Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia
www.gasiantimes.com
June 15-30, 2014
U.S. leads in millionaire households
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
Publisher: Li Wong Account Manager: Adrian West Contributors: Andrian Putra, May Lee, Mark Ho
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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.
Design Thinking: Japanese Style Presenter: Dr. Robert “Bob” Tobin, Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University, Japan Organized by Georgia Tech CIBER Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Venue: 800 West Peachtree St NW, Atlanta GA 30308 Admission: Free GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia ~ Awards Presentation Date: Thursday, July 10, 2014 Time: 6:30 pm Venue: Happy Valley Restaurant Sponsorship opportunities available For more info: gat25@gasiantimes. com Laotian American National Alliance (LANA) Conference “Next generation Leadership: Connections and Building Bridges”
Date: August 1-2, 2014 Venue: UPS World HQ, 55 Glenlake Parkway, NE, Atlanta GA 30328 For more info: Anasone Silivongxay, email: anasone.lana@gmail.com Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta Date: Sunday, August 17, 2014 Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Venue: Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart building 2 West, 230 Spring Street, Atlanta GA 3030 For more info: www.beabride.net Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Atlanta Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014 Time: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Venue: Clarks Bridge - Kayaking Facility, Lake Lanier, Gainesville For more info: www.dragonboatatlanta.com
JapanFest 2014 Date: Sept 20-21, 2014 Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Venue: Convention Center at Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097 Cost: $8 / Children under 6 free 10th Atlanta Asian Film Festival Date: October 10-24, 2014 Venues: Plaza Theatre, GSU-Cinefest, GPC Dunwoody, University of West Georgia-Caroollton For more info: www.atlaff.org
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
METRO ASIAN NEWS
Georgia DOE announces new testing system to replace CRCT and EOCT Atlanta, June 4, 2014 – The Georgia Department of Education will implement a new testing system, the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) during the 2014-2015 academic year. The new system will replace both the CRCT and the EOCT. graduation cap diploma isolated on a white backgroundGeorgia Milestones will be aligned to the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) and will require more from students than the CRCT and EOCT it replaces, in order to better prepare students for college and career and to provide a more realistic picture of academic progress. A major benefit of the new system is that it is one consistent testing program across grades 3-12, whereas previously students took a series of individual tests. The increased expectations for student learning reflected in Georgia Milestones may mean initially lower scores than the previous years’ CRCT or EOCT scores. That is to be expected and should bring Georgia’s tests in line with other indicators of how our students are performing, State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. “We need to know that students are being prepared, not at a minimum-competency level but with
rigorous, relevant education, to enter college, the workforce or the military at a level that makes them competitive with students from other states,” Dr. Barge said. The new testing system will include open-ended questions to better gauge students’ content mastery. With some exceptions for special education students with specific testing accommodations, Georgia Milestones will be administered entirely online by the fifth year of implementation, compared to 35 percent online administration of the EOCT in 2013-2014. The State of Georgia awarded a bid on Wednesday, May 28 to CTB/McGraw-Hill to develop the new testing system. The award is for a $107.8 million, five-year contract. In July 2013, Georgia pulled out of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career, which originally was a consortium of 22 states. The states were working together to develop assessments aligned with Common Core. Georgia withdrew from the consortium because officials said the designed tests would cost the state about $29.50 per student or $27 million annually.
Gwinnett student artwork on display nationally Norcross, June 5, 2014 — Four student artists from Gwinnett County will have their art pieces on national displayed after earning top reviews for their artistic talent during the 2014 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program. The students from Brookwood High, Grayson High, Mill Creek High, and Norcross High have been invited to New York City this week to be honored for their national accomplishment. They are part of a select group of 1,000 young artists in grades 7-12 who will be part of the “Art.Write.Now. 2014 National Exhibition” June 5-14, in New York City. 2014 National Scholastic Art Award winners: Gold Medal Student: Phu Nguyen, Norcorss High School Title: City of Atlantis Medium: Drawing Gold Medal Student: Savana Ogburn, Grayson High School Title: Tulle Expansions Medium: Carisa Griffin Silver Medal Student: Cadle Crow, Mill Creek High
School Title: Clowning Around Medium: Drawing Silver Medal Student: Jenna Still, Brookwood High School Title: Fundens Ad Angulum Medium: Ceramics and Glass Gold medals were presented to the creators of the most outstanding art pieces in this national competition. There are 28 categories in both the arts and writing sections of the competition. Each student’s teacher is honored along with the student. As part of the honor, recognized students are eligible for scholarship opportunities. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is administered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc. The nonprofit organization’s awards bring a national audience to the outstanding visual art and writing created by middle and high school students (grades 7-12) by showcasing their work and encouraging their creative journey and career development. One thousand students from across the nation received national awards, of which many are selected to be displayed during a national exhibition.
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
METRO ASIAN NEWS
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Connecting Atlanta for 35 years...
Asian indicted for illegal dietary supplements online sales Atlanta, June 10, 2014 - Chenhsin Chan, a/k/a Paul Chan has been arraigned on federal charges of mail fraud, the introduction into interstate commerce of adulterated food, the knowing distribution of a listed chemical, and money laundering. “Chan is charged with marketing and selling dietary supplements that he knew contained ephedrine which the FDA has determined creates unreasonable risks when used for dieting,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “By putting those unsafe products on the market, he put his customers at risk of illness. Public safety is our priority. We will protect our citizens and the marketplace through criminal prosecution, if necessary.” According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Chenhsin Chan owned and operated The Wholesale Source, LLC, a company that marketed and sold dietary supplements, primarily through affiliated websites including www.thatswholesale.com and www.ephedrawholesale.com. From at least July 2005 through August 2012, Chan allegedly marketed and sold dietary supplements on his websites that contained ephedrine alkaloids. In April 2004, the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids to be adulterated food because they present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Chan was allegedly warned by FDA investigators in June 2005 that it was illegal to sell dietary supplements containing ephedrine, but he continued to do so.
Chan’s websites allegedly made materially false and misleading claims concerning the use of ephedrine, such as that ephedrine has been approved by the FDA for treatment of any disease, and that ephedrine has “never been illegal.” These false claims were allegedly designed to lure customers into believing that it was legal to purchase dietary supplements containing ephedrine, when it was not. During the period of the scheme, Chan allegedly sold over $4.3 million in dietary supplements that were adulterated with ephedrine, including to customers in the Northern District of Georgia. Chan is also charged with money laundering for using proceeds from the alleged mail fraud scheme to purchase real property in New York for over $1 million in cash and a 2012 Mercedes Benz for over $50,000 in cash. The indictment seeks criminal forfeiture of, among other things, the same real property and Mercedes Benz, as well as a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo and over $666,000 in cash. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven D. Grimberg and Michael J. Brown are prosecuting the case.
