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“Life itself was only futility, vain words, a squabble of cap and bells. ”
| VBA's Positive News |
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Peace envoy Brahimi pushes Syrian ceasefire call in meeting in Damascus
International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will meet Syrian officials in the capital Damascus over the next few days in the hope of a securing a brief ceasefire in the war between President Bashar al-Assad's government and rebel forces. Brahimi arrived in the city on Friday afternoon and will meet Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday morning, the UN spokesman in Damascus, Khaled al-Masri, said. He did not say whether the envoy would meet Assad himself.
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Japanese 'sangaku' paintings reveal the sacred side of maths
Between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, the Japanese used to hang up pictures of maths theorems at their shrines. Called 'sangaku', the pictures were both religious offerings and public announcements of the latest discoveries. The purpose of a sangaku was threefold: to show off mathematical accomplishment, to thank Buddha, and to pray for more mathematical knowledge.
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Earth-sized planet found just outside solar system
European astronomers say that just outside our solar system they've found a planet that's the closest you can get to Earth in location and size. It is the type of planet they've been searching for across the Milky Way galaxy and they found it circling a star right next door -- 25 trillion miles away. But the Earth-like planet is so hot its surface may be like molten lava. Life cannot survive the 2,200 degree heat of the planet, so close to its star that it circles it every few days.
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Canada: Calgary fastest growing car2go city worldwide
Response to the car2go carsharing concept in Calgary has been overwhelming. On the first of October, car2go Canada, Ltd a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, announced that since its launch in Calgary on 21 July, more than 15,000 people have registered as members of the city's first large-scale carsharing programme, making the city the fastest growing car2go city worldwide.
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World Round-Up
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Nation pays homage to 1962 martyrs for first time
Paying homage to soldiers who fought in the 1962 Indo-China war, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Saturday ruled out any possibility of the repeat of the war and said armed forces were confident of protecting the country against any such threat.
This is the first time that the Indian defence establishment has honoured the dead and participants of the 1962 war officially.
“I would like to assure the nation that India of today is not the India of 1962. Over the years, successive governments learning lessons from the past strengthened our capabilities and modernised our armed forces... we are confident armed forces will be able to protect the border in event of any threat,” he said on the sidelines of an event to honour the soldiers of the 1962 war on its 50th anniversary.
The Defence Minister was asked to assess the threat from China and India’s preparation to tackle it.
In the war, India suffered defeat at the hands of the Chinese Army which went to capture large portion of Indian territory.
The Defence Minister, who along with Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh and the three services chiefs paid homage to the 1962 war heroes and laid wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti, said successive governments have learnt lessons from the war and strengthened military capabilities and developed infrastructure.
“We will vigorously continue to strengthen our capabilities,” the Defence Minister said.
Mr. Antony also noted that India was holding dialogue with China to find a solution to the long-pending border dispute and has established a mechanism to “immediately settle” any tensions on the border.
Asked why did it take 50 years for the Government to honour the soldiers and martyrs of the 1962 war, the Defence Minister said, “Nothing changed. This is the 50th year and we thought this is the time the whole nation must pay our homage to the officers and jawans who lost lives to protect our border.”
Asked about criticism that the military leadership was not much involved in 1962 and the lessons learnt from it, Mr. Antony said, “The major lesson is that we have to strengthen our armed forces to protect our borders.
That we are doing and now we are in a position to involve armed forces, intelligence agencies and all those involved in the protection of national security that process is much more strong.”
Asked when will the Government take a decision on the Henderson Brookes report on the 1962 war, the Defence Minister said, “Let me take a decision.”
