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DAJ Expeditions
Making your journey a lasting memory
15-Days in Hidden Kingdom, Exploring Far East
Day 1: Paro, the airportcity
Arrive at Paro International Airport by Druk Air. On arrival at Paro International Airport, our tour representative will welcome you. Check in hotel/lunch. Start the day by visiting the National Museum (Ta- Dzong). The museum stands in the location overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Then, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong.
Today, this massive fortress built in 1646 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful architectural designs in Bhutan.
Day 2: Hike to the famous Tiger's Nest
Drive for about 10km from Paro town to Ramthangkha and walk to the Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest''and the Monastery is perched on a rocky edge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000ft overlooking the Paro valley.
Taktsang is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. However, most people can only visit the main site called Taktsang Pel-phu. According to the legend, Padmasambhava founded Taktsang Monastery in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated here for three months in a cave before converting the Paro valley to Buddhism.
Day 3: Paro – Thimphu. (Aprox. 2hrs drive)
Start with a drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress located about 16 kms away from Paro Town. The Dzong, although in ruins today, holds historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means "The victorious Bhutanese".
This spot also offers a magnificent view of Mt. Jomolhari, "Abode of the Goddess Jumo" (7315m).
On drive back you will visit one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, Kichu Lhakhang. The first King of Tibet; Songtsen Gampo built Kichu Lhakhang in the7th century to introduce Buddhism to Bhutan when the country was still influenced by the Bon beliefs.
In the late afternoon, you will enjoy two hours drive to Thimphu (7,700 feet), the only Capital City in the world without traffic lights. The drive itself will give you an opportunity to experience the "Last Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom."
Day 4: Thimphu, exploring the capital city
After breakfast, visit the National Memorial chorten that was built in memory of the late king, the third Druk Gyalpo. You will encounter lots of interesting people circumambulating the chorten. Then drive to the Changangkha Temple followed by a drive to Takin National Animal sanctuary to photograph the Takin, Bhutan's National Animal. Then drive to the National Library to see the collection of old manuscripts followed by a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum. Then you will enjoy lunch in town.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Institute of Arts & Crafts, where young artists are trained in the traditional ways of painting & statue making. Drive to Zilukha Nunnery & on to a viewpoint to photograph the city at sunset. If the time permits, we will visit a traditional hand made paper factory & goldsmiths workshop. Visit Trashi Chhodzong. This old fortress now serves as the center of administration, housing His Majesty the King of Bhutan's office, the central Monastic Body as well four branches of administration.
Day 5: Thimphu - Punakha. (77 km. 3 hours. 1350 m)
An early drive to the Dochula Pass (3150m) for breakfast and breathtaking view. If the weather is clear, the Dochu- la pass offers the most spectacular views of the eastern Himalayas mountain ranges. Then we drive to Punakha for lunch at hotel.
After lunch we visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. It was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong is located at the convergence of two rivers, the Pho-chu & Mo-chu. After Dzong visit, drive further up to take a small hike to Nyzergang to visit the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Temple. Night Punakha
Day 6: Punakha – Trongsa. (128 km. 5 hours. 2200 m)
We will drive to Trongsa and on the way visit Wangduephodrang, which is another district half an hour's drive from Punakha. In Wangduephodrang Dzong was built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal one year after the Punakha Dzong.
The drive will continue and climb all the way to Pele-la pass at 3300m. It is main landmark that divides Western Bhutan from Eastern Bhutan. The drive continues down to Trongsa. On the way we will come across Yak herder's camps and encounter Yaks especially during the winter, we will also see high Himalayan villages like Rukubji and Chendebji.
Day 7: Trongsa - Bumthang. (68 km. 2 hours. 2600m)
Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan's Royal Family. Both the First and Second King ruled the Kingdom from this ancient seat. All the Kings of Bhutan have to become Trongsa's Penlop (Honorary post of Governor) prior to being crowned as the Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan). Trongsa Dzong is one of the largest & most impressive in the country. It was built in 1648. Visit the ancient watchtower (Ta- Dzong), which is situated above the town.
