Vivalife Nov-dec 2009

VivaLife

Nov - Dec 2009 Volume 1 - Issue 2

Living Life to the Fullest

Hamburg

The funky side of this famed city

Nobel Prizes 2009 Besides the Peace Prize

Motorvating

A look at super cars and more

Have your Say

On soldiers and journalists

How to make Money make Money

Part 2 of our guide to investing in stocks and bonds

Oats

Facts on this grainy meal

Copenhagen 2009

Climatic Conference on Climate Change

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CONTENTS

Editorial



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29

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Super Cars and More 6 Hamburg 10 14

Nobel Prizes 2009

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Normaderm Promat

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Tech Talk

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Going Green

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Copenhagen 2009

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Have your Say

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33

20

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How to Make Money Make Money - Part 2

Oats - a healthy meal Your Cosmic Calendar

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30 36

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Cover Picture by Andrey Rakhmatullin at Photoxpress

Managing Editor Sunil P’vee Senior Editor Yacoub Omar Editorial Assistant Marcel Assousi Content Contributors Butros Shadly - Ken Rubin - Leena Ayyad - Martin Tobola - Rita Alshoaibi Art Director Manuel Johnson Senior Web Designer Mohammed Abbas Photography Ashraf Hassan Sales Manager Shamsudeen HM Marketing Analyst Yasmin Mehdi For Content [email protected] For Advertisement [email protected] For more info [email protected] Website www.vivalife1.com

© MBS Group Publication - All rights reserved

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From the Stephen Webster Burning Rocks collection for De Beers

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Exclusively at DE BEERS Stores in the region

Nov - Dec 2009

An Editorial Note ...

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ne of the occupational perquisites of being in the media profession is the opportunity it gives us to travel all over, meet people from every walk of life and listen. If there is any single trait that makes for a good journalist, I would say it is the ability to listen. And, as you listen, no matter where you are or who you are talking with, invariably one thing becomes abundantly clear — it is a pretty small world out there.

territories and consolidates its presence in others, let us raise a toast to the digital pathway that has helped level the playing field for millions of people around the world. With over one billion people interlinked to more than a trillion pages, the internet has truly helped make the world a smaller place. But can the internet also help create a smarter world — a world that overcomes obstacles to human development; a world where people are put at the center of development? While bracing for after-shocks from the recent economic upheavals, the question increasingly being asked was what the world economic scenario would look like once the dust had settled.

Why? Simply that … as we look around it is obvious that the world we live in is changing at a rapid phase. And, no matter what people say, the confluence of ideas, thoughts and actions, spurred and spread through various media, has helped create far more similarities than differences between people of differ- Now, with signs of recovery ent countries, cultures and back- emerging and talks of rebuildgrounds. ing the infrastructure arising, the critical question we need to At the heart of this transition ask is, are we only going to apis the internet network which ply plaster patches over our ecoturned 40 in October, and which nomic and social fissures, or are has changed forever the way we we going in for transformational interact with one another and the changes? Are we only going to world around us. Belying earlier repair what is broken, or are we fears, the internet has benefitted going to rebuild for a brighter funot only large enterprises, but ture and a smarter planet? also individuals and communities as well as small and medium en- The window of opportunity to terprises that form the engine of transform the ways we maneconomic growth everywhere. age economic growth, measure social progress and maintain The internet could even further environmental sustainability, is ‘flatten the world’ if the intelli- fast receding. We need to act gence, insight and knowledge, and act now, if we are to build gained from crunching mountains a world where people can realize of data by massive computation- their full potential, increase their al powers and sophisticated ana- choices and enjoy the freedom to lytics, currently available only to lead lives they value. elite institutes, were more readily made available to everyone. As it continues to encroach upon new

e e v ’ P Sunil

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Super Cars and More

Porsche Panamera

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than other models in its segment. The car’s overall length of 4,970 mm gives it an unmistakable GT silhouette, especially with the short, sporting overhangs front and rear. It comes with highly individual, strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille. Strong wheel arches and the long and sleek bonnet typical of the 911. The strikingly, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coupé-like roofline and the The Panamera is a marvel of en- visible tailpipes continue to begineering and design excellence stow the feel of its forebears. that refines Porsche’s experience and passion of last 60 years into The Panamera is a far cry from an exclusive vehicle with unique Ferry Porsche’s initial design, the Porsche 356, with its airpropositions. Packed with true cooled, rear-mounted, 4-cylinPorsche DNA and a wide range der, 35 hp engine. The 4.8-litre of innovative technologies, the Panamera S generates 400 hp Panamera combines the looks through a strong, fuel-efficient, of a coupé, the opulence of a eight-cylinder motor that luxury car, four-seater space drives the rear wheels via a the and Porsche’s distinctive drivPorsche-Doppelkupplungsgetrieing dynamics. The Panamera is available in three versions — the be (PDK) dual-clutch transmission with seven gears, which S, the 4S and the Turbo. improves the fuel consumption to a mere 12.5 l/100 km. Through its proportions alone, With its 500 Nm of torque from measuring 1,931 mm in width between 3,500 and 5,000 rpm, and 1,418 mm in height, the and an excellent 83.2 hp output Panamera is lower and wider n 2009, commemorating the 100th birth anniversary Ferry Porsche, the autoentrepreneur responsible for creating the first Porsche car, the iconic brand introduced its fourth nameplate, the Panamera. Standing alongside the other sports models the 911, Boxster and Cayman and the SUV Cayenne, the 4-seater, GranTurismo Panamera heralds Porsche’s entry into the luxurious sedan segment.

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per litre, the Panamera S can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, and continue to a top speed of 285 km/h. PDK also comes as standard on the 4.8-litre, 400-hp Panamera 4S, which also features Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and an intelligent all-wheel drive system. Like the S, it is capable of producing 500 Nm of torque between 3,500 and 5,000 rpm, but the 4S can hit 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 282 km/h. Its economy rating is as impressive as its performance, achieving fuel consumption of just 11.1 l/100 km. With a 500-hp, eight-cylinder engine and bi-turbo technology, the top of the range Panamera Turbo, comes with PDK as standard alongside all-wheel drive. It generates 700 Nm of torque from 2,250 to 4,500 rpm and boasts a power output per litre of 104.1 hp. The Turbo produces scintillating performance with a top speed of 303 km/h and a staggering time of only 4.2 seconds form 0 to100 km/h. In spite of the Turbo’s performance

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potential, it still registers meager fuel consumption of just 12.2 l/100 km.

functions, from ABS and antislip control (ASR) to engine drag-force control (MSR), automatic brake differential (ABD) To reduce fuel consumption and and Brake Assist with pre-filling CO2 emissions even further, all of the brake system. It also versions of the Panamera come features a trailer stabilizing with Porsche’s new auto startsystem, start-off management stop function that automatically and halt management. PSM is switches off the engine as soon designed to intervene in critical as the car comes to a standstill driving situations when close to — for example at traffic lights the limit by applying the brakes or in a traffic jam — then auto- selectively in order to stabilise matically starts the engine again the car, thus offering an exas soon as the brake pedal is tremely high standard of active released. The result is a signifi- safety combined with the unique cant reduction in fuel consump- agility typical of a Porsche. The tion, particularly in city traffic. driver however has the option to Porsche Active Suspension Man- deactivate the PSM. agement (PASM) is a standard feature on the Turbo and an From a design perspective, the option on the Panamera S and Panamera was developed as a 4S. Its three manually adjustfour-seater right from the start able control maps and frequen- and boasts a unique interior that cy-specific damping provide a fits perfectly within the car’s wide range of adjustments, from niche. Despite its unusually low extra sporting through to exand stretched silhouette, the tremely comfortable motoring. Panamera’s dimensions give generous room for all four seats. Porsche Stability Management A centre console extending all (PSM) provides an extremely the way along the interior from higher level of supreme active front to rear highlights a persafety, and comes as standard sonal cocoon for each passenin the Panamera. This system ger, a feeling that is continued comprises a whole range of with the four individually tai-

lored seats. Low seat positions give the driver and passengers a direct feeling of the road that is typical of Porsche. The Panamera also sets new standards in its class in terms of audio and communication with its seven-inch, color touch screen fitted with both the CDR31 audio system and Porsche Communication Management (PCM), including a navigation module. As an option, rear passengers can enjoy their very own personal entertainment in the Panamera, with Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment, incorporating two consoles integrated in the headrests of the front seats with swiveling seven-inch, TFT color displays that integrate cordless infrared headsets. With its focus on safety and the environment combining with excellent performance and absolute comfort, the Porsche Panamera has been well worth the wait. This four-door grand tourismo is a unique offering that sets the standard within its segment. Porsche Panamera is now available at Porsche Centre Kuwait showrooms.

John Cooper Works — the small MINI with a big attitude

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he MINI brand, which has a rich tradition steeped in racing history, started way back in 1964, when Paddy Hopkirk shocked the world by winning Europe’s most important and challenging rally in Monte Carlo in a MINI Cooper S. This heritage continues to this day in the MINI CHALLENGE professional race series and the MINI CHALLENGE race car.

exhaust system and a modified six-speed manual gearbox and a stylish exterior that give the car a sporty edge, the MINI John Cooper Works oozes power, performance and agility.

special occasion was marked by the MINI United event at Silverstone in the UK.

