Capturing the Essence of Shaolin Monks Through Photography
CNN
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Editor’s Note: In Snap, we explore the impact of a single photograph, sharing stories of how contemporary and historical images are created.
A young Shaolin monk displays intense focus as he runs horizontally along a wall, with a touch of amazement on his face. Nearby, four other students at a martial arts school near the Shaolin Temple in China’s Henan province relax casually, seemingly oblivious to the gravity-defying feat above them. Their vibrant orange robes and Feiyue sneakers contrast against the earthy backdrop.
The swift movement at the center of the image is accentuated by the blurred figure in the background. A monk in a split-like stance showcases his agility.
Photographer Steve McCurry discussed the composition of the photo in a video call from his residence in Philadelphia, noting the juxtaposition of high-level action with the relaxed demeanor of the other boys.
This image is part of Magnum’s Square Print Sale, concluding on May 5, featuring works by various photographers. McCurry captured this moment in 2004 during his global travels to document different Buddhist practices, despite not identifying as a Buddhist himself.
The Shaolin Temple, established in AD 495 on Mount Song, is renowned for Chan Buddhism. Initially, the temple’s warrior monks utilized martial arts for self-defense against bandits, eventually intertwining physical training with spiritual enlightenment.
Shaolin kung fu, popularized through movies, showcases the monks’ athletic prowess. Films like “The Shaolin Temple” from 1982, starring Jet Li and filmed on-site, reignited interest in the monastery. By 2004, numerous martial arts schools had emerged near the temple.
McCurry reflected on the monks’ performances and training, marveling at their physical abilities.
Following his graduation from Pennsylvania State University, McCurry kickstarted his photography career at a local newspaper before venturing globally to capture images in remote and perilous locations.
His pivotal moment came when he crossed into Afghanistan from Pakistan in 1979, just prior to the Soviet invasion, propelling his career forward.
Steve McCurry: A Legendary Photographer
Steve McCurry, a renowned photographer, risked his life to capture some of the earliest images of the Afghan conflict, where over 500,000 Afghans lost their lives and millions were displaced. He ingeniously concealed film in his clothing to smuggle it out, providing the world with a glimpse of the devastation.
The Iconic “Afghan Girl” Photograph
One of McCurry’s most famous works is the 1984 photograph of the “Afghan girl,” a 12-year-old refugee with striking green eyes in Peshawar, Pakistan. This image graced the cover of National Geographic magazine in June 1985, solidifying McCurry’s position as a legendary photographer.
A Diverse Portfolio
Throughout his 50-year career, McCurry, now 74, has traveled extensively, capturing a wide range of subjects from animals to festivals, worshippers to fighters, and conflicts to catastrophes in countries like Niger and India. His ability to juxtapose ancient traditions with modern life and highlight the beauty in strangers sets him apart as a visual storyteller.
Controversy and Ethical Debates
In 2016, McCurry faced criticism when it was revealed that one of his exhibition photos had been digitally altered. Despite his initial explanation of the incident occurring in his absence, more manipulated images surfaced, sparking a debate on the ethics of photojournalism.
Responding to the allegations, McCurry clarified that while he had briefly worked for a local newspaper in Pennsylvania, he primarily operated as a freelancer, delving into various assignments, including advertising campaigns. He acknowledged the shift of his work towards fine art and emphasized his role as a visual storyteller.
Recognizing the confusion surrounding his identity as a photojournalist, McCurry pledged to limit his use of Photoshop, especially in personal projects, to maintain transparency in his work.
‘Going Back Again and Again’
Prior to capturing the iconic image of a wall-running monk, McCurry had visited the Shaolin Temple two decades earlier, noting a significant transformation in the area. What was once a quiet space with bicycles and people in Mao suits had evolved into a bustling hub of kung fu enthusiasts inspired by movies.
During his return visit, McCurry observed the commercialization of the region, with thousands of Chinese individuals, predominantly males, engaging in kung fu training at numerous schools. He gained access to one of the academies, spending time with the monks as they practiced acrobatics and went about their daily routines.
The Inspiring Journey of Young Monks
During a casual meal with McCurry at a local noodle joint, a group of young monks shared their aspirations of securing jobs in security services, performance troupes, and the entertainment industry. McCurry described them as ordinary kids with an extraordinary level of dedication and seriousness towards their practice.
Intense Training Regimes
McCurry documented the monks’ rigorous training routines, capturing moments of them hanging upside down by their feet while maintaining a calm prayer pose with their hands.
