Georgia Asian Times September 1-15, 2017

Covering The Multicultural Asian American Community in Georgia

www.gasiantimes.com Sept 1-15, 2017

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival draws record teams and audience

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September 1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

Georgia Asian Times September 1-15, 2017

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

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Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival-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 2017 JapanFest Date: Sat-Sunday, Sept 16-17, 2017 Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm; 10:00 am5:00 pm Venue: Infinte Energy Center For more info: www.japanfest.org 13th Atlanta Asian Film Festival Date: Oct 13-28, 2017 Venues: Georgia State University-Dunwoody, Georgia Gwinnett College For more info: www.ATLaff.org

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September 1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

METRO ASIAN NEWS MARTA’s Keith Parker to step down and accept new role with Goodwill North Georgia

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival draws record teams and audience Gainesville, Sept 10, 2017 — The 2017 Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival attracted 80 teams to compete in the annual autumn festival held at Olympic Kayaking venue at Lake Lanier.

The festival started early with a ceremonial blessing of the dragon boats fleet by Buddhist monks. It followed with preliminary races by teams in various categories ranging from various corporate teams, high school, collegiate, cancer survivors, and racing teams.

Organizers welcome Ms. Joanne Chu, the new Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, who is the presenting sponsor of the festival since its inception.

“I am proud with the outcome of this year festival in spite of the threat of Hurricane Irma. Despite strong winds at the venue, everyone enjoyed themselves and had fun participating in the races,” said Gene Hanratty, chief organizer of the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

“In my opinion, it remains the single best event for promoting teamwork in corporate work environment,” adds Hanratty in his remarks.

Organizers of the festival also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong’s handover to People’s Republic of China with a celebratory cake.

There were several last minute cancellation by committed teams from Florida due to Hurricane Irma.

The opening ceremony at noon was a spectacular colorful cultural event featuring live performances by various Asian performing groups. Mr. Vince Bailey, master of ceremony, delivers an informative hour-long opening ceremony with cultural and historical facts.

Lucky audiences win prizes raffled away by HiSense, Delta Airlines, and Cricket Wireless at the ceremony.

Ms. Lani Wong, Chairman of National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA), sponsored a brand new dragon boat to the organizer at the ceremony.

“NACA is proud to sponsor the new boat as it is important to promote the heritage of dragon boat racing to the community. We are happy to continue our support as it is an important event in the cultural calendar,” said Lani Wong.

On the festival ground, visitors were able to sample various ethnic food vendors featuring authentic Asian cooking.

Officials results from the 22nd Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival are available online at www.DragonBoatAtlanta.com

Atlanta, Sept 5, 2017 — General Manager and CEO Keith Parker announced that he will step down after nearly five years of service, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced today.

Parker will join Goodwill of North Georgia, which provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs, as president and CEO this fall.

Led by MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe, the Board will vote to approve an interim general manager in an upcoming session and will launch a national search for a permanent chief executive.

“We are deeply grateful for his stewardship and proud of the many strides we made as an agency during his tenure, said Chairman Ashe. “As chief executive, Parker helped to usher in a new day for MARTA’s customer service, fiscal responsibility, and service expansion. He leaves MARTA stronger and healthier than ever before.”

Separately, after a rigorous nationwide search, the Authority named veteran transit executive Arthur “Rob” Troupe—a former HNTB and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) executive— deputy general manager. Starting September 18, Troupe will report to the interim general manager, both of whom will work directly with Parker throughout his remaining tenure to ensure a seamless transition.

“With three decades of progressive experience, Troupe joins an exceptional executive leadership team,” said Parker. “This is an exciting new chapter for MARTA and I am confident that he will play an important role in the agency’s future.”

Parker joined the nation’s ninth largest transit system as its General Manager and Chief Executive Officer in December 2012. With an annual budget of nearly $1 billion, MARTA provides more than 400,000 passen-

ger trips a day through heavy rail, bus and paratransit services. Since taking the helm, Parker has worked with MARTA’s Board of Directors to balance the Authority’s budget, improve efficiencies, increase bus and rail service, and enhance the overall customer experience. Once on a path to insolvency, the Authority now boasts cash reserves topping $240 million.

Then too, MARTA remains the safest mode of transportation across the region and ranks second among multi-modal transit agencies nationally. During his tenure, Parker spearheaded the Authority’s reinvigorated focus on transit oriented developments while enhancing the ridership experience through our partnership with Soccer in the Streets, as well as launching Fresh MARTA Markets and Artbound – the transit system’s newly launched program aimed at aesthetically enhancing the rail system.

“In the wake of the I-85 bridge collapse, the MARTA family stepped up,” Parker said. “From rail operators to customer service personnel, we could not have asked for a more capable, dedicated and passionate team of professionals.”

