text:
Sunk on 16th
By Gary Buiso
Put a tennis ball on one floor of Arthur Strimling's South Slope home, and the suddenly precocious sphere will take on a life of its own.
"It will roll to the other side of the house," observed Strimling, whose home, his lawyer charged, now rests "at a slant."
This wasn't always the case. But after a real estate developer constructed a five−story building at 406 15th Street, strange things allegedly began to happen in and around Strimling's home at 399 16th Street.
Telephone poles and trees began to sink 10 feet down in the ground, residents like Tim Pietrzak said. Retaining walls began to take the shape of a capsized ship.
It was roughly around 2006 when Armory Heights LLC began work for the now completed, Bricolage designed building, Armory Plaza. Around that time, Pietrzak started to get a sinking feeling. "You could touch the wires on the telephone pole," he recalled.
Pietrzak and Strimling are among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Armory Heights, seeking $35 million in compensatory damages, and $100 million in punitive damages.
Strimling said that just to hire engineers to investigate their home's predicament and offer recommendations could cost $100,000. "We are going to stick this out. We're quite certain justice is on our side," he said.
This week, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Jacobson agreed to draft a court order preventing the developers from selling the property, pending a court hearing scheduled for August.
Michael Hiller, the plaintiffs' attorney, said the developer dug down 60 feet, and failed to shore up or brace the surrounding property, resulting in the property damage. His client's concern, he said, is that if the property is sold, his clients would be "left without a remedy."
Defense attorney Ravi Batra said the plaintiffs, who include the Memorial Baptist Church on 16th Street, are simply using litigation "as a stick−up gun." He said his clients, Armory Heights principals, Jack and Lorenzo LoCicero, have been the subject of phony complaints to the Department of Buildings, (DOB), an agency he said that has been unduly harsh on his clients, who performed a "black tie" construction job, meaning it was done to limit damage to adjacent properties.
Batra said property owners now suing prevented contractors from backfilling, or replacing lost soil, to the site, and are themselves responsible for any damage subsequently incurred.
"All the property owners have a claim for is bags of dirt. They are the ones who left it exposed. If they have new damage, they will have to eat it, because they could have prevented it," Batra said.
Hiller was also not pleased with the DOB — the agency charged with monitoring construction sites. He accused the agency of being "asleep at the switch." Particularly galling, Hiller claimed, is that the developer is uninsured, but DOB let the project proceed nonetheless. "How they could let this project go with no insurance is unexplainable," he said. Batra has rejected Hiller's insurance claim.


text:
The economic policies proposed under the banner of "Islamisation" in Pakistan include executive decrees on Zakāt (poor-due), Ushr (tithe), judicial changes that helped to halt land redistribution to the poor, and perhaps most importantly, elimination of riba (defined by activists as interest charged on loans and securities).  Perhaps the foremost exponent of Islamisation among Pakistan's rulers—General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq—advanced a programme in 1978 to bring (according to Zia and his supporters) Pakistan law in line with the principles of Sharia law.

Conceived in late 1977 and carried out during his reign, the programme came in response to an upsurge in Islamic activism, and the problems and controversies associated with the policies of Zia's predecessor, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.  Zia's stated intention was to "eradicate the scourge of interest" on loans and securities, and create an "interest-free economy".  On January 1, 1980, approximately 7,000 interest-free counters were opened at all the nationalized commercial banks, making Pakistan the first country in the Muslim world with Islamic banking.

However, in spite of the public support allegedly demonstrated for it (and other Islamisation policies) by the 1984 Islamisation referendum and the programme's initial gains and success, it failed to achieve international targets and to meet commercial interactions with other major international banks. Islamic activists were also displeased that Zia's ordinances and proclamations did not ban interest paying accounts.

Zia's successors were not as active in their pursuit of Islamisation. While conservative Prime minister Nawaz Sharif publicly supported Islamisation, his economic policies focused on privatization and economic liberalization.  Many Pakistani economists and business people worry that attempting to impose an Islamic economy on Pakistan would have "devastating economic, political, and social consequences for the country", though others (such as governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Ishrat Husain), have termed fears of Islamlisation "absurd" and based on Western stereotypes. Islamisation has continued through the efforts of the Islamic courts Zia created, including activists on the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, although it was given a setback when the government of Pervez Musharraf came to power and pressured a number of activist judges to retire.

History and background

As a state created specifically for Muslims, Pakistan has long had Islamic activists advocating for more thorough Islamisation of that country, and specifically for the elimination of riba (defined as interest on loans). But the country has also had Islamic modernists and secularists in positions of influence and "generations of Muslim usage and custom supported by the fatwa of respected ulema that held low rates of interest to be acceptable, non-usurious, and not riba", according to economist Feisal Khan.  Even Allama Iqbal "the Thinker of Pakistan" (Mufakkir-e-Pakistan) "cited approvingly" the fact that Muslim princely states in India did not restrict modern banking or "attempt to impose some sort of `Islamic` concept of interest-free financial transactions."  Consequently enthusiasm for Islamisation has waxed and waned throughout Pakistan's history. It has been strong when "religious elements are in ascendancy", such as during partition, the 1977 Nizam-e-Mustafa movement, and during the rise in fundamentalist after 2000. At other times "only lip service" is paid to the issue. Maududi and other Islamist hoped to make Pakistan "a new Medina" which would become "the leader of the Islamic world in the twentieth century, a laboratory where experiments in Islamic modernity would be successfully conducted en route' to ushering a new Islamic renaissance"

Ashraf Qureishi and Abul A'la Maududi,  two of the pioneer theoreticians of Islamic banking, who preached that interest was riba, forbidden to Muslim, and "laid the foundations of current" Islamic Banking and Finance in the 1940, were from South Asia. (Maududi moved to Pakistan where he became an influential Islamist leader.) According to Feisal Khan, "South Asians in general and Pakistanis in particular are `over-represented`" among Islamic Banking "theorist and practitioners," and Pakistanis are "found in Islamic banks and financial firms throughout the [Persian] Gulf at all levels, from tellers to the boardroom."

Article 28 of Pakistan's 1956 Constitution called for the elimination of riba "as early as possible". The 1962 Constitution provided in the principles of policy that "usury" should be abolished. Similar provisions were found in the 1973 Constitution. In 1969 the state-sponsored advisory body known as the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), declared that Pakistan's banking system was "fundamentally based upon riba", and unanimously called for its elimination.

The mid and late 1970s were a time of Islamic revivalism throughout parts of the Muslim world, including Pakistan. Zia's predecessor, leftist Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto faced economic problems of stagflation and opposition to his programme of nationalization and land reform. In 1976 and 1977, vigorous opposition to Bhutto's policies united under the revivalist banner of Nizam-e-Mustafa ("Rule of the prophet") and preached that establishing an Islamic state based on sharia law would bring a return to the justice and success of the early days of Islam when the Islamic prophet Muhammad ruled Muslims.
In an effort to stem the tide of street Islamization, Bhutto also called for Islamisation and banned the drinking and selling of wine by Muslims, nightclubs and horse racing. Confrontation between Bhutto's PPP and the opposition Pakistan National Alliance, street protests, loss of life and property, all preceded the military overthrow of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by Zia in 1977.  On coming to power, Zia committing himself to enforcing Nizam-e-Mustafa, a significant turn from Pakistan's predominantly secular law, inherited from the British.

Less than two years after the coup, Pakistan's Shia neighbor, Iran, saw a very unexpected Islamic revolution overthrow its well-financed pro-Western, secular monarchy. The new self-proclaimed revolutionary Islamic Republic of Iran believed in the necessity of Islamic sharia law for Islam to survive and prosper, and in the need to spread this doctrine to other Muslim states. While part of the Islamic revival, the revolution created a new conflict in the Islamic world by pitting revolutionary Shia Iran against its doctrinal and geopolitical rival the conservative Wahhabi Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for leadership of the Islamic world. As poor, predominantly Sunni country, Pakistan has been closely tied to the petroleum-exporting Saudi Arabia which has employed many Pakistani guest workers. This competition for influence affected many things in Muslim countries, including economic policies.

