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Monday, August 20, 2012

The Miss World, a real estate business and tourism to China

In the last ten years China which for decades did not "believe" in beauty pageants, has hosted six times the most famous of them, Miss World: five of them in the tropical beaches of Hainan, which would promote tourism, and this weekend in Ordos risky destination. China began to participate regularly in the competition until 2001 (making Taiwan stop doing, by the way), but in the last decade has become in the most enthusiastic contestant, having been based in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012. During the first five editions Chinese-a local model, Zhang Zilin won the 2007 - the target was Sanya, the main "resort" beach available to the country, on the tropical island of Hainan. On this island, is an open secret that many children or exmandatarios Chinese officials have developed resorts, golf courses and other large real estate projects for those who needed a good publicity stunt, and it was Miss World, attracting many tourists since Chinese and Russian. was not the only argument to promote Hainan, which for two years has a state plan development island that has reaped billions of investment, but it has been one of the most effective tools. Sanya won the crown in the global beauty models Iceland, Europe or even the United States, which took the name of the city hitherto unknown -at least outside of China, to Europe and America. Crisis And this year, the organizers of this contest was born in the UK, compared to Miss Universe, which is U.S. bill-have accepted an even riskier bet the authorities Chinese and led to the 116 most beautiful women of the time to Ordos, a remote town, asleep and unknown even to the Chinese themselves. Reasons?Ordos, and the region in which it is, Inner Mongolia (not to be confused with the namesake neighbor), have been enriched by the mining of coal and rare earth elements vital to the global technology industry and weapons that China produces almost in global monopoly. mining has led to regional cities such as Baotou anonymous before the abundance or Ordos: Dongsheng District, the most modern city, which hosted the gala, is a city of wide avenues and glass buildings, a " Dubai Chinese coal "seems built from scratch. A one hour trip, another district of Ordos, Kangbashi, devised in 2003, is a city built for a million people, with modern museums, grandiose monuments in honor of Genghis Khan and other monumental works, however, is largely uninhabited. Ordos wanted with this amazing celebration of Miss World, who travels next year to a more conventional destination, the island of Bali-promote these modern districts, and in fact misses were carried Kangbashi contestants to pose alongside museums and empty skyscrapers with their beauty and promote the housing, which have not yet been able to sell. much effort has paid at least for this year Wenxia Yu, a beautiful model and Heilongjiang local- , Inner Mongolia province neighboring crown-will take the most beautiful on the planet. China has seen a mine in international beauty contests, perhaps the doldrums in other latitudes, and therefore not only strives to bring the trappings of Miss World. The Miss International pageant, one of the four "major" international gateway, has been held six times in the country in the last decade, rivaling in enthusiasm with Japan, another common venue. headquarters even as they resist Miss Universe -usually prefer beach locations in the Americas-and Miss Earth, which in recent years has been used as headquarters Philippines. And China does not forget the men, as has already hosted some edition of Mister World, for example in 2007 won the Spanish Juan Garcia Postigo.

BEYONCÉ, JUSTIN BIEBER AND SHAKIRA ARE TURNING TO THE WORLD DAY OF HUMANITARIAN


Planet Earth on Sunday celebrated a very special day as it marks the World Day Humanitarian Aid and it's time for each of us to be a little more supportive and we remember those who are faring worse. The celebrities were not going to be less and were the first to collaborate with this initiative promoted by the United Nations. Beyoncé has become the most visible face of the day to give voice to the campaign slogan that says: "One day, a message, a goal to inspire people around the world to do something good, no matter if much or little-by someone else. " The wife of rapper Jay-Z filmed the video for his theme Here I was inside the headquarters of the United Nations and with the release of the video has been given the go-ahead to this day of solidarity. But Beyoncé has not been alone, other major celebrities of the international scene have wanted to join this day and published through the various social networks, various messages asking collaboration. "Do something nice for someone today. 1day 1Mensaje 1Mundo 1Amor" was what he wrote Rihanna on his Twitter profile. Meanwhile, the mass idol Justin Bieber said: "I support the UN World Humanitarian Day." Meanwhile, actor Hugh Jackman commented: "It is the World Day Humanitarian Aid and am doing something good, somewhere, for someone else. Participate!" and Adele said: "Do something nice for someone." The singers Shakira , Kelly Rowland and Lady Gaga have been other stars who have also declared their support for this initiative.

