Visitors take a photo in front of a convenient store at Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi prefecture, Japan, with a backdrop of Mr. Fuji on April 28, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
KOFU – A Japanese town on Tuesday began work to set up a large black screen to block the view of Mt. Fuji at a popular photo spot in response to what it calls unruly behavior from tourists.
The sight of Japan’s highest mountain towering over a Lawson convenience store in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, can be captured from across a road and has become popular among foreign tourists after the picturesque location rose to fame on social media.
According to town officials and other sources, the area started drawing crowds around December 2022. Littering and illegal parking have become issues, while visitors have also been seen jaywalking on a road used frequently by large buses and other vehicles.
Tourists gather in front of the Lawson convenience store, a popular photo spot framing a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji in the background on cloudy evening of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
The town has stationed security guards and posted warnings in English to manage the crowds. However, the measures have done little to improve the situation.
A 2.5-meter high and 20-meter wide black barrier will be installed on the sidewalk by the end of May. The town has said there are no issues with the plan, as the sidewalk is its property.
“It makes me proud to think this is the best spot to see Mt. Fuji, so it is a shame, but I understand this painful decision must be made as an accident could happen anytime,” said a 72-year-old man living in the neighborhood.
Japan has seen a spike in tourism since lifting coronavirus border control steps in April 2023, with the yen’s weakness helping drive visitor numbers. The country saw a record 3.08 million foreign visitors in March.
Tourists are packed at a train and bus station Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
The Associated Press also covered this story: “The town of Fujikawaguchiko has had enough tourists.”
Known for a number of scenic photo spots that offer a near-perfect shot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, the town on Tuesday began constructing a large black screen on a stretch of a sidewalk to block the view of the mountain. The reason: misbehaving foreign tourists.
“Kawaguchiko is a town built on tourism, and I welcome many visitors, and the town welcomes them too, but there are many things about their manners that are worrying,” said Michie Motomochi, owner of a cafe serving Japanese sweets “ohagi,” near the soon-to-be-blocked photo spot.
Motomochi mentioned littering, crossing the road with busy traffic, ignoring traffic lights, trespassing into private properties. She isn’t unhappy though — 80% of her customers are foreign visitors whose numbers have surged after a pandemic hiatus that kept Japan closed for about two years.
Her neighborhood suddenly became a popular spot about two years ago, apparently after a photo taken in a particular angle showing Mount Fuji in the background, as if sitting atop a local convenience store, became a social media sensation known as “Mt. Fuji Lawson,” town officials say.
Fujikawaguchiko has tried other methods: signs urging visitors not to run into the road and to use the designated crosswalk in English, Chinese, Thai and Korean, and even hiring a security guard as crowd control. None worked.
PATTAYA – An American man in Pattaya gained praise on social network TikTok after posting a video titled “One helmet can protect the future,” in which he flagged down motorcyclists with children travelling along the road at Jomtien Beach and distributed helmets to them.
The account “savvyrickbrown” posted this video and gained over 1.1 million views, with many people commenting and complimenting him.
A Khaosod reporter travelled to interview Mr. Rick Brown, a 57-year-old American national, about his inspiration for doing this activity. Mr. Brown disclosed that he experienced a bicycle accident during his childhood as some kids had cut his brakes. He was not wearing a helmet at the time, therefore he suffered a neck injury.
“I struggled with PTSD during my childhood for many years until I returned to a normal life.” Having experienced some terrifying things, I understand and care about children very much, so I want to undertake this action for children and society,” Brown stated.
Mr. Savvy Rick Brown said he wants to undertake this action for children and society.
The American man also stated that he lived in retirement in Thailand for a year and six months and had been regularly distributing helmets to children for the past six months with the purpose of doing something for society and ensuring children’s safety when travelling with parents. He frequently noticed Thai youngsters riding motorcycles without helmets, maybe due to monetary limitations.
Mr. Brown stated that he invests in the helmets himself. It’s a high-quality helmet that has passed safety tests. People on social media, those from his hometown in the United States, and those from other countries responded and generously donated to support him.
“My goal was to travel to various districts of Thailand and deliver over a million helmets. “I am willing to do things for Thai society because I love and like Thailand.” “Thai people interact well with each other,” he remarked.
They are high-quality helmets that have passed safety tests, says Mr. Savvy Rick Brown.