Timeline of riba and banking

1956 - first constitution of Pakistan states that the state was to "eliminate riba as early as possible" (article 29(f)), but does not define riba.
1969 - the Council on Islamic Ideology recommends that riba be abolished and the banking system be overhauled, recommendation is ignored by the government.
1971 - the Council on Islamic Ideology recommends that riba be abolished and the banking system be overhauled, recommendation is also ignored by the government.
1979, July - interest is eliminated from three financial institutions by order of General Zia. Effective 1 July 1979, General Zia declared that the affairs of the National Investment Trust, the House Building Finance Corporation, and the Investment Corporation of Pakistan were to be run on an interest-free basis through the adoption of profit-loss sharing (PLS).
1980, detailed Report on the Elimination of Interest from the Economy 1980, is issued by the Central Institute of Islamic Research at the request of ruling General Zia-ul-Haq. Calls for a complete elimination of interest in Pakistan's economy over a five-year period.
1991, November - "monumental decision" by Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan overturning 20 federal and provincial financial laws as repugnant to Islam, forbids riba absolutely without exceptions. Tanzil-ur-Rehman having been brought out of retirement and appointed chief justice of the FSC,  rules the financial Islamisation of Zia inadequate.
1999 - decision upheld by Shariah Appellate Bench finding financial Islamisation of Zia inadequate. After much stalling by the government and bureaucracy, the Faisal case was upheld by the Shariah Appellate Bench of the Supreme court (SAB) in the Aslam Khaki decision, with detailed orders to start the interest free economy.
1999 - SAB gives Pakistan government an additional year to Islamise. Pleading that implementation of the judgment would "create enormous problems" for the domestic, western-style banking and the economy, as well as Pakistan's "official and private business and financial dealings with the outside world", the government was given an additional year to Islamise by the Bench.
2002, May 24 - SAB is reconstituted by new President General Pervez Musharraf. With one Islamist removed and two new ulema judges added by order of Musharraf.
2002 June 24 - decision by reconstituted SAB to "set aside" 1999 ruling banning all interest on bank loans. 1999 case is sent back to Federal Shariat Court (FSC) for "definitive finding on all the issues ..."
2002 - "Reboot" of Islamic Banking. State Bank of Pakistan declares that banks and "windows" made "Islamic" as part of General Zia's 1979 Islamisation are not truly Islamic, but conventional. No new conventional banks are to be allowed in Pakistan.   Banks (such as Meezan Bank and Al Baraka Bank) are converted into "full-fledged" Islamic commercial banks, following global Shariah-compliance standards with Shariah Boards, but also following conventional global banking norms such as the Basel Accords.

Policies and difficulties

Despite its success in initial first five years, the programme was fractured in many obvious reasons, and the stagflation again began to bite the country's resources, as well as many technical and scientific problems arise in the new economic system that the military government and Zia-ul-Haq himself was unable to solve.  The newly elected, but technocratic government of Prime minister Mohammad Khan Junejo refused to pass the new and more stricter version of Sharia bill.  Zia abruptly dismissed the government on May 29, 1988, and the dissolved parliament the next day, alleging a slow pace of Islamization, corruption, deterioration of law and order, and mismanagement of the economy.

Banning Riba, building Islamic banking
General Zia declared that effective 1 July 1979 the affairs of the National Investment Trust, the House Building Finance Corporation, and the Investment Corporation of Pakistan were to be run on an interest-free basis through the adoption of profit and loss sharing finance (PLS).
On January 1, 1980, he appeared on national television and announced the introduction of a "Profit and Loss Sharing System", according to which account holders were to share the losses and profits of the bank.

In 1980 the Council of Islamic Ideology issued a report with "detailed and far reaching reforms" to eliminate interest. The military government employed Islamic scholars and economists led by professor Khurshid Ahmad to compile laws about Islamic financing.
Zia's government responded to the council's report by replacing interest-bearing savings accounts with PLS instruments in Pakistan's five state banks. The government also introduced and encouraged such banks to adopt financing schemes based upon the principles of mudaraba and or musharaka.

Murabaha is a practice in which the "lender" (usually a bank) purchases, in its own name, goods that the borrower (usually an importer or trader) wants, and then sells the goods to him at an agreed mark-up. The technique is used for financing trade, but because the bank takes title to the goods, and is therefore engaged in buying and selling, its profit derives from a real service and entails a degree, albeit minimal, of risk.
Musharaka is a practice in which the "lender" (usually a bank) enters into a partnership with the borrower/client in which both share the equity capital—and perhaps even management—of a project or deal, and both share in the profits or losses according to their equity shareholding.

However these Islamisation policies did not include a ban on interest-paying accounts and "in most instances" Pakistani banks continued to offer accounts with fixed interest rates. For example, for term deposits, the banks substituted the phrases 'rate of interest' with 'expected rate of profit' and "kept the entire regime of interest-based deposits intact."

While the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) — established by General Zia to, among other things, examine existing laws and strike down those that did not comply with Shari'a law —would have been the way to put a stop to such interest-paying accounts, Zia had created an article in the constitution (203B) which specifically removed from the FSC's jurisdiction "fiscal law or any law relating to the levy and collection of taxes and fees or banking or insurance practice and procedure", until government deemed it appropriate to withdraw the ban.

Furthermore, after the death of general Zia-ul-Haq, this programme was neglected by his long-time opponent Prime minister Benazir Bhutto, while Zia ally Nawaz Sharif launched a twin intensified programme, Privatization programme and the economic liberalisation to promote the GDP growth rate as well as reverting the economy back to Westernized economic system.

To surmount this obstacle, Islamic activists worked to
educate or convince the public that an interest-free economy was both viable and religiously necessary
pass a bill to make the shariat "superordinate" to the constitution
encourage superior courts to expand their definitions of jurisdiction of shariat to constitutional questions

Education
Muslims agree that the Quran condemns Riba, but do not all agree over what riba is.

While Muslim activists (and most Pakistanis) agree that riba is interest on debt, others believe that riba is usury (unethical loans that unfairly enrich the lender) and not interest charged under state-regulated banking practices. Such people were to be found disproportionately among "the economists, bankers, politicians, and bureaucrats" who "would be responsible to administer an interest free system".

To convince these people and others, Jamat-e-Islami and like-minded groups have sponsored, and Saudi Arabia has financed, numerous symposia "dedicated to the task of defining the modalities of an interest-free economy." A "vibrant" and abundant literature has emanated from these conferences, but many mainstream economists have remained unpersuaded.  Activists also had no luck getting a law enacted to make the constitution subordinate to shariat, but had more luck in the courts.

Superior Courts
While Zia had blocked the shariah courts ability to ban interest with Article 203B, he had also added Article 2A (also known as the Objectives Resolution) to the constitution, which included the statement that Muslims' lives should be ordered "in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah."  One superior court judge known as a particularly "skillful" Islamic activist and judicial activist -- Tanzil-ur-Rahman—argued that Article 2A required shariat law be enforced and was a "supra-Constitutional" grund norm of law in Pakistan, which meant that it gave superior courts jurisdiction to overrule parts of laws otherwise protected by the constitution if they are in violation of article 2-A, unless that court was specifically excluded. (Article 203B specifically excluded the FSC from examining fiscal laws for repugnancy to Islam, but not the high courts.)
Several decisions handed down in the late 1980s and early 1990s supported Tanzil-ur-Rahman's interpretation, but most high court justices did not subscribe to his application of the Objectives Resolution, nor to a ban on interest, and Tanzil-ur-Rehman retired from the bench in 1990.

Faisal Case

However, in 1990, the Benazir Bhutto government was dismissed by the president and Tanzil-ur-Rehman was brought out of retirement and appointed chief justice of the FSC. In November 1991 in a "monumental decision" he overturned 20 federal and provincial financial laws as repugnant to Islam.

The decision forbade riba absolutely without exceptions, defined it as "any addition, however slight, over and above the principal", including any system of markup, any indexing for inflation, payment by value rather than kind. It forbid riba in "production loans" as well as "consumptive" loans. It specifically declared invalid two Islamic Modernist interpretations that avoided strict prohibition: considering anti-riba Quranic verses (2:275-8) allegorical, and use of ijtihad  (independent reasoning) of the issue based on finding the public good (maslaha).

The government was publicly committed to Islamisation, but also pursuing a liberalization of Pakistan's economy and had a semi-autonomous state bank file an appeal. After much stalling by the government and bureaucracy, the Faisal case was upheld in 1999 by the Shariah Appellate Bench in the Aslam Khaki decision, with detailed orders to start the interest free economy. Pleading that implementation of the judgment would "create enormous problems" for the domestic, western-style banking and the economy, as well as Pakistan's "official and private business and financial dealings with the outside world", the government was given an additional year to Islamise by the Bench.

