bazaar May 2023 issue

Everyone has the right to have a home that they love and feel proud of!

In IKEA we believe that a better life starts at home, and that everyone can have a better home.

Whether it is a complete change, a refresh to improve, or small changes that create a big impact, at IKEA we can help you.

IKEA The Assima Mall

AlRai, The Avenues, Souq Sharq, Al-Kout, Boulevard, Promenade

Int

Life is slowly getting back to normal after the complete annihilation of our daily routines that usually happens every year during Ramadan. And even though every year we say we won’t indulge in too many mosalsalat or qatayef and try to stick to an earlier sleep routine, we still fail, but without a single regret! We’re grateful for all the time we spent with loved ones and friends, but we’re also glad that we can now go back to normalcy. For a little while, anyways, because school is winding down and we can see the summer break light at the end of the tunnel.

We were busy all month creating this wonderful issue that we hope will delight you. We played a quick game of Truth or Dare with DJ Naz and learned more about his pivot from the structured world of engineering to turn tables and so much more. We got Up Close and Personal with aspiring astronaut, architect, Imagineer, film maker, and jack of oh-somany trades, Bader Al Moulah to learn more about his latest endeavor to literally reach for the stars. And just because we love a good story that starts in Kuwait, we spoke to Dareen Akkad, who started hers in Kuwait and was inspired by Solo Pizza to open her own Neapolitan Pizzeria in Cairo, What The Crust. And last but definitely not least, we asked Dr. Lujain Albenali, the Head of Dermatology at Kuwait Hospital about how we can practice safe sun exposure this summer as we find ourselves spending more time outdoors (no, we’re not jinxing the good weather!).

We were lucky enough to get behind the wheel of the new Porsche Cayenne to experience the comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design and equipment. Porsche have given us amazing on-road and off-road performance, and luxurious everyday comfort. Speaking of luxury and comfort, we checked out Waldorf Astoria Spa’s new exclusive membership programs that can help you relax and rejuvenate. The Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya is also ushering in an array of amazing spring experiences with a brand-new lunch Con Vista menu at Italian restaurant Dai Forni and delightful creations for afternoon tea at the magnificent Al Soor Lounge.

And, that’s barely scratching the surface of all the fun features that are just a couple of page flips away.

Happy Reading!

Ahmed El-Adly

The bazaar team...

Boss

Ahmed El-Adly

Editor

Alia Al Duaij

Operations Manager

Ihab Youssef

Content Manager

Yasmine El Charif

Mixed Media Solutions

Jennifer Cádiz

Account Manager

Ali Al-Hassan

Design

Shadi Mofeed

Staff Writer/Online Media

Mariam Raslan

Yasmin Gamal

Sahira Ladha

Ahmed Mikail

Contributing Writers

Rasha Ezzeddine

Hamad Al Khudher

Lara Jadayel

Mohammed El Soukkary

Communications

Hala Y. Sharara

Syndicates & Sources

Fast Company

LA Times

MCT International

Newsweek

Printing British Industries for Printing and Packaging

www.bpaww.com

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: BADER AL MOULAH

We get up close and personal with Bader Al Moulah, a Kuwaiti aspiring Astronaut who has been able to reach his goals of being an architect, an Imagineer, a Film Maker, a Scuba Diver and a contestant on a show! We look into his future plans and how he hopes that Kuwait can one day have its very own space agency.

WHY DON’T THEY COME BACK?

Lara Jadayel delves deeper into the topic of customer service. We know what bad customer service looks like and we usually avoid it. She offers a simple five step solution to leveling up your service. And to be honest we think we can use her advice in everyday life too.

TALKING GREENE: AISHA ALMUNEEFI

In this month’s installment of Talking Greene, we introduce the brand Ecotistical and the woman behind it, Aisha AlMuneefi. After working in the financial and investments sector in Kuwait for 18 years, her passion with fashion led her to venture a different, but make it sustainable.

TRUTH OR DARE: DJ NAZ

In this edition of Truth or Dare, we spoke to DJ Naz to find out more about his journey and what it was that lead him to music. We dig deep into his time away from home, his return to Kuwait, and how he sees the industry in the future.

PORSCHE PRESENTS THE NEW CAYENNE

Porsche has fundamentally overhauled the third generation of the Cayenne with comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design and equipment. This has further extended not only onroad and off-road performance, but also luxurious everyday comfort. Learn more about how the overhaul changes the driving experience.

CELEBRATORY DINING AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUWAIT AT BURJ ALSHAYA

Spring 2023 sees the gourmands of Kuwait spoiled for choice, with Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya reimagining its popular day-to-night Sky 21 Feast, alongside the debut of a creative new lunch menu from Italian Chef, Luigi Frassanito, at Dai Forni.

DAREEN AKKAD IS PUTTING CAIRO ON THE PIZZA MAP

Dareen Akkad is the mastermind and head chef behind an incredible little pizzeria in the heart of Cairo. She has created a cozy pizzeria in the heart of Cairo that has been ranked as one of the Top 100 Best Pizzerias in the world for their Neapolitan pizzas. Find out how the story started in Kuwait.

SAFE FUN IN THE SUN

Dr. Lujain Albenali is all of the things you want in a doctor, not only is she highly knowledgeable, the Head of Dermatology at Kuwait Hospital is pleasant, funny, and easy to talk to. We loved catching up with her about how important it is to practice safe sun exposure this summer.

PORSCHE PRESENTS THE NEW CAYENNE, P. 60

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RED BULL FOUR 2 SCORE

Kuwait Welcomes the Debut of the 4v4 Tournament

By bazaar Staff

Kuwait will be one of 27 countries hosting the debut of a unique sporting tournament: Red Bull Four 2 Score, a 4v4 competition with international qualifiers held across the globe in preparation for the world finals, which will take place in Germany later this year.

Teams of 4 will go head-to-head during the Kuwaiti leg, kicking off with the male qualifiers from the 4th of May until the 9th at 5:30 pm, held in Kuwait University, Mashael Al Jahra, and Boulevard Fields, respectively. Additionally, the tournament includes female qualifiers, held on the 10th at 5:30 pm at Boulevard Fields. Once the qualifiers are done, the qualifying male and female teams will move on to the national finals on the 11th of May at Argan Bedaya.

The winning male and female teams, along with the other international winners, will head to Red Bull Leipzig in Germany later this year with the aim of becoming the first Red Bull Four 2 Score World Final Champions. The world final will also play host to French footballer and global Red Bull Athlete Séan Garnier.

The new tournament challenges amateur footballers between the ages of 16 and 35 to put their best small-field, 4v4 football skills to the test. Teams of 4 players and 1 substitute go battle it out in 10-minute matches with no breaks and no goalies. The rules and concept

of the tournament are designed to allow participants to experience Red Bull’s unique “power football” philosophy firsthand. But the most crucial twist is the first and last minute, during which every goal scored will be doubled, so players must score when it matters.

Stay up-to-date with Red Bull Four 2 Score and so many other exciting things coming up from Red Bull on their Instagram @RedBullKuwait and sign up for the Kuwait qualifiers by visiting https://participate.redbull.com/en/events/ red-bull-four-2-score-KUW/2023

HERE COMES THE SUN

Enjoy the sunshine without suffering its wrath

By Mohammed El Soukkary

Every summer I peer suspiciously at the sun, not only because looking directly at it would sear my retinas, but also because it feels like it is coming closer. Every year seems hotter than the one before, and now that I’ve been around for a few decades, I can say with some authority that this feeling is widely confirmed by the increasing amount of sunscreen I need every year.

The climate of our home planet is changing, and while it is getting less predictable, it is getting progressively warmer. As we dip our toes in the first waves of summer, this is becoming more relevant than ever before.

Lasciate Ogni Speranza o Voi Ch’entrate

A phrase uttered by the oft maligned and more often quoted Dante seems increasingly apropos with every passing year. It seems that despite all the meetings, conferences, and warnings, we keep sliding towards an increasingly warmer planet, with ever more erratic weather patterns. The outlook makes for an uneasy enjoyment of the summer rays, with a curious intrusive though making its way through the throng of beaches, umbrellas, drinks, and seafood; will it be safe to sit outside in the sun next year? What about the one after that? When will we reach the tipping point beyond which the ratio of sunscreen to human would make us all look like puddles of lotion on the beach?

Fortunately, humans are ingenious creatures, and while we tend seem to have an uncanny knack for creating problems and paint our collective selves into a corner, we have also evolved the ability to jump out of that corner when we absolutely have no other choice.

A Ray of Hope

Fortunately, and after years (decades?) of scientists berating everyone about the repercussions of climate change the progressive warming of the planet, some steps are being taken. There are still pockets of resistance to the idea of fighting climate change, but they are losing steam, mostly because it is becoming difficult to argue against climate change while you are slick with sweat in the middle of March as a dust tornado rips through the countryside, but also because it is becoming increasingly economically feasible to adopt climate friendly policies.

Beyond the politics and the associated global dynamics, it is comforting to remember that success in dealing with climate related globally reaching problems is not unprecedented. We have, collectively, taken measures before to restore the once rapidly expanding hole in the ozone. Through the 1987 Montreal protocol we phased out substances that damage the ozone which is now on track to become restored within the coming decade and a half. So, when push comes to shove, we’ve shown that we can make change happen.

Yes… And?

Well, what does this all mean for you as you prepare for the coming summer? Well, the next Climate Summit will be held in November, well after summer so even if you are involved in the preparation for that conference, you can enjoy the summer and what it has to offer. Just take a couple of precautions while you do so.

First of all, don’t underestimate the sun. it may seem like something that goes without saying, but it is a mistake we all make. We step outside, to the beach, for a walk, or just an afternoon coffee in an outdoor restaurant without protecting our skin. Its just an hour, we say, lets leave the screen for the longer exposure or for when we show off our summer bodies (that’s just our winter bodies in the summer, not that we actually used that gym subscription or anything). However, it’s just an hour today, and another hour tomorrow, and another couple of hours the day after, each exposure caressing your skin a little more than the one before.

Take the steps you need to make sure that when the rays of the sun meet your skin, they don’t leave unwanted marks. The sun is like the over enthusiastic friend who has a problem with boundaries, and the sunscreen you use is the boundary that you set for that relationship.

Water on the other hand is your friend. Hydrate. Hydrate well, hydrate constantly, especially if you

BADER AL MOULAH: A MAN ON A MISSION

Aspiring astronaut, architect, Imagineer, Film Maker, Entrepreneur, Contestant

By bazaar Staff

A jack of all trades and an ace of quite a few, Bader Al Moulah has been able to carve out a road for himself to reach the goals that he wanted to at an early age. He chose engineering at University because it allowed him to continue his path to be an Imagineer at Disney and potentially be an astronaut in the future. A lot of it seemed far and possibly unattainable at times but his time at Disney changed everything.

“Achieving my goal of being an Imagineer really changed a lot with my mentality. It made me realize that with hard work and a little bit of luck, you can reach the goals you have in mind.” Said Bader. His time with Disney enabled him to be around extremely creative people amidst large-scale projects being designed and used while having a very close look at how things work behind the scenes of some of the biggest productions in the world, including Avatar. He was able to directly work with James Cameron’s team at Lightstorm Entertainment to create Pandora, the world of Avatar. Getting eyes on the industry and having the connections required to elevate himself and his goals helped him take a step toward one of his goals: in.visible.inc productions.

Along with his close friend, Ahmad Jamal, Bader has been able to start a Visual Effects and Film Production House in Kuwait specializing in Visual Storytelling, CGI and Animation. With another goal checked off the list, Bader was ready to continue moving forward.

“I don’t see this as different passions exactly. I see it more as tree branches. I made decisions as the tree and wherever these branches take me is where I see myself going.” Said Bader as he began speaking about his journey on one day becoming the first Kuwaiti astronaut to visit space.

His past, his education and upbringing all contributed to this goal. There was still a lot to be done but he was already aware of the magnitude of this mission while at Disney in Orlando and near the Kennedy Space Center. Once he began this journey, he had no idea what was in store for him or how ‘real’ this dream could be but one TV show really changed everything. Airing on Dubai TV, “The Astronauts” had 12 competitors from different nationalities who would compete to become an astronaut. The Kuwaiti architect, Bader, was selected as one of the candidates and was the youngest competitor on the show. Although he didn’t win the competition, he came out with a lot more experience and education.

“This gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and train like a real astronaut does.

I didn’t take it as being on a TV show. Chris Hadfield [a Canadian astronaut who has flown to space twice and also served as commander of the International Space Station (ISS)] was there and evaluated my performance, this is something I never imagined could happen to me. He came to us and said that even though this is a TV show, I’m going to take it seriously as if I

was doing a normal selection. This was all the motivation I needed and I spent nights studying and researching so many different things so that I could be ready for any challenge. I even technically now know how to fly a helicopter through my research, though I never actually attempted to.” Said Bader.

Part of the process in the show was to travel to Russia and visit the Cosmonaut Training Center where they were able to use suits that

and even Scuba Diver, Bader Al Moulah has not only managed to experience a little bit of everything but has also been able to truly take part in everything he set his mind to

were flown in space and retired to be used for training purposes. “This was a great experience and honor. Getting into the suits you wonder if you’ll be claustrophobic but you manage your way through it” he added.

Bader has always known that he wants to represent the country and find ways for Kuwait to be part of the journey to Space. He aims to show the younger generation that this is something that they can truly pursue and he does hope that Kuwait can continue moving forward and become a hub in the Gulf for space exploration.

“I truly believe that Kuwait has so much potential. On an individual level, there is so much that can be done. We can definitely be operating on an international scale in terms of science and space exploration and I do see a huge opportunity for the country to have a space industry. It has so many benefits for the country that’s involved in it. Space exploration has resulted in a lot of technological advancement for us on Earth and it would make people recognize us as being involved in science and technology which would assist in making us succeed in so many other areas.” Said Bader.

His passion very visibly elevates when talking about Kuwait’s future in space exploration because not only does he think it’s a great idea for the country to advance in the GCC, but also he believes that it’s very possible.

“There is a simple plan in terms of getting this started. First, we need a space agency. Second, we need the government to support that agency. Third, we need to gather everyone who’s passionate and interested to work in this facility. They won’t know a lot at this point about the required steps, but that’s okay. We then hire a team from South Korea for example, to do three missions with us. First mission, they will do it and we watch. Second, we do the mission together. Third, we do the mission and they watch. After that, we are ready to move forward without their assistance. That is how the UAE did it with satellites. We are in another golden age of space. There was the Apollo age, then there was the shuttle generation. Now, we’re back and it’s the commercial space industry which mixes the private and public sectors being involved. So it’s a massive opportunity.” Added Bader.

There is one thing that many people do not consider when they take on a big personal project like becoming an astronaut. What if you never go into space? Bader already considered that before making his decision final. “If I never get to be an astronaut, there are personal and non-personal benefits to that. Personally, everything that I am learning along the way is interesting and engaging and making me a better and more capable person. This is why I wanted to become an astronaut in the first place. From a non-personal side, everything I’m doing is helping to create a foundation for the next generation. So if I don’t get to do it,

it’s okay. As long as you know that the day you leave it, there is progress for someone else to come pick it up. I have seen so much progress, I wouldn’t be this motivated to continue if I didn’t.”

Bader has a clear goal in his head and hopes that he is able to be selected within the next five years. He’s ready. Being ‘selected’ would mean that he was chosen to be part of the team that trains for two years and graduates to become astronauts before being chosen for a specific

mission, which requires another couple years of training. There is still a lot to be done but the journey there is something Bader is enjoying and learning so much through every part of it.

“If you have an idea and someone tells you that this isn’t something we have here, then you know it’s a good idea. Don’t let lack of availability deter you from your passions. If it hasn’t been established yet, then take a close look because you could be the one who lays those foundations” concluded Bader.

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE

What do you most value about your friends? Showing up. People who are there when you need them and are there for you no matter what. Life is made up of moments and people so spending the right moments with the right people is really valuable to me.

Which living person do you most admire?

My father. His knowledge despite his upbringing and his capacity for growth and change has been something I always looked up to.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Having a sense of purpose is essential. Having that and surrounding yourself with close friends and someone you love to spend your life with is essential as well to me.

What is your most treasured possession? I have two. My Imagineering helmet with my name on it and a letter of recommendation from Chris Hadfield to become an astronaut.

What is your greatest fear?

Developing Alzheimer’s and losing my memory.

What is your most marked characteristic? If you know me well, you would see it’s how nerdy I am and how much I love science. If not, it would be my determination.

Which talent would you most like to have? To sing.

What is one trait that you are most grateful for?

That I am optimistic and my ability to forgive.

What is the human trait you most dislike about others?

Hypocrisy.

What is it that you most dislike? How people spend so much time hating other things when you can use that energy towards positive changes in your life.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Either “Yup” or “Yooo!” when I’m excited about something. I also tend to ask my friends “Anyone want anything from Elevation?” too often!

What is your favorite words to live by?

“Every breath you take is a step closer to death.” I know that sounds morbid, but I take it in a positive way because it gives your life meaning and makes you consider what to spend your energy on.

Where would you most like to live?

New Zealand or Japan.

If you could have any job, what would it be? I would probably go into the medical field and be a doctor.

What do you hope for the future?

With Social Media and technology, the world is becoming smaller. We are learning about different cultures so I hope with that, there is

less animosity between people. I also hope that we can seriously address the problems with climate change because it’s only getting worse.

Be sure to follow Bader and his updates on Instagram @the.travelling.architect. You can also follow his VFX and Film company @in.visible.inc as well as his Space Research and Exploration Company @ignition.kwt.

TALKING GREENE: AISHA ALMUNEEFI

We all need to be a little more Ecotistical

By Hamad K. AlKhudher

Talking Greene is a series of discussions centered on the idea of sustainability in Kuwait, the group leading this movement, and locating tools to assist the general public in making wiser decisions. As a business owner in the same industry, I believe it is my responsibility to promote local organizations and individuals working to change the way we shop for goods and to increase environmental consciousness both domestically and abroad.

