text:
M WAQAR..... "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary.Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." --Albert Einstein !!! NEWS,ARTICLES,EDITORIALS,MUSIC... Ze chi pe mayeen yum da agha pukhtunistan de.....(Liberal,Progressive,Secular World.)''Secularism is not against religion; it is the message of humanity.'' تل ده وی پثتونستآن
Thursday, October 15, 2015
China pledges support for political settlement in Syria at key moment
Beijing believes that political settlement will put an end to the crisis as there is no alternative to cessation of violence and war/
China will support political settlement of the Syrian crisis at the key moment, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a news conference after talks with Bulgarian counterpart Daniel Mitov.
"China understands and supports the states interested in the settlement of the Syrian crisis, as well as all efforts aimed at fight against terrorism and being in line with international law," the top Chinese diplomat said, noting that "international effort in fight against terrorism should go in the same direction".
"We believe that political settlement will put an end to the crisis as there is no alternative to cessation of violence and war," Wang Yi said. "The Chinese side welcomes all political efforts towards the settlement of the Syrian crisis, we believe that the United Nations will become the final authority that will put an end to it".
"I believe that with support and assistance of the international community and the United Nations, all parties will sit down to the negotiating table and reach the final decision on the settlement of the Syrian crisis," Wang Yi said.
"China has always participated in international anti-terrorist cooperation, we will support political settlement for the crisis at the key moment," the foreign minister said.
Wang Yi is in Bulgaria for an official visit. Talks with his Bulgarian counterpart have focused bilateral trade and economic relations.
Russia and US Close to Agreement on Flights Over Syria
Over the past 24 hours, Russian warplanes completed 33 sorties in Syria, striking ISIL facilities in the provinces of Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Aleppo, and Deir az-Zor, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
Russia and the United States are moving closer to a possible agreement to provide for the safety of their aircraft over Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
"Yesterday, another round of negotiations was held on a possible agreement on ensuring the safety of Russian and US-led coalition flights over Syria. We note that our positions are moving closer on key provisions of the future document," ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov told reporters.
In addition, Russian and Israeli aircraft have begun training on safe flights in Syrian airspace.
"Yesterday, the first stage of exercises on preventing dangerous incidents in the sky above the Syrian Arab Republic began between Russia's Aerospace Forces and the Israeli Air Force," Konashenkov said, adding that the second phase of joint exercises will take place later on Thursday.
The spokesman noted that a mutual information mechanism on flights over Syria has been organized between the Russian control center at Syria's Hmaimim airbase and the Israeli Air Force's command post.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian aviation completed 33 sorties in Syria, striking ISIL facilities in the provinces of Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Aleppo, and Deir az-Zor, he added.
"Near the region of East Ghouta in the Damascus Province, an Su-34 destroyed a camouflaged firing position with an Osa missile complex that was earlier captured by militants from the Syrian Armed Forces," Konashenkov said.
He said a KAB-500 bomb destroyed the complex that was under a concrete enclosure.
In addition, Su-24M bombers smashed an ISIL command post in Qusair al-Ward in the Aleppo province. The facility was destroyed by a direct hit, he said.
In the province of Hama Russian warplanes destroyed a professionally camouflaged artillery battery, the Defense Ministry spokesman went on to say. According to him, it was detected by Russian military drones.
"The methods the enemy used to deploy its artillery shows that Islamic State has professionals with good military training in its ranks," Konashenkov said.
According to him, after additional reconnaissance and target localization Su-34 bombers and Su-25 attack aircraft carried out a massive airstrike.
The precision airstrikes took out six pieces of artillery, armament, and four high terrain vehicles equipped with mortars, he added.
According to Konashenkov, Islamic State militants have begun to retreat in Syria, as Russian aviation increases reconnaissance to pinpoint new positions.
"The militants are retreating, trying to establish new positions, and changing underway the course of their existing logistics system for the supply of ammunition, weaponry and equipment," ministry spokesman Maj. Gen Igor Konashenkov told reporters.
"Of course, in order to verify and confirm this information we have increased the intensity of reconnaissance flights by the air force and by unmanned aerial vehicles," he said.
At the same time, Russian forces have eased the intensity of sorties in Syria over the last day, the spokesman stated. "This is due to the fact that the Syrian army's offensive is transforming the contact line with Islamic State terrorist formations."
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20151015/1028563499/russia-us-agreement-flights-syria.html#ixzz3oerPyHpc
Putin: I don't get how US can criticize Russian op in Syria if it refuses dialogue
Washington's decision to obstruct Russia's call for diplomatic engagement on Syria is unconstructive and apparently shows a lack of will to negotiate, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"I don't really understand how our American partners can criticize Russia's counterterrorism effort in Syria while refusing direct dialogue on the all-important issue of political settlement," Putin explained.
Putin was commenting on the refusal by the Obama administration to receive a Russian delegation headed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to discuss the differences the two nations have on the Syrian crisis. The US said it would not talk unless Russia followed Washington's lead and stopped helping the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad.
"I believe this position to be unconstructive. The weakness of this position is apparently based on a lack of agenda. It seems they have nothing to discuss," Putin said at a meeting with the Kazakhstan president in Astana.
READ MORE: US refuses to receive PM Medvedev's delegation to coordinate anti-terrorist actions in Syria
He added that by obstructing Russia's invitation to negotiate the US undermines itself, as it voices criticism of Russia's actions in Syria, but doesn't seek ways to resolve its concerns.
Russia this month launched a bombing campaign targeting terrorist forces in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian government. The goal is to curb the violence sufficiently for a political dialogue to start in the war-torn country.
Washington wants the Syrian government to fall, hoping that so-called 'moderate rebels' will fill in the vacuum. It accuses Russia of bombing those supposed moderate forces instead of hardcore jihadists, an allegation that Moscow denies.
Kunduz: A Political And Strategic Failure – OpEd
The recent besiege and takeover of Kunduz from Afghan forces showed a political victory over the Afghan and ISAF forces in fact it was seen as an indication of strategic failure at their part though it happened in a period of less than one year of the drawdown of U.S and allies' forces.
Most alarming is the fact that only 500 Taliban fighters drove over 7,000 Afghan National Security Forces out of the Kunduz in a very short period of less than a day without any sturdy resistance. This in a broader spectrum raises questions about the success of the U.S and Afghan forces in the coming future and many analysts believe that the fall of Kunduz has unveiled many lies about the promises of delivering stability, security and an inclusive peace process.
This also proved that the Taliban are still highly effervescent that they can easily capture many other major cities. The northern province Kunduz has always a remained a stronghold of the Afghan Taliban. The Kunduz incident dramatically erupted at the time when the US military strategists were exploring variety of options about keeping the troops' presence beyond the withdrawal deadline of 2016. However, the Afghan security officials claim that the Taliban insurgents have been pushed forward and the parts of Kunduz city have been cleared.
The Northern Kunduz Police Chief Quasim Jangal Bagh, claimed that the clearing operations is still underway and the Taliban are pushed forward to the Takhar –Kunduz highway and in the Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz.
The First Vice President of the Afghanistan General Abdul Rashid Dostum, also claimed that the government was aware of the plans of the Taliban attacks on Kunduz, Faryab, Helmand and Kunar provinces and he further claimed that the people in these areas should not think that we are careless and obviously we are ready to prevent their further penetration in other areas in the coming future.
During his recent visit to Russia, General Dostum emphasized that the Russia should help them by proving military equipment such as attack helicopters and long-range mortars and other latest weapons to the Afghan Security Forces in order to counter the Daesh and the Taliban militants.
Previously, the Taliban insurgents had assaulted on a prison of Ghazni province and released more than 350 most wanted Taliban insurgents and commanders and as a consequence it further has aggravated the situation and has brought serious concerns about the prevalent impulsive security situation in the country.
For some reasons, the partial failure of the Afghan strategy is also because of the U.S and its allies had been largely relying on their alignments with the corrupt warlord, drug-lords and corrupt politicians whereas, the current Unity Government under President Ashraf Ghani is still divided on many issues.
The matter of peace in Afghanistan in the near future seems obscure because of the breakthrough in the peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government and the Taliban demands of a complete withdrawal and the revoking all military and security accords with the foreign troops in Afghanistan.
The other side of speculation is also based on the hypothesis that the U.S and its allies are not that serious about the complete withdrawal of the ISAF forces and therefore, the 'dragging-on' policy will hardly bring complete peace in Afghanistan. Most importantly, the Afghan government and the Taliban had been engaged in a process of peace talks this summer and another round of talks under mediation of Pakistan was also expected whereby it was strongly believed that the two sides would reach at a consensus about seize fire and develop confidence building measures (CBMs) but unluckily the process was also halted with the revelation of the news about the death of Supreme Taliban leader and consequently the leadership crisis among Afghan Taliban.
It is worthwhile to note here that a over-delayed peace process between the two parties would further fuel the ongoing tension in the Country and ofcourse, at a point it will encourage some other militant groups to make their place in the Country. As an immediate neighbor, for Pakistan it is also the need of hour to play its effective role to revive the stalled peace process.
US troops to stay in Afghanistan in policy shift
President Barack Obama has confirmed plans to extend the US military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2016, in a shift in policy.
Speaking at the White House, he said the US would keep 5,500 troops in the country when he leaves office in 2017.
Originally all but a small embassy-based force were due to leave by the end of next year.
But the US military says more troops will be needed to help Afghan forces counter a growing Taliban threat.
There are currently 9,800 US troops stationed in Afghanistan. Last week, the top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Campbell, said the US must consider extending its military presence there beyond 2016.
The US forces will be stationed in four locations - in Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.
The slowing of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan means that President Obama will not be able to bring home all US forces before his presidency ends.
A US review of its troop presence there has been under way for some months and is not directly linked to the Taliban's recent success in briefly seizing the town of Kunduz.
But that episode illustrated the continuing need for the US training and mentoring of Afghan forces.
With al-Qaeda again operating in Afghanistan and the so-called Islamic State gaining a foothold, Washington is also eager to retain a small number of bases from which it can mount counter-terrorist operations.
Whatever the hopes of a full US withdrawal, it now looks as though Washington is set to have a continuing military commitment to Afghanistan, where US air power in particular plays an essential role.
President Obama had previously planned to reduce the number of troops left in Afghanistan to about 1,000 by the time he left office in January 2017.
A statement from the US National Security Council said the change in policy was the "result of an extensive, months-long review", and after Mr Obama had consulted "with his full national security team and our Afghan partners".
"This announcement in no way changes the fact that our combat mission in Afghanistan has ended, and we will continue to undertake only two narrow missions: counterterrorism and training, advising, and assisting our Afghan partners," the statement went on.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to publicly welcome the move, as he had been pushing for a slower withdrawal of US troops to allow Afghan forces to be better trained and equipped.
US Gen John Campbell expressed concern last week over the "tenuous security situation" and said an enhanced military presence would be necessary if the Taliban were to be repelled.
He was speaking days after the Taliban briefly seized the northern city of Kunduz - their most spectacular military gain since being ousted from power in 2001.
Read more on Afghanistan:
- Crucial capture of Kunduz Taliban's biggest victory since 2001
- Who are the Taliban? Guide to the complexities and conflicts within the group
- Life after UK withdrawal Taliban extend influence in Helmand province
After the Taliban's surprise attack on Kunduz, Afghan government forces managed to retake control of key areas of the city with the aid of Nato special forces and US air strikes.
But the city's brief capture was seen as a setback for the Afghan authorities under pressure to show they can keep the country secure without the backing of international forces.
The south-eastern city of Ghazni has also seen fierce clashes between Taliban insurgents and US-trained Afghan troops in recent days.
Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since Nato ended its combat mission there in December 2014, leaving a residual force - mainly US troops - used for training and counter-terrorism operations.
The shift in policy comes at the same time as three separate investigations - by the US, Nato and Afghan authorities - into a US air attack on an MSF-run hospital in Kunduz that killed 22 people.
The US said the bombing was a mistake, and President Obama later apologised.
NGO alert: international organisations in Pakistan under greater scrutiny
Where: Pakistan
Who is affected: International NGOs (INGOs)
What happened: Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar announced new policy on 1 October requiring INGOs to apply to the Pakistani government in order to operate and raise funds within the country.
Under the Policy for the Regulation of INGOs in Pakistan, any unregistered groups will be banned from functioning inside the country. All INGOs currently working in Pakistan must re-register within 60 days, and the new INGO committee has 60 days to scrutinise the application. They will have sole power over approving registration, and will closely monitor the work of the organisations.
INGOs will then have to submit an annual plan of action, outlining all envisaged projects and budget. Their operations will be restricted to specific issues and certain geographical areas.
What are the implications? INGOs could be disbanded on the grounds of "involvement in any activity inconsistent with Pakistan's national interests, or contrary to government policy."
The policy is meant to secure greater accountability for INGOs, after Nisar claimedseveral international organisations have been involved in anti-state activities. But Human Rights Watch has warned it will worsen the "already deteriorating working climate" for these organisations.
Reactions: "Pakistan's new rules allow the authorities to kick out international groups for anything they might do or say," says Brad Adams, Asia director atHuman Rights Watch. "The regulations are an invitation to arbitrary use of power and will put at risk any international organisation whose work exposes government failures. This new policy harks back to an era of military rule when the government used phoney claims of threats to national security to muffle critical voices in civil society."
At the time of publication, the High Commission for Pakistan had not responded to a request for comment on the policy.
Islamic State in Pakistan: Terror group takes on Taliban for supremacy in battle of the militants
By Ashraf Ali
Pakistan's army chief could not have been more blunt.
"Daesh (Islamic State) is a bigger threat than Al Qaeda," General Raheel Sharif declared during his recent address at London's Royal United Services Institute.
He added that "some elements" in Pakistan's capital Islamabad wanted to show allegiance to Islamic State.
The popular general's comments underscore IS's threat to regional security on the sub-continent, and its emerging links to established terror groups.
Militancy has changed its face many times in the Pakistan-Afghanistan region over recent decades — from Mujahid to Mullah, Taliban to Al Qaeda.
Now IS is spreading its message across the region.
"The self-styled Islamic State has expanded the war from physical to virtual spaces which has made the challenge of terrorism even more complex," Afghan security analyst Inayatullah Kakar says.
But IS's emergence in the region has not been without resistance.
The Afghan Taliban has been fighting for every metre of its territory and scores of people have died in the continuing clashes between the two groups.
Haroon Rashid, editor of the BBC in Pakistan, says IS is taking advantage of perceived Taliban weaknesses.
"IS wanted to exploit the situation by capitalising on the internal differences within the top ranking Taliban leadership — first over the long absence and then after the news of the death of its reclusive leader, Mullah Omar," Mr Rashid says.
But, he adds, "the Taliban's recent takeover of the northern Kunduz province and its continuing efforts in the northern Badakhshan, Takhar and Baghlan provinces, as a show of strength with its new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansur, was a clear message to the rival group".
Key Taliban figures switch allegiance to Islamic State
While IS has had setbacks in Afghanistan, it has been able to attract some influential leaders from the Taliban's Pakistan wing (TTP).
Islamic State's Pakistan opening came when TTP commanders were left disgruntled in the wake of a recent power struggle.
PHOTO: Islamic State's manifesto has been distributed in provinces in Pakistan and Afghanistan. (Supplied: Ashraf Ali)
Six TTP commanders, including Hafiz Saeed Khan and spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, switched allegiance to IS early this year.
Hafiz Saeed, who was later appointed as head of IS in Pakistan, and deputies Abdul Rauf Khadim and Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost led the defections.
All three were killed in US drone attacks in Afghanistan, where some Taliban leaders fled following Pakistan's security crackdown earlier this year.
Critics claim Pakistan's interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has long been in denial over IS.
In the past few days he has said IS terror attacks in his country were, in fact, planned in Afghanistan.
But the arrest of two IS-affiliated terrorists in Pakistan's Punjab province last week points to a home-grown problem.
Senior counter-terrorism police superintendent Rana Shahid says one of the suspects, Shahid Farooqi, had been assigned to organise IS support.
Police seized a laptop with plans for the group's operations.
Security forces suspect IS involvement in the assassination of Punjab's home minister, Colonel Shuaja Khanzada, in a suicide attack in August. Seventeen people died and 23 were injured.
They believe Lashkar-e-Jhangvi — an anti-Shia terror group — collaborated with IS.
Interior ministry sources said Mr Khanzada was vulnerable following the killing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief Malik Ishaq in July this year during a security crackdown on sectarian militants.
The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi agenda perfectly matches the ideological stance of the anti-Shia IS.
In May, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for killing 43 people when its men opened fire on a Karachi bus carrying passengers belonging to a religious minority — the Ismaili community.
English leaflets in the bus declared: "Advent of the Islamic State!" and accused the Ismaili community of "barbaric atrocities in Iraq and Yemen".
In December last year, a video emerged of female students from the Lal Mosque (Lal Masjid), which is linked to the Jamia-e-Hafsa madrassa in Islamabad, expressing their support for IS.
The burqa-clad women were chanting slogans and calling on people to join the ranks of IS to help the movement's goal of a caliphate.
The episode was a major blow to the government's counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation initiatives.
Pro-IS slogans have appeared on walls in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Bannu, urging IS's leadership to: "Move forward — we are with you!"
In some areas of Pakistan, pamphlets and stickers have emerged calling on the young to join the movement, while cars decorated with posters and the letters IS or ISIS are seen on the roads.
Concern now runs deep, including among those who have witnessed decades of unrest.
"The environment offers good grounds for disgruntled elements with a jihadi mindset to part ways with the Taliban and swell the ranks of Daesh in the time ahead," says retired Brigadier Said Nazir, a former army officer from the tension-torn tribal areas of Pakistan.
"We can see more defections down the road to IS," he warns.
U.S. Exploring Deal to Limit Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal
By DAVID E. SANGER
The Obama administration is exploring a deal with Pakistan that would limit the scope of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, the fastest-growing on earth. The discussions are the first in the decade since one of the founders of its nuclear program, Abdul Qadeer Khan, was caught selling the country's nuclear technology around the world.The talks are being held in advance of the arrival of Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, in Washington next week. They focus on American concern that Pakistan might be on the verge of deploying a small tactical nuclear weapon — explicitly modeled on weapons the United States put in Europe during the Cold War to deter a Soviet invasion — that would be far harder to secure than the country's arsenal of larger weapons. But outside experts familiar with the discussions, which have echoes of the Obama administration's first approaches to Iran on its nuclear program three years ago, expressed deep skepticism that Pakistan is ready to put any limitations on a program that is the pride of the nation, and that it regards as its only real defense against India. The discussions are being led by Peter R. Lavoy, a longtime intelligence expert on the Pakistani program who is now on the staff of the National Security Council. White House officials declined to comment on the talks ahead of Mr. Sharif's visit. But the central element of the proposal, according to other officials and outside experts, would be a relaxation of the strict controls imposed on Pakistan by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a loose affiliation of nations that try to control the proliferation of weapons. "If Pakistan would take the actions requested by the United States, it would essentially amount to recognition of rehabilitation and would essentially amount to parole," said George Perkovich, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who has maintained contacts with the Pakistani nuclear establishment. "I think it's worth a try," Mr. Perkovich said. "But I have my doubts that the Pakistanis are capable of doing this." David Ignatius, a columnist for The Washington Post, first disclosed the exploratory talks in a column a week ago. Since then, several other officials and outside experts have talked in more detail about the effort, although the White House has refused to comment. The activity of Mr. Khan, who lives in retirement in a comfortable neighborhood in Islamabad after many years of house arrest, prompted more than a decade of American-led punishment of Pakistan's nuclear enterprises. He ran what amounted to the world's most sophisticated black market in the equipment needed to make nuclear fuel, and he did business with Iran, North Korea and Libya. When Libya turned over the equipment it bought, in late 2003, it included a nearly complete design for one of China's first nuclear weapons. Pakistani officials denied that any of the country's leaders knew of Mr. Khan's black market activities, a story American officials did not believe because some of the equipment was shipped on Pakistani Air Force cargo planes. While Mr. Khan is not under formal restrictions today, he has not left Pakistan in years and has been prohibited from talking to most outsiders. Even before entering office, President Obama was interested in addressing the Pakistani nuclear problem, considered by most proliferation experts to be the most dangerous in the world. But until now, most efforts to manage the problem have been covert. During the Bush administration, the United States spent as much as $100 million on a highly classified program to help secure the country's nuclear arsenal, helping with physical security and the training of Pakistani security personnel. Those efforts continued in the Obama years, with State Department, Energy Department and intelligence officials meeting secretly, in locales around the world, with senior Pakistani officials from the Strategic Plans Division that controls the arsenal. They would use those sessions to argue to the Pakistanis that fielding the small, short-range nuclear weapons, which Pakistan designed to use against an invading Indian ground force, would be highly risky. American officials have told Congress they are increasingly convinced that most of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is under good safeguards, with warheads separated from delivery vehicles and a series of measures in place to guard against unauthorized use. But they fear the smaller weapons are easier to steal, or would be easier to use should they fall into the hands of a rogue commander. "All it takes is one commander with secret radical sympathies, and you have a big problem," said one former official who dealt with the issue. The message appears to have resonated; an unknown number of the tactical weapons were built, but not deployed. It is that problem that Mr. Lavoy and others are trying to forestall, along with preventing Pakistan from deploying some long-range missiles that could reach well beyond India. But American leverage has been hard to find. Unlike Iran, Pakistan never signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the international agreement that prohibits nations, except for existing declared nuclear states like the United States, from possessing a nuclear arsenal. Pakistan is not alone in that distinction: India and Israel also have not signed. (North Korea left the treaty two decades ago.) Ordinarily, any country's refusal to sign the treaty would preclude American nuclear cooperation. So Pakistani officials remain angry with the American decision to enter an agreement with India in 2005 allowing India to buy civil nuclear technology, even though it remains outside the treaty and put no limits on its nuclear program. Under that agreement, India's nuclear infrastructure was split with a civilian program that is under international inspection, and a military program that is not. Pakistani officials have demanded the same arrangement. That does not appear to be on the table. Instead, the United States is exploring ways to relax restrictions on nuclear-related technology to Pakistan, perhaps with a long-term goal of allowing the country to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates the sale of the technology. That would be largely symbolic: Pakistan manages to import or make what it needs for its nuclear arsenal, and China has already broken ground on a $9.6 billion nuclear power complex in Karachi. Mr. Sharif presided over the ceremony.
Religious freedoms under threat in Pakistan: U.S. Senator
A leading Republican Presidential candidate and Senator has called for Pakistan to be designated as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC) after a U.S. State Department report expressed deep concern over the status of religious freedoms in the country.
"Religious freedom must be a bedrock of American foreign policy. The stakes are too high for anything less. We need to redouble our efforts to serve as a beacon for religious freedom around the world and press countries to implement policies that protect religious expression and worship," Senator Marco Rubio said in a statement after the State Department released its annual report on International Religious Freedom for the year 2014. The State Department does not utilise the tools it has to name and shame violators of religious freedom such as the designation of CPC, he said.
Should be done annually
The administration should re-designate countries every year for their religious freedom violations, Mr. Rubio urged.
"In particular, countries such as Pakistan, Syria and Vietnam should be considered for a CPC designation, as has been repeatedly recommended by the independent U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom," Mr. Rubio said.
'Many governments complicit'
Noting that religious communities are under attack in the 21st century, Mr. Rubio said there were many governments that were complicit in religious repression by enforcing oppressive laws against religious minorities or standing idly by while minorities were persecuted for their beliefs.
"In Cuba, where the Ladies in White are beaten on their way to church, to Iran where an American pastor languishes in prison, to China where Christian churches are demolished and pictures of the Dalai Lama are banned, around the world religious freedom is being threatened," he said.
'Of concern to U.S.'
"These attacks on religious freedom are both a moral and strategic national security concern for the United States. Sadly this issue has been met with little urgency or vision on the part of the Obama administration — at precisely the time it's most needed," Mr. Rubio said.
#HajjStempede - Saudi defiance
Predictably, Saudi Arabia has responded to an unprecedented chorus from Islamic countries calling for a more collaborative management of Hajj after the Mina tragedy with typical disregard and nonchalance. A high ranking prince, Turki al-Faisal, was the first to break the official silence on the growing condemnation of Saudi Arabia's fatal mismanagement, saying that Riyadh considers management of Hajj a matter of sovereignty. The Saudi regime derives its legitimacy from being the self-proclaimed "Custodian of the two Holy Mosques" and the prince was adamant that the country believes this to be a matter of privilege and that after spending billions of dollars to improve the conditions of Hajj, it was not going to give up that privilege to anyone else. Later, Saudi King Salman himself weighed in on the issue and dismissed the mounting criticism as merely "political exploitation" of the incident by "irresponsible" elements. The King further professed that the Saudi Arabian regime was 'the servant of God' and it would employ all of its capabilities to "provide the guests of God with comfort, security and safety". He reaffirmed the statements of his relative and defied any possibility that the organisation of the immensely profitable Hajj would be taken away from Saudi Arabia.
For all the nice sounding talk of serving the "guests of God", the aftermath of the Mina tragedy proves that talk to be distinctly hollow. The callousness with which victims and grieving families have been dealt; the lack of transparency about the alleged investigations being done about the incident; the failure to update the body count or release a breakdown of the casualties according to nationalities to facilitate information sharing; the mass burial of dead bodies; the disregard for missing people — there is an endless list of Saudi transgressions and a crushing lack of humanity that bellies any claims of feeling privilege at serving the "guests of God". The Saudi regime is bereft of humility or conscience. Under the guise of purist Islam, it is a greedy capitalist enterprise at its worst. which sees no qualms in profiting off a holy event attended by millions from around the world even if it leads to horrific deaths of thousands. The "sovereign" right it claims over managing the Hajj is but an accident of geography and a consequence of colonial powers dividing up Middle Eastern countries and parcelling them out to their favoured stooges in the 1920s and 30s. The so-called holy regime has ever since its inception been propped up by western powers and has no innate right to monopolise governance over one of the key sites of Islam. Alas, despite the resounding criticism, the Muslim countries hardly have enough of a clout to pressurise the Saudi regime to cede ground. It can only be hoped that Saudi Arabia, despite its public defiance, learns lessons and ensures there is no repeat of Mina.
Pakistan - PTI's bankruptcy
The NA-122 by-election was advertised as many things in its run-up by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI): a referendum on the governance of Nawaz Sharif's third tenure as Prime Minister, a vindication of Imran Khan's constant campaigning against alleged rigging of the 2013 general elections, a battle for the future direction of politics in Punjab (and by extension Pakistan) and, as with all things PTI, a harbinger of change. However, outside of the frenzied supporters of the two duelling parties who treated the by-election as an existential matter, no one was really convinced that squabbling over a paltry single seat of parliament was worth all the hype. For many a PML-N victory in its historically strong constituency was a foregone conclusion, and even if PTI pulled off a favourable result, as it nearly did, one additional seat does not a government make. But if there was a hope attached to this by-election by concerned observers, it was that this election — conducted under stringent watch (except of course in the crucial matter of campaign financing) – would finally bring about the end of PTI's counterproductive and derailing politics of mudslinging allegations. Alas, now that the dust of the by-election has settled, it has once again been frustratingly proved that PTI under the leadership of Imran Khan is a party thoroughly lacking in maturity, a democratic mindset,imagination and ideas. To employ the trite cricket analogies favoured by the national team's former captain, it is a party that only knows one way to bat — i.e. swing wildly with its eyes closed — and has proved unable to adjust its technique according to changing playing conditions. Like a broken record, the rhetoric of PTI in the aftermath of the election has been the oft-repeated mantra of election rigging despite there being no credible evidence nor fingers being raised by concerned neutral parties. Immediately after the election, Imran Khan — sounding increasingly more paranoid — tweeted that PTI was not prepared for the apparently more refined and subtle rigging tactics of the PML-N and vowed that his party will be more vigilant the next time. Letters have been written by the losing candidate Aleem Khan and PTI Punjab's organizer Chaudhry Sarwar to the Returning Officer (RO) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) respectively arguing for a recount and claiming that the election suffered from many irregularities like the transfer or deletion of names of prospective voters from the constituency's list. The ECP has denied these allegations and has countered that registration of voters was frozen days in advance of the election, according to the rules. Despite the pre-election promise to accept the election's result with dignity, it seems that PTI will cry foul until the moment it gets precisely what it desires. This lack of maturity and respect for due process reflects a party incapable of pragmatism or evolution, and the blame for this arrested development lies squarely on the shoulders of PTI's egotistical leader.
After 2011, Imran Khan and his party became for the first time a genuinely credible player in the arena of politics ever since the inception of PTI in the mid-1990s. This belated elevation to the political mainstream for the charismatic sportsman came on the back of sloganeering for change, a promise to stand up against the status quo and quash corruption. Imran Khan was hailed by many analysts, who may have had an issue with his politics, for at least one thing: he mobilised a segment of society (the youth, the women, the upwardly mobile urbanites) that had been disillusioned by the politics of Pakistan and energised them with conveniently vague ideas of a 'revolution'. A party completely lacking in any coherent ideology but one teeming with optimism, PTI came to reflect for its myriads of supporters whatever hopes and dreams they wished to project onto it and its main star. So PTI was being advertised by its multitudes of voracious supporters in different forums as a party of several contradictory values: a progressive party, an Islamic religious organisation, an anti-corruption party, an anti-status quo party, a pro-business party, a pro-welfare party, a pro-army party, an anti-imperialist party. In truth, the malleable ambiguity of its image was simply because it has no distinctive vision and now that the sheen of Imran Khan's past achievements and personal charm has started to wear off and the prophecy of change has failed to materialise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the reality of the party has become abundantly clear. It was and it remains a centre-right party, not dissimilar to the N-League, and the only endgame the PTI has in mind is for Imran Khan to come to power as if it is his inalienable destiny. The PTI is therefore a transparently unfit party with a politically bankrupt core.
Pakistan - PM protecting Punjab's interests at the cost of smaller provinces: ANP
Awami National Party central president Asfandyar Wali Khan on Wednesday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and some other quarters were interested in protecting interests of Punjab at the cost of small federating units.
"The message is being given that Pakistan is Punjab and Punjab is Pakistan," he said, warning consequences of such policy would be dangerous for the country as the ANP would protect rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Pakhtuns.
Asfandyar was addressing the ANP provincial executive council here at Bacha Khan Markaz on Wednesday, said a statement.
He spoke on various issues including Kalabagh dam, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, changing scenario in Afghanistan, terrorism, and reforms in tribal areas.
The ANP leader came down heavily on the federal government for 'changing' stand on Kalabagh dam and CPEC, saying like Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif was also in the habit of making U-turn on policy statements and announcements.
"Besides external challenges, Pakistan is facing internal threats too. Unfortunately, our rulers and some institutions are desirous to build Kalabagh dam," the statement quoted Asfandyar as saying.
Asfandyar Wali castigates Nawaz Sharif for changing stand on Kalabagh, CPEC
The ANP leader also said some quarters including Nawaz Sharif had developed consensus on the CPEC and adopted policy to protect interests of Punjab.
Expressing serious reservations about the CPEC, he said Nawaz Sharif had changed his stand and that the federal ministers were violating unanimous decisions of the All-Party Conference held in Islamabad.
Asfandyar said it was the unanimous decision of the APC to start construction of western route of the CPEC to protect interests of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but that decision was being violated.
About the issue of Kalabagh dam, he said very powerful and authoritarian regimes could not build the dam, then who they (Nawaz Sharif and his team) were to put up the controversial water reservoir.
The ANP leader said his party had a very clear policy and stand on Kalabagh dam, Fata, terrorism and National Action Plan, and would protect all constitutional rights of the province and Pakhtuns at all costs.
About the situation in Afghanistan, Asfandyar said Islamabad and Kabul were on the path of reconciliation after the visit of Afghan president Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan, but that spirit was not maintained.
"It seems that some quarters have re-adopted their previous policies regarding Afghanistan," he said, adding that peace in Afghanistan was inevitable for peace and prosperity in Pakistan.
The ANP leader said Afghanistan had changed and that the time had gone when the Taliban or any other force was imposed on Afghan people.
He said it was imperative to abandon the policy to use force and soil against each other.
Regarding Fata, Asfandyar said the ANP was in favour of drastic and genuine legal, political and administrative reforms in the country's northwest tribal region.
He said his party's policy was to merge Fata with KP and bring the neglected belt to the mainstream politics.
The ANP leader called for the implementation of National Action Plan in letter and spirit in order to eliminate terrorism and extremism from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the entire region.
He said his party did not support violence and negative politics and believed in political struggle.
Asfandyar also criticised policies of the coalition government in KP and said bad governance was one of the serious issues in the province.
He said the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had expelled the Qaumi Watan Party from the government over corruption but recently accommodated the latter in the ruling coalition.
The ANP leader said Imran Khan didn't accept defeat and began hue and cry about rigging when his party lost polls.
He said when the PTI won polls, only then he (Imran) termed the process transparent and fair.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Home Improvement Center
Working with the wrong contractor can make your home improvement expertise a nightmare. They won't return your phone calls, never show up for appointments or do not show up at all, and their value estimates are vague and unclear. In the finish, you devote so considerably time worrying that your investment is in the wrong hands that it tends to make almost everything more stressful than it requirements to be.
Fantastic lens with lots of useful DIY details. One issue to preserve in thoughts when you are designing your new kitchen is that you can usually make space for an 18 inch dishwasher to help with keeping your dishes good and clean. It can be relatively challenging to figure out exactly where you must put your cabinet hardware. If you have a cabinet template then the job isn't tough at all. Obtaining a new roof might run about $7,600 on average, although the worth you are in a position to recover from performing this project could be as considerably as $8,000. You can recoup as considerably as 105 % of your investment! The vertical blinds are significantly less most likely to become broken and are safer as well, given that panels can be very easily removed and replaced as needed and never simply permit pets to get stuck or tangled in them.
Thinking about that houses generally receive about 120 volts, you will need to pick a transformer that will decrease the volts down to the 12 volts the technique will be operating from. It then draws out the hot air inside your house, and replaces it with the potentially cooler air that is outside. 1 of the best factors you can do to increase power expenses is to replace a manual-dial thermostat with a new programmable thermostat. When you have gathered all of your materials, select the biggest of the oil spots to eliminate very first. With just basic hand tools and a couple of hours of work, you can also generate effective and eye-catching storage in any closet, increase the storage space in the kitchen pantry, in the basement, and in the garage or laundry room. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
Is your residence experiencing tree damage, harm from a tornado, water leak, or just crumbling apart? Your house is the largest economic investment you will most likely make in your lifetime. Typical upkeep of your residence guarantees that your residence will continue to stay in tip-best condition. This material is utilised to absorb the oil or petroleum solution, so as soon as you have laid down a nice, relatively thin layer of the kitty litter onto the oil spot, let it sit for a few moments for the oil to be absorbed. If the stain is older, then you do not require to wait for a couple of minutes. I wasn't got, since the other posts said it was a joke, but I had to see what it was. Kitty! Completely worth it.
These rockers are manufactured making use of all-natural hemp, sustainable maple plywood, and sustainable latex. They sit close to the floor and assistance the back nicely, accessible in a quantity of sizes for distinct loved ones members. Mr. Repair-It has not given up on doing what he does ideal for the final eight years living in SCA….spending several hours weekly getting phone calls, emails, and conversation with residents answering their concerns and producing suggestion on how to sustain their properties in a cost effective manner. Some houses have tiny windows that aren't worthy of blinds, shutters, or window remedies. If your house has some small windows, contemplate painting a solid colored border around the edge of every one particular. The painted border acts like a window remedy, adding color and providing the window a completed look. Believe outdoors the box and be inventive! Don't enable a locked door to keep you from entering your personal home.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
As the legend goes, Lily Cole was discovered at the age of 14 while eating a hamburger in the heartbeat of West London. Since her first feature in Italian Vogue in 2003, she has become famous worldwide for her ethereal beauty – but she caught my eye in the September 2006 issue of Fashion Rocks, posing with Marilyn Manson:
Lily's uncommon looks and risk-taking style has made her a star. Despite her doll-like beauty, she's incredibly versatile and has appeared in publications ranging from Vogue to French Playboy and has walked the runways of designers like Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton and many more. In her everyday life, Lily's fiery red hair matches her fierce personality and style; she looks as effortlessly chic in a pair of slouchy trousers and Chucks as she does in a Dior ball gown!
Lily loves to mix patterns and textures, and her knack for accessories creates a look that I envy: gothic boho … with a just a touch of sparkle!
But Lily isn't just another supermodel with great clothing and style – she's got brains, too! Lily is currently slated to begin her education at King's College at Cambridge University sometime this year. She's also an Ambassador with the Global Angels Children's Charity.
A beauty with style, brains and a big heart – what more could I ask for in a Style Icon?!?


