Georgia Asian Times Vol 9 No 14

Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia

www.gasiantimes.com August 1-15, 2012 Vol 9. No 14

Study finds faith matters among Asian Americans

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

Publisher: Li Wong Account Manager: Adrian West Contributors: Andrian Putra, May Lee, Mark Ho Photographer: Ben Hioe, Rendy Tendean Tel: 770.335.4593 Advertising: gat@gasiantimes.com Editorial: info@gasiantimes.com URL: www.gasiantimes.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 922348 Norcross, GA 30010-2348

Copyright Georgia Asian Times 2004-2012

All Rights Reserved: including those to reproduce this printing or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from Georgia Asian Times. Established in 2004, the Georgia Asian Times is published by Asiamax Inc. All facts, opinions, and statements appearing within this publication are those of writers and editors themseleves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, endorsements by Georgia Asian Times or its officers.

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GAT Calendar of Events (For latest & updated events, visit www.gasiantimes.com)

GAT welcome submission of announcement pertaining to community related events.

Please email event, date, venue, and time to gat@gasiantimes.com.

GAT does not guarantee insertion of event announcement and has the right to deny any posting.

Sitan Chen Piano Recital Date: Tuesday August 7, 2012 Time: 7:00 pm Venue: Emory University Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Emerson Concert Hall, 1700 N. Decatur Road, ATLANTA, GA 30322 Admission: Free & open to public RSVP: tricia.sung@oca-georgia.org The Home Depot Pan -Asian ARG Networking Event Diversity and Inclusion: Take It To The Next Level Guest Speaker: Jennifer Ngo Waldrop Date: Tuesday, August 21 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Venue: The Home Depot Store Support Center RSVP: vyvy.vuong@naaapatlanta.org

Hong Kong Dragon Boat - Atlanta Date: Saturday Sept 8, 2012 Time: 7:00 am Venue: Clarks Bridge Olympic Rowing Facility Lake Lanier For more info: dragonboatatlanta.com

JapanFest Date: Sept 15-16, 2012 Time: 10 am -6 pm; 10 am - 5 pm Venue: Gwinnett Center For more info: www.japanfest.org Vietnamese American Community of Georgia - Mid Autumn Festival Date: Saturday Sept 29, 2012 Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Venue: Hong Kong Supermarket For more info: Trish Nguyen, 678.820.8822

8th Atlanta Asian Film Festival Date: Oct 5-20, 2012 Venues: Emory University, GPC-Dunwoody, GSU-Cinefest For more info: www.atlaff.org

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

METRO ASIAN NEWS

Georgia Vote No To Decide Regional Transportation Penny Sales Tax Atlanta, July 31, 2012 - Georgia voters decided not to add a penny to their county’s sales tax in what is known as a T-SPLOST - the Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax. Even though turnout for primary elections typically is not high, the proposed Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or T-SPLOST, was the one issue that seemed to bring many people to the polls Tuesday.

The unofficial results in the region show 67.79 percent voted no and 32.21 percent voting yes.

State lawmakers divided the state in 12 regions with the 2010 Transportation Investment Act. Roundtables of government officials in those regions developed lists of transportation projects to fund with the penny tax on every dollar spent within those regions.

Backers were counting on the $750 million it was expected to raise over 10 years to fund many of 76 projects on a regional list, pump about $187 million into local governments’ transportation funding and attract another $500 million in federal road money.

In order to pass, the T-SPLOST had to win a simple majority from voters in the region, regardless of how it did in any particular county.

Opposition came from groups normally on opposite sides of issues, including environmentalists against more roads, Tea Party activists opposed to any taxes and liberals who say sales taxes are unfair to the poor.

Proponents of the referendum included Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, a Democrat. They argues it would make the state more attractive to employers.

In areas where the tax has been rejected, provisions in the state law state that it cannot be brought back to voters for two years. But according to State Rep. Mickey Stephens (D - 161), a special session is possible to bring the referendum back for the November ballot.

Whooping Cough Cases Increase in Metro Atlanta ATLANTA – Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, has recently increased in the eight-county metropolitan Atlanta area of Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale counties. As of July 28, 2012, 95 cases of whooping cough have been reported, compared to 51 cases during the same time period last year.

“Though we have not seen a substantial increase in the number of whooping cough cases statewide, the increase in whooping cough cases in highlypopulated metro-Atlanta is of concern,” said state epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek, D.V.M. The increase is similar to national trends, as the U.S. appears to be headed for its worst year for whooping cough in more than five decades.

Nearly 18,000 cases have been reported nationally so far—more than twice the number seen last year.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by coughing and sneezing. It affects people of all ages, but is most serious in infants, especially those too young to be vaccinated or who aren’t fully protected.

Whooping cough brings cold-like symptoms followed by a long, severe cough that can last for weeks or months. Sometimes a “whoop” sound occurs while gasping for breath during a coughing episode.

However, the sound is not always present. Adolescents and adults often get a much milder case of whooping cough and may not realize they have the disease, though they can still spread it.

“This disease can be very serious for young babies, who often get whooping cough from adults and other family members. Most infected infants must be hospitalized,” said J. Patrick O’Neal, M.D., director of health protection.

Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for all children and adults, as the shots children receive wear off over time. Everyone age 11 and older should get a whooping cough booster, called Tdap.

It’s especially important for those in close contact with babies younger than 12 months. This includes parents, siblings, grandparents, healthcare providers, and child care providers.

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

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METRO ASIAN NEWS

ACE Hosts Annual Asian Celebration at Gwinnett Center Duluth, July 28, 2012 -- Asian Cultural Experience (ACE) hosted its annual colorful exhibition and exposition of Asian cultures at the Gwinnett Center. Over a dozen countries including China, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam were represented at this year’s celebration.

Visitors were treated to a series of dances and cultural performances by various groups representing the diverse communities in metro Atlanta.

A special tea reception was held for members of community and guest of honors including Hon. Anna Kao, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Atlanta and Khun Kanya Amorntheerakul, Director of Thai Trade Center Miami.

Visitors are able to view demonstration of handicrafts and art works at the two day event.

For more information for 2012 ACE, visit http://asianculturalexperienceinga.com

“Bountiful Bags” helps refugees and immigrant school children Chamblee, July 25, 2012 - Family, friends and supporters of Bountiful Bags gathered for a special fashion presentation by young children from different countries from Indian Creek Elementary. Guests were treated to a colorful fashion show and a post show reception.

Bountiful Bags is a community volunteer program started to help end childhood hunger and to assist with school supplies for the underprivileged children in Clarkston area. The program was a brainchild of Diana Lam, a kindergarten teacher and Caitlin Hill, a third grade teacher at Indian Creek Elementary.

“The children that Bountiful Bags serves are mostly refugees or immi-

grants. Many of the children have lived most of their lives in refugee camps; fleeing war, persecution, or political conflicts. The families must await approval for refugee resettlement in the United States, which can take months or years. In many situations, the families arrive with no possessions and know no one. Once the families we serve have been resettled in Clarkston, the adults may struggle to find jobs that will provide adequate food and other basic needs for their families. We see too many children at our school hide their breakfast in their backpacks to take home, save their snacks for their dinner, or fall asleep in class due to lack of energy. The families we serve struggle to create a better life for their children with more opportunities, we are working to help slightly ease their

burden,” said Lam. There are currently about 1040 students from all over the world at Indian Creek Elementary and nearly 850 are on ESL programs. Burma, Thailand, Nepal, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Vietnam, Burundi, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and Bosnia are a few of the more than 52 countries represented in the student population.