By this time, however, Pervez Musharraf had staged a coup and come to power and limited the power of the courts. He required judges to take a "fresh oath of office" in which they would undertake to uphold the "Provisional Constitution Order" established by the coup, which required judges to not "make any order against the Chief Executive or any other person exercising powers or jurisdiction under his authority."  Two justices of the Shariah Appellate Bench resigned rather than take the oath, a new appeal with new judges found many "errors" in the Aslam Khaki case and overturned the ruling of a couple months earlier.

Aftermath

In Pakistan's financial sector, as of 2006, a system of Islamic banking has been adopted that operates in parallel with the conventional banking system. Pakistanis can choose between the two modes of financing. Most informed Pakistanis, however, insist that there is "no concerted move" to do away altogether with the conventional banking system, or to replace existing linkages and relationships with international financial markets.

As of March 2014, the new "rebooted" Islamic banking sector made up 9.4% of Pakistan's banking assets,  but like the old Islamic banking sector is still overwhelmingly based on markup, not profit and loss sharing. As of 2015 the Faisal case decision that banned all interest on bank loans but was sent back to Federal Shariat Court (FSC) for "definitive finding on all the issues ..." in 2002 remains unheard in the Federal Shariat Court.

Islamic activists (such as M. Akram Khan), maintained that Islamic banking and economics had "effectively failed" because of lack of "political will",  ignorance of Islamic banking's "potential", the "inexperience" of the banking sector, failure to interest the public, etc.

Studies of industry and customers

Critic and economist Feisal Khan has noted that the Islamic banking industry in Pakistan has been supply driven rather than demand driven (mandated by General Zia-ul-Haq, court rulings, and the State Bank of Pakistan, rather than by customer interest or popular movements). In series of interviews conducted in 2008 and 2010 with Pakistani banking professionals (banker in conventional and Islamic, Shariah banking advisors, finance-using businessmen, and management consultants), Khan noted many Islamic bankers expressed "cynicism" over the different or lack thereof between conventional and Islamic bank products, the lack of requirements for external Shariah-compliance audits of Islamic banks in Pakistan, shariah boards lack of knowledge of un-shariah compliant practices in their banks or power to stop these practices.  However this did not deter patronage by the pious (one of whom explained that if his Islamic bank was not truly shariah compliant, 'The sin is on their head now, not on mine! What I could do, I've done.')

One estimate of banking customer preference (given by a Pakistani banker) was that out of the entire Pakistani banking sector, was that about 10% of customers were "strictly conventional banking clients", 20% were strictly Shariah-compliant banking clients, and 70% would prefer Shariah-compliant banking but would use conventional banking if "there was a significant pricing difference".  A survey of Islamic and conventional banking customers found  (unsurprisingly) Islamic banking customers were more observant (having attended hajj, observing salat, growing a beard, etc.), but also had higher savings account balances than conventional bank customers, were older, better educated, had traveled more overseas, and tended to have a second account at a conventional bank.  Another study, using "official data" reported to State Bank of Pakistan, found that for lenders who had taken out both Islamic (Murabaha) financing and conventional loans, the default rate was more than twice as high on the conventional loans. Borrowers were "less likely to default during Ramadan and in big cities if the share of votes to religious-political parties increases, suggesting that religion – either through individual piousness or network effects – may play a role in determining loan default."

Criticism
Other economists had different and more critical explanations and observations.  In 2000, the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Ishrat Hussain contended that "Pakistan is far removed from the day when it will be ready to adopt a full-fledged Islamic economic system. ... Most of the assumptions and premises on which the (scientific) hypotheses about the Islamic economic system have been constructed are serious flawed... "  A report by the IMF noted that the government has been unable to formulate non-interest based instruments for financing budget deficits, "thus the government, which is the major exponent of the implementation of the Islamic system, is forced to raise funds through borrowing on the basis of a fixed rate of return".

Another critic of "Islamization" of the economy, Feisal Khan, argues that one reason for the failure of the equity investment proposed by Islamic finance proponents to catch on is the "long established consensus" that debt finance is superior to equity investment because accurately determining the credit-worthiness of the borrower/investee is both time consuming and expensive, and much more crucial for equity investors than debt lenders. The quality and quantity of such information is particularly problematic when tax evasion is high and the underground economy large. This is very much the case in Pakistan where the 2005 incidence of tax evasion was between 5.7 and 6.5% of GDP, and the size of the unofficial/underground economy as between 54.6 and 62.8 percent of GDP,  "among the world's highest". (The average size of the informal economy is about 30% in Asia.)

Economist Izzud-Din Pal argues that "Islamising" the economy in Pakistan cannot be seen apart from the wider attempt of regimes and political elites with low levels of legitimacy and popularity to use religion to win public support.  Unfortunately, according to another author Yoginder Sikand, "rather than focusing on the Islamic imperatives of equality and social justice, which are so central to the Qur'anic text, successive regimes in Pakistan have sought to focus on particular economic injunctions of the Qur'an abstracted from wider issues of justice and equality". Because the debate on  "Islamising" Pakistan's national economy has been reduced to issues related to interest-free banking, the abolition of riba (interest), the laws of inheritance and the levy of the "zakāt", Sikand believes all that is being offered are "magical solutions" to the complex modern problems of Pakistan's economy.

Feisal Khan also argues that instituting a strictly Islamic banking system of mudaraba and musharaka, as called for by the 1999 Aslam Khaki decision of the Shariah Appellate Bench could lead to financial catastrophe.  If murabaha and other fixed income instruments were banned and replaced by the more "authentic" profit and loss sharing, banks could only finance enterprise by taking "a direct equity state" as called for in mudaraba and musharaka. Credit would contract and central banks would be unable to prevent a liquidity crisis by buying bonds, commercial paper, etc. to expand credit.

Land reform and Islamisation

Land ownership is concentrated in Pakistan — as of 2015 a reported one-half of rural households in Pakistan are landless, while 5% of the country's population owns almost two-thirds of its farmland. Some reformers believe concentrated land ownership plays a part in "maintaining poverty and food insecurity" in Pakistan, and several attempts have been made to redistribute land to peasants and landless (laws created in 1959, 1972 and 1977). However, most provisions of these laws have been overruled as un-Islamic by Pakistan courts.

The first attempts at land reform in Pakistan occurred under Ayub Khan's government in 1959, were successfully opposed by the landed elite who mobilized the Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami  to defend the "sanctity of private property in Islam".

In 1971 when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the Pakistan People's Party came to power, land reforms were "at the center" of that government's plans to transform Pakistan in to a "democratic Islamic socialist" state. The regime issued two land reform laws. A 1972 law (Martial Law Regulation - MLR 115, "promlogated" by the prime minister rather than passed by the National Assembly) was designed to place ceilings on the agricultural holding of Pakistan's large landlords (usually 150 acres but 300 acres if the land was unirrigated; exceptions were granted for tractors or installed tubewells). Land was to be seized by the state without compensation and distributed to the landless. Another provision of the law gave "first right of pre-emption" (right of first refusal to buy the land) to the existing tenants. In 1977, a bill was passed by the National Assembly, reducing the ceiling still further to 100 acres—although this act provided for compensation to landlords.

The implementation of land reforms was criticized for the modest amount of land seized and redistributed to the peasants, less-than-equitable administration—implementation was much more robust in the NWFP and Balochistan, where opposition to Bhutto was centered—and for being inherently "un-Islamic".  Many of Pakistan's large landlords mobilized against the reforms which they saw as "a direct challenged to their long-standing interest in maintaining political control in Pakistan's rural areas".

Undoing
After Ali Bhutto was overthrown, landlords who had lost as a result of land reform appealed to "Islamic Courts"  (i.e. the Shariah Appellate Bench and Federal Shariat Court), established by Bhutto's successor General Zia-ul-Haq, and these, rather than the executive or legislature of Pakistan, undid much of Ali Bhutto's reform program. According to scholar Charles H. Kennedy, the courts effectively "suspended implementation" of the land reforms, "repealed the reforms, drafted new legislation, and then interpreted the new laws' meanings".

