Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia
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February 15-28, 2015
Happy Lunar New Year of The Sheep
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February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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Cambodian American Heritage Day Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015 Time: 8:00 am - 12 noon Venue: Georgia State Capitol For more info: Randy Muth 404.988.0428, NC GA 404.644.0377
Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics - University of Sydney Date: Monday, Feb 16, 2015 Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Venue: Room 103, GT Instructional Center Free & open to public
CBAA Annual Meeting/Chinese New Year Banquet Date: Feb 14, 2015 Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Oriental Pearl Seafood Restaurant For more info: Jian Ni 404.519.3889
Asian American Legislative Breakfast and Lobby Day Organized by Asian American Advancing Justice Date: Wednesday, Feb 18, 2015 Time: 7:30 am - 11:00 am Venue: Freight Room, Georgia Railroad Freight Depot Ticket: $20 per person
22nd Chinese New Year Gala Show Organized by Chinese Business Association of Atlanta Date: Feb 15, 2015 Time: 3:30 pm Venue: Rialto Performing Art Center For more info: Charley Jin 678.612.3405 “The world’s most enterprising country: North Korea’s surprising entrepreneurialism” Presentation by Dr. Justin Hastings,
Chinese New Year Banquet Organized by National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA) Date: Saturday, Feb 21, 2015 Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Canton House, Buford Hwy Admission: Members $38; Non-members $80; Corporate table $1800 For more info: www.naca-atlanta.org
2015 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival Date: Sat- Sun, Feb 21-22, 2015 Time: 10 am – 4 pm Venue: Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Atlanta 5377 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 Ticket: $5 per person. Free admission for children under 3 1/2 ft.
Savannah Asian Festival Outdoor Arts Festival Organized by Armstrong State University, Savannah Date: Saturday, March 28, 2015 Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Venue: Fine Arts Courtyard & Fine Arts Auditorium Admission: Free For more info: www.armstrong.edu
Vietnamese Community of Georgia - Lunar New Year of Sheep Celebration Date: Sunday, Feb 22, 2015 Time: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Venue: Grand Ballroom, 6100 Live Oak Parkway, Norcross, GA 30093 For more info: Baoky Vu 770.656.5595 baokyvu@yahoo.com
Greater Gwinnett Championship - Golf Champions Tour Date: April 13-19, 2015 Venue: TPC Sugarloaf For more info: www.greatergwinnettchampionship.com
Hong Kong Spring-Lunar New Year Celebration Organized by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office New York Date: March 11, 2015 Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Carter Center Strictly by invitation only
2015 Symposium on Asia-USA Partnership Opportunities (SAUPO) Largest Asian business conference in the South Date: Friday, April 17, 2015 Time: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Venue: St. Regis Hotel, Atlanta, GA For more info: www.kennesaw.edu/ saupo/home.php
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February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
METRO ASIAN NEWS
Resolution passed at State Capitol recognizing Cambodia-American Heritage Day Atlanta, February 12, 2015 — The Georgia House of Representative and the Senate officially passed a motion to adopt the resolution of Cambodian-American Heritage Day. The resolution was to mark the first Saturday in April as the Cambodian-American Heritage Day. Senior abbott from the five Cambodian Buddhist temples along with members of Cambodian-American community turn up in large numbers to show support for the resolution at the State Capitol. “We are pleased to have the resolution passed. We have been working hard behind the scene to make it happen for over a year,” said Randy Muth, Executive Director of Angkor Resource Center, an organizer of the resolution campaign. Cambodian diaspora totaled over 4000 individuals in metro Atlanta with a large community presence in Clayton and Fayette County, according to the latest figures from Census Bureau.
“The resolution will help the Cambodian-American community celebrate its cultural identity and heritage. It especially helpful to nurture the younger generations of their heritage,” said Bora Lam, President of Cambodian-American Association of Georgia. Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal took the opportunity for a group photo with members of Cambodia-American community and abbots from the five temples at the steps of the Capitol. A campaign was recently launched in Clayton County to adopt the “Cambodian Town” initiative - a concept to promote Cambodian entrepreneurship and small business initiatives in the local community. For more information on Cambodian Town initiative, contact Randy Muth 404.988.0428
Burmese Chin diaspora to hold cultural celebration on Feb 28 Clarkston, February 10, 2015 — Burmese Chin community in metro Atlanta and Georgia is planning to celebrate their 67th anniversary of Chin National Day at Clarkston Community Center Soccer Field on February 28, 2015. There are over 4,000 Chin diaspora in Georgia based on the latest US Census statistics. “The Chin National Day is a celebration of Burmese Chin culture and traditions,” said Mr. Salai M. Thang, President of Burmese Chin Community of Atlanta, a non-profit organization established in 2007. Celebration will start from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm — offering a carnival of activities ranging from sports, traditional dance, beauty pageant, fashion show, and cultural talent showcases. Highlight of the celebration includes an official ceremony scheduled to commence at 3:00 pm. Chin is an ethnic group that was prosecuted by the Burmese military juntas for their Christian religion af-
finity. Over the last decade, thousands of Chin refugees have resettled in the Clarkston-DeKalb area from transitory camps in Guam and Malaysia. “We would like to invite everyone to join us in the celebration and learn about our culture. We like to meet with various groups and make friends,” added Thang, who arrived in 2001 from Guam. In addition, the Burmese China Community of Atlanta is seeking to partner with various non-profit organizations to help serve their community. For more information on the celebration, contact Salai M. Thang at 404.964.4062
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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METRO ASIAN NEWS
February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
Immigration attorney Bonnie Youn faces additional charges for alleged immigration fraud and witness tampering Atlanta, February 11, 2015 - Bonnie Monique Youn has been arraigned on additional federal charges that she submitted false documentation on behalf of three new clients who were aliens seeking immigration status in the United States. She has been charged with two new counts of visa fraud, two new counts of alien harboring, and two new counts of witness tampering.
fraud by filing documents that were false with respect to material facts. Then, once the investigation into Ms. Youn was underway, she engaged in witness tampering by telling two aliens to provide false information to federal agents when they were questioned. Youn also attempted to persuade one of the aliens to provide a false statement to a Federal grand jury.
