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Neeta Sane files for Fort Bend County Tax AssessorCollector, 2020

Neeta Sane, Democratic Candidate for Fort Bend County Tax AssessorCollector, 2020.

F

ORT BEND_ – November 9, 2019] – Neeta Sane has filed for Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector in the March 2020 Democratic Primary. Sane is a longtime active, true Democrat and trailblazer 2006 Fort Bend Democratic Party Nominee with a proven Democratic voting record.

Sane has a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance & Accounting from Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Sane is also a Certified Life Coach.

Continued on Page 6

Sikhs celebrate founder's 550th birthday in India

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ULTANPUR LODHI, India | AFP | 11/12/2019 - Sporting saffron and blue turbans and headscarves, hundreds of thousands of devotees braved hazardous smog to pack the city of Sultanpur Lodhi in India for the 550th birth celebrations of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak.

Guru Nanak, born in 1469 to a Hindu family in a present-day Pakistani city east of Lahore, is believed to have gained enlightenment in Sultanpur Lodhi in the northern Indian state of Punjab, making it one of the key pilgrimage sites for the religion.

People rode on tractors, motorbikes and in cars -- and some even walked barefoot -- to reach the Sri Ber Sahib temple, or gurudwara, where they honoured the Guru with prayers.

Others took a dip in a pond on the temple's premises believed to contain holy water with healing powers.

"I'm feeling very blessed to be here. To be with our first guru. I think our first Guru is still present here," Sukhjeet Singh, a Sikh devotee at the gurudwara in Sultanpur Lodhi, told AFP. "My whole being has been soaked in this spiritual situation. It's a very momentous occasion."

The religion's holiest shrine, the Golden Temple in Punjab's Amritsar some 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Sultanpur Lodhi, was lined with lights to mark the occasion.

Across India, Sikh and Hindu communities prepared feasts known as langars to mark the anniversary. Food is distributed to the community, including the poor.

This year's celebrations took on special significance due to the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor -- a secure land link allowing Indian Sikhs to visit the gurdwara in the Pakistani town where Guru Nanak died.

There are more than 20 million Sikhs worldwide, with the vast majority in India. (AFP Photo)

Publisher of Texas' largest AsianAmerican newspaper turns 86

by Pooja Lodhia

Monday, November 4, 2019

H

OUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The publisher of Texas' largest Asian American newspaper is celebrating his 86th birthday.

Koshy Thomas founded Voice of Asia in 1987.

"I thought this is a good idea to connect with people," he explained.

The newspaper is published weekly, and over the years, has been a way for immigrant families to connect with both their former and current homes.

More than 150,000 Indian Americans live in the Houston area.

Voice of Asia publisher Koshy Thomas with ABC 13news anchor Pooja Lodia.

(Photo credit: KTRK-TV)

Back in August, Eyewitness News announced a partnership with Voice of Asia as part of our commitment to covering Houston's diverse communities.

Voice of Asia is headquartered in the Houston area, has been a long-standing publication that has illuminated the diverse Asian-American community for the last 32 years.

Video: https://abc13.com/society/publisher-of-texas-largest-asian-americannewspaper-turns-86/5671454/

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

VOICE OF ASIA 2

by Hartosh Singh Bal

N

Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Austin Correspondent: Director Marketing: Office Accountant: Data Entry:

Koshy Thomas Sherly Philip Shobana Muratee Sherine Thomas Giril Edakkunnath Priyan Mathew Satish Philip

Contributors: OpEd: Dr. Chandra Mittal Legal: Sharlene Sharmila Richards Mala Sharma Health: Sudhir Mathuria Research: Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee

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Editor Online: Shobana Muratee 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 inVoice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, theVoice 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.

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EW DELHI — On Saturday, fireworks were set off in parts of India to celebrate the verdict by the country’s Supreme Court to clear the way for the building of a temple for Rama — the Hindu deity and the protagonist of the epic poem “Ramayana” — in Ayodhya, a northern Indian town.

The piece of land where the temple for Rama will be built is considered by many Hindus to be his exact birthplace.

But the land in question and its ownership have been long disputed. The Babri Masjid, a mosque built in 1528, stood there until Dec. 1992, when a Hindu mob demolished it.

Hindu and Muslim litigants had been fighting for its ownership for decades. When the Supreme Court announced its decision, lawyers outside the court yelled, “Hail Lord Ram!” In the mid-1980s, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a sister organization of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, started a campaign to reclaim the birthplace of Rama in Ayodhya. In 1990, Lal Krishna Advani, then the president of the B.J.P., rode through India on a truck designed like a chariot to whip up support for Rama’s temple.

Amid appeals to Hindu pride, Mr. Advani and other B.J.P. leaders framed the building of the temple as the way to end what they termed as thousand years of servitude to Muslim rulers.

On Dec. 6, 1992, a mob led by the leaders of the B.J.P. and its affiliates illegally demolished the mosque, sparking riots that killed more than 2,000 people.

The movement to build Rama’s temple and the demolition of the Babri Masjid led to the B.J.P.’s meteoric rise in electoral politics — from two seats out of 541 in the Parliament in 1984 to forming a national government in 1998.

The campaign for Rama’s temple ushered in an era of majoritarian politics in defiance of the promise of secular nationalism that has held together this multireligious country since 1947.

The Transformation of India Is Nearly Complete dating back to the 12th century, there was no evidence to suggest this structure existed or was demolished when the mosque was built.

The judgment also states that the two events that have served as the basis for Hindu claims — the supposedly miraculous overnight appearance of Hindu idols in the mosque in 1949 and the demolition of the mosque in 1992 — were both criminal acts, the handiwork of Hindu fundamentalists. Yet this verdict amounts to rewarding criminality.

The Supreme Court greenlighted the building of Rama’s temple, in effect asserting the primacy of the faith of those who believe that the disputed site is the birthplace of Rama.

As there is no evidence for the historicity of Rama, this must surely rank as one of the more remarkable legal justifications for deciding a case about ownership and possession of a piece of land.

The court’s verdict comes against the backdrop of a heightened assertion of Hindu nationalism by the government of India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, which was elected for a second term with an overwhelming majority in May. Shortly after, in August, Mr. Modi abrogated the autonomy of Muslim-majority Kashmir.

The decision was in keeping with the long-stated demands of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Hindu nationalist mother ship whose influence over Indian society today can be compared to the sway of the Communist Party in China.

Saturday’s verdict by the Supreme Court of India, while distilling the complicated history of the disputed site, made some important observations on the history of deceit and criminality that got us here.

The R.S.S. is set to celebrate its hundredth year in 2025, and the temple that is likely to be built in time is an appropriate marker of its rise from insignificance. A few years back, I traveled to Ayodhya. Since the demolition of the Babri mosque, a workshop run by an R.S.S. affiliate has been preparing for Rama’s temple.

A model of the temple stands at the heart of the workshop.

At one end of the workshop, rows of bricks marked “Shri Ram,” which were brought there by pilgrims from across the country, were piled up.

The court concluded that while excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India at the site revealed the ruins of a Hindu religious structure

The ground where the mosque once stood was guarded by armed policemen.

I walked with a crowd of Hindu pilgrims through a corridor

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The 16th century Muslim Babri Mosque five hours before the structure was completely demolished on December 6, 1992. (AFP via Getty Images) covered with wire meshing.

Several body searches later, we stopped in front of a makeshift temple to Rama, where a policeman played the part of a priest. The pilgrims were curious to know where the mosque had stood, but there was nothing to indicate that it had ever existed. The erasure had been complete.

Back at the temple workshop, I saw a wooden model for Rama’s temple, as envisioned by the R.S.S.: a twostoried structure, 268 feet 5 inches long, 140 feet wide and 128 feet high, with 106 pillars on each floor and 16 statues carved on each pillar. Behind me, the visitors raised slogans to Rama.

In the early years of Indian Independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, spoke of steel factories and dams as the temples of modern India that would propel the country toward prosperity. Speaking after the court’s verdict, Mr. Modi said: “The Supreme Court verdict has brought a new dawn. Now the next generation will build a new India.” But this temple, the symbol of Mr. Modi’s India, is being born out of acts of criminality, embodying the Hindu nationalist vision of the subordination of others.

On a recent visit to the northern Indian state of Punjab, I spoke to friends and family — all from the Sikh minority — and I realized that something fundamental had changed.

The Sikhs are not a minority threatened by the B.J.P., which claims them as their own, a part of the Hindu fold, but their clear sense of a distinct identity has left them deeply uncomfortable with the vision of a Hindu nation.

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Most of the people I spoke to had aligned themselves against the idea of a separate state demanded by armed Sikh insurgents in a violent insurrection that lasted for a decade, from 1983 to 1993. Now they were telling me this was not the country they had staked their faith in, and for the first time they spoke of working to make sure their children would become part of the large Sikh diaspora in Canada, Britain or the United States.

Already, before the R.S.S. vision takes shape, a vast majority of Muslims from Kashmir and elsewhere, the Christians of the northeast and the rest of the country as well as many in the south of India who lay claim to a different Hindu cultural identity from those in northern India, like the Sikhs I spoke to, are making it clear they want no part of it.

In a country burdened by history, the one consistent lesson is that centralized authority imposed against the wishes of the marginalized and those on the periphery never holds.

Mr. Modi is overseeing the transformation of India into an exclusivist, majoritarian Hindu nation and fulfilling the dream of the Rashtriya Swayemsewak Sangh, his Hindu nationalist parent body. A singular question arises: What will become of an India increasingly held together not by consent but by force?

Hartosh Singh Bal is the political editor of The Caravan, a magazine published in New Delhi.

Courtesy: The New York Times

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FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

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TELICA brings yet another Diwali bonanza to Telfair

teens and tweens alike. “The fun environment is so reminiscent of our childhood in India, it is so wonderful to see the kids just having a great time,” said Devi Koppulu, Activities Coordinator. As the kids enjoyed themselves, the lovely Telfair women took advantage of traditional favorites such as the Henna and Nail Art booths to give their hands a festive treat.

Fort Bend County Judge, KP George seen lighting the lamp joined by Naushad Karmally, Sugar Land City Councilman, and Ibrahim Khawaja, First Assistant to the Fort Bend District Attorney. Telfair Community Association board members

S

UGAR LAND - With Diwali right around the corner, it was time for Telfair and Sugar Land residents to don their beautiful ethnic Indian attire and join the nearly 1000 others in celebrating the 2019 TELICA Diwali at Cornerstone Elementary in Telfair.

The attendees were welcomed by a large statue of

Lord Ganesh, the Hindu God of prosperity. The statue was surrounded by a beautiful rendering of Rangoli, the Indian festive art, and flanked by a spectacular arch. “Diwali is a special holiday for the Indian families, and here at TELICA we try our best to make it special for all of our attendees,” said Suhas Narendrula, the event’s Lead Coordinator.

Once inside, the familyfriendly intent of the event was clear – there were numerous activities for children and adults alike. As the little ones busied themselves with arts and crafts activities including building paper lanterns with LED lights, the older kids put their skills to work at the beanbag game. The “Giant Jenga” game was a huge draw for the

The afternoon merriments started with TELICA Officers, Srilatha Vutalooru, Deepak Kanwar, and Raju Mupalla, handing plaques to the event coordinators, Suhas Narendrula, Sowmya Erukulla, Devi Koppolu, Ravi Ranjan, Ananya Bommakanti and Anika Bajpai. They were then joined on the stage by Mr. KP George, Honorable Fort Bend County Judge, Mr. Naushad Karmally, Sugar Land City Councilman, and Mr. Ibrahim Khawaja, First Assistant to the Fort Bend District Attorney. Telfair Community Association board members including Board President Srini Chittaluru and elected delegates also joined them on the stage, to participate in the celebratory Diya Lighting.

Following the soulful Ganesh Vandana, the audiences were treated to over 3 hours of exhilarating performances that included divine classical Indian dances, energizing folk dances and jump-out-of-my-seat Bollywood Dhamaka. The amazing choreography was provided by dance hobbyists and professional dance schools. “Telfair’s immense talent pool never ceases to amaze me; children and adults alike come well-prepared and deliver an amazing performance,” said Sowmya Erukulla, the event’s Cultural Coordinator.

