text:
- Case report
- Open access
- Published:
Infratentorial immature teratoma of congenital origin can be associated with a 20-year survival outcome: a case report and review of literature
World Journal of Surgical Oncology volume 17, Article number: 22 (2019)
Congenital intracranial tumors are very rare and account for less than 2% of all childhood brain tumors. Teratomas constitute about one third to one half of these, predominantly located midline in the supratentorial region. Posterior fossa location rarely occurs and, based on the cases reported in the literature, commonly has a poor prognosis.
Case presentation
A newborn female, diagnosed prenatally with hydrocephalus, is presented at birth with increasing head circumference and Parinaud's syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated a huge posterior fossa tumor with obstructive hydrocephalus. At surgery, through a suboccipital craniotomy, complete excision was achieved of a histological-proven immature teratoma. The infant received adjuvant chemotherapy for 1 year. She had normal neurological development and remained tumor-free through her 20-year follow-up.
The authors report this rare case of congenital posterior fossa teratoma with long-term outcome, and the literature is reviewed.
Congenital intracranial tumors are a rare occurrence, accounting for only 0.5–1.5% of all childhood brain tumors [1]. The most common of these tumors are teratomas, which comprise between 28.8 and 50.0% of central nervous system tumors [2, 3]. Teratomas are considered to be a subtype of germ cell tumors, containing all types of embryonic germ cell layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) [4]. Commonly, they are located in the supratentorial region, and in Wakai et al.'s review of 200 cases, only one was found in the posterior fossa [5]. Thus, infratentorial teratomas are rare entities. Histopathologically, teratomas are categorized as mature or immature [6]. Immature teratomas are associated with poor prognosis, due to the malignant behavior and presentation at a young age [6].
The Authors report this rare case of a posterior fossa congenital teratoma presented with Parinaud's syndrome with long-term survival and review the literature.
Case report
A newborn female of an uneventful pregnancy of a 40-year-old woman was delivered on 1 January 1999 via cesarean section (CS) at full term, because of previous CS. She is the sixth child of non-consanguineous Saudi Arabian parents who were originally from Gizan. During her gestational period, routine fetal ultrasonographic (US) scans at the 34th week reported mild ventriculomegaly without mention of any associated brain tumor.
At birth, her Apgar score was 8 and 10, and her weight was 3150 g. Her head circumference after birth was in the 90th percentile, and the anterior fontanel was 20 × 20 mm and soft. The initial neurological exam was normal, apart from a squint, and her parents were reassured.
At the age of 3 days, her mother brought her to a polyclinic because of poor feeding. She was reassured, and a change of milk formula was satisfactory for 1 week. Because of her recurrent vomiting and irritability, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, which reported a large posterior fossa tumor with obstructive hydrocephalus.
On admission at 20 days old to King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, she presented with frequent vomiting, poor feeding, and increasing head circumference. The general physical exam revealed an irritable and emaciated baby in the second percentile of weight for her age. Head circumference was 45 cm with visibly dilated scalp veins and bulging anterior fontanel. Neurological exam demonstrated a conscious baby with spontaneous movement of her upper and lower extremities with mild spasticity. Cranial nerves exam was uneventful apart from Parinaud's syndrome (Fig. 1). Pupillary reflex was sluggish to light and vision was normal with no papilledema detected. Routine laboratory screening tests were within normal limits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a heterogeneous 60 × 55 × 45 mm midline tumor filling most of the posterior fossa, causing anterior displacement of the brain stem and marked obstructive hydrocephalus (Fig. 2). The tumor was iso- to hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images with heterogeneous enhancement.
Through a midline suboccipital craniotomy, complete resection of the tumor was achieved. During surgery, an encapsulated solid vascular tumor occupying the fourth ventricle was encountered with diverse areas of soft and firm consistency. The baby remained stable hemodynamically throughout the surgery and received a total of 250 ccs packed RBC blood. During the operation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained for analysis, which was within normal limits for chemistry and cell counts. CSF cytology and tumor markers studies, human chorionic gonadotropin, and alpha-fetoprotein were negative. Histopathological examination of the specimen demonstrated a variety of tissues from all three germ layers, including immature as well as mature elements. The predominant tissue was neuroectodermal, in the form of neuroepithelial rosettes and tubules, resembling neuroblastoma. Mesodermally derived immature cartilage and primitive stroma were also seen, and endodermally derived respiratory and enteric epithelium was present in the form of cystic structures (Fig. 3). The diagnosis was consistent with immature teratoma. During the postoperative period, the baby developed pneumonia that was resolved with intravenous antibiotics, and early postoperative MRI scans confirmed complete resection. She was discharged home on the 15th postoperative day in good condition. The infant received and well tolerated adjuvant carboplatin and etoposide (CARE) chemotherapy.
At the first year anniversary follow-up, she had a mild developmental delay with a slight improvement of Parinaud's syndrome. Follow-up MRI scans at the fifth year of age revealed the stable size of the ventricles with no tumor recurrence (Fig. 4). The patient was followed annually and had normal cognitive and neurological development; she is a university student and her recent CT scan at the age of 20 years revealed no recurrence (Fig. 5).
Primary brain tumors form 20% of pediatric neoplasms and are the second most prevalent cancer of childhood, after leukemia [7]. Teratomas, although tumors of gonads, also arise from the central nervous system [8]. Extragonadal teratomas are congenital midline tumors, located both intracranially and extracranially, e.g., in the mediastinum and retroperitoneal area [8]. They are considered to originate from primordial germ cells that fail to migrate properly during the initial weeks of embryonic development [8].
The incidence of intracranial teratoma is 0.5% of all brain tumors and 2 to 4% of intracranial tumors in the pediatric age group [9,10,11]. This becomes statistically more significant for intracranial tumors presenting at or around birth. Congenital teratomas are the most frequent intracranial tumor of the perinatal and neonatal period and are five times more common than astrocytomas, which are next in frequency at this age [3]. That is why they are considered as the leading prenatal neoplasms, according to multiple reviews [3]. Considering tumors in the pediatric age group, male children are affected more than female children, but in neonates, females predominate [9]. Both supra- and infratentorial tumors have been reported with the majority being supratentorial, contrary to the usual pattern of brain tumors observed in the pediatric age group [12].
Common presenting symptoms and signs of such tumors include symptoms related to the outflow obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid resulting in a headache, vomiting, and papilledema (Table 1) [4, 13]. Moreover, the progressive increase in head size has also been observed in many reported cases including our current case (Table 1) [4, 13,14,15,16]. Infants with teratoma present with seizures in around 20% of cases [4, 13]. Compression of the tectal plate can result in what is known as Parinaud's syndrome, which is characterized by vertical gaze palsy, convergence palsy, and accommodation palsy [14]. The tectal plate can be compressed through several mechanisms including hydrocephalus, causing either (a) direct compression of the tectal plate of the midbrain by the distended ventricular system or (b) secondary herniation, with resultant brainstem ischemia or neuronal distortion.
Furthermore, structural compression of the tectal plate by the tumor generates abnormal forces resulting in either brainstem ischemia or neuronal distortion before the development of hydrocephalus. Abnormal development of the tectal plate nuclei can be another cause of such syndrome in this patient population. This can be illustrated in our current case: partial improvement of Parinaud's syndrome resulted after successful decompression, and no hemorrhage or infarction within the brainstem in the postoperative MRI scans suggests that tectal plate neurons may have been incompletely developed.
In a patient with congenital cerebellar teratoma, diagnosis may be prenatal or postnatal [17]. Prenatal diagnosis has increased compared to the past due to better prenatal follow-up and excellent radiological workups [17]. Diagnosis can be suspected on routine fetal ultrasound examination [17]. It may show intrauterine hydrocephalus, enlarged biparietal diameter, or brain tumor [17]. Antenatal diagnosis is usually possible as early as the 20th week of gestation [17, 18]. In addition to hydrocephalus, other common clinical conditions at the time of presentation are polyhydramnios, followed by respiratory distress and stillbirth [12]. If fetal ultrasound is suggestive of hydrocephalus due to a tumor, MRI of the fetus must be advised for definitive localization of the size and extent of the tumor and hydrocephalus [17, 18]. Usually, head circumference is enlarged before birth, and cephalopelvic disproportion becomes an indication for caesarian section [17,18,19]. After delivery, parents may bring the baby in with a history of progressively increasing head circumference. Other history and examination are suggestive of hydrocephalus, which at this age is usually congenital [4, 15, 16]. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with and without gadolinium in such patients is diagnostic for tumor [4]. It usually shows a solid and cystic mass with heterogeneous enhancement and elements of calcification [4]. There is often hydrocephalus in posterior fossa teratomas as in our case report. Tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein and β HCG help to suspect a malignant component in teratomas preoperatively [4].
Once the diagnosis of posterior fossa tumor is confirmed, the treatment of choice is complete excision of the lesion [4]. Afterward, complete clinical, as well as radiological, follow-up is recommended.
Poor survival of infants with congenital intracranial teratoma has been shown; a large number die prenatally and the rest shortly after birth [2]. In their literature review, Wakai and his colleagues found the 1-year survival rate of infants with congenital intracranial teratoma reaching 7.2% [5]. However, there have been some reports in which infants survived for a long time, such as our current case and that of Fukuoka et al. [15]. Long-term survival can be attributed to complete resection, yet this has not been entirely proven [20]. The location and the size of the teratoma are considered as significant prognostic factors rather than the histological grade [2]. Thus, posterior fossa teratomas are associated with poor outcome. Kitahara et al. have demonstrated that the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy CARE can decrease tumor size and vascularity, paving the way for achieving total tumor resection and resulting in lower morbidity and mortality [21]. In their report, they unsuccessfully attempted surgical resection before initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and then succeeded in achieving near-total resection after completing the CARE regimen [21]. This was unlike our current case, in which adjuvant chemotherapy was used after achieving total tumor resection. The unique aspect of our case is that it is the only one reporting a patient surviving more than 20 years after undergoing complete excision of a posterior fossa immature teratoma.
Congenital posterior fossa teratoma is a rare tumor that presents with significant large size and massive obstructive hydrocephalus. Early surgical resection is recommended with adequate perioperative care. Regular clinical and radiological follow-up is essential to assess the child's neurological function and watch for early recurrence. Despite insufficient data in the literature about factors that favor a good outcome for posterior teratoma, we note that complete surgical resection is a significant prognosticator.
Carboplatin and etoposide
Buetow PC, Smirniotopoulos JG, Done S. Congenital brain tumors: a review of 45 cases. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1990;11(4):793–9.
Isaacs H Jr. Perinatal (fetal and neonatal) germ cell tumors. J Pediatr Surg. 2004;39(7):1003–13.
Raisanen JM, Davis RL. Congenital brain tumors. Pathology. 1993;2(1):103–16.
Algahtani HA, Al-Rabia MW, Al-Maghrabi HQ, Kutub HY. Posterior fossa teratoma. Neurosciences. 2013;18(4):371–4.
Wakai S, Arai T, Nagai M. Congenital brain tumors. Surg Neurol. 1984;21:597–609.
Desai K, Nadkarni T, Muzumdar D, Goel A. Midline posterior fossa teratoma--case report. Neurol Med Chir. 2001;41(2):94–6.
Sardinas N, Marcos R, Pestana EM, Vargas J, Chi-Ramirez D, Rojas E, Esteban EM, Zarrabeitia L. Tumors of the posterior fossa in children. Rev Neurol. 1999;28(12):1153–8.
Slavin KV, Ausman JI. Tumors of the pineal region. In: Rengachary SS, Wilkins RH, editors. Principles of neurosurgery. London: Mosby; 1994. p. 29.1–29.16.
Uken P, Sato Y, Smith W. MR findings of malignant intracranial teratomas in a neonate. Pediatr Radiol. 1986;16:504–5.
Ventureyra EC. Pineal region: surgical management of tumors and malformations. Surg Neurol. 1981;16:77–84.
Whittle IR, Simpson DA. Surgical management of neonatal intracranial teratoma. Surg Neurol. 1981;15:268–73.
Takaku A, Kodama N, Ohara H, Hori S. Brain tumor in newborn babies. Childs Brain. 1978;4(6):365–75.
Gao J, Zheng Z. Immature teratoma of the posterior cranial fossa in a 4-month-old infant: a case report. Oncol Lett. 2013;6(1):19–22.
Thust SC, Nandi D, Hann G. Acting on macrocephaly in the neonatal period: an illustrative case of congenital teratoma. BMJ Case Rep. 2014;2014.
Fukuoka K, Yanagisawa T, Suzuki T, Wakiya K, Matsutani M, Sasaki A, et al. Successful treatment of hemorrhagic congenital intracranial immature teratoma with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2014;13(1):38–41.
Bakhtiar Y, Yonezawa H, Bohara M, Hanaya R, Okamoto Y, Sugiyama K, et al. Posterior fossa immature teratoma in an infant with trisomy 21: a case report and review of the literature. Surg Neurol Int. 2012;3:100.
Ferreira O. Prenatal diagnosis of intracranial tumors: a case report. Pediatr Neurosurg. 1993;19:84–8.
Hoff NR, Mackay IM. Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of intracranial teratoma. JCU. 1980;8:247–9.
Cavalheiro S, Moron AF, Hisaba W, Dastoli P, Silva NS. Fetal brain tumors. Childs Nerv Syst. 2003;19:529–36.
Robles Fradejas M, Gonzalo Garcia I, De Las Casas Quispe AC, Martin Garcia A, Garcia Higuera MI, Rodriguez Minguelez M, et al. Fetal intracranial immature teratoma: presentation of a case and a systematic review of the literature. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017;30(10):1139–46.
Kitahara T, Tsuji Y, Shirase T, Yukawa H, Takeichi Y, Yamazoe N. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for facilitating surgical resection of infantile massive intracranial immature teratoma. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2016;238(4):273–8.
Algahtani H, Shirah B, Abdullah A, Bazaid A. Teratoma of the nervous system: a case series. Neurocirugia (Astur). 2018;29(3):143–9.
Daugherty C, Ngo T, Drehner D, Maugans T. Mature teratoma confined to the posterior fossa. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2016;51(2):93–8.
Ferraz ST, Valera ET, Brassesco MS, Santos de Oliveira R, Carlos dos Santos A, Saggioro FP, et al. Intracranial teratoma in children: the role of chromosome 21 trisomy. Neuropathology. 2014;34(2):197–200.
Rios LT, Araujo Junior E, Nacaratto DC, Nardozza LM, Moron AF, da Gloria Martins M. Prenatal diagnosis of intracranial immature teratoma in the third trimester using 2D and 3D sonography. J Med Ultrason. 2013;40(1):57–60.
Das S, Muro K, Goldman S, Rajaram V, DiPatri AJ Jr. Medulloblastoma arising from an immature teratoma of the posterior fossa. Case Rep J Neurosurg. 2007;106(1 Suppl):61–4.
Bavbek M, Altinors N, Caner H, Agildere M, Cinemre O, Guz T, et al. Giant posterior fossa teratoma. Childs Nerv Syst. 1999;15(6–7):359–61.
Hayashi T, Hashimoto T, Harada K, Okamoto Y, Shojima K, Honda E. A huge teratoma in the posterior fossa in a neonate. Kurume Med J. 1984;31(4):335–7.
This research was not supported by any professional writing services or materials.
The design and collection, analysis, interpretation of data and writing of the manuscript has not been supported by any grant or fund.
Availability of data and materials
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
All authors provided intellectual contribution to this manuscript. YM and SSB wrote the manuscript analyzed and interpreted the patient data. MEK confirmed the histopathological examination results. SSB reviewed the clinical notes and edited the document. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of King Abdulaziz University Hospital.
Consent for publication
All participants gave written consent for the publication of the identifying photographs.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
About this article
Cite this article
Maghrabi, Y., Kurdi, M.E. & Baeesa, S.S. Infratentorial immature teratoma of congenital origin can be associated with a 20-year survival outcome: a case report and review of literature. World J Surg Onc 17, 22 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-019-1564-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-019-1564-1


