VOL.044 NOV 05 - NOV 11 , 2021
VISION TIMES
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Republican
GLENN YOUNGKIN WINS VIRGINIA GOVERNOR RACE
By Victor Westerkamp Vision Times
R
epublican Glenn Youngkin seized victory over the Virginia’s Governor’s race on Tuesday night, promising to roll back Democrats’ themes like mandatory vaccination and critical race theory. Youngkin, who would be the first GOP governor of the state since 2009, said in his victory speech that Virginians had arrived at a “defining moment.” “Together, together, we will change the trajectory of this commonwealth,” Youngkin said. “And friends, we are going to start that transformation on day one. There is no time to waste. Our kids can’t wait. We work in real-people time, not government time. So on day one, we’re going to work. We’re going to restore excellence in our schools.” Along with Youngkin, Republican Jason Miyares defeated Democrat Mark Herring in the race for attorney general. Winsome Sears, a conservative Republican, won the race for the lieutenant governor and is the
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Youngkin will be best known for his pledge to ban critical race theory in schools, stating that Virginia schools will not “teach our children to view everything through a lens of race.” first woman and woman of color elected to the office in the state’s 400-year legislative history. Virginia is the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World. The republican showdown is a staunch warning for the Democrats who are seeing national confidence in the Biden presidency
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waning because of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, a failing COVID-19 policy entailing ever-stricter restrictive measures, along with a faltering economy hampered by skyrocketing inflation. While Youngkin’s Democratic opponent Terry McAuliffe campaigned on national issues, abortion, and voting rights, Young-
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kin concentrated on local issues. He promised to end a sales tax on groceries and cut regulations to spur new business. Moreover, while striking McAuliffe on education and the economy, he advocated traditional GOP principles like spending more on law enforcement and rejecting COVID-19 vaccine mandates for teachers and state workers. Younkin capitalized on a remark by McAuliffe, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach,” when discussing whether parents have a say on what books their children are being provided at school. Youngkin, on the contrary, vowed to keep the parents’ concerns the prime focus when it comes to the education of Virginia’s children. “We’re going to embrace our parents, not ignore them. We’re going to press forward with a curriculum that includes listening to parents, as well as a curriculum that allows our children to run as fast as they can, teaching them how to think, enabling their dreams to soar. Friends, we are going to reestablish excellence in our schools,” he said, CNN reported.
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NATION
A2 | NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021
VISION TIMES
(Image:Adobe Stock)
FDA Rubber-stamps Pfizer Vaccine for Children 5 to11-Years-Old numerous people who are already on the record supporting Coronavirus vaccines for children. Meanwhile, recent FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is on Pfizer’s board of he FDA has granted Pfizer-BioNTech directors.” emergency approval for their vaccine The FDA also opened up a public forum for use in children from 5 to 11-years that propagates the slogan, “Your Voice in old, throwing open the door to inoculate 28 Federal Decision Making,” to comment on million children in the U.S. alone. Pfizer’s plan to inject young children with the “The FDA has determined this Pfizer vac- experimental Pfizer mRNA vaccine. Accordcine has met the criteria for emergency use ing to Steve Kirsch, the Executive Director authorization,” the Administration said in of the COVID-19 Early Treatment Fund, they counted over a statement on Friday. “Based on the 139,470 comtotality of scientific ments posted evidence available, against giving the known and authorization to the shots and potential benefits of the Pfizer-BioNcould only find Tech COVID-19 one comment in vaccine in individfavor. uals down to 5 years Now, the final of age outweigh the hurdle for the known and potenPfizer vaccine to -- Robert Malone, a contributor be administered tial risks.” to the invention of mRNA The board ’s to children is the vaccines, said on Twitter. announcement CDC’s Advisory on Tuesday, the Committee on Immunization FDA’s Vaccines and Related BiologPractices, which ical Products Advisory Committee already will meet this week to discuss the vaccine. endorsed the vaccination for children under Depending on the panel’s meeting outcome, 12 by a vote of 17-0. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky would Patrick Howley, a writer for National File, then have the final say on when 28 million a news media that holds a critical stance children will be inoculated. towards mandatory vaccination, asserted: Meanwhile, President Joe Biden already “Members include a former vice president announced “a plan to ensure that, if a vacof Pfizer Vaccines, a recent Pfizer consult- cine is authorized for children ages 5-11, it is ant, a recent Pfizer research grant recipient, quickly distributed and made conveniently a man who mentored a current top Pfizer and equitably available to families across the vaccine executive, a man who runs a center country,” while California Governor Gavin that gives out Pfizer vaccines, the chair of Newsom has already mandated vaccinating a Pfizer data group, a guy who was proudly schoolchildren under 12; a rule that is pendphotographed taking a Pfizer vaccine, and ing federal authorization. By Victor Westerkamp Vision Times
T FDA Approved Oral Anti-Blood Clot Drug for Children By Neil Campbell Vision Times
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he U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an orally-administered blood thinner for children to combat venous thromboembolism just months before the rollout of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) novel gene therapy vaccines in kids aged 5 to 11 are set to start. The FDA approved Pradaxa oral pellets, described as a drug used “to treat children 3 months to less than 12 years old with venous thromboembolism (a condition where blood clots form in the veins) directly after they have been treated with a blood thinner given by injection for at least five days,” according to a June 21 press release. “The FDA also approved Pradaxa oral pellets to prevent recurrent clots among patients 3 months to less than 12 years old who completed treatment for their first venous thromboembolism.” The FDA says Pradaxa was first approved in 2010 “to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.”
Clotted blood
In a CDC web page titled What is Venous Thromboembolism?, the agency describes the phenomenon in the following way: “Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE) are often underdiagnosed and serious, but preventable medical conditions…Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the arm.” The most significant complication arising from DVT is noted as occurring when “a part
of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a blockage called pulmonary embolism (PE).” The FDA release warns that Pradaxa may include side effects such as “digestive system symptoms and bleeding,” and also warns that the drug “can cause serious and fatal bleeding.”
Legal problems
According to Drug Watch, Pradaxa is manufactured by German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) and was the company’s fourth largest grossing product in 2019 at $1.81 billion. In November of 2020, Reuters Legal reported that BI had completed a global settlement resolving 2,935 lawsuits against the company “alleging that the drugmaker failed to warn patients about the bleeding risks of its blood thinner Pradaxa.” The terms and amount of the global settlement were not publicly disclosed, but the article noted that, “In 2014, Boehringer agreed to pay about $650 million to resolve about 4,000 Pradaxa product liability lawsuits largely pending in federal court.”