He said all issues relating to setting up of the national war memorial at India Gate have been sorted out and it was in the final stages of being cleared by the government.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
Saturn is edging close to the Sun, suggesting that when it comes to love, if you have been dating over two years, you will soon insist on seeing some sort of progress, possibly in terms of commitment, in your relationship. The Sun rules your love sector, and Saturn's proximity to the Sun will urge you to be realistic and practical - never easy in matters of the heart, especially with Neptune increasing your sense of idealism. Still, the days where you would date, with no particular end point in mind, will soon end, so that you can build a more certain future. If your current partner does not share your sense of purpose, you may leave.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
The strong creative spark that you have in you may find expression today. Spend time working on a project dear to you - you may discover your ideas are on-target and especially original. If you are in a relationship you may find you are ready to share your hopes, dreams, and wishes for your future together, an ideal time to do so. If you are not involved, you may want to mull over the type of person that would be right for you. Looking back on your experience, you may enlarge or change some of your qualifiers for an ideal mate. If you circulate this coming week, you may meet someone special.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Health and fitness will be front and center for you now. If you want to start or adjust your health regimen, you have one of your best moments of 2012 to begin to reevaluate your health needs and organize your fitness plan. You are a whiz at gathering information, so ask for the advice of experts in the health world to guide you in quest. You may want to hire a trainer, consult a nutritionist, or sign up at a group weight loss center. Schedule annual medical and dental exams, now through November, too.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
You may have a yearning to develop your creative talents, and with Saturn drawing near, you will find the discipline and drive to master your skills. You may want to enroll in a drawing, design, or writing class, for example, or instead of being the student, take on the role of teacher. Any new creative effort you take on now may take more time or money than you might anticipate, but the result would be one that would make you proud. In love, watch actions over words - they are the most telling.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Your residence will be quite a focus for you, starting now and in the three years to come. The process will be gradual, but you will crave long-term security. To that end, may begin to think about having your own apartment if you've shared your space with others, or to save up for a down payment for your own condo, house, or vacation home. Your parents will likely need more assistance from you in the future, and you'll be glad to lend a hand. View this coming phase as part of your personal development, for Saturn will see to that and give you the wisdom you need to make the right choices. You can now create stability for the future, so consider all your options now. On another note, if you need to communicate an important concept, you will find that you can do so with ease now.
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Kingfisher extends lockout till 23 Oct; licence remains in limbo
New Delhi: Kingfisher Airlines has not provided any clear operational plan, how and by when it will get recapitalised, or even a timeline for payment of salary dues to its employees.
And since these were the three major issues on which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator, had sought clarity before allowing the airline to take off again, it looks highly unlikely that Kingfisher will fly again just yet.
The airline had submitted a skeletal plan to the DGCA this evening but the vitals are missing. Reuters
The airline had submitted a skeletal plan to the DGCA this evening but the vitals are missing. This forced the regulator to call a series of urgent internal meetings on the next step it must take in the Kingfisher saga, which has been full of twists and turns.
Officials in the Ministry of Civil Aviation have been indicating that a suspension of Kingfisher’s flying licence is imminent.
In a terse statement some time back, the airline merely reiterated that it has extended the “partial” lockout until 23 October. “We had a positive meeting with employee representatives on October 17 and are hopeful of reaching common ground when we meet again next week.
Currently, we anticipate resuming operations on November 6, subject to our resumption plan being reviewed and approved by the DGCA.”
Meanwhile, the employees are slated to meet the top management of the airline again on Monday to sort out the mess but a resolution may still be unlikely as neither side wants to budge from its position: employees want salary dues of seven months cleared whereas the management says it only has enough money to pay them for a month.
Airline engineers, who were instrumental in unleashing the present crisis at the airline by refusing to certify planes, told Firstpost yesterday that unless the airline offers them at least four months’ salary (salary for seven months is due now) and that too before Diwali (which falls on 12 November), not one engineer will return to work.
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How protein meal makes you feel full
Feeling full is not just limited to getting the uncomfortable sensation that your waistband is getting tight.
Investigators have now mapped out the signals that travel between your gut and your brain to generate the feeling of satiety after eating a protein-rich meal.
Understanding this back and forth loop between the brain and gut may pave the way for future approaches in the treatment and/or prevention of obesity.
Food intake can be modulated through mu-opioid receptors (MORs, which also bind morphine) on nerves found in the walls of the portal vein, the major blood vessel that drains blood from the gut. Specifically, stimulating the receptors enhances food intake, while blocking them suppresses intake.
Investigators have now found that peptides, the products of digested dietary proteins, block MORs, curbing appetite.
The peptides send signals to the brain that is then transmitted back to the gut to stimulate the intestine to release glucose, suppressing the desire to eat.
Mice that were genetically engineered to lack MORs did not carry out this release of glucose, nor did they show signs of 'feeling full', after eating high-protein foods. Giving them MOR stimulators or inhibitors did not affect their food intake, unlike normal mice.
Because MORs are also present in the neurons lining the walls of the portal vein in humans, the mechanisms uncovered here may also take place in people.
"These findings explain the satiety effect of dietary protein, which is a long-known but unexplained phenomenon," senior author Dr. Gilles Mithieux of the Universite de Lyon, in France, said.