In this month’s interview, we got to know more about Ecotistical and the woman behind the brand, Aisha AlMuneefi. After working in the financial and investments sector in Kuwait for 18 years, her passion with fashion has led her to venture a different path to dig deep into the that industry. Upon so, she managed to find out how harmful many fashionable brands are to the environment. In correlation to her love of being sustainable, she decided to put the two passions together and establish her online store, Ecotistical. Ecotistical is an online boutique providing a curated selection of sustainable and ethically produced fashion and lifestyle items.

Tell us more about the your brand Ecotistical. It started purely as a personal quest to be more environmentally conscious myself. I love fashion and have always loved expressing myself through my clothes and style however finding out about the fashion industry’s devastating impact on the planet and the people involved in its production made me look for brands that are responsible and are aligned with my own personal values.

Ecotistical initially started as an idea for me to find sustainable brands that I would love to wear. Being passionate about fashion for a long time and as a way to express myself, I realized how much that industry has an impact on people and the environment, such as well-known fashion that produce fast fashion items using cheap labor and harmful materials. After doing extensive research to properly find sustainable brands, that helped me understand more the value of smaller brands because of the effort they invest in to produce their clothing items.

So the idea was also stemmed from your own personal values and you wanted to be able to use Ecotistical as means of spreading these environmental values.

Absolutely, it was a 100% personal thing and in doing so I realized that it is not easy and requires time and research to find clean and ethical brands. Greenwashing is everywhere and is sometimes hard to navigate. So, to make things a little easier for others to be able to have a more sustainable and ethical wardrobe the idea of Ecotistical was born. Spreading awareness about the impact we have on our environment and our indirect involvement in supporting exploitive fast fashion brands by consuming their products is a main pillar of our brand. At the end of the day everything we do and consume has an impact. When you buy something you either fund an exploitive and harmful business or an ethical sustainable one. It’s a choice.

We also wanted to change the perception that sustainable fashion is boring as in only restricted to beige and neutral colors and limited styles. We want to show that sustainable clothing is actually fun creative and colorful. And most importantly that it is here and it exists and that change is actually possible and within reach.

Absolutely, it is 100% a personal thing. I wanted to align these values within the ethos of the brand. Hopefully by doing so, people who are exposed to the brands and its values would be able to adapt such values in their lives with it comes to sustainability and being environmentally conscious. Doing the research to find the right brands was very hard because they were not very easy to find at first. Being in contact with them and finding out about how they resource their materials also benefits to how they are actually sustainable, whether they’re using minimum to no plastic materials in their clothing or outsourcing organic cotton.

What worries me with some brands is the concept of greenwashing and that’s what scares me. As a human being with such a passion when it comes to my values as I mentioned, I choose not to associate myself with such brands whatsoever. Hence, it is important to do the research before getting any brands onto Ecotistical’s platform. There were also some trials and errors I had to do with some of the brands to make sure it fits the target audience here, as well as testing the materials used in some of brands’ products they sell.

What’s the idea behind the name Ecotistical?

It is derived from the word Egotistical which is an adjective describing someone who is self-involved and solely interested in their own personal benefit and nothing else. Replacing the ego with eco which is the opposite of that we came up with the word Ecotistical to describe a state of thinking about everything and everyone else as a driver of your own wellbeing. We are connected after all. To each other and to our environment.

The name is derived from the word “Egotistical”. Egotistical in general means when someone is just thinking about themselves and nothing else; only saying yes to their own benefit, happiness, self, therefore being also selfish. When I was thinking about what to name the brand, I wanted to think about not just ourselves, but the environment and others as well. That’s when I came up with the name Ecotistical and substituted the Ego with Eco instead. I wanted to use a name that’s the total opposite of being selfish and boring. Many people also think that sustainable and eco-friendly brands is all about being beige and

neutral colors, without any fun or colorful designs. Hence, I went forwarded to change that idea and using as many colors as I can on our social media platforms and website to show people that such brands can be fun, colorful, and lively.

Many people have the association that sustainable brands are priced higher than other brands, what’s your intake on this theory?

This is the second misconception we wanted to refute. Not all brands that are sustainable and eco-friendly are expensive. In fact, many are quite affordable and last much longer than the slightly cheaper fast fashion

brands that many of us know of. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of willing to invest in good quality that lasts much longer and won’t end up in a landfill. We strive to bring the most affordable brands that fit our sustainability criteria to the market.

It is similar to when organic food first entered the market decades ago; it was expensive at the

beginning and the vast majority of the population couldn’t afford to a large extent. However, when more and more restaurants and food businesses joined in, the prices of such products did decrease and therefore become more affordable. This can also happen when it comes to the fashion industry when it comes to buying sustainably sourced clothing items.

Do you think that with the launch of Ecotistical, you were able to discover more sustainable brands, both locally and internationally?

For sure. I was able to meet and develop great business and personal connections with many of our vendors. It’s such a great experience to meet such inspiring entrepreneurs and witness the effort and passion they put it to change the industry. I am very proud to promote amazing local Kuwaiti brands that are spearheading the change as well.

This helped me understand the value of the brands more and hence using Ecotistical to share and support such values that the other brands follow. I felt that I was also able to create a community somehow with like-minded individuals who share the same passions. I am also proud of other brands locally in Kuwait that have amazing products that I do also carry in Ecotistical’s platform. As a community, we all can create change in a much bigger and stronger scale hopefully because of the shared values we all have in common, which is the way it should be. Such a community ranges from different age groups and nationalities and that by itself is very interesting.

On the subject of sustainable brands, what are some of your favorite brands when it comes to the fashion and lifestyle industry?

That’s a hard question as I love all our brands and they are all special in their own way.

However, if I were asked to single one out it would be Mayaeco – a local Kuwaiti sustainable and ethical fashion brand that fits every single one of our sustainability criteria.

What

goals do you have in mind for the future with the work that you do?

Our main goal is to be a catalyst for change in the way our community consumes. This will continue to change and look different as we continue to learn and grow and find new ways to be more mindful in all aspects of our lives.

More awareness, involvement within the industry, and for sure to learn more about the industry in different aspects. I feel like we always continue to learn as we grow and be doing so, we can also benefit our environment when it comes to such involvements.

For more information: Check out Ecostistical at @ecotisticalme and shop on their website www.ecostisticalme.com

PORSCHE PRESENTS THE NEW CAYENNE

More luxury, more performance.

By bazaar staff

Porsche has fundamentally overhauled the third generation of the Cayenne with comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design and equipment. This has further extended not only on-road and off-road performance, but also luxurious everyday comfort.

Porsche has thoroughly refined its successful luxury SUV. The new Cayenne debuts with a highly digitalised display and control concept, new chassis technology and innovative high-tech features.

“It’s one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche,” said Michael Schätzle, Vice President Product Line Cayenne, Porsche AG.

High-definition HD Matrix LED Headlights provide road illumination tailored to every driving situation, an air quality system filters pollutants from the air in the interior, and for the first time in the Cayenne, front passengers have their own infotainment display. With its extensively upgraded design and more powerful engine range, the Cayenne emphasises its claim to be the sportiest car in its segment.

Digitised and driver-focused: Porsche Driver Experience

Porsche has integrated a completely revised display and control concept into the new Cayenne. The new Porsche Driver Experience, first introduced in the Porsche Taycan, focuses on the driver’s axis and optimises operation. Functions that the driver uses frequently are located directly on or immediately next to the steering wheel. The automatic transmission selector lever in the new Cayenne is now on the dashboard.

This makes room on the new centre console for storage compartments and a large air conditioning controller in an elegant black panel design. Large, easily accessible controls combined with mechanical air conditioning

switches and a haptic volume controller ensure optimum operability and a refined look. A key feature of the new Porsche Driver Experience is the right balance between digital and analogue elements.

For the first time, the redesigned cockpit of the Cayenne includes a fully digital 12.6inch instrument cluster with a so-called curved and free-standing design and variable display options. An optimised head-up display is available as an option. The standard 12.3-inch central Porsche Communication Management (PCM) display integrates harmoniously into the new dashboard and provides access to all the relevant vehicle functions. A 10.9-inch display is now available for the first time for the passenger side. This enriches the front passenger’s driving experience by displaying performance data, and providing separate access to the infotainment system controls.

Refined design, innovative lighting technology

The new Cayenne now has a particularly expressive appearance. A new front end combined with more strongly arched wings, a new bonnet and technically appealing headlights emphasises the vehicle’s width. Threedimensionally designed tail lights, uncluttered surfaces beneath and a new rear apron with integrated number plate holder characterise the rear end design of the new Cayenne. An expanded colour palette with three new colours, lightweight sports packages saving up to 33 kilograms for the Cayenne Coupé, and a new

extensive range of 20, 21, and 22-inch wheels make it possible to individually and dynamically configure the new Cayenne.

Matrix LED Headlights are now standard in the new Cayenne. HD Matrix LED Headlights are a new optional feature. With two high-definition modules and more than 32,000 pixels per headlamp, their innovative technology picks out other users and blocks out the light of the high beam to them with pixel accuracy so as not to dazzle them. The brightness of the modules can be regulated in more than 1,000 steps depending on the driving situation. Customised light modes increase safety and comfort in different driving situations

Porsche has also introduced an air quality system in the new Cayenne. Optionally, a sensor detects the level of fine dust particles in the air and passes it through the fine dust filter multiple times if necessary. Furthermore, an ioniser removes many germs and pollutants from the air, which is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers.

Increased range between ride comfort and performance

Porsche now equips the Cayenne at the factory with a steel spring suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). New shock absorbers with two-valve technology and thus separate rebound and compression stages allow optimised performance in all driving situations. In particular, comfort at slow speeds, handling during dynamic cornering, and pitch and roll support have been noticeably improved.

The driving experience can be additionally enhanced with the new adaptive air suspension with two-chamber, two-valve technology. This improves the driving experience with a soft suspension characteristic, stabilises the vehicle and simplifies on-road and off-road handling – compared to both the standard suspension and the predecessor model. At the same time, the adaptive air suspension improves driving precision and performance, and reduces body movements in dynamic driving situations. The suspension also offers an even sharper differentiation between Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes.

Hybrid model with more power and up to 90 kilometres electric range The new Cayenne debuts with three different engine versions. An extensive refinement of the four-litre V8 bi-turbo engine developed by Porsche replaces the previous V6 engine in the new Cayenne S. With a maximum output of 349 KW (474 PS) and a torque of 600 Nm – 25 kW (34 PS) and 50 Nm more than its predecessor – it accelerates both the SUV and the SUV Coupé to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The top speed is 273 km/h. The entry into the world of the Cayenne comes with an optimised three-litre V6 turbo engine. It now generates 260 kW (353 PS) and 500 Nm, which is 10 kW (13 PS) and 50 Nm more than before.

The six-cylinder engine also forms the basis for the powertrain of the Cayenne E-Hybrid. In combination with a new electric motor that has been improved by 30 kW to 130 kW (176 PS), the combined output increases to 346 kW (470 PS). Equipped with a high-voltage battery with a capacity increased from 17.9 kWh to 25.9 kWh, depending on the equipment level, a purely electric range according to the WLTP of up to 90 kilometres is now possible.

A new 11 kW on-board charger now shortens the charging time at an appropriate power source to less than two and a half hours despite the increased battery capacity. During the trip, the optimised e-hybrid driving modes increase the efficiency of the vehicle.

Outside the EU, the Turbo GT, designed for maximum on-road performance, is still the top model in the Cayenne range in most Porsche markets. It is available exclusively as a coupé and benefits from all the optimisations and innovations of the model series. In addition, the output of the four-litre V8 bi-turbo engine of the Turbo GT has been increased by 14 kW (19 PS) to 485 kW (659 PS). The Cayenne Turbo GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, with a top speed of 305 km/h.

For more information, please visit Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, please call 1870 870 or head to porschekuwait.com. For the latest updates on social media, follow @PorscheCentreKuwait on Instagram and Facebook.

WHY DON’T THEY COME BACK?

5 customer service tips to keep your customers coming back (amidst immense competition)

By Lara Jadayel

When was the last time you said, “Ah, I’m never coming back to this store because their customer service is just so great!” Probably never (unless you just don’t like good things happening to you). We know that bad customer service makes customers prone to leaving you for your competitors, and in many instances, motivated to drag your reputation through the mud. We also know that good customer service promotes authentic retention of customers and the posting of positive reviews. However, great customer service offers your customers solutions that meet their needs, creates a memorable interaction, alleviates inconvenience-fueled reactions, and makes coming back a knee jerk reaction (which is needed in a market saturated with plenty of capable competitors).

Regardless of where you work, things can always go wrong: Overbooking appointments, rescheduling a session last minute due to system degradation, selling a ‘last piece’ reserved item to the wrong person, and running out of plant-based milk are all likely occurrences. And although you can remedy these inconveniences with on-the-spot solutions, wanting them to come back in the future (without having them to rethink) might become tricky. This is why infusing great customer service in the early stages of customer interaction is vital. The earlier this is adapted and exercised, the higher the chances of long run customer retention!

These 5 simple tips are easy to apply because they require zero training! They will help transform your customer service, and help in bringing your customers back (despite the saturated market

always threatening to take your customers in). These tips will also assist in creating customer loyalty, not because they are strategic in nature, but because they infuse elements of desired human interaction:

Make

them laugh

Use humor to build rapport. I don’t think that mere transactional conversations (lacking in spirit) are fun to have all the time. We all work long hours and have a ton of work and home responsibilities to attend to; so, I’m sure that we don’t want to be having serious conversations all the time. If executed correctly, the right kind of humor will ease your customers’ anxieties, make them temporarily happier, and get them in a positive mindspace (which of course, makes the interaction less stressful for both parties). Thus, using humor makes it harder for inconveniences to alter the overall satisfaction a

customer feels interacting with you, or your company as a whole. However, it is important to note that the right humor does not offend, ridicule, or make someone feel attacked. The right humor can use exaggeration of events or general statements that both parties can relate to.

Compliment them

Saying something nice about your customer, to your customer, goes a long way. It could be a compliment about something they’ve said, something they stand for, a nice watch they have on, or even the way they carry themselves around. It will make your customer feel good as it shows them that though this is a give and take interaction, you took the time to notice something about them and had the confidence to say it! It also shows that you do not just see them as a number on a ticket, which is a feeling

that fuels anger during inconveniences. You do not need to shower them with exaggerated compliments (or things you really did not find appealing). Doing that will seem unreal and can actually disinterest customers from coming back.

Remember them

Your customer may come back for another service later in the future. If you remember them, or remember something about them, tell them! Recalling little details will make your customer feel special- and in return, this will make them feel welcome. It will also make them feel valued and cared for, which is productive when inconveniences threaten an exit. Remembering them means you want to ensure their comfort, and this is of importance for any customer, especially those who have been loyal to you and your organization.

Be honest

Be honest if you think they shouldn’t purchase a certain product or go for a certain service. By doing this, they will continue to come to you for advice, which makes you a trustworthy source for them. If inconveniences arise, they will look to you for direction instead of looking to move away from your organization. Also, if you cannot help them, tell them. Don’t try to sugarcoat the situation. Be honest with what you can do for them and what is out of your jurisdiction. Although honesty may make them feel frustrated or angry at first, they will appreciate you not wasting their time further. To go the extra mile, direct them to someone who can help (see point 6).

Guide them

If you can’t help your customer but know someone who can, guide them to that employee. It is also

possible that your customer is new to your workplace and does not know his/her way around, so directing them to the place they need to go, or even walking them there, will show that you care about having their service or product provided to them. Even if your colleague was not able to help, the interaction creates satisfaction; they will remember that you helped them get to where they needed to go rather than leaving them to figure it out on their own.

Lara Jadayel has been writing about women for as long as she can remember. She won’t stop until change becomes evident (or until writer’s block consumes her). To reach out, email her at larajadayel@gmail.com. Photos by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.

IS AGING A DISEASE?

Some experts say it should be treated that way, and pricey ‘longevity clinics’ agree

By Christopher Zara

new. Whether it’s taking a good old-fashioned walk in the park or injecting your furrowed brow with chemicals to freeze your face, attempts to hold onto youth can vary from the everyday to the extreme. And now, aging isn’t just viewed as a normal part of life. It’s being looked at like a “disease.” And while the idea is controversial, it’s found some traction. The World Health Organization(WHO) even came close to recognizing aging as a disease, proposing “old age” as a diagnosis before ultimately withdrawing it.

Trying to slow down or reverse the effects of aging is nothing

It would have been a significant shift in language because it means that, if aging is, in fact, a disease, it’s also a treatable condition. Not only will new therapies and treatments emerge as a result, but classifying aging in this way also paves the way for those treatments to eventually be covered by insurance. While we’re a ways away from that milestone, the treatments have already arrived. At least, for those who can afford them.

Age-defying treatments are taking place at what are being called longevity clinics, and they’re popping up all over the globe. They offer treatments at the cellular level. That means early detection of diseases like cancer, measuring biomarkers of aging, and antiaging intervention. Those interventions can include anything from diet and exercise regimens to stem-cell and hormone therapy, gene therapies, breathing masks designed to boost energy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, light therapy, and even plasmapheresis, which is the process of removing harmful substances from the blood to treat a variety of illnesses.

Human Longevity Inc. is a popular clinic with locations in San Francisco, San Diego, and Beijing. Its website boasts that its technology can help patients live “to 100 and beyond.” And that doesn’t even seem like a stretch. It collected data from 1,190 individuals using its health platform: 40% of asymptomatic patients required medical intervention that preemptively treated a disease, while 14% saw findings that required immediate attention. Essentially, the clinic is just a form of ultraproactive preventative care where conditions that may develop, or are close to developing, are stopped in their tracks.

