text:
Posts Tagged Balochistan=Pakistan
Foreign Designs against Balochistan
Posted by admin in Pakistan-A Nation of Hope on February 21st, 2014
By Sajjad Shaukat
Located on the southwestern coast of Pakistan, Balochistan's Gwadar deep-seaport is close to the Strait of Hormuz from where more than 17 million barrels of oil passes every day. Its ideal location among three key regions, South Asia, the oil-rich Middle East, and oil and gas-resourced Central Asia has further increased its strategic significance. Its development with Chinese assistance and latter's bilateral agreements with Islamabad has shifted the great game of Central Asia to Pakistan.
Besides, Balochistan's abundant mineral resources like gas, coal and gold, entailing Pakistan's close ties with China pinches the eyes of the US, India, Israel and some western countries which intend to destabilize Pakistan for their collective aims. These hostile powers are trying to create fissures between Islamabad and Beijing so as to sabotage their strategic alliance.
In this regard, Balochistan's business and trade opportunities have also made it important for US, EU, Russia, China, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics to play the great game, while anti-Pakistan powers are secretly working to create conditions to control and influence the resource-rich zones, disregarding the compulsions of mainland integration.
While terror-acts and human rights violations are already keep on going in Balochistan, but without grasping reality, and using the existing political predicament in the province as a pretext to encourage separatism, external enemies raise voice on human rights violations over projection of mass graves which were found in Tootak area of Khuzdar on January 25, 2014. And Baloch Sub Nationalists (BSNs) have unleashed false allegations against Pakistan by purporting fabricated figures of bodies over 150 and declaring these bodies as missing Persons—articulated voices of external enemies to alleged enforced disappearances, holding Pakistan's security forces and law-enforcing agencies responsible for every wrong which takes place in Balochistan. It seems ridiculous when some of them allegedly say that security agencies are behind terrorist activities in Balochistan. Nevertheless, on 30 January 30, 2014, US Congressman Louie Gohmert delivered a highly venomous speech at US House of Representatives on Balochistan Situation, citing his meeting with BSN leadership, which was broadcasted live on Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network in US. Senator Gohmert also read out the article of Tarek Fateh (Canada based BSNs' sympathizer), published by Toronto "SUN" on January 28, criticizing US for ignoring the mass graves issue during US Senator John Kerry's meeting with Pakistan's National and Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz.
Notably, India, US and Israel have been internationalizing the Balochistan issue in accordance with their secret goals. In this respect, in connivance with the Baloch separatist leaders who have taken refuge in Switzerland, Sweden, US and London, these external elements use media, various NGOs and human rights organizations for false propaganda against Pakistan's security agencies in relation to extrajudicial killings, mutilated bodies and the missing persons.
As regards the deteriorating situation of Balochistan and the missing persons, everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliated outfits including another group, Jundollah (God's soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW—these militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. They also massacred many persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings and sectarian violence. Therefore, they are responsible for dumped bodies and extrajudicial killings in the province. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for their subversive acts. A majority of the disappeared individuals are also in the detention centers (Farrari Camps) which are being run by Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who want to continue old system of feudalism in the province.
Unfortunately, BLA and BSNs are also in collusion with some US Congressmen to get foreign support so as to animate the scheme of separatism in Balochistan. In this context, dissidents like Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Khan, Hyrbyair Marri, Mehrab Sarjov and others are busy in Europe and US to project Balochistan issue on international level. For the purpose, these leaders and especially, Baloch feudal lord, Khan of Kalat planned to take the issue of Balochistan to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and expected that India would pay $2.4 million lawyers' fee to contest their case in ICJ. As Indian support did not get materialized, these leaders contacted to US officials to forward their case.
In February 8, 2012, three Republican Congressmen including Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King tabled a bill before US Congress stating, "Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own. In Pakistani Balochistan the people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings." The bill favoured Baloch rights of self-determination, having a sovereign state—and must be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.
Earlier, the US subcommittee on 'Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' convened a hearing on extrajudicial killings and violation of human rights in Baluchistan. Rohrabacher chaired the meeting, while, a Retired Zionist Officer Lt. Col. (R) Ralph Peters testified. Lt. Col. (R) Peters is the architect of infamous 2006—New Middle East map and is an advocator for the disintegration of Muslim states on sectarian and religious lines. His map shows a number of Islamic countries including Pakistan as truncated. While writing in the June 2006 issue of The Armed Forces Journal of the US, he had suggested Washington about the creation of a "Greater Balochistan" which would integrate the Baloch areas of Pakistan with those of Iran—and the Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa) should be incorporated into Afghanistan."
Although the US Administration quickly distanced itself from Congressional hearing by Rohrabacher and Peters' testimony, yet US denial does not augur well with ground reality, as American think tanks, NGOs and websites go on instigating the separatist elements in Baluchistan. US State Department which funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Voice of Baluchistan (VOB) have been instrumental in fomenting dissension and nationalistic feelings in the province. It has been pressurizing Pakistan to allow opening of a US consulate in Quetta. The aim is to execute US covert designs against Islamabad.
It is mentionable that the Tea Party members in US Congress, especially Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King are reportedly working to create an independent Balochistan. Their leaders are angry with Pakistan on the self-created presumption of sheltering Osama-bin-Laden, and intend to teach a lesson to Islamabad by assisting the Baloch separatists. These Tea Party members who currently back the idea of a sovereign Balochistan were in the forefront of Afghan Jihad against the former Russia. They also held meetings with dissidents in London.
As a result of the general elections 2013, the government led by a nationalist leader Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch was established. And on December 7, 2013; local bodies elections were largely held in a peaceful manner in Balochistan. However, these elections proved that majority of the Baloch are loyal to the federation, as they have rejected the case of separatists, being projected by Dana Rohrabacher including other entities.
Now, the right hour has come that Pakistan's internal entities, particularly media must expose the foreign sinister aims against Balochistan. They must indicate that Baloch dissidents are being supported by external forces which are actually having devouring eyes on Balochistan's mineral deposits. US Congressmen must also not encourage separatist elements in the province to advance their own agenda to usurp resources of Balochistan. US government must not muddle in the internal affairs of Pakistan, otherwise it will lead to dangerous consequences.
Pakistani media, civil society, political parties and judiciary must realize that Balochistan is being plotted as part of the great game in which US and its allies plan to fulfil their strategic interests at the cost of Pakistan and China. Hence, all Pakistanis must get united to negate and defeat the greedy designs of US, EU and India.
Political instability in Balochistan must come to an end and present government in Balochistan must be supported by media, civil society and political parties.
Our media must denounce the intriguing designs of US members of the Tea Party, who are showing their hypocrisy and double face regarding Balochistan. Media should point out that these hostile members draw sanctified reference from British colonial era of the 18the century when a protest in Boston against absurd taxation on Tea (product) was held by a Tea Party as a measure of raising voice for human rights. The situation in Balochistan presents an internal issue of Pakistan which has mainly been addressed by the political leadership.
The issue of mass graves is under court investigations and official findings are being completed through DNA testing. Hostile propaganda by BSNs that actual number of bodies found was much higher than 13, as officially reported, must be countered. Foreign propaganda should not be allowed to encourage the separatists who are in minority.
Media must also indicate that besides protecting mega projects, and promoting other developments works, Pak Army set up a number of institutes in Balochistan, which have been providing especially technical training to thousands of Balochis. Pak Army has also been imparting military training to the Baloch youth. The purpose is to bring the Baloch people in the mainstream of the country.
Particularly, our missions abroad must counter foreign designs and denounce meetings between Baloch dissidents and US Congressmen by exposing the connivance of anti-Pakistan forces against Balochistan.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Affairs
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
Balochistan=Heart of Pakistan, Balochistan=Pakistan
DERA BUGTI: "Pakistan Army is playing a constructive role in the socio-economic development of Balochistan", Geo News
Posted by admin in Defense on September 8th, 2013
No military operation anywhere in Balochistan: Army Chief
September 06, 2013 – Updated 1130 PKT
From Web Edition
DERA BUGTI: Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Friday said, "Pakistan Army is playing a constructive role in the socio-economic development of Balochistan", Geo News reported.
Addressing the cadets in Sui Military College' the Army Chief said there is no military operation anywhere in the province. Not a single soldier is involved in maintaining law and order situation in the Balochistan province, he said.
He said over 20'000 Baloch students are enrolled in Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps run educational institutions including cadet schools' medical colleges' mining institutes and others.
He said Frontier Corps (FC) and police are dealing with all security related matters in consultation with Balochistan government.
Talking about mining institutes' the Army Chief wished for Baloch people to hold important positions in these institutions' instead of working as a laborer. He said during the past three years' Baloch representation in army has been raised from 1.7 percent to 3.5 percent. He said Pakistan Army has recruited over 12'000 soldiers from Balochistan.
General Kayani said 760 Baloch officers are actively playing their role in Pakistan Army. He said for a national army' all provinces must be given their due representation.
He urged unity among Baloch tribes for the sake of development in the province and said if tribes establish peace among themselves' resources of Balochistan can be utilized in best public interest.
General Kayani also assured Pakistan Army's full cooperation in the construction of Gwadar-Ratto Dero highway and Balochistan canal.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, in his speech appealed to the people of Balochistan to unite for the welfare and development of Pakistan. He said the people of Balochistan are attached to Pakistan and will play their role. He also called for promotion of education in the province.
Balochistan=Pakistan, Pakistan's heart Balochistan, patriotic Balochis
BLA Supported By US, India, and Israel
Posted by Rana Tanveer in SPYING ON PAKISTAN, THE BATTLE FOR PAKISTAN SERIES, THE NEOCON STRATEGY IN PROCESS, US Interference in Balochistan, Zionist Enemy on May 6th, 2013
The Destabilization of Pakistan: Finding Clarity in the Baluchistan Conundrum
By Talha Mujaddidi
Global Research, April 24, 2009
Axis of Logic 23 April 2009
Theme: US NATO War Agenda
As in all of his analyses of the battle for Pakistan, Talha Mujaddidi provides a rare look into the internal struggle of the Pakistan people and the interference in their domestic affairs by the United States, India and other foreign elements. For those who are unfamiliar with the terms, places and names in this report, Talha provides a glossary at the end of the article. It is especially important that we learn and understand what is happening in Pakistan as Washington is opening up a new front in this country in their "war on terror". – Les Blough, Axis of Logic Editor
(Source: PNAC)
Excerpt: "The problem for US is that BLA alone is not able to break away Baluchistan from Pakistan. Of the 5% population of Baluchistan they don't even have support of 10% Balochi population. The Pakistan Army and ISI are resisting the assault in national and strategic interests of Pakistan. The Great Game of Brzezinski will surely continue in Baluchistan and rest of Pakistan, the people of Pakistan are ready to counter this great game now we need leadership and some courage. It will take some time to achieve courage and leadership but it will come eventually. Street revolutions are easy to carry out the hard part is the mental revolution. That is what is required right now to challenge the US global hegemony."
Baluchistan is strategically located East of Iran and to the South of Afghanistan. It has a port at Gwadar that was built by China. Gwadar lies at the opening of Strait of Hormuz. Baluchistan has huge quantities of natural gas, and unexplored oil reserves. More importantly US wants to control the port of Gwadar, and eventually start their dream oil pipeline from Central Asia, through Afghanistan into Baluchistan and Gwadar. Baluchistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area and it covers almost 48% of Pakistan's area. But its population accounts for only 5% of the total population of Pakistan. Ethnically Baluchistan is divided into Balochs, and Pathans, followed by other small minorities. The state capital is Quetta, (recently termed as nerve center of Taliban by US Generals).
Like all histories in South Asia, or Middle East, the history of Baluchistan is long, complex, and would require a long article to cover all the details. So a brief synopsis is sufficient to get us rolling before we come to the point.
"Baluchistan has the worst human rights record out of all the provinces of Pakistan."Baluchistan like, Afghanistan and Tribal Areas of Pakistan is a tribal society. Many different Sardars (tribal chiefs), rule their respective tribes, often with serious disregard for human rights. Development wise, Baluchistan is the most backward province in Pakistan. There may be some weight in the argument that the federal government in Pakistan has neglected the development of Baluchistan, but equal responsibility lies with the Sardars of Baluchistan who enjoy immense power in their tribes. They are unwilling to come into the main stream society, have monopoly over the laws and regulations of the state, while they themselves sit in provincial and national parliaments, yet they don't work for the development of their own people.
Baluchistan has the worst human rights record out of all the provinces of Pakistan. Every time horrific human rights atrocities are committed in Baluchistan tribal chiefs defend the abuses by claiming them to be part of their tribal cultural norms. Since the independence of Pakistan, most of the tribes have accepted Pakistan as their homeland and have tried to come into the mainstream Pakistani society. But Bugti and Marri tribal leaders have always been a source of trouble for Pakistan. Currently Brahamdagh Bugti (grandson of former Bugti tribe leader and former chief minister of Baluchistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti5 is the leader of a runaway terrorist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)4 operating out of Kandhar, Afghanistan. Before Brahamdagh, Balach Marri, son of Nawab Khair Baksh Marri, was leader of BLA, and he was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
Covert Operations against Pakistan
A new dirty game of geo-politics has already started in Baluchistan, Pakistan. To understand the recent wave of violence in Baluchistan we must understand the vested interests in Baluchistan. The root cause of violence in Baluchistan is not internal poverty or lack of development but the covert operations of foreign intelligence agencies. Internal issues might act as catalysts to inflame the situation but the root cause is foreign interference in internal affairs of Baluchistan. The main group responsible for violence in Baluchistan is the BLA4. Chief of the BLA Brahamdagh Bugti, in his recent interview with Pakistani news channel AAJ TVm declared that he will attack and kill non Baloch population of Baluchistan. In other words he threatened killing of innocent Pakistani civilians on ethnic lines. This is just taking words out of Col Ralph Peter's plan for balkanization of Pakistan, along the lines of Yugoslavia (June 2006 issue of The Armed Forces Journal). Bugti also asked for support of India and other powers to help him break away Pakistan's Baluchistan. (For related news read two of my older articles on Axis of Logic, Playing with Fire in Pakistan, – and Now or Never. Pakistan must change its policy in war on terror).
According to Global Research scholar, Michel Chossudovsky:
"In the current geopolitical context, the separatist movement is in the process of being hijacked by foreign powers. British intelligence is allegedly providing covert support to Baluchistan separatists (which from the outset have been repressed by Pakistan's military). In June 2006, Pakistan's Senate Committee on Defense accused British intelligence of "abetting the insurgency in the province bordering Iran" [Baluchistan]..(Press Trust of India, 9 August 2006). Ten British MPs were involved in a closed door session of the Senate Committee on Defense regarding the alleged support of Britain's Secret Service to Baloch separatists (Ibid). Also of relevance are reports of CIA and Mossad support to Baloch rebels in Iran and Southern Afghanistan."
In a 2006 research article on Baluchistan which was published in Pak Tribune in 2006, Farzana Shah, a current affairs analyst for BrassTacks, a think tank based in Islamabad, highlighted the role which is being played by a British think tank against Baluchistan. Shah writes,
