Rohingya Girls Find Joy in Elaborate Makeup (Photos)

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14 September 2018, 10:32

Rohingya Girls Photo Gallery — In this June 27, 2018, photo, from left, Ranjeda, 9, Rumana, 10, and Zesmin, 10 pose for a portrait in front of their classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh's refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

UKHIYA, Bangladesh — The dazzling displays of color emerge amid the mud and monsoon rains of Bangladesh’s refugee camps: vibrant flower headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup worn by young Rohingya girls.

These girls are among 700,000 Rohingya Muslims who were forced to flee their homes after the military in neighboring Myanmar launched a brutal campaign of violence against the minority group last year. Many left all their cherished belongings behind, and their new lives in the cramped, chaotic camps are devoid of luxuries.

But for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the girls decided to treat themselves to something special: makeovers. They bought makeup and headbands from vendors in the camps, hoping the adornments would help them look beautiful to relatives they visited during the holiday.

The girls say it can take them up to an hour to complete their look. But the process is one that brings them much-needed joy, given all they have endured.

AP18256132494670 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Rumana, 10, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132745124 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, from left, Ranjeda, 9, Rumana, 10, Minajan, 10 and Wisma Bi Bi, 12, smile at each other while waiting in their classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132702933 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Nazifa, 10, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132690927 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Wisma Bi Bi, 12, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132662657 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Astafa, 10, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132634128 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Zesmin, 10, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132630182 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Taslima, 10, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132607115 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Shamshoda, 10, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132561608 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Ranjeda, 9, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

AP18256132557584 — In this June 27, 2018, photo, Dil Kayas, 12, poses for a portrait in front of her classroom in Chakmarkul refugee camp, Bangladesh. Amid the misery and mud of Bangladesh’s refugee camps, Rohingya girls have found small moments of joy by adorning themselves with flowery headbands and elaborately-drawn makeup. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Story: Wong Maye-e

TWG Tea Launches New Dining Menu at Siam Paragon’s TWG Tea Salon and Boutique (Sponsored)

By

Khaosod English

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14 September 2018, 10:27

BANGKOK — TWG Tea, the purveyor of fine teas and leader in tea gastronomy, launches a new all-day dining menu introducing a range of savoury and sweet treats artfully incorporated with the finest harvests and exclusive tea blends, in celebration of the reopening of TWG Tea Salon and Boutique in Siam Paragon.

Crowned with unique antique furnishing, burnished brass and touches of gold trimming, the newly refurbished TWG Tea Salon and Boutique highlights a rejuvenated patisserie counter beautifully expanded with a takeaway area, allowing guests to choose from its wide array of tea-infused patisseries and ice cream selection.

Satiate your palate with delightful starters such as the seared Tuna Nicoise Salad, accompanied by quail egg, kalamata black olives, cherry tomatoes and red onion on a bed of fresh salad leaves, served with red wine vinegar infused with Eternal Summer Tea dressing (฿380) or opt for the pan-seared Tiger Prawn Salad accompanied by coleslaw in a spicy oriental dressing and a garden salad, served with strawberries and orange in a Strawberry Tea infused vinaigrette (฿390). For that luxe starter, tuck into a dish of fresh hand dived Scallop Carpaccio with light spicy hibiscus dressing infused with Jade of Africa Tea and sprinkled with pink pepper (฿420).

Delectable list of main courses includes the caramelized Norwegian Salmon & Matcha Beurre Blanc with teriyaki sauce accompanied by coconut ginger rice, steamed edamame, sautéed oyster mushroom and served with a Matcha beurre blanc sauce (฿490) or the pan-seared Snow Fish With Pea Purée accompanied by fried tofu, seasonal vegetables, braised fennel and miso sauce infused with French Earl Grey (฿590). For a hearty meal, sink into the aromatic slow braised Lamb Shank in red wine gravy sauce infused with Spice Route Tea, served with buttered couscous and seasonal vegetables (฿850).