text:
Trochisci Cubebae (U. S. P.)—Troches of Cubeb.
Related entry: Cubeba (U. S. P.)—Cubeb
Preparation.—"Oleoresin of cubeb, four grammes (4 Gm.) [62 grs.]; oil of sassafras, one cubic centimeter (1 Cc.) [16♏]; extract of glycyrrhiza, in fine powder, twenty-five grammes (25 Gm.) [386 grs.]; acacia, in fine powder, twelve grammes (12 Gm.) [185 grs.]; syrup of tolu, a sufficient quantity to make 100 troches. Rub the powders together until they are thoroughly mixed; then add the oleoresin and the oil, and incorporate them with the mixture. Lastly, with syrup of tolu, form a mass, to be divided into 100 troches "—(U. S. P.). Nearly grain of oleoresin of cubeb is contained in each troche.
Action and Medical Uses.—These troches are employed in pharyngeal and laryngeal inflammations of subacute or chronic type, where there is tenacious catarrhal secretion.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Nurses LPN/LVN
Published May 24, 2009
Are there any Independent Providers out there? I have started the process to get my number and was looking to hear from anyone with what they have experienced. One question I have is, how difficult is it to get a client? I have gone to the website to look at requests for services. I also understand that this is basically a small business I am setting up and taxes will not be taken out, etc.........I am a very driven person to make this a success. Anybody with any advice or doing this type of work? (Oh, I'm in Ohio)
HisTreasure, BSN, RN
748 Posts
I am an independent provider and I network with quite a few others including a RT and an NP. Most cases are obtained through networking although some states have registries where parents can post cases and get potential providers to reply. My advice for someone just getting out there is to team up with other independents you can trust and work well with. Nurses know nurses and it's all a matter of networking and referrals. Also, make friends with your local home care agencies. I know this sounds crazy and counterproductive but it's actually sage advice. Often HHAs lose cases due to unreliability and issues related to continuity of care (or the lack thereof). If you can team with them to be a backup or pick up shifts they can't cover and bill independently then you both benefit; you get hours, exposure, and opportunity to network with patients (who may know other people with similar co-morbidities/illnesses that need care) and the agency keeps their case. Heck, some hours are better than none for all involved. Good luck!
30 Posts
I have my own business where I teach health and wellness, like a wellness coach. I consider myself independent.
By using the site, you agree with our Policies. X


text:
Your cart is currently empty!
Incoming Energies..
June will be preparing us to enter Eclipse season. We have a New Moon in Gemini on Monday. It's now time to plant your intent. It's also important that we see things for what they are, an expansion on every level. We have the Gemini constellation colliding with the Taurus constellation right now. Because this New Moon is close to the star Aldebaran, in the Eye of the Bull it's a very powerful energy for manifesting. This New Moon is reminding us to be careful with our words. We need them to be in alignment with the things we want to create. This energy is doing a sweep of our throat chakra encouraging us to open up to our full potential. We have a lot of cosmic energies and solar winds hitting the Planet right now. These energies will continue to intensify, creating a gateway, or a peak around Friday. Many energetic shifts are occurring.


