Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia

www.gasiantimes.com

USS Fitzgerald in collision

June 15-30, 2017

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June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

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

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All Rights Reserved: including those to reproduce this printing or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from Georgia Asian Times. Established in 2004, the Georgia Asian Times is published by Asiamax Inc. All facts, opinions, and statements appearing within this publication are those of writers and editors themseleves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, endorsements by Georgia Asian Times or its officers.

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GAT Calendar of Events GAT welcome submission of announcement pertaining to community related events.

Please email event, date, venue, and time to gat@gasiantimes.com.

GAT does not guarantee insertion of event announcement and has the right to deny any posting.

Millennial Leadership Academy - Leadership Development Workshop Date: June 17 &18 (Professional), June 24 & 25 (College) Venue: Maxim Realty Training Center, 6251 Smithpointe Dr., Norcross, GA For more info: www.mleadershipacademy.com “How to do business with Gwinnett County” Gwinnett Small Business Week Presented by Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Date: Wed, June 21, 2017 Time: 8:30 am – Noon Venue: UGA Campus @Lawrenceville For more info: gwinnettchamber.org Seoul of the South Food Tour with Explore Gwinnett Date: Saturday, June 24, 2017 Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Venue: 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth GA 30097 https://www.exploregwinnett.org/ seoulofthesouth 2017 International Day of Yoga Date: Sunday, June 25, 2017

Time: 7:30 am – 10:30 am Venue: Heritage Sandy Springs Park, 6110 Blue Stone Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30328 For more info, visit idyatlanta.org GAT 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia-Awards Presentation Date: Wed, July 12, 2017 Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Sonesta Gwinnett Place 2017 Hong Kong Dragon Boat F2stival-Atlanta Date: Saturday, Sept 9, 2017 Time: 7:00 am -6:00 pm Venue: Lake Lanier Olympic Kayaking Center, Gainesville, Georgia For more info: DragonBoatAtlanta.com 13th Atlanta Asian Film Festival Date: Oct13-28, 2017 Venues: Georgia State University-Dunwoody, Plaza Theatre For more info: www.ATLaff.org

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June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

METRO ASIAN NEWS

Taiwan’s Top Diplomat to U.S. visits Atlanta – a home coming Atlanta, June 15, 2017 — The Atlanta Council of International Relations featured a luncheon forum on “Taiwan-U.S. Partnership amid the changing dynamics in Asia” at Capitol City Club.

Taiwan’s representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) to the United States, Ambassador Stanley Kao was the keynote luncheon speaker at the forum.

Ambassador Stanley Kao had previously served as Director General of TECO Atlanta from 1993 to 1996. He shared his insights on several issues in an exclusive interview with Georgia Asian Times.

“I had many fond memories of Atlanta. The city was then starting to emerge as the Olympics preparation was on the way. The city was full of energy and hope,” recalls Ambassador Kao vividly.

“Atlanta now has beautiful architectures and skylines. The people in the community though collective effort have build a great city,” adds Ambassador Kao with smile.

The United States and Taiwan R.O.C. currently enjoy a robust unofficial relationship. The 1979 U.S.-P.R.C. Joint Communique switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The Joint Communique also stated that the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.

“As for Taiwan’s relations with Southeastern U.S. states, we have a closed working relationship starting at grassroots to the city-state levels,” said Ambassador Kao proudly.

“Our relationship is build on mutual cooperation and benefits. There are plenty of opportunities for business and economic exchanges.”

He is also scheduled to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington DC later in the week. Ambassador Kao will lead 15 largest Taiwanese corporations who are actively seeking to expand operations and to create jobs in U.S. Companies such as FoxConn, which has been the largest OEM supplier of Apple products.

Taiwan is supporting the “Buy American” initiative by President Trump, according to Ambassador Kao. He believes Taiwan can help improve the bilateral trade with the United States.

“Taiwan and the United States share a common core values. We’re being a responsible, safe and trustworthy partner of the U.S. in the region,” said the Ambassador responding to how Taiwan could assist the United States in the Asia Pacific region.

“Given the opportunity, Taiwan could be play a key role and stabilizing force in the changing dynamics of the region,” said the Ambassador in closing the interview with Georgia Asian Times.

Hong Kong 20th Anniversary Celebration: HKETO Director Steve Barclay bids farewell Atlanta, June 14, 2017 — As part of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region’s 20th anniversary celebration, the World Trade Center Atlanta, Hong Kong Association of Atlanta and the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in New York hosted a luncheon forum at City Club of Buckhead.

For two consecutive years, Hong Kong was ranked first place in overall competitiveness by the International Institute for Management Development in its World Competitive Yearbook 2017, based on a survey of 63 economies.

Mr. Steve Barclay, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York delivered the keynote address on “opportunities in Hong Kong” at the luncheon.

Among the four primary group competitiveness categories, Hong Kong’s rankings on government efficiency and business efficiency each remained in first place.

Mr. Barclay shared with the audience that Ms. Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive-elect of Hong Kong had expressed the possibility of further reducing the corporate tax rate to spur business growth.

Mr. Barclay will be leaving his post due to retirement at the end of July 2017. He plans to return to Hong Kong after years of service with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.

“China will continue its practice of ‘hands off’ policy towards the administration of Hong Kong. Hong Kong will be run in accordance to one-country, two systems agreement,” said Barclay in his remarks.

