Modern Lifestyle for you

The Legendary Jewels Evening Sale achieved $115,932,000

2011-12-15T01:58:00.000-08:00

Dubai, UAE – The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Legendary Jewels Evening Sale achieved $115,932,000 (£74,196,480/€89,267,640), becoming the most valuable jewelry auction in history and setting the tone for Christie’s highly anticipated four-day series of landmark auctions devoted to the iconic collection of Elizabeth Taylor (13-16 December 2011). A tribute to the discerning eye of this celebrated film star, fashion icon, and humanitarian, the sale was 100% sold by lot and 100% by value, with 24 of the 80 jewels fetching over $1 million and 6 jewels over $5 million. 7 new world auction records were established: price per carat for a colorless diamond and for a ruby; a pair of natural pearl ear pendants; a pearl jewel; an Indian jewel and an emerald jewel.

The top lot of the sale was the legendary 16th century pearl La Peregrina which realized $11,842,500 (£7,579,200/ €9,118,725), setting two world auction records: for an historic pearl (against the previous record of $2.5 million set by La Regente at Christie’s Geneva, 2005) and for a pearl jewel (surpassing the $7 million record paid for The Baroda Pearls at Christie’s New York, 2007).

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, of 33.19 carats, D color, potentially internally flawless, realized $8,818,500 (£5,643,840/€6,790,245), setting a record price per carat ($265,697). This far exceeds the $240,000 per carat paid for The Annenberg Diamond of 32.01 carats when it sold at Christie’s New York in 2009.

The Taj Mahal Diamond, circa 1627 – 28, on a gold and ruby chain, by Cartier realized $8,818,500 (£5,643,840/€6,790,245), setting a world auction record for an Indian jewel (against the previous record of $5.2 million set by the imperial Mughal spinel necklace at Christie’s Geneva, May 2011).

The first Gulf musical ‘HINDISTANI’ Heralds a new dawn for Arabic entertainment on OSN’S brand new Arabic channel

2011-10-05T02:05:00.000-07:00

The brand new Arabic entertainment channel OSN YAHALA! HD will be the exclusive home for the first ever Gulf musical comedy series Hindistani. The OSN original production stars comedy superstar Basheer AlGhnaim and renowned actress/dancer Malayeen and premieres Monday, 10th October at 20:00 KSA.

Hindistani will join a line-up of premium programming never seen before on TV when OSN YAHALA! HD launches in October. This one of a kind series is a completely new concept to the region and will delight viewers with its opulent settings, engaging story lines, a prominent Gulf cast, brilliant choreography and sensational musical numbers.

The series follows Saeedan (Basheer AlGhnaim), a herbs and textile trader who is deeply in love with a beautiful girl called Hind. Saeedan often escapes his mundane lifestyle into the realms of fantasy through his dreams that take him to India, where most of the action in the series takes place.

The sing-along series that is guaranteed to be a smash hit with OSN viewers showcases a selection of catchy musical numbers with Arabic lyrics set against Indian music. The mix of Arabic romance and passion comes to life in the majestic Indian cities of Nawalgarh, Jaipur, Jaiselmer and Mumbai and was shot in glorious high definition. It will be subtitled in English.

David Butorac, CEO of OSN, said: “OSN YAHALA! HD promises to deliver imaginative and innovative programming with fresh concepts and that is exactly what Hindustani represents. This is just beginning for OSN; we are working on developing and producing a wide range of exciting brand new programming concepts which we look forward to sharing with our viewers later this year.”

Khulud Abu.Homos, Senior Vice President of Programming said: “Everyone at OSN is extremely proud to have produced the first ever Gulf musical showcasing the beautiful romantic adventures of an Arab in true Indian style and colour. A new era of Arabic production is emerging and Hindistani is just the beginning of a whole new world about to come to life through our brand new channel OSN YAHALA! HD; The new dawn of Arabic entertainment.”

Elegant, Sophisticated, Wearable: M&S Man & Woman matches Contemporary Style with Innovative Features

2011-10-05T01:54:00.000-07:00

Marks & Spencer Al-Futtaim, a leader in family fashion, beauty, food and home ware, today announced the launch of M&S Man & Woman, brand new ranges of fashion-rich and feature-rich clothing that appeal to all age groups and tastes.

Wholly contemporary, both M&S Woman and M&S Man have broad appeal thanks to confident pieces that provide myriad options for casual and formal occasions and feature a diversity of colours, fabrics, prints and contemporary silhouettes. A rich saturated palette works alongside vivid primary tones: deep teal greens, purples and greys are key, while strong blacks and blues are used to maximise the impact of simply shaped outerwear. Patterned and textured knits are also at the centre of the ranges.

The M&S Man & Woman ranges incorporate a number of innovative features that make looking stylish effortless. These include totally machine washable cashmere, a dress with patented technology that sculpts and smoothes in the right places, and machine washable suits for men.

Ms Zainab Al Mahry, Regional Marketing Manager Marks & Spencer Al-Futtaim said, “M&S Woman and M&S Man are at the heart of Marks & Spencer. These are the pieces you can depend on to look and feel great. Stylish and versatile, you know you’ll find inspiring outfit ideas every time. Basically, it’s about the clothes you love, made in a way you trust – and all great value too. Inspiring yet dependable, M&S Man and M&S Woman encapsulate everything that keeps our customers coming back to Marks & Spencer.”

M&S Man & Woman will be available in all Marks & Spencer Al-Futtaim stores across the Middle East from Thursday 6 October, with availability of some pieces limited to selected stores only.

How to perform Umrah

2011-08-28T00:38:00.000-07:00

What is Umrah?
In Arabic, the word 'Umrah is derived from I'timaar which means a visit. However, 'Umrah in Islamic terminology, means paying a visit to Ka' bah, performing Tawaaf (circumambulation) around it, walking between Safaa and Marwah seven times. A performer of 'Umrah puts off his Ihraam by having his hair shaved or cut. 'Umrah can be performed along with Hajj and in other days as well.

'Umrah can be performed during anytime in the year, there is no fixed time for 'Umrah.

The Pillars of `Umrah are four:
a)     Ihraam: which is assumed at the Meeqaat.
b)    Tawaaf: around the House.
c)     Sa'y: walking between As-Safaa and Al-Marwah, which consists of seven circuits.
d)    Tahal-lul: which means coming out of the state of Ihraam; becoming lawful what was previously prohibited during Ihraam.

During 'Umrah, pilgrims do not go to Minaa, 'Arafaat and Muzdalifah or throw pebbles on the Jamrahs (stone pillars representing devils) or offer animal sacrifice. These rites are only performed during Hajj.

How to perform 'Umrah:

1.     When the one who wants to perform 'Umrah arrives at the Meeqaat, it is recommended for him (both man and woman) to take a bath if convenient, including menstruating women and those experiencing postnatal bleeding. The man perfumes his head and beard but not his Ihraam garments. There is no harm in what remains of it after Ihraam. There is nothing wrong if it is not possible to take a bath at Meeqaat.

2.      Men are to change into their clothing of Ihraam while the women only need to make their intention at that time in the clothing they are already wearing. There is no specific clothing designated for women, except that they are prohibited from wearing the Niqaab (face-veil) and gloves. Instead, they may cover their hands with the lower part of their khimaar (head covering), while using the upper part of their jilbaab (outer garment) or a separate piece of fabric to cover their faces by drawing it down, if there is need to do so.

As for men, they must assume their Ihraam at the Meeqaat by wearing two pieces of fabric called the Izaar and the Ridaa'. The Ridaa' covers the top half of the body, while the Izaar covers the lower half. No other clothing is allowed to be worn in addition to these – no underwear, no pants, no shirt, no turban, no hat, etc. are to be worn.

Then the pilgrim makes the intention at the Meeqaat to begin the rites of 'Umrah by entering the state of Ihraam. The intention must be made in the heart, while the statement made afterwards is: "Labayka 'Umrah" or "Allahumma labbayka 'Umrah". This statement begins the rites of `Umrah. So the first pillar of `Umrah is the Ihraam. The intention is made in the heart, while the tongue recites the opening Talbiyyah. And if you wish, when uttering Talbiyyah, you may state a condition to Allaah fearing that which may prevent you from completion of the ‘Umrah whether illness or fear - saying "in habasanee haabes fa mahillee haithu habastanee" (I come out of the state of Ihraam from the place You prevent me from continuing). So if you do that and are then prevented or become ill - then you may come out of Ihraam. Then repeat the Talbiyyah: "labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak" (“In response to your call O Allaah I perform ‘Umrah, here I am O Allaah. In response to Your call. You have no partner. In response to Your call. All Praise and Blessings, and the Ownership of all that You created is Yours (alone). You have no partner”)

Upon arriving at the sacred mosque in Makkah (Al-Masjid Al-Haraam), you should enter with your right foot and say: "Bismillaah, Allaahumma Salli 'Alaa Muhammad, Allaahumma Ighfirli waftahli Abwaaba Rahmatik. (In the name of Allaah! O Allaah! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O Allaah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me)." You should enter in a manner expressing humility and gratitude to the blessings He, Almighty, conferred upon you.

3.     Upon arriving at the K'abah, stop reciting the Talbiyyah, then approach the Black Stone, touch it with your right hand and kiss it. If this isn't possible, you should face the Black Stone and point to it. Don’t push and shove, causing harm and being harmed by other people. When touching the Stone, the following is said: "Bismil-laah, Allaahu Akbar" (In the name of Allaah, Allaah is the Greatest) or "Allaahu Akbar" (Allaah is the Greatest).

A pilgrim must walk, keeping the Ka'bah on his left. When you reach the Yamaani corner touch it with your right hand, if possible, but do not kiss it, and say: "Bismil-laahi wa Allaahu Akbar". If this is difficult for you, then go on performing tawaaf without touching it, pointing at it or even saying "Allaahu Akbar" because this was not narrated from the Prophet on the other hand whenever you reach or are parallel to the black stone, touch it with your right hand, kiss it and say, "Bismillaah Allaahu Akbar", if it is not possible then it is enough to point at it and say, "Bismillaah, Allaahu Akbar".

During this Tawaaf it is preferred for a man to do two things:

a)     Al-Idhtibaa' from the beginning of Tawaaf until the end, which is placing the middle of one's Redaa' under the right arm and the ends of it over the left shoulder. When you are finished performing Tawaaf, you may return your Reda' to its original state because the time for A-Idhtibaa' is only during Tawaaf.

b)    Ar-Raml during the first three circuits only. Ar-Raml means speeding up one's pace with small steps.

Make supplication from your heart, for that which will benefit you. Recite whatever you wish, supplicate to Allaah by asking for good, recite the Quran, anything you wish. There are no specific statements or supplications to be recited during the Tawaaf that are authentically established in the Sunnah. However it is recommended to say between the two corners during each circumbulance as it is reported from the Messenger of Allaah : "...Our Lord, grant us good in this life and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire." [Quran; 2:201]

4.     When you complete seven circuits of Tawaaf, approach Maqaam Ibraaheem (Ibraaheem’s station) and recite this verse (which means): "And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraheem as a place of Prayer... " [Quran; 2:125]

Then pray two short Rak’ahs, as close as conveniently possible, behind Maqaam Ibraheem. If it is not possible then you can pray them anywhere in the sacred mosque. It is preferred to recite during the first Rak'ah the chapter "Al-Kafiroon" and during the second one the chapter of “Al-lkhlaas” [112].

Upon completing the two Rak'ahs, return to the Black Stone and touch it, if convenient

5.     The next stage is to go to Safaa. Upon approaching the foot of Safaa, the following verse is recited (which means): “Verily, As-Safaa and Al-Marwah are from the symbols of Allaah. So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or 'Umrah of the house (ka 'bah) to perform the going (tawaaf) between them. And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allaah is the All-Recognizer, All-Knower.” [Quran; 2:158]

6.     Then climb unto mount Safaa until the Ka'bah is visible, if possible. Facing the Ka’bah the following is to be said 3 times, and between each time one is to make ones own supplication:

"Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha il-lall-llaahu wadahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa 'alaa qulli shay'in qadeer. Laa ilaaha il-lall-llaahu wahdahu, anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaaba wahdahu" (Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, Who has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over everything. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.)

7.     Then descend and go towards Marwah, running between the fluorescent green lights (for men only), upon reaching Marwah climb upon it if it is possible, and repeat the same procedure as when ascending Safaa except you are not to recite the above-mentioned verse, because it is recited when ascending Safaa for the first time only. This completes one circuit. Then one continues back to Safaa running between the fluorescent green lights (for men only) - thus completing two circuits.

There are no particular supplications to be recited between Safaa and Marwah. Seven circuits are to be completed ending the last one on Marwah.

Then one is to have his hair cut although shaving it is better. Women should shorten their hair by a finger-tips length from the end. The rights of 'Umrah have now been completed.

Ramadan Kareem

2011-08-01T01:34:00.000-07:00

Five of the region’s favorite malls encourage residents to donate clothing, books, reading glasses and mobile phones to aid the less fortunate

2011-07-24T05:26:00.000-07:00

Dubai, UAE, 24 July, 2011 – This year, Majid Al Futtaim Properties – one of the region's most prominent property and shopping mall developers, with community touch points across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman – will once again institute its ‘Make A Difference This Ramadan’ campaign, continuing the company’s commitment to help the underprivileged across the region. For the fifth year running, all Majid Al Futtaim properties located within the UAE – Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Sharjah City Centre and Ajman City Centre – will be encouraging customers to donate everyday items such as clothing, books, reading glasses and mobile phones.

The initiative is part of Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ regional-wide Ramadan campaign, and last year over 62,000 items were gathered collectively across the company’s nine regional malls. Regional malls include Alexandria City Centre and Maadi City Centre in Egypt, Bahrain City Centre, Qurum City Centre and Muscat City Centre in Oman, as well as the UAE-based malls mentioned above.

Due to the campaign’s overwhelming success all locations will once again have special collections boxes strategically placed within each mall, allowing customers to donate the much-needed items. As part of the company’s devotion to social responsibility, at the end of the month-long charity initiative all collected items will be distributed to the Red Crescent – meaning all generous donations will ultimately be gifted to those on need.

Speaking of the ‘Make A Difference This Ramadan’ campaign, Ali Al Abdallah, Senior Director of Asset Management, declares, “Ramadan is a time to reflect on the lives of those who are less fortunate than ourselves, and our Make a Difference this Ramadan campaign is the perfect opportunity to create awareness and reach out to those who need it most. Our aim this year is to build on last year’s overwhelming success while continuing to spread the message of giving this Ramadan”.

Changing What’s Normal

2011-06-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Book Review: Changing What’s Normal

By Ian Berry, 224-pages

$40 which includes companion online vault

IBSN 978-0-958123603-1

New Normal Is The New Black

Sparkenation is the spark that ignites passion that leads to an action

that changes what is normal

In a no-holds-barred global viewpoint, change master, Ian Berry suggests that most political intentions worldwide are currently in the wrong place.

