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‘Howdy Modi!’: Texas size welcome awaits India's Prime Minister
China stakes claim to ASEAN 'neighbourhood' as Pompeo jets in for Bangkok talks
50,000 to attend on September 22 at NRG Stadium
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary committee meeting at the Parliament house in New Delhi on July 30, 2019. (Photo: Prakash Singh / AFP)
H
OUSTON - The Texas India Forum confirmed that the “Howdy, Modi!” community summit will host India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at NRG Stadium on September 22. The stadium is one of America’s largest professional football stadiums, is home to the Houston Texans franchise, and held the Super Bowl in 2017. The Texas India Forum expects 50,000 to attend the summit, using the full capacity of the stadium in concert configuration. Over 650 community organizations have already applied to be Welcome Partners for the program. Organizations can continue to register as partners through July 27 and will receive exclusive early access to free passes for their members. The event will include a cultural program and an address by Prime Minister Modi.
United States and India, advancing the shared values of democracy, inclusive economic development, and mutual respect. TIF brings together Indian-American organizations and institutions to encourage collaboration within the region and expand opportunities for engagement with India. For further information: Email: media@howdymodi.org Web: www. howdymodi.org
Foreign ministers from 10 Southeast Asian countries are meeting in the Thai capital. (Photo/Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP) by Joe Freeman / Dene-Hern Chen
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ANGKOK | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 - China urged non-Asian nations to avoid sowing "distrust" and division over contested seas Wednesday in a swipe at the US shortly before its top diplomat was due to arrive at a Bangkok summit bearing a message of reinvigorated American trade and secu-
rity engagement in the region. The big power rivalry, framed by a trade war that has withered global growth, has dominated the summit of Southeast Asian foreign ministers, which opened Wednesday. Beijing's military ambitions in contested seas and airspace are poised to rub up against a drive -- led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- to reas-
AAPI’s Historic 13th Annual Global Healthcare Summit in Hyderabad concludes with a commitment to give back to Motherland, India
China is accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels in contested territory in the South China Sea, one of the world's key shipping routes, which the US is desperate to keep open. Several rival Southeast Asian claimants to the sea say Beijing has used its military, economic and diplomatic heft to slow progress on a binding Code of Conduct in the flashpoint zone. Meanwhile, China staunchly disputes the right of outside powers principally the US - to influence an issue in what it considers to be its "neighbourhood". "We think non-regional countries should not deliberately amplify such differences that have been left from the past," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters.
“We are excited to hold this summit at the renowned NRG Stadium. This will be the largest ever gathering of Indian-Americans and friends of India, with diverse representation from the region and across the country,” said Jugal Malani, convener of the “Howdy, Modi!” organizing committee. The tagline for the summit, “Shared Dreams, Bright Futures” reflects the intent to build on the common aspirations that bring together the great democracies of the United States and India.
Outside countries must not "to sow distrust between China and ASEAN countries", he added, referencing the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "In a word, China will continue to view ASEAN as a priority in its neighbourhood." His comments, which did not directly reference the US, lay down a challenge to Pompeo who arrives tasked with delivering a message of reassurance over US power and influence across Southeast Asia.
Attendance for the event is free, but registration and passes are required. Passes will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis and exclusively through an online process at the website www.howdymodi.org. Early access for Welcome Partner organizations starts July 28th, and general registration will open on August 12.
The administration of Donald Trump, which yanked the US from a massive Asia-Pacific trade pact, has launched a rebranded "Indo-Pacific" security, open seas and commerce strategy.
For more information, please visit www.howdymodi.org. About The Texas India Forum The Texas India Forum, Inc. (TIF) is a not-for-profit organization that encourages cooperation between the
sert the US' role as a key Asia-Pacific power.
AAPI delegates, students and faculties from several schools and colleges at the “Obesity Revolution” Walkathon for creating awareness about Obesity. (Photo: AAPI)
Read story on page 6
That includes "ensuring the freedom of seas and skies; insulating sovereign nations from external coercion", a senior State Department official said. Pompeo is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday.
OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS
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by Kimberly A. Clausing
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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.
ERRATUM Dear Reader, You may have noticed that our last week’s issue should have the date Friday, July 26, 2019 but was wrongly dated Friday, July 19, 2019. We sincerely regret the oversight and apologize any inconvenience cause. There was also error in the first para of the story on the front page where it was mentioned in the first para as Monday, July 24 which is should be corrected as Wednesday. For the record, the paper was reprinted and corrected copies were distributed in prominent locations. It was an unintended human error and we made sure it was corrected. Nevertheless, we regret the error.
n the midst of the second round of presidential debates, the Democratic candidates are working to distinguish their economic policies from one another. Regardless of their legitimate differences, however, all the candidates should agree to move sharply away from Trump’s trade policy legacy.
Tariffs and trade wars harm American workers in multiple ways. First, trade wars are not easy to win; instead, they tend to damage both sides. The European Union, Canada, India, China and others have retaliated to new U.S. tariffs with higher tariffs on U.S. goods. China has dramatically increased tariffs on U.S. products while lowering tariffs on products from other countries, reducing the market share of U.S. soybean farmers and many U.S. companies in a way that will be difficult to recover from. Just last month India retaliated with tariffs on dozens of U.S. products, including apples and almonds. European tariffs have hit whiskey distillers and others. These actions have disrupted many American industries, including farming. Second, many of the Trump tariffs are levied on intermediate products, harming the many U.S. companies that are reliant on global supply chains to be competitive in world markets. For example, General Motors paid over $1 billion in tariffs in recent months; these tariffs made U.S. production less cost-effective, contributing to plant closures in Ohio. Similar business disruptions are wreaking havoc across a wide range of industries. In fact, U.S. importers and exporters are often one and the same, so “protecting” some companies often hurts the very same companies. No wonder business leaders find the trade war harmful. Third, tariffs reduce the buying power of workers’ wages. The Trump tariffs are estimated to cost typical U.S. consumers hundreds of dollars; for many households, these tariff costs more than wipe out the – already fleeting – gains from the Trump tax cuts. In fact, tariffs are regressive consumption taxes, harming the poor more than the rich. Not only do poorer households consume more of their income than richer ones, but they also consume more imported products. Fourth, while Trump claims to be using tariff threats to negotiate better deals with our trading partners, existing U.S. trade agreements already favored U.S. interests. Since the United States already had low trade barriers, trade agree-
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ANNOUNCEMENT Voice of Asia: Indo American Nurses Legacy Award Postponed We are sorry to inform you that due to many unforeseen developments that need our timely attention, including the visit of Indian Prime Minister to Houston, we are compelled to postpone the Legacy Award Night planned for September 28, 2019. The date, time and location will be announced later. We once again apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone involved.
Koshy Thomas, Publisher Voice of Asia, 713 774 5140
Democratic candidates at the Presidential debates. (CNN Photo) ments lowered our partners’ tariffs more than our own. Of course, trade agreements can still be improved upon. For example, trade agreements need not promote business interests regarding investor-state disputes and intellectual property; instead, they should place more emphasis on reducing harmful tax and regulatory competition. Still, these agreements never disadvantaged American interests relative to those of our trading partners, and the new agreements that Trump trumpets are only dressed-up versions of prior deals. Fifth, while the U.S. runs large trade deficits, including bilateral trade deficits with many countries, these deficits have nothing to do with our trade policy or trade agreements. Countries that run trade deficits do so because they are spending more than they earn; international borrowing is the mirror image of the trade deficit. Thus, the only way to reduce our trade imbalance is to address the sources of our borrowing, which include low U.S. savings rates and large U.S. government budget deficits. Trump’s trade policies will have little effect on the trade deficit, but the Trump tax cuts make our trade deficit worse by increasing U.S. borrowing. For these reasons, and many more that I describe in my recent book Open: The Progressive Case for Free Trade, Immigration, and Global Capital, Democrats should not follow Trump down the path of protectionism. But the concerns of American workers are not imagined. U.S. workers have suffered through decades of increasing income inequality and wage stagnation. While GDP has grown strongly over the past 35 years, enough to (in theory) provide every American with a two-thirds increase in their standard of living, gains in GDP have not shown up as similar gains in household incomes. Workers are completely right to be upset.
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5 reasons Democrats should be the party of free trade
The Trump administration has marketed its trade policies as addressing the needs and fears of American workers. But protectionist trade policies have done more harm than good. As is so often true with Trumponomics, American workers are getting a raw deal.
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Trade has disrupted many industries. But reigning in trade through trade wars and trade barriers adds insult to injury for American workers. The industries of yore will not simply regenerate due to the hasty tariff threats of the Trump administration. Indeed, many other factors have contributed to the plight of American workers, including dramatic technological changes, the rising market power of companies and eco-
nomic policy changes that have weakened labor bargaining power. If we respond to these myriad problems with trade wars, we run the risk of creating more problems than we solve. Kimberly A. Clausing is a professor of economics at Reed College and the author of “Open: The Progressive Case for Free Trade, Immigration, and Global Capital.”
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SAJDA - Richa Sharma Live-in-Concert presented by MB Entertainment
Meet & Greet: L-R: Omar Saeed of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management, Mousumi Banerjee, Richa Sharma, Karl Karla, Anand and Dr. Ashima Chauhan. (Photos by Murali Santhana) by Shobana Muratee
O
n Friday, July 26, Houston’s rising show promoter Mousumi Banerjee of MB Entertainment presented Richa Sharma Live-in-Concert at the Stafford Centre in Stafford. Richa Sharma, the reigning Sufi Queen of India was in Houston as part of her musical tour titled ‘Sajda’. The show was a sellout and Richa mesmerized her audience with her soul stirring voice presenting some of her hits. It was yet another success for MB Entertainment following their recent Javed Ali show on May 3. Promoter Banerjee said that she was inspired to bring this show in Houston due to the support of the local community and friends who had been asking her about her next show. “I feel blessed and honored to get such feedbacks and to be supported by the community,” she said. Karl Kalra the National Sponsor of Sajda was clearly impressed by Mousumi as he expressed that he was not sure whether the show would be possible in a short time but was very grateful to MB Entertainment for making the show possible within five weeks. The evening concert opened with the vibrant Abiya Olivia Malhotra, local singer and actress and Pragya Sen, former beauty queen both serving as emcees. The enthralling opening performance by Paras Mann, a well-known singer from Punjab, set
the mood for the evening as the audience enjoyed his melodious voice. Richa Sharma sang few duets with Paras Maan. The award winning song Sajda from the movie ‘My Name is Khan’ was thoroughly enjoyable. Richa sang her other hits including: Dil mile bina hi toot gaye from Om Shanti Om, Baghon ke har phool ko apna samjhe baghban from the film Baghban, Maahi ve from the film Kaante, Rabba. Richa’s soul stirring ghazals like Aaj Jaane ki zid na karo moved the audience. Richa Sharma continued with her item numbers like Billo Rani from the film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal had energized the audience and had them asking for more. During the show, City of Stafford Mayor, Leonard Scarcella, presented event organizer Mousumi with a proclamation of recognition for her work as a promoter of art and culture. Mousumi later thanked the audience, “I am grateful to you all and it is my promise that I will bring more entertainment in the coming years. Thank you so much for your love and support”. She also thanked her Grand sponsors: Dr. Ashima and Anand Chauhan, Omar Saeed of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management. Mousumi also thanks Ritu Selects LLC - India inspired Couture for styling and DecoArt for decoration. Food sponsors were Udipi Cafe Houston, Savoy Restaurant. Karl Karla, national sponsor of Sajda was also recognized and thanked by the promoter.
Local media partners were given an opportunity to meet the celebrity singer at an earlier Meet & Greet held on Thursday, July 25 at the Hilton Hotel.
Show promoter Mousumi Banerjee of MB Entertainment being recognized by the star singer Richa Sharma during the show Sajda.
During the Meet & Greet, Richa spoke on how she kept her focus on music and the disciple of her practice routine. During the Q & A she spoke candidly about reality shows and said she they were not ‘real’ and it bothered her. She is currently a judge on one of them. Known for her versatility in rendering classical, Sufi ghazals, or songs for Bollywood films, Richa has fan following across all strata of music lovers. She credits her success to dedication and hard work with hours of practice. She also mentioned that having the right break needs a bit of luck and support which she is amply blessed with. The show was well organized and went off smoothly entertaining all ages. Richa Sharma touched everyone’s soul and the audience was in awe of her magical performance. About the Promoter: Mousumi Banerjee the CEO of MB Entertainment Company helps promote large and small scale events, Talent shows and cultural shows across Houston. For more information about MB Entertainment and Future events visit https://www.facebook.com/MBConcerts/ or email mousumi@mb-entertainment.com or call 832-841-5727.
Mayor Scarcella presenting Mousumi Banerjee with the Proclamation as Karl Karla looks on.
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OUSTON – On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, Congressman Al Green released the following statement in support of the Telephone Road Elderly Project by the Houston Housing Authority:
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Asia Society hosting Houston artists' talk: Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba and Prince Varughese Thomas
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OUSTON - In this presentation complementing the exhibition Site Lines: Artists Working in Texas, Asia Society Texas Center welcomes artists Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba and
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Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba (left): Portrait of the artist, © Jun NguyenHatsushiba / Prince Varughese Thomas (right): Portrait of the artist, © Prince V. Thomas Prince Varughese Thomas, who will discuss their works in the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery. Through video, Jun NguyenHatsushiba emphasizes the effect that individual imagination has on the accrued power and histories of specific places. With his installations, Prince Varughese Thomas focuses on the impacts of geopolitical events on particular communities and the fraught nature of human existence in larger global systems. Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba was born in Tokyo to a Vietnamese
lege of Art in 1994. NguyenHatsushiba, after 18 years of working in Vietnam, is now residing and creating artworks in Houston. In 2001, his first underwater film project, Memorial Project Nha Trang, Vietnam: Towards the Complex – For the Courageous, the Curious and the Cowards was shown at the 1st Yokohama Triennial. He was then commissioned to create a series of underwater films, including a memorial for Minamata disease patients and a
His works are often generated from multiple landscapes of thoughts combining unlikely, sometimes surprising mixtures into existing contexts of local history and issues. In his most recent film, The Master and the Slave: Inujima Monogatari filmed at Inujima island in Setouchi, Japan, he attempts to revive Inujima’s history through Japan’s national sport of baseball, played inside the last stone quarry of the island. A batter and a pitcher confront each other, but with a romantic endeavor of hitting the stones out from the smaller island to the mainland of Japan. Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba has exhibited in numerous international triennials and biennales. One can also find his works in the public collections of institutions such as the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, and Mori Art Museum in Tokyo.
Prince Varughese Thomas is an Indian immigrant, born in Kuwait, partly raised in India, and naturalized in the United States. His studio practice is informed by his ethnicity and facing racial prejudice throughout his life. From the Iran Hostage crisis in the 70s, to aggressions in Libya in the 80s, to the first Gulf War in the 90s, and then 9/11, each decade of his life has been marked with prejudice that has been projected on to him by the dominant culture. This experience through his formative years to adulthood has directly affected how he looks at society with open eyes and as he attempts to investigate places that he finds worthy of critique, exploration, and making art. With an educational background and degrees in both Psychology and Art, Thomas investigates and deconstructs complex issues from the interstices in personally expressive ways that humanize his subjects while incorporating a variety of photographic, video, drawing, and installation techniques into his artwork.
THE STORY OF MAHATMA GANDHI
The Government ignored all Indian protests against the ordinance and it came into force. The Indians decided to disobey the provisions of the ‘Black Act.’ Hundreds of Indians were arrested, tried, and jailed. They all pleaded guilty and went to jail without putting up any defence. Gandhi too was imprisoned. Then one day he was taken out of prison and sent to Pretoria to see General Smuts “This movement you have started,” Smuts said, “must stop at once. It is not in me to dislike Indians, but they must obey the law.” “I would rather die than submit to this law,” Gandhi replied. “It is meant to humiliate the Indians.” After some argument, however,
Most of the Indians agreed with Gandhi, but a Pathan named Mir Alam shouted at him: “It was you who told us that fingerprints were required only from criminals. It was you who said we must disobey the “Black Act.” How does all that fit into your attitude today?” Early the next morning Gandhi, with his fellow satyagrahis, set out for the registration office. But on the way Mir Alam attacked him with a heavy stick. Gandhi fell down unconscious. Mir Alam and his associates went on beating him until he was rescued by some friends. When Gandhi recovered consciousness, he found himself on a couch in the house of an Englishman whom he hardly knew.