The event concluded with a high-energy Fashion Show parade featuring over 50 participants. The 5-year-olds and the 65-year-olds paraded down the stage exuding confidence and proud to be part of this wonderful Telfair tradition.

Telfair and Sugar Land residents during the celebrations.

www.voiceofasiaonline.com

IACCGH celebrates Diwali at Governor's Mansion in Austin

IACCGH President Swapan Dhairyawan (far right) and Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia as they celebrated Diwali at the Governor's Manson in Austin.

In his remarks Governor Abbott said, "Diwali celebrates Good over Evil and Light over Darkness."

The youth volunteers, led by Ananya and Anika, juniors at Clements High School, were visible throughout the day and were integral to the success of the event. “TELICA Diwali is one of the most fun events to volunteer and get your YES hours; it is like getting a free ticket to a concert,” adds Ananya.

“By all counts, this was a very successful event, big thanks to our coordinators, our performers, and so many wonderful volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this happen,” said Deepak Kanwar, TELICA President, “and thank you to

all the Telfair and Sugarland friends and families who come here each year to support all the performers!”

The event was sponsored by TransAmerica (Abha Dwivedi), Schlumberger, Awake Solar, Vikas Patel CPA & Associates, Cambridge Montessori School, Best Brains, Kurt H. Goedecke, and Capital Internal Medical Associates. “We are very fortunate to have dedicated supporters who grace us with their presence and allow us to keep this event free and open to all our residents,” said Sponsor Coordinator Ravi Ranjan.

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Section 2

Family Health

FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Debunking common misperceptions of Asian community health University of Houston research finds community engagement key to addressing Asian health disparities

by Sara Tubbs

A

sian Americans have higher or fastergrowing rates of cancer of various kinds — including breast cancer and cervical cancer — than any other ethnic group, yet often don’t receive the necessary medical treatment. Common misperceptions about Asian health issues contribute to a lack of health awareness and a reluctance to seek care, according to research published in Public Relations Review.

Asian Americans don’t fit the common societal perception of a group suffering from health disparities, according to Lan Ni, University of Houston associate professor of communication and lead study author.

Compounding the problem, health care organizations positioned to help may be hindered by their own misperceptions about this ethnic group.

“As a group, Asian Americans are mistakenly assumed to have both good physical and mental health and to have the financial resources to take care of themselves. The reality is they face as many challenging health issues as other ethnic groups,” said Ni, who collaborated with Zhiwen Xiao and Wenlin Liu at UH and Qi

Wang at Villanova University.

Heart disease accounts for about 26% of total deaths for Asian immigrants while mental health problems and overall suicide rates are also high in the Asian immigrant community. This study focused on cancer prevention and awareness in the Asian community. Previous research has shown Asian immigrants are the first racial group to experience cancer as the leading cause of death (2000), while heart disease is the leading cause of death for other Americans.

The 222 Asian American survey participants from Houston,

Texas rated their perceptions of how community health organizations, including those run by churches and other programs, could improve relationship management tactics and communications to empower the community to seek appropriate care.

Among the suggestions, health care organizations need to not just focus on the design of their messages to ensure it will resonate with its intended audience, but they must also build genuine relationships with members of the community they serve in order to better understand their needs.

Nikita Chopra boosts millions suffering from chronic illness

by Chia-Yi Hou

T

he CDC estimates that 133 million Americans suffer from chronic illnesses — and this number is expected to increase to 157 million.

Millions of people who suffer from chronic illnesses do so alone, without social support and with financial hardships.

Nitika Chopra reveals how sharing her own chronic illness story has helped others feel less isolated.

Chopra spearheads Chronicon, an event that brings together people with chronic illnesses, including other activists like actress Jennifer Esposito.

Nitika Chopra is an activist for chronic illnesses, having been diagnosed with psoriasis when she was 10 years old and psoriatic arthritis when she was 19. It took her some time to feel comfortable sharing her story, but she feels it’s been necessary to help others feel less alone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 133 million Americans suffer from chronic illnesses, and by 2020. We talked to her about what she’s been working on and what issues she thinks will be important for 2020.

What are some of the most important things that have happened for you in 2019?

At the beginning of the year, I launched a podcast called The Point of Pain. And through launching that podcast, I shared some photos of myself when I was the sickest that I had ever been. These images were things that I had saved away and not shown anyone for 17 years. It was really powerful.

So, it's been a very organic evolution of putting my story out there and really just trying to be honest with people about what I've been through.

I also was able to see that it really helps a lot of people feel less alone. And then I ended up deciding to create Chronicon, which [happened] on Oct. 28.

I think the biggest thing I want people to take away from it is that not only are you not alone, but now you're in a room of hundreds of people and some people who are even making careers out of some of the lowest moments of their lives and really creating a space for themselves to thrive.

What else are you hoping to do next year?

Podcaster and activist Nitika Chopra wants people with chronic conditions to feel less alone and have better representation in media. (File photo) I would like to bring Chronicon to more cities next year. I started small because I wanted to make sure that my health could survive taking this on, because I didn't know if anyone would help me. A lot of people showed up to help, which is such a blessing. And so I would like to take that help and expand it to more cities; I think definitely still having it in New York and also having it in Los Angeles, and maybe another city and taking it from there.

And then I'm really looking to gather some data after this event and see. I'm sure there's going to be things that we're going to need to improve.

What are the main messages you want to convey?

I think it's twofold. One is that I want to convey to people who actually have chronic conditions that they are not alone.

We're strong and powerful and beautiful. And we're capable.

And then I think the other thing is the media thing and to show others that we're here, we're not going anywhere.

Who is really important in this field of activism for chronic illness?

There's a couple of people.

Jennifer Esposito, who [spoke] at Chronicon, she's a wellknown actress. She has celiac disease, which a lot of people poo-poo as just the gluten thing.

It's not that big of a deal. But Jennifer's a really strong example as to why that is not the case. And she actually got agoraphobia from having her celiac disease. And she had a really intense, intense experience with her diagnosis, and people didn't know what it was. So, she's really passionate about sharing her story and helping others.

And I think that's been really awesome.

And then Jonathan Van Ness.

He's just shared that he was di-

agnosed with HIV. He's already been open about the fact that he has psoriasis. And you know, he's struggled with anxiety. His revealing his HIV status is really, really significant and so important for all those people out there that have felt such shame. There's still so much stigma around that condition.

So I think Jonathan revealing that is really, really, really powerful.

Are there any books or movies or other types of media that have really inspired you this year?

I'm an audio learner and I love listening to podcasts. My favorite is How I Built This with Guy Raz on NPR. It's just so inspiring because I'm trying to build basically a startup with Chronicon right now. They sit down with founders and you get to hear their founder story, about how they believed in themselves and had so much passion and said, “I have to do this even though this makes zero sense.”

It’s like my therapy.

I also really love Ingrid Nilsen. She has this podcast called One Step. She's really transparent and I like breaking that cycle of isolation. I love to listen to things in which I feel less alone.

If there was one thing you could change for 2020 what would that be?

That everyone had all of their medical bills paid for. That's simple, but that could literally change millions of lives. It's devastating how much people are brought under so much financial stress. It's one surprise surgery, one chronic condition that needs special medication or multiple visits to specialists. I'm very aware of my own privilege in that specific area.

SOURCE: The Hill ( Nov 11, 2019)

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VOICE OF ASIA 5

Section 2

FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Chinese traditional medicine must be regulated: Europe doctors

US lab identifies rare new HIV strain

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A pharmacist weighs herbs at a Tongrentang drugstore in Beijing.

(Photo: Xinhua)

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ARIS, France | AFP | Thursday 11/7/2019 Top European medical bodies demanded Thursday that Chinese traditional medicines be subject to the same regulatory oversight as conventional Western methods, despite recent WHO recognition of their use.

"Just because the World Health Organisation includes a chapter on Traditional Chinese Medicine in its new International Classification of Diseases, it is not automatically safe to use without robust evidence," Professor Dan Marhala, President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, said in a statement issued by top European medical and scientific bodies.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TC) is held to the same standards of proof and evidence as conventional medicine.

The European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EA SAC) and the Federation of European Academies of Medicine (EAM) said European lawmakers must protect the health of European citizens.

It was not necessarily the Who’s intention to promote the use of TC, but its stamp of approval could lead supporters to promote wider application, the statement cautioned.

Accordingly, the existing European regulatory framework should be revised to make sure

"There have been examples where some Traditional Chinese Medicine has undergone thorough pre-clinical investigation and proven in rigorous clinical trials to contribute significant health benefit -– artemisinin therapy for malaria, for example," Marhala said.

"There may be more leads to diagnosis and therapeutic benefit yet to be discovered but this can in no way mean that other claims can be accepted uncritically."

As a result, patients could be confused over which diagnosis was appropriate and which therapy was effective.

ASHINGTON | AFP | 11/7/2019 - A US healthcare company has identified a new subtype of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and said the finding showed that cutting edge genome sequencing is helping researchers stay ahead of mutations.

The strain, HIV-1 Group M subtype L, has been recorded in three people from blood samples taken between the 1980s and 2001, all in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Abbott laboratories told AFP on Thursday.

To classify a new subtype, three cases must be discovered independently, according to guidelines issued in 2000.

Group M is the most prevalent form of the HIV-1 virus.

Subtype L is now the 10th of this group and the first to be identified since the guidelines were issued.

Antiretroviral drugs, which reduce the viral load of an HIV carrier to the point at which the infection is both undetectable and cannot be transmitted further, have generally performed well against a variety of subtypes, according to research.

But there is also some evidence of subtype differences in drug resistance. "Since subtype L is part of the major group of HIV, Group M, I would expect current treatments to work with it," Mary Rodgers, a principal scientist and head of the Global Viral Surveillance Program at Abbott, told AFP.

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Tel: 713-774-5140

'Beat the Pack’ program to help people quit smoking offered at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

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U G A R LAND – (November 7, 2019) — Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is offering the community a proven program to help people quit smoking.

The complimentary program, called Beat the Pack®, was developed by Pfizer Inc. and is sponsored by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Respiratory Therapy Department and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital offers program to help smokers quit.

Cancer Center. The next four-week series is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 Even long-term smokers can support in a group setting with at Houston Methodist Sugar benefit from quitting. “The medication provides the best Land’s Main Pavilion Conferhealth benefits of quitting be- results. ence Rooms A & D. gin almost immediately and “It isn’t easy to quit, and continue indefinitely,” said Participants will meet each Sindhu Nair, M.D., board-cer- certainly it is more difficult Wednesday for four weeks in tified hematologist oncologist to do so by yourself,” said January with a trained faciliwith Houston Methodist On- Sebastian-Deutsch. “Beat the tator who will provide tools, cology Partners at Sugar Land. Pack provides all the tools and tips and support to help smok“Within months, former smok- support needed, and it does ers create and follow through ers will have improved circu- so in an informative, friendly with a personalized “quit lation and reduced blood pres- atmosphere that offers encourplan.” sure, enhanced oxygen flow, agement and camaraderie.” the return of taste and smell “Studies show that close to The four-week program is and less coughing and colds.

70 percent of smokers in the After a year, their risk of heart offered each quarter at HousU.S. want to quit,” said Amy disease will be reduced by ton Methodist Sugar Land.

Sebastian-Deutsch, direchalf. After 10 years of living Registration is required and tor of oncology and infusion without cigarettes, the risk of space is limited. For more intherapy services at Houston heart attack or cancer is similar formation or to register, visit Methodist Sugar Land. “But to that of someone who never houstonmethodist.org/events it typically takes a smoker and search for ‘Beat the Pack’, smoked.” between six and 11 attempts or call 281.205.4514. to successfully quit. Beat the In 2015, a thorough compilaPack is a proven program that Visit our Facebook page at tion of more than 50 smoking can greatly increase those cessation studies that included fb.com/methodistsugarland odds and make it easier to more than 25,000 participants for the latest news, events and give up cigarettes for good.” found that combining behavior information.