“We will missed the services of Steve as he is proven leader and an effective spokesperson for Hong Kong,” said Gene Hanratty, Consultant, local representative of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

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June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

METRO ASIAN NEWS

Rockin Crawfish sets to rock Gwinnett restaurant scene David Kim, founder of C2 Education, to run against Rob Woodall in District 7 Duluth, June 8, 2017 – David Kim, the founder of C2 Education, launched his campaign for Georgia’s 7th District against Congressman Rob Woodall.

consensus or finding common ground.

Instead, he’s just been a rubber stamp for an administration gone off-therails,” David continued.

The son of hardworking Korean immigrants, David is an education expert and entrepreneur who lives in Duluth with his wife MJ, daughter Jacqueline, and son Henry. After starting C2 Education in his college dorm room, David moved his family and company headquarters to Duluth after falling in love with the community and potential of the area.

The 7th Congressional District is considered a competitive race going into 2018. Fellow Democrat, Jon Ossoff, competes in a close special election in Georgia’s neighboring 6th Congressional District. The two districts have nearly identical partisan makeup in Atlanta’s northern suburbs.

“I started my business from my college dorm room and grew it into a successful company educating tens of thousands of students and employing thousands,” said David. “We badly need that same commitment to our kids and can-do spirit in Washington.”

“Congressman Woodall has been more interested in partisan purity than getting things done for the people.

From healthcare to our budget, he’s been completely ineffective at building

“I’ve been lucky to experience the American dream, and I want to fight to make sure every family and child has that same opportunity,” said David in his campaign launch announcement.

A young couple decided to pack their bags in Northern California and relocated to Georgia seeking new opportunities about five years ago. Calvin and Laura Le have never looked back or ever regretted their decision.

Calvin and Laura are planning to open a new restaurant in the Duluth area based on a wildly popular “Cajun fusion” restaurant chain in West Coast and Las Vegas.

Rockin Crawfish currently has over ten locations in California, Las Vegas, and another two overseas locations in Vietnam.

Their decision to open their business on Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth is simple — “This is a booming area and has diversity of people from all walks of life,” said Calvin with a smile.

Calvin further explained their concept and menu offering will attract a diverse array of customers who appreciate good food in a casual-fun environment.

Rockin Crawfish has a reputation for its tasty Cajun seasoning sauces and fresh live crawfish sourced daily from the Bayou.

The menu offers selection ranging from crawfish, crabs, shrimps, gumbos, poboys, sausages, corn, potatoes by the pounds.

In addition, there is a full service bar serving variety of liquors, wines, craft and draft beers.

“We wanted to introduce a casual fun dining environment where you can get loose and dirty while enjoying good food,” adds Calvin.

Customers will experience a funky decor with old classic speakers lining up a wall along with classic records, cassettes covers, classic beer cans, and license plates from all over the country as decorations.

They hope to conduct a “soft opening” within the coming weeks pending the necessary final permits approval.

Rocking Crawfish Restaurant 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 160 Duluth, GA 30096 Tel: 678.580.3439 FaceBook: RockinCrawfishAtlanta. com Website: RockinCrawfishAtlanta.com

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

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BUSINESS

Microsoft challenges Sony with powerful new Xbox One X Los Angeles, June 12, 2017 -- Microsoft on Sunday unveiled Xbox One X — billing it as the most powerful video console ever made, and escalating a battle with market king PlayStation.

Yahoo signs off, completes sale to Verizon Washington DC, June 16, 2017 --: Internet pioneer Yahoo ended its two-decade run as an independent company on Tuesday, completing the sale of its core online assets to telecom giant Verizon.

Yahoo’s chief executive Marissa Mayer resigned as expected, as Verizon finalized the $4.48 billion deal integrating the Yahoo internet operations into a new unit called Oath, which includes another former sector leader, AOL. Tim Armstrong, former CEO of AOL, now holds the same title at Oath, a division in Verizon’s Media and Telematics organization.

“We’re building the future of brands using powerful technology, trusted content and differentiated data,” Armstrong said in a statement.

“We have dominating consumer brands in news, sports, finance, tech, and entertainment and lifestyle coupled with our market leading advertising technology platforms. Now that the deal is closed, we are excited to set our focus on being the best company for consumer media, and the best partner to our advertising, content and publisher partners.”

Oath includes a number of other digital media operations including HuffPost, formerly known as the Huffington Post.

Verizon has made no indication of how it will use the Yahoo brand — which is used by over a billion people worldwide — but indicated it is keeping the names Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Mail and more.

Some reports have said more than 1,000 jobs would be eliminated as a result of the merger, but statements from Yahoo and Verizon on Tuesday made no mention of any cuts.

Yahoo’s sale caps a long decline from when it had a peak market value of some $125 billion in 2000.

The original Yahoo group now becomes a holding company with stakes in Chinese internet giant Alibaba and Yahoo Japan.

On Friday, it will change its name to Altaba Inc. and on Monday begin trading under the ticker symbol “AABA.” Mayer, who was unable to stem the decline of the iconic Silicon Valley company, is getting a departure package worth an estimated $186 million, according to regulatory filings.

The $499 product was built with the muscle for seamless play on ultra-high definition 4K televisions and will be available worldwide on November 7, according to Xbox team leader Phil Spencer.

He introduced the much anticipated Xbox One X, called Scorpio during development, at a Microsoft event ahead of the official opening of the major Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

Aiming at the hearts of gamers, Microsoft also showed off 42 coming games, with 22 titles being tailored for exclusive play on Xbox One consoles.