text:
Matt Sigl of Vocativ is writing an article on the Dark Enlightenment, both the 'thing' and the 'manifesto' (I've already told him why this description is misleadingly over-generous). His questions suggest a sincere attempt to understand what is going on.
Among the lines of inquiry he is pursuing (my compressions): Why Now? What's the 'Cathedral' business? How does the Dark Enlightenment relate to transhumanism/futurism, libertarianism, fascism, white supremacism, anti-semitism, social Darwinism? Where is the Dark Enlightenment going? How does it respond to criticisms that (a) capitalism is to blame, (b) everything's basically OK?
I have tried to respond as objectively as possible, whilst attempting to be clear about those answers which express my own idiosyncratic decisions regarding unsettled/disputed matters. Predictably, I have emphasized the Moldbuggian origins of the Dark Enlightenment / Neoreaction as a definite cultural phenomenon (distinct from pre-existing right-libertarian, traditionalist, and paleo-reactionary streams of thought).
Readers who think they can help Matt get this portrait right are encouraged to make relevant points here.
ADDED: Foseti on 'Why Now?'
ADDED: Handle on progress.
ADDED: Mike Anissimov (via Twitter): "Nothing good will come of a neoreactionary dialogue with Matt Sigl. … I predict we'll regret this in the end."
FILED UNDER :Neoreaction
TAGGED WITH :Media , Reaction


