Author: shuiyaoinns.com

On October 9th, representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and the Shanghai Statistics Bureau held a press conference to announce exciting news: the launch of the city’s seventh comprehensive transportation survey, known as the “Seventh Survey.” This extensive survey will be conducted over the next two years, with the initial phase—a “Resident Travel Home Visit Survey”—set to kick off next week on October 14. The entire sampling project is expected to wrap up in 2024, with finalized results slated for release in 2025.

The main goal of this comprehensive transportation survey is to deeply understand travel behaviors, transportation modes, and freight transport characteristics in Shanghai since 2020. The data collected will be vital in formulating the city’s integrated transport plan as part of the forthcoming “14th Five-Year Plan.”

The survey will specifically delve into five key areas: resident travel, intercity travel, private vehicle ownership and usage, freight transport, and transportation hotspots. It comprises 26 distinct sub-surveys, including the resident travel home visit survey, family travel surveys for middle and elementary school students, transient population surveys in hotels, insights into travelers at major transportation hubs, private vehicle usage patterns, freight vehicle travel characteristics, and intermodal transport connection features.

A standout aspect of the resident travel home visit survey is its extensive reach, covering all districts within the city and involving approximately 50,000 households. This particular element of the survey, the most expansive of its kind, will be conducted over a week starting October 14, 2024. Surveyors will visit homes to gather detailed information regarding respondents’ travel patterns over a single day. Equipped with official badges featuring the “Shanghai Seventh Comprehensive Transportation Survey” emblem, they will conduct two home visits—one for scheduling purposes and the second for the actual survey.

Moreover, the survey will also take place at selected elementary and middle schools, key transport hubs like airports, railway stations, and long-distance bus terminals, as well as metro stations, hotels, and logistics companies, aiming to foster cooperation from both residents and businesses.

The significance of comprehensive transportation surveys lies in their ability to systematically capture the travel habits and transport dynamics of Shanghai. Historically, the city has organized six such surveys in 1986, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, following a consistent five-year cycle for these evaluations. The insights gleaned from the sixth survey, conducted in 2019, were instrumental in shaping the city’s latest transportation development white paper, as well as plans associated with the upcoming “14th Five-Year Plan” and transportation initiatives for five new districts and other vital regions.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, the insights gained from the comprehensive transportation survey will play a crucial role in steering future research concerning Shanghai’s integrated transportation plans, updating existing databases, and refining transport modeling parameters—ultimately informing the development of the “14th Five-Year Plan” and related policy studies.

On October 5, marking the fifth day of China’s National Day holiday, the travel fervor shows no signs of fading. Despite being halfway through the holiday, major tourist spots and roadways are bustling with activity. Let’s delve into some key statistics that capture the lively essence of China this autumn.

First off, we see a staggering figure of 60 million vehicle trips. On this day alone, it’s projected that approximately 60 million vehicle journeys will take place on national highways. Travel platform data reveals that this year, enthusiasm for travel during the National Day holiday has reached unprecedented levels, with highway traffic hitting the highest mark in four years for this time of year.

Next, there’s a fascinating trend in international travel with vacationers flocking to 144 countries. Booking data indicates that international flights have seen a twofold increase compared to last year, with travelers exploring a total of 1,597 cities across these 144 different destinations.

Turning to the film industry, box office revenues have exceeded 1.6 billion yuan. The movie market is thriving during the holiday season, with online platform figures showing that by 2:58 PM on October 5, total box office earnings during this year’s National Day holiday, including pre-sales, had already surpassed 1.6 billion yuan.

Transportation-wise, it’s an exceptionally busy day for rail travel. On October 5, national rail services are expecting to serve about 17.95 million passengers, with plans to run an additional 947 trains. The Beijing Railway Bureau estimates that approximately 1.4 million passengers will be served, adding 67.5 new train pairs. Meanwhile, the Guangzhou Railway Bureau is anticipating 2.329 million travelers, with the addition of 275 trains, including 68 overnight high-speed services commencing from early on the 6th.