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A big bonfire was lit and more than two thousand certificates were burnt. Many Indians openly crossed the border into the Transvaal, where their presence was illegal. Gandhi and many of his compatriots were imprisoned several times in the course of the agitation. When Gandhi came out of jail for the third time, the Indians held a meeting and decided to send a deputation to England to acquaint the British Government with the real situation in South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi Week in Houston Call 713-785-3900 or visit www.mahatmagandhilibrary.org Struggling to sit up, Gandhi said in a weak voice, “Do not blame Mir Alam, for he did not understand.” Then he insisted that a clerk from the registration office should come to take his thumb impression and make out his certificate. In this way Gandhi was duly registered. Many Indians followed Gandhi by registering voluntarily. But General Smuts did not repeal the “Black Act.” The Indians, disappointed at the Government’s attitude, demanded a return of their applications for voluntary registration. The Transvaal government did not budge. Gandhi, who had by then recovered
various public collections including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Thomas received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington, and M.F.A. from the University of Houston. He is currently a Professor of Art at Lamar University. Prince Varughese Thomas lives and works in Houston, Texas. The exhibition runs through August 18, 2019, and is open Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
ExploreAsia: Culture Camp for Kids planned
When he found that the Government ignored this threat, Gandhi started another satyagraha movement.
they reached a compromise. Gandhi promised to end the satyagraha if the act was repealed and the prisoners released. Smuts agreed to do this provided the Indians would register of their own accord. On this agreement, they parted. Back in Johannesburg, Gandhi called a meeting of the Indians. “We must now register voluntarily to show that we do not intend to bring a single Indian to the Transvaal by fraud,” he said. “If we show our goodwill by prompt registration, General Smuts will see to it that the “Black Act” is repealed.”
His work is represented in
from his injuries, gave an ultimatum: If the Black Act is not repealed before a fixed date, the certificates collected by the Indians will be burnt.
The beginning of Gandhi’s Spartan life-style In 1906, an ordinance by the Transvaal government required all Indians — men women and children — to register themselves and obtain a personal certificate bearing their name and thumb impression. The Indians decided not to submit to this humiliating and insulting measure. They resolved to fight it. Gandhi saw here the need for passive resistance or satyagraha. He explained to the people his concept of satyagraha. First, he said, they must be prepared to observe absolute nonviolence. The authorities would take all measures to put down the agitation. They might use violence, arrest people and send them to jail, but all this must be faced without resistance “Merely disobeying the government’s laws will not be enough,” Gandhi told them. “You must have no hatred in your hearts and you must cast away all fear.” Now read on
A winner of the Time-Based Media in Art Prize 7 and a Texas Biennial Artist, Thomas has been invited to exhibit his work and be a visiting artist, lecturer, panelist, and workshop instructor at numerous institutions including Ashkal Alwan, Beirut, Lebanon; the Station Museum of Contemporary Art; the Atlanta Contemporary; the Light Factory, Charlotte; and the Queens Museum. Thomas’ work has been exhibited in over 200 solo and group exhibitions.
Gandhi and Seth Haji Habib were asked to go to London and present the grievances of the Indians. Accordingly they went, but the mission failed. They returned with grim determination to fight to the bitter end. Gandhi then made a big decision. He gave up his practice as a lawyer. He felt he could not go on earning his living by law when he was defying it. Hermann Kallenbach, a white farmer, was so impressed with the peaceful way of life at Phoenix that he offered Gandhi his own big farm near Johannesburg to start another colony. He suggested that all those who had lost their jobs and homes by their participation in the satyagraha could settle there. The new colony was established in 1910 and named “Tolstoy Farm” after the great Russian writer whom Gandhi much admired. Here people who were different in nationality, religion, and color lived together like one fam-
adoring fans on the last day of camp. Recommended for students ages 9–14. Aftercare available 3–5:30 p.m. for an additional fee. Email for details: TXCamp@AsiaSociety.org.
ily. They worked hard and shared the fruits of their labor. Gandhi spent much of his time at Tolstoy Farm. He was engaged in teaching the children and in other constructive activities. Gandhi’s efforts to persuade General Smuts to change the attitude of the Government towards the Indians had failed. Meanwhile, the struggle continued against the Black Act and the poll-tax. And now hundreds of Indian women, including Kasturbai, joined the movement. There had been a recent court decision in South Africa holding that Indian marriages were not recognized by law. The women could not brook this attack on family ties. They openly broke the law and were imprisoned in large numbers. In the coal mines at Newcastle, in Natal, Indian workers went on strike protesting against the repression. The arrests, the deportation of passive resisters, and the untold sufferings of Indian families angered the people of India. A large amount of money was collected for the relief of the victims. Many satyagrahis were beaten and flogged, and some were even killed. Gandhi, who felt intensely the humiliation his people suffered, took a triple vow of self-suffering. He decided to dress like a poor laborer, to walk barefoot, and to have only one meal a day, till the poll-tax and other injustices were abolished. Gandhi found the Government relentless. There was no solution in sight. He had to take further measures.
Sponsored by Houston Arts Alliance in honor of Mahatma Gandhi Sesquicentennial Houston celebrations. Great Summer Project For children! Enter Mahatma Gandhi Week 2019 citywide contests: Essay, I-Tribute, Poster and Speech contests. Visit gandhilibrary.org for registration and more information. By participating in these contests not only will the children make good use of their vacation time, they will also learn universal values of Truth, Nonviolence, Love and Service by participating in these contests.
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Indian coffee king's body found A call for an independent inquiry was raised in parliament
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Flipkart launches initiative to bring artisans, weavers
In a letter to the Cafe Coffee Day board, the 57-year-old chairman had admitted mistakes in handling his financial affairs. But he said he had suffered pressure from lenders and Indian tax authorities. "I am very sorry to let down all the people that put their trust in me," said the letter, which was released by the company as it held an emergency board meeting on Tuesday. "I fought for a long time but today I have given up as I could not take any more pressure from one of the private equity partners forcing me to buy back shares." Siddhartha said he had faced "a lot of harassment" from the Indian tax authorities. V.G. Siddhartha in front of one of his shops in Ahmedabad, India, in 2015. (Photo: Sam Panthaky/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
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ANGALORE, India | AFP | 7/31/2019 - The body of billionaire Indian coffee magnate V.G. Siddhartha was found by a river in southern India on Wednesday, a day after a letter revealed his concerns over deep financial problems and perceived harassment from tax authorities. The discovery by fishermen ended a two-day search for the founder of the Cafe Coffee Day empire, after he was last seen by his driver walking across a bridge in the city of Mangalaru. Politicians and business figures called immediately for a probe into Siddhartha's death, as well as the allegations in his letter of harassment from lenders and tax authorities. "The government should hold a proper investigation into his tragic death," former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda said on Twitter as he expressed "shock". A call for an independent inquiry was raised in parliament by opposition Congress MP Manish Tewari. Siddhartha -- whose family had been in the coffee business for 130 years -opened his first Cafe Coffee Day store in 1996 and went on to become one of
the world's biggest coffee traders. He owned Asia's biggest coffee plantation and his company was India's biggest coffee exporter. The chain has more than 1,700 stores, mainly in India, but also in Malaysia, Egypt, Czech Republic and Austria, employing more than 30,000 people. Its shares slumped by 20 percent for the second straight day on Wednesday as news of the body was released. - 'Unbearable stress' Police said Siddhartha, aged about 59, left Bangalore late Monday, telling his family he was going to a hill resort but instead asked his driver to take him to Mangaluru.
"My intention was never to cheat or mislead anybody, I have failed as an entrepreneur," he said. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, head of Biocon, one of Asia's leading bio-pharmaceutical companies, said Siddhartha appeared to be under "unbearable stress" and the circumstances should be investigated.
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EW DELHI | PTI | Wednesday 7/31/2019- The ecommerce giant, which is
US Fed cuts key interest rate to 'insure' against global uncertainties by Heather Scott
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Fishermen finally found his body early Wednesday on a river bank, according to police.
ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 The US Federal Reserve, under intense pressure from Donald Trump to stimulate the economy, produced on Wednesday the first interest rate cut in more than a decade but struggled to justify the move or explain where it goes next.
Siddhartha's empire came under increasing pressure after tax authorities launched raids on company offices in 2017.
The move to ease the cost of borrowing was well telegraphed as meant to "insure" against risks washing onto American shores from
He ordered the driver to stop the car and started walking along a bridge as he talked to someone on his phone before disappearing, according to police.
MoS of Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and Flipkart Group Chief Executive Officer Kalyan Krishnamurthy launch the Flipkart 'Samarth', an initiative to empower Indian artisans, weavers and craftsmen, in New Delhi, Wednesday, July 31, 2019. (PTI Photo)
abroad but financial markets were whipsawed by confusion over whether another cut would be coming. Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters he remains confident in the American economy and sees no sectors ready to go "bust" but decided on a 25 basis point cut in the rate to "insure against downside risks from weak global growth and trade policy uncertainty, to help offset the effects these factors are having on the economy." Continued on Page 10
locked in an intense battle for leadership in the Indian market, has partnered with five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help artisans use the online marketplace to sell their products. Flipkart Samarth has been designed to support artisans in their e-commerce journey from onboarding till they get familiar to selling products online, Flipkart Group Chief Executive Officer Kalyan Krishnamurthy told reporters here. "These small businesses are the backbone of the Indian economy...we are helping traditionally underserved communities access a pan-India market and engage with over 150 million customers," he added. In the first phase of the programme, Flipkart will have access to 35,000 artisans through the partnerships with NGOs. "Our government has taken a host of measures to support the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) sector and encourage e-commerce platforms.
COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 6
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital ranked among top hospitals in Texas in annual U.S. News & World Report survey
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In the magazine’s prestigious “Best Hospital” annual rankings this year, Houston Methodist Sugar Land is tied for No. 5 in the Houston area and tied for No. 9 in Texas. The hospital is ranked in seven specialties, procedures and conditions, including: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, gastroenterology/GI surgery, geriatrics, heart failure, nephrology and orthopedics. “This recognition is a testament to the incred-
AAPI’s Historic 13th Annual Global Healthcare Summit in Hyderabad concludes with a commitment to give back to Motherland, India
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YDERABAD, India: July 30th, 2019) - The 13th edition of the annual Global Healthcare Summit organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) USA, was inaugurated by Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, with the lighting of the traditional lamp and delivering the keynote address at the famous Taj Krishna Hotel in Hyderabad on July 21st. “I am glad to learn that AAPI serves as an umbrella organization with a Network of over 160 chapters across USA,” Mr. Naidu told AAPI delegates. “We are indeed proud of our doctors and healthcare practitioners who are rendering invaluable healthcare services in countries across the globe.”
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital UGAR LAND, July 31, 2019 – Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the leading hospitals in the Houston area and in the state.
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
ible progress we’ve made in bringing superior medical care to the community,” said Chris Siebenaler, regional senior vice president and CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land. “The teamwork between
our physicians and our staff — with a focus on continuously improving quality and safety — is making a significant difference in the lives of patients throughout Fort Bend County and surrounding areas. We are all very proud to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report.” The magazine’s annual rankings are based on scores in patient care, patient safety, outcomes, nursing, advanced technology and reputation.
U.S. News & World Report has also named Houston Methodist Hospital to its Honor Roll, a list of the top hospitals in the country. This is the third time Houston Methodist Hospital has been named to
the Honor Roll, and is also the eighth year in a row it’s been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. To view the full list of hospital rankings, visit health. usnews.com/best-hospitals. For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland, or call 281.274.7500 for a physician referral. Visit our Facebook page fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.
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Celebrate India’s 73 Independence Day at India House Thursday, August 15, 2019 | Flag Hoisting at 10:30 am
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In his welcome address, Dr. Suresh Reddy, President of AAPI, said, “This GHS held in Hyderabad from July 21stto 23rd, 2019 has promised to be one with the greatest impact and significant contributions towards harnessing the power of international Indian diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost effective healthcare solutions to India.”
Shri Venkiah Naidu, VP of India, delivering the inaugural address of the GHS 2019 in Hyderabad, India on July 21st, 2019
The groundbreaking Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) organized by AAPI in collaboration with the Government of India, BAPIO & GAPIO, as well as Host Alumni Chapters, including OGKTMA, ATMGUSA, KAMCOSA, and GMCGA, had participation from some of the world’s most wellknown physicians, and industry leaders. GHS 2019 was attended by over 100 opinion leaders and expert speakers from many countries across the globe to present cutting edge scientific findings as these relate to clinical practice, representing major Centers of Excellence, Institutions, and Professional Associations are represented by the invited chairs and speakers. In addition, the GHS 2019 was attended by more than 1,000 local physicians. “Let us develop a structural relationship between AAPI and the government of India,” Honorable Shri Harsh Vardhan, India’s Minister for Health, told the hundreds of international delegates. “It is your love for your motherland that has brought you here today.” He proposed that each AAPI member return to one’s place of birth and identify the local needs of the place and invest one’s time and resources and talents and skills there in order to make a positive impact on the health of your native place. “If AAPI has a project in its efforts to enhance the healthcare system in India, the Ministry of Health will collaborate and provide all possible support to it,” the Minister promised the AAPI delegates. Offering trainings to First Responders, a CEO Forum by a galaxy of CEOs from around the world, CMEs, first ever Med Quiz, cultural events, interactive roundtables, clinical practice workshops, and meetthe-expert sessions, Women’s Forum by internally acclaimed successful women from India, were only some of the major highlights of the Healthcare Summit, Dr. Reddy, who assumed office as the President of AAPI barely two weeks ago, said. In his address, Dr. Prathap
Dr. Suresh Reddy, President of AAPI, delivering Welcome Address at the GHS 2019 C Reddy, Founder-Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, praised AAPI’s efforts to help India through its Healthcare Summits in making policies in healthcare delivery more effective. Earlier on July 21st, the GHS began in the early hours of the day as AAPI delegates, students and faculties from several schools and colleges joined the “Obesity Revolution” Walkathon for creating awareness about Obesity. The walkathon had a record breaking as many as 2,000 participants. Dr. Seema Arora, the Chairman-Elect of AAPI, BOT, said, “We flew away from India decades ago. However, our hearts are still in India.” Summarizing some of the achievements of AAPI , she pointed to AAPI’s 16 free healthcare clinics, AAPI’s legislative initiatives in the US, and the ongoing collaboration with the government of India and the state governments and several NGOs, to help making healthcare more cost effective. Dr. Sreeni Ganagasani, Chairman of GHS Convention said, “The GHS 2019 features
some of the biggest names in the healthcare industry, especially at the 6th annual CEO leadership forum with leaders from across the globe.” A major theme and focus of the 13th annual Global Healthcare Summit is on Women’s Health. A team of physicians, consisting of women leaders of AAPI, including Drs. Uma Jonnalagadda; Soumya Neravelta; Stella Gandhi; Swati Yalamnchi; Pooja Kinkhabawala led the sessions on Women’s Healthcare Needs. In addition, a day-long session on Rural Health Education was held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Hyderabad on July 22nd. According to Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, President-Elect of AAPI, the scientific program of GHS 2019 was developed by leading experts with the contributions of a stellar Scientific Advisory Board and International Scientific Committee, while the event featuring plenary sessions, interactive round-tables, clinical practice workshops, and meet the expert sessions. Read complete article on www.voiceofasia.news
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VOICE OF ASIA 7
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Avid Modi supporter, Priti Patel appointed Britain's first Indian-origin Home Secretary
McCombs School of Business 2019 Rising Stars: Kovid O. Gupta
Patel had been a prominent member of the "Back Boris" campaign for the Conservative Party leadership and was widely tipped for the plum post in his frontline team.
Two others 2019 Rising Stars: Lance T. Loeffler, and Carlos A. Whitaker
ONDON: PTI| Jul 25, 2019 - Priti Patel, an ardent Brexiteer who was among the most vocal critics of Theresa May's Brexit strategy, on Wednesday took charge as Britain's first Indian-origin Home Secretary in the newly-unveiled Boris Johnson Cabinet.
USTIN, July 29, 2019 - The McCombs School of Business is proud to announce Kovid O. Gupta, BBA ’10, Lance T. Loeffler, BBA ’99, MBA ’04, and Carlos A. Whitaker, BBA ’00, MPA ’00, as the 2019 Alumni Rising Stars. The Rising Star Award, established in 2004-05, recognizes young alumni who have experienced professional success and have shown exemplary service to the Texas McCombs Alumni Network.
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Patel had been a prominent member of the "Back Boris" campaign for the Conservative Party leadership and was widely tipped for the plum post in his frontline team. "It is important that the Cabinet should represent modern Britain as well as a modern Conservative Party," she said, just hours before her appointment was announced. A long-standing Eurosceptic, Priti Patel had steered the Vote Leave campaign in the lead up to the June 2016 referendum in favour of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).
Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel leaves 10 Downing street after a cabinet meeting in London on July 25, 2019 Britain's newly installed Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds his first cabinet meeting today faced with the burning challenge of resolving the three-year Brexit crisis in three months. (Agence France Presse/Tolga Akmen)
The 47-year-old was first elected as a Conservative MP for Witham in Essex in 2010 and gained prominence in the then David Cameron led Tory on the global stage," said Patel, who government as his Indian Diaspora has been a champion of India-UK ties Champion. ever since her time as Indian Diaspora She went on to be appointed to ju- Champion. nior ministerial posts, Treasury minister in 2014 and then Employment Minister after the 2015 General Election, before Theresa May promoted her to Secretary of State in the Department for International Development (DfID) in 2016 until she was forced to resign the post in 2017. "With Boris Johnson leading the Conservative Party and as Prime Minister, the United Kingdom will have a Leader who believes in Britain, will implement a new vision for the future of the country and a roadmap to move forward and thrive as a self-governing nation that re-establishes our ties with our friends and allies around the world such as India," she told after Johnson won a landslide victory in the Tory leadership contest this week. "He is committed to securing new and improved trading relationship with our friends in India and ensuring that the values we share - the rule of law, democracy, and dynamic entrepreneurial spirit should be at the heart of one of our most important partners
Gibraltar to decide on the release of Indians on board seized Iranian ship
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EW DELHI, July 31, 2019 (PTI) - In the midst of its rising tension with Iran, the UK on Wednesday said it is for the Gibraltar government to decide on release of 24 Indian crew on board a seized Iranian oil tanker taking into consideration due process of law. n the midst of its rising tension with Iran, the UK on Wednesday said it is for the Gibraltar government to decide on release of 24 Indian crew on board a seized Iranian oil tanker taking into consideration due process of law. On July 4, British marines helped Gibraltar in detaining Grace 1, the Iranian tanker, which was reportedly carrying oil to Syria in violation of sanctions slapped against the Gulf nation by the European Union. Two weeks later, Iran seized a British oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating the tension between the two countries. Eighteen Indians were on board the British ship Stena Impero. "There is no question of a swap. This is not a game of swapping," British High Commissioner Dominic Asquith told journalists during a media interaction when asked there would be any link between release of 24 Indians on board Grace 1 and freeing of those on board Stena Impero. The envoy said British marines had acted against Iranian ship as the oil it was carrying was being taken to a country which was facing EU sanctions which termed as "completely illegal". "It is not for us to release the Indians on board Grace 1. It is for Gibraltar authorities to decide. They have their own judicial process," he said. When asked about the reported comments by the Indian captain of Grace 1 that he did not know about the EU sanctions against Syria, Asquith said he was intrigued by the sailor's remarks.
by Katelyn Mauer
The Gujarati-origin politician, who is a prominent guest at all major Indian diaspora events in the UK, is seen as a avid supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UK.
Kovid Gupta is an author, screenwriter, and filmmaker. In 2010, he received his BBA, BA, and BS from The University of Texas at Austin and in 2015, graduated with an MBA from Cornell University. In 2017, he was featured by Forbes Magazine on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 List, along with receiving the Glorious India Award for successful Non-Resident Indians. As a screenwriter, he has written over 1,000 episodes for some of India’s most successful television shows including Balika Vadhu and Bade Acche Lagte Hain. He was also the assistant director of the box office hit film “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” and served as the head of business development for Vinod Chopra Films and
Kovid O. Gupta, CEO Film Companion. Kovid is also the author of two bestselling non-fiction books, “Kingdom of the Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms,” published by HarperCollins, and “Redrawing India: The Teach For India Story,” published by Random House. In 2018, he founded Kovid Gupta Films with the mission of creating path-breaking cinema and television.
ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 8
Indians, Filipinos to be included in Australia's working holiday visa program, labor shortage Scheme to include backpackers from 13 countries to find workers to work on farms
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ELBOURNE, July 31, 2019 (PTI) Melbourne: Australia plans to expand the 'Working Holiday Maker' visa programme to over a dozen countries, including India, to recruit workers to regional areas to solve the labour shortages particularly on farms, Immigration Minister David Coleman said on Wednesday. The Australian government is in discussions to extend the scheme to include backpackers from 13 countries to find workers wanted by regional businesses to work on farms. The Australian Government's 'Working Holiday Maker Programme', which includes the 'Working Holiday visa and the Work and Holiday visa', is a cultural exchange programme which enables young travellers to have an extended holiday and earn money through shortterm employment. Apart from India, other nations which were being targeted by Australia to expand the work and holiday visa were from Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Switzerland, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Andorra, Monaco and Mongolia. Coleman said the government was working on expanding work and holiday visa conditions in an effort to recruit workers to regional areas, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Under the current programme
that allowed backpackers to work while they stay was witnessing a decline thus creating workers shortage issue in regional parts of the country. About 150,000 people were in Australia on a working holiday visa in March, but the programme has actually shrunk over the past five years. Countries Considered To Be Added To The Visa Scheme India Brazil Mexico Philippines Switzerland Fiji Solomon Islands Croatia Latvia Lithuania Andorra Monaco Mongolia Coleman said the changes were designed to resolve labour shortages in regional areas, particularly on farms. "We know that working holiday-makers travel further into regional areas than most other international visitors," he said, adding "They also spend substantial amounts, helping to boost regional economies."
While countries in the uncapped 417 visa scheme are typical backpacker nations such as the UK, Canada, Germany and Sweden, the 462 visa (known as "work and holiday") scheme includes more developing countries like Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Bangladesh. In a recently released video, Australia has advertised itself as "the best workplace in the world" for international markets. Coleman countered suggestions that the scheme was becoming a channel for low-skill migrant workers. "Work and holiday applicants must meet minimum requirements before a visa can be granted, including having a functional level of English and they must hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications,'' he said. Last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government had not ruled out an agricultural visa in a bid to attract more backpackers to work on farms. Changes to the backpacker visa have been welcomed by farmers but have concerned some academics. Currently, Australia offers the two types of Work and Holiday programme visa under Subclass 417 and subclass 462 with Indian passport holders not eligible for both the categories.
US-S. Korea military exercises still on despite North's warnings
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ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 - Joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after missile tests and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea. The affirmation of the annual, joint exercises came amid a series of missile launches by North Korea, one of which it called a "solemn warning to the South Korean warmongers" over the planned military drills. But despite Pyongyang's warning that the exercises could also derail further talks with Washington in the long-
running diplomatic process over its nuclear and missile programs, the senior US official said there is "no adjustment or change in plans that we're aware of." "We have to do two things: we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that's conducive to the talks when they resume -- which we expect," the official said on condition of anonymity. Washington stations nearly 30,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbor, which invaded in 1950. The annual exercises between the US and South Korea
have repeatedly raised the ire of the North, which sees them as a rehearsal for an invasion of its territory. North Korea launched two missiles Thursday of last week, then followed it up with the firing of two more missiles from its eastern coast on Wednesday, according to the South's military. The missiles fired last week travelled much farther -- one of them going nearly 700 kilometers -- than Wednesday's, and also reached a higher altitude, 50 kilometers (30 miles) compared to 30. UN Security Council resolutions ban the North from ballistic missile launches.
Tokyo Olympic construction race raises worker safety questions by Miwa Suzuki
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OKYO, Japan | AFP | Thursday 7/24/2019 As Tokyo 2020 Olympics preparations enter their final stage, officials are touting the city's readiness, but activists and workers groups say speedy venue construction has had dangerous consequences. The Olympic opening ceremony is now less than a year away and more than half the new venues being built for the Games are already complete. "We are where we want to be," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike confidently told reporters earlier this month. But some argue the city has kept on schedule at the cost of the health and safety of the thousands of workers building the sites. An official tally shows there have been at least two deaths linked to Olympics construction in Tokyo. In 2017, a 23-year-old Olympic stadium worker killed himself after clocking nearly 200 hours of overtime the month before, with the local labour office recognising his suicide as a case of death from overwork, a phenomenon known as "karoshi". The following year, a man was crushed to death between a crane and scaffolding. Fourteen people have also been injured during construction, according to official records through the end of 2018.
But while London had a near perfect construction safety record for the 2012 Games, Tokyo is still doing significantly better than other Olympic hosts. In Rio, at least 11 people were killed during construction for the Games, and in Beijing authorities acknowledged at least six deaths but media reports said more than 10 people were killed. - 'Too busy' Still, workers in Tokyo say they are being squeezed by the twin pressures of labour shortages and a tight schedule. "The work is hard," said one veteran contractor in his sixties, who works as a sub-subcontractor on a project to build the Olympic Village. He said manpower was about 40 percent short, and the pressure to stay on schedule has led to safety shortcuts. He described days when he and his colleagues continued to work as a crane arm clutching a huge block of concrete moved overhead. They didn't move even after safety whistles were blown. "We were too busy," he told AFP on condition of anonymity. "It's like an assembly line for cars. You have to install the hoods no matter what because those putting in the windshields are waiting next." They would only move when labour office inspectors came
over. "The breaks resulted in us being forced to hurry even more for the rest of the day, only increasing the risks," he said. Labour unions say the problems with Olympic construction reflect issues in the industry in Japan more broadly, including the widespread use of multiple subcontractors who have little power to protest poor conditions. Six-day work weeks are common, and the ageing country's labour shortage means workers are stretched thin. One in four workers in Japan's construction industry is 60 or older, far outstripping the number of workers aged 30 or younger. Overwork is also a problem for workers in other industries, despite government efforts to address excessive hours. -
- 'Conditions are really good'
The conditions have raised concern among labour activists. In May, the Building and Wood Worker's International union reported "alarming" testimony from 40 workers building the new national stadium and Olympic village. The report warned of "dangerous patterns of overwork" and alleged some workers had been forced to buy their own protective equipment. It said workers described un-
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Pakistan evacuates Chinese nationals as firing in Kashmir kills three
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U Z A F FA R ABAD, Pakistan | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 - Pakistani officials evacuated more than 50 Chinese nationals working near the Kashmir frontier, authorities said Wednesday, after skirmishes with India killed at least three people and injured dozens. The Chinese were working on a dam being constructed in Pakistani Kashmir along the confluence of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers when firing pushed authorities to move the workers late Tuesday, according to a senior local administration official Badar Munir. Another local official Raja Shahid Mahmood said the decision was made after Indian security forces fired a volley of "indiscriminate fire that killed three people including a woman and a child and wounded 31 others during the last 24 hours". Mahmood said local mosques have also called on residents to refrain from unnecessary movements which would expose them to potential firing. Pakistan's military spokesman went on to say via Twitter that ceasefire violations "shall always be effectively respond-
Tensions remain high with arch-rival India after the nuclear armed neighbours launched tit-for-tat air strikes in February, 2019. (AFP) ed" to, adding that security forces will "take all measures to protect innocent civilians" along the de-facto border.
claimed in full by both countries, who have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over it.
Tensions remain high with arch-rival India after the nuclear armed neighbours launched tit-for-tat air strikes in February following a suicide bombing in Indian Kashmir which was claimed by Pakistan-based militants.
The latest incident comes after US President Donald Trump Trump triggered a political fiasco in India last week by claiming during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that Indian leader Narendra Modi had asked him to mediate in the Kashmir dispute.
Since then they have stepped back from the brink, but firing between the two sides across the de-facto border dividing Kashmir has continued. Kashmir is ruled in part but
India vehemently denied that Modi had made any such request, saying the Kashmir issue must be resolved bilaterally between the two countries.
Tensions high as Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters face court by Yan Zhao
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ONG KONG, China | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 - Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters appeared in court Wednesday after being charged with rioting, setting the stage for further unrest in a weekslong crisis that has rocked the global financial hub. The announcement on Tuesday night that 44 people had been charged with rioting -- an offence that carries a jail term of up to 10 years -- immediately triggered another round of clashes between police and protesters. Supporters continued to voice their outrage as they stood for hours on Wednesday outside court, braving heavy winds and rain, as the accused rioters appeared before a judge. "Release the righteous... no rioters, only tyranny... reclaim Hong Kong, the revolution of our times," the supporters chanted. The protesters were generally calm as they took turns to appear in front of the judge, who formally read the charges and granted them bail. The range of their professions reflected the wide support across Hong Kong society for the pro-democracy movement. They included a teacher, a nurse, an airline pilot, a barber, a chef, an electrician, a construction worker and un-
safe conditions and that half of those interviewed did not have formal contracts -- a situation not illegal in Japan but uncommon in industrialised countries. It also accused employers of creating a "culture of fear" with workers afraid of losing their jobs if they complained or reported problems. Olympic organisers, along with the Tokyo local government and the Japan Sport Council (JSC) in charge of building the new stadium, said they are discussing the report with BWI. JSC vice president Jugo Imaizumi said he thought there had been a "misunderstanding". "Many people who came back here after working elsewhere say they realised conditions here are really good," Imaizumi told AFP. Olympics worksites close at night to prevent overwork and employees have Sundays off, he added. Officials also say only a handful of complaints have been submitted to the Tokyo local government and Olympic organising committee.
Supporters of those charged with rioting voiced their outrage as they stood outside court, braving heavy winds and rain. (AFP/ Isaac Lawrence) employed people, according to their charge sheets. A 16-year-old girl was also among the group. - Protest evolution Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has endured more than seven weeks of unrest that began with a government bid to introduce a law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. The protests evolved into a movement for deeper democratic reforms and an end to eroding freedoms, in the most significant challenge to Beijing's rule since the city's handover from Britain in 1997. In the latest confrontation, police used pepper spray and batons against hundreds of protesters who had gathered outside a police station in solidarity with those who had just been charged. Footage broadcast live on television showed an officer aiming a shotgun at protesters who were throwing objects at him. Police said on Wednesday evening they had arrested three people after fireworks were fired from a car at protesters gathered outside another police station on Tuesday night. The previous two weekends had seen a surge in the level of violence used by both protesters and police, who repeatedly fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse projectile-throwing crowds. A mob of pro-government thugs also attacked protesters, putting 45 people in hospital. The 44 protesters were charged for their alleged role in running battles between police and protesters in a well-heeled residential neighbourhood on the main island on Sunday. The move to charge protesters with rioting came a day after Beijing publicly threw its weight behind Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam and the police, saying violent protesters must be swiftly punished. "No civilised society or rule of law society will toler-
ate rampant violence," Yang Guang, spokesman for the cabinet-level Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told reporters. But while Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations of the protests, it has left the city's government to deal with the situation. Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill, and has made few public appearances. Amnesty International said the charging of the 44 protesters with rioting was aimed at intimidating others from taking part in future pro-democracy rallies. "By using such vague charges against pro-democracy protesters, the Hong Kong authorities seem intent on sending a chilling warning to anyone considering taking part in future protests," the global human rights group's Hong Kong director, Man-kei Tam, said in a statement. But protesters have vowed to keep their campaign going until their core demands are met. They include Lam's resignation, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested, a permanent withdrawal of the bill and the right to elect their leaders. Under the terms of the 1997 handover deal from British to Chinese rule, Hong Kong enjoys rights and liberties unseen on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and freedom of speech. But many say those rights are being curtailed, citing the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers, the disqualification of prominent politicians and the jailing of pro-democracy protest leaders. Public anger has been compounded by rising inequality, the high costs of living and the perception that the city's distinct language and culture are being threatened by ever closer integration with the Chinese mainland.
SOUTH ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 9
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
18 killed as Pakistan army plane crashes into residential area
India outlaws controversial Muslim 'instant divorce'
The plane crashed near an upscale neighbourhood in the city of Rawalpindi, home to the army's headquarters. (AFP Photo/Aamir Qureshi)
Indian Muslim women arrive at Parliament house in New Delhi on July 26, 2019 to watch as the legislature debates a bill banning "instant divorce." (AFP Photo/Prakash Singh)
by Sajjad Tarakzai
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AWALPINDI, Pakistan | AFP | Tuesday 7/30/2019 Eighteen people were killed when a small military plane crashed into a residential area in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi early Tuesday, officials told AFP.
India teen star Shaw suspended for doping violation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist government pushed through the bill despite stiff resistance from several opposition parties and a previous failed attempt to move the bill in the upper house.
The plane crashed into a poor village near an upscale neighbourhood in the garrison city that is home to the army's headquarters, creating a fireball that lit up the night sky and terrified residents.
"An archaic and medieval practice has finally been confined to the dustbin of history," Modi tweeted after the bill finally cleared the upper house.
"We have taken 18 dead bodies to hospital... that included 13 civilians and five crew members," said local rescue spokesman Farooq Butt, adding that a further 12 people had been injured in the accident near the capital Islamabad. "All the bodies are badly burned, so DNA tests are required for identification," he added.
Rising Indian batting star Prithvi Shaw has been suspended for a doping violation (AFP Photo/William West)
One resident told AFP that the crash happened around 2am.
EW DELHI, India | AFP | Tuesday 7/30/2019 - Prithvi Shaw was on Tuesday suspended for eight months by India's governing body for a doping violation, with the teenage batting sensation saying he was shaken by the news and would return to the game "faster and stronger".
"I woke to the sound of a huge explosion. I stepped out of my house and saw huge flames and we rushed to the site," said Mohammad Sadiq. "People were screaming. We tried to help them but the flames were too high and the fire too intense," he said, adding he believed seven members of one family were among the dead. Another resident Ghulam Khan said he heard the plane as it buzzed over his house, adding the aircraft appeared to be on fire before it crashed. "The sound was so scary," he added. The military's information wing said the plane was on a routine training mission when the accident occurred, adding that rescue officials had extinguished the fire caused by the crash and moved the injured to a local hospital. An AFP reporter at the scene said smoke was still rising from the wreckage and destroyed homes, while pieces of the plane were visible on a nearby roof. Hours after the crash rescue workers could be seen combing through the smouldering site, gathering debris and inspecting the scene while ambulances swarmed the area. Military officials had also cordoned off the crash site while a crowd of residents stood nearby, some of them sobbing. Prime Minister Imran Khan offered his condolences to the affected families and wished a "quick recovery for the injured."
