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• 99 Ranch 1005 Blalock Rd, Houston 77055 • 99 Ranch 569 S Mason Rd, Katy 77450 • 99 Ranch Williams Trace, 3430 Hwy 6, Sugar Land 77478 • Acacia Food Mart 11821 Wilcrest Dr. Houston 77031 • Adams Grocery & Halal 122810 Westheimer, Ste 5, Houston 77077 • Afghan Express 5600 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Agas Restaurant 11842 Wilcrest Dr, Houston 77031 • Al Huda Grocers 12090 Veterans Memorial, Houston 77067 • Alladin Grill 12086 Veterans Memorial, Houston 77067 • Almadina International Market 3210 Hillcroft Rd, Houston 77057 • Anjali Center 2615 Cordes St., Sugar Land 77479 • Ann’s Grocers 2215 S. Main, Stafford 77477 • Ann’s Grocers 11901 Shadow Creek Pkwy, #109 Pearland 77584 • Annam Restaurant 1029 Hwy 6 N., Houston 77079 • Apna Bazaar 10223 Broadway St., Pearland 77584 • Apna Bazaar 17926 Hwy 3, Clear Lake 77598 • Apna Bazaar 2437 FM 1092, Missouri City 77459 • Asian Market 11920 Hwy 6 South, Sugar Land 77479 • Bawa Jewellers 5710 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77036 • Bawarchi Biryani Point, 5922 Hillcroft St Houston 77057 • Balaji Restaurant 5655 Hillcroft, Houston 77099 • Bengal Sweets 5901 Hillcroft St, Houston 77036 • Bhojan Indian Restaurant 5901 Hillcroft St, Houston 77036 • Bijan Persian Grill 5922 Hillcroft St Houston 77036 • Biryani Pot 6509 Westheimer, Rd B, Houston 77057 • Bismillah Café 5696 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Bombay Brasserie 3005 W Loop S, Houston 77027 • Bombay Caterers 2452 Settlers Way, Sugar Land 77478 • Bombay Sweets 5827 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Bombay Tadka 17926 Hwy 3, #101, Webster 77598 • Cafe India 2319 Williams Trace Blvd, Sugar Land 77478 • Chaat & Paan 6121 Hillcroft Ste T, Houston 77036 • Chennai Express 2712 Eldridge Pkwy, Suite 103, Houston, TX 77082 • Chowpatty Chat Co. 5711 Hillcroft St, A3, Houston 77036 • Chowpatty Chaat 2325 Williams Trace Blvd, Sugar Land 77478 • Clear Lake Grocers 15140 Hwy 6, Webster 77598 • Cuisine of India 803 East Nasa Rd.1, Webster 77598 • Dakshin Restaurant 19752 FM 249, Houston 77070 • DDK Kabab and Grill, 11797 S Texas 6, Sugar Land 77498 • Desi Corner Lounge 6626 Southwest Fwy, Houston 77074 • DGN Factory 5959 Richmond Ave #160, Houston, TX 77057 • Dhakshin Indian Cuisine 19752 TX-249, Houston 77070 • Dolly’s Boutique 5959 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • East West Food 10710 FM 1960 W, Houston 77070 • Famous Food Products 10535 Wilcrest Dr #120, Houston 77099 • Fysa’s grocers 12403 Veterans Memorial, Houston 77074 • Gandhi Bazar 5201 Hwy 6, Missouri City, TX 77459 • Gourmet India 131500 Weistheimer, Houston 77077 • Gurdwara Sahib of Southwest Houston 14811 Lindita Dr, TX 77083 • H Mart 9896 Bellaire Blvd, Houston 77036 • Halal Wok 5680 Hillcroft St, Houston 77036 • Himalaya Restaurant 6652 SW Freeway, Houston 77036 • Himalaya Grocers 14650 FM 529 Road, Houston 77095 • Hot Breads 5700 A Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • India Gourmet food 870 S.Main Rd # 101, Katy 77450 • India House 8888 W Bellfort St, Houston 77031 • India Mart 5604 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Indian Palace 3330 Hillcroft, Suite T, Houston, TX 77057 • India’s Restaurant 5704 Richmond, Houston 77036 • India Spices 12090 Veterans Memorial, Houston 77074 • Indian Spices & Snacks 7320 Hwy 90 A, Sugar Land 77478 • Indian Wok 18351 Hwy 249, Houston 77070 • Indopak Grocery & Halal Meat 10732 FM 1960, Houston 77070 • JUSGO Supermarket 9280 Bellaire, Houston 77036 • Katy Grocers 1830 S Mason Rd #170, Katy 77450 • Karat 22 5623 Hillcroft Ave, Houston 77036 • Keemat Grocers 3311 TX-6, Sugar Land 77478 • Keemat Grocers 5601 Hillcroft St, Houston 77036 • Keemat Grocers 6911 FM 1960 WEST, Houston 77066 • Keemat Grocers 2133 South Mason Rd., Katy 77450 • Kirti Jewelers 6655 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Kohinoor Halal 12450 Hwy 3, Webster 77598 • Krishna Chat House 5959 Hillcroft St, Houston 77036 • K T Bombay Bazaar 949 S Mason Rd, Katy 77450 • Kurry Walah 1830 S Mason Rd #165, Katy 77450 • Laxmi Sarees 5901 Hillcroft Suite A-1, Houston 77036 • London Sizzler 6690 Southwest Fwy, Houston 77074 • Madras Pavilion 16260 Kensington Ave., Sugar Land 77479 • Maharaja’s Jewelers 5821 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Mama Foods 5708 S. Gessner, Houston 77036 • Masala Wok 10001 Westheimer, Houston 77042 • Mayuri Express 1460 Eldridge Pkwy, Houston 77077 • Mayuri Indian Restaurant 5857 Westheimer Rd. Houston 77057 • Mecca Halal Meat & Supermarket 3511 Hillcroft, Houston 77036 • Meenakshi Temple 17130 McLean Rd., Pearland 77584 • Mezbaan Restaurant 6655 Harwin Suite A-108, Houston 77036 • Mirch Masala 10758 Cypress Creek, Houston 77070 • Mogul Indian Restaurant 2416 Bay Area Blvd, Houston 77058 • Naseeb Indian Rest 11920, Hwy 6 S, Ste 1200, Sugar Land 77478 • Neeta Indian Cuisine 6688 Southwest Fwy, Houston 77074 • New Awami Markaz 5812 Hwy 6.North, Houston 77084

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FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month Read on Page 18 or Call 832-806-1000

Vol. 30 No. 44 Friday, November 10, 2017 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 24 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

Sewa gets Houstonians’ outstanding support at its Annual Fundraiser

ewa International’s Houston Chapter hosted its 2017 Annual Fundraising Gala on Sunday, 5th of November at Stafford center. More than 550 people attended the gala making it a sold-out event. The team revisited some traditions while opening doors to the new ideas. Youth volunteers were invited for lighting the lamp thus making new generation part of the old tradition. It was followed by melodious rendition of Saraswati Vandana by Apoorva Das. Gitesh Desai, President of Sewa Houston chapter, delivered a welcome speech and spoke about Sewa’s accomplishments in 2017, especially disaster relief efforts for hurricane Sam Merchant (far left) representing Congressman Al Green is seen presenting Sewa with Congressional Certificate for community work. Also seen are Gitesh Desai, Sewa, president, Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray, Swatantra Jain and Judge RK Sandil. (Pic Credit: Navin Mediwala).

Neil Verma wins Position 1 seat on Bellaire City Council

Neil Verma has garnered more than 67 percent of the votes cast in Bellaire city election on Tuesday. Having been very active in local issues, Verma was well known in the city for his civil activities. (Photo: Facebook)

Harvey. During the hurricane and post floods, Sewa team helped in rescuing 687 people, 400+ families through cleanup and relief efforts, delivered 30,000 hot meals, 21 truckloads of supplies accounting for more than 50,000 volunteer hours. Throughout the year, Sewa conducted community service programs and events like new Aspire Tutorials for underprivileged kids, Informative workshops, Stop Diabetes Movement yoga camps, Youth internship program.

R.K. Sandil shared his story of overpowering cancer and how it shaped his family’s belief in faith. Guest of Honor for the evening, Shri Swatantra Jain congratulated Sewa team and the president for their year-round community service and exceptional dedication during Harvey despite their own houses being flooded. Congressman Al Green recognized Sewa on this occasion and the Certificate of Appreciation was personally delivered by his community liaison Sam Merchant.

Chief guest of the evening, Honorable Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray encouraged audience to support the noble cause and do good for the community. Keynote Speaker, Judge

The inspiring evening was made even more memorable by the elegant Rumba performance from Fred Continued on Page 9

Schools shut amid health emergency as smog blankets India’s capital

The Indian Medical Association’s declaration came as the US embassy website said levels of the fine pollutants known as PM2.5 that are most harmful to health reached 703 -- well over double the threshold of 300 that authorities class as hazardous. (AFP photo) Read report on Page 4

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OP-ED/COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

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FROM ASIA TO INDO

by Nikhil Sonnad

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Koshy Thomas Sherly Philip Shobana Muratee Sherine Thomas Jacob David Susan Pothanikat Priyan Mathew

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So what’s behind this new way of looking at Asia? Looking at the term’s short history offers a number of clues.

Shobana Muratee

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A larger “strategic system” The term has been has been on the rise in diplomatic and academic circles since the early 2010s, and appears to have been first used by Gurpreet Khurana, an Indian naval officer, in his paper (pdf) on IndiaJapan cooperation over ocean security. While no American president before Trump has used it, Hillary Clinton mixed it in her lexicon while she was secretary of state. “We understand how important the IndoPacific basin is to global trade and commerce,” she said in a 2010 speech in Honolulu, for example. She used it again in a 2011 op-ed in Foreign Policy.

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The Trump administration has recently brought one such concept to the wider world: Describing Asia as the “IndoPacific,” rather than the “AsiaPacific.”

All about “Indo-Pacific,” the new term Trump is using to refer to Asia

All of a sudden, “Indo-Pacific” is appearing from across the administration. The White House schedule for the president’s ongoing trip to Asia used it four times, and didn’t use “Asia-Pacific” once. Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state, mentioned the “Indo-Pacific” over a dozen times in a speech on India given a couple weeks ago. National security advisor H.R. McMaster used it in a briefing given to the press about Trump’s Asia jaunt.

Columnists: Legal: Richard M. Alderman Legal: Sharlene Sharmila Richards Research: Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee Health Insurance: Sudhir Mathuria Astrology: Hardik Vyas Medical: Drs. Surya and Manjula Raguthu

Editor Online:

he field of international relations is a bountiful source of jargon. There’s “operationalize,” “engagement,” “Thucydides trap,” and so on. Sometimes, though, terms escape the field and make it into the mainstream.

VOICE OF ASIA

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

“Indo-Pacific” in its geopolitical sense is relatively new to the world. The main theoretical reasoning behind a switch from “Asia-Pacific” is that it is no longer correct to think about South Asia and East Asia separately. While “Asia-Pacific” conventionally focuses on the area from North Korea to the southern tip of China, “IndoPacific” includes countries with coasts on the Indian Ocean, southeast Asia, and Australia, Indonesia, and New Zealand. At the heart of that area are two oceans: the Indian and Pacific. “Indo-Pacific” blurs the division between those bodies of water—in this sense the “Indo” could mean more “Indian Ocean” and less “India.” As China’s sphere ence reaches west rica; the economies and southeast Asia

Welcome to the Indo-Pacific, Donald (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) to grow; and India develops its “look east” policy, the area touching these two oceans forms “a single strategic system,” Rory Medcalf, a professor at Australian National University and “Indo-Pacific” advocate, argues in The American Interest. In Shinzo Abe’s 2007 “Confluence of the Two Seas” speech to the Indian parliament, the Japanese president said the two oceans are undergoing a “dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity” in a “broader Asia.” A few years later, in a 2013 defense white paper (pdf), the Australian government agreed, writing “A new Indo-Pacific strategic arc is beginning to emerge, connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans through Southeast Asia.” Emphasizing India Another key difference, though, is that the term treats India as a regional power, and not just a big, isolated country. “We talk about Indo-Pacific in

part because that phrase captures the importance of India’s rise,” an unnamed White House official explicitly told PTI, an Indian wire service, in Japan over the weekend. Then there is China. That same White House official also said that the new term is “certainly not” meant to contain China. But for an administration run by Donald Trump—who loves to insult people—it is hard to ignore the possibility that a subtle jab at China might be at least part of the motivation behind the decision. By emphasizing India, “Indo-Pacific” makes China seem relatively less important. In the “Asia-Pacific,” on the other hand, China was clearly the most important actor. The Chinese media and leadership alike pay a lot of attention to fine details like this. The People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, ran a detailed analysis (link in Chinese) with

the headline “Don’t say ‘AsiaPacific,’ say ‘Indo-Pacific’: What Trump is suggesting ahead of his visit to China.” It asks various experts to interpret the shift in terminology. Many gave straightforward answers about the merging of the two oceans, but Chen Yinuo, an “experienced international news journalist,” said that “the core of this concept is simply to weaken China’s influence in the ‘Asia-Pacific’” and to “contain” China’s capabilities at sea. The Trump administration has not given any explanation for this shift in language, so it remains to be seen whether “Indo-Pacific” suggests any practical difference in Asia policy. (A White House representative promised that Trump would clarify the change at the end of his trip.) One thing that is clear, though, the term doesn’t really offer any new solutions for the biggest question facing Trump’s Asia policy: North Korea. QUARTZ

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Delhi’s air quality typically worsens ahead of the onset of winter (AFP Photo/Dominique Faget)

EW DELHI (AFP) - A public health emergency was declared as choking smog blanketed New Delhi on Tuesday, with authorities ordering the temporary closure of all primary schools in the world’s most polluted capital city. The US embassy website said levels of the fine pollutants known as PM2.5 that are most harmful to health reached 703 -- well over double the threshold of 300 that authorities class as hazardous. Local authorities are warning of worsening conditions in the coming days. The Indian Medical Association declared a public health emergency as it urged city administrators “to make every possible effort to curb this menace”. As public outrage mounted over the air pollution crisis, Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia ordered the closure of all primary schools on Wednesday. “We have decided to shut schools up to primary level for a day, and will evaluate the situation on an hourly basis to see if such a closure needs to be extended,” he told reporters. Almost 2 million students are enrolled in primary schools in Delhi, according to government data from 2015. All outdoor activities have also been banned across the capital’s 6,000 schools while pollution levels remain at severe levels, Sisodia said. The World Health Organization in 2014 classed New Del-

hi as the world’s most polluted capital, with air quality levels worse than Beijing. Since then authorities have closed power plants temporarily and experimented with taking some cars off the road. But on Tuesday many residents said too little was being done to tackle the scourge. “Delhi is becoming unliveable, particularly for children, as the pollution has reached uncontrollable levels,” said real estate agent Vipin Malhotra. Low visibility caused by the smog forced the closure of one of the runways at Delhi airport, delaying some flights. - Worse to come Delhi’s air quality typically worsens ahead of the onset of winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground, preventing them from dispersing into the atmosphere, a phenomenon known as inversion. India’s Central Pollution Control Board said high levels of moisture in the air and a lack of wind meant emissions had become trapped in the environment. Firecrackers set off to celebrate the Diwali festival of lights in the city add to the toxic mix created by pollution from diesel engines, coal-fired power plants and industrial emissions. The problem is further exacerbated by the burning of crop stubble by farmers after the harvest in northern India, a practice that remains commonplace despite an official

ban. The Environment Pollution Agency, tasked by India’s top court to tackle air pollution, warned “things are expected to get much worse in the coming days.” Across the border in neighbouring Pakistan, residents of the eastern city of Lahore, some 400 km (250 miles) from Delhi, also complained of stifling smog. The haze has caught Pakistanis off guard, with concerned citizens saying it is only the second year that Lahore has seen such high levels of pollution and officials unable to provide accurate data. “I feel pain,” said Muhammad Siddique, who spoke to AFP from his motorbike in the middle of a Lahore traffic jam where he said he found it difficult to breathe and that his bloodshot eyes were stinging. Unprecedented pollution levels in Delhi this time last year forced schools to shut for several days. The IMA had earlier called for an upcoming half marathon to be cancelled, saying the health consequences for runners could be “disastrous”. Running in such conditions could trigger asthma attacks, worsen lung conditions and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, it said. On Monday telecoms giant Airtel threatened to pull its sponsorship of the event, due to be held on November 19, if authorities failed to improve the situation.thick smog.