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Pasta lovers can choose between popular favourites such as Blue Mussels and Scallops Spaghetti Marinara tossed in an Italian herb tomato sauce infused with Alfonso Tea accompanied by shaved parmesan cheese and sprinkled with chopped parsley (฿490) or the Tiger Prawn Squid Ink Spaghetti infused with Earl Grey Gentleman and clams squid ink spaghetti tossed in a garlic and basil butter emulsion accompanied by a confit of bell peppers (฿490).

Other hearty pasta choices includes the Genmaicha Mushroom Linguine tossed with sautéed forest mushroom in a light garlic and cream sauce, accompanied by wilted spinach, roasted asparagus and a soft cooked egg topped with Genmaicha furikake (฿360) or the Crab & Truffle Cappelletti, a homemade egg pasta filled with crab meat, truffle and edamame, served with herb roasted pumpkin infused with Comptoire des Indes Tea and sage brown butter (฿420).

New additions to the Croques & Sandwiches menu includes the Matcha Club Sandwich filled with slow-cooked chicken breast layered with fried egg, smoked turkey bacon, roma tomatoes and lettuce chiffonade in pommery grain mustard mayonnaise sauce on toasted homemade Matcha pain de mie accompanied by delicate green salad tossed in 1837 Green Tea infused vinaigrette (฿290), the Salmon Croissant featuring Earl Grey smoked salmon with dill cream cheese and young salad leaves in a homemade croissant (฿290) or the Steak Sandwich filled with grilled wagyu beef tenderloin and vegetables, topped with Comté cheese and Smoky Earl Grey infused barbecue sauce on French Baguette (฿390).

Complete the dining experience with TWG Tea’s handcrafted sweet treats that will certainly leave you yearning for more. Try the Strawberry Panna Cotta, featuring a vanilla panna cotta with strawberry coulis and Silver Moon Tea infused cream, accompanied by Sakura! Sakura! Tea infused sorbet and fresh fruits (฿240) or a mouthwatering Earl Grey Lava cake served with a scoop of homemade Vanilla Bourbon Tea infused ice cream (฿280). Another timeless creation is the warm darkChocolate Soufflé accompanied by Vanilla Bourbon Tea infused vanilla sauce (฿220).

TWG Tea’s new menu is available from July 2018 onwards, exclusively at TWG Tea Salon and Boutique in Siam Paragon. For more information, please contact us at +66 (0) 02259 9510.

TWG Tea Images:

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Scallop Carpaccio

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Genmaicha Mushroom Linguine

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Steak Sandwich

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Earl Grey Lava

About TWG Tea

TWG Tea, the finest luxury tea brand in the world, was established in Singapore and celebrates the year 1837 when the island became a trading post for teas, spices and fine epicurean products. TWG Tea, which stands for The Wellbeing Group, was founded by Taha Bouqdib, Maranda Barnes and Rith Aum-Stievenard in 2008 as a luxury concept that incorporates unique and original retail outlets, exquisite tea rooms and an international distribution network to professionals. Committed to offering teas directly from source gardens, TWG Tea’s collection is the largest in the world, with fine harvests from every tea producing country and exclusive hand crafted tea blends. Internationally recognised as a true innovator with the creation of new varieties of tea every season in collaboration with the world’s most renowned estates, TWG Tea also offers exquisite signature modern tea accessories and delicate tea-infused sweets and savouries.

After launching its first Singapore tea salon & boutique at Republic Plaza in 2008, TWG Tea has opened in iconic destinations such as ION Orchard, Marina Bay Sands and Takashimaya Singapore. Expanding its presence internationally, TWG Tea has heralded the opening of exquisite Tea Salons & Boutiques in Bangkok, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Tokyo, Manila, Jakarta and Shanghai. In addition, TWG Tea’s exclusive collection of the finest teas of the world is available from TWG Tea Boutiques in Harrods Knightsbridge, London and Dean & DeLuca Madison Ave, New York. The premier tea supplier to the finest hotels, restaurants and international airlines, TWG Tea is retailed around the world in gourmet épiceries, including El Corte Ingles in Portugal, Feinkost Kaefer in Germany, David Jones in Australia and GUM in Moscow, Russia, and served in Business Class, First Class and Suites and in the Lounges of Singapore Airlines and Nippon Airways.

