Lionel Messi movie: How do you accurately portray the magic of the world's greatest footballer?Lionel Messi movie: How do you accurately portray the magic of the world's greatest footballer?

So what makes the little man tick? When the Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia was asked to make a documentary about Argentinian and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi, he decided to look for what he calls the "rosebud" moment. If he searched hard enough, De la Iglesia was certain, he could discover just why Messi had pushed himself to become one of the greatest footballers of his age. When he was researching and making the film (which premiered at the Venice Festival earlier this month), De la Iglesia was thinking all the time about the boy with the sledge who grows up to become the all-powerful media magnate in Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.

De la Iglesia wasn't much interested in football. His films – The Day of the Beast, Perdita Durango – have tended to be outrageous comic-book fantasies full of sex, violence and very dark humour. Nonetheless, when the Messi project was proposed by Mediapro, he was intrigued. Part of the fascination was the air of mystery that surrounds Messi. The footballer doesn't give many interviews. Off the field, he is a guarded, shy and private figure, who, as the director says, "is always in a bubble".

"I said, "OK, yes,'" De la Iglesia recalls of his reaction when the project was proposed. "He (Messi) was so different to me."

De la Iglesia was also fascinated by the way that (in his view at least) Messi polarises opinion in spite of his astonishing ability. "Half of the world loves Messi. The other half hates Messi. There is not something in the middle."

In order to "explain" Messi, De la Iglesia decided to canvas the opinions of some of the footballers and coaches who've worked with the player. His screenwriter was Jorge Valdano, the outspoken former general manager of Real Madrid, recently in the news for his withering attacks on the egotism and petty-mindedness of current Chelsea manager José Mourinho (whom he likens to Salieri in Amadeus.)

The figures De la Iglesia invited to participate in a special dinner at which they would discuss the riddle of Messi included Dutch legend (and former Barcelona player and manager) Johan Cruyff and World Cup-winning Argentina manager, César Luis Menotti. Also present were some of Messi's current teammates, among them Andrés Iniesta and Gerard Piqué. Other participants include Argentine and Catalonian journalists, some of the player's old friends from school and kindergarten and even the doctor who looked after him when he was a kid. The one disappointment is that he wasn't able to reach Maradona (who asked for a $1m to appear in the film and therefore features only fleetingly in archive footage.)

The documentary gives us the illusion we are watching a single event. In fact, the film edits together two separate dinners at restaurants in Buenos Aires and Barcelona.

"It is beautiful to do it in this way," the director explains. "The second point is that it was good for the movie because the people are more relaxed when they are eating. They are drinking wine… the cameras were really far from the table

Rajinikanth moves court against 'Main Hoon Rajinikanth' makers

Superstar Rajinikanth Actor Rajnikanth on Wednesday obtained an interim injunction till September 25 from the Madras High Court, restraining a Mumbai production house from using his name, image, caricature, and style of delivering dialogues in the coming film “Main hoon Rajinikanth’.

Justice S Tamilvanan passed orders on an application by the actor, seeking to restrain Varsha Productions, Mumbai, from in any manner ‘infiltrating’ his personality rights through such unauthorised use.

The court said it cannot be disputed that Intellectual Property Right is a recognized right under modern laws and the copyright Act and Trade Marks Act are properly safeguarded by relevant statures. As per Article 21 of the Constitution, everyone is entitled to lead a dignified life and no one can cause damage to the fame or reputation to any person against law.

It said available material placed before the court and arguments of Rajnikanth’s counsel showed that film degrades the reputation of a popular cine field personality.

The caricatured person has the same style of Rajnikanth and the wordings showed him as a CBI officer, stupid,part—time social worker, part—time contract killer and described him as a womanizer, it said.

Having considered the averments in the accompanying affidavit, supporting documents, material object (Compact Disk) and also submission by the actor’s, the court said it was of the view there was a prima facie case made out and the balance of convenience is also in favour of Rajinikanth.

“Therefore, it is just and reasonable to grant interim injunction as prayed for in the application. Accordingly there shall be an order of interim injunction till September 25,” the court said.

Will Apple finally reveal its next big thing?

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple is poised to reveal its next big thing in a crucial attempt to prove its technological tastemakers still have the power to mesmerize the masses.

The trend-setting company is expected to rouse the still-slumbering market for wearable computers with a smartwatch or bracelet equipped to monitor health, help manage homes and even buy merchandise.

Apple is a late arrival to this relatively new niche: several other companies already sell smartwatches that are being greeted with widespread indifference.

If any company can transform the landscape, it's likely to be Apple Inc. after the company shifted the direction of digital technology with the iPod, iPhone and iPad. Other MP3 music players, smartphones and tablet computers were first to market, but the devices didn't enthrall consumers until Apple imbued them with a sense of elegance, convenience and wizardry.

"It means more to us to get it right than to be first," Apple CEO Tim Cook explained to analysts earlier this year.

Apple is likely to provide the first peek at its wearable device at a Tuesday event in the same Silicon Valley auditorium where Apple's late co-founder, Steve Jobs, unveiled the industry-shifting Mac computer 25 years ago.


Apple CEO Tim Cook (file photo)

Rumors have been swirling that U2, one of Jobs' favorite musical groups, will perform live to promote its new album, as well as Apple's latest gadgetry, which is likely to include an iPhone with a larger screen.

As usual, Apple hasn't said what's on tap, though the company's top executives have repeatedly promised major breakthroughs without providing any details.

"The location suggests this will be a historic event and the historic aspect will be their movement into a new category," predicted technology analyst and longtime Apple watcher Tim Bajarin.

After Tuesday's glimpse, it still may be several months before people get a chance to wear the device. There's speculation that the smartwatch won't be available until early next year, although Apple is expected to take orders during the holiday shopping season.

A smartwatch or high-tech bracelet would mark the first time that Apple Inc. has rolled out a new product line since the iPad's release nearly four-and-half years ago. In that time, the Cupertino, California, company, has been sprucing up its selection of iPhones, iPads and Macs with new models each year since Jobs died in October 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

The innovation void raised questions as to whether Apple's creativity was fading under Cook, Jobs' hand-picked successor.

Those concerns have waned in recent months amid high hopes for the products Apple has lined up for the holiday shopping season. The fervor propelled Apple's stock to new highs last week, a dramatic swing in sentiment from 17 months ago when the shares were trading about 44 percent below current levels. The stock was down less than 1 percent to $98.20 in Monday afternoon's trading.

Even with all the anticipation surrounding the potential smartwatch, the next generation of the iPhone will still be the star of Tuesday's show, as well as the main source of Apple's profits for at least the next year.

The device, likely to be called the iPhone 6, is expected to feature a screen spanning at least 4.7 inches diagonally, up from the 4-inch display on the previous models released during the past two years. Some analysts have speculated Apple may also offer an iPhone model with a 5.5-inch screen.

