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Mahatma Gandhi Sesquicentennial celebrated as 1000 Lights for Peace and Walk for Peace

Indian Americans pay glowing tributes to slain Deputy Dhaliwal

Connie Elliott of Contemporary Handweavers of Houston then gave a live, onstage demonstration of the Charkha, a symbol of self-reliance, perseverance and determination.

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elebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s Sesquicentennial as 1000 Lights for Peace and Walk for Peace on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Miller Outdoor Theatre marked the conclusion of yearlong celebrations in Houston. It all began with grand opening of celebrations at Asia Society on September 30, 2018.

band directed by George Liverman and Dholi Mr. Chidanand Singh.

The gorgeous day started with 5K Walk for Peace through beautiful Hermann Park led by Harris County Commissioner of Precinct 1, Rodney Ellis, as the Grand Marshal. The walk began from the Miller outdoor Theatre with a thunderous send-off by the talented Katy Stockdick Junior High School

The 1000 lights for Peace program started at 6 pm with a moment of silence in honor of fallen Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal.

Krishna Vavilala and Ram Ramanathan dressed as Mahatma Gandhi lifted the spirits of the walkers. They paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi with garlanding his statue in the Hermann Park.

Prayer Vigil at India House.

Inset: Portrait of Deputy Dhaliwal

by Shobana Muratee

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Connie Elliott of Contemporary Handweavers of Houston then gave

OUSTON – The wellrecognized portrait of the ‘Man in Blue,’ stately in his blue turban and badge, was neatly placed on the table along with basket of rose petals. On the evening of Friday, Oct 4, the Indian American community held a solemn prayer vigil in honor of fallen hero Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal at the India House. A large gathering, including local elected officials and

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 9

Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia seen hugging Deputy Dhaliwal's daughter. Photos credit: Bijay Dixit.

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by Jerry Haar and Ricardo Ernst

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

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he Economist Michael O’Sullivan argues in his new book “The Leveling: What’s Next After Globalization” that globalization is dead. As long-standing scholars of globalization and competitiveness, our response to that alleged demise was uttered most appropriately 122 years ago by American writer and humorist Mark Twain, who exclaimed: “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated".

The counter-arguments to globalization’s death must be understood within the context of the current economic milieu, the resurgence of populist politics, the changing nature of trade and the evolution of global production systems and supply chains.

Admittedly, the world economy is in a period of contraction.

The World Trade Organization has slashed its forecast for trade growth for this year and next.

World trade in merchandise is now expected to expand by only 1.2 percent during 2019 — less than half what was predicted in April. In the business realm, the Institute for Supply Management reported that its manufacturing index fell to 47.8 in September, the lowest level since June 2009. An indicator less than 50 means contraction that raises costs for business and consumers.

Nevertheless, none of these numbers indicates a trend towards deglobalization. Actually, global GDP is growing, thanks to China. In fact, world trade overall has increased from 39 percent of GDP in 1990 to 58 percent last year and

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

The myth of deglobalization now represents a larger share of U.S. output, with foreign sales comprising a growing share of U.S. corporate profits. Recognizably, there has been a dip in the trade numbers since the 2008 Great Recession, from 61 percent to 58 percent, and a fall in intermediate inputs from 19 percent to 17 percent; but these declines are hardly significant.

Unquestionably the worldwide economic contraction we are witnessing can be attributed as much to politics, in the form of nationalism and populism, as to economics. The U.S. has been in the vanguard of protectionism, according to many, while others assert that the Trump administration is merely seeking fair rules and a leveling of the playing field.

President Trump tweeted in July of last year: “Tariffs are the greatest!” But U.S. tariffs on over $300 billion of Chinese exports have triggered retaliatory tariffs of 20 percent by China (versus only 8 percent that China levies on other nations), higher prices for consumers and the cost of welfare payments to U.S. farmers to compensate them in part for their export losses due to China’s retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. Whatever one’s perspective, intensifying trade conflicts threaten jobs and livelihoods and dissuade companies from expanding and innovating.

U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership; tariff wars with China and trade conflicts with Mexico, Canada and other key trading partners

(not to mention the EU’s anxiety over the UK’s withdrawal from the union (Brexit)) have created high anxiety and uncertainty among trading nations.

Stepping back from the numbers, any objective assessment of deglobalization – and globalization in general – must recognize that cross-border trade in manufactured goods cannot be the only, or even most important, measurement tool.

Measures of globalization and trade, in general, focus on manufactured goods, yet services comprise the most robust, fastest-growing and dynamic sector of the economy, worldwide. In the case of the U.S., foreigners who visit our country and study at our universities as well as consulting, engineering, and accounting firms operating abroad (Accenture, Bechtel, KPMG) are correctly classified as U.S. exports.

The deglobalization argument also does not account for start-ups, later-stage companies and supporting firms and crossborder data flows. As writers Shawn Donnan Lauren Leatherby point out, we are living in a new era in which data is the new shipping container.

Nor does deglobalization consider one of the most revolutionary trends of all during the last two decades — the explosion of middle- and lowerclass consumers, especially in emerging markets. This economic dividend means that local firms of all sizes that focused largely on export markets have been increasingly turning inward because of a growing

domestic market; their own people can afford their products.

Prudent economic policies, especially low levels of inflation and access to capital, have also enabled domestic manufacturers and suppliers to upgrade their capabilities, thereby facilitating local sourcing (at the expense of foreign imports). This means that the domestic producer of electrical machinery can now source a larger amount of inputs for manufacturing from a local company instead of importing them.

Are we deglobalizing? No. There may be a stall, interruptions and setbacks in the flow of global trade, investment, finance and the migration of human capital. But the juggernaut of globalization, beginning with the trade links between Sumer and the Indus Valley Civilization in the third millennium B.C., will continue.

Simply stated: Rumors of its demise lack foundation — globalization is here to stay.

Jerry Haar is a professor of international business at Florida International University and a global fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. Ricardo Ernst is the Baratta Chair in Global Business and co-director of the Global Logistics Research program in the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University Their latest book is “Globalization, Competitiveness and Governability.”

India and Pakistan present contrasting national values at United Nations

by Chandra K. Mittal, Ph.D.

I

f one could ever imagine of two neighboring nation-states born on the same day, of the same racial stock, history and culture but have evolved into two nations with so much contrast in their vision, philosophy and purpose of existence, it would be India and Pakistan. This was

on full display recently at the 2019 United Nations General assembly meeting in New York. At this gathering, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the positive message of progress, unity, harmony and peace to the world, while Pakistan’s Imran Khan’s remarks were replete with hate, bitterness, anti-western rhetoric and violence-inciting sentiments. Also, whereas, Narendra Modi came across as a seasoned world statesman, Imran Khan appeared to be an unsophisticated novice entrant to the world of global politics.

Khan’s negative message to the world body reflected his frustration and inherent inability to cope with domestic challenges facing Pakistan.

What was most glaring to observe was the difference in the aura the two leaders created during their presence in America. While Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States was in more public view as it was marked by his engagements with the world political leaders, American business groups, meetings with corporate chieftains, and addresses at social functions, Imran Khan’s interactions with leaders at UN were not much in public view and did not get as much press coverage. He focused mainly on complaining against India about the Kashmir issue, which most consider an Indian internal matter.

Modi’s most memorable moment in his United States visit came on September 22, 2019 when he addressed the joint rally with US President Donald Trump at the HowdyModi event in Houston, Texas where the two leaders electrified some 50,000 Indian Americans with their speeches. The event was also attended by many elected members of US House of Representatives and Senators, and highlighted the growing significance of the Indian diaspora in American politics and economy.

In his remarks to the United Nations, Narendra Modi highlighted and summarized the developmental work India had been doing to improve the lives of its citizens in the area of civil infrastructure, employment, industrial development, sanitation, education, housing, healthcare, economic opportunities, poverty elimination, scientific research etc. He also

emphasized the importance of global safety and security, and need to eliminate the menace of violent terrorism from the world to provide fear-free environment that is conducive to internal peace and prosperity for all nations.

the impending “Bloodbath” in Kashmir when India eased or lifted internal restrictions was particularly irresponsible, and if anything, it only gave justification to India’s actions in Kashmir to protect it from Pakistan’s infiltration.

In contrast, Imran Khan’s remarks were focused on list of “complaints” against the world community. He highlighted the issue of the economic corruption in Pakistan and global Islamophobia as being responsible for lack of Pakistan’s industrial and economic progress. He held foreign banks responsible for Pakistan’s economic woes since they sheltered the stolen cash assets owned by many Pakistani politicians while depriving Pakistan of much needed cash to meet its obligations towards foreign creditors. He cited the specific example of Pakistan having to recently borrow from International Monetary Fund (IMF) to meet its balance of payment obligations.

United Nations is an international platform to spread the message of hope, peace, and harmony among the community of nations rather than to spread hate, hopelessness and horror as Pakistan Prime Minister managed to do. This created a negative perception of Imran Khan. He had reportedly come to the United Nations only to fulfill his “Mission Kashmir” and discuss the issue with the global community to make a case against India. But he could not succeed. So, he blamed the world community for siding with India due to its 1.3 Billion strong consumer base, an economic fact no nation can ignore.

But the actual wrath of Imran Khan was reserved for India, and was vociferously unleashed in his remarks about India’s recent move to fully integrate its state of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union for the purposes of effective border security and optimal economic development. On this specific subject his demeanor was not only indignant but also uncivil, quite unbecoming of a national leader when he drew an atrocious parallel between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adolph Hitler of Germany, who was responsible for the death of Millions of European Jews in the 1940s.

He also compared India’s political party Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its associate Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to Germany’s Nazi party, and accused Prime Minister Modi of being a Hindu Supremacist engaged in ethnic cleansing in Kashmir. But facts do not bear this out. India is a country with almost 180 Million Muslims living side by side with other religions of India for centuries.

Through his inflammatory rhetoric against India and his call for Jihad in Kashmir, Imran Khan encouraged and incited violent sentiments among Indian Muslims. Additionally, his warning to the world about

In the final analysis, Imran Khan’s visit to the UN and his negative speech to the world body did not at all help Pakistan to promote its cause in the world. Nor did it help him achieve his “Mission Kashmir” except winning some accolades back home from domestic press or the Pakistan military elite. In retrospect, it might have been an ill-advised move by Imran Khan because it did not really help Pakistan in economic development, or its efforts in alleviating poverty, sickness or unemployment among its citizens – the core functions of a government.

Pakistan is heir to a great civilization and culture similar to India. It could be perhaps better served if it redefined its national philosophy and purpose, dropped animosity towards India, redirected its limited resources towards its internal development, honored the internationally recognized Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir, and established permanent peace with India. Only such approach can create lasting peace and prosperity for Pakistani citizens in the future.

Dr. Chandra Mittal is Professor at Houston Community College, Op-Ed Columnist, and Co-Founder of IndoAmerican Association, Houston. Contact him at: drckmittal@yahoo.com.

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Thousands attend Howdy Modi event, thanks to volunteers of Bus Transportation & Logistics Committee

"Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a teamwork, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."

--Vince Lombardi

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“What we knew when we started planning was our intentions and commitment that our team wanted to do it no matter what it takes us to do it,” expressed Bangar Reddy, team lead for Bus Transport and Logistics Committee.

The magnitude of the event was beginning to dawn as bus riders from every corner of the Greater Houston as well as out of Houston started arriving and

On arrival, the parking team helped with transporting seniors in golf carts from the parking location to the stadium entrance. “Hats off and kudos to the team, job well done,” praised Event Chair, Jugal Malani, whose constant encouragement and support boosted the team.

George Pickard of GETZ Transport solutions was astonished at the how the team managed in such a short time. “You have successfully completed at a level that ‘full time” groups take more than a year in planning the same,” he said.

by Bangar Reddy wo world champions of democracy, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, together made history on Sunday, September 22, 2019 when they appeared before an astounding gathering of 50,000 Indian Americans at the NRG stadium in Houston.

The event billed as “Howdy Modi!” was hosted by Texas India Forum to facilitate stronger ties trade between the two nations and Texas was chosen for its significance as the energy hub, and more importantly its diversity.

Much has been shown and relayed to the world on the success of “Howdy Modi!”, but the story isn’t complete without acknowledging the task force that put it together. One such was the Bus and Logistics Committee, spearheading the transportation of hundreds and thousands of commuters to the NRG Stadium on that day. With the single objective to provide superior experience to the bus riders while making Howdy Modi Community Summit a memorable event in their lifetime, Event Chair, Jugal Malani called on key organizers: Ramesh Shah, Swatantra Jain, Sharad Amin and Bangar Reddy to discuss the transportation and logistics needs. Without wasting time, the team began crunching numbers on how many people were in actual need of bus transportation, from which location, and by what time on the event day. Also, important was to know how many would drive on their own to NRG stadium. Any miscalculation or misrepresentation of logistics would have made it impossible for thousands of people who wanted to witness the historic moment from the very beginning.

for the team.

The whole experience was rewarding for the team as the commuters applauding the efforts and shared their experience with the media channels.

Hundreds of calls were received, mostly from the commuters, thanking the organizers for the comfort and care they have received at the bus boarding locations.

In turn, the Bus Transport and Logistics Committee would like to thank the Texas India Forum senior executive leadership for giving me the opportunity to serve. Special thanks to Anand Shah, and Roopal Shah for assisting in communications and notifications on clear directions and road closures and India web team for helping with IT tasks. Heartfelt thanks extended to: Nirmalya Roy, Nikunj Pathak, Indira Nimmalagadda and Nikita Khambe, Santosh Mahoorkar, Durga Prasad Seloj, Jigar Panchal, and Bharat Patel. A big thank you to Dr. Siddeshwar Gubba for working with FBISD Sheriff department on security, Bus Contractor George Pickard, GETz corporation and his well experienced staff, the City of Houston security team and NRG Park officials for helping with overall location logistics with road closures, onsite volunteers coordinating driving golf carts for senior citizens and the needy, our partnering organizations for being an integral part of planning providing the venue for car parking and bus boarding resources, other working committees e.g. volunteering coordination team, registration team, venue logistics team, students and youth organizing team, supplies and other teams working hand in hand.

Commuters to the Howdy Modi event arrive by the hundreds at the designated area. had to be taken to the NRG Stadium by 8:30 AM sharp.

Any delays would have had a domino effect and seriously impacted the flow of transport.

It was sheer spirit of volunteerism that made it seamless to transport approximately 8000 from Greater Houston and nearly 2000 others attending from outside of Houston, to the NRG Stadium on the day of the event.

“We are grateful to the support and kindheartedness of volunteers who did wonderful job in action,” said Ramesh Shah, one of the key organizers of the event.

This effort also involved meticulous planning and implementation by the transportation and logistics team consisting of 200 plus volunteers transporting thousands of people within an hour and half. Tremendous effort went into working with multiple agencies including City of Houston officials, NRG parking staff, partnering organizations, other working committees, Bus Transportation Company, schools and local security officials from the dif-

Committee members of the Bus Transport and Logistics Committee led by Bangar Reddy (center). ferent areas. Safety of the riders was of utmost priority for the organizers, especially mindful of the protesters outside who

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planned to disrupt the transportation locations and corridors leading to NRG stadium.

“What we accomplished in the

midst of protests is remarkable and unthinkable few weeks ago,” remarked Mr. Swatantra Jain who has been the advisor

It was proud moment to be part of an history making and thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi in articulating India’s pride and partnership in shaping India-US bilateral relationship for the global peace and prosperity. Together we proved Houston Strong!

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Family Health

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New hope for kidney patients in the horizon: Bionic kidney usually requires three lengthy visits a week to a medical facility to filter the patient’s blood of toxins.

Meenakshi Bhattacharjee Rice University, Houston

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reating an artificial implantable kidney would be an epic advance in medicine and could address a chronic shortage of donor kidneys needed for transplant. Researchers have been at this quest for the past 15 years and keep coming upon one extremely knotty problem: how to keep the blood flowing

smoothly through the artificial device without clotting. In such devices, as blood platelets respond to mechanical forces, they have a natural tendency to clot, causing a device malfunction.

The implantable artificial kidney—a bioengineered device that combines a highefficiency silicon filter and a bioreactor of kidney tubule cells– is designed to accommodate up to a liter of blood per minute, filtering it through an array of silicon membranes.

The filtered fluid contains toxins, water, electrolytes, and sugars. The fluid then undergoes a second stage of processing in a bioreactor of lab-grown cells of the type normally lining the tubules of the kidney. These cells reabsorb most of the sugars, salts, and water back into the bloodstream. The remainder becomes urine that is directed to the bladder and out of the body.

Roy and William Fissell, MD, a nephrologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, lead a team of 45 collaborators in pursuing a new treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition which affects more than 650,000 people in the United States. Currently the only two treatment options are kidney transplantation, which is limited by a shortage of donor kidneys, and dialysis, which

Roy and Fissell lead The Kidney Project in developing a third alternative: an implantable bioartificial kidney. This device, which is the size of a coffee cup and is fully implantable, combines design elements inspired by nature with others that directly incorporate human cells.

The device uses a two-stage approach to clean the blood of patients whose own kidneys are no longer up to the job.

First, the device uses the power of a patient’s own heart to pump blood through a filter to separate the toxins, producing a watery ultrafiltrate. This ultrafiltrate then cycles through a bioreactor filled with renal tubule cells, which reabsorb electrolytes and most of the water and send toxins and excess water to the bladder.

The first stage uses a hemofilter made from silicon nanopore membranes with tiny filtering pores – an exquisitely fine sieve. Taking a page from nature’s design playbook, the holes in the silicon nanopore membranes are not circular, but rather are slit pores – similar to the design of a baleen whale’s food filtering system, which has evolved to use long, narrow slits like teeth on a comb to separate tiny krill from ocean water.

The silicon nanopore membranes are so efficient that they can filtrate blood at very low energy, powered by a patient’s own blood pressure – they do not need a mechanical pump.

The second part of the bioartificial kidney features a bioreactor, filled with cultured kidney cells from a donor kidney. These renal tubule cells reabsorb most of the useful components – such as salts, sugars and water – back into the bloodstream, while sending waste and excess fluid to the bladder to be excreted as urine.