For Berry, the multitude of natural, economic and social occurrences sweeping the world are demand indicators signalling that it is time for ‘the new normal’.

He suggests how we can cultivate all-round change in the way we conduct business, manage ﬁnances, handle relationships and indeed, appreciate ourselves. In this little black page-turner-of-a-book, he pens no less that 58 sparkenations - deﬁning a sparkenation as the spark that ignites passion that leads to an action that changes what is normal.

Changing What’s Normal – every ofﬁce – and home - should have one!

www.changingwhatsnormal.com

Mirdif City Centre launches ‘Monday’s Sobhiya’

2011-03-31T03:19:00.000-07:00

Dubai, 31 March 2011 – With over 70 participating stores, ladies can indulge in complimentary facials and mini makeovers, nail & hair appointments from Paris Gallery, NStyle, Sephora, Sisters and Missha, or ‘shop till they drop’ in fashion-favourites Topshop, and Miss Selfridge with ladies-only discounts as part of “Monday’s Sobhiya’. Many food & beverage and entertainment discounts are also on offer, in addition to free fashion consultancy from Zara, Oysho, Bershka, Uterque and many more.

Known as a common social gathering, ‘Sobhiya’ is an occasion where ladies can meet in their finest attire, drink tea or coffee and enjoy each other’s company while discussing life’s issues. And now, every Monday women can visit Mirdif City Centre for ‘Monday’s Sobhiya’ – an exclusive weekly ladies morning between 10am and 1pm, providing special offers from many of the mall’s renowned outlets and fashion-forward boutiques.

“Monday’s Sobhiya is available exclusively at Mirdif City Center and offers ladies a fun and fresh shopping experience. With beauty and fashion consultations and expert advice offered at fashion and beauty shop favorites, Monday’s at Mirdif City Centre is the place to be”, said Mirdif City Centre VP Yousif Al Ali.

To take advantage of the growing list of benefits, ladies wishing to take part in ‘Monday’s Sobhiya’ mornings simply need to visit any of the mall’s customer service desks for your exclusive card and a full list of participating retailers and offers

4G ? New Verizon phone for $250.

2011-03-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- Verizon said Tuesday that its first 4G smartphone, the HTC ThunderBolt, will be available in stores and online starting March 17 for $249.99 with a two-year contract.

It was a long awaited announcement, as the ThunderBolt will be the first phone to take advantage of Verizon's 4G LTE network -- which offers download speeds of 5 to 12Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5Mbps.
But the ThunderBolt's $250 price point is higher than most other smartphones, which typically debut at $199 -- including the new Verizon iPhone.

The ThunderBolt runs on Google's Android 2.2 and is powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm (QCOM, Fortune 500). It features two cameras, a kickstand for media viewing, 8GB of onboard memory and a pre-installed 32GB microSD card.

The phone can be used as a mobile hotspot to share Internet connectivity with up to eight Wi-Fi devices. Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) will include hotspot service for free through May 15. After that date, the service can be activated for $20 for 2GB of data per month.
4G is a myth (and a confusing mess)

Calling plans start at $39.99 per month, and unlimited 4G data plans cost $29.99 per month.

The ThunderBolt supports Google (GOOG, Fortune 500) mobile services including Gmail and YouTube, and it features 4G-optimized apps including EA's (ERTS, Fortune 500) Rock Band, Gameloft's Let's Golf, Tunewiki, and Bitbop.
Earlier this month, a comScore report showed the Android operating system became No. 1 in terms of market share in January, beating out Research in Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry for the first time. Android passed Apple's iOS in November, according to comScore.

Meanwhile, it's unclear how successful the Verizon iPhone has been as of yet. It went on sale last month, but Verizon has stayed mum on sales figures. A Verizon spokesman has said the company won't release those figures until its corporate earnings report.

Miss Selfridge – UK’s hottest fashion brand

2011-02-27T23:04:00.000-08:00

Dubai, 24th February, 2011: Miss Selfridge, one of the UK’s hottest fashion brands, has opened its door to young style-savvy fashionistas at The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue First Floor. Famous for its exciting ‘fashion only’ proposition, Miss Selfridge brings the latest fashion ideas to Dubai giving shoppers the best of the season’s trends.

The new flagship store features the latest Miss Selfridge store concept. Fresh from Oxford Street in London, it delivers the widest range of Miss Selfridge fashion to consumers in the Middle East.

The new store also introduces Dubai to the exciting Miss Selfridge spring / summer 2011 collection. Shoppers will find a wide range of vintage inspired pieces which capture the 70s inspired looks of the season – a trend which Miss Selfridge captured the first time around as pioneers on the high street in that decade.

Printed dresses and embroidered pieces in delicate yet intricate silhouettes come in a range of fashionable hues - from burnt orange and playful pinks; to moody blues and flattering nudes. Tapered trousers and wide legged pants are right on trend, complemented perfectly by stacked platforms and pretty flats. The stylish Miss Selfridge spring summer 2011 collection is sure to meet every fashionista’s needs.

JZ Couture’s stunning collection will be showcased at The Perfect Wedding Show at Expo Centre Sharjah from March 2 to 5, 2011

2011-02-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

An integration of east meets west, the JZ Couture brand is formulated of the diverse design duo, Julia Bruchwitz and Zara Hassan. Each with their own very unique creative backgrounds, the partnership of German born Julia with Pakistani born Zara has resulted in an interesting new high end label. The array of luxury women’s wear collections, created by the twosome, boast distinctive contrasting elements of tradition vs. contemporary. Exotic Kaftans and flowing feminine dresses of Asian and Arabic vibes, their creations are incredibly reflective of the pair’s worldly experiences and travels. Initiated in 2010 and based in Dubai, the brands target market is set at any women seeking an aspect of unique upper class within her wardrobe. As a whole, JZ Couture’s style offers consumers an element of wearable sophistication with special patterns flattering all figures, with their latest collection.

Their recent creations see a signature assortment of limited production lux kaftans. The exclusive dresses merge an elegant blend of western inspired silhouettes and garment cuts with eastern detailing. Mostly floor length, the gowns comprise a variety in shape ranging from sleeveless plunging necklines to a full and floaty sleeve. Whatever the shape, all the pieces exemplify the brands timeless and classy persona.

The dresses incorporate an extensive and luxurious palette of both colour and texture. Rich tones of fuchsias, intense turquoises and crisp whites provide a versatile palette that has something to offer for every occasion. The use of fabrics such as chiffons, velvets and silks not only add to this sense of opulent glamour, but also flatter and drape in an incredibly feminine way. This seemingly assists the brands ideals, of inspiring a sentiment of confidence and stylishness within the wearer, incredibly well. Embellished by intricate features of traditional Pakistani design inspired embroidery and intersections of lace, the fine detailing that adorns these gowns exudes the brands running theme of the utmost grace and poise.

Julia adds, “Our Kaftan dresses are exclusive and make every woman feel comfortable, feminine and stylish..”

As a whole, JZ Couture likes to remain relatively exclusive and features within only a handful of boutiques worldwide. This maintains the brands appeal of uniqueness and individuality about their pieces. However, the brand is recently featured in Dubai boutiques’s such as Professionelle (1st floor Dubai Mall), Si Fashion Gallery on Jumeirah Beach Road and Soiree Boutique on Jumeirah’s Al Wasl Road.

New BenQ M22 Camcorder Launched in the Middle East

2011-02-16T01:48:00.000-08:00

Dubai, UAE, 15 February 2011: BenQ, digital lifestyle provider and Red Dot award winner, has enhanced its camcorder line-up with the launch of the new pocket-size 1080p Full HD M22 camcorder.

Picture-enhancing advancements together with smart functionality and intuitive operation set the new BenQ M22 camcorder apart. With a host of features including: AF Lock; Face Exposure Tracking; Touch Exposure and EIS (Electronic Image Stabilizer), the M22 enables users to professionally record moments and events as they unfold.

“The new BenQ M22 is designed to be the perfect on-the-go accessory. Its convenient pocket-size together with the versatility of a dual power supply, which can be charged both through a power adaptor or USB cable, enables the BenQ to travel easily from important celebrations to day trips to long vacations,” said Manish Bakshi, General Manager of BenQ for the Middle East and Africa.

The BenQ M22’s AF lock is one of its most prominent features, ensuring captured videos are blur-free with utmost clarity and true-to-the-moment colors. This function is especially helpful when there are moving objects in the background or when lighting conditions are unstable. The AF lock keeps the focus set on the user’s desired subject whilst maintaining the chosen lighting mode.

Face exposure tracking and touch exposure tracking capabilities further complements the AF lock function, by automatically detecting faces and seamlessly adjusting the exposure to ensure faces are always rendered in detail and natural colors. While the touch exposure tracking feature allows users to make adjustments by allowing them to tap on the 3” touch screen to optimize exposure on the desired object.

Difficult lighting conditions can be managed with the night mode and backlight compensation features which support users when recording during the night or when a subject is dark due to a bright background light. The new camcorder will also appeal to aspiring filmmakers for its motion detection feature which will auto-start recording as soon as motion is detected.

The BenQ M22 is priced at AED 699.00 and will be available in the UAE from mid-February 2011. For more information, please visit http://www.benq.ae/

Fujitsu Introduces the World's First Biodegradable Computer Mouse

2011-02-02T02:44:00.000-08:00

Dubai, February 2, 2011– Fujitsu today announced the world’s first entirely plastic-free, biodegradable computer mouse. Substituting renewable materials for plastic, the ECO mouse is 100 percent recyclable.

Made from the environmentally-conscious plastic substitutes ARBOFORM® and BIOGRADE®, the Fujitsu Mouse M440 ECO joins the keyboard KBPC PX ECO in the line-up of accessories manufactured from renewable materials – helping eliminate the use of oil-based resources such as hard plastic and PVC from the manufacturing process.

Chandan Mehta, Product Manager at Fujitsu Technology Solutions says: “It’s the little things that add up: we’re continuing to prove that it’s possible to eliminate the use of non-renewable sources from the IT lifecycle. Fujitsu underlines its commitment to innovative green products for the desktop, starting with the new ECO mouse, through to the proGREEN selection. By choosing this mouse, environmentally-conscious businesses can feel good that they are helping reduce CO2 emissions without sacrificing durability or comfort – and without having to pay any extra.”

By using biodegradable materials from renewable sources, Fujitsu promotes sustainable production and helps reduce CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process. At the other end of the product life-cycle, less plastic waste is destined for landfill – since the mouse is made from 100 percent biodegradable materials.

Last year Fujitsu announced the first keyboard to be made from renewable materials, replacing 45 percent of the plastic keyboard components with materials from renewable sources. The keyboard KBPC PX ECO has been extremely successful; Fujitsu estimates that by making the switch to renewable materials for this product, it saves approximately 60,000 kilograms of plastic per year.

With the Mouse M440 ECO, Fujitsu continues to underline that green does not mean compromising on quality, features or performance. The ECO model looks like a normal high-quality plastic mouse, and offers all the latest functionality such as a scroll wheel, plus high accuracy thanks to a 1000dpi optical sensor.

The Mouse M440 ECO is more comfortable to use than plastic-based models since its BIOGRADE shell has more elasticity than other renewable materials, allowing for an ergonomic design that is focused on user comfort, and suitable for both left and right-hand users.

Pure Gold Jewellers add to the Dubai Shopping Festival excitement with the best deals on diamond jewellery

2011-02-02T02:36:00.000-08:00

Dubai, UAE; February 02, 2011: Award winning jewellery retailer Pure Gold Jewellers are currently offering guaranteed low prices on a wide range of diamond jewellery including pendants, rings, bridal jewellery and bracelets, as part of its participation in Dubai Shopping Festival.

To help every customer realise their dream of owning diamond jewellery, the retailer is also offering a flexi-payment option in tie up with most major banks in the UAE to offer customers an opportunity to buy now pay later, by paying in easy installments over six months with no interest charge. This new campaign from Pure Gold Jewellers is known as ‘Why Pay More? Why Pay Now?’ in reference to the price and the easy payment option plan.

Speaking on the new offers, Karim Merchant, CEO & MD of Pure Gold Jewellers, said: “Diamond jewellery adds that special touch of glitter to the shopping extravaganza and with our fantastic offers, this is the best time to indulge in the universal desire to own beautifully crafted diamond jewellery and all our stores offer a wide selection of jewellery to choose from.”

Both these offers during this festive season are beneficial to the customers and will be a favourite amongst jewellery lovers all across the UAE.

The 17th Annual Dubai Terry Fox Run to be held on February 25, 2011 for cancer research

2011-01-19T00:19:00.000-08:00

On Friday February 25, 2011 at 9:30am, the 17th Annual Dubai Terry Fox Run will be held at Al Mamzar Park, bringing thousands of residents and visitors together for a fun-filled day in support of a good cause. The Dubai Terry Fox Run is a charity event in support of cancer research in the UAE and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

Registration for the 17th Dubai Terry Fox Run will start at 8:00am and the run will commence at 9:30am, following an 8.4km scenic route at Al Mamzar Park with activities, music and entertainment for the entire family. The casual, non-competitive run is open to everyone: adults, children, schools and corporate groups can choose to walk, run, bicycle, skateboard, scooter or rollerblade any desired length of the route. Refreshments will be provided along the run. Participation is free; however, donations are encouraged with 100% of all proceeds going towards UAE-based cancer research.

To date, The Dubai Terry Fox Run has raised more than AED 6.7 million for cancer research in the UAE since the first Dubai-based event in 1992. In 2009, the event attracted more than 5,000 participants and raised over AED 300,000. Now in its 17th year, the Dubai Terry Fox Run is one of the most established and most supported in the world.

“The Dubai Terry Fox Run is a wonderful way to spend a Friday morning while supporting an excellent cause,” says Dave Barette, Chairman of the organising committee. “The atmosphere on Run Day is fun and relaxed. This event is all about health, generosity, charity and bringing together an international mix of people, of all ages, all in support for cancer research. This year, the buzz for the Dubai Terry Fox Run has been more enthusiastic than ever. I encourage everyone to join us at Al Mamzar Park on February 25th for a great day out.”

The Terry Fox Run is the largest single day fundraiser for cancer research in the world and is celebrated in honour of Terry Fox, a young Canadian and cancer patient who began the ‘Marathon of Hope’ – his inspiring journey to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. With one leg amputated, Terry Fox became a national hero running for 143 days, completing 5,373 km (3,339 miles) before he passed in 1981. The Terry Fox Foundation was established that year to continue his legacy by hosting a run the same time every year. Since then the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over AED 1.8 billion through the Terry Fox runs around the world.

