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The world of gadgets is awfully vast and attractive. From time to time, different devices from various companies are introduced. inventive ideas have given a new face to mobile technology and enhanced consumer experience.
In 2009, Samsung brought a big change in the world of smartphones by introducing the Android based galaxy series. This series featured various smartphones powered by Google's android operating system.The first handset of this series was introduced in 2009 and carried perfect specifications for attracting various users. The popularity of this series was extremely high after one year of its introduction. Various high as well as low end devices with attractive features were released to cater different customer needs. Technically, the wide range of devices from this brand played a major role in creating a trend for smartphones and gadgets.
Kingsey Falls Samsung Galaxy
Kingsey Falls Samsung Galaxy
7 out of
10 with
40 reviews
Popularity among people in YT
Samsung devices became extremely popular at an international level. Since 2009, their sales have increased a lot. From Galaxy Y to S5, various in Kingsey Falls devices were featured under this series. Today, these devices are the heart of Asian smartphone market. They feature a perfect combination of reliability, performance and cost efficiency. As compared to other brands, this company has improved very quickly with its android based devices. Their effective battery and attractive UI gives best experience to regular mobile users.
Design and build of the devices
This series featured a perfect combination of design and build quality. As compared to other devices, these smartphones are much better in terms of looks and appearance. Their compact look and variable designs attracted millions of customers. You can easily get perfect screen size with a sleek and classy look.
Samsung brought a big improvement by introducing this series. Unlike other companies, they provided best combination of efficiency and reliability. Users not only love effective performance of the devices, but also appreciate friendly customer service from the company. In last five years, galaxy K, S, Y, M, Note and many other devices were introduced by the company. Proper support from android also helped in enhancing the performance of these devices.
Samsung Galaxy Tab in Yukon Territory
Although the iPad 2 is the undisputed leader in the tablet segment, there are plenty of other devices that deserve more than a second look. For instance, there is Motorola's Xoom and RIM's BlackBerry Playbook. However, the most viable alternative seems to be the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. It is the next evolution after the success of the original Samsung GalaxyTab which featured the first tablet implementation of the Android operating system. This time around, though, it will use the newest Honeycomb version of Android – a specially designed OS with a tablet-friendly user interface.
This latest model presents a big leap forward in terms of features. The central processing unit is NVIDIA's highly regarded 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2. The screen real estate is larger at 10.1″, with a generous resolution of 1280 x 800, ensuring sharp visuals. It also comes with BlueTooth and GPS modules. The rear camera has a 3MP sensor that can do 720p video recording, while the front-facing camera has a 2MP sensor, handy for video conferencing and similar applications. The Samsung Tablet 10.1 will be offered in two variants according to Internet connectivity options: WiFi and 3G. It weighs a mere 1.25 pounds compared to the iPad2's 1.33 pounds. As for thickness, it also blows away the competition, coming in at a razor thin 8.66mm. Perhaps the best attribute of this mobile device is its excellent battery life, with a 7000mAh module that can provide up to 9hrs of video and 72hrs of music.
The 10.1 will be available starting June 8. The grand launch will be held at Best Buy's New York outlet. For other retailers, availability will commence on June 17. The 3G variant will appear by the end of the summer season. The European launch date is yet to be determined.
With such a fantastic list of specs, people might think that its price is out of reach for them to buy the Samsung tablet in Canada. This is far from the truth, however, as the prices are quite reasonable at $499 for 16GB of storage and $599 for the much roomier 32GB version. Note that the prices quoted are for the Wi-Fi only model.
If a feature comparison is to be made among all the leading tablets in Canada, there is no doubt that the Galaxy Tab will come out supreme. Its NVIDIA dual-core CPU is accompanied by graphics technology with enough muscle for advanced gaming. The graphic interface provides unparalleled user experience thanks to the Honeycomb OS. Every application can be launched and operated without any difficulty. Those who enjoy browsing videos on YouTube and playing online games will be glad to know that it fully supports Flash.
The Samsung GalaxyTablet has a bigger and better screen than the iPad 2 – perfect for HD playback. The TouchWiz custom UI and capacitive screen combine for unmatched responsiveness. Anyone looking for a good Android tablet for mobile computing and connectivity should give it a try.
So, if you want a sleek and stylish smartphone in Kingsey Falls, go get a Samsung galaxy now. Many popular mega stores are selling these devices at affordable rates. Their reasonable prices and effective performance can give one of the best smartphone experience of your life. This series has established a long term relation with many smartphone users.New buyers will definitely see positive reviews and appreciation of high end devices.
Samsung Galaxy in Canada
Samsung Galaxy S5 Takes Smart Phones to Another Level
A few years back, when Apple launched its first iPhone, it took the market by storm. People loved this innovation as it provided them a feeling of ease, luxury and style this is the reason Apple got success in getting millions of loyal customers who are always ready to welcome any product launched by Apple. Be it a new phone of iPhone series, iPad or iPod etc. People have always shown their interest in buying these products. Apple enjoyed this love from its customers for some time until Samsung came up with its Galaxy S smart phone series.
Samsung is a big name in the electronic world. It has its own share in the market and has a range of products including televisions, kitchen accessories, notebooks and smart phones etc. However, Samsung has its own identity in the electronics market, but it was way behind in the mobile market until the launch of its Galaxy S series which gave it a new identity and place in the market.
It would not be wrong if we say that Samsung is the only company that is giving a tough competition to Apple's iPhone. The market share of Samsung is increasing with every passing day. All because, it is becoming improved and better with every new device, this is why people are now shifting towards Samsung. In fact, a number of iPhone users have also shown interest in Samsung's Galaxy S series phones and are switching towards it from the iPhone. There can be many other reasons for this shift, but one thing is for sure and that's the difference which Samsung is creating in the market with its gadgets. If we talk about the new Samsung Galaxy S5, we can easily get answer to this question that why people are choosing Samsung over others.
Samsung Galaxy S5 is the new phone of the Galaxy S series. It has some marvelous features which ultimately makes it a better and powerful phone of this year
Samsung Galaxy S4 carries several features common among its competitors. However, some of them are unique enough to take into special consideration. One such feature is the Smart Stay. This feature is not new to the S4, but it is much better implemented than before.
Smart Stay is an eye-tracking technology that tracks you when you look at the screen and dims the screen or puts the phone to sleep if you are not looking at it. While the last version was patchy, this new version works nearly perfectly.
Another big feature is Smart Scroll, which once again tracks your eyes and moves text up and down depending on where on the screen your eyes are focused. Moreover, you can achieve the same thing by tilting your head up and down, although the movement has to be pretty strong. It is not a very practical feature and is far from perfect.
In terms of pure performance, Galaxy S4 unsurprisingly delivers on all counts. Despite the strong performance, the smartphone offers a pretty decent battery life. It is able to handle almost anything thrown at it while its battery runs all day. The 4G video streaming in full brightness for 10 minutes drops battery life by 3% and audio streaming over Bluetooth speakers for 10 minutes drops the battery by 1%.
Despite some flaws that make it less of a standout phone in its category, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a strong, worthy smartphone capable of several tasks.
You can now sell Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone at amazing rates with 24 hours payment guarantee. All you have to do is find your device in the list, enter the details, and get an instant quote. If the price is as per your expectations, you just need to pack your Samsung Galaxy S3 or Samsung Galaxy S4, avail free shipping option, and get paid within 24 hours.