COMMUNITY VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 5

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

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Club 24 Plus hosts Annual Diwali at Shah residence by Sheshadri Kumar lub 24 Plus hosted its annual signature event, Diwali party, on the occasion of Festival of Lights, on Oct. 28 in the gorgeous home of Leena and Ash Shah in Houston.

In keeping with these goals, the club hosts five events annually, including two social events, Valentines Party and Holiday Brunch, two signature events, philanthropy event where charities are given the donations and the Diwali party, like the one being held.

The beautifully lighted home and multicolored water jets and kaleidoscopic swimming pool enhanced the ambience and mood of the celebration.

“We also have an outreach event and by popular request, we will have a Dinner cruise, on Nov. 18,” Gupta said.

As members arrived in their festive costumes, the gracious hosts invited guests to mingle with others during social hour.

At this time, Gupta remembered the victims of Hurricane Harvey and recalled the community’s continued support to help the victims in their rehabilitation.

The hosts Ash and Leena Shah, with their two sons, lighted the lamp to signify the festival of lights and the brief formal program began with a Vedic prayer song by Dr. Arpana Kamat.

Gupta said he was pleased with the level of member participation at every Club 24 event and thanked the committee members for their efforts in making the events successful. He acknowledged the signature event committee chaired by Alpa Shah, with co-chair Dr. Asra Oberoi.

Pradeep Gupta, president of Club 24, welcomed the members and wished them prosperity and happiness, signified by the celebration of Diwali.

Ashok Garg, founder-member of Club 24, in his brief remarks recalled that the club has donated more than $1 million over the past 11 years for various charitable causes and wished the club continued success.

“My two-year term ends at the end of the year and it has been a wonderful, enriching experience,” Gupta said. Club 24 was started 11 years ago as a social, ‘by invitation only’ club, with the core principles of philanthropy, mentoring and outreach to the community. Gupta said the club’s goals are to “building connections between the In-

Hosts Leena and Ash Shah with Club 24 Plus members and guests at their residenc. Photos by Bijay Dixit. dian community and the main stream by highlighting our culture and by matching each member’s contribution from

The Shah family lighting the lamp as Alpa Shah and Dr. Asra Oberoi look on.

the club’s funds to a charity of the member’s choice,” mentoring the younger generation, and establishing close rela-

tionship within the families of Club 24 members and friends through networking.

Pradeep Gupta, president of Club 24 Plus with his wife and hosts Leena and Ash Shah.

Drs. Sunita and Suresh Moonath with guests at the Diwali function.

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Madras Pavilion provided delicious appetizers and sumptuous festival dinner, which the partygoers enjoyed with pleasing Bollywood music in the back ground.

VOICE OF ASIA 6

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

FORT BE

Sugar Land, Katy, Stafford, Missouri City, R

UH, Rice launch five-year survey to track post-Harvey recovery

Jim Granato, executive director of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, says the study could help improve the response to future storms and floods by Anderew Schneider

ICHMOND/HOUSTON - What are the long-term consequences of Harvey likely to be for Greater Houston? That’s a question the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs hopes to answer. The school is embarking on a five-year survey to track postHarvey recovery. Researchers from Hobby and from Rice University will interview as many as 2,000 people throughout Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, and Brazoria Counties. They’ll ask questions such as how interviewees prepared for Harvey and what affect the storm had on their homes and work. In coming years, they’ll reach out to the same people to gauge support for flood mitigation and other policy proposals. “The usefulness for policy is you get to find out exactly how they dealt with various chal-

Officials offering security, safety evaluations to local churches ICHMOND - “It’s suppose to be a safe place and a place of worship. You never expect to run into a shooter,” Donna Mathews, with Church of the Holy Apostles said.

For members of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Sunday morning’s deadly shooting in Sutherland Springs was not only heartbreaking, but also eye-opening. That’s why they’ll be meeting with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office soon.”If you’re in a school situation or workplace you can do fire drills and practice a situation. But how do you practice and active shooting in a church on a Sunday morning?” asked Mathews.

Photo: Habitat For Humanity lenges, whether financial or physical, and how they communicated with each other during this ordeal,” says Jim Granato, the Hobby School’s executive director. Granato says the results could be particularly useful in developing strategies for emergency response and financial

restitution for future storms and floods. There is the risk that another major storm could hit the region in the next five years. Granato says if that happens, the team will probably need to split their sample up into those people affected by the later event and those who aren’t. (Houston Public Media)

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The agency sent out a message through social media offering to meet with congregations for for “safety evaluations” following the tragedy just hours down the road. “Be constantly aware of your surroundings. That’s the main thing. Be aware of your surroundings and being able to do something if a situation unfolds,”

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Sgt. Carlos Castillo with the Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office said. “Either evacuating the building as fast as possible, or they could hide in place and last resort, they could fight,” explained Castillo. As part of their evaluation, the sheriff’s office plans to assess the building including entry points and emergency exits. They’ll also go over the best plan of action if faced with an ac-

tive shooter. “Hopefully there will be some churches that will take our offer,” “Either evacuating the building as fast as possible, or they could hide in place and last resort, they could fight,” Sheriff Troy Nehls told the Houston Chronicle. “Unfortunately, in today’s environment, we have to try to help prepare churches and others for the worst, hoping you never need to implement that plan.” (-NBC DFW)

FBISD students to learn about Career and Technical Education programs

UGAR LAND - Fort Bend ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department will host a program exploration event, where students and their families can learn about the District’s many CTE courses offerings. The event will take place November 15, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. at the FBISD Technical Education Center (540 Dulles Avenue, Sugar Land). CTE programs offer students a competitive advantage in preparing for their future, whether their plans include college, immediate entry into the workforce, or a combination of both. “Our students have the opportunity to earn industry certifications at no cost, participate in nationally-recognized competitive events and build their resume and college application portfolio through real-world experiences,” said CTE Director Meredith Watassek. The event is open to all FBISD students and their parents, especially current 7th – 11th grade students who are interested in attending the Tech

I Can Help!

Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls

Ed Center next year and/or the new James Reese Career and Technical Center that will open Fall 2019. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the District’s new state-of-the-art CTE center, tour the Tech Ed facility and visit with CTE teachers about courses including, but not limited to, health science, automotive, business and finance, engineering, culinary arts, JROTC, Agriculture, cosmetology, networking, welding and firefighting. The come-and-go format will allow attendees to focus on the programs of their choice and short presentations will be made periodically throughout the evening.

Current 10th and 11th grade students can apply for existing Technical Education program courses for the 2017-18 school year at www.fortbendisd.com/ tec. Applications will close on January 19, 2018 for August 2018 enrollment. The new CTE center that will open in Fall 2019 will offer advanced junior and seniorlevel courses. Current seventh and eighth grade students may need to choose prerequisite courses at their home campus in order to be eligible to attend their junior and senior years. See FortBendISD.com to register to attend the event. For more information, call (281) 634-5671.

VOICE OF ASIA 7

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

END VIEW

Richmond, Rosenberg and Meadows Place

Mayor Joe Zimmerman presents technical seminar on Two Fort Bend hurricane Harvey at ASIE luncheon ISD high schools join toT gether to honor veterans

by Dinesh D. Shah, MBA, PE, RAS, PTC

dential, commercial and industrial tracts including land planning, environmental, engineering & architectural design, special studies and construction for five (5) subdivisions within the 10,500 acre master-planned community of Clear Lake City.

he American Society of Indian Engineers and Architects (ASIE), held a luncheon in October 2017 featuring Joe Zimmerman, Mayor, City of Sugar Land as the speaker at Mayuri Restaurant. The event, a seminar on Hurricane Harvey was sponsored by KIT Professionals and ARKK Engineers filled and attended by over hundred professional members. Welcoming the guests and Speaker Mayor Zimmerman, ASIE President Dinesh D. Shah said, “Joe knows engineering and business, and engineers, businessmen know Joe.” “Education, Experience, and Entrepreneurship result in success and promote a person to the most prestigious position,” he added.

Chetan Vyas with KIT Professionals and Vice President of ASIE introduced Mayor Zimmerman, a Civil Engineer from U of H, a Professional Licensed Engineer of State of Texas, and MBA in Finance, accounting and Economics from HBU. Zimmerman has shown his leadership ability in various roles as an engineer. He is currently the Director of Development for Cobb Fendley & Associate. Prior to this prestigious position, he also served as CEO of Eco Resources for a period of time. He has also held senior management positions in several Industries including engineering, water and wastewater operations, land acquisition and development, homebuilding, as well as an international assignment in Libya. Zimmerman directed land development activities for resi-

L to R – ASIE President Dinesh D. Shah, Madhu Kilambi of ARKK Engineers, Guest Speaker and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman, Sudhakar Kalaga of KIT Professionals.

Zimmerman is the 10th Mayor of City of Sugar Land. With his knowledge and experience of engineering and business management, Zimmerman presented a technically crafted seminar on Hurricane Harvey that recently affected in Sugar Land, Houston and some parts of Texas. The twenty two slides power point presentation was covered with facts

The Speaker and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman in the center with ASIE Board Members –(L to R) ASIE Past Presidents Naresh Kolli and Raj Basavaraju, 2017 President Dinesh D. Shah, VP Chetan Vyas, Secretary Gaju Patel, Joe Zimmerman, Madhu Kilambi, Archana Sharma, Chaitanya Gampa, and Sirish Madichetti.

and figures, design criteria, graphs, and photos. He said that Harvey was record storm and most extreme rain event in US History. He added and explained that though there was very little impact in the Sugar Land and Fort bend County, by sharing the overview of City’s drainage design system with relation to the 100 year of flood level records of Oyster Creek and Brazos River. From the city’s management point of view, he also briefed how the engineering and public works department was on alert to protect the city and citizens. At the end, he briefed the professionals about the future vision and ongoing efforts for the improvements based on the Harvey experience. This presentation was concluded with interesting Q and A session and concluded with interesting Q & A session. The seminar was concluded with presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Yadagiri Reddy of Mayuri Restaurant for supporting many ASIE events. The vote of thanks was given by Board Member Archana Sharma. The sponsors Sudhakar Kalaga and Madhu Kilambi and Board of Directors presented ASIE Mug and the Certificate of Appreciation to Hon. Mayor Joe Zimmerman. This complimentary seminar was well received by members and they earned one PDH Hour Certificate towards as a part of their continuing education requirements. For more details about the presentation and information about ASIE, please visit the www.asiehouston.org.

FORT BEND ISD (November 7, 2017) - Kempner and Travis high school’s football teams will face off on Friday, November 10 at Mercer Stadium at 7:00 pm, and in addition to the friendly competition, they are joining together to honor our veterans. During a special halftime show, both school bands will march onto the field together, followed by the JROTCs who will unfurl a giant American flag on the field. The school bands will then perform patriotic songs that will highlight the different service branches. The school’s cheerleaders and dance teams will also be on hand to welcome our veterans and escort them on and off the field. Organizers say there will also be a few special surprises. This event is open to the community. All veterans get in free with proof of a military ID. Others who are interested in attending can purchase tickets for a discounted price of $6.00 on November 10 at either Kempner High School (14777 Voss Road, Sugar Land, 77498) or Travis High School (11111 Harlem Road, Richmond, 77406). Tickets will also be on sale at the gate the night of the game for $8.00. Cash only.

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 8

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Local artist and classical musician/composer wows California art lovers By Shobana Muratee

UNNYVALE, CA Houston’s renowned artists and musician Kartik Trivedi held “One Man Art Show “of his paintings at the Sunnyvale Community Center in Sunnyvale, California, on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, where he exhibited over 60 select paintings. About 80 invited guests attended the show organized by Friends of Kartik Trivedi. G.S Satya, a local businessman who is an ardent admirer and supporter of Trivedi’s art and music. He has personal collection of eight of the artist’s painting. Introducing the artists at the show, Satya said, “Karthik is a genius artist and we should support him. He should visit us every year because we miss his music and art,” he said urging the guests to buy his paintings.

Kartik Trivedi performed with Surinder Mann accompanying him on tabla. (All photos by Suneel Kelkar)

Once on the piano, Trivedi had the audience spell bond with his Indian classical music. He was accompanied by Surender Mann on tabla. The guests had an uplifting experience with art and music especially by a world renowned artist who has

Kartik Trivedi addressing the audience.

over the years promoted India’s culture through his exemplary talent. “We should promote our own community artists because we are all in need of solid support,” Trivedi said addressing the gathering at Sunnyvale. Trivedi’s paintings adorn the halls of prominent personalities including US Presidents Ronald Reagan Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Abroad, he has one in the Buckingham Palace, one gifted to Francois Mitterand, President of France and two with and with India’s late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi . Trivedi is a recipient of numerous awards his latest being from Lalit Kala Academy, Gujarat State government where the Academy honored him with the title of “Gujarat Gaurav” (Pride of Gujarat) and received one lakh rupees as an award. Trivedi will hold another exhibition on Sunday, Nov. 12 at the India Community Center (ICC) Fremont, California an event exclusively to honor the donors who helped build the community center. About 14

Cover story on Kartik Trivedi appeared on India Currents of the priced collections will be displayed here. Forty-five donor couples and guests are

expected to attend the event where Kartik Trivedi will be the featured as the guest artist.

