Thursday, November 29, 2012

Broccoli Calzones

Broccoli Calzones

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 packages of frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
4 cloves garlic, chopped
Flour, for rolling dough
2 balls of pizza dough
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan/Roomy cheese
2 1/2 cups shredded (6 ounces) part-skim mozzarella cheese
Coarse salt and ground pepper
Prepared tomato sauce
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
Directions:
1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion; cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add broccoli and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 200 degrees; Form calzones: Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, stretch each piece out, first to a 3-by-4-inch oval, then stretch again, this time to a 6-by-8-inch oval. (Let dough rest a few minutes if too elastic to work with.)
3. Stir cheeses into cooled broccoli mixture; season generously with salt and pepper. Assemble calzones: Spread a rounded 1/2 cup broccoli mixture over half of each piece of dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border; fold over to form a half-moon. Press edges to seal. With a paring knife, cut 2 slits in the top of each calzone.
4.Using a wide metal spatula with a thin blade, transfer calzones to 2 baking sheets lined with parchment or waxed paper; reshape if needed.
5. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce, if desired.

Men: why it’s better to be beta

Men: why it’s better to be beta

In the animal kingdom the alpha male is The Man. He gets first dibs at any food on offer. He gets his pick of the females (in some species, he gets ALL the females). He runs the herd, pack or pride.
Things are a bit more complex in human societies, but received opinion has it that it's still best to be the alpha male. Alpha males are confident, macho and aggressive. Whether they're good looking or not, their soaring self-esteem means they tend to have the pick of good-looking women.
By comparison, the beta male, a rung down in the social hierarchy, appears responsible, moderate and a little bit humdrum. But few men can attain top dog status, so most of us are betas by default.
And we're going to let you into a little secret: it's far better to be beta. Here's why.
It's tough at the top
There are certainly benefits to being top dog, but the pitfalls are many and deep.
When you're top of the pile, somebody always wants to knock you off. You have to fight to maintain your position. In the animal kingdom, the alpha male doesn't often stay that way for long.
And research from Princeton University in the US confirms that you should be careful what you wish for. Among baboons - genetically a pretty close match - alpha males tend to have very high levels of damaging stress hormones swilling around their systems.
That's probably because of all the fighting they have to do to protect their access to the highest ranked females. The study also found that beta males, who didn't fight much, were much less stressed, but still got plenty of female attention.
"An important insight from our study is that the top position in some animal - and possibly human - societies has unique costs and benefits associated with it," said lead author Laurence Gesquiere, an associate research scholar in Princeton's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. "Baboons are not only genetically closely related to humans, but like humans they live in highly complex societies."
A is for Adrenalin
Many human alpha-male behaviours release adrenalin, the 'fight or flight' hormone that gets us ready to run or rumble.
Even though human alpha males don't have to physically fight for position, they do live in constant fear of being ousted - whether at work, on the squash court or in their personal lives - by a leaner, hungrier, more macho competitor. The result? A sense of threat is the alpha male's constant companion, leading to an endless drip feed of adrenalin.
And that's damaging. Too much adrenalin can lead to a weakened immune system, raised blood pressure and increased cholesterol. Quite simply, being an alpha male is stressful, and being too stressed for too long is bad for your health.
It's also true that some alpha males have what's called type-A personalities. Type-As are typically less patient and more angry than the rest of us. Recent research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that hostile people had twice the risk of cardiovascular problems as their calmer counterparts.
In other words, being an alpha male should come with a health warning.
Alpha dating
But the health costs of being an alpha male are more than made up for by the sex, right? That's what alphas tend to claim, and every seduction blog and website out there tells men to hide their beta traits and unleash their inner alpha.
But the evidence is just not that clear. For example, an international study by the University of Stirling found that large numbers of women did indeed favour manlier men. So far, so good for the alpha male.
The problem? Those women tended to live in poor countries where disease was rife. The researchers theorised that manly, alpha males tend to have plenty of testosterone swimming round, and testosterone is suggestive of good, hardy genes (for rather complex biological reasons). Women in poor countries fancied alpha males most because those tough genes would be passed on to any resulting children.
But the same results were not found in women from rich countries where everyone has plenty to eat and easy access to good healthcare. In those countries, the alphas had no mating advantage, the study found.
Other studies have shown that a woman may be especially attracted to more masculine faces when she's ovulating, because manly men may have the toughest genes. But for the rest of the month she fancies softer-faced men, who are more likely to make faithful partners and good dads. In a nutshell, she fancies betas.
Alpha relationships
Other research suggests that, even if alphas get the girl in the first place, they won't have her for long. Alpha-male life is often a lurch from one relationship crisis to another.
In an American study men with just slightly more testosterone than average were 43% more likely to get divorced than men with normal levels, 31% more likely to leave home after marital problems and 38% more likely to cheat on their wives.
And according to other studies, there's another reason why women in developed nations might be increasingly turning to beta men. They no longer stay at home while men go out to work.
A modern western woman earns her own money, making an alpha's earning potential less of a draw. She's free to choose what she really wants, which might still be a chiselled, proud alpha male, but is equally likely to be a loving, respectful beta.
Beta is better
Of course, many young women still fancy the alpha male stereotypes they see on TV or at the cinema. But in the real world excessive testosterone is no longer the draw it was when women stayed at home minding children all day and a testosterone-fuelled mate was the best path to safety and security.
Beta and alpha males are pretty much neck and neck in the dating stakes. A chiselled jawline and a bulging wallet are still attractive, but so are good listening skills and a nice way with the kids.
And if you take into account the stressed-out life of the alpha male there's only one conclusion. Betas of the world rejoice (that's most of us): beta really is better.

What to wear… to the Gym

What to wear… to the Gym

A question I’ve been receiving quite a bit – What to wear to the gym?
I try to work out 4-6 times a week, and always manage to fit some pilates sessions during the week. I’m always on the lookout for great pieces to wear to the gym… who says you can’t look chic at the gym? I was recently introduced to Audimas Yoga & Pilates. The collection has some great high quality & comfortable pieces that are worth checking out!
The Audimas brand is available in Go Sports outlets in Dubai & Sharjah
Ladies Club, Le Méridien Dubai and Jebel Ali Resort & SPA.

Seven officers found not guilty of killing protesters in Dar al-Salaam

Seven officers found not guilty of killing protesters in Dar al-Salaam

The Cairo Criminal Court acquitted on Thursday seven police officers accused of killing three civilians and wounding others on 28 January 2011, during revolution protests.

The defense argued the evidence used to prosecute them was based on hearsay and inspired by vendettas against the defendants.

Prosecutors said investigations showed the policemen had fired at peaceful demonstrators in Dar al-Salaam. Their trial on charges of murder and attempted murder began on 25 October 2011.

Over the past few months, several local courts have acquitted policemen accused of killing demonstrators in various governorates during the uprising.

The only policeman to be issued the death penalty, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Moneim, is now facing a retrial.

Over 800 people were killed during the 18 days of protests leading up to President Hosni Mubarak's resignation in February 2011, and more than 6,000 were wounded by live ammunition, rubber bullets, water cannons and batons.

Hugh Jackman ‘to reprise X-Men role’

Hugh Jackman ‘to reprise X-Men role’

Hugh Jackman is in talks to appear in the new X-Men movie.
The star looks set to reprise his role as Wolverine for the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Hugh’s representative has confirmed to E! News that the actor is considering playing the brooding mutant in director Bryan Singer’s sequel to X-Men: First Class.
Hugh previously played Wolverine in X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Origins and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. His latest outing as the superhuman will be for Wolverine, which is released next year.
It is not yet known how much screen time Hugh will have in X-Men: Days of Future Past, with some reports stating it could just be a small cameo and others claiming he could play crucial dual roles.
Hugh can next be seen in the musical drama Les Misérables, which is released worldwide from next month.
Earlier this week, other announcements were made about X-Men: Days of Future Past.
On Monday it was revealed that Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart will return to the franchise to play Magneto and Professor X.
They will join the star studded cast boasting names such as James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and Nicholas Hoult.
There are rumours Famke Janssen or Ellen Page could be the next stars added to the movie.
X-Men: Days of Future Past is scheduled to be released in July 2014.

Clashing with security forces: Who, why and what for?

Clashing with security forces: Who, why and what for?

