Latest news with #Adeline
The Star
05-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Saving mangroves with the power of youth
Students showing their planted mangrove seedlings. KOTA KINABALU: A mangrove preservation programme involving students across Sabah kicked off at the Wetland Ramsar Site here. Fifty students from five secondary schools joined the programme with the hope of learning more about mangroves, their role in the environment and why preservation is crucial. A Form 2 student from SM Tshung Tsin, who only wanted to be identified as Adeline, said prior to this, she was unsure about the role of mangroves and that biodiversity thrived in their environment. She got to know about the Mangrove Preservation Outreach Campaign 2025 from her science teacher and friends, who were also selected to join the first series of conservation initiative by Hibiscus Petroleum. The half-day event, which started on Thursday, also saw the participation of students and their teachers from SMK Likas, SM Lok Yuk, SMK Taman Tun Fuad and SM Kian Kok. Themed 'Shaping Tomorrow's Mangrove Protectors Today', the day started with an opening ceremony before the students proceeded to plant mangrove saplings at designated locations at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site. Experts from the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society gave talks and a guided tour of the mangrove forest inside the site. Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society president Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa highlighted the urgency of protecting mangrove ecosystems. He explained that mangroves are critical to environmental resilience as they protect coastlines, support marine life and store large amounts of carbon. It is vital for young people to understand their value and take part in preserving mangroves, he said. Hibiscus Petroleum's head of operations asset in Sabah, Edmund Ang, congratulated the students for involving themselves in something crucial which is vital for the environment in the state. 'From their critical role in protecting our coastlines and supporting rich biodiversity, to their contribution in mitigating climate change, mangroves are truly nature's silent guardians,' he said in his speech. Through the tree planting activity, Ang said each of the students had taken part in something powerful. 'This is more than a symbolic act. It is a legacy you will leave behind. A living, breathing testament of your commitment to protecting our natural heritage,' he added.
The Star
04-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Teaching Sabah students to preserve the wetlands
KOTA KINABALU: A mangrove preservation programme involving students across the state kicked off at the Wetland Ramsar site here. A total of 50 students from five secondary schools entered the programme with the hope of learning more about mangroves, their uses to the environment and why preservation is crucial. A Form 2 student from SM Tshung Tsin, who only wanted to be identified as Adeline, said prior to this, she was unsure what mangroves were and that many biodiversity thrived in this environment. She learned about the Mangrove Preservation Outreach Campaign 2025 from her science teacher and some other friends, who were also selected to join for this first series of conservation initiatives by Hibiscus Petroleum. The half-day event, which started on Thursday (July 3), also saw students and their teachers from SMK Likas, SM Lok Yuk, SMK Taman Tun Fuad and SM Kian Kok participating. Theme 'Shaping Tomorrow's Mangrove Protectors Today', the day started with an opening ceremony before the students proceeded to plant mangrove saplings at designated locations at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Ramsar Site. They later attentively listened to experts from the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society during a mangrove talk and guided tour of the mangrove forest inside the site. Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society president Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa welcomed the participants and highlighted the urgency of protecting mangrove ecosystems. He explained that mangroves were critical to environmental resilience as they protect coastlines, support marine life, and store large amounts of carbon. He said it was vital that young people understand their value and take part in their preservation. Hibiscus Petroleum's Head of Operated Asset, Sabah, Edmund Ang congratulated the students for involving themselves in something not only noble but vital for the environment in the state. 'From their critical role in protecting our coastlines and supporting rich biodiversity, to their contribution in mitigating climate change, mangroves are truly nature's silent guardians,' he said during his launching speech. Through the tree planting activity, he said that each of the students took part in something powerful. 'This is more than a symbolic act. It is a legacy you will leave behind. A living, breathing testament of your commitment to protecting our natural heritage,' Ang said. He said two other similar events are set to be held in districts outside Kota Kinabalu soon. 'Over the course of this campaign, we will be engaging with 15 selected schools, five from each district, and welcoming a total of 150 bright, passionate students,' he said.
