#61. Visit five countries

[imjustthisawesome]

Dubrovnik!

Earlier this year, I began contemplating my holiday destination and quickly considered Croatia. However, I found myself torn between Split and Dubrovnik for some time. Ultimately, I chose Dubrovnik, not only for its stunning beauty but also for the opportunity to explore nearby countries. Additionally, the fact that Dubrovnik served as the filming location for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones…

[dragoneyes618]

Until recently, Israelis could not travel to a single neighboring country, though Beirut, Damascus, Amman, and Cairo are all less than a day's drive from Israel. Peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan have not changed this much, though many curious Israelis have now visited these countries. In any event, this slight opening has not dampened the urge to break out of straitjacket that has been a part of Israel's modern history from the beginning - from before the beginning.

Long before there was a State of Israel, there was already isolation. An early economic boycott can be traced back to 1891, when local Arabs asked Palestine's Ottoman rulers to block Jewish immigration and land sales. In 1922, the Fifth Palestine Arab Congress called for the boycott of all Jewish businesses.

A longer official boycott by the twenty-two-nation Arab League, which banned the purchase of "products of Jewish industry in Palestine," was launched in 1943, five years before Israel's founding. This ban extended to foreign companies from any country that bought from or sold to Israel (the "secondary" boycott) and even to companies that traded with these blacklisted companies (the "tertiary" boycott). Almost all the major Japanese and Korean car manufacturers - including Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Mitsubishi - complied with the secondary boycott, and their products could not be found on Israeli roads. A notable exception was Subaru, which for a long time had the Israeli market nearly to itself but was barred from selling in the Arab world.

Every government of the Arab League established an official Office of the Boycott, which enforced the primary boycott, monitored the behavior of secondary and tertiary targets, and identified new prospects According to Christopher Joyner of George Washington University, "Of all the contemporary boycotts, the League of Arab States' boycott against Israel is, ideologically, the most virulent; organizationally, the most sophisticated; political, the most protracted; and legally, the most polemical.."

The boycott has at times taken on unusual targets. In 1974, the Arab League blacklisted the entire Baha'i faith because the Baha'i temple in Haifa is a successful tourist attraction that has created revenue for Israel. Lebanon forbade the showing of the Walt Disney production Sleeping Beauty because the horse in the film bears the Hebrew name Samson.

- Start-Up Nation by Dan Senor and Saul Singer, pages 59-61

[ellecdc]

200 Questions

these are the 200 questions from my 2k celebratory picnic! feel free to use these for whatever!

1 - How important are friends to you?

2 - What do you want less of?

3 - Do you step on pavement cracks?

4 - What's your favourite colour?

5 - How many countries have you visited?

6 - In your dream life, how often would you travel?

7 - If you were a flower, what kind would you be?

8 - Are witches all female?

9 - Do you think we are alone in the universe?

10 - What's your happiest memory?

11 - What do you wish you were good at?

12 - What's the nicest thing a neighbour has done for you?

13 - What's the worst injury you've ever had?

14 - Did you keep a diary as a kid?

15 - What are the top five items on your bucket list?

16 - Do you like routine?

17 - What is worse - trying and failing or never trying?

18 - Would you rather have a holiday in the mountains or at the beach?

19 - Would you like to hang-glide?

20 - What's your least favourite colour?

21 - What do you most value about yourself?

22 - Do you prefer to cuddle or be cuddled?

23 - How old do you feel?

24 - Does your family have any famous recipes?

25 - Have you ever self sabotaged?

26 - What single thing must you do before you die?

27 - If you suddenly had a free afternoon, what would you do?

28 - Have you ever fainted?

29 - What's the most beautiful sight you've ever seen?

30 - Do you tell the truth at a restaurant if the food is bad?

31 - Is there a product you love so much you'd volunteer to be a spokesperson?

32 - What is better about today than yesterday?

33 - Is happiness something to strive for?

34 - Do you like to people-watch?

35 - Do you prefer people or animals?

36 - Do you remember your first kiss?

37 - If something is forbidden do you want it more or less?

38 - Have you ever disciplined someone else's child?

39 - If you could have a Marvel-style superpower, which would you choose?

40 - Have you ever had therapy?

41 - Who would you want as your Amazing Race partner?

42 - Are you a good neighbour?

43 - Do you know any jokes by heart?

44 - Do you keep a journal?

45 - Have you ever received an anonymous gift or act of kindness?

46 - Do you arrive early or late?

47 - When did you give up on something bad?

48 - What are some things you do with your pets?

49 - What beverage could you not live without?

50 - What is under your bed?

51 - How tall would you like to be, if you could choose?

52 - If you could visit any planet, where would you go and why?

53 - Do you like your voice?

54 - Are you scared of spiders?

55 - Do you know the Indigenous name of the Country you live in?

56 - What was the last disagreement you had with your siblings about?

57 - Are you usually the person who cares the most or the least in your group?

58 - Do you enjoy dating?

59 - If you were the Prime Minister and needed three people to assist you, who would you pick and why?

60 - If you could design the ultimate treehouse. What would it look like?

61 - Where would your dream school trip be and what would you do there?

62 - Would you rather ace school or be average in school and master skills for the outside world?

63 - Do you like the place where you grew up?

64 - How would you describe yourself in five words or fewer?

65 - Do you think the world would be a better place without the internet?

66 - If you were a bird what kind would you be?

67 - What's been on your mind most lately?

68 - Would you rather be the oldest child or the youngest child?

69 - Would you rather wash your body with shampoo or your hair with soap?

70 - What was the last sweet text you screenshotted and saved?

71 - If you had an envelope with your death date inside, would you open it?

72 - Would you rather eat your favourite meal every day or never eat it again?

73 - What do you consider the most beautiful thing about your personality?

74 - What are some of your best childhood memories with cousins?

75 - How would you explain 'love' to someone without using the word?

76 - When at the movies, what is your favourite snack food?