The Art of Photography
Seeking the perfect combination of variables such as subject, angle, light, and background, McCurry observed the monks as they honed their skills. He emphasized the importance of patience and persistence in capturing the essence of their movements through photography.
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
McCurry’s dedication and hard work paid off when he captured a striking image of a monk running along a wall. Describing the final shot as emotionally evocative, he noted how it elicits either a smile or a sense of awe from viewers, showcasing the physical prowess of these young individuals.
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Capturing the Grace and Strength of Shaolin Monks: Steve McCurry’s Stunning Photography
Hamas Accepts Ceasefire and Refugee Return Plan: Negotiations Focus on Cessation of Hostilities
“Hamas accepts refugee return plan… Talks likely to focus on cessation of hostilities.”
There are also observations of a ‘tense war’ over details such as the number of hostages to be released.
Netanyahu’s ‘fishing ground’ is also a variable… He criticized Hamas for threatening to attack Rafah and disrupting talks
Blinken: Hamas postpones ceasefire… We cannot support the Rafah offensive without measures to protect civilians.
Refugees receive food rations in Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, Palestine
[AP 연합뉴스 자료사진. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Correspondent Hwang Cheol-hwan = The armed Palestinian political faction Hamas, which accepted the new ceasefire proposal offered by Israel, returned to the negotiating table after five days, expressing a positive atmosphere towards the negotiation plan, end Gaza. a war that had been futile for about five months.
Hamas issued a statement on the 3rd (local time) and announced that it had decided to send a delegation again to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on the 4th, which is the mediator in the negotiations.
Hamas said, “We emphasize that the leadership has positively reviewed the ceasefire proposal that was recently accepted,” and added, “We will go to Cairo with the same positive attitude to reach an agreement.”
Previously, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political department, told Egypt’s Director of National Intelligence (GNI) Abbas Kamel the day before that he was reviewing a new ceasefire agreement with a ‘positive stance’.
Meanwhile, news came that William Burns, the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), had also arrived in Cairo that day, raising speculation that the ceasefire talks could have achieved notable results.
In relation to this, Reuters reported that US government officials believe that some progress has been made in negotiations for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of hostages.
Axios, an American internet media outlet, cited several sources that indicated that Director Burns intends to cooperate with the Egyptian side to secure a ceasefire, adding, “This suggests that the Joe Biden administration views the current moment as a very important point in discussions.” All.
William Burns, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), paid a courtesy call on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (right)
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Israel presented a new ceasefire agreement to Hamas through Egypt on the 26th of last month.
Although the full text has not been made public, 33 hostages, including women, the elderly, and the sick, kidnapped by Hamas in its surprise attack on Israel on October 7 last year, were exchanged for 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and a ceasefire was reached. included for about 40 days It is known to contain content.
In particular, it is worth noting that Israel, which had so far rejected a permanent ceasefire, saying it would destroy Hamas, took a step back and left room for compromise, saying it could discuss ‘restoring sustainable calm’ . Global media reported that once a ceasefire has been reached, further negotiations regarding a permanent ceasefire will begin.
Russia’s TASS news agency cited Saudi Arabia’s Al Hadas media outlet as reporting that Hamas has received a second phase plan related to the return of refugees currently concentrated in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and that the meeting to be held soon happens. focusing primarily on the cessation of hostilities within the Gaza Strip It was said that related conditions would be discussed.
Although it appears that the negotiations are progressing smoothly so far, it is noted that once negotiations regarding details begin, the possibility that difficulties will continue for a considerable period of time cannot be ruled out, such as the front.
Israel relaxed its demands to 33 from the point of view that at least 40 hostages should be released, but Axios predicted that a tug of war could break out as Hamas maintained that it could not release more than 20 hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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According to the TASS news agency, Israel’s public KAN radio, citing a Palestinian source, said that the Hamas negotiating delegation due to arrive in Cairo on the 4th will not make a clear statement regarding the plan to initiate a temporary ceasefire along with the exchange of hostages. and the prisoners did.
Israeli officials said that when it comes to determining a permanent truce, which is an issue on which the two sides have been bitterly opposed, there are indications that Hamas will agree to discuss related issues under a temporary truce after exchanges hostages and prisoners without them. receive confirmation in advance of the end of the war.
However, it is still a variable as to what movements the extreme right-wing forces in Israel, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has adhered to the doctrine of war, will make.
“The question is whether Prime Minister Netanyahu will want to pay a price and reach an agreement to release the hostages,” said one Israeli official.
