-COVID, said Infectious Diseases Consultant at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie binti Haji Momin at a press conference on Thursday on post-COVID conditions.

Post-COVID symptoms that may continue to persist include extreme tiredness (fatigue), shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, problems with memory and concentration (brain fog), coughing, body aches, and joint aches, she said.

“In the process of recovering from COVID-19, every individual progresses differently as the initial symptoms of each case are different, ranging from mild to severe. Asymptomatic cases may not have any persistent symptoms, while others may continue to have persistent coughs, easy fatigabilities and breathing difficulties, among others. Hence, a number of COVID-19 cases may still continue to have some of the symptoms after they complete their isolation,” said Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie.

She added, “For COVID-19 cases who have been in the hospital due to severe symptoms and in need of organ support such as ventilators, the process of recovery may take longer.”

Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie said in general, recovery from COVID-19 is similar to other post-infectious conditions, and may take several weeks for the body to recover.

Infectious Diseases Consultant at the Ministry of Health Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie binti Haji Momin. PHOTO: JAMES KON

“This is not uncommon. The symptoms will go away on their own. If the symptoms still persist, then it is important to seek medical advice.”

The infectious diseases consultant said if the symptoms persist beyond two to three months after having COVID-19, then it is formally known as a post-COVID condition (known by many names including long COVID or long-haul COVID). “One in every 10 cases may experience post-COVID symptoms long after the infection has gone.”

On the post-COVID-19 symptoms in the immediate recovery phase, she said, “It is important to practice self-management. If the individual lacks energy, he or she should rest.

Pace yourself if you feel fatigued while carrying out daily duties or exercising. Know your limits. Insya Allah, your body will slowly recover back to normal. However in certain circumstances, if the individual has persistent coughing, seek medical consultation. A doctor can assess and prescribe medicine to help with the condition.”

For COVID cases in Categories 4 and 5 who experienced severe symptoms, Dr Hajah Riamiza Natalie said the MoH also has in place physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other disciplines to help rehabilitate patients in hospital on their road to recovery.

US, EU announce new partnership to undercut Russian energy

BRUSSELS (AP) – The United States (US) and European Union (EU) yesterday announced a new partnership to reduce the continent’s reliance on Russian energy, the start of a years-long initiative to further isolate Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.

As part of the plan, the US and other nations will increase liquified natural gas (LNG) exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic metres this year, the White House said. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future.

At the same time, they will try to keep their climate goals on track by powering gas infrastructure with clean energy and reducing methane leaks that can worsen global warming.

Although the initiative will likely require new facilities for importing LNG, the partnership is also geared toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the long run through energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy, according to the White House.

US President Joe Biden was set to discuss the issue with head of the EU’s executive arm Ursula von der Leyen before leaving for Poland, the final leg of his four-day trip. Earlier this week, Von der Leyen said “we are aiming at having a commitment for additional supplies for the next two winters”.

And Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan recently told reporters that the administration wants to quickly “surge” gas to Europe.

European Council President Charles Michel and US President Joe Biden arrive for a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels. PHOTO: AP

Russian energy is a key source of income and political leverage for Moscow. Almost 40 per cent of the EU’s natural gas comes from Russia to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry.

Getting more LNG to Europe could be difficult, even though the US has been dramatically increasing its exports in recent years. Many export facilities are already operating at capacity, and most new terminals are still only in the planning stages.

Most US shipments already go to Europe, according to the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, an industry lobbying group. Although much of the supply is already contracted out to buyers, there are still opportunities to shift its destination. “The US is in a unique position because it has flexible LNG that can be rerouted to Europe or to Asia, depending on who’s willing to pay that price,” said markets analyst at Rystad Emily McClain.

Even if the US can ship more gas to Europe, the continent may struggle to receive it. Import terminals are located in coastal areas, where there are fewer pipeline connections for distributing it.

Even if all Europe’s facilities were operating at capacity, the amount of gas would likely be only about two-thirds of what Russia delivers.