Ten days have passed since the commemoration of last years Mohamed Mahmoud clashes, but the area surrounding Tahrir Square remains the scene of a battlefield. Images of wounded children being rushed to field hospitals, thick white clouds of tear gas and choking, rock-throwing protesters are all too familiar.
The questions that arise are familiar as well. Who are the people on the frontline — the receiving end of the Interior Ministrys batons, tear gas and shotgun pellets? Why do they do this? And perhaps more importantly, what do they achieve?
Akram Ismail, a member of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, says the November 2011 clashes on the same street played an essential role in delegitimizing the then-ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. The impunity with which over 40 protesters were killed was cause for hundreds of thousands to rally against army council rule and security forces.
It was this street-created momentum, many believe, that political forces fed on to pressure the army into surrendering power to civilian forces.
Something similar can be detected in the chaos of the latest street battles, Ismail says, which stopped for the funeral of Gaber Saleh, the 17-year-old protester who was killed by Central Security Forces. He was shot with birdshot in the head, chest and arm and was taken off life support on Sunday.
“We have 3,000 or 4,000 youth who are apparently willing to sacrifice everything in this fight, which confronts society with the daunting question of why? Our collective conscience is then forced to ask a very elementary question: Are we going in the right direction? In other words, is the Interior Ministry a less repressive institution? Is poverty being remedied? Are our youth getting opportunities?” Ismail explains.
“Their anger and courage is an expression of the repression of the Interior Ministry and the political crisis we are in. Those fighting in Mohamed Mahmoud [and surroundings] thus bring back the central demands of the revolution to the agenda of society and of political forces, but they pay the highest price,” he adds.
The protesters this reporter spoke to gave different reasons for their presence in the line of fire. But what they have in common as a motivational factor is, at its core, a bitter resentment towards the system.
From some, there is resentment towards the Interior Ministry for killing or injuring their friends. Others feel abandoned by President Mohamed Morsy, his government, the judiciary and political parties — in other words, the entire system.
Theres a sense of abandonment because no institution or individual has delivered on promises of retribution for the martyrs. Theres the perceived failure by the ruling elite of relieving pressure on the poor, whose future prospects are described as bleak, which explains why many, if not most, on the frontline come from Cairos poor suburbs.
The constitutional declaration issued by Morsy on Thursday evening that granted him unprecedented powers was also mentioned by most protesters present on the frontline.
A 20-year-old who preferred to remain anonymous says he was there to “get the rights of martyrs,” and went on to list names of friends he lost, amongst them Jika, Gaber Salehs nickname.
“We tried to protest peacefully on 25 and 28 January [of 2011], but you know what they did to us those days. This way we revive the revolution,” he says.
Asked if the fighting would bring to justice those who killed his friends, or realize the revolutions demands of “bread, freedom and social justice,” the protester answers: “It will, because it adds pressure on the regime.”
Another 16-year-old protester, who also wished to remain unidentified, displayed birdshot wounds to his leg and what looked like a wound from a club landing on his head as evidence of the cruelty of the Interior Ministry, “who use lethal weapons against youth with rocks.”
He was wearing a black headband inscribed with the words “retribution for the martyrs.”
This protester said he came to Cairo two months ago from Minya, an Upper Egypt governorate, to work and sleep in a bakery in Giza.
“I want to say something to Morsy. We elected you in Minya to help us, but now we have a hard time buying a loaf of bread and all the prices keep rising,” he says. He adds that it is unfair that children born to rich families enjoy rights he is denied.
“The only thing that has become cheaper is hash,” comments 20-year-old Mostafa Mohamed jokingly.
Mohamed, who also works in a bakery, is from Shagarat Maryam, a district in the Cairo suburb of Matariyya.
“We are here for our rights. I will stop throwing [rocks] if the government has some mercy on us. How am I supposed to get married, get an apartment and build up something?” he asks.
A 20-year-old from Bab al-Shariyya, injured from a rock that landed on his chest, says he would rather be at school, but that “circumstances do not allow me to.” He then runs off to pick up a teargas canister, still emanating thick white clouds, to throw back at security forces.
PSAP member Ismail thinks that the longer these clashes last, the more the Interior Ministry and the government will be discredited.
“This confrontation makes power a burden on the regime. The violence monopoly we entrust to the security forces for our protection comes under scrutiny because it is being abused, prompting intensified calls from societal and political forces for security reform, and forcing the government to come to the negotiating table,” he explains.
This, in turn, creates space for political forces to push for demands, not only because the government has to negotiate its way out, but also because, in the light of this chaos, opposition will have more ammunition to fire at the ruling elite for its failure to run its affairs, Ismail explains.
“Their existence challenges the status of the regime,” he says referring to the youth.
“They only exist because the revolution has been trampled upon, dashing their hopes and dreams. With their hate of power, hate of politics and of parties, they are the political wings of the revolution.”
Independent journalist Sarah El Sirgany, who was there during a big part of the clashes, says the violent character of protests is often the spark that leads to popular mobilization around a cause.
“Violence keeps the cause alive and prompts a bigger reaction. Instead of just shouting and leaving, some people feel like there is a real battle going on,” she says.
“The July 2011 sit-in was really big, but little direct gain came from it, probably because it was peaceful. Only when protesters were brutally killed during the November 2011 Mohamed Mahmoud [clashes] did a huge popular response materialize,” she adds.
Protesters are not necessarily driven by a logical calculation of political gains and losses.
“For two days, the fighting happened in Mohamed Mahmoud, where the security forces were using buildings as shields. It is not logical to go and fight them, because they know they cannot win that physical battle,” Sirgany says.
“But frustration runs deep, and many walk around with a vendetta because of the lack of justice and retribution. I spoke to some who have been tortured and raped in prison, others had to see their friends in morgues.”

5 Ways To Increase Your Chances Of Getting A Job After College

5 Ways To Increase Your Chances Of Getting A Job After College

There's a disturbing trend in America and it's causing soon to be high school graduates to question whether college truly is the key to finding success in a difficult job market. A recent report by the Associated Press found that one out of every two college graduates is either unemployed or underemployed, often working in a field that isn't related to their degree. This, along with the student loan debt topping $1 trillion, is causing graduates to find themselves with low-paying jobs that make them no better off than if they hadn't gone to college at all.
According to economists, college is still the best way to land the higher-paying jobs, but no longer is the act of attending college the key to success. Making the wrong decisions before entering college can hurt your chances of putting your degree to work later on.
Job Qualifications You Need In 2012
How To Make Money Right Out Of College
5 Careers That Are Disappearing
Financial Designations That Lead To The Highest-Paying Jobs
Best Hiring Opportunities For New Grads
Have a Plan
It used to be OK to head to college now and figure out a degree later. A 2005 study by MyMajor.com found that 80% of students entering college hadn't picked a major and 50% will change their major while in college. With rising college tuition and students spending more time in college, they are amassing more debt which translates into higher payments upon graduation. Harvard economist Richard Freeman advises students who are undecided about their future plans to find a job after high school until they decide what they want to study instead of heading to college without a clear plan.
Don't Follow Your Passion
Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and star of the hit television series Shark Tank, advises people not to follow their passion. According to Cuban, we have a lot of passions in our life, but most won't translate into successful careers. Instead, he advises to follow our effort. Look at how you spend your time. Whatever you spend the most time doing may be your perfect career. When we spend time with something, we gain a lot of skill which makes us an expert in that field and being an expert translates to career success.

Sell Your Skills, Not Your Degree
The Best Portfolio Balance
A Post-Graduation Financial Plan

Create a Barrier
Pursuing a profession that requires a specialized degree creates a barrier to entry. Fields like medicine, education, law and accounting require that you have a degree in order to gain the certification needed to apply for those jobs. Other careers, like the arts, many business jobs and sports management, have collegiate degree programs, but they aren't required to work in the field making the amount of eligible people much higher.
Check BLS
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' website has detailed information about most career paths including average salary and the amount of people needed in those careers in the future. If you're considering more than one degree path, choose one that will have a large need for workers in the future. Fields that have a saturated market not only make it harder to find a job, but the salary may also go down due to the oversupply of workers willing to work for less.
Reduce Your Debt
There are plenty of ways to reduce college debt. Go to a state college if appropriate for your field. You can live at home instead of paying the high price of campus housing, purchase used books, work a part time job if your degree program allows or take summer classes to reduce the amount of time you're in school.
The Bottom Line
Although the college years are still full of fun and great memories for many, making the most of your college education is essential to having the best chances of finding the job you dreamed of having. Remember, the sooner you get out of college, the sooner you will earn money instead of building up more debt.

Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:
1 pack low moisture mozzarella
1 egg, beaten
1 cup and a half of bread crumbs
1/2 a teaspoon of dried oregano
1/2 a teaspoon of dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying
Marinara Dipping Sauce:

1 can of whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 onion, minced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of mixed herbs (Your pick. I picked dried basil, oregano and thyme.)
1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, minced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
You can add or remove any of the herbs. You could also mix half a cup of Parmesan with 1 cup of bread crumbs instead of a full cup and a half of bread crumbs.
Cut your mozzarella block into "sticks". Dip each stick into the bread crumbs until fully coated and then dip it into the beaten egg and then into the bread crumbs again. Place your doubled breaded mozzarella sticks on a plate and cover in cling film. Freeze for an hour or two or until they get firm and the bread crumb doesn't... crumble. Heat your oil and fry for up to a minute, turning once. Drain your sticks on a paper towel lined plate. Serve.
-Heat the olive oil and saute your onion until translucent. Add your garlic, tomatoes and everything else and cook for 25-35 minutes on low heat.

Enter The V-Men

Enter The V-Men

ALL THOSE STORIES PEOPLE TELL ABOUT LEBANESE MEN BEING THE MOST MACHO, TESTOSTERONEFILLED APES ON THE PLANET ARE SLOWLY DISSOLVING. THIS MANLY LEBANESE SPECIMEN IS NOW CONSIDERED AN ENDANGERED SPECIES AND IS BEING REPLACED BY A NEW RACE: THE THIRD GENDER.
I call them Vagina’d Men.
What is going on in this country? Young men used to be egotistical, burly, aggressive, possessive, jealous and completely detestable. Young men were players and strived to become the ultimate Jagal by going out with a slew of girls and keeping their dating options wide open. Girls were “supposed” to be trophy girlfriends, a hot little accessory to show off. Girls weren’t allowed to have needs, couldn’t date like guys did and were expected to satisfy their man –without losing their integrity and honor. And I’m not talking about a century ago, people; this was the situation until relatively recent times. Things have changed drastically and the roles are reversed. Let’s analyze the role shift.
Exhibit A CLINGINESS
Guy meets Girl. Guy likes Girl. Guy asks Girl out. Guy and Girl have a great first date. Girl doesn’t call Guy the next morning and Guy starts worrying that she hated the date and hated him. Guy calls Girl at 10:30 am and tries not to be annoying on the phone –calling Girl “hayete” with that voice that reeks of infatuation doesn’t help Guy’s case here. Guy asks Girl why she hasn’t call and Girl replies that she hasn’t woken up yet to even think about calling. Guy is relieved and asks to see Girl that very night. Girl already has plans for the evening and they don’t see each other that night, severely disappointing Guy. In normal situations, he has the right to be a bit let down but should get over it quickly –the girl he likes has a social life, isn’t that better than being a pariah? Guys today do not get over it. Hello? They’ve known each other for a total of 48 hours! People don’t fall in love in a couple days. This isn’t High School Musical.
When they do start dating, he becomes Mr. Cellophane! This isn’t John C Reilly’s Mr. Cellophane from critically acclaimed Chicago I’m talking about, this is Mr. Cling Film! He wants to see his girl constantly (yes, she belongs to him already), so he joins the places she attends. He changes his routine to make sure that she’s the center of his entire existence, forgoing his own life in the process. Girl’s night out becomes his worst nightmare, since he can’t see her.
Exhibit B WHINING
“WHY DIDN’T YOU CALL ME?”
“WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME AS MUCH AS I LOVE YOU?”
“WHY WON’T YOU SPEND THE WEEKEND WITH ME?”
“WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO INTRODUCE ME TO YOUR PARENTS?”
“WHY WON’T YOU LIST ME AS YOUR BOYFRIEND ON FACEBOOK?”
Need we say more?
Exhibit C COMMITMENT
Where did the Chandler Bing-like guys go? You know, the guy that’s afraid of commitment and wants to live his life to the fullest because he’s only 29 and wants to enjoy his youth while he still has it? Where are the guys that bristled at the mere thought of marriage and are incapable of thinking in the future tense? What happened to men who viewed commitment as I view Pennywise the clown: something terrifying and to be avoided at all costs? Where are the guys that want to have fun, eat well, drink well, dance well and, well, to be honest, have good sex? What happened to the guys that liked one-night stands and casual flings? When were they replaced with Mr. Marriage and Colonel Commitment?
They transform from that hot guy that can kiss your socks off to a proud, father-like serious boyfriend who now kisses you goodnight on the forehead! He takes you to a well-lit restaurant and wants to talk about the future! He mentions weddings and growing old together and wants you to seriously think about what you’ll be naming your children. He no longer smirks sexily when you saunter towards him, but smiles fondly and ruffles your hair. In one month, these guys go from commitment-phobics to please-marry-me- Bobs.
Exhibit D THE BREAKUP BLUES
I remember a time where young men who were dumped or left their girlfriends would suck it up in public and never let anyone see that they were affected by the end of their relationship, no matter how epic. Today, all I see is depressed guys who blab about their emotions online, openly weep about the breakup and their feelings. If you thought PMS-riddled girls were dangerous, steer clear of young Lebanese men who have just broken up. It’s not that girls don’t appreciate sensitive men, but seeing a guy blowing his nose and moaning about how he was crushed by the love of his life leaving him gets kinda weird.
AND GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN DUMPED DO NOT LET THINGS GO. Girls have to break up with them several times before they get the message: IT’S OVER! Girls try everything short of renting a plane and sky writing. The Facebook relationship status the guy had clamored for is removed, the profile picture is changed, the caller ID becomes less personalized… Guys send sms-es to which girls don’t reply, and then revert to calling. When that doesn’t work, stalking commences. They start roaming the places their exes go to:
COME ON, YOU “JUST HAPPENED” TO BE WAITING OUTSIDE MY UNIVERSITY WHEN MY CLASS ENDED, YOU WHO HAD MY SCHEDULE MEMORIZED? YOU JUST HAPPENED TO START WORKING OUT AT THE GYM I GO TO? YOU JUST HAPPENED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PUB YOU REFUSED TO ACCOMPANY ME TO WHEN WE WERE DATING? But the cherry on top of that sloppy breakup cake is how they claim that they’re completely fine and want to be “just friends” with their exes. This while texting, calling and stalking said ex-girlfriends and lying about it to everyone, including their family and closest friends. Clinginess, whining, a desire for commitment and postbreakup blues… those are the traits that stand for the men we meet these days.
What happened to the hot, cheeky guy I fell for? He started acting like my dad and then like a kicked puppy when I left him. What happened to Mr. Hot Stuff? He wanted to get married right now and I just wanted a fling. Not meaning to sound too crude, but where are their balls? I mean, they act like a mixture of Martha Stewart and a Desperate Housewife –what gives? So be careful what you wish for, ladies… you wanted more sensitive, amorous and commitment-friendly men? You’ve got ‘em. You can have those V-Men, just give back my fun-loving, motorcycle riding, leather-jacket-wearing sexy specimen of masculine perfection with a knee-weakening smirk –at least while I’m young!

Love: This is the Magic Formula

Love: This is the Magic Formula

Samineh I Shaheem, Assistant Professor of Psychology, answers exclusively our readers’ questions regarding their wellbeing, offering the best professional psychological advice.

Truly good relationships are not coincidental nor do they just happen. Of course at the beginning, when the people are getting to know each other, there are going to be arguments and disagreements, as well as that blissful feeling of having found the right person. This unique mix of emotions need to be handled with care so that it doesn’t confuse you and when the excitement and newness wares off, you should have developed a healthy understanding of your needs, your position in the relationship and level of happiness.

