"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."   VBA's Positive News Canada housing starts bounce higher in June Canadian housing starts climbed unexpectedly in June as multiple urban starts in Quebec and British Columbia bounced higher. The bounce bucked expectations for a slowing in housing construction. The number of starts in June was above the forecasts of analysts in a Reuters poll. 'We thought the data would be above consensus given a clear strengthening in the latest building permits reading, and today's starts print confirmed that homebuilding is showing no signs of cooling off yet,' CIBC World Markets economist Emanuella Enenajor said in a research note.   India: Bombay Stock Exchange index rallies to 4-month high; banks gain The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index rallied to its highest close since mid-March led by gains in private sector banks such as ICICI Bank on hopes improving asset quality would lead to better-than-expected earnings in the upcoming reporting season. Sentiment was also boosted by data showing foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained buyers of Indian stocks this month, helping domestic indexes rebound after two previous sessions of mild falls.    .     US job openings rose in May, good sign for hiring US employers advertised more jobs in May than April, a hopeful sign after three months of weak hiring. Job openings rose to a seasonally adjusted 3.6 million, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That's up from 3.4 million in April. It's also the second-highest level in nearly four years, just behind March's 3.7 million. A rise in openings could mean hiring will pick up in the coming months. It typically takes one to three months to fill a job. Pakistan's national goat makes a comeback Pakistan's national animal, the markhor, has made a comeback. In an effort to protect the small remaining markhor population in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, a local programme has trained wildlife rangers and set up 53 community conservation committees in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society.        Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + Congress pleases Samajwadi Party, approves special package            New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday assured the Uttar Pradesh government that most of the demands raised by it as part of the special package for the state would be met. Several key decisions taken post meeting between UP Chief Secretary Javed Usmani and Principal Secretary in the PMO Pullok Chatterjee on Tuesday included: - Rs 400 crore extra for organisation of Mahakumbh. - Rs 1500 crore for rainwater harvesting. - Rs 9880 crore for dealing with floods and irrigation problems. - Rs 1100 crore for working on drinking water facilities. - Rs 600 to 700 crore per annum for five years for building of water pipelines in villages in UP. - Rs 4000 crore for construction of universities in nine districts. - Centre to contribute in Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's free laptops scheme as well. It may be remembered that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had recently announced a car bonanza for "poor" MLAs, whereby they could use money from the Constituency Development Fund to buy cars worth up to Rs 20 lakh. A day later though, facing widespread criticism, Akhilesh was forced to cancel the order, not before justifying, however, that the order was meant only for the "poor" MLAs. CNN-IBN, however, found out that out of Akhilesh's 224 MLAs, as many as 140 were crorepatis, and out of them, nine MLAs had assets worth over Rs 10 crore. The more important question now is, is this generosity by the Centre an attempt to woo the Samajawadi Party with an eye on the 2014 General Elections? Astrology Aries March 21 to April 19 An authority figure connected to your profession may notice one of your talents and offer you an opportunity to begin using it in a way to help enhance your earning power. He or she will be impressed with your capacity to work with unwavering determination in order to complete a goal. Because of this, you can expect a high level of respect from this VIP. Enjoy the career boost!                                              Taurus April 20 to May 20 An opening to broadcast your personal message through the publishing, advertising, or other media will go extraordinarily well. It's possible that you'll be asked to take on a mentorship role for others and to teach what you know if you're an expert in a particular field. While this is likely to be a positive opportunity, at the same time there might be a conflict to settle at home before you can fully take advantage of it. You'll make it work..                               Gemini May 21 to June 20 You'll feel a strong urge to help someone in need and it's possible that you'll spend at least part of the day doing something practical to help lessen the suffering of somebody. You may, for example, offer physical help to an elderly person in your neighborhood who is unable to tackle everyday tasks. You may also decide to offer emotional support for someone in your life going through a crisis. You'll be a pillar of strength.                         