G.S Satya, entrepreneur (far right) and guests offer prayers wat the opening of Trivedi art show.

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VOICE OF ASIA 9

COMMUNITY

Sewa gets Houstonians’ outstanding support at its Annual Fundraiser

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

SIMA donates $151,000 to Mayor’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

Continued from Page 3

Astaire’s international dancers. Classical and fusion dance performance by Smt. Keka Kar’s team was cherry on the top. Some of her dancers had come all the way from India. Sewa recognized all the organizations that supported them extensively in Harvey relief efforts. A representative from each organization was called upon stage and presented with a memento as a token of appreciation. The evening was well hosted by Emcee Abiya Malhotra and vote of thanks was delivered by Sewa chapter co-coordinator Shri Nikhil Jain, who thanked everyone for their support, including the Sewa Houston core team members Shri Achalesh Amar (Chapter Coordinator), Smt. Anuja Deshpande (Project Coordinator), Smt. Kavita Tewary (Executive Director), Smt. Sharda Gadiya, Smt. Meera Kapur, Shri Dinesh Shah and many volunteers who made this gala a grand success. The wonderful evening was followed by equally delicious dinner and fruit bar. Sewa Houston raised more than $250,000 through this fundraiser for its local projects. Sewa USA is 501 (c) (3) Hindu faith-based nonprofit, charitable organization. All donations (cash, cars, clothes, securities, etc.) are tax-deductible. (Tax Id# 20-0638718). Sewa serves humanity regardless of race, religion, color, gender or nationality.

Sewa Chapter Coordinator Shri Achalesh Amar inviting organization representatives

SIMA president Hasu Patel presenting the check $151,000 to Mayor Turner. Photo by Bijay Dixit.

OUSTON - On October 24th, 2017, Hasu Patel, President of Small Independent Motel Association (SIMA), along with an Indian-American delegation including SIMA Board Members, Leuva Patidar community members, and Bhakta community members, met with the Honorable Mayor Turner and City Council members at the City Council Chambers at City Hall to present a donation of $151,000 towards the Mayor’s Hurricane Harvey Relief

Fund. Hasu Patel spoke to the Honorable Mayor Turner and City Council members about what SIMA and the IndianAmerican community have done in their continuous hurricane relief efforts. The Honorable Mayor Turner presented SIMA with a proclamation and named October 24th, 2017 as the Small Independent Motel Association day in Houston, Texas. “Today, we are here to reaffirm our commitment to support the City in times of need.

We look forward to continuing working with the City to ensure that we recover and that we become stronger, together.” said SIMA President Hasu Patel, while addressing the Mayor Turner and City Council. “Thank you so much and I’m reminded as I look at you, of a great teacher who said ‘if I am not for myself, who am I, if I am only for myself, what am I, if not now, when?’ and you exemplify that.” said City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen.

FEMA registration deadline extended to end of month

ICHMOND - The deadline for federal assistance for those in Harvey-damaged areas now have until November 30 to apply for assistance.

Top & bottom: Performers at the event’s entertainment segment.

placement of damaged homes, grants with medical and/or funeral expenses, and other disaster-related needs.

The Nov. 24 deadline was extended to allow for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Registration can be done by visiting DisasterAssistance. gov, calling 800.621.3362, or downloading the FEMA app on Apple or Android devices.

Those in qualified counties can apply for temporary housing, rental assistance, repair/re-

Eligible counties are: Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cal-

houn, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Tyler, Victoria, Waller, Walker and Wharton. (-FEMA.com)

COMMUNITY

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Sreepadam’s Varnamudrika - A Colorful Feast!

nce again, Divyaa Unni’s Sreepadam School of Arts has stunned local art rasikas with its vibrant production of “Varnamudrika - Fingerprints of Light.” The students at Sreepadam School of Arts thematically bought colors to life at their annual recital, and the portrayal of these colors on stage, came with a powerful ability to play with the minds of the audience. In an instant, they would refresh minds with happiness, and at another, instill fear. Some colors filled the audience with warmth, while some sparked calmness. Truly, each color had -a story to tell! The theme took the audience away from their daily hustles of life into a few relaxing hours – to the wonderful world of colors. The production was loaded with all the bells and whistles presenting justice to the theme. The spectacular choreography was complimented with the consciously selected beau-

vealed, and she speaks to us by way of colors. This recital did tap into the intellect, to bring out a new appreciation of the universe which is a perfect blend of colors that dance in unison, and make our little worlds very beautiful places in which to live! The program was attended by families and friends of 120+ performers, who ranged from 5 year olds to adults. . Stafford’s Mayor Pro Tem, Mr. Ken Mathew, was in attendance as well. Sreepadam School of Arts has been conducting theme based recitals in Houston for the last 14 years; enhancing the enjoyment of learning for its students. The theme is integrated into the dances they perform, thus enabling them to truly understand the underlying concepts of the dance, and further enable them to unite with the dance. A colorful ensemble of young artists from students at Sreepadam School of Arts.

Divyaa Unni, founder director, Sreepadam School of Arts performing with her students.

tiful costumes, and the fine, euphonious introductions. The music for every item was carefully picked and well edited, to stay within the fabric of the theme. The program kicked off with the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by one of the younger students, followed by the senior students performing a “Ganapathi Vandana” - the invocation dance. Again, the choreography and the beautiful movements of the students were par excellence, and were a treat to the eyes. Divyaa Unni herself, graced the stage, and all eyes were fixated on her, as she moved effortlessly, but with propriety and elegance. Soon after, entered the colors; be it the royalty of the violet, stillness of the blue, energetic vibes of the divine yellow, or the vibrancy of the red, each color in the spectrum presented itself by way of eye-catching performances. All these colors dictate our moods and emotions and stimulate our intellect in different ways. Colors are so intrinsic to nature. Imagine the

A generous portion of proceeds of this program benefitted The Banyan organization that has been an inte-

Divyaa Unni, performing with her students in her prodction Varnamudrika.

world without colors, one color ferent and uninteresting! Our nature throughout. It would seem so dif- is artistically painted in stunning

colors, the more we explore, more of mother nature’s secrets are re-

gral part of the chain of care for people with mental illness in Chennai.

Alvin ISD student becomes international star

LVIN, Texas Friday, November 03, 2017-- An Alvin ISD student is gaining international attention for her vocal talent. “I sent in an audition, and I got selected,” said 17-year-old Akhila Mamandur. “All the crew was from India, live orchestra for the first time. Crew make-up. Like, I’ve never had this experience, interviews.” Mamandur was one of thousands to be selected as a contestant in a South Indian TV singing competition. The show was filmed in the United States in 2015 and was broadcast to millions in South India.

After several rounds, and cuts, Mamandur ended up beating out all the others. Instantly, she began getting offers to sing in Indian movies. “I do go places, and people recognize me, and they’re like, ‘oh, you were that singer. I watched the whole thing. You were amazing,’” said Mamandur. Mamandur said she began singing when she was young. She said her parents took her to their temple where she would sing. She said her friends convinced her to enter the South Indian singing competition. Despite her fame and exception-

al vocal talent, Mamandur stayed focused on school. She’s an AP student who wants to become a dentist. She’s also using her new found fame to raise money for school children in India by holding concerts with her former contestants. They’ve already raised thousands of dollars. “We have a goal that we want to help about 2,000 children in India,” said Mamandur. Akhila Mamandur.

Courtesy: (KTRK).

DIASPORA

VOICE OF ASIA 11

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Modi has given impetus to growth India native jailed 27 years for by rebranding India: Nisha Biswal funding Qaeda’s Awlaki by Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury,

EW DELHI: The partnership between India and USA –– democracies which believe in a rule-based global order –– is not just about geo-strategy but also geo-economics, critical to shape the Indo-Pacific region, said Nisha Biswal, president of the US India Business Council (USIBC).

business (World Bank report). The government here has undertaken reforms like GST and

partnership and contribute to take bilateral trade from the current $115 billion to $500

“Amid increasing threats to global norms and international order, India and US are ‘status quoist’ powers which represent rules-based democracies. The prosperity as well as security of USA in the next decade depends on how it engages in the Indo-Pacific. Indo-US partnership along Indo-Pacific is therefore critical,” Biswal told ET in an exclusive interview on her maiden trip to India as USIBC president.

The former US official Nisha Biswal says she has great respect for India’s stand on OBOR initiative (Photo: Economic Times)

This visit comes days after she took charge of the Council and is aimed at furthering economic partnership –– a move she had initiated when she was Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia under the Obama administration.

initiatives liked e-monetisation would help to create a cashless society and increase the revenue collections of the government. The Indian government is also willing to tackle any shortcomings of the GST plan.”

Stressing that she has a great deal of respect for India’s stand on China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, Biswal said, “Economic policies and infrastructure initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region must be transparent and meet global standards and norms.” It may be noted here that Delhi is circumspect about the financing pattern that leads to debt for the countries where projects are being financed under the OBOR initiative.

The former US official, however, suggested that land reforms and labour reforms are critical to invite big-ticket foreign direct investments into India. She was also quick to point out that there are concerns about immigration as well as social security issues of Indian workers in the US. Indian investments in the US is currently valued at $10 billion, and provides 1,00,000 jobs, Biswal said.

During the past three years, the Modi administration has given impetus to economic growth by rebranding India, Biswal said. “The reforms had stalled after the initial few years. Brand India is now being reestablished and this is being reflected in the 30-point jump in ranking of the ‘Ease of Doing’

When asked about the role that USIBC will play under her stewardship, she said, “During the last four years I have worked in bringing the US and India closer at the strategic and economic level and today there is dramatic and unprecedented convergence — lot of ways in which the convergence is manifesting. The USIBC has provided a very appropriate platform to further business

billion.” “USIBC can help articulate and aggregate that,” noted Nisha who hopes to call on the top leadership over the next few days. (Economic Times).

Kavita Nehendra Duvvuru (Photo credit: MCPR)

OUSTON, October 11, 2017 – A 52-yearold resident of The Woodlands has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

ASHINGTON | AFP - An Indian man who came to the United States to study was sentenced Monday to more than 27 years in prison for sending funds to Al-Qaeda and plotting to kill the federal judge in his trial.

independent j u d i c i a r y. Now he is being held accountable,” said US Attorney Justin Herdman.

Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, was one of four men including his brother arrested in September 2015 and charged for sending $22,000 to USborn cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki, a leader of Yemen-based Al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Mohammad came to the United States to study at Ohio State University in 2002. He married a US citizen in 2008.

Mohammad and two others traveled to Yemen in 2009 in hopes of hand-delivering the money to Awlaki, one of the most influential recruiters for Al-Qaeda. They did not meet him, but had the money delivered to him by a third party.

Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, an Indian national who married an American citizen in 2008, faces over 27 years in prison and deportation if convicted, the Department of Justice said. (Photo: DOJ)

A year after the his arrest, Mohammad offered another inmate in the Lucas County, Ohio jail $15,000 to kidnap and kill US District Judge Jack Zouhary.

He pleaded guilty in US federal court in Toledo, Ohio to one count of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support or resources to terrorists and one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.

The inmate connected Mohammad with an assassin who was in fact an undercover FBI agent. A member of Mohammad’s family paid a $1,000 downpayment to the “assassin.”

In a plea deal, Mohammad agreed to 27.5 years in federal prison, after which he will be deported.

The Woodlands woman convicted of defrauding employer

the MasterCard credit cards, which she used for personal expenses including payment of her property taxes and college tuition payments for her children.

After they were arrested in 2015, Mohammad also tried to hire someone to kill the judge in his case, the Justice Department said. “He threatened the safety of our citizens, a judge and the

Kavita Nehendra Duvvuru was a former employee of Vinmar International Ltd. Today, she admitted that while employed there, she made unauthorized charges and cash advances for personal expenses on credit cards which were only to be used for Vinmar business expenses. Duvvuru further admitted she altered the credit card statement and provided false information to conceal her fraud from the company. Duvvuru began employment with the Houston petrochemical distribution and marketing company Vinmar in 2004. Vinmar paid the balances on several credit cards issued in the name of Vinmar’s presi-

dent and another officer of Vinmar on a monthly basis. These credit cards included an American Express Plum card and two MasterCards and were used to charge Vinmar’s business expenses. Duvvuru had credit cards issued in her name on those accounts as well, but was only authorized to charge Vinmar business expenses. Beginning in or about 2010, Duvvuru began making unauthorized charges for personal expenses on the American Express Plum credit card. Eventually, these unauthorized personal charges reached between $10,000 and $20,000 per month. She also obtained unauthorized cash advances from

The three other men arrested still face trial. All pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In late 2016, Duvvuru made $22,359.29 in unauthorized personal charges on the American Express Plum card. She later accessed the online statement, downloaded a copy and used a software program to alter it to conceal her unauthorized personal charges. She then added a falsified charge for the same amount and attributed it to a Vinmar vendor. She also created false entries to account for the charge it to make it appear to be a legitimate Vinmar business expense. She then submitted the falsified entries to Vinmar’s accounting department. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

SOUTH ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 12

Kerala ‘love-jihad case’: Hadiya happy, in good health, says NCW chief ERALA, India - National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma on Monday said Hadiya, the woman whose marriage to a Muslim youth has been nullified by the high court, was “happy and in good health”.

Sharma met the 24-year-old woman at her home near Vaikkom in Kottayam district. “I just met Akhila (her name when she was Hindu) or Hadiya, what-

ever you call her. She is in good health and eating her food. Her security is not under threat. She was not tortured as it had been alleged. She was smiling and told me that she was waiting for November 27 to go the Supreme Court to tell her stand in the court.’’ Sharma said she didn’t ask Hadiya about her stand as the matter is before the court. “I didn’t approach that issue.”

The NIA is also probing into the conversion and subsequent marriage of the woman.

The commission chairperson also displayed a mobile snap of Hadiya, which showed the woman beaming in Muslim attire. Last week, the Supreme Court had directed Hadiya’s father Ashokan to produce the woman in court on November 27 after a petition from her husband Shefin Jahan, who has challenged the high court verdict nullifying the marriage.

Pakistani diplomat killed in Afghanistan: officials

“Police have launched an investigation into the incident. No arrests have been made so far,” Khogyani told AFP. Pakistan condemned the assault in a statement issued by its foreign ministry that called on Afghanistan to take “urgent steps to apprehend the perpetrators”. Rana was the assistant to the consul general in Jalalabad, the capital of restive Nangarhar province, which borders

In May, the Kerala High Court annulled Hadiya’s marriage and ordered her to return to live with her parents in the Kottayam district. Her husband, Shafin Jehan, has appealed against the annulment as well as the sanction given in August by the Supreme Court to the National Investigating Agency to determine if his marriage is part of an emerging pattern which sees vulnerable Hindu women being lured by Muslim men who are agents of terrorist groups including ISIS. “The bond between mom and child will always be one of the strongest. A mother’s love is unconditional, unselfish and knows no end. A mother’s love for her children is so sacred, it is quite hard to put into words.” - Photographer Tejal Mewar, on location in Bhutan.

