“Success is how high you Bounce when you hit Bottom.”     VBA's Positive News EU set to ban animal testing for cosmetics forever After over 20 years of campaigning, ethical beauty retailer The Body Shop and non-profit organization Cruelty Free International are finally celebrating the end to animal testing for cosmetics in Europe with the anticipated announcement that the import and sale of animal tested cosmetic products and ingredients is to be banned in the EU on 11th March 2013. This ground-breaking victory means that from 11th March onwards, anyone who wishes to sell new cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU must not test them on animals anywhere in the world. The ban affects all cosmetics including toiletries and beauty products from soap to toothpaste..     US: Jobs, factory data point to steady economic growth US employment grew modestly in January and job gains in the previous two months were larger than first reported, a counterpunch to recent data that suggested a tepid economic recovery had stalled at the end of last year. Adding to that optimism, separate reports on Friday showed factory activity hit a nine-month high in January as new orders rebounded, while car and truck sales surged and consumer confidence perked. 'It is clear that the economy has a forward momentum. Most pistons in the economic engine are firing, pointing to sustained economic growth,' said Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at California State University Channel Islands.         Suntech powers largest solar PV system in Saudi Arabia Suntech Power Holdings Co, Ltd, one of the world's largest solar companies, announced the completion of the largest ground mounted PV system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 3.5 megawatt (MW) system is owned by Saudi Aramco and installed on the grounds of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC), the world's largest energy research centre, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Canada: Small biz confidence on the rise Small business owners began the new year with a healthy boost of optimism, according to the latest business barometer index from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Its monthly index gained three points in January to 65.7 on a scale of 0 to 100. The survey also suggested full-time hiring plans have risen to a post-recession high, with 27 per cent of small businesses who took part in the CFIB survey saying they expect to hire more staff in the next few months.       Video of the Day:

World Round-Up

Political + Political uncertainty looms as Karnataka Budget session begins       The joint sitting of the Karnataka legislature will be held on Monday against the backdrop of political uncertainty in the state after resignation of 13 BJP legislators loyal to B S Yeddyurappa. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has, however, brushed aside any threat to his government by Yeddyurappa, who quit BJP to float the Karnataka Janata Party, insisting that he still enjoyed majority and was ready to prove it on the floor of the Assembly. Governor H R Bhardwaj today said he would address the Legislature on the opening day of the week-long session. "I am going to summon the House and address it," he told reporters before meeting Speaker K G Bopaiah at Raj Bhawan. To a query, Bhardwaj said no political party has so far approached him seeking a floor test for the Shettar ministry after 13 BJP legislators loyal to Yeddyurappa resigned. "These people also have not approached me. It is happening outside Raj Bhavan," he said. Bharadwaj had stated on January 26 that the Shettar government still enjoyed majority and as leader of the BJP legislature party, it was for him to take action on the issue of the resignation of the MLAs. In the 224-member Assembly, BJP has a strength of 117 excluding the Speaker and requires 113 for a simple majority. These resignations, if accepted, will bring down BJP's strength in the House to 104, including the Speaker. BJP has the support of one of the seven Independents who is a cabinet minister. The effective strength of the House, however, is 210 as there are 14 vacancies, created by desertion from the BJP ranks. Congress has 71 members and the Janata Dal-Secular 26. There are six other Independents. A cloud of uncertainty has been hanging over the Shettar ministry ever since Yeddyurappa quit BJP to float KJP in December, 2012. The former BJP strongman has repeatedly put the government on notice about their stability, claiming support of 20-30 BJP MLAs. His party had set two deadlines earlier to unseat the government but these turned out to be damp squibs. Shettar has brushed aside these threats and insisted last week that his government still enjoys majority even after the resignation of these MLAs and that he was ready for a no-confidence motion if opposition moved it. Astrology   Aries March 21 to April 19 Your sign ruler Mars meets inspiring Neptune today in an unusual planetary aspect. The universe has a message for you that may be communicated in multiple ways, including lucid dreams. You might enjoy taking a spiritual retreat or make plans to do so. Programs at your faith community will be helpful, as will viewing fine art or attending film or music festivals. If time is short, a few hours of lounging at home or reading a favorite author also may lead to a new life path.                                              Taurus April 20 to May 20 Today, a close friend may enchant you. The feeling will be mutual, and there will be cosmic potential for this to become a committed relationship. In the background, distant changes in laws, politics, and foreign affairs may directly affect your employer now. You may feel the effects secondarily in the near future. Enjoy new developments in your friendship but pay attention to the news now and for the next several weeks. Your industry and others may need to adapt quickly and in a creative way.                                 