Swift action stops fire from spreading

James Kon

Swift action by firefighters prevented a fire from spreading at a store in Kampong Sungai Hanching on Wednesday night.

A team of firefighters with a fire engine from the Lambak Kanan Fire Station led by Acting Station Officer Haji Tarip and the Berakas Fire Station led by DSO Haji Sofri bin Haji Bolaji with the assistance of a water tanker from the Beribi Fire station led by ABK 167 Pengiran Jefri responded to the fire incident, according to the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD).

The team saw thick smoke coming out from small window openings and found the switch centre inside the store on the first floor at the back of the building on fire.

Equipped with breathing apparatus, the firefighters used a crowbar to break open a window and two water hoses to extinguish the fire. The smoke was cleared using exhaust conducting.

Part of the store was damaged due to the fire.

The cause of the fire and estimated damages are under investigation. No injuries were reported.

The FRD reminded the public to ensure their homes are equipped with fire extinguishers of the dry powder type, along with fire blankets and battery-operated smoke detectors.

ABOVE & BELOW: A firefighter at the incident site; and a damaged part of the store. PHOTOS: FRD

Activists stage global climate protest, slam Ukraine war

BERLIN (AP) – Climate activists staged a 10th series of worldwide protests yesterday to demand that leaders take stronger action against global warming, with some linking their environmental message to calls for an end to the war in Ukraine.

The Fridays for Future movement, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, called demonstrations from Australia to Indonesia and the United States (US) to Sweden.

In Jakarta, activists dressed in red robes and held placards demanding “system change not climate change”.

Others held a banner saying “G-20, stop funding our extinction”, a reference to the fact that the Group of 20 biggest developed and emerging economies account for about 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Indonesia hosts the group’s next summit this fall.

In Rome, protesters carried a giant inflatable globe through the streets and a banner reading “Make school, not war”.

Some 300 protests were planned in Germany. Thousands of mostly young people rallied in Berlin’s government district, many of them Ukraine’s yellow and blue national flag.

“We are here today to show that peace and climate justice belong together,” student from Berlin Clara Duvigneau said.

She and other activists said Germany should immediately stop buying fossil fuels from Russia, saying the tens of millions of euros Europe pays each day contributes to Moscow’s war chest even as the burning of oil, gas and coal harms the planet.

Demonstrators during a strike in Stockholm. PHOTO: AP

Giant white diamond ‘The Rock’ makes debut in Dubai

DUBAI (AFP) – A giant diamond nicknamed ‘The Rock’ went on display for the first time in Dubai yesterday ahead of an auction where it is expected to fetch up to USD30 million.

The 228.31-carat pear-shaped gem, which was mined and polished in South Africa more than 20 years ago, is the largest white diamond ever to come to auction, said auction house Christie’s.

After making its debut at Christie’s Dubai, where it will be displayed from March 26-29, The Rock will travel to Taipei, New York and Geneva, where it will be auctioned on May 11.

“The Middle East has always had such a great appreciation for important jewels and gemstones,” Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewellery at Christie’s, told AFP.

“We thought it would be nice for us to launch the diamond in an area where there are so many great collectors for important gems of this nature.”

A Christie’s auction house staff displays a giant diamond nicknamed ‘The Rock’. PHOTO: AFP

Five caught violating stay-at-home directive

Izah Azahari

Enforcement personnel detected five violations during the movement restriction order from midnight to 4am yesterday, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said at the daily press conference yesterday.

The minister shared that Zainor Arif bin Zaini, Md Mui’z bin Ismail, Md Afiqe’n bin Karim, Ngulele Albert Happy and Gopu Selvaraj violated the stay-at-home directive.

The violations were found in Brunei-Muara District.

ABOVE & BELOW: Md Mui’z bin Ismail; Ngulele Albert Happy; Gopu Selvaraj; Md Afiqe’n bin Karim; and Zainor Arif bin Zaini. PHOTOS: RBPF

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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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