"In this regard the Foreign Policy Centre (FPC) United Kingdom arranged a seminar on Baluchistan province of Pakistan in collaboration with the so-called Baluchistan Rights Movement on 27th June 2006 in the House of Commons, London. It was highly disappointing as it was abashedly a one-sided cheap propaganda rather than discussing the real situation. By a mere look at the panel of the participants of the seminar one could easily figure out that it consisted of only anti-Pakistan elements and some self-styled activists advocating terrorism in the province. There were no representatives from government of Pakistan or even from the elected provincial government of Baluchistan in the seminar. It is just unfortunate that the Foreign Policy Centre which is expected to present fair suggestions to the British government to engage a country of their concern for important issues, indulged in such a blatant one-sided propaganda against Pakistan through the said seminar."
Shah also points out in the article how a Government of Baluchistan is setup in exile in Jerusalem, Israel. She gives the details in her article.
Two Indian assets: Brahamdagh Bugti & Balach Marri (R). Marri died in an ambush in 2007 while crossing from Afghanistan to Pakistan after meeting his sponsors there.
The question is, what is the role of US, Afghanistan, India, and Iran in Baluchistan quagmire and what is at stake for these countries?
"Afghanistan's soil has been used again and again to cause trouble inside Pakistan."Afghanistan was the only country that did not welcome Pakistan in 1947 at the time of our independence. The only time when there was no trouble inside Pakistan from Afghanistan was during the time of Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Taliban being Pukhtoon cleaned Afghanistan of Indian and Iranian assets (both India and Iran supports Northern Alliance, which is in government right now in Afghanistan). Afghanistan's soil has been used again and again to cause trouble inside Pakistan. Currently BLA is operating from Kandahar, Afghanistan. BLA enjoys support from Indian RAW in terms of finances, logistics, and weapons. Recent report of Foreign Affairs, by Christine Fair of RAND Corporation gives us the inside.
"Having visited the Indian mission in Zahedan, Iran, I can assure you they are not issuing visas as the main activity! Moreover, India has run operations from its mission in Mazar, Afghanistan (through which it supported the Northern Alliance) and is likely doing so from the other consulates it has reopened in Jalalabad and Qandahar along the border. Indian officials have told me privately that they are pumping money into Baluchistan. Kabul has encouraged India to engage in provocative activities such as using the Border Roads Organization to build sensitive parts of the Ring Road and use the Indo-Tibetan police force for security. It is also building schools on a sensitive part of the border in Kunar–across from Bajaur (Pakistan's Tribal Area where Pakistan Army had to carry out a major operation to eliminate TTP6 militants).
"Kabul's motivations for encouraging these activities are as obvious as India's interest in engaging in them. Even if by some act of miraculous diplomacy the territorial issues were to be resolved, Pakistan would remain an insecure state. Given the realities of the subcontinent (e.g., India's rise and its more effective foreign relations with all of Pakistan's near and far neighbors), these fears are bound to grow, not lessen. This suggests that without some means of compelling Pakistan to abandon its reliance upon militancy, it will become ever more interested in using it — and the militants will likely continue to proliferate beyond Pakistan's control."
Iran historically has enjoyed good relations with its neighbors including Pakistan during the time of Shah of Iran, but since then their relationship with Pakistan and Arab world has deteriorated. Strategically, Iran would like to maintain balance of power tipped in its favor in the region, this means the Pakistan's strategic interests should be undermined, as they are at the moment. Taliban, Iran's nemesis in Afghanistan is no longer in power, India, Iran's ally and Pakistan's arch enemy is enjoying a strong foothold in Afghanistan at the moment. Iran is also afraid of Jandullah's covert operations against Iran, from Baluchistan. According to an April 2007 report by Brian Rossand and Christopher Isham of ABC News, the United States governmenthad been secretly encouraging and advising the Jandullah in its attacks.
Jandullah is a terrorist group that was created by CIA, and is responsible for terrorist activities inside Iran. Iran has spent a lot of money developing its Chabahar port, which is just 100 miles from Gwadar port of Pakistan. Gwadar port was built by China. Iran does not want Gwadar to become prominent and Chabahar to be sidelined, especially since Iran is isolated in the world at the moment. Iran has huge reserves of gas and it would like India to gain access to these reserves since India is its ally and Iran-India friendship will grow if India can gain access to Iranian gas reserves. Iran would also like trade with India to increase in future.
TAPI: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India
IPI: Iran, Pakistan, India
"India also believes that an independent Baluchistan will likely become a proxy of Iran, India and Afghanistan."
India is Pakistan arch enemy, first of all India has never accepted Pakistan as an independent sovereign nation. India was directly responsible for breakup of East Pakistan and formation of Bangladesh. India and Pakistan have fought three wars with each other. India is at the moment chief regional ally of US, and NATO. India believes that Pakistan is at the brink of break up and India must focus on building its relationship with Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan, and capture oil and gas reserves from Central Asia and Iran, through Afghanistan and Pakistan. India also believes that an independent Baluchistan will likely become a proxy of Iran, India and Afghanistan. Capt (r) Bharat Verma of Indian Defense Review, writes,
"That New Delhi is its own enemy became obvious, when it permitted the creation of a pure Islamic State on its borders. This nation-state contradicts every democratic and multi-cultural value dear to India. Therefore, if New Delhi has not slept a wink since the creation of Pakistan, it has no one except itself to blame! Many conveniently propose the myth that a stable Pakistan is in India's interest. This is a false proposition. The truth is that Pakistan is bad news for the Indian Union since 1947-stable or otherwise. With Pakistan on the brink of collapse due to massive internal as well as international contradictions, it is matter of time before it ceases to exist. Multiple benefits will accrue to the Union of India on such demise."
Verma Continues …
"If ever the national interests are defined with clarity and prioritized, the foremost threat to the Union (and for centuries before) materialized on the western periphery, continuously. To defend this key threat to the Union, New Delhi should extend its influence through export of both, soft and hard power towards Central Asia from where invasions have been mounted over centuries. Cessation of Pakistan as a state facilitates furtherance of this pivotal national objective.
"The self-destructive path that Islamabad chose will either splinter the state into many parts or it will wither away-a case of natural progression to its logical conclusion. In either case Baluchistan will achieve independence. For New Delhi this opens a window of opportunity to ensure that the Gwadar port does not fall into the hands of the Chinese. In this, there is synergy between the political objectives of the Americans and the Indians. Our existing goodwill in Baluchistan requires intelligent leveraging."
India does not have natural gas reserves, and it desperately needs gas from Iran. But US is against Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline. If IPI project comes through than the stability and security of Iran, Pakistan and India will be in the interest of these respective countries. US would not like this, since it takes away an important leverage from a superpower, that of playing one nation against another. US have proposed the idea of Independent Baluchistan, which India does not mind at all. India has gained strong foot hold inside Afghanistan. A road link connects Iranian port of Chabahar to Afghanistan. India has built a ring-road inside Afghanistan linking Iran to Afghanistan. With back channel diplomacy going on between Iran and US, India and Iran both would like NATO and US supplies to go through Chabahar, Iran rather than Karachi, Pakistan. India strongly believes that Independent Baluchistan is inevitable and is casting all its bets on this deal.
Road link from Iran into Afghanistan
(see checkered line, lower left arrow)
Washington's interest in Baluchistan
"It is imperative the Baluchistan, an energy rich province must not come under control of China."According to a study titled "Baloch Nationalism and the energy politics of energy resources: the changing context of separatism in Pakistan", by Robert G.Wirsing, of Strategic Studies Institute, a think tank of U.S army, it is imperative the Baluchistan, an energy rich province must not come under control of China. China built Gwadar port, and would like to expand more trade and energy routes through Pakistan via Baluchistan.
To begin with China is interested in a gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan's into Western China. This is something that is not acceptable to US. China could station some of its naval ships at Gwadar in future should the need arise to provide security to its cargo; this is again something that is not acceptable to US. On the list of US agenda is to secure the Indian Ocean and its strategic routes, and Gwadar right at the mouth of Strait of Hormuz is one of those routes. As mentioned before US is using Baluchistan as a base to carry out covert operations against Iran using Jandullah. After 9/11 US is also using an airfield of Pakistan Air force in Baluchistan for its operations in war on terror.
The U.S. is looking into taking direct control of Gwadar, possibly by capturing Gwadar port, so that they can make a land route through Baluchistan into Southern Afghanistan, this will give them an alternate supply route for their troops. Baluchistan must be under US control so that gas pipelines from Central Asia can pump gas through Afghanistan into coast of Baluchistan. The US believes that Balkanization of Pakistan and setup of independent Baluchistan will dismantle the hope of resurgent Pakistan in the near future, paving the way for a dominant Iran taking control of Middle East while India will be able to take control of South Asia including Afghanistan. Brzezinski believes that Iran not Arab world is the natural ally of US in the Middle East. The current US government is using the foreign policy ideals of Brzezinski, which calls for using Islamic militant and Iran against China and Russia.
"The solution of Baluchistan lies with a strong government in Islamabad that is a nationalist government and not a puppet of IMF/WB/CIA."
Current Pakistani government is not able to safeguard Pakistan's national interests. When Zardari3became president he authorized release of many BLA terrorist who were held up by security forces in detention. BLA has gotten ample time to regroup and re-arm during the last few months. It is very interesting that the current Chief Minister of Baluchistan, Nawab Aslam Raisani before becoming CM, said in an interview, "We will not go for any type of compromise," says Nawab Raisani. "We want total autonomy."
According to author of bestselling book, 'The Way of the World', Ron Suskind, Raisani is on the payroll of top western intelligence agencies. Given the level of US penetration in Pakistan's domestic politics it is no surprise.
The solution of Baluchistan lies with a strong government in Islamabad that is a nationalist government and not a puppet of IMF/WB/CIA. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that BLA does not represent the aggrieved Baloch people. BLA is a terrorist outfit and it must be dealt with accordingly. We need to get rid of this government that is working nothing like a democracy. Key decisions are taken by either Zardari or his important Washington approved advisors. We need a new setup of nationalist that are willing to stand up to US and make independent policy decision in the best interest of Pakistan. To counter the growing influence of India, Iran and US in Baluchistan it is a must that old contracts with China be renewed and new development projects must be initiated with Chinese help. The local population of Baluchistan must be given more shares in jobs and resources. This is only achievable if we have patriots in the provincial government of Baluchistan, not scoundrels who are abusing patriotism for their personal greed.
The problem for US is that BLA alone is not able to break away Baluchistan from Pakistan. Of the 5% population of Baluchistan they don't even have support of 10% Balochi population. The Pakistan Army and ISI are resisting the assault in national and strategic interests of Pakistan. The Great Game of Brzezinski will surely continue in Baluchistan and rest of Pakistan, the people of Pakistan are ready to counter this great game now we need leadership and some courage. It will take some time to achieve courage and leadership but it will come eventually. Street revolutions are easy to carry out the hard part is the mental revolution. That is what is required right now to challenge the US global hegemony.
Glossary of Terms and people mentioned
1. Pervaiz Musharraf is former dictator-turned- president of Pakistan. He was forced out of office due to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and his loss of support by his former sponsor, the U.S. government.
2. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is the ruling political party under President Zardari.
3. Asif Ali Zardari is the current president of Pakistan. He is the former husband of Benazir Bhutto and came into power on her coat tails after she was assassinated. He is also the son of veteran politician Mr. Hakim Ali Zardari. Mr. Zardari is commonly known in Pakistan as "Mr. Ten Percent" due to his well-known cuts on various government deals.
4. BLA is Baloch Liberation Army, officially declared a terrorist outfit by Pakistan, US and UK. Is responsible for various terrorist activities in Pakistan that includes killing civilians, security forces, and blowing up natural gas pipelines.
5. Nawab Akbar Bugti was former head of the Bugti tribe of balochistan, also 13th governor of Baluchistan and the 5th Chief Minister of the province. He and his family favored creation of Pakistan. Bugti was killed on Aug 26th 2006 in a military operation when he was surrounded in a remote hill in Baluchistan.
6. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the main anti-government party in Pakistan at the moment. Because the TTP bears the name "Taliban" the western media often confuses them with the Taliban in Afghanistan. This is a grave mistake. The Afgan Taliban rejects the TTP. The TTP views the ANP to be pro-US and part of the pro-US Pakistan government. The TTP is a group based on Takfiri ideology (a Muslim who believes that all other Muslims, even orthodox Muslims are not true Muslims. They view all others as collaborators with the West. All Muslim scholars are unanimous in declaring Takfiris 'heretics of Islam
Maps taken from Strategic Studies Institute Report on Baluchistan.
Talha Mujaddidi is a writer/analyst, living in Pakistan and a columnist for Axis of Logic.
Talha Ahad
Russian TV Says BLA Is USA Dirty Dog very very important report
These are not freedom fighters, these are ugly dogs of U.S.A – Israel & India
Like · · Share · April 10
138 people like this.
Akhundzada Arif Hasan Khan This is correct — and I'm not saying this from a pro-Paki viewpoint either. The anti-Paki Baloch "nationalists" are wholly supported by Western imperialism…which has vital strategic and military interests in the Baloch region. Being anti-Pakistan do…See More
April 12 at 12:12pm · Like · 4
Gul Panra To divide and rule! That is a typical way of the overpower over the World by USA. Now they just to enplane how they will slice Pakistan like a an apple pie for suck of their interest!
April 12 at 2:23pm · Like · 1
Sadaqat Khan yes Sir same is SLA sudan liberation army in sudan which is full of natural resources and the amazing point about SLA iz that the flag of SLA and BLA iz the same smart work of USA and another weapon which they are using iz VOA voice of america
Tariq J Qureshi Sadaqat! You got it all.
April 13 at 6:47pm · Like
Hafiz Muhammad Athar Pakistanio! Ankhen kholo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sana Bhatti US an dpther Mahor powers fighting proxy WAR in Blochistan.
April 13 at 11:27pm · Like
Arif Friaz pakistan needs sharia law for peace justice security and unity.or it will break again like it did in 1971 (bangladesh)
April 14 at 6:19am · Like
Khalid Bashir A true analysis of the situation. We Pakistanis need to wake up to face our enemies.
Akhtar Kamal this country is gift of Allah, BLA, India, US or any other can not do anything , look after loss of 7 trillion and shameful defeat in the afghanistan US is going, actually attock on afghanistan was only junction actully it was attack on pakistan, howev…See More
Shakeel Ahmed Khan Shame on our US pro polititions and yellow media, We salute to our Army men for their brave efforts in balochistan.
April 16 at 1:37am · Like · 1
Muhammad Hussain US is the most corrupt country as it is interrupting in other countries.now how can v save our country?
April 16 at 2:16am via mobile · Like · 1
Khawar Rafique Khawar its true
Rahid Iqbal A true analysis of the situation.
Ali Sarparrah Pakistan is dirty dog of USA.
Idrees Afridi very true
Sohail Khan Any way the Balouchistan is our key asset and we will not loose at any cost till the last drop of our blood WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY – WE LOVE OUR ARMY and In Sha Allah one day we will proof our self as united nation.
April 21 at 10:18am · Like · 1
Snaps Har Shaikh Fawad.. check this out..
Niamat Ullah Babar Niamat really it is happening
April 23 at 11:04am · Like
Khalid Mahmood It is true and most of the pakistani know as well , But our government silence is very criminal.We also know BLA are being trained in the neighbouring country. There is need to "nip the evil in the Bud"
Dr.Ashraf Abbasi Why Pakistani media, politicians and rulers kept a lid on these development. Its happening inside Pakistan's Baluchistan and Pakistani nation is not aware of. What a tragedy, How Sad ?
Raja Hasrat Khan Pakistani Media is financed by US funders to bog down the country in quagmire
Imtiaz Bhatti So it means General Musharaf was an American Agent, as he who had ignited this all first by air raids on them, then killing bugti (The most respect political figure of Balochistan) and then kidnapping and murdering thousands of Balochies………lets a…See More
Imtiaz Bhatti I could not understand one phenomena in whole of my life. If East Pakistan is separated from West Pakistan then it became Bangladesh, If balochistan wants freedom they will become Democratic Balochistan, if Sindh wants to separtae they become Sidhodesh…See More
Syed Atif Ali Shah not all of the story is true though
May 1 at 10:57pm · Like
Dowlat Ali y doesn't usa just don't live pak alone
Thursday at 7:46am · Like
Dowlat Ali there is no al Qaeda, al Qaeda was from CIA who now train the Taliban to ruin Afghanistan and Pakistan, every one know 9/11 were inside job.
Thursday at 7:48am · Like · 1
Dowlat Ali al Qaeda people are American jewish or from isreal
Rafae Asif Man proposes God disposes. I have been continuously writing about the dangerous designs of our enemies clubbed together in Kabul. Neither the Musharraf regime nor the PPP led regime paid any heed and remained subservient to the commands of Pakistan ene…See More
Friday at 2:09am · Like
Rafae Asif The name appearing before the above comments is of my son. I am Asif Haroon Raja and my articles can be clicked
Towards Divine Light its the new great game
Yesterday at 12:25am ·
Asif Zardari=Baloch, Bahadur Baloch, Balochi, Balochistan=Pakistan, Quaid's Blessing on Balochistan, Sons & Daughters of Pakistan