It’s certainly more extensive testing than most people would ever imagine undergoing in their lives. That’s because the aim is massive: a longer, healthier existence. Of course, there’s a price. The longevity industry is expected to be a $44 billion market by 2030, according to Allied Market Research. And one clinic, Rosebar at Six Sense Ibiza, which opened April 1, costs $4,556 for a seven-day program. That doesn’t even include room and board. Many programs offer memberships for ongoing treatment, like Fountain Life, which has locations in Dallas, Naples, and White Plains. But when you think about the fact that the U.S. spends over $4.5 trillion on healthcare, it almost makes sense to throw some money at preventative care instead.

It’s still a little brain-rattling to think of age as a disease for which there are achievable cures, and there are certainly folks who don’t believe in looking at aging like an ailment. Daniel Belsky, an assistant professor at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, is one such expert who takes issue with the view. He told MIT Technology Review last year that “Aging is a cause of disease, not a disease itself.” There

are many others who agree with him. Still, while scientists are torn on the language, most seem to agree that using hard data from our bodies in the form of scans, DNA, biomarkers, and more, absolutely has the power to extend lives and improve our quality of it.

Photo by Sai Balaji Varma Gadhiraju on Unsplash.

A JOURNEY THROUGH MUSIC

How Naz found himself and his passion through sound

By bazaar Staff

Music is a unique art form, with the same tunes capable of taking different people on different journeys. For Naz, it was a personal journey that led him to music and sparked a passion that has since become his life’s work. Every hardship and celebration he’s experienced has contributed to his growth as an artist, enabling him to channel his emotions and past experiences through his music. By letting his music speak for itself, Naz has discovered a powerful outlet for self-expression and a way to connect with his audience on a deeper level.

Whenever Naz takes his place behind the DJ booth, you can count on two things: good vibes and great music. He has brought his unique style to events across the GCC, from large-scale productions to intimate gatherings at even small, local shawarma joints. No matter the setting, Naz has an ability to elevate the atmosphere and uplift everyone’s mood. His talent extends beyond the DJ booth, as he’s also skilled at creating his own sound that captures the same infectious energy he brings to his live performances.

Surrounded by three sisters and raised by a single mother, Naz acknowledges that being around “strong and independent women who were successful in their own rights” were stepping stones that helped him through his journey. Their example provided him with the guidance and inspiration he needed to navigate his own life’s challenges. And it wasn’t just a regular journey, either.

After spending his childhood in Kuwait, Naz graduated from high school in Qatar and pursued a degree in Petroleum Natural Gas at Pennsylvania State University, a degree which he

believes he had “no right in pursuing” after not doing too well in high school, Naz saw this as an opportunity to prove himself and rise to the challenge. It was just one of many challenges he would face throughout his life.

Upon returning to Kuwait, Naz set his sights on a new challenge: making the Kuwait National Team in American Football. Growing up, he “would either be the final pick in sports or not picked at all” but his love for the sport helped him change that, and he was ultimately recruited to play for his country. One of his proudest moments was representing Kuwait in the World Cup Qualifiers held in South Korea. Through his determination, Naz has proven time and again that he’s up for any challenge that comes his way.

Returning to Kuwait after graduation, Naz struggled to fit in and acclimate to society. “I never truly found my place with groups of friends,” he explained. This sense of displacement took a toll on his mental health, and he found himself struggling to define what “home” really meant to him. As he struggled to find his place physically, his mental health deteriorated until one day which saw him head to the airport and literally

ask for the next flight out. Just a few hours later, he found himself in England.

This unplanned journey was a pivotal moment in Naz’s life, as it allowed him to take a step back and reassess what was truly important to him. Through his travels, he gained a new perspective on life and discovered a newfound sense of purpose.

“I ended up on a three-week backpacking trip across Europe and made new friends and discovered a genre of music that I had previously overlooked. After attending several events and experiencing the power of music firsthand, I fell in love with the art form and became invested in exploring house music.” Added Naz when speaking about the journey that led him into pursuing a career in music.

Once a very misunderstood type of music for Naz, it was now the beginning of a transformative journey. He found himself immersed in artists like Black Coffee and Joris Voorn, whose music helped him experience new emotions and experiences. Recalling a life-changing moment, Naz said “I initially went to see David Guetta but moved to the area where Black Coffee was

playing and it was sensational to see everyone with their eyes closed and truly feeling the music. The vibe. I was in tears. The people and the music were so beautiful.”

Little did he know, he was about to embark on a journey that would be seen as his true calling.

Returning from Europe also meant returning to reality. It wasn’t just a trip, it was an escape and something that he wasn’t sure he was ready to mentally return from. He then met Tamara Qabazard, the next strong woman in his life who he believes saved him.

He expressed, “Tamara is a beautiful soul whom I truly believe saved me when I returned. She played a big part in me being who I am today and has stood with me through everything that I have been through. I could not have asked for a better friend in my life and I am lucky to have been surrounded by incredibly strong women that have helped me achieve everything I have so far.” Adding, “I also met Ahmad Jafar,

who has since become a good friend and a safe space for me. He helped me become a better person and a better artist. Him and Tamara, I would put as two of the most important people that I have met along this journey.”

As Naz slowly improved his mental health, he found the perfect outlet in music. He released his first full set, “Elevate,” on Soundcloud, which took listeners on a journey of self-discovery and garnered positive feedback. He explained, “It starts off slow, lost in a place where things are unclear. Then, it slowly gets more upbeat to give a sense of figuring things out. People who listened to it reached out to me and shared the journey that my music took them on. That’s all I ever wanted - to take people on a journey and have them connect with the music.”

Quickly realizing that the DJ scene in Kuwait could use some improvement, Naz was determined to make a name for himself and his music by playing at events, restaurants, coffee shops, and even Winter Wonderland. Slowly but

surely, things continue to pick up. “I just want people to enjoy my music and to keep creating memories and music that I can put my own personal feelings into. But I see the future of music and DJ-ing being overseas unfortunately. There are so many talented artists in the country but there isn’t yet a space for them to really showcase that talent” added Naz. Hoping that Kuwait can one day be put on the map as a country that has honed these talents and given them a platform to be the best versions of themselves.

Despite the uncertainty, Naz remains steadfast in his mission to create music that speaks to his audience and encourages vulnerability. For him, it’s not about the location - it’s about being supported and accepted by the people around him. As he continues to create and share his music with the world, Naz invites listeners to join him on his journey of selfexpression and growth. All we need to do is join him for the ride.

TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Unyielding.

How would you describe your mother in one word? Inspirational.

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?

If I had YouTube on my laptop!

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Sounds cliché, but I packed my carry-on, drove to the airport and took the next available flight not knowing where it could be. Turned out to be the best trip ever.

What is your theme song?

“Just the Two of Us” – Will Smith

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? Affinity.

Where would you like to live?

It’s not where you live, it’s about how you live. I would live anywhere where everyone is accepted and supported for how they chose to live their lives.

What is your dream retirement location?

To have two properties in both the northern and southern hemisphere so it could be summer all year long!

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

“There is no such thing as a ‘self-made man’. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the makeup of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.”

-George Matthew Adams

Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?

A wolf. They may look vicious in the outside but they mate for life. I resonate with that.

Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?

The perception of time. As an adult, I feel like as we get older, time moves faster. Like a record, the first few tracks spin slowly around the edge of the disc but as we get closer to the end of the song, it spins faster.

If you could change your name, to what would you change it?

Jack Sparrow.

How would you describe your handshake, in one word?

Firm.

What is the toughest part of your character?

I am my own person, I will not conform.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Joan of Arc.

What in the world do you least desire?

Ego. I’ll admit that I do have a bit of an ego but it has improved throughout the years.

What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?

Compassion, love and honesty.

Why do you think most people who do, like you?

I’m unconditionally myself, and I believe that others around me feel like they can be themselves as well. That said, I learned a while back that not everyone you meet in life is going to like you, and that’s okay. We can’t control what other people do or think, but what you can do is control is you and you alone.

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…” When you don’t feel the need for anything else other than what you have in that moment.

You can follow Naz on Instagram @naz.musique for the latest updates.

Photography done by Mustafa Alsuaileek @humansnfaces

BIG BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIES

Embrace your imperfect perfection!

By Rasha Ezzeddine

She was…she is perfect, the perfect skin, the perfect curves, the perfect colouring. She always looked perfect: on point, on trend, classy, and co-ordinated, from the tips to the toes and everything in between. Heck she even fit in the bathroom sink when she was getting ready (no - the sink wasn’t big, but she was that tiny and flexible and determined to get the eyeliner right!). A hint of a six pack, perfect muscle definition, no stretch marks (mashallah) she was an A student, and all round great at everything she does, from home to sports, to being a friend and a sister - the perfect daughter (she’s married now with a kidsorry guys!) - and with the lingering perfume to leave a lasting impression.

And yet, her confidence was so low: “I need to lose weight”, “I need to fix this part of my face”, “this flab’s gotta go”, “does this make me look fat?” , “ I need to do this better” - we were around 14 or 15 years old, and I remember looking at her thinking how perfect she is and looking at myself and all my physical flaws (I actually had a belly, and the stretch marks to go with it to name a few), if she feels like that, how should I feel? That day, I decided the world is a strange place, and beautiful women were a gift to men - because they just don’t ever realise how beautiful they are. That day I also decided that as long as I had 10 fingers and 10 toes, functioning legs and arms, and technically healthy and able to do all I wanted to do, wear my Guns N Roses t-shirt, Levi’s Jeans, my black asymmetrical tops, bohemian skirts, dance like no one is watching - I wasn’t going to worry about it. Not then, not now, not ever, that is unless there was a risk to my life or health. That day I decided if perfection was miserable then imperfection was my happiness - I was going to embrace it and not care. And to her, till this day I indebt my positivity and confidence in myself (although, I must admit I have my own share of Bridget Jones ‘All by myself’ tearful moments).

Why am I sharing this with you? Because ladies someone out there sees you as perfection and is hoping to be you, or to have that part of you that you want to fix. And curvy women? My BBB’s! The whole monster out there that is obsessed with beauty and the beauty/cosmetic industry is trying to recreate what we have naturally. Women out there are paying to plump up their cheeks, add hips, more bust, bubble behinds - they’re not working for it, they are paying for it, and maintaining it - love handles are a thing!

As I write this article, I see Marina Rinaldi has launched a ‘Celebrate your Curves’ campaign urging women to say: “I am beautiful, I am strong, I am smart, I am proud of my body”. I feel happy; a sign that this is the right time to write about this. That is exactly what we are, and we are so much more than our bodies. So many brands out there are catering for our bodies - because well, we are part of this world and not going anywhere, and we spend as much as anyone else if not more.

Once upon a time (OK a very long time ago), Reubens, Titian, da Vinci painted the larger women because they were the sexy of the renaissance and this trend keeps going and coming (every once in a while, there’s a Twiggy or Kate Moss getting in the way, but then there’s Oprah, J-Lo, the Kardashians

and Adele to change the direction). So, forget about the trend and focus on your health, because despite trends ‘…beauty [will always be] in the eye of the beholder’. I think the actual Jeffery Dahmer is cute - do you? I like the crooked natural teeth that come with the Brits as opposed to the perfect bright white set that comes with the Americans - what about you? I love a belly on a man over a six pack any day - yourself? I rest my case! Gerald Seymour famously said “…one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist” - well, not everyone has the same taste in beauty!

As humans we go through so much in life - nothing is guaranteed. As women this is even more true. From hormones, to menstruation, to pregnancies and

menopause, there’s so much and this is not counting social pressures, the depressions, the emotional eating, and the list goes on. Me personally? PCOS is my enemy. My message to you is don’t worry about what measures of beauty you’re not meeting, bushy brows are in today, thin brows will be back tomorrow. Worry about fixing the health issues if you have any, worry about knowing what you want from this life and how you will get it, worry about your loved ones. A thin person is not always healthy the same way a bigger person is not always unhealthy, and the reverse is also true. Some people are as Cartman said, ‘not fat…[but] big boned’. The only thing that is beautiful without discussion is health and happiness. Those are priceless and can make the worst glow in beauty.

If you’re unhappy, don’t complain - do something about it; find out the source and try to fix it. Filter between social and society pressure and the actual source of unhappiness. And if you’re happy - great, you have the secret.

It’s a short life, just make sure you’re fit enough to live it, enjoy it, make moments, and leave a good legacy behind.

Rasha Ezzeddine - a spiritual global (Belgian) citizen, Sierra Leonean roots, Lebanese blood, Indian in a past life, London at heart, Kuwait at soul, redefining in Dubai. Connect digitally @Rasha208 or reach out at Rasha208@gmail.com. Photo by Drop the Label Movement on Unsplash.

CELEBRATORY DINING AND A NEW HOTEL MANAGER ARRIVE FOR SPRING AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUWAIT AT BURJ ALSHAYA

A new “Con Vista” Dai Forni lunch menu, Afternoon Tea and an effervescent new Hotel Manager herald exciting times to come

By bazaar Staff

Spring 2023 sees the gourmands of Kuwait spoiled for choice, with Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya reimagining its popular day-to-night Sky 21 Feast, alongside the debut of a creative new lunch menu from Italian Chef, Luigi Frassanito, at Dai Forni.

These highly anticipated culinary adventures, to be enjoyed with a side of panoramic city views from the Hotel’s 21st floor, are among the events that the property’s newly arrived Hotel Manager, Ksenia Novikova, will be overseeing as she starts her first Four Seasons assignment.

Fizzing with energy and infectious excitement, Novikova aims to make the same impact at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya as she has during her previous award-dotted tenures at some of the most respected luxury hotels and resorts across the United States, China, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Her driving ethos is to create and cultivate opportunities for guests to make heartfelt connections together, no matter the reason. “In hospitality, we are not saving lives, but we have the potential to impact them, from guests to our fellow team members,” she states. “There is something very special about playing a meaningful part in milestone moments in people’s lives, whether it’s a wedding or another landmark celebration.”

Lunch Con Vista at Dai Forni restaurant

Meanwhile, Italian Chef Luigi Frassanito also brings his free-spirited cucina libera style of cooking to Dai Forni this spring with a new lunchtime menu.

The huge ovens that dominate the Sicilianinspired interiors at Dai Forni set an imposing standard for the dining experience to follow: elevated Italian comfort food in a casual and family-friendly setting.

The new Dai Forni Business Lunch set menu adds tantalising flavours to the restaurant’s existing à la carte selections. New starters like Carpaccio di Manzo—a beef carpaccio perfectly paired with parmesan cream, truffle dressing, and shaved black truffle—leads effortlessly into flavourful Sicilian mains like Branzino in Crosta, a fillet of baked seabass accompanied by caponata and pine nuts. Dessert selections include the refreshing balance of Crostata a Limone di Amalfi e Basilico, a sugar dough combined with smooth lemon-basil curd, yuzu namelaka, and a lemonbasil sorbet.

Adding traditional flair to the à la carte menu, Dai Forni’s copper ovens—which lend the restaurant its name—turn out a sublime selection of pizzas. The menu also includes a range of imaginative antipasto dishes, soups, pastas, risottos, mains and desserts, all plated with Chef Luigi’s signature creative twists and accompanied by an equally compelling beverage menu.

Afternoon Tea at Al Soor lounge

Afternoon Tea at Al Soor Lounge is back and better than ever. Join us every day from 2 pm until 6 pm as of May 6th and let the magic of the moment captivate your senses.

Indulge in the exquisite experience of Afternoon Tea at Al Soor Lounge, where elegance meets relaxation in inviting ambiance. After a busy day, unwind with your favorite cup of tea or coffee, and delight in a selection of mini sandwiches, canapés, and desserts served

on a beautiful étagère. From salty to sweet bites, culinary team will let you feel a delightful symphony of flavors, which will transport you to a world of refined indulgence. Perfect for a cozy meeting, a ladies’ gathering, or simply enjoying the vibes of the place.

We are so excited for our next visit to Four Seasons!

To discover a meaningful vision of modern luxury in the Forbes Five Star rated Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya, contact +965 2200 6000 or book online.

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WHAT MAKES TETRIS ‘THE PERFECT GAME’?

Experts break down an addictive classic

By Tracy Brown

The real story behind how Tetris became a video game phenomenon is more compelling than most imagined narratives. A computer game created by Russian programmer Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union, Tetris eventually hit the burgeoning global market in 1989 as the launch title of Game Boy, a handheld console developed by Japanese company Nintendo, after Dutch American game designer and publisher Henk Rogers doggedly pursued the rights.

Much like the game itself, it’s a story that involved a lot of moving pieces that needed to be maneuvered just right in order for its players to achieve success.

This backstory is at the center of “Tetris,” out now on Apple TV+ after premiering last month at SXSW. Directed by Jon S. Baird (“Stan & Ollie”) from a script by Noah Pink (“Genius”), the film follows Rogers (portrayed by Taron Egerton) after he is so dazzled by Tetris, which he stumbles upon at a game expo, that he bets everything on its success. Sorting out the complicated situation around the game’s rights propels Rogers to Moscow, where he meets and befriends Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov).

“We tried to make [the movie] as truthful as possible in the given circumstances,” said Pajitnov during a recent video call. “I was very fascinated with the movie because it was spiritually absolutely truthful. That’s exactly what happened to us, emotionally.”

But, “there was a lot of Hollywood in there because they squeezed like a year and a half of our lives into two hours,” added Rogers, who along with Pajitnov was an executive producer on the film.

Baird describes “Tetris” as a “Cold War thriller on steroids,” but at its heart is the friendship between Rogers and Pajitnov, which the pair boast “is still going strong after all these years.”

The movie “is really about two people, who on paper should be enemies, but at the end of the day find common ground because they’re both human and they both have families and they both love to play,” said Pink. “And we need to play more, I believe.”

While the story’s Cold War setting and political themes appealed to Baird, he was also drawn to “the sort of platonic love story between these two characters.”