US-Justice“The additional charges against this attorney reflect that her illegal actions on behalf of certain immigration clients are more extensive. Instead of working within the bounds of the law, she filed false immigration documents with the U.S. Government and encouraged several clients to lie to federal agents who were conducting an investigation,” said Acting United States Attorney John Horn.
Bonnie Monique Youn, 45, of Atlanta, Ga., was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Gerrilyn G. Brill. The superseding indictment, which added charges against Youn, was returned by a federal grand jury on January 27, 2015. Youn was previously released on a $25,000 unsecured bond, and ordered to surrender her United States passport.
“The defendant, who swore to uphold the law, instead allegedly sought to enrich herself by undermining the integrity of our immigration system by filing false documents,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin, ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. “To compound these initial crimes, the defendant now stands accused of tampering with witnesses in the investigation in a failed attempt to conceal her illicit activities. Creating vulnerabilities in our immigration system raises serious national security concerns that HSI will vigorously investigate.” According to Acting United States Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: From February 9, 2009, to the present, for her personal financial gain, immigration attorney Bonnie Monique Youn encouraged and induced three aliens to reside in the United States in violation of the law. Youn also engaged in visa
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 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Document Benefit Fraud Task Force comprised of Special Agents with HSI, the United States Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General, the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, as well as Fraud Detection/National Security Officers of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Assistant United States Attorneys Susan Coppedge and William L. McKinnon, Jr. are prosecuting the case.
Violinist Midori to join Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for two performances
Atlanta, February 13, 2015 — One of today’s greatest violinists, Midori, will join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) with Music Director Robert Spano to perform works by Mendelssohn, Schumann and Wagner on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. Since her debut at the age of 11 with the New York Philharmonic, Midori has established a record of achievement which sets her apart as a master musician and innovator. Midori has never shied away from challenging pieces like Schumann’s Violin Concerto. The evening’s program will also include Mendelssohn’s light-hearted Overture to A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Wagner’s Prelude and “Good Friday Spell” from Parsifal and the Prelude to Act One of Die Meistersinger. Midori is also a champion of the developmental potential of children. In 1992 she founded Midori & Friends, a non-profit organization in New York which brings music education programs to thousands of underserved children each year. Two other organizations, Music Sharing, based in Japan, and Partners in Performance, based in the U.S., also bring music closer to the lives of people who may not otherwise have involvement with the arts. Tickets are $29-$104. Additional details are available at aso.org.
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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BUSINESS
Philippines gambles on becoming world gaming destination - opening “City of Dreams” Manila, Feb 2, 2015 — A new mega-casino opened in the Philippines today as the fast-growing Southeast Asian nation ups its bid to become a world gaming destination. Manila aims to rival Macau and Las Vegas in gaming revenues, and the “City of Dreams” is the latest in a string of casinos that have opened in recent years. The new casino is an imposing structure on Manila Bay with six gleaming golden towers surrounding a giant egg-shaped dome, and industry and government leaders hope that it will attract cashed-up tourists from other parts of Asia. The casino is a joint venture between the country’s richest man Henry Sy, Australian billionaire James Packer and Lawrence Ho, son of Macau casino mogul Stanley Ho. “The goal is to find the best (sites) in Asia... The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies anywhere in the world. We’ve seen the market really pick up,” Ho told reporters. Ho also acknowledged the huge cost of building the resort. The Philippine government requires a minimum US$1
billion investment for new casinos built in the area. Packer said jokingly that the resort was inspired by Hollywood movies “Casino” and “Oceans Eleven”, and Robert de Niro, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have appeared on giant billboards and TV commercials to promote the casino. The 6.2-hectare complex is the second of four mega resorts to open on reclaimed portions of the bay, just a few hundred meters from the city’s slum communities. The City of Dreams’ golden dome, called the “Fortune Egg”, houses two exclusive nightclubs, including Pangaea, where copies of Picasso hang beside pictures of safari animals on walls covered in fake snakeskin. The glittering opening today is to be capped off with a concert by American music stars Ne-Yo and Kelly Rowland. The Philippines economy grew at more than 6 per cent in 2014 for the third straight year, prompting economic planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan to comment that the country has shaken off its reputation as the “sick man” of Asia.
