Voice of Asia Newsweekly E paper February 5, 2016 by VoiceOf Asia

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FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

ederal Officials Clarify Rules on Getting New Health Coverage after a Move Read on Page 16 or Call 832-806-1000

Vol. 29 No. 6 Friday, February 5, 2016 • Published Weekly from Houston • 713-774-5140 20 Pages ( 2 sections) 50 cents E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

India’s 67th Republic Day Celebration at India House

CG hosts 67th Republic Day reception in Houston on January 31, 2016

Consul General Mr. Harish Parvathaneni (left) honoring Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston with a plaque in recognition of his efforts for promoting Indo-US economic engagement and friendship. Photo credit:Bijay Dixit.

OUSTON - To celebrate India’s 67th Republic Day, Consul General Mr. Harish Parvathaneni and Mrs. Nandita Parvathaneni hosted a reception at Hilton Houston Post Oak India House Trustees: Virendra Mathur, Durga Agrawal, and V.P. Operations of India House Nagraj Eleswarapu seen hoisting the flags. Photo by Bijay Dixit. Read report on Page 3

Murphy teens who died hours apart identified by friends

A number of Elected Officials and their representatives attended this event which in-

cluded Hon. Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston; Hon. Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX 2nd District); Hon. Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX 22nd District); Hon. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett; Hon. Council Member Mike Laster; Hon. Council Member Jack Christie; Hon. Texas State Senator Rod-

ney Ellis; Mr. Jay Guerrero (Office of Senator John Cornyn); Mr. Booker Morris III (Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee D-TX 18th District); Mr. Sam Merchant (Office of Congressman Al Green D-TX 9th District); Continued on page 6

Preview of “Gandhi’s Gift” screened at the observation of Shrddhanajali to Mahatma Gandhi at Unity Houston

Ritu Sachveda, 17. Facebook photo

Hillary Kate Kuizon, 17. Facebook photo.

COLLIN COUNTY WFAA (Feb. 2, 2016) - Friends have identified two 17-year-old Plano East High School students who died just hours apart in Murphy Saturday evening. The deaths of Ritu Sachveda and Hillary Kate Kuizon are being investigated as suicides. Police say they died “under circumstances that have led investigators to presume they were both self-inflicted.” In a release police said there was “no evidence of foul play.” Ritu’s body was found at a home in Murphy. Just two hours later, Hillary was found in a wooded area near Tom Kimbrough Stadium. Classmates say the girls were acquaintances but weren’t good friends. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the two families,” said Murphy Police Chief Arthur Cotten. The medical examiner will determine an official cause of death. Richardson Police and Plano ISD are assisting in the investigation.

ahatma Gandhi who spread the message of non-violence, truth and global peace, died on January 30, 1948. Mahatma Gandhi Library (MGL) in collaboration with Unity Houston commemorated Shraddhanjali, a memorial service, on Saturday, January 30th, at Unity Houston, 2929 Unity Dr. Mahatma Gandhi said “I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.” He was never afraid of death. Currently, the world is encountering several challenges including intolerance, impatience, and terrorism. Hence, it is essential to follow the ideas and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, especially truth and nonviolence, not only to achieve international peace and prosperity, but achieve the same within one’s own heart. Mahatma Gandhi Library is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the universal values of peace, non-violence, truth and love. Continued on page 5

Children of Arya Samaj DAV Sanskriti School performing at the commemoration of 68th Shrdhhajnjali, Memorial Service, to Mahatma Gandhi at Unity Houston located at 2929 Unity Drive, Houston. The event was organized by Mahatma Gandhi Library.

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ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 2/3/2016 - Roughly half of all Americans think “at least some” Muslims in the United States have antiAmerican sentiments, according to a new survey released on Wednesday.

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

Half in US think ‘some’ Muslims are anti-American: poll

Of the 49 percent of those polled by the Pew Research Center who believe Muslims in the country have negative feelings about America, 11 percent said “most” or “almost all” Muslims were anti-American. Another 42 percent meanwhile said they believe that “few” or “no” Muslims harbor such feelings. The study was released on the same day President Barack Obama visited an American mosque for the first time during his presidency, offering a high-profile rebuttal of harsh Republican election-year rhetoric against Muslims. Billionaire Donald Trump has demanded a ban on Muslim immigrants while frontrunner Ted Cruz has advocated Christian-only admissions and championed “Judeo-Christian values.” The Pew study showed a clear partisan divide in general attitudes toward Islam. More than half of Democrats say “just a few” Muslims in the country are anti-American, while most Republicans believe anti-Americanism to be more widespread. Americans are also divided

It is the policy of Voice of Asia to publish letters to the editor which evidence a variety of viewpoints. The opinions expressed in any particular letter to the editor are not necessarily those of the management. Voice of Asia welcomes letters in reply to issues raised in letters to editor. In as much letters to the editor are not articles written or researched by members of Voice of Asia, it is not the policy of the Voice of Asia to perform any investigation or confirmation of any facts or allegations contained in letters to the editor. Moreover, Voice of Asia reserves the right to edit letters to the editor as necessary to correct errors of fact, punctuation, spelling and to comply with space constraints. Although paid advertisements may appear in Voice of Asia Group Publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, the Voice of Asia Group does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement.

Shiite Muslims demonstrate against terrorism outside the White House in Washington, DC, on December 6, 2015 (AFP Photo/Nicholas Kamm) -- mainly along party lines -over how the next president should discuss Islamic extremism.

cent of Republicans, while 65 percent of Republicans think the next president should talk bluntly about Islamic extremism.

The poll said 50 percent of respondents think Obama’s successor “should be careful not to criticize Islam as a whole” while 40 percent support frank talk “even if the statements are critical of Islam as a whole.”

The poll shows greater consensus over the issue of violence and religion, with 68 percent of respondents saying their chief concern was the fact “some violent people use religion to justify their actions.”

The views are split according to political affiliation, with 70 percent of Democrats favoring caution compared to 29 per-

Some 22 percent of Americans believe the problem is instead that “teachings of some religions promote violence.”

Of that number, most point to Islam. The Pew survey also found that six out of 10 Americans believe there to be “a lot” of discrimination against Muslims in the United States, and 76 percent think discrimination is growing. Only half of Americans say they personally know a Muslim, however. The survey of 2,009 adults was conducted by telephone between January 7 and 14.

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What to do with rollover funds At some point, many people with retirement or employersponsored investment accounts will be faced with the decision of what to do with rollover funds. This can happen when you change jobs and cash out a 401(k), or when you retire. In either case, it’s important to think through your options. Ideally, it’s best to choose a strategy that meets your retirement needs, minimizes the impact of taxes, and avoids penalties.

the funds from your 401(k). Although you will have immediate access to your savings, there are a few things to consider when taking a lump-sum distribution. First, your money will no longer have the potential to grow tax-deferred. Second, it will be subject to ordinary state and federal income taxes. Additionally, if you are under age 59½, a 10% IRS penalty may apply. Please note: Rollovers must be completed no later than the 60th day after the day you receive the distribution.

Please note this is a general overview, and tax laws can be tricky, so be sure to talk to an accountant and/or tax attorney before making any financial decision. Roll it over. One possible option is to directly roll your entire distribution into a new Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or an employer-sponsored 401(k). Either one would allow you to continue to defer taxes and enable you to continue building your retirement savings for the future.

you reach the plan’s retirement age, if that’s an option. This may be ideal if you want to take advantage of certain investment options or managed money services available in your existing plan. Your funds will remain tax-deferred and can later be moved to a new employer’s qualified plan or an IRA.

Leave it where it is. You may want to keep funds in your employer’s plan until

Take the taxable distribution. Depending on your situation, you may choose to withdraw

This educational, third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Ramesh Cherivirala, Financial Adviser, (CA Ins. Lic. # 0J23979) RCherry Financial Group, LLC. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact Ramesh Cherivirala at 713875-4336 or visit his web site at www.RCherryfinancial.com. Neither New York Life, nor its agents, provides tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult with your professional advisor for tax, legal, or accounting advice.

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India’s 67th Republic Day Celebration at India House

Col Vipin Kumar (Ret.) General Manager, India House welcoming the gathering. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit. Continued from Page 1

OUSTON - Continuing its annual tradition, India’s 67th Republic day was celebrated in a patriotic ceremony on the grounds of India House on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. The event commemorates the day when India’s constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic and giving people the power to choose their own government. In honor of the day United States, Indian and Texas flags were hoisted outside the front entrance by Trustees of India House Virendra Mathur and Durga

Agrawal, and V.P. Operations of India House Nagraj Eleswarapu. People from different cultures and ethnicities were gathered on the occasion and together they embodied the patriotic spirit of Independent India. The U.S National Anthem was sung by Chloe Choudhury, and attendees proudly joined her in the singing of the National Anthem of India. The attendees were then invited into the banquet hall. Greetings and messages were delivered by speakers including Durga Agrawal and Kul Bhushan Uppal.

and Payel Mitra, led us all to a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminding us of the courageous spirit of freedom fighters.

The Indian patriotic songs sung by Sankalp Srivastava, Padma Iyengar

The fellowship was continued as attendees were treated to light snacks

Indian community members and friends gathered at the India House on West Belfort, Houston honoring flag hoisting on India’s 67th Republic Day celebrationson January 26, 2016. Photo credit: Bijay Dixit. and drinks provided courtesy Kurry Walah, Masala Munchies, and Deep Foods. The event connected us with our Indian roots reminding us that even though we are far away for home, the

love for our country is embedded in our hearts. For more information on India House and its various programs visit us at www.indiahouse.org or contact vipin@indiahouseinc.org or call at 713-929-1900.

National Health Survey Underway In Harris County

he National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive survey of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population is coming to Harris County, TX beginning on February 8, 2016. Why Harris County? All counties in the United States have a chance to be selected for the NHANES and this year, Harris County is one of 15 counties that was selected to be part of this initiative. NHANES provides important data on public health problems from a national perspective. Each year, 5,000 lucky residents across the nation have the chance to participate in the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and “NHANES serves as the nation’s ‘health check-up,’ going into communities to collect health information throughout the country,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. “The survey is a unique resource for health information, and without it we would lack important knowledge about major health conditions.” “Harris County is one of the most

diverse counties in the nation and is reflective of its changing demographics.” said Dr. Umair A. Shah, Executive Director of Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES), “We are proud to have been selected to participate in the survey and feel the information gathered within the county will yield vital health information to the nation.” For the past 55 years, NHANES has had a prominent role in improving the health of all people living in the U.S. Public health officials, legislators, and physicians use the information gathered in NHANES to develop sound health policies, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the nation. NHANES findings provide critical health-related information on a number of issues such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, NHANES data are used to produce national references and are used to create standardized growth charts for pediatricians across the country. Everyone in the U.S., from babies yet to be born to the elderly, has benefited from the information gathered by NHANES. The comprehensive data collected by NHANES has a farreaching and significant impact on

Why Should Every Eligible Resident Participate in NHANES? • Your participation can help develop and evolve national health programs and policies. • If you are selected, You will help make a difference in our nation’s health! • If you agree to participate you will receive compensation for your time and travel expenses of up to $125.

NHANES mobile examination centers agree to participate.

everything from the quality of the air we breathe, to the vaccinations you get from your doctor, to the emergence of low-fat and “light” foods on the shelves of your grocery store. Now, an NHANES team of health professionals, nutritionists and health technicians is heading toward Harris County and wants everyone who is lucky enough to be selected for the survey to

Residents will have an invitationonly opportunity to participate in NHANES. Individuals have been selected at random (in a process similar to taking names out of a hat) for NHANES, and include all ages, races, and ethnicities in order to represent the U.S. population as a whole. Respondents first participate in a health interview conducted in the respon-

dent’s home followed by a health examination that takes place in one of three mobile examination centers. While no medical care is provided directly in the mobile examination center, a report on physical findings is given to each participant along with an explanation from survey medical staff. All information collected in the survey is kept strictly confidential and privacy is protected by law.

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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT H-1B SPECIALTY OCCUPATION VISAS Sharlene Sharmila Richards

Power of attorney ends at grantor’s death. Q. My mother recently died. She did not have a will. My father died several years ago, and my sister and I both agree we should sell the house and split the proceeds. Her house is essentially all she owned at the time of her death. I have my mother’s power of attorney. How do I go about selling the house? A. Unfortunately for you, the power of attorney is no longer valid and you will need some from of probate to sell the property. A power of attorney, even a durable power of attorney, terminates at the death of the grantor. Depending on whether there was a will and what other property your mother may have owned, there are a number of alternatives you can use in probate to get title transferred to your names. I suggest you call several local probate attorneys and discuss what they suggest and what it will cost. Q. I am 67 years old, and had a common law marriage for over 35 years. My husband recently passed. Am I entitled to his Social Security? A. Under the law, a widow is entitled to receive Social Security survivor’s benefits upon the death of her husband. The fact that you have a common law marriage does not change your eligibility. As I have said before, as far as the law is concerned, a common law marriage is no different than any other marriage. How much you receive will depend on factors such as how long your husband worked and income. To learn more about survivor’s benefits, visit the Social Security Survivors Planner, http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/index.htm Q. If you loan someone money and they don’t re-pay you, what type of action can be taken to retrieve funds? Can you just take some of his or her property? A. The only way to legally enforce any loan is through a lawsuit. Without a separate agreement, such as a mortgage on a house or a security agreement for a car, you have no legal right to “just take” any property. If the amount is $10,000 or less you can file a claim in justice court [the new name for small claims court] to collect. Look at my website, www. peopleslawyer.net, for more information about using justice court and collecting after you win. Q. I just found out my apartment complex rented the unit next to mine for $100 less than I pay. It is exactly the same apartment. Is this legal? A. A landlord, like any other business, can base the price on what the market will bear. If demand is high, rent goes up. When demand falters, the rent often goes down. As long as the landlord does not illegally discriminate, for example, by charging different rent based on things like, race, age, sex, or religion, he is free to charge every tenant a different rate. I suggest you ask for a lower rate when you negotiate a new lease. Q. I have a problem with a used-car dealer. When I purchased the car, he promised to make certain repairs. It has now been two months, and despite numerous phone calls he still has not done what he promised. It is not a lot of money, but I expect to receive what I paid for. How can I make him do what he promised? A. Forcing a business to live up to its end of a bargain can be difficult. Of course, the first step is always to speak with the business and try to amicably resolve your problem. It sounds like you have already done that. As far as the law is concerned, the only legal remedy is a suit for damages. This can be filed in justice court. There is, however, one additional avenue to consider—the Texas Consumer Complaint Center. The Texas CCC, at the University of Houston Law Center, is staffed with lawyers and law students who can help you work out your problems. I suggest you contact the CCC and give them an opportunity to assist you. You can reach the Texas CCC at www.texasccc.com, or, 877-839-8422. This column was first published in February 2015.