text:
Nebraska has fired the Athletic Director twice at mid-season in the past decade, and in both cases the football teams' performance only got worse during the second half of the season.
There might have been more integrity in firing the head football coach, which would have given those teams the opportunity to prove the administration was wrong. It surely would have been fairer to the head football coaches, who were left playing a game of chutes and ladders with only one dice. But it is more complicated than that.
In 2007 the morale was so low in the UNL athletic department it had to be done. Coaches throughout the department were on the verge of leaving because of autocratic leadership that appeared to be soulless.
2017 is different. The current football staff seems to have lost the team in the last two weeks. Despite that observation, the current staff also appears to have attracted a number of high level recruits who might chang their minds if Riley is fired prior to the December 20 signing date. The administration didn't trust the former A.D. to hire the right person because he didn't get it right the first time. But if they got another A.D. in place who could hire the right coach, they could fire Riley at the end of the season or at least after December 20. This is the contemporary version of having your cake and eating it to. If Nebraska's slide continues, the new Athletic Director, Bill Moos, may be forced to fire Riley before the early singing date.
It takes a lot of hard work, talent and luck to get to the place that Nebraska football was at in the mid-90s. It also takes a lot of questionable decisions, administrative indifference, and a lack of collaboration by a lot of people for Nebraska football to get to where it is today. But if anyone has a right to be angry it should be the players who have not been put in a position to reach their potential as a team for almost twenty years.
One former head coach had never been a collegiate head coach or coordinator.
(Please do not use Tom Osborne as an example of someone who did not have head coaching experience but had great success. Tom Osborne was the defacto head coach of Nebraska football during the Devaney's championship seasons.)
One had not had success in the college game. One led with his amygdala, and one was a good man who lacked the edge to create the toughness it takes to build a championship team in this environment.
When I was hired at Nebraska in 1977, Coach Osborne's base salary was about $40,000. Mine was $12,000, so you could say I was overpaid. I don't like the millions of dollars that are paid to power five football and basketball coaches, but whether or not I like it is not the point.
If you want to be competitive and hire a coach that gives you the chance to be competitive for several years, you have to pay more than the competition. The competition includes schools like Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and others who are paying outrageous salaries.
I also don't believe you have to be 55 to be a great football coach. I trust my life to pilots under forty, and a stock brokers under thirty-five. Right now, I could get pretty enthusiastic about a President under fifty.
Nebraska needs to take a risk if it is going to return to being competitive. What you don't risk is character. That's a deal breaker. But it is really not as complicated as it looks. John Cook won the Big Ten Conference before he became the Nebraska head volleyball coach. Tom Osborne won two national championships before he became Nebraska's head football coach.
To win at Nebraska you need to have had success as college head football coach. You need to be on the upside of your career. You need to be a good fit, but most importantly you need to have shown that you can win and win again. You need to be extraordinary.
–Terry Pettit


