File photo of commuters walking inside Waterloo station in London. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON (AP) – United Kingdom (UK) transport officials and police said yesterday they are investigating a “cyber-security incident” that hit the public Wi-Fi networks at the country’s biggest railway stations.
Passengers trying to log onto the Wi-Fi at stations including Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street and 11 London terminuses on Wednesday evening were met by a page reading ‘We love you, Europe’, followed by an anti-Islam message listing a series of terror attacks.
Network Rail, which manages the stations, said the Wi-Fi had been switched off and no passenger data was taken.
“British Transport Police are investigating the incident,” Network Rail said in a statement.
“This service is provided via a third party and has been suspended while an investigation is under way.”
The incident follows a more disruptive cyberattack in early September on Transport for London (TfL), which runs the capital’s bus, subway and suburban train system.TfL said some customer names, contact details and potentially bank account details were exposed in the attack, which is being investigated by the National Crime Agency.
A 17-year-old was arrested over the attack, questioned and bailed without being charged.
Weeks on, the attack continues to affect the transit company’s ability to provide some online services such as refunds and real-time transit information.
File photo of commuters walking inside Waterloo station in London. PHOTO: AFP
ANN/THE STAR – Most people go through an “acne era” during their teenage days.
Some of us have mild cases, while others experience severe acne.
Active acne can create a lot of inflammation, leading to skin tissue loss and acne scar formation.
Our “itchy hands” also often tend to unconsciously scratch or manipulate the acne, which can worsen the situation.
Here are four of the most common types of acne scars:
ICE PICK SCARS
These scars get their name from their “ice pick” shape.
They are V-shaped, very narrow and deep depressions that point downward into the skin.
The sharp edges extend into the deep dermis (deeper layer of the skin) and subcutaneous tissue.
Generally, the size is less than one to two millimetres.
They are caused by severe inflammation, which damages the skin deeply, and inadequate collagen production.
Ice pick scars are best treated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars (CROSS).
This is a type of chemical peel that helps form extra collagen and raise the scar.
The TCA is placed directly onto the scar with a toothpick.
It denatures the collagen of the scar tissues and promotes scar remodelling by stimulating formation of new collagen.
PHOTO: ENVATOPHOTO: ENVATO
This treatment is generally well-tolerated with minimal downtime and pain.
Other treatments are with lasers and radiofrequency (RF) microneedling.
Fractional carbon dioxide laser is an ablative laser that is very effective in acne scar management.
It is one of the oldest acne treatments, but still relevant in today’s world.
Carbon dioxide lasers create microscopic holes in the skin and stimulate collagen production, which helps break up scar tissue.
This treatment generally requires multiple sessions, with intervals of four to six weeks between sessions.
After each session, there will be mild redness, swelling and skin peeling over the next three to five days.
RF microneedling is another powerful treatment for scar improvement.
Microneedling creates micro- punctures in the skin, which breaks down old scar tissue.
It is combined with RF to stimulate the skin, which aids collagen and elastin production.
The RF energy is distributed deep into the dermis layer of the skin.
Post-procedure, the skin can appear red with mild swelling for the next three to five days.
ROLLING SCARS
These scars are shallow depressions on the skin with smooth, sloping edges.
They are caused by long-term inflammatory acne that leads to the formation of bands of scar tissue underneath the skin.
The bands pull at the top layer of the skin (epidermis) – a process also known as dermal tethering – leading to a rolling or wave-like appearance.
Rolling scars are larger than ice pick scars, but smaller than boxcar scars.
They can be treated with a procedure called subcision. This involves breaking up the scar tissue to raise the scar closer to the level of the surrounding tissue.
Subcision breaks the fibrous bands under the skin mechanically and this improves the appearance of the scar.
This treatment generally causes no discomfort, with minimal downtime.
Rolling scars can also be treated with lasers and RF microneedling.
BOXCAR SCARS
These scars are broad, oval, box-like depression scars with sharply defined edges.
They are caused by inflammatory acne that destroys collagen in the skin, creating a depressed scar. Boxcar scars tend to form in thicker skin areas such as the lower cheeks or jawline.
They are generally larger than ice pick scars and rolling scars, with sizes ranging from two to four mm.
Boxcar scars can also be treated with subcision, lasers and RF microneedling.
KELOID SCARS
These are caused by excessive growth of scar tissue in response to acne inflammation.
Keloids are raised, lumpy and shiny lesions.
They can be pink, red, skin- coloured or darker, compared to the surrounding skin.
They are commonly found on bony areas such as the chest, back, shoulders and jawline, as well as in individuals with darker skin.
Keloid acne scars form when overproduction of collagen occurs.
They can continue to develop and grow months or years after the initial acne lesion.
