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“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure. ”
| VBA's Positive News |
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Israel to free first group of Palestinian prisoners ahead of peace talks
Israel on Monday published a list of 26 Palestinian prisoners set to go free within days, some after spending more than two decades behind bars, in the first stage of a deal that led to a resumption of US-backed peace talks last month. The decision was made late Sunday by a panel of three cabinet ministers headed by Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon and security and legal personnel.
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Israel: Settlements-for-prisoners trade-off
Israel approved building nearly 1,200 more settlement homes Sunday and agreed to release 26 long-held Palestinian security prisoners -- highlighting an apparent settlements-for-prisoners trade-off that got both sides back to peace talks after a five-year freeze. Israelis and Palestinians are to launch talks on Wednesday in Jerusalem, following a preparatory round two weeks ago in Washington. The US envisions an agreement within nine months on the terms of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, including drawing a border, agreeing on security arrangements and deciding the fate of Palestinian refugees.
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US: Indigenous canoe trip celebrating 400-year-old peace treaty culminates with UN event
More than 200 indigenous and non-indigenous canoe paddlers arrived in Manhattan on 9 August, after having travelled for almost two weeks down the Hudson River from upstate New York, to take part in an event at the United Nations to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This year's International Day aimed to highlight the importance of honouring agreements between States, their citizens and indigenous peoples, emphasizing the principles of friendship, cooperation, and peace.
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Adding value to train services and developing raw milk production in Thailand
The Thai Government will add value to train services and develop railway infrastructure on a long-term basis. It will also develop dairy farming to reduce raw milk production costs. In the weekly programme 'Yingluck Government Meets the People' on 10 August 2013, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra talked about rail system development and efforts to ease various problems with dairy farming.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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World respects our country for maintaining itself as a healthy and vibrant democracy, says LK Advani
Some 25 years back, a Kolkata daily carried a full-page interview with me. One of the questions posed to me was: "Mr Advani, could you tell me what is your weakness?" I promptly replied: "Books". And added: "On a grosser level, it is chocolates." Since then, quite a few of those who come to greet me on some special occasion obligingly gift me with either some book, or a box of chocolates.
One of the best books I have received in recent months is The New Digital Age. The book is authored by Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, and Jared Cohen, director, Google Ideas. The co-authors have opened their introduction to the book with the observation: "The Internet is among the few things humans have built that they don't truly understand."
India has been independent now for over 60 years. We have not succeeded in overcoming poverty or illiteracy,and many other infrastructural shortcomings. We have not been able to attend satisfactorily even to the healthcare of millions.
But the world nevertheless respects our country for maintaining itself as a healthy, vibrant democracy. We have managed this because of our refusal to compromise with curbs on freedom of expression, except those that can be called 'reasonable'.
Political activists like me, however, cannot forget what happened in 1975-77 on the plea of protecting internal security. A phoney, fraudulent Emergency was imposed on the country under Article 352 of the Constitution. Fundamental rights were suspended, more than one lakh politicians and pressmen were declared threats to national security and detained without trial. So when told that the topic for this Special Number is: Why India needs freedom from political control on social media, I readily agreed.
The Emergency experience fully justifies a positive response to the question posed.But I would add that the arrival of the Internet has created a totally new situation.Insofar as security of citizens and nations are concerned, the latest threat is terrorism. The New Digital Age carries a full chapter dealing with terrorism.
It says: "As we have made clear, technology is an equal-opportunity enabler, providing powerful tools for people to use for their own ends,sometimes wonderfully constructive ends, but sometimes unimaginably destructive ones."