In 2016, City of Atlanta residents overwhelmingly supported a MARTA ballot measure that will generate an estimated $2.5 billion over the next 40 years for high-capacity rail improvements, new infill rail stations, expanded bus routes and other services. In 2015, MARTA extended service into Clayton County.

“MARTA’s future is bright, its leadership is strong and the Authority is devoted to delivering best-in-class multimodal transit services that connect communities, advance equity and promote prosperity across the region,” Chairman Ashe said. “What we have been able to achieve of the last four and a half years has been a collective effort reflective of the dedication of the entire MARTA family.”

Georgia Asian Times September 1-15, 2017

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September 1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

BUSINESS

U.S. suspends discussion of ending South Korea trade deal: official Washington DC, Sept 6, 2017 – The White House has set aside for now consideration of terminating the U.S. trade agreement with South Korea, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump had been discussing with his senior advisers ending the trade deal out of concern that it was tilted against the United States.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was possible the deal could yet be terminated, but that there were no immediate plans to do so.

“It’s not dead. It could come back. It might not,” the official said.

Trump needs the assistance of South Korea as he tries to resolve a crisis over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs after a sixth nuclear test by Pyongyang this week.

Some Trump advisers had been urging the president to stick with the current trade agreement to avoid straining relations with a key U.S. ally in Asia.

The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), hammered out by Trump’s Democratic predecessor President Barack

Obama, has been a frequent target for Trump, who in earlier interviews with Reuters threatened to withdraw from what he called an unequal deal in which Washington runs a goods trade deficit of almost $28 billion with Seoul.

“It is very much on my mind,” Trump said in Houston on Saturday when asked if he is talking to advisers and whether he would do something about the pact this week.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest U.S. business lobby, had urged member companies to have senior executives call the White House and other administration officials to tell them not to proceed, and to enlist Republican governors in the effort.

Trump agreed to renegotiate terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but on Aug. 27 renewed his threat to scrap the 23-year-old trade pact, even as U.S., Canadian and Mexican trade negotiators were preparing for this weekend’s second round of talks in Mexico City.- Reuters

Apple’s new iPhone could face supply shortfalls after launch: WSJ San Jose, Sept 7, 2017 — Apple Inc’s new iPhone had hit production glitches early in its manufacturing process and could lead to supply shortfalls and shipping delays following its launch next week, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The production glitches pushed the manufacturing process back by about a month, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fans and investors are eagerly looking forward to the 10th anniversary iPhone 8 to see whether it will deliver enough new features to spark a new generation to turn to Apple.

The company is widely tipped to adopt higher-resolution OLED displays for the latest iPhone, along with better touchscreen technology and wireless charging – which could come with a $1,000 plus price tag. – Reuters

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September 1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

BUSINESS

Amazon scouts for second headquarters with $5 billion price tag Seattle, Sept 7, 2017 — Amazon.com Inc. said on Thursday it would build a $5 billion second headquarters in North America, kicking off a competition between cities and states to offer incentives and tax cuts that could bring 50,000 new jobs.

The largest e-commerce company said it intended to create a headquarters that would be as important as its Seattle base. It wants a city of more than a million people with an international airport, good education and mass transit.

Incentives from land to fee cuts to relocation packages will be a major part of the decision, Amazon said, and local governments have shown they will go to great lengths to secure jobs and investment.

Wisconsin’s legislature recently voted to give Taiwanese manufacturer a $3-billion incentive package to build a $10-billion liquid crystal display factory in the state, for example.

Amazon’s investment plan also gives it new leverage with politicians at a time when President Donald Trump has criticized the company as doing “great damage” to retailers, costing jobs in cities and states. The Wisconsin Foxconn factory will be in the home district of Paul Ryan, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Amazon said it was seeking proposals by Oct. 19 and would select the location next year.

More than 50 cities have the 1-million population Amazon targets. Likely contenders could include U.S. Midwest states, where Amazon has many of its warehouses; Texas, which is the base of the Whole Foods Market grocery chain it acquired this year; and other business-friendly states.

Amazon has been awarded 70 state and local subsidies, totaling at least $732.79 million in value since 2000, according to nonprofit Good Jobs First, which advocates for transparency on government subsidies. Texas leads the

way with the value of subsidies to Amazon, followed by Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois, it said.

“I would be suspicious of any claim that one new Amazon job creates a rippled effect of one indirect job,” said Greg LeRoy, executive director of watchdog Good Jobs First.

LeRoy, who has written critically of Amazon, said the reality of moving a headquarters has more to do with the executive talent pool, the amenities, schools, housing stock and quality of life, rather than municipal finance incentives.