TWG Teas are available in Singapore, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam. European online orders can be made at www.Harrods.com; online orders within the USA can be made at www.DeanDeluca.com; Canadian orders may be made online at www.VansingDG.com; worldwide online orders can be made directly from the TWG Tea e-Boutique and m-Boutique at TWGTea.com.

Leaders Laud Ex-UN Chief Kofi Annan at Ghana State Funeral

By

Associated Press

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14 September 2018, 10:22

Current U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, pays his respects by the coffin of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, draped with the Ghana flag, during a state funeral Thursday at the Accra International Conference Center in Ghana. Photo: Sunday Alamba / Associated Press

ACCRA, Ghana — United in sorrow, world leaders and international dignitaries came to Ghana to pay their last respects to the late United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan who was honored with a state funeral Thursday, as many lauded him as an exceptional man and leader.

Annan died on Aug. 18 in Bern, Switzerland at age 80. The grandson of tribal chiefs, he was the first black African to become the U.N. leader and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

“Kofi Annan was courageous, speaking the truth to power while subjecting himself to intense self-scrutiny,” said current U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Presidents from across Africa joined Guterres, Annan’s family and many others in a ceremony that concluded two days of viewings.

The presidents of Namibia, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone attended, along with Niger’s prime minister and Angola’s vice president.

Former leaders from Europe and Africa also joined the ceremony, including Graca Machel, wife of the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

Guterres said the late Annan “was an exceptional global leader – and he was also someone virtually anyone in the world could see themselves in: those on the far reaches of poverty, conflict and despair who found in him an ally; the junior U.N. staffer following in his footsteps; the young person to whom he said until his dying breath ‘always remember, you are never too young to lead – and we are never too old to learn.'”

Guterres, who was selected by Annan to be the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, spoke of the honor of working with him to weather “many of the same global storms.”

“The world has lost a standard-bearer of global cooperation. The United Nations has lost an embodiment of its mission,” he said. “Now that I occupy the office Kofi once held, I am continually inspired by his integrity, dynamism and dedication. To him, indifference was the world’s worst poison.”

Even after serving as secretary-general he continued to work on the front lines of diplomacy, said Guterres.

“He helped to ease post-election tensions in Kenya, gave his all to find a political solution to the brutal war in Syria and set out a path for ensuring justice and rights for the Rohingya people of Myanmar,” said Guterres.

Ghana’s President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo said Annan was bold and never gave up on what he believed in.

“Despite the unjustified attacks on him, trying to fix him with responsibility for the genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica when he was head of U.N. peace operations, he never lost his moral compass, as he showed when he stood up to the might of the United States of America when she was embarking on the ill-fated intervention in Iraq.”

History has vindicated Annan, said Akufo-Addo, saying that his “epic but unavailing effort to establish the supremacy of international law over the actions of even the world’s greatest power won him the admiration of all right-thinking persons.”

He said, Kofi Annan was an ardent believer in the capacity of Ghana and the continent of Africa to chart its own path of progress.

Annan’s wife, Nane “thanked God for giving her such an extraordinary human being,” while his daughter Ama Annan Adedeji said her father “was one of the most loving people l have known.”

Mourners have thronged to the conference center in Accra, where his coffin has been since his body arrived Monday, and where the funeral was held.

A private burial follows at Accra’s Military Cemetery, with full military honors and a 17-gun salute.

Story: Francis Kokutse

40 Billion Baht Could be Spent in Next Election

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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13 September 2018, 17:58

Yingluck Shinawatra gestures to supporters while on the 2011 campaign trail in Ubon Ratchathani province.

BANGKOK — At least 40 billion baht will be spent on canvassing and campaigning in the run-up to Election Day, an economist forecast Thursday.

Basing his estimate on spendings tracked on previous election cycles, Thanawat Polwichai of the Thai Chamber of Commerce University told reporters to expect an “intense” campaign season.

“And this time, we expect the competition will be intense, so we believe it would definitely be over 40 billion baht,” Thanawat said. The number could fluctuate depending on when the junta lifts its ban on political campaigning, he added.

He said he included all related campaign spending, including canvassing and advertising.

