Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia
www.gasiantimes.com November 15-30, 2019
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
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“Moon Jae-in Government’s vision for the Korean peninsula peace process - Transforming the DMZ into an international peace zone” By Ambassador Chang Jae-bok, Deputy Foreign Minister Republic of Korea Presented by Consulate of the Republic of Korea and Sam Nunn School of International Affairs Date: November 19, 2019 Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Venue: Piedmont Driving Club, 1215 Piedmont Avenue, NE, GA 30309 Cost: $35 members, $45 non-members Registration: www.atlantacir.org “Off The Record” Conversation Dr. Swati Kulkarni, Consul General of India Organized by Atlanta Council on International Relations Date: December 3, 2019 Time: 8:00 am-9:15 am Venue: Ansley Golf Club, 196 Montgomery Ferry Drive, Atlanta GA 30309 For more info: www.atlantacir.org
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NACA Chinese New Year & Fundraising Banquet Date: Saturday, Feb 1, 2020 Time: 6:30 pm Venue: Canton House For more info: www.naca-atlanta.org 2020 Symposium on ASIA-USA Partnership Opportunities (SAUPO) Organized by Kennesaw State University Date: Friday, April 10, 2020 Venue: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center, 2450 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta GA 30339 For more info: https://conference. kennesaw.edu/saupo/
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
METRO ASIAN NEWS
Meet Soo Hong, attorney running for Georgia House District 102 seat Duluth, November 20, 2019 — It has been an incredible journey for Soo Hong, a successful Korean American attorney who maintain practices in Cobb and Gwinnett County. Soo was ten years old when she migrated to United States with her parents from South Korea. “I remembered learning English with the help of amazing teachers who volunteered after school at Powers Ferry Elementary in Cobb County,” she recalled vividly. “As the daughter of of the first generation immigrants, I saw how my parents’ sacrifice and hard work allowed me the opportunity to achieve my American Dream.” One of her biggest inspiration to run
for the Georgia State House District 102 seat is to preserve the American Dream — where every individual and family in Gwinnett who is willing to work hard will an equal opportunity to achieve success. Soo is a graduate of Georgia Tech and Mercer Law School. She currently resides in Lawrenceville and has been a Gwinnett resident for over seven years. “I have been an attorney for over a decade and in my practice, I’ve helped every day people facing tough times. I have always felt a strong passion for helping people and this passion has further motivated me to run for this seat.” She will be running on improving services in healthcare, senior living,
transportation, better school options for parents, and enforcing Georgia’s immigration laws.
community has been overwhelming,” she said in response to her candidacy announcement.
As an attorney, Hong is confident in “explaining the law to the people and the community in Gwinnett.” In reference to the 287(g) immigration law, she believes there are a lot of “scare tactics” and misinformation being deployed to confuse the general public.
Soo has been working diligently behind the scene in organizing her campaign including fund raising.
She also aim to encourage different ethnic community to collaborate and work together. Soo is expected to be the sole candidate for the Republicans as there are no formal opposition for the Primary at the time of press. “The reaction and support from the
If she wins, Soo will be the first Korean American women serving as legislator in the Georgia State House.
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
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NATION
U.S. to provide ship to Vietnam to boost South China Sea patrols Hanoi, November 17, 2019 - The United States announced on Wednesday it will provide Vietnam with another coast guard cutter for its growing fleet of ships, boosting Hanoi’s ability to patrol the South China Sea amid tensions with China.
China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of it, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper disclosed the decision during an address in Vietnam, which has emerged as the most vocal opponent in Asia of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Beijing in July sent a ship for a monthslong seismic survey to an area internationally designated as Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but also claimed by China.
In his speech, Esper took aim at China, which he accused of “bullying” neighbors, like Vietnam.
Vietnam said earlier this month it could explore legal action in the dispute, a move previously taken by the Philippines - where Esper visited earlier this week.
“China’s unilateral efforts to assert illegitimate maritime claims threaten other nations’ access to vital natural resources, undermine the stability of regional energy markets, and increase the risk of conflict,” Esper told students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. The vessel will be Vietnam’s second cutter from the U.S. Coast Guard, which just two years ago transferred a Hamilton-class cutter to Vietnam. By providing the ships, the U.S. hopes to enable Vietnam to assert its sovereignty and deter China. More than four decades after the Vietnam War ended, ties between the United States and Vietnam are increasingly focused on shared concerns over Chinese expansion.
In 2016, the Philippines won a ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated China’s claim over most of the South China Sea. Speaking earlier at Vietnam’s defense ministry, Esper said the international rulesbased order “has come under duress.” “Collectively, we must stand up against coercion and intimidation, protect the rights of all nations, big and small,” Esper said. The United States accuses China of militarizing the South China Sea and trying to intimidate Asian neighbors who might want to exploit its extensive oil and gas
reserves.
Trump asks Japan to hike payments for U.S. troops to $8 billion: Foreign Policy Tokyo, November 17, 2019 - President Donald Trump has asked Japan to quadruple annual payments for U.S. forces stationed there to around $8 billion, Foreign Policy reported, part of Washington’s efforts to press its allies to increase their defense spending. The current agreement that covers the 54,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan expires in March 2021.