Cancer June 21 to July 22  Your spouse or partner may offer hands-on support to help you reach one of your personal aspirations. Not only will you appreciate this aid, you'll realize how instrumental your mate truly can be to your personal success. Knowing that you have his or her emotional support is wonderful enough, but to also have his or her material or physical backing will leave you feeling as if you've won the relationship jackpot. You have.                                                        Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  Your ability to collaborate with co-workers on a team project will impress the boss. He or she will notice how you take the lead in order to transform the assignment for the better. As a result, you might end up in a stronger position of authority, possibly even becoming your boss' top pick for the next promotion or other professional honor. Remain focused on this task and the rewards will surely arrive. Your work will speak for itself.                                BUSINESS+VE                                                                              Euro finance ministers agree on Spain bank bailout       Euro area finance ministers agreed early Tuesday on the terms of a bailout for Spain’s troubled banks, saying that €30 billion ($36.88 billion) can be ready by the end of this month. The finance ministers for the 17 countries that use the euro as their official currency will return to Brussels on July 20, 2012 to finalise the agreement, having first obtained the approval of their governments or parliaments, eurozone chief Jean-Claude Juncker said. As part of the agreement with Spain, finance ministers from all 27 European Union countries are expected on Tuesday to approve a one-year extension, until 2014, of Spain’s deadline for achieving a budget deficit of 3 per cent. There will be specific conditions for specific banks, and the supervision of the financial sector overall will be strengthened, Mr. Juncker said. “We are convinced that this conditionality will succeed in addressing the remaining weakness in the Spanish banking sector,” he said. Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager said the agreement should be finalised soon. “We have a tentative deal on the bailout conditions for a bailout of Spanish banks,” Mr. de Jager said. “The total will likely be €100 billion. Some countries like the Netherlands, Germany and Finland need to get parliamentary approval. We hope this can be wrapped up within a week.” The exact amount of the bailout will likely not be known until September, when individual examinations of different Spanish banks have been completed. Mr. de Jager said Madrid’s partners agree that “financial sector reforms in Spain must be ruthlessly implemented. These reforms include, notably, a cap on salaries of bank executives and a ban on bonuses.” “There are still differences over this,” he said. “The details will be worked out by the end of the year.” But on Monday, before the eurogroup meeting began, Mario Draghi, the chief of the European Central Bank, said he was confident that a banking union in the European Union would be achieved. “The first thing to be created will be the supervision,” Mr. Draghi told a committee of the European Parliament. “We are talking about the long-term sustainability of the European monetary union. We are going as fast as we can. It is better to do things right than in a hurried fashion. We certainly want to see this thing wrapped up by the end of the year,” he said, referring to banking oversight. “By the end of this year we will have something that is not perfect, but achievable.” Officials also announced that Klaus Regling, a German economist who currently heads the temporary E.U. bailout fund, had been chosen to head the European Stability Mechanism the permanent bailout fund meant to head off instability in the eurozone.     HEALTH+VE                                                                Honey improves immunity, relieves anxiety             For ages, the anti-bacterial properties of honey have been revered and so it is little wonder that it has been used for medicinal purposes all over the world.   Even in our day-to-day lives, whether it's a sore throat or a slight burn, we immediately use honey as a quick home remedy. But did you know that this magical product is effective in many other ways too? Here are some alternative ways you can make use of honey.   To relieve anxiety and nervousness: Yes, if you want to reduce or lower your stress levels, you don't necessarily have to depend on medical prescriptions. Add some pure honey in your porridge.     The nutrients in honey produce a calming effect, especially when taken in significant amounts. That's the reason why some consider it a part of the breakfast of champions. Honey can also be mixed with a suitable beverage for a good night's sleep!       Acts as an energy booster: Why consume palpitation-inducing energy drinks when you already have honey? You can mix honey with some water and then drink this solution. The glucose content in the honey will be absorbed by the brain and in the bloodstream, which will reduce your body fatigue. This one is simple, yet effective.     