VOICE OF ASIA 1
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
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Celebrating ambassadors of change for children’s rights
Vedic Fair Chair Geetha Ravula with Chief Guest - Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George. (Photo courtesy Vedic Fair)
CRY Houston Chapter's organizers and board of directors. (Photo courtesy CRY America)
S
UGAR LAND - March 11, 2019: CRY, Child Rights & You America [CRY America], a 501c3 non-profit that works towards ensuring underprivileged children their basic rights, hosted their Annual Houston Gala Dinner on March 3rd at the Marriott Town Square in Sugar Land to bring people together for the cause of children's rights. Speakers included Emcee Meena Datt, Houston Consul General Anupam Ray, Fort Bend County Judge KP
George and Special Guest Tanishaa Mukerji to amplify the voices of underprivileged children. The Gala was attended by 240 guests and raised over $125,000 which will be directed towards grass roots Projects working on critical children’s issues. Apart from raising awareness for the cause, guests enjoyed the evening with dinner, cocktails, silent and live auctions, entertainment, music and dancing. Performances by Arzan and Rhythm India, the Bellaire Jazz Band
8th Annual Vedic Fair brings Indian celebration to Greater Houston
and DJ Sage added spark and were much appreciated by all the guests.
H
Auction items donated by famous Indian artist included a beautiful painting by Prakash Deshmukh; fashion ensemble Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla; Boxing Glove autographed by World Champions; Star Wars Movie Poster signed by 12 Cast Members; Marvel Universe Picture autographed by Stan Lee; Cricket bats signed by Saurav
OUSTON - The 8th Annual Vedic Fair Mega Celebration of INDIA has drawn thousands of visitors and was held successfully last weekend at Cinco Ranch High School. Once again, Ashirwad A Blessing Temple organized a splendid house full show of Indian heritage in a fun, spiritual and entertaining way, non-stop for 5 hrs from 5 to 10 PM with over 150 Houston Artists, presenters, workshop hosts and vendors.
Continued on Page 3
The entrance of Cinco Ranch high school was converted into a beauti-
ful temple for Brahma – The Creator, Maha Vishnu – The Protector, MahaDev Shiva – The Redeemer along with their consorts Saraswati Devi, Maha Lakshmi & Parvati Devi and other Indian Gods & Goddesses. Vedic Fair 8 opened with Celebrate India Exhibits competition. The presenters showcased 18 Maha-Puranas with confidence and clarity taking the contest to a level never seen before. Continued on Page 6
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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS by John Delaney
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Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Austin Correspondent: Marketing Director: Office Manager: Data Entry:
lobal warming is an existential crisis. The overwhelming consensus in the scientific community is that global warming will threaten the prosperity and security of not only every American, but people around the world.
Koshy Thomas Sherly Philip Shobana Muratee Sherine Thomas Susan Pothanikat Priyan Mathew Satish Philip
Contributors: OpEd: Dr. Chandra Mittal Legal: Sharlene Sharmila Richards Mala Sharma Research: Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee Health: Sudhir Mathuria
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Editor Online: Shobana Muratee Marketing Director: Susan Pothanikat All rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be published without the consent of the publisher. Voice of Asia assumes no liability resulting from action taken based on the information included herein. Published weekly by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Email for editorial submissions: voiceasia@aol.com; Email for advertising inquiries and submissions: ads@voiceofasiagroup.com. It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints. Although paid advertisements may appear in Voice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, the Voice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. — The Publisher Voice of Asia (USPS 010-215) (ISSN#10705058) is published every Friday (for a subscription rate of $50 per year) by Free Press LLC, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074. Tel: 713-774-5140. Fax: 713-774-5143. Periodical postage paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Voice of Asia, 8303 SW Freeway, Suite # 325, Houston, TX 77074.
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To address this threat with the seriousness and analytical clarity that it deserves we have to focus on one core goal: reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This comes with acknowledging four core realties: First, we should not make action on climate harder to solve by linking it to other issues of inequality or injustice. This will only delay real action on climate and time is our enemy. When John F. Kennedy said we should send someone to the moon, he didn’t tie it to unrelated social or economic policies. He marshalled significant resources and talent and had a laser-like focus on the goal. Second, we need to propose solutions that don’t radically disrupt the entire economy, or shift all of the burdens to the poor or working class. Focusing on ideas that many in the country oppose will only delay real action on climate. Third, we have to acknowledge that solving the climate crisis involves transitioning off fossil fuels over time, not immediately eliminating fossil fuels. While many don’t like to admit it, fossil fuels produce 80 percent of the world’s energy. Currently, there are not enough alternative energy sources to transition off fossil fuels in the short term. Making this transition harder is the tremendous population and economic growth occur-
by Sandip Dighe
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UNE: TNN | Mar 13, 2019 - Former military advisor to National Security Council secretariat Lt Gen Prakash Menon (Retd) said on Tuesday that
Pakistan’s recent action against terror organisations appears to be a “temporary measure” and not enough to prove that it has adopted a strong stance against terrorism. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry had announced last week the arrest of 44 people affiliated with various terrorist organisations. “We have seen such knee-jerk reactions from Pakistan in the past, but the same have proved ineffective. Unless we see a long-term impact of these steps, India will not accept Pakistan’s narrative,” said Menon, also a former Major General Staff of the army’s Northern Command responsible for operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Menon, who is currently a director of strategic studies programme at the Takshashila Institute, was delivering
Solving climate change the American way ring across Asia and Africa, which will only create more demand for energy. The question, therefore, must be, how do we decarbonize fossil fuels, while simultaneously increasing renewables? Finally, and most importantly, American innovation must be central to the strategy of solving global warming. Based on these realities, the United States should pursue the following national strategy. First, pass a carbon taxdividend law, similar to the bipartisan bill I lead in the Congress. The American people will accept this approach and this alone will reduce emissions 90 percent by 2050. A coalition of Democrats and coastal Republicans can pass this law. Second, significantly increase investment in basic energy research around storage, transmission, carbon capture and advanced nuclear. We fundamentally need new technologies to solve this problem and the United States must – and can - lead in “cracking the code” on these technologies. We see the benefits of innovation with the first “Allam Cycle” natural gas facility that opened in Houston last year, creating the first zero emissions natural gas plant. Finally, we need to create a market for negative emission technologies, including Direct Air Capture Technology (DAC). These are machines and methods that extract carbon from the atmosphere and
pump it back into the earth. They exist today, but they are too expensive and not at scale. Estimates indicate that they currently cost rough $600 a metric ton and the social cost of carbon is now estimated to be roughly $48 a metric ton. This problem can be solved by American innovation. Reforestation efforts and planting trees simply won’t be enough for a problem on this scale. If we create a market for these technologies – like we did for wind and solar – the private innovation economy will drive down the cost. According to Professor Stephen Pacala, the Chair of the National Academy of Sciences report on Negative Emissions Technology, “Although there has been a revolution in expensive zero-emissions energy technology, we still don’t have alternatives for 15-20% of the nation’s emissions – for example a large fraction of the agricultural emissions that are required to produce the nation’s food. These recalcitrant emissions will have to be offset by removing CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Existing methods of CO2 removal are limited, but would be up to the job if we could bring down the cost of direct air capture machines, something that market competition is ideally suited to do.” To create the market, we can eliminate the current subsidies for fossil fuels and instead
He said, “China has been playing a crucial role in destabilising the region by helping Pakistan. China is a greater threat to India, while Pakistan is a strategic distraction for us.” He said India’s growing proximity
Lt Gen Prakash Menon (Retd).
to the Western countries has disturbed China. “They are apprehensive about India ganging up with
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the US to become a maritime player.”. Source: Times of India
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John Delaney is a Democratic candidate for president and a former member of Congress and entrepreneur.
Menon said despite India’s brilliant use of air power in Balakot, Pakistan was unlikely to give up on terror tools. “A composite dialogue between the two nuclear armed neighbours is a viable solution to resolving the situation,” he added.
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Americans are tired of leaders fighting with each other rather than working together on solutions. If we work together, we can solve the problem of global warming the same way we put a man on the moon and created the internet: by harnessing the power of innovation and intellectual capital. That’s a goal all Americans should embrace.
A book, “The Strategy Trap: India & Pakistan under the Nuclear Shadow”, authored by Menon, was released by SPPU vicechancellor Nitin Karmalkar.
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Once we get to $100-200 a metric ton, they can be deployed everywhere to literally pull carbon out of the atmosphere. This isn’t “clean coal” this is something drastically more effective. These technologies will become the most valuable technologies in the world and the U.S. should invest in them, own them, and use them to both get our country and the entire world to net zero emissions.
the Yeshwantrao Chavan memorial lecture at the Savitribai Phule Pune University’s (SPPU) department of defence and strategic studies.
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use that approximate $5 billion per year to create an economically viable market for negative emission technology, including DAC, through an auction of captured carbon. This will unleash innovation and lead to the development of less costly carbon capture technologies, allowing for sequestration to be more widely used. By pairing the NET investment with a carbon tax, implementing the carbon capture technology will become more affordable than paying the carbon tax.
Pak action only temporary: Retd Lt Gen Menon
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Section 1
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Celebrating Ambassadors of Change for Children’s Rights
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
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Yogi Patel named Ekal President Houston Chapter by Manu Shah
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ogesh (Yogi) Patel connects easily with people and has a flair for organization – two talents that will serve him well in his new capacity as Ekal’s Houston Chapter President for 2019-20. An inner recognition that he has been “blessed with opportunities in life and is in a position to do something for others” also factored significantly in his decision to assume the leadership role. Yogi’s association with Ekal began when his friend Naren Chavda asked him to help organize and emcee an Ekal fundraiser two decades ago. This sparked his interest and he became a donor. On his return to Houston after an overseas assignment, Yogi became actively involved with Ekal. The decision to retire in 2015 and “not work for monetary gains” cemented this commitment. CRY Houston gala Committee members with Special Guest Tanishaa Mukerji Continued from Page 1 sold out quickly by auctioneers Dr. Subodh Bhuchar and Abiya Malhotra. Our Dinner Committee Dharam and Priya Bali, Juuhi and Prakash Ahuja, Dina and Sameer Patel, Neeraj and Gauri Seth, Geetha and Bala Balachandran, Dr. Tina and Dr. Harish Pariani, Chetan and Radha Patel, Ritu and Kunal Nadkarni and Devina and Dilip Bhojwani played a key role in enabling a sold out and successful event! We thank our event sponsors, donors and volunteers for their generous contributions. Event sponsors included Object Win, Vantive Inc., Wise Men, Wells Fargo Advisors, Shipcom Wireless, Ailings, ANB Systems, Murali Santhana Photography, Sage Productions, Rhythm India and Verandah. A special shout out to the media for your ongoing support - TV Asia, Star TV, Radio Dabang,
Indo American News, Voice of Asia, Meena Datt Radio and India Herald.
and supporters and visit http://www. america.cry.org for more information.
Millions of children are denied their rights on a daily basis. CRY America works with grass-root Projects, communities and local government bodies to ensure children have quality education, healthcare, and protection from child labor, child marriage and issues which hinder their development.
For more information on the CRY Gala Dinner in Houston contact: patrick.bocco@cryamerica.org or call us at 617-959-1273 or visit america.cry. org
Shefali Sunderlal says, “CRY America believes that “YOU” can empower children’s dreams and be ambassadors of change for children’s rights. Your support allows us to ensure that thousands of children are able to go to sleep educated, healthy and protected. With the support from over 25,000 donors & 2,000 volunteers, CRY America has transformed the lives of over 716,386 children across 3,755 villages and slums." She appealed for people to join CRY America as donors, volunteers
About CRY America: CRY - Child Rights and You America Inc. (CRY America) is a 501c3 registered non-profit that is driven by its vision of a just world in which all children have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams. With the support of over 25,000 donors and 2,000 volunteers, CRY America has impacted the lives of 716,386 children living across 3,755 villages and slums through support to 73 Projects in India and USA. All donations to CRY America are tax deductible.
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Rituals Performed: Sreemantham, Punyahavachanam, Namakaranam, Annaprashanam, Vidyarambham, Choulam, Upanayanam, Wedding, Sathya narayana puja, and all kind of Homas (Havans) and more. I can drive to your place. More than 30 years of experience as Priest in major temples including Sri Meenakshi Temple Pearland, TX. Can speak 5 languages (Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English)
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In 2018, when the Ekal Houston leadership decided to host a Gala, a first for the Houston chapter, they asked Yogi to take the lead. He took up the challenge and with the “support of dedicated volunteers and generous donors” raised a record one and a half million dollars. As President, his priorities are to create awareness about Ekal’s work in combating illiteracy in rural India among the Indian diaspora and build a closer relationship with donors. He will also focus on promoting many young professionals who joined the Ekal movement at the 2018 Gala. Presently, he is prepping for Ekal’s fundraiser event on June 1 at Cullen Performing Hall, UH – a Bollywood musical program with artists from India. A native of Mumbai, Yogi came to the US in 1970 to pursue his college education. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters in Chemical Engineering
Yogesh Patel from Tri-State and Oklahoma State Universities respectively. He worked in the Oil and Gas industry for over 38 years including assignments in Oman and Azerbaijan and retired from BP in 2015. A career highlight was his role as Organization Capability Manager in BP. Yogi was tasked with boosting the competency of the workforce and developing people, a job he found deeply fulfilling. Ekal seemed like an extension of this project. Holding himself as an example, Patel emphasizes education as one of the keys to success in life. 70% of India’s population lives in villages with many lacking access to education and opportunities. No nation, he notes, can be prosperous or productive without an educated workforce. Early this year, Yogi and his wife Darshana visited five Ekal schools in Gujarat and Jharkhand and interacted with the children. Both were struck by their keenness to learn, the discipline with which they conducted themselves and above all by the potential he saw in them. When asked what they would do with their education, they responded with aspirations of being engineers, doctors, police officers, teachers or serving in the army. Ekal, he witnessed, was providing them the opportunity to do so. Yogi’s Continued on Page 9
COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 4
H
ouston, TX— On March 13, 2019, the Southwest Management District hosted the March on Crime Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon at Houston Baptist University to show appreciation to the Houston Police Department and to the business community for their ongoing support to keep the District safe.
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
SWMD hosts 11th Annual March on Crime Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon
Chair of the Board, Kenneth Li, introduced all the board members and special guests in attendance. He thanked the collaborative effort with the Houston Apartment Association, various businesses in the district, Harris County DA Office, Council Member Mike Laster, District J and other organizations. Harris County DA Kim Ogg also reiterated the collaboration between the community and law enforcement is important to help work on problems in the business corridor, jugging, working on one case at a time. This enables the city to keep criminals off the streets longer and provides a safe community to all the citizens.
The honorees this year were: Officer Melissa Lopez, Midwest Officer Ricky Lopez, South Gessner Sgt. Tavis Parkerson, Westside Commander Yasar Bashir presented the award to Melissa Lopez, who is the very first Female Officer of the Year at the March on Crime luncheons.
This year's Corporate Award went to the Indus Management Group, for their financial support in 2018 for Westside and Midwest Divisions. The program began with the Westside Explorers presenting the colors and Sgt. Troy Teter from Houston Police Department Public Affairs sang the National Anthem.
District is represented by three Divisions: Midwest, South Gessner and Westside.
Lt. James Skelton represented Commander Craig Bellamy, who is in training all week, and gave the award to Ricky Lopez from South Gessner Command.
Officer Melissa Lopez Midwest
Chair of the Board, Kenneth Li. (Photos by Priyan Mathew, VOA)
Lt. Timothy Trometer represented Commander Michael Faulhaber of Westside and awarded Sgt. Tavis Parkerson with the Officer of the Year Award. Special thanks to Houston Baptist University and to the Houston Apartment Association, which provided funding for the awards. Over 270 people were in attendance.
Officer Ricky Lopez South Gessner
Sgt. Tavis Parkerson, Westside.
Public Safety Committee Chair, Peter Acquaro, delivered heartfelt remarks from his earliest memories growing up in a home where his father served in law enforcement. Each Commander nominated an Officer of the Year to receive the recognition. The Southwest
Harris County DA Kim Ogg with her staff members.
A section of audience. Also seen in picture is Commander Yasar Bashir.
Southwest Management District hosts March on Crime Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon
Council Member Mike Laster, District J
SWMD Chair Kenneth Li
Harris County DA Kim Ogg
HONOREES
HPD Assistant Chief Wendy Baimbridge
Alice Lee, Executive Director, SWMD
Peter Acquaro, Chair of Public Safety Committee
Photos by Priyan Mathew, Voice of Asia
VOICE OF ASIA 5
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CERAWeek Diary: Key takeaways from euphoric ‘Super Bowl’ of energy industry by Frank Kane
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OUSTON - March 15, 2019 - It’s time to doff the Stetson, unhitch the boot spurs and stable the quarter horse for another year. CERAWeek by IHS Markit, the annual “Super Bowl” of the energy industry held in cowboy country in Houston, Texas, is over. Houston is the capital of the US oil industry, and with US crude exports booming at alltime record levels, the mood was exuberant, even on occasion euphoric, at the fiveday energy extravaganza. The number of attendees, at 5,300, was also a record for what has been called the “oil man’s Davos.” Here are some key takeaways. 1. The dynamic of the global oil industry has changed dramatically, even in the past 12 months. The renaissance of the US oil industry has made the country the biggest producer, and set it on course to rival Saudi Arabia as the biggest exporter. OPEC, led by the Kingdom, will have to rethink its long-term position, and maybe further institutionalize the relationship with Russia and other non-OPEC producers to counterbalance American dominance in oil. 2. The crisis in Venezuela has the potential to bring about fresh turbulence in oil. One of
Attendees at IHS Markit's CERAWeek conference watch the keynote address by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from the George Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, US March 12, 2019. (Reuters).
The CERAWeek energy conference on March 13, 2019, in Houston, Texas. Loren ELLIOTT / AFP the most enthusiastic rounds of applause of the week came when energy experts from there — opponents of the Maduro regime — called for change and investment in the country’s energy industry, which is in chaotic condition. Venezuela has the biggest reserves in the world, and if it were to get back “online” it could add a new element to the global picture. 3. The US shale industry, centered around the Permian Basin, goes from strength to strength.
Shale executives in Houston were in back-slapping, yeehawing mood as they celebrated the success of their businesses. One panel was asked to consider what might go wrong for US shale, and was in unanimity that — barring a major disaster — the future was assured, at least for the next five years, thanks to the unique combination of technology, finance and “great rock.”
shown to be a myth. The world is producing and consuming more oil than at any time in history, and that trend will continue despite the move toward electric vehicles. One statistic stood out: Only 18 percent of the world’s population has traveled in an airplane. The growing prosperity of Asia’s populations will change that. It is hard to imagine electric planes taking over the skies anytime soon.
