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Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
| VBA's Positive News |
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China-based company promotes North Korea day trip
A Western tour company in China said Tuesday it has obtained permission from North Korea for Westerners to make day trips into the country from the Chinese border. The Xi'an-based company received Pyongyang's approval to organize tours for non-Chinese foreigners to the North Korean border town of Sinuiju, which so far has been open only to Chinese tourists.
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EU pledges $675 million toward Mali reconstruction
On the eve of a major international donors' conference, the European Union announced Tuesday it was pledging 520 million euros ($674.8 million) over the next two years to help rebuild the west African country of Mali as a functioning state. The announcement was made by Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, who said the investment would benefit Europe as well as Africa.
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Japanese Cabinet adviser arrives in North Korea
An adviser to Japan's Cabinet has arrived in North Korea amid a slight easing of tension on the Korean Peninsula after weeks of threats from the North aimed at Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo. The purpose of the trip Tuesday by Isao Iijima wasn't immediately known. Iijima was a senior aide to former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who met with late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in 2002 and 2004.
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US: Big 4 cellphone carriers unite on anti-texting ads
America's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's 'It Can Wait' slogan to blanket TV and radio this summer. AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile will be joined by 200 other organizations backing the multi-million dollar ad campaign. The campaign is unusual not just because it unites rivals, but because it represents companies warning against the dangers of their own products.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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Mulayam conspired with Advani to demolish Babri masjid: Beni Prasad
Lucknow: Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma on Tuesday accused Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav of conniving with BJP leader LK Advani to bring down the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.
Congress leader Verma said in Lucknow that after detaining BJP leaders like Advani and Vinay Katiyar at a guest house in Faizabad, Mulayam Singh Yadav, the then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, had met them discreetly and it was decided that the kar sevaks would be allowed to offer prayers near the disputed structure.
Verma also alleged that the firing on kar sewaks in November 1990 was not required and was part of a larger conspiracy hatched by Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The Congress leader also alleged that the SP had nothing to do with socialism. He also slammed the SP for holding Brahmin conventions and said such moves were aimed at dividing society for narrow political gains.
Reacting to the accusations against Advani, BJP leader Kalraj Mishra sought to know from Verma if he was also part of the conspiracy to bring down the disputed mosque.
"Beni Prasad Verma was in the SP at the time of the incident. He should shed more light on the matter and come clear on his personal role in the incident," Mishra said.
This is the third time that Verma has slammed Mulayam Singh Yadav.
His earlier barbs against the former chief minister had created a stir and had almost broken down relations between the Congress and the SP.
Verma had alleged that Mulayam Singh Yadav had links with terrorists and that he took a "commission" for the support he was extending to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
An enraged Mulayam Singh Yadav had vented his anger at the Congress leadership, after which Congress president Sonia Gandhi publicly apologised to him in the Lok Sabha.
However, the SP's demand to sack Verma from the cabinet was not heeded.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
You may experience growing tension when it comes to your relationship with an authority figure connected to your career. On the one hand, you respect this person and know that he or she has the power to help you get ahead. On the other hand, you're not enjoying taking order from anyone these days. With Uranus in Aries, your urge for independence and going your own way is stronger than ever. Balancing this need with professional obligations isn't easy, but it is doable.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You're serious about partnership these days, thanks to Saturn's influence in your relationship sector, combined with recent eclipses. Whether it's business or personal, you're in the midst of forging at least one close alliance that will be long term and help provide greater amount of stability in your life. The catch? You'll be asked to give it your all and compromise more in order to achieve this relationship security. Commitment and endurance will be your rewards. You're ready.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Although you may feel more confusion than usual lately when it comes to your professional goals, if you're following your career dream and allow yourself to be inspired by those you respect, it's likely that you'll navigate these murky waters with greater ease. Now will be a good time to trust your intuition when it comes to any decision about your career path. Are you on a path that serves others or provides inspiration? Then you're on the right track.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Sweeping changes in your life continue to unfold and it's possible that lately, you've made difficult concessions in order to accommodate a partnership. If you've been extra supportive to a spouse at the expense of your professional advancement, it is possible that you're experiencing a dose of resentment. Now may be a good time to have an honest discussion with your mate about how much more you're willing to bend before you get the same consideration back in return. Support goes both ways.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 These days, you're doing important work to help build a foundation that will help you gain more personal, inner security you ever thought possible. Saturn will be in your home and family sector. This placement can sometimes present a weighty obligation on the domestic front, but there is also a deeper meaning behind this cycle. You're being asked to rely on your inner resources for personal security - both physically and emotionally. How deep are your roots?