Thank you
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BUSINESS
Hong Kong financial hub braces for possible protest shutdown Hong Kong, June 13, 2014 — Multinational companies and financial institutions in Hong Kong are drawing up emergency plans in the event of a partial shutdown of the financial hub’s business district this summer owing to a planned pro-democracy protest. Activists have threatened to lock down the Central area of Hong Kong, home to some of Asia’s biggest companies and banks, as part of a campaign for the right to choose candidates for a poll in 2017 to elect Hong Kong’s next leader. Democracy protests over the past year have stoked friction and unnerved Beijing leaders fearful of an opposition democrat taking the city’s highest office. Concerns about growing discontent and the threatened closure of the city’s business district by the so-called Occupy Central activists have prompted companies and financial authorities to prepare for the worst. Protest organizers hope to draw tens of thousands to their movement, but no date or specifics have yet been announced on their action. The protest could start as early as July 1. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the de facto central bank, said it would carry out a “business continuity planning drill” shortly with member banks to “protect the critical areas of their business and to cope with disruptions”. Rhonda Lam, a spokeswoman at the HKMA, declined to confirm how many banks were involved or whether the drill was directly related to Occupy Central, but said it would address the “inaccessibility of banks’ headquarters or offices due to any possible events that may happen in Central”. Beijing warning The thorny issue of political reforms has continued to dog the former British colony that reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 amid promises to grant the free-wheeling capitalist hub broad-ranging autonomy, pitting a feisty opposition pro-democracy movement against Beijing’s conservative Communist Party leaders. On Tuesday, China published a report warning Hong Kong that there were limits to its freedom and it should adhere strictly
to the law, in what was seen as a veiled threat. The Occupy Central organizers have stressed, however, that their civil disobedience movement is “non-violent” and motivated largely by China’s refusal to allow a truly fair election in 2017 that would include opposition democrats. Hong Kong’s incumbent pro-Beijing leader Leung Chun-ying has warned such a protest would be illegal and won’t be tolerated. Protesters have demanded full democracy in 2017, with a key condition being the open nomination of candidates so that anyone, including China critics, can run for office. But Beijing has rejected that, citing the city’s mini-constitution that states all nominees must be endorsed by a 1,200-strong election committee, which is stacked with Beijing loyalists. Contingency planning The head of property-to-retail conglomerate Wharf Holdings, Peter Woo, as well as Hong Kong’s second wealthiest person, property mogul Lee Shau-Kee of Henderson Land, have cautioned that any paralysis of the main business hub would damage the city’s reputation. The Hong Kong Bankers Club, whose members include most of the city’s major banks, said it would have a contingency plan in place before July 1. The private club, along with other tenants including Italian luxury fashion group Prada and auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers, have been advised by landlord Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd to be prepared for trouble. New World Development Company Ltd, another major landlord in Central, also has in place “contingency measures to ensure that its critical operation is maintained and that disruption to its normal business is kept at a minimum”. Across the street at the headquarters of HSBC, the bank has begun to “stress-test” its systems capability for staff to work from home. It sent an email to staff urging as many people as possible to work away from the office during a weekend to prepare for the eventuality that the headquarters might
June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
Oil prices climb again amid escalating violence in Iraq New York, June 14, 2014 — Crude oil prices rose to new nine-month highs yesterday as concerns persisted that an insurgency in Iraq could disrupt oil exports from the second-largest Opec producer. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest religious authority for Shi’ites, yesterday urged his followers to take up arms against Sunni militants advancing south toward Baghdad, raising the prospect of further violence.
The bulk of Iraq’s current oil exports come from south of Baghdad, still far from the Islamist rebel fighters. Should the militants advance south of the capital, analysts expect them to encounter much greater resistance. Iraqi exports from the north are considered safe for the moment, analysts said, as the major Kirkuk oil hub is held by Kurdish forces.
The surge in both Brent and US crude prices, up about US$4.00 this week, lost some momentum yesterday as the market waited to see if the conflict in Iraq would threaten oil refineries south of Baghdad.
US President Barack Obama said yesterday that the United States would not put troops on the ground in Iraq and was reviewing other options to assist the Iraqi government.
“Right now the market is looking for a comfort zone,” said James Williams, an energy economist at WTRG Economics in London, Arkansas. “Should the militants reach Iraq’s oil patch, then we have a potential for much higher prices.”
Obama said the insurgency so far had not caused major disruptions to oil supplies from Iraq, but that if insurgents took control of refineries, other oil producers in the Middle East would need to help “pick up the slack.”
Brent futures gained 39 cents to settle at US$113.41 per barrel, the highest since September 9. US crude oil gained 38 cents to settle at US$106.91 per barrel, the highest level since September 18. The spread between the two benchmarks closed at US$6.50.
The International Energy Agency played down fears over the possible loss of oil exports from Iraq in its monthly Oil Market Report, which was released yesterday.
Brent was set to gain more than 5 per cent this week, the biggest weekly rise since last July, while US crude was on track for its biggest weekly jump since December. “You want to have a premium as Iraq is more unstable than last week, but with no disruptions, how much can you keep?” said Olivier Jakob at Petromatrix consultancy in Switzerland.
be blockaded, said a senior banker who declined to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media. “It is possible that protests and marches will occur in Central on 1 July 2014 and that, depending on the situation, HSBC Main Building and its operations may be impacted in the following days,” according to an internal email seen by Reuters.
“Concerning as the latest events in Iraq may be, they might not for now, if the conflict does not spread further, put additional Iraqi oil supplies immediately at risk,” the Paris-based agency said. The IEA said yesterday that Opec would need to produce 1 million barrels per day (bpd) more oil on average in the second half of 2014 to balance the global market, which will see a steep seasonal spike in demand.
The potential impact on the Hong Kong stock exchange, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, on the harbor front fringe of Central, would be minimal even if the protests spread to its doors, with 0.16 per cent of turnover carried out on the actual trading floor, a spokesperson for HKEx said
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
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BUSINESS quarter is expected to top a 3.0 per cent annual pace after the economy contracted at a 1.0 per cent rate in the January-March period.
In May, consumers bought automobiles, boosting receipts at auto dealerships 1.4 per cent. Excluding autos, retail sales rose 0.1 per cent in May.