“The renal tubule cells perform functions that are difficult to engineer,” said Roy. For his team to design a device that could orchestrate the immensely complex task of determining the right concentrations of electrolytes, it would need a myriad of sensors and significant processing power.

The [implanted] cells take care

of that naturally, as they’ve been designed to do by evolution.

The bioreactor’s cells provide additional benefits to patients that dialysis does not. For example, renal tubule cells help with producing hormones, rebalancing the blood pH, and regulating blood pressure. Dialysis patients can receive some but not all of those benefits through medication and lifestyle changes.

In addition, dialysis patients are at increased risk of infection because of the need for vascular access, and are tethered to a dialysis machine several times a week. The five-year survival rate for hemodialysis patients is only about 35 percent, compared with about 80 percent of for kidney transplant patients.

While the team’s ultimate goal is to develop a device that is equivalent to a fully functional, healthy kidney, the interim goal is to design a device good enough to provide an alternative to dialysis or transplant. If you have stage five chronic kidney disease and you don’t get dialysis or transplant, you die. “But if we can develop something that can improve a patient’s condition to stage 3 or 4 so they can get off dialysis, we think that would provide a significant benefit. It’s often the complications from dialysis itself that are the core problem for why dialysis patients have such poor outcomes.

Will the device have all the functions of a native kidney?

No, But the goal is for it to perform the functions that are critical, and to be a device that, once implanted, will allow a patient to eat and drink freely, have mobility, better health overall, and unlike a transplant, not require immunosuppressant drugs.

Ayurveda: A path of good health and long life

We are hopeful that the first clinical trial will begin this year, if all goes well and funds are available, we could be on the market as early as 2020.

The Kidney Project says that they have already received an abundance of applications for the human trials. Screenings will proceed once they receive approval from the board of ethics and FDA.

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hen we think of our health there are so many qualities of health to consider, and under the lens of Ayurveda, the science of life, they are all equally important.

Rasāyana literally translates to path (āyana) of essence (rasa) and describes what most people would associate with good health, a longer lifespan.

Traditionally, this describes the alchemical side of Ayurveda; using foods, herbs and also metals to help restore the body to optimal wellness. Modern Western medicine identifies most with this approach to health, if you aren't feeling well, you can take something to make you feel better... Problem solved?

A newcomer to Ayurveda frequently asks what herbs

they can take for a condition without regard to how the condition came to be. When we keep repeating the same behaviors that led to the condition in the first place, it doesn't matter how powerful the herb is, the condition will keep coming back.

Ayurveda is the science of LIFE and there is much more to our lives than our chemical components.

We train our bodies through experience, and when starting a path of treatment, first our body has to unlearn the things we have taught it to do. The magic here is that when we purify our body, we also purify our mind which is the seat of our behaviors. This is what makes Ayurveda such a powerful, transformative tool.

The science is finally catching up to what we have known all along, that

our gut feelings are valid, but only to the extent of what is in our gut. This is why Ayurveda places so much importance on doing Panchakarma, which translates to five actions, or methods of detoxification, on a yearly basis.

We can feel victimized by our desires. We want to lose weight but the craving for sugar or salt is too much! Like increases like: the sugar you had yesterday makes you want more sugar today. If you take a break, even for just a few days, the voice grows quieter and eventually imperceptible. We detoxify our bodies not only for improved health but also to reach higher states of consciousness, a place where we can recognize the difference between our innate wisdom and a chorus of candida asking for sugar.

Senior Living

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by Miwa Suzuki

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OKYO, Japan | AFP | Wednesday 10/9/2019 - A Canadian father who alleges he was bullied and fired by his Japanese employer after he tried to claim paternity leave appeared in a Tokyo court Wednesday to pursue his lawsuit against the firm.

It is the second paternity leave harassment case to be heard in Japan in recent weeks, casting a rare spotlight on the issue in a country struggling with one of the world's lowest birth rates.

Glen Wood, 49, a resident of Japan for three decades, was working at brokerage house Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities when his son was born prematurely in October 2015.

Wood says he applied for paternity leave before his son was born in Nepal, where his partner was working, seeking to exercise a right guaranteed

by Japanese law.

But, he says, the firm dragged its feet, and he even submitted a DNA test to prove his relation to his son.

"I knew it was a sort of old fashioned thinking type of company but I was still very surprised, even when it was an emergency and my son was in the ICU (intensive care unit), that they wouldn't let me take paternity leave," he told AFP before the hearing Wednesday.

"I think it was viewed really as an act of treason for a man to take paternity leave," he added.

It was not until Christmas Day 2015 that he received approval to take leave and see his son.

- Few take paternity leave He returned to work in March 2016 after bringing his baby to Japan but alleges he was subsequently sidelined at work.

"The bosses suddenly changed and I was shut out of important meetings... word was spread that 'he can't be trusted,' or 'you can't count on him'. My life plunged into hell," Wood told the court in Japanese.

He says the treatment contributed to him suffering depression and taking six months of medical leave, and that when he returned, the firm put him on unpaid leave before eventually firing him.

Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities has denied any harassment, and said it supports the rights of employees to take their legally mandated parental leave.

And in court senior official Akihiro Kiyomi disputed Wood's account, accusing him of acting "arrogantly" and rubbing colleagues the wrong way years before the leave issue.

"After the child was born I made considerations so that he didn't have to stretch himself.

People around him also worked hard to cover for him during his

Apple Watch scores its first Medicare Advantage coverage agreement

by Zachary Hendrickson

M

assachusetts-based insurtech Devoted Health will offer its Medicare Advantage (MA) members a $150 reimbursementtoward the purchase of an Apple Watch. Apple has reportedly been in conversations with payers like Devoted about bringing its watch to senior members since the beginning of 2019. And inking this deal with Devoted should help Apple capitalize on the seniorfocused Apple Watch health features it's been building out.

While Devoted's reimbursement model could lead to a slight boost in sales — what's even more important than sales is that these new users will bring their health data into Apple's ecosystem, which was recently bolstered with the announcement of three major new health studies and a dedicated Apple Research app.

Now that the gates to payer coverage are open, Apple is officially off to the races — and we expect to see a flurry of similar coverage announcements in the coming months.

Both Apple and Devoted stand to benefit from this tieup thanks to increased market penetration and lower healthcare costs, respectively: For Apple, Devoted's coverage decision is a sign that the tech giant's senior-focused

health play is striking a chord with payers. MA populations — which are comprised of older members — are a perfect fit for the Apple Watch's senior-focused health features: Apple has consistently expanded the health functionality of the Apple Watch, adding over time a clinical-grade electrocardiogram and fall detection — which are well suited for the US' growing senior population, given that heart disease and dangerous falls are more likely to be of concern for older users.

And Devoted could be eyeing the Watch's remote patient monitoring capabilities as a path to lower healthcare claims costs. The buzzy insurtech only had about 3,500 members as of the end of Q2 2019 (up from the 2,500 members it tallied in Q1 2019), but the company spent over $21 million on care — $3 million more than it had in premium revenue for the same period. Devoted told investors that it aims to have more than 5,000 members by

leave. Honestly I still don't understand (the accusations)," he said.

The case, first filed in 2017, comes at a time of heightened interest in the issue of socalled "pata-hara."

Last month, a Tokyo court held the first hearing in the case of a Japanese man suing sportswear maker Asics over allegations he was effectively demoted after taking paternity leave.

By law, Japan offers comparatively generous parental leave. Both parents can take up to a year off, with additional renewable six-month periods if a nursery place is unavailable.

But only six percent of fathers take parental leave, compared to more than 80 percent of mothers who use their allowance beyond the mandatory eight weeks after birth.

The disparity, activists say, is partly due to pressure from employers and a society that prizes long work hours.

Among the small number of men in Japan who take paternity leave, more than 70 percent are away for less than a fortnight.

The Japanese government recently announced it hopes to increase the proportion of men who take paternity leave to 13 per cent by 2020.

There have been only a handful of suits brought in Japan by alleged victims of pata-hara, with judges tending to favour employers because of the difficulty in proving that perceived mistreatment was triggered by employees taking leave, lawyers say.

the end of this year, according to internal documents obtained

by Business Insider Prime. As the company expands its member base, innovative approaches to chronic disease management — a major contributor to US healthcare spending — will become all the more critical, given that MA populations tend to have worse clinical and social risk factors than their traditional Medicare counterparts.

Fierce competition in the MA space means it's likely we'll see other insurtechs following Devoted's lead, beefing up their benefits with digital health offerings to differentiate from the pack. The MA market has grown 7% annually since 2014 and is projected to swell to $360 billion by 2023 — but 67% of the market belongs to Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare.

However, this hasn't stopped newcomers like Devoted and other young insurtechs from trying to make a name for themselves in the space, and digital health could be their ticket to greater market shares: Clover Health and Bright Health both told CNBC that they were open to covering Apple Watch in the future, while Oscar Health said that it plans to offer a fitness benefit in 2020 that includes a Fitbit. But we think that Devoted's timing couldn't have been better: By cementing itself as a first mover with Apple Watch coverage and revealing the news on the eve of Medicare's open enrollment period, Devoted stands to benefit from a huge potential swell of new members ahead of 2020. - - Business Insider

Tel: 713-774-5140

Here’s the Number 1 reason why seniors work well into retirement

Canadian father sues Japan firm for paternity leave harassment Glen Wood, who has lived in Japan for 30 years, alleges that he was bullied and fired by his Japanese employer after trying to obtain paternity leave.

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

by Darla Mercado

I

f you’re still working well into your 60s, odds are you’re doing so to bolster your finances.

More than 6 out of 10 people polled by Provision Living said that they’re working into retirement purely for financial reasons.

The company, a provider of senior living communities, surveyed 1,032 people in August.

The participants were between the ages of 65 and 85, and they still worked either part-time or full-time.

“I can’t afford retirement” was the top financial driver behind why these individuals continued working, followed by “I’m supporting family.”

Meanwhile, a rule-of-thumb is to have at least 8 times your starting salary saved by age 60, according to Fidelity Investments.

A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2019 can expect to spend $285,000 on health-care costs in retirement alone, Fidelity found.

How much you’ll need to save a month to retire with a million Separately, about 30% of employees who plan to work beyond age 65 cited the need for health benefits as a reason why they’ll remain in the workplace, according to a survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.

“I’m paying off debt” rounded out the top three financial motivations that kept older people in the workplace.

Remaining in the workplace can help defray the cost of health insurance, life insurance coverage and disability insurance, as employers tend to cover a portion of the expense.

“When you have less than ideal retirement savings and you’re aging, that comes with additional medical costs and unforeseen expenses,” said Tricia Harte, a spokesperson for Provision Living.

Further, the underwriting for group insurance plans may be less stringent compared to the process for individual coverage.

“One reason why they’re working past that age could be to keep those workplace benefits and keep overall costs down,” she said.

- Savings shortfall Working seniors had an average of $133,108 saved for retirement, Provision Living found.

- Inching toward retirement Here are a few things to consider if you’re not quite ready to stop working.

Know what you have saved.

Take stock of all of your savings, including profit-sharing plans and employee stock ownership plans at work, said Dan Herron, CPA and principal of Elemental Wealth Advisors in San Luis Obispo, California.

You should also understand your vesting schedule for retirement plans and pensions. Vesting schedules detail the amount of time that must pass — and the requirements you must meet — in order to receive full benefits.

What about your RMDs? Individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans are subject to required minimum distributions after you turn age 70½. Failure to take an RMD could leave you on the hook for a 50% penalty on the amount you failed to withdraw.

The rules are a little different for people who keep working.

In that case, you may be able to hold off on taking an RMD from the 401(k) plan at your current employer.

If you own 5% or more of the company, you still must take the distribution.

Also, the “still working” exception doesn’t apply to IRAs. Start planning for retirement.

There’s more to retirement than just having the appropriate amount saved. You have to consider your health-care costs, long-term care needs, as well as any inheritances you’d want to leave behind. Talk to your financial planner to get a comprehensive view.

“It’s good to have a third-party conversation on how things look in terms of insurance, Social Security and retirement,” Herron said. “You want to do it sooner rather than later.”

- CNBC

India House Houston UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE A gift to Houstonians by the efforts of Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator

India House presents the Founding Dean of the College of Medicine, STEPHEN J. SPANN M.D., M.B.A. Wednesday, October 16, 2019 7:00 to 9:00 pm @ India House Stephen J. Spann is a family physician leader, educator & researcher, and Founding Dean of the University of Houston College of Medicine.

l

l l l l l

l l

Topics Covered: Growth of University of Houston under Chancellor Renu Khator in the past decade, and the similar expected growth of the College of Medicine.

Tuition paid in full for the inaugural class of the UH College of Medicine.

Future plans for the UH College of Medicine.

Population growth of Greater Houston and the demand for medical professionals.

Shortage of Primary Care Doctors in Houston and all across USA. Chance for parents and aspiring physicians to learn about medical careers.

Event followed by Q&A Session.

Refreshments will be served after the event.

Register: www.indiahouseinc.org/uh-college-of-medicine For more information vipin@indiahouseinc.org | 713-929-1900 | www.indiahouseinc.org India House, 8888 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 6

Devipaksha started with Houston’s first Durga Puja at Vedanta Society

by Sanchali Basu

H

arris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Tuesday urged Harris County residents who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Imelda to register with FEMA for assistance and released additional information regarding the scale of storm damage and ongoing recovery efforts.

Swami Kripamayananda performing the Durga Puja. Photos by Pradip Ghosh and Madhura Sanyal.

VSGH choir, led by Rupa Ghosh rendered devotional songs during the puja.

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH) celebrates Durga Puja a week ahead of the actual Puja every year, to avoid conflict with other Pujas, and the 5-day Puja is condensed into a half day puja.

One could not have asked for better weather to invoke Ma Durga on the punya tithi of Mahalaya to the VSGH grounds on Saturday, September 28.

Nabapatrika (Kalabau), and the idol of Mother Durga were carried to the nicely decorated pandal outdoors to the auspicious beat of the Dhak (Bengal drum) and the blowing of the shankh (conch shell), early in the morning, creating a divine atmosphere. Mother Durga and kalabau were decorated in festive splendor and Mother was ready to welcome and bless all her devotees.

As is the tradition every year, Swami Kripamayananda, head of the Toronto Vedanta Society conducted the puja, his 8th year in a row, with VSGH resident minister, Swami Atmarupananda and Buddhadeb who traveled from Toronto with Swami Kripamayanada. Dr. Amrit Achari, assisted with the Chandipath. The puja commenced on time at 9:30 AM with great austerity and devotion.

The melodious devotional songs sung by the VSGH choir, led by Rupa Ghosh, made the environment reverberate with divinity. Local Guru, disciple of Sangeet martand Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Suman Ghosh was gracious enough to lend his voice with his team, adding to the divinity of the atmosphere. The puja ended with the beautiful arati performed by the 2 Swamis with the chandelier lamp to the beat of the dhak, and pushpanjali, the offering of flowers, by devotees.

Calling Young Artists to Enter the Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest

T

he Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Energy are encouraging young artists between the ages of 5 and 10 years old to create and enter an original drawing of the Zilker Holiday Tree for the Annual Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest.

The top three selected artwork winners from each age category, Junior Division and Senior Division, will be publicly recognized and the winners will help light the Zilker Holiday Tree on Dec. 1, 2019!

In creating an original version of the Zilker Holiday Tree, children may use crayons, watercolors, ink, colored paper, pastels or paint to show us their version of Austin’s traditional holiday symbol.

The rules are simple: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2019.

Art must show the Zilker Holiday Tree.

Only one entry per child.

Divisions Junior Division: 5 – 7 years old Senior Division: 8 – 10 years old Artwork must be no larger

than 8.5" x 11". Any artwork that is larger will be automatically disqualified.

Paper thickness only. The artwork must fit into an 8.5” x 11” flat frame.

Completely fill out the entry form, which is available in English and Spanish, cut it out and attach it to the back of the artwork.

All artwork becomes the property of the Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest, City of Austin.

Visit our website for more information on the contest and to print out the entry forms.

Artwork must be delivered or mailed to: Parks and Recreation Department Office of Special Events 200 S. Lamar Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78704 For questions about the contest or to make alternative arrangements for delivery, the public can contact Parks and Recreation Office of Special Events at (512) 974-6797 or reservations@austintexas.gov.

"I'm pleased that federal officials responded to our requests for additional assistance. Now, it's time for our community to make the most of that assistance. Homeowners and renters who were impacted should contact FEMA today," said Judge Hidalgo.

"Our most urgent priority is reaching residents still in need of help, and we'll continue harnessing every available resource to speed their recovery."

FEMA assistance can provide financial help to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs. The assistance comes in a variety of forms for homeowners, renters, and businesses. To learn more, or register for FEMA assistance, residents can visit the link to the FEMA application on ReadyHarris.org or by calling 1 (800) 621-3362.

Registration takes approximately 20 minutes to com-

Hundreds of devotees attended the Durga puja at VSGH. ing asura, Mahishasura. It is also in part a harvest festival celebrating the goddess as the motherly power behind all of life and creation.

Harris County Judge Hidalgo Urges Residents Affected by Tropical Storm Imelda to Register for FEMA Assistance Provides Update on Imelda Recovery Effort, Impact on Local Homes and Infrastructure

W

ith the increasing number of Bengalis in the greater Houston area, more Durga pujas are being held to accommodate the desire of all Bengalis to participate in their biggest festival of the year.

Durga Puja, however, is not limited to a celebration by the Bengalis, but is a celebration by all Hindus revering and paying homage to the Hindu goddess, Durga. The festival epitomises the victory of good over evil, where she wins her battle against the shape-shift-

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

plete.

$400,000.

The arrival of FEMA individual assistance builds upon existing recovery resources already being offered by the county and an array of nonprofit groups. These include support for food, debris cleanup, and other social services.

An updated listing of those resources are available at ReadyHarris.org or by calling 2-1-1.

. According to the most recent estimates, 954 homes and 42 commercial businesses flooded in unincorporated Harris County. In addition, the most recent estimates from the City of Houston show 1,661 homes and 24 commercial businesses flooded.

Judge Hidalgo also provided the following updates regarding the ongoing recovery: .

The Red Cross is now providing financial assistance to families that have sustained major damage to the pre-disaster living address. Major damage is considered 18" or more of flood water in the home. The Red Cross is providing casework at recovery centers throughout the region.