There is no magic formula, of course, or set instructions on how we could guarantee a blissful relationship. However, we do know that healthy relationships equal better health and when in pursuit of something good for us, effort, time, energy and thoughtfulness need to be extended to that particular situation to bring about the best results.
Below are a number of dimensions, especially relevant to our region here, which can be used as a basis to assess the health of your relationship. Go through the list and fairly evaluate the strengths and weakness of your union.
• Mutual respect, love & affection – This has been placed on top of the list to highlight its importance. Having these components are necessary for a lasting relationship as well as the ability to resolve conflict.
• Cross cultural understanding– If you come from culturally diverse backgrounds, do you have a vibrant understanding of cultural differences that might lead to misunderstandings? Communicate about habits, traditions, and values on a regular basis so that differences do not become deficiencies.
• Honesty & trust – These variables take time to form and are very fragile. Therefore if they are broken, it will be very hard to rebuild them. Any behavior that weakens honesty and trust also weakens the chances of the relationship succeeding.
• Physical intimacy– Like other variables, this too deserves attention and in the appropriate context, should be open, comfortable and exciting.
• Loyalty & commitment – These elements extend to all other parts of the relationship and are the glue that binds two people, creating a beautiful private world, which is protected by both of them. Allowing another person into that world can be the beginning of the end of that relationship.
• Laughter & friendship – To be able to laugh together means you love each other’s company and are able to find humor in similar topics. Being each other’s best friend strengthens your trust, mutual attraction and helps build a delightful companionship.
• Public acceptance – Ask yourself if you are proud to have this person next to you. Do they respect you in public or put you down or criticize you? Public acceptance is an important extension of your private world.
• Compliments & constructive criticism – We don’t always have to agree with our partner. Offering them constructive criticism encourages growth and learning. However this should always be balanced with compliments and appreciation or else our advice wont be heard after a while.
• Inner world involvement – We all have a fantasy world where everything is wonderful and possible. Does your partner share that world with you? Do you know what their goals, dreams and inner world features are?
• Admitting mistakes & learning from them – There’s nothing worse for a relationship than someone who can’t admit their mistakes and doesn’t know how to apologize. So much time and energy is wasted when people do not accept behaving inappropriately. Admit, learn and move on.
• Financial agreements– Is this a safe plateau or a minefield? Do you know where you stand financially? Who pays for what, when and where? The more ambiguous this dimension is, the bigger the problems. Communicate and clarify at every new juncture of your lives.
• Work/life balance – Success doesn’t come from all work and no play so try and include activities in your life, with your partner, that can invite feelings of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.
• Love/children balance – For those of you who have children, give them lots of love and quality time however don’t forget that before you were mommy and daddy, you were husband and wife.
• Extended family – Living in a collectivist society, many of us have to also manage the extended family. You do not necessarily have to love them, after all they come with the package, but there does need to be mutual respect and understanding. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable and accepted around them and if not, what could you do to improve relations since in the long run it can affect the condition of your marriage.
Speaking to a qualified marriage counselor may also be helpful so that a deeper analysis and diagnosis of your relationship is made as well as learning strategies on how to have a more joyful alliance.
 

‘Gangam Style’ is the highest viewed YouTube video ever

‘Gangam Style’ is the highest viewed YouTube video ever

The part-crazy, fully-ridiculous 'Gangam Style' music video from singer PSY has crossed 810 million views on YouTube, making it the highest viewed video on the website. It surpassed Justin Bieber's 'Baby', which has over 804 million views. To bring in a little perspective, to the numbers and to the song's popularity, Bieber's 'Baby' was uploaded two years ago in 2010, whereas 'Gangam Style' was only uploaded in July of this year.
The YouTube Trend blogs says that 'Gangam Style' generates about 7 to 10 million views a day, while 'Baby' generates as much as 500,000 views, which is pretty decent for a two year old video. Bieber may be loosing out on popularity against PSY a bit (which is not a bad thing apparently), he still has an upperhand on channel views on YouTube. PSY's official YouTube Channel has exceed 1 billion views, but Bieber is far ahead with 3 billion.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0w=450h=293]
Now that you are a stat, tell us your story. How did you find out about 'Gangam Style', and what do you like/dislike about it?

Egypt’s judges divided over Morsi’s controversial decrees

Egypt’s judges divided over Morsi’s controversial decrees

Judges' Club holds extraordinary general assembly to denounce recent constitutional decrees by president Morsi; 'Judges for Egypt' supports decrees and calls opponents 'remnants' of Mubarak regime
Egypt's judiciary battled one another in separate extraordinary meetings and assemblies on Saturday over president Mohamed Morsi's recently issued constitutional decrees. Some condemned the president's moves while others charged opponents of Morsi are lackeys for the ousted regime of Hosni Mubarak.
Judges' Club slams Morsi
Hundreds of judges held an extraordinary general assembly for the Judges' Club at the High Court headquarters in downtown Cairo to discuss measures against President Morsi's constitutional decree issued Thursday, which they argue oversteps their judicial jurisdiction and independence.
Meanwhile, during an emergency meeting on Saturday afternoon, Egypt's Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) issued a statement expressing their disappointment over the decrees and described Morsi's move as "unprecedented attack on judiciary independence."
Courts and prosecution offices in the Delta governorate of Qalioubiya went on strike Saturday.
The primary court of Egypt's second-largest city, Alexandria, likewise went on strike and further issued a statement on Saturday demanding the retraction of the recent constitutional declaration.
The chief of the Judges' Club of Alexandria, Mohamed Ezzat El-Agwa announced "the suspension of work in all courts and prosecution administrations in the governorates of Alexandria and Beheira... until the end of the crisis caused by this declaration," according to AFP reporting.
Several anti-Muslim Brotherhood figures have joined the extraordinary assembly.
Former parliament member Mohamed Abou-Hamed, outspoken lawyer Mortada Mansour and former MP Mostafa Bakry and Nasserist Adel Hammouda are present in the assembly, which is taking place in Egypt’s High Judiciary Court.
The quartet is known for being staunch opponents of the influential Islamist group.
Signalling their growing contempt, the usually conservative judges chanted “the people demand the downfall of the regime”.
Former general prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, who was sacked following Morsi’s decree, spoke at length, saying he would legally challenge the president’s decision to relieve him of his duties.
Mahmoud attempted to rebutt accusations that his office was slow or ineffective in prosecuting those who killed unarmed protesters after the January 25 uprising by pointing fingers at the ministry of interior for not referring any suspects to his office.
Mahmoud slammed the ministry of interior saying that it failed to provide the prosecutors with evidence or suspects in the violent attacks against the anti-SCAF protesters in 2011.
"The ministry of interior has never referred any suspects to the office of the prosecutor general in the Two Saints church bombing in January 2010, Maspero massacre October 2011, Mohamed Mahoumd clashes in November 2011 and the cabinet clashes December 2011."
Head of the lawyers’ syndicate Sameh Ashour also said he fully endorses the judges in their bid to challenge Morsi.
“The country’s fate is in your hands now, if you decided to strike, we will strike. If you decided to stage a sit-in, we will join you,” he said.
The newly-announced constitutional declaration says that the president's decisions cannot be overturned by any judicial authority – putting him out of judicial reach.
The council urged the president to drop the decree to preserve judicial independence.
Twenty members of the independent Judiciary Movement also issued a statement on Saturday rejecting the constitutional declaration.
The independent Judiciary Movement is a group of judges that demanded reform and judiciary independence in 2005 following massive vote-rigging in the presidential elections under ousted president Mubarak's rule.
"This is an unjustified apostasy that hinders the independence of judiciary, freedoms and rights," reads the statement referring to Morsi's constitutional declaration.
Judges warn that although within Morsi's bundle of decisions, he did concede some of the people's demands, it nevertheless jeopardised democracy and freedoms.
"Calling for re-trials and investigations the way it was done through the constitutional decree undermines the judiciary's independence and guarantees, which will lead to the devaluation of court verdicts," the independent Judiciary Movement argues.
Meanwhile, outside the High Court, hundreds of protesters who marched to protest against president Mohamed Morsi's decree were attacked by unknown assailants in the late afternoon hours.
The liberal Constitution Party, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the liberal Wafd Party came to the court to voice support to judges.
Ahram Online reporters at the scene said the demonstrators were attacked with fireworks, which stirred panic among them as everyone ran aimlessly to escape violence.
Police dispersed protesters using tear gas canisters.
Judges For Egypt supports Morsi
However not all Judges opposed the president's move.
The reform judges caucus"Judges for Egypt" declared on Saturday their support for President Mohamed Morsi's newly issued constitutional declaration.
Judges for Egypt held a meeting in opposition to the general assembly called for by the Judges' Club.
The group's official spokesperson Walid Sharaby stated to Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr news channel that the Judges for Egypt meeting was attended by hundreds of their members.
Sharaby said that their meeting, like that of the Judges Club, could have been attended by political figures, especially from the Freedom and Justice Party, the Nour Party in addition to others, but said the judges wished to remain politically neutral.
"We are honoured that our meeting [to support the constitutional declaration] was not attended by members of the High Constitutional Court (HCC). We know of their orientation; they only seek to restore the old Mubarak regime," the spokesperson stated to Al-Jazeera.
The HCC has frequently accused the Morsi appointed Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki and the Islamist-led Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting Egypt's new constitution of attempting to infringe upon its authorities.
Sharaby also charged the Judges Club had no right to issue decisions as its extraordinary assembly was not attended by all of its members. He also attacked the speech given at the assembly by the Head of Judges Club Ahmed El-Zend, a fierce Morsi critic, saying it was "politicised".

