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"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."
| VBA's Positive News |
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Toronto, Canada: Thornhill garden grows vegetables for Richmond Hill Community Food Bank
Seeds for Change, Richmond Hill Community Food Bank satisfies volunteers, seniors, and people who need helping hand getting good food by supplying organic fruits and vegetables. The bulk of the food bank's fresh produce comes from a nearby farmers' market, often the fruits and vegetables that didn't sell. By comparison, the community garden's donations are small. Its contributions, however, have been steadily increasing since the garden started three years ago with only three plots. This summer, the garden has 17 beds, and, along with the earthy pleasures of digging, planting and tending comes the knowledge that the heft of the harvest goes to the food bank.
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New NASA spacecraft to investigate moon mystery
More than 40 years after the last Apollo astronauts left the moon, NASA is preparing to launch a small robotic spacecraft to investigate one of their most bizarre discoveries. Crews reported seeing an odd glow on the lunar horizon just before sunrise. The phenomenon, which prompted a notebook sketch by Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan, was unexpected because the airless moon lacked atmosphere for reflecting sunlight. Scientists began to suspect that dust from the lunar surface was being electrically charged and somehow lofted off the ground, a theory that will be tested by the US space agency's upcoming Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Experiment.
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US: More than 500 baby sea turtles released off Florida
More than 500 sea turtle hatchlings were gently released by hand Thursday onto sea beds off Florida's Atlantic Coast, where the turtles have a better chance to survive. The US Coast Guard assisted with the release about six miles off the coast of Boca Raton because it is committed to protecting endangered and threatened species, officials said in a statement.
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Canada's Ivey purchasing index gains in August
The pace of purchasing activity in Canada rebounded slightly in August, according to data released on Friday. The seasonally adjusted Ivey Purchasing Managers Index rose to 51 in August from 48.4 in July. A reading above 50 indicates an increase in the pace of activity. 'This dynamic is broadly consistent with a trough in real GDP growth in the second quarter, which we expect will be followed by a very gradual recovery over the balance of the year and into 2014,' TD Securities strategist David Tulk said.
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World Round-Up
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After HC termed allowances unconstitutional, Mamata offers 'protection' to imams
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that her government would extend all necessary 'protection' to the imams and muezzins in the state as per law.
On September 2, the Calcutta High Court ruled that allowances for the imams and muezzins announced by the state government were unconstitutional.
Related: Calcutta High Court rules state govt's 'allowance' to imams unconstitutional
The chief minister, however, declined to make any comment on the Calcutta High Court order, saying, "Law will take its own course."
"We believe in a democratic process and everything will be done as per law for the protection of minorities as well as imams and muezzins for their development, Banerjee said giving away scholarships and loans to the minorities at a function organised by the West Bengal Minorities' Development and Financial Corporation.
"Don't be worried. Nothing is there to be upset. We are with you always.
We have in our hand the Wakf Board, Minorities Commission and Madrasa Service Commission which will help us fulfil the demands and aspirations of the imams and muezzins and other minorities," she said amidst cheers from the audience.
A Calcutta High Court division bench of Justice P K Chattopadhyay and Justice M P Shrivastava passing an order on a writ petition filed against the government's announcement of allowances for the imams and muezzins ruled them unconstitutional and against public interest.
State's urban development minister Firhad Hakim had earlier assured the imams and muezzins that as long as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her government was there, interest of the poor minorities would remain protected.
"Nothing to be worried for the poor minorities including the Imams and Muezzins.