Independent publishers tend to make blockbuster titles available for play on Xbox, PlayStation and personal computer hardware in an effort to sell creations to as broad an audience as possible.

Keenly-anticipated new games shown off here include a new installment of “Assassin’s Creed” from France-based Ubisoft, intended to reboot the long-running franchise by taking players back to the “origins” of the storyline in ancient Egypt.

Game play on 4K screens, whether they be televisions or personal computer monitors, is expected to be among themes at E3 this week. Enabling ultra-rich visuals also tunes into the budding trend toward virtual reality games.

Switch supplies tight Sony PlayStation 4 has dominated the latest generation of consoles, outselling Xbox One by 2-to-1, according to industry trackers.

PS4 consoles from the outset could power virtual reality, and Sony sells head gear for those experiences.

PlayStation has also become the prime driver of revenue and profit at Japan-based entertainment giant Sony, according to executives.

“We are selling every single one we can make,” Sony Interactive Entertainment worldwide studios chairman Shawn Layden said of PS4.

Nintendo’s recently-launched Switch has been a winner, with fans snapping up the console and a “Legend of Zelda” game that has become a must-play title for fans.

Demand for Switch consoles has been so intense since its launch early this year that the consoles are tough to find in stores and Nintendo has reportedly doubled production.

Switch launched at the start of March and some 2.74 million were sold by the end of that month, according to Nintendo.

Hot Switch sales also boosted shares of the Japanese company, which ran into a tough patch after it failed to build on the popularity of the first generation of Wii consoles.

PS4 and Xbox One are both performing better in the market that their respective predecessors, and Nintendo “is back in a big way” with Switch, according to NPD analyst Mat Piscatella.

Sony has sold close to 60 million PS4 consoles and will reveal its latest innovations and offerings at a press event on Monday, according to executives.

“We are in the 4K world already,” Layden told AFP. “That is what the future of gaming is going to look like.”

Old games made new Microsoft is also courting players by working to make more popular games from earlier Xbox console versions playable on its latest hardware.

Microsoft also just launched a subscription service for Xbox, letting players pay a monthly fee for access to a videogames library for its console.

Sony makes a library of videogames available as part of a subscription service for PlayStation consoles.

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June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

BUSINESS

Lockheed agrees to build F-16s in India Le Bourget, June 19, 2017 — Lockheed Martin has agreed with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd to jointly build F-16 fighter planes equipped with new-generation electronics in India, both companies said.

The fighters are of the Block 70 type, “the newest and most technologically advanced F-16 ever”, they said.

“The F-16 Block 70 is ideally suited to meet the Indian Air Force’s single-engine fighter needs and this unmatched US-Indian industry partnership directly supports India’s initiative to develop private aerospace and defence manufacturing capacity in India,” said the statement, released on the Paris air show’s opening day.

The Indian air force does not currently use F-16s, but industry experts say that local production would be a strong argument in favour of the US plane against its rivals, including French company Dassault’s Rafale, in future procurement decisions.

India in 2016 agreed to buy 36 Rafale combat planes for around eight billion euros (US$8.9 billion).

Accompanying that deal was a partnership agreement between Dassault and India’s Reliance Group and a promise by Dassault to invest about half of the value of the contract in India.

The French company recently said it was in talks for India to buy at least 50 more.

India, the world’s top defence importer, is conducting a US$100-billion upgrade of its Soviet-era military hardware, facing border disputes with its northern and western neighbours, China and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has moved to reduce India’s reliance on expensive imports and called for the manufacturing of defence equipment locally.

Modi’s government has raised the limit on foreign investment in the defence sector and encouraged tie-ups between foreign and local companies.

The announcement comes a week before Modi visits Washington for talks with President Donald Trump, who has been putting pressure on American companies to keep production at home.

The multi-role F-16 has been in production since 1978, with Lockheed so far producing a total of 4,500 units of the aircraft of which 3,200 are currently in service.

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Sons, already runs manufacturing partnerships with several global players, including Boeing, Airbus and Sikorsky.

Amazon to buy Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion New York, July 16, 2017 -- Amazon will acquire upscale US grocer Whole Foods Market, known for its pricey organic options, for US$13.7 billion, the companies announced Friday, in a deal that underscores the online retailer’s growing influence.

Under the all-cash deal, Amazon will acquire the Texas-based champion of organic and specialty food for US$42 a share. Whole Foods traded in the mid$30 range for May and the first part of June.

Whole Foods, which has faced pressure from activist investors, will continue to operate stores under its brand and will be led by co-founder and chief executive John Mackey, the companies said.

“This partnership presents an opportunity to maximize value for Whole Foods Market’s shareholders, while at the same time extending our mission and bringing the highest quality, experience, convenience and innovation to our customers,” Mackey said.

In May, under pressure from Jana Partners, Whole Foods replaced five board members and its chief financial officer.

The hedge fund said the company was undervalued and needed to overhaul its operations and consider “strategice alternatives,” a term usually used to indicate a sale.

The deal is the latest big move for Amazon and its charismatic chief executive Jeff Bezos, who grew Amazon from a small online bookseller in the 1990s into a global retail behemoth that delivers a wide range of goods and creates award-winning entertainment broadcasts.

“Millions of people love Whole Foods Market because they offer the best natural and organic foods, and they make it fun to eat healthy,” Bezos said.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2017 following regulatory approvals and a Whole Foods shareholder vote.

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

EVENTS

Hong Kong 20th Anniversary Celebration-Hong Kong Forum, June 13, 2017

Steve Barclay, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York delivers his remarks at the HK Forum.

