Mathrubhumi: On 25 February this year Egyptian government appointed Amal Soliman , a 32 year old woman as the Muslim world's first mazouna, or female marriage registrar. The all-male Committee of Egyptian Mouzuns had challenged her application from the beginning – they argued that it would be inappropriate for a woman to perform that duty. A Mazoun or mazouna presides over the ceremony of marriage or divorce.
Soliman, who holds a Masters degree in Islamic Sharia law, broke in to the all-men club last September and performed her first marriage ceremony by reciting verses from the Quran and signing the official certificates making the union legally binding.
Soliman, a mother of three children really wants to pursue a doctoral degree in Islamic laws. Recently Al Jazeera carried an interview with Soliman
Friday, November 28, 2008
CRYING
The Mumbai terror attack has created a deep routed pain and sadness in our lives. There is a feeling of numbness which is difficult to express. All credit to the Indian armed forces for fighting and eliminating the terrorists bravely.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Ways Women Can Hold Their Own in a Male World
WSJ
Joining a male-dominated industry, like engineering, computer science or construction trades, can be intimidating. So can working in a predominantly male office. Women often struggle to figure out how to gain respect from male colleagues. It's imperative to establish yourself as an intelligent, no-nonsense employee. Here are some ways to navigate a mostly male office.
Make sure women are valued. Before joining a firm in a male-dominated industry, make sure the company values and promotes women. Check to see if women are represented on the board and in leadership positions at the company, says Betty Spence, president of the National Association for Female Executives, a women's business association in New York. During the interview process, consider asking to speak with female employees to get their input and contact human resources to ask about policies like maternity leave.
Identify alpha and beta males. Separate the two types of men in the office and engage accordingly, says Christopher Flett, founder of Ghost CEO, a professional development program for women. Alpha males have a "get it done" mind-set, so when speaking to an alpha co-worker, use "goal-oriented" language and get to the point quickly, says Mr. Flett. Beta males are more concerned with collaboration and partnership, so tailor your language accordingly.
Find a mentor. Look for a female employee at your company to mentor you. She can provide you with a built-in support system and can help you figure out the lay of the land, says Raylie Dunkel, an executive coach and director of development with the Women's Leadership Exchange. If you can't find someone in the company, join a professional organization and build connections there. Mentors with direct experience in a male-dominated workplace can offer invaluable advice to navigating tricky situations.
Weighing a New Industry For a New Job Acing Your Performance ReviewEasing Back to Work After You've RetiredDealing With an Unexpected Job SearchSpeak assertively. Eliminate the phrase "I'm sorry" from your vocabulary, unless it's truly warranted. Women tend to apologize for situations that they aren't responsible for, which demonstrates weakness, says Ms. Spence. Don't begin sentences with the phrase "I think," as it demeans what you're saying, says Ms. Dunkel. Take a cue from your male co-workers and be direct and confident. Practice removing any traces of tentativeness from your vocabulary and be declarative when you speak.
Socialize with the boys. It may feel like you're crashing a fraternity party, but make your best effort to socialize with your male co-workers in formal and informal situations. Whether it's tagging along for lunch or drinks after work, important information is exchanged informally; being there to hear it may benefit your career, says Ms. Spence. If you find yourself being left out, organize your own events, says Ms. Dunkel. Consider joining the company-sponsored softball team or other activities.
Don't assume stereotypical roles. Women are naturally nurturing and it's something you shouldn't be afraid to show at work. However, be careful to not appear servile. Ms. Spence says never clean up after your co-workers or bring coffee to meetings -- you'll run the risk of being stereotyped and taken advantage of.
Write to Dana Mattioli at dana.mattioli@wsj.com
Joining a male-dominated industry, like engineering, computer science or construction trades, can be intimidating. So can working in a predominantly male office. Women often struggle to figure out how to gain respect from male colleagues. It's imperative to establish yourself as an intelligent, no-nonsense employee. Here are some ways to navigate a mostly male office.
Make sure women are valued. Before joining a firm in a male-dominated industry, make sure the company values and promotes women. Check to see if women are represented on the board and in leadership positions at the company, says Betty Spence, president of the National Association for Female Executives, a women's business association in New York. During the interview process, consider asking to speak with female employees to get their input and contact human resources to ask about policies like maternity leave.
Identify alpha and beta males. Separate the two types of men in the office and engage accordingly, says Christopher Flett, founder of Ghost CEO, a professional development program for women. Alpha males have a "get it done" mind-set, so when speaking to an alpha co-worker, use "goal-oriented" language and get to the point quickly, says Mr. Flett. Beta males are more concerned with collaboration and partnership, so tailor your language accordingly.
Find a mentor. Look for a female employee at your company to mentor you. She can provide you with a built-in support system and can help you figure out the lay of the land, says Raylie Dunkel, an executive coach and director of development with the Women's Leadership Exchange. If you can't find someone in the company, join a professional organization and build connections there. Mentors with direct experience in a male-dominated workplace can offer invaluable advice to navigating tricky situations.
