Manchester United's team players celebrate with the trophy as they won the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON (AP) — Manchester United’s six-year wait for a trophy is over after beating Newcastle 2-0 to win the League Cup on Sunday.
United manager Erik ten Hag has wasted no time in guiding the club to silverware just 10 months after being hired.
Casemiro headed United in front in the 33rd minute of the final at Wembley Stadium and Sven Botman’s own-goal made it 2-0 in the 39th.
Manchester United’s Casemiro, third left, heads the ball to scores his side’s opening goal at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
It is United’s first trophy since winning a League Cup and Europa League double under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
The victory keeps alive Ten Hag’s four-pronged challenge this season, with his team in contention for the Premier League title and still competing in both the Europa League and FA Cup.
For Newcastle, the wait for a first major domestic trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1955 goes on.
The Saudi Arabian-backed club mounted a fightback in the second half, but could not find a breakthrough goal, with David de Gea keeping a club record 181st clean sheet for United.
Manchester United’s team players celebrate with the trophy as they won the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
It is United’s first trophy since winning a League Cup and Europa League double under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
The victory keeps alive Ten Hag’s four-pronged challenge this season, with his team in contention for the title and still competing in both the Europa League and FA Cup.
For Newcastle, the wait for a first major domestic trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1955 goes on.
The Saudi Arabian-backed club mounted a fightback in the second half, but could not find a breakthrough goal.
Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the English League Cup final. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
While Ten Hag and United’s fans will have their sights on bigger prizes than the League Cup, it could prove to be an important platform to build on after watching fierce rivals Manchester City and Liverpool dominate English soccer in recent years.
Newcastle arrived at Wembley also hoping for a first major trophy since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund bought the club in 2021.
The sense of anticipation from both sets of supporters was unmistakable ahead of kickoff, with each hoping to see an end to their respective trophy droughts as Newcastle fans waved a sea of black-and-white flags against the opposing red scarves of United.
Manchester United players celebrate after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
United has not had to wait anything like as long as Newcastle for major success. In terms of the club’s storied past, though, a six-year run has felt like a crisis to fans brought up on iconic former manager Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering teams.
There is growing belief among the club’s fans that Ten Hag can bring back the glory years and he has certainly made an impressive start by delivering a trophy at the earliest possible point.
His team looked on course for victory from the moment Casemiro headed them in front when rising to meet Luke Shaw’s curled free kick.
Manchester United’s Casemiro, left, scores the opening goal during the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
For a man who has won it all with Real Madrid, including five Champions League titles, Casemiro’s delight at opening the scoring at Wembley was clear to see as he ran to the corner to celebrate with a broad smile on his face.
Perhaps there was also an element of relief given Newcastle had come close to taking the lead just before that goal when Alain Saint-Maximin’s close-range shot was blocked by De Gea.
It was 2-0 to United shortly before halftime when Wout Weghorst played in Marcus Rashford on the left.
The in-form forward miscued his shot, but Botman’s attempted block saw the ball fly beyond Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Rashford ran away in celebration, but it was adjudged to be an own-goal.
Newcastle’s players tried to force their way back into the match in the second half and made United retreat at times.
However, De Gea was not to be beaten and Bruno Fernandes might have extended United’s lead late when denied by Karius.
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier, left, passes the ball past Manchester United’s Luke Shaw during the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United’s team players celebrate with the trophy as they won the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire hold the trophy aloft as they celebrate with teammates after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United players celebrate after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag, left, and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford celebrate after winning the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Manchester United won 2-0. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, centre, shoots on a goal during the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag, left, greets his player Marcus Rashford as he is substituted by Manchester United’s Harry Maguire during the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Manchester United’s Casemiro, third left, heads the ball to scores his side’s opening goal during the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Teams pose for a pictures before the English League Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Kritsadang Nutcharas, attorney of political hunger strikers “Tawan” Tuatulanon, 21, and Orawan “Bam” Phuphong, 23, said at a press conference on Sunday afternoon February 26, 2023 that the two will continue their hunger strike after 39 days because two pre-trial political detainees have yet been granted bail.
Speaking on behalf of the two, Kritsadang said the two want the court to recognise that these detainees should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise and the right to bail should be guaranteed.
Kritsadang said doctors have advised the two return to hospital as they run the risk of developing sepsis if administered with intravenous therapy under unhygienic environment outside hospital.
The two left Thammasat University Hospital on Saturday and are now camping outside the Supreme Court. The lawyer said the staff of the two have received threatening phone calls. The two will seek the court’s permission to move inside the gate of the court on Monday.
HONG KONG (AP) — Police in Hong Kong filed murder charges against the former in-laws of a model, days after her body parts were found in a refrigerator.
