Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly, an Iraqi-born Swedish citizen, is suspected of carrying out the bombing. It has been described as the first suicide attack in the Nordic countries linked to Islamic terrorism. On 8 March 2011, Strathclyde Police in Scotland arrested 30-year-old Nasserdine Menni in the Whiteinch area of Glasgow in connection with the Stockholm bombing. Menni was arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 for "aiding terrorist activity" outside Scotland and was held at the Helen Street police station, the most secure police station in the country.
The second explosion occurred at about 17:00 CET at the intersection of Bryggargatan and Drottninggatan. A man's body, with blast wounds on his abdomen, was discovered nearby. According to a police spokesman, the man blew himself up. According to Aftonbladet, he carried six pipe bombs; only one exploded, killing him. Near the man, a metal pipe and a rucksack filled with metal fasteners and an unknown substance (suspected to be an explosive) were found. According to witnesses, the bomber was "shouting something in Arabic" before detonating the bomb. Closed-circuit television footage of the second explosion was released the following day by Aftonbladet.
At the time of the explosions, central Stockholm was filled with Christmas shoppers and thousands of people were in the vicinity. Foreign Minister Bildt expressed his concern that if the attack had been successful, the result could have been "truly catastrophic." The bombings followed a November increase in the terror-alert level in Sweden (from low to elevated) because of a "shift in activities among Swedish-based groups".
About ten minutes before the explosions, a threatening email was sent to the Swedish Security Service and the Swedish news agency Tidningarnas Telegrambyrå (TT). It referred to the presence of Swedish troops in Afghanistan and Swedish artist Lars Vilks' drawings of Muhammad as a roundabout dog: "Now your children, daughters and sisters will die in the same way our brothers and sisters die. Our actions will speak for themselves. As long as you don't end your war against Islam and degradation against the prophet and your foolish support for the pig Lars Vilks." The email ended with a call to "all Mujahedin in Europe and Sweden. Now is the time to strike, wait no longer. Go forward with whatever you have, even if it is a knife, and I know you have more than a knife. Fear no one, don't fear prison, don't fear death." Sound files in Swedish and Arabic were also included.
A PMR radio with attached wires was found near the body, suggesting that the bomb was intended to be triggered remotely. The state prosecutor said the action was well organised, and authorities presumed that the man had assistance with his preparations. The suspect was wearing a bomb belt, carried a large bomb and was holding a metal object resembling a pressure cooker. The prosecutor believed that the bomb exploded prematurely; he speculated that the suspect was on his way to Stockholm Central Station or Åhléns, a large department store in the area.
Map of the area of the explosions.
News media reported that a woman "close to" the suspect was detained in a 4:00 raid of a Hässelby flat by the National Task Force, and a search warrant was issued under the UK Terrorism Act 2000 for a property in Bedfordshire the following day.
On 13 December, the SÄPO announced that seven explosive experts from the FBI would assist the investigation. Security services told TV4 that the suicide bomber's car contained a second pressure cooker bomb. Witnesses said that four days before the bombing, the man tried to buy aluminium powder in his parents' hometown of Tranås.
Tidningarnas Telegrambyrå reported that a member of the Swedish Armed Forces warned an acquaintance in a message to avoid Drottninggatan several hours before the bombings: "If you can, avoid Drottninggatan today. A lot can happen there … just so you know." The Swedish Armed Forces denied prior knowledge of the attack, promising to investigate further, and the SÄPO launched an independent investigation. The newspaper Expressen later reported that several sources close to the investigation claimed a second government employee had advance information about the bombing.
Investigation revealed that the terrorist used at least three different passports to avoid raising red flags when traveling to the Middle East. Suspicions that al-Abdaly had an accomplice increased in January 2011, when the media reported that uncensored recordings of the terrorist's audio message were posted on YouTube the day after he died. Swedish TV4 then reported that Abdulwahab's wife, Mona Thwany, had uploaded the recordings to the couple's YouTube account.
The primary suspect is Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly (12 December 1981 – 11 December 2010). According to information from his Facebook profile and the muslima.com dating site (where he was looking for a second wife), he was a 28-year-old Iraqi Swede born in Baghdad who grew up in Tranås and was naturalized as a Swedish citizen in 1992.
Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly dead on the street minutes after the explosion.
After completing secondary school in Sweden in 2001, al-Abdaly studied at the University of Bedfordshire and graduated with a degree in sports therapy in 2004. That year he married a Swedish citizen with whom he had two daughters, born in 2007 and 2009, and a son born in 2010. Al-Abdaly named his son Osama in honour of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. At the time of the bombings he was living in Luton, Bedfordshire with his wife, who also holds fundamentalist Islamic views, and he returned to Sweden on 19 November to visit relatives in Tranås.
During his stay in Britain, al-Abdaly lived in Luton for almost a decade. Reports indicated that he became more religious and more angry in the late 2000s. During Ramadan in 2007, after al-Abdaly tried to recruit other Muslims who shared his political views when he preached at the Luton mosque he stormed out when confronted about his beliefs and was forbidden to return. His Facebook profile was reported to contain a mixture of technophile and Islamic fundamentalist postings, peppering sentiments such as "I love my Apple iPad" with references to "the Islamic Caliphate state" and Yawm al-Qiyamah. Al-Abdaly also posted internet videos of Chechen fighters and abused Iraqi prisoners.
Scene of the second explosion the day after the attack, seen from Drottninggatan.
Muslim Council of Sweden chairman Omar Mustafa said in an interview, "This is an attack on Sweden and on all Muslims in Sweden." Ben Mahmoud Rahmeh, imam and chairman of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe, and the Islamic Federation of Sweden issued a press release condemning the attacks: "Attacks like this have been carried out earlier in both Muslim and non-Muslim communities (such as in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Spain and the UK) and then the Muslim scholars and theologians' position has been unanimously against such attacks. Also, important Islamic institutions and Muslim inter-governmental organisations, such as Al-Azhar University, the European Council for Fatwa, Organisation of the Islamic Conference, have all been united in that all terrorist attacks against civilians and innocent people is strictly prohibited and that it is not permissible to oppress, harm or intimidate others." After the press release was issued, the attack was condemned during Friday prayers at the Stockholm Mosque.


text:
Lee's 5-under 67 Leads North Texas Classic
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Mission's Jun Min Lee fired a bogey-free, 5-under-par 67 in Saturday';s opening round of the North Texas Classic to lead the Boys 15-18 division. Cole Sherwood and Lucas Borrero are tied at 73 to lead the Boys 14 & Under division at Tangle Ridge Golf Club. Serena Shah and Kaylee Vesely lead the girls division at even-par 72 heading into Sunday's final round.
The second annual North Texas Classic is being held at Tangle Ridge Golf Club in Grand Prairie, Texas for the second consecutive year. The Legends Junior Tour's last 'open' event of the 2016 season, the North Texas Classic provides one of the last chances for players to earn valuable points towards the LJT Player of the Year, which is how players are chosen for the year-end Jackie Burke Cup.
Lee, who played in last year's Jackie Burke Cup for the first time, started on the par-4 10th hole. He birdied the short, par-4 11th, and then had six straight pars before making a birdie on the par-5 18th hole. He then had three birdies in a six-hole stretch between holes four through eight to get to 5-under for the day. Lee leads by two shots heading into Sunday's final round.
Hideaway's Evan White, two shots back of Lee, was 1-over par on his front nine, but turned it around on his back nine. White birdied the difficult par-4 first hole, his 10th of the day. That got him rolling, making three more birdies on his back side to close at 69. Richardson's Tommy Boone, McKinney's Jc Wigglesworth, and Irving's Forrest Park sit in a tie for third place after 2-uner 70's, three shots back of Lee.
In the Boys 14 & Under division, Sherwood, currently sitting in fifth place on the LJT Points List, and Borrero, currently in second place, are fighting for that second spot on the South team for the Jackie Burke Cup. They are tied atop the leaderboard with 1-over 73s. Sherwood carded four birdies while Borrero carded three.
Vishnu Sadagopan, the current LJT Points List leader, and Knox Wagoner sit in a tie for third place, just one shot back of the leaders. Prayaag Oruganti, Andrew Spaulding and Stephen Campbell, Jr. sit in a tie for fifth place.
In the Girls 12-18 division, Carrollton's Shah and Austin's Vesely hold a slim lead of one shot heading into the final round at Tangle Ridge Golf Club. Shah had seven straight pars before a birdie. She carded one more birdie in her round to get to even-par 72. Vesely needed three birdies against three bogeys for her 72.
Plano's Malena Barrientos sits in third place, just one shot back after a 1-over 73. She played a very steady round, carding one birdie against two bogeys. Kennedy Pedigo and Brooke Morales sit in a tie for fourth place after the first round.
Tee times for the final round are scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM off the first and 10th tees Sunday morning. For more information on the Legends Junior Tour or the North Texas Classic, please visit www.TXGA.org.
Full first round results can be found by clicking here.
Timeline Photos The teams are set! The Legends Junior Tour 16th Jackie Burke Cup gets underway Saturday, Nov. 14 at The Clubs at Houston Oaks!
Who will claim the cup? #North or #South
🔗 Preview: https://buff.ly/2UmPV2K
#JBCup 3 Likes