The lofty growth forecasts were supported by a second report from the Commerce Department showing business inventories recorded their biggest increase in six months in April.
There were solid gains in sales at building materials and garden equipment stores, as well as receipts at non-store retailers, which include online sales. Sales at furniture stores also rose.
Upward revisions So-called core retail sales, which strip out automobiles, petrol, building materials and food services, and correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product, were unchanged last month. However, they were revised to show a 0.2 per cent rise in April, instead of the previously reported 0.1 per cent dip. Economists said retail sales were up at a 9.2 per cent annualized pace over the past three months.
U.S. retails sales miss expectations, jobless claims rise Washington, June 12, 2014 — US retail sales rose less than expected in May and first-time applications for unemployment benefits increased last week, but did little to change views that the economy is regaining steam.
gests that consumers are continuing to hold their side of the bargain, building on the strong momentum at the end of the last quarter,” said Millan Mulraine, deputy chief economist at TD Securities in New York.
Today’s reports came on the heels of recent data showing solid job growth in May and strong expansion in manufacturing and services industries.
In a separate report, the Labor Department said initial claims for state unemployment benefits climbed 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 317,000 for the week ended June 7.
The Commerce Department said retail sales gained 0.3 per cent last month. While that was below economists’ expectations for a 0.6 per cent rise, April’s retail sales were revised to show a 0.5 per cent increase. Retail sales, which account for a third of consumer spending, had previously been reported to have edged up 0.1 per cent in April. “The continued gains during the first two months of the second quarter sug-
US stocks opened lower. US Treasury debt prices rose, while the dollar slipped against a basket of currencies. The economy added 217,000 jobs in May, the fourth straight month of job gains above 200,000, and has recouped all the 8.7 million jobs lost during the recession. The unemployment rate held steady at a 5½-year low of 6.3 per cent. Economic growth in the second
“This points to ongoing solid momentum in personal spending in the second quarter, which we currently peg at a rate around 3.25 per cent,” said Anthony Karydakis, chief economic strategist at Miller, Tabak in New York.
However, there were marginal declines in sales at sporting goods shops, electronics and appliances stores, as well as at clothing retailers and restaurants and bars. Another report from the Labour Department showed little signs of imported inflation, with import prices edging up 0.1 per cent last month. In the 12 months through May, prices increased 0.4 per cent, advancing for the first time since July.
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
LIFESTYLE Driven by the slowdown in quantitative easing, the U.S. dollar gained value against many currencies, particularly those in emerging markets, as well as against the Japanese yen. As in 2012, the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan) represented the fastest-growing region worldwide, continuing the trend of high growth in the “new world.” However, substantial double-digit increases in private wealth were also witnessed in the traditional, mature economies of the “old world,” particularly in North America.
U.S. leads in millionaire households Washington, June 10, 2014 - Financial wealth in private hands grew by 14.6 percent in 2013 to reach a total of $152 trillion with the Asia Pacific region excluding Japan again emerging as the fastest growing region globally, according to the latest annual Boston Consulting Group report. The report “Global Wealth 2014: Riding a Wave of Growth” reveals that the rise in the number of millionaires was stronger in 2013 than in the previous year when global wealth grew by 8.7 percent. The key drivers, for the second consecutive year, were the performance of equity markets and the creation of new wealth in rapidly developing economies (RDEs). The number of millionaire households also rose sharply, states the BCG report, which takes into account cash, deposits, shares and other assets held by households. But businesses, real estate and luxury goods are excluded. “In nearly all countries, the growth of private wealth was driven by the strong rebound in equity markets that began in the second half of 2012,” the firm said in its report.
“This performance was spurred by relative economic stability in Europe and the US and signs of recovery in some European countries, such as Ireland, Spain and Portugal.” The amount of wealth held in equities globally grew by 28% during the year, BCG said. Even as the debate over the global polarization of wealth rages on, the BCG report reveals that more people are becoming wealthy. The total number of millionaire households (in U.S. dollar terms) reached 16.3 million in 2013, up strongly from 13.7 million in 2012 and representing 1.1 percent of all households globally. The U.S. had the highest number of millionaire households (7.1 million), as well as the highest number of new millionaires (1.1 million). Robust wealth creation in China was reflected by its rise in millionaire households from 1.5 million in 2012 to 2.4 million in 2013, surpassing Japan. Indeed, the number of millionaire households in Japan fell from 1.5 million to 1.2 million, driven by the 15 percent fall in the yen against the dollar. Currency developments were more relevant to private wealth growth in 2013 than in 2012.
Double-digit growth was also seen in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Western Europe and Japan lagged behind with growth rates in the middle single digits. North America (at $50.3 trillion) and Western Europe ($37.9 trillion) remained the wealthiest regions in the world, followed closely by Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) at $37.0 trillion. Asia-Pacific, which in 2008 had 50 percent less private wealth than North America, has since closed that gap by half. Globally, the amount of wealth held privately rose by $19.3 trillion in 2013, nearly twice the increase of $10.7 trillion seen in 2012.
The highest density of millionaire households was in Qatar (175 out of every 1,000 households), followed by Switzerland (127) and Singapore (100). The U.S. had the largest number of billionaires, but the highest density of billionaire households was in Hong Kong (15.3 per million), followed by Switzerland (8.5 per million). As in previous years, strong growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in RDEs was an important driver of wealth. The BRIC countries, overall, achieved average nominal GDP growth of nearly 10 percent in 2013. Looking ahead, global private wealth is projected to post a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4 percent over the next five years to reach an estimated $198.2 trillion by the end of 2018. The Asia-Pacific region and its new wealth will account for about half of the total growth. Continued strong GDP growth and high savings rates in RDEs will be key drivers of the rise in global wealth.
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
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LIFESTYLE
Sunscreen will not save you from skin cancer New York, June 12, 2014 — As summer approaches, scientists have a new warning for sun worshipers: sunscreen can’t completely protect you from the deadliest of skin cancers. While high-protection sunscreen helps against most damage, enough radiation can get through to spur malignant melanoma, according to a study released yesterday in the journal Nature that’s the first to pinpoint a molecular mechanism of malignant melanoma, a disease that kills almost 10,000 Americans a year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Until now, exactly how ultraviolet rays damage DNA in skin cells hasn’t been clear. The researchers found the radiation harms a critical gene, called TP53, that normally helps heal broken DNA, preventing tumor progression. While use of heavy- duty sunscreen on mice limited the harm, it didn’t eliminate it, said Richard Marais, the study author. “It’s the first experimental evidence that sunscreen actually protects you from melanoma but it also shows that it doesn’t offer complete protection,” said Marais, the director of the Cancer Research U.K. Manchester Institute. “You need to use other strategies as well.”