Weighing a New Industry For a New Job Acing Your Performance ReviewEasing Back to Work After You've RetiredDealing With an Unexpected Job SearchSpeak assertively. Eliminate the phrase "I'm sorry" from your vocabulary, unless it's truly warranted. Women tend to apologize for situations that they aren't responsible for, which demonstrates weakness, says Ms. Spence. Don't begin sentences with the phrase "I think," as it demeans what you're saying, says Ms. Dunkel. Take a cue from your male co-workers and be direct and confident. Practice removing any traces of tentativeness from your vocabulary and be declarative when you speak.
Socialize with the boys. It may feel like you're crashing a fraternity party, but make your best effort to socialize with your male co-workers in formal and informal situations. Whether it's tagging along for lunch or drinks after work, important information is exchanged informally; being there to hear it may benefit your career, says Ms. Spence. If you find yourself being left out, organize your own events, says Ms. Dunkel. Consider joining the company-sponsored softball team or other activities.
Don't assume stereotypical roles. Women are naturally nurturing and it's something you shouldn't be afraid to show at work. However, be careful to not appear servile. Ms. Spence says never clean up after your co-workers or bring coffee to meetings -- you'll run the risk of being stereotyped and taken advantage of.
Write to Dana Mattioli at dana.mattioli@wsj.com
Monday, November 17, 2008
DR Congo - front line
Al Jazeera :For the men of the Congolese Army's 18th Integrated Commando Brigade, life on the frontline in eastern Congo's North Kivu Province is anything but stable.
The Congo army troops - the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, or FARDC - are notorious for their brutal behaviour and have been accused of rapes and looting by the United Nations.
In the African state's latest eruption of war, only one thing is for certain - there can be no rest.
Infighting, insubordination, drunken fights while armed and on duty and smoking marijuana cigarettes are all means of passing time in-between facing death in fierce, pitched battles with fighters from the National Congress for the Defence of the People, or CNDP.
"We want to end this war so we can back home to Kinshasa," said corporal Boniface Ajbebjou, 32, "I hate them."
As he spoke, two of his fellow soldiers were drinking whiskey and smoking pot. "Idiots," he said in disgust.
Watching the enemy
The warring sides are within a few hundred metres of each other.
Less than half-a-kilometre up the road at a checkpoint held by the rebel forces, two of Ajbebjou's comrades lie splayed out in the middle of the road with gun shot wounds in their skulls – the result of combat the previous night.
Captain Alex Kaninda Kazadi, 38, the commander of the brigade's First Company, 182nd Battalion, knows this full well and has to remind his men – by means of a kick in the behind and stern finger in the face – that the enemy is watching.
"Watch them back," he barks.
"I can't reveal how many men I have lost so far," he told Al Jazeera. "All I know is I don't want to lose any more."
This is a tit-for-tat war with no-holds-barred sentiments towards those on
the other side.
Gruesome 'calling card'
Just a few nights before, rebel forces had stormed their positions in Kayanja,
just north of the refugee village of Kibati in Congo's east, but ended up
losing ground under a hail of bullets, mortar shells, heavy artillery and rockets.
Captain Kazadi's soldiers caught one of the rebels, who they claim was a Rwandan soldier.
They hacked off his genitals, nose and a hand and left him in the bush by the
side of the road to be eaten by dogs.
It was their revenge in return for the members of their unit who the rebels had shot in the head and left in the road in the no-man's land as a "calling card" - a form of psychological intimidation.
There is little solace to soothe the the horror of the psychological warfare these men wage against each other.
Criminality rife
With junior soldiers saying they earn less than $250 a month and their officers receiving under $600, they beg journalists for cigarettes and handouts.
They eat rice out of their metal helmets when they are not lucky enough to get their hands on biscuits and tins of beans and sardines and some dirty water to wash it all down.
Criminality is rife among the ranks of junior soldiers, many of whom were former rebels who fought the Congo army they now serve in during the Second Congo War that began 10 years ago.
With this round of war in eastern Congo entering the peak of the rain season, soldiers sleep in mud in the wet jungle, their clothes and bodies drenched most of the time. Their supplies of water are unreliable.
Getting high or drunk seems to be the one way they get through their ordeal.
They send motorcycle taxis with wads of pooled cash to the rear of the front line about twice a day to pick up their vices.
"I don't panic – I don't care," a belligerent young soldier slurs repeatedly in English.
Constant infighting
Captain Kazadi shakes his head as the other troops laugh. "I can't control every one of them all of the time," he said.
"It's the lieutenant's jobs to keep them in line, but I end up having to
manage everything."
Fights commonly break out between Kazadi's men – including the officers - and the captain often steps in to pull them apart.
"So what?" says 24-year-old corporal Kaseleka Ndagise as he grimaces in pain from
a twisted knee he got while wrestling with a fellow soldier.
"We fight with each other, but this is the way we are."
He points up the road towards the rebel positions: "It doesn't mean we aren't ready for them."
The FARDC is largely a new concept in Congo, having been created in 2004 as a part of the country's restructuring following the previous conflict that sucked in eight other countries and left millions of people dead.