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First Malayalee Pageant USA 2019

FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land offers support and assistance to cancer survivors and patients

L-R: Malayalee Pageant USA organizer Lakshmi Peter, Miss Mister Malayalee USA Mrs Malayalee USA 2019 Malayalee USA 2019 Winner Aleesha Salby and actress Manya 2019 wimmer Subin winner Swathi Sankar being Naidu presenting the award. (Photos credit: msan photo) Balakrishnan. crowned by Manya Naidu.

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alayalee Pageant USA the first Malayalee Pageant covering men and women in USA adjudging on both beauty , talent and ability to present Kerala culture with a modern take took the stage last Saturday Oct 26th at St Jospeh Hall under the direction of Houston’s well known stage personality and event organizer Lakshmi Peter. The show began with Actress Manya Naidu entering into the audience by the famous south Indian Chendamelam, who spoke about how such events bring the community together and offer an amazing venue to celebrate culture and diversity.

The pageant show also included playback singer of television fame William Isac who also crooned tunes that had the audience singing with him. The celebrities also performed crowd winning duets with Lakshmi Peter. Several local groups performed at the event as well including Kushboo dance group, Noopura school of Arts and Shyja and team.

The event featured participants in three different categories, in the Miss

Teen Malayalee USA category the first place was secured by Aleesha Salby who won the title followed by Aleena in first runner up place and Geethu Suresh as 2nd runner up , Mrs Malayalee USA category had Swathi Sankar winning the first prize followed by Swathi Anatharaman & Juvi John in 1st and 2nd runner up positions, Mister Malayalee USA category stole the audiences attention and had Subin Balakrishnan win the title, his presentation of the Kerala Ulsavam in the Kerala with a Twist round with his creativee attire captured the judges attention. The first runner up winner of Mister Malaylee USA 2019 was Roger Nellamattom who enthralled audiences with his talent as a singer, confidence and sheer good looks through the entire competition, the 2nd runner up title holder Remashankar Nair showcased a musical representation of martial arts and also a passionate showcase of the true heroes of Kerala floods which were the fishermen through his attire which touched the hearts of everyone present. The show was entertaining and colorful and gave the audience four

Neeta Sane files for Fort Bend...

Continued from Page 1, She is a wife, a mother and owner of a Management Consulting firm who has made impactful and significant contributions to society.

Sane and her husband have been residents of Fort Bend County for the past 22 years. Since taking the oath of citizenship, Sane has immersed herself in the community to give back some of the blessings and opportunities that this country gave her. Sane has initiated and led programs benefiting youth, women, seniors, veterans, and the underserved population. She has served in several organizations ranging from a Super Neighborhood Council to Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone to YMCA to NAACP and has received many community recognitions for her caring and effective service to the community. Sane was first elected as Houston Community College Trustee in 2007 and re-elected in 2013. Throughout her 12 years of elected public service, Sane has represented her constituents with a strong voice and she has delivered the promises to Fort Bend and Greater Houston constituents with extraordinary benefits for taxpayers. Sane is deeply humbled by all the honors and awards she has received for her public service for the community including a Special Congressional recognition. She was honored by the State of Texas Senate as well as State of Texas House of Representatives for her leadership and service to the community and college.

Sane is running for Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector to bring new leadership and excellence to the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office with an emphasis on saving taxpayers time and money.

Sane promises to be a strong advocate for taxpayers and is committed to bringing transformative leadership to help reduce taxpayers’ tax burden via exemptions, valuations, and collaborative partnerships with other taxing entities.

“My objective is to make a systemic change to the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office to bring efficiency, transparency and cutting-edge solutions that will serve Fort Bend taxpayers with the effective services they deserve in today’s economy.” – said Sane.

parency into the Tax Office that will benefit all local taxpayers and the nearly 100 employees in 6 Tax Office locations. Transparency will include employment opportunities, advancement opportunities, departmental revenues and expenses and productivity of each tax office location.

She is also committed to events where everyone will be able to share with her more of their ideas such as specific services for disabled persons, veterans, seniors and other segments of Fort Bend County's diverse population.

Sane’s campaign has earned endorsements from diverse individuals who have been working diligently and serving the Fort Bend Community as Public officials, Democrats and Members of local organizations. Sane has been actively involved in the Fort Bend County Democratic Party since 2005, beginning as a Precinct Chair, Election Judge, then Democratic Party Secretary. As a trailblazer 2006 Fort Bend Democratic Party nominee, Sane had earned 45% votes although Fort Bend was a Republican stronghold at that time.

Since getting elected as HCC Trustee, Sane has been strongly supporting and fighting for accessible & affordable opportunities for all. Sane has served as elected Board Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary and Chair of several HCC Board committees.

She has provided effective oversight of about $350M budget and has been instrumental in increasing exemptions for seniors and homeowners and reducing their tax burden. She has also established HCC Trustee Neeta Sane endowment scholarship for HCC students.

Sane’s transformative leadership has been instrumental in bringing historic accomplishments and innovative solutions that have transformed the Stafford campus from trailers to permanent facilities, relocated Missouri City Campus turning it into a highperforming campus, brought state-ofthe-art workforce programs and vocational pathways, no-cost and low-cost degrees for seniors, youth and the community as a whole, and transformed people’s lives with affordable and accessible career pathways.

With her progressive outlook and unwavering commitment to public service with effective leadership and extensive diverse collaborations, Sane is looking forward to bringing her expertise, qualifications and experiSane plans to develop policies and ence to the Tax Office to benefit all procedures that will utilize 'state-of- residents of Fort Bend County. Sane’s the-art' technologies that provide effi- platform, biography, accomplishments and endorsements are on her cient services to taxpayers. website www.NeetaSane.com She is committed to bringing transSane plans to initiate monthly meetings where local citizens have an opportunity to learn more about exemptions for homestead, age, and other exemptions available to taxpayers.

hours of art and music performances that were truly unforgettable.

“It was truly wonderful to see how competitors shows sportsmanship and passion as they vied for the title, this is what I wanted to recreate!”

Says Lakshmi Peter the director and conceptualist of the show. The Pageant Stylist was Silvy Varghese who made everyone on stage look graceful and elegant with her style statement and every participant delivered their introduction and showcased confidence coached by Personality coach Sheeba Jacob. The Pageant Ramp Coach was Dr Abdullah who ensured everyone brough their A Game to the pageant. The event MCs were Lexiah Jacob, Raina Rock, Heera Remashankar, Lakshmi Haridas, Reshmi Surendran and Juliet George.

Pageant judges were Manya Naidu, DJ Dholi Deep, Rosh Rajan, Dr Abdullah Kudrath, AC George, Hinna Akhtar, Abhiya Olivia, Reji Joseph & Dr Nisha Sundaragopal.

Sewa International Houston chapter events: Family Services Workshop We have seen alarming rise in cases of drug use amongst the teens. The problem is not only in colleges or in high schools but it is reported even from middle school children. Once trapped into this problem, we all know dire consequence and trauma that children and families go through.

In order to help prevent such situation, HSS and Sewa International have organized an awareness workshop.

Date – Saturday, Nov 16 th Time – 2:00 to 4:00 PM Venue – Keshav Smruti, 4018 Westhollow Pkwy, Houston 77082 To Register – http://bit.ly/SewaNov2019

Serve Houston Volunteering This month, we will work at the Houston Food Bank to inspect, sort and repackage donated food items for community distribution.

Date – Sunday, Nov 24 th Time – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon Venue – Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall St, Houston, TX 77029 To Register – https://sewausa.org/ event-3617074 (limited spots, first come first basis)

Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land offers robust cancer survivorship program.

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UGAR LAND – (November 12, 2019) — The cancer survivorship series at the Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land is designed to improve the physical, social, psychological and spiritual health of cancer survivors and caregivers.

“With the tremendous strides made in cancer care, we are seeing more and more survivors live long and productive lives after their treatment ends,” said Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, director of oncology and infusion therapy services at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “But these survivors, most over the age of 50, often require specialized services to overcome the physical and emotional impacts of their disease and treatment. There really was nothing comprehensive offered in Fort Bend, so we decided to augment our current supportive offerings by providing a range of services centered around art, music, exercise and massage.”

The cancer survivorship series continues to offer these programs free of charge: • Thriving Through Creative Arts — offers survivors a chance to express themselves through creative arts, including drama, dance, music and poetry. Thriving Through Creative Arts begins Jan. 9.

• Life in Motion — designed to improve balance, coordination and agility and enhance social and emotional health. Life in Motion begins Jan. 9.

• Music4Life — designed to improve muscle relaxation, mood management and expression of emotion. Music4Life begins Jan. 23.

• Massage — the benefits of massage include alleviation of stress, pain and other side effects which may

be experienced as a result of cancer and its treatments. This service will be provided on a limited basis for cancer survivors. Survivors should call Houston Methodist Wellness Services and mention the cancer survivor program provided through Houston Methodist Sugar Land at 713.441.5980.

“These programs provide other benefits, too, because they allow survivors to meet and interact with others who have lived through the same experiences,” said SebastianDeutsch. “Having someone to talk with who understands what it’s like to fight and survive cancer is an important part of the healing process.

Having that camaraderie with others can be powerful.”

For more information on the cancer survivorship series, or to register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events and search for ‘Cancer Survivorship Series’ or call 281.205.4514.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land is Fort Bend County’s only hospital with American College of Surgeons - Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation. Facilities achieve such accreditation after proving commitment to providing the best cancer care and complying with CoC standards. Hospitals that achieve accreditation provide a vast scope of high quality, specialized services — screenings, diagnostics, genetic testing, advanced technology, clinical trials and patient support.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital also offers a breast cancer support group, grief support group, powerful tools for caregivers and support/services via CanCare. For more information about these support groups visit houstonmethodist.org/ spiritual-sl.

Fort Bend ISD to host Community Symposium on discovery and history of the Sugar Land 95, Nov. 21

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ORT BEND ISD (November 13, 2019) – On Thursday, November 21, Fort Bend ISD will host a Community Symposium: Learn about the discovery and history of the Sugar Land 95. The event will take place at the James Reese Career and Technical Center (12300 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479), from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

During the symposium, the community will have the opportunity to learn more about the abandoned Bullhead Camp Cemetery discovered

at the FBISD construction site, from the first remains to the exhumation and analysis, to the genealogical and genetic research currently underway.

Participating in the presentations will be archaeologists, historians, and geneticists from the project team, including Reign Clark, Archeological Project Manager, and Dr. Catrina Banks Whitley, Project Bioarcheologist.

This event is free and open to the public.

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VOICE OF ASIA 7

Mothers-to-be fear for their unborn in smog-choked Delhi

FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Bihu at Diwali celebrations in San Antonio, Texas

by Abhaya Srivastava

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EW DELHI, India | AFP | Friday 11/8/2019 Heavily pregnant Rachel Gokavi spends most days shut away in her New Delhi home, desperate to shield her unborn child from the toxic air blamed for soaring miscarriage rates and infant deaths.

At a recent pre-natal class in the Indian capital, Gokavi and other expectant mothers shared their feelings of helplessness and anger at having to breathe poisonous air day in and out.

"I always keep the balcony door closed and don't go out as much. I fear there could be breathing issues when the baby is born," Gokavi, 26, told AFP. Like Gokavi, other anxious mothers-to-be listened to tips and tricks on coping with the smog that is so bad that Delhi's chief minister recently likened the city to a "gas chamber".

"Don't go out for morning walks. Try and go in the afternoon when the sun is out," was all the instructor could advise the women, who listened intently with furrowed brows.

With no respite from the pollution in sight, doctors too have little choice but just to recommend face masks and expensive air purifiers at home -- if they can afford them, which many cannot.

India is home to 14 of the world's 15 most polluted cities, according to the World Health Organization.

Every winter smoke from farmers' fires combine with industrial and vehicle emissions to turn towns and cities across northern India into smog-blanketed hellholes.

This toxic cocktail cuts short the lives of one million people in India every year, according to government research published in June.

The same report blamed air pollution for killing more than

Mothers to be in Delhi. (Screengrab: AFP video) 100,000 year.

under-fives

every

Doctors say kids breathe the noxious air twice as fast as adults because of their smaller lungs, causing respiratory problems and even impairing brain development.