Veterinary Degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon. Master in Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare at the Faculty of Veterinary from the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. PhD in Veterinary Science at the Institute of Biomedical Science Abel Salazar in O'Porto. Diplomate by the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, in both subspecialities (AWSEL and BM). Director of the Center for Animal Knowledge (Centro para o Conhecimento Animal). Professor of Animal Behaviour&Training and Animal Welfare in Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas from Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre. Lecturer in different Faculties on Behavioural Medicine, Animal Welfare and Ethics. Trainer and speaker in Seminars, Conferences and Congresses national and internationally. Author, Co-author and Coordinator of several studies in animal behaviour and welfare. Receive referral cases in Behavioural Medicine since 2003. Founder and Past President of the Portuguese Association of Behavioural Therapy and Animal Welfare (PsiAnimal). President of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM) and Vice-President of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE).


text:
Alexander the Great: The Hunt for a New Past
By Paul Cartledge
Read by John Lee
Paul Cartledge Blackstone Publishing
• 9.51 Hours • 09/28/2009 • 07/01/2014 • 07/01/2012 • 08/01/2009 • 1
4 Formats: Digital Download
4 Formats: Digital Rental
4 Formats: CD
In Stock ● Ships in 1-2 days
Paul Cartledge, one of the world's foremost scholars of ancient Greece, illuminates the brief but iconic life of Alexander (356–323 BC), king of Macedon, conqueror of the Persian Empire, and founder of a new world order. Alexander's legacy has had a major impact on military tacticians, scholars, statesmen, adventurers, authors, and filmmakers. Cartledge brilliantly evokes Alexander's remarkable political and military accomplishments, cutting through the myths to show why he was such a great leader. He explores our endless fascination with Alexander and gives us insight into his charismatic leadership, his capacity for brutality, and his sophisticated grasp of international politics. Alexander the Great is an engaging portrait of a fascinating man and a welcome balance to the myths, legends, and skewed history that have obscured the real Alexander.
Paul Cartledge, one of the world's foremost scholars of ancient Greece, illuminates the brief but iconic life of Alexander (356–323 BC), king of Macedon, conqueror of the Persian Empire, and founder of a new world order. Alexander's legacy has had a major impact on military tacticians, scholars, statesmen, adventurers, authors, and filmmakers.
Cartledge brilliantly evokes Alexander's remarkable political and military accomplishments, cutting through the myths to show why he was such a great leader. He explores our endless fascination with Alexander and gives us insight into his charismatic leadership, his capacity for brutality, and his sophisticated grasp of international politics.
Alexander the Great is an engaging portrait of a fascinating man and a welcome balance to the myths, legends, and skewed history that have obscured the real Alexander.
"May be the most accessible introduction in print…An amazingly solid, balanced, and evocative view of the man." —Washington Post Book World
"Incisive and judicious…What Cartledge does so well is explain the ancient world of Greeks and Persians." —Sunday Seattle Times
"Readable and engrossing…Immediate, discursive, insightful, and highly engaging." —Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"With his usual riveting storytelling, Cartledge…narrates Alexander's life and rise to power…Cartledge's knack for bringing history to life makes for an absorbing new biography of the legendary Greek leader." —Publishers Weekly
"Reading with British ease and assurance, narrator John Lee examines how Alexander used a love of hunting and horses to develop cavalry, siege, and battle strategies that forever changed the course of warfare and civilization. A fascinating final chapter lists the endeavors of subsequent conquerors and kings who emulated Alexander. For this chapter Lee's tone—which projects a kind of verbal wink—acknowledges that Alexander's accomplishments were a near-impossible act to follow." —AudioFile
"Alexander's legend endures, and with very good reason…A literate rendering of Alexander's life, drawing on the most reliable ancient and modern sources." —Kirkus Reviews
by Downpour.com 9/13/2017
Your note about the issue with Chapter 11 has been reported. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Thanks! We very much appreciate your thoughtful reviews and feedback. :)
by Bertie Wooster 9/13/2017
Once again, your responsiveness--along with great prices. consistent sound quality and a constantly-changing array of deals--makes Downpour my favorite audiobook source. Thanks again. JJ
A Good Book but an Unsuccessful Hunt
Overall I liked this book very much, but the overall thumbs-up comes with some grave reservations.
Paul Cartledge's overlapping analyses of Alexander in relation to the Macedonians, Greeks, Persians, legend and history is an immensely helpful approach, especially in audiobook form. Having the story repeated from different perspectives helped get the shape of Alexander's life set in my mind.
On the other hand, fashionable academic terms like, "coded" and "privileged" in the preface gave me pause. Of course, these terms are just as "coded" as the cultural practices they are used to "deconstruct". Cartledge's take on Hamlet's speculation that Alexander's dust might now "stop a beer barrel" also smells of the faculty lounge. These lines are "a chauvinistic illustration of the fact that Alexander has featured in the national literature of some eighty countries". Wow. And I thought they were just an apt musing on the inevitable physical end of even the greatest.
But then the story began and things got better. John Lee's reading is superb, his only fault an inability to separate quotations from the author's own words. But he delivers Cartledge's sometimes challenging and always information-packed sentences with the proper cadence and emphasis.
Oddly, for a book dealing largely with military conquest, the maps in the print version were almost unnecessary. After absorbing the shape of Macedonia and the extent of Alexander's conquests I rarely referred to them, even during Cartledge's discussion of battles. As he says, we don't know exactly how things unfolded at the Granicus or Gaugamela. In such circumstances, his well-wrought words were enough.
And they really are well wrought. Cartledge is a fine writer, a perceptive historian with occasional flashes of humor. It all makes for a pleasurable learning experience. And we learn a lot.
For example, just as the Roman Peace helped spread Christianity, Alexander's conquests—especially his spread of Common Greek—was just as pivotal. Alexander's "divinity" is put into context with the divinization of other classical figures. Paradoxically, the man who hired or inspired historians in his own lifetime to write of his exploits has come down to us an enigma. Cartledge's is critical only when it is obvious Alexander acted from thoroughly bad motives—his bloody progress through India, for example. While not retailing the myth of Alexander as a world-unifying humanitarian, neither does he condemn him as a mere conqueror. A rational stance, given Alexander's early death and our lack of any reliable indication of his future plans.
But a stance that makes his appeal in the last chapter "for all of us—of whatever religious persuasion, or none—to recover an Alexander who can symbolize peaceful, multi-ethnic coexistence" sound more than a little silly, implying as it does that this petulant, self-indulgent glory hound can replace Jesus Christ. Similarly, Cartledge loses his accustomed balance when approaching contemporary events, referring to "the so-called Iraq War" (?) and implying that the Western view of Islam as "the other" (more trendy academic-speak) is somehow completely our fault.
But then, most classicists I've read see Christianity as a regrettable incident in the rational, sunlit Greco-Roman world. Whether or not Cartledge shares this view, he shows a remarkable ignorance of Christianity when describing a mosaic of the Tree of Life in Otranto Cathedral:
"…'life' being interpreted very liberally indeed, from the Christian point of view. For though it begins predictably enough with Adam and Eve from Genesis, it branches out fantastically thereafter to include not only the Jewish King Solomon but even the entirely non-Biblical and indeed pagan hero, Alexander the Great."
Is Cartledge really that ignorant of Christianity's consistently acknowledged debt to Judaism? As open-minded as is his appraisal of Alexander, Cartledge's idea of the "Christian point of view" seems fantastically cramped. His admonition that "facts never come to us 'straight' but are wrapped up or molded in accordance with each individual writer's preconceptions and aims" apply, of course, to his writing, too.
This great truth about truth appears in the Appendix. We're told we've only understood it fully in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, an observation that made me understand two facts in a flash: 1) my author denies the possibility of arriving at any coherent truth and 2) therefore the "hunt" in the subtitle, which I expected to lead somewhere, must lead nowhere.
But even though it does, I have to say I enjoyed this book very much, with all my reservations and caveats.
Final note: the last 13 words of chapter 11 are missing. They merely segue into the next chapter, but it was a disconcerting.
Author Bio: Paul Cartledge
Paul Cartledge has taught Greek history at Cambridge University since 1979 and is also a Fellow at Clare College. Widely acknowledged to be the world's leading expert on the subject of Sparta and ancient Greece, he is the first A. G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture (2008) which focuses on the study of more than 1,000 years of Greek cultural achievements and highlights the lasting influence they continue to have on society today. In addition to having written and edited scores of articles and books, including The Spartans: An Epic History; and Thermopylae: The Battle that Changed the World, he is also academic consultant to the BBC and PBS for the series The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization.
Format: Digital Download Format: Digital Rental Format: CD Format: MP3 CD
Available Formats : Digital Download, Digital Rental, CD, MP3 CD
Category: Nonfiction/Biography & Autobiography
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Tracks: 14 Tracks: 14 CDs: 8 CDs: 1
ISBN: 9781455195084 ISBN: 9781482125177 ISBN: 9781433295751 ISBN: 9781433295768

