After decades of war, Iraq adds fleet of new trains to its aging railway
Brand new trains were delivered to Iraq for use on a popular railway route, another sign that the country is rebuilding the public transportation network that had fallen into disrepair over decades of neglect and war. The 10 new trains will roll on the Baghdad-Basra line, between Iraq's capital and one of its key cities. It's a line that's been of strategic importance since it was built as part of the Baghdad Railway in the years surrounding World War I, and now it's getting trains capable of 100 mph. That's a big step for a country that only had two passenger trains as of this summer.
As Ukraine tensions ease, markets buoyant
Global stocks were buoyant Wednesday as tensions in Ukraine continued to ease and investors anticipated further stimulus measures, particularly from the monetary authorities in China. Further solid US economic data also reinforced hopes over the outlook for the world's largest economy.
Australian Bravery Awards honour those putting other people's lives ahead of their own
Australians who took on fires, floods, shark attacks, and other life-threatening challenges to save others have been recognized in this year's Australian Bravery Awards. The national honours system, now in its 39th year, recognizes heroic actions of Australians who have placed the lives of others ahead of their own. Governor-General Quentin Bryce said the awards represent the highest level of recognition that can be accorded for outstanding achievement and service in national life
US: Nicole Javorsky overcame challenges by doing, not complaining
Nicole Javorsky is literally and figuratively turning this world upside down. The 18-year-old aspiring trapeze artist is the founder and president of Cubs for Coping, an organization that makes and donates handmade teddy bears to young people in hospitals, shelters, and eating disorder clinics. Nicole's own personal struggle with an eating disorder (anorexia) and co-occurring mental illness is what inspired her to start the organization. She describes: 'I started Cubs for Coping because I felt scared and alone in the hospital. My friends and family sent me stuffed animals, which made me realize that people do care. Not everyone is so lucky ... Why [send handmade teddy bears]? Hope changes everything. Knowing that there are people out there who care about you is so important.'
Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19 The focus will be on having fun. As your ruler Mars continues to activate the entertainment, romance, and overall pleasure sector in your chart until October 15, socializing may occupy the top spot on your to-do list. Thanks to an abundance of planetary support, romance may play a significant role this weekend. Perhaps a new relationship will begin or an existing one will blossom. On another note, you may feel inspired to brighten up your home with some colorful artwork.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
 Your inbox and voicemail may get a workout as you catch up with friends and family members. You may get an emotional boost as you spend time connecting with people who lift your spirits. Afterward, you may feel so good that you want to create a routine to help you maintain a positive outlook. You may try a few different methods such as meditation, affirmations, and vision boards to see which one works best for you.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 There will be plenty to smile about as a beautiful alignment between Venus and Jupiter stimulates the money sector of your chart. If a raise recently came through, you may buy yourself something special or celebrate with a night on the town. On a different note, you may make spontaneous plans to meet up with friends or colleagues. When you get together, there may be people there that you don't know but by the time you leave, you'll be fast friends.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
 Shopping for a big-ticket item may be on your agenda. Since this will be a large expense, you may need to do a bit of research before you make a decision. If you have your eye on a new car or any type of electronic item, it's best to purchase and accept delivery before Mercury goes retrograde on October 21. Also, as Venus and Jupiter continue to make beautiful music, you and your sweetheart may enjoy a special evening.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 Your energy and ambition may be strong as Mars will continue to inject its can-do attitude into your sign. In fact, you may be quite the weekend warrior and may devote considerable effort into cleaning, reorganizing, or even redecorating your home. After you're finished, you may be in the mood for company, so invite some relatives or friends to visit you. An evening of interesting discussions and perhaps a board game may be the perfect way to end your day.
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Search for lost Malaysian jet is complicated by geopolitics and rivalries
BEIJING: The frantic hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has been, in one way, a nearly miraculous display of international collaboration: 26 nations, many of them rivals, have opened up their territorial waters and airspace or have contributed closely held technology and surveillance data to a search that has riveted the world. That extraordinary cooperation has been instrumental in narrowing the search to a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean this week. But the effort has also underscored the limits of trust among powers like China, Malaysia, the United States, India and Thailand, all of which bring their own, often competing, strategic interests to bear.
The instruments of the search — advanced radar and satellite arrays, banks of intelligence analysts, surveillance planes and ships — are also the tools of spycraft. And as they have come together, the imperative among participating countries to cloak their technological capacities and weaknesses has proved irresistible, at times hindering the search, military analysts say. "In Southeast Asia and in the wider region, there is no defense forum that enables the sharing of information and capabilities with regards to something on this scale," said Jon Grevatt, an Asia-Pacific analyst in Bangkok for IHS Jane's, a defense industry consultancy. "These countries have tried before to get to a situation in which they are sharing military technologies at a higher level than they are now. They have tried, but it hasn't really happened. It's further evidence of the continuing mistrust or lack of confidence in each other."
For example, Indian officials were reluctant to discuss radar data from the Bay of Bengal, along one of the plane's possible paths. That turned out to be because there was not much data — the area was a weak spot in the country's radar coverage. In an interview, a senior Indian military official said India did not keep "heavy surveillance" capabilities there because it was not a tense area, unlike the country's northern border with Pakistan. It would have been possible to miss the jet at night, he said.
The sharpest tensions have arisen between China and Malaysia. Chinese officials have denounced Malaysia for its reluctance to share information about the search. Most of the 239 people on board the flight were Chinese.
