BMI Online Editor

California Food Banks Have Crucial Need for More Milk

Apr 112014

The Great American Milk Drive Launches to Provide Local Food Banks with Gallons of Milk (photo screenshot courtesy of www..gotmilk.com) San Clemente, Calif. – That gallon of milk you consider a staple in your refrigerator is missing in many of California’s food banks. According to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet it is rarely donated. That will soon change with today’s launch of The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most. Hunger impacts 1 in 6 Americans, including 12.5 million families who do not have access to adequate nourishmentto help them reach their full potential. The facts are even more alarming locally with 1 in 4 Californians suffering from poverty, the highest rate in any state. Over 6.5 million California residents experience food insecurity and due to the perishable nature of foods like milk, Feeding America food bank clients receive, on average, only one gallon of milk per person per year and obtain less than the suggested servings of milk to fulfill a well-balanced diet. To help combat this, Feeding America has teamed up with the dairy industry, including the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of got milk?, to launch The Great American Milk Drive and alleviate hunger in local communities. “Food insecurity is a big problem throughout the United States, including for millions of Californians who Read More …

Henares: I hope Pacquiao will win vs Bradley

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Henares: I hope Pacquiao will win vs Bradley

Manny Pacquiao, right, from the Philippines, connects with a right to the head of Timothy Bradley, from Palm Springs, Calif. , in their WBO world welterweight title fight Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Las Vegas. Despite what many believed was a fight won by Pacquaio resulted in a split-decision loss to Bradley. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares and Sarangani Lone District Rep. Manny Pacquiao may have locked horns in the past due to the Filipino boxing champ’s P2.2 billion tax woes, but with the Pacman’s impending April 13 fight with WBO Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr., Henares said she is one with the nation in wishing for Pacquiao’s victory. The tax commissioner said she should be the least of Pacquiao’s concerns as he prepares for the fight. “May laban siya (Pacquiao) ngayong linggo; hindi ako ang dapat iniisip niya … I was asked about him; kung hindi ako tinatanong, hindi naman ako magsasalita. “Sana manalo siya,” Henares said. Henares said she hopes Pacquiao has already learned his lesson, and would accurately declare and pay his taxes from earnings in the Bradley fight. Henares also said she hopes Bob Arum would get an interpreter so he would understand all her pronouncements in Filipino about Pacquiao’s tax woes. “It’s Holy Week, [we] should be more tolerant,” Henares added. (MNS)

2014 Hyundai Veloster earns top safety rating from NHTSA

Entertainment

Apr 112014

2014 Hyundai Veloster earns top safety rating from NHTSA

2014 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Gets Torque Vectoring Control FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded an overall five-star crash test rating, the highest rating given by the organization, to the all-new 2014 Hyundai Veloster. Separated by test, the vehicle received four stars in front and rollover crash tests, and five stars in the side crash test. This is the first time the Veloster has been rated under NHTSA’s tougher tests and five-star rating system. The Veloster employs exceptional levels of standard safety features by means of a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS). For 2014, the Veloster comes in several configurations: Veloster, Veloster Turbo and, new for 2014, the RE:FLEX and Veloster Turbo R-Spec. All variants utilize Hyundai’s 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine, while Veloster Turbo and Veloster Turbo R-Spec receive a force-fed diet of high-pressure air through a new, twin-scroll turbocharger. With a combination of safety, sportiness and fun, the Veloster continues to breathe new life into the subcompact car category. “The Veloster nameplate was designed to bring a new, unconventional look to the subcompact car segment without compromising occupant safety,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Through the employment of high-tech safety systems like Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist and the use of high-strength, yet lightweight materials during construction, we are able to deliver a package that is unique, but safer than ever.” All Velosters are given Hyundai’s Read More …