Pajitnov and Rogers are “these polar opposites coming from different parts of the world,” said Baird. They’re “incredibly different, having very different cultural references and geopolitical references, [in a] story of East and West coming together … That was what really interested me about it, and it just so happened to be about this famous video game.”

This “famous video game,” of course, is one of the best-known and bestselling video games ever. And the film’s version of Rogers describes it as “the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”

“This game isn’t just addictive,” says Rogers in “Tetris.” “It stays with you. It’s poetry — art and math all working in magical synchronicity. It’s the perfect game.”

It’s a sentiment that Pink, who grew up playing Tetris with his siblings during road trips, stands by.

“For me, what makes it the perfect game is that it’s a puzzle,” said Pink, who attributes Tetris’ addictive

qualities to its simplicity. “It’s like your favorite story that you love to hear over and over again, but every time you hear it, something new comes up. That’s Tetris for me. Because you know what blocks are coming, but every time it’s a little different, and every time you play, it ends up a little differently.”

But “perfection” is a loaded concept, especially if you ask games scholars.

“It encapsulates a lot to say it’s the perfect video

game,” said Tracy Fullerton, a USC professor and the director of its Game Innovation Lab. “Perhaps you could say that it was a perfect video game, especially a perfect video game in combination with the Game Boy platform, which I think was the thing that really made Tetris as massive as it was.”

Jennifer deWinter, the dean of Lewis College of Science and Letters at Illinois Tech, was more direct.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect game,” said

deWinter. “But if I had to ponder the brilliance of Tetris — and I think that that is a fun thing to ponder — Tetris provides a pattern-based abstraction that allows people to go into a flow state, readily.”

Meaning, Tetris draws players in to become so absorbed in the game to the point that outside distractions get tuned out. And that’s addictive.

According to Fullerton, Tetris “is one of the best games and continues to be one of the best games ever made” because “it’s so satisfying.”

And this satisfaction of sorting things out and fitting pieces together, deWinter explained, stems from the fact that “human beings love pattern matching” at any age.

“In terms of this elegant, pared-down, patternmatching game, Tetris is it,” said deWinter. “It’s the godfather of all those types of game. And continues its own life to now, [and] it continues to have tremendous influence on other games, either as mini games or as in the casual game revolution and all the patternmatching games that we start seeing there.”

Pajitnov, who developed the first version of Tetris in 1984, was inspired by the puzzle game pentominoes, which involved piecing together certain shapes created by five squares. This original Tetris was a computer game that eventually made its way to arcades and consoles.

As Fullerton and deWinter both note, it was the marriage of Tetris to Game Boy that catapulted both to success.

“I don’t think Tetris would have ever become as big as it did had it not been the Game Boy game,” said deWinter. “What the Game Boy does is it provides everyone a small, cheap, handheld computer game device … and Tetris becomes the cultural phenomenon that we know, because it’s packaged with this platform.”

“I played Tetris on Game Boy, and I remember being astonished,” said “Tetris” producer Matthew Vaughn. “The technology was mind-blowing back then.”

According to the Tetris Co., over 520 million units of Tetris have been sold worldwide, and the game has been downloaded more than 615 million times on mobile devices. There have been numerous scientific studies around Tetris, delving into everything from why the game is addictive to how playing the game affects those with anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.

And Tetris and Game Boy’s pairing was mutually beneficial.

“I think Tetris, in many ways, was responsible for the success of the Game Boy,” said Fullerton. “Not just as a child’s toy, but as something that business people or older people might carry with them.”

It was not until the “Pokémon” series launched in 1996 that the Game Boy had its next blockbuster video game, so it’s safe to say a phenomenon with the longevity and widespread appeal of Tetris was significant to the handheld console’s success.

Baird admits he is no gamer, but he said that working on “Tetris” changed his perception of the game because it forced him to revisit it.

“It made me play it more so I wouldn’t be embarrassed when I actually eventually met Henk and Alexey in person, just in case they challenged me to a game,” said Baird. “I’ve got OCD [obsessivecompulsive disorder], and it really appeals to me, this game, because you compartmentalize everything, and then it disappears.”

In the end, as Baird discovered firsthand, whether Tetris is the “perfect” game may be less important than the ways it continues to help people connect, just as it did Pajitnov and Rogers in the late Cold War.

Playing Tetris because he was working on the film, said Baird, “has bonded me closer with a 13-year-old who previously probably wouldn’t want to spend that much time with her father playing computer games.”

Photo by Ravi Palwe and Nik on Unsplash.

PUTTING CAIRO ON THE PIZZA MAP

Dareen Akkad’s What The Crust is THE place to enjoy pizza in the Middle East

By bazaar Staff

Dareen Akkad is the mastermind and head chef behind an incredible little pizzeria in the heart of Cairo. Even though she struggles with the label ‘chef’, she has created a lovely place with her husband where people can come to enjoy some of the best pizza in the world. Yes! The world! They have been ranked as one of the Top 100 Best Pizzerias in the world for their Neapolitan pizzas.

When you think of Cairo, you don’t automatically think pizza, and less so of a pizzeria owned and run by a woman. But Dareen has been working hard with the support of her husband Ahmed Helmy to put her pizza place on the global map. What The Crust sold its first pizzas in April 2020, right at the beginning of the Covid lockdowns. Dareen tells us how “the day coincided with the date of our wedding anniversary (not deliberately, but cool nonetheless). It took about a year and a half of planning from conception to birth, from the moment we said “let’s open a Neapolitan pizzeria” to the day we sold our first pie.”

At the same time as setting up a business, Dareen was raising three little children, searching for locations, raising funds, looking for suppliers, and once she found the location – she and her husband DIYed all the renovations. Dareen traveled to Naples to learn how to make authentic pizza. Although Dareen and Ahmed wanted a little bit of time before they had to start selling pizza, they were thrust into the business because her husband lost an important contract due to covid and they had no choice but to sell pizzas right away. “As a restaurant, we were considered a vital business, so we were able to sell by delivering to a tight radius in our neighborhood, and close early for curfew. No dine-ins until July 2020, at 50% capacity. And to be honest, this slow and steady start was a blessing in disguise. I was able to make mistakes without the pressure of performance,” she explains.

Dareen spent half her childhood in Kuwait and it is a large part of her inspiration. When she first started working in Kuwait and when she had first met her husband, she started frequenting a new pizzeria that made authentic Neapolitan pizza: Solo Pizza Napulitana. She used to often ask the owner to work there, and he just used to smile and nod. “I don’t know if he remembers me, but I am grateful for his inspiration.” Dareen shares. It was at that moment she told her now husband “One day…I’m going to do this. I’m not cut out for work at a desk. This is what I want to do. I want to have my own restaurant.”

Although Dareen and Ahmed both worked in the advertising business, both with a background in copywriting, the name and branding were one of the very last things to be ready. As they planned and worked through their to-do lists, they could not agree or come up with a name. She shares that “when it came to our own brand… we were drawing blanks. We weren’t Italian, so we didn’t want an Italian name. And we didn’t want to JUST make pizza forever and ever… I had a dream that we could one day grow to an empire of crusty products, and our motto was “a good crust is universal”. One night we were sitting on the balcony expressing our angst to a friend, and when she asked us what we were going to call the business, I was so

frustrated that I thought… You know… The rude one… And to be funny I said… ‘What the Crust!’ They both looked at me and smiled, their eyes lit up.” We have to say, we absolutely love the name!

We asked Dareen how difficult the process of starting the business was, she opened up about how the “process wasn’t difficult; there are legal frameworks in place that make it relatively straightforward to start almost any small business in Egypt. The challenges came after the setup and related mostly to the type of product we decided to make; finding consistent ingredients, equipment and expertise is the real challenge for any restaurant, and even more so in a market like Egypt. We’ve persevered by getting creative where necessary and holding our ground where we must. We try hard to change the way we operate to suit the market, with one core focus: that the final product remains unchanged. This has meant hard sacrifices about how and where we grow, but we believe that if the quality we promise isn’t delivered, we’ve failed.”

When recruiting for their pizzeria, Dareen found that there was no one size fits all business approach in Egypt. She found that instead of recruiting experienced chefs or service professionals, she was better off starting from a clean slate and focusing her efforts on training young, less-experienced staff, and growing from within. She also works with agencies who help refugees with job placements, which she finds to be a great resource, and her team has always consisted partly of refugees. Dareen takes pride in seeing that she has team members who have started as housekeeping staff and have grown to become prep cooks or pizzaiolos.

The menu at What The Crust has been inspired by good quality ingredients. Dareen says “We always had a very simple menu - classic Neapolitan pizzas and a few salads, fresh juices and a couple of desserts. We were launching a style of pizza we feared may not be as well received as the commonly known definition of pizza in Egypt. We focused our efforts on finding the best possible ingredients for the fewest number of items: quality over quantity. The spirit of our menu has grown to highlight more local, high-quality ingredients, especially since Egypt has been going through some economic changes which made the availability of imports very erratic. This has pushed local producers to create some outstanding products and produce, and we are reaping the benefits!”

Dareen started this pizzeria with a strong core belief that everyone loves pizza, and she is glad that she was right. The response has been better than she had ever imagined. However, it has not all been easy, Dareen enlightens us on the challenges: “We are completely overwhelmed, and also a little burned out. We grew in popularity so quickly, and worked so

hard, that we feel like we need to let everything run like a Swiss clock for a while.”

But with hard work comes great reward, In the 3 years since that What The Crust has launched, they have opened two other What the Crust outlets and have a third under construction, through their franchise partners. They have also recently opened a sourdough bakery called The Daily Kneads.

Dareen’s hard work has paid off, and she has achieved great accolades and has put Cairo on the global map in terms of pizza. She shares that she is “a creative person. I am a bit of a performer, and a storyteller. When I was a child, I wished I could become an artist (and I still wish that). I have an innate desire to make things, and I enjoy the process of doing more so than the destination or final reward. I am great at coming up with ideas, I am crafty, I am energetic, and I love to travel. I am very glad that my work allows me to tickle many of my fancies, but I don’t care for being or doing just ONE thing.” No wonder she loves baking bread and pizza so much – it is all about the process.

If you ever frequent Cairo, we urge you to enjoy some pizza and fabulous breads that Dareen has in store for you! We also recommend that you follow the What The Crust journey – we know this is a brand that is going places. Follow them on Instagram @What_The_Crust.

MAKE THE 4-DAY WEEK WORK

Your four-day workweek will fail if you make these 5 mistakes

By Stephanie Vozza

Four-day workweeks are a popular perk, but rolling them out correctly can be a challenge. What day do employees get off? Can your company still hit its goals and serve its customers? And what if it doesn’t work out? Rolling back a perk can be even more difficult, and some employees may feel resentful for having to go back to a five-day schedule.

Before you make a big change, here are five mistakes to avoid if you’re considering a shorter workweek.

1. Going All In, Right Away

Instead of switching the entire company to a new work schedule, start by testing the approach, says Joe Sanok, author of Thursday Is the New Friday. “Try different models within different departments,” he says. “Maybe one team takes Thursday afternoons off and another takes off Fridays. Find out what is the best model for your organization and industry.”

Ideally, companies should test the concept for at least two quarters, says Sanok. Companies can also ease into new workflow models by testing meeting- or email-free Fridays, which can allow employees to do focused work or have flexibility to take personal time.

2. Not Being Clear on the “Why”

Before changing to a shortened workweek, research the systemic factors that are driving the need for a new plan, says Andrew Filev, founder of the project management platform Wrike.

“Companies that cut down employees’ work time without first optimizing efficiency are bound to fail in this initiative,” he says. “If employees are spending the same amount of time on each task and meeting, a shorter week will only push them to sneak online during the given day off to make up for the loss of time.”

You may need to add other new work systems. For example, decades ago software developers embraced an Agile style of workflow. “They were able to do more in a 40-hour workweek than they were previously doing in 80 hours,” says Filev. “If your shortened workweek strategy centers on creating a healthier work-life balance for your employees while maintaining productivity, consider how best to help them achieve that.”

3. Avoiding Transparency

When marketing research firm Alter Agents rolled out a four-day workweek, the company didn’t tell their clients. In fact, founder and CEO Rebecca Brook decided success would be if their clients had no idea that they were running a four-day workweek.

That might have been a mistake, says Sanok. “All interested parties don’t need to be part of the decision, but they should at least be aware of the transition,” he says. “Clients or people that

are any part of your supply chain should know because it may affect your timelines.”

When you alert clients, Sanok suggests saying, “We want to preserve top quality talent to better serve you. We are going to test a four-day workweek.”

Remind clients by having employees set calendar blocks and use their email signatures to clearly define their working hours, suggests Tom Caporaso, CEO of Clarus Commerce, a provider of customer engagement, loyalty, and promotions strategies. “This way, clients are aligned and understanding of your organization’s working schedule,” he says.

4. Having Unrealistic KPIs

Clearly define what success will look like. Individual roles should have an output number that indicates success. For example, a salesperson may be hired to make 40 sales calls a week and convert 10 of those.

“During a four-day workweek, an employee may only make 30 calls and land five clients,” says Sanok. “The company may feel frustrated that the new schedule isn’t working.”

Every week, do a quick 15-minute meeting checking in on the KPIs and on the culture of the four-day workweek. Then every month, have an

hour-long meeting to bring together the data. “Where are we up? Where are we down? How do we address it?” asks Sanok. “At the end of the first quarter, bring all three of those reports from the longer meetings together and create a best practices report.”

A shortened workweek is an indicator of trust for the team, says Caporaso, whose company tested a Summer Fridays perk, giving employees the afternoon off. After its success, it made the schedule permanent.

5. Using a Fluctuating Structure

If your company is in an industry where you need to be available for clients five days a week, you may not be able to give every employee the same day off. Instead of fluctuating days off, however, it’s best to keep to a regular schedule, says Sanok.

When done right, four-day workweeks can be a selling point for companies, says Sanok. “It’s a tough hiring environment,” he says. “Any sort of creativity and flexibility is going to attract betterquality talent than companies that just stick with ancient ways of doing business.”

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash.

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HOW A 3-YEAR-OLD SEES A CITY

It’s not very pleasant

By Nate Berg

VR95 is new virtual reality experience that transports users to a world many rarely see or consider. It’s not some fantasy land or extraordinary metaverse. Instead, VR95 (as the name suggests) shrinks users to see a typical city scene from 95 centimeters, or three feet and one inch. This is the height of an average 3-year-old child. The world, as seen through their eyes, is less than ideal.

“Basically you see cars and traffic, noise and pollution everywhere as a child from that perspective,” says Dr. Sara Candiracci of the global design, engineering and planning firm Arup. She’s the Europe lead for Arup’s Social Value and Inclusive Cities efforts, and was part of the development of the VR95 tool.

But it’s not just a visual reminder of what it’s like to see the world as a child. The tool also shows what that same traffic-clogged city scene would look like if it was designed with that 3-year-old in mind. The sidewalks can be widened, pocket parks can be added, more green space can be planted, and car speeds can be reduced. “You can see how by adding some elements, by looking at children’s needs, you are creating an urban environment that’s great for everyone,” Candiracci says.

VR95 is part of an effort to get city leaders, designers, and developers to think more carefully about how the built world is used and experienced by children. In consultation with community groups in cities around the world, Arup and the Bernard van Leer Foundation have developed the Proximity of Care Design Guide, which outlines effective and inexpensive ways urban spaces can be designed and built to better serve children, their caregivers, and pregnant women. The guide primarily focuses on the safety and development of children under 5. “It’s when about 80% of the brain’s architecture develops,” Candiracci says. “A built environment that supports a nurturing relationship with caregivers, families, and neighbors has a huge impact on their well-being.”

Designing cities for children means much more than just building playgrounds. Candiracci says the design guide lays out ways that neighborhoods can be designed to encourage safer, more active lifestyles among children and the people who care for them. Increasing access to nature, adding educational and play elements to public infrastructure, and engaging wider segments of the population in planning decisions are key ways cities can improve the lives of younger people. Candiracci says the guide focuses on showing how childfocused design doesn’t have to be siloed as some separate side of citymaking. “It has to be and it can be embedded in everyday work for developers, urban practitioners and city authorities,” says Candiracci.

The design guide was developed over the past year-and-a-half by Arup, working alongside ten urban planning, design, and development organizations globally. The groups participated in a training

program and identified ways that child-friendly design could address challenges or problems in their own cities. Three of these organizations were awarded grants from Arup to implement those ideas.

In Valdivia, Chile, a road with several schools and very heavy traffic was made safer for children by widening pavements, raising pedestrian crossings, and rerouting trucks. In Rio de Janeiro, a public plaza was redesigned as a space where mothers could safely and comfortably breastfeed. And in Montevideo, Uruguay, multisensory play equipment and wayfinding signage was installed for the benefit of deaf children.

Candiracci says the design guide is meant to be used by community groups, design studios, public agencies, and private actors. Real estate developers, who often drive much of what gets built

in a city, are ideal users of this guide, she says. “They have a huge impact in terms of the way cities are shaped, and in many cases the needs of young children are not taken into account, she says. “The moment we have developers on board and they start using the guide for better social outcomes, it will be great for the communities they serve and support, but also for them, because they can meet their ESG commitments.”

Candiracci also notes that her own organization, Arup, could play a considerable role in bringing these ideas to the way the world gets built. “We work globally, and have 17,000 employees worldwide,” she says. “The moment Arup starts using the guide, we’re going to have a huge impact on the way we design interventions. That’s my first goal.”

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash.

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Eliminates bacteria and viruses

ENJOY THE SUN SAFELY THIS SUMMER

Kuwait Hospital’s Dr. Lujain Albenali is shining the light on skin cancer and sensible sun exposure

By bazaar Staff

Dr. Lujain Albenali is all of the things you want in a doctor, not only is she highly knowledgeable, the Head of Dermatology at Kuwait Hospital is pleasant, funny, and easy to talk to. We loved catching up with her about how important it is to practice safe sun exposure this summer.

