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FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
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White House spokesman Raj Shah quits to join lobbyists
25th Annual US Congresswoman Gabbard, MLK Grande who met Syria's Assad, says Parade-Houston will run for president On January 21, 2019
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elebrating! its 25th Anniversary, the MLK Grande Parade is the third largest Parade in the U.S. behind The Rose Parade and The Macy’s Day Parade. It Takes A Village is the theme of the Grande Parade on January 21, 2019 at 10:00 AM originating in Mid-Town @ San Jacinto St & Elgin Street N/B On San Jacinto To Webster St.
If elected, the 37-year-old lawmaker would be the youngest president in US history
During The Annual MLK Grande Parade, 300k spectators are expected and has a viewing audience of more than 4,000,000. The Annual MLK Grande Parade parade consists of 15 parade floats & 30 marching bands.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in May 2018. (AFP Photo/Saul Loeb)
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ASHINGTON | AFP | 1/14/2019 - A White House deputy spokesman who had been tasked with announcing the departure of officials in President Donald Trump's administration has himself become the latest to move on. Raj Shah is leaving and will become a partner at Ballard Media Group, the communications arm of US lobbying firm Ballard Partners, which lists clients including the Gulf emirate of Qatar, Turkey's Halkbank and the Republic of Mali, the firm announced. Trump's administration has been marked by a hemorrhage of cabinet members and top advisors, including
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, chief of staff John Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The list is long. Shah will lead the new Ballard Media Group with James Rubin, who was State Department spokesman during the presidency of Bill Clinton. In a statement from Ballard announcing his appointment, Shah said he was excited by the opportunity. Shah had been with Trump's team since the president's inauguration in January 2017, and sometimes handled journalist's questions at press conferences. Continued on Page 12
India's Republic Day flag hoisting On January 26, 2019
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OUSTON - Flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of India’s 70th Republic Day will be held on Saturday, 26 January at 7:30 AM at the Consulate General of India (4300 Scotland St, Houston Texas, 77007). This will be followed by singing of the National Anthem, reading the address of the President of India and light refreshments. Indian nationals, members of the Indian American community, friends of India and their families including children are cordially invited to the function. Participants are requested to assemble at the Consulate General of India. Kindly bring your photo ID.
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ASHINGTON | AFP | 1/11/2019 - Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran who met dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria during that country's devastating civil war, said Friday that she is launching a US presidential bid.
American.
"I have decided to run and will be making a formal announcement within the next week," Gabbard told CNN.
Gabbard sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she is able to influence US foreign policy.
If elected, the 37-year-old lawmaker would be the youngest president in US history. She is the first Hindu member of Congress and its first Samoan
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"There are a lot of reasons for me to make this decision. There are a lot of challenges that are facing the American people that I'm concerned about and that I want to help solve," she said, citing health care access and climate change among them.
"There is one main issue that is central to the rest, and that is the issue Continued on Page 12
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US Representative Tulsi Gabbard speaks during Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 26, 2016. (AFP Photo)
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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS
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by Sahar Khamis 2018, it is important to stress that, sadly enough, wasn’t a good year for journalists.
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Editor Online: Shobana Muratee Marketing Director: Susan Pothanikat All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher. Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol.com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com. It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints. Although paid advertisements may appear in Voice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, the Voice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. — The Publisher Voice of Asia (USPS 010-215) (ISSN#10705058) is published every Friday (for a subscription rate of $50 per year) by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Voice of Asia, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074.
The number of reporters killed and arrested was the highest in the last three years, and another equally scary phenomenon is on the rise: missing journalists. It is necessary to discuss these findings and their present and future contexts. A free press is crucial, as it contributes to democratic transitions. Journalists play the role of watchdog over ruling regimes, by exposing corruption and violations while they also help in building active civil societies. - Gloomy Global Picture The number of journalists murdered in reprisal for their reporting nearly doubled in 2018 compared to the year before, driving up the overall count of journalists killed on the job to 53, compared to 47 in 2017, and 50 in 2016. Over 250 reporters were jailed for the third year. This suggests that the authoritarian approach in dealing with critical news coverage and oppositional media is far from a temporary spike or a fading phase. Rather, it is turning into an escalating, global trend, or what could be sadly described as “the new normal” for journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists’ 2018 census report accounted for a total of 60 missing journalists. The organization’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour told me that this new trend poses a real threat and a serious challenge, not only to journalists worldwide but also to those who are trying to protect them because many governments refuse to take any responsibility for the disappearances or even acknowledge them. This complicates the work for international institutions and human rights agencies that try to intervene and to provide the needed help and support. - Ranking Press Freedom Worldwide Some countries ranked the same as in previous years, such as Afghanistan, which remains the deadliest country for journalists, and Turkey, which continues to be the worst jailer of journalists. This last point is particularly ironic and paradoxical, taking into account that Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan is the most vocal and fiercely outspoken world leader against Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s horrific murder. Other countries’ status changed for the better or the worse. On the one hand, some countries with a traditionally bad record for press freedom have improved. Ethiopia, which for years had the reputation of one of the world’s worst jailers of journalists, did not imprison any journalists in 2018. That was the first time in 14 years.
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On the other hand, a country like the United States – traditionally known for being a safe haven for journalists and a global supporter of press freedom – is now listed among the dangerous countries. The Reporters Without Borders 2018 World Press Freedom Index listed the United States as “one of the deadliest for journalists in 2018.” This is directly linked to the infamous shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper that killed five people, including four journalists. - Closer Look at Arab World As an Egyptian-American international communication scholar with an expertise in Arab media, I will pay special attention to the changes and developments in the Arab world. While some Arab countries, such as war-torn and violenceafflicted Syria and Yemen, understandably sustain high numbers of attacks on journalists, other Arab countries, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, were among the countries that imprisoned more journalists than last year. Fresh waves of repression in Egypt and Saudi Arabia sustained the global crackdown on press freedom for the third consecutive year. - Press Freedom Woes in Saudi Arabia Although Saudi Arabia has never been a beacon of press freedom and human rights in the Arab world, two new developments particularly worsened the country’s standing this year.
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
2018 wasn’t good for journalists. Will 2019 be better? cases of at least seven foreign journalists seeking asylum in the U.S. because of work-related threats at home, who were held in prolonged detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The first is the brutal murder of Khashoggi, which brought about unprecedented global media attention due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the killing, the initial denial of the Saudi authorities, followed by their gradual confession, as well as the gruesome and shockingly cruel nature of the murder, not to mention the fact that it was committed inside a consulate on foreign soil. The second is the detention of a number of female women’s rights activists. In 2018, Saudi Arabia stepped up its repression of journalists at home, with at least 16 behind bars. A quarter of these prisoners are females who wrote about women’s rights in the kingdom, including the ban on women driving that was lifted in June. Some of them were allegedly tortured and sexually assaulted, in a clear and unprecedented violation of the social norms in this traditionally conservative country. - Egypt: Champion in Jailing Journalists In Egypt, which together with Turkey and China constituted the three countries responsible for more than half of the journalists jailed for the third consecutive year, the record of reporters behind bars has risen to 25. Many of them have been held captive for extended periods of time without trial, such as the photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, famously known as Shawkan, who has been in prison for over five years of which two were without trial. Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein is still behind bars after two years of imprisonment without trial, in a clear violation of both the international and Egyptian law. Most of these jailed journalists face broadly-defined and vague anti-state charges,
such as belonging to a banned group. This term commonly refers to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is ironic and paradoxical, especially when the jailed journalists are secular and liberal. Other charges are engaging in illegal assembly, threatening social peace, and spreading false news. Nineteen out of the 25 jailed journalists are facing this last charge, making Egypt the number one country to imprison journalists because they are “spreading false news.” This neatly echoes President Donald J. Trump’s popular criticism of the media and his description of the press, especially outlets that are critical of him, as “fake news.” This has a clear spillover effect on other countries, including Egypt. Looking into the future, it would be safe to predict two new major threats to press freedom: the lack of international moral leadership and escalating “cyberwars.” - Lack of International Moral Leadership This first threat is especially relevant in light of a number of new developments that have shaken America’s moral authority as a global superpower, which has traditionally been the custodian of press freedom worldwide. One of these is the challenges American journalists faced at home. They encountered hostile rhetoric, as exemplified in Trump’s accusations that critical media outlets spread “fake news,” in addition to fatal violence, as exemplified in the Maryland newspaper’s shooting incident. Moreover, eleven journalists were arrested in the U.S. in 2018. Furthermore, over the past year and a half, the Committee to Protect Journalists documented or assisted in the
Another challenge to America’s moral leadership in the realm of press freedom protection has been evident in President Trump’s weak statement on the murder of Khashoggi, which failed to condemn Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, despite CIA reports confirming his direct involvement. Similarly, while President Trump has continually pressed Beijing over its trade and technology practices, human rights issues like press freedom and the crackdown in Xinjiang have never been a priority. This sends a chilling message to journalists worldwide that the U.S. will not stand up to autocrats, under an administration that puts economic interests above human rights and freedom of the press. - Escalating Cyberwars The second threat to press freedom moving forward is the tug of war between regimes and their opponents, which is currently shifting to the realm of cyberspace, in what has been commonly referred to as “cyberwars.” This opens new horizons for both liberation and repression simultaneously. All of this poses new dangers, threats, and challenges both to those who are practicing journalism as well as to those who are trying to protect them, which, in turn, necessitates adopting new innovative measures and techniques on their part. As this tug of war between regimes and their opponents continues to develop and escalate in future years, both on the ground and online, both parties will sharpen their tools in launching attacks and counterattacks. The effectiveness of each party, or its ultimate success, will always be a product of a myriad of complex factors, which will keep unfolding in the year 2019 and beyond. Sahar Khamisis Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland. She is an expert on Arab and Muslim media, interfaith activist, public speaker, and radio host
th
Celebrate India’s 70 Republic Day at India House
Saturday, January 26, 2019 | Flag Hoisting at 10:30 am
Happy Republic Day!
We invite you with your family and friends to come and celebrate the joy & happiness of India’s transition toward becoming an independent republic. O. P. Jindal Center, India House, 8888 West Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77031 (Light refreshments will be served)
For more information contact: 713-929-1900 | vipin@indiahouseinc.org | www.indiahouseinc.org
VOICE OF ASIA 3
Section 1
Community Email: voiceasia@aol.com
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Tel: 713-774-5140
AAPI Will Host Global Healthcare Summit in July, 2019 in Hyderabad by Ajay Ghosh
H
YDERABAD, India. January 4th, 2019 “The 13th edition of the annual Global Healthcare Summit will be held in Hyderabad in India in July 19th to 21st, 2019,” Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), during a Kick Off Dinner Event, here at the Hotel Daspalla, Kavuri Hills, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad on January 2nd. Dr. Suresh Reddy, Chair, Global Health Summit 2019, urged all AAPI leaders, local organizers and sponsors to fully participate in order to make the next edition of AAPI’s Global Healthcare a more effective one, serving the many healthcare needs of our mother India. Dr. Reddy, who will assume charge as the President of AAPI in July this year at the convention in Atlanta, USA, said, the GHS 2019, planned to be organized by AAPI in collaboration with BAPIO & GAPIO, as well as Host Alumni Chapters, including OGKTMA, ATMGUSA, KAMCOSA, and GMCGA, will focus on preventive health, targeting Rural Health, Women’s Health, and providing special CPR Trainings, that will equip First Responders to help save life. Dr. Raghu Lolabhattu, CoChair, Global Health Summit 2019, in his felicitation address, said, “We flew away from India decades ago. However, our hearts are still in India.” He said, GHS 2019 will focus on several relevant issues to serve the many healthcare needs and delivery of healthcare in India. For the first time, AAPI will organize Medical Jeopardy with cash prizes to winners, he said.
GHS Press Conference: Dr. Suresh Reddy, Chair, Global Health Summit 2019 with APPI leadership. He praised the local community and organizers for their enthusiastic support. Anwar Feroz Siddiqui, Chief Strategic Advisor, AAPI, in his address, complimented Dr. Suresh Reddy for his great leadership, especially his ability to choose and delegate responsibilities to top AAPI leaders. Mr. Siddiqui, who has been working with GHS since its beginning a dozen years ago, lauded AAPI and its members for their willingness, passion, and generosity to give back to their motherland. Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Vice-President 2018-19, pointed to the uniqueness of the next GHS, pointing to the 1st ever GHS to be held in the state of Telangana, after the state at-
tained full statehood. “AAPI has capped the voluminous achievements of the past 37 years with a clear vision to move forward taking this noble organization and its vision for better healthcare to newer heights,” he said. He said, under his leadership, the 14th edition of GHS 2020 will be held in Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, AAPI’s Secretary 2018-19, and a key organizer of the event, reminded the audience of the passion and dedication for their motherland that brings them back to India every year. She enumerated several contributions/outcome from the past 12 GHS organized by AAPI across several cities in India.
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Dr. Gotimukula said, “AAPI has made significant contributions towards addressing several issues affecting the healthcare system in India. We have addressed the issue of Traumatic Brain Injury – the scourge of young India, and helped with the development of management guidelines thereby helping prevent deaths due to road traffic accidents, raising the importance and awareness on smoking cessation, Adopt a Village program and taking the initiatives to make quality healthcare accessible universally to village and taluka and district levels, and most recently a strong collaborative on making India TB Free with the signing of a MOU with USAID. Ten city pilots are well under way and significant progress is be-
ing made,” he told a captive audience,” she said.
to give back to their motherland.
Dr. Sanku Rao, a past President of AAPI presented the 37 year old history of AAPI and the evolution of GHS.in the past dozen years and the many accomplishments/contributions in the delivery of healthcare in US and in India. AAPI is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, and has been in existence for nearly four decades. The Association has almost 130 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations under its purview, and represents the interests of over 70,000 physicians and 15,000 medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States, Dr. Rao said.
Dr. Manoj Jain, Chair and spearheading the TB-Free India Movement, spoke about AAPI’s collaborative efforts with several non-governmental organizations and the USAID, with a commitment to strengthen its initiatives to “make every city, ever district, every village in India TB free.” Dr. Jain pointed to the planning/review session held during GHS in Mumbai on Building on Local Roadmaps for a TB-Free India - A Combined effort of AAPI and CETI under guidance of Government of India, USAID, where the progress in the 10 cities, where the program has been on for several months, was reviewed through a live webcast from each of these 10 cities. He said, Hyderabad will be joining the efforts to make its citizens TB-Free.
Sreeni Gangasani. Chair of AAPI Convention, provided an overview of the upcoming AAPI Convention in Atlanta, GA, and urged all to join in to experience a historic at the next annual convention. “To be attended by over 2,000 delegates from across the United States, the 37th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) will be held at the fabulous Omni Atlanta at CNN Center and Georgia World Congress Centre (GWCC) in Atlanta from July 3 to 7, 2019,” he said. Dr. Satish Kathula, referred to the highly impactful ADOPT A VILLAGE Program, spearheaded by Dr. Jagan Ailinani, a past President of AAPI, and Dr. Alok Aggarwal, who has adopted a village in the state of Telangana as examples of the good work done by AAPI. He said, AAPI provides a platform for many individuals who want
Dr. Dwarakanatha Reddy, Overseas Convener, AAPI Global Health Summit 201920 and several Alumni Medical School leaders from the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were felicitated at the kick off event. Dr. Sushma Nakka, Presdient of KAMCOSAUSA served as the MC for the evening, while Dr. Ravi Kolli delivered the vote of thanks. A Press Conference at the famous Hyderabad Press Club was organized on January 3rd to officially announce the Global Healthcare Summit planned to be held in Hyderabad from July 19th to 21st this year. Attended by dozens of local and national reporters from the media world, the Press Conference was addressed by the top leadership of AAPI and local organizing committee members.
TAXES & PERSONAL FINANCE
VOICE OF ASIA 4
3 Reasons to file your taxes early this year Though the tax deadline is still months away, it pays to get moving on your return much sooner. by Maurie Backman
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1. If you’re due a refund, you’ll get it sooner Most tax filers get a refund when they file their returns, and in recent years, the average refund has been upwards of $2,500. If you’re expecting a hefty sum from the IRS this year, you should know that the sooner you file your tax return, the sooner you’ll get that money. In fact, refunds for electronically filed returns are generally processed within three weeks, and if you sign up for direct deposit, you’re likely to see your money even sooner. Now, one thing to keep in mind is that the 2018 tax year saw a major overhaul that included new withholding tables for employers to follow. As a result, many taxpayers might see smaller refunds this year than in years past. Still, it pays to get your hands on whatever money you’re owed sooner rather than later. 2. If you owe taxes, you don’t want to be late Even though most tax filers get a refund each year, if your earnings took a big jump in 2018, or you made a lot of money from investments, you might land in the opposite scenario of owing money to the IRS. If that’s the case, then the sooner you figure out what you owe, the easier it’ll be for you to come up with that money by the April 15 deadline. If you owe taxes and don’t pay them in full by April 15, you’ll immediately start accruing interest and fees that will only cost you more money in the long run. If you have plenty of money in savings and aren’t worried about a last-minute tax bill, then you could conceivably push off your taxes a bit. But if you’re like most Americans with little to no savings, coming up with, say, $500 or $1,000
Here is the best country to retire to right now by Alix Langone
R
sioned.
hen it comes to money matters, there are plenty of things Americans tend to procrastinate on -- and taxes are certainly one of them. Though the tax deadline this year is April 15, countless filers will no doubt wait until the very last minute to get their returns in order. A better bet, however, is to prepare your taxes ahead of time and avoid the stress so many people face when they realize they’re behind. Here are three good reasons to file your taxes early this year.
elocating or becoming a snowbird? Then you may want to consider moving farther south than you had envi-
This week, Panama was named the top place to retire in International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index. It was the small Central American country’s 10th time winning the honor in 29 years, and some of the reasons why may surprise you. Panama is ideal for retirement, thanks to its beautiful beaches and affordable healthcare. But one of the most the convincing reasons to pack your bags is how good your quality of life can be. International Living’s Retirement Index uses decades of data measuring factors from cost of living, healthcare and climate to social environment, collected from countries in five continents. to pay the IRS might be next to impossible with limited notice. The benefit of filing your taxes a few months ahead of the deadline is that it’ll give you more time to scrounge up that cash should it become necessary. For example, if you find that you underpaid your taxes in 2018 and therefore owe the IRS $600, you’ll have about 10 weeks to come up with that money if you get your taxes done in early February. Wait until the last minute, and you might have to come up with $600 in just days. 3. You’ll lower your chances of falling victim to tax fraud Though the IRS has been cracking down on tax fraud, it’s still a problem. You never know when a criminal might access your personal information, file a tax return in your name, and attempt to steal your refund. Filing your taxes early, however, can lower your chances of this happening. The reason? The IRS has software that’s able to spot duplicate returns. If the agency gets your return first, and then receives another one in your name that’s filed by a criminal, that second return will be rejected, not yours. In other words, filing early can help you beat would-be criminals to the punch.
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
airline tickets. Panama also has a stable government and modern infrastructure. Places like Panama City are bustling, cosmopolitan areas, thanks in large part to the Panama Canal and its importance to international trade. Achieving a healthy lifestyle is affordable there, too, thanks to fresh and inexpensive local produce, easy access to beaches, clean air, and a less stressful pace of life. A word of caution, though: prospective expats often don’t realize that relocating in retirement and moving away from your built-in community of family, friends and neighbors means giving up the support systems you had in place for decades. But you don’t have to worry about making new friends if you move to Panama, Dan Prescher, International Living’s senior editor, tells MONEY.