Indian police officers ‘mocked’ gang rape survivor

Two assailants riding a motorbike opened fire on Nayyar Iqbal Rana, 52, at a shop in the eastern city of Jalalabad, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Zahid Nasrullah Khan told AFP.

Nangarhar governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani confirmed the deadly attack.

24-year-old Akhila Ashokan took the name Hadiya after converting to Islam, married a Muslim man she met on an Islamist matrimonial site, and was then taken to court by her father, who alleged that the marriage was a form of recruitment by ISIS that is gaining currency in Kerala.

“Get me out of here. Today or tomorrow, I am going to die. I am sure about this. My father is getting angry, I can make out. He pushes me,” Hadiya said in a video released last week. (-Indian Express/NDTV)

ABUL, Afghanistan | AFP - A Pakistani diplomatic official was shot and killed in Afghanistan on Monday, officials said, but the motive for the deadly attack was not immediately clear.

“When he went to the hospital he was pronounced dead,” Khan said.

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Two assailants riding a motorbike opened fire on Nayyar Iqbal Rana at a shop in Jalalabad (Photo: © AFP/File ) Pakistan. The foreign ministry statement said Rana had finished “his three year tenure in Jalalabad and was due to return to Headquarters”. Khan said he had “absolutely no idea” why Rana, a father of five, was targeted.

diplomats working at the same consulate in Jalalabad were kidnapped and later freed. It also comes as relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain tense.

Despite escalating violence across Afghanistan diplomats are rarely killed in the country where they are protected by very tight security.

Kabul accuses Islamabad of supporting militant groups including the Taliban, believed to have links to Pakistan’s shadowy military establishment who aim to use them as a regional bulwark against archnemesis India.

The incident comes a few months after two Pakistani

Pakistan has repeatedly denied the charge.

EW DEHLI | AFPFour Indian police officers were suspended on Friday after it emerged they had refused to help a woman who had just been gang raped, mocked her and accused her of inventing her story. The 19-year-old student, who cannot be named, went to police after she was repeatedly raped by four men outside a railway station in the central Indian city of Bhopal on Tuesday. Her family later alleged police had “mocked” them and repeatedly turned them away when they tried to lodge a complaint, according to Santosh Kumar Singh, deputy inspector general of police in Bhopal. He said the officers had accused the woman of telling a

“filmi” story, using an Indian English word derived from the movie industry to imply that she was exaggerating.

five years ago caused global outrage, but attacks remain widespread and enforcement is patchy.

“Three inspector rank officers have been suspended and one superintendent of police has been removed from his posting for dereliction of duty and misbehaviour,” Singh told AFP by phone.

Police have launched investigations into the officers’ behaviour, and into the family’s claim they went to three different police stations before they were finally able to file a complaint.

India has a grim record of sexual violence.

Singh said the woman’s parents had themselves apprehended two of the suspects and taken them to police.

Government data for 2015 shows 34,651 rapes were recorded, but campaigners say the true figure is likely to be much higher given the social stigma that still surrounds such cases. India strengthened its laws on sexual violence after the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student

A third was arrested on Thursday and a fourth is still at large. Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, which registered nearly 4,500 rape cases in 2015 -- the highest of any Indian state.

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VOICE OF ASIA 13

VOICE OF ASIA

VOA

voiceofasiaonline.com

Section 2

BUSINESS

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Tel: 713-774-5140

In reversal, US tech firms back World Oil Awards: Honoring groundbreaking strides in the Oil and Gas Industry bill on human trafficking An exclusive interview with Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, finalist of this year’s (2017) World Oil Awards. orld renowned Algal Biotechnologist, Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, of Rice University was honored as finalist in this award under the category “Innovative Thinker” for her brilliant Innovative Technology using the fascinating microbes called Algae to clean up the oil field produced “frac return fluid” which is a huge environmental hazard for humanity when stored or not properly disposed.

Republican Senator Rob Portman was among the sponsors of the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking bill in Congress. AFP Photo/Chip Somodevilla)

ASHINGTON | AFP | - Major US tech firms reversed course Friday and endorsed a proposal in Congress which could hold website owners liable for human trafficking. The Internet Association, which includes giants Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Amazon, said in a statement it supported the measure after reaching a compromise with legislative sponsors. The association “is committed to combating sexual exploitation and sex trafficking online” president Michael Beckerman said in endorsing the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA). “Important changes made to SESTA will grant victims the ability to secure the justice they deserve, allow internet platforms to continue their work combating human trafficking, and protect good actors in the ecosystem.” Tech firms and others had argued earlier this year the measure, aimed at modifying the liability provisions of the Communications Decency Act, could eliminate the free-speech underpinnings of the internet, giving websites immunity from content posted by

others. It remained unclear whether digital rights activists would support the compromise, which some said appeared aimed at websites such as Backpage accused of facilitating sexual exploitation. The changes, according to lawmakers, would make clear that any criminal charges are based on a violation of the federal human trafficking law and also clarify the definition of participating in a venture “knowingly” for websites that are facilitating sex trafficking. The Senate Commerce Committee plans a vote November 8, which could send the bill to the full chamber for passage. It would still need passage in the House of Representatives to be sent to the White House. “This important bill will hold online sex traffickers accountable and help give trafficking survivors the justice they deserve,” said Senator Rob Portman, a sponsor. “I’m pleased we’ve reached an agreement to further clarify the intent of the bill and advance this important legislation.”

Q. What is the World Oil award about? For 16 years, World Oil has honored the upstream industry’s leading innovators and innovations. Companies working in the upstream industry nominated a wide range of cuttingedge technologies and outstanding industry leaders for the 2017World Oil Award Finalists under various categories. A very rigorous screening process was in place for choosing the finalists for each category and this year nominations were received from more than 22 countries all over the globe were screened in a 3 step independent screening process by top intellectuals and leaders in the Oil and Gas Industry. There were 18 categories under which the finalists were selected. Q. Under what category were you selected? I was selected for the Innovative Thinker category that is new inventions and can produce path breaking influence and utility for the Oil and gas industry, reducing cost and environmental safety concerns. Q. What was the innovative technology that you thought of and developed at Rice Univ.? I have been engaged in Biotechnological studies of algae for the last 33

Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, of Rice University with her Award. Algae have versatile growth poyears and have obtained fascinating results that form the cutting edge of tentials and cleans up frac water and research internationally. Of recent produce biomass as end product that interest to me are the use algae for can be harvested for energy and other the development of ecofriendly, and useful products. This algae based frac wastewater cleanup is a promissustainable bioremediation process Jacob Sanchez environmentally safe technology wherein wastewaters from Diagnosed munici- withing autism palities are rendered clean and reus- with no side effects, sustainable, and able. I developed a similar innovative potentially very easy to implement. bioremediation technology for “frac This technology is going to be the return fluid” that is produced in great most economic process for oil indusamounts by oil industries developing tries as billions of dollars are spent shale plays while using “fracing” of on purchase of fresh water and transreservoir rocks for enhanced produc- portation to wells sites each year. tion. This also involves the use of The industry is at a cross road where continuing success depends on commicroscopic algae. Q. What are the environmental panies’ ability in securing fresh water-sources along with new disposal hazards of the frac return fluid? and water treatment strategies with Hydraulic fracturing fluids contain reduced serious environmental footnumerous chemicals that are poten- print. tially harmful for human health and Q. How was your selection as Fithe environment, especially if they nalist Unique? enter drinking water supplies. Concerns also have been raised about the The world Oil awards are meant for ultimate outcome of chemicals & innovators/innovations in the Oil and heavy metals from Frac return fluids Gas industry exclusively. I am happy that are recovered and disposed of as to say that I am only one who has wastewater. been made a finalist who is not at all Q. How is your technology better linked to the Oil and Gas industry but from a University and with biotechthan the existing ones? nology background.

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LIFESTYLE / LEISURE

VOICE OF ASIA 14

Factory worker wins first Tiramisu World Cup by Giovanna Girardi with Ella Ide in Rome

REVISO, Italy | AFP | Sunday 11/5/2017 - An Italian factory worker won the first ever Tiramisu World Cup on Sunday, beating 700 other amateurs to whip up the softest and creamiest version of Italy’s famous dessert.

The prize was awarded by Roberto Linguanotto, a pastry chef who worked in Treviso in the 1960s and 70s and is considered by Veneto as the man behind the original recipe. “What gives the final touch to tiramisu is the coffee. It’s expensive because each ladyfinger needs to be dunked in espresso, and you need lots

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Heartache for sale at Vietnam’s ex-lovers market by Jenny Vaughan ANOI, Vietnam | AFP | Sunday 11/5/2017 - At Vietnam’s Old Flames market, curious customers peruse love letters and pick through perfumes, candles and clothes -- relics from failed relationships put on sale by forlorn lovers.

Entrepreneurial exes meet once a month, bringing their baggage -emotional and literal -- to a converted cottage on a leafy Hanoi street to find a new home for items they can no longer bear to look at. It’s also a means of moving on. “(After a breakup) I’m very sad, I can’t drink or eat... but after a while I pick myself up. The past is in the past,” said Phuc Thuy, 29, who was selling clothes, purses and even a tube of toothpaste she acquired during a former romance.

Just desserts: Competitors in the first Tiramisu World Cup competition in Italy (AFP Photo/Marco Bertorello) Hundreds of would-be pudding maestros descended on the city of Treviso armed with whisks and sieves to compete in the two-day challenge to make the best tiramisu, which means “pick-me-up” in Italian. The eventual winner, Andrea Ciccolella, 28, hails from Feltre in the Veneto region and works in an eyewear factory. “My dream is to be a pastry chef and open a small cake shop of my own, where I’d make traditional, home-cooked things. Nothing fancy, but tasty and made well,” the victor told AFP. While the northern Italian region, home to the city of Venice, celebrated the sweet taste of victory the result was likely to embitter residents of neighbouring Friuli-Venezia Giulia. A dispute over whether the pudding originates in the Veneto or Friuli region has divided foodies for decades. Competitors for the prize were split into those following the original recipe -- ladyfinger biscuits, mascarpone cheese, eggs, coffee, cocoa powder and sugar -- and those getting creative by adding everything from strawberries to green tea. While slicing bananas into the whipped mixture was permitted, adding alcohol like Marsala wine was not. - ‘Best dessert in the world’ -

of them: intense, good quality, flavoured,” he said. Friuli scored an important victory in the battle over the birthplace of tiramisu in August, when the dessert was officially inserted into a list of the dishes recognised as traditional of the region. Veneto officials was outraged, with governor Luca Zaia calling on the agriculture and food minister to overturn the decision, saying “no one can swindle us out of tiramisu... the best dessert in the world”. Friuli thumbed its nose back and poured salt on the wound when a company in Udine announced this week that it had produced a machine capable of churning out a tiramisu every 30 seconds. Treviso mayor Giovanni Manildo side-stepped the debate on Sunday by dubbing his city “the moral capital of tiramisu”. It was a declaration which may have amused Italian food writers who claim the dessert was actually created as a stamina-boosting treat that prostitutes fed their clients in Treviso brothels in the 1950s. There were no reports on the stamina or blood sugar levels of the juries -- composed of pastry chefs, food critics and members of the public -who were still dipping spoons as the sun went down.

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The market has steadily grown since it opened in February, especially among Vietnam’s social-media obsessed youth, unabashed about sharing intimate details of their everyday lives. “Young people are more openminded and they want to share deeply and widely to overcome pain, without suffering alone,” said founder Dinh Thang, as a visitor strummed love songs on a guitar nearby. He started the market after a few bitter breakups left him with unwanted paraphernalia from a now extinguished passion. He proudly displays love letters, heart-strewn birthday cards and sentimental scrapbooks from his ex as a reminder that such memorabilia need not be painful forever. He’s also opened the doors to vendors selling new items, and is planning to duplicate the concept in Viet-

by Ludovic Ehret EIJING, China | AFP | More than 40,000 spectators, giant screens, players glued to their keyboards and more than $1 million prize money for the winners: welcome to the world of eSports in China, a country that has become a leader in competitive video game playing.

The final of the world championships for League of Legends, one of the most-played video games on the planet, took place Saturday in Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest”, the national stadium built for the 2008 Olympic Games. “The atmosphere is great! It’s better than at home, no?” said Yu Yating, a 23-year-old customer service manager dressed in a cosplay outfit: long green wig, white minidress and a plastic golden sceptre. “I’ve been playing League of Legends since 2013 because I love the monster fights -- it relaxes me,” she explained, as screams broke out in

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nam’s commercial capital Ho Chi Minh City next year. For those who haven’t quite reached Thang’s stage of emotional post-breakup enlightenment, he’s set up a message board to pen notes to exes. “To all my ex-lovers, I’m sorry because I feel like we never really knew each other,” read one remorse-tinged message. Another was more succinct: “I’M FINE!!!” Thang hopes the market will make the topic of breakups less taboo in Vietnam, a conservative communist nation of 93 million where just a generation ago arranged marriages were more common. Social attitudes have changed as the country has become increasingly globalised and as its vast young population -- more than 50 percent of the country is under age 30 -- embrace western dating norms.

That includes internet dating. “Many young people meet online, date online and break up online,” said Bui Manh Tien, Youth Programme Officer at United Nations Population Fund in Vietnam. Today, men and women are waiting longer to get married and divorce rates are also ticking up, according to official figures. “We don’t want to give up our freedom too early and get tied to family responsibility when we’re young, we want to enjoy life before getting married,” Tien, 25, added. For some, the Old Flames market is simply a place to make new connections, romantic or otherwise. “I came here to meet people and to see the goods, explore why they used to be a very beautiful memory,” said Tieu Khuy, before picking up a used copy of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.

Video game warriors do battle before 40,000 fans in China

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The monthly market is popular with young people who are unabashed about sharing intimate details of their everyday lives (AFP Photo/Hoang Dinh Nam)

the stands when the competitors arrived, ready to do battle. Soon, one of the players slaughtered a virtual dragon, prompting howls of excitement. “Oh, huge!”, said 19-yearold student Qian Feng, one of the spectators following the multi-player game on three giant screens that were practically the height of the stadium.

Players of team SK Telecom T1 hold the trophy during the World Championships Final of League of Legends at the National Stadium ‘Bird’s Nest’ in Beijing on November 4, 2017 (AFP Photo/STR)

Two-thirds of the audience were male, between 15 to 35 years old. Some, like Qian, had travelled hundreds of kilometres to watch the final

in person. “eSports have taken off in China because all young people have a computer now,” he said.