One of Kazadi's troops, wearing a woman's wig (many fighters in Africa wear women's items or clothes as a good-luck charm) and wielding an AK-47 assault rifle along with a loaded, rocket-propelled grenade launcher, said he was ready to get "the pigs," a reference to the fighters of rebel leader general Laurent Nkunda's CNDP rebel government.
But with the soldiers' morale so poor, it is difficult to see how it can hope to win its campaign against the rebel forces.
The Congo army troops - the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, or FARDC - are notorious for their brutal behaviour and have been accused of rapes and looting by the United Nations.
In the African state's latest eruption of war, only one thing is for certain - there can be no rest.
Infighting, insubordination, drunken fights while armed and on duty and smoking marijuana cigarettes are all means of passing time in-between facing death in fierce, pitched battles with fighters from the National Congress for the Defence of the People, or CNDP.
"We want to end this war so we can back home to Kinshasa," said corporal Boniface Ajbebjou, 32, "I hate them."
As he spoke, two of his fellow soldiers were drinking whiskey and smoking pot. "Idiots," he said in disgust.
Watching the enemy
The warring sides are within a few hundred metres of each other.
Less than half-a-kilometre up the road at a checkpoint held by the rebel forces, two of Ajbebjou's comrades lie splayed out in the middle of the road with gun shot wounds in their skulls – the result of combat the previous night.
Captain Alex Kaninda Kazadi, 38, the commander of the brigade's First Company, 182nd Battalion, knows this full well and has to remind his men – by means of a kick in the behind and stern finger in the face – that the enemy is watching.
"Watch them back," he barks.
"I can't reveal how many men I have lost so far," he told Al Jazeera. "All I know is I don't want to lose any more."
This is a tit-for-tat war with no-holds-barred sentiments towards those on
the other side.
Gruesome 'calling card'
Just a few nights before, rebel forces had stormed their positions in Kayanja,
just north of the refugee village of Kibati in Congo's east, but ended up
losing ground under a hail of bullets, mortar shells, heavy artillery and rockets.
Captain Kazadi's soldiers caught one of the rebels, who they claim was a Rwandan soldier.
They hacked off his genitals, nose and a hand and left him in the bush by the
side of the road to be eaten by dogs.
It was their revenge in return for the members of their unit who the rebels had shot in the head and left in the road in the no-man's land as a "calling card" - a form of psychological intimidation.
There is little solace to soothe the the horror of the psychological warfare these men wage against each other.
Criminality rife
With junior soldiers saying they earn less than $250 a month and their officers receiving under $600, they beg journalists for cigarettes and handouts.
They eat rice out of their metal helmets when they are not lucky enough to get their hands on biscuits and tins of beans and sardines and some dirty water to wash it all down.
Criminality is rife among the ranks of junior soldiers, many of whom were former rebels who fought the Congo army they now serve in during the Second Congo War that began 10 years ago.
With this round of war in eastern Congo entering the peak of the rain season, soldiers sleep in mud in the wet jungle, their clothes and bodies drenched most of the time. Their supplies of water are unreliable.
Getting high or drunk seems to be the one way they get through their ordeal.
They send motorcycle taxis with wads of pooled cash to the rear of the front line about twice a day to pick up their vices.
"I don't panic – I don't care," a belligerent young soldier slurs repeatedly in English.
Constant infighting
Captain Kazadi shakes his head as the other troops laugh. "I can't control every one of them all of the time," he said.
"It's the lieutenant's jobs to keep them in line, but I end up having to
manage everything."
Fights commonly break out between Kazadi's men – including the officers - and the captain often steps in to pull them apart.
"So what?" says 24-year-old corporal Kaseleka Ndagise as he grimaces in pain from
a twisted knee he got while wrestling with a fellow soldier.
"We fight with each other, but this is the way we are."
He points up the road towards the rebel positions: "It doesn't mean we aren't ready for them."
The FARDC is largely a new concept in Congo, having been created in 2004 as a part of the country's restructuring following the previous conflict that sucked in eight other countries and left millions of people dead.
One of Kazadi's troops, wearing a woman's wig (many fighters in Africa wear women's items or clothes as a good-luck charm) and wielding an AK-47 assault rifle along with a loaded, rocket-propelled grenade launcher, said he was ready to get "the pigs," a reference to the fighters of rebel leader general Laurent Nkunda's CNDP rebel government.
But with the soldiers' morale so poor, it is difficult to see how it can hope to win its campaign against the rebel forces.
CITI TO SLASH 52000 JOBS
WSJ: Citigroup Inc. Chief Executive Vikram Pandit vowed Monday to keep shrinking the struggling financial giant, but his words did little to arrest a slide in Citigroup's shares and drew poor reviews from some employees.
Mr. Pandit, speaking to employees at a "town hall" meeting at Citigroup's Manhattan headquarters, said his goal is to reduce the company's total workforce to about 300,000 employees, compared to its third-quarter level of 352,000. About half of those planned reductions stem from previously-announced divestitures and other cost-cutting measures; the remainder will come via layoffs.