text:
(Shelli Vandegrift/Special to MySA.com)
A work by Susan Lenart Kazmer.
Editor's note: Shelli Vandegrift, owner of the Garden of Beaden in Fredericksburg, is blogging from the 2008 Bead&Button show in Milwaukee.
By Shelli Vandegrift
Special to MySA.com
(Shelli Vandegrift/Special to MySA.com)
The Gathering Place is a little area with tables and chairs for die-hard beaders to meet and greet, share ideas, teach each other new techniques and so on. From what I understand from the program, they are offering wine, sodas and desserts! What is better than beading, a fattening dessert and then washing it down with a Diet Coke?!
(Shelli Vandegrift/Special to MySA.com)
A bird's eye view of the registration "booth" from the ninth floor. They are VERY organized and Kalmbach Publishing (the publisher of Bead&Button magazine) has many of their employees working it.
Saturday was travel day, the flights were short and easy! Upon arriving at the Hyatt, I was told that there was a festival called River Splash 2008. The river is one block from the Hyatt, which is the sponsoring hotel. All the radio stations had live music and bands in the streets, food booths and a few art booths. It was a nice way to walk a little after the flight.
Sunday morning, 9:15 I walked out of my room and bent over the railing to see the action. The registration booth was running smoothly, handing out any pre-show purchases/tickets for classes/directions. They also handed out a nice tote bag, which is hot pink, totally appropriate, to carry all your goodies in coupons and goodies from vendors, directions to local places to eat, and a map of the Midwest Airline Center.
My first class is a two-day class with Susan Lenart Kazmer called Transparent Layers with Resin. She is hilarious, informative and innovative when it comes to wire work!
She just wrote and published a book with several artists that are also her friends. Her book is available on her Web site, and she is signing all the books that she is selling in class. She also has TONS of items to sell here as well bezels, silver, copper, brass, tools, as well as her pieces designed by her. Very affordable for the amount of time she puts into each piece.
(Shelli Vandegrift/Special to MySA.com)
Vendors are on hand to assist with any forgotten items or new, wonderful purchases.
Speaking of tools, should you attend next year and forget something, there are vendors across from the registration booth that are selling essentials: findings, silver, crystals and more.
Tomorrow should be fun. We will be cleaning our pieces, as they should be dry, learning how to drill the resin, and encase some of the pieces to make a ring or pendant. We will also be playing with fire, to burn the edges of our pages, and give them a more edgy look. We have already gone though one entire tank of map gas today. Perhaps I was afraid to light the torch, but I will be more brave tomorrow.
(Shelli Vandegrift/Special to MySA.com)
More samples of Susan Lenart Kazmer's work.