Amazon’s shares were up 1 percent at $978 on Thursday.

SPRAWLING SEATTLE CAMPUS Amazon pointed to its expansion in Seattle as a sign of what it could do. Its workforce has exploded to more than 380,000 from under 25,000 since it moved to downtown Seattle in 2010, as it rapidly expanded to become a global retailer – selling everything from groceries to appliances.

The company’s total revenue has grown to $136 billion at the end of last year from $34 billion in 2010.

Amazon recently snatched up Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion.

The project would initially need more than 500,000 square feet and up to 8 million square feet beyond 2027, Amazon said.

“We want to find a city that is excited to work with us and where our customers, employees, and the community can all benefit,” Amazon said.

Amazon expects the new headquarters to be a “full equal” to its Seattle office, Chief Executive Jeff Bezos said in a statement.

The Seattle campus is spread across 8.1 million square feet in 33 buildings and employs more than 40,000 people.

Incentives for Amazon’s new headquarters could make sense as a longterm investment that could change the image of a metropolitan area, said Michael Mandel, chief economic strategist for the Progressive Policy Institute, a liberal think tank.

“The question is, how much of a tax break would you have given to have Apple set up shop in your state? It’s not so much the jobs as becoming a focal point for growth. No one can put a price tag on that.” – Reuters

Georgia Asian Times September 1-15, 2017

EVENTS

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Sept 9, 2017 Lake Lanier, Gainesville

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EVENTS

September 1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Sept 9, 2017 Lake Lanier, Gainesville

Georgia Asian Times Sept 1-15, 2017

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ART

Tattoo ink can seep deep into the body, says study Microscopic particles from tattoo ink can migrate into the body and wind up in lymph nodes, crucial hubs of the human immune system, a study revealed Tuesday.

The tiny particles — measuring a few millionths to a few billionths of a centimetre — include molecules from preservatives and contaminants such as nickel, chromium, manganese and cobalt, researchers reported in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports.

Tattoo colouring is composed of various organic and inorganic pigments, and can be contaminated with toxic impurities.

Besides carbon black, the second most common ingredient used in tatoo inks is titanium dioxide, a white pig-

ment also used in food additives, sun screens and paints.

The chemical has been associated with delayed healing, itching and skin irritation.

“When someone wants to get a tattoo, they are often vary careful in choosing a parlour where they use sterile needles,” said co-author Hiram Castillo, a researcher at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France.

to identify particles in the skin and the lymph nodes, which are located in the neck, under the arms and along the crease between the thighs and the abdomen.

Only the tiniest, nano-scale particles made it into the lymph nodes.

The researchers also used a technique called Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to assess changes in tissue near tattoo particles at the molecular level.

“No one checks the chemical composition of the colors, but our study shows that maybe they should.”

They reported “strong evidence” for both the migration and long-term deposit of toxic elements in the body.

Scientists in Grenoble, joined by colleagues at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin, used X-ray fluorescence measurements

Now that their presence has been established, the next step is to look for evidence of adverse effects, including inflammation, they said.

Once a rarity outside of marginal communities, tattoos have become mainstream fashion accessories in recent years.

By one estimate, some 40% of millennials in the United States have at least one tat, hidden or on display.

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Georgia Asian Times

LIFESTYLE

How loneliness and social isolation can impact longevity

More research points to exercise as a ‘magic pill’ for healthy aging New York, Sept 12 — Most of us would like a magic pill that guarantees good health, especially as we age. Although there is nothing quite so easy as that, new research once again suggests that exercise is the best way to maintain good physical health as we grow older, and adding even less than an hour a week can make a difference.

Carried out by Roger Fielding at Tufts University along with colleagues from eight field sites across the USA, the new research from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study followed 1,635 men and women age 70-89 for an average of 2.6 years.

All of the participants had low levels of physical functioning at the beginning of the study, reporting that they engaged in less than 20 minutes per week of regular physical activity in the month before it started.

Half of the participants were then randomly assigned to a programme of walking and walking-based strength, flexibility and balance training, while the other half participated in health education workshops.

The researchers found that the more exercise the people did, the better their physical function.

In addition, those who participated in at least 48 minutes of physical activity a week benefited from the biggest improvement in their physical functioning, and the biggest reduction in their disability risk.

The results are significant as physical inactivity that often increases with ageing puts seniors at an increased risk of illness, hospitalisation and disability.

“These are people who want to live healthy, independent lives and are at risk for losing that,” said Fielding commenting on the results, “In our first study, we confirmed that physical activity can help prevent mobility loss.

Now we see that small increases can have big impacts.”