Mr. Pandit, speaking to employees at a "town hall" meeting at Citigroup's Manhattan headquarters, said his goal is to reduce the company's total workforce to about 300,000 employees, compared to its third-quarter level of 352,000. About half of those planned reductions stem from previously-announced divestitures and other cost-cutting measures; the remainder will come via layoffs.
Economy will rebound in 6 to 9 months: FM
WASHINGTON (TOI): The financial meltdown will not spare any sector of the economy, but on the brighter side recovery could be just six to nine months
away, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said.
"There will be some slowdown in every sector... but monetary measures, counter-cyclical measures and enlightened measures by the companies themselves can get over this painful period of adjustments and in about 6-9 months we should be back to the growth rate," he told a news channel in an interview.
away, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said.
"There will be some slowdown in every sector... but monetary measures, counter-cyclical measures and enlightened measures by the companies themselves can get over this painful period of adjustments and in about 6-9 months we should be back to the growth rate," he told a news channel in an interview.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Condoleezza Rice: 'Find Something You Love'
INTERVIEW
WSJ: What was the key turning point, career move or life event that got you to where you are today?
Ms. Rice: From my point of view, finding what I was passionate about was the key for me. And I thought that passion was concert piano. After a kind of serious look at my prospects, I found, fortunately, a course on international politics taught by a Soviet specialist.
When you are searching for your passion you can't let it be limited by what others think you ought to do. There is no earthly reason that a black girl from Birmingham, Ala., would want to study Russian. And yet that's what really was fulfilling for me and what I was passionate about. And so I think that decision obviously was a very critical one.
But I would not have been in a position to do that without extraordinary parents. I'm often asked: 'Have you made sacrifices? Have you had to make tough choices?' And, of course we all do, but nothing compared to the choices that my parents made to give me every opportunity that they possibly could even though they were teachers, educators who made very little money. So I would say it's not so much things that I did, but I really was set up for it by great parents.
Because I really didn't have a 'plan,' I was fortunate that certain circumstances arose, allowing me to get here. But I think I prepared for it by finding something I loved and working hard at it. I think sometimes women believe there is something wrong with networking and getting to know people. Of course you need to get to know people.
WSJ: When traveling in your official capacity, how are you treated globally? Are there places that you go to where official negotiations are complicated by local attitudes towards women?
Ms. Rice: You almost become secretary of state, and that is without gender. But of course there are places where attitudes towards women, particularly in the Middle East, are not always very enlightened. It doesn't tend to affect me because I'm being dealt with as secretary of state.
But I'll tell you a way that I think it's actually been positive. I can't tell you how many places, conservative Muslim states, where a leader or one of the ministers will say: 'My daughter follows what you do, would you send her a note,' or in a couple of cases where people have actually brought their daughters or wives to meet me. I always find that really gratifying because it means that perhaps these leaders or ministers who are in very conservative societies still hope for something different for their daughters.
WSJ: What piece of advice do you have for young women today who want to advance far in politics?
Ms. Rice: Find something you love to do and don't spend time thinking about whether or not it's going to advance you in politics. If you don't love what you do and you're not passionate about what you do, you are not going to advance very far.
The second thing is to not to try to plan too far ahead. There are so many variables in life that you may or may not ever get there. It's not that you can be aimless and unfocused, but I always say plan for the next thing that you want to do, and plan and do it well. And concentrate on doing that well and enjoying it and seeing where it leads you, rather than trying to think four, five steps ahead, which is almost never going to work.
WSJ: What was the key turning point, career move or life event that got you to where you are today?
Ms. Rice: From my point of view, finding what I was passionate about was the key for me. And I thought that passion was concert piano. After a kind of serious look at my prospects, I found, fortunately, a course on international politics taught by a Soviet specialist.
When you are searching for your passion you can't let it be limited by what others think you ought to do. There is no earthly reason that a black girl from Birmingham, Ala., would want to study Russian. And yet that's what really was fulfilling for me and what I was passionate about. And so I think that decision obviously was a very critical one.
But I would not have been in a position to do that without extraordinary parents. I'm often asked: 'Have you made sacrifices? Have you had to make tough choices?' And, of course we all do, but nothing compared to the choices that my parents made to give me every opportunity that they possibly could even though they were teachers, educators who made very little money. So I would say it's not so much things that I did, but I really was set up for it by great parents.
Because I really didn't have a 'plan,' I was fortunate that certain circumstances arose, allowing me to get here. But I think I prepared for it by finding something I loved and working hard at it. I think sometimes women believe there is something wrong with networking and getting to know people. Of course you need to get to know people.
WSJ: When traveling in your official capacity, how are you treated globally? Are there places that you go to where official negotiations are complicated by local attitudes towards women?
Ms. Rice: You almost become secretary of state, and that is without gender. But of course there are places where attitudes towards women, particularly in the Middle East, are not always very enlightened. It doesn't tend to affect me because I'm being dealt with as secretary of state.