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Today we announced the opening of our new office in London!
Investment in email marketing continues to grow at a rapid pace in the UK and Europe, and we have seen increasing demand in the region for Agile Email Marketing technology and services. According to Econsultancy, the UK market for email marketing platforms and services alone was worth an estimated £495 million by the end of 2013, and has been growing at 13 percent year-over-year.
The new office is located at Gilmoora House, 57-61 Mortimer St, London, W1W 8HS and establishes a base for us in Europe to better serve European marketing leaders. If you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hello!

subset: commoncrawl


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The Marble Bust Vending Machine
I saw this gashapon vending machine in Akihabara the other night, and stopped dead in my tracks, trying to imagine what kind of kid would pester his mom for $4.00 to try for a little plastic statue with a piece of gum stuck to its head.
Turns out, a Japanese movie with the catchy title "Thermae Romae" is in theatres right now, and because the time traveling "Roman" (played, of course by popular Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe) suddenly pops up in a modern-day Japanese bath, the promo items feature statues with onsen-style washcloths balanced on their heads, washing their hair with faces protected by Japanese lather shields, or mysteriously carting around koi fish.
Mommy, pleeeeeeez?! All my friends have one!
If you'd like to visit the Akihabara area the next time you're in Tokyo, maps are on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had.
Read a novel set in Tokyo…


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010
OT: A Cat's Training Methods
True story. Sans sound effects. I had to help her up the last steps afterwards, because she didn't want to be hissed at in the face again. I swear the cat laughed. "Myah, myah!"
Speaking of sounds, I found this very odd "Martha Stewart Collection" (lol) dog toy bat thingy. It has multiple squeakers wrapped up in one ball, so they squeak in synch, with this demented and ghostly wailing, keening, crying sound. The moment I squeaked it in the store, my husband and I locked eyes and grinned: it was too weird to NOT get. And River loves it, even though her jaws aren't strong enough yet to get it to squeak for herself.
If you see one at the store, yourself, give it a slow squeak and you'll see what I mean.
On a related note, sorry about the high-pitched puppy barks in the background of vent last night, btw, guildies >_> She was generally well-behaved through the raid, only getting into trouble once when she discovered the toilet paper roll in the bathroom, and I had to spend Sindragosa with a raccoon-squeaky trapped under my leg in the chair so she could pull and growl at it while I raided.
Rawr, squeaky. Rawr.
11 comments:
- Dr. Cynicism said...
New puppies seem to fear cats above all else... it's like a living vacuum cleaner to them, hehe.
LOL @ apologizing for background puppy barks over Vent. Some clever blogger could make an entire blog centered around Vent background noises. I've heard it all, animals yelping, babies crying, spouses yelling, parents punishing, the list is endless. And so NEEDED during those tough progression grinds to break up the seriousness!
Love it, haha!
- September 8, 2010 at 12:52 PM
- Kae said...
Our holy paladin had his toddler chanting something in the background, last night. Dunno what, but it was cute :) ...and far less ear-splitting than River trying to get my attention.
- September 8, 2010 at 1:46 PM
What breed of dog is River?
I'm guessing Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute?
- September 8, 2010 at 7:17 PM
- Kae said...
Malamute :) Love the breed. Smart, tricksy, friendly, and fluffy!
- September 8, 2010 at 7:35 PM
- Theladas said...
And see, Kae? Puppy-post makes bubbles better. Hurray!
- September 8, 2010 at 11:51 PM
I've always wanted a Husky or Malamute (but live in Australia so the weather is a concern)!
I heard that Malamutes had a lot of issues around small animals (cats) - perhaps it's a fallacy?
And how is she to train? I've heard they are quite independant and stubborn!
How do you find her energy requirements? How long are you spending outdoors running around like nuts?
- September 9, 2010 at 1:11 AM
- Kae said...
Mals can be raised to respect other creatures, at least those they know are "family" (or at least off-limits). For example, based on River's reactions so far, my house-cats will be fine... but any neighborhood cat she might later catch in the backyard is another story. We weren't able to adopt an older Mal because of the risk to our cats.
As far as training, Mals are highly intelligent. They *get* it, but may decide they just don't want to do it... so yeah, stubborn :D This was actually bred INTO them because, as sled dogs, they needed to be able to make their own decisions about whether or not master's orders to cross that thin ice over there were worth following.
Mals are notoriously lazy. She gets in her running-about, then crashes for a while... wakes up later, wants to play again for a little bit. She needs some exercise, naturally, but not as much as some other working breeds. More than not, she just needs puzzles to solve... like getting food out of a soda bottle or box :) We've tried to avoid spending too much time outside, because our backyard is a pit of mosquitoes!
- September 9, 2010 at 8:27 AM
- Theladas said...
I read your comment, and suddenly realized exactly what it must be like to be you.
"I do what? When did I- oh..."
- September 9, 2010 at 5:43 PM
- Kae said...
Wait, what? O_o
- September 9, 2010 at 8:27 PM
- Theladas said...
"Mals can be raised to respect other creatures,"
I can be, eh? Well, I guess I knew that, but why is that part of the comment world? Oh, wait, Malamute =/= Malicave.
Just as Kae =/= 'Kay, I was thrown at first.
- September 10, 2010 at 9:36 PM
- Kae said...
I see. Kae is slow, apparently :D
- September 10, 2010 at 11:52 PM


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China goes green with rare earth plea
We're trying to save the planet, man...
China played the green card yesterday in an apparent bid to settle the on-going dispute over its throttling of rare earth exports, offering foreign firms the chance to co-develop the industry there in a more environmentally-friendly manner.
The People's Republic has maintained for some time that its decision to limit the amount of the sought-after minerals which can be mined and exported in the country was taken to protect the planet and safeguard supplies for the future.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology chief engineer Zhu Hongren pointed to the "disorderly development of the rare earth industry" to date, according to a China Daily report.
The recovery rate for rare earths is less than 50 per cent," he told a news conference yesterday. "In some illegal mines, the rate is as low as 20 per cent. So if we can't control and manage illegal activities, there will be significant damage to plant life and underground water supplies."
This stance has angered the US, Europe and Japan who have all filed complaints to the World Trade Organisation.
Critics argue that China is using the green argument as cover while it artificially drives up prices for the so-called rare earths, of which over 90 per cent of the world's production comes from the People's Republic.
The end game, they argue, is to force foreign manufacturers to relocate their manufacturing bases to the country in order to circumvent the rising costs of the minerals brought about by the tightening regulations.
At the same press conference, Zhu repeated China's invitation to "advanced foreign companies with strong technology and capital" to jointly develop the rare earth industry in the country, but put a green spin on the offer in an apparent bid to satisfy the WTO.
"The US, Japan and Europe's [capabilities] in environmental management, recycling, technology research and development of high-end applications are welcome in China," he said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
This apparent olive branch could work in two ways, of course, cementing China's green credentials with the WTO while encouraging more lucrative foreign investment in the country.
Ministry of Commerce stats published in the WSJ show China's rare earth exports have dropped from around 65,000 tons in 2004/5 to just 30,000 in 2010/11, however the China Daily report claims that plenty of rare earth deposits exist outside of the People's Republic.
The country has only 30 per cent of world reserves – down from 50 per cent two years ago – and in fact only half of its export quota was even met last year, the state-run newspaper claimed.
While these figures are likely to have been massaged, there are clearly other options for tech manufacturers who rely on the minerals to build their kit.
It all depends on whether China is really going to allow the price of its rare earths to rise so high that it becomes more economical for these customers to look closer to home for their supply. ®
Sponsored: Detecting cyber attacks as a small to medium business


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赚钱微信提现的消消乐The USI Children's Learning Center's objective is to offer an environment that encourages children to develop their capabilities and interests at their own pace and according to their individual needs. Our staff recognize the uniqueness of each and every child and provide positive encouragement for the child's continued growth.
The Children's Learning Center is State Licensed and NAEYC Accredited.


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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Giants are going big in the draft.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Giants are going big in the draft.
A day after taking offensive tackle Justin Pugh in the first round, the Giants put pounds on their disappointing defensive line with the selection of run-stopping Ohio State tackle Johnathan Hankins.
Hankins is another big body. He is 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds and he was an every-down player for the Buckeyes this past season, starting all 12 games.
There were some concerns about his stamina heading into the draft, but the Giants weren't concerned Friday after making the pick.
Marc Ross, the team's director of college scouting, said Hankins is a bit of a rarity with his combination of size and mobility. He also downplayed the stamina issue, noting it was not surprising a 325-pounder would tire playing roughly 60 plays a game.
"The way I am at 325 pounds, you don't see too many big guys run from side to side, making plays," Hankins said in an interview from his home near Detroit. "I feel like I am probably one of the best. I am going to keep working hard and continue to be good."
Hankins said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer didn't take his starters off the field much this past season so he played almost every down, finishing the season with 55 tackles and a sack.
If there is a perceived weakness, it's his pass-rushing ability. He had five sacks in three seasons, with three coming in 2011.
"I can rush the passer," Hankins said. "One of my strong points is I can stop the run. I am working on my pass rush, the techniques. I am working on getting that a lot better so I can be a complete D-tackle."
Ross said the Giants felt Hankins was a first-round talent.
"The pass rush isn't his strength," Ross said. "Right now he is a two-down run stopper and we'll develop his pass rush."
New York (9-7) ranked 31st overall on defense last season. It allowed an average of 129.1 yards rushing and 254.3 passing.
The New York Giants have taken Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore in the third round of the NFL draft.
Moore played the same joker position at Texas A&M that Von Miller, who has been one of the league's top defensive players since joining the Denver Broncos, played for the Aggies. The position is a combination rush linebacker and defensive end.
Moore had 26 � sacks in three seasons with the Aggies.