Individuals who wish to participate in the 17th Dubai Terry Fox Run can register online at: http://www.premiermarathons.com/event/Dubai_Terry_Fox_Run

Groups and corporations who would like to register, please contact: dubaiterryfoxrun@gmail.com Schools interested in registering, please contact Kelly.strickland@cae.com

Swiss luxury watch maker, Richard Mille launch Seddiqi Limited Edition

2011-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

Internationally acclaimed Swiss luxury watch makers, Richard Mille, have paid tribute to their strong and long lasting relationship with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, who are the UAE’s leading timepiece retailer, by designing a special “Seddiqi Limited Edition”, consisting of only seven timepieces.

Since its creation in 2001, Richard Mille watches have been represented in the most prestigious points of sale worldwide and are synonymous with innovation, exceptional workmanship and avant-garde horological luxury. Their latest creation is the new RM 011 All Gray limited edition which is inspired by the original RM 011. The perfect embodiment of a passion for creativity which stands at the very heart of the brand, the new RM 011 All Gray Limited Edition comes in a gray satin strap with a grade 5 titanium buckle, a distinctive all gray PVD treatment and case of microblasted titanium.

“We are deeply honored that Richard Mille has created a limited edition range to acknowledge the strong relationship that we have. Founded on a history of successful collaboration, innovative breakthroughs and trust that extends back many years, we look forward to many more years of partnering with one of the coveted and exclusive brands in the industry”, commented Mr. Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, VP Sales and Retail, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.

The new RM 011 All Gray Limited Edition will be available exclusively at the Richard Mille Boutique in Dubai Mall, UAE, from January 2011.

Samsung to offer first peak of GALAXY Tab at GITEX 2010

2010-10-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

Dubai, United Arab Emirates October 17 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in mobile technology, will offer GITEX 2010 visitors a first look at the newly launched Samsung GALAXY Tab (Model: GT-P1000) for the duration of the show, taking place from 17-21 October, 2010. Powered by Android Operating System 2.2, the Samsung GALAXY Tab is the first of the company’s tablet devices, representing a new category of mobile products for Samsung.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab brings together all of Samsung’s leading innovations to provide users with more capabilities while on the move. Consumers are able to experience PC-like web-browsing and enjoy all forms of multimedia content on the perfectly sized 7-inch display, wherever they go. Moreover, users can continuously communicate via e-mail, voice and video call, SMS/MMS or social network with the optimized user interface.

“Samsung recognizes the tremendous growth potential in this newly created market and we believe that the Samsung GALAXY Tab brings a unique and open proposition to market. There is a new and emerging consumer demand that Samsung can satisfy since mobile is in our DNA. This demand continues to grow and develop as users tap its limitless potential,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Samsung GALAXY Tab has been designed to enable consumers to maximize their online experience wherever that may be. The Samsung GALAXY Tab is pushing the market in new directions and Samsung believes this is only the beginning of its innovations as pioneers in smart media devices.”

A new concept of mobility for media

As a new category of device, the Samsung GALAXY Tab brings a wealth of mobile experiences. Its striking 7” TFT-LCD display delivers exciting mobile experience for watching films, viewing pictures, e-reading or sharing documents. In design, its light (380g) build provides perfect portability, with its svelte dimensions making it easy to grip and use. Supporting the latest Adobe Flash Player 10.1, the Samsung GALAXY Tab fully supports swift, seamless viewing of every single page of the web.

The ‘Readers Hub,’ Samsung’s unique e-reading application, provides easy access to a vast digital library – from classical literature to the latest bestsellers and reference materials. At the same time, Samsung unveils ‘Media Hub,’ a gateway to a world of films and videos, and ‘Music Hub,’ an application giving access to a wide range of music tunes.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab has made rich communication truly mobile; it presents a level of converged technology that moves beyond mobile or PC to an entirely new category. Users have new powers to consume, create and communicate from wherever they are.

Powerful, always-on communication

With 3G HSUPA connectivity, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0, the Samsung GALAXY Tab enhances users’ mobile communication on a whole new level. Video conferencing and push email on the large 7-inch display make communication more smooth and efficient. For voice telephony, the Samsung GALAXY Tab turns out to be a perfect speakerphone on the desk, or a mobile phone on the move via Bluetooth® headset.

Powered by a Cortex A8 1.0GHz application processor, the Samsung GALAXY Tab is designed to deliver high performance whenever and wherever you are. At the same time, HD video contents are supported by a wide range of multimedia formats (DivX, XviD, MPEG4, H.263, H.264 and more), which maximizes the joy of entertainment.

While the front-facing camera allows face-to-face video telephony over 3G, the rear-facing camera captures still images and video that you can edit, upload and share, all without any hassle. As online content explodes, the Samsung GALAXY Tab is the best portable solution for every lifestyle that needs a constant connection.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab will be launched in Europe in mid September, and in other markets including Korea, the US and Asia in coming months.

• Readers Hub – Samsung Readers Hub consolidates e-reading applications such as eBooks, magazines, and newspapers. Users can enjoy ‘reading’ with unified and intuitive user experience powered by global eReading service leaders, Kobo, PressDisplay and Zinio. More than 2 million books including 1.8 million free books, over 2,500 titles of magazines in 20 languages and more than 1,600 newspapers in 47 languages are available at launch and will grow the library gradually.

• Google Mobile Services – Services like Google Maps™ Navigation (Beta) and Google Goggles are available on Google’s Android platform. With useful location-based services like Google Maps, consumers can search in Standard English instead of entering an exact address. A search-by-voice function is just as intuitive, meaning searches can also be completed easily on the go. Google Goggles is a powerful, visual search tool that uses the Samsung GALAXY Tab’s camera to uncover information – an image of a landmark or artwork is automatically used to perform a search, delivering relevant content like a description or history. In addition, with a camera, users can enjoy various augmented reality services which are downloadable in the application market.

1) The Samsung GALAXY Tab (GT-P1000) Product Specifications

Network 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE) : 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz

3G (HSUPA 5.76Mbps) : 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

OS Android 2.2

Display 7.0 inch TFT-LCD, WSVGA (1024 x 600)

Processor Cortex A8 1.0GHz Application Processor with PowerVR SGX540

Camera 3 MP Camera + 1.3MP front camera for Video Telephony

Value-added Features Android Market™ and Samsung Apps for more applications and contents

Readers Hub, Media Hub* , Music Hub*, Social Hub* *Availability will be decided by market preference.

Adobe Flash 10.1 player support

Full HD video playback, Thinkfree Office, Swype, Hybrid Widget

Connectivity 30 pin connector / micro SD

WiFi 802.11n / Bluetooth 3.0

Memory 16G / 32G internal memory with up to 32G external memory slot

Size 190.09 x 120.45 x 11.98mm, 380g

Battery 4,000mAh (7 hour movie play)

Park Hyatt Dubai took top honours at 23rd annual Conde Nast Traveler 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards held in New York

2010-10-17T05:01:00.000-07:00

Park Hyatt Dubai took top honours at the prestigious 23rd annual Conde Nast Traveler 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards held in New York last week. The uber-luxury property, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in August this year, was named “Top Hotel in the Middle East” ahead of The Four Seasons, Doha and David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem. The Readers’ Choice Awards survey is unique for both its size and the unfiltered results that reflect the opinions of 25,916 of the most discerning travellers in the US – readers of Conde Nast Traveler. The results of this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards will be reported in the November issue of the magazine.

“With 915 hotels and resorts among the 2010 Readers’ Choice Award winners, the Park Hyatt Dubai team is ecstatic to have been named the ‘Top Hotel in the Middle East’ by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Accolades such as this are testimony to the hard work of our entire team,” said Mr. Adrian Slater, general manager of Park Hyatt Dubai.

“We understand from Conde Nast Traveler that the average rating of the hotel winners was an astonishing 87.9, which is an unbelievably high achievement, and evidence that standards in the hospitality industry are continuing to rise as we strive for excellence,” he added.

According to the Dubai Department of Commerce Marketing, the Emirate of Dubai welcomed more than 508,479 visitors from North America in 2009, a number which is expected to grow.

“Currently, visitors from North America account for some 10% of our annual business and we see great potential for this market, which comprises both business and leisure travellers,” said Mr. Slater.

According to Mr. Slater, many travellers seeking luxury products remain undaunted by current economic woes. “Despite tougher times, people will always continue to travel, seeking out the highest levels of service, and discovering new destinations and unique experiences.”

This comment is echoed by Conde Nast Traveler Editor in Chief, Ms Klara Glowczewska, who said: “The big news is that our readers’ appetites for travel have proven to be undeterred and indestructible, and their standards are more exacting than ever.”

Park Hyatt Dubai is a luxury waterfront retreat adjacent to the world-famous Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Located just minutes from the city centre, world-class shopping and prime business districts, Park Hyatt Dubai is a haven of tranquil elegance in the vibrant city of Dubai.

All 225 guestrooms at the hotel offer stunning views across Dubai Creek from their balconies or terraces. Each of the guestrooms and 35 suites is graciously and luxuriously appointed. Featuring state-of-the-art open-plan kitchens, Park Hyatt Dubai brings drama and theatre to dining, both indoor and al fresco, with a selection of six restaurants and bars that serve an array of world-class cuisines. The hotel’s award-winning day spa retreat, Amara, offers a wide range of beauty and holistic treatments unrivalled in Dubai. Along with the eight unique private treatment rooms, Amara features a 25-metre outdoor pool with built-in palm islands. All spa suites feature a private garden with an outdoor rain shower for the ultimate in relaxation.

MOULINEX CREATES XXL FRYER TO TARGET LARGE FAMILIES IN MIDDLE EAST

2010-09-23T02:49:00.000-07:00

A consumer insight survey conducted by Moulinex, the French manufacturer & maker of small household appliances, revealed that in the Middle East, home makers in the region value time saving appliances that allow them more time with their families at the dinner table rather than spending it in the kitchen

It is estimated that the number of members in an average family in the Middle East is five while 40% of families in Saudi Arabia have six members.

Moulinex has designed the XXL Fryer that can cook two kilos of French fries in one run. The new fryer was introduced in the Middle East by Groupe SEB to facilitate food preparations for large families in the region.

The survey revealed that big families in the Middle East consume French fries 1.5 times per week compared to the average of 0.8 times a week in smaller families.

The large sized capacity Moulinex XXL Fryer gives Middle East housewives more time to spend with members of their family at the dining table. The Moulinex Fryer has a removable non-stick bowl with two kilos capacity and three litres of oil. The fryer can make eight portions in one run.

The fryer has a long lasting anti-odour filter (washable for 80 usages). It has an adjustable thermostat with indicator light and is 100% safe. Other features include a cool touch body, an up and down external lid, an automatic lid opening and a large window.

Christie’s Dubai announce the sale of the largest private collection of jewellery

2010-09-23T02:36:00.000-07:00

Dubai – Christie’s announce the sale of the largest private collection of jewellery parures will come to auction on 27 October 2010 in Dubai. The Jumeirah Emirates Tower’s Hotel view will be ablaze with these sumptuous suites of jewellery, set with a total of 2,180 carats of rubies, 1,970 carats of emeralds, 1,630 carats of sapphires and 6,460 carats of diamonds from Sunday, 24 October until Wednesday, 27 October.

David Warren, International Director of Christie’s Jewellery department and Head of Jewellery Middle East says: “This is a significant opportunity for anyone who is passionate about jewellery. From Ancient Egypt through to 1950s Hollywood glamour and beyond, the parure provides the ultimate jewellery gift. Whether you wear a single ring or you wear the whole suite, a parure provides flexibility, variety and extravagance to last a lifetime.”

From Antiquity to 17th Century: The Historic Setting for Must-Have Jewellery

The word “parure” refers to a set of three or more matching pieces of jewellery, traditionally consisting of a necklace, bracelet, ring and a pair of earrings. The name was first applied in the 17th century although the fashion of matching suites of jewellery extends far further back, over 5,000 years, to Ancient Egypt and Rome, where women adorned themselves with sets of jewellery.

The story develops during the French Empire as the parure reached a height of popularity in the Neo-classical period (1760-1830), most particularly during the Napoleonic era (1800-1814). Napoleon Bonaparte restored Paris to its former glory and extended his patronage to the jewellery craftsmen in the city. His court jewellers designed expensive and elaborate parures for the court, made from the best gemstones available. Napoleon lavished expensive parures on the ladies of his court; predominantly for his first wife Empress Josephine and later for his second wife Empress Marie-Louise.

1950s Hollywood Glamour

A century later in the late 1950s, iconic Hollywood actresses such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe inspired a resurgence in the fashion-world’s love of parures both off and on screen. Classic films such as Cleopatra (1963), Gentleman prefers Blondes (1953) or Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend showcased the beauty and allure of matching jewellery. In Elizabeth Taylor’s most famous role, Cleopatra wears a collection of exquisite parures reflecting ancient Egyptian styles. The film sparked her personal fascination with jewellery and also led her to designing her own collection of parures for AVON. Most recently the Royal Families of Europe gathered for the wedding of H.R.H., Princess Victoria of Sweden to Daniel Westling. Many wore their suites of jewellery which were met with great admiration.

Christie’s Offers Unprecedented Opportunity

Christie’s October 27 sale offers 41 examples of parures. Never before has such a number been offered for sale at auction. All are signed by Chatila, Jahan and Mouawad. Each lot consists of earrings, a ring, a matching necklace and bracelet and will be accompanied by a certificate from its maker. Estimates range from $40,000 to $400,000 and all lots will be offered without reserve. This is not the first time that Christie’s are bringing spectacular parures to Dubai. In 2006, we showcased the Gulf pearl parure, by Harry Winston, which subsequently sold in Geneva for a record price of $4.1 million.

Emerald parures: The collection includes 13 emerald parures. The most outstanding include a necklace set with seven large pear-shaped Colombian emeralds weighing a total of 158.52 carats, each mounted within a brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamond surround and suspended from a double diamond festoon; with bracelet, ear pendants and ring en suite, signed Jahan. The total weight of the emeralds is 261.47 carats and 129.58 carats of diamonds (estimate: $350,000-450,000).

Sapphire parures: A total of 10 sapphire parures will be offered and are led by an example which boasts 375 carats of sapphires and 164 carats in diamonds. This particular parure will be offered individually as a spectacular bracelet set with a fine Ceylon sapphire of 180.84 carats (estimate: $250,000-350,000); while a superb ring is set with an important Kashmir sapphire of 26.12 carats (estimate: $120,000-180,000); an important sapphire and diamond necklace, with a central cabochon Ceylon sapphire of 131.17 carats (estimate: $180,000-250,000), a matching pair of earrings (estimate: $30,000-50,000) and a watch en suite (estimate: $20,000-30,000) will also be offered.