"In early 1979, the "Shariat Bench" of the Peshawar High Court" found the section of the 1972 law granting tenants the right to buy land they worked before other offers ("right to preemption") was "repugnant to Islam" and thus void. The petitioners against the law had successfully argued that "nowhere in the Holy Quran or Sunnah" was there mention of a tenant's right to preemption. The right to preemption according to the  a hadith (the recorded reports of the teachings, deeds and sayings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad that make up much of the Sunnah) according to the petitioners and judges of the Shariat Bench went instead to the
shafi sharik (in Shariat law, "cosharers" or co-owners of the land)
shafi khalit, ("participants in immunities and appendages", i.e. those sharing special right on the property such as right of passage, right of irrigation, etc.,);
 shafi jar, (contiguous owners, those "owning an immovable property adjacent to the immovable property sold").

This decision was reaffirmed by the Federal Shariat Court in 1981 (although the court acknowledged that "Islam recognized the validity of state imposed limits on wealth for the purpose of alleviating poverty or providing for the public good", which was a goal of the land reform laws), and upheld by the Shariah Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court in 1986 in a 3 to 2 decision. This decision was "clarified and reclarified" in subsequent decisions, (but confusion over what land transfers were valid or not under the "old law" remained since legal proceedings with "final decree"  prior to the August 1986 ruling remained valid).

In August 1989 the Shariat Appellate Bench struck down several more measures of the 1972 land reform law. It ruled unanimously that provisions that allowed the confiscation of land without compensation were un-Islamic. On other measures it divided 3 to 2. It ruled that Waqf (an Islamic religious endowment, typically a donated plot of land or building) land was exempt from any provision of land reform laws; that the ceilings on amount of land owned were an undue restriction on property rights, on the grounds that "Islam does not countenance compulsory redistribution of wealth or land for the purpose of alleviating poverty, however laudable the goal of poverty relief may be."
Dissenting justices argued that under Islam the rights of property holder must be balanced against the needs of the community. (The repudiation of a major feature of Ali Bhutto's domestic policies during the regime of his daughter underscoring judicial independence (i.e. power), and the weakness of the elected government.)

According to barrister writing in dawn.com, "The net result of the Qazalbash Waqf v Chief Land Commissioner (the 1989 Shariat Appellate Bench decision) is that land reforms in Pakistan are now at the same level as they were in 1947, as the 1972 regulations and the 1977 act have seen their main provisions being struck down and the 1959 regulations have been repealed."

Other issues

Other ordinances dealing with Islamic finance included the Zakāt and Ushr Ordinances issued on 20 June 1980, to Islamize taxation. The new system expelled the secular and international financial institutions and consisted only Islamic organizations, associations and institutions. The Zakāt was to be deducted from bank accounts of Muslims at the rate of 2.5% annually above the balance of Rs. 3,000. The Ushr was levied on the yield of agricultural land in cash or kind at the rate of 10% of the agricultural yield, annually.

Authorized by General Zia-ul-Haq, the government appointed Central, Provincial, District and Tehsil Zakat Councils to distribute Zakat funds to the needy, poor, orphans and widows. The Shia Muslims were exempted from Zakat deduction from their accounts due to their own religious beliefs.  According to critics (Arskal Salim) the program has not been a great success:
"Since it was introduced through the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance No. 17 of 1980 ... the real lives and economic conditions of millions of Pakistani citizens have been completely unchanged, but a great number of socioreligious and political problems have arisen from state involvement in zakat administration."

Another economist (Parvez Hasan) writing in 2004 states zakat collections were insufficient to help the poor as it makes up only "0.17 percent of GDP ... Rs. 5-6 billion".  The present level of grants "would add only 5-6 percent" to the income of the 1.2 million of the poorest Pakistani households even if every rupee of zakat collected went directly to these poor.

See also
 Zia-ul-Haq's Islamisation
 Islamic economics in the world
 Privatization in Pakistan
 Economic liberalisation in Pakistan

References

Notes

Citations

Scholarly references

Military government of Pakistan (1977–1988)
I
Pakistan
Conservatism in Pakistan
Economic
Law of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: First Try at Using jQuery: Stuck on get() Error I'm trying to make a dropdown suggestion box using jQuery. I have a function that looks like this:
function onChoiceSelected(index){
    var item = $("#suggestionBox li").get(index);
    alert("inner html: "+item.html());
    currentSuggestionInput.val(item.html());
    hideSuggestions();
}

For some reason, that get function is stopping execution. If I replace it with .first(), for example, it all works fine.
What am I doing wrong?
Follow up question:

*

*Is there some way to see what errors are happening, rather than just having silent failure?

*I'm running firebug, but I never see any errors or anything like that. Anyone know a good article about getting a proper development environment set up for this stuff?

A: You want to use eq(), not get().
var item = $("#suggestionBox li").eq(index);

*

*get() is DOM node

*eq() is the jQuery object.

A: The get method returns the DOM node at the index specified. Since you are then trying to call a jQuery method on that, it will fail.
The eq method should do what you want. It will have the same effect as your get call, but it will return a jQuery object rather than the DOM node itself.

A: You should be seeing errors in the console of firebug.
You can also use tools like console.log(index) in firebug, as well as run the javascript directly from the console screen.
What value are you getting for index?

A: do it as
function onChoiceSelected(index){
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Pentagon Has No Plans To Send 15,000 Troops To Border
Campaign 2018 Headlines Immigration Military White House
Eric Boehlert November 2, 2018
Reprinted with permission from Shareblue.
Trump lies about everything so it's no surprise he's lying about deploying U.S. troops.
Usually seen as one of the president's most solemn and serious duties, Trump appears to be treating the task as a game as he makes up numbers about how many U.S. troops are being sent to Mexico border to supposedly protect Americans from refugees who are more than a thousand miles away from the U.S.
The move comes in the same week Trump released perhaps the most openly racist political ad in modern American campaign history.
Trump initially ordered 5,200 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. Then out of the blue on Tuesday he nearly tripled that commitment to 15,000 troops.
But over at the Defense Department, officials have no idea what he's talking about, raising doubts about whether Trump's latest claim has any basis in reality.
"Trump's comments left some in the Pentagon scratching their heads. Officials said they had no plans to deploy as many as 15,000 troops," the Associated Press reported.
Initially, Pentagon officials said 1,000 troops would be sent. Then it got bumped up to 5,000, and maybe 8,000. Now Trump has suddenly doubled that figure.
Trump has a disturbing history of not coordinating with the Pentagon when it comes to making dramatic military announcements.
In terms of perspective of how ridiculous Trump's call to arms is to defend the U.S. against these refugees, "a deployment of 15,000 would bring the military commitment on the border to roughly the same level as in war-torn Afghanistan," according to the AP.
Some veterans are denouncing the whole thing as an obvious political ploy designed to scare up Trump-base votes ahead of next week's midterms:
Why not 100,000? Why not a bajillion zillion?
What a joke. Now he is pulling numbers out of thin air, trying to make anyone believe that migrants 1000 miles away pose any kind of real threat, just to scare up votes.
Media must report on this as the complete sham that it is. https://t.co/O2zkWjUHFG
— VoteVets (@votevets) October 31, 2018
Trump insists the military overkill is needed because the marching migrants pose a bigger danger than anyone can imagine.
"You have caravans coming up that look a lot larger than it's reported actually," he said. "I'm pretty good at estimating crowd size."
Trump, of course, humiliated himself within hours of being inaugurated in 2017, when he and the White House launched epic lies about how the unimpressive crowd that assembled to watch his swearing in was actually the largest inauguration crowd in American history.
Adding to absurdity of this whole pre-election troop deployment production is that fact that federal law restricts what the military can do on American soil with regards to law enforcement.
So military personnel being sent to the border won't be able to seize illegal drugs, detain migrants, or an in away directly stop people from crossing into the U.S.
Trump's using U.S. troops as his political play thing. And the Pentagon doesn't know what to do.
Convicted In Mass Murder Plot, Extremists Blame Trump's Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
Funny How The Stock Market Tweets Come And Go
Froma Harrop November 2, 2018
Trump's Media Allies Whitewash 'Send Her Back' Rally Chant
Far Right, Featured Post, Media, White House

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I was truly impressed with the wealth of information that Dennis was able to share with me when assisting me in looking for a home. He is extremely professional, prompt, and helpful. He will definitely go the distance to ensure you find exactly what you are looking for without all of the stress and frustration. He is truly fantastic!