Any significant increase in the iPhone's size would make the device more competitive with smartphones made by Samsung Electronics and other rivals, and virtually ensure that Apple would have one of the holiday season's hottest selling items. "There is incredible pent-up demand for a larger-screen iPhone," Bajarin said.

Besides a larger screen, the new iPhone is expected to include a near-field communications chip that would enable the device to transmit payment information wirelessly to receivers at store check-in stands. The technology is expected to be accompanied with a mobile wallet feature that taps into the more than 800 million credit card account numbers that users store on Apple's remote servers to buy songs, video and apps from its iTunes stores. The mobile wallet could be secured with a fingerprint reader that Apple introduced last year on the iPhone 5S.

The mobile wallet conceivably could also work on a smartwatch or high-tech bracelet.

Apple's latest mobile software for the iPhone 6 and other recent models, iOS 8, also includes two features called HealthKit and HomeKit that represent the next step in the company's to play an even bigger role in the lives of the people tethered to its devices. The tools are designed to turn Apple's products into a suite of digital servants that do everything from monitoring a person's eating habits and exercise routines to turning on the coffee maker in the morning to turning off the lights at night.

If Apple follows its recent traditions, the free iOS 8 software will be released shortly before the iPhone 6 goes on sale later this month.

Bangalore, Chennai join forces for inter-state heart transplant

BANGALORE/CHENNAI: Doctors, traffic police and airport officials in Bangalore and Chennai transported a live heart over 350km in just over two hours on Wednesday. "This is the first time we're attempting an inter—state heart transplant. A heart can be kept in cold storage for up to four hours, but we gave ourselves a window of three hours. In the end, it was done in two hours," said Harish Manian, facility director, Fortis Malar hospital, Chennai.

READ ALSO: No lal batti — Chennai halts traffic to save life

A 55—km stretch from BGS Global Hospital, Kengeri, in South Bangalore to Kempegowda International Airport in North Bangalore turned into a signal—free corridor on Wednesday between 2.10pm and 2.55pm. For 45 minutes, this green corridor opened up like a red carpet for the live heart being transported on Air India flight AI 264 which took off from KIA at 3.22pm.

At Chennai airport, the ambulance was allowed to through a special gate right up to the tarmac and Chennai Traffic Police take over. "It took us seven minutes - from 4.30pm to 4.37pm — to cover the 12km from the airport to the hospital," said a senior traffic official who planned the transfer. The ambulance whizzed past 11 junctions to reach the hospital. Each junction had three policemen to man the traffic and a patrol vehicle was on standby.

The donor, a 32—year—old homemaker married to a carpenter and mother of two children, met with a road accident near Hosur, Tamil Nadu on August 31. She was riding pillion when a tyre burst, throwing her off the bike. She was taken to BGS Global Hospital in Bangalore for treatment.

"She was brought to hospital in a critical condition. Despite our best efforts, there was no improvement. She was declared brain—dead around 6pm Tuesday. We spoke to the family, and they agreed for a cadaver transplant. We started coordinating with the Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka (ZCCK). Potential donors were identified for two kidneys and the liver," said Dr Venkataramana NK, vice—chairman and chief neurosurgeon, BGS Global Hospitals.

"Two patients of BGS Global were chosen as potential recipients for the kidney and liver. A patient from Apollo Hospital, Bangalore, was chosen for another kidney transplant. But for the heart, we couldn't find a matching donor in Karnataka. A potential recipient was found at Fortis, Chennai, and coordination started early Wednesday morning."

This is a first for Bangalore, with doctors and traffic police coordinating to transplant an organ to another city.

The ZCCK swung into action, coordinating with private hospitals about needy organ patients, and intimating them about the organs available," he explained. The Needy Patients' Registry in Tamil Nadu was checked and a potential recipient was found in Chennai.

When the Air India flight took off from Bangalore at 3.22pm, doctors in Chennai started prepping their patient for surgery. "It takes an hour for the prep - including administering the anesthesia and opening the chest. By the time we finished it, the heart reached the hospital," said Manian. Five hours later, at 8.30pm, the team declared the surgery a success.

No one else in Karnataka met the requirements and the timings of commercial flights coincided with the time of the harvest. "The biggest drawback of inter—state transplant is the timing of flights. Chartered flights are very expensive," said an official from the Tamil Nadu Organ Sharing Registry.

Apple iCloud security exploit is a concern, experts say

Apple's iCloud facility, which stores iPhone and iPad users' photos and personal data, has a "fundamental security flaw", an expert has warned.

The online service is under scrutiny after intimate images of celebrities were stolen and leaked.

It has emerged that a security measure called two-step verification, which is recommended by Apple, can be bypassed using easily available software that allows access to iCloud back-ups.

Apple declined to comment.

The program still requires hackers to know the user's email address and password, and there is no clear evidence that it was used in the recent breaches.

Two-step verification - which requires a user to type in a short code sent by Apple to their phone or tablet in order to access their account - is supposed to offer an extra level of protection.

On Tuesday, Apple suggested its customers "always use a strong password and enable two-step verification" after it acknowledged that some of its accounts had been compromised by a "very targeted attack".

But one expert said Apple had given people "a false sense of security".

Technology magazine Wired first reported that software from a Russian firm, ElcomSoft, was being mentioned on a hackers discussion group as a useful tool for infiltrating iCloud accounts.

The program, marketed to law enforcement agencies, claims to offer access to iCloud content without the operator needing to be in possession of the iPhone or iPad concerned.

It uses a system devised by Moscow-based computer programmer Vladimir Katalov, which downloads copies of iCloud data.

It is not known whether the facility was utilised by those who stole naked images of Jennifer Lawrence and others.

Vijayawada-Guntur set to be announced as new Andhra Pradesh capital on Thursday

 The new capital of Andhra Pradesh will be officially announced on Thursday in the state assembly. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is set to announce the Vijayawada-Guntur area as new capital region. However, the Sivaramakrishnan committee constituted by the UPA government had said that designating the region as the capital would bring up economic and environmental problems.

The opposition YSR Congress is demanding a discussion on the new capital.

The Naidu government has drawn up ambitious plans to transform Andhra Pradesh into a "bustling" state and place it among the top three states in the country by 2022.

Development of 14 major and minor ports, rivalling Singapore on the maritime front, three international airports and 14 domestic airports, three 'mega cities' and 11 'smart cities' and 28 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are top on the government's agenda to make AP an "air and maritime hub" and propel economic development.

Creation of inland waterways in the state and a National Waterway connecting coastal town Kakinada with Puducherry is also on the anvil.

Add the five "grids" and the seven "missions", the plans look massive for a state that is seeking to re-build itself in the aftermath of the bifurcation.

The five grids contemplated by the government are water, power, highways, gas and fibre optic. The seven missions comprise primary sector, social empowerment, skill and knowledge development, urban development, industry sector and infrastructure sector.

These missions will have specific objectives to push the growth plans envisaged by the government, create jobs and help alleviate poverty. "A society without poverty.. a state that is a centre of technology...And, a joyous population confident of its bright future... That is my ultimate vision for Andhra Pradesh," says Naidu.

