"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."      VBA's Positive News Bahamas: Learning from Cuba's organic farming The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation's visit to Cuba this month included high-level discussions with officials from the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture and a tour of Central Havana's urban agriculture learning facility, which includes an organic farm. Cuba has focused on organic farming, urban agriculture, and the development of biopesticides and bio-fertilizers -- generating safe, fresh, and nutritious foods. At the end of the visit, Cuban officials offered to send an agricultural technical delegation to evaluate the needs of the Bahamas and map out a plan of action. Canada, European Union aim to conclude free trade deal in coming weeks The European Union and Canada aim to conclude a free trade agreement in the next few weeks after a top-level meeting over a deal that could swell bilateral trade by more than 20 per cent. A free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada, the EU's 12th-largest trading partner last year, would be the bloc's first with a country from the G7 group of major developed economies. For Canada, it would be the most significant since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Mexico in 1994 and an opportunity to diversify exports away from the United States. The EU is its second-largest trading partner.      Reuters analysis: Egypt proves peace role can survive Arab Spring Mediating the Gaza truce was a bravura diplomatic performance by Egypt's new President Mohamed Mursi, jacking up his personal stature and reassuring an anxious Washington that the architecture of Middle East peace can survive the Arab Spring. Praise from Washington has come fast and thick. 'I want to thank President Mursi for his personal leadership to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and end the violence,' said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who spent Wednesday at Mursi's palace being briefed on the negotiations by his staff.  Scotland's healing honey creating worldwide buzz Manuka honey, famous for its healing properties, has a new rival produced by volunteer beekeepers in Scotland. Microbiologists claim that a honey produced by the six-strong volunteer group in Edinburgh has been found to be just as beneficial as its New Zealand 'superfood' counterpart. Researchers from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh have discovered that the honey made by bees housed in a tiny Portobello orchard is also able to kill common bacteria -- including superbugs such as MRSA -- which cause wound infections.           Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + US suspected in malware attack on Sarkozy         The U.S. embassy in Paris has strenuously denied claims by the French newsmagazine l’Express that the U.S. launched a cyber attack on the French presidency, succeeding in installing a ‘Flame’ Trojan that allowed U.S. agents to hack into top-secret e-mails and documents. Flame is a technically complex malware that introduces secret monitoring capacity into high security computers, including for purposes of cyber warfare. The U.S. became a prime suspect because the malware used to hack into the Elysee Palace computers was similar to that allegedly used by the U.S. to destroy computers linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. According to the newsmagazine, the cyber attack took place earlier this year when President Nicolas Sarkozy was in office. “We categorically refute the allegations made by unidentified sources, which appeared in an article in l’Express, according to which the United States government participated in a cyber-attack against the French government,” ssaid the embassy statement, written in French. Paris chose to ignore the matter and refrained from detailed comment. The U.S. embassy statement said the magazine’s assumptions were not based on fact and that its anonymous sources had shared unverified suspicions and concerns. The magazine had reported that French informatics experts zeroed in on Flame, an almost untraceable malware, because of the sophistication of the attack. Though the U.S. and France regularly share intelligence, especially in their fight against terrorism, it is widely known that even close allies spy on each other. An attack such as the one described by l’Express could be considered a hostile act. l’Express said the attack was prompted by U.S. fears of what would transpire if Mr. Sarkozy, widely considered to be a staunch U.S. ally, was to lose the May 2012 presidential election. Many of the attacks targeted the computer of his chief of staff, Xavier Musca. A spokesperson for France’s National Agency for the Security of Information Systems, ANSSI, which was created under Mr. Sarkozy to defend France against cyber attacks, declined to comment. Playing down the importance of the alleged hacking, French government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said she had no concrete information about it but that the U.S.