There is evidence to suggest that adolescents exposed to higher levels of air pollution are more likely to experience mental health problems, UNICEF said this week.

- As bad as smoking But even before they are born, smog is as bad as smoking when it comes to miscarriages, another study released in the journal Nature Sustainability last month indicated.

The research done in Beijing -- another capital that has for years battled filthy air -- linked high levels of pollution and an increased risk of "silent miscarriage" in the first trimester.

This happens when a foetus hasn't formed or has died but the placenta and embryonic tissue remain.

Another study, in 2017, suggested that tiny particles can enter the foetal side of the placenta and disrupt the development of the unborn baby.

- Miscarriages, premature babies At Delhi's Sitaram Bhartia hospital, excruciatingly tiny babies weighing as little as a kilogramme (2.2 pounds)

breathe oxygen through plastic tubes as machines monitor their vital signs.

Rinku Sengupta, an obstetrician at the busy neonatal unit, says that rates of such underweight babies as well as premature births are rising in cities with high levels of pollution.

"We are very worried because we know that the pollutants cannot only affect the lungs of mothers but these can even reach the placenta and affect the placental function," she told AFP. "It is difficult to prove a direct cause-effect relationship.

But there is enough evidence now to say that there is a direct link and we need to sit up and think what we can do about it," she said.

"It is an emergency situation."

Arti Bhatia, 35, is now the proud mother of a lively sixmonth-old daughter, Ayesha.

But her journey to motherhood was filled with the pain of miscarriages, and she wonders whether pollution was to blame.

"I had my baby after three years of trying and in those three years I lost a few pregnancies," Bhatia told AFP. "The first time I lost (a pregnancy) I thought maybe it was bad luck, maybe it was not meant to be or something. But subsequently it was like 'is it because of the air we breathe'?"

Ladies in Assamese attire presented a folk dance during the celebrations. ward. We enjoyed performing and presenting our traditional state dance wearing Mekhela Chador( and using japi (conical bamboo hat) and kahor thal (bell metal plate) as symbolic props of Assam.

Mahatma Gandhi and author of the book “The Gift of Anger”, was this year’s special guest of honor.

by Runmee Barbara

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AN ANTONIO - On November 2, People from all cultures gathered together for San Antonio’s official Diwali celebration. Diwali celebrations in San Antonio began in 2009 to launch its official Sister-City relationship with Chennai, India. This year marked the 11th anniversary of Diwali in San Antonio. San Antonio’s Diwali celebration is one of the largest city-sponsored Diwali festivals in the United States and it draws tourists from all over the country. Traditional folk dances, a river barge parade showcasing the India’s diverse states, ceremonial lighting of diyas, colorful handmade Indian attire, jewelry, henna and delicious Indian dishes provide a glimpse at the multifaceted Indian culture.

Special guests that attended the event this year were Mayor Ron Nirenberg, State Senator Jose Menendaz besides other council woman and dignitaries. Arun Gandhi, grandson of

The Indian Association of San Antonio is very active and supports cultural, religious and charitable activities. There were folk dances from twelve Indian States. The state of Assam was represented by the “Assam Association of San Antonio.” We are a few Assamese families living here who follow and celebrate our culture. For the past few years, Dr Lopita Nath, Professor and Chair, Dept. of History at UIW, San Antonio has been performing Bihu dance and training non-assamese dancers to represent our state and be a part of this grand event.

Thjs year, out of the eight dancers, three were Assamese, two were North Indians, one Marathi, one Mexican and one Vietnamese. Even though the non-assamese dancers did not understand the language, they were able to follow the steps and put their best foot for-

The event exhibited the rich diversity within our country in a distant land. It presents a great opportunity to celebrate Diwali and keep our rich culture alive.

Since it was a free public event, most of the non-Indians were able to witness this grand event as well. From delicious Indian street food to authentic dishes, mithai(sweets) and paan, from wearing Padgadi(turban) to buying Indian sarees & jewelry and then dancing to the tunes of Bollywood songs, the event bestowed the feeling that we were in India. The event concluded with multi-coloured fire works display and foot tapping bollywood Dj music which left everyone mesmerised. This feeling of coherence, acceptance and appreciation by other communities of this country is a great honor for Indians.

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25 charged with over brutal killing of Bangladesh student

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HAKA, Bangladesh | AFP | Wednesday 11/13/2019 - Some 25 people, many members of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party, were charged with murder Wednesday over the brutal killing last month of a university student who criticised the government on social media.

The battered body of 21-yearold Abrar Fahad was found in his dormitory hours after he wrote a post on Facebook slamming Dhaka for signing a watersharing deal with India.

Police said he was beaten to death by fellow students -many members of the ruling Awami League's university branch. Others had links to the pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

"Murder charges have been pressed to the court against 25 men," police spokesman Monirul Islam told AFP. "According to the CCTV footage, at least 11 were directly involved in beating Fa-

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had to death."

He said the accused had created an "environment of fear" on campus, with physical abuse and other coercive behaviour.

GEORGE R. WILLY

"They were using their political identity as shelter," he said, referring to their links to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party.

Fahad's death sparked widespread protests among students in the country, prompting Hasina to promise his killers would be severely punished.

Read the latest on South Asia Visit us online : voiceofasia.news

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FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

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FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

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Help Sugar Land celebrate 60th Anniversary at 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting!

Sugar Land 101 Class applications available

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UGAR LAND - Santa and Mrs. Claus are bringing their holiday magic to Sugar Land Town Square for the 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m.

The steps of City Hall will light up with holiday cheer and entertainment as various groups fill the stage with some of the community's most popular performances, including the 2018 and 2019 winners of Sugar Land Superstar, Sartartia Middle School Sweethearts, Fort Bend Christian Academy, EPIC Center for Dance, Commonwealth Elementary Fifth Grade Chorus and Recorder Choir, Anjuli Perubhatla, Sugar Land Middle School Cheer, Inspiration Stage, Sugar Land Sound Chorus, NuBirth Children's Choir from the Fountain of Praise Church and Tropical Rhythms.

The Christmas spirit will come alive during the event with holidaythemed, walk-around entertainment.

Throughout the event, families will have the opportunity to take free photos at different stations, including the chance to get a photo with Santa. This year's event will incorporate special elements to honor the city of Sugar Land's 60th Anniversary, including signature 60th Anniversary ornaments, a 'Happy Birthday' song tribute during the program's intermission and special sweet treats for sale by local eateries,

including The Sweet Boutique Bakery, Turquoise Grill & Bar, Kilwin's, Decadent Coffee and Dessert Bar and Stacked Ice Cream.

As the evening comes to an end, families and friends will gather around the spectacular 40-foot Christmas tree located in the middle of Town Square plaza to help Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome the season with the annual lighting of the tree. Those who don't want to miss the Christmas tree lighting finale are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 p.m. The lighting will end with a short fireworks display and a special surprise to conclude the event.

The event is open to the public.

A complimentary shuttle service will run from Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., to Sugar Land Town Square from 4:30-8:30 p.m. The shuttle is strongly recommended to avoid traffic. Limited parking will also be available in the Texas and Lone Star garages located at Sugar Land Town Square.

For more information or to become an event sponsor, visit www.

SugarLandTX.gov/TreeLighting or give us a call at 311 or 281-275-2900.

Don't forget to like or follow the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation social media pages (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) by searching @SugarLandParks.

Fort Bend ISD receives more than $39,000 from Kroger’s Backpack Boosters initiative

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UGAR LAND, TX - The city of Sugar Land will accept applications through Dec. 5 for the next Sugar Land 101 class scheduled to begin in January 2020.

Sugar Land 101 participants learn about city operations from Sugar

Land's top managers. The class also includes two citywide tours, including a behind the scenes look at city facilities.

Those applying for Sugar Land 101 must be a resident of Sugar Land for at least one year, a registered voter, over 21 years of age,

not currently holding or running for elected office and willing to attend the 10-week session.

To apply online or for more information about Sugar Land 101 and additional enrollment requirements, visit https://volunteer.sugarlandtx. gov/. Enrollment is limited.

Voters Approve Bonds for Drainage, Public Safety, Facilities and Animal Shelter

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UGAR LAND, TX – Based on unofficial election results, Sugar Land voters decisively approved four general obligation bond propositions totaling $90.76 million on Nov. 5.

The election results will be canvassed at a special City Council meeting on Nov. 12, and official results will be announced at that time.

The four approved propositions include: · $47.6 million in drainage projects intended to reduce flooding residents experienced during major rain events; · $26.3 million in public safety and public facility projects, including $11.5 million to fund a new emergency operations center/ public safety dispatch building that fulfills a recommendation from a 2015 Facilities Master Plan; · $10.26 million in streets projects focusing on improvements to mobility and reinvestment into the city’s street network; and

were identified through years of community input,” said Assistant City Manager Chris Steubing. “The vote reaffirms that residents believe the approved projects are important to Sugar Land and demonstrates the public’s continued confidence in the city’s strong and responsible financial stewardship.”

Work will begin on the implementation strategy that will be presented to City Council next spring as part of

the fiscal year 2021 budget process, including implementation of a maximum tax rate increase of 3 cents to support the delivery of the bond program during the next three years. The projects are expected to be completed within three to four years.

Learn more about the approved bond projects at www.sugarlandtx. gov/GObonds, and view unofficial results at www.sugarlandtx.gov/elections.

· $6.6 million to fund the design and construction of a new animal shelter -- another recommendation from the 2015 Facilities Master Plan Exceptional Financial Services | Unsurpassed Customer Satisfaction -- to address projected animal capacity Rajiv B. Bhavsar Aziz A. Rahim Zafar Khan from the city’s SVP Commercial Lending Officer SVP Commercial Lending Officer AVP Business Development growth.

(281) 217-7330 (281) 224-2523 (713) 715-9983

Banking With

Shown during the check presentation (from l-r) are FBISD Collaborative Communities team members Dr. Anthony Indelicato, FBISD Chief of Staff and Collaborative Communities; Tyenise Blackmon, Coordinator; Sparkle Anderson, The Kroger Co, Corporate Affairs Manager; Payal Pandit Talati, Executive Director; and Reba Cook, Executive Assistant.

F

ORT BEND ISD (November 7, 2019) – We appreciate Kroger shoppers for their support of Fort Bend ISD during the store’s Backpack Boosters initiative this year. Because of community-wide support, FBISD is the recipient of $39,285 worth of school supplies.

Backpack Boosters helps fill the gap and alleviate the burden placed on teachers to provide adequate supplies at their own expense.

FBISD was among Houston-area school districts to receive a share of $275,000 worth of school supply kits that customers purchased during a

two-week period this summer, July 19 through August 6.

“We are extremely grateful for Kroger’s continued support of Fort Bend ISD students in need through its Backpack Boosters initiative,” said Payal Pandit Talati.

“This year, the initiative equipped over 4,000 students with school supplies; impacting their path for academic achievement and success in the classroom.”

FBISD will distribute the kits to schools as needed throughout the school year.

The projects included in the propositions were selected based on extensive planning through various master plans, City Council input and the results of citizen satisfaction surveys that indicated drainage, public safety and traffic/ mobility are the top three priorities for residents.

“The bond election provided an opportunity for our residents to choose whether to authorize property taxes to fund projects that

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Star Promotions brings legendary musical trio to Houston in "Throwback 90s'

I have never abused children, Swara Bhasker says The Bollywood actress insisted that the issue was blown out of proportion

N

At the Arena Theater singers Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan with Rajender Singh of Star Promotions

VOA Staff

The furore happened when after a video clip from the chat show "Son Of Abish" surfaced, showing her using abusive terms like "chu**ya" and "kameena" in reference to a four-year-old child actor, with whom she worked with on an advertisement shoot during her early days in the film industry.

H

OUSTON - After a lapse of time, Star Promotions, Houston’s leading entertainment shows promoter come back with a bang with their presentation “Throwback 90’s” on November 8 at the Arena Theater. The show featuring Bollywood’s legendary singers Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan was a sold-out event.

National promoter of the show was Mehboob Haider while Rajender Singh of Star Promotions was its local promoter. Singh has brought over 95 local major shows and 10 International shows in the past 20 years to cities across North America.