But I'll tell you a way that I think it's actually been positive. I can't tell you how many places, conservative Muslim states, where a leader or one of the ministers will say: 'My daughter follows what you do, would you send her a note,' or in a couple of cases where people have actually brought their daughters or wives to meet me. I always find that really gratifying because it means that perhaps these leaders or ministers who are in very conservative societies still hope for something different for their daughters.
WSJ: What piece of advice do you have for young women today who want to advance far in politics?
Ms. Rice: Find something you love to do and don't spend time thinking about whether or not it's going to advance you in politics. If you don't love what you do and you're not passionate about what you do, you are not going to advance very far.
The second thing is to not to try to plan too far ahead. There are so many variables in life that you may or may not ever get there. It's not that you can be aimless and unfocused, but I always say plan for the next thing that you want to do, and plan and do it well. And concentrate on doing that well and enjoying it and seeing where it leads you, rather than trying to think four, five steps ahead, which is almost never going to work.
11 foods to turn your partner on! ( A only)
Are you cooking a romantic meal for your man in the hope that it might excite more than just his taste buds? Well, then try adding coffee, honey, 11 foods to turn your partner on!
The following is a list of the ones that have, so far, proven themselves quite worthy of the "aphrodisiac" title:
1. Caffeine
Whether in coffee, tea, sodas or chocolate, caffeine, up to a certain point, can get your motor going.
2. Honey
Known for giving you a quick boost, sugar in its pure honey form can boost your energy. Honey also fuels sperm cells.
3. Chocolate
Besides containing caffeine, chocolate contains two compounds believed to have sex-enhancing effects: anandamide and phenylethylamine (PEA). (PEA is a natural form of amphetamine, an antidepressant). This sweet also contains theobromine, which increases endorphin production, making for a good high.
4. Herbs
Helping lovers relax and ease anxieties, some herbs are seen as having physical effects that can make you feel randier and increase blood flow to the genitals. Certain ones, like lemon balm, a type of mint plant that''s available in tea form, can relax the nervous system, soothing you while elevating your mood.
5. Spices
Some spices, like cayenne pepper, can get you hot quite literally by increasing your heart rate and body temperature. Some also mirror signs of sexual arousal, like a body flush, perspiration and plumper lips. Certain spices can be consumed in capsule, tincture or concentrated drop form a half an hour before sex to boost circulation.
6. Garlic
Because it contains allicin, garlic increases blood flow to the sexual organs, which can certainly help get things going in the bedroom.
7. L-arginine
L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a precursor to nitric oxide, the molecule that is responsible for promoting circulation by relaxing the blood vessels.
8. Asian Ginseng
Commonly used to treat sexual dysfunction in males, ginseng has direct effects on the central nervous system and genital tissues. Evidence indicates the Chinese herb can facilitate erection by increasing blood flow to the penis.
9. Alcohol
Liquor is known to help lovers feel relaxed and in the mood, in large part because people have such strong beliefs that liquor makes for libido.
10. Ambrien
Found in the digestive tract of some sperm whales, this waxy substance is used in Arab countries, but is illegal in the U.S. Ambrien is said to increase a male's libido by increasing the concentration of several hormones, including testosterone.
11. Seafood
Resembling female genitals, any slippery, succulent seafood is held as an aphrodisiac. Also, the word "aphrodisiac" comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, who, like fish, comes from the sea.
The tips have been provided by Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright, who's a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc.
The following is a list of the ones that have, so far, proven themselves quite worthy of the "aphrodisiac" title:
1. Caffeine
Whether in coffee, tea, sodas or chocolate, caffeine, up to a certain point, can get your motor going.
2. Honey
Known for giving you a quick boost, sugar in its pure honey form can boost your energy. Honey also fuels sperm cells.
3. Chocolate
Besides containing caffeine, chocolate contains two compounds believed to have sex-enhancing effects: anandamide and phenylethylamine (PEA). (PEA is a natural form of amphetamine, an antidepressant). This sweet also contains theobromine, which increases endorphin production, making for a good high.
4. Herbs
Helping lovers relax and ease anxieties, some herbs are seen as having physical effects that can make you feel randier and increase blood flow to the genitals. Certain ones, like lemon balm, a type of mint plant that''s available in tea form, can relax the nervous system, soothing you while elevating your mood.
5. Spices
Some spices, like cayenne pepper, can get you hot quite literally by increasing your heart rate and body temperature. Some also mirror signs of sexual arousal, like a body flush, perspiration and plumper lips. Certain spices can be consumed in capsule, tincture or concentrated drop form a half an hour before sex to boost circulation.
6. Garlic
Because it contains allicin, garlic increases blood flow to the sexual organs, which can certainly help get things going in the bedroom.
7. L-arginine
L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a precursor to nitric oxide, the molecule that is responsible for promoting circulation by relaxing the blood vessels.
8. Asian Ginseng
Commonly used to treat sexual dysfunction in males, ginseng has direct effects on the central nervous system and genital tissues. Evidence indicates the Chinese herb can facilitate erection by increasing blood flow to the penis.