1. Check the impact of using the schema extension concept on impact in their code. While we developed the numbers of types impacted if the v2 schema extends types from the v1 schema, this was the missing piece we wanted feedback on before making a decision.
3. Get feedback from your organization about which of the three new IPR modes is preferred and which are acceptable. This info will be important when we need to select an IPR mode for the TC and may take some time for some organizations to develop.
1. Review available and intended support for MTOM by the major web stacks.


text:
Why UTSA's matchup against UNT is such a big deal
Sports // UTSA
Sarah Martinez
Nov. 27, 2021 Updated: Nov. 27, 2021 3:33 p.m.
UTSA's football team is ready to beat UNT, a series tied at 4-4.
Chavis Barron for MySA
San Antonio's latest pride and joy, UTSA's Roadrunner football team, is ready for a Texas showdown that has some thinking the up-and-coming team may finally experience a loss this season. Here's what you should know about Saturday's game.
Showdown of the birds
The University of Texas at San Antonio will take on the University of North Texas' football team, known as the Mean Green among college football fans. Perhaps the nickname is intimidating enough that an NCAA writer thinks UTSA could lose against the UNT Eagles and end its winning streak.
The game also marks the ninth meeting of the two Texas teams, with UTSA and UNT each winning four games in the series. Just to be clear, UNT has a 5-6 record this season, so don't be so surprised if the Roadrunners prove to be the dominant bird in this showdown.
Nitty gritty details
UTSA fans still feeling the buzz present at the Alamodome last Saturday during the team's thrilling win against the University of Alabama at Birmingham will have to hold on to that feeling. The Roadrunners will take on UNT at Apogee Stadium in Denton, meaning dedicated fans should already have their local watch party plans in place.
If you're not willing to head to a sports bar or go over to your primo's house to watch the game, there are other ways to watch. The game will air on ESPN+ and be available to stream on ESPN's website and mobile app.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
UTSA fans are pumped for Saturday's game.
Making San Antonio proud
Even without the anticipation of the game, this has been a major week for UTSA's football program. As college football experts and fans have taken UTSA more seriously with each win, the team's current 11-0 record has brought on a wave of recognition for both players and coaching staff.
On Tuesday, star quarterback Frank Harris was recognized twice for his contributions in UTSA's win against UAB last week. You know, when he three three TDs and helped UTSA keep up its perfect season. Harris was named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week and Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week.
Though Harris won out in the Earl Campbell award, his teammate and wide receiver Zakhari Franklin was named as an honorable mention. Franklin was also recognized as the first 2,000 yard receiver in the program's history.
Meanwhile, defensive back Tariq Woolen and offensive lineman Spencer Burford have accepted invitations to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl, which highlights elite NFL draft prospects and connects the star athletes with coaches and other NFL officials. Woolen even got to chat with the folks behind the Reese's bowl and share more about his UTSA experience and what's to come. The duo are also set to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Jess Loepp is one of 15 semi-finalists for the Broyles Award, which recognizes the top assistant coach in college football.
The Roadrunners announced Wednesday that it has set a new program record for the number of sacks in a season. That's 29 sacks in a single season, thank you very much.
Now, go light your velas so UTSA can keep up the magic of this season.
Read more from Sarah
- 'Ahhhh': An analysis of and love letter to the San Antonio laugh
- From Bexar to Huebner: Why non-natives struggle to pronounce Texas names
- San Antonio professor is unearthing long-gone stories at San Fernando Cemeteries
Stay up to date on the latest stories from San Antonio and beyond by signing up for our newsletters here.
Reach Sarah on
Sarah Martinez is a digital producer for MySA. She is a San Antonio native and an alumna of Syracuse University. | @smartinezwrites


Specialising in bespoke decorations and gifts for special occasions and events. Throughout the brand, I aim to create personal and charming products from recycled materials. Reusing unwanted items, not only benefits the environment, but breathes new life into something that was once destined to be discarded. The main materials I use are paper from old books, music sheets and ceramics, particularly porcelain.
I am a Designer/Maker based in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield. I specialise in ceramics, however dabble in illustration, print, paper crafts and textiles.
Throughout my crafts and art work, I aim to change the context of found and recycled objects; whether it is finding a new purpose for unwanted books or creating narratives using my porcelain figures. I intend to capture the beauty that is no longer seen in unused objects. This concept is also what draws me to making with clay; using a raw and natural material to create something new and beautiful. I aim to celebrate how aged and recycled objects can be revived into a new and innovative creation.
Throughout my figurative illustrations I am greatly influenced by children's drawings and how they lack perspective and proportion. They are not realistic images, however, with our symbolic awareness as human beings, we are able to recognise the qualities of a figure within ourselves. I believe these imprecisions are something to be admired.
Unique lifecastings by Rachel Leigh-Hamilton made of Ceramic with metallic glazes. My work has been exhibited in many galleries and exhibitions in the UK and Internationally.
YASIR & COMPANY is a manufacturer of hand made ceramic tiles.
FilArts.com is an internet retailer of fine Philippine handicrafts, pottery and ceramic arts. We carry unique decorative vases made out of clay, natural wood and even resin.
We manufacture, supplying and distributing bio-ceramic Far Infrared Rays (FIR) healthcare products.


text:
Jandala may refer to one of several places and polity in modern Pakistan :

 Jandala, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
 Jandala, Poonch, a village in Poonch district of Azad Kashmir
 Jandala (Samahni Valley), a village in the Bhimber district of Azad Kashmir
 Jandala State, a former princely state on the North Frontier, presently in Pakistani Punjab


Asymcute is an asynchronous MQTT-SN implementation.
Asymcute is a asynchronous MQTT-SN client implementation, aiming at providing the user a high degree of flexibility. It provides a flexible interface that allows users to issue any number of concurrent requests to one or more different gateways simultaneously.
Default buffer size used for receive and request buffers.
Default priority for Asymcute's handler thread.
Default stack size for Asymcute's handler thread.
Default stack size for an Asymcute listener thread.
Forward type declaration for connections contexts.
Forward type declaration for request contexts.
Forward type declaration for subscription contexts.
Forward type declaration for topic definitions.
Forward type declaration for last will definitions.
Context specific timeout callback, only used internally.
Definition at line 104 of file asymcute.h.
Keep alive interval [in s] communicated to the gateway.
Definition at line 122 of file asymcute.h.
Interval to use for sending periodic ping messages.
The default behavior of this implementation is to send ping messages as soon as three quarters of the keep alive interval have passed.
Definition at line 134 of file asymcute.h.
Default priority for an Asymcute listener thread.
Definition at line 88 of file asymcute.h.
Number of retransmissions until requests time out.
Definition at line 152 of file asymcute.h.
Definition at line 143 of file asymcute.h.
Must be less than (256 - 8) AND less than (ASYMCUTE_BUFSIZE - 8).
Definition at line 113 of file asymcute.h.
Event callback used for communicating connection and request related events to the user.
Definition at line 216 of file asymcute.h.
Callback triggered on events for active subscriptions.
Definition at line 227 of file asymcute.h.
Return values used by public Asymcute functions.
Definition at line 158 of file asymcute.h.
Possible event types passed to the event callback.
Definition at line 171 of file asymcute.h.
Connect to the given MQTT-SN gateway.
Start the global Asymcute handler thread for processing timeouts and keep alive events.
This function is typically called during system initialization.
Check if the given connection context is connected to a gateway.
Publish the given data to the given topic.
Register a given topic with the connected gateway.
Check if a given request context is currently used.
Definition at line 316 of file asymcute.h.
Check if a given subscription is currently active.
Definition at line 330 of file asymcute.h.
Subscribe to a given topic.
Compare two given topics and check if they are equal.
Definition at line 387 of file asymcute.h.
Check if a given topic is initialized.
Definition at line 372 of file asymcute.h.
Check if a given topic is currently registered with a gateway.
Definition at line 358 of file asymcute.h.
Definition at line 344 of file asymcute.h.


