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In times of recession when pink-slips, lay-offs, dismissals and firings have almost become a part of day-today office-lingo, keeping one's job intact seems to be a common target for all office-goers. Blame it on the economic crunch or your bad stars, just about everybody is an eligible target for firing.

From cutting upon casual leaves to happily slogging over-time, being punctual about dead-lines to even giving maska therapy to bosses...undoubtedly, almost every professional seems to be going all out to retain their jobs. But why not try some Feng Shui magic to recharge your carrerlife. Here are some simple tips, ideas and changes that you can embrace to bring positive changes in your professional life so that it's not affected by the recession monster...

Keep the wealth intact

The easiest way to define job security is when there’s a regular flow of income. “So, to ensure that, it’s important to charge the West and South-East areas of your office, since these govern the flow of income and wealth” suggests Feng Shui expert Ritu Kapoor of Astroyogi.com .

“West can be energised by placing a red object in that direction. Colouring the handle of your door red, keeping a red foot-mat, vase or statue in the West can be easy solutions, " adds Ritu.

For charging the South East direction, Ritu suggests a water feature (preferably running) in that direction like a water fountain, artificial springs or an aquarium, else, water mixed with sea-salt can be kept in a bowl if keeping a running water feature is tough.

Stability wanted!

It is usually seen that when an employee is about to be fired, he is usually transferred between departments and bosses. Thus, gaining stability in your professional life and making a firm grounding in office becomes thea pre-requisites for job security.

It is the South-West area of your office that needs attention in this regard. “Make the South-West direction heavy by keeping boulders (stones) tied with red ribbon and a mystic knot embedded in it,” suggests Ritu.

“Make sure you have a solid wall behind your chair in the office as it will give you support and a firm backing,” suggests Feng Shui expert Ashok Mehta, adding, “if there’s a window instead of a wall, you can find solace by sitting on a high-back chair and if even that’s not possible, you can place a small stone or an artificial tortoise on the window sill.”

Source:TOI

House prices in England and Wales rose by 1.7% in July compared with June - the biggest monthly leap in value since July 2004, the Land Registry said.

Every region recorded a monthly rise in prices, with the average home valued at £155,885, the analysis found.

But prices were still 11.7% lower in July than they were in the same month a year earlier and sales were also down.

The annual drop in prices was sharpest in the North East of England but at its most shallow in Wales.

The Land Registry, which records all completed property sales in England and Wales, is widely regarded as producing one of the most authoritative house price reports, although it does lag behind data from lenders.

It compares the price of properties sold now with the price paid when they were sold previously. However, repossessions and property transfers following a divorce are excluded from the sample.

Scientists at the University of Minnesota Medical School say that the feeling of hopelessness may make increase the risk of stroke in women.

Writing in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, the researchers have revealed that even healthy middle-aged women, when feeling hopeless, seem to experience the thickening of arteries in the neck, a precursor to stroke

Linking hopelessness with negative thinking and the feeling of uselessness, they say that it affects arteries independent of clinical depression, and before women develop clinically relevant cardiovascular disease.

For their study, the researchers looked at 559 healthy women—average age 50, 62 percent white, 38 percent African American—who did not show any signs of clinical cardiovascular disease.

They measured hopelessness with a two-item questionnaire assessing expectancies regarding future and personal goals. Depressive symptoms were measured with a 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Thickness of neck arteries was assessed using ultrasound.

The researchers found consistent, progressive, and linear association between increasing neck artery thickness and rising levels of hopelessness.

They say that the overall difference in arterial thickening between women with higher versus lower hopelessness scores, about .02 millimetres (mm), was equal to about one year of thickening.

Those with the highest hopelessness scores had an average .06 mm greater thickening than those in the lowest group — a clinically significant difference. This correlation remained after adjusting for any influence of age, race, income, cardiovascular risk factors, and depression.

"Previous studies have shown that hopelessness is associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes in men and also in women with documented heart disease. However, this is the first study to suggest that hopelessness may be related to subclinical cardiovascular disease in women without clinical symptoms of heart disease and who are generally healthy," said Dr. Susan A. Everson-Rose, principal investigator of the study, associate director of the Program in Health Disparities Research, and associate professor of medicine.

"These findings suggest that women who experience feelings of hopelessness may have greater risk for future heart disease and stroke. In fact, our data indicate that hopelessness may be uniquely related to cardiovascular disease risk. We did not see similar relations when looking at global depressive symptoms," Everson-Rose said

The researchers used data from Chicago and Pittsburgh sites of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) to examine associations of hopelessness, and depressive symptoms with carotid IMT, an early marker of atherosclerosis.

"The findings we observed are based on cross-sectional data — a snapshot in time — so we look forward to examining the longitudinal relations between hopelessness and heart disease risk in women," Everson-Rose said.

Source TOI

Keen to lose weight, but no time to hit the gym?

"It often happens that we end up missing on time to indulge in calorie-burning in an anticipation of triggering off a full-on fitness regime," says fitness exert Kiran Swahney.