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Revisiting Hungary's Bankruptcy Episode
WDI Conference Paper, "Financial Sectors in Transition: A Conference on the Design of Financial Systems in Central and Eastern Europe
See all articles by John Bonin
John Bonin
Wesleyan University - Economics Department
Mark E. Schaffer
Heriot-Watt University - Centre for Economic Reform and Transformation; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics
Date Written: September 1999
We take a retrospective look at Hungary's experiment with a articularly draconian bankruptcy law. For an eighteen-month period in 1992-93, the Hungarian bankruptcy code contained an unusual automatic trigger that required the managers of firms that held overdue debts of any size to any creditor to initiate reorganization or liquidation proceedings to avoid prosecution under the civil code. We analyze the impact of this "legislative shock therapy" on the economy during the period and examine its effects on resource reallocation and institution building. We argue that, although a key motivation for introducing the automatic trigger was to harden the budget constraints of firms, the empirical evidence suggests that hard budget constraints were already being imposed by banks and by other firms, and the effect of the automatic trigger was rather the exacerbation of a credit crunch and disruption of economic activity. We also suggest that other features of the Hungarian bankruptcy framework not connected to the automatic trigger provide the more important lessons. In particular, it is possible to introduce a bankruptcy track in a transition economy that can both transfer control of the firm from management to creditors and maintain the firm as a going concern while restructuring takes place.
JEL Classification: P31, P34, G21, G30
Bonin, John P. and Schaffer, Mark E., Revisiting Hungary's Bankruptcy Episode (September 1999). WDI Conference Paper, "Financial Sectors in Transition: A Conference on the Design of Financial Systems in Central and Eastern Europe, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=199109
John P. Bonin (Contact Author)
Wesleyan University - Economics Department ( email )
Middletown, CT 06459
Heriot-Watt University - Centre for Economic Reform and Transformation ( email )
School of Management - Department of Economics
+44 131 451 3494 (Phone)
+44 131 451 3008 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://www.hw.ac.uk/ecoWWW/cert
Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)
IZA Institute of Labor Economics
Bonn, D-53072


text:
class FixesTransferLimitDate < ActiveRecord::Migration
  def up
    execute %Q{
CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW "1"."balance_transfers" AS
 SELECT bt.id,
    bt.user_id,
    bt.project_id,
    bt.amount,
    bt.transfer_id,
    zone_timestamp(bt.created_at) AS created_at,
    zone_timestamp(weekdays_from(10, zone_timestamp(bt.created_at))) AS transfer_limit_date,
    current_state(bt.*) AS state
   FROM balance_transfers bt
  WHERE is_owner_or_admin(bt.user_id);
}
  end

  def down
    execute %Q{
CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW "1"."balance_transfers" AS
 SELECT bt.id,
    bt.user_id,
    bt.project_id,
    bt.amount,
    bt.transfer_id,
    zone_timestamp(bt.created_at) AS created_at,
    zone_timestamp(weekdays_from(10, bt.created_at)) AS transfer_limit_date,
    current_state(bt.*) AS state
   FROM balance_transfers bt
  WHERE is_owner_or_admin(bt.user_id);
}
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Excellent. Also, my wife said the guys who came out this week to fix the pool, lost prime, were outstanding! They really helped us. As I have said before, please use us as a reference if needed as we are very pleased to have an AQUA POOL in our yard.
Please pass on thanks to all at Aqua Pool.
"Thank you for "coming to our aid". The service technicians (Tony in particular) were truly representative of a firm committed to excellent service. Paul and I were pleased that our problem was easy to solve (the Anthony filter grids were not as clean as they should have been and water was being held in the bottom of the grids). Tony acid cleaned them and everything operated properly. We appreciate your responding to our service request with such speed and concern!!!! Again… Thank you!
"My wife, Sheila and I are very pleased with the lifestyle that your team at Aqua has provided our family. While it's a little chilly now to take a dip, the warmth and concern of your staff has made the entire process of building a pool a pleasurable experience (from Sales to Construction to Service). Summer seems almost here when we look at the shimmering water…who would have thought that a month ago we were staking out the yard. Your people delivered on the exact day we requested of Julie when we signed the contract…WOW!
Specifically, I want to bring to your attention Jessica's performance as she has been at the center of Aqua's many skilled teams and subcontractors. Her prompt attention to our needs and endless patience in answering our questions really made a difference throughout the construction lifecycle. Kudos to you and the great professionals at Aqua!


text:
Commissioner Kyriakidou: The fight against cancer is difficult but it can be won
The ways in which the European Union takes a holistic approach to the treatment of cancer at all stages of the disease, from prevention to the next day of treatment, was mentioned by the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakidou in her speech at the Sixth International Consensus Conference on Breast Cancer in Lisbon.
Commissioner Kyriakidou underlined that although the fight against cancer is difficult, it can be won if the trend of reducing spending in the health systems of the Member States is reversed and if investments in research are strengthened.
Ms. Kyriakidou referred to the visits she made to the Champalimaud Foundation and the Portuguese Oncology Institute, and stressed that the determination she saw in the country to fight cancer is crucial in trying to win the battle against the disease.
"One in 11 women is expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime," said Commissioner Kyriakidou, recalling that it is the most common type of cancer, which accounts for a quarter of all cases in women.
He referred to the deteriorating conditions for breast cancer patients due to the pandemic, and due to limited access to tests, diagnoses and treatments, and noted that according to the information available to the Commission, cancer control programs have been slowed down. or stop altogether in many parts of the EU in the last two years.
As he said, surgeries have been delayed, several cases are considered that they will not be diagnosed in time in their initial stages, and that there are shortages in medicines and equipment.
"Overall, we are facing a difficult battle against cancer. "But it is a battle we can win," said Kyriakidou. forces in the framework of the Europe Plan to Fight Cancer.
Referring to the Plan, she pointed out that this is the first coherent and comprehensive plan of the EU which includes various policies, research initiatives and funding.
As he said, the Plan covers the entire course of the disease, from prevention, diagnosis and treatment, to the quality of life of patients and those treated.
In particular, it analyzed how EU initiatives can contribute to the fight against the disease at every stage, including the HealthyLifestyle4All campaign, the changes that the Commission will propose to the Council's recommendations on screening and its network. EU for interconnection of national cancer centers.
Source: politis.com.cy
This is the man who escaped during his transfer and is wanted (photo)
158 new cases of coronavirus were reported and one death in the occupied territories


Grace-Marie Turner is president of the Galen Institute, a non-profit research organization focusing on free-market ideas for health reform. She can be reached at P.O. Box 320010, Alexandria, VA, 22320 or galen@galen.org.


Pardon the silence: tomorrow I will go to the hospital for a surgery, and it will be followed by a lengthy sick leave. Hold your breaths; I will be back.
This entry was posted in Announcements on April 17, 2018 by Angina.
This entry was posted in Volume 3, Volume 3, Chapter 1 and tagged House of Spirits on March 26, 2018 by Angina.
This entry was posted in Volume 3, Volume 3, Chapter 1 and tagged House of Spirits on March 19, 2018 by Angina.
This entry was posted in Volume 3, Volume 3, Chapter 1 and tagged House of Spirits on March 5, 2018 by Angina.


text:
Songs of Praise gives fans the chance to sing at Wembley
Team spirit: the Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones, with Jamie Jones-Buchanan, a member of the rugby-league club Leeds Rhinos
RUGBY LEAGUE fans are to be given the chance to join a choir that will lead the crowd in singing "Abide with me" before the kick-off of the Challenge Cup Final, on 27 August, at Wembley Stadium.
A competition is being held by Songs of Praise, together with BBC Sport, which is similar to last year's FA Cup Fans Choir, in which 64 football fans won the chance to sing at Wembley before the FA Cup Final.
This year, the Rugby League Challenge Cup Fans Choir will be made up of 32 rugby-league fans. Winners will be picked by a judging panel who will consider team loyalty and support.
The panel includes the singer and Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones; the Leeds Rhinos and England international player Jamie Jones-Buchanan; and Lizzie Jones. Mrs Jones sang before last year's final in memory of her husband, the former professional rugby-league player Danny Jones, who died after collapsing during a game.
Mrs Jones said: "I'm delighted to be part of the judging panel for this competition. Singing at Wembley before last year's Challenge Cup Final is an experience I will never forget.
"Rugby-league fans have some amazing stories to tell. I'm sure this competition will find some of the best, and will reward them with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform in front of thousands of people in one of the best stadiums in the world."
The producer of Songs of Praise, Matthew Napier, said: "We know rugby-league fans are some of the most passionate sports fans out there. This is their chance to show their love for their club by stepping on the Wembley turf and leading a sold-out crowd in a rendition of one of our nation's favourite hymns, live on BBC1."
A special edition of Songs of Praise, which follows the fans' journey to join the choir, will be broadcast the day after the match.
The closing date for applications is 12 June.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006ttc5
Songs of Praise fields choir for rugby final
Concern as Songs of Praise outsourced
Songs of Praise staff consider striking
Songs of Praise is first to go out to commercial tender
They all went to Wembley
Youth Praise celebrated at All Souls'
What girls are bringing to the choir party
Goal is still unity 'but not quite yet'
Church of Scotland overwhelmingly backs remaining in European Union
Sing to the Lord a new translation
Church contains hardly any converts, report suggests
Evangelicals object to bishops' appointment
WorldRegularsFeatures
full-time, part-time, flexible, and freelance options available