RML (Raimon Land Public Company Limited) led by Brenton Justin Mauriello (3rd from right), Chief Executive Officer, Kris Narongdej (3rd from left), Korn Narongdej (2nd from left), together with committee members and the management attended the 1st Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders for the year of 2024.
RML’s shareholders grant the 100% greenlight for the increase of capital by 3,588 million during the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders No. 1/2024.
RML (Raimon Land Public Company Limited) led by Brenton Justin Mauriello, Chief Executive Officer, Kris Narongdej, Korn Narongdej,together with committee members and the management attended the 1st Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders for the year of 2024 through electronic means exclusively.
The key agenda to seek for the approval of the plan to increase the registered capital by 3,588 million baht from the current 4,172 million baht, resulting in a new total of 7,760 million baht being greenlighted unanimously.
This successful capital increase reflects the confidence that the shareholders have in the company. This boost in capital will fortify the company’s financial position and provide funding to support future business expansion. During the meeting, the rest of the agenda was also unanimously approved.
“On behalf of the management, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all shareholders and stakeholders for their unwavering trust and faith in our company. This successful capital increase, will help strengthen our organizational capacity to grow and become a leader in luxury and ultra-luxury real estate development in Thailand,” Kris said.
About RML
RML or Raimon Land Public Company Limited is a leader of luxury and ultra-luxury real estate development in Thailand that has been behind the success of various outstanding and notable projects for over 36 years. These projects include ‘The River’, ‘185 Rajdamri’, and ‘The Diplomat’ luxury condos, and ‘OCC” – the Grade A+ luxury office building in the heart of Phloen Chit, to name but a few. Each project of RML is uniquely designed based on environmentally-friendly yet highly practical concepts with every building detail featuring best-in-class materials, and is located on high potential location that further enhances the spectacular scenic view of Thailand.
Over the past several decades, RML and its projects have earned a number of prestigious accolades from many leading institutions. It has to date developed more than 25 real estate projects, valued at over 150,000 million baht, encompassing 5,600 units equivalent to over 1 million square meters in total area. We are fully committed to continually pursuing luxury and ultra-luxury projects in prime areas that offer appreciating future value.
Pleas follow RML on social media to make sure that you do not miss any of our developments by clicking the link https://linktr.ee/raimonland
Recently, the 23rd Chulalongkorn University Veterinary Conference (CUVC 2024) was held at Samyan Mitrtown in Bangkok, Thailand, with the theme of “Integrated One Health Approaches for Sustainable Wellbeing.”
This event facilitated the sharing of veterinary knowledge, research, and future innovations, empowering participants to engage with sophisticated academic insights for the sustainable advancement of the veterinary profession.
The conference, a collaborative effort involving over 30 universities, academic institutes, the government, and private organizations nationwide.
At the event, Dr. Payungsak S. Tanagul, DVM, Deputy Director of Farm Standards and Regulations at CPF, also attended as a speaker to showcase the company’s success in sustainable chicken production derived from embracing Smart Farm technology to enhance efficiency in animal farming adhered to One Health principle, ensuring animals are raised in a rigorous manner for the animal’s well-being and fostering an environment conducive to their growth throughout the supply chain.
Everyone involved, including stakeholders, contributed to protecting humans, animals, and the environment. The event attracted over 500 attendees, including veterinary, public health, and animal health professionals.
CP Chicken Meat is a trusted brand certified by the Space Food Safety Standard, in accordance with NASA’s food safety standards.
Mr. Zheng Yue Chang was arrested on Highway 33 in Mueang Sa Kaeo district on April 29, 2024.
SA KAEO – Officials from the Technology Crime Suppression Division launched Operation “Lockdown the Cat” to arrest a gang smuggling call center employees across natural borders in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo Province.
The suspects included: Mr. Zheng Yue Chang, 31, a Chinese national, Pol. Lt. Angkha Sukrangsitsaree, 70, a former police officer, Mr. Dalek, 35, and Mr. Sun, 31, both Cambodian nationals.
Mr. Zheng was arrested on Highway 33 in Mueang Sa Kaeo district, while the other suspects were caught at Rong Kluea market in Khlong Luk sub-district, Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province on April 29. All were charged with jointly bringing or transporting foreigners into the Kingdom illegally or in any way assisting, encouraging, or facilitating the entry of foreigners into the Kingdom illegally.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridej, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), said the operation stemmed from an investigation by the Anti Online Scam Operation Center (AOC) under the CIB into the opening of bank accounts for use by call center gangs. The AOC discovered that brokers had been contacting locals in Sa Kaeo province to open online bank accounts and travel across the Thai-Cambodian border to scan faces and receive funds.
