By Assunta Ng The first time I heard about hookah bars two years ago, I was completely repelled. “Hooker” was what I heard. You can imagine why I didn’t want to continue the conversation with anyone mentioning the word. Go ahead, you can laugh at me. My editor certainly did. I didn’t know anything about […]
Economy hit as MERS keeps Koreans indoors, deters tourists
By Youkyung Lee AP Business Writer SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — For a South Korean tour agency, the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome feels like a bigger threat to business than a North Korean attack or nuclear reactor meltdown. Kim Chun Choo’s company, which has provided tour services for the last quarter century, is […]
Cancer surge in China prompts rise of special patient hotels
By Jack Chang Associated Press BEIJING (AP)—Li Xiaohe has set herself up for the long haul in a cramped but sunny room in western Beijing, about a block from China’s most renowned cancer hospital. Her laundry dries on hangers and her husband cooks in a communal kitchen as she embarks on an 84-day program of […]
Seattle hospital to take Ebola patients if needed
SHORELINE, Wash. (AP) — Harborview Medical Center in Seattle said Monday it is willing to receive U.S. residents who are evacuated from West Africa for treatment of Ebola. There are no patients with Ebola in Washington state and no plans to evacuate patients to the region soon, but local and state health officials said at […]
Chinese smog forces cancelled flights
By Louise Watt The Associated Press BEIJING, China (AP) — Thick, off-the-scale smog shrouded eastern China for the second time in about two weeks on Tuesday, Jan. 29 forcing airlines to cancel flights because of poor visibility and prompting Beijing to temporarily shut factories and curtail fleets of government cars.
Korean American teen gets online web searches to do offline lifesaving
By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly After Larry Page and Sergey Brin created the precursor to Google in 1996, they paired it with a business plan that’s proven to be successful beyond any measure.
Health officials say India is close to wiping out polio
By Nirmala George The Associated Press NEW DELHI (AP) — India has not had a case of polio in nine months, raising hopes the country is on the verge of defeating the disease, health officials said Monday, Oct. 24.
China’s unhealthy habits drive chronic diseases up
By Gillian Wong The Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — During a recent weekday lunch, middle-aged Wu Zhixin had a plate of shredded pork noodles glistening with oil and washed it down with a paper cup of vodka-like alcohol. Then she lit a cigarette.
Wayne’s Worlds: Business isn’t business without a cough and wheeze
By Wayne Chan Northwest Asian Weekly As we’ve all recently celebrated World No Tobacco Day … actually, let me rephrase that. I may be overstating things. As we’ve all observed World No Tobacco Day … no, that’s not exactly right, either. Let me try one more time.
Alaskan woman to take her health work globally in Laos
SITKA, Alaska (AP) — Sitkan Nancy Knapp describes the country of Laos as “a different world” from Alaska. However, she found some similarities in the delivery of healthcare to rural areas.