text:
A Death in Tokyo
The Kyoichiro Kaga Series (Volume 3)
Author: Keigo Higashino; translated by Giles Murray
It must have been just before nine o'clock in the evening that the man made his way past the Nihonbashi Bridge police station. The duty officer, who had stepped outside a little earlier to survey the street, saw him from behind.
Rather early to be quite so drunk, the officer thought. The man was visibly unsteady on his feet. Since the officer couldn't see his face, it was hard to guess how old he was, but his hairstyle and other indicators suggested late middle age. Neither fat nor thin, tall nor short, he was dressed very respectably. Even from a distance, you could tell that his dark brown suit was of high quality. In the end, the officer decided that there was no need to bother him.
The man was walking toward the bridge, lurching from side to side as he did so. The bridge was Nihonbashi Bridge, a historic landmark dating from 1907. The man started to make his way across the bridge and appeared to be heading for the Mitsukoshi department store on the far side.
The officer looked away and took stock of his immediate environs. He got the impression that while there were slightly fewer pedestrians around than before, the number of cars crisscrossing the tangle of roads in front of him was the same as ever. Even though there was a recession—no, probably because there was a recession—people still had to work. Despite the late hour, there were plenty of trucks and other commercial vehicles out on the road. The only change from the boom times was that the goods they were transporting were probably worth less. And this place was ground zero, the place from which all the hardworking merchants and businesspeople set off for the rest of Japan.
A group of around fifteen Chinese tourists were wandering across Nihonbashi Bridge, looking up at the expressway that ran at a right angle directly above it. It wasn't difficult for the officer to imagine the conversations they were having. They were most likely asking why on earth someone had gone and dumped something so brutish and ugly right on top of such a beautiful structure. Coming from such a vast country themselves, how could they possibly understand how, when Japan needed the expressways as part of hosting the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, it had built them above the capital's old canals and rivers because there was no spare land available?
The officer once again let his eyes wander. They came to a stop and focused on something. It was that man again. In the middle of Nihonbashi Bridge, there is an ornamental column with a pair of kirin, mythical Chinese beasts, on either side. The man was leaning against the parapet near the base of the column.
The officer watched him for a while. He didn't look as if he was planning to go anywhere. He was completely immobile.
"Oh, please! You're not seriously going to fall asleep there at this time of night—"
With a disapproving click of his tongue, the officer marched onto the bridge.
There was the usual stream of people crossing the bridge, none of whom paid the man any attention. Whether homeless or simply drunk, a person lying or sitting at the side of the road wasn't an unusual sight in central Tokyo.
The officer approached him. The man was immediately beneath one of the kirin statues, which, unlike the typical kirin, resemble dragons. His back was rounded as if bent forward in prayer.
"Excuse me, sir. What seems to be the problem?" The officer placed a hand on the man's shoulder. He didn't react. "Come on, rise and shine." The officer gave him a shake.
The man began to slither down the stone base. The officer grabbed hold of him and held him upright. What's with this guy? He must be smashed out of his mind. Then the officer sensed that something wasn't quite right. I can't smell any alcohol on him. He isn't drunk. Is he sick? No, that's not it either—
Struggling to hold him up, he looked at the man's chest. There was something sticking out of it. And there was a blackish red stain on his shirtfront.
Oh no! I've got to call the station. He let the body drop and reached for his radio.
She opened the calendar on her phone and placed it on the table so her companion could also see the screen.
"The anniversary of his death falls on the third Wednesday of next month. What would you say to the Saturday or the Sunday before that? Timing-wise, that would work for me," Tokiko said, pointing to the relevant days on the screen. She got no reply. Glancing up, she realized that the attention of the other person was focused somewhere else entirely; somewhere behind her.
"Mr. Kaga?" Tokiko said his name. Kaga lifted his hand, in a gesture telling her to stop. He maintained his focus behind her, his eyes glinting keenly.
Tokiko took a discreet look over her shoulder. Seated a couple of tables away was an old woman wearing glasses, busy fiddling with her phone. They looked like reading glasses.
Kyoichiro Kaga got to his feet and strode over to her. He said hello and the two of them chatted briefly in low voices. Kaga then returned to Tokiko's table.
"Nothing major." Kaga took a sip of his coffee. "I noticed her borrowing a pen from the waitress earlier."
"She was in the middle of a conversation on her cell phone when she borrowed the pen and jotted something down on her paper napkin. After she finished the call, I saw her looking at whatever she'd written down and doing something on her phone. I thought, 'Uh-oh, is this what I think it is?'"
"Which is what?"
"That someone had called to tell her their new phone number. I asked and, sure enough, that was the case. It was her grandson, a university student. I told her to try the old number before replacing it with the new one."
"Because you think…?"
"That's right," Kaga said. "I thought it might be a scam. It's a common enough technique. The scammers start off by getting you to change one of the numbers in your contact list and then call you back the next day. Since it's the grandson's name that pops up on the screen, the recipient is primed to think that that is who's really calling."
The old woman came bustling over.
"That was a close call. You were right. When I called the old number, my grandson picked up. He hasn't lost his phone and he hasn't changed his number either. And his voice was quite different too. I so nearly got taken in."
"That's good to hear. Why don't you register that new number under the name scam. If it rings again, whatever you do, don't pick up. Go as quick as you can to the nearest police station and file a report."
"I'll do that. You're a lifesaver. Thank you." The old woman bobbed her head up and down in gratitude, before making for the cash register by the door.
Kaga grinned as he sipped his coffee. The stern gleam had gone from his eyes.
"You've got a real nose for crime," Tokiko commented.
"What, like a dog?"
"That's not what I said. But it must be exhausting to keep an eye out all the time like that."
"It's what they call professional deformation—a condition for which, sadly, there is no cure." Kaga put his coffee cup down and looked at the phone on the table. "Sorry about that. Shall we pick up where we left off?"
Tokiko repeated her suggestion about the dates. Kaga looked uncomfortable.
"I've a hunch I'm going to be busy next month. I'd prefer another day."
"How about the Saturday of the week before, then? I can probably work something out."
"No," Kaga said baldly. "This month and next, we've a lot going on at the station. The middle of the month after next would be best for me."
Startled, Tokiko scrutinized his well-chiseled face.
"No way. No way we can hold the memorial service after the actual anniversary."
"I really don't think I can make the time for it, though. The police station I work at covers a wide area and we're short-staffed. The cases are piling up."
"Why not have a word with your boss and get transferred back to Nerima Police Station?"
"Well," Kaga said, scratching his eyebrow distractedly. "It's hardly like I was at loose ends at Nerima either."
Tokiko sighed.
"Look, I know you're busy. I know cases come in suddenly. That's not going to change just because we wait another month. You're just procrastinating—and you know you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. I'm doing my best to be constructive here, so just do what I tell you to. We'll have the memorial service for your father on the second Saturday of next month, starting at eleven in the morning. You're happy with that, right? You'll let me arrange everything?"
Kaga furrowed his brow and sank into thought.
Tokiko smacked the tabletop. "Mr. Kaga!"
He jerked upright with a start. "Calm down."
"I need a clear answer from you. You're okay with my plan?"
Kaga was in the process of agreeing—albeit with every sign of reluctance—when something started buzzing in the inside pocket of his jacket. "Sorry," he said, pulling out his cell phone and walking off.
Resisting the urge to cluck her tongue disapprovingly, Tokiko reached for her cup of tea. She glanced at her watch as she did so. It was already after nine p.m. She had made her way to this café after having finished her shift at the hospital and having dinner at a restaurant she liked. Kaga, who worked out of the nearby Nihonbashi Precinct, had told her he wouldn't be available until late.
He was pale when he came back to the table.
"Sorry. Something urgent's come up," Kaga said, rather shamefacedly.
"You're going back to work now? That's got to be against the Labor Standards Act!"
She meant it as a joke, but Kaga didn't smile.
"An emergency. There's been an incident very near here. I've got to get going."
Seeing the serious look in his eyes, Tokiko realized that now wasn't the moment for levity.
"Okay, then, what shall we do about this?" Tokiko pointed at the calendar on her cell phone.
For a second or two Kaga looked unsure, then he nodded his head.
"Let's go with the day you just suggested. You can take care of everything. But—" Kaga fixed his eyes on Tokiko and ran his tongue over his lips. "I can't promise that I'll be able to make it."
Tokiko bristled and glared up at him.
"Sorry, but I need you to promise you'll be there. No ifs or buts."
Kaga grimaced. Tokiko's face softened when she noticed his discomfiture.
"Oh, I give up. Your dead father would probably urge you to put your work first too."
Kaga scratched his head in embarrassment. "I'll try my best," he said.
On the sidewalk outside the café, Kaga raised his arm and hailed a taxi. "You take this one," he said, gesturing to Tokiko. She shook her head.
"The train's fine for me. You take it, Mr. Kaga."
"Sure? All right. Have a safe trip home."
"Don't overdo it."
Kaga nodded, smiling as he sprang into the back of the cab. His face reverted to that of a detective when he gave the driver his desired destination. The taxi moved off. As it drove past, Kaga smiled at Tokiko again. His smile was different this time; it felt forced.
Watching the taxi drive off, Tokiko thought about the day, two years ago, that Takamasa Kaga, Kaga's father, had died. As the nurse in charge, she had been at his bedside.
Copyright © 2011 by Keigo Higashino. Copyright © 2022 by Giles Murray
e-BookHardcoverTrade Paperback Format
B&N NOOK Google Play Kindle Kobo eBooks.com iBooks
In the latest from international bestselling author Keigo Higashino, Tokyo Police Detective Kaga is faced with a very public murder that doesn't quite add up, a prime suspect unable to defend...
In the latest from international bestselling author Keigo Higashino, Tokyo Police Detective Kaga is faced with a very public murder that doesn't quite add up, a prime suspect unable to defend himself, and pressure from the highest levels for a quick solution.
In the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo an unusual statue of a Japanese mythic beast - a kirin - stands guard over the district from the classic Nihonbashi bridge. In the evening, a man who appears to be very drunk staggers onto the bridge and collapses right under the statue of the winged beast. The patrolman who sees this scene unfold, goes to rouse the man, only to discover that the man was not passed out, he was dead; that he was not drunk, he was stabbed in the chest. However, where he died was not where the crime was committed - the key to solving the crime is to find out where he was attacked and why he made such a super human effort to carry himself to the Nihonbashi Bridge. That same night, a young man named Yashima is injured in a car accident while attempting to flee from the police. Found on him is the wallet of the murdered man.
Tokyo Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga is assigned to the team investigating the murder - and must bring his skills to bear to uncover what actually happened that night on the Nihonbashi bridge. What, if any, connection is there between the murdered man and Yashima, the young man caught with his wallet? Kaga's investigation takes him down dark roads and into the unknown past to uncover what really happened and why.
A Death in Tokyo is another mind-bending mystery from the modern master of classic crime, finalist for both an Edgar Award and a CWA Dagger, the internationally bestselling Keigo Higashino.


text:
LEX es una serie de televisión producida por Globomedia para la cadena española Antena 3, que la emitió en estreno entre el 5 de junio y el 21 de diciembre de 2008. Consta de un total de 16 episodios, repartidos en dos temporadas.

Argumento
La acción se desarrollaba en un bufete de abogados llamado LEX, siglas de sus tres socios: Daniela León, Mario Estrada y Gonzalo Xifré.

Personajes

Fijos
 Mario Estrada (Javier Cámara). Estudió derecho con Dani (su expareja) y con Gonzalo, su amigo y socio. Es muy eficiente, pero utiliza métodos poco "normales" para conseguir sus propósitos, que siempre son ganar el juicio sea como sea. Es egoísta y pocas veces piensa en los demás; al parecer, no está preparado para ser padre. Recientemente ha cortado con su novia (Dani), ya que ésta lo pilló en la cama con Marta, una joven secretaria, a pocas semanas de la boda. Vive en su bonito piso con Gonzalo, su mejor amigo. Hasta poco antes había vivido con su hermana Eli, pero después de que (supuestamente) ella le contara a Dani que se había acostado con Silvia (los dos se habían emborrachado), él se enfadó con ella y la echó de casa.

 Daniela "Dani" León (Nathalie Poza). Estudió derecho con Gonzalo y Mario; fue la mejor de su promoción. Como todos en LEX, es muy eficiente y profesional. También tiene sentido del humor. Cortó con Mario al enterarse de su infidelidad. Estaba embarazada de él, pero perdió al bebé. Estuvo a punto de volver con Mario, pero cuando se enteró de que Mario se acostó con Silvia volvió a dejarlo. En la actualidad está saliendo con el juez Germán Torres.