All Red Cross programs do not discriminate on any basis, including religion, geography, origin, or citizenship. .

The Imelda Assistance Fund, established to meet the immediate needs of those who were displaced and/or whose homes were damaged by flooding, has secured financial commitments from the community of more than

.

The Harris County Engineering Department (HCED) has collected more than 12,000 cubic yards of debris left by the roadside by homeowners in flooded areas. To expedite home repairs throughout unincorporated Harris County, HCED has also been conducting inspections and issuing permits. To date, home inspections are 80 percent complete. .

Several County buildings experienced flooding, especially those located near Buffalo Bayou downtown.

In addition, there were some county parks that experienced damage from Imelda and a few roads that were damaged. HCED estimates total damage of public buildings at $2.2 million and is working with state and federal agencies to secure FEMA Public Assistance to repair this damage.

Fruit & lunch prasad were served in the adjacent tent to all attendees.

Swami Kripamayananda always comments, “This is the best Durga Puja held in the west,” and adds that it gives him immense pleasure and fulfillment in conducting the Durga Puja in Houston.

The puja was very well attended and all attendees enjoyed the pious, spiritual ambience of the puja festivities.

Although, the temperature during the lunch prasad distribution was quite high, it did not deter the devotees from queuing up in long lines to partake the blessed prasad – 620 plates of prasad were served – and all left with smiles on their faces.

VSGH will celebrate Kali Puja at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2019. Worship will be performed by Swami Atmarupananda. All are invited. Please visit www.houstonvedanta.org for information on all VSGH activities.

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Mahatma Gandhi Sesquicentennial... open in summer of 2021. A video was shown of Prime Minister of Bharat, India, Shri Narendra Modi unveiling the plaque of groundbreaking for the museum during his visit to Houston for Howdy Modi event in September, 2019.

To learn more about Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston please visit www.eternalgandhi.us Dance of Asian America dazzled the audience with 2 Chinese dances titles “Seeking Songbirds” and “Petals of Poetry.” This was followed by Kouman Ke’le’ African Dance and Drum Ensemble who gave a dynamic and energetic performance.

Unity Choir, directed by Dr. David York, shared three songs with the audience starting with “I am determined.”

Honorable Consul General of India, Dr. Anupam Ray, addressed the audience with a humble request to keep the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi alive and gave his hearty congratulations for all the relevant activities of the Indo-American diaspora in Houston.

The Keynote Speaker for the evening Dr. Stephen Klineberg, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Rice University, gave an informative message about the diversity of Houston and ongoing trends in the Houston metropolitan area.

The students of Anjali Center of Performing Arts, directed by Dr. Rathna Kumar, performed a classical Indian dance to a melodious tune and presented Salt Satyagraha, through dance and mime.

The spectacular evening concluded with the lighting of a candle by all as a symbolic pledge to observe peace in their own lives. The crowd reflected on how to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s life listening to the soothing song “Imagine” by John Lennon and the soundtrack of “Jyot se Jyot.”

To learn more about Mahatma Gandhi Library and all its activities, please visit gandhilibrary. org or contact Dr. Manish Wani at 713-829-6979.

Krishna Vavilala and Ram Ramanathan dressed as Mahatma Gandhi led the walkers.

Continued from Page 1 a live, on-stage demonstration of the Charkha, a symbol of self-reliance, perseverance and determination as a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birthday. As the Charkha demonstration was going on a multi faith invocation took place that was coordinated by Rev Gregory Han and carried out by Dr. Sushma Mahajan, Dr, Alejandro Chaoul, Dr. Melanie Mouzoon, and Dr. Kashan Ishaq.

Dr. Manish Wani, the lively emcee, kept the evening flowing with historical perspectives on not only Mahatma Gandhi, but also social reformers including Cesar Chavez, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Gandhi Darshan Exhibit portraying the chronologic lifetime of Gandhiji with actual photographs from that era was also on display as were booths for arts and crafts and henna painting, which the children line up for. The Vegan Society for Peace and Unity Houston

also had tables with information about their respected organization.

The invocation was followed by a calm, mind-soothing meditation from GROW Unity

by Mystic Taout Thanet. Swar Sangam, led by the talented Smriti Srivasatva, sang a medley of two songs, Maithreem Bhajata (Sanskrit for cultivate friendship and humility, which conquers the heart of everyone) and Vande Matram.

Ayushi Kawedia and Nathan Ndisang, winners of the age 10 and under group speech contest, inspired the crowd by reciting their winning speech “My Dream of World Peace.”

Next was a colorful performance by Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico titled La Iguana and Salida Veracruz, dances from Mexico.

Anusha Sathya, a senior from Seven Lakes High School KISD treated the crowd to her brilliant winning speech in the 11 and over age group describing “Eternal Gandhi Museum: what I’d like to see.”

The D.A.V. Montessori and D.A.V.Elementary students from Arya Samaj of Greater Houston presented a spectacular dance: Peace and Harmony.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, who visited the Eternal Gandhi Museum in Delhi last November, addressed the audience regarding the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi and the upcoming projects in the city of Houston, including the excitement for the Eternal Gandhi Museum.

Mayor Turner then presented awards to more than 30 student winners of the city-wide contests held by Mahatma Gandhi Library.

Mayor Sylvester Turner with the winners of Mahatma Gandhi Week 2019 Speech, Creative writing, Multimedia and Poster contests Paraluman dazzled the crowd with an authentic Filipino dance with colorful costumes and candle lights.

Dr. Wani then made the presentation on Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston slated to

The crowd holds lighted candle as a symbolic pledge to observe peace in their own lives.

Diwali Dussehra festival at Skeeters draws participants from 15 countries on Oct 19

S

UGAR LAND, TX: Diwali has now become a familiar word the world over now and is recognized as the largest Indian festival which celebrates the ‘Victory of Good Over Evil’, ‘ Light over Darkness’, ‘Hope over Despair’ and all the Goodness of Human Beings.

Diwali is celebrated with great fanfare not only by over 1.35 billion Indians flung across the globe, but also in including various state and national capitals, including the White House in the US and the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, Texas. Governor Abbott will celebrate Diwali at the Governor’s mansion this year on October 20.

Diwali is usually called the ‘Festival of Lights’ because all homes and offices are lit up with lights, similar to what you see during Christmas time in the US. The celebration of Diwali is enjoyed by people of every religion and by each member of the family, right from babies cradled in arms to elders in wheelchairs.

Since 2012, the Shri Sita Ram Foundation, a 501 C (3) non-profit, has brought this great festival to Houston in a manner not seen elsewhere in the US or even in India. The Houston team brings the best tradition picks from every city, every state of India and every country where Diwali Dussehra is celebrated and combines all of these in a cultural bouquet that is presented at Skeeter’s Stadium.

This event presents and showcases to all Houstonians the best there is of Indian culture, heritage and values in an unparalleled manner. People who have attended the event in Houston have come from as far away as Los Angeles, New York and India and remark that the Diwali Dussehra celebration in Houston is the best one they have ever seen anywhere.

The highlights of last year’s event were shown on TV in about 100 countries and was covered by about 50 newspapers in India.

Last year, Governor of Texas Greg Abbot, was the chief guest and US Congressman Pete Olson was the Parade Marshal. This year Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is the Chief Guest and Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George is the Parade Marshal. This year,

a number of dignitaries are expected to join in, as well as for the first time, people from the Consulates of 15 countries, like Australia, Switzerland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and others.

The objectives of the event are, to: - Re-connect first generation Indians in the greater Houston area with the culture and festive experience of the biggest festival of India; outside of India.

- Introduce and educate children born and raised in the US to the rich cultural roots through a three-dimensional presentation and participation.

- Introduce, educate, promote and showcase the rich and vibrant Indian culture and moral value to all mainstream Americans.

- Celebrate the ‘Victory of Good over Evil’, ‘Light Over Darkness’ and ‘Universal Brotherhood’.

The presentation and showcasing the rich Indian culture in Houston is indeed unique, and very effective .

Here are some of details that one may expect at the Festival: The stadium and baseball field will be specially decorated with millions of Diwali lights and other decorations which will be visible several miles away. The main entrance gates and nearly 100 merchandize booths will be draped in multicolored silk and lights. These booths will sell traditional Diwali items including, Diwali candles, jewelry, fashion clothing, make up items for ladies and toys. A number of banks and companies are expected to promote their services. A Ladies Bazaar – or Meena Bazaar – selling items exclusively for ladies is always a hit.

The ceilings and walls of the concourse and field will be decorated with traditional banners, flags, hangings, pictures and deities of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

A food Bazaar will serve vegetarian food from every part of India, so that no palate remains unsatisfied.

This festival specially caters to children with free henna booths, face painting, balloons,

moon walk, merry-go-round, shooting Ravan game, Ravan piñatas, petting zoo, pony rides, clowns, toys and many more.

The stage performance will be presented on a 2-tiered 60 ft.by 40 ft. stage, located at 2nd base.

Professionally installed stage lights, special effects and huge LED screens will make this memorable evening the best Diwali-Dussehra event ever in Houston. The performances will include several folk dances, prominent Kings and Queens of India, the origins of Goddess Lakshmi, the incredible play on Lord Ram’s life and the final battle to overcome the Evil, and a special spiritual dance by an artist brought from Egypt.

A special segment will also showcase nearly 100 children dressed up in different characters from Indian scriptures.

Alongside the performance stage will a towering 24-foot tall figure of Lord Hanuman and a new addition; a 35-foot tall figure of Lord Ram; both revered by Hindus.

The festival will also feature a multicolored, magnificent parade with around 50 floats by local temples and organizations which will present scenes, stories and characters from Indian scriptures, which has earned laurels in the US for its quality, content and unique presentation.

The festival would not be complete without demonstrating the destruction of Evil and the victory of Goodness. What better way to deliver this message home than through burning of the effigies of the evil figures of ‘Ravan’, ‘Kumbhakaran’ and ‘Meghnath’, specially built for this occasion. The evil is consumed by fire and the euphoria of the victory of Goodness is celebrated through bursting of fire crackers and a magnificent display of aerial fireworks display, considered to be the best in Houston.

This event is to be held on October 19, 2019 from 4 pm to 10:30 pm at Skeeters Stadium at 1, Stadium Drive in Sugarland, Texas. Tickets for this extravaganza are only $10 and are available from the Foundation’s website, www.ShriSitaRam. org, Sulekha.com, Eventbrite. com and many area Indian grocery stores. Parking is free at Skeeter’s stadium. As this event is always ‘Sold Out’, it’s advisable to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Eleventh Indian Film Festival of Houston - A cinematic success about the sport in Manipur India. The final feature film was Pataakha, a comedy-drama about two sisters and their difficult relationship with one another.

On the first evening, entertainment was provided by the jazz musician Tom Braxton, and The Verandah catered the reception. Nirvana provided the food on the second night, with Moodafaruka's "Music Without Borders," entertaining the movie-goers.

Awards were given on Closing Night. The prize for the best documentary went to Andrei Severny, director, "The Life Journey of Vikas Khanna."

He also picked up the award for Vikas Khanna who won for the feature "The Last Color" and will take it to him in New York. Actor Iqbal Khan, who is also a member of the IFFH Board of Directors, picked up the award for Manish Tiwari, Director of "Dhut" and will take it to India for him.

Founder and Executive Director Sutapa Ghosh accepting Mayors Proclamation from Councilman Michael Kubash. Photos credit Navin Mediwala.

A

udiences at the Eleventh Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) were impressed by the screenings, entertainment, and receptions on October 4th and 5th at the Asia Society Texas Center. They have come to expect high standards for the event that has been highly praised, and this year's selections lived up to its promise once again.

Sutapa Ghosh, Festival Founder and Director calls the cinematic celebration "Beyond Bollywood"--bringing quality films from all parts of India.

The goal of the festival is to have greater appreciation of the culture of the country through motion pictures that have universal themes. The program is carefully curated, with a balance of documentaries, shorts, and feature films. A Question and Answer session with filmmakers and/or actors leads to a stimulating dialogue that gives greater depth and understanding of what has been depicted in the story.

This year's schedule included "Buried Seeds - The Life Journey of Vikas Khanna," depicting how the young immigrant overcame a physical disability, poverty, discrimination, busi-

ness failures, and other challenges to turn his life around, opening a restaurant, being named a Michelin star chef, and a becoming a TV star.

While being the subject of the documentary, he became engrossed in the idea of making films. Khanna wrote the screenplay of his emotional novel, produced and directed his feature film, "The Last Color," about the friendship of a young waif and a widow. It was shown in tandem with the documentary about him.

The event was a huge success and left the audience eager to attend next year.

Founder and Executive Director of IFFH Sutapa Ghosh with the Winners this year and also MC, Jose Grinan.

The two shorts were "Dhut" starring Iqbal Khan, about a reunion and Karma--which Ghosh describes as "what goes around, comes around" and "Katran (The Uncalled) about an elderly married couple who decide to separate after 36 years of marriage.

Director Roopa Barua who won an Indian Film Festival of Houston award in 2015 for her documentary "Riders of the Mist," had her latest film "Daughter of the Polo God" shown. Since she was unable to attend, Steven Armour of the US Polo Association represented her, along with a woman polo player, to talk

IFFH Board members with the Director of "Buried Seeds" Andrei Severny and Actor of the Short Film "DHUT", Iqbal Khan.

Photos credit Navin Mediwala.

Voice of Asia OUR DIWALI SPECIAL on OCT 25 invites Grocery stores and small businesses, individuals and organizations to advertise and send lasting greetings for this blessed Diwali!

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email: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com

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COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 9

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Indian Americans pay glowing tributes to slain Deputy Dhaliwal Continued from Page 1 heads of Indo American organizations paid their respects to their ‘hero’, a ‘trailblazer’ who was killed Friday, Sep 27th in a traffic-stop shooting near Cypress. The prayer vigil was a show of support by the Indian American community and part of a fundraiser for bereaved family.

The program began with kirtan, the singing of hymns and ardas by a pair of Sikh priests.

India House’s Executive Director, Col. (Retd.) Vipin Kumar welcomed the gathering, giving a brief outline of evening’s program.

In his opening remarks, Master of Ceremonies Bobby Singh, a prominent businessman and community leader said, “I think the conversation shouldn’t be about a Sikh we lost, or an immigrant we lost - that’s very narrow. The conversation should be that we lost an American patriot among us.” Introducing Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Singh recounted the time when the then Sheriff–elect of Harris County, in addressing a Sikh gathering on Dec. 14, 2008 had said, “Give me one of yours; come join the law enforcement.” Deputy Dhaliwal had heard that clarion call and the rest is history. “The more we hear these stories, the more I’m reminded of the fact of how an incident translates into action,” Singh said, lauding Commissioner Garcia for ‘introducing the change’ in the services as promised. It was under Garcia’s initiative that Deputy Dhaliwal made headlines as a ‘trailblazer’ in early 2015, when the sheriff's office changed its policy to allow Dhaliwal to wear a traditional Sikh turban.

“He was an ambassador of the Sikh faith,” Col Raj Bhalla said in his tribute. Bhalla, a devote Sikh and highly respected Indian American community leader said, “We should be frank; there is an ignorance.

People don’t know what the turban is, so he (Dhaliwal) was the one who told the people the significance of the turban, the importance of Sikhism, and he went by the faith of the religion, which meant love, com-

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo delivering her message.

Dignitaries attending the Prayer Vigil at India House. Photos credit: Bijay Dixit.

Sikh priests singing hymns during the prayer service. passion, helping anybody, and to be of service. Those were the traits which he followed till the last.”

US Congressman Al Green compared Dhaliwal to the Mahatma. “I think of Gandhi when I think of Dhaliwal,” he said.

“Based upon what I’ve seen and heard, he was a Peace Officer, a noble calling to want to bring people together,” he added, praising his efforts particularly during Hurricane Harvey.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, in her profound tribute to Dhaliwal said, “His end of watch on Sep 27, 2019 was not the end of his legacy.” She praised Commissioner Garcia and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez for opening opportunities for all.

“Our counties and our country are better if people from all walks of life, all communities and all backgrounds, feel that calling, and rise to that calling, building opportunities for the next generation.”

In his emotional tribute to the deputy, Commissioner Garcia said, “If there’s comfort to be had from this tragedy, it is that the outpouring for Sandeep Dhaliwal and his family - from across the world, from across the country - has been fit for a king, and we have to focus on understanding that.”

He also mentioned that when Dhaliwal’s father Piara Singh Dhaliwal had once told him, “You planted the seed,” and Garcia responded, “No Baba, no seed can grow if it doesn’t come from a good tree.”

Fort Bend County Judge KP George in his message said “You don’t see many police officers coming from a Indian or desi background. Sandeep decided to be a policeman; he had that in his blood coming from his heritage, his background.”

He was referring to the serviceminded Sikh community in India, the origin of Dhaliwal.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were: Houston Mayor’s representative, Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana, Councilman Rodney Ellis, Interfaith Ministries representative and heads of IndoAmerican organizations: India House president Dr. Manish Rungta, ICC president Nisha Mirani, IACF president Venkat Iyer, IACCGH president Swapan Dhairyawan, and IAPAC president Hasu Patel.

Deputy Dhaliwal’s father Piara Singh Dhaliwal, his wife Harwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, and their two daughters and one son briefly met with dignitaries and few friends at the conclusion.

3rd Vande Mataram "Loud Out Contest" to be held by Swami Dayanand Education Foundation

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ande Mataram Vande Mataram is undoubtedly the India’s first National song with a great historical tradition. It was intimately connected with India’s freedom struggle. No other song can displace its importance.

The song Vande Mataram is older than our National Anthem and was penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel Anandmath published in

1882. It was written in Bengali and Sanskrit. The song was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in a political perspective at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.

Swami Dayanand Education Foundation is organizing its Third Vande Mataram Loud Out Contest. Vande Mataram has been a popular patriotic song since a long time. However, only a few lines from the composition are usually recited. Hence,

the VM Out Loud Contest encourages children in USA to sing the complete poetry. The participants will be judged based on presentation and performance. The winner will be decided on the various aspects like swar, taal, pronunciation and expressions.

More details are available on our website www. swamidayanand.org.

www.voiceofasia.news

From left to right: Hasu Patel, Venkat Iyer, Swapan Dhairyawan, Dr. Manish Rungta, Nisha Mirani and Bobby Singh.

US / SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 10

Trump blasted by US veterans for 'abandoning' Kurdish allies

by Paul Handley

W

ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 10/9/2019 - President Donald Trump has come under angry criticism from US military veterans for abandoning Kurdish battlefield allies after greenlighting Turkey's assault on the Kurds in northeastern Syria.

Turkish troops and aircraft launched their long-awaited assault into Syria Wednesday after Trump ordered US troops in the area pulled back, leaving the Kurds -- whom Ankara calls a terror threat -- fully exposed.

Former Middle East commander Joseph Votel has accused Trump of giving up longstanding allies who, as the core of the Syrian Democratic Forces, were crucial in the half-decade campaign to crush the Islamic State group.

"This policy abandonment threatens to undo five years' worth of fighting against ISIS and will severely damage American credibility and reliability in any future fights where we need strong allies," Votel, who retired earlier this year, wrote in The Atlantic.

"The SDF freed tens of thousands of square miles and millions of people from the grip of ISIS. Throughout the fight, it sustained nearly 11,000 casualties," he said.

By comparison, he noted, only six US troops and two American civilians were killed in that campaign.

- Trump: US helped Kurds enough Trump has said he wants to end the US involvement in Syria and also explained that the US cannot do anything about a centuries-old hate between the Turks and Kurds.

He suggested that the Unit-

ed States has aided the Kurds enough.

"They are fighting for their land," he told reporters.

"They didn't help us with the Second World War. They didn't help us with Normandy, as an example.... We have spent tremendous amounts of money on helping the Kurds in terms of ammunition, in terms of weapons, in terms of money."

"With all of that being said, we like the Kurds," he added.

- 'Upcoming disaster' Mark Hertling, the former commanding general of the US Army's European operations, said Trump's decision "presages an upcoming disaster for the US." "Kurds of the SDF -- our former reliable partners in the fight against ISIS -- are being attacked by a NATO ally, Turkey. The repercussions for the US and NATO will be long-lasting and detrimental to security for Europe and the world," he said on Twitter.

The SDF took the lead in the major campaigns to dislodge Islamic State fighters from key cities in brutal sieges that they led.

Pentagon officials said they were better trained and focused to do the job compared to Turkish and Iraqi troops and other possible proxies in the war.

"When the Iraq army collapsed, the Kurds were the ones who took the full brunt of ISIS' attack on civilization, not us, not the Turks," said Ruben Gallego, an Iraq war veteran and Democratic congressman.

- Parallels in US past Some are drawing a parallel to previous episodes in US wars abroad when an ally was

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Hugs and smiles as Taliban meet Pakistan officials

left to fend for itself, including the governments of Laos and South Vietnam in the 1970s.

Some are worried as well that after fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan for 18 years, US negotiations with the Islamist insurgents could lead to a deal that leaves the government in Kabul vulnerable to them.

Republican Senator Martha McSally, a former Air Force pilot who deployed to the Middle East six times, said that Trump's decision to give way to Turkey "is just wrong."

"The SDF, our Kurd allies, were the ones who paid a heavy price to fight that fight," she told Fox Radio.

"They're the ones that defeated the caliphate."

Not all in the US military community were opposed to Trump's move. Many support his desire to exit conflicts in the region after nearly two decades.

Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor at Concerned Veterans For America, said Trump was putting US interests first.

"It is not in our national interest to be in the middle of a long-running conflict between Turkey and Syrian Kurds that predates the rise of ISIS and the Syrian Civil War," he told AFP. But Gallego stressed that Washington cannot assume other allies will trust the United States in the future.

"Outside of Israel, the strongest ally, and most consistent ally that we have had in the Middle East have been the Kurdish people... and we have just lost that," said Gallego.

"Abandoning the Kurds is another stark reminder that 'America First' means 'America Alone,'" he tweeted.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi (centre R) receives members of the Taliban delegation at the Pakistan Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on October 3. (AFP Photo)

by Sajjad Tarakzai

I

SLAMABAD, Pakistan | AFP | Thursday 10/3/2019 - A group of senior Taliban were warmly welcomed

by Pakistani officials as they arrived in Islamabad Thursday, where the foreign minister called for a resumption of talks with the US on the war in Afghanistan.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's co-founder who spent eight years in a Pakistani prison, was greeted with hugs and smiles by Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and spy chief Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, footage released by the ministry showed.

Pakistan was one of only three countries to recognise the Taliban regime and its shadowy military establishment, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) which Hameed heads, and is widely believed to back the bloody insurgency in Afghanistan.

Islamabad denies the accusa-

tion.

Pakistan has helped facilitate talks between the Taliban and Washington in Qatar over the past year, seeking an agreement to pave the way for a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in return for various security promises from the insurgents.

The two sides were on the brink of a deal -- with an announcement widely expected to be imminent -- when US President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead" last month, citing Taliban violence.

The Taliban threatened more attacks, but both the insurgents and the US left the door open for negotiations to resume -- with most experts agreeing Washington will have to return to the table eventually.

Islamabad wants the talks to resume "to smooth the path for a durable, long-lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan", Qureshi was quoted as saying in the statement.

"War is not a solution to any problem. Talks are the only and positive solution to establish peace in Afghanistan," he continued.

- 'Full cooperation' The Taliban said that, along with the peace process, they had also discussed bilateral ties, politics, "education, health, travel and visa related issues to Afghan refugees in Pakistan".

For decades, Pakistan has hosted refugees fleeing fighting in Afghanistan, including the Taliban insurgency.

Qureshi "promised full cooperation", the Taliban said in a statement from spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid sent to AFP by WhatsApp. The visit came as Zalmay Khalilzad, who headed the US negotiating team in Doha across the table from Baradar, also visited Islamabad this week, though it was unclear if he was still in Pakistan Thursday.

Fort Bend View

VOICE OF ASIA 11

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Sugar Land, Katy, Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Meadows Place

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Halloween Town coming to Sugar Land's Constellation Field in 2019

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UGAR LAND - The Sugar Land Skeeters will host Halloween Town presented by Imperial Sugar on Oct. 26, from 4-8 p.m., at Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Drive.

www.sugarlandskeeters.com/ halloweentown.

All attractions will be free with admission, with the exception of the costume contest which will be a minimal charge. Attendees interested in participating in the costume contest can pre-register online at www.sugarlandskeeters. com/halloweentown to receive a $2 discount from the on-site registration price of $5 on the day of the event.

The event is being funded with sponsorships, and no city funds are being used to support the event.

For more information about city of Sugar Land events or to become an event sponsor, call (281) 275-2900 or visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/specialevents. ; For event updates, follow Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SugarLandParks.

Texans discuss friend who joined ISIS in Netflix's 'Ghosts of Sugar Land' The short doc, which debuts Oct. 16 on Netflix, won the jury award in Sundance.

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group of young Muslim Americans in Texas discuss the disappearance and radicalization of their friend, suspected of joining ISIS, in the trailer for Ghosts of Sugar Land, set to debut globally Oct. 16 on Netflix.

The short Sundance-winning documentary, set in Sugar Land, Texas, is a haunting account of how young teacher Warren Christopher Clark became radicalized and traveled to join ISIS in 2018, only to be captured in January by U.S.backed forces in Syria during the campaign to liberate the last pockets occupied by the terror group.

The film was made prior to Clark's capture — he is referred to anonymously as "Mark" —

FBISD’s Medical Science Academy presents “Around the World of Medicine” career showcase, Oct. 26 O R T BEND – Fort Bend ISD’s Medical Science Academy at Hightower High School presents its annual event, “Around the World of Medicine,” on Saturday, October 26 at the Fort Bend ISD Administration Annex (3119 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, 77479). The showcase will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m., and tickets are $2.

The event will include a Q&A panel, speakers and a keynote address by

Dr. Blake Von Chamberlain, a NASA flight surgeon. Dr. Daniel A. Nwachokor, a FBISD graduate from the Medical Science Academy, will be a featured speaker, sharing on his journey into medicine.

Attendees will learn more

about various health fields including mental health, pharmacology, medical illustration, space medicine and more. Students with the Global Studies, Engineering, Digital Medical and Math and Science Academy programs will also show how their programs can promote health science.

Representatives from the various organizations will be in attendence.

Visit: www.fortbendisd. com/medicalscience

Leftover 'garage sale' signs could cost you $2,000

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O S E N B E R G , (KTRK) -The city of Rosenberg is cracking down on bandit signs, including garage sales, and the mayor is warning neighbors could receive tickets if they're not removed.

Right now, code enforcement is removing signs from right-of-ways and utility poles around the city. The signs include business advertising and garage sales.

Photo of Warren Christopher Clark from "Ghosts of Sugar Land/ and focuses on the recollections of his friends from the suburbs of Houston. It was directed by Bassam Tariq (These Birds Walk) and produced by filmmaker Farihah Zaman (Remote Area Medical) in association

with Laura Poitras and Charlotte Cook’s Field of Vision.

Ghosts of Sugar Land won the short film jury award: non fiction in Sundance.

- The Hollywood Reporter

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Tel: 713-774-5140

F

Previously hosted at Sugar Land Town Square, Halloween Town remains a family-fun, affordable celebration for Sugar Land residents. Attractions will include trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, activities, inflatables and much more!

Sugar Land residents may visit the TDECU Ticket Office at Constellation Field and present a city of Sugar Land water bill to receive up to six free admission tickets starting today.

These exclusive free tickets are limited and are available for pickup while supplies last.

Adult tickets and children's tickets will be available for purchase starting mid-October for $7 and $5, respectively. For more information on the event and for updates on when tickets will go on sale, visit the Sugar Land Skeeters event page at

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Section 2

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In a now-deleted social media post, Mayor William Benton warned neighbors the problem was so out of hand that "the city will escalate removing left out 'Garage Sale' signs and other bandit signs and writing citations."

Benton went on to add, "If you see folks installing bandit signs in the right-of-way, or on utility poles, feel free to get their license plate number

Rosenberg is cracking down on signs on right-of-ways, and utility poles, including garage sales. The mayor is asking people to call police with plate #’s if they see someone placing a sign. (KTRK) and report it to police."

ABC13 asked Rosenberg if any tickets were written. They told us no tickets were issued, and right now code enforce-

ment is focused on removing signs and educating the public.

If cited, a person could be fined upwards of $2,000.

VOICE OF ASIA 12

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

BOLLYWOOD - HOLLYWOOD Section 2

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Ordinary doesn't satisfy me, says Bhumi Pednekar

Cate Blanchett urges world to tackle 'invisible' statelessness

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ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP | Monday 10/7/2019 - Hollywood star Cate Blanchett pleaded Monday for an end to the devastating limbo suffered by millions of stateless people worldwide, saying they are left to wallow in "total invisibility".

"It is time to act," the Oscar-winning Australian actress, who serves as a Goodwill Ambassador to the UN refugee agency, told reporters in Geneva.

Bhumi Pednekar (File photo)

By Komal Panchamatia UMBAI, Oct 7 (PTI) Bhumi Pednekar believes her journey in movies has been "different" right from the outset, as usual and ordinary characters do not excite her.

"'Sonchiriya' did not do well commercially but the amount of love the film got was tremendous so it did not feel like a failure to me. It was very heartbreaking that it was not making the numbers. It is not a film that will attract eyeballs easily."

The 30-year-old actor made debut with "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", which featured her as an overweight newlymarried woman, and went on to play a progressive parts in "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" and "Shubh Mangal Savdhan".

She believes one should accept failure and move on in their career.

"You have to be in check with your reality. I need to know that I have gone through this experience, you can't pretend it (failure) has not happened.

Her last big screen outing was as a feisty woman in "Sonchiriya" and her upcoming film "Saand Ki Aankh" will feature her as one of world's oldest sharpshooters Chandro Tomar.

"Because I feel somewhere it is going to corrupt me as a person, it is going to corrupt my craft. The only thing I feel an actor needs to be is to be pure.

Any creative person needs to have purity in their work."

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"It takes a lot to be secure. It is not easy when you see yourself as a 70 year old. It is an actor's dream to do a film like 'Saand Ki Aankh'. It has comedy but it is not easy to do. In 'Bala' I am playing a deep coloured girl, my character is commenting on the societal bias that is still very prevalent in India on colour," Bhumi told PTI in an interview here.

"I feel as an actor, the kind of satisfaction I get by not being Bhumi onscreen is something else. I can proudly say this that both are very different, they are not the same people. I love the fact that I can challenge myself and through my work. I can change the way people think. I am not doing ordinary things," she added.

The actor said a lot of people warned her against taking up unconventional characters.

"There are people who questioned my choices as an actor. A lot of people told me why I am doing 'Saand Ki Aankh', why I am playing a 70 year old and why I am doing earthy or rural films. I don't see films as earthy or rural or how my look is in the film. I look at the story. People are seeing the story, my character and not Bhumi, on the big screen."

Bhumi added the experience with "Sonchiriya" taught her to stay disconnected from both success and failure.

"I have learnt this after 'Sonchiriya' that if you have put your heart and soul into it, you need to disconnect with the success and failure of the film because that is the only way you can survive.

If I take the pressure that all my films have done well and if any of my films don't, then I won't be able to survive."

The 30-year-old actor credits the writers of her films for creating powerful roles for the female protagonist.

"I have become an actor at a time when writers got the power back. I am a product of my directors and writers.

I am dependent on them. I am as good as the script I have.

"However, it is a collaborative effort. These are women who are around us. Every woman I have played is a girl-next-door. There is a lot of realism in her that is backed by great writing.

I think that is what has connected with the audience."

Bhumi also has films like "Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare", "Bala" and "Pati, Patni Aur Woh" releasing this year.

All of Bhumi's films have done commercially well except "Sonchiriya" and she said one can't predict the fate of a film.

Year 2020 will see her cast in Karan Johar's magnum opus "Takht" and "Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship" with Vicky Kaushal.

"You can't predict what the audience likes. Every film that I do is because I feel for it. My instinct tells me I need to be part of this woman's journey, I need to tell this story.

"I don't have any planned ideas about my career... about the number of films releasing every year. I want to keep doing good work. I am a workaholic," she said.

Janhvi Kapoor teams up with father Boney Kapoor for BOMBAY GIRL

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anhvi Kapoor made her Bollywood debut with Shashank Khaitan‘s Dhadak last year, and there was no looking back. Through the past year, we have seen Janhvi dazzling several magazine covers, bagging numerous endorsement deals and bagging some extremely interesting projects.

Amid all these, we also waited for her to collaborate with producer father Boney Kapoor.

And we just got our hands on this piece of news! The father and the daughter are finally teaming up for a film. Ti-

tled Bombay Girl, it will be helmed by Ssanjay Tripaathy. Boney Kapoor, along with producer Mahaveer Jain, will be producing the project. Bombay Girl will be a coming-of-age story that revolves around a rebellious teenager.

Boney recently also bought the Hindi remake rights of Jayam Ravi’s Comali and announced that his son Arjun Kapoor would be starring in it.

Janhvi is presently shooting for Kargil Girl, a biopic of Gunjan Saxena, the Indian Air Force’s first on-combat female pilot.

"The world can end statelessness."

Her comments came as UNHCR marked the halfway-point in a 10-year campaign to end the plight of the millions around the globe deprived of a nationality.

Statelessness leaves people politically and economically marginalised, and particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

They are often deprived of an education, medical care, the right to marry or even receive a death certificate.

"It is total invisibility," Blanchett said, lamenting that "they experience marginalisation and exclusion from cradle to grave".

At the same time, parents deprived of a nationality often pass on the "desperate and horrific gift" of statelessness to their children, she said,

describing it as an "inhumane and heartbreaking and devastating situation".

It was all the more heartbreaking to witness since the problem could be solved.

"It is a man-made problem and it is solvable," she said, pointing out that states "define citizenship and so states do have the power to remove the roadblocks to citizenship for stateless people."

In 2014, UNHCR estimated there were around 10 million stateless people worldwide, but High Commissioner Filippo Grandi told journalists last week that the true numbers were unclear since many such people "are quite invisible".

Grandi told a meeting of UNHCR's Executive Committee Monday that "there have been important achievements" towards the goal of eradicating statelessness by 2024.

Over the past five years, some 220,000 stateless people have acquired a nationality thanks to concert-

ed efforts in a number of countries.

Sierre Leone was praised for its work to remove gender-discrimination from nationality laws and allow mothers to pass on citizenship to their children.

But Grandi cautioned that "progress is far from assured".

"Damaging forms of nationalism, and the manipulation of anti-refugee and migrant sentiment -- these are powerful currents internationally that risk putting progress into reverse," he said in a statement.

Grandi stressed that solutions were urgently needed for millions without citizenship or at risk of becoming stateless, including Myanmar's Rohingya and in India's Assam.

Later Monday, UNHCR's prestigious Nansen Award will be attributed to Kyrgyz human rights lawyer Azizbek Ashurov for helping Kyrgyzstan become the world's first country to end statelessness, working through his organisation Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB).

Community Durga Salman Khan remembers Vinod Puja themed Khanna as 'Dabangg 3' wraps shoot on 102 years of Bengali cinema

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OLKATA, Oct 7 (PTI) A community Durga Puja in the city has been themed on 102 years of Bengali cinema.

Organisers of the Bhawanipore Sammilani community puja in south Kolkata have put up posters and stills of over 100 Bengali movies, from the 1950s era to contemporary times, at their marquee.

"As part of our theme based on the history of over 100 years of Bengali cinema, we have displayed posters and stills from popular and criticallyacclaimed films over the past five decades, on the path leading to the marquee," puja committee joint secretary Kaushik Dutta told PTI. The posters have been set up on both sides of the lane next to the Ashutosh Mukherjee College, leading up to the marquee that has been shaped like a film projector.

The stills and posters include those of Bengali movies Pather Panchali, Apur Sansar, Subarnarekha, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, Sonar Kella, Akalaer Sandhane, Jai Baba Felunath, Gotro, Bela Sheshe, Chotuskone and Jatishwar.

A photo gallery on Bengali directors Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Tapan Sinha, Bimal Roy, Srijit Mukherji and Kaushik Ganguly have decked up the exterior of the marquee.

Giant "Nagra" shoe replicas, resembling those worn by the main characters in Satyajit Ray's iconic movie, 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne', have also been put up on the top of the marquee.