The demand was made to Japanese officials during a trip to the region in July by John Bolton, at that time Trump’s national security adviser, and Matt Pottinger, who was then the Asia director for the National Security Council, the U.S. global affairs magazine said, citing unidentified former U.S. officials. A Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said the report was incorrect and no U.S.-Japan negotiations on a new agreement have
taken place. According to Kyodo news agency, Japanese officials told Bolton the increase is “unrealistic”, saying Japan already pays a greater share of stationing costs than other allies. A U.S. State Department spokesman said in an emailed statement: “The President has made clear that allies and partners should contribute more to their shared defense.” Negotiations to renew the agreement will start in the first half of next year, the spokesman said, adding that the U.S. commitment to Japan’s defense was “unwavering”. Japan hosts the U.S. Navy’s Sev-
enth Fleet, including the only permanently forward deployed carrier strike group, as well as the Third Marine Expeditionary Force. In addition to defending Japan, those units use the archipelago as a base for operations in the wider Asia-Pacific region where U.S. military power acts as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence. Trump has also insisted Seoul shoulder more of the cost of the U.S. military presence in South Korea, where it serves as deterrence against North Korea, and has floated the idea of pulling U.S. troops from the peninsula. - Reuters
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Movember 1-15, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
BUSINESS
‘Crown jewel’ Aramco stirs loyal Saudi demand for giant IPO Ryadh, Nov 17 — From taxi drivers to clerics, Saudis clamouring to own part of state oil giant Aramco went online and to local banks today at the start of a long-delayed share sale for what could be the world’s biggest initial public offering. Ahmed Sanad, 37, who signed up at a Saudi British Bank (SABB) branch in central Riyadh called the IPO, which has dominated conversations on social media, in cafes and at family gatherings, “the talk of the town” and “a global event”. “I don’t think anyone will miss the opportunity. There are no better options at the current time,” he told Reuters as banks extended working hours to meet high expected demand during a sale process that runs until November 28. Roadside billboards and shopping mall adverts hailing “Saudi Aramco, soon on Tadawul”, have for weeks been trailing the listing of the world’s most profitable company through a listing on Riyadh’s Tadawul bourse. Retail investors will be able to buy up to 0.5 per cent, about US$8.5 billion worth of shares, in the Aramco IPO, valuing the company at US$1.6 trillion to US$1.7 trillion.
Aramco’s high-profile advertising campaign contrasts with another bumper share sale this month, the secondary listing of Chinese retailer Alibaba, which is pursuing Hong Kong’s first paperless listing. In the Aramco IPO, retail investors are entitled to one bonus share for every 10 they buy if they hold on to their stock for 180 days. Saudi media have reported that up to 5 million people are expected to participate in the domestic flotation. Abdullah al-Faqeeh, a 29-year-old dentist, began saving to buy Aramco shares once de facto Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the plans nearly four years ago. “I will get bonus shares, and with the profits I will buy more shares. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. Lending boom Saudi banks are marketing loans, with some offering four times the usual limits, two financial sources told Reuters, adding that they are able to do so as they will hold the stock on behalf of clients so have it as security. Abdulmohsen al-Fares, chief exec-
utive of Alinma Bank which operates according to Islamic law, told Reuters that clients could receive immediate approval for lending facilities. “We are very optimistic there will be a lot of participation... We are expecting it will be overcovered.” Senior Muslim clerics, including royal court adviser Sheikh Abdullah al-Mutlaq, said investing in Aramco is permissible. “It (Aramco) is a pillar of the Saudi economy,” Mutlaq, a member of the kingdom’s top clerical body, said in response to a caller’s question on a weekly radio show on Friday. “I think even the scholars, we will participate in it.” Riyadh oil rush Aramco said today it plans to sell 1.5 per cent of its shares or about 3 billion shares, at an indicative price range of 30 to 32 riyals, valuing the IPO at as much as 96 billion riyals (US$25.6 billion) at the top end of the range. It could beat Alibaba’s record US$25 billion IPO in 2014. The chairman of another Riyadh-listed firm said he and others in the business community were looking to invest: “It’s the greatest quality by any standard. Best-in-class.” The government has pushed rich Saudis to invest, with many viewing it as an opportunity to show their patriotism after a September attack on Aramco facilities that struck at the heart of
the kingdom’s energy industry. Washington and Riyadh blamed regional rival Iran for the attacks, which temporarily cut more than 5 per cent of global oil supply. Tehran has denied any involvement. “Participating in the Aramco IPO is a national duty for whoever can afford it,” Saudi columnist Anwar Aboalela tweeted. Thousands of Saudis are seeking to invest on behalf of their dependents, to increase the number of shares they can buy, two bankers told Reuters. Saud al-Tukhaify, who signed up for himself, his wife and three children, called it an opportunity to “become partners” with Crown Prince Mohammed, who pushed to take Aramco public to help fund reforms aimed at weaning the economy off oil. On Twitter, trending hashtags about the IPO included photos and praise for the 34-year-old prince. Although some think he is wrong to relinquish even partial control of Aramco, the lure of holding shares is hard to resist. “Aramco will be a winning horse,” said Uber driver Abu Mohsen. “I will subscribe only because of the expected gains but I remain against the sale, especially to foreigners.” — Reuters
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
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BUSINESS
Trump, Powell met Monday at White House to discuss economy Washington DC, November 18, 2019 – President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell met at the White House on Monday morning, their second meeting since Powell started the job in February 2017 and soon after became the target of frequent criticism from the president who had appointed him. The Fed announced the meeting in a morning press release, noting they met “to discuss the economy, growth, employment and inflation.” “Everything was discussed including interest rates, negative interest, low inflation, easing, Dollar strength & its effect on manufacturing, trade with China, E.U. & others, etc.,” Trump tweeted soon after, calling the session “good & cordial.” The Fed’s wording closely followed its description of Powell’s first meeting with Trump, this past February, over a dinner that also included Vice Chair Richard Clarida. Trump’s tweet marked a change in tone. The president in recent months derided Powell and colleagues as “pa-
thetic” and “boneheads” for not cutting interest rates, and in August labeled Powell personally as an enemy of the United States on a par with China leader Xi Jinping.