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What happens in The Miracle Worker?
In The Miracle Worker, twenty-one-year-old Annie Sullivan teaches a young Helen Keller how to read. Helen was left deaf and blind by an early childhood illness. Sullivan teaches Helen to use American sign language and helps her understand the world around her.
In her early years, Helen Keller was isolated by her disabilities, unable to comprehend the world around her. She was prone to throwing tantrums and running into things and was at one point institutionalized.
Annie Sullivan, a young woman who has just completed her own education at the Perkins Institute for the Blind, is hired as a governess for Helen.
- Through the use of sign language and stern teachings, Annie finally teaches Helen how to use language. At the end of the play, Helen herself goes to the Perkins Institute to begin her education.
Download The Miracle Worker Study Guide
(Society and Self, Critical Representations in Literature)
The Miracle Worker recounts Helen Keller's discovery of language, through the teaching of Annie Sullivan, after losing her sight and hearing in early childhood. It was produced as a television play in 1957, was published in 1957, was produced as a stage play in 1960 and as a movie in 1962.
The story is set in the Keller family home in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In the opening scene, the family learns that baby Helen will survive a life-threatening fever. Her mother Kate, however, discovers the terrible price of Helen's survival when she realizes that the baby cannot see or hear. When Helen is six, her father is inclined to institutionalize her, but Kate wishes to search for better medical care. Alexander Graham Bell considers Helen's case but cannot help. Finally, the Kellers contact the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston; the director sends Annie to them.
When Annie first encounters Helen, the child has never been disciplined. Isolated in silence and darkness, Helen wanders the house and is prone to tantrums. Annie has herself been institutionalized, so she sympathizes with the urgency Kate feels about Helen. Annie is also blind, so she knows partly what Helen's world is like. She knows that the key to Helen's transformation is language. Annie succeeds in teaching Helen to finger-spell several words, realizing that her pupil understands this activity only as a memorization game—Helen does not understand that the sequences of letters have meaning. Meanwhile, Annie begins the task of teaching Helen manners. Lacking words, Helen expresses her emotions through actions, smashing objects when she is angry and striking people when frustrated. Annie responds with patience and determination.
The Keller family must also be taught to help Helen. Out of pity and guilt, they have allowed the child to rule the household, as Annie observes. To avoid enraged outbursts, family members indulge Helen's misbehavior. With difficulty, Annie persuades the Kellers to give her two weeks of isolation with Helen in the garden house. During this time, she makes progress only to see it erode upon returning to the main house; family members are unwilling to enforce the new rules.
In a crucial encounter, Helen pours out a pitcher of water in rage; Annie takes her forcibly to the pump to refill it and out of habit finger-spells "water" as Helen feels liquid gush over her hand. Suddenly, Helen understands that things have names, and that she can learn them through this new game and communicate her inner world to others. In the closing scene, Kate, Helen, and Annie go to the Perkins Institute. Helen is no longer isolated.
(Critical Survey of Literature for Students)
One-and-a-half-year-old Helen Keller is sick with acute congestion and a high fever. She makes it through the ordeal, but after the doctor leaves, her parents, Captain Arthur and Kate Keller, are horrified to discover that the illness left Helen deaf and blind. Five years pass and the Keller family is unable to find any doctor, teacher, or quack who can do anything to help Helen. The undisciplined, groping, curious girl is left to her own devices, grabbing toys from other children, knocking papers off...
(The entire section is 1,742 words.)


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As the wheels of Nintendo's next console slowly begin to spin, commenter Wrackune suggests the Wii is the greatest Nintendo console gifted to man thus far in today's Speak-Up on Kotaku.
Now that the Wii's time is nearing its end, I'm saying this: The Wii is Nintendo's best home console. When I say this, I speak from a Nintendo console line comparatively, not about how the Wii stacks up against its competition.
The Wii has a sea of shovelware, but no one is making you buy any of it. It has terrible online support, but were you scorned by a game's lack of it? You didn't buy Zelda hoping for some kind of online feature. You didn't really buy Super Smash Bros. Brawl to find randoms online to beat. The Wii's library has a solid 30 games with which you can't go wrong, so who's still complaining about lack of software? It wasn't sold at some exorbitant price and it hasn't ignored its main franchises, or for that matter, detracted from them (if the thought of Metroid: Other M nauseates you, then play Metroid Prime: Trilogy). I'm not even including the fact that it's backwards compatible and has Virtual Console to fill in the old gaps as a reason either.
The Wii has many faults, sure, but only when compared to its competition, which is true for the Xbox and PS3. I can happily say I've enjoyed the Wii in its lifetime more than any other Nintendo home console I've purchased.
Who has honestly bought a Wii and regretted it? If you have, why? How has it failed to top what its predecessors have done?
About Speak-Up on Kotaku: Our readers have a lot to say, and sometimes what they have to say has nothing to do with the stories we run. That's why we have a forum on Kotaku called Speak-Up. That's the place to post anecdotes, photos, game tips and hints, and anything you want to share with Kotaku at large. Every weekday we'll pull one of the best Speak-Up posts we can find and highlight it here.


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I recently put together a Birthday Party for my Relief Society and thought it came together so well that I'd share it with ya'll.
I got most of my inspiration and decoration from {Sugar Tot Designs} who put together all these free printables just for us! So sweet.
I used part of her design to give out this invitation to each sister. Here is a {PDF} or {Word Doc} of it. You'll have to download the fonts I used to see it like this. They are Abermarle Swash and Cinnamon Cake.
I also created this print out to put up on the board to advertise. {PDF} {Word Doc} I had it printed at Office Max and make a little paper bunting to hang across the top at an angle. Should have snapped a pic of it. It was simple, but super cute.
Then, I found this printable quote at {chocolate on my cranium} and edited it to fit my color scheme. If you'd like to print this one, just click on the pciture and print it.
Here it is in action on our food table, surrounded by flowers in a mason jar, lemon heads in an apothecary, and a pail full of getting to know you questions. I thought it looked pretty cute.
We also decided to create little bookmark type handouts to put at each seat for the sisters to take home. Here's a {PDF}.
We kept things really simple with pink tableclothes and jars of flowers on each table.
The ceiling made it kinda fun. I strung balloons attached to ribbons acroos the ceiling, along with streamers.
We had the tables set up in a circle and had sisters only sit on the outside so everyone could see and hear everyone else. That made it easier to listen to each other as we each answered our "getting to know you" questions.
I made this bunting using paper and curling ribbon and double stick tape. Super easy, and dressed it up a little.
And of course, the cake had one to match.
All the cakes got little flags to match as well.
I thought this tres leches cake from Sam's Club was worth every penny! Super cute and we didn't have to make it!
The night turned out great. Good food, good company, and good times listening to people answer interesting questions about themselves.
It was a really low key evening, but that's kind of what made it nice.