“Regular physical exercise can bring a host of health benefits to older adults and the benefits often outnumber the risks,” Fielding continued, “If we want to reduce muscle loss, functional decline, and loss of independence as we age, we need to keep people moving.”

The results can be found published in the journal PLOS ONE.

WAashinton DC, Aug 9, 2017 — The growing phenomenon of loneliness, which international experts have described as a global epidemic, may be responsible for as many deaths as obesity, according to the results of two meta-analyses presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Washington.

To examine the impact of social isolation and solitude on the risk of premature mortality, researchers conducted an initial meta-analysis of 148 studies that involved 300,000 participants.

The results confirmed the longevity benefits of a rich social life: A greater social connection is associated with a 50 per cent reduction in the risk of premature mortality.

A second meta-analysis that brought together data from 70 studies involving some 3.4 million individuals, mainly in North America, but also in Europe, Asia and Australia, highlighted the same conclusions and drew attention to a major cause for concern: Social isolation and solitude constitute risk factors that are at least as significant as others that have been previously identified, like obesity.

“With an increasing ageing population, the effect on public health [of social isolation] is only anticipated to increase,” explains the lead author of the analysis, Dr Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University, Utah.

Physical impact of loneliness Previous studies have shown that social isolation is not good for the heart or arteries. In 2016, researchers at the University of York in England found

that people living alone faced a 29 per cent greater risk of heart attack and angina, and a 32 per cent greater risk of stroke.

Researchers have demonstrated that loneliness has an impact on lifestyle including on high blood pressure, high cholesterol counts, and diabetes. People who live alone tend to exercise less, smoke more, and eat a less well-balanced diet.

Family, friends and the workplace Social involvement in activities, like in the pursuit of hobbies or spending time with family and friends, is one of the keys to good health and psychological well-being.

The researchers recommended that people should prepare for retirement socially as well as financially, as for many people, the workplace is their biggest source of companionship.

In the United States, the most recent census found that more than a quarter of the population lives alone.

In France, a 2016 study conducted

by Crédoc for the Fondation de France found that social isolation affects one person in 10.

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SPORTS

2018 World Cup tickets to go on sale from Thursday, says Fifa Zurich, Sept 12, 2017 — Tickets for the 2018 football World Cup in Russia go on sale from Thursday, the sport’s global governing body (Fifa) has said.

Tickets will be sold in two phases, the first of which has an application period which runs from September 14 to October 12. Fans can apply for individual match tickets, tickets for a specific venue or ticket strips to follow the national team of their choice in this phase.

Applications for tickets can only be made on the Fifa website (www.fifa. com/tickets) and anyone who applies during the first phase of sales will be informed of the success or failure of their applications by November 16.

The first phase then concludes with a period between November 16 and November 28 during which tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We have put in place a ticketing system that will enable all fans a fair chance to secure tickets,” Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura said in a statement.

The second phase of ticket sales has also been split into two periods. The first runs from December 5, 2017 to January 31, 2018, with allocations in this period to be decided by a random selection draw.

From March 13 to April 3, tickets will be available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

There will also be a “last-minute” sales phase from April 18 to July 15, the day of the World Cup final, which will also be implemented on a firstcome, first-served basis.

All fans attending matches at the World Cup will also need to apply for a FAN ID, a free official identity document required by the Russian authorities.

The FAN ID includes benefits such as visa-free entry to the Russian Federation, as well as free use of public transport on matchdays. — Reuters

Manchester United has another fan in high places: Kim Jong-un London, Sept 12, 2017 — Everyone loves a little footy — even if you’re a dictator with a trigger-happy nuclear finger.

Apparently, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a devoted fan of Manchester United, or so claims UK tabloid, The Sun. (It makes one wonder if Kim’s slick short back and sides do is inspired by star striker Paul Pogba’s latest haircut.)

In an interview, Italian senator Antonio Razzi, who is said to be close to Kim, revealed that Kim never misses a major Premier League game and that he is a die-hard supporter of the Red Devils.

Perhaps players should start watching their backs lest he takes a leaf out of his father Kim Jong-nam’s playbook when it came to film directors and decide to ‘invite’ a few players back to North Korea for an extended contract with the national team.

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September 1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

SPORTS Accepting 2028 Olympics a ‘no-brainer’ for LA Lima, Sept 12, 2017 — Los Angeles 2028 chiefs say that giving up their challenge for the 2024 Games became a no-brainer after securing a package of financial sweeteners that means the city will get an Olympic boost years before they stage the extravaganza.

Tomorrow, in Lima, the International Olympic Committee will make history with an unprecedented double award that sees the 2024 Games go to Paris while Los Angeles is handed 2028.

Legend Bryant unveils NBA China academy plans Shanghai, Sept 12, 2017 — Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant announced plans today for China’s first NBA basketball school, a development the 18-time All-Star says will improve the game in the country.