A food pantry was designed in a room at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in January 2012. Upon receiving a grant and generous donations, food started filled the shelves and during the second half of the 2011-2012 school year, Bountiful Bags provided 65 students with backpacks filled with food for the weekends. Backpacks were

packed with food every Thursday at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, with the help of volunteers from the churches and teachers. Their goal for 2013 is to provide 80 children with the weekend backpacks.

Bountiful Bags also provides children with clothing, books, and school supplies. Nearly 85 percent of its students walk to school, and many attend school without proper winter clothing. Several book drives have also been organized benefiting the children.

For more information on Bountiful Bags, visit their blog: http://bountifulbags.blogspot.com

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

BUSINESS

Global travel industry gears up for Muslim tourist boom Singapore, July 29, 2012 (AFP) - From halal spas to prayer rooms at airport terminals, the global tourism industry is gearing up for a projected boom in Muslim travel over the next decade, experts say.

Their growing number and affluence means Muslims -- especially from the oilrich Middle East -- are traveling like never before, and it is a trend that looks set to gather pace.

Spending by Muslim tourists is growing faster than the global rate and is forecast to reach $192 billion a year by 2020, up from $126 billion in 2011, according to a study by two companies specializing in the market.

The study, made available to AFP, was conducted in 47 countries by Singaporebased halal travel specialist Crescentrating, along with DinarStandard, a US-based firm that tracks the Muslim lifestyle market.

Crescentrating chief executive Fazal Bahardeen said Muslim-majority states such as Egypt, Malaysia and Indonesia were already favorite destinations, but non-Islamic countries are now “taking a serious look” at Muslim holiday makers.

Malaysia, the number-one destination according to the findings, attracts Muslim visitors even during the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan.

Mohammed Ali Alali, 23, a petroleum engineering student from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, went there on honeymoon with his bride, a 20-year-old medicine student.

“It’s not that far from Saudi Arabia and it’s less expensive to travel here rather than Europe. It’s also an Islamic country so that helps in many ways, like to find a mosque and Arabic food,” he said after breaking fast at an Arabic restaurant in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The availability of halal food tops the list of Muslim travelers’ requirements, according to the survey.

Destinations such as Thailand and Australia, especially the Gold Coast, are already taking into account these travelers’ needs in their services and facilities, said Fazal.

That includes prayer rooms at airports and hotels, halal restaurants and even spas adapted to religious requirements.

“Why not try Gold Coast for a cooler Ramadan this year?” says the tourism website of Australia’s Queensland state.

“With a long history of welcoming Middle Eastern visitors and a large resident community, facilities for Muslims in Gold Coast, Australia keep getting better every year.”

The Economist Intelligence Unit said in a March report that meeting the needs of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims is fueling business opportunities in numerous sectors.

“From food and Islamic finance, the industry is spreading its wings into pharmaceuticals, fashion and tourism, among many other areas,” it said, noting more than half of the world’s Muslim population is aged 24 or younger, many of them welleducated.

Thailand is hungrily eyeing the Muslim travel boom.

Its tourism authority --- which has an office in Dubai -- is promoting halal spas for Muslim tourists, who require strict privacy for male and female clients.

It also organized a month-long festival of Thai cuisine in the United Arab Emirates from June 8 to July 7.

Crescentrating’s study ranked Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport the most Islamfriendly airport in a non-Muslim country.

And it found that tourists from the Gulf -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- are the sector’s biggest spenders.

Gulf countries accounted for 37 percent of Muslim tourist spending in 2011 even though they represent a mere three percent of the global Muslim population.

China’s advantages counteract rising pay: analysts Beijing, July 29, 2012 (AFP) - Rapid wage increases are threatening China’s competitiveness, but improved productivity and other advantages mean it will continue to attract investors, analysts say.

Labour costs in China would match those of the United States within four years, catching up with eurozone countries in five years and with Japan in seven, the French bank Natixis forecast in a study last month.

China “will soon no longer be a competitive place for production given the strong rise in the cost of production”, the bank said.

It is a view backed by the respected Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which said in a study last August that by around 2015 manufacturing in some parts of the United States would be “just as economical as manufacturing in China”.

Examples of major manufacturers leaving China abound -- BCG said US technology giant NCR has moved its manufacture of ATMs to a factory in Columbus, Georgia, that will employ 870 workers as of 2014.

Adidas announced recently that it would close its only directly owned factory in China, becoming the latest major brand to shift its manufacturing to cheaper countries, though it maintains a network of 300 Chinese contractors.

Chinese workers making athletic shoes are paid at least 2,000 yuan (258 euros; 313 dollars) a month, while their Adidas colleagues in Cambodia only earn the equivalent of 107 euros, the German company said.

Natixis said the increases could spur manufacturers to relocate to South and Southeast Asia, where labour costs are much lower, and could also benefit countries such as Egypt and Morocco, or even European ones like Romania and Bulgaria.

However, not all economists believe China will lose its manufacturing edge, thanks in part to improvements in productivity.

“Most of the increase in wages has been offset by strong productivity growth,” said Louis Kuijs, project director at the Fung Global Institute, a research body that specializes in Asian economies.

Worker productivity has increased at a faster rate than wages in the southern Pearl River Delta, the heart of China’s vast manufacturing industry, according to 200 companies surveyed early this year by Standard Chartered Bank.

“China’s share of the world’s low-end exports has started to fall after years of rapid rises in wages, land costs and appreciation of renminbi (the currency),” said Wang Qinwei, a China economist at Capital Economics.

“But this has been offset by a growing market share in high-end products.”

Capital Economics said in a research note published in March: “China’s export sector overall appears no less competitive now than a few years ago.

“Average margins in light industry have increased over the past three years thanks to rapid productivity growth.”

Underlining the trend, the salaries of Chinese urban-dwellers rose 13 percent in the first half of 2012 compared with the same period last year, the government said in mid-July.

China’s coastal areas offered an effective business environment that would continue to draw investors, as would lower costs in inland provinces, said Alistair Thornton, China economist at IHS Global Insight.

Migrant workers, who are among the lowest-paid in the country, saw raises of 14.9 percent for an average of 2,200 yuan a month.

These advantages could limit a shift in manufacturing to lower-paying countries such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia.

The most significant wage hikes in 2010 and 2011 often came following strikes at Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda and a wave of suicides at the factories of the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn.

“Guangdong and other coastal provinces have a superb advantage over most of Southeast Asia and South Asia in their efficient supply chains, strong economies of scale and reliable business environment,” Thornton said.

Georgia Asian Times

August 1-15, 2012

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BUSINESS

Turkmenistan seeks investors for gas pipeline ASHGABAT, July 28, 2012 (AFP) - Turkmenistan said Saturday that it would try to recruit international investors for a new gas pipeline project that would link Central and South Asia.