A big reason to seriously consider retiring in Panama is the fact that it’s not difficult for retirees to gain legal residency, and you can live comfortably every month on just $1,000 — less than the average U.S. monthly mortgage payment and less than the average Social Security check for retirees, which was $1,413 in 2018. Plus, Panama’s official currency is the U.S. dollar, so you don’t have to worry about losing money via currency conversion, or constantly doing math in your head.
“One of the obvious things that people don’t think about, is how easy it is to settle in to,” he says, pointing out that North Americans have been retiring to Panama for years. “You can go to a place that’s never seen a North American before and it may be fascinating, but if you don’t have a built-in support group, it’s not as simple. It’s one of the easiest places on the planet for a North American to go and retire, and have that big support group of people who have already plowed that ground.”
Many Latin American countries, including Panama, offer pension programs for foreigners, known as “pensionado” programs, which allow retirees from other countries to qualify for Panamanian residency as long as they have proof of a government or corporate pension of at least $1,000 per month (yes, Social Security counts). If you are applying with a spouse or dependent, the number is $1,250, making it one of the cheapest pensionado thresholds in Latin America.
Plus, it’s close to the U.S. for those concerned about the distance away from loved ones.
In addition to an uncomplicated path to residency, the tropical paradise boats high ratings in other categories. One of the big benefits of belonging to the pensiondo program is that you qualify for discounts up to 50% for anything ranging from going to the movies to buying
As always, be careful when traveling or moving to unknown locales, no matter your age. The U.S. State Department says Americans should “exercise normal precautions” when traveling to Panama, but certain areas near the Colombian border and the Caribbean coast should be avoided due to drug trafficking and related violence. If you’re not ready to take the full-time plunge? Not to worry. Vacationing in Panama is a blast too, says Prescher, who suggests checking out Coronado or a newly popular destination on the country’s Caribbean coast called Bocas del Toro. - Money.com
The sooner you get your taxes over with, the less stressful the filing season will be for you. The IRS just announced that it will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 28, so be on the lookout for tax forms in the mail (or online), and make 2019 the year you finally get your taxes done ahead of schedule. - The Motley Fool
How to get a better job (and make more money) right now by Kristen Behlor
A
t last count, there were about 7 million open jobs in the U.S. — a near-record high. And while wages are up for everyone, job switchers are raking in more money than those who stay put. So for many workers, the easiest way to get a salary bump this year is to get a new job altogether. “Sometimes you can’t fight city hall, and a salary jump in one go is hard to engineer [at your current job],” says Liz Dolan, host of Wondery’s Safe for Work podcast and a former Chief Marketing Officer at brands like Nike, and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). - Write Down Your Professional Vision -
Before you start sending out résumés, jot down a few ideas of what you want your next job to look like. This will help narrow things down when you tap your network and sort through job ads. And it might even curry favor with a hiring manager. “I always want to see self awareness, some spark that shows me you’ve made specific choices about your work life,” Dolan says. “If they can’t articulate some vision for themselves professionally, that’s a real turnoff for me.”
talk about how you can help ease these pain points, but don’t worry about coming up with a solution on the spot.
“People get freaked out by the term “networking,” ” Dolan says. “But if you’ve generally stayed in touch with people you like and respect, that’s the best way to find a job.”
“Let them describe what’s keeping them up at night, and then go home and think about it,” Dolan says. “It’s the perfect way to follow up.”
Ask a Hiring Manager What Keeps Him or Her Up at Night
Free salary calculators, like Glassdoor’s Know Your Worth tool, let you plug in your experience, education, and location to estimate your market value. Use them!
In interviews, job seekers tend to get so caught up in the idea of “selling” themselves that they don’t do enough listening, Dolan says.
- Network With Your Past You’ll have a better understanding of what’s going on in your field if you already have an active network of resources. But if you’ve lost contact with old colleagues, don’t be afraid to shoot them an email, or message them on Facebook, and
see if they’re up for grabbing a coffee. Be casual—you’re just reconnecting, not begging for a job.
Job switchers are raking in more money than those who stay put. (Photo: iStock)
To really impress hiring managers, she suggests asking about the specific challenges facing their departments. Why are they hiring for this job right now? What problems need solving? You’ll also need to
- Know Your Market Value -
“It’s part of your job to know what you’re worth in the open market,” Dolan says. “There’s a wealth of data about how people get paid. Stay on top of that.” - Money.com
VOICE OF ASIA 5
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FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Tel: 713-774-5140
Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston Celebrates 20 years of Excellence
IACCGH Board Directors with special guests. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit.
Mayor Sylvester Turner delivering his message at the Houston City Hall. Photos by Bijay Dixit.
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ACCGH’s primary focus is on local economic development and creating local jobs through empowering small and medium enterprises and professionals. Leveraging the powerful “India Advantage” the Chamber facilitates trade between the United States of America and India. The Chamber has achieved steady growth through innovation and robust leadership over the course of two decades.
The Chamber commemorated the start of its 20th Anniversary at the Houston City Hall with the Guests of Honor Mayor Sylvester Turner and Indian Consul General Dr Anupam Ray. It was attended by over 170 members and supporters of the Chamber, representatives of the other local chambers and resource partners the Chamber works with including the
IACCGH President, Swapan Dhairyawan welcoming the guests.
Indian Consul General Dr Anupam Ray addressing the gathering.
Greater Houston Partnership and the Confederation of Indian Industries whose representative flew in from Washington .
nel Raj Bhalla, Asif Dakri, Sanjay Jain, Nisha Mirani, Charlie Patel, Manisha Gandhi, Murad Ajani, Nagraj Eleswarapu, Ash Shah, Asha Dhume, Dr Prasun Jalal & Saeed Pathan.
IACCGH Advisors Dr Anupam Ray, Dr David Leebron, Dr Renu Khator, Dr Durga Agrawal and Vijay Goradia were joined by Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, Judge Ravi Sandill , Council member Himesh Gandhi, HCC Trustee Neeta Sane, Senator John
Cornyn representative Jay Guerrero and Senator Ted Cruz representative Jason Fuller, Andy Icken Chief Economic Development Officer City of Houston, Michael Wolfe City of Hempstead Mayor, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee representative in congratulating the Chamber on its anniversary and thanking it for its service to the community. Other community leaders who were in attendance were Colo-
Celebrating Andhrapreneurship at StartAP Amaravati on 18 and 19 January
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MARAVATI, India, January 15, 2019 It is that time of the year, when an excited team comes together sending out speaker invites, curating startup pitches and welcoming a new lot (2,000+) of passionate youngsters, entrepreneurs and founders from across the state of Andhra Pradesh - to deliver a wonderful conference experience called StartAP Fest, Andhra Pradesh's flagship startup festival and Asia's fastest growing. StartAP is an initiative by Startup Oxide Biz Solutions. StartAP was founded by Siddharth Marupeddi in 2014 as a key ecosystem platform for startups in Andhra Pradesh to bring together high-impact entrepreneurs, startups, passionate youngsters and investors for building a vibrant entrepreneurial community and accelerating conversations of change. It is now enabling Asia's fastest growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The initiative has impacted around 15,000 youngsters, 250+ Startups during the last 4 editions with the active support of Govt. of A.P. StartAP Awards which took place in May, 2018 recognised some of the most performing entrepreneurs from across Asia which included Ritesh Agarwal of OYO, Lakshmi Potluri of Jabong and Sudhakar of AbhiBus, and startups like Swiggy, Payswiff, Xiaomi and 25 more. The jury for the event included Peter Vesterbacka of Angry Birds; Kirthiga Reddy, FMR Facebook India Head and Divyank Turakhia, Billionaire Entrepreneur. The theme of the upcoming event for 2019 is Products of the Future - Powered by Innovation Valley. After the successful StartAP Awards happened last May 2018, the 5th edition of StartAP Fest is designed to cre-
ate conversations around the growing entrepreneurial zeal and celebrate the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The focus line of this year - 'Products of the Future', reflects the purpose to create a platform for product innovations and showcase them to newer markets, especially A.P where the youth are equally responsive to emerging technologies. This edition of StartAP has curated its speakers with the ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in the capital in consideration. There are more than 50 startups expected from across South India along with forward thinking founders. Speakers include: 1. Shobhu Yarlagadda, Producer, Baahubali 2. Sudhakar, Founder and CEO, Abhibus 3. Srikanth Bolla - Founder,
Bollant Industries 4. Raju Vanapala - Founder, Way2 5. Prabhu Kishore Vallurupalli, Chairman, Varun Group 6. Prasad Kompalli, CEO, mFine 7. Kalyan Akkipeddi, Founder, Proto Village 8. Vijay Arisetty, CEO, myGate "StartAP has been enabling the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh since 2014 and I welcome all the startups from across the country to launch their products in Andhra Pradesh. Experience the spirit of Andhrapreneurship at StartAP," - N Chandrababu Naidu, Honourable CM of AP. "We bring together people with high impact stories which can inspire and gen-
President Swapan Dhairyawan in his speech thanked the past Presidents, naming each for their contribution in building the Chamber to its current stature in the community and shared the success of 2018 and also outlining his plans for 2019. The current Board and the Directors at Large were joined by major supporters Shell and Halliburton in a group picture when the Chamber formally announced a Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to Dr Durga Agrawal at the 2019 Gala. The event was catered by Dawaat Catering, a division of Madras Pavilion. Kijana Wiseman led the singing of the US and Indian National Anthems. A minutes silence was observed in memory of IACCGH
erate a thought among the youth here, in Amaravati. The conversations are designed to accelerate growth and understand the trends across various ecosystems in India. As a curator of the event, my responsibility is to facilitate a platform so as to engage the aspiring founders, students and successful startuppers to learn, grow and share. We are happy the 5th edition is happening in Amaravati with the support of Innovation Valley, Govt. of AP," - Siddharth
Advisor John Mendelsohn. Twenty years ago a group of local Indo-American businessmen and professionals met the then Consul General of India in Houston and discussed the need to create an Indo-American Chamber of Commerce to serve our region. The group saw the role India would play in the emerging global economy and wanted to help leverage the India Advantage to help grow our local economy. The Chamber was chartered in 1999 with Dr Durga Agrawal as President, Jagdip Ahluwalia as Secretary and Jitu Shah CPA as Treasurer. Consul General Wangdi was the first Advisor and was later joined by eminent local leaders like Compaq's CEO Michael Capellas, Rice University President Malcolm Gillis, Memorial Hermann President Dan Wolterman and Continental Airlines Chairman Larry Kellner. Over the years the Chamber kept evolving to address the changing needs of the community. Visit www. iaccgh.com for more information and upcoming events.
Marupeddi, Founder and CEO of StartAP. There will be around 20 Startups showcasing their product innovations at the venue. 10 Startups are expected to launch their products and services during the event. Interested startups, founders can apply for a free stall space in the website. More details and registrations at http:// www.startapfest.com. Source: StartupOxide Biz Solutions
COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 6
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Heart Health Screenings: Required pre-screening visits
lifestyle changes can lessen for lung cancer not happening cardiac concerns
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symptoms, meaning it’s crucial to have your cholesterol checked by your doctor regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults have their cholesterol checked every five years.
Dr. Toussaint Smith, boardcertified cardiologist
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UGAR LAND—(Jan. 11, 2019) – Is your heart at risk? One in four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease each year. Heart disease is very dangerous because many chronic conditions that lead to the disease often go unrecognized while slowly damaging your heart. Toussaint Smith, M.D., board-certified cardiologist with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates at Sugar Land, explained some of the most common cardiac conditions and what you can do to help protect yourself. THREE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS • High cholesterol – Individuals with high cholesterol are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those with lower levels of cholesterol. “The body needs cholesterol for many things that are useful,” Smith explained. “But, when you have too much cholesterol, it builds up in the walls of blood vessels. When this occurs in the arteries of the heart, it can lead to a heart attack.” One of the most troubling aspects of high cholesterol is that it often presents no
• High blood pressure – One-third of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a condition that can have potentially life-threatening consequences. “High blood pressure has been called the silent killer,” Smith said. “It is a kind of background threat to your health when you have it. High blood pressure affects the entire body, putting you at higher risk for stroke, heart attack, atrial fibrillation (AFib) and can also put strain on your kidneys, causing damage.” • Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – Irregular heartbeats, or heart arrhythmias, can put strain on the heart and the systems it supports. AFib, is one of the most common heart arrhythmias and a condition that often worsens with age. “In a normal heartbeat, the heart has a natural pacemaker that fires electricity located in the right upper chamber of the heart,” Smith explained. “In between a normal beat, the heart rests. When the heart has beats coming from different locations than the natural pacemaker, it can cause extra heart beats. This is AFib.” Among the most dangerous potential effects of AFib are stroke and heart failure. REDUCING YOUR RISKS While these cardiac conditions must be taken seriously, effective treatment options exist for all of them. Medications are available that can help reduce high cholesterol levels and bring blood pressure levels to a normal range. AFib similarly can
be treated with medications as well as promising new surgical options. But, Smith stresses that in addition to proper medical care, it’s vital to improve your lifestyle choices to lower your risk of future heart problems. Focusing on making healthy food choices and getting regular physical activity are two of the most important behaviors you can adopt for heart health. “Many diseases of the heart are caused or worsened by living a sedentary life with poor eating habits,” Smith said. “Combining effective treatment with lifestyle changes offers the best hope for a healthier life for most people. That’s why the first thing we do for cardiac patients at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is implement patient education to help develop healthy dietary and exercise habits.” To schedule an appointment with Toussaint Smith, M.D., at Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 713.776.9500. For the latest news, events and information visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland.
ALVESTON, Texas – Research from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, using Medicare data from 2015-2016, determined that only 9 percent of persons who received a low-dose computerized tomography screening for lung cancer discussed the process with their medical provider prior to the screening – a requirement known as a shared decision making.
a complex process. There is a lot of conversation that needs to happen between a patient and health care provider,” said Dr. Shawn Nishi, a professor in UTMB’s Department of Internal Medicine and one of the study’s authors. “This goes beyond merely explaining facts, risks and benefits.”
The research findings were recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
According to Nishi, it is completely possible that a patient will come in for a lung cancer screening but after participating in a SDM session with their provider determine that screening is not right for them.
Shared decision-making sessions for lung cancer screening have been required by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services since 2015 for individuals aged 55 to 77 years with a 30 pack-year or greater smoking history. It is the only health screening exam which has this unique requirement.
“Health care providers should work to understand what is important to an individual and then create an opportunity to deliberate the options, in order to make informed decisions. It is also an opportunity to counsel and treat modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use,” said Nishi.
“Lung cancer screening is
According to Nishi, the shared decision making sessions are not happening and that is simply not a good thing. “We need to engage patients in these conversations. It is a key component of patient-centered health care that ensures decisions are aligned with patient preferences and values. This study shows we just aren’t doing good enough”. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the National Institutes of Health supported the research. Other authors include UTMB’s James Goodwin, Jie Zhou and Yong-Fang Kuo. The University of Texas Medical Branch Office of Marketing and Communications 301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.518, Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
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JANUARY IS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH
Thank you for all you do to ensure our District is the Best in Texas!
Jason Burdine President Position 1
Addie Heyliger Vice President Position 6
Dave Rosenthal Secretary Position 7
Grayle James Position 2
Jim Rice Position 3
Kristin K. Tassin Position 4
DIASPORA
VOICE OF ASIA 7
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Kamala Harris says inspired Indian-American Congressman says he supports physical by her super hero Indianbarrier on the border American mother
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ASHINGTON PTI | Jan 11, 2019 - Senator Kamala Harris, who is eyeing to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 elections, has credited her Indian-American "superhero" mother for instilling in her the sense of responsibility that motivates her political career.
ASHINGTON, PTI |J an 05, 2019 - Indian-American Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi appeared to be supporting President Donald Trump's move on border security, saying he favours some kind of physical barrier along the international border with Mexico.
Harris, 54, is the first Indianorigin Senator in the US. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harris immigrated to the US for studies at the age of 19 from Tamil Nadu. She married Donald Harris an African American born in Jamaica in 1938.
Trump wants to build a USMexico border wall and is seeking USD 5.2 billion in funding for the physical barrier which according to him is a must to prevent flow of illegal immigrants into the US.
"It was really my mother who took charge of our upbringing. She was the one most responsible for shaping us into the women we would become. And she was extraordinary," Harris writes in her book 'The Truths We Hold: An American Journey' that hit the stores this week. She said that her late mother empowered her to take personal action to fix problems she encountered -- a theme that she says is influencing her political career. Harris, is being seen as a potential strong contender to get the Democratic presidential nomination to challenge Trump in the 2020 elections. "My mother was barely five foot one, but I felt like she was six foot two. She was smart and tough and fierce and protective. She was generous, loyal, and funny. She had only two goals in life: to raise her two daughters and to end breast cancer," the Senator from California said. "She pushed us hard and with high expectations as she nurtured us. And all the while, she made Maya and me feel special, like we could do anything we wanted to if we put in the work," Harris said. Maya is the
The Democrats assert that such a move is a "waste" of taxpayers' money. The crisis has led to a government shutdown with no solution even after a recent White House meeting between President Trump and top Congressional leaders. Harris said her mother inherited her grandmother's strength and courage. People who knew them knew not to mess with either. name of her younger sister. In her second book – for the children – 'Superheroes Are Everywhere” Harris describes her mother as on top of her list of superheroes. "My mom was a superhero because she made me feel special. She believed in me and that helped me believe I could do anything," Harris wrote in the book. Harris said her mother had been raised in a household where political activism and civic leadership came naturally. "My grandmother, Rajam Gopalan, had never attended high school, but she was a skilled community organiser. She would take in women who were being abused by their husbands, and then she'd call the husbands and tell them they'd better shape up or she would
take care of them,” she wrote. Her grandfather P V Gopalan had been part of the movement for India's independence, she wrote. "Eventually, as a senior diplomat in the Indian government, he and my grandmother had spent time living in Zambia after it gained independence, helping to settle refugees," Harris said. Harris said her mother inherited her grandmother's strength and courage. People who knew them knew not to mess with either. "And from both of my grandparents, my mother developed a keen political consciousness. She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul," she wrote.
"We're open to some physical barriers. Certainly, there's already fencing on the border. There's 700 miles of fencing on the border," Krishnamoorthi told CNN in an interview on Friday. Krishnamoorthi, 45, said that the president has changed his positions on border security so many times, that it's really hard to know where he stands. "For me personally, we have to fight illegal immigration and protect our borders. I think that there is a lot of support for enhancing border security. But there's no support for a wall," Recollecting her childhood days, Kamala Harris said those early days were happy and carefree. Harris said she was also close to her mother's brother, Balu, and her two sisters, Sarala and Chinni. "They lived many thousands of miles away, and we rarely saw one another. Still, through
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi says he would oppose anything that is being called as a wall. he said. "But I just defer to people like Congressman Will Hurd, a Republican, who has 800 miles of this border, who says we can't have a cement wall sea to shining sea, which was what the president tried to convey initially when he talked about a wall. I think he's changed his position on this issue as well, but that we can't have," he added. Krishnamoorthi also called for the end of the existing government shutdown.
many long-distance calls, periodic trips to India, and letters and cards written back and forth, our sense of family—of closeness and comfort and trust—was able to penetrate the distance," she said. "It's how I first really learned that you can have very close relationships with people, even if it's not on a daily basis. We
"The majority of Americans not only oppose a wall, but the vast majority of Americans don't want a shutdown because of the wall. And so let's open up government now," Krishnamoorthi said. Krishnamoorthi said he would oppose anything that is being called as a wall. "It can't just be based on a campaign slogan, which is the wall. The wall has become a big keep out sign to the rest of the world. And that's not what we want," he said.
were always there for one another, regardless of what form that would take. My mother, grandparents, aunts, and uncle instilled us with pride in our South Asian roots. Our classical Indian names harked back to our heritage, and we were raised with a strong awareness of and appreciation for Indian culture," she wrote.