text:
For anyone that's endured the dreaded buzz and red glowing nose of Hasbro's Operation board game, you'll have a reasonably good idea of just how bloody hard pulling off open-heart surgery must be. But how about operating on the heart while it's still beating?
Now that's something else entirely. But, in a pioneering operation, it's been pulled off for the first time in the UK. Surgeons at the King's College Hospital in London operated on Mr Sevket Grocer, using a technique called "cardiac sewing" to help heal a heart failing so rapidly that Grocer was becoming breathless just from walking.
Rather than invasive traditional heart surgery which can see the entire organ shut off and blood pumping regulation handed over to a machine, the new procedure (which sees a wire anchored through two portions of the heart and tightened to effectively "remodel" the walls) can be carried out with the heart still performing its regular duties By the end of the surgery, any damaging scar tissue has been removed and the volume of one of the heart chambers is reduced by a quarter, making it far more efficient.
With a trial of the technique on its way to proving the procedure can be successfully relied upon, this life-saving operation could soon become common practice in hospitals across the country. [BBC]


text:
Digital subscriptions FAQ
Types of plans
- ★ I want to read more than 10 stories a month. How do I do that?
- ★ What is a digital subscription? How much does it cost?
- ★ I don't subscribe to the newspaper. Can I read your stories online?
- How can I apply for the digital subscription campaign?
- I want to check my current subscription plan
- How do I subscribe to Digital services from the My Account page?
Accessing stories
- ★ Do page allotments apply to all of the JT website pages? Does the front page count as page view? How about search results?
- ★ Why can't I access certain stories?
- ★ At what time will my monthly allotment of news change?
- I want to comment more than once on a previously read story. Will these page views be counted against my monthly allotment?
- What about links I click on from Facebook or Twitter? Will they be accessible?
- Can I read all the articles in the newspaper on the Japan Times website?
Digital Lite
- ★ How do I purchase a digital booster pack?
- ★ I purchased a digital booster pack, but I am still unable to read more stories.
- I upgraded to the Digital Plan, but I am unable to read stories.
- I ran out of stories on my Digital Lite subscription. What should I do?
- How to upgrade from the Digital Lite Plan to the Digital Plan
- I am a Digital Lite subscriber. How do I find out how many articles I have read so far this month?
- Do you accept debit cards?
- How are digital subscriptions billed?
- How to find the security code on a credit card
- I want to change the credit card information I registered for my digital subscription payments. How do I do that?
- I want to check my digital subscription payment.
- Do you issue receipts?
Registration & My Account FAQ
Your account
- ★ I have successfully registered but now I can't log in or reset my password?
- ★ How to log in
- I've forgotten my password. What should I do?
- How to change your registered email address
- Can I change my registered information?
- How do I cancel my membership?
Print FAQ
Home delivery
- ★ Subscriber's benefits - Free digital access-
- ★ I have received information about my subscription renewal and would like to pay by credit card.
- ★ How can I buy back issues/numbers/copies?
- ★ How can I suspend delivery while I'm on vacation?
- Are there any newspaper holidays?
- What time will the newspaper be delivered?
About the JT/NYT alliance
- Can I read The Japan Times paper overseas?
- Can I read The New York Times paper (home edition) published in the U.S.?
- How are articles in The New York Times International Edition (NYTI) similar to The New York Times (home edition) published in the U.S.?
- Where can I buy The Japan Times / The New York Times?
- Will each of these papers change as a result of the alliance?
- What is The Japan Times / The New York Times?