The TP53 gene, which wasn’t thought to be important in inhibiting melanoma before, coordinates with other DNA mutations that are estimated to cause almost half of deadly incidences of the skin cancer, the researchers said. While mice protected with SPF-50 creams developed fewer tumors than unprotected mice, some still developed the disease, according to the study. Many misconceptions There are a number of misconceptions surrounding the use of sunscreen, said Jonathan Silverberg, a dermatologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in a telephone interview. Patients think they only need to apply sunscreen once a day, when patients out at the beach with intense sun exposure need to reapply every two to three hours. If they’re sweating profusely or swimming, they need to apply it once every hour to two hours, he said. “Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Period,” Silverberg said. “Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the United States and in many cases, around the world.”
Bluetooth bling alerts wearer to incoming calls New York, June 12, 2014 — Ringly is a wearable tech device with a difference — it’s a piece of jewelry first and foremost, albeit one with sufficient smarts to let the wearer know when there’s an incoming call, text message or other alert. The company behind it, also called Ringly, created it so that women with busy social and professional lives don’t waste precious time trying to dig their phone out of their handbag every time it makes any sort of noise. Instead, the Ringly rings, which is 18 karat gold plated and features a semi-precious stone, connects to the handset wirelessly via Bluetooth. When there’s an incoming call or other alert, the Ringly discreetly vibrates or glows and of course, there’s an app for both iOS and Android that can be used to set the length of time the ring buzzes or glows based on the type of alert or who exactly is getting in touch. “Our goal is to create products that are both stylish and useful, that women will be proud to wear,” says Ringly co-founder and CEO Christina Mercando. “We believe that the future of wearables is in building discreet technology that integrates seamlessly into your life and makes your day-to-day easier. The
more I use my Ringly, the more it’s like a personal assistant telling me what to do — plus there’s something so fun about having my jewelry talk to me!” As well as calls, texts, email and calendars, the app already supports notifications for Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Vine, LinkedIn and Tinder among others, and further integration will come as the app and the product develop. Ringly is taking the unusual step of crowdfunding the device via its own website and hopes to raise US$60,000 via pre-orders. If it hits its target, then the first Ringly rings will be on the fingers of their first owners this Autumn. The first four Ringlys will be offered in sizes 6, 7 and 8 with a choice of black onyx, rainbow moonstone, pink sapphire, and emerald stone and for a limited time only will cost US$145 rather than US$195. To get the crowdfunding campaign up and running, as well as a reduced price, the first 1000 rings pre-ordered will also feature a real diamond embedded in the side.
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EVENT
June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
Kalayaan “Philippines Independence Day” June 12, 2014 Westin Perimeter
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
Page 11
BOOK REVIEW
medicine brings to light the importance of family and sticking to one’s own heritage. This tale is similar to a Chinese Cinderella tale, in which the character both literally and figuratively changes from rags to riches. Kwok periodically develops the protagonist, Charlie, into a woman which truly learns how to love herself. Ultimately, her transformation from an apathetic dishwasher to hardworking ballroom dancer highlights her passion for dance.
Mambo in Chinatown By Aryn Tan Jean Kwok’s,”Mambo in Chinatown” is a fictional biography about Charlie Wong, a Chinese born American woman, living in the streets of the Manhattan Chinatown. It gives glimpses into Charlie’s world of living without her mother, who passed at an early age. On the other hand, it showcases her time spent with her younger sister and old fashioned father. This is a coming of age tale of learning how to embrace another culture, while still learning to appreciate her own heritage. Charlie leaves her job as a dishwasher, which leads her to work at a dance studio. Specifically, this is shown through the world of ballroom dancing. Charlie starts off without any experience in dance and is merely a
receptionist. She overcomes her fear of trying something new by becoming a beginner ballroom dancer as well as a dance instructor. Through her various trials at home and at work, Charlie develops her maturity both mentally and physically. Jean Kwok strikes a balance between eastern and western medicine. This is interesting because the audience glimpses into the world of eastern medicine. These discoveries are told from both Charlie and her younger sister, Lisa’s perspectives, which include her uncle’s practice of strange remedies that are encased in glass jars. These eastern remedies are reminiscent of voodo and various magical concoctions. In addition, Charlie’s fathers’ distrust in western
She realizes the truth behind the western way of life, that is not necessarily better, but as an opportunity to discover herself. Thus, Charlie becomes the woman that she has dreamed of becoming. Charlie learns to appreciate her mother’s love of dance for herself through learning how to ballroom. The protagonist continuously learns more about her identity and is able to become more confident in her surroundings. Charlie develops her dance appreciation and technique both inside and outside the studio. Jean Kwok is able to seamlessly tie in the other character relation developments as well. The author utilizes imagery and similes to tell the unique narrative of an Asian American woman who does not yet fully understand the American culture. Jean Kwok, the author, is able to blend in the themes of love, family, culture, and stress into a fast-paced read that was relatable to Asian-Americans on multiple levels. It is sure to make the audience laugh and regard notable moments. Ultimately, the novel will cause the audience to reread and look back over fondly.
My opinion of Jean Kwok’s book is biased because like Charlie, I too, was born Asian-American Chinese as well. I have done classical ballet and Chinese traditional dance for 7 years. I can understand both the experiences of being Asian and being American in America. It is quite different to be in either realm. In the traditional Asian family realm, you are so much more comfortable with family, the exotic foods, and friends who understand your family’s heritage. On the other hand, being Asian in a diverse environment is different. Americans automatically buy into the stereotypes that Asian means shy and reserved. However, as Asians, we like to see those qualities as being a wonderful listener and attentive to my surroundings. In addition, I would like to think that most Asians, like myself, are more ambiverted, which can adapt to be social in various environments. I think the world of Asians are extremely fascinating because we do not always share our private lives so publicly. I appreciate Jean Kwok’s authentic ability to story-tell. Also, her ability to present the reality and struggles of immigrating Asian American in a fictional tale. Meet Jean Kwok in person June 25, 2014, 7:15 pm Decatur Library 251 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030 Free and open to the public Aryn Tan is a freelance contributor and a student at University of Georgia.
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
TECH
“Current sensors are not very accurate, but there will be improvements,” said Matte.
said Paula Luh at the Taiwanese firm’s stand. New approach for athletes
Privacy fears Samsung unveiled a new digital health technology platform last week that uses sensors to track a range of body functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.