77 - What's the best teen party you've been to and why?

78 - What is your favourite flavour of chips? 

79 - What is your strangest phobia? 

80 - If you could design a national flag what would it be like? 

81 - What type of animal do you feel most connection with? 

82 - What is your favourite snack to eat? 

83 - What song could you listen to on repeat for the rest of your life? 

84 - What vegetable is your least favourite and why?

85 - If you could be any object which would you be and why? 

86 - What do you like in a sandwich? 

87 - What movie absolutely scarred you?

88 - What's your favourite constellation? 

89 - What is your favourite sport to watch? 

90 - Which TV or movie character would you be friends with in real life? 

91 - Are you scared of the ocean? 

92 - Which emojis do you use the most? 

93 - Would you rather be a surgeon or a pilot? 

94 - If you had to move to another country tomorrow where would you go? 

95 - What old person tendencies do you have? 

96 - Do you prefer sunset or sunrise? 

97 - What is your comfort movie or TV show? 

98 - Would you rather give up peanut butter or Nutella? 

99 - If you had to curate the soundtrack to your life what songs would be on there? 

100 - What do you collect and why? 

101 - What is a quote you really like from a song, movie or book? 

102 - What animal represents you the best? 

103 - What's your favourite flower? 

104 - If you could learn the answer to one of history's greatest mysteries, which would it be? 

105 - What is your favourite fruit? 

106 - If you could have lunch with a Disney character, who would you choose? 

107 - Who is your favourite character from a book? 

108 - Would you rather watch your dreams or control them? 

109 - Do you think you could survive in prison? 

110 - Would you rather be a princess or a mermaid? 

111 - If you could have a celeb as your BFF who would it be? 

112 - Do you own any crystals? 

113 - Would you rather see any one day in the future or read minds for a day? 

114 - Do you prefer to go out for hamburgers or pizza? 

115 - Would you rather work in a bakery or an ice cream shop? 

116 - What three items would you take to a deserted island? 

117 - What is your favourite ice cream flavour? 

118 - Would you rather attend Hogwarts or be a Pokemon trainer? 

119 - What's your favourite line from a movie? 

120 - Who's your ultimate celeb crush? 

121 - When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

122 - Are you a warm weather or cold weather person? 

123 - Are you a morning person or a night person?

124 - Which element (earth, water, fire, air) best describes you? 

125 - Would you prefer to live on a boat or a remote island? 

126 - Who is your favourite superhero? 

127 - What colour do you think your aura is? 

128 - Who is your favourite author right now? 

129 - What's the strangest thing you're afraid of? 

130 - Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn? 

131 - If you could pick three animals to put together and create a new animal, which animals would you pick? 

132 - What's the weirdest fact you know? 

133 - What period in history would you like to live in? 

134 - Do you believe in the Supernatural? 

135 - Do you play video games? If so, which ones? 

136 - What's your favourite subject to research and explore? 

137 - If money wasn't a concept what would your dream job be? 

138 - Would you rather eat dinner in a castle or breakfast in a hot air balloon? 

139 - What character do you identify with most personality wise? 

140 - What's your favourite dessert? 

141 - Are mermaids real? 

142 - What colour are your eyes? 

143 - If you could turn into any animal which would you choose? 

144 - What's your Chinese zodiac? 

145 - If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be? 

146 - What's a superstition that you have?

147 - What’s your favourite way to celebrate something?

148 - What does your perfect day look like?

149 - What is your go-to karaoke song?

150 - If you could design a video game about anything, what topic would you choose?

151 - Would you rather be in a cartoon or have an artist paint your picture?

152 - Would you rather be a musician or a movie star?

153 - What’s your dream car?

154 - Who was your first celebrity crush?

155 - What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?

156 - Do you like haunted houses?

157 - What weird smell do you really enjoy?

158 - What is your attachment style?

159 - Which of the four seasons is your favourite?

160 - What is your favourite piece of advice?

161 - How would you spend $50,000?

162 - What is a taboo you think shouldn’t be taboo?

163 - What’s your favourite meme?

164 - According to you, what is the most monotonous sport to watch?

165 - If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

166 - What’s your favorite happy hour drink?

167 - Why did your parents give you your name?

168 - Hardcover, paperback, or ebook?

169 - What would you have a personal assistant do if you could have someone follow you around all the time?

170 - The zombie apocalypse is coming. Who are three people you want on your team?

171 - Would you rather live in the ocean or in deep outer space?

172 - If you could be any supernatural being, which would it be?

173 - What was your first email address or screen name?

174 - If you were a potato product, what would you be?

175 - Would you rather be loved by someone special (but hated by everyone else) or liked by everyone (but never loved)?

176 - What is your very first memory?

177 - Teleportation or flying?

178 - Would you go with aliens if they beamed down to Earth?

179 - What was one new experience you tried that was completely unknown or uncomfortable to you at the time you tried it?

180 - What is something your mother or father often does that you find yourself doing?

181 - What are the three scents you like?

182 - What’s your favorite board game?

183 - What is the most absurd thing you've been tricked into doing or believing?

184 - Have you ever thought of what your future baby will be named?

185 - What are those things you're too old to do but you still enjoy?

186 - Which of the two smells better, fresh-cut grass or bread baking in the oven?

187 - What are the songs that make you sing along whenever you hear them?

188 - What is something your brain wants to convince you to do but you have to fight it?

189 - What would you name your yacht if you had one?

190 - Who is your favourite YouTube vlogger?

191 - What are the two things you’d like to ask your pet?

192 - What has been the most flattering compliment you've ever received?

193 - What three things did your past relationship teach you?

194 - What song would make the best theme music for you?

195 - What is the wackiest thing you ever did to help a friend?

196 - What is the most bizarre wrong number text or phone call you ever received?

197 - What is the best commercial you have ever seen?

198 - If people suddenly got paid for bad behavior, what habit would make you a fortune?