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COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 8
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
In a first, transgenders take holy dip at Kumbh Mela
Lunar New Year: Celebrate the Year of the Earth Pig
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi heads the Kinnar Akhara. (AFP Photo)
The Chinese community celebrates the Year of the Pig this year. (AFP photo)
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RAYAGRAJ, IndiaFor decades Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has fought the conservative laws and beliefs to put her transgender community on a par with the rest of society, and now she has notched up a new milestone. On Tuesday she and dozens of other resplendent "Kinnars" splashed in the sacred waters of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers alongside revered Hindu ascetics at the immense Kumbh Mela festival in northern India. It was the first time that members of the estimated two-million-strong transgender community have been allowed to do so at the festival, the biggest religious gathering in the world that got under way this week. Dressed in saffron and red saris, they reached the river banks to take the ritual bath that Hindus believe will rid them of
their sins, as devotees chanted religious hymns and thousands of people looked on. "For us, this participation is about mainstream society accepting us. The creator is within us and once we die, we will go back to him. Our doors are open for all," Tripathi told reporters last week. Hijras, a term used in the country for transgenders and eunuchs, often live on the extreme fringes of society, with many forced into prostitution, begging or menial jobs. But Hinduism has many references to transgenders, including gods and goddesses who belong to the third gender. Over the centuries transgenders have assumed different roles in society, from royal courtesans to participants in birth ceremonies and other auspicious occasions. They have waged a lengthy
battle to protect their rights and end discrimination. The Supreme Court recognized them as a third gender in a historic ruling, followed by a judgement last year that overturned a colonial-era law criminalising gay sex. Tripathi, 40, heads Kinnar Akhara, a religious gymnasium or monastery for Sadhus or ascetics. It has however not yet won official recognition from the other groups. "Establishing Kinnar Akhara aims to show the correct path to the next generation and to ensure that they do not face the stigma and discrimination we faced," Pavitra Nimbhorker, the group's secretary, told AFP. The Kumbh Mela, which began on Tuesday, is expected to attract more than 100 million Hindus over the coming seven weeks to bathe at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers.
Total lunar eclipse People in North and South America and parts of western Europe and Africa will be treated to a total lunar eclipse overnight on Jan. 20-21. Lunar eclipses occur when Earth passes between the moon and the sun, blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow over the moon. This one — the last total lunar eclipse until 2021 — promises to be special because it coincides with a “supermoon,” meaning the moon is a bit closer to Earth in its orbit around our planet and thus appears slightly bigger.
Houston Tamil Studies Chair at UH
Officers of sponsoring organizations with the speaker. Picture by Dr. Thiruvengadam Arumugam
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is Holiness Maruthasala Adikalar from Perur Adheenam, near Coimbatore, India, was received with purna kumbham honors on January 12, 2019 at the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, Texas, where he spoke eloquently in support of Houston Tamil Studies Chair (HTSC) at the University of Houston. The function was co-sponsored by HTSC, Meenakshi temple(MTS) and Bharathi Kalai Manram (BKM). MTS Chairman Dr. Padmini Nathan and BKM President Priya Chandru attended the event. HTSC’s President Sockalingam Sam Kannappan wel-
comed the gathering. Tupil Narasiman, Vice-President of Finance presented the details of the formation of HTSC. Fundraising coordinator Dr. SG. Appan said that contributions are coming in at a record level. Treasurer Dr. Naa Ganesan introduced the speaker. Vice-President of grants, Dr. Thiruvengadam proposed vote of Thanks. HTSC Secretary A. Perumal coordinated the event. Adikalar presented books to MTS Vice-Chairman Dhani Kannan and Board member Malathi Sundar for Meenakshi Temple library. Indian community is growing at an ever-increasing pace
in the city of Houston, Texas. Many youth from Indian and Asian background are attending both undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines at University of Houston. University of Houston has accepted our proposal to set up a “Houston Tamil Studies Chair” with the focus being on Research & Teaching of Tamil. HTSC is a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) approval set up specifically to collect funds for the establishment of the Tamil Chair. For further information, please contact sam.kannappan@gmail.com
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hinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese holiday celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar. In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival, the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally run from Chinese New Year’s Eve, the last day of the last month of the Chinese calendar, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month, making the festival the longest in the Chinese calendar. Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the “Lunar New Year”. The source of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honor deities as well as ancestors. Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore,Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius,Philippines,and also
in Chinatowns elsewhere. Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbours. Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely. Often, the evening preceding Chinese New Year’s Day is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.
It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red color papercuts and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity.” Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.
SOUTH ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 9
Pakistan court orders fresh report on mentally ill prisoner on death row
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EW DELHI, India | AFP | Tuesday 1/8/2019 - India's top court Tuesday paved the way for the reopening of a copper smelter at the centre of a police shooting that left more than a dozen protesters dead last year.
The case of Khizar Hayat, a former police officer sentenced to death in 2003 for killing a colleague and who has spent more than 15 years in custody, has attracted widespread attention from rights groups and the UN.
It added that the court had "strongly reprimanded" jail authorities for failing to follow prison rules. The court had temporarily suspended Hayat's death sentence on Saturday. On Sunday, UN experts had urged Pakistan
The Sterlite Copper plant was closed in May 2018 after police opened fire on demonstrators, who said the smelter was poisoning air and water around the southern port city of Thoothukudi. Khizar Hayat. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@SaifullahAwan40) against carrying out an "arbitrary execution".
diagnosed Hayat as suffering from schizophrenia in 2008.
"During his trial, no evidence or witnesses were called in his defence and no questions were asked regarding his mental health, although he was later diagnosed with a mental health condition and has been receiving treatment for the past 10 years," they said.
Two years ago, experts from the World Psychiatric Association also appealed to Pakistan to halt his execution, saying he was suffering from schizophrenia and did not understand the crime he had committed.
Government
doctors
A petition to move him to a mental health facility was dismissed on 6 December 2018, the UN experts said.
had
Indian temple trailblazer beaten by mother-in-law by Chintha Mary Anil
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HIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India | AFP | Tuesday 1/15/2019 - One of the two women who infuriated Hindu traditionalists by entering a revered shrine in India was attacked by her mother-in-law Tuesday as soon as she returned home after days on the run, police said. Kanakadurga, 39, had been in hiding since she made history by setting foot in the Sabarimala temple on January 2 along with Bindu Ammini, sparking days of unrest in the southern state of Kerala. Sabarimala, set on top of a hill in a tiger reserve, is dedicated to the celibate deity Ayyappa, and followers believe letting in women of menstruating age goes against his wishes. A September ruling by India's Supreme Court that all women could enter the temple angered devotees, including supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who was in Kerala on Tuesday -- and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After moving to more than 10 different safe houses, Kanakadurga, who uses only one name, returned home on Tuesday morning, only to be attacked by the enraged relative -- reportedly with a stick. "A case was registered by Kanakadurga against her mother-in-law who, she said, attacked her when she arrived home this morning at 7.15 am," a police official in Perunthalmanna town told AFP on condition of anonymity.
After moving to more than 10 different safe houses, Kanakadurga, who uses only one name, returned home only to be attacked by her enraged mother-in-law. (AFP photo) and murder of a woman on a Delhi bus sparked huge protests and shone a spotlight on the shocking level of sexual violence in the country. Last year India witnessed its own "#MeToo" movement. The women's entry into Sabarimala sparked days of clashes involving Hindu rightwing activists, devotees, riot police using tear gas and water cannon, and supporters of Kerala's leftist state government -- which supports the entry of women. Mobs damaged buses, burnt effigies and threw stones and crude bombs on the streets. One person was killed and hundreds arrested. Believed to be one of the holiest Hindu temples, Sabarimala receives millions of visitors every year.
A complaint had been registered against the mother-inlaw for "voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means" and "wrongful restraint", reports said. Kanakadurga, a government employee, was admitted to a hospital in the nearby city of Malappuram where protesters had begun gathering and chanting slogans. It was not known immediately how serious her injuries were. In a recent interview with AFP while still in hiding, Kanakadurga said she had gone to Sabarimala to exercise her right as a devotee and to reinforce gender equality. - 'Purification' She also said her family was angry with her as she had not told them in advance about her temple visit, fearing they would try and prevent her. After Bindu and Kanakadurga entered the temple, the head priest shut the temple doors for an hour-long "purification ceremony" in line with the widespread belief that menstruating women are impure. Sabarimala has become a new flashpoint for Indian women in their battle for social change ahead of elections in the world's biggest democracy due by May. In 2012 the brutal gang rape
India top court clears Vedanta copper plant for reopening
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SLAMABAD, Pakistan | AFP | 1/14/2019 - Pakistan's top court on Monday ordered a fresh medical report into the condition of a mentally ill prisoner on death row, an NGO representing him said, days after his execution was temporarily suspended.
"The case was adjourned till the Special Medical Board examines Khizar and files their report before the Court," the Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a rights organisation that is representing Hayat, said in a press release.
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
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Those wishing to visit undergo a 41-day period of introspection and detachment known as vratha, abstaining from sex, meat, intoxicants and even shaving. Only those who have observed the vratha and carry the irrumude, a symbolic offering, can enter the main courtyard up 18 divine golden steps. The sacred offerings, tied in a cloth usually carried on the head or shoulders, include coconuts, rose water, rice and pepper. The Supreme Court is due to start hearing a legal challenge on its ruling from January 22. Its ruling on Sabarimala was the latest to irk conservatives in the deeply traditional country of 1.25 billion people, after it overturned a colonial-era ban on gay sex and on adultery.
The plant is owned by Vedanta Limited, an Indian subsidiary of the British-based Vedanta Resources owned by Indian-born billionaire tycoon Anil Agarwal.
The Sterlite Copper plant was closed in May 2018 after police opened fire on demonstrators, leaving 13 dead. (AFP photo)
India's federal environment court in December granted permission for the plant to reopen, prompting an appeal by the Tamil Nadu state government.
The city of Thoothukudi, previously known as Tuticorin, has been rocked by longrunning protests over the copper plant, one of the largest in India.
It argued that concerns the smelter had "irreversibly polluted" groundwater in and
around Thoothukudi had been ignored, but the Supreme Court upheld the tribunal's decision.
Protesters say it harmed the environment and the health of
those living nearby -- claims the company has long denied. Demonstrations against the facility turned deadly when Vedanta sought to double the plant's annual capacity. Police opened fire on thousands of people who marched on the plant to condemn the plan, killing 13 and leaving dozens more injured.
Afghan talent show singer finds fame as Justin Trudeau's double by Allison Jackson
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ABUL, Afghanistan | AFP | - An Afghan talent show contestant's striking resemblance to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has turned him into an unlikely celebrity in the war-torn country -- and potentially given him the winning edge. Abdul Salam Maftoon, a wedding singer from a village in the remote and impoverished northeastern province of Badakhshan, had never even heard of his more famous doppelgänger until a judge on the popular television music contest Afghan Star pointed out the uncanny likeness. Slightly built with a long face and dark brown hair and eyes, Maftoon, 29, hopes the flattering comparison to the politician widely rated as one of the sexiest leaders in the world will bring him more votes on Afghanistan's version of American Idol. "People have forgotten my name and now they just call me 'Justin Trudeau'," Maftoon told AFP, his self-conscious smile revealing two gold-plated front teeth. "I didn't know anything about Justin Trudeau until I saw the photos on social media. "The resemblance has boosted my chances of winning the competition by 50 percent." Composite photos of the pair -- Maftoon wearing a hat favoured by men in northern Afghanistan and Trudeau in Western-style clothing -- have drawn scores of comments on Facebook. And a video of an Afghan Star panel discussion about
Abdul Salam Maftoon said he didn't know anything about Justin Trudeau before people starting comparing him to the Canadian PM their physical similarities has been viewed tens of thousands of times. "Trudeau's lost twin," wrote Neila Abdulzadah on Facebook. Fowzia Zereh posted: "I think their story is like a Bollywood movie -- they were separated at birth and he found his lost twin brother." Another said: "This is truly the copy of Trudeau. I'd love to see our Trudeau win this year's Afghan Star." - 'Next Justin Bieber' Maftoon has a good chance. The performer is among eight contestants to make it through to the next elimination round on Thursday. The final will be held on March 21, the Persian new year's eve. So far Maftoon's repertoire of romantic folk songs, which he sings in both of Afghani-
stan's official languages Dari and Pashto, and his looks have impressed viewers, whose votes decide which performer is kicked off the show each week. He has also caught the attention of the official judges. "He looks like my prime minister," said Afghan-born Canadian musician Qais Ulfat, one of the four judges who first pointed out Maftoon's resemblance to Trudeau. "His voice is very satisfying. He has that god-gifted vocal ability. "This guy could be the next Justin Bieber." Until now Maftoon has relied on singing and playing instruments at wedding and birthday parties to support his wife and four children. But he is confident that his new-found fame will boost demand for his entertainment services.
Hundreds sacked after Bangladesh garment strikes
HAKA, Bangladesh | AFP | 1/16/2019 Bangladesh factories making clothes for Western brands have sacked hundreds of workers after more than a week of strikes and clashes over wages, police and trade unions said Wednesday.
"Police told me not to create trouble. Otherwise I'll be disappeared." Police and a senior factory manager gave a lower total of around 400 workers fired for damaging equipment during the strike -- with more than half from one Ashulia plant called Metro Knitting and Dyeing.
The country's $30-billion clothing industry is the world's second-largest after China. Its some four million workers at 4,500 factories make garments for global retail giants H&M, Walmart and many others.
Metro Knitting's general manager Atiqul Islam told AFP that the company has reported nearly 300 workers to police for smashing the factory's CCTV cameras and computers.
Protests by thousands of employees over low wages began earlier this month, prompting scores of manufacturers to halt production.
"Some 10,000 apparel items made for export also went missing," Islam added. So far 12 arrests have been made for vandalism during the unrest, local police said.
One worker was killed and more than 50 injured last week after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters in a key industrial town outside the capital Dhaka.
Protests by thousands of garment workers in Bangladesh over low wages began earlier this month, prompting scores of manufacturers to halt production
The demonstrations died down this week after the government agreed to raise salaries, but many returned to work on Wednesday to discover they
A top union leader said at least 750 workers at various companies in the manufacturing hub of Ashulia had found
had been laid off.
notices hanging on factory gates informing them of their dismissal along with photos of their faces. "This is unjust. The owners
are doing it to create a climate of fear so that no one can dare to stage protests or demand fair wages," the leader said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The strikes came a few weeks after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- accused by rights and opposition groups of becoming increasingly authoritarian -- was re-elected on December 30 after a violence-plagued campaign.
ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 10
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Millions take plunge in giant Japan sees record 31 million Indian religious festival tourists in 2018
Japan is banking on international tourism to help boost its economy
Millions take plunge in giant Indian religious festival
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LLAHABAD, India | AFP | 1/16/2019 - More than 20 million Hindu pilgrims ritually bathed in India's holy rivers on the opening day of the Kumbh Mela, a gigantic festival billed as the world's largest human gathering. The spectacular seven-week festival began Tuesday in Allahabad, an ancient city that rises alongside the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in northern Uttar Pradesh state. The meeting point of these rivers is considered among the holiest places in Hinduism and devotees believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and brings salvation. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose Hindu nationalist government is overseeing the enormous event, said 22.5 million Hindus plunged into the icy waters on the first day of the Kumbh. "I thank all the visitors, religious leaders, common man and officials for the smooth conduct of the mega event," he told the Press Trust of India news agency on Wednesday. Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu priest who rose to lead India's most populous state in 2017, said the opening day figures were "a record" for the centuries-old festival. The Kumbh attracts astonishing numbers of visitors, outstripping the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca or any other large-scale gathering. Kumbh organisers say the last major gathering in Allahabad in 2013 drew 120 million people -- nearly the population of Japan. Nearly 30,000 police have been deployed to oversee
crowds for the huge undertaking, and prevent stampedes that have marred previous gatherings. A gigantic tent city has emerged near the banks of the hallowed rivers with a 45-square kilometre encampment set aside specially for pilgrims. Adityanath, who hails from Prime Minister Narendra Mo-
di's Bharatiya Janata Party, has heavily promoted this year's festival which comes as India prepares for a general election due by May. The historic city of Allahabad was even renamed Prayagraj in October by the state's conservative government, stripping its centuriesold name and replacing it with an ancient Hindu title.
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OKYO, Japan | AFP | 1/16/2019 - Japan welcomed a record 31 million foreign visitors in 2018, official data showed Wednesday, as the country gears up to host the Rugby World Cup this year and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The world's third largest economy, also known for its ancient temples and vibrant pop culture, welcomed 31.2 million visitors in 2018, up 8.7 percent
from the previous year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation. Fellow Asian countries dominated the inbound tourist figures, with more than eight million Chinese tourists (up 13.9 percent) and 7.5 million South Koreans (up 5.6 percent) visiting Japan. Taiwanese tourists were next, accounting for 4.8 million peo-
ple. Collectively the visitors, which include business people with limited-term stays, spent a record 4.5 trillion yen ($41.5 billion) in Japan, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Chinese visitors were the biggest spenders, spending a whopping 1.54 trillion yen -- or just more than one third of total tourism outlay.
China firm completes $1.4bn Sri Lanka land reclamation
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OLOMBO, Sri Lanka | AFP | 1/16/2019 - A Chinese state-owned company marked on Wednesday the completion of an ambitious land reclamation adjacent to Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, part of Beijing's "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative that has alarmed India and the West.
the site of a new financial district and has worried environmentalists, goes to China on a 99-year lease.
"Colombo Port City is an important project of the One Belt, One Road initiative in Sri Lanka, which is one of the key countries along the maritime silk route," China's ambassador Cheng Xueyuan said at a ceremony.
The port of Colombo is a key hub for Indian import-export cargo and the new real estate is situated at the entrance.
"No matter how the international situation changes, China always facilitates great importance to Sino-Sri Lanka relations and actively implements the consensus of the leaders of the two countries," he added. The $1.4 billion Colombo Port City was agreed between China and Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapakse, one of several projects to raise fears that the strategically important location was falling into Beijing's orbit. On another, the $1.4-billion
Patali Champika, the minister in charge of the project, said however that the reclaimed area would not be a threat to Sri Lanka's sovereignty or undermine the security of regional power India.
China has also emerged a key political and financial backer of Sri Lanka, dislodging Japan which used to be the biggest funder of infrastructure such as ports in the island nation.
The 269 hectare reclamation project is envisaged as the site of a new financial district. Hambantota deep-sea port also built by the Chinese, China in December 2017 was given a 99year lease after Colombo said it was unable to keep up with servicing loans made by Beijing to pay for it.
The nearby Hambantota airport also funded by China and built in Rajapaske's constituency in the middle of two wildlife sanctuaries has turned into a
white elephant, with no scheduled flights. Two-thirds of the new 269 hectare (664 acre) reclamation project which is envisaged as
Finance ministry officials said the Bank of China had offered Colombo a $1.0 billion loan to shore up its foreign reserves amid an exodus of foreign capital from Sri Lanka's bond and equity markets. The Chinese funding becomes crucial at a time when three international credit rating agencies downgraded Sri Lanka after a political crisis in late 2018.