Iron Man will face uncertainty in new film

Iron Man will face uncertainty in new film

Iron Man has the world 'blown out from underneath him' in the upcoming third instalment in the franchise.
Robert Downey Jr. famously portrays Tony Stark and his superhero alter ego Iron Man in the films.
The next release will hit screens in 2013 and sees the main character pitted against his most brutal enemy yet, The Mandarin who is portrayed by Sir Ben Kingsley.
Production President at Marvel Studios Kevin Feige has spoken about the new release. In ensemble movie Avengers Assemble, Iron Man teamed up with fellow superheroes such as Thor and Captain America and the upcoming release sees the character dealing with the fallout from that.
'When a portal is opened up in Manhattan and he's met Thor and The Hulk and the Chitauri [aliens] are coming down on him, he realises that he doesn't know everything; we think that has had an effect on his psyche, and then his world is blown out from underneath him,' Kevin told Empire magazine.
'Iron Man 3 doesn't feature any of the other Avengers, or Nick Fury showing up, or any of those world-blending conceits that the Phase One films had. You have to keep in mind that Iron Man 3 had been in the works for almost a year, year and a half before The Avengers was released.'
Kevin also discussed the speculation about the new armour Iron Man's ally Lt. Col James Rhodes will wear in the film. Don Cheadle is returning to play Rhodes/ War Machine but has a new look this time around.
'The notion in the movie is that a red, white and blue suit is a bold statement, and it's meant to be. With Rhodey, he's very much the foil to Tony's eccentricities, and in this one you get to see this and be reminded of the trust and friendship between them in that great Shane Black buddy-cop fashion,' Kevin said.

Turkey admits contact with Israel over Gaza conflict

Turkey admits contact with Israel over Gaza conflict

Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu unveils holding 'secret discussions' with Israel during the eight-day confrontation between Israel and Hamas fighters Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu admitted on Sunday that Turkey had resumed contacts with Israel to try to bring an end to the hostilities in Gaza, despite its decision to freeze diplomatic relations with the Jewish state. "In the Gaza process, it's true, Israel held discussions with Turkey through foreign ministry and secret service channels," Davutoglu said in a televised interview, quoted by the Anatolia news agency. "If it means preventing blood from flowing, if war conditions are met, we meet everyone. There is nothing wrong with that," Davutoglu said. He was referring to the eight-day confrontation between Israel and Gaza fighters that claimed the lives of 166 Palestinians and six Israelis. Davutoglu said however that the contact did not mean the countries had resumed relations, which were broken after Israeli commandos raided a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla in the Mediterranean in 2010, killing nine Turks on board. "From the Turkish point of view, these kinds of meetings and sometimes the transmission of various messages through intermediaries do not constitute dialogue with Israel," Davutoglu said. He added that for the countries to resume dialogue, Israel would have to accept the terms issued by Ankara following the raid on the flotilla: an apology and compensation. Israel has hitherto rejected the conditions, with the foreign ministry denouncing Turkey earlier this month for carrying out what it called a "show trial" of four top former Israeli commanders over the raid.

5 Advantages Of Investing In Your 20s

5 Advantages Of Investing In Your 20s

Young adults often face financial challenges due to burdensome student loans, relatively low-paying junior-level positions and a lack of budgeting experience. While twenty-somethings know they are supposed to be saving for retirement, the golden years seem unimportant and a long way off compared to the consumer purchases that could be made now. For many young adults, it seems easier to put off any investing decisions until their financial situation becomes, at least theoretically, more stable. Twenty-somethings, however, are actually in a prime position to enter the investing world, even with college debt and low salaries.
Time
While money may be tight, young adults have a time advantage. There is a reason that compounding - the ability to grow an investment by reinvesting the earnings - was referred to by Albert Einstein as 'the eighth wonder of the world.' The magic of compounding allows investors to generate wealth over time, and requires only two things: the reinvestment of earnings and time. A single $10,000 investment at age 20 would grow to over $70,000 by the time the investor was 60 years old (based on a 5% interest rate). That same $10,000 investment made at age 30 would yield about $43,000 by age 60, and made at age 40 would yield only $26,000. The longer money is put to work, the more wealth it can generate in the future.
Should You Invest In Rookie Funds?
Mutual Fund Tax Changes?
The New Retirement Age
Easy Ways To Diversify Your Portfolio
Rebalance Your Portfolio To Stay On Track
Take on More Risk
An investor's age influences the amount of risk he or she can withstand. Young people, with years of earning ahead of them, can afford to take on more risk in their investment activities. While individuals reaching retirement years may gravitate towards low-risk or risk-free investments, such as bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs), young adults can build more aggressive portfolios that are subject to more volatility, and that stand to produce larger gains.
Learn by Doing
Young investors have the flexibility and time to study investing and to learn from both successes and failures. Since investing has a fairly lengthy learning curve, young adults are at an advantage because they have years to study the markets, and to refine their investing strategies. As with the increased risk that can be absorbed by younger investors, so too can they overcome investing mistakes, because they have the time needed to recover.

5 Dumb Things Investors Do With Their Money
Fees Big Investors Don't Pay
5 Unusual Tactics To Help You Save More

Tech Savvy
The younger generation is a tech savvy one, able to study, research and apply online investing tools and techniques. Online trading platforms provide countless opportunities for both fundamental and technical analysis, as do chat rooms and financial and educational web sites. Technology, including online opportunities, social media and apps, can all contribute to a young investor's knowledge base, experience, confidence and, ultimately, expertise.
Human Capital
Human capital, from an individual's perspective, can be thought of as the present value of all future wages. Since the ability to earn wages is fundamental to investing and saving for retirement, investing in oneself - by earning a degree, receiving on-the-job training or learning advanced skills - is a valuable investment that can have strong returns. Young adults often have many opportunities to increase their ability to earn higher future wages, and taking advantage of these opportunities can be considered one of the many forms of investing.
The Bottom Line
Saving for retirement is not the only reason to make well-planned investments. Many investments, such as those made in dividend stocks, can provide an income stream throughout the life of the investment. Twenty-somethings have certain advantages over those who wait to begin investing, including time, the ability to weather increased risk and opportunities to increase future wages.

Potato & artichoke cream cheese soup

Potato & artichoke cream cheese soup

Ingredients:
2 peeled and chopped potatos
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions-chopped
1 clove of minced garlic
1 package of frozen artichoke hearts
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 block softened cream cheese
Method:
In a pot, heat the olive oil and stir in the onions and garlic. Add the potatoes and stir for 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock, artichokes, cheese, salt and pepper. When the vegetables are tender, poor into a blender and puree the soup.
Can add bread crumbs and you’ll have fulfilling meal!

Danube fare fight sends Romania, Bulgaria to court

Danube fare fight sends Romania, Bulgaria to court

This is Kamen Kalnidolski's lucky day: it is a Monday morning, and the long-haul truck driver will not have to wait more than two hours for the ferry runs from Calafat in Romania to Vidin in Bulgaria. The crossing lasts an hour, passport and customs checks are quick; the 52-year-old could be home with his wife in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, by early afternoon.
'There is bumper-to-bumper traffic here on Wednesdays and Thursdays - we all have to wait for at least 20 hours,' Kalnidolski said.
Kalnidolski is stuck in Calafat or Vidin two or three times a month, a bottleneck much-feared by truck drivers on their trips from central to southeast Europe. Romania and Bulgaria share a 450-kilometer (279-mile) border along the Danube River - but there is only one single bridge, far in the east near Romania's capital, Bucharest. In some cases, that would mean a detour of several hundred kilometers. So many truck drivers opt for the ferry - and a long wait. Drivers who arrive shortly before nightfall are in for an especially long wait as the ferries do not operate in the dark.
Showcase project
Two ferries go back and forth between the towns daily. They can carry between six and 15 semi-trailer trucks per trip. At times, trucks are backed up in to the center of Calafat, a small town with 15,000 residents.
Plans for a bridge across the Danube have been in the works for decades. In 1994, the EU agreed to develop the so-called Pan-European Transport Corridor IV. The route connects several major eastern European cities, from Dresden to Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Sofia all the way to Istanbul. Even then, Romania, which opted for a more easterly location, and Bulgaria were locked in a bitter dispute about where exactly to build a new bridge. Construction was finally begun under EU pressure in 2004, between Calafat and Vidin, a town of 50,000 inhabitants.
The EU had planned 'Danube Bridge 2' as a showcase project highlighting bilateral cooperation in southeast Europe. But the scheme did not work out: in the end, Bulgaria organized the bulk of construction, signing on the Spanish FCC company to build the 270 million euro ($351 million) bridge. Spanish experts and mainly Bulgarian workers and firms were involved in the project with only few Romanian companies coming on as sub-contractors.
Opening postponed
The bridge was originally scheduled to be finished before 2010 - but there was a delay due to geological characteristics that made a new structural analysis necessary. The official opening was set for Thursday, (29.11.2012), but it's been postponed once more.
Construction of the bridge is essentially finished. A few weeks ago the last 18-meter-long segment on the Romanian side was fit in. Pedestrians could cross the imposing, two-kilometer structure - in theory.
Access roads are not quite done and border control posts have yet to be established. Julio Ruis, deputy construction manager, dampened expectations the bridge might open soon after all.
'We easily need another year for static load tests,' he said.