This show was uniquely special as it was for the first time that the three singers performed together.

Each singer has an impressive track record of hits for over two decades.

So distinctive of their style yet together they created a musical sensation with hits from the 90s that left the audience ecstatic throughout the

"I was on a comedy show, narrating a funny incident about my first experience shooting in Mumbai. In that partly exaggerated and satirical narration, where I was using a comedic, adult and self-deprecating tone, I used certain swear words. The words were used to display in an adult-humorous tone, my exaggerated frustrations and emotions during my struggling days," Swara told IANS, while explaining her side.

"Comics do it all the time, and the show's format is of a comedic genre."

- Gulf News

Hrithik Roshan in actionfuelled blockbuster ‘War’

L-R: Singers Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Rajender Singh of Star Promotions and singer Udit Narayan and Mehboob Haider presenting “Throwback 90’s”

show. The magic of music is back and Singh hopes to continue bring-

ing the very best to his audience in 2020!

The legendary Indian singer was admitted to the intensive care unit in Mumbai

M

UMBAI_ Iconic Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, 90, was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai on November 11 due to breathing difficulties. According to reports, she is in the intensive care unit and is under observation.

H

rithik Roshan was mighty impressed with ‘Joker’, this year’s polarising blockbuster starring Joaquin Phoenix, but there’s a catch.

“It’s amazing that you make such a dark character and you end up rooting for the evil guy. But I wouldn’t do it,” Roshan said in an interview with Gulf News tabloid!.

The actor, who has enjoyed massive success with blockbusters including ‘Super 30’ and ‘War’, was in Dubai recently to promote the Swiss luxury watch brand Rado. While Pheonix’s film that divided critics and audiences alike floored him, he can never imagine himself spearheading such a project. The reason?

“She was brought to hospital at about 2am. She is critical and in ICU,” a hospital insider told PTI. She has reportedly contracted pneumonia and has left ventricular failure. However, another hospital source later clarified to India Today Television that her condition is stable and she will recover in three to five days.

Mangeshkar is known as India’s nightingale and has sung more than 1,000 Hindi songs including timeless melodies such as ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh’ and ‘Lag Ja Gale Se Phir’. She’s also the recipient of the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, the highest civil-

The actress says the video, which went viral, was out of context.

Hrithik Roshan is basking in the success of ‘War’

Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar hospitalized and under observation

Meanwhile, a statement on her behalf read: "Lata Mangeshkar ji had a viral chest congestion. Keeping her age in mind, as a precautionary measure, she has checked in to Breach Candy Hospital in order to ensure antibiotics on time to prevent any more infection. She is stable and recovering."

EW DELHI: Swara Bhasker faced backlash on social media earlier this month after a video gone viral showed she was allegedly abusing a four-year-old child actor. Insisting that the issue blew out of proportion, Swara says she has never abused children nor any of her co-actors.

“It leaves you depressed and dark and that’s not what I want the audience to feel when they watch my films … I don’t think it’s the cinema that I want to make,” said Roshan.

True to his word, his movies are rarely bleak or emotionally warped.

Unlike ‘Joker’, Roshan’s films play it relatively safe.

Lata Mangeshkar. (Image credit: IANS) ian honour in India, in 2001. France conferred her with its highest civilian award (Officer of the Legion of Honour) in 2007.

Mangeshkar’s last post on social media saw her congratulating actress Padmini Kolhapuri on her turn in the period epic ‘Panipat’ and wishing the entire team good luck.

For instance, his recent action-fuelled blockbuster ‘War’ crossed the coveted Rs400 crore (Rs4 billion, Dh206 million) club and the money spinner was glossy, filled with glamorous military officers fighting evil forces across the globe. It was almost an ode to his gleaming torso and his

gravity-defying flips.

His turn in another 2019 hit ‘Super 30’, an underdog tale in which he played an inspiring professor whose mission in life was to help underprivileged students crack a competitive exam, was strictly vanilla and did not trigger any poignant debates about mental health and glorification of toxic behaviour like in ‘Joker’.

Perhaps, the only pertinent debate stemmed from Roshan, 45, deliberately darkening his lighter skin to a dark brown to underline his poor background. But the actor maintained that he wasn’t perpetuating the stereotype and prejudice that dark skin means being lesser privileged in India.

“It has been a good year and ‘War’ is still going strong [at the box office].

It’s pretty relieving because I went through hell to make this film and I am happy for it. I am happy that the audiences are enjoying this film. It’s reassuring and motivating and I feel encouraged that it’s a big success. I am waiting to watch how big it gets,” he said.

While he’s mouthing those positive words, his face was hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses in the afternoon and was defiantly distant. Did the filming of those dangerous action sequences drain him off all his energy? Roshan played the bronzed Kabir Luthra, who hunts down the bad guys in his own military unit. - Gulf News

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London pupils shine through Steve McQueen's new artwork South African Oscar-winner Charlize Theron collected the 33rd annual American Cinematheque Award at a Beverly Hills gala (AFP Photo/Valerie Macon)

'Fearless' Charlize Theron honored by Hollywood

by Andrew Marszal

L

OS ANGELES | AFP | Saturday 11/8/2019 - Charlize Theron was honored by Hollywood Friday for a "fearless" career in which she tackled themes including sexual harassment long before the #MeToo movement up-ended the industry.

The 44-year-old South African Oscar-winner, who has often played down her flawless looks to win darker, more complex parts, collected the prestigious American Cinematheque Award at a Beverly Hills gala.

"I'm overwhelmed -- I need a cocktail!" she told AFP as stars including Kristen Stewart, Seth Rogen, and David Oyelowo gathered to honor her career.

"These people who are here tonight have been with me through a lot of stuff."

Theron won the best actress Academy Award in 2004 with her turn as prostitute and serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster."

She earned Hollywood's respect with a visceral performance which saw her pack on 30 pounds (14 kg) and render herself unrecognizable with makeup and prosthetics to play the unappealing murderer.

"She is the most fearless actor I've ever worked with, and probably the most fearless human being I've ever met," said Jason Reitman, who directed Theron in "Young Adult" and "Tully."

Next month Theron appears in another transformative role -- as former TV anchor Megyn Kelly in "Bombshell," which depicts the downfall of

Fox News co-founder Roger Ailes after a sexual harassment scandal.

"When I read (the script) it felt like it was part of a conversation that was happening now. And that to me, felt really important," she said.

In contrast, her 2005 turn as a miner who files the United States' first classaction sexual harassment lawsuit in "North Country" came at a time when Hollywood turned a blind eye to such issues.

Back then there was a sense that sexual harassment "was in the past and that it's been dealt with," said Theron.

The part earned her a second Oscar nod. A decade later, the #MeToo movement swept through Hollywood.

Theron was born in the small South African town of Benoni in 1975. When she was 15, her mother shot and killed her father after he attacked them in a drunken rage. Her mother was never charged.

Theron arrived in Los Angeles as a teenager in the 1990s speaking only broken English -- her first language is Afrikaans.

She was discovered by a talent scout in a bank, and broke into Hollywood's elite with "The Devil's Advocate" (1997), alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.

Theron has since mixed commercial films such as the "Fast and Furious" franchise with tougher, less conventional roles.

The American Cinematheque Award is a "mid-career achievement award," with previous honorees including Al Pacino, Tom Cruise, and Steven Spielberg.

Disney+ offers rare original 'Star Wars' trilogy deleted scenes

L

ONDON, United Kingdom | AFP | Monday 11/11/2019 Sitting alongside their teachers, their faces full of hope, mischief and occasional boredom, thousands of London schoolchildren have been immortalised in a new work by British artist Steve McQueen.

He has photographed more than 76,000 Year Three pupils -- aged seven and eight -- in their class groups, for an exhibition that curators said offers "a hopeful portrait of a generation to come".

All 3,128 class photographs taken by McQueen and his team are on display at the Tate Britain, while an edit of 613 photos is being shown on billboards across the capital.

"The aim is to communicate to Londoners what this city looks like through the prism of children," James Lingwood, the co-director of Artangel, which produced the outside installation, told AFP. The classes range from six to around 20 people, the children dressed in uniform or their own clothes, some crosslegged at the front, and the rest on chairs or benches behind them.

S

tar Wars fans may have been so excited to stream 4K versions of the original trilogy on Disney+ they overlooked something special. Along with each film, deleted scenes are offered. And while some bootlegs have been floating around the internet for years, the Disney+ versions that hit Tuesday are higher quality and come with an explanation as to

why they were left out.

Two deleted scenes for 1977's A New Hope really stand out. The first is a combination of moments that would have been put in the beginning of the film, showing what Luke Skywalker was doing on Tatooine while the opening space battle was going on above the planet. Viewers finally get to see Tosche Station — the place Luke fa-

They represent a mix of schools, from public and private, faith and special educational needs, with some children even home schooled.

But viewed together, they create a sense of community.

"When you are about seven, it's the kind of time in your life when you become aware of belonging to something bigger than your family or your friends group," Lingwood said.

"You start to become aware belonging to something much bigger, called society."

Many of those involved in the project have class visits planned to the Tate Britain, where they can see themselves as part of the national collection.

"It's incredible to see 76.000 faces

smiling down. It's a portrait of potential," said Clarrie Wallis, a senior curator at the Tate Britain.

She said it was this idea that linked the project with other works by McQueen, a London-based artist and filmmaker who won an Oscar for "12 Years a Slave".

His installation "Queen and Country", for example, involved 155 sheets of stamps, each one commemorating a British soldier killed in the war in Iraq.

That "was really about thinking about the loss of potential. Here we have the potential of the next generation", Wallis told AFP, adding that the theme was also present in his latest film "Widows".

"Year 3", the work of three and a half years, will be followed by a retrospective of McQueen's works in February.

OMG! A'Friends' reunion special is in the works at HBO Max Sources say that a deal is far from done and dusted, but the full cast and creators would participate.

O

h. My. God!

As mega-hit Friends continues to celebrate its 25th anniversary, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the six core stars and creators of the NBC comedy from Warner Bros. TV are in talks to reunite on HBO Max. Talks are currently underway for an unscripted reunion special that would feature Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Courteney Cox (Monica), Lisa Kud-

mously wanted to go pick up some power converters — and have a better understand of his friendship with Biggs Darklighter.

The other is not a deleted scene so much as a rough cut of the Cantina segment. In it, viewers see that Han Solo was actually hanging out with a lady before Luke and Obi-Wan Kenobi approached. The scene is also entertaining in that no voices had been dubbed, so you can hear actors speaking English, rather than alien languages.

The scene also clearly shows that Han killed Greedo in cold blood, which was the case until the 1997 special edition rerelease. The scene was actually changed once again by George Lucas before Disney bought the property in 2012. That change had Star Wars fans buzzing over social media on Tuesday when it was discovered on Disney+.

'A New Hope,' 'Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi' all have unseen moments now available.

British artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen at the Tate Britain opening of his schools photographic project (AFP Photo/Tolga Akmen)

There also is an interesting scene from 1983's Return of the Jedi in which Commander Jerjerrod has serious misgivings about following orders when he is told by Emperor Palpatine to blow up the Endor moon with the Death Star, even though "several battalions" are still on the surface.

In another scene, Luke builds his new lightsaber, which would have been in the film before R2-D2 and C3PO were sent to Jabba's palace.

- Hollywood Reporter

row (Phoebe), Matt LeBlanc (Joey), Matthew Perry (Chandler) and David Schwimmer (Ross) as well as series creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman. Sources caution that a deal is far from done and agreements with cast and creatives still need to be hammered out. When and if deals are completed, the challenge then becomes sorting out everyone's schedules. Of course, the talks could fizzle and the whole concept could fall apart.

HBO Max and producers WBTV declined comment.

News of a reunion special arrives as Friends has found new audiences at its streaming home on Netflix. The series is officially leaving the streamer at year's end and will make its debut on WarnerMedia-backed HBO Max when that $15 monthly subscription platform launches at a date to be determined. Sources say WarnerMedia paid $85 million per year for five years ($425 million) to reclaim streaming rights to Friends for its own platform.