"I will ensure that we create the entire ecosystem and develop each city into a growth centre and eventually transform Andhra Pradesh into a bustling state," he promises, adding that he would convert the current adversities (caused by the state's division) into opportunities for all-round progress.

However, everything remains only on paper as of now, with no firm estimates of the finances required or the time frame within which the projects could be completed.

The biggest factor that could make or mar these grandiose projects is the availability of funds, as the state remains bankrupt. The state government is banking largely, if not solely, on the Centre to finance major projects like ports, airports and road networks, apart from smart cities.

"Our assistance to the state will be project-specific and not free grants," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said during his recent trip to the state but the Naidu government wants the Centre to fulfil the "commitments" made in the AP Reorganisation Act-2014 and extend all financial help to the truncated state.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured he would do 'justice' to the state," the Chief Minister had announced after a recent meeting with him.

But the state is yet to prepare comprehensive project reports to be presented to the Centre. "Everything is only on the drawing board right now. We have to workout finer details of each plan before we can prepare detailed project reports," a Principal Secretary to government, involved in the process, told PTI.

In the case of international airports, the task is rather easier with respect to Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. Work on upgrading the existing domestic airport at Tirupati into an international one is already going but problems in identifying a suitable location has been holding up the construction of a new civilian international airport in port city Visakhapatnam.

The existing international airport in Vizag is currently under the control of Indian Navy. As Vijayawada is tipped to become the new capital of the state, a new international airport (possibly a greenfield) has to be built but plans for this have not even been drawn so far.

Among the five 'grids' mooted, the state hopes to draw funds from the Centre for the power and fibre-optic grids under the 'Power for All' and 'Bharat Broadband Network Project'.

"All these projects are like a five-year plan. Accordingly, we are preparing the project reports with varying priorities. Some of them will be ready in the next fortnight or so and we will then forward them to the Centre for financial assistance," a top bureaucrat said.

Inside Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh's 'Wedding'

Actress Deepika Padukone makes a picture-perfect bride in white while actor Ranveer Singh looks dashing as a groom in his suit.

The guests are ushered for their wedding reception and the newly-weds cut the cake. And after Ranveer stuffs the cake in his mouth, he dies. "That's a wrap up for Ranveer Singh," announces Finding Fanny director Homi Adajania.

Ranveer Singh, who will be seen in the film playing a cameo as Deepika Padukone's husband Gabo (who dies minutes after the wedding), talks about his role and the wedding sequence in this behind the scenes clip.

Ranveer says that he agreed to play the part since he found it amusing. "Homi explained the scene and it was very funny. I'm quite excited for it." In an earlier interview, Homi had said that Ranveer's energy is infectious.

Deepika also revealed that there was no face for the character of Gabo, and someone casually suggested that Ranveer could do it. "He prepared for it like he would do for a full role in a film," she said.

The film also stars Arjun Singh, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah and is slated to release on September 12.

Girl Dies After Uncle Allegedly Hits Her For Asking For Rs 10

 An 11-year-old girl died after she was allegedly hit by her paternal uncle for demanding Rs 10 to pay in her school for the Teacher's Day function in Sahebgunj district, police said today.

Kajal Kumari, a Class V student of Bindudham Middle School, had demanded Rs 10 from her grandmother when her uncle Chandan Thathera, who was standing nearby, got annoyed over the demand and allegedly hit her on top of her head yesterday in Bindudham Naya Tola area, Inspector of Ranga police station Anil Kumar said.


The girl died on the spot, the Inspector said, adding that Chandan was at large.

The girl's father, Omprakash, who is a carpenter, was not at home when the incident occurred, he said.

Kajal had demanded the money to pay in school to get a Teacher's Day stamp worth Rs 10.

After Beheading of Steven Sotloff, Obama Pledges to Punish ISIS

 President Barack Obama vowed on Wednesday to punish the Sunni militants whose videotaped beheadings of two American journalists he said had "repulsed" the world, saying the United States would lead a regional and international coalition to beat back the terrorists.

"Our objective is clear, and that is: degrade and destroy ISIL so that it's no longer a threat, not just to Iraq but also to the region and to the United States," Obama said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State group. He was speaking at a news conference here on the eve of a NATO summit meeting in Wales, as pressure built for him to articulate a broader military strategy to take on the Islamic State militants. (Read: Second Syria Beheading Raises Stakes for United States)

"It's not only that we're going to be bringing to justice those who perpetrated this terrible crime against these two fine young men," the president said. "The United States will continue to lead a regional and international effort against the kind of barbaric and ultimately empty vision" the group represents. (Journalist Steven Sotloff's Beheading Video Authentic: US)


Obama's strongly worded statement came after he drew criticism from allies and foes last week, when he said that he had not yet developed a strategy for confronting the Islamic State group in Syria. US airstrikes in Iraq, the president said Wednesday, had "borne fruit" by "blunting the momentum" of the militants in that country and averting the humanitarian disasters it had threatened to spark.

He spoke just hours after the White House said intelligence agencies had analyzed a video showing the beheading by an Islamic State fighter of American Steven J. Sotloff, a 31-year-old freelance journalist, and considered it authentic. (Also read: Despite Dangers, US Journalist Steven Sotloff was Determined to Record Arab Spring's Human Toll)

"Whatever these murderers think they will achieve by killing innocent Americans like Steven, they have already failed," Obama said in his first comments on Sotloff's killing since the video was released.

"We will not be intimidated," the president said. "Their horrific acts only unite us as a country and stiffen our resolve to take the fight against these terrorists."

The video marks the second time in two weeks that the militant group released a graphic depiction of the beheading of an American, intensifying pressure on the president to order military strikes on the group in its sanctuary in Syria. (Slain US Journalist Steven Sotloff Also Had Israeli Citizenship: Official)

Obama said he was not yet ready to order such action, saying he wanted to be sure that the mission would be effective and that allies at home and abroad supported it.

"It is very important from my perspective that when we send our pilots in to do a job, that we know that this is a mission that's going to work, we're very clear what our objectives are, what our targets are, we've made the case to Congress and we've made the case to the American people, and we have allies behind us," Obama said, "so that it's not just a one-off." (Read: James Foley, Other Hostages Held by Islamic State Were Waterboarded)

Pressed on whether he was talking about the elimination of the Islamic State, Obama suggested he was seeking instead to limit the group's reach.

The president said his goal was to ensure that the Islamic State "is not an ongoing threat to the region," and that the group "is degraded to the point where it is no longer the kind of factor that we've seen it being over the last few months."

Obama said that if the United States were to be joined by the international community, "we can continue to shrink ISIL's sphere of influence, its effectiveness, its financing, its military capabilities to the point where it is a manageable problem."

In the latest video, Sotloff is shown kneeling in the same fashion as another American journalist who was recently beheaded, James Foley, with a masked figure standing above and wielding a knife. Sotloff addresses the camera and describes himself as "paying the price" for Obama's decision to strike the group in northern Iraq.