The NBA Basketball School-Mission Hills Haikou will be open to male and female players from junior up to professional level after its completion in 2019 and could help unearth the next Chinese basketball star.

Along with football, basketball is the most popular sport in China and Bryant said the new facility — construction begins later this year — will be a boon to the Chinese game.

“The Chinese youth will benefit from a complete approach to player development that combines NBA-quality coaching with NBA-level training,” said the retired five-time NBA champion.

“I believe this partnership will lift the game of basketball to a higher level in China.”

The 39-year-old was in the city of Haikou, on the southern Chinese island of Hainan, to unveil the project.

Mission Hills Group will design and build the school and its six indoor courts, but it will be operated by NBA China.

The NBA already has three training academies in China for top male and female prospects.

NBA China chief executive David Shoemaker said in a Mission Hills press statement: “This groundbreaking NBA Basketball School in Haikou further builds upon our commitment to developing young basketball talent in China.

“We are delighted that Mission Hills Group shares our vision and are thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the government’s pledge to grow a sporting culture in Hainan Province.”

Hainan, sometimes referred to as China’s equivalent of Hawaii, already hosts a Barcelona football academy, also in partnership with Mission Hills.

Los Angeles agreed to step aside for Paris after thrashing out a series of perks, some of which will be felt almost immediately.

These include a financial guarantee from the IOC which is US$100 million higher than will be awarded to Paris in 2024, with Los Angeles receiving US$1.8 billion compared to Paris’s US$1.7 billion.

Los Angeles will also receive an immediate, interest-free advance of US$180 million to help finance the costs of the organising committee for an additional four years. As much as US$160 million of that money could be pumped into youth sports throughout Los Angeles, helping to lay the foundations of an Olympic legacy more than decade before the Games take place.

Finally the IOC will give up its share of any surplus arising from the Games, projected to be as much as US$500 million.

Normally the IOC takes a 20 per cent cut of the surplus; for 2028 the organisation has waived its share, potentially handing Los Angeles an additional US$100 million.

Los Angeles has also obtained the right to exploit Olympic symbols for longer than usual, another factor that is likely to allow it to maximise revenues. Usually host city marketing programs start around five years before the Games, as will be the case with

Paris, beginning in 2019. However Los Angeles will be able to start in 2021.

‘No-brainer’ “If these terms were presented to me today and I could choose between 2024 and 2028 with the terms we have, I would be derelict in my duty not to choose 2028,” said Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti in Lima this week.

“What we can do is begin to deliver our legacy next year, instead of waiting until the year after the 2024 Olympics.

To give my people eight years earlier, access to sports, young people in impoverished neighbourhoods access to sports — that’s a no-brainer for me.”

The longer lead time also means the likelihood of overruns is minimised.

By accepting 2028, Los Angeles, which has a bid based almost entirely on existing or temporary facilities, will have more time to ensure that venues are fully operational, said Patrick Rishe, the director of the sports business programme at Washington University in St Louis.

“They played their cards extremely well, especially when you consider that if it had gone to a vote Paris probably would have won,” Rishe said.

Some have even wondered whether Los Angeles could have extracted a more generous package from the IOC. Los Angeles bid chief Casey Wasserman brushed off that point of view when speaking to reporters in Lima this week.

“When the double award became clear, the opportunity to provide certainty out of a situation that never provides it was truly unique. The result we delivered economically, and with certainty, is unprecedented in Olympic history. We’re proud to take advantage of that.”

Georgia Asian Times September 1-15, 2017

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HEALTH Whole grains could help decrease colorectal cancer risk Carried out by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), the research is the first from the two organizations to independently link whole grains to a lower risk of colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer among both men and women in the USA. For the report the team analyzed 99 studies carried out across the world which included data on 29 million people.

Other factors that were found to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer included consuming processed meats regularly, such as hot dogs and bacon, eating large amounts of red meat such as beef or pork (more than 500 grams cooked weight a week), drinking two or more daily alcoholic drinks (30 grams of alcohol), and being overweight or obese.

They found that around three servings of whole grains daily, equal to around 90g, reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 17%.

such as oranges, strawberries and spinach, although the evidence that a low intake of non-starchy vegetables and fruit increases the risk was limited.

The results also suggested that other aspects of a healthy diet could potentially lower the risk of colorectal cancer, however the associations were not as clear.

Consuming less than 100 grams per day (about a cup) of each did appear to increase the risk however.

Although the research is still emerging, Alice Bender, MS, RDN, AICR Director of Nutrition Programs, did comment that the evidence points to the benefits of a plant-based diet.

There was also strong evidence that physical activity can also have a protective effect against when compared to those who do very little physical activity.