4. The threat of peak oil — supply and demand — has been
5. Global demand for liquified natural gas is also boom-
Indian delegation at CERAWeek 2019 in Houston High ranking energy executives led by Secy M. M. Kutty, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Sr. Executives of top energy companies ExxonMobilHalliburton Schlumberger #airproducts GAIL (India) Limited Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. ONGC Limited participated in an event chaired by Secy M. M. Kutty, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas joined by DGH, Dr. Anupam Ray, Mr. Surendra Adhana. Event was organized in association with US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. (Photo credit: Twitter/@cgihou India in Houston)
ing. Some experts talked of a “surge” in LNG production — with the US shale industry again playing a major part — and demand in Asia is growing fast. Twenty years ago there were fewer than 10 LNG importers in the world. Today there are 49. 6. Pressure on the energy business to be more sustainable is formidable, and will increase. Virtually nobody at CERAWeek was a climate-change denier. Many sessions were devoted to renewable technology, with the increasing efficiency and affordability of solar power the favored path for many executives. The Middle East has obvious advantages in this respect and was frequently mentioned as a future leader of the solar industry — with the right strategy. 7. Mobility in all its forms is taking up an increasing amount of energy executives’ time. Electric vehicles, self-drive cars, ride-hailing IPOs are examples of the corporate frenzy surrounding mobility, and have
obvious implications for the oil producers and urban developers. Even more of CERAWeek time was devoted to these issues this year. 8. Technology and energy are more intertwined than ever. CERAWeek expanded this year with the Innovation Agora, and it was an eye-catching exhibition of how high-tech can revolutionize energy production and usage. Saudi Aramco — at the cutting edge of many of the new-wave developments, was prominently on show. 9. Houston is a great place to stage an event. The city is manageable, the hotels are plentiful and affordable, the restaurants are fantastic — especially for any kind of beef dish — and the air connections to the rest of the US and the world are excellent. Davos, Switzerland, please take note. Frank Kane is an award-winning business journalist based in Dubai. Twitter: @frankkanedubai -Arab News
Consul General of India, Houston, Dr. Anupam Ray (3rd from left) hosted a dinner reception on March 12 at the India House welcoming the the Indian delegation attending CERAWeek in Houston, Texas from March 11-15 led by Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dr. M. M. Kutty (5th from left). The delegation will highlight the growing commercial energy ties between our two countries. Photo by Shobana Muratee
COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 6
Texas Announces First IDD Strategic Plan
8th Annual Vedic Fair brings Indian celebration to Greater Houston
A
Continued from Page 1
USTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is developing the state’s first Intellectual and Developmental Disability Strategic Plan and has posted the plan’s foundation online.
Defending Champion Aryaa Joshi became Celebrate INDIA Exhibits Presentations 2019 Champion for her topic ‘Bhagavata Purana’. Sudhiti Marri was runner for her topic on ‘Agni Purana’. Celebrate India Exhibits competition was judged by Sanjay Patel, the author of 11 books including the best seller Science and Spirituality and Srujana Dunnara, Ashirwad Young Wingz President. Vedic Fair 8 showcased the awe-inspiring 18 Maha-Puranas, Buddhism by Universal Door, Christianity by Telugu Christian Fellowship, Ayurveda workshop by Ushadevi Pillai, Homeopathy by Anusha Thiagarajan, Dandiya by Daksha Nagar, Rangoli and Painting by Dr. Sarita Mehta. Presentations were followed by unique Musical Bingo Show engaging and entertaining a hall packed audience. Fort Bend County Judge Honorable K.P George in his keynote address appreciated the diversity in the county and Vedic Fair for brining rich culture and values to residents. HCC Trustee District #7, Ms. Neeta Sane congratulated Vedic Fair Team for presenting Grand event. Mr. Sam Merchant from Congressman Al Green’s Of-
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
This is the state’s first statewide strategic plan focused solely on intellectual disabilities. Working with stakeholders across Texas, HHSC identified a need to develop a comprehensive strategy, given the unique challenges faced by people with IDD, according to Sonja Gaines, HHSC deputy executive commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services.
Brides of the World Fusion Show reographed Dance Team Competition. Vedic Fair 8’s Dance Talent Team Champions are Kalakar Group for their performance ‘Aadum Chidambarmoo’ about Lord Shiva choreographed by Dr. Sunanda Nair. Divine Dancers Team were1st Runner Up for their performance ‘Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka’ choreographed by Ms. Surabhi Mahajan and Laasya School of Dance Team were 2nd runner up for their performance ‘Kalyo Kood Padyo’ choreographed by Ms. Deepika Bhadange. Prime time fast paced Play, “24 – The Untold Leela” Directed by Vedic Fair Chair Ms. Geetha Ravula captivated the
The foundation is the first phase in the development of the full plan and
aims to provide an initial understanding of the Texas system for people with IDD. “We are collaborating with agencies across the state, and our goal is to highlight what we’re doing well and how we can do better,” Gaines said. “This statewide strategic plan will help us as we develop new interventions, models of care and best practices to enhance quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” HHSC intends to develop a full Statewide IDD Strategic Plan by late summer 2019. The plan will focus on the development of goals, objectives and strategies to address identified gaps, short- and long-term goals, a timeline for implementation and mechanisms to track outcomes.
In addition to the IDD strategic plan, HHSC has updated its legislatively mandated five-year Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan to address gaps in the mental health and substance use services system. The strategic plan details state agencies’ work to coordinate services and increase access to effective services. The strategic plan also details progress of implementation of legislation and identifies initiatives and best practices to address gaps in the services delivery system. For more information, view the Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan Update and Foundation for the IDD Strategic Plan here: https://hhs.texas.gov/ sites/default/files/documents/laws-regulations/reports-presentations/2019/ hb1-statewide-behv-hlthidd-plan-feb-2019.
“Show Me City” Shines In Local, National & Global Business Spotlights Vedic Fair Dance Talent Champions - Kalakar Group.
Spotlight on the “Show Me City”: From left, Billy’s Donuts and BELOW: Bernie’s Burger Bus, and Wells Fargo on Texas Parkway. Images courtesy of Missouri City
M
Havish Challa- Celebrate India Exhibits Presenter Topic Linga Purana
Ishika Pandurangam- Celebrate India Exhibits Presenter Topic Vishnu Purana
fice District #9 presented proclamation to Ashirwad A Blessing for brining rich Indian culture to Greater Houston continuously for 8 long years. Appreciation Awards were presented to Vedic Fair sponsors Mr. Arun and Mrs. Vinni Verma of Shri Sita Ram Foundation of USA, Mrs. Saroj & Mr. Subhash Gupta, Mr. Ajay Choudary of Ensupra Solar, Mr. Divyendu Singh of New York Life, Mrs. Rama Khambhati w/o Mr. Padmakant Khambhati founder of Sanatan Hindu Center, HUMFM 106.1 Radio, DJ AJ Ajay Kumar of DJAJ Productions, Ms. Chandana Kumar of Divaa Décor 4 U and Ms. Jignasa Anand of Chiros for being a vendor for 7 years, Govinda’s of ISKCON for being a vendor for 6 years and Mr. Chirag Patel of Maduram Mirch Masala for being a vendor for 6 years. Ashirwad IndianLifeStyle Class Students flawlessly recited Shanthi Mantras for World Peace and in the honor of the deceased soldiers of the world. The Audience stood up in silence for a minute to respect & honor the deceased soldiers of the world. Dance Talent Team Competition, with detailed choreography, colorful costumes, props and diverse dance formats adhered to the “Indian Heritage” theme enthralled the audience. It was a high quality well-cho-
& 50+ high school volunteers who served p a s s i o n a t e l y. Judges Sanjay Patel, Rashmi Shashi, Nithya Hari, Khushboo Jaiswal, Monica Sirigiri.
Interfaith Presentation on Christianity packed audience. The Play comprised of unique stories from Indian Heritage which are very rarely told. These stories highlighted how the divine descends to protect the Dharma. These outstanding stories were presented to the Greater Houston audience for the first time. Huge Stage Props, LED background screen, colorful costumes, background music, narration in English, fabulous artists took the audience on an Indian Heritage journey never seen before in the Greater Houston Area. The most awaited finale, ‘Brides of The World – Fusion Show’ choreographed by Ms. Geetha Ravula was a complete treat for its fusion mix of contemporary music, dazzling costumes, and beautiful brides showcasing various heritages of the World representing Unity in Diversity. 8th Annual Vedic Fair was
emceed by DJ AJ Ajay Kumar. Vedic Fair’s chair Geetha Ravula thanked Ashirwad Family’s Vedic Fair Team for their continued commitment and dedication towards Indian Heritage. Vedic Fair Team Members: Sailesh Kaparaju, Sri Ravula, Ashutosh and Sonali Sapru, Vikas and Shagun Ahuja, Vinod Conikee, Varun Rajan, Kavitha Prasad, Priya Muralidharan, Priya Ravishankar, Uma Chidambaram, Srimathi Kumar, Mahima Bhat, Manisha and Mahesh Halapeti, Bharat Rao, Harish Reyha, Dhawal Shah, Manoj Nair, Shiva Naidu, Surendra Naidu, Vaishali Sudhakar, Ranga Naidu and Ashirwad Young Wingz Team Srujana Dunnara (President), Ayushi Sapru (Vice President), Rishi Kadiam (Secretary), Venkat, Laalasa Kella, Divena Donthi (Past President)
Ashirwad Family thanks all the supporting organizations – ISKCON of Houston, Sanatan Hindu Center, Shri Sita Ram Foundation of USA, Hindus of Greater Houston, Subhash and Sarojini Gupta, Vijay Pallod, Daya Houston, Art of Living, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Avadhoota Daata Peetam, Amma Sri Karunamayi, Universal Door Meditation Center, Telugu Christian Fellowship, Official media partner HUMFM 106.1, TV Asia, DJ AJ Ajay Kumar, Voice of Sanatan Hinduism Radio, Radio Hungama, Andhra Mirchi and Bharat Bazaar Booth Vendors. 9th Annual Vedic Fair will be happening in February 2020. For continued updates visit facebook. com/VEDICFAIR
ISSOURI CITY, TX - its businesses! Last week, the “Show Me City” was in the spotlight of success again: Billy’s Donuts made local, national and international headlines after Billy By, the namesake of the store, tweeted a picture of his dad, Satharith, who is the owner, being sad because no one initially came to the shop’s grand opening. Billy’s tweet was retweeted more than 344,000 times and received more than 767,000 likes. The result: thousands of customers lined up at the Highway 6 store for donuts during the week and the restaurant continuously sold out of its breakfast offerings. Coverage of Billy’s Donuts was featured on the City’s Facebook page: http://bit.ly/2F9PBMZ, on the front page of the Houston Chronicle, was showcased on both NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, and in media outlets across the world, including networks in Mexico, Spain, France, Greece and Indonesia.
• Black Magic
Six-tenths of a mile north on Highway 6 from Billy’s is the newest location of Bernie’s Burger Bus, an area specialty restaurant. Bernie’s opened its drive thru on Thursday, March 14, and the line wrapped around the building. The grand opening was Friday, March 15, and the popular eatery served dozens of meals over the weekend. See a City Facebook Live interview with
• Evil Spirits
• Vodoo
Bernie’s here: http://bit. ly/2UInv1W. Further north across the City on Texas Parkway, Wells Fargo opened its doors once again after being closed due to Hurricane Harvey. The bank rolled in its signature stagecoach for the occasion and guests climbed aboard to take photos. Learn more: https://bit. ly/2Y7V0Ng.
• Family Problems
COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 7
Dakshin Radio: A touch of Southern spice to Houston airwaves
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Houston's Indo American Press Club honors Voice of Asia Publisher
Dr. Freemu Varghese (far right) founder Dakshin Radio with the
I
n a path-breaking initiative, Dakshin Radio has hit the Houston airwaves with a unique and innovative blend of music and chat in the four main languages of southern India. Broadcasting every Sunday from 2 pm to 7.30 pm on Masala Radio's 1110 AM (KTEK) frequency, Dakshin Radio harnesses the unique and captivating beats of the five southern states into one harmonious package that appeals to an audience of over 100,000 Indian Americans hailing from southern India, who make up a significant segment of the Greater Houston region. Dakshin Radio has brought the four main languages of southern India - Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu - together on a common platform for the first time ever in the country. The station's unique blend of trendy and contemporary tunes, evergreen favorites interspersed with breezy banter from the team of
young, enthusiastic RJs , has already elicited rave reviews from the audience that tuned in to the inaugural show on Sunday, March 17. Dakshin Radio is the brainchild of Dr. Freemu Varghese, a noted nephrologist and event organizer in the city and John W. Varghese, a leading realtor/ Mortgage Broker and philanthropist based in Houston, who was the promoter of Mallu Talkies - a radio show in Malayalam. Their idea caught fire and today enjoys wide support from the wider community. "Dakshin Radio was formed to provide an effective platform that can reach the vast and diverse population hailing from south India living in the greater Houston area. There are existing single-language programmes aimed specifically at their own audiences, but we provide a unique multilingual vehicle that can reach a potential audience. of over 100,000 people," said Dr. Freemu Varghese.
Speaking at the launch event, John W. Varghese was optimistic about the new program's prospects. "This is something that has not been tried before, Dakshin Radio not only brings four large language communities together, but builds a unique synergy that will drive it forward. We are looking at bringing the unique southern sound to the Houston airwaves, while also providing a wider stage to encourage youngsters from the region to exhibit their talent." - About Dakshin Radio Dakshin Radio brings the unique beats and rhythms rock South India to the Houston Airwaves. Reflecting the Heartbeat of the South, We will highlight the latest tunes, beats and trends that are the rage in the Subcontinent, While giving young local talent a platform to showcase their skills. Broadcasting every Sunday in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. Visit https://www. facebook.com/DAKSHINRADIO
Indo American Press Club Inc. Houston Chapter Media Award 2019 presented to Mr. Koshy Thomas, Publisher/CEO Voice of Asia, on March 17, 2019. Seen in pic are members of the Press Club. Photo credit: Dr. Chandra Mittal.
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Fort Bend ISD Parent Teacher Associations earn state recognition
F
ORT BEND ISD (March 19, 2019) – The Texas Parent Teacher Association (TPTA) has recognized several Fort Bend ISD Parent Teacher Association (PTA) groups for their achievements in supporting education and excelling at running a nonprofit business. T he TPTA produces a Superintendent Report that gives an overview of a school district’s PTA successes. Based on FBISD’s latest report, 11 of our PTAs have earned awards and distinctions for their efforts in meeting PTA requirements, membership recruitment, growth and involvement. Earning awards were PTAs from the following FBISD schools: Austin Parkway Elementary – Good Standing, Membership Increase, Honor Roll (100+ members) and 2018 President’s List Barrington Place Elementary – Good Standing Commonwealth Elementary – Good Standing, Honor Roll (250+ members),
2018 President’s List and National PTA School of Excellence Cornerstone Elementary – Good Standing, Membership Increase, Honor Roll (500+ members) and 2018 President’s List Crockett Middle School – Good Standing and 2018 President’s List Hodges Bend Middle School – Honor Roll (100+ members) and 2018 President’s List Lakeview Elementary – Good Standing and 2018 President’s List Patterson Elementary – Good Standing, Head Start, Membership Increase and 2018 President’s List Seguin Elementary – Good Standing and 2018 President’s List Settlers Way Elementary – Good Standing, Head Start, Early Bird Achievement, Membership Increase, Honor Roll (250+ members), 2018 President’s List and Golden Apple Sugar Mill Elementary – Good Standing Congratulations to all! To learn more, visit the TPTA website at www.txpta.org.
VOICE OF ASIA 8
TAXES & PERSONAL FINANCE
Protect your finances when caring for kids and elderly relatives
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Tax season tips to avoid scammers and robocalls
Photo Source: (c) Carlos David / stock.Adobe.com
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espite actively saving and preparing for retirement, members of the sandwich generation have in large numbers been unable to build robust emergency savings and retirement account balances, primarily due to the strain of financially supporting other family members, according to a new survey from The PNC Financial Services Group. The sandwich generation -- defined as those who are caught between fi-
nancially supporting children and elderly family members -- is acutely aware of its financial shortcomings, but instead of that knowledge spurring action, the stress of the responsibility is overwhelming to the point of creating an unpreparedness for the future. In fact, 32 percent of those surveyed report a retirement account balance of less than $25,000, and are facing additional near-term financial burdens. “The reality is that the only way
to improve your financial situation is to be honest with yourself and commit to making the necessary changes required to prepare for the future,” says Rich Ramassini, director of Strategy and Sales Performance for PNC Investments. “We can see that those in the sandwich generation are struggling to save for their own needs. When you add in the demands associated with family now and in the future, it paints a very grim picture for this demographic’s future unless they take immediate action.” - StatePoint
8 Questions to ask about a financial advisor's certifications
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nderstanding abbreviations is essential, whether you’re texting “LOL” to a friend or asking guests to “RSVP” to a party. In a professional setting, they can provide useful information about an individual’s services and qualifications.
professional met?
Those used in the financial services industry can be particularly difficult to decode. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has identified nearly 200 certifications and designations for financial advisors alone.
4. Has the professional’s competence been assessed through an exam or other type of measurement?
For any of these certifications and designations, you should know what each letter stands for, but you also need to understand the education and experience behind the letters. Some designations have extensive requirements that involve months or years of work, while others can be earned in a day. Here are eight questions you should ask to fully evaluate a financial advisor’s credentials: 1. What educational requirements, both qualifying and ongoing, has the
2. How many years of experience does the advisor have within the profession? 3. What is the advisor’s professional standing, conduct and character?
5. What are the professional’s obligations to you, with regard to disclosing conflicts of interest, compensation and terms of engagement? 6. Has the professional committed to putting your financial interests ahead of his or her own? 7. How is the professional regulated or supervised? 8. What consequences does the professional face if he or she is found guilty of malpractice? If you need financial planning assistance, you can help make sure you’re getting a well-qualified individual subject to high ethical standards when
you look for the CFP certification, which stands for Certified Financial Planner professional. If you ask these eight questions about CFP professionals, you’d learn that they have to complete a comprehensive financial planning program and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, in addition to meeting continuing education requirements. They must also pass a six-hour exam that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations and must have at least two to three years of professional financial planning experience. Developed by the non-profit CFP Board and certified by the International Organization for Standardization, the CFP professional code of ethics and practice standards require those with this certification to provide financial planning in a client’s best interests. Those found to have violated these standards can permanently lose their certification. - StatePoint
I
t’s tax season. The time of year when phone scammers get particularly aggressive trying to trick you out of your hard-earned money. And scam calls and robocalls are a growing problem for everyone. Here are a few tricks to help you dodge scammers and give you pace of mind. Know the Signs Scam call technology is always changing, so it’s important to stay vigilant against scammers’ attempts to get you to answer your phone. Every year, they make millions off innocent victims with new techniques. Their latest method, known as number-spoofing technology, could fool even the savviest consumers into answering the phone. Number-spoofing makes a scammer’s number appear as either a familiar number with a local area code or even come up on Caller ID as the “IRS.” If you don’t answer, they may also leave “urgent” callback voicemails via robocalls. Recognizing these tactics can help you stay safe. If you suspect a call (or a voicemail) is a scam, hang up. If you want to be sure, don’t call back the number provided but instead, look up your local IRS Customer Service number on the Internet and call the IRS directly. Use Protection Tools Check out what technology your wireless company offers that can protect you from scam and spoof calls. For example, T-Mobile offers free scam and spoofing protection for customers with Scam ID and Scam Block. These tools are made available to all postpaid customers and live on the TMobile network, so no app is required. As soon as a call reaches the network, it’s analyzed and if it’s scam, the incoming call is tagged as Scam Likely. If customers want to stop scam calls completely, they can turn on Scam Block. With these tools in place, in the last two years, T-Mobile has alerted
customers to over 10 billion Scam Likely calls. And in 2019, T-Mobile reports warning customers of 225 million Scam Likely calls each week. Others wireless providers usually also offer customers app solutions to help identify scam calls for a small monthly fee. Check with your provider to see what is available. New standards from the Federal Communications Commission, called STIR/SHAKEN, are also helping protect consumers. T-Mobile’s implementation of STIR/SHAKEN, Caller Verified, lets you know when a call made on the T-Mobile network is authentic and not intercepted by scammers and spammers. Once other wireless providers implement STIR/ SHAKEN, Caller Verified will work on calls made across networks. Know Your Rights While scam-blocking technology can help you filter out scam and spoof calls, it’s also important to know your rights. Many of these calls use intimidation tactics to scare consumers into divulging sensitive information over the phone. The IRS website notes that they will always make attempts to reach you via postal mail first and they will never ask you for a specific form of payment. You should know that you always have the right to formally contest the amount owed, and the IRS will not make threats against you or your family regarding arrest or deportation. If you have any elderly or susceptible family members, talk to them about how to avoid such scams and consider setting them up with the latest technology to help them stay safe. This tax season, be wary about the calls that you receive. With up-todate information and new technology, you can protect your pocketbook from scammers. - StatePoint
6565 West Loop South, Suite 850, Bellaire, TX 77401 6565 West Loop South, Suite 850, Bellaire, TX 77401
DIASPORA
VOICE OF ASIA 9
Indian-Americans protest against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism here was heavy sloganeering against Pakistan which protesters termed as a "terror hub".