The MINI John Cooper Works accelerates to 100 km/hr in just 6.5 seconds and has a top Like other members of the MINI speed of 238 km/hr. True to its family, the latest stage in the history, the MINI’s newly develevolution inherits some key oped four-cylinder power unit qualities that set it apart from and twin-scroll turbo charger its peers. It boasts some of means the maximum output is the most advanced automotive an astonishing 211 horse power. technologies ever introduced in A first in the segment, the DyIn line with its racing heritage, a MINI and cleverly builds on namic Stability Control (DSC) the MINI John Cooper Works, its predecessor model to deliver including Dynamic Traction Conwith components derived dioptimum safety, efficiency and trol (DTC) comes as standard. rectly from the MINI CHALAnd, with the sports button, the LENGE race car, made its recent performance at all times. debut in Kuwait. Using exclusive The small car with a big attitude driver can activate a special gas and substance in abundance pedal control map conceived for extra-light alloy wheels, exmore dynamic performance and tremely powerful brakes, a new turned 50 this year, and that www.vivalife1.com

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an even more direct response from the steering, guaranteeing the same enjoyable go-kart feeling the MINI is renowned for and which MINI drivers enjoy. Further customization allows for enhanced comfort features and a variety of special equipment options that include more sporting flair with Flame Spoke light alloy rims, bonnet stripes

and sports suspension as well as full leather interior and Comfort Access keyless entry/ignition for added dynamism. In-car entertainment on the MINI John Cooper Works includes a 6.5-inch TFT color display with optional navigation system and an AUX port featured as standard. A special interface for complete integration of an Apple iPod is also

available as an accessory, in addition to a Bluetooth interface and USB port. The MINI just gets better with age, and its success in Kuwait shows that the brand is still thriving. And, with this powerful latest addition to the MINI stable, its popularity is bound to increase.

LFA - Lexus’ super car

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t the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, Lexus unveiled a prototype of LFA, their two-seater, super car scheduled to go into production at the end of 2010. According to Lexus only 500 units of LFA, the pinnacle of Lexus’ F-series premium sports cars, will be produced and sold worldwide. Ultra-responsive and extremely stable even when taken to the edge, the LFA creates a sense of reassurance that opens up a new world of driving emotion. The LFA, which combines high output, superb chassis design

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and meticulous aerodynamics achieves instantaneous totalvehicle response characterized by high-rev and seamless acceleration, which is echoed by a self-defining resonance from its 4.8-liter V10 engine. The newly developed 4.8-liter V10 engine, which uses lightweight materials (aluminum magnesium and titanium alloys), and is smaller than a conventional V8, boasts exceptional power, optimal weight distribution and an exceptional powerto-weight ratio. A carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) cabin

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adds to the high body-rigidity while reducing weight. This unique cabin is 100kg lighter than a comparable aluminum cabin. Relatively higher weight components such as the engine and transmission are placed within the wheelbase. A low center of gravity is made possible by the use of dry sump lubrication, along with placing peripheral components behind the engine. Furthermore, optimal placement of the transmission and the fuel tank in front of the rear axle adds to this application of

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centralized mass. This minimizes weight shift during cornering and contributes to outstanding performance and stability.

ASG transmission features a newly developed gearshift actuator, providing the driver with a very direct shift feel. Four selectable driving modes and a Combined with a front-engine seven-stage shift-speed selector and rear-wheel-drive configura- provide a higher level of driver tion, the short, wide and low control. body allows the LFA to achieve Track-sized high-performance its target front-to-rear weight (Carbon Ceramic) CCM brake distribution of 48:52.The drivdiscs and electronically er’s seat is positioned near the Controlled Braking system LFA’s center of gravity. The cen- generates ultra-powerful yet tralized seating concept is made stable braking. The light weight possible by the use of a rear and rigid CFRP cabin combined transaxle and vertically stacked with a front double-wishbone torque tube and exhaust pipes suspension and a rear multilink reducing the width of the center suspension, result in a very tunnel. The driver placement is stable controlled ride. Detailed aimed to provide maximum car- aerodynamic engineering results to-driver feedback, especially in elements such as a flat ununder sport or high G-force driv- derbody, a diffuser and a speeding conditions. controlled rear wing, which allow for precise vehicle response Independent, electronically at all vehicle speeds. controlled throttle bodies ensure precise air-feed to each of the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated 10 cylinders, enabling immediManagement integrates numerate engine response from the ous vehicle dynamic functions, accelerator pedal. The six-speed which provide a high level of

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vehicle stability and preventative safety, especially when sport driving, without interfering with the driver’s intentions. An acoustically tuned surge tank linked to 10 individual throttle bodies creates a powerful induction sound. The coordination of intake and exhaust sounds overlap at various RPMs to create a unique, exciting and inspired soundtrack. The exterior design includes carefully tuned aerodynamics and airflow management. The use of CFRP, in addition to strength and weight advantages, frees up the design of the exterior panels allowing a fresh super car L-finesse design. The interior design combines stateof-the-art instrument-panel design and technology, along with a variety of custom-tailored interior trim packages to suit the most discerning driver. Any takers? Remember, only 500 units will be available.

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Hamburg

The city on the River Elbe has an alternative but no less exciting scene to enjoy away from the beaten tourist track: from arts and entertainment to shopping, restaurants and cafés. In secluded courtyards and unassuming side streets lie untold creative potential, alternative lifestyles and inspiration.

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unky, offbeat, alternative, discover a new side to the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The city’s extended name refers to its history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and a free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire and also to the fact that Hamburg is a city-state and one of sixteen Federal States of Germany. The Hanseatic League, often shortened to Hanse or Hansa, was an alliance of trading cities and their guilds that established and maintained a trade monopoly along the coast of Northern Europe, from the Baltic to the North Sea and inland, during the Late Middle Ages and early modern period. The Hanseatic Cities had their own law system and furnished their own protection and mutual aid. The Imperial Free City status was established through a charter in 1189 by Frederick 1 “Barbarossa”, who granted Hamburg tax-free access up the Lower Elbe into the North Sea, making it a major port in Northern Europe.

The city takes its name from the first permanent building on the site, a castle ordered to be built by Emperor Charlemagne in 808 AD. The castle was named Hammaburg, where burg means castle but the origins of Hamma or the location of the castle remain uncertain. Some superlatives associated with Hamburg include: Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany (after Berlin) and the sixth-largest city in the European Union, with 1.8 million people living in an area of 755 square kilometers. With a GDP of Euro 88.9 billion, Hamburg also has the highest GDP in Germany, approximately Euro 50,000 per capita. With 9.8 million twentyfoot equivalent units (TEU) of cargo and 134 million tons of goods in 2007, it is also the second-largest port in Europe (after Rotterdam) and the ninthlargest port in the world. With more than 120,000 enterprises the city is both a business hub, and with more than 40 theatres, 60 museums, 100 music venues and clubs, Hamburg is also a major tourist destination, both for domestic and overseas visitors. In 2005, more than 18 million people visited concerts, exhibitions, theatres, cinemas, museums, and

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other performances of cultural achievement in the city and had about 7.4 million overnight stays in 2007. And, with 2300 bridges crisscrossing its many canals, Hamburg has more bridges within its city limits than any other city in the world. The superlatives never seem to cease with Hamburg. The port, the Alster Lake and St. Michael’s church; no visit to Hamburg would be complete without taking in these three iconic sights. But Hamburg wouldn’t be Hamburg if that was all there was to the city. There is a whole other world to discover beyond what is listed in the guide books. The city on the River Elbe has an alternative but no less exciting scene to enjoy away from the beaten tourist track: from arts and entertainment to shopping, restaurants and cafés. In secluded courtyards and unassuming side streets lie untold creative potential, alternative lifestyles and inspiration. Anyone who embarks on a tour of discovery through the “happening” districts — Schanzenviertel, Ottensen, St. Georg and Karolinenviertel — will soon realize that Hamburg more than lives up to its reputation as a city that never grows old. There is a real buzz about these areas, for example at the Flohschanze,

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produce exclusive collections. Numerous emerging labels are making a name for themselves on the international stage and turning heads with their fresh ideas and imaginative products. But secondhand stores are also in vogue. Hot Dogs is one of the best places in the city to find fabulous vintage items, whether it’s an original Adidas jacket from the 1980s or unworn classic sneakers from yesteryear. The coolest parts of Hamburg offer everything the style-conscious heart could desire – true to the motto “anything goes”.

From the grand boulevards of Mönckebergstrasse and Jungfernstieg to Germany’s largest shopping arcade, Hamburg has it all, combining style and tradition with that certain je ne sais quois.

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one of the finest antique and flea markets in Hamburg. Every Saturday, people flock to its stalls to haggle, hunt for bargains or simply browse at their leisure. Not wanting to throw things away is a philosophy shared by the Lockengelöt store, whose owners use soldering irons and welding torches to conjure up one-off items from materials that are usually consigned to the rubbish: discarded vacuum cleaners become floor lamps and VHS cases become key racks. A visit to this extraordinary shop is a must for those with eclectic tastes. Individual and unconventional are words that also describe the up-and-coming talent driving Hamburg’s fashion scene. The city’s trendiest districts are packed with studios and showrooms where gifted designers

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Once the alternative shopping opportunities have been exhausted, however, there are plenty of other places to indulge in retail therapy. From the grand boulevards of Mönckebergstrasse and Jungfernstieg to Germany’s largest shopping arcade, Hamburg has it all, combining style and tradition with that certain je ne sais quois. The city’s Hanseatic heritage is also brought to the fore, for example by the naval cap-maker Lars Künzel. He is the last practitioner of his trade in Hamburg, and makes 18 different types of cap by hand using traditional methods. Fashionistas should clear their schedule for Hamburg’s inaugural Shopping Days Festival, which takes place from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November 2009. It is set to be an experi-

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ence to remember, with varied programs of entertainment and mesmerizing light installations.