199 - If you had an unlimited budget, what epic prank would you pull?

200 - What’s the best piece of workplace drama you’ve ever heard?

[mariacallous]

Days before a U.S presidential election with potentially colossal implications for Ukraine, the country’s leadership is focused on one thing: staying out of the race as much as possible.

“Any election in a country that supports Ukraine is important to us, because this can impact the level of support,” said Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor in Ukraine’s Office of the President. “Of course, we do not interfere in the domestic political process; we don’t support either candidate.”

That delicate balancing act meant that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris during a visit to the United States in late September. The trip highlighted just how fraught stepping into American politics can be: Zelensky’s tour of an ammunition factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania—which produces artillery shells sent to Ukraine—was blasted by Republican representatives, furious that three Democrats and no Republicans took part in the visit.

But as Russian forces keep advancing in eastern Ukraine and Moscow deploys North Korean troops in the Kursk region, Kyiv fears that the next U.S. president, whoever they are, won’t increase support to a level that would allow the Ukrainian military to put Moscow back on the defensive.

“Unfortunately, we depend on the U.S.,” said Solomiia Bobrovska, an opposition member of the Ukrainian parliament. “The problem is that it will be difficult for us, no matter who is elected. If Trump is elected, Europe will have to do more, act more independently. But even if Harris becomes president, she will continue [President Joe] Biden’s policy of making slow decisions, and that’s not a solution for us.”

The United States has remained Ukraine’s main ally since Russia began its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Washington has supported Kyiv to the tune of more than $100 billion total, disbursed through several separate aid packages. But frustration has steadily grown in Ukraine over Washington’s fears of escalation as well domestic U.S. disputes over the merits of support more broadly. Both contributed to long delays before the United States delivered advanced weapons systems and, earlier this year, approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. Washington has also so far refused to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory using Western weapons.

Zelensky’s U.S. visit was used to present Biden with Ukraine’s five-point “victory plan,” which called on the U.S. president—current or future—and other Western allies to authorize strikes on Russian territory using the long-range weapons they provide Ukraine. The blueprint also suggests that NATO provide Ukraine with a membership invitation. So far, Washington has remained mute all of those asks.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is feeling the impacts of the  presidential campaign. The Biden administration’s reluctance to announce new measures of support for the country has been interpreted by both Ukrainian analysts and officials as an attempt to avoid drawing flak from Republicans ahead of the election.

“It’s possible that the sitting president hasn’t said his last geopolitical word,” Podolyak said, reflecting a commonly held hope in Kyiv that Biden could, after the election, use the last months of his presidency to increase support to Ukraine.

What happens after that is clouded in uncertainty.

Trump’s long history of disparaging comments toward Ukraine in general and Zelensky in particular has raised concern among Ukrainians. So has Trump’s flattery of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelensky,” Trump told supporters during a campaign rally in North Carolina in late September. In May 2023, the former U.S. president also famously claimed that, if elected, he would end the war “in 24 hours.”

“We’re seeing a huge difference in rhetoric between Trump and Harris. And that includes a difference in how both candidates mention potential peace talks,” said Alyona Getmanchuk, a Kyiv-based foreign-policy analyst and the director of the New Europe Center, a think tank. “Harris follows Joe Biden’s line by saying that only Ukraine should be the one to decide when and how to initiate negotiations … while Trump made it clear he would be the one initiating such a deal.”

Perhaps surprisingly, Kyiv has remained publicly composed about the prospect of a Trump presidency, hoping that the former president’s unpredictability and ego-driven governing style could ultimately play in Ukraine’s favor, even as Ukrainians expect a newly elected Trump to immediately pressure Kyiv and Moscow to negotiate.

“There is also the hope among Ukrainian policymakers that, even if Trump was to make a deal with Putin, Putin would quickly violate that deal, and after that Ukraine would receive even more support from Trump,” Getmanchuk added. “But everyone understands that Trump isn’t suddenly going to fall in love with Ukraine if he is elected—we aren’t naive.”

Harris, by contrast, is seen as a more predictable and reliable figure. But she may not see support for Ukraine as a foreign-policy priority while the United States balances numerous other global challenges, including the crisis in the Middle East and competition with China.

Kyiv has argued in recent weeks that increased Western support is essential to put the country in a favorable military position that could, down the line, push Moscow to begin peace talks.

Ukraine’s military position has steadfastly deteriorated this year. After taking the stronghold of Vuhledar in southern Donbas in early October, Russian forces have moved nearly 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) north of the mining town. The advances are of near-unprecedented speed since the Russian military was forced to retreat from the Kyiv region in early 2022—and have highlighted Ukrainian forces’ exhaustion in that part of the front line. Across the country, Ukrainians are also bracing for new strikes against energy infrastructure that could trigger long power cuts.

“I’m really worried about the winter,” said Bobrovska, the Ukrainian legislator. “And I’m worried that our allies are waiting for the moment where we can’t fight any more to say, ‘we did everything we could to support you—now you should go negotiate on Russia’s terms.’”