Hong Kong model Abby Choi’s father-in-law and his eldest son are being charged with murder, while her mother-in-law faces one count of perverting the course of justice, police said in a statement Sunday. The authorities also arrested the woman’s ex-husband on Saturday, but have not brought a charge against the 28-year old man.
The gristly case came to light when police officers discovered the model’s body, dissected into parts and stored in a refrigerator, in a rural village home in Tai Po, a suburban part of Hong Kong closer to the border with mainland China on Friday.
facebook – Hong Kong police
“Police also have found that the flat was arranged by cold-blooded killers meticulously,” Superintendent Alan Chung said Saturday. “Tools that are used to dismember human bodies were found in the flat, including meat grinders, chainsaws, long raincoats, gloves, and masks.”
The 28-year-old woman had financial disputes involving tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars with her ex-husband and his family, Chung said, adding that “some people” were unhappy with how Choi handled her financial assets.
The victim had been missing for days when police discovered severed legs that belonged to a woman in the refrigerator as well as Choi’s identity card, credit cards and other items in the house. They also found human tissue in pots of soup, Chung said. Police did not find the victim’s head, torso or hands at the scene.
The house where her remains were discovered had been rented by her ex-husband’s father only a few weeks ago, Chung said.
Lilia Vu of the USA poses with her trophy during the award ceremony after winning the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — American Lilia Vu rode a hot putter to claim her maiden LPGA crown with a one-shot victory over home favorite Natthakritta Vongtaveelap at the LPGA Thailand on Sunday.
Trailing the local rookie by six strokes at the start of the day, 25-year-old Vu unleashed eight impressive birdies, including five straight from the eighth hole to end her campaign with an immaculate round of 8-under 64 for a 22-under 266 total at Siam Country Club Old Course.
Lilia Vu of the USA watches her shot on the 5th hole during the final round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
“Yesterday my dad told me that just one good round and I could win. That’s all I kept thinking about. Basically today I just blacked out and tried to birdie every single hole I could,” said Vu, whose maiden tour victory came after three third-place finishes in 2022.
The UCLA alumni came up short again at the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia last week where she settled for another third place.
“I knew I was going to win, it was just when… and I finally did,” she added.
Vu became the third American to triumph in the event after Lexi Thompson in 2016 and Jessica Korda in 2018.
Lilia Vu of the USA take selfies with her trophy after winning the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
Playing her first LPGA tournament, Vongtaveelap’s lack of experience took a toll with the 20-year-old golfer enduring a mixed final round featuring seven birdies offset by a double bogey and four bogeys to sign off with a 1-under 71 and and 267 overall.
Her hope for forcing a play-off was dashed after her birdie attempt at the last landed a foot away from the pin.
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap reacts after her shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)Natthakritta Vongtaveelap of Thailand lines up for a putt on the second hole during the final round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
Thailand will have to wait for a second local winner after former No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn prevailed in the 2021 edition.
Another Thai golfer, Atthaya Thitikul, was third after a final-round 68 got her to 268.
Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand watches her shot on the 6th hole during the final round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
Maja Stark of Sweden and French Celine Boutier settled at joint fourth on 271, one ahead of top-ranked Lydia Ko, who finished joint-sixth on 272.
The police officers at Chanasongkram Police Stationinvestigated the case about the security staff of a nightclub on Khaosan Road who slapped and handcuffed a foreign tourist.The incident was recorded by a Thai woman who passed by and posted a video clip on social media on Saturday night, February 25, 2023.
According to the video, the first security guard accused the foreign customer of taking bottled water without paying, while the man claimed he thought it was free.
During the argument, the guard slapped the foreigner and handcuffed him, while the second guard tried to reason with him.
After the video went viral, the cops summoned the two bouncers to document the miscommunication between the guards and the customer. They also asked the foreigner to the station.
While The Club Khaosan, a popular nightclub on Khao San Road, issued a “deepest apologies” on Sunday. The club noted that the security staff involved in the incident has been relieved of duty from the company effective immediately.
The Club also calls for the unidentified white male customer to contact them so they can offer reparations.
Statement of The Club Khaosan
“The actions of the security staff are unacceptable by any means and violates the company policy. Following that, the individual has urgently been addressed to the police and the company has filed for assault on behalf of the affected party. The security staff involved in the incident has been relieved of duty from the company effective immediately.”the statement said.
Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, left, and Pitabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary general of the Progressive Movement, right, flash a smile while posing for a photo posted by Pitabutr on Feb. 22, 2023. Photo: Pitabutr Saengkanokkul / Facebook
As the general election draws near, politicians are increasingly anxious. The Move Forward Party is no exception as became apparent by the latest row between party leader Pita Limjaroenrat and Pitabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary general of the Progressive Movement.