– yet another expression of the city’s bohemian diversity. Modern design, entertainment and an informal approach are the After a day spent trawling the hallmarks of the 25hours Hotel shops, Hamburg’s trendsetters Hamburg. Rooms at this threecongregate in the Schanzenstar establishment have a cool viertel district — the ultimate retro style and offer plenty of insiders’ tip for a great night space as well as scope for fun. out. The many cafés and popu- The Superbude also offers a lar little bars around Susannen- fresh take on accommodation strasse and Schulterblatt come as well as funky designs. It is alive as the night progresses. especially popular with younger The latest place to see and be travelers who stay in single to seen is the Bullerei – the restau- four-bed rooms and enjoy the rant conceived by celebrity chef inclusive Xbox consoles and Tim Mälzer. Nestling in the heart high-speed internet – perfect of the Schanzenviertel district, for sending messages to their it serves contemporary Gerfriends back home about their man cuisine within the historiexperiences of the Hamburg cal cattle halls of the old Hamscene. burg abattoir. With stomachs full and the night still young, The “Shopping in Hamburg” people gravitate to neighboring package from Hamburg TourSt. Pauli, home of the famous ismus GmbH starts at just Reeperbahn: once notorious for €299.00 per person. It is a its seedy strip joints, the former great combination of retail “street of sin” has long since therapy, luxury accommodation shed its previous image to atand gourmet food. The price tract a wide range of clubs, bars includes: 2 nights incl. breakfast and venues. buffet in the 5-star Park Hyatt Hamburg hotel, 1 shopping But even the wildest nights have voucher worth €30.00 for the to end at some point. SleepAlsterhaus department store, ing off excesses is best done in 1 gourmet dinner in the hotel’s one of the new boutique hotels Apples Restaurant, use of the

Anyone who embarks on a tour of discovery through the “happening” districts — Schanzenviertel, Ottensen, St. Georg and Karolinenviertel – will soon realize that Hamburg more than lives up to its reputation as a city that never grows old.

exclusive Club Olympus Spa & Fitness centre and 1 Hamburg CARD (free public transport, discounted admission to attractions etc.) PS: shopping in Hamburg is great at any time, but it’s even more exciting during the festive season. Browsing for gifts is so much fun when the streets are lit up by countless twinkling lights and the aroma of roasted almonds and mulled wine wafts through the air. And once the high-street shopping is done, there are Christmas markets of all sizes to discover with an enchanting selection of stalls. The stress and bustle of the run-up to Christmas are soon forgotten when baked apples, cinnamon stars and glühwein are on offer. Further information about shopping in Hamburg and other exciting packages is available online at www.hamburg-tourismus.de or by calling +49 (0)40 3005 1300. or +49(0)40-300 51 111 Fax: +49(0)40-300 51 220 E-Mail: [email protected] URL: www.hamburg-tourismus.de

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Nobel Prizes 2009 Economics: Elinor Ostrom, Oliver E. Williamson

Literature: Herta Muller

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Peace: Barack Obama

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“... annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics; one part to the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement; one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine; one part to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction; and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses ...” - Alfred Nobel

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Physiology or Medicine: Elizabeth K. Blackburn, Jack W. Szostak, Carol W. Greider

Chemistry: Venkataraman Ramakrishnan, Ada E. Yonath, Thomas A. Steitz

Physics: Willard S. Boyle, Charles K. Kao, George E. Smith

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t is unfortunate that the outstanding work done by recipients of this year’s other Nobel Prizes have been overshadowed by the media hullabaloo surrounding President Barack Obama winning the 2009 Nobel Prize for Peace. Happily, on December 10th, the Nobel Prize award ceremonies will be held separately — for the Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway and for remaining prizes in Stockholm, Sweden. It is unclear why Alfred Nobel wished the Peace Prize to be administered in Norway, but at least in this year’s case, it is an ideal scenario. Otherwise, there was a strong likelihood of the other prize presentation ceremonies being overwhelmed by media coverage of President Obama and his Peace Prize.

the Nobel Foundation an artist who “with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed.” Born as a member of a German speaking minority in Romania in 1953, Ms Muller together with her husband author Richard Wagner migrated to Germany in 1987. During a recent interview following winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, Ms Muller commented, “… And then I came to Germany and here in Germany I was always the Romanian, and in Romania I was always the German. So somehow one is always the other.”

The three men who shared this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics were recognized for achievements in fields that benefit In the 108 year history of the the way you are reading this Nobel Prizes, there have been online page now. The optical 829 Nobel laureates — 806 fibers along which this website laureates and 23 organizations. is coming to you and the digital Some individuals and organizaimaging which underlies practitions have received the prize cally all modern photographic more than once. This year 5 imaging, are the direct consewomen were honored with the quences of their work, done Nobel Prize, a record achieveover 40 years ago. Charles ment for the Nobel committee Kao, of Standard Communicaseeing how since 1901, only tion Laboratories in the United 40 women have been honored. Kingdom, first suggested that Marie Curie was the only woman glass fibers could be used for to receive the prize on two oclong range information transfer. casions. In 1970, when it finally became possible to fabricate optical The Nobel Prize in Literature has fibers of pure glass, Kao’s work been awarded 102 times to 106 paved the way for today’s ubiqNobel laureates between 1901 uitous, efficient, energy-saving and 2009. This year’s recipioptical cable networks. Startent, Herta Muller, is according to ing with a sketch in 1969, of an image sensor based on Albert Einstein’s photoelectric effect, William Boyle and his colleague George Smith at Bell LaboratoIn the 108- year history of the ries developed the CCD (Charge Nobel Prizes, there have been Coupled Device) sensor that has become an integral element 829 Nobel laureates — 806 laureates and 23 organizations. in modern digital imaging.

Some individuals and organizations have received the prize more than once.

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The Nobel Committee also jointly awarded Jack W. Szostak, Carol W. Greider and Elizabeth H. Blackburn, with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or

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Medicine. Szostak of Boston’s Harvard Medical School, Greider of John Hopkins University in Baltimore and Blackburn from University of California, San Francisco, were recognized for their discovery of how telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes, play an important role in their protection. The long, thread like DNA molecules that carry our genes are packed into chromosomes that are capped by ends called telomeres. The scientists were felicitated for discovering the unique DNA sequence in the telomeres that protect the chromosomes from degradation and for identifying the enzyme, telomerase, that make telomere DNA. In Chemistry this year’s Nobel Prize went to Thomas A. Steitz of Yale University in the U.S. who shared the Prize with Venkatraman Ramakrishnan of Cambridge University in U.K. and Ada E. Yonath, professor of structural biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, for their studies on the structure and function of the ribosome using X-ray crystallography. Ribosomes are cellular particles responsible for life’s core processes of producing proteins, which in turn control the chemistry in all living organisms. A better understanding of the role of ribosome in life processes is crucial to the development of new antibiotics and other research. The Nobel Committee presented the Nobel Prize for Economics jointly to Oliver Williamson of the University of California, Berkeley, and Elinor Ostrom, a political scientist from Indiana University. While traditional economic theories have beaten to bone the merits and limitations of markets, the research of this year’s prize winners demonstrates that economic analysis can help make sense of most forms of social organiza-

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tion. Williamson was awarded the prize for analyzing economic governance, especially the rules by which people exercise authority in companies and economic systems, while Ostrom, who also became the first woman recipient of the Prize in Economics, was recognized for her analysis of economic governance, especially the commons. Both are considered masters, during the past several decades, in the relatively new institutional economics.

the holding and promotion of peace congresses.’

The gratuitous Peace Prize given to President Obama has once again thrown the Nobel Peace Prize into a bout of contention. The President, it should be remembered, was sworn in on January 20th of this year, nominations for the 2009 The five original Nobel Prizes, Peace Prize closed on put in place through Alfred February 3rd. That left Nobel’s will in 1895 and first the President barely two awarded in 1901, were only for weeks, in the midst of a busy literature, peace, medicine and schedule of reception balls physiology, physics and chemis- and thank-you dinners, for pro try. The prize in economics, usu- moting peace congresses. And, ally the last of the Nobel prizes as President of a country curto be announced, is strictly rently engaged in war in Iraq speaking, not a prize of the No- and Afghanistan, the last thing bel Foundation. The prize is ac- on Obama’s mind would be tually called The Sveriges Riksabolishing or reducing his standbank Prize in Economic Sciences ing armies. On December 10th, in memory of Alfred Nobel, and as Obama steps up to receive was instituted by Sweden’s the Nobel Peace Prize, from the Central Bank in 1968 and first Chairman of the Norwegian Noawarded in 1969. Nonetheless, bel Committee, he might have the prize in economics now has to do a juggling act in receivthe same procedure of selection ing the award while waving the by the Swedish Academy, and olive branch and holding on to the same cash award presented his reins as commander-in-chief at a similar ceremony as the of an army at war in Iraq and other Nobel prizes. Afghanistan.

decision by, ‘a speech Obama gave about Islam in Cairo in June 2009, the president’s efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and climate change, and Obama’s support for using established international bodies such as the United Nations to pursue foreign policy goals.’

As one newspaper remarked in its editorial: ‘a prize that, more than achievements, honored intentions and supports incentives that have yet to bear fruit’. Based on the above criteria, the President should also have received the award for economics, seeing how he promised The Nobel Prizes were intended The Nobel Peace Committee to create nearly 4 million jobs to recognize contributions that awarded the prize to the presiand keep unemployment below enhanced the quality of human dent, “for his extraordinary ef8 percent with his highly aclife, through scientific advance, forts to strengthen international claimed Stimulus Plan. Also, to literary creativity or efforts at diplomacy and cooperation the President’s credit, he spoke bringing about peace. Alfred No- between peoples.” Ironically, of his intentions to slash bilbel’s will stipulates, that interduring the whole of 2008, the lions from the national debt by est from a fund, generated from preceding year for which he was reforming health care and to cut his realizable estate, should be nominated, Obama was spearcosts by adding 46 million uninbestowed on “those who, during heading a divisive drive first sured to the mix. the preceding year, shall have against Senator Hillary Clinton, conferred the greatest benefit for nomination as the Democrat- As the Wall Street Journal put on mankind.” The will goes on ic Party’s presidential candidate, it, quoting Sideshow Bob in a to add that the Peace Prize shall and then, against Senator John 1994 episode of ‘The Simpsons,’ go, ‘… to the person who shall McCain for the presidency. “Hah! Attempted murder? Now have done the most or the best honestly, what is that? Do they work for fraternity among naAccording to Thorbjorn Jagland, give a Nobel Prize for attempted tions, for the abolition or reduc- who headed the Nobel Commit- chemistry?” Well, Bob, obvition of standing armies and for tee, it was influenced in its ously they now do.