Gemini May 21 to June 20 Mercury governs Gemini and today, it will meet with Saturn, the planet of good boundaries and limitations. You may feel this influence first in your public life and where you work, volunteer, or perform. One or more aspects of your day might prove physically challenging because they might be weather-related. Throughout the hours ahead, you will have opportunities to put your highest ideals into action on many levels. Mercury's recent entry into Pisces will fine-tune your intuition and sensitivity, now and throughout the next six weeks.                       Cancer June 21 to July 22  The early morning hours will set the tone for the rest of your most interesting day. You may work odd hours or in an unusual location. Your overall mood will be upbeat and positive, which will be an advantage as you trouble-shoot various challenges during the day. One important task will be a major financial transaction, which you may begin early in the morning but take longer than expected to finalize.                                                          Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  Your contacts with the individuals and groups necessary to realize a goal might be limited today, but you might want to make short- or long-term plans. Discuss personal aims with your significant other and professional objectives with your business associates. You may be able to streamline your daily operations and increase your cash flow and profits. However, new contracts will need more personal attention than most of your previous contracts.                                BUSINESS+VE                                                                              Etihad Airways posts 200% rise in 2012 net profit       Etihad Airways, the fast-growing carrier of Abu Dhabi, posted a 200 percent rise in net profit in 2012 and a 17 percent increase in revenues, the airlines said in a statement Monday. Etihad posted a net income of $42 million last year compared to $14 million in 2011 when it made its first ever profit, said the statement which attributed the rise to strong improvements in revenues, passengers and cost control. The flag carrier of the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said revenues increased 17 percent to $4.8 billion in 2012 compared to $4.1 billion the previous year.  The number of passengers grew a healthy 23 percent to 10.3 million compared to 8.4 million in 2011, significantly boosted by Etihad's partnerships which delivered more than $600 million in total revenue. "This has been a game-changing year for Etihad Airways," James Hogan, the airline's president and chief executive officer said. "We have delivered improved net profit, the second consecutive year we have been in the black, a remarkable achievement given the youth, ambitious growth and ongoing investment made by this airline in a challenging global economic environment," he said in the statement. Etihad said it succeeded in building the first "equity alliance" with investments of 40 percent in Air Seychelles, 29.2 percent in airberlin, 9.0 percent in Virgin Australia and about 3.0 percent in Aer Lingus. "We have taken great strides in building the industry's first equity alliance ... which (is) contributing significant value to our business," Hogan said. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 24 percent to $170 million, while EBITDAR (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rentals) rose to $753 million, up 16 percent, Etihad said. Hogan said more than 50 institutions have provided around $6.8 billion in cumulative funding for the airline's ongoing expansion. Planned fleet upgrades for 2013 include 14 aircraft, with 11 passenger aircraft deliveries and three freighter deliveries, Etihad said. The orders are for nine wide-bodied Boeing and Airbus aircraft and five narrow-body Airbus aircraft. These will meet Etihad Airways' immediate growth requirements. At the end of 2012, the company had 10,656 employees, 18 percent up on 2011 with more than 125 nationalities represented.  HEALTH+VE                                                              Need control on alcohol, diet to curb cancer: Doctors       Two-thirds of the cancer cases in India can be prevented either by making effective policies or better implementation of the existing ones, say experts. What's more, a grip on alcohol consumption and obesity can help prevent a large percentage of cancer. According to the World Economic Forum, cancer is among one of the three greatest risks to the global economy. This may be due to escalating cost of care, the threat to productivity from death and disability, and the effects of costs on household impoverishment. But this year's theme of World Cancer Day: "Dispel damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer" can help change the situation, say experts. Last year, representatives from 117 countries converged at the United Nations to address the prevention and control of cancer and non-communicable diseases and declared four key strategies: control tobacco, unsafe use of alcohol, obesity and encourage better nutrition. While improving the nutritional status of a 100-crore population nation is an uphill task, control on tobacco, areca nut, alcohol and junk food is well within the reach of policymakers, say experts. "There is awareness about the cancer-causing properties of tobacco, but most people are still unaware of the harmful effects of alcohol, areca nut and obesity," said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, oncosurgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital. "Alcohol is causally related to cancers of the mouth, oropharynx, liver, oesophagus and breast. The risk becomes much higher when tobacco is consumed along with alcohol," he said. Another cause of worry for oncologists is obesity. A study, using National Cancer Institute surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data, estimated that in 2007 in the US, about 34,000 new cases of cancer in men (4%) and 50,500 in women (7%) were due to