Chief Minister is taking all measures for their economic and social uplift," Hakim had said.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
You are still within the power of last week's new moon, September 5, so focus on making progress in the areas that new moon can bring you your greatest luck: in matters of health, and in new assignments at work. Whether you are out of work and looking, would like to switch jobs, or if self-employed would like to get new clients, you are in luck, so start pitching your talents now. Last week's new moon will help you reach your goal, but you must hurry, as with each passing day the new moon will become weaker. In terms of health, make time to get routine medical exams, and start a workout program you like, for doing so will yield enviable results.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Venus, your ruler, will enter Scorpio on September 11, and fill your sector of close relationships. If you are attached, the coming weeks will bring a sweeter interplay between you and your main squeeze. Single and looking? Circulate this coming week, for you are still within the powerful new moon period that started last Thursday, making this a potentially fruitful time to have that fateful romantic introduction. Your creativity will very high all week, too - contribute ideas on your most favorable day, Friday, September 13. If you need to make home-related choices, Saturday will bring excellent, surprising breakthroughs.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 If you've been trying to settle a home-related matter, Monday will bring nothing but frustration because Saturn will block Mars' energy. Don't give up, however, for by week's end, you can forge amazing progress. Whether you want to find a new space, buy or sell real estate, or choose things that can give your space a fresher look, week's end (September 13-15) will bring a plethora of opportunity to make your home the stylish, comfortable place to be. Over that same weekend, you may suddenly travel a short distance quite serendipitously and have fun galore.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Your career is on an upswing. By week's end, September 13-14, you'll see positive proof that your hard work is starting to pay off. Mars, now in your salary sector, will reach out to Uranus in your house of career status and achievement. You may be offered new responsibilities and more money, adding up to a happier you. Earlier in the week you may travel, possibly for work, and enjoy the change of scene. You'll be highly productive and have the potential to achieve much, so get busy and choose your goal - every week can't bring aspects THIS special. Your most fortunate day of all will be Tuesday, September 10.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 This is a solid week to raise your income, but not on Monday, September 9, when talks will go sideways. Saturn's challenge to Mars will make progress difficult. Plan your meetings instead for mid-to-late week for best luck. You are under a fantastic new moon period, to be strong only this week, so hurry. You may assume that you'll not be seeing an airport anytime soon, but that may change this weekend when Mars sends Uranus a golden beam. Travel and publishing / broadcasting projects shine.
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Infosys rejigs top management, creates new stars
BANGALORE: Two new stars have emerged in Infosys following a major restructuring initiative, and at least one of them now appears to be a likely contender for the post of CEO when incumbent S D Shibulal retires.
Chandrashekar Kakal, the global head of business IT services (BITS), has been given the additional responsibility of overseeing the consulting and systems integration (CSI) business.
BITS contributes 61% of Infosys's overall revenue, and consulting and systems integration contributes 33.6%.
So Kakal now has a say over 95% of the company's $7-billion revenue. Stephen Pratt, the head of CSI, is likely to report to Kakal.
Given the scale of that responsibility, Kakal should be in contention with V Balakrishnan and B G Srinivas for the CEO position.
Balakrishnan is the former CFO and now head of the BPO and India businesses, and chairman of Lodestone, the Switzerland-based consulting company that Infosys acquired last year.
B G Srinivas is the head of Europe and global head of the financial services and insurance unit, the company's biggest industry vertical.
Another executive who has seen his role being dramatically expanded is Dheeshjith V G, who till now headed the life sciences vertical.
Dheeshjith will now head a newly created unit called Growth Markets Unit, which combines the operations of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Middle East, South East Asia, France and Germany.
All the heads in these countries and regions will report to Dheeshjith.
France and Germany are Infosys's big focus markets in Continental Europe, and these previously came under B G Srinivas. So Srinivas's role appears to have been squeezed.
It could not be confirmed if Dheeshjith will continue to lead the life sciences vertical, which reports to Pravin Rao, the head of retail, consumer packaged goods, logistics and life sciences.
Dheeshjith has had previous experience with country responsibilities.
Prior to taking on the life sciences role, he was head of what Infosys then called new markets and services.
Infosys declined to provide details of its reorganization, but sent the following statement to TOI: "We have undertaken certain reorganization within the company to further improve our client focus and competitiveness.
A few senior leaders have seen their roles enhanced as part of this reorganization as well as a result of Ashok Vemuri's resignation."
Vemuri, head of the Americas and global head of manufacturing, and engineering services, resigned last month.
Till then, Vemuri was regarded as a CEO contender at Infosys.
Kakal's extended responsibility flummoxed HR experts.
"It's unusual for a client facing role (consulting) to report to a delivery head (Kakal's role in BITS)," said a Mumbai-based analyst who didn't want to be named.
The only rationale seems to be that the company is trying to increase Kakal's breadth of exposure.
Kakal, who joined Infosys in 1999, is responsible, in his BITS role, for application development, maintenance, testing, and infrastructure management services worldwide.
He oversees 60,000 employees serving clients across all industry verticals from a global network of delivery centres.
The latest reorganization involved two other changes.
Infosys has created a new vertical called utilities and resources for the North America market, which will be managed by Stephen Pratt.
For this role, Pratt will report to V Balakrishnan.
Resources was previously part of the manufacturing vertical.
Trikutam will continue as the global head of energy, utilities, communications and services.
Pravin Rao now has the additional responsibility of the Infosys Leadership Institute.
Matthew Barney headed the institute till he quit the company in March.
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Superfoods to foil cancer
Eating right can help prevent the disease. Here are some foods you can include in your diet
Countless researches and studies with conflicting information often make it an ordeal to figure out what is a health risk and what isn't.