At the same time, China has also been unwilling to show other nations its raw military radar data, even though some investigators wanted to see it to help pin down whether the plane flew north, toward Central Asia. Instead, China, like several other countries, simply told Malaysian officials that its radars had not spotted the plane.
"They won't share radar data," said one Western official here who, like others in this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the delicate diplomatic issues. "They've told us and everybody else, 'We didn't see it, period.' They're not willing to share the data."
One possible explanation is that China wants to hide not only its technological capabilities, but also the limits of that technology, even as it has grown bolder in asserting itself as a military power, analysts say. Some Chinese officials say there have indeed been tensions during the search, but blame others. Col. Dai Xu of the Chinese Air Force, an author of nationalistic military books, said: "China has made great efforts in this search and rescue operation, showing its maximum sincerity. But unfortunately, not every country is doing that much, because the political trust is not enough."
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Top 5 healthiest alcohol drinks
Plan to go drinking but afraid you may gain weight? Fret not! There are alcoholic drinks that have less calories and that do not make you gain weight as much as their counterparts. We give you top five healthiest alcoholic drinks to try this weekend.
Healthiest Alcohol Drinks
Vodka Soda
Hip hop artists endorse it as the 'cool quotient drink', but the Russians believe it is a cure to all their problems and they might just be on to some thing. In several cultures, Vodka is used as an alternative medicine. Consume no more than 1-2 units (30ml each) of Vodka at one go.
Healthiest Alcohol Drinks
Bellini
Bellini is prepared with champagne orange or peach juice. Champagne is rich in antioxidants which is beneficial for your skin. When you add orange or peach to champagne you are adding vitamin A, B and C to your drink. The juices are good sources for calcium, riboflavin, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, niacin and thiamine.
Healthiest Alcohol Drinks
Red wine
Indians have opened up to drinking wine. It is no longer associated with just the Italians and the French. From rosy cheeks to a happy heart, wine was and is a popular beverage. Red wine is considered the fountain of youth by many thanks to the high level of antioxidants. A great accompaniment for romantic dinners, wine will boost your body's defenses, build bones and balance blood sugar levels. Red wine can also increase women's libido too.
White wine
Red wine may be popular, but white wine has health benefits too. While red wine has antioxidant resveratrol, white wine has hydroxytyrosol which is an important antioxidant and effective for clearing blockages.
Guinness
Though beer gives you a beer belly, Guinness has less calories than regular beer. There are 128 calories in 35ml of Guinness beer. This beer also has the same number of antioxidants as red wine. This beer can help reduce and flush out blood clots and improve heart problems.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22  Group activities may open the door to new opportunities. A social gathering or community event may lead to a new friendship with someone who shares your interests. You may hit it off so much that you feel your friends would like this person as well. Make a mental note to plan something so they can meet each other. Meanwhile, you may learn that a sibling or cousin wants to introduce you to a potential suitor.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 You and your partner may be on opposite sides about a domestic issue. For example, you may disagree about going ahead with a home improvement project because you feel it's too expensive right now. If you have young children, they may ask for a later bedtime, and while you both feel that's fine, you may be at odds about how late it should be. Luckily, a fortunate angle between Venus and Jupiter may help you resolve the matter in a way that's a win-win for everyone.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 As Jupiter continues its journey through your sector of higher knowledge, you may prefer to spend your leisure time engaged in mental pursuits. Topics related to philosophy, religion, and politics may appeal to you, and you may find yourself following a variety of media outlets. News about international events may capture your attention as well as trigger your imagination. For example, a daydream about an exotic destination may lead to an inspiration for a romance or mystery novel.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
 The spotlight will be on financial planning. You may want to provide greater security for you and your family in the years to come. Although increasing your nest egg is one way, you may want to explore other avenues with a financial expert. Also, you may want to find a new hobby. A friend may suggest that you try your hand at painting. Experiment - you may discover you have some talent for it.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 Someone from your past may reach out to reconnect with you. You may be quite happy to hear from this person because you were good friends until life led you in different directions. Although it may be years since you last chatted, when you do it may be so easy that you feel as though you just spoke to each other yesterday. When it comes to your love life, your most significant relationship may grow deeper as Jupiter enhances this sector of your chart.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18  You may make a last minute-decision to take a continuing education class in business or technology because you feel it will help you get ahead on the job. Although you will want to let your boss know because you want to show him or her that you've taken the initiative to improve your skills, you may feel it's best not to share this news with your co-workers. On another note, if you've been planning to get a pet, you may welcome a furry companion into your home.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20  Romantic opportunities and social invitations may be plentiful as Jupiter will continue to light up this sector of your chart. If you have a date this weekend, your sweetheart may spare no expense to ensure the evening will be a memorable one. Also, you might feel motivated to add more exercise to your daily schedule and try a new workout DVD or online video. If time is an issue, use hand weights during power walks for an equally beneficial workout.
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Moral Story
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SMS
“The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed in these two: common-sense and perseverance..”
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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.”
A: Did you hear that a baby was fed on elephant's
milk and gained twenty pounds in a week.
B: That's impossible. Whose baby?
A: An elephant's.
" INSPIRING STORY "
Face difficulties positively
This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.
After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.
Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him.
It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” He repeated to encourage himself.
No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well!
What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.
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“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed ”
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