LEGAL

VOICE OF ASIA 15

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

The People’s Lawyer

YOUR IMMIGRATION LAWYER

www.peopleslawyer.net

Non-refundable deposit may be enforceable Richard M. Alderman Interim Dean of the Law Center

Q. If I cancel a retail purchase, in this case furniture, within the 72-hour cancellation period, does the store have the right to keep my deposit? The contract does state that the customer shall forfeit the deposit to the store. A. First, unless a store expressly gave you three days to cancel, you generally do not have any time to change your mind and get out of the contract. As a general rule once you sign the contract you are bound. There is a time period to cancel in only very limited cases. For example, you have three days to rescind a contract with a health spa, or in a door-to-door sale, or with a contract that puts a lien on your home. On the other hand, any contract may give you the right to change your mind and cancel, even if law does not require it. Based on what you say, it sounds like the furniture store expressly gave you three days to cancel the contract, which you did. Whether you get back the deposit, however, depends on the terms of the contract and the amount of the deposit. As a legal matter, there is nothing unlawful about requiring a nonrefundable de-

posit. If the contract states the store keeps the deposit if you cancel, my opinion is that the store may retain the deposit, unless the deposit was unreasonable. Under the law, a contract may provide for the forfeiture of a deposit, as compensation for the loss the seller may have suffered by your cancellation. But to be enforceable, the non-refundable deposit must be “reasonable.” For example, as far as I am concerned, the store could keep a 10% deposit to compensate it for the time spent on your transaction and the possibility of losing a sale. But a much larger deposit, say 50%, would probably be considered a penalty rather than compensation and not enforceable. Q. I was recently contacted by a debt collector concerning a ten year-old credit card debt. Isn’t there some time period after which they can no longer try to collect? A. This has become a very common question. It seems that more and more collection agencies are trying to collect very old debts. Under the law, there are time periods within which a lawsuit must be brought. If you delay beyond this period, the suit may be dismissed as timebarred. In most cases, a lawsuit for a credit card debt must be brought within four years of when you defaulted. Obviously, it has been much longer than

that. This means that if the debt collector filed a lawsuit, you could have it dismissed. It does not mean, however, that the collector may not contact you to ask that you pay. Even though the company may no longer sue, you still owe the money. Until the debt is paid, the creditor or debt collector may try to collect. In my opinion, as long as the company does not harass, threaten, or abuse you, it may request that you pay a timebarred obligation. Under federal law, however, you may stop all contact by sending a letter demanding it stop all future communication. That should end the matter. Look at the debt collection on my website listed below. Q. I am an hourly employee. I always put in eight hours a day and do my job well. Now my employer says he expects us to work overtime as well. Can I be fired for not working over-time? A. As far as the law is concerned, you may be fired if you refused to work when your employer requested. Basically, an employer may set the hours employees work. An employer may require you to work more than forty hours a week. All that the law requires is that you be paid overtime for any hours in excess of forty.

Do you want to know more about your legal rights? Check out my website, www.peopleslawyer.net And if you have a question about a legal problem related to Hurricane Harvey, call 713-743-2165.

Legal challenge to ‘sanctuary cities’ ban heads to U.S. appeals court by Philip Jancowski

USTIN, November 5, 2017 - The “sanctuary cities” ban known as Senate Bill 4 will go before a federal appeals court Tuesday in a hearing that could lead to a full block or implementation of a controversial law that seems destined for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. A panel of judges at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case in New Orleans on Tuesday. The appeals court is the third courtroom stop since most of Texas’ largest cities, including Austin, sued the state to have the law blocked. Among other things, the law

gives police the power to question people’s immigration status during routine detentions such as traffic stops. The law also requires local officials to honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to hold jail inmates suspected of being in the country illegally instead of allowing them to post bond. Supporters of the law can point to people in the country illegally like Julio Cesar Mendoza-Caballero, 33, a documented gang member who was released from the Travis County Jail, as evidence that strict immigration laws like SB 4 are needed to get criminals off the streets. However,

opponents

can

point to the case of Juan Coronilla-Guerrero, 28, as showing a fatal consequence of a law they say needlessly separates families and erodes trust between police and immigrant communities. Coronilla-Guerrero, who was initially arrested in Austin on a misdemeanor assault charge, was deported to Mexico, despite warnings that sending him back would endanger his life. He was killed in September. Lawyers representing Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and many other Texas cities and counties believe SB 4 violates the First, Fourth and 14th amendments as well as the Constitution’s pre-emption clause. (-American Statesman)

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Q: My father went back to his home country and stayed for more than 6 months but less than one year in the last 5 years. Is this going to be a problem for his Naturalization application?

A: These groups of persons are exempt –at least 50 years and older at the time of filing and been a permanent resident for at least 20 years or at least 55 years and older and lived in the US as permanent resident for at least 15 years. Also, those who can show that they are suffering from a disability or impairment which impairs their ability to learn English are exempt. For this medical exemption, your father will have to provide an N-648 Medical Exemption Form signed by a physician who has attested that in his opinion, because of his disability or impairment, he is unable to learn and comprehend the English language.

A: Yes, possibly. I am assuming that he qualifies for naturalization in all other respects. Generally, any single absence between 6 months and a year within the requisite 5 year statutory period creates a rebuttable presumption that continuous residence has been interrupted. Because this presumption is rebuttable, your father can present evidence to show that his continuous residence was not interrupted. For example, evidence that he had maintained his employment in the US, did not obtain employment abroad, retained full access to his home in the US, owned property here, has bank accounts, filed Federal Taxes during the period he was away etc. and that he has family ties here will be helpful.

Q: My wife’s English is poor. Can she still pass the Naturalization test as she does not qualify for the English Language exemptions? A: For Naturalization, the applicant must have elementary level reading, writing and understanding of the English Language. He must also have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of US history and government. If he is at least 65 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, he can take the easier test of US History and Government. In order to determine your wife’s chances of passing, my advice is for her to consult with an immigration lawyer to determine if she possesses or

Q: I had a re-entry permit and remained abroad for more than one year during the required five statutory period. I applied for Naturalization. Will it be denied? A: Yes, your citizenship application will be denied because any absence of more

will be able to achieve the required level of literacy skill needed for such an application and to pass the interview. We have successfully assisted many clients who thought their literacy skills were inadequate for citizenship. Q: I have waited for more than 8 months for my Naturalization interview to be scheduled and my Green Card is now expired. Do I have to now apply to renew it? What do I need to do if I have to travel abroad? A: You do not need to renew your Green Card unless you wish to travel abroad. If you have to travel, please file I-90 to renew the expired green card. Once you receive the receipt for the I-90 filing, make an Infopass appointment with USCIS to them to put the I-551 (proof of permanent resident status) stamp in your passport. This will enable you to travel and return as a permanent resident. Disclaimer: Any advice provided in this article is general in nature and not intended to constitute legal advice for any specific case. Please consult with an immigration lawyer about the specific circumstances of your case. My Bio Sharlene Sharmila Richards is a licensed Immigration lawyer practicing in Houston, Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is a member of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the US Supreme Court. You may contact her at telephone number 713-623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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than one year during the period which continuous residence is required interrupts the continuous residence requirement. As such, you may reapply to naturalize four years and one day after your return from that trip aborad or two years and one day under the rules for spouse of a U.S. citizen.

A: Yes, generally, in order to be eligible for Naturalization, you must first be a lawful permanent resident. If you are married to a US citizen, you become eligible for citizenship after three years of becoming a permanent resident. Otherwise, typically, the requirement is you have to be a permanent resident for five years.

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Young Life

VOICE OF ASIA 16

11 year old invents lead-detection device, wins ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Young people are just as preoccupied with class as their parents by Georgina Lawton

ONDON - The other day, while on a plane flying out of the UK, I spotted an article about the most British thing created for the internet since cyclist v motorist videos. I read that 8,000 of the UK’s super-elite use a classified, invitation-only network where they trade grouse-shooting tips, let out lavish holiday homes and funnel paid internships to their kids.

Image Source: People (L); Digital Trends (R)

t was two years ago, owing to the Flint water crisis, that 11-yearold Gitanjali Rao became concerned about lead contamination. She has since invented a quick, low-cost test to detect the presence of lead in water. For her invention, she was recently honoured with the title of ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’. The crisis began in 2014 when the city’s water source was changed to the Flint River, exposing residents to high levels of lead. Officials now face charges of manslaughter for risking lives due to improper treatment of water. The seventh-grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch soon realised that Flint was not the only place to have

faced this problem. She said that there are nearly 5,000 water systems all over the United States that are contaminated with lead. That was exactly what she was thinking of when she heard of the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a national competition conducted for middle-schoolers to come up with innovative solutions to day-to-day problems. Her lead-detection device won her the competition and $25,000 in prize money. “The idea just came to me when I saw my parents testing for lead in our water. I went, ‘Well, this is not a reliable process and I’ve got to do something to change this’,” she says. (-Your Story)

A platform to recognise, groom young talent

hruti Shankar Kumar and Murali Sangeeth V. emerged winners of the 6th edition of the

was reminiscing about the times I participated in competitions in the Academy. It was always a healthy, produc-

Dubbed “Gumtree for the posh”, but known by the decidedly less sexy name Radio H-P, the advertising site and online club was founded by truffle entrepreneur (not a fake job) Nigel Hadden-Paton, who personally invites each new member and vets the suitability of prospective candidates by asking about their background. If you needed evidence that the British class system is still in full effect, there it is. If you thought we had reached peak classism with the bedroom tax, Asbos and Tatler’s resurgence in popularity, you were wrong. Essentially, this website was created to save those in the upper echelons the trauma of having to privately message the proletariat to sell their stuff online. It has the effect of preventing posh money from falling into the hard, chapped hands of the riffraff – lest we get a taste for it and invest it in revolutionary weapons or something – and protecting and preserving a social elite. A site such as Radio H-P prevents trickle-down wealth (not that it ever really existed) and entrenches the margins of class. The chasm between the haves, the silver-spooned and the haven’t-got-a-pot-to-piss-in-letalone‑any-silverware will eventually become so wide that we will speak to one another only through specially trained translators, funded by the landowning elites, who will be tasked with creating a lingua franca for the purpose of mass executions – sorry, evictions. If you thought we had reached peak classism with the bedroom tax, Asbos and Tatler’s resurgence, you were wrong

The event has been organised jointly by The Hindu and Sa Re Ga Ma in memory of the legend of Carnatic music.

Musician K. Krishna Kumar said of nearly 80 entries, 20 people were shortlisted.

The winners have an opportunity to bring out their own album by Sa Re Ga Ma. The other finalists included Padmashree S., Mridula Aswin and Raghuveer Rangan. Musician Sudha Raghunathan, who judged the event with musicians K. Krishnakumar and S. Rajeswari, said, “I

“Then, all 20 were called for a 15 minute performance and five finalists were chosen. These five were given their compositions just 20 minutes ahead of the competition. Instead of treating it like a competition, the participants should enjoy and celebrate music, that’s what is important,” he said. A book on M.S. Subbulakshmi was also released during the occasion. Nalli Kuppusami Chetti also spoke at the event. (-The Hindu)

Youth of world send message from WYF

AIRO, Egypt, November 5. 2017 - The youth of the world sent a message from the World Youth Forum (WYF) that they are in Egypt because they need to talk.

The seven-day gathering will witness the participation of official youth representatives over 18-yearsold, leaders of various youth networks, heads of states, media figures and around 250 young Egyptian expats.

This message came shortly before the official kick off of Egypt’s first World Youth Forum, under the auspices of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, on Saturday. Inaugural activities will be held shortly.

You see it in the way that Made in Chelsea is still going strong. And how, when twentysomething Peckham-based artist Hetty Douglas mocked two builders online for “looking” like they had “one GCSE”, she was vilified, but also defended. It is why, after a group of young Tories made jokes about gassing “chavs” on WhatsApp, nothing really happened. And it is why, when I asked two friends who work in finance if they would date someone who wasn’t also fairly middle class, I wasn’t surprised me when they said no, they couldn’t possibly. Modern-day, millennial classism results in working-class students be-

ing afraid to apply to top universities and perpetuates the less discussed fear of social mixing. For people of colour, it deepens discrimination and burdens them with two sets of stereotypes to shed. It pits us against each other. It is 2017, so we shouldn’t be bothered about who is related to whom or what accent the person we are dating has. But when it comes to eradicating class barriers, nothing has really changed since our parents’ youth, so it is not our fault that it still affects us. Class is still integral to our entire political system, after all: the foundations of British democracy are a contradiction in terms, linked to royalty, privilege and oppression of the working class. This is too much for us to dismantle alone, so maybe we should start with boycotting sites such as Radio H-P that perpetuate privilege and rob us of a diverse, interesting society. That would be a good place to start. (-The Guardian)

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Shruti Shankar Kumar (left) and Murali Sangeeth V. emerged as winners of the MS Subbulakshmi Award 2017 (File photos) tive competition we had. It wasn’t about winning, but of celebrating music.”

ing collective fixation with class, which transcends generations and is more visible now thanks to TV and technology. I like to think of classism as a social ill that plagues older demographics only, but young people are as preoccupied with it as our parents and grandparents – we just can’t admit it.

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“When it comes to eradicating class barriers, nothing has really changed since our parents’ youth, so it is not our fault that it still affects us” (Photo: Getty Images)

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Youth from several countries participated in this message, including from Palestine, Algeria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and the Americas.

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They said that they have common problems and solutions making this forum an important platform to meet together and try to solve common problems. They expressed their happiness to participate in the conference and also praised the activities that bring together the youth of the world. Hundreds of young people from all over the world flocked to Sharm El-Sheikh, where the WYF convened under the theme “We Need to Talk.”

World Youth Forum creates a platefrom for the world’s top decision makers to enhance in today’s regional/national/international business and world community at large. A Platform to Enhancing global relations.

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The idea to hold an international youth conference in Egypt came during the third National Conference of Youth (NYC) in Ismailya. In July, Sisi announced the WYF in Sharm El-Sheikh at the fourth NYC in Alexandria.

The World Youth Forum(WYF) is a plateform to global, regional and industry transformation to promote, develop and grow arts, education, sports, science, commerce, entrepreneurship, and social welfare.

The director of WYF is Gaurav Aggarwal spent twelve years of his career in managing international projects in United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia. He sees WYF as a platform for enhancing global relations.

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The forum will bring together 3,000 young people, represented by 60 delegations from across the world, in an effort to explore key issues facing young people and determine their role in implementing global development goals and combating terrorism.

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BOLLYWOOD - HOLLYWOOD VOICE OF ASIA 17

Section 2

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

I have treated women in a sexist way, says Alec Baldwin

OS ANGELES, Nov 3 (PTI) “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin has admitted that he treated women in a sexist way in the past. Baldwin, who was honoured at a luncheon at the Paley Center for Media, said he would like to change his attitude towards women.

where you really don’t and I’d like that to change. I really would like that to change,” he said at the event.

