“Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get”     VBA's Positive News Chile: Initiative to reforest Patagonia a growing success In January 2012, the Chilean public came together through the online community ClanEco, which provided technical support and a purchasing system, to create Reforest Patagonia, a campaign that accepts donations through its website. The initiative has led to the reforestation of more than 100,000 trees, about 90,000 of them donated by people and institutions from throughout the world. Last May, the first round of planting occurred. 'The months of September and October are the next window for reforestation and we hope to plant whatever is achieved between now and September,' said Thomas Kimber, deputy director of Reforest Patagonia and a member at ClanEco.     Israel: New solar device keeps homes warm, even in cold climes Israel is the land of milk and honey -- and solar water heaters. Practically every roof in Israel is fitted with a solar thermal collector to warm water for endless hot showers and hot water for the kitchen sink. Taking the idea of solar thermal hot water heaters to the next level is Tigi Solar, a new Israeli company that was inspired by the busy bee. The inside of Tigi's solar energy collector looks like a honeycomb. This unique shape helps collect more sun power more efficiently than regular solar collectors -- so efficiently that boiling hot water made from the sun can even be piped in to heat homes.     .     Pakistani, Indian MPs discuss opportunities for improving ties Members of Parliament from Pakistan and India on Thursday discussed opportunities of deepening ties between their countries specifically focusing on the issues of visa regime, role of media, education, and local government. 'It is a great fortune that India and Pakistan are neighbours that work in favour of each other,' said the Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar who hosted the Pakistan delegation visiting India as part of the 4th round of India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue. US: Chinook return to Elwha River In what the National Parks Service (NPS) is hailing as the Return of the Kings, adult Chinook salmon have been spotted in Olympic National Park in Washington, less than five months after the removal of the Elwha Dam. 'The return of the salmon marks an important milestone in the restoration of the Elwha River ecosystem and a historic moment in the history of the park,' the NPS said in a statement on 20 August. This follows the June sighting of steelhead trout spawning in a tributary of the river, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.       Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + In relief for Mamata government, Supreme Court extends stay of verdict in Singur case        The West Bengal government got a major relief on Friday when the Supreme Court extended the interim order of suspension of the Calcutta High Court judgment that struck down the law intended to reclaim Singur land leased out to the Tatas and to give a part of it back to farmers who were yet to receive compensation for it. The High Court, while delivering judgment on June 22, suspended the operation of the judgment for two months to enable the State to move the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the State filed its appeal against the judgment. A Bench of Justices H.L. Dattu and C.K. Prasad, after hearing senior counsel K.K. Venugopal and senior counsel K. Parasaran, said, “The interim order passed by the High Court suspending the operation of the judgment will continue until further orders.” The Bench granted four weeks for the parties to file their replies. In its appeal, the State said despite possession being handed over to the Tatas and its approved vendors, the car project could not be set up by them. It noted that on October 31, 2008, the company wrote to the government, saying that it did not intend to use the land for the project. It said: “Thereafter, the small car project was abandoned by Tata Motors and was admittedly set up by it at Sanand, Gujarat, instead of the present site at Singur.” The company also said that it would be willing to move out of the land, provided it was compensated for the expenses incurred. “Thus the public purpose for the acquisition of lands stood completely and irreversibly defeated and frustrated.” Justifying the law, the State said: “In view of this and the fact that farmers owning about 296 acres of land, which was the subject matter of proceedings, had refused to accept compensation and challenged the acquisition, the State stepped in and enacted the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011. Among other things, the Act was to re-vest the land in the State. It was also intended to provide compensation to the Tatas as determined by the Hoogly district judge. It is an Act for resumption of possession of land which was lying unproductive.” The State said this acquisition was challenged unsuccessfully in the High Court and appeals were still pending in the Supreme Court. “However, it is a matter of public knowledge that the acquisition had resulted in violent protests by farmers/landowners.” But, the State said the High Court division bench, overturned a single judge’s order and struck down the law. The State in its appeal said the land was acquired in 2006 and, hence the Act was not intended to be an Act of acquisition. It was only intended to take back possession of the land, which was a State subject. The High Court ignored the fact that the original acquisition was completed way back in 2006 and the State could deal with it in any manner dictated by public interest and the absence of a central law was totally irrelevant for this. “The State Act is a subsequent