Dubai plays major role in paving "New Silk Road"

DUBAI, March 24 - In the quest for foreign trade opportunities, firms and businessmen in the Gulf Arab sheikhdom of Dubai increasingly expand to the region from Cape to Cairo.When Emirates Airlines headed with Airbus A330 for the first time to Algeria's capital Algiers on March.it was more than just another daily flight route for the Middle East's fastest growing carrier. It was a demonstration of commitment by the emirate of Dubai for betting high stakes on connecting with Africa."Algiers is our 22nd destination in Africa," said Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum," providing a wealth of new travel options for customers in Algeria, who will be able to fly non-stop to our industry leading hub in Dubai." The chairman added that "as a key oil and gas supplier, Algeria has an abundance of natural resources and Emirates' new service will help to grow trade routes and create new markets for imports and exports."Earlier in the year, United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister of economy Sultan Al-Mansouri said that due to the ongoing Euro zone crisis it was not a luxury but a necessity to reach out new emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America.Twelve days later after Emirates' move to Algiers, another milestone in favor of Arab-African ties was done by Dubai Ports ( DP) World when the third biggest port operator launched a direct shipping line to the post-civil war Somali capital of Mogadishu after years of interruptions. Container trade to Mogadishu was suspended some years ago due to the political situation in Somalia and the risk of piracy.

In 2012, DP World's net profit rose 10 percent year on year to hit 749 million U.S. dollars. When presenting DP World's annual results last Wednesday, DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said that port activity in its African ports in Senegal's capital Dakar, Algiers and Maputo, Mozambique, performed "better than expected" and that DP World, which controls 10 percent of all container ports globally, would be ready to expand operations in Africa "as we are optimistic for trade with Africa in general."The optimism is bilateral, as Mozambique's president Armando Guebuza pointed out when he paid an official visit to Dubai. "We invite Emirati businesses also to invest in our infrastructure, in our agriculture and fishery industry as well as in trade and logistics," said Guebuza, who was joined by a 60-member strong business delegation from his country at the UAE Mozambique Business Forum held on March 17th.On behalf of the emirate of Dubai, the UAE's trade and financial hub, Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of the Gulf region's biggest real estate developer Emaar Properties, talked about his recent business trip to Mozambique. "We see huge opportunities in your country," said Alabbar, adding that he evaluated investment opportunities for Emaar, the builder of the world's highest building, the 828 meters tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai.Alabbar praised Mozambique as Africa's future "gas storage" and said the UAE, a major oil supplier, was ready to share its knowledge and experience in oil and gas exploration. According to Royal Dutch Shell, recent discoveries in Mozambique indicated that the south-east African country could rise to the 4th biggest gas exporting nation behind Russia, Iran and Qatar.

Pairing Two Nightlife Darlings Into A Singular Cocktail Experience

 Expanding its innovative, award-winning line of infused vodkas, made with natural ingredients, SKYY? Vodka introduces new SKYY Infusions? Moscato Grape, the first-ever Moscato grape infused vodka on the market. This vibrant spirit, available this spring, blends succulent Moscato grapes with premium SKYY Vodka, creating an entirely new, Sharon Stone Sued By Her Help AGAIN.sexy vodka flavor for nightlife drinking occasions.The popularity of Moscato wine is exploding in the US.  It is the fastest growing wine category in America, recently jumping to the third most-popular white wine varietal in the industry. According to Nielsen, Moscato sales grew 73 percent in 2012, the largest gain of any varietal.  Consumers and bartenders have recently discovered a love for the unique Moscato flavor and are now exploring new and innovative ways of integrating it into their nightlife and drinking occasions.  SKYY Infusions Moscato Grape is the first-ever infused vodka to combine the number-one flavor in the wine category with the number-one spirit in the beverage alcohol industry, offering consumers a new spirit that is perfect for sophisticated cocktail moments, capturing the current energy behind both vodka and Moscato wine.  