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Peru: Scuffles erupt as protesters rally against dissolution of Congress
Peru, Lima
October 7, 2019 at 22:37 GMT +00:00 · Published
Scuffles broke out in Lima on Monday when police tried to prevent protesters opposing the dissolution of Peru's Congress from blocking the street.
Footage shows the protesters chanting slogans and carrying banners reading 'dictator' and depicting Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra, and other signs comparing the dissolution to a coup.
The protest was reportedly initiated on social media by a group called 'Citizens against the coup'.
The dissolution announcement came after lawmakers voted to replace almost all Constitutional Court judges despite the objections of President Vizcarra, who presented a vote of confidence to the Parliament in an attempt to prevent the replacements. Vizcarra dissolved the Parliament after it appointed a new justice.
Opposition politicians who held the majority in Congress said the dissolution amounted to a coup.
Germany: US imposes sanctions on Russian pipe-laying ship involved in Nord Stream 2Germany: US imposes sanctions on Russian pipe-laying ship involved in Nord Stream 2


text:
Q: Rcpp can't find nloptrAPI.h header I'm trying to find an Rcpp replacement for the base optimize function. This link
https://github.com/eddelbuettel/rcppnloptexample/blob/master/src/nlopt.cpp
is a potential solution but I can't get past the sourceCpp error
Error in Rcpp::sourceCpp("R/nlopt.cpp") :
  Error 1 occurred building shared library.
> library('nloptr')
> Rcpp::sourceCpp("R/nlopt.cpp")
nlopt.cpp:4:10: fatal error: 'nloptrAPI.h' file not found