Trump lobbed another dig in a tweet that noted inflation was low: “(do you hear that Powell?)”
The Fed in its statement was careful to note what wasn’t discussed: Powell’s expectations for future monetary policy. Trump has for more than a year charged the Fed with undermining his economic policies by, in his view, keeping interest rates too high, and depriving the United States of what Trump feels are the benefits of the negative rates of interest set by the European and Japanese central banks.
Powell “did not discuss his expectations for monetary policy, except to stress that the path of policy will depend entirely on incoming information that bears on the outlook for the economy,” the Fed said in its statement.
The U.S. central bank has cut rates three times this year – in part to offset what it views as damage done by the Trump administration’s trade war with China. But after their last meeting, in October, policymakers signaled they would lower rates no further unless the economy takes a serious turn for the worse. Less than 24 hours after that decision, Trump laid into Powell again, saying people are “VERY disappointed” in him and the Fed. And only last week,
CONSISTENT
Powell appeared before congressional committees twice last week, and the Fed said his comments to Trump were “consistent” with his statements to lawmakers. “Chair Powell said that he and his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee will set monetary policy, as required by law, to support maximum employment and stable prices and will make those decisions based solely on careful, objective and non-political analysis.” The meeting included Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Powell met with Trump in Febru-
ary, and in each of the three following months the two had a brief phone conversation. That compares with the three times his predecessor, Janet Yellen, met President Barack Obama at the White House; Yellen also met with Trump during her final year as Fed chair. Powell’s has made much more extensive and deliberate efforts to court members of the House and Senate, even as Trump expressed regret for appointing Powell and reportedly explored whether he could remove him. Fed chairs are appointed to four-year terms by the president, but once confirmed by the Senate are intended to be insulated from White House political pressure over how to manage monetary policy. They can only be removed “for cause,” not over a disagreement over policy. Meetings between Fed chairs and presidents are not unprecedented but they are infrequent, as opposed to the nearly weekly sessions that central bankers have with the head of the Treasury. – Reuters
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
FASHION
Richard Mille and Pharrell Williams take us to Mars with the RM 52-05 Tourbillon
GENEVA, Nov 15 — A longstanding fan of the Richard Mille brand, Pharrell Williams was invited to collaborate with the Swiss watchmaker on a timepiece that would bear his name. The point of departure for this latest venture were the multitalented artist’s memories of his childhood fascination with the immensity of space. Combining creativity, state-of-theart technical expertise and tradition, the exceptional watch concocted by Pharrell Williams and Richard Mille will enrapture collectors and timepiece enthusiasts. The RM 52-05 Tourbillon Pharrell Williams is the result of endless painstaking work by the Richard Mille creation and development team, which brought together high-tech materials
and a wide range of disciplines including enameling, engraving, and painting. The timepiece features a brown cermet case, a caseband in Carbon TPT and a dial that allows you to see an imaginary scene on Mars. The master craftsmen at Richard Mille have reproduced a work that represents Earth viewed from Mars, which is shown as a reflection in an astronaut’s helmet. The space metaphor is also expressed in the hands suggestive of satellite panels, a crown that recalls a space capsule, and a crown-surround that has the distinctive profile of a Martian rover tire. Among the multitude of elements selected to make up the scene imag-
ined by Pharrell Williams, as well as engraving and enameling, Richard Mille opted for an astronaut helmet sculpted in grade 5 titanium and hand painted white with an airbrush. Inside the helmet, there are two white gold elements set with diamonds to suggest floodlights and a black sapphire representing a camera. The timepiece is powered by the RM52-05, a manual winding tourbillon movement with hours and minutes and a 42-hour power reserve. The watch will be made in a limited edition of only 30 pieces. Commenting on the collaboration, Pharrell Williams said: “Creating is about shifting the perspective from which we look at things, that’s really the only difference, and with the RM
52-05, we’ve looked at Mars from a different angle, an unexpected first-person point of view. In doing so, we’re breaking the mold. We have the best timekeeper in the world. We have Mars. And we have an African-American man from Virginia, all connected.”
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
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LIFESTYLE
He, she, they: Americans and choice of gender pronoun NEW YORK, Nov 18 — A few years ago Emily Gardner, who identifies as “more feminine than not,” instructed family members of a new preference to be referred to as “they” rather than “she.” The 23-year-old represents a growing trend among progressive Americans, who are claiming a right to choose their own pronoun, regardless of their sex at birth. It is a battle playing out on business cards, in email signatures and on social networks, where many people are identifying their preferred pronoun outright. And “they” is gaining ground as the pronoun of choice by “non-binary” people who identify neither as male or female. The Philadelphia bookstore that employs Gardner is on board, with a sign taped to the counter reads: “Please do not assume staffers’ pronouns, ask.”