text:
By Lucy Marincel
Fall is almost here and college campuses around the state are gearing up for another busy year. Besides the usual class schedule changes and new student orientations, a group of volunteers from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) have some other, tasty work cut out for them.
Last spring, a group of UMD students, faculty, staff and campus organizations came together to create the Edible Landscape Garden project. Inspired by a similar project in San Francisco, the group intended the gardens to be a learning tool about sustainability and healthy eating and, in the case of one of the gardens, to be a pilot experiment to lower the temperature under the garden. The hard work of planning and planting last spring and upkeep all summer means that students come back this fall to potatoes, carrots and onions, among other things, that need harvesting. Candice Richards, Associate Director of UMD's Facilities Management says that once students are back in school, the planning committee will set some dates for harvest activities, mostly likely in late September.
Besides the other advantages, the edible landscapes project has created community connections for the university. The fact that the burlap sacks that form the outside perimeter were donated by a local business, Alakef Coffee Roasters, is just one example of how the community has connected with the university around the gardens. A bus tour of gardens sponsored by the local public television station stopped on campus to check out the gardens. Several summer youth groups have also stopped by to see the gardens and the nearby daycare center has brought over children several times, who helped plant a few seeds of their own.
The trend of gardens on college and university campuses seems to be growing. Besides providing fresh produce and lessons in sustainability, these gardens can be a great place to build communities relationships and inspire students and community alike to become further engaged in community partnerships.
To learn more about UMD's garden, see http://www.duluth.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/10/ediblelandscape.html. If your college, university or community has a garden with an eye toward civic engagement, please let us know!


text:
Communication technology is advancing day by day. For any business to succeed, it has to use improved communication tools, communication helps in the flow of information which in return accelerates the rate of decision making in an organization or business. Virtual meetings are becoming more popular, many business owners and organizations are resorting to virtual meetings because they save time. You can use web-conferencing tools to communicate with employees, customers, suppliers and business partners. All web-conferencing tools support video chat, so both parties will see each other and this will make the communication so real and effective. Most of these virtual conferencing tools will require participants to install a web conferencing software on their devices, some can even be used on smart-phones, so you simply download a virtual meeting mobile Application and start attending meeting via your Smartphone.
Below is a list of the best 10 virtual meeting tools any one can use to improve business or organizational communication. Some of these tools are available for free, yet others will require a small monthly subscription.
Many professionals have found skype as the best virtual meeting technology; skype can be used by businesses, families, organizations and individuals. Skype has a free package and a paid package. For the free package, both parties have to install skype on their devices and then connect with each other via the network; calls made from skype to skype are free of charge. You can decide to turn on a video call so that you both see each other. Then the paid version, will allow a skype user to call a non skype user on mobile phone or landline. All smart devices have webcams, so you don't have to spend extra cash on webcam. For small businesses, you can create a company group account, so that you all collaborate at the same time during the meeting, you can share screens with each other via skype.
Why is skype good?
- Its free
- Easy to use
- Works on mobile phones
- Low costs
- Supports group video conferencing
- Comes in different languages
:- Use of Technology In Business – To Spend Less Time Working
- 2. Watchitoo:
Unlike Skype, Watchitoo is a web based video conferencing tool, you don't need to download or install any software. Simply login and start inviting your team members to join you. Its collaboration tools will enable you chat live with each other in video format, you will also be in position to share screens, text chat each other. If you want to make a copy of the meeting, you easily record the all video chat session. Also Watchitoo has both free and paid packages. The free version will support only 5 users, the paid version supports 25 users at $39 per month, 50 users package will go for $49 per month. So if you own a small business of only 5 people, then you will benefit from the free package. Medium sized business with over 25 – 50 employees can opt for the premium package.
Why is Watchitoo good?
- Has a free trial version for 30 days
- No installations requires
- Easy to use
- Can record all video chat sessions
- 3. Infinite
You can meet, train and present virtually from anywhere with Infinite Conferencing tools. Infinite specializes in phone and web conferencing solutions. Infinite is a web based virtual meeting tool which requires no software installation. Simply create a free account and start inviting your team or workmates for a virtual meeting. For those who want to record video chat sessions, you will need to pay an extra $1.99 per minute. You can also carry out a survey using a polling feature, this will help your team collaborate well, but this function comes at a price, it will cost you $100.
What makes Infinite good?
- No software installation
- 30 days free trial
- Supports VIOP
- Record Session
- Create meeting reports
- Supports polling & surveys
- 4. GoToWebinar
This is an online conference tool which will allow you to perform any type of virtual meeting from anywhere. With GoToWebinar you can create your own custom account with your company logo, so your team can join via your account page. I like the idea of adding a company logo on a custom account page; it makes the all process look professional. You can easily conduct a do-it-yourself webinar with up to 1,000 people at one single flat rate, so this means you will do more with less.
When it comes to inviting your team, the application comes with an automated email templates and webinar registration pages. GoToWebinar will also allow you too record all sessions and also be in position to post-meeting reports. The price is some how fair, for 100 people you will pay $99/month, then for 1000 people you will pay $499/month.
Why is GoToWebinar good?
- No software installation
- Automatically creates your invitation and registration
- People can register using your customized registration form
- Reminder emails are automatically sent to your registrants
- You can practice before your webinar to polish your presentation
- Record all sessions
- Price is fair
- Free trial for 30 days
- Post meeting reports
- 5. Zoho Meeting:
Use ZOHO meeting to conduct web based virtual meetings from any platform. Small business owners you can use ZOHO to meet your customers online and provide them with live demos of your services or products from anywhere, this type of collaboration will improve your customer service and it will also strengthen your relationship with your customers. Say no to downloads, ZOHO MEETING is web based, just login and join a session. If you want to look professional, you can brand your meeting portal using your company logo. If you have a company website, you can integrate ZOHO MEETING with your website, so all meetings can be performed via your company website.
ZOHO MEETING supports screen sharing via desktop; it supports multiple presenters, text chat, video chat and VOIP. You can as well record all sessions. ZOHO MEETING an affordable virtual meeting tool compared to most virtual meeting services. 5 participants will pay only $12/month, 100 participants will pay only $100/month. This is a good price for small businesses and individuals.
What makes ZOHO MEETING good?
- No installations or downloads
- Web based
- It is too affordable
- Easy to use
- Can be integrated on your website or blog
- You can brand your meeting platform


text:
Oscar Mulder's Kinderfeets Toy
Oscar Mulder Portrays The Kinderfeets Toy
Oscar Mulder, the lead designer of the displayed work Award Winning Kinderfeets Toy explains, The Kinderfeets™ is a wooden balance bike. It provides a starting point for children preparing to ride a "normal" two-wheeled bicycle. To differentiate this balance bike from others we made a chalkboard finish color options for customization, foot pegs for cruising, so this will make the transition to pedals even easier. Then we added a low step through frame, that allows for lower settings of the seat and easy on-and-off of the rider and Forever-Air-Tires to decrease their maintenance.
Oscar Mulder's Kinderfeets Toy Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to Life Design Magazine homepage.


