Georgia Asian Times Feb 15-29, 2016

Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia

www.gasiantimes.com February 15-29, 2016

Battle over Scalia successor on U.S. Supreme Court

Page 2

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

Publisher: Li Wong Account Manager: Adrian West Contributors: Andrian Putra, May Lee, Mark Ho Photographer: Ben Hioe, Kat Merto

Tel: 678-971-9388 Advertising: gat@gasiantimes.com Editorial: info@gasiantimes.com URL: www.gasiantimes.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4502 Suwanee GA 30024 Copyright Georgia Asian Times 2004-2015

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.

Chinese New Year Reception Guest of Honor: Mr. Clement C.M. Leung, Hong Kong Commissioner to U.S. Presented by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Date: Thursday, Feb 18, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Venue: Oceans Ballroom, 246 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd. Atlanta GA 30313 For more info: gene@honggkongatlanta.com Strictly by invitation only.

2015 Lunar New Year of The Monkey Banquet Organized by OCA-Georgia Date: Saturday, Feb 20, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Venue: Oriental Pearl Restaurant, Chamblee For more info: Shandry Law, 678.283.1288 Symposium on Asia-USA Partnership Opportunities (SAUPO) Date: Friday, April 22, 2016 Time: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Venue: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly

Hotel, 2450 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA Registration: $199.00 (early bird by April 1) For more info: www.kennesaw.edu/ saupo/

Page 3

Page 4

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

METRO ASIAN NEWS

Japan’s economist shares positive insights on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

University System of Georgia Announces No Tuition Increase for the 2016-2017 Academic Year Atlanta, February 16, 2016 — The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) announced there will be no tuition increase for the 2016-2017 academic year.

“We carefully assess the tuition rates for our institutions and are committed to keeping college as affordable as possible for students and their families,” said Chairman Kessel Stelling. “As part of our commitment to college affordability, the Board of Regents has decided there will be no tuition increase for all USG institutions for the 2016-2017 academic year.”

Today’s announcement applies to all USG students, and means they will pay the same tuition at all 29 USG institutions for the 2016-2017 academic year as the current 2015-2016 academic year tuition rates for each institution.

“We have heard from students, parents and legislators regarding year-

over-year tuition increases citing concerns about the rising costs of a college education in Georgia,” said Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “We recognize and share their concerns about college affordability. Today’s announcement demonstrates we are listening to students, their families and legislators and taking meaningful action.”

The Board’s action ensures the USG will continue to offer some of the lowest tuition rates among peer state public higher education systems. Out of the 16 states that make up the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), the USG is the seventh lowest in tuition and fees for four-year institutions.

Kennesaw, Feb 10, 2015 — Japan is projected to increase its GDP growth by 2.6 percent (approximately 14 Trillion Yen) when the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) goes into full effect, according to a presentation by Dr. Fukunari Kimura, Dean of Graduate School of Economics at the prestigious Keio University in Japan.

Dr. Kimura was delivering a presentation entitled, “The Impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) for Japan and East Asia” as part of a lecture series sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta.

Consul General Takashi Shinozuka delivers an opening remarks at the lecture presentation to an audience of business leaders, community leaders, and students.

“The impact on Japanese agriculture products such as sugar, rice, wheat, meat products, and dairy products is minimal. Therefore, the agreement has a calm response by the Japanese public,” said Dr. Kimura, who is also the Chief Economist with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.

Dr. Kimura shared with the audience his insights on the repercussion of the TPP negotiations in Eat Asia countries.

“It has generated renewed interest by

countries such as South Korea, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand and China to join the trade pact.”

He also adds the 6400-pages agreement would strengthened Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), investor-state relationships, and dispute-settlement resolutions in East Asian countries when TPP goes into effect.

Many of the TPP countries would benefited from high level liberation of goods and services, standardized government procurement, liberation of start owned enterprises and designated monopolies, according to Dr. Kimura.

“ASEAN countries and China would also develop advanced usage of global value chains upon TPP implementation,” predicted Dr. Kimura in his closing statement.

He also shared his sentiment that U.S. is benefiting greatly with a trade policy rather than a military-policy in Asia. “it is much cheaper and effective software to implement than a military one,” adds Dr. Kimura.

The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is presenting and sponsoring a series of lectures on economic, cultural, and technologies topics in the metro Atlanta area.

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

Page 5

COMMANDS A SURGICAL TEAM OF 10.

COMPETES IN ULTRA MARATHONS.

As an officer in the U.S. Army, you’ll lead from day one.

Just ask Captain Ruschelle. After commissioning as an officer, she compelled herself and her team to excel beyond expectations. There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. To learn more about becoming an officer, go to goarmy.com/officer

To learn how you can use your skills in the U.S. Army, visit your local Army Career Counselor today or visit goarmy.com/dz19

©2012. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.

LEADS BY EXAMPLE.

Page 6

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

BUSINESS Japan economy shrinks during Q4, blow to “Abenomics” Tokyo, Feb 15, 2016 — Japan’s economy contracted in the last quarter of 2015, official data showed today, dealing another blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s faltering bid to boost growth.

Japan’s factory output has suffered as worries persist about global growth, with revised data Monday showing industrial production contracted 1.7 percent in December, worse than a preliminary 1.4 per cent drop.

The figures will fan talk of fresh Bank of Japan measures, after policymakers shocked markets last month with an unprecedented negative interest rate policy — widely seen as a desperate move to kickstart the world’s number three economy.

However Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock index soared more than 7 per cent today, boosted by bargain-buying and a weaker yen following last week’s 11 per cent drop.

Weak demand for big-ticket items like cars and home appliances held back the vast economy which shrank 0.4 per cent in October-December — or an annualized 1.4 per cent drop.

The yen, which surged four percent last week against the dollar, turned lower today on talk about the BoJ unveiling fresh monetary easing measures as well as speculation about Tokyo intervening in currency markets to stem the unit’s rise.

