France church attack: Kermiche friend 'detained before assault'

A friend of one of the two men who killed a French priest in Normandy was detained only days before the attack took place, reports say.

The 17-year-old tried to travel to Syria last year with Adel Kermiche, French and Swiss media say.

The unnamed teenager was reportedly arrested in Geneva earlier this month and handed over to French authorities.

Days later, on Tuesday, his friend Kermiche went on to kill Father Jacques Hamel in his church near Rouen.

What we know about church attack

Kermiche 'was brainwashed'

How France is wrestling with jihadist terror

The news of the detention of a close friend of Kermiche, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in a video, comes at a time when French intelligence services are under close scrutiny.

Reports in Le Parisien and the Tribune de Geneve newspapers said it was not known why the 17-year-old, from northern France, went to Geneva earlier this month.

He had already tried to fly with Kermiche to Syria via Switzerland last year. Both were turned back from Turkey.

In the latest development, Swiss security services picked up the teenager, and another friend, on 20 July and handed them over to French authorities.

A source told AFP news agency that "nothing suggests he was in any way implicated" in the church attack on 26 July.

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionFather Jacques Hamel was a well-known figure in St-Etienne-du-Rouvray

After trying to leave to Syria, Kermiche was released with a monitoring tag earlier this year, despite prosecutors' call for his continued detention.

Kermiche and the other attacker, Abdel Malik Petitjean, were shot dead by police outside the church in St-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

They had slit the throat of Fr Hamel, 86, and taken hostages during Mass.

French security: In numbers

80,905

total number of prisoners

10,957

of those are tagged electronically

• 20,000 total on French S list - thought to pose a security risk
• 10,500 on the S list have links to Islamist groups

Source: French Ministry of Justice, Le Figaro

A French parliamentary report on 5 July called for a major revamp of the intelligence services, after an analysis of last year's Paris attacks which killed 147 people.

The head of the inquiry, judge and politician Georges Fenech, said French intelligence was aware of the jihadists before the attacks, but the services had failed to exchange information about them.
COURTESY:http://www.bbc.com/

How to Reframe Your Self-Defeating State of Mind

It’s inevitable that an emotional plateau or a negative mood captures your attention as the daily grind grinds on and work and life stresses multiply—you know, the state-of-mind best described as “hitting a wall.”

The proverbial and unwelcome flat line is hardly preferable, regardless of whether it lasts several minutes, lingers through an entire day or persists throughout the week. So how can you quickly free yourself from this self-limiting rut? Although it’s important to pause, reflect and learn from the past, it’s also important to pause and allow your optimism for future possibilities to simmer.

The first step in pulling yourself out of the rut is to entertain a different thought pattern to offset limitations that come with a self-defeating state of mind. Fix on a mindset of abundance for potentially good outcomes connected to plans you set for tomorrow and beyond.

Moods are temporary—positive and negative. To undercut a negative mood, pause, take a few slow deep breaths, and allow yourself to dwell on this simple notion for a minute or two. Tomorrow presents endless possibilities and opportunities to improve. Acknowledge the potential to be better than you were today, because you control that decision now.

Dwell on the excitement that comes with the future, feeding off the energy that comes with anticipating simple or complex experiences and events that you associate in a positive, fulfilling light. Truly pause and reflect on the possibilities, “because [when] you believe in possibilities, youput yourself in position to achieve them,” as leadership expert and author John C. Maxwell says.

Envisioning tomorrow’s potential is a powerful way to realize the extent of your personal control over your success. Reinforce this mindset power and give it freedom to roam. By doing this, you are priming tomorrow and beyond to be productive and giving opportunity to resist and rebound from self-limiting thought patterns.

Related: The Pursuit: Tony Robbins’ 5 Steps to Break Through Your Limits

Here’s a simple exercise to reframe your moment of stagnation.