After 3hrs drive from Trongsa, you will reach Bumthang, the famous valley which is made up of four main valleys, Chummey, Tang, Ura and Choskhor (Jakar). After crossing Yotong La Pass (3400m), you will encounter buckwheat fields and the only straight road in the country entering the first valley of Bumthang, Chummey. The main development center of the province is situated in Choskhor commonly known as the Jakar valley where you can see a little bit of the modern touch with Swiss influence. On the way one can see girls weaving Yathra, the traditional woolen materials used for different purposes on a traditional handloom. The finished products are all on display for look and sale. Over night in Bumthang
Day 8: Bumthang, explore the essence of central Bhutan
Bumthang is different from all the other valleys in Bhutan. It is very spacious with altitudes that ranges from 2600m to 4000m. It is considered a heaven for hikers and Trekkers in addition to the numerous beautiful and important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites, making it the Cultural and Historic heartland in Bhutan. One could spend months exploring this fascinating valley. Almost every little valley or hill has a background of interesting myths and legends about Kings, Buddhist masters and Serpents.
Bumthang is dominated by the religious influence of Padmasambhava (believed to be the second Buddha 7th –8th A.D) and his reincarnation the Treasure revealer,Terton Pemalingpa 1450-1521, who is known to have discovered many sacred Buddhist texts hidden by Padmasambhava in various places.
Take a walk up to Tamshing monastery, founded by Terton Pemalingpa, where about 200 monks reside.
You can visit the Wangdichholing Palace, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and the oldest monastery in the Kingdom. All the Kings of Bhutan are taken for their cremation rites to Kurjee Monastery. Visit more temples.
Drive to the sacred Mebartsho (the Burning Lake). The importance of this site is indicated by the extensive array of prayer flags and is considered as one of the most holy places for Buddhist pilgrimage. After this visit drive back to Chamkhar and spend the night in town.
Day 9: Bumthang - Mongar. (193 km. 7 hours)
After Breakfast the drive will take you through the pine forests keeping the Jakar Dzong view behind us. After a half hour drive you will cross the Tang Chu climbing towards and through Tangsebgi village. The drive reaches Ura valley the highest and most eastern part of Bumthang. It takes around 2 hours drive through blue pine trees, villages and onto the high pass of Sheltheng la (3600m). Looking towards the north in clear weather one can see the high white Gangkar Punsum (7541m/2974ft) the highest peak in Bhutan.
The landscape of Ura valley is different from that of the others, with round sweeping slopes, fertile pastures and wide fields. At the bottom you will see the large and unusual village with its cluster of big houses united by the paved flagstone alleys, a rare sight in Bhutan. The big community monastery dominates the village. It is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Ura festival usually takes place in the 2nd week of May & sometime in June, depending on the Bhutanese lunar calendar.
Thimshingla National park starts here and if one wishes one can visit the field office at Ura. It is open Mon- Fri and closed on holidays. The drive from here will take you through the National Park. There is also the Rhododendron Flower Park (only in spring time). You will also cross the highest point of the road in Bhutan, the Thimshing La Pass (3800 m) and you will see a lot of changes in vegetation and villages. Night hold Mongar.
Day 10: Mongar –Trashing, the Eastern Bhutan (92 km)
After breakfast drive to Trashgang, crossing a low pass between these two Districts called Kori – La Pass (2400 m). You will go through villages like Yedi and cross the Chakzam, the iron Bridge.
Trashigang is considered to be one of the biggest districts in Bhutan. The 3rd Temporal Ruler of Bhutan Menjyur Tenpa built it in the 17th century overlooking the convergence of Drangme Chu & the Gambri Chu. Night in Trashingang.