Higher capital requirement by Feds will hurt U.S. banks New York, Feb 9, 2015 — Big US banks say that a proposed Federal Reserve rule on higher capital requirements would penalize them if the dollar remains strong against the euro, as it would make their dollar-denominated assets and operations look larger relative to their European peers, the Wall Street Journal reported. Last December, the US Federal Reserve proposed that eight of the largest US banks would be required to hold an extra capital cushion and the firms will need more equity if they rely on risky types of debt. Officials from banks including Citigroup Inc, Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Bank of America Corp and Morgan Stanley raised concerns about the rule during a January 7 meeting with Fed officials, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the gathering. Under the Fed’s proposal, which would take effect in 2016, US banks would calculate cushions using both the Basel method and a separate score that weighs short-term wholesale funding. They would have to meet whichever charge is higher. The Fed rule relies on financial data compiled by the Basel Committee that
is expressed in euros, which enables regulators to compare US banks with their foreign competitors using just one currency. The data is converted to dollars using a spot exchange rate provided by Basel, the Journal said. However, the dollar’s rise makes the asset bases and operations of the US banks look larger relative to their European and Asian peers, the newspaper said. The banks plan to file an official comment letter later this month detailing their concerns and seeking changes to how the proposal calculates the extra capital required, the Journal said. Representatives at the Federal Reserve, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase could not immediately be reached for comment outside regular U.S. business hours. — Reuters
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February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
LIFESTYLE a busy road junction in Bangkok known for fatal crashes. Zebra statues are a common sight at accident spots due to the belief that their stripes – which remind people of pedestrian crossings – will fend off the unhappy ghosts of previous traffic victims that many believe cause new crashes.
Haunting aspect to Thailand’s other-worldly charm Bangkok, February 3, 2015 — From exorcism ceremonies to spirit houses and amulets claiming to make wearers bullet-proof, Thailand is a culture soaked in superstition – an obsession critics say is holding the nation back. On a popular episode of Humans defy Ghosts – a weekly Thai TV program that delves into the supernatural – a two-year-old girl who survived three days next to the dead body of her mother was asked a series of questions by one of the show’s panelists. “Who prepared your milk?” Kapol Thongplab enquired. “Who played with you? Who opened the door?“ “Mummy,” the little girl replied, as genuinely convinced as her adult interlocutors that her mother’s ghost continued to sustain her in those harrowing days. In Thailand, a show like this is more than just entertainment. “In all countries, people believe in the afterlife,” Kapol, one of Thailand’s most famous
ghost experts said. “Westerners may believe in Satan. In the nations of South-East Asia, we believe in ghosts. This kind of belief helps people refrain from doing bad things. Mr A may think ‘If I kill Mr B, he may become a ghost and come back to haunt me.’” The spirit world is everywhere in Thailand where animism and folk beliefs are deeply infused with Buddhism. But some Thais say they are fed up with what they describe as naive superstitions that lead their countrymen to make poor decisions or leave them vulnerable to exploitation. One man, who wished to remain anonymous, is leading an Internet campaign against this belief. The man, who goes by the pseudonym “****Ghosts” and runs a popular Facebook page with the same name, recently caused uproar when he posted a photograph of himself stepping on a row of zebra figurines at
The man’s main gripe is that Thais would rather put their faith in statues and amulets than take concrete steps to reduce personal risk, such as driving more safely. “These kind of beliefs keep Thailand an underdeveloped country,” he fumes. Thailand has the second-highest traffic fatality rate in the world, with 44 deaths per 100,000 population, according to a 2014 study based on World Health Organization figures.
But while drivers cover their cars with protective trinkets, many still speed and drink-drive. For much of Thailand’s soothsayers, astrologers and its huge monastic network, belief in the superstitious is also undoubtedly lucrative. Exorcisms, protective spells and trinkets are all readily available at a price, while books and films about haunting spirits are hugely popular. Thais believe a violent or unexpected death is more likely to result in the creation of an angry ghost when a soul departs. Few ghosts are more famous than “Nak”, a woman who Thais believe lived in Bangkok in the 19th century and died during childbirth while her husband was away fighting a war. There are many versions of the story, but in general they all describe how the husband returned to find his wife seemingly still alive. “On the eve of a lottery, this temple is open all night,” reads the sign on a shrine dedicated to Nak in Bangkok where locals make offerings. “I believe in her and I believe in ghosts,” said Netnaran Janvanu, a young mother at the temple.
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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FASHION
Jason Wu star of New York Fashion Week Day 2 New York, Feb 14, 2015 — Canadian-Taiwanese designer Jason Wu was the star of New York Fashion Week day two yesterday, showing a collection inspired by the strength and seduction of French screen siren Catherine Deneuve. Elegant tailored suits, jackets, coats and trousers were contrasted with body-clinging sheath dresses with cutout backs, thigh-revealing splits and luxurious fur showcased seduction. “I think with this collection there’s something animalistic and very, very sexy,” said Wu backstage after the show in a SoHo loft, where the winter sun streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows. “When you think about those silk dresses with the slits and also the lingerie-esque lace dresses and the fur at the end, that felt sexy and modern and
seductive,” Wu added. The Jason Wu woman of fall/winter 2015 is sleek and minimalist. Feminine, chiffon blouses were paired with sharp trousers. Slinky evening dresses in delicate beading shimmered in white and navy. Fur was a prominent feature, worn in stoles, as extravagant trim on a jacket or fashioned into belted gilets. Wu kept the palate simple and subtle with olive, navy, the most delicate of pale blue-grays, black, white and splashes of coral. US supermodel Karlie Kloss walked the runway and the 32-year-old designer praised her backstage as a special model, one who has poise, elegance and an enduring all-American appeal. Wu, who shot to fame for dressing
American First Lady Michelle Obama while in his mid-20s, said Deneuve was his inspiration this season.