 Gonzalo Xifré (Santi Millán). Estudió con Dani y Mario, pero consiguió el título con poco esfuerzo (chuletas, sobornos...). Está obsesionado con el dinero, y lo único que le interesa de un cliente es su cartera. Está enamorado de Dani desde que eran jóvenes, y se refugia en el sexo para poder "olvidarla".

 David Vega (Pau Roca). Es un joven de barrio; sus padres tuvieron que hacer un gran esfuerzo económico para pagarle la carrera de derecho. Ahora es un profesional que no está decidido a traicionar sus principios para ganar un caso. Salió durante un tiempo con Silvia, pero después de que se ella se acostara con Mario lo dejaron. Desde el principio de la serie ha sido amigo de Eli, aunque siempre se ha observado que siente algo por ella. Estuvo a punto de ser despedido del bufete por Raúl, pero se salvó gracias a Silvia. Ahora está intentando (sin éxito) que Eli deje a Raúl, pero no lo tiene fácil, ya que ella no le cree.

 Eli Estrada (Clara Lago). Es la hermana pequeña de Mario. Estudia lo mismo que estudió él. Es divertida, alocada y sexy. Es amiga de David desde que lo conoció al principio de la serie. Al principio estaba claramente enamorada de él, aunque como David estaba con Silvia no llegó más lejos. Ahora está saliendo con Raúl.

 Gema Bini (Kira Miró). Su madre murió cuando era muy joven y tiene que hacerse cargo de su padre (de origen argentino) y de cuatro hermanos menores. Estuvo en la academia de policía, pero se fue porque no soportaba recibir órdenes. Es sexy y sabe conseguir información de manera muy sutil. Es la mejor amiga de Dani y vive con ésta y con Silvia.

 Silvia Marall (Silvia Marty). Es hija del gran Jaime Marall, un abogado extremadamente bueno y famoso. Siente que su padre ve que ella no es capaz de llegar a donde ha llegado él, por eso se esfuerza todo lo que puede en su trabajo. Estuvo saliendo con David hasta que ella se acostó con Mario. Antes del inicio de la serie salió con Raúl, del cual conoce varios secretos, los cuales usa para evitar que despida a David.

 Raúl Serra (Álex González). Es la mano derecha de Jaime Marall y exnovio de su hija Silvia. Se pone al frente del bufete cuando Marall se hace con el 60% de las acciones. Empieza a salir con Eli poco después de llegar al bufete. Cuando estuvieron saliendo juntos, hizo algo que es lo suficientemente malo como para que no quiera que Jaime Marall se entere de ello.

 Katia, la secretaria (Dulcinea Juárez). Es la secretaria y recepcionista. Es inteligente y homosexual (actualmente tiene pareja). Lo soluciona todo a la perfección, y está en todos lados, aunque no la necesiten.

Episódicos
 Jaime Marall, padre de Silvia (Josep Maria Pou).
 Germán Torres, juez y novio de Daniela (Aitor Merino).
 Rocío Janer (Paz Vega)
 Fiscal (Sonia Castelo)
 Rebeca (Lola Baldrich)

Episodios y audiencias
LEX se estrenó el 5 de junio de 2008 con una audiencia media de tres millones de espectadores y un 16,6% de cuota de pantalla, siendo esta la más vista de sus 16 entregas. Luego, las cifras de audiencia fueron descendiendo progresivamente, hasta llegar a su mínimo el 21 de diciembre de 2008, con el capítulo final, que fue visto por 1.460.000 espectadores (10,9% de share).

Audiencias por temporada

Temporada 1 y 2

Premios
 ''Nominación en los Premios de la Unión de Actores a Mejor actriz protagonista: Nathalie Poza.

Enlaces externos
 Página web en el sitio oficial de Antena 3
 Página dedicada a LEX en FórmulaTV

Series de televisión de Antena 3
Series de televisión situadas en Madrid
Globomedia
Series de televisión de España iniciadas en 2008
Series de televisión finalizadas en 2008
Series de televisión sobre temas jurídicos de España

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
by Aaron Leitko November 17th, 2006 August 29th, 2020
"Have some of my orange, it's full of acid—it will give you the 'kill Bush' power." Such was David Longstreth's offer to a fortunate audience member attending a K Records benefit show that took place in D.C. during Dubya's first term. Since the president remains alive and in office today, it's doubtful that the sole member of Dirty Projectors was being entirely honest about the contents of his fruit. But whatever was in that orange, it certainly takes more than citric acid to inspire a record such as last year's The Getty Address. A cycle of gently glitched orchestral laptop ballads, Address finds Longstreth singing the part of Don Henley in a concept record that follows the Eagles frontman on a spiritual pilgrimage to Gettysburg Battlefield. Call it electrona-Americana, call it glitch-opera, call it plain old bizarre—just don't call Longstreth a threat to national security when Dirty Projectors performs with Mixel Pixel at 9:30 p.m. at the Red and the Black, 1212 H St. NE. $8. (202) 399-3201. (Aaron Leitko)


text:
Home » City Life
Ruling on the field stands!
This Texas football stadium penalized among worst in college sports
Time for a toast!
Austin suburb racks up hundreds of new jobs as distributor moves in
Lyft has no plans to pull dockless scooters from Austin for now, says company
Lyft has no plans to pull dockless scooters from Austin, says company
Lyft is putting the brakes on its dockless scooter service in San Antonio. Photo courtesy of Lyft
Despite putting the brakes on its dockless scooter service across the country, Lyft is staying parked in the Capital City. Beginning this week, the ridehailing and micromobility service is removing scooters six cities across the country to focus on markets like Austin.
"Lyft does not have plans to pull scooters from Austin," said the company in a statement to CultureMap. "We look forward to continuing working alongside the City of Austin to provide micromobility solutions for residents. Lyft scooters will continue operating in San Diego; Austin; Denver; Los Angeles; Miami; Minneapolis; Washington, D.C.; and the Bay Area."
Six other cities, however, have less up-lyft-ing news. Lyft will cease scooter operations in San Antonio, Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta, Columbus, and Phoenix beginning November 22.
Though it's hard to imagine a time when people weren't zooming down sidewalks or blocking street traffic, Lyft only launched the service in Austin last December. According City of Austin, the company now operates 2,000 e-scooters within the city limits. (By comparison, the seemingly ubiquitous Lime has 5,000 scooters in Austin.)
Of course, Austin's scooter rollout has not been without controversy — and tragedy. On February 1, an Irish exchange student at the University of Texas at Austin was struck by a car while driving his Lime scooter northbound on the southbound side of the IH-35 Service Road. He died the following day.
In April, the Centers for Disease Control released highly publicized report that studied dockless scooter-related injuries in Austin. Among the key findings is that nearly half of those studied suffered a "severe" injury, including bone fractures; nerve, tendon, or ligament injuries; severe bleeding, or sustained organ damage.
Despite the report, Austin lawmakers have struggled with how to regulate the scooters, leading to very little regulation at all. Unlike cities like San Antonio, who banned scooters from sidewalks and crowded tourist attractions, Austin's only notable rule is that riders may not operate dockless scooters or electric bikes on trails. A full list of the City of Austin's regulations can be found here.


We get down to business without sacrificing the personal, ensuring every interaction is infused with integrity and a sense of calm relaxation. You're in good hands—we've got firm handshakes, but a gentle touch.
We know our clients' brands inside and out. We get in the heads of their customers and add value by applying our strategic, big-picture lens to their business. We augment brands at every turn—not just the turn they hired us for.
We deliver a cohesive, supportive client experience. From the big, juicy stuff to the smallest detail, every aspect of your journey is seamless and stress-free. The common thread? Superior quality and care, every time.
Successful thought leadership status isn't going to sweep you off your feet after a single article published on LinkedIn. People need to put in the hard yards – it calls for consistent, diligent effort. It is cumulative. It is strategic. It should change the way the target audience perceives the world. And it should ultimately inspire them to act.
Earlier this week I collaborated with Jess Ruhfus of Collabosaurus fame to host an event talking through all things deep and dirty in the world of collaboration marketing. That's a lot of collaborating in one sentence, huh? And hand on heart, it is one of my absolute favourite topics (and deserving of more than one mention in a single sentence), because without it, my business probably wouldn't be here today.
This year's International Women's Day is shining a big ol' spotlight on the theme 'balance for better' – something we're keen to champion by shining our own spotlight on the women who make our present – and our future – more exciting, more soul-fulfilling and more dream-come-true-worthy than we could ever imagine. So here's to women everywhere striving to build a gender-balanced world.
SEO done well, puts your site in front of your ideal audience – ideal because they're looking for a brand, product or service exactly like yours. It's a match made in heaven, the relationship grows, you both reap the rewards and round and round we go. Here's how to nail it.
When people come to us asking for help with their socials, more often than not we also end up doing their branding, website, PR and broader marketing strategy. Because when we polish up that social media feed, we need to ensure that the brand is cohesive and consistent so that when we're marketing your products or services, your website or customer service channel can actually convert.
Sign up to receive the latest tips, tricks, news and updates.
Ready to explore your business challenges with Odette & Co? Get in touch.


text:
Home » Dane Creek announces the appointment of new VP, Marketing and Communications
Pet Food Press Releases
Dane Creek announces the appointment of new VP, Marketing and Communications
Alexandra Wood to assume responsibility for brand management of 14 brands
Mark Warren, Chairman & CEO of Dane Creek Capital Corp., is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexandra ('Alex') Wood as the Company's new VP, Marketing and Communications. The appointment is effective immediately.
Ms. Wood comes to DCCC from Mercatto Hospitality where she was Corporate Brand Manager. During her four-year tenure she was responsible for brand strategy across the five Mercatto restaurants, as well as, their affiliate Toronto-based businesses. Her duties included overseeing marketing strategy, budgets, social media presence, website strategy and maintenance.
A proud owner of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Hudson, Alex grew up in Halifax, N.S. She is a graduate of Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. where she obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing). Ms. Wood will report directly to Mr. Warren.
"I am pleased to be welcoming Alex to the team at Dane Creek" said Mr. Warren. "Her experience very much complements the model we have employed here. We all look forward to working with her as we integrate our acquired businesses into more cohesive units operating under our unique brand strategy, which is more category focused".
Alex joins a team of five other Vice Presidents at DCCC who report either to Mr. Warren or to Glen Tennison, President & CFO of the Company. Reflecting the Company's commitment to promoting women in the pet industry, she joins MacKenzie Keillor, VP, M&A, Strategy & Shareholder Relations and Christine Walsh, VP, National Sales, as the third female to the senior leadership team at DCCC.
"We have made it clear from the outset that we intend to align the team here at DCCC with those who make the decisions on what to buy for their pets. The vast majority of day to day decisions regarding dogs and cats in North America continue to be made by women, so it only makes sense that as a Corporation, focusing on the pet industry, we align our team accordingly" added Warren. To date, over 50% of the Corporation's deployed capital has been invested in businesses founded, co-founded and/or run by women.
Dane Creek Capital Corp. announces acquisition of Pets4Life
Dane Creek Capital announces appointments
The F.L. Emmert Company announces new VP