obesity. This analysis also found that if every adult reduced their Body Mass Index by 1%, which would be equivalent to a weight loss of roughly 1kg for an adult of average weight, this would actually result in the avoidance of about one lakh new cases. Head of Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr Rajan Badwe said an unhealthy diet is one of the major contributors in cancer among the obese. "Adolescent obesity is known to produce diabetes, hypertension and cancers like those of breast, ovary and uterus among women and stomach, kidney and colon among men in the later years," Dr Badwe said.Worrying numbers * There are about 30 lakh new cases of cancer in India at any particular point of time * About 5 lakh deaths a year in the country are due to cancer. * 40% of cancer cases are due to the use of tobacco * The leading sites of cancer are the oral cavity, lungs, oesophagus and stomach among men and cervix, breast and oral cavity among women. Cancer accounts for more deaths worldwide than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. * As per the World Health Organisation Report 2005, the estimated number of cancer deaths in India will increase to 7 lakh by 2015           Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  Where you lead, others will follow today. Your words, whether spoken or written, will appeal to youth and the young at heart with high ideals for their careers and special causes. Following a short period of confusion coming up in a few days, you and the others will be energized, focused, and will be able to follow through with the plans you make as a group.                                Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 As transforming Pluto meets your Venus sign ruler today, you may discontinue your usual creative expressions in order to develop fresh avenues for your talents. You may set aside one area of expertise completely to engage in something entirely new. (For example, a novelist may become a songwriter, or a drama coach a sculptor.) Also, you possibly will begin teaching or start your own home-based business.                              Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 Assertive Mars governs Scorpio, and today it will join idealistic Neptune in your astrological sector of creativity. This may inspire you to take the action necessary to successfully display your artistic talents. This planetary combo also may energize your social life and arrange for romantic settings to enhance a new or existing relationship. You'll be pleased to know that your partner's words and actions are a sincere match and that the two of your share the same high ideals.                              Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 Your Jupiter sign ruler is on a direct path through the relationship sector of your horoscope. This will ensure that business partners will have your full attention during working hours and your true love will enjoy the same during your free time. The attention given to customers and clients will be profitable in a day or two. To accomplish this, you may need to discontinue time-consuming activities that have kept you distracted in the recent past. You currently may be undecided about which should stay, but spiritual disciplines like meditation will prevail.                       Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 Your Saturn sign ruler makes a strong connection with Mercury, the planet of commerce, communications, and short travels. Saturn's cosmic job is to set limits and boundaries, so you may experience challenges throughout the day when engaging in these activities, especially when working as part of a team on behalf of your employer. The groups you work with may be required to make significant decisions and try new ways to manage glitches in current systems. New and different approaches will serve your purpose the best.                                Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  A Saturn/Mercury connection today may constrain impact your public activities and finances. You likely will be in a position of authority in the organization you work for and therefore be the one who defines the rules for your group. This will come easy to you but holding others accountable over the long term might prove challenging. There, however, will be potential to realize profits from funds invested jointly with a partner. The stars suggest you will be undecided about how to spend or reinvest the money initially but will make a firm decision this weekend.      Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  Today you may put the final touches on several major projects and bring them to a satisfactory conclusion. Shortly afterward, you'll begin new endeavors but the universe will invite you to enjoy a small celebration for your accomplishments first. You likely will have the funds available to purchase several items you have wanted or needed. You might also invest in activities that enhance your personal development or widen your horizons. Enroll in a class or purchase a winter weekend getaway.            Moral Story     SMS   “Every king was once crying baby, & every building was once a map.. . its not important what u r today.. but where u reach tomorrow.. = ).”      LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS   Relationship is like a violin, Music may stop now n then, But strings are attached forever. So if u r in touch or not, U r always remembered. .   LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS      “There is great comfort and inspiration in the feeling of close human relationships and its bearing on our mutual fortunes – a powerful force, to overcome the “tough breaks” which are certain to come to most of us from time to time.  All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”       Santa has to sell his dog. Banta wants to buy it. Banta: Is this dog faithful ? Santa: Yes, I have sold it 3 times earlier also. It is so faithful, everytime it returned back to me.

