Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia
www.gasiantimes.com December 15-31, 2016
SEASON’S GREETINGS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016
Publisher: Li Wong Account Manager: Adrian West Contributors: Andrian Putra, May Lee, Mark Ho Photographer: Ben Hioe
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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. Georgia Asian Times assumes no responsibility for damages from the use of information contained in this publication or the reply to any advertisement. The Publisher will not be liable for any error in advertising to greater extent than the cost of space occupied by the error and will only be made for a single publication date. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any ad or articles submitted for publication that may not be in good taste for a free publication.
GAT Calendar of Events 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.
17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade Celebration Organized by United Ebony Society of Gwinnett County Date: Monday, Jan 16, 2017 Time: 11:00 am Venue: 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville GA 30046 For more info: www.gwinnettmlkparade.com NACA Chinese New Year Gala Date: Saturday, Feb 4, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Canton House For more info: www.naca-atlanta.org Lunar New Year Spring Reception Organized by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York Date: Thursday, Feb 16, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm -8:30 pm By invitation only.
“One Belt, One Road� Forum Guest speaker: John Rice, Vice Chair, GE Energy Organized by Hong Kong Association, Carter Center Date: March 2, 2016 Venue: Carter Center
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December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
METRO ASIAN NEWS
Atlanta zoo names twin giant pandas ‘Elegant’ and ‘Joy’ Atlanta, Dec 13, 2016 — Thousands of giant panda fans from around the world have chosen the names Ya Lun and Xi Lun for the new female twins at the Atlanta zoo, officials said. Ya means “elegant,” Xi means “happy,” and Lun refers to the fluffy blackand-white bears’ mother, Lun Lun. The names were announced on the 100th day after their Sept 3 births, in line with Chinese tradition, Zoo Atlanta said in a statement. The names were the winning combination from among seven sets supplied by the zoo’s partners in China. Ya Lun and Xi Lun earned just over 11,000 of the more than 23,400 votes cast by panda fans globally from Nov 21 to Dec 4. “As we wish Ya Lun and Xi Lun well today, we celebrate the future of their species together,” Zoo Atlanta Chief Executive Officer Raymond King said. Although the International Union for the Conservation of Nature downgraded the giant panda’s status to “vulnera-
ble” from “endangered” in September, the species still relies heavily on conservation programs, the zoo said. Fewer than 1,900 giant pandas are estimated to remain in the wild in China’s Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. They are threatened by habitat fragmentation and loss as a result of deforestation and other human activities, the zoo said. Ya Lun and Xi Lun are the second set of twins for Lun Lun and male Yang Yang, and the pair’s sixth and seventh offspring. Their older brothers and sisters, male Mei Lan, male Xi Lan, female Po and female twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan, live at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. The pandas did not attend a ceremony announcing their names since they are still learning to walk. Ya Lun and Xi Lun are expected to make their debut in late December or in January.
Laotian American Society raised funds for community at annual gala Duluth, Dec 10, 2016 — Laotian American Society (LAS) held its annual fund raising gala to benefit its community’s education, services, and general resources. Over 300 guests participated in a colorful gala attended by community leaders, businesses, and out of state guests. Ms. Channapha Khamvongsa, founder and Executive Director of Legacies of War, an advocacy group based in Washington DC, was the keynote speaker for the evening. Through Ms. Khamvongsa’s effort, Laos had recently received a pledge of $90 million from the Obama Administration for the next three years to help eradicate unexploded bombs left behind during the War. Funds raised during the evening’s gala will go towards traditional cultural dance, tutoring and youth mentoring, and senior citizens outreach, according to Ms. Meiling Arounnarath, LAS President.
Guests were treated to an authentic Laotian cuisine and desserts prepared by local indigenous cooks. In addition, guests were treated to traditional Laotian dance performances and live musical performances by Fantazy, Linda, and Jimmy K. For more information on Laotian American Society, visit www.las-ga. org
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016
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NATIONS
Trump taps Exxon CEO Tillerson as top U.S. diplomat Washington DC, Dec 13, 2016 — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson as his choice for secretary of state on Tuesday, praising him as a successful international dealmaker who leads a global operation.
of state job, said in a statement that he would hold a nomination hearing in early January. He called Tillerson “a very impressive individual” with “an extraordinary working knowledge of the world.”
Tillerson’s experience in diplomacy stems from making deals with foreign countries for Exxon, the world’s largest energy company, although questions have been raised about his relations with Russia.
Lawmakers from both major parties raised concerns about the oilman’s relationship with Moscow. Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, in a statement, said he had “serious concerns” about Tillerson’s nomination.
“He will be a forceful and clear-eyed advocate for America’s vital national interests and help reverse years of misguided foreign policies and actions that have weakened America’s security and standing in the world,” Trump said in a statement.
In 2013, Putin bestowed a Russian state honor, the Order of Friendship, on Tillerson, citing his work “strengthening cooperation in the energy sector.”