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Nov - Dec 2009

Available at leading pharmacies throughout the region

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Nov - Dec 2009

NORMADERM PRO MAT

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n this year’s Skin Health Centers which took place in UAE & KSA, Vichy Laboratories found that 20 percent of people who received a free skin diagnosis suffered from shiny, greasy and oily skin. So to protect their skin from this oily effect, Vichy laboratories presents a cosmetic breakthrough, “Normaderm Pro Mat”, a skincare product that fights the sebum-activating effect of daily UV rays with a non-stop matte effect hydrating care. On its quest to rid women of skin imperfections Vichy Laboratories has managed to expertly select and use the UV filters and mattifying properties required to protect skin without leaving a sheen on the skin’s surface. Normaderm Pro Mat, the latest innovation by Vichy Laboratories, is characterized by a unique performance with an ideal solution for shiny skin: allying protection and mattifying efficacy. Normaderm Pro Mat contains a suitable formula composed of UVA/B protection without residual oiliness in order to limit sebum production, in addition to mattifying microspheres for a “dry touch” technology and a sebum-regulating active ingredient, Vitamin Cg. The Normaderm Pro Mat has an exceptional efficacy, even under extreme conditions. The Normaderm Pro Mat is based on a new expertise by L’Oreal Research that has demonstrated the impact of UV light, even daily exposure, on sebum secretion and then, on shininess. In fact, the production of squalene and triglycerides, leading fats found in the composition of sebum, rises by 26% in areas exposed to daily UV light, as compared to non-exposed areas. With Normaderm Pro Mat, Vichy Laboratories once again sets itself standards worthy of the pharmaceutical industry, responding to the pharmacy’s principal skin concerns, coupling the very best of technology with high safety and efficacy.

Probably one of the most important aspects in a woman is her skin. Great looking skin is a true reflection of beauty, and that’s why Vichy Laboratories strives to find ideal solutions to help women around the world with their skin problems and complications.

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Nov - Dec 2009

Tech Talk Philips submits entry for L-Prize competition

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition has received its first entrant — Philips’ LED replacement for the common 60-Watt incandescent light bulb. Philips developed this product in response to DOE’s challenge to spur development of high-quality, high-efficiency LED replacements for the common light bulb. Every year it is estimated that more than 425 million 60-Watt incandescent light bulbs are sold in the United States alone, representing approximately 50 percent of the domestic incandescent light bulb market. According to DOE, an LED replacement for this could save 34 terawatt-hours of electricity in one year, enough to power the lights of 17.4 million U.S. households. It would also avoid 5.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually. Established through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the L Prize offers substantial rewards for the

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first manufacturer to meet its very demanding requirements — ensuring that performance, quality, lifetime, cost and availability meet expectations for widespread adoption and mass manufacturing. In addition to the significant cash prize, the first manufacturer to fully meet the competition’s requirements will also be in consideration for federal purchasing agreements, utility programs and other incentives.

Wataniya BlackBerry ‘Pay as you Go’ Service

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ataniya Telecom, has once again reinforced its eminent position in the marketplace as the leading communications provider in Kuwait through the availability of Wataniya Blackberry Prepaid service to its customers, aiming to boost the customer’s experience to another level. As the first Telecommunication Company to introduce the The Philips submission will now undergo comprehensive evalua- Blackberry Prepaid service in tion, including testing conducted Kuwait, Wataniya guarantees all its customers the freedom of by independent laboratories. choice by giving them the opportunity to use the Wataniya Required metrics for the 60services as they wish. Watt incandescent LED replacement, as laid out by DOE, The Blackberry Prepaid ‘pay as include: you go’ service caters to customers who want to use mes• Efficacy of more than 90 lumens per watt, which exceeds senger and chat applications the efficiency of all incandescent as well as read and react to their emails while on the move and most compact fluorescent sources today, which range from with the ability to download and receive files alongside GPS 10 to 60 lumens per watt and Blackberry maps’ planning. • Energy consumption of less than 10 watts as compared to a 60 Watt incandescent. • Output of more than 900 lumens, equivalent to a 60 Watt incandescent light bulb • Lifetime of more than 25,000 hours, which is 25X greater than a typical incandescent bulb • Color Rendering Index (CRI) greater than 90, which is a high measure of lighting quality • Color Temperature between 2700 – 3000 Kelvin, which is “warm” white light comparable to that of incandescent sources

Additional details about the L Prize competition are available at http://www.lightingprize.org/.

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‘Pay as you go’ service enables customers to account for their spending each time a payment is made thereby helping them to manage their expenses more effectively. Wataniya’s Blackberry Prepaid service is affordable, effortless and available on all Blackberry® devices’ models available at Wataniya. “With Wataniya Blackberry Prepaid service, Pay as you go, it is now possible for our prepaid customers to own a Blackberry and freely enjoy the benefits of the new service. Our prepaid customers can now manage their expenses more efficiently and whenever needed to top up via phone, online, or any Wataniya retail outlet,” said Scott Gegenheimer, GM & CEO of Wataniya Telecom.” The Blackberry software features allow easy wireless access to email, phone, calendar, web, multimedia, real-time communications, messaging services, mobile business applications and services, such as: Communications, Information Access, Computing, and Business Process Solutions. Customers will enjoy other unique lifestyle and entertainment applications to play games, watch their favorite videos, listen to recent hits, chat, and stay in touch with their friends on the move. “With Wataniya Prepaid service, a first of its kind in Kuwait, in addition to the premium smartphone features of Blackberry Bold 9000 and the Curve 8900, Wataniya consumers will be able to enjoy a host of benefits ranging from entertainment to business. All of our Wataniya customers are given equal preference and are treated with premium quality,“ expressed Abdul Aziz Al Balool, Pr Manager, Wataniya Telecom. Users are charged KD 13 on a monthly basis to get unlimited

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local usage; upon roaming, roaming charges will be applied with additional 6 fils per KB. Wataniya Blackberry Prepaid service has been a long awaited and much needed solution to help boost the telecom industry in the country and forge ahead.

Samsung’s Pixon12 camera-phone

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amsung Electronics Co. Ltd., unveiled Samsung Pixon12, the world’s first 12-megapixel camera phone with full-touch screen. With the launch of the new Pixon 12, Samsung reinforces its leadership in the multimedia market segment. A response to today’s consumers who demand robust camera features in their mobile phones, the Pixon12 comes packed with a host of functions which enable consumers to easily capture, browse and share their images on the move – all on a brilliant full-touch 3.1-inch AMOLED screen. Mr. Sandeep Saihgal, general manager of mobile phones at Samsung Gulf Electronics commented: “The Pixon12 is testament to how Samsung’s ongoing consumer research enables us to develop ground-breaking products that do not just meet but surpass our customers’ expectations. Speedy access to the camera mode, fast shutter speed and quick browsing are some of the key factors consumers are looking for in their mobile phone cameras. We are very pleased to introduce the world’s first 12megapixel camera phone that holds the answer to these pressing consumer needs.”

users can aim and snap, capturing images as fast as today’s advanced digital camera. Samsung Pixon12 also features fast image saving for next shot, so users can move to next shot within around 2 seconds. The phone provides the best photo quality by adopting innovative camera features. With Touch Auto-Focus (AF) tracking, users can simply select focus point with the touch of a finger, after which the AF function will automatically follow the object, keeping it in focus even as it moves across the screen. Moreover, Smart Auto feature allows users to capture the perfect images as the camera automatically changes the scene and mode based on its object, background and lighting.

Images taken on the Pixon12 are worth showing off to friends and loved ones as they boast The Samsung Pixon12 enables digital camera quality thanks to users to take perfect pictures the phone camera’s superb lens quickly and easily, thanks to a and Xenon flash. The 28mm Dedicated Camera Power Key which gives users fast one-touch wide angle lens also allows a better perspective and capture access to the camera function. of a scene for consumers. Once the camera is turned on,

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After they are done snapping, users can re-live and enjoy the pictures on the Pixon12’s brilliant 3.1” AMOLED screen. The screen boasts a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 while providing powersaving features which increase battery life. Finally, the Pixon12 enables users to easily organize and manage photos with multiple ways of sorting - by tags, file names, ratings, and time. In addition, the multi-selection feature enables users to pull up images in groups rather than one by one, making viewing and editing photos much easier. With Samsung Share Pix, the Pixon12 lets users easily upload images and videos to popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, MySpace, Photobucket, Friendster – a breeze. Add to that, the phone’s high-connectivity functions including Wi-Fi and HSUPA capabilities mean that user’s photos can be shared to their friends in no time.

Philips Cinema 21:9 Philips launched the ultimate cinematic viewing experience at home with the world’s first cinema-proportioned LCD television. Philips’ Cinema 21:9 lets you enjoy movies as you would in the cinema, displayed in the 21:9 aspect ratio – exactly as the director intended – on its 56” Full-HD screen.

top and bottom of the screen. Cinema 21:9 overcomes these issues and perfectly displays 2.39:1 movie material, giving viewers an uncompromised and absorbing cinematic viewing experience. Cinema 21:9 is the first ever TV shaped in the 21:9 cinema aspect ratio and combines superb picture quality courtesy of Philips powerful 2009 Perfect Pixel HD processing engine (500 million pixels per second processing power and 2,250 trillion vivid colors) with immersive three-sided Ambilight Spectra technology.