Dubbed "the new Cristal" by the New York Post, Moscato wine has emerged as the darling of modern hip- hop culture and is glamorized in the lyrics of artists, including Drake and Kanye West . Malt liquors, cognac and champagne have been dethroned as the artist's drink of choice as these stars are now seeking something new, sweet, flavorful and vibrant to embody their evolved nightlife personality. The urban community has crowned Moscato as their newest obsession. Being at the forefront of this trend, SKYY is providing fans the bright Moscato taste they love with the versatility of premium vodka."Until now, there has not been the option to serve Moscato as part of a premium 'cocktail' other than by simply mixing Moscato wine with vodka. SKYY's newest Infusion provides millennial consumers an easier way to create a sophisticated Moscato cocktail that combines the loved attributes of Moscato and SKYY's award-winning vodka," said Jason Daniel , Brand Director, SKYY Vodka . "Always pushing the envelope with trends and innovation, SKYY Vodka is the first to infuse the Moscato grape directly into premium vodka, combining the two nightlife favorites and providing cocktail enthusiasts and party goers with an easy, delectable cocktail experience."

Sharon Stone Sued By Her Help AGAIN

It looks like Sharon Stone can't find good help!Stone's housekeeper of two years, Angelica Castillo, has filed suit against the Basic Instincts actress, claiming that she was wrongfully fired due to a back injury suffered from her domestic duties.Castillo filed her claim in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday alleging that Stone denied Castillo the rest she needed after experiencing "extreme and severe physical pain" unloading groceries.Documents state:"Despite physician's orders to avoid lifting heavy objects, Plaintiff was required to perform her regular duties including but not limited to grocery shopping, lifting and moving heavy items as part of cleaning the residence."
On September 28, Castillo's doctor placed her on a "brief period of bed rest." By October 1, still suffering from physical discomfort, the former housekeeper said the actress "repeatedly yelled at Plaintiff for performing her duties more slowly, and called her 'crazy' and 'stupid.'"Moreover, she states that Stone made her come into work, ignoring the Doctor's orders, and fired Castillo that very same day.Castillo is seeking unspecified damages.This isn't Sharon's first time at the lawsuit rodeo. In May of 2011, her domestic helper, Erlene Elemen, sought legal action allegedly due to ill remarks about Elemen's ethnic background and religious faith. She also claimed wrongful termination.Think Sharon will get out of this one scot free?
Stone Academy, a career training institution with a campus at 101 Pierpont Road, said Tuesday it has appointed Joseph Bierbaum of Wethersfield its new president.Bierbaum, 27, succeeds his stepfather, Mark Scheinberg, who stepped down to focus on Goodwin College in East Hartford, where he serves as president.Beirbaum most recently served as Stone Academy's admissions and marketing director. He started at the school working at the front desk, progressing to jobs dealing with financial aid, accounting, facility management, accreditation, admissions, and information technology. He is a graduate of Bentley University in Boston with a bachelor's in management and masters in marketing analytics.Stone Academy offers certification programs in health care professions. It also has campuses in East Hartford and West Haven.

Rihanna Cancels Boston Concert Due to Laryngitis

Rihanna has canceled tonight's concert in Boston after losing her voice to laryngitis. The singer was scheduled to perform at TD Garden as the second stop on the Diamonds World Tour that she kicked off just two days ago in Buffalo, New York."Unfortunately, following her sold-out concert on Friday, Rihanna has contracted laryngitis and per doctor's instruction is unable to perform this evening," Live Nation said in a statement, according to Us Weekly.Rihanna posted two notes regarding the cancelation on Twitter this afternoon. "#BOSTON this is the hardest thing for me to deal with! I feel like we've been waiting on this day forever, and I'm hurt that I let you down," she said in the first note, and followed up on the sentiment shortly afterwards. "I hate disappointing people that never ever let me down!! I'm so embarrassed about this! Thank you for your prayers and well wishes!"Rihanna's next performance is set for Baltimore on March 12th, and is expected to go on. The Boston concert will be rescheduled for a later date.
"I fear that her behavior is escalating and I am afraid/terrified that she will show up at my house and hurt me and/or my husband," Shuman states.Stone could not be reached for comment Sunday.She recently was the subject of a complaint by Village President Jeffrey Braiman, who said she called him in the middle of the night, according to Buffalo Grove police.Stone was elected trustee in 2009, but recalled by Buffalo Grove residents in a historic 2010 vote.If found guilty of the misdemeanor charge, Stone could face a maximum of a year in jail and $2,500 fine, though court supervision also is possible.Same thing goes for any talk about plowing the road this year.She is scheduled to appear in court March 21.How do you improve on a comic book while keeping it true to its form? That's been the question for major comic publishers since the advent of the Internet. New technology makes lots of options possible, from immediate downloads and "smart panel" viewing on tablets to games and similar digital extras.The latest advance in comics technology is Marvel's Project Gamma, a digital initiative that integrates original music into the experience of reading a comic. Debuting at South by Southwest Interactive this week, the new project aims to enhance the experience of reading a comic by adding themes, sound effects and mood music.