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Q: Please explain what is the H-1B Visa? A: The H-1B visa is for foreign skilled professionals to wish work in the US on a temporary basis in a ‘specialty occupation’. A specialty occupation requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge along with at least a US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. In addition to that, the bachelor’s degree must relate to the intended field of occupation. In some cases, relevant work experience may be used as a substitute for the required bachelor’s degree if the individual does not possess such a degree. Q: When is the earliest my sponsor employer can file for my H-1B visa for the 2017 Fiscal Year? A: The earliest filing date for the 2017 H-1B cap subject cases is April 1st, 2016. Q: Can I just apply for the H-1B visa myself as I do not have a job offer from any employer? A: No. You will need to have a job offer from an employer who will then petition for the visa on your behalf. The job offer must be for a position which normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position. Q: What is the H-1B visa cap? A: The H-1B cap refers to the yearly numerical limit set by Congress for the number of foreign workers that can be granted H-1B visas. For each fiscal year, the quota for H-1B visas has been set at 65,000. Another 20,000 visas are set aside for foreign nationals who possess an advanced degree which includes a US Master’s degree or higher. If you are applying for the H-1B visa for the first time, you will be subject to this numerical limitation of 65,000 visas unless you come within the advanced degree cap or your petitioning employer is categorized as a cap exempt organization. In the past few years, the cap or quota was reached within the first week after the April 1st filing date. For example, in the 2016 Fiscal Year, USCIS reported that it received close

to 233,000 H-1B petitions. Because it was so oversubscribed, a lottery or random selection process was used to select from the petitions that were received. It is projected that for the 2017 Fiscal Year, the cap would again be reached. Q: What kinds of petitions are cap exempt from the annual 65,000 H-1B visa cap? A: If you already have the H-1B non-immigrant visa and you are just applying to extend the period of validity for the visa, or you’re a changing H-1B employers, you are exempt from the quota. Institutions of higher education or those that are related or affiliated nonprofit entities as well as nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations are all cap exempt. For example, if you are applying for a teaching position in a public school with University affiliation, your petition may be cap exempt. Further, if you have an advanced degree, there are an additional 20,000 visas available. Q: What happens if my petition was not selected by the random selection process? A: USCIS will return the petition package together with the filing fees. Your employer has the option re-file the H-1B petition for you for the next fiscal year. Q: Do I meet the educational requirements for an H-1B visa if I have a two year Associates Degree and 2 years of work experience? A: No. You must hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree. In most cases, this typically means a 4 year degree. Your work experience is presently insufficient as three years of work experience equates to one year of university education. You will most likely need an additional 4 years of work experience in that particular field in order to have the equivalency of a Bachelor’s degree. Q: I have a Bachelor’s Degree from a foreign country. Will this be enough to apply for H-1B visa? A: All foreign degrees have to be first evaluated to determine whether it is equivalent to the Bachelor’s degree offered by an accredited

university or institution of higher learning in the United States. This degree evaluation is typically done by a third party credential evaluation service. In addition to that, the Bachelor’s degree you possess must be in the field related to your intended H-1B occupation. Q: I am presently on OPT (Optional Practical Training) with an employer. My OPT will expire this summer. My employer is unaware about the H-1B visa option for me. What should I do? A: I suggest that you approach your employer, usually through their Human Resources Department, to initiate a discussion with them about the possibility of filing an H-1B visa petition for you. The employer, if unfamiliar with such a visa and the procedures involved in the filing may then take action to seek appropriate advice or make inquiries to learn about the options under this visa category. In view of the fact that the start date for filing the H-1B is fast approaching on April 1st, 2016, you should initiate these discussions as soon as possible. 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. Bio: Sharlene Sharmila Richards is a licensed Immigration Lawyer practicing in Houston, Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000 and is a member of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and a member of the US Supreme Court. If you require immigration advice or assistance, you may contact her at telephone number 713-623-8088 or by email at srichardslaw@ aol.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

BKM celebrates 2016 Pongal showcasing young talent

A wide range of children’s performances were presented on the occasion by Vivek Natarajan

harathi Kalai Manram (BKM), a forty year old Houston organization dedicated to the promotion of literature & performing arts of Tamil speaking people from India celebrated Pongal, the traditional harvest and thanksgiving festival of Tamilnadu at the Meenakshi Temple in Pearland on Saturday, January 23rd 2016.

The Pongal festival provides a platform for children to perform. It serves as a great event to ensure the transmission of the culture from one generation to another. The children (with some parental involvement) embraced this event with enthusiasm. There were a total of about 55 performances involving 200 plus kids ranging from ages 5 to 15 and total program time

of more than five hours. The kids ranged from tiny tots to teens and all of the displayed a very passionate sense of involvement and dedication to their chosen performance. The items performed ranged from Tamil Thai recitation to Bharatanatyam dances beautifully choreographed to contemporary dances to popular Tamil (Kollywood) numbers. The performances can be de-

A wide range of children’s performances were presented on the occasion scribed as energetic and enthusiastic. The BKM committee lead by Cultural director Ravi Sethuraman, Joint Treasurer Priya Chandru, Communications Director Senthil Arcot and Pongal program team of Dr. Vijaya Ramachandran, Mrs. Kuzhali Arcot, and Mrs. Vyjayanthi Vivek deserve a round of congratulations for their attention to detail, meticulous programming, and keep-

...Shrddhanajali to Mahatma Gandhi .... Continued from page 1 The library was started almost twelve years ago by the vision and dedication of Atulbhai Kothari and today, with many dedicated volunteers, their worthy efforts continue. The Shraddhanjali program started at 4:00 pm with a gracious welcome by MGL board member Dr. Sitaben Kapadia, one of the few living who have actually met Gandhiji in person. Rajan Chawla was a brilliant Master of Ceremony for the program, which initiated with an Invocation from Reverend

Mindy Lawrence, associate minister at Unity Church who oversees Pastoral Care, Unity Peacemakers, and the Unity in Community Service Team. This was followed by a special reciting of Shlokas (songs) from the Bhagavad Gita (Gandhiji’s favorite Scripture) by the adorable students of DAV Montessori School. The program continued with a beautiful rendition of the bhajan Vaishnav Janato by the glittering voice of Smriti Srivastava and her group from Arya Samaj. 7-year old. Khusi Kawedia, 2nd place winner of the annual speech contest de-

lighted the audience with her speech, “Bullying: my perspective”. Cynthia Lucas, a film producer and writer of transformative documentaries that educate, inspire and motivate, presented a brief clip of her newest production which will be released in late 2016, Gandhi’s gift, a feature length documentary guiding the audience through the climactic, last eight years and four months of Gandhi’s life. The audience was then treated to a wonderful dance by the students of DAVSS, choreographed by Ms Dolly Goyal titled Bande me tha Dum Vande Mataram.

Atulbhai Kothari, founder of the Mahatma Gandh Library, graciously recognized Srimati Shafeli Jhaveri, a long-time volunteer of the library and the perennial cultural program coordinator of 1000 Lights for Peace, for her excellence in service and self-less dedication to the activities of the Library. MGL’s speech contest winner, Anusha Satya, recited her winning speech with absolute conviction titled “Does War lead to Peace.” High school student Jai Sehgal presented his awe-inspiring 1st place winning entry in

ing the program on clock. The outgoing committee for 2014 led by President Sridhar Srinivasan was felicitated on the occasion. Then all the teachers of the Tamil school were felicitated for their hard work and service. Then, Incoming President Tupil Narasiman then introduced his team for 2016. Mr. Narayanan, chairman of Meenakshi Temple Society spoke and iTribute multimedia presentation entitled “Spirit of Service around me.” The keynote speaker for the program was Rev. Kyra Baehr of Unity Bay Area Houston who gave a moving tribute and explained “that there is a powerful force within all of us that can lead to miraculous changes” The program continued with the adorable children from DAV Sanskirti School of Arya Samaj Houston led by Smriti Shrivastava, as they sang beautiful song “De Di Hamein Azadi.” Mr. Charlie Patel, president of the India Cultural Center, then addressed the audience and

congratulated BKM for putting up a great event. BKM also felicitated Mr. Seshadri Kumar of India Herald for his yeoman service to the Houston community. The event concluded with a tradition South Indian dinner including the traditional Pongal that was catered by Annam Restaurant. The attendees left with a happy heart and with eagerness for the next Pongal event. gave his support and pledged continued collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Library. Dr. Manish Wani, on behalf of the MGL board, gave a brief presentation of 2 exciting new upcoming events: a soon to be published book about Kasturba, authored by Dr. Sitaben Kapadia and the securing of land in Stafford, Houston and plans for constructing a Mahatma Gandhi museum. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Vijay Singh, Chair of the program. The event culminated with the singing of one of Gandhiji’s favorite bhajans, Raghupathi Raghav Raja Ram” by the Arya Samaj choir students led by Smriti Shrivastava.

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FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

CG hosts 67th Republic Day reception in Houston.... Continued from Page 1

in bringing about change and development in India through support to the flagship programs of the Government on Make in India, Digital India, Start up India, Namami Gange [Ganga Rejuvenation] and Swachh Bharat [Clean India] campaigns.

Dr. Elwyn C. Lee (spouse of Hon. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee). The event was attended by over 450 invited guests from diverse walks of life, including members of the Consular Corps; Law Enforcement Officers; Padma Shri Awardee and founding Chairman of the US India Chamber of Commerce Dallas/FortWorth, Mr. Ashok Mago; Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardee and Chancellor & President, University of Houston, Dr. Renu Khator; representatives of business, universities, think-tanks, arts & culture, media etc; international students from India studying at various universities; and representatives of several IndianAmerican community fora. The invitees came from all over Texas and some of them were from outside Texas from the remaining seven states in the Consular jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Houston as well. The program comprised playing of National Anthems of India and the United States by students of Krishna Gaana Sudha Music Academy; Consul General’s welcome remarks; Reading of The Honorable Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Republic Day greetings by Consul General; Remarks by Elected Officials; Proclamations from Representatives of Elected Of-

Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner congratulated the Consul General on this auspicious occasion and extended his best wishes to all for a successful and rewarding event. He presented a Proclamation to the Consulate on the 67th Republic Day of India. Hon. Mayor Turner showed great enthusiasm and interest in response to the Consul General’s invitation to lead a high level trade delegation to India in 2016-17, in continuation with the successful trade delegation led by the then Hon. Mayor Annise Parker, City of Houston in April 2015.

Consul General, P Harish addressing the gathering at the Republic Day Reception. Photos by Bijay Dixit. performance by students of Anjali Center for Performing Arts, Houston; felicitation of gurus Ms. Rathna Kumar and Vidushi Rajarajeswary Bhat; certificates of appreciation to performers in the cultural program and serving of refreshments. Publications on India including India

bonds of India and the US - being the oldest and the largest democracies in the world - and how the two Constitutions begin with three words – “WE THE PEOPLE”. Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and The Honorable President Mr. Barack Obama in their

Students from Anjali Center for Performing Arts performing a classical dance on this occasion. ficials; honoring of Elected Officials and their representatives by Consul General in recognition of their efforts for promoting Indo-US economic engagement and friendship; cultural

Perspectives, Make in India brochures and tourism material were distributed. In his remarks, Consul General highlighted the common

numerous personal interactions in the last one and a half years have highlighted how India and the US are natural and strategic allies and how our destinies are inter-linked. He said that the

Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston (left) seen in conversation with Houston’s prominent entrepreneur Charlie Yalamanchili at the reception as Karun Sreerama looks on. Photo credit VOA.

Prime Minister’s emphasis on improving infrastructure in India and facilitating an Indian manufacturing revolution will find expression at the Make in India Week scheduled to be held in Mumbai during 13-18 February 2016. Consul General recognized the important role

played by the Indian American community in the US, and their contributions to strengthening the bilateral relationship and pointed to the exhortation of Honorable External Affairs Minister of India, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj to the Overseas Indian community to play a vital role

Honorable Congressman Ted Poe complimented Consul General for his friendship and proactive contribution to promoting collaboration between the two countries in different areas. Honorable Congressman Pete Olson highlighted the strong bonds of friendship and growing cooperation between the two largest democracies, India and the United States. He warmly recalled his visit to India and meeting with Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.

From L to R: Padma Shri Awardee and founding Chairman of the US India Chamber of Commerce Dallas/ FortWorth, Mr. Ashok Mago; Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX 22nd District); Harris County Judge Ed Emmett; Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardee and Chancellor & President, Univ. of Houston, Dr. Renu Khator; Consul General, Mr. Harish Parvathaneni; Mrs. Nandita Parvathaneni; Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX 2nd District); Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston; Council Members Mike Laster and Jack Christie on this occasion.

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3 Indian-Americans sentenced for student visa fraud

Raj Parikh develops eco-friendly system to melt snow NEW YORK: An IndianAmerican engineer along with his son has developed a unique system which automatically cools the air as well as melts the snow using sun light and natural air, a media report has said. Raj Parikh, who has been living at his radically redesigned house in Paramus city in the US state of New Jersey since 1980, has no furnace in his home, no air conditioner and no hot water heater but the home has the ability to melt the snow right off the driveway. “There’s no combustion in this system. It’s just the earth and the sun,” Raj’s son Asit was quoted as saying by nj.com news site yesterday. Raj, CEO and chairman of the Metroplitan Building and Consulting Group of New York, and Asit, a New York City real estate broker, undertook a massive redesign of their Henry Street home in 2011 to create the greenest house in town, heated and cooled entirely by the sun and the earth. The house is nearly complete, and the systems used to warm the driveway and walkways are clearly up and running. The Parikhs have designed a system that warms water to about 100 degrees using solar collectors and geothermal pumps. That water is piped underneath the driveway and walkways. They use the sun and the ground to heat and cool the house as well. During the winter, the house intakes air warmed by the sun and carries it 12 feet underground to be heated by the ground before piping it inside. The incoming air is also heated by exhaust air coming from the kitchen and bathroom. To cool the house, the air takes the same route, only it skips the solar collectors. The house also has systems to collect rainwater and the very snow it melts during win-

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

ter storms. Asit said he’s often asked if the various systems in the house are expensive but in reality, they save money. “I don’t know if you’ve met my folks but they don’t waste money. We’re sitting on the same couches and dining table we had 20 years ago,” Asit said. The Parikhs hope to finish construction on the house by Earth Day on April 22 and plan to invite students to tour the house as an example of green building.