I am hungry

for content more than the money

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor also addressed the swirl of sexual misconduct allegations currently dominating Hollywood and called for a change. “I think it’s important for us to try to make the workplace and beyond not only comfortable and right and fair and appropriate but as productive, as well. “I think a lot of what we’re dealing with within this issue is hurting our business. It’s making it less productive.” Baldwin said while he was aware of some rumours, he did not know the problem was so widespread.

n his five-year long career, Sidharth Malhotra has featured in a romantic comedy, a thriller, a sports drama and a murder mystery and the actor says his choice of films clearly shows his greed for good content.

“I didn’t necessarily know the scope when you hear the hundreds and hun-

The actor says he always wanted to explore new things in his career and is happy with the way his journey in films has turned out be.

In an interview with PTI, Sidharth says, “This is the period where I am hungry for content more than the money. If your filmography is interesting and has enough variations and you are not trying to sell something typical, whether it does well or not is secondary, what matters is exploring new things.”

The actor was recently criticised for working with James Toback as the director has been accused of sexual miscoduct by over 300 women. “I certainly have treated women in a very sexist way. I’ve bullied women. I’ve overlooked women. I’ve underestimated women. Not as a rule. “From time to time I’ve done what a lot of men do, which is... when you don’t treat women the same way you treat men. You don’t. I’m from a generation

dreds of women who are complaining about this,” Baldwin said. “It’s been a very eye-opening experience for me personally. We’ve got to be vigilant in a new way to make sure that everybody is comfortable and that we get the job done together that we’re there to do.” Hollywood is reeling under a major scandal with some of the prominent faces such as Toback, Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman and Brett Ratner facing allegations of sexual misconduct in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein expose.

Reunion photo makes us nostalgic for Game of Thrones’ couple

The 32-year-old actor insists earning good money was never his aim. “I have never done films for money, brands of course (is for money). I have never buckled with a producer or director for a film. I did films because I wanted to be part of a film. I have never made an issue of what I get paid as an actor. For me it depends on the budget of the film, you want to be

Sidharth Malhotra says he always wanted to explore new things in his career and is happy with the way his journey in films has turned out be. (File photo) more sensitive as well to the producer, it is a business after all,” he says. Sidharth’s latest release Ittefaq may have got mixed reviews, but the actor says he was aware that the film was not the one to make it to the ‘100 crore club’. Ittefaq which is a remake of 1969 movie of the samename, is the story of an acclaimed writer (essayed by Sidharth) and a homemaker (played by Sonakshi Sinha), who become the prime suspects in a double murder case. And police officer Dev (played by Akshaye Khanna) must figure out who’s telling the truth when both offer conflicting stories about the events of that fateful night. The film did a business of Rs 4.05 crore on day one. “It is not a film where you look at the numbers (box office collection), I know it is unavoidable. The film was made on a tight budget, we have other revenues of recovery like satellite rights or digital rights. So the box office profit will be done by the weekend. It is not a film to boast money wise, as the numbers are not going to be (high). The film is all

about these three characters and their performances,” says Sidharth. The actor says, he was first offered the film sometime in 2014 and feels glad that the movie came back to him. “I was offered this film after ‘Hasee Toh Phasee’. If you look at zone wise it was similar (referring to thriller, murder mystery space) to ‘Ek Villain’ and I felt it made no sense to do two back-to-back films in the same space. I was like will do it afterwards. “Luckily, nothing happened in between and then they (director Abhay Chopra and producer Juno Chopra) came to me. I think the film was meant for me as they did not cast anyone for two and half to three years.” One of the main reasons for Sidharth to do “Ittefaq” was his love for his character — ‘Vikram Sethi’. “It is not typical, he is an unpredictable person who gives you a high in the climax. This character has so much to hide and show at the same time. I found it interesting to play this part,” he says. (-PTI)

B-Town attends Padmavati party Deepika Padukone’s Call For Celebration!

eading lady Deepika Padukone hosted a lavish party at her south Mumbai residence on Saturday night, which was atteneded by who;s how of the industry. From Bollywood veteran to budding actor’s in the making, the party had the bigwigs of Bollywood attending to Deepika’s impromptu call for celebration. The impromptu party witnessed a barrage of BTown folks dressed in their best. One of the firsts to arrive at the venue was Deepika’s Padmavati co-star Ranveer Singh. Also in attendance was Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Gauri Khan, Manish Malhotra, Jhanvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Juno Chopra, Ishaan Khattar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Abhishek Bachchan, Zoya Akhtar to name few. The actress has been flooded with appreciation for her effortless performance of Ghoomar. The song that has garnered more than 30 million views, has social media in a tizzy with the masses sending in their versions mimicking Deepika’s Ghoomar dance. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed

Deepika’s royal look as Rani Padmavati is a viral hit. (IBN Photo) film is expected to release on December 1 although the Rajput Karni Sena is still opposed to the film’s release alleging that the film misrepresents certain facts of Rani Padmini’s life. The Rajput outfit has demanded a screening in the presence of historians and intellectuals before it hits the screens.

The film’s release is yet about three to four weeks away, but the onscreen Padmavati throws an impromptu party already to celebrate the response that she has been receiving. (-Mumbai Mirror)

Beyonce joins Disney’s live-action ‘The Lion King’ Emilia Clarke and former Game of Thrones co-star Jason Momoa reunited for the snapshot (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images) by Sophie Ziss, Bustle.com

milia Clarke’s Instagram account is a constant source of joy. The star of HBO’s Game of Thrones is known for posting hilarious selfies, adorable pictures of her dog, and behind-the-scenes photos of the cast goofing around. On Sunday, Nov. 5, she posted the most epic snap of all: Khaleesi reunited with Khal Drogo IRL, and the resulting Instagram photo is incredible. Emilia Clarke and former Game of Thrones co-star Jason Momoa reunited for the pic and it’s so smile-inducing (for them and fans). It’s not the first time Mr. and Mrs. Drogo have reunited since wrapping Game of Thrones Season 1; the two shared a brief scene in a Season 2 episode, and Momoa crashed a Comic-Con panel in 2013 to plant a big smooch on Clarke. Clarke and Momoa also reunited for a few snaps back in 2015. They’re rarely photographed together, and as they’re both working actors, it’s unlikely their paths would cross. Still, it’s beyond exciting when they do. Dear Khaleesi explained how the whole thing went down in the cap-

tion. “When life is so good that your sun and stars is in your city,” the actor wrote, referencing Khaleesi’s nickname for her late husband, “You lose [sic] your eyes and gain five grins!” She goes on to explain that the two were impossibly excited to cross paths in London. Also, of course Momoa is wearing a light tank top in England in November. Why wouldn’t he? Knowing Clarke loves Momoa so much also eases the guilt of being Team Khal Drogo Appreciation. Khaleesi and Khal Drogo had a controversial relationship on-screen, one that didn’t exactly mirror the more consensual one Dany and Drogo experience in the books. Nevertheless, Momoa’s Drogo came to be a fan favorite on the HBO series. Seriously, though. If Game of Thrones fans thought they were excited to see Khaleesi reunited with Khal Drogo on Instagram, they should take one look at Clarke’s photo of the moment. Look at those precious faces! Has anyone in the history of Earth or Westeros ever been happier? Unlikely. Their cozy chemistry and beaming faces didn’t require any explanation.

eyonce is set to voice Simba’s childhood friend turned love interest Nala in the live-action remake of Disney’s “The Lion King,” the singer and studio announced Wednesday. The 36-year-old pop megastar confirmed the long-rumored role in a Facebook post that showed headshots of the voice cast, also revealing that Keegan-Michael Key (“Why Him?”, “Storks”) will be playing a hyena named Kamari. Alongside Beyonce -- and mostly previously announced -- will be Donald Glover as Simba, James Earl Jones reprising his role in the 1994 animated movie as Mufasa, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as his nemesis Scar. Comedian John Oliver was confirmed as Zazu, while other big names in the production -- set for release in July 2019 -- include Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner. “It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said director Jon Favreau, who helmed Disney’s hit liveaction remake of “The Jungle Book” (2016), in a statement confirming the cast. The production will build on Disney’s hugely lucrative reimagining of that movie and several other classics from its vaults -- including “Beauty and the

Beyonce is set to voice Simba’s childhood friend turned love interest Nala Beast,” “Maleficent” and “Cinderella” -- for contemporary audiences. “The Lion King” is one of the biggest animated films of all time, with a lifetime global box-office gross of just under $1 billion. It won Oscars for the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John and Tim Rice, and for its score by Hans Zimmer, plus two Grammy Awards, with the soundtrack selling more than

14 million copies. The stage production made its Broadway debut in 1997 and went on to win six Tony Awards. Translated into eight languages, the film’s 23 global stage productions have been seen by more than 85 million people. The worldwide gross for the brand exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in history.

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Voice of Asia

Section 2

Experts demand better prevention, treatment for children with hepatitis

AO PAULO, Brazil | AFP - Experts at the second World Hepatitis Summit Friday called for improved preventative measures and treatment for 52 million children suffering from the disease, on the final day of the three-day event in Sao Paulo. Of 325 million confirmed patients worldwide, 52 million are minors -- a number far higher than the 2.1 million children suffering from AIDS, according to figures provided at the summit. “Most infected infants and children are not diagnosed, prioritized or treated effectively,” Raquel Peck, CEO of World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), said in a statement. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There are five types, but B and C are responsible for

All around wellness through daily routine

more than half of all new cases of liver cancer, according to the World Health Organization. Often transmitted from mothers, 48 million children have type B. But experts drew attention to increased diagnoses of hepatitis C , for which no vaccine exists -- and expressed concerns about the lack of preventative measures.

Surya Raguthu, M.D, ABIPP, ABPMR, CIME

by Dr. Surya Raguthu Pain does not feel the same for eI always stress to my patients that it is not knowledge that ensures good health, but action. If you are not yet on the road to wellness, you can begin with this sample of a healthy day to get you moving. You can tweak the hours and supplements if you need to — just use this as a guide. Remember the old adage, one that definitely rings true when it comes to nutrition: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” 6:30 – 7:00 am: Drink two cups of water with lemon each morning. This simple habit keeps you hydrated, reduces constipation and is packed with lemon juice’s nutrients and phytochemicals. Take one or two probiotic capsules for immunity and improved digestion. 7:00 – 7:30 am: Do 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise on an empty stomach. This will reduce elevated morning cortisol levels and burn extra body fat. In fact, an older study published in British Journal of Nutrition showed that people can burn up to 20 percent more body fat when exercise is done in the fasted state in the morning than when it’s done later in the day. Just goes to show you, timing is everything. 7:30 – 7:45 am: Enjoy a smoothie for breakfast each morning during the work week. In a blender, combine a whey protein isolate or vegan protein powder, one tablespoon natural almond butter (or coconut oil), 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed,

Data released at the summit indicated 84 percent of countries offer hepatitis B vaccines -- but only 39 percent provide the necessary dose at birth. Last year, 194 countries pledged to take steps to eradicate hepatitis -- a liver inflammation which kills 1.3 million people each year -- by 2030. However, only nine are now honoring that commitment, according to figures released Wednesday.

Suit claims lipstick sample at Sephora gave woman herpes

OS ANGELES - A California woman is suing cosmetics retailer Sephora, claiming a sample tube of lipstick she tried at a store gave her the herpes virus. The plaintiff, Elena Davoyan, said she was shopping at the Sephora at Hollywood and Highland when she tried sample lipsticks. The suit says she did not have herpes before her visit to the store but was diagnosed with the virus at some point afterward. The suit alleges that the company fails to warn or protect customers from the potential risks of trying lip-

stick samples. It notes that other companies offer protective measures which include providing mini-samples meant for single use, or having trained store employees supervise the sampling with the use of swabs or wands. “They specifically cared more about selling lipstick than protecting the health and safety of their customers,” the suit filed by Los Angeles attorney Robert Krasney alleges. The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages in excess of $25,000.

Last season’s flu shot protected only 1 in 5 people

IAMI, Florida | AFP | Monday 11/6/2017 - Last season’s flu shot protected as few as one in five people and this year’s could be similarly ineffective, researchers said Monday, calling for a better way to make the vaccine. The reason just 20 to 30 percent of people were protected by the 20162017 flu shot was a mutation in the H3N2 strain of the virus, which did not show up in the mass-produced vaccine that is grown using eggs, said the report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Flu vaccines work by delivering purified proteins from the outer layer of dead flu viruses, which primes the immune system to fight off a new invasion.

HEALTHY

But if a virus mutates, and the vaccine doesn’t change to match it, effectiveness is lost, said lead author Scott Hensley, associate professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania. “The 2017 vaccine that people are getting now has the same H3N2 strain as the 2016 vaccine, so this could be another difficult year if this season is dominated by H3N2 viruses again.” The majority of flu vaccine proteins are purified from a virus grown in chicken eggs. According to the study, a strain of the H3N2 virus with a different outer layer protein emerged during the 2014-2015 flu season, and this version of H3N2 remains prevalent today. The flu vaccine delivered last sea-

1/2 cup of frozen berries, and water. Turn it into a power smoothie by adding one of these: lecithin, cinnamon, greens powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder. If you need to, skip the berries and put it in a shaker cup and drink it during the day. Consume your nutrient essentials, such as a high-quality multivitamin, a vitamin D supplement, and capsules of omega-3 fish oils. This combo will help to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, lower blood pressure and ensure optimal health. During your day: Have a snack that contains protein at mid-morning and mid-afternoon each day. Pack two snacks and a lunch for the office each day. Options can include a small apple with some almonds, a boiled egg, tomatoes with balsamic dressing and a piece of feta cheese, hummus with veggie sticks and 4% Allegro cheese, or a protein bar. Ensure you are eating every three hours, and aim to never miss your afternoon snack. Studies show individuals who eat frequent small meals enjoy greater weight loss. Eating regularly will avoid blood-sugar highs and lows that can affect your mood and energy. Keep a big bottle for water on your desk and fill it each morning, keeping in mind that you should finish it by the end of the day. Fill a thermos or a nice teapot with hot water, put in three or four green tea bags and let it steep. Drink the tea throughout the day in addition to your water. Get in a workout: Aim to do a 30-minute, high-intensity resistance-training circuit three times each week to maintain metabolically active muscle and improve insulin sensitivity. Be sure to follow up your workout with a sugar-free drink that includes amino acids and antioxidants, which aid energy, exercise recovery, insulin balance and cellular repair. 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Eat your dinner

two hours before bed to promote uninterrupted sleep. Your plate should include lots of fibrous carbohydrates, made up of one-third salad and one-third veggies. The other third should be your protein. Your fats may fall on top of your carbohydrate selections (as an olive oil or salad dressing, for instance) or be consumed within your protein selections. I recommend including a complex carbohydrate like brown rice, sweet potato, or squash with your evening meal. Take your second dose of omega-3 fish oil capsules with this meal. 9:30 – 10:00 p.m.: Spend some time alone, even if it is just 15 minutes, to breathe deeply, meditate, ponder, review your goals, or write in a journal to wind down before bed and collect your thoughts. Designate this time as your time daily. 10:30 – 11:00 p.m.: Aim to get to bed before 11pm, sleeping in a darkened room for optimal recovery and to maximize the release of melatonin. Most sleep experts agree that seven to eight hours a night is optimal. However, some people may require more or less sleep than others. If you wake without an alarm and feel refreshed when you get up, you’re likely getting the right amount of sleep for you. If you have trouble sleeping due to high stress levels, you can add in a magnesium glycinate supplement. Dr. Surya Raguthu, M.D, ABIPP, ABPMR, CIME, has 15 years of experience in Pain Management and excels in Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Medicine. His mission is to enhance the health and well-being of seniors, adults, and children in our communities to help them lead a quality life. His motto is “Live Pain Free.” Please visit www.acepain. com for details. Office phone 832532-0040

son was updated to include the new version of this protein, but Hensley and colleagues found the egg-grown version of this protein acquired a new mutation. Researchers found that antibodies elicited by the 2016-2017 vaccine in ferrets and humans “did a poor job of neutralizing H3N2 viruses that circulated last year,” said the report.