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June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

EVENTS

Taiwan’s Ambassador to U.S. Hon. Stanley Kao, Atlanta Council on International Relations Luncheon Forum, Capitol City Club, June 15, 2017

Ambassador Stanley Kao, Taiwan’s Representative to the U.S. delivers a remark at the Atlanta Council on International Relations luncheon. Over 70 guests including ACIR members attended the luncheon forum. Ambassador Kao had previously served a Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta from 1993-1996.

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

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ENTERTAINMENT

Michael Bay says ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ will be his last

‘Spider-Man Homecoming’ international poster revealed

Los Angeles, June 18, 2017 — Michael Bay has reportedly confirmed that he is ready to leave the Transformers franchise, saying that Transformers: The Last Knight will be his last.

“I’ve done it enough, and I’ve had a great time doing it. I’m going out with a bang on this one, and I feel like you gotta go out while you’re ahead, you know.

Los Angeles, June 18, 2017 — A new international poster for Spider-Man: Homecoming has been shared by online and it gives us a new look at the upcoming film.

Bay has apparently reiterated that he won’t be returning for the sixth instalment of the series which has been slated for release in 2019.

“I think I’ve had a good run, and I’ve got a lot of other movies I want to do.”

The poster features Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), with the Avengers tower in the background, headed to battle evil or better known as Vulture (Michael Keaton) in this film.

“These movies that I’ve done, they are massive movies. They take a lot out of you,” Bay was quoted by Fandango as saying.

This isn’t the first time Bay has said he will be leaving the franchise, so let’s see what happens next.

The image was shared by artist Matt Ferguson on his Twitter account. The poster sure looks promising and we can’t wait to catch all the action.

Spider-Man: Homecoming will be released on July 7.

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June 15-30, 2017

Georgia Asian Times

LIFESTYLE

International Day of Yoga 2017: Celebrate the day by practicing one of the latest yoga trends New York, June 18, 2017 — Declared an international day by the UN in 2014 after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a global celebration of yoga, the International Day of Yoga aims to raise further awareness of the many health benefits of this mental, physical and spiritual practice, and promote a holistic approach to wellbeing.

Taking place Wednesday, June 21, the International Day of Yoga could be the perfect time to try the 5000-year old practice for the first time, or change up your routine with a new class.

Here we round up some of the yoga trends that have made it big so far this year, and which may inspire you to get on the mat to celebrate this year.

Yoga Nidra For those who enjoy the mental health benefits of yoga and not just the physical results, yoga nidra could be for you.

Sometimes referred to as yogic sleep, yoga nidra is defined by yoga master Anandmurti Gurumaa as “a kind of deep sleep in which you don’t lose consciousness.”

The practice is best done in savasana, also known as corpse pose, to help aid relaxation, with some classes also including asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing), chanting and meditation.

Yoga nidra is said to allow the body to enter a more restorative and healing state and help the mind enter a state of tranquility as it changes from activity to meditation. Practicing yoga nidra is also thought to help relieve stress, frustration and insomnia as well as muscular, emotional and mental tensions.

Yin Yoga Yin yoga is a gentler and slower form of yoga designed to help reduce stress and counterbalance our fast-paced lifestyles.

Invented only 20 years ago, yin yoga is a more meditative practice with a focus on deep breathing, rather than the aesthetics of a pose, muscular strength or perfect alignment.

Unlike more energetic forms such as vinyasa or ashtanga, yin yoga’s poses must be held on the floor between 3 and 5 minutes, requiring concentration but also aiding relaxation.

The stretches are intense, making it

good for the physical body and boosting energy levels, but yin yoga is also known for its mental health benefits, helping to reduce stress and improve sleep.

Alien Yoga Dubbed “alien yoga” on Instagram due to the stomach’s strange contractions during the movement, this latest yoga craze might look and sound intimidating, but if mastered helps to both cleanse internal organs and strengthen the abdominal area.

Traditionally known as “nauli,” the movement is a yogic cleansing exercise, or “kriya”, which involves rolling the abdominal muscles from side to side in a wave-like movement. Although it seems difficult, it can be practiced by most yogis and by any age group, however as an advanced movement the website nauli.org recommends learning the technique from an experienced teacher.

Goat Yoga “Goat Yoga” is perhaps one of most unusual but potentially fun forms of yoga, as you practice your asanas surrounded by cute and tiny Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Yogis are currently lining up across the US to join the classes, which take place not in studio but in the more rural setting of a countryside farm.

Fans of the latest fitness craze report that being outdoors in nature makes the yoga class even more relaxing, with the goats themselves also helping to relieve tension thanks to their giggle-inducing antics and furry friendliness, which provides a similar experience to cuddling a pet, already clinically proven to help relieve stress and improve well-being.

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

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SPORTS

Koepka’s win extended a remarkable run of victories by players who had never previously won a major. Since Jason Day lifted the 2015 PGA Championship, every major championship has been won by a first-timer.

Brooks Koepka wins 117th US Open Championship Erin, June 19, 2017 — Brooks Koepka produced a back-nine birdie blitz to win the US Open here yesterday, becoming the seventh consecutive first-time winner of a major with a record-equalling four-shot victory at Erin Hills.

The 27-year-old from Florida fired a five-under-par final round 67 to finish on 16 under for the tournament following a tense duel with compatriot Brian Harman that was settled on the home stretch at the rural Wisconsin course.