‘Not something new’ “Non-binary people have existed forever. It’s not something new, not
a trend, it’s just who we are,” said Pidgeon Pagonis, a Chicago artists who goes by the pronoun “they.” “When people don’t respect my pronouns I coil up inside, I don’t feel good” said Pagonis, who launched the apparel brand “Too Cute To Be Binary.” Gender-neutral pronouns, long confined to the LGBTQ community, “are becoming increasingly popular, including beyond big cities,” said sociologist Carla Pfeffer. “The rise of social media means that cultural transformations can happen faster and disseminate more broadly than in earlier eras,” Pfeffer said. It also helps that non-binary people are enjoying increased representation on television and in pop culture, such as British artist Sam Smith, who recently revealed a preference for “they/ them” pronouns “after a lifetime of being at war with my gender.” However use of “they” is not trending in all quarters and can give rise to mockery, with critics denouncing it as politically correct overkill.
“At a Starbucks this morning & the baristas had their approved gender pronouns,” pro-Trump conservative activist Charlie Kirk recently tweeted. “We are creating a society of people waiting to be offended,” he said.
‘It makes me angry’ Mallory Cross, whose hair is cut short, said “I think I’m aware of how I look like and how people read me, I’m very masculine.” “When I make such an effort to look that way and people call me ‘ma’am’ or hold the door it makes me angry,” Cross said. In New York, a “gender-neutral” boutique clothing store called The Phluid Project sells skirts, caps and shoes with large heels, encouraging customers “to go beyond binaries.” The US financial capital in particular has embraced this mindset, offering a new neutral category that people can use to amend the gender on their birth certificates since January. Merriam-Webster dictionary meanwhile recently added the word “they” as
a non-binary pronoun that can refer to just one person. And Apple has added “neutral” emojis that don’t distinguish between genders to the latest version of its operating system. As the trend catches on, a growing number of binary people are even displaying the pronouns “she/her” or “him/he” on social media accounts and elsewhere as a sign of solidarity. Elizabeth Warren, one of the frontrunners in the crowded 2020 US Democratic primary field, last month became the sixth candidate to add her pronoun, which corresponds to her birth sex, on her social media. “Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and that starts with using correct pronouns. I’m Elizabeth. My pronouns are she/her/ hers,” she wrote on Twitter. Candidate Pete Buttigieg, who is gay, has specified that he is a “he/him” and heterosexual candidates Julian Castro, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and Tom Steyer have also indicated their pronouns.
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
TECH
Pokémon Company announces global ‘Sword and Shield’ figures
Google Maps adds local guide recommendations in nine major tourist cities San Francisco, Nov 19, 2019 ― Google Maps will soon test a new functionality that allows you to access recommendations from top local guides in nine major tourist cities. The goal is to enable mobile internet users to gain quick access to reviews of restaurants and various attractions that are worth a visit. An initial testing phase will shortly begin in Bangkok, Thailand, Delhi, India, London, England, Mexico City Mexico, New York and San Francisco, United States, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The best local guides selected from among the most active contributors to Google Maps, will directly appear in the applications “For You” tab. Thereafter you will be able to “follow” the guides so as to have access to all of their recommendations, reviews, photos and lists directly in Maps.
Google already has a total of 120 million local guides in 24,000 cities, towns and villages all around the globe. All of them regularly share their various experiences by posting reviews and, on occasion, photos. Google is continuing to do all it can to simplify life for Maps users. This latest news follows hot on the heels of the announcement that reviews of hotels, restaurants and museums can be translated in the application now that Google Translate has been integrated in Maps. Google is also adding a new translator feature that will enable smartphones to pronounce place names and addresses in any language, which should be of major use to tourists who have trouble making themselves understood.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 22 — Companion games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield have sold six million copies worldwide during their first week on sale, The Pokémon Company has revealed, confirming its status as the console’s fastest seller. Released on November 15 as the first core franchise entries on the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Sword and Shield is now the console’s fastest-seller to date, Nintendo has confirmed. Of the six million copies sold, North America contributed two million, per a separate announcement, while 1.36 million were derived from Japanese sales, according to industry data published by Japan’s Famitsu magazine. In both Japan and the UK, Sword and Shield were already understood to be the console’s fastest sellers in terms of three-day sales, according to earlier reports. The games, which are functionally identical with a small number of creatures and characters exclusive to each, have overtaken Super Smash Bros Ultimate to take the Nintendo Switch’s first-week crown. Super Smash Bros Ultimate shifted 5fivemillion copies over the course of its first seven days.
It would appear, by virtue of omission, that Sword and Shield did not manage to surpass predecessors Pokémon Sun and Moon. In the lead up to release, some sections of the series’ fanbase expressed disappointment with game features — specifically the atypical absence of some Pokémon creatures introduced in previous games — while the games’ reception at review was not quite at the same level of acclaim as Sun and Moon. In addition, when Pokémon Sun and Moon launched in November 2016 for the portable Nintendo 3DS, 61 million 3DS consoles had been shipped to retail worldwide, according to Nintendo’s own figures; by contrast, at the time of the Sword and Shield launch, Nintendo had shipped 41m Switch units internationally. Yet as Sword and Shield generate more revenue than Sun and Moon, thanks to differences in average retail prices, the console manufacturer and Pokémon Company partner may not be too worried in the short term.