The header file is in fact on my computer at /Library/Frameworks/R.framework/Versions/4.1/Resources/library/nloptr/include
I can include the whole path to the header and it seems to work fine but that seems a bit kludgy.
What do I need to do to tell R or Rcpp where to look?

A: This link as some useful discussion about the issue of finding headers.
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13995266/using-3rd-party-header-files-with-rcpp has useful information.
To find out where your 'missing' header is located, the /Library/Frameworks ... link above is useful, replacing nloptr with the name of the package that has the header you are looking for.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Quadbridge is well positioned to serve all your IT procurement and provisioning needs.
We leverage our direct relationships with Manufacturing Partners to custom-tailor a cloud solution for your unique infrastructure.
Our mission is to enable our clients to focus on their core business by leveraging our team of "QCare" professionals.
As IT demands grow in just about every organization, the future of IT solutions will require the perfect mix of equipment, managed and cloud services. We've built our business on being able to deliver adaptive and responsive solutions that fit within your budget.
1 Dedicated account manager to serve your needs globally.
Offices and integration centers in Montreal, Phoenix and Dublin.
Take a look at our past conferences!
Quadbridge's support staff are extremely knowledgeable and quick to respond with a positive professional attitude. Brooke, our account manager, is always on top of anything I bring to the table and amazes me and my team with the level of support always making us feel we are number one on her list. I would not hesitate recommending Quadbridge to any company looking for reliable, knowledgeable service and support.
Our experience with Quadbridge so far has been excellent. Sales is proactive regarding our needs and aggressive in terms of pricing.Credit terms and financing has also gone smoothly and we got more than we asked for.Looking forward to a second year of easy business with QB!
Thanks to their flexibility, Quadbridge was able to assist Ampla instantaneously and helped make the conversion seamless. Ampla Health was very happy with their expertise and customer support and would not hesitate to use their services in the future.
I have been shifting more and more of my business to Quadbridge. They consistently offer competitive pricing coupled with stellar customer service which are two invaluable assets for my organization.
Quadbridge, it's where the IT Pros go.
I trust my rep at Quadbridge to make sure I get the best prices on the equipment my business needs to stay ahead.
Quadbridge provides an exceptional turn-around time when placing orders. In addition the company provides rapid shipping of products, with cost-efficient pricing. As a client, I can honestly state that 'you can't go wrong with Quadbridge.


text:
import pytest

from insights import SkipComponent
from insights.components.cryptsetup import HasCryptsetupWithTokens, HasCryptsetupWithoutTokens
from insights.parsers.installed_rpms import InstalledRpms
from insights.tests import context_wrap

RPMS_TOKENS_SUPPORT = "cryptsetup-2.4.3-2.fc36.x86_64"
RPMS_NO_TOKENS_SUPPORT = "cryptsetup-2.0.3-6.el7.x86_64"
RPMS_CRYPTSETUP_NOT_INSTALLED = "cryptsetup-libs-2.0.3-6.el7.x86_64"

def test_has_cryptsetup_with_tokens():
    rpms = InstalledRpms(context_wrap(RPMS_TOKENS_SUPPORT))
    HasCryptsetupWithTokens(rpms)

    rpms = InstalledRpms(context_wrap(RPMS_NO_TOKENS_SUPPORT))
    with pytest.raises(SkipComponent):
        HasCryptsetupWithTokens(rpms)

    rpms = InstalledRpms(context_wrap(RPMS_CRYPTSETUP_NOT_INSTALLED))
    with pytest.raises(SkipComponent):
        HasCryptsetupWithTokens(rpms)

def test_has_cryptsetup_without_tokens():
    rpms = InstalledRpms(context_wrap(RPMS_NO_TOKENS_SUPPORT))
    HasCryptsetupWithoutTokens(rpms)

    rpms = InstalledRpms(context_wrap(RPMS_TOKENS_SUPPORT))
    with pytest.raises(SkipComponent):
        HasCryptsetupWithoutTokens(rpms)

    rpms = InstalledRpms(context_wrap(RPMS_CRYPTSETUP_NOT_INSTALLED))
    with pytest.raises(SkipComponent):
        HasCryptsetupWithoutTokens(rpms)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Children and young people who misuse alcohol are left without the appropriate help at times because of inconsistencies in the services designed to help them, according to a report today. The report from independent inspectors says Youth Offending Teams have made good progress in identifying and addressing alcohol misuse but further improvements need to be made.
The joint report from HM Inspectorate of Probation, the Care Quality Commission and Healthcare and Inspectorates in Wales, looks at whether youth offending and health services are sufficiently engaged and involved in efforts to reduce the impact of alcohol misuse by children and young people who offend. It underlines the known link between alcohol misuse and health problems, underachievement in school and offending behaviour.
It finds that YOTs are sufficiently aware of this link and that they offer significant and effective health resources where misuse is seen to relate directly to offending. But, it adds, too many inconsistencies were found in the quality of assessments across England and Wales.
The inspectors are calling for all children and young people who come into contact with YOTs to receive a nationally validated health assessment to ensure the appropriate interventions are offered. They also recommend greater engagement with parents and for substance misuse issues, including alcohol, to be reported and adequately considered at YOT board management level.


text:
Q: getting start and end time in java i want to get the value of startTime and endTime from java gui to database.
ComputerSeats class
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.TimeZone;

public class SeatMonitoringDesign extends JFrame
{
public JLabel LStation, LID, LFirstName, LLastName, LTimeIn;
public JLabel[] Astation,Aid, Afirstname, Alastname, Atime;
public JRadioButton[] seat = new JRadioButton[10];
private String str = "";
private int station, occupiedSeatCounter;
private JLabel studNum, seatNum;
private ButtonGroup seatGroup = new ButtonGroup();
private boolean[] seatOccupied = new boolean[10];
private SimpleDateFormat dateFormatter = new SimpleDateFormat("hh:mm:ss");
private JTextField studNumTF;
private JButton logIn, logOut;
private ButtonHandler logInB;
private ButtonHandler logOutB;
private ButtonHandler radioB;

public SeatMonitoringDesign()
{

studNum = new JLabel("Enter Your Student Number: ");
studNum.setLocation(30,20);
studNum.setSize(200,100);

studNumTF = new JTextField(7);
studNumTF.setLocation(50,80);
studNumTF.setSize(120,30);

seatNum = new JLabel("Station Numbers: ");
seatNum.setLocation(60,90);
seatNum.setSize(600,400);

setTitle("Computer Seat Registration");

Container pane = getContentPane();

 pane.setLayout(null);
 pane.add(studNum);
 pane.add(studNumTF);

 setSize(1130,500);
 setResizable(false);
 setLocationRelativeTo(null);
 setDefaultCloseOperation(EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

int x=50,y=150;
for(int i=0 ; i<10 ; i++)
{
switch(i)
{
    case 0: str = "1"; break;
    case 1: str = "2"; break;
    case 2: str = "3"; break;
    case 3: str = "4"; break;
    case 4: str = "5"; break;
    case 5: str = "6"; break;
    case 6: str = "7"; break;
    case 7: str = "8"; break;
    case 8: str = "9"; break;
    case 9: str = "10"; break;
}
seat[i] = new JRadioButton(str);
seat[i].setSize(60,40);
seat[i].setLocation(x,y);
radioB = new ButtonHandler();
seat[i].addItemListener(radioB);
seat[i].setBackground(Color.green);
seatGroup.add(seat[i]);
pane.add(seat[i]);
x=110;

if((i+1)%2==0)
{
    x=50;
    y=y+30;
}
}

for(int i=0 ; i<10 ; i++)
{
seatOccupied[i] = false;
}

logIn = new JButton("Log In");
logIn.setSize(100,30);
logIn.setLocation(15,350);
logIn.setBackground(Color.orange);
logInB = new ButtonHandler();
logIn.addActionListener(logInB);
pane.add(logIn);

logOut = new JButton("Log Out");
logOut.setSize(100,30);
logOut.setLocation(125,350);
logOut.setBackground(Color.orange);
logOutB = new ButtonHandler();
logOut.addActionListener(logOutB);
pane.add(logOut);

LStation = new JLabel("Station #", SwingConstants.CENTER);
LStation.setSize(100,20);
LStation.setLocation(280,60);
pane.add(LStation);

LID = new JLabel("Student Number");
LID.setSize(100,20);
LID.setLocation(450,60);
pane.add(LID);

LFirstName = new JLabel("First Name");
LFirstName.setSize(100,20);
LFirstName.setLocation(630,60);
pane.add(LFirstName);

LLastName = new JLabel("Last Name");
LLastName.setSize(100,20);
LLastName.setLocation(810,60);
pane.add(LLastName);

LTimeIn = new JLabel("Time In");
LTimeIn.setSize(100,20);
LTimeIn.setLocation(990,60);
pane.add(LTimeIn);