text:
Thu 30 Sep 2021
Posted by PJ under fire, gratitude, inspiration, quote of the day
No Comments
Random quote of the day:
"In everyone's life at some time the inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.â€
—attributed to Albert Schweitzer
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this random quote of the day do not necessarily reflect the views of the poster, her immediate family, Desus and Mero, Beyoncé, or the Marine Corps Marching Band. They do, however, sometimes reflect the views of the Cottingley Fairies.


text:
This article discusses motorcycle transport safety.
Submit Quick Quote or call 866-383-1307.
A common question that customers ask is in regards to how safe is their motorcycle during transport. This is a good question and it is a major concern for most of our motorcycle shipping customers.
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a motorcycle shipping company. One of the main factors to consider is to make sure the motorcycle shippers have a good safety record. Another factor is does the shipper use in enclosed trailer. Additionally, are their drivers trained in the proper procedure for handling motorcycle shipments. Does the motorcycle shipper have the correct equipment to use when shipping motorcycles. Does a shipper provide a lift gate or a ramp gate for loading and unloading the motorcycle safely. No one can guarantee there won't be a damage claim but our shippers have some of the best safety records in the industry
The motorcycle specific shippers that we work with use enclosed trailers to handle motorcycle shipments. We never recommend transporting a motorcycle a significant distance on an open trailer. The chance of a theft or damage claim on an open trailer is much higher than it is when shipping a motorcycle in an enclosed trailer. The shippers that we work with use enclosed trailers for another reason. The other reason the shippers we work with use enclosed trailers is because they pay lower cargo insurance premiums because there are fewer claims when shipping motorcycles in an enclosed trailer. Since their cargo insurance premiums are lower they usually can offer lower shipping rates as well.
The shippers we work with specialize in motorcycle shipping, their drivers have been trained in the proper handling procedures and they use the correct equipment needed to secure bikes within trailers to avoid possible damage. Additionally, drivers make frequent stops and when doing so they usually scan their trailers to make sure the motorcycles are secured properly and are being transported safely. The shippers that we work with have very good safety records and we have worked with most of them for a dozen years or more. Additionally, most of them ship thousands of bikes per year.
Having the correct equipment matters a great deal. The shippers we work with have trailers that are designed specifically for motorcycle shipping. Many of the shippers we work with use pallets to secure the bike to and they do have lift gates for loading and unloading as well. A number of the shippers we work with provide roll on / roll off service where the bikes are not palletized. The shippers that use the roll on / roll off method have a system called E-Trac in the floor and walls of their trailers and they use soft tie down straps to secure the bikes within the trailers to the E-Trac system. Having the right tie down straps is essential to ensuring a safe shipment. There are motorcycle specific tie down straps that are used by the shippers we work with to make sure of safe transport of motorcycles.
As mentioned previously, having the right equipment to handle motorcycle shipments is imperative. The shippers we work with will either have a ramp gate or a lift gate used to handle the loading and unloading of your motorcycle. In most cases, a loading dock is not required which makes shipping door to door more feasible, convenient and safe for our customers.


text:
Conference Room dedicated to Women in Pharmacy
This was one of the most exciting projects Eisemann Design worked on with American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA). We were asked to prepare a concept design for a conference room dedicated to women in the history of pharmacy. The room was to serve as a regular meeting place for APhA, but was to have the exhibits dedicated to special achievements of female scientists and pharmacists, as well as exceptional female employees of APhA. The room was expected to have a warm feminine decor. Our concept included an accent wall with photo gallery, new color scheme and a special cherry blossom theme that corresponded with the view from the headquarters of APhA located on the Washington DC Mall. We came up with a new color scheme for the room, coordinated office furniture with new lighting and custom designed carpeting.


text:
Consider an LSTM model with 100 timesteps, each of which with input and target data. Let f(99) be the function mapping the input data of the 99th timestep and hidden state of the 98th timestep to the output data of the 99th timestep.
The mapping f(99) of another LSTM model will be different if the other LSTM model is fitted only to the data in the first 99 timesteps. It follows that future data -- that is, data from the 100th timestep -- was used to generate the 99th timestep's prediction in the first LSTM model.
What are the implications of this for forecasting methodology?


text:
Relax in a Japanese-style Room
We provide soothing Japanese-style rooms.
We will show you to a room according to the number of people in your party.
Thank you for the gift
from the mountain.
There is a delicious healing
inn here.
Thank you for the gift
from the mountain.
There is a delicious healing
inn here.
Iwama Sanso is a matagi (hunter) inn located in Ichirino Onsen at the foot of Hakusan – one of Japan's three most famous mountains.
You can appreciate nature here throughout the four seasons with trekking, skiing and other activities. This area also becomes Hakusan Ichirino Onsen Ski Resort in the winter and you can ski or snowboard back to the inn. You can savor ingredients distinctive of an inn run by matagi (e.g. bear, wild boar, edible wild plants and mushrooms) combined with the local cuisine of Hakusan. You can enjoy Ichirino Onsen – 100% natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source – at any time 24 hours a day.
This is 100% natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source.
You can bathe 24 hours a day, so please use it whenever you want.
We provide soothing Japanese-style rooms.
We will show you to a room according to the number of people in your party.
The large stuffed bears will catch your eye when you enter the front door!
These are animals deeply connected with our inn as valuable food and goods since long ago.
We will serve you meals in the morning and evening in a spacious 50-tatami mat banquet hall.
The dining room is also available on the first floor.
We serve various kinds of healthy meals that will make your body happy with the blessings of Hakusan.
We make these meals with ingredients distinctive of Hakusan (e.g., bear, wild boar, freshwater fish and mushrooms) seasoned with the local taste distinctive of Hakusan.
Please savor the seasonal tastes fostered by nature together with great-tasting local sake.
※The photographs are examples only. Our menu changes depending on the season, weather and what we can procure.
Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road is a dynamic tourist toll road that runs from Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture to Ichirino Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture. It is possible to enjoy superb seasonal views from spring to fall only. However, the fall leaf season is undeniably the most famous. The best time to see the fall leaves peaks from the middle to late October. There is a magnificent contrast of the colored trees with the mountain towering above and the valley below you! In addition, you can see a sea of rare Japanese beech trees in a virgin forest from the Hakusan Observatory. The vista at the summit of Hakusan is wonderful from summer to the fall. If you drive your car a little bit in the Ichirino Onsen direction from Hakusan Observatory, Fukubeotaki – the greatest and most magnificent large falls in Jatani – will catch your attention. This drop is close to 90 meters. The splashing water occasionally covers the road! If you pass through the White Road with its total length of 33.3 km, you will come to the gasshodzukuri (traditional style of Japanese architecture with a steep thatched roof) village of the Shirakawa-go – a World Heritage Site – on the Gifu Prefecture side. Iwama Sanso is located directly to the side of the entrance on the Ishikawa Prefecture side.
※There is also a bus available on a reservation basis from Komatsu Airport. Please visit the URL below or contact us by telephone for details.
White Ring:https://www.whitering.co.jp/
Contact TEL:+81(0)76-255-5340
※The Gifu Prefecture side of Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road (formerly Hakusan Super Rindo) is closed for winter from November 11 to the beginning of June the following year.
It is not possible to pass from the Ishikawa Prefecture side to the Gifu Prefecture side when it is closed. Please take care.


text:
"Are you a developer?" See, if I got a credit alert every time someone asked me this question, well, let's just say I wouldn't need to be working so many jobs. The thing is that I don't really blame them for assuming, I mean I do kind of look like a developer (yeah, I'll get into what they look like soon). Anyway, since I found myself in the Lagos tech scene, I've come across a number of characters and they all, strangely enough, seem to fall into a kind of set category.
What's even weirder is that almost all of them within said categories, behave similarly. So, I decided to break down some of the techie stereotypes I've come across – in my short time – in our ever growing tech landscape.
The Founder
I've met only a handful of founders (not co-founders) and while they all varied from obnoxious to inspiring, they all had one thing in common: charm. I guess you'd have to be charming to convince your severely under-paid staff and a bunch of investors to believe in that crazy dream as much as you do.
The Annoying Trait: Impatience. Yeah, I'm sure waiting for everyone else to see your idea as clearly as you do can get a tad… upsetting
The Wardrobe: Suits. Lots and lots of suits.
The Developer
Throw a stone in Yaba and you're more than likely to hit a developer. They are seriously everywhere, and while some live up to that geeky introvert stereotype, others are quite the opposite. But the one thing that seems to make all of them tick is how logical they are. If founders are the dreamers, developers are the realists that stop them from flying too close to the sun.
The Annoying Trait: Condescension. It must be hard to accept that the other developer you met during Social Media Week might know python a little more than you. It's fine.
Be the smartest in the room
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.
The Wardrobe: T-shirts and jeans.
The Social Media 'Expert'
The great thing about being a social media 'expert' is that you really don't have to know too much about the startup you're representing. You only have to make it seem like you do in 140 characters or less. Oh and the hashtags, don't forget the unnecessary hashtags that will probably never trend. The common denominator in this case is the capacity to be fun (or at least seem fun), 'cos no one wants their company's social media accounts to seem like it's being run by a bot.
The Annoying Trait: Detachment. Well, our society is getting increasingly detached from real life, thanks to social media. Now imagine you were actually getting paid to ignore reality.
The Wardrobe: No one really cares. Just tweet.
The Marketer
"Scaling, ROI, Revenue, blah, blah, blah…" basically marketer lingo for 'when do we start making (more) money?' While the founders are trying to make the world a better place, the marketers are the guys that understand that real change isn't cheap. Yeah, the whole 'if you build it, they will come' idea is great in theory, but without a great marketer, your great idea might never make it in front of the right crowd. I guess that's why they are almost all loud; always seen, always heard.
The Annoying Trait: Self-Important. If you were the money-person, I'd be shocked if you weren't self-important too.
The Wardrobe: The brighter, the better.
The Blogger
Ugh. Tech bloggers are the worst, and I should know. They just love to think (or pretend) that they are at the forefront of everything tech-related. If I had to point out one thing they all seem to have in common, it would be their propensity to show-off. I dare you to find a tech blogger that doesn't fill up their posts with unnecessary words they know damn well their reader know nothing about. But as much as they like to feel technologically superior, would you know (or care) about what hotels.ng or Jumia were up to without them? I highly doubt it.
The Annoying Trait: Know-It-All. They do get most of the best tech gist before anyone else, so I guess you can't really blame them.
The Wardrobe: Anything they freaking want.
So, did I miss any? Please sound off in the comments section.
Featured image credit: Lecia Store