One in three Christians in Asia faces persecution: report
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ARIS, France | AFP | 1/16/2019 - One in three Christians in Asia faces high levels of persecution after a "shocking increase" of religious-based threats and violence across the world, particularly in China and sub-Saharan Africa, a global advocacy group said Wednesday. Around half of China's 100 million Christians encounters persecution, "the worst it's been in more than a decade", following "new laws seeking to control religious expression", the Open Doors watchdog said. Persecution worldwide increased for the sixth straight year, with a total of 245 million Christians -- one out of nine worldwide -- facing high levels in 2018, up from 215 million, or one in 12, the previous year. "Worldwide, our data reveals that 13.9 per cent more Christians are experiencing high levels of persecution than last year. That's 30 million more people," Open Doors UK and Ireland CEO Henrietta Blyth said in a statement. More than 4,300 Christians were killed due to their beliefs worldwide last year, over 3,700 of them in Nigeria, according to the 2019 World Watch List. The number of deaths in Nigeria almost doubled, with attacks from the jihadist Boko Haram group and ethnic Fu-
A Catholic Church in China, where around half of the country's 100 million Christians encounters persecution, according to a new report. lani herders posing a "double threat" for Christians, the NGO said.
the list are Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, India and Syria.
"Africa has become the home of violence against Christians," said Michel Varton, president of Open Doors France.
India entered the top 10 for the first time, Open Doors said, as "Hindu extremists act with impunity and violent attacks on Christians and churches rise".
North Korea topped the NGO's "extreme persecution" ranking of 50 countries, as it has since 2002.
"For many Christians in India, daily life is now full of fear -– totally different from just four or five years ago," said Blyth.
Open Doors said there were signs religious repression there was getting worse, but it was difficult to obtain data in the country, where "Christianity is forbidden and is a political crime". Following North Korea on
Open Doors, a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians, warned that the rate of discrimination and violence was likely worse than it has reported, as it only records deaths proven to be to be motivated by religion.
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Canada warns of China travel risk after death sentence
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TTAWA, Canada | AFP | Tuesday 1/14/2019 - Canada is warning citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" when travelling to China after a Canadian man was sentenced to death on drug trafficking charges.
tenced Canadian citizen Robert Lloyd Schellenberg to death on drug trafficking charges after his previous 15-year prison sentence was deemed too lenient.
The revised advisory cautioned travellers of the "risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws," and noted that the "safety and security situation could change with little notice".
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Beijing of "arbitrarily" using capital punishment, deepening a diplomatic rift between the two countries.
The update came hours after a Chinese court on Monday sen-
Schellenberg, 36, had appealed against the court's original verdict.
The sentence comes against the backdrop of Beijing's anger
over the arrest in Canada of a top executive from telecom giant Huawei last month on a US extradition request related to Iran sanctions violations. Chinese authorities later detained two Canadian nationals -- a former diplomat and a business consultant -- on suspicion of endangering national security, a move seen as retaliation for the Huawei executive's arrest. Ottawa has called for the Canadians' immediate release, with the backing of the US, EU and several western nations.
Massive US teachers’ strike affects half million pupils by Jocelyne Zablit
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OS ANGELES, California | AFP | Monday 1/14/2019 - More than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles walked off the job on Monday to press their demands for better pay, smaller class sizes and more educators. The strike -- the first in 30 years -- is affecting some 500,000 students in the nation’s second largest school district, with intense negotiations in past weeks failing to lead to a breakthrough. The action is being watched
UK parliament deals historic defeat to PM May's Brexit deal some EU trade rules, if and until London and Brussels sign a new economic partnership which could take several years. Sammy Wilson, Brexit spokesman with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, upon which May relies for her parliamentary majority, told the BBC his party would not be forced into backing the deal by fears over the border. The government must set out what happens next by Monday, if -- as is expected -- it survives the no-confidence vote. Speculation is growing on both sides of the Channel that May could ask to delay Brexit.
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May said MPs had a duty to deliver on the results of the 2016 referendum on leaving the EU (AFP Photo/HO) by Alice Ritchie and Dmitry Zaks
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ONDON, United Kingdom | AFP - Britain's parliament on Tuesday voted against Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal by a massive margin, triggering a no confidence vote that could bring down her government. The House of Commons lower house voted 432 to 202 against May's plan for taking Britain out of the European Union after nearly five decades, one of the biggest defeats ever suffered by a British premier. The EU warned that the vote, which plunges Britain into uncharted waters, boosts the risk of a "no deal" Brexit. Moments after the outcome, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn submitted a motion of no-confidence in May's government. The vote is set for Wednesday. Speaking moments before the MPs cast their ballots, May said MPs had a "duty to deliver" on the results of a 2016 referendum that started the divorce. "I believe we have a duty to deliver on the democratic decision of the British people," May said, warning MPs that the EU would not offer any "alternative deal". "A vote against this deal is a
opposed Brexit, as have some leading members of May's government, creating an inherent contradiction that has torn apart the island nation. And with just over two months to go until the scheduled March 29 departure, Britain still cannot decide what to do. May must now decide whether she tries to hold another vote, gets kicked out of office, delays Brexit -- or if Brexit even happens at all. As their nation's fate was being decided, hundreds of noisy supporters and opponents of Brexit, some banging drums and others driving floats with huge dolls mocking top UK politicians, rallied outside the ancient parliament building in London. "It could end up being the day that will lead to us leaving with no deal!" said 25-yearold Simon Fisher, who backs a swift and sharp break with the EU. A much larger rally nearby in support of a second referendum turned Parliament Square into a sea of EU flags. One pro-Brexit activist attempting to join the rally was detained by police to shouts of "scum" from fellow protesters in an indication of rising tensions. Others voiced their support for a second referendum, an option May's government rules
May decided to postpone a parliamentary vote in December on the Brexit deal in the hope of winning concessions from Brussels -- and that a Christmas break would change lawmakers' minds. EU leaders came back with only non-binding clarifications, and just a handful of new MPs have rallied to May's side. The UK government's current plan appears to be to try to ram a very similar version of the agreement through parliament on a second or possibly even third attempt. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker returned to Brussels from Strasbourg on Tuesday "to handle the situation after the vote," according to his office. In Strasbourg, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas raised the possibility of further talks while ruling out a full renegotiation of the text. Hardline Brexiteers and Remainers oppose the agreement for different reasons and many fear it could lock Britain into an unfavourable trading relationship with the EU. Bitter debates about Britain's place in the world have dominated the national discourse ever since the referendum, dividing families and playing out in front of parliament on Tuesday. Financial markets were also watching closely, with several
But a diplomatic source told AFP any extension would not be possible beyond June 30, when the new European Parliament will be formed. The withdrawal agreement includes plans for a post-Brexit transition period until a new relationship is drawn up, in return for continued budget contributions from London. Without it, and if there is no delay, Britain will sever ties with its nearest neighbours with no agreement to ease the blow.
"The responsibility of each and every one of us at this moment is profound, for this is a historic decision that will set the future of our country for generations." Most lawmakers have always
- 'No Deal? No problem!' May made it her mission to carry out the wishes of voters after she became premier in July 2016, putting aside her own initial misgivings and stating repeatedly that "Brexit means Brexit". But facing a heavy drubbing,
currency trading companies roping in extra staff for the vote and at least one putting a cap on trades to avoid excessive movements. - Risk of no deal Criticism of the deal is focused on an arrangement to keep open the border with Ireland by aligning Britain with
closely by teaching unions across the country that are engaged in labor negotiations and also considering strikes. “Here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state that’s blue (Democrat) as it can be -- and in a city rife with millionaires -- where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students,” Alex Caputo-Pearl, the head of the United Teachers Los Angeles union, told a news conference. “Here we are in a fight for the soul of public education,” Caputo-Pearl added. “The question is: do we starve our public neighborhood schools so that they (become) privatized, or do we re-invest in our public neighborhood schools for our students and for a thriving city?” Although the teachers’ union and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) agree that class sizes -- some at more than 40 -- must shrink, teacher salaries must improve and more support staff are needed, they differ on funding. School district officials insist they have taken great pains to avert a strike and negotiate with the union and say the district simply doesn’t have
enough money to meet all of the demands. A revised offer submitted on Friday and calling for roughly $24 million more in funding and 1,200 more teachers for the upcoming school year was rejected. - ‘We’d like to resolve this’ LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner on Monday said his office had reached out to the governor’s office and the mayor’s office to see if they could help broker a deal. He said the teachers’ demands would cost about $3 billion and push district into insolvency. “We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible,” Beutner told reporters. “We urge (the union) to resume bargaining with us anytime, anywhere, 247. We’d like to resolve this.” Despite the walkout, the 1,240 schools in the sprawling district remain open, he said, with classes taught by administrators and substitute teachers. Last spring, a strike by teachers in the state of West Virginia over low wages and rising health care costs set off a wave of similar action in several other states and garnered strong public support.
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ASHINGTON, January 15, 2019 Senate and House leaders said Tuesday they will cancel the Martin Luther King Day recess unless there is a sudden resolution to the 25day partial government shutdown, which appears unlikely given a breakdown in highlevel talks. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), one of the principal negotiators, told reporters Tuesday that he hasn’t spoken to President Trump in nearly a week, underlining the standstill in negotiations. “The last I spoke with him was when he walked out, threw a temper tantrum and walked out, so we haven’t heard from him since then,” Schumer told reporters after meeting with the Democratic caucus. A group of centrist House Democrats on Tuesday rejected a White House invitation to attend talks with Republicans and Trump, seeing it as an effort to divide the party.
“The congressman is declining the invitation,” said Andrew Scibetta, a spokesman for Rep. Lou Correa (DCalif.). “Congressman Correa welcomes the opportunity to talk with the president about border security, as soon as the government is reopened.”
out.
Teachers and their supporters picket outside John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, California on the first day of the teachers' strike, on January 14, 2019. (AFP Photo/Robyn Beck)
Congressional leaders nix recess with no shutdown deal in sight
A Democratic congressional aide said the meeting appeared to be pulled together “haphazardly at the last minute,” with invitations to members received from the White House beginning in the late afternoon on Monday and continuing until late at night.
vote for uncertainty, division, and the very real threat of a no deal," she argued to loud jeers from the packed chamber.
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
The White House and Republicans who did attend the meeting criticized the Democrats for skipping it. “The sheer fact that no Democrats [were] here to even talk with us shows the lack of willingness to compromise,” said Rep. Rodney Davis (Ill.), one of the Republicans who went to the White House. Democrats feel confident they have leverage on Trump, who has seen his poll numbers steadily erode as the shutdown
Leaders Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell. (Photo © Stefani Reynolds - Greg Nash) drags on. “Every day he’s losing. The Gallup Poll today had him at a near record low of 37 percent popularity. Even some of his base is losing faith,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday morning. “President Trump, you’re not going to win this fight with the American people. Every day it drags on, you are less popular.” A Quinnipiac University poll published Monday showed that 56 percent of respondents blame Trump and Republicans in Congress for the shutdown while only 36 percent blame Democrats. Convinced that Trump is taking the brunt of the political fallout, Democrats feel little incentive to cede any ground in the standoff over the president’s demand for $5.7 billion for a border wall. So far, most Republican lawmakers are sticking with Trump, persuading themselves the shutdown isn’t becoming a political disaster for their party. But others acknowledge the standoff is taking a toll on Trump’s political standing and want to see an end to the impasse.
Thune (R-S.D.) said Trump has largely failed to persuade independent voters that building a border wall is worth a monthlong partial government shutdown. “The real battlefield is for those independent voters, and I don’t think he’s probably won them over yet,” Thune said. For the second time in two weeks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday blocked a request by Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin (D) and Chris Van Hollen (D) to take up a House package to fund shuttered departments and agencies. McConnell has said he will not allow a vote on a funding measure unless there is a deal between Trump and Democrats. He also said the Senate would not be voting to override a Trump veto on funding legislation. There are at least two groups of senators working on proposals that could later serve the basis of a compromise.
“Nobody is winning. Mr. President, hear me, nobody is winning. We’re not winning, you’re not winning, Democrats aren’t winning,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
One group, led by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), includes a mix of Republicans and Democrats, including Sens. Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Rob Portman (ROhio), Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.).
Asked if the shutdown is hurting Trump’s approval rating, Murkowski said “absolutely.”
A separate group made up entirely of Republican moderates is also meeting to discuss options, according to Murkowski.
Senate Majority Whip John
- The Hill
US/WORLD
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FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Kamala Harris dons her running shoes, White House spokesman Raj Shah quits but is the White House her goal?
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ASHINGTON | AFP | 1/13/2019 With not one but two new books out, coupled with a frenetic series of interviews that saw her alternately sharing a laugh, solemnly contemplating "the soul of the nation" or relating poignant memories of her immigrant parents, one could be forgiven for suspecting that Kamala Harris is about to join the Democratic field seeking the presidential nomination in 2020. For political observers, that much is obvious -- you can almost see their eyerolls -- since Harris's are the classic moves of someone preparing a White House run. "I might," she said, just a bit coyly, before bursting into contagious -- and revealing -- laughter in an appearance Thursday on the set of celebrated comedian and CBS television host Stephen Colbert. The coming days should bring a more definitive answer. But her calls for unity in her newly published memoir -- "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey," from Penguin Press -- clearly set the tone for what a Harris candidacy might mean in an America sorely divided by the unsettling presidency of Donald Trump. If she does announce her candidacy, the 54-year-old California senator -- whose first name should be pronounced like "comma-la," she insists -would be aspiring to become not only the first female president of the United States but also the first black female. As someone who seems
to personify the "American gest person I have ever known," dream" and its melting-pot ide- she has written on Twitter. al, Harris is no novice at breakMother Shyamala was only ing through glass ceilings. 19 when she arrived in CaliAfter two terms as district at- fornia in 1960 to pursue her torney of San Francisco (2004- studies, eventually becoming a 2011), she was twice elected as renowned cancer researcher. attorney general of California Harris mentions her father, (2011-2017), becoming not Donald, as well, calling him "a only the first woman but the respected economist" who is an first black person to serve as emeritus professor at Stanford chief law enforcement officer University. of that populous state. But after her parents sepaThen in January 2017, she rated when she was about five took the oath of office as Cali- years old, it was Kamala's fornia's junior US senator, mother who raised her and her making her the first woman of younger sister, Maya, who went South Asian descent (her moth- on to become a lawyer and an er is a Tamil Indian) and only advisor to Hillary Clinton durthe second black woman sena- ing the 2016 presidential camtor in American history, after paign. Carol Moseley Braun. Hers was a happy childhood, Her focused and often tough- Harris now says, where educasounding lines of questioning tion was highly valued, and it during closely watched Senate inspired her to write her sechearings reflect her past as a ond new book, "Superheroes prosecutor. Are Everywhere," a children's Harris often proudly recalls picture book that was also pubher past as a prosecutor in lished last week. California when she fought big But Harris has also experibanks in the midst of the finan- enced discrimination. cial crisis in order to benefit "I have too many memories of families. my brilliant mother being treatShe casts herself as a de- ed as though she were dumb befender of middle class families cause of her accent,” she wrote "living paycheck to paycheck" in her autobiography. and denounces police brutalAsked about that, she shared ity and the killing of unarmed some tough words about Reblack men. publican president Trump. - 'As though she were dumb' "There are powerful forces -The daughter of immigrants including this president -- that -- her father is from Jamaica -- are attempting to vilify immiHarris grew up in the 1960s in grants because they were born the progressive hotbed of Oak- in another country," she said land, California, proud of the recently on CNN. struggle her parents waged for - 'Charismatic' and 'compelcivil rights. ling' "My mother was the stron-
US congresswoman Gabbard...
But her political ascent does share one small link to that of the wealthy president: she was elected to the Senate on November 8, 2016, the day of Trump's unexpected victory. In her book she describes the shock she felt that night, but also the stirring realization that soon followed: "We are better than this," she wrote, "but we're going to have to prove it." Her resolutely optimistic message stands in stark contrast to the much darker landscape described by Donald Trump, who referred in his inaugural speech to "American carnage." "It's a smart move on her part," said Dena Grayson, a Democratic strategist. Grayson added: "She's taking a page out of the Obama playbook, which was 'hope and change,'" a message that resonated, particularly among Democrats, after the George W. Bush presidency. Both Grayson and Jennifer Lawless, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia, see Harris as a compelling and charismatic candidate who should be well-positioned in the emerging Democratic field. But both analysts emphasized that with that field expected to be huge and diverse -- as Democrats see a chance to run against an embattled president many of them detest -- prediction is difficult. "The question is, is she -- and is her message -- going to break through when you have a group of 10 or 12 or 15 people running for office," Lawless said.
to join lobbyists Continued from Page 1 Ballard Partners said Shah "oversaw strategy and communications" for the White House's ultimately successful effort to confirm Trump's conservative pick Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Along with cabinet members and advisors, Trump's communication team has also seen turnover. Sean Spicer was replaced as spokesman in July 2017 by Sarah Sanders, who remains, and communications director Hope Hicks, Trump's top aide, resigned last February.
US citizen among dead in Kabul truck bomb attack
K
ABUL, Afghanistan | AFP | 1/16/2019 A US citizen was among those killed in a powerful truck bomb attack against a heavily fortified foreign compound in Kabul this week, officials said Wednesday, as the government continued investigating the blast site. The Taliban have claimed responsibility after the bomb detonated near the Green Village compound in east Kabul on Monday. Afghan authorities have said at least four people were killed and 113 wounded. On Wednesday an official at the US embassy in Kabul said an American citizen was among the fatalities, but gave no further information. Indian authorities had previously confirmed that one of their citizens was also killed in the
attack. It was not clear if they were included in the four dead, with some Afghan officials giving conflicting tolls. "We have launched an investigation and it has not finished yet. Once we finish the investigation we will be able to release the final toll," Najib Danish, the interior ministry spokesman, said. The powerful blast ripped through surrounding neighbourhoods, shattering the windows of surrounding houses and shops. It came as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad visits the region for meetings aimed at bringing an end to the 17-year war in Afghanistan, which by some estimates was the world's deadliest conflict zone in 2018.
Indian American Nurses Legacy Award (IANLA)
Continued from Page 1
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of war and peace," Gabbard added. "I look forward to being able to get into this and to talk about it in depth when we make our announcement." Gabbard was born in American Samoa and was raised in Hawaii, where she is known to surf. The previous Democratic president, Barack Obama, was also raised in Hawaii, and is the only president who was born in the island state. Gabbard's announcement comes ahead of what is expected to be a wave of high-profile candidates throwing their hats in the ring. Senator Elizabeth Warren has formed an exploratory committee for a presidential bid, and last week took a high-profile trip to the early voting state of Iowa. Former vice president Joe Biden and progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, whom Gabbard supported over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries, are also mulling entering the race. Julian Castro, a former mayor of San Antonio who served in Barack Obama's cabinet as housing secretary, says he will announce his 2020 plans on Saturday. Gabbard drew heavy criticism when she met secretly with Assad in Damascus in 2017 during a fact-finding mission that also took her to the decimated city of Aleppo. She also met with refugees and Syrian opposition leaders. "Originally, I had no intention of meeting with Assad, but when given the opportunity, I felt it was important to take it," Gabbard said when her trip became public. "I think we should be ready to meet with anyone if there's a chance it can help bring about an end to this war, which is causing the Syrian people so much suffering." Gabbard was deployed to Iraq in 2005, and she maintains her role as a member of the Hawaii National Guard.
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City of Sugar Land hosts annual business appreciation event
S
UGAR LAND, TX – The city of Sugar Land hosted its third annual business appreciation event, the Leadership and Legacy Luncheon, on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
dozens of global companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 firms like Minute Maid and Texas Instruments. Whether it’s a piece of history, on-trend shopping or hours of family fun, Sugar Land offers something sweet for everyone. Catch a large special event at Sugar Land’s Crown Festival Park or a Skeeters baseball game at Constellation Field, which has 360 degrees of fun, including a splash pad, basketball entertainment, swimming pool, and open-air bar and buffet.