H
OUSTON - PTI| Mar 17, 2019 Hundreds of Indian-Americans here protested against Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack and urged the global community to hold Islamabad accountable for "atrocities on minorities" and "sponsoring terrorism". Around 300 Indian-origin people, highlighting the plight of lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits and accusing Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorist groups, protested at the prime locations of Houston on Saturday noon. They termed the February 14
attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed, as an attack on India's sovereignty. Protestors carried banners like – 'Global Terrorist State – Pakistan', 'Pakistan - Stop using terrorism as your State Policy', 'Kashmir is Integral part of India – stop meddling', 'Down with Pakistan', 'Pakistan an architect of genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs', 'Pakistan – take care of your minorities'. There was heavy sloganeering against Pakistan which protesters termed as a "terror hub". Earlier a press conference
was held by Dr Veena Ambardar on behalf of Houston Chapter of Friends of India Society International and Houston Chapter of Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, emphasising that India has suffered for the last 30 years a constant barrage of terror manufactured in Pakistan and unloaded on Indian soil, killing thousands of Indians. He said in front of local media that Pakistan is a terror state that has made business out of terror and has become a threat to the world peace. Addressing the press conference, Achalesh Amar, Coordinator of Houston Chapter
of Friends of India Society International, highlighted the international ramifications of terror and role of Pakistan in exporting terror to the world and threatening the world civil society.
US Senate confirms IndianAmerican Neomi Rao for powerful federal judgeship Rao, 45, was confirmed for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most powerful benches in the country, by 53-46 votes in the US Senate, which was basically on party lines.
He highlighted the role of Pakistan providing shelter to al-Qaeda leaders and providing safe haven and sanctuaries for dreaded terrorists to regroup and export terror machinery in other parts of the globe after the fall of Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. Amar stated how Osama bin Laden, an architect of 9/11, Continued on Page 11 Neomi Rao. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
W
Yogi Patel named Ekal ....
ASHINGTONPTI| Mar 14, 2019 -Senate on Wednesday confirmed Indian-American Neomi Rao, who was under scrutiny for her past writings on sexual assaults, for a powerful federal judgeship.
Continued from Page 3 sense of purpose of expanding Ekal’s vision and mission was reinforced that day.
Rao, 45, was confirmed for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most powerful benches in the country, by 53-46 votes in the US Senate, which was basically on party lines.
The Ekal movement with its one-teacher-school structure started in the late 1980’s with 60 schools near Dhanbad funded by the late industrialist Madan Lal Agrawal. It is a measure of Ekal’s success and effectiveness that there are 83,000 schools today in villages and tribal areas educating two million children annually (with more than 50% girls) and an annual growth rate exceeding 30%. Apart from free schooling, Ekal also provides vocational training, digital competence and agricultural education. Its Gramothan Resource Centers teach tailoring, carpentry and pottery and provide Ekal on Wheels (mobile buses fitted with computer stations to impart digital skills to children and young adults). Ekal’s un-
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Her confirmation came amidst stiff resistance from the Opposition Democratic lawmakers and a nationwide campaign against her by rights groups for her previous position on sexual assault and minorities.
Ekal members with Ekal children in Chinch Vihir village, Dang, Gujarat, India derlying mission is to make the villages prosperous by skilling them; this in turn stems migration of youth to cities and urban areas. When not busy with Ekal’s
work, the new President loves a game of tennis and golf and much to his wife’s delight often dons the chef’s hat. His wife Darshana, who enjoys interior designing, also lends her talents to Ekal.
Ekal USA Secretary and past Ekal Houston President Naren Chavda says “Ekal Houston is privileged to have Darshana and Yogi devoting their time and energy to elevate Ekal.”
She will replace controversial Brett Kavanaugh who endured a bitter confirmation battle last year after US President Donald Trump named him to the US Supreme Court. The Republicans enjoy majority in the 100-member US Senate. After being sworn in, she would be the second In-
dian-American on this court, which is considered only next to the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, opposition Democratic party said Rao did not deserve to be confirmed. "A vote for Neomi Rao is a vote for a judge who blamed survivors of sexual assaults for being attacked. It is a vote for a judge who claimed sexual orientation is a ‘behavior' that can be changed,” said Democratic National Committee's Women's Media Director Elizabeth Renda and LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta. Rao is currently serves as the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget. In this capacity she played a role in regulatory reform. Prior to her service as OIRA Administrator, Rao was a professor of structural constitutional law, administrative law, and legislation and statutory interpretation at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.
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SOUTH ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 10
Pakistan's crackdown on militants fails to convince sceptics by Joris FIORITI / Sajjad TARAKZAI
on the Indian parliament in 2001 and in Mumbai in 2008.
SLAMABAD, Pakistan | AFP | 3/16/2019 - At a mosque on a quiet Islamabad street, any reference to the UN-listed terror group which runs it has been removed as Pakistan -- once again -- comes under pressure to demonstrate its sincerity about eliminating militancy.
Then, extremists were also detained -- only for many to be released later, and the groups allowed to continue their activities, both militant and charitable.
I
The first wave of militant detentions was announced by Islamabad on March 5, as tensions were still cooling between India and Pakistan after their latest confrontation over the disputed Kashmir region.
Pakistan has also not yet demonstrated its willingness to go any further than detentions and closures.
The crackdown by authorities is reminiscent of previous efforts, and Pakistan has yet to convince the international community this latest one is sincere.
New Delhi has long accused Islamabad of harbouring militant groups, which it says are used by Pakistan intelligence agencies to attack India.
But the crackdown is reminiscent of previous efforts, and Pakistan has yet to convince the international community that their latest thrust is sincere.
which is linked to Lashkar-eTaiba, the group accused by India and Washington of masterminding the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
The February 14 suicide blast in Indian-administered Kashmir -- claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed -- is the latest example, and the attack which ignited the recent crisis between the nucleararmed neighbours.
Cracks have already begun to emerge after Pakistan's longtime ally China this week blocked measures by the UN Security Council to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar.
Shuttering groups like JuD -which provides widespread and vital services like healthcare to poor communities in a developing country where governmentrun social services are sorely lacking -- risks a potential backlash.
Since March 5, Pakistani authorities have arrested hundreds of suspected Islamist militants and shuttered more than 700 madrassas, mosques, and clinics linked to banned groups. Mosques like the Al-Quba mosque visited by AFP in Islamabad -- which is run by Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), seen by the UN as a charity front for an anti-India militant group -- have had all signs announcing their links to such organisations removed. Instead, a green sign clinging to a post proclaims the new management of the premises by the "Government of Pakistan". "This government will not allow Pakistan's land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism," vowed Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this month.
It was the fourth time China has blocked such attempts, reinforcing suspicions that it was acting on Pakistan's behest. If so, observers said, the move undermined the sincerity of the crackdown. Had Azhar been blacklisted, Pakistan would have been morally compelled to halt his activities, a Western diplomat said.
"We were ordered to close the health centres and give our ambulances to the authorities," Akbar Khan, a JuD official based in the northwestern city of Peshawar, told AFP. "Our leaders asked us to accept everything and to keep a low profile," he added.
"Is Pakistan just trying to fool us?" the diplomat asked. "I would say yes."
A source close to JeM said the ongoing operation was unprecedented in its scale.
New Delhi also remained sceptical.
"Almost the entire leadership of JeM has been detained, all the clerics and head clerics have been replaced and administrative control of all our mosques have also been taken over," said the source.
"The widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge within and outside Pakistan," said Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar last week. - 'Low profile' The crackdown has largely targeted JeM along with JuD,
"We have never seen such harsh steps in past." However the operation mirrors similar crackdowns on militants, such as after attacks
Myanmar military fights rebels among ancient Rakhine temples
Ethnic Mro refugees displaced by fighting between Arakan Army rebels and Myanmar soldiers gather at a pagoda compound during a January 2019 government-organized visit to Buthidaung, in the restive Rakhine state. AFP Photo.
Y
ANGOn, Myanmar | AFP | 3/18/2019 - Fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic Rakhine insurgents has now reached the ancient temples of Mrauk U, the former capital of the Rakhine kingdom and a popular tourist site, local residents said Monday.
of Mrauk U.
do anything," he said.
"We've been hearing gunshots and heavy artillery fire since about 7:30pm," local historian Khin Than told AFP by phone on Monday evening, adding that she saw soldiers shooting from about 10 vehicles as they drove around town.
The military ramped up operations against the AA after the armed rebels launched a brazen attack on police posts in early January that killed 13 officers.
Rakhine state in Myanmar's west is riven with ethnic and religious divisions.
"We dare not go outside and are hiding in our homes," she said. "We do not want our ancient treasures destroyed in the fighting."
It came under the global spotlight after the bloody 2017 army crackdown that forced some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims over the border into Bangladesh. But now the army is waging war against the Arakan Army (AA), an insurgent group fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, a population that also stands accused of aiding the military in their expulsion of the Rohingya. Several thousand people have been displaced by the spreading violence which has neared the state capital Sittwe and has now engulfed the town
Among the most vulnerable are some 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine without citizenship, restricted to either camps or their villages. Fighting over the weekend raged around the town of Kyauktaw, wounding three Rohingya, including two teenagers. "We are stuck in the middle," one Rohingya man told AFP, preferring not to give his name. "Our injured villagers cannot go anywhere for treatment because of the situation. We can't
The area is in strict lockdown and information is difficult to verify independently. On Saturday, AA insurgents ambushed a cargo ship on the Kaladan river, temporarily abducting the crew and setting the vessel on fire, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said. The rebels enjoy widespread support from many ethnic Rakhine, who have felt marginalised for decades in one of the country's poorest states. The group has expanded its ranks since its formation in 2009 and is now believed to have several thousand recruits. It is feared the expected verdict on Tuesday in the trial of a popular Rakhine politician for alleged treason could be a further flashpoint in Sittwe.
"Closing major infrastructures is a very important step, but it doesn't show that the whole network has been dismantled," said analyst Huma Yusuf, a fellow with the Washington-based Wilson Center. "There are still thousands of militants in the country. What do you do with them? A peace and reconciliation process? A deradicalisation plan? Anything? Right now, there is nothing." - Terror financing The crisis also comes as Pakistan is facing possible sanctions from the Financial Action Task Force -- an anti moneylaundering monitor based in Paris -- for failing to rein in terror financing. The organisation will soon decide whether to add Pakistan to a blacklist that would trigger automatic sanctions, further weakening Pakistan's already faltering economy.
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Anger sweeps Indian Kashmir as teacher dies in custody
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RINAGAR, India | AFP | 3/20/2019 Schools and businesses shut across Indian-administered Kashmir on Wednesday as protests grew over the death in police custody of a young school teacher that sparked outrage across the restive territory. Police bundled Rizwan Asad Pandit from his home in a latenight raid Sunday to a detention centre in the main city of Srinagar, where he died in the early hours of Tuesday. No official explanation has been offered for his death. Police say Pandit -- who spent his 29th birthday in custody -- was taken "in pursuance of a terror case investigation". He was a campaigner for Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest religious political group in Kashmir, which was outlawed by New Delhi this month. Authorities launched a sweeping crackdown that has seen hundreds arrested since. But his family said Pandit had no links to militancy and
was murdered. "He has been murdered in cold blood, and now they are telling lies about his death. How could that be? He has been tortured to death," Pandit's brother Zulqarnain Pandit told local newspaper Kashmir Reader. News of his death spread quickly in Kashmir, where popular anger against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region often erupts into violent clashes between civilians and government forces. Local authorities have ordered an inquiry into Pandit's death but police have not registered an official investigation yet. Shops and schools were shut in Srinagar and large parts of Kashmir in protest after three major separatist groups in the region called for a strike. Rights groups, including the UN rights office, have accused Indian forces of acting with "virtual immunity" in Kashmir, protected by laws that shield soldiers from prosecution.
Ten arrested in India for playing PUBG mobile game
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HMEDABAD, India | AFP | 3/14/2019 - Indian police have arrested ten university students for playing PUBG, the hugely popular smartphone game described by one minister as a "demon in every house".
Thursday.
"Why would they give away something that they have created, nurtured and defended for 30 years?" said author Myra MacDonald, a researcher specialising in Pakistan.
The arrests occurred Wednesday in western Gujarat state, where local authorities enforced an outright ban on PUBG last week over concerns about its impact on the "behaviour, conduct and language" of those playing it.
Gujarat is the only Indian state to ban the game -- which has been downloaded more than 100 million times around the world.
"There is a concern that if you hit them too hard, they will hit the Pakistani state back."
The students were released on bail later the same day, police inspector V.S. Vanzara said
Analysts fear even those headwinds may not be enough to convince the Pakistani intelligence agencies to cut their alleged ties with militants.
Another police official, Rohit Raval, told the Indian Express newspaper the game was "highly addictive and the accused were so engrossed in playing" they did not even see police approaching.
But concern has been raised in other parts of the country, where close to half a billion people are online and cheap smartphones and data plans are bringing more first-time users into the digital realm.
ASIA
VOICE OF ASIA 11
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Kazakhstan renames capital as new president takes office by Christopher Rickleton
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Tokayev immediately proposed changing the name of the Central Asian nation's capital from Astana to Nursultan, or "Sultan of Light" in Kazakh, and parliament approved the change within hours.
LMATY, Kazakhstan | AFP 3/20/2019 - Kazakhstan's new president was sworn in Wednesday following the shock resignation of the country's long-time ruler and in his first official act renamed the capital after his predecessor. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took office in a pomp-filled ceremony less than 24 hours after Nursultan Nazarbayev, the only leader an independent Kazakhstan had ever known, suddenly announced he was stepping down.
The senate also appointed Nazarbayev's eldest daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva as speaker, setting her up as a potential contender to succeed her father.
Tokayev is set to serve as president until fresh elections in April next year. (AFP Photo)
Tokayev, 65, will serve out the rest of Nazarbayev's mandate until elections due in April Continued on Page 12
Trump: China tariffs may remain for 'substantial period'
US President Donald Trump says tariffs on Chinese imports are likely to remain in place for a "substantial period" (AFP Photo/ Jim Watson)
Continued from Page 3 was found well protected in the garrison city of Pakistan. He said that the London bombings and shooting at San Bernardino, California had Pakistan connection. Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora members talked about the proxy war unleashed by Pakistan on India under Zia Doctrine in 1988 under the code word 'Operation Tupac'. They highlighted the operation's salient features which encouraged cross border terrorism, guerilla warfare in India fully supported and led by Pakistan's spy agency ISI and Army regulars. They made reference to Kargil where the nexus between Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, ISI and its army was exposed at the international level.
Trump initially said he expected to seal any final bargain at a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month but that expectation has faded as momentum in the talks has slowed.
omy had begun to slow, notably in China, where tariffs were one obstacle to faster growth.
Despite Trump's trade wars, the US trade deficit with China last year hit a record, as avid US consumers drew in foreign-made goods while weakened US sales of agricultural commodities weighed on American exports.
US businesses continue to express "a lot of concerns" about the tariffs, raising materials costs and cutting off access to foreign markets, he said.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut its growth forecasts for the US and Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters the global econ-
Indian-Americans protest against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism
"I would say tariffs may be a factor in China," Powell said. "I don't think they're the main factor."
On a volatile day of trading and with investors mostly preoccupied by the Fed policy meeting, Wall Street shuddered at Trump's trade remarks before closing the day mostly negative.
The members said that this proxy war has costed India more than 6,000 of its security personnel besides heavy collateral damage. hey accused Pakistan for the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs. "More than 400,000 mem-
bers were ethnically cleansed and are forced to live as refugees in India," they said. They urged the global community to hold Pakistan accountable for "atrocities on minorities" and "sponsoring terrorism". The events were organised by Achalesh Amar, Houston Coordinator of Friends of India Society International, USA and Dr Surinder Kaul, Global coordinator of Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, holding briefing for envoys of 25 countries, including those from the five permanent UNSC members -- the US, China, Russia, the UK and France -- to highlight Islamabad's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
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ASHINGTON | AFP | 3/20/2019 US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that US tariffs on Chinese imports could remain in place for a "substantial period," dampening hopes that a new trade agreement would see them lifted soon.
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Top American trade negotiators are due to travel to Beijing next week for a fresh round of talks, and officials have said they were in the final stages of negotiations on resolving the eight-month trade war with China. Washington and Beijing are battling over the final shape of an agreement, with American officials demanding profound changes to Chinese industrial policy. While recent comments that the talks are going well has fueled optimism, Trump seemed to dash hopes trade relations between the world's two largest economies would return to normal.
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"We are talking about leaving them for a substantial period of time," Trump said of the tariffs. "We have to make sure that if we do the deal with China, that China lives by the deal." Trump again told reporters at the White House the talks with Beijing were "coming along nicely." But American officials have insisted that any agreement have teeth -- including the ability to impose tariffs unilaterally should China begin backsliding on any commitments to end alleged unfair trade practices. Over the last eight months, the United States and China have slapped tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way goods trade, weighing on the manufacturing sectors in both countries. On Friday, China's rubberstamp parliament approved a foreign investment law to strengthen protections for intellectual property -- a central US grievance -- but critics said the bill was rammed through without sufficient time for input from businesses. - 'A lot of concerns' Beijing also has expressed willingness to increase purchases of American commodities such as energy and soybeans but analysts say they will be reluctant to accede to demands that could weaken the communist party's hold on power -- such as fully exposing state enterprises to market forces.