Astation = new JLabel[10];
Aid = new JLabel[10];
Afirstname = new JLabel[10];
Alastname = new JLabel[10];
Atime = new JLabel[10];

y=85;
for(int i=0 ; i<10 ; i++)
{
switch(i)
{
    case 0: str = "1"; break;
    case 1: str = "2"; break;
    case 2: str = "3"; break;
    case 3: str = "4"; break;
    case 4: str = "5"; break;
    case 5: str = "6"; break;
    case 6: str = "7"; break;
    case 7: str = "8"; break;
    case 8: str = "9"; break;
    case 9: str = "10"; break;
}

Astation[i] = new JLabel(str, SwingConstants.CENTER);
Astation[i].setSize(100,30);
Astation[i].setLocation(280,y);
pane.add(Astation[i]);

Aid[i] = new JLabel("Vacant Station");
Aid[i].setSize(100,30);
Aid[i].setLocation(450,y);
pane.add(Aid[i]);

Afirstname[i] = new JLabel("---------");
Afirstname[i].setSize(100,30);
Afirstname[i].setLocation(630,y);
pane.add(Afirstname[i]);

Alastname[i] = new JLabel("---------");
Alastname[i].setSize(100,30);
Alastname[i].setLocation(810,y);
pane.add(Alastname[i]);

Atime[i] = new JLabel("00:00:00--");
Atime[i].setSize(100,30);
Atime[i].setLocation(990,y);
pane.add(Atime[i]);
y = y+30;
}
setVisible(true);

}

public class ButtonHandler implements ActionListener, ItemListener
{
public void itemStateChanged(ItemEvent e)
{
  for(int i=0 ; i<10 ; i++)
    {
        if(e.getSource() == seat[i])
        station = (i+1);
    }
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
{
LogicalChecker lc = new LogicalChecker();
cobadatabase cb = new cobadatabase(studNumTF.getText());

String output;
Date now1 = new Date();
Date now2 = new Date();

//long secs = (now2.getTime() - now1.getTime()) / 1000;
//long diffSeconds = diff / 1000 % 60;
//long diffMinutes = diff / (60 * 1000) % 60;
// long diffHours = diff / (60 * 60 * 1000) % 60;

//long startTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
//long finishTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
//long elapsedTime = finishTime - startTime;

long diff = (now2.getTime() - now1.getTime());
cobadatabase cb2 = new       cobadatabase(studNumTF.getText(),dateFormatter.format(now1),dateFormatter.format(now2),      diff);

if("Log In".equals(e.getActionCommand()))
{
    if(station == 0)
    {
        lc.StationCheck(0);
    }
    else if(seatOccupied[station-1] == true)
    {
        lc.StationCheck(2);
    }
    else if(!studNumTF.getText().equals(cb.getStudentNumber()))
    {
         studNumTF.setText("");
         lc.StationCheck(3);
    }
    else
    {

       seatOccupied[station-1] = true;

            Aid[station-1].setText(cb.getStudentNumber());
            Afirstname[station-1].setText(cb.getFirstName());
            Alastname[station-1].setText(cb.getLastName());
            seat[station-1].setBackground(Color.red);
            Atime[station-1].setText(dateFormatter.format(now1));
            occupiedSeatCounter++;
    }
}

if("Log Out".equals(e.getActionCommand()))
 {

    if(station == 0)
    {
        lc.StationCheck(0);
    }
    else if(Aid[station-1].getText() == "Vacant Station")
    {
        lc.StationCheck(1);
    }
    else
    {

        Aid[station-1].setText("Vacant Station");
        Afirstname[station-1].setText("---------");
        Alastname[station-1].setText("---------");
        seat[station-1].setBackground(Color.green);
        Atime[station-1].setText("00:00:00");
        seatOccupied[station-1] = false;
        studNumTF.setText("");
        output = "Time Check-Out "+dateFormatter.format(now2)+"\n Total Time: "     +diff;
        JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,output, "Check-    Out.",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);

    }
}

}
}

}

cobadatabase class
import java.sql.*;
import java.util.*;
import java.text.*;

public class cobadatabase{
protected String sn,fn,ln,srt, sn2, srt2, et;
protected Long tt;
private Connection conn;
private PreparedStatement st;

public cobadatabase(){
    try{
       Class.forName("com.mysql.jdbc.Driver");
       conn =   DriverManager.getConnection("jdbc:mysql://localhost/studentrecords","root","");

        }

catch(Exception e){}
}

 public cobadatabase(String sn2, String str2, String et, long tt)
{
    this();
    try
    {
    st = conn.prepareStatement("Insert into time(StudentNumber,StartTime,EndTime,TotalTime) values(?,?,?,?)");
    st.setString(1,sn2);
    st.setString(2,str2);
    st.setString(3,et);
    st.setLong(4,tt);
    st.executeUpdate();

}
catch(Exception e){}
}

public cobadatabase(String StudentNumber)
{

    this();
    try{
       st = conn.prepareStatement("SELECT * FROM student WHERE StudentNumber=?");
       st.setString(1,StudentNumber);
       ResultSet rs = st.executeQuery();

            while (rs.next())
            {
                this.sn = rs.getString(1);
                this.fn = rs.getString(2);
                this.ln = rs.getString(3);
                this.srt = rs.getString(4);

                SimpleDateFormat ft = new SimpleDateFormat("kk:mm:ss");
                ft.format(rs.getTime("TotalTime").getTime());
            }
}
catch(Exception e){}
}

public cobadatabase(String StudentNumber2, String Start, String End)
{

    this();
    try{
       st = conn.prepareStatement("SELECT * FROM time WHERE StudentNumber2=?");
       st.setString(2,Start);
       st.setString(3,End);
       ResultSet rs = st.executeQuery();
            while (rs.next())
            {
                this.sn2 = rs.getString(1);
                this.srt2 = rs.getString(2);
                this.et = rs.getString(3);
                this.tt = rs.getLong(4);
            }
    }
    catch(Exception e){}
}

    public String getFirstName(){
    return fn;
}
    public String getLastName(){
    return ln;
}
    public String getStudentNumber(){
    return sn;
}
    public String getStart(){
    return srt2;
}
    public String getEnd(){
    return et;
}

}

the problem here is that when the login button is clicked, the start time displays both on the startTime and endTime column in my database. And when the log out button is clicked, another row is created in the database which contains the endTime on both startTime and endTime column.. I am wondering why does this happen..

A: Look at the following URL
http://www.mkyong.com/java/java-how-to-get-current-date-time-date-and-calender/
Use it at the begining of the app, and at the end.
If you are measuring the time looking how long the app executed, the above is not the best I guess. In case of that, try something like following
import java.util.*;

public class VectorTest
{
    Vector v = new Vector();

    public VectorTest()
    {
        long startTime = System.currentTimeMillis(); // Get the start Time
        long endTime = 0;

       System.out.println( startTime);

       for(int i=0;i<100000;i++)
       {
           v.add(i);
       }

        for(int i=0;i<v.size();i++)
        {
            System.out.println(v.get(i));
        }
        endTime = System.currentTimeMillis(); //Get the end Time

        System.out.println(endTime);

        System.out.println("Difference in mili seconds: "+ (endTime-startTime)); //Print the difference in mili seconds
        System.out.println("Differencce in Seconds: "+ (endTime-startTime)/1000); // Print the difference in seconds

    }

    public static void main(String[]args)
    {
        new VectorTest();
    }
}

EXTRA ADVISES FOR GOOD PROGRAMMING PRACTICES

*

*Look at the 3rd overloaded "CodeBase" constructor. You have 1 parameter in SQL query, but trying to set 2 in program, EVEN WITH invalid indexes 2 and 3

*Close the connection inside the finally block

*don't leave catch() method empty. Print the stack trace

*Don't use the same PreparedStament everywhere. Crate them as local variables not as global ones. Sometimes there are delays in automated connection closing methods in databases. In such a case, your program will act in an unexpected way. If you declare them locally, the variables are gone as soon as the method is don e

A: You should try setting the times when the correct button is clicked instead of setting both start and end times for the same button. I would set a global variable for the startTime and calculate like so
private long startTime = null;
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
    LogicalChecker lc = new LogicalChecker();
    cobadatabase cb = new cobadatabase(studNumTF.getText());

    String output;

    //long secs = (now2.getTime() - now1.getTime()) / 1000;
    //long diffSeconds = diff / 1000 % 60;
    //long diffMinutes = diff / (60 * 1000) % 60;
    // long diffHours = diff / (60 * 60 * 1000) % 60;

    //long startTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
    //long finishTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
    //long elapsedTime = finishTime - startTime;

    long diff = (now2.getTime() - now1.getTime());
    cobadatabase cb2 = new cobadatabase(studNumTF.getText(),dateFormatter.format(now1),dateFormatter.format(now2),     diff);

    if("Log In".equals(e.getActionCommand())){
         this.startTime = new Date().getTime(); // set start time
         ... do stuff
    } else if("Log Out".equals(e.getActionCommand())){
         long totalTime =  new Date().getTime() - this.startTime(); // calculate total time
         ... do stuff

    }
}


BeMyOwner SweetyAngelBoy jasmin. DaliaFoxx. MCArt. RandyPalmer.
CindyRobertsCindyRobertsALESSYAPINK1HotLesbianShowX .EmelimAndValloleBestLovers33RosabelliPaigeSpins .DanielassAngelRedBlackEstebanMyerssaddsasda22 .AniFenixHotxLatinoMollyLeeAniFenix .bigCOCKgirlHOTBendGirllAmiraBellLeoAndNico .bigCOCKgirlHOTAlessandraGAmiraBellxKaraSexyDollx .jassieSWEETloverKassidyRyanGoldBarbyDollBendGirll .AnaliaMontielLillyJYourBombMilfASIANsexTUTORs .MissRalukAniFenixCandyBoomLillyJ .LeilitaTroyFaylethalmamiJessycute77 .VALENTINAROSIbigCOCKgirlHOTTroyFayPaigeSpins .
AllyRobertswildCLASSYxxEvaHotParadiseevelin24 .danisexlatinGoldBarbyDollCuteMartinXArhipan .BustyKaylaThomasWillThomasWillDickhead1200 .CuddlyVioletdanisexlatinOrnella90saddsasda22 .BestLovers33AmazingDPLestiyaAndAfinaJoannasweet19 .RandyPalmerDivineSyamajisMollyLee .MichaellpackerHotLesbianShowXRandyPalmerBendGirll .lethalmamiAmazingDPcrazyiinlovemajis .AngelRedBlackSoCuteGastellaAnnaLimaStefanieAngelic .BustyKaylaJessycute77SamantaFoxxxkevdeveraux .ozstudboyALEXOSORIODivineSyabigCOCKgirlHOT .