Smartwear revolution promises to predict and avert crises Taipei, June 5, 2014 — A new generation of wearable technology is promising not only to log data about users’ health but to predict and avert crises — from drivers falling asleep at the wheel to runners wearing themselves out in a marathon. But there are concerns over the accuracy of the personal information collected by the burgeoning range of smart wristbands, watches and clothing — and how companies might use that data. Wearable technology is the fastest growing category at this year’s Computex, Asia’s largest tech trade show which kicked off in Taiwan on Tuesday, with health-tracking a dominant theme. “Health and fitness sensors and data are fundamental for wearables and largely define the category,” said Daniel Matte of market research firm Canalys. Market tracker IDC predicted in April that sales of wearable tech items would triple this year to 19 million units worldwide, growing to 111.9 million by 2018. At Taiwanese smartwear company
AiQ’s Computex stand this week, a muscular mannequin showed off a lycra cycling top. Stainless steel fibres in the fabric and electrodes in the sleeves sense heart rate and other vital signs as well as calories burned, sending the data to a Bluetooth clip which can transmit it to a phone, tablet or other smart device. The technology will appeal to sports fans, but it is Taiwan’s bus drivers who will be the first to benefit, when companies ask them to wear smart shirts later this year in a move that could prevent accidents. “We will provide a shirt which can monitor the drivers in case they are falling asleep, or in case any vital signs are not OK, and it will provide a signal or a warning to the bus company,” said AiQ vice president Steve Huang. The clothing was trialled for a year on discharged hospital patients to track their condition and it received positive feedback from wearers, he added. But analysts and consumers still have reservations about whether smartwear can really tell us the truth about our bodies.
And another giant of the sector, Apple, also launched its ‘Health’ app this week, with speculation mounting it will move into hardware later this year. Leading Taiwan tech firm Acer also revealed its first wearable at Computex — a fitness-tracking wristband which links to a smartphone. But while tech firms jump on the health-monitoring bandwagon there are questions over how the huge flow of data from the new devices will be handled. “There is a massive opportunity to analyze and monetize the large amounts of data that wearable sensors and platforms will generate. Privacy is always a concern,” says Matte. Huang acknowledged the tension between the potential commercial benefit for smartwear firms and the risk of invading users’ privacy.
Sonostar was showing its new brightly coloured SmartFit trackers — silicone wristbands with a pop-out coinsized sensor which is battery-powered and designed to be worn all day, monitoring everything from steps taken to sleep patterns. The device has one year’s memory storage, said Luh, who added that users’ privacy would be protected through a registering and sign-in procedure to access their personal data online. Smart wearables could also be set to re-educate athletes away from a “no pain no gain” approach, with one new device at Computex claiming to be able to measure “stamina” so that it can warn racers when they might be pushing too hard. “We detect the current flowing through your heart... then we use our algorithm and transfer the raw information into stamina,” said Kuo Hsin-fu of Taiwanese start-up Bomdic, which makes the clip-on Bluetooth “GoMore” device.
“There will be a lot of legal and moral issues,” he said.
By analyzing the user’s heart activity the device can predict lactic acid build up and other physical factors which can affect performance, said Kuo, with stamina shown as a percentage level.
Tech companies are also emphasizing the potential benefits of analysis to help users make sense of their data, and the possibility of linking up with experts who can give them feedback.
“Most of the (smart) bands focus on general users, but our target audience is athletes. The ones who have tried it love it — it’s good for training and competition efficiency,” he added.
“Maybe we will cooperate with some medical (institutions) like hospitals to improve this kind of product and to do something to really help people — this has been talked about at Sonostar,”
“We are doing everything that other sports apps can do, but more.”
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
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SPORTS
Pele opens football museum highlighting glittering career Santos, June 16, 2014 — Brazilian soccer legend Pele yesterday opened a museum housing items from his stellar career in the port city of Santos where he made his name.
Spain’s Iker Casillas ask for forgiveness Curitiba, June 14, 2014 — World champions Spain’s 5-1 mauling by the Netherlands was especially symbolic for the disastrous role played by captain and talisman of three consecutive major tournament victories Iker Casillas. The 32-year-old was clearly at fault for the Netherlands’ fourth goal, slotted home by Robin Van Persie, and was earlier booked for his protests after claiming he had been fouled by the Manchester United striker as he flapped to allow Stefan de Vrij to make it 3-1. The Real Madrid stopper has endured the most difficult 18 month stretch of his illustrious career. Dropped by Jose Mourinho in his final season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casillas failed to reclaim his place ahead of Diego Lopez in La Liga this season even once Carlo Ancelotti had replaced the self-proclaimed “Special One.” Yet, Casillas did play in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League and ended the club season on a high by lifting Real’s 10th European Cup,
a feeling he described as even greater than winning the World Cup. His chances of winning more silverware come July 13 now seem remote, though, as Casillas was beaten more times in a rampant 46 minutes from the Dutch than he had been in his previous two major tournaments. Spain will now almost certainly need to win both their remaining games against Chile and Australia just to set up a likely meeting with Brazil in the last 16. “I am the first one to ask for forgiveness,” he admitted. “It wasn’t my best game by a long way because I wasn’t up to the task required and I have to know how to face this type of situation. “I need to receive the criticisms I know I will receive and think about training and think about the next game.” Yet, so out of character was his performance that there may not even be a next game for Casillas.
“He is our top star. He deserves to be recognized and his accomplishments immortalized,” said Rousseff.
“I thank God he granted me health to be able to receive this honor today,” said the 73-year-old, christened Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
The museum in Pele’s honor, was unveiled on the fourth day of the World Cup at a site formerly housing Santos town hall not far from Brazil’s main container port, which is one of Latin America’s largest.
He arrived in Santos aged 15 to play for the local team and became a sporting legend, winning his first World Cup at just 17.
The building will eventually showcase some 2,500 exhibits from the career of the man Brazilians know as O Rei (the king).
“I don’t want to talk much or I shall start crying,” said three-time world champion Pele as he opened the museum.
For the opening, 165 items were on show.
Several government ministers were on hand for the ceremony while President Dilma Rousseff, who had initially hoped to attend, sent a video address.
Arjen Robben of the Netherlands is hugged by his teammates after he scored a goal against Spain during their World Cup match in Salvador June 13, 2014. “If I play or left on the bench the manager will decide. All I can do is train well,” he added.