Cinema 21:9 is equally accomplished with more-common 16:9 material from sources including broadcast television, gaming and DVDs, which courtesy of best-in-class auto formatting technology can be resized to fill the screen (note: auto formatting can also be switched off).

Cinema 21:9 is the fastest LCD available in the world today, with a refresh rate of just 1ms. Even the fastest on-screen action is realistically life-like and smoothly rendered thanks to 200Hz Clear LCD. In addition, Perfect Contrast helps boost contrast levels to deliver an 80,000:1 dynamic contrast Ambilight projects ambient LED ratio. Picture quality is further lighting from the top and sides enhanced by Perfect Natural Moof the TV that absorbs the view- tion that ensures moving ober into the picture and expands jects glide naturally on-screen, the content beyond the confines eliminating the judder associof the screen. The color and ated with other LCD TVs. intensity accurately change to match the on-screen action and Consumers with multiple HDMI lock your vision on the screen devices will appreciate the to immerse you further in the versatile connectivity options of movie. Cinema 21:9, which sports five HDMI 1.3a ports, DLNA and WiCompleting the picture package, Fi connectivity. Cinema 21:9 is equipped with a Full HD 2560x1080p screen with Vincenzo Ventricelli, Director 8.3 million pixels that guarCustomer Marketing Manageantees crystal clear and razor ment, Sub-Cluster Middle East & sharp images with high definiAfrica, Philips Consumer Lifetion sources. style, commented: “With our

Cinema 21:9 is the world’s first TV to deliver a true cinematic viewing experience in the comfort of the home. Traditional LCD televisions compromise on the cinematic viewing experience either by changing the aspect ratio to fill the screen — losing the full scope of the original shot — or by inserting distracting black bars (letterboxing) at the

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unique Cinema 21:9 we have developed a television which takes you as close to the experience that you enjoy at the cinema as you can get without buying a ticket. We believe that to really become absorbed in watching a film at home consumers are looking for a real cinematic viewing experience, so we have launched the world’s first cinema-proportioned TV screen perfectly complemented by our immersive Ambilight technology.” He added, “Philips new Cinema 21:9 takes enjoying movies at home to an entirely new level, the advantages over a traditional 16:9 ratio screen in side by side comparisons are truly striking.” To celebrate the much-anticipated arrival of the groundbreaking Cinema 21:9 LCD TV, Philips launched a new website featuring the exclusive ‘Carousel’ movie. Ventricelli added: ‘Cinema 21:9 now has an amazing on-line showcase, which is packed with interactive content that users will find captivating and educational.’ The new website will act as the dedicated online home of the world’s first cinema proportioned television screen. The online site found by going to www.philips.com/cinema is host to the exclusive fully interactive movie Carousel, directed by Adam Berg with music provided from Michael Fakesch. The 2 minute 19 second cinematic feature is filmed in one continuous tracking shot and offers an exploration into the world of movies being made for the cinema screen through the eyes of the director and the special effects and lighting experts. During playback of the movie, users have interactive touch points in which they can access additional content and feature demonstrations.

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Accolades for the movie and Cinema 21:9 have flowed in since their premiere. The Carousel movie received 2 awards at the 2009 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival for the cinematic viewing experience campaign - with the interactive film as its centerpiece. In addition to winning a Silver Lion in the Cyber category, Philips won the Grand Prix in the film category. Lions are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards in the advertising industry, and the film Grand Prix is the most coveted of them all. Philips’ campaign beat 3,500 other entries from around the world. Importantly, this is the first time ever that an internet film has won the film Grand Prix. Also, hip-hop artist 50 Cent launched his new video last month featuring the Cinema 21:9 and the campaign film Carousel. The film is posted on hip hop sites all over the internet. www.thisis50.com. 50 Cent is the number 3 most powerful celebrity in the world and is one of the leading brands in the online world.

Sony’s new visual identity and brand message

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s part of its ongoing business transformation, Sony Ericsson announced the realignment of its external visual identity and brand values to deliver its vision of becoming a Communication Entertainment brand. The company also confirmed its adoption of the newly announced Sony brand message ‘make.believe’ in all consumer communication in the UAE and

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the region in order to reinforce its entertainment credentials and collaboration with the Sony Group. Visually, Sony Ericsson will expand the appeal of its globally recognized ‘liquid identity’ logo by adding seven new color variations plus a new ‘liquid energy’ flowing from the logo to make it more playful and visually appealing for the digital arena. Through a greater emphasis on interactive digital and social media channels, the company also aims to adopt a more open and questioning attitude by inviting greater consumer participation in the brand. A series of strategic marketing campaigns in the UAE and the world will launch the realigned visual identity and showcase the start of make.believe at Sony Ericsson, including a ‘spark something’ viral campaign for the new Satio, Aino and Yari phones and a global activation campaign as the official global handset sponsor for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to capture the passion of football fans around the world.

For FREE insertion of your latest products and other tech news in TECH TALK send in the material along with a .jpg image to [email protected]

Nov - Dec 2009

Going Green

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coloBlue USA, a leader in the field of Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) and Solar and Wind Energy has launched in Egypt and the MEA region through its Official Authorized Distributor, United Trade Egypt. The launch of the EcoloBlue Product Line is a first in the Egyptian market and the region as a whole, offering innovative and environment friendly solutions to the ongoing problems of pollution and the availability of 100 percent pure drinking water.

partners in the ever-growing success of the EcoloBlue product range. We look forward to bringing to the market more and more innovations from EcoloBlue that aid in the conservation of the environment and the provision of necessities that are becoming harder to find on a day to day basis.” The EcoloBlue 28 liter model is tailored to fit the needs of home, boat, adventure enthusiasts and other civilian consumers. Water volume production is dependent on the humidity in the air. A minimum 35 percent humidity is necessary to produce 9 liters of pure water per day. In the 28 liter model this could effectively go up to 28 liters of pure water per day, if the humididty rises in the range of 80 to 90 percent.

Pure, drinkable water is fast becoming a scarcity in the world as a whole and the region in particular. The main idea behind EcoloBlue products is the fact that water is available all around us. The genius is how to make it available in pure drinking form. EcoloBlue provides state-ofthe-art AWG technology in condensing the humidity in the air and converting it into pure drinking water. The EcoloBlue lines are available in various capacities and are especially tailored to fit the needs of a wide array of consumer segments. Whether a home, business, office or factory, the EcoloBlue product range, from the 28L to the giant 5000L tanks, guarantees the availability of purified drinking water on a daily basis through a simple, safe, ecologically friendly condensation and purification process.

the world’s pollution and foremost allows millions of people access to pure drinkable Water in the most remote and not so remote areas of the world

Mr. Mohamed Makami, Chairman, United Trade Egypt said, “The technology and unparalleled benefits that EcoloBlue provides to the environment EcoloBlue, by providing an eco- and its efforts in finding innological solution, encourages ev- vative solutions to the growing eryone who wants to participate problems of pollution and water in making a difference to reduce scarcity make us proud to be

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The EcoloBlue Industrial Line, which includes the 200L – 500L - 1,000L - 3,000L and 5,000L, is designed with the special considerations required for businesses, oil rigs, factories, agricultural facilities, plants and the various types of industrial consumers that need the round the clock availability of pure drinking water. EcoloBlue uses a multi-stage filtration system free of chemicals, using reverse osmosis and ultra-violet and electrostatic anti-bacteria and anti-fungus filters, in both the home/office and industrial machines. The water ready for drinking can also be hot or cold, 95°c or 5°c. The industrial machines can be connected to a city water main line, and “play the role” of filtering only the water.

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asafi, a premium reference across the Gulf for pure bottled natural mineral water, is also a leading FMCG brand in the region committed to social and environmental iinitiatives. Recently, Masafi reinforced its commitment to safeguarding the environment by becoming the first company in the Middle-East to introduce Oxo Biodegradable films in its shrink-wrap packaging for water bottles. Oxo Biodegradable films, which are expected to completely revolutionize food packaging in the region, can degrade, then biodegrade, on land or at sea, in the light or the dark, in heat or cold, in whatever timescale required, leaving no fragments, no methane and no harmful residues. These films offer an unparalleled alternative to conventional non-degradable plastic wraps, which can take up to 400 years to break down and pose a major challenge to the environment and the eco-system. For instance, over 60 percent of litter on beaches is plastic and over 46,000 pieces of plastic debris float on every square mile on Earth’s oceans. The Oxo Biodegradable films encompass a tiny amount of pro-degradant additive, which is introduced during the manufacturing process to change the behavior of the plastic. Degradation begins when the programmed-service life is over (as controlled by the additive composition) and the product is no longer required. In Masafi’s case it is planned for 2yrs. Besides being more environmental friendly and reducing plastic litter substantially, Oxo Biodegrable films, are recyclable, can be incinerated, are stronger and versatile compared to conventional plastics making themuseful in a wide variety of applications.

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Ms Natascha Edelmann, Head of Marketing at Masafi, said: “The new shrink-wraps are totally environmentally preferable, sustainable alternative to current materials and have been comprehensively tried, tested and proven safe for food products. The new packaging is part of our endeavor to be a leader in all aspects of business – be it products, innovation, technology, environmental initiatives or supporting government initiatives. To be introduced in our 1.5 liter bottles in the initial stage, the packaging will be extended to our 500ml bottles and flavored water bottles at a later stage – all these at no extra cost to our consumers.” The introduction of Oxo Biodegradable films is a major step in Masafi’s Carbon Action Plan — a key initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint in the UAE by cutting down on the carbon emissions from its manufacturing unit, product offerings, systems as well as services. Last year, as part of their commitment to safeguarding the environment, Masafi introduced Brown Carton Box – a revolutionary new packaging concept which significantly reduced the amount of corrugated carton used in terms of grammage and coverage.

