Can living like a star produce a happy ending? How? 

  

Author and celebrity-watcher Rachel Bertsche spent nearly a year emulating the lifestyles of several famous female stars, seeking contentment, productivity and better arms.

Her new book, "Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me: The Pursuit of Happiness, One Celebrity at a Time," is "The Happiness Project" meets People magazine.

Most celebrities are graced with devotees and burdened with haters, and this book - like the A-listers it covers - will likely face both. Some will hail it as a fun, thought-provoking, self-improvement memoir, while critics may call it self-indulgent and shallow................Read more

Strong quake hits Mexico, Guatemala; 4 dead 

Strong quake hits Mexico, Guatemala; 4 dead

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico: A magnitude-6.9 earthquake on the Pacific Coast jolted a wide area of southern Mexico and Central America Monday, killing at least four people while damaging homes, hospitals and churches.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at 6:23 a.m. (7:23 a.m. EDT; 11:23 GMT) on the Pacific Coast 1 mile (2 kilometers) north-northeast of Puerto Madero, near the Guatemala border. It initially calculated the magnitude at 7.1 but later lowered the figure to 6.9.

Firefighters spokesman Raul Hernandez said at least two people died in their homes from collapsed walls in the Guatemalan town of Pati, in the border province of San Marcos. Another woman in Quetzaltenango died from a heart attack.......Read more

According to IMF, Dubai finances stronger but still vulnerable, 

According to IMF, Dubai finances stronger but still vulnerable, 

DUBAI: Dubai’s ability to finance its debts has improved because of stronger economic growth and more conservative spending, but the emirate would still be vulnerable in a global economic downturn, the International Monetary Fund said.

Under a baseline scenario, Dubai government debt is expected to fall gradually to 41.6 percent of gross domestic product by 2019 from 60.2 percent last year, the IMF said after annual consultations with the United Arab Emirates......Read more

According to Experts politicians should tackle trade deficit 

According to Experts politicians should tackle trade deficit

BEIRUT: Industrial and agricultural experts urged the government over the weekend to take measures aimed at curbing a trade deficit that has neared $7.33 billion in the first five months of 2014, recording an increase of 1.85 percent in comparison with May 2013.

Lebanon’s balance of trade deficit widened by $133 million to just below $7.33 billion during the first five months of 2014, according to statistics published by the Higher Council of Customs.

The increase in the deficit was buoyed by a $578 million contraction in exports to around $1.39 billion, which outweighed the $445 million year-on-year drop in imports to around $8.71 billion.

..............................Read more

Now Brazil’s maverick turned leader 

 Now Brazil’s maverick turned leader

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil: Frizzy locks flailing and eyes bulging, David Luiz charged toward the corner flag and karate-kicked it out the way after sending Brazil into the World Cup semifinals with a stunning free kick against Colombia.

His celebration a caricature of his playing style, Luiz rarely does things the conventional way.

The most expensive defender ever having sealed a £50 million ($85 million) move from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain last month, he played the majority of his final season in the Premier League in midfield as Jose Mourinho didn’t trust him to defend and is his country’s second top scorer at the World Cup.

..........Read more