Techday NZ
10-06-2025
- Techday NZ
Exclusive: SquareX's Audrey Adeline on why the browser is 'the new endpoint'
The browser is the new battleground. That's the message from Audrey Adeline of cybersecurity company SquareX, who has launched a practical Browser Detection and Response Manual to help organisations understand and defend against attacks in what she calls "the most used app on your device." "Eighty per cent of the time spent on a device is now in the browser," she explained to TechDay during a recent interview. "Yet it's one of the least protected surfaces in cybersecurity." Unveiled at the RSA Conference (RSAC'25) earlier this year, the manual has struck a chord with security leaders worldwide, selling out quickly and prompting strong feedback. The manual, written by Audrey Adeline and Vivek Ramachandran is titled: 'The Browser Security Field Manual'. "We were one of the top-selling books at the RSA bookstore," Adeline said. "A lot of CISOs reached out to us afterwards to say it helped their teams rethink browser security." Originally from Indonesia, Adeline's own path into tech was unconventional. "I grew up in a very traditional economy. Most of my family ran consumer businesses - nobody was in STEM," she said. After studying biochemistry at Cambridge and working in cancer research, she pivoted into consulting, and eventually joined Sequoia to evaluate tech companies, including cybersecurity firms. Her passion for deep tech and research led her to SquareX, where she now leads the Year of Browser Bugs (YOBB) project, uncovering browser-based architectural vulnerabilities each month. These include high-profile exploits like polymorphic extensions, which can impersonate legitimate browser tools like password managers and crypto wallets. "The danger is users don't realise they're entering credentials into a fake extension," Adeline explained. "These are architectural issues that legitimate browser features enable, and they're much harder to detect or patch." That urgency drove the creation of the manual. "We kept seeing the same problem - people using the browser constantly, but having very little visibility or protection," she said. "Existing tools just don't give you a clear picture of how the breach occurred." The manual's first edition is now being followed by a second, set for release at DEF CON and Black Hat in August. It will feature commentary from CISOs at Fortune 500 companies to ground the guidance in real-world enterprise experience. "We didn't want to just make it theoretical," Adeline said. "Each chapter now includes perspectives on actual problems faced by security teams." Access to the manual is currently via request form, though Adeline said digital availability is expected closer to August. Developing the manual was not without challenges. "The biggest hurdle was the lack of consolidated resources," she said. "There's research out there, but it's scattered. We had to pull together a lot of primary sources and make it digestible - from beginner concepts to advanced attacks." Browser-based threats have spiked recently, with attackers targeting the browser as the new endpoint for enterprise data. "Think about it," she said. "We don't download files anymore. Our files, apps, identities - everything is now in the browser. It's where 60 to 70 per cent of enterprise data lives." Adeline warned that the shift in attacker behaviour is permanent. "It's not just a trend. There's a fundamental change in how we work, and attackers are following the data." To help teams assess their own posture, SquareX has also launched a free browser attack testing tool. "Seeing is believing," she said. "You can test against 49 different browser-based attacks and see which ones bypass your current solutions." She sees two main approaches to browser defence: dedicated secure browsers, or solutions like SquareX's browser extension, which converts any existing browser into a secure one. "Most organisations can't migrate everyone to a new browser," she said. "Extensions are more practical, and updates are seamless." SquareX positions itself as the EDR for the browser, focusing on detection and response at a granular level. "We're obsessed with user experience. You can't compromise productivity just to get security," she said. The company's design avoids the risks of dedicated browsers, which often lag behind on security patches. "Every time Chrome issues a patch, those browsers need to be updated manually. That creates a gap where zero-days can thrive," she explained. Future plans include a red team edition of the manual and continuous updates as attacks evolve. "I wouldn't be surprised if there are multiple versions by next year," Adeline said. Her advice to security leaders just waking up to the browser as a threat vector is clear: "You need browser-native security to tackle browser-native threats." Adeline believes the industry must go beyond reacting to breaches and start anticipating them. "The best defence is understanding what attackers are doing," she said. "You can't just play catch-up." For her, the inclusion of peer input in the manual is crucial. "Security leaders want to hear from their peers. They need validation that this is a permanent shift, not a passing concern," she said. Asked what's changed to make browsers such a prime target now, Adeline points to a confluence of technology and behaviour. "Chrome has added countless new features like WebAssembly and WebRTC. These make browsers powerful enough to replace local apps," she explained. "Since COVID, we've seen everything move online. Now attackers are simply going where the data is." "The browser is the new endpoint," she said. "It's where we work - and where we're vulnerable."