[fabioperes]

What’s Ulaanbaatar Really Like? Capital City of Mongolia 🇲🇳 Улаанбаатар I spend a few days touring Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар), the capital city of Mongolia. ► If you enjoyed this video, please hit the like button above as this really helps me. ► Due to YouTube's ever-changing algorithm, please also turn on notifications and hit the bell sign, selecting 'All Notifications'. Otherwise you won't get updates. ► Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts - I reply to almost all comments left in the first 48 hours. My Social Media ► Website ►►► https://ift.tt/ayLWUr0 ► Instagram ►►► https://ift.tt/LOS8zfM ► TikTok ►►► https://ift.tt/iPQmar3 ► Facebook ►►► https://ift.tt/RspeCow ► Sign up to Airbnb and get up to $42 off your first booking ► https://ift.tt/maJLe8q? ► Get Month-by-Month Travel Insurance ► https://ift.tt/tCluv3Z I'm Jason, a full-time British Travel Vlogger and YouTuber who's been to 61 countries. I've been travelling around the world full-time since 2017. I have travel series' from many of the world's best (and least) known destinations. I filmed the first vlogs on my channel in the summer of 2016 after spending a year living in China. A proper solo trip around Eastern Europe followed after graduating from University in the summer of 2017, taking me to Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Kosovo. This marked the start of my efforts to turn vlogging into a full-time job. After that European trip I explored much of Asia: visiting India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea and Kazakhstan. I have also travelled to North Africa and the Middle East fairly extensively over the last five years, filming videos in Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine. I've travelled to North America just once as a YouTuber, visiting Mexico in 2021. Though I have been to both the USA and Canada, this was as a child on family holidays. In 2022, I took my first trip to Sub Saharan Africa, visiting Kenya and Tanzania, before heading to the Middle East, stopping in Dubai and Lebanon. Europe followed, covering both the Greek and Turkish sides of Cyprus, and afterwards going back to Italy for the second time to cover Milan and Sicily. I then visited the Caribbean for the first time, covering the Dominican Republic, before heading to both Brussels and Amsterdam, then covering Taiwan and the Philippines in Asia. I finished off the year with a trip around Morocco. I started my travels in 2023 by finally visiting Paris, taking the Eurostar from London. I then headed over to Qatar for a few days, before heading to Asia, with videos following from India, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Mongolia. #mongolia #ulaanbaatar #travel via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb0uaRbBlCs

[chloeunitfive]

Wentworth Castle

Explore centuries of history at Wentworth Castle Gardens, which boasts formal gardens, historically important monuments and a folly that isn’t quite what it seems. From the perfectly manicured Union Jack Garden to a still-recovering parkland that reflects Yorkshire's industrial heritage, there's plenty to see and do at these special gardens, just a stone’s throw from Barnsley.

Stainborough Castle

This almost ancient castle is the crowning glory of a visit to Wentworth Castle Gardens. Although it looks medieval, this folly was actually completed in 1731 by Thomas Wentworth.

Born out of a fierce family rivalry, the folly was designed to give the impression that the Wentworth family had lived here for centuries. Today it’s a peaceful place to enjoy a picnic, surrounded by medieval-style turrets.

Gardens within a garden

The Union Jack Garden

Thomas Wentworth created the landscape at Wentworth to showcase his wealth and status, and the Union Jack Garden is no different. This 18th-century wilderness garden was planted in 1713. Its distinctive criss-cross pattern marks the union of England and Scotland in 1707. It was largely replanted in 2005.

The Victorian conservatory

Monument to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

Framed by the trees, this monument has a powerful story to tell. Originally erected by Thomas Wentworth, it was later dedicated by his son William to Lady Mary Montagu in honour of her efforts to inoculate children against smallpox.

A symbol of Mary’s achievements, it's believed to be the oldest monument in the country dedicated to a non-royal woman.

Lady Lucy's Walk

Wentworth Castle

The grand house at the centre of this estate is not regularly open to the public, but is an integral part of the Wentworth story. Previously known as Stainborough Hall, the original Stuart house was built in the 1670s.

This great house has undergone a number of major changes since then, with a Baroque wing added from around 1709, a Palladian-style wing added in the 1760s and a Victorian wing added in the 1890s.

Today the house is home to Northern College, a pioneering adult education institution.

A view of Yorkshire’s industrial past

As you look out over the parkland, you’re looking at centuries of industrial history. A landscape shaped by coal mining, and a garden built by the Wentworth family from the profits of Yorkshire coal.

You can see the impact of mining on the landscape here, including Ivas Wood, the parkland woods replanted in the 20th century to ‘regreen’ the area after mining had taken its toll on the land.

Wildlife in the gardens

Our gardens and parkland provide homes for lots of different wildlife, including deer and wild birds.

Bats at Stainborough Castle

Old buildings, such as Stainborough Castle, are ideal roosting sites for bats. There are four species using roosts within the castle, including the brown long-eared bat, noctule, common pipistrelle and Natterer’s bat.

Bumblebees in the wildflowers

Various varieties, such as the red-tailed and buff-tailed bumblebee, can easily be spotted in the flower gardens.

Deer in the parkland

Can you spot the deer in the parkland? There are around 150 deer – 61 fallow deer and five bucks and 85 red deer and one stag called Bertie – going about their daily business of grazing and sleeping.

Throughout June and July, they will be starting to give birth so you may see the young in the parkland. The mother deer like to leave their young in a nice shady spot to rest so it's perfectly normal to see a fawn or calf relaxing on their own.

Birds in the woodland areas

In the parkland the 'scratchy sweet' melodic song of the blackcap is often heard, although the birds usually hide under cover. Similarly, the two-note song of the chiff-chaff is a common sound.

[warningsine]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Kuwait said Thursday it executed five prisoners, including an inmate convicted over the bombing of a Shiite mosque in 2015 that killed 27 people and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The inmates were hanged at the Central Prison, Kuwait's Public Prosecution said in a statement. Prosecutors said the five include the mosque attacker, three people convicted of murder and a convicted drug dealer.

One of the convicted murderers was Egyptian, another was Kuwaiti, and the convicted drug dealer was from Sri Lanka. The statement didn't provide the nationality of the mosque attacker or the third convicted murderer, saying only that they were in Kuwait unlawfully.

The 2015 bombing occurred during midday Friday prayers inside one of Kuwait’s oldest Shiite mosques. The Islamic State group, which at the time controlled large areas in both Syria and Iraq, claimed the attack, which was carried out by a suicide bomber. The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates deserving of death.

It was the first militant attack in Kuwait in more than two decades. The attack was likely intended to foment unrest between Kuwait's Sunni and Shiite Muslim populations, but instead it was widely condemned and reawakened a sense of national solidarity not seen since Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of the small, oil-rich country.

