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“People learn differently. Success comes from wanting to win. We just all tend to educate ourselves differently..”
| VBA's Positive News |
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South Korea, North Korea agree to hold talks on factory park
North and South Korea agreed Thursday to hold talks this weekend on restarting a jointly run factory park after weeks of testy silence between the two sides, the South Korean government said. The industrial complex in the North Korean city of Kaesong, just north of the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas, has been shut since a political showdown in April. South Korea's Unification Ministry, which is in charge of relations with North Korea, said the North accepted a proposal from the South that low-level officials from the two sides meet in the truce village of Panmunjom inside the DMZ.
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Biodiversity awareness grows across the globe
Consumers worldwide are becoming more aware of biodiversity and are calling for companies to source their products more sustainably, according to a new study by the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT). The study also shows that 87 per cent of consumers now want to be better informed about how companies source natural ingredients, with 84 per cent willing to boycott brands that damage the environmental or fail to follow ethical trade practices in sourcing and production.
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US factory orders rise 2.1 per cent in May
Orders to US factories rose in May, helped by a third straight month of stronger business investment. The gains suggest manufacturing may be picking up after a weak start to the year. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that factory orders rose 2.1 per cent in May. April's increase was revised higher to 1.3 per cent from 1 per cent.
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US: Apple to build solar plant to power data centre
Apple Inc said it will pay for construction of an 18-megawatt photovoltaic solar plant in northern Nevada to provide power for a data centre the technology giant plans east of Reno. The Fort Churchill Solar Array, to be built in Yerington, was included in a filing Monday by NV Energy Inc with the Public Utilities Commission. Apple announced plans last year to build the data centre. The solar generating plant would be located in Lyon County, south of that facility. The solar plant proposal must be approved by state regulators, a process that could take several months.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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UPA clears Food Security ordinance, eyes new allies; Opposition sees red
New Delhi: Though the government is well within its rights to promulgate an ordinance, questions are being raised about the timing, especially with the Monsoon Session just a few weeks away. By pushing through the Food Security ordinance, it seems, the Congress-led government is once again hoping that pro-poor rhetoric will deliver votes.
On June 13, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said that the government will make one more effort to bring the Opposition on board to clear the Food Bill. "We would like to make one more effort to ask the opposition parties whether they would cooperate in passing the bill in a special session of Parliament. Therefore the decision is that the Leader of the House, Minister of Parliamentary affairs and Minister for Food will approach the opposition parties and request them for support to pass the bill," he had said.
But on July 3, fearing a washout of the Monsoon Session, the government junked the option of a special session and cleared the Food Security ordinance. "The cabinet has unanimously approved the National Food Security ordinance," Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs KV Thomas said on Wednesday. It even ignored the opposition raised by the Samajwadi Party.
"We've had no information of the government reaching out to us," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said. CPM leader Brinda Karat also condemned the move and said "to push through an ordinance of a bill which has serious flaws is contempt of Parliament".
But what is giving the government the confidence of ignoring the opposition parties and the SP might be the support of its former ally the DMK and its possibly new friend the Janata Dal United. "Food security is important. We would have preferred if it would have come through discussions as various parties have a lot of concerns. The government must address those also," JD(U) leader Shivanad Tiwari said.
It seem with the Food Security ordinance, the Congress is trying to erase the memories of many scams that have taken place during the UPA's regime and bring in the votes. But it has tough competition from many opposition-ruled states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil nadu and Madhya Pradesh, which have their own strong food security programmes.
The BJP, the CPM and the BJD are all set to move amendments to the bill when it comes up for discussion in Parliament. The government has majority in the Lok Sabha but in the Rajya Sabha it would need the help of the Opposition to pass the bill.
"It is not coming under the Food Ministry but it is coming under the Agriculture Ministry. The storage capacity is needed, the railway capacity needs to be revamped because there are no extra rakes available to even move foodgrains.
Our estimate was that it would not cost us less than Rs 200,000 crore a year," Agricultural Cost and Prices Commission Chairperson Ashok Gulati said.