The president was briefed on the video Tuesday before his departure for Estonia.

His remarks, which were made at a joint news conference with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, came at the start of a three-day visit to Europe that was choreographed to project a strong response by Obama and European allies to Russia's increasingly bellicose moves in eastern Ukraine. But with the situation there changing rapidly and the surfacing of the second Islamic State video, the trip is instead serving to showcase the vexing array of pressures weighing on the president to move more decisively on crises around the globe.

Obama arrived in Estonia on Wednesday for a day of private meetings with Baltic leaders and public statements meant to reassure allies - particularly those bordering Russia - that the United States and Europe are serious about defending them from their newly aggressive neighbor.

He was scheduled to travel to Wales later in the day for a NATO summit meeting, at which members are expected to endorse a rapid-reaction force capable of deploying quickly to Eastern Europe, their strongest response yet to Russia's stealth military intervention in Ukraine.

Confronting the Islamic State group is not on the formal agenda for the NATO meeting, but it is very much an issue expected to be addressed on the sidelines, where US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will be working to enlist help from allies in developing a strategy to counter the militant group.

10 highlights of Modi's visit to Japan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday concluded his successful five-day tour of Japan. Here are 10 highlights from his visit.

1. Japan has promised to give $35 billion to India through public and private funding over the next 5 years for developmental projects, including building of smart cities and cleanup of river Ganges.

2. Both sides have signed five pacts covering defence exchanges, cooperation in clean energy, roads and highways, healthcare and women while vowing to take their relationship from strategic partnership to a special strategic partnership.

3. Japan has lifted the ban on six Indian entities including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which was imposed in the aftermath of 1998 nuclear tests.

4. The two sides agreed to enhance their defence and strategic cooperation to a new level and also decided to speed up negotiations on a civil nuclear deal that could not be concluded now.

5. In Kyoto, a pact was signed under which Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi will be developed on the pattern of Kyoto 'smart city' with the help of Japan.

6. Tokyo will help India in providing financial, technical and operational support to introduce Bullet trains, a project that Modi has been actively pursuing.

7. Prime Minister Modi has asked NRIs to visit India at least once a year to boost tourism.

8. Both sides have signed a MoU for cooperation in heritage conservation, city modernisation and cooperation in the fields of art, culture and academics.

9. Both countries have decided to build a strong, deep and strategic relationship under the India-Japan Cooperation framework.

10. India has decided to set up a Special Management Team directly under the PMO to facilitate proposals from Japan.

Shweta Basu Prasad of Makdee fame arrested for prostitution

Noted actor Shweta Basu Prasad was arrested in Hyderabad on Sunday for being involved in a high-profile prostitution racket.

Reports said the 23-year-old actor was caught "in a compromising position" after the Hyderabad Police raided a famous hotel at the upscale Banjara Hills in the city.

Shweta rose to fame after she won the National Award for Best Child Artiste in 2002 for her role in Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Makdee'. She later featured in several Hindi films and TV serials, including Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Iqbal' and Ekta Kapoor's 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki'. She then moved to Hyderabad to work in Telugu films. She also starred in a few Bengali and Tamil movie.
After her arrest, the actor released a statement in which she said she was out of money and had no other way to support her family.

"I have made wrong choices in my career, and I was out of money. I had to support my family and some other good causes. All the doors were closed, and some people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money. I was helpless, and with no option left to choose, I got involved in this act. I'm not the only one who faced this problem, and there are several other heroines who have gone through this phase," Shweta said in her statement.

The police said they have also arrested several well-known businessmen along with the actor. The actor underwent a medical test before being lodged in a rescue home run by the Woman and Child Welfare department. She is likely to stay there for three months. The inmates are provided with free food, clothing, medical care and vocational training.
Balu, who was reportedly collecting Rs 1 lakh each from high-flying customers, has been sent to jail.

Horse training

Action Horses: http://youtu.be/xxD01PVBQ2o

Here are some of the interesting Facts about Life which have been taken from various sources from the internet to entertain people about interesting facts about our every day life

1. If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on your right side. Awesome! If you are left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side

2. If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. For when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.

3. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying. Interesting!!

4. Your tongue is germ free only if it is pink. If it is white there is a thin film of bacteria on it.

5. The Mercedes-Benz motto is ‘Das Beste oder Nichts’ meaning ‘the best or nothing’. Cool!!

6. The Titanic was the first ship to use the SOS signal. Amazing

7. The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing. Interesting!!

8. The average person who stops smoking requires one hour less sleep a night.

9. Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day.

Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.

10. Frank Perdue’s chicken slogan, “It takes a strong man to make a tender chicken” was translated into Spanish as “it takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate. Awesome!”

11. Dalmatians are born without spots. Interesting!!!!

12. Bats always turn left when exiting a cave. Awesome!

13. The ‘v’ in the name of a court case does not stand for ‘versus’, but for ‘and’ (in civil proceedings. Interesting!!!! or ‘against’ (in criminal proceedings. Interesting!!!!

14. Men’s shirts have the buttons on the right, but women’s shirts have the buttons on the left

15. The owl is the only bird to drop its upper eyelid to wink. All other birds raise their lower eyelids

16. The reason honey is so easy to digest is that it’s already been digested by a bee

17. Roosters cannot crow if they cannot extend their necks

18. The color blue has a calming effect. It causes the brain to release calming hormones

19. Every time you sneeze some of your brain cells die

20. Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart

21. The verb “cleave” is the only English word with two synonymswhich are antonyms of each other: adhere and separate

22. When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red

23. When Hippos are upset, their sweat turns red

24. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle was built in 1903, and used a tomato can for a carburetor

25. The lion that roars in the MGM logo is named Volney

26. Google is actually the common name for a number with a million zeros

27. Switching letters is called spoonerism. For example, saying jagof Flapan, instead of flag of Japan

28. It cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it

29. The attachment of the human skin to muscles is what causes dimples

30. There are 1,792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower

31. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting

32. Human hair and fingernails continue to grow after death

33. It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body

34. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets

35. Most soccer players run 7 miles in a game

36. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. Awesome! It takes in oxygen directly from the air

37. Every day 200 million couples make love, 400,000 babies are born, and 140,000 people die

38. In most watch advertisements the time displayed on the watch is

10:10 because then the arms frame the brand of the watch (and make it look like it is smiling. Interesting!!)

39. Colgate faced big obstacle marketing toothpaste in Spanishspeaking countries. Interesting!!!! Colgate translates into the command “go hang yourself.”

40. The only 2 animals that can see behind it without turning its head are the rabbit and the parrot

41. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

42. The average person laughs 13 times a day

43. Do you know the names of the three wise monkeys? They are: Mizaru(See no evil), Mikazaru(Hear no evil), and Mazaru(Speak no evil)

44. Women blink nearly twice as much as men

45. German Shepherds bite humans more than any other breed of dog

46. Large kangaroos cover more than 30 feet with each jump

47. Whip makes a cracking sound because its tip moves faster than the speed of sound

48. Two animal rights protesters were protesting at the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn. Suddenly the pigs, all two thousand of them, escaped through a broken fence andstampeded, trampling the two hapless protesters to death

49. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle;if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural cause. Awesome!

