Latest from Hia Magazine
The Star
8 minutes ago
- The Star
Thai monk arrested in disguise for repeatedly providing shelter to illegal Burmese workers
YANGON: A Thai monk who repeatedly provided shelter to illegal Burmese workers has been arrested in plainclothes, according to Thai media reports. A monk who allowed illegal Burmese workers to hide more than 20 times at a monastery in Toray, on the border of Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, was arrested in disguise on Friday (June 19). It was reported that a special operations team was ordered to arrest illegal workers after it was discovered that they were using religious sites as shelters. The monk reportedly admitted that he had granted asylum to migrant workers more than 20 times. The Kanchanaburi District Administrator said that since Kanchanaburi Province borders Myanmar and has many natural routes, there is a lot of illegal entry, and that strict vigilance is being exercised. - Eleven Media/ANN
The Star
8 minutes ago
- Business
- The Star
Programme fosters ethical, inclusive and resilient businesses in Brunei
Acting Head of Government Relations and Special Projects at Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad Zulhazransa Emran in a group photo with the recipients. - Photo: BIBD BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad (BIBD) held an award letter signing ceremony Friday (June 20) for the 7th cohort of the BIBD Seed Programme – marking a milestone in its mission to nurture local entrepreneurship and empower businesses in Brunei. This event underscores BIBD's dedication to Responsible Entrepreneurship, the first pillar of its Sustainability Framework, which aims to foster ethical, inclusive, and resilient businesses that contribute to long-term national prosperity. Acting Head of Government Relations and Special Projects at BIBD Zulhazransa Emran, the guest of honour, signed the award letters on behalf of BIBD. This year, 15 new recipients were welcomed into the BIBD Seed Programme, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and agencies, including government ministries and the public – reflecting the BIBD Seed Programme's commitment to inclusivity and equal access to opportunity. Now in its 7th year, the programme began with a bootcamp in May, which all 15 participants successfully completed. Zulhazransa highlighted that the BIBD Seed Programme is more than just training, it is also about building confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose amongst our future business owners. He also commented that BIBD is dedicated to creating an ecosystem where entrepreneurs, especially women, can thrive and contribute to Brunei's development. The BIBD Seed Programme runs for six months, offering training and mentorship to equip participants with the skills and support needed to launch, manage and sustain their businesses. Upon completion, participants will present their business pitches and stand a chance to receive a business grant, supporting their entrepreneurial journey and driving contributions to the local economy. Through the BIBD Seed Programme, participants are empowered not only to support their families but also to instil the values of hard work, perseverance and resilience within their households. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Borderlands 4 stirs controversy amid price talk
Borderlands 4 may be 2025's most anticipated looter shooter title, so hopefully its studio, Gearbox, will try its best to remain tight-lipped for the next few months. A few weeks ago, when asked online about Borderlands 4 possibly being a US$80 title, chief executive officer Randy Pitchford said that: (a) it's 2K Games' call, not his, and (b) true fans will find a way to buy it if it came to that. That's a rather tone-deaf response, especially amid ongoing economic instability and upheaval in the games industry. What is perplexing is that Randy Pitchford gave a much better answer about pricing a month ago. We're not sure who handled Pitchford's Twitter account, or if the man himself truly forgot what he said a month earlier, but it is a bad look for him and Gearbox. This isn't the first controversy he has gone through. Online, you'll find longstanding allegations, including a story about him allegedly leaving a USB containing sexually explicit material at a Medieval Times restaurant, stories of him and his company siphoning money off Sega meant for an Aliens game (which went to Borderlands 2), and lying about the state of the game pre-launch, and the mishandling of Duke Nukem Forever. And his involvement in 2024's worst movie, the Borderlands live-action film adaptation. Even with the possible success of Borderlands 4, the internet truly never forgets. Which is why, more than ever, if Gearbox needs to truly succeed with its upcoming looter shooter at launch and beyond, publisher 2K Games must manage Pitchford's public presence more carefully. Short Beats The Nintendo Switch 2 will be out in Malaysia on July 3, 2025. The console will cost RM2,488. China's NetEase Games has announced a new triple-A, single-player action title called Blood Message. The game will be out for PC and consoles, though no release date or year has been announced. Despite controversy from its CEO, Gearbox Software's upcoming looter shooter title Borderlands 4 will not cost over US$80. FromSoftware has launched post-launch downloadable content for its roguelite action title Elden Ring: Nightreign. Longtime VR rhythm game Beat Saber will no longer receive new content and support on PlayStation VR and PlayStation VR2. Other versions of the title will still get support, though. Op-Eds We celebrated Father's Day last Sunday with our tribute to the best dads and dad figures in video game history. Games Out This Week Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a remake of a 2006 action Japanese role-playing title spun off from the Shin Megami Tensei series. You play a devil summoner and detective rolled into one as you solve cases in 1930s Japan using your wits, blade, and demons based on mythical spirits and legendary creatures. FBC Firebreak is the major release of the week. It's the player-versus-player spin-off to 2019's action-adventure title Control. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a new isometric-perspective action roguelite title where you play a dethroned queen fighting her way out of a gothic game board-themed slew of dungeons and adversaries. Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond is the sequel to digital collectible card game Shadowverse. Much like Hearthstone, players battle as spellcasters and warriors using cards to summon creatures or sling magic. The card game is out for iOS, Android, and PC, with the latter version getting overwhelmingly bad reviews. Tron Catalyst is a new adventure game based on Disney's Tron universe. With your Identity Disc and Light Cycle, fight to escape by wielding the power of the Glitch loop. Electrifying action and a rich story combine in a new adventure set within Disney's iconic Tron universe. Rematch is a new football game from Clap Hands, the makers of Sifu. Control one player on your team and compete in fast-paced 5v5 matches from an immersive third-person perspective. Gex Trilogy is a compilation of a classic late 90s 2D and 3D platformer series starring a tail-whipping, channel-surfing gecko named Gex. Recommended Viewing YouTuber TheOtherFrost has released an insightful video on the relationship between content and sponsorship via ads. Fighting game esports tournament CEO 2025 just wrapped up this Monday; here are the highlights and best moments of high-level competition from the USA-based event.
Leader Live
8 minutes ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Saturday's briefing: Wirtz completes Liverpool move and Jackson dismissed in CWC
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson loses his head in Club World Cup defeat, while Gareth Bale is looking at getting back into football. Liverpool's record signing Florian Wirtz insists he has not moved to Anfield to 'have fun' but believes it is the right place for him to improve and be successful. The Premier League champions have paid Bayer Leverkusen £100million for the 22-year-old Germany international but that fee could potentially become a British record as there are £16m of add-ons included. If achieved that would surpass the existing mark of £115m which Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo in 2023 and it is understood Liverpool will be happy to pay these 'aspirational bonuses' as it will mean they have enjoyed considerable success at elite level. 'I'm not coming (to) have fun here, I want also to achieve something and give the fans what they deserve,' Wirtz told the club's website. 'I would like to win everything every year. I'm really ambitious.' Nicolas Jackson was sent off as Chelsea crashed to a 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the Club World Cup. Pedro Neto fired the Blues ahead early on but Enzo Maresca's side imploded in the second half in Philadelphia. The Blues conceded twice and saw Jackson dismissed for a horror tackle in the space of just six minutes after the break. Their woes were compounded when Wallace Yan wrapped up the scoring late on, adding to earlier goals from fellow substitute Bruno Henrique and veteran Danilo. The result – played out in temperatures of 27C in front of a crowd of 54,019 at Lincoln Financial Field – left Chelsea with a win and a loss from their two outings in Group D having earlier looked set to take a giant stride towards the last 16. Gareth Bale is part of a United States investment group wanting to buy League One club Cardiff, according to reports. The 35-year-old former Real Madrid and Wales forward was understood to be part of a consortium that had conversations regarding a takeover of Plymouth earlier this week, along with several other clubs, but it appears they have now turned their attention to south Wales. The Athletic reports that the consortium sent current Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan a letter of intent last month, which included financial figures, but it was rejected. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah leads a six-player shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association Men's Player of the Year award. The Egyptian was instrumental in the Reds' Premier League title success last season, scoring 29 goals and adding 18 assists. Earlier this year he was voted footballer of the year by the Football Writers' Association, and will now be favourite to win the vote of his peers. He is joined on the shortlist by team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal's Declan Rice, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Jobe Bellingham gets another chance to impress for new club Borussia Dortmund at the Club World Cup with a game against Mamelodi Sundowns. Inter Milan face Urawa Reds while Fluminense take on Ulsan. England's Under-21s have a European Championship semi-final against Spain.