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Mortgage Insurance Premium
This is an insurance premium on the mortgage for the bank of finance Company's benefit not the Buyer's. Mortgages in Canada with less than a 25% equity position by the Purchaser must be insured. Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp. and GMHC are insurer corporations. CMHC loan insurance is portable (on mortgages placed since April 1997) to all areas of Canada under certain terms and conditions. The following is a table of fees relative to the percentage equity, the greater the down payment the less the fees are. Fees are added to the mortgage amount, they do not increase the down payment.
Premium - Single Advance: Payable to CMHC at the time the loan is advanced.
Premium -More Than One Advance: Due and payable to CMHC as the mortgage funds are advanced. The mortgage loan insurance premium may be added to the amount of the loan. Where provincial sales tax is payable on the CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium, the amount of the tax is not to be added to the mortgage amount.
Mortgage Qualification
Select one of the following to learn more about mortgage qualification:
Pre-Qualification The first step
Actual Qualification Usually after you have found your new home
The Lender's Criteria The ground rules
Mortgage Pre-Qualification
A visit to your lender is a smart step to get started with even before you go out to look at homes. Be sure to organize beforehand to make your time more effective. Do some brainstorming and write down any questions that you may have before your meeting. Your loan officer can be a great source of information. One thing you must be aware of though is that this is just what it says it is and no more. It is a "PRE"-approval. The financial institution will only "crunch" the numbers with you at this time and review the actual approval process. The bank usually will not check references or credit ratings until you actually have found your new home and have a signed Offer to Purchase. But pre-qualifying will help to set the boundaries for budgeting for your new home.
Keep in mind that the bank will often lend more money than you are comfortable borrowing. Your true maximum mortgage amount oftentimes is lower than what the lender will offer. Your personal mortgage payment limit needs to be a payment that you will feel comfortable making and still be able to enjoy your lifestyle and meet your other goals.
Request a letter stating what you qualify for. It can be a valuable tool later when making an offer on a property.
Actual Qualification
Once you have an accepted Offer to Purchase contract made on the home you want to buy the following is a list of what you will need for the actual application. The "PRE" qualifying process is only preliminary; once you have found your new home the process becomes more detailed. For the actual qualifying process you will need to work with your lender to complete the application procedure. You will need a letter confirming your employment. This should include your position, number of years with that employer, your prospects for the future with the company and your current salary, wage or anticipated earnings. Photocopies of your T-4 slips for the past few years are also helpful.
Make a list of your assets (cars-even if you owe money on them-stocks, savings accounts, bonds, etc.); include their present estimated value (and location, where appropriate); add up the total dollar amount of assets held.
Make another list of your liabilities (car loans, student loans, credit card balances, etc.); include the current balance owed, name of the party to whom you owe money and account numbers; add up the total dollar amount of liabilities. Subtract your total liabilities from your total assets to determine your net worth. Itemize the source(s) of your down payment, giving account numbers where appropriate. The lender will need to verify that you have these funds before granting the mortgage. If you borrow a portion of the down payment from family or friends, the lender will want to know how you intend to pay back the loan. If there's a payment involved, it may be used in calculating your debt-service ratio and if it has to be paid back it may even eliminate your chances for a mortgage depending on your equity situation. If you purchase with the minimum 5% down payment the funds must be unencumbered (not repayable).
Come with your social insurance number, chequing account information and contact information for your lawyer. Your co-applicant should bring similar information and be present when you visit the lender to fill out the application. Bring a copy of the listing details of the home you want to buy and a copy of a current survey or Real Property Report, if available. If you have a completed Offer to Purchase, bring it too.
Be sure to tell the bank who your lawyer will be. You want a lawyer looking out for your interests first not the banks. Your lawyer will register their mortgage and be sure title is in order for the bank. You need to tell them so you don't end up paying for two lawyers.
After you are approved personally, the lender will need to verify the value of the house, and will usually need to have it appraised. The appraised value is an independent expert's estimate of the market value of the house. This will hopefully be close to the price you've agreed to pay, but it may not necessarily be the same. When calculating the maximum size of a mortgage the lenders will issue against a property, it will be based on the appraised value or the selling price, whichever is less.
How Your Lender Will Qualify You
(you may also refer to the Mortgage Calculator)
When lenders qualify you for a mortgage amount they use two ratios that are relative to your income. These ratios are the G.D.S. (Gross Debt Service Ratio) and the T.D.S. (Total Debt Service Ratio). The G.D.S. is 32% of your combined gross pay before any deductions and the T.D.S. is 42% but with the T.D.S. all non-typical outstanding debt payments are subtracted after the 42% is calculated. The final qualifying mortgage payment has two other expenses subtracted from it. These are an estimate of the monthly property taxes for your new home as well as less a heating allowance of $60 to $120 depending on the size of home you plan on purchasing and the guidelines of the lender you are using.
This is how it would work:
Assuming a gross income of $5,000 per month before deductions.
Less Property Tax Est.: $120 Less Property Tax Est.: $120
Less Heating Allowance: $80 Less Heating Allowance: $80
Qualifying Payment: $ 1,400/Month Less Charge Payments: $100
Less Car Payment Etc.: $350
Qualifying Payment: $ 1,450/Month
In this case the G.D.S. is the lower qualifying ratio so the maximum payment that the lender would allow would be $1,400 per month towards your mortgage.
From this point interest rates and the amortization period of the loan are the final variables. The amortization is the number of years that it would take to pay the mortgage out completely if the interest rate remained fixed. The term of the mortgage is the length of time the mortgage terms (interest rate etc.) remain fixed.
The following chart shows the mortgage principle amounts that the $1,400 per month would yield based on various interest rates and amortization periods. Interest on mortgages in Canada are calculated based on interest compounding semi-annually. With straight interest calculations, payments will be a bit higher and/or the amount of mortgage that you qualify for will be lower. This payment schedule does not take mortgage insurance fees into account (see Costs of Purchasing a New Home).
Amortization Period
Interest 25 Years 20 Years 15 Years 10 Years
5.5% $229,361.00 $204,561.34 $172,082.35 $129,366.81
5.0% $240,713.21 $213,049.26 $177,637.07 $132,306.47
4.5% $252,948.22 $222,079.40 $183,517.97 $135,346.8
4.0% $266,149.47 $231,693.54 $189,691.94 $138,492.23
As you can see the interest rate has a dramatic effect on your purchasing power as well as the length of time it takes you to pay your mortgage off (the amortization period). Over 25 years a one and a half percent difference in the rate works out to over $36,000 in buying power. As far as the length of time to pay your home off; as we calculated, if you had a mortgage of $229,361 over 25 years at 5.5% the payment is $1,400 per month. If you kept the payment the same but reduced the interest rate to 4.0% you would have your mortgage paid of five years and three months sooner. Five years and three months times $1400 is a savings of $88,200 that you wouldn't have to pay the bank.
Renovation Mortgage
What is a Renovation Mortgage?
You might be browsing through the Calgary MLS and think, wow that home is perfect, "if only _____ was different". Or perhaps you are looking at a "handyman special" or a fixer-upper. There are always homes for sale on the Calgary real estate market that fall into either category. The homes that need a little work are usually priced more competitevely and offer excellent value. The problem for some buyers is being able to afford the home, along with the renovations.
CHMC (Canada Housing Mortgage Corp) has what is called a "Purchase Plus Improvements" Mortgage, which lets you buy your dream home, and be able to fix it up as well. With a Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage, you lump your renovation and home purchase price together and pay one single mortgage payment, with as little as 5% down - of the "as improved" value.
For example, if you were to purchase a home for $120,000 and wanted to do $30,000 worth of renovations, CMHC will insure a mortgage based on 95% of the "as improved" value. In other words, with a 5% down payment ($7,500) CMHC will insure a mortgage of $142,500. The key for this to work is that the renovation cost has to be reflected in the "as improved" value of the house. In this given example, CMHC would have to agree that the house would have a value of at least $150,000 after the $30,000 worth of proposed renovations had been completed. In other words - your renovations have to increase your homes value by at least as much as they cost you.
The insured loan will be based on either the purchase price plus the actual cost of improvements, or the "as improved" market value - whichever was lower. Remember, however, that in the case of 90-95% financing is only available if the lending value does not exceed the price ceiling for your area. Price ceiling are either $175,000 or $300,000.
How Does It Work?
When you have decided to write an offer on a Calgary home for sale, be sure to make that offer conditional to being approved for a CMHC "Purchase Plus Improvements" Mortgage. Since the offer will be conditional to the arrangement of this financing, you are not on the hook if CMHC feels that the cost of the proposed renovations are not fully reflected in the "as improved" value.
Your second step is to have a qualified contractor put together a description and a cost estimate for the proposed repairs or renovations. Bring your "contractor's Estimate" along with the "offer to Purchase" to your mortgage specialist. They can submit your application to CMHC on your behalf.
The information in this article was researched from: www.canadian-mortgages.com


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aliendude530 wrote:Ok, I've been trying this one for a while and I discovered a few things about the image:
* It is encoded in a special way to allow a file to be stored in it while the original image still looks the same
* The name of the original file was stego17, but the file doesn't seem to be directly written into the image, it seems to be encrypted.
[Edited by: Defience]
* There does not seem to be anything in the file...
* The technique used seems similar to something programs like Hide in Picturewould use, but I don't know the password.
Am I supposed to bruteforce the password using Hide in Picture or something?
* There does not seem to be anything in the file...
Appearances can be deceiving. No bruteforcing necessary.