Georgia Asian Times
November 15-30, 2019
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ENTERTAINMENT
Disney streaming service gets 10 million subscribers at launch Los Angeles, Nov 14 — Walt Disney Co said yesterday it signed up 10 million subscribers for Disney+ within a day of launching its new streaming television service. The company said in a statement it has seen “extraordinary consumer demand” and “has already reached a major milestone, achieving a remarkable 10 million sign-ups since launching.” The news comes despite a launch marred by glitches which prevented many customers accessing titles from Mickey Mouse cartoons to Star Wars. Disney+ marks a huge bet by the media-entertainment giant, pitching it into direct conflict with on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime which have disrupted the Hollywood media landscape. It went live Tuesday across the US and Canada, featuring thousands of movies and TV episodes from Disney,
Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and National Geographic. Disney chief Bob Iger called the launch “a historic moment for our company that marks a new era of innovation and creativity.” Richard Windsor, analyst at Radio Free Mobile, said the technical problems were “a good sign because it implies that the demand for the unique catalogue that it has to offer is stronger than expected, putting it in a very strong position long-term.” Windsor said the market is fluid now with the entry of new players but that deep-pocketed players such as Disney, Apple and Amazon “will end up acquiring many of the weaker players” and cut into Netflix’s large user base.
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ back on the beat in new Netflix sequel New York, Nov 15 — Netflix will produce a fourth sequel to Beverly Hills Cop, the 25-year-old franchise starring Eddie Murphy, who will return in the memorable lead role. A spokesperson for Paramount said yesterday that the studio had sold the production rights to the online streaming giant, confirming a report by industry specialist The Hollywood Reporter. According to the Reporter, Murphy — who starred in the previous three chapters — will reprise his role as wisecracking detective Axel Foley. Paramount had previously planned to produce Beverly Hills Cop 4 itself but dropped the idea in 2016. The first three instalments of Beverly Hills Cop — released in 1984, 1987 and 1994 — earned US$735 million dollars at the global box office and propelled Eddie Murphy, already known for his roles in the comedies
Trading Places (1983) and 48 Hours (1982), to superstardom. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the first two films, will also helm the new project. The deal is a significant one for Netflix, which has maintained access to various Hollywood studios, while Disney — which has just launched an eponymous competitor streaming platform — exclusively produces content from its own studio and Fox, which Disney owns.
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
LIFESTYLE
Transgender kids feel as much like girls or boys as non-trans children, says study SEATTLE, Nov 19 — Transgender kids feel as much like girls or boys as their non-transgender counterparts, according to a major study of US children that allowed observers to see how the young people conformed to social gender norms. The authors of the study, researchers from the University of Washington who published their findings yesterday in the scientific journal PNAS, recruited 317 trans children aged from three to 12 whom they compared to their brothers and sisters, as well as to 316 cisgender children, meaning those whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. The goal of the study was to compare the gender development of trans- and cisgender children to see if the children who had transitioned to another gender differed from those who
had lived their whole lives identifying either as a girl or boy.
to the same extent as cisgender kids do.”
The transition process for children typically involves a change of pronoun, and often of clothing, haircut and name.
In other words, a trans boy of 10, who might have spent nine years of his life being treated as a girl because of his sex at birth, generally behaves like any other 10-year-old boy, the researchers said, judging by his choice of friends and toys.
The researchers studied the toys the children preferred, who were their principal playmates and if their clothes were more feminine or masculine. They observed a strong consistency among the kids. “People have questioned whether these kids are pretending or whether, you know, it’s a phase,” Selin Gulgoz, the first author of the study. In reality, she said, “not only do transgender kids show identity and gender type preferences consistent with their current gender identity, they showed (it)
A slight difference was observed in the choice of clothes — trans children tended to be more willing to conform to stereotypically masculine or feminine clothing than their cisgender counterparts. The report showed that the time elapsed since the transition from one gender to another had little impact: The children quickly adopted masculine or female social norms. “Once children identify them-
selves as a girl or a boy (regardless of what their assigned sex is), they might look for ways in which people around them fulfill these roles and then try to be like them,” the report said. The project aims to follow the children’s development over a number years, until they reach early adulthood. One limitation of the project was that the participating families tended to be from more privileged and progressive backgrounds.
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
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SPORTS
James’ 33 points fuel Lakers rout of Hawks Los Angeles, Nov 18, 2019 — LeBron James scored 33 points and Kyle Kuzma added 17 as the Los Angeles Lakers jumped out to a 25-point lead in the first quarter and finished off an easy 122-101 victory yesterday over the visiting Atlanta Hawks. Rajon Rondo scored 15 points and Anthony Davis added 14 as the Lakers earned their fourth consecutive victory and their 11th in their last 12 games since a season-opening loss to the Clippers.
The Lakers ramped up the defensive pressure, blocking 14 shots, their most in a game since 2002. Davis led the way with five blocked shots. The defensive showing made up for Davis low-scoring night. It was just the third time this season he was held under 20 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13 points, while Danny Green and Alex Caruso added 11 each. Rondo’s scoring output came in just his third game of the season.
Messi scores on Argentina return to sink Brazil Riyadh, Nov 16 — Lionel Messi struck on his return to international duty yesterday following a three-month ban as Argentina defeated fierce rivals Brazil 1-0 in a friendly in Riyadh.
Rodrygo, the 18-year-old who scored a sensational Champions League hattrick with Real Madrid this month, made his Brazil debut as he replaced Willian for the final 20 minutes.
The Barcelona forward was suspended by Conmebol for accusing South American football’s ruling body of “corruption” after he was sent off in July’s third-place play-off with Chile at the Copa America.
However, Brazil were unable to find an equaliser as their winless run since capturing the Copa America title extended to five matches.