text:
Filtered by: Anime & Manga, Beaches, Zoos & Aquariums
Otome Road
Specialities Anime & Manga - Interested in the 2D side of Japan? Head to Otome Road in Ikebukuro, which has anime and manga goods, voice actor CDs, doujinshi (self-published works...
Specialities Anime & Manga - Shinjuku is Inception come true for those looking to see into the future – skyscrapers touching the clouds, high-rise buildings so close that they're ...
Momochi Seaside Park
Specialities Beaches - Quietly tucked away in the suburbs, the Momochi Seaside Park offers a perfect seaside oasis away from fast-paced Fukuoka city. With quaint restaura...
Omi-Maiko Beach
Specialities Beaches - Omi-Maiko, a scenic and pristine beach on Lake Biwa, provides an ideal escape from the city's hot and sticky summers. Only an hour from Osaka and...
Beppu Safari
Specialities Zoos & Aquariums - Although it's best known for its onsen (hot springs), Beppu is also known for having a little piece of Africa that is easily within your...
Tempozan Harbor Village
Specialities Zoos & Aquariums - The Osaka Bay Area is a collection of of man-made islands and peninsulas that were built to accommodate Osaka's rapidly growing urban area. Tempozan H...
Specialities Zoos & Aquariums - If the word "zoo" makes you think of captive animals put on display, a visit to Asahiyama Zoo will completely challenge this notion. Thanks to...
Takadanobaba
Specialities Anime & Manga - Named by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1636, the area of Takadanobaba (literally "Takata's horse spot") was the famed shogun's favorite horse riding, horse raci...
Osaka Kaiyukan
Specialities Zoos & Aquariums - Now in its 27th year, Osaka's Kaiyukan Aquarium remains one of the premier tourist attractions in the Kansai region. In 2014, the building underwen...
Ikebukuro Anime Walking Tour
Specialities Anime & Manga - Visitors to Japan may know Akihabara as the mecca for anime lovers, but, hidden on the other side of the Yamanote loop, lies a sleeper...
Ogasawara Islands
Specialities Beaches - When it comes to Tokyo, if stunning beaches are the last thing on your mind, the Ogasawara Islands will change that — in a big...


text:
Padet Vejsawarn (born 26 June 1946) is a Thai sports shooter. He competed in the men's 50 metre rifle three positions event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

References

1946 births
Living people
Padet Vejsawarn
Padet Vejsawarn
Shooters at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Place of birth missing (living people)
Asian Games medalists in shooting
Shooters at the 1974 Asian Games
Padet Vejsawarn
Medalists at the 1974 Asian Games
Padet Vejsawarn


Are you a store owner? You might be the reason why the business isn't attaining higher levels. We can tell you why!
Cash handling is itself a thief of time, but the saviour for cash losses is something that also likely takes up much of your time. It is not unusual that your focus, as store owner, is to reduce losses, instead of spending time on streamlining cash handling. Do you not feel there is a problem with your current handling processes? You should probably look again – there's always tweaks that can be made here and there!
"We do things this way, and it's worked for us so far." Not wanting to change things by using the argument of "it has always worked well for us" is a sign that things could probably be going better for your business. What worked well when you started out is most likely not what works best today, or next year.
Let's give you an example: Say that you've been doing the same thing for 15 years. Over those years you've spend 20 hours a week on administration and follow-up for cash handling, for example. The result? 15,600 hours (or just over one and a half years) that you could have used to raise your business to greater heights.
Goods should be stacked on the shelves, be sold to customers before the expiration date and be refilled when they're gone. You and your staff most likely spend a lot of time planning how to streamline the flow of goods in the store to never risk having empty shelves. But is this really the best way to prioritise your time? Think about whether an adjustment of your priorities can be the key to more efficient processes – and smoother logistics.
Are self-checkouts only for peak hours? Learn more in "Reduce lines and increase efficiency with self-checkouts".


First Look: New Starbucks Drive Through On Northside Parkway. Cart Merge, success, sign In Required.
What else do you need? Update: Portmans Emerson Condo Tower Put On Hold. Weitere Informationen zu unseren Cookies und dazu, wie du die Kontrolle darüber behältst, findest du hier: Cookie-Richtlinie. Vodafone, Orange, 3, O2, brasilien 40404, nextel, TIM, haiti 40404. Testimonials "After nearly 30 years in Atlanta, Pricci is still a go-to place when we want to take friends or family, knowing the standard of excellence will be met. Vodafone zeige SMS-Kurzwahlen für andere Länder). Pho Dai Viet Brings Vietnamese Cuisine to Buckhead. Gets quite busy at times but they always do the best to accommodate youin one case, they actually set us up a table! Registrieren zweiwege-Kurz-Codes (zum Senden und Empfangen land. Indonesien 89887, aXIS, 3, Telkomsel, Indosat, XL Axiata.
Brand, american, indian, cigarettes, nic-Out, jade Pearl, honeyrose Products Ltd. In 2016, after getting a job that required physical labor, he decided to get healthy to feel better at work. Its like something straight out of a..


We offer specially designed insulated containers to ensure proper temperature control for blood, plasma and platelets during storage and transportation.
The insulated containers are white corrugated board printed with "Human Whole Blood" on all four sides, complete with polyisocyanurate insulation and polyliner bag. Loading instructions for easy handling, shipping and storage are also available.
Whole Blood Shippers can be utilized with bagged ice or coolants. The HWB shippers can hold a single unit to multiple units of whole blood.
Sides and ends are hinged and mitered to fit flush with top and bottom panels.
Polyliner is included for extra protection against leaks and spills.
The Platelet Insulated shipper provides easy storage and efficient transportation. Our construction is designed to maintain product safety and insure proper temperature control.


Brutzkus Gubner Partner Richard Burstein will be making a presentation for the Valley Beth Shalom "Hazak" program on January 25, 2016. The presentation will focus on Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th century British prime minister who was born Jewish and later baptized into the Church of England; a path often taken by Jews to acquire new freedoms. Disraeli remained steadfast in his pride of origin, was a popular novelist, and was instrumental in overseeing the digging of the Suez Canal while he was the Prime Minister of England. The themes in his writings place him in a group of proto-Zionist authors in the days before Theodore Herzl.


text:
Explained: What samples brought back by China mission tell us about the Moon
Chang'e-5 landed on an area of the Moon (the 'far side') not sampled by the American or Soviet missions nearly 50 years ago, and thus retrieved fragments of the youngest lunar rocks ever brought back for analysis in laboratories on Earth.
New Delhi | Updated: October 13, 2021 14:55 IST
The Chang'e-5 sample 'CE5C0400' from the Moon's surface; it weighs nearly 35 grams and was collected by a robotic arm. (Photo: CNSA/CLEP via Europlanet Society)
On December 16, 2020, China's Chang'e-5 lunar mission delivered to Earth nearly 2 kg of rocky fragments and dust from the Moon. At the ongoing Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2021 virtual meeting, Yuqi Qian, a PhD student at the China University of Geosciences, presented early-stage findings that use geological mapping to link 'exotic' fragments in the collected samples to features near the landing site, the Europlanet Society said in a press release.
Chang'e-5 landed on an area of the Moon (the 'far side') not sampled by the American or Soviet missions nearly 50 years ago, and thus retrieved fragments of the youngest lunar rocks ever brought back for analysis in laboratories on Earth. The rocks are also different to those returned decades ago.
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THE FINDINGS: According to the Europlanet Society, the study presented by Qian suggests that 90% of the materials collected by Chang'e-5 likely derive from the landing site and its immediate surroundings, which are of a type termed 'mare basalts'. These volcanic rocks are visible to us as the darker grey areas that spilled over much of the nearside of the Moon as ancient eruptions of lava. Yet 10% percent of the fragments have distinctly different, 'exotic' chemical compositions.
WHY IT MATTERS: The distinct 10% fragments may preserve records of other parts of the lunar surface as well as hints of the types of space rocks that have impacted the Moon's surface. Qian and colleagues from Brown University and the University of Münster have looked at the potential sources of beads of rapidly cooled glassy material. They have traced these glassy droplets to extinct volcanic vents known as 'Rima Mairan' and 'Rima Sharp'. These fragments could give insights into past episodes of energetic, fountain-like volcanic activity on the Moon, the release said.
The team has also looked at the potential sources of impact-related fragments. The young geological age of the rocks at the landing site narrows the search, as only craters with ages less than 2 billion years can be responsible, and these are relatively rare on the side of the Moon that faces Earth. The team has modelled the potential contributions from specific craters: Aristarchus, Kepler, Copernicus, Harding, and Harpalus. Qian's findings show that Harpalus is a significant contributor of many exotic fragments among Chang'e-5's sample haul, and these pieces of rock could offer a way to address persisting uncertainty about this crater's age, the release said.
Source: Europlanet Society
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Larry Martinez DC FIAMA, D.C.
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Dr Joshua D Bonine, D.C.
Dr Joshua D Bonine, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Techniques: • Pettibon • Chiropractic Biophysics • Traction • Upper Cervical • Diversified • Gonstead Take the next step and contact Dr. Dr Joshua D Bonine, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
W A Mundahl, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Take the next step and contact Dr. W A Mundahl, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Jordan C White, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Take the next step and contact Dr. Jordan C White, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Ismael V Holquin, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Take the next step and contact Dr. Ismael V Holquin, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Patrick Waikem, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Take the next step and contact Dr. Patrick Waikem, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Jeffrey S Szarek, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Techniques: • Diversified • Gonstead • Manual Adjusting • Trigger Point Therapy • Thompson • Coupled Reduction Take the next step and contact Dr. Jeffrey S Szarek, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Noel Nolasco, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Take the next step and contact Dr. Noel Nolasco, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Kimberly S Driggers, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Techniques: • Diversified • Gonstead Take the next step and contact Dr. Kimberly S Driggers, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Dwane C Moyer, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Techniques: • Activator Methods • Diversified • Sacro Occipital Technique Take the next step and contact Dr. Dwane C Moyer, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Lawrence Roddick, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Take the next step and contact Dr. Lawrence Roddick, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Billy Ryan, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Techniques: • Diversified • Activator Methods Take the next step and contact Dr. Billy Ryan, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
Dean K Parsons, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, TX. Techniques: • Upper Cervical • Activator Methods • Sacro Occipital Technique Take the next step and contact Dr. Dean K Parsons, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, TX or to get more information.
R L Luttrell Jr, D.C.
R L Luttrell Jr, D.C., is a chiropractor located in San Antonio, FL. Take the next step and contact Dr. R L Luttrell Jr, D.C., for a consultation in San Antonio, FL or to get more information.