9. Alcohol
Liquor is known to help lovers feel relaxed and in the mood, in large part because people have such strong beliefs that liquor makes for libido.
10. Ambrien
Found in the digestive tract of some sperm whales, this waxy substance is used in Arab countries, but is illegal in the U.S. Ambrien is said to increase a male's libido by increasing the concentration of several hormones, including testosterone.
11. Seafood
Resembling female genitals, any slippery, succulent seafood is held as an aphrodisiac. Also, the word "aphrodisiac" comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, who, like fish, comes from the sea.
The tips have been provided by Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright, who's a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Grape seed can prevent Alzheimers
Sydney IANS: Grape seeds have been found to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Using a mouse model, a team of researchers headed by Xin-Fu Zhou of Flinders University, has found that adding grape seed extract to the diet prevent the formation of deposits of amyloid proteins in the brain.
Zhou said that over-production of amyloid-beta proteins, or the body's failure to degrade them, leads to the formation of clumps or snarls in the brain and is a major cause of Alzheimer's disease.
Many fruits and vegetables contain polyphenols - complex molecules with anti-oxidant properties - and some have been identified by scientists as a possible method for reducing amyloid deposition, according to a Flinders release.
Grape seed extract was fed to mice affected by transgenic Alzheimer's for six months, after which the researchers observed their behaviour and brain pathology, comparing them with a control group.
Using a mouse model, a team of researchers headed by Xin-Fu Zhou of Flinders University, has found that adding grape seed extract to the diet prevent the formation of deposits of amyloid proteins in the brain.
Zhou said that over-production of amyloid-beta proteins, or the body's failure to degrade them, leads to the formation of clumps or snarls in the brain and is a major cause of Alzheimer's disease.
Many fruits and vegetables contain polyphenols - complex molecules with anti-oxidant properties - and some have been identified by scientists as a possible method for reducing amyloid deposition, according to a Flinders release.
Grape seed extract was fed to mice affected by transgenic Alzheimer's for six months, after which the researchers observed their behaviour and brain pathology, comparing them with a control group.
20 20 FILM
Kochi IANS: Malayalam movie 'Twenty 20', which brings together top stars Mammooty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and Jayaram, was released last week and has broken the box-office record in the state.
'Though released only in 115 theatres Wednesday, the opening day collection crossed Rs.10 million. It remains strong. Now, instead of worrying about repaying debtors, I can laugh all the way to the bank and plan future strategy on the basis of this successful formula,' actor-producer Dilip told IANS.
Dilip produced the movie on behalf of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) in the capacity of being its vice-president.
Virtually the entire Malayalam film industry worked for 'Twenty 20'.
However, the film had a few blushes.
Many of the fans of Mohanlal, AMMA's general secretary, initially boycotted the film because their icon was 'not accorded adequate importance in the publicity material'.
'We were angry that Mammooty was given the pride of place in the posters at the centre while the bigger draw Mohanlal was featured at the edge in the pre-release posters. That irked us initially. But when we saw that Mohanlal was given equal importance in the film, our feelings were assuaged and we have endorsed 'Twenty 20' in a big way,' said Hemachandran Nair, a fan based in Trippunithura in south Kerala.
Over 400 cinema halls in small towns and villages of Kerala have refused to touch the film due to distribution hiccups.
Veteran director Joshy made the film, which was scripted by writer duo - Uday Krishna and Shibi K. Thomas.
'Though released only in 115 theatres Wednesday, the opening day collection crossed Rs.10 million. It remains strong. Now, instead of worrying about repaying debtors, I can laugh all the way to the bank and plan future strategy on the basis of this successful formula,' actor-producer Dilip told IANS.
Dilip produced the movie on behalf of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) in the capacity of being its vice-president.
Virtually the entire Malayalam film industry worked for 'Twenty 20'.
However, the film had a few blushes.
Many of the fans of Mohanlal, AMMA's general secretary, initially boycotted the film because their icon was 'not accorded adequate importance in the publicity material'.
'We were angry that Mammooty was given the pride of place in the posters at the centre while the bigger draw Mohanlal was featured at the edge in the pre-release posters. That irked us initially. But when we saw that Mohanlal was given equal importance in the film, our feelings were assuaged and we have endorsed 'Twenty 20' in a big way,' said Hemachandran Nair, a fan based in Trippunithura in south Kerala.
Over 400 cinema halls in small towns and villages of Kerala have refused to touch the film due to distribution hiccups.
Veteran director Joshy made the film, which was scripted by writer duo - Uday Krishna and Shibi K. Thomas.
GM's Shares Tumble
GMC ( general motors corpn) shares Monday plummeted to a price it hasn't seen since 1946, on rising concerns the auto maker will run out of cash in the next few months and that any government bailout won't be beneficial to shareholders.
Shares of GM fell 23% to $3.34 in late-morning trading, after earlier hitting a 62-year low of $3.02, as analysts at both Barclays Capital and Deutsche Bank cut their target prices and investment ratings on the stock.