Tillerson has been chief executive of Exxon Mobil since 2006 and, like Trump, has never held public office. He said he shared the president-elect’s “vision for restoring the credibility of the United States’ foreign relations and advancing our country’s national security.” Trump picked Tillerson, 64, after the Texan was backed by several Republican establishment figures, including former Secretary of State James Baker, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a senior transition official said. Rice and Gates, who have worked for Exxon as consultants, both issued statements of support on Tuesday. Their support is seen as crucial to helping Tillerson get past a possibly contentious Senate confirmation battle likely to focus on his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who also was under consideration for the secretary
RUSSIAN TIES
“Mr. Tillerson’s cozy ties to Vladimir Putin and Russia would represent an untenable conflict at the State Department,” Representative Eliot Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said in a statement. Trump is confident that Tillerson can get past questions about his ties to Russia, the transition official said. “His relationships with leaders all over the world are second to none,” Trump’s statement said. There also are concerns among lawmakers about former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, who has been mentioned as a possible No. 2 State Department official and who has voiced hawkish views on Iraq and Iran. Republicans and Democrats said they would ask Tillerson, who has met Putin several times, about his contacts with Russia. He won fresh praise from Moscow on Monday. Senator John McCain, a leading foreign policy voice and the 2008 Republican candidate for president, told Reuters: “I have concerns. It’s very
well-known that he has a very close relationship with Vladimir Putin.” There has been controversy over the role alleged Russian cyber hacking may have had on the outcome of the Nov. 8 presidential election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton. The business community welcomed Trump’s choice of Tillerson. “We are pleased that Rex will bring a business perspective to the State Department,” the National Association of Manufacturers said. BUSINESS INTERESTS While busily filling out his Cabinet, Trump is seeking to answer questions about how he will separate himself from his far-flung business empire before taking office on Jan. 20. He had planned a news conference on Thursday to lay out the details but delayed it until Tuesday due to what aides said was the crush of picking people to serve in his administration. In a series of late-night tweets on Monday, Trump said he would be leaving his business before his Jan. 20 inauguration so he can focus full-time on the presidency and that he would leave his two sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, to manage it. He did not mention his daughter Ivanka, who has been a central player
in his business affairs, as well as his campaign, and who is said to be considering a move to Washington to help her father. “No new deals will be done during my term(s) in office,” Trump said. He said he would hold a news conference “in the near future to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times!” Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman who will serve as Trump’s chief of staff come January, said in several television interviews on Tuesday that efforts were underway to sort out Trump’s complicated businesses. “It takes a lot of time,” he told MSNBC. “We know this is something that we’ve got to deal with.” Meanwhile, Trump has continued to build his administration. A source close to the transition said Trump had chosen former Texas Governor Rick Perry as his nominee for energy secretary, with an announcement expected soon. Perry met Trump on Monday at Trump Tower in New York. In choosing Tillerson, Trump passed over 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who had famously criticized the president-elect during the campaign this year.
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December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
FEATURE
Obama says US will retaliate against Russian hacking Washington DC, Dec 18, 2016 — Barack Obama on Thursday said the United States would retaliate against Russian hacking after the White House accused Vladimir Putin of direct involvement in cyber attacks designed to influence the US election. The outgoing US president’s remarks dramatically upped the stakes in a dispute between the world’s leading nuclear powers over interference that may have swayed last month’s tight election in which Republican billionaire Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton. “I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections that we need to take action,” Obama told NPR radio. “And we will, at a time and place of our own choosing.” Pointing the finger at the Russian president over meddling in the election also puts the White House on a collision course with Trump, who has become increasingly isolated in questioning Russian involvement in hacks of Democratic Party emails that appeared to have slowed the momentum of Clinton’s campaign. Obama is expected to be peppered with questions about the dispute and any subsequent action when he holds a news conference Friday at 2:15 pm (1915 GMT) before leaving for a vacation in Hawaii. “I don’t think things happen in the Russian government of this consequence without Vladimir Putin knowing about it,” one of his top advisers, Ben Rhodes, said earlier Thursday.
“Everything we know about how Russia operates and how Putin controls that government would suggest that, again, when you’re talking about a significant cyber intrusion like this, we’re talking about the highest levels of government,” he told MSNBC television. “And ultimately, Vladimir Putin is the official responsible for the actions of the Russian government.” Not a joke White House spokesman Josh Earnest echoed his comments, saying the decision by US intelligence agencies in October to blame “Russia’s senior-most officials” was not meant to be “particularly subtle.” Trump caused outrage in July by suggesting that Russia find 30,000 missing emails related to Clinton’s use of a private server when she was secretary of state. Surrogates dismissed it as a joke, but he repeated his call on Twitter. “I don’t think anybody at the White House thinks it’s funny that an adversary of the United States engaged in malicious cyber activity to destabilize our democracy. That’s not a joke,” Earnest said on Thursday. “Mr Trump obviously knew that Russia was engaged in malicious cyber activity that was helping him and hurting Secretary Clinton’s campaign,” he added. Asked if the White House believes Russia successfully rigged the election, however, he told reporters that there were a “variety of potential explana-
tions, and that’s more of a question for analysts of politics than it is for analysts of intelligence.” Trump, who blasted as “ridiculous” a reported CIA assessment that Russia was trying to help him win, has continued to question Russian involvement in hacks of damaging Democratic Party emails. He used a campaign-style victory rally in Pennsylvania on Thursday to hit out against Earnest, calling him “this foolish guy” and questioning whether he was talking to Obama to boos from the crowd. “Having the right press secretary is so important because he is so bad the way he delivers the message,” said the president-elect, who has yet to appoint one for his own incoming administration. Ridiculous nonsense “If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?” Trump tweeted earlier on Thursday. The 70-year-old billionaire now appears increasingly isolated. The assessment by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that Russia was involved has been accepted throughout government and by top Republican
Senators. On Wednesday, senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he was informed by the FBI in August that his own campaign had been hacked. “My goal is to put on President Trump’s desk crippling sanctions against Russia,” he said. “They need to pay a price.” Former CIA director Michael Hayden called Trump “the only prominent American that has not yet conceded that the Russians conducted a massive covert influence campaign against the United States.” A Kremlin spokesman on Thursday rejected the allegations of Putin’s involvement as “ridiculous nonsense.” As for Trump’s assertion that no one addressed the issue before the election, Obama has repeatedly said both the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee were apprised of the hacking and the Russian threat well before November 8. In Congress, senior legislators are demanding a broad investigation and declassification of at least some of the secret CIA and FBI reports.
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016
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BUSINESS
Fed raises rates, sees faster pace of increases in 2017 Washington DC, Dec 14, 2016 — The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter point on Wednesday and signaled a faster pace of increases in 2017 as the Trump administration takes over with promises to boost growth through tax cuts, spending and deregulation. The rate increase, regarded as a virtual certainty by financial markets in the wake of a string of generally strong economic reports, raised the target federal funds rate 25 basis points to between 0.50 percent and 0.75 percent. Bond yields and the dollar rose after the rate decision while stocks were mixed with financials and tech the only two sectors to show gains. “In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the committee decided to raise the target range,” the central bank’s policy-setting committee said in its unanimous statement after a two-day meeting. “Job gains have been solid in recent months and the unemployment rate has declined,” the Fed said, noting that
market-based measures of inflation compensation had moved up “considerably.” More significant was a fresh batch of Fed policymaker forecasts that indicated the current once-a-year pace of rate increases will accelerate next year. Markets and the Fed appeared to be close on pricing with Fed futures markets pricing in at least two and possibly three hikes, up from one to two prior to the meeting. With President-elect Donald Trump planning a simultaneous round of tax cuts and increased spending on infrastructure, central bank policymakers shifted their outlook to one of slightly faster growth, lower unemployment and inflation just under the Fed’s 2 percent target.