That was Japan’s second quarterly contraction in 2015, although GDP edge up a tepid 0.4 per cent for the whole year, underscoring Tokyo’s challenge in slaying deflation and cementing a sustained recovery.

Tokyo brushed off the weak numbers, saying that “the fundamentals (of the economy) remain good”, but analysts countered that Abe’s growth plan was stumbling.

The premier’s bid to revive Japan’s once-soaring economy, dubbed Abenomics, has also been shaken by a bloodbath on equity markets since the start of the year and a resurgent yen that threatened to dent companies’ profits.

“The latest data show that it is difficult to say that the Abe government has achieved of its goal of a ‘virtuous cycle’ of rising incomes, wages, and investment,” said Tobias Harris, political risk analyst at US-based consultancy Teneo.

“Japan has remained too dependent on export-led growth, which has suffered in light of China’s slowdown and the effects it has had on the global economy.”

‘Not carved in stone’

The wild volatility on world markets and sharp swings in the yen since the start of 2016 prompted Abe on Friday to hold an emergency meeting with Japan’s central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda.

The BoJ shocked investors by announcing the negative rate policy last month, a plan that aims to prod banks into lending by charging them for storing excess reserves with it.

But as his growth program wobbles and the BoJ struggles to hit an ambitious two-percent inflation target, Abe must decide whether to follow through with another sales tax hike next year.

The rise is seen as key to containing a spiraling national debt, but it could further dent spending.

“It is not carved in stone, if the real problems are going on he can push it out,” said Nicholas Smith, Japan strategist at brokerage CLSA, referring to the planned tax rise.

“With what’s going on in the market, this is a temptation.”

Harley-Davidson to wind down operations in Indonesia US motorcycle producer Harley-Davidson’s distributors, PT Mabua Harley-Davidson and PT Mabua Motor Indonesia are winding down their operations in stages and has stopped importing Harley-Davidson motorcycles since December 31 last year.

Mugi Reksa Abadi (MRA) chief executive officer Soetikno Soedirjo said the company decided to stop distributing and selling Harley Davidson motorcycles as the flagging economy due to external factors had affected its sales.

MRA is the biggest shareholder of PT Mabua Harley-Davidson.

“We are closing down business due to plunging sales at all Mabua outlets.

We recorded peak sales in 2013 with 991 motorcycles sold, but sales gradually fell to 471 in 2014 and 483 in 2015,” he was quoted by Media Indonesia as saying.

Mabua Harley-Davidson Indonesia president Djonnie Rahmat said the company was saddled by tax increas-

Abe’s growth plan — big government spending, central bank monetary easing and reforms to the highly regulated economy — appeared to bear fruit at first.

The yen weakened sharply, which boosted Japanese exporters’ profits and sparked a huge stock market rally.

But sustained growth has been elusive and Abe’s efforts to overhaul the economy have been widely criticized as half-hearted.

Tokyo will be watching labour talks this spring closely for signs that firms are ready to put more cash into employees’ pockets, which would offer

es and weakening rupiah which had put pressure on the import of the high-powered American motorcycles.

Mabua Harley-Davidson Indonesia has nine dealerships in five cities in Indonesia and they would also be closing down.

He said 500 workers would be laid off, while several permanent employees would be given new tasks in its after-sales service operations at authorised workshop.

PT Mabua Harley-Davidson marketing and sales director Irvino Edwardly said the company was currently holding stock clearance sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and accessories at discounted prices at its Ciputat Raya Jakartabshowroom.

PT Mabua is the second company to stop distributing and selling imported vehicles in Indonesia after Ford Motor Company’s subsidiary, PT Ford Motor Indonesia.

hope for a pick-up in consumer spending.

“The government plans to raise the consumption tax in 2017, so we will probably see an increase in spending later this year ahead of the hike,” said Taro Saito, senior economist at NLI Research Institute.

“But I don’t think we should expect the fundamentals of the Japanese economy to recover easily.”

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

BUSINESS

Japanese commercial plane gets boost from US order Japan’s Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp said today it has won 20 orders from a US leasing company for its new regional passenger plane in a transaction potentially worth more than US$900 million.

The deal for the MRJ90 jets – Japan’s first domestically-made commercial aircraft for about half a century – is a major boost for Mitsubishi.

In December it postponed delivery of the plane, a little more than a month after the maiden test flight.

Mitsubishi and Miami-based Aerolease Aviation LLC signed a letter of intent at the Singapore Airshow for 10 firm orders and 10 options for the MRJ90 planes to be delivered in 2018.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp president Hiromichi Morimoto said the order “has a significant importance in the MRJ programme”.

Both companies expect to sign a definitive agreement soon for the orders, which would be worth around US$940 million at list prices.

Excluding the deal with Aerolease, Mitsubishi had a total of 407 orders for its jets, comprising 223 firm deals and 184 options.

Its clients include Japan Airlines, Air Nippon Airways and Air Mandalay.

Jep Thornton, a partner for Aerolease, said that despite Mitsubishi’s move to postpone delivery of the plane to the second quarter of 2018, he remained confident about the capabilities of the Japanese firm.

Teething problems were common in new aircraft launches, he said.

In December Mitsubishi cited “several issues” discovered after the November flight for delaying shipments by one year.

The plane’s system software had to be upgraded and its fuselage strengthened, it said at that time.

The twin-engine jet’s November flight came about half a century after the last Japanese-made commercial plane took to the skies.

The YS-11 turboprop which made its debut in 1962 was discontinued about a decade later.

Japan – and its MRJ jet – are competing with other regional passenger jet manufacturers such as Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier.

Mitsubishi unveiled the jet – which is 35m long and seats about 80 passengers – in October 2014.

It had previously planned to make the first delivery to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in 2017.

The short-to-medium-haul plane was backed by the Japanese government and a consortium of major firms including Toyota.

Automaker Honda is also developing a small private jet in the United States, which was unveiled in Japan earlier this year.