The Congress-led UPA might have promulgated an ordinance but clearly there is a lot of home work which still needs to be done.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
Harmony at home will prevail. Not only will you enjoy the company of relatives more than usual, but you'll also take comfort in your home and see it as a place of complete sanctuary, buffering you from whatever is happening in the outside world. Today will be a perfect time to consider adding a meditation area to your home. Decorate a space with candles, a water fountain, or whatever makes you feel most tranquil. Now, more than ever, home is where the heart is.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
If you have any siblings, there's plenty of activity between you and them these days. Thankfully, it all appears to be positive. You might hear news that one of your siblings is moving, expecting a baby, or going through another exciting life change. You may also begin to spend more time socially with your siblings - perhaps connecting with mutual friends or attending a group activity together. Also, writing projects will continue to flourish and you may be invited to lecture in front of a crowd.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Expect fabulous news in the money department! While it's true that you may feel more sensitive about financial security matters, at the same time, there's every indication that you've nothing to fret over. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance, will be in your earned income sector and will move toward a promising link with Neptune, now in your career sector, over the next couple of weeks. This will bring a prosperous career goal to culmination.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
A lucky opportunity may arrive from a mentor or friend who is either from a different part of the world or has a background unique from yours. Whatever the case, you'll feel a strong urge to expand your horizons by listening to this person's wisdom. He or she might even help to put you on a new spiritual path, which will make you feel more deeply connected not only to others but also your inner truth.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22  You may require more privacy today and if so, be sure to honor this need. Although you're typically quite social in nature, you might feel the urge to explore your spiritual side, and in order to achieve this, seclusion might be best. The only way to quiet your mind is to eliminate the sound of all of the voices around you. Now, more than ever, you'll realize what a gift this is to yourself. Enjoy the clarity.
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Unilever raises stake in HUL to 67% via open offer
NEW DELHI: Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever PLC has increased its stake in the Indian arm Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) to 67.28 per cent, following an open offer which commenced on June 21 and closed on Thursday.
The company fell short of its target as it had planned to hike the stake in HUL to 75 per cent through the open offer from the earlier stake of 52.48 per cent.
"Based on the shares tendered which represent 14.8 per cent of HUL, Unilever would increase its stake from 52.48 per cent to 67.28 per cent," Unilever Plc said in a statement on Thursday night.
Shareholders of HUL tendered 319,699,278 shares during the tender period for the open offer, it added.
"The offer price of Rs 600 per share values the transaction at approximately Rs 191.8 billion (Rs 19,180 crore) or 2.45 billion euros (based on prevailing foreign exchange rates)," the company said.
Commenting on the development, Unilever CEO Paul Polman said: "We are pleased to have received such a good response to our voluntary open offer and that - as a result - we will significantly increase our stake in Hindustan Unilever, an excellent Indian business with a proud heritage and the potential for attractive long-term growth".
The company said that on completion of the verification of shares tendered, the details of the final acceptance will be communicated by Unilever PLC on July 11, 2013.
"The payment for shares tendered and accepted will be completed on or before July 18 2013, at which point Unilever PLC will acquire full beneficial ownership of the shares tendered and accepted in the open offer," it added.
The open offer was first announced on 30 April 2013 and is being managed by HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Ltd.
HUL's portfolio includes leading brands such as Lux, Lifebuoy, Surf Excel, Rin, Wheel, Sunsilk, Pepsodent, Closeup Axe, Brooke Bond, Bru, Knorr, Kissan, Kwality Wall's and Pureit.
The company, which employs over 16,000 employees, posted net sales of Rs 26,317.15 crore for the 2012-13 fiscal.
Shares of HUL were trading at Rs 600.75 on the BSE in morning trade, up 2.27 per cent from its previous close. Food Security sent to Prez for consent
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Easy exercises to keep you pain-free
Splits are not for acrobats alone. Here's a flexi routine to keep you pain-free
So, you workout five days a week, watch everything that makes its way to your stomach and drink four litres of water a day. But can you touch your toes with ease? Flexibility, defined as the capability of being bent repeatedly without damage or injury, is not essential to dancers, atheletes and acrobats alone. Mumbai-based orthopaedic surgeon Dr Arun Mullaji says, stiffness has resulted in ligament tears, muscle strain, tendonitis, neck and lower back pain and even a slipped disc.
As we age, our flexibility reduces. Slouching on the sofa, sitting in front of a computer for hours and driving on a long commute, only make matters worse. "It's the joints that are less frequently used that tend to be worse affected," says Dr Mullaji.
But you can't rush into getting flexible. Contemporary dance choreographer Sumeet Nagdev calls achieving flexibility a gradual art. "Simple stretches that are done daily with enough repetitions help in making the body supple, and increase muscle strength."
Here's Nagdev's 4-step get flexi daily routine:
Hamstring stretch
Why do it?
Helps in tailbone flexibility. A sudden jerk to your legs will not leave you with a 'catch'. Stand with your feet together and drop your body down gradually, bending at the waist, slowly touching the floor with your hands (don't force it). Keep your knees straight. Drop your head first, and then your back, vertebrae by vertebrae. To come up, bend your knees and slowly roll up so that you come out of suspension. Your head should come up last. Do this eight times every day. By the end of the eighth time, you must try and touch palms to floor.
Hip flexor
Why do it?