text:
Yesterday I forgot to point to the actual page to install the Moonlight plugins.
You can download the latest plugin from here. Just like the last release, these plugins are compiled without ffmpeg support.
The source code is available here.
You can track the progress and try out a few applications yourself from our Moonlight Status page.
Posted on 03 Jul 2008


text:
Healthy residing starts proper now. Now we have an ageing inhabitants: in the UK there at the moment are half a million folks in their 90s, greater than two and half instances the quantity in 1985 2 The older a person is, the more seemingly they are to endure with power situations similar to dementia, diabetes and arthritis.
Smoking not solely cuts your lifespan by affecting your inner organs, nevertheless it additionally ages you on the surface by inflicting skin harm. Tobacco smoking can provide you wrinkles, create pucker lines around your mouth, stain your teeth and fingers, rob your skin of vitamins, break down youth-enhancing collagen and make your skin look gray. It makes you wonder how smoking is often marketed as glamorous and enticing.
Dr. Langstroth may be heard on KFBK talk radio on Saturday mornings at eleven:00 a.m. on ninety three.1 FM and 1530 AM radio. He discusses many health matters and why America is an obese and diseased nation. He additionally interviews a visitor on every present who has gone by the Well being four Life weight loss and cellular therapeutic program.
Life expectancy (LE) (i.e., anticipated years of life at a given age) is the typical remaining years of life a person can expect to stay on the premise of the present mortality charges for the population. HLE estimates the equivalent wholesome years that an individual can expect to stay on the idea of the current mortality charges and prevalence distribution of health standing in the population. An abridged life table methodology was used to estimate LE using information by 5-yr age intervals (four). State-particular HLE estimates were calculated from the LE estimates and the self-reported well being status information from the BRFSS.
LifeHealth LLC (LifeHealth), a Colorado-primarily based company, has been offering well being care services and staffing to employers and government businesses all through Colorado and in 22 other states for the previous 15 years. Healthy life expectancy has remained much decrease than life expectancy and knowledge for 2013 to 2015 from ONS point out that it is now 63.four years for males and sixty four.1 for females.


text:
Happy Monday! It feels like a big long holiday weekend doesn't it? I mean, this shouldn't be a normal Monday. It should just be part of the 4th of July holiday. So to celebrate let's shop all of the very best sales!! Here we go!
(I'm wearing this yellow shirt and Gray is wearing this sweater)
ANTHROPOLOGIE: Take an extra 25% off sale! I love this adorable tassel blanket, this linen wrap dress in every color, and this cotton maxi dress is dreamy.
J.CREW: 30% off your purchase! The new arrivals are all amazing per usual. Check out this maxi dress, this strapless seersucker dress, this swimsuit, and this flamingo tee!
MADEWELL: 20% off of summer favorites! I pretty much wasn't everything, but my top three favorites are this stripe shirt, this swingy tee shirt, and this eyelet top!
MODA OPERANDI: Take an extra 20% off the designer sale. This pom pom bag is adorable.
NEED SUPPLY: Tons of awesome markdowns up to 60% off. I'm obsessed with this red and white striped off the shoulder dress, this white ruffle dress, this yellow dress,
ONE KINGS LANE: Take 25% off site wide (exceptions apply)! The BEST time to buy up all the pretty things for your house! My favorites include this stripe jute rug, this tufted linen daybed, this porch swing bed, these blue and white pillows, these aqua fish plates, and this pair of peach table lamps.
SERENA & LILY: 20% off site wide! Hooray! I just got this tassel chair and it is the CUTEST!! And I love this fringe umbrella, this coffee table, and these glossy round trays.
SHOPBOP: So many things on sale, up to 70% off! I love this blue and white dress, this stripe swimsuit, this navy tote, this white midi dress, this floral shirtdress, these terrycloth sandals, and this off the shoulder chambray dress. And most of all – this gingham ruffle dress!
TUCKERNUCK: Take 25% off of summer must haves with the code USA25! I'm obsessed with this swingy top, this swingy shirtdress, and this pink dress!


text:
Today, it's all about Final Fantasy XIV!
Treasure Hunt: Everybody loves treasure hunting, or at least I feel like everyone should. Here you find a map that marks a spot somewhere in the massive region of Eorzea. If you find the X, you will be rewarded with treasure or even a mini-dungeon or two! So relive your childhood fantasy and go find that treasure!
Palace of the Dead: In the subterranean city of Gelmorra, a deep dungeon was discovered that was permeated by a strength draining fog and confounded would be adventurers with it's chaotic and transforming architecture that made it impossible to truly map. Still adventurers come for the call and try to tackle this 200 floor behemoth of a dungeon. Reduced back to level 1 in their proficiency, the heroes must tactfully re-level and solder on through this dungeon of mystery to reach the fabled bottom floor.


text:
. . . has kind of been languishing. I know it. I come here with good intentions to blog every day, or five days a week, or at least REGULARLY, to some sort of schedule so the good folks who haven't totally given up on me would at least know when to check in.
And, well, it's still a work in progress. Which is not to say that I don't still love it; I have no plans to give it up at all. It's kind of a sanctuary, it's a record of my life and what I see in the world that surrounds me. It's precious. Just not necessarily simple or easy.
I have a tendency to want to say yes to everything. This is not a character flaw. I honestly believe that it's one of my greatest strengths. But when it comes down to the wire, sometimes I just don't have time for everything. And things like the blog (which will always be here tomorrow) get pushed to the wayside.
I don't really have a solution, maybe this is an explanation more than anything. I just wanted to let you know, I'm still here, I'll still be here, and so will this blog.
So don't go anywhere. Stay a while.
We'll see what it becomes.
This blog . . .
Posted by Unknown |
Type below leave a comment using Facebook
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Probably the most overlooked regions of a home may be the attic. Frequently forgotten other than to store aged boxes as well as keepsakes, attic areas actually have lots of potential with regards to remodeling your house, creating much more living space, and also opening up the area you already have. This some loft remodeling suggestions, as well as good common challenges the majority of attic remodels face.
Whenever most people think about remodeling attic room space, they frequently think of lofts or some other simple refurbishments to the area. Don't be scared to think creatively, however. If you are still within the planning procedure, here's a listing of some well-known remodeling tasks involving basement spaces towards your gears switching:
Provided your own attic roof is high enough, your current attic may also be an excellent spot to add additional bedrooms. Visitor bedrooms along with bedrooms for the children and teenagers are particularly suitable to the smaller sized spaces which are common within attic remodels. Playrooms for children really are a perfect suit for experts remodeling. Loft playrooms give a nice location for children to receive away from grown ups and do their very own thing, not forgetting they are ideal for maintaining toys in addition to messes included and from sight.
You should remember that there are some difficulties when it comes to upgrading attic room or space. The first is threshold height. Think about 5 ft to be the total minimum elevation for a functional space, plus know that actually that is pressing it. You'll certainly be hitting the head on a regular basis should you abide by this particular rule. Increasing or changing your roof is definitely an option, although the high costs associated with such a task can be beyond reach in the end. The 2nd challenge you might run into is actually the floor of the attic support a useful living space. A possibility unlikely which you may have to strengthen or affect the floor to soundly accommodate lifestyle areas. Lastly, keep in mind the particular approach. You may need a stairway to achieve your new increase space, so it is important that you strategy space appropriately. Spiral staircases can save space, and if your own personal attic redesign doesn't consist of bedrooms, after that ladders will also be an option.
Whether or not you plan to perform your upgrade yourself or perhaps hire any contractor, you should try that you have the room evaluated in advance so you understand what you're engaging in. Attic flooring and roofing joists frequently play a big structural part in keeping your home with each other, and your home's living room infrastructure, such as wiring, domestic plumbing, and a/c ducting is often stored in your attic space as well. Employing an builder, contractor, or maybe engineer in the future in is to do a preliminary assessment of your loft space will help prepare you for the transforming project ahead, and let you understand whether a person attic is a great candidate regarding remodeling to begin with.