Regarding road conditions, most regions are enjoying fair weather as holidaymakers make their way back home. Highways are reaching full capacity, especially during peak congestion times from 9-11 AM and 4-7 PM. Cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Changsha, and Suzhou are particularly feeling the strain on their road networks.

In terms of air travel, about 2.32 million passengers are expected to fly on October 5, marking a 5.09% increase from the previous day. Domestic flight demand remains concentrated in major metropolitan areas like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Chengdu-Chongqing. Notably, Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu are projected to have the highest passenger volumes. On the international front, popular routes are primarily connecting to nearby countries and regions.

On September 16, the Tivoli Plaza shopping center in Dublin officially opened its doors. Attending the grand opening ceremony were notable figures such as Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, and other Bay Area political and business leaders.

The developers, Ben He and Eddie Li, shared that this marks their first venture into commercial real estate development. They faced numerous setbacks during the pandemic but managed to complete the leasing process successfully. With Dublin being a highly safe and livable area, along with its excellent school districts, many tech companies are relocating there, positioning the city as a potential new hub in Silicon Valley. This development suggests that Tivoli Plaza will serve as a bustling retail center for the entire region.

Reflecting on their accidental entry into real estate, He recounted how an invitation back in 2017 to meet a well-known Chinese real estate developer opened his eyes to the potential in Dublin. The developer presented Him with the opportunity to invest in local properties, which sparked interest. With Dublin’s government keen on establishing high-tech office spaces and offering lower property prices than San Francisco and San Jose, He realized this was a valuable opportunity and decided to invest.

Planning for the project began in 2018, and by January 2020, governmental approval was granted. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that March forced them to halt developments on another project, allowing them to dodge some of the pandemic’s harshest impacts.

Despite the pandemic creating uncertainty in leasing, with potential tenants backing out due to fears of reduced customer flow, He and Li adapted. One notable example was a Taiwan-based entrepreneur who initially signed a ten-year lease for a preschool but later withdrew, concerned about pandemic implications. Fortunately, they managed to secure a more established preschool brand that has successfully filled all 160 student slots and even created a waiting list.

Li noted that the new shopping center required substantial upfront investments from tenants for renovations, which also deterred some potential business owners who were wary of economic instability. Nonetheless, this challenge turned into an opportunity. As the pandemic’s grip loosened, all 15 leasable spaces in Tivoli Plaza were filled, featuring a mix of businesses including an Indian supermarket, restaurants, and a Korean hot dog shop.

He expressed confidence in Dublin’s growth potential, highlighting the city’s impressive average household income of $160,000, solid school districts, and increasing Asian population. He firmly believes that Tivoli Plaza will evolve into a retail epicenter radiating from Silicon Valley, attracting customers from Castro Valley and San Leandro.

In a recent interview, Terry Levinthal, the director of the Cockburn Association, voiced his strong disapproval of Netflix’s plan to install a plaque at a historic site in Edinburgh dedicated to its popular series “One Day.” The streaming platform intends to place a red plaque with a quote from the show at The Vennel, a location that plays a crucial role in the story of the main characters, Emma and Dexter, as portrayed by Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall.

Levinthal was outspoken in his criticism, urging city planners to reject the request submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the required planning permission. He described the plaque installation as a “simple exercise in product marketing,” highlighting the potential threat it poses to the historic integrity of the site, which is a listed building dating back to 1910.

As this debate continues, it prompts broader discussions about the balance between popular culture and the preservation of heritage in one of Scotland’s most historic cities.

After nearly four days of budding, the Titan Arum, better known as the corpse flower, quietly began to bloom at Huntington Library Park late on the night of July 21. By the morning of July 22, eager visitors from across Southern California and beyond had formed long lines, all eager to witness this rare botanical event.