text:
We Deliver Every Day. 7am-10pm
Anniversary Cupcakes (Box of 12)
Not sure what to get your Significant Other? Fret not! We have scurried through the web for ideas as to what will make your Anniversary a treat! (Pun intended). A box of these Anniversary Cupcakes will do you no wrong. In fact you can score a lot of brownie points, and surprise your better half on your anniversary.
The quantity is per dozen, i.e. Quantity of 1 means 12 cupcakes, qty of 2 means 24 cupcakes and so on.
Note: Coloured frosting is only available for Vanilla, Red Velvet and Bliss Choco cupcakes. If you select coloured frosting for Bliss Choco cupcakes, it will be coloured Vanilla frosting on chocolate cupcakes.
More from this collection


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get a Good to Glow airbrush sunless tan?
Now more than ever, many people simply don't have the time to lie in the sun and "work" on a deep dark tan. Good to Glow Airbrush Tanning delivers a believable, natural-looking "tan of the islands" without the sun! Our highly effective formula is fast-acting and long-lasting. Get an Good to Glow tan before your next big event and all your friends will be asking, "Where did you get that great tan?"
Good to Glow Spray Tans Are Great For: Weddings, Pageants, Vacations, Special Events, Tan Parties, Photo Shoots.
How long does it take?
The entire process from start to finish takes about 20 minutes.
Who applies it?
Our female airbrush technician has been thoroughly trained on technique, professionalism and safety.
How long does a sunless tan last?
Depending on a person's activities and skin type, the tan lasts approximately 5-7 days (up to 10 for some people). With follow up applications, a person can maintain the tan indefinitely. Using a Tanning Extender (with DHA and Erythrulose) on the skin daily will help extend tanning results while keeping the tan looking healthy and glowing.
What is the difference between being airbrushed and using cream or lotion sunless tanners?
Imagine the difference between finger painting your car and using an airbrush to paint it. Even with the greatest of care, and help from a friend to get all the places you cannot reach, you can't duplicate the even consistency and natural look of an airbrushed tan.
Is airbrush spray tanning safe?
YES! According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective products available are sunless or self-tanning products that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA has been used in cosmetic preparations for almost 30 years and was listed with the FDA in 1973. It is declared safe and suitable for use in cosmetics and drugs used to color the skin. DHA is derived from glycerin (vegetable origin), which is a commonly used cosmetic and food ingredient. DHA is not absorbed into the body and poses no possibility of toxicity.
What if a person normally can't get very tan?
A person CAN get a sunless tan even if they can't get a real tan. Good to Glow does not need a person's melanocytes to be in working order. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the active ingredient, saturates the dead skin cells in the outermost layer of skin, where it turns the protein in the dead cells golden tan.
Can a person UV tan on top of a airbrush tan?
Of course! But just remember that a airbrush tan does not provide any sunscreen protection, so you should apply sunscreen accordingly. With a Good to Glow Airbrush Tan, your skin will appear tan, even though it's not. This is an artificial tan. There is no Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in a Airbrush Tan, so your skin is still exposed and vulnerable to the sun. If you choose to expose your skin to UV rays either from the sun or a tanning bed, it is important to use a lotion with SPF to protect you from the sun's harmful rays.
Normally I freckle in the sun... will a airbrush tan cause freckles?
No. Good to Glow tanning solutions will not cause more freckles. In fact, in most cases, freckles and blemishes will become LESS obvious because the lighter skin areas will darken and reduce the color differential between these areas and the rest of the skin.
How can I minimize exfoliation from hot tubs, pools and the ocean after I get an Aruba tan?
After your tan has developed and after your first post-tan shower, you can minimize water activity exfoliation by liberally and frequently apply a good, strong waterproof sunscreen (such as Bullfrog, Iguana, Blue Lizard or others) before submersing yourself. These are very durable brands and can help protect your tan from fading.
Can pregnant or nursing mothers get an airbrush tan?
The concern some doctors have is over whether or not the active ingredient (DHA) is able to enter the blood stream; the indications are that it cannot. DHA only penetrates the outtermost of the skin. However, if the client is still concerned they should consult their physician first. FYI: DHA has been used as a cosmetic ingredient in the United States since 1960 and no problems have ever been reported concerning DHA penetrating the skin, or causing problems during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing prior to your tanning appointment.
Have a question or concern that is not listed on this page? Please feel free to complete our contact form or call us by phone at 716-602-8039 during our hours of operation.


text:
WASHINGTON, DC – While in Washington with The Bahamas delegation to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Minister of Education Desmond Bannister established initial contacts with important entities including the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), the Office of the Mayor of DC, the State Department, the Organisation of American States and the National Science Foundation.
The minister's hope was that through partnership and collaboration with these entities, the Bahamian education system might share best practices in a number of critical areas: teacher training, the integration and effective servicing of special needs students and development of partnerships for the advancement of science and technology.
Dr. Carey Wright, Chief Academic Officer of the DCPS Central Office, spoke with Mr. Bannister about DC's "Effective Schools Framework." The goal of the Effective Schools Framework is to ensure that every child in every classroom has access to engaging instruction, and the programme's key elements reflect the focus areas for district reform. One of the elements of this framework is principal accountability, by which principals' effectiveness is in part measured against student achievement data.
Dr. Wright and Mr. Bannister also discussed the use of "instructional coaches," professional development specialists embedded within the schools to work with specific teachers. The DCPS plan, according to Dr. Wright, was to implement this system district-wide in 2012. They also discussed the implementation of video recording of lessons as a professional development tool, mandatory offering of "advanced placement (AP)" courses at each DC public school and the use of "instructional superintendents," whose job is to work with the principals and DCPS.
At Mr. Bannister's instigation, they also discussed the charter school system at length. Dr. Wright confirmed that about 38 percent of DC's student population is in charter schools. She said DCPS loses many students to the charter school system – which in DC is fairly independent – in the middle school years, which meant that DCPS must focus on middle school reform and improvement as well.
School Visits
The minister visited three schools while in DC: Neval Thomas Elementary, West Education Campus (meaning K-8), and McKinley Technology High School.
McKinley Tech is one of DCPS premier magnet schools, with hundreds of students applying for places each year. Gideon Sanders, Director of Partnerships/Internships at the school, talked with Mr. Bannister about some of the partnerships and programmes at the school, including partnerships with Lockheed Martin, Microsoft and SMART Technologies (makers of digital blackboards for educators).
In addition to the school's greenhouse – part of the biotechnology programme – the minister toured McKinley's library/media centre, where the school is in the process of building a podcast studio, a 3-D computer modeling classroom, and a science lab, where he met and spoke with Aqueelah James, the Air Force Association's 2011 National Science Teacher of the Year.
The minister also visited Neval Thomas Elementary, the school adopted by the Embassy of The Bahamas for the 2010-2011 academic year as part of the Washington Performing Arts Society/DCPS "Adopt-A-School" programme. He took with him three students from The Bahamas, Samuenta Marc – Second Place Winner in the Bahamas National Spelling Bee – and Suraj Vinuraj Nair and Brittany Demeritte – who tied for Third Place.
After the minister's presentation, the students questioned each other about a range of topics, from what they studied in school to how they were punished to the different climates to whether they had homework and how students advanced.
Meanwhile, Abaco student Sujith Swarna represented The Bahamas with great distinction in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in DC, only just missing the semi-final round. The Bahamas delegation to the bee included Mrs. Eula Gaitor, Supervisor Student Services Section, Mrs. Rochelle Cox-Hill- National Spelling Bee Coach- Student Services Section, Mr. Haldane Chase – Professor College of The Bahamas, young Mr. Swarna and his parents, the runners-up and others.
By K. Quincy Parker
Press Attaché
Embassy of The Bahamas


text:
& the bases are 2 1/8 from. WE ACTUALLY USE THESE HOLDERS IN OUR SHOWROOMS. AT HOLIDAY TIME DRAWING ATTENTION TO OUR. REMEMBER, YOU'LL RECEIVE A BULK. GET AS MANY AS YOU WANT.
FOR PROFESSIONAL RETAIL SUPPLIES AT CLOSEOUT PRICES. ON OUR STORE LINK ON THIS PAGE! " R e t a i l e r' s - P a r a d i s e ". The item "BULK CASE OF 50! SWIRL ORNAMENT DISPLAY STANDS WIRE HANGER HOLDERS CHRISTMAS" is in sale since Monday, October 6, 2014. This item is in the category "Home & Garden\Home Décor\Display Easels". The seller is "retailersparadise" and is located in Hollywood, Florida.This item can be shipped to United States.