Despite having Elizabeth Waddell lead all scorers with four goals, the Tigers couldn't overcome a 7-5 fourth-quarter deficit in the season-ending home loss to Great Oak of Temecula in a wild-card game of the Division 3 playoffs.
Abby Hollister and Emma Tietje were the other two scorers for San Luis Obispo (17-14 overall), while goalkeeper Zoe Berkowitz had 11 saves.
Breanna Shea led Great Oak with three goals.
Rachel Gruetzmacher had four goals, Kylie Ferree finished with two goals and Mahreya Kelly and Claire Leong each had a score for Atascadero (12-17) in the wildcard loss in the Division 3 playoffs at California in Whittier.
Atascadero goalkeeper Lauren Giggy made seven saves.
After holding a 4-3 halftime lead, California went on to knock in seven second-half goals.


If you are looking for a successful hair reduction use the laser hair, it is the safest method being used in the slowly unwanted hair.
Laser hair removal method has minimal side effects. They rarely occur. In any case, any side effects tend to occur and disappeared. After the journey begins, no more money will be a wasted on wax treatment and the depilatory creams again.
Laser removal of hair is and botox hendersonville nc is very cost effective. You will save a lot of money that you would have used from the other method. It is also a method that saves you a lot of time. The time that you used to use you can take a few minutes less.
Have you heard about the ingrown hairs? These are very aimful hairs that come out after some shaving methods. Waxing is the most common cause. The laser removal is a method that will improve the ingrown hairs. You will not have to deal with the unsightly hairs anymore. The razor burn and possible irritations will be a thing of the past. You can now enjoy painless fast and comfortable learning.
Another great benefit is that the hair follicle targets the hairs that have grown right down at the follicle. It gets rid of the hair right from the root. This method has therefore made it very possible to treat those people that have dark skin tones. It works with precision meaning that you will be able to get the results sooner than you think.
The procedure is very fat. The speed of the shaving, however, depends on the area being shaved. You are nevertheless likely to see the results within the first few weeks. It has been a very effective method since it was introduced as a hair removal method. Permanent hair loss can be achieved within t 7 sessions. The success rate is however high-speed.
To clear your worries, the laser hair removal method is not painful. Throughout the procedure, you might at the time have some unease moment. That is normal. It is usually described as the rubber band that is being rubbered on your skin. You will however never in any way feel pain.
As you continue using the process, the process has been given to grow thinner slower, and with time they are not even noticeable,check this link for info drharpe.com. The method is also safe to use in the face can still very successful. The most common areas to used are upper lip, check line and the chin.
For more info on spa, kindly click on this link : https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/modern-europe/british-and-irish-history/spas.


This section is accessible by selecting a step or introduction node in the Content section.
Type Combo Box Help Link Type Select <none> to remove a help link from a step or introduction. Consequently, the Value input field will no longer be visible.
Select Help Context ID to make the Value input field visible right under this field and ready to accept a help context ID as input.
Value Text Help Document Link Value or Help Context ID Value If Help Context ID is selected in the Type field, specify a valid help context ID in this field to add a help link to a step or introduction.
In the Cheat Sheet view, clicking on a step or introduction's help link created using a help context ID will open that help context ID in the Help view.
If Help Document Link is selected in the Type field, specify a valid help document link in this field to add a help link to a step or introduction.
In the Cheat Sheet view, clicking on a step or introduction's help link created using a help document link will open that help document link in the Help Infocenter.
Example of a help link removed from a step or introduction. Note: This section is collapsed by default when no help context ID or help document link is specified.
Example of a help link added to a step or introduction defined using a help context ID as input. Note: This section is expanded by default when a help context ID is specified.
Example of a help link added to a step or introduction defined using a help document link as input. Note: This section is expanded by default when a help document link is specified.
Note: A help link created using a help context ID is indistinguishable from one created using a help document link in the Cheat Sheet view.


Item condition : New with tags. Photographs are part of description. Overall very good condition. For more queries feel free to contact me anytime.
Original and 100% genuine goat Leather Bag.
Inside – 3 compartments and 2 zipper pockets.
Hand cut and double stitched for strength and lasting durability.
Strong brass polished buckles, rustproof.
Adequately long and adjustable leather shoulder strap.
Bag darkens with use and gets softer leaving it more attractive.
This leather bag has been handmade from the finest goat leather with a durable inner linings made of canvas.
Every bag has been individually handcrafted giving each one unique markings and colourings.
The sturdy leather is tanned without the use of chemicals and dyes and it softens and darkens naturally over time.
It is tanned by using natural oils and light. With timeless vintage leather look and feel, this attractive bag will never go out of style, infact these bags are currently very much in style.
It is designed to carry laptops, tabs, documents, books, etc.
Stand out from the crowd with this retro, rustic, attractive and timeless bag.
This is 100% original and authentic.


It's funny to look back and read that last post from only four months ago… I kept waiting for that next moment when we would hear sentences and it didn't happen and it didn't happen. At the back of my mind, I could hear my mother saying "but you spoke in full sentences at 14 months". Another worry was that my daughter's words were slightly off — she said "sha" for "shoe" and "ba" for "boo", but when she said "mama" or "uh-oh" it was clear as a bell. What was going on?
At our daughter's 18 month check-up, the nurse asked if there was anything that concerned me. I said that I was a bit worried about her speech development, thinking, "Oh, this is silly! Different children speak at different points…" The nurse asked if she'd had a lot of colds over the winter (she and her Dad caught every cold there was to catch) and then suggested a quick visit to the audiologist, just to set our minds at ease.
A few weeks later, we had our appointment and headed off to see the lovely Liz at Yarra Health. She looked into H's ears and said she definitely saw middle ear infection, but we needed to look into it more to see if there was hearing loss. She explained that the machine we were about to use tested the echo inside the middle ear, which needed for there to be air in there, not just liquid, and that we should see a peak on the screen. She did the test. We saw a flat, flat line, with a tiny blip. Our daughter's hearing was pretty seriously impaired.
Liz told us she didn't really need to do the next test to tell us there was hearing loss that was significant, but that it would tell us more specifically where the loss was. She conditioned our girl with a loud noise off to the side and a puppet (she worked that one out quickly — she's a smart cookie) and then ratcheted the sound right down. H's head only turned once the sound got back up to 25db, on both sides, a loss of about 40%. She thought the liquid inside the eardrum was probably "like concrete".
Our next move, apparently, was a trip to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Our referral to a great surgeon at the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital was useless: there weren't any appointments for about three months, unless we wanted to go private. Our complication was two-fold: we were flying to the US about six weeks later and we didn't have private health insurance (because we live in a country where you can mostly rely on the awesome public system). We called around until we found a private surgeon who could see us before we flew. Our main question was whether she could fly with her ears the way they were. His advice was no, we risked a burst eardrum mid-air, which sounded like misery for the whole family.
His recommendation was for simple surgery to insert grommets, relieving the pressure in the eardrum and allowing the liquid inside to drain. So we called the grandparents and asked for a loan and booked in for the private surgery after all. Not my favourite moment: general anaesthetic for a 19 month old, no matter how short, is awful. I held her in my arms while they put the gas mask over her face and told her to breathe in. Her eyes slowly rolled back and she started to snore and then she was completely limp. They took her from me and the next time I saw her, in recovery, she was screaming in a nurse's arms, frantic to know where Mama was. Thank god for "extended" breastfeeding; I was able to give her instant comfort in the form of Mama's milk.
She recovered well from the immediate physical effects of surgery. The day afterwards, she was joyfully signing "bird! bird!" every few seconds because she could hear them again. A few days afterwards, she was already saying Mama more often, and starting to try other words. Two weeks later, we were on a plane.
The change since then is phenomenal. She says "boo" and "shoe" properly now. She has also added "two" and just to diverge from the rhyme, "zebra", "flower", "vulture", "book" complete with the 'k' on the end (that one's new today). She's been saying "papa" for "pasta" since about two days after the operation. It seems there's a new word every day. She said her own name today, complete with the aspirated H at the front today. She says "Mama's dchone" for "Mama's phone". She said "My dadda shoes" and pointed at his shoes. The funniest one so far sounded a hell of a lot like, "Mama, Dadda di a far". Considering he'd just made a loud noise of a certain type, that was accurate too.
Our follow-up with the audiologist in tomorrow, eight weeks since the first appointment, if I recall correctly. Let's see what the science says… As far as the Mama's concerned though, it's all good.
I'm glad that ended well!
Given the number of children I know who've had hearing problems of one kind or another, I wonder if having everyone's ears tested (at 12 months or 18 months?) wouldn't be a good idea. It doesn't sound like a hearing test is particularly intrusive, dangerous, or expensive.
Copyright © 2019 Modern Mama All rights reserved. Theme by Laptop Geek.


In this episode of Cool Tools, host Chris Grundy is pulling the plug with tools that are all about being cordless. He showcases drills, mowers, saws and everything else in-between. Cool Tools even heads to Washington to check out some tools that are powered by spring.
The DeWalt brad nailer has the features to make any job easier.
This impact driver boasts the highest driver-to-weight ratio of all models.
Neuton's battery-powered lawnmower cuts your grass the green way.
This cordless band saw is light, powerful and great for hard-to-reach cuts.