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The Noble Path: Denying to Caesar what is not Caesar's - Surah Al-Asr of the Holy Qur'an
Zahir Ebrahim | Project Humanbeingsfirst.org
California, United States of America
Sunday, July 31, 2011, Ramadan eve in the United States, Muslim year 1432 A.H.
There is evidently a great deal of confusion among the pious regarding Islam's pathway to Heaven. Mosques in the United States as in all Muslim countries are filled in Ramadan with worshippers seeking the spiritual blessings of the Night of a thousand nights of prayer. In their efforts at spiritual self-cleansing for a life that is not in a state of loss, most ignore the abysmal fact that tyranny is spreading faster than virtue, worldwide. Few dare to standup to it as readings of the Holy Qur'an resonate throughout Ramadan. The pulpits worldwide of both Sunnidom and Shiadom lead the flock in obsessing about ritual worship. What does the Holy Qur'an have to say about the life that is not in a state of loss?
Reproduced here is the full recipe of the pithy Surah Al-Asr of the Holy Qur'an for a noble life which is "not in a state of loss".
Notice what's stated and what's omitted in this self-sufficient tiny Surah which evidently requires reflection in inverse proportion to its length.
There is no reference to Muslims, or to Islam, or to any particular people or religion.
The Surah is directly addressed to man, "insaan" ( الۡاِنۡسَانَ ), to every people of all religions, and to people of no religion (the overarching pluralistic context for peoples of different faiths has previously been established in the article: Islam and Knowledge vs. Socialization).
Caption Islam: The AND Logic of Surah Al-Asr of the Holy Qur'an, Chapter 103* (Engineering representation of the semantic logic of Surah Al-Asr; author's conception)
By the declining day, (1)
Lo! man is in a state of loss (2)
اِنَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ لَفِىۡ خُسۡرٍۙ
Save those who believe,
and do good works,
and strive for "haq",
and are patient** (103:3)
اِلَّا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا
وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ
وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ
ۙ وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ
Caption Full text of Surah Al-Asr, Chapter 103 of the Holy Qur'an
The logic of the verses 2-3 is the AND conjunctive clause. Meaning, a concatenation of conditions joined by the AND clause (Arabic وَ ). Every one of the listed conditions in such a statement has to be individually true in order for the overall statement to be true. Otherwise the statement is false.
Caption "This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion." (The Holy Qur'an, verse fragment from Surah Al-Maeda 5:3) This verse of completion and perfection implies that there is no room for addition or subtraction to the religion of Islam after "This day", or the verse is falsified. What or when "This day" was, or what was the significance of events transpiring on "This day" that caused this verse to be revealed and inserted in what appears to be a random place, as a verse fragment of 5:3, is not stated in the Holy Qur'an. Indeed, many verses of great import are similarly contextless, or both open-ended as well as contextless, and therefore perennially ripe for self-interpretation. This makes possible a multiplicity of 'kosher' misinterpretations of the religion of Islam by the learned scholars imparting any meaning to the open-ended and contextless verses that suit their mental genius or their self-interest, interpreting individual verses in isolation to suit their socialized predisposition, but without altering the syntactic and overt structural composition of the text of the Holy Qur'an. This book, Hijacking The Holy Qur'an And Its Religion Islam, illustrates how much of the plurality of interpretations is in fact enabled by the Holy Qur'an itself – by design! (Click bookcover to download PDF, http://tinyurl.com/Book-Hijacking-Islam-2ed-2015 )
Being a techie engineer, I have depicted this AND conjunction in electrical engineering parlance in the top figure using a simple electronic device called the AND Gate. One can purchase it for a few cents at Radio Shack. The logic device is made out of a few transistors and implements this AND conjunctive clause function.
The 4-input AND Gate in the diagram captures the logic of Surah Al-Asr verses 2:3 with exact precision. Those more inclined to be "Left-brained" (logic, math, and problem-solving dominated) than "Right-brained" (art, creativity, and language dominated) can perhaps appreciate the import of Surah Al-Asr better in this representation.
Imagine that an LED is attached to the pin labeled Output (metaphor for a man's life).
- It glows green (to indicate a life which is not at a loss) only if all four inputs of the AND Gate labeled I1, I2, I3, and I4 are TRUE (represented by a "one" in the truth table). Observe that there is only a single statement in the truth table when the LED is ever green.
- It glows red (to indicate a life which is at a loss) if one or more input is FALSE (represented by the corresponding "zero" in the truth table). Observe that there are fifteen statements in the truth table representing all the remaining permutations for which the LED is red!! The obvious first statement of all zero inputs clearly captures the vile hectoring hegemons of the planet and is of no surprise to anyone. But the remaining fourteen can indeed be very surprising.
- it doesn't matter how many prayers one offered and how many Hajj one performed to "believe" ( اٰمَنُوۡا );
- or how many hungry mouths one fed, how many hospitals and schools one built, and how honestly one earned one's income and paid one's zakat to do "good works" ( عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ) ;
- if one didn't strive to oppose falsehoods and uphold "haq" ( حَقّ ), the life, even if otherwise piously and well-lived, is still one of "loss" ( خُسۡرٍۙ ).
I am not making this up. That's what the Holy Qur'an itself states, unequivocally – reflect on it yourself while further recalling the admonishment of the Author of the Book of Reflection:
'That this is indeed a Qur'an Most Honourable, In a Book well-guarded, Which none shall touch but those who are clean: A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. Is it such a Message that ye would hold in light esteem?' Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Waqia, 56:77-81
Witness that the hardest thing to do in modern life is to stand up to oppression and tyranny ( وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ ). And also to persevere in adversity when one is experiencing the jackboots of the new Nazis upon one's neck ( ۙوَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ ).
Whereas the easiest thing to do is to sit in a mosque, and/or to feed the hungry in atonement of a guilty conscience.
We already see what the pious Muslims worldwide tend to excel in. We pay our zakat, khums, fitra (religiously mandated donations) on time, pray our namaz on time, and keep our fasts on time. Aspire to go for Hajj at least once, while the privileged take great pride in performing it repeatedly. Many among the oppressed are also incredibly patient in affliction. Indeed, we are so patient that we oft proclaim "Allah chala raha hai" (God is running the world), "Allah malik hai" (God is our provider), and often cry ourselves to sleep with utmost sabr (patience in the sense of resignation to fate), repeating to ourselves with quivering lips and glistening eyes: "hasbun allahu wa naimal wakeel" (Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector, Arabic: حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-e-Imran 3:173).
According to the testimony of Surah Al-Asr, take it any which you want, the fact remains that most of us are still in خُسۡرٍۙ unless we stand up to oppression and unequivocally affirm حَقّ with some measure of constancy to the best of our individual capacity. While it is true that only Allah can be the fair judge of that capacity and to what measure each individual is at a loss and not at a loss, silence and acquiescence to tyranny are the obvious antithesis of ( وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ ). And that, lamentably, seems to be the modus vivendi of the majority of Muslims today.
The crafting of that antithesis, evidently, has also come about courtesy of the imperial scholars subverting the meaning of the religion of Islam in the service of tyrants and kings throughout the ages, modernity being no exception. Language being the first target of corruption.