text:
Jackpot: Episode 13
by HeadsNo2
It's nice to have some smiles and general merriment this hour, even though things seem poised to take an even darker turn sooner than we'd probably like. Still, it's one of those cases where you just have to enjoy it while you can, since happiness is so fleeting in the world of Jackpot—someone's win is always somebody else's loss, and nothing comes cheap.
Tim – "기대도 돼 (Lean On Me)" [ Download ]
In a bid to get the swindler Golsa's daughter YEON-HWA up and on her feet, Dae-gil tries to present himself as a threat to her father in the hopes that she'll take the bait and do something about it.
But while she knows that he's infamous for killing Yook Gwishin and for taking down multiple casinos while wearing Injwa's signature white mask, she still has no faith in his ability to take Injwa down. "No matter how hard you try, you can't destroy him," she grits out, seemingly from experience.
Dae-gil begs to differ, and defends his decision to face Injwa again, even after losing to him so many times. "Because I have to confront him," he explains. "If I don't, nothing will change." He knows that Yeon-hwa's staying under Injwa's power in order to save her father, but argues that she'll accomplish nothing without doing something.
In flashback, we see the rest of Seol-im's fortune (or misfortune, really), as revealed by the all-knowing shamanistic madam. According to the madam, Seol-im has only two options: she can either live out the rest of her life alone in order to save others from her misfortune, or she'll end up killing the one she loves.
By the look on Seol-im's face when Dae-gil approaches her, it's clear that he's the one she loves and is now afraid of inadvertently killing. She doesn't betray any of this to Dae-gil though, and keeps as cheery an expression as she can manage.
Dae-gil updates Prince Yeoning on his progress with Yeon-hwa, but adds that she was never part of his plan to defeat Golsa. The prince, however, is part of that plan, since he needs Yeoning to use his Office of Inspector General powers to get Golsa's men out of the way. That way, he and Golsa will be free to gamble.
Prince Yeoning has a bit of an "uh oh" moment as he reveals that he's been stripped of his rank and position, which means he won't have the sway Dae-gil was counting on. Regardless, he says he'll find another way to help.
Seol-im, meanwhile, returns to broody gambler Kejakdu to declare that she'll be leaving him. He looks heartbroken as he tells her to at least wait until the morning to leave, which seems to be his own way of delaying the inevitable. A flashback reveals that she'd once promised her life in exchange for his help, only for him to chastise her over treating her life as though it were worth so little.
Thanks to his informants, Injwa knows exactly when Dae-gil's planning to spring his trap on Golsa, and papers the capital and surrounding areas with leaflets proclaiming Dae-gil's intention to do just that. Now everyone knows.
And because everyone knows, including those Soron ministers who depend on Golsa's control of Mapo, they can work to upend Dae-gil's plans. Strangely, this also matters to Chief State Councilor Kim, who confronts Prince Yeoning with the leaflet and demands to know if he knew what this Baek Dae-gil character was up to.
Prince Yeoning says that whatever Dae-gil was planning is besides the point—he's going after Injwa himself. He proposed the lift on the merchant ban in order to cut off Injwa's ties to the select few who control trade, but in order to get that passed, he needs the ledger of damning records currently in Golsa's hands.
Councilor Kim is no friend of Injwa's, but he expresses his doubt over Yeoning's assuredness—will taking down one gambler really affect Injwa? Yeoning reminds him that the port of Mapo is the richest port in all of Joseon, and Golsa has absolute control over everything that goes in and out of it.
Because of that, he also has control over any officials who might challenge him, which means Yeoning will need Councilor Kim's help. The chief state councilor agrees to use his resources, but in return, he wants Yeoning to turn the ledger over to him and step away from the matter entirely.
The Soron ministers piece together who Dae-gil is thanks to Injwa reminding them that he was the one the king gave his sword to after the assassination incident two years(!) ago.
As is typical, when Injwa's asked to explain why Dae-gil's burning his way through casinos and why Yeoning's been hanging out with him, Injwa just chooses not to. ("It's a long story," he literally says.)
King Sukjong calls Lady Choi in to confront her with the leaflet and the truth: Neither Dae-gil or Yeoning know they're brothers, and the situation they're getting into with Injwa could spell disaster. "What are you going to do if they end up drawing swords against each other?" he asks her.
It's up to Lady Choi to fix this situation, the king adds, because she's the mother of both boys. All this began with her, and it needs to end with her. But Lady Choi, already ailing, can only faint under the stress of it all.
Thanks to Councilor Kim's connections, Prince Yeoning is able to enlist help from the Hansungbu, or regional administrative office (technically a governing office, one of many that controlled different provinces), so that their men can take on the minions Golsa throws at Dae-gil.
After Golsa's men are subdued as well as the officials Golsa bought off, Prince Yeoning can only look to Dae-gil as he thinks, "Now that I've set the stage, the rest is up to you."
Dae-gil arrives in Golsa's casino within the timeframe the leaflets proclaimed he would, and is welcomed by Golsa, who's now had ample time to prepare for him. He proposes a game of dominos, only for Dae-gil to bring his sword down on the playing table to make his point (har) that the dominos have been rigged.
Likewise, he's able to point out how Golsa's rigged his other games with only a cursory examination of the playing pieces. By chopping another one of the tables in half, he reveals the cards hidden underneath, which is more than enough to prove that he can't be fooled.
Golsa presents a deck of cards for Dae-gil's inspection, which he deems to be free from trickery. It's only when Golsa asks why Dae-gil put up the posters declaring his intentions that Dae-gil pauses—he'd assumed Golsa put up the posters in an attempt to catch him.
Before they begin, Golsa explains the rules, which only differ from every other game of tujeon in one respect: before revealing their hand, they can choose to switch one of their cards with one of their opponent's (blind, of course). The best out of three wins.
Dae-gil wins the first round, but suspects that Golsa intentionally lost. For the second, Golsa takes one of his cards, which proves to be the card he needed to win. Now, Dae-gil can only wonder how Golsa knew which card to pick.
As Dae-gil shuffles, he asks Golsa if he's ever lost at a game of tujeon. Seemingly unable to comprehend how bad an idea answering his question is, Golsa admits that the only game he ever lost was to Kejakdu.
Remembering how Kejakdu was described as having superhuman hearing, Dae-gil focuses all his senses on listening to the deck as he shuffles it, in order to differentiate the sound of each card. I think.
But before they can play their deciding round, Injwa interrupts by having Nameless hold a sword to Yeon-hwa's neck. With his daughter's life on the line, Injwa expects Golsa to put his all into winning.
Dae-gil knows that Injwa was behind the posters, but it doesn't matter much now. Yeon-hwa offers to shuffle the deck in order to make sure Dae-gil can't pull any tricks, but it's actually a trick on her part—she had practiced dealing cards with her father, who could pick out each card just by sound.
Similarly, she can recognize each card by sound as well, and knows which cards she ends up dealing to the two men. Her father has a pair, and Yeon-hwa knows that if Dae-gil were to switch out cards with him, he'd win, and her father would lose.
Dae-gil reaches over to make the switch, but at the last moment, decides he'd rather keep the hand he has. Before they reveal their hands, Dae-gil makes sure to hear Golsa say he'll give his casino to Dae-gil if he loses (since he's so positive he'll win). Dae-gil agrees, but adds that the loser must grant the winner one wish.
When it comes time to turn over their cards, Golsa's hand is not the pair he and his daughter expected. Dae-gil smirks knowingly and calls the gambler out for using the ol' sound trick, revealing that he scratched the cards with his fingernails while shuffling in order to change their sound. (We gotta just go with it at this point.)
Golsa is gobsmacked that Dae-gil did so without being detected, but Injwa is much less amused. He gives Nameless the go-ahead to kill Yeon-hwa, but the downward swing of his sword is blocked by Dae-gil's before it can land.
Instead of fighting Nameless, Dae-gil heads straight for Injwa. A last minute save by Yeoning intercepts Jin-ki's blade, and while those two are otherwise occupied, Dae-gil makes a flying leap through the air toward Injwa.
He and Injwa engage in a very brief battle, which ends in a standstill when all the men find themselves pointing swords at each other. It'd be a domino effect of death if one of them were to strike, so they decide to just call it.
Injwa, however, addresses all the extras in the casino with a note promising one thousand nyang to whoever kills Dae-gil. When he ups the ante to five thousand nyang, everyone pulls out their daggers, only to be interrupted by the arrival of Merchant Baek and his men, finally ready to make good on his debt to Dae-gil. Is there anyone else who hasn't yet made a surprise appearance? Dam-seo, now's your chance!
It's Golsa who puts a stop to the madness, sparing a word to Injwa about how a man should accept his losses. Once he's acknowledged Dae-gil's win, Dae-gil tears up the promissory notes Injwa was willing to give in return for his life.
Since Injwa can never technically lose when he's always playing a different game, he suddenly acts like he didn't just lose a casino, and claims that he only came to watch their game for the thrills. (His real reason was so that he could shape Dae-gil's experiences for his greater purpose.)
Before he goes, he tells Dae-gil that he'll be faced with a crossroads soon. And when he finds himself there, Injwa wants him to remember these words: "There are no everlasting friends or enemies in this world."
Golsa gives Prince Yeoning the ledger he's been after, but warns that its contents will incite both Norons and Sorons alike. Dae-gil gets the casino as promised, and as for the wish Golsa owes, he leaves the taking of it to Grandpa.
Grandpa wants revenge for the eye Golsa took from him when he was caught cheating, only to be caught off guard when Golsa gives him a formal bow of apology—it was an arrogant mistake he made when he was younger.
Surprisingly, Grandpa accepts his apology good-naturedly, which means smiles all around. Dae-gil is greeted by dozens of thankful merchants outside the casino, causing Prince Yeoning to note that he's become a hero.
"Don't you still need to thank me?" Dae-gil teases. Yeoning laughs and thanks him all the same, and the two part ways amicably.
Yeon-hwa is incensed to see Dae-gil leave with a crowd of cheering followers after taking her father's casino, but Golsa's already made peace with it. He'd rather focus on his daughter getting married, and wonders what she thinks about Dae-gil as a potential husband. She doesn't seem to hate the idea, at least.
Now it's all about that ledger and whose hands it falls into, with the ministers on Injwa's side determined to take it for themselves. Prince Yeoning delivers it to Councilor Kim, relieved that his name was not among those who gave bribes, took them, or witnessed them.
Now, he has to keep his promise to leave the matter of the ledgers to Councilor Kim, and step away from the matter. Judging by the shady look on the chief state councilor's face, Yeoning's trust may have been misplaced.
Dae-gil spends the evening in celebration with Grandpa and Seol-im, but the real party starts when Prince Yeoning arrives. He and Dae-gil drink way too many bottles of wine, and get adorably drunk together. Yeoning can tell Dae-gil's drunk when he refers to him as "Your Highness," since he never uses such formalities. Hah.
The revelry ends when Prince Yeoning is called back to the palace to meet with his father, who doesn't mince words as he asks his son why he and Dae-gil are close. Does he think Dae-gil is his friend? At his status?
"It was when I threw aside my position, status, and self-interests that my eyes were truly opened," Prince Yeoning explains, his voice steady. "It was then that I saw a friend in someone I didn't before. I was finally able to see the pain the people suffered, which I knew of but ignored."
King Sukjong says that that's all well and good, but is Yeoning willing to give his life for that friend of his? Is he willing to give his throne for the people? "If you cannot do those things, then that person is not your friend, nor are the people of this nation yours." More importantly, the king adds, it's time for his son to act according to his status.
Dae-gil has Seol-im to keep him company in Yeoning's absence, and we find the two staring up at the stars together. When Seol-im asks what Dae-gil's dream is, he flashes back to the crowd cheering him on as Yook Gwishin's casino burned.
"I don't know what my dream is," Dae-gil confesses. "But I think I'd like to become someone else's dream." Seol-im: "Can you become my dream?" He blinks at her as she explains that she'd rather have a dream she can make a reality rather than an unreachable goal, her meaning apparent to both of them.
And because neither of them really know how to proceed, they part ways for the evening on an awkward note. It's only then that Dae-gil becomes aware of another presence, who rounds the corner to make himself known.
It's Kejakdu, who throws his signature blade at Dae-gil to see how he reacts. Dae-gil catches the flying blade by its handle and throws it back, but he's much too slow for Kejakdu, who's already at his table by the time Dae-gil turns around.
"What are you going to do with Seol-im?" the gambler asks, only for Dae-gil to reply that she plans on leaving him. The gauntlet seemingly thrown between them, Kejakdu takes his leave, but not without calling his guards to account for getting themselves spotted by Dae-gil. (He's nice about it, at least.)
Seol-im sees Dae-gil off, unable to shake the madam's fateful curse. She's planning to heed the madam's advice and remove herself from everyone and everything, but is kidnapped with a hand over her mouth before she can go anywhere.
Grandpa finds a letter in her place, along with one of her straw shoes. Clearly, she left in a hurry.
Dae-gil shows up at his new casino the next morning, and receives a very reluctant greeting from Yeon-hwa, who says he'll never take her father's place. Dae-gil claims he has no need of it, and is there only to see to it that he grants Golsa the favor he asked of him.
But when he goes to Golsa's room, he finds the man lying in a pool of blood with Dam-seo standing above him, sword at the ready.
Even after seeing Dae-gil, she attempts to stab downward toward the prone form, only for Dae-gil to swat her blade away with his own. "What do you think you're doing?" he asks, holding his sword to her neck.
I'm going to go ahead and work off the assumption that Dam-seo isn't the murderer for three reasons: (1) The unwelcome visitor who came calling on Golsa wore white socks, (2) if his murderer came the night before, she/he wouldn't still be there murdering in the morning, and (3) it would just be way too obvious. Even for Jackpot.