Day 11: Trashigang – Trashi Yangtse –Trashigang
(Trashi Yangtse 53 km. 1.5 hours or Rangjung, Radi)
You can choose any one of these excursion options and explore the remote eastern parts of Bhutan. If you have a longer period you can drive to the southeast Khaling Weaving center and blind school. Return to Mongar for the night.
Day 12: Mongar - Bumthang
After breakfast drive to Bumthang crossing the highest Pass on the way back. You can stop on the way should there be any points of interest or taking photos. Just let your guide know in advance.
Day 13: Bumtang-Via – Gangtey - Wangduephodrang.
Gnagtey Gonpa was built on a small hillock surrounded by blue pine trees. A descendant of Pema Lingpa (the great Bhutanese saint of Bumthang) built the Gonpa in the 16th century and it is a Nyingmapa monastery.
At the end of the 17th century it was enlarged and currently headed by the 9th reincarnation called Gangtey Trulku. It is run by the family houses of Gomchens (layman), who worship and work at the monastery.
Further down you will reach the Phojikha valley. This place is reserved for the migration of the black neck crane. The people out here have become friendly with the endangered species and every consecutive year starting from the 2nd week of November to the 1st week of April the fields and marshes of this undisturbed valley offer a truly magnificent sight as you watch the cranes.
Day 14: Wangdue – Thimphu – Paro.
Drive back to Thimphu for lunch and last stop for shopping. You can also see some more places in the capital city like the magnificent Tango and Cheri monasteries which are both an hours drive to the north of the city and about an hours hike. In the evening drive back to Paro for tomorrow's departure.
Day 15: Departure
Representative from our company will drive you to the airport and bid you a farewell and safe journey home.
3-Day Glimpse of Bhutan
5-Day Quick Tour of Bhutan
7-Day Cultural Holiday
10-Day Essence of Bhutan Tour
13-Days in Himalayan Kingdom
15-Days in Hidden Kingdom
Bhutan Treks
Specialty Tours
Lonely Planet just declared Bhutan as the #1 top travel destination for 2020. Check here
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(64) pp., oblong 4to. Edition of 600 copies in printed paper over boards. Very slight wear to corners, otherwise as new.
With a foreword by Hannah Hohl, an essay by Christina Weiss, and sixty full-page reproductions. Laid in, on a separate sheet, is a brief text ("Lese-Zeichen") by Ulrich Schmidt-Langhoff.
Published on the occasion of an exhibition of drawings by this poet, composer, visual artist, and cofounder of the Vienna Group.


UPDATE: Unfortunately, Congress has passed the measure to repeal the FCC's privacy rules, and President Donald Trump has said he will sign it into law. Thank you to everyone who spoke out to protect these privacy rules. Because of your action, lawmakers heard how important privacy is to their constituents, and the votes were much closer than originally anticipated.
Records of your online activity reveal a tremendous amount about you. While that kind of data is currently protected by federal rules, some members of Congress are trying to repeal those rules. They want your broadband provider to be able to sell your sensitive Internet activity records to the highest bidder.
The FCC put in place critical broadband privacy protection rules late last year to protect your right to privacy online. Now, some members of Congress are looking to completely erase those rules. Even worse: The method they would use -- passing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the rules -- would ban the FCC from ever writing similar privacy rules.
And, because of the current legal landscape, the Federal Trade Commission is already barred from policing Internet service providers. So if Congress repeals the rules, there will be no clear federal cop on the beat for the privacy of your Internet connection.
Call your representatives in Congress and tell them to oppose the CRA resolution to repeal the FCC's privacy rules.


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https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/red-cross-volunteers-fighting-against-the-spanish-flu-news-photo/89857849
things we're getting wrong today
Spanish flu facts: Top 10 misconceptions about the "greatest pandemic"
Richard Gunderman
Pandemic: It's a scary word.
But the world has seen pandemics before, and worse ones, too. Consider the influenza pandemic of 1918, often referred to erroneously as the "Spanish flu." Misconceptions about it may be fueling unfounded fears about COVID-19, and now is an especially good time to correct them.