Koepka’s 16-under-par total equalled the record for the lowest winning under par total at a US Open set by Rory McIlroy at the 2011 championship.

“That’s probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced and to do it on Father’s Day it’s pretty neat,” Koepka said afterwards.

“I didn’t exactly get my dad a card, so this works.

“I felt confident all week. So to feel as confident as I did on a Sunday of a major and coming down the stretch was pretty neat.”

Third round leader Brian Harman,

who had led by one-shot at the start of the round, finished second on 12 under after an even-par 72. He tied with Japanese world number four Hideki Matsuyama, who shot a superb six-under-par 66.

“It bites a little bit right now,” Harman said afterwards. “But Brooks played so well today. The conditions were so tough.”

England’s Tommy Fleetwood was alone in fourth place on 11 under after a level-par final round of 72.

Harman and Koepka spent much of the round locked at the top of the leaderboard.

But the turning point in a gripping war of nerves came just after the turn when Harman struggled through backto-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th.

Birdie hat-trick World number 22 Koepka then uncorked a brilliant trio of birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to surge into a four-shot lead and virtually assure himself of the title.

Koepka, a close friend and training partner of world number one and 2016 US Open champion Dustin Johnson, had only won one title on the PGA Tour since turning professional in 2012.

With strong winds buffeting the 7,721-yard layout at Erin Hills earlier in the day, Mother Nature had appeared poised to bite back after three days of benign conditions which led to a feast of low-scoring.

But with the gusts gradually weakening over the course of the afternoon, Koepka and Harman picked up where they left on Saturday, seamlessly getting into the groove early on to jump ahead of the field.

Koepka was the first to strike, making a birdie on the first to go to 12 under and take a share of the lead.

He then chipped to a few feet for a straightforward birdie to move to 13 under.

War of nerves Harman, playing in the final pairing immediately behind Koepka, then rolled in a 29-foot birdie putt on the third to join Koepka at the top of the leaderboard.

As the front nine progressed, it looked increasingly as if it would come down to a question of who would blink first.

Koepka landed the first blow on the par-four eighth, draining a magnificent

33ft putt to move one clear at 14 under.

But the American then paid the price for an over-aggressive birdie attempt on the 10th which sailed past the hole leaving an awkward putt to save par.

He duly missed to drop back to 13 under.

Koepka then frittered a golden chance to regain the lead on the 11th, but was unable to convert a nervy ninefoot putt for birdie.

Another birdie chance lipped out on the 12th as the tension mounted.

The deadlock was broken when Harman’s tee-shot on the 12th landed into the deep fescue, forcing him to hack out onto the fairway. Unable to get up and down Harman bogeyed to leave Koepka clear on 13 under.

Koepka then turned the screw with a nerveless trio of birdies to seize the crown.

Matsuyama meanwhile, produced an inspired round to raise hopes of a grandstand finish after he had begun the day six off the pace.

Eventually though it was not enough, although a round which contained eight birdies suggested he may not have long to wait to win his first major.

Rickie Fowler’s hopes of ending his wait for a major faded with an error-strewn performance, a level-par 72 leaving him six shots adrift.

Justin Thomas, the hero of the third round after a record-breaking nine-under-par 63, saw his challenge wilt with a three-over-par 75.

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June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

SPORTS

Srikanth, Sato win Indonesia Open Jakarta, June 19, 2017 — Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth yesterday claimed his first ever Indonesia Open Superseries title after defeating Japanese qualifier Kazumasa Sakai in an impressive win.

World No 22 Srikanth who clinched a spot in the final after scoring a victory against World No 1 Son Wan Ho of South Korea a day earlier only needed 37 minutes to overpower Sakai in two straight sets with 21-11, 21-19.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve won a super series as I was actually injured after the Olympics,” Srikanth told journalists after the game in Jakarta.

Sakai who ranked 47th managed to take back control at the beginning of the second game and was leading by 11-6 but Srikanth quickly caught up and ended his tournament in victory.

“It’s definitely much needed for me after losing the final in the Singapore Open,” Srikanth said.

The 24-year-old athlete managed to reach the final in the Singapore Open in April but had to admit defeat against fellow Indian shuttler Sai Praneeth.

In the women’s single, Sakai’s compatriot Sayaka Sato won her first ever singles title in a Badminton World Federation Super Series event after

defeating World’s No 5, Sung Ji-Hyun of South Korea by 21-13, 17-21, 21-19.

“After the second game, I saw my opponent’s face was quite tense... that’s when I started to earn point by point,” Sato told journalists.

Meanwhile in the mixed double, Olympic champion Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia won the only title for the country in the tournament after defeating China’s Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen in two straight set by 22-20, 21-15.

“This is very meaningful for us, we’ve won in the Olympics, we won All England three times before, but we’ve never really been a champion at home,” Ahmad said.

In women’s doubles, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China beat Chang Ye Na and Lee So Hee of South Korea by 21-19, 15-21, 21-10. Their men’s doubles compatriots, Li Junhui and Liu Yuche also won the final against Mathias Boe and Carsten Morgensen by 21-13, 17-21, 21-14.

Pakistanis rejoice after team hammers India in Champion’s Trophy

Islamabad, June 19, 2017 — The streets of Pakistan’s cities lit up with celebrations last night after the country’s cricket team defied the odds to thrash rival India in the Champion’s Trophy final in London.

The upset, which saw Pakistan win by a record margin in the final of a global event, came after they had been on the receiving end of a hammering

by India in the tournament opener and were written off by fans and pundits alike.