These days, everything from mobile phones, to microwaves, to even the wrong kind of fabric, contains some form of cancer causing risk.
Studies have now helped experts to narrow food groups into cancer combating category.
Here is a list of foods classified as per their ability to help curb tissue cancer.
Wholegrain
Wholegrain cereals are rich in fibre, which may help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
One Swedish study found that women who ate more than 25 gm of fibre per day were nearly 40 per cent less likely to develop the disease.
Eat more: Opt for healthy wholegrain carbohydrates such as granary bread, cereals such as Weetabix or porridge, brown rice and wholemeal pasta.
Fruit and vegetables
A diet full of antioxidant-rich brightly-coloured fruit and vegetables could help combat free radicals — rogue cells that can trigger cancer.
A study in China this year found that women, who ate the most fruit and vegetables in their diet, lowered their risk of breast cancer.
Eat more: Forget five, for maximum cancer protection some nutritionists are now advising us to eat nine or 10 servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
One serving is equivalent to a glass of fresh juice, medium orange or 12 grapes.
Vitamin d-rich dairy products
Research has shown that vitamin D can halt cell division and growth, offering protection against the cell changes that lead to cancer.
The richest sources are dairy products, eggs and oily fish. In the past, dairy had been linked to breast and prostate cancer, but a recent review of studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found low-fat dairy products, such as skimmed milk, cottage cheese and yoghurt, may protect against the disease.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
This is birthday month, and you are the one most favored, thanks to your birthday new moon in Virgo that took place last Thursday. That moon will be helpful to you for two weeks. The earlier you make an initiation on a plan dear to you, the better, for all new moons lose power and light with each passing day. Venus will move into your quick travel sector on Wednesday, September 11, for four weeks, so before the year-end holidays, plan a romantic long weekend away. If possible go this week, and leave Friday morning, coming back Sunday afternoon.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Take a moment this week to catch your breath. The new moon of last week is still exerting a strong influence and is urging you to take off time to relax. Soon action-hero Mars will enter Libra for months, beginning December 7, and once that happens, you'll be on your skateboard straight through mid-2014. On another note, money seems to concern you on Monday, September 9, but if you look for ways to improve your cash flow, you should be able to uncover a new pipeline of cash. Early November will be your best time to ask for a raise, or if self-employed, to increase your fees, so get ready now by preparing and polishing your presentation.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 The new moon of last Thursday encouraged you to socialize more, and hopefully you are poised to step out this week, too. Venus will enter Scorpio on Wednesday, September 11, for four weeks, making you the star of any gathering you attend. At first, you may have trouble relaxing, as taskmaster Saturn will orbit shoulder-to-shoulder to Venus, making you mindful of all the undone work you still have to do. However, by next week, you will have discovered the secret to enjoying time off and actually be glad you left your office. Socializing will have many benefits. In addition to fanning the fires of love, you may learn gossip that proves key to advancing your career.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
This is a critical time for advancing your career, and you need to devote every minute to building your reputation and seeking new enterprises. The new moon that appeared last week is still strong and will help you lay the groundwork for you to interview, and win, an important new position. The moon will be in Sagittarius on Wednesday, September 11, your best day to schedule a major meeting. Self-employed Sag can get ahead by pitching big clients. While it may take months to land a new job or new client, what matters is that you begin the process in earnest now.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 The high spending you've been doing over the past weeks will now simmer down now by mid-October, so you only have a little time to go. You seem to have been centering your thinking on leasing space, fixing up your space, or on another property that you manage. Alternatively a family matter involving one of your parents may have taken first priority. The welcome news that comes to you on Friday or Saturday will have you jumping for joy. Avoid any critical meeting on Monday, September 9, when your ruler, Saturn, will be in a dispute with action-Mars - frustration will abound, especially when it comes to talks about money.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Mars is now positioned in Leo, six signs away from your sign, so you may feel as though you have little cooperation from others. People who have always supported your aims may now fold their arms over their chest and want you to prove every point with reams of facts and figures. Everyone will be hard to please, so make sure that your presentations are carefully polished and packed with as many verifiable facts as you can find to support your points. Although time consuming, this will be your only way to get approvals. You can earn very good money this week in terms of a commission, royalty, advance, or bonus - the new moon of last Thursday will help you - but to do so, you'll have to be very buttoned up and focused.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
Collaborative efforts should work well, so don't try to fly solo or take on every detail to do alone. The new moon of last Thursday, in your opposite sign of Virgo, is working like a fairy godmother to see you find the right person to partner with to make your projects a success. In love, plans for marriage may now be hatched, or if engaged, you may be conferring with your partner frequently in your quest to pave the way to a happy future. On Friday, September 13, sudden good news about a salary hike or a well-paying one-time assignment will have you celebrating and clinking champagne glasses with friends.