They include the honorary knighthood which Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II bestowed on him in 1997 and the trophy marking him out in 1981 as “Athlete of the Century” and presented by French sports newspaper L’Equipe.
boss took charge following the first Euro success in 2008, Spain’s game has been based on control of the ball and not conceding. They have kept 10 consecutive clean sheets in knockout games and, when they most needed him, Casillas has always proved the security blanket.
Del Bosque has always been fiercely loyal to those that have succeeded at previous tournaments, including Casillas at last year’s Confederations Cup despite the fact he hadn’t played a competitive game with Real for six months.
In 2008 he saved two Italian penalties as Spain finally overcame their run of falling at the quarter-final stage on their way to a first tournament win in 44 years.
Yet, the manner in which the Dutch ripped apart the Spanish methodology for that glorious six-year run in just one half of football could force Del Bosque into taking big decisions.
He made a fine stop with his outstretched foot two years later to prevent Arjen Robben winning the World Cup for the Dutch and was a hero in another penalty shootout in 2012 at the Euros to deny Portugal in the semi-finals.
Particularly since the former Real
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
SPORTS
Yao Ming denies plans to buy the Clippers Taipei, June 14, 2014 — Chinese basketball star Yao Ming today denied a report that he was lining up investors to bid for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers if embattled owner Donald Sterling has to sell. “I can’t confirm it because it is completely a rumor,” Yao told reporters when asked about the report at an NBA event in Taipei.
Malaysia’s Chong Wei, China’s Li Xuerui reach Japan Open Finals Tokyo, June 14, 2014 — Malaysian badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei and China’s Olympic champion Li Xuerui roared to the men’s and women’s finals at the Japan Open today, living up to their world number-one billings. Lee tamed Japan’s Kenichi Tago 21-15, 21-17 in the men’s semi-finals, gearing up for a fifth Japan Open title. Li, competing in her first Japan Open, struggled in the second game but outlasted Asian champion Sung Ji-Hyun of South Korea 21-15, 23-21 in the women’s last-four round. Lee faces Hong Kong veteran Hu Yun in the men’s final on Sunday. Hu outlasted Denmark’s European champion Jan O Jorgensen 21-13, 19-21, 21-15. Li’s final opponent is Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying, ranked seventh in the world, who put down Chinese player Liu Xin 15-21, 21-19, 21-9. The 31-year-old Lee — who has already won three events in the top-flight World Superseries this year in Malaysia, England and India — led the first game from the outset against Tago, 24, whom he beat in the Japan Open final last year.
After his lead was narrowed from 1711 to 18-15, the two-time Olympic silver medallist scored three straight points. ‘I want to win every match’ In the second game, Lee kept the lead as wide as seven points after 3-all. After 19-17, he smashed a shot in and sent another rolling over the top of the net to win the match. “Too strong,” Tago, the world number-four, shouted at Lee as the Malaysian was talking to reporters after stretching his head-to-head record against the Japanese to 17 wins and one loss. When Japan beat Malaysia 3-2 in the Thomas Cup men’s team championship final in New Delhi three weeks ago, Lee whipped Tago 2-0. “I have not tuned up well since the Thomas Cup and my condition is not so good,” Lee said. “But I want to win every match in front of me. I wish to improve myself step by step and peak for the 2016 Rio Olympics.” The women’s top seed, Li, blamed loss of concentration for her struggle in the second game against Sung, whom she has defeated in all their six previous encounters.
“Currently I don’t have such a plan” to buy any NBA team, said the former Houston Rockets star. ESPN.com reported last month that Yao was the latest celebrity to be linked to a potential Clippers bid since Sterling was engulfed in a scandal over racially charged remarks that became public in April. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said that Yao and another former NBA player, Grant Hill, were working separately to find investors to launch bids.
Yao joined the Rockets after he was selected as first pick of the 2002 NBA draft. He announced his retirement in July of 2011 following a trail-blazing career that made him China’s bestknown athlete and helped spur the game’s growth across Asia. He owns a team in China, the Shanghai Sharks, and maintains close ties with the NBA. NBC and ESPN reported yesterday that Sterling is fighting back as the league tries to force a sale of the club or strip ownership of the Clippers from him. The Clippers are valued at nearly US$600 million by Forbes magazine and could fetch substantially more given the publicity surrounding the team and its location in a major US market.
“I played as usual today but I relaxed myself somewhat toward the end of the second game to let my opponent battle back. It was a bit dangerous,” the 23-year-old Li said.
Hu, 32, seeded eighth, said he did not pressure himself to beat Denmark’s Jorgensen, who has the 2013 French Open title and the 2010 and 2011 Denmark Open titles to his credit.
Li, who won the Superseries final last year, has taken the Malaysia Open but finished runner-up in three more Superseries events to Chinese teammates so far this year.
“I think my opponent made mistakes as he became too desperate to win as our score got so close toward the end,” he said.
Asked about her final opponent Tai, 20, whom she has beaten in all their seven encounters, Li said: “I am confident to some extent. But what’s past is past. Tomorrow is tomorrow. I must study about my opponent and be prepared.”
“As I did not expect to win, I feel happy,” Hu said. “I felt tense. But I could put a smile on my face while I played because I thought I won’t regret if I lose.”
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
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HEALTH Depression in elderly linked to Alzheimer’s risk Late-life depression could become a major risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s faster than others, a study says. Depression in the elderly could point to a build up of a naturally occurring protein in the brain called beta-amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. “Our results clearly indicate that mild cognitively impaired subjects with depressive symptoms suffer from elevated amyloid-levels when compared with non-depressed individuals,” said Axel Rominger from University of Munich in Germany. The combination of elevated amyloid-levels and coexisting depressive symptoms constitute a patient population with a high risk for faster progression to Alzheimer’s disease, Rominger added. The study involved 371 patients with mild cognitive impairment who underwent PET (Positron emission tomography) imaging with the radiotracer F-18 florbetapir and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) chosen retrospectively from a global dementia imaging database. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, is a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease with marked protein aggregates including beta-amyloid and tau. The disease begins developing years before noticeable cognitive decline and memory loss. It is estimated that 44.4 million people are living with dementia worldwide.
A good night sleep can keep the while family healthy Springfield, June 11, 2014 — A new study conducted at the University of Illinois says that children who are raised by families that prioritize shuteye are less likely to be obese. sleepThe study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, examined the sleep routines of 337 US preschool children and their families, taking into account socioeconomic characteristics and observing the influence of TV time and meal routines. Researchers considered four routines protective against childhood obesity including limited TV time, not having a bedroom TV, quality family meal time and adequate sleep. Yet sleep was the only factor that made a difference in the results.