"We want to make the young generation aware of the rich heritage of Bengali cinema," Dutta said.

He said the theme's creator Indranil Ghosh had collected materials from the studios in Tollygunge area over

www. voiceofasia.news Read the latest articles and news on BOLLYWOOD /HOLLYWOOD & ENTERTAINMENT Visit : www. voiceofasia.news

Cate Blanchett wears a Christopher Kane gown to the 2019 Baftas (Getty Images)

Salman Khan in the newly released teaser of his upcoming flick "Dabangg 3"

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umbai, Oct 7 (PTI) Superstar Salman Khan paid tributes to veteran actor Vinod Khanna on the final day of the shoot of his upcoming film "Dabangg 3".

Khanna, who passed away on April 27, 2017 at the age of 70, played the role of Chulbul Pandey's father Prajapati Pandey in the first two films in the "Dabangg" franchise, fronted by Salman.

bangg 3' and we have packed up. The strange and the happy thing is that today is Vinod Khanna sir or Prajapati Panday sir's birthday and on the same day, coincidentally and fortunately we wrapped up shooting for 'Dabangg 3'," Salman said in a video featuring the full crew of the movie.

"VK sir miss you and we have Pramod sir, your own brother to play you in 'Dabangg 3'. God bless you...

We really miss you," he added.

In a video, posted on his Twitter account on Sunday, the 53-year-old actor said the team of the film missed Khanna a lot.

In June, the actor announced that Khanna's younger brother Pramod Khanna will be playing Prajapati Pandey in the much-awaited third film.

"Today was the last day for 'Da-

"Dabangg 3", directed by Prabhudheva, also features Sonakshi Sinha and Arbaaz Khan.

the past three to four months to materialise the concept.

"The Artists' Forum also provided us with research materials," he added.

'Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra', directed by Rustomji Dhotiwala, was the first Bengali feature film screened in a tent at Kolkata Maidan on March 24, 1917, filmmaker Goutam Ghose had told PTI earlier.

The film is set to hit the theatres on December 20.

Post War Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 3 stunts to be amp'ed

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iger Shroff‘s panther-like moves in Siddharth Anand’s War has set a new paradigm for the young actor’s action scenes.

While both Hrithik and Tiger are being duly applauded for their deadly action moves, it is Tiger who must compete with himself as his next film Baaghi 3 boasts of never- before action. Informed sources say, producer Sajid Nadiadwala intends to up the action ante even further after War. “It is no doubt a problem. In Baaghi 3 the makers intended to take Tiger’s action to another level. But now that level has already been reached,” says the source. Sources say producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Ahmed Khan have decided to drop plans of sending Tiger to Israel to train the form of martial arts known as Krav Maga.

LEGAL

VOICE OF ASIA 13

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FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

www.voiceofasia.news

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS WITH PHYSICAL PAIN AND MENTAL ANGUISH

Mala Sharma Trucking accidents cause more severe injuries and are more complicated than regular auto accidents.

These commercial vehicles include, 18 wheelers, concrete trucks, delivery trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, etc. and can weigh almost 18,000 pounds. Due to the nature of these vehicles, more serious injuries result such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, permanent scars or injuries such as amputations and paralysis, or even wrongful death.

Commercial vehicle accidents almost always cause serious traumatic brain injuries (TBI). According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, those who suffer from TBI’s will suffer from depression with symptoms including feelings of sadness and loss of control, loss of interest in activities with family and friends previously enjoyed, and relying on controlled substances or alcohol. TBI victims experience serious physical pain and mental anguish (pain and suffering) which prevent them from living and enjoying a normal life. These brain injures can last for a few weeks or up to the entire remainder of life. Thus, if one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, whether permanent or not, due to the negligence of another, he/she is entitled to recover the maximum pain and suffering from those responsible.

Further, commercial vehicle cases become complicated when multiple parties may be involved. The vic-

Always remember, after an accident, (1) do get medical care immediately and take pictures of all injuries, (2) get the truck driver’s contact information including his employment and vehicle insurance information, (3) do not speak to any person from commercial vehicle company or your own personal insurance company (4) never say sorry after the accident or anything that could be misunderstood as admitting liability for the accident, and (5) take pictures at the scene of the accident including both vehicles with their license plates, and (6) call your qualified auto injury attorney immediately to recover all damages you have suffered, including pain and suffering.

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. Mala has been appointed leadership roles for the American Bar Association GP Solo and GP Solo YLD division, is Board member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Past President of the Houston Northwest Bar Association, and prior board member of the South Asian Bar Association. She is also a member of the Houston Bar Association. Mala Sharma has been selected to the 2019 Texas Rising Stars by Super

by Sharlene Sharmila Richards, Immigration Lawyer Email at srichardslaw@aol.com

Lawyers. Mala has also been selected as 10 Best Attorneys by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorney for 2018-2019, Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers for 2018-2019, and Texas Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine for 2019.

This material is available for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.

You should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. If you require advice or assistance, you may contact her at office number 281-893-8644 or by email at mala@sharmalaws.net to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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.

Philippine graft court hands family of former dictator another legal win

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Filed shortly after Marcos fled to the US in exile following a bloodless 1986 "people power" revolt, the case sought to seize shares of stocks and real estate which it said were already worth millions of dollars at the time.

"The plaintiff... failed to prove by preponderance of

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE NEW RULE RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARGE – PART II

Sharlene Sharmila Richards

Is the new Public Charge rule going to be implemented to take effect on October 15th, 2019?

Form I-485 application for adjustment of status. Form I-944 is the Form to use. It appears that there is no Filing Fee required for Form I-944.

All adjustment applications postmarked after 10/15/2019 must be accompanied by Form I-944.

A: It is likely that this rule will be implemented unless there is intervention by the Federal Courts. There are currently at least 8 lawsuits, filed by several States challenging the constitutionality of provisions in the rule.

There are some controversial parts of this rule which may be prevented from going into effect. It is controversial because it contains provisions that are purposely designed to prevent individuals with low income from receiving permanent residence.

The new public charge rule among other things redefines the term ‘likely at any time to become a public charge’ which is a ground of inadmissibility in Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to mean whether the applicant for permanent residence is more likely than not to receive any of those designated state and federal programs for more than 12 months in the aggregate within any 36 month period. It no longer applies to just those who might become primarily dependent on the designated benefit.

Q: I intend to apply to become a US Citizen at the end of this year. Will this rule affect me?

A: There is no public charge test when a permanent resident applies for naturalization or when they renew their permanent residence using Form I-90. The new Public Charge Rule will only affect applicants for permanent residence.

Q: If my son who is a US Citizen has been on food stamps since he was born, will it affect my application to adjust status to become a permanent resident?

A: The rule specifically states that benefits received by family members of the intending immigrant will not be considered in the public charge determination.

Q: What are the benefits that count under the new Public Charge Rule?

Q: When is the last day to file an adjustment application for permanent residence in order to avoid this rule being applied to your application?

A: The benefits include Medicaid (federally funded), Food Stamps or SNAP (federally funded), Section 8 Housing assistance and project based rental assistance, subsidized housing, and Cash Assistance such as SSI, TANF, General Assistance.

A: Your adjustment application must be mailed and postmarked no later than October 14th, 2019. However, please NOTE: October 14th, 2019 is a Federal public holiday which means there Is no Federal Postal Service to accept mail to be postmarked October 14th, 2019. Effectively this means the last day for mailing in an adjustment application will have to be Saturday, October 12th, 2019.

Q: Are there any benefits that will be exempt from this new public charge rule?

Q: Under the new Public Charge Rule, are there any additional forms to complete and submit? If yes, is there a Filing Fee?

ANILA, Philippines | AFP | Tuesday 10/8/2019 -A Philippine court said Tuesday it has thrown out a decades-old civil case against the widow of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, dealing a fresh blow to a protracted effort to recover alleged ill-gotten wealth.

In ruling for Imelda Marcos, the special anti-graft court chastised government lawyers for their "unjustified" absence at court hearings and for submitting "mere photocopies" of documentary evidence that the judge rejected.

A: There is an additional Form to complete and submit it together with the

Spokesmen for the Ombudsman, the special anti-graft prosecutor who filed the case, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos. Photo: Maria S. Tan) evidence that the defendants by themselves, or in conspiracy with the defendants the Marcoses, obtained ill-gotten wealth," said the September 25 court ruling made public only Tuesday.

"Of course Madam Imelda is elated," said Robert Sison, law-

Tel: 713-774-5140

YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER

Personal Injury:

tim, truck driver, truck driver’s company, and the manufacturer and/or distributor, if there were defective trucking parts, may all be contributorily negligent parties to share responsibility and blame. Further, liability may be contested between the truck driver, employer, and even the manufacturer. In addition, lawsuits become further complex if either the truck driver, victim, trucking corporation are in different states.

Thus, it is imperative to always call a highly qualified personal injury attorney.

yer for the now 90-year-old former first lady Imelda Marcos, one of the seven defendants.

Sison told AFP he expects the government to appeal the court verdict, adding his client is still facing more than a dozen similar cases.

Q: I was granted asylee status about a year and a half ago and I am looking to file my adjustment application as I am now eligible to file. Will I be affected by this new Public Charge Rule?

A: No, certain categories of applicants are exempt from the public charge test when they file for their adjustment of status. Some of these are refugee and asylee adjustments; Special Immigrant Juvenile Status adjustments; U nonimmigrant status adjustments, VAWA self-petition adjustments and T nonimmigrant status adjustments.

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.

Hawaii in 1989.

Despite public protests, Duterte allowed the Marcos remains to be interred at a National Heroes' Cemetery in Manila seven months after he won the presidency.

The family's efforts to rehabilitate the Marcos patriarch's image received a boost with the 2016 election as president of political ally Rodrigo Duterte, whose government has publicly floated the idea of winding down the hunt into the family's wealth.

Marcos' heirs returned to the Philippines and made a spectacular political comeback after the patriarch died in exile in

A: This is a very good question. The answer is yes, it will. Most people will certainly be unaware of this.

Permanent Residents are only affected by this proposed change to the public charge ground of inadmissibility if they spend more than 180 days outside the US and then seek to reenter the US.

A: Yes. Some of the benefits that appear to be exempt include Medicaid received by the applicant while under the age of 21 years or while pregnant; any benefits received part of disaster relief or emergency medical care ; Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); WIC; public health services, earned benefits such as unemployment, social security retirement, workers compensation; and school based nutrition services and public education including Head Start.

His eldest daughter Imee won a Senate seat in May while the ex-president's son, also named Ferdinand Marcos, narrowly lost the 2016 vice presidential election contest, a result he is contesting in court.

After Marcos was overthrown, the successor government accused his family of embezzling at least $10 billion from the national coffers during its 20-year rule and of using business cronies and secret foreign bank accounts to hide its assets.

Q: My mother who is a Permanent Resident is visiting India and has been there for more than 180 days. She intends to return to the US during Christmas. Will the new Public Charge rule affect her?

In a rare legal setback last year, a court sentenced Imelda Marcos to at least six years in prison for each of the seven charges that the Marcoses funnelled roughly $200 million of embezzled funds through Swiss foundations decades ago.

However, she remains free on bail after filing an appeal with the Supreme Court.

Sharlene Sharmila Richards Attorney at Law

www.richardsimmigration.com E-mail: srichardslaw@aol.com

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Young Life

VOICE OF ASIA 14

Section 2

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Bangladesh student killing sparks university protests

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HAKA, Bangladesh | AFP | Monday 10/7/2019 - Students in Bangladesh staged protests and blocked major roads Monday after an undergraduate was beaten to death, allegedly by ruling party activists, for criticising the government over a water-sharing deal with India.

tioned over alleged links to an Islamist party's youth group.

After examining CCTV footage, police detained nine men from the same dorm, at least five of whom were BCL activists, local police chief Sohrab Hossain said.

He added that the victim's father has

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FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Tel: 713-774-5140

3 things young women need to know that no one has the courage to tell them Opinion by Suzanne Venker

I

n a December 2018 cover story for The Atlantic, author Kate Julian wrote about what the magazine dubbed a “sex recession,” or the trend of young people to put romantic relationships on the back burner. This message is particularly geared toward women, who for the past several decades have been groomed to prioritize school and career over love and family.

One young woman told Julian that when she was in high school, her parents, both professionals with advanced degrees, discouraged relationships on the grounds that they might diminish her focus. Even today, in graduate school, this young woman finds the attitude hard to shake: “Now I need to finish school, I need to get a practice going, I need to do this and this, and then I’ll think about love. But by thirty, you’re like, ‘What is love? What’s it like to be in love?’”

Abrar Fahad (Photo provided by The Daily Star) Protests broke out at several universities in Dhaka and the northern city of Rajshahi following the killing of Abrar Fahad of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

Students chanted slogans demanding "justice" and blocked major roads in the two cities. Teachers joined some of the protests.

Dhaka deputy police commissioner Munstasirul Islam told AFP that Fahad was beaten to death and that ruling party activists were in custody for questioning.

His body was found in his university dorm and media quoted other residents as saying that members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League had interrogated and beaten him.

Ashikul Islam Bitu, a vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), told NTV that Fahad had been ques-

filed a murder case.

Fahad put up a post on Facebook that went viral hours before his death.

In it, he criticised the government for signing an accord that allowed India to take water from a river that lies on the boundary the two countries share.

The BCL has earned notoriety in recent years after some of its members were accused of killing, violence and extortion.

Last year its members allegedly used violence to suppress a major antigovernment student protest.

Those protests were sparked by anger over road safety after a student was killed by a speeding bus.

Last month the BCL president and general secretary were sacked over allegations they tried to extort money from the head of a state-run university.

BOOKS 'What I Wish I’d Known When I Started College' Buy a sippy cup, glue jewels on it, and bring it to frat parties. An excerpt from Indelible in the Hippocampus: Writings from the Me Too Movement.

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ear Caitlin,

Congratulations on getting into college! What a privilege. Not to say you didn’t do your part to make it here. (High school yearbooks don’t edit themselves!)

Many good and many terrible things will happen to you on this wellpruned, high-fenced campus. Keep in mind that the most disturbing and bewildering moments will make you— me!—a stronger Older Caitlin.

Let’s not spend too much time discussing academics. You’ll do just fine.

So much reading awaits you, a bibliophile’s dream. Your sociology courses will impart a necessary anger towards society’s inequities, and you’ll find much to rage against outside the classroom as well. You, my West Coast public school–raised duckling, should earn study-abroad credit for navigating the social waters of an all-butIvy-League pond of wealthy, New England boarding school alums. Your year in Madrid will be less of a culture shock.

I know you’re currently eying the legacy students and considering converting to their aesthetic. Don’t waste your time. Pink and green don’t pair.

Salmon-red pants and those tiny embroidered elephants are atrocities.

Stick to your initial reaction: no one should get to wear such ’80s-throwback frivolities without being pickpocketed. Besides, your true uniform will develop soon enough: more dog collars than pearl necklaces, a show of allegiance to the worldwide queer mafia rather than to someone’s grandparents’ country club.

Any minute now you’ll hear about a party at one of the oldest frats on campus—founded in 1850! Designated a national historic landmark in 1985!

The party will be called “Anything for Money.” This is how your classmates will meet their future spouses, but no house in the Hamptons awaits you for starring in some rich boy’s Girls Gone Wild–style cell phone video. Stay in and study your sociology.

There will be incidents during these years that I won’t make light of in this letter. You are entering a four-year

struggle to maintain bodily autonomy.

There will be young men who kiss you roughly before you decide whether you want them to. There will be times when you wake up in bed with a nearstranger. It will be easy to tell yourself on these mornings that Everclear punch and a healthy sex drive are to blame. This may be true. But there will also be the male “friend” who sneaks into your bed at night when you’re passed out, drunk and naked and ever so trusting of the sanctity of your bedroom. He will act bewildered when you scream at him to leave. Neither of you will mention the incident again.

Your girlfriends will prove to be little help in maintaining your sanity in the face of such things. Be easy on these women. They live on this campus too. The embarrassment and selfdoubt born on campus will never leave you. But they will form a shade in the palette you’ll go on to use as a professional writer, a heavy matte gray that contrasts with the bright, beautiful colors of your many friends, your many triumphs. In time you will count among your loved ones drag queens and porn stars and intellectuals, and, most beloved of all, people who are all three. You will host parties in heels and lashes and bustiers, your queenliness under a spotlight. You will get regular STD checkups. You will have

There are serious ramifications for women who structure their lives in this way. To not wind up in this young woman's boat, women must reject the message they’ve received from the culture and possibly from their parents.

Do not prioritize your career over love.

Rather, be as intentional about your personal life as you are about your professional life. Be more intentional, actually, because whom you choose to marry, and how that marriage fares, will be the axis upon which all other decisions are made. Indeed, your relationships at home will have the single greatest effect on your happiness and well-being. Nothing even comes close.

It also doesn’t make sense to put love off and hope to find it later. According to clinical psychologist Meg Jay, 80% of life’s most defining moments take place by age 35. This is especially true for young women, who have to think differently about the future than men do. Here are three things women, in particular, need to know: 1. What’s important to you now will likely not be important to you later. At 20, your career may feel like the most important thing in your life. At 30, you’ll likely have marriage and babies on your mind. Once you become a mother, you will change dramatically.

In fact, you may not even recognize

dates who teach you that gender roles are a lie used by capitalism to herd sheep. You will live to see an age in which the exposure of bad men doing bad things is popular enough to be dismissed as a trend by threatened patriarchs. You will learn that sexual desire can generate not just cruelty and discomfort, but also strength and community.

You will break your chronic attraction to flippant men who have no business holding your breasts, much less your heart. You will learn from queer friends a sense of self that you will wish had been available to you on those mornings-after when you avoided the waffle iron in the cafeteria because it left your back exposed to the jock tables for too long. Years later, though, prepping for your close-up, you will remember when you wanted to be invisible, and you will laugh into your makeup mirror, apply another layer of eyeliner, and film your first sex scene.

Maintain your exercise regime and eat complete meals. Keep hold of your physical form. It is tangible proof of that which they say is theirs and must never be. This body— this untanned, traveling, designer clothesfree body—you must hang onto it and love it during these tough years. In the squalid, square lethargy of your dorm room you cannot even imagine its future glory.