The energy-rich state plans to pitch the project to international oil and gas majors and financial institutions in the autumn, the Neitralny Turkmenistan newspaper reported.

The plan for a TAPI (TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India) natural gas pipeline, which is backed by the Asian Development Bank, is regarded with suspicion by some analysts.

Driven by China sales, luxury goods buck economic slowdown PARIS, July 29, 2012 (AFP) - Fuelled by surging demand in China, luxury goods makers are bucking the global economic slowdown and reaping huge profits on sales of high-end handbags, expensive jewellery and posh perfumes.

Results for the first-half of 2012 released this week showed major brands, including world leaders LVMH, PPR and Luxottica with rising profits driven by growing sales in emerging markets.

The results beat analyst expectations and allayed fears that the cooling down of China’s economy would dampen luxury sales. Company bosses even expressed confidence that year-end figures would show continued growth.

Paris-based LVMH, whose assets include jeweller Bulgari, fashion house Louis Vuitton and a string of top champagne and spirits brands, said Thursday its net profit was up 28 percent in the first half at 1.68 billion euros ($2.06 billion).

Sales were up 26 percent, with 29 percent of revenues coming from Asia outside Japan, the group’s largest market.

“We approach the second half of the year with confidence,” company CEO

Bernard Arnault said, with LVMH noting the “global market (is) experiencing strong growth” despite “an uncertain economic environment in Europe.”

Another leading French luxury and retail group, PPR, said the same day its first-half net profit was up 5.9 percent to 477 million euros, following a 17 percent jump in sales.

PPR’s sales of luxury goods, which include fashion brands like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and jeweller Boucheron, were up by nearly a third, compensating for a 9.2 percent drop in sportswear sales dragged down by its Puma brand.

“Business in greater China remained extremely buoyant, with sales climbing by an overall 21.5 percent, fuelled by a 24.4 percent surge in mainland China,” the company said of its luxury division.

Italy’s Luxottica, the biggest eyewear maker in the world, said its first-half profits jumped 20.6 percent to 195.5 million euros.

The company, which produces Oakley and Ray-Ban sunglasses as well as eyewear for Chanel and Prada, said sales rose by just one percent in Europe but were up 35 percent in emerging markets.

However the United States has praised the project for boosting regional peace and prosperity.

Deputy Prime Minister Yagshygeldi Kakayev announced plans on Friday for “a series of meetings with representatives of leading international oil and gas companies and financial institutions,” the news report said.

He said the meetings planned for September and October would discuss “ques-

The results echoed similar figures released earlier this month by French luxury goods group Hermes, which reported first-half sales up 21.9 percent to 1.59 billion euros, with Asian sales excluding Japan up 25 percent.

Analysts say China now accounts for about 40 percent of the global luxury goods market and that Chinese appetites are driving sales not only in the country but abroad, as Chinese tourists often rack up sales while on foreign trips.

Despite high taxes on luxury goods in mainland China, companies are also increasingly expanding into its retail market, with PPR alone opening 22 stores in China in the first half of the year.

Still, analysts are warning that some sort of slowdown in luxury goods sales is to be expected if China’s red-hot economic growth continues to cool.

tions concerning the financing of the TAPI project and the creation of a consortium.”

“A presentation of the TAPI project is planned to be held in Singapore, New York and London, which are major business and financial centers of southeastern Asia, America and Europe,” the newspaper said.

The report said that all the countries involved in the project, plus the Asian Development Bank, would take part in the presentations.

In May Turkmenistan signed agreements with India and Pakistan to deliver gas through the new 1,700-kilometre (1,050mile) pipeline, the first contracts in the ambitious project.

Turkmenistan has the world’s fourthlargest gas reserves and India and Pakistan are both eager to tap this source through

the pipeline.

Much of the pipeline will go through Afghanistan which neighbors both Turkmenistan and Pakistan but remains wracked by violence and instability.

China’s economy grew by a stillstrong 7.6 percent in the second quarter, but the expansion was at its slowest pace in more than three years as global economic problems started to hit the world’s second-largest economy.

Thomas Mesmin, an analyst at CA Chevreux, said it was inevitable that a global economic downturn would have an impact on luxury goods.

“Saying that luxury goods are resistant to the crisis sounds good, but it’s wrong. There is a fairly strong correlation between the development of the global economy and the luxury market,” he said.

“We are accustomed to caviar, but we’re probably going to have to eat a little more salmon,” he said.

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

FOCUS Long Term Care Insurance—TLC for your Loved Ones Modern medicine is proving to help people live longer-just ask Willard Scott, the notable TV personality who wishes happy birthday to centenarians every morning on the Today Show or the girls of Sex in the City who live their lives like 40 is the new 20. Though humanity has the means to longevity, the access to the means is unattainable to most families living on Main Street in America these days.

Inadequate government programs and the exorbitant cost of long term care are prominent reasons that many seniors are getting to live longer, but many not in the best conditions. The main federal institutions for the care of citizens are Medicare and Medicaid, of which the first is targeted to assist the elderly and the second is aimed to help those in need. The skyrocketing costs of long term care include examples such as nursing homes and adult day care. As the Baby-Boomer

generation retires, Gen-X generation begin their families, and Gen-Y generation struggle to get their careers started in today’s economy, the need for long term care insurance as part of an insurance portfolio becomes imperative and more apparent.

Long term care insurance is coverage that provides for care to be received when you are unable to take care of yourself for an extended period of time, like in situations where help is needed to perform the tasks of daily living (bathing, eating, dressing, etc.) or in the case of cognitive impairment due to disease. Normally, long term care is paid for by personal savings, assistance from family, Medicaid funds if applicable, and lastly, insurance, highlighting the importance of having a policy in place.

Having a long term care insurance policy enables you to transfer some

of the financial risk of long term care costs to an insurance company. These policies cover percentages of home health care, assisted living, adult daycare, respite care, hospice care, nursing home and Alzheimer’s facilities expenses.

Additional benefits of the coverage include assistance in covering out of pocket expenses and miscellaneous expenses, of which a common example is the construction of a wheelchair accessible ramp into your home. Lastly, the policy is an income tax deduction, which signifies that the benefits received are tax free.

Most policies have a waiting period that varies between 3090 days before your benefits are paid and have a benefit period that fall anywhere between 2-10 years. In the end, long term care policies are relatively affordable with annual premiums that depend on age and health condition at the time of purchase. Thus, if you have elderly parents/relatives or if you are yourself headed into the years of your prime, long term care insurance is not only a safety net, but also a gesture of tender loving care that everyone should consider now!

This monthly editorial is contributed by Phylicia Wu of International Insurance of Georgia. IIG is a full service independent insurance agency, offering automotive, homeowners, as well as renter, condo and business-commercial coverage.

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

EVENTS

2012 Asian Cultural Experience, Gwinnett Center, July 28-29

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EVENTS

August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

Photos: Rendy Tendean

2012 Asian Cultural Experience, Gwinnett Center, July 28-29

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

EVENTS

2012 Asian Cultural Experience

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

LIFESTYLE China’s ‘unwanted’ single women feel the pressure Beijing, July 19, 2012 (AFP) – Xu, a pretty woman in her 30s, warily walked into a Beijing singles club in a bid to shed her status as one of China’s “Unwanted”.