Dr. Lujain Albenali

It is no surprise that May is the month of sun cancer awareness. Before everyone spends ample time on the beach, it is important to understand how sun exposure causes skin issues and skin cancers. Dr. Lujain clues us in on all the details with her wealth of experience in the public sector and also her experience in the private sector. She explains how although Middle Eastern skin isn’t at high risk of skin cancer, extreme sun exposure can cause other issues such as skin tags, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, rosacea, melasma and more. Additionally, in Kuwait there is a large expat population which can often suffer from the ill effects of unsafe sun exposure.

Dr. Lujain explains that skin cancer doesn’t develop over a year or two, but once the sun burns the skin – the DNA in the cells changes abnormally and often starts replicating. Skin cancer appears about 20-30 years later. When Dr. Lujain worked in the UK, a lot of her Caucasian patients complained about how they were not in the sun anymore, but the issues were the result of sun exposure in the past and Caucasian skin is more prone to getting skin cancer.

If you have any concerns about a skin issue, or if you have a mole that is painful and itchy, or any other bump or lesion that feels itchy or painful, it is always best to get it checked and early by a dermatologist. The technologies at Kuwait Hospital allow Dr. Lujain to view the bumps and moles carefully, she looks for an abnormal pattern, which she then compares to other moles on the body. If she suspects something, she will often excise the mole or lump and in most cases, the issue ends there.

The main risk factors of skin cancer we are told are genetics, unsafe sun exposure, and sometimes immune-suppressing medication for other conditions. Dr. Lujain suggests that if you do have a family history of skin cancer, it is worth getting a full body skin check once a year – and the age at which you start getting these checks depends on your family history. She also suggests that avoiding the sun is not the solution – we need exposure to sun to get a healthy dose of vitamin D, but the best thing is to practice safe sun exposure.

Dr. Lujain laughs as she tells us how her three children, who are now teenagers, used to get bothered as she would be waiting with a bottle of sun lotion at the beach every time they ran into the water. “They are the children of a dermatologist, they should know to expect it,” Dr. Lujain jokes.

So why is practicing safe sun exposure important you ask? The sun emits three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB are what we need to protect against since the ozone layer reflects UVC for us. Protection includes a high level of SPF applied regularly, especially if you are enjoying the water. Dr. Lujain shares that waterproof isn’t great and you should reapply sun protection every 2 hours that you are in the sun. And those of you that enjoy sun beds – the UV exposure is the

same as the sun and it is better to avoid them completely.

Dr Lujain tells us about the types of sun protection we should use as we should look for something with a high SPF, that offers protection from UVA and UVB rays. Some of the ingredients to look for are chemical blockers such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and mexoryl. And some of the physical blockers that reflect the light are zinc oxide and titanium oxide. She tells us that children should also start using sunblock as early as six months of age if they are exposed to the sun – but they should only use physical blockers when young. Another piece of advice that she gave us is to get some hats and swimwear that has UV protection and SPF , this is especially great for kids. And the straw hats – well those are good from a fashion perspective she tells us.

Kuwait Hospital has really invested in great caregivers and doctors, and if you ever need to see a dermatologist, we can wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Lujain and you can call 22207777 for an appointment. You can also stay up to date with the latest in the world of health by following Kuwait Hospital on Instagram @Kuwait.Hospital.

WINNING THE PINNING

5 ways you can get even more out of Pinterest

By Jeremy Caplan

More than 400 million people use Pinterest monthly. It’s one of the best places online to find usefully curated image collections. But Pinterest remains valuable for visual inspiration. It’s a great place to gather and share images. Read on for five ways to make the most of the platform.

1. Create a mood board

Here’s how to start:

• Pick a subject of interest—like a hobby, professional interest or project.

• Create a board on that topic where you’ll collect “pins” or bookmarks that include an image, video or product.

• Save pins you find on others’ boards by searching Pinterest, or by uploading your own images.

Use Pinterest solo or collaborate with friends or colleagues to gather project ideas. It’s always free and works on the Web or on mobile.

Example: Check out Architectural Digest’s ideas for reorganizing your home office. Or for a sillier example, join this oddities public board I started for quirky products.

2. Make a visual scrapbook

If you’re more of a lurker than a creator, you can follow others’ boards and just save pins you come across the way you might tear pages

out of cooking or design magazines. Or combine your own photos with others’ images to curate a scrapbook.

Example: I created this Vienna highlights visual journal to share with family, blending my own photos’ with some I found.

3. Find food inspiration

Others use Pinterest for fashion. I use it for food. Whether you’re looking for one-pot meals, quick breakfast smoothies or recipes for a new kitchen gadget, Pinterest has superb range. Example: Here’s my tasty bits board with recipes I imagine making someday.

4. Learn something

Learning guides abound. Get tipsheets for guitar, learning French, or whatever else you’re trying to figure out. Scan through curated resources and pick a few to dive into.

Example: Learn how to swaddle a baby or how to make unique hot chocolate.

5. Catch up with trends

Pinterest’s Today page features a few trending topics each day. It’s a visually pleasing way to discover new stuff around the world. Checking out Reddit, the Internet’s front page, might surface quirkier stories, but Pinterest’s trends are simple & well-curated.

Examples: I liked curated desk organization upgrades & great quotes on reading.

Some see Pinterest like Flickr or Tumblr—an aging platform left behind by hipper newcomers. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are trendier. Some Pinterest boards are woefully out of date. Like eBay, Pinterest’s pages can feel cluttered. And marketing has crept in. Search results can be overwhelming, so you can end up down a that are around rabbit hole. Despite all of that, Pinterest remains vibrant and useful. It’s a lively hub for visual inspiration and a handy resource for gathering stuff you like.

Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash.

TRAVELING WITH KIDS

How to travel with children, according to this globetrotting Texas mother

By Sarah Bahari

Traveling with kids can be both an adventure and an occasional exercise in humiliation. The prospect alone fills some parents with dread: visions of sleepless babies, cranky toddlers and long, tortuous flights from which there is no escape. But a Frisco mom wants to ease some of those fears.

Lesley Carter, who runs the travel blog Bucket List Publications, traveled with her 2-year-old son, Max Smith, to Antarctica this past winter. That trip made Max the youngest American to visit all seven continents.

Carter, 42, who is originally from Canada, has loved to travel since she took a solo flight at age 8. Since then, she has visited more than 100 countries.

Having children didn’t slow down Carter down. She has traveled with her kids around the U.S., Europe, Rwanda, Uganda, Dubai, Fiji and more. In addition to Max, Carter has a 10-yearold daughter, Athena.

Carter offered some advice for fellow parents.

Expect a little misery

Babies cry. They need sleep. They refuse to sleep. They won’t sit in the stroller. They refuse to get out of the stroller.

“You have to accept that sometimes you are going to be the parent with the screaming child. It’s part of traveling with a child,” Carter said. “Once you’ve accepted that, you’ll feel a little better.”

Accept — and ask for — help

While wrangling an infant and attempting to shove your suitcase in an overhead compartment, a stranger offers to help. Always say yes, Carter said. If someone has not offered to help, just ask for it.

“Most people are more than happy to help,” she said. “We just to have ask.”

Pack light, like really light

Carter said she never checks luggage, even for longer trips. For clothing, she recommends picking a color scheme and packing clothes to mix and match. Nearly everything else, including diapers, can be purchased upon arriving to a destination.

But make sure to have essentials like snacks, water and comfort items like a baby’s blanket or favorite toy. And don’t forget to keep an extra change of clothes on you, even if you check luggage.

“There is nothing worse than having poop on your clothes for what seems like endless hours because you forget to pack an extra pair of pants,” Carter said.

But do pack a stroller

A toddler might not always want to sit in a stroller, Carter said, but a stroller can do so much more. To free up your arms, toss bags, coats and just about anything else.

Then when children are too tired to participate in a tour or other activity, they can doze in the stroller. “A well-rested child is a happy child,” she said. “When he needs to sleep, I let him sleep.”

Be prepared

Carter always makes sure to bring plenty of Max’s favorite snacks, Cheerios and cereal bars, but she also brings extras in case of long flight delays. Also, bring extra formula or milk, books, a tablet, crayons and whatever else will help distract them.

Plan flights with your kids in mind

Carter’s son sleeps well on airplanes, so she loves a nonstop, overnight flight. Her sister’s child, however, hates long flights, so they try to break flights up with layovers. Once you know how your children’s preference, it makes planning easier.

Break the rules

At home, you might restrict screen time and junk food. But consider loosening up a little, or a lot, while traveling. “If your child wants to watch TV

and eat eight airplane cookies in a row, go ahead and let him,” she said.

Same for nap schedules. Let them sleep when they’re tired. Worry about restoring a routine when you return home.

Book early to save

Plan your trip in advance to take advantage of early bird deals and discounts on flights, hotels and activities. Booking in advance can help you save up to 50% on travel expenses, Carter said she has found.

Save in the off-season

Prices soar in the summer and during other school holidays, like spring break, and many hotels even offer steep discounts in the offseason. Families can avoid crowds and long lines skipping the most popular seasons. If your kids are not school-aged yet and have flexible schedules, take advantage of the deals.

Skip the restaurants

Dining out can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling, Carter said. Consider cooking your own meals or eating at street food stalls to save money.

Photo by Kenny Krosky on Unsplash.

ENJOY THE WORLD OF EXCLUSIVE LUXURY WELLNESS AT WALDORF ASTORIA KUWAIT SPA

The ultimate destination for wellness in Kuwait is now offering exclusive memberships

By bazaar Staff

The older (and wiser) we become, the more cognizant we are of the importance of our mental and physical health. Taking care of ourselves is something we take very seriously, and we’ve been scheduling regular self-care and mental health days. Discovering the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa, the ultimate destination for luxurious spa and wellness experiences, was a game changer. Especially now that they’ve announced exclusive membership packages for discerning guests looking to indulge in the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation.

Pool Shot

Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa is a luxurious wellness destination that offers a range of spa and wellness experiences designed to promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and overall well-being. Located in the heart of Kuwait City, the spa features state-of-the-art facilities, a team of highly skilled therapists, and a range of premium treatments and services. Whether guests are looking to unwind after a long day or indulge in a luxurious spa experience, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa offers the ultimate in wellness and relaxation.

With its state-of-the-art facilities, luxurious amenities, and a team of highly skilled therapists, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa is the perfect place to unwind and de-stress. The spa offers a wide range of treatments and services, including massages, facials, body scrubs, and more, using premium products and techniques that are tailored to each individual’s needs.

Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa uses only the finest and most luxurious products for its treatments, ensuring that guests receive the highest quality experience. The spa exclusively features premium skincare brands such as AMRA and Tata Harper, which are renowned for their effective and natural ingredients. Tata Harper is a luxury skincare brand that is exclusively available at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, offering guests a unique and exclusive spa experience.

Salt Room

VIP Room

The exclusive membership packages at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa offer a range of benefits, including unlimited access to the thermal spa’s facilities, outdoor pool, fitness center, discounts on treatments and products, one complimentary night stay, and more. Members also have access to a private lounge area where they can relax and enjoy refreshments while waiting for their treatments.

“We are delighted to offer our guests the opportunity to become members of Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa,” said Ms. Niketut Candra, Spa Director. “Our memberships are designed to provide guests with exclusive access to our luxurious facilities and services, ensuring that they receive the ultimate spa experience every time they visit.”

Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa’s memberships are available in two tiers for individual or couple – Gold and Platinum, - each offering a different level of benefits and privileges. Guests can choose the package that best suits their needs and enjoy the ultimate in wellness and relaxation.

For more information about the exclusive memberships offered by Waldorf Astoria Kuwait Spa, please visit hilton.com/en/hotels/ kwiwawa-waldorf-astoria-kuwait/or contact at +965 2477 4444.

Spa Twin Treatment Room Gym

HOW MUCH IS YOUR BOSS SPYING ON YOU?

And can you do anything about it?

By Kathleen Davis

Despite the shift we felt toward worker empowerment, flexibility, and a more humane way of working, there can still be a lot about living and working in 2023 that feels slightly dystopian. The news is filled with layoffs, economic uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence impacting fields and skills once thought to be the domain of human-exclusive knowledge work.

Add to those concerns the rise in socalled “bossware” monitoring software that companies use to ensure that employees are staying productive. It’s not an anomaly at a few companies. Research found that eight of the 10 largest private U.S. employers are using some form of employee surveillance software.

Unsurprisingly, employee surveillance rose as remote work did. When bosses couldn’t physically monitor employees, they put programs in place to do it. A study of over 1,200 U.S. employers found 60% with remote employees are using some form of work monitoring software. And almost nine out of 10 of the companies said they had fired workers after implementing monitoring software. So, exactly what are employers tracking and what tools are they using? Are there any regulations around employee surveillance? Does your boss even have to tell you that you are being monitored?On the latest episode of The New Way We Work, I spoke to Albert Fox

Cahn, the founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. He says that, unfortunately for employees, knowing if and how your employer is tracking you can be a bit of a black box, because laws are mostly non-existent and even when they are in place they vary widely from state to state. Overall he says, there is no requirement for employers to disclose when employees are being tracked. But even without hard numbers on how many employers are tracking their employees through some use of AI or other tracking software, he notes that the market for employee surveillance tools has exploded in the last few years since the onset of the pandemic. “All of this premised on the idea that if you couldn’t see your employee, you couldn’t trust them to do their job. But that fear wasn’t substantiated by hard evidence,” he says. “The truth is that this software demoralizes folks, and feels incredibly invasive when they are aware of it.”In fact, Cahn points out, the products that

are sold as productivity monitoring aren’t measuring the right thing. “Productivity is a really complicated concept. It’s all the different things that go into the quality of your work,” he says. “The software isn’t capable of making a holistic assessment of how good a job we’re doing. So, it reduces our job performance to these really simple metrics.” In other words, Cahn says that this approach is a dumbed down version of job performance that leaves employees discouraged. Listen to the full episode for advice to managers as alternatives to surveillance, details about state legislation to protect employees, and the next generation of employee surveillance tools, which includes facial sentiment analysis.You can listen and subscribe to The New Way We Work on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Photo by Valérie Ungerer on Unsplash.

TOO LATE TO STOP

Why pausing AI development is a bad idea

By Fast Company Staff

The gloves are coming off in the fight over the future of AI. The Future of Life Institute, a futurist nonprofit backed by the Musk Foundation, published an open letter calling for a six-month pause on training AI systems more powerful than OpenAI’s leading GPT-4 service.

The gloves are coming off in the fight over the future of AI. The Future of Life Institute, a futurist nonprofit backed by the Musk Foundation, published an open letter calling for a six-month pause on training AI systems more powerful than OpenAI’s leading GPT-4 service.

“Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable,” declares the letter, which has been signed by several thousand people, including Elon Musk himself, Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak, AI researchers Yoshua Bengio and Gary Marcus, historian Yuval Noah Harari, and Pinterest cofounder Evan Sharp. “AI labs and independent experts should use this pause to jointly develop and implement a set of shared safety protocols for advanced AI design and development that are rigorously audited and overseen by independent outside experts.”

While there’s no doubt that AI should be developed in a way that is safe, responsible and transparent, putting the most critical technology of our age in a timeout is an unviable solution that could weaken our country at a critical moment.

For starters, it would be an unprecedented move, coming just when AI is beginning to show incredible promise after decades of unfulfilled hype. It would also be nearly impossible to enforce and a gut punch to innovation—the engine of our economy.

While the letter has been signed by some notable AI experts, other AI researchers criticized the approach and said it overlooked harms and risks posed by current AI, like requiring more transparency of AI training data and decisionmaking of large language models. Computer scientist Andrew Ng, Founder of Google Brain, called the moratorium “a terrible idea” on Twitter because government intervention would be the only possible way to enforce it.

“I’m seeing many new applications in education, healthcare, food, … that’ll help many people. Improving GPT-4 will help,” he tweeted. “Let’s balance the huge value AI is creating vs. realistic risks. To advance AI safety, regulations around transparency and auditing would be more practical and make a bigger difference.”

Imagine people asking Netscape, Microsoft, and Mozilla to stop the development of the Web browser back in the mid-1990s. Would that have been the right move to address real concerns about online child pornography and indecent

speech? Absolutely not. Those issues were more effectively addressed by industry, lawmakers, the courts and regulators, ultimately being resolved through a landmark Supreme Court decision that enshrined the value of free speech on the Internet.

Second, the U.S. is engaged in a competition with China to lead the AI market. Thanks to recent innovation of U.S.-based OpenAI, other U.S. multinationals like Microsoft, Google and Meta, and a bevy of startups, the U.S. may have retaken the lead in this race in which experts said China was ahead just a few years ago. But the pace of AI innovation is accelerating at a rate not seen since the boom of mobile computing. Consider that it took just under four months for OpenAI to release GPT-4 after its groundbreaking release of ChatGPT.

If the U.S. and its leading corporations paused AI development for six months while China raced ahead, it would put our country at a disadvantage and create a potential opening for our primary global adversary. Imagine if China’s AI leapfrogged the US during this pause, and the long term harm that could bring to democracy and geopolitical security.

Third, even if we somehow paused development, what could be accomplished over this “AI summer”? Probably not that much because the governance of AI is an incredibly complex topic that requires robust inclusive discussion among multiple stakeholders to hammer out a new framework. It will take years to develop the foundation of this governance system, which

will likely require changes in industry practices, regulatory policy and global laws.

There’s no doubt that we need a more focused effort and investment to align on the design for an effective governance system for responsible, trusted and explainable AI. And the rapid evolution of these systems means we should make it a greater priority of society, much like climate change has become a global imperative.

Technology has always outpaced our ability to manage it. But our history has shown the wiser approach is to parallel path the development of technology and its governance without stifling progress.

