Sci-fi towers rise in Hangzhou, simple border monitoring saving thousands from modern-day slavery (16/07/18)

Dream towers of Hangzhou

A partnership between Chinese and French firms is bringing a sci-fi dream to Hangzhou’s fabled West Lake in the form of the FrenchDreamTowers, a distillation of Chinese history, haute-couture, and nature. The firm XTU Architects is planning a complex of fluting towers straight out of the future, combining bio-façades with microalgae glass panels, aquaponic agricultural systems, and blockchain support-networks. It sounds exciting—let’s hope it will work as excitingly.

Maiti Nepal runs checkpoints to save women and children

Simple surveillance by activists is saving thousands of vulnerable Nepali women and children from being trafficked into modern-day slavery in India and beyond, but it remains a difficult struggle. Literacy remains the best shield against trafficking—currently only 44.5% of Nepalese women over the age of 15 can read or write.

Thai golfer wins first LPGA title

Thidapa “Junior” Suwannapura of Thailand won her first Ladies Professional Golf Association title at the Marathon Classic in Ohio, earning one of five places at this week’s Women’s British Open. 25-year-old “Junior” is only the 3rd Thai winner on the LPGA Tour.

Phuket rocked by Chinese cancellations

Thousands of Chinese tourists have cancelled their bookings for holidays in Phuket following the July 5 boat accident, when over 50 tourists drowned. Local tourism experts say the fallout of the tragic accident could end up costing the Phuket economy over 1.2 billion USD, highlighting the importance of the Chinese tourist market.