Create a brief list of four simple yet meaningful things that you look forward to:

• Tomorrow
• Next week
• Next month
• Next year

Start small with one simple thing for each time frame—even something as simple as opening and smelling a new bag of coffee, to an overseas trip next month, to a good friend’s upcoming wedding. It doesn’t have to be life-changing or career-related. The point of this list is anticipatingthings that are meaningful to you.

Putting together this list refocuses you to live intentionally and continue working toward your short- and long-term goals. You become focused on carrying out plans that possess the possibility of success and resonate with excitement because they fit your purpose. Challenge yourself to consider what else can be done to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

If you don’t feel like you have anything to look forward to, make a plan to change your circumstances. After all, “You and you alone are responsible for taking actions to create the life of your dreams,” as author Jack Canfield says. Envision the future you want, create a realistic plan to get there and keep that plan at the forefront of your mind whenever you feel down.1

Leveraging excitement tied to near future events will not end in absolute disappointment as long as a plan is in place because nothing truly worthwhile or fulfilling is reaped passively. Knowing you have the possibility and potential of greater, meaningful things ahead if you can just get through a funk is an empowering thought. Hold onto it.

When you establish a positive event or experience, the anticipation reminds you that your single rut is miniscule in the grand scheme of things. When you pause to switch to the mindset of focusing on the potential of the future, you will be less likely to give in to daily setbacks and challenges because the future can serve as a counterweight. It’s also a reminder that you’re in it for the long haul.

Make it a habit to reflect on positive possibilities first thing in the morning and before going to bed. Commit them to memory. Focusing on positive outcomes stimulates a more productive thought pattern and mental process that drives efficient actions and behaviors. Write them down and place them where you can see them regularly—a journal, on your bathroom mirror or on a notes app. Posting your list promotes personal accountability so your goals don’t turn into passing thoughts that wither with a temporary mood swing.

Start small to make this habit easier to follow. Expand the list when you find your excitement snowballing. Relish in the anticipation of expected good things in your near future. Don’t forget that although moods and emotions inevitably ebb and flow, having breakthroughs during struggles allows you to better appreciate the value of engaging in meaningful experiences as they present themselves.

COURTESY:http://www.success.com/

BOOK:Present Over Perfect

Reading List: Present Over Perfect

Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living

Chauncey Mabe

July 24, 2016

The gist of Shauna Niequist’s message could be written on the back of a matchbook: Love yourself.If you aren’t going to truly love yourself, then how will you live? That’s what the rest of the book is about. Writing in the calming tones of a smart and kind older sister, she avoids the sentimentality that could easily ruin such a message.

Instead Niequist draws on a wide range of literary and cultural sources to buttress her lessons, from poet Mary Oliver to rock group Florence + the Machine, Shakespeare, Rumi, the Indigo Girls and the Bible. None is more relevant than the quote she attributes to F. Scott Fitzgerald: “I hope you live the life you are proud of. If you find that you are not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

Related: If You’re Not Happy, You’re Not Successful—So Enjoy the Journey!

Present Over Perfect
By Shauna Niequist
August; Zondervan; $23

COURTESY:http://www.success.com/ 

KERALA POLITICS:Why ongoing controversy over Kerala CM's(Pnarayi vijayan) advisor Gita Gopinath is bogus

It’s been a week since Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appointed Harvard economist Gita Gopinath as his financial advisor, but the controversy over her post refuses to go away with the senior-most CPM leader VS Achuthanandan also joining the chorus in opposing her.

      

Interestingly, the attack on Gita, or rather Vijayan, comes from two quarters: one, the opposition and the CPM-critics who find the decision - a Marxist-Leninist party appointing a “neo-liberal” economist as its advisor - the epitome of CPM’s double standards; and two, the hardliners within the CPM, who find her economic philosophy highly objectionable.