-French relations were “excellent”. Astrology Aries March 21 to April 19 If there's been a financial sting for you this week, today you'll begin to implement a plan that'll help you recover from any potential wounds. You might have recently received news about an investment opportunity going awry, or perhaps you feel as if you're moving two steps back with a tax or other settlement matter. Remain confident that a solution is near. In fact, it may arrive thanks to a clever idea from a colleague.                                                 Taurus April 20 to May 20   You may have experienced a significant tribulation in a close relationship - either business or personal. In fact, if things have not been going well for you, and you have decided that you've outgrown a certain alliance, you may have reached a breaking point. If so, today will be a day of greater calm and perspective. The hardest part is over and soon, and you'll be ready for a new start. This partnership taught you a great deal; it simply ran its course.                                      Gemini May 21 to June 20 Tension at the office might have been a challenge due to Saturn's influence with the Sun yesterday in your workaday sector. You may have felt intense pressure around a deadline sensitive assignment, or perhaps your boss was more critical than usual about your work performance. Today you'll feel as if you can finally come up for air. You'll use your adaptable, clever mind to focus on completing your tasks despite any recent stress.                                Cancer June 21 to July 22  You might have experienced a setback with your sweetheart and if so, today you'll find a way to communicate more effectively. Although it's possible that you'll realize a romance with someone new isn't working out as planned, if your feelings for one another run deep enough, an honest conversation might be all it takes to get things back on track. Also, if you felt blocked in a creative project, you'll begin to chip away at it.                                                             Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  If you've felt extra weight on your shoulders due to a family obligation this week, today you might find relief - or at least get a better handle on your responsibility. The Sun and Saturn have linked up in your domestic sector and it might have brought a serious family situation to your attention. Alternatively, you might have recently learned about a frustrating delay in a real estate matter. Today you'll consider that this obstruction is not a sure indicator of failure.                                  BUSINESS+VE                                                                              Portman Holdings picks up 26% stake in Tata Housing's Bangalore project       MUMBAI: Portman Holdings has picked up a significant minority stake in a Bangalore project of Tata Housing, the real estate arm of the Tata Group, for 65-83 crore. The investment by the Atlanta, US-based integrated real estate development, investment and management company, will be the first private equity investment in Tata Housing. A senior executive at Portman said that the company, which has investments in two projects being developed by Kolte Patil Developers in Pune, will hold between 26% and 30% in Promont, a high-end residential project being developed by Tata Housing. The equity valuation of the project is 250 crore. Portman will invest anywhere between 65 crore and 83 crore, he said. "Our strategy has been to invest in and develop residential projects with marquee developers in urban cities. We have worked with the Tata Group in the past, having partially designed and executed the Taj Welligton Mews service apartments in Mumbai. Promont fits our investment thesis well," Rahul Anand, managing director of Portman Holdings India, told ET. Tata Housing managing director and CEO Brotin Banerjee said: "Portman Holdings clearly recognises the opportunity for long-term and sustained growth in the Indian housing market." Portman has been investing proprietary money, but had plans to raise a $300-million fund from third party investors. "We are looking at another transaction in Bangalore. There are 3-4 more deals in the pipeline. By the first half of 2013, we should be able to close six investments," Anand said. Portman's first investment in India is already three-year old and Anand is confident of achieving a 25% IRR (internal rate of return) on that. Located at the highest altitude point of Bangalore, Promont is a high-end, gated, luxury community of terraced hillside residences with four apartment towers, villas and row houses.  HEALTH+VE                                                              10 foods that protect your heart       Heart disease is one of the most feared ailment and a side effect of sedentary lifestyle. You can control the effects of your lifestyle by eating the right food. It's quite often difficult to change your lifestyle drastically in this competitive world. But you can surely change a little bit of eating and ensure you are protecting your heart. Here's a list of food that can help you protect your heart. 1. Black beans: Black beans are packed with folate, antioxidants, magnesium which are good for lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. This in turn keeps your heart in safe zone. But if you are planning to use tinned beans, please drain the liquid and wash them before use to reduce the sodium content. 2. Salmon and tuna: These two fish are rich in anti-oxidants and omega-3, two important candidates who help heart. 