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Amara Raja stock price factors in positives
Investors weren’t pleased with the financial performance of Amara Raja Batteries Ltd for the quarter ending March 2013 and sent the stock down 5% in reaction to the numbers.
The disappointment came on the margin front even as revenue growth was satisfactory at 19% on a year-on-year basis to Rs.804 crore, still the lowest in the last four quarters. Revenue growth was primarily driven by strong traction in the automotive replacement market and double-digit growth in the UPS segment.
Operating profit margin stood at about 14% last quarter, slightly lower than in the same period last year.
But then, operating margin was lower than in the first three quarters of the last fiscal year too. One reason for lower margin is the higher cost of lead. In fact, raw material cost as a percentage of total revenue was the highest in the last four quarters.
Higher depreciation and tax outgo resulted in a mere 2% net profit growth to Rs.60 crore.
For the year as a whole though, Amara Raja Batteries has performed relatively better. Revenue increased by 25% in FY13 compared to last year.
The company said that both the automotive battery business and the industrial battery business posted double-digit revenue growth. The automotive segment revenue growth was supported by an increase in volume of 20% in four wheeler and 37% in two wheeler batteries.
On the other hand, the industrial batteries segment was helped by improvement in price realizations. For FY13, net profit at Rs.287 crore increased by one-third compared to the last fiscal.
Amara Raja Batteries could well capitalize on the expected replacement demand from vehicles thanks to strong automobile sales seen in FY10, which was a good year for automobiles.
Moreover, the company is sitting on a strong balance sheet with free cash of over Rs.350 crore at the end of last year. While all that is encouraging, investors seem to be factoring most of the positives.
The Amara Raja stock has increased substantially by 87% in the last fiscal year and outperformed the BSE 200 index of the Bombay Stock Exchange since the beginning of this calendar year.
This could very well mean that near-term upsides are limited. It’s no wonder then that broking house Prabhudas Lilladher has downgraded its rating on the stock to “reduce” from “accumulate” earlier.
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Avoid these foods to avoid constipation
Constipation is an uncomfortable condition. Previously, we covered the foods that you must eat on a regular basis to tackle constipation.
On the other side of the healthy-unhealthy food spectrum, there are also some popular foods that you should avoid if you want to stay away from constipation. We give you 5 foods to exclude from your diet.
Processed food: Whether it is frozen foods or burgers and pizzas, it is going to make your mornings hard to get through, literally. When food is preserved and ready to eat, vital nutrients are drained out, plus the ingredients used are cheap. For example, all purpose flour or maida is used practically in all pizzas, breads and instant noodles.
Bottomline: Processed food has less fiber hence they linger in your system causing discomfort.
Bakery goodies: Nankhatais, kharis and tea biscuits are rich in sugar and fat. They may go well with tea and coffee, but lack fiber. But there's a solution to these good old treats, increase your fiber intake, and balance it out.
Bottomline: Sugar may go straight to your thigh, but it can also be the cause of constipation.
Red Meat without supplementing meals with vegetables: If you consume pork or beef regularly, without veggies on the side, you may have already experienced constipation. Make it a habit to accompany this precious chunk of meat with salad, cooked vegetables, and whole grain cereal; something that is rich in fiber.
Bottomline: Guess how long it takes to digest meat? No, you're wrong, it takes 90 hours to partially digest meat.
Caffeine: So no one can give up coffee, black tea and colas. They give you the much needed buzz to start your day and keep you going through strenuous meetings, commutes, and just about everything else. Unhealthy dependency aside, caffeine dehydrates the human body and dehydration is one of the main causes of constipation.
Bottomline: If you're addicted to caffeine, it's better to cut down and supplement it with food rich in fiber.
Oily food: Chips and fast foods are tempting, even for those who are determined to eat healthy. But the more oily and salty your food is, the higher your chances of developing some digestive health issues as you cross over from your 20s to the 30s. Foods that are deep fried and soaked in oil like French fries slows down the digestive process.