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EW DELHI, India | AFP | Tuesday 7/30/2019 - 1 India's parliament passed on Tuesday a law against the controversial Muslim practice of "instant divorce", making it a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison.
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the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ruled that the 19-year-old "inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can commonly be found in cough syrups". The suspension was backdated to mid-March, meaning Shaw will be eligible for selection after November 15. The BCCI added in its statement that Shaw's urine sample collected on February 22 in Indore was "found to contain terbutaline". "Terbutaline, a specified substance, is prohibited both in and out of competition in the WADA Prohibited List of Substances," it added. The governing body added that it was satisfied Shaw had taken the substance to treat a respiratory infection and not as a performance-enhancing drug. Shaw said in a statement on Twitter that "the news has really shaken me". "I accept my fate with all sincerity," he said, adding that the suspension was a reminder of the risk for professional athletes of taking medicine for illnesses. "Cricket is my life and there is no bigger pride for me than playing for India and Mumbai and I will come out of this faster and stronger," he said.
"Parliament abolishes Triple Talaq and corrects a historical wrong done to Muslim women. This is a victory of gender justice and will further equality in society. India rejoices today!"
Instant divorce, or "triple talaq," is when a Muslim man ends his marriage by simply saying "talaq" -- which means "you are divorced" in Arabic -three times in succession.
president in next few days.
The Supreme Court declared the practice unconstitutional in 2017 and asked the government to legislate against it.
The 2017 high court ruling came after several Muslim women petitioned the top court, arguing that the unilateral power of Muslim men to end marriages violated India's constitution by infringing on their fundamental right to equality.
Modi held a sizable lower house majority in his first term when he first attempted to outlaw it, but did not have sufficient upper house support to pass the law. Following his resounding victory in general elections in May, his government sought to pass the contentious legislation against a significantly weakened and dispirited opposition, even as several opposition parliamentarians argued against making divorce a criminal act. The law, which was passed by the lower house last week, will come into effect after receiving a formal nod from the
Besides a jail term and a fine, the law will require Muslim men to financially support their wives, who will also get custody of their children.
Muslim women say they have been divorced via letters or messaging apps leaving them without any legal remedy. India has no uniform civil law for marriage, divorce and property. Its constitution allows followers of each faith to use their religious laws to govern such matters, including 180 million Muslims, the largest religious minority in the Hindu-dominated country.
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Guatemalans protest US migrant pact
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UATEMALA CITY | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 - Dozens of Guatemalans protested on Wednesday against a controversial pact signed by the government with Washington aimed at curbing migration into the United States. The agreement was completed last week by acting US Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan, who is currently in Guatemala, and the Central
American country's Interior Secretary Enrique Degenhart. It has come under fire for designating Guatemala, which has one of the world's highest murder rates, a "safe third country" meaning would-be asylum seekers traveling through the country would be obliged to seek refuge there rather than in the US. "It's an agreement that violates the constitution, human rights, international pacts and
conventions," protester Brenda Hernandez, who was demonstrating in front of a hotel in the center of Guatemala City, told AFP. Congress is temporarily sitting at the hotel while its permanent home is undergoing refurbishments. Guatemala's human rights ombudsman Jordan Rodas has already questioned the pact's legality, saying his country's constitution does not authorize a minister to sign such an agreement. Protesters held up banners describing Morales and US President Donald Trump as "pigs."
US Fed cuts key interest rate to 'insure' against global uncertainties... Continued from Page 5 The target for the federal funds rate is now 2.0-2.25 percent and the central bank vowed to "act as appropriate to sustain the expansion." It was a quick turnaround for the Fed, coming after four rate increases last year -- the last one in December. But Powell tried to paint it as part of a continuum, with central bankers shifting their policy stance as economic data changed over the course of the year, especially trade tensions, which nearly "boiled over" last month but have now returned "to a simmer." Wall Street plunged after Powell said the Fed was not on the threshold of a "lengthy cutting cycle," with the Dow Jones Industrial Average at one point losing nearly 500 points. Powell later clarified his comments and the Dow pared losses before the close. "Let me be clear. I said it's not the beginning of a long series of rate cuts. I didn't say it's just one or anything like that," Powell said. It was another example of the Fed's communication woes as it is buffeted by conflicting economic signals and constant verbal attacks.
Nor is the Fed's policysetting Federal Open Market Committee presenting a unified front: Esther George, head of the Kansas City Federal Reserve bank, and Eric Rosengren, of Boston, dissented in the 8-2 vote, because they "preferred at this meeting to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 percent." The Fed also gave Trump something else he has demanded in his unrelenting attacks: an early end to a policy known as "quantitative tightening" or QT. Beginning August 1, that means the Fed will stop reducing the huge amount of securities it built up during the global financial crisis. - Tuning out political pressure Trump, whose aggressive trade policies have thrown a wrench into the world economy and complicated the Fed's carefully laid plans, will certainly welcome the rate cut and likely call for more, as he has been doing for months. Powell again made an effort to dismiss fears that central bankers are swayed by outside pressure, saying policy is "going to depend on the evolving data and the evolving risk pic-
ture." "We never take into account political considerations. There's no place in our discussions for that," he said. Despite speculation that the rate cut in December was a mistake and a move to defy Trump, Powell insisted, "We don't conduct monetary policy in order to prove our independence. We conduct it in order to move as close as possible to our statutory goals. That's what we're always going to do." While the committee continues to expect sustained economic expansion and gradually rising inflation to the Fed's two percent target, "uncertainties about this outlook remain." The statement recognized that the "labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate." In fact, with unemployment at 3.7 percent, near the lowest point in 50 years, and average job creation in the first half of this year at 172,000 a month -slower than the 223,000 in all of 2018, but still solid -- some economists see little need for the Fed to provide additional stimulus. Others see concerns on the horizon: a slowdown in China's growth, the European Union on
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US ‘working hard’ with India to help its economy grow Part of Indo-Pacific strategy, says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
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ASHINGTON (PTI) - The US is "working hard" with the Indian government to provide the country with opportunities to grow its economy as a part of the Trump Administration's Indo-Pacific strategy, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday. "Our Indo-Pacific strategy is well on its way to bearing fruit for not only them but for the United States, and we have watched these coalitions build out. We're working hard with the Indian government to provide them with opportunities to grow their economy as well," Pompeo told reporters accompanying him on a tour to the Indo-pacific region, in response to a question. Pompeo's remarks come weeks after a delegation of the US Trade Representatives travelled to India for talks on a wide range of bilateral
US ‘working hard’ with India to help its economy grow as part of Indo-Pacific strategy, says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (File image, AP) trade issues, in particular tax and tariffs. Earlier in the day, India's Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla said in Colorado that trade between the two countries has grown to USD 142 billion in 2018, and is expected to reach USD 238 billion by 2025.
He said the next stage of growth will be driven by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in both the countries. Specifically, the growth of SMEs in the digital marketplace present an ideal opportunity for increased India-US cooperation, he added.
US has intel that bin Laden's son is dead
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ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 7/31/2019 - US intelligence has received information that Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden's son Hamza has died, NBC News reported Wednesday. NBC said three US officials had confirmed they had information of Hamza bin Laden's death, but gave no details of the date or place, and did not indicate if they had confirmed the information. Questioned by reporters in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump did not confirm or deny the report.
Hamza Bin Laden (pictured here in 2003). (File Photo/AFP)
the brink of an unknown Brexit outcome, added to a drop off in
US business investment and rising corporate debt levels.
They say the Fed is right to retreat for now.
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FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Sugar Land, Katy, Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Meadows Place
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Anthony Maroulis announces re-election ment & Infrastructure Committee. Councilmember Maroulis has long-standing partnerships with homeowner associations in District C and works closely with their board members.
City Councilmember Anthony Maroulis. (Photo: Missouri City)
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ISSOURI CITY, Saturday, July 20, 2019 – Anthony Maroulis announced today that he will seek re-election for City Council in Missouri City. Missouri City’s general election is on November 5, 2019. Maroulis represents Missouri City District C which includes many large commercial retail centers along Hwy 6 and neighborhoods to include Colony Lakes, Oyster Creek Farms, Brightwater, First Colony, Lexington Square and parts of Riverstone. As Councilmember for District C, he knows the impor-
tance in solid infrastructure to preserve home values. At present, his district is undergoing a $1.2 M sidewalk repair project, the largest investment ever made in District C. Additionally he has been the leader and voice in converting street lights to LED and on July 1 Council voted to convert LED and implement certain Energy Conservation Measures at facilities. Anthony’s constituents know him as someone who is dedicated to doing what is best for the residents and the businesses in the city. He has served on the Livable Community Committee, Economic Development Committee, and the Develop-
The councilman is also very engaged in local business, focusing on building relationships with their owners, and creating a positive environment for these businesses to thrive. “I have had the honor of partnering with local business owners and have fostered a strong partnership. District C has had significant growth and collaborating with business owners makes for a stronger community and economic prosperity.” Beyond his role in council chambers, he’s active in the community. In partnership with FBISD he was the first to take part in the “Random Act of Cardness”, which recognizes school staff members for going above and beyond. He participates in Career day and is a mentor in the mentor program. He’s dedicated hours to projects for non-profits in the area such as Fort Bend Family Promise. Maroulis states that his goal is continue to be and advocate for all the citizens of Missouri City, supporting the Police and Fire Departments so that the City maintains the safest place to live , all while focusing on economic prosperity. - Anthony Maroulis Campaign
Leveraging the Past for a Better Future
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ORT BEND COUNTY Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant hosted the showing of Equal Justice Initiative's documentary, “Death in Dixie” followed by a panel discussion at the Four Corners Community Center on Saturday July 24th. The theme was, “Leveraging the Past for a Better Future.” The esteemed panel included; Cesar Espinosa Executive Director; FIEL Houston, Mustafaa Carroll; Civil Rights Activist, Dynisha Klugh; Operational Change Expert, Ron Reynolds; State Representative, District 27, and John T. Floyd; Attorney at Law. A presentation on the topic was giv-
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International Coffee Hour Social at George Memorial Library
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The Discussion was headed
by Ambreen Hernandez; Development & Outreach, CAIR Houston. Community members gathered to show support, and learn from each other towards building a better tomorrow.
Fort Bend County deputy constable saves kitten who got stuck in piece of furniture
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faux pas
Fort Bend County deputy constable responded to a not-sotypical call Sunday.
People of all nationalities are invited to come to this informal gathering to get to know one another, share cultural experiences, and learn something new and fascinating about each other in a casual and comfortable environment. This event, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the last Monday of every month. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call George Memorial Library at 281-3424455 or the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce ready for The M.A.I.N. Event
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce members (both old and new) are invited to sign up and attend The M.A.I.N. Event on Friday, August 9th at 9:00 AM. Whether you've been a member for days weeks or two decades, bring your laptop and join us for a very informative session on maximizing the benefits of your membership with our robust chamber! Contact the Chamber by emailing stacy@fortbendcc. org for RSVP and details. Location: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, 445 Commerce Green, Sugar Land, TX 77478
According to the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Constable's Facebook page, a deputy was sent to help a kitten who got stuck in a piece of furniture.
Rajiv B. Bhavsar SVP Commercial Lending Officer
(281) 217-7330
As of Tuesday, the post had multiple likes and thankful comments from users.
The remains will be reinterred at the same site where they were found. As part of the ongoing negotiations with the County, the District also plans to dedicate 10 acres of land to the County for a future planned memorial park where members of the community can visit and pay tribute to the lives once forgotten from history. “This has been an unprecedented journey for Fort Bend ISD,” said FBISD Board President Jason Burdine. “We are thankful for the offer of county leaders to join us in this effort to memorialize these individuals and learn as much as we can about the convict-leasing system. We appreciate our local lawmakers who worked together to support the legislative changes that made it pos-
sible for us to take these steps forward.” Materials necessary to support future DNA analysis are being collected before the planned reinterment and will be curated at the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory at the University of Texas, preserving the ability for potential descendants to be identified. As previously reported, after extensive exhumation and analysis, archaeologists believe the remains are those of convicts who were leased by the State to provide convict labor to a local plantation. Fort Bend ISD has adopted a locally-developed social studies standard related to the statesanctioned convict-leasing system and the local history associated with the Sugar Land 95, and plans to incorporate the discovery into curriculum beginning in the 2019-20 school year. “Teaching our students and community about this oppressive and often unrecognized chapter of our local history remains one of our top priorities, as we are first and foremost an educational institution,” said FBISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Dupre. For a timeline regarding the historic discovery, visit https:// www.fortbendisd.com/historiccemetery.
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The Facebook post did not identify the cat-saving deputy nor the city in Fort Bend in which the rescue occurred. This story was brought to you through our cooperation with KTRK-TV ABC Channel 13.
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce hosting Global Entry interviews
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Pro-
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ORT BEND ISD (July 25, 2019) – The 95 individuals discovered at an abandoned and forgotten cemetery are another step closer to being laid to rest, a year and a half after a worker at an FBISD construction site unearthed the first human remains. The District has announced it will move forward with reinterment while it continues to work toward finalizing an agreement with Fort Bend County to convey the cemetery to the County so that the County can operate and maintain it.
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Reginald Moore at the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery. (Photo:Brian Goldman)
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The deputy used olive oil and was able to free the kitten.
UGAR LAND - As a valuable benefit to our members, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce has partnered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to host Global Entry enrollment interviews at the Chamber office located at 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77478 on May 21, June 26, July 23 and August 20, 2019 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Fort Bend ISD announces plans to lay Sugar Land 95 to rest
The library’s next monthly International Coffee Hour will take place on Monday, August 26, beginning at 9:00 am, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 1001 Golfview Drive in Richmond.
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en by Naomi Mitchell Carrier; Professor at Houston Community College and Executive Director of the Texas Center for African American Living.
Tel: 713-774-5140
tart your week off by sharing a cup of coffee, exchanging news or a corny joke, and chatting with friends at George Memorial Library’s “International Coffee Hour” – a social hour celebrating the multitude of diverse cultures found in Fort Bend County.
o you want to learn how to make the most of your marketing, advocacy, information and networking opportunities with a chamber membership?
Panelists and a section of the audience at the showing on July 24
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gram that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). To apply for Global Entry, individuals complete an online application and pay a $100 non refundable fee with each completed application. If approved, Global Entry membership is
valid for five years. Global Entry members also enjoy benefits with TSA Pre-Check, which is a program that expedites traveler screening through TSA security checkpoints. Apply today and join the more than 5 million members already getting out of line. After receiving your conditional approval notification from CBP, use the online scheduling tool to schedule your appointment in Sugar Land at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.
(713) 715-9983
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Hamilton confirms involvement in Hollywood documentary
He’s one of the highestpaid actors in the world — but sets about his craft with humility. He discusses his latest movie ‘Mission Mangal’
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Akshay Kumar:
Bollywood’s $65M man
by Nirpal Dhaliwal, Financial Times
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kshay Kumar is in relaxed, chatty mood when we meet in Kensington, London. Knowing that I am, like him, a Punjabi, the 51-year-old Bollywood star initially addresses me in our mother tongue, asking about the villages where my parents were born before they moved to the UK.
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton is seen at the Hockenheim racing circuit on July 26, 2019 in Hockenheim, southern Germany.
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OCKENHEIM, Germany | AFP | Friday 7/26/2019 – Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he is an executive producer of an upcoming Hollywood documentary about nutrition and performance expected to be released in September. The defending five-time drivers world champion, taking part in this weekend’s German Grand Prix for Mercedes, said he will appears in the film along with Novak Djokovic, Chris Paul, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan. "Performance is everything and it all begins with having the right kind of fuel in our bodies," Hamilton said on Twitter. "I’m proud to be Exec Producer on 'The Game Changers'. It’s a revolutionary new documentary movie and I can’t wait for you guys to see it this September."
The film, in which Titanic director James Cameron is also involved, focuses on veganism, nutrition and fitness and raises questions about the value of meat in a diet. It is directed by Louis Psihoyos, who won an Oscar for the documentary feature The Cove in 2010. Hamilton, who became a vegan two years ago, spoke of the importance of diet for performance. "Just look at Djokovic: that little bit extra that’s there, that people are reluctant to look in to ..." he said. Hamilton will be involved in the making of another film this weekend as the crew from a Netflix documentary, Drive to Survive, go behind the scenes with his Mercedes team. "I don't have to do much, just do my job and hopefully they’ll catch the good sides of me and edit out the bad," he quipped.