Xu had not been to the “Garden of Joy” for more than a year but, with time and societal judgement weighing heavily on her, she returned with cautious hopes.

“I hope to find a husband,” she said, as she sat in front of a Mahjong table and awaited her date for the evening, who had been hand-picked for her by the club based on their profiles.

“I just want someone with whom I share things in common, but who is also in a better financial situation than me.”

Xu, who did not want to be identified, is one of China’s so-called “Sheng Nu”.

The term, which translates to the “Unwanted”, is derived from a phenomenon in Chinese society which affects hundreds of thousands of women, particularly the urban, educated and financially independent.

The term, which is unique to China and which only applies to women, appears in China’s official dictionary and

refers to “all single woman above the age of 27″.

Twenty-six-year-old Summer was at the Garden of Joy for the first time, desperate to meet a man before she hit the dreaded cut-off age.

“Nothing in the world will allow me to become a Sheng Nu,” she said, lamenting that for many men in China youthful looks count for a lot.

“Men don’t want a woman over 30.

It’s important for them that she’s still pretty.”

A widely publicised survey in 2010 by the government-backed All China Women’s Federation proved the new social phenomenon beyond doubt.

The survey showed that there were 180 million single men and women in China — out of a population of 1.3 billion people — and that 92 percent of men questioned believed that a woman should be married before the age of 27.

Since then, books and films on the subject have flourished and women’s magazines have sought to decipher why so many are single.

“On one hand young people today work very hard and have few places to meet outside of their work, which wasn’t the case earlier,” said Wu Di, a sociologist who has just published a book on the subject.

“On the other hand, traditionally the Chinese say one should ‘make do’ when marrying. Marriage has never been synonymous with happiness.

“The new generation of women don’t want to ‘make do’. Many live quite well alone and don’t see the point in lowering their standard or life in order to marry.”

“Pressure from all sides” Still, the pressure on women is huge.

Part of this is due to China’s onechild population control policy, which adds to the desperation of parents for their only offspring to marry and produce a grandson or granddaughter.

“The real reason for coming to this club is that I don’t want to disappoint my parents. I want to make them happy,” admitted Xu. The Garden of Joy’s own slogan plays on this emotion in order to attract members. “Are you single?

Think about the feelings of your father/mother. Don’t cause them more worry,” read a sign on the entrance.

And business is booming.

The club, which opened in 2003, has two premises in Beijing and more than 12,000 members.

But, after using fear to lure the women in, the Garden of Joy offers a friendly atmosphere in the basement of a high-end business centre where women can meet prospective

husbands with more than 80 different activities.

These include table tennis, billiards, board games, movies and speed dating, or outdoor ventures such as organised hiking trips.

There are also small booths where couples can sit down in a more private setting to get to know each other.

Shelly, 34, a highly educated public relations consultant who had just returned from living in the United States, was among the new members.

Since her return to China, she had avoided her relatives and even some of her close friends because of their insistence in trying to arrange dates for her.

“I’m under pressure from all sides.

I feel my mother is disappointed and sad when she sees the grandchildren of her friends,” she said.

But with no potential partner on the horizon, Shelly is preparing to return to the United States to do a second Masters degree — a decision partly motivated by her desire to escape her colleagues, parents and friends.

“I think I will return to China when I am 40. I want right now to be so old, so broken that they will leave me in peace,” she said.

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

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FEATURE

Study finds faith matters among Asian Americans

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2012 (AFP) – Broadly speaking, religion is less important for Asian Americans than for Americans overall, but that doesn’t mean they shun faith altogether, a Pew Research Center study on Thursday suggests.

In “Asian Americans: A Mosaic of Faith,” Pew’s Forum on Religion and Public Life found that most either count themselves as Christian or say they have no religious affiliation.

Thanks to waves of immigrants in recent decades, the number of those who are Buddhist or Hindu has grown to two percent of the US population — about the same proportion of the total population who are Jewish.

“When it comes to religion, Asian Americans are really a study in contrasts,” said Cary Funk, a senior researcher at Pew who wrote up the findings.

Overall, Asian Americans make up 5.6 percent of the total US population, with Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese being the biggest subgroups.

When asked how important religion was in their lives, 39 percent of Asian Americans who took part in Pew’s survey called it “very important” — compared with 58 percent of the general public.

Broken down, however, 37 percent of Asian-American Christians said “living a very religious life” was

among the most important things in their lives. That compares with 24 percent of all American Christians.

Moreover, members of all three Asian-American Christian groups — Evangelicals, Protestants and Catholics — attended services more frequently than their non-Asian counterparts.

Sixty-seven percent of Asian-American Buddhists, whose family roots go back to Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia, believed in ancestral spirits, and 57 percent maintained a shrine in their homes.

Among those who identified themselves as Hindu, 73 percent regarded yoga “as a spiritual practice,” 59 percent believed in reincarnation and 78 percent had a shrine in their residence.

“The celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is nearly universal among Indian-American Hindus” at 95 percent, said the Pew report, published in full at www.pewforum.org.

Asian-American Hindus also boasted a greater percentage of adults with a household income of more than $100,000 — 48 percent — than any other religious group in US society.

Branching out into politics, the survey found that Asian Americans who are registered voters lean more towards the Democrats (52 percent) than to the Republicans (32 percent).

However, the Evangelical sub-group bucked the trend, with 56 percent favoring the Republicans. Asian-American Catholics were almost evenly split between the two parties.

Asked how they viewed themselves in comparison with other Americans, 53 percent of Asian Americans said they thought of themselves as “very different,” compared to 39 percent who believed they were “typical.”

The survey was based on telephone interviews with 3,511 adults nationwide in January through March, in English and seven other languages,

although it took calls to 65,000 households to find enough qualified respondents.

Muslims of Asian origin were not included in the report, researchers said, because their numbers were too few for an accurate statistical picture to emerge.

Pew’s earlier report, “The Rise of Asian Americans,” based on the same survey data, was released in June. It found Asian Americans to be betterpaid, better-educated and more satisfied than the general population.

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

SPORTS Ichiro’s move to Yankees hailed in Japan

Lin says hard work will silence critics SAN JOSE, California, July 24, 2012 (AFP) - Jeremy Lin says he has developed a thick skin over the years, so nothing doubters can say will throw him off his game or spoil the excitement of returning to Houston to play for the Rockets.

“I will always, always have doubters,” Lin told the San Jose Mercury News. “But I really want to reach my potential to bring glory to God. That is more motivation than haters and doubters. I want to work just as hard, give just as much, whether or not I have haters.”

The 23-year-old Lin signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Houston Rockets last week.

He said at the time he was “shocked” by the negative reaction of some basketball fans to his decision to leave the New York Knicks for the Lone Star State. But any ill feelings didn’t last very long.

“You have to say something about my mom or my family for me to get really, really upset,” Lin said last week when he signed with the Rockets.