Keloids are mainly treated with intralesional steroid injections.
The injections can reduce the size of the keloid by breaking down collagen fibres within the scar tissue.
Surgical removal of keloids can also be done, but the risk of the scar recurring is high.
The concept behind acne scar treatment has remained the same over the years.
However, every year sees newer modalities and machines being introduced that are safer and more effective.
File photo of the construction site for a terminal which will collect liquefied carbon dioxide CO2 in Oygarden near Bergen, Norway. PHOTO: AFP
ØYGARDEN (AFP) – Norway is set to inaugurate the gateway to a massive undersea vault for carbon dioxide (CO2), a crucial step before opening what its operator calls the first commercial service offering CO2 transport and storage.
The Northern Lights project plans to take CO2 emissions captured at factory smokestacks in Europe and inject them into geological reservoirs under the seabed.
The aim is to prevent the emissions from being released into the atmosphere, and thereby help halt climate change.
On the island of Oygarden, a key milestone will be marked with the inauguration of a terminal built on the shores of the North Sea, its shiny storage tanks rising up against the sky.
It is here that the liquified CO2 will be transported by boat, then injected through a long pipeline into the seabed, at a depth of around 2.6 kilometres, for permanent storage. The facility, a joint venture grouping oil giants Equinor of Norway, Anglo-Dutch Shell and TotalEnergies of France, is expected to bury its first CO2 deliveries in 2025.
It will have an initial capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year, before being ramped up to five million tonnes in a second phase if there is enough demand.
“Our first purpose is to demonstrate that the carbon capture and storage (CCS) chain is feasible,” Northern Lights managing director Tim Heijn told AFP.
“It can make a real impact on the CO2 balance and help achieve climate targets,” he said.
CCS technology is complex and costly but has been advocated by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), especially for reducing the CO2 footprint of industries like cement and steel, which are difficult to decarbonise.
File photo of the construction site for a terminal which will collect liquefied carbon dioxide CO2 in Oygarden near Bergen, Norway. PHOTO: AFP
AFP – It seems despite all the information about the damage it causes, overexposure to the sun is continuing to inspire some absurd and harmful beauty trends.
The latest? Using UV rays to supposedly clear up acne and other skin imperfections.
Getting a sunburn has become one of this season’s hottest – and perhaps most dangerous – beauty trend as some influencers seek out perfect skin. Instead of being content with a light, safe tan, some enthusiasts are basking in the scorching sun for hours on end in a bid to achieve smooth, blemish-free skin.
Numerous videos of influencers showing off their intensive tanning sessions to get rid of their pimples have gone viral on TikTok.
One such video, for example, has racked up nearly two million views, with the influencer showing her face exposed to UV rays in the hope of making her imperfections disappear.
But does the sun actually have the power to make skin clearer?
According to a recent report by dermatology experts at Eucerin, UV rays do have an “immunosuppressive” and therefore an “anti-inflammatory” effect.
New York-based dermatologist Jennifer Chwalek explained in an article for Teen Vogue: “Sunlight is composed of different wavelengths and some wavelengths can have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin and can suppress acne-causing bacteria.”
She added, according to the media outlet, that new evidence shows that vitamin D, which is obtained through sun exposure as well as certain foods, “may play a role in sebum production and pore health”.
PROTECT YOUR SKIN FIRST AND FOREMOST
While these facts may explain why the sun can temporarily improve skin’s appearance, it doesn’t mean you should follow this dangerous trend. In fact, Jennifer Chwalek emphasises that people who get sunburned are more likely to develop skin cancer and sun damage.
Jennifer A Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone, points out in a New York Post article: “It is estimated that one in five of us will get skin cancer during our lifetime.”
She urged, “The best way to protect yourself from UV rays is to cover up. The more of your skin you cover, the less you have to depend on sunscreen for protection.”
This isn’t the first time that unusual sun-related trends have invaded social networks.
Recently, “heat stroke makeup” – imitating sunburn with blush – won over makeup fans. Last year, it was “SPF contouring”.
It’s important to remember that while some trends may seem appealing or effective in the short term, they can have serious health consequences.
File photo of Harrods department store in London. PHOTO: AP
LONDON (AP) – The managing director of Harrods said yesterday that the London department store is “deeply sorry” for failing employees who say they were sexually assaulted by late owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
Michael Ward said it is clear Al Fayed “presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct”.
Five women have told the BBC they were raped by Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94, and several others allege acts of assault and physical violence. Lawyers for the alleged victims said they have been retained by 37 women and the list is growing.
Ward said he was “not aware of his (Al Fayed’s) criminality and abuse” during the four years he worked for the Harrod’s owner, though “rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public domain”.