His comments came a day after a crucial election law for the next poll was passed, bringing Thailand the closest it has ever been to a general election in over four years.

Junta deputy chairman Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters the country will vote on Feb. 24, echoing other officials.

The news was met with enthusiasm on the Thai stock market. The SET added 33.82 points, or 2.01 percent, to close at 1,713 by the day’s end.

Bangkok Cop Blames Traffic on Too Many Buses

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

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13 September 2018, 17:46

Traffic jam on Ramkhamhaeng Road. Photo: @Godzilela / Twitter

BANGKOK — To reduce Bangkok’s misery-inducing traffic, take some buses off the road?

A transport official Thursday slammed a top police officer for citing that unique logic recently to demand buses on Ramkhamhaeng Road be reduced to ease its nerve-shattering congestion.

Chamnan Yoosa-ard of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority expressed dismay after a deputy metro police chief blamed “big buses” for traffic on the street, where major ongoing construction for the Orange Line has shut down two lanes.

“The BMTA buses do not cause problems for traffic,” Chamnan wrote online. “It hurts to hear that conclusion as a solution for the traffic problems.”

On Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Jirapat Bhumijit offered the suggestion among measures under consideration to solve high congestion problems, especially during rush hours. They included adding shuttles to popular destinations and reducing bus routes along the road.

“These buses are big and old. When they get stuck in traffic or break down, they need a lot of space,” he said. “Further study is needed to see which routes have too many buses but too few passengers. They will be cut to increase space, which will help ease traffic problems.”

Bangkok’s congestion problems are exacerbated throughout the city by construction projects unfolding at a seemingly languid pace. On Ramkhamhaeng Road, only four of six lanes are open due to construction there that’s expected to continue another five years at least.

In his long post, Chamnan said the suggestion contradicts the policies of “many civilized countries” to encourage people to use public transport. He faulted the government for pushing policy after policy promoting use of private cars until they “flood the streets.”

He also fumed that despite buses being used for many state functions, including flood evacuation, the government offers little support. His department can only pay small salaries to its employees and is now in hundreds billion of baht in debt, he said.

“Stepped-up law enforcement to solve the [problem] should be a better solution,” he wrote. “I believe ‘big buses are causing traffic problems’ is only a passing thought, not the conclusion of all the options out there.”

And the idea that the road is choked with empty buses just isn’t true, a higher-ranking transportation official chimed in to say.

Prayoon Choygeo, acting BMTA director, today said that up to 97,000 people commute daily on BMTA buses servicing Ramkhamhaeng.

“During the rush hours, all buses are packed,” he said. “If the amount of buses is reduced, what would the affected passengers do?”

He said the department wouldn’t reject the suggestion, which has yet to be formally proposed, but added that other solutions should be discussed to minimize the harm to public transportation commuters.

“This road has had severe congestion long before the rail construction,” Prayoon said. “The amount of cars should be reduced, especially personal vehicles that can be diverted to other streets, and people encouraged to use public transport more.”

“The people affected are the majority who don’t have other commuting choices except for buses. People who have their own cars have more options,” he added.

Toon Bodyslam Doc Makes Fresh Appeal For Hospitals

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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13 September 2018, 17:05

BANGKOK — The rock star runner behind a cross-country charity run that raised millions for public hospitals hopes a film about his experience will reignite the public’s desire to give.

Moviegoers have until Sunday to catch “2,215 Believe, Crazy, Bravely Stepping Forward,” or simply “2,215” for the number of kilometers run by Artiwara “Toon Bodyslam” Kongmalai, whose run late last year between the southernmost and northernmost points of Thailand became a national rallying point.

“We are using this movie as our vehicle to run, instead of me,” Toon said Wednesday.

He raised 1.4 billion baht for underfunded state hospitals during his run last year and hopes the film, produced by a top commercial studio, will draw more donations for Siriraj Hospital.

Read: ‘Toon Bodyslam’ Hands 1.3B Baht Over to Hospitals

The film is currently showing through Sunday at most major theaters, some with English subtitles. Toon said donations to his foundation, Kao Kon La Kao, will go toward a new building at Siriraj Hospital. He’s collected 12 million baht so far.