Improves immunity: Though it hasn't been scientifically been proven, daily consumption of honey is said to strengthen your immune system. Drink a teaspoon of honey daily, along with your morning vitamins and see the difference.     Remedy for ulcers in diabetics: While you have a host of products in the market that can cure ulcers, you can speed up the healing process naturally, if you use honey as a topical solution. Its ability to heal wounds will certainly come in handy when other ointments are not advised to use, especially if you suffer from diabetes. Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  Your sweetheart might convince you to partake in a new adventure. Although you typically prefer a more conservative approach in all things, today you're more likely to accept this offer to enjoy something more spontaneous. It might be an invitation to try a new sport or other recreational activity or it may also have more to do with intellectual stimulation. Whatever this is, you'll feel renewed by the change of pace. And you'll have fun!                                      Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 It'll be an exceptional day to address any type of family financial matter. If, for example, an elderly relative has expressed his or her wish for you to help with retirement or estate planning, today will be an ideal time to begin this process. Not only will you receive sound advice from an expert, everyone in your clan will trust the professional offering assistance. Move forward with confidence in any endeavor to help secure long term financial stability.                             Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 Your partner may approach you to discuss something important and if so, you can expect the conversation to go extraordinarily well. Anticipate positive and lasting progress in at least one close relationship matter today, thanks to an exceptional ability to communicate. You'll feel confident that your words are heard and that your partner will truly listen to what you're saying. As a result, you'll easily extend this same courtesy in return. Collaboration will be easy to achieve.                             Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 You'll have a gorgeous edge if you're looking to nab an extra work assignment or second job. The potential to earn more money through work will be spectacular, and if you have any chance to seize a new project, be sure to do so. If you're currently in the midst of negotiating salary for a freelance job you might have an opportunity to consider an offer that allows you more compensation than you previously anticipated.                                                 Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 If you have a child, today might be the kind of day that lends itself to a rich, rewarding experience together. You can expect to feel more of a personal connection to each other, and you'll have no doubt about the affirmative, transforming influence you offer as a parent. If you don't have children, today's energy may reflect in renewing emotional depth between you and a sweetheart. Either way, feelings will be intense - and positive! .                            Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  You might feel a stronger desire to nest and enjoy time in solitude. Although you may initially believe this will be difficult to achieve, it'll surprise you to see how your schedule clears up in order to support this need for quiet time. Even if you decide to do nothing else except putter around the house, the fact that you'll have a chance to be alone with your thoughts will feel priceless and rejuvenating.                            Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  It'll be a brilliant day to make any kind of presentation and if you're planning to schedule such an event, you'll surely impress your listeners. Words will come easy and you'll communicate as a true authority in whatever subject you're teaching or discussing. If you're in a position to share your message with any crowd, expect to have a solid, transformative effect on your audience as you achieve this goal. It'll feel incredible to have your words respected!                                   Moral Story     SMS   “ Problem is just a distance between Expectation & Reality! So either expect less & accept the reality.. Or expect alot & be brave enough to turn it into reality!! ”     LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS   Relations & Ego both are inter connected The first fails if the second is hurt The second fails if the first succeeds.   LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS   Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.    Santa & Banta got tired using mobile cell phones. For a change, they decided to use pigeons to send sweet messages. And this hilarious scheme worked very fine. One day Santa sends his pigeon. Banta sees, the pigeon is without any message. He picks his mobile and asks Santa: The pigeon is without any sweet message. Santa: that was a missed call.