Page 7

Page 8

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

FOCUS children, Scalia derided abortion and same-sex marriage as new rights that would have been unfathomable to the writers of the Constitution.

Battle over Scalia successor on U.S. Supreme Court Washington DC, Feb 15, 2016 — The sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a towering conservative icon on the US Supreme Court, has set off an epic election-year battle over his successor that will shape American life far into the future. antonin.scaliaScalia died of an apparent heart attack at age 79, leaving what has been a conservative-dominated court evenly divided in a year of blockbuster cases — on abortion, affirmative action, immigration and President Barack Obama’s health care law.

The news sent shockwaves through the race for the White House, as Republican and Democratic candidates absorbed the implications of the surprise, potentially course-altering opening on the court.

“I think last night with the passing of Justice Scalia, we are reminded of how important this election is, how high the stakes are and why we must win,” Senator Marco Rubio, in a bitter fight for the Republican nomination, told “Fox News Sunday.”

Firing the first shot in the succession battle, Obama said he would exercise his “constitutional responsibilities” and name a successor.

Leading Republicans — including all six conservative White House contenders — threatened to block any nomination Obama puts forth, arguing that it should be left to the next president to fill Scalia’s vacant seat.

Republicans contended that no

president in 80 years has nominated a Supreme Court Justice in his final year in office.

But Justice Anthony Kennedy, nominated by Ronald Reagan, was confirmed in 1988, an election year.

Obama called on the Senate to give his nominee a “fair hearing and a timely vote.”

The president nominates Supreme Court candidates, but Senate approval is required for them to take up the lifetime post, which has led to some viciously fought nomination battles.

‘Rare talent’ Obama ordered flags to fly at halfstaff across the United States to mark Scalia’s passing, praising him as “one of the towering legal figures of our time.”

Scalia died at a private ranch in the Big Bend area of West Texas during a hunting trip. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told WFAA television the cause of death was a heart attack.

Appointed to the Supreme Court by Reagan in 1986, Scalia championed originalism, the legal theory that the meaning of the Constitution should be interpreted as fixed at the time it was ratified, in 1788.

According to this view, there is no doubt as to the validity of the death penalty and the right to bear arms.

A devout Catholic who had nine

Brilliant, witty and scathing in his opinions, he was known as much for his slashing dissents as his majority opinions.

Scalia “was a bad boy on the bench who certainly never wrote a bad sentence,” biographer Joan Biskupic told CNN. To the surprise of some, the portly, affable Scalia was able to separate his legal opinions from his personal relations, celebrating New Year’s each year with liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and taking the newest justice Elena Kagan skeet shooting.

“He was a jurist of captivating brilliance and wit, with a rare talent to make even the most sober judge laugh,” Ginsberg said in remembering her “treasured friend.”

Court’s future in play His death’s impact on the court will be immediate, even though the succession struggle will take time to play out.

With a 5-4 conservative majority, the court had recently stalled key efforts

by Obama’s administration on climate change and immigration.

Now, with the court split evenly 4-4, lower court rulings will be upheld in cases that end with a tied decision, thereby blunting the conservatives’ hold.

This term is stacked high with hot button issues, including the first abortion case since 2007 -- a review of restrictions imposed by the state of Texas on abortion clinics.

The court also will decide whether Obama has the authority as president to protect millions of illegal immigrants from deportation.

And it will take up a challenge by re-

ligious groups to his signature Affordable Care Act. Another case involves whether race and ethnicity can be used in deciding college admissions.

‘Delay, delay, delay’ Republican leaders immediately took up the cry against an Obama nomination to the court, setting the stage for a bruising election year fight.

“The American people? should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,” said Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”

McConnell’s Democratic counterpart Harry Reid pressed for Obama to send a nominee to the Senate “right away,” stressing that a yearlong vacancy — raising the prospect of 4 to 4 splits on major issues — would be “unprecedented.”

“Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate’s most essential Constitutional responsibilities,” Reid said.

Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton said Republicans calling for a delay “dishonor our Constitution.”

Her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders insisted a “full contingent” was needed on the Supreme Court.

On the debate stage in South Carolina Saturday night, all six Republican presidential contenders bowed their heads in silence to honor the late justice — and united to oppose Obama nominating his successor.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump said it was up to Senate Republicans to “delay, delay, delay” any nomination sought by Obama. - Reuters

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

EVENTS

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Georgia - Banquet , Jan 28, 2016

Page 9

Page 10

EVENT

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

NACA Lunar New Year Banquet Feb 6, 2016

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

Page 11

Entertainment

and Gaga was worthy of the long standing ovation she received—both for her stamina and for eclipsing the dreary ballads that started the evening.

A cappella Wonder Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix wowed the Staples Center with a tribute to Maurice White, the funk legend founder of Earth, Wind and Fire who died 10 days ago.

Hits and misses not the 2016 Grammys Los Angeles, Feb 16 — The Grammy Awards is the biggest, most glamorous night in the music calendar each year — a star-studded evening of some unforgettable performances... and others that fall flat.

Today’s gala in Los Angeles was no different. While Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga lit up the stage, others including Adele — who admitted to technical difficulties — and Taylor Swift were underwhelming.

treated the audience to a jazz-rock version of The Blacker The Berry.

He then shifted into Alright, the unofficial anthem of the movement against police abuse targeting African Americans.

His rapid-fire delivery of lyrics ignited the audience, which gave him a standing ovation.

Gaga to the rescue

Here is a look at the show-stopping acts — and some of the more cringeworthy turns: Kendrick on fire Lamar may not have won any of the top prizes, but he certainly won the night in terms of sheer star power.

The rapper, who has emerged as a voice of the Black Lives Matter movement, offered up an intense, politically charged performance that took him from a prison — in shackles, no less — to a joyous bonfire in Africa with dancers in traditional dress.

