Up until quite recently, scientists, doctors and nutritionists, it appeared, would only ever recommend the likes of sunflower seeds, bran and lentils to ensure we maintain a healthy diet. While there's no reason to harbour grudges against any of the above, they hardly set the palate alight. But these days we've been hearing more and more about the health benefits of certain foodstuffs that frankly only the lobotomised would turn their nose up at. Thankfully, one of them is dark chocolate.
Naturally high in flavonoids - organic compounds that stimulate antioxidant activity - dark chocolate can protect the heart, increase blood flow in the arteries, lower blood pressure and even help to combat cancer. It's far more beneficial than milk chocolate, which contains fewer flavonoids due to proteins in milk that prohibit the antioxidants from flourishing. And while traditional methods of producing dark chocolate can destroy up to half the flavonoids, manufacturers such as Mars are working on ways to keep around 95 per cent of the flavonoids intact.
But before you rush out and buy a wheelbarrow to cart your daily supply of dark chocolate around with you, beware. Dark chocolate is still essentially high in fat and loaded with calories, which means it should only be eaten in small quantities, and as part of a balanced diet alongside regular exercise. Don't cry - it's better than getting none at all.
Instead of something to guzzle and feel guilty about, dark chocolate should be regarded as a delicacy to savour. Fine dark chocolate containing over 70 per cent cocoa solids can possess surprisingly complex flavours. When you break a piece it should snap resoundingly, leave a clean edge and release a waft of aromas ranging from coffee and tobacco to leather and fruit. Let the flavours unfold as it melts on the tongue, and enjoy its richness right up until the finish.
Of course, dark chocolate is great on its own, but it's also a useful ingredient in all kinds of sweet and savoury recipes - and sometimes a surprising addition to other ingredients. The Mexicans have long understood the pleasantly intriguing relationship between dark chocolate and chilli peppers. When melted and added to hot milk, cinnamon and chilli powder, dark chocolate takes on a whole new personality - a sultry and comforting drink combining sweet smoothness and fiery spice. Dark chocolate can also be added in small quantities to chilli con carne, to take away the sharp edge and imbue the dish with a velvety texture.
But while, for most humans, dark chocolate is a sweet, luxurious and potentially healthy component of our diets, spare a thought for our canine friends. All chocolate contains the bitter alkaloid theobromine, which in surprisingly small doses can cause dogs to experience seizures and, in extreme cases, death. Sorry Rex, but I'm afraid you'll have to stick with the Bonio.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Tim Paine (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