Those hired to open these mule accounts often traveled out of Thailand by natural routes via the fruit market in Rong Kluea Market, Khlong Luk sub-district, Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province. In the last six months, an average of 60-70 people per day traveled out this way. A Cambodian financier named “Da Yai” collected 3,000 baht per person per trip. Upon investigation, it was found that this route was the same one used by Chinese nationals in the call center gang to flee into the country.
The CIB police raided buildings near Rong Kluea market in Khlong Luk sub-district, Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, and arrested suspects of smuggling call centre employees on April 29, 2024.
“I ordered surveillance, and when we found that the Chinese suspect entered illegally through the route, I coordinated with the highway police to intercept Mr. Zheng as he drove to Bangkok. All suspects were taken to Sa Kaeo police station where they will be brought to court,” said Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop.
A check with the Chinese police revealed that Mr. Zheng was wanted by Interpol (Red Notice) and the Chinese government wanted to extradite him to face charges for online crimes involving over 100 victims and over 40 million yuan (200 million baht) in damages. He was responsible for the call center gang’s financial planning, organizational management and money laundering.
After the press conference on Monday, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop together with Pongsit Chaichatpornsuk, president of the Legal Compliance & Financial Crime Department, and representatives of commercial banks returned 1.8 million baht in cash to an aggrieved grandmother after the money was successfully frozen.
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) has verified its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
SBTi is a global climate action organization that develops tools that allow businesses to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with data-driven methodology. Marriott is the largest global hospitality company to receive approval for both near-term and long-term science-based targets.
The company has committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 46.2% by
2030 from a 2019 base year. Marriott also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy-related activities, waste generated in operations, employee commuting, and franchises 27.5% by 2030 from a 2019 base year, and that 22% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services, capital goods, and upstream transportation and distribution will have science-based targets by 2028.
Marriott commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050, reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2019 base year and reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2019 base year. The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
“For nearly a century, Marriott has been committed to our core value of serving our world as we strive to be a force for good wherever we do business,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO, Marriott International. “The impact of climate change is being seen and felt across the globe. As we continue to connect people through the power of travel, we are committed to driving meaningful improvements to the environment and are energized by reaching this significant milestone. The approval of our near-term and long-term targets is the result of the hard work and dedication of Marriott’s teams around the world who are committed to our climate action journey and creating the future of sustainable hospitality.”
“Marriott has been on a journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and supply chain. We believe it’s good business and good for the planet,” said Erika Alexander, Chief Global Operations Officer, Marriott International. “The decarbonization of the global electrical grid is a vital component of reducing GHG emissions. We are united with other leading companies in elevating efforts to help address the effects of climate change and hold ourselves accountable as we embed sustainability throughout our operations.”
To reach its net-zero target, Marriott is focusing its efforts in three distinct areas: energy reduction, sourcing more energy from renewables, and purchasing goods with lower carbon footprints across its portfolio of over 8,800 properties in 139 countries and territories.
The company’s recent sustainability highlights include:
Launching the Climate Action Program (CAP), the company’s approach to charting a growth-focused future through building climate fluency, addressing climate risk, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the organization.
Delivering property-specific carbon and energy reduction targets to every managed and franchised hotel globally.
Enhancing the Marriott Environment Sustainability Hub (MESH), a global platform for properties to log monthly power, water and waste metrics. With these enhancements, properties can now easily access customized, property-specific information for reducing energy and carbon.
Introducing the Energy Optimization Program to help properties manage rising energy costs. The program assists properties in conducting an energy audit to identify ways to become more energy efficient.
Engaging with suppliers as they work to understand and reduce their emissions.
Sharing sustainability information, including individual hotel carbon footprint data, on Marriott.com.
Marriott’s sustainability strategy is focused on a wide range of tactics including designing resource-efficient hotels, implementing technologies to track and reduce energy and water consumption, as well as waste and food waste, increasing the use of renewable energy, managing water-related risks, focusing on third-party sustainability certifications at the hotel-level, supporting innovative ecosystem restoration initiatives, implementing and responsible and local sourcing.In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Marriott created its sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, which guides the company’s efforts to make a positive and sustainable impact on the world’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic issues wherever it does business. More details about Serve 360 can be found at Marriott.com/Serve360.