EDUCATION +VE At Anna University, results fail to add up           Over half of second-year students flunk math exam; teachers say this is a growing problem This year, nearly 60 per cent of second-year Anna University students have failed in the mathematics paper in their third semester. “In a class of 75 in electronics and communications engineering (ECE), nearly 50 have arrears in mathematics and this is supposed to be the brightest class, as many of the students were toppers in the class XII board exams,” says a third-year ECE student of the College of Engineering, Guindy. The situation is not very different in electrical, mechanical, bio-medical and other fields of engineering. “In June, when the class had a poor pass percentage, the university took steps to look into the issue. Faculty members were immediately changed and we were allotted experienced professors, instead of lecturers,” says another student. “But many of these professors too refrain from taking classes,” he adds. Students say this year, the mathematics paper M3, which mostly focuses on integral calculus, differentiation and integration, had questions other than solved illustrations, which was unexpected. “We have a reference book with solved illustrations. Beyond that, we practise problems that repeatedly crop up in previous years’ questions papers,” says a student. “This time, however, nothing like that was in the paper,” he said. While admitting this is a serious and growing problem, teachers and students blame it on different things. Students say teachers avoid solving tough questions in classrooms, while teachers blame it on lack of time. “There are six subjects in a semester of three months. In barely 60 hours of teaching, we are expected to finish an extensive syllabus. Most students are not strong in the fundamentals of the subject and so it is impossible to start from scratch,” said a lecturer who teaches mathematics to first-year students. “There are at least 20 students in the class who have scored a centum in their class XII maths exam, but only about three of them secured above 70 per cent in the mathematics exam here. Many have failed too,” she added. The problem begins as soon as the student enters college, say teachers. For instance, last week, first-year students of colleges affiliated to Anna University attempted the mathematics paper, which according to many of them, was ‘very tough’. “All the usual eight-mark questions were only for two marks in the paper. There were also typographical errors that confused students,” said a first-year engineering student of a private college. N. Balachandran, former professor, Anna University, says the inability of engineering students to cope with mathematics in the college curriculum has always existed but has worsened over the years. “Engineering mathematics has to do with application. Most students are not ready for that because they way they approach mathematics in school is very text-book oriented. That does not work in college,” he said. “Students seldom take an interest in mathematics. Few go to the library, borrow books and try out sums on their own. For most, it is a subject to be done away with as soon as possible,” he added.     SPORTS +VE I have never seen this much money, Chris Morris on stunning IPL deal               The bidding war that his name triggered at the IPL players auction left Chris Morris' head spinning and the South African all-rounder conceded that he has never seen the kind of money he would now be drawing. "I have never in my life seen this much money," said Morris, who was bought for a whopping USD 625,000 (Rs 3.3 crore) by the Chennai Super Kings, 31 times more than his base price of USD 20,000. Morris was sought by the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore as well but they were outbid by CSK at the auction in Chennai where only 37 of the 108 players in fray managed to find buyers. Morris followed the auction on his ipad and was amazed to see the interest in him. "Neil McKenzie had a little joke with me when it got to (USD) 450,000 but nobody could really believe what was happening," Morris told 'ESPN Cricinfo'. In rands, the 25-year-old's earnings are now 5.5 million and he has no clue how to spend the money except for splurging some of it on his parents. "I honestly don't know. I suppose one of the things I'd like to do is give my parents anything they should like and spoil them a little bit," he said. Morris was the leading wicket-taker for his domestic team Lions in the national T20 competition last season. He was spotted by CSK coach Stephen Fleming during the Champions League Twenty20 in the same year. "He (Fleming) came and had a chat to me afterwards and said he was impressed with the way I bowled. So I guess that was a big platform for me," Morris said. "Fleming was one of my heroes as a schoolboy, so it will be an honour to be around him. And obviously with Faf (du Plessis) and Albie (Morkel) playing there, it's going to be quite fun," he said. Talking about the IPL, Morris said he can't wait to head to Chennai. "I've heard it's pretty hot. But I've heard stories from people like Faf about how everyone is cricket-crazy, and I really just want to experience the vibe there," he said. Morris is currently nursing a niggle but hopes to be fit soon. "That quad injury was a real eye opener for me. I realised how quickly things can change in a career," he said. "I've been working hard with the physiotherapist on my rehab processes and on getting my body right, and at the moment I am feeling good and ready to play," he added.     Special Chabbis Special Chabbis  Movie Name :   Special Chabbis   Release Date :   February 8, 2013 Genre :  Action , Drama  Producer : Viacom 18 Motion Pictures Director :   Neeraj Pandey Music Director : M. M. Kreem, Himesh Reshammiya Cast : Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, Jimmy Shergill, Manoj Bajpai, Anupam Kher, Divya Dutta.   