That normal level is slightly higher from three months ago, a sign that the Fed feels the economy is still gaining traction. “They didn’t mention the fiscal stimulus but typically their aggressiveness does indicate that there’s a little more confidence that they can get away with three hikes next year,” said Aaron Kohli, interest rate strategist at BMO Capital Markets. The Fed continued to describe that pace as “gradual,” keeping policy still slightly loose and supporting some further improvement in the job market. It sees unemployment falling to 4.5 percent next year and remaining at that level, which is considered to be close to full employment. TRUMP IMPACT
The Fed’s median outlook for rates rose to three quarter-point increases in 2017 from two as of September. That would be followed by another three increases in both 2018 and 2019 before the rate levels off at a long-run “normal” 3.0 percent.
U.S. bond yields had already begun moving higher following the election and as expectations of the Fed rate increase solidified. By the start of this week, trading in fed funds futures assigned a greater than 95 percent likelihood to a rate hike, according to data
compiled by the CME Group. All 120 economists in a recent Reuters poll had expected a rate hike on Wednesday. In the weeks following Trump’s Nov. 8 victory, Fed policymakers have said his proposals could push the economy into a higher gear in the short run. Even though the details of the Republican businessman’s plans remain uncertain, Wednesday’s statement marked a rare case in the post-crisis era in which the Fed moved its interest rate outlook higher. Risks to the outlook remain “roughly balanced” between factors that could slow or accelerate the economy beyond what the central bank anticipates, the Fed said, no change from the November assessment. The rate increase was the first since last December and only the second since the 2007-2009 financial crisis, when the Fed cut rates to near zero and deployed other tools such as massive bond purchases to stabilize the economy. – Reuters
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December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
BUSINESS
Japan Inc warns of global trade contraction under Trump presidency – latest poll Tokyo, Dec 10, 2016 — Corporate Japan is bracing for a rocky ride under incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, a Reuters poll showed, with well over a third of firms seeing a contraction in global trade as concerns about a rise in U.S. protectionism threaten to shatter a fragile economic recovery. Fully three-quarters of Japanese companies expect no expansion in world trade, highlighting festering anxiety that Trump’s fiery protectionist rhetoric during campaigning might turn into growth-sapping policies through his four-year term that begins in January. A worker walks beside newly produced cars at Keihin industrial zone in Kawasaki, Japan, September 14, 2016. Picture taken September 14, 2016. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Throughout the campaign that led to his upset election win, the Republican president-elect pledged to redraw trade deals to win back American jobs. He has threatened Mexico and China with punitive tariffs that some economists have warned could spark a trade war that could potentially roll back decades of liberalization. The Reuters Corporate Survey, conducted Nov. 22-Dec. 2, underscored such concerns.
The monthly poll of 531 big and midsize firms found 40 percent expected global trade to shrink in the medium-term, 4 percent saw full-fledged trade friction, while 32 percent saw no change. Only one quarter predicted global trade will expand under Trump. That would mark a deterioration in global trade, which has expanded at a modest rate below 3 percent in recent years after bouncing from a plunge in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis. Trump has threatened to ditch the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, between the United States, Canada and Mexico, arguing the agreement has sent U.S. manufacturing jobs to Mexico. He has also said he would withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, an ambitious Asia-Pacific trade pact linking 12 countries including the United States and Japan. In written responses, companies voiced concerns about the fate of TPP, NAFTA and Mexico, where Japanese automakers have plants, and how a waning American presence could pave the way for China to wield more influence worldwide. “Reversal of free trade is a concern for our business, but what’s more wor-
rying is a weaker U.S. military presence in East Asia, which could embolden China to take control of the power vacuum in the region,” wrote a manager at an electrical machinery company. Trump “has declared exiting TPP and pushing bilateral trade pacts, and I’m worried about a shift in (global) trade regime towards one led by China,” wrote a manager at a chemicals firm. Managers answered on condition of anonymity in the survey, which was conducted for Reuters by Nikkei Research. Around 250 answered questions on the impact of a Trump presidency. The uncertainty around Trump’s trade policies adds to the risks for Japan’s economy, which is struggling to mount a sustainable recovery amid slow global demand and sluggish domestic consumption. UNPREDICTABLE The survey found that three-quarters of Japanese companies saw no change in their investment stance towards U.S., while 14 percent said it would wane and the remaining 11 percent saw it growing. Previous Reuters surveys taken during the election campaign had shown a majority of firms believed Trump would be bad for business in the United States, and that Japanese corporate appetite for investing in the U.S. would wane.
“Expectation is rising that Trump will adopt business-friendly steps such as infrastructure investment, tax cuts and deregulation,” said Hidenobu Tokuda, senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute, who reviewed the survey results. “That said, companies remain cautious about what he says and does, which is all uncertain and utterly unpredictable.” The survey also found that companies worried both about a strong yen and a weak yen under a Trump presidency, suggesting there’s no consensus on what sort of currency changes are in store. The yen has nearly reversed all of this year’s gains since the U.S. election – easing concerns about Japan’s export-reliant economy – on expectations that Trump’s proposed reflationary economic policies would push up U.S. interest rates. Sixty-two percent said the dollar would move in a 100-110 yen range next year – slightly stronger than around a 111-114 yen range seen during the survey period. Just 27 percent saw it in the 110-120 yen and 2 percent said it would weaken beyond 120 yen. Eight percent saw it strengthening to the 90100 yen range. – Reuters (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Additional reporting by Izumi Nakagawa.; Editing by Malcolm Foster & Shri Navaratnam)
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016 Page 9
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Rogue One’ premiere brings the Force back to Hollywood Los Angeles, Dec 14, 2016 -- Fans cheered wildly Saturday as the star-studded world premiere of the hotly anticipated “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” continued the space saga after the last episode shattered box office records. The $200 million spin-off is expected to be the hottest ticket of 2016, recording the second-highest first day of domestic pre-sales ever, behind last year’s “The Force Awakens.” Police cordoned off the area around the Pantages Theater in Hollywood hosting almost 3,000 guests, setting up metal detectors and deploying scores of officers and sniffer dogs. “I feel honored to be part of this family, and by that I mean the fans, not just the filmmakers,” said British actor Riz Ahmed, who stars as pilot Bodhi Rook, ahead of the screening. “They are what keep this alive. And it’s them that we’re all looking to, to gauge how we’ve done. I really feel proud of the film, and I hope they connect with it too.”