Mr. Paolo Dionisi, Ambassador of Italy to Thailand (left) and Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head-Australasia, VFS Global (right) at the inauguration ceremony for the new and upgraded Italy Visa Application Centre in Bangkok on April 25, 2024.
BANGKOK – To offer an enhanced visa application submission experience to Italy visa applicants in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr. Paolo Dionisi, Ambassador of Italy to Thailand, inaugurated the new and upgraded Italy Visa Application Centre in Bangkok on April 25, 2024, in the presence of Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head-Australasia, VFS Global.
Italy visa applicants in Bangkok can visit the newly launched centre on the 3rd Floor of All Seasons Place, Lumpini, to apply for all short-term Italy visa categories from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by either booking an appointment online or just walking into the centres (on a first-come, first-served basis).
This new spacious facility in Bangkok is in addition to the already existing Italy visa application centres in Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand.
Additionally, as part of the contract signed with the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok in November last year, VFS Global has also launched a new Italy visa application centre in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. The services entered into operation on April 21, 2024.
The ambassador stated that Thailand and Cambodia are key sources of both tourism and investments for Italy, and also for these reasons we are very committed to streamline procedures for travellers. This new and larger visa application centres (VAC), even closer to the city’s financial and economic heart, will guarantee to applicants a more convenient and smooth experience to adequately prepare their travel to Italy.
“The visa process is extremely important to us as it’s the first showcase for our Country to prospective travellers. That is why we worked together with VFS Global to further improve and optimise an already high-quality service,” he said.
These spacious facilities equipped with modern amenities and services will have well-trained customer service representatives to assist visa applicants at every step. To enhance customer experience further, Italy visa applicants get dedicated call-centre support from 8:30AM to 5:30PM from Monday to Friday, along with the click-to-talk facility, and email and Web Chatbot support for quick query resolution.
Mr. Kaushik said that the VFS Global shares a long-standing relationship with the Government of Italy since 2004 and we are excited to expand our partnership further. The new and upgraded centre in Bangkok, Thailand, along with two others in Chiang Mai and Phuket will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for travel to Italy, one of the most popular destinations in the world.
The newly launched centre in Phnom Phen is also set to make Italy visa application submission process seamless for applicants in Cambodia. The discerning set of visa applicants can choose from a range of optional and additional services to enhance their overall visa application submission experience.
“We are confident that these visa application centres will enhance customer experience by making the visa application process even more smooth, thereby helping us better serve travellers better. Our Visa At Your Doorstep service allows Italy visa applicants to submit their applications from the comfort of their home or office, our Premium Lounge service offers a personalised and comfortable environment at our centres for submitting applications, while our Prime Time service allows the flexibility of submission and passport collection beyond normal working hours,” said Mr. Kaushik.
He added that other additional services include Insured Courier Services, SMS Alerts, and Personal Assistance service among others. It is important to note that opting for these additional services does not have any bearing on the timeline or decision on visa applications.
VFS Global has been a trusted partner for the Government of Italy for visa processing services since 2004. The company offers visa services on behalf of Italy across 34 countries through a network of 97 visa application centres.
VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa. Decision making on the granting or refusal of visa is the sole prerogative and sole responsibility of the Embassy within the Schengen coordination system.
Address of Italy Visa Application Centres in Thailand and Cambodia:
· Bangkok (Thailand): Unit 322A and 329, 3rd Floor, Retail Center, All Seasons Place, 87/2 Wireless Rd., Lumpini, Phatumwan Bangkok 10330
· Chiang Mai (Thailand): 191 Siripanich 6B Floor Huaykaew Rd. Suthep Muang Chiang Mai – 50200
As the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 67 client governments. Operating over 3,300 Application Centres in 151 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 282 million applications since 2001.
Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and backed by majority shareholder Blackstone, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient.
Cheng "Charlie" Saephan holds a check above his head after speaking during a news conference where it was revealed that he was one of the winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot at the Oregon Lottery headquarters on Monday, April 29, 2024, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — One of the winners of a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot this month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, 46, of Portland, told a news conference held by the Oregon Lottery on Monday that he and his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen, are taking half the money, and the rest is going to a friend, Laiza Chao, 55, of the Portland suburb of Milwaukie. Chao had chipped in $100 to buy a batch of tickets with them. They are taking a lump sum payment, $422 million after taxes.