Lin said he had really hoped to re-sign with the Knicks but when it came down to the crunch there was only one offer on the table.

“I didn’t go back to them and ask for more money,” Lin told the Mercury News.

TOKYO, July 23, 2012 (AFP) – Japanese fans and media on Tuesday hailed Ichiro Suzuki’s surprise move to the New York Yankees as crowning his career and his best chance of clinching a World Series title before he retires.

His decision to give up potentially millions in endorsements that come with playing in New York prompted Forbes.com to run a story with the headline “Jeremy Lin May Be The Dumbest Harvard Grad Ever”.

“It’s not about who’s right or who’s wrong. I’m going to respond with love,” Lin said.

And Lin says if he had to do it again, he would do it the same way.

“It did kind of hurt,” Lin said. “I had to remind myself who I’m living for. Do I fear God or do I fear man? I know my actions, and I know I would change nothing if I could go back.”

Lin rocketed to fame last season with the Knicks, thrilling New York fans with his clutch shooting and passing skills, sparking the “Linsanity” phenomenon.

Lin, whose parents are from Taiwan and has a grandmother from China, quickly became a global sensation.

He became the first player in NBA history to score at least 20 points and pass for seven assists in his first five starts.

“It wasn’t like they gave me the choice to sign one of the two and I chose the one that would hurt the Knicks. I had one contract offer. That was it.”

He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People as even casual basketball fans found themselves captivated by his Cinderella story.

The former Knicks star was claimed off waivers by Houston after the New York team refused to match the $25 million offer sheet, which pays the point guard $14.8 million in the third year.

Lin said he wishes people would look past the $25 million he will make over the next three years and accept him for who he is. He said the biggest misconception about him is that he did this because of greed.

Lin said he has tried to stay positive through it all and rise above any pettymindedness.

“It just comes down to knowing who I am as a person,” he said. “People who know me know I didn’t want all this. I didn’t ask for this. It was uncomfortable.”

Public broadcaster NHK led its midday news program with the Japanese star’s mid-season transfer from the Seattle Mariners and it made the front page of the country’s biggest dailies — even the business-focused Nikkei.

“To the elite club with sights set on conquering the world,” said the Mainichi Shimbun’s headline.

Suzuki moved to Seattle in 2001 from Japan’s Orix Blue Wave, becoming the first Japanese non-pitcher in Major League Baseball, and his presence helped make the Mariners one of the most popular MLB clubs in his home country.

Now 38, the player remains hugely popular in Japan and the move is being seen as giving him a opportunity to win baseball’s top honor before the end of his career, even as his figures fade.

The Yankees — who acquired him to beef up their potent but injury-hit attack — have won the World Series more times than any other club, while the Mariners are perennial strugglers.

Suzuki’s father Nobuyuki, 69, told NHK that the transfer “left me with somewhat with mixed feelings”.

“He had a childhood dream to beat the strongest team and become the number one. But the strongest are the Yankees, right?” he said.

Suzuki announced his move just before a Mariners-Yankees game in Seattle on Monday, in the middle of an unimpressive season that has seen him bat .261 with four home runs, 28 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

He had his worst major league season ever last year, when he hit .272 and failed to reach 200 hits for the first time.

“I am going from a team that had the most losses to a team that has the most wins so it is hard to contain my excitement,” Suzuki told a news conference in Seattle.

He wanted “to be in a different environment where I would be more stimulated”, he said.

Sadaharu Oh, 72, who managed Japan’s national team when Ichiro led them to the inaugural World Baseball Classic title in 2006, said: “I think he has gone out of his way to opt for a transfer to fire himself up once again.

“The Yankees are a team at the top of baseball and underachieving players are subject to severe criticism,” said Oh, Japan’s all-time home-run king.

Leading sports writer Seijun Ninomiya told the Asahi Shimbun: “He has a limited time left in his baseball career.”

Takeyoshi Ito, 30, the manager of an MLB-themed restaurant in Tokyo, said that “Ichiro has always aspired to wear the (Yankees’) pin stripes”.

The Mariners are owned by the US subsidiary of Japanese video game maker Nintendo, but Ito said: “The MLB fan base in Japan will grow as there is a difference in culture and mentality between the US west and east coasts.”

Suzuki, a 10-time all-star, is a .322 career hitter and was the American League MVP in 2001. He was also named AL rookie of the year that season.

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

Page 15

HEALTH UN agency launches action plan against ‘hidden’ hepatitis GENEVA, July 25, 2012 (AFP) - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday measures to fight the “hidden epidemic” of hepatitis which kills more than one million people a year.

The virus, which settles in the liver causing inflammation, affects 500 million people worldwide but can go unnoticed for years and even decades, the UN health agency told reporters in Geneva.

“The vast majority of people infected with hepatitis are unaware, undiagnosed and untreated,” says Dr Sylvie Briand of WHO’s Pandemic and Epidemic Disease Department.

“Only by increasing awareness of the different forms of hepatitis, and how they can be prevented and treated, can we take the first step towards full control of the disease and save thousands of lives,” she added.

One in 12 people are infected by the virus which exists in five forms: A, B, C, D and E. The WHO is particulary keen to target types B and C since “a high proportion” of people only become aware of their infection when they are chronically ill.

“This can sometimes be decades after infection,” said Briand.

Launched ahead of World Hepatitis Day on July 28, the WHO’s multi-pronged action plan to eradicate the virus calls on governments to raise awareness, transform research into policy and action, and prevent transmission by effective screening, care and treatment.

Mother knows best: finches choose chicks’ gender PARIS, Aug 1, 2012 (AFP) - Female parrot finches can match their offspring’s gender to prevailing living conditions, producing more sons in lean times, scientists in Australia said Wednesday.

The finding presents the first proof for an evolutionary theory that female animals should adjust the sex ratio of their offspring to environmental factors for maximum survival, they wrote.

“This experiment supports the ideas of sex allocation theory,” said author Sarah Pryke of Sydney’s Macquarie University biological sciences department.

Particularly, it showed that parrot finch

In all previous studies, differences in the mothers’ own physical condition had contributed to determining the sex ratio of their offspring.

But in this test, scientists split one-yearold birds fed on the same diet from birth into two groups and gave them either a high- or low-nutrition diet for 12 weeks before mating, taking pains to maintain their body condition.

The birds in the two groups weighed the same and had the same vital signs and

immune responses, but those on the poorer diet, representing a harsher rearing environment, produced significantly more sons, said the researchers.

In finches, male offspring grow faster and are healthier and likelier to survive on poor quality diets than their sisters -- and are thus less of a burden on their mothers.

Pryke said the findings reported in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B were likely to apply to other animals, also humans.

“In some ways I suppose it is surprising that females have such control over the sex ratio of their offspring,” she said.

Small breakthroughs offer big hope of AIDS ‘cure’ WASHINGTON, July 26, 2012 (AFP) Small but significant breakthrough studies on people who have been able to overcome or control HIV were presented Thursday at a major world conference on ways to stem the three-decade-old disease.

There are currently 34 million people living with HIV worldwide. In low- and middle-income nations, which are the most affected by the pandemic, about eight million people are now taking antiretrovirals for treatment, about half those in need.