et-sized weapon of mass destruction recently named the Death Star. Mikkelsensaid it felt “surreal” to be part of the iconic saga, having grown up with the original trilogy. “People will be surprised that we did a grittier film than the former ones, and more character driven,” he said. Perfect film As well as the cast and crew, celebrities including actors Michael Douglas and Christian Bale, as well as maverick filmmaker Kevin Smith, walked the red carpet ahead of the screening. The intergalactic tale of good versus evil, friendship, loyalty and love created a defining moment in the history of popular culture, and launched one of the biggest movie franchises ever. The original “Star Wars” (1977) and its 1980 sequel “The Empire Strikes Back” turned Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill — who play its heroes Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker — into Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Set just before “A New Hope” — the original 1977 film — Gareth Edwards’s “Rogue One” stars Felicity Jones as rebel Jyn Erso alongside Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jiang Wen and Forest Whitaker.
“I love ‘Star Wars’ because it’s a gateway drug, but ‘Empire’ is a perfect film, a top five movie of my lifetime,” “Chasing Amy” and “Clerks” said director Smith, 46.
Jyn — a delinquent with a string of convictions for forgery, assault and theft — is recruited by the Rebel Alliance for a mission to destroy a plan-
Excitement around the “Rogue One” premiere had been building for days as the environs of the Pantages were closed to traffic to make way for a huge
marquee and a full size model of an X-Wing fighter, parked in the street. Earlier in the day parody “Rogue Won: A Culture War” posters appeared at bus shelters and benches around Hollywood, featuring President-elect Donald Trump as the hero of the piece. Earlier in the week a #DumpStarWars hashtag began trending on Twitter after one user made the claim — strongly denied by Disney — that the movie had been reshot to include an anti-Trump message. The campaign appeared not to have reached scores of fans who lined up to catch a glimpse of the “Rogue One” cast, several in the outfits of their favorite characters. Awesome “My husband is a collector. He owns 65,000 pieces. Jyn Erso is a great female character. I love that they have incorporated female characters with great leadership,” said Anne Jenkins, 48, of Kansas City. “Rogue One” is part of an attempt to revitalize the franchise since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, when it was still reeling from grim reviews for the much-maligned 1999-2005 prequel trilogy.
The idea was to bring out a sequel trilogy with a movie every other year — starting with “The Force Awakens” in 2015 — and intersperse those releases with an “anthology trilogy” of one-off, standalone movies in the even years. J.J. Abrams’s “The Force Awakens,” made $2 billion to become 2015’s biggest release, the most successful Disney motion picture and the third-highest grossing movie of all time. Pundits expect “Rogue One” to open at $130-$150 million, some way behind the $248 million debut weekend for “The Force Awakens,” and end up with a final global total around $1.4 billion. The premiere will be followed by a global rollout taking in 11 countries beginning on Wednesday before the film gets a wide US release on Friday. “This is what the prequels should have been all along,” said TV host and film critic Scott Mantz fter the screening. “I thought it was awesome. I thought it was clever the way they tied the original ‘Star Wars’ in with this… I actually felt like this was a more entertaining and rewarding ‘Star Wars’ experience than ‘The Force Awakens.’”
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EVENTS
December 1-15, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
Korean American Young Professionals Annual Gala - Dec 7, 2016, 103 West
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016 Page 11
LIFESTYLE
Asparagus pee? Scientists sniff out answer behind this mystery Paris, Dec 15, 2016 — Scientists have sniffed out the reason why some people think their pee has a pungent smell after eating asparagus while others do not — it is all down to genes. French novelist Marcel Proust once fancifully described the smell as “transforming my humble chamberpot into a bowl of aromatic perfume” but it seems he was in the minority as three in five people are unable to even detect the odour, according to a study published yesterday. From data on 6,909 participants, 58 per cent of men and 61.5 per cent of women had asparagus anosmia, or the inability to detect the smell, according to the results in the BMJ medical journal’s Christmas edition, traditionally reserved for studies that are quirky but scientifically sound. Among this majority, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found 871 genetic coding
variants, or SNPs, on genes associated with smell — suggesting the inability is inherited. Professionals have long debated the cause of the pungent aroma that only some people detect in their urine a few hours after eating the vegetable. Does the difference arise because some people do not produce “asparagus pee”, or because they are simply unable to smell it? The new research goes some way towards answering the question. “This study was conceived during a scientific meeting attended by several of the co-authors in bucolic Sweden, where it became apparent that some of us were unable to detect any unusual odour in our urine after consuming new spring asparagus,” wrote the team. They went in search of existing studies on the phenomenon, and found
two US-based projects in which participants were asked about “asparagus pee” in a broader health questionnaire in 2010. Using that data for their own analysis, the team classified “asparagus smellers” as people who “strongly agreed” that they discharged a distinctive odour after eating asparagus. The rest were listed as suffering from asparagus anosmia. The team called their study: “Sniffing out significant ‘Pee values’: genome wide association study of asparagus anosmia” — a play on the term “P value” used to denote statistical significance in scientific studies. With one question closer to being answered, many still remain, said the authors. If asparagus is packed so full of nutrients, why would it make some
people give off a smell that may put them off ever eating it again? What drove the evolutionary selection that caused some to lack the asparagus-smelling gene variants? “And, will scientists take the results of our study and apply gene editing techniques to convert smellers to non-smellers?” asked the team. More research is needed, they said, “before considering targeted therapies to help anosmic people discover what they are missing”.