Trae Young scored 31 points and Cam Reddish added 13 as the Hawks lost their third consecutive game and fell for the sixth time in their last seven contests. Atlanta was blown out in Los Angeles for the second consecutive night after losing by 49 to the Clippers on Saturday.
James added 12 assists, the fifth consecutive game he had double-digits in assists and the 10th time this season.
Messi netted the only goal of the game at the King Saud University Stadium on 13 minutes, tapping home the rebound after his penalty was saved by Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.
De’Andre Hunter, Jabari Parker and Allen Crabbe scored 11 points each for the Hawks, who were just 8 of 28 (28.6 per cent) from 3-point range.
His effort came shortly after Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus rolled a spot-kick wide for Brazil, who were playing without the injured Neymar.
Atlanta scored just nine points through the first nine minutes as the Lakers jumped out to an early 34-9 lead. The Hawks managed to cut the deficit to 10 points in both the second and third quarters before the Lakers pulled away for good.
The Lakers improved to an NBAbest 11-2 and are now 7-1 at home this season. The Hawks are just 2-5 on the road, but will head home for three of their next four games. — Reuters
Messi, who scored with a pair of freekicks in his last game with Barcelona, twice threatened from set pieces in the second half before Liverpool ‘keeper Alisson beat away a powerful drive from Paredes.
The meeting between the two South American giants was the second in Saudi Arabia in little over a year. Brazil beat Argentina 1-0 in Jeddah in October 2018. Brazil also defeated Argentina 2-0 at home in the semi-finals of this year’s Copa America, a controversial match that left Messi complaining the hosts had benefited from favouritism. Brazil will play a friendly against South Korea in Abu Dhabi on November 19, in their final game before South American qualifying starts for the 2022 World Cup in March.
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
SPORTS
Mourinho is new Spurs boss after Pochettino sacking London, Nov 20 ― Jose Mourinho was today appointed Tottenham’s new manager to replace the sacked Mauricio Pochettino, with the club languishing 14th in the Premier League.
Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy said: “In Jose we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician.
The Portuguese former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager signed a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season, the north London club said in a statement.
“He has won honours at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room.”
Pochettino, 47, transformed Spurs’ fortunes after arriving from Southampton in 2014 and although he failed to win a trophy he took the club to the Champions League final for the first time in their history just six months ago. But the Argentine was sacked yesterday, with Tottenham struggling in the league after picking up just three wins from their opening 12 games. This season they were knocked out of the League Cup by fourth-tier Colchester United and suffered an embarrassing 7-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. “I am excited to be joining a club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters,” said Mourinho, who has won domestic titles in a record four different countries. “The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me.”
Spurs hailed their new boss, saying in their statement: “Jose is one of the world’s most accomplished managers having won 25 senior trophies.” He won Champions League titles with Porto and Inter Milan. The 56-year-old Portuguese won three Premier League titles over two spells in charge of Chelsea and returned to England to manage Manchester United in 2016. Mourinho was sacked last December following a poor run of results and has been out of work since, most recently working as a TV pundit. His first match in charge will be the London derby away to West Ham on Saturday.
Tokyo finishes building stadium for 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo, Nov 19, 2019 ― Construction work has been completed at Tokyo’s National Stadium, set to be the centrepiece of next year’s Olympic Games, the site’s owners said today.
Construction started in December 2016, about 14 months later than planned, after the original design was scrapped because of a public outcry over spiralling costs.
The Japan Sports Council said the final work had been completed on Thursday with just the final quality and safety checks remaining before the stadium opens next month.
The delay meant the stadium could not host matches of the Rugby World Cup, as originally planned.
It will be officially unveiled on December 21, with the Emperor’s Cup soccer final being the first sporting event to be held there on New Year’s Day. Completed at a cost of more than US$1.25 billion, the stadium, which can accommodate 60,000, will also host the athletics and soccer events during the Games.
The National Stadium is one of eight new venues to be used at the Tokyo Games, all of them are either complete or on schedule to be finished before the event. The Tokyo Olympics run from July 24 to August 9. ― Reuters
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
Page 15
HEALTH
Early life stress tied to increased pain sensitivity later People who were exposed to more sources of stress in the womb and early childhood may be more sensitive to pain by early adulthood than their counterparts with little or no exposure to stress early on, a recent study suggests.
vate genes associated with inflammation and deactivate genes that might help fight off infections, Waller said by email. This is why stress has been linked to a range of common inflammatory-related diseases including diabetes and certain cancers.
Researchers focused on stressful life events that might occur in children’s households during pregnancy or early childhood such as pregnancy complications, the death of a close friend or family member, marital problems or breakups, job loss or other financial hardships, or residential moves. Then, researchers tested pain sensitivity for 1,065 participants when they reached 22 years old.
And, “a pro-inflammatory state can prime the nervous system and is a key mechanism underlying higher pain sensitivity,” Waller added. “While not a prerequisite, higher pain sensitivity may ultimately increase the risk for persistent pain.”
“Significant life stress is known to result in changes to the body’s biological systems partially by modifying gene expression,” said Rob Waller, lead author of the study and a researcher at Curtin University in Perth, Australia.
More problematic child behaviors at age 2 were associated with less pressure pain sensitivity at age 22, the study found.
Stress can start processes that acti-
The study looked at two types of pain sensitivity – response to pressure and response to cold.