Otherwise the highlights of yesterday were: New kid on the block
“There’s something quite Catherine Deneuve feeling about this collection and I feel like that was a good muse for the season,” he said. Wu is the only designer in New York to showcase two collections for separate houses: his eponymous brand that was the highlight yesterday and his collection for Germany luxury house Hugo Boss, which shows next week. He said he has different rules for each brand but sees his own label as his “personal journey”. “When I design for Boss I think it’s really much more about seeing the Boss DNA through my eyes. So it’s two very different set of rules.”
The woman whose opinion matters most in the fashion world, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, turned out for the minimalist collection unveiled by up-and-coming talent Wes Gordon, 28. Nomadic chic Mongolian “It girl” and designer Bayarmaa Bayarkhuu made her debut with a catwalk collection inspired by her homeland. Her collection for label Mongol was part nomadic and part space-age, an assortment of tunic dresses, luxurious fur coats and cashmere jumpsuits finished with elaborate head dresses and leather-tasseled skirts.
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EVENTS
February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
Cambodian-American Heritage Day Resolution at State Capitol , Feb 12, 2015
Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal join in for a photo opp with the Cambodian diaspora from metro Atlanta.
Sopheap Lam, Bora Lam, President of Cambodian American Association of Georgia, and a friend at the State Capitol.
Srey Sona and young baby celebrating the passing of Cambodian American Heritage Day resolution.
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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LIFESTYLE
“When she returned, her dancing was powerful, the feeling coming from deep within.” ‘One of the family’ Since taking the plunge in 2005, Megumi, a trained careworker, has now made seven visits to Rio, even staying in a favela, or slum, the first time.
Passion for samba for Japanese family that grew out of quake tragedy Rio de Janeiro, Feb 14, 2015 — When Megumi Kudo sways to the sensual beat of samba, she also heals the wounds in her mother’s heart from a huge earthquake that shattered their home city in Japan 20 years ago. This year’s festive menu for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro has special poignancy for the Kudos, with daughter Megumi set to perform as a “passista” dancer with the famed Salgueiro school this weekend, continuing a tradition that has now spanned two generations. Megumi’s samba-teaching and costume-designing mother Taeko will watch proudly in Rio’s packed sambadrome — after the two of them first danced together in a smaller group. “I remember the day the earthquake struck. At our house, a door was damaged and would not open,” Taeko reflected in a soft voice, recalling the Great Hanshin earthquake of January 17, 1995, that struck in the southern Japanese city of Kobe. “A dark and sinking feeling just washed over me.” More than 6,000 people died in the temblor, which left a US$100 million trail of damage. It was Japan’s worst quake since the 1923 Great Kanto disaster that ravaged Tokyo.
Emotional void As Taeko, 54, sat sewing glittering beads and sequins onto one of her daughter’s 15 Salgueiro costumes, she recounted the emotional void that filled her after the disaster. The former softball pitcher scanned a newspaper ad as she sought to channel her grief. “It read, ‘let’s dance samba’,” said Taeko. “I knew nothing about samba, but from the first class, it was a lot of fun and I could forget my pain.” Months later, a 150-strong samba delegation came to Kobe from the dance’s heartland, Rio de Janeiro. The two cities have had a twinning arrangement for nearly half a century. “When I saw the Brazilian dancers, their natural moves and their joy it hit me: Samba is a really fun thing.” Her 29-year-old daughter Megumi caught the bug as her mother began offering samba classes and turning her hand to designing intricately-decorated outfits for dancers. “Megumi asked me to let her visit Brazil and I let her go,” Taeko said.
“I started at Kobe’s Megu Samba Palace aged 10 as my mom sought to overcome her sadness after the quake,” she said. “I want to change people’s appreciation of samba. It’s not about showing off bare flesh but creating an artist.”
“Samba is essentially black culture. I had to work so hard to gain their respect in the beginning,” she said. “I quickly sought out Carlinhos, Salgueiro’s head choreographer. He is so talented and I asked to do a test.” The diminutive Carlinhos recalls: “She was raw — but she’s got talent and merits her place.” Salgueiro president Regina Fernandes put it simply: “She’s one of the family.” The Kudos rallied round last year when Megumi had her purse snatched and required treatment after her assailant knocked her to the ground, and she cut her head.
In her home city, Megumi is a seven-time samba competition champion competing for a school called Feijao Preto, or black bean.
Taeko said some of her most rewarding experiences have come from entertaining residents at old people’s homes.
The homage to a Brazilian food staple being twirled in samba parades 19,000 kilometres away amuses her fellow dancers.
“Sometimes, elderly people who usually just sit vacant will shed tears or even mark out time to a samba rhythm. It moves you,” said Taeko.
Although Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population outside Japan, Megumi’s fellow citizens are still a rare sight at samba parades.
“We want to show the passion of samba. Rather than just a hobby, people dedicate their life to it.”
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Georgia Asian Times
FOCUS
Because of their turbans and beards, Sikhs have often been mistaken for Muslims and have faced harassment and attacks, especially after the 9/11 attacks. In 2012, a white supremacist gunman attacked a Sikh temple in the state of Wisconsin, killing six Sikh worshippers. In Houston, a confrontation with deputy sheriffs at the home of a Sikh family in 2008 was the original impetus for Sheriff Garcia’s outreach towards Sikhs after his election in 2009.