FDA Committee Members Reviewing Pfizer Vaccine For Children Have Worked For Pfizer, Have Big Pfizer Connections.
(Image:Adobe Stock)
Vaccines for kids
On Oct. 29, the FDA approved an Emergency Use Authorization to distribute the pediatric version of the Pfizer-BioNTech Messenger RNA vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 after the Administration’s 18-person Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted 17 in favor and 1 abstention to approve the application. During the meeting, conducted on Zoom, panelist Eric Rubin told listeners, “We’re never gonna learn about how safe the vaccine is until we start giving it…That’s just the way it goes. That’s how we found out about rare complications of other vaccines…”
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NATION
VISION TIMES
NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021 |
A3
By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
declined. Many production facilities shut down in 2019 and “The turkey price in 2021 is starkly higher 2020. The low turkey prices in previous years was not compared to prior good for producers’ revenues, thus resulting in years… Late Septemthe shutdown of many processing plants. The ber turkey prices this year are running nearly impact of these closures is now reflect25% more than the ing in the market. prior year, and nearly In an interview with KRCR, 50% higher than a prior Francisco Torres Carafive-year average… In other words, a whole chure, a grocery store turkey for this holiday owner in Redding, Caliseason is going to cost fornia, said that he would you nearly double what think twice before placit did just a couple of years ago,” analysts ing an order for turfrom Wells Fargo. keys due to the surge in prices. He believes turkey prices could rise even more as we get closer to the holidays. Last year, turkeys were priced at around $1.99 per pound. But now, they cost “almost twice” at $3.00 to $4.00 per pound. Despite the rise in prices, some customers are insistent that good times with family takes priority over wallets. “As a customer, to me, it doesn’t matter because if I want something fresh I know where to find some. We can do without a lot of things, but we want to have that fellowship with our family so, for me, I think it’s worth it,” a customer who was visiting the store told the media outlet. It is not the price of turkey alone that is increasing. The cost of other items necessary for a Thanksgiving dinner are rising as well. And in some cases, the items are in shortage. In September, the Consumer Price Index, which measures the weighted average of prices of certain consumer goods and services, rose by 4.6 percent compared to a year back. The prices of fish, eggs, and poultry went up by 10.5 percent.
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ith Thanksgiving approaching, people have begun preparing for the celebration. However, high demand and rising inflation means that this year’s Thanksgiving might be pricier than last year. In an interview with Fox Business Network, Jay Jandrain, CEO of food manufacturer Butterball, confirmed that the price of turkey, the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving dinner, will likely be on the higher side. Though he doesn’t expect a turkey shortage overall this season, Jandrain feels that there are going to be fewer smaller turkeys in the market. He pointed to the rise in food prices to argue that it is “reasonable” to expect turkey prices to be up this year. “Our advice to consumers is go out to the stores and get them as early as you can. In fact, we have heard from many of our retailers who are ordering additional turkeys now because sales have been brisk a little earlier than usual, so we do expect a pretty significant sell through this season,” Jandrain stated. According to a national survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau last November, U.S. household spending on turkeys was among the lowest in several years. The entire Thanksgiving dinner for 2020 was the lowest since 2010. But things are different this year. A report by Wells Fargo cites the economics of supply and demand for the rise in turkey prices. Over the last five years, turkey production has
Pricier Thanksgiving , r a e Y s i Th y e Turk l l a b r e t t u B s Warn CEO
(Image:Adobe Stock)
Biden Travels to Glasgow COP-26 Climate Summit Escorted by Gas-Guzzling Motorcade (Image: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/POOL/Getty Images)
By Victor Westerkamp Vision Times
a 244-horsepower engine that creates an estimated 8.75 pounds of carbon exhaust for every mile; that’s ten times a regular vehicle. Then, there’s another “Beast” traveling with the convoy as a decoy. Critics estimate that every day the two “Beasts” belch out 1575 pounds of CO2 when making the trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back. If Biden stays for the whole conference, until at least Nov. 12, the possible exhaust from both limos will be just under 20,000 pounds. Unsurprisingly, Biden’s motorcade triggered quite a bit of sarcasm on social media. “Now @JoeBiden is just taking the P, isn’t he? Hypocrite. Joe Biden’s gas-guzzling motorcade is spotted at BP garage,” Radiohost Jon Gaunt fulminated before his 30.6K followers on Twitter. Another netizen going by the name @ Newcoinvestor joked: “That convoy looks absolutely smashing for the environment,” Express reported. On Friday, Biden also visited the Pope in Rome bringing along with him a fleet of 85 heavy-duty, retrofitted, gas-guzzling limos, SUVs, and vans before heading to the G20 summit over the weekend. Biden is normally accompanied by about a dozen personnel into such meetings, and his entourage typically consists of a security detail and his presidential press team. The bulk of carbon will come from Biden’s airborne entourage; Air Force One, a heavily modified Boeing 747 he travels on, an identical decoy, and two huge C-17 Globemaster planes to transport his squadron of cars and helicopters. However, it’s all justifiable, according to a senior administration official quoted by the Daily Mail, “Just as [Biden] has been today with leaders around the world, the president has been robustly engaging with folks all around Washington, bringing them together and driving forward action at a pace and a scale that meets the moment on climate,” the spokesperson said.
U
.S. President Joe Biden raised eyebrows this week by commuting to the COP26 climate summit — a daily 90-mile commute — escorted by 20 heavy, gas-consuming SUVs and a helicopter. On Monday, the first day of the summit, the president clearly showed that the U.S. is taking the lead in fighting climate change while urging his fellow world leaders to take the global warming issue seriously. “Right now, we’re still falling short,” Biden said, laying out his ambitious plans to curb greenhouse gasses. “There’s no more time to hang back or sit on the fence or argue amongst ourselves,” he added.
(Image:Twitter@MarkAVargas )
Calculations suggest the president’s carbon footprint for the 13-day COP26 meeting will generate an estimated 2.2 million pounds of carbon.
“This is the challenge of our collective lifetimes, the existential threat to human existence as we know it and every day we delay, the cost of inaction increases,” Biden told the crowd at COP26 adding that, “So, let this be the moment when we answer history’s call here in Glasgow….Let this be the start of a decade of transformative action.” Biden traveled with his presidential limo, a modified, 20,000 pound, armorplated Cadillac, dubbed “The Beast”, with www.visiontimes.com
(Image:Twitter@MarkAVargas )
Windmills loom over a Scottish highway on Monday where a motorcade carrying US President Joe Biden drives from the airport towards the Scottish city of Edinburgh where he will stay during the COP26 meeting. Biden will expound on his plans to curb global carbon production.