The extremist group no longer controls any territory following a grueling military campaign by an array of local and international forces, but continues to carry out sporadic attacks in Syria and Iraq. It also boasts affiliates in several Asian and African countries.

Executions are relatively rare in Kuwait, which put seven inmates to death last November. Before that, the last mass execution was in 2017, when Kuwait executed seven prisoners, including a ruling family member.

The executions last November, which coincided with a visit by a European Commission official, drew condemnation from the European Union and human rights groups, derailing discussions around exempting Kuwaiti travelers from having to obtain EU visas. The 27-member bloc and many rights groups view the death penalty as a form of cruel and unusual punishment that should be abolished.

Kuwait and other Gulf nations are known to carry out executions for murder as well as nonviolent drug-related crimes. Saudi Arabia executed 61 people in the first half of this year, according to the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, and 196 people in 2022, including 81 in one day.

[burundisafaritour]

Discover the Wonders of Kruger National Park, South Africa

Introduction

South Africa, a diverse and breathtaking country, offers incredible opportunities for group tours. One of the most popular destinations for group tours in South Africa is the Kruger National Park. Spanning over two million hectares, this place is a wildlife paradise, teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Let's explore the highlights and experiences of group outings in this magnificent park.

Exploring Kruger National Park

It offers a range of exciting activities and experiences for group excursions. With its vast size, it provides ample opportunities to spot the famous Big Five (elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, and leopard) in their natural habitat. The park's open savannahs, dense forests, and winding rivers create an ideal environment for wildlife viewing.

1. Safari Adventures

One of the main attractions in this amazing park is the safari adventures. Tour participants can embark on thrilling game drives, led by experienced guides who share their knowledge about the park's wildlife and ecosystems. These game drives offer a chance to see lions prowling, elephants bathing, and hippos basking in the sun. Night safaris are also available, providing a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal animals and experience the park's enchanting ambiance after dark.

2. Cultural Encounters

Kruger national park South Africa  tour also provides opportunities to engage with the rich local culture. Many tours include visits to nearby communities, where participants can interact with local tribes and learn about their traditions, crafts, and way of life. These cultural encounters offer a deeper understanding of South Africa's diverse heritage and foster cross-cultural connections.

3. Nature Walks and Hiking

For those seeking a more active experience, this fascinating park offers nature walks and hiking trails. Accompanied by experienced guides, tour participants can explore the park on foot, discovering hidden gems and observing the smaller, often overlooked wildlife. These excursions provide a chance to appreciate the park's stunning landscapes up close and connect with nature on a personal level.

4. Conservation and Environmental Education

This place is committed to conservation and environmental education. Many excursions include visits to educational centers or participation in conservation projects, allowing participants to learn about the park's efforts to protect endangered species and preserve the ecosystem. These activities promote awareness and inspire individuals to become advocates for conservation in their communities.

Conclusion

Kruger National Park safari offers an unforgettable adventure that combines wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and educational experiences. From thrilling safari adventures to meaningful cultural exchanges and outdoor activities, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, wildlife lover, or simply seeking a unique travel experience, this glorious park will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for South Africa's natural treasures.

FORE MORE INFORMATION;- Website:- https://www.burundisafaritours.com

Mobile No.:- +257 62 29 61 74 Email:- info@burundisafaritours.com

[layoverinistanbul]

Layover in istanbul airport

 Layover in Istanbul 

A prolonged Istanbul layover can be the ideal opportunity to experience a new place for the first time. There is no reason not to leave the airport and take a "free" mini vacation if you have at least six hours or more. While some airlines, such as Turkish Airlines, do offer customers complimentary tours of Istanbul during layovers, these are often bus tours for large groups. 

Things to do in Istanbul on layover Istanbul offers many things to do, some of which are listed below Tak e a Food Tour of Istanbul One of the most popular activities in urban areas is doing a food tour. People often claim that delicious food transcends all boundaries, and that food plays a significant role in many historical events.A number of attractions are often introduced along the way on food tours as well. Locals do know best, so using a local guide to navigate the food scene can help you get the most out of your trip. 

A 3hour walking food tour of Istanbul offered by with local’s private excursions lets you sample real Turkish food. It's truly the ideal way to pass time during an Istanbul layover. You eat a delectable supper, walk around, and take in the sights. Visit to Blue Mosque One of the most popular tourist destinations in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, and with good reason. Inside, it is really stunning and worth a visit. 

On an Istanbul layover, if you really only have time to see one attraction, you can't go wrong with the Blue Mosque. As a functioning mosque, the Blue Mos que is closed to tourists when people are inside praying. 

You might want to make sure that your layover coincides with the hours that the Blue Mosque is open to visitors in order to prevent becoming dissatisfied or frustrated. Five times a day, according t o the position of the sun, people pray. 

Blue Mosque    

Shopping in the Grand Bazaar   

One of the oldest and biggest covered markets in the world is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Now spanning 61 streets with more than 4000 stores, the Grand Bazaar dates back to the Ottoman Empire in 1455. A feast for all the senses awaits you at the Grand Bazaar. In the maze of stores in the Grand Bazaar, you may buy anything from the wellknown colored Turkish lanterns to handwoven carpets. Haggling is entirely acceptable, just like you would in countries like Morocco. If you find something you adore and believe you cannot leave Istanbul without, never appear overly enthusiastic. Shopping in the Grand bazaar is famous among Istanbul layover. Wander a Neighborhoo d Istanbul is a sizable city with more than 15 million residents. 

When you have an Istanbul layover, you won't have time to explore the entire city, so plan your vacation carefully. Decide on a neighborhood and make a commitment to only exploring that area. You can always plan a proper vacation back to Istanbul if you enjoy what little of it you get to see while there on a layover. 