3. Walnuts: A handful of them a day helps lower your cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the arteries. Replace them as mid-meal snacks instead of chips etc. 4. Oranges: They contain cholesterol-fighting pectin. The fruit is also rich in potassium that helps control blood pressure. Antioxidant hesperidin also helps lower blood pressure. 5. Carrots: Though sweet, they are good to control diabetes, which increases heart attack risk. They also help fight bad cholesterol. 6. Sweet potatoes: They are rich in vitamin A, fiber and lycopene making them a healthy substitute for the white brethren. 7. Oats: Oats in all forms help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol. 8. Flaxseeds: Fiber, phytochemicals called lignans, and ALA - these three ingredients in these small seeds make them a powerhouse of health. Sure protector of heart if had spoonful in powdered form everyday in cereals or salads. 9. Chilli powder: Difficult to believe, but these Indian tasty spice actually protects heart and body from diabetes with its ability to spike up the natural insulin levels in the body. 10. Coffee: It can keep away type 2 diabetes, but people having high blood pressure should be cautious as it can have a counter effect.     Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  You might make a firm commitment to someone - either in writing or a verbal agreement - and if so, you can expect that it will stick. The Sun will still connect to Saturn, now in your message sector, and this energy translates into serious communication. Be certain to negotiate carefully and accept that you may need to make a concession. With Venus still in Virgo until Sunday, however, you'll have an excellent chance for any conversation to sway in your favor.                         Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 If this has been a stressful week for you in terms of finances, expect the tension to ease up today. You might have lost a source of income or possibly shelled out a significant amount of money for a major expense such as a home repair. Although you may have felt more dismal about your ability to recoup this money, today will be a good time to reframe your thoughts around the situation. A clever solution is near.                                   Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 You may have experienced a heavy-duty week due to Saturn and the Sun lining up together in Scorpio. A new responsibility may have presented itself, one that you can't renege on. Although it might have felt stressful initially, thankfully today you'll start to feel more in control. In fact, you may prefer to be the one with authority now since you'll have no one else to defer to. This might turn into a better situation than you initially thought.                                Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 A recent breakthrough might have occurred, and if so, it would have been of a private nature - possibly even something that no one else would even notice on the outside looking in. You may have, for example, recently gone to a counselor or other therapist in an attempt to work out any stress in your life or to recover from an anxiety or other trouble. Now you may feel as if you're finally able to move forward. Good for you!                                                 Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 If you've recently experienced tension with a friend or in your affiliation with a group or organization, today you'll feel more centered about the situation and will begin to consider your next step. It might not be possible to salvage a relationship with a pal if things between the two of you have soured considerably this week. In fact, you might not even want to attempt reconciliation at this point. Be honest with yourself and then act accordingly.                                 Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18    You might have accepted greater responsibility in your professional world and if so, today you'll begin to get a solid handle on your new obligations. While it's true that you might have received a promotion or were placed in a position of authority, it's also possible that Saturn's recent alignment with the Sun in your career sector left you feeling the sting of a VIP's criticism or disapproval. If so, now you'll work through it and rise above it.                              Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  Today you'll gain clarity over a recent, possibly frustrating, setback in a publishing, advertising, or international business opportunity. You'll realize that this delay might be a blessing in disguise since now you'll have an opportunity to go over the project with a fine-toothed comb and perfect anything that doesn't meet your standards. Enlist the help of an older authority figure you hold in high regard - it'll help you feel even more confident.                                     Moral Story     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      “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”        Santa asks Priest: Why did god make women so beautiful? Priest: So that you will love them. Santa thinks for a short time... Santa: But why did God make them so dumb? Priest: So that they will love you.