Shares of GM fell 23% to $3.34 in late-morning trading, after earlier hitting a 62-year low of $3.02, as analysts at both Barclays Capital and Deutsche Bank cut their target prices and investment ratings on the stock.
German mother does U-turn
PANAJI: The German woman who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually
abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren handed over a letter to the Calangute police on Sunday afternoon stating she wanted to withdraw her complaint.
The woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues confirmed that she had given such a letter to the police. “She is really upset as the system is treating her and her daughter as the accused. They do not want another unnatural death as in the case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling. That is the reason why she wants to withdraw the complaint,” said Rodrigues.
abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren handed over a letter to the Calangute police on Sunday afternoon stating she wanted to withdraw her complaint.
The woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues confirmed that she had given such a letter to the police. “She is really upset as the system is treating her and her daughter as the accused. They do not want another unnatural death as in the case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling. That is the reason why she wants to withdraw the complaint,” said Rodrigues.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
CHANDRAYAN MISSION-RENDEZVOUS THE MOON
BANGALORE ( TOI): India on Saturday successfully put its first unmanned spacecraft Chandrayaan-I into lunar orbit - a major step towards placing it in its
designated slot 100 km from the moon, a top Indian space agency official said.
The spacecraft was placed in an elliptical orbit - at 7,500 km aposelene (farthest from moon) and 500 km periselene (nearest to moon) through complex manoeuvres, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) director S. Satish said.
In this orbit, the spacecraft takes 10 hours to complete one revolution around the moon.
Over the next two-three days, Chandrayaan will be progressively lowered to an orbit that will be 500 km aposelene and 100 km periselene.
Chandrayaan carries 11 scientific instruments, including six foreign payloads - two from the US, three from the European Space Agency (ESA) and one from Bulgaria. The remaining five are indigenously designed and developed by various centres of the state-run ISRO.
designated slot 100 km from the moon, a top Indian space agency official said.
The spacecraft was placed in an elliptical orbit - at 7,500 km aposelene (farthest from moon) and 500 km periselene (nearest to moon) through complex manoeuvres, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) director S. Satish said.
In this orbit, the spacecraft takes 10 hours to complete one revolution around the moon.
Over the next two-three days, Chandrayaan will be progressively lowered to an orbit that will be 500 km aposelene and 100 km periselene.
Chandrayaan carries 11 scientific instruments, including six foreign payloads - two from the US, three from the European Space Agency (ESA) and one from Bulgaria. The remaining five are indigenously designed and developed by various centres of the state-run ISRO.
Friday, November 7, 2008
For Ex-Miss Vietnam Beauty Queen Loses Crown, Miffing Some; Finding a Replacement Is a Royal Pain
By JAMES HOOKWAY
DANANG, Vietnam -- Vietnam's new penchant for beauty pageants took an ugly turn after government inspectors found that the new Miss Vietnam didn't live up to their exacting standards.
Like many up-and-coming nations, Vietnam has been using beauty contests to quickly make its mark on the world. In July, Vietnam played host to the Miss Universe pageant, which was presided over by Jerry Springer and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (the one known as "Scary Spice").
For many ordinary Vietnamese, the event was more compelling evidence that the country has arrived than joining the World Trade Organization was the year before. Newspapers and TV channels repeatedly pointed out that this was the first time Miss Universe has been held in a Communist country.
But that pride crumbled after government investigators found that the new Miss Vietnam, crowned on Aug. 31, hadn't finished high school.
DANANG, Vietnam -- Vietnam's new penchant for beauty pageants took an ugly turn after government inspectors found that the new Miss Vietnam didn't live up to their exacting standards.
Like many up-and-coming nations, Vietnam has been using beauty contests to quickly make its mark on the world. In July, Vietnam played host to the Miss Universe pageant, which was presided over by Jerry Springer and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (the one known as "Scary Spice").
For many ordinary Vietnamese, the event was more compelling evidence that the country has arrived than joining the World Trade Organization was the year before. Newspapers and TV channels repeatedly pointed out that this was the first time Miss Universe has been held in a Communist country.
But that pride crumbled after government investigators found that the new Miss Vietnam, crowned on Aug. 31, hadn't finished high school.
Surviving the crash
From Economist.com
AMERICA’S government, after rescuing a financial system brought low by dodgy mortgage-backed securities, now faces the prospect of bailing out deeply troubled carmakers. On Friday November 7th Ford delivered the latest wretched figures for inspection that horrified even the industry’s tyre-kickers, who are well-used to bad news. It revealed operating losses of $3 billion in the third quarter and said that its carmaking operations had got through $7.7 billion in cash. The news from GM, due to come later in the day, is set to be as bad.
Even before the announcements on Friday the beleaguered carmakers were in desperate shape. High fuel costs, the effects of the credit crisis and looming recession contributed to making October the worst month for new-car sales in 25 years. Sales at GM and Chrysler have fallen by 18% and 25% respectively this year and both companies will run out of cash some time next year if they continue to burn through it at the current rate. Ford’s latest recovery plan has put it a little ahead of its rivals but the massive losses it reported on Friday show that its prospects are bleak.