The Titan Arum, scientifically referred to as Amorphophallus titanum, originates from the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. It earns its notorious nickname, “corpse flower,” because of the foul smell it emits during blooming, which resembles that of rotting flesh.

Despite temperatures in San Marino climbing close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit on July 22, the crowds were undeterred. A plant expert at Huntington Park explained that this particular Titan Arum had reached over 84 inches tall by July 18 and continued to grow at an astonishing rate of 3.5 to 6.5 inches per day for three days leading up to its bloom. Late on July 21 and early on July 22, the petals began to unfold. The expert noted that the bloom’s lifespan is quite brief, typically lasting just one to three days. This brevity is why so many people rush to see it every time it flowers.

This isn’t the first time the corpse flower has captivated the public at Huntington Library Park; its initial bloom occurred in 1999, attracting nearly 10,000 visitors within just three days. The park has showcased the corpse flower approximately every two to three years since then. In 2023, the flower was on display from August 28 to 31, reaching a height of 8 feet. This year’s bloom arrived a month earlier and was even larger than its predecessor.

As noted on Wikipedia, the corpse flower boasts the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world and ranks among the tallest flowers ever recorded. The plant features both male and female flowers, with the female blooms appearing one to two days before the male flowers open. This staggered blooming schedule helps prevent self-pollination. The revolting odor attracts carrion beetles and scavenging flies, facilitating pollination.

The corpse flower was first discovered in 1878 by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari, later introducing it to the world stage. Rarely blooming in the wild, it made a significant showing in 1889 at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London, where it bloomed nearly 60 times. The first recorded bloom in the United States took place in 1937 at the New York Botanical Garden. Over the years, its cultivation spread to various countries, making it a less uncommon sight. On June 18, 2010, a giant Titan Arum measuring 3.1 meters was exhibited at Winnipesaukee Orchids in New Hampshire, achieving the Guinness World Record for the tallest flower.

Experts at Huntington Park highlighted that while many people come to experience the corpse flower’s bloom each summer, there’s much more to see afterwards. Once the flower wilts, a single leaf emerges from the underground corm, growing up to 20 feet tall and 16 feet wide. This leaf resembles a small tree, with a green petiole branching out into numerous leaflets. At the end of the growth season, the old leaf gradually withers, and the corm enters a dormant phase lasting around four months.

On October 6, Agence France-Presse reported alarming statistics from the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, as conveyed by Palestinian health authorities. Since the escalation of violence, Israeli military actions have led to the deaths of approximately 41,870 Palestinians, with another 97,166 individuals reportedly injured.

By December 27, 2023, many displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza’s Rafah were forced to live in tents, illustrating the severe humanitarian crisis. Al Jazeera highlighted that in just the past 24 hours, 45 people had been killed and 256 had suffered injuries.

The conflict reignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel, setting off this intense and tragic wave of violence.

The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is committed to helping seniors access crucial medical and social services, especially with the persistent threats posed by influenza and COVID-19. We had a chance to discuss these pressing issues and gain insights on how to better support our older population.

**Are influenza and COVID-19 still significant threats to public health?**

Absolutely. Influenza and COVID-19 remain serious health risks, leading to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that from October 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024, there will be around 35 million cases of influenza, resulting in approximately 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths. During this same period, around 44,000 deaths in the U.S. are expected due to COVID-19.

**Why do influenza and COVID-19 vaccines need to be updated more frequently than others?**

Viruses are constantly changing through mutations, which can help them evade our immune systems and the protection offered by vaccines. These mutations make it easier for both influenza and COVID-19 viruses to spread and replicate quickly. Consequently, vaccines must be updated regularly. The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older get the updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines every fall, regardless of their past vaccination history.

**Why are older adults more susceptible to influenza or COVID-19?**

As people age, their immune systems naturally weaken, making it harder for them to fend off infections and illnesses. Many seniors also have chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory issues, which can intensify the impact of influenza or COVID-19. Because of this, they face a higher risk of severe complications and often take longer to recover due to diminished healing capabilities.