(Netflix, for its part, paid $80 million-$100 million to keep Friends on its service for 2019 and was ultimately outbid by WarnerMedia.)

Sources note that WarnerMedia Entertainment and direct-to-consumer chairman Bob Greenblatt has been the driving force pushing for the Friends reunion, which would pair well with HBO Max's debut and the comedy's new streaming home. Sources say that the cast is willing to do it is an accomplishment in and of itself.

The cast and creators, for their part, have remained steadfast over the years since the comedy wrapped its 10-season run that they would not do any sort of scripted revival.

NBC staged a miniFriends reunion in 2016 as part of a special honoring legendary director and producer James Burrows. Five of the six stars — save for Perry — participated in the look back that also featured the casts of Will and Grace, Cheers and The Big Bang Theory.

For her part, Aniston on Oct. 27 shot down word of a Friends reboot (with a flat-out "no") but did tell the daytime host that "We would love for there to be something, but we don't know what that something is. So we're just trying. We're working on something."

Aniston returned to television with the Nov. 1 premiere of Apple TV+'s The Morning Show. The drama marks her first TV series regular role since she wrapped Friends. (On Morning Show, Aniston stars opposite her Friends onscreen sister, Reese Witherspoon.) Aniston also recently joined Instagram by posting a recent photo of her reuniting with her Friends co-stars.

Friends producers Warner Bros. TV has been busy with a series of events to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary this year, with replica couches placed at landmarks across the globe, pop-ups of Central Perk, special theatrical screenings of beloved episodes and more.

A Friends reunion would immediately provide the kind of must-see TV that an upstart streaming service like HBO Max would want. Disney, for example, launched its streaming service Tuesday with its highly anticipated Star Wars scripted drama The Mandalorian.

- The Hollywood Reporter

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Half of young people believe high school degree is enough for goodpaying job

Ask a 20-something: What do I say to a young 'arrogant' employee demanding a promotion?

any young Americans still consider a high school diploma alone to be enough for success, according to a survey of teens and young adults by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

In this advice column, a 20-something worker advises an employer who says that their mid-20s employee feels "entitled" to new responsibilities — even though the employer says they're not ready for them.

M

The finding alarms some experts who say young Americans don't seem to be getting the message that college pays off. Federal labor data show a widening earnings gap between Americans who do and do not have a college degree.

More than half of Americans ages 13 through 29 do see college as a path to economic success, but about 4 in 10 believe a bachelor's degree prepares people only somewhat well, or even poorly, for today's economy.

Meanwhile, about half said their high school education has provided the skills they need to get a good job right after they graduate. And 45% say a high school diploma is good preparation for future successful workers.

Researchers dispute that notion, saying it has been decades since a high school diploma was enough to earn a good living.

"The data just do not support that," said Thomas Brock, a research professor and director of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University. "With a high school diploma alone, it's very hard to earn the kinds of wages one would need to support a family."

Even in the current tight job market, unemployment rates are far lower for workers with a college degree. The lifetime earnings of high school graduates, meanwhile, have dropped 12% in the last 40 years.

In 2018, the median earnings for workers with only a high school diploma was $730 a week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For those with a bachelor's degree, it was $1,200 — more than two-thirds higher.

However, the precise reasons college degree holders command better pay are highly debated. Critics have pointed to the phenomenon of "degree inflation," whereby employers increasingly demand that job applicants have a college degree even when the skills of a given job don't require one. A Harvard Business School report from 2017 found that as many as 6 million jobs potentially require a college degree

File photo

without a good reason, with traditional blue-collar industries like manufacturing and retail trade most at risk.

with college plans, a majority said they were borrowing or planning to borrow loans to pay for tuition.

Teens are especially likely to think high school is a good path to success in today's economy, while young adults were less likely to say so, according to the AP-NORC survey. And there were stark differences by race: At least half of young black and Hispanic Americans said high school is a good path to success, compared with 41% of young white Americans.

In some ways, young Americans are right to be worried, said Anthony Carnevale, director of Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. The transition to adult independence is taking place later in life, he said. Education requirements for good jobs have grown, and there are fewer available to young people. Still, he said, there's evidence that investments in college pay off.

More than any type of degree, 73% of young Americans said they think job experience is good preparation for success. Their esteem for practical experience is shared by the Trump administration, which has pushed to expand apprenticeship programs. Experts say it reflects today's economy, in which more employers require internships or other work experience.

While 6 in 10 said a bachelor's degree is a route to success, an equal number said they see vocational school as good preparation, and about half see the same value in an associate degree. The finding was a surprise to some researchers who say students — and their parents — often think of college only as a bachelor's degree.

"That's not what I would expect to see," said Heather McKay, director of the Education and Employment Research Center at Rutgers University.

"It's really great that young people are thinking of these alternatives, because there are some really good non-degree credential options out there.

A common thread among many young Americans is a concern over the cost of education. Nearly 8 in 10 said they think college affordability is a very or extremely serious problem, and a majority said they were at least somewhat concerned about debt. Of those

By Jen Christense

Y

ounger people with cannabis use disorder are at an increased risk of heart rhythm problems, according to a new presentation at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. A second presentation says that young people who use weed frequently are at a higher risk for stroke.

The first presentation found that a young person diagnosed with a cannabis use disorder had a 47% to 52% greater risk of being hospitalized for an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, if they regularly used weed.

Heart rhythm problems occur when the electrical impulses that make your heartbeat in time don't work quite right -making your heartbeat too fast or too slow, or irregularly. This isn't just a disconcerting feeling; it can be deadly. A problem with the heart's rhythm can also lead to a stroke or heart failure.

In the presentation, scientists noticed the connection between weed and heart problems by looking at data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, the largest publicly available

all-payer inpatient health care database in the US that gives national estimates of hospital stays.

In that data, 2.6% of patients hospitalized for a heart arrhythmia were regular cannabis users. These patients tended to be younger, between the ages of 15 and 24, male and black.

Adjusting for other factors, 15- to 24-year-old weed users had 1.28 times higher odds of having to go to the hospital for this heart problem and 25- to 34-year-olds faced 1.52 times higher odds.

"The effects of using cannabis are seen within 15 minutes and last for around three hours.

At lower doses, it is linked to a rapid heartbeat. At higher doses, it is linked to a too-slow heartbeat," Dr. Rikinkumar S. Patel, resident physician in the department of psychiatry at the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma, said in a press release.

"The risk of cannabis use linked to arrhythmia in young people is a major concern, and physicians should ask patients hospitalized with arrhythmias about their use of cannabis and other substances because they

Think back to when you were in your 20s. I'm sure you were plenty ambitious.

After all, you eventually rose to a management position. Of course, you probably didn't demand any of your promotions. That's the difference between you and your employee, right? The arrogance! The entitlement! How dare he.

And wow, generational en-

Getty Image

the workplace. "The findings suggest that meaningful differences among generations probably do not exist," it reads.

"The differences that appear to exist are likely attributable to factors other than generational membership."

Translation: Years after scientific rigor disproved the "entitled millennials" theory, people still preached it as gospel. Sigh.

I've

been

the

employee

interested in these responsibilities. Here's what I need to see from you before you take this on." Resist the urge to add something snarky. It's not worth it.

Think about what you'll ask from him ahead of time, because you'll need to 100% commit to it. I've had bosses move the goalposts before — for all sorts of justifiable reasons, I'm sure — and it's unbelievably frustrating. Like,

"Eighty percent of four-year college degrees do bring sufficient earnings to pay for the cost over a career," Carnevale said. "The truth is, it's very hard for colleges at the four-year level to build programs that aren't worth the loan."

Debate over student debt and college affordability has come to the fore recently as Democratic presidential candidates court young voters with promises to make college free and erase debt.

Overall, 65% of young Americans in the AP-NORC survey said they support making tuition free at community colleges, an idea that has been adopted by some states and is being proposed nationally by Democrats. Meanwhile, 60% support plans to make tuition free at all public colleges and universities, a proposal that's supported by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, both Democratic presidential candidates.

Each of those ideas also has backing from nearly half of young Republicans.

Young Americans also widely support plans allowing student debt to be refinanced and plans to forgive debt for households earning less than $100,000 a year, the poll found.

titlement is a loaded concept these days. If you want proof, just log on to Twitter. Actually, don't log on to Twitter. I hope we can all agree to spend less time on Twitter. Instead, look at this 2017 report from British market research company Ipsos Mori: "When we asked people across 23 different countries to describe millennials from a list of characteristics, 'tech-savvy,' 'materialistic,' 'selfish,' 'lazy,' 'arrogant,' and 'narcissistic' were the most popular adjectives assigned to them."

Contrast that with this 2012 Journal of Business and Psychology study, which looked at generational differences in

- CBS News

Studies: Regular pot use raises risk of youth heart problems Second presentation notes risk for stroke

D

ear 20-Something: I have a mid-20s employee who thinks he's significantly better at his job than he is. Every time we talk, he demands new responsibilities that he's not ready for yet. It's like he feels entitled to them. How should I deal with his ambition — or, really, his arrogance?

could be triggering their arrhythmias."

In the other presentation, researches noted that young people who use cannabis more than 10 days a month were nearly 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke, compared to people who didn't use the drug. For those who frequently used cannabis and also smoked cigarettes or used e-cigarettes, the risk was even higher. They were three times more likely to have a stroke, compared to people who did not smoke or use e-cigarettes and weed.

For that study, researchers looked at data from 43,000 adults who were a part of the behavioral risk factor surveillance system between 2016 and 2017. The participants were between the age of 18 to 44, and 14% said they had used cannabis in the last 30 days.

Those who said they used the drug were typically younger, male, and Hispanic or African American.

This was an observational study and did not look at what might cause the increased risk.

But authors hope doctors will take the information into account when they talk to their patients.

- KPRC TV

you're talking about — at least, from my boss's perspective. From my perspective, I was absolutely ready for those new responsibilities. There's a fine line between arrogance and confidence. One can easily be perceived as the other.

So, your solution needs to bridge those two viewpoints.

Temper the arrogance. Embrace the confidence and reward it, once you think the work merits it.

Step one: Bring him in for a one-on-one meeting and detail exactly what he needs to show you to earn the higher-level work. Frame it in a positive light: "Thanks for speaking up and letting me know you're

"I'm thinking about quitting" frustrating. It makes your employee realize — like a slap to the face — that he's never going to grow at your company or get promoted. Ever.

Which brings me to step two: Honor your promises. Keep an eye on him over an extended period of time (without micromanaging, of course). When you think he's finally earned the chance, be proactive about offering him those new responsibilities. Otherwise, you'll just force him to keep begging — and you'll end up right back in the kind of frustrating situation that caused you to pose this question in the first place.

- Business Insider

How much is too much for youth sports?

by Dr. Stephen Prescott

T

he other day, a friend mentioned he’d made a series of hotel reservations for the spring of 2020.

The reason? He was planning for his daughter’s soccer travel schedule.

She’s in third grade.

This doesn’t sound much like my life at age 8, which centered around watching "Gilligan’s Island" reruns and collecting "Star Wars" action figures. I recognize that a lot has changed in the intervening 43 years, including a laudable emphasis on regular physical activity in kids. Still, for youth sports, can there be too much of a good thing?

Youth sports participation has risen significantly in recent decades. Along with the good (physical fitness, discipline, focus) this trend has also brought some bad (injuries, stress, burnout).

Various health groups have issued recommendations to put some guardrails around participation in youth sports.

Although the guidelines differ, most share several common themes.

First, experts stress that children of all ages need regular rest days. That National Athletic Trainers’ Association recent-

File photo

ly recommended that young athletes should take a minimum of two days off per week from training and competition.

In addition, to account for differences between, say, an adolescent and an elementary schooler, the trainers proposed a simple rule: Children shouldn’t take part in organized sports activities for more hours each week than their age. So, if you’re 8, that means no more than 8 hours a week. Just as importantly, experts stress that children should delay specializing in a single sport as long as possible. And at any age, kids shouldn’t play a single sport year-round; breaks in training give over-stressed tissue time to recover.