Stretches your hands, opens the hip flexors (group of skeletal muscles that act to flex the thigh bone and aid walking) and strengthens muscles around the tailbone. Sit on the floor with your back against the wall, and legs stretched out. Bend slightly forward and touch your toes. Repeat four times. Slowly, spread your legs apart to 150 degrees, keeping your back straight. Place your palms flat on the floor between your legs. Gradually move your palms forward in a straight line, bending your back without moving your hips. When the legs are at 150-180 degrees and the chest is parallel to the floor, that's an ideal position.
Hand stretch
Why do it?
Works the triceps and forearms; you're less likely to pull a muscle. Sit upright and keep your hands stretched out with palms facing outward and fingers pointing down. Hold the fingers of your left hand with your right and slowly guide the left arm towards the right (feel the stretch in your left tricep). Don't bend elbows. Repeat with other hand.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
An opportunity might arrive from a friend - possibly an invitation to join forces in a new business or humanitarian effort. If this happens, you may want to consider accepting the offer. Not only do the prospects for you working together look spectacular, but it also appears that your success potential will be more substantial if you are part of a team rather than if you try to go it alone.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Get ready to enjoy the most incredible professional climb! Jupiter, the planet of expansion, will be in your career sector - a once-in-twelve-year event. For the next year you will have brilliant prospects to shine in your industry, whether from a significant honor, reward, promotion, or even the decision to launch your own business. Within your field a dream assignment is close and will assure you that this is not simply work: It's your vocation.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 A major opportunity to travel overseas is likely - if not soon then certainly within the next year. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance, will be in the part of your chart that rules internationalism. This will open you up to new cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. In addition, if you're involved in any legal matter, today you might see a positive development. Trust your legal counsel now - he or she truly has your best interests at heart.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Expect significant financial turns over the next year when it comes to money you receive from sources besides your direct income. This might be insurance money, royalties, dividends from an investment, inheritance, or even taxes or alimony. The likelihood is that this will be a positive turn for you, and today you might hear positive news about a domestic money matter that will benefit you. Real estate or estate planning for an older relative will be highlighted.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Your relationship with someone close will continue to be a focus. Today there might be a conversation between the two of you that draws you even closer together. You might decide to make a stronger commitment to one another - either in a personal or business sense. The great news is that if you do, not only will the alliance likely be positive, but you'll also have an ability to clearly communicate your mutual needs within this partnership.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 There's no shortage of work available to you these days! In fact, you might have your pick of the best assignments and freelance projects in your field, thanks to Jupiter's influence in your workaday sector. While you're busy completing tasks, don't forget to cultivate your relationships with colleagues now. At least one co-worker may be the key to an extra special opportunity that will benefit you financially. Lucky you: this trend will only get better!
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
If you're single, you've recently entered one of the most fortunate times possible to help you find true love. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance, entered your romance sector on June 25 and will grace this part of your chart for an entire year. During this time you will have extraordinary prospects in love. Today you might feel emotionally receptive to someone you've just met. Go ahead: There's never been a better time to open your heart.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“Nice definition of ‘TODAY.
T – This is an
O – Opportunity to
D – Do
A – A work, better than
Y -Yesterday..”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Good relationships are like trees
They demand attention & care in the beginning
but once they blossoms
they provide U shade in all situations of life .
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who
will have sought and found how to serve.”
In art gallery couple sees
picture of a girl covered by leaf.
Husband keeps watching.
Wife: ab chalo gay ya PAT JHARR
ka intezar kertay raho gay.
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MHRD's Rs 99,000 crore plan to boost higher education, improve enrolment
NEW DELHI: India will substantially increase the number of students in higher education in next seven years. The presentation made by the HRD ministry to the Consultatative Committee expressed that Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) will increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) from 18% to 30%. The scheme estimated to cost Rs 99,000 crore will include other existing schemes in the sector.
The highlight of the scheme will be that central funding from the MHRD and UGC to institution will be through the state council of higher education as against the direct funding by the Centre and UGC to educational institutions of higher education.
Moreover, the funding by the Centre will be upto 90% and it will be available to even private institutions based on certain norms. The scheme emphasizes to promote reforms in the State Higher Education System by creating a facilitating institutional structure for planning and monitoring at the state level. It will help to promote autonomy in state universities and include governance in the institutions. One of the goals of RUSA will be to ensure academic examination reforms in the higher education institutions and enable conversion of some of the universities into research universities at par with the best in the world.
The project will be implemented through MHRD as a centrally sponsored scheme with matching contribution from the state government and union territories. It is proposed to set eligibility criteria for states to achieve a high and sustained impact of the project through monitoring and evaluation.