The luncheon, held in partnership with the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation, celebrates the outstanding performance, leadership and contributions of Sugar Land’s diverse business community. “Every day, you make our community a better place to live, work and play – and it is truly a privilege for us to get to work alongside you to help your businesses thrive and be successful in Sugar Land,” said Elizabeth Huff, director of economic development for the city of Sugar Land, at this year’s event. Sugar Land’s philosophy of fostering a pro-business climate, also referred to as the “Sugar Land Way,” has built a strong economy that continues to be recognized on a national level. The city is a premier location for global companies ranging from local startups to multinational organizations.
Visitors can also enjoy 100+ live entertainment acts throughout the year at the award-winning Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land.
Members of the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation (L-R) include Gene Reed, John Null, Brent Leftwich, Patty Godfrey, Betty Baitland and Sunny Sharma with members of the Appel Family, including Emelia Appel, Patrick Valentz, Veronica Valentz, Erik Appel, Monica Appel, Barrett Appel, Kitee Valentz and Jason Valentz. made a significant, lasting impact on economic development and overall prosperity in Sugar Land.
ence, tenure, service and leadership in Sugar Land.
This year’s event was held at Constellation Field, home to the 2018 Atlantic League Champion Sugar Land Skeeters and an example of one of the city’s many public private partnership projects. The event also featured Reid Ryan, president of business operations for the Houston Astros, as the keynote speaker.
This year, they were presented to the late Herb Appel, who served as president and chief executive officer of the Fort Bend Economic Development Council for 27 years and NALCO Champion, an Ecolab Company, which in 2016 completed the consolidation of its Houston-area offices and centralized its headquarters in Sugar Land.
At the event, the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation also presented the Sugar Land Legacy Awards to recognize individuals and organizations that have
The Sugar Land Legacy Foundation Board of Directors selected recipients from nominations based on their commitment, business experi-
Known as the “Sweetest City in Texas,” Sugar Land is one of the finest cities in which to do business, live, work and visit. With some of the nation’s best master-planned communities, pristine parks and trails, and world-class medical facilities, Sugar Land offers the full amenities to create your very own home sweet home. Not to mention, Sugar Land consistently ranks among the most beautiful and safest cities in the nation. Fueled by a highly educated, globally diverse and a fast-growing population, Sugar Land’s economy attracts
Overall, the city’s bold, thoughtful approach to development, making life sweeter and more refined for its businesses, residents and visitors, is simply known as “The Sugar Land Way.”
ABOUT SUGAR LAND
Community invited to FBISD Board of Trustees Literacy Tour at Briargate Elementary, Feb. 11
Representing organization Legacy Award recipient NALCO Champion, an Ecolab Company, were (L-R) Bo Rose, Kurt Kirchof, Darrell Brown, Leanne Hamilton-Thompson and David Horsup.
Fort Bend ISD holds job fair
F
ORT BEND ISD (January 11, 2019) – On Monday, February 11, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees will host a Literacy Tour at Briargate Elementary (15817 Blue Ridge Rd., Missouri City, 77489) to celebrate reading and engage with parents, community members and other stakeholders. The event is the final stop in the Board’s
2018-19 Listening and Literacy Tour, and begins at 5 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria prior to the Board’s monthly workshop. During the Literacy Tour, students and their families will hear board members read aloud, participate in educational games, enjoy a student art exhibit and entertainment, and receive free refreshments. All students attending the Literacy Tour will
FBISD considers rezoning proposal to ease overcrowding
S
UGAR LAND, TX — Dozens of families packed the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees meeting Monday to take part in rezoning discussions that will impact thousands of students next year. The board heard recommendations to rezone Malala Yousafzai Elementary and rezone to balance enrollment at five high schools in the southeast portion of the district, officials said. The proposed changes, if approved during a meeting next week, would shift feeder
patterns for elementary and middle schools and impact enrollment at Ridge Point High School, Willowridge High School, Elkins, High School, Marshall High School, and Hightower High School. FBISD Superintendent Charles Dupre sent a letter to parents on Friday that outlined the plan ahead of Monday’s meeting. “I am bringing this to your attention because we originally planned to bring the elementary recommendation in January, followed by the high school recommendation in Febru-
also have the opportunity to select free books to take home and enjoy. Families are welcome to remain on campus following the literacy event to attend the Board’s monthly workshop to learn about key items presented to the Board for consideration. The Board Workshop begins at 6 p.m.
ary; however, the earlier high school recommendation was based on several factors, including feedback received following the community meetings via the online surveys, which we continued to receive and review during the recent winter break,” Dupre said in his letter. Fort Bend ISD residents can see the proposed changes online at https://www.fortbendisd.com/site/Default. aspx?PageID=106926. The board will vote on the zone recommendations at a meeting scheduled for Jan. 22. James Reese Career and Technical Facility is scheduled to open Fall 2019, the District’s new Career and Technical Education facility will service approximately 2,000 FBISD stu-
To fill career and technical education, special education, early literacy and elementary positions
F
ORT BEND ISD (January 14, 2019) – Fort Bend ISD’s Human Resources Department will host a job fair to fill positions for the 2019-20 school year in the following areas: Career and Technical Education, Special Education, Early Literacy and its newest elementary Yousafzai Elementary. The job fair will take place Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 9 – 11 a.m. at the FBISD Annex, 3119 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land. Those who plan to attend can register at www.fortbendisd. com/fallinlove. The deadline to register is February 11, 2019. - Career and Technical Education
dents daily through half-day programs. Plans include five student-run enterprise businesses that will be open to the community, such as a full service restaurant and credit union. (See Job Fair information above).
The state-of-the-art James Reese Career and Technical Center will open in August 2019 and will serve approximately 2,000 students daily from all 11 of the District’s high schools. Business partnerships will allow students to benefit from real-world experiences. Students will also have the opportunity to earn dual credit and industry certifications. Teaching opportunities include, but are not limited to: Health Science, Automotive Technology, Diesel Mechanics, Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism, Cyber Security, Firefighting, Welding and HVAC. - Special Education FBISD is committed to meeting the needs of all its students and has identified the need for additional staff to serve its special education population. Open positions include, but are not limited to: Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSPs), Diagnosticians, Special Education Teachers, and Special Education Paraprofessionals. The FBISD Special Education department provides
unique training and support to its staff members. - Early Literacy FBISD’s Early Literacy Center opened in August 2018 to provide innovative programming that supports the development of literacy skills and socio-emotional growth for students in PK — 1st grade. The Center is seeking teacher candidates who are EC-6 and ESL certified. FBISD’s Early Intervention Academy provides an innovative approach that offers a blend of academic and specialized therapy services to PPCD and general education students who are 3 and 4 years old. The Academy is seeking teacher candidates who are Special Education, EC-6 and ESL certified. - Yousafzai Elementary FBISD named its newest elementary school in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai. The school will open in August 2019 and is located in the Aliana subdivision. FBISD is looking for dynamic EC-6 ESL certified teachers.
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Only mother Cuaron’s ‘Roma’ a top winner roles for older at Critics’ Choice Awards Bollywood female actors, S says Farida Jalal by Javier Tovar
ANTA MONICA | AFP Hollywood’s award season was in full swing late Sunday, with Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” - an ode to the director’s childhood in 1970s Mexico City - the big winner at the Critics’ Choice Awards. “Roma” won trophies for best pic-
said Cuaron, a reference to President Donald Trump’s hardline rhetoric on immigration. Shot in black and white, and filmed in Spanish and the indigenous Mixtec language, “Roma” is a semi-autobiographical chronicle of a year in the life of Cuaron’s family and his childhood nanny.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron says that “Roma” was inspired by his childhood growing up in Mexico City (AFP photo) ary. Christian Bale, who portrayed former US vice president Dick Cheney in “Vice,” won awards in the Best Actor and Best Actor in a Comedy categories, while Glenn Close (“The Wife”) and Lady Gaga (“A Star is Born”) jointly won in the Best Actress category. Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) walked away with a Best Supporting Actor win, while Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) won for Best Supporting Actress. - ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ wins -
Farida Jalal
Offbeat 18th century royal romp “The Favourite,” which entered the ceremony with 14 nominations, won the award for Best Acting Ensemble, while its star Olivia Colman won the Best Actress in a Comedy award.
M
UMBAI (PTI) - Actor Farida Jalal says older female actors get typecast in the role of a mother while their male co-stars still get to meaty characters. Jalal laments that the older actors often end up playing either mother or wife, which is sad as that is how they get typecast. “My male counterparts like Anupam Kher, Om Puri, Amrish Puri and others get to play different roles like a lawyer, doctor etc. We are given a sari with a border and are told to play a mother or wife. I am dying to play different kinds of role. “After a certain age, we are slotted. Nobody thinks a female actor can play different roles other than mother. What can one do? We just have to wait for good roles to come,” Jalal told PTI.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma. (Photograph: Allstar/Netflix) ture, best foreign-language film, and for both director and cinematography for Cuaron. “This bunch of Mexicans are not as bad as sometimes they are portrayed,”
“Roma” - the title a reference to a posh Mexico City neighborhood -earlier won two Golden Globes and is a leading contender for an Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony in Febru-
Hrithik announces release date of Super 30
won the Best Animated Feature award, beating out stiff competition from Pixar-Disney’s “The Incredibles 2,” Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and director Wes Anderson’s quirky “Isle of Dogs.” Tom Cruise vehicle “Mission: Impossible -- Fallout” won the Best Action Movie award, beating MarvelDisney box office blockbusters “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” The multi-nominated “Black Panther” however won awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. “Crazy Rich Asians” won in the Best Comedy category, beating out “The Favourite” and “The Death of Stalin,” among others, while John Krasinski’s hair-raising post-apocalyptic movie “A Quiet Place” won in the Best SciFi/Horror Movie category.
Star Whitaker more scared of playing Desmond Tutu than Idi Amin
Bollywood saw a spate of femalecentric films recently but that change is just limited to leading ladies, says Jalal. “There are women-oriented films and roles being written, they are making a noise and I am proud and happy for them. But after a certain age, it will stop and even they won’t get exciting roles. “The biggest of actors like Waheeda Rehman, Rakhee ji, Shabana Azmi are all mostly playing roles of mother, there are no other roles being written. I get lot of offers even today but I look for something different even in what is offered to me. I wait for something that excites me.”
Forest Whitaker says he was intimidated by the prospect of playing Desmond Tutu in a new film Forest Whitaker says he was intimidated by the prospect of playing Desmond Tutu in a new film. (AFP photo)
by Sophie Laubie / Fiachra Gibbons
Jalal says her scenes from Shahid Kapoor starrer “Batti Gul Meter Chalu” were chopped in the final edit. “If they think the film is a little long they chop our scenes. So this way or that way, we are given the worst. But I don’t blame anyone.” The 69-year-old actor, however, feels there is respect for the older generation of actors and the remuneration has also improved.
Rakesh Roshan (2nd from left) on the day he got discharged. Hrithik announces release date of Super 30 (Photo courtesy: Hrithik Roshan/Twitter)
C
ongratulations are definitely in order for Hrithik Roshan who has his life almost perfectly in place at the moment. Even though he might have been divorced
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to his childhood love Sussanne Khan, the actor still has all her support at every occasion possible. His father Rakesh Roshan, who is his biggest strength, was diagnosed with throat cancer, but the former actor-now filmmaker got treatment and is now back in action, all on Hrithik’s birthday.
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And now soon after everything fell in place, Hrithik Roshan has another good news for his fans since he announced that his movie Super 30 is all set to hit the theatres on 26th July, 2019. He announced on his Twitter handle, “Happy to announce that#Super30 is headed for release on July 26, 2019. Super 30 is based on the life of mathematician and his education programme which educated many underprivileged students in Patna for the IIT-JEE examination and stars Hrithik Roshan in a pivotal role.
H
ollywood star Forest Whitaker has played hitmen, gangsters, and bloodthirsty dictator Idi Amin. But nothing scared him more than portraying South African Nobel peace prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the new film “The Forgiven”. “I was very intimidated, really afraid,” the legendary actor told AFP as the film opened in Europe. “I asked myself: ‘Can I do this?’ A number of times I thought maybe I should just withdraw. “I wanted to (play him) but I wanted to make sure that he’d be happy with whatever I did.” But how could the towering, bearlike Whitaker be convincing as the diminutive anti-apartheid campaigner, now 87? “My voice is very different from his, and then there’s the accent -there was a lot of things that made me be concerned. All caused me great fear,” said the actor who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Amin in “The Last King of Scotland”.
The body was set up to get to the truth of murders and other crimes committed under the former whitesonly government, and could provide amnesty for repenting perpetrators who revealed all they knew. “The Forgiven”, which was adapted by Roland Joffe, the maker of the “The Killing Fields” and “The Mission”, turns on the way Tutu was forced to deal with people who would once happily have killed him -- including a former member of a government death squad seeking clemency before the TRC. Meeting and studying Tutu for the film was inspirational, said Whitaker, who is a peace and reconciliation ambassador for UNESCO. “The things he had to do has even more entrenched my belief that we have to understand each other and at times forgive each other,” said the actor whose charity, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, works in South Sudan, Uganda, Mexico, and South Africa, as well as with gangs in the US. “Forgiveness is a very complicated thing,” Whitaker insisted.
“So all I could do was to try to portray the spirit and the soul of this man that was so important to South Africa, and in so many ways to the world.”
“Sometimes you have to forgive yourself for forgiving someone for doing horrible things to your family, to yourself and your friends.”
Whitaker made a name playing Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood’s jazz biopic, “Bird”, which earned him a best actor award at the Cannes film festival in 1988.
In the film, Tutu’s capacity for compassion is put to the test by fictional character Piet Blomfield, played by Eric Bana.
- ‘Forgiveness is complicated’ The 57-year-old Texan, who has thrown himself into charity and conflict resolution work in Africa since playing Amin in 2006, said he has long been an admirer of Tutu, an Anglican cleric who headed South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
As for Tutu, known for his easy laugh, Whitaker’s fears were unwarranted. “He loved the film, which was a great relief for me. He had joked with me before we made it about how we were going to do his nose,” a favourite with cartoonists. “We decided not to do very much. We used a fake one,” said the actor.
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Mala Sharma
Biking accidents may cause a lot of damage and pain to the biker while the driver who hit the bicyclist is completely unaware he/ she even hit anyone. Furthermore, it is unlikely there is any insurance coverage through the bicyclist. Thus, it is important to know what you should do immediately after a biking accident!
insurance company! Anything said to the insurance may be twisted and used directly against you and all conversations are recorded. An attorney will ensure that the insurance company does not pressure you to sign a low value settlement or deny your claim unjustly. Further, you will be able to reach the highest settlement possible and it is always the right thing to get an attorney on your side instead of falling for all of the adjuster’s tricks to not pay you for your damages.
Additionally, do your own due diligence and gather all necessary informationf from the scene of the accident. This includes getting the driver’s contact information, driver’s license, auto insurance policies, witness names and contact information, pictures of all damages, pictures of the front and back of the vehicle, pictures of any bruises or other injuries. If you are unable to get this information, please have someone nearby help you.
First, the rider must remain calm in order to gather all necessary information as this will have a huge impact on how much you recover for all injuries and damages. Second, always call and wait for the police in order to get a police report. It is imperative that you have the police arrive at the scene of the accident so they can make a complete report, even if there are no obvious or apparent injuries. Most often pain or other injuries are not realized until several hours after or even day after the accident! If the injuries are not reported immediately after, you may be waiving any claim.
About Mala Sharma Mala Sharma has been practicing family law and personal injury with her family at the Law Offices of Sharma & Associates, founded in 1997. Mala is President Emeritus of the Houston Northwest Bar Association, Board member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and South Asian Bar Association. She is also a member of the Houston Bar Association.
Next, seek medical care immediately after leaving the scene of the accident. It does not matter how minor the injuries are. If medical attention is not sought right after, you may be precluded from recovering. This is because the fact that someone seeks medical attention immediately is evidence this person is hurt as a result of the accident and not fabricating any injuries. Document all injuries!
Further, at fault drivers often admit liability, apologize at the scene of the accident, and afterwards deny any negligence when speaking to their insurance companies. This may prevent you from recovering any damages. Further, the police report will give you all
Disclaimer: This material is available for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. If you require advice on any particular legal question, you may contact Sharma & Associates at 281-893-8644 or by email at mala@sharmalaws.net to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Subsequently, consult an attorney before speaking to the
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by Sharlene Sharmila Richards, Immigration Lawyer Email at srichardslaw@aol.com
Sharlene Sharmila Richards
Q: I understand that the end of the Government shutdown is currently nowhere in sight. I am here on visit visa and my visitor status is expiring at the end of this month. I do not want to wait any longer to file for my request for the extension. Is immigration accepting filings for visitor extensions during the Government shutdown period? A: You will be filing your request for an extension of your visitor status with USCIS. The current Government shutdown does not affect USCIS processing. Your filing for the extension will be accepted at the designated processing center and your application will be processed. Q: I have my adjustment of status interview scheduled next week. Is USCIS going to reschedule the interview because of Government shutdown? A: No, USCIS processing is not affected by the current Government shutdown. You must attend the interview at the USCIS office as scheduled in your Interview Notice. Q: My sister is currently detained at the Immigration detention facility and she has not hired a lawyer. Her hearing date is coming up and the Government will still probably be in shutdown during that time. I heard on the news that immigration courts are not open and the backlog is increasing. What will happen to my sister’s hearing date? Will the court give her another hearing date? A: I m m i g r a t i o n courts are closed during the shutdown. However, the detained immigration court docket is not affected and your sister should still have her hearing date as scheduled unless the court decides to reschedule her hearing for some other reason.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON IMMIGRATION PROCESSING Q: My cousin is currently detained at the immigration detention facility and today the Immigration Judge there granted his request for release on bond. To have him released from custody, I have to pay the bond money. Can I post a bond during this Government shutdown period and will they process it so that my cousin can be released? I plan to post the bond in the next day or two. A: Yes, you can post the bond and the bond will be processed despite the Government shutdown. Q: I am setting up a company to invest and I plan to apply for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. My status is expiring in 3 weeks. When I applied to the IRS for issuance of the required EIN for the new company, I was informed that the IRS is not issuing EIN numbers during the Government shutdown. My worry is if I am unable to obtain the EIN number soon, I will not be able to invest or complete my investment in the company and thus it will affect my paperwork and my change of status from B-1 Visitor to E-2 Treaty Investor. My status will also have run out by then. It is very inconvenient for me to depart the United States at this point. What can I do about this? A: If the IRS is not issuing an EIN number to your company during this shutdown period and you are not able to proceed any further with the investment and filing of your change of status to E-2 Treaty Investor and you do not wish to depart the US, your best option would be to file for a change of status to B-1 Visitor and inform USCIS of your situation and need for the extension to complete your investment and to perform some business related activities. When then Government shutdown ends and when you have secured the EIN number for the company and completed the investment, you may then proceed with the paperwork for the change of status to E-2 at that time.
Q: Will the asylum office be open during the Government shutdown period? I have my asylum interview scheduled next week? A: The asylum office will be conducting their scheduled asylum interviews as the office is not affected by the current partial government shutdown. Q: I was informed by the Immigration Judge to file my adjustment of status application one month before my scheduled hearing at the immigration Court (non-detained docket). The deadline to file is next week. I am not sure what to do as I understand the nondetained court is closed due to this current government shutdown. How do I go about filing it next week if the court is closed? A: In such a situation, your option is to file the application for relief by mail or wait until the court reopens again to file it. Disclaimer: Any advice provided in this article is general in nature and not intended to constitute legal advice for any specific case. Please consult with an immigration lawyer about the specific circumstances of your case.