Synopsis: Special Chabbis is an upcoming Bollywood heist drama film directed by Neeraj Pandey of A Wednesday fame. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Kajal Agarwal in the lead roles with Jimmy Shergill, Manoj Bajpai and Anupam Kher in supporting roles. The film takes its concept from the real-life daring heist dated 19-March-1987 where an unknown man posing as CBI officer Mon Singh recruited 26 men posing as income tax officers executing a daylight income tax raid on the Opera House branch of Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri in Mumbai, and disappeared with jewellery worth lakhs. The movie is set in the early 1980's. The film is scheduled to release on February 8, 2013. The film takes its foundations from the infamous roberry of 19-March-1987, when 26 people posing as income tax officials raided a famous jewellery store in Opera House, Mumbai. They had walked away with jewels worth lakhs. This incident shocked jewellers across Zaveri Bazaar. According to the sources, Neeraj waited for almost three years after A Wednesday, as he wanted Akshay Kumar for the film. Akshay will play the leader of the 26-men army in the film. His character name will interestingly be "Mr. Ajay Singh" (meaning 'unconquered lion' in English) . Manoj Bajpai has been roped in to play the real CBI officer, and Anupam Kher will also be playing a vital role in the film. Kajal Aggarwal plays a specially-written role of Mon Singh's love-interest (she is the only female character in the film). Earlier actors Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan were roped in to play the lead. But the role went to Kumar as he was Pandey's first choice. Kajal Aggarwal is playing role of a school teacher.  the least used letter in the alphabet is Q. " INSPIRING STORY "   A story for Passover A good Passover story should always involve cakes. Austrian baker Manfred Klaschka is the subject of this year’s story. He was in the news because of his most recent catalogue of cake designs; Klaschka is a pastry specialist. Of course, Austrian pastries are famous the world over. Now, pastry baker Manfred Klaschka’s most recent catalogue of such tasty delights was in the news this week because it included cakes decorated with swastikas – as well as one with a baby raising its right arm in a Nazi salute.  Herr Klaschka insists he is not a Nazi. After the news story broke, he even met with a Holocaust awareness group, and apologized for what he had done, and he then baked a cake to say he was sorry – a cake with Jewish and Christian symbols. The point of the story – the bit I found interesting – is Herr Klaschka’s explanation for what he did. "I see it was a mistake, anyone who knows me knows what kind of person I am. I am no Nazi", said Klaschka, who had earlier said he was just a pastry maker fulfilling his customers’ wishes. Fulfilling his customers’ wishes? There is a market in Austria in 2011 for cakes with babies raising their arms in Nazi salutes, cakes with swastikas on them? There are parties where people serve such cakes? Maybe birthday parties for babies? f course there are such people, and there are such parties, and because of that, there is a market – there is consumer demand – for swastika cakes. Which is why Herr Klaschka was happy to bake them. And not only in Austria. You may remember the case of the Campbell family from New Jersey. When Kurt Waldheim was exposed as a war criminal his popularity rose. The neo-Nazi Freedom Party headed by the late Jorg Haider, won 27% of the vote in the 2000 elections and became part of the coalition government – the first time since 1945 that Nazis had sat in a European government.   But this never happened in New Jersey – which is why I want to talk about the Campbell family. The Campbell family in New Jersey made the news back in 2008 when they tried to get a birthday cake made for their son — they have a son and two daughters — at the local Shop Rite in Holland Township.The store refused their request. And the reason was that Mr. Campbell wanted the cake to read "Happy birthday Adolf Hitler". Because, you see, his son’s name was Adolf Hitler Campell. One of the daughters is named is named JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell. Well, you get the point. When I read about the Austrian baker Manfred Klaschka, I thought – here was a marketing opportunity for him. He would have happily baked a cake for the Campbell family. So what does all this have to do with Passover? This week, when we are forbidden to eat Sachertore or Linzer tort or even the delightfully named Punschkrapfen, we might want to pause and think about something we say every year at the Passover seder: 'In every generation it is the duty of man to consider himself as if he had come forth from Egypt'. Because in this generation, as in all others, there are those who order custom-made swastika cakes. There are those who name their children after Adolf Hitler. And there are others who fire anti-tank missiles at school busses with Jewish children in them.     Because there are those who are building nuclear weapons, having told the world that their intention is to wipe the Jewish state off the face of the earth. Because people like that make Pharaoh look like a nice guy. Because getting out of the house of bondage, out of slavery in Egypt, was not the end of the story for the Jewish people, but was the beginning. It is a story of a never-ending struggle for freedom, for dignity, for respect, for human rights, that has universal resonance and meaning — for all people, everywhere, always.

“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.. ”