In addition, early life stressors and more dysfunctional family life were associated with increased odds of having
high cold pain sensitivity at 22 years, researchers report in the journal Pain. The study wasn’t a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how early life exposure to stressors might directly impact pain responses years later. Researchers also lacked data on so-called lived pain experiences, such as painful injuries or surgeries, that children might experience early in life and that might impact their response to pain as adults. Even so, the results suggest that people with exposure to stressors in early childhood might want to consider therapies aimed at addressing these experiences if they are living with debilitating pain, Waller said. “For some people with persistent pain that is interfering with their daily life, the influence of previous or current life stress may be an important consideration,” Waller said. “Acknowledging these contributions
to how much pain they feel and learning how to successfully manage stress can improve an individual’s control of their pain and improve quality of life,” Waller added. “Strategies to better manage stress include: mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques, regular exercise, good sleep habits, psychological strategies to develop positive stress coping responses and socializing.” - Reuters
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
Misc Asia
Rice politics Indonesia’s legacy of rice politics makes the task tougher. Rice — and rice production — was the cornerstone of dictator Suharto’s ambitious bid for food self-sufficiency.
Indonesians quitting ‘rice addiction’ over diabetes fears JAKARTA, Nov 14 — Indonesian Mirnawati once ate rice with every meal, but its link to diabetes convinced her to join a growing movement to quit a staple food in the third biggest rice-consuming nation on Earth. As World Diabetes Day is held today, the Southeast Asian nation is struggling to tackle a disease that affects as many as 20 million of its 260 million people, and has emerged as one of its deadliest killers behind stroke and heart disease. But kicking the rice habit isn’t easy, with Indonesia’s favourite dish nasi goreng (mixed fried rice) sold everywhere, and the grain woven into the culinary fabric of a nation whose late dictator transformed it into a musthave meal. “In my first week without rice I felt like I was being possessed by ghosts,” said Mirnawati, a 34-year-old former construction company employee who goes by one name. “But now I’ll never go back to it,” she added, about four months into her new diet.
Complications from diabetes, which affects some 425 million globally, can lead to heart attacks, stroke, blindness and even limb amputation. Most of the world’s sufferers live in low and middle-income countries like Indonesia. Rice is packed with fibre and key vitamins. But an unbalanced diet that relies too heavily on refined white rice has been linked to an increasing global prevalence of diabetes and insulin resistance as it raises blood sugar levels, according to experts. That is what led Mirnawati — along with her mother and cousin — to drop rice in favour of more vegetables, meat and nuts. It is a step that an increasing number of Indonesians are taking in an informal “no rice” movement, although there are no official numbers. The push, partly driven by social media, has been backed by local governments including cultural capital Yogyakarta which last year rolled out a campaign to convince residents to go without rice at least one day a week.
supply. Indonesia now relies on rice imports to fill the gap. “The struggle isn’t only in our stomachs, but also in our minds because we have been living this myth that you won’t be full without rice,” said Ilhamsyah, a 47-year-old Jakarta resident.
The programme began in the 70s and in a couple of decades had weaned much of the population off corn, sweet potatoes and other staples in favour of rice.
“My family has a history of diabetes so I stopped eating rice and anything with carbohydrates,” he added.
Before he was toppled in 1998, the iron-fisted leader spent years telling citizens not only what they could say, but also what they could eat.
Now, Indonesia is now trying to reverse its decades-old policy by convincing citizens to reduce their consumption of rice, but officials acknowledged bringing it down to average global levels could take decades.
With local governments pushing the message, Suharto’s administration even sold rice consumption as a ticket to higher social status. “People were given this illusion that rice was healthier, gave you a higher social status and tasted better than other staple foods,” said Anhar Gonggong, a historian at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. “There was an authoritarian aspect to this rice myth. Not in the sense that guns were pointed at people to force them to eat rice, but it implanted the myth deeply in the minds of many Indonesians. “Now we know the impact that rice has had on our society.” The policy turned rice from a food that many in the sprawling archipelago rarely consumed into a staple that Indonesians now gobble down at a rate almost three times the global average of 53 kilogrammes (120 pounds) annually. But the strategy launched by Suharto — who died in 2008 — ended up working too well, with demand outstripping
‘Too Indonesian’
“We’re encouraging people to change the mindset that rice is the only source of carbohydrates because we have many staple foods available,” said Agung Hendriadi, head of the agriculture ministry’s Food Resilience Agency. Selling millions of Indonesians on a low- or no-rice diet will be a Herculean task, despite the possible health benefits. “I tried the no-rice lifestyle several times, but I failed,” said Bali resident Mentari Rahman. “My tongue is too Indonesian — I just couldn’t stay away from it.”
Georgia Asian Times November 15-30, 2019
Page 17
Misc Asia
Cambodia to ban elephant rides at Angkor temples SIEM REAP— Cambodia will ban all elephant rides at the country’s famed Angkor temple park by early next year, an official said yesterday, a rare win for conservationists who have long decried the popular practice as cruel. The Angkor archaeological complex in northern Siem Reap attracts the bulk of the kingdom’s foreign tourists — which topped six million in 2018 — and many opt for elephants rides around the ancient temples. But these rides “will end by the start of 2020”, said Long Kosal, a spokesman with the Apsara Authority, which manages the park. “Using elephants for business is not appropriate anymore,” he said, adding that some of the animals were “already old”. So far, five of the 14 working elephants have been transferred to a community forest about 40 kilometres (25 miles) away from the temples.