Al Fayed owned Harrods for a quarter century before selling it 2010 to a company owned by the state of Qatar through its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority.
“We failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry”, Ward said in a statement. He said Harrods had set up a “settlement process” for Al Fayed’s victims.
“This was a shameful period in the business’ history,” the statement said. “However, the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership.” London’s Metropolitan Police said 19 women made allegations against Al Fayed to the force between 2005 and 2023 – three allegations of rape, 15 of sexual assault and one related to trafficking.
Al Fayed was questioned by detectives in 2008 over the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old, and in 2009 and 2015 police passed files of evidence about him to the Crown Prosecution Service.
File photo of Harrods department store in London. PHOTO: AP
ABOVE & BELOW: An angler catches a large halfbeak; and simple fried fish from the sea. PHOTO: ARNOLD LOH
ANN/THE STAR – Fish cooked right after being caught is the most flavourful.
Market-bought or restaurant-served fish often undergoes chilling or freezing, which can alter the muscle fibers and texture. Even refrigeration draws out natural moisture, affecting the quality.
So, if you’re spending a day at the beach and have some fishing and cooking skills, try frying up your fresh catch. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
At most beaches, catching a prized grouper or siakap might be difficult, so manage your expectations. However, even a palm-sized croaker (gelama) can surprise you with its flavour and texture – thanks to its sheer freshness.
The ubiquitous catfish (ikan duri or belukang) might not be ideal, as its thick layer of slime makes it hard to clean without a proper kitchen sink, even though its meat is juicy and fatty.
If you’re near rocky areas, you might catch halfbeaks, needlefish, spotted scats or Java rabbitfish.
Your success depends on your fishing skills; with a bit of luck, you can quickly catch several small fish to cook.
Cooking at the beach requires a bit of planning.
ABOVE & BELOW: An angler catches a large halfbeak; and simple fried fish from the sea. PHOTO: ARNOLD LOHPHOTO: ARNOLD LOHWhen cooking outdoor, consider using a gas stove with small butane canisters. PHOTO: ARNOLD LOH
You’ll need to scale and gut the fish, so bring a small basin and plenty of fresh water.
While seawater can be used if it’s clean, a jerry can with five to 10 litres of fresh water is ideal for cleaning your fish and washing up afterwards.
Consider using a gas stove with small butane canisters – they light up instantly and can accommodate a BBQ mesh grill, griddle or frying pan.
However, beaches tend to be windy, so ensure you have a stove windshield or some other method to protect the flame from gusts, which can cause uneven heat distribution.
Alternatively, invest in a camp stove with built-in wind protection, which often increases flame intensity when the wind blows.
Don’t forget to pack plenty of kitchen paper towels or napkins – not regular tissue paper.
Before frying, it’s crucial to pat the fish dry, including inside the gut cavity. Putting a wet fish in a hot frying pan, especially on a small camp stove, can result in an explosive reaction.
Paper towels are also handy for wiping your plates, pans and utensils before packing them away to wash at home.
Consider bringing folding camp furniture, particularly a table and chair for the designated cook.
If you place the stove directly on the sand, there’s a good chance your fish will end up with a “crunchy” texture from sand getting into the food.
Cooking small fish doesn’t take long; they cook quickly and remain juicy if not fried too crispy. – Lam Meng Tuck
Pasta with pecorino-zucchini sauce and basil. PHOTO: MILK STREET
AP – From Italy’s Amalfi Coast, pasta alla nerano features long, thin pasta tossed with a velvety sauce made with pureed zucchini. It’s an elegant yet easy dish that’s luxurious but not heavy.
In this recipe from our cookbook Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year, we use a minimal amount of water to cook the pasta, then blend some of the starchy liquid with tender sautéed zucchini and golden garlic to create a creamy consistency without cream.
Cooking pasta in less water than typically called for concentrates the starches that leach out of the noodles. That super-starched liquid can be used to create silkier, creamier sauces without the need for added dairy.
Look for zucchini that are medium in size, or that weigh about eight ounces each, as larger zucchini can be too seedy. Medium zucchini yield matchsticks of a good length for the dish.
And be sure to seek out a chunk of pecorino and grate it yourself. The flavour will be fresher and fuller than cheese that’s purchased already grated.
If you own an immersion blender, it works well for making the zucchini-garlic puree; simply transfer the ingredients to a medium bowl and blend. When smooth, return the mixture to the pot. Cook and toss with the drained pasta, butter, pecorino, basil and additional pasta water until the mixture is creamy and the pasta is lightly sauced, adding more pasta water as needed if the mixture looks thick and dry.