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
If you are looking for inspiration, something could spark your creativity today and take you in a new direction. Be open to ideas that come to you when you least expect them. Even ideas that seem impractical at first can make sense later if you keep an open mind. With planets posing a challenge between your dreams and your emotions, be careful not to either embrace or dismiss too quickly ideas that come to you today.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
You could commit more deeply to a relationship now and some unsettling feelings could arise today as you go through the emotional process of letting someone into your life on a deeper level. Resist the temptation to look to friends for approval as their reactions could create a distraction from your own feelings. The moon, representing your emotions, will enter your sector of spirituality and signal a desire to ignite passion on a profound level.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 You could have an opportunity today to iron out recent differences of opinion with a friend, but some effort will be required to ensure that you are both listening with compassion to the other person. With a current challenge in your communication sector, verbal and written exchanges could require extra effort, but clarity can eventually be achieved. Lies or secrets could be exposed, and new information may give you an entirely different perspective on a situation.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Your innate creativity may feel blocked today by the notion that any projects you undertake must produce something tangible and valuable. You can trust that there is something valuable in your ideas and your creations, whether or not you see the value immediately. With a challenge in your creative sector, you could feel hesitant to express yourself confidently, but focus on displaying your natural creative talents and people will respond favorably.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Spending time with your family today could be hindered by a desire to focus on a solo activity and you may need to juggle your schedule to make time for both. With a planetary challenge highlighting your personal and family sectors, you could feel torn between spending time with loved ones and being alone. However, just a few minutes spent alone may be all you need to recharge so that you can find the emotional energy to nurture others.
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Vijay Mallya rejigs executive payrolls as Diageo tightens leash
BANGALORE: Top United Breweries (UB) Group executives and close aides of the troubled billionaire Vijay Mallya, who were parked on the payrolls of United SpiritsBSE 6.13 % (USL), have been shifted out with Diageo tightening the leash over India's largest distiller.
Diageo — now the largest shareholder and keen to improve profitability of USL — insisted on carrying only those who were part of the operational management.
This meant no slots for some of Mallya's bulge-bracket executives, including some involved with the grounded Kingfisher Airlines.
They are being accommodated at the group holding company UB Holdings, riding largely on real estate income and dividends.
UB lifers like group president & CFO Ravi Nedungadi, UBHL managing director Harish Bhat, Kingfisher AirlinesBSE 0.78 % CFO A Raghunathan and the airline company secretary and chief legal officer Bharath Raghavan are among those exiting USL payrolls.
They remained part of USL — the cash cow of Mallya's diversified conglomerate until recently — for performing some overlapping group functions despite having their core duties outside the liquor company.
Diageo's plans to clean up the balance sheet, which services a huge loan employed to buy out Scottish distiller Whyte & Mackay five years ago, has prompted their exit from USL books.
"There are some realignment and inter-company transfers in the normal course of business," a spokesperson for UB Group said, when contacted.
The holding company UBHL has no direct operations other than mixed real estate development in the heart of Bangalore, through a joint venture with Prestige Estates. With USL slipping out of control, there are questions about how Mallya, who relies heavily on his top aides, would keep it going.
Some of them who are nearing retirement are unlikely to get extensions, which were done very often in the past.
"The holding company has cash for now, but there are concerns going forward," said a senior advisor to the group who did not wish to be quoted in the report.
The second largest company in the group fold, United Breweries, is equally owned by Mallya and Heineken, with the latter in control of finances. Other group firms like UB Engineering and Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers (MCF) too have smaller balance-sheets.
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Top 10 home remedies for healthy hair
Hair can look healthy without visiting high priced salons, paying for expensive treatments and trying many conditioners and shampoos.
A variety of home remedies for healthy hair can be easily found in our kitchens for better results. From beer to bananas, shiny healthy hair is easy with a variety of these home remedies. Let's have a look.
Bananas for healthy hair
Due to high level of potassium found in bananas, they help improve hair health and natural elasticity.
Use a fork to mash one banana in a bowl, and then apply the mixture from root to tip. Leave the treatment on for 15 minutes, and then wash with shampoo. This treatment will cure dry and damaged hair.
Egg yolk treatment
Massaging the yellow portion of the egg on your scalp or a mixture of three egg yolks, 1 tbsp olive oil and three drops of Vitamin E can be a wonderful hair remedy.
Leave treatment on hair for 10 minutes and then rinse and shampoo hair. You can repeat the procedure at least once a week to ensure best results. This treatment will soften and condition your hair.
Beer treatment
A popular remedy is to rinse your hair with a little beer. Place beer into a spray bottle. Shampoo and lightly towel dry hair. Lightly spray beer into hair.
Believers in this remedy claim that beer has properties that can return the shine to your hair.
Hair conditioning with mayonnaise
Apply mayonnaise to wet hair. Leave treatment on hair from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Rinse well and shampoo. Mayonnaise is an excellent deep conditioner.