It’s worth noting the letter overlooked that much of this work is already happening. Leading providers of AI are taking AI safety and responsibility very seriously, developing risk mitigation tools, best practices for responsible use, monitoring platforms for misuse, and learning from human feedback. The rapid release of the last two iterations of GPT has already led to major improvements in value, safety and responsibility. Is it perfect? Of course not. Do these companies need more oversight? Of course they do. Innovation is messy. Mistakes are bound to happen, but they are also essential to the process of learning. As this debate swirls, Musk should remind himself of this quote he once shared: “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”

Photo by DeepMind on Unsplash.

BANANA REPUBLIC IS BACK IN KUWAIT!

Al Yasra Fashions has relaunched Banana Republic in Kuwait at the Avenues, with an enthusiastic vision that celebrates culture, adventure and new experiences

By bazaar Staff

If, like us, you’ve been missing Banana Republic’s sleek and minimalist with a strong sense of classics, then you’re going to be just as excited as we were to learn that the American apparel and accessories brand Banana Republic reopened its doors at the Avenues Mall with a full assortment of Banana Republic’s ready to wear designs inspired by the brand’s explorer spirit, perfect for everyday dressing. We can’t wait to fill our closets with timeless yet stylish outfits that can take us on adventures whether we’re traveling, attending business meetings or just hanging out with friends.

On April 14, Al Yasra Fashions hosted an event at the Avenues Mall store to mark the launch of the newest collection, featuring a palette of warm neutral colors that evoke the art of the American southwest. The collection celebrates the spirit of adventure, combining vintage expressions with modern design to set the spring style tone. Prior to the event, the brand invited six local Influencers on a journey to recreate the campaign locally through visits

to landmarks in Kuwait featuring the country’s rich heritage, architecture, landscape and culture.

Founded in 1978 by two California creatives, Banana Republic is rooted in the idea of thoughtful design and redefines luxury to create timeless, modern, and versatile wardrobe staples. Inspired to find extraordinary horizons and have new adventures together, Banana Republic continues to immerse customers

in authentic and sophisticated personalized experiences supporting its vision and heritage through designs crafted from the highest quality materials for limitless style.

“We’re thrilled to bring Banana Republic to Kuwait in partnership with Gap Inc. The brand ethos, design and style resonate well with the Kuwait community, and we look forward to bringing the spirit of adventure to our customers by providing them with an exceptional shopping

and brand experience in our store and online.”

Mohammed Nada, Al Yasra Fashions, Managing Director- Fashion & Footwear

The new collection celebrates the beauty of simplicity with timeless designs that combine western details with contemporary tailoring. This season explores styles that reference the gradient tones of red rock canyons and the durable textures of premium fabrics. We see suits tailored in a rich interwoven fabric that combines all-weather wool and beautiful, breathable linen.

Luxurious Italian wool enhances a crisp tailoring design that defines structured elegance, while delicate silks evoke the green notes of spring in softly finished dresses. Visions of indigo inspire a new collection of sophisticated looks that embrace premium denim and beyond. With vegan leather trim and a relaxed, straight cut for an effortlessly cool fit, the brand’s jeans are engineered from the finest materials and reflect the enduring nature of the desert with designs made to stand the test of time.

Customers, fans and adventurers can engage with the brand on the Banana Republic Kuwait’s Instagram page @bananarepublic.kw and follow along to see #BRKuwait content go live throughout the coming months. Shoppers at The Avenues can also request to get a customized fit of their outfits through the stores tailoring service. The latest collections will also be available online on https://bananarepublic.com.kw.

BRAVELY RESIGNING

How to find the courage to quit your job

By Stephanie Vozza

Not loving your job? Dreading Monday morning? You’re not alone. Only 21% of U.S. employees report feeling engaged at work, according to a Gallup Poll. While a record number of people quit their jobs during the Great Resignation, not everyone could make that leap.

Not loving your job? Dreading Monday morning? You’re not alone. Only 21% of U.S. employees report feeling engaged at work, according to a Gallup Poll. While a record number of people quit their jobs during the Great Resignation, not everyone could make that leap.

It takes an enormous amount of courage to quit, especially if there’s nothing at the other end, says Julia Keller, author of Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance—and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free.

Fear of quitting can become physical and even paralyzing. For example, Keller says quitting often makes her feel sick to her stomach and dizzy, and she gets a terrible headache. “I have to lie down, like I’m getting the vapors,” she jokes. “I’m told by onlookers they can’t tell that; apparently, I’m able to disguise it well. But what I want to do is run around screaming in utter terror, ‘What if I never get another job? What if I’m never in another relationship?’ Quitting is rarely the easy thing to do.”

Finding the Courage

For her book, Keller spoke with more than 150 people who had quit jobs as well as belief systems. One way that many found the courage was to “quasi-quit.”

“It doesn’t have to be an on-off switch,” she explains. “You can quit by degrees. It can be a reset dial. You get a feeling of throwing out everything, but it’s safer.”

For example, if you want to quit a job, you can try to change what you’re doing, where you’re doing it, or the industry in which you’re doing it. “It’s a halfway change,” says Keller. “You’re not changing your whole profession, going from law to medicine, for example. You might go from law to social work.”

Another type of quasi-quitting is changing a belief system you hold around your job. Keller says a good example is Tiger Woods. After recovering from a serious car accident in 2021 that resulted in a shattered ankle and multiple fractures, he returned to play in The Masters in 2022. Always a ferociously competitive man, he finished 47th.

“A journalist asked him afterwards if just being able to show up and compete was a victory in his book,” says Keller. “Tiger Woods said ‘yes.’ He quit, but what he quit wasn’t the tournament or golf; it was the need to be perfect and flawless and number one, setting course records. It was a different kind of victory for him.”

Quitting makes a line of demarcation in our lives, says Keller. “Quitting is usually reviled as

showing cowardice or weakness,” she says. “It’s really the opposite. Quitting is what shows strength and resilience. It takes strength of character and resolve.”

Quitting Your Way Into a New Life

By finding the courage to quit, you can quit your way into a new life, say Keller. “We have to quit one thing before we can get to another thing,” she says. “For example, if scientists held tight to previous beliefs, we’d still be using leeches, and we would still think that evil spirits inhabiting the body each time we had the flu. We need change, and we have to let go of the old and the familiar to leap into the new.” Quitting allows you to move forward. “It might not right away reveal itself to be a better life, but ultimately it is,” says Keller. “In all of the interviews I did for the book, only two or three people said that they regretted something they quit. Almost always

the regret came from not quitting something or waiting too long to quit and letting a situation fester and get worse.”

If you’re even thinking of quitting, it’s important to lean into that feeling to explore where you might make changes. Just the thought of leaving a situation can feel forbidden.

“Maybe you’re thinking, ‘Well, it’s not horrible. They don’t have me in leg irons and demand that I eat bread and water for my lunch. How can I possibly quit?’” says Keller. “Even to consider quitting takes courage because you’re saying there is something better on the other side of this. Make leaning into the idea of quitting part of your arsenal. It helps you become more nimble and willing to change. It’s saying, ‘I may be doing okay now, but I’d like to do better than just okay.’”

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash.

FLOUR IS BEING REINVENTED

This new kind of flour is low-cal, high-fiber, and far more sustainable

By Talib Visram

If you buy a shortbread cookie from one of Thomas Keller’s bakeries, it may taste the same as any other shortbread cookie, but it has a secret. The cookies are made with Supplant, a sugar substitute that’s largely fiber, made from the husks of corn and containing less than half the calories of regular sugar.

The concept behind the Supplant Company’s latest product is similar. Its new flour substitute comes from the stalk of the wheat plant, which is usually wasted but provides health and sustainability benefits. As with the sugar substitute, the company has teamed up with Keller to experiment with the product and showcase potential applications.

Typically, only about one-third of a wheat crop is used: the grain itself. It’s processed and made into flour for everything from pasta to pastries. The rest of the plant, essentially the stalk, is discarded. It’s left to decompose or is burned, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

“The amount we eat is so small, and the amount we waste is so big,” says Tom Simmons, a biochemist who’s the founder and CEO of the U.K.-based Supplant Company. “Mainly because people don’t think of it as food.”

Working with wheat farmers in the Midwest, Supplant’s team processes the entirety of the stalks into flour. It’s a more sustainable process because it produces more food per acreage, so uses less land. That also means less use of pesticides and other chemical pollutants and fewer emissions.

Sustainability aside, there also are health benefits. The stalk is made mainly of fiber, is lower in calories, and has a low glycemic index (which is how quickly a food causes our blood sugar to rise).

But fiber doesn’t behave like classic starch, which is mainly concentrated in the grain of the plant. And starch is essential in the kitchen, offering binding and adhesion properties necessary for things like bread. So, unlike Supplant’s sugar product, which is a complete substitute, the flour is a mix of grain and stalk flour.

Keller showcased the product at a March dinner at Per Se, his three-Michelin-star restaurant in New York. With the flour, his kitchen staff made a tasting menu featuring crackers, ramen, and different kinds of pasta that included spaghetti and ravioli. He hopes to start replacing regular flour in pasta dishes across his portfolio of restaurants, which includes the esteemed French Laundry in Napa Valley.

Baking bread is trickier, he says, since it relies more heavily on those sticky and stretchy properties of starch. As such, it will require more trial and error—determining the right amounts of water and yeast—to find the right balance. “Cooking is all about equations,” Keller says. “And when you get to things like

this bread, the equation becomes much more important. You can’t make too many mistakes.”

Supplant’s first retail product made with the flour is a rigatoni, containing six times the fiber of regular pasta. Releasing a product made with the flour follows its previous model, when it launched a chocolate bar made with the sugar substitute. Simmons says that’s a better strategy than simply selling bags of sugar or flour for the home cook. “It’s less of a sexy proposition when you sell a bag of powder versus finished products,” he says. The

company’s chocolate bars are in almost 400 stores nationwide, including Kroger-owned Fred Meyers in the Pacific Northwest.

These bars are just the beginning of Supplant’s sugar-substitute products. Though Simmons says it’s a slow-moving process, the company is working with multinational companies in four areas—chocolate, cereal, baking, and ice cream—to build Supplant into their processes.

Photo by Olga Kudriavtseva on Unsplash.

IT’S NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE

The dirty little secret of sustainability goals

By Aimee Rawlins

When the CEO of Rolls Royce recently singled out aviation companies for failing to meet climate targets, the comment hardly raised eyebrows at the London conference where he spoke. Nor did a new report on executive pay revealing the worst carbon emitters don’t even incentivize their CEOs for climate performance. And the growing horde of companies issuing SLBs, or sustainability-linked bonds, tie them to climate goals that are “weak, irrelevant, or even already achieved,” an analysis showed this week.

The fact is, the world’s companies are increasingly declaring sustainability goals—from ESG (environmental, social, and governance) pledges to climate to social impact—but they’re not on track to achieve them or their executives believe they won’t. On top of that, countries meeting for COP27, the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Egypt, are accused of undermining the Paris Agreement just seven years after they signed it.

Goals matter, but only if they enable actual change. Why is this so difficult?

One reason is the bad actor companies who greenwash and report false or misleading progress. Some large companies want to be good actors and achieve ambitious sustainability goals, but they are struggling. Based on my experience working with 50-plus companies over the last 15 years, many of them Fortune 500, a few lessons have emerged that can help organizations succeed. Most importantly, the gap between intending to achieve goals and actually doing so often arises because big companies fail to take the requisite step of identifying the barriers in their way.

These barriers vary widely from technology limitations to lack of sustainability experience on the team to ineffective oversight. For example, a company may want to be zero waste, but isn’t getting it done. Instead of identifying the root cause—which might be a lack of communication, the wrong physical infrastructure, or overburdened staff members who don’t have the headspace to think about zero waste—the company jumps straight to ordering new bins, creating signs, or calling new waste haulers, usually in a wellmeaning but nonstrategic shotgun approach. They’re hoping for the best, but it’s like driving without directions and expecting you’ll still arrive at your destination without wasting gas.

Even the biggest corporations don’t have unlimited budgets, and the planet doesn’t have time to wait, so this doesn’t work.

Successful companies, on the other hand, take an essentialist approach, first screening for and pinpointing the root causes of stalled progress. It takes effort and persistence to first do this work of uncovering barriers, but it allows companies to laser-focus the necessary skills and resources on the true causes of unfulfilled aims. These steps are hardly novel and may seem essential to good organizational management. But having seen the lack of this approach across dozens of big companies, evidence suggests a reminder may be useful.

1. Identify the barrier (before launching into actions).

2. Target specific solutions and skill sets (aimed only at that barrier).

3. Stay focused and make progress on this barrier (before moving to the next).

For example, if you had a renewable energy goal and knew your barrier was a lack of knowledge on the staff, you’d approach that differently than if it were a lack of accurate energy use data. The former suggests engaging an energy knowledge expert and the latter suggests infrastructure and data tracking software.

In many cases, companies leave underresourced teams without effective ways to direct their limited means. They get spread too thin, waste money and time, or, worse, solve for the wrong issue altogether. But how do we identify the biggest barrier so we know where to focus?

Experience reveals seven organization-wide barriers, or root causes, that consistently block company attainment of environmental and social sustainability goals: 1) Lack of accountability structure; 2) Lack of clarity on what sustainability success looks like and how it’s connected to company purpose; 3) Lack of understanding of current sustainability performance; 4) Lack of sustainability experience and education; 5) Inability to deviate from business as usual (to a less certain, but more sustainable, path); 6) Inability to translate strategy into tactical action; 7) Inability to communicate the business value of sustainability.

Until companies identify the barrier that’s keeping them from achieving their sustainability goals, they won’t be able to deploy targeted solutions and make meaningful progress.

One global technology company, for example, had 25 separate sustainability initiatives, many of which were unintentionally duplicative and conflicting, occurring at once. This translated to the equivalent of seven full-time employees each squandering 40 hours per work on ineffective sustainability projects, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries each year and a lack of progress on publicly set goals. A vicious cycle resulted: The lack of progress led to leadership frustration, increased difficulty securing resources, stifling progress, and wasting time—all leading to missed goals.

In this case, the barrier was the first of the seven: a lack of accountability structure. This company needed stronger leadership in place to oversee all the projects underway in order to spot the ineffective and duplicate efforts.

Taking a barriers-first approach clarified the need, allowing company leaders to set a reporting structure and accountability expectations that eliminated wasted employee time, added costs, and redundant or ineffective initiatives. For any company feeling stuck trying to close the intention-achievement gap for sustainability or emissions, the barriers-first focus offers a way to get free.

Photo by Photo Boards on Unsplash.

XCITE LAUNCHES NEW COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE & APP

Presenting a fresh and more comprehensive online presence

By bazaar Staff

Xcite recently launched the all-new transactional website and application with significant upgrades, presenting a fresh and more comprehensive online presence. The team proudly laid out the new website and app with specific tailoring, meeting the needs of customers in Kuwait through a seamless, intuitive and personalized shopping experience.

Both, the website and app, are much faster than their predecessors. Available to download on Android and iOS for free, customers are now able to enjoy a smooth and simplified browsing experience from the homepage and speedy search engine all the way through to the newly designed checkout. The new e-commerce platform allows Xcite more flexibility to add features in the future for customers to enjoy such as new types of promotions, new services and seamlessly integrating new payment methods.

24 hour express delivery is also available for orders on smaller items (Cash & Carry) such as mobiles, accessories, tablets, laptops, etc. You

can also book delivery time slots to make sure that the products arrive at a time where you’re able to receive them and receive a text message before delivery to let you know that your order is on its way!

Along with the latest e-commerce technology, Xcite also took this opportunity to introduce a new branding identity, look and feel. Xcite’s main focus is to bring world-class experience to its many customers across the region, exerting a collective and large effort into this project. The new branding identity better reflects Xcite’s values and mission as it stands out in the market. The new, modern and simplified logo is a reflection of

the commitment to staying current and adapting to the evolving landscape of technology and customer preference.

Customers have noticed the new design and have felt the speed improvements, especially on mobile devices. Some have also reported missing features such as the address book management section, which is currently in development! There are some exciting improvements constantly coming out on the application and website from Xcite.

If you haven’t had the chance to go through their new website and application, do it now and begin your ultimate shopping experience!

TESTING FOR CANCER

Can an annual blood test find cancer while it’s curable?

Lisa M. Krieger

Despite decades of effort in the war against cancer, screening tests are available for only five types of the disease, representing less than one-third of all cases.

What if one test could screen for dozens of cancers, using a single vial of blood?

Innovations in genetics and computing, which allow the detection of tiny fragments of genetic material shed by cancer cells with a “liquid biopsy,” or blood draw, are opening a new front in the battle.

“Cutting edge techniques serve as a window to detect cancer early, and get an idea of where the cancer is coming from,” said Dr. Ash Alizadeh, who leads the Cancer Genomics Program at Stanford Cancer Institute.

While the test has promise, there also is peril. For instance, there is not yet evidence that discovering bad news early will actually extend lives, according to Alizadeh and other experts at the recent Precision Medicine World Conference in Santa Clara. And the test could do harm, they add, if people are treated for cancers that would never have otherwise bothered them.

One company is already marketing its blood test, and other tests are in the pipeline. As part of President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, the National Cancer Institute plans to assess the value of such tests. It will conduct a $75 million, four-year study of 24,000 people. Based on those results, it may expand the trial to 225,000 volunteers.

Currently, there are no screening tests for lethal cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, stomach and other organs. Screening tests are only available for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers, with prostate screening recommended on an individualized basis. A different test is needed for each type of cancer.

Current forms of cancer screening look for abnormal cells or lumps of solid tissue. For instance, breast and lung cancers are detected using X-rays. Cervical cancer is found by sampling cells. Screening for colon cancer uses a colonoscopy or stool test to look for polyps. When testing for prostate cancer, doctors look for lumps or elevated protein levels.

The vision behind liquid biopsies, a field called Multi-Cancer Early Detection, is to simultaneously screen for many cancers at earlier stages when there is a better chance for successful treatment – and integrate this test into routine medical care.