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November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

ovember is National Diabetes Awareness Month, which is intended to bring attention to those who battle the disease every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2017 report on diabetes, nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes – almost 10 percent of the U.S. population. The number of cases of diabetes continues to grow. What Exactly Is Diabetes? Diabetes comes in two forms or types: Type 1 (also known as juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes) and Type 2. In Type 1, an organ called the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, a hormone that is essential for handling sugars in our body. Without insulin, we’re unable to use glucose as an energy source and, as a result, our blood sugar becomes dangerously high. The only treatment for Type 1 diabetes is insulin, which can be delivered either via shots or through a continuous infusion via an insulin pump. It is believed that Type 1 diabetes is a result of a complex interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes occurs when our bodies are not able to respond to insulin – we become insulin resistant. Type 2 diabetes is most often associated with obesity and something doctors call “metabolic syndrome.” This type of the disease can be reversed with weight loss and exercise in some cases, and it can also be treated with pills. Some patients with Type 2 diabetes also require insulin shots. Type 1 diabetes accounts for only 5 percent of U.S. cases, but its incidence appears to be increasing. Type 1 is most often diagnosed before age 6 or in the teenage years. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form and is most often diagnosed

in adulthood. Symptoms and Diagnosis Symptoms of diabetes may include fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, sudden weight loss or gain and excessive hunger. Symptoms develop quickly over weeks to months in Type 1, but may take years to develop in Type 2. Diabetes is diagnosed with a simple blood or urine test. Once the disease is diagnosed, treatment depends on which type of diabetes you have. Your doctor will develop a specific treatment plan for you and your family. Diabetes management requires lots of individual responsibility and involves family, friends, teachers and other school officials. The key to avoiding the complications associated with diabetes is to have a well thought out, comprehensive plan that allows you to have maximal flexibility while carefully controlling blood sugars every single day What Can We Do? Type 1 diabetes has no cure. There is also ongoing robust research in hopes of finding a cure for Type 1. Supporting non-profit research organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation can go a long way toward finding a cure. Given that Type 2 diabetes is so closely linked to obesity, we must make every effort to combat childhood obesity. Last year alone, the U.S. health care system spent over $150 billion dollars on obesity and obesityrelated illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes. We must work to educate both children and adults on how best to prevent obesity. We must emphasize healthy food choices, daily exercise and better overall health habits. Ultimately, we must support efforts to find a cure. We must also support those who have diabetes and work to prevent others from developing this disease. During November, make sure to participate in local and national fundraising campaigns and work with others to raise

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awareness of the diabetes epidemic around the world. There are some Special Need Plans among Medicare Advantage Plans which are known as Medicare SNPs that cover the same Medicare services that all Medicare Advantage plans must cover. Medicare SNPs may also cover extra services tailored to the special groups they serve, like extra days in the hospital. Contact your plan to learn exactly what benefits and services the plan covers. Some Medicare SNPs use a care coordinator to help you stay healthy and follow your doctor’s orders. A care coordinator is someone who helps make sure people get the right care and information. For example, a Medicare SNP for people with diabetes might use a care coordinator to help members do these things: Monitor their blood sugar, Follow their diet, Get proper exercise, Schedule preventive services (like eye and foot exams), Get the right prescriptions to prevent complications. To choose the right Medicare Supplement Plan, Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan contac Sudhir Mathuria @ 713-771-2900.

VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

LIVING

Scientists find key to unwanted thoughts ave you ever wanted to stop ruminating on something and just been unable to?

changes in blood flow, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which measures chemical changes in the brain.

Scientists could have the secret. They have identified a chemical in the brain’s “memory” region that allows us to suppress unwanted thoughts.

Researchers found a particular chemical, or neurotransmitter, known as Gaba, held the key.

Gaba is the brain’s main “inhibi-

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Road to fitness: is running actually good for you? by Paul Ricard

s New York limbers up to host the world’s biggest marathon on Sunday, runners around the world will be picturing its storied finish line to push for that extra kilometre (mile). But is running actually good for your health? Yes, say experts, as long as you are careful. - Running for a longer life Runners are 30 percent less likely to have a premature death and 45 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than non-runners, according to a US study published March in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. They can even expect to live for three years longer, the study found. And these benefits appear to exceed that of all other physical activities.

The study may help explain why some people can’t shift persistent intrusive thoughts The discovery may help explain why some people can’t shift persistent intrusive thoughts - a common symptom of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and schizophrenia. Researchers say controlling our thoughts is “fundamental to wellbeing”. - Associated words Prof Michael Anderson, from the University of Cambridge, who conducted the study, said: “When this capacity breaks down, it causes some of the most debilitating symptoms of psychiatric diseases - intrusive memories, images, hallucinations, ruminations, and pathological and persistent worries.” Participants were asked to learn to associate a series of words with a paired, but otherwise unconnected, word - for example ordeal/roach and moss/north. After this, they had to respond to either a red or green signal. If it was green, they were expected to recall the associated word but if it was red, they were asked to stop themselves from doing so. Their brains were monitored using both functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), which detects

tory” neurotransmitter. That means, when it’s released by one nerve cell it suppresses the activities of other cells to which it is connected. They found people who had the highest concentrations of Gaba in their brain’s hippocampus (or memory hub) were best at blocking unwanted thoughts or memories. “What’s exciting about this is that now we’re getting very specific,” said Prof Anderson. “Before, we could only say ‘this part of the brain acts on that part’, but now we can say which neurotransmitters are likely to be important.” New approaches to treatment The discovery might shed light on a number of conditions, from schizophrenia to PTSD, in which sufferers have a pathological inability to control thoughts - such as excessive worrying or rumination. Prof Anderson believes the findings could offer a new approach to treating these disorders. “Most of the focus has been on improving functioning of the prefrontal cortex,” he said. “Our study suggests that if you could improve Gaba activity within the hippocampus, this may help people to stop unwanted and intrusive thoughts.”

“Running may be the most costeffective lifestyle medicine from a public health perspective,” the study’s authors said. The research analysed the data of 55,000 men and women aged 18 to 100 from a 2014 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). “Running has many benefits. It is good for the entire cardiovascular system, from the heart to blood vessels,” sports cardiologist Stephane Cade told AFP. Running also has a positive effect on your mind. “It helps your mental health by producing hormones, endorphins, which give you a feeling of well-being,” said Julien Schipman, a sports health specialist at France’s Institute of Sport and Performance (INSEP). - But there are risks So running can be very good for your health, but you need to take precautions. “Someone who has never done it before should see a doctor for a check-up,” said Schipman. Your age, weight, medical history and lifestyle -- whether you smoke or drink -- can all add up to make running a more risky prospect. “After 30 to 35 years, the biggest risks are heart attacks and sudden death,” Cade said. “Deaths are often linked to heart disease which went unnoticed until being triggered by running.” A recent example came in October, when Tunisia’s 56-year-old health minister died of a heart attack while

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Your age, weight, medical history and lifestyle -- whether you smoke or drink -- can all add up to make running a more risky prospect. But running five to ten minutes a day could be as beneficial when it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease. running 500 metres in a charity marathon.

180 minutes a week -- even if they ran slowly.

Beyond heart risks, runners need to listen to their body to avoid injuries to their legs, lower back and especially their knees.

“The benefit is greater if you vary the pace when you run -- it is better for the heart,” Cade said.

“Tissues such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage are particularly at risk because they adapt more slowly than muscles to increased mechanical load,” according to a Dutch study in 2015.

When you have the green light from the doctor and are ready to hit the track, there are still some rules to keep in mind.

- How often do you need to run? The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends adults have 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity, like running, every week. But, according to the JACC 2014 study, running five to ten minutes a day could be as beneficial as a long jog when it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease. The study did not find a significant difference between those who ran 50 minutes a week and those who ran

- Before you start -

“Avoid running in hot weather or high pollution,” warned Schipman. “It is recommended that you change your shoes every 1,000 kilometres or every year.” As well as traditional shock-absorbing running shoes, minimalist shoes are currently in fashion, with thin soles to give the sensation of running barefoot. Barefoot runners tend to land on the ball of their feet first, rather than their heels. Studies have not yet conclusively determined which is better to avoid injury when running.

FASHION & STYLE

VOICE OF ASIA 20

Burberry creative chief to step down in 2018

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Growing demand for babyface models, says dead Russian teen’s agent

President and chief creative officer Bailey, 46, joined Burberry in 2001. He will step down from his other roles on March 31 next year.(Photo: © AFP/File )

ONDON | AFP - Christopher Bailey, who pioneered the transformation of British fashion brand Burberry in recent years, is stepping down in 2018, the company said on Tuesday. President and chief creative officer Bailey, 46, joined Burberry in 2001. “In that time, Burberry has grown from a small licensed outerwear business to become one of the world’s largest and most admired global luxury brands,” Burberry said in a statement.

Christopher Bailey, Burberry Fall 2017. (VOGUE).

Following the announcement, Burberry shares were down 1.46 percent at around 1000 GMT, making the stock the worst performer on a rising FTSE 100 index. After a period of rapid expansion, Burberry has seen sales stagnate in recent years.

In July, Bailey was replaced as chief executive by Marco Gobbetti, former head of French luxury brand Celine.

by Peter Stebbings

EW YORK | AFP - The Chinese agency responsible for a 14-year-old Russian model who died in Shanghai said on Tuesday there is a growing demand worldwide for youngerlooking girls in the fashion industry.

He will step down from his other roles on March 31 next year but will continue to provide “full support” to the team during a transition until December 31. “Burberry has undergone an incredible transformation since 2001 and Christopher has been instrumental in the company’s success in that period,” Gobbetti was quoted as saying in the statement. Established in 1856, Burberry is a quintessentially British brand which now employees 10,000 people worldwide.

Rihanna in Burberry Plaid Photo: Backgrid

Fashion-approved hairstyles for fall be able to style, this is a look that has graced the biggest red carpets recently. Bangs Proenza Schouler showcased attitude-laden bangs on its Fall 2017 catwalk, and the look is sweeping through Hollywood. Channel Kerry Washington with a blunt cut, or Ciara with softer side bangs for a more subtle transformation. Big curls Zendaya always has her finger on the pulse, so it was no surprise to see

Vlada Dzyuba died in hospital on Friday, sparking accusations that she had been overworked and underpaid during a two-month working stint in China that included Shanghai Fashion Week. Dzyuba’s Chinese agency ESEE Model Management has vehemently denied that the brunette teenager, who was to turn 15 on November 8 and died without her family at her side, had been exhausted by a punishing schedule. ESEE president Johney Zheng told AFP that Dzyuba was the youngest model his firm had represented in its 14 years and was part of an accelerating trend in the modelling industry. “Her face looked young because there is a new generation coming, so the brands always want that the models can look younger and

younger because consumers in this internet age are getting younger and younger,” he said. “Fashion brands are focused on the young consumers, that means mostly high school and university students.” ESEE, which calls itself one of the biggest modelling agencies in China, provided a copy of a hospital certificate that gave the cause of Dzyuba’s death as a type of septicaemia, the invasion of bacteria into the bloodstream. Initial reports in Russia said that Dzyuba died of meningitis -- another type of meningococcal infection -- compounded by exhaustion, but ESEE said doctors found no signs of meningitis. Shanghai-based ESEE, which has Chinese and international models, male and female, has come under fire over why a 14-year-old girl was allowed to model in China without her parents being present. The company, which has declined to give precise figures for how much the teenager earned, is working with authorities and Zheng believes that Dzyuba’s death could result in a change in Chinese law. But until then, the pressure grows for girls who look as young as possible, Zheng said, citing Japan as an example of a country where baby-faced models are popular. Zheng said that most of the models with ESEE are aged 18 or above but they took on Dzyuba because she had experience working abroad, in Taiwan earlier this year, and “her personality was closer to 16”. “From this case I don’t think we will do that again,” he said. “It’s too much risk: in future we will tell the team not to sign models below 16.”

US model Bella Hadid during the opening ceremony of the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival (Photo: © AFP/File ) her rocking voluminous, casual curls on the red carpet this summer. This relaxed yet fashion-forward vibe was seen on the runways at Louis Vuitton, Max Mara and Fendi, amongst others.

e’ve been seeing a lot of exciting celebrity hair transformations over the summer, with extra volume, daring buzz cuts and sharp bangs all coming into their own. Here are the top fashion-approved styles you can expect to see as we head into fall. The crop The crop is, without a doubt, the fashion-girl cut of the moment. Perhaps inspired by the Fall 2017 catwalks, featuring Sixties-esque wigs

at Moschino and super short styles at Alexander Wang, everyone from Katy Perry to Cara Delevingne has reached for the shears. They join the likes of Zoë Kravitz and Kristen Stewart, who have both been championing the look for some time. The ‘lob’ If a pixie cut is too drastic then channel Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid (to name a few) in opting for a long bob. Short enough to be edgy but with just enough length to

The ponytail Embrace the back-to-school season with a slick ponytail, which, thanks to some high-profile campaigning, is no longer the trademark of a schoolgirl but the hottest fashion accessory of the moment. Ponytails ruled

the Fall 2017 catwalks with Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta and Prabal Gurung all tying back their models’ hair, but away from the runway, they have been given the stamp of approval from Gigi Hadid and Lily Rose Depp.

Zheng and Carrie Fang, founder and chief agent of ESEE, denied media reports that Dzyuba pocketed as little as $8 a day and had collapsed after a gruelling 13-hour photo shoot. Fang was at Dzyuba’s hospital bedside as she slipped away, suffering multiple organ failure. Dzyuba’s mother Oksana was expected to fly to Shanghai this week.