Although by Wednesday night, photos spread showing the two ‘reconciling,’ their very public spats on social media made it apparent the two do not see eye to eye.
Piyabutr wants to see the party become bolder in campaigning to ensure it can compete with the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, which is calling for voters to give them a landslide mandate. He also wants to see the party taking a stronger stance on the controversial lese majeste law. The party’s current stance is it will push for a reform of the anachronistic law but would not be calling for an outright abolition of the law.
Piyabutr also accused Pita of free riding on other party members who work harder while waiting to claim credits. Pita’s response on Wednesday was to call Piyabutr “unprofessional,” adding that as the party needs to be able to concentrate of the upcoming general election, which is just a few months from now, Piyabutr seems to be doing all he can to sabotage the party by penning a series of criticisms through his social media account.
It seems Piyabutr feels frustrated that Pita was not listening to his criticisms and advice. He feels he is the senior and Pita should listen and heed his advice, given that Piyabutr was secretary general of the now disbanded Future Forward Party, which morphed into Move Forward when the former was dissolved by a Constitutional Court ruling on Feb. 21, 2020 due to the party’s procurement of illegal loan from then party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
Put simply, if the Future Forward Party was not dissolved in 2020, it could easily take a decade or more for a rookie and young politician like Pita to become party leader.
On the other hand, the past three years saw Pita succeed in steering Move Forward Party forward and ensure it continues to be a medium-size political party that’s hugely popular among young urban voters. Sources say Pita has his own clique and doe not really see Piyabutr as his mentor.
We can debate as to whether the party should be more progressive on its stance on the lese majeste law or not but what is undeniable is the party’s failure to handle conflicting views in a constructive manner.
Both tried to character assassinate one another. Pita wrote that Piyabutr was unprofessional and is a burden to the party, while Piyabutr suggests Pita is basically not what he wants the public to think he is and vowed to unmask Pita publicly through his social media account.
Instead of debating about the technical and ideological issues related to the lese majeste law or election strategy, they both end up trying to undermine each other’s reputation publicly.
The expectation that Move Forward Party, and its wider entity which includes the Progressive Movement, will truly usher a new form of politics must be lowered. When it comes to handling different views and criticisms, the party has proven that it is not that different to many other political parties. Pita in fact cited Thanathorn, who along with Piyabutr, was co-founder of Future Forward Party, that any row should be kept internal.
I beg to differ; the party needs to be more transparent and able to handle differing opinions and criticisms both from within and without constructively. The party that vows to introduce new politics to Thailand must not be treated like a private corporation where there is little transparency and participation from ordinary consumers or members.
Things like why the party stopped short of calling for the abolition of the lese majeste law and how the decision was made are issues that the public deserve to know.
If anything, the row showed us that a truly progressive political party needs to be more open and constructive to internal criticisms, participatory and transparent.
HONG KONG (AP) — The former in-laws of a Hong Kong model are under arrest after her body parts were found in a refrigerator days after she disappeared, police said Saturday.
Police are searching for her ex-husband but have arrested his parents and brother, according to Police Superintendent Alan Chung. They will face murder charges.
Chung said authorities believe the 28-year-old woman had financial disputes involving tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars with her ex-husband and his family and that “some people” were unhappy with how Choi handled her financial assets.
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After breaking into a village house rented by the father of the victim’s ex-husband Friday afternoon, officers discovered two legs that belonged to a woman in the refrigerator as well as the victim’s identity card, credit cards and other items in the house, Chung said.
“Police also have found that the flat was arranged by cold-blooded killers meticulously,” he said. “Tools that are used to dismember human bodies were found in the flat, including meat grinders, chainsaws, long raincoats, gloves, and masks.”
Human tissues were found in pots of soup, Chung said. Police were not able to locate the victim’s head, torso or hands at the scene.
IG xxabbyc
Chung said the house was rented by her ex-husband’s father only a few weeks ago. Chung said the woman was 28 years old and a model whose surname was “Choi.” He did not disclose her full identity but the South China Morning Post identified her as model Abby Choi.
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According to alvinlogy.com, Abby Choi was born in Hong Kong in 1984, and she grew up in a family of means. Her father was a prominent businessman, and her mother was a fashion designer. From a young age, Abby was interested in fashion and beauty, and she often accompanied her mother to fashion shows and events.
As she grew older, Abby pursued her interest in fashion and became a successful model and social media influencer. She was known for her impeccable sense of style and her glamorous lifestyle, which she documented on her popular Instagram account with over 100k followers.
She was a regular fixture at fashion events and parties, and she was well-liked in the Hong Kong social scene.
Abby Choi’s death was a shocking and senseless act of violence that left a deep impact on the Hong Kong community. She was a talented and well-respected figure in the fashion industry, and her murder has raised concerns about the safety of social media influencers and other public figures in the city.