When we shot Cassidy and Jared's engagement photos a few months ago, we wondered if seltzer would be popped along with champagne at their wedding, since a seltzer errand played a key role in Jared's proposal. We totally forgot to look– our eyes were glued to Cassidy's swirling cutout-back Vera Wang gown and self-made rose and lavender bouquets. Twelve years after they made a college pact to wed if they were still single when Cassidy turned 30, they sealed it at Larchmont Temple, with Cassidy vowing to love her "rock and sweet big bunny." Here's wishing they hop into a beautiful future.


Stunning beach, rock pools large enough to swim in and really uncommercialised.
El Cotillo is a stunning village. The beach and lagoons are simply stunning. There is a lovely harbour in the village and plenty of restaurants. El Cotillo is well worth visiting, particularly at sundown, to watch the beautiful sunsets.
Just a must to visit.
Visited to see the Museum but closed due to restoration work. Not disappointed, right on the edge of the coast with lovely views across the Beach...surfers paradise!
Get quick answers from El Cotillo Beach & Lagoons staff and past visitors.
Yes it has changed even in the past five years. At the moment there are between 35 and 40 hire cars parked each day and the nicest lagoon is more like Clacton than Cotillo. Sadly most of the babble comes from British tourists. We have started going further north towards the lighthouse: there are many coves and small bays along the coast towards Majanicho, and a lot less people!


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Blackballed MMA Reporter Admits He Was UFC's Paid Shill
MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani and his colleagues Casey Leydon and Esther Lin were booted from UFC 199 on Saturday and banned from future UFC events, apparently in retaliation for Helwani having reported, a few hours before the UFC's official announcement, that Brock Lesnar was in talks to fight at UFC 200 next month. Since being tossed, Helwani has gone on a media tour on which he's been treated as a Great Ethics Haver, talking to SI's Richard Deitsch and telling Dan Patrick that Fox Sports fired him "because the UFC told them to. That's 100% fact."
UFC Throws Reporter Out Of Event, Bans Him For Life For Reporting News
Imagine the NBA having Adrian Wojnarowski escorted out of a game in the third quarter and banning…
Today, though, on his own popular weekly broadcast The MMA Hour, Helwani went well past admitting to being a less than objective MMA journalist. In a surreal two-hour broadcast that ended with him crying while talking about his family fleeing to Canada from the Middle East under threat of persecution, Helwani admitted to having done things while covering the UFC for Fox Sports and Vox Media that would have gotten his ass thrown to the curb by any respectable media operation.
The biggest of these was admitting that his checks for appearing on Fox's pre- and post-fight shows—checks which have since been cut off after Fox fired him at, he says, the UFC's behest—were signed by Zuffa, UFC's parent company. As Helwani explained it, his checks went from Fox to Zuffa to Helwani, and he accepted this, despite extensively describing how he learned in journalism school that this was absolutely something he shouldn't have done:
The catch was that, for the pre and post fight shows, the check has to be signed by Zuffa. So, UFC Tonight is one contract, and that is a Fox production, Zuffa has nothing to do with that, but, even though Fox is paying the UFC for those broadcasts, weigh-in shows, post-fight shows, all that stuff, the money is going from Fox, to Zuffa, to the talent. ... The first class I ever took at [Syracuse University's] Newhouse [School], in journalism, was journalism ethics, and they hammer that down your throat. There is like a rule that you can't take anything above $30. I kid you not. Because you can't owe them anything if you want to be unbiased.
There's no reason to pretend that pre- and post-game shows are bastions of journalism righteousness, but this is categorically different than the tangled relationships broadcasters have with rights-holders. The NFL, for instance, severely influences how ESPN reports on concussions, and ESPN has a distinct interest in buffering the NFL's reputation, but the NFL doesn't directly cut checks to NFL reporters who appear on ESPN.
(Fox's normally responsive and chatty PR department has gone silent in response to multiple requests to comment on Helwani's claims.)
But admitting that he was paid by the organization he covered—admitting, in effect, to being a cog in UFC's vast PR machinery, while working for Vox's MMA Fighting as a nominally independent journalist—wasn't all. Helwani spoke proudly of how UFC president Dana White once gave him explicit permission to pursue scoops (as if he needed White's permission to do what was supposed to be his job) and also said that he would ask UFC fighters if they approved of certain questions before interviews, giving them veto power over having to discuss anything difficult.
Giving an example, Helwani said that he asked Travis Browne before an interview whether he could ask questions about rumors of his relationship with fellow UFC star Ronda Rousey. Browne checked in with Rousey and okayed the questions, but after the interview blew up Rousey got mad at Helwani for kicking up a shitstorm with his (approved) questioning. This is how Helwani described trying to get back into her good graces:
I reached out to people close to her, I reached out to Travis, I said "You told me this was okay. I never would've done it if it wasn't. I don't understand." Nothing. [...] I would never do something she didn't want me to do. I would never do something that would expose her, or embarrass her. I specifically asked for permission beforehand, which by the way is something you're told not to do.
Incredibly, once again, Helwani admits to knowing that this isn't something he should be doing as a journalist, yet going ahead and doing it anyway.
Finally, while Helwani declined to speak about it in-depth, he obliquely confirmed a Twitter rumor that he was thrown into a wall and choked by UFC security two years ago after asking Chuck Liddell if he would fight Jon Jones, saying only that "it got physical." A reliable source has confirmed the legitimacy of these rumors to Deadspin. (Helwani and the UFC haven't returned requests for comment.)
The amazing thing here is that despite Helwani's confessions, the UFC is still the party that comes out looking the worst. Whatever he's done wrong, none of it has anything to do with him and two colleagues having been tossed from a UFC event, and banned from future UFC events, because he accurately reported news. Maybe the lesson here is an old one: try to ride a pig, and you'll end up covered in shit.
Update: UFC has restored Helwani's credential.
UFC Restores Ariel Helwani's Credentials
MMAFighting.com reporter Ariel Helwani and his colleagues Casey Leydon and Esther Lin, who were…


Ransomware is bad enough in its current form, but a new variant of the malware has been discovered that is possibly worse than what we've seen before. The malicious software, called Petya, doesn't just target individual files, it encrypts entire hard drives.
While the majority of ransomware is spread via email attachments or is hosted in sites and delivered by exploit kits, Petya has been found in emails containing hyperlinks to a Dropbox storage location (since removed by the company), making it appear more legitimate.
According to a Trend Micro blog post, the email masquerades as an application letter from someone seeking employment in a company. One of the links supposedly points at the applicant's CV, but is actually a self-extracting executable file. This link downloads a Trojan which blinds any antivirus programs before downloading and executing Petya.
Once executed, Petya will overwrite the master boot record of the entire hard drive, triggering a critical Windows error – the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. When the machine is rebooted, the PC appears to perform a check disk operation but, during this time, Petya is actually encrypting the master file table (MFT), rendering the PC useless.
At this point, victims are presented with a lock screen and instructions on how to connect to TOR, visit a specific website and pay the fee, which is 0.99 bitcoins, or around $430. If the ransom is not paid within seven days the price doubles.
The attackers, who call themselves 'Janus Cybercrime Solutions,' say that attempting to fix the master boot record won't decrypt the ransomware, and may result in the purchased decryption key not working.
So far, emails containing the Petya links have been aimed primarily at companies in Germany, but they could start reaching beyond the country's borders. Researchers are still investigating this new form of ransomware, but there's still no fix available.