Infectious disease experts stress the importance of prioritizing vaccinations for seniors aged 65 and older or those with chronic conditions. It’s also vital for individuals who have close contact with these seniors to get vaccinated to help protect their loved ones. Making the annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations a routine part of our health management is essential.

**If you have any further questions regarding Medicare, Medicaid, the ACA health insurance marketplace, Social Security retirement benefits, supplemental security income, or vaccinations, please reach out to NAPCA through the following methods:**

Phone: (Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427, (Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218, (English) 1-800-336-2722

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101

As a nonprofit organization, NAPCA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Asian American and Pacific Islander seniors and their families. We operate the NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, offering multilingual services in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, and English for seniors and their caregivers.

Ebere Nwoji

In a recent interview, Ebere Nwoji discussed the National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM) exciting new partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development, aimed at launching the “One Million Youths in Insurance” initiative. This ambitious program seeks to train one million Nigerian youths.

During the interview, NAICOM representatives highlighted how this initiative aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda focused on job creation and youth empowerment. The program’s goal is to provide young Nigerians with essential knowledge and best practices in the insurance sector, promoting entrepreneurship and securing their financial futures. Moreover, it is designed to create job opportunities across all 774 local government areas.

Nwoji also emphasized that the initiative will enhance insurance awareness through social media and other communication platforms. This strategy not only benefits the insurance industry but also impacts various other sectors, contributing to Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion goals.

In his remarks, NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Ayo Omosehin, expressed his gratitude towards the Minister of State for Youths, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, for his unwavering dedication to the project. He praised the collaborative efforts among all stakeholders involved and expressed a strong belief that this initiative will mark a significant milestone for Nigerian youths.

Meera Sodha is reinventing falafel in a way that makes it lighter and more accessible. By opting for pan-frying instead of deep-frying, and incorporating tinned chickpeas and sweet potato, she creates a version that’s not only moist but also bursting with flavor.

In her own words, Meera is aware that traditionalists might raise an eyebrow at her calling this dish “falafel.” Classic falafel is usually made from dried chickpeas and deep-fried for that ideal crispiness. However, she explains that homemade falafel can often turn out dry and less appealing. Her method, which uses convenient canned chickpeas and sweet potatoes, results in a rich patty that pairs wonderfully with harissa mayonnaise and pickled cabbage. Plus, it’s quick to make—just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking time for a serving size of four.

Here’s a rundown on how to whip up her Sweet Potato Falafel with Harissa Mayo and Pickled Cabbage:

**Ingredients for the Falafel:**
– 800g (2 tins) drained chickpeas
– 60g flat-leaf parsley (reserve 10g for garnish)
– 4 tsp ground cumin
– 2 tsp ground coriander
– 2 tsp baking powder
– 1½ tsp fine sea salt
– Zest of 2 lemons (keep the juice for pickling)
– 1 small sweet potato, peeled and grated (about 200g)
– 2 tbsp chickpea flour (20g)
– Rapeseed oil for frying

**For the Pickled Cabbage:**
– ¼ red cabbage (300g), finely shredded
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
– ½ tsp fine sea salt

**To Serve:**
– 2 tbsp rose harissa (Meera recommends Belazu’s)
– 120g vegan mayonnaise
– 4 large pitas or flatbreads
– ½ cucumber (150g), finely sliced
– Pickled chilies (Meera suggests Cooks & Co’s green frenk chilies)

**Instructions:**
1. Begin by placing the chickpeas in a food processor along with chopped parsley (remember to set aside some whole leaves), spices, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Blend until you achieve a rough paste.
2. Scrape down the bowl’s sides and blend again until the mixture holds together when pressed.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the grated sweet potato and chickpea flour. Shape the mixture into 12 balls, each roughly 65g, and flatten them into patties about 6cm across.
4. For the pickled cabbage, mix the shredded cabbage, lemon juice, salt, and reserved parsley in a bowl, ensuring it’s well combined before letting it sit.
5. To make the harissa mayonnaise, simply combine the harissa and mayonnaise in a bowl.
6. In a large frying pan, heat three tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Cook the patties in batches if needed, browning them for about four to five minutes on each side while adding more oil as necessary.
7. To serve, toast a pita, then cut it open and spread harissa mayonnaise on one half. Fill it with three patties, a handful of pickled cabbage, cucumber slices, and a pickled chili. Repeat for the remaining pitas and fillings.