My Bio Sharlene Sharmila Richards is a licensed Immigration lawyer practicing in Houston, Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is a member of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the US Supreme Court. You may contact her at telephone number 713623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
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the necessary information to identify the negligent driver and also give any citations to the negligent driver. Please ensure that your entire story of how the accident occurred is given to the police officer so that your statement is included in the report. Sometimes, the officer will only get the facts from the auto driver and not the bicyclist. Always be kind to the officer and state all injuries, even minor ones, as these injuries may become severe.
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FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
VOICE OF ASIA 16
Section 2
Young Life
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These are the 10 best colleges for transfer students
It can be tricky to take credits with you, but these schools help make it easier. by Kaitlin Mulhere
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or millions of students, the path to a degree isn’t a straight shot through a single college. In fact, more than a third of undergrads transfer schools at least once. Despite its prevalence, however, transferring can prove tricky—particularly to take the credits you’ve already earned with you. A 2014 report from the National Center for Education Statistics found that students who transferred lost an average of 13 credits, equal to nearly an entire semester’s worth of tuition. And a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office study showed that students who transferred between public schools lost an estimated 37% of their credits. Transfers between private colleges or a public and a private, which are less common, resulted
fer students are succeeding in large numbers. We started with our 2018 Best Colleges ranking, a list of 727 colleges that provide an ideal combination of educational quality, affordability, and alumni success. For this list, we then eliminated any college that ranked in the bottom half and any where transfer students in the fall of 2017 comprised less than 15% of enrollment— the median among MONEY’s ranked colleges. Data released last year show that transfer students as a group earn degrees at a higher rate than their firsttime peers, so we also removed any colleges where transfer students completed at a lower rate than their peers. Finally, we ranked the colleges based on a combination of the 4-year and 6-year graduation rate for transfer students, as well as the share of transfer students on campus.
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If you think you may transfer, try to plan early to ensure the courses you take will count, and keep your grades up. More than eight in 10 college admissions officers said overall GPA at a prior college was of “considerable importance” for acceptance of transfer students, compared to just 10% who rated standardized test scores as important, according to an annual survey from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. Acceptance rates for transfer students are sometimes higher than that for first-time applicants. But all of the colleges
Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland (R) said Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, is “very, very happy” to be in Canada which gave her asylum after she fled her Saudi homeland (AFP Photo/Lars Hagberg) by Lars Hagberg
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland greeted Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun after she landed in Toronto, wearing a skirt, a gray hoodie emblazoned in red with the word “CANADA” and a blue cap with the logo of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The hurdles associated with transferring credits can affect how long it takes and how much it costs to earn a degree. So MONEY used newly available federal data on completion rates for transfer students to highlight colleges where trans-
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tions. Other states, like Florida, top California for transferfriendliness by also requiring statewide course numbering and guaranteeing admission to a public four-year college for students who start at community colleges.
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You’ll notice California colleges dominate our list below. That’s not surprising: the state’s two four-year college systems have a clearly defined pathway for community college students, supported by a statewide set of general education courses that will transfer between institu-
Runaway Saudi teen settles in Canada after being granted asylum
ORONTO, Canada | AFP | Sunday 1/12/2019 - A “very, very happy” Saudi teenager who caused a sensation by defying her family and seeking asylum abroad was welcomed with open arms in Toronto Saturday at the end of a dramatic but exhausting international odyssey.
in even more lost credits.
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
below are still highly competitive. Five of the top 10 are rated as “very” difficult to get into as a transfer student, according to Peterson’s Undergraduate Database, meaning more than 50% of all students were in the top 10% of their high school class. - Money.com
Sienna Crossing Elementary student gains national attention for being a compassionate citizen
Smiling broadly, the 18-yearold posed for photographers with Freeland at her side, but made no statement. Later, she tweeted a video of her arrival, with the comment: “I love Canada I love you all.” Freeland said Qunun “wanted Canadians to see that she’s here, that she’s well and that she is very, very happy to be in her new home.” “She had a pretty long journey and is exhausted and prefers not to take questions for the moment,” the diplomatic chief added, with an arm around Qunun’s shoulder. She was taken in by Torontobased refugee group Costi, a spokeswoman said. Shortly after her arrival, Qunun went shopping for some warm clothes in central Ontario, according to the spokesman, noting the teenager knows several people there and contacted them. In the coming days, Costi representatives will help her open a bank account and perform various administrative tasks before finding her a permanent home. In the meantime, she is staying in a facility constantly under guard. Costi has recommended Qunun that she avoid sharing her address. - A trail of tweets -
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ORT BEND ISD (January 11, 2019) – Sienna Crossing Elementary student Francesca Joseph may be small in stature, but she has a big heart – especially when it comes to supporting our animal population. She recently gained national attention for spearheading community-wide fundraisers (including a neighborhood lemonade stand) and donation drives to support animal rescue services provided through the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch following Hurricane Harvey and during the recent winter holidays.
The arrival in Canada marks the epilogue of an international
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Qunun captured the world’s attention with a trail of Twitter posts that ignited a #SaveRahaf movement as she fled what she said was physical and psychological abuse from her family in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia. Rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in Saudi Arabia. Her family has denied the abuse allegations. The publicity thwarted an attempt to deport her to Saudi Arabia after she arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Kuwait a week ago, with Thai authorities instead turning her over to the UN’s refugee agency. Then on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the surprise announcement that Canada would welcome her. Freeland said that in granting Qunun asylum, Canada was “standing up for human rights around the world, and we believe very strongly that women’s rights are human rights.” The move is sure to further strain Canada’s relations with the kingdom. Ties went sideways last August over Ottawa’s rights criticism of Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel the Canadian ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest. Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the “immediate release” of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, whose family lives in Quebec. Qunun’s attempt to flee Saudi Arabia was embraced by rights groups as a beacon of defiance against repression. -’Precarious situation’“Ms al-Qunun’s plight has captured the world’s attention over the past few days, providing a glimpse into the precarious situation of millions of refugees worldwide,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “Refugee protection today is often under threat and cannot always be assured, but in this instance international refugee
law and overriding values of humanity have prevailed.” Raif Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar also praised Canada, calling Freeland on Twitter “the real hero” behind efforts to prevent Qunun’s repatriation to Saudi Arabia. Qunun first said she was aiming for Australia. But late Friday, Thailand’s immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn said a smiling and cheerful Rahaf was bound for Toronto. “The only country that really helped me in the end was Canada,” Qunun said after arriving in Toronto. “The rest were afraid and cowards.” In a tweet, the UNHCR said: “We welcome Rahaf’s arrival in Canada and the Canadian Government’s decision to provide protection and a longterm solution for her there as a resettled refugee.” - Death threats On Friday, Qunun posted a cryptic tweet on her profile saying, “I have some good news and some bad news.” Her account was deactivated shortly afterward in response to death threats she had faced, her friends said. But she was back online later in the day, tweeting: “I would like to thank you people for supporting me and saving my life. Truly I have never dreamed of this love and support.” She opened and began using a new Twitter handle on Friday, citing the threats. Qunun’s use of Twitter saw her amass tens of thousands of followers within a week, highlighting her plight at a time when Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is under heavy scrutiny following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Her deployment of social media allowed her to avoid the fate of countless other refugees who are quietly sent back home or left to languish in Bangkok detention centers. She refused to see her father, who traveled to Thailand and expressed opposition to her resettlement.
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FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
January is Tamil Heritage Month
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January is National Mentoring Month
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Not just for kids: a leap for seniors at Vegas tech show by Rob Lever
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AS VEGAS | AFP | With artificial intelligence to detect falls, virtual reality to combat isolation and “powered” clothing to assist the incapacitated, the tech world is stepping up its effort to “disrupt” aging. At the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, exhibitors were showcasing new ways to help the elderly remain independent, mentally fit and connected.
What is Respite?
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any families don’t consider taking care of an older or disabled loved one a burden. Rather it is part of a cycle of caring that began with their own parents taking care of them. However, it can take a toll on a caregiver’s physical and emotional health if they don’t get an occasional break. In a nutshell, respite means having someone else look after your loved one while you take a break. Respite can be: •
Going to an exercise class
•
Having coffee with a friend
Some systems took a page from the gaming world of youngsters to help seniors “travel” to new places and connect with loved ones.
• Attending your other child’s school program
“Everyone knows seniors get lonely but that isolation can also lead to a lot of medical problems, including the acceleration of dementia,” said Kyle Rand, founder and chief executive of Rendever, a startup which works with assisted living homes to give seniors a way to virtually visit remote locations.
Respite is not the same as hospice. Hospice is a service for people who have a terminal illness and who have less than 6 months to live. Where Does Respite Happen? Respite takes place either in your home (or that of a family or friend) or at a location in your community.
“They can stand atop the Eiffel Tower, they can go on an African safari, or revisit their childhood home.” Rendever was launched in the Washington DC tech incubator created by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), which in recent years has been funding efforts to develop new technologies for seniors. In the consumer space from the AARP incubator, Alcove VR enables seniors to be part of a virtual world with loved ones who may be far away. “You can step into a virtual living room (with a friend or family member and just hang out,” said Cezara Windrem, the AARP product manager for Alcove. Alcove was launched this week as a free application on Oculus, the Facebook-owned virtual reality unit. The AARP exhibit also included VRHealth, which offers cognitive behavioral therapy using virtual reality, and Pillo, a device which serves as a personal assistant and medication dispenser focused on health for seniors. - Virtual caregivers Other exhibitors showcased technology that could help seniors remain in their homes, and give family members peace of mind by monitoring their condition, in some cases using predictive analytics to determine if they are at risk.
• spouse
Pillo, an all-in-one pill dispenser, personal digital assistant, and communication device is displayed at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show Addison, said the system can be useful in helping seniors remain independent. “Right now when we send people home (from a hospital) we don’t know what happens to them,” Mangram said. “This allows us to check on them.” Florida-based startup CarePredict exhibited its system based on a wearable band that helps monitor seniors in assisted living facilities. “We can passively and unobtrusively monitor the daily activities of seniors, and our predictive tools can help identify if they are at risk of falls, depression, malnutrition or urinary tract infections,” said CarePredict’s Jerry Wilmink. Tech firms see a promising market in these kinds of devices, with public attention focused by the Apple Watch’s feature of fall detection. According to research firm eMarketer, Americans of age 55 and older are the fastest-growing group of electronic wearable users in the US, largely due to the devices’ enhanced health features.
- Artificial muscles For those with mobility issues, the California startup Seismic unveiled its wearable tech body suit which can augment a user’s muscles and help them maintain posture. The “core wellness suit,” which weighs under five pounds and can be worn under street clothes, has robotic components that provide up to 30 watts of power to each hip and the lower back to support sitting, standing, lifting, or carrying -- similar to an exoskeleton but without the bulk. Sarah Thomas, a Seismic vice president and advisor to tech startups, said the new product is designed not only for the elderly but for factory workers to ease fatigue and anyone with mobility issues. Thomas said tech products for seniors should not be “stigmatized” with unsightly products. “We should be designing with age in mind but without the ageist perspective,” Thomas told a CES panel.
Sanitary pad record in India to promote menstrual hygiene
The company, which makes a range of sensor equipment, says Walabot can detect subtle changes in gait, movement or breathing which could signal a risk of a fall or other problem.
With the data gathered from the device, “we can classify people as highrisk or low-risk fallers,” said David Keeley, research director for Addison parent firm SameDay Security. “We can predict the rate of functional decline.” Alicia Mangram, a Phoenix-based trauma surgeon who is an advisor to
Some respite organizations offer additional services, such as: • Homemaking, which is light housework or chores • Personal care, which is help with things such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, bathing or shaving • Medical care, which can include help with medication or using medical devices. In Your Community If your family member needs services that you can’t have provided in your home, you may need to find a place you can drop them off for a few hours. Some may provide overnight or weekend services and some may provide more medical or nursing care. Options include: • Adult day care centers are where you bring your loved one to a facility where they participate in supervised activities and often are provided meals and snacks. Some facilities are allowed to provide medical services.
• Assisted living facilities may offer overnight stays where trained staff supervise your loved one. Some provide medical care.
“You don’t need to wear anything, there are no cameras,” said Ofer Familier, head of business development for Vayyar.
Also launched at CES was the Addison Virtual Caregiver, a video-based assistant with a female avatar which can converse, offer reminders on medication and detect potential health issues.
In Your Home You can have someone come to your home to take care of your loved one. They can visit, read or take a walk together. Basically, they make sure your loved one is safe and cared for while you are away.
• Specialized camps that serve either adults or children with special needs have trained staff to provide medical care.
Walabot, a wall-mounted monitoring system developed by the Israeli startup Vayyar, uses radio waves and three-dimensional imaging to keep tabs on seniors living alone.
“We can detect falls, but the predictive aspect of it is to monitor changes in behavior so we can alert family members,” Familier said.
Going on a date with your
In July, India withdrew a controversial tax on sanitary pads after a high-profile campaign (AFP Photo/Indranil Mukherjee)
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EW DELHI, India | AFP | Participants at a medical congress in India have set a new Guinness World Record for the longest line of sanitary pads, in a move aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene. Five hundred people at the 62nd All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AICOG) took seven and a half hours to lay out 10,105 sanitary pads in a line 1,078 metres (3,537 feet) long.
The feat in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, verified by Guinness World Record officials, also included the shape of a uterus under the slogan “Nothing’s more cuterus than your uterus”. “Sanitary pads are required for
Sudhir Mathuria HEALTHLIFE 360 713-771-2900 • Nursing homes also may provide extended respite care. And, because they have medical staff, they can provide medical care. In the case of a family emergency, some respite providers will offer crisis or emergency care either at a facility or in your home. If you decide to use family or friends to help out, you, the primary caregiver, need to help prepare them for the task. HelpGuide.org suggests using these strategies: • Talk openly and regularly with the volunteers. Keep everyone up to date on your loved one’s needs and condition. Family members who don’t share the day-to-day caregiving experience may not fully appreciate the situation. • Encourage family members to evaluate what they can reasonably and honestly do. Changing roles and varying resource levels can affect family involvement. Welcome different viewpoints, accept limitations and be willing to try alternate strategies. Share your list of needs and take advantage of all offers to help. • Recognize your own feelings and discuss how tasks are assigned. Harboring resentment when you need more help can lead to your burnout and impaired health. Ask directly for concrete support and specific time commitments. Consider establishing an online calendar to organize relief and reconfirm schedules. • Use technology to bridge distances. Try free video conference services to hold family meetings at times that work for everyone. Create a webbased community to share updates and explore options. For more information contact Sudhir
Mathuria at 713-771-2900.
every woman for her hygiene. Hygiene is so important otherwise they will have lot of pelvic infections, urinary infections and all those problems are there,” gynaecologist Geeta Pramod Shanbhag told AFP.
tion, the Hindu daily reported.
According to a National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report published in 2017, only 58 percent of women in India aged 15 to 24 use a hygienic method of menstrual protec-
One study by WaterAid and UNICEF found that more than a third of girls in South Asia missed school during their periods.
In July India withdrew a controversial tax on sanitary pads following a vocal campaign led by activists and Bollywood stars to boost female education and empowerment.
DIET & EXCERCISE
VOICE OF ASIA 18
Swapping 30 minutes of sedentary time with physical activity linked to lower mortality rates
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
New York announces $100m universal health care plan
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EW YORK | AFP | 1/8/2019 - New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday the city would spend $100 million to guarantee health care to all its residents regardless of their immigration status or their ability to pay, bringing coverage to 600,000 uninsured people.
said the mayor, who has tracked hard to the left following the election of President Donald Trump.
“While the federal government works to gut health care for millions of Americans, New York City is leading the way by guaranteeing that every New Yorker has access to quality, The plan will strengthen the city’s comprehensive access to care.” existing public health insurance opTrump made reversing former presition, MetroPlus, and create a new pro- dent Barack Obama’s health care law gram called NYC Care that guarantees a key pledge of his campaign, and his those who are ineligible for insurance Republican party successfully repealed have access to services, including pri- in 2017 a key provision intended to mary care and specialist doctors, phar- keep overall costs down by ensuring macies, mental health and substance healthy individuals bought insurance. abuse programs. De Blasio’s office credited the law, NYC Care is set to launch later this informally known as Obamacare, with year in the Bronx borough, becoming bringing the number of uninsured available across the entire city by 2021, Americans down to nearly half of what according to a statement. it was in 2013. The project is expected to cost at least In his inaugural speech on Monday, $100 million a year when it achieves its California’s new Democratic Goverfull scale. nor Gavin Newsom announced plans “Health care is a right, not a privilege to establish a similar program to the reserved for those who can afford it,” one unveiled by New York.
Substitute activity for sedentary time, urge health professionals. (Photo © bowdenimages / IStock.com)
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ew US research has found that substituting just 30 minutes of sedentary time with activity could help lower the risk of early death.
minutes of sitting time with low-intensity physical activity would lower the risk of early death by 17 percent, which the team notes is a statistically significant decrease.
Led by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the new study looked at 7,999 adults age 45 and older and measured their sedentary time using an accelerometer, a device similar to a pedometer, for a period of at least four days.
Substituting 30 minutes of sedentary time with moderate to vigorous activity would bring even greater benefits estimate the researchers, cutting the risk of early death by 35 percent.
After recording the amount and intensity of physical activity participants engaged in while awake, the researchers estimated how substituting time spent sitting with time being physically active would affect their risk of early death. The findings, published online in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed that replacing just 30
The team also found that even short bursts of activity of just a minute or two could still provide a health benefit. “Our findings underscore an important public health message that physical activity of any intensity provides health benefits,” says Keith Diaz, PhD, lead author of the paper. “If you have a job or lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting, you can low-
er your risk of early death by moving more often, for as long as you want and as your ability allows -- whether that means taking an hour-long highintensity spin class or choosing lower-intensity activities, like walking,” Diaz says. In a previous study Diaz also found that individuals who sit for an hour or more without interruption have a greater risk of early death than those who were sedentary for the same total amount of time, but got up and moved around more often. In addition, those who sat for less than 30 minutes at a time had the lowest risk of early death, suggesting that taking breaks to move around every half-hour could also lower the risk of mortality. - Relaxnews
Paris tops ranking of world’s healthiest cities
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aris has been named the world’s healthiest city in a report that looks at everything from the number of spas and yoga studios in each city to vegan dining options and green spaces. The ranking, by holiday comparison site Travel Supermarket, is based on data from sources like market research group Euromonitor International, TripAdvisor, Yelp and World Weather and Climate. Analysts considered the number of parks, gyms, fitness centers, spas, yoga and pilates locations, health food shops and vegan restaurants in every city. The figures were divided by each city’s size to reveal a per square kilometer density number. Analysts also looked at the average annual sunlight hours and the average cost of a night’s hotel stay. Cities were then assigned a score to create a ranking of the top 50 healthiest cities. Despite its reputation for cream and butter-soaked cuisine and a smok-
ing populace, Paris was able to offset these vices with its impressive number of spas (894), parks and green spaces (139), and vegan restaurant options (1,305). Here are the top 10 healthiest cities according to Travel Supermarket: 1. Paris, France 2. Chiang Mai, Thailand 3. Barcelona, Spain 4. Pattaya, Thailand 5. Vancouver, Canada 6. Miami, USA 7. San Francisco, USA 8. Lisbon, Portugal 9. Denpasar, Indonesia 10. Buenos Aires, Argentina - Relaxnews
Phosphates in food linked to lower level Nike Training releases first of physical activity apparel collection for yoga
Phosphates in foods such as packaged meats have been linked to increased sedentary time in a new study. (Photo © gilaxia / Istock.com)
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ew US research has found that consuming high levels of inorganic phosphate -- a food preservative commonly found in soda, packaged meat and processed foods -- is linked with lower levels of physical activity. Carried out by a team at UT Southwestern Medical Center, the new research includes both animal and human studies to look at the effect of phosphate on activity level and sedentary time. In the first of a series of studies, the researchers fed two groups of healthy mice similar diets, except one group was fed more than three times as much phosphate as the other. The findings, published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, showed that after 12 weeks the mice on the high phosphate diet spent less time on the treadmill compared to the mice in the control group. They also consumed less oxygen, suggesting a lower level of fitness, and had a reduced ability to burn fat. In a study which looked at humans, the researchers measured the activity levels of 1,603 healthy participants over seven days using a fitness tracker. They again found a similar association between high phosphate levels and reduced physical activity, with participants who had a higher level of phosphate in the blood also spending less time doing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and more time being sedentary. The findings now suggest that inorganic phosphate may be one of the reasons why the US population isn’t
The Nike Yoga Collection from Nike Training. (Photo © Courtesy of Nike)
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as physically active as it used to be, with the researchers adding that food labels indicating phosphate content would be useful for consumers to monitor their intake.
ike has unveiled its first ever collection of sportswear designed specifically for yoga, including a selection of men’s apparel.