So, why not dig out occasions some where in the course of the day and cash in some real time to burn the fat. We recommend you 20 physical and foodie alterations for weight loss... embrace them and staying fit won't be a long cherished dream any more!

"On foot is a stylish way to exercise as its easy, versatile, kind to your joints and doesn't require conjuring too much of paraphernalia. So involve walking as much as you can in your routine." says L.Balasubramaniam, Technogym Olympic Master Trainer.

1. Get up and walk around your office or home: This should happen at least every two hours for 5 minutes. This brisk five-minute walk every two hours will give you an extra 20-minute walk by the end of the day without making any special efforts.

2. Wash something thoroughly once a week: Be it the floor, a couple of windows, the shower stall, bathroom tiles or your car...anything that makes you don your cleaning gloves and exert some pressure on your hands and elbows burns nearly four calories for every minute spent on cleaning. A washing session of 30 minutes and you've worked off nearly 120 calories.

3. Drop a movie for an active date: Yes, it's a weekend and you're planning to spend time with your love. Why not head to the local park rather than sit idle in a movie hall? This will not only give you a chance of walking hand in hand, but will also avoid the calories that a large bucket of butter popcorns holds in. What's more? Explore other active dating ideas like cycling together; enjoying a tennis match or a swimming championship...even losing to your love will be fun here!

4. Take a walk before dinner: Yes, you are reading it right! Walking post dinner helps in digestion and burning calories, walking before gorging on your favourite dinner cuts down on your appetite. "Twenty minutes of walking reduces appetite and increases sensations of fullness as effectively as a light meal," informs Balasubramaniam.

5. Make the most of your TV time: This one is for the cricket crazy men and soap obsessed women who spend hours being a couch potato. Now make the most out of the commercial breaks to burn some calories and tone-up your body with the following set of exercises:

• As the break starts, do 25 jumping jacks.

• Then jog on the spot for the count of 30.

• Do 25 abdominal crunches.

• Lastly, get on the floor and place your feet up on your coffee table and do 25 hip lifts. By the time the break ends, you would have burnt a major chunk of calories.

6. Kiss your partner passionately: Lock your lips in passion at least 10 times a day. Not only it will keep your love life buzzing, but every minute spent kissing will burn 6.4 calories. Ten minutes a day of kissing can burn approximately 23,000 calories in a year...that's the power of love!

After a gruelling Monday to Friday cycle, don’t we eagerly wait for the weekend? Definitely, we do, for the simple reason that moments lost during the week can be made up over the weekend by chilling out and spending some ‘together-time’ with the one we love.

But what couples usually do over a weekend is nothing beyond shopping; watching a movie or a candle light dinner if getting romantic is on their mind. But doesn’t it sound tad boring? It’s time to break the monotony guys! Rather than doing the ‘done-to-death’ things, try doing these simple things together this weekend and pep up the love quotient of your relationship.

There is no better way to unwind on a weekend than watching a movie together. Rather than going to a multiplex, enjoy a romantic movie with your partner, all snuggled up in your bed. There is an array of mushy classics which you can choose from. Movies like Pretty Woman, City of Angles, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally can be romantic enough. Dipesh and Jyoti, both journalists with the national daily Indian Express add, “We are big movie buffs and love catching upon the latest flicks but it’s very difficult to take out time for one on weekdays, thanks to our busy schedule. Therefore, we make a list of all the movies that we want to catch over the week and arrange the DVDs in advance. The best part of watching a movie at home is that we can enjoy the movie in complete privacy and relaxing in the comfort of our homes and not to mention that it’s cheap and saves us from the maddening traffic on the road.”

Relationship expert Mahima Mathur says, “Since both the partners are usually working these days, it is very important to take time out for each other. Spending quality time on a weekend is a very good idea provided you use it to your advantage.”

Cooking something together is another way to bond with your partner if you decide on a low-key Friday night. Regardless of what you cook, the main goal is to break the routine and do something different. Agrees Manorama Jha, a financial consultant, “After following the strict 9 to 5 routine from Monday to Friday, I feel bored and stressed out. We usually go out for dinner on a Saturday but after a point, even that feels like a job. Then on one Saturday, my kids went for a birthday party and me and my wife felt too lazy to step out and decided to prepare a quick meal together. To our surprise the simple act of cooking turned into a pleasurable experience. We soon realised that how desperately we wanted that intimate time just for ourselves.”

“Cooking has a positive effect on many and often acts as a de-stressor for those who are looking for some creative recreation. Couples need time out from routine chores to enjoy the small things in life. It doesn’t matter even if you are not an expert chef. Just by taking interest in each other and doing something together can spark the romance,” explains Mahima.

A new study say that married women have more housework than singles (and it even goes so far as to suggest this is the husband's fault!). So guys devote a weekend or may be just an evening to clean the house together.

“My wife is a cleanliness freak, she just loves cleaning up the house on a Sunday. Initially I used to loath this habit of hers but slowly when I started pitching in I realised that it can be quite relaxing and gratifying feeling.”