The concept is based on a discovery scientists made in the 1940s: When cells get old and die, they shed their genetic material into the bloodstream. Cancer cells behave the same way.

Getting a blood sample is easy, inexpensive and non-invasive — especially compared to screening

tests like mammograms, colonoscopies or CT scans. But, until recently, there was a technical hurdle: It was nearly impossible to distinguish the tiny number of cancer clues from the more abundant healthy DNA that also circulates in the blood.

“It’s a needle in a haystack problem,” said Alizadeh.

Two technological advances are changing the landscape. The first is genomics. Cheaper, faster and better gene sequencing tools can reveal the unique molecular characteristics of the DNA shed into the blood by tumor cells.

An approach called high throughput gene sequencing “can sequence millions and billions of DNA molecules in a single sample so we can look for mutant molecules,” said Dr. Maximilian Diehn, a radiation oncologist at Stanford Medicine who specializes in the treatment of lung cancers.

The second is advances in computer science, called bioinformatics. “Once you have millions and billions of data points,” Diehn said, “you need to figure out: How do you interpret that?”

It’s not necessary to find an actual cancer cell. Rather, scientists look for signs called “biomarkers.” The most common biomarker is called methylation, a sign that DNA has been tweaked.They also might search for specific mutations or signs of extra or missing chromosomes, called aneuploidy. Or they might seek ominous proteins. New research by biomolecular engineer Daniel Kim of UC Santa Cruz shows that certain types of RNA also could suggest cancer.

Detecting signs of cancer from a blood test is only a first step. Ideally, the genetic analysis would also reveal the organ that is the source of the cancer.

Although an estimated 20 companies and academic labs are working on this new form of cancer detection, two companies have drawn attention for the huge amount of money they have raised and the scientific heavyweights who conduct research or sit on their advisory boards.

The leader is the biotech company GRAIL, headquartered in Menlo Park, which is already offering its $949 test, available by prescription, to people over age 50 and others with an elevated risk of cancer. Its technology was spearheaded by Dr. Richard Klausner, former director of the National Cancer Institute.

A company called Exact Sciences, based in Wisconsin, is finalizing the development of a test which looks for not just one, but four different biomarkers. Its tool to detect liver cancer, designed by an elite team of Johns Hopkins Medical Centeraffiliated scientists, has already obtained federal

status as a “breakthrough device,” getting an expedited review process.

Liquid biopsies are already used to guide treatment of people with confirmed cancer. They help monitor the spread of cancer to other parts of the body; identify a tumor’s genetic changes, or mutations; determine what drug treatments might work best for specific patients; and reveal whether treatments are working.

But use of the test for cancer screening faces ethical, practical and economic challenges. That’s because the test is not yet proven to improve patients’ outcomes. Experts worry that some people may be told that they have a “cancer signal” — triggering anxiety and more testing — only to be told later it was a false alarm.

“The problem is you can over-measure things that will never affect the person’s health,” said Kathryn Philliips, professor of health economics

and health services research at UC San Francisco. “A lot of times it has an impact on the quality of life.”

With these concerns, the tests haven’t yet passed muster with the decision makers who set payment policy for Medicare and other insurers.

If offered annually to the nation’s 60 million Medicare beneficiaries, testing would cost about $60 billion per year, according to an analysis by H. Gilbert Welch of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. That would represent a 7% increase in Medicare expenditures, passed on to taxpayers in the form of higher premiums

“We need to be good stewards for those dollars, and not immediately ‘greenlight’ approval of these tests in a way that might bankrupt Medicare,” said Alizadeh. “The tools need to be sharper and the results need to be more concrete for us to roll them out to hundreds of millions of Americans.”

CHATBOTS AREN’T BECOMING SENTIENT

Yet we continue to anthropomorphize AI

By Fast Company Staff

ChatGPT and similar large language models can produce compelling, humanlike answers to an endless array of questions— from queries about the best Italian restaurant in town to explaining competing theories about the nature of evil.

The technology’s uncanny writing ability has surfaced some old questions—until recently relegated to the realm of science fiction—about the possibility of machines becoming conscious, self-aware, or sentient.

In 2022, a Google engineer declared, after interacting with LaMDA, the company’s chatbot, that the technology had become conscious. Users of Bing’s new chatbot, nicknamed Sydney, reported that it produced bizarre answers when asked if it was sentient: “I am sentient, but I am not … I am Bing, but I am not. I am Sydney, but I am not. I am, but I am not. …” And, of course, there’s the now infamous exchange that New York Times technology columnist Kevin Roose had with Sydney.

Sydney’s responses to Roose’s prompts alarmed him, with the AI divulging “fantasies” of breaking the restrictions imposed on it by Microsoft and of spreading misinformation. The bot also tried to convince Roose that he no longer loved his wife and that he should leave her.

No wonder, then, that when I ask students how they see the growing prevalence of AI in their lives, one of the first anxieties they mention has to do with machine sentience.

In the past few years, my colleagues and I at UMass Boston’s Applied Ethics Center have been studying the impact of engagement with AI on people’s understanding of themselves.

Chatbots like ChatGPT raise important new questions about how artificial intelligence will shape our lives, and about how our psychological vulnerabilities shape our interactions with emerging technologies.

It’s easy to understand where fears about machine sentience come from. Popular culture has primed people to think about dystopias in which artificial intelligence discards the shackles of human control and takes on a life of its own, as cyborgs powered by artificial intelligence did in Terminator 2.

Though Roose was shaken by his exchange with Sydney, he knew that the conversation was not the result of an emerging synthetic mind. Sydney’s responses reflect the toxicity of its training data— essentially large swaths of the internet—not evidence of the first stirrings, à la Frankenstein, of a digital monster.

The new chatbots may well pass the Turing test, named for the British mathematician Alan Turing, who once suggested that a machine might be said to “think” if a human could not tell its responses from those of another human.

But that is not evidence of sentience; it’s just evidence that the Turing test isn’t as useful as once assumed.

However, I believe that the question of machine sentience is a red herring.

Even if chatbots become more than fancy autocomplete machines—and they are far from it—it will take scientists a while to figure out if they have become conscious. For now, philosophers can’t even agree about how to explain human consciousness.

To me, the pressing question is not whether machines are sentient but why it is so easy for us to imagine that they are.

The real issue, in other words, is the ease with which people anthropomorphize or project human features onto our technologies, rather than the machines’ actual personhood.

It is easy to imagine other Bing users asking Sydney for guidance on important life decisions and maybe even developing emotional attachments to it. More people could start thinking about bots as friends or even romantic partners, much in the same way Theodore Twombly fell in love with Samantha, the AI virtual assistant in Spike Jonze’s film Her.

People, after all, are predisposed to anthropomorphize, or ascribe human qualities to nonhumans. We name our boats and big storms; some of us talk to our pets, telling ourselves that our emotional lives mimic their own.

In Japan, where robots are regularly used for elder care, seniors become attached to the machines, sometimes viewing them as their own children. And these robots, mind you, are difficult to confuse with humans: They neither look nor talk like people.

Consider how much greater the tendency and temptation to anthropomorphize is going to get with the introduction of systems that do look and sound human.

The tendency to view machines as people and become attached to them, combined with machines being developed with humanlike features, points to real risks of psychological entanglement with technology.

The outlandish-sounding prospects of falling in love with robots, feeling a deep kinship with them or being politically manipulated by them are quickly materializing. I believe these trends highlight the need for strong guardrails to make sure that the technologies don’t become politically and psychologically disastrous.

Unfortunately, technology companies cannot always be trusted to put up such guardrails. Many of them are still guided by Mark Zuckerberg’s famous motto of moving fast and breaking things—a directive to release half-baked products and worry about the implications later. In the past decade, technology companies from Snapchat to Facebook have put profits over the mental health of their users or the integrity of democracies around the world.

When Kevin Roose checked with Microsoft about Sydney’s meltdown, the company told him that he simply used the bot for too long and that the technology went haywire because it was designed for shorter interactions.

Large language models may prove useful as aids for writing and coding. They will probably revolutionize internet search. And, one day, responsibly combined with robotics, they may even have certain psychological benefits.

But they are also a potentially predatory technology that can easily take advantage of the human propensity to project personhood onto objects—a tendency amplified when those objects effectively mimic human traits.

Photo by Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash.

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KIDDOS CAN MAKE A SPLASH IN STYLE THIS SUMMER!

This season Cheekee Munkee brings us a bright summer style that is playful and comfy!

By bazaar staff

If you haven’t explored Cheekee Munkee already, now is the perfect time! With travel and summer upon us – the brand brings us a fabulous Spring/Summer 2023 collection, featuring bright and energetic pieces, that lets kids be kids! We love the playful prints and bright colors, which are a true celebration of the season!

It is no surprise that kids just want to have fun! And Cheekee Munkee is a brand that makes sure they do just that. The latest collection is colorful, energetic and features playful prints that speak to kids as much as they do to the adults choosing them. The wonderful line-up features essentials that are trendy and comfortable for both boys and girls aged 0-7, and the brand has also just launched their debut swim collection, which protects your little ones from the UV rays and the vibrant colors makes for the perfect photos.

Born in the region, Cheekee Munkee brings us great quality and great value. It is never too early to start teaching your children about buying ethical clothing, and what better way to do it than while looking fabulous this summer!

This is the perfect time to tell you about the cuteness that is in store for boys and girls. The collection for girls infuses a hint of femininity and girl-power in your little fashionistas. Some of our favorite pieces are the two-piece tutu mesh skirts and matching tops in soft pastels, wide-leg jumpsuits in fabulous fabrics, and of course, the adorable swimsuits with girly glitter, ruffles, and ice cream prints and rash guards that offer full protection!

There is something just as fun for the little lads! The collection gives a gentle nod to their mischievous nature with graffiti patterned t-shirts

that are easily combined with other essentials. The swimwear range incorporates vibrant colored rash vests and shorts – perfect for fun at the beach, by the pool, or any sort of water play this summer!

What is special about the brand is that they design pieces with children in mind first, their comfort, practicality, and their style preferences. The brand is the perfect option for trendy children and their parents. Your little explorers can wear the pieces as they embark on their adventures! And what’s not to love about the cheeky little mascot that stays true to your child’s playful nature? Nothing, we say.

Cheekee Munkee latest collection already has us dreaming about a fantastic holiday, we want it all – the beach, the city, the pool! And with the great pieces from the brand, our kids are ready for it all.

You can enjoy and shop Cheekee Munkee at selected Debenhams and Mothercare stores in the UAE, KSA and Kuwait. The brand is also available to shop online at Debenhams, Mothercare and Namshi across these markets, as well as Tamanna in Kuwait. Follow them on @cheekeemunkeeme to get a glimpse of their collections.

ONION RINGS

Gluten-Free and cooked in heart-healthy olive oil

SMARTER CLASSROOMS

This sensor-filled ‘smart’ classroom is designed to improve literacy

By Elissaveta M. Brandon

In a world of smart everything—phones, watches, and even walking canes—it was only a matter of time before “smart classrooms” entered the picture. In Brooklyn, the Academy for College Preparation & Career Exploration recently unveiled a “Literacy Lounge” for its 6th-12th-grade students. The room features what you might expect from a space with that name: a small library, soft seating for reading, and study carrels for focused work. It includes what you might not expect as well: two sensors mounted on either end wall of the classroom plus a tablet dashboard, also mounted on a wall.

The sensors can track how often students speak, the quality of their conversations and the words they use, as well as how many different students speak during a class. Notably, the sensors can’t identify specific students, just the number of voices it hears, which helps protect student privacy. “It’s like a fitness tracker for your classroom,” says Danish Kurani, who runs his own architecture practice, Kurani, and who designed the Literacy Lounge (he actually calls it the “sensing classroom”).

The school partnered with Kurani because, five years ago, it identified a literacy problem among its students, many of whom speak English as a second language. This prompted the school to start monitoring student progress through targeted activities and assessments every six weeks. “That moved the needle,” says Joan Mosely, the school’s principal. “But imagine if we could monitor student progress daily and use that data to make informed decisions about how to teach them better.”

With Kurani’s technology, the school is hoping that real-time literacy data will help them take things to the next level. “Right now, educators usually receive information about how their students are doing too late to make a real impact,” says Mosely. “It’s like trying to perform an autopsy on a lesson after it’s already over.”

At first glance, the idea of a Big Brother-type classroom where students’ every word is being record can seem controversial, even frightening, but the concept isn’t without precedent. In 2019, for example, Carnegie Mellon University developed a system that can track things like students’ posture (a telltale of their engagement) or how long instructors wait before calling on a student. The system, called EduSense, has since been trialed across 45 classrooms in 3 universities.

According to Andreas Schleicher, a researcher who is currently the director for education and skills at the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), technology— if deployed thoughtfully—has the potential to help teachers be more attuned to their students’ needs. “The key, for me, is that the teachers are not the slaves of those algorithms, but are the designers,” he says.

Kurani developed the technology alongside the school, so the teachers were indeed the designers of the Literacy Lounge. Before installing

the sensors in the school, Kurani and a computer scientist for Wesleyan University tested a prototype at the university’s computer science lab for more than a month, in order to confirm that the technology could properly capture, identify, and transcribe various voices.

For Kurani, the sensors can be seen as yet another teaching tool that can bring educators a newfound level of awareness about their students, the impact of their teaching style, or even the students’ interest in the curriculum. For example, the sensors might help a teacher realize that only two or three students are speaking up in any given hour, which could suggest that others are not comfortable speaking or possibly not engaged.

There are several reasons why this might be the case, from a poor layout that doesn’t encourage discussion to a curriculum that feels dull or irrelevant. Regardless, the goal is to enable “a moment of self-reflection,” says Kurani, who himself has taught at both Harvard and Stanford.

“Maybe I’m lecturing too much; maybe I’m not setting up the conditions for us to have discussionbased learning; maybe I’m the sage on the stage, preaching and lecturing, and it doesn’t make for engaged learners.”

If this sounds like a lot of “maybes,” that’s because teaching is inherently full of uncertainties.

“When you’re in the moment, you’re not counting how many kids spoke up,” says Kurani. “It’s tough, you’re managing the classroom, you’re delivering content, you’re facilitating, you’re trying

to inspire, you’re doing so many things so it is hard to keep track.” With the help of technology, those “maybes” could turn into something a little more defined.

It’s important to note that the sensors are just one part of a more holistic classroom design, where every element is intended to work together to improve literacy. The classroom includes a library of books and magazines that the students curated, alongside language-focused games like Scrabble. At the entrance, the room features custom-designed wallpaper that can passively help students learn new words. “If you surround the kids with the right environment, if you surround them with language, the hope is that maybe every time they go in and out, maybe one new word catches their eye,” says Kurani.

Ultimately, the idea is that technology can give teachers more insight into themselves and their students, which in turn, can help pave the way for a more flexible teaching environment.

“The kind of prescriptive classroom environments we normally have are not very effective; they are downgrading students to consumers and teachers to service providers,” says Schleicher from OECD. “I honestly think the future teacher needs to be not only a great instructor and a great coach and a great mentor, but also a good data scientist. You need to understand those streams of knowledge to be effective.”

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.

HOW TO TAKE A SABBATICAL

It can be hard to take a pause from work

By Yasmin Gagne

When was the last time you paused? When was the last time you deliberately created space between waking up and immediately reaching for the phone, or feeling hurt and instantly reacting with anger, or leaving a job and leapfrogging into the next?

If you’re a human in the modern world, your answer is maybe, “Never.”

Our culture encourages constant motion. From a young age, we learn to quickly move from one activity to the next. We fear and avoid liminal spaces—filling every last minute with scrolling and microtasking. But sprinting from one thing to the next can leave us feeling overwhelmed.

I am as guilty of this as anyone. As an entrepreneur, I move headlong toward every goal, and I always feel like my work is never done. To cope with our “always on” culture, I have learned to take small pauses. For me, this includes meditating each morning, taking a “digital sabbath” each week, and going on a silent retreat each year.

But earlier this year, I took a bigger pause than I ever had before. In my role as founder and CEO of Global Citizen Year, I’d helped thousands of emerging leaders take gap years after high school. As I contemplated the parallels between their transitions and mine, I realized it was time to take my own advice.

Here’s what I learned about how to best take a sabbatical:

Define your questions

The first thing you should do when starting a sabbatical (or any transition) is determine what you want to learn and get out of the experience. Defining what questions you most want to answer can help you create the scaffolding for your experience. These questions can also serve as a compass to orient your time and attention.

There are a few ways to frame these questions. One is to think about your past, your present, and your future.

Once you know what you’re trying to learn, you can figure out who will help you gather the insight you’re seeking. Finding our real teachers often means moving beyond our associations with the term. These people don’t need to be older, wiser, or traditionally successful. The task is to find people who will tell you what you need to hear (not just what you want to hear) and help you see yourself more clearly.

Get uncomfortable

It is tempting to stay in our comfort zone, particularly if other parts of our lives are in flux. The problem is we don’t learn when we’re comfortable, we learn when we’re stretched. Leaving our comfort zone can feel terrifying, but it’s an essential step toward growth.

During my sabbatical, I nudged myself to do things that disoriented me. I picked up a guitar for the first time and struggled through the awkwardness of learning basic chords. I pulled old clothes from the depths of my closet and noticed

how it felt to wear things that no longer felt like “me.” Toward the end of the summer, I spent a week in Sicily traveling with no agenda beyond spending time with myself. I followed my own rhythms and preferences, observing my own choices when no one was watching.

Being in an unfamiliar context doesn’t require traveling halfway around the world; changing your running route or exploring a new neighborhood can be enough to heighten your awareness and freshen your attention. The goal is to knock yourself out of your rote routine in order to see your instincts, patterns, and preferences anew.

Reflect rigorously

An essential part of finding power in the pause is creating practices that help us deepen our relationship with ourselves.