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FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Olympic champ Zagitova dazzles US chemical plant fire smoke plume hovers over Houston in world short skate
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by Alastair Himmer
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AITAMA, Japan | AFP | Wednesday 3/20/2019 Olympic champion Alina Zagitova produced a magical short programme crackling with power and grace Wednesday to set the pace at the world figure skating championships in Japan. Last onto the ice and skating to the "Phantom of the Opera", the Russian teen pumped her fist with delight after nailing a monster triple lutz, triple loop combo on her way to scoring a season's best 82.08 points in Saitama. Japan's Kaori Sakamoto posted a personal best 76.86 points ahead of Friday's free skate with an ethereal display that triggered roars from the flag-waving home crowd, before Zagitova delivered the perfect riposte to snatch the advantage at the end of day one. "It was a season's best for me so of course I'm happy with that," said Zagitova. "But the level of competition here is very tough, so I will have to make sure I'm on my game for the free skate. "I tend to forget past performances -- good or bad -- very quickly," added the 16-year-old. "You start from ground zero in every competition. Mentally I'm always very calm when I come to Japan."
World silver medallists Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia topped the pairs short programme with 81.21 points Kazakhstan's Elizabet Tursynbaeva posted a personal best of 75.96 for an elegant skate featuring several huge jumps and feather-soft landings to sit third. Earlier, Russians Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov executed a dazzling short skate to lead the pairs competition. But the women took centre stage in the evening with the Russian and Japanese skaters going head to head. - Korean anger Two-time world champion Evgenia Medvedeva, runner-up to countrywoman Zagitova at last year's Pyeongchang Olympics, was fourth on 74.23 points with South Korean teenager Lim Eun-soo on 72.91 despite
a sore ankle.
competition.
Lim had to dust herself down after being flattened by American Mariah Bell during the warm-up in a collision that angered Korean officials.
"I'm happy I executed that well on such a big stage," said Sakamoto.
Bell placed sixth in the free skate with Japan's Four Continents champion Rika Kihira seventh after popping her triple axel attempt, drawing gasps from the crowd. Fellow Japanese Satoko Miyahara finished in eighth and left the ice screwing up her nose in disgust. Russia's European champion Sofia Samodurova and American Bradie Tennell round out the top 10. Local media mobbed Sakamoto at the close of
"I went into that triple combo with confidence because I've been landing it in practice. Now I need to leave everything out there again in the free skate." World silver medallists Tarasova and Morozov topped the pairs short programme with 81.21 points ahead of China's Olympic runners-up Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, who scored 79.24. The men's competition kicks off on Thursday with Japan's "Ice Prince" Yuzuru Hanyu, who retained his Olympic crown last year, chasing his third world title after recovering from strained ankle ligaments.
US Fed now expects no rate hikes in 2019 by Heather SCOTT
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"It may be some time before the outlook for jobs and inflation calls clearly for a change in policy," Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters following the announcement. And he said global growth which had been a tailwind to the US economy, had begun to slow -- notably in Europe and China where tariffs and Brexit are weighing. The Fed's surprising change of direction follows the four rate increases last year, frequently in the face of vociferous antagonism from President Donald Trump, who called the central bank "crazy" for tightening monetary policy as the economy grew. The change could prompt speculation that the most recent hike in December, implemented despite a Wall Street sell-off and signs of weakening economic activity, was aimed at demonstrating the central bank's independence from Trump. The shift in the closelywatched forecast released meant nine of the 17 members of the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee lowered their projection for this year. But the forecast Wednesday also confirms the next move is still expected to
cording to ITC.
The blaze broke out Sunday at an Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) plant -- sending orange flames into the sky and thick black smoke wafting over the Texas city.
Officials closed nearby schools Monday, but reopened them Tuesday after tests reassured officials of the surrounding air quality.
The plant in the suburb of Deer Park makes chemicals used in gasoline mixtures and paint thinners. The fire spread overnight from six to eight storage tanks, ac-
by Patrick Galey
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ARIS, France | AFP | 3/20/2019 - The world can eradicate tuberculosis by 2045 if the fight against the killer disease is properly funded, an international team of experts said Wednesday. Warning of the immense economic and social costs of inaction, they said that better screening, treatments and public awareness were needed to reduce the more than 10 million cases recorded every year. A chronic lung disease which is preventable and largely treatable if caught in time, tuberculosis is the top infectious killer of our time, causing over 1.6 million deaths each year. "That is huge and the economic burden of that to both developing and developed nations is staggering," Eric Goosby, the United Nations' special envoy for the disease, told AFP.
Tuberculosis has existed for millenia and is latent in around a quarter of the world's population. Despite killing nearly as many people each year as HIV/AIDS and malaria combined, there has not been a new, commercially available tuberculosis
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell during a press briefing after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting March 20, 2019 in Washington, DC AFP be an increase in the key policy interest rate, though that is not now expected to come until sometime in 2020. The explanation can be found in the stark change in language in the statement from FOMC, which voted unanimously to keep the key rate unchanged at 2.25 to 2.5 percent. In its second meeting of the year, the committee said "growth of economic activity has slowed from its solid rate in the fourth quarter," as household and business spending is expected to drop off and annual inflation has declined. In contrast, in January, the FOMC said economic activity was growing at a "strong rate" and household spending continued to "grow strongly." - About-face Powell explained the about-face, saying that, while fiscal stimulus boosted the economy in 2018, there had been "data arriving since September suggesting that growth is slowing somewhat more than expected." But while "developments at home and around the world that bear close attention," Powell told reporters the Fed's outlook "is a positive one."
The committee members forecast a median federal funds rate this year of 2.4 percent -- the current level -- down from the 2.9 percent forecast in December, and 3.1 percent in September. Central bankers also cut their median forecast for economic growth this year to 2.1 percent, from 2.3 percent in December. That is a sharp contrast to the expectation of more than three percent this year, forecast by the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Wall Street fell following the announcement, with the Dow losing 0.5 percent and the broader S&P 500 dropping 0.3 percent. Economists warned that a forecast of zero hikes could encourage markets to expect and demand a rate cut, and they warned of the potential for rising wages. But Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics called the dovish stance an "accident waiting to happen." It was "an unnecessarily bold move... and it runs the risk of the Fed having to reverse course in the summer," when wage pressures could pick up.
The FOMC also decided to slow the shrinking of its securities holdings -- including Treasury notes and mortgage-backed securities -- which were built up to $4.5 trillion in the years after the 2008 global financial crisis. Starting in May, the Fed will reduce the balance sheet by $45 billion a month, down from $50 billion previously. But from October, it will no longer reduce its Treasury holdings, while continuing to runoff $20 billion a month of MBS, the Fed said in a separate statement. Powell said the total holdings will fall to a bit above $3.5 trillion. The central bank in January pledged to revisit the process after financial markets late last year were thrown into turmoil in part because of concerns the Fed was too rigid in the "balance sheet normalization" plan. Powell also said Wednesday he did not see major risks to the financial system that could lead to another financial crisis. "I would say overall, we don't see financial stability vulnerabilities as high," he told reporters.
The chemicals could cause coughing, difficulty breathing, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, nausea or dizziness, according to the Harris County Public Health Department.
"Air monitoring continues and as of this update readings are currently well below hazardous levels," ITC said in a statement Tuesday. "There are no injuries reported at this time."
But skeptical residents pointed to the plume of smoke spewing from the plant two days after the fire started. Many parents wrote on social media that they would not send their children back to school. "My son's school is a couple of miles away. I will not gamble with his life over these false reports," one parent wrote on the Deer Park school district's Facebook page. The Deer Park school district said it has received "several emails and calls from parents regarding the decision to resume school." Officials said it could take until Wednesday for the fire to be extinguished.
Tuberculosis can be eradicated by 2045: experts
"It's not rocket science, it's really common sense. We need to initiate a new prevention strategy."
ASHINGTON, | AFP | 3/20/2019 -The Federal Reserve sent a strong signal the US economy is slowing, indicating Wednesday it will not raise the benchmark lending rate again this year amid a drop in spending and broader global uncertainty. It was an aggressive downshift that came as a shock to many economists, since as recently as September the Fed expected to raise rates three times in 2019.
HICAGO | AFP | 3/19/2019 - A large plume of black smoke hovered over parts of the US city of Houston Tuesday as firefighters struggled with a days-long chemical plant fire.
vaccine in a century. The disease currently receives only around 10 percent of the research funding allocated for AIDS. A team of experts from 13 nations, writing in The Lancet, said that funding for research and development would need to quadruple to around $3 billion per year if the disease is to be properly tackled. In India alone, where one in three global tuberculosis deaths occur, providing better access to treatment and targeting at-risk communities for screening could cut deaths by nearly a third with an annually outlay of $290 million. That compares to the $32 billion each year in economic losses -- including treatment costs and lost productivity -- attributed to tuberculosis. "The real key is that we are going to need much more new research and new tools," said Paula Fujiwara, scientific director at The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. "Even if we use the tools we have today it's not going to be enough. The goal is to end tuberculosis but the current decline is only 1.5-2.0 percent a year," she told AFP. The Lancet study says that even if currently available treatments were given to 90 percent of
tuberculosis sufferers, 800,000 people would still die given their inefficacy and the gaps in diagnosis. - TB battle turns A series of breakthroughs in recent months have provided some hope to patients. In October, a new treatment for drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis cured 80 percent of sufferers in Belarus. The treatment has since been repeated in other highincidence nations, with similar results. A month earlier drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline unveiled a study showing that a new vaccine was effective in 54 percent of trial participants. In parallel, doctors say a new testing method could help reduce the 240,000 deaths of children under five that tuberculosis causes each year. Goosby said trials needed to continue to drive a production line of new treatments against the disease. "The inevitability is that we will need new drugs as the disease evolves," he said. "We should -- as a global health response -- anticipate and expect (drug) resistance and continue the work." The Lancet study said reducing tuberculosis deaths to less than 200,000 a year would cost around $10 billion annually.
Kazakhstan renames capital ... Continued from Page 11 next year, though the former president retains significant powers in the country he ruled for nearly three decades. Tokayev told lawmakers that Nazarbayev had "shown wisdom" by deciding to step down, a rare move in ex-Soviet Central Asia where other leaders have hung on to power until death. "Yesterday the world witnessed a historic event," Tokayev said, hailing Nazarbayev as a visionary reformer. "The results of an independent Kazakhstan are there for all to see," he added. - Futuristic capital Nazarbayev changed the capital from Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty to Astana in 1997, transforming it from a minor provincial town into a futuristic city of skyscrapers rising from the steppes. Its name meant "capital" in Kazakh and there had long been speculation of a renaming after the leader who shaped it. The city is central to government propaganda highlighting the achievements of Nazarbayev's reign and his journey to
build it was recently the subject of a state-funded film, "Leader's Path: Astana". Nazarbayev, 78, ruled Kazakhstan since before it gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. He steered the country through a major transformation, developing huge energy reserves and boosting its international influence, but was accused of cracking down on dissent and tolerating little opposition. Nazarbayev will continue to enjoy significant powers thanks to his constitutional status as "Leader of the Nation", life-time position as chief of the security council and head of the ruling Nur Otan party. Tokayev appeared to be in pole position to take over in the long term until senators voted shortly after his swearing-in to name Dariga Nazarbayeva, 55, as their new chief. She is the most politically prominent of Nazarbayev's three children and has long been mooted as a potential successor. Kazakhstan's deputy prime minister from 2015 to 2016, Nazarbayeva has significant influence over the media. Analysts said it was too early to declare a clear
frontrunner to become the next elected president, with the recently named prime minister, 53-yearold Askar Mamin, another possible contender. - 'Safe pair of hands' Tokayev, the interim president, has a strong diplomatic record dating back to the Soviet period and has twice been foreign minister. This should go some way to reassuring Kazakhstan's major partners including China, the European Union, Russia and the United States that the move will not threaten key relationships. Tokayev "is a safe pair of hands, he is a loyal presidential lieutenant," said Kate Mallinson, a Russia and Eurasia expert at the London-based Chatham House think-tank. Kazakhstan-based analyst Dosym Satpayev described Tokayev as a "heavyweight" but said he lacked popular appeal. As for Kazakh society's reaction to Dariga Nazarbayeva, it "would be mixed to say the least," Satpayev said. "A candidate from the family would be controversial and Dariga does not speak the state language, Kazakh, as well as her father," he said.
VOICE OF ASIA 13
Fort Bend View
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Sugar Land, Katy, Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Meadows Place
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Local sets Guinness World Record for largest video game collection
R
ICHMOND - Antonio Romero Monteiro has more video games than you.
The Richmond man’s 20,193 video games comprise the world’s largest video game collection, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. He says his collection includes games of almost every type, whether it’s from his childhood, or from overseas, or even collectors items. He claims one in particular is worth between $500 and $700. “I have some games that were only released in the Japanese market,” he pointed out.
S
UGAR LAND - Someone in Sugar Land is $1 million richer.
The winner will remain anonymous. The Richmond man’s 20,193 video games comprise the world’s largest video game collection, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. (Photo courtesy: KTKR / CNN)
The Quick Pick ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers drawn (1-2-3-739), but not the red Powerball (25).
to buy games so you can play them,” we asked.
Don’t stress about missing out on this one. There’s still plenty of money to be had.
“As part of the collection, yes,” he said.
His collection is so massive, it’s obvious he can’t play them all.
Before you wonder, yes, he’s married to a “very patient, loving wife.”
“There are many, many unopened games,” Monteiro said.
His life’s work was certified just this past Monday.
“So, you bought games just
“I was at work, in the middle
of a meeting, and all of a sudden, I started jumping up and down,” he remembered. In order to verify the number of games, Guinness World Records sent two people to count the games. There are so many, it took them one week to count them all. As for the expense of the whole scrounge, he believes
he’s spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. His name has not been released for his collection’s home security. - CNN
Fort Bend ISD honors school social workers during National Social Work Month 2019
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ORT BEND ISD (March 18, 2019) – Fort Bend ISD is honored to recognize our school social workers during National Social Work Month in March, and throughout the school year, for their many contributions to our students, schools and community. The National Association of Social Workers sponsors Na-
tional Social Work Month each year to honor social workers and raise community awareness of the important and often unnoticed work social workers do each day. This year’s theme is “Elevate Social Work,” which draws attention to the need to educate the community on the contributions social workers have made to our society, while stressing how vital
the profession is to our nation. FBISD currently has a team of 17 school social workers and one Check and Connect monitor, which provides direct counseling and support services to help all students reach their full potential. Our social workers provide crisis intervention services, support District initiatives to increase student attendance and decrease
Tel: 713-774-5140
Sugar Land resident claims $1 million Powerball prize A resident claimed a secondtier Powerball prize worth $1 million for the drawing on Feb. 9. The person bought the winning ticket from the Timewise Food Store located at 16760 Southwest Freeway.
Correction: He has more video games than any one person has on this entire planet.
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Section 2
The current Powerball jackpot stands at $495 million since there was no winner Wednesday night.
The next drawing is Saturday night. - KTRK
Willowridge High School to host Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 13
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ORT BEND ISD (March 18, 2019) – Willowridge High School’s Parent Center is hosting its annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus (16301 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston 77053). The community is invited to take part in the free event that will include a mobile clinic from Texas Children’s Hospital where families can receive immunizations, and blood and glucose checks. There will also be smoothie bikes, giant games (like Connect 4 and Checkers), a drunk driving simulator, kick
boxing demonstrations, exercise sessions, line dancing, a bounce house, and an appearance by UniverSoul Circus’ PJ the Clown. Throughout the event, there will also be drawings for various prizes, including a 40-inch TV, a gas grill, gift cards and more. Yams G the DJ will provide the music. For more information, please call the Willowridge High School Parent Center at (281) 634-9800 or email miriam. contreras@fortbendisd.com or maye.collins@fortbendisd. com.
truancy, coordinate mentoring programs for at-risk students, facilitate services for homeless/foster students and their families, develop training resources for parents, coordinate holiday and back-to-school assistance efforts for families, and provide numerous other support services to ensure educational success among FBISD students.
Pictured (from left) are social workers Dr. Janice Little and Linda Coleman.
Shown (seated l-r) are: Roderick Martin, Chamara Harris, Priti Avantsa, Davina Myles, Ashley Bryant; and (standing, from left) Sharon Wright, LaSonya Newell-McArthur, Charlee Belfonte, Cecilia Tu, Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, Riya Bhatt, Emmalea Bozone, Vanessa Perez, and Haley Calhoun.
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Shown (from left) are Dana Guzman-Adeoye and Rashan Carter.
VOICE OF ASIA 14
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
BOLLYWOOD - HOLLYWOOD Section 2
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Aamir Khan to star in Bollywood ‘Forrest Gump’ remake
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UMBAI - Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan announced on Thursday that he is to star in an official Hindi-language remake of hit American movie “Forrest Gump”. Khan will play the role of Laal Singh Chaddha, based on Tom Hanks’s character in the 1994 multiple-awardwinning US classic. “I have always loved ‘Forrest Gump’ as a script. It is a life-affirming story. It is a feel-good film. It is a film for the whole family,” Khan told reporters in Mumbai on his 54th birthday. “Forrest Gump” won six Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor for Hanks. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and was based on Winston Groom’s 1986 novel of the same name. It centres on the life of a dim-witted but kind man whose life mirrors key events in America in the 20th century. Khan, who last appeared in box office flop “Thugs of Hindostan”, said he would lose 20 kilograms (45 pounds) for the role. “I have to be lean and slim,” he explained, adding that shooting would start in October. Hollywood blockbusters have long
Aamir Khan will play the role of Laal Singh Chaddha, based on Tom Hanks’s character in the 1994 multiple-award-winning US classic. (AFP) inspired the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry. Action-thriller “Kaante” (2002) was influenced by Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs” while “Sarkar” (2005) was likened to “The Godfather” and “Chachi 420” was similar to “Mrs Doubtfire”, although they weren’t official remakes. Khan’s adaptation of “Forrest Gump” is expected to hit screens next year. Khan said the rights to the movie
Film Review: ‘Badla’ sinks in a quagmire of plot imperfections
were bought from Paramount. An official remake of 2014 Hollywood film “The Fault in Our Stars” is also in the works.
Bollywood filmmaker to launch Modi movie around India elections
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UMBAI | AFP - A Bollywood biopic on Narendra Modi’s rise from humble beginnings to Indian prime minister is to hit cinemas next month, its director said Friday, just in time for elections. It is the latest in a series of political movies released over the last few weeks, with filmmakers seeking to
by Gautaman Bhaskaran
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“Proud to announce the release date of my film #PMNarendraModi 12th April 2019,” Omung Kumar B said on Twitter. The Hindi film industry has a long tradition of producing politically tinged flicks -- but industry watchers say 2019’s offerings are more partisan than ever before.
“(And) onto his landmark win at the 2014 election and finally being nominated as the prime minister of India,” he added.
Titled “Badla” or “Revenge,” this is a near-faithful adaptation of the 201617 Spanish murder-mystery, “Contratiempo,” or “The Invisible Guest,” by Oriol Paulo, now streaming on Netflix.