The 28-year-old started out in chains and a prison uniform, with strobes flashing on the jailhouse set, as he

Another of the night’s top moments came when the inimitable Lady Gaga appeared for her David Bowie tribute in a nuclear-orange wig—and with a giant projected spider crawling across her face.

The number was not short on song titles—she sang bits of 10 hits, from Space Oddity and Ziggy Stardust to Let’s Dance and Heroes.

It was a messy, chaotic performance that prioritised sight over sound and ended up being a tribute more to Bowie’s showmanship than to his musical accomplishments.

The flawed-but-fun performance however had the audience on their feet,

The impromptu a cappella performance, reportedly put together at the last minute, had the audience on their feet as the Texan warblers beatboxed to Wonder’s rendition of That’s the Way of the World.

“Too often lately, we’ve experienced painful losses in our musical family.

But time and time again, we find solace in the healing power of music,” Wonder told the crowd.

not-so-sparkly performance of her smash hit Out of the Woods on a stage surrounded by appropriately lifeless looking trees.

The show then plodded its way through several more ballads, with Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt mashing up their hits Take Your Time and Heartbeat and The Weeknd offering a medley of Can’t Feel My Face and In the Night.

Adele and the (bad) mic Backlit beside a grand piano, 10time Grammy winner Adele looked her usual sultry self—but she sounded anything but.

The British songstress belted out power ballad All I Ask during a performance beset by technical problems.

At times, the singer sounded out of tune.

Hello again, Lionel Richie John Legend, Demi Lovato, Meghan Trainor, Tyrese Gibson and Luke Bryan delivered a smoother-than-silk tribute to four-time Grammy winner Lionel Richie, who was the Person of the Year for MusiCares, the charity arm of the Grammys.

Legend opened with a velvety rendition of Easy Like Sunday Morning before Lovato took over with a powerful Hello that had Richie nodding along in his seat.

The crooner got up on stage to help out as they rounded off with crowd-pleaser All Night Long, with several celebs including Beck looking visibly moved and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl rocking out in his seat.

Shake It Off Taylor Swift opened the show sporting a short bob and sheer black jumpsuit studded with crystals for a

Viewers at home took to Twitter to complain about the poor sound quality after it cut out midway through the song, with some accusing the guitarist of playing out of key.

The problems appeared to push Adele off kilter, as she too began to lose concentration with an uncharacteristically off-key performance.

Later, she tweeted, “The piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that’s what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune.

“S*** happens.”

But she sounded upbeat, saying she was treating herself to a burger from fast food chain In-N-Out over the mishap and adding: “So maybe it was worth it.”

Page 12

February 15-29, 2016

Georgia Asian Times

LIFESTYLE

Chanel brings its signature quilted pattern to spring/summer jewelry Paris, Feb 10 — Alongside the recent haute-couture shows in Paris, the French fashion house presented a 48-piece high-jewelry collection inspired by the iconic quilted pattern dear to Gabrielle Chanel.

The range is split into 11 mini-collections that see diamonds, sapphires, mother-of-pearl marquetry, rock crystal and pearls used in creative designs that channel the quilted motif with high-end craftsmanship.

After bringing the famous quilted pattern to selected cuffs and rings in the “Coco Crush” collection back in April, the theme is back in a bigger way for spring/summer 2016 with “Signature de Chanel” — the first line of high jewelery entirely dedicated to Chanel’s emblematic quilting.

A Chanel signature Originally inspired by the equestrian world, the quilted pattern is an integral part of Chanel’s history that’s often considered a signature of the brand.

This now legendary effect was first seen on the “2.55” bag, before soon being brought to more of the brand’s bags and accessories.

For 2016, it’s in the hands of Chanel’s jewelery studio — the Studio de Création de Haute Joaillerie — to

craft a range based on the famous quilting, with no less than 48 pieces reinterpreting the motif.

With sleek curves and chunky shapes, the pieces sit close to the body and embrace its every movement, channeling the quilted effect in a multitude of combinations.

White gold and diamonds Chanel has put 18-karat white gold and diamonds at the heart of this new high jewellery collection.

However, 18-karat yellow gold is used in the “Signature d’Or” mini-collection, with a ring and cuff set with brilliant-cut diamonds.

Other mini-collections include “Signature de Saphir”, which sets sapphires among square-cut, brilliant-cut, baguette-cut and triangle-cut diamonds, while “Signature de Perles” sees Japanese cultured pearls alongside emerald-cut, brilliant-cut and cushion-cut diamonds.

The “Signature Acidulée” collection includes a ring set with an aquamarine stone.

Christian Louboutin unveils lunar-inspired capsule collection for Spring/Summer ‘16 New York, Feb 8 — Christian Louboutin has revealed a new Spring/ Summer 2016 collection inspired by the power of the moon.

The Clair de Lune capsule collection features styles for both men and women, with each style adorned with crystals in a prism of rich, sparking colors. Gems used include ruby, rose and tangerine, contrasted against a cooler underbelly that emits cerulean and silver tones.

The shoes were created using a unique strass method and a new approach to crystal application, using four sizes of crystals in 11 different colors. Crystals were hand-placed in colorful clusters or all over the shoe, against materials such as a jet black veau velours and roccia python. The hand-applied strass is designed to emulate the effect of moonlight dancing over flowers in a field, with orbs of

obscured, multifaceted light conjuring romance.

Each pair of shoes features crystals meticulously placed on its right and left side as mirror images of one another — like rays of light beaming back and forth.

Paper Fashion website illustrator Katie Rodgers has also worked with the shoe label to create a series of hand-painted watercolor illustrations and gifs that reference the collection’s inspiration. The artwork features the shoes floating like comets across a moonlit sky.

Clair de Lune is available in a full range of sneakers, flats, pumps and platforms, both online at ChristianLouboutin.com and in select Christian Louboutin boutiques around the world.

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

Page 13

SPORTS

Man City’s Pep talk may come back to haunt them Manchester City may come to regret their decision to announce Pep Guardiola’s appointment as manager four months before Manuel Pellegrini relinquishes charge of the Premier League club.