Disney hits record $7.67B in 2019 global revenue as 'Lion King' nears $1B
Handsome and lean in a crushed fabric jacket and sky-blue loafers, he is the embodiment of conviviality. It’s when Kumar speaks his mother tongue that I get the truest sense of his character. My Punjabi, unlike his English, isn’t perfect, but every time we lapse into it he transforms from a charming but circumspect interviewee into a bantering companion, taking my hand and talking to me as if we were cousins. “Other actors, they take two or three months to get into character,” he says. “They lock themselves away and really torture themselves . . . Idiots!” He shakes his head. “I can’t do that. I take two or three days and that’s it. I want to get the movie done!” With 127 movies to his name, and reported earnings of $65m last year alone, Kumar is as breezy about his failures as his craft. “There was a time when I had 16 consecutive flops,” he says. “The media said I was finished. They said I was furniture. They were being kind, actually. I was a whole showroom.” How did he break that losing streak? “I’m a producer’s man. I’m punctual, I do the work, I pay my hotel phone bill. I get my films shot in 30 to 40 days. I save producers money. When you do that, even if the movie flops the producer stays with you and you will get the next movie.” Those flops lasted from 2003-06, but long before that Kumar’s career began in 1987 with a string of failures that would have destroyed most aspiring actors. It wasn’t until his fifth movie, Khiladi (Player) — about college pranksters pulling off a heist — that he enjoyed his first modest box-office success and started carving a niche as an action hero. Kumar on the set of his latest film, 'Mission Mangal' “I didn’t think about it,” he laughs, when asked how he dealt with failure. “I was having a lot of fun, doing something I really enjoyed.” India’s most bankable film star is no anguished artist. “I’m still not a great actor,” he admits. “Every day I am learning how to act.” Yet he is the fourth highest-paid actor in the world, and the only nonHollywood actor on the latest Forbes 100 list for the entertainment industry.
Credit: Disney
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he powerhouse Hollywood studio accomplished the feat with more than five months left to go in the year. Hear Disney roar. On Sunday, Hollywood's alpha studio announced its films have collected a record-shattering $7.67 billion at the 2019 global box office — and it's not even August. The previous industry record of $7.61 billion was set by Disney in 2016. The $7.67 billion figure includes $5.09 billion amassed overseas. It's the first time any Hollywood studio has surpassed the $5 billion threshold internationally. Already this year, three Disney titles have crossed $1 billion worldwide, not to mention that Marvel Studios' Avengers: Endgame ($2.79 billion) has surpassed Avatar to become the top-grossing film of all time. Fellow Marvel pic Captain Marvel finished its run with $1.23 billion. Disney's live-action Aladdin rode its magic carpet past the $1 billion mark last week, while The Lion King is on the verge of achieving the milestone after finishing Sunday with a worldwide total of $962.7 million after just
two weeks in release. And don't forget Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 4, which is likely to top $1 billion in the coming weeks. If so, Disney will set a new high-water mark for the number of $1 billion-plus films released in a given year (it set the current record in 2016 with four). Disney accounts for as much as 45 percent of the $16 billion-plus collected worldwide so far this year by movies released on more than 1,000 screens, including revenue from titles inherited following the Disney-Fox merger. In stark contrast, the next closest studio, Warner Bros., has taken in just shy of $2 billion. The rest of Disney's 2019 calendar includes the Thanksgiving tentpole Frozen 2 and the year-end holiday offering Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Two years ago, Star Wars: The Last Jedi earned $1.33 billion globally, preceded by a massive $2.07 billion for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was released in December 2015. Box office analysts say it's almost a given that the new Star Wars film — the ninth and final installment in the Skywalker saga — will earn north of $1 billion. - Hollywood Reporter
In recent years, Kumar has found commercial and critical success with offbeat material that speaks to ordinary Indian concerns. He produces films he doesn’t star in, but only stars in films he himself has produced. His 2018 movie Padman was inspired by the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a Tamil social entrepreneur who invented a mini sanitary-padmaking machine that supplies Indian women at less than a third of the cost of commercial products. Similarly, his 2017 hit Toilet: A Love Story is a comedy-drama about the tensions between a college-educated woman and her new husband caused by her rustic in-laws’ inadequate lavatory facilities. He was a producer on both films. Kumar’s taste for offbeat material perhaps isn’t surprising: he’s an outsider who wasn’t born into one of the dynasties that have dominated the In-
dian movie business. The son of an army officer from Amritsar, he grew up in Delhi’s unglamorous Chandni Chowk neighbourhood, before moving to Mumbai when his father got a job as an accountant with Unicef. Kumar quit college to study Thai boxing in Bangkok and work as a waiter, before returning to Mumbai and opening a martial arts school. He moved into modelling, and got his screen role at 21. Kumar is not the first star to make successful Bollywood films with homespun themes. In 2016, Aamir Khan starred in Dangal (“Wrestling Match”), which told the true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who trained his two daughters to become India’s first world-class wrestlers. He brings to film-making the focus, dedication and humility required of his previous career as a martial arts instructor. But he attributes his success — and his level-headed attitude to it — to his upbringing. A nod to the traditionally cattle-raising, dairy-loving Punjabi culture, he tells me his family motto was: “Eat butter, eat cream, be happy!”
Kangana Ranaut is deadly action queen in Dhaakad first poster All guns ablaze on Diwali 2020
August 15, India’s independence day, sees the release of his latest film, Mission Mangal (“Mangal” being the Sanskrit name for Mars), based on the country’s 2014 Mars Orbiter mission. His mother is a producer on the film, along with Disney’s Indian subsidiary Fox Star. India became the fourth nation to reach Mars when it sent a probe to the planet. The mission was also notable for the prominent role played by female scientists. “I was fascinated by how these women scientists juggle their lives,” he says. “They get up, they pray, they make breakfast, check their husband is OK and take their kids to school, and then they tuck their saris in and go to work.” When I said I was making a movie called‘Toilet’ everyone in the industry said, ‘You’ve gone mad’ Kumar plays a scientist, Rakesh Dhawan, who provides the prerequisite elements for Bollywood success: “He has a song for every moment. He’s very witty. He has a line for everything.” Bollywood often trades in fantasy, depicting billionaire lifestyles with musical routines set amid the Swiss Alps or Egyptian pyramids, but, says Kumar, “I don’t feel any identification with those films.” He has starred in a few of them, but emphasises that he wants to make films “that are
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joined to our earth, our village . . . The roots are very important. And people like films that are very rooted.”
After releasing a teaser poster of Dhaakad a few days ago, the makers have released the first poster of the film.
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EW DEHLI - Kangana Ranaut is all set to make the Diwali of 2020 all the more 'Dhamakedaar' with her next film Dhaakad. The actress released another poster of the film today in which she is seen in a deadly avatar. Holding guns in both her hands, the actress is looking like a fierce warrior in the poster. After attempting action for the first time in Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, this will be Kangana's second action film.
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TEXAS POSSESSION AND ACCESS ORDERS
Mala Sharma
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tructuring possession and access orders for children in a divorce or separation is important and often highly contentious as everyone wants to know who get to keep the child(ren). In Texas there are two possession and access orders, a standard possession order or modified possession order that outlines parents’ child visitation rights based on conservatorship. Before determining possession and access, child custody or “conservatorship” must be determined.
Under Texas Law, conservatorship also known as child custody must be determined. Child custody may be arranged in different ways including: (1) Joint Custody – the most common, where both parents have custody over the children, (2) Sole Custody when one parent has primary custody over the child, (3) Legal Custody – the parent who is able to make decisions on education, medical care, religion, and (4) Physical Custody – the parent that owns the residence where the child lives. Courts may award both parents with equal legal and physical custody. Typically, parents have joint custody where one parent is the primary conservatory or custodial parent, with rights to determine child’s physical residence and the other parent is the non-custodial parent. In evaluating conservatorship, the court will look at the determining factor, what is in the child’s
by Sharlene Sharmila Richards, Immigration Lawyer Email at srichardslaw@aol.com
on everyone involved. It is highly recommended to get a qualified attorney to navigate and promote a well thought out parenting plan regarding conservatorship and more. In this way, a Court does not need to step in and order what neither parent most likely may not prefer. It is imperative to talk to your attorney and discuss all facts of your case to help you in the best manner possible. In this way, you are able to control the outcome of your case so that you are satisfied and the best interest of your child(ren) are also satisfied. This fosters a great path for the entire family to easily move forward, reduces stress levels, and helps your ability to make future holiday family plans. About the Author: Mala Sharma has been practicing family law and personal injury with her family at the Law Offices of Sharma & Associates, founded in 1997 with over 42 years of combined experience. Mala is a Board of Advocates for the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association GP Solo YLD, member of the Houston Bar Association, President Emeritus of the Houston Northwest Bar Association, and prior board member of the South Asian Bar Association. Disclaimer: This material is available for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. If you require advice on any particular legal question, you may contact Sharma & Associates at 281-893-8644 or by email at mala@sharmalaws.net to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
4 reasons why the legal profession often gets no sympathy By Marcel Strigberger, ABA
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he legal profession is a noble one. But is that the impression the public has of lawyers? What images generally come to mind? Let’s start with Noah’s Ark. A biblical theme park called Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, is suing its insurers for insufficient coverage of rainrelated losses. The centerpiece of the park is a giant, 500-footlong replica of Noah’s Ark. There was an actual flood in the vicinity. The ark was not damaged, but other assets were. One news headline read: “Noah’s Ark theme park damaged by heavy rain … and the lawyers come two-by-two.” What does this say about the legal profession’s image? At best, we’re ambulance chasers. At worst, we’re at par with most of the ark’s passengers (other than hyenas, I suppose—they readily laugh freely). And how does literature treat us? Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales does not even include a lawyer? There are numerous callings but no “lawyer’s tale.” Why? Maybe the pilgrims did not care to have one on the pilgrimage. Perhaps Chaucer initially had a lawyer along but canned him. There just may have been a draft tale that reads like: “And then there was the lawyer from Yorke, who carried a big purse. And he was a windbagge. He tried to impresse us with his Latin phrases, and we could ne understand him at alle. And so, the miller gave him a goode kick in the arse. And we were all happy, paternoster.” William Shakespeare was not much kinder a couple of hundred years later, saying: “Let’s kill all the lawyers.” Even now, we have expressions about lawyers such as “shyster” or “mouthpiece” or “Philadelphia lawyer.” I Googled the latter and noted “an expert in exploitation of legal technicalities.” Wikipedia
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE RECENT EXPANSION OF EXPEDITED REMOVAL NATIONWIDE
Sharlene Sharmila Richards
Q: What does expedited removal mean? Who exactly can be subjected to expedited removal? A: Expedited removal is a process whereby immigration officials can employ to deport individuals who are here in the United States without authorization without providing them the opportunity to see a judge or consult with an attorney before being deported. Generally, those who entered the United States without inspection will be subject to expedited removal if they have been stopped or apprehended and are unable to demonstrate that they have been in the United States for at least two years. Q: I entered the US legally with visa but I overstayed and have been here for less than two years? Am I subjected to expedited removal? A: Usually those individuals who entered legally to the United States but overstayed and have been here in the United States for less than two years, are not subjected to expedited removal. If apprehended, these individuals are placed in removal proceedings. Q: How does an individual know if they are in the expedited removal process? A: The ICE officer will ask if the individual has been in the United States for at least two years. Usually after that, the officer will serve the individual with paperwork which says “Notice and Order of Expedited Removal” (also known as Form I-860). Q: I am an undocumented immigrant and I have been placed in removal proceedings and is scheduled to appear in immigration court next month. I have been in the United States for less than two years. I work in a Mexican restaurant and there are many other undocumented immigrants here. Am I subjected to expedited removal if ICE inquires at my work place? A: No, you will not be. The reason is you are already in immigration proceedings. It is advisable to have copies of your immigration court
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defines a Philadelphia lawyer as “the ultimate in crooked lawyers.” I’d say this adds a new dimension to the phrase “Broad Street Bullies.” Then there are the lawyer jokes and even a joke about lawyer jokes: Lawyers don’t think they’re funny; and nonlawyers don’t think they’re jokes. So, the question becomes: Why is our profession generally viewed unsympathetically? Let me express some of my thoughts. 1. LEGAL FEES We are talking hundreds per hour. Who personally can afford this type of money? Most of us still line up at gas stations like Costco to save a few cents per gallon (that’s per liter in Canada, so we save about 3.7 times as much at Costco). Legal bills can exceed most other expenses, even your car. And at least with a car, you have something tangible you might show off. I have heard more than once colleagues saying something like: “If I ever had a divorce action with my spouse, I couldn’t afford myself.” (Never mind the part about whether they would hire themselves; they’d have a fool for a client.) People do not relish paying legal fees. They think: “Isn’t that unfortunate suit enough punishment?” 2. HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY Most lawyers are above board.
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best interest. After conservatorship determined, possession and access must be finalized. Texas has two possession and access orders: the standard possession and access order or modified possession and access order. The standard order has a structured visitation schedule, prescribed by law as follows: • visitation the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends every month beginning at 6PM every Friday and ending at 6 PM every Sunday • Standard Thursday night visitation from 6-8PM • Rotating holidays – Spring Break, Christmas, Birthdays • Summer and Winter Break visitation • Manner of how and where exchanges of the child take place On the other hand, a modified possession order can be structured where each parent has 50/50 visitation and includes any deviation from the standard possession order. Courts may deviate from the standard order if there is evidence showing the deviation is in the child’s best interest and will look at family violence considerations, if the child is under 3 and there is little or no prior contact with the child. Additionally, external factors or special needs of the child may create exceptional circumstances to deviate from the general standard possession order. Further, both parents can agree to a customized schedule or parenting plan without having the court decide. However, this agreement must be ordered by the court to be enforceable. Conservatorship possession and access battles are very contentious and difficult
But what does the public see— or not see? They do not see the lawyers spend the time that they claim that they are spending. It is a matter of faith. The lawyer’s bill reads: “Letter to Jacob Henderson, .4 hours.” No doubt the lawyer wrote the letter. But the client does not see the lawyer reviewing the file, drafting and revising that letter. They only see a bill at $400 per hour, with the letter, alone, costing $160. We live in the Uber age. If you want to go from A to B, Uber will instantly confirm up front the exact cost, such as $13.43. And the customer can verify this service, seeing that they are not going from A to C.
3. AMBULANCE CHASERS There is simply no shortage of lawyers, and competition is understandably fierce. What the public must find disturbing are those large ubiquitous legal services ads. Not to offend any colleagues, I shall not quote any, but suffice it to say they do not come across anything like: “We try harder.” (Actually, after 50 years, Avis changed its
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Q: Are there any exceptions to being subject to expedited removal if an individual has been here in the United States illegally and for less than two years? A: Yes, there is. If in expedited removal and the individual indicates fear of returning back to his or her home country, the individual should be referred for a credible fear interview with an asylum officer to determine if he or she has credible fear of persecution. If the asylum officer determines that to be the case, then the individual will be placed in removal proceedings and given the opportunity to present his or her defense against deportation or removal at the immigration court hearing. If on the other hand, the asylum officer determines that the individual does not have credible fear, he or she may elect to seek a review of that decision by an immigration judge. Q: An Immigration Judge entered a removal order against me two months ago and I appealed against that order to the Board of Immigration Appeals. I filed my appeal within the 30 days the Immigration Judge told me to file the appeal. My case with is still pending. Am I subjected to expedited removal because I have been in the United States for less than two years? A: Because you timely appealed your removal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, you do not have a final removal order. Your case is still pending and you should not be subjected to expedited removal. We do advise that you carry a copy of your court documents and a copy of proof of filing of the appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals with you. Q: If an individual is subjected to expedited order of removal, is that individual detained? Can the individual apply for bond to be released and then surrender for deportation? A:
An individual subject
Katy Perry loses legal fight The pop star and her producers stole a key 16-second musical riff from the rap song "Joyful Noise," a jury found.
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OS ANGELES - Katy Perry's hit "Dark Horse" improperly copied a portion of a Christian rap song from 2009, a jury decided Monday, setting the stage for the pop star to potentially face a hefty penalty.
verdict was read after two days of deliberation. Marcus Gray and two coauthors filed the copyright infringement lawsuit five years ago, alleging that Perry and her producers stole a key 16-second musical riff from their rap song "Joyful Noise."
Perry was not in the Los Angeles courtroom when the
Dark Horse," a single from Perry's 2013 album Prism,
to expedited removal will be detained and deported. He or she does not have any right to appeal or to pay a bond to be released. The only way to avoid the expedited removal from taking place is to inform ICE that he or she fears returning to his or her country and goes through the credible fear determination with an asylum officer. Q: Please advise documentation requirements to avoid being detained and placed in expedited removal? A: If you entered the United States without inspection, please have copies of documentation evidencing your presence here in the US for at least two years. These documents can be leases, car insurance, bank statements, immigration court hearing notices, utility bills etc. Do not have originals, just copies of documents as ICE may confiscate them. If you are a US Citizens or Permanent Resident, best you have your original document such the US Passport, valid Driver License or Permanent Resident Card with you at all times. In all cases, do not have documents which have false information or fake documents which could create additional and unwanted problems. Disclaimer: Any advice provided in this article is general in nature and not intended to constitute legal advice for any specific case. Please consult with an immigration lawyer about the specific circumstances of your case. My Bio Sharlene Sharmila Richards is a licensed Immigration Lawyer practicing in Houston, Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is a member of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the US Supreme Court. If you require advice or assistance, you may contact her at telephone number 713-623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
spent four weeks at No. 1 and was nominated for a Grammy. Perry's attorneys argued that the song's creators, including producer Dr. Luke, hadn't heard of "Joyful Noise" and don't listen to Christian rap. They also contended the elements of the riff are so basic that they should be available to all songwriters. "They’re trying to own basic building blocks of music, the alphabet of music that should be available to everyone," Perry’s lawyer Christine Lepera told jurors, according to the Associated Press.