Thus, وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ has been reduced to some nonsensical gibberish by the pious turbaned man on the pulpit to mean: just talk about justice حَقّ with utmost earnestness while occupying oneself in the mosque believing اٰمَنُوۡا and in doing good deeds عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰت ! The exposition of وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ from the pulpit and among the masses never includes standing up to kings, rulers, governments, and to their usurpation, oppression, injustices, and "imperial mobilizations" writ large in the blood of the masses.
The ullema (plural for the Muslim man on the pulpit) today, as yesterday, selectively focus people's attention with verses from the Holy Qur'an that exhort people to good works and belief promising a pleasing Hereafter (e.g. Surah Al Baqara 2:25), to mask their crafty omissions in the service of empire.
Keeping the masses occupied in rituals and salvation, and "rendering unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's," is not merely a Biblical saying (Matthew 22:21). That semantics has existed from time immemorial. Its biggest harbingers have always been the man on the pulpit.
Witness the 600-page one-sided Fatwa on Terrorism by the vaunted "scholar of Islam", the posterboy of "moderate Islam" who issued a jurist's proclamation (Fatwa) against the terrorism of the pirates (see http://tinyurl.com/Fabricating-Pirates ) but not the emperor's. For services rendered to empire, the house nigger (see Faq: What is a house nigger) soon found a place-setting at the massa's table. As previously examined in Islam vs. Secular Humanism and World Government (http://tinyurl.com/Islam-vs-Secular-Humanism), the religion of Islam was hijacked from its very early days to service "empire" - Muslims' own. Nothing has principally changed today except for the color of the imperial flag.
Liberating the meaning of the religion of Islam, the Deen-ul-Haq (religion of حَقّ ) from the clutches of the so called scholars and jurists among Muslims is only as difficult as the uncongeniality of pondering the message of the Holy Qur'an directly, with one's own head and commonsense, rather than merely mouthing its melodic and soothing verses which no doubt are magic to the soul.
To strive for "haq" ( وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ ) against anyone's tyranny requires no man's sanction – when Allah Itself has sanctioned it for every man and woman ( اِنۡسَانَ ) in creation.
That is the momentous import of Surah Al-Asr – that tiniest Surah of the Holy Qur'an comprising a mere 27 words (as counted for the English translation used here). Its utility as a rallying call for denying to Caesar what is not Caesar's, for affirming to God what is God's, and to man what is man's, remains unsurpassed.
But, at the end of the day, only Allah is also the final Judge of the extent to which we each did our own due diligence to Allah's guidance given our individual trials and tribulations, and our individual bounties and blessings, on all four criterion for a life which only Allah shall Deem as "not in a state of loss"!
The holy month of Ramadan, a joyous month of fasting and reflection, commences tomorrow (or the day after) worldwide for 1.6 billion Muslims. Perhaps while rushing to "finish" the recitation of the Holy Qur'an in this month for nourishing the starved soul, the hunger in the stomach from not eating all day will be matched with a hunger in the intellect from not thinking at all.
Ramadan Mubarik.
* For those "Left-brained" readers with a precision oriented engineering bent of mind, there is an implicit A/D convertor at each of the four inputs in the figure above to characterize the threshold of conversion from a "zero" to a "one" for every individual. This is consistent with the Accountability Equation of the religion of Islam for every individual: Output / Input, wherein, the Output is the individual's voluntary behavior, choice of acts, performance, thoughts, beliefs; and Input is the individual's involuntary assets and liabilities, more specifically: inheritance, DNA, innate abilities and limitations, psychological bent of mind, involuntary nurturing and opportunities or lack thereof due to the general lot in life, and life's trials and tribulations upon which the individual exercised little or no control. The calculus of Output / Input is merely the verse fragment of Surah Al-Baqara 2:286: "On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns." expressed mathematically. Thus, for the purpose of individual Accountability in reference to Surah Al-Asr, in order to be fair and just to every individual given their respective limiting or extenuating circumstances, the measurement of individual Accountability is sensibly not Absolute Output, but Relative Output / Input, whereby the threshold of a "one" or "zero", i.e., threshold of pass or fail on every criterion, in this abstraction is also set individually for every human being. And according to the religion of Islam, only God has the perfect knowledge to determine this threshold for every human being. This also automatically implies not to judge others, of who is "pass" and who is "fail". That determination is exclusively the Right of Allah, Haquq-Allah, in the religion of Islam! See the travesty done to minorities among Muslims for political reasons by encroaching upon this Haquq-Allah, as for instance: What Role did Shias Play in Condemning Qadianis to Kafirdom in Cahoots with Sunni Scholars in 1974? (http://tinyurl.com/The-Plague-of-Kafirdom).
** وَتَوَاصَوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ To strive with perseverance, constancy, steadfastness – and not passivity or self-defeatist resignation to fate. The word "sabr" is often misused, at times deliberately, to incapacitate strident action in the face of adversity. Once again, linguistic hijacking permits subversion of the mind and consequently controlling of mass behavior. The popular meaning of the word "sabr" in the Muslim public mind has been transformed into what is perhaps most closely akin to the Hindu Karma --- it is just one's lot in life to be born under oppression, so grin and bear it for in the next life one will surely be compensated for the full resignation to fate in this one! No devil could have incapacitated human endeavor to strive to better their condition more than this hijacking of semantics.
This article appears in the author's book: Hijacking The Holy Qur'an And Its Religion Islam – Muslims and Imperial Mobilization, abbreviated to Hijacking Holy Qur'an And Islam
Download Book PDF URL: http://sites.google.com/site/humanbeingsfirst/download-pdf/book-hijacking-quran-islam-2nd-edition-2015-zahirebrahim.pdf
Book PDF Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/Islam-Reader-2015
Book online URL: http://hijacking-quran.blogspot.com/
Caption Pamphlet What does the Holy Qur'an Say: Thus Spake Holy Qur'an – On Schisms, Volume I (Click cover to download PDF, http://tinyurl.com/thus-spake-quran-on-schisms )
All Articles in the series What does the Holy Qur'an Say
Download What does the Holy Qur'an Say as a printable pamphlet titled: Thus Spake Holy Qur'an – On Schisms, Volume I, 1st Edition, August 2013, Second Printing September 18, 2015
Pamphlet PDF URL: https://sites.google.com/site/humanbeingsfirst/download-pdf/pamphlet-thus-spake-holy-quran-vol1-on-schisms-by-zahir-ebrahim.pdf
Arabic Qur'an recitation by Shaykh Mahmoud Khalil al-Husary, audio courtesy of Verse By Verse Quran, acquired 8/13/2011 from http://www.versebyversequran.com
Arabic verses courtesy of the open source Qur'an Tanzil Project, acquired 8/13/2011 from http://tanzil.net/download/
Most (not all) English translation of Qur'an verses are by Yusuf Ali, Shakir, and Pickthall, acquired 8/13/2011 from http://tanzil.net/trans/ (archived Yusufali, Shakir, Pickthall).
Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/Justice-in-Holy-Quran
Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/Surah-Asr
Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/Surah-Asr-Tafsir
Faith-Politico URL: http://faith-humanbeingsfirst.blogspot.com/2011/07/islam-surah-al-asr-of-holy-quran.html
Homepage URL: http://humanbeingsfirst.blogspot.com/p/islam.html
Source PDF: http://sites.google.com/site/humanbeingsfirst/download-pdf/what-does-quran-say-about-haq-by-zahir-ebrahim.pdf
First Published Sunday, July 31, 2011, Ramadan eve in the United States, Muslim year 1432
Footnotes Revised July 11, 2013, 1st of Ramadan in Pakistan, Muslim year 1434
Abstract added 29th Ramadan, August 09, 2013, for inclusion in Pamphlet What does the Holy Qur'an Say Volume I
Footnotes Revised September 2015 to sync with 2nd Edition of Hijacking Holy Qur'an And Islam
Footnotes Revised July 11, 2013, 1st of Ramadan in Pakistan, Muslim year 1434
Abstract added 29th Ramadan, August 09, 2013, for inclusion in Pamphlet What does the Holy Qur'an Say Volume I
Footnotes Revised September 2015 to sync with 2nd Edition of Hijacking Holy Qur'an And Islam
Last Updated Friday, September 18, 2015 02:00 am 2576 | Linkfix Dec 08, 2015
Links fix November 4, 2016
What does the Holy Qur'an say about Haq - Truth and Justice? By Zahir Ebrahim