One study focused on a group of 12 patients in France who began treatment on antiretroviral drugs within 10 weeks of becoming infected with human immunodeficiency virus, but then stopped the therapy after nearly three years.

The second study involved two HIV-positive men whose DNA showed no trace of the virus eight and 17 months respectively after receiving stem cell transplants from an outside donor as treatment for blood cancer.

The virus has stayed away for a median of six years in the group, known as the Visconti Cohort, which stands for “Virological and Immunological Studies in CONtrollers after Treatment Interruption.”

The men have been followed for two and three and a half years respectively, with no sign of the virus’s return. Researchers have also noted they experienced a sharp decline in HIV antibodies, suggesting the virus is gone.

This unique group of people did not completely eliminate HIV, but continued to possess it at an extremely low level in their cells and did not become sick.

“It’s a framework for global action so we all collaborate to fight the hidden epidemic”, said Briand.

“These results suggest that the antiretroviral treatment should be started very early after infection,” said Charline Bacchus, lead researcher of the study at France’s national AIDS research agency ANRS.

Individuals can protect themselves by washing their hands, food safety practices, practicing safe sex and avoiding injecting drugs with infected needles, “one of the most common ways of getting infected in some countries”, said Briand.

“Six years after interruption of treatment, patients treated early on in the post-infection period present a perfect ability to control the HIV infection.”

The virus was only discovered in 1989 but vaccines are available for all virus types except C.

mothers determined sex ratios “solely in response to the expected rearing environment.”

Scientists are continuing to study the immune characteristics of this group for clues as to why they do not need prolonged medication. For most HIV patients, antiretroviral drugs must be taken for life.

Their cases are different from the wellknown “Berlin patient,” American Timothy Brown, who is considered cured of HIV and leukemia five years after receiving similar bone marrow transplants from a rare donor naturally resistant to HIV, or lacking a CCR5 receptor.

The two men in the study received transplants from donors with the CCR5 receptor, which acts as a gateway allowing HIV to penetrate the cells, so they were not afforded protection against the virus by that mutation.

Researchers believe that by continuing to treat the men with antiretroviral drugs during the process, the medicine prevented the donor cells from becoming infected until they were able to provide the men with new immune defenses.

The study was presented at the 19th International AIDS Conference by Daniel Kuritzkes, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts.

Reacting to the news, Brown expressed “joy” at the potential for two more men to be free of HIV. “As I have said many times before, I want everyone to be cured of this disease. We can only hope that this case and today’s development represents the beginning of the end of this plague,” he said in a statement.

A third study on how a cancer drug helped purge HIV from the cells of patients was described by lead researcher David Margolis of the University of North Carolina.

Researchers used the chemotherapy drug vorinostat to revive and so unmask latent HIV in the CD4+ T cells of eight trial patients who were also taking antiretroviral drugs to stop the virus from multiplying.

Margolis, whose study was published Wednesday in the British journal Nature, told reporters that researchers are energized toward the goal of finding a cure for HIV, even if it remains many years away.

“You cannot argue with the value of the goal and we cannot get there without working on it and I cannot say how long it will take,” he said.

“But I think there is a clear path and we can make progress.”

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

Misc Asia Chinese rickshaw driver claims Olympian journey to London LONDON, July 26, 2012 (AFP) - A Chinese farmer said Thursday he spent two years riding nearly 40,000 miles (60,000 kilometres) through 16 countries on a rickshaw to reach London in time for the Olympic Games.

Chen Guanming, 57, said his goal had been to “spread the Olympic spirit” on his journey through war zones, floods, and extreme temperatures in countries including Taiwan, Turkey and Iraq.

“During this rickshaw journey, I’ve travelled through 16 countries, and a distance of more than 40,000 miles,” said Chen in London’s central Soho district, a day before the Games begin.

“I wanted to arrive on time for the opening ceremony. I had to face both floods and very hot and dry conditions.”

He added: “Londoners are very welcoming, the city is welcoming the whole world in a very nice way.”

It was not possible to independently verify his account of his journey or how he managed to go through so many countries.

But the BBC showed footage of Chen displaying a passport filled with visas allowing him entry to countries along the route, as well as pictures of him with his three-wheeled vehicle at several international landmarks.

YouTube footage also appeared to show him in Rome in May. He told the BBC he was inspired to make the journey while watching London mayor Boris Johnson accept the Olympic flag from inside the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing at the 2008 closing ceremony.

Cambodians flock to ‘magic’ log for lottery luck PHNOM PENH, July 26, 2012 (AFP) - A large log dug up in Cambodia has drawn thousands of visitors who believe it possesses healing powers and can predict winning lottery numbers, a local official said Thursday.

Some 4,000 to 5,000 people have already been to see the 13-metre-long log (42 feet) that was discovered earlier this month when a family excavated a pond in western Pursat province, said Prey Yeang village chief Hun Nov by phone.

“They believe the log has magical powers,” he said, adding that visitors were coming loaded with offerings such as pig heads and boiled whole chickens after some locals who touched the wood won money in the lottery.

Japanese Kobe beef debuts in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, July 27, 2012 (AFP) - Rarely exported Japanese Kobe beef made its way to Hong Kong dining tables Friday as supermarkets and high-end restaurants started selling the previously exclusive Japanese culinary delicacy.

Hong Kong is only the second foreign market after the nearby Chinese territory of Macau to receive exports of officially certified Kobe beef, the industry’s marketing association said.

“The response has been overwhelming -- most of our stock has been sold out in a few hours,” said Taste supermarkets spokeswoman Athena Lee. Kobe beef comes from Tajima-gyu cows that have been pure-bred since the 17th century in the hilly Hyogo prefecture of Japan.

“At least one hundred people a day visit the log to ask for lottery numbers and to cure their illnesses,” he said.

“They believe in superstition.”

The meat is renowned for its buttery taste and its marble-like texture, made up of an even mix of meat and fat.

Cambodians are highly superstitious, particularly in the countryside where people continue to merge animist practices with Buddhism.

It is often said the cows receive massages and listen to soothing music to increase their appetites, but the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association says such practices are not widespread.

Hun Nov said some believers rubbed talcum powder onto the wood, hoping to see lucky lottery numbers, and others drank water from the pond and smeared nearby mud onto their bodies in a bid to cure their ailments.

While the village chief himself is not convinced of the log’s powers, “We, the authorities, have no right to stop them,” he said.

Though there is heavy worldwide demand for the delicacy, it was not officially exported until February 2 this year when the first shipments arrived in Macau.

Almost 1,500 kilograms (3,210 pounds) of Kobe beef arrived in Hong Kong from Osaka by air on July 18, and went on sale Friday at a 30 percent discount at around HK$88HK$327 ($11.3-$42) per 100 grams.

Nobu InterContinental Hong Kong is claiming to be the first restaurant to serve Kobe beef in the former British colony, which has earned a reputation as one of Asia’s main food and wine hubs.

Executive chef Erik Idos said the meat will be offered as a five-course Kobe beef set with beef sashimi and sushi, priced at HK$1,688.