Is your network shielded from unwanted visitors?
Businesses of every size face the same conundrum: how do you keep everyone connected without exposing your corporate network to unauthorised external users?
The right combination of firewalls and VPNs can restrict unwanted network traffic whilst allowing staff to securely connect from external locations.
Why choose hSo Firewalls & VPNs?
hSo's services are built on hardware and software from top network security vendors.
Our specialist staff will set up, configure and maintain your VPN and help define suitable firewall rules.
hSo's UK-based support team are always ready to respond to potential security threats.
Being technology agnostic lets us offer both IPSec and SSL VPN options.
hSo is ISO 27001 certified, confirming the strength of our Information Security procedures.
We combine our firewall & VPN technology to give you both strong protection and flexible accessibility.
We can host a single or High Availability firewall in one of our secure data centres to give you simplicity and reduced costs in protecting multiple sites.
Our VPN & Firewall services can protect the traffic of thousands of end-users simultaneously.
Authorised VPN users can connect using their existing network usernames and passwords.


text:
How To Financially Invest
Endorsements and Testimonies
Sharing love with San Francisco's interfaith worshipping communities
By Steve Hong | July 30, 2015 | 3
On a recent Sunday morning, I took my family to church as I do most Sundays. But this Sunday was different. After our worship service, bicyclists began gathering outside my church from San Francisco's diverse inter-faith community. I welcomed everyone to my church and began my role of presiding over this first-ever inter-faith service on wheels. My church (shown here) was the first stop of eight stops total covering different San Francisco churches as diverse as San Francisco itself. We had members and leaders on the ride from churches that were gay-inclusive, Jewish, Buddhist, Unitarian Universalists, Christian, and more. For the next few hours, we rode to visit each of these churches and engaged in a liturgy to honor each of the churches. This was the first ride of its kind in San Francisco, and my quick Google query says this was the first inter-faith "rolling" service done by bicycle anywhere on earth.
What an honor for me to emcee this worshipful bicycle gathering for it provided me a unique way to love and bless these 40 bikers of different faiths. That was more than enough motivation put the liturgy together into a seamless experience. I spent time researching each site's architecture, history, and faith backgrounds. I also corresponded with their leaders, priests, rabbi's and reverends, then integrated their input into the ride. On the day of the event, riders experienced a liturgy that honored and blessed their church's history, members, and its vision. At some of the church sites, a church leader would give the overview and invite all of us inside to witness their respective sacred spaces. When a church leader was not available, I presented each church's history and vision. I ended each site visit with a benediction for the church, its members, and our riders. This was always followed by the ringing of our bike bells! As the ride progressed, love, camaraderie, and connection with each other grew. At the end of the ride, my job was over and I handed the "baton of leadership" over to the Reverend Allyson Jacks of the Unitarian Universalist Church and Shundo David Haye, Director of the San Francisco Zen Center to lead us in the closing ceremony. I was delightfully surprised by all the hugs and hi-fives I received. And people still hung around after it was all over; we started as strangers and ended as friends.
Though we came from different faith backgrounds and hold different world views (What is truth? Does it exist? What happens after we die?), the bonding we experienced with each other was something I've never experienced on a ride with people I had just met. To be fair, there are many other kinds of organized bike rides in San Francisco (literary book rides, coffee rides, bike to work, bike to school, bike to yoga, and yes, even naked rides) that could provoke bonding experiences. For example, a coffee ride to SF's best coffee houses could very well be a "heavenly" experience that can bond people together. But there was just something intimate about visiting the spiritual homes of the riders we had, for these were the very spiritual homes where they sang, chanted, meditated, and communed with their "higher power." In my opinion, sharing that kind of story with each other can hit greater depths then sharing a love for a beverage or a sport. And I'm willing to bet that no other ride has ever intentionally sought to bring out the stories of its riders through the very places that they worship at. In my work, I've given similar tours of San Francisco's neighborhoods (e.g. Chinatown) where I interweave historical narrative into the student's background and story so that the student enters into the tour as a participant, and not as a tourist. But these tours I do for my work are usually restricted to those who are studying for some kind of cross-cultural work (like counseling, pastoring, or work abroad) within the Christian faith. But to be able to give that kind of experience to the wider inter-faith community was such a joy for me. Many told me through words, hugs, and high-fives how much they appreciated the whole ride. And for me, I learned the story and even the spiritual inquiries of many of my new friends. By the end of the ride, my voice was shot, my diaphragm tired after all the open-air talking in the loud San Francisco streets. There were only 40 bicyclists but with their bikes in tow, the space we took up at each stop was several times our actual number. But the effort was worth it, to have the privilege of blessing and loving SF's worshiping community of different faiths!
The Inter-faith bike ride was a team effort:
One of the highlights for me was working on a wonderful inter-faith team of church leaders. The idea of an inter-faith ride was first birthed in the heart of the Rev. Alyson Jacks of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco. She was the one who pitched the idea to the San Francisco Bike Coalition (www.sfbike.org). Bonnie Walton, event planner for the Coalition, worked with us to get us off the ground. She arranged for the Bike Coalition's Executive Director to speak at the InterFaith meeting, coordinated the publicity, and even provided food for the ride! Shundo David, director of the San Francisco Zen Center was a major force in our planning, and a wonderful speaker. Shundo recruited Myles Cowherd, also of the Zen Center to actually plan the route with input from the team. On the ride itself, between the liturgies, Myles was the one who led the way, the one who led the directing of traffic (one time, he single-handedly stopped all traffic on busy Gough St so we could all merge right), and with his huge booming voice, was the overall cheerleader for us all. Two Buddhists, a Unitarian Universalist, and me, a Christian, along with the bike coalition event planner made up the core team. Others were involved to help write some of the liturgy presented throughout the ride. The whole thing was such a wonderful group effort; we trusted each other (that we would not proselytize riders with our public role!), worked so well together, and our strengths complimented each other. Bonnie, Allyson, Shundo, and Myles, thank you for being who you are!
As a Christian, I'm called to "love my neighbor." When I look at the life of Jesus, the word "neighbor" often means loving those you're unlikely to hang out with, like natural enemies. Jesus often pursued "those" kinds of people, and it often threw the "religious" folks of his day in a fit! Now, I'm fully aware of how Christians are perceived here in San Francisco. Books I've read about San Francisco like "Season of the Witch" remind me that the tension of being a Christian in San Francisco is decades old. From dozens of conversations just in the past year alone on this subject, I know Christians can be seen as dogmatic, non-tolerant, etc. Just on this ride, a good number of riders shared stories of Christians they personally knew whom they felt were overly dogmatic and non-tolerant. And I listened, and often felt sad listening. I can't judge those who claim to be Christians. The Jesus I follow loved people where they were at. The issue of change can't come into the conversation until someone is loved. Love bridges every gap; the beloved will change, but out of love. Jesus loved this way all the way to his crucifixion. The afternoon of the interfaith ride was an afternoon of sharing love in a healthy way, love for our worship centers, its architecture, its history, our City, and the beauty of all its citadels, spires, and towers. But what I enjoyed most was simply being able to bless the riders with whatever I had. Because when their stories and histories are honored, they are loved. And it's always nice to share that with others.
Ti Le on August 4, 2015 at 9:58 am
Steve!!! PRaise God!!! Wish I could have been on the ride with y'all!!! I love riding me bike in Austin and to add spiritual convos to that is so great!!!
*Miss Ti Le* MTL Lone Star Epic Team 832-647-2293 ti.le@e picmovement.com
Advent – God Speaks Through Wombs
MINISTRY SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT IN COLLECTIVIST COMMUNITIES
Chinatown Through the Eyes of God: An Evening of Storytelling, Healing, and Solidarity
Chinatown Through the Eyes of God: Good Good News for our hyper-diverse City
honor shame


In the coffee shops of Ecuador, it's common to see patrons drinking a fruit-infused hot beverage called an aromática. This traditional drink makes use of the abundant fresh fruits and herbs indigenous to the region and delivers a delicious, healthy tea experience. it's from the aromática that Sweet Monkey teas were born.
Our job was to give these tea fusions a trademark-able brand. And then name the product line variations, design packaging, create an ecommerce site, launch in social media and drive online sales.
After lots of hard work, Sweet Monkey is live. Customers love the experience and the results have been….sweet.
We built a fully responsive, custom-designed Shopify store featuring four product variations and full ecommerce capabilities. We added modules for custom shipping options, user reviews and product offers and links to an Amazon store. The result has been a fast, efficient shopping and checkout process that is just as good on mobile as it is on desktop.
Food brands always have to look their best. We worked with a food stylist and food photographer to make Sweet Monkey Teas look delicious in every piece of digital content. That also meant creating unique content to explain a product that is not just a tea bag, and not just looseleaf, but a combination of both.
Getting the word out has meant heavy use of organic and paid social media. We created a content calendar that integrates a strong focus on product features and health benefits, and of course Sweet Monkey Teas awesome flavors. We launched paid campaigns targeting tea lovers and health-conscious women in major U.S. markets. The results have exceeded all projections established for Year 1.


text:
Marek Polański (ur. 14 kwietnia 1936 w Krakowie, zm. 7 lipca 2003 w Katowicach) – polski karykaturzysta.

Życiorys
Należał do czołówki karykaturzystów polskich XX wieku. Zadebiutował jako karykaturzysta w 1972 r. w Karuzeli. Współpracował z wieloma czasopismami: Szpilki, Magazyn Rodzinny, Sztandar Młodych, Wprost, Tak i Nie, Sprawy i Ludzie, Polityka, Wieczór, Kontakty, Kronika, Karuzela, Aura, Trybuna Robotnicza, Dziennik Zachodni. Publikował we Francji, Niemczech i Kanadzie. Jest autorem kilku tysięcy publikowanych rysunków, ośmiu tomików autorskich oraz współautorem pięciu albumów. Miał w swoim dorobku ponad 30 wystaw indywidualnych oraz ponad 250 zbiorowych krajowych i międzynarodowych. Laureat licznych konkursów. Wiele prac w zbiorach muzealnych. Nagrał wiele programów telewizyjnych. Był współzałożycielem Stowarzyszenia Polskich Artystów Karykatury. Zmarł 7 lipca 2003 w Katowicach.