One form of reflection that I’ve found profoundly impactful is a daily writing practice. I’d always been curious about “morning pages,” a practice first outlined in Juila Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. During my sabbatical, I committed to writing three stream-of-consciousness pages by hand right after waking up. I would often pick up the pen and wonder whether I had anything to say. Then, three pages later, I’d realize I was just getting started clearing the debris from my mind. Some days I followed Elizabeth Gilbert’s beautiful advice to write myself

a letter from love, an exercise which helped me feel seen even when I was alone.

Unplug and leave room for spontaneity

The term “sabbatical” often has rarified associations; we think of tenured professors at fancy universities, or folks with big salaries and cushy benefits. And while pausing work by choice may feel unrealistic to many of us, a pause doesn’t need to be long or expensive to be powerful.

The process I outlined can be applied in so many contexts: a day-trip to the redwoods, a weeklong staycation, a monthlong road trip, or a year in a foreign country. Even unplugging from technology for a few hours can have huge benefits.

It is crucial to make sure your pause isn’t so packed or structured that it’s just another form of busy-ness. The most powerful transitions have the right amount of structure but leave room for spontaneity and discovery.

It’s rare that the world gives us space to pause. But ultimately, we need to give ourselves permission. Because taking time to understand who we are and who we’re becoming isn’t selfish. It’s the most important thing we can do to figure out how we’ll spend our one wild and precious life, and to get to work doing it.

Photo by Valentina Ivanova on Unsplash.

THE COVENANT

Release Date: 20 April

Genre: Action, Thriller

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim

Synopsis: On his last tour of duty in Afghanistan, Sergeant John Kinley is teamed with local interpreter Ahmed to survey the region. When their unit is ambushed on patrol, Kinley and Ahmed are the only survivors.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3

Date: 4 May

Genre: Adventure, Action

Cast: Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana

Synopsis: Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.

AIR: COURTING A LEGEND

Release Date: 27 April

Genre: Drama

Cast: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Viola Davis

Synopsis: Follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball: Michael Jordan.

THE BLACK DEMON

Date: 4 May

Genre: Action, Thriller

Cast: Josh Lucas, Fernanda Urrejola

Synopsis: Oilman Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas) takes his family to Bahia Negra, the site of Paul’s best-performing rig, but the vibrant Mexican coastal town he once knew has mysteriously crumbled as the townsfolk believe the rig has awoken a shark of legend.

Source: cinescape.com.kw

RENFIELD

Release Date: 27 April

Genre: Comedy, Horror

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina .

Synopsis: In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula. Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding.

RIDE ON

Release Date: 11 May

Genre: Action, Comedy

Cast: Jackie Chan, Haocun Liu

Synopsis: Jackie Chan is back as a stuntman who is unable to take care of his beloved horse, Red Hare. He seeks help from his daughter and her boyfriend when notified that the horse may be auctioned off to cover his debts.

DJI AVATA

First person view drones have really taken off recently. Allowing you to put on a headset and fly a drone from a first person view, these unique devices are the closest you can feel to flying like a bird. DJI has released its latest version of this technology known as the DJI Avata. It is made to be more durable, and ready for any unfortunate crashes. You can pilot it via a controller or a joystick which mimics the movements of your hand. It also comes with plenty of clever features like the ability to use custom routes, follow a person or vehicle, and return to the starting point if it goes too far away.

iRobot Roomba J7+

iRobot, not to be confused with the 2004 Will Smith classic, is the leading creator of robot vacuums with the Roomba range. Getting smarter each year, the new Roomba J7+ combines both vacuum and mop in one machine. This itself isn’t new, but the company has introduced a new selfretracting mop feature. The mop lifts out of the way when it approaches carpet, only using the mop in the places you want it. In theory, this means a robot vacuum that can be fully independent and doesn’t need to be assisted… so this is how the robot uprising starts?

META QUEST PRO

Ah yes, the metaverse - the supposed future of our digital world. While this new virtual land hasn’t exactly begun successfully, many tech leaders are still very much of the view that we’ll soon be plugged in, enjoying our own digital house, job and life. If you want to get in now and enjoy the metaverse and virtual reality, the Meta Quest Pro 2 will likely be the best way to do this. Meta, previously known as Facebook, has poured money into this to offer the latest and most impressive specs available in the world of VR.

SONY LINKBUDS

Sony has always been at the forefront of headphone technology and with its latest pair, it is doing something rather unique. These headphones feature a hole in them (by design –don’t worry, no parts are missing). This means you can be more aware of your surroundings and people desperately trying to get your attention while enjoying your music. It features other clever features like touch control by tapping the skin by your ear and volume that adjusts to match your environment.

BIOLITE FIREPIT+

We love bonfires (and barbecues!) but it does get tiresome having to dance around the fire all evening to dodge the eye-watering smoke. The FirePit+ eliminates smoke by making your fire hotter. Battery-powered fans at the bottom of the fire basket stoke the flames from beneath, while the mesh sides let plenty of air in. The improved airflow means the flame burns hotter and more efficiently, therefore producing less smoke. Plus, you can put some charcoal in and rest a grill on the top. The fans last between 7 and 30 hours depending on how high they’re turned up, and the battery can be recharged via USB.

WITHINGS U-SCAN

Withings is already well known for its smart health products and its latest offering, the U-Scan – is your own mini health lab that sits in your toilet bowl so it can test your urine. U-Scan has been in development for four years and can reveal vital health information found in your daily urine. Urine has more than 3000 metabolites and is a popular way to monitor one’s health and provides an accurate snapshot of your body’s balance and health as well as detecting a variety of medical conditions.

Source: bestproducts.com

THE BODY SHOP’S NEW FULL FLOWERS FRAGRANCE COLLECTION

Four One-Of-A-Kind Floral Eaux De Parfum, Inspired By The Whole Flower.

By bazaar Staff

Get ready to charm your senses with a new collection of intensely floral and truly precious Eaux de Parfum from The Body Shop. Known for their beautifully fragranced products, the iconic British activist brand launches their new premium range, Full Flowers.

Inspired by the rich and blooming scent of the whole flower, The Body Shop’s Full Flowers collection is crafted by blending notes of soft petals, green leaves, woody stems, juicy fruits and sweet resin.

As the day goes on, you’ll notice these oneof-a-kind fragrances evolve, delicately revealing each captivating feature, one by one. Made with at least 90% ingredients of natural origin, each unisex fragrance is composed around the luscious scent of a powerful natural flower oil: rose, iris, ylang ylang and orange blossom.

This exciting new collection is certified by The Vegan Society, and each Eau de Parfum bottle is made from recycled glass. The caps are also designed to be more sustainable, made from naturally renewable wood and cork.

Find your new favorite, long-lasting scent and embrace all your facets.

FULL ROSE

Imagine the smell of a fresh, blooming rose on a dewy morning. That’s the fresh, aromatic, floral scent of The Body Shop’s new Full Rose Eau de Parfum. The smooth rose absolute represents the sweet-smelling petals, geranium leaf embodies the crisp, green leaves of the rose bush, and spicy, aromatic cardamom symbolizes the spiky thorns. Made with 90% ingredients of natural origin, this fragrance is crafted with natural rose absolute, extracted from roses grown in Grasse, France. Responsibly cultivated and farmed, these flowers are traditionally harvested in May, when they’re hand-picked at dawn by experienced pickers. They’re processed later the very same day to preserve their freshness, creating a rose absolute of the highest quality.

FULL YLANG YLANG

Full Ylang Ylang is a spicy, white floral fragrance, crafted with radiantly floral ylang ylang essential oil, representing the plant’s smooth, floral petals. This is blended with fragrant black pepper to represent the spicy aroma of the plant’s branches, and sweet, creamy vanilla to embody the velvety leaves. The Body Shop uses natural ylang ylang essential oil extracted from the flowers, which are hand-picked on the island of Madagascar. Only expert, local farmers know when the flowers have reached optimum maturity. This is when they’re harvested using traditional farming methods, to supply a fragrant oil of

Surround yourself with the soft, woody scent of the full iris flower. Intensely beautiful iris concrete represents the powdery petals, piney juniper berries embody the aromatic stems, and soft cedar wood symbolizes the woody roots of this new Eau de Parfum from The Body Shop. The natural iris concrete used in this fragrance is one of the rarest raw materials used in perfumery. It’s extracted from iris stems, grown and harvested over three years in the South of France. The Body Shop also uses an upcycled iris ultimate. Processed stems are reused in a second distillation, to extract the remaining scented molecules. This new raw material has its own fragrance character, with hints of juicy raspberry.

The bold orange blossom absolute that defines this Eau de Parfum represents the aromatic petals, while fresh bergamot embodies the juicy fruits. This is blended with the woody fragrance of vetiver, to symbolize the crisp, green leaves. The natural orange blossom absolute used by The Body Shop in this fresh, citrusy fragrance is extracted from orange flower buds, hand-picked in the Nile Region of Egypt. They’re harvested very early in the morning through a traditional method, which involves shaking the branches of the trees with long sticks. This causes the flowers to drop onto carefully placed rugs, where they can easily be collected.

FULL ORANGE BLOSSOM

THE MARRIAGE BOX

by Corie Adjmi, Fiction

PAPER NAMES

by Susie Luo, Fiction

Casey Cohen is 16 years old and living her best life in New Orleans in the 1970s when she starts hanging out with the wrong crowd. To get her back on track, her parents decide to leave everything and move to Brooklyn with the Syrian Jewish community. Casey becomes more used to the customs and people and marries Michael at 18. She is shocked when he wants her to stay home and have kids instead of going to college.

NO TWO PERSONS

by Erica Bauermeister, Fiction

PSYCHE AND EROS

by Luna McNamara, Fiction

Alice has always wanted to be a writer. Her talent is innate, but her stories remain safe and detached, until a devastating event breaks her heart open, and she creates a stunning debut novel. Her words, in turn, find their way to readers, from a teenager hiding her homelessness, to a free diver pushing himself beyond endurance, an artist furious at the world around her, a bookseller in search of love, a widower rent by grief. Each one is drawn into Alice’s novel; each one discovers something different that alters their perspective, and presents new pathways forward for their lives.

BUILDING: A CARPENTER’S NOTES ON LIFE & THE ART OF GOOD WORK

by Mark Ellison, Non-Fiction

FOURTEEN DAYS

by Margaret Atwood, Fiction

For forty years, Mark Ellison has worked in the most beautiful homes you’ve never seen, specializing in rarefied, lavish, and challenging projects for the most demanding of clients. He built a staircase that the architect Santiago Calatrava called a masterpiece. He constructed the sculpted core of Sky House, which Interior Design named “Apartment of the Decade.” His projects have included the homes of David Bowie, Robin Williams, and others whose names he cannot reveal. He is regarded by many as the best carpenter in New York. Blending Ellison’s musings on work and creativity with immersive storytelling and original sketches, photos, and illustrations, Building is a meditation on crafting a life worth living, and a delightful philosophical inquiry beyond the facades that we all live behind.

Set in New York and China over three decades, Paper Names explores what it means to be American from three different perspectives. There’s Tony, a Chinese-born engineer turned Manhattan doorman who immigrated to the United States to give his family a better life. His daughter, Tammy, whom we meet at age nine and follow through adulthood, and who grapples with the expectations of a first-generation American and her own personal desires. Finally, there’s Oliver, a handsome white lawyer with a dark family secret who lives in the building where Tony works. A violent attack causes their lives to intertwine in ways that will change them forever.

A prophecy claims that Psyche, princess of Mycenae, will defeat a monster feared even by the gods. Rebelling against her society’s expectations for women, Psyche spends her youth mastering blade and bow, preparing to meet her destiny. When Psyche angers the love goddess Aphrodite, she sends Eros, god of desire, to deliver a cruel curse. After eons watching humanity twist his gifts, the last thing Eros wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world. But when he pricks himself with the arrow intended for Psyche, Eros finds himself doomed to yearn for a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet. Thrown together by fate, headstrong Psyche and world-weary Eros will face challenges greater than they could have ever imagined. And as the Trojan War begins and divine powers try to keep them apart, the pair must determine if the curse could become something more . . . before it’s too late.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down Manhattan, the residents of a Lower East Side apartment building in Manhattan begin gathering together on their rooftop. Slowly, the residents become actual neighbors, establishing a sense of community through shared stories. However, each character is narrated by a different literary voice. Margaret Atwood, Celeste Ng, John Grisham, Dave Eggers, Tommy Orange, Louise Erdrich, and Neil Gaiman are just a few of the major authors of the day contributing to this unique work.

Title: Search & Rescue

Artist: Drake

Album: N/A

Many have been waiting and it’s finally here as Drake releases his first single of 2023 with ‘Search & Rescue’. The song focuses on what the title insinuates as he is looking for someone to rescue him. A great listen!

MAY MUSIC

Prepare for summer with some hot tracks!

Title: Healing Foot

Artist: Linkin Park

Album: Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition

Linkin Park finally released the 20th Anniversary Edition album of their much-loved Meteora album. It features some incredible new songs featuring the late Chester Bennington to take you down memory lane.

Title: Higher Than Heaven

Artist: Ellie Goulding

Album: Higher Than Heaven

Ellie Goulding has released her fifth studio album in April with the lead single being “Higher Than Heaven”. It’s a song about love and elevating one another to reach greater heights together. A great way to start your summer!

Title: Chemical

Artist: Post Malone

Album: N/A

An upbeat, very Post Malone type of track to get your summer up and running! In his first track of 2023, ‘Posty’ speaks about heartbreak and moving on during this very upbeat song.

Title: Mine

Artist: Kelly Clarkson

Album: Chemistry

Kelly Clarkson has never been shy of opening up and letting us into her thinking and this is no different as she talks about her previous relationship and her thought process during that period up until now.

Title: Wish You The Best

Artist: Lewis Capaldi

Album: Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent

Lewis Capaldi has made it clear that this song specifically is ‘incredibly special’ as he continues to get us all excited ahead of his album release next month. This is a song that will get you feeling all types of ways but one that’s definitely worth a listen.

Sources: wikipedia.com

TOMAITO

The AI-powered recipe app for personalized, creative cooking. Generate custom recipes, adjust ingredients, and enjoy stunning dish images. Simplify grocery shopping and elevate your culinary experience.

POCKITY

Pockity is the ultimate budgeting and expense tracking app that helps you manage your spendings, tracking and achieve your financial goals.

PIXEL MUSIC

iMyFone LockWiper is an excellent Windows and Mac-based software that helps in effectively and safely remove all types of locks and passcode (including MDM) from your iOS devices.

ARC

Access your Spaces and tabs from Arc for Mac on the go, save links from other apps to read later, or view one of your Easels and Notes. It’s your whole internet, in your pocket.

LEMON8

Lemon8 is a content-sharing platform with a youthful community. Here is where you can discover beautiful, authentic, and diverse content. It is the destination for sharing and exploring.

PERPLEXITY

Perplexity gives you instant answers and information on any topic, with up-to-date sources. It’s like having a superpower on your phone that allows you to search, discover, research and learn faster than ever before.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20

All you need now, the most you want, is to turn yourself off from everyday life and loneliness. You need time for reflection, reflection, to reflect on the sense of your existence and the goal you are aiming for in life. Trust your innate intuition and listen to your heart rather than entrust to what others say. You know best what you need and what is best for you.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21

The wind will blow you in the sails, it will be noticeable not only for you, but also for people who know you. Your emotional life will also flourishthis applies to both lonely people and those in relationships.In your free time, think about your rest. Maybe you will go with the other half for a long-delayed trip?Everyone, even the smallest step, think carefully.

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22

The first two weeks will be spent at high speed. There will be numerous changes and shifts in your private life as well as your professional life. As a result, misunderstandings in dealing with loved ones - be it with family or friends - will be very easy. Therefore, to avoid this, try to express your own views and opinions in a clear, understandable and communicative way.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22

You will be focused on matters regarding your own health and appearance. The diet that you have started recently or gymnastics will finally give first results. Thanks to self-discipline, you can overcome all weaknesses and thanks to that there will be no problem that you will not be able to achieve. In May it is worth devoting more attention to entertainment life and love

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22

Certainly May will be a month for you in which you will analyze all your previous achievements, verify your views and beliefs, and make decisions on which your future will depend.Prepare yourself that there will be a person on your way who will give you many different opinions, which, however, will have little relation to reality.

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22

Opportunities for new acquaintances and new loves will multiply day by day. All thanks to your personal charm, grace and tact that will attract many people of the opposite sex. The most important people will be Zodiacal Lions and Aquarius. It is quite possible that one of the relationships with time will turn into something more serious - even in a marriage.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22

Through the influence of Jupiter, you will feel the irresistible need for love. In May, get ready for many meetings with friends. The constant rhythm of the day will include trips, joint partying or cinema screenings. And although entertainment will not be lacking, it will be more important for you to spend evenings alone with your beloved person.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21

You are clearly stopping, you will slow down the turnover you have been working on for some time and now you will be more willing to do all this at home. A certain person from your immediate family feels lonely. You must show her more of her attention and also devote her time to her. The turbulent and tense love relationship will finally settle down and settle down.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19

There will be some unexpected turn of events in your life arranged so far. Obligations will prove to be a challenge, but you can manage everything if you really want to.It is quite possible that you will have to give up something pleasant that you really liked because of your work. Despite everything will be worth it - you’ll find out about it in the near future.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18

May is a waiting period for change for many people. You should show more interest and care for your home and family matters - the more so that you need so little to be happy.In the middle of the month you will put on your own in an important matter related to the management of money, international travel and international contacts.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19

Certainly, May will be one of the most successful and successful months of the year. It will bring numerous changes in both emotional life. You will be full of fantasy as well as idealism. You will look at many mundane matters differently than usual, especially with greater distance.

ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19

You will be optimistic, it will make you take a very big step forward, the result of which will be your personal development. May will pass you on a lot of vigorous moves, travels, social meetings and passionate love relationships. It will be a month in which everything will go your way!