Indonesia

Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.

• Fairchild Fashion Media, the company that owns WWD and Style.com, announced today that it has acquired Fashion Networks International LLC, which owns NowManifest. The site plays host to blogs written by Bryanboy, Anna Dello Russo, Elin Kling, and Derek Blasberg, among others. [Fashion Etc.]
  

• Kristen Stewart wears both men's and women's clothing in the June issue of Elle. In one photo, she plays both a man in a tailored Balenciaga suit and a woman in a Tom Ford crocodile bustier. [Elle]
  

• Jean Paul Gaultier took his first trip to China this week for a presentation of his Fall 2012 ready-to-wear and couture collections. The show drew a crowd of almost a thousand people. Gaultier joins Dior, Chanel, Burberry, and other European brands that have presented special shows or exhibitions in China, Taiwan, and Japan. [WWD]
  

• Indonesia's national police have canceled Lady Gaga's June 3 concert in Jakarta after religious groups and conservative lawmakers protested against her sometimes racy choreography and stage costumes. The police said they decided to deny a permit because they couldn't guarantee security at the concert, which would have hosted the largest audience of Gaga's "Born This Way" tour in Asia. [The Cut]
  

• Tyra Banks wrote an open letter to aspiring models in light of Vogue's new Health Initiative, encouraging women all over the world to embrace their flaws. "Vogue has the power to make and break—whether it's fashion trends, designers, models, and yes, even industry practices," Banks writes. "Their bold stance means that others will follow." [The Daily Beast]
  

• Rachel Roy has revealed the details of how she and her date Solange Knowles got ready for the Met Gala. In between getting her makeup done and a final dress fitting, Roy squeezed in a "quick phone call to the office" and "a little negotiation on some fabric prices." [Stylelist]

Islamic women pray on the eve of Ramadan today in Indonesia. For the next month, Muslims around the world will abstain from all that is intoxicating — eating, drinking, and sex — between sunrise and sunset.

Now that Summer's here, peak travel season has officially begun! Whether you're exploring the farmers markets of Hawaii or soaking up the sun in Costa Rica, if you're headed somewhere fun and exciting and plan to seek out good food while you're there, be sure to share your pictorials with us. For instance, PetSugar just jetted back from Bali, Indonesia, where she stayed at the Uma Ubud retreat and enjoyed a refreshing breakfast at the Kemiri restaurant.

Curious to know what breakfast looks like in Indonesia? Then read more.

I've come across several recipes that call for kecap manis in the past, but have never tried the sauce for myself. So when I came across it at the Fancy Foods Show, I was eager to learn more about it.

Kecap manis (pronounced KEH-chup MAH-nees and also spelled ketjap manis) is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce with a molasses consistency and a dark brown color. Flavored with garlic, star anise, soybeans, and palm sugar, the sauce is more syrupy and complex than commonplace soy sauce. It is one of five main varieties of kecap (which means "sauce").

Typically sold in Asian markets, kecap manis can be used as a condiment or marinade for satays and grilled meats. It is also a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes of Indonesia.

Sumatran Tigers like lil Puji and Wati are extremely rare due to deforestation and hunting in their native Indonesia, so in efforts to save the species from extinction, the government will allow the rich to adopt them as pets. Yes, I'm totally serious.

For one billion rupiah ($107,000), people may adopt a captive-born pair of tigers — they're still state property and will be returned if no longer wanted — and the minimum cage dimensions are 16 feet by 19 feet by 32 feet. While the plan has received criticism from conservationists (duh), the ministry's director general of forest protection and nature conservation said:

"There are many orders from rich people who want them, who feel if they own a tiger they are a big shot. We have to take concrete steps to protect these animals."

These steps include visits at three-monthly intervals by a team of vets, animal welfare officers, and ministerial staff in hopes that some of only 400 still alive today will have homes and be protected from continued deforestation. Right off the bat, I'm wondering what those profits will now fund, but what's your take on the "tiger rental" concept?

• After a second major earthquake hit Indonesia today, following Wednesday's 7.6 quake, the death toll has reached at least 529. — Washington Post
• Communist China is marking its 60th anniversary today. — AP
• A top official military journal has made an unprecedented call for the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." — New York Times
• Both the White House and the family of a Chicago teenager whose beating death was caught on tape are calling attention to the incident with hopes that it will prevent other tragedies. — CNN
• London's Tate Museum has pulled a nude photo of Brooke Shields because it was warned that it might violate child pornography laws. — UK Guardian

A model showcased a flowery design yesterday, during the Jember Fashion Carnival in Jember, Indonesia. More than 400 models will parade down the city's longest street, celebrating culture and alternative fashion. World unity is the theme of this year's festival.