Ważniejsze wystawy indywidualne
 Katowice 1980
 Grudziądz i Słupsk 1983
 Kraków 1984
 Szczecin 1984
 Wrocław, Bielsko-Biała i Katowice 1986
 Zielona Góra i Katowice 1988
 Katowice 1993
 Ojców 1996
 Gliwice 1998
 Mysłowice 1999
 Rybnik 2001
 Katowice 2002

Nagrody

 IV Międzynarodowe Biennale Satyry Gabrowo 79 – trzecia
 Ogólnopolski Konkurs Satyry Satyrykon 80 w Legnicy – pierwsza i trzecia
 Ogólnopolski Konkurs Satyry Satyrykon 80 i Międzynarodowy Konkurs "Fotożart" w Legnicy – grand prix
 Nagroda specjalna redakcji tygodnika "Kontakty"
 Ogólnopolski Konkurs "Warszawa w Karykaturze" 81 – wyróżnienie
 Ogólnopolski Konkurs Satyry "Satyrykon" 81 w Legnicy – nagroda specjalna Muzeum Karykatury w Warszawie
 Ogólnopolski konkurs "Targowisko humoru i satyry" w Olsztynie – pierwsza nagroda w kategorii humoru.

Ważniejsze wydawnictwa
 "Jest sugestia", Warszawa 1984
 "Rysunki", Katowice 1988
 "Wizerunki znajome", Katowice 1988
 "Jajo przejściowe", Katowice 1997
 "Pełnia sezonu", Katowice 1999
 "Zawsze w sedno", Chorzów 2002

Bibliografia

Urodzeni w 1936
Zmarli w 2003
Polscy satyrycy
Polscy architekci
Ludzie urodzeni w Krakowie
Polscy karykaturzyści

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Edgecombe Community College is located in the eastern part of North Carolina in Edgecombe County approximately 75 miles east of Raleigh. The county is rural with a majority of the land used for farming. During the past two decades farm employment has declined due to mechanization, and employment in the manufacturing sector has increased.
Edgecombe Technical Institute began as an extension unit of Wilson County Technical Institute. In 1967, the college came under complete Edgecombe County administration, thus dissolving the relationship with Wilson County Technical Institute. The final step to full institutional independence came in the spring of 1971 when the General Assembly made all technical institutes of North Carolina independent of any local boards of education and granted government by a 12-member Board of Trustees. The Legislature has since designated a 13th non-voting member to the Board of Trustees, the SGA president. In 1987, the name of the college was officially changed to Edgecombe Community College. In 1997, the college changed from the quarter system to the semester system as mandated by the North Carolina Community College System.
ECC is one of the 58 colleges that make up the North Carolina Community College System. The System was approved by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1963 and is provided for in the General Statutes of North Carolina, Chapter 115-A. General supervision of the system falls under the State Board of Community Colleges.
ECC's main campus is located on 120 acres 2.5 miles south of Tarboro and comprises 11 buildings. The college also operates a campus in the Edgecombe County portion of Rocky Mount. This campus covers one city block and comprises three buildings. The college's newest structure, the Lamm Building, opened on the Rocky Mount campus in January 2016. The state-of-the-art, 45,000-square-foot building features a simulated hospital environment that is raising the standard of healthcare education throughout the region.
Through a wide selection of programs and courses, ECC seeks to improve both the quality of life and the economic outlook of its students and area residents. With classes in subjects from small business management to electrical blueprints, ECC is equipping its students with practical skills that enable them to excel in their careers, homes, and communities. With ECC's flexible scheduling, the success that comes with higher education is a little easier to achieve. Classes for traditional and non-traditional students are available during the day, evening, and online to accommodate individual needs.


Most Americans recognize Tippi Hedren for her starring role in Alfred Hitchcock's horror film The Birds—but among the Vietnamese American community, her reputation is for something a little more serious: being a cornerstone of the immigrant community's economy.
Forty years ago, the Hollywood actor traveled to Hope Village, a Vietnamese refugee camp near Sacramento, California, to meet with a group of women who had recently fled the takeover of South Vietnam by the armed forces of Communist leader Ho Chi Minh. Hedren was aware of the difficulties the refugees had faced and had been trying before her visit to think of a skill or trade she could help the women learn so they could support themselves in their adopted country. When she met with the group, she was surprised to find they were enamored with her manicure.
Hedren flew in her own beautician and enlisted a local beauty school to teach 20 of the women how to execute the perfect manicure. Many of these women later settled in Southern California, where they soon were offering manicure services at a lower price than the existing competition. This quickly and dramatically changed the face of the industry in the region. Manicures and pedicures that cost upwards of $50 in luxury salons can cost 30 to 50 percent less at a Vietnamese American–owned salon, according to trade publication Nails. Today, the nail industry is worth $8 billion, and 80 percent of nail technicians in Southern California are Vietnamese (51 percent across the U.S.). Many of them are direct descendants of the 20 women Hedren met with that fateful day in Sacramento, according to the BBC.
Tippi Hedren with the first Vietnamese manicure class receiving their cosmetology licenses in 1975.
While the trade has helped many secure a stable living in the States—manicurists earned about $645 per week in 2014, according to Nails—the industry also supports a vast network of technicians who send money to family members back in Vietnam. Le recalls that when she first started working, she tried to send about $50 to $100 home every month even though she was just barely getting by herself.
Tam Nguyen—the founder and president of Advance Beauty College in Garden Grove and Laguna Hills, California, and whose mother is a close friend of Le's—says that based on what he's seen, he estimates that nearly every Vietnamese American in the industry these days still sends a portion of earnings home to support relatives. Eight percent of Vietnam's economy—perhaps $14 billion this year, up from $12 billion in 2014—is attributable to overseas remittances, reports Reuters. Half the money comes from the U.S.
To Nguyen, the success of Vietnamese refugees in the beauty industry comes down to a number of factors—he cited their entrepreneurial spirit and attention to detail but especially their ability to view hard work from the perspective of a refugee.
It seems, then, that Vietnamese Americans would have found success whatever Hedren had shown the women she met with that day. But Southern Californian hands will be forever grateful that Thuan Le noticed the star's manicure.


Home News Business News Can Wall Street indexes keep their uptrend during the new week?
Can Wall Street indexes keep their uptrend during the new week?
The markets will focus on the development of the US-China trade talks, macroeconomic data and corporate reports. Here are the more remarkable events.
The blue-chip index Dow Jones notches its seventh consecutive weekly gain during the last week, despite the turbulence in the second half.
All three Wall Street benchmarks managed to carve out weekly gains, following late-Friday buying. The S&P snapped a five-day winning streak on Wednesday. The S&P 500 posted a weekly return of less than 0.1% and is up 8% year to date and around 16.2% from its Christmas Eve low of 2,351.10 points.
The Nasdaq is trading well below its 200-day moving average of 7,457.37 points, while the Dow closed below its 200-day average of 25,004.84 points, after cracking above that level earlier in the week.
During the current week, the markets will focus on the development of the US-China trade talks, macroeconomic data and corporate reports.
During the new week, macroeconomics data will be published from different parts of the world and will give a more complete picture of the state of the world economy at the beginning of the year.
On Monday, February 11, a series of important macro data for the UK will be published, including preliminary business investment data for the fourth quarter of 2018 and the GDP, as well as industrial production and trade balance in December. Later Canada will also come up with trade balance data for December.
The political front, the US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will travel to Beijing to continue trade talks with China. Although President Donald Trump hinted that a deal before March 1 was unlikely, it would not be a surprise if we see some agreement.
On Tuesday, February 12, the markets will focus on the Australian business climate survey. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will publish its monthly report. New Zealand's Central Bank will meet to decide on monetary policy with expectations to maintain interest rates at 1.75%. Markets will, however, monitor whether central bankers will react to the weak labor market data in the country last week and whether their colleagues from Australia will follow and send a "more peaceful" message to the future interest rate movement.
On Wednesday, February 13, will be published the inflation data in the UK for January. The consensus forecast on the market is to slow down annual inflation to 2%, and on a monthly basis, the forecast is even to account for negative values of 0.7%. In the Eurozone, the industrial production data for December will be released. There will be a number of important data in the United States – building permits, inflation, crude oil reserves, and more.
On Thursday, February 14, Japan will release its preliminary GDP data for the fourth quarter. Although the country was struggling with the slowdown in the global economy, as the domestic demand was stable, the first weaknesses emerged in January. However, data for the last three months of 2018 will probably remain strong. The consensus forecast is for a growth of 1.4% on an annual basis and 0.4% on a monthly basis. China will publish its trade balance for January. Eurozone and German will publish preliminary data on the GDP. The US will publish retail sales data, unemployment claims, and producer price index.
On Friday, February 15, the day will begin with data on China's inflation for January, with expectations for a slight acceleration from 1.9% to 2% YoY. In Japan, industrial production data for December will be released. Retail sales data in the UK and the United States is also the focus of the markets. The Eurozone will come up with data on its trade balance in December.
In the US, the reporting season is not yet over. This week we will see some important financial statements.
On Monday, February 11, will be released the earnings report of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer S.A., financial service company MoneyGram International and shipowner Star Bulk Carriers.
On Tuesday, February 12, the markets will focus on the financial reports of ThyssenKrupp AG and TripAdvisor Inc. Interesting events during the day will be statements of Huntsman Corporation, InMed Pharmaceuticals, and LATAM Airlines Group S.A.
On Wednesday, February 13, will be published earnings reports of the commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE Group and hotel operator Hyatt Hotels Corporation. During the day will be published the statements of ABN Amro Group, Heineken N.V. ADR, and Tullow Oil Plc.
On Thursday, February 14, the markets will focus on the financial report of Coca-Cola. Interesting events during the day will be statements of Agios Pharmaceuticals, Avon Products, AstraZeneca Group, and the financial company CME Group. In Europe, will be released earnings reports of financial institutions Credit Agricole SA, Commerzbank AG, and Credit Suisse Group AG. During the day will be published financial statements of aircraft manufacturers Airbus SE ADR and Bombardier Inc.
On Friday, February 15, will be published earnings reports of Moody's Corporation and PepsiCo.


text:
Bialosky was a line of teddy bear toys and related children's products popular in the USA during the 1970s and 80s.

The stuffed animals were manufactured by Gund.

In addition to the stuffed animals, Bialosky products included a children's book series.

Partial list of Bialosky titles
Bialosky and the Big Parade Mystery (1986)

Bialosky's Special Picnic (1985)

My First Cookbook: A Bialosky & Friends Book

Bialosky's Christmas (1984)

Teddy bears