legislation, passed on account of subsequent events and for providing for matters not covered at all by the Land Acquisition Act, or by the judgement of the High Court upholding the original acquisition” the appeal said and sought the quashing of the impugned order and an interim stay of its operation. Astrology Aries March 21 to April 19 Whatever effort you put forth in work matters this week, you're sure to enjoy a reward. On Wednesday you'll be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a career opportunity that'll come to you through a VIP. By Friday, the full moon in Pisces will make you busier than ever when you focus hard on an assignment. Although you'll have plenty to do, you'll feel productive and be proud of all you accomplish. Full moons bring energy, not only to you, but also to your team and co-workers. Afterward, you can relax, rest, and recover.                                               Taurus April 20 to May 20 If you're involved in any type of creative endeavor with international ties, you can expect steady progress this week. On Wednesday you might turn a corner with this project, and you'll finally feel as though it is proceeding well and that you are in the driver's seat. On Friday, the full moon, you will have a beautiful personal social event to look forward to attending with your partner. If you are not attached or dating, you may go to an industry event with your business partner, agent, or publicist. In any case, the week will end on a grand and happy note.                                   Gemini May 21 to June 20 A happy development involving your family is likely to transpire this week. On Wednesday you may hear news about your mother, father, or other close relative whose health may have concerned you, but is now clearly turning the corner. On Friday a full moon in your career sector will put you in the spotlight. This will be a major point of the year when everything you've done, and all that you hope to achieve, will come together, as if wrapped in a beautiful turquoise box, tied with a white satin ribbon.                            Cancer June 21 to July 22  If you're in negotiations with a business partner or client, this week you'll likely shake hands and sign a deal that will favor you in an outstanding way. If you're involved in any legal matter, Friday's full moon may bring it to a close, and if so, you'll be pleased with the result. At month's end, it's likely you will be setting your compass to a distant point. You will likely be either packing to go on a long journey or flying back from one. This trip is sure to be special, for you have Mars lighting your romance sector - the stars will be twinkling just for you.                                                          Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  Mid-week might bring an offer for a new position, one that pays exceptionally well and makes the most of your talents. The Sun, your ruling star, will be in conversation with Pluto, making for a powerhouse combination - stay optimistic. By Friday you may be negotiating benefits with a new or present employer, such as for vacation days, health care, and retirement planning. You may alternatively pay down a loan or other debt and be relieved to have this bill crossed off your list.                                BUSINESS+VE                                                                              Apple wins $1 billion in Samsung patent case        A California jury awarded Apple Inc more than $1.05 billion on Friday in its patent infringement claim that Samsung Electronics Co copied technology used in its iPad and iPhone. The nine-member jury in a federal court in San Jose, California, found overwhelmingly in Apple’s favour, saying Samsung had infringed on six of seven smartphone patents in question.   The US lawsuit was one of several cases around the world between California-based Apple and South Korean Samsung over technology rights and innovation in the fast-growing mobile computing sector. Apple sued Samsung in April 2011, and Samsung countersued. The companies have also sued each other in Britain, Australia and South Korea. The California case was the first to go to a US jury.     Apple sought $2.75 billion for its claims that Samsung infringed four design patents and three software patents. Samsung demanded as much as $421.8 million in royalties for claims that Apple infringed five patents. The complexity of the case was compounded by Apple’s contention that nearly two dozen of Samsung’s devices violated its patents. The disputes date to 2010 when Samsung released its Galaxy smartphones. Apple immediately suspected that Galaxy phones copied the iPhone, which had been on the market for three years. Apple and Samsung are the world’s largest makers of handheld devices that blend phone and a computer functionality. Sales of the iPhone totalled 47 billion dollars in 2011, while iPad sales totaled 20.4 billion dollars, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Together they comprised 62 per cent of Apple’s sales in fiscal 2011. In smartphone sales, Samsung has a lead over Apple with about 32 per cent of the market to Apple’s 17 per cent, according to technology market researcher IDC. In a related decision, the US International Trade Commission ruled Friday that Apple did not infringe two patents owned by Google Inc’s Motorola Mobility unit for wireless technologies. The commission stopped short of resolving their dispute, ordering a trade judge to reconsider Motorola Mobility’s claim that Apple had violated another patent.    HEALTH+VE                                                              Foods that keep you hydrated       Listed are some of the food items that keep you hydrated if you are not much of a (water) drinker   We all know that our body is 70 per cent water. We need to keep ourselves hydrated in order to keep our body functioning properly.   