50. The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30 feet!!

51. Relatives don’t always know better.

52. Skeletons in family closets will always be there to haunt you.

53. Standing in your truth means respecting the right of others to theirs. Interesting!!!!

54. You cannot hear anyone if you are talking. Interesting!!

55. You don’t have to live life with the hand you were dealt you can always shuffle the deck.

56. Potatoes won’t grow out of your ears if you fail to wash them.

57. Adult eyes have a tendency to make the world small, yet are always looking for the big things, child eyes make the world big and yet are fascinated by the small things. Interesting!!!!

58. We should try to see not how people with disadvantages are different from us but how they are the same. Awesome!

59. It is easy to be a big fish when you live in a small pond.

60. Adults should not let children take responsibility for their life choices. Interesting!!!!

61. No matter how shitty a job your parents did eventually you have to take responsibility for your own choices. Interesting!!!!

62. Those who seek enlightenment will never find it.

63. If you need to say it say it now if you need to do it do it now.

64. The biggest regret of those whose time is cut short is all the things they never said and all the things they never did.

65. We only have the moment we are in.

66. You don’t need an inner critic you need to be your own best friend.

67. Change requires action.

68. Misery likes company.

69. We have to be careful that helping doesn’t turn into enabling. Interesting!!

70. Not everyone is going to like you and you are not going to like everyone. Awesome!

71. Stuff happens that’s just life. Awesome!

72. Everyone should grow fairy wings and splash in the puddles occasionally.

73. If you keep doing for people they will never learn to do it for themselves. Interesting!!!!

74. Please and thank you are highly underrated.

75. Nothing is more contagious than a smile. Awesome!

76. The best gift you give anyone is your time and patience. Awesome!

77. Patience is the ability to understand it is not always about you.

78. There are many rivers which lead to the same ocean you just have to be willing to look for them.

79. True beauty is not determined by a look but by a thought and a deed.

80. Times stands still for those who are in the moment not rushing by it.

81. Having knowledge does not make you wise this requires a knowing as well. Amazing

82. Meditation does not require whale music and contortions just the ability to go to your happy place. Awesome!

83. You are not going to see the bigger picture until you have all of the pieces. Interesting!!!!

84. No matter which way you plate tofu turkey is not turkey.

85. It is wise to take a moment before you take a step that way you get a chance to see where your feet are going to land.

86. You may have a seed of greatness within you but you still have to nurture it.

87. Everyone has to find their own pathway.

88. You are not limited to one act of greatness in your lifetime. Awesome!

89. The only way to stop an argument is to find a solution.

90. Every thing you do or say will come back to you eventually it just may not be in a form you are expecting. Interesting!!

91. Asking for help means you are smart enough to get the things you need to create the life you want.

92. Just because one chapter in your life is closed doesn’t mean you cannot write another one. Awesome!

93. People are not perfect and we all need a break every now and then.

94. Never leave unsaid words in a room.

95. Nothing is ever about what is we think it is about.

96. Boundaries are the things adults use to make sure no one colors outside of the lines. Interesting!!!!

97. Every one is more than they believe themselves to be. Awesome!

98. Every footprint counts no matter who made it.

99. Love will always be the way.

100. Lists fall under the category it seemed like a good idea at the time!

100 Interesting Facts

Most soccer players run 7 miles in a game. 
2.The only 2 animals that can see behind itself without turning its head are the rabbit and the parrot. 
3.Whip makes a cracking sound because its tip moves faster than the speed of sound. 
4.It cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it. 
5.When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red. 
6.Every time you sneeze some of your brain cells die. 
7.Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart. 
8.Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day. 
9.Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying. 
10.The Boeing 747 is capable of flying upside-down if it weren’t for the fact that the wings would shear off when trying to roll it over. 
11.Never hold your nose and cover your mouth when sneezing, as it can blow out your eyeballs. 
12.The world’s smartest pig, owned by a mathematics teacher in Madison, WI, memorized the multiplication tables up to 12. 
13.In ancient Greece, children of wealthy families were dipped in olive oil at birth to keep them hairless throughout their lives. 
14.Every Labrador retriever dreams about bananas once in a while. 
15.Approximately one-sixth of your life is spent on Wednesdays. 
16.You can actually sharpen the blades on a pencil sharpener by wrapping your pencils in aluminum foil before inserting them. 
17.111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 
18.12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily. 
19.123,000,000 cars are being driven down the U.S’s highways. 
20.160 cars can drive side by side on the Monumental Axis in Brazil, the world’s widest road. 
21.A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off. 
22.A company in Taiwan makes dinnerware out of wheat, so you can eat your plate. 
23.A cow produces 200 times more gas a day than a person. 
24.A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. 
25.A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours. 
26.A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue. 
27.A giraffe can go without water longer than a camel can. 
28.A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. 
29.A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. 
30.A Saudi Arabian woman can get a divorce if her husband doesn’t give her coffee. 
31.A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. 
32.A quarter has 119 grooves on its edge, a dime has one less groove. 
33.A whale’s penis is called a dork. 
34.America once issued a 5-cent bill. 
35.An iguana can stay under water for 28 minutes. 
36.An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain. 
37.Bats always turn left when exiting a cave. 
38.Ben and Jerry’s send the waste from making ice cream to local pig farmers to use as feed. Pigs love the stuff, except for one flavor: Mint Oreo. 
39.Dolphins sleep with one eye open. 
40.Hershey’s Kisses are called that because the machine that makes them looks like it’s kissing the conveyor belt. 
41.If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. 
42.If you toss a penny 10,000 times, it will not be heads 5,000 times, but more like 4,950. The heads picture weighs more, so it ends up on the bottom. 
43.In most advertisements, including newspapers, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10. 
44.It’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. (Don’t try this at home!) 
45.More Monopoly money is printed in a year, than real money printed throughout the world. 
46.More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes. 
47.More people use blue toothbrushes, than red ones. 
48.Mosquitoes have teeth. 
49.Most Americans’ car horns beep in the key of F. 
50.Most cows give more milk when they listen to music. 
51.Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin. 
52.Most lipstick contains fish scales. 
53.Over 1000 birds a year die from smashing into windows. 
54.Owls are one of the only birds who can see the color blue. 
55.The average person falls asleep in seven minutes. 
56.The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year. 
57.The average person is about a quarter of an inch taller at night. 
58.The average person’s left hand does 56% of the typing. 
59.The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable. 
60.The only nation whose name begins with an “A” but doesn’t end in an “A” is Afghanistan. 
61.The “save” icon on Microsoft Word shows a floppy disk, with the shutter on backwards. 
62.There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar. 
63.There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball. 
64.There are over 52.6 million dogs in the U.S. 
65.There are more chickens than people in the world. 
66.There are more plastic flamingos in America than real ones. 
67.There are only four words in the English language which end in “-dous”: tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. 
68.There are only thirteen blimps in the world. Nine of them are in the United States. 
69.When snakes are born with two heads, they fight each other for food. 
70.Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills in Ireland. 
71.You’re born with 300 bones, but when you get to be an adult, you only have 206. 
72.You’re more likely to get stung by a bee on a windy day than in any other weather. 
73.Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills in Ireland. 
74.The sound of E.T. walking was made by someone squishing her hands in Jello. 
75.The starfish is one of the only animals who can turn it’s stomach inside-out. 
76.The state of Florida is bigger than England. 
77.The name Wendy was made up for the book “Peter Pan.” 
78.The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. No one in Greece has memorized all 158 verses. 
79.The Neanderthal’s brain was bigger than yours is. 
80.The oldest known goldfish lived to 41 years of age. Its name was Fred. 
81.The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world. 
82.The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher. 
83.The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado. 
84.The housefly hums in the middle octave, key of F. 
85.The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 672. 
86.The katydid bug hears through holes in its hind legs. 
87.The “L.L.” in L.L. Bean stands for Leon Leonwood. 
88.The longest one-syllable word in the English language is “screeched.” 
89.The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds. 
90.The longest word in the English language, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. The only other word with the same amount of letters is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses, its plural. 
91.The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building. 
92.The Boston University Bridge (on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts) is the only place in the world where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under an airplane. 
93.The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra’s “Its A Wonderful Life”. 
94.The condom – made originally of linen – was invented in the early 1500s. 
95.The cruise liner, Queen Elizabeth II, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns. 
96.The Earth weighs around 6,588,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons. 
97.The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies. 
98.The electric chair was invented by a dentist. 
99.The elephant is the only mammal that can’t jump. 
100.The first Ford cars had Dodge engines.