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December 15-31, 2016
Georgia Asian Times
ENTERTAINMENT
Japan’s pudgy pop stars take aim at obesity prejudice Tokyo, Dec 15, 2016 — Competition is cutthroat among Japan’s thousands of pop idol wannabes, but a unique concept is winning fame for a band of “chubby” girls deploying their cheeky cuteness to combat prejudices against obesity. Despite one of the lowest rates of obesity in the developed world, Japan has a growing number of underweight young women, who rely on excessive dieting to satisfy society’s emphasis on being slim. Heavy people are the frequent target of jokes in the media and use of the derogatory debu, or “fatso”, remains common. Enter “Pottya”, a pop group named after a slang word for chubby and consisting of four young women who are not especially hefty to Western eyes, but well above average weight in Japan. “People assume that being chubby is a sign of laziness or lack of self-discipline,” said Michiko Ohashi, the group’s heaviest member at 87kg and a height of 5.5ft.
“I became an idol with the hope of changing that image. If they see us working to make our dreams come true, we can show that chubby people can work hard.” Enter “Pottya”, a pop group named after a slang word for chubby and consisting of four young women who are not especially hefty to Western eyes, but well above average weight in Japan. “People assume that being chubby is a sign of laziness or lack of self-discipline,” said Michiko Ohashi, the group’s heaviest member at 87kg and a height of 5.5ft. “I became an idol with the hope of changing that image. If they see us working to make our dreams come true, we can show that chubby people can work hard.”
John Legend calls West’s Trump meet a ‘publicity stunt’ Paris, Dec 15, 2016 — John Legend has spoken out on Kanye West’s Trump Tower meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump, calling it a “publicity stunt”. During an interview with Clique, Legend said he was disappointed in West’s decision to visit Trump on Tuesday. He specifically addressed a tweet that West sent following his visit in which he said: “I feel it is important to have a direct line of communication with our future President if we truly want change.” Legend was quoted as saying: “I don’t think it’s impossible to talk to [Trump] about issues, but I won’t be used as a publicity stunt, and I think Kanye was used as a publicity stunt.” He added that he was “pretty disappointed in Kanye that he would have voted for Trump,” in reference to West’s comments at a San Jose, California, concert last month. It should be noted that Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, are close
friends of West and his wife, Kim Kardashian so his words perhaps carry more weight than most. Legend also made it clear he felt “disappointed” that West should support Trump’s message, saying it “has been corrosive to the country.” And if that weren’t clear enough, he ended by saying, “Whatever’s in his mind, I disagree with.” Not sure if Legend should be expecting a Christmas card from West now.
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016
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SPORTS
Rosberg: I lost title three times in my head Monaco, Dec 15, 2016 -- Nico Rosberg says that he lost the world title “three times in my head” in the season-defining race in Abu Dhabi, calling Lewis Hamilton’s desperate attempts to wreck his dream smart driving. The German won his first world championship and then shocked Formula One earlier this month when he retired out of the blue at the age of just 31. His Mercedes team-mate and title rival Hamilton went into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi with a slim chance of retaining his crown and went on to win the race. That was not enough though to deny Rosberg, who admits that he was devoured by self-doubt as the race unfolded. As it transpired, the German’s second place was enough to seal his maiden championship triumph. “In Abu Dhabi I lost the title three times in my head,” said Rosberg on Wednesday as he was made a member for life of the Automobile Club de Monaco. “Especially when my engineer told me I had to overtake ‘Mad Max’
(Verstappen, the young Red Bull driver), that’s not what I wanted to hear because if there is a driver hard to overtake, it’s him. “That was one of the most intense moments of my career, with lots of adrenaline.” Hamilton needed Rosberg, second in the Abu Dhabi race as it reached its denouement, to finish farther down to win a fourth world title.
European elite oppose World Cup expansion Paris, Dec 15, 2016 -- The powerful body representing Europe’s top clubs on Thursday said it opposed the proposed enlargement of the World Cup, saying leading players were already under too much strain. FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to expand the World Cup to 48 teams starting with the 2026 tournament, with Asian countries already backing the controversial plan.
The notoriously hard-racing Briton was leading the race and defied Mercedes team orders to speed up, and instead slowed down in an attempt to back Rosberg up and pile the pressure on.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warned last week that the global saturation of football was going to “kill” players and the European Club Association (ECA) added its criticism, saying it had sent a letter to Infantino opposing the moves for a bigger World Cup.
Mercedes team bosses made it clear they were unhappy with Hamilton’s tactics, but Rosberg was more understanding.
“We have to focus on the sport again,” said ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who is also chairman of Bayern Munich.
“I did not know what my dear teammate had in mind, he started driving like a grandma in front of me,” said Rosberg.
“Politics and commerce should not be the exclusive priority in football. “In the interest of the fans and the players, we urge FIFA not to increase the number of World Cup participants.”
“But he was smart — he was slowing down in portions where I could not overtake him, and he was fast going to those where overtaking would have been possible.”
The ECA, an independent body representing football clubs at European level, said that the number of games
every year “has already reached an unacceptable level”. Founding members of the ECA include Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan and Bayern.
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December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
SPORTS
Sensational year Ronaldo was the firm favourite to win, but the prestigious prize comes at a time when the prolific forward has generated negative headlines in the past week over accusations of tax evasion. Denying any wrongdoing, he responded by publishing his financial records last week, showing last year he earned a whopping €227 million.
Ronaldo caps dream year with fourth Ballon d’Or Paris, Dec 13, 2016 — Cristiano Ronaldo called it “a dream come true again” as he won his fourth Ballon d’Or yesterday to get one over his nemesis Lionel Messi for the title of best player in the world.
in training having dyed his hair gold in anticipation and several media outlets published a photo earlier yesterday appearing to confirm he was the winner, before organisers France Football magazine made the official announcement.