This vibrant dish not only highlights Meera’s inventive approach to a classic favorite but also merges traditional flavors with a contemporary twist that’s sure to please.

The decline in bank-owned ATMs has surged to nearly 60%, prompting a rapid increase in privately-owned machines that typically charge about $3 per withdrawal. This trend has raised significant concerns among experts regarding the fairness and feasibility of transitioning to a cashless society.

Regulatory data reveals a sharp drop in the number of bank-owned ATMs since 2017, with many bank locations now housing third-party ATMs. This shift has made it increasingly difficult for individuals, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds and rural areas, to find access to fee-free cash withdrawals. These groups often withdraw smaller amounts more frequently and feel the impact of this reduction the most.

Mark Humphery-Jenner, an associate professor at UNSW, recently faced this challenge himself while in an inner-city suburb where the closest free ATM was a ten-minute walk away. “In rural locations, it’s exponentially worse,” he remarked. “How many bank branches are even around in rural areas anymore?”

The trend of closing branches and ATMs has effectively transferred the responsibility of cash distribution from banks to supermarkets and post offices. This shift imposes restrictions related to operating hours and tighter withdrawal limits on consumers.

Humphery-Jenner underscores that banks have a responsibility to ensure easy access to cash. “If banks are going to accept individuals’ cash, it’s their duty to allow those individuals to withdraw that cash,” he stated. “That should be a fundamental requirement for banks—not just a social obligation.”

ATM numbers peaked in 2016, just prior to the Commonwealth Bank’s initiative to eliminate the unpopular $2 withdrawal fee, allowing customers from any Australian bank to access most ATMs without charge. However, almost immediately afterward, banks began scaling back their ATM networks. Since those fee changes, the number of bank-owned ATMs has plummeted by approximately 60%, while the overall number of ATMs has decreased by about 28%, with third-party machines often filling the gaps.

A select few banks, such as Macquarie and ING, offer limited or full refunds for ATM fees to their customers. Meanwhile, institutions like Westpac and ANZ have negotiated fee waivers with the atmx network, but customers from banks without such agreements still incur fees.

The decline in ATM availability coincides with a rise in debit card usage, which is promoted as a more convenient way to access funds. However, this transition has led to a confusing system of unclear card charges, resulting in a multibillion-dollar revenue windfall for banks and payment service providers.

The issue has started garnering political momentum amid rising cost-of-living concerns, prompting the Reserve Bank to expedite its review of the payments system. A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Bank emphasized that the bank has the largest network of ATMs in Australia and is involved in initiatives to provide fee-free access for customers in specific remote Indigenous communities. Similarly, a Westpac representative noted their partnership with atmx, allowing customers to utilize the country’s largest fleet of fee-free ATMs.

Despite the overall decline in cash usage, many individuals—including older Australians, those with limited internet access, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities—continue to rely on physical currency. Jason Bryce from the advocacy group Cash Welcome argues that banks cannot simply eliminate their ATMs without ensuring that customers have accessible, affordable options for withdrawing cash.

“They have an economic responsibility to maintain this national economic infrastructure,” Bryce asserted. “Banks must ensure that we have easy, local, and preferably fee-free access to our cash.”

He also highlighted the crucial role of cash during emergencies, stating, “You can’t just activate it during a natural disaster or a war. Cash needs to be available and circulating freely.”