In the meantime, feel easy but keep your distance from these man-children, these beautiful starved women.

Buy a sippy cup, glue jewels on it, and bring it to frat parties. Gesture to it with a big smile when someone offers you a drink, and make a practice of holding onto the handle when they pour you a cocktail. Never the punch.

I repeat, C, congratulations! These battlefield years will whittle you into a strong woman. The cuts you receive will enable you to recognize the wounds of others. You are special, you are loved, you are yours.

Believe it, Older Caitlin Indelible in the Hippocampus: Writings from the Me Too Movement is by Shelly Oria (McSweeney's Publishing LLC)

Photo: Stocksy

the person you were before you had those babies. The culture frames this transition as a woman “losing” her identity, but in fact it’s in this transition that a woman finds herself.

Yes, men change, too. But their need to provide becomes more pronounced once they have a family.

2. Your body has a clock, and your boyfriend’s does not. Men can postpone marriage longer than you can because they can always move on if the relationship ends and have children with a younger woman. Most women don't choose to marry men 10 years their junior, plus women have a biological clock. They are far more fertile between 25 and 35 (closer to 25 actually) than they are after 35.

This is isn’t a popular thing to admit, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

3. You will very likely want to take care of your babies and will thus need a man on whom you can rely, if only for a few years. We hear endlessly about what women lose if they drop out of the workforce to stay home with their children. But rarely do we hear about what it is women gain when

they become mothers and how desperately many of them want to stay home but can’t due to decisions they made early on under the assumption they wouldn't want to (or shouldn't want to) stay home.

Women should know in advance about the rude awakening they’ll have when they try to combine fulltime work and motherhood. There’s a reason less than three-in-ten married mothers prefer full-time work and why most married mothers, if they work at all, work part time. You don't see this reality on TV, but it's a reality nonetheless.

Bottom line: The culture and your parents have set you up to fail when it comes to love and family. If you want to be successful in this domain, you need to think differently from the way you've been taught to think. If marriage is part of your life plan, move relationships to the front burner. Put love first, and work everything else in around that.

That's what I did, and it continues to pay dividends to this day.

- SuzanneVenker.com

Young americans are more likely to resent the rich: poll

By Emily Ekins The Cato 2019 Welfare, Work, and Wealth National Survey finds that Americans under 30 stand out from their parents and grandparents’ in their attitudes toward socialism, capitalism, and resentment toward the rich. These results may help explain the striking success of self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders in capturing the support of the young.

- Young Americans Are Equally Favorable toward Capitalism and Socialism Young Americans under age 30 stand out from their elders with their relative ambivalence toward capitalism and much greater support for socialism.

Barely half of Americans under 45 have favorable views of capitalism compared to 58% of those ages 45–54, 65% of people ages 55–64, and 76% of seniors (ages 65+).

In reverse fashion, 50% of Americans under 30 have favorable views of socialism, compared to 43% of those 30–44, and a third of Americans over age 45.

- Young Democrats Are Far More Supportive of Bernie Sanders Consistent with attitudes toward capitalism and socialism, young Democrats are about three times more likely to support self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for the Democratic nomination for president. As of spring 2019, 40% of under-30 Democrats supported Bernie Sanders compared to 14% of Democrats over age 65. In reverse, older Democrats were nearly three times as likely as younger Democrats to prefer that former Vice President Joe Biden be the party’s nominee (28% vs. 11%).

- Young Americans Feel More Resentment toward the Rich Young Americans are the only cohort in which a majority believe the wealthy didn’t earn their wealth. A slim majority (52%) of Americans under 30 say that “most” rich people in

the United States got rich “by taking advantage of other people.” In contrast, a strong majority (72%) of seniors (65+) say that most wealthy people in America “earned their wealth” without exploiting people.

Across the board, younger people are more likely than older people to hold negative attitudes toward the rich. Americans under 30 are about 20–35 points more likely than Americans age 65 and older to feel “angry” when they read or hear about rich people (44% vs. 11%), to feel more “resentment” than “admiration” of rich people (39% vs. 16%), to believe it’s “immoral” for society to allow people to become billionaires (39% vs. 13%), and to believe that citizens taking violent action against the rich is sometimes justified (35% vs. 10%).

Young people are also about 10–25 points more likely than older people to believe billionaires are a threat to democracy (51% vs. 26%), to disagree that billionaires earned their wealth by creating value for others (39% vs.

26%), and to disagree that rich people make society better off by investing in new businesses that create jobs and invent technology (38% vs. 21%).

- Young People Are More Supportive of Taxes on the Rich Consistent with these findings, young people are also more supportive than older Americans of raising taxes on the rich. Wealth redistribution produces the greatest age gap. Americans under 30 are the only age cohort with a majority (53%) in favor of redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor.

In contrast, 20% of Americans 65 and over agree.

Young Americans are also nearly 20 points more likely than older Americans to support raising top marginal tax rates. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of young Americans favor raising the top marginal tax rate on income over $10 million to 70%, while less than half (43%) of seniors favor the policy.

Instead, a majority (55%) of those 65 and over oppose returning top marginal tax rates to 70%.

- Cato Institute

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US prefers a 'big deal' with China: Trump

by Douglas Gillison

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"I think it's not what we prefer at all. My inclination is to get a big deal," Trump told reporters when asked if he could accept a partial deal.

"We've come this far. We're doing well. I would much prefer a big deal and I think that's what we're shooting for," he added.

But he acknowledged that his preferred outcome is not certain.

"Can something happen? I guess. Maybe. Who knows.

But I guess it's unlikely."

With eight days to go before the next round of punitive tariffs is due to hit, Beijing's top trade envoy Liu He will meet with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin beginning Thursday, the White House said in a statement.

- No linkage. Guaranteed. Liu has said privately he will make a proposal that makes no commitments addressing the far-reaching reforms to Chinese industrial policy or subsides that Washington is seeking,

There has been little progress since Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Japan in June. (File photo) Bloomberg reported Sunday, citing an unnamed source.

Lower-level talks have been underway since last month.

The discussions will focus on areas where Washington has made far-reaching demands since last year: intellectual property rights, the forced transfer of proprietary technologies, agriculture and enforcement, the White House statement said.

The next round of US tariff increases is set to take effect October 15, as US duty rates on $250 billion in Chinese goods rise to 30 percent.

Trump has claimed China's weakening economy puts Beijing under pressure to make a deal.

But he also has said in recent months Chinese officials are dragging their feet in hopes of continuing negotiations with another administration should Trump fail to win reelection in 2020.

White House economic aide Larry Kudlow Monday de-

nied that recent economic data showed the lingering trade war has damaged the US economy, saying the effect had been "minimum," a position most economists dispute.

Unemployment in September fell to its lowest level in 50 years but US manufacturing has fallen into recession, and GDP growth is forecast to slow considerably.

Trump is now the subject of an impeachment inquiry by congressional Democrats after pressuring Ukrainian authorities earlier this year to investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden and son Hunter, whom Trump accuses of financial wrongdoing.

Trump last week raised the stakes by openly calling on Beijing to do likewise.

But Kudlow told reporters there was no connection between the trade talks and Trump's call for China to investigate the Bidens.

"There'll be no linkage," he said. "I guarantee it."

W

ASHINGTON | AFP | Tuesday 10/8/2019 - The American economy should continue its expansion, with strong jobs markets but with price pressures in check and inflation approaching the central bank's target, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday.

In addition, he said the Fed will soon announce more permanent measures to boost banks' cash reserves after a recent shortage sent short-term interest rates skyrocketing.

This will include plans to buy more short-term Treasurys to boost reserve levels, he said.

Economists have been alarmed in recent weeks, saying recession odds are rising as forward-looking indicators like consumer and business confidence and surveys of industrial activity have slowed or even contracted.

The Fed has cut interest rates twice this year to help cushion the American economy against shocks from the US-China trade war, including a sharp drop in investment, and from plummeting demand from foreign markets.

Investors overwhelmingly expect the central bank to lower rates again later this month.

- Boosting bank reserves While the Fed relies on economic statistics to determine its policy steps, Powell noted that

US economists more pessimistic, citing trade as major risk: survey

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The panel expects the world's largest economy to slow, with growth falling below 2 percent for the first time since 2016, the survey showed.

Recent data have shown the US labor market remains strong, but manufacturing is in recession while the larger services sector is slowing, giving rise to fears about the health of the US economy, especially amid President Donald Trump's grinding trade war with China and increasing tensions with Europe.

The NABE panel "turned decidedly more pessimistic about the outlook over the summer, with 80 percent of participants viewing risks to the outlook as

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ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP | Tuesday 10/8/2019 - The United States fell to second place behind Singapore in the World Economic Forum's flagship Global Competitiveness Report, with the slippage linked in part to President Donald Trump's trade wars.

The Forum, organisers of the glitzy annual gathering of business and political elite in Davos, have released an annual competitiveness report since 1979 that assesses which economies are well placed to see productivity and long-term growth.

"There are no two ways (about) it. It is important to ensure the countries are being open to trade," said Saadia Zahidi, a Forum managing director, when asked to comment on the impact of the tariffs imposed by the Trump admin-

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's remarks suggest the case for further cuts to the Fed's benchmark lending rates could be weakening. (Photo: AFP) revised data showed recent US job creation was significantly weaker than previously reported. And experience suggests some of this will carry forward, he said.

"Thus, the currently reported job gains of 157,000 per month on average over the past three months may well be revised somewhat lower," he said.

Even so, policymakers still believe gains in the job market should be enough to provide work for all the new labor market entrants who join the job hunt, he said.

As for the inner workings of the economy's financial plumbing, he said the Fed will also begin buying bonds again to help boost banks cash reserves.

Since mid-September, the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the Fed's main point of contact with financial markets, has been pumping liquidity into money markets to keep shortterm rates from spiking above the central bank's target range.

Policymakers had previously pledged to boost bond holdings "at some point... to maintain an appropriate level of reserves."

The panel expects the world's largest economy to slow. (File photo) tilted to the downside," said Gregory Daco, the group's survey chair and chief US economist at Oxford Economics.

"The rise in protectionism, pervasive trade policy uncertainty, and slower global growth are considered key downside risks to US economic activity," he said in a statement on the findings in the quarterly survey.

Looking further out, 69 percent of the panel expects a recession by mid-2021.

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice this year

and many market analysts expect more stimulus to be announced later this month, but the NABE panel was less convinced.

Daco said over 40 percent anticipate at least one more rate cut this year, while threequarters of respondents expect at least one rate cut by the end of 2020.

The median forecast by the panel is for growth of 2.3 percent this year, slowing to 1.8 percent next year after 85 percent of the panel cut their real GDP projections.

Trade wars lose US its competitiveness top spot: WEF

While the report noted that the US "remains an innovation powerhouse" and the world's second most competitive economy, some trouble signs have emerged, the Forum said.

However, US job creation has slowed while a weakening global economy, trade wars and Brexit uncertainty are risks to the outlook, he said.

Powell's remarks suggest the case for further cuts to the Fed's benchmark lending rates could be weakening, with employment data now showing the US jobless rate fell to its lowest level in 50 years in September.

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Nearly half of the panel surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics expect a recession before the end of next year, down from 60 percent in the prior survey.

US economy likely to keep growing: Fed's Powell

Policymakers "continue to see a sustained expansion," Powell said in a speech to the National Association for Business Economics in Denver. "At present, the jobs and inflation pictures are favorable."

ASHINGTON | AFP | Monday 10/7/2019 - Economists have become more concerned about US growth prospects, citing trade friction as the major worry, but recession risks have receded slightly, according to a survey released Monday.

ASHINGTON | AFP | Monday 10/7/2019 - President Donald Trump said Monday he would prefer to strike a comprehensive trade bargain with China, in comments days before top US and Chinese officials are due to resume trade talks in Washington.

But with little sign the two sides have made progress in bridging the distance between them, speculation has mounted in recent months they may reach a deal which addresses only some of Washington's extensive grievances.

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

istration.

She noted the lack of "hard data" on the impact of US tariffs imposed on several of its main economic partners, as the set of products impacted remains limited compared to overall trade.

But, she said, "the sentiment" surrounding investing in the US "has been going down," she told reporters in Geneva.

tion said that a newborn in China could expect 68.7 years of healthy living, compared to 68.5 for American newborns.

- Singapore surge The report measures competitiveness on a scale of zero to 100 based on factors that include infrastructure, health, the labour market, the financial system, quality of public institutions and economic openness.

"That will end up impacting long-term investment; that will end up impacting how decision makers are thinking; that will end up impacting the view of non-American business leaders (of) the United States. So it does matter in the long-term," she added.

Singapore scored 84.8 out of 100, but the Forum noted that the country had benefited from trade diversion through its ports triggered by the tariff battles between the world's top economies.

The Forum's competitiveness report relies in part of executive surveys, in addition to hard economic data.

Hong Kong rose four spots to claim third place with a score of 83.1, but the Forum said the data used in the report was collected before waves of pro-democracy protests began shaking the financial hub.

Zahidi said that the US had also fallen in the rankings because healthy life expectancy in the country was now lower than in China.

In data published last year, the World Health Organiza-

At 83.7 the US slipped from a score of 85.6 in 2018.

The Netherlands finished fourth -- up two slots from last year -- while Switzerland came in fifth place.

Pakistan: Record debt accumulated in first year of Imran Khan's term

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SLAMABAD: The Imran Khan-led Pakistani government has accumulated a record public debt of PKR 7,509 billion during its first year in power, as per local media reports.

The foreign debt incurred

by Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government from August 2018 to August 2019 stood at PKR 2,804 billion, while the internally accumulated figure stood at PKR 4,705 billion, Geo News reported.

Charles Schwab and brokers cut fees

The Pakistani PM has paid a visit to many countries seeking financial help for Islamabad's ballooning economic crisis ever since coming to power last year.

EW YORK - The commission-free broker war is on — as is the battle for the hearts and wallets of retail investors.

As per the State Bank of Pakistan, the total public debt stood at PKR 31.786 trillion at the end of June 2019.

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On Tuesday, Charles Schwab (SCHW) announced that it was eliminating fees for online trades — including U.S. stocks, ETFs, and options, years after Robinhood began offering the same. That begins on Monday, October 7. In a statement, Schwab CFO Peter Crawford

called the move “inevitable” and the right thing to do for clients.

TD Ameritrade (AMTD) also jumped on the bandwagon, announcing that its U.S. brokers will no longer require fees for online trades, U.S. and Canadian ETFs, option trades as of October 3. However, those trading options may have to pay a $0.65 fee per contract, they added, but “with no exercise and assignment fees.”

Amid intensifying pressure to curb investment fees, the writing was on the wall in an industry that’s tried to become more accessible to everyday consumers. Competition from micro-investing platforms like Stash, Robinhood and Acorns have upped the ante, but Schwab’s move signals a formal acknowledgement by the bigger players that times are changing.

- Yahoo! Finance

Additionally, the government has projected public debt to increase by 47 per cent to PKR 45.57 trillion in five years.

In April this year, Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar had said that Pakistan's basic debts have reached alarmingly high levels and that the country

is near bankruptcy.

The Pakistani PM has paid a visit to many countries seeking financial help for Islamabad's ballooning economic crisis ever since coming to power last year.

Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and China, have provided bailout packages to Islamabad in a bid to save its crippling economy.

- Economic Times

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

VOICE OF ASIA 16

China warns Apple against 'reckless' support of HK protesters

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EIJING, China | AFP | Wednesday 10/8/2019 - China's state media accused Apple Wednesday of supporting pro-democracy protesters, warning the US tech giant would suffer consequences for its "unwise and reckless" decision, in an echo of campaigns against other Western firms.

An opinion piece in the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, highlighted a transport app available on Apple's store that it alleged helped protesters identify police in Hong Kong.

"Apple's approval for the app obviously helps rioters," the article said.

"Does this mean Apple intended to be an accomplice to the rioters?"

The article then cautioned that: "The map app is just the tip of the iceberg".

It alleged that a song advocating "Hong Kong independence" had appeared on the "Apple Music Store" in the southern Chinese city, then issued an ominous warning.

"Nobody wants to drag Apple into the lingering unrest in Hong Kong. But people have reason to assume that Apple is mixing business with politics, and even illegal acts," it said.

"Apple has to think about the consequences of its unwise and reckless decision," the article

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ARIS, France | AFP | Wednesday 10/9/2019 - They are omnipresent and essential to navigating modern life. Small, light, rechargeable: lithium ion batteries have revolutionised our world in less than three decades.

said.

As with other campaigns led by state-run press against foreign firms for perceived support of the democracy movement in Hong Kong, comments on China's strictly controlled internet echoed those of the media.

"It definitely wasn't an accident that Apple allowed HKmap.live online," wrote one commentator on Weibo. "(Apple) should know exactly what it's doing... It seems that there is too little domestic pressure against Apple."

Apple, which has a huge presence in China, did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

Hong Kong has endured nearly four months of protests that were ignited by a nowscrapped plan to allow extradi-

tions of criminal suspects to the mainland.

They snowballed into a movement calling for more democratic freedoms and police accountability, in the biggest challenge to China's rule of Hong Kong since its handover from the British in 1997.

China tolerates no dissent on the highly sensitive issue and has in recent weeks increasingly targeted foreign companies and organisations for perceived support of the protesters.

The American National Basketball Association was this week targeted after the general manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, posted a tweet supporting the protesters.

US jewellery brand Tiffany and Hong Kong's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, have also been heavily criticised in China.

Where Trump and Modi should take U.S.-India space cooperation Opinion by Peter Garretson and Namrata Goswami

D

uring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Houston, Texas for the September 2 forum organized by the U.SIndia Security Forum, at which President Donald Trump was present, the issue of U.S-India space cooperation figured prominently. Texas Senator Ted Cruz highlighted the significance of such bilateral collaboration, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer made similar statements. Most critically, U.S-India space cooperation was brought up multiple times

by President Trump himself, who stated, “Here in America, we are creating the United States Space Force, and we’re working closely with India to enhance space cooperation…

We will pioneer new frontiers in space, working together, raising the sights of humanity. We will uphold our values, defend our liberty, and control our destiny.”

But the context in which bilateral space cooperation is taking place has changed. What is the logic pushing U.S. and India closer on space? How exactly should the two nations seek to cooperate on the issue?