I wasn't expecting the Golsa storyline to go by so quickly, especially since that means Dae-gil's beaten two of the three mini-bosses leading up to Injwa with very little effort on his part. Even so, I was surprised at how likable Golsa remained, which had much to do with him taking his loss so gracefully. Or maybe it's just because he got in a lick with Injwa about how one should lose gracefully, which is something that Injwa seems to know nothing about.
Already, the story seems to be setting itself up for the eventual face-off between our two brothers, which is something I'm more than happy to not think about at present. The two are absolutely lovable as friends, which seems to be a phase that the adults in their lives are all too ready to end. I get it on Injwa's side (by which I mean I don't get it, because I don't get him), but et tu, King Sukjong?
Though King Sukjong's presence in the story has been much more minimal than is deserved, I've really loved how he uses what little time he has to speak sense, which has become an increasingly rare commodity these days. Every time we see him he says something profound, and he's established himself as someone who, unlike Injwa, means every single word he says. Whether he's interfering with Yeoning and Dae-gil's relationship because he genuinely believes they can't be friends remains to be seen, but he does enjoy testing his favorite son's mettle, and this might just be another one of those tests.
And while I don't think Yeoning cares about the glory of it all yet, it seems as though Dae-gil is beginning to enjoy his newfound role as the people's champion. Maybe that's where their conflict will eventually stem from, since Yeoning is putting in just as much work as Dae-gil without the thanks and recognition Dae-gil enjoys. I mean, they're not going to end up fighting over something like a girl, right?
- Jackpot: Episode 12
- Jackpot: Episode 11
- Jackpot: Episode 10
- Jackpot: Episode 9
- Jackpot: Episode 8
- Jackpot: Episode 7
- Jackpot: Episode 6
- Jackpot: Episode 5
- Jackpot: Episode 4
- Jackpot: Episode 3
- Jackpot: Episode 2
- Jackpot: Episode 1
- Yeo Jin-gu as a young future king in Jackpot
- Jang Geun-seok as Joseon's top gambler in Jackpot
- Flipping tables against fate in SBS's Jackpot
- Hyun-woo added to Jackpot as King Gyeongjong
Tags: Choi Min-soo, Episode 13, featured, Im Ji-yeon, Jackpot, Jang Geun-seok, Yeo Jin-gu, Yoon Jin-seo
Required fields are marked *
Dam-seo seems like a piece of cardboard compared to Seol-im. I know the actress playing Dam-seo is good but the character is only so-so. I totally ship Dae-gil with Seol-im, they are so cute together. And I actually like Dam-seo with Yeoning. They have more chemistry together than Dae-gil and Dam-seo. Then again, YJG is just phenomenal and seems to have a chemistry with every character. And I knew Kejakdu would end up liking Seol-im (or at least caring about her to the point he doesn't want her to go) seeing the way he stood up for her and took her in. And really, how could anyone not like her, she's amazing. And I am loving Kim Sung-oh. He is just so hot. Yeo Jin-gu, Jang Geun-seok, Kim Sung-oh. Hmmm, yum.
Required fields are marked *
I like the forest scene of Yeoning with Dam seo. It was cute and they had some sparks between them ?
Required fields are marked *
I agree, Dam Seo's character is really not relatable.. After she left In Jwa's side, I wonder where she has gone to and who is she working for. And what is she doing at Gol Sa's place?
Like anybody else, I'm shipping Daegil-Seolim couple here. :)
Required fields are marked *
Dam -seo is a case of poor writing, Lim Ji Yeon is capable of better but the character is just poorly sketched.
Required fields are marked *
It's kind of upsetting that those merchants just thanked Dae Gil for saving them when it was Yeoning who burned those contract papers which made them slaves that other gambler guy. They just betrayed him by giving the books to Gol sa. Though dae gil beat yuk gwi shin(was that his name?!) in a gambling match it wasn't really his idea to free the merchants or he is not the one who killed gwi shin..! But Yeoning is humbled as ever by saying that Dae gil is a hero now. But I hope these these things won't make them turn against each other..
Required fields are marked *
It's not dae Gils fault lol but still was upsetting.. ;)
Required fields are marked *
Though I think dae gil should've thanked Yeoning for making way for him and saving his life. Not just seeking for thank you 's from yeoning. But well dae gil never had been that polite lol. But it was great to see that they were having some drinks and having fun. That was cute!
Required fields are marked *
I get where you are coming from but I don't think Yeoning was there to save Dae Gil's life.
Dae Gil could've easily kill those men but he doesn't want to kill anyone and he said that he hasn't killed a single person. Having Yeoning arrest them saves their lives because they would've given him no choice but to kill them to get to Gol Sa.
His goal is to cut Injwa's legs by exposing his 3 main money makers of their corruption. He is not after them to kill them but to take away their main source of power and free the people that they forced into slavery.
Most of them were commoners but because they rigged the games in their favor, these people couldn't pay their debt and end up being their slaves.
Required fields are marked *
i was talking about their fight with In jwa. :) i know dae gils goal at least for now. but still in the drama it is obvious Yeoning gets less credits than he deserves for what he did. it is the way the drama is written, since dae gil is the title character here. so it's always written on his favor.. so i have no problem with it. but still had to point out the ungratefulness of the merchants as they never thanked Yeoning for making them free.
I do agree that he is given less credit and I don't mind because Yeoning is not done with the merchants yet. They are free because Yook Gwishin was defeated and his exploits was revealed. Yeoning couldn't have done anything without proof. Dae Gil made it happen with plenty of eye witnesses.
We know Yeoning from history and we can see every future achievements that is being incorporated into the story that will make him shine as a king.
For now, I'm enjoying the people's prince taking down the baddies one by one.
I agree with you. but you know, people are like that. Most just look at the one doing all the action, and not the one orchestrating things behind the scene.
I certainly hope that being popular will not go to Daegil's head...cos that is exactly what Lee In Jwa hopes. Becos that would make Daegil consider the throne once he realises that he has a right to it. Of cos, we know that according to history, it is Yeoning who became king, but I don't want them to be bro-nemies!
Required fields are marked *
Team work! They both contributed and neither one could've done it alone without the other. Yeoning works from the inside and Dae Gil from the outside.
Dae Gil beating Yook Gwishin (Six Ghost) was a huge victory and the people were there to witness it. He didn't need to kill him. He was already exposed and ruined.
Yeo Jin-gu and Jang Geun-seok works well together. Totally digging their brotherly relationship.
Required fields are marked *
In teamwork the whole team should be appriciated in my humble opinion. Beating gwi sin in gambling match does not really mean the merchants are free from being slaves. I'm just blaming the merchants for being so ungrateful ? Despite that I'm also glad they have such bromance. ?
Required fields are marked *
I'm sad that Gol Sa died. He wasn't as bad as they made him out to be, and he is certainly not as bad as Yook Gwi Sin. At least he loves his daughter and has some honour. Even Kejakdu seems a pretty decent guy. I'm hoping that he'll not die and that he'll help Daegil and Yeoning out.
Required fields are marked *
Me too! I was really hoping Gol Sa would help DG and Yeoning now that it happened... I mean I get the feeling he didn't exactly love In Jwa, what with the holding of his daughter hostage... Plus the apology to Grandpa! I was pleasantly surprised at how Gol Sa was shown, and I'd hoped for him to stay alive but I guess In Jwa wouldn't have let him, not after threatening that he would pay a price for not being able to protect the casino.
Required fields are marked *
I actually think the king is trying to let Yeoning know that true friendship brings with it sacrifice, and sacrifice is not necessarily something a Yeoning, a prince of Joseon has ever had to make. Sukjong is asking if Yeoning would have Dae Gil's back when all hell turns loose, and he does so with the knowledge that both boys are brothers because he knows all hell is going to break and Yeoning needs to decide at that moment how deep their friendship goes. It helps with the response time should things hit the fan, if you've already defined your boundaries and are working with the notion that 'Yes, even to the point of death, Baek Dae Gil is my friend'.
Required fields are marked *
I agree, Itenoria, that Sukjong is setting up a theoretical question for Yeoning to think about ahead of when theory becomes practice. It's life experience versus idealism.
Required fields are marked *
I scrolled down first to dae gil and seol im part... Ah! poor seol im-ah loves him so much.. That shaman must be lying.. She is too cute n loving. How can she be unlucky for dae gil?? Their chemistry is awesome. ''Can you be my dream?'' ahh! She must be too hurt.. For happy ending Yeoning plz marry Dam Seo n my handsome prince plz be with seol im..
Required fields are marked *
Jackpot is a treasure of best actors. Even I could n't hate In jwa for his superb acting skills.. N its full of great bromance.. But JKS-YJG bromance is the best of all.. I cant see them being rivals though the time is coming soon.. I liked their drinking scene in this ep (my prince looked too cuuute then) and also the part when daegil aimed at In jwa.. But i think dam seo's part must be increased.. Thanks for the recaps.. Much more excited for ep 14..
Required fields are marked *
An important statement was overlooked in this recap. Remember just before Injwa leaves the casino? He tells Golsa that, having lost, his neck is now on the line. Injwa does not forgive his losing...or his standing up to Injwa.
For me, so far, the most confusing part of this drama is Injwa's actions against Daegil. I understand his hatred of Sukjong and wanting to bring down the current royal family and place Daegil on the throne. That's revenge. But why does he keep trying to get Daegil killed, i.e. offering 4 thousand nyang to anyone who kills Daegil?
Even if he believes Daegil, like the mythic Achilles, can't be killed, why does he keep tempting fate by throwing every deadly thing at the young man and yet still expect Daegil to one day turn to him? Or is it that Injwa never really expects Daegil to turn to him as a trusted ally but rather to turn so totally against Yeoninggun and Sukjong that can offer Daegil support? But why would Daegil, even then, trust someone who keeps trying to kill him? Injwa is truly one twisted character.
Required fields are marked *
Dae Gil called Injwa a coward to his face and I am with him. He can't face Sukjong head on because he is afraid of losing. Instead, he takes it out on his sons, especially Dae Gil.
In his twisted mind, he probably think Dae Gil will turn on his father and Yeoning once he finds out that he was abandoned although it was done to save his life.
Required fields are marked *
I just remember Yi In Jwa dream and he told about it to Dam Seo father. Something about utopia nation, where people being equal and power holds by people. Something like that. So I guess he wanted Dae Gil to be in his scenario as people representative, who grow stronger from the bottom. And he is the one who plays God and think, this kind of history, designed by him. To make Dae Gil to reach there, he tried to bring down Dae Gil to face death all time. That is his pathological bizarre way of thinking. Maybe he has the-Darwin-like theory: those who are stronger is the one who could adapt well. Or in the other words, the one who could survive from the most scary issue in life: death and pain.
Maybe, just maybe...
Required fields are marked *
When DG said he wanted to be someone's dream (I took it to mean that he wanted to do more good and great things do that people could aspire to be like him)... And Seol Im was looking at him all the while as he stared forward... And she quietly asked if he could be HER dream (which I take to assume is really not the same meaning as what he meant)...
I was all... ARGH. You two shipped together is MY dream! I really hope that they get some nice scenes together. The chemistry is just cracking!
As for In Jwa.... Man he never admits a mistake does he? He covers it all up with cryptic words, "oh no I didn't come to do this actually, I came to do that"; get off your high horse if you please, mister.
So glad I didn't drop this show even though it was pretty shaky in the beginning! Now that DG is such a strong character and the bromance is really bringing on the feels... I'm hanging onto every episode and I can't wait for new episodes!
Required fields are marked *
I keep telling myself to accept the fact that Baek Daw Gil will end up with Dam Seo,so as not to be disappointed when it happens,but whenever i see Seol Im she completely wins me all over again.What are the writers doing?If they are going for Dae Gil-Dam Seo shouldn't they have made a better job selling it by now?As for In Jwa, i completely agree.He's like a spoiled little brat,trying to convince us everything he does,even his utter failures are all part of an elaborate plan.Guess what In Jwa (writers),you are not convincing anyone!
Required fields are marked *
Thank you Heads for the recap! Love this episode and I'm dropping my guard and enjoying the rest of the show. Maybe I'd even go back and rewatch the earlier episodes.
So far I love the writer's take on Sukjong and the royal family. He is fantastic here as a father and king. I couldn't have asked for a better actor than Choi Min Soo.
I'm so glad that his queens and concubines are not the focus here but his sons. He is a much better father than husband.
I'm having "Eight Days" flashback with Kim Chang-jip getting involved with Yeoning's fight with Injwa. I like it that he has political backers but nothing is free. They'll give and take until he is indebted to them. Slavery comes in different forms.
If there is going to be any conflicts between Dae Gil and Yeoning, I hope big brother Yoon would step in and be the peacemaker. He is growing on me.
Required fields are marked *
I'm worried about Cutter's intentions for Seol-Im. I hope Dae-gil is as worried as he should be about Cutter.
The eyeball forgiveness thing was touching~
I do think that I'd like to become someone else's dream." A rather simple and romantic thought in an era that had little room for such sentiments.
I hope the half bros have half a chance to realize their bromance.
All in all, I am enjoying Dae-gil's systematic approach to get to Injwa.
Required fields are marked *
I like this episode very much. Now the two brothers enjoyed working together as a team and they very comfortable with each other. I think Daegil happy that those he help is free to chose on their own free will, he understand what they been through. I'm glad Yeoning is becoming less formal and more closer to the ordinary people.
Required fields are marked *