“I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” he said, adding that he’d “find a good doctor for myself.”
Saephan, who has two young children, said that as a cancer patient, he wondered, “How am I going to have time to spend all of this money? How long will I live?”
After they bought the shared tickets, Chao sent a photo of the tickets to Saephan and said, “We’re billionaires.” It was a joke before the actual drawing, he said, but the next day they won.
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan laughs during a press conference after it was revealed that he was one of the winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot at the Oregon Lottery headquarters on Monday, April 29, 2024, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Chao, 55, was on her way to work when Saephan called her with the news: “You don’t have to go anymore,” he said.
He said he and his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen, are taking half the money, and the rest is going to a friend, Laiza Chao, 55, of the Portland suburb of Milwaukie. Chao had chipped in $100 to buy a batch of tickets with them.
Saephan said he was born in Laos and moved to Thailand in 1987, before immigrating to the U.S. in 1994. He wore a sash at the news conference identifying himself as Iu Mien, a southeast Asian ethnic group with roots in southern China. Many Iu Mein were subsistence farmers and assisted American forces during the Vietnam war; after the conflict, thousands of Iu Mien families fled to Thailand to avoid retribution and eventually settled in the U.S.
Tens of thousands of Iu Mien people live along the West Coast, with a sizeable and active community in Portland.
“I am born in Laos, but I am not Laotian,” Saephan told a news conference Monday at Oregon Lottery headquarters, where his identity as one of the jackpot’s winners was revealed. “I am Iu Mien.”
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan points to his sash that reads “Iu-Mien USA” while speaking during a news conference after it was revealed that he was one of the winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot at the Oregon Lottery headquarters, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
During the Vietnam War, the CIA and U.S. military recruited Iu Mien in neighboring Laos, many of them subsistence farmers, to engage in guerrilla warfare and to provide intelligence and surveillance to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail that the North Vietnamese used to send troops and weapons through Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam.
After the conflict as well as the Laotian civil war, when the U.S.-backed government of Laos fell in 1975, they fled by the thousands to avoid reprisals from the new Communist government, escaping by foot through the jungle and then across the Mekong River into Thailand, according to a history posted on the website of Iu Mien Community Services in Sacramento, California. More than 70% of the Iu Mien population in Laos left and many wound up in refugee camps in Thailand.
Thousands of the refugees were allowed to come to the U.S., with the first waves arriving in the late 1970s and most settling along the West Coast. The culture had rich traditions of storytelling, basketry, embroidery and jewelry-making, but many initially had difficulty adjusting to Western life due to cultural and language differences as well as a lack of formal education.
There are now tens of thousands of Iu Mien — pronounced “yoo MEE’-en” — in the U.S., with many attending universities or starting businesses. Many have converted to Christianity from traditional animist religions. There is a sizeable Iu Mien community in Portland and its suburbs, with a Buddhist temple and Baptist church, active social organization, and businesses and restaurants.
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan holds display check above his head after speaking during a news conference where it was revealed that he was one of the winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot at the Oregon Lottery headquarters on Monday, April 29, 2024, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Cayle Tern, president of the Iu Mien Association of Oregon, arrived in Portland with his family in 1980, when he was 3 years old. He is now running for City Council. Saephan’s Powerball win is significant for other Iu Mien, he said.
“It means so much because all of us came with so little,” Tern said. “I take pride in seeing our members of the community advance and flourish, and I just feel so good for him.”
Saephan graduated from high school in 1996 and has lived in Portland for 30 years. He worked as a machinist for an aerospace company.
In the weeks leading up to the drawing, he wrote out numbers for the game on a piece of paper and slept with it under his pillow, he said. He prayed that he would win, saying, “I need some help — I don’t want to die yet unless I have done something for my family first.”
Images of Cheng “Charlie” Saephan are displayed during a news conference where it was revealed that he was one of the winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot at the Oregon Lottery headquarters on Monday, April 29, 2024, in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
The winning Powerball ticket was sold in early April at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland, ending a winless streak that had stretched more than three months. The Oregon Lottery said it had to go through a security and vetting process before announcing the identity of the person who came forward to claim the prize.
Under Oregon law, with few exceptions, lottery players cannot remain anonymous. Winners have a year to claim the top prize.