Like in “Pink,” Bachchan is a lawyer in “Badla.” As Badal Gupta, he is tasked with defending Naina, whose fling outside her happy marriage has gone horribly wrong. She finds herself in a hotel room with her lover, Arjun (Tony Luke), killed. She is arrested for murder, but gets out on bail with the help of her close lawyer friend, Jimmy Punjabi (Manav Kaul). Woven into this sticky situation are two more characters, an elderly couple — Nirmal (Tanveer Ghani) and Rani (Amrita
cash in on a seven week national election with around 900 million eligible voters.
“The film will traverse the journey of Narendra Damodardas Modi from his humble beginnings to his years as Gujarat Chief Minister,” Kumar told Press Trust of India.
HENNAI: After a few flops, Sujoy Ghosh directed two engaging pieces of work — “Kahaani” in 2012 and “Kahaani 2” in 2016. His genre has been thrillers, and he sticks to it in his latest outing in Scotland, set mostly in Glasgow.
Badla is a typical whodunnit with a couple of murders and a pretty suspect, Naina Sethi, played by Taapsee Pannu, who pairs with Amitabh Bachchan once again (as they did in “Pink”).
Filmmaker to launch Narendra Modi bio-pic. (File photo)
Kumar has also directed other biographical movies including one on Mary Kom, India’s leading Olympic boxer. The silver screen and politics have often intertwined in India.
A still from Bollywood flick ‘Badla.’ (Photo: YouTube) Singh) — whose son goes missing, and there appears to be a link between this disappearance and Arjun’s death. “Badla” looks ethereal, with cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay capturing Scotland in all its splendour — its misty mornings adding to the air of mystery. But unfortunately, these picture-postcard images serve as mere embellishments to a plot and performance that are disappointing. Bachchan brings little novelty to his role. As for Pannu, she fails to get her act
Deepika Padukone delightedly unveils her stunning new waxwork figure at Madame Tussauds London
together as a crime suspect whose position as a celebrated businesswoman and as a mother as well as a wife is in peril. Not much of an effort appears to have gone into developing these characters.
Many actors have become politicians while Bollywood has not shied away from tackling political issues in
its plotlines. The nationalistic, all-guns-blazing “Uri: The Surgical Strike” which celebrates the Indian army’s strikes on militants in 2016 in response to a raid that had killed 19 Indian soldiers, is one of the most successful movies this year. Modi was widely lauded for the operation and the film sees Vicky Kaushal play an army major in charge of avenging the attack -- which India blamed on its arch enemy Pakistan -on the Uri base. Besides Uri, other politicallythemed movies released this year include “The Accidental Prime Minister”, which was based on a book about India’s previous prime minister. Another filmmaker also released “Thackeray”, a biopic about divisive Mumbai politician Bal Thackeray, who died in 2012. The film, according to the critics, was designed to boost support for the Shiv Sena -- a Hindu chauvinist party he led and founded. Earlier this January, another biopic on a late actor-turned politician in southeastern Andhra Pradesh state was released.
And the plot itself has far too many holes and convenient coincidences. Of course, Ghosh would say that he merely followed the Spanish original. But what stopped him from reworking the story and the script to give us a believable narrative? - Arab News waxwork figure. Deepika announced she was receiving a coveted wax figure in July of last year, telling her social media followers: ‘It’s fun, exciting and in a way, I feel a lot of gratitude because you know when you give your fans a little more than just the movies, then it’s really, really special. ‘I hope they enjoy it as much as we enjoy creating it,’ she continued. Deepika joins a small, yet impressive, group of Bollywood stars who have a Madame Tussauds including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit Nene.
Seeing double? That’s Deepika on the left of the amazing wax figure. by Jabeen Waheed
D
eepika Padukone couldn’t contain her delight as she unveiled her incredible new waxwork figure at Madame Tussauds London on Thursday. The Bollywood actress, 33, cut an incredibly stylish figure in an all-white ensemble as she cosied up, took selfies and blew kisses to her brand new double. Deepika, who was joined by her husband Ranveer Singh, was clearly overjoyed at the final result of the wax figure - which is an exact replica of
her gorgeous red carpet lehengha at the IIFA Awards 2016 look in Madrid. The duplicate saw the stunning star, who starred alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage in 2017, look flawless in a nude champagne coloured ensemble designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Just like her look at the awards ceremony a few years earlier, the replica also boasted her emerald green diamond neckpiece and matching earrings. Her husband Ranveer couldn’t have looked prouder as he put on an animated display while posing alongside the
Deepika later remarked on Instagram, “It’s all about the details .” (Photo: Instagram/deepikapadukone)
The beauty is arguably Indian cinema’s biggest female star at the moment, having starred in more than 30 films and earning the title of the ‘highest paid actress’ in India. Hot on the heels of pal Priyanka Chopra, the screen siren broke into Hollywood in 2017, starring alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. She began her career in the limelight as a model before moving on to commercials and then films.
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VOICE OF ASIA 15
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
HOLLYWOOD - BOLLYWOOD
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Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas reunite in ‘The Kominsky Method’
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A Canadian born to Indian parents, Singh gained fame for her YouTube channel “Superwoman,” launched in 2010, which today boasts 14.5 million subscribers and nearly 3 billion total views. (AFP Photo)
YouTube star to be first female US late-night talk host in decades
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EW YORK | AFP | Friday 3/15/2019 - Major television channel NBC has tapped YouTube star Lilly Singh to helm a late-night talk show, making the Canadian the first woman to host on a US broadcast network in more than three decades. The evening talk shows have been a mainstay of American television for more than half-a-century -- but their hosts are generally white men. The late comedian Joan Rivers did host her own show from 1986 to 1988 on Fox, but that channel -- unlike competitors ABC, CBS and NBC -- is not known for its late-night talk programming and no longer uses the format. Comedian Samantha Bee also hosts her own evening satire news show entitled “Full Frontal,” but it airs on the cable channel TBS and has a much
smaller audience than the four national broadcast networks. Singh, 30, will take over the last of NBC’s three slots that is currently hosted by Carson Daly and begins at 1:35 am EST. A Canadian born to Indian parents, Singh gained fame for her YouTube channel “Superwoman,” launched in 2010, which today boasts 14.5 million subscribers and nearly three billion total views. She announced her new gig as host of “A Little Late with Lilly Singh” as a guest on NBC’s “The Tonight Show, the network’s most-watched late-night program that’s hosted by Jimmy Fallon. It will be “kind of like my YouTube channel,” she said, adding that “I think it’s a little awesome for an Indian Canadian woman to be on a latenight show.”
Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi’ finds its director, awaiting star
ne of the 1980s’ hottest onscreen couples -- Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner -- will reunite in the award-winning series, “The Kominsky Method.” Season two of the show is due out on Netflix later this year. In the end, it is Kathleen Turner rather than Jacqueline Bisset who will appear in the hit Netflix show “The Kominsky Method.” According to US entertainment media, the American actress will reunite with her “Romancing the Stone” co-star some 35 years after the movie opened in theaters in 1984. The actress is lined up to play Ruth Bederman, the ex-wife of Michael Douglas’s Sandy Kominsky character, and mother of their daughter, Mindy, played by Sarah Baker. Kathleen Turner is currently only scheduled to appear in one episode of the show, in which she is described as “Sandy’s second wife, who delights in still being able to push the buttons of her ex-husband.” Season two is currently filming and is slated to land on Netflix later this year. The pair met on the set of the 1984 adventure movie, “Romancing the Stone,” directed by Robert Zemeckis, in which they played two characters hunting for treasure in Colombia. The movie earned Kathleen Turner her first Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical movie and won its director the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) in 1985. On the back of its success, the film was followed by a sequel, “The Jewel of the Nile,” released in 1985, this time with Lewis Teague directing. The story was set six months after the events in the first movie, and brought Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito back together on the big screen.
Kathleen Turner also stars in the anthology TV series, “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings,” premiering in 2019 on Netflix. (© AFP PHOTO / Valerie Macon)
James Bond opts for all-electric Aston Martin in next film
The third actor in this onscreen trio, Danny DeVito, has also appeared in Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method” as Dr. Wexler. The actor previously reunited Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in his 1989 movie, “The War of the Roses,” in which they played a couple in the midst of a divorce. - Relaxnews
‘Captain Marvel’ continues to fly high atop the global box office
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OS ANGELES - “Captain Marvel” holds on to the global box-office top spot on the movie’s second weekend in theaters, adding some $189 million to its cumulative grosses. The Chinese-language movie “More Than Blue,” comes second, followed by the animated movie, “Wonder Park” in third. The latest Marvel movie is a nonmover at the global box-office, taking the top spot for the second consecutive week. “Captain Marvel” grossed over $189 million, taking total grosses to over $760 million worldwide.
“Shang-Chi” director Destin Daniel Cretton at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, October 2013 (© AFP PHOTO / STR)
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arvel’s “Shang-Chi,” the studio’s first superhero movie with an Asian lead, has found its director in Hawaiianborn Destin Daniel Cretton of indie hit “Short Term 12.” Destin Daniel Cretton and his “Short Term 12” star Brie Larson have now both found their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel’s martial artist superhero Shang-Chi’s powers stem in large part from his incredible command of “qi” (or “chi”) energy, tapping a universal life force and combining it with his proficiency in multiple Chinese fighting styles. Cretton directed “Captain Marvel” lead Brie Larson and is now attached to “Shang-Chi,” which remains without a lead or release date for the time being. Marvel is understood to have received a “Shang-Chi” screenplay from the co-writer of “The Expendables” and the upcoming “Zombieland” and “Wonder Woman” sequels, David Callahan, who also penned 2014 monster movie smash “Godzilla.” A good amount of mystery surrounds Marvel’s strategy beyond April’s “Avengers: Endgame,” with “Spider-Man: Far From Home” arriv-
ing three months later in July. Nevertheless, the studio has so far put down markers for a eight untitled releases: two in 2020, three in 2021, and three more in 2022. As well as “Shang-Chi,” other projects in development include “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and second helpings of “Doctor Strange” and “Black Panther.” Marvel has also signed on directors for “Black Widow” and “The Eternals,” with a script for “Dark Avengers” thought to have been produced. Then there is the studio’s run of Netflix spin-offs -- “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist” and “The Punisher.” Despite their general collective critical and popular success, none have featured in the MCU films, and all have had future plans halted as far as Netflix goes. By contrast, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” characters The Vision and Scarlet Witch, the recurrent “Thor” character Loki, and “Captain America” supports Falcon and Winter Soldier are known to be featuring in three series that are being built for Marvel owner Disney and its upcoming Disney+ service. - Relaxnews
Last week’s number two movie, “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” is replaced by the Chinese-language drama, “More Than Blue.” This remake of a 2009 South Korean movie of the same name grossed over $41 million dollars. Paramount Pictures completes the podium lineup with the animated movie, “Wonder Park.” The comedy -featuring the voices of Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, Mila Kunis and Ken Jeong -- grossed some $20.3 million worldwide. - Relaxnews
The Aston Martin Rapide E will be James Bond’s next luxurious ride. (Photo © Newspress/Aston Martin)
I
nstead of 007 making his grand entrance to the sound of a roaring V12, Daniel Craig will be driving an almost silent all-electric Aston Martin Rapide E in the next, newly eco-friendly James Bond film. On Wednesday UK-based newspaper The Sun reported that the “total tree-hugger” film director Cary Joji Fukunaga decided that 007 will be driving Aston Martin’s very first BEV, the Rapide E, a 600 hp electric saloon (sedan) that’s expected to have over 200 miles of range. A 65-kWh battery replaces the 6-liter V12 engine that you’d find in the original fastback Rapide, which generates about 552 hp. Only 155 units of the electric model are expected to go into production near the end of this year and one is reserved for Bond, James Bond, and will feature a slew of 007-esque high-tech gadgets. Fukunaga states that “[the car] is going to be the center of an incredible action sequence in the movie,” though it may be difficult to imagine a highspeed chase scene with quiet, zero
Daniel Craig will return as Agent 007 in the fifth Bond installment. (File photo) emissions-producing vehicles. The Rapide E will cost £250,000 when it launches later this year. - Relaxnews
Elizabeth Lail of ‘You’ lands horror lead in ‘Countdown’
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aving gone from fairy-tale retelling “Once Upon a Time” to supernatural horror “Dead of Summer,” Elizabeth Lail is sticking with darker territory for “scary and fun” horror movie “Countdown.” Elizabeth Lail was most recently seen in hit TV show “You,” a stalker thriller set in the digital dating age, and “Countdown” appears to continue some of the same themes. Playing a nurse who starts using an app that can apparently predict a person’s death, Lail’s character discovers that she herself has only three days to live. “’Countdown’ is a wholly original, scary and fun script,” said STXfilms chairman Adam Fogelson, announcing the film’s casting. “We’re thrilled to have found the perfect lead to bring this story to life for audiences around the world.” The project is a first theatrical feature for its writer and director, Justin Dec. His 2008 debut short “Rolling” won two US film and TV festival awards. - Relaxnews
Elizabeth Lail as Guinevere Beck in Lifetime and Netflix series ‘You’. (Photo © Courtesy of Lifetime)
Young Life
VOICE OF ASIA 16
Section 2
Email: voiceasia@aol.com
www.voiceofasia.news
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Tel: 713-774-5140
College admissions are corrupt because universities are. Here’s how to fix them.
Gucci launches $20k scholarship program to address diversity and inclusion
How the pursuit of money and status overtook the missions of knowledge and truth.
This is the next step in the brand’s commitment to addressing diversity and inclusion within the fashion industry and their brand.
by Viet Thanh Nguyen
T
he scandal around rich people buying college admissions for their underqualified children is disgusting and disheartening for everyone, but especially for those of us who teach and study at universities. My own University of Southern California is described as the “epicenter” of a crisis involving bribes in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. While it is tempting to say that the scandal involves only nefarious individuals, and that we can address the problem with a fine tuning of the bureaucracy, the problem is much deeper. There is an illness in higher education, and its name is corruption. Corruption, in its most effective version, is an open secret — the “old boys’ club,” the “smoke-filled room” or the “network.” We accept that this is the way things are, until a brazenly illegal act of corruption exposes the status quo of legalized corruption. This is what has happened with the bribery scandal, which is only a symptom of an illness that has grown deeper and more pervasive over the past few decades in academia. Treating the symptom without understanding the illness will cure nothing. Universities are noble enterprises built on the basis of the pursuit of truth and knowledge. But like all of our most noble enterprises, universities can be undermined by our own weaknesses, our susceptibility to temptation. In this case, the temptation comes from too much money and its attendant pathologies: greed, power, status and celebrity. I am proud to
be a professor at USC, where the faculty and students are impressive, competitive and ambitious — and where the school has made efforts to work with the local community, providing admissions for neighborhood students and committing to socioeconomic diversity among its students. But USC is also close to Hollywood and the celebrity culture captured by one of the students, an Instagram “influencer” with 1.3 million followers, ensnared by the Varsity Blues scandal. (She had said online that she found school boring and looked forward only to the football games and the parties, suggesting that to her and other elite students, universities are merely finishing schools and vanity projects.) And USC suffers from the same desire to climb the rankings as other schools, which drives it to raise billions in a fundraising arms race. The rankings also reward “selectivity,” which is why schools try to gain as many applicants as possible, knowing that they will reject most. No wonder parents are desperate enough about the admissions system to reach for various forms of corruption: coaching (expensive), bribery (even more expensive, and obviously illegal), and the ultimate power play, the massive donation (the priciest, the most visible, the most lauded and therefore the most acceptable form of corruption). In this way, universities are no different from those of us who obsess over our personal rankings: How many Twitter followers we have, how many views on YouTube and, in this case, the prestige of our de-
grees. The mania about status is a marker of our new Gilded Age, one based on a star system. In this winner-take-all society, stars are overpaid and the rest are underpaid. Billionaires are the celebrities, the millionaires service the billionaires, the middle class shrinks and desperately tries to retain its status and the poor watch with ever increasing resentment at the spectacle of the rich rewarding the rich. The parents who bribed the coaches understand this and want every possible edge for their children. Even the parents who follow the official process increasingly think of themselves and their children as consumers. Relegating the noble goals of knowledge and truth to a secondary status after the pursuit of money and consumption has led to the university’s corruption. Universities protest that they do believe in higher values. But who is naive enough to believe that a school cares more for these than for the football team, when the football coach is the highest-paid employee of the university (as is the case at Stanford, University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Texas at Austin, three of the universities involved in the admissions scandal)? Likewise, who believes that the billionaire donor who gives hundreds of millions to name a building or a school for himself really cares more for the educational mission than for his vanity? This is why corruption in America’s university system cannot be addressed purely by reform (although that would be a start). The system is shaped by outside influences like ce-
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by Alyssa Hardy
L
ast month, Gucci was the middle of a fashion misstep when, after much social media backlash with some calling for a boycott of the brand, they pulled their black $890 balaclava sweater with red lips, which too closely resembled blackface. The fashion company issued an apology promising that they are “fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.” To put their words into real actions, Gucci’s executives released a list of action items to their Twitter account in an effort to both regain their customer’s trust and show their genuine want to create a more diverse company. Their first step was to be more inclusive in their hiring practices. The second step was to create a multicultural scholarship program which was officially announced today under their initiative Gucci Changemakers. The scholarship totals $1.5 million, and $20,000 grants will be awarded to college students with an interest in the fashion industry over the course of four years. Another program the brand is launching under their Gucci Changemakers initiative is a Changemakers Fund in which $5 million dollars will be invested into non-profit organizations that specifically work to support “the African-American community and communities
Actress Li Bing Bing of color at-large.” In a press release, Gucci’s CEO Marco Bizarri said the company wanted to address their “shortcomings” through the program. “Through our Changemakers program, we will invest important resources to unify and strengthen our communities across North America, with a focus on programs that will impact youth and the African-American community,” the release says. The $5 million fund will work with a council of fashion insiders including Cleo Wade, Dapper Dan, and Will.i.am who will help them determine that the money is being used responsibly. Dapper Dan
lebrity, power, money and spectacular entertainment. So what can administrators, and all those whose lives intersect with higher education, do to meaningfully change their schools in the new Gilded Age? Here are a few paths:
stop paying for gigantic edifices. Instead, they should donate their money to scholarships for students in need. This will have much more human impact, whereas everyone knows the edifices are, at their foundation, about ego and reputation.
First, acknowledge that the problem of corruption even exists. Adding more layers of bureaucracy with ethics and compliance officers is merely playing whack-a-mole. The patient will not be cured until the patient admits to the illness that can be treated. This extends from university presidents to boards of trustees to each and every one of us who benefits in some way from the corruption, including administrators, full-time faculty, alumni and students.
Fifth, get big money out of college sports. The bribery scandal revolves around minor sports, but major sports like football and basketball have regularly led to various ethical collapses in the past few decades, like the protection of football and the legacy of Joe Paterno over the lives of children at Penn State, or the “epidemic of academic fraud” involving athletes at more than a dozen universities. Sports have a noble place at a school where the Greek ideal is to test both body and mind. But big money has corrupted bodies and minds, too, pressing unpaid players toward injury while denying them full access to an education. This is where alumni and students are implicated. Too many of them treat big money sports as a religion, enabling rot within the university. “That rot,” sportswriter Dave Zirin tells me, “is expressed most clearly in the taking in of billions of revenue for football and basketball while predominantly black athletes are left holding an empty bag.” The head coaches in the five major college athletic conferences earn more than their schools spend on all athletic scholarships combined.