There are mostly three types of food categories: fresh juicy fruits, green leafy vegetables and water based soups.     There are a variety of fruits that you can choose from if you do not drink water that much. The best pick is a watermelon which has the maximum water content in it.     Fresh fruits will give you the needed hydration to feel better and be healthier. Some more examples are: apples, kiwi, grapefruit, coconut, strawberries, and any type of berries.     The second food group is vegetables. The green fresh vegetables provide nutrients that help the body to stay hydrated and not get too heavy with other foods.     It is better to eat the vegetables raw. Cooking them will take out the natural moisture and hydration.     The third category is soup or a broth. They can give you some liquid that your body needs and will therefore hydrate you. A good soup to try is a vegetable chicken soup. If you don't like chicken, get vegetable soup.        Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  On Wednesday the Sun and Pluto will be at an ideal angle, infusing you with vitality and putting you in the mood for love. This same day would be superb for discussing or displaying a new creative idea. Things will just keep getting better as the week progresses. By Friday's full moon in your commitment sector, you may move in with your steady, become engaged, or this may be the date of your wedding. Or, in business, it may be the right moment to make a serious collaboration official.                                  Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 Do you have to solve a home-related situation that involves your home, property, or a concern about one of your parents? Pluto, working with the Sun, will bring the right options on Wednesday. If you plan to attend a social event early this week, it might to lead to a professional tip or introduction, or garner you publicity. On Friday, you will be racing to finish a major work assignment before heading out to enjoy your happy weekend. You've done a good job, so enjoy your time off.                              Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 This week an important assignment may come up in that taps your skills in communication. If you're slated to give a speech, presentation, or media appearance, you should do well, thanks to a well-placed Pluto. Friday will bring the most outstanding, tender full moon of the year. Falling August 31, it will be ideal for finding new love or drawing closer to a present attachment. Look up in the sky - you will see it, as big as a pizza pie. All full moons are influential for four days, so plan something special.                              Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 You are entering a powerful week, where developments should please you on several levels. Your earning power may start to climb, thanks to a positive alignment that will link the Sun in your career sector to Pluto to your income sector. On Wednesday, ask for a raise, interview for a new position, or begin talks on a new business venture. On Friday, your attention will refocus to your home, for the full moon may crystallize a move to a new address, or you may complete a renovation. If you are hoping to sell or buy property, you may find accord and shake hands on a deal.                                                Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 You may now have a conversation with an experienced person whose opinion you trust and who has some wise advice to impart. This person will have your best interests in mind, so you will want to listen closely. On Friday you might finalize a contract or negotiation, and it would be to your advantage. Are you launching a new blog, Facebook, or Twitter page? Do it on Friday's full moon or over the weekend, as at that point, the force will be with you.                               Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  If you have put in an application for a bank loan, infusion of venture capital, or a new mortgage or refinance plan, check with your financial advisor or lender early in the week to see if she needs more documentation. You have an excellent chance of being approved. News should come by Friday (or next Monday at the very latest). The same good news would apply to you if you had asked for a raise. When it comes to money luck, you are holding all aces.  .                          Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  A fine opportunity might come your way this week through your significant other, or business partner, agent, publicist, or lawyer. You may be aware that this person is a fierce supporter of your work and believes you have potential to grow substantially in influence and income. What might surprise you is that your partner can help you to get you one step closer toward achieving this goal. On another note, the full moon in Pisces on Friday will ring in a big moment when you can finally realize a dream dear to you. This full moon will be doubly powerful if your birthday falls near February 27.                                     Moral Story     SMS   “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”     LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS   Love consists in this, that two solitudes protect and border and salute each other.   LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS      The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction and the will to carry on.       2 man were fixing a bomb in a car.            1  : What would you do if the bomb explodes while fixing. 2 : Don't worry, I have a one more.