Texas allows Sikh policemen to sport beards, turbans Houston, Feb 7, 2015 — In one of the biggest goodwill gestures to one of the largest communities in the US -- the Sikhs -- the state of Texas has allowed on-duty Sikh officers to sport essential Sikh religious symbols like beards and turbans. According to a Washington Post report Friday, the decision of the county sheriff of greater Houston fulfilled one of the long standing demands of the Sikhs and made the county’s police force one of the first few in the nation -- along with those in Washington DC and Riverside, California -- to permit Sikhs to wear their “articles of faith” on patrol. “By making these religious accommodations, we will ensure that (our) office reflects the community we serve, one of the most culturally rich and diverse in America,” Sheriff Adrian Garcia said in a statement. “Deputies need to not only understand, respect and communicate with all segments of the population, but represent it as well,” he added. Sikh leaders in Houston and Washington welcomed the announcement, and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) circu-
lated Internet photos of Garcia shaking hands with Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, 37, who was wearing a blue police uniform, navy blue turban and a short beard. “With this policy, one of the largest sheriff’s offices in the country has affirmed that a person does not have to choose between their faith and a career of service,” said Jasjit Singh, executive director of SALDEF in Washington. The group’s Houston representative said the move would help the law enforcement agency to “attract the best and brightest from across our community...”. There are at least 200,000 Sikhs in the US, mostly from India. Some Sikh groups claim that the number is as high as 700,000. Many of them are middle class, educated professionals in a wide range of occupations. Their numbers have grown significantly since the 1970s, with large concentrations in urban areas, including New York and Los Angeles. Community leaders said that there were about 10,000 Sikhs in the Houston region alone.
The family called to complain of a burglary, but deputies who arrived were reportedly alarmed to find men in the home wearing beards and turbans and carrying small ceremonial swords. They called for extra officers and began interrogating the family.
“All that is in the past now,” said Bobby Singh, a SALDEF official in Houston. Garcia, he said, sought to make a fresh start with the Sikh community and other foreign minority groups in the diverse metropolitan area. “Now we have more opportunity to serve in law enforcement. It’s a winwin for everyone,” he said.
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
Page 13
SPORTS
India-Pakistan grudge match, fans get ready Islamabad, Feb 14, 2015 — Big screens are going up, TV sales are booming and even the Taliban are getting their transistor radios ready for the biggest grudge match in cricket: Pakistan against India. From the beaches of Kerala to the snowy Himalayas, from the deserts of Baluchistan to the tea plantations of Assam, hundreds of millions of fans will be glued to the action as the two sides clash in the World Cup tomorrow. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif yesterday to wish his team luck in their opening match at the Adelaide Oval, while Sharif issued a statement bidding his side a success. “The whole nation is praying for the success of the team and expects the boys to do their level best in this crucial fixture,” the statement said. The time difference with Australia means the match will start around breakfast time in the subcontinent, but that is unlikely to deter legions of supporters for whom a win over the old enemy is almost as important as winning the tournament. In the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, big screen TVs are selling fast, with many restaurants installing the latest LED screens to lure in punters tomorrow. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in temporary accommodation around northwest Pakistan after being forced to flee the restive tribal areas
on the Afghan border by a major anti-Taliban military operation. Many of the displaced are hoping their big-hitting hero Shahid Afridi, who hails from Khyber tribal district, will bring them some cheer tomorrow. Ajab Khan, 60, was forced to abandon his flatscreen TV when he fled North Waziristan, but said he had used government aid to get a replacement. “We saved from our relief package money and bought a 17-inch television for the World Cup,” said Khan. “We want Afridi to score sixes against India as it is most thrilling and entertaining part of any match.” The ongoing military operation has also disrupted the Taliban’s plans to watch the match, but the militants said they would still try to tune in. “In the past commanders used to watch the Pakistan-India match together and we used to slaughter sheep and socialise with each other, but now things are different and there will be no such meetings over cricket,” said one commander. “However, we will listen to commentary on radio.” In Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, big screens are going up in posh malls to keep shoppers up to date with the match.
Gambling crackdown Across the border in India, Mumbai police have launched a crackdown on illegal bookmakers who are set to take a windfall from thousands of gambling-mad punters. Although gambling is mostly banned in India, betting on cricket matches thrives through networks of underground bookies. “Yes it is true that bookies have disappeared,” said Mumbai police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police Dhananjay Kulkarni. “We are cracking down on illegal cricket betting in Mumbai before the World Cup begins this weekend.” Restaurants are also gearing up for the event, hosting cricket-themed breakfasts and lunches. At the Underdogs Sports Bar and Grill in Delhi, manager Digamber Singh said a whopping 24 televisions were going up to make sure diners did not miss a ball. But fans in Indian-administered Kashmir, the disputed territory where many support Pakistan over India, will not be allowed to gather for public
screenings, banned by police for fear of unrest in the volatile region. ‘This is like the final’ Prime Minister Modi may have offered sporting good wishes, but some of his countrymen have been less charitable. The broadcaster Star Sports has been keen to remind Pakistanis of India’s World Cup dominance over them — India have beaten Pakistan in every one of their World Cup clashes since 1992, five in all. A Star Sports advert for the match this week focused on a Pakistani fan settling down excitedly for each of the matches over the years, getting older with each one, only to be disappointed every time. Back in Karachi, 25-year-old software engineer Fahad Asghar summed up the mood of a subcontinent. “The World Cup is definitely a big event,” he said. “But for us the match with India is like the final.”