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CHINA
A4 | NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021
Tennis Star Peng Shuai Claims She Had Affair With China’s Former Vice Premier By Alina Wang Vision Times
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rofessional Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai publicly accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault on her verified Weibo account – China’s version of Twitter. The post was quickly removed within 10 minutes, but the allegations set China’s tightly controlled Internet ablaze as thousands of Weibo users screenshotted and shared the post across the country. Peng described in her Nov. 2 post how she had agreed to a consensual affair with the former vice premier after being invited to his house to share a meal and play tennis with him and his wife around a decade ago. However, three years ago, when Zhang was retired, he met her again and pressured her into sex. “I never consented that afternoon, I was crying all the time,” she wrote. The tennis star said she then reluctantly agreed to continue the affair with him but was angered when Zhang insisted on it being kept secret. Zhang, who served as vice premier from 2013 to 2018, was also one of seven members on the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC), which effectively leads the country. When Peng and Zhang began their relationship, the latter was CCP secretary of Tianjin, a port city near Beijing. The affair was put off during the time that Zhang left to serve in the national leadership role. According to Peng’s post, after Zhang retired he contacted her again to play tennis together with his wife Kang Jie. After the match, he brought her home, and allegedly made advances on her despite Kang being present.
Speaking out
Many praised Peng for her courage in speaking up against one of China’s most powerful men, while
others expressed concern for her safety, as whistleblowers have been known to “disappear” after making public accusations or even for making controversial comments against high-ranking figures. Larry Ong, China analyst with political risk consultancy SinoInsider, said: “It is highly risky for a professional tennis star to be accusing a former Politburo Standing Committee member [China’s top ruling body] of sexual assault regardless of the veracity of the allegation.” “Peng Shuai is in no doubt aware of the severe consequences that could result from her actions, so the fact that she went ahead with her public accusation of Zhang Gaoli is very unusual,” Ong told Vision Times in an emailed statement. Peng became the first Chinese tennis player to be ranked No. 1 in the Women’s Tennis Association for doubles in 2014. She also won gold at the Wimbledon doubles title in 2013 and the French Open in 2014 alongside her Taiwanese tennis partner Hsieh Su-wei. As vice premier, Zhang managed major projects such as the Three Gorges dam, food safety and international investment. Previously, Zhang served as Party secretary of Tianjin, where he and Peng met in her 20s, from 2007 to 2012.
Peng Shuai.
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Yahoo Bids Farewell to China, Completely Ending Partnership With Beijing
(Image: Fred Lee/Getty Images)
By Alina Wang Vision Times
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Ong, the China analyst, said that it’s possible Peng’s accusation could be linked to high-level struggle in the Communist Party. He notes that Zhang Gaoli is an ally of the powerful former Party leader Jiang Zemin, whose faction is opposed to China’s current leader Xi Jinping. (Image: KENZABURO FUKUHARA/Getty Images)
Political implications
Chinese authorities were quick to block searches that included the word “tennis” across the social media platform and disabled Peng’s account, showing a glimpse of the iron grip the government wields upon its citizens. Although Peng’s accusations could not be corroborated, The New York Times reported that in China, there remains an ingrained patriarchal tradition of using positions in business or government to gain sexual favors from subordinates or other women. In 2016, the country’s top prosecuting agency listed the exchange of “power for sex” as one of six traits of senior
Then-Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli delivers a speech during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on May 14, 2017.
officials accused of corruption. Critically, the CCP under Xi is about to hold a major political meeting, where it’s expected Beijing will unveil a rare “historical resolution.” Ong believes Peng Shuai’s accusation could be orchestrated as a means of “placing the Jiang faction on notice”
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and “forcing them to think twice before attempting to undermine Xi during this crucial period.” “If Peng Shuai isn’t ‘disappeared’ and continues with her allegation, then we can expect more political drama ahead,” he told Vision Times. Zhang who is in his mid-seventies also did not respond to comment.
ahoo has become the latest American tech company to permanently end its partnership and presence in China. The company joined Microsoft’s business networking platform LinkedIn in pulling out of China, citing an “increasingly challenging business and legal environment.” In a statement released by the company, it announced: “In recognition of the increasingly challenging business and legal environments in China, Yahoo’s suite of services will no longer be accessible from mainland China as of November 1.” It emphasized that Yahoo “remains committed to the rights of our users and a free and open internet,” and thanked its users for their continued support. Experts say the company’s presence in the Chinese market had been dwindling for years and this final plug pull is largely symbolic. Yahoo’s downsizing operations in China had already begun – with its Beijing office closing its doors in 2015. Some of Yahoo’s alternative services, including its web portal, had already been blocked. A previous music and email service the company launched in China was also cancelled in early 2013. China has also blocked most international social media sites and search engines, such as Facebook, Google and Instagram. Users who wish to surf the uncensored web in China need to use a virtual private network (VPN) or jailbreak software to bypass the block. Chinese laws also stipulate that foreign companies operating on its soil must hand over data if requested, making it increasingly difficult for tech companies to protect their intellectual property while trying to tackle a growing Asian market. Lawmakers in the U.S. harshly criticized Yahoo after it handed over data on two Chinese dissidents to Beijing, leading to their eventual imprisonment in 2007.
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CHINA
VISION TIMES
NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021 |
A5
Halloween Lockdown for 34,000 Shanghai Disney-goers After Single Contact Trace By Neil Campbell Vision Times
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he Chinese Communist Party’s “zero tolerance” policy towards Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in 34,000 attendees of the Shanghai Disneyland Theme Park enduring a snap lockdown imposed by central authorities on Halloween. Reports in western media outlets such as The Guardian say that all was well at the theme park until Disney suddenly broadcast via Weibo that the facility had closed and all rides were shut down. No new entries were permitted, and nobody was allowed to leave until all 34,000 visitors had submitted
to a nucleic acid test. Party authorities sealed the gates to the parks and shuttered train services. Video captured from state propaganda outlet CCTV published by Beijing-friendly South China Morning Post shows state health workers dressed in full PPE bodysuits scurrying through the crowds as nucleic acid testing stations were deployed. Citizens were shown trapped behind checkpoints as their centrally-administered contact tracing, testing status, and vaccine passport apps were scanned, young children cried, and fireworks were deployed for entertainment. One netizen was reported as stating, “I never thought that the longest queue in Disneyland would be for a nucleic acid test.”
Bloomberg said guests were detained until at least midnight, while a Disney spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal the final guest was detained until a more modest 10:30 p.m.