"They provide a novel understanding of the control of food intake and of hunger sensations, which may offer novel approaches to treat obesity in the future," he added.
Investigators have reported the findings online in the Cell Press journal Cell.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Communications will flow smoothly for you today, so if you think of an idea, write it down, for doing so will get you one step closer to making a desire dear to you a reality. You may need to jot down names and contact information of people you've met in socializing and while networking professionally - follow up, for you may find you may learn from one another. On another note, the new moon in Libra that occurred October 15 is still strong and will help you increase your salary. It's imperative that you ask now for a raise or negotiate a new salary - make use of that new moon before vibrations fade!
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Today you may feel quite inventive and motivated to share your ideas. Be flexible, as sudden twists and turns may redirect the plans you drew up, but in allowing for change, you are likely to add fun and a possibility for profit into the mix. The Sun is now moving through your earned income sector and will contact Neptune, which will provide you with a wellspring of inspiration, perfect for directing into a creative project. Take yourself seriously - others have made good money from simple ideas that the world needed. You can, too.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 The Sun will enter Scorpio today, sending warm and golden rays toward you. Now that the Sun is in Scorpio, you will sense greater control over the course of events in future weeks. You are in a potent time, for Saturn, also in Scorpio, is readying you for greater responsibilities. A new role is shaping up for you, and you will work very hard, but you will gain in authority. Keep your health very strong, as strenuous demands will be made on your time and energy in coming months.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Travel may need to be delayed, as Saturn is about to approach the Sun in the most hidden, private part of your chart, to meet in conjunction later this week. Saturn is known to bring delays, so you may have to be patient while you await an environment more conducive to travel. It's a superb week to devote yourself to work that requires a great deal of concentration behind closed doors - do so that others will not distract you. If you have to investigate or dig through facts, you will succeed in turning up many that may help you solve a mystery.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Over the past three years, Saturn in Libra tested your professional mettle. Life has not been easy, because you were being forced to reinvent your reputation and your means of making a living. Now, at long last, Saturn has left this difficult position earlier this month, and the new moon of October 15 may now bring you new career opportunities, more befitting to your new status and experience. Life will begin to open up to you, and at long last you will see that the work you put in will bring rewards now. Keep looking for the position that will use your talents well.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 You find yourself now still well within the phase of the encouraging new moon of October 15, which can help to sate your curiosity about the world around you. If you hope to take classes soon, call for brochures and arrange interviews with officials at educational institutions. Over the last three years, you may have found the barriers to returning to the classroom nearly insurmountable, but times are changing, and possibilities are popping up for you like wildflowers in a meadow.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Money has been so worrisome for so long, you were beginning to wonder if life would ever go back to the days when you could easily cover your bills and still have money left over for discretionary spending. It's been approximately four years since you had anything resembling a normal financial life, but you have solid reason to feel that you can rebuild and restart your life now. Saturn left Libra earlier this month, much to your relief, so barriers to financial success are starting to fade. Eclipses that were difficult have ended too.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object.”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
"True love doesn't mean being inseparable; it means being separated and nothing changes."
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”
A Funny short man & his wife go to a coffee house. Funny short man buys 2 cups of coffee.
Funny Man: Drink quickly... drink quickly... before it gets cold.
Wife: But why...
Funny Man: They charge Rs. 50 for hot coffee and Rs 100 for cold coffee.
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Six new courses introduced at Karnataka State Women's University
BIJAPUR: The Karnataka State Women's University has seen increase in admission to post-graduate and under-graduate courses in various colleges affiliated to it this year.
Vice-chancellor Meena Chandavarkar said that in 2012, a total of 875 students were admitted to various courses in the university colleges, but this year the number has gone up to 1370.
According to her, the university has a total of 90 colleges affiliated to it and the admission intake has increased to 23,000 this year. It was 17,000 last year.
The university has also introduced six new courses — Msc in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, statistics and MA in political science — from this academic year.
The university has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore, for starting a PG course in arts from the next academic year.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, the university has chalked out a number of plans which include holding all India women's universities athletic meet at the newly-constructed stadium. The construction work will be completed shortly at a cost of Rs 2.30 lakh.
On the occasion of the annual Siddheshwar fair in January, a three-day exhibition of products produced by the women has been organized.
Women's cooperative banks and voluntary organizations will exhibit their products in the exhibition.