Sharlene Sharmila Richards Attorney at Law
www.richardsimmigration.com
We can understand why a client will get rattled when they see their lawyer’s bill. And generally, they won’t shift their anger onto Jacob Henderson. I won’t even talk about highprofile lawyers who strayed and are now in jail (or as Chaucer would say, “in goal, and goode for them”).
documents with you at all times just in case and you can easily show that to ICE if you encounter them, especially at your workplace.
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VOICE OF ASIA 14
Section 2
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Young Life
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Nice toes, Bro. Young men invade nail salons A mani-pedi becomes a manly pedi as more guys get their feet in summer sandal shape. Women endure longer waits; ‘a little weird at first’ by Ray A. Smith
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Byju’s CEO is India’s newest young billionaire The 37-year-old entrepreneur — who has said he wants to do for Indian education what the Mouse House did for entertainment — is taking his biggest step yet geographically and creatively.
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hen Sonia E. Wilson went to get a pedicure on the Fourth of July, she didn’t expect to wait at her neighborhood salon, figuring most women had rushed to get their nails done before the holiday. Women weren’t the problem. The Brooklyn, N.Y., salon was packed with men. Ms. Wilson learned she was fourth in line after three men—all having pedicures. “I don’t mind men stepping up their grooming,” said Ms. Wilson, a development officer at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. “But I can’t say I was happy to wait close to an hour while three of them were ahead of me. I gave them the side-eye.” Men are crowding nail salons this summer, spurred by shifting attitudes about their grooming as well as the popularity of sandals from Gucci, Valentino, Rick Owens and other luxury brands. Macho entertainers and sports stars including LeBron James have posted videos of themselves getting pedicures, reassuring the average guy that it is OK to step into a salon and pamper their toes. Marie Nails, with locations in New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu, noticed more men coming in for pedicures. “We have regulars, and they refer, so we [have gotten] more this year,” said May Ogawa, director of the chain’s U.S. office. Bellacures, a chain with six salons in Los Angeles and one in Dallas, also saw an uptick in men coming in for pedicures this summer. “This is likely that many will be wearing open-toed shoes, sandals, going to the beach, or on vacation where their feet will be exposed,” said owner Gerard Quiroga. Men’s feet can sometimes be tougher jobs. “Because men don’t come in as often as women, they do tend to opt for the callus repair pedicure and extra scrubs” with sea salt or organic sugar, he said. Ms. Wilson said men’s feet “are often gross,” but so are some women’s. Her Brooklyn salon, she said, uses a new liner for the soaking tub for each customer. Many women say it’s great that guys feel comfortable getting pedicures before venturing out in flip-flops and sandals, but they don’t like waiting now that men are showing up at sa-
A male customer at Bellacures nail salon in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo: NK Agency) lons. “My first thought was, is [the Netflix series] ‘Queer Eye’ working?” said Neva Winkle, of Lincoln, Neb., recalling her annoyance at a recent 20-minute wait “while four frat guys were getting pedicures” at her go-to salon. “I had never been the only woman in the place getting my nails done,” said Ms. Winkle, a tenants-rights adviser. “It was odd.” Kellen Marshall, a graduate assistant for Wichita State University’s basketball team in Kansas, has gone out with his buddies for toe-tending. “It was just hilarious, these five college dudes rolled into the nail salon to get pedicures,” he said. “We were in there talking about sports, talking about whatever.” Another time, he and a male friend had pedicures a day before playing golf. “It’s funny just to see the change in culture, how it’s become more socially acceptable,” he said. “Guys are not afraid of their masculinity taking a hit when they get a pedicure. I think a big reason why guys are OK with it is because girls are pro-pedicure. They like guys who will take care of their skin, and take care of their feet.” Pedicures for men? Good idea, or never? Join the conversation below. Nadine Abramcyk, a founder of Tenoverten, with salons in New York, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, said she has seen more men coming in groups to have business meetings over pedicures and lunch. The spaces are designed, she said, to be neutral in tone, with “nothing too frilly or obviously girlie.” When Courtney Nealon, of Jupiter,
Fla., visited a local nail salon where the ratio of men to her was 4 to 1, she was taken aback. “It’s like, wait a minute, this is where my girlfriends and I would sit around and chitchat and talk about our husbands,” said Ms. Nealon, a part-time insurance agent. “The nail salon used to be a sacred, ladies-only space. It made me laugh. They’re coming for us women because we came for their Boy Scouts.” (In 2017, the Boy Scouts of America announced it would welcome girls.) To keep things cordial, Andrew Flick tries “to be respectful” and “not speak loudly” when he goes to a spa or salon for pedicures. “I just try to sit there in silence and command as little attention as I can,” said the San Francisco-based public-relations executive. “No one has ever been weird, but sometimes I feel like not everyone’s 100% cool” with his presence. Tyler Winter, a digital and socialmedia specialist in London, Ontario, got his first pedicure recently. He and his stepfather were the only men there. “I was mainly looking at my foot and the person doing the pedicure, and generally minimizing eye contact with others,” he said. “It was a little weird at first. I’m not used to having my feet touched.” Chris McDougal, a retail manager from Somerset, N.J., usually has a pedicure before wearing his Birkenstock sandals or Gucci slides in the summer. He usually is the only man in the salon. “It doesn’t really bother me,” he said, if women there give him strange looks because he is accustomed to his clothes sparking such reactions. “I’m not afraid to take fashion risks.” - WSJ
These six colleges are tuition-free by Jessica Dickler
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ven as college becomes increasingly unaffordable for many students and their families, it is still possible to graduate owing next to nothing. “There are so many college-bound students and their families that are nervous about assuming too much debt,” said Robert Franek, editor in chief at The Princeton Review. However, crossing an expensive school off of the list because of the price alone is a mistake, he added. Often, it is possible to bring the out-ofpocket cost significantly down with scholarships and grants — money that never has to be paid back. And then there are a handful of schools take that one step further by providing enough free money to bring the tuition cost to $0. “There is an incredible service these schools are providing but they are not going to be a fit for every collegebound student,” Franek said. For those who do fit the bill, here are the colleges that cost absolutely nothing: Berea College This small school in Berea, Kentucky has a singular mission: to attract underprivileged students committed to working hard. Only those who have financial need are admitted, and every student is awarded a four-year scholarship and a laptop. Tuition costs: $0. The catch? There is no slacking off — classroom attendance is mandatory and every student must work on campus for a set number of hours every week. The scholarships also don’t cover room and board or other expenses, although additional financial aid is available to help with those costs. In addition, Berea won’t admit students whose parents can afford to send them elsewhere. College of the Ozarks Dubbed Hard Work U, this is one of the hardest Midwestern schools to get in to, with a 16% acceptance rate.
Students don’t pay a penny for tuition. Scholarships and grants completely cover the cost of tuition at this Christian school in rural Point Lookout, Missouri. The catch? Every student is required to work 15 hours a week plus two 40-hour weeks as part of the school’s Work Education Program. Although there is no tuition, underclassmen must still pick up the tab for room and board and other expenses, and preference is given to students hailing from the Ozarks region. U.S. Air Force Academy In addition to free tuition, students receive a stipend to cover all other costs at this prestigious academy just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. In exchange, there are very high standards for applicants and matriculated students straight through to graduation. After four years, graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force. The catch? Each cadet will owe at least five years of service as an active duty officer, although many opt to stay in the military for much longer. Deep Springs College This incredibly small liberal arts college in California’s remote High Desert recently went from all-male to coed. But still, there were only a handful of women admitted last year. Although obtaining a spot is highly competitive, every student is awarded a scholarship that covers tuition and room and board. Since Deep Springs is a twoyear school, many graduates transfer to elite schools after completion. The catch? The college has a total enrollment of about 30 students and the school’s academic demands are intense. There is no partying here and, in addition to their rigorous course load, everyone works on the cattle ranch where it is located. “It is no joke,” Franek said. U.S. Coast Guard Academy This New London, Connecticutbased academy is also very selective and rigorous. Many students study
engineering and environment science during the highly structured four-year program. Aside from purchasing uniforms, all students receive scholarships to cover tuition and room and board.
Byju Raveendran set up Think & Learn in 2011, offering online lessons before launching his main app in 2015. (Photo: Bloomberg)
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ndia’s newest billionaire is a former classroom teacher who developed an education app that’s grown to a valuation of almost $6 billion in about seven years. Byju Raveendran joined the rarefied club after his Think and Learn Pvt scored $150 million in funding earlier this month. That deal conferred a value of $5.7 billion on the company in which the founder owns more than 21%, people familiar with the matter said. Its closing coincided with the announcement that the company’s Byju’s app—named after the founder — will team up with Walt Disney Co. and taking its service to American shores by early 2020. The 37-year-old entrepreneur — who has said he wants to do for Indian education what the Mouse House did for entertainment — is taking his biggest step yet geographically and creatively. In his new app, Disney staples from The Lion King’s Simba to Frozen’s Anna teach math and English to students from grades one through three. The same characters star in animated videos, games, stories and interactive quizzes. “Kids everywhere relate to Disney’s Simba or Moana, who grip kids’ attention before we take them through the loop of learning,” said Raveendran, also chief executive officer. India is going through a dramatic period of wealth creation — and destruction. A new breed of self-made entrepreneurs is joining the ranks of the well-heeled, helping the country’s ultra-rich population grow at the world’s fastest pace. Raveendran, at least on paper, assumes his place among those parvenus thanks to his effort in internet education.
Online learning is booming, perhaps nowhere more so than on Byju’s home turf, where internet usage is exploding because of the ubiquity of cheap smartphones and cut-price wireless plans. India’s online learning market is expected to more than double to $5.7 billion by 2020, according to the government-backed India Brand Equity Foundation. Education technology for kindergarten through 12th grade is one of the fastest-growing segments of the country’s internet market, said Anil Kumar, chief executive officer of Redseer Management Consulting Pvt. “Indian education startups are well set to seize the global opportunity given that they already cater to a large English-speaking base and have created unique education content,” he said. Byju’s own fortunes have climbed alongside the market. Its revenues are expected to more than double to 30 billion rupees ($435 million) in the year ending March 2020, Raveendran said. That pace of growth has already caught the eye of some of the industry’s biggest investors from Naspers Ventures and Tencent Holdings Ltd. to Sequoia Capital and Facebookfounder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan. Those big-name backers buy Raveendran’s vision. The Byju’s founder grew up in a village on India’s southern coast where his parents were school-teachers. He was a reluctant pupil, playing hooky to frequent the football field, then learning on his own at home. He became an engineer and then began helping friends crack entry exams to top Indian engineering and management schools. The classes Continued on page 16
The catch? Students must commit to five years of service after completing their schooling. About 80% of cadets go to sea after graduation. Webb Institute Founded by the shipbuilder William Webb, this little engineering college in Glen Cove, New York is tailor-made for those who want to pursue a very specific career. Every student receives a full scholarship to cover tuition to study naval architecture and marine engineering. Because of the school’s stellar reputation, graduates are highly employable. In fact, there generally is a 100% placement rate after graduation. The catch? There are only about 100 students total, one academic major, one degree offered at this institution but as the school says, “if you can design a ship, you can design anything.” - CNBC News
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VOICE OF ASIA 15
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
August is Suicide Prevention Month
August is Prevention of Underage Drinking and Driving Prevention Month
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These everyday products are commonly linked to most traumatic brain injuries in kids
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raumatic brain injuries among children and teens in the United States are most often associated with everyday consumer products and activities, such as home furnishings and fixtures or sports, according to a new study.
lance System-All Injury Program. The data showed that the most common product groups related to TBIs in children were related to sports and recreation, which was linked to 28.8%
About 72% of traumatic brain injury-related emergency department visits among children are attributable to consumer products, found the study published in the journal Brain Injury on Monday. The study found that the top 10 leading products contributing to non-fatal traumatic brain injuries in children younger than a year to 19 years old are: • floors • beds • football / basketball / scoccer • stairs • bicycles • ceilings and walls • chairs • tables Traumatic brain injury or TBI occurs when a sudden trauma — such as a bump, blow or jolt — causes damage to the brain. The new study involved national estimates of approximately 4.1 million non-fatal traumatic brain injuries in children and adolescents in the United States between 2010 and 2013. The data came from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and the National Electronic Injury Surveil-
of injuries; home furnishings and fixtures, tied to 17.2% of injuries; home structures and construction materials, tied to 17.1% of injuries; child nursery equipment, tied to 2.7% of injuries, and toys, tied to 2.4%, among other products. “Uneven flooring and prefabricated stairs often contribute to falls. Slipping, tripping and falling are very common. Some falls can cause serious head injuries,” said Bina Ali, a research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Maryland, who was first author of the study. Traumatic brain injuries from home furnishings and fixtures, primarily beds, were highest among infants and children up to 4 years old. Whereas traumatic brain injuries from sports
and recreation — especially football, bicycles and basketball — were highest among children ages 5 to 19. “The findings were not very surprising. Infants and younger children are often indoors, so we see that the leading causes of their head injuries are home furnishings and fixtures,” Ali said. “One interesting finding was that car seats is the fifth leading cause of traumatic head injuries in infants,” she said. “Car seats are effective in preventing injuries in infants when used properly in cars. However, sometimes car seats are used outside of the car as baby carriers. When they are handled inappropriately, they can pose a risk.” For instance, she said, a car seat could be placed on a table or countertop where there is a risk of falling and injuring the infant. The researchers recommended strategies to prevent TBI in children around the home, including removing tripping hazards such as area rugs; improving lighting; avoiding hard surface playgrounds; increasing use of home safety devices such as stair gates; and using stairway handrails without sharp edges, among other strategies. - CNN
Bangladesh struggles to contain record dengue outbreak
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HAKA, Bangladesh | AFP | Monday 7/29/2019 - Bangladesh is in the grip of the country's worst-ever dengue fever outbreak, officials said Monday, with hospitals overflowing and social media flooded with pleas for blood donors.
gue this year.
general A.K.M Nasir Uddin. "We have opened a special corner for dengue patients," he told AFP.
Eight people have died and there have been 13,637 cases of the disease so far this year, with nearly 1,100 people -- most of them children -- diagnosed in the last 24 hours, according to official figures.
The capital Dhaka is the worst-hit, with the city launching a fumigation drive to kill the Aedes mosquito, which is capable of spreading devastating diseases like dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Dengue, which causes flu-like symptoms, can be deadly if it develops into a hemorrhagic fever. There is no vaccine or any specific medicine to treat dengue, according to the World Health Organisation.
"This number is the highest since we started keeping record on dengue patients nearly two decades ago," senior health ministry official Ayesha Akter told AFP. Local media reported that the number of victims could be much higher and the Amader Shomoy newspaper said at least 30 people had died of den-
An AFP correspondent visited major hospitals in Dhaka and saw patients lying on floors and in corridors as they waited for treatment. The country's largest hospital -- Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) -- has treated some 1,858 dengue patients this month, according to director
High levels of estrogen in the womb linked to autism
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ONDON, July 29, 2019 - Scientist have identified a link between exposure to high levels of oestrogen sex hormones in the womb and the likelihood of developing autism.
The findings are published today in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The discovery adds further evidence to support the prenatal sex steroid theory
Doctors have been working overtime to cope with the large volume of patients. "Our facilities are overstretched and overwhelmed. We are struggling to cope," a medical officer at Dhaka's Mitford Hospital said. There have been reports of blood banks struggling to meet the needs of seriously ill patients, with appeals for blood launched on social media sites such as Facebook. One mother said she was worried about her sick daughter, aged four. "Doctors have done all they could do. All I am doing now is calling Allah for help," Nasima Khatun told AFP.