China’s ‘COVID Zero’ Mentality
The cause, according to media reports, was a single positive test registered to a woman contact traced as having visited the park the day before. However, reporting from Bloomberg disputes whether the woman even visited Shanghai Disneyland, “The shutdown of one of Walt Disney Co.’s most lucrative parks came after a positive case in a woman who traveled to Shanghai from nearby Hangzhou over the weekend. While officials are
This photo taken on Oct. 31, 2021 shows Communist Party enforcement mass testing attendees of Shanghai Disneyland after a snap lockdown was issued because one person was contact traced to a positive COVID-19 test who visited the park the day prior. (Image: -/AFP via Getty Images)
yet to confirm whether she visited Disneyland, her infection sparked an aggressive contact tracing effort across China, which eventually ensnared the park-goers, their families and Disneyland staff.” WSJ’s reporting says the woman didn’t even test positive, but merely was a “close contact of a confirmed
case.” She was contacted by Party officials while travelling by train, arrested and detained in a quarantine facility. “She tested positive in Hangzhou early Sunday, according to information released on government social media accounts,” said the Journal.
China Asks Citizens to Stock Essential Supplies Amidst Rising Food Prices By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
People buy vegetables at a market in Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning province on October 14, 2021.
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eijing has sent Chinese citizens into a frenzy after issuing a notice that asked people to stock up on essential supplies. Though the government did not provide a clear reason for the instruction, the fact that it came at a time when the country is struggling with a new wave of COVID-19 infections and numerous natural disasters which has affected the food supply it was enough for people to start thinking about the worst possible scenario.
Supermarkets Swarmed
As panic spread, supermarkets were swarmed. “As soon as this news came out, all the old people near me went crazy, panic buying in the supermarket,” one person wrote on Weibo. A user pointed out that the government had not informed them about stocking goods when the pandemic began last year. Another user speculated the notice was to indicate that people might not be able to afford vegetables when the winter
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CHINA OUT (Image:STR/ AFP via Getty Images)
season arrives. State media later attempted to quell concerns that triggered the panic buying. CCP-backed media outlet, The Economic Daily, asked people to remain calm and not get alarmed. It insisted that the notice was only a piece of advice put forward by the government to ensure that houses are stocked with daily essentials in case a COVID-19 lockdown is announced in their region. Hu Xijin, editor of statebacked
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Global Times, dismissed suggestions that the notice was in some way connected to the tensions between China and Taiwan. State broadcaster CCTV published an interview with Commerce Ministry official Zhu Xiaoliang who insisted that daily supplies are sufficient and “fully guaranteed.” He stated that the notice was aimed at local authorities. Bad weather has affected China’s food production. In early October, extreme weather destroyed crops in the Shandong area, which is the largest vegetable growing region in China.
MIDDLE & BOTTOM : People wear protective masks as they line up to pay in a supermarket on August 2, 2021 in Wuhan. CHINA OUT (Image:Getty Images)
The cost are added to the food
According to Wang Hongcun, an official with the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, the nationwide effort to contain COVID-19 cases might also be a contributing factor to surging food prices. The cost of transiting between regions could rise due to strict containment measures. This cost will likely get added to the final price of food items. China’s strict zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy results in authorities shutting down a region immediately when infections are detected. The rush to bring the viral outbreak under control is also triggered by the Winter Olympics due to be held in the country in February 2022. Beijing expects to have zero daily COVID-19 infections by this time. China’s commerce ministry has instructed local authorities to sign long-term contracts with agricultural suppliers so as to secure food for winter. The government is also asking people not to order more food than what is necessary and report on restaurants that waste food.
“There is nothing this year”
One farmer from the province told state-backed Global Times that the output of vegetables is too low this year. The unusually heavy rains had slashed tomato output by around 25 percent when compared to the previous year.
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In Henan province, three months of rainfall has flooded much of the flat agricultural lands, submerging them under water. “There is nothing this year. It’s all gone… Farmers on the lowland basically have no harvest, nothing,” farmer Wang Yuetang told the Daily Mail. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA), vegetable prices rose by 16 percent in October. The price of 26 vegetables rose from September, with spinach and cucumber surging by 45 percent and 80 percent respectively. In Shanghai, the prices of some vegetables were close to the price of meat.
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WORLD
A6 | NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021
VISION TIMES
Newhaven fishing boat skipper Neil Whitney manoeuvres a net full of fish aboard the Newhaven fishing boat 'About Time' after the second trawl of the day, off the south-east coast of England on October 12, 2020.( Image:Chris Furlong/Getty Images)
Zuckerberg: How Facebook Morphed Into Meta By Victor Westerkamp Vision Times
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acebook is now Meta, CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg announced on Thursday divulging the tech-giant “will effectively transition from primarily being a social media company to being a metaverse company.” Meta will keep the brand names for social media apps like Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram, which will fall under the parent company Meta. At the same time, Oculus, the producer branch of consumer hardware like VR and AR glasses, will be phased out by Meta as a brand. In July, Zuckerberg started preaching about what he envisioned the metaverse to be. “To reflect who we are and what we hope to build,” Zuckerberg said in an interview with The Verge’s Casey Newton, indicating the name Facebook doesn’t fully cover everything the company does and is still tied to one product. “But over time, I hope we are seen as a metaverse company,” Zuckerberg added. The company has been investing heavily in hardware development over the past few years, introducing Portal video-calling devices, Ray-Ban Stories glasses, and Oculus virtual-reality headsets. “Today, we are seen as a social media company, but in our DNA, we are a company that builds technology to connect people, and the metaverse is the next frontier just like social networking was when we got started,” Zuckerberg said in Thursday’s announcement. So, what is this metaverse exactly that Zuckerberg is talking so much about? “Critically, no one company will run the metaverse — it will be an ‘embodied internet,’” Zuckerberg said, explaining many different players operate it in a decentralized way. It’s almost like Zuckerberg is alluding to blockchain technology as an imperative for co-creating the internet of things. In Neal Stephenson’s 1992 sci-fi novel, Snow Crash, the term was introduced to the public for the first time and refers to a convergence of physical, augmented, and virtual reality in a shared online space. Concurrently, shares of Canadian material-science firm Meta Materials surged early Friday in the latest apparent ticker confusion with Facebook’s latest identity change, Bloomberg noted. The report said it resulted in one of the most actively traded stocks of the day, with 11 million shares traded before mid-day. Some critics say the move to Meta was inspired to steer away from the company’s scrutiny by antitrust regulators and some politicians. In addition, news reports over the past month generated negative publicity after Frances Haugen, a former employee turned whistleblower, released some compromising internal company documents to news outlets, lawmakers and regulators. Another remarkable phenomenon is that “Meta” means “dead” in Hebrew, as many Jewish people commented on social media. Was Zuckerberg — Jewish himself — not aware of this, or was it just a play on words? Facebook is Meta; Facebook is dead; Long Live Meta.