Bottomline: Fight your cravings and every time you feel tempted to order a round of French fries make sure you drink enough water and eat enough veggies before or after.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
There's still time to make serious professional advances, thanks to Jupiter moving forward in your career sector until June 25. You won't have Jupiter here again for twelve years, so be sure to reach for any promotion, honor, or award you know you deserve. This is also a fantastic time to launch a new business. You may find yourself in the company of a VIP who can take you to new heights in terms of your prestige potential. Make the most of it!
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
If you and a partner have experienced a certain amount of upheaval and chaos in your relationship lately, things may soon come to a head. One of you might have asked for more personal space, but it could also be due to other circumstances such as a job offer in another state or a family obligation that keeps you apart. Soon you'll come to a turning point. New parameters in your relationship will need to be defined in order to make it work.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 If there ever was a time you felt as if you were taking responsibility for yourself and how you come across to others, it's now. Saturn in Scorpio will continue to test you on coming across with integrity and authority, but fortunately, you're more than up for the task. In fact, you may feel as if you've never been more ready to take on a project or personal obligation that requires you to be in control. These days, you mean business!
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
There's a possibility that when it comes to a domestic situation, you're not sure exactly how to proceed. You might not have all the facts related to this matter. Either a relative is intentionally withholding information, or it's possible that you've chosen to close your eyes so that you don't have to face things. That approach will only make it more difficult for you to handle any problem. With a little faith and a realistic strategy, you can wade through any murky waters.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 There may be tension between you and a pal that has slowly escalated but will now come to a head. You're not interested in arguing with this person, but it might be clear that his or her friendship has turned into more of a burden than a source pleasure. This person might have slowly turned into someone who depends on you for more than he or she should. While you once may have wanted to help out, ultimately this may have led to resentment.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 If you're not on track with your career, it's possible that you're having a difficult time. You may feel as if your boss is making excessive demands, asking you to do the job of three people rather than one. What might add insult to injury is that he or she refused to acknowledge your good work, and this lack of validation only enhances your discontent. If this is the sort of situation you're facing, it may be time to consider a new path.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Are you considering a move or home renovation? Jupiter, the planet of expansion, will still be in your home and family sector. Until June 25, you'll have exceptional cosmic support to upsize your living environment in some way. Whether it's more room or better quality living space, the end result is that you'll feel happier at home. You might also hear news that your family is literally expanding. Someone may announce that a baby is on the way.
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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
“No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.”
A teacher asked her class for sentences using the word "beans"..
"My father grows beans," said one student.
"My father cooks beans," said another.
Then a Little Santa spoke up: "We are all human beans."
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Patna University to sign MoU with varsity in Texas
PATNA: Patna University (PU) is likely to sign an MoU with Sam Houston State University, Texas, for academic exchange and cooperation. The groundwork for this exchange programme has been done by the two universities.
PU's academic council, at a meeting here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor Arun Kumar Sinha, discussed the proposal and sought the approvals of different life science departments of the university.
The academic council also discussed the modalities of having uniform examination regulations for postgraduation courses under semester system and asked different faculties to incorporate the modifications in the existing regulations as per the recommendations of the committee of deans.
PU wants to have its semester regulations on the pattern of Banaras Hindu University in the larger interest of students, said the VC.
The modified regulations will be finalized by the academic council in its next meeting scheduled for May 21.
After a thorough discussion on the proposals of Patna Women's College and Magadh Mahila College to start postgraduation courses in a number of subjects, the academic council advised the principals of the two colleges to seek prior approval of the state government for starting these courses.
While Patna Women's College proposes to start MBA, MCA and MCom courses, Magadh Mahila College is willing to start MCA, MBA and Master of Social Work courses.
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Lukas Podolski double condemns Wigan to relegation
LONDON: Wigan were relegated from the Premier League just three days after their FA Cup final triumph as Arsenal seized control of the race to finish in the top four with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday.
Roberto Martinez's side had arrived at the Emirates Stadium hopeful that their dramatic upset against Manchester City would prove the springboard for another great escape in the relegation battle. But Arsenal desperately needed the points as well as they try to qualify for the Champions League and the Gunners romped home thanks to a brace from Lukas Podolski and strikes from Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.
Shaun Maloney had given Wigan hope with a first half equaliser, but the Latics, running on fumes after their Wembley heroics, will experience the unique anguish of becoming the first side to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season.