Money part of the female with blue jeans jacket She said no to money but her head noded yes..
6:55 where the hell did you leave your camera ? the sensor is full of dust i kept checking my screen ! i've never seen a video on youtube with more dust on the camera sensor than this one ! Good content though !


text:
Babel-17/Empire Star
fan read pass
Author of the bestselling Dhalgren and winner of four Nebulas and one Hugo, Samuel R. Delany is one of the most acclaimed writers of speculative fiction.
Babel-17, winner of the Nebula Award for best novel of the year, is a fascinating tale of a famous poet bent on deciphering a secret language that is the key to the enemy's deadly force, a task that requires she travel with a splendidly improbable crew to the site of the next attack. For the first time, Babel-17 is published as the author intended with the short novel Empire Star, the tale of Comet Jo, a simple-minded teen thrust into a complex galaxy when he's entrusted to carry a vital message to a distant world. Spellbinding and smart, both novels are testimony to Delany's vast and singular talent.
Release Date Jan 31, 2002 (US)
Author(s) Samuel R. Delany
Note: CharacTour uses the Penguin Random House API but is not endorsed or certified by Penguin Random House.


Our Attorneys have helped scientists, educators and other professionals achieve Self-Sponsorship without a Labor Certification or current immigration job offer.
A request from an interested United States governmental agency.
This list is not exhaustive. The national interest waiver has applied to a variety of fields and positions and a thorough analysis of new and old case law becomes relevant to interpretation of the rules and the national interest.


text:
Trussty-ID
Contibute
IT-Application
IT-Thing
Join & Get Updates
BMW's first plug-in hybrid SUV
BMW launched their first plug-in hybrid (has a propulsion of conventional engine and a battery that can be charged from a power source) named the BMW X5 xDrive40e. In a press release, BMW mention that the X5 xDrive40e car is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) all-wheel drive with power generated from TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor.
BMW's first plug-in hybrid SUV, X5 xDrive40e. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BRzL1o)
The total power generated by the engine is 230kW/313 hp with CO2 emissions of 78-77 gr/km. Furthermore, this car can accelerate from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 209.21 kph (130 mph).
There is an eDrive button on the center console provides hybrid mode option to the driver with the basic settings AUTO EDrive. In this mode, from rest can be distributed in real-time full torque of 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) which is a combination of the engine and battery power.
Frond side view of BMW X5 xDrive40e. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BRzL1o)
There is also a MAX eDrive mode to fully electronic operation that produces 0 emissions, it is suitable for driving in urban areas. Mileage of fully charged battery is 31 kilometers.
Interior and dashboard view of BMW X5 xDrive40e. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BRzL1o)
And a SAVE Battery mode also can be activated by pressing the button. This feature is useful for securing the battery power for the next full-electric driving.
Rear side view of BMW X5 xDrive40e. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BRzL1o)
The plug-in X5's battery pack can be charged in about four hours when plugged into a regular household outlet or in a little under three hours when plugged into BMW's i Wallbox. A purpose-designed smartphone application lets the driver check the state of the battery, get an efficiency report, set the heating or the A/C and locate the nearest public charging station.
The BMW X5 xDrive40e will go on sale across Europe and in a few other markets including Russia and Japan this fall. BMW has not announced if the fuel-sipping SUV will be added to its North American lineup. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEFTLANENEWS]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Kindly Bookmark and Share it:
Related posts: Automotives
post by Robert_Lasut on Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Label: Automotives
Robert_Lasut
Automotives|
Japanese company made a car with the size of a grain of rice
This is the smallest car ever made and has been recognized by Guinness World Records in 1995 as 'The world's smallest-motorized car...
The story of 'Midnight Ghost'
Duesenberg ceased production in 1937 after Cord's financial empire collapsed. However, between 1937 and 1940, one car put the final tou...
The Only One Car in the World
Automotive manufacturers, especially for those producing fast cars character, not only making their products in bulk, but also accept o...
The new allure booster of Porsche
Porsche provides different cars through Porsche Exclusive division. For the umpteenth time that is unique and different models have been ...
10 Prehistoric fish that are still alive today (Part-1)
These are the fish that lived in prehistoric times, and managed to survive until now without much change in their appearance, so they are...
Did You know what is the Point Nemo?
The area on Earth that is spread out by a vast cluster of islands and oceans, but apparently still holds many certain areas to be still a m...
An imaginary classic-styled microcar from Fallout 4
Over the past few days we have discussed some of the microcars that were ever existed but may have been forgotten today ( here ). Now, we ar...
10 All British made Scooters
When Vespa and Lambretta dominate scooters sales in Europe in the 1960s, the world was more familiar with both of these brands. So domi...
Enzo Ferrari personal car
Almost all automotive enthusiasts must know the Ferrari brand which has many great sports car models, but it will be incomplete if we don...
The 5+ German's classic scooters
When Vespa and Lambretta dominate scooters markets in Europe in the 1960s, the world was more familiar with both of these brands. So d...
Last 5 - Comments
X-Change Link
1. EKA RAHMADHY
FOUNDER - An ordinary person who likes to ride an old-Vespa scooter and pay attention to everything related to science and technology. MyLife and yours are not games but faith. No need to take serious, proportional only.
2. ECKHART RAKASIWI
ADMIN - Family man who likes to walk, read, write. Civil engineering graduate who works at a construction consultant in Bandung-Indonesia. Light up your life journey with some sparkling of passion and love.
3. JUSUF FERDINAND
WRITER - Glad to find new friends through this virtual media. Looking for studying media with other and trying to be useful by sharing anything in the v-world.
4. ROBERT LASUT
WRITER - I am Robert, a blogger from Indonesia and a lover of all things about Science and Technology. Also love meeting people and sharing ideas. I love you.
5. HAFIZ BUDDY
WRITER - New writer on this blog. I'm trying to find a new experience in writing. Me also love something about motorcycle, gaming, soccer and many other fun activities.
Traffic Jasmine
Eckhart™. Powered by Blogger.


The Washington Post's Jay Mathews reports on an "Expectations of Integrity" code distributed by AP History teachers at a Virginia high school that essentially restricts students from using any resources outside of their course textbook and other classroom materials. The code bans students not only from using the Internet but, apparently, even from talking to their own parents or classmates about their assignments. The rationale for the policy is that it will keep students on a level playing field—but it seems reasonable to wonder, as Mathews does, whether it's really the best way to foster the spirit of historical inquiry.


The project added 17,000 square feet to the center, including new multipurpose rooms for classes, meetings and social gatherings, a fitness wing and an Internet cafe. The project also will provide more parking for the busy center at 1200 Raintree Drive as the facility adds a second floor on part of the building and expands into open land to the west. The project featured a complete LED light fixture package and Sensor Switch Nlight lighting system to promote energy savings.
Remodel to Moby Arena included adding concessions to the north and south concourse, renovating the north entrance as well as ticket office, and remodeling the men's and women's locker rooms, rehabilitation, hydrotherapy and trainer rooms. The south concourse includes new lighting and lighting control for the Hall of Fame area. The banquet room and kitchen, on the south concourse, were remodeled with new LED lighting and general purpose power.
63,000 sq ft Indoor Practice Facility building, Ground up installation including medium voltage power, transformer, gear, lighting and branch power, fire alarm. Including fifty yard football field, full basketball gymnasium with locker room and office space.
Architect: Aller Lingle Architects P.C.
Engineer: Innovative Electrical Systems, Inc.
15,915 square foot ground up installation including primary transformer, switch gear, lighting, branch power, and fire alarm. This facility has an office area, study area, computer lab, and state-of-the-art weight room.
A 36,000 total gross square feet construction including a 3,600 square-foot pool area with an outdoor lap pool, splash pool and leisure area with an interactive water spray feature, 100-foot water slide, outdoor volleyball courts and several porches. Amenities also include a 2,725-square-foot fitness center, full-court gymnasium, Aerobics/dance studio, Locker rooms, Meeting rooms, Community lobby, Game/party room, Childcare services, and an Outdoor playground.
The Lone Tree Recreation Center, a $14 million, 54,000 square foot facility, opened its doors ahead of schedule May 1. The new center features numerous amenities including a full size gymnasium, fitness area, aquatics area, locker rooms, running track, babysitting room, catering kitchen, craft rooms, aerobics room, and racquetball courts.
This addition to EPIC includes a 27,000 addition - the same size as the existing ice-rink, locker rooms, storage rooms and a seating area on the west side.
The center is approximately 80,000 square feet in size and includes an indoor aquatic area to include a swimming pool, water slide and leisure pool. The center also has a weight room, aerobics room, cardio fitness area, a gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, craft room with kitchen area, an indoor running track, climbing wall, locker rooms, children's programs and administrative offices.
The Physical Fitness Center is a Design/Build, 52,000-SF project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers including a large multi-court gymnasium, racquetball courts, exercise areas, wellness center, office space, and administrative space. The building consists of a curved glass atrium entry, a structural steel frame with standing seam metal roofing, and brick veneer. The complete site package also involved the construction of parking lots, landscaping, and utilities. The Physical Fitness Center was turned over to F.E. Warren AFB a month ahead of schedule.
An 83,759 square foot 1 story metal building, for an Indoor Practice Facility. Merit's responsibilities are the Electrical, Fire Alarm and Temperature Control System's. Contract amount $718,068.


What is the meaning and pinyin of this character?
The first emperor of china build the great wall to guard against invaders from the North and the South.
Ever since the Qin Dynasty, all the way to to the Ming, Qing Dynasties, there is not one dynasty that escaped from Northern Aggression.
The Great Wall not only failed to guard against northern enemies from entering (invading) china, but it also restricted china's development within the north.
However, will these few foreign visitors realize that this ancient Great Wall was the result of tens of thousands of people's blood and sweat?
In ancient times, these are the people's two greatest achievements in terms of transportation and irrigation.
This is because at the start of the construction of the railway and the development of sea transportation, the Canal's position was getting worse day by day.