EW YORK, Jan 29, 2016, (PTI) - Three Indian-Americans have been sentenced by a US court to terms ranging from six months of home confinement to to an year in jail for involvement in a USD 7-million student visa fraud scheme. The Manhattan court sentenced Suresh Hiranandaney, Lalit Chabria and Anita Chabria -- all relatives -- in the over USD 7.4-million fraud. US District Judge Paul Oetken sentenced Hiranandaney and Chabria to one year and a day in prison, while Anita

was sentenced to six months of home confinement. The three were also found guilty of having roles in a student financial-aid fraud scheme in which they defrauded the Department of Education of USD 1 million in grant funds. “Suresh Hiranandaney, Lalit Chabria, and Anita Chabria exploited our nation’s financial aid and foreign student visa programs, engaging in a longrunning fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars,” US Attorney Preet Bharara said. “The defendants greedily took

advantage of programmes meant to help people get a higher education, and in the process, committed federal crimes,” he said. In addition to the prison and home confinement sentences, the three were ordered to forfeit USD 7,440,000 to the US from the proceeds of their student visa fraud, and pay USD 1 million in restitution to Department of Education for losses from their student financial aid fraud. According to court documents, the three were associated with the Micropower Career Institute (MCI), or the Institute

for Health Education (IHE), both of which offered vocational, language, and other classes to domestic students whose tuition was partially covered by Department of Education, and foreign students who were allowed to stay in the US on student visas. Hiranandaney was MCI’s president; his brother-in-law Lalit was MCI’s chief executive officer and IHE’s president; and Anita, the sister of Hiranandaney and wife of Lalit, was MCI’s vice president and the director of MCI’s Mineola Campus in Mineola, New York.

Indian-owned medical firm in UAE to provide healthcare at home

TCU biologist hopes for quick vaccine for Zika virus

UBAI: A Dubai-based Indian-owned healthcare firm has launched a programme aimed at providing medical services to the local community at their homes in the UAE. Aster DM Healthcare, which owns and operates a network of 290 units across the Middle East and India, said personalised services in the UAE are growing in demand along with increased flexibility and mobility of services. The company’s Aster@Home will enable patients to get basic healthcare services which include pharmacy deliveries, doctor’s visits, nursing services among others at their homes. Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said the company is looking for ways to use new technology and opportunities in providing a world-class healthcare system. “Through the Aster@Home program, we are further able to address the medical needs of our patients both before and after their clinic and hospital visits. By enabling a smooth, easy-to-use mobile service we hope we are seeking to improve the health of the nation even further,” Moopen, who was born in Kerala, said yesterday.

ORT WORTH, February 1, 2016 — A Fort Worth biologist who has worked on viruses for 30 years says he is hopeful that a Zika vaccine can be developed quickly.

by Jim Douglas, (WFAA) ,

fectious diseases at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. “They’re trying to get ahead of it,” he said. Some experts predict a vaccine can be developed in three to five years. Akkaraju is more upbeat, especially about work now underway in a Canadian lab.

In his laboratory at TCU, Dr. Giri Akkaraju studies how cells and viruses interact. “They’re constantly fighting each other,” he said. “It’s a war that’s going on.” His current war is against Hepatitis C, which he says is a lot like the Zika virus. “Genetically, they’re very closely related, which means the life cycle inside a cell are very similar,” Akkaraju said Monday. TCU molecular biologist Dr. Giri Akkaraju says we could have a drug to combat the Zika virus as soon as the end of 2016. So he understands the global race to find a vaccine for the mosquito-borne Zika virus that can be fatal. On Monday, the World Health Organization declared the rise in birth defects linked to the Zika virus outbreak a

TCU molecular biologist Dr. Giri Akkaraju believes a Zika virus vaccine is imminent.(Photo: WFAA). public health emergency, underscoring the seriousness of the problem and paving the way for more money, greater attention and a coordinated global response. Doctors connect Zika, which is spread by mosquitoes, to a surge in neurological disorders and the birth defect microcephaly, in which infants are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development. WHO officials say clusters of these problems – not the Zika virus itself, which usually causes mild illness – led to the declaration of a “public health

emergency concern.”

international

Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said doctors are working to develop a vaccine against Zika, using those already in development against West Nile virus, which is spread by the same type of mosquito. After weathering criticism for a slow response to the Ebola outbreak, WHO felt pressure to act decisively on Zika, said Thomas Russo, professor and chief of the division of in-

“They may have one by the end of this year, which is surprisingly short,” he said. “But they’re adapting a Dengue virus vaccine that was just made.” He expects the Zika virus will continue to spread, but said it will eventually be brought under control. “I think it’s not going to blow up into an uncontrollable problem. In fact, I think it should be controlled fairly soon,” Akkaraju said. He’s also confident a new virus will come along that’s not on anyone’s radar. He’s philosophical about it. “If I worried about viruses, I wouldn’t get much sleep,” Akkaraju said.

13th ANNUAL INDIA HOUSE GALA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016, 6:30PM | SUGAR LAND MARRIOTT TOWN SQUARE

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FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

Houston’s Dr. Dronamraju addresses AAPI Signs MoU To Eradicate the 103rd Indian Science Congress at Tuberclosis In India the University of Mysore

AAPI leaders joined by several not for profit leaders at the signing of the MOU to eradicate Tuberclosis in India Dr. Dronamraju addressing the gathering at the 103rd Indian Science Congress in Mysore, India.

n his Plenary Address to the 103rd Indian Science Congress in Mysore, Dr. Dronamraju presented a discussion of the use of Genetic and Genomic Biomarkers in the early detection of various types of cancers and other diseases. Research in molecular biology, genetics and computational biology is being pursued to identify new risk factors which will improve our methods for identifying individuals who are at high risk for certain diseases. Various types of cancer, infectious diseases, respiratory diseases and others fall under this category. The completion of the human genome sequencing has led to much hope and search

for biomarkers which can be useful for recognizing disease progression and therapeutic intervention. Earliest known markers include the “Philadelphia chromosome” as a predictor of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, and the association of Trisomy 21 with Down’s syndrome. A recent example is the association of GSTP1 Promoter Methylation with recurrence in early state Prostate Cancer. Somatic mutations, which are only present in tumor cell DNA, provide an extremely specific biomarker that can be detected and tracked. Various types of Biomarkers include “Screening Biomark-

ers”, “Predisposition Biomarkers”, “Prediction Biomarkers”, and many others. But where do we stand today? The results are not consistent. Other problems include bias in sampling, data collection and analysis. It is important to evaluate the present status of their clinical applications, indicating directions of future research, especially in pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine. Dr. Dronamraju is President of the Foundation for Genetic Research, Houston, and a Visiting Professor of the University of Paris. He is a former advisor to the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Washington,D.C.

EW DELHI, India: January 31st, 2016: On the concluding day of the 10th Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, India, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work towards eradicating Tuberclosis (TB) by the year 2030 in India. “Continuing with AAPI’s mission, which is to provide a forum to facilitate and enable Indian American physicians to excel in patient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs, and giving back to their motherland, India, this historic signing of the agreement, is yet another way of showing our continued

commitment to helping make India’s over a billion people, healthier,” declared Dr. Seema Jain, President of AAPI. While India has been proactive against TB in recent years, there is still a long way to go. This signing of the agreement by AAPI, leading policymakers, administrators, technical experts, media persons, and members of civil society working in India’s TB landscape is truly a landmark in in AAPI’s history, Dr. Jain added. The MoU outlines the multifaceted nature of the TB epidemic, its impact on communities, learnings from global successes and the way forward towards tackling the disease successfully.

Texas A&M research hints at a nutritional strategy for reducing autism

OLLEGE STATION, TX — Folic acid has long been touted as an important supplement for women of childbearing age for its ability to prevent defects in the baby’s developing brain and spinal cord. In fact, folic acid is considered so important that it is added as a supplement to breads, pastas, rice and cereals to help ensure that women are exposed to sufficient amounts of this nutrient even before they know they’re pregnant. Soon, another prenatal supplement could protect against a certain type of autism, according to research published today in the journal Cell Reports. The supplement is called carnitine, and it is already available in the market. Carnitine, which the body can manufacture itself or extract from dietary sources, is required for transport of fatty acids into mitochondria—the compartment within the cell that converts these fats into energy. Previous studies

have shown that inherited mutations in a gene (called TMLHE) that is required for carnitine biosynthesis are strongly associated with risk for development of autism-spectrum disorders, but the basis for that association has been unclear—until now. The latest findings show that genetic defects in the body’s ability to manufacture carnitine might be associated with an increased risk of autism because carnitine deficiency interferes with the normal processes by which neural stem cells promote and organize embryonic and fetal brain development. The study’s lead author, Zhigang Xie, Ph.D., assistant research scientist at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, has refined a new technology that allows him to mark, follow and analyze individual neural stem cells in their native environment in a real developing brain. “It’s very difficult to study neural stem cells in their complex natu-

ral environment,” Xie said. “But now we have a technology that makes such studies possible.” “Until now, this technology has not been used in this way,” added Vytas A. Bankaitis, Ph.D., the E.L. Wehner-Welch Foundation Chair in Chemistry at the Texas A&M College of Medicine and Xie’s collaborator. “Our application of this technology is powerful because it allows us to identify specific neural stem cell defects that are invisible in the cell culture systems typically used by brain scientists. With regard to autism spectrum disorders, one has to consider the entire cellular environment, or niche.” Their work, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Robert A. Welch Foundation, is important because some one percent of Americans are afflicted with autism, and the annual cost of autism management in the United States alone is estimated to be at least $236

billion. The researchers found that neural stem cells unable to produce carnitine don’t behave properly and are inappropriately depleted from the developing brain, but when genetically atrisk neural stem cells are supplied with carnitine from an outside source, they don’t have the same problems. Without getting too technical, the autism-associated TMLHE gene encodes an enzyme that the body needs to manufacture carnitine. Autism risk mutations inactivate this gene and, in the absence of their own ability to produce carnitine and without adequate outside supplementation, neural stem cells become less efficient at self-renewal. That is, when they divide, neural stem cells produce two “daughter” cells, one of which should remain a neural stem cell and the other that should differentiate. Neural stem cells confronted with carnitine deficiency too often divide to produce two differentiated cells, thereby failing to resupply the developing brain with a cache of neural stem cells. “Inborn errors in carnitine production cause significant issues in a cell type one would believe has to contribute to autism risk,” Bankaitis said. As the autism risk gene is located on the X chromosome and males have only one X chromosome (females have two), they are at greater risk. Some pregnant women might absorb enough carnitine from their diet so as to make normal enzyme function less important in the context of autism risk for their babies. High levels of carnitine can be found in red meat, and one of the best vegetarian sources is whole milk. Women who don’t ingest sufficient carnitine, however, might be placing their unborn child at risk.

Because the TMLHE is a recognized autism risk gene and its location on the chromosome is known, one possible first step for prevention is to test prospective mothers for TMLHE mutations before pregnancy. If a prospective mother is a carrier for the mutated autism risk gene, supplementation of her diet with carnitine before and during pregnancy could help ensure that a sufficient supply of the nutrient is available to the developing embryo and fetus, thus helping to offset the genetic defect. “In retrospect, this preventative approach seems obvious,” Bankaitis said. “But, metabolic deficiencies are complicated scenarios to interpret, and we believe these complexities obscured what will hopefully prove to be a rather simple path towards prevention.” It’s important to note that this particular prevention strategy will not apply to all cases of autism. “Even if this strategy works, it will not be a panacea for reducing all autism risk,” Bankaitis said. “While it could work in cases involving carnitine-deficiency, other pathways are also in play because as many as 1000 genes might ultimately be found to relate to autism risk. Still, the potential impact of even such a limited preventive strategy could be significant as mutant TMLHE alleles are surprisingly common in the human population.” “Here we have indications, at least for some types of autism risk, that a dietary carnitine prevention method might be effective,” Xie said. “For some individuals, this simple nutritional supplement might really help reduce the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. Any progress on the prevention front would be welcome given the number of people affected.” About Texas A&M Health Science Center

While Dr. Seema Jain, signed the landmark document on behalf of AAPI, Jamhoih (Jamie) Tonsing, Regional Director of The Union South-East Asia Office; Dr. Manoj Jain, Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University; Dr. Narendra Saini of the Delhi Medical Council; Kavita Ayyagari, Project Director (Challenge TB)’ and Dr Neerja Arora, Advocacy & Partnerships Officer at The Union, South East Asia were among others who had signed the document to work towards eradicating the deadly disease from the face of the earth. India bears the world’s largest burden of tuberculosis (TB), accounting for one-fourth of all new infections. Given that it kills nearly 300,000 people in India every year, the prevention and control of TB is a challenge at multiple levels, requiring the united efforts of a diverse range of stakeholders. Anwar Feroz, Honorary Advisor of AAPI, who had emceed the event, referred to the the 10th international healthcare summit as a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007. “Since then AAPI has organized nine Indo-US/Global Healthcare Summits and developed strategic alliances with various organizations. It is these learning’s and relationships that have now enabled us to be part of this outstanding event that has been attended by very prominent and talented world leaders in medicine to help shape the content and make significant contributions towards “make in India” theme. While India has been proactive against TB in recent years, there is still a long way to go. This publication features articles from leading policymakers, administrators, technical experts, journalists and members of civil society working in India’s TB landscape. It outlines the multifaceted nature of the TB epidemic, its impact on communities, learnings from global successes and the way forward towards tackling the disease successfully. The vision underlying the MoU envisages is for a TB free India, through achieving Universal Access by provision of quality diagnosis and treatment for all TB patients in the community. It involves extending the reach of RNTCP services to all people diagnosed with TB, including those with drug resistant TB, and those seeking treatment in the private sector. Based on other international guidelines and standards, the government of India has developed by a large number of organizations and individuals, both within and outside of the Government of India. The Standards describe what should be done, and the TB treatment and care that should be provided throughout India.

Chinese New Year Celebration

n the Year of Monkey, Southwestern National Bank wishes to thank our devoted customers for their valuable trust in us over the years. To express our appreciation, a Lion Dance for Chinese New Year will be performed at 12:30 P.M. at the main bank location on February 8, 2016 (6901 Corporate Dr., Houston, TX 77036). Refreshments and drinks will be served at that time for your enjoyment. Southwestern National Bank invites you to join this festive Chinese New Year celebration and looks forward to seeing you! (Member FDIC)

SOUTH ASIA

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FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

Indian firm says developing ‘world’s first Zika vaccine’

Pakistani cleric praises Indian air base attack, warns of escalation

New Delhi, India | AFP | 2/3/2016 - An Indian drugmaker on Wednesday said it was developing the world’s first vaccine against Zika after the World Health Organization declared an global emergency over the rapidly spreading virus.