However, inorganic phosphate is added to certain foods to enhance appearance, flavor or increase its shelf life, with the researchers noting that around 40 percent to 70 percent of popular items such as cola drinks, frozen meals, dry food mixes, packaged meat and bakery products contain phosphate additives.
The Nike Yoga Collection from Nike Training has been designed to offer both men and women a collection of comfortable but supportive clothing with the ease of movement needed as you flow through your yoga poses.
- Relaxnews
In the women’s collection, soft jersey fabric and a seamless design
were conceived to feel good against the skin and reduce any rubbing and distraction, while design details such as a high neck on the tank provide extra coverage for inversions and forward folds. For the guys, Nike’s first yogaspecific apparel for men includes a longer hem on the tee to prevent it from riding up during lengthening poses and a slim, straight opening on the shorts to keep them in place during inversions. Coinciding with the release of
the yoga apparel, Nike will also be launching a new collection of yoga workouts on the Nike Training Club app in January. The “Enhance Your Training with Yoga” workouts aim to help users accomplish specific goals such as improving strength, stability, endurance or flexibility to take their yoga practice to the next level. The Nike Yoga Collection from Nike Training is available now on nike.com and in stores globally. - Relaxnews
An egg a day may help keep diabetes away according to new study
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arried out by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland, the new study looked at 239 blood serum samples from participants taking part in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) in eastern Finland.
The findings, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, showed that the blood samples of men who ate an egg a day included certain lipid molecules that were positively linked with the blood profile of the group of healthy men who remained free of type 2 diabetes.
The samples were analyzed in four groups: subjects with higher egg intake, defined as an average of one egg per day; a lower egg intake, defined as an average of two eggs per week; those who ate eggs and developed type 2 diabetes; and those who remained healthy and acted as a control group.
Certain molecules in the blood samples from men who developed diabetes were also correlated positively with those found in the lower‐egg‐intake group.
Participants were also followed for an average of 19.3 years.
In addition, the researchers also found that a higher level of the amino acid tyrosine in the blood predicted a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Previous findings from the same
study have also suggested that eating roughly one egg per day is linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes among middle-aged men. “The purpose of the current study was to explore potential compounds that could explain this association using non-targeted metabolomics, a technique that enables a broad profiling of chemicals in a sample,” says early stage researcher and lead author of the study Stefania Noerman from the University of Eastern Finland. However, a high intake of eggs has previously been discouraged, due to their high level of cholesterol. On the other hand they are a rich source of nutrients which are beneficial for health, and opinion has been divided
on their potential health effects. The current findings suggest that there are potential metabolites which can explain how consuming eggs is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, although the researchers note that further studies are needed. “Although it is too early to draw any causal conclusions, we now have some hints about certain egg-related compounds that may have a role in type 2 diabetes development. Further detailed investigations with both cell models and intervention studies in humans that use modern techniques, such as metabolomics, are needed to understand the mechanisms behind physiological effects of egg intake,” concluded Noerman. - Relaxnews
TRAVEL & LEISURE
VOICE OF ASIA 19
Travel smart. Travel safe. Timeless travel tips just for ladies
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The Number One Rule Have you ever stopped at a convenience store or a gas station to use the powder room and had a feeling that it wasn’t safe? About to step into an elevator with one or two men in it and felt something was offkilter? This is the time to trust your intuition and listen to that inner voice trying to tell you something. Women have been given the gift of intuition for a reason, and it’s a powerful thing and almost always spot on. Just step away from the situation, as it may save you from becoming a part of a crime scene investigation. There is always another elevator or another safer place down the road. Personally, I’ve relied on intuition to take me on plenty of solo trips around the world and all of them safely, although there were times I’m positive that my intuition was working closely with my guardian angel. The thing about intuition is that you learn simply to not put yourself at risk. Even when I was younger and thinner and could pass for pretty, I chose not to frequent bars in strange cities or foreign lands unless I was with friends or colleagues. While it helps that I’m not really a bar girl, I just like to be safe from creeps who prey on women in these situations. With more women on the road alone, remember that it also helps to carry yourself with a little attitude and give off an aura of confidence rather than one of a ‘fraidy cat. A Room Of Your Own If you’re on an overnight road trip by yourself – or even with other ladies – always seek out hotels with indoor corridors. Those old hotels and motels where you pull up in your car to your room are outdated and can be unsafe. After all, it takes only a moment of unawareness for someone to overpower you, shove you into the room, and lock the door. Thankfully those old behemoths are slowly fading away into obscurity and being replaced with brighter and safer indoor corridor properties. On a road trip, don’t take chances. Spend a few extra dollars on nicer accommodations. An Old Tip Worth Repeating While some ladies might want to show off their diamonds and pearls in those farflung places, leave the good jewelry at home so as not to become a target for thieves attracted to sparkly baubles. The rule is, if you don’t want to lose it, leave it. There’s Room At The Inn Think about staying in a bed and breakfast inn when you travel. You can strike up a friendship with the owner or innkeeper for a much more personal travel experience. As a bonus, the innkeeper becomes your personal concierge and can always recommend restaurants, shopping areas, and events, and she may even know a shortcut or two when it comes to navigating a city’s streets. Most of all, as a local, she can tell you which neighborhoods and areas to avoid. Bathroom Breaks When nature calls, consider stopping at a new, brightly-lit indoor corridor hotel along the lines of Fairfield Inn or Holiday Inn Express. Almost always a bathroom is in the lobby, but please politely ask at the front desk if it’s okay to use their powder room. You may have to explain yourself to a front desk clerk, but it’s much safer and cleaner than stopping at a convenience store, gas station, or even an interstate rest area, where security is often nonexistent. You can also take this one step farther and combine a bathroom break with shopping
The Lexus LC Convertible concept is absolutely magnificent It’s a good thing it’s almost definitely probably for sure going to be built.
by Mary Ann Anderson omen who hit the road solo or even with other women realize the journey can sometimes be difficult, challenging and even dangerous. But it can also be exciting, even exhilarating, because of the freedom and choices they are afforded when they’re not traveling with other companions. No doubt today’s ladies know how to travel, but even so, true global road warriors have learned to heed safety tips and suggestions that might come in handy one day to keep even the most seasoned of travelers safe and comfortable.
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
by Nelson Ireson
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Drinking too much can lead to plenty of issues with the opposite sex and may lower a woman’s inhibitions. It would be wise to curtail alcohol consumption when you’re traveling alone. (Photo: iStock) or dining, perhaps something along the lines of Cracker Barrel, that wonderful restaurant that serves homecooked meals. Customers are always milling around so you aren’t alone. Plus, the food is good and there is always something special or unique at its Old Country Store, the colorful gift shop where the restrooms are located. Lock The Doors If you’re traveling by car with someone else, your husband or a friend perhaps, always lock the car door if he or she must get out of the car without you. That might sound like common sense, but think about it. How many times do you lock the car door when you’re sitting in it alone? More than likely, you’ll pick up your phone to check Facebook or email and not remember to snap down the locks. Take a moment to do it for a peace of mind. Put Down The Phone And thinking about those phones, as difficult as it may be, you really should put it down more often when you travel, too. As long as you’re on the telephone or texting or Tweeting, you’re off-guard and not aware of your surroundings – the perfect setup for purse and phone snatchings. And If Your Purse Is Stolen? Okay. What if your handbag is snatched anyway when you travel? Think about this. When you check into a hotel, most times the clerk will give you the key in a paper sleeve that has your room number written on it. Then, without another thought, you’ll just drop the key into your purse. But if your purse is stolen while you’re out exploring, the thief can go straight to your room, ransack it, and make off with anything he wishes – cash, jewelry, electronics – and all courtesy of your room key. Here’s what to do. Remember your room number (more difficult than you can imagine if you travel often), remove the key from the sleeve and
dispose of it, and then put the key in a place where you can easily get it – but not next to your cellphone, which can zap it clean. If your purse is stolen and the thief has your key, at least he won’t have access to your room number.
f e w years back, Lexus designed a car that was not only not soporific, but downright gorgeous in the form of the LC coupe— no insignificant feat from a brand not exactly known for dropping jaws. The LC went on to earn rave reviews, including our own AllStars award. Now Lexus has unveiled the logical extension of that gorgeous 2+2, the Lexus
If you don’t travel with pepper spray, use the next best thing if you’re threatened, and that’s a well-aimed shot of hairspray or perfume right in the eyes of the scum who may be trying to do you harm. Just use it as you would pepper spray. It can slow someone down in a hurry and give you time to get to safety. While these things will probably never happen to you when you travel, it’s always good to know that the bottles we carry for beauty can be used on a beast. The Last Word: Hot Guys In Foreign Countries Most importantly, women must use common sense when it comes to members of the opposite sex. In other words, don’t go out with a hot guy in a foreign country. Drinking too much can lower your inhibitions and you may end up in an unthinkable situation with that hot guy. Almost everyone who travels may remember the high-profile cases of Natalee Holloway, the 18-year-old high school graduate from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who disappeared in Aruba in 2005, and Claudia Kirschhoch, a 29-yearold editor from Frommer’s Guides who vanished in Jamaica in 2000.
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fixed-roof car. It’s not clear if Lexus has plans to add the 22inch option for production, or if this is the one allowance made for the car’s “concept” status. Either way, expect a 20-inch base wheel if—ahem, when— the convertible does arrive in dealerships.
with the removal of the top, something the LC convertible’s chief designer, Tadao Mori, also noted.
Both Holloway and Kirschhoch’s stories are the basis for the classic travel nightmare. Both had links to young men they had met in the islands just before they disappeared, although no one has ever been prosecuted for any crime committed against them. Neither woman has ever been found. Don’t throw caution to the wind, only to become another statistic or a frontpage news story. - Forbes
Photos: Lexus LC convertible concept. Okay, while Lexus insists on calling it a concept, it’s really one only in name, as even the side mirrors look productionready. And that’s a great thing, as the LC convertible is another beautiful machine, the removal of the coupe’s graceful fixed roof having done nothing to diminish the visual impact of the rest of the car’s flowing lines. The rear decklid/tonneau hides the convertible top cleanly, and the metalwork manipulations transitioning from fender to deck are a pleasing combination of crisp folds and sculpted concavities. In fact, it’s one of the better coupe-toconvertible progressions we’ve seen of late—though full praise for the look may need to be held until we’ve seen the car with the top up. The LC wouldn’t be the first convertible to lose its elegance as soon as it raised the lid. Top down, however, we could stare at it for days. The stunning interior is even more on display here than in the LC coupe, with the convertible taking the design, materials, and feel of the cabin up a notch visually with crisp
Tom Stuker has flown more than 20 million miles and counting. om Stuker is so good at flying that parties are thrown in his honor. To celebrate hitting 10 million miles, United Airlines planned a big bash — and his next one is right around the corner. This time they’re recognizing another milestone: flying a staggering 20 million miles around the world.
please, with eager acceleration and a healthy growl. The grin factor from that sweet-sounding V-8 should only increase
Just A Spritz Will Do
A simple trick for getting the best service from flight attendants, according to the world’s most frequent flier by Alix Langone
white leather and yellow accent stitching. The wheels are 22-inchers, an inch larger than the biggest available for the
but this is my record year,” he says of 2018, which saw him fly over 1.3 million miles for leisure and work, and sometimes, simply to rack up more miles. “I stay in a country for two days and move on,” he says. Here’s his best advice for spending so much time in the sky.
stuck in the air with strangers for long periods.
Say this when you’re boarding.
Treat flight attendants with respect.
Often called the “world’s most frequent flier,” Stuker, who is semi-retired and used to run a consulting company, has plenty of tips and tricks to share with novice travelers and those getting started in the rewards points game. He’s actually flown more than 20 million miles — those are just the ones that count toward United’s MileagePlus rewards program. Stuker spends more time in the air than at home in New Jersey, estimating he flies between 200 to 250 days each year.
The most important lesson Stuker has learned during his 30-plus years in the sky? Be polite and be kind, he says. It may sound obvious, but it’s something people seem to forget these days.
“Once you join a program, it’s almost addicting,” Stuker, 65, tells MONEY. He signed up for his first and only airline rewards program through United in 1983 and has flown practically nonstop since then.
Always be a good neighbor.
“When I get on the plane the first thing I say is, ‘How are you doing? Glad to be on this flight,’” Stuker says of his time on more than 10,000 flights. “What’s really been missing in the past couple years on planes are the words ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’”
Treat people like you want to be treated and be respectful of the people sitting next to you, he advises. Given that he’s flown to Australia 300 times and to Hawaii another 100, he “For the last 10 years, I’ve understands what it’s like to be averaged a million miles a year,
“You don’t need to be on a Skype call 20 minutes before the flight takes off and bother everybody with those loud noises,” says Stuker. “You’re in a big metal tube at 35,000 feet, literally — we’re all in this together.”
Stuker is a glass half-full kind of guy, pointing out that flight attendants aren’t even paid for the hours they work when planes are delayed on the runway. Compared to that fact, being an inconvenienced passenger doesn’t seem so bad, he says. He reserves his most valuable travel trick for the hardworking people navigating the aisles. “If I want to get good service, I tell a little white lie,” he says. “I might say to a flight attendant, ‘I think I’ve flown with you before and if that was you, I don’t think I had time to say thank you, you were great.” That cheerful (and harmless) white lie can set the tone for the rest of the flight, he says.
While there are no details on the powertrain for the convertible, that very absence implies the assumption that the droptop will share the naturally aspirated V-8 of the LC500 and the combination V-6/electricmotor hybrid system of the LC500h. The LC500h has left us a bit disappointed in terms of emotional appeal, but the V-8 of the LC500 never fails to
Stay loyal to one airline. Having good manners goes hand-in-hand with Stuker’s other philosophy, which is to remain loyal to a single airline miles program. While many credit card rewards experts disagree with this sentiment (it means you miss out on cheaper deals with other carriers), choosing an international airline like United means you can still come out on top. Most airlines belong to alliances, networks that allow you to use miles interchangeably so you can still book flights on other carriers. Plus, you gain the convenience of managing points for just one program instead of juggling spreadsheets to keep track of multiple programs. Use your points in smart ways. Even though redeeming frequent flier miles for flights is undeniably the best value with most airlines rewards programs, Stuker says there are other ways to use them, which many people don’t realize. He redeems his United miles for hotels and rental cars, and even to go on cruises. A quick online search will show you what else you can use miles for with each airline’s program. “I love being able to take my family and close friends to places in the world that they never would have a chance to go see,” he says.
“A production version of this concept would be exhilarating in many different ways. You would see its dynamic lines as you approach, hear its engine when you started it up, and feel everything around you once on the road. It would engage the senses in a way that is unique and exciting every time you get behind the wheel,” said Morisan. Sounds fantastic to us, and fortunately, we don’t think we’ll end up waiting too long to have that experience ourselves. - Automobilemag.com
Gift cards are another underrated way to spend your miles —many award programs allow you to redeem miles not only for airline tickets, but also to shop at retail partners (like Walmart or Starbucks). “I just gave my son $5,000 worth of gift cards to Home Depot because he bought his first house,” he says. Make flying a family affair. Stuker has no plans of slowing down. He’s taking his family on a safari this summer and plans to head with his wife to Tahiti now that United flies there. As he gets ready for his 20 million mile party, which United is hosting at Chicago’s O’Hare International airport in mid-January, he says that the airline staff has become like a second family to him. Over the years, United has gifted him T-shirts and jackets emblazoned with the number of miles he’s flown, and wined and dined him with steak dinners and cakes for his birthdays. For his 10 million mile party, United even flew in some of Stuker’s favorite employees to join him for the celebration. “It’s the people I meet that keep me flying,” says Stuker. And if his experience is any indication, being polite may actually pay off. Out of those 10,000 flights? “United’s never once lost my luggage,” he says. - Money.com
FASHION & BEAUTY
VOICE OF ASIA 20
Jazz up your festive wear this Punjabi folk occasion; 5 easy fashion tips to follow
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
BEAUTY TIPS
Dusty eyes for winter
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s the year of 2019 just started and so are the Indian festivals. Lohri is the first festival in the month of January and is one of the well celebrated ones among Sikh and Hindu followers. Also known as the harvest festival of India, Lohri is observed in the Northern part of India, especially in the state of Punjab. This Punjabi folk festival is the time when all the ladies dress up in their most beautiful typical Punjabi ways. So, with the Lohri festival approaching, it’s time for all you ladies out there to begin your fashion fiesta. Don’t let the chilling weather take away the enthusiasm of the festival. Whether it is an Anarkali or a straightfit kurta, go out there and have fun as we give you five easiest fashion tricks to follow to get ready this festival!
Anarkali suits add volume
Exhausted elegance: the look at Roberto Cavalli. (Photograph: Victor Virgile/ Getty Images)
Do it the Patiala way This is definitely our first choice on the Punjabi folk festival and an easy-goto attire. It has been everyone’s favourite over the years, especially amongst newly-wed brides. So, don a Punjabi-style patiala salwar kameez in bold colours with traditional zardozi work. Tip: A knee-length patiala suit is an ideal choice.
Anarkali suits are hot! This look is popular among fashionistas right now. It is an excellent combination of ethnic style and ease. You can pick an anarkali piece in bright hues. This voluminous outfit is high on grace and has a warmth attached to it. Anarkali suit is named after Anarkali, the legendary slave courtesan of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar.
Keep it comfy with long kurta and straight pants If classic patialas or anarkalis are not your things, then you can settle for a long kurta and straight-fit pants. With this style, you are sure to set a new fashion trend for the Lohri function. Buy yourself a silk long-shirt with embellishments and team it up with patterned pants. A favorite amongst Punjabi women and young ladies, there is a reason the long kurta and pants are a solid standard, whether it is grandmother or college student party-goer. Take great interest and creative inspiration in picking out the fabric design and material. Silk is a real extravagance to make you feel the princess.
Flaunt it with flared kurta If you love the flares, opt for knee-length flared kurtas in bright colours. This is turning out to be a hot favourite among the fashion brigade.
‘Your dusty, your dusty eyes They leave me pale and wondering Have I swam too far this time To make it back on my dime.’ - Lyrics by Bedouine
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f you’re not so much leaping into the new year as dragging yourself grimly through the winter, then the dusty eye is for you.
Rather than the vampy sexiness of a charcoal smoky eye, this adapted version suggests a more subtle exhausted elegance. Suggestion: Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen-Brown
After the holidays, looking for solid beauty bargins
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ith the gifting frenzy of Christmas behind us but the dent in our pockets still very much with us, at YOU we decided this was the perfect time to put together a budget beauty special.
whitening, but I’m extremely impressed by this range. Don’t expect the same results as a pro treatment; it does brighten, though.