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Pennsylvania police chief probing badge-licking photo
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – A northeastern Pennsylvania city official says a blog photo showing a woman poised to lick the badge of a moonlighting officer outside a bar probably isn't a crime, but may violate department regulation.
Wilkes-Barre spokesman Drew McLaughlin says the police chief is investigating that photo and two others showing a provocatively dressed woman posing on the hood and the trunk of a police car.
The spokesman says no officers are pictured in the police cruiser photos, but that the photo of the woman poised to lick the officer's badge could violate regulations if the officer were actively participating in having the photo made.
Wilkes-Barre officers are allowed to moonlight to provide security at bars through a program run by the police union.
Based on evidence in the photo, police believe the badge licking occurred more than a year ago.


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I hereby at my own risk, willfully consent and allow the Doctor I Therapist/ consultant to pluck my hair in order to obtain sample for the purpose of conducting hair analysis. I am made aware that the hair samples are obtained by plucking strands of hair sufficient to conduct the test.
I am further made aware that the report should not be considered as diagnostic but as screening tool that will provide additional source of information to the doctor. I hereby agree to hold harmless any doctor / therapist/ consultant and/ or employee including Richfeel Health & Beauty Pvt. Ltd. for any injury, allergic reaction and / or fatality or damage whatsoever that may be caused to me during the procedure.
I hereby take a decision of my own free will and give consent to avail the services/ therapy's offered by Richfeel Health & Beauty Pvt. Ltd. The effects, nature and outcome of which have been explained to me in the language I understand. I have also been explained in the language I understand that the results of each therapy may vary from person to person depending upon individual body composition, health status, metabolism and other factors including diet and lifestyle and as such results of the therapy cannot be guaranteed and the lack of results will not be construed as deficiency of service.
I have been given an opportunity to ask any questions relating to the Programme(s) and I am satisfied and I don't want to seek any further information.
I accept and agree that failure on my part to abide by the advice given to me by the team of professionals (e.g. doctors, nutritionists etc.) of Richfeel Health & Beauty Pvt. Ltd. resulting in unsatisfactory results/ side effects of the treatment shall not entitle me to hold Richfeel Health & Beauty Pvt. Ltd. or any staff personally liable for any civil or penal action. I understand that no guarantee / assurance can be given to me regarding the result and outcome of the therapy and in circumstances of unsatisfactory results due to factors beyond the control of the staff of the Centre, I shall not be entitled to claim/ damages or to hold the Centre or its staff liable for the same.
It is clearly understood by me that MPT / FPT is a progressive disorder and inspite of the treatment it can still progress. It is also understood by me that no growth of ha ir is normally possible in MPT / FPT. I accept and agree that neither the management nor any of the staff members of the Centre shall be responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury what so ever caused to me while undergoing the Programme.
I declare and certify that I have a normal healthy constitution and do not suffer from any medical/ psychological disorder or any other allergy an am fit to undergo the treatment under the therapy in which, I have enrolled myself.
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Wednesday, 27 March, 2013
Art Complex by Yohji Yamamoto A Beauty Looking Back (Mikaeri Bijin)
Photo by Muga Miyahara
Art Complex by Yohji Yamamoto " A Beauty Looking Back"
Yohji Yamamoto, the fashion designer who has been leading world fashion scene with his innovative design created by his rebellious spirit against stereotype in fashion over 40 years since he started his career in 1972, will showcase his art installation "A Beauty Looking Back" at the ISETAN Shinjuku Store.
Yohji Yamamoto's fashion has been highly acclaimed in the world of art. In recent years, two exhibitions were realized at the Victoria & Albert Museum (UK) in 2011 and the Holon Design Museum (Israel) in 2012 and they were well-received in the world.
The theme of this installation is "A Beauty Looking Back".
The designer portrayed "Back View of Women" that he has been pursuing for a long time by means of painting. The depiction of Japanese women with modesty suggests the masterpiece of "Mikaeri Bijin (Beauty Looking Back)" by the ukiyo-e artist Moronobu Hishikawa This art installation will be the world's first presentation.
Meanwhile, a wide variety of contemporary art goods created by Yohji Yamamoto in collaboration with Modern Comics (Manga) and Joshibi University of Art and Design will be released. This is literally "Art Complex". These are the items you have never seen before and are exclusively sold at the ISETAN Shinjuku Store during this time. Please enjoy the latest art world by Yohji Yamamoto who continuously send messages to the world.
PLACE: ISETAN Shinjuku Main Building 1F "The Stage"
TERM: From April 3 through April 9, 2013
Art Complex by Yohji Yamamoto A Beauty Looking Back Contemporary Art Goods
1. A Beauty Looking Back Special Edition Herb Water
The inspiration of the HerbWater comes from "Kolonya" (Note*1) when Yohji Yamamoto find it during his travel all over the world in his 20s. He sensed the femininity in the look of women spraying Kolonya on their skin and the scent in North Africa, Morocco, and Tunisia. That reminded him of the beauty of Japanese women's modesty.
In collaboration with Find News Co., LTD (Note*2), soft drinks, Japanese version of "Kolonya" to depict beauty of modesty, will be released this time.
4 different tastes are available: Lemongrass, Mint, Rosehip, Rosemary
Price: ¥1,575 (tax included)
Note *1 Kolonya:Turkish people often use Kolonya (Turkish "cologne"). It is for cleanliness and change as well. It is sprinkled generously over the guests' body to refresh them.
Note *2 Find News Co., LTD. : Find News Co., LTD. develops Herb products and operates farm & factory, seeking products to enhance inner beauty by utilizing beneficial effect of natural herbs for food and cosmetics.
2. A Beauty Looking Back Special Edition Flower Bottle Herb Water
(In collaboration with Joshibi University of Art and Design)
It is one of a kind bottle painted by hand with various colors based on the theme of "Flower".
"Herb Water" to enhance your inner beauty comes with 6 different kinds of small and large bottles.
Each has different tastes from flower to flower painted on the bottles. Please enjoy the transparency of the glass and the world of art produced by refraction of light.
These art goods collaborated with Joshibi University of Art and Design that Yohji Yamamoto served as a guest professor.
Price: Large Bottle: ¥12,600(including tax) Small Bottle: ¥10,290 (including tax)
3. Manga (Cartoon) Collaboration Series
The Manga (Cartoon) inspired by little girls turned into the Art Complex's special goods.
The Cartoon depicted in the classic Rubik's Cube and the tote bag is Japan's world class art.
These art goods collaborated with Manga Designers Lab.(Note*1)Price: ¥3,885(tax included)
Note *1 Manga Designers Lab: The company provides services on Advertising Planning & Creation, PR & Promotion by Manga Design. This Lab seeks to maximize the communication effectiveness through Manga Design Solutions.
4. Drawing Prints
The Yohji Yamamoto's fashion has been highly acclaimed in the world of art. In recent years, two exhibitions were realized at the Victoria & albert Museum (UK) in 2011 and the Holon Design Museum (Israel) in 2012.
The drawings showcased during the Art Exhibition at the Yohji Yamamoto Aoyama Store in 2012 will be commercialized specially for this event.
The postcards and handkerchiefs with printed drawings depicted by beauty of Japanese women's modesty will be available at "the Stage".
Price: Post Cards(set of 4)¥1,680(tax included) Handkerchief ¥3,150(tax included)
Recent Entries


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Supreme Court Asked to Clarify What it Means to 'Bear' Arms
You might think the question would be settled by now, but the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to opine on whether the Second Amendment right to "bear" arms for self-defense extends outside the home.
We may soon get an answer. Lyle Denniston, writing for the Constitution Daily, reports about two gun rights cases that may get a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court. Both cases hinge on the difference between the right to "keep" a gun and a right "bear" one. The National Rifle Association thinks the issue is ripe for Supreme Court review. The justices are expected to discuss the cases next week and may then decide whether to grant review.


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BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — A first-minute goal from Patrick Nyarko and a stoppage-time blast from Alex punctuated the Chicago Fire's 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Park on Sunday evening.
Daniel Paladini scored the other goal for the Fire, while second-half sub Brian Ching made it interesting, striking his first goal for the Dynamo since July 28.
The three points lift the Fire into 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Dynamo, who were playing their second match in four days. Houston earned a 1-1 draw away to Honduran club Olimpia in CONCACAF Champions League action on Thursday.
While the Dynamo were traveling to Central America, the Fire were enjoying a 10-day break, and the sharper team was easy to discern early on. Despite controlling 67 percent of possession on the evening, Houston gave up two early goals after mistakes in the midfield, and were never able to battle In the first minute, Nyarko intercepted Andre Hainault's pass across the middle in his own half. The Ghanaian broke in on goal and poked his shot past goalkeeper Tally Hall.
The Dynamo thought they had equalized in the 13th minute, when Macoumba Kandji looked as if he had capitalized on a mistake from goalkeeper Sean Johnson. But the rebound was judged to have gone off Kandji's upper arm.
The Fire capitalized on another midfield takeaway in the 18th minute, when Alvaro Fernandez took possession and found Sherjill MacDonald at the edge of the box. MacDonald sent a cross to Daniel Paladini, who slotted his shot past Hall for his second goal of the season.
Fernandez almost put the Fire up three in the 24th minute when Paladini found him wide open just outside the six-yard box.
After the break, both teams settled into a midfield tussle, though the Dynamo enjoyed more of the possession. They would finish the evening with 67% of the ball, and they created two good chances.
Ching subbed on in the 63rd minute as Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear moved his squad to a 3-5-2 formation. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson came up big for Chicago in the 74th minute, punching a Bobby Boswell flick header away to keep the Dynamo off the board. Je-Vaughn Watson then forced another athletic save out of Johnson in the 90th minute, and the ball went out for a corner kick.
Midfielder Brad Davis found Ching on the ensuing corner kick, and the veteran halved the lead with a well-placed header.
Fire playmaker Alex then put the game out of reach in stoppage time with a blast from distance that ricocheted in off the inside of the right post. It was the Brazilian's first goal in a Fire uniform.
The Dynamo, winless in their last six matches, return home to play Real Salt Lake next Thursday.
The Fire have another 10-day break from MLS action before heading to Toronto on September 12.
Chicago Fire (13-8-5) vs. Houston Dynamo (11-7-9)
September 2, 2012 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.
Attendance: 17,007
Scoring Summary:
CHI: Patrick Nyarko 3 (unassisted) 1
CHI: Dan Paladini 2 (Sherjill MacDonald 3, Alvaro Fernandez 3) 19
HOU: Brian Ching 5 (Brad Davis 11) 90
CHI: Alex 1 (Dominic Oduro 3) 90+3
Houston Dynamo: Tally Hall; Andre Hainault (Kofi Sarkodie 45), Bobby Boswell, Jermaine Taylor (Brian Ching 63), Corey Ashe; Boniek Garcia, Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis; Je-Vaughn Watson, Will Bruin, Macoumba Kandji (Calen Carr 81)
Substitutes not used: Tyler Deric, Luiz Camargo, Nate Sturgis, Cam Weaver
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Jalil Anibaba, Arne Friedrich, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; Alvaro Fernandez, Dan Paladini, Pavel Pardo, Patrick Nyarko (Dominic Oduro 77); Chris Rolfe (Logan Pause 85), Sherjill MacDonald (Alex 55)
Substitues not used: Paolo Tornaghi, Dan Gargan, Victor Pineda, Corben Bone
Misconduct Summary:
HOU: Bobby Boswell (caution) 79
Referee: David Gantar
Referee's Assistants: Brian Poeschel, Scott Kachmarik
4th Official: Michael Kennedy