Popular neighborhoods to visit include Galata, home to the well Ukurcuma, known for its antique shops and hoknown Galata Tower, me to some of Istanbul's best antique dealers, Balat, a vibrant district with many vintage stores and small coffee shops, and Arnavutköy, where you can take in the picturesque waterfront. 

Turkish Meal Food on the airline is generally quite unpleasant. However, the options in the airport food court are frequently not much better. Have a seat and eat a traditional Turkish lunch before returning to the airport. 's topIf your flight to Istanbul has an overnight or evening layover, have dinner at one of the city rated eateries.

 Mikla was ranked number 44 on the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018, making it more than just one of Istanbul's top eateries.If you have an Istanbul layover during the day, you can't go wrong by visiting the Meşhur Fi libe Köftecisi, which is a familyrun business. Since 1893, they have been producing Turkish meatballs, or köfte, in Istanbul. The menu is straightforward, with the köfte served with bean salad (Piyaz) and a yogurt cake called revani to round it out with s omething sweet. Conclusion Istanbul layover is distinctive for the several activities listed above that attract travelers. Because of this, their trip is memorable and they want to go back.

To enjoy with a layover in istanbul you may check : 

Layoverinistanbul.com

[imjustthisawesome]

Milan!

[roscoebarnes3]

Scott Barretta returning to Natchez

He will talk about Charles Evers’ Blues Legacy

 NATCHEZ, Miss. – Blues historian Scott Barretta is returning to Natchez to talk about “Charles Evers’ Blues Legacy” in recognition of Black History Month. He will speak at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 S. Commerce St.

Barretta will present the same lecture at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in Dumas Hall, Room 107, at the Lorman campus of Alcorn State University. Both events are free to the public. They are sponsored by the Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture & Learning at Alcorn State University.

“Charles Evers is deservedly best known for his contributions to the civil rights movement and his political engagement in the state, but I also think it’s important to recognize him as a pioneer in cultural tourism,” said Barretta. “Notably,” he added, “the annual Medgar Evers Homecoming Celebration concert featuring B.B. King and other blues greats, which brought in people from across the country, predated the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival by five years.”

Teresa Busby, the center’s executive director, said Barretta’s talk will address the impact Evers had on the public visibility of the blues in Mississippi. Busby said the presentation will also address Evers’ work as a DJ in Philadelphia, Miss., in the 1950s; a nightclub owner in Chicago and Mississippi; and as the owner for many years of a blues-oriented radio station in Jackson.

The first major show held by Evers occurred in 1973 at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, Barretta said.  Evers recalled he had first visited this site when it was a makeshift jail where hundreds of civil rights activists were locked up, Barretta said.

“Now black and white can walk in there together for an evening of singing and dancing,” Evers noted on the first event. “That’s the way Medgar would have wanted it and he died trying to make that kind of joy possible.”

In 1969, Charles Evers became the first African American mayor in Mississippi since the Reconstruction era when he was elected as mayor of Fayette.

Barretta’s last visit to Natchez occurred in October 2022 when he presented a talk on “Natchez’s Rich Blues Tradition.” A resident of Greenwood, Barretta is well known as the host of the MPB radio show “Highway 61.” He is a writer and researcher for the Mississippi Blues Trail. He also teaches sociology courses about music at the University of Mississippi.

For more information, send email to tbusby@alcorn.edu.

[hakesbros]

San Antonio Real Property For Sale In Tx

Easy access to main highways, buying, and downtown charm. Oversize residing space, spacious bedrooms, every with its own bathtub. Double closets in each bedrooms, and patio looking over a greenbelt between two buildings. Current tenant has been there as lengthy new homes san antonio as I even have managed this unit. 4 swimming pools, 2 tennis courts, massive trees everywhere in the property.

This home has three very massive bedrooms, 21/2 baths plus examine or train room by master. Very open ideas with excessive ceilings, tons of large home windows for natural light. Master bathtub has a deep tub, double vanities and enormous homes for sale san antonio bathe. 2 giant closets in master suite plus examine or exercise room. Access to pool from master suite with double French doors.

Cresta Bella-The Enclave is a pristine new home community by Toll Brothers situated in San Antonio, Texas, that includes luxury single-family homes that provide unparalleled views of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Use the LoopNet search to discover a business actual property broker near San Antonio, TX now. In the last 30 days, homes for sale in San Antonio, TX bought for a median worth of $299,869, up four.6% compared to the same period last 12 months.

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When looking for real estate in Texas, none provides you with the Texan expertise quite like San Antonio. At this time, there are presently 461 communities with eight,200 new homes for sale in San Antonio. All of those are new building homes that start at just $159,999 and can be constructed up to 6,010 square feet of house, so people new home builders san antonio from all walks of life can spend money on a high quality new development home. 61 homebuilders design and build 4,268 home plans, and your dream home is among them. Search for San Antonio luxury homes with the Sotheby’s International Realty community, your premier resource for San Antonio homes. We have 1,523 luxury homes for sale in San Antonio, and forty nine,384 homes in all of Texas.

Creatives, artists, and lovers of all issues unique will find a welcoming neighborhood in Southtown. If your excellent night begins with a few artwork reveals and ends with a cocktail or two, you’ve discovered your house in Southtown. Made of five neighborhoods, Southtown is dotted with an eclectic assortment of housing styles, from fashionable condos to show-stopping Victorians. If you visited San Antonio and reveled in the River Walk’s name to incredible homes for sale san antonio tx food, one-of-a-kind leisure, and all-around festive fun , you might favor San Antonio’s downtown for your next home. If you’re apprehensive about what it’s like residing in San Antonio and tips on how to find the most effective neighborhoods, don’t stress because there’s a couple of “best” neighborhood; simply ask the present residents.