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February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
SPORTS Kiwi golf teen wonder Lydia Ko happy to be an ‘icon’ at 17 Singapore, Feb 11, 2015 — New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko today said she was comfortable in the role of a female sporting icon after becoming golf’s youngest ever world number one. Seventeen-year-old Ko, who smashed Tiger Woods’ record of reaching the top ranking when he was 21, said comments from aspiring golfers drove her to become a better player. She was speaking just after the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews admitted its first female members, a breakthrough after 260 years of men-only membership.
China’s Li Na seeks win as Laureus Sports awards debut in China Shanghai, Feb 11, 2015 — Recently retired Chinese tennis star Li Na will enjoy home court advantage as she vies for sportswoman of the year when the premier Laureus World Sports Awards take place in China for the first time in April.
For the men, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo will test his skills against number one golfer Rory McIlroy and Formula One motor racing champion Lewis Hamilton.
Li Na will go up against another tennis legend, Serena Williams, in a six-woman field, organisers said today.
“He’s (Ronaldo) really, really good and playing for a fantastic team,” football coach Fabio Capello, now managing Russia’s national team, told the news conference.
The holding of the awards ceremony in the commercial hub of Shanghai comes as Beijing bids for the 2022 Winter Olympics, amid rumours that China could even seek to host the 2026 football World Cup.
Ronaldo’s club, Spain’s Real Madrid, is in the running for team of the year, up against another football success story, the German men’s team which won the FIFA World Cup.
Although China is a Summer Olympics powerhouse, only three Chinese athletes or teams have won Laureus World Sports Awards: NBA basketball star Yao Ming, hurdler Liu Xiang and the Chinese Olympic team for the 2008 Games — which were held in Beijing.
Others in the running for the sportsman award are top tennis player Novak Djokovic and World MotoGP title-holder Marc Marquez, as well as France’s Renaud Lavillenie, who broke a 21-year-old world record for the pole vault last year.
“I’m sure we are going to see more (Chinese winners) in the years ahead. Who knows? Could be this year,” double Olympic champion Edwin Moses told reporters as the nominations for 2015 were announced.
A selection panel of sports journalists makes the initial selection to create a shortlist for the awards and then a 50-member “jury” of athletes votes to pick the winners, which this year will be announced on April 15.
“When I have kids or juniors come up to me and say ‘Oh you’re my idol’ it makes me feel very proud,” she told a teleconference ahead of next month’s HSBC Women’s Champions. “Hearing those things makes me feel like I need to become a better player just for them and hopefully just give more opportunities for the goals that will lead the LPGA.” Britain’s Princess Anne and retired greats Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam were among the first seven women to join Scotland’s R&A, known as the “home of golf”. “I think it’s great. Women’s golf is getting much bigger, it just shows that a lot of people are more interested in the women’s game,” said Ko. “It’s a great first step for women’s golf. It’s great that the R&A did that.” South Korean-born Ko, who won her first professional event at the record age of just 14, tops the rankings just a year after turning pro and changing her clubs, sponsor and coach. Contact lenses This year she has ditched her trademark glasses in favour of contact lenses — and the switch did no harm at all as
she reached number one in the first event of the season. A share of second was enough to put Ko on top of the rankings in Orlando and she defended her position by finishing tied seventh last week in the Bahamas. “I got in the habit of wearing my glasses and lifting them up. It’s definitely different,” she said of wearing contacts. “In the Bahamas it rained on the first day in the afternoon and to not have to wipe the raindrops off my lens it was pretty awesome, so that was probably the first time I was happy it was raining. “I’m getting used to contacts and trying to use my sunglasses to keep the wind off so they won’t dry. But it’s cool, I like the change.” A cautionary tale about life at number one comes in the form of Taiwan’s Tseng Yani, who spent two years at the top until 2013 but then crumbled and is now ranked at 90. But despite the pressure, the laidback Ko said she was relaxed about the rankings and determined to keep enjoying her golf. “It’s pretty awesome and it’s a huge honour to be in this position. I’m very proud to be here. This has always been a goal to become world number one, so to be in the ranking right now it’s awesome,” she said. “But I’m really going to go out to every tournament and try to have a good result there and not think about the rankings, because if somebody else plays really good and they win a couple of tournaments it’s really out of my hands. “I’m just going to really enjoy being there, it’s really fun.”
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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HEALTH “Smart insulin” adjust blood sugar levels Miami, Feb 10, 2015 — An experimental “smart insulin” that acts for 14 hours has shown promise in mice and could be tested in people with type 1 diabetes in two years, researchers said yesterday.
“This is an important advance in insulin therapy,” said co-author Danny Chou, assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah.
complications, including heart disease, blindness or even death.
The product, known as Ins-PBA-F and developed by biochemists at the University of Utah, self-activates when blood sugar soars, according to the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“Our insulin derivative appears to control blood sugar better than anything that is available to diabetes patients right now.”
It differs from other “smart insulin” products in development that use a protein-based barrier, such as a gel or coating, that inhibits insulin when blood sugar is low.
Tests on mice with a form of type 1 diabetes showed that one injection could “repeatedly and automatically lower blood sugar levels after mice are given amounts of sugar comparable
to what they would consume at mealtime,” said the study. The drug closely mimicked the way the bodies of normal mice would return their blood sugar levels to normal after eating.
People with type 1 diabetes must constantly monitor their blood sugar and manually inject themselves with insulin when needed.
Ins-PBA-F is a chemically modified version of a naturally occurring hormone.
After more long-term safety tests in lab animals, the first human safety trials could begin in two to five years.