At the same time, authorities in the economically underdeveloped region are looking forward to the economic stimulus they hope the bridge will generate.
'The bridge will facilitate economic relations between our countries,' Vidin Mayor Gergo Gergov said. Across the river, in Romania's Calafat, the bridge also promises better times to come. 'We fervently hope the bridge will help the economy and tourism in our town develop and that there will be more jobs,' said Constanza Varzaru, the head architect at the mayor's office.
Political bickering continues
The way things are now, Kamen Kalnidolski and his fellow drivers will have to take the ferry for a while longer - just as they have these past two decades.
The truck driver said he still hopes the bridge will eventually open.
'When the bridge is completed, we'll be on the other side in 20 minutes rather than 20 hours,' Kalnidolski said.
In the meantime, there is more political bickering on the horizon: Romania and Bulgaria want to take each other to court over how to share revenue and bridge tolls.

Sheikh Mohammed first in the world to own all-aluminium Range Rover

Sheikh Mohammed first in the world to own all-aluminium Range Rover

Range Rovers first all-aluminium car delivered to UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Yet another moment for us in the UAE to be proud! The worlds first all-aluminium Range Rover was handed over to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. That makes him the first person globally to own the worlds first all-aluminium Range Rover. Two Range Rover vehicles were delivered to His Highness, one with his symbolic DUBAI 1 registration plate as also one with the registration DUBAI 11 for his son, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
With these two deliveries, Al Tayer Motors, who are the exclusive distributor for Land Rover in the UAE, have become the first dealer in the world to deliver the all new Range Rover. Heres what Phil Popham, Director, Group Sales Operations, Jaguar Land Rover had to say: “This is a great honour for Land Rover, and we are delighted that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has taken delivery of the first new Range Rover globally. With the Land Rover strength at its heart, the new model has been engineered to be the most capable and refined Range Rover ever. While maintaining the essential, unique character of the vehicle that blends luxury, performance and unmatched all-terrain capability, the new design and revolutionary lightweight construction have enabled us to transform the experience for luxury vehicle drivers”.
The worlds first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminum body, the fourth generation of Range Rover made its global public debut at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show. The new Range Rover will be produced in a low-energy manufacturing facility at Solihull, UK, with over £370 million invested in the Solihull plant to create the worlds largest aluminum body shop. With a model-for-model weight saving of up to 350 kg compared to the outgoing vehicle, the new Range Rover will offer a choice of three engines (one gasoline and two diesel) with a high-efficiency diesel hybrid model coming in 2013.


 

Buttermilk Doughnuts

Buttermilk Doughnuts

1 tablespoon dry active yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons shortening or butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2-3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk

1.Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
2.Add buttermilk, shortening, sugar and 1 1/2 cup flour, baking powder and salt; mix well.
3.Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
4.Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead several times.
5.Roll dough to 1/2 inch thick and cut with a 2 1/2 inch doughnut cutter.
6.Place doughnuts on lightly floured surface, cover and let rise 45 minutes or until double in bulk.
Heat 2-3 inches of oil to 375°F.
7.Drop in 4 or 5 doughnuts at a time. Cook about 2 minutes or until lightly golden in color, turning once. Drain well on paper towels.
8.Combine 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 1/4 cup milk, stir until smooth.
Dip each doughnut in glaze while still warm; allow excess glaze to drip off.
Cool on wire rack or serve warm

Cream of Potato Soup

Cream of Potato Soup

3 cups chicken broth
6 cubed medium potatoes
4 Diced stalks celery
4 Diced carrots
1 Diced onion
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup cheddar cheese (optional)
1. Pour chicken broth in pot. Add cubed potatoes and bring to a boil.
2. In a sauce pan melt butter and add diced onion, celery and carrots. Pan fry until soft.
3. When potatoes are done add the celery, carrot and onion mixture with butter to broth. Reduce heat to medium and add milk and heavy cream. Whisk well. Be careful not to have soup at a heavy boil or cream will curdle.
Add enough cream to make soup look creamy throughout. Add Cheese. Mix corn starch with very cold water and add to soup. Continue medium boil until soup thickens. Remove from heat and enjoy. Soup will thicken when it gets cold.
*Can add milk or water to thin out.

Hijab first in British parliament

Hijab first in British parliament

Muslim young girl Sumaiya Karim will be the first one to wear Hijab inside the British Parliament
A 16-year-old girl is thought to have become the first person to speak from the House of Commons despatch box in the British parliament while wearing a hijab, The Times newspaper reported Saturday.
Sumaiya Karim a biology, chemistry, history and maths student, was speaking as the Youth Parliament held its annual session in the lower house's chamber, where Britain's MPs gather.
Karim, from Wokingham, west of London, said: "Wearing the hijab was my own choice."
The Muslim hijab scarf covers the head and neck but leaves the face exposed.
British ministers and opposition shadow ministers stand at the despatch boxes when they address the Commons.
The democratically elected Youth Parliament members, aged 11 to 18, are elected to represent the views of young people in their area to government.

Kuwaiti lender KFH eyes 20 % capital hike

Kuwaiti lender KFH eyes 20 % capital hike

KUWAIT - Kuwait Finance House (KFH), the Gulf state's largest Islamic lender, will recommend a 20 percent capital hike to shareholders, the company said in a bourse filing on Tuesday, which will help boost capital ratios and fund expansion.
The company's board of directors decided on Monday to make the recommendation when it holds its annual general meeting, with proceeds to fund the bank's expansion both at home and internationally, KFH said.
Any capital issue also requires approval from the country's regulator. A potential capital increase will boost KFH's paid-up capital to 348.5 million dinars ($1.24 billion) from 290.4 million dinars, Al Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The price at which new shares will be sold during the capital increase, which is part of the bank's five-year strategic plan, will be determined at a later date, it added.
Shares in KFH were up 1.2 percent at 0.82 dinars at 0705 GMT, trimming year-to-date losses to 1.6 percent.
Kuwaiti banks have suffered since the global financial crisis because of exposures to the local real estate and stock markets whose values have dropped significantly, as well as to investment firms which borrowed heavily in the boom years to finance activity in the two areas.
In September, Fitch Ratings said it had downgraded KFH's viability rating because of concerns over asset quality and loan concentration at the lender, while its Tier 1 capital - a key measure of a bank's reserves - lagged its Kuwaiti peers.
However, the agency said at the time a planned capital hike to bolster reserves would be a positive step.
In November, Moody's placed all of KFH's ratings on review for possible downgrade, with concerns over asset quality also central to the move.

Morocco seeks airline partner from Gulf or beyond

Morocco seeks airline partner from Gulf or beyond

Rabat - Morocco would rather pursue a strategic partnership for Royal Air Maroc, with an airline from one of the Gulf states or beyond, than sell a stake in its flag carrier, government ministers said late on Monday.
A government source last month said that partnership proposals included the sale of a minority stake to a leading Gulf airline.
'No decision has been taken yet, but my opinion is that it is better to do a partnership rather than sell a stake,' Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad said on the sidelines of a tourism conference in Rabat.
'RAM is strong in the West African and European markets. It's therefore more logical to seek partners that are stronger in other parts of the world.'
The North African country aims is looking to boost tourism to help it to tackle a budget deficit worsened by the euro zone crisis and increased spending to quash Arab Spring protests, but it lacks the financial clout to buy aircraft that can bring holidaymakers from around the world.
About 70 percent of tourists visiting Morocco come from the euro zone, with the rest mostly travelling from Gulf Arab countries.
Morocco, which has been thinking about reducing its stake in RAM for more than 20 years, led major efforts to restructure the group last year in a move that tourism operators said was a sign the state was preparing for a sale.
'It's obvious that a middle-size airline like RAM needs a strategic partnership with another airline. We will see if it is going to be from the Gulf, from Europe or from America,' industry minister Abdelkader Aamara said in Rabat.
With a relatively modest fleet of about 40 medium and long-haul aircraft, Royal Air Maroc has sought to develop Casablanca as a regional hub, connecting mostly poorly served west African capitals to Europe and North America.