A 2016 study in Pediatrics of youth soccer showed soaring rates of concussions, broken bones, torn tendons and other injuries. These statistics, no doubt, tie to growing numbers of children playing the sport year-round.

Kids also should avoid athletic double duty, say experts.

That means limiting children to one sport per season.

Finally, kids need downtime away from all organized sports.

While they likely will opt for activities other than watching Gilligan and the Skipper, unstructured time allows for physical and mental recovery, diminishing burnout and injuries.

- The Oklahoman

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Hot Profession Spotlight: Financial Professionals Is this career right for you? And other questions to ask yourself.

When looking for a new job or simply a change of pace, choosing a profession or industry in high demand is a great way to jump-start the process. Personal financial professionals are solidly in the “hot professions” column, with nearly 20,000 new jobs expected over the next decade. This leap in opportunities represents a 7% acceleration, faster than the average growth of all other occupations. To put the demand in perspective, U.S. News & World Report recently ranked personal financial professionals among the top 10 in its list of 2019 Best Business Jobs.

Is a career as a financial professional right for you?

The most successful and fulfilled financial professionals are typically drawn to the profession because they have a passion for helping others.

Take Lalit Jallan, CLTC®, LUTCF, a MassMutual financial professional in the Houston area. Lalit has been helping clients prepare for the future and avoid financial hardships for over 20 years.

“My grandfather died when my grandmother was 35-years-old and had five children,” explained Lalit.

“Life insurance was not available where they lived in Punjab, India, so she had to work three jobs. She managed the best she could, but it wasn’t easy. Both her story and encouragement inspire me every day.”

Beyond helping people, there are many other reasons to become a financial professional. Financial professionals also enjoy the freedom and flexibility that goes along with building a practice. Because they are ultimately responsible for their outcomes, people with a high degree of professional drive and an entrepreneurial spirit tend to do well.

“With the right firm, you can run your own business without the risks other entrepreneurs assume,” observed Devang Patel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, LUTCF, a MassMutual financial professional in the greater New York area.

Ask questions before taking the plunge To ensure the greatest degree of personal and profes-

FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Tel: 713-774-5140

Houston Marriott Sugar Land celebrates 16 years of successful business

Image: MassMutual

sional fulfillment from your career as a financial professional, aligning yourself with the right firm is critical. To determine whether a firm is right for you, consider asking these questions: ● Will you have both autonomy and support? Will the firm encourage you to run your business the way you want while also offering resources and support if needed?

Does it provide training, expertise, helpful technology, and marketing support? “Because every client presents unique needs, it’s comforting to know you are not alone. There are qualified professionals who are armed with resources and willing to help you succeed with just a phone call or mouse click away,” Patel emphasized. ● What’s the firm’s reputation?

It’s easier to gain market acceptance when backed by a company clients already know and trust. Conversely, you don’t want to have to apologize for a company’s shortcomings. Independent rating agencies, like Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, can help you assess a company’s financial strength and stability. Also, determine whether working with a stock or a mutual company would best serve your clients. Keep in mind, stock companies ultimately report to shareholders while mutual companies report to their owners or policyholders. ● Does the company address the needs of underserved markets? Multicultural markets historically are underserved by the financial services industry.

Only a handful of companies have made inroads into understanding and addressing culturally diverse financial planning. If you’re interested in

multicultural markets, assess the commitment and dedication the company has made to your market. “My company’s multicultural research and insights on important topics such as the dynamics of families, those saving for college, and business owners help me understand the market’s needs and refine my approach,” Patel added. ● Does the firm share your values? While social responsibility and corporate philanthropy are not required business practices, they speak to a company’s values and commitment to the community. Besides looking into the causes the company firm supports, find out if they also encourage a professional’s individual efforts. Financial professionals can give back to their communities by providing educational seminars, serving as experts on nonprofit boards, administering scholarship programs, and even offering a free life insurance program. To do so, however, you need to work with a company that views community involvement as a productive and meaningful use of your time and talent.

No matter your career path, the company or firm you affiliate with play a significant role in your ability to succeed.

Never shortchange yourself.

Make sure to take the time to discover how the company can help you achieve your professional, financial and personal goals.

Pictured during a recent City Council recognition are (front row, L-R) Destination Events Manager Jessica Huble; Tourism and Visitor Services Manager Melissa Raju; Houston Marriott Sugar Land General Manager Noori Janjani; Houston Marriott Sugar Land Director of Sales Andrew Mirsky; Assistant Director of Economic Development Teresa Preza; Mayor Joe Zimmerman; (back row) Councilmembers Stewart Jacobson and Himesh Gandhi; Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Carol K. McCutcheon; City Manager Allen Bogard; and Councilmembers Naushad Kermally, Steve Porter and Jennifer Lane.

S

UGAR LAND, TX Sugar Land City Council recently recognized the Houston Marriott Sugar Land for 16 years of business.

It was the first full-service hotel of its kind in Fort Bend County when it opened in Sugar Land Town Square in 2003 and has since generated more than $200 million in revenue.

The Houston Marriott Sugar Land continues to thrive and contribute to the economic development of the city by attracting numerous visitors, meeting planners and conference attendees who generate both hotel occupancy and sales tax revenue to the city -- enabling the city to fund amenities that help Sugar Land maintain the second lowest tax rate in the state among

cities its size.

The hotel has recently undergone a name change that was a strategic decision by the hotel to draw greater interest from potential conference and meeting planners to reflect the hotel's strategic location in the greater Houston area.

"We are very excited about this change and feel that it will expose the hotel and city to a greater number of conventions, groups, social events and individual travelers," said General Manager Noori Janjani. "This will translate to increased revenues and tax generation by our businesses for Town Square and the local area."

"For more than a decade, the Houston Marriott Sugar Land

has provided exceptional hotelier service to the Houston region and beyond," said Mayor Joe Zimmerman. "The Marriott at Town Square has greeted thousands of visitors from around the world, providing a significant economic and cultural benefit that further establishes Sugar Land as a premier destination and economic powerhouse. Our City is proud to celebrate this milestone with them and recognize their contribution to our city and the region."

The city is committed to its continued partnership with the Houston Marriott Sugar Land at Town Square to attract more visitors to the "Sweetest City in Texas - Sugar Land."

To learn more about a career in financial services, visit to myfincareer.com/massmutual or email at MyFinancialCareer@MassMutual.com CRN202110-255468

US’s biggest milk processor files for bankruptcy protection Dallas-based company suffering from changing consumer tastes

by Peter Wells

D

ALLAS, Tuesday, November 12, 2019 The biggest milk processor in the US, Dean Foods, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, succumbing to nearly $1bn in debt, changing consumer tastes and tough competition in the latest sign of pressure in the agricultural economy.

The company, which produces Tuscan and TruMoo milk as well as Land O’Lakes butter and Organic Valley milk under license, said it was in talks to sell most of the business to a farmers’ co-operative.

“Despite our best efforts to make our business more agile and cost-efficient, we continue to be impacted by a challenging operating environment marked by continuing declines in consumer milk consumption,” Eric Beringause, the company’s newly installed chief executive said in a statement.

The Dallas-based group, which traces its roots back 1925 when its founder Samuel Dean purchased an evaporated milk processing plant in Illinois, said it was in advanced discussions to sell substantially all its assets to Dairy Farmers of America, a national milk marketing co-operative that counts more than 14,000 dairy farmers as members.

A deal, if agreed, would be

subject to regulatory approval and could still be trumped by the receipt of a better offer during bankruptcy.

The company said it had received a commitment of about $850m in financing from its existing lenders that will help it continue operating as normal as it goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

The decision to reorganise comes at a tough time for the US dairy industry. Milk production has risen about 12 per cent over the past five years, helped by higher yields from cows and subsidies that have kept some farmers producing, but prices have fallen by about onequarter over the same period.

Moves by large retailers including Walmart to open

their own dairy plants have also heaped pressure on dairies and family-owned farms.

The broader agricultural industry is also suffering. The number of farms in Chapter 12 bankruptcy protection, under which family-owned agricultural businesses can restructure their debts, is up 24 per cent this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, to the highest level since 2011.

A change in consumer habits has hit Dean Foods particularly hard. Per capita consumption of milk in the US has been in retreat owing to competition from alternatives such as almond and soy milk, as well as a declining share of children in the population, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

- Financial Times

Financial Times announces first female editor

L

ONDON, United Kingdom | AFP | Tuesday 11/12/2019 - The Financial Times on Tuesday announced that its deputy editor, Roula Khalaf, would take over as the newspaper's editor next year, the first woman to hold the post.

She succeeds Lionel Barber, who will step down after al-

most 15 years in the top job.

Khalaf joined the FT in 1995 as North Africa correspondent and went on to lead the paper's coverage of the Arab Spring, which started in 2011, before becoming foreign editor.

"I'm thrilled to be leading the most talented newsroom through the next chapter of FT excellence," she said.

Four VW managers charged with embezzlement: prosecutors

F

RANKFURt am Main, Germany | AFP | 11/12/2019 - German prosecutors said Tuesday they have filed embezzlement charges against four Volkswagen executives for having accorded excessive salaries and bonuses to several members of an employees' council.

The action benefitting five members of the works council cost the car giant around 5.1 million euros ($5.6 million) in overpayments, prosecutors said.

The four accused were not named, but two were described as former board members. The third is an ex-executive and the fourth a "current leading manager".

Of the sum, the chairman of the council alone received 3.1 million euros in excessive pay or bonuses.

The case is the latest in a series of legal entanglements that Volkswagen is grappling with.

SMALL BUSINESSES

VOICE OF ASIA 14

B

D

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FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

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Personal and Business Tax Returns, Payroll Sales Tax, Income Tax Audits and Representations.

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Horoscope.com

21 March to 20 April The Universe brings a powerful time that supports important challenges and transformations.

Take the time to slow down and reassess your work life and direction. If you’re looking for a job, this is the time to make contacts. There is the potential for accidents now.

21 April to 20 May The moon moves into caring Cancer by the weekend, so your time will be best spent cuddling and getting cozy with someone new. You can’t help expressing how you feel, but it might be too much too soon. So there’s really no rush.

21 May to 20 June You have a lot of creativity now, as well as a desire to enhance your appearance and give more thought to the way you project yourself to the world. You’re driven to look to your personal and professional relationships to help you advance in your work and money lives.

21 June to 22 July This week may bring some strange feelings from your past (or perhaps past lives). You could feel somehow boxed in or forced toward a certain conclusion. Aspects affecting your employment sector mean that you need to focus more attention to make work meaningful.

23 July to 22 August You have the benefit of the doubt this week, thanks to influences in your area of politics and groups.

A dream you’ve held close to your heart has a chance to develop as your social networks connect you to the very people you need to know. You may need to pay more attention to your house of fun, romance, and children.

23 August to 22 Sept Aspects serve to bring greater security to your life in many ways, not the least of which involves your cash-flow situation. Astral activity affects your house of relationships for the better. Just stay grounded and don’t get too emotional.

23 September to 22 Oct You have a few challenges to deal with this week, which could make you feel tired and drained. Aspects affect the area of your daily employment. Although things may be going more smoothly, your feelings about your workplace haven’t changed.

23 October to 21 Nov This week brings you a sigh of relief. You’ll find out that change is possible. If you’ve been lax about stabilizing your career and looking toward advancement, it’s time to make a shift. If your career doesn’t want to cooperate, you need to map out the steps for change.

22 November to 21 Dec If you’re socializing regularly, you may be feeling a little worse for wear. Too much rich food and alcohol and not enough sleep can give you a washed-out, pasty appearance. Remedy this by drinking plenty of water to clear out toxins.

22 December to 20 Jan This is a happy and exuberant period. It favors creating a positive impression and presenting the most optimistic face possible. For some, love could be in the air. Be sure to recognize professional boundaries. You may be challenged by events.

21 January to 19 Feb It’s a strange week for you.

Although there will be forward movement in your life and fewer concerns with technology, there are issues on the home front with unexpected expenses. Meanwhile, changes come to the workplace and its personnel and policies.

20 February to 20 Mar Activity in your sector of communication makes you a very busy bee indeed. You’ll be writing, e-mailing, texting, and calling your favorite people and actually reaching them this week. It’s also easier for you to find freelance work and get your work done.