AMERICA’S government, after rescuing a financial system brought low by dodgy mortgage-backed securities, now faces the prospect of bailing out deeply troubled carmakers. On Friday November 7th Ford delivered the latest wretched figures for inspection that horrified even the industry’s tyre-kickers, who are well-used to bad news. It revealed operating losses of $3 billion in the third quarter and said that its carmaking operations had got through $7.7 billion in cash. The news from GM, due to come later in the day, is set to be as bad.
Even before the announcements on Friday the beleaguered carmakers were in desperate shape. High fuel costs, the effects of the credit crisis and looming recession contributed to making October the worst month for new-car sales in 25 years. Sales at GM and Chrysler have fallen by 18% and 25% respectively this year and both companies will run out of cash some time next year if they continue to burn through it at the current rate. Ford’s latest recovery plan has put it a little ahead of its rivals but the massive losses it reported on Friday show that its prospects are bleak.
Migraine reduces breast cancer risk
In a puzzling twist, women who have a history of migraine headaches are far less likely to develop breast cancer than other women, US
researchers said on Thursday.
The study is the first to look at the relationship between breast cancer and migraine and its findings may point to new ways of reducing a woman’s breast cancer risk, they said. “We found that, overall, women who had a history of migraine had a 30% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not have a history of such headaches,” said Christopher Li of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Li said the reduction in risk was for the most common types of breast cancers — those driven by hormones. Hormones also play a role in migraine.
researchers said on Thursday.
The study is the first to look at the relationship between breast cancer and migraine and its findings may point to new ways of reducing a woman’s breast cancer risk, they said. “We found that, overall, women who had a history of migraine had a 30% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not have a history of such headaches,” said Christopher Li of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Li said the reduction in risk was for the most common types of breast cancers — those driven by hormones. Hormones also play a role in migraine.
Monday, November 3, 2008
MICRO MANAGE?
Two years ago, Greg Cushard was leading eight or nine meetings a week at Rubicon Oil Co., the truck-refueling company he founded and runs. He would interrupt conversations among subordinates, identify mistakes and make even mundane decisions, he says.
"I acted like a quarterback ... more than a coach," Mr. Cushard says. He had little time to think about the business. Employees "stopped making suggestions because they were afraid they'd get shot down."
Journal Community
Discuss: Have you ever worked for a micromanager? How should managers draw the line between being helpful and micromanaging?Prompted by advice from his top lieutenants and executive coach, Mr. Cushard resolved to stop micromanaging. Leadership experts say micromanagers -- from small-business owners to managers in large organizations -- share an unwillingness to trust subordinates; still, many can be successful, to a point.
Former President Jimmy Carter was known to personally review requests for White House tennis courts. Martha Stewart once described herself as a "maniacal micromanager" who had to "understand every part of the business to be able to maximize those businesses." Former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner ordered stronger bulbs put in reading lights in Disney hotels.
The best managers help employees learn to work independently by giving them meaningful responsibilities, organizational coach Diane Foster says. "Who wants to be in a company where you are not allowed to think?"
Write to Cari Tuna at cari.tuna@wsj.com
"I acted like a quarterback ... more than a coach," Mr. Cushard says. He had little time to think about the business. Employees "stopped making suggestions because they were afraid they'd get shot down."
Journal Community
Discuss: Have you ever worked for a micromanager? How should managers draw the line between being helpful and micromanaging?Prompted by advice from his top lieutenants and executive coach, Mr. Cushard resolved to stop micromanaging. Leadership experts say micromanagers -- from small-business owners to managers in large organizations -- share an unwillingness to trust subordinates; still, many can be successful, to a point.
Former President Jimmy Carter was known to personally review requests for White House tennis courts. Martha Stewart once described herself as a "maniacal micromanager" who had to "understand every part of the business to be able to maximize those businesses." Former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner ordered stronger bulbs put in reading lights in Disney hotels.
The best managers help employees learn to work independently by giving them meaningful responsibilities, organizational coach Diane Foster says. "Who wants to be in a company where you are not allowed to think?"
Write to Cari Tuna at cari.tuna@wsj.com
TAINTED MILK
ZHANGZHUANG, China ( WSJ) -- Before melamine-laced milk killed and sickened Chinese babies and led to recalls around the world, the routine spiking of milk with illicit substances was an open secret in China's dairy regions, according to the accounts of farmers and others with knowledge of the industry.
Farmers here in Hebei province say in interviews that "protein powder" of often-uncertain origin has been employed for years as a cheap way to help the milk of undernourished cows fool dairy companies' quality checks. When the big companies caught on, some additive makers switched to toxic melamine -- which mimics protein in lab tests and can cause severe kidney damage -- to evade detection.
Farmers here in Hebei province say in interviews that "protein powder" of often-uncertain origin has been employed for years as a cheap way to help the milk of undernourished cows fool dairy companies' quality checks. When the big companies caught on, some additive makers switched to toxic melamine -- which mimics protein in lab tests and can cause severe kidney damage -- to evade detection.
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