Children who slept 10 hours per day or more were less likely to suffer obesity than those who did not, regardless of the other protective routines. Given the importance of sleep, the most likely factor in a child’s risk for obesity was the parental sleep routine. In a chain reaction, parents who slept inadequately had children who did the same and were therefore more likely to be overweight. “Parents should make being well rested a family value and a priority,” said Barbara H. Fiese, director of the U of I’s Family Resiliency Center and Pampered Chef Endowed Chair. “We viewed how long parents slept and how long children slept as part of a household routine and found that they really did go together.”
Sufficient sleep has long been linked to healthy weight management and children are hardly new study subjects. A recent study by the University College London found that 16-monthold toddlers who slept less than 10 hours per day increased their calorie consumption by 10 per cent over those who slept 13 hours per day. A 2009 study by the European Centre of Taste Science in Dijon in central France found participants were likely to consume up to 22 per cent more calories than normal after a bad night’s sleep
Research shows heart failure affects Asians earlier in life Singapore, June 3, 2014 — Heart failure affects Asian patients at least 10 years earlier compared with Westerners, despite Asians having lower Body Mass Index (BMI), preliminary results from a multinational study have shown. heartThe BMI is a measure of body fat based on an adult’s height and weight. Past studies have linked heart problems to a higher BMI, among other things. However, the average age of Asian patients with heart failure is 60, much younger than patients from other studies in the United States (72) and Europe (70), the study conducted in 11 Asian countries by the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), showed. The findings are based on results from the first 2,094 patients in the first year of the study. Researchers are now looking into the genetic differences among ethnicities that could put one at greater risk of heart failure.
The size of the study will also eventually include 8,000 patients. Associate Professor Carolyn Lam of the NUHCS, one of the researchers involved in the study, said: “More and more drug companies are realizing that they need to understand the Asian phenotype, that (they) need to do trials here. It is a bit of a black box here compared with the United States and Europe, where trials are done. Most people are just realizing now, you cannot just extrapolate the Western data to us. “There are obviously some differences; we respond differently and have different disease patterns.” The researchers also found that there is a very high rate of diabetes and hypertension among heart failure patients in Singapore and Malaysia. At 59 per cent, the Republic has the highest percentage of diabetic heart failure patients among the Asian countries surveyed.
Diabetes is one of the many risk factors that can contribute to heart failure. Other factors include coronary arteries disease (blockages of the coronary arteries), hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Among 6,000 hospitalizations in 2011, heart failure was the top cardiovascular cause of hospitalization in those over 60 in Singapore. The mortality rate also rivals that of most cancers, with more than half of heart failure patients not surviving the condition within a period of five years. To help prevent the progression of heart failure and heart diseases, those at risk are advised to have a balanced diet, exercise and take care of pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension.
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
Misc Asia 300 Chinese space tourists book flights online
Beijing, June 15, 2014 — More than 300 Chinese space enthusiasts have booked tickets costing nearly US$100,000 for a five minute trip to outer space, official media reported Friday.
The 305 buyers snapped up tickets for a trip with Dutch firm Space Expedition Corp (SXC) when they went on sale on Taobao, an online retail website, the state-run China Daily reported.
Thai junta distributes free movie tickets to fan patriotism Bangkok June 15, 2014 — Thousands of Thais thronged cinemas today to grab free tickets to an epic film featuring a mediaeval king, given away by military authorities keen to kindle patriotic feeling after seizing power to end months of unrest. The army has been urging Thais to bridge differences after it staged a coup on May 22 to halt recurring violent protests by rival political camps, at odds for a decade. At least 28 people were killed and hundreds injured in the latest round of tumult since November. Hundreds have been detained since the putsch, most close to ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, pitted against protesters allied with the Bangkok establishment. Attempts to stage protests against the coup have been snuffed out. The army’s campaign to “return Thailand to happiness” has included free concerts and an order to broadcasting authorities to show all World Cup football games on free-to-air channels. About 40 Bangkok cinemas offered a free morning showing of “The Legend of King Naresuan Part V” and mov-
ie-goers jammed a plush city-centre shopping mall — about five times more than the 500 seats available. Army officers, caught off guard, scurried off to find crowd control barriers. “No one gets tickets until you form an orderly queue,” one officer, standing on a table, shouted through a loud speaker. Organizers relented and disappointed patrons, many with small children, were offered cheap tickets at a later screening. Junta leader General Prayuth Chanocha has urged Thais to seek common ground, and for schools to instil patriotic feeling. The film depicts King Naresuan the Great, ruler of Siam, as Thailand was formerly known, and his drive to end the domination of invaders from neighboring Burma during his rule from 1590 to 1605. Elephants in battle Featuring computer-generated battle scenes with warriors atop elephants, the film has nationalist overtones and focuses heavily on self-sacrifice and patriotic love.
The trips will take place in a twoman craft that remains in space for five to six minutes, giving the tourist a rarely seen view and the experience of weightlessness, the report said. The tickets were sold for 599,999 yuan it said, adding that four entrepreneurs from the southwestern city of Chengdu and two from the commercial hub of Shanghai were among those who signed up. The Taobao page selling the tickets
“There are so many problems in society. I think this movie will help us feel patriotic and united,” Ngamjai Munkatanyu, 51, said after securing tickets for her two children and a niece. “That’s how we can survive.” The movie’s prequels were some of the highest-grossing films in Thai box-office history. The cast includes military officers keen to promote the film’s message. “All of us, the government, the private sector, must set down a foundation to create stability for the next generation,” Lieutenant-Colonel Wanchana Sawasdee, an actor and poster boy for the military who plays the king, said after an advance weekend showing. “This movie is part of that.” The issue of succession to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, is
was only available on June 12th, said a spokesman for the website. A screenshot seen showed that transactions had been made. No date for the trip was given. Despite a flurry of interest in space tourism in recent years, no private firms have yet been able to launch regular trips. Participants—who must weigh no more than 275 pounds -- are required to receive flight simulation and weightlessness training before their trip.