Have you ever wondered what the Most Interesting Man in the World wears? He probably wears our Limitless Tee.

He gave his father "the talk"His passport requires no photographWhen he drives a car off the lot, its price increases in valueOnce a rattlesnake bit him, after 5 days of excruciating pain, the snake finally diedHis 5 de Mayo party starts on the 8th of MarchHis feet don't get blisters, but his shoes doHe once went to the psychic, to warn herIf he were to punch you in the face you would have to fight off a strong urge to thank himWhatever side of the tracks he's currently on is the right side, even if he crosses the tracks he'll still be on the right sideHe can speak Russian... in FrenchHe never says something tastes like chicken.. not even chickenSuperman has pijamas with his logoHis tears can cure cancer, too bad he never criesThe circus ran away to join himBear hugs are what he gives bearsHe once brought a knife to a gunfight... just to even the oddsWhen he meets the Pope, the Pope kisses his ringHis friends call him by his name, his enemies don't call him anything because they are all deadHe has never waited 15 minutes after finishing a meal before returning to the poolIf he were to visit the dark side of the moon, it wouldn't be darkHe once won a staring contest with his own reflectionHe can kill two stones with one birdHis signature won a PulitzerWhen a tree falls in a forest and no one is there, he hears itHe once got pulled over for speeding, and the cop got the ticketThe dark is afraid of himSharks have a week dedicated to himHis ten gallon hat holds twenty gallonsNo less than 25 Mexican folk songs have been written about his beardHe once made a weeping willow laughHe lives vicariously through himselfHis business card simply says 'I'll Call You"He once taught a german shepherd how to bark in spanishHe bowls overhandIn museums, he is allowed to touch the artHe is allowed to talk about the fight clubHe once won a fist fight, only using his beardHe once won the Tour-de-France, but was disqualified for riding a unicycleA bird in his hand is worth three in the bushHis lovemaking has been detected by a seismographThe Holy Grail is looking for himRoses stop to smell himHe once started a fire using only dental floss and waterHis sweat is the cure for the common coldBigfoot tries to get pictures of himWerewolves are jealous of his beardHe once turned a vampire into a vegetarianHe once won the world series of poker using UNO cardsHe never wears a watch because time is always on his sideHe has taught old dogs a variety of new tricksHe has won the lifetime achievement award... twiceIf opportunity knocks, and he's not at home, opportunity waitsBatman watches Saturday morning cartoons about himWhen he was young he once sent his parents to his roomHe once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feelsHis beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man’s entire bodyHis blood smells like cologneOn every continent in the world, there is a sandwich named after him. His hands feel like rich brown suedeMosquitoes refuse to bite him purely out of respectHe is fluent in all languages, including three that he only speaksOnce while sailing around the world, he discovered a short cutPanhandlers give him moneyWhen he goes to Spain, he chases the bullsHis shadow has been on the 'best dressed' list twiceWhen he holds a lady's purse, he looks manlyTwo countries went to war to dispute HIS nationalityWhen in Rome, they do as HE doesHis pillow is cool on BOTH sidesThe Nobel Academy was awarded a prize from HIMWhile swimming off the coast of Australia, he once scratched the underbelly of the Great White with his right hanHe taught Chuck Norris martial artsTime waits on no one, but himOnce he ran a marathon because it was "on the way"His mother has a tattoo that says "Son"The star on his Christmas tree is tracked by NASAPresidents take his birthday offHis recipe for deviled eggs involves actual witchcraftHe has never walked into a spider webHe is left-handed. And right-handedHis shirts never wrinkleThe police often question him, just because they find him interestingHis organ donation card also lists his beardHe doesn’t believe in using oven mitts, nor potholdersHis cereal never gets soggy. It sits there, staying crispy, just for himRespected archaeologists fight over his discarded apple coresEven his tree houses have fully finished basementsHis garden maze is responsible for more missing persons than the bermuda triangleIf he were to say something costs an arm and a leg, it wouldHe’s never lost a game of chanceHe is the life of parties that he has never attendedHe was on a recent archaeological dig and came across prehistoric foot prints that lead out of Africa into all parts of the world. On close inspection, it turned out that the prints were hisHe once caught the Loch Ness Monster….with a cane pole, but threw it backHis wallet is woven out of chupacabra leatherHe played a game of Russian Roulette with a fully loaded magnum, and wonFreemasons strive to learn HIS secret handshakeIf he was to pat you on the back, you would list it on your resumeHe is considered a national treasure in countries he’s never visitedCars look both ways for him, before driving down a streetHe once tried to acquire a cold just to see what it felt like, but it didn’t takeHe has inside jokes with people he’s never met.