EDUCATION +VE Sonia’s constituency to get 5th central varsity in UP             NEW DELHI: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's constituency Rae Bareli is all set to get a central university, the fifth in Uttar Pradesh. In a written reply to a question from Rasheed Masood in the Rajya Sabha, HRD minister Kapil Sibal said a central university is being planned in UP. However, the answer did not state the location of the proposed university. Ministry sources, however, said the central university would be in Rae Bareli. "The proposal is being finalized for approval during the 12th Plan. One view is that it should be a women's university," a source said. In his reply, Sibal also said that another central university would come up in Bihar. Name of two proposed universities would be added to the Central Universities Act, 2009. Sixteen central universities were created through this Act a few months ahead of the 2009 parliamentary polls. UP has four central universities in the country: Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Allahabad University and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Rae Bareli also has a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and recently it was decided that a new AIIMS-like institution will also come up in Sonia's constituency. "After the success of NIFT it has been decided to turn Rae Bareli into an educational hub. Easily accessible from Lucknow, faculty and students from all across India are coming here. It has also created employment opportunities as many businesses have come up around the campus to cater to students and teachers," an official said. The central university is also likely to be showcased by the Congress as a proof of its commitment to education in a constituency, which has been the traditional pocket borough of the Gandhi-Nehru family but is fast slipping away to political rivals like the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. In the last UP assembly election, Congress lost in five assembly segments of Rae Bareli and put up an equally disastrous performance in Rahul Gandhi's Amethi constituency.    SPORTS +VE Lance Armstrong plots strategy after loss of titles     LOS ANGELES: Cyclist Lance Armstrong plotted his career strategy on Saturday after the US anti-doping agency banned him from the sport for life and stripped him of the record seven Tour de France titles. USADA branded Armstrong a dope cheat on Friday, a day after the 40-year-old Texan said he would not pursue a bid to clear himself of charges that he used performance enhancing drugs to win cycling's most prestigious race from 1999 to 2005. The agency laid out five rule violations for which Armstrong has been sanctioned, saying the cancer survivor who became a hero to millions took part in a systematic doping conspiracy with his then US Postal Service team. It said that, as Armstrong has dropped out of an arbitration process, he "has received a lifetime period of ineligibility and disqualification of all competitive results from August 1, 1998 through the present". Along with his celebrated haul of Tour titles, Armstrong stands to lose the Olympic bronze medal he won in 2000 along with other race titles, prize money and other awards.  The International Cycling Union, the sport's governing body based in Aigle, Switzerland, had been fighting USADA for jurisdiction over Armstrong's case and said Friday it wanted to see USADA's full explanation for the sanctions before acting. However, USADA's statement made it clear they believe the UCI is bound by the World Anti-Doping Code to back up its findings. "Because Mr. Armstrong could have had a hearing before neutral arbitrators to contest USADA's evidence and sanction and he voluntarily chose not to do so, USADA's sanction is final," the agency's statement said. Armstrong had long denied accusations of doping but said Thursday he would no longer even address the issue. "Today I turn the page," he said. But hours after USADA's announcement on Friday he made it clear that doesn't mean he'll disappear, tweeting his intention to compete in a local mountain bike race in the Aspen area in Colorado called the Power of Four. "Excited to be racing the #poweroffour tomorrow here in @AspenCO," Armstrong tweeted, apparently confident of a warm welcome from the local cycling community. Certainly Armstrong had already received support from leaders of the anti-smoking and anti-cancer causes that he champions, and from sports apparel giant Nike. "Lance has stated his innocence and has been unwavering on this position. Nike plans to continue to support Lance and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a