And how should they work to move forward on civil, commercial, and military space?

The answers to these questions will help shape the complexion of the bilateral U.S.-Indian cooperation in what is fast emerging as a vital domain.

The primary logic underpinning U.S-India security cooperation is a shared concern over China. For the first time since the founding of the United Nations, the authoritarian PRC will have an economy that exceeds that of any single democratic economy, including the United States, within the decade. That configuration of economic power threatens the foundation of liberty in the international system unless the world’s two largest economies and democracies can come together to offer alternate global leadership.

First, the United States and India, as “true friends” need a shared vision of industrial space development and security of commerce for the 2050 timeframe. This vision should be explored through a diversity of table-top exercises involving representatives from NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization, the U.S. Space Force and the Indian Space Defense Agency, as well as commercial industry partners from both countries. Such events will lay the groundwork for a consensus on broad global regimes governing economic develop-

Li-ion batteries: Science 'directly into your hand'

by Mariette le Roux and Patrick Galey

Apple has a huge presence in China. (Photo: Getty Images)

On Wednesday, John Goodenough, Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino, the inventors of a technology taken for granted by most, got the most prestigious chemistry nod of all: a Nobel Prize.

"They created a rechargeable world," stated the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the accolade.

- What's the big deal? Only commercialised in 1991, lithium ion batteries now power millions upon millions of cellphones, laptops, tablets, cameras, hearing aids, pacemakers, solar panels, scooters, bikes and even long-distance electric cars.

"Over two thirds of the world's population own a mobile device be it a smartphone, a laptop or tablet, and nearly all powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. They are the hidden workhorses of the mobile era," Paul Coxon of the University of Cambridge's Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy told AFP.

ment of space—frameworks analogous to what the Organization for Economic Development (OECD) and Bretton Woods system did for finance decades ago. At the heart of these efforts must be a shared vision of a future of vast prosperity and freedom.

Second, the United States and India should exchange space personnel at the highest levels of strategy and policy for military space, space intelligence, civil space agencies and commerce agencies. Such exchanges already exist with other key national security partners, but not yet with India. This sort of mechanism will allow easier cooperative planning, and make it easier to harmonize legislation, investments and mutual activities.

Third, building on the success of the U.S.-India nuclear agreement and the ten-year U.S.India Defense Framework, the two countries should make a series of high-profile investments in the technologies which will form the foundation of the future industrial space economy and cement their mutual connectedness.

They should develop a joint vision for Earth observation, environmental surveillance, remote sensing, broadband, and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region. Since both countries share similar concerns, their intelligence agencies should be cooperating to use space to better employ electronic, signals and cyber intelligence.

But there are even bigger ideas that should animate the relationship – ideas that are strategic both in their aspiration and effect on global norms and power. These include: High Speed Point-to-Point Sub-Orbital “Orient Express”: Elon Musk’s SpaceX already has plans for a starship to carry passengers from Delhi to DC or Boston to Bangalore in just thirty minutes. The United States and India could begin to

explore s similar transportation project in a Kwajalein (Pacific island)-to-Andaman (Indian Ocean island) experimental route as a means to jump-start a thriving private space flight industry.

Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion: China has already announced plans for a nuclearpowered space shuttle, and fission nuclear propulsion could allow much greater access to Mars and the asteroid belt. India, like the United States, has significant expertise in small nuclear reactors. A cooperative program could accelerate both countries’ ability to find prosperity in the stars. Even more advanced is fusion propulsion.

Diverting Asteroids and Comets: Today, we are tracking about 10,000 Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), but in a little over a decade we are likely to be tracking as many as 1 million NEAs, of which 10,000 may have some probability of impacting Earth in the next 100 years, and 50 to 100 will appear threatening enough to merit active monitoring and/or deflection.

Orbital Power Stations: As remarked by President Trump, energy security is at the heart of U.S.-India relations. Already, China has started a program to build solar power satellites, a technology that could alter the entire balance of global power.

Back in 2011, former Indian President APJ Kalam proposed that the United States and India begin a joint development program on space-based solar power. Until now, however, the idea has remained mostly notional.

In 2050, the top three economies on planet Earth will be China, India and the United States. Space resources offer vast prosperity and therefore the power to shape global politics. If liberty is to endure, the time is now to place the strategic bets to ensure that democracies remain in a position of strength and solidarity.

-The National Interest

while production of the electrodes require rare metals such as cobalt and nickel.

-- especially in South America.

"We could not necessarily have predicted 40 or 50 years ago that tantalum, indium, all these interesting elements would become very important," said Coxon, pointing to environmental harms and stresses on infrastructure in places where the minerals are found

Large quantities of spent lithium ion battery components end up in landfills, he added. They are frequently shipped off to recycling facilities, often in developing countries, where they are stripped to their base parts and the reusable bits recycled.

"It places pressure on how we ethically source these."

Pioneers of lithiumion battery win Nobel Chemistry Prize Texas-based scientist claims prize at 97 years old.

by Pia Ohlin

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TOCKHOLM, Sweden | AFP | Wednesday 10/9/2019 - Three researchers won the Nobel Chemistry Prize on Wednesday for the development of lithium-ion batteries, paving the way for smartphones and a fossil fuelfree society.

They have considerably boosted human mobility, and allowed millions in developing countries to access information and services online with just a mobile phone.

Lithium-ion batteries have also reduced our reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels, especially in electric cars.

From left: John Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino. (Credits: University of Texas at Austin; Binghamton University; the Japan Prize Foundation)

Furthermore, they can be used in combination with renewable but fluctuating energy sources such as the Sun or wind, capturing and storing energy to be reused later.

John Goodenough of the United States -- at 97 the oldest person to be awarded a Nobel prize -- Britain's Stanley Whittingham, and Japan's Akira Yoshino will share the nine million Swedish kronor (about $914,000 or 833,000 euros) prize equally, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.

For Coxon, the lithium ion battery is a worthy Nobel recipient as it plays to the very origins of the prestigious prize.

"This lightweight, rechargeable and powerful battery is now used in everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles... (and) can also store significant amounts of energy from solar and wind power, making possible a fossil fuel-free society," the jury said.

"The practical application of science for the benefit of humanity; fundamental science placed directly into your hand," he said. "I am literally holding a phone in my hand right now."

Indian PM Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump. (File photo)

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

- What changed? Unlike their predecessor, lead acid batteries developed in the mid-19th century, li-ion batteries are rechargeable.

They are smaller, lighter, longer lasting and can be made to be more powerful.

Electric car batteries "no longer weigh two tonnes but 300 kilogrammes (660 pounds)," said Sara Snogerup Linse, a professor in physical chemistry and a member of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

- How do they work? When a battery is connected to a circuit, charged ions move inside the battery, usually in a chemical solution, between two electrodes -- an anode and a cathode.

Chemical reactions take place at each of the electrodes, creating a buildup of electrons on one end. The electrons seek to rebalance, but cannot move through the battery, forcing them to travel through the circuit, giving off electric energy.

The positive electrode is made from a composite of lithium -- the lightest metal known to man and the key to the design's success, according to Olof Ramstroem, a fellow committee member.

"Lithium has such enormously attractive properties and that means you can get a very lightweight battery that is small with high power and efficiency," he said after Wednesday's announcement in Stockholm.

"Lithium is very reactive... which is what we need -- we need the electrons from the lithium. This is all about trying to tame that and get it into that small battery package that is really useful to us."

- The downside An article published in the journal Nature last July warned that reserves of raw materials used in lithium ion batteries such as cobalt and nickel, are scarce and expensive and fast running out.

Lithium is found in a range of minerals and in salt or brine,

"Lithium batteries have revolutionised our lives since they first entered the market in 1991," and were "of the greatest benefit to humankind".

Over two-thirds of the world's population own a mobile device, nearly all of which are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, Paul Coxon of the University of Cambridge's Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy told AFP. Seeking an alternative source of power during the oil crisis of the 1970s, Whittingham discovered a way to harness the potential energy in lithium, a metal so light it floats on water.

He constructed a battery partly made of lithium that utilised the element's natural tendency to shed electrons, thereby transferring energy.

However the battery was too unstable to be used.

Goodenough built on Whittingham's prototype, substituting a different metal compound and doubling the potential energy of the battery to four volts.

This paved the way for far more powerful and durable batteries in the future.

In 1985, Yoshino instead used a carbon-based material that stores lithium ions, finally rendering the battery commercially viable.

The culmination of the trio's research resulted in the most powerful, lightweight and rechargeable battery ever seen.

- Good scientists 'stay persistent' "This is such a wonderful thing, and I am very surprised," Yoshino told reporters in Tokyo.

He said he had only got a cell phone in recent years.

"I have long felt a bit of rejection towards mobile phones, so I have never had one until recently.

"I know the lithium-ion battery really benefited mobile phones," he said, adding he did "not really" feel that he had helped make a product that benefited his life.

For Yoshino, a good scientist needed two qualities.

"One thing is that you have to have a flexible brain. Flexibility. The other is tenacity. You stay persistent and never give up."

Goodenough, who was in London when he received the news, said he, like Yoshino, didn't expect to be honoured, but expressed more pride in the worldwide impact of his work.

"I'm extremely happy that my discovery has been able to help communication through the world. We need to build relationships, not wars. I am happy if people use this for good, not evil," he told reporters during a press conference.

Whittingham, 77, said he was "overcome with gratitude at receiving this award". His research "has helped advance how we store and use energy at a foundational level, and it is my hope that this recognition will help to shine a muchneeded light on the (US) nation's energy future," he said on the website of Binghamton University in New York where he is a professor.

Yoshino, 71, works at the Asahi Kasei Corporation in Tokyo and is a professor at Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, while Goodenough holds the Cockrell Chair in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

The trio will receive the prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament.

Last year, the honour went to US scientists Frances Arnold and George Smith and British researcher Gregory Winter.

VOICE OF ASIA 17

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

Home&Real Estate House in Houston for sale for just $1

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OUSTON, (KTRK) -- Buying a home may be an expensive venture for many, but one Houston home may be in range because of its list price.

A Brand New Multi-Purpose Facility for Shopping Center, Day Care Facility, Grocery Store, Restaurant, and for Anything You Can Dream About!

A real estate group is listing a 5-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home for just $1.

"This is the first time our team has listed a home at this price point," The Loken Group CEO Lance Loken said in a statement. "We knew how much the seller has enjoyed living here; and, after discussing marketing strategies, she loved the idea of opening her home to the public so everyone could have an opportunity to fall in love with it, as well as present an offer."

The home in the Copperfield community in northwest Houston is appraised at $293,336, ac-

Just one dollar is all a Houston real estate agent is asking for to sell a 5-bedroom home. (Photo: The Loken Group) cording to a statement from the listing agent.

The real estate website Zillow shows the home to be 3,706 square feet.

Showings are scheduled to start Sunday with an open house

While the list price appears to be a bargain, buyers aren't likely to make a deal with a dollar.

The homeowner is asking potential buyers to set the price by submitting their best offer.

by Steve Brown

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ustin and Fort Worth had the biggest home price gains in Texas in August, while the Dallas area and Houston lagged.

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Medical — meaning everything from outposts of medical giants like Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist to urgent care clinics and dental offices — is becoming the anchor behind more retail developments.

People who prioritize convenience want to see medical facilities in their neighborhood so they don’t have to fight through traffic in order to get to the Texas Medical Center.

“In urban settings, medical is going to be the driver, and retail is going to be a component. In a suburban setting, retail is going to be a driver and medical is going to be a component,” said Simmi Jaggi, managing director in JLL’s retail/land advisory group.

More medical facilities are offering “stores,” the report says, in smaller formats that create more efficient operations, limit wait times and provide better operating hours.

Medical facilities will become increasingly important as Houston's population continues to grow. The greater Houston area created 93,600 jobs in the 12 months ending July 2019, the report stated, and employment in Space City is at an alltime high.

“The job growth has been kind of at this level for years now, which is great, and what it does, it’s kind of allowed Houston to become a frontrunner city in the United States for trying out new types of developments and new concepts,” said Chris Wadley, senior vice president and health care and life science lead with JLL. One of the more prevalent

A Taiwanese couple’s retirement home conquers tricky terrain with prefab construction

Nationwide home prices were 3.6% higher in August than a year earlier, a smaller increase than in 2018.(Amy Sancetta / AP Photo)

Austin had the largest yearover-year home price gains of Texas' major metro areas — up 5.42% from 2018 levels.

Median home prices in the Fort Worth area rose 5.02% during the same period.

Dallas-area prices were up 2.77% from August 2018, and Houston area prices were 2.7% higher.

Even with the slowdown in home appreciation rates in many U.S. markets, CoreLogic said that home prices are overvalued in 40% of the country's metro areas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

During the next 12 months, the forecast is for nationwide home prices to rise another 5.8%.

Hottest trend in Houston's retail real estate is not what one might expect OUSTON - The hottest trend in Houston's retail real estate market is medical, according to the newest quarterly report from the Houston branch of Chicago-based JLL.

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Built on a tight budget of $120,000, a retirement home in the mountains delivers unexpected contemporary design to a rural township.

Nationwide home prices were 3.6% higher than in August 2018, according to a new report by CoreLogic.

"Prices for the lowest-priced homes increased by 5.5%, compared with August 2018, when prices increased by 8.4%," he said. "This moderation in home price growth should be welcome news to entry-level buyers."

Most Convenient Location opposite to Dulles High School at Dulles Ave.

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Houston and Dallas were Texas' weakest home price markets in August

"The 3.6% increase in annual home price growth this August marked a big slowdown from a year earlier, when the U.S. index was up 5.5%," Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic, said in the report. "While the slowdown in appreciation occurred across the country at all price points, it was most pronounced at the lower end of the market.

5400SqFt PRIME SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE - Whole or Part

examples of the medical-inretail trend is Pearland-based Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. In July, Kelsey-Seybold began construction on a 37,000-squarefoot facility at Grand Morton Town Center in Katy. Houston-based NewQuest Properties owns Grand Morton Town Center and recently launched a health care and wellness division.

Ashley Strickland, vice president of NewQuest's new division, told the Houston Business Journal in July that the new clinic will be a “mutually beneficial” addition to Grand Morton Town Center’s existing retail tenants.

“For the moms, children and other patients needing care, it’s much more convenient to have a clinic nearby, rather than off in a dedicated medical district.

From a landlord perspective, the clinic provides a sustainable, continuous stream of customers who are much more likely to do their shopping if they have to be there anyway to go to the clinic,” Strickland said. “The clinic’s employees will also benefit from having a range of amenities right there within walking distance.”

Strickland said at the time that recent changes in health care regulations have driven many health care providers to move closer to patients. That has made retail complexes a prime target for health clinics looking to provide convenient care to their patients.

“With the majority of the

population spreading out to suburban communities, health care providers are starting to shift, so they can be much closer to their patients’ front door,” she said.

In another case, Houstonbased investment firm SGRE Stone Center Ltd. sold Hearthstone Professional Plaza in northwest Houston in early September. After purchasing the property in 2016, SGRE tasked NewQuest with transitioning the plaza from a traditional shopping center to one focused on medical offices. At the time of the sale, the center was 92 percent occupied, with five of the six current tenants being medical providers.

Overall, Houston's marketwide retail vacancy is at 5.6 percent, what the JLL report says is 50 basis points below the 10-year average. Total inventory, third-quarter net absorption, year-to-date net absorption and Q3 leasing activity have all gone up, total vacancy has remained steady, and square footage under construction has gone down.

The same day that JLL released its report, the Houston branch of Los Angeles-based CBRE released a similar Q3 retail report. In that report, Matt Berry, first vice president with CBRE, said that low interests rates and lots of capital coming into the Houston market created a jump in real estate investment sales volume that has no sign of slowing down.

- Houston Business Journal

voiceofasia.news is your home news source

The site-specific DH House was designed differently from its neighbors. "The surrounding architecture is a mix of different housing styles, but none of them done with much love," says architect Urdaneta Zeberio, who notes that the nearby buildings look like copies of suburban American homes.

by Lucy Wang

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ager to leave Taipei behind for a quieter life in the mountains, a retired Taiwanese couple took the recommendation of their son-in-law and hired Spanish architect Urdaneta Zeberio to realize their vision of an affordable retirement home in rural Nanzhuang, two hours north of Taichung.

vehicles to access, and could only be minimally modified per community regulations.

The limited technical skills of the local rural workforce also posed a problem, not to mention the modest budget and the area’s susceptibility to typhoons and earthquakes.

"Due to these factors, we opted for a more flexible and lightweight metal structure as

Located atop a mountain between two valleys, DH House frames views of Nanchang and the ocean on one side and views of the mountains on the other.

of the house very simple and symmetrical to make sure the available workers could build it without having to read many plans."

"In the beginning of the design process, the house was much more complex, but once we began looking for construction companies, the ones willing to build such a small house on that site had problems understanding the plans," says Zeberio. "So simplification was not only due to budget, but also to make sure the construction company could actually build the project."

The 1,075-square-foot DH House—the initials represent "Dream House," a term Mr. Zhan used to describe the project—was built for approximately $120,000, a total cost that includes everything from site work to interior finishing.

Oriented north to south, the elevated gabled structure "flies over the terrain" and has a covered parking and outdoor terrace space underneath.

Inside, the home features minimalist decor that keeps

"They are a very open-minded couple looking to build something special, different from what they saw around Taiwan," says Zeberio, who adds that the clients are special not only because they are the inlaws of one of his best friends, but also because of their appreciation for new ideas—a mindset not commonly found among the older generation in Taiwan.

An open attitude was critical to the success of the project, which faced multiple challenges from the start.

The clients, Mr. and Mrs. Zhan, had purchased land in a private community located near the very top of a mountain, which came with spectacular views as well as complex and hilly terrain that made it impossible for large construction

the optimal construction solution," explains Zeberio, who prefabricated the home’s metal skeleton off-site and elevated it on stilts to mitigate the steep change in slope. "We tried to use the minimum number of materials on the facade and interiors and keep the structure

focus on the outdoors. "I made this project thinking of how I would like to live," says Zeberio. "Most of the time, it is not about the size, the budget, or the quality of the materials, but about how peaceful the space can become."