“This building has special significance for me because it’s to take care of patients living in poverty. There are no VIP rooms. It’s also the last building that Rama IX named,” Toon said, referring to the late king who died two years ago next month.

One major obstacle to making the film during Toon’s arduous run were the elements and size of the crew, according to director Nottapon Boonprakob of GDH Studio.

Nottapon said it was a very small team trailing Toon under “rain, sun, very cold and then very hot weather.”

The film is showing at both major cinema chains. Check listings to find times offering English subtitles. Nimibutr Stadium will show the movie free four times a day, tomorrow through Sunday.

It was the singular media event of 2017 when Toon, the frontman of giant rock act Bodyslam, hit the road to raise money for 11 state hospitals. He ran 2,215 kilometers from Yala to Chiang Rai in 55 days while raising more than 1.3 billion baht from members of the public and corporate sponsors.

Pic a day 180609 0004 — The ‘2,215’ production team while filming Toon’s run.

Injured ‘Toon’ Turns Down Army Airlift

Smashing Goal, Toon Bodyslam to Complete Quest Christmas Day

Despite Raft of Sponsors, Public Gives Most to Charity Run

Toon is Messiah, Heartthrob, Martyr in This Stunning Fan Art

Body Slammed: Tired Toon Trotted Out in Bangkok

Rock Star Sets Off on Cross-Country Charity Run

Correction: An earlier version of the article misidentified the director.

Moon Rock Hunter Closes in on Missing Alien Stones

By

Associated Press

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13 September 2018, 16:30

Moon rocks encased in acrylic and mounted on a wooden plaque Wednesday at the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — A strange thing happened after Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew returned from the moon with lunar rocks: Many of the mementos given to every U.S. state vanished. Now, after years of sleuthing, a former NASA investigator is closing in on his goal of locating the whereabouts of all 50.

In recent weeks, two of the rocks that disappeared after the 1969 mission were located in Louisiana and Utah, leaving only New York and Delaware with unaccounted-for souvenirs.

Attorney and moon rock hunter Joseph Gutheinz says it “blows his mind,” that the rocks were not carefully chronicled and saved by some of the states that received them. But he is hopeful the last two can be located before the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission next summer.

“It’s a tangible piece of history,” he said. “Neil Armstrong’s first mission … was to reach down and grab some rocks and dust in case they needed to make an emergency takeoff.”

President Richard Nixon’s administration presented the tiny lunar samples to all 50 states and 135 countries, but few were officially recorded and most disappeared, Gutheinz said.

Lindsie Smith, from the Clark Planetarium, holds moon rocks encased in acrylic and mounted on a wooden plaque Aug. 23. Photo: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

Each state got a tiny sample encased in acrylic and mounted on a wooden plaque, along with the state flag. Some were placed in museums, while others went on display in state capitols.

But almost no state entered the rocks collected by Armstrong and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin into archival records, and Gutheinz said many lost track of them.

When Gutheinz started leading the effort to find them in 2002, he estimates 40 states had lost track of the rocks.

“I think part of it was, we honestly believed that going back to the moon was going to be a regular occurrence,” Gutheinz said.

But there were only five more journeys before the last manned moon landing, Apollo 17, in 1972.

Of the Apollo 11 rocks given to other countries, about 70 percent remain unaccounted for, he said.

The U.S. government also sent out a second set of goodwill moon rocks to the states and other nations after the Apollo 17 mission, and many of those are missing as well, he said.

NASA did not track their whereabouts after giving them to the Nixon administration for distribution, said chief historian Bill Barry, but added the space agency would be happy to see them located.

Gutheinz began his career as an investigator for NASA, where he found illicit sellers asking millions for rocks on the black market. Authentic moon rocks are considered national treasures and cannot legally be sold in the U.S., he said.

He became aware while at NASA that the gifts to the states were missing, but only began his hunt after leaving the agency.

Now a lawyer in the Houston area, he’s also a college instructor who’s enlisted the help of his students. They record their findings of the whereabouts of the discovered moon gems in a database.

Many of the Apollo 11 rocks have turned up in unexpected places: with ex-governors in West Virginia and Colorado, in a military-artifact storage building in Minnesota and with a former crab boat captain from TV’s “Deadliest Catch” in Alaska.