text:
Apply Today
The NYC Autism Charter School accepts resumes for classroom instructors and certified special education teachers on a rolling basis.
Intership Opportunities
Our next internship program will take place in the Spring of 2020. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Christina Secharan, Operations Manager: email@example.com
Submission deadline: December 1st, 2019
Compensation: Unpaid
The NYC Autism Charter Schools internship program offers training opportunities twice per year. Interns are chosen through a competitive application process that involves submission of a written application and resume as well as an in-person interview. Individuals who are accepted to the program receive training in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, the teaching strategies informed by these principles, and how those strategies are tailored to meet the educational needs of students with autism. Interns go through rigorous didactic and hands-on training, working directly with students to develop a solid foundation for teaching children on the autism spectrum.
Clinical Supervisor
If you are interested in applying for a Clinical Supervisor position, please send a resume and cover letter to: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Clinical Supervisor is responsible for providing support to the Head of School (with dotted line reporting to the Director of Transition and Community Outreach) regarding ongoing administration, assessment, and evaluation of educational programming across classrooms under his/her supervision.
The NYC Autism Charter School (NYCACS) is the first and only charter school in New York State exclusively dedicated to serving children with autism and their families. NYCACS offers year-round evidence based intensive instruction utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic team working to provide each student with an education that will help them reach their fullest potential. NYCACS prides itself on its positive, diverse, and collaborative culture.
Staff Development
The Clinical Supervisor will assist in overseeing staff development in his/her assigned classrooms and, in this capacity will:
- Participate in interviewing and selecting prospective teachers and instructors;
- Participate in assignment of classroom staff;
- Assist in developing and presenting staff training;
- Provide direct supervision and training of staff on an established schedule;
- Develop and deliver staff evaluations to relevant staff;
- Oversee weekly classroom meetings on an established schedule; and
- Accept staff call-outs, requests for personal time, and schedule coverage.
Student Programming
The Clinical Supervisor will oversee daily programming for students in his/her assigned classrooms and, in this capacity will:
- Respond to calls for assistance with student behavior problems;
- Conduct clinic meetings and assist Head Teacher in preparing agendas;
- Participate in the development of IEPs;
- Participate in planning meetings;
- Ensure compliance with scheduled progress report timelines;
- Oversee monthly program book evaluations;
- Oversee development of Behavior Intervention Plans;
- Ensure staff training and parent consent for all Behavior Intervention Plans
- Ensure completion of annual student assessment measures (e.g., VB-MAPP, AFLS);
- Prepare for and assist in presenting behavior intervention procedures and graphs to Human Rights Committee;
- Assist in assessing classroom needs and selecting appropriate instructional materials;
- Assist with preparing for and conducting meetings with parents as needed;
- Interface with others in the larger school and local community around inclusive programming and community based instruction when appropriate and assist in overseeing such programming;
- Coordinate cross classroom need (inclusion, coverage); and
- Review requests for non-programming focused community outings (e.g., field trips).
The Clinical Supervisor will manage a number of administrative tasks as they relate to students in his/her assigned classrooms and, in this capacity will:
- Manage parent clinic and other relevant observation logs;
- Track progress of IEP objectives and home consultation visits;
- Monitor and review home consultation notes according to a fixed schedule;
- Ensure clean and organized classroom environments;
- Ensure relevant recommendations from classroom meetings, clinic meetings, planning meetings, home consultations and Human Rights Committee meetings are implemented by staff in a timely manner;
- Oversee email/phone correspondence with co-workers, parents, outside school personnel;
- Participate in School Emergency Response Team meetings as scheduled;
- Participate in manager meetings, meetings with other clinical supervisors, and meetings with relevant head teachers as scheduled;
- Attend and participate in all staff meetings as well as all relevant in-service and training meetings;
- Participate in daily arrival/dismissal routines; and
- Review and approve classroom purchase orders.
Minimum Requisite Education, Knowledge, and Skills
- Holds a NY State teaching certificate in special education or highly qualified according to NY State guidelines;
- Holds a Masters degree in a relevant field such as education, psychology, or social work;
- Is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or has committed to complete all board certification requirements within two years of assuming the Clinical Supervisor role;
- Is a Licensed Behavior Analyst in New York State or has committed to completing all New York state licensing requirements within two years of assuming the Clinical Supervisor role;
- Has a minimum of three years experience working in a school setting for children with autism, the most recent year being in a supervisory capacity;
- Demonstrates extensive knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis;
- Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with students;
- Demonstrates knowledge about data-driven instruction and is able to modify instructional programs and methodologies based on analysis of student data;
- Demonstrates the ability to work cooperatively with administrators, teachers, instructors, parents and other stakeholders;
- Demonstrates the ability to plan, schedule, and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously;
- Demonstrates superior written and oral communication skills;
- Demonstrates the ability to conduct meetings efficiently and effectively;
- Demonstrates the ability to train and supervise teachers, instructors and, if necessary, contracted service providers;
- Demonstrates the ability to design and develop standards-aligned curricula and IEPs;
- Demonstrates knowledge of New York State learning standards and alternate performance indicators for special education;
- Demonstrates knowledge of relevant special education laws and regulations; and
- Demonstrates the ability to use relevant technologies.
Certified Special Education Teacher
Interested candidates for either of the NYC Autism Charter Schools should send a resume and cover letter to: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Certified Special Education Teacher is responsible for the planning, implementation, and continuing evaluation of individualized skill acquisition programs and behavior reduction programs for all NYC Autism Charter School students within his/her classroom.
- Ensuring that a variety of behavior analytic teaching methods are utilized with all students (e.g., incidental teaching, fluency training, discrete-trial teaching);
- Ensuring that student motivational and reinforcement systems are managed correctly by all staff;
- Attending all student clinic meetings and other relevant meetings with parents or outside professionals;
- Conducting preference assessments for students in an ongoing manner;
- Assisting with conducting Alternate Assessments;
- Attending all Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings for assigned students;
- Conducting home visits for assigned students;
- Collecting, summarizing, and evaluating data on skill acquisition programs and behavior intervention plans, including written reports and visual graphic displays of data;
- Assisting with development, implementation, and review of Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) for all assigned students;
- Ensuring that book reviews are completed as scheduled;
- Composing progress reports;
- Supervising and providing training for assigned instructors;
- Conducting weekly classroom meetings;
- Ensuring that IOA data are collected on a regular basis across students;
- Managing and organizing educational and teaching materials and environment.
Classroom Instructor
Interested candidates for either of the NYC Autism Charter Schools should send a resume and cover letter to: email@example.com
Instructors are responsible for assisting with daily classroom activities and implementation of student education and intervention programs. Intensive training and ongoing support is provided. Bachelor's degree preferred — minimally working toward a Bachelor's degree (preferably in the field of education or psychology).
- Collecting, summarizing, and evaluating data on student programs, including written reports and visual graphic displays of student data;
- Conducting preference assessments for students in an ongoing manner along with using and managing motivational systems;
- Assisting in development, implementation, and review of skill acquisition and behavior reduction program for all assigned students;
- Participating in student clinic meetings;
- Using a variety of behavior analytic teaching methods (e.g., incidental teaching, discrete-trial instruction, prompt and prompt fading methodology).
Social Media Intern
Position Summary
NYCACS is seeking a New York-based Social Media Intern to help expand our organization's presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media platforms that might expand and enhance our visibility. In helping us grow our social media presence, you will be supporting our goal of increasing autism awareness and acceptance through content efforts for NYCACS, while working with our Executive Director to look for opportunities on other platforms and innovative ways to reach new supporters. You will also help us find fresh ways to build public support for NYCACS and its mission.
- This is a 20 hour per week (flexible), unpaid summer/fall internship.
- You will be responsible for:
- Setting up a presence on various social media platforms,
- Writing content and capturing images for posts,
- Linking platforms when possible, and
- Organizing an access manual and schedule for future posts.
- The position reports to the Executive Director and will work closely with the Executive Administrative Assistant.
- Applicants may be able to receive college credit for this internship.
- Currently working/earning credits toward a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
- Experience in a social media or engagement role, with proficiency in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat
- Excellent writing skills with a knack for distilling stories into short, compelling copy for a digital audience.
- Hands-on experience with social media tools.
- Strong Photography/Videography skills preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, organize time, and identify resources for projects as needed.
- Must be available to travel to multiple locations (Bronx and Manhattan)


text:
Yua: Henri Matisse and the Inner Arctic Spirit explores the surprising and little-known story of how Inuit people and culture inspired one of the 20th century's most influential artists, Henri Matisse. Included in the exhibition are works by Matisse that have not been publicly shown in the United States, and reunited dozens of stunning Yup'ik (Alaskan Natives) mask sets that have been separated for more than a century.
Yua: Henri Matisse and the Inner Arctic Spirit features original artwork by Henri Matisse, Yup'ik masks, cultural objects, photographs, film, and ephemera, and explores the shared creative impulses that transcend time and culture by examining the unexpected connection between the Great Master and the people of the Arctic.
Matisse is celebrated for his sensuous approach to color and composition. Largely unknown to the general public, however, are his striking black-and-white portraits of Inuit people that were inspired, in part, by a group of Yup'ik (Alaskan Natives) masks collected by his son-in-law Georges Duthuit.
This exhibition was exclusively created for the Heard Museum./strong>
Special thanks to Riester Advertising for producing this video
Yua is a Yup'ik word that represents the spiritual interconnectedness of all living things and is essential to maintaining balance and order in the Arctic way of life. It relates to popular notions of reincarnation. The Yup'ik are Alaskan Natives, and their name translates to "the Real People."


text: Hi, I'm Celia and I'm the gal behind this small space that I think is my little piece of heaven on earth. When I'm not outdoors doing my favourite activity - hiking - I'm in my kitchen, cooking! Here are my easy, everyday, Asian recipes and quick, sweet bakes anyone can create.


text:
The home of Pretty Little Liars and the upcoming YA to TV adaption Shadowhunters is changing its name.
The channel has gone through a number of name changes since its formation in 1977 by Pat Robertson. It went from CBN Family Channel then The Family Channel, Fox Family and currently ABC Family.
The name change is linked to the change in targeted viewership announced by the channel back in April which will see it look to target 14-34 year olds which they call as Becomers – a life stage rather than a generation, including young people aged 14-34 who are in high school, college and the decade that follows and are navigating the time in life when you experience the most firsts – first car, first apartment, first job, first love, first heartbreak.
Freeform/ABC Family is still set to double its original programming. You can learn more about the change below.
SOURCE: Deadline.com


text:
Eagle Eye Shooting Complex is located in Summertown Tennessee. On June 7th when I wrote this it went out to a max of 500 yards, but they have plans to extend it to at least 800 and maybe 1000 by this fall, so check back.
They have well maintained target backing and nice steel targets go from 200-500 yards. The cost is only $10-$15 per day depending on days of the week when you visit. If you want to shoot on other ranges in the same day there is a small extra fee.
I got the tour and found it to be a very well laid out and functional range. It has a total of eighteen benches and a large raised platform for two to three prone shooters.
They also have five pistol bays, a 3D archery range, and shotgun range.
There is a golf cart available for changing / painting targets.
It also has a huge patio with good sturdy furniture and restaurant next to the pro shop. Friendly and knowledgeable staff makes this location an excellent little side trip when passing through. There is lodging not too far from the range, but I didn't check on pricing.
All and all a really nice place to shoot. Check them out at:
Or Call: 931-379-7977