City are still in contention to win four trophies but their form in the two weeks since they confirmed Guardiola’s arrival in July has raised questions about their ability to mark Pellegrini’s departure with silverware.

Successive home defeats by leaders Leicester City and second placed Tottenham Hotspur have left City six points off the pace with serious doubts about whether their expensively-assembled squad is still playing for the manager.

the first problem is our team.

“We need to improve on a lot of things. We have 36 points more to play for. I think all the teams will lose more points from now until the end of the season but when you don’t depend just on what you do of course it’s more difficult.”

City have a number of world-class players on their books, including striker Sergio Aguero, midfielder Yaya Toure and defender Vincent Kompany who returned to the side against Tottenham after six weeks out injured.

“There is not a chance we will give up on the title. We have to improve,” said Pellegrini.

They need to do so quickly.

Backed by the wealth of Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi, City are proving that all the money in the world cannot guarantee success on the field.

Pellegrini, who guided City to the Premier League title and League Cup victory in 2014, was honest enough after the 2-1 loss to Spurs on Sunday to admit his team had been beaten by the better side.

He defiantly suggested, however, that they could still win the title even though they have taken only one point out of 15 this season from matches against Leicester, Spurs and Arsenal, the three teams above them.

“We will see at the end of the season which is the best team,” he said, “but

City face rejuvenated Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge on Sunday before a taxing trip to Ukraine and the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Dynamo Kiev.

Four days later they play Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley and meet the same opponents at Anfield in the League three days later.

Adverse results over the next two weeks could signal the end of a fourpronged trophy assault and condemn Pellegrini to a painful farewell before Guardiola arrives with a huge task to rejuvenate the club. – Reuters

United need to win trophy to save season, says Rooney Manchester United need to end their trophy drought by winning either the Europa League or the FA Cup and finish in the Premier League’s top four this season to get the fans back on board, captain Wayne Rooney said.

Knocked out of the Champions League and six points behind Manchester City at fourth in the Premier League, United face Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday before a trip to third-tier Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.

pointing to go out of it. But our main aim has to be to make sure we can get in that top four.”

United failed to emerge from the Champions League group stages and slipped into the Europa League, an outcome derided by fans and former players alike.

Rooney, however, said the club could not afford to take the opportunity to win silverware lightly.

The club last won a trophy in 201213, when they romped to the Premier League title in Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge, and have struggled so far under manager Louis van Gaal.

“It would be great if we can win (the Europa League),” he added. “It’s not where we wanted to be at the start of the season but it’s where we’ve found ourselves so why not go and try to win it.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Sunderland led the Dutchman to all but rule out their chances of finishing in the Champions League positions.

“This is more or less a new team so for ourselves, as a team, we need to win something. The fans want to see us win something again.” – Reuters

“The important thing now, I feel, is to win trophies again this season,” Rooney told British media.

“Obviously the Champions League is massive for this club and it was disap-

Page 14

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

SPORTS Barcelona eye another treble as Champions League resumes London, Feb 15, 2016 — Barcelona will turn their gaze from domestic honours to Europe in their quest for a second straight treble when the holders return to Champions League duties against Arsenal in the last 16, which starts this week.

Coach Luis Enrique, who led Barca to victory in last season’s final with a 3-1 win over Juventus in Berlin, has already seen his men secure a place in the King’s Cup final as well as chasing a second successive La Liga crown.

They return to action in the continent’s elite competition next week when they travel to London to face Arsenal on Feb. 23 having never lost to them in European competition.

Barcelona face a busy time and, having thrashed Celta Vigo 6-1 helped by a Luis Suarez hat-trick yesterday, they next face Sporting Gijon on Wednesday in their Liga match in hand left over from a trip to the Club World Cup in December.

“I’m very pleased with how we’re preparing and competing in each match. This is the line we must follow each week and if we have this busy calendar it’s because we’ve earned it,” said Luis Enrique as the European season moves to its most exciting phase.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, who face AS Roma, and Atletico Madrid, who meet PSV Eindhoven, have all reached the Champions League final in the last two seasons with Real defeating Atletico 4-1 after extra time in Lisbon in 2014.

Injury worries Real, bidding for an unprecedented 11th European Cup triumph, have not met Roma since the 2007-08 season when the Italians beat them home and away.

But Real, who travel to Roma on Wednesday, have injury worries with Pepe (foot problem) Gareth Bale (calf) and Marcelo (shoulder) all doubtful.

The match will be Zinedine Zidane’s first in the competition he graced as a player since becoming Real’s manager in January.

England, like Spain, have three teams in the last 16 and while Arsenal face the toughest task against Barcelona, both Chelsea and Manchester City face imposing obstacles.

Chelsea, whose season is showing signs of revival after the chaos of Jose Mourinho’s last months in charge, have improved under interim Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, even if the English champions remain in the bottom half of the Premier League.

They face runaway French league leaders Paris St Germain, who were too good for a much better Chelsea team last season, knocking them out at the same stage on away goals.

Chelsea, who beat Newcastle United 5-1 on Saturday, visit Paris on Tuesday amid increased security in the capital after some of their fans racially abused a passenger on the Metro last year.

Manchester City face Dynamo Kiev on Feb. 24 at the start of a hugely significant period before manager Manuel Pellegrini makes way for Pep Guardiola next season.

Tottenham Hotspur now the real deal after win over Manchester City London, Feb 15, 2016 — Tottenham Hotspur have suffered so many false dawns that even their most ardent fans had long given up hope of their team ever winning the league title, but yesterday’s 2-1 victory at Manchester City has changed all that.

Spurs’ triumph at the Etihad Stadium, where they had lost on their last five visits, moved them within two points of Premier League leaders Leicester City and kept them in second place above Arsenal on goal difference with 12 matches to play.

All eyes have been on Leicester’s remarkable rise to the top of the table, after being bottom and facing relegation a year ago, and Tottenham’s steady progress this season has been overshadowed by The Foxes’ remarkable transformation.