The jackpot had a cash value of $621 million before taxes if the winner chose to take a lump sum rather than an annuity paid over 30 years, with an immediate payout followed by 29 annual installments. The prize is subject to federal taxes and state taxes in Oregon.
The $1.3 billion prize is the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history, and the eighth largest among U.S. jackpot games, according to the Oregon Lottery.
A cat rests along an empty hallway as classes shift to online modes due to the hot weather at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities cancelled in-person classes for two days as an emergency step due to the scorching heat and a public transport strike. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
MANILA (AP) — Southeast Asia was coping with a weekslong heat wave on Monday as record-high temperatures led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region.
Millions of students in all public schools across the Philippines were ordered to stay home Monday after authorities canceled in-person classes for two days. The main advice for everyone, everywhere has been to avoid outdoor activities and drink plenty of water, but the young and the elderly were told to be especially careful.
Cambodia this year is facing the highest temperatures in 170 years, Chan Yutha, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, told The Associated Press on Monday. His agency has forecast that temperatures in most parts of the country could reach up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.
Myanmar’s meteorological department said Monday that seven townships in the central Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing and Bago regions experienced record-high temperatures. Several towns in Myanmar last week were on lists of the hottest spots worldwide.
A man and woman use a cloth over their heads to protect them from the sun in Manila, Philippines on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Chauk township in Magway, historically the country’s hottest region, saw Myanmar’s highest temperature at 48.2 degrees Celsius (118.8 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking the previous record of 47.4 degrees Celsius (117.3 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 1968.
The Philippines is among the nations worst affected by the sweltering weather in Southeast Asia, where the intense tropical summer heat worsened by humidity forced class cancellations in recent weeks and sparked fears of water shortages, power outages and damage to agricultural crops.
The Department of Education ordered students in more than 47,000 public schools to switch to home-based and online learning due to health risks from record-high temperatures and a three-day strike starting Monday by drivers who oppose a government program they fear would remove dilapidated passenger jeepneys from streets.
Large crowds have sought relief in air-conditioned shopping malls in Metropolitan Manila, the congested capital region of more than 14 million people where the temperature soared to 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.84 Fahrenheit) Saturday, surpassing the record set decades ago, according to weather officials.
FILE – A woman walks through spay water for cooling down from hot temperatures in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 9, 2024. Southeast Asia is coping with a weekslong heat wave as record-high temperatures have led to school closings in several countries and urgent health warnings throughout the region. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
In Thailand, temperatures have topped 44 C (111 F) in some areas in the northern parts of the country, while the capital Bangkok and metropolitan areas have seen temperatures go above 40 C (104 F). The forecast from the Meteorological Department said this year’s summer, which usually lasts from late February to late May, is expected to be 1-2 degrees hotter than last year, and rainfall will be lower than average.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control said last week that at least 30 people have died from heatstroke so far this year, compared to 37 for all of last year.
Scientists have said the number of heat-related deaths around the world has been rising significantly in recent years along with temperatures, but the trend in Asia this year so far is unclear, partly because of the question of how to classify deaths that appear to be heat related.
At least 34 people have fallen ill due to the extreme heat in the Philippines so far this year, including six who died. The Department of Health said it was verifying what exactly caused the deaths.
Media in Bangladesh reported that in a five-day period earlier this month, at least 20 people died from heatstroke.
In Cambodia, however, officials indicated there were few if any heat-related fatalities. The Khmer Times, an online news platform, quoted the head of the Health Department of Phnom Penh, the capital, saying there had been no heat-related deaths or collapses.
Thailand and Brunei Darussalam share enduring ties, based on warm and goodwill cooperation since establishing diplomatic relations on January 1, 1984.
BANGKOK – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen officially visited Thailand on April 28-29, 2024, as guests of the government. This official visit is the highlight of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Srttha Thavisin officially welcomed them with honour guards at the Government House on Monday. Both leaders had discussions on regional issues of common interest, such as food security and Halal cooperation, tourism, trade and investment, as well as climate change.
The leaders also witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for the government’s pension fund and tourism between the two countries. The Foreign Ministry issued the joint press statement on His Majesty’s visit as follows:
Political Cooperation: Thailand and Brunei Darussalam share enduring ties, based on warm and goodwill cooperation since establishing diplomatic relations on 1 January 1984. In commemorating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Official Visits were held by the Prime Minister of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam on October, 10-11, 2023 and His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to Thailand on April 28-29, 2024.