Your breath on average about 5 million times a year

You breathe on average about 5 million times a year.Months that begin on a Sunday always have a Friday the 13th in them.You are born with 300 bones, by the time you are an adult you will have 206.The average lead pencil will write a line about 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words.One fourth of the bones in your body are in your feet.The average person spends 2 weeks of their lifetime waiting for the light to change from red to green.It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it.The present population is expected to rise to 15 Billion by the year 2080.The largest recorded snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that the sound it makes is actually a tiny sonic boom.Native Americans used to name their children after the first thing they saw as they left their tepees after their children were born, hence the names Sitting Bull and Running Water.The Matami Tribe of West Africa play their own version of football, instead of a normal football they use a human skull.Coca-Cola would be green if the food colorant wasn't added.During the 17th Century, the Sultan of Turkey ordered his hole harem of women to be drowned and replaced with a new one.Coffins used for cremation are usually made with plastic handles."Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.Cockroaches can live several weeks with their heads cut off.It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. We dare you, give it a try!A Ten Gallon Hat will only hold 3/4 of a Gallon.Of all the words in the English language, the word "SET" has the most definitions.It is against the law to burp, or sneeze inside a church in Nebraska.In 1386 a pig in France was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.Earth is the only planet not named after a god.The world's oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old!Scientists have tracked butterflies travelling over 3,000 miles.The silkworm consumes 86,000 times its own weight in 56 days.If removed from the stress of the modern world, the average human would sleep about 10 hours a day.To produce a single pound of honey, a single bee would have to visit 2 million flowers.A colony of 500 bats can eat approximately 250,000 insects in an hour.One in Five adults believe that aliens are hiding in our planet disguised as humans.Travelling masseuses in ancient Japan were required by law to be blind.The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is admissible in court.James Fixx, the man who popularized jogging in America died of a heart attack while running.The average American spends about a year and a half of his or her life watching commercials on television. What are you doing?! Get out and spend that year and a half doing something productive!Ancient Greeks practiced a form (ineffective) of birth control that consisted of having a woman hold her breath, making her squat, and sneezing.The FDA permits up to 5 whole insects per 100 grams of apple butter.There are no naturally occurring blue foods, even blueberries are purple!The skeleton of Jeremy Bentham is present in all the important meetings of the University of London.The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump!Just like fingerprints, everyone's tongue is different.The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds.400 Quarter Pounders can be made from a single cow.Only 38% of Americans eat breakfast every day.111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,32111% of the World is left handed.A "Jiffy" is the scientific name for 1/100th  of a second.A Boeing 747's wingspan is longer than the Wright brothers' first flight.A broken clock is right two times a day.A duck's quack doesn't echo anywhere, no one knows why.

Herat attack: Four gunmen had plan to capture consulate, take staff hostage

The four gunmen who attacked an Indian consulate in Afghanistan's on Friday had a plan to capture the complex and take the diplomatic staff hostage, said officials who have been briefed on the situation.
 
All four attackers, armed with assault rifles, under barrel and rocket propelled grenade launchers were killed after an intense fight that lasted almost nine hours.

Read: Indian consulate attack in Herat: India points to terror from beyond Afghan border

The staff and guards of the consulate in Herat, Afghanistan's third largest and supposedly peaceful city, are safe.
 
"The determination of attackers can be gauged from the fact that the last one of them was neutralised only after the Afghan forces flattened the building near the consulate with explosives, burying him under the debris," said a senior security officials on the condition of anonymity.
 
"It seems that they came prepared to capture the compound and hold the Indian staff there as hostage," he added.
 
In the wake of Afghan general election, Indian installations in the war-torn country had been warned about possible attacks, said Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) director general Subhas Goswami.

Read: Attack on Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Herat thwarted, all four gunmen killed
 
The ITBP guards all five Indian installations in Afghanistan--- the embassy in capital Kabul and four consulates in Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad and Kandahar. 
 
"One attacker managed to climb the 15-feet high wall of the compound which is not marked as an Indian installation and situated in a residential area," said Goswami.
 
"He was challenged by our commandos and shot dead there. The other three attackers ran away and took shelter in a nearby building, but they were also killed by Afghan security forces. Besides being heavily armed, we found dry fruits on the attacker as well," added Goswami.
 
ITBP had recently reinforced its deployment by sending 79 more commandos there. The force has now more than 200 commandos to guard all five installations.
 
Security officials say the timing and place of attack is hard to miss, as it comes at a time when Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been invited for the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi.
 
"But targeting Herat is puzzling, as it borders Iran and has been under the influence of warlord Ismail Khan who has friendly relations with India," the security official said.
 
"Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif are comparatively peaceful. Though Herat still has pockets of Taliban influence in areas like Pashtun Zarghun, we will have to wait till the identity of attackers becomes clear. Possibly, the attackers chose faraway Heart so that the attack is not traced to Pakistan or its proxies," he added.
 
It is not the first time than an Indian installation in Afghanistan had come under attack.

In August last year, the Jalalabad consulate came under attack and before that Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked in 2008 and 2009.
 
"All attacks have been traced back to Pakistani spy agency ISI or its Afghan proxies like the Haqqani Network. Pakistan has repeatedly accused that Indian consulates are trying to destabilise Pakistan. But India has taken many developments works in Afghanistan, which have been praised by the international community," another official familiar with Indian intervention in Afghanistan said.

- See more at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/herat-attack-gunmen-had-plan-to-capture-consulate-take-staff-hostage/article1-1222258.aspx#sthash.N3vWMTkc.dpuf

Before Narendra Modi's Swearing-in, Speculation on his Cabinet

 Narendra Modi, who will be sworn in as India's new prime minister on Monday, has played his cards close, but there is intense speculation about who will join his cabinet.

The BJP is holding a series of meetings to finalise the list. The names of Arun Jaitley, Arun Shourie and Subramanian Swamy are doing the rounds for the Finance Ministry, which has the task of preparing a roadmap to revive the economy.

Mr Jaitley is also being seen as a front-runner for the External Affairs portfolio.

BJP president Rajnath Singh could move to the government to head the crucial Home Ministry. Sources say JP Nadda may replace him in the party.

Sources say Sushma Swaraj could be considered for the Defence or Human Resource Development portfolios.

Ms Swaraj, the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Lok Sabha, is reportedly keen on heading one of the four top ministries - Home, Finance, Defence or External Affairs. These ministers, with the PM, form what is called the Cabinet Committee on Security or CCS.

Venkaiah Naidu is likely to be considered for the Railway Ministry and Nitin Gadkari may be considered for the Urban Development ministry.

Sources say the party's Muslim faces, Shahnawaz Husain and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, could also find a place in the government.

The party is believed to be discussing a distinguished post for its patriarch LK Advani, who has shared a strained relationship with Mr Modi in the past. Sources say Mr Advani may either get his wish to become Lok Sabha Speaker or could be made the convenor of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

The BJP won a massive mandate in the national election, winning 282 seats on its own - a clear majority - and 336 seats with its 29 allies.

Sources say the BJP is also considering berths for its allies. The Shiv Sena, Chandrababu Naidu'sTelugu Desam Party and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party are expecting ministries, based on their good performance in the polls.