Marriage counselor Anu Goel suggests, “Play your favorite music and make a date out of it. Not only you’ll find good amount of ‘together-time’, the bonus is you get clean digs at the end of it.”

A book provides the nuance of imagination, and therefore a lively discussion of your individual interpretations allows you to get to know each other better. Neha Bhasin, a lawyer recalls, “I am always cribbing about the fact that I have so less time to pursue my hobby. I just love reading books but I am always pressed for time. My husband, who works with a MNC also sympathises with me. But it was a great surprise when he got me the current best seller of the month. He also got a help guide on How to make your marriage work which both of us thoroughly enjoyed reading together.”

“If you really, absolutely, truly don't have time to read, then make time because reading improves your concentration. And it is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your sweet heart, and can be a bonding experience”, says Anu Goel.

Couple that plays together stays together. Turn play time into an exercise routine. Heena Mal and Jai Sharma share their experience, “There is a lovely park just a few blocks away from our house. But however, hard we may try; we fail to follow a fitness routine because of our erratic working hours. Therefore, on weekends we religiously go for our workout session and just love the open space and fresh air.”

Ashish Suri, a gym instructor adds, “A workout together will raise your endorphins and make you feel good about yourselves and each other. You can choose from bicycling, yoga or aerobics. Even going for a long walk holding hand in hand is also a good option.”

It sounds so obvious, but no weekend ever seems to be the right one. Nilabh Singh who works with a Event Management company tells, “I often go for impromptu trips to the hills with my wife because it gives us that peace and ‘us’ time that it so hard to find in a city life. Hills give you that feeling of being one with nature which is such a high.” Agrees Vandana Mathur, a teacher with South Point, Kolkata, “I love the beach and whenever I feel saturated I hit to the beach on a weekend with my husband. Let me tell you that watching the sunset together with your partner can be so romantic.”

Sonia Bhasin, a travel agent suggests, “Just go online and you will find a number of travel sites. Book some inexpensive last minute travel, and drop everything else to go enjoy some sweet, sweet time together.”

(CNN) -- Facebook has announced it is to overhaul its privacy settings to make it clearer for users to know who has access to their personal data.

The news follows an investigation into the privacy policy of the social networking site by Canada's Privacy Commissioner.

The social networking site has agreed to make changes that it believes will provide its users with greater transparency and control over their personal information and how it is used.

"These changes mean that the privacy of 200 million Facebook users in Canada and around the world will be far better protected," said Canada's Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart in a press statement.

In July Stoddart issued an initial report on an investigation into Facebook that followed a complaint from a privacy advocacy group, the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic at the University of Ottawa.

The main concerns highlighted by the report were the lack of clarity over privacy settings and how much personal information is shared with third-party developers of applications such as games and quizzes.

In response to the investigation Facebook has agreed to make "significant enhancements" over the next 12 months, WHO says. This would include clarifying its privacy policy so that users can clearly understand why personal information like date of birth is requested, the difference between deactivating and deleting an account, and how its advertising works.

Another key amendment is that Facebook will retrofit its application platform in order to prevent developers from accessing users' personal information -- unless users provide explicit consent.

"Application developers have had virtually unrestricted access to Facebook users' personal information. The changes Facebook plans to introduce will allow users to control the types of personal information that applications can access," Stoddart said in her statement.

Work on the planned changes will begin immediately, although Facebook has said some changes will take some time before they are visible. Updates to Facebook's privacy policy will require a notice and comment period for users.

It has also said the changes to how users share information with third-party applications will require time and resources, both for the updating and testing of the new Facebook application platform and for third-party application developers to reprogram and test their applications.

"We will be communicating regularly with developers about the changes and we're going to take our time to make sure the outcome is something users understand and that developers have ample time and notice to adapt," Ethan Beard, Director of Platform Product Marketing at Facebook, said in a statement.

Elliot Schrage, Vice President of Global Communications and Public Policy at Facebook, added in a prepared statement that the changes would "provide even greater transparency and control for Facebook users.

"We believe that these changes are not only great for our users and address all of the Commissioners' outstanding concerns, but they also set a new standard for the industry."

Why can't we buy condoms? I never thought I'd be asking this question. But I have been compelled to after a particularly appalling incident and several more narrated by my gal pals.

I walked myself to the "most popular" chemist in my area to buy a pack of condoms! And yes it was the first time I had ventured to do the same… Considerate that I am, I thought I'd let my partner off the hook and take responsibility this time around.

Considered one of the most advanced and biggest medical shops in the area, I was hoping to flit in and flit out in a breeze. Boy, was I wrong!

After I managed to catch the attention of a female shop assistant and asked her for my partner's choice of brand [I was getting the male condom!], the fiasco began.

Apparently flabbergasted by what I wanted to buy, she asked me to repeat my request. I nonchalantly did the same - only to be told to wait. She scurried off to a corner and whispered something in the ear of a fellow shop assistant and both the girls giggled and glared at me!