Second, increase transparency and expand democratic governance, because corruption grows in darkness and secrecy. This would mean reforming boards of trustees so that they are not composed purely of the corporate class of billionaires and millionaires. Including faculty, students, staff and community members as trustees would help to ensure that fiduciary and administrative responsibilities are more democratic. As for university management, faculty, staff and students are often sidelined in favor of a professional, nonacademic class of bureaucrats. But the excluded people are the heart of the university, and they need to serve on committees, have oversight responsibilities and help determine university policy and direction through empowered academic senates (at my alma mater, the University of California at Berkeley, undergraduates can serve on university administrative committees, and the UC system has a student regent on its Board of Regents). When faculty, staff and students aren’t allowed to serve, they feel powerless and have no incentive to do things like report on corruption and abuse. Third, university presidents must take the lead in negotiating an arms treaty. Universities are held hostage by magazine and other rankings, which drives them to practices like artificially inflating the competitiveness of their admissions systems. Universities should uniformly refuse to participate. By giving the ranking systems information, universities aid in their own commodification. Fourth, star donors should
Sixth, taxpayers should agree to be taxed enough to benefit education at all levels, including higher education. Overall state funding for public twoand four-year colleges in the 2017 school year was nearly $9 billion below its 2008 level, after adjusting for inflation. Public universities have had to increase tuition and pursue donors, leading to all the problems that elite private universities have. If taxpayers are upset at seeing the rich buy college seats, legally or illegally, they need to recognize that they have abdicated their collective responsibility by not demanding greater public support for a more equitable and just educational system. Falling public support for higher education is a cost that is transferred to students, who have reduced access to education, are burdened with greater debt loads and are increasingly taught by poorly paid adjunct (nonpermanent) faculty who make up more than 70 percent of college teachers.
shared his thoughts on the new initiative saying, “It is imperative that we have a seat at the table to say how we should be represented and reimagined. Through our work together, Gucci is in a position to lead the overall industry toward becoming a better more inclusive one.” Since Gucci apologized and pulled the balaclava sweater from shelves in February, fans of the brand have been asking them to do more to make a change. This new initiative seems to be a step in the right direction to reconcile this major diversity issue. - Teen Vogue
Seventh, students and parents should stop seeing themselves as consumers and universities as brands with luxury amenities. Universities are spending enormous amounts of money on ever more spectacular dorms, restaurants, recreational centers and the like, responding to the marketplace of consumption. Students walk away with huge debts that have financed these luxuries, which have nothing to do with education. Universities should do their part and stop providing these luxuries, even at the cost of not attracting as many students. Parents and students who complain about rising university costs should know that they are complicit when they demand frills that have nothing to do with education. Eighth, reduce costs and pass the benefits to students. Presidents, the managerial class and faculty stars are overpaid (I speak as one who has entered this stratum in the past couple of years). The accelerating costs of tuition are related to how universities have added layers of management and pursued expensive faculty. What if — allow me this fantasy — a university’s president, senior administrators and full professors agreed to a 10 percent cut in salary, all of which would go to fund scholarships for needy students? Perhaps such a powerful symbolic move by the most rewarded stratum in a university is unlikely in a capitalist marketplace. And yet we have the example of Gregory Fenves, who turned down a $1 million salary to become president of UT Austin, accepting $750,000 instead. That is still a great deal of money. But we live in a capitalist system where we value getting the most money we can, rather than being happy with enough money. That, too, is a kind of corruption we pass on to students, who are smart enough to watch what we do and not just listen to what we say. And we — the adults — have not done enough. Finally, after admitting to corruption, university leadership should take the lead and do what the faculty have demanded for years: Commit universities, first and foremost, above money, reputation or ranking, to their noble mission, the light of which still remains, the pursuit of truth and knowledge. We cannot be resigned to less. - Washington Post
VOICE OF ASIA 17
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
March is Women’s History Month Section 2 Tel: 713-774-5140
Nearly four in 10 US HIV infections from people unaware of infection
Based on the CMS information we have at this time, here are a few proposed changes to the standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage:
by Ivan Couronne
W
ASHINGTON | AFP | 3/18/2019 - Almost 40 percent of new HIV cases in the US occur because people do not know they are infected, while a similar proportion know but are not in treatment, according to a study released Monday.
• The standard 2020 Initial Deductible is proposed to increase about 5%.
The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is based on 2016 data and aims to bolster a strategy outlined by President Donald Trump to end the epidemic within 10 years, announced recently in Washington. The strategy has two main strands: far more widespread screening, and enabling the infected better access to treatment from the moment they test positive. The study found that 38 percent of infections came from HIV-positive people who were unaware of their status, and 43 percent from people who knew they were infected but took no anti-retroviral drugs. The remaining infections came from people who were receiving HIV treatment but were not yet “virally suppressed.” The CDC blamed financial, social and other reasons for people not using medication, which these days typically comes in the form of a daily
Explanation of the proposed 2020 Medicare Part D coverage
The 2020 standard Initial Deductible is proposed to increase by $20 to $435 from the current 2019 standard Initial Deductible of $415. As reference: the 2018 standard Initial Deductible was $405. This electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows a human T cell, in blue, under attack by HIV, in yellow, the virus that causes AIDS. (AP). pill with minimal side effects. The study said that the infection rate from the half million people in the United States who take medication and are virally suppressed -- meaning they cannot pass on the disease to others -- was zero. - Screening The most at-risk group remains homosexual men, with almost threequarters of new infections coming
from men having sex with men, the report said. Five percent of infections came from intravenous drug abuse among homosexual men, while 10 percent came from injecting drugs among the rest of the population. Twelve percent of infections were among heterosexuals. Overall, the highest rate of transmission was among 13 to 24-year-olds.
'Can't show hate': Families face mental toll of Christchurch shootings
• The Initial Deductible will not affect when you enter the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap, but will impact when you leave the Donut Hole and enter Catastrophic Coverage What it means?: The Initial Deductible is the amount that you pay yourself before your Medicare Part D plan begins to share in the cost of coverage. If you enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan with a standard Initial Deductible, you will spend slightly more outof-pocket in 2020 before your plan coverage begins. • The Initial Coverage Limit is proposed to increase 5%. The 2020 Initial Coverage Limit (ICL) is proposed to increase $200 to $4,020 from the current 2019 ICL of $3,820. The Initial Coverage Limit marks the Donut Hole entry point. Medicare beneficiaries enter the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap when the total negotiated retail value of their prescription drug purchases exceeds their plan’s Initial Coverage Limit
Sudhir Mathuria HEALTHLIFE 360 713-771-2900 brand-name drugs. The 2020 brand-name drug Donut Hole discount remains at 75% (you pay 25% of retail costs). The pharmaceutical industry will be responsible for 70% of the cost of medications in the Coverage Gap, therefore you will receive credit for 95% of the retail drug cost toward meeting your 2020 total out-of-pocket maximum or Donut Hole exit point (the 25% of retail costs you pay plus the 70% drug manufacturer discount). This means: If you reach the 2020 Donut Hole and purchase a brandname medication with a retail cost of $100, you will pay $25 for the formulary medication, and receive $95 credit toward meeting your 2020 out-of-pocket spending limit – or Donut Hole exit point.
• What are chances that you will enter the 2020 Donut Hole? You can estimate now (based on your current retail drug prices remaining stable) that, if you purchase medications with an average retail value of over $335 per month, you will enter the 2020 Donut Hole at some point during the year. • The 2020 Donut Hole discount will increase to 75% for all generic drugs.
Tipene Newbery said he wants to create a more positive environment for his four young children following the shootings (AFP Photo/William West)
by Glenda Kwek
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HRISTCHURCH, New Zealand | AFP | Tuesday 3/19/2019 - As Tipene Newbery laid a wreath outside Al Noor Mosque -- where dozens of worshippers were massacred by a white supremacist last Friday -- his children called out, "Don't cry daddy!" Families in the southern New Zealand city have struggled to come to terms with the mental toll of the attacks at two mosques that left 50 people dead Friday, including children, just years after a devastating earthquake killed 185 residents. At memorial sites across Christchurch, children's heartfelt notes and drawings of young Muslims holding hands or hugging non-Muslims have been particularly poignant. One drawing of children from different backgrounds holding hands had the words: "You are my friends. I will keep watch while you pray." Newbery, who was a teenager when the 2011 earthquake struck, admits he was "messed up" by the destruction it caused, and wants to create a more positive environment for his four young children following the shootings. "This is way worse than the earthquake as far as I'm concerned. Natural disasters are inevitable but this can be prevented," the 26-year-old told AFP at a memorial site outside Al Noor. "Even though there's a lot of hate inside me, I can't show that in front
of them (his children). Just show that peace and love is the only way." The impact of the shootings stretches from those directly affected, such as children who lost their parents in the attacks, to New Zealanders shocked at how such a violent act could be carried out in their usually peaceful country. Saleha Hussain travelled from Auckland to support her friend's young daughters aged two and five after their father Suhail Shahid was killed in Al Noor. Having comforted the older daughter when she woke up in the middle of the night screaming for her father, Hussain told AFP her message to children was for them to not have "fear in their hearts" as they would be protected by God. - 'World that isn't torn apart' Clinical psychologist Sarb Johal, a New Zealand expert in mental health for those coping with disasters, said it was important for parents to monitor what their children were exposed to when they were outside home, in case they were being fed misinformation. Giving them a sense of hope, to contrast against the shootings, was also key, Johal said. "We have a duty to make sure that we present a world that isn't torn apart," he told Radio New Zealand. "This is a terrible, terrible event, a horrific event but in the broader context of things we need to remember that there are many people working...
to help assist and protect people going about their everyday lives, so point them out." Moazzem Hossain, who survived the hail of gunfire at Linwood Mosque and has struggled to sleep since, told AFP he had worked hard to reassure his 16-year-old daughter. "I tell her to keep mentally strong and to find resilience," he added. Newbery admits his children's curiosity has been a big challenge, noting that "you don't have a choice with children, they ask the hardest questions". But he feels that public displays of compassion -- as seen in the growing fields of flower bouquets at makeshift memorial sites in Christchurch -are a good starting point. "I think doing stuff like... coming and paying respect, and showing love and compassion and not hatred towards the person who did it, is important," Newbery said. "I'm devastated but I'm trying not to show too much of that around them (the children)."
If you reach the 2020 Donut Hole or Coverage Gap phase of your Medicare Part D plan coverage, the generic drug discount will increase from 63% to 75%. (So your generic drug costs in the Donut Hole will be 25% of your plan’s negotiated retail prices.) This means: If you are in the 2020 Donut Hole and your generic medication has a retail cost of $100, you will pay only $25. And the $25 that you spend for a formulary drug will count toward your 2020 out-ofpocket spending limit or TrOOP. • The Donut Hole discount will remain the same (75%) for
• The amount you need to spend to exit the 2020 Donut Hole will increase by 25% Your 2020 Total Out-of-Pocket Cost (TrOOP) threshold will increase by $1,275 to $6,350 from the current 2019 TrOOP limit of $5,100. Remember that TrOOP does not include monthly premiums or nonformulary purchases. As reference, the 2018 TrOOP limit was $5,000, the 2017 TrOOP limit was $4,950, the 2016 TrOOP limit was $4,850, and the 2015 TrOOP threshold value was $4,700. TrOOP is the dollar figure you must spend (or someone else spends on your behalf) to get out of the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap and into the Catastrophic Coverage phase of your Medicare Part D plan. These are the proposed changes that will be finalized shortly. Source: CMS To select suitable Medicare Advantag plans, Medicare Supplement plan and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan contact Sudhir Mathuria at 713-771-2900.
DIET & EXERCISE
VOICE OF ASIA 18
Short walk once-a-week can lower risk of death: study
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Q. I have heard that you should not exercise at night because it can cause sleep problems. Is this true?
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raditionally, experts have recommended not exercising at night as part of good sleep hygiene. Now a new study, published Oct. 29, 2018, in Sports Medicine, suggests that you can exercise in the evening as long as you avoid vigorous activity for at least one hour before bedtime.
People who walked or gardened 10 minutes to an hour each week had an 18-percent lower risk of death from any cause compared to full-on couch potatoes, researchers reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The researchers examined 23 studies that evaluated sleep onset and quality in healthy adults who performed a single session of evening exercise compared with similar adults who did not. They found that not only did evening exercise not affect sleep, it seemed to help people fall asleep faster and spend more time in deep sleep. However, those who did high-intensity exercise — such as interval training — less than one hour before bedtime took longer to fall asleep and had poorer sleep quality.
Two-and-a-half to five hours weekly of such “moderate physical activity” -- broken into segments of no less than 10 minutes -- resulted in a 31 percent reduction in risk, they found. And those who clocked up at least 25 hours almost halved the risk. Not everyone, however, has that much time to spend on leisure-time exercise, the authors acknowledged. Heart-pumping and pulse-quickening activities such as biking, running and competitive sports “are more time-efficient than moderate intensity activity,” they said.
That data on excercise was then matched against registered deaths through 2011.
The authors cautioned that the study was observational, meaning that no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. The fact that exercise data was self-reported was also a po-
Here’s how to stick to an eating strategy without giving up your favorite alcoholic beverage by Lexi Williams
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“I counsel patients naturally to be more Mediterranean and to be flexible with it and have a more well-rounded look on life,” says New York– and New Jersey–based registered dietitian-nutritionist Vanessa Rissetto, noting that the Mediterranean diet is not so much a strict set of rules as it is a lifestyle choice. “On the Mediterranean diet, you can totally have wine [because the diet is] low on carbs, and it’s low on fat, so when you’re drink-
Photo: iStock
Research has shown that, even if you are dieting in order to lose weight, you don’t have to omit wine from your lifestyle. In fact, some of today’s most popular diets allow (and, in some cases, encourage!) moderate wine consumption. Here are five of them, with input and advice from experts in the health and wellness field. Mediterranean diet A favorite among wine drinkers, the Mediterranean diet emulates the eating patterns of people native to areas that border the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy, Greece, southern France and Spain. Characterized by fruits, vegetables, seafood, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and moderate wine consumption, the diet has been shown to have numerous benefits, including better liver health and lower weight gain. Moderate wine consumption was included in this diet primarily because it’s part of the traditional habits of people who live on the Mediterranean, but wine’s science-backed potential health benefits are why it remains part of the plan.
• Turn off devices that give off light, such as the TV, computer, and phone, at least 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime. • Be sure your bed is comfortable and your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. • Don’t take long naps during the day. If you need a nap, restrict it to 20 to 30 minutes in the early afternoon. • If you can’t fall asleep after 15 to 20 minutes, go to another room. Read quietly with a dim light until you feel sleepy. - Harvard Men’s Health Watch
tential weakness. But the large number of people covered by the research goes a long way to compensate for these methodological limitations, they added.
these problems. Similar to the Mediterranean diet, there is no list of specific foods that you can or cannot eat on an anti-inflammatory diet; it’s more of a road map for the types of things you can consume. Anti-inflammatory foods that are encouraged include leafy greens, healthy fats such as fish and nuts, and wine in moderation. Want to learn more about how wine can be part of a healthy lifestyle? Sign up for Wine Spectator’s free Wine & Healthy Living e-mail newsletter and get the latest health news, feel-good recipes, wellness tips and more delivered straight to your inbox every other week! Red wine in particular is considered part of this diet because it contains naturally anti-inflammatory polyphenols such as resveratrol. “The antioxidant properties in red wine can help prevent free radical damage, which is a contributory factor in promoting inflammation the body,” said Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, a registered dietitian in New York City and founder of the company Tracy Nutrition. However, she points out, while studies have been done on resveratrol as a supplement to help with issues such as joint pain and diabetes, there is no proof yet that the amount of resveratrol found in one glass of wine would be enough to make an impact—and drinking beyond recommended limits in order to get those health benefits is highly inadvisable. It’s better to stick to a balanced diet of anti-inflammatory food and beverages. Gluten-free diet
Fortunately, dieting now can mean many things, from limiting consumption of inflammatory foods to cutting out gluten to adopting the eating patterns of a specific region. And it’s about more than just dropping pounds: Maintaining heart health, boosting your immune system, correcting a health condition or simply keeping eating habits in check are all common reasons for following an eating plan.
• Set a regular bedtime and adopt a relaxing bedtime routine.
A brisk stroll once or twice a week is enough to reduce the risk of dying from heart attack, stroke or cancer, according to a statistical study of nearly 90,000 people released Tuesday.
5 Popular diets that allow wine oing on a diet used to mean cutting out all “bad” foods and drinks in order to lose weight, and alcohol was typically the first to go. Not only does it add extra calories, but it also makes it easier to store carbs as fat instead of burning them off. But for many people, sticking to an eating plan that forbids booze is not only unpleasant and difficult, but also unlikely to be sustainable for long-term goals.
The takeaway: Getting regular exercise any time of the day can be added to your list of good sleep hygiene habits, but avoid strenuous physical activity late in the evening. In addition, you can get quality sleep by doing the following:
Started running later in life? Here’s how your body benefits
For cardiovascular disease alone, there was no additional benefit to be gained by graduating from five to 25 hours, they noted. Researchers led by Bo Xi, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Shandong University in northern China, sifted through data collected annually on 88,140 people in the United States between 1997 and 2008 for the National Health Interview Surveys.
Does exercising at night affect sleep? by Howard LeWine, M.D.
ARIS, France | AFP | 3/18/2019 - A brisk stroll once or twice a week is enough to reduce the risk of dying from heart attack, stroke or cancer, according to a statistical study of nearly 90,000 people released Tuesday.