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
FatFace's midi dres is the most flattering and easy to style dress I own
There's one dress from FatFace's new summer line that's the dress of the summer for me, and the black midi dress is so flattering and versatile I've already styled it three ways If there's one thing that no summer wardrobe is complete without, it's a midi dress. Eternally versatile, easy to wear for all occasions, and breezy enough to keep you cool and comfortable in the summer heat, a good midi will be one of the most worn pieces in your wardrobe. In the pursuit of finding the perfect summer dress, I decided to pick up FatFace's Adeline Black Tiered Strappy Dress which promised to check all the boxes, to see just how much wear I could get out of it. The Adeline dress may look simple with its block black colour and understated silhouette, but that's exactly why I was sure it would become one of the hardest working pieces in my wardrobe. Priced at £99 it is a little bit of a splurge, but considering how frequently you'll be able to wear it I would say it's a worthwhile investment. It has a shirred bust that's super stretchy and comfortable to wear, with a subtle sweetheart neckline and tiered midi-length skirt. To make sure it would be the workhorse my wardrobe needs, I styled the Adeline Dress in three distinctly different ways – one for work, one for evening, and one for a more casual day out. And boy oh boy did it deliver. Why I picked FatFace's Adeline midi dress The Adeline midi dress is made from 100% ramie, which is a renewable plant fibre made from the nettle family, and is biodegradable, making it a fantastic sustainable choice. The ramie material has a similar look to linen, although I found it to be a little stiffer and less soft than linen would be. Ramie is also supposedly one of the strongest natural fibres – and twice as strong as linen – so it'll be hardwearing and should last a lifetime in your wardrobe. I will say the slight stiffness made it less flowy than I'd have liked, and creases were a little harder to get out (not unlike linen). However this also meant it held its shape beautifully, and maintained its flattering empire silhouette. If you want a softer material, Boden's Wren Double Cloth Midi Dress is made from 100% cotton, with wider straps and a V-neckline. You could also pick up Finery London's Jude Black Cotton Midi Tiered Dress for £69, or H&M's adjustable Tiered Strappy Dress for £32.99. I typically wear a size 14, but opted for a size 12 in the Adeline Dress as I have a smaller bust and didn't want it too loose or tent-like, and I have to say it was the right call. The stretch does however mean it would fit larger chests too, although you may need to wear a bra under if you prefer some additional support. It's available in sizes 6 to 24, with both short and regular lengths to choose from. I'm 5ft 4' and opted for the regular, and it was just the perfect ankle length on me. The stretch fit of the bodice is what makes this dress so incredibly flattering. Rather than drowning you in too much fabric, it creates a fit and flare shape that skims over areas like your tummy, hips and thighs whilst still creating a structured shape that accentuated your waist and curves. How to style it For work I paired the Adeline Dress with some simple ballet pumps with a pop of red and a pair of oversized sunglasses, and although it was easy enough to throw a lightweight jacket or cardigan over the top for some added warmth and coverage. The midi length and thicker, structured material made it smart enough for the office, whilst still being comfortable enough to spend all day sitting down at my desk in. For evening, a quick switch to a pair of heels and a statement bag instantly changed the look of the dress, without needing to do much more than that. An updo helps show off the sweetheart neckline, and just like for the office, the material helped carry it into more formal territory whilst still being comfortable. Finally, I needed the dress to be totally wearable for brunch dates, evenings at the pub, even just walking the dog at the beach if need be. A fun necklace and a pair of trainers gave the Adeline Dress an immediate new look, and it was so breezy and effortless that it managed to tow the line sometimes tricky between looking effortless without looking lazy. For me this was a top summer purchase, and I love that I can get so much use out of it. I'm all for pieces that you can wear year after year, season after season, and I could just as easily throw on some biker boots and a wool coat with this for the winter as I could some sandals and suncream during the summer.