It was the perfect ending to another fantastic year for the Real Madrid star, who won the Champions League for the second time in three seasons and then led Portugal to their first major title at Euro 2016 — albeit he went off early injured and in tears in the surprise victory over France.
“For me it’s a great honour to receive my fourth Ballon d’Or. The emotion is like the first one — it’s a dream come true again,” Ronaldo, who is at the Club World Cup in Japan, told L’Equipe TV.
As has been the case for almost a decade now, the 31-year-old’s main rival was Messi — but the Barcelona and Argentine maestro had to relinquish the crown after a less-than-stellar year for club and country by his lofty standards. Ronaldo is now one Ballon d’Or behind Messi, who was second this time with French striker Antoine Griezmann third. Never one to play down his achievements, Ronaldo was spotted midweek
“I never thought in my mind to win four times the Ballon d’Or, I’m so pleased and so happy. “ have to thank all my teammates, the national team, Real Madrid, all the people, the players who helped me to win this individual trophy. “I want to enjoy this moment because it’s not easy to win this.” Fourth was Luis Suarez and fifth his fellow Barcelona attacker Neymar, with Ronaldo’s Welsh teammate Gareth Bale sixth.
“You believe I am worried? He who owes nothing, fears nothing,” Ronaldo told broadcaster RTP at the time. Ronaldo, the highest-paid sportsman in the world, first won the Ballon d’Or in 2008 after Premier League and Champions League triumphs with Manchester United. But it was only in 2013 that he added his second — Messi had hogged it before then — and Ronaldo made it a hattrick the following year.
2016 ranking 1. Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) - Real Madrid 2. Lionel Messi (ARG) - Barcelona 3. Antoine Griezmann (FRA) - Atletico Madrid 4. Luis Suarez (URU) - Barcelona 5. Neymar (BRA) - Barcelona 6. Gareth Bale (WAL) - Real Madrid 7. Riyad Mahrez (ALG) - Leicester 8. Jamie Vardy (ENG) - Leicester 9. Pepe (POR) - Real Madrid 9. Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) - Juventus 11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (GAB) - Borussia Dortmund 12. Rui Patricio (POR) - Sporting Lisbon
United were quick to offer their congratulations on Twitter, calling a fourth Ballon d’Or “incredible.”
13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE) - Paris Saint-Germain then Manchester United
Real said Ronaldo, who last month signed a bumper new five-year contract, had enjoyed “a sensational year.”
14. Paul Pobga (FRA) - Juventus then Manchester United
The first Ballon d’Or was won by Stanley Matthews, at the time with Blackpool, who beat Alfredo Di Stefano for the inaugural title in 1956. The Ballon d’Or is decided by a vote of 173 journalists.
14. Arturo Vidal (CHI) - Bayern Munich 16. Robert Lewandowski (POL) Bayern Munich 17. Dimitri Payet (FRA) - West Ham 17. Luka Modric (CRO) - Real Madrid 17. Toni Kroos (GER) - Real Madrid
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016
Page 15
HEALTH New study finds yoga beneficial in lowering blood pressure Researchers at the Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi, India, studied the impact of yoga on blood pressure in 60 patients with prehypertension but otherwise healthy. Prehypertension is defined as a slightly elevated blood pressure of between 120/80mmHg and 139/89mmHg, according to reference values from the World Health Organization. Patients with prehypertension can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, including strokes, by taking regular exercise. The researchers split participants into two groups of 30, with an average age of 56 and 52 respectively. The first group took part in yoga sessions for three months while the second group made lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising and paying attention to their diet.
The yoga sessions included stretching exercises, breathing control and meditation taught by an instructor for one hour per day for the first month, then continued at home for the next two months. Blood pressure was initially 130/80 mmHg for participants in the yoga group and 127/80 mmHg for those in the control group. At the end of the study, blood pressure in the yoga group had dropped significantly by around 4.5 mmHg. No significant change in blood pressure was seen in the control group. “Although the reduction in blood pressure was modest, it could be clinically very meaningful because even a 2 mm Hg decrease in diastolic blood pressure has the potential to decrease
the risk of coronary heart disease by 6% and the risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack by 15%,” explains Dr. Ashutosh Angrish, a cardiologist at Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi, India, and author of the study. The researchers suggest that yoga could reduce sympathetic drive and reset baroreceptors, found in the layer of elastic tissue in blood vessels, serving to regulate blood pressure. Cutting the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol A previous study of 3,000 people published in 2013 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology concluded that yoga could be as beneficial as jogging or brisk walking when it comes to cutting the risk of heart disease. Practicing yoga was associated with a lower risk of obesity, and re-
duced blood pressure and cholesterol. A 2011 study from the University of Kansas, USA, also found yoga beneficial in heart-related conditions. Patients suffering from the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation saw the number of episodes of irregular heartbeats halved after three months of practicing yoga, compared with participants engaging in other forms of exercise. The 68th Annual Congress of the Cardiological Society of India runs December 8 to 11, 2016, in Kochi, India.
Potassium intake can counterbalance a high-salt diet Doctors, dieticians and naturopaths consider that potassium can be helpful in counterbalancing diets that are now often too high in salt. This essential mineral plays a key role in the transmission of nerve impulses, as well as muscle contractions (especially of the heart) and kidney function. Fruit and vegetables are a very good source of the element. With a recognized role in lowering blood pressure, potassium is a precious ally for anyone whose diet is too high in salt. Potassium’s role is to maintain the acid-base balance of the body and to regulate the entry and removal of sodium and chlorine to and from the body via the kidneys.
According to the latest data from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), men consume an average 8.7g of salt per day, dropping to 6.7g for women. For children aged three to 17 years old, average salt consumption is 5.9g for boys and 5g for girls, with variations in relation to age. These figures are way above objectives from the World Health Organization, which recommends a maximum salt consumption of 5g per day, equivalent to just under one teaspoon. Anyone who eats a lot of bread, deli meats like cured sausages and ham, cheese, broths or stock (vegetable or meat), sauces and condiments, cod or anchovies could benefit from adding
fruit and vegetables that are rich in potassium to their plates.
sardines, mackerel), as well as chocolate and whole grain cereals.