The primary responsibility of the monitoring will lie with the institution themselves. The state government and the Centre through the Project Appraisal Board will monitor the project annually. The main component of the programme is to set up new universities and upgrade the existing autonomous colleges to universities.
The other attempt will be to convert colleges to cluster universities and set up new model colleges. The strategy will also include converting existing degree colleges to Model Colleges. The HRD minister M M Pallam Raju said collective effort should be made to raise standard of higher education and increase employability. He also wanted research to be given more priority in the context of higher education.
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Struggling India need to beat West Indies to stay afloat
PORT OF SPAIN: Their campaign in tatters after two consecutive defeats, India need to regroup quickly as they go into a must-win match against hosts West Indies in the Tri-series on Friday.
The Champions Trophy winners have suddenly looked vulnerable as the young Indian players found it tough to come to terms with the challenging conditions.
As if the two-paced Caribbean wickets were not enough to trouble the Indians, injury to charismatic skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has only made the job tough for them.
Friday's contest comes as a huge challenge and test for the leadership quality of Virat Kohli, who is being considered as a future captain of the country.
Kohli's tactics during the big-defeat against Sri Lanka did not work and it will be interesting to see how he leads the young pack in the pressure match, where a defeat will virtually ensure their elimination.
West Indies are best placed so far with nine points, courtesy two wins from as many matches while Sri Lanka are second with five points.
Both the teams have managed to win a bonus point.
A victory on Friday will keep India alive in the competition.
Their defeat would send the hosts into the final and from there, India's chances to qualify for the final will depend on a lot of ifs and buts.
First and foremost, India would need a favour from the West Indies that the hosts beat Sri Lanka in their final league match on Sunday and then India will have to beat the Asian neighbours on Tuesday in a certain number of overs to make it to the summit clash.
India's victory on Friday will keep the tournament open as all three teams will have a chance to book a place in the title clash.
Considering the grim situation, India need stroke-maker Shikhar Dhawan to yet again provide a solid opening along with Rohit Sharma, who is the only one so far from the side to score a half-century.
In the first two matches, their partnership has not gone beyond five overs.
It's crucial that the two batsmen click as India thrives on good starts.
The players are in form and they need to apply better according to conditions.
The bowlers struggled to find length against Sri Lanka and repeat of the same will be suicidal against the big-hitting Caribbean players.
Chris Gayle is always a big threat and his opening partner Johnson Charles has also given a good account of himself. Kieron Pollard in the middle and Darren Sammy in the lower order are also capable of taking the game away from the opposition on their day.
India may leave out Shami Ahmed and bring back Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.
It is also unlikely that Ambati Rayudu will get his debut match in the crucial game.
For West Indies, captain Dwayne Bravo is likely to come back to side, having missed the India match due to a groin strain.
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Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
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Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Movie Name : Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Release Date : 12 June 2013
Genre : biographical, sports film
Producer : Viacom 18,Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Director : Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Music Director : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Cast : Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor and Meesha Shafi. Milkha Singh
Synopsis:
‘Milkha Singh’- for some the name evokes a faint memory from the pages of history. All that is most remembered is that Milkha Singh, hailed as the Flying Sikh, was a famous athlete who infamously lost the penultimate race of his life. “The one who lost the 400 meters finals at the Rome Olympics” is an involuntary response when the name Milkha Singh is mentioned. The film attempts to understand a catastrophic loss that was deemed a sure victory and explores through the darkness of disgrace; Milkha’s redemption, the redemption and catharsis that come when he confronts his past.
Milkha ironically finds himself in a place wherein he had lost his all – Pakistan - a place where he witnessed the bloody massacre of his entire family. The demons hidden in some dark corner of his consciousness come alive. This iridescent tale winds through the plagues of a bloody civil war, a lost childhood, homelessness and petty crime to victories hard won and easily lost. It draws an intricate image of human trials, setbacks and fate leveraged against the sheer power of will. He evocatively illustrates that true victory lies in racing with one’s troubles and not in running away from them. Milkha flies, falls and rises, bruising his soul but not his will to survive. Milkha Singh the world champion in 400 meters lost the most important race of his life - the 1960 Rome Olympics - but won in LIFE.
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the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter.
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Two frogs in the milk
I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, “I want to tell you why I let Jack use my horse.
It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses.
As a result, the boy’s high school career was continually interrupted.When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.
“That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch.He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track.Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.“He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.’
“The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?’“The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family.
You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money.You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you’ll have to pay large stud fees. There’s no way you could ever do it.’
Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’“The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this.
However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ “Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all.
He stated, “You can keep the F and I’ll keep my dream.”Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch.
I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.” He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week.” When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now.
When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.”“Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.”
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“Success goes to those, whose dreams are always alive. Nothing happens with only wings, it also further requires courage to fly. ”
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