Four out of five of the courses will feature the tenderloin, strip loin and the ribeye parts of the Kobe cow.

“They’ll love it, because Hong Kong people love the soft texture of beef that melts in your mouth,” said the American chef.

“This has all of it, it has the beef taste, it has the fat, it has the texture.”

He said Japan was wise to open up the Kobe beef business to the world.

“All that exporting helps their business because Japan is exporting one of the hardest ingredients you can get,” he said.

Idos had no special advice for people lucky enough to snap up Hong Kong’s first cuts of authentic Kobe beef, saying only that they shouldn’t undercook it to make sure the fat melts in the mouth.

“It’s very simple to cook,” he added, as he grilled a lightly seasoned cube of beef, then cut it into fine, marbled slices and served it with garlic, basil and ponzu sauce.

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

Misc Asia

Words of Wisdom

North Korean TV confirms leader Kim is married SEOUL, South Korea, July 26, 2012 (AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is married, state media confirmed on Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation about the identity of a stylish young woman seen accompanying him at official events.

Kim, believed to be in his late 20s, took over the impoverished nucleararmed nation when his father Kim Jong-Il died last December, but the intensely secretive state had previously given no details of his private life.

State television reported that the young Kim took part in a ceremony Wednesday with his wife to mark completion of a Pyongyang amusement park.

“Marshal Kim Jong-Un took part in the opening ceremony of Nungra People’s Amusement Park with his wife, Comrade Ri Sol-Ju,” it said.

The couple were given a warm welcome, the official news agency said.

“All the participants enthusiastically welcomed them, loudly shouting ‘Hurrah!’”, it reported.

Without wealth, be not excessive in eating.

Burmese Proverb Don’t talk too much without being asked.

Burmese Proverb

television showed her standing close to the new leader during a visit to a kindergarten.

With other officials staying a few steps behind the pair, she was seen smiling while standing immediately behind or next to Kim as he hugged and talked to children.

In contrast to his late father, who spoke just once at a major public event during his 17 years in power, Kim has cultivated an outgoing and informal style.

He has been seen hugging soldiers, posing for photos with troops and linking arms with women.

The chubby young man physically resembles his late grandfather, who still commands respect among some North Koreans for his past as an antiJapanese guerrilla fighter and national founder.

“It’s quite unusual for North Korea to present its leader and wife together in public,” said Yang Moo-Jin of Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies.

A smiling Kim and his wife toured the pleasure grounds and watched a dolphin show “to the tune of joyful music” together with senior party, state and army officials and diplomats, the agency said.

“This highlights the regime’s campaign to create a new image for its leader,” he said.

There was no information on how long they have been married.

The United States took the opportunity to reiterate its concerns about the plight of North Koreans under the Kim family dynasty.

The short-haired woman was first shown with Kim during a concert in Pyongyang on July 6. She was seen walking next to the leader on July 8 when he visited the mausoleum of his grandfather and the nation’s founder Kim Il-Sung.

On July 15, photos aired by state

Page 17

Yang said Kim is also trying to show the people that his leadership is stable.

“We would always wish any kind of newlyweds well as they embark” on married life, said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, joking that the United States had not been invited to the wedding.

Ruthlessness is a key to a man’s solid accomplishment.

Chinese Proverb Some who long for wealth and honour, work themselves to death for it.

Chinese Proverb Hasty work results in faulty work.

Filipino Proverb A man that talks too much accomplishes little.

Filipino Proverb To endure what is unendurable is true endurance.

Japanese Proverb

Let it break in the stomach, don’t let it break at the mouth.

Malay Proverb Two bears in one cave will not end up well.

Mongolian Proverb Wise men talk about ideas, intellectuals about facts, and the ordinary man talks about what he eats.

Mongolian Proverb The god who made the mouth will provide the food.

Nepalese Proverb Ten tongues that spread the word are worth less than two eyes that have seen, and two eyes that have seen are worth less than one hand that feels.

Thai Proverb Ride an elephant to catch a grasshopper.

Thai Proverb

A man can endure the worst pain - of others.

Japanese Proverb

Who can say with certainty that one will live to see the morrow?

Tibetan Proverb

After the house is burnt, pick up the nails.

Korean Proverb

You are only master of food that you haven’t yet eaten.

Tibetan Proverb

Do not tie your shoelaces in a melon patch or touch your hat under a pear tee.

Korean Proverb

No sweet without sweat Vietnamese Proverb

Milk belongs to the cow, but the bull cow gets the publicity.

Malay Proverb

A fair face may hide a fouled heart.

Vietnamese Proverb

“But obviously our concerns first and foremost are for the North Korean people, and our hope that conditions for them will improve.”

The International Crisis Group think-tank, in a report released Wednesday, said he appears to be in charge in his own right despite speculation he would have to rely on close advisers.

Analysts say the new leader appears fully in charge of the nation, despite having had relatively little time to prepare for the succession.

Last week the regime sacked powerful military chief Ri Yong-Ho on the grounds of ill health, in what was seen as a move by the new leader to strengthen his grip on the 1.2 millionstrong armed forces.

Kim was later appointed “Marshal” of North Korea, a title previously held by his late father.

But it said there was nothing to suggest he would take measures to improve the lot of his people or reduce regional frictions.

Regional tensions have been high since the North launched a long-range rocket on April 13. It said the aim was to launch a peaceful satellite, while the United States and its allies saw a disguised ballistic missile test.

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

TECH Apple, Samsung set for blockbuster US patent trial SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2012 (AFP) - Apple and Samsung are set to square off in a California court Monday in what is seen as the biggest patent US trial in recent memory.

biggest patent trial since the 1980s case involving photo giants Polaroid and Kodak, and is important because of its size and ability to set precedent.

Apple is seeking more than $2.5 billion in a case accusing the South Korean firm of copying designs and other patents from the iPhone and iPad maker in the trial in San Jose, California, federal court.

“I see this as the first in what I expect to be many cases involving smartphone technology,” he said.

Samsung however alleges that Apple infringed on some of its patents for mobile phones, and the case will sort out the competing claims.

It is one of several cases in courts around the world involving the two big electronics giants in the hottest part of the tech sector, tablet computers and smart phones.

While the results so far have been mixed in courts in Europe and Australia, Samsung is clearly on the defensive in the US case.

US District Judge Lucy Koh, who will preside in the jury trial barring any last-minute settlement, has issued temporary injunctions against US sales of Samsung’s 10-inch Galaxy tablet and the Galaxy Nexus smartphone developed with Google.

To make matters worse, a magistrate in the case ruled Monday that Samsung failed to retain key evidence in the case by allowing emails to be destroyed after learning of the lawsuit.

That will mean Judge Koh can issue an “adverse inference” instruction to the jury.

“It’s never good when the judge decides you’ve withheld or destroyed evidence,” said R. Polk Wagner, a professor of patent law at the University of Pennsylvania.

“It remains to be seen what the impact will be even if Apple wins. Typically the patents are relatively easy to design around. So if Samsung loses a couple of rounds they may still be able to make their phones.”

Florian Mueller, a consultant who blogs on patent issues in the tech sector said the decision “must be a nightmare” for Samsung as it seeks to establish credibility with the jury.