UZAFFARABAD, Pakistan | AFP, 2/3/2016 - Pakistani firebrand cleric on Wednesday praised a deadly Indian air base attack last month that threatened to scupper peace efforts between the nuclear rivals. Hafiz Saeed, alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and leader of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) group, encouraged further violence following the air base assault in Pathankot that left seven Indian soldiers dead.

Bharat Biotech, a vaccine manufacturer based in the southern city of Hyderabad, said two vaccines had been in development for a year and were ready for pre-clinical testing in animals. There is currently no proven vaccine for the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has spread throughout Latin America where it has been blamed for a surge in brain-damaged babies. “We are the first in the world to file for a global patent for a Zika virus vaccine,” Rajarshi Dasgupta, head of company’s legal and intellectual property department, told AFP, adding that the company filed for the patent a year ago. The World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency over Zika, saying it was “strongly suspected” to be linked to a large number of babies born with microcephaly, or abnormally small heads. Soumya Swaminathan, director general of the Indian Council for Medical Research, said it had asked Bharat Biotech to provide scientific details of the vaccine. “We have contacted the company and have asked them to present a detailed presentation to see if we can lend help in

10 soldiers missing in Himalayan avalanche: Indian army RINAGAR, India | AFP | Wednesday 2/3/2016 - Rescuers searched Wednesday for 10 soldiers feared buried in an avalanche in India’s remote Himalayas near the de facto border with Pakistan, an army spokesman said.

The soldiers were hit while on duty at a post on a glacier at an altitude of 5,800 metres (19,000 feet), Colonel S. D. Goswami said. “In the early hours of today, 10 soldiers were hit by an avalanche at the northern Siachen Glacier,” Goswami told AFP. An army statement said the post was being manned by one junior officer and nine soldiers when the avalanche struck. “Rescue operations by specialized teams from Army and Air Force are underway to rescue the soldiers. The rescue operations are being closely monitored from Leh and Udhampur,” the statement added. Indian troops patrol the Siachen Glacier, dubbed the world’s highest battlefield, in the Kashmir region which is disputed between India and Pakistan.

Pakistani police escort Hafiz Saeed (centre in white cap) outside a court in Lahore in 2009. PHOTO: AFP

another in Indonesia, and US health authorities have said a patient in Texas contracted the virus through sexual transmission.

Addressing a rally of around one thousand people in the disputed Pakistan-administered Kashmir region, Saeed said: “800,000 Indian troops are committing genocide on Kashmiris. Don’t they have a right to carry out Pathankot style attacks for their defence?”

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries Zika and the dengue and chikungunya viruses, is also widely prevalent in India, which reports thousands of cases of dengue annually.

Saeed, who remains a free man, also lauded Kashmiri militant leader Sayed Salahuddin, who heads the United Jihad Council (UJC) that has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Zika was first detected in a Ugandan forest of the same name in 1947, but it was considered a relatively mild disease until the current outbreak was declared in Latin America last year.

“You have only seen one attack on Pathankot. Matters could easily escalate.”

Strategic analyst Ayesha Siddiqa told AFP Saeed’s praise of Salahuddin could be part of a “deflection strategy” to steer blame away from JeM, and by extension Pakistan, where it is based.

Bharat Biotech says it is developing the world’s first vaccine against Zika (AFP Photo/Noah Seelam) taking it forward,” Swaminathan told AFP. A senior scientist at the Indian firm, who requested anonymity, said it was expediting the research process in the wake of global outbreak but gave no timeframe for trials or any possible commercial launch. Bharat’s announcement comes a day after French company Sanofi Pasteur said it had launched a vaccine research and development project to combat the Zika virus. While no Zika cases have been reported in India, one has been reported in Thailand and

Crowds at the rally shouted slogans including “The war will continue until the liberation of Kashmir” and “We are

ready for jihad”. Indian officials believe another group -- the Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) -was behind the siege.

The air base attack occurred just a week after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Lahore, raising hopes for peace between the two countries which have

fought three full-scale wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over Kashmir. Further planned talks between the top diplomats of both countries that had been due in mid-January were subsequently postponed. Saeed’s freedom and his frequent calls for jihad against India irk New Delhi, which considers JuD -- a UN designated “terror organisation” -- to be no more than a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.

Justice eludes India’s medical negligence victims our years after Shishir Chand’s brother died when his heart condition was allegedly misdiagnosed as gas, his fight for compensation has barely begun in India’s notoriously slow justice system. Chand recalls racing 33-yearold Vishal to a private hospital in eastern Jamshedpur city, as he clutched his chest in agony. After monitoring Vishal’s heart function, doctors sent him home with anti-flatulence medicine. He died the next day of a heart attack, according to Chand. “So far, all they have done is issue a mild warning to the doctor, asking him to be more careful in future,” he told AFP. Malpractice is a major problem not only in India’s overburdened public health system but also in the burgeoning private sector, according to health activists. A complex and ineffective compensation system, along with the medical community’s reluctance to expose colleagues’ wrongdoing, are huge barriers for families seeking justice, they say. “Negligence cases are widespread in public healthcare particularly in rural India, where patients have little understanding of malpractice and erring doctors almost never get punished,” Arun Gadre, a doctor turned activist in India, said. “Similar issues are cropping

up in the private sector.” Consumer dispute tribunals initially handle many malpractice cases, but according to activists, its members lack the expertise to deal with complex medical issues. India’s main doctors’ body acknowledges that the tribunal system appears skewed, with the association’s figures showing only one in 1,000 complaints lodged with the tribunals by families win any kind of compensation. “Most of the cases of negligence cannot be established,” Narender Saini, general secretary of the Indian Medical Association told AFP. “We need a fresh look at the system to avoid confusion. Doctors are not gods and inadvertently do commit mistakes,” Saini said. Families can appeal to higher courts but they face the difficult task of having to show substantial evidence of wrongdoing before their cases can proceed, according to Chand. In 2013, the Supreme Court, hearing an appeal from a tribunal, awarded an American man 110 million rupees ($1.6 million) in compensation over his wife’s death from an overdose of steroids given at a private hospital in Kolkata. The figure set a record in India, but it came 15 years after the woman died and only after tireless campaigning by her husband, himself a doctor.

Avalanches and landslides are common in the area during the winter and temperatures there can drop as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit).

An estimated 8,000 troops have died on the glacier since 1984, almost all of them from avalanches, landslides, frostbite, altitude sickness or heart failure rather than combat.

In January four soldiers were killed by an avalanche, while last year another four died when their vehicle was buried under an avalanche near Leh, the main city in the high-altitude region known as Ladakh.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, which each administer part of Kashmir but claim it in full, fought over Siachen in 1987. But guns on the glacier have largely fallen silent since a peace process began in 2004.

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- Doctors rarely suspended -Experts say a key problem is that doctors are reluctant to testify against colleagues in India where they are considered, especially in traditional rural areas, to be above reproach. Chand, who volunteers for advocacy group People for Better Treatment, said he searched for two years to find a doctor willing to give evidence in his brother’s case. “Doctors are afraid to testify against their colleagues because they feel vulnerable. There is a general understanding not to testify as it may open floodgates against each other,” activist Gadre told AFP.

Chand has appealed to a tribunal against the Medical Council of India’s decision to only issue a warning to the doctor. A spokesman for the hospital involved said its case has been presented to the tribunal, but declined to comment further as a verdict is pending. Experts say under pressure doctors are bound to make mistakes at some point since public hospitals are often stretched to breaking, with India spending just one percent of GDP on healthcare. India also has one doctor for roughly every 2,000 patients, according to the WHO, which recommends half that number. And India has just 900,000 registered

doctors compared to China’s estimated 2.4 million, according to watchdog, the Medical Council of India. The council says it investigates doctors whenever complaints are filed with the body, but health advocates argue that its hearings are endlessly delayed and adjourned. - ‘Our lives on hold’ -Muzaffar Ahmad, chairman of the council’s ethics committee, defended the delays, saying “arranging hearing of complaints and doctors often takes time”. “We are not the final authority, aggrieved people can always appeal against our decisions in higher courts,” Ahmad added.

VOICE OF ASIA 10

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

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Lifestyle VOICE OF ASIA

VOICE OF ASIA 11

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Tragic top chef worried if his ‘success would last’

ARIS - Benoit Violier, the chef of the “world’s best restaurant” whose apparent suicide has thrown a spotlight on the intense pressures facing top cooks, worried that his success would not last, reports said Tuesday.

Monday for his restaurant in Paris’ George V hotel, said he was in no mood to celebrate. “The whole gastronomic world is in tears because we lost a great colleague and friend,” he said.

Wife reopens restaurant two days after death top chef

In his last interview -- given only four days before he was found dead with his hunting rifle by his side at his home near Lausanne in Switzerland -Violier appeared in good spirits. But he told the French daily Liberation that having three Michelin stars and being named as the best in the world in December by the La Liste classification did not matter to him.

by Fiachra GIBBONS with Agnes PEDRERO in Geneva The widow of top chef Benoit Violier reopened his acclaimed Swiss restaurant Tuesday, only two days after his apparent suicide sent shock waves through the culinary world, reports said.

“It’s all about clients coming back,” he said in the interview published Tuesday. “I hope that it lasts. With 54 employees you have only three months’ grace,” he said, referring to the waiting list for a table at his Restaurant de l’Hotel de Ville in the village of Crissier.

Brigitte Violier, who ran the restaurant with her 44-year-old husband, reportedly gathered the staff Monday and decided the show had to go on.

“You have always to remain concentrated... “You know people don’t come here for the sea views,” Violier joked, referring to his restaurant’s less than glamorous setting in a semi-industrial zone near a motorway exit. - Disdain for star system -He claimed never to have heard of La Liste -- set up by the French department of foreign affairs as a counterweight to the British-based World’s 50 Best Restaurants guide -- until AFP contacted him to tell him he that was top of their ranking. “I didn’t want to go to the prize-giving ceremony, I had planned to change my identity card that day,” he told the daily. Such was his personal disdain for awards and the star system around which the world of haute cuisine revolves, that he made little play of his victories on his restaurant’s website. Instead he preferred to highlight the

This picture taken on December 12, 2015 in Crissier shows the late Benoit Violier, chef of the Restaurant de l’Hotel de Ville, posing outside his restaurant in Crissier, near Lausanne, western Switzerland (AFP Photo/) triumphs of his staff, telling Liberation that “in a year and a half they entered 13 competitions and won them all.” Friends and colleagues said Violier may have been affected by the sudden death six months ago of his mentor Philippe Rochat, whom he succeeded at Crissier in 2012. Unlike the top French chef Bernard Loiseau, who killed himself in 2003 after losing a star, Violier appeared to have no financial problems and owned his own restaurant. Business was brisk, with former Spanish king Juan Carlos and ex-German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder among those drawn to sample his signature game and seafood dishes such as turbot with Maltese oranges.

- Passion for hunting -The 44-yearold, whose life-long passion for hunting had led him to write a 1,000-page encyclopaedia of European game birds, said he was even considering putting his rifle away and taking up photography. The book’s editor Pierre-Marcel Favre told the paper that “no one understands” why he killed himself. “He was in control, relaxed, serious, had lots of ongoing projects,” he added, doubting that the shooting was an accident. The son of winemakers from western France, he narrowly escaped death as a child when a bottle of sparkling wine blew up in his face.

Violier, who had a 12-year-old son and ran the restaurant with his wife, Brigitte, said he was also toying with the idea of expanding his cookery courses. “The starification of our profession has gone too far. Television has made kids believe that in three months you can be a star. But to be a cook it takes a whole lifetime,” he said. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said late Monday that his death was a major loss for the country. “We lose with Benoit Violier an eminent ambassador for French taste and know-how,” he said. Fellow chef Christian Le Squer, awarded a third Michelin star earlier

“I reserved a table quite a while ago for Tuesday lunchtime,” a diner at the Restaurant de l’Hotel de Ville at Crissier -- hailed as the best in the world only two months ago -- told Swiss newspaper 24 Hours. “They called me and explained that Madame Violier wanted the restaurant to keep going and asked me if I would be there to support them. “I found that very courageous,” he added. In the less than four years he and his wife ran the restaurant, they earned the maximum three Michelin stars and it was also named the “best restaurant in the world” by the French-based La Liste in December. In 2013, Violier had been crowned chef of the year by the prestigious Gault &amp; Millau guide. n his last interview -- given only four days before he died -- Violier appeared in good spirits, although he did express worry that his success would not last.

Coffee diet woos Americans with ‘Bulletproof’ pledge by SARA PUIG

it is rooted in actual health benefits.

new coffee diet claiming to help lose weight and improve IQ is gaining a major following in the United States -- and raising eyebrows among doctors skeptical of its benefits.

“Coffee is a good source of antioxidants and it has caffeine. That would make any of us feel good,” said Schnabel, “whether it is black or loaded with cream.”

Dave Asprey, the founder and CEO of the “Bulletproof Diet,” pulls no punches when making claims for his radical health recipe, cup of coffee in hand.

“If you expect to drink one cup of this and feel good, and have mental clarity, you probably will -- just because of the placebo effect.” But Schnabel also warned “the dangers of following this diet long term are possible nutrient deficiency.”

“You become a better employee, better parent, better friend, better person,” said the former Silicon Valley entrepreneur now living in Canada. “My energy changes, my brain changes. I can pay attention, I can follow through.”

Doctors widely caution that the first meal of the day is the most important one and should contain cereal or bread (carbohydrates), eggs or yogurt (protein), fruit (fiber) and coffee or tea (stimulant).

The cornerstone of Asprey’s diet is a drink called Bulletproof Coffee, a modified version of the caffeinated beverage which uses beans stripped of mycotoxins -- essentially mold that forms during the fermentation process.

Asprey’s emphasis on the removal of mycotoxins is also potentially misleading, since coffee producers now regularly use wet-processing, during which the beans are washed and the toxins eliminated.

Add to that butter from grass-fed cows and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil. The ingredients are blended together to produce a creamy, naturally sweet beverage a bit like a milkshake, taken at breakfast in lieu of a meal. “So you drink a couple of these and all of a sudden you don’t care about food for a very long time,” said Asprey. “Your brain has energy that doesn’t come from sugar, you didn’t want sugar in your coffee and you lose the craving and you sort of have freedom.” Asprey used to weigh 300 pounds, and spent much of his life battling to lose weight. The coffee diet idea came to him during a trip to Tibet in 2004. He was weak with altitude sickness while traveling in the mountainous region -until he drank yak butter tea. Asprey was so impressed by the energetic effect of the drink that he tried to reproduce it at home.