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
ing alcohol, it’s not going to affect you so much.” But though the diet is pretty lax on rules, frequent wine drinkers still need to be mindful of what they’re consuming. “Recently, I had a client who’s a collector of wine—he had like 800 bottles in his apartment—and he’s like, ‘I drink [frequently]. On a Thursday night, my wife and I will split a bottle of wine,’” Rissetto said. “So I had to really focus on lessening the carbohydrate load of his daily intake so that he could lose weight and still drink wine.” The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is a close cousin of the Mediterranean diet, crafted with blood pressure in mind. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, while limiting fats. Unlike the Mediterranean diet, DASH neither prescribes nor prohibits alcohol consumption. But the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet, a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets that was crafted by researchers who believe it can reduce cognitive decline as people age, does include wine. Anti-inflammatory diet What sets this diet apart is the reason most people are on it: Inflammation can manifest in the body in a number of ways, including arthritis, asthma, heart disease, weight gain, gut problems, skin issues and more. Adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet can help with one or a combination of
“This is a diet mainly for patients who have celiac [disease], or gluten sensitivity,” Dr. Bindiya Gandhi, a Georgia-based physician, told Wine Spectator. “I will also recommend this diet to patients with inflammation, PCOS [Polycystic Ovary Syndrome] and autoimmune issues.” The name should tip you off to the fact that on this diet, you are supposed to avoid gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some other grains. You can have as much wine as you want (though we still recommend drinking in moderation for your overall health). However, while wine in general is considered gluten-free, those who are especially sensitive to gluten should pay close attention to exactly how their wine is made. “Wine is naturally gluten-free; however, winemakers may use processes that add gluten to the finished product,” Beckerman said, nothing that gluten can sometimes be an ingredient in some fining agents or in wine-barrel sealants. Even then, though, gluten levels likely wouldn’t be high enough to register in your body. But if you want to ensure you’re strictly sticking to the gluten-free diet: “Ask wineries how their products are made, go on their website to learn more … or purchase certified gluten-free varieties to guarantee there is no gluten,” said Beckerman. WW Freestyle The diet formerly known as Weight Watchers, WW Freestyle is a personalized weight-management program
Photo: iStock by Elizabeth Millard
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ou run on the regular now, but if your leisure hours in your earlier years were spent more on the couch than pounding the pavement, you may wonder if your body may still end up paying that inactivity price. Well, we have good news for you: Starting to exercise as an adult can still yield big health benefits, new research from the National Cancer Institute suggests. In the study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, researchers asked more than 315,000 U.S. adults between the ages of 50 and 71 about their activity levels at four different points in their lives, including when they were teenagers and young adults. Those who reported exercising from two to eight hours per week during each time period had 29 to 36 percent lower risk of dying from any cause during the study’s 23-year timeframe. The fact that exercise can protect against early death isn’t that surprising. What was? Individuals who were not active earlier in their late adolescence and young adulthood—but started doing more exercise in midlife, from age 40 to 60—had similar reduction in premature mortality risk as people who had always exercised.
that assigns “SmartPoints” to different food and beverage items based on calorie, saturated fat, protein and sugar content. And while nothing is off limits on this diet, budgeting your points is key: Each member is assigned a limit to the number of points they should aim to consume each day, based on their height, weight, sex and age. After black coffee, wine is the second most-tracked beverage by WW Freestyle members. Most wines average about four or five SmartPoints per serving. (WW has launched its own line of wines that clock in at 3 SmartPoints per 5-ounce serving.) “While the SmartPoints system nudges people toward a healthier eating pattern—distilling complex nutritional information into one number—everything is on the menu for members to enjoy, including wine,” a spokesperson for WW told Wine Spectator. Ketogenic diet The ketogenic (or “keto”) diet has grabbed attention recently, but diet experts are very divided over its effectiveness, so proceed with caution. The diet is centered on the idea of putting your body in the metabolic state of ketosis, when the body doesn’t have enough carbohydrates from food to burn for energy, so it burns fat instead. “Ketosis is achieved when you
Their heart disease and cancer risk rates were also similar to those who’d gotten activity from their teen years onward. This was an unexpected but pleasing conclusion, according to lead author Pedro Saint-Maurice, Ph. D., in the Metabolic Epidemiology Branch of the National Cancer Institute. More research needs to be done to determine how exercise’s benefits affect long-term health pathways, SaintMaurice told Runner’s World, but he said it’s well established that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can improve an individual’s metabolic profile, which includes things like electrolyte balance, kidney function, blood sugar level, and liver function. It can also reduce the likelihood of developing obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. By lowering the chances of developing major health problems like that, early mortality risk drops as well— and, as this study finds, that can happen at any age. “These findings suggest that it is beneficial to stay active throughout adulthood, but that if you’re in your 40s to 60s and have not been active for a long time, it’s not too late to start exercising now,” Saint-Maurice said. - Runners World
keep your carbohydrate intake to a minimum,” Beckerman said. “Some keto proponents recommend less than 20 grams per day.” Of course, exact carbohydrate limits will depend on the individual. Though keto is having a moment due to its potential weight-loss benefits, there are other reasons why a person might try the diet. “[Keto can] benefit many patients, especially [those with] epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and more,” said Dr. Gandhi. If you consult your doctor and decide to give it a try, know that you can enjoy a glass of wine on this diet. However, the strict carbohydrate budget might have you doing some mental math to see how much you can “afford” to drink. A 5-ounce glass of dry white or red wine contains about 3 to 4 grams of carbs, making it a better option than most beers, and a far better choice than mixed drinks such as rum and cola, which can clock in at upwards of 20 grams of carbs per serving. However, a typical 3-ounce pour of a dessert wine would run you about 12 grams. And of course, as with any diet, there’s always the reminder to keep track of what you’re drinking, drink in moderation and, above all, make sure your eating plan is right for your personal wellness goals. - Wine Spectator
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
VOICE OF ASIA 19
Facebook scrubs 1.5mn Christchurch attack videos but criticism goes viral
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HRISTCHURCH, New Zealand | AFP | Monday 3/18/2019 - Facebook says it removed a staggering 1.5 million videos showing harrowing viral footage of the Christchurch mosque rampage but criticism of social media giants for failing to block images of the “real-time terror attack” is also spreading fast. As the alleged gunman callously picked off his victims in Christchurch’s Al Noor mosque, he livestreamed the gruesome scene on Facebook Live, apparently using a camera mounted on his body, after also tweeting a racist “manifesto.” Facebook said it “quickly” removed the video, plus the gunman’s account and Instagram, and in the first 24 hours scrubbed 1.5 million videos worldwide “of which 1.2 million were blocked at upload.” Spokeswoman Mia Garlick from Facebook New Zealand said the firm was “working around the clock to remove violating content using a combination of technology and people.” But despite pleas -- and official orders from authorities -- not to share the content, the footage proliferated widely online and experts said the 17-minute video was easily retrievable several hours after the attack that killed 50 people. According to Facebook’s own figures, at least 300,000 videos were not blocked before being uploaded and there is no official data on how many times these were viewed or shared. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said authorities did whatever they could to purge the web of the images but laid the responsibility at the door of the Silicon Valley giants. “Ultimately it has been up to those platforms to facilitate their removal,” she told reporters. “I do think that there are further questions to be answered. Obviously these social media platforms have wide reach. This is a problem that goes well beyond New Zealand.” “This is an issue that I will look to be discussing with Facebook,” she warned. According to the New Zealand Herald, some major firms are considering pulling ads from Facebook and the anger is evident from an op-ed in that paper from one of its business writers. “At the moment, it feels like my kids are at risk of seeing live snuff films on Facebook, just so (boss) Mark Zuckerberg can get fractionally richer.” - ‘Enough is enough’ This was not the first time Facebook Live has been used to broadcast atrocities -- a murder was livestreamed in the US city of Cleve-
Members of the Muslim community place flowers at the memorial wall at the Botanic Gardens on March 17, 2019, in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo: Hannah Peters, Getty Images) land in 2017 -- and Facebook and Twitter say they have invested in technology and human resources to combat the problem. Facebook has hired about 20,000 moderators but critics say they are not doing enough. David Ibsen, executive director of US-based Counter Extremism Project, charged: “The technology to prevent this from happening is available. Social media firms have made the decision not to invest in adopting it.” And world leaders and authorities are beginning to indicate they may try to take matters into their own hands. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged that while social media companies have indicated willingness to take action, “clearly the capability to deliver on that willingness hasn’t been present. That is the problem.” “There needs to be the capability to be able to shut this -- these horrific things -- down immediately and if you can’t do that, then the responsibility of having those features available is something that really generally needs to be questioned,” he added. British Home Secretary Sajid Javid also urged social media giants to do more. “Take some ownership. Enough is enough.” Courts are also taking almost immediate action, with a Christchurch 18-year-old -- whose name was suppressed by the judge -- charged with distributing the video and inciting violence with a post that said “target acquired”. He faces a maximum of 14 years in
prison for each charge. - ‘New low in clickbait’ Critics have also slammed some mainstream media for broadcasting the video, with some UK tabloids briefly posting excerpts before apparently reconsidering. “For a brief period this morning the Mirror website ran some edited footage filmed by the gunman in Christchurch. We should not have carried this. It is not in line with our policy relating to terrorist propaganda videos,” its editor tweeted. British journalist Krishnan GuruMurthy described the posting of the “murder video” as a “new low in clickbait.” And the Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched a “formal investigation” into whether any firms broke the law after Sky News Australia broadcast the footage.
Shenzhen-based 360-degree camera company Insta360 has launched a folding camera that can capture both 360-degree and 180-degree 3D content: the Insta360 EVO. When the camera is folded in half into a cube with lenses on opposite sides, the device can shoot 5.7K 360-degree videos and take 18 MP 360-degree photos. When unfolded so that the two lenses are on the same side, EVO can take 5.7K 180-degree 3D videos and 18 MP 180-degree 3D photos.
To quickly enjoy the content that you captured with the EVO, the company also launched the Insta360 VP and the Insta360 HoloFrame; the former is an app for select VR headsets (the Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR, for example) that allows you to connect them to the EVO for direct playback and transfer, while the latter is a phone screen cover that “lets you watch 3D photos and videos with the naked eye.” The Insta360 EVO is available starting today for $419.99 and the HoloFrame display cover is sold separately for $29.99. -Relaxnews (Consumer Trends)
Snapchat-inspired filters come to YouTube Stories
“Newsrooms, platforms, and public officials need to think about how to avoid playing into the hands of people whose deadly actions are designed to trigger maximum exposure for their message, and set off new cycles of violence and radicalisation,” wrote Silverman.
Dark mode is the new light mode for 2019 tech
Google uses machine learning to create face meshes to build filters on. © Google. Google creates filters for YouTube
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ith the latest version of YouTube Stories, creators can now add selfie filters to their videos, Snapchat-style. Late last week Google published a post on its AI blog announcing a slew of new AR features coming to various apps via the latest ARCore software development kit. Thanks to this tech, YouTube is joining the selfie filter craze: the newest version of YouTube Stories now lets creators “add objects
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like animated masks, glasses, 3D hats and more” with a little help from ARCore’s Augmented Faces API. The API uses machine learning to create highly accurate 3D meshes for users’ faces which are used as the basis for filters that can simulate light reflections, imitate natural lighting, model face occlusions, and achieve realistic makeup effects. -Relaxnews
Trump calls for ‘Space Force’, nations talk space peace
In the latest annual breakdown of patent filings released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United States remained the leading individual country for applications in 2018.
by Ben Simon
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ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP | Sunday 3/16/2019 - On the surface, this looks like a terrible moment for the world’s major military powers to negotiate a deal on preventing an arms race in space.
But on a regional basis, Asia’s surge continued. “Asia is now the majority filer of international patent applications via WIPO, which is an important milestone for that economically dynamic region and underscores the historical geographical shift of innovative activity from west to east,” the agency’s director general Francis Gurry said in a statement.
Last month, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that the global disarmament architecture was “collapsing,” citing various diplomatic failures, including Washington’s decision to scrap a crucial nuclear weapons treaty with Russia.
WIPO’s complex system of registering international patents involves multiple categories.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has drafted plans for a new “Space Force” on orders from President Donald Trump who has declared space a “war-fighting domain”.
In the main category -- the Patent Cooperation Treaty -- the US led the way with 56,142 applications, followed China (53,345) and Japan (49,702).
Chinese telecommunications behemoth Huawei also set new record for the number of patent applications filed a single corporation in one year with 5,405.
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n Wednesday Insta360 announced EVO, the cubeshaped 360-degree camera that can also unfold to capture 180-degree 3D content.
Social media expert and Buzzfeed journalist Craig Silverman said the killer “created the equivalent of a multiplatform content strategy” that was “meticulously planned.”
ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP | Monday 3/18/2019 - More than half of all international patent applications filed last year came from Asia, a further sign of innovation shifting “from west to east,” the United Nations said Tuesday.
India registered the largest innovation jump of any country last year. Patent applications jumped more than 27 percent -- from 1,583 in 2017 up to 2,013.
Insta360 introduces cubeshaped camera that take 3D and 360-degree photos
For its part, AFP analysed a copy of the video and confirmed it was genuine via a digital investigation but did not broadcast the footage to its clients.
UN patent data shows Asia innovation surge
Germany and South Korea came in a distant fourth and fifth, with fewer than 20,000 applications each.
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Dark mode is taking 2019 by storm. (Photo © DanielBendjy/Istock.com)
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oogle’s Chrome version 73 is the latest in a long list of browsers, operating systems, and applications to offer an optional dark theme for easier nighttime viewing. This week Google is officially rolling out Chrome 73 which came with a
slew of new features including, most notably and highly-anticipated, dark mode for macOS. With the update (which will come soon for Windows 10 users), Chrome will automatically adjust its theme to whichever one you are using natively on your computer; no manual changes are necessary.
-Relaxnews
Despite those headwinds, experts from 25 countries -- including China, Russia and the US -- open a 10-day meeting in Geneva Monday aiming to lay the groundwork for a treaty to keep space peaceful. Even against the grim diplomatic backdrop, experts say there may be reasons for optimism. “I hope I am not just indulging in wishful thinking here but I do see some positive initiatives against this rather dark background,” said Paul Meyer, Canada’s former disarmament ambassador and an expert on space security at The Simons Foun-
dation in Vancouver. - Hardware v action The closed-door Geneva talks involve a UN panel called a Group of Governmental Experts (GGE). Chaired by Brazilian ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota to the UN Conference on Disarmament, the space GGE works on consensus and will only issue a report if all parties agree on its content. Diplomatic efforts to forge a space treaty have been deadlocked for more than a decade. A main problem, experts said, is that China and Russia have insisted on preventing certain devices from being deployed in space. This has been a non-starter for the West which has instead favoured language that emphasises “behaviour” or “actions” in outer space that could be restricted. Patriota told reporters the level of dialogue at the first GGE meeting in August was “several notches” better than in the past, with China and Russia indicating an openness to new ideas. At next week’s second and final meeting, the GGE will try to agree on a list of “elements” that could form a treaty, he said. “We are making a big step here,” he added.
TRAVEL & LEISURE
VOICE OF ASIA 20
Dior unveils capsule collection in first Dubai show
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Apparently people are taking Honeymoons and not inviting their spouses!
by Natacha Yazbeck
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UBAI, United Arab Emirates | AFP - In a tent in Dubai surrounded by fire-breathers and circus performers, Dior unveiled a 15-piece capsule collection that dug into the house’s archive to honour the woman of today. Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman to lead the legendary French label, and her hallmark feminism were present in force, with a limited collection that drew on motifs popularised by Christian Dior himself, redefined to accomodate the contemporary woman Pleated skirts in muted, metallic rainbow colours and redingotes laced with handembroidered gold frogging were paired with pedestrianfriendly, fantastically glittery flats and chunky-heeled boots -- with neither stiletto nor peep-toe in sight.
The “unimoon” — a honeymoon without your new spouse — is a “travel trend” we just can’t get behind. by Stacey Leasca
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ou’ve planned the wedding together, walked down the aisle together, and said your vows together. Now, there’s only one thing left to do: go on separate honeymoons. According to a new report in The New York Times.
“In this specific show we made a little capsule, that is like a small, new collection, of 15 pieces,” Chiuri told AFP ahead of the show. “Every time we move to another country, in some ways it’s the location that gives us inspiration.
Christian Dior Spring haute couture. (Photos: Christian Dior) nod, she says, to the sisterhood that binds women. “In the circus, in specific -because it’s the circus that we used -- all the women worked together. And each woman trusted the other woman, because it’s impossible to make this kind of exercise if you don’t trust each other,” Chiuri said. Celebrated milliner Stephen Jones’ eye-catching glitter skullcaps topped every look, part Pierrot-joins-Instagram, part glam Amelia Earhart. “There is this element in the circus that fascinates me a lot. That is the clown. Behind the mask of the clown, you dont’ know if there’s a man or a woman. You know that it’s a person,” Chiuri explained. “So I covered the hair, because I would like for people to focus on the clothes.” One black-and-gold pattern on both boots and skullcaps in particular stood out -- a star, polka dot and paisley combination, a tribute to the star Christian Dior found on the sidewalk outside of what would become his flagship store, and a nod to the arabesque of the Arab world.
“When you think about Dubai, you think of a place that in a sense is very Mediterranean, where there is the sun. So we use more colour, different techniques, different shapes.” Chiuri’s closing look was a three-piece, multi-coloured polkadot ensemble featuring
a structured leotard, billowing full-length skirt and ruffled cape. Pulling from her last show at Paris Fashion Week, the Dubai catwalk also featured Chiuri’s circus-inspired organza and tulle dresses, ringmaster blazers and lion-tamer jackets -- a
“The more I go around the world the more I think that the women are the same around the world,” said Chiuri, an advocate of the idea of a global sisterhood. “There is perhaps differences in taste, but this is also about personality, for women and for men.”
‘World’s cleanest air’ offers smog respite
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APE GRIM, Australia | AFP - As much of Asia wheezes, coughs and sniffles its way through another smog season, one isolated and windswept corner of Australia is serving as the global standard for clean air.
measure just how polluted it is,” Sam Cleland, the officer in charge of the station, told AFP.
With panoramic views of swaying tussock grass and the vast crystalline expanse of the Southern Ocean, Tasmania’s beautiful Cape Grim peninsula is an unlikely reference point for the scientific world.
The facility’s isolated location makes it perfect for collecting what many have dubbed the cleanest air in the world -what air would be like without choking exhaust fumes or industrial smoke.
But since 1976, this wild and blustery spot has been home to the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station -- a small Australian government facility with the seemingly eccentric task of bottling air. “Our job is essentially to find air as clean as you’re likely to find anywhere in the world and
Looking out from his office atop the high sea cliffs, the nearest landmass to the west is Argentina, and there is nothing to the south except Antarctica.
When the wind blows from the southwest, Cleland and his team capture a sample using finely tuned instruments. Their kit is so sensitive that delivery trucks chugging down the dirt track from the nearest town -an hour away -- are all logged, in case they potentially skew the readings.
- Clean air economy While the world’s most polluted cities struggle to attract talent or manage chronic illnesses, residents around Cape Grim have made a virtue of their relatively pristine environment. Local beef is marketed with links to scientific papers on air quality, the number of wind farms has increased, and tourism is a growing sector. Mike Buckby, a “rain farmer” from the Cape Grim Water Company, has taken things to another level, harvesting water falling “from Earth’s purest skies.” “Most waters of the world are spring waters,” he explains as he looks out over a system of tarps, sluices and reservoirs set back from the coast.
According to the paper, traveling alone — as in, without your new spouse — for your honeymoon is actually a trend. In fact, the practice is apparently so trendy, they’ve given it two nicknames: “solomoons” and “unimoons.” “Neither of us wanted to be where the other one was,” Irene O’Brien, who recently wed Mel Maclaine, told the Times. “We each came back to Dublin full of stories, buzzing of our trips and truly delighted to see each other again to share the memories: It was the perfect imperfect honeymoon.” According to Jessica Carbino, an online dating expert and a sociologist for the dating app Bumble, this is all a part of the evolving idea of what marriage means. “Frankly, the idea of separate honeymoons may signal the continued evolution of marriage,” she told the Times.