Any mistake or lapse can lead to
First Confirmed Case of Measles in Georgia Atlanta, February 9, 2015 – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is confirming the state’s first reported case of measles since 2012. The infected infant arrived in Atlanta from outside of the U.S. and is being cared for at Egleston at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). DPH is working with CHOA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient and to prevent further spread of measles. Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease. It is particularly dangerous for infants who cannot be immunized until they are at least six months old and young children who have only received one dose of measles vaccine. Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes and respiratory droplets travel through the air. Measles virus can live in the air and on surfaces for two to three hours. Almost everyone who has not been vaccinated will get measles if they are exposed to the virus.
doses of measles vaccine.” Symptoms of measles include: · Fever (can be very high) · Cough, runny nose and red eyes · Tiny white spots on the inner lining of the cheek – also called Koplik’s spots · Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spreads to the rest of the body (spots may become joined together as they spread) There is no cure for measles, but measles can be prevented through vaccination. The measles vaccine (MMR) is highly effective, in most cases about 97 percent effective. “Keeping immunization levels high is critical to preventing outbreaks or sustained transmission in Georgia,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “More than 98 percent of children heading into kindergarten in our state have received all school required vaccines, which includes two
Doctors recommend 2 doses of MMR vaccine for best protection. The first dose is given to children 12-15 months old, the second dose between 4-6 months. Students at colleges and universities who do not have evidence of immunity against measles need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, especially if they are considering travel outside of the U.S. or were born in the early 1960’s when a less effective vaccine was used. A simple blood test can determine if a person has measles immunity. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, because of high population immunity achieved by very effective measles vaccine coverage. But measles still exists in many parts of the world, and outbreaks can occur in the U.S. when unvaccinated individuals or groups are exposed to imported measles virus. Since 2002, there have been 11 reported cases of
measles in Georgia - including this current one - all were imported cases or linked to an imported case. DPH also continues to closely monitor the large, multi-state measles outbreak linked to Disneyland Resort Theme Parks in California. Since January 1, 2015, more than 100 people from at least 14 states were reported to have measles, the majority of them with ties to the Disneyland outbreak. Most of the case-patients were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. The current Georgia case is unrelated to that outbreak. “We don’t need to be alarmists. We need to be aware,” said Patrick O’Neal, M.D., director of Health Protection at the Georgia Department of Public Health. “What happened in Disneyland is an alert that we live in a world now in which international travel is very common and frequent, and diseases are only hours away.” For more information about measles and measles vaccine visit www.dph. ga.gov.
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February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
Misc Asia
U.S. renews concern on rule of law in Malaysia as Anwar Ibrahim is imprisoned Kuala Lumpur, Feb 10, 2015 — The United States today expressed “deep disappointment” with Malaysia’s decision to convict Anwar Ibrahim, saying the case has cast doubt over the independence of the local judiciary. In a statement issued by its embassy here, the US said it consistently had misgivings over the trial of the Opposition Leader on a charge that Anwar has maintained was a political conspiracy to the very end. “The decision to prosecute Mr Anwar, and his trial, have raised serious concerns regarding the rule of law and the independence of the courts. “The US and Malaysia have a strong partnership, and in the context of this relationship, we have regularly raised our serious concerns regarding the Anwar case with Malaysian officials and emphasised that fairness, transparency, and the rule of law are essential to promote confidence in Malaysia’s judicial system and democracy,” read the statement.
Last year, US Vice President Joe Biden had commented directly on Anwar’s trial ahead of the Federal Court decision in unusually blunt fashion. Biden’s remarks are reminiscent of those made by then US Vice President Al Gore, when Anwar was first accused of sodomy and corruption in 1998. “Anwar Ibrahim’s appeal gives Malaysia a vital chance to make things right and promote confidence in its democracy & judiciary. -vp,” read a tweet posted on Biden’s Twitter account, @ VP, on December 5. Earlier today, Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also registered her country’s concern and disappointment over the Federal Court’s decision to reject Anwar’s appeal against his conviction. The Federal Court upheld today the Court of Appeal’s 2014 ruling that had reversed Anwar’s acquittal of sodomizing former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, also sentencing him to five years’ jail.
Korean Air heiress gets a year’s jail Seoul, February 13, 2015 - The daughter of Korean Air’s chairman was jailed for a year over a notorious “nut rage” incident that triggered an uproar over the behavior of South Korea’s business dynasties. The district court in Seoul yesterday convicted Cho Hyun-ah of violating aviation safety law by forcing a taxiing New York-Seoul KAL flight to return to its departure gate on Dec 5. Cho, who was the airline’s executive vice-president at the time, had insisted on expelling the chief purser from the plane after taking exception to being served macadamia nuts in a bag, rather than a bowl. The 40-year-old had treated the flight “as if it was her own private plane”, Justice Oh Sung-woo said, adding that the case had become the object of international ridicule and “damaged the dignity” of the country. Cho treated employees “like feudal slaves” and failed to show “the slightest respect” for other people, the judge said.
Cho occasionally reached up to wipe away tears as the judge read his ruling. “I am deeply sorry for what I did ... I displayed my anger without control,” she said in a letter of apology read out by the judge. “I don’t know how I can ever be forgiven,” the letter said, adding that her six weeks in trial custody had allowed her to learn “respect for other people” from her fellow detainees. Despite Cho’s expressions of repentance, Oh questioned whether she was truly remorseful for her behavior. She was also convicted of assault on the cabin crew. The chief steward, Park Chang-jin, had testified that Cho had made him kneel and beg for forgiveness while jabbing him with a service manual.