EDUCATION +VE New engineering syllabus for colleges under Anna university     CHENNAI: The 500 self-financing colleges affiliated to Anna University are set to start the academic year with a new syllabus. A team of 240 faculty members of Anna University, Chennai, including 10-12 members from each department, coordinated by the academic courses director, is working to roll out the syllabus. For the affiliated colleges, this is the second time the syllabus has changed in two years. The first time was in 2011, when the directorate of technical education asked colleges affiliated to each of the five Anna Universities of Technology to follow R-2008 instead of the one prescribed by the respective AUT. "It is four years since R-2008 was drawn up. At Anna University it is customary to revise the syllabus every four years. This helps us to adapt to industry needs and keep up with technology developments," said a senior faculty member of Anna University, Chennai. The constituent colleges of Anna University, Chennai — Guindy College of Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology and Alagappa College of Technology — follow a different curriculum and syllabus called R-2009. "This syllabus is tougher than that prescribed for the affiliated colleges. Work on upgrading it will begin next year," said another faculty member. With just a few weeks to go for the new academic year to start, academicians believe the change will not be too drastic. "It is likely that there is only a 10% change in the syllabus. A couple of electives are likely to be added based on industry inputs," said an academic. For instance, the Data Structures course could be changed to Date Structures with Programming in C, C++. The move has evoked mixed reactions. Anna University faculty are pleased. "When the AUTs were formed they started their own curriculum and syllabus based on their whims and fancies. At least now the colleges will conform to the academic standard set by the university." Others said institutions should be allowed to work out the curriculum according to the region concerned. A faculty member in Chennai may not be aware of or bother too much about the need for solutions to a regional problem. In Tuticorin, for instance, the need may be for technology that helps workers separate salt from impurities in the salt pans there. A professor in Chennai is unlikely to know about such demands. "It's not so much about knowledge, as knowledge delivery that we have to worry about. The curriculum may have changed, but how many teachers will be able to adapt to it? Our teacher are not prepared for the new syllabus," said educational consultant P Moorthy Selvakumaran. For the second year, the 500-odd technical institutions will follow a common academic calendar too. All AUTs and Anna University, Chennai, will have the same semester opening and closing dates, examinations and practicals.  SPORTS +VE The alluring appeal of gymnastics   It is not the beauty and grace alone which have helped gymnastics gain universal appeal. The intensity of the competitions, mixed with the unexpected margin of error, is also something which has often charmed the spectators. A sport which has remained in the Olympic roster since 1896, when men competed in open air, saw some radical changes in 1928 (Amsterdam). For the first time women were allowed to take part in the event. And thanks to some extraordinary athletes over the years, gymnastics indeed has thrived to prove that in terms of popularity it is second to none, athletics and swimming included. Recent statistics indicate that gymnastics has constantly figured high in television ratings across the world, in excess of over 30 per cent in Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) and among all age-groups included in the survey. Stars’ contribution It could be no different in London too. The illuminating presence of the sport in the Olympic arena certainly owes a lot to legendary figures such as Nadia Comaneci, Larisa Latynina, Olga Korbut, Vera Caslavska, Mary Lou Retton, Svetlana Khorkina, Viktor Chukarin, Boris Shaklin, Sawao Kato, Dmitry Bilozerchev, Bart Conner Nikolai Andrianov, Vitaly Scherbo and Li Ning. Their gusty and awe-inspiring performances simply fail to fade away. Fortunately enough, many of the new generation gymnasts, who will add glitz and glamour to London’s North Greenwich Arena between July 28 and August 7 too are of the same mould, promising some pulsating contests. In Beijing, four years ago, the Chinese were simply superb, winning as many as 9 out of the 14 gold medals up for grabs. However, it is unlikely that there would be a repeat of that in London, because of a change in the world order since Beijing; especially on account of a rule change that has allowed a team only five gymnasts instead of six as was the case earlier in the team event. With the great Yang Wei retired, the Chinese, though having won the men’s team title at last year’s world championships in Tokyo but still left without an able leader, could be in trouble in London as they will be chased by the Kochei Uchimura-inspired Japanese, and the Americans, led by John Orozco. The 23-year-old Uchimura, who has been unbeaten since Beijing, would be the favourite to win the men’s all-around title at the London Games besides targeting the floor and horizontal bar gold medals. And if this happens as expected, the Chinese would be left with only the titles in rings, where Chen Yibing should excel once again, and in parallel bars Feng Zhe should take the honours. Though the British will be pinning their hopes on Louis Smith, who in Beijing won his country’s first gymnastics medal in nearly a century, it could still be Krisztian Berki (Hungary), the man to beat in pommel