Oil massage
Massaging warm oil on to the scalp is a very popular medication in India. You can use coconut or olive oil for best results.
Leaving this for an hour and following this procedure with the application of limejuice mixed with some vinegar can help you get rid of dandruff.
Olive oil treatment
Apply 4 tbsp of olive oil to hair. Massage oil into scalp and hair. Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
For best results, leave olive oil in hair overnight for additional conditioning. Olive oil will strengthen hair and prevent breakage.
Mixture of amla powder and lime juice
Mixture of amla powder and lemon juice can be applied to the hair to help it grow stronger and have a fuller appearance.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
If you have a question that requires outside help, today will be a good day to seek advice from an expert on the subject. Depending on the problem, seeking help from people such as lawyers, accountants, or auto mechanics could provide quick solutions. Simply being open to advice from a neighbor or someone you meet during the course of your day could also be beneficial. You could also acquire information that will be very useful in the near future.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Today will be a good day to sign the contract on a long-awaited purchase that has been in the planning stages for a while, but resist impulse buying if opportunities arise. With a meeting between Saturn and the moon in your financial sector, carry out planned purchases but wait a few days for emotional spending. If someone asks you to make a donation or support a cause, make sure that you believe in the mission of the organization.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 A sudden disagreement could arise today between you and a colleague or a co-collaborator on a current project. By taking a few steps back, you may be able to find common ground in your overall plans for the project and resolve any minor differences of opinion. The moon in Scorpio challenges you to trust that you both desire the same outcome for the project. Disagreements along the way can be easily resolved if you focus on the ultimate goal of the endeavor.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
If you are looking for creative inspiration today, spend some time focusing on memories that surface for no apparent reason. Try to quiet your mind and reduce outside distractions. Dreams could spark your imagination and lead your thoughts in a new direction toward a solution to a current problem. Journaling or another means of creative self-inquiry could be especially helpful in getting ideas to flow, and an obvious solution can appear if you take time for contemplation.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Focus on bringing existing projects to completion today by looking at what remains to be done and making a to-do list. New projects can easily be undertaken once those are complete. Contact between the moon and Neptune will touch your communication sector and recent conversations or emails could require follow up. Focus on understanding what people are seeking to convey and be especially clear in your own communications as well. People could misconstrue what you say.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Today you might feel that your values are not shared by your friends and you might consider whether those friendships support or detract from your ability to be yourself when you are with them. You are the one who is changing now, and while it is not necessary to end those friendships, new friendships could develop now with people whose interests and beliefs are more closely aligned with yours.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Your need for approval and recognition could be especially strong today. In general you will find that people are willing to share their opinions about your work and are sincere in their evaluations. You could also receive some mixed messages. Make an effort to understand how to take the feedback and apply it to toward making improvements. Today could be a good day to schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your current role and career path.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Love--that divine fire which was made to light and warm the temple of home--sometimes burns at unholy altars.
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction and the will to carry on.
SANTA went to court
JUDGE:
"Order ! Order !"
SANTA:
"1 Pizza, 2 Dosa, 3 Idli & 1 Cold-drink !"
JUDGE:
"Shut Up !"
SANTA:"No,No..7-Up!
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Rajasthan University yet to announce 60 results
JAIPUR: Hundreds of students enrolled in various post graduate departments of Rajasthan University (RU) and under graduate courses in its constituent colleges are unlikely to cast their vote in the upcoming students' union elections. Reason: RU is yet to announce over 60 results at a time when the university has to publish the list of voters/students on or before August 16.
"It is almost impossible to declare all the results in the next two working days," said a senior university officer. The voter list comprises of those students who are either newly admitted or have cleared their previous classes. The university officials have assured that departments concerned were asked to announce the results immediately.
RU has 38 post graduate departments and six constituent colleges with total student strength of 27,000. On an average, 8,000-9,000 votes are cast in union elections. The student bodies are worried that if results are not announced it will disrupt their winning equation.
Admission in the university law colleges are also in a limbo due to the Bar Council of India's (BCI) refusal to grant permission to run the academic session this year. Both the colleges have student strength of 1,800, which means a loss of another chunk of active voters. Besides this, the MSc final year result is awaited along with BSc second year.