But Spurs’ young team, responding to coach Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing philosophy - “part crack Army unit, part dance troop” as The Times called them on Saturday - occupy their highest position at this stage of a season since 1985.

A 53rd minute Harry Kane penalty and an 83rd minute strike by Christian Eriksen on his 24th birthday gave Spurs a fifth successive league win and moved them four points clear of City.

Ttitle hopes City’s Premier League title hopes are hanging by a thread after successive home defeats by rivals Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Their only previous battle with Dynamo ended in a 2-1 aggregate defeat in the Europa League in 2010-11.

Guardiola, who is in his last few months with Bayern Munich, has been taken on for next season by City who see him as the man to lead them to Champions League glory.

Bayern face last season’s beaten finalists Juventus on Feb. 23 and the irony not lost on anyone is that Guardiola’s side could face City if both get

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, now a pundit for Sky Sports, said Tottenham could complete the most remarkable Premier League story of all if Leicester fail to win the title.

through this round.

Bayern have injury doubts over their central defenders, with Javi Martinez, Jerome Boateng and Medhi Benatia all sidelined, while Holger Badstuber broke his ankle in training on Saturday and will be sidelined for three months.

“All season Leicester and Claudio Ranieri has been the story - it would be perhaps the greatest story ever in football in this country if Leicester were to win the league.

“If that doesn’t happen and Tottenham win the league, I think that’ll be the biggest story in Premier League history...

“If you look at the title winners, you expect them to spend big money but Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino have not done that and if they win the league it will also be the best managerial performance in the Premier League’s history.”

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry also praised his old enemies, saying: “They didn’t start the season all that well, but they stayed calm, no-one panicked, they stayed cool... Now they look like a team... that can win the league.

You have to give the manager and his board the credit.”

Spurs last won the title in 1961, when they were the first English club in the 20th century to claim a league and FA Cup double, since when success has been confined to European and domestic cups.

The last time they finished second in the table was in 1963 and they have never finished third in the Premier League era.

No-one at Spurs, least of all Pochettino, talks of the title but with each win it is becoming an increasing possibility.

— Reuters

The Bavarians signed German defender Serdar Tasci on loan from Spartak Moscow before Badstuber’s injury, leaving him and inexperienced Joshua Kimmich as the only options in the heart of the defence. — Reuters

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

Page 15

HEALTH Foods that could help prevent cancer New York, Feb 4 — Many recent studies have shown the important role our diet plays in everyday health, and in the prevention of cancer. On the occasion of World Cancer Day on February 4 we have rounded up some of the key foods to include in your diet that could help ward off cancer, as well as promote general health and well-being.

A large study published last month which looked at over 90,000 women found that eating a high-fibre diet in early adulthood, which included plenty of fruit and vegetables, could lower the risk of breast cancer in later life by 12 to 19 per cent compared to those who ate much less or no dietary fibre at all.

A 2015 American study also found that fibre can be beneficial, with the study’s results suggesting that prostate cancer patients can improve their

chances of survival by following a Mediterranean-style diet full of fruit, vegetables and fibre.

And a 2015 Chinese study found that eating white vegetables such as potatoes, asparagus, chard, celery, cauliflower, endive and leek, was associated with a 33 per cent reduction in the risk of developing stomach cancer. The same study also found that eating fruit helped to reduce the risk by 7 per cent Enjoying a daily coffee could help as well, with numerous studies showing the health benefits of drinking your morning cup of joe. A 2015 study of 1000 colon cancer patients found that coffee lovers who drank four or more cups of coffee a day were 42 per cent less likely to have their cancer return than non-coffee drinkers, and 34 per cent less likely to die from cancer or

any other cause. A 2015 Swedish study also found similar results, with breast cancer patients who drank between two and five cups of coffee per day half as likely to experience a return of the disease compared to those who drank no coffee or less than two cups.

Good fats found in foods such as oily fish could also be beneficial, with a review of 26 previous studies covering more than 800,000 participants finding that eating a portion of oily fish such as tuna, salmon, or sardines one to two times a week can reduce the risk of breast cancer. And a 2013 study involving 4,577 prostate cancer patients found that those who changed their diet to include more good fats — the type found in foods such as vegetables, nuts and olive oil — had a better survival rate than those whose diets remained unchanged.

And for what you should try to avoid, well sugar seems to play a part in many health problems, including cancer, with a study published only last month finding that high levels of sugar, typical in a modern Western diet, could be associated with increasing the risk and spread of breast cancer.

First Travel Related Zika Case Confirmed In Georgia Atlanta, February 3, 2016 – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is confirming the first travel-related case of Zika virus in Georgia.

Testing was done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The non-pregnant individual traveled to Colombia between the end of December and the first of January and has made a full recovery. Tests are still being done on specimens from several other Georgia residents with travel history to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are ongoing.

“It is extremely important that individuals who have traveled to countries where there are on-going Zika virus outbreaks keep guard against additional mosquito bites,” said Cherie Drenzek, D.V.M, state epidemiologist for DPH. “During the first week or so of infection, Zika virus can be passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then transmit the virus to other people.”

DPH cautions travelers, especially women who are pregnant, headed to countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others.

The complete list of Zika affected countries can be found at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.

There are urgent concerns about Zika virus infection and pregnant

women. Zika virus infections have been confirmed in infants with microcephaly and in the current outbreak in Brazil, a marked increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly has been reported. Pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant should not travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who have traveled to these areas should consult their physician immediately. Health care providers should ask all pregnant women about recent travel.

Zika virus is primarily spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Most people infected with Zika virus never know they are sick.

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.

Travelers should check CDC travel ad-

visories for their destinations and take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitos: · Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants · Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or IR3535 (use as directed) · Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) · Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms The number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely increase.

These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the country, including Georgia.