Pretending to be busy, the twosome then sent another assistant to ask me what I wanted. This one deserved the Oscar for playing the "I'm-hard-of-hearing-nitwit-shop-assistant" and asked me to repeat my request for the third time.

Enraged by the petty arrogance of these excuses-for-chemists, I repeated loudly the brand for the last and final time (or so I thought!). All the shop assistants - and there were around 7 of them - froze. I was "exhibit A" and all eyes were on me, including those of the other patrons. The young boy who had come for cough medicine blushed, the aunty cursed me under her breath and an uncouth looking man gave me a dirty smile.

The news that I was there for the "rubber" spread like wild fire!

I was finally handed very reluctantly the pack by the male shop assistant who was waiting for an explanation or an excuse. They weren't going to get any.

The fact that I was getting it for my husband was none of their business. And this very regressive attitude is what has stopped many others like me from doing the right thing - protecting ourselves.

In a recent survey, one out of 10 men said they have had unprotected sex because they were too embarrassed to buy condoms from a pharmacy. What's more, the results confirmed that the high street pharmacy was a 'humiliation hot-spot' for people.

So if the men were toe-curlingly embarrassed by the same, women obviously couldn't be left behind! What's worse was that almost 50 per cent of the population had suffered a health problem like thrush in silence rather than facing the embarrassment of seeking medical attention according to the online pharmacy mastersdirect.com.

Most simply walked out of a pharmacies because they were too embarrassed to ask for a particular health product, revealed the survey.

Most women depend on their male partners and trust them blindly to protect them against any sexually transmitted disease. A friend of mine got her partner to get a year's supply of condoms just so that he doesn't make excuses and she is not forced to go to a chemist.

While there are a handful few who do take the initiative like 30-year-old Priyasha Seth who always carries a pack and makes a point to buy it herself, even she has had to contend with embarrassing situations at the chemist.

Most male friends of mine don't have any qualms walking up to a chemist and picking a condom. In fact, one of them "feels proud doing it, and especially likes discussing the different flavours, sizes, types at the chemist.... it freaks the shop assistants out completely".

29 year old Ad executive says, "All you need to do is head to a supermarket and dunk a pack or two with your groceries. Who's to know?!"

Sociologist Nandini Sardesai says, "NGOs and the government have done enough. It's the attitude of the people that needs to change." "There is a need to introduce new and novel ways of making condoms more accessible. For eg: Thailand's 'Condom King', Mechai Viravaidya - so-called due to his extensive work promoting accessible contraceptives - introduced the concept of giving condoms out instead of candy when you pay your bills."

All said and done, wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? So, don't let chemists make you regret doing the right thing.

Have you been through embarrassing situations at the chemist? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Source: idiva

There are those moments in your relationship, when sex is the last thing on your mind. Days, when you just want to curl up with your partner and read out poetry to him.

Remember, in your courtship days, these were the small means by which you bonded with your partner. Like, discussing Shakespere or maybe sharing a common fascination for cars or paintings. However, once into a long standing relationship, most couples seem to be entirely focused on sex. And that does lead to a lot of complications, misunderstandings and hurt. Why not then take a step back and go back to the basics.

We'll give you a list of all the things you can bond with your partner, minus the ‘S’ factor:

Cook it up: Bank executive Amit Rastogi speaks about his experience. "We were five years into our marriage and kids, holding on to our jobs were beginning to take a toll on our lives. Going on a second honeymoon did not prove to be the de-stressor we were looking out for. We were feeling drained out and empty after each day. One day my wife, Anuradha, initiated me into the kitchen and its myriad wonders. As I helped her toss up dinner, we indulged in playful banter, almost like kids. And it felt like magic when we recalled memories of our initial days of marriage. It wasn't just about helping my wife, but I was getting to learn about my own culinary skills."

Psychologist Arun Vaid explains, "People often resort to cooking as a de stressor. And many have come to me saying it has a positive effect. Couples need time out from sex and day-to-day responsibilities. They need to enjoy the small things that they have in common and take interest in each other, apart from the physical aspect. Not only that, when you cook together, you end up discussing your tastes, the spices that pep you up, childhood days when your mom cooked your favourite food on your birthdays. When you go through these refreshing experiences again, you feel the monotony breaking. It peps you up for the present."

Ask your partner to teach you driving: Ketaki Sharma, a manager with an MNC recalls, "There were no conflicts between my partner and me. Infact, we had reached a stage in our relationship when there wasn't anything more I could ask for. Yet, the stagnancy made us feel so disoriented. It was like no matter what we did, we couldn't surprise ourselves anymore. The sex bit took a beating because of this over-the-top comfort level. We would often be too tired to experiment with anything. Trying out new positions did not intrigue us anymore and we are just 25. Then I decided to learn driving. And Shamik, my boyfriend, became my teacher. We would go for our driving jaunts every night and end up fighting, arguing and sometimes making out in the car itself. It was only then that we found our groove back."