Ruby parures: A Suite by Chatila is one of the stars of this section of 12 ruby parures. It features a necklace with five rows of oval-shaped rubies with diamond intersections, with bracelet, ear pendants and ring. The rubies weigh a total of 224.57 carats and the diamonds a total of 227.22 carats (estimate: $250,000-300,000).

Diamond parures: Four diamond parures are led by a demi-parure by Chatila, composed of necklace and ear-pendants, contains a staggering 340.09 carats of Marquise, pear and round brilliant cut diamonds (estimate: $250,000-350,000).

Visa Launches Luxury Hotel Collection For UAE Cardholders

2010-09-08T02:41:00.000-07:00

UAE Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders can now enjoy exclusive access to perks at a selection of the world’s most prestigious properties

UAE, 8 September 2010 – Visa today announced the launch of the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, giving Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders in the UAE a way to now find, book and enjoy unique benefits at a hand-selected group of prestigious hotel properties throughout the world.

Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders now have around-the-clock access to research and book accommodations at luxury properties around the world - from celebrated hotels and resorts to new boutique gems - gathered together by invitation and appraised annually to ensure consistency with Visa Luxury Hotel Collection standards. Benefits can be accessed through either www.visaplatinumhotels.com or www.visainfinitehotels.com.

The Visa Luxury Hotel Collection offers cardholders access to a host of perks, which may include the best available rate, a room upgrade, VIP guest status, complimentary valet parking or internet access, a food and beverage voucher, complimentary continental breakfast, and late checkout privileges.1

James Lim, Head of Consumer Credit and Affluent Products, International, Visa, said: “Travel benefits consistently rank at the top of our Visa premium cardholders’ lists of preferred perks. The Visa Luxury Hotel Collection enhances Visa’s ability to meet the lifestyles of today’s affluent cardholder with access to the travel perks they value most. Whether planning a weekend getaway or a family vacation, Visa Platinum and Visa Infinite cardholders can have confidence their accommodations will meet their expectations.”

The Visa Luxury Hotel Collection is available to UAE issued Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite cardholders. It is Visa’s first global premium travel benefit and is powered by Kiwi Collection, one of the most-selective collections of luxury properties. The Visa Luxury Hotel Collection includes prestigious properties around the world such as the Burj al Arab in Dubai and Amanpuri in Thailand, and The Pierre in New York.

Fujitsu announced the new tablet PC LIFEBOOK T Series models

2010-09-05T02:01:00.000-07:00

Dubai, UAE, September 5, 2010 ― Fujitsu today announced the ultimate notebooks for the true road warrior – the new tablet PC LIFEBOOK T Series models packed with all must-have features for the frequent traveler, now also comes with optional built-in GPS (global positioning system).

The new models are perfect for the portable computer user always on the move and most at home in an airport lounge, behind the wheel, on-site with a customer or catching up on mails in a coffee shop. This is because the new LIFEBOOK T730 and LIFEBOOK TH700 models include optional GPS as well as featuring embedded 3G/UMTS, WLAN and Bluetooth for unrivalled mobile connectivity.

Light, fast and flexible are keywords that personify the new 12.1-inch Fujitsu LIFEBOOK T730 and TH700 models, designed from the ground-up as ideal traveling companions. Tipping the scales from 1.8kg, the LIFEBOOK T Series models are light enough to be carried around all day. The tablet PCs are also fast, featuring the latest powerful 2010 Intel® Core™ Processor Family, combined with optional super-responsive SSD hard disk drives and ample memory to run even the most-complex applications.

Flexibility comes from the twist-to-touch tablet screen, which is bi-directional, Windows® 7 multiple touch technology, and the modular bay accommodating a DVD drive, a second battery, a Blu-ray Disc™ combo drive or a second hard disk drive. Even with a single battery, the models offer all-day runtime. This is due to extended battery life and energy-saving features such as an integrated Ambient Light Sensor that automatically adjusts display brightness to the working environment.

It is almost impossible to be out-of-contact while on the move with the LIFEBOOK T730 and TH700 models thanks to the optional embedded mobile broadband (3G/UMTS) module featuring mobile download rates of up to 7.2 Mbit/s N-standard WLAN, and Bluetooth. Meanwhile even the most geographically challenged mobile users will be able to make a beeline to their next appointment by using the built-in GPS module, as this pinpoints the notebook’s exact location on the globe at any time.

For a mobile user, security is also a priority, and both new Fujitsu LIFEBOOK tablet PC models offer biometric logon and the LIFEBOOK T730 also offers data encryption via an optional TPM (Trusted Platform Module). Also available for both systems is subscription-based Advanced Theft Protection that enables a lost or stolen notebook to be remotely locked, data to be erased, and speeds recovery by helping find the machine’s current location.

Chandan Mehta, Product Manager at Fujitsu Technology Solutions, says: “As more and more mobile computer users choose tablet PCs for their convenience and flexibility, it is also the attention to detail that helps Fujitsu LIFEBOOK models come to the forefront. When choosing a tablet PC, it’s important to look for the little touches that make life easier, such as a screen that will twist in both directions, the support for multiple touch, and superior connectivity options.”

The LIFEBOOK T730 and TH700 models are immediately available direct from Fujitsu or Fujitsu resellers. Pricing varies according to country and configuration

Samsung Launches Cutting Edge Camcorders C20 and F40

2010-07-29T01:10:00.000-07:00

Samsung Digital Imaging Company Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, announced its latest camcorders line-up, the C20 and F40, allowing consumers to capture the moments with the new ultra-zoom and easy-to-use features.

“The Samsung C20 and F40 are ideal for a wide-range of consumers, said Mr. Ram Modak, General Manager of the Digital Imaging Division of Samsung Gulf Electronics. “These camcorders appeal to consumers’ demand for simplicity and features that allow them to capture the right moments and get great results with minimal effort. The host of new features and functionalities make the camcorders even more intuitive and easy to use. The new range can truly be used by anyone, anywhere and at anytime.”

C20

The new Samsung C20 comes fully equipped with a wide range of new features including the signature Touch of Colour (ToC) design, Active Angle Lens, improved video resolution and Intelli-Studio. These varieties of features allow users to never miss a moment with their user-friendly C20 camcorder. The ToC design features a hint of color that is naturally blended into the deep black body of the camcorders to create an attractive crystalline appearance. The new model boasts the Samsung’s Active Angle Lens design allowing users to hold the camcorder in a more natural position with its 25 degree downward angled lens.

Whether the it is being used for documenting or to capture priceless moments with family and friends, the C20 offers you the highest quality video and still images. With these remarkable resolutions of 720 x 480, the features offer the ability to easily capture a quality, crisp video.

A further premium design enhancement is Samsung’s play-edit-sharing program called Intelli-studio. The built-in intelli-studio software gives users the ability to connect the camcorder to any computer via USB and edit and play your video without having to install supporting software. The built-in intelli-studio software also helps simplify the way users upload and share their footage using today’s popular video sharing Web sites

F40

The Samsung F40 comes fully equipped with fresh and innovative features that provide consumers with impressive quality, unforgettable memories, and flexible features. Samsung’s F40 offers an incredible 65x Intelli-Zoom lens (52x optical zoom), which allows users to bring distant images into focus and zoom closer in the action. The improved optical zoom ensures photos to provide users sharp images whether or not the focus is distant. The new camcorder also provides enhanced image quality with its high-performance 1/6” CCD sensors.

Preserving every special memory is easy with the extended battery life and built-in memory of the new Samsung F40. The camcorders provide consumers with over four hours and 10 minutes of battery life on a single charge. When combined with the use of H.264 compression, consumers can store up to six hours and 20 minutes of video per every 16GB of internal memory.

With Samsung’s new feature of the play-edit-sharing program called Intelli-Studio 2.0, users are given the unprecedented freedom and flexibility to view, edit and upload content to the web from any PC with their camcorder and USB cable. The simplicity of uploading and sharing footage provides users with flexibility.

Citymax Hotel, Al Barsha is offering fantastic introductory rates

2010-06-10T01:25:00.000-07:00

Citymax Hotel, Al Barsha is offering fantastic introductory rates to celebrate its launch. The first 100 customers to book will pay only AED99 per night.

Functional and space conscience, yet stylish and comfortable; the Citymax Hotel rooms offer quality stay at an affordable rate.

Conveniently located close to the city’s main business districts and within walking distance from Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Metro station, Citymax Hotel’s central location offers ease of navigation around the city and provides a practical option for travelers to Dubai.

Each room comes en-suite with a power shower as standard and features luxury mattresses, high speed internet and LCD TVs to ensure optimum relaxation during your stay.

This promotion is valid onto end of July 2010.

Kingston Digital Releases Next-Generation SDXC Memory Card

2010-06-06T03:05:00.000-07:00

Dubai, UAE, June 6, 2010 -- Kingston Digital Europe Ltd, an affiliate of Kingston Technology Company Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the launch of the next-generation Kingston SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) UHS-1 Class 10 memory card, one of the fastest cards available in the market today, especially beneficial for prosumers and broadcasters . SDXC is the next standard from the Secure Digital Association (SDA) for SD cards with storage ranging from more than 32GB up to 2TB.

Although only a handful of SDXC compatible devices are on the market today, more and more products are evolving their designs to include SDXC slots. Popular devices that will benefit from additional fast storage are cameras, camcorders, HDTVs (High Definition TV), Blu-ray Disc™ players, navigation devices, mobile phones and computers. Kingston’s 19-in-1 Media Reader (Kingston part#: FCR-HS219/1) is compatible with SDXC cards when connected to a PC with an operating system supports exFAT.

“Kingston is proud to bring an SDXC card to market that helps users of compatible high-end digital cameras and camcorders realize the full potential of their equipment. The SDXC card allows continuous high-speed burst shooting in RAW format and hours of hi-def recording,” said Antoine Harb, Business Development Manager, Kingston. “Adding the new SDXC card to our portfolio of Flash products paves the way for our network of resellers to meet market demand for photo and video applications as well as future generations of consumer products.”

The Kingston SDXC card is compliant with the SDA Memory Card Standard Version 3.01, UHS-1. UHS-1 stands for Ultra-High Speed Bus 1, which is the new architecture of SDXC cards, designed to reach speeds up to a maximum transfer rate of 104MB/sec., and 300MB/sec. in the future. SDXC cards utilize the exFAT file system and are not backwards compatible with SDHC or SD cards. Kingston’s offering has read speeds up to 60MB/sec. and write speeds of up to 35MB/sec.

The Kingston SDXC UHS-1 Class 10 will be available worldwide at the end of June. It is covered by a lifetime warranty, 24/7 tech support and legendary Kingston reliability. For information on SDXC card compatibility visit www.sdcard.org/consumers/using_sdxc/.

Kingston SDXC UHS-1 Class 10 Features/Specifications:

• Capacity*: 64GB**†

• Dimensions : 0.94" x 1.26" x 0.08" (24mm X 32mm X 2.1mm)

• Weight: 0.09 ozs (2.5 g)

• Speed: 10 MB/sec minimum data transfer rate (Class 10); up to 60MB/sec. read and 35MB/sec. write rate

• Bus Mode: Version 1, UHS104, up to 104MB/sec

• Operating Temperature: -13º F to 185º F (-25º C to 85º C)

• Storage Temperature: -40º F to 185º F (-40º C to 85º C)

• Voltage: 3.3v

• Compliant: with the SD Card Association card 3.01 specification

• Copy Protection: Support for CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media)

• Secure: built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss

• Compatible: with SDXC host devices; not compatible with SDHC and standard SD-enabled devices/readers

• File System: exFAT

• Reliable: lifetime warranty

• Operating System Support: Windows 7, Windows Vista (SP1 or later), Windows XP (SP2 or later) with exFAT update

* Contact your PC manufacturer to confirm the SD slot on your PC is compatible with SDXC cards and for availability of the SDXC driver. SDXC compatible driver for the SD slot can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center website.

** 64GB cards may require updated device drivers. Consult the device documentation for requirements.

† Some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. For more information, please consult Kingston’s Flash Memory Guide at Kingston.com/Flash_Memory_Guide.

Samsung introduces ‘Smart Phone for Smarter Life’ with the launch of Wave and Galaxy S

2010-06-01T23:21:00.000-07:00

Dubai, UAE, 1st June, 2010 – Samsung Electronics, a leading mobile phone and telecommunications provider introduced its vision of ‘Smart Phone for Smarter Life’ with the launch of the two flagship products Samsung Wave and Samsung Galaxy S.

Sandeep Saihgal, general manager of mobile phones at Samsung Gulf Electronics commented: “Samsung is committed to the smartphone market; delivering a smartphone to suit any user or lifestyle.This strategy points to delivering devices, applications and services relevant for every lifestyle to empower users with access to the information and connections that produce valuable user experiences.”

“The ‘Smart Phone for Smarter Life’ concept “delivers a smartphone experience that is simple, organized and integrated. Smart Life is flexible and versatile, allowing consumers to customize their experiences based on their needs. Such a philosophy embodies Samsung’s drive to build a new class of smartphones that will maximize user experiences.”

Samsung Wave

The Samsung Wave features the world’s first Super AMOLED display; delivering an unrivalled screen experience on a smartphone. The Super AMOLED offers a much brighter, clearer, and less reflective viewing experience. With a free viewing angle and super fast response enabled by this proven technology, the Samsung Wave display provides superb image quality for viewing both videos and photos.

For those who love music, the device home-page can be turned into an intuitive media player; while for those who take and share a lot of photos, the page can be customized to feature favourite images. Users will also benefit from Quick Panel, a way of prioritizing and aggregating apps into one screen for instant access.

Samsung’s Bada platform offers a genuine smartphone experience rich with mobile applications, new technology and possibilities to Samsung mobile phone users. The name ‘Bada’, which means ‘Ocean’ in Korean, was chosen to convey the limitless variety of potential applications which can be created using the new platform. It also alludes to Samsung’s commitment to a variety of open platforms in the mobile industry. Samsung Bada also represents the fresh challenges and opportunities available to developers, as well as the entertainment consumers will be able to enjoy once the new platform is open.

The Samsung Wave is the first handset in the world that incorporates the Bluetooth® 3.0 and WiFi 802.11n standards.

Samsung Galaxy S

The Android™-powered Galaxy S incorporates a 4-inchSuper AMOLED screen and a 1 GHz application processor that enables vibrant HD videos, rich augmented reality content through Layar Reality Browser.

The ‘Social Hub’ provides always-on social networks connectivity allowing users to enjoy communications with their friends, colleagues, and families whenever they want and wherever they are. Social Hub which allows the consumers to efficiently manage their communication needs by providing intuitive and unified access to emails, IMs and Social Networking Sites (SNS). The benefits of Social Hub are further enhanced by the Wave’s TouchWiz 3.0 UI, delivering superb user experience. Availability of Social Hub can be decided by market demands.