“Replacing some of your refined grains with whole grains and eating mostly plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables and beans, will give you a diet packed with cancer-protective

The team found that a lower risk of colorectal cancer was linked to both fish and foods containing vitamin C,

compounds and help you manage your weight, which is so important to lower risk.”

“When it comes to cancer there are no guarantees, but it’s clear now there are choices you can make and steps you can take to lower your risk of colorectal and other cancers.”

AICR estimates that 47% of US colorectal cancer cases could be prevented each year through healthy lifestyle changes.

The report can be found online and is part of the Continuous Update Project (CUP), which monitors and analyzes research on cancer prevention from around the world and draws conclusions on how weight, diet and physical activity can reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Smoking changes lung cells, primes them to develop cancer Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke can change lung cells over time, making them more vulnerable to disease and priming them to develop cancer, US researchers said Monday.

developing lung cancer,” said senior author Stephen Baylin, co-director of the Cancer Biology program Johns Hopkins University.

The report in the journal Cancer Cell is based on lab experiments on lung cells that were exposed to chronic cigarette smoke — the equivalent of a person smoking for 20 to 30 years.

“Because if you’re not a smoker, your risk of lung cancer is very low.”

After about 10 days, the cells began to change their gene expression, a process known as epigenetic change.

It took 10 months before these changes built up enough to boost the

odds of cancer.

“When you’re smoking, you are building up a substrate of epigenetic changes that we hypothesize are increasing your mathematics for

These epigenetic abnormalities essentially turn off multiple genes which are needed to help protect normal cells from developing cancer.

Epigenetic changes do not alter, or mutate, the basic DNA sequence of the

gene, suggesting that there is hope for people who want to quit smoking.

“This work suggests the possibility that unlike mutations, which are harder to reverse, if you stop smoking at a certain time and duration, then you have a chance to decrease your mathematics that might be due to the buildup of epigenetic changes,” said first author Michelle Vaz, a postdoctoral researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“The hypothesis is that there are potentially reversible changes that are contributing to a certain set of lung cancers.”

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Misc Asia Later bedtimes and lack of sleep linked to higher BMI in Chinese children Beijing, Sept 7, 2017 — New research has found that Chinese children who go to bed later and sleep less are more likely to be overweight, adding to the body of evidence that suggests a shorter sleep duration is linked to a higher risk of obesity in children.

clinically important and could lead to significant health changes.

The results also suggested that going to bed later may still increase the risk of obesity even if children are getting ‘enough’ sleep over the course of the night.

Professor Peymané Adab also added that other behaviors which can contribute to obesity—such as watching TV and snacking—were also more common in the later evening.

The research found that Chinese children slept less than their American and European counterparts and had a later bedtime, possibly due to the focus on studying and high academic achievement in China.

Carried out by the University of Birmingham, UK, along with researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University and Guangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the teams looked at the sleeping habits of 2,795 children aged 9 to 12 from the city of Guangzhou, in southern China.

The team used questionnaires to gather information on children’s sleep duration on typical weekdays and weekends and their sleep quality, and also took measurements and calculations of the children’s weight, height, and waist circumference, Body Mass Index and percentage body fat.

In line with previous studies, the results showed that children sleeping longer had lower Body Mass Index (BMI) scores than those who slept less, with the team finding that for every hour later a child goes to bed, their BMI score also increases by a small amount.

Although a small increase may seem insignificant, there is evidence that even a small change in BMI score is

“The prevalence of obesity in China is alarming as the country undergoes rapid economic transition, leading to changes to traditional diet, increased sedentary lifestyles and reduced physical activity,” commented co-author Professor Yajun Chen.

“There are complex factors contributing to childhood obesity including biological and lifestyle factors, but increasing observational research reports that shorter sleep duration may be an additional risk factor associated with higher body mass index (BMI) among children.”

Despite the increasing evidence that a sufficient amount of high-quality sleep is important for overall health, sleep duration is decreasing among both children and adolescents in countries around the world.

The results can be found published online in the Journal of Epidemiology.

Lucky 8? US$1,000 price tag dampens iPhone enthusiasm in China Beijing, Sept 11, 2017 — Apple Inc will launch an expected “iPhone 8” on Tuesday, hoping the number’s auspicious connotations in China will help turn around fortunes in the world’s biggest smartphone market after six quarters of falling sales.

Chinese shoppers, however, are already counting the cost, with the latest model tipped to have a price tag upward of US$1,000 – roughly double the average Chinese monthly salary.