In October 2008, Masafi’s launched the Corporate Recycling Initiative, where it employs over 200 people to collect plastic bottles from UAE-based companies and sents them to Fujairah for recycling into nonfood plastic applications. Over 437 metric tonnes of water bottles have been collected till date reflecting the growing ecoawareness among Masafi customers. Masafi, the first mineral water company in the region to be awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management, also won the Idea of the Year award for its environmental initiative at the Ideas.Arabia International conference, in April 2009

If you have a new product or service that you would like featured on these pages, send in the details along with an image in jpeg format. If you would like to link your product or service back to your online presence, provide an url for the website and we ensure your product is given the coverage and exposure it deserves. Send details to: [email protected]

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COPENHAGEN 2009

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ill there be a global climate deal at the UN climate conference to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from the 7th to 18th December 2009? With the clock ticking on the environmental health of our planet, will political leaders rise to the occasion and cooperate, or will they continue to haggle over a host of unresolved issues?

Copenhagen 7 - 18 December, 2009

Many of the effects of global warming have been clearly documented but it is the precise

Hundreds of millions of people in 43 small Island States could drown or be displaced — an enormous cost to the political stability of the planet. 50 million climate refugees are expected in 2010, and 200 million by 2012.

extent that is difficult. World over, more cases of droughts and flooding, less ice and snow, more extreme weather patterns and rising sea levels have been recorded. However, political nitpicking and parochial vested interest have harped on the lack of precise data and clear linkage between cause and effects, to slow down the implementation of solutions to what is essentially the world’s common problem. With the fate of our children and the future of our planet at stake let us take a look at what is involved. The United Nations Framework

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Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC) is an international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), informally known as the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992.

on developed nations under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.

In 2012 the Kyoto Protocol to prevent The objective of the treaty climate changes was to stabilize greenhouse and global gas (GHG) concentrations in warming runs the atmosphere at a level that out. To keep would prevent dangerous huthe process on man created interference with the line there is an urgent need the climate system. The treaty for a new climate protocol to be itself sets no mandatory limits negotiated and ratified that can on greenhouse gas emissions for deliver the stringent emission individual countries and contains reductions the Intergovernmenno enforcement mechanisms. tal Panel on Climate Change Instead, the treaty provides for (IPCC) has clearly indicated are updates (called “protocols”) that necessary. would set mandatory emission limits. The major distinction The IPCC, a 2007 Nobel Peace between the Protocol and the Prize laureate, based in Geneva, Convention is that while the Switzerland, is a scientific body Convention encouraged industri- set up by the World Meteorologialized countries to stabilize their cal Organization and the United GHG emissions, the Protocol Nations Environmental Program. commits them to do so. The IPCC was established to provide decision-makers and The Kyoto Protocol, which was others interested in climate adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in De- change with an objective source cember 1997 and entered into of information about climate force on 16 February 2005, is an change. At the conference in international agreement linked Copenhagen 2009 the parties to the FCCC. The Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC meet for the last has been signed and ratified by time on government level before 184 parties of the UN Climate the climate agreement need to Convention. One notable excep- be renewed. tion is the United States. Rather than getting every small The major feature of the Kyoto detail of a new global climate Protocol is that it sets bindtreaty done in Copenhagen, Yvo ing targets for 37 industrialized de Boer, executive secretary of countries and the European the FCCC, in a recent interview community for reducing GHG hoped the world could agree to emissions .These amount to an four political essentials: average of five per cent against 1. How much are the in1990 levels over the five-year dustrialized countries willing to period 2008-2012. Recognizreduce their emissions of greening that developed countries house gases? are principally responsible for 2. How much are major dethe current high levels of GHG veloping countries such as China emissions in the atmosphere as and India willing to do to limit a result of more than 150 years the growth of their emissions? of industrial activity, the Pro3. How is the help needed tocol places a heavier burden by developing countries to en-

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gage in reducing their emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change going to be financed? 4. How is that money going to be managed? But even though greenhouse gas emissions are expected to slow down as a result of shrinking industrial activities, due to economic activity going down, de Boer does not believe it will lessen the pressure on countries to act and sign a new treaty. “I get the impression talking to business people that they still want clarity from Copenhagen. If you’re making investments now, for example in the energy sector, in power plants that are going to be around for the next 30 to 50 years, you can’t really afford to keep waiting and waiting and waiting for governments to say where they’re going to go on this issue.” The conference in Copenhagen is the 15th conference of parties (COP15) in the FCCC updates. As incoming COP15 president, Connie Hedegaard, Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, is faced with the daunting task of getting delegates from different nations, each with their own agenda, to swing the conductor’s baton and get them to play the same tune and end with an accord. “Failure in Copenhagen is not an option,” she says, “If the world fails to deliver a political agreement at the UN climate

Nov - Dec 2009

conference in December, it will be the whole global democratic system not being able to deliver results in one of the defining challenges of our century.” Connie Hedegaard is hopeful of a successful outcome, basing her optimism on the fact that nations like China, India and others, after months of po-

litical stalemate, have brought new momentum to the climate negotiation process. Also, the 27-nation European Union, at a two-day summit in Brussels in October agreed to help developing nations tackle climate change. It is estimated that developing nations will need $150 billion annually by 2020 to cope with climate change and deal with consequences of global warming. But it was still unclear how much of that money would come from Europe. However, to effectively break the deadlock, she feels, two more requirements must be fulfilled. Politicians, including heads of state, need to become more actively involved. And developed countries need to come forward with specifics on finance. “They cannot just continue to talk about finance. They must show and prove to the developing world, we know that we are going to pay, or there will be no agreement. And, the sooner the developed countries deliver on

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finance, the better.” Hedegaard admits that the technicalities of the negotiation process are extremely complex, but that should not be an excuse for not striking a political, binding deal. “We know what we ought to do on mitigation, on reductions, on adaptation, on technology and on finance. Well, yes, it’s difficult. But my bet is, it’s not going to get any easier by postponing decisions.” Professor Graciela Chichilnisky, who was the architect of the Carbon Market, and lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change which won the 2007 Nobel Prize, believes that nothing will happen until the 11½ hour at Copenhagen. This is because the stakes are so high – involving the use of energy and the economic growth of nations – that no nation wants to blink first. According to the professor, “Copenhagen must cut global emissions by 60 - 80 per cent by 2020 to avert the worst risks of global warming. The world currently emits 33 gigatons of carbon per year, (How much is

that? In kilos that would be 33 followed by 18 zeroes) of which, the US emits about 8 gigatons, even though it houses only 5 per cent of the world’s population. This has to change. Many nations will agree to substantial cuts by 2050, this sets a good scene on the world’s stage, but we need action right now. The stakes are high, because we procrastinated too long. Hundreds of millions of people in 43 small Island States could drown or be displaced — an enormous cost to the political stability of the planet. 50 million climate refugees are expected in 2010, and 200 million by 2012.” Unless a satisfactory solution can be reached between the major parties involved, there will be no serious climate change regulation, no carbon limits and no carbon trading. The professor believes that Copenhagen has a mandate, the same way the Kyoto had the Berlin Mandate to achieve the Protocol — and it worked. “The same will happen in 2009, and a deal to agree on principles will be reached in Copenhagen. However, the question is, can the world afford to wait for a consensus to develop before implementing solutions on climate change and, more importantly, can the world afford another failure to act.

How countries compare on a carbon emission scale Cntry: Pop: CO2/t t/p/y:

China 1340 9375 3.7

U.S. 306 11320 19.66

U.A.E. 4.7 285 32.28

Kuwait 2.6 88 38.26

Legend: Cntry = Country Pop = Population in millions CO2/t = tonnes of carbon dioxide per minute t/p/y = tonnes CO2 per person per minute 28

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Have your Say ...

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ew York Times journalist Stephen Farrell and his Afghan translator Sultan Munadi were kidnapped by the Taleban in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan. In a subsequent rescue bid by the British Army, Sultan Munadi, two Afghan civilians and a British soldier, corporal John Harrison, were killed. Stephen Farrell was rescued unharmed. It is not clear whether the casualties were a result of Taleban fire or killed accidentally by British forces.

On soldiers and journalists

napped while covering a failed attempt by U.S. troops to capture the city of Fallujah, Iraq in April 2004. Luckily, he was freed unharmed after 8 hours of being held captive. The New York Times (NYT) and other allied news media, which always tout the mantra

What has not been made clear is, why did the public have no right to know of Stephen Farrell or David Rohde’s kidnapping? Or, are there double standards when it comes to reporting — one for journalists and the other for the rest of us?

Stephen Farrell and his colleague had gone to the area to investigate about an earlier US airstrike on two hijacked fuel tankers, which had resulted in a number of civilian casualties. The two were fully aware that villagers were angry about the airstrike and that it was not safe to visit the area. Following the event, blogs and news media were full of comments for and against soldiers risking their lives to save journalists seeking stories in conflict zones. Reading about the event and the comments that followed a few questions come to mind: News about the airstrike and its civilian casualties had already been covered by media outlets and people were already aware about it. So, whatever it was that Stephen Farrell hoped to achieve by digging around the scene, was it worth risking the lives of others?