Vogue Arabia
8 minutes ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
Is Bisabolol the Skin Barrier Superhero to Look Out For?
Skincare formulations include two categories of ingredients: those that make noise and go viral, and those that silently do the job without the fame. Bisabolol falls in the latter. A skincare underdog known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, its powers have gone unnoticed for years — until now. So, what about this calming ingredient makes it a skin barrier superhero that deserves the spotlight? The experts weigh in. What is bisabolol? 'Bisabolol is the beauty industry's best-kept secret,' says Dr Suha Kersh, cosmetic physician and founder of 23MD. 'It's often a go-to ingredient for anyone dealing with sensitive, red, or irritated skin.' The naturally soothing compound is found in the German chamomile and the Brazilian candeia tree, and holds the skincare trifecta — anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant — making it quite the powerhouse in your routine, especially if you've overdosed on the skincare acids. What are its benefits and how is it different? While trending skin-calmers like ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, or niacinamide are extremely beneficial, Dr Kersh believes that not all soothing ingredients are made equal. 'What makes bisabolol stand out is its low risk of allergy, ability to deepen the penetration of other active ingredients, and multitasking nature — it's truly an all-rounder.' Unlike essential oils or synthetic compounds, bisabolol reduces redness and irritation without irritating the skin any further. According to Dr Jaishree Sharad, cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Skinfinitii Aesthetic Skin and Laser Clinic, the ingredient is great to include in a post-care routine after treatments like peels, lasers, or microneedling. 'Bisabolol also helps other skincare ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin, which is useful when you're using products like retinoids or azelaic acid,' she says. 'It's so effective and well-tolerated, even in skin that's damaged, which is what makes it a true gem in both medical and aesthetic dermatology.' It doesn't end there! Bisabolol is also said to be an excellent hydrator that supports the skin barrier and protects it from any sort of free radical damage caused by environmental stressors. Just like ceramides, it aids in healing the skin faster, allowing for any sort of damage to be repaired. 'It even helps brighten the skin,' adds Dr Kersh. Often found in post-procedure recovery creams, calming serums, and moisturisers, bisabolol is the perfect fit for most skin types, especially those with dehydrated or dry skin, sensitivity or irritation. It helps target rosacea, mild eczema, and even acne-prone skin, where inflammation needs to be controlled gently. According to Dr Sharad, due to its low irritancy and soothing profile, it is often used in under-eye creams and baby-care products too. Synergistic results Think of bisabolol as an all-around team player that can be deemed as the jack of all trades in skincare. 'It pairs well with retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, and even benzoyl peroxide and helps calm down any irritation these ingredients may cause, all while retaining their efficacy,' explains Dr Sharad. Bisabolol also gets along well with other barrier-support ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and ceramides, too. Dr Kersh recommends using it with vitamin C and niacinamide for a brightening effect, azelaic acid and retinol for treating acne or ageing, and ceramides for barrier repair. 'Remember, this ingredient is your skin's support system — use it in a serum to reduce irritation from stronger actives and in a moisturiser to soothe and calm stressed or inflamed skin,' the expert suggests. Disclaimer: While bisabolol is a stable and non-reactive ingredient that works well in most skincare products, Dr Sharad warns to be careful pairing it with products that are heavily fragranced or have essential oils in them. Product recommendations: iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance + AED450 The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum AED90 Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair - Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex AED330 SkinCeuticals Augustinus Bader La Roche-Posay La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Healing Balm AED143 Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream AED244