Effortless Easter Ham

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham (Family Features) This year, make your Easter ham effortless by ditching the oven and using your slow cooker instead. While most people think about slow cooking for staples like chili and stew, it’s also perfect for center-of-the-plate feasts — like an Easter ham. Using the slow cooker, you can minimize both prep time and cleanup time, leaving plenty of room in the day for church, hunting eggs and enjoying time with your loved ones. Ham is a tradition for many families this time of year, and because it pairs well with a multitude of ingredients, you can create a unique dish every time. For a fresh spin on the classic ham, try this Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham recipe from the National Pork Board. Apple cider and bourbon (or vanilla extract, if you prefer) combine to create a rich flavor complemented by the sweetness of brown sugar. Round out your Easter menu by pairing your ham with classic sides such as oven-roasted carrots, asparagus wrapped in bacon and mashed sweet potatoes. To get inspired by more ham and Easter meal ideas, visit PorkBeinspired.com or Facebook.com/PorkBeinspired. Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes Enter the National Pork Board’s Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes at PorkBeinspired.com/EasterHam for the chance to win an Easter gift basket with everything you need for this year’s celebration. Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham Yield: 12 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4 to 8 hours 1 bone-in fully cooked ham, about 5 1/2 pounds 1 cup apple cider Read More …

Green tea boosts working memory, study suggests

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Green tea boosts working memory, study suggests

Among the many health benefits associated with green tea is an improvement in memory and cognitive function.©Humannet/shutterstock.com (Relaxnews) – A beverage with multiple benefits, green tea has inspired a number of research projects in recent years. One of the latest studies on the subject, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, offers additional evidence on how the drink can improve working memory and cognitive performance. According to various studies, the antioxidant-rich beverage may help in maintaining a healthy weight and fighting bad cholesterol, in addition to improving memory and preventing cognitive decline. The latter benefits in particular were the subject of a key study by Chinese researcher Bai Yun published in Food Science and Molecular Nutrition and Food Research in June 2012. Eager to evaluate claims of green tea’s power to improve memory and to identify the mechanism behind it, researchers in Basel, Switzerland asked a group of healthy volunteers to consume a soft drink with green tea extract before solving a series of working memory tasks. The test subjects’ brain activity was analyzed using an MRI machine. The researchers, led by Christoph Beglinger and Stefan Borgwardt, of the University Hospital of Basel and the Psychiatric University Clinics respectively, observed improved connectivity between the frontal and parietal brain regions in the test subjects who were given green tea extract. This improved connectivity between the two brain regions correlated with enhanced performance of the memory tasks. “Our findings suggest that green tea might increase the short-term synaptic plasticity of the brain,” Borgwardt indicated. In the Read More …

Envoy: US to stand by PHL amid ‘threats’

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Envoy: US to stand by PHL amid ‘threats’

President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line during the 72nd commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 09, 2014). This year’s theme is “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago”. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The United States on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to stand by the Philippines, its long-time ally, in the face of threats – a statement that could have extra meaning in light of recent developments in the territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing. “As treaty allies, when the Philippines faces threats or natural disasters, so do we,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg during his speech at the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan in Bataan. Goldberg did not mention specific threats, but his speech came at the time of increasing tensions between the Philippines and China over overlapping claims in the South China Sea. Relations between the two Asian neighbors hit a low point when the Philippines sought arbitration in January 2013 to try to declare as illegal China’s massive claim over the South China Sea because it overlaps with Manila’s territories. In his speech, Goldberg instead explained that the shared “history of sacrifice” between Filipino and American troops during World War II “forges the special relationship” of the two countries. “As shown in history and present until this very day, we can and will continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to Read More …

Japanese envoy apologizes for World War II, thanks PHL for ‘moving on’

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Japanese envoy apologizes for World War II, thanks PHL for ‘moving on’

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, troops the line upon arrival at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 9, 2014) for the 72nd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). This year’s theme is: “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago.”(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe used the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan on Wednesday to apologize for Japan’s role during World War II, saying it has learned its lesson from those days. “Seventy-two years have passed. Still, it hurts to remember the hardship and pain suffered by so many during those fateful days. I wish to express our heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse for such inexplicable suffering,” Urabe said during his speech at a program in Bataan. He said Japan has learned the “valuable lesson” from history that using force does not solve anything. “It only creates problems. That is why we have vowed never to wage war never again,” he said. This, he said, is the reason for their actions in the last seven decades. “Fortunately, the Filipinos have accepted to move on. We have been building the future together ever since. Thanks to the efforts of our predecessors, we are now strategic partners sharing common values,” he said. Urabe specifically cited the exchange visits between the two countries, Filipino and Japanese soldiers working Read More …