EDUCATION +VE Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University to follow OMR system in examination             KANPUR: The first page of the examination answer-sheet of Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University will totally be based on Optical Mark Reader (OMR) system from the upcoming session, 2012-13. The university authorities have also decided to give extra time to the students to fill the OMR sheet during examinations. The marking columns will be similar to that of the previous years. The marks will be filled in the columns after the checking of the full copy by the examiner. The marking columns and their encoding will also be based on special codes, which will later be decoded by computer. Also, the university authorities have decided to purchase the paper for examination answer-sheets on their own. Even the printing of the sheets will be done under the special guidance of the universities department heads. The first page of the copies will be based on OMR system, which will be read by computer. Its important to mention here that following the steps of central universities, the authorities of CSJMU have declared the date of their session exams quiet early this year. The CSJMU session ending exams are scheduled to start from March 09. Meanwhile, the decision of conducting both the regular and private exams together or separately is yet to be taken, which will be decided by the university authorities by the end of ongoing month. SPORTS +VE News Media insists BCCI's own rules can end dispute     NEW DELHI: The international news media has insisted the Indian cricket board (BCCI) can resolve the dispute over the photo coverage of the India-England Test series through its own existing media rules. According to the News Media Coalition (NMC), an international organisation which defends the ability of the press to inform the public with independent news material, the issue could be sorted out easily. "All of this is avoidable and without the BCCI having to shift its stance," said the NMC. "The BCCI's own rules on media attendance at matches already prohibit activities the BCCI wants to control. Perhaps they would like to look up their own rules. In addition, news organisations themselves attach restrictions on the use of their content to ensure that it cannot be used for anything other than editorial purposes," it added. The BCCI's decision to lock out Getty Images, Action Images and two Indian photo agencies from covering the India-England series, had resulted in Reuters, AFP and AP suspending reports about the tour as well as pictures. The Press Association, national agency in the United Kingdom, is also not supplying photographs. The barring of reputable international photo-agencies has virtually halted the global distribution of photographs of England cricket team's tour to India. The news organisations have also questioned the BCCI on its version of events concerning the Board's own distribution of photographs in place of those from photo news agencies. "It appears to us that the BCCI was announcing plans to sell or give away its own photographs 10 days before the first Test and a week before international news agencies decided to suspend coverage. "The BCCI's latest justification implies it put this in place after coverage was withdrawn. At best the BCCI seems rather confused," said the NMC, which is backed by numerous newspaper publishers, news agencies and industry bodies around the world. Earlier Kevan Gosper, Chairman, International Olympic Committee Press Commission, said of the BCCI, "The IOC strongly disagrees with these moves by the BCCI, which we believe are a direct attack on the freedom of the media to report from sporting events, and shows contempt for the sporting public around the world who would otherwise like to follow these important matches."     Talaash   Movie Name :   Talaash  Release Date :   November 30, 2012 Genre :  Suspense, Drama Producer : Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Aamir Khan Director :   Reema Kagti Music Director :  Ram Sampat Cast : Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherji, Kareena Kapoor, Shernaz Patel, Raj Kumar Yadav, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vivek Madan.   Synopsis: It is after Sarfarosh (1999) that Aamir gets to don the khaki again and looks like he isn’t playing the goody-two-shoes cop this time. Complete with a roguish stubble, Aamir will take on the bad guys as a Crime Branch officer in Reema Kagti’s film. Shooting for ‘Talaash’, also starring Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor, has already begun. In fact, Aamir, Rani and Kareena have already started attending workshops as part of their preparation for their roles. In an interview with The Indian Express, Kagti revealed that a few months before casting Khan in the film, she had approached him with another project. Later, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor were signed on to star opposite Khan. Prior to the start of principal photography, the actors attended acting workshops and signed a non-disclosure agreement.           the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter. " INSPIRING STORY "   Five More Minutes        While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground.  “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.  “He’s a fine looking boy” the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.” Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?”  Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.”    The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?” Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.”  The man smiled and said, “OK.”  “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa.  She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play.”  Moral: Life is all about making priorities, and family is one and only priority on top of all other, so spend all time you can with loved ones.

“Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.”