It was watched by hundreds of millions of fans globally, possibly a billion, and brought normal life to a standstill across much of the sub-continent.

But when bowler of the tournament Hasan Ali picked up the final wicket of Jasprit Bumrah to put the Indian tail out of its misery for just 158 runs — 180 shy of Pakistan’s mammoth 338, celebratory gunfire erupted in neighbourhoods up and down the country.

“Wow wow wow unbelievable performance by team green. It feels like deja’vu after winning the 1992 WCup. I am over the moon #PakistanZinabadad”, tweeted ex fast-bowler Wasim Akram, who also compared fast-bowler Mohammad Amir’s masterclass in high-swing bowling to his own during his 1990s heyday.

People poured into bazaars and markets in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to celebrate the win by blaring patriotic pop songs, as youths performed wheel-

ies on motorcycles and waved flags as they dangled out of cars.

The win came as mainly Muslim Pakistan prepares for Eid after the fasting month of Ramadan — though for many fans, the festival had already arrived.

“I’m so happy. Eid came early for Pakistanis this year!”, tweeted user Berry Aneurysm.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meanwhile issued a statement congratulating the team, saying they “deserve the nation’s profound gratitude and appreciation”.

A matchup between the two sides is seen as the world’s premier cricket contest, despite the fact in recent years the outcome has generally been one-sided in India’s favour — particularly in knockout tournaments.

That jinx, however, now stands emphatically broken, with the magnitude of the victory surprising even to diehard fans more used to a team that conjures defeats from favourable positions.

Amid the general exultation, praise was reserved for India skipper Virat Kohli who showed grace in defeat during the post-match presser.

“Virat Kohli is truly a credit to his team and nation, a generous and honest sporting spirit,” wrote radio host Fasi Zaka.

Georgia Asian Times June 15-30, 2017

Page 15

HEALTH Looking to lose weight? Try a vegetarian regime suggests new study The research, led by Dr. Hana Kahleová, Director of Clinical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington DC, also suggests that a vegetarian diet helps to improve metabolism by reducing muscle fat.

The team found that the vegetarian diet was almost twice as effective in reducing body weight, resulting in an average loss of 6.2kg compared to 3.2kg for the conventional diet.

For the research the team recruited 74 participants, all with type 2 diabetes and randomly assigned subjects to two groups, either following a vegetarian diet or a conventional anti-diabetic diet.

The vegetarian diet included vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits and nuts, with animal products limited to a maximum of one portion of low-fat yogurt per day.

The conventional diabetic diet followed the official recommendations of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).

All participants had their daily diets cut by 500 kilocalories per day.

The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the adipose (fat-storage) tissue in the subjects’ thighs to see how the two different diets had affected subcutaneous fat, found under the skin, subfascial fat, on the surface of the muscles, and intramuscular fat, on the inside of the muscles.

They also found that although both diets caused a similar reduction in subcutaneous fat, those following the vegetarian diet showed a greater reduction in intramuscular fat than those following the low-calorie diet, and were the only participants to show a reduction in subfascial fat.

The results are important for those with type 2 diabetes as subfascial fat has been previously associated with insulin resistance, so reducing it could have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism.

Reducing intramuscular fat could also help to improve muscle strength and mobility, particularly in older people with diabetes.

Dr. Kahleová concluded that in addition to the vegetarian diet proving most successful in their research, it “also showed that a vegetarian diet is much more effective at reducing muscle fat, thus improving metabolism.

This finding is important for people who are trying to lose weight, including those suffering from metabolic syndrome and/ or type 2 diabetes. But it is also relevant to anyone who takes their weight management seriously and wants to stay lean and healthy.”

The results can be found published online in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Obesity ‘epidemic’ affects one in 10 worldwide More than one in 10 people worldwide are now obese and 2.2 billion are believed to be overweight, fueling a global health crisis that claims millions of lives every year, according to a major new international study released on Monday.

Obesity numbers have more than doubled in 73 countries and surged elsewhere around the world since the launch in 1980 of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Conducted in 195 countries over a 35year period, the research presented at a conference in Stockholm on Monday is billed as the most comprehensive carried out to date on the subject of obesity.

At the conclusion of the study in 2015, 107.7 million children and 603.7 million adults worldwide were deemed to be obese, triggering what its authors described as “a growing and disturbing global public health crisis.”

Even though the obesity rate in children remained lower than among adults, it had grown at a faster rate during the study period — a finding experts described as especially “worrisome.”

“Excess body weight is one of the most challenging public health problems of our time, affecting nearly one in every three

people,” said Dr. Ashkan Afshin, the paper’s lead author and an assistant professor of global health at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Of those deaths, more than 40% involved people deemed non-obese — indicating that being overweight, even without being obese, is leading to millions of premature deaths.

“Over the past decade, numerous interventions have been evaluated, but very little evidence exists about their long-term effectiveness,” he added, announcing a new 10-year partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization to evaluate global progress in controlling excess weight.

More than two-thirds of deaths linked to a raised BMI were attributed to cardiovascular diseases, marking a sharp increase since 1990.

A total of 2.2 billion people — 30% of the world population — were believed to be either obese or overweight by 2015.

The World Health Organization had estimated the number of overweight people at 1.9 billion in 2014, including more than 600 million who were obese.

Excess weight is linked to sharply increased rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Four million deaths in 2015 were linked to having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 24.5, indicating a person is overweight, or of 30 or more, indicating obesity. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in centimeters squared.