The amount of salt hidden in processed, industrial foods like ready meals, soups and sauces is currently under fire from nutritionists and health authorities.
Only fats like butter, cream, oils and margarine don’t contain the element. The top ten foods with the highest potassium levels include lentils (810mg per 100g), dried dates (790mg), prunes (732mg), almonds (705mg), spinach (662mg), avocado (650mg), chestnuts (600mg), mushrooms (520mg), walnuts (450mg) and apricots (440mg).
In its natural state, potassium is mainly found in legumes like white beans, chick peas and lentils, as well as vegetables (chard, spinach, potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms), fruit (avocado, banana, apricots, citrus fruit, blackcurrants), dried fruit and nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, dates, figs). It’s also particularly present in meat and fish, especially oily fish (salmon,
Coffee, cumin seeds, curry powder, ground ginger and coriander seeds are also sources of potassium.
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December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
Misc Asia
South Korean parliament votes overwhelmingly to impeach President Park Seoul, Dec 9, 2016 — South Korean lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Friday to impeach President Park Geun-hye over an influence-peddling scandal, setting the stage for her to become the country’s first elected leader to be expelled from office in disgrace. The impeachment motion was carried by a wider-than-expect 234-56 margin in a secret ballot in parliament, meaning more than 60 of Park’s own conservative Saenuri Party members backed removing her. The votes of at least 200 members of the 300-seat chamber were needed for the motion to pass. The Constitutional Court must now decide whether to uphold the impeachment, a process that could take up to 180 days. “I solemnly accept the voice of the parliament and the people and sincerely hope this confusion is soundly resolved,” Park told a Cabinet meeting, adding that she would comply with the court’s proceedings as well as an investigation by a special prosecutor. Park, whose approval rating stands at just 5 percent, has resisted demands that she step down immediately. Under the constitution, Park’s duties were assumed by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on an interim basis until the court rules. “I stand here with heavy-hearted sadness,” Hwang said in a televised address. “As an aide to the president, I feel deep responsibility about the situation we have come to face.” Cheers had erupted outside the chamber of the domed parliament building when the vote was announced. People held signs saying “Victory for the People” and “New Republic of Korea”.
Earlier, anti-Park activists scuffled with police as they tried to drive two tractors up to parliament’s main gate. Choi Jung-hoon, a 46-year high school teacher, joined the rally outside parliament with his wife and daughters, age 7 and 18 months. “I wanted my kids to be here, making history, at a historic moment, and show we people can win,” he said. MASS RALLIES Park, 64, is accused of colluding with a friend and a former aide, both of whom have been indicted by prosecutors, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. Park, who is serving a single five-year term that was set to end in February 2018, has denied wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in her ties with her friend, Choi Soon-sil. If Park leaves office early, an election must be held within 60 days. The poll frontrunners are United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and ex-lawmaker Moon Jae-in, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, who lost the 2012 election to Park by 3 percentage points. “The Secretary-General is confident that the people of the Republic of Korea will overcome the present difficulties through unity and resilience as well as a strong commitment to democratic institutions and principles,” Ban spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Ban has not said whether he will seek the presidency when his term finishes at the end of the year.
“The power of candles has made a big change without any arrest or casualty,” said third-placed presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myeong, mayor of the city of Seongnam, referring to the candle-lit anti-Park rallies that have drawn huge, peaceful crowds to central Seoul for the last six Saturdays. Another rally is planned for this weekend. “It has opened up a new era in the history of the Republic of Korea’s democracy,” Lee, who has said he wants to be the South Korean Bernie Sanders, told Reuters.
Various agencies, including the Finance Ministry and financial regulators, planned emergency meetings. South Korea’s economic outlook is also worsening, in part because of the domestic political uncertainty. Investors are likely to be spooked when trading resumes on Monday and remain jittery until the Constitutional Court ruling, analysts said. The won was forecast to lose further ground against the dollar on Monday. PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY – FOR NOW
South Korea’s main ally, the United States, said it was watching events closely and praised South Koreans for acting “peacefully, with calm and responsibility.” White House spokeswoman Emily Horne said the alliance would continue to be “a linchpin of regional stability and security.”
The daughter of a military ruler who led the country for 18 years before being assassinated by his disgruntled spy chief in 1979, Park would lose presidential immunity if she left office early, and could be prosecuted for abuse of power and bribery, among other charges.
“We look forward to working with Prime Minister Hwang in his new capacity as acting president,” she said. “We expect policy consistency and continuity across a range of fronts, including (North Korea), other regional issues, and international economics and trade.”
The Constitutional Court will determine whether parliament followed due process and whether there were sufficient grounds for impeachment. Arguments from the two sides will be heard in public hearings, which Park is unlikely to attend.
Kang Dong-wan, a professor at Dong-A University in Busan, said the large impeachment vote from Park’s own party was probably a result of rising crowds at weekly demonstrations.
The nine-member Constitutional Court is considered conservative in its make-up, but some of its former judges have said the case against Park is strong and likely to be approved.
“It looks like more from the ruling Saenuri Party gave their support than many had expected after realizing that the party could collapse if the bill doesn’t get approved,” Kang said.
In 2004, parliament impeached then-president Roh Moo-hyun, suspending his powers for 63 days while the court reviewed the decision, which it overturned. Unlike now, on that occasion public opinion was against Roh’s impeachment.
Hwang, whose post is largely ceremonial, assumes presidential powers at a time of heightened tension with North Korea, and said after the vote that the chances of a provocation by Pyongyang were high.
The prime minister at the time, Goh Kun, said in a 2013 memoir that he had decided to stay “low-key” while he held the reins of power. – Reuters
Georgia Asian Times December 15-31, 2016
Page 17
Misc Asia South Korean parliament votes overwhelmingly to impeach President Park Seoul, Dec 9, 2016 — South Korean lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Friday to impeach President Park Geun-hye over an influence-peddling scandal, setting the stage for her to become the country’s first elected leader to be expelled from office in disgrace.