ACROSS 1. Slick grp.?

5. Mountain basin 8. Bygone bird of New Zealand 11. Relating to armpit 12. Pestilence pest 13. End a mission 15. Ancient Greece assembly site, pl.

16. What little kittens did with their mittens 17. *Thanksgiving Cranberry concoction 18. *Site of the "First Thanksgiving" 20. "Guilty," e.g.

21. Kiln, pl.

22. ____ Aviv 23. *Give what?

26. Strangling tool 30. Jul. follower 31. Pupil protector 34. Loads from lodes 35. Shows off 37. Part of human cage 38. Source of indigo dye, pl.

39. Laughing on the inside 40. Truly 42. Highest or lowest card 43. Nemo's home plant 45. *U.S. President's magnanimous gesture 47. Say "no" 48. Plural of carpus 50. Tom Jones's "____ a Lady" 52. *First settlers 55. ____ con Carne or ____ Verde 56. Fe 57. Off-color 59. Popular jeans brand 60. Attention-getting sound 61. Peter, Paul and Mary, e.g.

62. Elvis' "____ Now or Never" 63. ____ someone off 64. Do like goo

SOLUTION:

DOWN 1. Lout 2. Alka-Seltzer sound 3. James ____ Jones 4. Colored wax stick 5. VIP's influence 6. Compass point, pl.

7. The Count's favorite subject 8. Wry face 9. Black and white mammal 10. *What Thanksgiving celebrant did?

12. Excessively showy, slang 13. Turkish monetary unit 14. *Macy's parade flyer 19. "Haste ____ waste" 22. Little bit 23. ____ Periódica 24. Connected to Lake Michigan 25. September stone 26. Hurtful remark 27. Synonym to #61 Across 28. Telephone company 29. City in Germany 32. Marine eagle 33. Jack-in-the-box part 36. *First Thanksgiving parade (Philadelphia) sponsor 38. What Darwin says we do 40. "No room in the ____ for the travelers weary..."

41. Print from a smartphone 44. Desert mirage 46. ____ Bridge in Venice 48. The ____ of the Bambino 49. What phoenix did 50. Bolted 51. Hurries 52. Hearts and diamonds 53. Claudius' heir and successor 54. British slang for swindle 55. Computer-generated imagery, acr.

58. Anonymous John

THANKSGIVING on Page 15

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IMMEDIATE HIRE For OFFICE CLERK Looking for Office Clerk A strong company strategically located near Hillcroft area is looking to hire an office clerk immediately with Accounting Knowledge.

We offer excellent pay.

Please call 832 282 3914

FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Houston Community College Chemical Fume Hood Inspection, Certification and Maintenance Services Project No. 20-01 Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local t i m e ) o n Tu e s d a y, December 10, 2019.

Documents can be o b t a i n e d a t : w w w. hccs.edu/about-hcc/ procurement/

CRIME

Thieves who ripped off nearly $7,000 in cell phones Monday, November 11, 2019

C

rime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Burglary and Theft Division need the public's assistance identifying the suspects responsible for a Felony Theft.

On Thursday, December 27, 2018, at approximately 6:56 p.m., two unknown male suspects stole multiple cell phones from a business located in the 4400 block of West Fuqua Street in Houston, Texas. During this incident, the suspects were captured on

video surveillance footage cutting the security wires from six different phones and exiting the business with the stolen items. The stolen cell phones were valued at $6,709.00. Afterwards, the suspects fled the scene in a gray Chevrolet SUV in an unknown direction of travel.

Suspect Description: Black male, approximately 30 - 40 years of age, 5’6” - 5’8” in height, 160 – 180 pounds, wearing a dark colored hooded jacket and light colored pants.

Suspect Description: Black male with a groomed beard, approximately 30 - 40 years of age, 6’5” – 6’7” in height, 250 – 280 pounds, wearing a blue hooded jacket, multi-colored pants and baseball cap.

Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous.

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspects in this case.

All cases and warrants are active at the time this press release was created and is subject to change. Crime Stoppers of Houston and this news organization are not making any legal claims that this is the most current legal status.

Houston Community College Request for Proposals Multi-Story, Multi-Environments Survival Fire Training System (Fire Training Prop) Project No. 20-10

Houston Community College

Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, R o o m N o . 11 B 0 1 , Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Monday, December 9, 2019.

Documents can be o b t a i n e d a t : w w w. hccs.edu/about-hcc/ procurement/

Email Obituaries to us at: voiceasia@ aol.com Deadline for publication: Tuesdays by 5pm.

Request for Proposals Drug Testing & Medical Examination Services Project No. 20-11

Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Monday, December 16, 2019.

Documents can be o b t a i n e d a t : w w w. hccs.edu/about-hcc/ procurement/

When you find some time, READ!

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FRIDAY, November 15, 2019

Home&Real Estate Capsule living: a 'cheap' option for young people flocking to LA

Kay Wilson's new home is a capsule in LA. (Photo: Apu Gomes)

by Javier Tovar

L

OS ANGELES | AFP | Monday 11/11/2019 - Kay Wilson packed up her life in a hurry and moved to Los Angeles... only to find that what she paid in Pennsylvania for a nice studio apartment would only get her a 2.9-square-meter box in California.

Her new home is a capsule, inspired by the famous hotels in Japan.

Wilson arrived a month ago at UP(st)ART, a community for young people with artistic aspirations in need of an affordable place to live.

Each room contains up to six capsules, which Wilson describes as "cozy." They contain a single bed, a bar for hanging clothes, a few compartments for storing shoes and other items and an air vent.

By most standards, the accommodation is still not cheap -- $750 per month plus taxes.

That works out at around $800, which is slightly more than the 26-year-old was paying in Bethlehem, around 70 miles outside Philadelphia.

"I couldn't afford a studio by myself. Not at all," she told AFP. "It's $1,300 or more."

Jeremiah Adler, founder of UP(st)ART, said each capsule costs roughly half the rent of a studio in Los Angeles -- the US entertainment capital, and one of its most expensive cities.

Cheaper options exist, but UP(st)ART offers a good, central location and modern buildings equipped with a gym, dance classes, recording studio, art workshop and free cleaning and laundry services.

Among the rules: women and men sleep apart, and having sex is not an option.

Still, the capsule-living concept is also catching on in other expensive US cities including New York.

For Dana Cuff, an architect and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), this type of community presents only a short-term solution.

"We basically need to be developing a huge range of options for the kinds of housing that are available," she said.

"To me, co-living pods... are symptoms of this deep need for a much greater range of housing alternatives."

Kimma Moonshine has lived in the community for a year, and told AFP that so far she has not found living with 90 housemates to be overwhelming.

"You learn to live with the minimum," said the Canadian 27-year-old, a painter who currently works as a nanny.

Airbnb to verify listings as deadly incident prompts safety move

W

ASHINGTON | AFP | Thursday 11/6/2019 - Airbnb said Wednesday it would verify all seven million of its listings worldwide after a deadly shooting at one of its California homes fueled fresh safety concerns about the lodging platform.

by Heather Scott

W

Chief executive and cofounder Brian Chesky said the home-sharing service decided on new steps as part of an effort to instill more trust in Airbnb.

"By December 15, 2020, every home and every host on Airbnb will be reviewed with the objective of 100 percent verification," he said in an email to employees.

"We believe that trust on the internet begins with verifying the accuracy of the information on Internet platforms, and we believe that this is an important step for our industry."

He said that addresses, photos and other details on Airbnb listings will be verified for accuracy and that "those that meet our high expectations will be clearly labeled."

The move is aimed at weeding out what Chesky called "bad actors," and referenced the case of a so-called "party house" in Orinda, California.

Five people were killed and others wounded in a Thursday night shooting at the residence, which had been rented on the platform.

More than 100 people were present at the event, which was announced on social media.

- 'Innovating on trust' "We are not infallible," Chesky said in a Twitter message.

"We are a platform built on a foundation of trust. We need to continue innovating on trust to make it harder for the bad actors. The trust of our community is our top priority."

He said the platform would

Americans have more debt, need family help to buy homes: report

Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said he wants to root out "bad actors" hurting the reputation of the home-sharing service (AFP Photo/Justin Sullivan) set up a staffed 24/7 "neighbor hotline" where anyone could call for safety concerns, and had asked for consulting from two former police chiefs -Charles Ramsey, who headed departments in Philadelphia and Washington DC, and Ronald Davis, who was head of the police in East Palo Alto.

He said that starting next month, Airbnb would rebook customers or issue refunds "if upon checking into a listing it does not meet our accuracy standards."

He added: "Most hosts do a great job, but guests need to feel like Airbnb has their back, and we believe this commitment is a necessary step in giving guests peace of mind."

To address unauthorized house parties, Chesky said Airbnb would expand "manual screening of high-risk reservations flagged by our risk detection models" to North America and globally.

The move comes a week after Vice News reported what it called a scam using a loophole in the Airbnb system to trick customers into changing their reservation to a non-existent listing.

The report said the Vice jour-

nalist accidentally uncovered a scheme affecting at least eight cities and nearly 100 property listings.

Airbnb, one of the largest of the "sharing economy" platforms with operations in some 190 countries, has said it would go public in 2020 with a valuation estimated as high as $35 billion.

The service has had a major impact on the travel sector and prompted regulatory moves in a number of jurisdictions over taxes and other regulatory issues.

The company has suffered a major defeat in Jersey City which voted overwhelmingly to clamp down on the home sharing company's activities in the New York City suburb.

Around 70 percent of voters in the city of 270,000 -- which is separated from Manhattan by the Hudson River -- favored severe restrictions on locations that offer short-term stays, according to results released Wednesday.

The rules, approved earlier this year by the Jersey City council, established permitting requirements for short-term rentals and mandates that a proprietor must be present if someone rents for longer stays.

ASHINGTON | AFP | Friday 11/8/2019 -Americans are waiting longer to buy their first homes, have more debt and more often need family help to make the purchase amid a supply crunch that is pushing up prices, according to a new data released Friday.

But African Americans and Hispanics continue to make up a very small share of homebuyers in the United States, far below their share of the population, according to National Association of Realtors report.

While low interest rates have made mortgages more accessible, and historically low unemployment means more Americans have a steady paycheck, the influx of buyers combined with a shortage of workers means homebuilders have not been able to keep up with demand.

The report shows the median sales price in September was up to $272,100 compared to $259,300 for all of 2018 and $197,100 five years earlier.

NAR has long highlighted the shortage of homes on the market but the report puts the implications of that problem in stark relief.

African Americans comprise just four percent of homebuyers, despite making up 13 percent of the US population, the report said.

Hispanics make up seven percent, while they are 18 percent of the population.

"There's no way to sugarcoat how low the Hispanic and African American homebuyers (rate) has been and... how far it's fallen from before the re-

African Americans and Hispanics make up a small fraction of US homebuyers (AFP Photo/Joe Raedle) cession to today," said Jessica Lautz, NAR's vice president of Demographics and Behavioral Insights.

The report showed 39 percent of first-time buyers had student loan debt, a median amount of $30,000.

With homeownership for blacks in particular at historic lows, this has "very large implications for their ability... to build wealth and to be able to build a nest egg," Lautz told AFP.

More buyers are waiting longer before buying their first home -- the median age hit 33 for the first time -- and an increasing number are joining forces with friends rather than partners or spouses in order to be able to afford a place in their desired location, the report showed.

She notes research showing minorities are less likely to apply for a loan, more likely to be denied for mortgages and less likely to have family help, "which is a key down payment source for first time homebuyers today."

One third of first-time homebuyers have family help for their down payment, either through a gift or a loan, she said.

At the same time, African American first-time homeowners "have significantly more student loan debt than white homebuyers do... which is in a significant hurdle, holding back many potential buyers."

There is "a growing share of people who are embracing homeownership through unique means, purchasing with a non-romantic partner," Lautz said.

And 12 percent of home buyers purchased a multigenerational home, to take care of aging parents, because of adult children returned home, and for cost-savings, the report showed.

First-time homebuyers held steady at 33 percent of all buyers, a measure that for the past eight years has been below the historic norm of 40 percent.