By Archie Ingersoll on Feb 4, 2017 at 8:08 p.m.
FARGO — The head of the local Catholic diocese says he was outraged by The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead's front-page story Saturday, Feb. 4, because the newspaper interviewed an alleged white supremacist at a Fargo cathedral.
The story centered around Pete Tefft, a Fargo resident who's been the target of signs posted downtown accusing him of being a "Nazi." The signs show Tefft's photo and ask people to tell him he's not welcome here.
A Forum reporter first interviewed Tefft via email and later in person at St. Mary's Cathedral, a site Tefft requested. The story included a photo of Tefft standing in the downtown cathedral with a Virgin Mary statue behind him.
"I wish to express my outrage and objection to the article on the front page of the February 4th Fargo Forum. The subject of the interview, a Mr. Pete Tefft, insisted that the interview be conducted on the premises of St. Mary's Cathedral in Fargo without permission of church authorities, which most certainly would not have been given, especially given the contents of the story and the message presented by Mr. Tefft. The views of Mr. Tefft in no way represent the Catholic Church or the Diocese of Fargo. Mr. Tefft and the Forum's abuse of this place of worship is regrettable, and any confusion it has caused is their responsibility."
In response, Forum Editor Matt Von Pinnon said, "Mr. Tefft asked that we meet him at the Cathedral of St. Mary because he said he had a meeting there afterward. We had no reason to believe he wasn't telling the truth."
In a Facebook message to The Forum, Tefft said the cathedral had not given him permission to be interviewed there and that he did not request permission. He said he attends Mass there and that the meeting he had after the interview was for weekly adoration training that he was signed up for.
In the message, Tefft apologized to the cathedral and its parishioners for any trouble he may have caused.
"I love St. Mary's and the Fargo/Moorhead Catholic Diocese. It was the only place I felt safe and spiritually secure discussing Pro-white issues with the press," he wrote. "These days sticking up for white people is seen as heretical, especially to the cult of secularism which controls our federal Govt. I certainly wouldn't want to or have St. Mary's Cathedral do anything that would affect their 501c3 tax exempt status. Any recourse they take against me I will accept. I will continue to be a devout Catholic despite whatever happens."
Saturday's story said that when Tefft was asked via email whether the words "Nazi" and "white supremacist" were fair descriptions of him, he answered this way: "I'm a white Christian and 100 percent pro-white. 'White Supremacist' is a word used to intimidate Christians and to stifle discord when all of us should be communicating."
In both the email and in-person interviews, Tefft did not concede that the terms Nazi or white supremacist applied to him.
The posters asserting that Tefft is a "Nazi" and "a proud white supremacist" began appearing around downtown Fargo on Sunday, Jan. 29.
"If you spot Pete please make sure that he knows he is not welcome in our community through your words and actions," states the poster circulated by Luke Safely of Moorhead.
Safely said he began posting the signs after friends made him aware of Tefft and he began talking politics with Tefft online.
Tefft said the posters haven't stopped him from enjoying "our beautiful city; downtown or anywhere else."
He was noncommittal about whether he plans to file any kind of complaint or legal action over the posters.


Barbara Berger is a Career Coach and founder of Career Wellness Partners. She specializes in working with women in career transition, mid-career job changers and students/young professionals. To find out more about how to use your WhiteSpace ResumeTM exercise to execute a meaningful career shift, connect with Barbara on LinkedIn or visit her website for more information.


text:
void toLowerString(string& str)
{
	for (uint i=0; i<str.size(); ++i)
	{
		char ch = str[i];
		if (ch >= 'A' && ch <= 'Z')
			str[i] = ch - 'A'+'a';
	}
}
void LoadIntSearchQuery(const char* query_filename, vector<pair<string,int> >& query_set)
{
	ifstream in(query_filename);
	if (in.fail())
	{
		cerr << "Cannot open " << query_filename << endl;
		exit(0);
	}

	string line;
	while (getline(in, line, '\n') != NULL)
	{
		string::size_type pos = line.rfind("\t");
		int edth = atoi(line.substr(pos+1).c_str());
		string query = line.substr(0, pos);
		query_set.push_back(pair<string,int>(query, edth));
	}
	in.close();
}
void LoadDoubleSearchQuery(const char* query_filename, vector<pair<string,double> >& query_set)
{
	ifstream in(query_filename);
	if (in.fail())
	{
		cerr << "Cannot open " << query_filename << endl;
		exit(0);
	}

	string line;
	while (getline(in, line, '\n') != NULL)
	{
		string::size_type pos = line.rfind("\t");
		double theta = atof(line.substr(pos+1).c_str());
		string query = line.substr(0, pos);
		query_set.push_back(pair<string,double>(query, theta));
	}
	in.close();
}
void loadStringSet(const char* filename, vector<string>& stringSet, int k)
{
	ifstream in(filename);
	if (in.fail())
	{
		cerr << "Cannot open " << filename << endl;
		exit(0);
	}
	string line;
	while (getline(in, line, '\n')!=NULL&&k--)
	{
		stringSet.push_back(line);
	}
	in.close();
}

void loadStringSet(const char* filename, vector<string>& stringSet)
{
	ifstream in(filename);
	if (in.fail())
	{
		cerr << "Cannot open " << filename << endl;
		exit(0);
	}

	string line;
	while (getline(in, line, '\n') != NULL)
	{
		stringSet.push_back(line);
	}
	in.close();
}

void tokenizes(const string & str, const string & delimiters, vector<string> & words)
{
	string::size_type lastPos = str.find_first_not_of(delimiters, 0);
	string::size_type pos = str.find_first_of(delimiters, lastPos);
	while (string::npos != pos || string::npos != lastPos)
	{
		string aword = str.substr(lastPos, pos - lastPos);
		words.push_back(aword);
		lastPos = str.find_first_not_of(delimiters, pos);
		pos = str.find_first_of(delimiters, lastPos);
	}
}
void tokenizes(const string & str, const string & delimiters, vector<string> & words, const char* reserve)
{
	string::size_type pos = 0;
	string::size_type rep = string::npos;
	while (true)
	{
		string::size_type lastPos = str.find_first_not_of(delimiters, pos);
		if (lastPos == string::npos)
			break;
		if (rep<pos || rep == string::npos)
			rep = str.find_first_of(reserve, pos);
		if (rep != string::npos&&rep<lastPos)
			words.push_back(str.substr(rep,1));
		pos = str.find_first_of(delimiters, lastPos);
		words.push_back(str.substr(lastPos, pos - lastPos));
	}
}
void loadStopWords(Set<string>& stopWords)
{
	ifstream in("stopwords.dat");
	string line;
	while(getline(in,line))
	{
		stopWords.insert(line);
	}
	in.close();
}

void getDeletionNeighbours(const string& sig, Set<string>& neighbours, int minEd)
{
	if (minEd < 0) return;
	neighbours.insert(sig);
	if (minEd== 0)		return;
	for (uint i=0; i<sig.size(); ++i)
	{
		string cpsig(sig);
		cpsig.erase(i, 1);
		getDeletionNeighbours(cpsig,neighbours, minEd-1);
	}
}


text:
Yet Another Update
Well, it's been almost two weeks since the last post, and we haven't too many more plans for "The Bonneville Run" yet, but we're also almost at the point where we could sort the rest out once we land. At the moment, there are three of us going on "The Bonneville Run", and at least 8 other West Australian's that are heading to the United States at the same time. We'll be catching up with some of these guys and girls in Los Angeles, and all of them at Bonneville.
Kate and I have decided that we would like to spend at least one night in a "Wigwam Motel", and the one major thing we've done since the last update on "The Bonneville Run" is to book a room at one of these historic motels. The Wigwam Motels are part of a chain of motels that used to be spread out along the length of the historic Route 66. These days, only 3 Wigwam Motels remain, and only one of these is anywhere near where we'll be on this trip. Wigwam Motel number 7 is located in San Bernardino, on the eastern outskirts of Los Angeles, and it will be our accommodation on our last night in LA, as it will also allow us to travel outside of peak traffic times. If you're interested in staying a night at Wigwam Motel number 7, in San Bernardino, then check out their website and don't forget the discount code on their rates and reservations page.
Labels: Bonneville, Bonneville SpeedWeek 2010, High Octane Photos, LandBarge.com, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, SCTA, Southern California Timing Association, The Bonneville Run, West Wendover, Wigwam Motel
This looks like a really fun place to hang out!
Phil Luyer - High Octane Photos June 2, 2010 at 9:44 AM
I would have booked more time here, if it wasn't all the way over on the eastern suburbs of LA :)
Three Months and Counting


Gabe has decided to change what he calls L and I. Out goes 'Mummy' and 'Daddy' and in comes 'Mum' and 'Dad'. It's a very conscious change and so one that he has some battles over with his subconscious. For a couple of weeks, the parental address has tended to go along the lines of "Daddy, oh, Dad, Dad." He now seems to have mastered the change, but he seems to be missing the extra syllable so compensates with repetition of 'Dad' or 'Mum'.
Robin's volume is not in my control. Weekend mornings, despite urgent whispered requests for quiet, he shouts and laughs loudly. He hollers at us sat together around the dining table. Close proximity to us, when in the house, seems to lift not temper his volume. Out of the house, things are different. Walking to school, his head a couple of feet below mine, and tilted towards the ground, traffic rumbling to our right, I'll hear a mumble I guess is directed at me. "Pardon, Robin, what's that?" I ask two maybe three times, but too often end up nodding or grunting to indicate I agree with something I haven't heard.
Conversations with each of the children can be perplexing as they progress erratically through what appear to me to be non sequiturs. Now they are a little older, questioned carefully, if I'm being patient, I can sometimes recreate the link. "A boy wore an infant school shirt to school and had to change it," Eliza told me as I was preparing to say goodnight. I asked her to say it again, which confirmed I had heard correctly. Gently, I asked why she was telling me this. "Because you told me you had to change your suit before going to work," she explained. And yes, there was a connection, but one I wasn't attentive enough to perceive unassisted.
Week two of our holiday was spent on the coast between Barcelona and France. Unlike the children, L and I spent hours gazing from our caravan on a steep hill above the bay and the beach where we played.
Robin led the way in the second week of our Spanish holiday. He won the gecko spotting contest, although Gabe doubted many of Robin's claims. He was the most gung-ho at the water park we visited: riding the rapids on a tyre countless times and he was the only one to complete the Splash Mountain roller-coaster twice. He fell to the back of the pack on the racing water-slide, at which Gabe was the most rapid.
Most evenings were spent playing cards: pairs, go fish, black two and pontoon. Gabe may have been the most successful, but Eliza had the edge at shuffling and dealing.
Before cards, we played football. Gabe and I had an epic penalty shoot-out and one night we joined a group of Anglo-Germans for a match. First the adults were defeated and then, to Gabe's great pleasure, he and Robin beat an Anglo-German pair 5-2.
A Spain kit had been Gabe's sought after holiday item. One was spotted in a market, but I sent him fleeing in embarassment when I tried to negotiate a price with a stallholder who insisted the prices were not for haggling. I was unsuccessful, so he went back and paid the asking price, muttering about my idiocy. Robin, too found a Spain kit. Both were no.6, creating our TwIniestas.
Eliza was busy on our beach. She collected worn glass fragments, which are to be used in some creative project back at home. She also claimed a formation of granite rocks as her club, which Robin and then L and I were allowed to join. She and Robin clambered over these rocks, 5m high, in bare feet.
We hired a kayak for paddling about the bay. I took each of the kids out in turn. Only with Eliza did we achieve some co-ordinated paddling and so went out to the buoys marking the extent of the bay safe for bathing.
On our third year of Eurocamp holidays, we spend our first week on Spain's Costa D'Orada.
Eliza turns anything solid into gym equipment, for chin-ups, swings, etc: the barrier around our decking, trees, cafe tables, arms of chairs and the beach serves as the location for her floor routine. Her cherished achievement is completing the monkey bars across one of the pools. None of the other kids on the whole park gets close.
Robin buzzes between activities. Exploring or drawing with Eliza; football and its many derivatives with Gabe; connect-4 with all-comers. With a friend called Katy, he and Eliza spend an afternoon collecting dead jellyfish and filling a trench in the sand with them. He also has a new ability to occupy himself with an Astrosaurs book which he reads mumbling to himself after dinner and before breakfast.
Gabe's holiday seems set to be a quest for objects of desire. A tour of Barcelona FC's stadium ends in disappointment when the new shirt is out of his price range. Meals out are exercises in wringing from L & I concessions: another juice, dessert, another portion. Offers of other food show that both spirit and appetite are weak.
Gabe is at his sparkling best when competing. Toothy smile and happy banter when playing badminton outside the caravan. Chuckles and chat when playing football with Robin. Focus and fun practising goalkeeping on the beach.