“Given the recognition that for most couples today, marriage and partnership is considered all-consuming, with the partner needing to fulfill every role — physical, spiritual, emotional and sexual — perhaps separate vacations is a recognition among some couples that all expectations cannot be met by a single person.” However, not everyone is on board with the idea of separate trips to kick off a marriage. “Perhaps I’m old-fashioned, but I think it should be marked,” Helen Fisher, a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, which conducts research on relationships, told the Times. “You are at a new stage in your life when you marry, and you are missing out on triggering the three most valuable brain systems for a lasting relationship.” And Fisher isn’t alone in her criticism. After the piece was published, social media lit up with people laughing off the idea of “unimoons.” “Unimoon, Babymoon..it’s vacation people,” Twitter user Lisa Zizzo wrote. “Unimoon,Babymoon..it’s vacation people!!! Solomoon and unimoon are stupid cursed words don’t ever make them a
thing,” another user added. “THIS IS NOT A THING. I will accept babymoons because I understand life gets out of control with young children but I will NOT accept a ‘unimoon,’” another wrote. While Elisabeth @threelisabeth writes: “beginning to think more straight couples should ask themselves “do we even uhhhhhhh..... like each other” Perhaps it’s just the name “unimoon” that people find so infuriating. So, let’s give it a new one: vacation. Because that’s what this is. It’s just called taking a vacation. And that’s OK too, but to all you “unimooners” out there, we hate to break it to you, but marrying someone you don’t want to invite on your own honeymoon might not be the best idea. But, if you’re in the market for a solo vacation here are a few worthy of your travel dollars. And, if you’re looking for an old fashioned honeymoon for two, we suggest you check out a few of these spots around the globe. Sorry, New York Times, but you’re not going to make “fetch” happen today. - Travel + Leisure
7-Eleven has a new sit-down cafe in Dallas
7
-Eleven has built an international business on its reputation as a convenient corner store, offering snacks, drinks, and other sundries to customers on the go. But the brand’s latest test concept asks you to sit down and stay awhile. The company has recently opened a test store in Dallas, TX that serves as a laboratory for 7-Eleven’s upcoming products and innovations including a variety of upscaled treats and even an in-store taco joint. Inside, visitors will find made-to-order coffee, coldpressed juices, smoothies, and agua frescas, a bar with wine, beer, kombucha, nitro cold brew, and teas on tap (as well as bar-style seating nearby), “The Cellar” stocked with a large selection of wines, a beer cave and a self-service growler station which will include local beers and ciders, fresh-baked cookies, croissants, and other baked goods, bulk snacks, frozen yogurt and ice cream with toppings and mix-ins, and, perhaps most surprisingly, an outpost of Laredo Taco Co. — a restaurant chain 7-Eleven acquired in 2018 — within the building featuring indoor and outdoor seating. “Convenience retailing is light years away from the days of bread and milk being sold from ice docks in 1927, and the industry is changing at a faster rate than ever before,” 7-Eleven’s vice president and chief operating officer Chris Tanco said in a statement. “7-Eleven stays at the forefront by pushing the boundaries and being unafraid to try new things. This new lab store will serve as a place to test, learn and iterate on new platforms and products simultaneously to see what really resonates with customers and how we can take those learnings systemwide.” The Dallas location isn’t the only place 7-Eleven will be trying out its sit-down concept and upgraded food items six of these stores are planned for cities including San Diego, CA and Washington, D.C. - FoodandDrink.com
The company has recently opened a test store in Dallas as a laboratory for 7-Eleven’s upcoming products. (Photo: 7-Eleven)
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Is it time for some romantic excitement? The dramatic Leo moon emanates romantic flames at the start of the week, so if you have a crush, this is the time to catch their eye. Your outgoing antics are intriguing! You’re unpredictable when you’re in love or lust.
21 April to 20 May Stressful events can make you unusually wishy-washy and irritable at the same time. Take action for any new start. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from people you respect. Practical solutions can be found. This weekend is an ideal time for a holiday.
21 May to 20 June Ideas, thoughts, and words about freedom and meaning may be foremost on your mind. But before you pen that letter to your boss and quit your job, consider how you can go out of your way to add to the beauty and creativity of your workplace.
21 June to 22 July Discussing health issues with your partner is important. If he or she isn’t feeling up to par, you’ll be more than willing to provide some TLC. This might be a good time to discuss ways in which you can improve your wellness routines.
23 July to 22 August It’s a fiery week, Leo! The moon is in your sign to start things out, so you’re ready and willing to put yourself out there. Rejection is a part of dating, but your pride doesn’t like taking a hit. Their loss, Leo. You’re determined to “win,” whatever that means to you.
23 August to 22 Sept Emotional stress could make you behave in a way that’s both immature and foolish. Try to keep calm and stick to familiar routines. All the same, Monday or Tuesday is a lucky day to seek or start a new job. Focus on practical results. It may see you putting in some overtime. Resolve to be positive.
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23 September to 22 Oct You have a dreamy, imaginative quality that’s very attractive to others at this time. Beware of coming off as airy-fairy or overly intellectual, however. Your message may fly over some people’s heads, and you need them on board, personally and financially.
23 October to 21 Nov The cosmos is encouraging you to get out of your rut. You may enjoy sports but do most of your exercising in your imagination while sitting in a chair. You need someone or something to inspire you. That could happen now.
22 November to 21 Dec Let things happen at their own pace. You’re understandably enthusiastic when the sun enters energetic Aries midweek, but a new relationship has more long-term potential if you let it pick up speed on its own instead of trying to force it.
22 December to 20 Jan You can be especially sensitive this week. Beating yourself up reinforces attitudes you should be trying to avoid. Channel these feelings into positive, meaningful action. Strengthening your skills will bring greater happiness and future success.
21 January to 19 Feb You’re facing a time of many distractions in your money life. Aspects indicate more time spent socializing, cuddling with your special someone, and visiting with important business associates. So much of your time and attention may be placed in these realms that it’s difficult to focus.
20 February to 20 Mar You may feel less edgy and more relaxed, calm, and contemplative now. That desire to experiment with your health may have subsided. You’re feeling mellower. Enjoy this time of peace. Get a massage to ease away any lingering tension.
ACROSS 1. Wise man 5. Recipe amt. 8. *Overseas flyer’s fatigue 11. Like traditional storytelling 12. Jasmine or university in Houston 13. In an unfriendly manner 15. Log splitter 16. Dashing style 17. Best of the crop 18. *European Union capital 20. Charged particles 21. *Like Pigalle or De Wallen? 22. Genetic stuff 23. Jewish village 26. Between a walk and a trot 30. Formula One ride 31. Even though 34. Itty-bitty bit 35. Full of pep 37. *Artifact from Ancient Greece, e.g. 38. Stir fry 39. Eye part 40. *Eurosceptic’s decision 42. Salon product 43. Ernst to Young 45. Those who chronicle 47. #20 Across, sing. 48. The City of a Thousand Minarets 50. Chip and Joanna Gaines’ hometown 52. *High speed carrier 55. Tibetan priests 56. Small cave 57. Seed coat 59. Skirt shape 60. Theories 61. Human parasites 62. *Like many European structures 63. *Black or Ligurian, e.g. 64. Japanese vodka DOWN
1. Soccer ____ 2. Oman man 3. Wild ox of India 4. Treat badly 5. *Like many roofs in old Spain 6. Like reptile’s skin 7. Montblanc and such 8. Right to a property 9. “Sad to say...” 10. Fitness venue 12. Bring to consignment store 13. Cake layer 14. *Part of former Yugoslavia 19. Caterpillar hairs 22. i topper 23. *Bluebill duck in Europe 24. Middle Eastern sesame treat 25. Judge, e.g. 26. Put a hex on 27. *Paris’ Moulin ____ 28. Weasel’s aquatic cousin 29. Chinese weight units 32. Dog nemesis 33. Before, archaic 36. *____ City, the smallest country 38. Astrologer’s concern, pl. 40. *London’s Big ___ 41. Stupid ones 44. Pirate’s necklace 46. Bottom lines 48. Witch’s spell 49. Something in the air 50. *Cold War divide 51. In the middle of 52. Knight’s breastplate 53. *La Scala sound 54. *American tour guide 55. Pathet ____ 58. “Fantasy Island” prop
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VOICE OF ASIA 23
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Get More Bang for Your Buck With These Spring Home Improvements
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he warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking about home improvement projects. Whether you’re getting your home in tip-top shape for your own enjoyment, or getting it ready to put on the market, not all home improvement projects are created equal when it comes to return on investment (ROI). Here are top areas on which to focus:
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Interiors The kitchen is the heart of the home and it’s one of the best areas to renovate in terms of ROI, according to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, which puts the price tag of the average minor kitchen remodel at $22,507, with 80.5 percent of the cost recouped upon resale. To give the kitchen an updated appearance, replace the flooring, countertops, sink and faucet. A fresh coat of paint in a trendy shade, such as Living Coral, Pantone’s Color of the Year, can add a vibrant pop of color to energize any kitchen. Not looking to go that bold? Consider an accent wall, or stick to a classic palate of gray and white in terms of cabinets and countertops. White on white is also a popular new style for kitchens and bathrooms. Other features home buyers are paying close attention to are laundry rooms and such energy-saving elements as Energy Star appliances and windows, according to the survey “What Home Buyers Want in 2019” by the National Association of Home Builders.
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Tyler Olson / stock.Adobe.com
Curb Appeal The popularity of outdoor projects remains strong and it’s for a good reason. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, the biggest bang for your buck in 2019 will come from replacing a garage door. The report says the average price is $3,611, and 97.5 percent of it is recouped when the house is sold. Other outdoor projects with high ROI include adding manufactured stone veneer to the exterior (94.9 percent), adding a wood deck (75.6 percent) and replacing siding (75.6 percent). Looking for a simpler way to make an impact? Sprucing up the landscape by planting flowers or bushes or even just clearing the yard of debris will make a big statement. No matter what updates you end up making, it’s always a
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good idea to notify your insurance agent. “Certain upgrades may change the value of a house, so homeowners need to make sure they’re properly covered,” says Bob Buckel, vice president of product management, Erie Insurance. “There are a few things to look for. Ask your agent about guaranteed replacement cost policies that can cover the cost to rebuild a home in today’s dollars following a covered loss.” Some upgrades may also make you eligible for discounts, Buckel adds, especially if they make the home more secure. “For example, Erie Insurance offers certain safety discounts such as for installing smoke alarms or an automatic sprinkler system.” Now you have a checklist of DIY projects to focus on this spring. But before you start, take a moment to assess which ones are worth your time and money. (StatePoint).
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FRIDAY, March 22, 2019
Home&Real Estate The 9 most influential architecture trends of 2019
Houston’s largest home tour features 3 Montgomery county communities
These cutting-edge trends show how modern architecture stands to impact our everyday lives and society at large.
by Haunani Shipper
H
OUSTON -- Artfully decorated model homes, rousing community events and selfie-worthy pop-up art will offer inspiration during “Houston’s Largest Home Tour” in April.
by Samantha Ramirez
W
hile off-the-grid prefabs and lush nature retreats can spark a flame of inspiration in all of us, architecture can also provide solutions to pressing issues ranging from global warming to the lack of accessible housing for vulnerable communities.
Tickets for a catered barbecue lunch cost $10 and can be pre-purchased online or paid for with cash at the door. Alcohol also will be available for purchase. Proceeds go to Henry’s Home Horse & Human Sanctuary, which is located in Grand Central Park.
Our friends at ArchDaily curated a list of growing architectural trends from 2018 to predict which ones will make waves in 2019. Read on for a look! 1. Small Space Living Small spaces continue to be a growing trend in 2019—including tiny cabins, petite prefabs, and breathtaking airstream transformations. Minimalism and tiny living can be great solutions for anyone trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, or for those that simply don’t have an abundance of space to work with. Small space living proves that no matter how much space you have (or don’t have), there’s always room for good design. 2. Accessibility in Design Accessible design ensures that everyone has access to adequate and
Accessibility in Design : Melanie Maher sunbathes beneath the lattice of a pool house, which is clad in Cor-Ten steel. (Photo: Carlos Chavarría) now possible to fabricate entire houses using the technology. Artificial intelligence systems that use algorithms to design buildings are also sparking discussions on whether or not there should be limits to which tasks technology
who have become role models in the field. 6. Architecture in Motion: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Public transportation centers and mobility are increasingly becoming mediums for innovation in design. Concepts driving the development of transportation, such as efficiency and automation, are also transforming architecture as smart home tech advances by leaps and bounds. 7. Green Urban Planning Landscape urbanism seeks to design city plans focused on preserving soil and water resources. The concept builds upon Frank Lloyd Wright’s belief that design should complement and listen to nature. Permaculture, which relates to the sociopolitical impacts of architecture, has also led to the emergence of urban farming and other agriculture initiatives. Brooklyn-based Future Green Studio specializes in designing urban green spaces like the Nowadays Park pictured above. These efforts hope to use architecture and urban planning in ways that benefit communities. 8. Recycled Materials As the need for sustainability becomes more urgent, architects are increasingly turning to recycled materials. Studio2012’s project (pictured above) shows that while using recycled materials is rooted in sustainability, aesthetics and craftsmanship don’t have to be sacrificed.
Ingrid Blans and Tjibbe Knol relax outside their home, which is made of various recycled materials such as dismantled cable reels, old billboards, and broken umbrellas. Inside, a vintage shop display case exhibits a small fraction of the couple’s collection of art and objects. (Photo: Mark Seelen) functional spaces in both public and private contexts. Homes such as the one pictured above in Northern California carefully address the needs of the homeowners. The plan creates accessible paths for Melanie Maher, who uses a wheelchair after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
takes on. 5. Gender Equality in the Field In the past year we’ve seen an upswell in discussions on gender thanks to the #MeToo and #TimesUp move-
On a larger scale, cities are implementing strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of construction and development. This approach encourages “degrowth” by focusing more energy into the renovation and rehabilitation of spaces through adaptive reuse projects, as opposed to the development of new structures. 9. Automation and Robotic Design We’ve seen a huge upsurge in smart home products that make it easy to
Other examples of architecture that emphasizes accessibility are homes designed for aging in place to accommodate senior homeowners. Housing communities that provide shelter for those struggling with homelessness and/or those struggling with mental health also focus on the ways in which architecture can provide positive solutions on an individual and societal level.
Global events have also garnered attention for structures emerging in the Middle East. Qatar will host the next World Cup in 2022, which has increased curiosity about the stadiums being built for the event. Meanwhile, the Syrian refugee crisis has created an urgent need to house millions of people and spurred the development of new types of emergency shelters. 4. Digital Innovation As technology and innovation create new tools and solutions, 3D printing has made a major impact on the construction process. As seen above, it’s
Throughout the month, 13 Johnson Development Corp. communities — including three in Montgomery County — will open hundreds of model homes and available homes for sale daily. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free. “Around the city, there will more than 150 model homes to explore and in Montgomery County, there will be nearly 50 models open,” said Christen Johnson, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Johnson Development. “Beyond the homes, though, we will have a huge variety of pop-up art perfect for family photos or that Instagram-worthy snap. The tour is really about inspiration, both in home design and feel-good artful moments.” From crawfish to barbecue to giant art installations, the three Montgomery County communities — Grand Central Park, Harmony and Woodforest — will be offering numerous reasons to visit during April, Johnson said. Grand Central Park, a 2,046-acre master-planned community in Conroe is inviting the public to Brews & BBQ April 13 at 715 Camp Strake Road. Free activities include a live performance by the Joe Bailey Band, mechanical bull riding, pony rides, giant yard pong, Skee-Ball and inflatables.
by Olivia Pulsinelli
H
ouston home sales recovered a bit in February but remained flat overall, the Houston Association of Realtors reported March 13. Single-family home sales and sales of all property types increased just 0.3 percent year over year to 5,280 and 6,388, respectively. That’s an improvement over January, when both figures plummeted more than 8 percent and all pricing segments of single-family homes saw decreases in sales.
Once again, both the median and average sales price for single-family homes increased enough to reach record highs for a February in Houston. The median increased 2.9 percent to $232,900, and the average inched up 1.9 percent to $286,156. Ori’s Cloud Bed can transform into a sofa and coffee table setup with a voice command. (Photo courtesy Ori) ments. Gender inequality and visibility in architecture are increasingly being confronted within the field. Although almost as many women are graduating from architecture schools compared to men, women are still being hired at a significantly lesser rate than men. Combatting these issues requires creating working environments that are more welcoming to women, and recognizing the work that female architects contribute. In efforts to create more visibility and appreciation for women in architecture, we’re using the moment to shine a spotlight on the iconic women
address everyday household needs—from adjusting the temperature to checking who’s at the front door, or even getting a good night’s rest. Many of these systems will also learn your preferences and adjust your home’s environment accordingly. - Dwell.com
While in Grand Central Park, eventgoers can tour eight model homes and pose for photos on a log swing that can seat five to six. Visit www.grandcentralparktx.com for details. Harmony, a 1,000-acre community in north Houston, will have 15 model homes open for tours during April. Inventory homes also will be open. See www.harmony-houston.com for more information. Woodforest, one of the nation’s top-selling communities, is hosting a Crawfish Carnival April 6. Heaps of spicy crustaceans and a Ferris wheel headline the event taking place at Christine Allen Nature Park, 5831 Woodforest Parkway South. Admission and activities such as Zydeco music, a carousel ride, carnival games, crawfish races, inflatables, a photo booth and more are free. A $10 food ticket includes 3 pounds of crawfish or a food item and non-alcoholic drink. Tickets at the door are cash-only and cost $15. Adults 21+ can purchase beer, wine and margaritas. Twentyfive models will be on the tour and 12-foot-tall pinwheels will decorate Christine Allen Nature Park during April. For details, visit www.woodforesttx.com. Tour maps and event details can be downloaded at www.houstonhometour.com.
Houston home sales flat in February, but rental activity remains high
For February, sales of homes in all pricing segments between $150,000 and $749,999 increased between 3.7 percent and 7.5 percent. However, sales in the luxury segment — those priced at or above $750,000 — decreased 8.9 percent, and bigger decreases were recorded in the segments below $149,999.
3. Architecture in the Middle East Architecture in the Middle East has been gaining more attention over the last year. Of note are new projects like the Qatar National Library, named one of the most influential buildings of 2018, and professionals like Lebanese architect Hashim Sarkis, who will curate the architecture exhibition at the next Venice Biennale.
Nearly 50 model homes in Johnson Development’s Montgomery County communities of Grand Central Park, Harmony and Woodforest will be open throughout April during Houston’s Largest Home Tour, including this Darling Homes model in Woodforest.
Forward-looking metrics remain strong. Single-family pending sales are up 15.4 percent year over year, and
IMPERIAL
total active listings are up 17.4 percent. Inventory remains at a 3.7-month supply, up 0.6 months from February 2018. Months of inventory estimates the number of months it would take to sell all the home listings on the market today based on the pace of sales over the past 12 months. For comparison, housing inventory nationwide stands at a 3.9-months supply. Meanwhile, Houston’s rental market recorded high levels of growth for the second month in a row. Leases of single-family homes jumped 26.5 percent, and those for townhomes and condominiums soared 27.1 percent. Rents saw much smaller increases, with the average for single-family homes up only 0.8 percent to $1,733 and those for townhomes and condo up 1.9 percent to $1,548. “The Houston real estate market seems to be emerging from the winter doldrums with improvement in sales volume and an exceptionally strong performance among rental properties in February,” HAR Chair Shannon Cobb Evans with Heritage Texas Properties said in the March 13 report. “This suggests that many consumers are opting to rent until they find the right home at the right price at the right interest rate to buy.” - Houston Business Journal
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