Sunil Khatik, general secretary of ABVP has accused the state government of holding elections in a hurried manner. "If elections will take place in this manner it will be injustice with hundreds of students who will be devoid of casting their votes," said Khatik.
The delay has also impacted admissions in the PG departments which are in the initial stage. In fact, RU had for the third time extended the last date of admission for post graduates leading to delay of UG results. Explaining the delay, Rajiv Gupta, head of sociology department said, "The number of students are increasing and the examiners have decreased."
Most of the final year students are running from pillar-to-post for their mark-sheets so that they may apply for the masters' degree programmes in other universities, but all in vain.
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Record missed but Shikhar Dhawan happy with what he scored
PRETORIA: He might have missed out on the world record for the highest list A score, but Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan is not complaining as he is glad to have become only the third Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to get a double hundred in a 50-over game.
"I was aware of the record and it felt really special to score these runs," Dhawan said after the match after India A's 39-run win over South Africa A which took them to the tri-series final against Australia A.
"When I got out in the 44th over it occurred to me that if I had batted till the end I had a chance to score a triple hundred. I am happy with what I scored though," he said.
"It did cross my mind that I joined Sachin paaji and Viru paaji in scoring a double century in a one-day game," he added.
Dhawan toppled quite a few batting records en route to his way to a 150-ball knock of 248 runs. He overtook Virender Sehwag's 219 in an ODI against West Indies in 2011 to register the highest List A score by an Indian.
He became the third Indian, after Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag to score a double century in a 50-over match. Dhawan's 248 also became the second highest List A score of all time, after England's Alistair Brown's 268.
Dhawan, who smashed his way to a 187-run knock on Test debut earlier this year, said Monday's knock was very special.
"I especially enjoyed it as it came against a South African side in their own backyard. They are very tough to play at home and they play good quality cricket," Dhawan said.
The left-handed opener, however, kept things in perspective and said the knocks by Tendulkar and Sehwag had a bigger context.
"...those were two of the greatest innings in cricket history and they came at the international level. So, they are much bigger than my innings," Dhawan said.
Asked to pick his favourite among the three. Dhawan said, "I've always loved watching Sachin paaji and Viru paaji bat. But I love my batting as well. So, it's difficult for me to pick one favourite knock of the three."
This year, Dhawan has scored four international centuries -- one in Tests and three in ODIs -- and was Man of the Series in India's victorious Champions Trophy campaign.
Reflecting on his knock on Monday, Dhawan said he picked his strokes well.
"I had scored 85 in the previous match and I wanted to score a big hundred for the team because our batsmen were all getting out in the 80s and 90s," he said.
"A big century was necessary for giving a good total to the team. Once I crossed the 100, I was in a different flow. I thought I made smart choice of shots and things went my way," he added.
"This will remain one of my favourite matches because I scored 200 for the first time in a 50-over game. Unfortunately it didn't come live on the television but that's fine because I loved batting," he signed off.
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Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!
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Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!
Movie Name : Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!
Release Date : 15 August 2013
Genre : Crime/Romance
Producer : Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor
Director : Milan Luthria
Music Director : Pritam
Cast : Akshay Kumar,Imran Khan,Sonakshi Sinha
Synopsis:
The movie takes off from where the previous film ended with Shoaib Khan (Akshay Kumar) being the reigning don after assassinating his mentor, Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn) thus earning the respect and reverence of the people. He is the charismatic and suave man with womanising skills who has extended his empire upto the Middle east on the west. His sole companions and friends are Javed, who oversees his illegal and shady works for him, his old-time love Mumtaz (Sonali Bendre) and Aslam (Imran Khan), a youth spotted by Shoaib during one of his visits to the slums, where he once spent the early years of his life.
The only obstacles on Shoaib's path to supremacy in Bombay are two enemies of Shoaib, Vardha and Arun. Sreenu, a police officer join hands with Vardha and Arjun as the trio's intention of ruining Shoaib coincides.
Although the city still being his first love a rising starlet, Jasmin has caught the fancy of Shoaib's heart. In due time this passion takes the shape of obsession and leads to a rift between Shoaib and Aslam as they both vie for Jasmin's love.
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a cat has 32 muscles in each ear
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Hospital window
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.
Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it.
In his mind’s eye as the gentleman by th! e window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window.
The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
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“Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ”
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