South Africa: tension remains high after the massacre


Three days after the death of 34 miners killed by the police, the operator Lonmin threatens to dismiss the strikers did not return to work on Monday.But the majority of miners rejected the ultimatum. A week of national mourning was declared. The standoff continues between the strikers and the direction of the platinum group of Marikana, north of South Africa. Three days after the death of 34 miners killed by the police , the operator Lonmin has ordered workers to resume work on Monday. The British company said that minors have a "last chance to return to work or face a possible firing." An ultimatum that has angered miners, who earn an average of 400 euros per month and require a tripling of their salary. "I do not return to work.Where is the money? "Asks David Sikonyela, 52, minor Lesotho, taking cognizance of the ultimatum. "Are they going to turn as those in the hospital and the morgue?", Carried away his colleague Thapelo Modima, 46 years."Anyway, it's better to be thrown out because here we suffer. Our lives will not change. Lonmin cares about our well-being, so far they have refused to talk to us, they sent the police to kill us. " A total of 42 mine workers have died since the conflict began, eight were killed between 10 and 12 August in inter-union conflicts, and 34 were killed and 78 wounded by police Thursday. A Marikana, discreet religious services were held in the day. "Many people are afraid to be seen in coming together, even to come to church. We pay attention to what our service can not be considered a political rally or union, "told AFP a priest of the Pentecostal Church, under the guise of anonymity. Not far away, in the hospital of the mine, the families still in ignorance of the fate of a relative continued to come to inquire.

Jacob Zuma against criticism

Sunday, South African President Jacob Zuma has announced a week of mourning starting Monday in memory of the 44 victims of the platinum. "The nation is in shock and in grief," said the Head of State. "This week (...) we must unite against violence whatsoever. We must reaffirm our faith in peace, stability and order, and in building a cohesive society rid of crime and violence. " The Chair stated that the commemorative ceremonies held in the country would be held Thursday. A committee headed by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Police will travel Monday to mine Marikana to organize logistical support to the families of victims. President Zuma also announced the composition of the inter-ministerial commission to investigate the tragedy. One way to respond to his political opponents who accuse him of having been passive throughout the crisis. On Saturday, the former leader of the youth league of the ANC Julius Malema, who embodied the radical wing of the party before being expelled, went to the minors and spoke to them, refusing any form of police protection. He accused President Zuma of being responsible for the massacre and called to resign: "Zuma is not interested in minors. He came here last night (Friday) and he met white. He does not even know whether children are safe or not. "

Pakistan: Thirteen killed in attack drones


Thirteen people were killed in all the past 48 hours in northern Pakistan bordering Afghanistan during three raids using drones, authorities announced Sunday and witnesses. These attacks came as Pakistan celebrated Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Drone raids are a source of controversy in Pakistan, where many politicians speak out against what they see as a violation of national sovereignty. For the United States, engaged in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the drones are however an essential tool to combat terrorism. 

Assad appears in public again


Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday made one of his few public appearances to participate in a mosque in Damascus in the prayer of Eid ul-Fitr, the feast at the end of Ramadan, on a day when the mandate expires observers International UN Syria. The state media announced that Assad prayed in the mosque of Al Hamd, located in Al Muhajerin neighborhood, in Damascus, along with several senior state offices and Al Baath party. In that event, also attended by the Syrian Prime Minister, Wael al Halqi, the speaker of parliament, Mohammed Jihad al Laham, and Assistant Secretary of Al Baath ruling party, Abdullah al Ahmar. The images broadcast by state television showed the Syrian leader on the front row of tens responsible and listening Syrian citizens by the country's mufti, Ahmed Hasun, the imam's sermon. 
Change in command of the peace plan
The new international mediator for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, 78, replaces Kofi Annan in office, who resigned at the failure of his peace plan. This appointment was made one day after the Security Council ordered, on Thursday, the end of the UN observer mission in Syria, given the lack of agreement of the countries to end a conflict that continues to worsen. But the new United Nations envoy to the Arab League and Syria said they had little confidence that we can end the civil war in the Arab country. "I think I will put all my efforts, I will do as much as possible," he told France 24 television network. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon urged international support "strong, clear and unified" the Brahimi. In China, an ally of Damascus, and the United States, calling for the resignation of Bashar al-Assad also promised to support Brahimi. The head of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, did the same, given the "huge task that awaits." Russia has welcomed the appointment of Brahimi, hoping to resume the peace plan of Annan and the Geneva Accord, which proposed a political transition in the country. The rebels continue to demand, in addition to weapons, a no-fly zone as implemented in Libya, but the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said he was against the idea, in an interview to be published this Saturday on Sky News Arabia . Moscow is the strongest ally of the Syrian regime and used its veto power on three occasions, along with Beijing, against Security Council resolutions that included threats of sanctions against Damascus.