We capped the very upper limit at $20 but the truth is that we didn’t go that high. After rounding up all our favourites – not just those of the beauty desk (myself and Alice Robertson) but of the whole YOU team and even polling our friends and family – we decided we could put together a host of some winners, many of which would come in at $18. In fact, most are quite a bit less than that. The real exception came with Vichy’s Mineral 89 Serum, which is $24.95 but a real moisturising winner with its hyaluronic acid. Some people break the internet, this little beauty broke a potential price ceiling.
You get a lot for your money with this as it contains concealer, sculpting and illuminating options and is also well pigmented. I was introduced to it by make-up artist Lee Pycroft and I was seriously impressed. It gave coverage but looked natural, didn’t settle in lines and made me look loads better. Available for a range of skin tones.
Other than that, included in our top picks are products that keep coming up trumps, alongside some new launches you may not have seen yet and, I hope, some that you may never have even thought of. Everything on these pages is worthy of its place in a bathroom cabinet or make-up bag regardless of its price tag. Maybe some aren’t as luxurious, packaged as lusciously or fragranced as charmingly as some more expensive offerings, but they all deliver – they just don’t cost an arm and a leg (though one of them will moisturise them brilliantly). My personal top ten budget beauty buys: No 7 The Full 360 Mascara, $12 until 13 February then $17 This doesn’t launch until Wednesday but it impressed me and the YOU team when it arrived recently. It doesn’t clump, can be layered to build up, separates lashes and has a welldesigned curved brush to shape them. It’s a brilliant all-rounder.
Go for kurtas in gold and antique embroidery with a flowing shararastyle salwar to complete the look.
At Roberto Cavalli, models wore a feline eye with black liner across the top, and brown along the bottom lash line, with brown smudged gently up across the lid and down below the lashes.
House of Glamdolls GlamBase Wheel, $18
Westlab Relaxing Magnesium Flakes (pic. below), $12 for 1kg, on Amazon These are a must when I need a good night’s sleep and help with winding down. At this price I’m happy to pour a load in the bath. Elf No Budge Shadow Stick, £7 Sure, you can buy expensive versions in fancy packaging but, frankly, this eye pencil is brilliant. I use it more as a chunky eyeliner and blend it out a bit. And it stays put – even throughout a rather merry and prolonged evening recently. I love it. Lanolips Hydrating Lip Luminiser, $15, cultbeauty.co.uk I always like a bit of Lanolips and am a fan of The Original With Colour too but this latest version also cares for lips and gives an added gloss-like shimmer. Paul & Joe Fragrance Rollerball, $17, feelunique.com Launched this month, this rollerball fragrance smells as delightful as it looks. Not a complicated high scent but that isn’t always what I’m after. Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Face Cleanser, $8, superdrug. com This creamy formula is a popular choice with beauty editors as it leaves
Cover it up with jacket-style kurta Try a kurta option in the jacket style, as it is not only elegant and stylish but will keep you warm on a cold night. - Article/photos: India.tv
Mary Kay Precision Brow Liner, $15 Yes, there are some interesting products out there for brows at the moment but, for a good pencil that helps to give a bit of oomph and distinction, this one really is excellent. Colgate Max White Expert Whitening Toothpaste, $7 I’m terrified to do the full dental
skin clean and looking brighter. It also comes with a muslin cloth. The Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel (above), $18, rituals.com It couldn’t be more luxurious. Choose from a variety of fragrances or the one that comes out in the shape of a 3D flower. A treat to use. - The Daily Mail
VOICE OF ASIA 21
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
Home&Real Estate Housing and the economy: Approaching 2019 with a fresh perspective by Jason Poterhouse
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by Lucy Wang
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hough it may feel removed from the dayto-day pressures of running a real estate business, you can’t ignore the economy. Real estate is cyclical, and it’s dependent on a variety of economic factors. An agent can be an ace salesperson, but that won’t change the fact that the job market, wages, interest rates and inventory all come into play for consumers who are considering buying a home. Lately the economy hasn’t been all that fun to watch. Wild stock market fluctuations in the final weeks of 2018, uncertainty over the impact of economic tariffs and a predicted drop in the gross domestic product are all a bit stomach-turning. However, while the economy is expected to slow in 2019, a drop into a recession is not in most forecasts that were released in December. Goldman Sachs anticipates that the rate of economic growth will drop from 2.9 percent to 2.5 percent. The Congressional Budget Office expects growth in gross domestic product to be 2.4 percent throughout 2019, down from the 3.5 percent rate seen in the third quarter of 2018. James Gaines, chief economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, does not expect a slower national economy to translate into a full-blown recession. “Nobody’s anticipating a national recession,” Gaines says. “Even if the global economy slows down a little bit, the US economy will probably be a little bit slower in 2019 that it was in 2018 but it will still be a positive economy, it’ll still be relatively forward moving and shouldn’t be a problem.” Wendy Cline of Wendy Cline Properties expects factors like the oil market and rising interest rates to bring about a slight dip in the housing market in the first quarter of 2019. “This year at the close of 2018 we’ve seen that market do what I call a mini shift,” Cline says. “That means there is about six months of inventory that we’re seeing right now. It’s been a seller’s market. We’re seeing it shift back to more of a balanced or a buyer’s market where inventory is getting a little bit high so it needs to balance out with supply and demand.” Oil’s dominance Houston boasts a diversified economy, but the importance of oil and the energy sector cannot be ignored. Oil prices dropped dramatically through December, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil plunging from above $76 per barrel in October to closing out the year slightly under $46 per barrel, according to Oilprice.com. Gaines says that Texas and Houston in particular should do “reasonably well” if oil prices hover in the range of $45 to $55 per barrel. The picture would be rosier if that number were boosted a bit, according to Cline. “If we can hit that $60 to $80 a barrel range again, then we won’t have the regression that we’re looking at,” Cline says. “But if the oil continues to go down, then that has a direct effect on buyers on the fence. The oil market is a huge factor for the economy, as are interest rates.” “If the energy market doesn’t move too much, if it is less
A dated ’90s-style loft is stripped down to a streamlined aesthetic implicity drives the transformation of a cluttered Chicago loft into a clean and calm home. When Chicago–based architect Mike Shively first saw his future home in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, the loft looked nothing like the serene, minimalist haven he had in mind. “It had the early 1990s trappings of lofts: dated curved glass block walls, reclaimed wood, slate tile, and faux graffiti art,” Shively says.
volatile than what it might possibly be, then the Houston economy is going to do just fine,” Gaines says. “We’ll add jobs several tens of thousands of jobs, probably not the hundred thousand jobs we’ve done in years past when we were booming, but 50,000 or 60,000 jobs is probably achievable subject to not having any kind of big downturn on the price of oil depressing things. That’s the key variable.” Sherry Campbell of Energy Realty has seen the recent downturn in oil prices affect her business in Houston’s Energy Corridor. “I think that we’re seeing oil companies are being much more cautious in hiring and taking on bigger expenses,” Campbell says. “But we start to see movement first in rentals. We started to see rentals pick up in the higher end rental market, which often involves oil companies leasing properties. As they start to hire, they’re not going to make long term commitments. They’re going to bring employees in and offer them a rental package so that if they have to turn around and move them back, they’re able to do it quickly.” Cline believes Houston’s other economic engines such as the Port of Houston and the medical and research sectors can do their part to help sustain the city, but a prolonged downturn in the price of oil can affect everything from retail to restaurants. The interest rate impact Nationally, rates on a 30year, fixed-interest mortgage stand at about 4.55 percent at the end of 2018, according to Freddie Mac. WalletHub shows a range of rates between 4.125 percent and 4.75 percent in the Houston market. While the prospects of purchasing another home at a rate of around 4.5 percent can be daunting to homebuyers who last bought at 3 percent or so, the rate shock effect is not nearly as bad as it’s been in the past. “I think that our buyers have become spoiled, because at 3 percent they can afford a lot more house,” Campbell says. “At 4 percent or 5 percent their affordability rate drops. They’re going to have to get used to that. Maybe they can’t qualify for the $500,000 house and have to buy the $400,000 house because payments are higher. We have to see some adjustments with that, because I think it’s kept some buyers away his year since they’re not able to get what they were expecting to buy.” Cline suspects that a higher cost of borrowing may cause some buyers to put off making a purchase.
“It will give some of the buyers who are on the fence a reason to stay on the fence and not go ahead and consummate a purchase,” Cline says of the higher cost of borrowing. “We’re also seeing that the higher priced properties like $700,000 and up stand to see some extended shelf life and days on market.” Gaines also sees the increase in interest rates, which the Federal Reserve raised from 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent on Dec. 19, as a factor that will slow the housing market—but not so significantly as to throw the market into a major slump. Gaines says that economists now expect the Fed to raise rates twice in 2019, instead of four times, as had been forecast.
Despite the visual clutter, he saw potential in the 1,000-square-foot loft and decided on a minimalist approach. “The project was an exercise in simplification,” he explains. “Every decision was about minimizing clutter and tightening the palette.” To that end, Shively swapped the glass block walls for streamlined walnut-andglass partitions, and replaced the original red oak floors with wide-plank white oak. Careful attention to detail was key to achieving a simple and streamlined atmosphere; the cabinets
A backsplash featuring custom matte black ceramic tiles by Waterworks is paired with stainless steel countertops. The timber cabinets, by JRs Custom Cabinets, are made of white oak.
“Houston is still going to be adding jobs, people are going to be making money and more people are still going to move into Houston,” Gaines says. “So the housing market is still going to be relatively strong, but it’s definitely going slow down because interest rates are going to go up. They’ve been going up for the last six months or more and the increase in rates is going to dampen some of the demand for housing.” Continued growth In the Houston region, growth in the housing market will continue, though it is expected to slow. Realtor.com predicts that sales will increase modestly by 0.4 percent and prices will also rise by about 3.1 percent. Inventory remains tight across the nation, though modest increases are expected in 2019. In its 2019 National Housing Forecast released in late November, Realtor.com forecasted that prices will grow at a 2.2 percent rate and inventory will increase at a rate below 7 percent. Nationally, most of that growth is expected to take place at the upper end of the market. The Houston Association of Realtors reported in December that inventory in the Houston region edged up to 3.9 months’ supply in November, from 3.6 months’ supply in October. Campbell has seen the market for luxury homes priced at $500,000 and higher affected by the drop in oil prices, but the city’s housing market remains strong. “I think day-to-day, when sales in Houston are reported as up, and they’re saying, ‘numbers are up,’ that’s in a very specific sector,” Campbell says. “And part of that has to do with new construction in the farther out suburbs in a price range that your average buyer can afford, which is probably under $300,000 or $350,000.” -Houston Agent Magazine
The light-filled living area includes a Le Corbusier leather chair and a caned lounge chair. A door on the far wall opens up to a balcony space. match the oak floors, while the walls, trim, and metal elements were painted light shades of white. “Since the kitchen is open to the space, we tried to make it look as clean as possible with slab-faced cabinets flush to the walls, simple tile, and clean appliances,” Shively says. The island is inspired by Alvar Alto’s designs. The embrace of clean, sharp minimalism not only creates a sense of spaciousness in the open-plan loft, but it also provides the perfect backdrop for displaying Shively’s curated
designer furnishings. “Our goal was to minimize the palette to create a clean and calm space,” Shively notes. “Custom details are spread
throughout including an oversized mirrored door that reflects natural light into the bathroom, and an integrated kitchen.” - Dwell
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Travel with a loved one may be in the cards, or you could meet that special someone while on vacation. Still, whatever you do, you might find it difficult to avoid work-related tasks or decisions. Don’t rebel. Just do it.
21 April to 20 May IDo you have to spend a lot of money to impress a date? No, but it doesn’t hurt. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, Taurus. You love luxury and your best match is someone who enjoys it as much as you do. Don’t act on impulse this week.
21 May to 20 June This can be a stressful time. You may feel the need to work extra hard for fear of losing your job. Do what you can to make others feel more confident and relaxed now. This is actually a very lucky time if you’re willing to break out of your comfort zone. This period is also high-energy for you.
21 June to 22 July The Universe will affect the area of your chart governing kids, fun, and romance while bringing added incentive to make your closest relationships work. In short, it’s time to step back from the grind for a bit.
23 July to 22 August You might have to work harder to avoid temptations like comfort foods. You need a lot of emotional support. Those emotional currents run deep within you, hidden from the outside world by your well-armed defenses. Feel better by sharing your feelings.
23 August to 22 Sept You may be working hard on developing a new business, finishing a creative project, or seducing that special person who’s one in a million. Whatever you’re involved with, you will want to give it your all. Your efforts are building momentum and soon you’ll reap the rewards for your hard work.
Quality and Integrity works with Affordable Pricing New A/C + Heating, Installation, A/C Repair, Heating Repair, Yearly System Maintenance 1 Year Warranty on all of our works!
KENNY HO, Manager Call 713-598-2737 TACLA 72152E
COMPUTER SERVICES Networking and Computer Repair
Home & Business, on site, Microsoft MCSE & A+ certified, low flat rates, free estimates, pickup & delivery, www.PCNetworkGuru.com Call Amit at 832-971-6807
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Week of January 18, 2019 21 March to 20 April
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23 September to 22 Oct Do you ever wonder how you got to where you are? If you doubt your choices at the beginning of the week, Libra, stay hopeful. You have options that you don’t even know about yet. There is a sense of newness and adventure over the weekend.
23 October to 21 Nov This period can bring complications due to assumptions or a work-related flirtation. Map out a writing schedule for your project and stick to it. This time brings a focus on joint finances, recycling, and reusing. These are areas where careful attention will help you personally and as part of a larger organization.
22 November to 21 Dec It will be a little harder for you to communicate now. People may see you as something other than what you are or read things into your words that aren’t there. Whatever the case, don’t feel as if you have to defend yourself.
22 December to 20 Jan Feed your nervous system and notice the big difference in the way you feel. It isn’t just your body that grows peaceful and calm, it’s also your inner being. You’ll feel an unshakeable sensation of being centered. You’ll feel fabulous all over when you give your body what it needs to feel good.
21 January to 19 Feb The sun moves into your sign on Sunday for around four weeks, and there is also a supermoon in your sector of relating that same day. Perhaps you can no longer hide your attraction to a certain person. It’s also possible that an ongoing relationship will go through a gear change.
20 February to 20 Mar Are you suspicious of someone new? You don’t open up that easily, and you’re intent on keeping your cards close to your chest. Wade into deep emotional waters slowly to avoid getting in over your head. You have a lot going on over the weekend, but it might not be enough to distract you from a secret crush.
ACROSS 1. Hose hue 5. Flower precursor 8. Gershwin brother 11. Scottish valley 12. After hedge or mutual 13. Headquartered 15. *Cleats, helmet, pads 16. Hip bones 17. Road-tripping guide 18. *Hometown of first Super Bowl winner 20. Big Bang’s original matter 21. Be 22. Bygone bird 23. *Last year’s Super Bowl champions 26. Came around the corner 30. 100% 31. Donate, 2 words 34. Salty drop 35. #50 Down, pl. 37. Mythical giant bird 38. Latin dance 39. A famous Amos 40. Packing a punch 42. In the know 43. Relating to River Styx 45. Sodium ____, or NaI 47. Needlefish 48. Beta’s follower 50. Phishing attack 52. *NFL Trophy name 55. Completely or exactly 56. Adam and Eve’s son 57. U, on the road 59. Casts a ballot 60. Barn top? 61. Do like exhaust pipe 62. *2019 Super Bowl broadcasting network 63. Tally 64. *Player’s 40, e.g.
DOWN 1. Bird-to-be 2. Horsefly 3. Infantry’s last rows 4. Unwind 5. Precursor to #5 Across, pl. 6. Uniate church member 7. June 6, 1944 8. Small island 9. Paper unit 10. *As entertaining as Super Bowl game? 12. Last line to cross 13. Louisiana swamp 14. *Home of MercedesBenz Stadium 19. *Goodell and such 22. “My” in French 23. Sunrise side, pl. 24. Give out 25. 1989 Civil War drama 26. *Player with most Super Bowl points scored 27. Capital territory of India 28. Alleviated 29. Window treatment 32. *Grid____ 33. Leprechaun’s gold holder 36. *Popular Super Bowl nickname 38. Pore in a leaf 40. Even ____ in golf 41. Jack be that! 44. Poetic feet 46. Flitted 48. Spoil 49. Change the Constitution 50. No neatnik 51. Butcher’s piece, pl. 52. Mount Veniaminof output 53. Russian governmental agency 54. Pupil controller 55. Pipe material 58. Indefinite degree
SOLUTION: SUPERBOWL page 23
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India, and passed away on January 11, 2019 in Cypress, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife, Suseela Sekharan; his sons, Madhu Sekharan and Sudhir Sekharan; his daughter-in-law, Sreedevi R. Sekharan; and his grandchildren, Lakshmi Sekharan, Krishna Sekharan, Arjun Sekharan, and Meenakshi Sekharan.
Dr. Karuthethil Krishnan Sekharan was born on May 10, 1937 in Trichur, Kerala,
When you find some time, READ!
Hiring Lady Office Assistant
Looking for a Marketing Associate
SAD DEMISE
Born: May 10, 1937 Died: January 11, 2019
FRIDAY, January 18, 2019
The family will receive friends and loved ones for a visitation on Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 1-3pm at Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd., Houston, Texas 77065.
Person will be directly responsible to develop business for insurance funding in assigned jurisdiction. Applicants should have through knowledge and understanding of Insurance funding business, its mechanism and working methodology. Required experience: Minimum 2-3 years of relevant field experience in marketing & sales development skills supported by minimum 1 years of experience with customer handling at levels strongly preferred. Email resume to: atif@usinsurancefundings.com
Get Smart! It’s EASY to advertise your business or event in our newsletter Simply call 713-774-5140 or email request to: voiceasia@aol.com
Positions open for hotel We are in need of a couple for housekeeping
for our independent motel located in Karnes City ( 3 hrs West of Houston & 1 hour away from San Antonio). Paying $4 per room. Also position for front desk clerk available. Accommodations provided for both positions
Duties include: 1. Assist Manager and Staff when needed. 2. Make phone calls to confirm payment coupons received. 3. Answering customer inquiries and take payments over the phone. 4. Make collection calls as per Manager’s instructions. 5. Make Contracts. 6. Calling Agents to get contracts. 7. Filing. 8. Making Contract Sets. 9. Mailing the Notices. 10. Additional instructions will be given by Manager as per day to day. Please call (713) 777-6786 for details and email resume to atif@usinsurancefundings.com.
Job Posting: Temporary Non Linear Editor KTRK-TV, the ABC-owned station in Houston, TX has an opening for a Temporary, FullTime, Non-Linear News Editor. Candidates should have experience in editing on Grass Valley, Edius and Stratus software as well as knowledge of the digital workflow for broadcast news, in a deadline-intensive environment. Experience with Adobe Premiere and related Adobe software is a plus. Serious candidates should also have a working knowledge of a server-based digital media workflow. Candidates should be able to edit in deadline situations, be creative, precise and be able to work fast. You must be able to take direction, and be a “Team Player” who is not afraid of an intense news environment. Hours will vary depending on the needs of the department, so flexibility to work a varied schedule is required, which could include overnights and weekends. At least 5 years of experience as a news video editor in a medium or large market newsroom is required. To be considered all interested applicants must apply online at disneycareers.com, reference job # 627049BR. Please upload a cover letter, resume and list of references. Equal Opportunity Employer - Female/ Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.
For details, contact Sharmi Patel at:
READ DAILY! 15 - 30 minutes of reading daily helps your brain focus better. Grab a novel! A Community message from Voice of Asia Group
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FRIDAY, January 18, 2019