August is Dental Implant Awareness month specially for Seniors with Medicare
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ince traditional Medicare does not cover any dental, following are the highlights of such coverage through private dental insurance. Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. They allow you to live the way you want to – confidently eating, smiling, laughing, talking, kissing and enjoying all of your everyday activities without worrying about your teeth. There are many dental plans available in Texas. Just for a quick review some of the plans that cover implant one of the major dental work, are discussed below: Here are some of the plans available in Houston area that have coverage for major services without going through waiting period. However, one must check the detail to find out what percentage of the total coverage is for major work. Denali Dental: In Denali Dental, all plans provide protection as soon as the plan becomes active. Other dental insurance providers impose an initial waiting period on plan coverage. With Denali Dental, things are simple with no surprises. Once you’re enrolled in a plan, you’re covered. No waiting for that trip to the dentist You have to pay lifetime $250 deductible. There are good options in implant as well, for 1st year 30% implant pay you have to pay then it will increase year by year. First total coverage is $1200, however maximum benefit in 4th year is as much as $6500. Major work such as implant is covered up to 60% in this fourth year. This plan’s renaissance network combines leading national and regional PPO networks to often maximum choice and value. The network included Maximum care, Premier dental group, Dds.inc, Stratose, Connection Dental as a part of network. Ameritas Dental: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (Ameritas Life), group division, offers group dental plans. In Texas, they offer networks and plans are referred to as the Ameritas Dental Network. Designed for those who will utilize an Ameritas Dental Network provider. One of the plans called PrimeStar® Advantage Plus Network 2000 has no waiting periods, No enrollment fees, Orthodontic coverage included, $2,000 calendar year Maximum Benefit combined for Preventive, Basic and Major Services. There is one year waiting period for major work such as Implant to cover up to 50% of the maximum benefit Spirit Dental:
Sudhir Mathuria HEALTHLIFE 360 713-771-2900 Whether you are looking for individual, senior or family plan, Spirit Dental has the option with guaranteed acceptance and no waiting period (must read terms and conditions). A plan that'll make you smile, with coverage for preventive services like checkups and cleanings, so keep those teeth in tip-top shape. Plans have allowances for three cleanings and two exams per plan member every year, in addition to no waiting periods for major services such as implant. For example Spirit Dental plan will cover 25% in first year, 50% in second year and 65% of major dental work in the third year if you stay with the plan. Delta Dental: Delta Dental has many plans. One of the most popular one is Delta Dental PPO/Premier. This plan has $3500 coverage. Year one, major coverage is 10% of the total benefit. 2nd year is 40% and third year is 50%. There are other plans available from major insurance companies such as Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas but they all have waiting period of one year for any major work and the total coverage is generally up to $1500 with some exception. There are several discount-plans available from companies like Delta, Carrington, Humana etc. with very little premium ranging from $8 or $9 to $12 0r $13. These are pretty good for preventive or some minor dental work but hardly covers any major work such as implant. For complete list dental insurance plans with coverage and premium or any Medicare Plans or Long Term Care planning contact Sudhir Mathuria at 713-771-2900.
of autism first proposed 20 years ago. In 2015, a team of scientists at the University of Cambridge and the State Serum Institute in Denmark measured the levels of four prenatal steroid hormones, including two known as androgens, in the amniotic fluid in the womb and discovered that they were higher in male foetuses who later developed autism. These androgens are produced in higher quantities in male than in female foetuses on average, so might also explain why autism occurs more often in boys. They are also known to masculinise parts of the brain, and to have effects on the number of connections between brain cells.
voiceofasia.news For Latest on Health News Today, the same scientists have built on their previous findings by testing the amniotic fluid samples from the same 98 individuals sampled from the Danish Biobank, which has collected amniotic samples from over 100,000 pregnancies, but this time looking at another set of prenatal sex steroid hormones called oestrogens. This is an important next step because some of the hormones previously studied are directly converted into oestrogens. All four oestrogens were significantly
elevated, on average, in the 98 foetuses who later developed autism, compared to the 177 foetuses who did not. High levels of prenatal oestrogens were even more predictive of likelihood of autism than were high levels of prenatal androgens (such as testosterone). Contrary to popular belief that associates oestrogens with feminisation, prenatal oestrogens have effects on brain growth and also masculinise the brain in many mammals. - University of Cambridge Journal
VOICE OF ASIA 16
HEALTH - DIET & EXERCISE
WHO says e-cigarettes 'undoubtedly harmful' by Allison Jackson
R
IO DE JANEIRO, Brazil | AFP | Friday 7/26/2019 - Electronic cigarettes are "undoubtedly harmful" and should be regulated, the WHO said Friday as it warned against the use of vaping products by smokers trying to quit their deadly habit. The growing popularity of e-cigarettes, battery-powered devices that enable users to inhale addictive nicotine liquids, has raised fears among policymakers worldwide of a new gateway addiction for young people. While vaping exposes users to lower levels of toxins than smoking, the World Health Organization said the devices still pose "health risks" to users. "Although the specific level of risk associated with ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems) has not yet been conclusively estimated, ENDS are undoubtedly harmful and should therefore be subject to regulation," the WHO said in a new report on the global smoking epidemic. There was also "insufficient evidence" to support claims of their effectiveness in assisting smokers trying to quit conventional cigarettes, it said. "In most countries where they are available, the majority of e-cigarette users continue to use e-cigarettes and cigarettes concurrently, which has little to no beneficial impact on health risk and effects," the report said.
and can help some smokers completely switch to "safer" alternatives. But the WHO warned misinformation spread by the tobacco industry about e-cigarettes was "a present and real threat." As well as nicotine, e-cigarettes also contained metal-laced aerosols, which Vinayak Prasad, who leads the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative, said "are known to damage the heart, all of them are known to damage the lungs." "They're also now looking at the long-term effect whether it can even cause cancer, but it's not very well established," Prasad told AFP. Restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes around the world is increasing. San Francisco last month banned the sale and manufacture of the products. China, home to nearly a third of the world's tobacco smokers, is also planning to regulate the vaping devices. More effort was needed to help smokers quit, the WHO said in the report, noting only "30 percent of the world's population have access to appropriate tobacco cessation services," such as counseling, telephone hotlines and medication. Without assistance, only four percent of attempts to stop smoking succeed. Tobacco claims more than eight million lives each year either from direct use or second-hand smoke, according to the WHO.
Big tobacco companies have been aggressively marketing e-cigarette and heated tobacco products in recent years as they seek new customers.
While the number of users has declined slightly since 2007, it remains stubbornly high at 1.4 billion, the vast majority of them men.
They argue such products are far less dangerous than traditional cigarettes
"People who quit tobacco can live longer, healthier and more productive lives," the WHO said.
'No More Excuses!' not to exercise, says The National Institute on Aging by Robin Seaton Jefferson
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he National Institute on Aging (NIA) has an answer for everything. And they want older people to exercise. They say it makes you feel better. They also say it extends your life. So they’ve come up with a list of excuses that keep people from exercising and their corresponding answers that resolve them. One of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NIA focuses on leading the broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and the diseases and conditions associated with growing older to extend the healthy, active years of life. It is also the primary federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer's disease research. The NIA has developed a reminder that older adults can print out and tack up on a refrigerator or a mirror or anywhere that might encourage them to, well be encouraged to get active. The “No More Excuses! Overcome Exercise Barriers.” infographic is a reminder that there is an answer to each and every excuse you have for not exercising. Too busy to exercise? No energy? Too boring? We all have excuses. And these are just some of them. There are so many things that can get in the way of being active, but only if we let them. Many older adults know they should be more active, but find it hard to fit exercise into their lives. So the NIA wants to offer tips on how Americans can overcome exercise barriers and stop making excuses. They do it through the Go4Life, the NIA's exer-
cise and physical activity campaign that was designed to help older adults fit physical activity into their daily lives to stay in good health as they age. The Go4Life site lists the following as the most common excuses for not exercising along with their corresponding solutions for getting moving and improving your health: No time? Exercise first thing in the morning or combine physical activity with a task that’s already part of your day. Too boring? Do things you enjoy and try new activities to keep exercise interesting and fun. Too expensive? Wear a pair of comfortable, non-skid shoes for walking and use soup cans or water bottles to strength train. Too tired? Regular, moderate physical activity can help reduce fatigue and even help you manage stress. The science is clear, says the NIA. Physical activity can help to increase your energy level, improve sleep and empower you to feel more in control. The NIA says not only will regular physical activity improve your ability to do the everyday things you want to do, but it will help you manage and improve diseases like diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. It can also reduce feelings of depression and stress as well as improve mood and overall well-being; and studies have consistently shown that aerobic exercise can improve a number of aspects of cognition and performance. In fact, in an article in the journal World Psychiatry, author Stuart Biddle writes “The evidence concerning men-
Byju’s CEO is India’s newest young billionaire... Continued from page 14 swelled till he finally began teaching thousands in sports stadiums, becoming a celebrity tutor who commuted between multiple cities during weekends. He set up Think & Learn in 2011, offering online lessons before launching his main app in 2015. The business has signed up more than 35 million of whom about 2.4 million pay an annual fee of 10,000 to 12,000 rupees, helping it became profitable in the year ending March 2019. That’s when Raveendran began courting long-term investors such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds — his latest backer is the Qatar Investment Authority. In Byju’s latest funding round, the entrepreneur bought shares to maintain his equity level. Along with his wife and brother,
the Raveendran clan now holds a total stake of about 35%, said the people familiar, asking not to be quoted as the matter is private. Byju’s approach is simple — captivate kids by transforming the content to fit short attention spans. Raveendran has always harbored ambitions to crack English-speaking countries, and has flown in YouTube stars to feature in his videos. In Disney, he may have found a ready-made audience. All the lessons on the new service with Disney are set in the context of the entertainment giant’s classics and stay true to the narrative. To explain temperature, the app sets up a scene where Frozen’s Elsa falls ill because she constantly plays with snow. Anna gets out the thermometer to gauge her fever and a little
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Weight loss app Noom offers balanced dieting. What is the truth on all the buzz? Here's what you should know before trying the diet.
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any weight loss services claim their methods are best for dropping pounds, but few garner praise from actual medical professionals. But weight loss app Noom is one service experts say may be worth the cost. Of course, Noom isn't perfect, and it may not work for everyone. Here's what you should know before signing up. What is Noom? A weight loss app, Noom aims to improve lifestyle habits to help you lose weight long term. It's easy to get started: simply complete the questionnaire about your current weight, age, goal weight as well as dietary and lifestyle habits. Then, you'll be given a calorie level and coach to help you during the plan, says Abby Langer, R.D. The service costs $59 per month, according to the Noom website. Within the app, you'll be able to track meals by using the food database and log exercise, weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar, reported Good Housekeeping. You'll also receive reading assignments that focus on building healthy habits and be assigned a coach who can answer any nutrition-related questions, Langer explains. Is Noom good for weight loss? The app offers a balanced approach to shedding pounds, Langer explains to Men's Health. Although most diets stress hitting your numbers, whether it's macros or calories, Noom focuses on your motivations for weight loss. "Finding your 'why' is something I really try to do with people. I thought Noom was really spot on with that," says Langer. Other programs offer coaches who aren't adequately equipped to answer health-related questions, says Langer. Noom coaches complete training recognized by the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Training and hold a bachelor's or associates degree in a related field, such as nutrition. "I liked the fact that the coaches were actually experienced," she says. I was kind of surprised at that."
- Forbes
What can you eat on Noom? Second, Noom encourages a balanced approach that doesn't demonize particular foods. Items are categorized into categories: green, yellow, and red, based on caloric density. Oatmeal, vegetables, and fruit are considered green while oils and nut butters are labeled red. That said, the company is clear green doesn't indicate good and red isn't bad. Instead, the latter indicates you should be mindful about quantity when eating "red" foods. Assigned readings and quizzes cover more than the standard "eat more, move more" advice. According to Langer, one sample article focused on how to work through short-term discomfort to achieve long-term goals. What are the cons of Noom?
eating may want to steer clear of food tracking, Langer warns. "If you are one of those people who find it triggering to log food I would think about whether you should be on a diet to begin with," she says. Enlisting the help of a registered dietitian to develop a healthy relationship with food may be a better choice. The bottom line: Overall, Noom is pretty solid, says Langer. The service lacks a weight maintenance component to help people transition out of dieting, and the cost is relatively expensive. But if you have weight to lose, are ready to do the work, and don't have medical problems or with disordered eating, then Noom may be right for you.
People with a history of disordered
- Men's Health
Willy, Nanayakkara & Associates
tal health effects is extensive, but still growing. Associations are clear, but more needs to be known about clinical effectiveness for some population groups and conditions, as well as on the underlying causal mechanisms responsible for what ancient societies have always been aware of, i.e., that ‘movement is good for you’ and sloth is associated with poor mental and physical health.” There is no doubt among researchers that physical activity is a great way for older adults to gain substantial health benefits and maintain independence, says the NIA.
Photo: Shutterstock
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story is then built around heat and cold. Or, to learn shapes, young learners dive into the story of Cars where they have to sort items like tires, traffic cones and billboards into buckets to learn about round, triangular and rectangular shapes. “We are customizing Disney Byju’s to the American and British school curriculum,” Raveendran said. “The characters have universal appeal.” - Bloomberg News
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VOICE OF ASIA 17
Rajasthan's Snake Dancers establish a new identity In India, the Kalbelia tribe has traded snake charming for song and dance in a bid to survive a rapidly changing world. by Mostafa Bouazzaoui
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AIPUR - For generations, the Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan in northwest India moved constantly from one place to another - the men catching snakes and trading venom, the women begging for charity. But in 1972, the Indian government introduced the Wildlife Act, forbidding snake possession and hunting, forcing a fundamental tribal rethink. With a key part of their way of life - their centuries-old practice of snake charming - effectively banned, the Kalbelia had to find new ways of making a living. Some became subsistence farmers, while others have reinvented themselves as public performers.
I was born into a community that preferred not to have girl children ... Any extra girl child was killed soon after birth. Now that our girls learn Kalbelian dance, parents are happier with a female child. "This song and dance, this art, it is our tradition," says one Kalbelia man. "During the royalty era, we were invited to palaces; kings and emperors called on us to perform for their guests." The Kalbelia have brought considerable prestige to Rajasthan. They have now become famous - regionally, nationally and internationally - and in 2010, gained a place on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Karachi vice: Pakistani cop channels police stories into gritty novels by David Stout
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ARACHI, Pakistan | AFP | Friday 7/26/2019 - His father was assassinated by a notorious Karachi hitman, while his police partner was murdered by the Taliban. Personal tragedy haunts the hard-boiled novels that are turning top cop Omar Shahid Hamid into one of Pakistan's most popular English-language authors.
"This song and dance, this art, it is our tradition," says one Kalbelia man. (Images: Mostafa Bouazzaoui)
For nearly two decades Hamid has worn a badge in Karachi, the mega port city on the Arabian Sea that for years was rife with vicious political and extremist violence. Now a deputy inspector general, he is also fast becoming one of Pakistan's most recognisable writers, publishing four books in quick succession since 2013.
Festivals and culture are an important part of local life in Rajasthan and its vital tourism industry. Kalbelian dance, with its distinctive twirling movements that resemble those of the snake, is a source of both income and acclaim, within and outside India.
FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Dance is a key part of Kalbelian cultural identity and has also had a marked social impact on the lives of women and girls. "I was born into a community that preferred not to have girl children ... Any extra girl child was killed soon after birth," says Gulabo, a Kalbelia dancer who was buried alive the day she was born, until her mother saved her. "Now that our girls learn Kalbelian dance, parents are happier with a female child because girls can dance and that's a very good thing for us," she says. Gulabo now teaches Kalbelian dance and has a reputation as an international performer. Kalbelian songs and dances are part of an oral tradition,
handed down from one generation to another. There are no organised training systems, schools, manuscripts or texts to help teach the art. Many songs are taken from stories based on folklore and mythology - and singers also have a reputation for improvising during performances. "We don't practise or attend music lessons," says Mohini Devi, singer in a Kalbelia dance band. "Songs are made spontaneously, while sitting at home." In this film, we meet Rajasthan's Kalbelian dancers and musicians and hear the striking story of a community adapting from a nomadic way of life to meet the challenges of 21st Century India. - Al Jazeera
His work has even nabbed the attention of major streaming outlets on the hunt for new original material from South Asia, including Netflix, which has already seen major success with similar material in TV series such as Sacred Games, about Mumbai's corrupt underworld. Hamid said the secret to his success is his unflinching accounts of political corruption, contract killers, and crooked cops alongside nuanced portraits of Karachi's divided neighbourhoods. "Books like mine wouldn't work if I pulled punches," he tells AFP. "It's that grittiness, that uncompromising reality that I think a lot of readers enjoy." At times the reality has hit dangerously and heartbreakingly close to home. Hamid did the bulk of his writing while he was on sabbatical after being advised to leave Karachi and take a break from policing in 2011 when he was threatened by jihadist
groups. - Close to reality Weeks after the release of his first novel "The Prisoner", his mentor and police partner Chaudhry Aslam -- the inspiration for one of the book's protagonists -- was killed in a Taliban-claimed suicide blast. In his third novel "The Party Worker", Hamid portrays the rise of a brutal hitman who killed at the behest of a fictional political party ruling the city with an iron fist. For Karachi insiders, the
Hard-boiled novels that are turning top cop Omar Shahid Hamid into one of Pakistan’s most popular English-language authors. (AFP) character mirrors the life of feared hitman Saulat Mirza, who served as the feared enforcer for the once-powerful Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party -- and whose list of victims include Hamid's own father, Shahid.
Years later the port became a conduit for weapons, narcotics, and a new flood of refugees from war-torn Afghanistan, transforming politics and ratcheting up violence to make Karachi one of Asia's most dangerous cities.
"It's less a thing of making a sketch of Saulat Mirza," explains Hamid, calling the character a "sketch of a particular type of young man... who kind of in the last 30 years or so essentially gave their lives away to these ideologies thinking they were doing the right thing."
"The last 30 years have been a rollercoaster ride," explains Hamid.
The goal is not to excuse such actions, he insists.
"I had a lot of frustrations about things that had happened in my career until that point," says Hamid.
"Understanding the motivations of someone is a positive tool if you're someone who has worked as an investigator in counterterrorism for a very long time," says Hamid.