French President Macron Threatens Trade War With the UK Over Fishing Dispute By Darren Maung Vision Times
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n Nov. 1, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a warning to the United Kingdom, declaring that France would make “trade war-style” threats to Britain if the latter does not give in to the French’s demands for fishing licenses. While there have been hopes that Britain and France would ease tensions, there has not been much progress so far.
Escalation in the Channel
On Jan. 1, 2021 a licensing system came into effect under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for fishing vessels that governs the European The trade Union’s (EU) access dispute to UK waters and vice versa. It promises began on British fishing vessels Oct. 28, when a greater share of fish from their own waters, a fishing part of the EU’s row ensued with previous share being handed over in an between period” the UK and “adjustment that is expected to last France. until 2026. However, the French government has reported that the UK has only issued half of the fishing licenses available, despite Britain’s insistence that 98% of the EU vessels have applied for entry into UK waters. The trade
dispute began on Oct. 28, when a fishing row ensued between the UK and France. Paris threatened to prohibit British fishing from vital ports, and threatened to impose import checks on crossChannel trade as well as to cut energy to the Isle of Jersey, should British Prime Minister Boris Johnson fail to permit more licenses for French trawlers to operate in British waters. London has claimed that there are no records of British fishing boats in the given region before Brexit and thus have “no right to access the lucrative fisheries.” “The measures being threatened do not appear to be compatible with the trade and cooperation agreement and wider international law, and, if carried through, will be met with an appropriate and calibrated response. We will be relaying our concerns to the EU Commission and French government.” The tensions were elevated even further when a leaked letter from French Prime Minister Jean Castex read that Britain should be punished for its exit from the EU, stating that the exit was “more damaging than remaining.” This letter has raised some beliefs within the British government that the EU is not negotiating in “good faith” consistent with the Northern Ireland protocol, which has established border checks on goods between the province and the rest of the island nation. These checks, in turn, have disturbed the intra-UK trade, which culminated in food shortages and protests in Northern Ireland. On Nov.1, a British scallop trawler
Chris Furlong/Getty Images
named the Cornelis was detained in the port of Le Havre, after the French reported that it did not have a valid license. Ship owner Macduff Shellfish said that its vessel was “legally fishing for scallop in French waters,” claiming that it was used as “another pawn in the ongoing dispute between the UK and France” over post-Brexit fishing licenses.
Fishermen’s worries
While the political tensions stir up, the fishing industry from both sides may face dire consequences. During the detainment of the Cornelis, fisherman Andre Tesson told The Independent that the British boats should not be fishing in French waters. “It is not the first time.” said Tesson, hoping that the two governments would “find a solution.” “Because if us from one side, we can’t fish on the English side, and they on one side come and fish in ours, it’s natural for there to be some repercussions after.” On the other side of the Channel, British fishermen have long been unhappy with the inability of their government to help boost their industry after Brexit, saying that the TCA has “failed to deliver on lawmakers’ Brexit promises,” and has left the fishing sector to struggle.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visit the Trevi fountain in central Rome on October 31, 2021 on the sidelines of the G20 of World Leaders Summit.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images
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WORLD
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NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021 |
A7
Japan’s Ruling Conservatives Easily Secure Majority in Parliamentary Election By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
L
iberal Democratic Party (LDP), the current ruling party of Japan, has won the 2021 general election, securing a majority of seats in the national parliament. During the election campaign, LDP leader and Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, promised to double the country’s defense spending to counter the threat posed by the Chinese regime. “It was a tough election, but the outcome shows the will of the people to task my government with shaping the future of this country,” Kishida said. On Nov. 10, the Japanese parliament is expected to convene a special session during which time Kishida will be confirmed to remain in power. The Cabinet will also likely remain unchanged and be launched the same day. In the House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of the parliament, the LDP’s strength fell from 276 seats to 261. The LDP’s partner Komeito improved its position rising from 29 seats to 32. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), the main opposition to the LDP, saw its seats decline from 110 to 96. A smaller opposition party, the Japan Innovation Party, quadrupled its seat count from last election, winning 41 seats. The results of the election defied several media polls that had predicted the LDP would lose numerous seats. The opposition CDPJ and its allies had launched an intense offensive campaign against the LDP, criticizing the government for its poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese Prime Minister and ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Fumio Kishida speaks during a press conference at the party headquarters on Nov. 1, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party secured a majority victory in the 2021 general election and can now govern without Komeito, its coalition partner. (Image: Rodrigo Reyes Marin - Pool/ Getty Images)
One of the key focuses of the LDP was its promise to boost the country’s defense capabilities in the face of increasing threats from rival China.
They also slammed the LDP for its economic policies which they assert have widened income inequalities in Japan by boosting corporate profits while punishing the common man with flat wage growth. However, the LDP’s win has apparently rattled the opposition, with CDPJ leader Yukio Edano feeling “apologetic” for the “unfortunate” loss of seats. CDPJ Secretary-General Tetsuro Fukuyama has indicated that he might resign following the party’s loss. During his campaign, Kishida promised to improve economic growth via “new capitalism” that aims to redistribute wealth to the country’s middle class. He defended the government’s COVID-19 policy, point-
ing to declining cases. However, expecting a sixth wave of infection, Kishida intends to increase the number of hospital beds. To boost the business sector that has suffered due to the pandemic, the prime minister promised a stimulus package intended to revive Japan’s domestic tourism. Kishida also pledged to consider implementing a travel subsidy program. One of the key focuses of the LDP was its promise to boost the country’s defense capabilities in the face of increasing threats from rival China. The LDP stated that it aims to set defense spending at two percent of GDP which would double the country’s current spend. “When we think about protect-
ing people’s lives and livelihood, a budget should not come first… We need to think about what is really needed for that end. I’d like to proceed with this debate carefully so that I can gain Komeito’s understanding,” Kishida stated. Following the LDP win, Asian stocks rallied in most places except for Hong Kong. The Tokyo benchmark went up by 2.2 percent. “This removes a key political overhang that has been weighing on market sentiments … and drives risk-on moves in the Japanese market,” Jun Rong Yeap of IG said in a commentary. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose by 0.3 percent, the Nasdaq rose by 0.3 percent as well, and the S&P 500 ticked up by 0.2 percent.