China has its own military-run space program, which in the last decades has sent astronauts into orbit and landed a rover on the moon, but so far has no commercial space firms. Ticket broker Zhang Yong told the China Daily: “It is exciting that Chinese can enjoy space travel with a click of a mouse. Hopefully it will usher in a new chapter for Chinese to explore outer space.”
sensitive in the country of 67 million. His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, has yet to secure the same devotion. Some analysts suggest the dividends may be brief from attempts to heal divisions while the military holds power. There have been 19 successful or abortive coups in Thailand since the mid-1930s. “It will work in the short term because Thais are pragmatic. We try to get everything that is to our benefit and suits our tastes,” said Kan Yuengyong, director of the Siam Intelligence Unit think tank. “In the long term, this is questionable. People will think about their own rights and the rationale of a military regime. People will want to know who will be the next prime minister.”
Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2014
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Misc Asia Egypt angered about China’s Sphinx replica Beijing, May 28, 2014 - The Egyptian government is protesting Hebei province’s replica Great Sphinx of Giza, saying the structure undermines the country’s cultural heritage. The company that built the replica as part of a movie set responded that it would tear down the statue after that movie is finished.
Brazilian man goes under the knife to look Korean Seoul, June 3, 2014 — A Brazilian man has had plastic surgery in order to look more Oriental, a local media outlet reported. Cosmetic procedures, such as silicone implants, lip surgery or other augmentations, are nothing unusual in Brazil. But the 25-year-old man went a step further to transform himself into Asian-looking man by making alterations to his eyes. Xiahn, who asked not to be named to protect his family from Internet scrutiny, underwent 10 surgical procedures on his eyes, along with other less-invasive procedures, which cost him around US$3,100. He also began wearing contact lenses to change his eye color. A Brazilian man has had plastic surgery in order to look more Oriental, a local media outlet reported. Cosmetic procedures, such as silicone implants, lip surgery or other augmentations, are nothing unusual in Brazil. But the 25-year-old man went a step further to transform himself into
Asian-looking man by making alterations to his eyes. Originally blue-eyed with blonde hair, he became interested in having plastic surgery after spending some time as an exchange student in Korea. He was inspired by how common plastic surgery is here. “Koreans have many surgeries to modify the shape of their eyes and become more like Westerners. It was easy to tell when one of them had done it, walking on the street wearing sunglasses and a surgical mask,” he said. People think that all Asian eyes look the same, but he is just happy that he got the right look. “I have no regrets, and I don’t intend to have any more procedures,” he concluded.
The Egyptian government is protesting Hebei province’s replica Great Sphinx of Giza, saying the structure undermines the country’s cultural heritage. The company that built the replica as part of a movie set responded that it would tear down the statue after that movie is finished. The Sphinx copy, about 80 meters long and 30 meters tall, looks much like the original, 4,500-year-old limestone Sphinx southwest of Cairo. The copy, in a theme park near the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang, has attracted many visitors since April when construction was finished. However, Egypt is not flattered by the imitation. Mohammed Ibrahim, Egypt’s minister of antiquities, said the country has filed objections to the Chinese version with UNESCO. Ibrahim said the phony Sphinx violated UNESCO’s 1972 Convention and is “a violation of Egypt’s rights to its cultural heritage and a bad imitation that disfigures the original”, according to a report in Egypt’s Al-Ahram Weekly on Friday. In response to the criticism, a manager of the theme park who identified himself only by his surname, Shen, said the fake Sphinx is only a movie prop and it will be demolished after filming is completed.
“We did not use it for commercial purposes and did not charge fees from visitors, nor do we intend to make it a tourist attraction,” Shen said. The company is sorry for any misunderstanding, he added. The theme park plans to build some more cultural heritage sites from China, such as temples, as movie sets. The total cost of the project will be 5 billion yuan ($802 million). Many people came to see the controversial replica on Sunday. Dozens of shops and restaurants lined the roads surrounding the theme park, attracting many people who lingered and spent money. Seven of the visitors said the faux Sphinx was a waste of money if the park is going to demolish it already. An anonymous worker from the construction company said the cost of the cloned Sphinx was about 8 million yuan. Some visitors suggested the company needs only to change the Hebei statue by altering the head or adding a tail to avoid complaints. Feng Xiaoqing, a law professor of intellectual property rights at China University of Political Science and Law, said it has not been confirmed that the cloned Sphinx resulted in a direct economic loss to the original one. He said people will not confuse the Chinese version of the Sphinx with the Egyptian one, so claims that the Chinese Sphinx violates intellectual property rights are unfounded.
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June 15-30, 2014 Georgia Asian Times
TRAVEL India projected to achieve highest growth in wellness tourism by 2019 DUBAI, June 14 — India is projected to achieve the highest growth in wellness tourism worldwide in the next five years, with over 20 per cent annual increase through 2017. A study conducted by SRI international projects India’s wellness market will surpass US$18 billion (RM58 billion) in the next four years, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. Wellness tourism is a US$439-billion global industry and represents 14 per cent of total tourism spending in the US$3.2 trillion world tourism industry.
UNESCO recognises cross-border natural parks in Balkans London, June 14, 2014 -- Thirteen natural parks have been added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves this year, which now includes 631 sites in 119 countries. Among them is the Ohrid-Prespa region, a cross-border reserve shared by Albania and Macedonia. Spanning across 446,244 hectares between the two Balkan countries, the Ohrid-Prespa reserve is known for its scenic lake surrounded by cliffs, mountains and plains. In Italy, UNESCO chose to distinguish two new sites: Monte Viso, a mountain located near the French border, and Sila National Park in Calabria, home to around 1,000 vascular plants and over 210 species of vertebrates. Likewise, UNESCO chose to distinguish two new sites each in Japan (Mi-
nami Alps and Tadami) and Kazakhstan (Ak-Zhayik and Katon-Karagay). Conversely, certain biosphere reserves were removed from the global network this year as they no longer meet UNESCO’s criteria. These include Austria’s Gossenköllesee and Gurgler Kamm, which entered the network in 1976, and UK’s North Norfolk Coast, which entered in 1976. The Man and the Biosphere Program, created by UNESCO in the early 1970s, is an intergovernmental scientific initiative aimed at improving the relationship between people and their environment at the global level. The complete list of the new additions to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves can be found at www. unesco.org.
The luxury wellness tourism segment is estimated to grow 50 per cent higher than global tourism by 2017.
“India has a wealth of knowledge and medical systems to treat people and help maintain their health through natural means and therapies,” said Indian Business and Professionals Council president Paras Shahdadpuri today. “India must come forward and give its gift of naturopathy to mankind; it has a hidden treasure which should be discovered. Unfortunately, we got used to quick fixes through allopathy which treats only the manifestations instead of the cause,” he said. SRI International is a US-based non-profit, independent research and innovation centre.