Family counselor Ashish Deshpande says, "Every couple goes through a lull. Sometimes, they bounce back out of it, but there are moments when it could stretch for a longer time span. Couples could be at a crisis if they don't find ways to come out of it. Learning driving from your partner is a lot of fun, provided you are a bit careful. The key is to realise that when you enjoy doing something with your partner, do it regularly as long as it gives you shared happiness. After years of living together, the complacency that sets in should be broken every once in a while by doing things one has never tried before."

Go trekking: Nitin Kapoor, a software engineer says, "Many of my friends went for trekking and camping with their clubs. While the wives would remain at the base camp, the husbands would go rock climbing. We decided to go trekking as a change because there was always something we fought about on a daily basis. I took my wife camping to the Himalayas. Despite being a non trekker all her life, she accompanied me all the while learning about her own potential. She asked me a lot of questions and I was pleasantly surprised and quite happy when she took so much interest."

According to Deshpande trying out a physical activity brings back the bonding instinct. "When you go about doing a difficult task and realize that there isn't anyone you can rely upon except your own instinct or your partner's, you immediately seek new ways of bonding with him/her. And after great physical activity, its only natural to round it off with some stimulating sex. People don't realize that when you change your surroundings, your urges also undergo a change,

If teens are allowed to work for long hours in the wrong environment, it could take a toll on their sexual health, claims a The discovery is just one of the key findings in a University of Michigan study of youth on what predicts age of sex partners.

Jose Bauermeister, one of the study authors, said that age difference of sex partners is important, because a larger age difference is associated with riskier sexual behaviour and STDs, including HIV.

He further said that the study found that a youth's self esteem and alcohol use also play a role in the age difference between sex partners.

In the study, Bauermeister pointed out that overall, adolescents, who work part-time benefit in almost all areas over those who don't have jobs.

But he said that those benefits come with caveats.

For the study, the researchers followed youths in Flint, Mich. as they transitioned from adolescence to young adulthood (ages 14 thru 25), to see what factors predicted sex partner age difference.

It was found that many factors can lead to age differences in sex partners, with girls usually dating older than boys and young men.

Bauermeister said that working too many hours in an adult atmosphere without adequate supervision can lead to exposure to adults and eventually sexual activity with older partners, especially for young girls.

Age and number of work hours matter in adolescents, but any negative impact is not apparent after age 18 or 19, the study found.

"It's OK to let kids work. We want to make sure they are spending time in an environment where it's safe to work. Parents must ask the right questions and make sure it's a safe place for their children," said Bauermeister.

He said that high self esteem and low use of alcohol offset the negative effects of working too many hours. Those factors also protect youths overall from engaging in riskier sexual behaviour.

The study also found that girls tend to date older from age 14 on, as do high school dropouts and teens who use alcohol.

Boys at age 14 date their own age until they reach age 18, when they start dating younger women, said Bauermeister.

The study found that sex education programs and other efforts to reduce young sex partners'' age differences should aim to enhance self-acceptance and academic achievement and decrease alcohol

SANA'A, Yemen (CNN) -- It is midday and girls are flooding out of school, but Nujood Ali is not among them. We find her at the family's two-room house in an impoverished suburb of the city where Nujood is angry, combative and yelling. Tension surrounds the home like a noose.

After much arguing with family members, Nujood finally grabs her veil and agrees to sit down with CNN. Her presence is grudging, although CNN had got permission in advance to see how the girl who rocked a nation by demanding a divorce was shaping up.

Nujood is very different from the girl we first met nearly two years ago. Then, there was no doubt the 10-year-old was every inch a child. She was the very portrait of innocence: A shy smile, a playful nature and a whimsical giggle.

That picture was very much at odds with the brutal story of abuse she endured as a child bride who fought for a divorce and is now still fighting. Nujood says she remains relieved and gratified that her act of defiance -- which led to appearances at awards shows and on TV -- had paid off.

The story was supposed to end with the divorce and an innocent but determined girl allowed to fully embrace the childhood she fought so hard to keep.

Instead, there has been no fairytale ending for Nujood.There was, though, a stunning transformation. Nujood went from being a victim and child bride to a portrait of courage and triumph. Her inspirational story was told and re-told around the world, but at home all was not well.

In the fall of 2008 Nujood was recognized as Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year, alongside some of the world's most impressive women. She even attended the ceremony in New York and was applauded by women from Hillary Clinton to Nicole Kidman.

There is a tell-all book which is to be published in more than 20 languages, and the author says Nujood will receive a good portion of the royalties.

Nujood's strength was celebrated by complete strangers. But what did all the fame do for the one person it was meant to transform?

"There is no change at all since going on television. I hoped there was someone to help us, but we didn't find anyone to help us. It hasn't changed a thing. They said they were going to help me and no one has helped me. I wish I had never spoken to the media," Nujood says bitterly.

There was never going to be a fortune. Generous people have donated thousands so Nujood could go to a private school, but she refuses to attend, according to Shada Nasser, the human rights lawyer who took on the child's divorce case.