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If you're like most adults, caffeine is a part of your daily routine. But do you know the caffeine content of your favorite drink?
You may want to take a look at just how much caffeine you get in a typical day, especially if you're bothered by headaches, restlessness or anxiety. If your caffeine habit totals more than 400 milligrams (mg) a day, you may want to consider cutting back.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends that women who are pregnant and those who are breast-feeding check with their health care providers for advice concerning caffeine.
The DGA doesn't include guidelines for safe caffeine consumption for children. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics takes the position that stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diets of children or adolescents.
Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content of a cup of coffee or tea can vary considerably because of factors such as origin, processing and preparation method, including brewing time. So use these numbers as a guide.
The charts below show typical caffeine content in popular beverages. Drink sizes are in fluid ounces (oz.) and milliliters (mL). Caffeine is shown in milligrams (mg).
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Because of our Application and Pre-Screening process many of the dogs that become available to AGR are placed immediately with their new Foster With Intent to Adopt (FWITA) homes. If you are interested in adopting a Rescued Golden Retriever or Retriever mix we recommend that you place an online application by clicking HERE to get the process started so that you will be on the list of adopters when the perfect dog comes in. Our sole purpose is to find the perfect home for the dog as the dog always comes first. Please note that all adoptable dogs remain on the website until their adoptions are finalized. As hard as we try to screen the adoptable dogs and their new potential "Forever Homes", there is always the possibility that the FWITA (Foster With Intent To Adopt) and the adoptable dog are not compatible and then the dog would return to adoptable status" Because we have new rescues coming in all the time, if the Golden that is the right dog for you is not available at this time it will probably come into rescue and you would be notified of the availability. For more information on our adoption process and adoption fees check out our FAQ.
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AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry has promised to fight tooth and nail against implementing the Affordable Care Act. But that doesn't mean big changes aren't coming to Texas health care, and it won't save lawmakers from facing tough spending decisions.
Perry has refused to expand Medicaid, the health care program for the poor. And last week he announced Texas will not set up a federally mandated health care exchange, an online system that allows people to find affordable insurance and lets them know if they are eligible for discounts or subsidies.
Texas has about 6 million uninsured residents, which comes out to nearly a quarter of its population - higher than any other state. Both Republicans and Democrats agree that's too many, but they disagree on how to get that number down.
In a July letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Perry said he opposed the Affordable Care Act because it would "make Texas an appendage of the federal government when it comes to health care." He also vehemently opposes expanding the number of people eligible for Medicaid - to reduce the number of uninsured - because it would eventually require Texas to spend more money on the program.
Medicaid is the fastest growing segment of the Texas budget, and Perry has warned it could bankrupt the state.
Texas already faces a $4.7 billion budget deficit after the Legislature underfunded Medicaid last year. When they meet again in January, lawmakers will need to pass a supplemental spending bill to cover that shortfall by March, or else the program will run out of money.
Signs of conflict are already showing. For the 2014-15 budget cycle, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that runs the Medicaid program has asked the Legislature for an additional $6.7 billion. Republican leaders, meanwhile, have already pledged to increase the entire state budget by only $7 billion.
If they plan to maintain their spending cap, they will need to pare down spending on health care.
Perry and his allies in the Legislature have long called for improvements in how state-funded health care is provided. Perry has asked the federal government to simply give Texas all of the money it receives now without the strings attached and let Texas put together its own program for the poor and disabled.
The new Texas commissioner for health and human services, Dr. Kyle Janek, said he feels certain Texas could build a better program using the same amount of money.
"We could design a system that would be a Texas solution, and that solution may involve covering people who are currently not covered; though that would be with existing funds," Janek said. He said the state would like to experiment with a tiered co-payment system and varying levels of coverage.
Federal officials and advocates for the poor, though, argue that federal rules are necessary to guarantee that the needy will receive minimum level of assistance that is not subject to the political moods in state capitols. Janek acknowledges that such a block-grant was unlikely anytime soon.
But the federal government does want to encourage states to experiment and find better ways to provide care for the needy, so it grants limited waivers. One is for the Women's Health Program, which provides preventive health care and contraception to women who would not normally qualify for Medicaid. The program saved money by expanding health care coverage to non-pregnant poor women to prevent unplanned pregnancies that Medicaid would have to pay for if not prevented.
The Legislature passed an omnibus bill last year that prompted officials to apply for what is called a transformation waiver. The new state law allows doctors, clinics and hospitals to work together more closely and for state officials to pay hospitals more for providing better, more efficient care. Federal officials granted a waiver allowing the experiment.
The state is currently supervising the creation of Regional Healthcare Partnerships across the state that will allow for coordinated care as well as improving access and quality. These partnerships will also provide greater compensation to hospitals that develop innovative ways that lower costs and improve treatment.
The biggest changes are coming to the Rio Grande Valley, where the state is implementing managed care for Medicaid. That means people in the program must now sign up with private companies who will manage their benefits rather than state officials.
A key part of implementing managed care was overhauling how the state reimburses hospitals for the indigent. The new waiver makes sure that hospitals continue to receive funding for treating indigent, single adults who do not qualify for Medicaid in Texas.
Perry's refusal to expand Medicaid presents an obstacle to achieving the Affordable Care Act's goal of 98 percent of Texans enrolled in some kind of health care program, but the transformation waiver will help provide the indigent with the care they need.
And while Perry has refused a state-run health care exchange for Texans, that decision will not keep millions of Texans of signing up for insurance. Janek said his commission is still waiting for Washington to publish all the new rules under the Affordable Care Act, but one thing he says is certain.
"It is the law of the land and we have to deal with it," Janek said.


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The quintessential duck within most of its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.
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Your Online Guide To Birds And Bird Watching
Comprehensive life histories of North American breeding birds
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Stroke is a serious condition that requires clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below you will find some additional information regarding stroke, for which we have provided a brief overview.
Overview of Stroke
Types of Stroke
Effects of Stroke
Evaluation Procedures for Stroke
Rehabilitation for Stroke


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Patrick le petit Irlandais
Albert Roch is a comic artist from Cuesmes, in the area of Mons, Hainaut. He attended the Academy of Mons in 1945 and 1946 and during this period he presumably also contribued to the short-lived comics magazine Kim. He made his professional debut in the Brussels newspaper Le Petit Monde in 1947, alongside Peyo and Willy Vandersteen. He had a dayjob with the Belgian postal services for 40 years, and worked as an artist on the side. By 1953 he was asked to draw for the Walt Disney Studios, but he declined. He took evening courses from the Academy of Fine Arts, and was an apprentice letterer and inker for Maurice Rosy at the Dupuis art studios at one point.
In the 1960s he was present in the Flemish comic magazine Ohee with 'De Flessen van Koning M'Boeli'. He also made 'Andoche' and 'Arim Cambier' for Éditions de Lutèce during this decade, using the pseudonym Béoc. He wrote and drew the series about 'Patrick, le petit Irlandais', that was published in four books by Lito-Paris in 1975 and 1976. It was published in Dutch as 'Rikkie Roest' by Zuidnederlandse Uitgeverij. Another creation by Roch is 'Dudule', that ran in Junior.
Oom Douwe in Sjors #16, 1967 (Dudule?)