"If wasn't politico-ethnic violence it was sectarian violence in Karachi that lead to jihadist terrorism." Writing, he explains, was a release.
"I felt a need to vent about them."
"What he has written is fiction but it's very close to reality," says Faheem Siddiqui, Karachi bureau chief for Geo News.
The themes Hamid explores may surprise those looking for screeds to lionize the police and demonise its enemies, with stories of extrajudicial killings and corrupt officials frequently appearing.
"As a crime reporter, I know what had happened in the city. It took a great deal of courage to write about these events."
Though he often takes aim at Karachi's dangerous and powerful, he has received little blowback, he admits.
Hamid's plots go beyond his own losses to appear at times like thinly disguised retellings
But he says his latest novel "The Fix" released in June may ruffle more feathers, as he ex-
of the seismic moments that have rattled Karachi in the last 30 years -- from the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 to the killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's brother Murtaza.
plores corruption in cricket.
- Dangerous city Once a quiet port nestled on the Arabian Sea coastline, Karachi was transformed by the flood of refugees from neighbouring India after partition in 1947, setting the stage for disputes that needle the metropolis to this day.
"For a nation of cricket fanatics and conspiracy theorists, it's strangely been an area that has never really been explored," he explains. For all his explorations of Karachi's darkest corners, Hamid remains hopeful for his beloved home, while admitting the sweltering, overflowing city may seem like "an absolute hellhole" to outsiders. "It may not be everyone's cup of tea," he shrugs. "But as a city, it will keep going."
Sonal Singh’s nuanced tryst with art
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YDERABAD: For Christies India managing director and art specialist Sonal Singh, collecting artefacts began at the age of four with a coin album and a stamp book. Steering the business operations of a leading global auction house now, and handling Indias modern and contemporary art firsthand, she observes how the Indian art market is gaining ground and what our culture budget should not overlook. “Collecting has been a longestablished legacy in India, instilled by the royal houses who were patrons of fine works of many categories, spanning from paintings to jewellery, porcelain and vintage cars,” She told. Along with fellowships for young artists and making art accessible, Singh suggests implementing the International
Council of Museum (ICOM) standards to continue to upgrade and preserve the country’s heritage museums. She urges for a culture budget to support display of Indian art forms at the world’s greatest museums like the British Museum, The Met, V&A and the Louvre, and matching it up with shows of global art at Indian museums. Christie’s, which dates back about 250 years, sold “four fine India pictures painted on glass” in the first-ever auction it had held in 1766.Its first representative office opened in India 25 years ago in 1994, while Christie’s first India auction was held in Mumbai in December 2013, and continues to be the most memorable auction for Singh, who joined Christie’s in 2007. “We had offered the collection of Kekoo and Khorshed
Gandhy, and I was the Head of Sale at the time. The 80-lot auction broke multiple records for Indian art that evening, setting a new world record for Indian art,” She recalled. Encouraged to visit museums and collect artefacts since her childhood, She considers herself fortunate to have been “familiarised with different cultures”. While her work at Christie’s entails meeting “extraordinary collectors, experienced curators and great artists”, it also involves watching the art market. “The Indian art scene is growing. Our inclusion of Indian art annually in our Hong Kong sales, along with international events like the Venice Biennale and Kochi Biennale create a platform for Indian art to be more accessible to the wider audience,” she said. -The Express
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Week of August 2, 2019 21 March to 20 April You face a time of extreme growth in your career sector this week. You have renewed hope that you’re going in the right direction, and faith in your own skills and natural abilities. You know what you want to do, and you’ve learned to do it well. Appropriate pay will be forthcoming. Your work is transforming for the better.
21 April to 20 May Your body may suffer from problems associated with the movement, elimination, or retention of fluids. You might also find that any problems you have seem to recur cyclically. The cosmos could exacerbate these problems now. It might be worth your while to investigate any food sensitivities. Get advice, and make sure you drink enough water.
21 May to 20 June The uneasiness of the sun-Uranus square at the start of the week is cause for some romantic confusion and/or unwanted complications. You usually go with the flow, but you aren’t sure you like where this wave is taking you. A lucky midweek moon-Jupiter trine jump-starts your love life with a lucky coincidence. If an ex comes back into your life, don’t dismiss them right away.
21 June to 22 July You’re likely to be your most charming and busy now. It isn’t the best time for productive work, but it supports making social contacts to further your career. If you’ve been feeling frustrated, this is the time to network and explore your options. You will find it easier to organize your thoughts and have a receptive audience. If possible, relax at home.
23 July to 22 August This week you have a focus on your job. Ask yourself if you’re happy doing what you’re doing for a living or if you should make some changes. If it’s the latter, some thought and applied action can yield wonderful results. A supportive aspect indicates a time of renewed interest in your money life, investments, and security. You’re on the right track.
23 August to 22 Sept The cosmos is encouraging you to release physical and emotional toxins. If you’ve taken the hint, you’ve started to pay attention to your well-being. For total fitness, you need to enjoy a peaceful inner calm, because your thoughts have a powerful effect on your health. There are some influences now that could unbalance you. Keep a cool head.
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23 September to 22 Oct You might start to get a feeling that something isn’t quite right during the challenging sun-Uranus square in the beginning of the week. If a dating situation feels strange or uncomfortable, there’s nothing wrong with canceling. Messenger Mercury goes direct in moody Cancer midweek, so mishaps can still happen. Try not to take things too personally.
23 October to 21 Nov You might have to juggle the consequences of earlier decisions. Set an example of excellent customer service. Don’t be sucked into a situation where you feel unappreciated or slighted. Let minor irritations slide. Those who have to work late will actually have fun no matter what the task. A sense of community can make co-workers feel like family. This is a great time to think about what you wear to work.
22 November to 21 Dec You’re unbeatable now! Opportunities come to you easily, and you’re reveling in the cash you can earn, win, and save. It’s all expanding and lucky for you, so make sure you have what you need in order to handle it responsibly. Since your career and authority figures are affected, the money you’re likely to bring in is large and potentially life changing. It’s a great week to be you.
22 December to 20 Jan It’s time to expand your awareness of what it means to be truly healthy. Use this astral opportunity to examine how you feel on all levels. What kind of healthy habits do you have? What unhealthy ones keep you from thriving? If you’re stressed, you need to think of ways to sort it out before it affects you at a deeper level. Spiritual and alternative healing methods could work wonders.
21 January to 19 Feb What benefits does your love life get from the Leo new moon’s energy at the start of the week? How about a renewed sense of enthusiasm for a relationship that never had the chance to get off the ground? Take advantage of rekindled interest! The logical Virgo moon over the weekend makes you see romance in a new light, and you’re looking for that intellectual connection. A perfect date would be seeing a TED talk together.
20 February to 20 Mar You’re in a good position to take advantage of the intense energy at work. Communication is likely to be more complex than usual. Be alert for potential breakdowns. People could be particularly sentimental. Do your best to cheer up sensitive types. Romance and recreation are on tap even if you’re on the job. Things will settle down soon.
ACROSS 1. Takes as spoils 6. Toothy fish 9. Cookbook abbr. 13. Cavern 14. Opposite of hence 15. Planktonic tunicate 16. Hipbone-related 17. *Studio lion at beginning of "The Wizard of Oz" 18. Shylock's practice 19. *It made the house pitch and the kitchen slitch 21. *Nikko and others 23. "Wheel of Fortune" request 24. Printer cartridge color 25. Public health org. 28. Judo gym 30. Porter's head gear 35. Bumpkin 37. Tap a baseball 39. Velázquez or Rivera 40. Share a boundary 41. Gardening tool 43. Prelude to a duel 44. Birth-related 46. Affirmative 47. Cannabis plant 48. Drew Barrymore's "Never Been ____" 50. Gulf V.I.P. 52. Cook's leaf 53. Underwater "nose" 55. Naught 57. *Lion's lack 61. *a.k.a. Tin Man 65. Relating to sight 66. Greek H 68. Upholstery choice 69. Like kale or spinach 70. 100 lbs. 71. The Three Musketeers' swords 72. Advil target 73. Like certain dog? 74. People of Denmark
SOLUTION: THE
WIZARD OF OZ, Page 19
DOWN 1. Not of the cloth 2. Kind of child 3. Relating to ear 4. ____-____-la 5. Basic unit of time 6. *Dorothy's last name 7. Grow gray 8. With ample space 9. Undertaking 10. *Munchkins' favorite color, in Baum's book 11. Light on one's feet 12. ____ a visit, 3rd person singular 15. What cat did on the window sill? 20. Bragging mother, turned to stone in Greek mythology 22. Rowboat propeller 24. Become gelatinous 25. *Baum's middle name 26. Home to Burj Khalifa 27. #40 Across, 3rd person singular 29. *"Over the Rainbow" singer 31. DIRECTV competitor 32. Paparazzi's target 33. Old World lizard 34. *Sleep-inducing flower 36. #66 Across, pl. 38. No I in it 42. Endangered odd-toed ungulate 45. Ivy League likely applicant 49. "Can you ____ it?" 51. Took part in Stonewall events, e.g. 54. Olden day doctor's prescription 56. Parkinson's disease drug 57. Type of pop 58. 14 oil-producing countries 59. Wyoming's neighbor 60. Excessively abundant 61. W on a bulb 62. Dignified manner 63. Sheltered, nautically 64. Monster's loch 67. *Number of Wizard of Oz Oscar awards
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FRIDAY, August 2, 2019
Home&Real Estate LIVE LIKE A PRESIDENT
Houston home of Lyndon B. Johnson hits the market
H
OUSTON - You could live like a U.S. president without leaving Houston.
The home of Lyndon B. Johnson, who served as the 36th president of the United States, is up for sale in Montrose's Westmoreland Historic District.
Tour a luxe turnkey townhouse in London Can a spec home have je ne sais quoi? Most definitely, if French A-Lister Jean-Louis Deniot is the decorator.
Deli, Hay Merchant and Uchi. Johnson used the home while he taught public speaking at Sam Houston High School in the 1930s, according to the listing on HAR.com. If you're looking for more history to impress your friends, the house remained in Johnson's family for more
by Ian Phillips
T
o many, the idea of buying a turnkey home—one that is fully furnished and kitted out like a luxury hotel suite—may be a head-scratcher. Why purchase an apartment imagined and decorated for a fictitious owner when you’re wealthy enough to hire your own interior designer who could tailor it specifically to your tastes and needs? Photos courtesty KTRK-TV, ABC 13
The 2,112 square foot house has been restored to its original white exterior and has three bedrooms with the option for more space in the fullyequipped garage apartment.
than 90 years.
It also boasts 116-year-old wood floors, original moldings and trim, and a quaint porch.
The tile detail dates back to 1920s Houston and is typically seen in older neighborhoods.
The home's location at 435 Hawthorne Street might be another reason for prospective buyers to cozy up to this once presidential pad. It's within walking distance to hot spots including Velvet Taco, Katz's
Another talking point: the Hawthorne street name spelled out in historic blue tiles on the curb right outside of the house.
Last March, more street names were added. The home is listed for just under $749,000. - KTRK TV, ABC 13
Houston home builder stays ahead of the competition by incorporating new technologies by Glissette Santana
F
or Frankel Building Group, the evolution of technology in the real estate and construction world was the next logical step in creating a sustainable and viable company. By incorporating technology into its client-based custom design and build firm through the use of a personal app and 3D renderings, copresident and principal Scott Frankel said Frankel Building Group is years ahead of the rest of the competition. Frankel, who runs the company alongside his brother Kevin, described it as "a responsibility to do better and to show more." "Our company, when I got here, was politely a little bit in the stone ages," Scott Frankel tells InnovationMap.
a software that allows builders, engineers and architects to see their drawings in 3D form. Those AutoCAD drawings would then be printed and given to the homebuyer. At Frankel Building Group, clients are able to login to an online portal that allows them to see every communication between them and the Frankel team, as well as building plans, updates, and digital 3D renderings of their homes. Everything from estimates to the latest updates from their assigned project manager are available to homebuyers from their phone.
Yet the turnkey craze is sweeping the globe, and among its fans is the superstar French interior designer JeanLouis Deniot. He is currently working on several such projects, from Hong Kong to West Palm Beach. “I enjoy the financial pressure of creating a home that needs to sell,” he says, “and the fact that the design choices are more than just ‘I like blue, you like pink’ and are based instead on what adds real value to a property.” While many interiors commissioned on spec inevitably tend to be bland and impersonal, Deniot’s approach is different. “I try to convey a sense of nonchalance so that the decor doesn’t feel stiff,” he says. The developer for whom Deniot decorated this 5,000-square-foot duplex in London’s prestigious Belgravia neighborhood is wont to agree. “Jean-Louis has this ability to design things that are truly unique and one-off,” he says. “He really understands how people want to live today.” The four-bedroom home, which was previously three separate apartments, has numerous assets—a prime location, a double garden, its own front door, and lots of lateral space in a city where small rooms are the norm. Given that the clients for turnkey developments are for the most part from other countries, Deniot is particularly focused on creating a sense of place. Here, for instance, he installed floorto-ceiling doors in the 18th-century English Adam style. While he is an unabashed fan of luxe details, in a project like this Deniot is conscious that he needs to strike a fine balance. “A developer wants everything to be very beautiful and luxurious, but also to be competitively priced,” he notes.
The dining room’s table, chairs in Romo and Pasaya fabrics, and Blue Savoy marble mantel are custom. The crystal chandelier is Louis XVI, the sconces are by Hamilton Conte, and the curtains are of a JAB Anstoetz fabric. One place he never holds back: the entry hall, as illustrated by the custom geometric door and bronze door-andwall trims he designed for this project. An antique Venetian lantern hangs overhead, and the custom floor is in Carrara and Nero Marquina marbles. “First impressions last,” Deniot says, “and I wanted to mesmerize visitors straightaway.” He also took pains to design unique
fied with what the builder is doing.
But, for now, Frankel Building Group is focused on growing their business one day at a time.
"My brother and I are not huge technology guys," Frankel said. "We didn't "In order to come from this be a customer as framers who facing business, became custom and in order to builders. We compete in the came from a market, we have family that built learned to be a custom homes very technologyand (using techforward businology) only ness. I would makes logical say out of every sense because custom builder Within the next five years, Frankel believes that the technology they are using it's something in the country, will evolve even more, perhaps to include holographic 3D models of homes they that makes it betwe are probably hope to build for their clients. (Getty Images) ter. It's kind of the most techlike when you're nology-reliant banking with "Our clients want that access," Fran- Chase and they came out with online builder out there. kel said. "If they don't get that access, banking — it just makes it better." That's a good thing." they are going to be left with more The building group, which was questions than answers." Within the next five years, Frankel started by 30 years ago by Scott and believes that the technology they are Frankel believes that they are only using will evolve even more, perhaps Kevin's father Jim, uses technology in doing what the clients expect from a to include holographic 3D models of every aspect of its projects. custom homebuilder: increasing comFive to 10 years ago, builders would munication through every means pos- homes they hope to build for their clihave to import designs into AutoCAD, sible to make sure the client is satis- ents.
"Our focus is people in Houston who want to design and build that home for them on their property," Frankel said. "We just want to make sure we're putting the best product out there." In its pure form, holography requires the use of laser light for illuminating the subject and for viewing the finished hologram. A microscopic level of detail throughout the recorded scene can be reproduced. In common practice, however, major image quality compromises are made to eliminate the need for laser illumination to view the hologram, and in some cases, to make it. Holographic portraiture often resorts to a non-holographic intermediate imaging procedure, to avoid the hazardous high-powered pulsed lasers otherwise needed to optically "freeze" moving subjects as perfectly as the extremely motion-intolerant holographic recording process requires. Holograms can now also be entirely computer-generated to show objects or scenes that never existed. - InnovationMapHouston
cornices for each room and to include a few surprises. For instance, in the closets, some drawers have glass faces so you can see what’s inside, while others are lined with cedarwood. Cost cutting—an exercise in which Deniot is actually quite well versed— took place elsewhere. His interiors, even for private clients, are rarely awash in fancy designer names. He has a knack for transforming a bargain buy into a star turn simply by reupholstering it in the right fabric. For the Belgravia project, he imported textiles from Thailand or had them custom made in Morocco and opted for bamboo rugs over pricier silk ones. Stylistically, his goal was to concoct a timeless look, but with just the right amount of personality—“enough to stand out, but not too much to deter a potential buyer.” To that end, he adopted a neutral palette, adding interest in the form of sunny yellow and rich blue accents. “The weather’s fine when I’m in London, but apparently that is not always the case,” he says with a smile. Where Deniot’s turnkey interiors particularly sing is in his use of antiques—a rarity in the spec-house world, where the norm is contemporary furniture fresh from the factory. Here, the living room’s 18th-century English neoclassical armchairs and the dining room’s Louis XVI crystal chandelier deftly add a historical layer without jeopardizing one of Deniot’s golden rules. “In a turnkey project, you have to avoid giving potential buyers the impression that they’re entering someone else’s home,” he says. “They want to feel like nobody has ever sat on that sofa or used the bathroom. It needs to be fresh, fresh, fresh!” - ElleDecor