Fusilli & Fuss

Fusilli & Fuss

Educated Cairenes are a funny bunch, often blurring the lines when it suits them, merging reality with a glorious fantasy world where they are “better” for speaking English, where they are proficient based on a skill learned, in no detail, online.
Among the new things that have recently astounded me in Cairo is the ability of some to flounce around the city introducing themselves as chefs without toiling in the grease of a hot kitchen — day in, day out. Some could argue that a chef in essence is the mastermind behind the menu, the director of the show — but how can we take control of the laborious task of coordinating a kitchen if we have received neither the education nor the training to apply commands correctly, let alone delegate them?
It is unfortunate that Egyptian chefs who deserve to be called chefs aren’t the ones gaining that recognition. They are not the ones asked to be stars of an article praising both their skill and knowledge. They are not busy celebrity “cheffing” but are caught up in cooking and management, often not being the ones to get the likes on Facebook. These people are behind the scenes, cooks waiting to take the next order, invisible; and there are thousands of them in Egypt.
So what is the difference between a cook and a chef?
According to the three-starred New York restaurant Le Bernadin’s co-owner, Chef Eric Ripert, “A chef is a title. So, as a chef, you’re manager, basically, of your team — with many duties including the creativity and the leading role of the kitchen. Being a cook, it’s understanding the ingredients; it’s being good at the act of cooking, which is craftsmanship.” He goes on to say, “Now, I don’t think you can be a good chef if you are not a good cook.”
This is not what I’m seeing, Cairo. Far from it. Instead, I’m seeing Egyptians and inefficient foreigners hired by Egyptians who believe they’ve been reincarnated as prettily boxed gifts bestowed upon Cairo’s food scene, doling out their PR routine at one event after another, popping open one unfinished restaurant after the next, with minimal focus on the food.
This is not how awarded restaurants are made and it is far from what the food service industry truly represents — skills, humility and patience. Instead, we are rushing to wear our made-for-us branded toques, filling them with ambition, desires and dreams of reality TV.
Creativity in food is no easy feat, especially once you’ve taken a long hard look at the international food world, old and new, and what people have been bringing to the table for years.
By all means, become a chef in Cairo and call yourself one but if I’m speaking to you about outdated classics, it would be beneficial to have an idea about those I’m referencing as well as how to cook for a party of a hundred or more. If I criticize the way you cook your eggs, address my concern instead of unfollowing me on Twitter.
It is exactly this behavior that is putting us nowhere on the global food map — all fluff and no substance.
If you’re toying with the idea of finding a career in Cairo’s strange food world as a chef, begin as an apprentice and not the featured chef of a one-night-only event. Work your way up through the ranks of the iron-fisted restaurant kitchen hierarchy to learn the trade. Accept the advice you’re handed graciously. Don’t drink on the job. Study and hide your ego.
Creamy Cinnamon Fusilli with Broccoli & Chicken
You’ll need
350 grams of fusilli
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
7 grams of butter
1½ cups of cream
½ cup of chicken stock
A pinch of cinnamon
50 grams of Edam cheese
½ teaspoon of white pepper
½ a head of broccoli in florets
3 chicken breasts
1 tablespoons of vegetable oil
5 grams of butter
Salt and pepper to season
For the pasta, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. It should be a little underdone when removed from the water. Set aside. In a large pan on medium heat, add the butter. Once it has foamed, add the garlic and onion. Cook for a few minutes until softened. They should not change color.
Add the cream and stir into the onions and garlic then add the chicken stock and bring to a high simmer. Lower the heat then add the cinnamon, pepper and salt. Leave on a low simmer for 5 minutes to thicken. Add the cheese and stir to combine. Add the pasta to the sauce and allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes until al dente.
In a separate pot, boil a pot full of salted water and add your broccoli florets. Cook for around 3-4 minutes then remove. Drain then add to the pasta.
While the sauce is left to thicken, heat a pan with a lid to medium-high heat then add the butter and oil. Swirl the pan to coat. Season the raw chicken breast then add to the pan. Leave to cook for approximately 7 minutes on each side, depending on how large the chicken breast is. Once done, allow the chicken breast to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Slice the chicken. After plating up the fusilli with broccoli, rest the chicken on top. Feel free to add the chicken into the pasta pot to coat it with sauce before serving.

A roasted tomato macaroni for the unpresent

A roasted tomato macaroni for the unpresent

I know a boy with a golden smile that outshines his speckled eyes and curly locks woven with tones of clear honey and pale lager. A deliberately early riser, he gets high on dancing in front of the television and playing air guitar while the rest of our home sleeps. There are days I hear him, bumbling about, making happy sounds against his cereal bowl with the edge of a spoon; these noisy melodies help rainy mornings pass comfortably, as I snuggle deeper into my white duvet, imploring my adult self to find her hunger for new experiences and go forth unabashedly into the day.
Returning to the memory of the day I first met him, I remember thinking determinedly, “I want to be part of this.”
At the time, it did not occur to me that being a stepmother involved so much more than bearing the weight of an ugly stereotype; but oftentimes I do not rationalize things and so I leapt in, oozing with outward confidence, hoping to be that stepmotherly change I wanted to see in the world. With that, my plate had become surprisingly full.
Swept away by my stepson's passion, our clean-lined kitchen became a place bubbling with ideas as we opened ourselves up to new flavors. Always looking for more seductive ways to feed our newly assembled family, we all wanted to be do our part: my husband with his proficient grilling skills, my stepdaughter with her remarkable kneading abilities, my stepson with his delicate touch and discernible palate, and me — always trying to fit in.
Moving them farther and farther away from their bad eating habits, my stepchildren began to sincerely give in to their now ripened lust for good food. Do they still eat with the abandonment they learned in our home or have they reverted back to their plain-pasta-eating, bottled-salad-dressing selves? I do not know.
It has now been one year, one month and one day since we have last seen or spoken to the children. For reasons that stem from a bitter divorce, the children are paying the price of a dissolved marriage, the same way I once had to do with my parents.
Shutting our kitchen down for a few months except for the odd dish here and there to remind us that we still live in a functioning home albeit of two, it became difficult to find the inspiration to conjure up new dishes again. Equally harrowing was the meticulous making of previously cherished family meals. I have not had buttery mashed potatoes, pureed to a smooth velvet, since the first week of January 2011, or what I like to call “the incident.”
Will I only see the boy with the golden smile when his hair has darkened, older like his father's buzz cut, tinged with nuances of roasted stout and milk chocolate? Will I twirl through our living room again with my bright-eyed stepdaughter after a mutual chili-high from generous lappings of Tom Yum Goong? Should I forget about them and what I have taught them because I am their mere stepmother?
I cannot answer these questions. I can only say that it doesn't matter which house they're at, they'll always eat pasta with a tomato-based sauce and today for the first time I'm making a proper one without them. My growing girl would enjoy it with a thicker sauce while my boy with a sensitive stomach would prefer it light and fresh.
This recipe balances out both with a little bit of new: thick and chunky tomato flesh slowly roasted, a snappy sting of fresh chives and the elimination of heavy, concentrated tomato paste finished off with thin slices of unmelted Italian Pecorino cheese. I only hope that one day I'll be able to share this with them as I have with you. Until then, I'll hold on to a wish that someone with a moral code can take a look at our laws because I'd like to live in an Egypt where fathers can see their children and where I don't have to worry about what they're spraying on my food.
Roasted Tomato Elbow Macaroni
You’ll need:
4 large tomatoes
½ a sweet red onion, finely diced
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
¼ cup of breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1½ tablespoons of unsalted butter
400 grams of dry pasta
1 teaspoon of granulated sugar
A handful of chives, snipped with scissors
1/3 cup of Pecorino, shaved
Salt and black pepper to taste
Cook the macaroni in a pot of boiling salted water for approximately 8 minutes or until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta liquid. Drain the macaroni. Place the tomatoes whole in a large baking dish and pop into the oven heated at 180 degrees Celsius. Roast for an hour or until the skin breaks and the tomato flesh becomes tender. If the tomatoes begin to brown, turn down the heat to 160 degrees Celsius. When the tomatoes are done, remove from the oven and set aside until they cool slightly. Remove the vines and crush with your hands into a bowl. In a large pan, toast the breadcrumbs then reserve in a small bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and 1½ tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and stir until soft. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes before stirring in the pasta liquid. Bring your sauce to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Add pasta and cook for another minute while tossing to coat the pasta in sauce. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with shaved Pecorino, breadcrumbs and snipped chives.