Hossam Badran, a senior Hamas figure, also claimed in a phone interview with AFP that day that Prime Minister Netanyahu was trying to stall the talks by repeatedly stressing his intention to attack Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip. even as negotiations are imminent.
He criticized, “It has become clear that Prime Minister Netanyahu blocked all previous talks and continues to do so.”
The international community, including the United States, is persuading an attack, saying that if a ground battle takes place in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, where there are 1.5 million people, the majority of the total population of 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip, taking refuge, there will be large-scale casualties and the humanitarian crisis will deepen.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu, paying attention to this, did not break his will to move forward on Rafah, saying in a recent meeting with the families of hostages who oppose the ceasefire, “Whether (the ceasefire talks ) ended or not, we will enter Rafah and wipe out all the Hamas armies.” it is.
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken expressed his perception that Hamas was delaying the end of the ceasefire talks in a forum held by the McCain Institute think tank in Arizona on the night of the 3rd, AFP news agency reported.
“We’re waiting to see if they actually say ‘yes’ to the ceasefire and the release of the hostages,” Blinken said “The bottom line right now is that the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and the ceasefire is Hamas. ” “That,” he said.
He went on to say that Israel, which plans to attack Rafah, has not introduced measures to protect civilians, adding, “Without such a plan, we cannot support a large-scale military operation against Rafah that would go beyond acceptable levels.”
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Hamas Accepts Ceasefire and Refugee Return Plan: Negotiations Focus on Cessation of Hostilities
In the midst of the confrontation with the US, Huawei strengthens its presence in Argentina and prepares to launch new products
Napoleon, military genius and visionary, said of China, “…it is a sleeping giant. Let him sleep, because when he wakes up, the world will shake.” He maintained it in 1816 and current times prove him right.
In this context of struggle to lead the fourth industrial revolution that Humanity is going through, The United States has the primacy of the most advanced technological knowledge thanks to the power of its innovative companies that attract constant flows of investments.
But China is not far behind and its companies, sponsored by the omnipresent Chinese Communist Party, generate innovations that astonish several US congressmen who miss the iron hand of Donald Trump and they blame Joe Biden due to the advances of Asian companies that have accessed North American components despite the restrictions imposed in the past on global companies like Huawei.
The United States and China currently have several open fronts. One of them deals with the current technological and commercial conflict. China needs advanced machinery to create chips, and the United States prohibits its companies from selling them the components. However, China manages to make up for that lack and has begun to create components that are puzzling American analysts.
In August 2023, Huawei launched cell phones with 5G, Huawei Mate 60 Pro, with a 7 nanometer lithography. When the United States announced the veto of Huawei, one of the largest technology companies in Asia, to harm the country’s industrial capacity, they made sure that they could not obtain the most advanced manufacturing processes in the area of semiconductors.
It was estimated that Chinese companies could make chips in 14 nanometers at most, But nothing more. However, somehow, The HiSilicon Kirin 9000s of the Huawei Mate 60 is built in 7 nanometers.
Nanometers are a unit of measurement, which is equivalent to one billionth of a meter, the symbol for the nanometer is nm and processors are built on that miniature scale, so The so-called “nanometer race” is one of the most important races taking place in the world of processors, In addition, other skills such as artificial intelligence or clock frequency. The latest generation of mobile chips, for example, is built using five-nanometer processes.
The fight between the United States and Huawei is not limited only to this area but also The Chinese company is known for its hardware solutions in the field of laptops. And it is this area where the controversy has arisen again. Reuters echoes thehe criticism that Joe Biden’s Government has received for allowing Huawei to present a laptop powered by an Intel AI chip.
In this context of secret war between the administrations of Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, The Huawei company is about to carry out an innovative launch on May 7 in Dubai and considered an Argentine company as one of its main partners worldwide.
The Argentine company Tecnoredspecialized in building networks and added value for telecommunications, was awarded by Huawei as VAP Partner of the Yearthus consolidating a relationship that began in 2020. It is the second time that the company based in Córdoba receives this recognition, since in 2021 it certified as Value Added Partner (VAP Partner), the highest category for an integrator.
Consulted by NA, Juan Domínguez, president of Tecnoredhe claimed: “As a value-added partner of Huawei, I can say that in all these years we have acted with the business values that we have always maintained in our organization since its foundation: integrity, professionalism and assuming the responsibilities that each case requires.”
The countdown has begun towards May 7, when Huawei will be ready to write a new page of technological advance that will not be free of controversy with the United States of America.
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