Page 16

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

Misc Asia North Korea orders all South Korean Kaesong immediately, declares it military area Seoul, Feb 11, 2016 — North Korea on Thursday (Feb 11) ordered all South Koreans to leave the jointly run Kaesong industrial zone immediately and announced it was seizing all materials left in the complex.

North Korea also said it was freezing the assets of companies operating there, calling the South’s decision to suspend operations at the zone a “declaration of war”.

In a statement published by the official KCNA news agency, the committee said it was closing Kaesong and declaring it a military area.

It also announced the cutting of all military communications with South Korea, including the main channel through the border truce village of Panmunjom, as soon as the expulsion of South Korean citizens had taken place.

It did not specify how long the links would be cut for.

“South Korean enemy forces will experience themselves the harsh and painful price they should pay for halting the Kaesong industrial complex,” it said.

after the expulsion order were carrying factory materials.

“No one stopped us when we were moving our goods into the truck,” said Mr Park Seung Gul, the manager at a textile company in Kaesong.

The announcement by the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) followed Seoul’s decision on Wednesday to shut down Kaesong operations as punishment for the North’s recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.

The CPRK statement did not specify what might happen to anyone failing to make the expulsion deadline.

The measures mark a significant escalation of cross-border tensions that have been elevated since the nuclear test last month and a long-range rocket launch on Sunday.

South Korea on Wednesday gave South Koreans until Saturday to quit the complex. It also announced on Wednesday it was closing down operations at Kaesong, which lies 10km inside North Korea, in protest over the North’s nuclear test and rocket launch.

All South Koreans were ordered to leave Kaesong by 5pm Pyongyang time and told they could take nothing but their personal possessions.

The owners of the 124 South Korean companies operating factories in Kaesong had sent hundreds of empty trucks into the North on Thursday morning to start loading up goods and equipment.

“We seize all assets of the South Korean companies and related organizations including machinery, raw materials and goods,” the statement said.

“We will make the utmost efforts to make sure that all our nationals return home safely,” Seoul’s Unification Ministry said in a statement.

The order to leave immediately was published on KCNA just 30 minutes before the expulsion deadline.

Several people who crossed back into the South on Thursday morning said they had noticed an increased military presence in Kaesong, including armed soldiers carrying backpacks and sleeping bags.

Despite the ban on removing anything beyond their personal belongings, some trucks crossing the border

Ms Kim Soo Hee, a nurse working at a medical clinic in the complex, she had seen several military trucks arriving in Kaesong and a number of armed soldiers with backpacks and sleeping bags.

“There were more soldiers around the complex than usual,” she said.

Relations between the two Koreas have always been volatile, but analysts said the current situation risked turning into a full-blown crisis.

“Now we can say that all strings between the Koreas have been cut and that there are no more buffers,” said Dr Ko Yoo Hwan, a professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University in Seoul.

“An escalation of tensions is inevitable, and I see further trouble ahead with Kaesong and the issues of seized assets, especially if North Korea militarizes the zone,” Dr Ko said.

In September 2014, Pyongyang drafted a new operational regulation - rejected by Seoul - that would have allowed the North to detain South Korean businessmen in Kaesong in the event of an unresolved business dispute.

Defending its decision to halt operations at Kaesong on Thursday, Seoul said North Korea had been using the hundreds of millions of dollars in hard-currency that it earned from Kaesong to fund its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

The government’s move was slammed as “utterly incomprehensible” by the Kaesong company owners

who said their businesses were being destroyed by politics.

Born out of the “sunshine” reconciliation policy of the late 1990s, Kaesong opened in 2004 and proved remarkably resilient, riding out repeated crises that ended every other facet of inter-Korean cooperation.

Earlier in the day, the United States also signaled unilateral moves against North Korea, with the US Senate unanimously adopting a Bill expanding sanctions.

The United States and its main Asian allies, South Korea and Japan, have led a push for tough UN Security Council sanctions, but have met resistance from North Korea’s main diplomatic protector China.

Although fiercely critical of Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, Beijing is more concerned at the prospect of the North Korean regime being pushed to collapse - triggering chaos on China’s border.

The Senate Bill would punish any person or entity importing goods, technology or training related to weapons of mass destruction, or engaging in human rights abuses.

Penalties would include the seizure of assets, visa bans and denial of government contracts.

It also aims to cut down on money laundering and narcotics trafficking two major illicit activities believed to be funneling millions of dollars into leader Kim Jong Un’s inner circle.

Georgia Asian Times February 15-29, 2016

Page 17

Misc Asia

Calls for safety overhaul in Taiwan after deadly earthquake Tainan, Feb 11 — As rescuers continue the grim task of digging bodies from the rubble of an apartment complex that collapsed in a Taiwan earthquake, anger is growing over the shoddy construction of the building and the island’s questionable safety record.

The Wei-kuan building was the only high-rise to crumble completely in the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the southern city of Tainan before dawn Saturday, with 55 confirmed dead so far, mostly from the complex.

More than 80 residents remain buried in the ruins and the chances of finding survivors are slim.

Prosecutors say there were “flaws” in the building as they question the developer and two associates on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

Distraught relatives of residents said they had complained over cracks in the walls of the building. Pictures from the disaster site show tin cans and foam were used as fillers inside the concrete.

Experts say that cost-cutting shortcuts have long dogged the construction industry in Taiwan.

The disaster has struck a nerve with the public, increasingly embittered by a string of disasters, from food safety scandals to a water park explosion that left 15 dead.

“So-called competitiveness in Taiwan is all cost-oriented, so this kind of situation isn’t a surprise at all,” said a post on Taiwan’s popular PTT online forum after the building collapse.

“They just collect the money and it’s not their responsibility anymore,” another user commented.

Prosecutors said there were too few steel reinforcing bars in parts of the building, and that the developer may have used a borrowed license for the construction of the property.

Engineers helping at the rescue site added that some walls many have been knocked down on the ground floor, which housed part of a multi-story electronics store.

“Apparently in this case, there were indeed flaws in the construction of the building,” a court statement said yesterday.