In the pandemic of 1918, between 50 and 100 million people are thought to have died, representing as much as 5% of the world's population. Half a billion people were infected.
Especially remarkable was the 1918 flu's predilection for taking the lives of otherwise healthy young adults, as opposed to children and the elderly, who usually suffer most. Some have called it the greatest pandemic in history.
The 1918 flu pandemic has been a regular subject of speculation over the last century. Historians and scientists have advanced numerous hypotheses regarding its origin, spread, and consequences. As a result, many harbor misconceptions about it.
By correcting these 10 misconceptions, everyone can better understand what actually happened and help mitigate COVID-19's toll.
10. The pandemic originated in Spain
No one believes the so-called "Spanish flu" originated in Spain.
The pandemic likely acquired this nickname because of World War I, which was in full swing at the time. The major countries involved in the war were keen to avoid encouraging their enemies, so reports of the extent of the flu were suppressed in Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. By contrast, neutral Spain had no need to keep the flu under wraps. That created the false impression that Spain was bearing the brunt of the disease.
In fact, the geographic origin of the flu is debated to this day, though hypotheses have suggested East Asia, Europe, and even Kansas.
9. The pandemic was the work of a 'super-virus'
A Chicago Public Health poster outlines flu regulations during the pandemic. origins.osu.edu
The 1918 flu spread rapidly, killing 25 million people in just the first six months. This led some to fear the end of mankind and has long fueled the supposition that the strain of influenza was particularly lethal.
However, a more recent study suggests that the virus itself, though more lethal than other strains, was not fundamentally different from those that caused epidemics in other years.
Much of the high death rate can be attributed to crowding in military camps and urban environments, as well as poor nutrition and sanitation, which suffered during wartime. It's now thought that many of the deaths were due to the development of bacterial pneumonia in the lungs weakened by influenza.
8. The first wave of the pandemic was most lethal
Actually, the initial wave of deaths from the pandemic in the first half of 1918 was relatively low.
It was in the second wave, from October through December of that year, that the highest death rates were observed. The third wave in the spring of 1919 was more lethal than the first but less so than the second.
Scientists now believe that the marked increase in deaths in the second wave was caused by conditions that favored the spread of a deadlier strain. People with mild cases stayed home, but those with severe cases were often crowded together in hospitals and camps, increasing the transmission of a more lethal form of the virus.
7. The virus killed most people who were infected with it
In fact, the vast majority of the people who contracted the 1918 flu survived. National death rates among the infected generally did not exceed 20%.
However, death rates varied among different groups. In the U.S., deaths were particularly high among Native American populations, perhaps due to lower rates of exposure to past strains of influenza. In some cases, entire Native communities were wiped out.
Of course, even a 20% death rate vastly exceeds the typical flu, which kills less than 1% of those infected.
6. Therapies of the day had little impact on the disease
No specific anti-viral therapies were available during the 1918 flu. That's still largely true today, where most medical care for the flu aims to support patients, rather than cure them.
One hypothesis suggests that many flu deaths could actually be attributed to aspirin poisoning. Medical authorities at the time recommended large doses of aspirin of up to 30 grams per day. Today, about four grams would be considered the maximum safe daily dose. Large doses of aspirin can lead to many of the pandemic's symptoms, including bleeding.
However, death rates seem to have been equally high in some places in the world where aspirin was not so readily available, so the debate continues.
5. The pandemic dominated the day's news
Public health officials, law enforcement officers, and politicians had reasons to underplay the severity of the 1918 flu, which resulted in less coverage in the press. In addition to the fear that full disclosure might embolden enemies during wartime, they wanted to preserve public order and avoid panic.
However, officials did respond. At the height of the pandemic, quarantines were instituted in many cities. Some were forced to restrict essential services, including police and fire.
4. The pandemic changed the course of World War I
It's unlikely that the flu changed the outcome of World War I because combatants on both sides of the battlefield were relatively equally affected.