The success of Apple’s next iPhone in China is crucial for the Cupertino-based firm, which has seen its once-coveted phone slip into fifth position in China behind offerings from local rivals Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi Inc. Greater China, which for Apple includes Taiwan and Hong Kong, accounted for roughly 18% of iPhone sales in the quarter ended in July, making it the company’s top market after the United States and Europe.

Yet those sales have been declining steadily and are down 10 percent from a year earlier, in contrast with growth in all other regions.

And the iPhone’s share of China’s smartphone shipments fell to 9% in January-June, down from 14% in 2015, showed data from consultancy Counterpoint Research.

While the iPhone 6 took China by storm in 2014, models since have received a more muted response.

“I’ll wait for a drop in price, it’s too expensive,” said Angie Chen, 23, a project manager in Nanjing and iPhone 6 owner.

Chen said she might even wait for the new phone’s successor, when prices will fall. “It’s a nice number to hear, but there’s no rush.”

Eight is the luckiest number in China because it sounds similar to the phrase meaning “to get rich”.

“Apple really needs to launch a very innovative product this time around,” said Mo Jia, Shanghai-based analyst at Canalys.

However, the rising clout of local rivals would nevertheless make life tough for the US firm, he said. “It has its work cut out.”

The iPhone 7 suffered from the perception that it was too similar to earlier models. This time, despite talk of wireless charging, advanced touch screen and facial recognition technology, Chinese netizens are yet to replicate the online mania around previous iPhone launches.

Mentions of “iPhone 8” on popular Chinese social media platform Weibo – an indicator of consumer interest – were running slightly ahead of the similar period before the iPhone 7 launch, but were far more muted than with the iPhone 6.

Apple declined to comment on the new phone, price or supply.

Buy on credit One effect of Apple’s costliest phone to date will be the rise of sales on credit.

Wang Yang, who runs a bricks-and-mortar smartphone store in Beijing’s largest tech market, said he expected more purchases online this time, as consumers make payments by installment.

“We will continue to stock the cheaper models or we won’t sell much,” he said.

Fenqile, a platform backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd allowing users to pay in instalments, said shoppers buying iPhones on the site had increased alongside rising prices – spiking in the second quarter of the year.

Services backed by Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd and JD.com Inc have also introduced features this year aimed at price-conscious smartphone buyers, including flexible payment services and second-hand smartphone rentals.

Apple itself has launched an installments plan in China supported by three statelinked banks.

“If it’s under US$1,100 then I’ll buy it,” said Liu Song, 29, who works for a fintech startup in Beijing. “It’s manageable over 12 months for me, though I know some friends who are paying off phones for longer.” Reuters

Georgia Asian Times September 1-15, 2017

Page 17

Misc Asia

Mooncakes from heaven: Hong Kong’s sweet obsession Hong Kong, Sept 4, 2017 — It is one of Hong Kong’s most treasured food traditions: the buying, giving and eating of “mooncakes” to mark mid-autumn festival, celebrated in Chinese communities around the world next month.

Bakeries and supermarkets are already packed with boxes of the dense pastries, traditionally filled with a heavy sweet concoction of lotus seed and egg yolks.

But not all mooncakes are made equal.

Picky customers will queue outside the most popular stores to ensure they bag their favorite brand.

Mooncakes by chef Yip Wing-wah of Hong Kong’s famous colonial era Peninsula Hotel are among the most in demand — and the priciest.

Boxes of eight of his Spring Moon

mini egg custard mooncakes cost HK$520 (US$66) and are only available in a three-day pre-order sale online, to avoid previous unseemly queues at the hotel.

This year’s sale took place in August and sold out, weeks ahead of the festival.

Now 65, Yip invented what has become his signature mooncake 30 years ago when he worked as a dim sum chef at the hotel’s Spring Moon restaurant.

It was inspired by gooey egg custard buns, a classic dim sum dish, and is smaller and lighter than traditional mooncakes, although it still packs a sugary buttery punch.

“I have an emotional attachment to it, really I do — because I would never have guessed that it would grow more popular every year,” says Yip, who started to work in Hong Kong restaurant kitchens aged 13.

Deep in the Peninsula’s basement, Yip kneads elastic golden dough to show how he and his team will make this year’s new lychee-flavored spin on his original classic.

Rolling it out into lengths he plucks small pieces off and flattens them between his hands before using them to encase sweet filling.

Each dough ball is then pressed individually into a mooncake-shaped hole in a heavy wooden holder, which Yip bangs three times on a worktop to pop out a perfect pastry.

Those who get hold of a box will share them with friends, family and business associates as part of the festival, which is the second largest in Hong Kong after lunar new year.

The legend behind it revolves around a beautiful woman called Chang E, who drank an elixir of immortal life to

keep it out of the hands of a rival of her husband.