“They will live out their natural lives there,” Kosal said. The company that owns the elephants will continue to look after them, he added. Cambodia has long come under fire from animal rights groups for ubiquitous elephant rides on offer for tourists, also seen in neighbouring Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
‘Penis enlargement massage’ to help boost Indonesia’s medical tourism KUALA LUMPUR — Apart from promoting its pristine beaches and exotic islands, Indonesia is looking to become a hub for alternative treatment and attract more medical tourists. From soothing an aching back to treating mental and even spiritual illnesses, the country’s traditional or unconventional healing method seems to have the answer to nearly every sort of ailment.
The elephants are broken in during training and rights groups have accused handlers of overworking them.
In a bid to boost the country’s medical tourism, Indonesia’s Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto announced recently that his country should capitalise on their “penis enlargement” massage.
In 2016, a female elephant died by the roadside after carrying tourists around the Angkor Wat temple complex in severely hot weather.
Known locally as Mak Erot, the massage is believed to be an alternative treatment to enlarge a person’s manhood.
The animal had been working for around 45 minutes before she collapsed.
According to Vice Indonesia, Terawan has referred to Mak Erot as a national asset with high potential to attract medical tourists from abroad. “We must popularise the idea of traditional medicine for tourism. “We have an incredible herbal medicine industry that no one knows about outside Indonesia,” he said.
He also cited Tongkat Ali (a leaf that is said to boost athletic performance and muscle mass), Purwaceng (a Viagra-like substance), and Mak Erot as potential services to boost medical tourism. “If we package it correctly, foreigners will be interested,” he said. Terawan also specifically brought up Kerok, coin and ointment treatment, as a worthy attraction for medical tourism. Known its varied benefits among the locals, Kerok is a method of treating a variety of ailments by rubbing a coin against the skin of the back with menthol ointment, which is believed to increase blood and oxygen circulation. “Don’t underestimate kerok. If we had 100 rooms and it takes 20 minutes per person, imagine how much revenue that would generate. “There are many other cultural gems that we have not exploited because we take them for granted, but to foreigners, it’s something intriguing,” he added.
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November 15-30, 2019 Georgia Asian Times
TRAVEL
NatGeo Traveler’s picks for best trips of 2020 span Hungary, China, Africa and the Balkans Paris — National Geographic Traveler has released its list of the best trips to take in 2020, a list that includes one of the darkest outdoor places on the planet, an elephant haven in Africa and an off-the-radar hiking path that forms part of Europe’s first long-distance trail. Dubbed the planet’s “25 most exciting destinations for the year ahead,” NatGeo’s picks for the best places to visit in 2020 is an editorial selection based on the recommendations of its international network of experts and magazine editions. At the top of the list is Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which marks 25 years of peace in 2020 following the end of the Bosnian War in 1995. Though the city still bears the scars of its violent past, editors note that restoration efforts have established a relative calm in the Western Balkans, driving growth and recovery to the local area. Editors also recommend one of China’s most isolated and undiscovered provinces, Guizhou in southwestern China, home to offices for Apple and Huawei. The presence of tech powerhouses in the mountainous region is credited for improving access to the region, including traditional villages that still practice farming and textile traditions that stretch back to the sixth century.
The Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, one of the world’s darkest places; the National Blue Trail in Hungary and the elephant havens at Zakouma National Park in Chad are also on the list. Here are the 25 trips to take in 2020, according to NatGeo Traveler: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina Guizhou Province, China Tohoku, Japan National Blue Trail, Hungary Telč, Czechia Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada Wales Way, United Kingdom Abu Simbel, Egypt Fort Kochi, India Zakouma National Park, Chad Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Puebla, Mexico Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, US Maldives Tasmania, Australia Asturias, Spain Göbekli Tepe, Turkey Mendoza Province, Argentina Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia Guatemala Parma, Italy Canary Islands, Spain Białowieża Forest, Belarus/Poland Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Manila’s hidden reservoir to re-emerge as tourist draw Manila — Vaulted ceilings and rows of stone columns stretch into the humid darkness deep below the Philippine capital, where workers are transforming a more-than-century-old underground reservoir into a draw for tourists. The sparks of welding guns illuminate the damp contours of El Deposito, an abandoned Spanish colonial-era relic with a rich history that has been hidden from view for decades. “(El Deposito) has a very colourful history that we Filipinos must appreciate and value even after all these years,” Kaye Oliveros, curator for the soon-to-be-opened site told AFP. Crafted from volcanic rock and completed 137 years ago, the underground cavern was made to hold 53 million litres of water, which was pumped through iron pipes into thousands of homes until the early 20th century. Japanese forces drained the cavern during World War II and used the tunnels as an ammunition dump. US forces destroyed El Deposito’s aboveground structures as they retook the Philippines in 1945. The reservoir fell into neglect after the war, turning into a dumpsite and even being invaded by squatters over the next half century.
In 1973 the government declared the site a national shrine, and in 2016 a four-year cleanup started. Construction crews have been working to finish a metal walkway and other infrastructure that will welcome visitors when the site is due to open to the public in February. The opening comes in the run-up to the 500th anniversary in 2021 of explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines during the first successful circumnavigation of the Earth. He claimed the archipelago for Spain, which would rule the Philippines as a colony for nearly the next 400 years. The reservoir, which was built toward the end of Spanish control, was a major advancement for the residents of Manila. Before then, water was scooped out of the river and delivered to the capital’s homes by porters lugging large clay jars. “We always think the Spaniards treated us so badly at that time, but somehow they have given us the (means) to provide clean water for Filipinos,” Oliveros said.