He insists the benefits of his formula are proven. Coffee diet woos Americans with ‘Bulletproof’ pledge After years of trying all kinds of ingredients and combinations, he unveiled a patented formula in 2009 through his blog and on social media, claiming the coffee and an associated health regimen helped him attain a “bodybuilder” physique. - ‘Better our body’ Asprey’s diet is now one of the most popular in the United States, where a third of the population of some 320 million is obese. And his modified coffee has become the first link in an empire that includes the New York Times bestselling book “The Bulletproof Diet.” In addition to people looking to lose weight, it attracts athletes and supporters of “biohacking,” a movement that combines biology and food technol-

ogy to improve physical and mental capacity. “Me and my wife are in the fitness industry, so we are trying to do things that better our body,” said Justin Lovato, a burly personal trainer. Past the hit of morning coffee, the method advocates a diet free of gluten and sugar that draws around half of its calories from “healthy fats” such as MCT oil, 20 percent from protein -- preferably grass-fed meat and dairy or wild caught seafood -- and the rest from organic fruit and vegetables. Other foods are classified as “bulletproof”, “suspect” or “kryptonite” according to how they fit into the diet’s categories and meals are taken on a set schedule. A young athlete who gave his name as Ray said drinking the coffee every morning “increases your energy levels for sure.” “You don’t feel sleepy anymore, you don’t have the crash I would say after 20 minutes. Its effects are longer” than any of the products he has tested before,

Ray added. Asprey also advocates brief bursts of high-intensity exercise, with a focus on allowing the body to recuperate with food and sleep. - Where are the nutrients? -Several celebrities have publicly lauded the benefits of the “miracle drink,” like actress Shailene Woodley -- protagonist of “The Divergent Series” saga -and comedian Jimmy Fallon. But experts have raised the alarm over the diet’s nutritional value. The British Dietetic Association listed the “Bulletproof” method among its top 10 celebrity diets to avoid for 2016 -- along with such questionable fads as the “all kale and chewing gum diet.” “Un-bull-ieveable!” was its verdict. “Whilst the idea of minimizing alcohol and processed food is positive, the classification of foods is at odds with health recommendations and lacks evidence.” UCLA Medical Center nutritionist Amy Schnabel told AFP the diet could work short term. “Initially, any diet that has you restrict large food groups does result in some weight loss,” she said. She also said the diet’s popularity was understandable -- whether or not

And beyond the science, the commercial success of Bulletproof Coffee is undeniable. The “Bulletproof” website does a brisk business in coffee and related health products -- from engineered “healthy fats” to coffee “performance kits”, sleep-inducing mattresses, nightlights and “Zen” iPhone protectors that filter out blue light. The future looks bright, too, after Asprey’s company received an injection of $9 million from investors to expand its network of stores, the first of which opened in affluent Santa Monica, near Los Angeles, last year.

Read more Lifestyle articles Visit www. voiceofasiaonline.com

HEALTH, SC & TECH

VOICE OF ASIA 12

What’s New and Beneficial About Raspberries? Part II

Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee by Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, Rice University, Houston TX. Control of obesity: One of the most fascinating new areas of raspberry research involves the potential for raspberries to improve management of obesity. Although this research is in its early stages, scientists now know that metabolism in our fat cells can be increased by phytonutrients found in raspberries, especially rheosmin (also called raspberry ketone). By increasing enzyme activity, oxygen consumption, and heat production in certain types of fat cells, raspberry phytonutrients like rheosmin may be able to decrease risk of obesity as well as risk of fatty liver. In addition to these benefits, rheosmin can decrease activity of a fat-digesting enzyme released by our pancreas called pancreatic lipase. This decrease in enzyme activity may result in less digestion and absorption of fat. Digestion, detox and disease prevention The fiber and water content in raspberries help to prevent

constipation and maintain a healthy digestive tract. Adequate fiber promotes regularity, which is crucial for the daily excretion toxins through the bile and stool. Recent studies have shown that dietary fiber may play a role in regulating the immune system and inflammation, consequently decreasing the risk of inflammation-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. According to the Department of Internal Medicine and Nutritional Sciences Program of the University of Kentucky, high fiber intakes are associated with significantly lower risks for developing coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases. Increased fiber intake has also been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and enhances weight loss for obese individuals. Women should aim for about 25 grams of fiber per day, and men should aim for about 30 grams. One cup of raspberries provides 8 grams of fiber. Easy on the eyes Foods high in vitamin C like raspberries have been shown to help keep eyes healthy by providing protection against UV light damage. Raspberries also contain the antioxidant zeaxanthin, which filters out harmful blue light rays and is thought to play a protective role in eye health and possibly ward off damage from macular degeneration. A higher intake of this fruit (3 or more servings

Very few US doctors make up bulk of malpractice claims

per day) has also been shown to decrease the risk of and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

- Top whole grain waffles or pancakes with fresh raspberries or fold them into muffins and sweet breads

How to incorporate more raspberries into your diet

- Blend raspberries in a food processor with a little water and use as a fresh syrup to top desserts or breakfast foods

Raspberries are available fresh, frozen, freeze-dried and in jellies, syrups and jams. Most raspberry jellies, spreads, juices and wine have added sugars, which tack on additional calories. When looking for jellies or jams, go for all-fruit spreads without the added sweeteners and fillers. Make sure to check the label of frozen and dried raspberries, which may also added sugars. People who tend to eat at least 3 servings of berries per week see the most benefits. The best way to eat raspberries is fresh, right out of your hand (after washing of course)! Here are some other tips to help increase your raspberry consumption: - Always keep a bag of frozen raspberries on hand for adding to smoothies and oatmeal - Forgo the syrupy sweetness of canned fruit cocktail and make your own fresh fruit cocktail with raspberries, pineapple, sliced peaches and strawberries - Add raspberries, grapes and walnuts to your chicken salad - Slice raspberries and add them to plain Greek yogurt with a drizzle of agave nectar and sliced almonds

- Mix raspberries into a spinach salad with walnuts and goat cheese. Possible health risks of consuming raspberries The Environmental Working Group produces a list each year of fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. Raspberries are number 27 on the list of produce that the EWG suggests that you buy in the organic version to ensure a lower risk of pesticide exposure. Of note, raspberries in supplement form are also being studied for their ability to help with weight loss and combat obesity. Research remains in the early stages, and there have been no human studies to date to prove the effectiveness of supplements like raspberry ketones and extracts, which often have stimulants like hoodia and caffeine added. There is no doubt that incorporating low-calorie, high nutrient foods like raspberries in accordance with an overall healthy diet will support weight loss, but the ability of concentrated formulas in the form of a supplement to help with weight loss is uncertain at best. Read more articles by Prof. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, online www.voiceofasia.com

Scientists solve biological brain twister by Mariëtte Le Roux

ARIS, AFP, 2/1/2016 The deep folds that give the adult human brain its wrinkled walnut appearance were Nature’s solution to fitting a large, powerful processor into a small skull. Like a piece of flat, square paper crumpled together to fit into a small, round hole, folding allows more neurons to be packed closer together, with shorter, faster connections between them. While scientists have long understood why there are folds in the brain’s outer layer, called the cerebral cortex or grey matter, the how has remained a mystery. Do the creases develop as a result of genetic, biological or chemical signals? Or are they caused by physical forces? On Monday, a team of researchers from the United States and Europe said the folds can be explained by physics -- a discovery that may have important

implications for understanding certain brain disorders. Folds in the cortex develop through buckling in weak spots which develop as the foetal brain grows, they said. The brains of human foetuses are smooth for about the first 20 weeks, when folding begins and continues until the child is about 18 months old. The surface area covered by the folded cortex is almost three times that of a smooth brain the size of our head, study co-author Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan from Harvard University in Massachusetts told AFP. “The number, size, shape and position of neuronal cells during brain growth all lead to the expansion of the gray matter, known as the cortex, relative to the underlying white matter,” he said by email. - 3-D gel model -”This puts the cortex under compression, leading to a mechanical instability that causes it to crease locally. “This

simple

evolutionary

innovation... allows for the thin but expansive cortex to be packed into a small volume, and is the dominant cause behind brain folding.” Mahadevan and a team used MRI scans of smooth foetus brains to build a three-dimensional gel model. They coated the surface with a thin layer of elastomer gel to represent the cortex. To mimic brain growth, they immersed the gel brain in a solvent that was absorbed by the outer layer, causing it to swell relative to the deeper region. Within minutes, folds started to appear that were remarkably similar in size and shape to the real thing, showing that the same process happened even though the model did not contain any living tissue. “It looks like a real brain,” said Mahadevan’s colleague and fellow author Jun Young Chung. A few other animals also have brain folds -- including chim-

The sweat of your brow: the future of health monitors?

panzees, dolphins, elephants and pigs -- but the human brain is the wrinkliest of them all. The physical explanation for brain folds was first proposed by Harvard scientists 40 years ago. Now proven by Mahadevan’s team, it was considered a controversial challenge at the time to the conventional wisdom that brain folds were created by purely biological, not physical, processes. Commenting on the study, Ellen Kuhl of Stanford University’s department of bioengineering, said the findings could be an important breakthrough in diagnosing, treating and preventing a range of neurological disorders. Severe under- or over-folding, she said, can lead to seizures, motor dysfunction, mental handicap and developmental delay. Knowing whether to target mechanical or biological causes should go a long way to developing better treatments.

IAMI, 1/27/2016 - A small number of doctors make up a big share of malpractice claims in the United States, according to a study published Wednesday. Just one percent of practicing physicians “accounted for 32 percent of paid malpractice claims over a decade,” said the study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers at Stanford University in California and the University of Melbourne in Australia looked at more than 66,000 malpractice claims paid in relation to the work of more than 54,000 US physicians between January 2005 and December 2014. They found that those most likely to be involved in a malpractice claim were more likely to be older, male doctors in the fields of neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery or obstetrics-gynecology. Repeat offenders were also common. “Male physicians had a 40 percent higher risk of recurrence than female physicians,” said the study.

IAMI, United States | AFP | Friday 1/29/2016 - Researchers have for the first time witnessed how a single cell can change and give rise to cancer, raising hopes that scientists may discover a way to stop tumors before they start. Described Friday in the journal Science, the study was led by doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital and is based on zebrafish that developed melanoma.

But what they cannot do is measure health at the molecular level, meaning what is happening inside the body. Now a device developed by researchers and engineers from the universities of California in Berkeley and Stanford promises to do just that, by analysing your sweat. The wearable “smart headband” or “smart wristband” is made of flexible sensors and

microprocessors that stick to the skin. It analyses chemicals in sweat, including levels of sodium, glucose, potassium, lactate, as well as skin temperature -- indicators of muscle fatigue, dehydration or dangerously high body temperature. The data is relayed in realtime to a smartphone app. “Human sweat contains physiologically rich information, thus making it an attractive body fluid for non-invasive wearable sensors,” said Ali Javey, a University of California professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences.

“With this noninvasive technology, someday it may be possible to know what’s going on physiologically without needle sticks or attaching little, disposable cups on you,” said co-author George Brooks, an exercise physiologist. Jason Heikenfeld, a computing and electrical engineering expert from the University of Cincinnati who did not take part in the study, said this was “a real leap forward for wearable devices.” The gadget “might one day be used to monitor the amount of active drug in a patient’s blood -- helping to avoid rises and falls in drug levels between doses,” he wrote in a comment carried by Nature.

“Every so often we would see a green spot on a fish,” said coauthor Leonard Zon, MD, director of the Stem Cell Research Program at Boston Children’s. “When we followed them, they became tumors 100 percent of the time.”

When a cell reverted to a stem-cell state and began dividing, it became cancer, researchers found. The spark for that change was in the crestin gene, which should only be active in embryonic tissue but became inappropriately activated again, resulting in melanoma.

Another avenue for study are so-called super-enhancers, which turn on the genetic changes and could potentially be targeted with drugs to stop a mole from becoming cancerous.

“An important mystery has been why some cells in the body already have mutations seen in cancer, but do not yet fully behave like the cancer,” said first author Charles Kaufman, a postdoctoral fellow in the Zon Laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital. “We found that the beginning of cancer occurs after activation of an oncogene or loss of a tumor suppressor, and involves a change that takes a single cell back to a stem cell state.” The fish contained a human cancer mutation known as BRAF V600E, which is found in most benign moles. The fish were also engineered

The paper “gives us insight as to one of these additional events that can turn a benign lesion with a BRAF V600E mutation into a malignant melanoma,” said Craig Devoe, acting chief of the division of hematology and oncology at Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Lake Success, New York. Perhaps one day, this knowledge will be translated into new therapies for patients, he added. “There is more work to be done, but the work of Kaufman et al represents the discovery of a missing link in the transformation of benign cells into cancer,” said Devoe, who was not involved in the study.

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Real-time, continuous analysis has proven difficult due to a lack of flexible, lightweight and wearable electronic monitors.

PARIS - 1/27/2016 - Wristbands which track the number of steps you take, how many calories you burn and how fast your heart beats have become so popular they are now part of many a smartphone contract.

to have lost the tumor suppressor gene p53, and to have their individual cells light up in fluorescent green if a gene called crestin was turned on.

The research team is trying to develop a genetic test that could be given to people with moles that may look suspicious, to see if their cells are behaving in a way that could lead to cancer.

Sweat is already used to diagnose certain diseases or detect drug use, but needs to be collected and sent off for analysis in a lab.

A device developed by researchers and engineers from the universities of California in Berkeley and Stanford promises to measure health at the molecular level by analysing your sweat (AFP Photo/Patrick Smith).

The lowest risks of recurrence were seen in psychiatrists and pediatricians. Also, physicians under 35 showed about one-third the risk of repeated malpractice, compared to their older colleagues, said the study. “The fact that these frequent flyers looked quite different from their colleagues -- in terms of specialty, gender, age and several other characteristics -- was the most exciting finding,” said coauthor David Studdert, professor of medicine and law at Stanford. “It suggests that it may be possible to identify high-risk physicians before they accumulate troubling track records, and then do something to stop that happening.” Nearly one-third of all claims related to patient deaths, and 54 percent related to serious physical injury. Plaintiffs won verdicts in just three percent of the claims. The remainder resulted in outof-court settlements. The average amount of a settlement or court-ordered payment was $371,054.

A single cell’s change gives insight on cancer’s origin

He was the lead author of a paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

The new device combines all these features, and may also open up other avenues, the study authors said.