"I know Nujood was absent from the school. I spoke with her father and her family. And I ask them to control her and ask her to go every day to school. But they said, 'You know we don't have the money for the transportation. Don't have the money for the food,' " says Nasser.

She believes Nujood is being victimized by her own family because they believe Nujood's fame should bring them fortune.

Nujood's parents say they've received nothing, and in the meantime Nujood stews wondering out loud how everything turned out this way.

"I was happy I got divorced but I'm sad about the way it turned out after I went on television," she said adding that she feels like an outcast even among her family and friends.

Nujood was pulled out of school in early 2008 and married off by her own parents to a man she says was old and ugly. And yet, as a wife, Nujood was spared nothing.

"I didn't want to sleep with him but he forced me to, he hit me, insulted me" said Nujood. She said being married and living as a wife at such a young age was sheer torture.

Nujood described how she was beaten and raped and how, after just a few weeks of marriage, she turned to her family to try to escape the arrangement. But her parents told her they could not protect her, that she belonged to her husband now and had to accept her fate.

CNN tried to obtain comment from Nujood's husband and his family but they declined.

Nujood's parents, like many others in Yemen, struck a social bargain. More than half of all young Yemeni girls are married off before the age of 18, many times to older men, some with more than one wife.

It means the girls are no longer a financial or moral burden to their parents. But Nujood's parents say they did not expect Nujood's new husband to demand sex from his child bride.

To escape, Nujood hailed a taxi -- for the first time in her life -- to get across town to the central courthouse where she sat on a bench and demanded to see a judge.

After several hours, a judge finally went to see her. "And he asked me, 'what do you want' and I said 'I want a divorce' and he said 'you're married?' And I said 'yes.'" says Nujood.

Nujood's father and husband were arrested until the divorce hearing, and Nujood was put in the care of Nasser.

Indeed, it seems the judge had heard enough of the abuse to agree with Nujood that she should get her divorce.

But based on the principles of Shariah law, her husband was compensated, not prosecuted. Nujood was ordered to pay him more than $200 -- a huge amount in a country where the United Nations Development Programme says 15.7 percent of the population lives on less than $1 a day.

Khadije Al Salame is working to help Nujood get her life back. Now a Yemeni diplomat, 30 years ago she too was a child bride. But when she left her husband, she did not have to endure the publicity that now haunts Nujood.

She said: "It's good to talk about Nujood and to have her story come out, but the problem is it's too much pressure on her.

"She doesn't understand what's going on. She's a little girl and we have to understand as a media people that we should leave her alone now. If we really love Nujood then we should just let her go to school and continue with her life, because education is the most important thing for her."

To get her divorce, Nujood showed a character and strength not easily expressed by women in Yemen, let alone a 10-year-old child bride. But she will need to muster all that strength and more if she's to finally reclaim her life.

Nujood told us she thought the divorce would be the end of her struggle and she's still angry that it turned out to be just the beginning.

(CNN) -- Up to 50,000 revelers descended on the small Spanish town of Bunol near Valencia Wednesday, collectively throwing, squishing, and pummeling 100 metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes in what has grown to be the world's biggest annual food fight.

he Tomatina festival began in 1945, but there is no official explanation of how it started.

Theories of its origins range from a practical joke on a bad musician to the anarchic aftermath of a lorry spillage to a local food fight among friends.

Nowadays all the action takes place in the space of one hour on the last Wednesday of every August.

The beginning of the fight is signaled by the firing of water cannons. Then it's every man for himself and the only rule is that tomatoes must be squished in the hand before thrown to avoid excessive injuries.

Top Tomato Facts

• 60 million tons of tomatoes are produced each year, making it the world's favorite fruit.

• Americans obtain more of their vitamins from tomatoes than from any other fruit or vegetable.

• There are at least 10,000 varieties of tomatoes

• Tomatoes contain Lycopene, a carotenoid (plant pigment) that protects against cancer.

• The word tomato derives from a word in the Nahuatl language (indigenous to central Mexico), "tomatl"

• When they first appeared in English print in the early seventeenth century, tomatoes were referred to as "love apples."

Circumcision, which has helped prevent AIDS among heterosexual men in Africa, doesn't help protect gay men from the virus, according to the largest U.S. study to look at the question.

The research, presented at a conference Tuesday, is expected to influence the government's first guidance on circumcision.

Circumcision ``is not considered beneficial'' in stopping the spread of HIV through gay sex, said Dr. Peter Kilmarx, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, the CDC is still considering recommending it for other groups, including baby boys and high-risk heterosexual men.

UNAIDS and other international health organizations promote circumcision, the cutting away of the foreskin, as an important strategy for reducing the spread of the AIDS virus. There hasn't been the same kind of push for circumcision in the United States.

For one thing, nearly 80 percent of American men are already circumcised _ a much higher proportion than most other countries. Worldwide, the male circumcision rate is estimated at about 30 percent.