Despite their criticism, the Congress doesn’t have a problem with her because it’s during their rule that Gita made her first public appearance in the state - at a global investment meet - but doesn't want to lose the opportunity to ridicule the Marxists for their alleged duplicity. For the party critics, it’s yet another convenient handle to hit at Pinarayi and company. For Achuthanandan, ideologically it’s odious.

READMORE AT:http://www.firstpost.com/business/why-ongoing-controversy-over-kerala-cms-advisor-gita-gopinath-is-bogus-2923396.html

Piyush Manush complains to judicial magistrate

Social activist Piyush Manush on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Judicial Magistrate No. III A. Shanmuga Priya over the alleged torture meted out to him when he was under judicial custody at Salem Central Prison. The complaint detailed the happenings that led to his arrest along with two of his associates on July 8 and the incidents that took place thereafter until his release. He alleged that he was assaulted, tortured, and kept in solitary confinement in a room for five days by Superintendent of Prison M. Senthil Kumar, chief warden Thirunavukarasu, and at least 20 to 25 prison officials.

He said a malicious rumour had been spread in the prison that he had set the national flag on fire, and this had turned all the prisoners against him. The misconception was cleared only after they came to know through newspapers that he was arrested for protesting against the construction of a flyover, he added. The activist said that the assault was stopped only after he informed his wife on July 14 about it. He said that the footage in the surveillance cameras in the prison would support his charge. He wanted the Superintendent of Prisons to reveal at whose behest he had assaulted him. The magistrate, after hearing the activist, said that the complaint would be taken up for hearing on August 2.

COURTESY:http://www.thehindu.com/

Who Is Piyush Manush And Why Are So Many Lobbying For His Release?

The green activist was denied bail and allegedly tortured in custody.

If you've noticed the hashtag #IStandWithPiyush on Twitter recently and wondered what it was all about, here's what you need to know:

On 8 July, renowned green activist Piyush Sethia, who likes to call himself Piyush Manush, went with two of his associates to protest against the construction of an over-bridge at Mulluvadi Gate in Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Their fight was against Southern Railway, which, they said, had neither given notice to the people in the area about the project nor acquired the land necessary to build it. They demanded compensation and rehabilitation for those affected by the construction. The initiative had been announced by the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa.

The police arrested all three men under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including wrongful restraint, assault or criminal force to deter a government servant from discharging official duty and criminal intimidation. While the other two were released on 14 July, Piyush was denied bail and kept in solitary confinement. He was allegedly tortured from the very first day, his family and friends say. In the past week, at least 30 people have abused him mentally and physically, Piyush has reportedly told his lawyer. He hasn't been allowed any reading material or to speak to his wife, Monica.

Piyush's case has been taken up by human rights activists Madhumita Dutta from Chennai Solidarity Group and Radhika Rammohan from Safe Food Alliance, along with members of Salem's Citizen's Forum, of which Piyush is the convener. A petition lobbying for his release on change.org has been signed over 12,000 times. Human rights group National Alliance of People's Movement has written to Jayalalithaa for Piyush's release as well.

During the devastating floods in Chennai, Piyush and his team had helped tirelessly with the aid work. Ironically, in spite of his people-centric work, or rather because of it, his run-ins with the government had never stopped.

As a college student in Salem, Piyush stood up against the injustices of the system. In his third year, he was wrongly charged with the murder of the principal. It was then that he realised the full horror of the power of the state in muzzling dissenters, though the knowledge has never deterred him in any way.

After graduation, Piyush began planting trees around the city, discovered composting and started making his way into the murky world of green politics. Salem, which is rich in natural resources, is vulnerable to being exploited by industrial lobbies. Through years of work at the grassroots level, Piyush has made its inhabitants aware of their environmental rights and duties.

Around 2008, mining companies became interested in the Kanjamalai Hills in Salem for its rich deposits of iron ore. Sensing the potential intruders, Piyush began educating the locals on the effects of mining and working with other activists to regulate the entry of corporates in the region. Eventually, his efforts were successful in putting a stay on the project.