However, there is little doubt that the war profoundly influenced the course of the pandemic. Concentrating millions of troops created ideal circumstances for the development of more aggressive strains of the virus and its spread around the globe.
Patients receive care for the Spanish flu at Walter Reed Military Hospital, in Washington, D.C. origins.osu.edu
3. Widespread immunization ended the pandemic
Immunization against the flu was not practiced in 1918 and thus played no role in ending the pandemic.
Exposure to prior strains of the flu may have offered some protection. For example, soldiers who had served in the military for years suffered lower rates of death than new recruits.
In addition, the rapidly mutating virus likely evolved over time into less lethal strains. This is predicted by models of natural selection. Because highly lethal strains kill their host rapidly, they cannot spread as easily as less lethal strains.
2. The genes of the virus have never been sequenced
In 2005, researchers announced that they had successfully determined the gene sequence of the 1918 influenza virus. The virus was recovered from the body of a flu victim buried in the permafrost of Alaska, as well as from samples of American soldiers who fell ill at the time.
Two years later, monkeys infected with the virus were found to exhibit the symptoms observed during the pandemic. Studies suggest that the monkeys died when their immune systems overreacted to the virus, a so-called "cytokine storm." Scientists now believe that a similar immune system overreaction contributed to high death rates among otherwise healthy young adults in 1918.
1. The world is no better prepared today than it was in 1918
Severe epidemics tend to occur every few decades, and the latest one is upon us.
Today scientists know more about how to isolate and handle large numbers of ill and dying patients, and physicians can prescribe antibiotics, not available in 1918, to combat secondary bacterial infections. To such common-sense practices as social distancing and hand-washing, contemporary medicine can add the creation of vaccinations and anti-viral drugs.
For the foreseeable future, viral epidemics will remain a regular feature of human life. As a society, we can only hope that we have learned the great pandemic lessons sufficiently well to quell the current COVID-19 challenge.
This article was originally published on The Conversation by Richard Gunderman at Indiana University. Read the original article here.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Deborah Wince-Smith
President, GFCC
Deborah L. Wince-Smith is the president & CEO of the Council on Competitiveness, a coalition of CEOs, university presidents, labor leaders and national laboratory directors, committed to driving U.S. competitiveness. She has more than 20 years of experience as a senior U.S. government official, as the first Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy in the U.S. Department of Commerce and Assistant Director for International Affairs in the Reagan White House.
Ms. Wince-Smith is also the president of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils, whose creation she led. She is a member of Japan's Science & Technology in Society Forum Council and of the Commission on the Theft of Intellectual Property, co-chaired by Mr. Craig Barrett, former chairman of Intel Corporation, and Admiral Dennis Blair, former U.S. director of national intelligence. She serves on Purdue University's Strategic Research Advisory Council and on the board of the American College in Greece, the oldest American-accredited college in Europe and the largest private college in Greece.
Ms. Wince-Smith has served as the vice-chair and chair of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Competitiveness. She was previously a member of the Smithsonian National Board and the Naval Academy Foundation Board.
Ms. Wince-Smith earned a degree in classical archaeology and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College. She earned her master's degree from King's College, Cambridge University, and received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Michigan State University, an honorary doctorate in public administration from the University of Toledo, an honorary doctorate of law honoris causa from the Queens University Belfast, and an honorary doctorate of humane letters honoris causa from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.


Susan Furlong , writing under the name of Lucy Arlington, pens the Novel Idea Mysteries! Let's get to know her a little better!
Summer has gone by so fast. I couldn't wait for it to get here and now it's almost over and the kids are going back to school.


The long-running 'Gassled' saga has reached the Supreme Court of Norway: the court dismissed the appeal by four companies with an interest in Gassled, the owner of the system of pipelines that transports gas from the North Sea and Norwegian Sea to Norway, the UK and Central Europe.