Also, while HIV spreads primarily through heterosexual sex in Africa and some other parts of the world, in the United States it has mainly infected gay men. Only about 4 percent of U.S. men are gay, according to preliminary CDC estimates released at the conference this week. But they account for more than half of the new HIV infections each year.

Previous research has suggested circumcision doesn't make a difference when anal sex is involved. The latest study, by CDC researchers, looked at nearly 4,900 men who had anal sex with an HIV-infected partner and found the infection rate, about 3.5 percent, was approximately the same whether the men were circumcised or not.

Government recommendations on circumcision are still being written and may not be final until next year, following public comment. CDC doctors and many experts believe there is a good argument for recommending that baby boys and heterosexual men at a higher risk for HIV be circumcised.

The definition of ``high risk'' is still being discussed, said Kilmarx, chief of the epidemiology branch in the CDC's HIV division.

Circumcision is a sensitive issue laden with cultural and religious meaning, particularly when babies are involved, Kilmarx acknowledged.

``It's seen by many as more than just as medical procedure,'' he said. It's possible the government would just recommend better education for doctors and parents about the procedure's benefits and risks, he added.

The prospect of the government promoting circumcision of infants has already drawn fire from an advocacy group called Intact America. The organization, based in Tarrytown, New York, parked a motorized billboard this week outside the hotel hosting the HIV conference, displaying the message: ``Tell the CDC that circumcising babies doesn't prevent HIV.''

``It's removing healthy, functioning, sexual and protective tissue from a person who cannot consent. You're mutilating a child,'' said Georgeanne Chapin, the group's executive director.

If your mind is in a whirlwind, you've completely lost your temper and wondering how you can be in relationship with a partner who is so insensitive, argumentative and selfish, keeping your cool during an argument can be a challenging task.

While the age old adage says everything is fair in love and war, but disagreeing with your mate can be mentally harrowing. What's vital to sustain the relationship is to master the kiss n' make up formula. How often you disagree, how you both react and deal during a verbal wrestling match can speak a lot about your chemistry. While it's absolutely normal to disagree, it's also important to avert the war of words from getting ugly and hurtful. Read on to find out how you can agree to disagree and enjoy your differences...

Confuse him/her – Yes! Here's a fun way to settle an argument. People often stop speaking when you flood them with more information than they can mentally process. Neha Choudhary, 26, who works with a multi-national company in Delhi says, "I really improved my vocabulary while I was preparing for my CAT exams. To use it to my advantage, I always baffle my boyfriend with strange words whenever we have a tiff. While he keeps wondering what I meant, I easily have the last word."

Tip: So, folks, it's time to work on your vocabulary. Learn words that he/she can't even begin to comprehend. While they may hunt for a dictionary to find out what you meant, you may have already settled an ugly spat.

Silence speaks – "I often choose to remain quiet when I have heated arguments with my better half. I let him say whatever he wants without interrupting him. After a while, he starts feeling guilty and realises that he was over-reacting and being rude," says Yamini, 32, a home maker.

Tip: If both of you are speaking, nobody's listening (except your neighbours, ofcourse!) So, if your partner goes on and on, try and be silent for a while. Let them speak and vent out their anger and bitterness. "When you are not actively participating in the row and adding sparks, he/she will automatically stop after a while. Wait for the right time to put forth your opinion. Silence can sometimes be the best weapon,"says psychologist Archana Nanda.

Try to empathise – Ajay Sharma (name changed on request) , 36, who works as a senior manager in a bank says, "I often feel that my wife over-reacts on trivial issues. But when I step into her shoes and analyse the problem, it highlights a new perspective and I am able to find a solution. I think it's our ego that forces us to stick to what we believe is right and stops us from thinking from others' point of view."

Tip: Try to see things from your partner's point of view, no matter how wrong or right it may seem to you at first. Empathising with your partner can lend a better understanding of the problem. It may make more sense than what you thought, which could lead to settling the argument.

React proportionately – "Once I had an argument with my wife and she walked out of the house and went to her parents' place. I think it was really silly and immature of her. It just made things worse and escalated the row. Had she stayed back, we would have sorted things out sooner," says Sanjay Rathod, 29, who works in a telecom company in Mumbai.

Tip: Don't blow things out of proportion, though the dispute may seem to be more important than anything else in the heat of the moment. It's important to keep a rational check on your emotional explosions. Identify and analyse what triggered the row in the first place. What is it that has been persistently getting on your nerves? Then ask yourself, "Is it really worth fighting for?"

Don't go angry to bed – "It makes me feel worse when my husband goes to bed without sorting out a misunderstanding or argument we had. It completely turns me off. I think it's absolutely normal to argue, but only when you don't stretch it for days or even months. Not talking to each other is no solution," says Meenakshi (name changed on request) , 33, a home maker.

Tip: The worst thing to do is to go to bed with all the pent up anger, frustration and negative emotions that have been building up during the argument. "Sleeping over a fight will only result in waking up with resentment and grudges the next morning. So, even if you argue, keep it short and simple – don't unnecessarily stretch the argument. Be concise and your partner may actually hear you," explains Archana.

hen your relationship isn't a humdrum affair, then why should your sex life be dull and lifeless? There's more to a rocking sex life than just simple, great sex.