While Wigan, four points behind Sunderland with one game left, will be back in the second tier for the first time since 2005, Arsene Wenger's team are on course to play in the Champions League for a 16th consecutive season. They had fallen two points behind Tottenham after their north London rivals won at Stoke, but now head to Newcastle on Sunday knowing another win will guarantee a top four finish.
They would not even need three points if Tottenham fail to beat Sunderland at White Hart Lane. Martinez named the same starting line-up that stunned City, but the Latics seemed sapped of energy and they surrendered the lead in careless fashion in the 11th minute.
When Santi Cazorla lofted over a corner, Wigan's statuesque defenders allowed the ball to bounce just six yards from goal and Podolski, having escaped some slack marking from James McArthur and Emmerson Boyce, took full advantage as he stooped to head past Joel Robles.
Over 20,000 Wigan supporters had celebrated their triumph at Wembley, but the tiny group, numbering no more than 500, who made the return trip to north London were beginning to get a sinking feeling in the torrential rain.
Wigan's sloppy defending has been their Achilles heel this season and they were almost caught out again when Laurent Koscielny was gifted yards of space to poke Cazorla's corner wide from close-range.
Yet somehow Wigan were level in first half stoppage-time.
Scottish winger Maloney forced Mikel Arteta to concede a free-kick in a dangerous area after surging clear of the midfielder, who responded with the slightest of nudges. Maloney picked himself up to take the set-piece and curled a superb strike over the wall and past Wojciech Szczesny.
Wigan should have been in front at the start of the second half when Arouna Kone played a one-two with Callum McManaman to earn a clear sight of goal, but the Ivorian striker's shot was parried by Szczesny.
James McCarthy then turned to fire home, only to see the linesman's offside flag halt his celebrations. But those two narrow escapes provoked a response from Arsenal and Cazorla forced a brilliant double save from Robles.
Wigan suffered a significant blow when in-form winger McManaman was stretchered off just before the hour. Wenger's men were finding space on the flanks far too easily and Wigan's failure to adapt proved fatal in the 63rd minute.
Cazorla made a run that left Roger Espinoza trailing in his wake and the Spaniard whipped over a low cross which Walcott bundled past Robles's weak attempted save.
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I Love New Year
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I Love New Year
Movie Name : I Love New Year
Release Date : May 24, 2013
Genre : Rom Com
Producer : Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar
Director : Radhika Rao, Vinay Sapru
Music Director : Pritam
Cast : Sunny Deol, Kangana Ranaut, Navin Choudhary, Tannishta Chatterjee, Prem Chopra, Reema Lagoo, Maya Alagh, Manoj Joshi, Jiten Mukhi, Virag Mishra, Arbaaz Khan
Synopsis:
I Love New Year is an upcoming romantic comedy film starring Sunny Deol and Kangana Ranaut in the lead. It's a story on what happens between two people in a span of two days over the New Year's Eve.
The movie follows two strangers, a beautiful musician (Kangana Ranaut) and a serious Wall Street banker (Sunny Deol), that have a chance encounter on New Year's Eve that the banker can't seem to remember and the events that come about as a result of the two meeting.
In 2011 directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru announced their intent to begin work on I Love New Year. The film originally had the working title of Happy New Year, but had to change the title due to Shahrukh Khan who also was using the title for a film he was working on during the same time period. Actors Sunny Deol and Kangana Ranaut are starring in the film, with Ranaut stating that she trained over a month in order to gain the correct expressions and body language of a musician. Filming commenced in summer of 2011 at Filmalaya Studios in Mumbai, with the final scenes having to be filmed in New York City.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
The Wet Pants
There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet.
He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It’s never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it..
When the girls find out, they’ll never speak to him again as long as he lives. The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, “Dear God, this is an emergency!
I need help now! Five minutes from now I’m dead meat.” He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy’s lap.
The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, “Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!”
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out.
All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful.
But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else – Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. “You’ve done enough, you klutz!”
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
Susie whispers back, “I wet my pants once too.”
Moral: All of us go through all good and bad things in life. We should always remember how we felt when we were in same condition and should not mock others for being in it.
Always try to understand their situation as if you are in it and help much as possible praying to god that today you are in a condition to help someone who needs it.
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At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don't.
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