In 2010, Piyush was arrested for his involvement with the Campaign for Justice and Peace, which was fighting against human rights violations in Chhattisgarh, and charged with sedition. In the same year, he founded the Salem Citizen's Forum with fellow crusaders for the protection of the environment. The first project they undertook was the cleaning and restoration of the Mookaneri Lake. Since then, they haven't looked back.

From the disposing of garbage to building a 'co-op' forest, Piyush has been instrumental in transforming Salem and its inhabitants in fundamental ways. His detention and alleged torture is being perceived by his supporters as the ruling government's intolerance of criticism of its policies.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Prisons) of Coimbatore Range has asked for a report from Salem Central Prison authorities on the accusations of attack on Piyush. Activist Medha Patkar condemned the incident on Twitter.

COURTESY:http://www.huffingtonpost.in/

What superstar couple Abhishek, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan's Dubai 'palace' looks like

The palatial mansion is fit for a queen - Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan.

Many Bollywood celebrities have gone on record to call Dubai as their second home, loving the emirate's breathtaking natural and urban landscape.

Superstars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan already own homes in Dubai, with yesteryears actress Shilpa Shetty recently selling her plush Burj Khalifa home.

It seems the emirate will be home to another superstar couple.

Earlier in 2015, local media reported that Bollywood couple, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan had booked a 'bespoke mansion' in Dubai's Jumeirah Golf Estates, developed by Shaikh Holdings.

The mansion is situated in the upscale Sanctuary Falls, a 97-villa project, that overlooks the Earth course, an 18-hole championship golf course, the venue of the DP World Tour Championship 

It has been widely reported in 2013 that Bollywood beauty, Aishwarya, had visited Dubai to select the interiors for her new home. 

According to the developer, each of the homes come fitted with a Scavolini designer Kitchen outfitted with Miele appliances. Nolte wardrobes and feature sanitary ware by Villeroy and Boch.

According to the description on the company's website, 'the Mediterranean-themed villas with meticulously devised flood plans ranging from 5,600 to 10,700 square feet  are detailed with arrival water fountains, resort-style swimming pools, full landscaped gardens and outdoor majlis seating areas.'

The villas also offer 'state-of-the-art security and technology systems, which make for a 'safe and smart' home. The developers are also offering an optional premium home theatre in the villa!

The home is nothing short of an elegant 'palace' - fit for the Bollywood queen:

COURTESY:http://www.khaleejtimes.com/

Superstar Rajinikanth's KABAALI 'Magizhchi' at the box-office

Kabali has had the biggest-ever opening for a Tamil film

The million dollar question right now is whether Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali is a hit or not. Producer Kalaipuli Thanu laid to rest all rumours regarding the film’s box-office performance when made it official at the success meet of the film in Chennai. An emotionally-charged Thanu said, “Kabali is a superhit; it has grossed around Rs. 320 crore at the worldwide box-office in its opening six days and it has set new records. In Chennai, the film has grossed close to Rs. 6.5 crore in the last six days. It has broken all existing box-office collections in Indian cinema and proves beyond doubt that Rajinikanth is the real superstar.”

Even before its release, Kabali had created a lot of buzz, as theatrical and other rights were sold for a sum close to Rs.200 crore. The film also got lucrative endorsement deals, which further helped create hype around the film. At the U.S. box-office, the film has created history by becoming the highest-collecting Indian film, by grossing a whopping $4.05 million in four days. In India, from theatricals alone, in three languages (Tamil, Telugu and Hindi), it has grossed an estimated Rs. 110 crore, surpassing Salman Khan’s Sultan collections in the opening weekend, said to be around Rs. 105 crore.

Kabali released in India on July 22 in nearly 3,500 screens. From its core area, Tamil Nadu, the film is rumoured to have grossed around Rs. 47 crore in three days, the highest ever. There were also complaints from fans that in the opening weekend, outside of Chennai city limits, the tickets were sold at higher rates—in the Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 range. The figures mentioned above are culled from trade sources and may not be fully accurate.