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

435 of 2022

How often do you... survey

[made @ xanga.com/surveys_for_nimrods]

HOW OFTEN DO YOU... 1. Wash your hair?: Every two days. 2. Take a shower?: Twice a day. 3. Brush your teeth?: Also twice a day. 4. Wash your work uniform?: Our company does it for us, they collect them every week and leave the washed ones in our dressing rooms. We’re going to have new uniforms soon and I’m quite excited about it :D 5. Clean out your car?: Whenever I’m bothered... yeah it’s terrible XD 6. Go to the movies?: Never, movies get me bored to death. 7. Have sex?: As rarely as possible. 8. Visit Facebook?: Never. I don’t even have an account there. 9. Take surveys?: Every other day. 10. See your mom?: Once or twice a year. 11. Go shopping?: Every week for groceries. 12. Hang with friends?: Whenever I can. 13. Wear makeup?: Never. 14. Straighten your hair?: Never. 15. Travel in an airplane?: Never. 16. Leave your country?: At least once a year. 17. Get your car washed?: Too rarely. 18. Shave your legs?: Never. 19. Go to the beach?: A few times a year, on different seasons as well. 20. Go food shopping?: Every week. 21. Go to work?: Currently two days a week, in normal circumstances my job requires 5 days a week. 22. Eat junk food?: Almost never. 23. Do your laundry?: Every week. 24. Talk to your best friend?: Every day. 25. See your significant other?: Every day. We live together. 26. Hug people?: Every day :P 27. Visit message boards?: I visit one certain forum every single day. 28. Hang out with your siblings?: I haven’t seen my sister in years. 29. Drive far distances (over an hour away)?: Every once in a while. 30. Go to amusement parks?: Twice ayear, and only because my husband does. 31. Eat candy?: Very rarely, I don’t like sweets. 32. Go to concerts?: Basically never. Flashing lights tend to torment my brain. 33. Exercise?: Five times a week, now it’s going to be three times a week, unless something changes. 34. Drink water?: Omg never. I hate water, my drinks need to have a taste. 35. Eat meat?: Almost never. Just fish or chicken every now and then. 36. Go to clubs?: A few times a year. 37. Post on Xanga?: Never, I don’t have an account there. 38. Post on Tumblr?: Almost every day on this blog, whenever I remember on my personal blog. 39. Post Facebook status updates?: Never, I don’t use Facebook. 40. Go to class?: Before involuntary hiatus, two times a week. 41. Use AIM?: Never. 42. Watch VHS tapes?: Never, are they still a thing? 43. Use CDs?: Never, but I collect them anyway. 44. Talk to your grandparents?: They’re all deceased, so. 45. Go to church/temple?: Never. 46. Pray?: Never. 47. Dye your hair?: Every once in a while. 48. Brush your hair?: I don’t really need to as it’s short. 49. Get hair cuts?: Every two months or so, if I remember. 50. Go to the mall?: We don’t have malls in my country, so once or twice a year, when I’m abroad. 51. Go to thrift shops/Goodwill?: Rarely, but I do indeed. 52. Shop online?: Quite frequently. 53. Get paid?: Once in two weeks. 54. Put gas in your car?: Whenever it starts running out. 55. Pay your bills?: Once a month, when they come. 56. Paint your nails?: Never. I don’t do feminine things. 57. Wake up in the middle of the night?: Every night. 58. Read?: Almost every day. 59. Take baths?: Rarely because we don’t have a bath, only a shower. 60. Apply deodorant?: Twice a day at least. 61. Wear skirts?: Never, I’m a guy. 62. Listen to music?: Every day. 63. Drink?: Very rarely these days. 64. Smoke?: Never. 65. Go on MySpace?: Never.

[made @ xanga.com/surveys_for_nimrods]

[bongaboi]

Jackson State: 2022 SWAC Football Champions

JACKSON, Miss.- The Jackson State University football team defeated Southern 43-24 Saturday in the Cricket SWAC Championship game.

Jackson State (12-0) won its 18th SWAC Championship and clinched a berth in the Cricket Celebration Bowl set for Saturday, December 17 in Atlanta versus North Carolina Central. It is the first back-to-back SWAC titles for JSU since 1995-96.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named Offensive MVP after passing for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. was named Defensive MVP after making five tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss.

The opening 11 minutes set the tone for the game. The nation's top ranked defense forced three turnovers (two fumbles, one interception), and made two sacks.

Following a three-and-out forced by the JSU defense, the Tigers' offense drove 61 yards in nine plays as Alejandro Mata's 22-yard field goal gave Jackson State a 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Herman Smith III intercepted a Southern pass and returned it 37 yards to the Jaguar one-yard line. Sy'Veon Wilkerson's one-yard TD run two plays later and PAT kick gave Jackson State a 10-0 lead with 8:26 to play in the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Miller Jr.'s sack and forced fumble was recovered by Antonio Doyle Jr. at the SU 14. On the next play, Sanders fired a 14-yard touchdown pass to Shane Hooks, and Kevin Coleman's two-point conversion pass gave JSU an 18-0 lead with 6:35 to play in the first quarter.

Jackson State made its third takeaway in as many possessions on the next Southern drive as Baron Hopson's sack and forced fumble was recovered by Justin Ragin at the JSU 42-yard line. The Tigers found the end zone again only four plays later as Sanders and Hooks connected on a 40-yard scoring pass. A Sanders-to-Coleman two-point conversion pass gave JSU a 26-0 lead with 3:51 to play in the opening period.

After Southern scored early in the second quarter, JSU scored on its fifth straight possession. A seven-play, 85-yard Jackson State drive ended with a 14-yard scoring pass from Sanders to Coleman, with Mata's PAT giving the Tigers a 33-7 lead with 11:25 to play in the first half.

After Southern closed the gap in the third quarter, JSU put the game away for good. Sanders threw his fourth TD pass of the game, a nine-yard strike to Rico Powers late in the period for the final margin.

About the SWAC The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.

Follow the SWAC For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.