The Galaxy S immerses users in a world of rich multimedia. The large 4-inch Super AMOLED display delivers unrivalled screen quality, with less reflection, free viewing angles and super-fast touch-response. The mDNIe (mobile Digital Natural Image engine) – a technology used in Samsung’s best-selling LCD and LED TVs – boosts an even sharper and crisper viewing experience for photos, videos, and e-books. It creates a perfect environment to record, edit and play HD video, to browse the Internet, and to read your favourite e-books. A variety of Google™ applications from Android Market™ allows users to even more extend the benefits and excitement of smartphone experience.

Living a “Smart Life” requires intelligence, and the Galaxy S delivers just that by utilizing personal preferences to gather information online that each user needs and wants. With a user-defined daily briefing, lightning-fast processing speeds and location-based search options like Layar Reality Browser – the Galaxy S gives users the information they need wherever and whenever needed. The Galaxy S represents the next level of intelligence in smartphones.

The Galaxy S integrates every aspect of life in a smart and sophisticated way. In addition to wireless integration with a variety of other devices, such as notebooks, TVs and cameras, the highly advanced Social Hub plugs users quickly and conveniently into their complete world of social networking and email.

Samsung Galaxy S is the perfect device for people in all corners of the world who want that extra edge; to be more effective, productive, better connected, and in tune with their smart life – both personal and professional – all in a very easy and simple way.

Samsung Unveils the Next Generation of Camera—the NX10 in U.A.E

2010-05-30T05:11:00.000-07:00

Samsung Digital Imaging Company Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, unveiled the Samsung NX10.

“The Samsung NX10 is an innovative digital camera that provides users with optimum image quality in a sleek, compact body. Delivering creativity without compromise, users can now be as creative as they want on the move, without having to compromise perfect images. With our thorough research these past few years, we have discovered that what consumers want consumers want from their cameras is evolving. We have reflected their needs in the Samsung NX10. The new Samsung NX10 marks the start of the next generation of cameras.” said Mr. Ram Modak, General Manager of Digital Imaging Division of Samsung Gulf Electronics.

“Now with specialised equipment open to everyone with no restrictions solely to the professionals, more people want to capture snapshots and tell a story through their camera—but they also want something compact that can be carried around all day. The large sensor and the ultra fast auto focus give consumers the quality they demand as well as the compactness they want in one exceptional package.” Ram Modak continued.

The NX10 incorporates a fast and decisive auto focus (AF), 14.6 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor and unique, large 3.0” AMOLED screen, allowing users to easily view their images, even in bright sunlight. Users can also record in HD movie to create the full story. Available in two colors, Noble Black and Titan Silver, the Samsung NX10 is small, light and ergonomically designed to ensure maximum portability for everyday use.

The Samsung NX10 ensures users never miss a moment, with one of the fastest AF in its class on the market. The company’s latest innovation, the new DRIMe II Pro engine and advanced AF algorithm, also provide ultra fast AF speed with the higher precision of contrast AF.

The new camera has the heart of a DSLR embedded inside the compact frame of a digital camera, successfully integrating the APS-C size CMOS sensor with a mirrorless interchangeable lens, for a sleek, lightweight camera that users can easily take with them everywhere they go.

Consumers are not just limited to taking shots, but can also tell their own stories in video format with HD movie recording (H.264 codec).

Samsung continues to extend the usage of AMOLED screens across many products, using a large 3.0” AMOLED screen in Samsung NX10. AMOLED provides easier viewing even in bright sunshine and at acute viewing angles, meaning users no longer need to shield their screen with their hand. The category leading screen also provides 10,000 times faster response rate than conventional LCDs, has a far lower power consumption and higher contrast ratio – 10,000:1 vs. 500:1.

Mr. Ram Modak continues: “Samsung has always been quick to implement cutting edge technology and no more so when it comes to quality of images. For the first time in the market, Samsung has successfully integrated an APS-C size sensor into a compact body by eliminating the mirror box, meaning that our users can now be as creative as they want to be on the move without having to compromise on image quality.”

The Samsung NX10 also contains a range of intelligent features to put professional quality images within reach of the amateur photographer. The Samsung NX10 includes in-depth manual controls and also a Smart Auto function which automatically detects the surrounding environment of the shot and selects the right shoot mode.

Its Smart Range feature also enables the user to vividly express both bright areas and dark areas in the same frame, and the Supersonic Dust Reduction system keeps those dust particles clear of the image sensor that can often impair an image. It even senses when the user brings the camera close to their face to look through the viewfinder, and puts the AMOLED screen on standby to conserve power.

New baby elephant ‘brings luck’ to Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa

2010-05-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

A new little bundle of joy has brought a token of good luck to the delight of the on-site Elephant Camp at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The baby elephant was born at 4.10 am on the 23rd of May 2010, and was welcomed into the world with the nickname Nong 'Phil. The healthy baby boy weighed in at an estimated 100kg, standing 91cm tall at the shoulder and measuring 120cm from forehead to tail.

Named, as is tradition, by his mahouts and owners, Nong ‘Phil’s formal name is Plai Pa Choke, meaning “to bring luck”, and is seen by all as an extremely apt title in light of the nation’s current desire for healing and peace.

Nong ‘Phil is the Elephant Camp’s third on-site birth, but the first to be conceived there. Such a unique status at the camp is further accompanied by some rather unusual features. Fathered by the handsome Phu Khi, Nong ‘Phil was born with some strange proportions, which are apparently quite a normal occurrence. He has four different sized feet, which may well explain the short stagger he currently calls a walk. He was suckling within only two hours, and by daylight had enjoyed his first feed, thanks to his experienced mother.

Nong 'Phil, like most Thai folk, will be known by his two syllable nickname for the rest of his life. Of equal interest as his official name, even his nickname denotes the special timing of his birth, since he was born while under the recent curfew with his full nickname being ‘Nong Curfew’ (or ‘Little Curfew’). However, as the Thai pronunciation of curfew is something akin to ‘Chlorophyll’, the shortened version of ‘Phil was soon adopted. Though officially born at a time in breach of the curfew law, the naming of this beautiful baby is considered to be rather ironic by all who were present at Anantara Golden Triangle, since daily life was completely unaffected by events in Bangkok. Staff members such as John Roberts, Director of Elephants claimed that the 8pm curfew was simply their usual bedtime hour!

And so it seems that this omen of good luck has many far reaching benefits, not least for the fortunate staff and guests who can enjoy watching Nong ‘Phil’s first wobbly baby footsteps.

Early detection is vital to prevent diabetes and complications

2010-02-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

Abu Dhabi February 2010: More than 50 per cent of people living with diabetes have no idea that they have the condition and compulsory screening should be considered by health authorities, according to Karim Meeran, Professor of Endocrinology at Imperial College London.

Professor Meeran said that diabetes prevention is possible if the condition is detected early. “The biggest challenge that we face in the management of diabetes is the lack of individual knowledge. Indeed, it is a concern that more than half of patients living with diabetes, do not know.”

Professor Meeran mooted the idea of compulsory testing for diabetes as part of the routine health check.

“I would like to see the diabetes screening test become a compulsory test within the routine health check. The word compulsory may bring negative emotions. However, if the diabetes test was to become a staple, it may lead to increased instances of diabetes prevention. In time, the result could be a diabetes-free community,” he said.

Professor Meeran on how compulsory testing could help eradicate diabetes?

“The sooner that diabetes’ symptoms are recognised, the easier it is to prevent the on-set of full-blown diabetes, and related complications. Up to 58 per cent of diabetes cases could be prevented, if detected early.

“A simple, fasting blood test takes less than 30 minutes and will detect, among other signs, the level of fasting plasma glucose. By definition, diabetes is present if fasting plasma glucose is above 7.0 mm.

“‘Prevention is better than cure’ is a very well known phrase, and in patients living with diabetes, it has even more significance. During the early stages of diabetes, even though patients may not be aware of their condition, if detected the condition can be managed with a fair amount of ease.”

ICLDC’s Professor Meeran says glucose levels signal the presence of diabetes

“Diabetes is encouraged when an individual’s genes work in a way that brings an ineffective response to insulin. Insulin is responsible for pumping the daily calorie and glucose intake into muscle cells, so helping to keep the amount of glucose in the blood steam, down. In patients living with diabetes, this system does not work well, and the result is an excess of glucose in the blood stream. Generally, the more unbalanced the diet, the higher the blood glucose.

“A simple test for diabetes would determine its presence, or not. The advantage of a compulsory testing system is that patients who, perhaps subconsciously, play down the early symptoms when sharing information with their doctor, will be safe in the knowledge that the compulsory diabetes screening test may mean that early detection can result in prevention,” concluded Professor Meeran

4 simple ways to live like a champ

2009-10-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

I think that everyone can approach life in away that makes them feel good, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

1. Find your Passion
Figure out your passion. Something that makes you really happy, not others, but that makes YOU happy as an individual. Now take this passion you have and embrace it! Make your passion a part of your daily living, and it will leave you with a sense of well being.

2. Set Goals
Make sure you are setting long term and short terms goals.
Long term can mean something you want to accomplish years from now, but that you can start inching away at day by day.

Short term goals are visions you want to accomplish in the near future. These types of goals keep you steady and focused, because they are approaching quickly and you have to revolve around them now.

Once you set your goals, make progress toward them. Be realistic when setting, but making it exciting enough that it can't be attained easily. You will be that much more fulfilled when you reach them!

3. Take Care of Yourself
It's fun to play, don't get me wrong, but it is equally important to take care of your body. Never do anything in excess (i.e. eating, drug use, alcohol, sleeping, exercise, etc.) You need to maintain BALANCE. Don't eat until your stuffed, eat until you are satisfied. Narcotics and alcohol are never good for your body, especially in excess. There is an ideal amount of sleep for everyone but basically 8 - 10 hrs. is sufficient, and it's not good to get to little sleep or too much sleep, because that can throw off your whole day.

To sum this category up. A balanced amount of everything is key.

4. Variety
Mix up the routine once in awhile. Variety keeps life interesting. Try a new book, rent a new movie, call a friend you haven't seen in awhile, research a topic your interested in, go try an exotic dish, or go on a vacation!

By having variety in your life, you keep your mind and body stimulated

Magnetic Floating Bed

2009-10-14T02:12:00.000-07:00

This is so cool and a great challenging to gravity !!! Dreaming while you really float in the air and not giving a hoot even if you weight a hefty 400 pounds must be a tech wounder to experience.it's because the bed has enough magnets to hold up to 900Kg in the air .Dubbed as one of the best investions of 2006 by 'time',this bed can be used indoor or outdoor .the hitch? you won't find it locally plus you need to shell out at least €1200000 even for the basic model.But what the heck!You are going to own the world's "first non-gravity-based object"-a unique possession that's worth the price.

STYLE THROUGH MICROSOFT ZUNE HD

2009-10-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has been trying for years and it is quite likely that they may taste success by finally beating Apple at its own game that started with the iPod .Microsoft’s wonderful Zune HD, priced at $219.99 (16GB) and $289.99(32GB) seems to be giving quite a tough competition to the iPod touch. The only disadvantage for the Zune HD is the robust App Store. Otherwise, it flaunts a beautiful touchscreen, a brilliant user interface, HD radio and perhaps the best browser since Apple’s mobile Safari.
While the touch is the best PMP available, the Zune HD comes quite close and it is strongly recommended for those who don’t want to use iTunes. The Zune HD is definitely smaller. Lighter and more chins. Also, at the only capacity where the two players overlap (32GB), the Zune HD will cost you $10 less.

Change Your Lifestyle If You Want To Change Your Looks

2009-10-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Many people will have you believe that they were fat kids, grew into fat teenagers and are now fat adults and will someday be fat old men. What these guys suffer from is a lack of confidence that they can be like any normal lean guy out there in the street. People with excessive weight soon find that their physical activity takes a beating as soon as they settle down into a career and this soon begins to show up as additional fat and also affects their professional life.
What they need to do is to get a hold of their life and begin to live right, eat right and relax right. The fact of the matter is that if you are overweight and have been for a long time it is easier for your system to lose that fat. All you need is a drastic change of your lifestyle.
Begin by reducing your food by as much as half the quantity. Continue this routine for a few days than go back to eating your normal diet for a day or two then reduce it by half again. Keep off the normal things you would eat such as junk food and drinks. Turn to vegetables for a few days instead of meats. Alternate this in a non-routine manner a few days at a time and couple this with a bit of exercise. Try walking fast and move on to cycling. This routine will fox the metabolism mechanism of the system and you will begin to lose fat in a couple of weeks.
The best place to get some exercise is out in the open. Take a walk, ride a bike play some game just remember to take it easy. You have to drastically change your lifestyle if you want to lose weight. Don’t do the things you would normally do. If you think you want to sit in front of that television – decide against it. Go for a walk instead, remember your body is telling you to sit, you decide to move. This is the best formula to begin to lose that flab.

Most Americans Say Other Faiths Can Lead to Eternal Life

2009-10-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

A majority of all American Christians (52%) think that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. Indeed, among Christians who believe many religions can lead to eternal life, 80% name at least one non-Christian faith that can do so. These are among the key findings of a national survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life from July 31-Aug. 10, 2008, among 2,905 adults.
The new survey asks those who say many religions can lead to eternal life whether or not they think a series of specific religions (including Judaism, Islam and Hinduism) can lead to eternal life, as well as whether they think atheists or people who have no religious faith can achieve eternal life. The findings confirm that most people who say many religions can lead to eternal life take the view that even non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal salvation. Indeed, among Christians who say that many religions can lead to eternal life (65% of all Christians), the vast majority (80%) cite an example of at least one non-Christian religion that can lead to salvation, and fully six-in-ten (61%) name two or more non-Christian religions. Even among white evangelical Protestants, nearly three-quarters (72%) of those who say many religions can lead to eternal life name at least one non-Christian religion that can lead to salvation.

How Does One Obtain Eternal Life?

American adults express a variety of views on how people can achieve eternal life. When asked to describe in their own words what determines whether a person will attain eternal life, nearly three-in-ten (29%) say that a person’s actions are most important. A similar number (30%) says that belief is the key factor in achieving everlasting life. One-in-ten refer to a combination of belief and actions as necessary for eternal life, and almost as many (8%) cite some other factor as most important. In addition, more than one-in-ten (14%) indicate they are unsure of what leads to eternal life, and another 7% volunteer they do not believe in eternal life.

Trends in Opinions About Religious Exclusivity

Although this survey finds that roughly two-thirds (65%) of religiously affiliated Americans continue to say many religions can lead to eternal life, this number is slightly lower than the seven-in-ten who said this in 2007 and is down 11 points since 2002. White Catholics and white mainline Protestants are the groups most likely to say that many religions can lead to eternal life, with 84% and 82%, respectively, expressing this point of view. Attitudes on this issue among these groups have remained largely unchanged.
Results for this survey are based on telephone interviews conducted under the direction of Abt SRBI, Inc., among a nationwide sample of 2,905 adults 18 years of age or older, from July 31-Aug. 10, 2008 (2,254 respondents were interviewed on a landline telephone and 651 were interviewed on a cell phone, including 262 who had no landline telephone). Both the landline and cell phone samples were provided by Survey Sampling International.