It caused her to ascend to the moon, leaving her distraught husband on earth. He took her favorite foods to an altar and offered them as a sacrifice to her, a ritual then adopted by local people.

“Mid-autumn festival is about coming together as a family to eat mooncakes and fruit and to admire the moon,” says Lam Mei Yu, 40, biting into one on Hong Kong’s harbor front during a visit from her home in the southern mainland Chinese province of Guangdong.

For his part, Yip vows to continue to bake them as long as he is able. “As I make more I become happier,” he said.

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September1-15, 2017 Georgia Asian Times

TRAVEL Hurricane Irma threatens Florida’s bustling tourism industry

Travellers vote Scotland the most beautiful country in the world

Edinburgh, Sept 6, 2017 ― Scotland’s wild, rugged beauty outranked every other destination to be named the most beautiful country in the world by readers of Rough Guides.

creating her magical world, and some of the filming locations used in the movie franchise, including the Jacobite Steam Train, which inspired the Hogwarts Express.

A look at the top three spots suggests that readers seem to be particularly enamoured with countries that boast large, open spaces and dramatic natural scenery, as Canada and New Zealand round out the podium.

Overall, a scan of the top 20 countries reveals a heavy slant towards countries in Europe, which take up about half the list.

Meanwhile, from the country’s deep, dark lochs and Scottish lore, to its string of ancient castles and mysterious ruins, Scotland’s natural heritage has served as the muse for some of the world’s most legendary poets, such as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.

Scotland’s Castle Country in Aberdeenshire, for instance, boasts 300 castles, stately homes and ruins ― the most castles per acre than anywhere else in the UK. Scotland’s Castle Trail is a six-day itinerary that features stops at 19 of the country’s most famous and dramatic castles.

New York, Sept 11, 2017 — Hurricane Irma’s path of destruction up Florida’s Gulf Coast yesterday threatens to disrupt a thriving state tourism industry worth more than US$100 billion annually just months ahead of the busy winter travel season.

life-threatening sea surge.

Some of the state’s biggest attractions have announced temporary closures, including amusement park giants Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, Legoland and Sea World, which all planned to close through today.

Florida is one of the world’s top tourism destinations. Last year nearly 113 million people visited the state, a new record, and spent US$109 billion, state officials said earlier this year. The first half of 2017 was on track to beat that record pace, officials said.

The damage Irma’s winds and storm surge do to Florida’s 660 miles of beaches and the structures built along them during more than 30 years of explosive population growth will be critical to how quickly the state’s ‘s No. 1 industry recovers. The Gulf beaches west of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, are squarely in the storm’s path.

One possible reason? Rough Guides is a London-based publication with a heavy British and European readership.

For travel inspiration this year, check out the top 20 most beautiful countries in the world as voted by Rough Guides readers this year: 1. Scotland 2. Canada 3. New Zealand 4. Italy 5. South Africa

A newer, but no less important addition to Scotland’s heritage is the legacy of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, which drew inspiration from Edinburgh’s cobbled streets and winding alleys, and the country’s dramatic landscapes.

6. Indonesia

To mark the 20th anniversary of the debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone this summer, the country’s tourism office created a four-day itinerary that features some of the cafes where Rowling spent

10. Wales

7. England 8. Iceland 9. USA

The full list can be found at https:// www.roughguides.com/gallery/mostbeautiful-country-in-the-world/.

Disney cancelled the Monday sailing of one of its cruise ships and said it is assessing future sailings, which stop throughout the Caribbean and in the Bahamas.

About 20 cruise lines have Miami as a home port or a port of call, according to the PortMiami website, and many have had to move ships out of the area and revise schedules.

Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean have canceled and revised several sailings as a result of the storm and have offered credits and waivers on trips where passengers are unable to travel.

A Carnival spokesman said the situation in Florida yesterday was still not clear enough to fully assess how widespread the effects will be.

“We will know more in the hours ahead since the hurricane is active in Florida right now,” spokesman Roger Frizzell said.

Irma made a second Florida landfall yesterday on southwestern Marco Island as a Category 3 storm bringing winds of 115 miles per hour and

In 2016, more than 6.3 million people visited Pinellas County, which encompasses those cities, and generated more US$9.7 billion in economic activity.

Up and down the wide, sandy beaches of Pinellas County are traditional “old Florida” waterfront hotels such as the Don Cesar, a coral pink 1920s hotel on St. Pete Beach, which was closed by the storm. There are also modern high-rises and resorts that are part of the nation’s biggest chains and brands including Hyatt Hotels, Marriott International, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

The low-lying barrier islands would be inundated if Irma’s storm surge reaches forecast heights of as high as 15 feet.

While some newer structures in the area are built on elevated pilings, many older homes and businesses are not. — Reuters