The legal battle commenced in 2013, when the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy ("MPE") introduced an amendment to certain regulations (the "Tariff Regulations"), which had the effect of reducing the tariffs Gassled was able to charge to shippers for new bookings from 1 October 2016 – thereby substantially reducing Gassled's future income.
Four companies, with a total ownership interest in Gassled of approximately 45% (the "Appellants"), brought an action against the Norwegian state challenging the legal basis for the amendment to the Tariff Regulations. As detailed in our earlier Law-Nows, they were unsuccessful before the District Court in Oslo, and again before the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court has upheld the decision of those lower courts and affirmed the Norwegian government's power to regulate the oil and gas industry, and also commented on the countervailing considerations which may be taken into account when regulating the interests of stakeholders.
In the lower courts, the Appellants sought to argue that the Norwegian government did not have the authority to amend the Tariff Regulations: firstly, because MPE had agreed that the tariffs would remain unchanged during the whole of Gassled's licence period, from 2002 to 2028; secondly, because MPE did not have statutory authority to do so; and thirdly, because the amendment was in contravention of Gassled's rights under the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR"). In the alternative, the Appellants sought compensation on the basis that the state had provided insufficient guidance in relation to the tariff regime when the Appellants had purchased their interests in Gassled, in breach of Norwegian administrative law.
MPE lacked statutory authority to amend the Tariff Regulations. The Appellants argued that an adjustment of already established tariffs could only be made in accordance with section 4-8 subsection 2 of the Norwegian Petroleum Act. This subsection gives the MPE the right to change tariffs for gas transport if it is necessary "to ensure that projects are completed with due regard to concerns relating to resource management and that the owner of the facility is provided with a reasonable profit taking into account, among other things, investments and risks". The Appellants claimed that the change in tariff was not necessary for this purpose.
MPE's decision interfered with the Appellants' ECHR right to enjoy their possessions under Article 1 of the first Protocol ("A1P1") – which, the Appellants argued, included the right to a return on the possession in question. The level of interference with the Appellants' possessions was disproportionate, and could not be justified in terms of any effect on resource management.
The Supreme Court rejected both points and dismissed the appeal.
Did MPE have statutory authority?
The court first considered the legal basis for the original Tariff Regulations (2003) applicable to Gassled. The court found that it was "clear" that, when originally established, the tariff regime was implemented on "the assumption […] that the tariffs could be adjusted based on return." In order to adjust tariffs based on return, however, MPE required to amend the Tariff Regulations to adjust the capital element of the tariff formula. This is exactly what MPE had done in 2013.
Further, the court did not agree with the Appellants that MPE's power to amend the capital element was restricted by section 4-8 subsection 2 of the Petroleum Act. Subsection 2 related to the right to adjust tariffs for shipper agreements already entered into, however the amendment to the Tariff Regulations related to general tariffs for future agreements. In the circumstances, the relevant subsection was subsection 1 – which gave MPE far wider powers to stipulate "further rules in the form of regulations and may impose conditions and issue orders relating to such access in the individual case".
On this basis, the Supreme Court concluded that MPE did have statutory authority to amend the Tariff Regulations in 2013.
Was there an interference with ECHR A1P1 right?
Two questions faced the court in considering the Appellants' A1P1 argument. Firstly, whether the tariff adjustment is an interference with the Appellants' possessions; and secondly, whether that interference was proportionate, having regard to the right of states to control the use of property in accordance with the general interest of the community.
Interestingly, the court left open the first question, and did not decide whether an interference with an ownership interest protected by A1P1 had taken place. This is in contrast to the Court of Appeal, which had previously found that there was no legitimate expectation on the part of the Claimants that the tariffs would remain unchanged until 2028, and therefore there was no proprietary right afforded protection by A1P1.