horse. In vault, it is likely that there could be a toss up between Flavius Koczi (Romania), Yang Hak-Seon (South Korea) and Igor Radivilov (Ukraine) for the top spot, though Koczi may have a slight edge over his rivals. Surprises The women’s action too are expected to throw up a lot of surprises as it could be four-horse race between the United States, Romania, Russia and China for the team title. The Americans will be led by Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber, the Romanian and Russian star cast are to be made up of Catalina Ponor and Larisa Iordache and Aliya Mustafina and Vikotria Komava respectively. China, the reigning champion, on the other hand could be struggling in the absence of the injured Cheng Fei. It could be a two-way tie between Douglas and Wieber for the top honours in the all-around, while vault specialist Mckayala Maroney (also from the U.S.), Mustafina (uneven bars), Ponor (beam) and China’s Sui Lu (floor) stand the chance of clinching medals. Yet, there could be many unexpected twists and turns and precisely this is why gymnastics at London should remain on top of your agenda.       Cocktail Cocktail Movie Name :   Cocktail  Release Date :   July 13, 2012 Genre :  Comedy/Romance              Producer : Saif Ali Khan  &  Dinesh Vijan Director :   Homi Adajania Music Director :  Pritam Cast : Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone , Diana Penty ,Dimple Kapadia , Boman Irani     Synopsis:   Cocktail movie based on three characters Gautam (Saif Ali Khan), Meera (Diana Penty) and Veronica (Deepika Padukone) which is a love triangle. The story goes starts with Gautam who is an incorrigible flirt, and runs after every girl he sees. Meera is a pretty girl who believes in desi values and attire, and comes to London from Delhi for a fresh start. Veronica is the spoilt bombshell who loves partying and drinking. Though different from each other, these three are perfect friends staying under one roof until friendship becomes confusing, and love becomes complicated.           A lobsters blood is colorless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue " INSPIRING STORY "         The Swamis and the Mysterious Light      A long time ago, there were two swamis who lived in two neighboring caves. They spent most of their time in deep meditation, except the time they ate or were visited by devotees. The people who came to visit them revered the two swamis, and enjoyed listening to them and being in their proximity. They sought their company, since they always felt more peaceful and happy when near them, and also for a long time after they went away. One cave was dark, as caves usually are, but in the other one there was sometimes a peculiar golden light illuminating the cave. It was not strong, but enough to be noticed and to mildly illuminate the cave. The phenomenon of the light bewildered the visitors, but they could not come to an agreement about the causes of the light. Both swamis were rather silent most of the time, and did not want to discuss the phenomenon of the light. The company of the swamis aroused calmness and peace in the visitors. Their minds slowed their incessant chatter, and they experienced a pleasant inner peace and inner happiness. The visitors admired both swamis, but believed that the one living in the illuminated cave possessed supernatural powers and was more advanced. He certainly appeared to them as a mysterious person. One day a great sage was passing by a near village, and being recognized by the villagers, one of them approached him and said: "Great master, we have a question to ask. There is a mystery which you might solve for us." "I will be glad to help you, if I can", answered the sage. "There are two swamis living here on the hill...", the villager started to recount. "Yes, I know", answered the sage, "and you inquire about the light in the cave." "Yes, great master, that is true. It is something that has been a riddle for us. Can you please tell us also, if the swami in the lighted cave is more advanced, and if he really possess supernatural powers?" "Pay attention to your inner self and not to outer phenomena. The outside world always changes, but inner self is constant. When in the presence of a teacher, listen to what he says and be aware of the influence of his words on you. Watch yourself, and see whether under his influence you become calmer and more peaceful, and your thoughts, at least for a while, slow down their mad race." "Yes most revered master", said one of the devotees, "but please enlightens us on the mysterious light." The sage sat down, and started to explain: "Sometimes, when one works intensively on the spiritual path, and concentrates and meditates a lot, various phenomena may occur around him, such as lights, sounds or visions. This is not supernatural. The mind has a creative power, and when concentrated, can produce various phenomena even unintentionally." "It does not mean that one is more advanced than the other. Not all minds produce these things. Some do, and some don't." "Some of the people who produce these lights may be aware of the light, and some may not. It depends on their psychic sensitivity. So it is also with the people who watch them. Not all see this light. In any case, it has nothing to do with whether one swami is more advanced or less advanced than the other one." "Thank you great master, you have solved for us this great mystery", exclaimed the devotees of the swamis, who were standing by, deeply relieved and happy to understand the mystery that has been troubling them for a long time.

“The pleasures of the senses pass quickly; those of the heart become sorrows,but those of the mind are ever with us, even to the end of our journey.”