NYT journalist Stephen Farrell

of “ ... the people have a right to know”, maintained a news blackout throughout the kidnapping. The news media said the blackout was intended to protect the lives of the kidnapped victims and to facilitate the rescue process. The NYT and allied papers had applied a similar news blackout when another reporter of NYT, David Rohde, was kidnapped by the Taleban in November 2008.

Incidentally, Mr Farrell seems to be singularly adept at getting So, why did NYT and others not kidnapped. In 2004, while work- show such consideration when ing for the Times he was kidan American marine was kid-

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napped by the Taleban, a few months earlier? They splashed every little detail of the marine across their papers. Again, more recently, when Associated Press published the picture of a badly maimed marine in Iraq (who later succumbed to his injuries), against the express requests of the soldiers’ father, they cited “... the public have a right to know” as the reason for their action.

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Another question that arises from these sad events is: Would NATO or the US army risk their soldiers, had the kidnapped journalists been only Afghan or other third-world journalists? Or, as a BBC moderator suggested on one of its call-in shows, is it the responsibility of the Afghan army to rescue Afghan journalists? And finally, a question to all of us ‘the public’, what exactly have we done with all the information that we gleamed through “ ... our right to know”? The Afghan conflict has now been going on for over 8 years.

If you have any issues that you feel strongly about, we would like to hear from you. Email us on: [email protected]

Nov - Dec 2009

How to Make Money Make Money Part 2

By Yacoub Omar

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n this ongoing series on stocks and shares, we look at some of the common terms used in the investing business and how we go about forming a company to invest in.

You do not have the money, the banks do not want to lend you the money - they do not consider your patent sufficient collateral to lend you money (banks, in case you didn’t know, exist to lend money to those who already have the money) and you do not have a rich relative, friend or venture capitalist eager to invest in your patent. So what do you do?

VIVALIFE

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There is nothing common about ‘common stock’ or ‘shares’; it is the basic source of all corporate business and the very foundation on which the free-enterprise system is based. If you own a share of stock in a company, you own part of that company. You, and other shareholders like you, own the company in common and each one of you is technically a common stock holder or share-holder. So, how does common stock come into existence? Let us assume that you have just written a wonderful software to stop spam from flooding emails. You believe that your software called ‘Viva’ is going to be the next great thing since Windows. You have the software patents and are ready to begin production,

Nov - Dec 2009

except for one tiny thing called ‘capital.’ You do not have the $25,000 needed to rent a production space, buy the professional CD duplication machinery or hire the people needed to market your product. You do not have the money, the banks do not want to lend you the money - they do not consider your patent sufficient collateral to lend you money (banks, in case you didn’t know, exist to lend money to those who already have the money) and you do not have a rich relative, friend or venture capitalist eager to invest in your patent.

days and number of procedures and hassles required to start a business vary from country to country. It could be as simple as two procedures and two days to process it, as in Australia, or it could be 152 procedures and 17 days to process as in Brazil.

Anyway, to keep the explanation simple, we will assume that you did not acquire a stock interest in your company and that you like every other shareholder only owns shares of $10. Every person who buys a $10 share in the company is a part of VivaLife, how big a part depends on how many shares they own. If the person owns one share then So what do you do? he or she owns 1 /2500 part You decide to form a company of the company, if they bought and sell common stock to the twenty-five shares they own public. You draw up the necesone percent of the company. sary papers and file the incorpo- Every individual shareholder in ration documents as demanded VivaLife (let us say there are 50 by your local commerce ministry of them) is issued with a stock and voila the VivaLife Company certificate showing the number comes into existence. You now of shares they own. find twenty-five ‘friends’ who are willing to throw in $1,000 The 50 shareholders of Vivas venture capital and you give aLife then convene and pick a each of them a share in your 5-member board of directors to company. Each individual now oversee the company on their owns 1/25 of VivaLife. behalf. Each director board member is elected by shareThat’s fine, except that everyholders on the basis of one vote one cannot put up the $1,000. per share; the individual who One person can only spare $250 owns one share gets one vote for buying a share, while anper member while the person other can come up with $2,500. who owns 10 shares gets 10 So you decide that rather than votes per member. Since the issue individual shares of $1,000 board members cannot give each, you will offer 2,500 shares their full-time attention to runat $10 a share. This would make ning the company they appoint your stocks more attractive to a CEO and other senior officers a larger number of people - not to do the actual operations of only because they could afford the business. to buy your shares, but also, if they had to, they could dispose Once a year the VivaLife Comof lower priced shares more pany board of directors will easily than a higher priced one. conduct a meeting open to all the shareholders at which the You sell all your shares and the management presents an anVivaLife Company is up in busi- nual report on the state of the ness. If everything was as sim- company. Every shareholder ple as this, then everyone would has a right to voice his or her have started their own busiopinion during these meetings; ness by now. But the number of they can make a motion that

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the board adopts some policy or procedure which they believe is better for the company. All the shareholders get to vote on the motion and if it is passed it becomes the new policy of the company. Now let us see why would anybody want to invest their money in the VivaLife Company? One reason could be that they believe that Viva anti-spam software is going to be a great winner and will make a lot of money for them. If VivaLife succeeds, the shareholder stands to make money in two ways: first, through the payment of dividends and secondly through an increase in the value of VivaLife stock. Suppose that after one year of operation, and after paying all bills and taxes, the VivaLife Company has profits or earnings of $2,500, or 10 percent on its initial $25,000 capitalization. The board of directors then decides what to do with the profit. They could decide to pay the entire $2,500 as dividend to shareholders or they could decide to keep the entire amount in the company treasury to buy more machinery to churn out more software discs and earn more profit the next year. Or the board could vote to pay out $1,000 as dividend and keep the remaining $1,500 as retained earnings for the business. With $1,000 available as dividend and 2,500 shares of stock outstanding, the dividend per share is $0.40. The man with one share of stock will receive $0.40 while the man with 10 shares will receive $4, but regardless of the number of shares they own each shareholder would have got a 4 percent return on their investment. Besides the dividend, there is another intangible return that each shareholder gets on their investment.

Nov - Dec 2009

An investor usually has his eye on long-term gains to be realized over a period of years; a speculator is usually looking to short-term investment that will make a profit within a short period of time. The freeenterprise system needs both kinds of risk takers.

Presumably that $1,500 which the board of directors decided to plough back into the business will serve to increase the value of each shareholder’s share (or their equity) in the company. If the original share of stock in VivaLife was valued at $10, each of the 2,500 shares will now be considered worth $10.60 since the company now has an additional $1,500 added to its original capital of 25,000. This increase in price of their stock – also called price appreciation is the second way that shareholders can expect to make money on their initial investment. As the years roll by and if the company continues to earn good money and each year the directors continue to put a portion of the profit back into the business, the par value of $10 per share will bear no relation to the actual market value of the stock. In relatively few years, the total assets of VivaLife – everything it owns: its production factory, its machinery and it products – might well be doubled without a corresponding increase in its liabilities – the sum total of what the company owes. In that case the book value of each share of stock – assets minus liabilities divided by the number of stock outstanding – will also be increased.

VIVALIFE

However, book value has lost much of its real meaning, even though ‘watered stocks’ have now become non-existent. Watered stock is where an unscrupulous operator might pay only half a million dollars for a company and then offer a million dollars worth of stock in it. He might sell all that stock to others and pocket a cool halfmillion dollar profit. Thanks to better business practices and stronger, improved government regulations, such watered stock issues generally no longer exist.

guide to good investing. The price of a stock takes on meaning only when you consider it in relation to earnings and dividends per share.

Whether it is IBM, General Motors, Microsoft each share of stock plays precisely the same role and each shareholder has the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as a shareholder in VivaLife. The only difference is that large companies which have been established for a long time usually have a verifiable and proven track record of Investors and shareholders success which an investor can have come to realize that book thoroughly study before decidvalue – the value of its plants ing if the stocks are overpriced and machinery – does not mean or under priced. very much; what matters is the In the case of VivaLife, a potenearning power of a company tial investor has no benchmarks and its potential for growth. For to guide him, there is no finaninstance, the stocks of many cial history to study or a record large companies, with very little of earnings to verify, and all the in infrastructure investment, investor has is an estimate that sells for double or triple its book Viva Software could succeed. value while the stocks of large, And that, is not true investinfrastructure companies like ing; it would be better to call it airlines, sell for much lower than speculating. their book value. An investor is someone who is So how do you know what a willing to take a moderate risk stock in VivaLife or any other with his money for the sake of company is really worth? There earning a moderate return. A is only one answer to that – a speculator on the other hand, stock is worth only what some- is a man who takes large risks body else is willing to pay for it in the hope of making a huge when you want to sell it. profit as a result of an increase If the product is not popular and in price of the stock. An invessales sinks, if the cost of wages tor usually has his eye on longand raw material is too high, if term gains to be realized over a the management is inefficient, period of years; a speculator is VivaLife or any other company usually looking to short-term incan fail. And if it goes into bank- vestment that will make a profit ruptcy, your stock will be worth- within a short period of time. less. The free- enterprise system That is the black side of the needs both kinds of risk takpicture if the risk you assumed ers. Without the speculator, new in buying the stock proves to businesses would not be born be a bad one. The price of a and without the investor a comstock, like everything else in this pany would not have the capital world, is determined by supply to carry on, much less grow and and demand – what one man expand. bids and the other man asks for his stock. But remember Next month we delve deeper that price alone is not a reliable into the investment world.

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Nov - Dec 2009

Oats - a healthy meal

Samuel Johnson, the English lexicographer described oat as ‘a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people,’ to which the Scots are believed to have riposted ‘and England has the finest horses, and Scotland the finest men.’