Public release of DPMP Monograph 22 was delayed until after enactment of the new laws.
In Australia one of the key measures for distinguishing drug users from traffickers and for determining the seriousness of drug trafficking offences is the quantity of drug involved. Legislative thresholds define the quantity of drug necessary for an offence of trafficking or an offence of minor, mid or high end trafficking, with three thresholds defined in most jurisdictions. The threshold is never the sole factor considered in sentencing drug offenders. But the quantity threshold is arguably the most important factor affecting the sentencing of drug offenders (Model Criminal Code Officers Committee, 1998).
To date there has been surprisingly little use of research to inform decisions on how threshold quantities should be set or what threshold quantities should be used. This is a noted absence since there is considerable variability in the threshold systems across Australia. Moreover, while with good design thresholds can increase the likelihood that sanctions will reflect the offence committed, increase public confidence in sentencing and increase the potential to deter current and would-be offenders, poorly designed quantitative thresholds may do the reverse. Most importantly they may inadvertently increase the risks of disproportionate sanctioning, such as erroneously convicting and imprisoning drug users as drug traffickers or giving overly lenient sanctions to serious drug traffickers. Either consequence could be potentially damaging to the accused and the community.
This report outlines a new approach to informing the design of drug trafficking thresholds using evidence on Australian drug markets, drug trafficking and the impacts of drug use/trafficking on the community. It provides expert advice to the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety on the drug trafficking thresholds specified in Schedule 1 of the ACT Criminal Code Regulation 2005 as they apply to the five most commonly used illicit drugs (heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis). The current threshold quantities, specified in terms of pure drug or active principle, are listed in Table A (Criminal Code Regulation 2005, ACT).
If necessary, to put forward metrics to assist in the determination of appropriate threshold quantities: how and what threshold quantities should be set.
Metric 1: User patterns of consumption i.e. quantity of drugs that a user is likely to possess for a single session of personal use.
Metric 2: User patterns of purchasing i.e. quantity of drugs that a user is likely to possess following a single purchase.
Metric 3: Retail value i.e. amount of revenue that could be made by traffickers of a particular drug.
Metric 4: Harm to individuals and society i.e. amount of harm that could result to ACT drug users and the community from trafficking in a particular drug.
Metric 5: Social cost i.e. annual cost of healthcare and criminality from each gram of drug that is trafficked in the ACT.
Publicly available data was used for each metric, including retail price and purity from the Illicit Drug Data Report (IDDR) and user patterns of use and purchasing from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and the Ecstasy and related Drug Reporting System (EDRS). Indicators of harm to individuals and society were derived from Nutt et al. (2010) and social costs were derived from Moore (2007).
Do the current trafficable threshold quantities provide reasonable grounds to assume that all who exceed the trafficable threshold quantities constitute drug traffickers?
Metric 1 (user patterns of consumption) showed that regular users of heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis consume much less than the current threshold quantity for each drug. This holds regardless of whether they are undertaking a typical or heavy session. But when undertaking a heavy session, users of MDMA may consume more than twice the current trafficable threshold quantity (8.7 grams versus the trafficable threshold set at approximately 3.3 mixed grams).
Metric 2 (user purchasing patterns) indicated that most users purchase less than the current trafficable threshold quantities. Nevertheless, individuals who purchase large quantities of cocaine and MDMA are at risk of exceeding the current thresholds for these drugs. For example, users of cocaine reported purchasing up to 7.5 grams of cocaine in a single buy, yet the trafficable threshold is set at approximately 3.3 mixed grams.
Both metrics suggest that the current trafficable threshold quantities place users of MDMA (and to a lesser extent cocaine) at risk of exceeding the trafficable threshold for an offence involving possession for personal use alone. This increases the likelihood that users will be inadvertently charged and sanctioned for an offence of drug trafficking.
Are the current thresholds (trafficable, commercial and large commercial) proportional to the relative seriousness of a drug trafficking offence?
Metric 3 (retail value) showed that the potential retail value for a trafficable quantity of MDMA and cocaine is much lower than the potential retail value of a trafficable quantity of heroin, methamphetamine or cannabis. Indeed, a trafficable quantity of MDMA and cocaine was worth only $223-338 and $814-1,465 respectively. In contrast, a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine affords much greater potential for revenue ($7,000-10,000).
Metric 4 (harm to individuals and society) showed that the potential attributable harm for a trafficable quantity of 'drugs' differed greatly across drug types, with the current ACT trafficable quantity of cannabis capable of causing up to 200 times more harm than the trafficable quantity of MDMA.
Assessed against Metric 5 (social cost) the potential social cost from a trafficable threshold quantity is low for cocaine (costing less than $1,758), somewhat higher for cannabis, but very high for heroin and methamphetamine (costing a minimum of $33,064 and $34,200 respectively).
This demonstrates that regardless of which metric is adopted the current legal thresholds are not proportional to the seriousness of drug trafficking offences, and instead vary markedly based on the particular drug that a defendant is found in possession of. This increases risks that some serious traffickers will escape with less serious sanction and some minor traffickers will receive disproportionately harsh sanction. Threshold quantities for commercial and large commercial thresholds are also disproportionate to the potential seriousness of drug trafficking offences, but in their current form, the trafficable threshold is the least justifiable or equitable.
The ACT currently assesses purity for some drugs, not others.
The system is not transparent to buyers or sellers.
The system adds to the time and cost of prosecuting serious drug offenders.
The system is very subject to fluctuations in purity, increasing the likelihood that responses to drug traffickers will vary across time periods.
In its current design the law thus conflicts with the intended purposes of drug trafficking thresholds: increasing the proportionality and fairness of legal responses. The proposed thresholds under the Model Criminal Code for serious drug offences are equally if not more problematic: if adopted they would increase the risks that users get charged as traffickers.
This report puts forward a methodology to inform the debate about trafficable threshold quantities that could enable more proportional and evidence-informed responses (with commercial and large commercial thresholds to be devised based on the base trafficable threshold). The general principles for a more rational system of thresholds quantities include increasing the proportionality and potential fairness of the law, enshrining principles of harm minimisation (including reducing the potential harm from thresholds themselves) and increasing certainty for offenders, police and prosecutors over what constitutes a low, mid and high-level drug trafficking offence.
Seven potential sets of trafficable threshold quantities for heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis have been put forward. Under all proposed approaches mixed drug have been adopted (not pure drug).
Approaches 1 and 2 seek to minimise the chance that users will exceed the trafficable thresholds for possession for personal use alone (see Table B). Threshold quantities for approach 1 are based on evidence of the maximum quantity that a user is likely to consume (Metric 1). In approach 2 threshold quantities are based on the maximum quantity that a user is likely to purchase (Metric 2). While these thresholds may reduce risks to users, there remains a clear divergence between these, which reflects in part weaker data on Metric 2. A second clear drawback with either approach is that thresholds would remain disproportionate across traffickers in different controlled drugs.
Approaches 3 to 7 seek to both reduce potential risk to users of an unjustified charge of trafficking and increase proportionality across traders, so that regardless of the drug, legal thresholds enable more severe traffickers to be readily distinguished and sanctioned. Accordingly, they take into account both knowledge of user patterns (Metric 1) and the severity of drug trafficking offences, across traders in different controlled drugs (Metrics 3-5). Each proposal is based on a single or combination of metrics of the seriousness of a drug trafficking offence (and hence represent different ways of valuing the seriousness of drug trafficking). For example, under approach 3 threshold quantities are proportionate to the potential retail value for each drug type. In contrast, under approach 7 threshold quantities are proportionate to the potential retail value and harm and social cost for each drug type (an option that would balance the potential revenue that could be garnered by drug traffickers with the harm and economic burden that might ensue on the community). In spite of quite different ways of valuing the impacts of drug trafficking, there remain some very clear synergies across approaches 3-7, most notably that to reduce risks to users and attain more proportionality across traffickers, threshold quantities for MDMA and cocaine ought be higher, and threshold quantities for heroin and methamphetamine ought be lower than in the status quo.
By necessity, designing an alternate set of drug trafficking threshold quantities requires considerations of multiple factors: the evidence-base, value decisions, technical and legislative feasibility and so on. This report considers only the evidence-base. Nevertheless, given the critical role that drug trafficking thresholds play in the sentencing of drug offenders, and demonstrated presence of disproportionate and potential for harmful responses, inserting more rationality into legislative thresholds would be a valuable step. It would also put the ACT at the forefront of developing rational, proportionate sanctioning of serious drug offenders.