Best of Scotland: Scottish Gift Ideas

If you love Scotland, or know someone who does, these Scottish gift ideas are designed to help you select just the right item for loved ones... or for yourself.This page is designed to showcase quality Scottish souvenirs, by highlighting classic and unusual items that make perfect presents. From Scottish themed weddings to Christmas, birthday and christening gifts, this ancient land has far more to offer than haggis!Whether you are buying for a movie lover, keen golfer, or someone who appreciates the finer things in life, everything here is unashamedly devoted to the the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. Great Scots from Rennie Mackintosh to Sir Sean Connery feature alongside Mary Queen of Scots, Aran and Fair Isle knitting, and Celtic treasures.
So join me, if you will, for a whirlwind tour of some of the best Scottish gift ideas produced in and inspired by Scotland, to remind you of your own special connection to this wild and beautiful northern land.Scotland has many popular authors continuing a long literary tradition. From Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott to crime writer Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith (of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency fame, whose Isabel Dalhousie series is set in Edinburgh), there will always be a Scottish author writing about his or her homeland.Books about Scotland abound too, fiction and non-fiction alike. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series has caused many a reader to fall in love with the history and landscape of this northern land. For truth as strange as fiction, the life and death of Mary Queen of Scots makes for a fascinating read.
This themed tourist guide book takes you on a journey through the lives of some of history's most engaging characters. Alongside Vincent van Gogh, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Wordsworth, you can discover the locations connected with Mary Queen of Scots. Take a journey around Scotland and on into England where she spent her later life as a prisoner of her cousin Elizabeth I.A perfect read for anyone coming to Scotland and wanting to plan a self-drive tour taking in Scottish castles and picturesque ruins, learning some history along the way.Who is your favorite Scotsman? If there's one thing it's got, Scotland certainly has its fair share of well-loved actors. Sir Sean Connery, now a Hollywood legend, was once an Edinburgh milkman who delivered pints to a former colleague of mine. Ewan McGregor has become one of modern cinema's greatest stars, recently been joined by fellow Scotsman James McAvoy.

Same thing goes for any talk about plowing the road this year

That includes plowing, which the Park Service often doesn't get done until June. This year, the scheduled opening date — after the Park Service has finished plowing and opening all other park roads — is June 14.But what if the Montana and Wyoming highway departments got on the job and opened up the Beartooth Highway a lot sooner, clearing a path from Cody to the Northeast Entrance by way of the Chief Joseph Highway?Tourists could bypass the East Entrance and head for Yellowstone's Lamar Valley, where the roads are snow-free. The idea is OK with Wenk."If the state would like to revisit that, I'd be happy to have discussions with them this afternoon," he said. "I would love for the state to take it over."
The Park Service spent $316,000 plowing the Beartooth Highway in the spring of 2011 and $128,000 on the job last year, he said.Bureaucracy, it turns out, is a bigger obstacle than deep mountain snow. The Interior Department saw to the Beartooth Highway's construction in the 1930s under an obscure federal act under which few if any other roads serving national parks were built.As a result, the Park Service for years has sought for Montana and Wyoming to assume responsibility for maintaining and plowing large sections of the road.Wyoming's cash-strapped Department of Transportation won't hear of it. Same thing goes for any talk about plowing the road this year."It has been requested and we're looking at it.Designing a vintage-modern kitchen.But initially it doesn't look doable," WyDOT spokesman Dave Kingham said. "We can't just spend money on a highway that's not on our system, basically."
That leaves Balyo and his chamber members looking to the weather. So far, this winter has been dry, adding to the risk that wildfires could close off areas to tourists this summer.On the other hand, heavy snow over the next month or two could make getting Yellowstone open all that more difficult."If we can find that perfect balance between getting enough moisture and runoff while not affecting our gate openings," Balyo said. "Somewhere that balance exists."He's excited to incorporate the new material into the live show. "It's always great for us because we get new shit to play for people, and alongside of that we've been fortunate to have a pretty long career and have a lot of material that people react to," he says. "There's really not any song in our repertoire that you can't play live . . . The bolts of the song, we can play our shit. It's kind of a lost art these days, to actually play your stuff without having to have some tracks to help you out," he adds, laughing.