Revenue from entrance fees for the Similan Islands reaches 1 million baht per day and the average number of visitors is around 2,000 – 2,500 people per day.
It is reported that Similan Island, located among other larger islands in Phang Nga Province, had about 1,500 – 2,000 visitors daily between January and February 21.
FILE – Similan Islands
Established as a national park in 1982, Similan Islands are an archipelago of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea, 70 km off the coast in Phang Nga Province.
The island is known for its beauty both on the ground and underwater, with coral reefs and the diving experience. The high season is between November and April.
According to national park statistics, a total of 50,299 people visited the island in January, 11,911 Thais and another 38,388 international tourists. This brought in revenue from entrance fees of about 20 million baht.
From February 12 to February 21, the daily average number of visitors is around 2,000–2,500 people. The national park estimates that this will bring in no less than 25 to 30 million baht, or about 900,000 to 1 million per day.
The Ministry of Commerce has officially registered the Sadet Nam Yala Durian as a Geographical Indication product (GI) for Yala Province and plans to export it to China and Malaysia, which is estimated to bring the province more than 2.8 billion baht (80 million U.S. dollars) per year.
The Intellectual Property Department has recognised “Sadet Nam Yala Durian” as a new geographical indication product for Yala, it was made public in early February 2023.
The ministry hopes this will boost Thailand’s fruit export industry, especially for the Chinese and Malaysian markets. The latest announcement is also in line with local economic policies aimed at increasing the prosperity of small farmers.
photo by The Intellectual Property Department
The Sadet Nam Yala durian, with its unique taste and smell, is priced at 190 baht (5.45 U.S. dollars) /kg and brings in up to 80 million U.S. dollars a year for locals.
The Sadet Nam Yala durian is known for its excellent and sweet taste, with a dry, fine and less fibrous texture. (Sadet Nam means drain.) It also has a unique smell and yellow colour with a light or dark spectrum, depending on the breed such as Kanyao, Chanee, Puangmaneepun, Musang King and Ochee.
photo by The Intellectual Property Department
These breeds can be planted all year round. They are well suited to medium altitudes above sea level, above 100 metres, and grow well near mountain hills. They can be harvested every year between July and September.
Thank you to the support of local farmers who helped develop the quality of the product and the packaging, the Yala durian has become one of the most important sources of income in the province, just after the “Bannang Sata Rock Banana”, which was previously registered as a GI product.
“The registration of Sadet Nam Yala durian as a GI product is an important step in promoting Thai agricultural products to the world. It will sustainably increase the value of the product and create more jobs and income for local businesses and farmers.
Community businesses that have a localised product that corresponds to the geographical location and has a well-known and high quality can seek advice from the Intellectual Property Department on the 3rd floor of the Public Service Centre to apply for registration at GI or call the hotline: 1368”
Export Competition
Thai durian exporters are facing competition, especially with Vietnam, after the Chinese government allowed the Vietnamese to export fresh durian to the mainland from July 2022, the same as Thailand.
Xinhua
It is estimated that Vietnam can harvest up to 1 million tonnes of durian, while the product from Thailand is expected to reach only 7750,000 tonnes.
Vietnam has lower production costs compared to Thailand. They also have a faster route for logistics, which has led several Chinese entrepreneurs who have been operating in Thailand for many decades, or even Thai companies, to expand their business to buy durian from Vietnam, either through individual investment or by working with Chinese companies from eastern Thailand. The deal also seems to take the form of a Vietnamese nominee.
People buy durians from a Vietnamese vendor at Wanzhong International Wholesale Market in Dongxing, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Dec. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Yang Chi)
The zoo's Andean Bear named Ben. Zoo officials say they are working to find a way to keep Ben inside his enclosure after he escaped Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, for the second time this month. (JoEllen Toler / St. Louis Zoo via AP)
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Zoo officials say they are working to find a way to keep an Andean bear named Ben inside his enclosure after he escaped Thursday for the second time this month.
The bear was outside for less than an hour and was found only about 100 feet away from his habitat, zoo officials said in a statement. The 4-year-old bear, who weighs about 300 pounds, was tranquilized and returned to the enclosure.
Visitors and zoo staff were kept inside zoo buildings during Ben’s escapade.
St. Louis Zoo
The bear escaped on Feb. 7 by tearing apart clips that were attached stainless steel mesh to the frame of the enclosure’s door. He did not wander far and was outside for about 90 minutes before being returned.
In response, the zoo added stainless steel clips with 450 pounds of tensile strength to the mesh. But Ben managed to snap those clips Thursday.
Zoo officials said they are working on alternative ways to secure the enclosure and will seek advice from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Bear Taxon Advisory Group.