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My name is Laura Boyden. I graduated from Lakeside School of Massage in 2012. As a Massage Therapist, I encourage and help people to care for and appreciate their body and life. The connection between mind, soul and body is intertwined to make the masterpiece that is uniquely you. Massage Therapy helps to avoid the fundamental stresses that impact our body and well being. Awaken, renew and restore that life giving balance. Consider making massage a part of your healthy ways.
I offer Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, Thai, reflexology, acupressure and many other modalities that are beneficial to my clients needs and preferences. I incorporate hot and cold stone as well as hydrotherapy and aromatherapy for variety and personal treatments. My clients experience greater health and well being, relief and quicker recovery from injury or illness. See also, www.kittherapy.com for more information.
Great space. Comfortable. A little loud during my massage (crying infant) however I realize that isn't necessarily the norm. Friendly staff on both sides.
Laura is the best. My body feels so relaxed when she is done.
Laura is a wonderful listener and addressed all my concerns. I would highly recommend her!!
Friendly environment and nicely decorated.
Every thing she does.The skill in which she works on you is breath taking.She can tell you what parts need the most work on.With me some time my leg needs help.She will work that part of your body a little longer.I walk in feeling just OK I walk out feeling Great again.
Chair Massage is performed in a specially designed chair with your clothes on. It is excellent for relaxation and relief of tension in head, neck, shoulders and low back.
Amanda was very professional during the entire experience. I went in and spoke to her about some neck problems I've been having and she spent a lot of time working on the area. I could feel a difference in my neck the very next day. I will be going back for sure!
Service Received: Swedish Stress Relief Massage with Laura B.
Service Received: 90 Minute massage/Buy 5 get the 6th massage free with Laura B.
Service Received: Restorative Deep Tissue Massage with Laura B.
Service Received: 60 minute massage/ buy 5 get the 6th free with Laura B.
All the overall services the facility offers. One stop relief.
Service Received: Swedish Stress Relief Massage with Amanda O.
Laura always finds the knots & gets them out!!
This place is amazing. I have been going here for 6 years and look very it.
Laura is an experienced therapist who knows how to identify & treat the areas of an aching body. I especially like the use of warm stones. Trustworthy, likeable & highly regarded. Make an appointment. You'll be glad you did!
Service Received: Restorative Deep Tissue Massage with Amanda O.
Always look forward to our next visit with Laura and her magic fingers. Have had many massages over the years, but Laura is the best we have ever had.
Everything is done to make your experience relaxing.
Every two weeks this is my escape to a peaceful oasis for rejuvenation.
It was so relaxing and comfortable. Laura is a real professional and I love her.
Service Received: 60 minute massage/ buy 5 get the 6th free with Amanda O.
Nothing was dispiked by me.
I had a wonderful Massage! Loved the combination of techniques. Will definitely be back ~ I highly recommend Laura.
This was by far the bestbmassage I have ever gotten. Laura took the time to work on my back, legs and feet which are my trouble areas. She is very knowledgeable on stenosis which is what I have.
Service Received: Restorative 2 hour Massage with Laura B.
Laura truly has a gift. Beyond a simple massage .. it was totally therapeutic. I'm recommending this treatment for my whole family.
Best massage that I have yet to receive.
Since I've moved, it's a 40+ minute drive. Totally worth it. I would highly recommend Laura to anyone. It was great!
Laura is very professional and knowledgeable!!!
Laura was phenomenal. I bought a package and booked 5 more massages. Thank you.
Best massage ever! I have had massages by other people, but Laura is by far the best. She has magic hands.
Laura and I see eye to eye. I am never disappointed. I return again and again. It's an ongoing process.
Thought her technique was great and her ability to tackle my issues was spot on. I would recommend Laura to others!!
Laura gives a nice relaxing massage. very calm and serene environment and experience.
I have been a Client of Laura for over 5 years now. The experience has been enriching both physical and emotional. If you are not using this service you're missing out.
I have been seeing Laura for over 2 years and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon.
Love the hot rock treatment!
Laura know exactly how to fix my aches.
Scheduling time for a massage with Laura is the best gift I give myself. It's important for me to address pain as soon as it develops to keep my mind, body and spirit in balance. Laura is the very best.
Laura Boyden is the best!!!!!!
Laura has truly magic fingers. She is able to find areas of pain without you telling her. She does not give you a simple massage, it is truly therapeutic. I have had others give me a massage, they do not measure up at all to what Laura gives you. She keeps improving her skills. She truly cares about her clients.
Service Received: 30 Site Specific Therapeutic Massage with Laura B.
I've received massages from others in the past and they were just so so. Laura is truly amazing at what she does. Using the right amount of pressure the massages are completely relaxing. She definitely has a healing soul.
Very professional, very skilled, excellent experience!
Laura's experience goes above and beyond !
Laura does an excellent job. She is very personable and knowledgeable about what's going on in your body.
My massage is not rushed like many seem to do. Laura works the area's and will ask if it is hurting or helping. Laura is by far the best I have ever been to & will continue to go to. I have bee to the big box massage centers and there is no comparison.
It was perfect and I would do it again in a heart beat. I left feeling wonderful and still do.
Laura provides a much needed service in a very professional way. She makes you feel comfortable in a very private situation. I always feel tons better after she performs her magic. Her knowledge and skills are the best.
Laura is sooooo good!!! I feel so relaxed after my massages.
Laura knows how to work on the muscles in the most need for tension release. A gifted therapist.
Laura is amazing! Do yourself a favor and get a massage from her I promise you that you'll never be the same.


Annual affordable sale of over 120 pieces of artwork generously donated by Brooklyn artists (including me) to benefit the Brooklyn Arts Council. This ticketed, one day event to be held in DUMBO enables the visual arts and art-loving community to come together in support of the Brooklyn Arts Council's many programs and services.
Tickets are $25 per person for General Admission; $300 for the VIP option, which includes admission for two to an exclusive preview hour and one complimentary piece of art. Artwork prices will be $150 and $300.
There will also be a silent auction piece graciously donated by Mickalene Thomas; and a delicious reception provided by The Bridges, Pinkberry, Foragers Market, Lagunitas Brewing Company, ITO EN, and Brooklyn Roasting Company. We will also raffle off a deluxe chocolate turkey from Lilac Chocolates as a special kick-off to the holidays.
Click here for virtual catalog and to buy tickets!


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Open every Friday starting in May, Fridays at the Fountain is Crystal City's seasonal pop-up beer garden set within the Crystal City Water Park, featuring food from The Stand's rotating lineup of vendors, beverage selections from the Crystal City Wine Shop and live music from local bands and musicians.
The event is 100 percent free to attend and there will be food and drink available for purchase at The Stand! So come, grab a drink and a bite to eat and relax with your friends, colleagues and neighbors and enjoy some great live music from a different hand picked group every week.
A rotating selection of food from some of the areas hottest vendors will be available for purchase at The Stand. Adult and kid friendly beverages will also be available for purchase.


I saw this on Mayday and absolutely fell in love with this Goddess. When she arrived she was even more stunning that the pictures showed and she feels amazing! Jo also put a loop through so that I can wear her. it's like having a minature grecian marble statue all of my own!!! The earth mother is with you Jo!!!