In New York, officials who oversee the state museum have no record of that state’s Apollo 11 rock. In Delaware, the sample was stolen from its state museum on Sept. 22, 1977. Police were contacted, but it was never found.

The U.S. Virgin Islands territory, meanwhile, cannot confirm that they ever received a goodwill rock, though the University of the Virgin Islands later received Apollo 11 rocks for scientific research, said chief conservator Julio Encarnacion III.

In other states, though Gutheinz has recently hit paydirt. The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge located Louisiana’s Apollo 11 moon rock in early August after a call from Gutheinz.

In Utah, the division of state history had no record of the sample, but The Associated Press confirmed it was in storage at Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium.

Officials there may bring it out as part of celebrations recognizing the Apollo 11 anniversary next year, something Gutheinz hopes to see everywhere.

“The people of the world deserve this,” he said. “They deserve to see something that our astronauts accomplished and be a part it.”

Story: Lindsay Whitehurst

Malaysian Ex-PM’s Lawyer Charged With Money Laundering

By

Associated Press

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13 September 2018, 15:59

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in May arrives at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Office in July in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: Vincent Thian / Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR — A top Malaysian lawyer for former Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged Thursday with receiving 9.5 million ringgit (USD$2.3 million) in ill-gotten wealth from his client, who is himself accused of money laundering and corruption.

Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was arrested and brought to court, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of money laundering and another two counts of evading taxes by making false declaration of his income tax.

According to the charge sheets, he received proceeds from illegal activities of 4.3 million ringgit ($1.04 million) from Najib’s personal bank account in September 2013 and another 5.2 million ringgit ($1.26 million) in February 2014.

Shafee is the main defense lawyer for Najib, who faces charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption linked to the multibillion dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund months after his electoral defeat.

“This is victimization,” Shafee told reporters. He was released on bail.

Shafee last week admitted he received the money but denied it was payment as a reward for him to prosecute then opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in his sodomy trial. He said the payment was for legal services previously done for Najib’s Malay party and hen-ruling coalition, and that he had no knowledge of the source of the money.

He had expressed concern he was being victimized to discourage him from defending Najib.

Public anger over the 1MDB scandal led to the stunning ouster of Najib’s long-ruling coalition in May 9 national polls and ushered in the first change of power since independence from Britain in 1957.

Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the U.S. and several other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering.

The new government reopened investigations stifled under Najib’s rule and barred him and his wife from leaving the country. Police also seized jewellery and valuables estimated at more than 1.1 billion ringgit ($273 million) from properties linked to Najib.

Najib, 65, has accused Malaysia’s new government under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of seeking political vengeance and vowed to clear his name in his trial.

Story: Eileen Ng

From Tribal to Urban, Chiang Mai Expo to Explore Polar Themes

By

Lobsang Dundup Sherpa Subirana, Deputy Editor

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13 September 2018, 15:33

Montri Toemsombat in 2016 at the Ratchaprasong Art Maze installation in Bangkok. Photo: Toot Yung Art Center / Facebook

CHIANG MAI — See art inspired by century-old tribal weaving and Japanese ceramics among others when an exhibition premieres later this month at a gallery in northern Thailand.

Three artists will exhibit their interpretations of Thai culture, urbanism, consumerism, tribalism and pollution among other themes to be explored through a variety of mixed media in a fortnight’s time at the Toot Yung Art Center in Chiang Mai province.

Curated by French artist Myrtille Tibayrenc, the center will feature work by Montri Toemsombat in its Art Gallery room, as well as crafts by Kachama Perez and Somluk Pantiboon to inaugurate a new Design Gallery space.

“This is a special exhibition as it is also the launch of a new space dedicated to design and craft,” Tibayrenc said.

Montri’s “Plateau Rouge” will present a dominant red theme and focus on the contrast between urban and rural settings, consumerist society and the balance between these themes through a variety of mixed media. It’s the Chaiyaphum province native’s first show since 2016. In the past he as presented work in Indonesia, Finland, Australia and Italy.