But Samsung could face big risks: If Apple wins, it would automatically get a permanent injunction on sales of Samsung devices. And if Samsung makes only minor changes, Apple could ask for the Korean firm to be held in contempt.

A patent attorney in Washington DC who asked to remain anonymous because of client links, said the ruling could be “a killer” for Samsung.

The case has huge financial implications for both firms and the burgeoning industry for mobile devices.

“Whether it was relevant or not, the fact that evidence was destroyed will be taken into consideration,” he said.

Additionally, the attorney said Apple could benefit from the fact that the case is being heard in Silicon Valley, just down the road from its headquarters in Cupertino, California.

“You like to think there is no home court advantage, but there could be,” the lawyer said. “You also have the issue of a foreign company versus an American one.”

Wagner said the case is probably the

A survey by research firm IDC showed Samsung shipped 50.2 million smart phones globally in the April-June period while Apple sold 26 million iPhones. IDC said Samsung held 32.6 percent of the market to 16.9 percent for Apple.

Samsung is the leading maker of smart phones using Google’s Android operating system, which has become the most popular platform despite complaints from Apple that it has infringed on its patents.

Apple outlined its case for damages in paperwork filed in advance of the

pivotal court battle.

The Apple filing Tuesday said Samsung, in entering the smartphone and tablet markets, “chose to compete by copying Apple.”

“Samsung’s infringing sales have enabled Samsung to overtake Apple as the largest manufacturer of smart phones in the world,” the document said.

Apple estimated that its lost profits and Samsung’s “unjust enrichment” total in the vicinity of $2.525 billion; a figure that could be ramped up given damages rules for “willful” infringement of patents.

Samsung has steadfastly denied abusing Apple patents and countered in court that Apple has been taking advantage of some of the South Korean company’s patented technology for wireless connections.

In May, two days of court-directed peace talks between the chiefs of Apple and Samsung ended with no truce in the legal battle headed for court in San Jose, California.

Apple boss Tim Cook and Samsung chief Choi Gee-Sung met in San Francisco after a judge asked the bosses to personally try to resolve the case.

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August 1-15, 2012 Georgia Asian Times

August Horoscope Dragon (2012 2000 1988 1976 1964 1952 1940 1928 1916 1904) Typically, when others face financial difficulties, you come to their aid without much hesitation. However when it comes to your own dilemmas, you will tackle some eagerly, while avoiding others for fear of confronting situations you dread. No matter whatever is thrown in front of you, trying to obstruct you from attaining your goal, face the challenge ahead and do not be deterred.

Once that is overcome, everything else should be easy and smooth sailing.

Snake (2001 1989 1977 1965 1953 1941 1929 1917 1905) Forget about recent disruptive events; begin with a lengthy cycle of review and reorganization during this month. Although you have accomplished wonders, making an impression with superiors or new clients, whatever is still undone needs undivided attention. Hence do not lose sight. Tackle these matters before shifting the focus to other matters. While you cannot possibly complete all those remaining tasks before the deadline, you can at least get started. The road ahead could easily lead to far wider opportunities.

Horse (2002 1990 1978 1966 1954 1942 1930 1918 1906) Tensions involving loved ones are never easy to live with. However, you may have to do just that. But before you start pointing fingers at the opposite party; ask yourself whether you are at fault as well? Hopefully by then, you will have had several frank and illuminating discussions about certain past issues and are prepared to take corrective measures. Challenging as these are, each conversation will put relationship on a new, more constructive footing.

Goat (2003 1991 1979 1967 1955 1943 1931 1919 1907) The month’s greatest challenge is not dealing with recent losses or even the heightened emotions that accompany new management changes. It is recognizing that these dramas will ultimately pass. What’s more, you are better off without the circumstances or the individuals in question. Still you will need to focus on getting over those upheavals. Doing that paves the way to a better future.

Monkey (2004 1992 1980 1968 1956 1944 1932 1920 1908) If you are feeling stuck, that is, caught in a tricky financial situation you are unhappy about, yet short of options, it is no great surprise. What seems like serious setbacks at the moment and there are likely to be several, are actually breakthroughs. A breakthrough is approaching round the corner, in the world around you and in your life. But you need to be patient until forceful circumstances by the middle of the month. In the meantime, just continue to get things moving as if nothing has changed.

Rooster (2005 1993 1981 1969 1957 1945 1933 1921 1909) Somebody is employing underhand methods to gather facts or gain an advantage. Or so it seems. With so much unexpected taking place, you could easily misjudge situations and others’ actions. So what should you do? Just keep asking questions. True, some could easily lie or refuse to provide you with a satisfactory answer. However, while being dishonest once is easy, during periods of swift change, such as this, maintaining a lie is very difficult indeed.

Dog (2006 1994 1982 1970 1958 1946 1934 1922 1910) Exhilarating as recent events were, you cannot continue at this pace. You need to examine hastily made decisions, considering practicalities and discussing them with those affected or involved.

While this may take far longer than you anticipated, you may soon realize numerous issues, both critical and trivial, need special attention. This time around, tackle them in depth and you need to do so only once.

Pig (2007 1995 1983 1971 1959 1947 1935 1923 1911) You have an instinctive wariness of things that seem too good to be true.

However during this period, circumstances are boosting the financial and practical side of your life. Things could actually be even better than they seem.

Still, as these remarkable events are taking place amid chaos, you would be wise to double-check that they are for real. As long as you do not rush into hasty decisions and stay firmly on the ground rather than get carried away, you should be doing great financially and emotionally.

Rat (2008 1996 1984 1972 1960 1948 1936 1924 1912) Things are gradually falling into place mystically. But they will not be going as you anticipated. Battle to restore original plans and you will not only complicate certain situations, but you will also miss out on the wonderful opportunities that will be reshaping elements of your life during this period. Going with the flow may seem unattractive but in retrospect, you will be glad you did ultimately.

Ox (2009 1997 1985 1973 1961 1949 1937 1925 1913) Because you think carefully about what you commit to financially, you are rarely caught out. But with the ground that arrangements are based on changing indiscriminately, several once-solid plans or alliances are under threat and could come to an abrupt end without advance warning. Obviously, this seems a defeat from now. Still, their disappearance is freeing you for the rather remarkable developments approaching your way sooner than you thought.

Tiger (2010 1998 1986 1974 1962 1950 1938 1926 1914) You may have been longing to make a plan and stick to it. However, this cycle is about dazzling breakthroughs and eliminating burdensome elements of the past. This is a wrench, and you are already wrestling with feelings about the end of familiar activities or alliances. What is more, the necessary changes are disruptive. Still, a little chaos is not too high a price to pay for what is around the corner.

Rabbit (2011 1999 1987 1975 1963 1951 1939 1927 1915 1903) Much of what you and others are facing this month is as illogical as it is unexpected. You are at a loss as to what to do, yet feel you should retaliate. Discuss events and your concerns amicably but unless any one situation demands swift response, remain an observer for the time being. Unwise as this may sound, at the end of the month, your circumstances, perspective and priorities will have been substantially transformed.

Georgia Asian Times August 1-15, 2012

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