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

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VOICE OF ASIA 14

Section 2

Young Life

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

Houston’s North South Foundation Ensuring every child is a winner ouston Chapter of North South Foundation (NSF), a volunteer run non-profit organization, is conducting workshops and academic competitions for children in grade 1-12. The workshops aim to prepare students for the academic competitions. The Houston regional competitions are conducted in Spelling, Vocabulary, Math, Science, and Geography for grades 1 – 8 and Public Speaking and Essay Writing contests are extended to high school children too. The students with higher scores are invited to participate in prestigious NSF national competitions.

The NSF competitions are gold standard in academic competitions with no parallel. The NSF competitions prepare students for bigger national challenges. It is not a coincidence that thirteen of the past 17 winners of the Scripps National Spelling Bee are NSF students. It is just not spelling bee, NSF students won Mathcounts, Geography Bee, History Bee, and Science Bowl contests too.

19th and April 9th. Visit northsouth.org for more information and registrations. NSF offers online coaching for MathCounts, Spelling, and SAT

too. The ultimate objective of NSF is to provide scholarships to children in India thereby Indian origin children in US as well as India are benefited.

Sugar Land area school awarded grant, students awarded scholarship from National H&R Block Budget Challenge Program

Clements High School students Jonathan Chang and Angela Lin winners of H&R Block Budget Challenge with H&R Block rep.

UGAR LAND, TX_ Clements High School in Sugar Land, TX will receive a $2,500 grant and students Jonathan Chang and Angela Lin will each be awarded a $20,000 scholarship from the H&R Block Budget Challenge, a free, interactive, real-life simulation personal financial education program that rewards students for mastering

H&R Block representatives will present the winning school and student with their award checks at a gathering of participating teachers and students at a special check presentation on Tuesday, January 26 at Clements High School Auditorium located on 4200 Elkins Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77479. New Barbie doll body shapes of petite, tall and curvy are seen with the traditional Barbie in a photo released by Mattel on January 28, 2016. (Reuters).

The best-selling doll’s manufacturer Mattel announced the new looks Thursday, ending a 56-year-old tradition of Barbie having just one physique: unrealistically perfect. The new dolls join Barbie’s Fashionista line, which will now feature four body types. It will also have seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles

Furthermore, today’s teens, part of Generation Z, are worried about debt from student

room. Students from across the nation who participate in this virtual program also compete for $3 million in college scholarships and classroom grants. To date, Houston area schools and students have received $157,500 in grants and scholarships through the H&R Block Budget Chal-

Group shot of winning classroom and teacher with big check Clements High School business education teacher, Greg Eppes, poses with his winning classroom during a special check presentation in Sugar Land, Texas, after he received a $2,500 classroom grant from the H&R Block Budget Challenge. real-world budgeting and personal finance decision-making.

arbie, long the stereotypical blue-eyed blonde bombshell, has been given a makeover. The iconic doll will now be available in three new body types -- tall, petite and curvy.

Texas is one of the six states that require high school student testing of personal finance concepts, which means teens across the country are graduating without basic financial skills — like how to pay bills and save for the future.

Children at NSF booth during India’s Republic Day celebrations on january 24, 2016 at the Stafford Civic Center, Stafford ,TX

Reality check: Barbie now tall, curvy and petite too

by Thomas URBAIN

Tel: 713-774-5140

A child receiving trophy during 2015 Regional Contests conducted in April 2015.

Data clearly shows that continuous participation in NSF competitions can make an ‘average child’ a prodigy. Most of the NSF children achieve perfect or near perfect scores in SAT/ACT and often are invited by prestigious colleges to join them. These competitions help children set bar high by themselves, and teach them to be the best they can be. Of course, if a child is a mainstream competition winner, how about a chance to meet US president, get invitation from the US congress or a state governor? We hope to see you at the Houston Regionals on Mar

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

-- an acknowledgement, belated for some, that women come in many sizes and shapes. “Barbie reflects the world girls see around them. Her ability to evolve and grow with the times, while staying true to her spirit, is central to why Barbie is the number one fashion doll in the world,” Mattel President and CEO Richard Dickson said in a statement. “We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty,” added Evelyn Mazzocco, senior vice president and global general manager of the Barbie brand.

- New dolls could boost sales -Mattel is not the first doll maker to shatter the mold of what pretty means. In late 2014, graphic artist Nickolay Lamm introduced a doll named Lammily, which features what the company calls standard human body proportions. In 2002, Tonner Doll came out with one called Emme, after the plus-size model who went by that name. The new Barbie looks should help Mattel boost declining sales of the doll -- down for

three straight years and by 16 percent in the first half of 2015. Last year, Mattel launched “Hello Barbie”: a version that uses WiFi and voice recognition technology so kids can actually hold conversations with the toy. This is not the first time Mattel has released Barbies with different looks, although the body types are new. In 1980, Mattel marketed Black Barbie, who had an afrostyle hair-do. Mattel’s failure to change Barbie’s body size had drawn a lot of criticism, but the com-

loans, finding a job, and are more risk averse than previous generations. In fact, 58 percent of teens worry about being worse off financially than their parents. Background: Now in its second year, the H&R Block Budget Challenge works by replicating an adult’s financial life, requiring students to pay virtual bills, save for retirement and repay student loans, all from the safety of a class-

lenge ($47,500 in year 1 and $110,000 in year 2—through the fall 2015 semester so far). Across Texas, schools have received $267,500.00 in grants and scholarships through the H&R Block Budget Challenge. Visit the H&R Block Budget Challenge Newsroom for photos, videos, and more information about the program or follow @TeenMoneyTips on Instagram and Twitter.

pany long defended the design.

circles,” Culmone said.

“Barbie’s body was never designed to be realistic. She was designed for girls to easily dress and undress,” Kimberly Culmone, vice president of Barbie Global Creative, explained in 2014 in an interview with the website Fast Company.

However, a British study in 2006 of girls aged five to eight found that those exposed to Barbie had a less favorable view of their own bodies.

Culmone challenged the notion that Barbie dolls could play a role in how little girls might perceive women’s bodies and their own. “Clearly, the influences for girls on those types of issues, whether it’s body image or anything else, it’s proven, it’s peers, moms, parents. It’s their social

These girls ended up wanting a thinner body than did girls not exposed to the doll. After the new Barbie body types were announced on Thursday, social media lit up with messages of praise. The stock market greeted the move with cautious optimism. Shares in Mattel were up 0.65 percent to $27.15 at around 1830 GMT.

VOICE OF ASIA 15

Section 2

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

B ollywood M asala Bollywood Masala

The real ‘Airlift’: Air India’s rescue mission in Kuwait won it a place in Guinness Records

Email: editor@voiceofasiaonline.com

Bollywood blockbuster ‘Airlift’ irks Indian government

The romantic-comedy, directed by Vaibhav Misra, follows the life of two youngsters, who have a one-night stand. The release date has been pushed as Misra suggested certain changes at the last minute and some addition to the film, a statement said here.

“The film Airlift has brought the evacuation of over 117,000 Indians residing in Kuwait once again on the centre stage after 25 years. How did the feat get listed as a record in the Guinness Book makes for an interesting reading,” said former Air India (AI) executive director Jitender Bhargava in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Vijay Galani, producer of the film, said a new song, “Chitta Kukkad”, has been added to “enhance” the Punjabi flavour in the movie, which is being given some final touches. “Loveshhuda” also stars 2013 Miss India title winner Navneet Kaur Dhillon, who is making her debut in Bollywood.

Bhargava said as head of AI’s Public Relations, he would issue daily media statements about the number of flights that were operated in the past 24 hours, the number of stranded passengers safety brought from Amman in Jordan to various Indian cities, the next day’s plans of flight operations, etc.

Indian Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar (L) and Nimrat Kaur address a press conference to promote their upcoming movie ‘Airlift’, in New Delhi, on January 18, 2015 (AFP Photo/Sajjad Hussain)

“Since it wasn’t the era of Google which enables one to source information easily, I walked from my office in Air India building to the book store in Eros Cinema complex near Churchgate in Mumbai, picked up a copy of the Guinness Book of World Records to access the address of the editor/publisher of Guinness book,” he recalled.

EW DELHI, India | AFP | Friday 1/29/2016 - A hit Bollywood movie about the evacuation of more than 170,000 Indians from Kuwait in 1990 has angered the government with its portrayal of the country’s diplomats as selfish and unfeeling.

istry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted late Thursday.

The foreign ministry took the unusual step of issuing a statement on “Airlift”, a fictionalised account of the real-life rescue mission that was released last week to rave reviews.

“And this particular film has... taken a lot of artistic liberties in the depiction of events as they actually happened in Kuwait in 1990.”

A fortnight later, Guinness editor replied through a letter that it did not have a record in their books, Bhargava said. Meanwhile, the evacuation continued briskly with AI deploying as many aircraft as possible and even the nowmerged entity, the domestic carrier Indian Airlines, and Indian Air Force extending a helping hand with their aircraft to bolster capacity to meet the growing demand. “After the evacuation operation was completed, I sent a comprehensive letter to Guinness providing details of total number of passengers carried, flights operated, duration of the entire

‘Loveshhuda’ to now release on Feb 19 with new song UMBAI, Jan 29 (PTI) The release date of actor Girish Kumar-starrer “Loveshhuda” has been pushed to February 19 from February 5 to facilitate certain changes and add a new song.

UMBAI: (IANS )- While a debate rages on about the veracity of events depicted in new Bollywood flick Airlift on India’s massive evacuation efforts in war-ravaged Kuwait, a former Air India official said it was carried out with ‘clock-work precision’ and made it to the Guinness World Records.

Armed with that, he posted (the world didn’t know e-mails then) a letter to the Guinness editor enquiring if any record of evacuation by a civil airliner existed.

Tel: 713-774-5140

It shows Indian diplomats leaving Kuwait soon after the Iraqi invasion that sparked the first Gulf war, and portrays the foreign ministry in New Delhi as apathetic to the desperate pleas of Indian migrant workers stuck there. “@AirliftFilm: Great entertainment but rather short on facts,” foreign min-

exercise, etc. Guinness accepted the record and duly intimated us through a letter,” Bhargava said.

“Films often take liberties with actual events, with facts,” said Swarup -- whose own novel was made into the hit movie “Slumdog Millionaire” -- in a recorded video statement.

The 1990 mission, which lasted almost two months and required around 500 flights, remains India’s biggest air evacuation ever and a source of pride to its diplomatic corps.

“Given Bollywood’s hold over the popular imagination, we thought it would be best to recount the facts -that it was a stellar team effort of diplomats, bureaucrats, Air India pilots and active citizens in the region that ensured the biggest evacuation in history,” the official said. Swarup added: “We hope that the film will inspire the people to read about the actual events that took place.” The foreign ministry statement also reminded citizens of its recent evacuations of thousands of Indians from war-hit parts of Yemen, Syria and Iraq.

The foreign ministry decided to issue a statement after receiving requests to speak with a “non-existent” diplomat who was portrayed in the film, a senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

However, around 40 Indian construction workers who were working in Mosul have been missing since June 2014, when the Islamic State group captured the Iraqi city.

Then, there was a long waiting period and it was only after a few months that the new edition of the Guinness

Book of World Records was published with Air India’s achievements duly listed.

Desi Girl, Priyanka Chopra will present an award at Oscars 2016 chopra) February 1, 2016

Don’t care about those criticising my Padma awards: Kher

UMBAI, Jan 29 (PTI) Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher on Friday said those criticising his selection for the Padma Bhushan award are doing so to get attention. The 60-year-old actor, who was trolled on social media with many claiming that he got the honour for his alleged closeness with BJP, said he pities such people. Twitteratti found a tweet by Kher in 2010 where he had slammed the Padma awards, claiming they lacked credibility. “I pity those who think that I am being rewarded by the BJP... I am being criticised because losers have this kind of attitude, winners don’t have this kind of attitude,” he said in an interview to CNN-IBN. When asked to respond to an open letter by Salman Nizami, a Congress leader from J&K, Kher shot back, “Who is he? People are criticising me to get attention which they did not have earlier.” The actor said Ghulam Nabi Azad, who had tweeted a link to Nizami’s letter, was a friend. “Ghulam Nabi Azad is a very dear friend. I am surprised. He criticised me just to please the Congress High Command,” he said.

The official Oscars website put out the announcement early on Tuesday morning (IST), which read, “Oscars producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced today the second slate of presenters for the 88th Oscars telecast. The Oscars, hosted by Mumbai, Feb 1 (PTI) Actor Chris Rock, will air live Oscar Akshay Kumar, who would be Sunday, 28 February, on ABC.” teaming up with Rajinikanth as the main antagonist in the sequel of hit sci-fi film “Robot”, The full list of additional pre- is elated to be exchanging some senters include Steve Carell, punches with the south superPriyanka Chopra, Quincy Jones, star on-screen. Byung-hun Lee, Jared Leto, In the film, Rajinikanth will Julianne Moore, Olivia Munn, Margot Robbie, Jason Segel, reprise his role of a scientist Andy Serkis, JK Simmons, and his creation, Chitti-the roKerry Washington, and Reese bot and Akshay will play the villain. Witherspoon. “I feel like I am on top of the The website further stated why they were choosing the pre- world. Its alright getting kicked senters, “These artistes have en- and punched. I have done that riched the international movie- all my life. It is great to be going experience with a range punched by a superhero like of memorable work from the Rajinikanth,” Akshay told PTI. comic to the profound,” Hudlin “I am looking forward to play and Hill said. “In the process, a negative role. It will be an they have won over millions of honour,” he added. fans, and we count ourselves The 48-year-old actor is playamong them.” ing a baddie but there are no Way to go, Priyanka! specific preparations that he is

Great to get in action with Rajinikanth: Akshay

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Actor Priyanka Chopra on red carpet during the The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.She and actor Pedro Pascal presented the Male Actor in a Drama Series award for ‘House of Cards’ to Actor Kevin Spacey on stage. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner/AFP

his is surely Priyanka Chopra’s year.

Awards and then getting there very respected Padma Shree.

JK Simmons and Jared Leto, among others.

After making waves with Quantico and Bajirao Mastani all of last year, 2016 begun for the desi girl with winning at the People’s Choice

And now, Chopra has been selected to present an award at the 2016 Oscars along with revered names such as Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell,

Looking forward @TheAcademy !! This will be an insaaaane night! https://t.co/zaHmPsK6HC — PRIYANKA (@priyanka-

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required to do for the role. “I am not doing any preparations... No training as such yet. There is no training for it. I just have to condition my jaw that’s it,” Akshay said. Remembering his first meeting with the south superstar, Akshay said, “There were 15 people waiting for him. Everyone was just looking at him. He was having a tea and there was some dust on his trousers, he cleaned it and everybody heaved a sigh of relief. I tried doing the same thing but no one looked at me.” The “Robot” (Enthiran 2.0) directed by Shanmugam Shankar will have Amy Jackson as the female lead. “Robot” (2010) had Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Danny Denzongpa.