Singapore Sees ‘Unusual Surge’ in COVID-19 Cases By Jonathan Walker Vision Times
D
espite being one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, Singapore is seeing a continued surge in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The situation has left experts baffled. On Oct. 27, the country’s health ministry announced 5,324 cases, which is the highest recorded number since the pandemic began. 3,277 cases were reported the previous day. “The infection numbers are unusually high today, mostly due to many COVID-positive cases detected by the testing laboratories within a few hours in the afternoon… The Ministry of Health is looking into this unusual surge in cases within a relatively short window, and closely monitoring the trends for the next few days,” the ministry said in a statement. Singapore’s weekly COVID-19 infection growth rate is 1.15. Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 27, the number of daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases per million people rose 24-fold from 25.75 to 625.82. The number of daily new deaths per million during this period jumped from 0.07 to 2.06. The number of confirmed www.visiontimes.com
People walk along a sidewalk in Chinatown district in Singapore on July 7, 2021. (Image: OSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased despite the fact that over 75 percent of Singaporeans were fully vaccinated by Sept. 1.
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COVID-19 cases increased despite the fact that over 75 percent of Singaporeans were fully vaccinated by Sept. 1. On Oct. 27, the number rose to 79.77 percent, with 14 percent who received booster shots. Oct. 27 marked the 38th continuous day of COVID-19 fatalities. On Sept. 27, the government tightened coronavirus restrictions in the country. However, infections continued to increase in the following weeks. The country reported 1,647 cases on Sept. 27 and 2,236 cases the next day. By Oct. 5, the government was reporting over 3,000 infections daily. Between Sept. 27 and Oct.
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18 this year, 161 people died from COVID-19 in Singapore, compared to only 18 deaths during the same period last year. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) cases has also been increasing. “Our hospitals and healthcare workers continue to come under tremendous pressure… Our 2,000 isolated rooms are 81% filled. Queues have formed for COVID19 and non-COVID patients needing hospital beds in certain hospitals… We have stood up 207 ICU beds. 71 are occupied by patients who are intubated, that means they need ventilators to help them breathe,” Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s minister for health, said in ad.ny@visiontimes.com
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a statement on Oct. 20. Singapore has approved three different vaccines for use among its citizens: Pfizer, Moderna, and Sinovac. Most individuals have been inoculated with the mRNA Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. In April, Pfizer claimed that its vaccine had an efficacy rate of over 90 percent, but the efficacy has been shown to drop significantly with time. A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from New York showed vaccine effectiveness dropping to 75 percent, with another study showing efficacy dropping to 42 percent in July. Meanwhile, the China-made Sinovac only has an efficacy rate of 51 percent. Meanwhile, Singapore has relaxed entry requirements for foreigners. People who have a 14-day history of traveling to countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are now allowed entry through the country’s Category IV border measures. However, only Singapore’s permanent residents and travelers under the Death and Critical Illness Emergency Visits Lane are allowed to enter. Travelers must submit an RT-PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours ahead of their departure. In addition, they will have to take another test on arrival and stay quarantined for 10 days.
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A8 | NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021
LIFESTYLE
VISION TIMES
WILD
E D IB L E S PART 3
By Ila Bonczek
Continued from the previous issue
Nuts A satisfying combination of fat and protein, nuts add depth and integrity to your foraged meal. Small and laborious as they may be, a foraging basket would seem somewhat empty without them.
Acorns
Some 600 species of oak (Quercus genus) can be found throughout the northern hemisphere, with North America boasting the largest number of species, including both deciduous and evergreen trees. Their lobed leaves vary in shape, with some being rounded and others pointy, but they all bear fruit in the form of capped acorns. Historically, acorns were a major food staple among many ancient cultures, especially during times of famine. You can still find them in use among Native Americans and Koreans in traditional dishes. Acorns are high in tannins, a phenolic compound which can be toxic. To remove the tannins, these nuts must be leached with water. To get the most from your efforts, try to find a white oak, (Quercus alba), as they have large acorns with low tannins. Leaching can be done in the shell, or after the nut is removed, by soaking repeatedly in water until they are no longer bitter. Personally, I like to treat the whole nuts as “sprouts,” and soak them in fresh water, changed daily, until I see small roots emerging. Toasting them at this point makes the shell easy to crack, and then they can be ground into a dense, protein rich, and aromatic flour which adds a delicious dimension to baked goods like apple cake, pumpkin bread or pancakes
Butternuts Beechnuts
The American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is what one might call “solid stock.” It is a large sturdy tree with fine smooth bark and a horizontal branching pattern, making it a popular shade tree. Native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, the tree produces small edible beechnuts similar to its European relatives. The nuts are a staple food for many foragers of the forest, and you can join them if you’re willing to put in the effort. For starters, the tiny nuts have a spiny shell which, left to its own devices, will open and drop its two small nuts to the forest floor. An easy way to tackle these shells is to rub clusters of nuts together inside a towel, and then pick out the husks that will have been shed. While the nuts can be eaten raw, it is best to allow them to dry, or “cure” for two to three weeks in a well ventilated area protected from critters. Once cured, the nuts can be eaten by removing the inner shell (a difficulty level equal to shelling a sunflower seed); or they can be stored in a glass jar, where they will keep for more than a year. The nuts have a sweet chestnutty flavor, and are very tasty toasted.
Butternuts, or white walnuts, are very similar to black walnuts, but with a sweeter, creamier flesh. Walnuts can grow to be great, towering trees. Their alternate compound leaves have a sweet earthy scent reminiscent of pine and citrus. The fruits of the more common black walnuts (Juglans nigra) are round, while butternuts (Juglans cinera) have an oblong shape. Both are native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. Harvesting these nuts basically amounts to collecting them off the ground, as they will fall from the tree when ripe. Dealing with them afterwards is the tricky part. The green husks will decompose to become a dark, soft casing, which needs to be removed. Be sure to wear waterproof gloves when handling the blackened fruit, as the husks’ coloring is powerful enough to be used as dye and will easily stain your fingers and potentially cause skin irritation. Once the nuts are cleaned, they need to be cured. Choose a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight and stack the clean nuts in shallow layers to dry for about two weeks. The exceptionally hard shells are best tackled with a vice, or a vice grip. If the nuts still have a “raw” taste upon opening, give them some more drying time.
To be continued.
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HEALTH
VISION TIMES
O
pt for unsweetened beverages
While plain water does everything a beverage should do – it quenches the thirst, hydrates the body and refreshes the senses – we have come to expect more from our drinks. Even plain coffee isn’t enough; it has to come in as many flavors as ice cream. Yet there are many people who are satisfied with unsweetened coffees and teas, and you can learn to appreciate them as well. A little less sweetener every few days will help you gradually ease into the full-bodied bitter, an acquired taste for some. Soda is probably one of the worst things you can legally put into your body. Sodas contain a ton of sugar, are sold in large serving sizes, and are often consumed habitually. They offer nothing nutritious, and don’t even actually quench your thirst; they are extremely acidic and make you more thirsty. If you want a refreshing sparkly beverage, choose from the many unsweetened flavors of seltzer available. Removing soda from your diet (and that of your children) is a move you will not regret.