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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
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Santa asks Priest: Why did god make women so beautiful?
Priest: So that you will love them.
Santa thinks for a short time...
Santa: But why did God make them so dumb?
Priest: So that they will love you.
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West Bengal forms panel for better education
KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to set up the education commission with four or five eminent educationists to draw up a plan for 2020 and also for 2030 which will be a vision document guiding the education department and the state government.
Mamata said that the document would help impart best education to the students of Bengal in the days ahead.
According to sources in the school education department, the commission will be set up to find out the fallacies existing in the current academic system. "It will try and give suggestions to make improvement in the existing syllabus, teaching and learning methods, examination system and anything related to education," said a school education department official. According to him, the He added, "after CM's announcement on Thursday, next step will be to decide on the names who will be on the panel and bring out a government order.
Speaking to the teachers and students on the Teachers' Day on Thursday, the CM said, "Students need to know how to outperform others in the competitions, how to be good in art, music, dance as well as studies. The brain needs oxygen and it will not come from studies alone. One should not feel miserable if he or she does not score 100. Of course, one should aim to achieve 100 but that is not the end. During our childhood days, there were more co-curricular activities."
Mamata also made it clear that she wanted the burden of syllabus to be reduced off the children. "Syllabus needs to be reduced.
Students cannot be left to suffer from Spondylitis even before they reach 18 just by carrying huge load of books on their shoulders. Stress and tension must be removed," the CM said. She added that Bengal has been promoted to rank 3 among all states from rank 17 in an education survey. "We shall now aim to reach the top," CM said.
Education minister Bratya Basu said that after releasing new books for the students of classes I, III and V last year, the syllabus reform committee, headed by Aveek Mazumdar, has drawn up the list of new books which were released by the chief minister for students of classes II, IV, VI and VIII.
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'Srinivasan didn't follow RBI guidelines: Bindra
MUMBAI: While the cricket fraternity is busy pouring over details of the elaborate report on Lalit Modi submitted by the Indian cricket board's (BCCI) three-member disciplinary committee, the suspended administrator's close confidante and Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president IS Bindra has launched a counter-attack on board president N Srinivasan.
On Friday, three days after the Modi report first got selectively leaked in the media, Bindra produced a 37-page retort via Twitter, attacking Srinivasan on many counts for causing serious financial losses to the BCCI.
Bindra, a former board president and a fierce bete noire of the current BCCI administration, has alleged that Srinivasan caused Indian cricket's cash-rich coffers a great deal of harm by not following the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) guidelines while setting up a bank account in South Africa to facilitate cash transfers and payments to Cricket South Africa during the 2009 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in SA.
This, says Bindra, happened despite then president Shashank Manohar emphasizing in an emergent working committee meeting that the BCCI should seek the necessary RBI approval for operating the bank account in South Africa. Srinivasan happened to be the board secretary at that time.
Bindra also adds that "the present violation of FEMA, as alleged by the Enforcement Directorate, is due to the 'deliberate act' of avoiding the RBI framework".Bindra has accused Srinivasan of wrongly alleging that Modi happened to be a beneficiary in the facilitation fee paid by Multi Screen Media (MSM), which broadcasts IPL, to the World Sports Group (WSG) during the initial years of the Twenty20 tournament.
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Grand Masti
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Grand Masti
Movie Name : Grand Masti
Release Date : 13 September 2013
Genre : Bollywood adult comedy
Producer : Ashok Thakeria,Indra Kumar
Director : Indra Kumar
Music Director : Anand Raj Anand,Sanjeev Darshan
Cast : Vivek Oberoi,Ritesh Deshmukh,Aftab Shivdasani,Sonalee Kulkarni,Bruna Abdullah,Karishma Tanna,Kainaat Arora,Maryam Zakaria,Manjari Fadnis
Synopsis:
Three married guys Vivek Oberoi as Meet,Aftab Shivdasani as Prem and Riteish Deshmukh as Amar go out on fun experience in their college reunion in Shree Lalchand University of Technology and Science(SLUTS),finally to be trapped in a danger.
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The longest recorded flight of a chicken was 13 seconds
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Five More Minutes
While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground.
“That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.
“He’s a fine looking boy” the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.”
Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?” Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.”
The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content.
Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?”
Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.” The man smiled and said, “OK.” “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded.
The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here.
I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him.
I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play.”
Moral: Life is all about making priorities, and family is one and only priority on top of all other, so spend all time you can with loved ones.
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“Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.”
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