Thai king to pardon up to 150,000 inmates, including royal insult convicts Bangkok, Dec 13, 2016 — Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn will pardon or commute the sentences of up to 150,000 prison inmates, including some jailed under one of the world’s toughest laws against royal insult, officials said today.
“Prisoners convicted of 112 and prisoners convicted of drug offences will be included for consideration for release or commuting of sentence,” Kobkiat told Reuters, referring to the royal insult law by its article number in the criminal code.
King Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne on December 1 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on October 13.
The government has not released a figure for the number of people who are in jail for royal insult but there have been more than 80 prosecutions under the law since mid-2014, according to figures from the legal monitoring group iLaw.
“This is the first opportunity since his majesty’s ascension to show his mercy,” the Royal Gazette said in a statement, announcing that 150,000 inmates could be eligible for release or to have sentences cut, under the pardon. Officials do not have a figure for the number of inmates who will benefit from the pardon, with decisions to be made by different prisons depending on factors including the inmate’s age, how much of the sentence has been served and behaviour. Prisoners jailed for insulting the monarchy and drug offences will be eligible, said Kobkiat Kasivivat, director general of the Department of Corrections.
“The inmates will be looked at on a case by case basis at each individual corrections facility,” Chanchao Chaiyanukit, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, told Reuters. Those convicted of murder and rape will not be eligible for release or to have sentences cut, officials said. Thailand’s prison population has soared in recent years, largely because of tough drug laws. Corrections Department figures for July showed a prison population of 321,347 in Thailand, with about 70 per cent jailed for drugs offences. — Reuters
The impeachment motion was carried by a wider-than-expect 234-56 margin in a secret ballot in parliament, meaning more than 60 of Park’s own conservative Saenuri Party members backed removing her. The votes of at least 200 members of the 300-seat chamber were needed for the motion to pass. The Constitutional Court must now decide whether to uphold the impeachment, a process that could take up to 180 days. “I solemnly accept the voice of the parliament and the people and sincerely hope this confusion is soundly resolved,” Park told a Cabinet meeting, adding that she would comply with the court’s proceedings as well as an investigation by a special prosecutor. Park, whose approval rating stands at just 5 percent, has resisted demands that she step down immediately. Under the constitution, Park’s duties were assumed by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on an interim basis until the court rules. “I stand here with heavy-hearted sadness,” Hwang said in a televised address. “As an aide to the president, I feel deep responsibility about the situation we have come to face.” Cheers had erupted outside the chamber of the domed parliament building when the vote was announced. People held signs saying “Victory for the People” and “New Republic of Korea”. Earlier, anti-Park activists scuffled with police as they tried to drive two tractors up to parliament’s main gate.
Choi Jung-hoon, a 46-year high school teacher, joined the rally outside parliament with his wife and daughters, age 7 and 18 months. “I wanted my kids to be here, making history, at a historic moment, and show we people can win,” he said. MASS RALLIES Park, 64, is accused of colluding with a friend and a former aide, both of whom have been indicted by prosecutors, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back her policy initiatives. Park, who is serving a single five-year term that was set to end in February 2018, has denied wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in her ties with her friend, Choi Soon-sil. If Park leaves office early, an election must be held within 60 days. The poll frontrunners are United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and ex-lawmaker Moon Jae-in, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, who lost the 2012 election to Park by 3 percentage points. “The Secretary-General is confident that the people of the Republic of Korea will overcome the present difficulties through unity and resilience as well as a strong commitment to democratic institutions and principles,” Ban spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Ban has not said whether he will seek the presidency when his term finishes at the end of the year. “The power of candles has made a big change without any arrest or casualty,” said third-placed presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myeong, mayor of the city of Seongnam, referring to the candle-lit anti-Park rallies that have drawn huge, peaceful crowds to central Seoul for the last six Saturdays.
Page 18
December 15-31, 2016 Georgia Asian Times
TRAVEL
Saint Petersburg is world’s best cultural destination of 2016 Saint Petersburg, Dec 8, 2016 -Competing with the likes of London, New York, Paris, Rome, Venice and Sydney, Saint Petersburg fought off its rivals to be named the world’s best cultural destination of 2016 this week at the “World Travel Awards,” the Oscars of the tourism trade. Here’s a look at some of the cultural highlights awaiting visitors to this “Venice of the North.” The unmissable Hermitage Museum This former residence of Russia’s Tsars is to Saint Petersburg what the Louvre is to Paris. It’s also the world’s biggest museum, in terms of the number of collections of art exhibited, embodying the artistic and cultural promise of Russia’s one-time imperial capital. It would take 15 years to see all of the works in the Hermitage, taking in each for barely a minute for eight hours a day. The museum’s three million works and objects include masterpieces by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Van Dyke and Picasso, for which visitors often make a beeline. Visitors can step into the Winter Palace, a former residence of Russian
Emperors, as well as the Old Hermitage, the Small Hermitage and the New Hermitage, all part of the museum complex situated on the banks of the Neva River. On the trail of Russian literature Visitors can spend a whole day (or more!) checking out sites deeply rooted in Russian literature. The Dostoyevsky Museum is a must-see, delving into the history of the Crime and Punishment writer in the author’s home from 1878 until his death. Next stop, the Raskolnikov House, as described in the Dostoyevsky bestseller and home to its protagonist. Other sights steeped in Russian literary history include the Nabokov Museum, taking visitors inside the home described in his autobiography Speak, Memory, released before his famous novel, Lolita. You can even visit the place where Alexander Pushkin challenged his rival, Baron Georges d’Anthès, to a duel, in which Pushkin was shot and died.
Stunning architecture Simply strolling along the canals and across their 400 bridges will give visitors a taste of Russian architecture. The historic center of Saint Petersburg, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a mix of Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great, the city maintains the integrity of its original layout and is often considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and one of the most
authentic. The architecture of the city’s churches, such as the Smolny Cathedral and the Chesme Church, is of particular interest, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is no doubt the most famous landmark in this Venice of the North. Saint Petersburg is also a prime destination for the opera and the ballet. The Mariinsky Theatre is another must for visitors, and since the Saint Petersburg ballet is one of the world’s most respected, it would be a shame just to