VOICE OF ASIA 16

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

HEALTHY LIVING VOICE OF ASIA

Section 2

Email: voiceasia@aol.com

WHO declares global health emergency over Zika situation

ENEVA, Switzerland | AFP | Monday 2/1/2016 - The World Health Organization on Monday declared that a surge in serious birth defects in South America was “strongly suspected” of being caused by the Zika virus and constituted an international health emergency. “We need to take action,” WHO chief Margaret Chan told reporters in Geneva. The UN health body said that a surge in cases of microcephaly -- a devastating condition in which a baby is born with an abnormally small head and brain -- was likely caused by the mosquito-borne Zika virus and declared the situation a “public health emergency of international concern.” Chan said a meeting of global health experts who make up the agency’s emergency committee had agreed “a causal relationship between the Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is strongly suspected,

though not scientifically proven.” “All agree on the urgent need to coordinate international efforts to investigate and understand this relationship better,” she said. “The experts also consider patterns of recent spread and the broad geographical distribution of the mosquito species that can transmit the virus, the lack of vaccines and rapid and reliable diagnostic tests and the absence of population immunity in newly affected countries were ... further causes for concern,” Chan said. “The clusters of microcephaly and other neurological complications constitute an extraordinary event and a public health threat to other parts of the world,” she said. WHO warned last week that the mosquito-borne virus was “spreading explosively” in the Americas, and said the region could see up to four million

Zika cases this year alone. The WHO is under pressure to act quickly in the fight against Zika, after admitting it was slow to respond to the recent Ebola outbreak that ravaged parts of west Africa. In addition to microcephaly, Zika is also believed to be linked to a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome. The virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue fever and the chikungunya virus. It produces flu-like symptoms including a low-grade fever, headaches, joint pain and rashes. WHO has so far refrained from issuing travel warnings related to Zika, stressing that the most effective form of prevention is getting rid of stagnant water where mosquitos easily breed, and using personal protection against mosquito bites such as using repellant and sleeping under mosquito nets.

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Breast is best for babies, mothers and economy: study Breast is best for babies, mothers and economy: study

by Mariëtte Le Roux

Mothers breastfeed their babies during a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, in Athens on November 2, 2014 (AFP Photo/ Angelos Tzortzinis)

“Breastfeeding saves lives and money in all countries, rich and poor alike,” said Cesar Victora from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, one of the authors of a research series published by The Lancet medical journal.

about 13 percent of all deaths in children under two.

million and in Brazil $6 million.

“It also increases intelligence,” said the statement.

For women, longer breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, the study authors said, and estimated that some 20,000 women’s deaths could be prevented per year.

It concluded that breastfeeding led to a “dramatic” improvement in life expectancy.

“Modelling conducted for the series estimates that global economic losses of lower cognition from not breastfeeding reached a staggering $302 billion (276 billion euros) in 2012.” This was about half a percent of the world’s gross national income. Last year, a study in The Lancet Global Health journal said breastfeeding led to increased adult intelligence, longer schooling and higher adult earnings, regardless of family background. That research had tracked the development of 3,500 people in Brazil over 30 years from birth.

In low-and middle-income countries, it could prevent about half of diarrhoea episodes and a third of respiratory infections.

The new series said boosting breastfeeding rates for children under six months to 90 percent in the United States, China and Brazil, and to 45 percent in Britain, would dramatically cut treatment costs of common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and asthma.

Altogether, about 800,000 children’s lives could be saved every year -- the equivalent of

In the US, the saving would be $2.45 billion, in Britain $29.5 million, in China $223.6

In high-income countries, it reduced the risk of sudden infant deaths by more than a third.

But babies born by caesarian section have different microbes than their peers who travel through the birth canal, a passage thought to confer life-long benefits to the newborn. Statistically, C-section babies are more likely to develop obesity, asthma, allergies and immune deficiencies later in life, wrote the authors of a study in the journal Nature Medicine. “C-sections interrupt the ‘education’ provided by the microbes that come with vaginal birth,” said a statement from the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, whose scientists took part in the research. Among other things, the microbes help newly-formed immune systems tell helpful bacteria from disease-causing ones. For the study, researchers swabbed newborn C-section babies with fluids from the mother’s vagina. They monitored the infants for 30 days, and found that they had some, though not all, of the bacteria found on children born naturally. C-section babies who were not swabbed had a very different community of bacteria, known as the microbiome. Not yet known, however, is whether the treatment will have any protective effects in the long run.

“The stakes could not be greater given the rise of multiple chronic disorders since the second half of the 20th century,” Khoruts wrote.

It would also prevent more than 800,000 child deaths, and about 20,000 breast cancer deaths every year.

The authors said this was the largest and most detailed analysis of its kind ever done.

Bacteria in and on the human skin, mouth and gut play a crucial role in digestion, metabolism and immunity.

Only four C-section babies received the swabbing treatment in this study.

Breastfeeding more babies for longer could save the global economy some $300 billion in a single year, simply by yielding smarter and higher-earning offspring, researchers said Friday.

The findings were based on analysis of 28 scientific reviews and meta-analyses that looked at the proven health and economic benefits of breastfeeding.

ARIS, France | AFP | 2/1/2016 - Researchers have found a way to give beneficial bacteria to C-section babies, who lose out on a protective microbial coat donned by peers delivered the natural way, a study said Monday.

Commenting on the study, Alexander Khoruts of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Medicine said further, large-scale studies were needed to build on the findings.

Paris, France | AFP | Thursday 1/28/2016 - 23:30 GMT | 625 words

“There is a widespread misconception that the benefits of breastfeeding only relate to poor countries. Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said in a statement.

Scientists give Csection babies healthy germs

- Rates are low -Yet, one in five children in high-income countries are breastfed to 12 months, and one in three in low- and middle-income countries are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives. In Britain, about one percent of children are breastfed until the age of one, in Ireland about two percent and in Denmark three percent -- among the lowest rates in the world. Breastfeeding is much more common in poor countries. Breast milk is free, nutritious and protective against disease, but not always practical for women who cannot be on call around the clock. In some societies, it is frowned upon to breastfeed in public. And in some cases, it can be dangerous -- breastfeeding can pass on the HIV virus that causes AIDS from infected

“With a third of US babies now born by C-section, twice the number as is medically necessary, the question of whether a baby’s founding microbiome affects its future disease risk has become more urgent,” Maria Dominguez-Bello, lead author of the study, said in a statement.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Federal Officials Clarify Rules on Getting New Health Coverage after a Move

ow that open enrollment period end has ended last Sunday for buying coverage on the health insurance marketplaces, people can generally sign up for or switch marketplace plans only if they have certain major life changes, such as moving to a different state, losing their on-the-job coverage or getting married. Following insurance industry criticism, last week the federal government said it will scrutinize people’s applications for such “special enrollment periods” more closely, including one of the most commonly cited reasons — relocating to a new state. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidelines to help consumers and those who assist them in enrolling understand what qualifies as a permanent relocation versus a temporary one. People who move to a new state and “intend to reside” there may be eligible for a special enrollment period on the marketplace to pick a new plan. There’s no waiting period to establish residency for coverage after people move. Still, determining residency intentions could be a head scratcher. CMS clarified that traveling to a state for business, pleasure or to get medical care will not meet the residency requirements for a permanent move. People may have more than one residence and may qualify for marketplace coverage in both places. Someone who keeps two homes in different states and spends entire seasons or lengthy periods of time in each could sign up for marketplace coverage in either or both states after each move, according to CMS. Students and other children younger than 21 are generally assumed to have the same state of residence as their parents. However, if “you’re under 21, you can attest you live elsewhere and intend to reside there,” you may qualify for a special enrollment period to buy a new marketplace plan, said Sabrina Corlette, research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. Insurers have complained that people are waiting until they become sick, then claiming they’re entitled to a special enrollment period for marketplace coverage. In response, the federal government announced that a number of events will no longer trigger a special enrollment period, including certain errors in marketplace income

Sudhir Mathuria Contact: Sudhir Mathuria Licensed Professional Health Life 360 6650 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 713-771-2900 www.MyMedicarePlanning.com and tax credit determinations. In addition, the administration said it will examine a sample of records from consumers who were deemed eligible for special enrollment periods because of a permanent move or a loss of coverage to determine if the rules were properly applied. If consumers should not have been granted access to a special sign-up period, they could be subject to penalties for perjury, CMS said. Are there other circumstances that allow me to get insurance outside the annual open enrollment period? Yes. If you have a change in your life circumstances such as getting married, adopting a child or losing your job and your health insurance, it may trigger a special enrollment period during which you can sign up for or change coverage and avoid paying a fine. In addition, if your income is low and meets guidelines in the law, you can generally sign up for your state’s CHIP or Medicaid program at any time. What if I have a gap in coverage after open enrollment ends? Will I have to pay a fine? It depends. If the gap in coverage is less than three consecutive months, you can avoid owing a penalty. Subsequent coverage gaps during the year, however, could trigger a fine. If you have coverage for even one day during a month, it counts as coverage for that month. The penalty, if there is one, would be calculated in monthly increments. Read more online www. voiceofasiaonline.com For your health, life or retirement planning contact Sudhir Mathuria @ 713-7712900.

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US stocks fall as service-sector growth slows

EW YORK - Wall Street stocks tumbled into negative territory early Wednesday after the monthly ISM report showed slowing growth in the US services sector in January. About 40 minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 16,096.32, down 57.22 points (0.35 percent). The broad-based S&amp;P 500 fell 13.12 (0.69 percent) to 1,889.91, while the techrich Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 48.46 (1.07 percent) to 4,468.48. The Institute for Supply Management purchasing managers

index for non-manufacturing activity fell 2.3 points to 53.5 in January, showing the largest sector of the economy expanding at a slower pace than before. Earlier payrolls firm ADP said private-sector employers added 205,000 jobs in January, a bit more than the 190,000 expected by analysts. The report came two days ahead of the January jobs report from the US Department of Labor. Dow member Merck fell 2.2 percent after it projected 2016 earnings of $3.60-$3.75 per share. Analysts have forecast the drugmaker would earn $3.72 a share.

General Motors fell 2.8 percent despite reporting fourthquarter earnings that translated into $1.39, 18 cents above analyst expectations. Barclays said investors worry the booming US auto market has peaked. Yahoo slumped 8.3 percent as it announced it was cutting 15 percent of its workforce and suggested it could seek a deal to sell or merge the company. Chipotle Mexican Grill sank 7.3 percent as it reported a 44 percent decline in fourth-quarter earnings to $67.9 million after a pair of E.coli outbreaks depressed sales. Investment bank Jefferies warned of a “possible long road to recov-

ery.” Comcast rose 2.3 percent after it hiked its dividend by 10 percent and authorized an additional $10 billion in share repurchases. Net income for the fourth quarter rose 2.4 percent to $2.0 billion. US home improvement retailer Lowe’s fell 6.5 percent on news it will acquire Canadian rival Rona for about $2.3 billion. Food company Mondelez International fell 5.1 percent after reporting a $728 million loss in the fourth quarter, mainly due to an accounting charge related to its struggling Venezuela operations.

Yahoo opens door to deal, unveils big job cuts San Francisco, United States | AFP | Tuesday 2/2/2016 - 21:35 GMT | 559 words by Glenn CHAPMAN

At the same time, it said it was looking at “additional strategic alternatives,” suggesting it could seek a deal to sell or merge the company.

Yahoo on Tuesday said it is cutting 15 percent of its workforce and narrowing its focus as it explores “strategic alternatives” for the future of the faded Internet star.

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer said she is launching “a strong plan calling for bold shifts in products and in resources” to help revive the company’s fortunes.

The announcement, coming with the release of a big quarterly loss, offered the first sign that Yahoo may be open to a sale or merger after years of struggling to regain its former glory.

She maintained that the plan would “dramatically brighten our future and improve our competitiveness, and attractiveness to users, advertisers, and partners.”

The California company reported a loss of $4.43 billion in the final three months of last year, due mostly to lowering the value of its US, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Tumblr units. Revenue was up marginally from a year ago at $1.27 billion. Yahoo said in a statement it was launching “an aggressive strategic plan to simplify the company, narrowing its focus on areas of strength to better fuel growth.”

The plan is intended to drive growth in Yahoo’s mobile, video, social and “native” offerings for advertising, a group of products which Mayer refers to as “Mavens.” Yahoo said it will reduce operating expenses by more than $400 million by the end of the year. Cuts at the company will include cutting its workforce by about 15 percent, or approximately 1,500 people, and closing offices in Dubai, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Madrid and

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

Milan. Most of the cuts were expected top take place this quarter. Yahoo expects that by the end of this year it will have approximately 9,000 employees and fewer than 1,000 contractors. That figure is less than half the number of workers that were on Yahoo’s payroll in 2012, according to the company. “Yahoo does not take this decision lightly and will make every effort to handle the process with thoughtfulness, transparency, and compassion,” it said in a release.

execution of the management plan, is in the best interest of our shareholders,” Webb said, adding that Yahoo would “engage on qualified strategic proposals.” The restructuring plan will allow Yahoo to focus on mail, search and the Tumblr blogging platform for consumers, as well as “deep vertical utilities” identified as news, sports, finance and lifestyle. Yahoo will also focus on two advertising units known as Gemini and BrightRoll. Yahoo is also expect to sell off non-strategic assets including real estate, generating some $1 billion.

Yahoo shares were down slightly more than one percent to $28.60 in trades that followed the close of market on Tuesday.

The company plans to proceed with its plan to separate the core business from its stake in Chinese online giant Alibaba.

- Parallel options -Maynard Webb, Yahoo chairman, said that the board is “committed to the turnaround efforts of the management team” but must also look at other options.

Last year, Yahoo revised the plan for tax reasons, deciding to spin off the core operations in a move that could open it up to a sale or other strategic deal.