text:
Michigan Hilariously Trolls Ohio State Over 'THE' Trademark Attempt
Michigan Hilariously Trolls Ohio State Over 'THE' Trademark Attempt
You knew it was coming ... the University of Michigan is hilariously roasting the hell outta its big-time rival, Ohio State ... mocking the school's recent application to trademark the word "THE."
News of the weird trademark attempt broke yesterday ... when attorney Josh Gerben noticed OSU -- which always likes to refer to itself as THE Ohio State University -- filed with the intent to make merch with the distinction.
The school's been getting made fun of ever since ... and now the Buckeyes' archnemesis is getting in on the fun.
— University of Michigan (@UMich) August 14, 2019 @UMich
Boom. Roasted.
Of course, if you're not familiar with the rivalry, these schools absolutely HATE each other ... and have crazy traditions, like OSU crossing out all "M"s on campus during Michigan week in the football season.
Gotta love college rivalries!!!


text:
John Nott was the Minister of Defence at the time of the Falklands. He actually played a large role in persuading the Argentines of the lack of priority held by Britain towards the islands. In his short time at the MoD he had instituted savage cuts on the military in general and the Royal Navy in particular. They were being asked to reduce the size of their surface fleet from 59 ships to 50. Even more worrying for the islanders was the fact that HMS Endurance was earmarked to be scrapped when it returned from its annual tour of the South Atlantic in 1982 and that it categorically would not be replaced. As the prime military commitment to the Falkland Islands, this was a devastating blow to the islanders and seemed to illustrate a lack of commitment to their defence. It was clarified that the Royal Marine detachment would continue to be deployed there but that was nowhere near as high a profile as HMS Endurance provided. Besides, without a ship to move them around, the Royal Marines' strategic abilities to deal with issues on South Georgia or even to West Falkland would have been severely compromised.
Nott offered his resignation to Margaret Thatcher after the Argentine invasion but unlike, Lord Carrington, he was persuaded to stay on for the duration of the conflict. He became famous throughout Britain for delivering press briefings in an when the media was tightly controlled. He delivered much of the significant news of the campaign, positive and negative. He stood down as Minister of Defence six months after the war and did not seek re-election in the 1983 election. His autobiography was published as: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow |
Falklands War | Falklands War Individuals
Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames


text:
Opal Vase – Brown Small
Opal Vase – Brown Small
Opal Vase – Brown Small by Kristina Dam.
A small brown topaz coloured glass vase with soft rounded curves and a minimalist expression. The Opal beige vase is a stunning piece of danish designed glassware. A sculptural and soft colored vase with a clean-cut look ideal for the modern home interior.
The small Opal Vase in a neat brown topaz colour. Vase-design from Kristina Dam Studio. The small Opal glass-vase is truely a piece of glassware that will draw the attention of the viewer. Because a vase is just not only a vase. A simple and useful glassware vase and the perfect vessel for all type of flowers. The smooth brown topaz paint gives the small glass vase a retrogressive look. The opal vase is made of double layered mouth-blown glass that gives it the distinctive rounded shape that is the key feature of the entire Opal Vase series.
Item in stock. 1 unit left in stock.


text: HomeReportsInternational Religious Freedom Reports...Custom Report - d3a0a65bcd hide International Religious Freedom Reports Custom Report Excerpts: Madagascar Office of International Religious Freedom Sort by Country Sort by Section In this section / Madagascar Section I. Religious Demography Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework Government Practices Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom Madagascar Section I. Religious Demography The U.S. government estimates the total population at 25.6 million (July 2018 estimate). According to the last national census in 1993, 52 percent adheres to indigenous beliefs, 41 percent is Christian, and 7 percent is Muslim. It is common to alternate between religious identities or to mix traditions, and many individuals hold a combination of indigenous and Christian or Muslim beliefs. Muslim leaders and local scholars estimate Muslims currently constitute between 20 and 25 percent of the population. Muslims predominate in the northwestern coastal areas and Christians predominate in the highlands. According to local Muslim religious leaders and secular academics, the majority of Muslims are Sunni. Citizens of ethnic Indian and Pakistani descent and Comorian immigrants represent the majority of Muslims, although there is a growing number of ethnic Malagasy converts. Local religious groups state nearly half of the population is Christian. The four principal Christian groups are Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and the Presbyterian Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM Church). Smaller Christian groups include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, and a growing number of local evangelical Protestant denominations. There are small numbers of Hindus and approximately 360 Jews in the country. Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework The constitution provides for freedom of religious thought and expression and prohibits religious discrimination in the workplace. Other laws protect individual religious freedom against abuses by government or private actors. The constitution states that such rights may be limited by the need to protect the rights of others or to preserve public order, national dignity, or state security. The labor code prohibits religious discrimination in labor unions and professional associations. The law requires religious groups to register with the Ministry of the Interior. By registering, a religious group receives the legal status necessary to receive direct bequests and other donations. Once registered, the group may apply for a tax exemption each time it receives a gift from abroad. Registered religious groups also have the right to acquire land from individuals to build places of worship; however, the law states landowners should first cede the land back to the state, and the state will then transfer it to the religious group. To qualify for registration, a group must have at least 100 members and an elected administrative council of no more than nine members, all of whom must be citizens. Groups failing to meet registration requirements may instead register as "simple associations." Simple associations may not receive donations or hold religious services, but the law allows them to conduct various types of community and social projects. Associations engaging in dangerous or destabilizing activities may be disbanded or have their registration withdrawn. Simple associations must apply for a tax exemption each time they receive a donation from abroad. If an association has foreign leadership and/or members, it may form an association "reputed to be foreign." An association is reputed foreign only if the leader or members of the board include foreign nationals. Such foreign associations may receive only temporary authorizations, subject to periodic renewal and other conditions. The law does not prohibit national associations from having foreign nationals as members. Public schools do not offer religious education. There is no law prohibiting or limiting religious education in public or private schools. The government requires a permit for all public demonstrations, including religious events such as outdoor worship services. The country is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Government Practices As of July media reported an increase in requests for nationality certificates following promulgation in 2017 of a new law enabling a woman to transmit her nationality regardless of her marital status. The legal specialist from the NGO Focus Development reported the court in Antananarivo alone had delivered more than 1,500 certificates since this legal reform. She did not indicate the number of Muslims among those beneficiaries. The new code of nationality did not address the problem of children born of two stateless parents; these individuals remained unable to obtain citizenship, even after several generations of residence in the country. Under the nationality code, children with unknown parentage were to be evaluated based on appearance, ethnicity, and other factors. Muslim leaders continued to state the nationality code affected the Muslim community disproportionately, as many members were descendants of immigrants and were unable to acquire the country's nationality, despite generations of residence in the country. Children of ethnic Indian, Pakistani, and Comorian descent often had difficulty obtaining citizenship, leaving a disproportionate number of Muslims stateless. A 2014 study by Focus Development and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated that approximately 6 percent of individuals in the communities surveyed were stateless and of this number, more than 85 percent were born in the country. The Ministry of the Interior registered 49 new religious groups during the year, an increase from 17 registrations in the previous year, bringing the total to a reported 345 officially registered groups. Religious groups stated the government did not always enforce registration requirements and did not deny requests for registration. In addition, the government acknowledged that some registered groups may have become inactive or have dissolved without informing the government. Religious leaders continued to state that inadequate government enforcement of labor laws resulted in some employers requiring their employees to work during religious services. Faith-based social centers receiving vulnerable workers and labor unions continued to report that employers failed to respect the labor code provisions requiring a 24-hour break weekly, which affected factory workers' ability to attend worship services. The leadership of the Muslim Malagasy Association, which states it represents all Muslims in the country, reported some Muslims continued to report difficulty obtaining official documents such as national identity cards and passports because of their Arabic-sounding names. State-run Malagasy National Television continued to provide free broadcasting to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and to Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Presbyterians on weekends, along with the Muslim community once a week. During Ramadan, the Muslim community was able to purchase additional airtime. The leader of a well-known local evangelical Christian church reported his church rarely received access to the state-run television and radio, even if it agreed to pay for the broadcast time. Because religion and politics are often closely linked, it was difficult to categorize many incidents as being solely based on religious identity. The media stated that politicians sought to use religion and religious events to increase their visibility ahead of the presidential elections scheduled to occur by the end of the year. Several prospective candidates appeared in larger religious events such as the 50th anniversary of the FJKM Church, the eighth annual Catholic youth assembly, and other smaller religious events and gatherings. Several media outlets criticized what they called an obvious intent to use religious occasions as a tool to target and attract potential voters through their religious affiliation. In August the central committee of the church council FFKM (composed of the four biggest Christian churches of the country) released a communique urging citizens of voting age to make the best choice during the upcoming presidential elections. The communique described the ideal candidate as a person who believes in God as defined by Christianity. Many observers viewed the communique as referring to traditional or mainstream Christianity and as aiming to denigrate and exclude a specific candidate who was the founder and leader of a local evangelical Christian church with what observers described as nontraditional views. In October, however, Catholic bishops announced during the official closing of a youth general gathering in Mahajanga that the Catholic Church (part of the FFKM) deliberately avoided endorsing any presidential candidate. Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom Members of the Muslim community in Mahajanga reported the public generally associated them with Islamists and extremists, in addition to labeling them with other negative stereotypes. In June Catholic Cardinal-designate Tsarahazana Desire reportedly warned a Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need, that "extremist Islam was being introduced" to Madagascar, stating that radical groups from the Gulf States and Pakistan were "buying people" and funding large numbers of foreign Muslims to enter the country, as well as planning to build 2,600 mosques. He also stated that women in the north were being paid to wear a burqa in public in order to advertise the expansion of Islam. These and similar allegations had circulated repeatedly since 2016, but several locally based diplomats and journalists who investigated the allegations stated they were untrue. Members of the Muslim community and adherents of some evangelical Protestant churches, especially those celebrating their Sabbath on a Saturday, stated they were sometimes denied access to employment, and believed it was due to their religious affiliation. Members of the small Jewish community, however, reported a general improvement of their interaction with society; examples included increased acceptance by members of their local community and increased acceptance of their children at local schools. In August a newspaper reported a parish priest from a Catholic church in Antananarivo had denounced the deliberate destruction of statutes of the Virgin Mary on the national roads. He said unknown individuals destroyed the statues for unknown reasons and described such acts as hatred and disrespect towards Catholicism. Edit Your Custom Report