Natural therapy without medication

2009-08-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

The nose has a left and a right side; we use both to inhale and exhale.Actually they ar e different; you would be able to feel the difference. The right side represents the sun, left side represents the moon. During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe.In about 5 mins, your headache will be gone? If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose.After a while, you will feel you r mind is refreshed. Right side belongs to 'hot', so it gets heated up easily, left side belongs to 'cold'.Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get "cooled off" faster. Most of the guys breathe with their right noses, they get worked up.Do you notice the moment we wake up, which side breathes faster? Left or right? ?If left is faster, you will feel tired. So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing, you will get refreshed quickly.This can be taught to kids, but it is more effective when practiced by adults. My friend used to have bad headaches a nd was always visiting the doctor. There was this period when he suffered headache literally every night, unable to study .He took painkillers, did not work.He decided to try out the breathing therapy here: closed his right nose and breathed through his left nose.In less than a week, his headaches were gone! He continued the exercise for one month.This alternative natural therapy without medication is something that he has experienced.So, why not give it a try?

Increase your attractiveness to women

2009-06-03T06:07:00.001-07:00

1) Learn how to hold eye contact for longer than her. If you see a woman that you find attractive, and she looks back at you, DON'T LOOK AWAY. Most guys become very self conscious and look away as soon as a woman notices them. This is a HUGE mistake. If you want to communicate all the right things, you need to show IMMEDIATELY that you're not afraid, and that you're not at all self conscious about the fact that you are checking her out. A good exercise is to walk through a mall for a few hours and look DIRECTLY at every woman you see. Walk into every store, and look directly into the eyes of every single woman you encounter... and DON'T LOOK AWAY UNTIL AFTER SHE DOES. Do yourself a huge favor, and don't open your eyes really wide and smile like a serial killer while you're doing this exercise. Women don't tend to enjoy that. Just learn how to hold eye contact with a woman until she looks away... This is very important.

2) Use confident posture. Most men I see hold themselves in a way that says "I am not very confident about myself or anything I'm saying". And most of the guys I know who are chick MAGNETS hold themselves in a way that says "I'm the dominant male in this situation... I own this place". Suck in your stomach, hold your head up and back, pull your shoulders back, arch your back... and generally hold yourself like you're the most powerful person you've ever seen or heard of. Yea, I know these sounds dorky, but do it anyway. You'll probably feel strange and self conscious at first, but not to worry. If you continue to practice your confident posture, you'll soon become comfortable with it. And more important, you'll attract attention from women. Remember, women aren't interested in finding another average Wuss Boy. Women aren't ATTRACTED to WUSSIES. Carry yourself like a manly man, and attractive women will notice and have INSTANT positive unconscious reactions to you.

3) Use SLOW, CALCULATED movements and gestures.Watch a few James Bond films. And while you're at it, check out "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels".Have you ever noticed that James Bond never looks like he doesn't know how to act? And that he never fidgets or behaves nervously? Everything James does is a little slower than is should be. He's just too cool. Try learning how to turn your head slowly, how to blink slowly, and change facial expressions slowly... and how to gesture slowly. This makes a huge impact on how others perceive you. This kind of body language transmits the message: "I'm so comfortable in my own skin, it hurts".

4) Confident voice tone. Most people speak with weak, squeaky voices that convey the message "I'm not confident... I have no self esteem". This turns women off. Big times. If you want to attract beautiful women, you're going to need to take a few lessons from Barry White. Learn how to speak with a deeper voice. Learn to speak from down in your chest and stomach. Add more bass to your voice. Also, learn how to speak slower... and how to articulate every word better. Become comfortable pausing... it creates anticipation. Most guys talk too much, too fast, and feel like they need to talk because they're nervous. Don't do it! Learn to lean back, relax, and become comfortable with the tension that comes from silence. If you work on communicating with your BODY AND VOICE that you're a confident, sexually aware, stud- muffin guy, then all the techniques you're learning from me will work TEN times better. As you know, I really believe that it takes a DEEP understanding of how and why ATTRACTION works between men and women before you will actually begin to "GET IT" at that deep level in your GUT... which leads to ACTION.

Improving sex as you age

2009-04-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

Many older adults say their sex lives improve as they age. Yours can, too. Improving your sex life requires more communication with your partner and small changes both of you can make, including:
• Expand your definition of sex. Sex is more than vaginal penetration. As you age, other options might be more comfortable and more fulfilling. Touch can be a good alternative to intercourse. It can simply mean holding each other. It can also mean sensual massage, masturbation or oral sex.
• Communicate with your partner. Communication brings you and your partner close together. Discuss the changes you're going through and what your partner can do to accommodate you during sex. Maybe a different position makes sex easier for you, or other sexual activities, such as massage or cuddling, might interest you. Ask your partner about his or her needs and ways that you can also be accommodating. Communication itself can be arousing.
• Make changes to your routine. Simple changes can improve your sex life. Change the time of day when you have sex to a time when you have the most energy. Try the morning — when you're refreshed from a good night's sleep — rather than at the end of a long day. Because it might take longer for you to become aroused, take more time to set the stage for romance, such as a romantic dinner or an evening of dancing. Try a new sexual position. You might find one that's more comfortable for you and your partner.
• Manage your expectations. If you didn't have sex very often as a younger adult, don't expect to have lots of sex as an older adult. Maybe you and your partner expressed your intimacy in other ways when you were younger. Partners who enjoy frequent sex when they're younger are more likely to continue that as they age.
• Take care of yourself. A healthy diet and regular exercise keep your body finely tuned. This keeps you ready for sex at any age. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Avoid alcohol, as excessive use decreases sexual function in both men and women. Illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine impair sexual function, also.

Nicotine stops your cells from talking to one another

2009-04-08T03:52:00.001-07:00

Nicotine may interfere with cellular communication in your body, according to a new study.
Researchers have found 55 proteins that interact with the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor, so called because nicotine binds to them when it is introduced into the body. Scientists had not previously known of those connections.
'This is called a 'nicotinic' receptor and we think of it as interacting with nicotine, but it likely has multiple functions in the brain,' said study co-author Edward Hawrot, professor of molecular science, molecular pharmacology, physiology and biotechnology at Brown University.
'And in various, specific regions of the brain this same alpha-7 receptor may interact with different proteins inside neurons to do different things,' he added.
The new finding suggests that the alpha-7 receptors have a much broader role in the body than previously suspected and that the newly identified associated proteins could also be affected when nicotine binds to the alpha-7 receptor.
Nicotine may affect bodily processes - and perhaps the actions of other commonly used drugs - more broadly than was previously thought, said a Brown University release.
The study could help scientists develop better treatments for various diseases. Pharmaceutical companies rely on basic research to identify new cellular interactions that can, in turn, serve as targets for potential new drugs.
'It opens several new lines of investigation,' said Hawrot.
He and his team of graduate students William Brucker and Joao Paulo set out to provide a more basic understanding of how nicotine affects the process of cell communication through the mammalian nervous system.
This advance could lead to the development of new treatments to combat smoking addiction. It could also have future implications for schizophrenia, Hawrot said.
The research was published in the April 3 edition of the Journal of Proteome Research.

Ki Energy Treatments Introduced at the Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village & Spa - Qatar

2009-02-15T04:47:00.000-08:00

The Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village & Spa will welcome Master Oh from Tuesday 17th through Thursday 19th of February. Master Oh will be delivering Ki Energy treatments and consultations at the Six Senses Spa over the three day period, assessing and treating the physical, mental and spiritual condition of his patients utilizing Ki Energy techniques.
Master Oh, who has over 30 years of international experience, will offer unique healing techniques to transmit vital energy which boosts the energy of the whole body and helps to restore immunity and vitality. Master Oh uses natural breathing techniques to transmit vital Ki Energy into the body, and acupressure to stimulate energy and blood circulation. Although based on similar principles to acupuncture, Ki treatments use sound and touch instead of needles and have the power to detoxify the entire body, whilst having a calming effect on the mind and emotions.

The Six Senses Spa will host the event, providing an ideal location embodying a commitment to well-being, preventative wellness and wellness education. The Six Senses Spa offers lifestyle and wellness consultations and programmes to suit guest’s individual requirements with specialist resident therapists and personal trainers. It also offers a comprehensive list of signature therapies such as Swedish, Thai and Balinese massages, as well as more specialized treatments including crystal therapy, mud baths, body scrubs and polishes, typical private hammam experiences, and lessons in eastern meditation and exercise traditions.

Be it traditional treatments or more new-age offerings, the Six Senses Spa differentiates itself by ensuring all practitioners and therapists are highly trained professionals in their chosen discipline, and that every treatment and fitness session has a positive impact on the guest’s well-being. The spa offers a range of traditional and modern massage and relaxation treatments, available to both men and women in tranquil surroundings reminiscent of a Qatari village.

“This is a great compliment to our current suite of well-being offerings. Master Oh has visited Qatar previously and his past clients are eagerly anticipating his return. Our venue here at Six Senses Spa, Doha offers the perfect ambience to encourage relaxation and detoxification - one of the basic principals of Ki Energy treatments” said Spa Director Marteyne van Well.

Is Back Pain Ruining Your Love Life?

2009-01-12T04:52:00.000-08:00

By Jerry Corners, MD
Back pain and sex don't go together very well and if you or your partner are among the 35 million people who have back pain, you know that back pain can disrupt your relationship. Sex is an important part of the intimacy between couples, and attitudes about sex, about rejection and about our self-image when we don't feel up to a sexual encounter can haunt a couple for a long time.
Sex is supposed to be pleasurable for both of you and the fear of hurting yourself or your partner inhibits the spontaneous joy that you probably felt before your back pain developed. But what can you do about it? Most couples in which one or the other is restricted by back pain will eventually get around to realizing that back pain does not automatically mean no more sex. What it does mean is that you will need to make some accommodations to the pain and or the fear of it. It also means you will need to talk about sex in a slightly different way than you are used to.
Let's back up for a second and begin with a very strong suggestion. Because pain has both a psychological component and a physical component, getting a sound diagnosis is critical to putting your mind at rest about what is wrong and secondly having a sound diagnosis will also give you guidelines for your physical limitations.
Secondly, after you have the diagnosis, involve the doctor or physical therapist in a frank discussion about dos and don'ts. Maybe that's an uncomfortable subject for you, but these days we are talking more openly about sex and you should tap into the doctor's experience here. In a perfect world the doctor would open the discussion for you, but if they don't you may have to initiate it. Ideally your partner should be present because he or she will have his or her own questions and concerns.
To start sex off right, start off with a massage, or ice down the painful area. A warm shower together might help too. That way the muscles are relaxed.
Try These Positions Tonight...
Here are some sexual positions that can help you enjoy a pain-free experience.
For males:
Lay on a firm surface and use pillows to support your knees and head. You might like to try placing a small rolled towel under your lower back. Try a side-by-side position. Place a pillow under your lower back while your partner straddles you on top. You can also sit in a sturdy chair instead of lying down.

For females:

Try missionary position with the legs bent toward the chest. Sit on the edge of a chair and have your partner kneel between your legs for entry. Rear entry may also be more comfortable for women with back pain. Try it kneeling on the bed or lying on your belly with a pillow under her chest. Sit on your partner's lap as he sits in a chair.
Remember, the health of your back is dependent on many dynamic factors. Your symptoms may change over time so you may need to work with your health care provider from time to time as you go through the many stages of recovery. A word of caution is in order at this point. It is pretty common to begin feeling better and then overdo it and have your back pain symptoms flair up. We call this, the whoopee effect and it can happen to anyone. Just remember that as you improve gradually, so should your activity level also increase gradually.
As I mentioned earlier pain has two parts. There is the physical part. This is the actual stimulation of the nerve, like a painful tooth or a herniated disc pressing on the nerve. And then there is the subjective or the psychological part. This is how it feels to you and includes, among other things, such attitudes as fear that it will get worse or last forever, what will it means to be chronically disabled, and what you believe your partner thinks about it as well as how you are coping with your condition.
So, at the top of your agenda there needs to be a frank discussion of your pain limitations and expectations about sex. It is a mistake to believe that your partner understands what it feels like. It is your responsibility to communicate those limitations as clearly as possible; it is their responsibility to listen and try to understand.
Pain, after all, is invisible and subjective. That means your pain is unique to you. We have heard people liken back pain to everything from a hot poker going down one or both legs to a chronic aching sensation localized to the lumbar area. It doesn't matter what words you use, just try to explain the pain, what causes it (position, certain movements, or whatever), and what feels good or is what is comfortable for you.
Is it obvious that if it hurts, don't do it is generally good advice but some positions and techniques hurt more than others? It may require some gentle experimentation to find out what works but as in most sex advice, “gentle” is the best place to start.
In terms of maximizing yours and your partner's sexual pleasure, it is very important to stress that all you really need is your imagination and the willingness to experiment to open up new areas of intimacy. But it all begins with willingness to try. And given that, you just may find that the lemon of back pain can be turned into the lemonade of new sources of mutual pleasure.

How to Get a Good Night Sleep without Dangerous Medication

2009-01-12T04:41:00.000-08:00

While you may or may not know it, there are some real dangers to not getting enough sleep. It's been known by scientists and doctors for decades that a lack of sleep has more negative side effects than just leaving you feeling tired.