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Gambhir and Sehwag's dip in form is a concern: Kapil Dev
NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev on Saturday conceded that the form slump of senior openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag is a big worry for the team ahead of the twin Test series against England and Australia.
"Of course, it is a cause of worry if players of that calibre don't get runs. They have big reputations and when you have such big reputations then there is a case for you to defend that," Kapil said on the sidelines of the Junior National tennis Championships where he was chief guest for the finals.
"They are big players and it is important for them to score runs not only for the team but also for themselves otherwise there will be worrying signs," he added.
Both Gambhir and Sehwag struggled at the recent World Twenty20 Championships but remain India's best opening option ahead of the upcoming home series against England next month and Australia which will come here in February-March.
Kapil sidestepped queries on the issue of whether Sachin Tendulkar should retire from international cricket. "Bade player ke baare mein na hi baat karein to accha hai (It is better not to talk about the decisions of big players)," he said.
"He had recently given an interview and he has said what he had to say," he added referring to Tendulkar's statement that he would reassess his plans next month.
On to other issues and Kapil said the general expectations from Mahendra Singh Dhoni the captain are much more than what one should have.
"You can't expect him to win all the time. He has given you World Cup, World T20, won Test matches, been number one in ICC rankings, so you can't expect him to win everytime," Kapil said. Kapil tried to put things in perspective when asked about the concept of multiple captains being tried out in India.
"If you have someone who is good enough to lead in all three formats, why do you need separate captains. But is there anyone who can do it? Do we have options for three formats?" he asked.
"There are certain things that Australia does and we tend to follow that but when we do certain things, we are criticised," he added.
The legendary all-rounder said that no selection committee can ever make everyone happy with its decisions. "Selectors can't please everyone but I am ok if they are working for the benefit of Indian cricket. It's an administrative decision to appoint a selection committee and I would like to let them do their job," he said.
Asked about speculation of him coming back as the Director of the National Cricket Academy, Kapil said, "It's time for me to leave."
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Ajab Gazabb Love
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Movie Name : Ajab Gazabb Love
Release Date : October 24, 2012
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Producer : Vashu Bhagnani
Director : Sanjay Gadhvi
Music Director : Sajid Wajid
Cast : Jackky Bhagnani, Nidhi Subbaiah, Arjun Rampal, Arshad Warsi, Kirron Kher, Darshan Jariwala.
Synopsis:
Ajab Gazabb Love (English: Strange and Amazing Love) is an upcoming Bollywood romance comedy film directed by Sanjay Gadhvi and produced by Vashu Bhagnani. The film stars Jackky Bhagnani opposite Nidhi Subbaiah in lead roles, whilst Arjun Rampal appears in a cameo role, along with Arshad Warsi, Darshan Jariwala and Kirron Kher in supporting roles. The theatrical trailer of the film revealed on 13th August 2012, whilst the film is expected to release worldwide on 24th October 2012.
Heir to a billion-dollar automobile empire, Rajveer Grewal has it all, a loving family, riches of the world, and a dream job designing cars. He falls head-over-heels in love with Madhuri, who is a strong advocate of social justice and equality. To his dismay, Rajveer learns that she 'hates' all rich people and will have nothing to do with a rich boy like himself. In a sweeping stance of romance, Rajveer decides to give it all up and pretend to be the 'poorest of the poor' in order to win her affection and love.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Respect to Elders
The story of markandeya maharshi, the child born with Alpaayu but made a chiranjeeva by the grace of Lord Shiva, is well known.
His father was Mrukanda maharshi. He also had alpaayu.
So after his upanayanam his father told him to bow to all elders and get their blessings.
He followed his father’s words. He used to bow to every one whether a pandit or a lay man.
Once saptarshis came to Mrukanda’s father. Mrukanda in his usual habit, bowed to them and got the blessings of the great saptarishis.
The blessing was “dhirga ayushman bhava”. After knowing the truth that is life was short they went to Lord Bramha to solve this puzzle. Mrukanda bowed to Brahma too.
And he also gave him the same boon, “dhirga ayushman bhava”.
Morals in the story:
Respecting elders and parents is one of the foremost principles of Indian culture. Even Lord Krishna used to prostrate before his elders, however bad they may be…
Since the saptarishis always speak the truth, whatever they spoke became true. With the power of truth, even the unavoidable death can be stopped!
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“Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay..”
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