Sugar alternatives
• Natural sweeteners Products like honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, and molasses are all sugars in a more natural form, and may be considered marginally better for your health. Real maple syrup and raw honey contain some antioxidants and prebiotics to help balance the gut, and most natural sweeteners have some nutrients, with molasses, a bi-product of white sugar, retaining many of the minerals that are stripped away from the refined product; but they still have an overall negative impact on your health similar to refined sugar. If you use these, you should reduce the amount consumed. Any recipe calling for sugar can generally afford to lose ⅔ of the sweetener and still be perfectly
edible. By practicing this rule, you can reduce your sweet tooth significantly, and learn to be satisfied with less and less sugar. • Stevia Stevia is a popular sweetener derived from the plant Stevia redaudianda, a tender perennial shrub native to Central and South America, which you can grow at home! Chemical compounds called ‘steviol glycosides’ are extracted from the leaves to make a highly refined, intensely sweet sugar substitute. The resulting product can boast an astounding 50 to 150 times the sweetness of sugar. Needless to say, it should be used in miniscule amounts. This product is not a sugar, has a slight after-taste, and can cause side effects. It is often combined with sugar alcohols such as erythritol to make it more palatable and easier to use. • Artificial sweeteners When sugar came under fire as a health threat, many focused on the calorie content, and a host of new “zero-calorie” artificial sweeteners came out. While it is true that products made with chemical sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose have few or zero calories and do not promote tooth decay, many believe that they are dangerous and should be avoided. • Xylitol and sugar alcohols Sugar alcohols are organic compounds derived from sugars; a type of carbohydrate that is neither sugar nor alcohol, but their chemical structure is similar to sugar. They are low in calories and tend to promote dental health; thus they are often added to chewing gum, candies and baked goods. Of the common sugar alcohols; xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and maltitol; xylitol is the most thoroughly studied. It’s molecular structure retards the growth of bacteria in the mouth, preventing the production of acids that cause decay. It has also been shown to offer additional health benefits, including the remineralization of tooth enamel, due to its ability to bind with calcium ions; reduction of pathogens such as Streptococcus in
S U G A R
An Addictive Additive That We Would Do Well To Avoid (2) By Ila Bonczek
Continued from the previous issue
NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021 |
A9
the early stages; and antibacterial ings will help you satisfy your and anti-inflammatory proper- body’s needs in a healthy way. ties helpful in treating respira- Many people believe that dehyBy Ila Bonczek tory and other diseases that can- dration triggers cravings. Be sure not be treated with antibiotics. The to drink enough water throughuse of xylitol can reduce consti- out the day. Some cravings arise pation, diabetes, and obesity, and from boredom, anxiety, stress… has been shown to have a stimu- Before indulging, take the time to lating effect on the immune and examine how you feel, and condigestive systems. All sugar alco- sider healthy ways to divert your hols are believed to have similar cravings. health benefits. Taking a walk, talking to a friend, They appear to act as prebiot- making art, writing in a journal, or ics, feeding the vital friendly bac- reading a book can all take your teria in your gut. They promote attention away from cravings that bone health, increasing volume are not hunger related. If you are and mineral content, and thus hungry, however, remember the protecting against osteoporosis. importance of eating regular, balSome studies suggest that xylitol anced meals, which include procan increase the production of col- tein, fat, complex carbohydrates, lagen, a structural protein impor- and plenty of vegetables. This will tant for healthy skin. Since they sustain you through to the next are not sugars, sugar alcohols meal and help you avoid spontahave none of the neganeous snacking on sweets. tive effects on the body ascribed to sugar. You may wonder what No sugar these sugar alcohols are The greatest derived from. Xylitol is health benefits mainly derived from will be seen by either birch trees or giving up added corn cobs. If it is not sugars entirely, labeled as birch, it is including alterlikely from corn. Erythnative sweeteners. ritol is made from ferIf you have serimenting the glucose ous health issues, you may want to in cornstarch; sorbitol is made from corn try this approach. syrup; and maltitol is Newt Gingrich The first sevmainly produced from eral days or even weeks may be difcorn starch. It is worth noting that corn, the ficult, as you are likely to experimost commonly grown crop in the ence withdrawal symptoms simiUS, is mostly GMO, genetically lar to those of an alcoholic or drug modified to resist pests and tol- addict going through detox. erate herbicides. Thus, if you wish Symptoms may include depresto avoid GMOs and their inherent sion, anxiety, disrupted sleep patherbicides, your best choice is the terns, difficulty concentrating, and birch-derived xylitol. The cost of cravings. You may also feel fatigue, birch xylitol ranges from $7 to $10 nausea, dizziness, or experience per pound. That, and the fact that headaches. Keep in mind that too much xylitol can lead to bloat- these are all good signs that you ing, gas, and diarrhea, will both are overcoming your addiction. encourage you to limit your use of Seek support from friends, famthis sweetener, a plus when it comes ily, or a professional if you need to reducing your sweet-tooth. it. You will soon be rewarded with greater energy and clearer thinkReduce cravings ing, giving you the incentive to Cravings for sweets can stem carry through. from various factors. Learning to recognize the underlying reasons for your crav-
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”
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VISION TIMES
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A11
Plastic surgery came to South Korea after the Korean War ended in 1953. American Surgeon Dr. David Millard was invited to perform facial surgery for the soldiers disfigured in battle. As it expanded through the 70s and 80s, South Korea became cutting edge with the most advanced equipment and improved technology. It is now considered one of the best places in the world for plastic surgery.
+
MINA PLASTIC SURGERY: Dr. Jeongho Cha
ONE OF SOUTH KOREA’S MOST TRUSTED PLASTIC SURGERY CLINICS
Of the 2,000 registered plastic surgery hospitals and clinics in South Korea, Mina Plastic Surgery in Seoul stands out with highly rated clients’ reviews. Founded by Dr. Jeongho Cha, former chief of plastic surgery at Armed patients. My friends also got some surgeries and Patients’ reviews: Forces Yangju Hospithey all loved the experience!” tal, and an adjunct proBea M. found Mina on instagram two years ago Rated 10/10 by clients fessor for Hallym Univerwhen she was looking for the best place to get 100 percent of Mina’s clients recommend their sersity Medical Center in South “Thread Lifting.” After an initial discussion, she vices. Korea and Northern Medical flew to South Korea for in-person consultation. “I Sean T. received face filler from Mina Plastic SurCenter in New York State, the clinic serves some of the was welcomed by Ana who helped and guided me gery two years ago. He was very impressed with the all throughout my Thread Lifting journey. Everywealthiest people in Korea. time and care Dr. Cha took in answering his quesAs the primary Plastic surgeon at Mina, Dr. Cha is a thing was clearly and thoroughly explained by the tions, and described him as “extremely thorough, member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Recondoctor and staff at the clinic. The procedure went takes his time on the procedure, is a perfectionist structive Surgeons (KPRAS), the International Consmoothly. It has been a month now and I am very and I liked every single one of his before and after federation of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic happy and amazed with how much my face has photos.” Surgery (IPRAS), the Korean Society for Aesthetic improved! I highly recommend Mina Plastic Sur“He told me exactly what to expect and everyPlastic Surgery, Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial gery for all your surgery needs!” thing he said was dead Association, and the Korean Society for MicrosurSamantha B. found Mina Plason. It has been one month gery. He also performed as the former head doctor at tic Surgery through their Instasince the procedure and Synergy Plastic Surgery. Dr. Cha has lived in Washgram account two years ago, when my face looks amazing. ington D.C. and speaks both English and Korean. researching Rhinoplasty. After a Better than I expected. I’m The clinic offers the following procedures: thorough discussion about the proTHRILLED. Everyone in •Eyes: Double Eyelids, Ptosis correction, Cancedure, she booked an appointment. thoplasty, Dual Canthoplasty, Under Eye Correchis staff is so great. Jin is “I flew to Seoul and met with Joseph, tion, Blepharoplasty (Upper/Lower), and Eyebrow awesome!” who helped me with everything, Lift, etc. Cristine J. wanted treatsuch as the direction of the clinic, •Nose: Tip plasty, Nose bridge plasty, and ment for her eyebags. After and most importantly he helped me aTip+Bridge Correction, etc. an online consultation she with the translation. I met the doc•Face and Body Contouring: Liposuction, flew to Seoul for “Lower tor who explained and showed me a Fat Grafting, Implant, Chin/Jaw Reduction, Blepharoplasty” treatment visual image of what my nose would MINA PLASTIC SURGERY INS Chin Augmentation – Tie/Osteotomy, Front with Mina. “I was greeted by Becky who never look like after my nose heals from the surgery. Cheekbone Augmentation, and Cheekbone left my side and served as my translator the whole I was well taken care of by the doctor, staff and Reduction- Quick and Semi & 3D, etc. trip. Everything was explained to me thoroughly Joseph. At one month after the surgery my nose is •Breast- Non-surgical treatment: and the staff took good care of me. It has been two healing pretty well. I am amazed with the result! Botox, Shuring Laser Lifting, Filler. weeks since the surgery. I love the result so much! Can’t wait for it to totally heal! I highly recommend •Rebuild body shape, such as lipoI highly recommend Mina Plastic Surgery to forMina Plastic Surgery!” suction, etc. eigners… They are great!” Josie S. was very self conscious about her stomOne-day treatment, before-surgery Miranda T. went to Mina for Botox in her foreach. When she found a video of Liposuction and care and after-surgery care are also head and fillers under her eyes and in her lips: Tummy Tuck by Mina two years ago she knew available from attentive staff. Each “They were so polite and thorough! The doctor the answer to her problem. After a free, thorough, client receives customized treatand staff explained every step from start to finonline consultation, she flew to Seoul for treatment. ment in a relaxed setting, as the ish including how to take care of the treated areas! “Dr. Cha and the staff of Mina were very nice and doctors and staff focus on balI could not have asked for a better experience. The accommodating. It has already been 5 weeks after ance and proportion. Dr. expertise of the doctor was way more than I ever the procedure and I am in love with the results Cha has performed many could have hoped for! I give them a 10/10!” even though it is still healing. I am so excited to Safety first successful operations Jina K. said, “It was my first time to visit here; my wear fitted dresses, swimsuits and other clothes Safety is top priority at the for South Korean solmom got a “Thread Lift and Shrink” procedure, that would expose my tummy. Thank you Mina clinic. Dr. Cha has a 100 perdiers. and the results are amazing! Dr. Cha is fluent both Plastic Surgery Clinic, Joseph (one of their in-clinic cent safety record, and belongs in English and Korean, and he really cares about consultants), and Dr. Cha!” to the top circle of plastic surgeons in South Korea. He is certified by the ? Contact information plastic surgery boards approved by the For consultation and plastic surgery, email minaplasticsurgery@gmail.com. government, and can perform all surgerOfficial website: minaplasticsurgery.com. ies independently. Instagram: @minaplasticsurgery_official or @minaplasticsurgery Dr. Cha has been listed in The International Address: 12F, 822-1 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea Biographical Centre, of Cambridge, England, a Note: The Medical Aesthetic Services in Northern Medical Center in Middletown, NY now offers nonworld leader in biographical publishing, in recognisurgical cosmetic treatments and medical aesthetic services, such as Facial Tightening, Facial Contion of his skills and contributions in plastic surgery. He touring, Microneedling, Botox, etc. delivered by a team of skilled physicians, aesthetic nurses also won the Global International Healthcare Award 2017 from and healthcare professionals for customized medical beauty needs. Cambridge. For non-surgical treatments in the US, email care@northernmedicalcenter.org. To ensure quality treatment, Dr. Cha limits his surgeries to twice a day, Consultation: (845) 800-5118 one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Address: 14 Jason Place, Suite 201 Middletown, N.Y. Not all plastic surgery clinics can ensure the effect of plastic surgery for their 10940 patients. Yet with Mina Plastic Surgery, patients can count on good results. The clinic offers English service for overseas clients.
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A12 | NOV 05 - NOV 11, 2021
VISION TIMES
ALL-NEW PRODUCTION WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
China Before Communism China was once called “Land of the Divine.” There was a time when divine beings walked upon the earth, leaving behind wisdom that gave birth to everything from medical innovations to opera, dance, architecture, and even martial arts… A splendid culture flourished in China for 5,000 years.
A Divine Culture – Lost
Hope and Renewal
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with Buddhist and Taoist spirituality and values–thrived for thousands of years until communism seized power. Under tyranny, much of this divinely inspired culture has been destroyed or forgotten.
Darkness Spreads from China Decades of tumultuous communist struggle brought unimaginable human suffering upon the Chinese people. And now, the
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—Paul Skousen, professor and author
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Shen Yun Returns
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This is China before communism.
darkness of this tyranny reaches beyond
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