The Leaders reaffirmed commitment to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, halal industry, tourism, digital economy and people-to-people exchanges through existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the 2nd session of which will be hosted by Brunei Darussalam in 2024.
Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister, welcomed His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who paid an official visit to Thailand, as Guest of the Royal Thai Government, at the Government House on April 29, 2024.
Economic Cooperation: The Leaders agreed to continue working closely to promote economic cooperation focusing on the following fields:
5.1 Trade: The Leaders agreed to promote closer bilateral trade relations by establishing a mechanism at the policy level to determine concrete action plans for promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and tasked the relevant agencies to discuss the matter further.
5.2 Food Security and Halal Cooperation: Thailand expressed readiness to host the 1st Meeting of the Joint Agricultural Working Group (JAWG) on Agriculture on 7 – 8 May 2024. The Leaders reiterated the importance of Halal Industry cooperation through the close coordination between the Thai Halal Industry Center under the Ministry of Industry of Thailand and the relevant agencies of Brunei Darussalam, such as the Ministry of Finance and Economy; Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and Ministry of Religious Affairs. In this regard, both sides also agreed to explore a Memorandum of Understanding on Halal Industry and Halal Export Development and Promotion to further deepen cooperation in this area.
5.3 Tourism: The Leaders agreed to strengthen tourism cooperation, including through the ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ scheme, which is a pilot scheme proposed by Thailand to promote regional tourism cooperation and also agreed to cooperate in health and wellness tourism, ecotourism and Muslim-friendly tourism. In addition, both sides would work towards increasing the number of direct flights and expanding flight routes from Brunei Darussalam to Thailand.
5.4 Investment: The Leaders welcomed the Brunei Economic Development Board’s (BEDB) interest in attracting and facilitating investments from Thailand’s food industry, downstream and petrochemical industry, logistics and tourism industry to Brunei Darussalam. The Leaders looked forward to the conclusion of the Agreement for the Elimination of Double Taxation and the Preventions of Tax Evasion and Avoidance.
5.5 Digital Economy: His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam welcomed the Bank of Thailand’s continued assistance in capacity building and sharing of experience with the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank, which has been instrumental in the development of the Fast Payment System (FPS) to facilitate efficient money transfers and payments with lower fees.
The Prime Minister of Thailand commended Brunei Darussalam for joining the Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Payment Connectivity, which will enhance financial cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Thailand as well as with other countries in the region.
People-to-People Exchanges: The Prime Minister of Thailand appreciated the scholarships provided by the Government of Brunei Darussalam for Thai students, including from the southern border provinces of Thailand to pursue among others, Islamic studies in various higher educational institutions in Brunei Darussalam.
The Leaders also agreed to deepen human resource development in the medical and nursing fields. Towards further strengthening people-to-people exchanges, the Leaders encouraged both sides to continue negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding on Employment of Thai Workers in Brunei Darussalam; Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of One Village, One Product (OVOP) Project; Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation; and Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Cooperation between the Ministry of Education of Thailand and the Ministry of Education of Brunei Darussalam.
Climate Change: The Leaders expressed pleasure that ASEAN agreed to establish the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam and the Prime Minister of Thailand assured that Thailand will expedite the necessary steps to sign the Establishment Agreement in the near future. The Leaders looked forward to the successful establishment of the Centre as well as its role towards facilitating close regional coordination and cooperation on addressing climate change among ASEAN Member States.
Regional Developments: The Leaders exchanged views on key regional developments of common interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ASEAN Centrality and unity in the promotion of peace, stability and development in the region amidst fast-changing international landscapes. On developments in Myanmar, the Leaders shared the same goal of a peaceful, stable and unified Myanmar, and called on all parties to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue to achieve a peaceful solution that is Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned. Brunei Darussalam welcomed Thailand’s initiative to scale up humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, which further contributes to the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
During the visit, both Leaders witnessed the signing of the:
(1) Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand’s Government Pension Fund (GPF) and Brunei Investment Agency (BIA); and
(2) Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei Darussalam.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the visit and urged relevant agencies to fully utilize existing bilateral mechanisms to ensure concrete implementation. The Leaders also encouraged more exchanges of visits between the Government and private sectors at all levels to maintain the positive momentum in bilateral relations.