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By Margaret Sawney

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ot much is known about the origins of this ancient grain that is thought to have first appeared in the wild along the Fertile Crescent in the Near East. The oldest known evidence of oat grains comes from Egypt, where wild oat seeds were found among 12th Dynasty remains that date back to the 2nd millennium BCE. Cultivated oats, on the other hand, were first found in Bronze Age caves in Switzerland Probably, before its eventual domestication, oats, like rye, was a secondary

Nov - Dec 2009

crop derived from weeds of the then milled to form a variety of primary cereal domesticates like different products depending on the coarseness of the cut. wheat and barley. Steel-cut oats are the coarsest with a dense chewy texture Samuel Johnson, the English that is eaten as cereal or added lexicographer described oat as to soups as thickeners. Next ‘a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in come Old-Fashioned oats which are milled, steamed and rolled Scotland supports the people,’ to which the Scots are believed to produce a flat yet substantial oat. You can use Old-Fashioned to have riposted ‘and England has the finest horses, and Scot- oats in many ways; just remember that it takes longer to cook land the finest men.’ Scottish these oats than their thinner settlers are also credited with counterparts. taking oats to America in the 17th century. In 1901, several mills in America joined hands to Quick-cooking oats are proform The Quaker Oats Company, cessed the same way as Oldwhich continues to manufacture Fashioned oats, and then they oats to this day. are cut even thinner. And just like their name, these oats cook In manufacturing oats, the oat much faster. Instant oatmeal is grain is hulled to produce oat made by partially cooking the oats before rolling thin. This groat, which has a nutty taste type of oatmeal is often sold in and can be used as a breakindividual serving packets with fast cereal or as an ingredisugar and flavorings. The outer ent in stuffing or as thickeners coating of the oat hull is called for liquid broths. Groats are

oat bran. It is available for sale and can be eaten as a cereal or added to recipes. Finally, there is oat flour which is made by grinding whole oats. It can be used in baking but does not contain enough gluten to make a yeast leavened bread and must be combined with wheat flour for bread making. You can replace up to one third of the flour in most baked good recipes with oat flour. Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain, and, next to maize, have the highest lipid content of any cereal. Oat protein is also found to be nearly equivalent in quality to soy protein, which has been shown to be equivalent to meat, milk and egg protein. And, the protein content of groat (hull-less oat kernel) ranges from 12 to 24 percent, one of the highest among cereals.

Crispy Oatmeal Slices

2 cup Quick or Old-fashioned Oats 1 tsp Salt 3 1/2 cup Water 1/2 cup finely-chopped or crumbled cooked ham Stir oats into briskly boiling salted water. Cook 1 minute for quick oats, stirring occasionally. Cook 5 minutes or longer for old fashioned oats. Cover pan, remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in ham or bacon. Pour into non-greased 8-1/2” x 4-1/2” x 2-1/2” loaf pan. Cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Cut into 16 slices and pan-fry in small amount of butter until golden brown, about 10 minutes per side. Serve hot with butter and maple syrup. VIVALIFE

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Nov - Dec 2009

Oatmeal Soup

Scot Oatcakes 3 cups rolled oats 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons fructose 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 cup pecans — chopped 1/2 cup water 2 teaspoons vanilla Mix all ingredients into a bowl and let sit a minute. Though the rolled oats will just look like wet oats at first, stir them and soon the moisture will break down the grain. Begin to knead the rather crumbly dough. It will very soon form a stiff dough. Add enough flour to roll out like you would for skinny biscuits (about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with

2 Tbsp butter or olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup) 1/2 cup uncooked Steel Cut Oats, plus 1 cup cooked 6 cup chicken broth Salt and pepper to taste 3 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped Melt butter in large skillet or pot over mediumlow heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, just until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add uncooked oatmeal and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly and adding more butter if needed, until oatmeal is slightly golden, 3 minutes. Stir in broth and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to simmer and add cooked oatmeal, stirring until well mixed. Simmer 5 minutes. Add parsley and serve. Yield: 4 servings: Each serving: 175 calories; 1,329 mg sodium; 4 mg cholesterol; 8 .1 g fat; 19.1 g carbs (2.7 g fiber); 5.9 g protein. Supplement for a complete meal with 2 ounces of chicken breast, shredded, or 6 oz. cubed firm tofu with each serving.

cookie cutter (biscuit size), or make a rectangle and cut them 4x5 for 20 biscuits or bars. Bake 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 20 biscuits. You may also have round biscuits by dividing the dough evenly into 20 balls then press ing each ball flat with the bottom of a glass.

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Nov - Dec 2009

Your Cosmic Calendar ARIES

GEMINI

LEO

You may feel that you’re in the grip of a force beyond your control, since it is a time for great, perhaps even radical or drastic, changes in your material as well as emotional world. This is an especially introspective month during which you have the chance to truly uncover your personal strengths and talents. This is a very expansive time when you have lots of liveliness, but not necessarily self-discipline to match. Now such a careless attitude may lead to undesired troubles. You take much more interest in play and pleasure!

You may be making changes in your job/ profession, in your relationships with colleagues, health and diet. There may be some mental strain, or perhaps financial difficulties. This phase presents an opportunity to get rid of what doesn’t work in your life, while also discovering what does. You could seek distinction and strive towards perfection in your work. You have a tendency to act and reflect automatically, and you could come across as an “open book” now. It’s a favorable time for solving problems and to work on improving your skills.

You are able to stand your ground and assert yourself more than usual. You want working conditions that satisfy you in every way, physically, technically and in the prevailing atmosphere and will take pains to achieve just that. There is a marvelous closeness built up with parents, older people, in-laws, who might not always approve of your eccentric and strongly different opinions. You will do your best to make an impression and these attempts are either assisted or challenged by the circumstances in which you find yourself and by others.

TAURUS

CANCER

VIRGO

One-to-one linking appeals to you more than group activities or more casual associations. If single, you are more eager than usual to enter into a devoted relationship. In general, you are flexible when it comes to your affections - very willing to negotiate and make harmony. You may have a greater than before wish to rule the roost. Family-related conflicts and disputes may arise; you may have arguments with them, about them, or on their behalf. It could also happen that now you’re so busy working for others that you have no time for yourself and in the process you miss out a lot of good things of life

VIVALIFE

After a period of self-protectiveness, you are now more spontaneous and more willing to take risks. A rich, fruitful and happy phase comes to you and you’re enjoying it. Rashness in an affair of the heart might leave you hurt and scattered, if not shattered. At this time, you intuitively know how to position yourself in the best light in order to make a good impression on others. Financial conditions and related areas may see advances, with a boost in both resources and possessions. You have more oomph at your disposal to make money, but also to support your ideals in a manner that highlights your self confidence.

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All your mental activity will be intensely personal, subjective and even egocentric. No carelessness of any kind to be made if you want to achieve your goals. You are more curious and alert than usual, and you could be quite busy with errands, paperwork, phone calls, and light socializing. As a result, fresh acquaintances and friendships come to you, giving pleasure, inspiration and ideas. You are especially good at mediating conflicts. Try smoothing over differences using your diplomacy skills. Being clear-cut in your ideas and discussions this is an excellent time to schedule interviews, meetings and one to many discussions.

Nov - Dec 2009

Our in-house astrologer gazes at planetary positions in the skies to find out what the stars foretell about your health, wealth, family, work and social life in the upcoming period ...

LIBRA

SAGITTARIUS

AQUARIUS

You are likely Financial matto throw cauters become tion to the wind, important or especially where at least the boundaries bemain focus, tween fantasy but good and reality can moves have to be blurred, so be thought out. Back your own tread carefully. You will have a judgment, but do so with causense of awareness of your own tion and restraint. The ability limitations this month, leading to relate well with others might up to your birthday phase, be enhance your own personal they physical, emotional or even finances during this period. financial. You want more than This is a stable position for love matters and close relationships. what mundane reality offers, Group activities and joint efforts but perhaps too much. Avoid secret dealings, especially the are the best way to accomplish ones that are not clearly legitiyour goals right now. In fact, you have all sorts of ideas about mate and justifiable. It can be what you want to do. You would better to be motionless and still, and feel the wind change, than want to organize projects and to row in the wrong direction. put things in shape

Your vision is practical right now, and you want to see tangible results for your efforts. More contact with authority figures is likely during this period. Recognition is likely to come your way whether you ask for it or not. You are most charismatic and well-received on the job. You are socially go-getting right now, and success may come though your good managerial qualities or some form of artistic talent. Try to work cooperatively on relationship problems, and when differences arise show tolerance for minor issues as that’s the need of the hour.

SCORPIO

PISCES

The truly intimate and personal you, needs to be examined minutely and where there is room for improvement, positive action be taken. There is a certain determination building up within you to alter not just your life or circumstances, but practically cast yourself in a new image. People could literally approach you and appreciate you for who you are. A mood of elation sustains you even as people question your values and your ability. The entire range from new contacts and acquaintances, to lifetime ties and bonds like marriage, are all very important, indeed.

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CAPRICORN

You reach out to people in a rare show of warmth, connubial bliss and friendship. This is a rather happy, goal-oriented period. Forming pleasant, affectionate social friendships, possibly related to activities within an organization/ society, can figure. You may meet someone through such group activities; consequently, your interests will be shared. This is a time when your best course of action is to recognize that you need, or rely on, others for support. Cooperative efforts revolve around making the most of all the resources belonging to other people, organizations or groupings.

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The preceding time span had lots of highs and lows for you to reckon with. The upcoming period reorients you to your lasting values, and greater idealism is the result. You are confused about what future directions to take. You want both absence of worry, and at least some, if not all, the good things of life. Imagination and desires may fog your decision making capabilities and create confusion. Relationship ups and downs characterize this phase. Disputes with co-workers are possible. If you are feeling particularly annoyed, it would be wise to find little projects and things to do on your own.

Nov - Dec 2009

VIVALIFE

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Nov - Dec 2009