As per trade sources, the film collected Rs. 20 crore from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Rs. 16 crore from Karnataka, Rs. 8 crore from Kerala and Rs. 19 crore from the Rest of India (Hindi and Tamil versions).

Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios, who distributed the film in North India, says, “Kabali has lived up to the high expectation and opened to packed houses across India. It was expected to garner an earth-shattering opening in the southern markets, and it has indeed, due to the star power of Rajinikanth.”

Of course, there are sceptics who believe that the film has not done as well as expected. Kabali opened to mixed reviews, with most critics giving it low ratings. The high price of the tickets too have created a lot of negativity around the film. However, from Monday, ticket prices fell to normal rates, thereby bringing in the family audiences. The Rajinikanth film, which was released in a record 700 screens across Tamil Nadu, continued its steady run even into the weekdays, and led to a near sell-out even for its second weekend. Rajinikanth’s thanksgiving letter to producer Thanu, director Ranjith and team, fans, media and trade, further increased curiosity.

The success of the film in the international market can be attributed to the Rajinikanth phenomenon. This kind of media frenzy has never been seen before, and the film was covered by almost all international publications and channels. BARC, India’s broadcast audience measurement system, has reported that “Kabali mania shot the slot up for all regional news channels, showing improvement as high as 40 per cent for Malayalam news channels.” Social media took to Kabali and made it the most trending film ever.

Veteran producer Thanu, who first coined the moniker ‘Superstar’ for Rajinikanth, marketed the film aggressively. In Tamil Nadu, where star-driven films are sold on Minimum Guarantee (MG) basis, Thanu managed to reverse the trend. He marketed the film through his trusted distributors to theatres on stiff terms and conditions. The film was screened outside of Chennai city on returnable advance and terms like double 75-25 (during the first two weeks, the distributor gets 75 per cent of the net amount collected (it was tax-free in TN), with the remaining 25 per cent going to theatres.) No other film has ever been screened with terms and conditions so favourable to the producer. Though there have been some murmurs, there has not been any official complaint (like in the case of Lingaa) about any losses incurred.

Thanu says, “I can boldly say that Kabali is a hit. How big a hit is, we will know in a few weeks. The film has firmly withstood an onslaught of negative criticism from certain vested interests.”

COURTESY:http://www.thehindu.com/

INDIA :Gold prices rise, silver faces loss

Gold prices spurted to Rs 31,340 per 10 grams, a 29-month high, by surging Rs 540 in the bullion market tracking a firm trend overseas amid increased buying by jewellers at the domestic spot market.

Silver ready took losses forward on easing demand from coin makers and lost another Rs 220 to Rs 47,080 per kg, while silver week-based delivery recovered by Rs 680 to Rs 47,480 on speculative buying.

Bullion traders said sentiment bolstered after gold gained overseas as the dollar weakened and the US economy grew less than expected in the second quarter, boosting demand for safe-haven assets.

Globally, gold rose 1.2 per cent to USD 1,357.50 an ounce in New York yesterday. Prices have climbed 2.8 per cent this month.

Besides, persistent buying by jewellers following pick up in demand for ornaments at domestic spot market, supported the upside, they said.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity soared Rs 540 each to Rs 31,340 and Rs 31,190 per 10 grams, respectively, a level last seen on February 26, 2014, when it had stood at Rs 31,530.

Sovereign, also shot up by Rs 300 to Rs 24,300 per piece of eight grams.

On the other hand, silver ready fell further by Rs 220 to Rs 47,080 per kg, while weekly—based delivery surged by Rs 680 to Rs 47,480 on speculative buying.

Silver coins, however, continued to be traded at the previous level of Rs 76,000 for buying and Rs 77,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

COURTESY:http://www.thehindu.com/business/