In fact, study after study show that insufficient sleep contributes to numerous health conditions — and, according to a recent study done at NIH (National Institutes of Health) even death!
But of even greater concern are the dangers associated with prescription sleep medications.
Maybe you've heard recently about all of accidents caused by people taking prescription sleep aids, or maybe you've heard about how many people are forced to enter drug rehabilitation programs because of these powerful drugs.
The good news is, there are many things you can do to improve your sleep without having to rely on harsh and addictive medications.
So if you, or any one you know suffers from difficulty sleeping, I urge you to read about and implement the strategies I'm about to share with you. But before we cover all of the sleep improvement tips, it's important that you understand what causes sleep problems to arise to begin with. Lack of Sleep Makes You More Than Tired!
Sleep deprivation can cause or contribute to:
• lack of energy and fatigue• memory problems• accidents and falls• infections• irritability• confusion• inability to focus and concentrate• stress and anxiety• depression• weakened immune system
Before You Can Improve Your Sleep,You Need To Know What's Causing The Problem
And remember, the key to solving any problem is, knowing what's causing it.
As you may already be aware, many people have a harder time with sleep as they age. In fact, according to the Clinical Journal of Psychiatry, almost half of all people aged 65 or older have insomnia.
But nowadays, insomnia doesn't just affect seniors; it's also affecting younger adults and even children in alarming numbers. So obviously, aging isn't the only factor·
So What's Causing The Problem???
There are numerous causes or factors that contribute to the inability to sleep, but here are the major ones:
Cause #1: Aging
There are several changes that take place as we age that affect our ability to sleep. One of the main reasons is, as we age, the production of melatonin in our bodies decreases and melatonin plays a major role in controlling our circadian rhythms, which regulate our sleep.
The good news is, there are numerous things you can do to improve the situation and taking a natural sleep supplement with melatonin is just one example. But, keep reading because I actually have several tips for improving sleep that I'm going to share with you·
Your Sleep Requirements Do NOT Decrease As You Age
It used to be assumed that sleeping less was part of the normal aging process and that because you slept less, that meant your body didn't need as much sleep as it used to.
Well, research studies have shown that just because you may be getting less sleep, this doesn't mean your need for sleep has decreased. Your body still needs the same amount of sleep or more, but it just isn't sending the signals to the brain.
How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
While this is something many people debate about, the fact is science has proven that most people need 6-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Now this doesn't mean that some people you can't function on less, as many people do, but we know that while you may be able to do it, it's not without a cost.
Cause #2: Prescription Medications

Yes, that's right. One of the biggest causes of insomnia are prescription drugs. Nowadays people are taking drugs for everything under the sun, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc.
You name it, they've got a drug for it. And the problem is, not only do none of these drugs address the underlying cause of the condition, but they all come with side effects, which are often worse than the ailment they are designed to help. One of the most common side effects is insomnia.
Cause #3: Hormonal Changes

While this primarily affects women, hormonal changes can have a big impact on sleep patterns.
For example, PMS, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause all can impact a woman's ability to fall asleep, stay asleep and get quality deep sleep. And if you are a woman, I'm sure you've likely already experienced some of this.
The good news is, this is usually short lived and can be improved with a combination of strategies and nutritional supplements, which we'll cover in a minute. Cause #4: Anxiety, Stress and Depression
The inability to effectively deal with and manage negative stress and anxiety can quickly lead to trouble sleeping.
Depression can also be a factor either causing and or contributing to sleep problems. And as you can imagine, the reverse is true· meaning sleep problems, can create stress, anxiety and depression.
So improving your sleep is critical and many people find that their anxiety, depression and inability to deal with stress disappear when their sleep improves. WARNING!
3 Things You Must Know If You Are Taking Any Sleep Medications — Prescription or Over-the-Counter:
1. While they may claim to be safe, they aren't! There are numerous negative side effects such as toxicity to the liver, decreasing memory, confusion, hallucinations, inability to focus, increased likelihood to have an accident and more.
In a recent study, people using sleeping drugs had a significantly higher mortality rate.
2. Addiction — most sleep medications have been proven to be addictive and the last thing you want is to be addicted to a drug that has negative health effects.
3. Safe, effective and natural alternatives are available. Decades of research has proven that there are numerous natural herbs and nutrients that can help you to sleep well and at the same time, strengthen your immune system and improve your overall health.

Cause #5: Injuries, Illness and Pain

Suffering from an injury, illness or chronic pain can either cause or contribute to sleeping problems and this happens in two ways. First, many people who are dealing with an illness, injury or condition physically have trouble sleeping due to pain and or the inability to get and stay comfortable.
Also, people suffering from pain and illness tend to feel defeated, depressed and are unable to handle stress well and this contributes to difficulty sleeping as well. As you are likely aware, this can be a viscous cycle.
Again, the good news is that there are numerous things you can do to improve your sleep that have been proven to be safe and effective.
7 Things You Can Do Right Now,
To Sleep Better Tonight
While there are a lot of things that you can do to improve your sleep, there are six that I have found to deliver the best results.
1) Avoid watching TV before bed·especially in bed! The bed should be reserved for two things·sleep and romance·not Desperate Housewives or football! Research shows that those who experienced the most sleep disturbances had televisions in their bedrooms and used the TV to fall asleep.
2) Try a different pillow or mattress. It's scary to think how long some of us have been sleeping on the same pillows and mattresses for years and years. Does your mattress provide the support you like? Do you wake with your back aching?
Is there enough room for you and your sleep partner? Do you sleep better, or worse, when you sleep away from home? These are all things to ask yourself to determine if your mattress could be the thing preventing you from getting a good night's sleep. Or more simply, just replacing your pillow with a new, fresh, higher quality version could be all that you need.
3) Avoid caffeine late in the day (or altogether). Did you know that even a small amount of caffeine even 10-12 hours before bedtime can cause problems falling asleep! Try eliminating the coffee, tea, soda and even chocolate and see if sleep improves.
4) Listen to relaxing music. Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, such as listening to music, could be just the thing you need to signal your body it is time to sleep. So, dim the lights and throw some slow jazz or purchase a "relaxing sounds" CD to help slow your mind and body down for an evening of peaceful sleep.
5) Try mind- body techniques. After an action-packed day, your brain and body need to unwind and slow down before sleep can occur. Create a "ritual" for bedtime - take a bath, meditate, do some easy stretches or yoga. Try to do your "ritual" in the same way, in the same place, at the same time each night. The repetition will trigger your mind and body that it is time to relax and sleep.
6) Try acupuncture. Used for over 3,500 years in China, acupuncture has shown to be effective in studies at improving sleep. While not everyone get great results with it, it is certainly something worth trying.
7) Try a natural sleep aid. For many people, while the above tips and suggestions may help, it often isn't enough. If you are one of those people who really have a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep, you may want to try a natural sleep aid.
While over the counter sleep medications may help you fall asleep, they cannot be taken long-term and have risky side effects. A sleep aid that uses natural ingredients is a better approach to getting a solid night's sleep.

But Buyer Beware...

But it's important to note that not all natural sleep aids are created equally. One thing that you'll often see is a product that won't list the specific amounts of each ingredient· they call it a "proprietary formula" and the reason companies do this is so they can use a bunch of filler and have very small amounts of the active ingredients.
So finding a natural sleep aid that actually works is quite a challenge. In fact, here at The Healthy Back Institute, we have spent the past two years testing and researching different products because so many of our customers who suffer from back pain also have trouble sleeping.
There was so much junk out there that finally we just gave up!
It's true; we were so disappointed with the results from all the sleep aids we tested that we decided to create our own formula.

Meditation

2008-09-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

Meditation is said to be a great stress reducer.

The first significant studies, in the '60s and '70s, proved that

meditators could get themselves so deep into trances that they

wouldn't react when they were prodded and burned. Another study

showed that meditators, unlike marksmen, didn't flinch at the sound

of a gunshot. And a Harvard Medical School professor studied 36

meditators and found that they used 17% less oxygen, lowered their

heart rates by three beats a minute, and increased their theta

brain waves -- the ones that appear right before sleep -- without

slipping into actual sleep. A later Harvard test showed that the

EEGs of meditators were significantly different than those of a

control group.

Later studies became more sophisticated with brain imaging. One

study showed that the brain doesn't shut off when it meditates but

rather blocks information from coming into a certain portion of it

-- the parietal lobe. Another study showed that meditation slows

blood flow to all portions of the brain but the limbic system,

which generates emotions and memories and regulates heart rate,

respiratory rate, and metabolism.

For 30 years, meditation research has told us that it works

beautifully as an antidote to stress," says Daniel Goleman, author

of "Destructive Emotions." "But what's exciting about the new

research is how meditation can train the mind and reshape the

brain." Tests using imaging techniques suggest that it can actually

reset the brain, changing the point at which a traffic jam, for

instance, sets the blood boiling.

Good news: You don't need a guru, weird clothes, or a monastery to

meditate. It's pretty simple:

1. Find a quiet place and turn out the lights.

2. Close your eyes.

3. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.

4. As you exhale (slowly), say a word or phrase that has a soothing

sound.

5. Repeat.

Start with 10-minute sessions. If desired, increase gradually.

Ramadan Fasting: Health Benefits and Problems

2008-08-25T05:57:00.001-07:00

Muslims from across the world stay ordained to the Quran and fast for the whole of Ramadan month. Fasting is a part of pleasing God, in almost all religions. Probably, the health benefits of fasting were known to our forefathers several centuries ago.

Though the primary aim of fasting by Muslims is to conform to religious norms, fasting brings in several health benefits too. While considering health benefits, there are also a few problems to consider and precautions to take while fasting.

Those who suffer from medical conditions like coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc are exempt from fasting. The negative effects of total fasting include hypokalemia (drastic drop of blood potassium levels), cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), etc. Ramadan fasting is not total fasting and believers take nutrients needed for the body, through the systematically planned early morning and evening food.

Lowering of blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure are the first notable physiological changes.

Diabetes patients need to take extra care while fasting. Hypoglycaemia, a condition characterised by abnormal drop of blood sugar levels can cause health problems. Diabetic patients should reduce intake of medicines or insulin injection during fasting. Monitoring of blood sugar levels is also desirable. Conditions like tiredness, sweating, headaches, unconsciousness, etc are the symptoms of abnormally low levels of blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycaemia- this is the reverse of hypoglycaemia, characterised by increase of blood sugar levels. This is mainly due to the medicines you take to sustain blood sugar levels. Increase in blood sugar levels can cause problems to kidney and eyes.

Problems of Acidity and Ulcer – bile can get filled up in stomach, which causes acidity and ulcer.

Healthy individuals have considerable health benefits from Ramadan fasting. It is an effective detoxification therapy. Toxins accumulated in the body break down and pass out of the body.

Fasting is ideal for both overweight and underweight persons. It is commonsense how fasting works to reduce weight. During fasting, deposited fat gets used and burns down and facilitates weight loss.

Fasting also normalizes the digestive system of underweight persons, and equips body to digest and assimilate nutrients from the food they eat.

Fasting can also clear many skin problems. This is because of the elimination of toxic materials from the body and generally cleansing the blood.

Fasting has advantages in getting rid of addictions and unhealthy habits like smoking and taking alcohol.

Ramadan fasting improves the health condition of healthy people. But for people who suffer from any medical condition should monitor their body and physiology more closely.

Pregnant and feeding women are exempted from fasting and they shall not attempt fasting, as it can deprive nutrition to both mother and child.

Dry Fasting and Dehydration

2008-08-18T02:14:00.000-07:00

During dry fasting the body dehydrates but at at a very slow rate. As there is no need for water in the digestive process the need for water in the body during a dry fast is minimal. During dry fasting the entire body slows down as slow as it can go.

I suspect that when there is less metabolic activity, the immunes system is more effective. I say this without any research to back it except one peek through a dark-field microscope watching a b-lymphocyte in action as it enveloped a foreign particle shimmering with various colors as it change form. The blood was not moving as it was on a heated slide and what I was seeing was what would be occurring in the bloodstream. However with in the body, the blood would be moving with pressure changes and at high velocity and the war between the b-lymphocyte and the foreign particle would occurring in torrent of biological events on a wild roller coaster. I believe that lymphocytes, and other immunological functions would be more effective during dry fasting as there would be less biological activity within the body.
Dry Fasting Challenges

It is more physically uncomfortable that water fasting. Your digestive system is completely shut down and breaking a dry fast is crucial and the body is more sensitive. Urine discharges can be painful after two days of dry fasting due to the concentration of waste.
Dry Fasting Duration

I have heard of people doing 5-10 days on water fasting and claiming health benefits but I recommend 3 days maximum.
Ending a Dry Fast

You can end a dry fast by drinking water, juice or a small amount of juice fruit.
Dry Fasting Weight Loss

Dry fasting has the greatest rate of weight loss but much it is short term as the body will rehydrate quickly.
Dry Fasting Recommendations

Listen to your body during dry fasting. Do not push it if you are feeling pain or any stomach aches.
Dry Fasting Preparation

I recommend 3 to 5 days juice fasting then 1 to 2 days water in preperation for dry fasting.
Dry Fasting Benefits

I believe dry fasting would be very effective against Candida and virile infections.

In 1900, 10% of the population lived in cities. In 2007, more than 50% of the population does. In 2030, 60% of the population will be city dwellers

2008-08-04T03:22:00.000-07:00

Humanity has entered the urban age. Urbanization is a huge phenomenon and, apparently, an inescapable process. As part of that process, will city dwellers adapt to a universal urban lifestyle? Will the city bring about a worldwide standardization of feelings and emotions? At the dawn of the 21^st century, are we witnessing the birth of a new lifestyle—-that of homo urbanus—a universal lifestyle stretching from Paris to Sydney and from Mexico City to Alexandria?

Read the study's detailed findings on this subject "Homo Urbanus?"

66% of city dwellers have chosen urban life for its lifestyle

2008-08-04T03:17:00.000-07:00

In the vast majority of cases, urban dwellers in the cities analyzed accept, and even assert, their lifestyle as a choice. However, we should not make monolithic judgments about a standard international urban lifestyle. While several of the characteristics that define the urban lifestyle appear to exist across borders, there are many country-by-country disparities with respect to urban quality of life.

New global survey reveals city dwellers around the world hold similar views and feelings about city life

2008-08-04T03:01:00.000-07:00

INTERNATIONAL. In a first-of-its-kind biennial survey from Veolia Environnement, the world’s largest environmental services company, 8,600 people in 14 of the world’s largest cities have revealed very common likes and dislikes for life in the city while painting a picture of their ideal future city.

The findings of the study – the first of its magnitude and scope to examine how people actually feel about city living by contrasting multiple cities on a global basis – has notable importance because for the first time in history, 50% of the world’s population lives in cities – up from only 10% just 100 years ago. By 2025, the number is expected to increase to nearly 60%, presenting a multiplicity of challenges as cities struggle to provide essential services and a good quality of life for their residents.

Overall, the global findings show 83% of city dwellers are satisfied with their city and 75% want to continue living in their city. But these positive attitudes are tempered by contradictory feelings about city life, with residents feeling a great sense of freedom (84%) but feeling constrained by high cost-of-living and economic pressures (80%). The city is viewed as a setting where it is relatively easy to meet people (72%) but one that triggers feelings of isolation, anonymity and anxiety among a majority (53%) of people. Convenience, attachment and stress were the top three feelings respondents used to describe their relationship with their city. Mixed emotions seem to be a permanent fixture of city life around the globe.

The three US cities surveyed (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago) performed well. Chicagoans are the most satisfied (percent “very satisfied”) with their city overall (49%), followed by Sydney (44%), New York (41%), Berlin (38%), Los Angeles and Paris (35%). Satisfaction is lowest in Mexico City (19%), Beijing (18%) and Tokyo (14%).