A marvelous sexual connection includes different kinds of sex, even the ones you haven't dared to experiment with perhaps. Check out the different kinds of love making acts you and your lover can indulge in for a night of passion.

Couples in long-term relationship often opt for this kind of act as they miss the excitement and lust filled initial-days of their relationship. With time, a couple's love life loses its zing and to get it back one needs to try new things. "Try pushing the regular comfort zones. It may mean trying a new position or a new room in the house; you can even go for thrilling experiences like making love on the terrace or in the balcony or at some public place." explains Meera Wahi, married for last nine years.

Why to try : There's nothing like the moment when you're struggling for breath thinking, "That was amazing, we've never done that before." Experts suggest that no matter how long you've been in a relationship, you need to have an earth-shattering sexual experience every once in a while. What's more try pushing the boundaries, as this will heighten the trust between you two, create an exceptional comfort level and minimise the possibilities of casual flings outside the relationship. So, go ahead and clue in to your partner's covert bedroom urges to transform the every-night mediocre sex to a mind-blowing encounter. You'll harvest the sensually gratifying perks too.

Necessary sex can be explained as 'just-for-the-heck-of-it sex', which is vital for a long-term relationship to retain its sexual spark. These are your very special, intimate 'me-time' moments which relieve stress, burns calories and lift spirits. Supports Mihika, a 31-year-old, new mom, "As a new mom, I am tired most of the times. However, I make special effort to get going in the bed and this makes me feel closer to him. Even if the sex isn't that good, it feels like the relationship has become stronger."

Why to try : Necessary sex is all about decreasing sexual anxiety, accomplishing the Big O, and feeling good about your sexual prowess. Experts say that regular physical contact actually tunes the brain into the need to feel emotionally close. By making sex a regular habit, you can open new avenues of bonding as a couple. Moreover, doing it sometimes when you are not in the perfect mood can gear you up for something much hotter the next time around. And most importantly, don't forget how much a hit-the-roof orgasm does to keep your sex spark bright.

Admit it, for it's something that's bound to happen. An awkward grunt, a stupid expression, somebody walking in unexpectedly or may be slipping down the bed, all of us can have these embarrassing moments that we would like to ideally forget. Akhil, a 27-year-old choreographer, recollects, "We'd been together since last one year. The last time we were having sex, her roommate just walked in. We didn't know what to say. Finally I said, 'Whoops!' and we laughed our heart out. The voyeurism added to the fire, needless to say."

Why to try : Don't fret about imperfect moments in your sex life; just rejoice and hold your lover tight. Your ability to deal with embarrassing situations reflects the strength of your relationship, say experts. Real understanding is about being able to feel at ease with each other in awkward circumstances as well. Emotional presence and trust is the biggest aphrodisiac of all and often provides the sexual thrill which can last a lifetime. React positively to embarrassing sexual mishaps and she will add funny, cute and smart to her mental list of reasons as to why she chooses to be intimate with you.

A new, romantic locale often allows lovers to rediscover each another in a new light. Amidst trying different platters, adventure sports or checking out a variety of nightlife activities, every evening feels like a special date night. Vacation sexcapades act as a catalyst to reignite the passion in a relationship and make a couple feel more connected. "When on a vacation, you're at your most carefree best, which means you can try out new things you won't have to be accountable for at home. We went to Kerala on a friend's recommendation, and needless to say we had the best sex ever," shares Sidhartha, a 39-year-old business man.

Why to try : Something about leaving the laptop behind, turning the cell phone off and relaxing makes the sex better. Experts say that being in a totally alien environment sparks a sense of adventure and boldness in couples. All of this adds up to stimulating sex, which is more gratifying and more memorable than what couples have at home. Moreover, a vacation is the best place to get 'sexperimental'. When people encounter new experiences, dopamine spikes in the brain, eliciting a feeling of all encompassing lust. This is one of the reasons a vast majority of relationship counsellors recommend regular getaways as one of the things that can help strengthen your bond.

There is nothing like engaging in a sexual reconciliation after a long, gut-wrenching argument. The quality of such sex is directly proportional to the amount of time spent apart; courtesy - the phenomenal release of emotions. "After all the screaming and blaming is over and we proceed towards reconciling, I fall in love with him all over again. This after-fight sex gives me the same kick as that 'beginning sex' when we first meet. All of that anger is released into passion and it's like we just want to tear down the place," admits Mehul, who's been married for seven years.

Why to try : Experts believe that make-up sex is a quick and effective way to get rid of the frustrations from a past argument. Also, it gives women the opportunity to be sexually aggressive, which might be a welcome change. This kind of sex is overloaded with passion because you have the rush of very intense emotions, from anger to joy. And when you're intimate like that, you're likely to have a strong orgasm, which releases Oxytocin, the bonding hormone which creates a physiological bonding mechanism