PHOTO: ENVATOPasta with pecorino-zucchini sauce and basil. PHOTO: MILK STREETPHOTO: ENVATO
PASTA WITH PECORINO-ZUCCHINI SAUCE AND BASIL
Start to finish: 40 minutes
Servings: Four to six
Ingredients
– One and a half pounds medium zucchini
– One pound spaghetti OR bucatini
– Kosher salt and ground black pepper
– Three tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
– Three medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
– Two tablespoons salted butter, cut into two pieces
– Two ounces pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated (one cup), plus more to serve
– Half cup lightly packed fresh basil, chopped
DIRECTIONS
Thinly slice the zucchini on the diagonal. Stack several slices and cut lengthwise into matchsticks. Repeat with the remaining slices; set the zucchini aside.
In a large pot, bring three quarts water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and two teaspoons salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve about one-and-a-half cups of the cooking water, then drain; set aside.
In the same pot, combine the oil and garlic. Cook over medium, stirring, until the garlic is golden brown, one to two minutes. Transfer the garlic to a small plate, then add the zucchini to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is lightly browned and soft enough to mash with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat. Add half of the zucchini to a blender along with the garlic and a half cup reserved pasta water. Puree until the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds.
To the zucchini in the pot add the puree, drained pasta, butter, pecorino, basil and another half cup reserved pasta water. Cook over medium, tossing, until heated through and the mixture is creamy and the pasta is lightly sauced, two to three minutes; add more reserved pasta water as needed if the mixture looks thick and dry. Off heat, taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve drizzled with additional oil and sprinkled with additional cheese. – Christopher Kimball
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike north of Beirut, Lebanon. PHOTO: AP
BEIRUT (AP) – An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon hit a building housing Syrian workers and their families, killing 23 people, Lebanese officials said yesterday. It was one of the deadliest single strikes in an intensified air campaign against the militant Hezbollah group.
The strike late Wednesday came as the United States and its allies called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to “provide space for diplomacy”.
Israel has threatened to launch a ground invasion, and the increasingly heavy exchanges of fire could trigger an all-out war.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said the strike occurred near the ancient city of Baalbek in Lebanon’s northeastern Bekaa Valley, which runs along the Syrian border.
It quoted Ali Kassas, mayor of the village of Younine, as saying that the bodies of 23 Syrian citizens were pulled from under the rubble. He said four Syrians and four Lebanese were wounded. Hussein Salloum, a local official in Younine, said most of the dead were women and children, and that rescue efforts lasted through the night and into yesterday morning.
“We dug through the rubble with our own hands” until a small bulldozer was brought in, Salloum told The Associated Press by telephone. “We had very limited capabilities”.
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike north of Beirut, Lebanon. PHOTO: AP
HANOI (AFP) – Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to invest USD1.5 billion in Vietnam, the country’s official news agency said, as the country looks to boost its attractiveness as an investment destination for the world’s biggest companies.
On a visit to New York this week, the country’s top leader To Lam met SpaceX’s Tim Hughes, who said he “highly values” Vietnam’s potential for the company’s “satellite Internet plan”, VNA said on Wednesday.
The government was “weighing the investment proposal”, VNA reported Lam as saying.
Hughes – senior vice president for global business and government affairs at SpaceX – reportedly said the firm aimed to inject USD1.5 billion into the country in the near
future. Hanoi has asked SpaceX to “closely coordinate with relevant Vietnamese agencies and partners to complete investment procedures”, VNA said.
Vietnam – long a low-cost destination to make clothes, shoes and furniture – is eyeing a rapid climb up the global supply chain, and Lam has had meetings with bosses from Google, Apple, Meta and IT firm Supermicro during his visit to New York. American and Vietnamese businesses signed a number of deals during his trip including in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and aviation.
VNA reported that Google’s Karan Bhatia, who leads government affairs and public policy, told Lam at their meeting that the tech firm wants more research and cooperation with Vietnam in developing AI and cybersecurity.
Lam said he welcomed Google’s proposal, emphasising it would bring practical benefits to both sides, according to VNA.
Lam also met President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a year after the two nations struck a deal to deepen relations and cooperation on strategic supplies in the face of growing competition from China.
VIENTIANE (XINHUA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD3 million technical assistance project to enhance power sector reform in Laos, aiming to create a sustainable and reliable clean electricity supply in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The project will also help pave the way for increased investment and private sector participation in renewable energy, Lao News Agency reported yesterday.
Laos has significant potential to scale renewable energy to generate revenue and mitigate climate change impacts, but it needs to promote private sector investment through sound macroeconomic management and structural reforms, said the report.
The country’s energy sector is challenged by reform gaps and financial issues, hindering investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure, as well as the country’s ability to meet regional energy transition goals.