Tatler Asia
27-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Beyond surfing: why Lokal Lab's vision matters for a resilient, sustainable Siargao
Above The women farmers of Lokal Lab in Siargao Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, but we don't hear about it as much in mainstream media. Aside from providing farmers with the tools they need, what are your other efforts to champion agriculture in Siargao? KR: For food security, it's important to grow vegetables on the island. Tourists sometimes expect vegetables like kale and arugula, but we hope to introduce more native varieties to the tourism industry. For instance, Adeline has a foraging tour where she introduces different chefs to the native plants they can use in their cooking. This helps us lower our carbon footprint while supporting the local farmers. Jolina Mecate, community liaison (JM): In high school, we'd walk 5 kilometres just to get to school. It was difficult, but my parents wanted me to be a teacher. Instead, an unexpected encounter led me to pursue agriculture. Now, here I am, working as a community liaison for Lokal Lab. Everyday, I encourage more young people to be farmers; without agriculture, we have no future. The next generations depend on us to keep our agricultural spirit alive. Above Exploring agricultural opportunities with Lokal Lab Siargao Above The women weavers of Lokal Lab in Siargao holding a workshop Beyond agriculture, Lokal Lab advocates for greater educational opportunities through the Tropical Academy. Can you tell me more about that? Ciara Venezia, tropical academy manager (CV): We're in our third year, and our goal is to have a test-accredited vocational school on the island that teaches nature-based farming, sustainable construction and hospitality courses. We don't want to stop tourism on the island, but we want to find a more sustainable path forward. The academy is also immersed in an agricultural learning site, so we do farm tours, cooking classes, and weaving tours guided by the staff. KR: These tours empower the locals to take pride in their skill sets and build connections with the tourists beyond the typical island-hopping experience. For Vicki, one of our weavers, people realise how difficult weaving is and how much effort goes into it. These immersive opportunities push Siargao's culture forward, putting the locals at the centre of the discussion. CV: One of my favourite things about working here is having these daily tours, where we offer farm-to-table lunches with delicious plant-based meals like vegetable lumpia, banana heart sisig and more. This inspired me to experiment with different meals that make our cuisine unique. In case you missed it: What we lose when we forget our food: this cookbook reminds us where Filipino food came from Above The Lokal Lab community in Siargao Above The women weavers of Lokal Lab in Siargao Lokal Lab takes a holistic approach to community development, often highlighting women's work as they nurture the people around them through meals, weaving and more. Can you tell me more about the women Lokal Lab has helped? KR: One of our most recent programmes is Pasalo or Para Sa Lokal. It deals with the storytelling and journalism aspect of our advocacy. Here, the youth confidently share the stories they've learned from their elders and their own experiences. It's amazing to see how the students who graduated from this programme are in college now. Iris Aroa, co-founder (IA): We started with a snack bar and our farm-to-table restaurant. At our first location, we started working with a team we call the 'mamas'. Marga, one of the team leaders, was also one of the first people to help us. She was a barangay health worker back then, doing a lot of volunteer jobs with minimal pay. Eventually, we convinced her to work with us, and now she has a key role in the organisation. She is one of the many women who have become breadwinners for their families. Through our initiatives, these women can gain some financial independence. As for the weavers, they pass on their interests and skills to younger generations and even people outside the community. EA: It wasn't by design; it just happened that many of the communities we worked with were led by women, like the farm networks and weavers' associations. This shows how integral women are in inspiring members of the local community. They also possess a lot of indigenous knowledge that they openly share. KR: Even as we were rebuilding after the typhoon, many women leaders from the community stepped up to help. In the community kitchens, more than 400 staff members were women. Their leadership and support flowed so naturally. Above An aerial view of Lokal Lab in Siargao Above Lokal Lab in Siargao Aside from empowering the local community to thrive, you also encourage tourists to be responsible and respectful. What do you wish more tourists knew before visiting Siargao? KR: Many tourists don't know that Siargao is a protected island. It's also vulnerable to climate change. It's important for them not to extract too much from it. It also helps if they patronise local restaurants and are careful when interacting with the natural surroundings. Analyn Dulpina, co-founder (AD): Siargao is famous for surfing, but there are many agricultural opportunities here that we should protect. I push for river foraging because I want more people to have a fuller picture of what Siargao is really like. Exploring the other bodies of water in Siargao, like natural springs and rivers, reminds us how we're all connected and need to help each other thrive. CV: As someone who's not native to this island, I always try to be conscious of my integration with the community. We don't want Siargao to just be an accessory to someone's experience; it's more of a partnership or an ongoing relationship you take with you, wherever you head next. Above The Lokal Lab community in Siargao, empowering locals to pursue their unique crafts EA: There's been a shift in recent years with how we view tourism. We're going off the beaten path and pursuing more authentic cultural experiences that immerse us in the local communities. This aligns with our mission at Lokal Lab, supporting our evolution through the years. We first started by supporting the livelihoods of farmers and weavers under lockdown when tourism was minimal. It was a major shock to their livelihood, especially after the typhoon. We do see issues of 'over-tourism' not only here but in other islands like Siquijor, Baler or Palawan. There's a valid concern that tourism is harming local livelihoods. But what we want to do at LokalLab is to keep storytelling at the heart of everything we do. Tourism is an essential part of Siargao's story. We just have to keep it in check and ensure the community takes charge of what their future looks like. NOW READ Escape the heat: 9 cool-climate places in Southeast Asia What if your toothbrush could help fight poverty and grow a forest? 8 eco-minded resorts championing responsible travel in the Global South Credits Photography: courtesy of Lokal Lab