The Akali Dal, the BJP's Punjab ally, has said it won't join the central government

IPL 2014 Live Cricket Score, KXIP vs RR: Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson Start Building a Partnership as Rajasthan Royals Push Forward

Rajasthan Royals face a must-win game against the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Friday. A victory for the Royals will assure them of a playoff berth in the Indian Premier League 2014. Catch all the live updates here (Scorecard | Commentary | Schedule |Points Table):

22:40 (IST): Rahane, Samson looking good as they accelerate the scoring rate. Rajasthan 54/1 in 7 overs, Target: 180.

22:30 (IST): Onus now on Rahane and Samson to take Rajasthan forward. Rajasthan 31/1 in 5 overs, Target: 180.

22:21 (IST): WICKET! Karun is gone and Punjab draw first blood. Punjab 21/1 in 2.3 overs.

22:11 (IST): A steady start by Rajasthan as they take five runs off the first over. Rajasthan 5/0 in 1 over, Target: 180.

21:54 (IST): Punjab finish on 179/4. Rajasthan need 180 to confirm a place in the top four.

21:47 (IST): 23 runs of Faulkner's last over and Punjab well on their way to finish big. 169/4 in 19 overs.

21:40 (IST): Punjab set to get a total in excess of 160. Punjab 146/4 in 18 overs.

21:32 (IST): Punjab's innings steaming off thanks to some good bowling by Rajasthan. Punjab 130/4 in 16.3 overs.

21:23 (IST): WICKET! Saha is sent back for 27 thanks to a good catch by Rahane. Punjab 119/4 in 14.4 overs.

21:16 (IST): The match resumes and Miller is off the mark. Punjab 114/3 in 13.2 overs.

21:13 (IST): A good sign is that the covers are coming off at Mohali.

21:05 (IST): Umpires having a brief discussion as the drizzle builds up.

20:57 (IST): WICKET! Marsh departs for 40 and the covers come on as rain stops play.

20:44 (IST): Marsh looking to enjoy himself as he cuts loose. Punjab 82/2 in 9.5 overs.

20:32 (IST): WICKET! Vohra fails to ground his bat and is sent back to 25. Punjab 54/2 in 6.3 overs.

20:19 (IST): Punjab look to get back on track after losing Sehwag early on. Punjab 37/1 in 4 overs.

20:13 (IST): WICKET! Faulkner strikes to remove Sehwag for 18. A vital breakthrough for Rajasthan. Punjab 24/1 in 2.2 overs.

20:06 (IST): Sehwag takes 15 runs of Malik's opening opener. Punjab 15/0 in 1 over.

19:57 (IST): A win for Punjab today would seal them a place in the top two. This means they will have two chances of making it into the final.

19:34 (IST): Rajasthan win the toss and decide to bowl against Punjab. Glenn Maxwell is the surprise exclusion for Punjab while Rajasthan bring back Rahane and Tambe.

A victory tonight, and the Rajasthan Royals will be through to the playoffs. However, it will not be easy to get past the Kings XI Punjab on their homeground. The Kings XI have been the best side in the tournament and to upstage them, the Royals will need a massive effort. They of course have the resources to do that. Punjab will meanwhile, look to consolidate their position at the top and go to the last-four on a high.

Preview: Rajasthan Royals Seek Victory Against Kings XI Punjab to Seal Playoff Berth

As the scramble for the top four positions has set off, Kings XI Punjab have not much to worry even as they look to consolidate their position at the top while a victory for Rajasthan Royals is a must when the two teams clash on Friday.

Punjab, who lost to Mumbai Indians here on Wednesday, are currently on top of the table with 18 points from 12 outings. Rajasthan have 14 points from 12 matches, the same as Kolkata Knight Riders but they are placed third due to slightly better net run-rate. (Read full preview here)

Kings XI Punjab Drifted in the Middle Overs Against Mumbai Indians, Says Coach Sanjay Bangar 

Handed a shock defeat by tournament laggards Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar feels the failure to capitalise on a good start cost his side the Indian Premier League game on Wednesday.

Having set a target of 157, Mumbai Indians won the game comfortably by seven wickets riding on an unbeaten 61-ball 100 by their West Indian import and opener Lendl Simmons.

Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference here on Wednesday, Bangar was asked to comment what went wrong for the team, which had nine victories from 11 games before coming in to this match. (Read full story here)

Each Win Motivates Kings XI Punjab Further, Says George Bailey

Having consolidated their position at the top of the points table with their ninth victory in IPL-7, Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey feels every win is vital as it increases confidence and self belief among the players going into the business end of the tournament.

Kings XI defeated laggards Delhi Daredevils by four wickets at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground here last night to take their tally to 18 points from nine wins out of 11 games in the ongoing IPL. (Read full story here)

Rajasthan Royals Don't Rely on a Few Stars, Says Rahul Dravid

Rajasthan Royals mentor Rahul Dravid says his side does not mind being called "underdogs" but their fighting brand of cricket makes them a tough side to beat in the Indian Premier League. Dravid, who led the team to the playoffs last season, said his side's stress has been to assign clear roles for each player and try to execute plans on the field.

"If you look at our team on paper, you would call us underdogs ... because we don't have those stars. But we don't mind the tag. It does not bother us anymore. We know every team is a good team and we have to perform. We don't think too far ahead," Dravid said. (Read full story here)

Pak PM Nawaz Sharif Keen on Attending Modi's Swearing-In, No Decision Yet: Sources

 Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is keen to come for Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony on Monday but is weighing all options, sources told NDTV today. 

Mr Modi will take the oath as Prime Minister after his BJP scored a landslide victory, securing the first majority by a single party in 30 years.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Afghan president Hamid Karzai are among seven world leaders who have confirmed that they will attend the oath ceremony.

Invitations were sent to all heads of government from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Mr Modi will hold individual meetings with the leaders the day after his inauguration.

Top sources in Pakistan say Mr Sharif may be under pressure from hardliners in the Pakistan security establishment to decline. If he doesn't come, Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz is likely to represent the country.

Mr Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif could also be a representative. She today seemed to be in favor of this trip, tweeting "I personally think cordial relations with new Indian govt should be cultivated. Will help remove psychological barriers, fear & misgivings. (sic)"  

Mr Sharif's media advisor Tariq Azim said Mr Modi's invitation was a "bold and an unexpected" move. "Mr Sharif does not share the anxiety that is felt by some quarters here in Pakistan because he has got some very fond memories of the previous BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee coming to Lahore and he hopes that this anxiety about Modi and his past will fade away," Mr Azim told NDTV.

But Mr Sharif's dovish stance is reportedly not shared by Pakistan's army, which has recently made tough statements on the Kashmir dispute. Army chief Raheel Sharif had recently described Kashmir as the "jugular vein" of Pakistan.

After his own election last year, Mr Sharif's administration had suggested that the Indian PM be invited to attend his inauguration ceremony, but Manmohan Singh had declined.

Mr Modi's move signals a big shift in his party, the BJP's position on Pakistan. While campaigning for the general election, Mr Modi attacked the Congress-led UPA government for what he called a "stagnated" and "weak" foreign policy....!!!!