‘Global epidemic’ Of the world’s most populous countries, the rate of obesity among children and young adults was highest in the United States, at 13%, while Egypt had the highest rate of obesity among adults, at 35% of the population.

The lowest rates of adult obesity were in Bangladesh and Vietnam, both at one percent.

China and India had the highest number of obese children — respectively 15.3 and 14.4 million.

The United States and China, meanwhile, had the greatest number of obese adults — respectively 79.4 and 57.3 million.

In an editorial accompanying the study, Dr. Edward Gregg and Dr. Jonathan Shaw,

both epidemiologists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the most worrisome finding was the approximate tripling of obesity in youth and young adults of middle-income countries — namely China, Brazil, and Indonesia.

“An early onset of obesity is likely to translate into a high cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease,” they warned.

The study was based on the latest data provided by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, which tracks the impact of more than 300 types of pathology and injury in 133 countries.

Its chief goal was to understand, on a global scale, what is driving “the current global epidemic of disease” related to high body weight, the authors said.

The research was unveiled Monday at the annual EAT Stockholm Food Forum, which brings together scientists, business leaders and policy makers to address ways to transform the global food system to help solve the challenges of climate, sustainable development and health.

Page 16

June 15-30, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

Misc Asia

taxi of choice in Delhi and Kolkata, which was the only other car widely available in India at the time — and their numbers increased exponentially during the ’70s and ’80s.

Mumbai’s adored Padmini taxis near the end of the road They were named after a legendary Indian queen and were synonymous with Mumbai for half a century but the last Premier Padmini taxis will soon embark on their final journey to the scrapyard.

an-built vehicle, a product of the Asian giant’s closed economy of the 1960s and a classic, albeit now rusting, car which continues to enthral foreign tourists, will be the end of an unforgettable chapter in Mumbai’s history.

The compact black-and-yellow cabs, based on an Italian Fiat and often boasting elaborately patterned interiors, were once ubiquitous across the congested roads of India’s financial capital and have featured in countless Bollywood movies.

“It really is an iconic car because for so long it was the only vehicle used by taxi operators here. It must have been the largest fleet in the world,” A. L. Quadros, a taxi union chief in Mumbai.

The compact black-and-yellow cabs, based on an Italian Fiat and often boasting elaborately patterned interiors, were once ubiquitous across the congested roads of India’s financial capital and have featured in countless Bollywood movies.

Around 65,000 Padminis plied Mumbai at their peak in the mid-1990s but a gradual phasing out in favour of newer, more environmentally friendly vehicles has meant that today only some 300 splutter around and officials predict they will disappear completely next year.

For many the passing of the Indi-

The first Padminis, an Indian take on the Fiat 1100 Delight, rolled off production lines at the Premier Automobiles Limited factory in Mumbai, then called Bombay, in 1964 under an licensing agreement with the famous Italian car manufacturer.

They were initially known as “Fiat taxis” before being renamed Padmini in 1973 after mythical Hindu queen Rani Padmini who legend has it lived during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Padmini v Ambassador Mumbai authorities in the 1960s opted for the Padmini over the bulkier Hindustan Motors Ambassador — the

“The Padmini was chosen because it was small and attractive. It was nice to drive and you could park it anywhere easily. It was comfortable and people liked it,” said Quadros.

Not known for their speed or boot space, Padminis are characterised by their low ceilings, large gear stick to the left of the steering wheel and quirky silver-coloured door handles which require passengers to trickily lift up and push to get out.

Today, many have colorful carpeted ceilings and seat covers while some boast bright, multi-colored neon lights which illuminate the inside of the cab at night.

But they are also known for dodgy brakes, indicators that fail to work, doors that don’t close properly and a tendency to let in water during Mumbai’s four-month summer monsoon.

As Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee points out they were hardly famous for being finely-tuned automobiles.

“The welding was poor and sloppy.

Even when it came out of the factory it was in terrible condition and you’d probably have to get it fixed. That’s just how it was in India in those days,” he said, referring to the years before India’s economy opened up in 1991.

Anti-pollution measures Liberalization paved the way for the arrival of more spacious, reliable, comfortable and fuel-efficient vehicles such as Hyundai models. Numbers steadily declined and production of Padminis was stopped altogether in 2000.

Their death knell was finally sounded in 2013 when the government implemented an anti-pollution order banning cars more than 20 years old from Mumbai’s roads. The number of Padminis has declined rapidly since and Quadros expects there will be none left on the roads by December 2018.

Taxi driver Mukund Shukla, who has manoeuvered his Padmini through Mumbai’s hectic streets for 20 years, is sad about the prospect of his beloved vehicle being sold for scrap.

“This Padmini has given me company for two decades and I will miss it deeply,” said the 47-year-old, who plans to take a bank loan to afford the 500,000-rupee cost of a new taxi.

But not everyone is upset about the Premier Padmini fading into history.

Sorabjee said: “Modern cars are light years ahead in terms of technology.

The Padmini had nothing going for it by the end, nostalgia apart.”

Georgia Asian Times June 15-31, 2017

Page 17

Misc Asia

Long Museum is set to host new, ‘virtual’ works by Zhan Wang Shanghai, June 18, 2017 — Shanghai’s Long Museum is set to host the largest solo exhibition to date of works

by Zhan Wang, a leading Chinese contemporary artist whose practice is firmly rooted in his culture.

Primarily a sculptor, Zhan Wang, who lives and works in Beijing, also uses mediums including performance, photography and video to create works that examine history, traditions, the spirit and the natural world.