[antifainternational]

In case you think the Rittenhouse verdict is an aberration, here are four other examples of the US justice system permitting fascists to use lethal violence against their opponents with total impunity:

1) The Greensboro Massacre, 1979:

In 1979, three dozen KKK members got the police in Greensboro, NC to turn a blind eye to the ambush they were planning for an anti-racist march. The KKK members fired on the anti-racists, killing five and wounding ten others. No one was ever convicted. 2) Dan Shersty and Lin "Spit" Newborn, 1998:

Dan and Spit were two young anti-racist organizers in Las Vegas. In 1998, a gang of nazis lured them out to the desert and shot them to death. Two of the nazis were acquitted of the murders in a trial 16 years later; a third was never even charged. 3) Sacramento 2016:

Nazis attending a white supremacist rally at the California state capitol arrived armed with knives and guns and stabbed nine counter-protestors while the police blithely looked on. Afterward, the police actively colluded with the nazis to frame the counter-protestors who had been stabbed. 4) Black Lives Matter Protests, 2020:

In addition to the three people killed or maimed by Rittenhouse, fascists attacked at least 53 other Black Lives Matter protests in the US, killing seven others and injuring an 61 additional people; To our knowledge, none have been convicted. Internationally, fascists & far-right bigots murdered at least 326 people and injured 1187 others last year. It is folly to expect the US justice system - or any country's legal system - to hold fascists accountable for the violence they visit upon their opponents & our communities. Community-based organizing and collective self-defence are all we have to protect ourselves from their terror.

[onceuponatown]

In 1869,  Albert Smiley purchased a ten-room inn on Lake Mohonk and expanded it into the sprawling, marvelous Mountain House it is today—now in its fourth and fifth generations of Smiley family proprietorship. Albert Smiley’s vision was to preserve a natural paradise for guests, a place to rejuvenate away from the stresses of work and city life. But Albert was more than just a hotel proprietor. In 1895, he convened the first of many Conferences on International Arbitration at the Mountain House, bringing together leaders to meet and discuss world issues.

Over the decades, distinguished visitors to the Mountain House have included five U.S. presidents, naturalists, theologians, business leaders, actors, artists, musicians, and more. 

The early story of the Mountain House begins with two identical twin brothers, Quakers Albert and Alfred Smiley. Albert was co-principal of the Friends Boarding School in Providence, Rhode Island, and hoped to retire to a place in the country. In September of 1869, his brother Alfred felt he had found the perfect location. On an outing to Paltz Point, now the site of Sky Top Tower, Alfred was so taken by the stunning vista he telegraphed Albert and implored him to make a visit. Initially claiming he was too busy, Albert relented and made the journey that would chart the course of the rest of his life.

A ten-room inn, Stokes Tavern stood at the time on Lake Mohonk. Albert purchased the tavern and the surrounding acres with $14,000 in savings, $300 contributed by his wife Eliza, and a $14,000 bank loan. The era of Mohonk Mountain House had begun.

The ten-room inn was renovated and expanded, and the Mountain House underwent a grand but gradual conversion to the place we see today. The facility opened with accommodations for 40 guests in June of 1870. Over the years that followed, rooms and buildings were added, then torn down and rebuilt as the need to grow larger became paramount. The current Dining Room was completed in 1893, the Lake Lounge and Parlor in 1899—both with electricity, so changes have been minimal in these areas. In 1910, the Dining Room Circle extension was completed, and this marked the end of additions to the Mountain House until the modern era. At its highest capacity, the Mountain House boasted 300 rooms (currently 259). The Victorian ambiance of the decor and furnishings has been maintained since the Mountain House’s inception.

There is no single architectural style reflected in the sections of the Mountain House. They are, from south to north, the Spa wing, the Rock section (so named because it sits on the rock cliffs), the Stone building (as the walls are made of hand-cut stone, making them appear “castle-like”); the Central building (including the Lake Lounge and Parlor); the Grove, and the Dining wing. Using various materials (stone was an early favorite due to concerns about fire safety), they contribute to an eclectic mix of styles that helps achieve the near magical look of Mohonk Mountain House.

Mohonk Mountain House is located in the Shawangunk Mountains, designated by The Nature Conservancy as one of Earth’s “last great places.” When Albert Smiley purchased the Mountain House, the grounds were largely untamed wilderness. Herculean efforts were required to create the system of carriage roads and trails that are still in use today. Albert Smiley was a passionate gardener. He and the early groundskeepers trucked in tons of soil and applied near-infinite patience to establish the Mohonk gardens. These gardens were influenced by the English style of landscaping of the mid-19th century.

Beginning with Albert, the Smileys began a process of land acquisition, buying up surrounding farms in an effort to preserve a pristine area around the Mountain House, free from development. Guests engaged in hiking and carriage rides throughout this property, enjoying stunning vistas such as those seen from Copes Lookout and Eagle Cliff Road, as well as Sky Top with its views of six surrounding states. A belief in the beauty of nature motivated these acquisitions. Preservation was further enhanced in 1960 when the Mohonk Trust was established; the trust later became the Mohonk Preserve, a non-affiliated sister organization to the Mountain House, which is now the largest visitor supported nature preserve in New York State. Mountain House guests have access to 8000 acres of Preserve land, 1200 acres of Mountain House land, and nearby state park lands, for access to a total of over 85 miles of hiking trails.

Rock scrambles such as the Labyrinth (with its famous Lemon Squeeze) have been popular since the early days of Mohonk, allowing guests from all eras to navigate these remarkable tunnels and fields of boulders. Rock climbing was a popular activity at Mohonk.

Lake Mohonk is a glacial lake, fed from sky water, not from nearby streams. It stretches a half-mile long, and is 61 feet at its deepest. The lake is stocked with trout (perch, sunnys, bass, and pickerel can also be found). There is swimming at the beach, and guests enjoy canoeing, boating, and paddle boats. Dotting the majestic cliffs and the carriage roads are over 125 scenic summerhouses, a mainstay of the Mohonk experience since the early days.

See our first post on the Mohonk Mountain House here.