Kachama and Somluk will band for “Lanna Spirit,” an expose in which they will combine their respective crafts. Kachama weaves textiles using centuries-old techniques from mountain tribes such as the Karen, Katu and Hmong.

The artist, whose work will be a critique of pollution – a recurring topic in her work – has previously shown her work nationwide as well as in France and Taiwan.

Somluk will present ceramics influenced by his five years in Japan. Having majored in the study of ceramics at Chiang Mai University, the artist opened his studio in 1991 in the northern city. Aside from Japan, Somluk has also held exhibitions in Hong Kong and Norway.

The Toot Yung gallery – which moved to Chiang Mai in March after eight years in Bangkok – holds exhibitions in a withdrawn natural setting to present nature and art side by side. Tibayrenc said she pictured a place where visitors could experience art in a laid-back style.

“I wanted to propose something mingling art, nature and slow life,” she said. “A space where the visitors can take the time to really appreciate all details of the exhibitions and collection, as well as the space and surrounding nature.”

“Plateau Rouge” and “Lanna Spirit” will open at 1pm on Sept. 30 and run through Dec. 2. More information can be found online. Entry is free.

Suu Kyi Says Handling of Rohingya Could Have Been Better

By

Associated Press

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13 September 2018, 14:17

Jamila Begum, 35, cries in 2017 when talking about how members of Myanmar's armed forces accused of massacring civilians in her village Maung Nu, in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Photo: Wong Maye-E / Associated Press

HANOI — In the face of global condemnation, Myanmar’s leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday said that the handling of Rohingya Muslims, 700,000 of whom have fled to Bangladesh amid a brutal military campaign, could have been better, but still defended security forces from charges of civilian atrocities.

Myanmar’s army is accused of mass rape, killings and setting fire to thousands of homes in the aftermath of an August 2017 attack by Rohingya militants on security outposts. A report issued two weeks ago by a specially appointed U.N. human rights team recommended prosecuting senior Myanmar commanders for genocide and other crimes.

“There are of course ways in which with hindsight I think the situation could have been handled better,” Suu Kyi said, responding to questions during a one-on-one discussion at the World Economic Forum’s regional meeting in Hanoi.

She still defended Myanmar security forces, saying that all groups in western Rakhine state had to be protected.

“We have to be fair to all sides,” Suu Kyi said. “The rule of law must apply to everyone. We cannot choose and pick.”

Suu Kyi said the situation was complicated by the myriad ethnic minorities in the area, some of which are at risk of disappearing entirely and which include not just the Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists.

Although the violence in Rakhine state has eased, Myanmar has to deal with its aftermath, especially the repatriation of the Muslim Rohingya who fled and the underlying causes of tension that makes them targets of discrimination and repression in overwhelmingly Buddhist Myanmar.

Suu Kyi said that Myanmar is prepared to take those who fled back, but their return has been complicated by the fact that two governments are involved.

Aid workers say conditions for a safe and orderly return of the refugees have not been met.

Suu Kyi also rejected criticism over the show-trial conviction last week of two Reuters news agency reporters who helped expose extrajudicial killings of 10 Rohingya men and boys.

The reporters were both sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on charges of possessing state secrets.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is among those who have condemned the verdicts and called for the journalists’ release.

“The case has been held in open court,” Suu Kyi said. “If anyone feels there has been a miscarriage of justice I would like them to point it out.”

“They were not jailed because they were journalists. They were jailed because … the court has decided they have broken the Official Secrets Act,” she said.

Suu Kyi noted that the two can appeal their sentences.

The lawyers for the journalists have said they will do whatever they can to get their clients freed. The two men testified that they had been framed by the police. The case has drawn worldwide attention as an example of how democratic reforms in long-isolated Myanmar have stalled under Suu Kyi’s civilian government, which took power in 2016.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that Suu Kyi was mistaken in saying the case was handled in accordance with the “rule of law.”

“She fails to understand that real ‘rule of law’ means respect for evidence presented in court, actions brought based on clearly defined and proportionate laws, and independence of the judiciary from influence by the government or security forces,” he said in a statement. “On all these counts, the trial of the Reuters journalists failed the test.”

Story: Elaine Kurtenbach

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