Tel: 713-774-5140

Houston Tax Practitioner Completes Rigorous National Tax Practice Institute™ Harry Patel, EA CTRS CFE CBA Earned Elite Designation HOUSTON Tax Practitioner Completes Rigorous National Tax Practice Institute™ Harry Patel, EA CTRS CFE CBA Earned Elite Designation Washington, DC – November 06, 2015 Harry Patel, EA, has earned the Prestigious Fellow Designation from the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) for completing the three levels of The National Tax Practice Institute tence in tax and are licensed (NTPI®). This achievement to practice by the Internal demonstrates Harry Patel, Revenue Service. The only EA’s dedication to protecting federally-authorized tax taxpayer rights and attests to practitioners with unlimited (his, her) expertise in tax. rights of representation beNTPI Fellows® have com- fore the IRS, EAs advise and pleted a demanding three-part represent taxpayers who are curriculum that has uniquely being examined by IRS, are prepared them to effectively unable to pay taxes or are represent their clients before trying to avoid or recover all administrative levels of penalties. EAs also prepare the IRS. Having successfully tax returns for individuals, completed coursework cover- partnerships, corporations, ing all variances of examina- estates, trusts and any other tions, audits, collections and entities with tax-reporting reappeals, and having studied quirements. Unlike tax attorbest practices and role-play- neys and CPAs, who may or ing, Fellows know the entire may not choose to specialize process from both the client in taxation, all EAs specialize and IRS perspective. While in taxation and are required earning the EA license denotes by the federal government to competence and the right to maintain their professional represent taxpayers, Fellows skills with continuing profeshave made the commitment sional education. Enrolled to a higher level of knowledge agents are “America’s Tax and excellence which further Experts!” Harry Patel is a sets them apart. member of the National AsThe course, open only to sociation of Enrolled Agents enrolled agents, CPAs and tax (NAEA) and the Texas Sociattorneys, was developed to ety of Enrolled Agents. prepare licensed representatives to protect their clients’ About NAEA The Nationrights by disseminating the al Association of Enrolled most recent information about Agents (NAEA) is a profesIRS laws and procedures criti- sional society whose memcal to representation. Enrolled bers are dedicated to honest, agents (EAs) are a diverse intelligent and ethical repgroup of independent, Feder- resentation of the financial ally-Authorized Tax Practitio- position of taxpayers before ners who have demonstrated a the IRS. Its efforts are suphigh level of technical compe- ported nationwide through a

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Investigation shows ease of laundering money in US

ASHINGTON An investigation involving secret video recordings of lawyers meeting the representative of a supposed corrupt African minister shows how easy it is to launder ill-gotten gains through the United States. Global Witness, an independent anti-corruption organization, recorded meetings between the ostensible minister’s representative and 13 New York lawyers to discuss how the minister could move money out of his West African country through front companies. The representative, actually a member of Global Witness, told the lawyers the minister had raised millions of dollars in exchange for mining rights and wanted to bring the money secretly into the United States to buy a private jet, housing and a yacht. “We deliberately posed as

someone designed to raise red flags for money laundering,” Global Witness explained on its website Monday. “We said we needed to get the money into the US without detection.” The result? Only one of the 13 lawyers was not willing to help. The others, Global Witness said, were receptive and suggested to the fake official that he create anonymous front companies in the United States to move his funds. “Well, you’d set up a Delaware corporation that owns the real estate,” said one of the lawyers. Delaware is one of a number of US states that allow people to set up front and shell companies that hide the identity of the ultimate beneficiary of the company. “It is one of the easiest places in the world to do this legally,”

Global Witness said. Some members of Congress and non-governmental organizations are fighting to close this channel which has been used by drug and arms traffickers to launder dirty money. During the taped meetings, several of the lawyers suggested that the fake minister’s money could be passed through bank accounts of their law firms to avoid the suspicions of the authorities. While none of them actually signed up the minister as a client, only one dismissed the overture of the fake representative. “This ain’t for me, my standards are higher,” said Jeffrey Herrmann, who also refused to recommend someone else that the minister could work with. “Those persons would be insulted,” he told the representative.

sphilip@llppc-law.com

HOROSCOPE

VOICE OF ASIA 18

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

Your Horoscope for the Week of February 5, 2016 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

You will be ruled by extreme sensitivity to whatever environment you find yourself in. As you pick up the vibes, be sure to separate what’s real from what is simply your imagination. What is definitely true Libra, is that your mate is eager to see you and should be in an excellent frame of mind. Give him or her your best, too. Don’t harp on small things.

There is a chance of some strategic alliance with someone, which may figure big in your future success. It may be a new relationship or perhaps it is business progress that is at issue. Whatever your situation, put some feeling into the encounter to show that this is not just another meeting. Be sure to follow up, whether the issue is personal or professional. You’ll be glad you did it. You are intensely curious about something. You may have heard rumors and now is the time to check them out.

Scorpio (N,Y) 23 Oct to 21 Nov

Taurus (B,V,U) 21 April to 20 May Your ambition & your honest approach will prove that You are full of ideas. You may surprise everyone by becoming a bit of a chatterbox. Try to confine what you say to the work at hand. Not everyone has to know your personal business. You may be called on to supervise some people. If you are not used to being the boss, you could learn much through this experience. One cardinal rule is not to expect of anyone else what you would not expect of yourself.

Your public or professional image will on up move. Though your ambition may be keen, others could be in the same frame of mind as you. If an obvious power play on someone’s part disturbs you, act as if it has nothing to do with you. It doesn’t, really. The problem is that you may have seen it coming, and now that it has come to a head, you find yourself annoyed. Just keep moving steadily along.

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

Gemini (K,CHH,GH) 21 May to 20 June This is the time to renovate, remodel or just redecorate, Make the atmosphere more pleasant for entertaining family and friends. You could experience a special emotional fulfillment from cooperation on the job. Your optimism is justified as some projects involving property bring great financial success. Be sure you don’t put a rotten apple in the barrel, however, just because you don’t know your own power. Screen other investors carefully and put a high value on your own abilities.

Heaving to let go of something or someone. It will be clear to you, however, that the usefulness or viability of what you give up, has gone. You’ll be in the mood for romance, with someone new, someone old, or with that very special person who is always there for you. No tears or regrets, just be glad that whatever it was is now over. Because you are in overdrive, an emotional explosion could be a decisive and constructive action on a longterm work project that you are now determined to bring to a head and complete.

Capricorn (KH,J) 22 Dec to 20 Jan

Cancer (D,H) 21 June to 22 July Your thinking get changed, as relatively small matter that you would normally pass off as “things happen”. But this one will send you to the edge. One cause may be a recent, rather impractical move on the part of your mate or partner. Though you may be tempted to pick up the phone and tell them off, you are likely to be far too busy to start World War III. Save your venting for a quieter time, when you could let the state of your checkbook tell the story.

The magnetism of your personality & Alone it could be a force to be reckoned with, however you’ll be sharp in the job arena. A long hoped for raise could come through, or at least an acknowledgement by a boss or other higher-up that you are worth more. You are also in a mood to improvise. Your spur-of-the-moment creations really fill the bill. You’ll feel like celebrating. You may have a dream place in mind, but you are not going to find it without putting in some long hours of research.

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

Leo (M) 23 July to 22 August Getting geared up to plunge into a new project. You could quickly get all the background information you need. If it isn’t work that occupies you, it may be a hunt for bargains in the house and property market. You may be a bit anxious about the thought of a big move, remembering past experiences. With plenty of lead-time and advance planning, it needn’t be the chore it appears to be right now. Could it be that you are in denial about some aspect of your life? If so, that area could be your career.

You may feel, A bit of a conflict over your various responsibilities. A big project at work could keep you working after hours and your mate may not be too pleased at a break in the normal schedule. Perhaps they may not be as adaptable as you are. Smooth things out, try not to talk about money concerns, if possible. Better days are ahead. You are sharp as a tack, but try not to be too sharp. Watch what you say to co-workers, because you may offend someone.

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

Virgo (P) 23 August to 22 September Someone or something puzzling you at this time. It’s not easy to put anything over on you, but someone may try to do just that. It may come in the form of a secret about someone close to you. You could be a little bit gullible now, don’t necessarily believe what you hear. After all, who knows them better than you do? You may decide to have less to do with the person who tried put something over on you. You’ll be able to grin and bear it, whatever it turns out to be. At times, you may feel like it’s all work and no rewards.

Your mood is as stable as the wind. You may find it very difficult to concentrate. Changes may be afoot on the home scene. Do your best to stay on an even course, plan to spend some time unwinding. In this situation, the best way to nurture yourself is to nurture others. You will be able to speak tenderly. Sharp words should not be exchanged. You may also get a call from a friend who needs some emotional or financial support or guidance.

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CLASSIFIEDS

VOICE OF ASIA 19

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016

Project Manager

Hardware Store for Rent or Sale

Manco Associates, L.C.

Hardware Store for Rent or Sale about 10000 sq ft due to ill health.

Houston, TX 77008 Plan construction projects and oversee their progress in a timely and cost effective manner. Will be responsible for organizing, and scheduling of projects as well as overseeing construction projects from start to ﬁnish, managing material deliveries, and cost estimation. Ensure compliance with building regulations and safety codes. Supervise construction workers, and coordinate and manage subcontractors. Select cost effective, proper tools and materials. Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related ﬁeld required. Email resumes to nieljay@gmail.com.

Looking for Accountant/ Office Manager Location: Sugar Land, TX Duration: Full time/ Part time Must have Accounting software experience such as QUICK BOOKS. MUST be proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook Prefer someone who has an understanding of IT Staffing and Consulting business. Description: • Maintain all contracts, files, internal HR docs, immigration papers and Contacts • Maintain all financial documents, Assist in running payroll • Understanding of financial processes like Invoicing, AP, AR, Collection, vendor payments etc. • Good in chasing client payments and time sheets from candidates/consultants. • Must be meticulous with the most attention to detail and should have excellent Office skills (filing, copying, faxing, scanning) Call: 832-886-5884 Send resumes to: resumes@focuzmindz.com

Contact Raj Patel at 281-376-8912 Houston Community College Request for Proposals (RFP) Documents can be obtained at: www.hccs. edu/district/departments/procurement. RFP 16-27 Internet Service Provider & Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Trunking Services Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11A06, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

PUBLIC SERVICE INFORMATION

Hit-and-Run Crashes

OUSTON - HPD Investigating Several Weekend Hit-andRun Crashes, Offers Tips to Drivers and Pedestrians HPD SealAs investigators in the Houston Police Department Vehicular Crimes Division investigate at least four hit-and-run crashes that killed three people since Saturday (Jan. 23), investigators urge pedestrians to be cautious in and around Houston’s busy roadways, especially at night. At a news briefing held on Jan. 25, investigators asked for the public’s help in identifying vehicles and drivers wanted in hit-and-run crashes and reminded the public that a Crime Stoppers reward of up to $5,000 is available in each case. Investigators discussed how most accidents involving pedestrians this month involve drivers who fled the scene, a felony crime.

Pedestrians are reminded: Do not walk across the street unless you are at a crosswalk.

Be cautious, alert and aware of your surroundings.

Take the extra minute or two to walk to a crosswalk.

Avoid distractions (like talking and texting on cell phones).

Obey traffic signals of Walk / Don’t Walk.

Always be on the lookout for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Look before you step. Do not assume vehicles will stop. Make eye contact with a driver; don’t just look at a vehicle. Dress to be seen. Wear light colored clothing if walking at night and carry a flashlight, if possible. Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking across the street. Be careful in construction zones. Motorists are reminded to:

Stop and render aid if you strike a pedestrian or vehicle. Stop and render aid even if you do not have a driver’s license or insurance. In most instances, those are Class C misdemeanor citations issued as opposed to felony charges for fleeing the scene. For more information on pedestrian safety visit their website. Anyone with information in any hit-and-run crash in the city limits is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS, where tips remain anonymous.

SAFETY

What You Need to Know About Winter Driving

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Mario Beauregard - Fotolia.com inter can be an especially perilous time to be on the roads. Snow, ice, fog and longer nights present challenges to drivers that can lead to crashes.

• Do not use cruise control when driving on slippery surfaces. It will diminish your control over the car and reduce your reaction time in the event of a skid.

People do less driving in winter, yet we have more crashes per mile driven. Some 10,780 people were killed in car crashes between December and March in 2013 -- fully onethird of the total for each year. Non-fatal collisions also occur with greater frequency in winter months.

• Bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways, so be alert in cold weather when approaching a bridge.

VOICE OF ASIA

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Name: __________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: ______________ State:___________ Zip:___________ Ph: ______________ E-mail:_________________________ Credit Card No: ____________________________________ Name on the Card: _________________________________ CVV #: __________ Exp Date:___________ Amount: $______ Signature: __________________________ One Year $30 Two Years $55 Five Years $100 We will mail 52 issues to your home or ofﬁce! 8303 SW Freeway, Suite 350, Houston, TX 77074

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You may be an ace behind the wheel when the sun is shining and roads are dry, but driving in winter weather can be a different story. Drivers need to recalibrate and adjust their driving for winter road conditions. “Travel can be treacherous when roadway surfaces are compromised during winter storms,” says Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC). “The good news is that in-vehicle technologies can help drivers by providing advance warnings and preventing loss of control.” NSC and the University of Iowa recently partnered to launch a campaign called MyCarDoesWhat, to educate drivers about vehicle safety technologies designed to prevent crashes. The MyCarDoesWhat campaign offers three major pieces of advice for driving in wintry conditions: • Slow down. This is the golden rule of winter driving. Drivers frequently underestimate how long it takes to brake and how difficult it can be to steer on slippery roads.

While a careful and skillful driver is always a vehicle’s best safety feature, many safety technologies can help prevent or reduce the severity of winterrelated crashes. They include: • Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) help drivers maintain control by preventing wheels from locking up. Your ABS works differentlythan traditional brakes, and requires you to drive differently too. It delivers and releases precise braking pressure to each wheel as needed, so you shouldn’t pump the brakes when you have ABS. Just hold them down firmly and look and steer in the direction you want to go. They may buzz and vibrate when the ABS has activated. • Traction control helps you accelerate without spinning out on slippery surfaces.

• With electronic stability control, your car’s computer helps sense when you may be losing control around a corner or curve and can stabilize your car if it begins to veer off your intended path. • Adaptive headlights adjust to changing roadway conditions -- such as curves -- to provide optimum illumination along the roadway during the long winter nights and periods of low daytime visibility. “Driving in snow and ice requires much more focus on the conditions and an ability to adapt to an ever-changing, slippery environment,” says Daniel McGehee, director of the Transportation and Vehicle Safety Program at the University of Iowa. Research shows that most consumers are unsure about how some potentially life-saving vehicle safety technologies work. To get better acquainted with your car’s features and learn important winter driving skills, visit MyCarDoesWhat. org on Twitter and Facebook for videos and tools. With the right knowledge and skills, you can make your winter journeys safer. (StatePoint).

This is our Classiﬁeds Section 713-774-5140 Sell anything! From Garage Sales to Selling a Business Call us. Nothing is too trivial.

VOICE OF ASIA 20

FRIDAY, February 5, 2016