Japan-China clash on disputed islands

Skyrocketing tension between China and Japan around the archipelago disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu to the Chinese) in the South China Sea, while Beijing blows on anti-Japanese sentiments of the population, encouraging - rather than suppress as usual - protests in different cities. The last episode, in order of time, the tug of war that pits the two countries around seven uninhabited islands, but rich in fish and possible gas reserves, was the landing this morning a dozen activists Japanese island of Uotsuri, the largest of the archipelago, intending to climb on top and plant the flag of Japan to reaffirm its sovereignty. The group arrived at Senkaku with about twenty other boats carrying 140 people, including militants nationalists and Japanese politicians, challenged the police ban that Japan wanted to avoid further escalation in relations with China. That fact did not miss his immediate "strong protest". The Japanese ambassador in Beijing was immediately summoned to the Foreign Ministry and urged to "put an end to this action that threatens the national sovereignty of China," the Government said in a statement. Only last Wednesday had been 14 instead of Chinese activists to land on the same island to claim sovereignty over the archipelago in Beijing, administered by Japan but that China (and Taiwan) does not intend to give up control. Japanese police they had been arrested, and then release them and expel them in a matter of hours. Seven of them were welcomed yesterday at Hong Kong airport as heroes. Even today, anti-Japanese demonstrations were organized in at least eight cities in China. About a thousand people gathered in Shenzhen (in the south), waving Chinese flags and chanting slogans, as reported by the agency New China. In Guangzhou (south), more than 100 people are meeting near the Japanese consulate, shouting "Japan, get out of the Diaoyu Islands." Witnesses speak of similar events in Shanghai and Chengdu (southwest), where demonstrators have forced the Japanese stores to close. According to Japanese media, also in Shenzhen and Hangzhou (East), were damaged signs and folded Japanese vehicles. The events in China are usually dispersed quickly but - say analysts - this time the Chinese authorities appear to have a vested interest in fomentarle. "They use the paper popular support to put pressure on Japan," he told AFP Willy Lam, a sinologist at the University of Hong Kong. "The leadership of the Communist Party realized that nationalism is a double edged sword," he added, but "if they see that the protest is likely to intensify, then they will give the signal to stop it."

Bin Laden raid simulation in the U.S.

The raid to kill Osama bin Laden in his hideout in Pakistan and Abbottabbad 'now available to' all ': a former Navy Seal had the idea to recreate the operation in a study at a cost of $ 325 per person. Watch Larry, this is his name, has launched the "Navy Seals adventure", where weapons loaded with paintballs you can '' participate 'in the blitz, and kill the former number one of terrorism. "It's not 'just entertainment, self-defense training," said Watch.

32 people killed in plane crash in Sudan


A helicopter carrying a government delegation crashed on Sunday in southern Sudan during heavy rains and its 32 occupants were killed, including a cabinet minister, a former presidential adviser, two generals and a TV crew, the office reported the president. The delegation traveled aboard a chartered helicopter toward the volatile South Kordofan state to attend prayers on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The helicopter crashed "due to difficult weather conditions" near Talodi, a small town about 650 kilometers (406 miles) southwest of the capital Khartoum, state news agency SUNA. The aircraft crashed into a mountain just before landing in Talodi, while heavy rains in the region left the pilots with "zero visibility," said an official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. A rescue team arrived at the scene had difficulty identifying the victims, because many of the bodies were charred and dismembered, he said. The office of President Omar al-Bashir issued a list of 26 passengers and six crew members who perished. Sadeq al-Ghadi, Minister of Endowment and a former adviser to al-Bashir, Makki Balayela, were on the list, and the two generals and other officials. Four members of a team of Sudanese state television also died. Sudan has a poor aviation safety record, with many accidents when jets landing. In late 2010, a plane carrying 36 passengers crashed at landfall in the Darfur region in western Sudan, which killed two people.