Black-hearted developers

“Because of competition, for a long period of time, the local construction industry has not been well managed,” said Chern Jenn-chuan, civil engineering professor at National Taiwan University.

The Wei-kuan building had 96 apartments and was completed in 1994, before a new building code was brought in following a devastating earthquake that left 2,400 people dead in 1999.

Professor Chern said the disaster, which brought down buildings across the island, had led to better safety measures and awareness among developers.

The island’s President-elect Tsai Ingwen, who will take office in May, said she would prioritize building safety and review the resistance of older buildings to quakes and other disasters.

“Many people now understand the grave responsibilities,” he told AFP, adding the number of safety breaches had dropped.

Meanwhile, the public is calling for maximum punishment for the developers — particularly after skepticism over previous safety scandal cases.

The revised building code put in stricter requirements to make structures more quake-proof, including increasing the number and resilience of reinforcing bars.

Last year, food tycoon Wei Yingchung was acquitted on charges of selling tainted cooking oil, prompting protests over his release.

But Max Lo, former president of the Taiwan Engineering and Science Association, says while newer buildings are structurally sound, not enough has been done about the ones built before 1999.

“Each county had identified the most notable at-risk buildings in its area, but they still haven’t all been dealt with,” he said.

“Just because a building doesn’t collapse after a quake, that doesn’t mean it’s okay,” he added.

“It needs regular check-ups, like a human body. The government needs a complete set of policies to deal with such older, or higher-risk buildings as soon as possible.”

There was also outrage when only one person was indicted after an explosion at a water park killed 15 and injured hundreds when clouds of multi-colored corn starch sprayed on revelers ignited due to heat from the stage lights.

Victims have demanded prosecutors reopen the probe into that accident.

“I hope these black-hearted developers all get death sentences,” said one PTT forum user in response to the Wei-kuan disaster.

“They killed so many people just for the sake of making money.”

Page 18

February 15-29, 2016 Georgia Asian Times

TECH

Apple’s ‘Error 53’ could upend a lucrative business New York, Feb 15 — Imagine if Ford remotely disabled the engine on your new F-150 pickup because you chose to have the door locks fixed at a corner garage rather than a dealership. Sound absurd? Not if you’re Apple.

Since 2014, the world’s most profitable smartphone company has—without warning—permanently disabled some iPhones that had their home buttons replaced by repair shops in the course of fixing a shattered screen. Phones that underwent the same repair at Apple service centres, meanwhile, have continued working just fine.

The message seems clear, at least to the multibillion-dollar independent repair industry: Your phone is yours until you decide to get it fixed. Then it’s Apple’s.

Apple says it was merely trying to keep the iPhones “secure,” and that “Error 53”— the code that pops up after the company bricks a unit—is meant to ensure that nobody messes with the phone’s fingerprint sensor. Whatever the intent, the company now finds itself amid a PR and legal debacle that could upend the lucrative business of servicing gadgets worldwide.

Samsung Note 6 could be packing 6GB of RAM Seoul, Feb 15 — Rumors have already started circulating about the next Samsung Note 6. The Mobile World Congress is just around the corner after all, which will usually be when new phones are announced.

The most interesting revelation is that the Samsung Note 6 could be packing an unprecedented 6GB of RAM. Most high-end smartphones at the moment sport at most 4GB of RAM. Apparently Samsung has created a chip that allows 6GB to be packed on a single chip, which paves the way for even higher memory specs on the company’s mobile phones. Could 12GB RAM phones be in our future soon? It looks possible from this vantage point.

Other rumors say the Note 6 could also sport a larger 5.8-inch screen, a 12 megapixel camera and 64GB or 128GB of storage. With the success of the Note 5 and sterling reviews for that model, it looks like Samsung is working hard to ensure the next iteration is a winner.

The root of that debacle dates to 2009, when Apple started using proprietary screws in MacBooks, and later iPhones, to keep DIY types from making simple fixes or souping up their systems. Although repair shops eventually obtained compatible screwdrivers (by making them), the episode illustrated how paranoid Apple can be about anyone tinkering with its products: Among other things, it refuses to release repair manuals for its devices, maintains a stranglehold on spare parts, won’t share information on diagnostic equipment and software, and isn’t even accepting applications for new authorised service providers. All of which suggests that it wants to curtail consumer choice in favour of its own services.

That’s not a unique business model, of course. For decades, auto manufacturers and dealerships have done their best to undermine independent garages by limiting access to original parts and diagnostic tools. The results, in both industries, are predictable: Repair shops have to turn away willing customers, and consumers lose the benefits of free competition, notably lower prices and more convenience.

In 2000, under threat of so-called “right to repair” legislation, US automakers, deal-

erships and service shops formed a union to share information on repairing today’s high— tech cars. Because membership was voluntary, however, there was little incentive to cough up any useful data, especially in a prompt manner.

Massachusetts took matters a step further in 2012 when it required manufacturers to provide the same information and tools to repair shops as they do to dealerships. Fearful that other states would follow, the automakers agreed to make the law a binding standard by 2018. That means authorised service departments will soon have to compete on price—handing a big win to consumers.

So far, there’s nothing similar for the electronics business. But Apple’s aggressive approach to controlling information may change that. Several states are taking a hard look at legislation that would require tech companies to share repair data and sell parts at fair prices.

Needless to say, Apple could fix this problem on its own. It could offer tools and spare parts to independent shops at market rates, form an association with its competitors to encourage information sharing, and even push for a certification standard to ensure quality repairs. Doing so would not be in Apple’s DNA, of course. But it might ease public outrage, mollify newly attentive regulators, appease customers at a time when sales are slipping, and—not incidentally—forestall a wave of class-action lawsuits.

More to the point, if Apple’s executives don’t address the problem, lawmakers will do so for them. And that would be no bad thing: Apple’s service centres might suffer for it, but its customers— and their phones—will only benefit. — Bloomberg