Georgia Asian Times February 15-28, 2015
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Misc Asia
Two sisters arrested for indecency at Angkor Wat temple Phnom Penh, February 7, 2015 — Two American sisters have been arrested in Cambodia for taking naked photos of each other inside the country’s famed Angkor temple complex, officials said on Saturday - the latest nude stunt by tourists to spark anger. Lindsey Adams, 22, and her 20-yearold sister Leslie were discovered taking “nude pictures” inside the Preah Khan temple at the world heritage site on Friday, the Apsara Authority - the government agency managing the Angkor complex - said in a statement. “The two tourists admitted that they really made a mistake by taking nude photos,” the statement read.
Chau Sun Kerya, a spokesman for the Apsara Authority, said the women’s actions were offensive because Angkor is considered sacred ground. “Perhaps they did not know Angkor is a holy site. But their inappropriate activities affect the sanctity of the place,” she said. Keat Bunthan, a senior heritage police official in northwestern Siem Reap province, said officers were now questioning the women. “They lowered their pants to their knees and took pictures of their buttocks,” he said, adding that he was not sure yet what charges they might face for their action.
Bodies of two AirAsia QZ8501 pilots found in cockpit Jakarta, Feb 7, 2015 — Indonesia’s search and rescue agency Basarnas has found the bodies of the two pilots of the crashed Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ8501, it told a press conference on Friday, according to local news media. Basarnas chief Bambang Soelistyo said the plane cockpit was found 20m from where the fuselage was located, and the bodies of the pilots were inside, still wearing uniforms and strapped to their seats, reported news portal Detik.com. Divers have managed to evacuate one body, which has been taken on board rescue ship KN Pacitan. The body could not be identified due to an advanced state of decomposition, Mr Soelistyo said, according to Detik.com.
The divers are set to go back down on Saturday morning to retrieve the other body. The Indonesia AirAsia plane crashed on Dec 28 en route to Singapore from Surabaya, with 162 people on board. Ninety-eight bodies have been found so far, Detik.com quoted Mr Soelistyo as saying. This includes the pilot’s body found on Friday and one more found in the waters off Pinrang, South Sulawesi.
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February 15-28, 2015 Georgia Asian Times
TRAVEL each day, reports said in late January. The program Gan used to secure a returned ticket was an open-source one made available for free by a lone independent developer, but major Chinese internet firms have also waded into the fray. Chinese search giant Baidu developed software to speed up the booking process and avoid losing a ticket between booking and payment, one of the most frustrating user experiences. The company says 18 million people have installed it, and bought 28 million tickets between them. Web browser LieBao offers a pre-booking function, allowing users to select a ticket beforehand and sending an automatic request as soon as booking officially opens. Digital divide
Battle for Chinese New Year train tickets goes cyber in China Beijing, Feb 15, 2015 — As hundreds of millions in China flock home to celebrate the Year of the Sheep, the world’s biggest human migration places extraordinary pressure on roads and railways—but technology is offering new ways to find a route home.
hair-tearing frustration. Posters on social media say the booking website is “more difficult to access than the Diaoyu Islands”—the uninhabited East China Sea archipelago disputed between Beijing and Tokyo, which calls them the Senkakus.
Chinese tradition requires people to gather at their family home before the Lunar New Year begins — on February 19 this year — with authorities expecting more than 2.8 billion trips to be taken over the festive period.
There are, however, new tactics in the battle.
Rail is one of the favored ways to travel and while historically there have been endless queues at the ticket windows, China’s official train booking website 12306.cn is helping to relieve congestion in stations and kiosks. But with such huge demand users say it can be still be an exercise in
Kelly Gan, a 27-year-old accountant, explained: “I was using a program that refreshes the page every five seconds to grab a spot as soon as it was available on 12306.cn. I basically did it all day long, from when I woke up until I slept.” She finally managed to get her ticket from Shanghai to Chengdu, a journey of more than 2,600km and 39 hours. It cost her 450 yuan for a “hard
sleeper” — a bed and mattress that are a far more comfortable option than the firm bench most passengers will have to endure. 1,000 tickets a second Chinese train tickets can only be bought a maximum of 60 days before departure, triggering a scramble.
Equality of the people may be a founding principle of communism, but it does not exist in the rat race of Lunar New Year ticket purchases. Instead runners come in two divisions: the Internet users who have ways to handle the booking rush, and the technologically illiterate, often poor migrant workers.
All tickets are sold in the first few minutes after they become available, and purchases for this year’s festivities peaked on December 19, with 12306.cn at one point selling 1,032 tickets every second.
A maid in Beijing, Guo Dengxiu is one of the hundreds of millions of migrant workers who have left the countryside during China’s economic rise to seek work in the cities.
The next best opportunity to buy is 15 days before departure, the last date that people can secure a full refund for tickets if they are unable to use them.
But she does not know how to use online tools, and failed to secure the ticket to return to her home in the Anhui province, 1,000 kilometers south of the capital.
Vast numbers of people initially buy tickets that are not exactly what they want, in order to have some way to get home, and then seek better alternatives.
“My son bought me a standing ticket. If I do not find anything else, I’ll do the 15-hour trip without a seat or on a folding stool,” she said.
At Shanghai railway station, more than 7,000 tickets were being returned
“I have to be home for the New Year!”