- Dwell.com

SMALL BUSINESSES

VOICE OF ASIA 18

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FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

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Week of October 11, 2019 21 March to 20 April Relationships are important, especially with the sun and feisty Mars continuing to move though Libra. Dynamic Mars can be a call to take the initiative and find ways to heal rifts and clear the air where necessary. Adopt a more thoughtful approach to others.

21 April to 20 May A desire to streamline your lifestyle and routines could see you doing exactly that this week and over the coming weeks. You might need to take life at a slower pace because obstacles to your best-laid plans could show up. Just do what you can.

21 May to 20 June The weekend could be lively and upbeat with a full moon in Aries on Sunday. And a very positive sun-Jupiter tie hints that you may be ready to fearlessly explore some new social options. There could be a lack of subtlety at this time.

21 June to 22 July Looking for love? The weekend brings possibilities for an encounter that can be a breath of fresh air. You’ll be in the spotlight on Sunday, with a full moon in Aries, so be sure to act with integrity. It can be worth it if you want to make a good impression.

23 July to 22 August While you seem to be making a great impression while discussing a key plan early in the week, you might need to tread with care.

Someone may want more than assurances, namely, facts and proof. Give it to them so things can proceed from there. This is a great time to promote your work.

23 August to 22 Sept Staying one step ahead with your finances can be a good move because you’ll then have the resources to implement potentially lucrative ideas. Keep looking for ways to save and invest wisely and you’ll see the benefits over the coming weeks and months.

Horoscope.com

23 September to 22 Oct You could have a minor spat with family members early in the week, and someone might be particularly stubborn. However, with the sun in your sign angling toward sobering Saturn on Monday, this is your chance to be tactful and diplomatic concerning an issue.

23 October to 21 Nov With the sun and dynamic Mars, your co-ruler, stirring up a subtler sector of your chart, this is an opportunity to do some emotional housecleaning. Processing through issues that may have caused upset in the past can allow you to find closure.

22 November to 21 Dec You might want to take part in a social event or other fun occasion, but the thought of the expense could be holding you back. If it’s a one-off and you can afford it, why not enjoy yourself? The focus on your social sector continues all week.

22 December to 20 Jan With a major focus on a prominent zone of your chart, you could be a star in the making.

This is very much the time to promote your work, brush up your resume, and generally make a good impression.

21 January to 19 Feb The chance to reach out for new opportunities can allow you to live up to your potential. Fiery Mars is powering through your sector of far horizons, so this is very much a time to move out of your comfort zone and enjoy being adventurous. This isn’t the time to give in but to move beyond it.

20 February to 20 Mar Are you ready to transform your life? Warrior Mars powers through a more intense zone along with the sun, making this one of the better times to let go of whatever no longer serves your best interests. This is easier said than done, though.

ACROSS 1. At a great distance 5. *TV network, last aired World Series in 1993 8. Biological blueprint 11. "For" in Spanish 12. Clarified butter 13. Kind of Wrangler 14. Foolish person 15. Capital of Latvia 16. More so than #16 Down 17. *As opposed to #51 Across 19. Grateful Dead's kind of rock 20. Like Hitler's ideal 21. Bugling ungulate 22. *2018 World Series winner 25. Like default settings 28. American cuckoo 29. Interstellar cloud 32. Female gamete 34. Noonan in "Caddyshack" 36. Olympic chant 37. Related on mother's side 38. Narc's unit 39. Kind of acid 41. Mountbatten-Windsor ____ Markle 42. Financial deficit 44. Made noise 46. "I ____ You Babe" 47. Next step for juvenile 49. Dylan Thomas, e.g.

51. *League with most World Series victories 54. Miss America's headgear 55. ____ en scene 56. Successor 58. Picnic invaders 59. Change for a five 60. Marine eagle 61. Unknown power 62. *Formerly known as Stockings 63. Shirt is tied, then ____ SOLUTION:

DOWN 1. City dwelling, abbr.

2. Babe in the woods 3. Cantatrice's offering 4. Drum sound 5. Formal dishes 6. Between "begin" and "begun" 7. Notary Public's mark 8. Cold cuts store 9. Demand 10. Credit card acronym 12. Breakwater 13. *Single series HR record holder 16. Opposite of sun-kissed 18. Often-missed humor 21. *Pitching stat 22. Hard place to scratch?

23. Currently broadcasting 24. Sashay 25. Surveyor's map 26. *1984 winner Darrell or 1986 loser Dwight 27. Tutor's student 30. *World Series play-byplay announcer 31. Take illegal drugs 33. Fitting reward 35. *2018 losing team 37. Cause for food recall 39. Adam of "Stand and Deliver" fame 40. Hardens 43. I, to a Greek 45. Used a back-scratcher, e.g.

47. Kind of acid 48. Spay 49. Pub order 50. Solemn promise 51. Singer Tori 52. Bald eagle's nest 53. *Positions on the field 54. Summer glow 57. *Sock color of the 1918 and 2004 winners

WORLD SERIES on Page 19

CLASSIFIED

VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

CRIME:

Investigators Need Public's Help In Locating Truck That Fled Accident roadway and when it did, the suspect vehicle struck the back of the victim's vehicle.

The victim lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway on the outside edge and went down an embankment.

At the bottom of the embankment is a wood line and the victim's vehicle entered the wooded area where the front of the victim's truck struck a tree.

Mr.Schatz died of his injuries a short time later.

Larry Schatz died of his injuriesfrom a fatal crash. Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

T

he Harris County Sheriff's Office Vehicular Crimes unit need the public's help in locating a ve-

The suspect vehicle described as a 2007 to 2013 Chevrolet pick-up.

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The suspects Chevrolet pickup has damage to the left front quarter panel.

hicle and its driver that are involved in a fatality crash on Saturday October 5, 2019 in the 7800 block of US Hwy 90.

The attached photograph of the Chevrolet Silverado is not the suspect vehicle but shows where the damage on the suspect vehicle is located.

The victim, Larry Schatz was driving his vehicle a 2006 Ford Explorer in the outside lane of US Hwy 90.

The suspect vehicle described as a 2007 to 2013 Chevrolet pick-up was beind the victim in the same lane. The suspect vehicle failed to drive in a single lane and left the roadway on the inside edge. The suspect vehicle came back onto the

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-274-7400

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

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 20

Tourists to be welcomed back to Indian Kashmir: governor

Beijing’s new airport has the best cure for tired travelers: a hotel that rents rooms by the hour

N

EW DELHI, India | AFP | Monday 10/7/2019 - Tourists warned by India to leave Kashmir just days before stripping the restive valley of its autonomy will be welcomed back later this week, the region's governor said Monday.

Authorities in early August called for holiday-makers to leave "immediately" over "terror threats" to a major Hindu pilgrimage, sending thousands scrambling for places on planes and buses.

New Delhi also imposed a clampdown on movement and cut off all communications including the internet and phone lines just before the controversial autonomy decision to quell unrest.

But local governor Satya Pal Malik said in a statement after a security meeting that the "Home Department's advisory asking tourists to leave the valley be lifted" from Thursday.

There were no further details about why the advisory would be lifted this week.

Malik repeated New Delhi's assertions that authorities were gradually lifting the curfew,

by Cailey Rizzo

B

EIJING, China - Last month, the world's largest airport opened in Beijing. And now it has a hotel to match its stature.

File photo adding that "all the security restrictions were removed in most parts" of the region.

Tourist operators told AFP in late August they were badly hit by the sharp drop-off in visitor numbers, and were worried many people would stay away for a prolonged period of time.

visited Kashmir after August 5 when New Delhi scrapped its autonomy until the end of the month, the figures showed.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1947 and has been the spark for two wars between the nucleararmed foes.

More than half-a-million people visited the valley in the first seven months of this year, according to official data.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in an uprising against Indian rule since 1989, most of them civilians.

In addition, some 340,000 religious tourists were also visiting the valley in July before their Hindu pilgrimage was called off due to the terror claims.

Evidence on the ground suggests locals are angry with the autonomy decision, with regular protests, business owners refusing to open their premises and children kept out of schools.

Just 150 foreign travellers

US sanctions leave bitter taste on French winegrowers ' palates

P

OMMARD, France | AFP | Sunday 10/6/2019 - For French winegrowers in the Burgundy region, the new 25-percent US tariffs are leaving a bitter taste on the palate.

The tariffs hitting the wine industry threaten make it part of the collateral damage in President Trump's trade war as Washington targets EU nations behind the Airbus consortium -- notably France -- over aircraft subsidies.

Down in the cellars of the estate, which Parent runs with her sister, a 2019 vintage she judges "absolutely superb" is being put into barrels. In a room upstairs, boxes of Pommard Premier Cru 2017 are being prepared for US export.

Next week, they will ship out "three or four" palettes to the US states of Texas and Wisconsin. "That's how it was planned, (the US tariff announcements) didn't change the schedule," says Parent.

She is hoping the tariffs will be a temporary problem. In the meantime, "it is important to support our clients to show them we are still willing and that this is an important market for us".

Nevertheless, she concedes, "we shall certainly have to make up for a decline in volume and a drop in turnover in the United States," but espies an opportunity "to go and look at other markets or even strengthen our presence in France."

- 'A little bit of panic' Less than 10 kilometres (6.5 miles) away in the lobby of the Beaune wine merchant Latour, boxes of wine are on the point of being shipped off to New York.

But not all of them.

"This morning we had three containers cancelled," says Louis-Fabrice Latour, chairman of the company, a family business that dates back to the early 18th century.

The hotel has a host of splashy feature but perhaps the most exciting for road-weary travelers is that you can check in and out at any time of day — perfect for those dealing with early-morning or late-night flights. Guests will pay based per number of hours that they intend to be in the room (options come in blocks of three, six, nine or 12 hours).

“We tailor services at each location to make our guests feel at home,” Song Hoi-see, the founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, which owns the hotel, said in a statement. “The opening of Aerotel Beijing is for travelers seeking elevated and personalized experiences at Beijing Daxing International Airport. It will, for example, transform the experience for travelers journeying from Beijing and Tianjin that have early morning long haul flights.”

The hotel is located about a 10-minute walk from the international check-in desk.

Photos: courtesy of Plaza Premium Group hotel. No matter what time zone you’re coming from, you’ll have ideal sleeping conditions with a pillow menu and soothing ambient lighting in each room. There are also high-powered showers to wash away all the travel grime you undoubtedly collect while in transit.

Guests at the hotel will have access to an on-site restaurant

(open 24 hours a day), private dining room, fitness area and two meeting rooms.

Beijing Daxing Airport opened at the end of September. The Zaha Hadid-designed structure is expected to become the busiest in the world when it reaches maximum passenger capacity of 100 million people per year.

- Travel + Leisure

To upgrade your leisure, downgrade your phone

But like it or not, they are caught up in a trade war they feel has nothing to do with them.

She works at Pommard, based in the Cote de Beaune region of Burgundy. A quarter of their turnover is exported to the United States.

Travelers who are passing through Beijing Daxing International Airport can spend the night at Aerotel Beijing, the interminal hotel.

There are 215 bedrooms in the hotel, all of which are designed to help travelers make the most of their hours in the

by Olivier Devos

"This is a thoroughly unfair tax, because it compensates for a dispute relating to the aeronautical, not the wine sector," says winegrower Anne Parent.

FRIDAY, October 11, 2019

The author of 'Digital Minimalism' explains how you can maximize your free time

by Cal Newport A picker empties her basket of black grapes during harvest at the Chateau Haut-Brion vineyard in Pessac, near Bordeaux, France, September 18, 2019. Regis Duvignau, Reuters yond us and which relates to Boeing and Airbus."

He says his US clients "never really believed" in the sanctions. "So now there's a little bit of panic come aboard."

His firm gets 20 percent of its sales -- worth 20 million euros ($22 million) -- in the United States and is set to lose "a good third" of a market where Latour has been present for a century and a half.

If Burgundy is particularly affected by these sanctions, it is because the United States is its prime foreign customer, taking nearly a quarter of its exports.

Latour prefers to rationalise the situation by noting that "it's a 25 percent tax, not a 10 percent one. Everyone can work at 25 percent," he says philosophically.

"It's hard, it's a shame -- but we can absorb the shock."

Thanks to stocks, consumers will only really start feeling the effects in six months, according to Latour -- unless an agreement between Europe and the United States emerges by then.

Burgundy has "growth drivers" in other countries, particularly in Asia, which could part-

ly offset the hit they are taking in the US market, says Romain Taupenot, winemaker with Morey Saint-Denis.

They export 80 to 90 percent of their production, with US sales accounting for roughly a 20 percent share.

US President Donald Trump "tends to bring out the heavy artillery quickly enough," says Taupenot, though he wants to believes "we're not in a negotiating game."

But Taupenot acknowledges that "somehow it's a good war on Trump's part -- he's pressing where it hurts".

He believes negotiations could still result in the sanctions being dropped before they are due to come into force on October 18.

One thing is certain. For professional Burgundy winemakers top drawer wines from the region will always find buyers in the United States, even at higher prices.

Things will prove more difficult, however, for mid-range wines at around the $15, a price that pits them notably against competition from Italian producers -- who are not hit by these sanctions.

Saudi Arabia allows unmarried foreign couples to rent hotel rooms

R

IYADH, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Sunday 10/6/2019 - Saudi Arabia announced Sunday it would allow unmarried foreign couples to rent hotel rooms together as the ultraconservative kingdom begins offering up tourist visas for the first time.

"It's a tough blow," says Latour, who is also deputy chairman of the Interprofessional Office of Burgundy (BIVB), the voice of the local wine trade.

The tourism authority said in a statement published on Twitter that Saudi women travelling alone would also be able to check into a hotel by presenting valid ID.

"We are still very surprised, a little taken aback, because it's not really to do with us, it's a conflict that goes a little be-

"This is no longer required

In the past, couples wanting to stay in a hotel had to prove they were married.

for tourists," the statement said.

Saudi Arabia announced on September 27 it was opening its doors to holidaymakers with the goal of diversifying its oildependent economy.

The kingdom had previously only issued visas to Muslim pilgrims, foreign workers, and recently to spectators at sporting or cultural events.

Kickstarting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a postoil era.

Citizens from 49 countries

I

n 2009, at the age of 30, Dave Smith was working long hours at an accounting firm in San Luis Obispo, on California’s central coast, and he wasn’t happy. “It was fluorescent lighting, no windows, not much interaction with people, lots of paperwork.

I hated it,” he told me this summer. Two or three times a week, his frustration would peak, and he would get up and walk out the door. “I would have no intention of going back,” he says. But inevitably, he would remember that he had infant twins at home to support and talk himself into returning to his desk.

After four years of this unhappiness, Smith quit his job with the large firm and moved his family to a remarkable, under-the-radar area, located on the outskirts of the town of Morro Bay, known as the Beach Tract. Tucked between the Pacific Coast Highway and the ocean, the neighborhood is made up of modest, single-story ranch houses with low-lying roofs, all a short walk from the shoreline. A combination of zoning restrictions enforced by the California Coastal Commission and its distance from the anxious wealth of San Francisco and Los Angeles has allowed the Beach Tract to support a core of young, middleclass families attracted to easy access to ocean sports and a laid-back sense of community.

As Smith explains, it’s the type of place where it’s understood that, on good surf days, “You drop everything, cancel all your meetings, and get on the water.”

To make ends meet, Smith started his own CPA practice that’s focused on tax preparation for individuals in the community. During the three months leading up to the April tax deadline, Smith works long

are now eligible for online evisas or visas on arrival, including the United States, Australia and several European nations.

On September 28, Saudi authorities warned that tourists who violated "public decency", including with immodest clothing and public displays of affection, would be subject to fines.

Photo: Ovidiu Gruescu/Unsplash

days preparing his clients’ returns, but during the other nine months of the year, he rarely works more than a dozen hours per week. As if to make up for the time lost in the fluorescent prison of his old job, Smith has dedicated his newfound free hours to aggressive leisure pursuits. His house is a threeminute walk from the surf, and he can see the conditions from his window. On a good day, he surfs a couple hours in the morning, goes for a mountainbike ride around lunch, and then plays an afternoon round of golf. “I call this the trifecta,” he says. There are so many outdoor activities available in the area—including kitesurfing, fishing, sailing, and mountain climbing—that Smith came to accept he had to become more selective with his recreation. “I can only do so many,” he jokingly complained.

For lots of people, Smith’s story sounds like a fairy tale.

The idea of leaving a grim job to move to the beach and embrace “trifecta” days is appealing in large part because it touches on our primal affinity for leisure. In her 1999 book Deep Play, the poet and naturalist Diane Ackerman argues that intense play is fundamental to the human experience.

“It’s organic to who and what we are, a process as instinctive as breathing,” she writes. The health and fitness guru Mark Sisson agrees, emphasizing that our hunter-gatherer ancestors enjoyed extended sessions of “pure, unadulterated leisure time.” This wasn’t just because it was fun, but also because it provided “a vital component of communal living and social cohesion.”

But at the same time, stories like Smith’s can be frustrating, because they often involve a protagonist making a dramatic move to someplace exotic while drastically reducing their work obligations. Most people

who aspire to more unadulterated leisure can’t easily upend their lives in this way, leaving them feeling wistful and resigned. There is, however, another option. While researching my most recent book, Digital Minimalism, I stumbled across a way in which almost anyone in our current, overworked culture can inject significantly more quality leisure into their life without requiring a move near the ocean or radical job change. In other words, there’s a way to practically embrace the same spirit that drove Smith’s life-changing transformation. It starts with taking a closer look at your relationship with the device on which you’re probably reading this article right now.

If you’re like many of the people who participated in my experiment, your phone has probably colonized much more of your free time than you realize. If you’re willing to dramatically reduce its role in your leisure, you’ll likely be surprised by how much more meaningful recreation you’ll be able to fit into the typical day.

To succeed with this free-time transformation, ignore your initial instinct to simply tweak your habits. In my experience, small changes like turning off notifications or shuffling the icons on your smartphone don’t stick. The technological and cultural forces attracting you to your screens are too powerful.

Instead, I suggest you follow the same general structure as my experiment: pick a length of time during which you take a break from all optional digital distractions, and allow the resulting boredom to motivate you to aggressively pursue higher-quality alternatives.

The goal is to lose your taste for easy digital diversions and reacquire an attraction to more nourishing pursuits.

- Outside.com