foundation that Lance created to serve cancer survivors," the firm said. Armstrong, who has branded the USADA probe a "witch hunt, had gone to court in a bid to block the agency's proceedings. But on Monday a federal judge in his hometown of Austin dismissed his lawsuit, leaving Armstrong until midnight on Thursday to tell USADA whether or not he would seek arbitration. "I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999," Armstrong said Thursday. "The toll this has taken on my family, and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today -- finished with this nonsense." USADA maintains that Armstrong used banned substances -- including the blood-booster EPO, steroids and blood transfusions -- dating back to 1996, and said 10 of his former teammates were ready to testify against him. If the UCI confirms the move, it faces a potential headache of choosing new winners for the seven disputed tours, as a number of cyclists who finished behind the American have also been implicated in doping scandals. Indeed, Armstrong has argued that at least some of the witnesses who have implicated him cannot be trusted as they are themselves admitted dope cheats. Former teammate Floyd Landis, who finally admitted doping years after he was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title, accused Armstrong of systematic doping, helping trigger a federal government probe of Armstrong and others. That investigation ended in February with no criminal charges brought, but it apparently provided further impetus to USADA's probe of the cyclist. USADA said it also had blood tests taken from 2009-2010, when Armstrong briefly came out of retirement to compete internationally again, that were "fully consistent" with blood doping. Armstrong, who retired from cycling last year, said he passed hundreds of drug tests during his career and adhered to the rules in place at the time of his Tour de France wins. "I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair," he said, alleging that from the start the probe had been "about punishing me at all costs." However, World Anti-Doping Agency chief John Fahey said Armstrong's decision not to fight the charges could only be seen as an admission of guilt. "There can be no other interpretation," he said.     Joker Joker  Movie Name :   Joker   Release Date :   August 31, 2012 Genre :  Romance, Comedy Producer : Ronnie Screwvala ,Farah Khan Director :   Shirish Kunder Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar,Gaurav Dagaonkar Cast : Akshay Kumar,Sonakshi Sinha,Minisha Lamba,Shreyas Talpade.   Synopsis:      In 1947 when the maps of India and Pakistan were being drawn, an oversight ensured that the village of Paglapur didn’t find a place in either country. The village had the distinction of housing the largest mental asylum in the region and in the melee that ensued during partition, the asylum inmates broke loose, drove away the villagers and established their own republic in Paglapur.   And that’s how it stayed for the next 60 years! While the world outside changed, Paglapur remained isolated, with no electricity, television or sanity! Now, decades after the world forgot this village, a NASA scientist of Indian origin, Agastya and his beautiful wife, Diva find themselves on the road to Paglapur. Agastya is working on a top secret project for creating a device to communicate with aliens.   So why is he in a village whose colourful inhabitants include a man who speaks in gibberish, another who thinks he is a lamp post and everyone else who think Mahatma Gandhi is still around, fighting for independence? And more importantly, what are they going to do that will soon turn the universe’s spotlight on this forgotten village? Joker – India’s first extra terrestrial comedy in 3D! Coming to a theater near you in summer 2012.           The Statue of Liberty's tablet is two feet thick. " INSPIRING STORY "   Live and Work   Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job.     Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy. Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.   The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely. Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.   However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.   Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium.     Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients.     Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family. As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore.     On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family. Father did not wake up the next day.

“If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut”