Why You Should Carefully Watch the Oil in Agricultural Vehicles

Much agricultural machinery is built for rugged use and is normally regarded as being pretty robust.
This leads some people in the farming industry to be a little cavalier about maintenance and particularly the oil in their vehicles and equipment. True, oil is not cheap and the obvious temptation is to ignore it if the piece of machinery concerned appears to be working fine.
That would be a big mistake though and here are just a few reasons why.
Wear Reduction
The whole purpose of using oil in a machine is to reduce friction.
That isn't just to keep the physicists happy - it has a real practical purpose because friction reduces the efficiency of operation in a machine and creates wear. In most cases, the more you reduce friction, the more efficiently your machinery will operate and the less susceptible parts of it will be to wear and tear.
Of course, some machines actually need friction in order to function but we'll park that one for another time!
If you use the correct oil and appropriate amounts of it in your agricultural machinery, including sit-on lawnmowers, its lifespan should be extended considerably.
Oil Deteriorates In Use
It still surprises some people to realise that oil acting as a lubricant in a moving machine will have a tendency to deteriorate over time.
The science behind that is too detailed to go into here but take it on trust that when the manufacturers recommend an oil change after a certain amount of use or a certain amount of elapsed time, they aren't doing so just to sell more of their product.
If you want your oil to continue to give the maximum possible protection to your machinery, you should make sure you change it regularly, as advised by the appropriate manual.
Oil Degrades Over Time
Another point to remember is that this wonderful substance deteriorates over time, even when it is not in use.
So, you may not have used that piece of agricultural machinery for a year or so but before trying to do so, it might be a smart idea to drain down and replace any old oil.
It's also equally advisable to be sceptical about any oil that's been kicking around for years in a tin at the back of a shed.
Oil Grades Matter
It's not unusual to come across people who operate on the basis of "Any old oil will do".
In fact, that approach is one that is going to potentially prove to be very expensive for you!
Most oils are usually graded based upon their viscosity at specified upper and lower temperature levels. Broadly speaking, when you start up a piece of machinery, the oil in it needs to be fluid enough at colder temperatures for it to flow and cover the components. As the machinery heats up, the oil has to be capable of staying thick enough to continue to cover the moving parts.
That's why you will often see two grades quoted on oil - based upon upper and lower temperature viscosity levels.
Take these viscosity grades seriously and always follow the manufacturer's instructions, even if it means spending a few dollars more to get the right oil.

visit Whites Tractors for more agriculture machinery like lawnmowers, kubota tractors, hay equipment and a lot more.

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Top Languages That Can Expand Your Business Across the Globe

The current scenario is the age of technological evolution and an evident outcome of it is globalization. Various nations and their business alliance are in symbiotic association with each other. This is the vital ingredient of survival in the highly charged scenario of cutthroat competition. Moreover, communicating in the language of prospective client perks up profitability and there are high chances of business amalgamation.
Hence, firms irrespective of their sizes actively delve into strategies of opting top languages to be focus to expand business globally in ascending the ladder of growth. This is exactly the time to unravel the route to a prosperous business empire with translation services.
Myriad benefits of opting for translating services
While you opt for professional translation services for Japanese or any other language, you expose yourself toward a flurry of benefits. Here are a few of the prominent ones:

• The multilingual trait drives the business into the realm of success by hiring trainees who are well educated and trained in the respective language. In this way, the linguistic barrier replaces the associated complexities.


• Professional translation raises the level of work, as a bilingual candidate stays abreast with the latest updates and can correlate well with the native language. Moreover, companies appreciate those brands, which foster communication in their mother tongue and portray the potential to become part of their ethnicity.


• These services are not much expensive and fall in the crater of cost effectiveness. The firms quote prices based on type and size of the project or on word per count basis.

A multitude of languages to translate
Foreign languages are vital for the business burgeoning in the international market. The top languages are becoming the locus of global industrialization, primarily - Mandarin, Japanese, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, German etc. There is a vast scope in translation than just transliterating. The content should bear congruence with the changing trends and ethnicity of the target location.
It fosters the concept of the world being a global village and exotic languages solely the different tongues of expression. Professional Japanese Translation is effectively incorporating this idea for paving its stretch in the domain of technological evolution in every nook and corner of the globe.
Incorporating foreign languages with the business strategy
Website localization and translation into foreign languages open the doors to a prosperous business growth with added revenues and returns.
If you are willing to translate your business in local languages, the chances of your expansion can grow to manifolds. Hiring an expert translation agency could help you effectively in this regard. For instance, the help of a professional Japanese translation company could be great if you want Japanese interpretation for your website.

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The Positive Effect of Experiencing Pain

Pain is inevitable. We experience it in every situation that we are in. We have it at work especially when our superiors are too tight. We also have it in our own family especially when we undergo emotional crisis like losing a love one or breaking up with our husbands or wives.
Whenever confronted with painful experiences, a positive mental attitude is very important because it broadens our perspective of the world and create a lasting emotional resilience. Resilient people are able to experience stiff emotions such as pain, sorrow, frustration, and grief without falling apart. Most of these people are able to look at challenging times with optimism and hope because they know that it will lead to personal growth and better outlook on life.
In the workplace, we experience being scolded even if it is not necessary. Instead of getting upset, we just ignore it and focus with our work. Amazingly, however, that at the end of the day, we are able to have an output better than we expected.
See! It is just a matter of viewing things in a different perspective. It is how we see the brighter side of the world despite the unfairness and injustices that we felt. Trying to forgive and forget makes us better and stronger persons.
At home, we also feel strains and pressures especially in terms of financial constraints. As parents, we need to provide our family with a sense of well-being which includes food, clothing, shelter, mobility, education and the like.
Despite these facts, we are still able to face these circumstances with a calm resolve if we have resilience. As a coping mechanism, we consider them as challenges rather than obstacles that can hinder our progress. In fact, people who experienced a lot of stress and suffering are those people who succeed in life.
Resilient people also experience pain or suffering. They accept them as part of life. The only difference is that they retain a sense of positivity that helps them overcome the negative effects of their situation. Having a positive mental attitude help them become more resilient in the face of crisis or stress.
Being resilient does not mean that a person doesn't experience difficulty or distress. Emotional pain and sadness are common in people who have suffered major adversity or trauma in their lives. In fact, the road to resilience is likely to involve considerable emotional distress.
Not all people are resilient. Resilient people are able to utilize their skills and talents to cope and recover from any setbacks in life. People lacking resilience on the other hand, would easily fall and breakdown whenever they are overwhelmed with problems. They dwell on the face of adversity instead of letting it go.
Thus, the positive effect of a painful experience is to learn from them and then move on in life with optimism.

This is about learning through our experience in order to become better individuals. It also talks about the effect of resilience in the face of the adversity of life.

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Mud or Stars?

Happiness is a Choice is the name of a book that, Barry Neil Kaufman co- wrote with his wife, Samahria. They tell the story of how their boy was diagnosed with autism before he was two years old. The doctors told them that Rahn would never recover and they should begin thinking about a special school for him. A school was totally out of the question. The Kaufman's wanted to keep their boy home but they toured several facilities to see how the teachers handled the students.They were appalled at the uncaring ways the children were treated. This made them decide to come up with their own solution.
Choosing to believe autism was not a tragedy and determined to be hopeful, they chose to not follow the current 1970s discipline trend for children with autism. Instead, they opted to work together to find a way to connect with their son. With love, acceptance and respect they began to connect with Raul by choosing to go into his world, gain his confidence and then gently lead him out of a world that kept him from communicating with others.
So for three years, Mom, Dad and his two sisters daily mirrored him. Whenever he flapped his hands, they flapped their hands, When he spun plates on the floor they did it too. When Raun noticed what they were doing, they gently tried something new with him and rewarded him with high praise. The connecting was beginning. He eventually made eye contact and began to speak. Barry and his wife, Samahria chose to bring love and happiness to their family through finding innovative ways to connect.Their young girls asked to help so their parents welcomed Rahn's two sisters in their efforts to help their brother.
At the end of three years with a few setbacks, Rahn grew into an intelligent, active little boy who excelled in school. He grew up to attend and graduate from Ivy League colleges. He then became the head of "The Autism Treatment Center of America" (sonrise@option.org) the organization his parents had co-founded.
Like Raul, children who suffer meaningful loss in their lives, live in a silent world that most adults don't understand. This new concept of loss and all the feelings that go with it is confusing. Equally confusing are the actions of their parents who seem to unaware of the trauma with which their children are dealing. With the same tools the Kaufmann's used; love, respect and responding, a parent or other caring adult can move into the grieving child's space, gain their trust, listen to their thoughts and gently help them find answers.
"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different. Life would undergo a change of appearance because we ourselves had undergone a change of attitude."--Katherine Mansfield
When we are faced with a vision of "mud" let's choose to see stars instead. Then watch and see the positive results.

Penny Halder
penny@haldernet.com
From the time I was a little girl, I loved God and wanted to know more about him. Over the years, I made it a practice to search the Bible, learn from godly mentors and teach others what I learned. God has transformed my life, just as He said he would. He took my hard heart and transformed it with a heart of compassion. He gave me a ministry for children and families experiencing grief. It's called Grief Relief Refuge.
Grief Relief Refuge, 2016, Web page http://griefreliefrefuge.com

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Every Storm Makes You Luckier!

It may be considereda little weird or at least a little different to be told that we area little bit luckier nowthat we've had a big storm pass through our lives. One of the reasons that we are luckier is that we didn't just have a storm pass through, but rather we just successfully weathered that storm! Hooray!You see, a weathered storm cleanses us as they wash away the old and bring in the new. Storms can give us all a fresh start at something that formerly might have been a bad start. Sometimesstorms will even unveil a clear vision for a new path or fresh start.The blinding storms in our lives are truly fascinating and have an even greater degree of magic to them than the calmer, vision-clearing storms. When it's raining too hard to see straight that's exactly when our subconscious mind takesover and sees the mysterious lesson and a way out or at least through the storm. We usually end up under a shelter, sitting up there on that red picnic table, stronger and better prepared for the next storm, whether we know it or not.Sadly, our conscious mind doesn't always recognize the lesson that the storm is trying to teach us, but luckily for us, our subconscious mind does. The lessons residing in our subconscious mind may not shine through today,tomorrow, next Tuesday, or even during the next rainy season when we think that we really need it to shine through and speak to us. But be certain of one thing, the much-needed lesson will eventually shine through the tumultuous weather and the fresh start will emerge. Surprisingly, many times these life lessons will appear when we least expect it. So do not give up hope!Now teens, go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us. Remember, every storm brings a chance for a fresh start, while making usbigger, stronger, and luckier. And once again, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do...Award-winning author, speaker and educator Dan Blanchard wants you to stop feeling sorry for yourself and to start feeling lucky. For more great leadership tips please visit Dan's website at:http://www.GranddaddysSecrets.com. Thanks.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Daniel_Blanchard/1785050

How To Create Your Defining Moment

The Truth About ThatDayI look really happy in that photo, but the reality was that deep down inside I was freaking out. I wasn't happy at all.I was bubbling with emotion from the temporary excitement of achieving my degree but also the absolute fear of not having a job and waking up the next day to the realities of rent bills, looming student loans, a major dose of humility and months of discouragement ahead (unbeknownst to me at that time)...The days and months that would follow my joyous graduation day, were terrifying. It's a horrible feeling to not have a job after you graduate, and if you've ever been there, I don't have to tell you twice.The Fruits of My StruggleFast forward to today. I can look back and embrace this rough spell in my career and life because it truly taught me about what it's like to be in the job search and what so many of my clients are going through aside from just the standard resume confusion. The job search is a huge emotional struggle. It's a time where my clients need a shoulder to lean on and a big dose of positive reinforcement and in being this for them, I truly find career fulfillment.In fact, I just started working with someone who has been in the search for 6 months. She reminds me of how I felt back then. She's ambitious, bright, a total catch for any company - yet she is struggling to make the traction or applythe right tactics. She doesn't know what she doesn't know about the job search (which btw is consistent across the majority of job seekers I encounter)...Yesterday we had our first meeting and afterwards, she sent me this note that really took the wind out of me:"Thanks so much Noelle! This helps a lot. I only wish we met earlier in my job search!"This is what I do and this is why I get out of bed every morning in terms of professional fulfillment...Does Any of This Resonate With You?This is what I want to do for you if you are feeling like you need some kind of support finding joy in your everyday. My mission is not about just beinga career coach and the short-term strategy of landing a job. It's about so much more. It's about finding your passion and fulfillment because I know what it feels like, to be otherwise.Create Your Defining MomentDo you know your defining moment? More importantly, are you doing what you were born to do? Take a 10-minute mental break. Close your eyes and ask yourself: "What am I passionate about and am I doing that every day?"If you're having trouble figuring out your path, youmight want to consider a more in-depth type of assessment to figure this out. This is part of whatmy team offers btw. Don't waste any more time fumbling or worse yet, traveling further down a path that doesn't fulfill you.If you know exactly where you want to go but are having trouble getting there, make now your time to shine. Start to put the pieces in place so you can make today your defining moment and reach your goal sooner rather than later. We can help with that too.Knowledge is power when it comes to your careerand Noelle wants to share all her secrets to career success, starting today! For more great tips, tricks and career advice, be sure to check outhttp://www.ngcareerstrategy.com/blog/You're also invited to access 2 FREE hiring-manager approved resumes. Sign up now:http://bit.ly/1Qp0P2hArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Noelle_Gross/1877044

It's ALL Trivia

You are born then you die - the rest and everything in between is all trivia.I can hear you now -"are you crazy, don'tyou have a clue as to what I have to put up with every day - kids, bosses, customers, spouses, family, financial challenges, career decisions, fellow employees." - "Yes, I hear you - and - blah, blah, blah, and again - blah, blah, blah."Now is a very short time and eternity is forever and I don't give a rip about what you believe or don't spiritually - there is more to the life experience than just 60 or 70 years on earth dealing with its trivia.Now don't get me wrong - natural disasters that take your home away, criminals who steal a lovedone from you or getting diagnosed with a life threating disease in your teens is big stuff but in the end looking back over your life, let me ask you- did you spend too much valuable time in stress, worry, frustration, anxiety, despair, discouragement, fear etc. on stuff that really didn't matter or that you came to realize it wasn't worth the emotional energy, time or resources you gave it? I'll bet every one of you, if you are honest, the answer is yes to something or even a lot.So, what is trivia - well for starters it depends on several factors; your expectations that don't come to fruition, your time and effort that end with failure or more problems, the money spent on stuff that you recently threw away or donated, relationships that end badly or too soon - I could go on but if you are honest you will come to the same conclusions - in the end when you are getting ready to head over to the other side and your time here is finished none of that will have been worth giving it more than it deserved.Why do we stress and fret over life's trivia - is it ego, the need for control, the desire to look good or achieve other's approval or something else much deeper?I believe the life approach to overrating trivial stuff that is one of the significant factors is simply self-aggrandizement or the basic need to feel like who you are and what you do - matter. This need includes the ability to accept who you are, no matter where you are in life, to be OK with what you have or don't have and the belief that what you do is important - from being mother or ajanitor, from the sales rep to the CEO, from the retiree to the 20 year-old.Let me ask you - are you stressing today about anything? Come on be honest. OK if not today how about this week or this month or even this year? Or, do you feel in total control of every aspect of your life - I will seriously doubt the latter- that is unless you are living in denial in a cave somewhere in Colorado.Why not spend a little time creating what I call a "Iam in control of - list and a what I am not in control of - list?" You might be surprised at what shows up on both lists but in the end the stuff on your can't control list is all trivia folks whether you agree with me or not or whether you like it or not.I won't bore you with my 50 plus years of career, financial, business and relationship challenges, but looking back now the realization that I gave them more time and energy than they deserved isa far greater disappointment than the actual stuff that happened.So before I move on to my next trivial matter let me just say that whatever you are dealing with or facing in life now or today over - time will be lost in large wastebasket of regrets.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tim_Connor/43189

Livestock contributes 49pc value addition in agrisector

The Economics Department at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is set to launch a comprehensive, research based economic impact study of the dairy sector entitled, “Pakistan’s Dairy Sector: Lessons from the Past to Build a Resilient Dairy Industry.”Conducted by LUMS professor, Dr. Abid A. Burki and his team, this pioneering research is an evidence-based sector study in which state-of-the art measures of impact assessment have been employed on a longitudinal (panel) survey data.A key focus has been to highlight the impact of milk supply chain of UHT milk industry on productivity and welfare of smallholder dairy producers.It is to be noted that the dairy and livestock sector contributes 49% of the value addition in the agriculture sectorand about 11.4% to Pakistan’s GDP, which is higher than the contribution made by the entire crop sector (10.9%).Commenting on his research, Dr. Burki said, “More than 40 million people are engaged in raising livestock and derive 30 to 40% of their income from this sector.Despite this reality and the huge potential which this sector has, serious attention to the sector has been lacking, resulting in its slow and haphazard development.We believe one of the major reasons for this lack of attention has been the unavailability of updated and authentic data.This study will be unique in terms of addressing prevalent issues facing the industry, and creating a better understanding of its key drivers and dynamics, with the overarching objective of knowledge-sharing amongst the dairy industry stakeholders.”The official launch of the report is scheduled for June 1, 2016, a day also marked as the ‘World Milk Day.’News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Pakistan Observer

Effective steps needed to rise mangoes export

Vice president of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry(MCCI) Major Muhammad Tariq Khan (retd) has called upon the government to take effective measures for increasing export of mangoes in order to earn substantial foreign exchange for the country.He expressed his concern on the increase in tariff by Emirate airlines for mango transportation.He asked the management of Emirates to review its decision to increase tariff by Rs 65 per kg consequently tariff has increased to Rs180/kg which is not affordable for the exporters, After reduced exports during the last three years, some growers and exporters are optimistic to achieve exporttarget of one lakh ton mangoes this year.Tariq Khan, while talking to media men, called for effective communication among growers, exporters and the government, adding that only 64,000 tonnes mangoes were exported in 2015 against the 1,20,000 tonnes export in 2013.He said this was the "lowest export" in last five years. He explained that climatic hazards also had a major role as therewas some 40 percent decline in domestic production.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder

Words of Wisdom - For Girls!

In life, there appear times when people are right there, but you can not hook them up forever; You can not tie them with you; You can not hold onto them; You can not have them.
You know they are easy with getting away yet you do not halt loving them.
You run after them. They say they will make up-to it and sometimes say they would not be able making up.
You being told repeatedly that you would not have them begins engraving those words in your soul embedding sadness to your already-miserable life. You start to fade away, inside trying to stand-up but falling badly.
Deep down, inwardly, you want to yell and shout for them, for your love, for your thing, but No, then the idea of them being someone else's starts to appear. You want them.
Yes! You! You need them. You tell them you love them. They overlook. They ignore you. They are your life; the reason of your existence but you? A little piece of pollution for them. You do all that you can crossing limits and sometimes when you can not, you stop and they? They leave the world because every entity has to end up this way, leaving the earth, leaving the world everyone has to move off.
They said they were yours? They were? Or they would do something? For you? Were you so crazy and a blind Milton that you had nothing else to do but run after them? Oh come on! If you were worth the fight, they would not have left you like a tissue paper. Used and misused. You get that?
Yes you! Never run after anybody no matter what they say and NO matter how truly they deceive you. YOU get that? It is YOU who pays later on. It is YOU who mistakes time-pass with AFFECTION.
If you are worth the fight, a FIGHTER will come! Sooner or later.. He will. Trust me, honey. He will.
If something is meant for you, it will be yours. No one, intentionally or unintentionally can have it, no matter how hard they try. The poignancy of life resides in YOU being unable to acknowledge that MERELY the love of God sees no fall. Only the affection that YOU hold inside you for God stays forever. What good a lover God is. He, only He, the Almighty, doesn't question you anything for himself, all that He has ever wanted is for YOUR good not His. So live and love, wisely!

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Woman Owned Businesses and Those Sexist Male Customers

Not long ago, I was reminded that there are still people out there who deserve the term "sexist" and that although our society is changing in that regard, the transition is not yet complete. There are still holdouts who probably won't change. How bad is it? Well, there is still a little of that everywhere in our society. Let's talk.
I was discussing this issue with a young female entrepreneur, she owns a boat detailing company. She is successful, smart and strong-willed. She will be a success in whatever she does, and she has chosen to make a stand in the yacht detailing business. She complained about a male customer who was completely condescending to her and made some snide sexist remarks - no, I am not going to get into what he said, only that it was highly inappropriate in my opinion and trust me, I am not one to jump on the "politically correct" bandwagon - I tend to roll the other way, against such trends. My advice to the young up-and-coming entrepreneur goes something like this:
I wouldn't worry about "sexist" men who own boats, you'll find lots of that in every domain, even as a guy, I find men more often than not with "Unearned Egos" and it seriously makes me wonder if they are real men at all. You should kill them with kindness, stroke their egos and sell them your boat detailing services - always remembering that "adversity builds character" and in the end you are the better woman. Just be Great!
Additionally, I added; Success is the Best Revenge - Be Great and Surpass Expectations and you will win new clients by the boat load. I reminded the young gal starting out in her new business that "It sounds like you are in search of excellence and you'll probably find it since you are giving this business a lot of attention and mental power; you see," I told her, "I seriously cannot think of a better thing to do than run a small business while you are young, it will help you in everything you do the rest of your life. And you get to write your own ticket, you have everything going in your favor - your hard-work ethic is paramount and you have the will to win."
Further, after thinking on this and her comment about the episode that transpired; "who would want to wash a boat for a sexist anyway?" Well. I get that. I used to hate to wash cars for Attorneys, Psychologists, Doctors, professional know-it-alls, but one day I thought, hell, they are raking us over the coals with high prices for their services, and I need to get some money back for all of us real people. So, I never worried about who I was working for after that. Their money is just as good as anyone else, especially when I put in a little "extra hard-to-deal-with customer" charge.
I congratulated her on her will to press-on, and I congratulate all women who do. It is good to see it, and explained to her; "I am glad you can see through the male-bias issues with wealthy men who are having their midlife crisis, thus a boat to prove their ego in the mirror. I just think you have so much going for you in life, that you should never 'play victim' or use that as an excuse. Your integrity to overcome idiots in life is much more important for your future."
Yes, some folks will come off as arrogant, sexists, and play the bad manners, especially after a few glasses of wine. Just promise yourself to stand tall and above it all, show them what you are worth - WIN. The real losers in life are those with a 'sexist mindset' and I for one would never want to go through life like that; poor them.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

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Why I Won't Put Myself On Display

I was in good spirits. It seemed a really fine day, the weather appeared promising, and, for no reason at all, as I started getting ready for university, I decided I'll dress a bit more nicely today, and wear a little more jewelry, and just a little more makeup than I usually do.
As I stepped outside and stood, waiting for my university van to pick me, I noticed creatures belonging to the opposite gender checking me out as if I was either a fresh new playboy issue or a shiny new toy featured on eBay. I felt my blood boil, I wanted to make them suffer, I just wanted them to stop throwing those disgusting glances toward me, all this while abusing them in a really fancy language in my mind which, after all, was all I could do, being a girl raised in a society that raises girls like they are nothing more than commodities, and taught to act just like a non-living thing; have no real rights, no feelings, no voice for herself, and no opinions.
Sadly, the glances continued and followed me through the whole day which had already been ruined. It's not that I had never been checked out and stared at before, but something was just more disgusting about the stares that came my way that day, and that is the day when I thought, for the first time, that why is it so. Why is it justified for men to stare at us however they want, why is it not a big deal when the 'rishta' aunties fish through our photos looking for the most suitable face to fit the ego of the "larkay walas" and why is it okay for the boy's family to visit our houses, enjoy hearty meals, take a complete outward examination of us and leave, only to send a refusal within a few days along with a lame excuse, thus tarnishing our self-esteem.
On another not so fortunate occasion, an 'aunty' who lives in Australia came to visit me claiming that she had seen my photos and heard about me from her friend and was very sure that she wanted only me for her son. Anyway, I didn't feel so wrong about putting efforts into looking nice that day so I did. She came, she saw, she ate, then she left. It was six months ago and we have never heard from her ever since. The only consequence that followed was me feeling low about myself and over-thinking for a good many days, doubting my ever so strong belief that I am a good-looking girl. The only good that came out of it was me deciding that this will not happen again and I flatly told my parents that I won't let them put me on the shelf ever again.
Now that I think of it, it was stupid of me, and it is stupid of all the girls who let her parents manipulate them into displaying themselves in front of these people and let them benchmark their daughters as items of sale. It is stupid of us to buy into the age-old belief that marriage is the only life there is for us girls and it is crucial for us to get married at a certain age.
The only way to stop being viewed as commodities all over the planet is to stop considering ourselves as one. We have to change our thinking first before we can change others' perceptions. We have to stop being the victims of society, we have to start being brave and raising our voices for our own selves at least, and we have to stop taking harassment of any sort, be it mere stares thrown our way. We have to stop selling our bodies as either actresses or porn stars or prostitutes, we just have to have respect ourselves and refuse! The only way to stop the world viewing us as commodities is to stop viewing ourselves as one, and emerging, not as empowered women, but as human beings in absolute control of their free will.

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Are You Too Confined to Your Body Shape?

Using the body shape to advise on dressing is a widespread practice among image consultants. Even the fashion media uses bit in their articles to inform and to give guidance on picking the right clothes.
People are now so tuned to the body shape approach that every one is eager to find out what their shape is. Fueled by its popularity, it becomes a convenient and conventional way for the image professionals to work with.
However, it is not effective in addressing individual's dressing needs.
First of all, there is no one person who adequately fit into any of the shape. Since we are not created out of mould, every one's form is unique. At best, this approach is an approximation. If we are not mindful, we could get it wrong.
Second, when we focus too narrowly on body shapes, we not only limit a person's options in dressing, we also overlook some of the real body challenges that the individual faced as well.
For example, a lady whose hips are wider than her shoulders with well-defined waist is 'typed' as having a pear body shape. In theory, 'pears' are advised to play down on the bottom and show off the shoulders and arms. However, not all 'pears' are created equal. What if, instead of a heavy round bottom, this lady has the weight distributed between her bottom, hip and thigh? What if this lady has no issues in showing off her curves but is rather concerned with her flabby arms? In this case, a pencil skirt in dark colour could help to show off her curves and accentuates her waist. She would also want to avoid sleeveless and strapless tops that are sometimes recommended for 'pears'.
Lastly, getting too caught up with our body shape could have an adverse effect on how we feel about ourselves. We all know that the hourglass (for women) is the yardstick of the perfect body shape. Marilyn Monroe was widely considered to have the perfect hourglass figure with measurements of 36-24-34. So, when some of us realised that we fall short of the ideal hourglass, we feel out of shape. Worse yet, some of us have succumbed to the pressure and let it become a body image issue. This is not healthy to say the least.
Instead, what we want to take note of when it comes to dressing our body is to know what features and assets we have, what challenges and issues we want to address. Most of all, we want to be comfortable in our own skin and shape first. We need to recognise that the standards set out by the popular media and pop culture is unrealistic and it would be naïve to compare ourselves with it.

Want to be confident and comfortable in your own skin? We can show you how. Visit http://www.iconiqimage.com to learn more about the personal brand and confidence programme!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cath_Chan/1989479

Secrets of Bonding: "The Call"

A couple of times every week we talk to a new contractor who wants to get their bond account set up for the first time. Here's how it always goes:

• Contractor: We want to go after bonded projects but we've never had bonds before. What's involved?
• Bond Expert: OK Hi! Who am I speaking to?

• Contractor: Uh, I'm Humphrey.
• Bond Expert: All right Humphrey, can we start by asking you a few questions? What is the size and nature of the work you intend to pursue?

Scenario #1 (Pursuing contracts up to $350,000)

• Contractor: We have performed residential and light commercial work. We want to go after general construction contracts up to about $250,000.
• Bond Expert: Great! Tell me the ownership and structure of your company.

• Contractor: The company is an LLC owned by me and my partner Bogart.
• Bond Expert: Are you both married?
• Contractor: Yes, but not to each other.

• Bond Expert: We have a very easy program that may be a perfect starting point for you. To be eligible, the owners and spouses must have good personal credit reports. Are the reports favorable?
• Contractor: Yes.

• Bond Expert: There are some other criteria. For example, the program cannot be used for long-term contracts or difficult / unique construction. Needs to be plain vanilla. The good thing is that no financial statements or other documentation is needed, only a simple one page app. If this program fits your needs, you'll never find anything easier or faster!
• Bond Expert: Give me your email address and we'll send you the one page app. We can probably get you pre-qualified within 24 hours!

Scenario #2 (Pursuing contracts in excess of $350,000, or for applicants with low credit scores)

• Bond Expert: We have an excellent group of bonding companies, and even offer exclusive capacity not available from other sources. We find that most contractors are able to qualify for bonding if their account is developed properly. That's where our expertise (since 1972!) comes into play.
• Contractor: What info will be needed?
• Bond Expert: Getting approved for bonding is like applying for a bank loan. The same kind of financial and background info is needed. Your relationship with the surety is similar to banking and you promise to protect the surety from loss, just like signing a promissory note with a lender. That's why surety bonds are not insurance policies.

• Contractor: OK what's the next step and how much does it cost?
• Bond Expert: We don't charge for setting up your account! We'll send you an email with a list of items that are needed initially. Gather as much as you can and send over so we can get started. The process normally takes a week or two.

Conclusion
Have we oversimplified the process? Actually, no. It is easier than people assume to get their bond account arranged - when you know the ropes. That's our niche. We don't pretend to be good at everything, but we are experts at this!

Steve Golia is an experienced provider of bid and performance bonds for contractors. For more than 30 years he has specialized in solving bond problems for contractors, and helping them when others failed.
The experts at Bonding Pros have the underwriting talent and market access you need. This is coupled with spectacular service and great accessibility.
Contact us today and discuss how you start a new bonding relationship for your company, or increase your current bonding capacity. Call 856-304-7348.
Visit us Click!
Not available in all states including Idaho.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steven_Golia/152522

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How To Write The Perfect Linked Headline

The 2 Most Important Profile Parts
The first thing people see when browsing their list of returned search results on LinkedIn is your photo & headline. These two profile pieces make up your first impression to the outside world, so they're worth spending time on. While fairly easy to set-up, the photo and headline can just as easily be overlooked so take some time to carefully craft both. This message you are communicating is your professional brand and will determine how you are perceived by hiring managers and recruiters throughout your career.
Your Headline Strategy
Most people tend to think of the LinkedIn headline as the perfect place for a job title but this is not entirely correct. Since job titles vary from one company/industry to the next, they tend to tell the reader very little in terms of what you actually do, making for a potentially confusing brand. As I mentioned, your goal with the headline is to communicate immediately what you do and what you're all about so avoid sticking just to titles if you don't want to leave your reader confused. You should also incorporate a description with your title that paints a picture for the reader of exactly what you do.
The Basics: Characters, Sentences, Phrases & That Sleek Separator Line
LinkedIn allows 120 characters for the headline and places specific importance on the keywords in your headline in terms of how you'll be returned in search results. Therefore you'll want to max out the character limit so that you are taking full advantage of your strategic keywords. Don't worry about forcing complete sentences if they don't fit. It's perfectly fine to use short phrases or words using the separator line "|" to create a more high-impact easy-to-scan headline. (The separator line is located below the delete key on your keyboard using Shift + backslash).
What to Write
Think of the headline as a condensed version of your elevator pitch. In less characters than a tweet you want to communicate: who you are, what you do, results you've produced & credibility or proof. This may seem near impossible but it's actually quite simple if you're focused on who you're trying to attract to your profile. One way to do this is by putting yourself in the hiring manager's shoes. If you were trying to hire the best person for the job, what would they do and what results/credentials would stand out as being impressive at first glance? For example if you're hoping to be hired as a social media marketer in the non-profit space, your hiring manager is looking for strong social media results and thinking of their limited budget. Your headline might look something like this:
"Social Media & Digital Marketer driving successful campaigns on a tight budget. 500% increase in ROI in the past 6 months."
If you're hoping to be noticed as an executive assistant, your target hiring manager is likely looking for someone who can multi-task, maintain order in a busy office and understands what it means to support an executive. You might consider a headline like this:
"Executive Assistant | Right Hand to CEO & VPs | Flawless Office Organization & Administrative Duties | Complex Scheduling"
Notice how these headlines immediately communicate value? I'll break these headlines down further to explain each part.
Who You Are
"Social Media & Digital Marketer" speaks to who this person is as a professional. The easiest way to communicate this is your job title or a broader industry/profession title. For example if your title is "Social Media Marketer," adding "Digital" into the mix will help to ensure that you are picked up in the right category searches. Research other common titles for what you do and try incorporating several so that you are catering to a wider variety of search terms. For example: Executive Assistant | Coordinator | Administrative Assistant
What You Do
While some titles may be more than obvious in telling someone what you do, you still want to share specifics to guide the reader in the direction of your professional value. For example, "Social Media Marketer" doesn't offer insight into the day to day value this person brings to the organization, but "driving successful campaigns on a tight budget," gives me a very clear picture of what this person is working on. Think about your tasks as well as big picture vision for your role and what makes you valuable to your manager (or future manager).
Results You've Produced
Leading with your results is always the best move when it comes to your professional marketing materials (resume, cover letter). The best way to communicate results is through numbers or metrics. In the Social Media Marketer example, "driving successful campaigns" is backed up by the fact that this Marketer increased ROI by 500% over several months. Results are important because they tell the reader that you not only can do the job but you are actually quite good at what you do. (There's a big difference between doing something and doing something well). If you're not sure about your results or haven't produced any yet, try to incorporate language that speaks to your skill around various tasks. The Executive Assistant example is what you want to aim for in this case.
Proof of Credibility
If you're looking for ways to stand out and speak to proof of your credibility around a certain skill or industry, be sure to include certifications, specialized degrees (ie. MBA, CPA) and recognizable awards or accolades. For example if you're a blogger who's been featured on a major website or publication, work that into your headline. Your first impression and level of credibility is vastly different when you go from "Blogger" to "Blogger featured on Mashable."
Keep it Fresh
Professional branding is one of those career management activities that can take relatively little time but does require ongoing maintenance in order to keep your brand current, relevant and aligned to your end goal. It's important that your branding not be left to go stale. Don't be afraid to try out new headlines and continually tweak as your career goals change. This way you will always be appearing in the right places and more likely to be considered for the right opportunities.

Knowledge is power when it comes to your career and Noelle wants to share all her secrets to career success, starting today! For more great tips, tricks and career advice, be sure to check out http://www.ngcareerstrategy.com/blog/ You're also invited to access 2 FREE hiring-manager approved resumes. Sign up now: http://bit.ly/1Qp0P2h

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Noelle_Gross/1877044

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Using Mobile Phones

Etiquettes of the Mobile PhoneIslam has never been opposed to advancement. However, certain advancements are such that togetherwith their benefits come much harm. Whilst mobile technology and the mobile phone in particular has revolutionised the way we live, it is important that we utilise such technology appropriately.Crude MannersIt is important to realise that there are certain etiquettes of speaking on the phone. For example when calling someone, many people do not first ask the person they are calling whether it is convenient for them to speak at that very moment. They simply begin a long conversation without any regard for the inconvenience they cause the person they have called. There are yet others who, whilst in the company of others,answer phone calls and begin to casually converse with whoever has called them. Doing this is akin to turning your face away from those in your company whilst in the middle ofa conversation and engaging in conversation with someone else without any explanation or apology to the first. Such behaviour is indeed inappropriate and a reflection of crude manners.Robber of TimeThe mobile phone, whilst being a very useful item, can prove to be a robber of time too. People feel obliged to utilise the free minutes and texts they have within their contract. If one has an allowance of 500 minutes or 500 texts within his talk plan, it is not necessary to utilise all these minutes or texts. By calling people or texting them only to use up the allowance, we are wasting valuable time which could have beenutilised in productive activities.Text MessagesNowadays, many people send ‘Jumu‘ah Mubarak’ text every week to friends and associates. The contents of many of these texts are not authentic and sometimes not in line with Islamic teachings. One needs to be cautious before forwarding any message of this nature. Many people forward these messages just because they apparently sound good irrespective of the message being incorrect. Do not forward any message until you are sure of its authenticity.If you are keen to propagate the beau­tiful teachings of Islam by using the text facility then make sure it is something beneficial, correct and authentic. Moreover, the day of Jumu‘ah should not be fixed for this; any day and every day should be made mubarak by conveying a piece from the teachings of our beautiful dīn.Name at the End of TextWhenever you send a text message, it is important to write your name at the end of the text, because it is possible that the person you are texting has not saved your number on his mobile. As a result, he will be confused and inconvenienced when he receives the text due to not knowing who the sender is.In The MasjidWhen attending the masjid one should switch off his mobile. Failure to do so will result in one being disrespectful to the house of Allāh as well as being a means of disturbanceto others if the phone were to ring. It is prudent not to even leave the phone in vibration mode. In this situation if the phone were to receive a call during salāh, not only will it divert the phone owner’s attention it will also disturb the person next to him. Many people immediately after the completion of salāh check their phones for possible missed calls or messages. This shows that although one was physically standing in the court of Allāh, mentally he was elsewhere. Thus we should switch our phones off before entering the masjid and not pay attention towards them until we leave.Haram SharīfMany people would not even dream of answering a phone call whilst in the masjid when they are in their localities. However we observe the very same people freely using the mobile phone in the Haram Sharīf in Makkah and Madīnah. One should make a firm resolution and refrain from this for this leads to neglect andmany other wrongs whilst in blessed places.Musical Ring TonesWe should make sure that we have an appropriate simple ring tone on our mobile phone. To keep a musicalring tone is harām as the playing of music, or being a means of it being played is a sin. It is quite unfortunate that even when in Haramayn Sharīfayn whilst performing tawāf orpresenting salām to the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, the musical tones of mobile phones are heard.This is harām and a major sin. Safeguard yourself from such things that distance you from the Creator.‘Islamic’ Ring TonesThe adhān, salām, tilāwah of the Glorious Qur’ān, nāt and nashīd are used as ring tones by many on mobile phones. The adhān has a set time and a purpose and should only be announced at the time for the stipulated purpose. Salām also has a specific purpose which is to greet one another. The Glorious Qur’ ān is the word of Allāh and has been sent for guidance of mankind. The Shari’ah has stipulated many rulings in regard to this great book. Nāt and nashīd are recited to inculcate and increase the love for our beloved Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam in our hearts. Noneof these should be used to inform us that someone is calling us. This is disrespectful. One should merely keep a simple ring tone for this purpose.How Many Rings?If when ringing someone one finds that the phone cuts off after a few rings or diverts to an answering machine, then the caller may try again. One should retry a maximum of three times for it may be that the person was busy and as he approached the phone it stopped ringing and thus he was unable to answer. However, there are some phones that do not divert or cut-off and keep ringing. In such cases the caller should let it continue ringing for that duration which would be considered normal, approximately ten rings. If the call is not answered then put the phone down because notanswering indicates that the person is either occupied or does not wish tospeak. Do not cause inconvenience by compelling.Mobile and TeachersIt is not permissible for teachers at madrasah or school to use the mobile during their working hours for the madrasah and the school has purchased that time from them. This time does not belong to them; it has become the property of the employing establishment.Source:At-Tazkiyah– wisdom ofShaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat

People Pleasing: Why Do Some People Experience Anxiety When They Don't Please Others?

It has been said that one's life can be an expression of their own needs or it can be an expression of other people's needs. When it comes to the former, one is pleasing themselves; whereas when it comes to the latter, they are pleasing others.True FulfilmentIn order for one to live a fulfilling existence, it is clearly going to be important for them to take care of their own needs. Now, this doesn't mean that one will therefore overlook other people's needs.There is a strong chance that they will meet other people's needs through putting their own needs first. For example, one could create their own business and even though this will allow them to full their needs, it will also enable them assist others.Win-WinAs a result of this, it will be possible for one to fulfil their own needs and to fulfil other people's needs. The alternative would be for one to be there for others, but to overlook what is taking place within them.It would then mean that even though one is having a positive effect on others,they are not having a positive effect on themselves. Another way of looking at this would be to say that one is sabotaging their own life.The OutsiderHowever, even though this is the case, it doesn't mean that other people will always realise this. Due to how one is behaving, they could believe that they are simply a 'selfless' human being.One is then an example of how people should behave and they are going to admire their behaviour. What could also play a part in this is that one could act as though they are only too happy tooverlook their own needs.A FacadeThere is also the chance that they could be so concerned with their own needs that they don't take the time to think about one's needs. Yet even if one does come across as easy going and 'selfless', it doesn't mean this reflects what is taking place within them.During the moments when they are by themselves, they could feel frustrated, angry and powerless. At the same time, this could be an experience that doesn't last for very long, as one could end up feeling guilty and ashamed.Self-OppressionIt then won't matter if there is external pressure, as one will keep themselves inline. This is something that could take place without one being fully aware of what is happening, and then before long, they could soon be doing what they can to please someone.If one was able to take a step back from what is taking place, they may find that their life has been this way for quiet some time. It can then be seen as who they are as opposed to how they are choosing to behave.A ChoiceThe trouble is that one is unlikely to see that they do have a choice when it comes to how they behave, and this can partly come down to how long they have experienced life in this way. It can be seen as something that just happens,and it is then going to be normal for oneto have this outlook.If one was to open up to someone aboutwhat is taking place, they may say that they need to put their needs first and notto worry about pleasing others. One could then be told to change their behaviour and then everything will be fine.Two SidesHowever, even though one is suffering unnecessarily through putting other people's needs first, it doesn't mean thatthey can just change what they are doing. For one thing, they could be out of touch with their own needs, and it could also cause them to experience a lot of pressure.The mental and emotional pain they experience through trying a different approach could be stronger than the mental and emotional pain they usuallyexperience. It can then be a lot easier forone to carry on doing the same thing and to neglect themselves.AnxietyWhen one puts their own needs first, they could end up feeling overwhelmed, and this could occur even if they were toonly think about doing it. The sheer discomfort they experience is then going to stop them from being able to think clearly.It is then not a case of one putting their needs first and feeling as though they are doing the right thing; it's as though something bad will happen, or that their world will come to an end. And through having this inner experience, it is not going to be a surprise for them to overlook their own needs.RelationshipsOne could find that this is an experiencethat they have no matter who they are with, or it could be something that they generally experience around their friends and family. Also, if one is in an intimate relationship, it could be something that they experience in their company.One way of looking at this would be to say that one's life revolves around pleasing other people, and this is then something that allows them to feel safe.The problem is that whilst it stops them from having to feel uncomfortable, it stops them from being able to live their own truth.Why Is This?This is then similar to how a child sees their caregiver whilst they are growing up; at this age, their survival does revolve around pleasing others. But through receiving the right care, they will gradually grow out of this and develop a sense of self.If one doesn't receive the right care (and this could be because they were abused and/or neglected), it won't be possible for them to develop a sense of self. As a result of this, they will stay in a boundary-less state and continue to believe that their survival rests on pleasing others.AwarenessIt is then going to be important for one to develop boundaries on one hand andto work through the pain they experienced during their early years on the other. Once one feels like an adult and no longer sees life as they did as a child, their life will begin to change.This is a process that can take place with the assistance of a therapist and/or a support group.Prolific writer, author and coach, Oliver JR Cooper hails from England. His insightful commentary and analysis covers all aspects of human transformation; love, partnership, self-love, and inner awareness. With over one thousand in-depth articles highlighting human psychology and behavior, Oliver offers hope along with his sound advice. Current projects include "A Dialogue With The Heart" and "Communication Made Easy."To find out more go to -http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/Feel free to join the Facebook Group -https://www.facebook.com/OliverJRCooperArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Oliver_JR_Cooper/818466

Shrinking sunflower cultivation

The edible oil producing crops (mustard and sunflower) suffer from official neglect. Though running a pulses promotion programme, Punjab has almost conceded to the market forces which are dictating crop pricing. The province has now been asking the federal government to take other federating units on board and spare areas for oil producing crops because it cannot produce them at the nationally required level. Its plans for the oilproducing crops have also gone awry, as shown by the exceptional drop in sunflower crop.AS sunflower sowing starts in Punjab, the situation appears grim for the crop. It has lost almost 65pc of area to other competitive crops, coming down from 242,000 acres in 2009 to 86,500 acres in 2016.The drop occurred when officials planned to double the area during the same period from 242,000 acres to 480,000 acres. The sunflower acreage lost, has gone to wheat and maize, and, toa lesser extent, sugarcane.The official plan of doubling the acreage in Punjab was aimed at controlling swelling edible oil import bill, which in the first nine months of last year, had crossed $1.37bn. In the entire 2015 the total bill was $1.93bn.Another unintended effect, which may carry even bigger and long-term social and economic cost, is farmers’ heavy dependence on wheat and maize for making some profits, and turning Pakistan’s agriculture into two crop exercise.Join us on FacebookUnfortunately, these are the only two crops, which are yielding some profit to the growers (wheat being a staple and enjoying official support price and maize because of high-yielding hybrid varieties and efficient industry).Punjab has now been asking the federal government to take other federating units on board and spare areas for oil producing cropsIn fact, wheat production and its stuck-up stocks both at federal and provincial levels are already testing official financial and administrative capacity.The edible oil producing crops (mustard and sunflower) suffer from official neglect.Though running a pulses promotion programme, Punjab has almost conceded to the market forces which are dictating crop pricing.The province has now been asking the federal government to take other federating units on board and spare areas for oil producing crops because it cannot produce them at the nationally required level.Its plans for the oil producing crops have also gone awry, as shown by the exceptional drop in sunflower crop.Join us on TwitterAll these crops have huge unresolved marketing issues. The farmers have been sowing sunflower on soils either left over by wheat or in water-stressed areas.Now they are abandoning even that practice. The pulses’ price, which doubled, even tripled in the last few years proves the point for pulses and dropin acreage for sunflower.This situation calls for an integrated approach, which could ensure return on the crop for farmers and also add to yield and also absorb changes in weather.For fiscal returns, a fair price is needed. In 2009, the then Federal Minister for Agriculture Nazar Mohammad Gondal announced support price of Rs1,600 per 40kg.In 2015, when the cost of production had almost tripled, the sunflower was traded at an average price of Rs1,500 per 40kg. This hardly augured well for the crop economics.Apart from the declining prices, there has also been no breakthrough in technology. With climatechange affecting the crop (like February rains last year), the yield plummeted.Most of the farmers, who used to harvest around 20 maunds per acre which has dropped down 10 to 15 maunds per acre.The farmers claim that unless price of sunflower sustains a level of double the price of wheat (at around Rs2,500 per 40kg) and yield go up to over 20 maunds per acre, the crop would not make commercial sense for them.The federal government never bothered to supportprice of the crop after 2009, defeating official efforts at reducing oil import bill and, diversifying crops.February, 2016By:Ahmad Fraz KhanSource:Dawn News

It seems like Shah Rukh Khan is not one to turn down a challenge.
The superstar has done a variety of roles during his reign in Bollywood, which includes a younger lookalike of himself in Fan. And now, Khan has already signed on to play a dwarf in Tanu Weds Manu director Aanand L Rai's next.
In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, director Rai dished on Shah Rukh's role.
“Shah Rukh plays a dwarf and it is going to be a lot of hard work and patience.”
The director reflected on casting SRK, “Meeting the man makes you believe that nothing can beat experience!" says Rai, "He has seen life not just as an actor but also as a person. He is large-hearted, intelligent and has a great understanding of human beings. I am in love with him. It's the story of a man who is just three-feet-one-inch tall. Nobody understands ordinariness better than Mr Khan. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the dwarf avatar.”
The film will be "a full-fledged love story or a family entertainer with lots of romance.”

Gen Raheel 'seriously concerned' over violation of sovereignty by US

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif in a meeting with United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale on Wednesday expressed serious concerns over the US drone strike in Balochistan in which Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was reportedly killed.
The Army chief said the drone attack, which was a violation of sovereignty, was detrimental to Pak-US ties and regional stability and damaged peace efforts, an Inter-Services Public Relations statement said.
The COAS said Pakistan’s efforts, successes and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism are unparalleled.
The US drone strike was the first-ever in Balochistan, which has long been a ‘red line’ for Pakistan.
While the government has long condemned drone strikes, terming them a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, it had already conveyed a set of ‘red lines’ to the US in 2010, specifically mentioning attacks in Balochistan as a no-go area.
Hale called on the Army chief at General Headquarters. The situation arising after the US drone strike in Balochistan came under discussion during the meeting.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif criticised the US drone strike on Sunday, describing it as a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. A strong protest has also been lodged with the US over the attack.
Mansour was reported killed in Pakistan on Saturday when his vehicle was struck by a US drone in Balochistan, believed to be the first time a Taliban leader was killed in such a way inside Pakistani territory.
The US and Afghan governments said Mansour had been an obstacle to a peace process that had ground to a halt when he refused to participate in peace talks earlier this year. Instead, he intensified the war in Afghanistan, now in its 15th year.
On Tuesday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the government cannot confirm yet that the person killed in the incident in Balochistan was Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mansour.
Rejecting the argument that Mullah Akhtar Mansour was the major hurdle in talks between the Afghan Taliban and Kabul, he said said that the Murree dialogue could not have taken place if he had acted as a spoiler.

Clear Skies Give Way to Fort McMurray Blaze

Clear skies during the Suomi NPP satellite's pass over the Fort McMurray Fire area show the blaze is still raging in the Canadian Province of Alberta. The Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reports that the wildfire is now estimated to be over 522,892 hectacres in size (or 1,292,094 acres-- an area larger than the entire state of Rhode Island). There are currently 1,267 wildland firefighters, 57 helicopters, and 186 pieces of heavy equipment being used to battle the blaze, with more expected to arrive over the next few days. In total, the province plans to add an additional 1,000 firefighters over the next two weeks.
This enhanced image, taken by the Suomi NPP satellite on May 24, 2016, uses multiple channels on its VIIRS instrument, including visible and thermal imagery, to distinguish cloud, smoke, land, and areas of active fires. The fire's thermal signature is so strong, and the burned area so large, that it is easily detected by the satellite's sensors, 512 miles above the Earth's surface.
For the most recent Fort McMurray Fire update, visit The Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
This image was taken by the Suomi NPP satellite's VIIRS instrument around 2035 UTC on May 24, 2016. Credit: NOAA/NASA Caption information: Canadian Wildland Fire Information System

Last Updated: May 26, 2016

Editor: Lynn Jenner

Tags:  Earth, Fire and Smoke, Goddard Space Flight Center, Hazards, Suomi NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership)

NASA Radar Finds Ice Age Record in Mars' Polar Cap

Scientists using radar data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) have found a record of the most recent Martian ice age recorded in the planet's north polar ice cap.
The new results agree with previous models that indicate a glacial period ended about 400,000 years ago, as well as predictions about how much ice would have been accumulated at the poles since then.
The results, published in the May 27 issue of the journal Science, help refine models of the Red Planet's past and future climate by allowing scientists to determine how ice moves between the poles and mid-latitudes, and in what volumes.
Mars has bright polar caps of ice that are easily visible from telescopes on Earth. A seasonal cover of carbon-dioxide ice and snow is observed to advance and retreat over the poles during the Martian year. During summertime in the planet's north, the remaining northern polar cap is all water ice; the southern cap is water ice as well, but remains covered by a relatively thin layer of carbon dioxide ice even in southern summertime.
But Mars also undergoes variations in its tilt and the shape of its orbit over hundreds of thousands of years. These changes cause substantial shifts in the planet's climate, including ice ages. Earth has similar, but less variable, phases called Milankovitch cycles.
Scientists use data from MRO's Shallow Subsurface Radar (SHARAD) to produce images called radargrams that are like vertical slices though the layers of ice and dust that comprise the Martian polar ice deposits. For the new study, researchers analyzed hundreds of such images to look for variations in the layer properties.
The researchers identified a boundary in the ice that extends across the entire north polar cap. Above the boundary, the layers accumulated very quickly and uniformly, compared with the layers below them.
"The layers in the upper few hundred meters display features that indicate a period of erosion, followed by a period of rapid accumulation that is still occurring today," said planetary scientist Isaac Smith, the study's lead author. Smith led the work while at Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, but is now at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona.
On Earth, ice ages take hold when the polar regions and high latitudes become cooler than average for thousands of years, causing glaciers to grow toward the mid-latitudes. In contrast, the Martian variety occurs when -- as a result of the planet's increased tilt -- its poles become warmer than lower latitudes. During these periods, the polar caps retreat and water vapor migrates toward the equator, forming ground ice and glaciers at mid-latitudes. As the warm polar period ends, polar ice begins accumulating again, while ice is lost from mid-latitudes. This retreat and regrowth of polar ice is exactly what Smith and colleagues see in the record revealed by the SHARAD radar images.
An increase in polar ice following a mid-latitude ice age is also expected from climate models that show how ice moves around based on Mars' orbital properties, especially its tilt. These models predict the last Martian ice age ended about 400,000 years ago, as the poles began to cool relative to the equator. Models suggest that since then, the polar deposits would have thickened by about 980 feet (300 meters).
The upper unit identified by Smith and colleagues reaches a maximum thickness of 1,050 feet (320 meters) across the polar cap, which is equivalent to a 2-foot-thick (60-centimeter-thick) global layer of ice. That is essentially the same as model predictions made by other researchers in 2003 and 2007.
"This suggests that we have indeed identified the record of the most recent Martian glacial period and the regrowth of the polar ice since then. Using these measurements, we can improve our understanding of how much water is moving between the poles and other latitudes, helping to improve our understanding of the Martian climate," Smith said.
After 10 years in orbit, Mars Reconnaissance and its six science instruments are still in excellent shape. "The longevity of the mission has enabled more thorough and improved radar coverage of the Martian poles," said Richard Zurek, the mission's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. "Our long life in orbit and powerful 3-D analysis tools are allowing scientists to unravel Mars' past climate history."
The Italian Space Agency provided the SHARAD instrument on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Sapienza University of Rome leads its operations. JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Denver built the orbiter and supports its operations.

Guy Webster
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-6278
guy.w.webster@jpl.nasa.gov

Written by Preston Dyches
NASA-JPL News Office
2016-135

Last Updated: May 26, 2016

Editor: Tony Greicius

Tags:  Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Journey to Mars, Mars, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), Solar System

10 Ways You Can Make Your Home Even Homier

While the phrase"home is where the heart is" may seem cliché, in so many ways it's true. Homes are typically full of life, memories and love.If you're looking for ways to make your home even homier, there are some simple things you can do. And this doesn't have to involve purchasing tons of expensive décor. Follow along for some simple tips to get started today:1.Decorate with Pictures:Adding personal memoriesand mementos to your tabletops and walls will help personalize your home. This gives your home the lookand feel that someone is actually living there, rather than looking like a model home, sterile rental or hotel room. This is also a way to finally get those pictures off of yourphone or camera and give them a real purpose.2.Create Comfy Seating:Your home will automatically take on a homier feel when you decide tocreate comfy couches and chairs for guests and family. Having enough seating for all of your guests will make your space feel more inviting and decorative.3.Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary:A good night's sleep is a priority for people of every age. Ensure sound sleep by making your bedroom as comfy and cozy as possible. This may include coordinated pillows and bedding, soothing lighting, and light blocking shades, topromote high quality sound sleepin your peaceful bedroom sanctuary.4.Throw Blankets:Incorporating throw blankets anddecorative pillows into your seating areas makes this space more welcoming and homier. This is a simple and functional way to make your space more inviting.5.Candles:Adding natural light and scents from candles will improve the ambiance of your home. Candles addanother dimension to your senses, while making your space visually appealing as well.6.Eliminate Overhead Lighting:Instead of turning on those industrially-designed overheadlight fixtures, try switching on a tableside lamp! This will eliminate harsh lighting and provide a warmer glow to your space.Even better, recessed LED lighting with a dimmer switch cangive you maximumcontrol to create just the perfect brightness for yourspace.7.Add Seasonal Decorations:Keeping up with current holidays and weather trendswill help update your home every season while also getting you and your family into that holiday spirit!8.Clean Out the Bathtub:Making your bathtub suitable for bathingwill dramatically transform the feeling of this important room in your home. It may seem odd, but having the space for a calming bath will actually give your house a homier feel. While a warm bath decorated with candles and bubbles may be visually appealing, it can also work wonders for your stress levels.9.Hang From the Walls:While hanging pictures was already mentioned above, adding decorative wall hangings or paintings can transform your walls. This can also eliminate the need to repaint your walls.10.Use the Kitchen:The kitchen isn't just a decoration. Use this space to your advantage by entertaining, creating and designing a functionally appealing room! Plus, the wonderful smells emitting this room will act as an added bonus!Now that you have read 10 ways to make your home homier, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get started. You can transform any room, or the entire house, by practicing one or all of these tips. And if you're in the market for more dramatic changes, consider akitchen orbath remodel. Transform your bathroom into a home spa or your kitchen into a place for fine cooking, dining and entertaining. Updates to your home, whether big orsmall, are sure to bring you and your family an enormous amount of pleasure and comfort in the days and months ahead.Suzi Collins is a kitchen and bath designer at Savvy Home Supply in Louisville, Kentucky. Along withkitchen and bath design, Ms.Collins specializes ingranite and quartz countertops, kitchen and bath remodels, custom flooring and lighting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time designing her own clothing line. For more information about a bathroom or kitchen remodel in Louisville, Kentucky, you can reach Suzi at 502-241-9969.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Suzi_Collins/2291560

Energy Source Is A World Environmental Issue

You must have heardof an energy crisis. This crisis refers to the rate of depletion of non-renewable resources of energy. Non-renewable energy resources cannot reproduce on their own and they take a lotof time to get replenished. The rate of depletion of these resources is greater than the rate of their replenishment. As a result, a time will come in future when inhabitants of the earth will have no non-renewable energy resource to back up their day-to-day energy needs.This makes just one part of the whole scenario. Rapid consumption of energy resources has effects other than the sustainability of these resources. Drilling and mining of different finite resources of energy results in environmental pollution. This pollution can be in any form. It canbe air pollution, land pollution, and water pollution.Some scientists argue that fuels of carbon origin are impossible to exhaust in full. They will remainusable to provide energy in one form or another. Others argue that these resources will diminish with time.Important energy resources in the form of fossil fuels are coal, gas, and oil. Out of these, oil has been proved as the most efficient and most valuable resource in the field of energy.However, continued use of these fuels is contributing to the most dangerous environmental problem which is global warming. Drilling of oil poses a greater threat to the environment than the mining of coal mines. The machinery used and the procedure implied in oil field drilling is a lot more sophisticated than mining in a natural scenario in coal mines. This results in an environmental impact of drilling when it is compared with coal mining.There can be a number of threats these oil drilling projects pose to wildlife. Studies have shown that wildlife migration routes have changed due to the development of oil and gas fields. Moreover, this aspect of life on earth is affected by a change in the level of noise in the environment that has resulted from these fields.Oil spills have unavoidable consequences in the development of the oil field and have been hazardous to the environment. These oil spills create long-lasting effects on the health of individuals living on the planet.Due to the huge demand of energy, oil, and gas fields' development and maintenance has become inevitable. This means increased number of oil fields. Toxic chemicals from these fields, haze, and dust make an intensively adverse effect on the environment. In some areas of America, these wastes make the air so polluted that it has converted into ozone at ground level.To supply the everyday demand of energy, new projects are being initiated. These projects mean increased use of sky-high machinery, which in turn disrupts the scenic view of the sky at nights.The contribution of methane to environmental pollution is also very important. This gas is 84 folds more harmful to the environment than othergasses that are produced from oil drilling. This gas helps in global warming by trapping more heat.The good news is that there is a natural way to address poor indoor air quality. Here at EMK Marketing LLD we have found Himalayan Salt Lamps to be very beneficial to purifying air. The dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander collect with moisture in the air. When these droplets come in contact with the heated Himalayan Salt Lamps, they are destroyed as a result of being dehumidified. It will develop negative ions that enhance your mood and sense of well being. The wide variety of cleansing salt crystal lamps can be found athttp://www.himalayansaltlampsplus.com.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/E._Kenney/2249417

Management Calendar for Rhodes Grass Hay

Rain may affect your harvesting plan. Check weather report regularly in Monsoon Season and harvesting at 1.75'-2' height is better than cut over3' crop. In high temperature, use moisture meter tocheck moisture. Over dry or more sun exposure can cause bleaching of crop. Never Spray urea after harvesting, it may increase decomposition level and change the color but not affect the Crude Protein % in crop. 6-10 kg urea broadcast with last irrigation before cut in high temperature can give more greenish color and high crude protein level in green plant.Land Preparation and Sowing1. Level the land through Laser leveler and put gypsum in case of salinity or alkalinity in soil as mentioned in Soil Test reports2. Put the decomposed FYM before 2-4 weeks of sowing3. Fresh FYM application before sowing is not a good practice and may be harmful if sowing continue above 45 C4. Sowing season starts from February when nighttemperature is not less than 15 C5. Sowing continue till October. In Lower Sindh Rhodes grass sowing is also recommend in Oct-Nov6. Sowing in Sandy soils is not recommended in June & July. It may affect your germination and root development, also effect irrigation cost.7. 8 Kg seed is recommended for good hay yield with 1 bag of DAP & Urea8. Seed broadcast is recommended in evening in June & July months.9. 25 Kg Urea is recommended with 3rd irrigation after sowing/ Apply urea in splits with each irrigation10. 70% germination is complete in 8-10 days after sowing but germination completes till 14th day.11. Broad leaves weeds can be eradicate through weedicides in 1st and 2nd cut. Later on grass cover the patches12. Small Patches (up to 2') in field will be cover till3-4 cut.1st Cutting to on word1. 1st cutting will be ready in 50-60 Days.2. 2'-2.5' crop height will consider best for harvesting however 10% flowering is also sign of harvesting3. Recommended cutting height is 4'' above soil surface4. Harvesting less than 4" can cause slow growth in next cuttings and may cause roots burning in high temperature5. 2nd to onward cuts will be ready in 28-30 days6. 2- 4 irrigations will require in one cut according to weather or soil surface7. Split doze of 25 Kg urea with alternate irrigation shows good result.8. After every 3rd cut, 50 Kg NPK (20:20:20) with 5 Kg Zinc Sulphate will be better instead of Urea. Organic Fertilizer can be used to cover the deficiency of Micro elements9. Zinc Sulphate must apply after cutting. Never apply Zinc when crop height increase to 8"10. In high temperature or due to drought stress, flowering starts earlier. Irrigate the field on immediate basis and put 25 Kg Urea11. Rhodes grass crop can bear standing water up to one week12. Hay yield in first two cuts will be less than 2 ton. But on average 2 ton Rhodes grass hay can beachieved easily13. In 3rd cut, hay yield can be achieved to 2 ton/ acre. Hay is the 20% of green fodder14. Green olive color hay with less than 15% moisture is considering Quality A. It has above 11% crude protein15. Take 5-6 days for Mowing, racking and baling. More time in this process can affect your total cuts.16. Irrigate the field immediately as your field will be clean17. Rain may affect your harvesting plan. Check weather report regularly in Monsoon Season and harvesting at 1.75'-2' height is better than cut over3' crop18. In high temperature, use moisture meter to check moisture. Over dry or more sun exposure can cause bleaching of crop19. Never Spray urea after harvesting, it may increase decomposition level and change the color but not affect the Crude Protein % in crop20. 6-10 kg urea broadcast with last irrigation before cut in high temperature can give more greenish color and high crude protein level in green plant21. Clean the field manually after baling or with V shaped Mower before irrigation. Hay residues in field may effect on regrowth & fungal infestation22. Harvest the last cut in November- December and leave the field without irrigation but apply small dose of decomposed FYM in field23. Manage your last cut with weather severity, again limited plant growth may effect crop field in severe frost or fog season24. Patches appearance in field will be due to mower balance, cutting below 4", salinity issue or due to land levellingAll these recommendations are for heavy to sandy loam soils under flood irrigation system in for Central Punjab to lower Sindh.March 2016ByM Salman Naeem & M ShahbazSource:Pakissan Team