In addition to convenience, a sense of freedom and an ease in meeting people, city dwellers appreciate cities for their sports and cultural activities, public transportation and the diversity of people. Chief among their dislikes and concerns are the costs of living, traffic jams, safety, pollution, noise, dirt and poor management of public services. What city dwellers say would improve their quality of life includes reduced cost of living (49% globally versus 59% for US cities), improved safety (27%), less pollution (25%), reduced unemployment (25%), fewer traffic jams (23%) and development of public transportation (18%).

“The survey shows how city dwellers worldwide share very common personal desires and a common concern for the future of their cities,” said Michel Gourvennec, CEO of the Veolia Environnement group in North America.

“The growth pace of large urban areas is spurring greater complexity in the management of public services and infrastructure. City dwellers want greener, cleaner cities with better affordability and greater mobility. Veolia Environnement is especially interested in helping people improve their quality of life and the survey represents another way for our clients to recognize, anticipate and plan for the complexities associated with urban living.”

More key findings

What urbanites like about the cities where they live - Worldwide, respondents cited the following when asked what they like most about the city where they live: Public transportation systems (36%), sports and cultural activities (35%), economic and cultural dynamism (30% and 29%, respectively), entertainment possibilities (26%), and diversity (23%).

Respondents cited the following when asked what they hate about the city where they live: traffic jams (48%), pollution (38%), noise (28%), dirt (26%), poor management of public services and crowds (both at 25%).

Some 66% of respondents in all 14 cities use public transportation as their primary means of transportation versus a much lower 41% in the US. Residents in Los Angeles and Chicago are more likely to use cars as their primary means of transportation (82%) versus the global average (53%). Overall, Americans are more likely to see traffic congestion as a strong dislike and are more passionate about reducing traffic congestion as a key way to improve quality of life.

Residents of Shanghai, Beijing, Chicago, Prague, Lyon and Paris are most confident about the future of their city. Around the world, however, the percent that is “very confident” is relatively low (16%) versus 49% who are “somewhat confident” about the future. Chief worries for the future include: cost of living (72%), air quality (66%), noise (65%), quality of the environment (56%) and housing (55%).

What is the ideal city?

Focus group participants around the globe described the ideal city as a combination that includes:

Sydney, Chicago and Los Angeles, best described as “easy to live” cities because of a closeness to nature (ocean and Great Lakes settings) and optimism
Tokyo’s mass transit system and convenience
Shanghai and Beijing’s economic vitality
Paris, London and New York’s cosmopolitan setting and cultural activities
New York, Chicago and Los Angeles’s population diversity
Alexandria, Berlin and Prague’s fun-loving social atmosphere and ease in meeting people
Prague and Chicago’s friendliness
Prague’s architecture

From a negative perspective, Tokyo was generally considered a “cold” city for its lack of warmth and friendliness, while the survey underscored Mexico City residents’ concern for safety and negative feelings arising from urbanisation.

How city dwellers spend their time is universal around the world. During the week, the typical city dweller sleeps 7 hours on average and devotes 7 hours to work, 2 hours to transportation, 2 hours each to administrative tasks and chores, and enjoys approximately 4 hours for personal leisure time. Similarly, residents from all cities desire more sleep (1 hour, ideally), less time in transport (1 hour), less time at work (1 hour) and 2 more hours per day for family, friends and personal leisure.

Note: Veolia Environnement established the Veolia Observatory of Urban Lifestyles to augment its knowledge of the complexities of urban life and examine people’s relationships to their cities.

The Observatory’s first study was conducted in conjunction with global market research leader Ipsos, which surveyed more than 8,600 people in Alexandria, Beijing, Berlin, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Lyon, Mexico City, New York, Paris, Prague, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. Surveys were conducted online, and personal interviews were conducted in Alexandria and Prague where Internet penetration is low. Focus groups in 11 of the 14 cities supplemented quantitative survey findings.

The Veolia Observatory will conduct biennial studies probing the attitudes of urban dwellers across the globe.

More information about Veolia Observatory and The Veolia Observatory Survey of Urban Lifestyles is available at www.observatoire.veolia.com

See also www.veoliaenvironnement.com

The Truth About Guys Boady Image

2008-07-30T04:38:00.000-07:00

Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But the reality is that a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. It's a fact — some guys care just as much as girls do about their appearance.

You may hear a lot about being a tough guy, but how often do you hear that being a guy is tough? Guys might think that they shouldn't worry about how they look, but body image can be a real problem for them. Unlike girls, guys are less likely to talk to friends and relatives about their bodies and how they're developing. Without support from friends and family, they may develop a negative self-image. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

Why Is Body Image Important?

Body image is a person's opinions, thoughts, and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. Having a positive body image means feeling pretty satisfied with the way you look, appreciating your body for its capabilities and accepting its imperfections. Body image is part of someone's total self-image. So how a guy feels about his body can affect how he feels about himself. If he gets too focused on not liking the way he looks, a guy's self-esteem can take a hit and his confidence can slide. (The same thing can happen to girls, too.)

How Puberty Affects Body Image

Although body image is just one part of our self-image, during the teen years, and especially during puberty, it can be easy for a guy's whole self-image to be based on how his body looks. That's because our bodies are changing so much during this time that they can become the main focus of our attention.

A change in your body can be tough to deal with emotionally — mainly because, well, your body is yours and you have become used to it.

Some guys don't feel comfortable in their changing bodies and can feel as if they don't know who they are anymore. Being the only guy whose voice is changing or who's growing body hair (or the only guy who isn't) can also make some guys feel self-conscious for a while.

Some guys go into puberty not feeling too satisfied with their body or appearance to begin with. They may have wrestled with body image even before puberty started (for example, battles with weight or dissatisfaction with height). For them, puberty may add to their insecurities.

It Could Be in Your Genes

It can be tough to balance what you expect to happen to your body with what actually does happen. Lots of guys can have high expectations for puberty, thinking they'll develop quickly or in a certain way.

The best way to approach your own growth and development is to not assume you'll be a certain way. Look at everyone in your family — uncles, grandfathers, and even female relatives — to get an idea of the kinds of options your genes may have in store for you.

When Everyone Else Seems Bigger

Not everyone's body changes at the same time or even at the same pace. It can be tough if all of your friends have already matured physically and are taller and more muscular. Most guys eventually catch up in terms of growth, although some will always be taller or more muscular than others — it's in their genes.

It's natural to observe friends and classmates and notice the different ways they're growing and developing. Guys often compare themselves with other guys in certain settings, and one of the most common is the locker room. Whether at a local gym or getting ready for a game at school, time in the locker room can be daunting for any guy.

Try to keep in mind in these situations that you aren't alone if you feel you don't "measure up." Many guys feel exactly the same way about their own bodies — even those whose physiques you envy. Just knowing that almost everyone else will go through the same thing can make all the difference.

You could try talking to a trusted male adult — maybe a coach, a doctor, a teacher, or your dad. Chances are they went through similar experiences and had some of the same feelings and apprehensions when their bodies were changing.

Picture Perfect?

Guys put enough pressure on themselves, but what about the pressure society puts on them to be perfect?

It used to be that only girls felt the pressure of picture-perfect images, but these days the media emphasis on men's looks creates a sense of pressure for guys, too. And sometimes (actually many times) that "as advertised" body is just not attainable. The men you see in those pictures may not even be real. Magazines and ad agencies often alter photographs of models, either by airbrushing the facial and muscular features, or by putting a good-looking face on someone else's buff body.

Building a Better Body Image

So in the face of all the pressure society places on guys — and guys place on themselves — what can you do to fuel a positive body image? Here are some ideas:

Recognize your strengths. Different physical attributes and body types are good for different things — and sometimes the things you did well as a kid can change during puberty. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, flexibility, strength, or coordination leads you to excel at a certain sport. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. Just exploring talents that you feel good about can help your self-esteem and how you think of yourself.
A good body doesn't always translate into athletic success. Too often, the way guys see their body image is closely associated with their performance on a sports field or in the gym. The upside to this is that if you're good at a team sport, you might have a pretty good view of your body. But what if you don't like team sports or you got cut from a team you really wanted to make? In these cases, it helps to look at individual accomplishments.

If you don't like team sports, that's OK. Try finding another form of physical activity that really gets you going. Depending on your interests and where you live, that may be mountain biking, rock climbing, dancing, yoga, or even jogging. This will help you stay in shape and help you to appreciate skills may not have realized you had in a team environment.

If you like team sports but didn't make a particular team, don't let it get you down. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at, not to lament what you aren't best at. Maybe try out for another team — so soccer wasn't for you, but maybe cross-country running will be.

If none of these appeal to you, continue to practice the sport you were cut from and try again next year. The people around you probably won't remember that you didn't make the team — not being picked was a much bigger deal to you than it was to them.
Look into starting a strength training program. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques don't just happen — they take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet. There's no need to work out obsessively. A healthy routine can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week. Another benefit to working out properly is that it can boost your mood — lifting weights can lift your spirits.
Don't trash your body, respect it! To help improve your view of your body, take care of it. Smoking and other things you know to be harmful will take a toll after a while. Treating yourself well over time results in a healthier, stronger body — and that contributes to a better body image. Practicing good grooming habits — regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, etc. — also can help you build a positive body image.
Be yourself. Your body is just one part of who you are — along with your talent for comedy, a quick wit, or all the other things that make you unique. Your talents, skills, and beliefs are just as much a part of you as the casing they come in. So try not to let minor imperfections take over.

While it's important to have a positive body image, getting too focused on body image and appearance can cause a guy to overlook the other positive parts of himself. If you're like most guys who take care of their bodies and wear clothes that look good, you probably look great to others. You just might not be aware of that if you're too busy being self-critical.

Easy Exercises for teens

2008-07-28T04:48:00.000-07:00

Finding it hard to fit in fitness? Just getting through a day of school and after-school commitments can leave most of us wondering where to find time — and if all the running around we do counts as exercise. (It does. But if it's the only exercise we get, it's usually not enough.)

What more should we do? First, try to make sure aerobic activity adds up to more than 60 minutes a day. Aerobic activity is anything that gets your heart going — like biking, dancing, or running. Then take a few minutes for some strength training. Exercises like the ones below help build muscle to boost metabolism and keep joints working well. Flexibility is the third component of well-rounded exercise. Check out yoga as one way to stay flexible.

You can do these three strength-building exercises at home. There's no need for special equipment, expensive gym fees, or lots of time. Just check with your doctor, PE teacher, or coach first to be sure these exercises are OK for you.

life style-What Is a Body Piercing and What Can You Expect?

2008-07-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

A body piercing is exactly that — a piercing or puncture made in your body by a needle. After that, a piece of jewelry is inserted into the puncture. The most popular pierced body parts seem to be the ears, the nostrils, and the belly button.

If the person performing the piercing provides a safe, clean, and professional environment, this is what you can expect from getting a body part pierced:

The area you've chosen to be pierced (except for the tongue) is cleaned with a germicidal soap (a soap that kills disease-causing bacteria and microorganisms).
Your skin is then punctured with a very sharp, clean needle.
The piece of jewelry, which has already been sterilized, is attached to the area.
The person performing the piercing disposes of the needle in a special container so that there is no risk of the needle or blood touching someone else.
The pierced area is cleaned.
The person performing the piercing checks and adjusts the jewelry.
The person performing the piercing gives you instructions on how to make sure your new piercing heals correctly and what to do if there is a problem.

Before You Pierce That Part

If you're thinking about getting pierced, do your research first. If you're under 18, some places won't allow you to get a piercing without a parent's consent. It's a good idea to find out what risks are involved and how best to protect yourself from infections and other complications.

Certain sites on the body can cause more problems than others — infection is a common complication of mouth and nose piercings because of the millions of bacteria that live in those areas. Tongue piercings can damage teeth over time. And tongue, cheek, and lip piercings can cause gum problems.

Studies have shown that people with certain types of heart disease might have a higher risk of developing a heart infection after body piercing. If you have a medical problem such as allergies, diabetes, skin disorders, a condition that affects your immune system, or infections — or if you are pregnant — ask your doctor if there are any special concerns you should have or precautions you should take beforehand. Also, it's not a good idea to get a body piercing if you're prone to getting keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue in the area of the wound).

If you decide to get a body piercing:

Make sure you're up to date with your immunizations (especially hepatitis and tetanus).
Plan where you will get medical care if your piercing becomes infected (signs of infection include excessive redness/tenderness around the piercing site, prolonged bleeding, pus, and change in your skin color around the piercing area).

Also, if you plan to get a tongue or mouth piercing, make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.

Making Sure the Piercing Shop Is Safe and Sanitary

Body piercing is regulated in some states but not others. Although most piercing shops try to provide a clean and healthy environment, some might not take proper precautions against infections or other health hazards.

If you decide to get a body piercing, do a little investigative work about a shop's procedures and find out whether it provides a clean and safe environment for its customers. Every shop should have an autoclave (a sterilizing machine) and should keep instruments in sealed packets. Ask questions and make sure:

the shop is clean
the person doing the piercing washes his or her hands with a germicidal soap
the person doing the piercing wears fresh disposable gloves (like those worn at a doctor's office)
the person doing the piercing uses disposable or sterilized instruments
the person doing the piercing does not use a piercing gun (they're not sterile)
the needle being used is new and is being used for the first time
the needle is disposed of in a special sealed container after the piercing
there are procedures for the proper handling and disposal of waste (like needles or gauze with blood on them)

It's also a good idea to ask about the types of jewelry the shop offers because some people have allergic reactions to certain types of metals. Before you get a piercing, make sure you know if you're allergic to any metals. Only nontoxic metals should be used for body piercings, such as:

surgical steel
solid 14-karat or 18-karat gold
niobium
titanium
platinum

If you think the shop isn't clean enough, if all your questions aren't answered, or if you feel in any way uncomfortable, go somewhere else to get your piercing.

Some Health Risks

If all goes well, you should be fine after a body piercing except for some temporary symptoms, including some pain, swelling at the pierced area, and in the case of a tongue piercing, increased saliva. But be aware that several things, including the following, can go wrong in some cases:

chronic infection
uncontrollable or prolonged bleeding
scarring
hepatitis B and C
tetanus
skin allergies to the jewelry that's used
abscesses or boils (collections of pus that can form under your skin at the site of the piercing)
inflammation or nerve damage

Depending on the body part, healing times can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year. If you do get a piercing, make sure you take good care of it afterward — don't pick or tug at it, keep the area clean with soap (not alcohol), and don't touch it without washing your hands first. Never use hydrogen peroxide because it can break down newly formed tissue. If you have a mouth piercing, use an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash after eating.

If you're thinking of donating blood, be aware that some organizations won't accept blood donations from anyone who has had a body piercing or tattoo within the last year because both procedures can transmit blood-borne diseases.

If your piercing doesn't heal correctly or you feel something might be wrong, it's important to get medical attention. Most important, don't pierce yourself or have a friend do it — make sure it's done by a professional in a safe and clean environment.