Global Briefs
April 29, 2005
Bad Days for S. Korea’s Type-B Blood Men
SEOUL, Korea — A wave of pop culture is associating personality types with blood types, and men with type-B blood are bearing the brunt of it.
Type-B people are said to be independent spirits with strong personalities. But type-B men are selfish, mercurial and make uncaring boyfriends. Type-B women, on the other hand, seem to have escaped the wrath of pop culture.
Scientists say there is no link between blood type and personality. But many Koreans still consider type-A women, for example, to have shy ways, and should avoid type-B men, who are likely to be cads. Type-O people are considered outgoing, expressive and passionate. Type-A were considered introverted perfectionists while type-AB were an unpredictable, distant lot.
Singapore Ends 40-Year Ban on Casinos
SINGAPORE — The Singapore government scrapped a four-decade ban on casinos, clearing the way for companies including Las Vegas Sands Corp. and MGM Mirage to compete for the right to build an entertainment complex in the city.
“If you want to be a globalized city, you’ve got to have more buzz,” said businessman Ron Sim.
The island nation, which already allows betting on horseracing, soccer matches and lotteries, was considering an “integrated resort” complex that would include a convention center, retail outlets and restaurants. Sites are being in downtown Singapore and on the southern island of Sentosa.
Other bidders include Hong Kong-based Melco International Development and Malaysia’s Genting.
Singapore had 8.3 million visitors last year. Tourists spent $8.15 billion. The city wants to triple tourism revenue to $30 billion by 2015 as manufacturers move to lower-cost countries including China and India.
China Calls for Pope to Sever Ties with Taiwan
BEIJING — Beijing called on new Pope Benedict XVI to break ties with Taiwan and stay out of China’s internal affairs to create the conditions for better Sino-Vatican relations.
“We are willing to improve the relationship between China and the Vatican on the basis of two principles,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang of ties that were ruptured in 1951 when China expelled the Vatican’s ambassador.
He also said Joseph Ratzinger should break off the so-called diplomatic relationship with Taiwan and recognize that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government which represents China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.
Despite not recognizing the authority of the Pope, the official Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association had sent a congratulatory telegram “in the name of the Bishops and believers of the whole country,” the ministry said.
Mindanao Could be Next Afghanistan
MANILA, Philippines — Security experts see growing signs of a link between Al Qaeda and home-grown terrorists in the Philippines, raising fears that attacks against the United States could be launched.
Intelligence reports indicate that longtime separatist groups that have been fighting the Filipino government for an independent Islamic state are hooking up with Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah, Southeast Asia’s version of Al Qaeda.
There is evidence these groups — and others — have formed an alliance, sharing training and cash for jihad while hiding out in the mostly lawless southern Philippine province of Mindanao.
“In many ways, Mindanao, if it’s not paid attention to … could turn into another Afghanistan,” said Joe Mussomeli of the U.S. Embassy.
Japan Apologizes for Wartime Actions
TOKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologized for the pain his country inflicted on neighboring Asian nations before and during World War II.
“Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations,” Koizumi said, according to a government translation of his remarks. “Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility.”
India Leads in HIV Epidemic
PARIS — India has now outstripped South Africa as the country with the highest tally of people living with AIDS or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
“The epidemic [in India] is growing very rapidly. It is out of control. There is nothing happening in India today that is big or serious enough to prevent it,” said Richard Feachem, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The UN agency UNAIDS’ only has estimates dating to 2003 when India’s total ranged from 2.5 to 8.5 million infected adults and children.
Feachem added, “the epidemic will grow faster, much faster, in [India’s] Hindu population than in Moslems,” as circumcision is an acknowledged protective factor.
The biggest form of transmission in India is from heterosexual intercourse with prostitutes.
N. Korea Threatens Nuke Arms after Reactor Shutdown
KYODO, Korea — North Korea has shut down its nuclear reactor and plans to remove the fuel to make bombs to boost its “deterrence” against a possible U.S. attack, North Korean Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Han Song Ryol said.
“The ball is in the U.S. court,” Han said in an interview with USA Today. “We asked the United States to change its hostile policy. Then we can believe the United States and enter the disarmament process.”
If North Korea carries out the plan, it would mark the second time in two years that it has removed fuel rods from its reactor in Yongbyon to make bomb material.
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency says North Korea has two to eight nuclear weapons. Reprocessing this reactor fuel could give the country an additional six weapons.
73 Autos Stolen Daily in Malaysia
An average of 73 vehicles were stolen every day in Malaysia last year, a 33 percent increase from 2003 that resulted in insurance payouts of $146 million.
Owner negligence was the main reason for the high number of car thefts, which formed the majority of all crimes in the country, according to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia Chairman Anuar Mohamad Hassan.
He said a total of 26,566 cars were stolen in 2004 compared to 19,936 in 2003.
“Most [victims] left their keys in the car while filling up petrol. Some even kept the engine running, giving opportunity to car thieves,” he was quoted as saying.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Mustafa Abdullah added that vehicle thefts multiplies criminal activities relating to illegal sale of cars and parts.
Philippines 3rd in Worldwide Nickel
BATARAZA, Palawan — The Philippines has the third largest nickel deposits worldwide, said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Studies show substantial deposits of nickel and other metallic minerals in the Philippines.
Arroyo was upbeat over the rosy prospects of the local mining industry and the contribution it could make to the Philippine economy.
Philip Benjamin Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, said new technologies will help the Philippines develop its huge nickel deposits, adding that “oil is to Saudi Arabia as nickel is to the Philippines.”
China Lifts Lid on Filthy Toilets
The 2008 Olympic host has vowed to add high-tech toilets in time for the Games. According to Reuters, China is coming clean about its filthy toilets, first hosting a world toilet summit and now about to hold its first ever toilet exhibition featuring new technology.
The World Toilet Expo will run from May 8 to 10 in China’s most fashionable city, including a dial-a-loo phone line people can call to find the nearest public toilet.
“It’s expected to solve the long-lasting problem that tourists, cab drivers and people unfamiliar with the city cannot find a toilet when they need one,” said a Shanghai Public Sanitation official.
The city plans to revamp 500 of its 3,900 public toilets this year, build new ones and reserve two-thirds for women.
Most of China’s public lavatories are squat-style pits with no running water, toilet paper or hand-washing facilities.
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