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VOICE OF ASIA 21

NFL

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

ASTROS

Cowboys salute Houston Astros celebrate first World Series Romo with giant title with victory parade ‘Welcome Home 9’ H banner by Jay Busbee ALLAS - With a bit of luck and a better defense, Tony Romo might be remembered as the greatest Cowboys quarterback of all time, not just the nicest.

has taken an enormous leap upward thanks to his stellar work in the booth for CBS Sports, where he’s become one of the most dynamic new broadcasters, in any sport, in years. Romo makes his return to Dal-

OUSTON | AFP The Houston Astros celebrated their first World Series title in franchise history with a downtown parade and rally on Friday, with hundreds of thousands of Texas baseball fans in attendance.

their heroes who passed by on fire engines.

Astros standout pitcher Dallas Keuchel drew one of the biggest cheers at the rally outside the city hall building as he surveyed the scene, grabbed the microphone and asked, “Houston, what the hell took us so long to win a World Series?” Houston manager A.J. Hinch was cautious when asked by reporters if the Astros planned visit the White House if invited by President Donald Trump.

Welcome home, Tony Romo. (Via @slaternfl) Romo wasn’t ever able to yank the Cowboys up to his level, and that dinged his reputation as a big-game quarterback. But he cemented his standing as one of the game’s great guys when he recognized the shifting tides under center in Dallas, stepping aside to allow Dak Prescott to take over America’s Team with a minimum of stress, strife and drama. Of course, Romo’s legacy

las as a broadcaster on Sunday afternoon to call the CowboysChiefs game, and the Cowboys are going all-out to recognize their former leader. A banner reading “WELCOME HOME 9,” referring to Romo’s former number, stretched nearly the entire length of one end zone at AT&T Stadium. Knowing Dallas, it’s not even close to the end of the tributes to their former quarterback. (-YAHOO! Sports)

The Astros captured their first championship in their 56th season by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games in the 2017 World Series. Officials estimated more than 500,000 people watched the parade on a humid 86-degrees Fahrenheit (30-degrees Celsius) day that came just over two months since Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the city. Fans started showing up before dawn on the parade route and school was canceled so students and their families could turn out. They watched the parade from high rise buildings and parking garages, cheering

SOCCER

Alvaro Morata strikes as Chelsea derail Manchester United title bid

ONDON | AFP - Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata condemned Jose Mourinho to another damaging defeat against his former club as the champions clinched a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday. Morata rewarded an enterprising display from Antonio Conte’s side when the Spain striker headed home early in the second half at Stamford Bridge. After losing twice at Chelsea in his first season as United boss, Mourinho, who won three English titles in two spells with the Blues, is growing accustomed to leaving west London empty-handed. This was an especially painful setback for Mourinho as a second defeat in their last three Premier League games leaves second-placed United lagging eight points behind leaders Manchester City. United haven’t won at Chelsea since October 2012, a barren run that now stretches to eight matches. While Mourinho licks his wounds, Chelsea manager Conte can take heart from a vibrant performance that keeps his fourth-placed team nine points behind City. Amid talk Conte was in danger of losing the support of his players over his intense training regime, Chelsea’s third successive league win was well timed for the Italian in the week when demanding Blues owner Roman Abramovich made one of his ominous visits to the train-

“We just won the first world championship in Houston Astros history,” Hinch said. “We’re also in one of the most divided countries, polarizing countries in politics.” “I don’t know that this is the best stage for everybody

The Houston Astros players take part in their victory parade in downtown Houston, Texas, on November 3, 2017 (AFP Photo/Bob Levey)

to declare one way or the other and try to comment on the moment and

be too much of a political statement.” (-YAHOO! Sports)

Superstar Justin Verlander and model Kate Upton get married

OUSTON - The happy couple were officially married in Italy, TMZ reported on Saturday. The vows were exchanged less than three full days after Verlander earned his first World Series ring with the Houston Astros. The famous supermodel and pitcher were both beaming after saying their “I dos” Saturday at an old church at the Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco resort in Italy. The wedding party looked pretty small — close friends and family. Because of the wedding, Verlander was forced to miss the team’s championship parade in Houston on Friday. That’s a signature moment for any championship team, and his absence drew some criticism from a select group of people. Most, though, were understanding of the circumstances. You can’t just plan a wedding in Italy and change it, after all. The couple has been together since 2014. They announced

The couple exchanged vows in a romantic resort in Italy on Saturday (Photo: TMZ) their engagement shortly before the 2016 season, and all things considered couldn’t

have picked a better time to have the wedding if you’re into fairytale endings. (-AFP)

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata celebrates after scoring a goal against Manchester United. (Photo: AFP) ing ground. Having reportedly torn into his players during a lengthy inquest into Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Roma, Conte wielded the axe as David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were dropped. Just as significantly, France midfielder N’Golo Kante returned to provide his steadying influence after missing six games with a hamstring injury. In need of a fast start to set the tone, Chelsea thought they’d taken the lead when Marcos Alonso’s cross was turned into his own net by United defender Phil Jones, only for referee Anthony Taylor to disallow the goal for a push by Morata. United should have been ahead themselves moments lat-

er when Ashley Young’s cross exposed early fault lines in Conte’s revamped defence, but the unmarked Marcus Rashford headed over from close range. Tiemoue Bakayoko was equally profligate at the other end, the Chelsea midfielder firing wide from Davide Zappacosta’s cross. Without a goal in his last six appearances, United striker Romelu Lukaku was searching for the blistering form that followed his pre-season move from Everton. But the Belgian was largely anonymous and even when he turned on the edge of the Chelsea area for a low shot, Thibaut Courtois was able to push it away.

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HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 22

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Your Horoscope for the Week of November 10, 2017 READ YOUR COMPLETE HOROSCOPE

by Hardik Vyas, Astrologer Cell : 832-298-9950

ONLINE WWW.VOICEOFASIAONLINE.COM

Libra (R,T) 23 Sept to 22 Oct

Aries (A,L,E) 21 March to 20 April Create a force that stabilizes rather than surfing in waves. Your quick wit and creative imagination will guide you smoothly if you hit any rough spots. You know by instinct what others need to learn in higher education. Mysterious cosmic forces will have a familiar feeling to them. Don’t allow noisy people with opinions to rob you of your appetite for excitement and adventure. A soft touch will be wasted on those with thick skin. You need to keep your cool and approach the situation very carefully.

Look carefully at an impulse that was not part of the original plan. Be sure to consult with your partners before making any sudden changes. You’ll benefit from an associate’s information. Your mind can figure out any scenario. You’ll be able to process the information into a solid business plan. Everyone involved will walk away from the deal enriched. Take care of personal details that you may have overlooked, before. Let go of all that extra stress. Enjoying yourself is easy once you try. No crisis here.

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May You welcome others for who they are and need to express it. Remember that circumstances can turn against you as easily as you turn them to your advantage. Your friendship is far stronger than the little differences that have interfered with it. You need to tone down your criticism, in order to make your point clearer. No one wants to listen to someone who continues to dwell on their faults. Instead you should be trying to bring out their positive traits. Allow your love to take on a life of its own.

You should know that your perspective can create the world around you. Your talking is a favorite thing for people who need to recharge their batteries. Make them feel at home, continue the trend. Heads will turn when you walk in and take your rightful place. Your honesty and humor will dispel any rumors you having an attitude. You’re a mix of mystery, love and humor. You have no interest in giving into unreasonable demands. Being tough might cost you, but it’ll be well worth it. Your first response will be your best.

Sagittarius (BH,F,DH,TH) 22 Nov to 21 Dec

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June Friendship and romance will flourish this week. You’re likely to get just about anything you want. Don’t refuse any social invitations. Forget the formalities, you need to go where you are needed, spreading your sunshine along the way. You’ll score more points by just being yourself. Use conversation to draw others out of their shells. Ask questions, in order to make others think about what they’re saying. If you hit a nerve, press harder. Deep issues may cause reactions. If you see trouble coming, protect those most in need.

The competition may be confused when you seem to give them your secrets, but listen to their ideas. You may have wanted to make changes where none were required. Communication will bring you the wisdom you need. Don’t give up on your friends. A dreaded re-union will turn out to be a memorable event. The word from a friend or partner will set you in motion. Use your positive energy to propel other’s engines. Teamwork is a welcomed alternative to the childish games that have been going on, lately.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Something will heighten your awareness of a cold world over which you have no control. Sincere actions will be the most important. You should no longer be shy about your powers to help others. Help along someone who may be going through this awareness for the first time. What answers you can’t find, you’ll invent. Take the time to bring your art supplies outside and you’ll be able to create some real works of art. Your inner self will reflect in everything that passes through your hands. You’ll be able to relearn an old lesson of patience.

Relax and celebrate. Your life will overflow with energy, spreading your special magic to everyone you meet. Perfection is relative but you may feel as if you’ve achieved it. The best leaders inspire rather than dictate. Your time has come at last. Charm and gentle persuasion will be your greatest assets. Your time and energy are more important than your money. Common interests suggest a promising future with someone who understands your motives. Forgotten friends, loves and hobbies will become important once again.

Aquarius (G,S,SH) 21 Jan to 19 Feb

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August A good opportunity may be hard for you to find. You’re detached enough from them to see where they lead to. The facts and figures are in your favor. Others will be happy to help you, once you show your true colors. Stop wishing and start doing. Think bigger. Find the perfect materials and do it right the first time. Someone may challenge your memory but your organized mind and instinct will be right on the target. Use your spare time for personal improvement. You’ve earned the right to feel good about your physical appearance.

Instead of dwelling on the past, consider what still lies ahead of you. You may seem aloof, but if confronted, your cautious nature will take over. The world around you has many needs and you can fill more than you realize. Don’t allow fatigue to make you vulnerable, watch your energy level. You may want to dream however misguided, but you know you have to be more realistic. Erratic behavior will only cause you to lose. You may be eager to see the future, but need to find more patience.

Pisces (D,CH,Z) 20 Feb to 20 March

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September In your quest for the good life, others may think you are too materialistic. Show them that searching for the comfort of security is not just obtaining the material stuff. Set the moral tone in a group that’s looking for some deeper direction. You first need to sell the idea, then you can work on the rest. Your concern with how something looks may frustrate those who are more interested in the content. Your understanding of what is appealing will convince them to join your cause. You need to choose your team very carefully. Promises made, need to happen.

Read your Weekly Horoscope Online

Your social position will allow you to bring others together. Remember, everyone’s heart is in the same place. You’ll have too much vigor and cheer for one person, so you might as well spread it around. Give the gift of yourself to someone, who could really use a spiritual lift right now. The feeling is more important than the reason for doing it. If it feels right, do it. Spread the joy. Example is certainly the best teacher. Do your community a favor for which it will thank you. Answer their problems with realistic solutions.

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Looking for M/WBE

FRIDAY, November 10, 2017

Job Posting - Programming and Production KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a MULTIMEDIAPROGRAMMING AND PRODUCTION INTERN for the upcoming spring semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The intern will assist Producers, Directors and Photojournalists with executing all aspects of the broadcast and digital story-telling process and will be expected to assist producers and directors with original content weekly for broadcast and digital platforms. Applicants must be comfortable juggling multiple projects at once and needs to be a strong researcher, writer, and communicator. Responsibilities will include working on a variety of programming, and digital projects. Opportunity to assist on producing/shooting live and taped field stories, studio newscast production, and live special event programs. To be considered you must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req. #498984BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining expected graduation date, current major course of study, other internships, work experience, related clubs and organizations and extracurricular activities. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and will be required to supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Equal Opportunity Employer - Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Coats Rose, P.C. is bidding on Project Number RFQ # 18-07-17 – Legal Services for the Houston Independent School District. We are looking for possible M/WBE suppliers to provide the following: court reporting services, document production services and litigation support services. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact our office by phone, Mr. Barry Rabon, 713-653-5757.

Looking for M/WBE Subcontractors Mark Spilman Consulting, LLC is bidding on Project, 1610-48-A Teacher and Staff Development-Instructional, for the Houston Independent School District. We are looking for possible M/WBE subcontractors to provide the following products and/or services: Educational Consulting, Teacher Professional Development, and Content Literacy Consulting. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Mark Spilman at markspilman@gmail.com by Wednesday November 15, 2017

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Job Posting - Assignment Desk Intern KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for an ASSIGNMENT DESK INTERN for the upcoming spring semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and students must receive college credit for the internship. The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the assignment desk, which includes but is not limited to making beat-checks, answering phones, monitoring police and fire radios, getting information and developing stories. The candidate should be detail-oriented and able to handle many different responsibilities at the same time. The ideal intern knows how to multi-task and set priorities. Good news judgment and strong communication skills are essential, along with strong writing skills. The candidate should have a good working knowledge with the use of social media for news gathering. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends. To be considered you must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req. #498985BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining expected graduation date, current major course of study, other internships, work experience, related clubs and organizations and extracurricular activities. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and will be required to supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Equal Opportunity Employer - Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Job Posting - Community Affairs Intern KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP for the upcoming semester. Internships are available to currently enrolled undergraduate college students in their junior or senior year pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies. Interns will have an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As an intern you will help in the production of community affairs shows, including scheduling of guests, help gathering and editing video, assist with community drives, forums and outreach. Each area requires significant planning, scheduling and execution. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Additionally, applicants must be able to work on a daily basis and the hours may vary depending on scheduling and may include some weekend and early morning and evening hours. To be considered you must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req. #498986BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining expected graduation date, current major course of study, other internships, work experience, related clubs and organizations and extracurricular activities. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and will be required to supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Equal Opportunity Employer - Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Job Posting - News Edit Internship KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned station located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a paid NEWS EDIT INTERNSHIP for the upcoming Spring semester. Internships are available to currently-enrolled college students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing careers in the television/media field and must receive college credit for the internship. The internship program is designed to provide students with an on-site educational experience that complements their academic studies by using a “real world” hands-on environment. News Editing Interns will have an opportunity to observe, participate, and contribute in the daily work and operations of a major market, television station. As a News Intern you will primarily assist in editing for air-- being creative and precise, while also learning the ins and outs of working behind the scenes for live newscasts. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Digital Media Coordinator and other staff members. Additionally, applicants must be able to work at least two days per week between the hours of 2PM and 10PM. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and will be required to supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. To be considered you must apply online at www.disneycareers.com, Job Req. #498983BR. Please upload a cover letter, your resume outlining expected graduation date, current major course of study, other internships, work experience, related clubs and organizations and extracurricular activities. Applicants must be currently enrolled in college and will be required to supply written verification of eligibility to receive academic credit for the internship at the start of the internship. Equal Opportunity Employer - Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

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FRIDAY, November 10, 2017