For the show at Long Museum (West Bund), titled “Forms in Flux”, galleries have been opened into cavernous spaces that will showcase the artist’s latest works, in which he examines the shaping and transformations of forms in his surroundings. The result of collaborations with scientists, and incorporating methods of computational fluid dynamics and 3D output, these works are said to project forms into a virtual environment.

Prized Hong Kong parking space sold for record US$664,200

Covering the artist’s earlier works as well, the show will begin with a look at the “Mao Suits” series from the 1990s, as well as his well-known “Artificial Rocks”, sculptures that simulate eroded rocks long revered by Chinese scholars.

Hong Kong, June 14, 2017 — Its property prices are famously sky-high but now a Hong Kong parking space has been sold for an eye-watering HK$5.18 million (US$664,200) in what local reports said was a world record.

In the 2000s, the artist began addressing the reflection of the human figure and the effects of changes in conditions such as light and movement, which led to the making of “morph” and his “Metamorph” series.

In the more recent solo exhibition “My Personal Universe”, Zhan Wang used dynamite to artistically recreate the Big Bang — a project that will likewise be highlighted in the Shanghai retrospective.

The space is on the first floor at a luxury apartment complex near the harbor front in the west of Hong Kong Island, according to records from the city’s Land Registry.

“Zhan Wang: Forms in Flux” runs June 25 to August 22 at the Long Museum (West Bund). On June 25, the artists will be among guest speakers at a lecture titled “The Boundary and Future of Art”.

It tops the HK$4.8 million paid for a parking space last October at another luxury residential complex.

Measuring 188 square feet (17.5 square metres), it was bought by Kwan Wai Ming, an executive director at an investment firm, said the South China Morning Post which called the sale a world record.

The sale comes a month after a Hong Kong tycoon paid US$3 billion for a

prime commercial lot in the Central business and shopping district, in another record for the city where property prices have become a political issue.

Small businesses are being forced to close due to spiraling rents and many residents cannot afford to buy or rent decent homes, despite a series of measures by the government aimed at cooling runaway prices.

Commercial and residential property prices have been fueled by an influx of money from wealthy mainland Chinese investors and developers.

Critics also accuse the government of having cosy ties with developers, rather than prioritizing the construction of more reasonable public housing.

Page 18

June 15-31, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

TRAVEL

Luxury on the rails in train-mad Japan Tokyo, June 17, 2017 — Japan’s latest super-deluxe train left the station today with a select group of passengers who paid thousands of dollars for a leisurely trip harking back to an era of Art Deco opulence and a slower pace of life.

The Twilight Express Mizukaze departed Osaka on its maiden trip with around 30 well-heeled passengers on a journey to the far reaches of Japan’s main island.

A couple staying in the 10-car train’s top room, The Suite, paid out a combined ¥2.4 million for a twonight, three-day return trip that rolls past emerald green rice paddies, craggy coastlines and ancient shrines.

That eye-popping price tag gets you five-star hotel luxury including a marble-floored bathroom with claw-legged tub in the priciest suite, food prepared by gourmet chefs, and sumptuous lounges where you can sip cocktails as you take in the dramatic scenery through huge viewing windows.

“I’m so delighted to get a spot on this historic train,” Ayaka Kobayashi, a newlywed who was traveling on the

Mizukaze with her husband, told Jiji Press news agency.

“I want to enjoy this special time and space.”

The Mizukaze, which means “fresh wind” in Japanese, is just the latest luxury offering in train-mad Japan, which has an extensive railway network covering most of the country.

These top-end rolling hotels pay homage to once numerous sleeper cars that were overtaken by Shinkansen bullet trains that cut hours off travel times.

“Things have been reset, giving birth to a new breed” of trains, said photojournalist and train expert Kageri Kurihara after touring The Mizukaze.

“Train companies are trying to show what they can do without constraints.

You may have this idea that sleeper trains are cramped and inconvenient but these railways are saying ‘look what we can offer!’.

“Japanese people are very fond of trains and you’d be excited with all these superb choices,” he added.

Gourmet grub, cypress tubs Last month, the Shiki-Shima left Tokyo’s Ueno Station with passengers treated to meals whipped up by gourmet chefs.

A four-day journey in several rooms that boast a cypress wood tub cost a cool ¥950,000 per person.

Well-heeled passengers even got piano playing and a fireplace — actually a trick created by steam and colored light — on the trip that took them from Japan’s capital to the northernmost island of Hokkaido and back again.

It cost the Shiki-Shima’s operator ¥10 billion to refurbish it and build special lounges at regular stops, among other expenses. The train is booked out through to March next year.

In 2013, Kyushu Railway unveiled its “Seven Stars” service with a piano and a bar, top-end dining and luxury suites.

Japan’s train operators have some offerings a notch down too, including a carriage with a foot-soaker bath.

As Tokyo gets set to host the 2020 Olympics, the record numbers of tourists visiting Japan could be another lucrative market for luxury train operators.

“This trend comes when more and more travelers from abroad are visiting Japan so the timing is good,” Kurihara said.

And while the economy may not be as booming as it once was, there are still many Japanese willing to pay for a local version of the Orient Express.

Passengers on the Mizukaze and Shiki-Shima had to put their names into a lottery and hope they got picked. “(Luxury train travel) is not feeling the impact of deflation or a weak economy — and there are rich people out there,” Kurihara said.

“Money aside, I’d love to travel on it just once in my life.”