Out of Borneo: The role of slavery in the peopling of the Philippines

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Out of Borneo: The role of slavery in the peopling of the Philippines

Tuesday, April 29, 2014 9:30 am – 10:45 am Fowler A139 UCLA Campus Los Angeles, CA 90095 Free and open to the public. Out of Borneo: The role of slavery in the peopling of the Philippines, Lecture by Roderick G. Orlina, PhD Candidate, Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University (Australia) http://web.international.ucla.edu/ Lecture by Roderick G. Orlina, PhD Candidate, Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University (Australia) One of the most glaring omissions in Philippine historical discourse is the legacy of slavery in shaping the nation’s demographic. Discussions have tended to revolve around Moro raiding, which continued well into the colonial period and wreaked havoc on the non-Muslim population and the Spanish Crown. However, historical evidence suggests that it was a widespread practice that predated Islam. In addition, early European sources point to Borneo as the origin of some of the main ethno-linguistic groups that inhabit the Philippines. Drawing mainly on linguistic and historical data, Orlina argues that pre-colonial migration was much more complex than previously thought and challenges notions of cultural identity in the Philippines. Roderick Orlina received his BA in Linguistics and Religious Studies from the University of Stony Brook and his MA in Islamic Studies from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He is currently a PhD Candidate for Asian History at the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, completing a dissertation on everyday life in early colonial Manila. His research interests include Southeast Asian epigraphy, religion, language and folklore. Sponsored by the UCLA Department of Anthropology.

Lab clue to caffeine benefit on Alzheimer’s

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Lab clue to caffeine benefit on Alzheimer’s

©Lasse Kristensen/shutterstock.com (PARIS-AFP) – French and German researchers on Wednesday said they had found evidence in the lab to back theories that drinking caffeine has a preventive effect on Alzheimer’s disease. In mice, regular doses of caffeine inhibited the growth of tau, a protein that clogs brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients, they said. The discovery was made among mice that had been genetically modified to produce tau. They were given a tiny dose of caffeine — 0.3 grammes per litre (0.005 ounces per pint) — in their drinking water over 10 months. This is roughly equivalent to two cups of coffee per day for human beings. The mice were compared with an identical group of “tau” rodents which did not get the caffeine dose. “Mice that were given caffeine were less affected in terms of memory and tau buildup but also in terms of inflammation of the brain tissue,” said David Blum of France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Previous research has found that older people are less likely to suffer cognitive decline if they take regular, moderate amounts of caffeine. Experiments have also found that caffeine slows memory loss in mice bred to develop so-called amyloid plaques — another compound buildup in the brain that is associated with Alzheimer’s. The study appears in the US journal Neurobiology of Aging.

PHL San Francisco Consulate ‘shines blue’ for World Autism Awareness Day

Entertainment

Apr 102014

PHL San Francisco Consulate ‘shines blue’ for World Autism Awareness Day

(Photo courtesy of Department of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Philippines Facebook page) Visitors to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on April 2 were greeted by an unusual sight: all Consulate personnel were attired in blue. At various times during the day, personnel would hold up a sign displaying a fact about autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sharing the information with the Consulate’s transacting public. The Consulate General’s day-long activity, intended to raise awareness about autism and persons with ASD, was one of two activities it undertook to commemorate April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, which was adopted by the UN in 2007. In partnership with the Autism Hearts Foundation and Bantay Bata 163, the Consulate General also launched an exhibit of paintings done by children with ASD. Consul Reggie Bernabe, representing the Consulate General, joined Judge Betty Buccay of the Autism Hearts Foundation and Ms. Jo Anne Kyle of ABS-CBN Foundation at the ribbon-cutting for the exhibit. “As always, we support the work being done by Autism Hearts Foundation, and thank ABS-CBN Foundation for their active participation in this project,” Consul Bernabe declared. “The Consulate welcomes, as well, this opportunity to help build awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and what resources are available to our community to diagnose and treat those with the disorder.” “Persons with ASD can be valued and valuable members of our community if we understand how they can contribute,” Judge Buccat added. “Early diagnosis is important, as is the appropriate Read More …

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