Dubai plans massive tourism and retail project

Dubai plans massive tourism and retail project

Dubai - Dubai announced plans for a huge tourism and retail development including the largest shopping mall in the world, a fresh sign that the glitzy emirate has recovered its commercial ambitions after a crippling corporate debt crisis three years ago.
The development, on the outskirts of Dubai's current downtown area, will include a park 30 percent bigger than Hyde Park in London, said Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, also prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.
A retail complex named the 'Mall of the World' will be able to host 80 million visitors a year and include over 100 hotel facilities, Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement on Saturday.
A family entertainment centre linked to the mall, developed with Hollywood's Universal Studios, a unit of Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), would be designed for 6 million visitors each year.
The development, named 'Mohammed Bin Rashid City', would also include a district of art galleries and an area where entrepreneurs could develop businesses.
Sheikh Mohammed did not say how much the development would cost or when it would be finished, but his description indicated investment would total many billions of dollars. It would be built by Dubai Holding DUBAH.UL, a conglomerate owned by him, and Dubai's leading real estate firm Emaar Properties EMAR.DU.
'The current facilities available in Dubai need to be scaled up in line with the future ambitions for the city,' Sheikh Mohammed said, adding that Dubai aimed to become a business and cultural capital for 2 billion people in surrounding regions.
Such ambitions would have seemed ludicrous three years ago, when a crash of Dubai's inflated real estate market triggered a corporate debt crisis that forced state-owned conglomerate Dubai World DBWLD.UL into a $25 billion debt restructuring. Some of Dubai Holding's own units restructured their debt.
Property prices plunged over 50 percent from their peaks and neighbouring Abu Dhabi, which has most of the UAE's oil wealth, came to Dubai's rescue with a bailout worth over $10 billion.
But Dubai, home to the world's tallest building, an archipelago of man-made islands and an indoor ski slope in one of its shopping malls, has staged a dramatic recovery this year, partly because of a tourism boom.
Tourist arrivals grew 10 percent and hotel revenue 19 percent in the first half of 2012. Some state-linked companies have made progress working through their debt loads, while property prices have started to rebound in some areas.
Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East, including Syria's civil war, appear to have helped Dubai, which has attracted funds seeking a politically and economically stable haven.
Several extravagant real estate projects, shelved during the debt crisis, have been revived in the last few months, including a $1 billion replica of India's Taj Mahal that would include a 300-room hotel, and a canal to the city's business district.
Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport will exceed 50 million people this year and the airport is being expanded. Sheikh Mohammed said traffic would top 90 million in six years and Dubai's development should revolve around this prospect.
'Our development initiatives concerning infrastructure in all sectors should be aligned with this growth rate and we have the determination to reach our objectives and be the first in the region to achieve them,' he said.
Sheikh Mohammed did not say how the latest development plan would be financed. Although yields on bonds issued by Dubai firms have plunged this year, showing a return of investor confidence, some bankers are concerned that Dubai is merely pushing many debt maturities into the future without selling assets and taking other difficult steps to cut the debt load.
Standard Chartered (STAN.L) said in a research note this month that while the recovery of key areas of its economy would help Dubai, its entities would face nearly $50 billion of liabilities maturing between 2014 and 2016, and there had been 'little progress on the deleveraging front'.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Evaluate Your Investments With SWOT Analysis

Evaluate Your Investments With SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis can be a useful tool in evaluating and monitoring equity investments. Standing for 'strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats,' SWOT analysis was reportedly developed by Albert Humphrey in the 1960s and has become a staple concept in business management and investment evaluation. (To understand the qualities that make for a great company, investors must dig deep into 'soft' metrics.
Most commonly used as a business planning tool, SWOT analysis can be used to evaluate products, divisions, companies and entire markets. It can also be used as an investment tool; giving an investor a handy snapshot of the potential advantages or disadvantages of a company's current positioning.
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The Components of SWOT
Although the concepts that make up a SWOT analysis seem straightforward, diligence and attention to detail are important. More than is generally the case with company and stock evaluation methods, SWOT analysis is a great example where the quality of results will never be better than the quality of the inputs.
It is also worth noting that, broadly speaking, strengths and weaknesses should reflect 'what is' today, while opportunities and threats are more about what could happen in the future.

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Strengths
Strengths are characteristics that give the subject a meaningful advantage or form the basis of above-average performance potential. In many cases, a subject's strengths will be the basis of its competitive advantage. Not only do strengths consider what a company does well, but why or how it does it well.
In the case of a mining company, for instance, a valuable mineral asset in a politically stable country may be listed as a strength, while a major consumer company may have some of its greatest strengths in the value of its brands. It is important to note that above-average revenue growth or superior margins are not in and of themselves strengths – it is the popularity of the products or the relative efficiency of its manufacturing process that represent the real strengths.
Weaknesses
In a SWOT analysis, weaknesses are vulnerabilities to the company's competitive position and/or opportunity to earn positive economic returns. Common weaknesses could include a unionized labor force, products that are essentially regarded as commodities, or the requirement to comply with expensive or elaborate regulatory regimes to sell its goods/services.
Weaknesses can also refer to how the company is integrated and affected by economic conditions. An economic environment heavily burdened with competition, for example, would be considered a potential weakness of the firm.
Opportunities
Opportunities represent scenarios or options where the company can meaningfully improve itself. The introduction of a significant product can be an opportunity, as well as a restructuring or acquisition. It is important to note, though, that 'better margins' or 'better sales' are not in themselves opportunities; generally more specificity is in order (the details of how the company will improve those margins or sales).
Another type of opportunity presents itself from an untapped customer demographic. For example, if an independent pizza restaurant on the west side of the side introduces a delivery service, it has the opportunity to expand its customer base beyond only those living in the neighborhood.
Threats
The threats portion of a SWOT analysis should answer the question 'what could change for the worse?' with a particular company. Like opportunities, threats may be prospective or even theoretical, but they should offer more specificity than 'something might go wrong.' Increased government regulation, a failure to secure approval/acceptance for a major new product, or the introduction of a rival product/service would all represent meaningful threats to a company's competitive standing and economic returns.
Limitations
There are key limitations that users of SWOT analysis should understand. To start, it totally ignores valuation and other significant fundamental metrics like return on capital, margins, cost of capital and so on. Although there is no rule out there that an investor cannot opt to include fundamental details as strengths or weaknesses in evaluating a stock's prospects as an investment, these analyses work best when the user explores why and how company earns a certain return on capital.
SWOT analysis also does not tend to offer much scope or scale to the size or significance of various opportunities and threats. It stands to reason that the creator of a SWOT analysis would not bother with non-material opportunities or threats, but it is nevertheless important to try to quantify the impact of these items on a company's returns.
The largest limitation of SWOT analysis is that it is subjective and self-directed. The entire process relies solely on the creator's knowledge and judgment, and there is an inherent potential for bias. In the case of a biotech, for instance, a bull may well see an experimental therapy as a major opportunity while a bear will see a weakness or threat in the vast amounts of money that are to spent developing a doomed therapy. Likewise, an optimist may well see an emerging brand as a major asset (a strength), while the bear sees little value in a brand and major threats from competition from more established brands/companies.
Usefulness
On balance, SWOT analysis is best used by investors as a way of crystallizing and quantifying the thought process that goes into an investment decision. The entire process can, and should, make an investor think more deeply about the weaknesses of and threats to a company, while also helping to tease out what is really important and distinctive about one company versus its rivals.
SWOT analysis also works best when it is done consistently. By using it on a regular basis and keeping track of the information, SWOT analysis can allow for better comparisons across industry participants and more frequent use can also help limit some of the dangers of bias and selective (or incomplete) analysis.
Investors can look at SWOT analysis as a good screening tool for potentially interesting ideas that merit further research. Likewise, investors may find that SWOT analysis provides a useful means of tracking current holdings and comparing the development and evolution of those companies to the original purchase theses. (These five qualitative measures allow investors to draw conclusions about a corporation that are not apparent on the balance sheet.
Conclusions
A SWOT analysis will not tell an investor what price is fair for a stock, or if a stock is presently undervalued. What SWOT analysis does do, however, is force some discipline and systematic thinking into the investment evaluation process. A careful and thoughtful analysis should bring into focus the balance of a company's advantages and vulnerabilities, and also give the investor a benchmark to evaluate the company in future years.