In relation to the second question, the Tariff Regulation was not a disproportionate interference for three principal reasons. Firstly, the Appellants knew their ownership interests were tied to a regulatory regime, and were aware of the risk of adjustments to that regime. Secondly, MPE's decision to reduce the tariff was "handled in a manner to which [the court] [has] no objection." Notably, the decision had been subject to consultation, including with the Appellants. Thirdly, the adjustment had not in fact affected the Appellants particularly harshly; most of the capacity for the duration of the licence period (which would expire at the end of 2028) had already been booked before 1 July 2013, and was therefore not affected by the change which only took effect from 1 October 2016.
Against this background, the Supreme Court held there was no basis for concluding that the Tariff Regulation in 2013 was a disproportionate interference with the Appellants' right to protection of property under ECHR A1P1.
The Supreme Court's decision is another clear statement of the latitude afforded to the Norwegian state to regulate its oil and gas industry. Notably, the court considered in some detail the principles of the Norwegian regime which guided MPE's decision to amend the Tariff Regulations – including that "profit is earned from the fields and not the infrastructure".
Further Law-Nows will consider whether there are any regulatory parallels (and, perhaps, cautionary tales) for those working in the UKCS within the regulatory remit of the Oil and Gas Authority. In both the UK and Norwegian systems there is a balance to be achieved between, on the one hand, upholding national energy policy seeking to maximise resources and revenue from oil and gas fields and, on the other, the commercial interests of other stakeholders. Gassled brings into focus the tension which can arise when those competing interests conflict.
As noted above, the Appellants relied heavily on their rights under the ECHR when litigating before the Supreme Court. Whilst they have now exhausted all domestic avenues to appeal, it remains to be seen whether they will attempt to appeal further, to the European Court of Human Rights.


Disabled adaptations in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Free quotations.
We understand that disabled adaptations are unique to individuals and families, and that everyones needs are different. There are a large range of alterations that maybe required to help you to keep enjoying your home. From the installation of grab rails to ensure you feel safe and stable in your bathroom, to full remodelling. Allowing easier access for elderly people, people with limited mobility or people that require wheelchair access. We have the experience to meet all your needs.
We work to major manufactures to bring you the latest innovations to keep comfortable and safe in your own home.
Wet rooms can be the answer to access issues. We can design and install a wet room to suit all existing bathrooms or add a wet room to your property. Anti slip flooring – to help you fell secure with wet or bare feet.
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Support rails – to help you get on and off the W.C.
Low level shower trays – just 40mm high these trays allow easy access to the shower.
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Professionalism, sincerity and compassion are the key factor to all our adaptations.
We pride ourselves on ensuring our installations are only ever completed to the highest of standards.
If you have a disabled adaptations project you would like to discuss, or you would like us to give you a free, no obligation quotation. then please feel free to contact us, we'll be happy to help.


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Chair_One has intriguing looks and comfort—a welcome alternative to chairs that look comfortable but aren't. Modeled from die-cast aluminum and constructed like a soccer ball, Chair_One was designed to be more void than solid, to use the least material to create the most product.
A choice of base, finish, and material options make Chair_One perfect for just about any environment—indoors or outdoors—that needs seating with simplicity and sophistication. Available with a 4-leg stackable, 4-star, and concrete base, and with a polished, anodized, or painted aluminum frame finish, which is ideal for use outdoors. Cushions—for just the seat or for the seat and back—are available separately in five fabrics and two leathers.


The Brown Image Gallery is a digital asset management system that contains images, video, audio and other digitized items related to Brown's brand identity. An example includes a photo of the Brown campus for website use. Members of the Brown community can search for and download assets. This service helps departments streamline workflows by allowing them to easily store and access digital assets.
All members of the Brown community with a Brown username can reach the Brown Image Gallery by following the link and logging in with their Brown username and password. Those who would like to contribute assets should submit an Access Request.


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Astro Japan secures $79.4m in loan, raising
Astro Japan Property Group is undertaking a $25.4 million institutional placement to retain seven of the properties in its debt-plagued portfolio, and secured a $55.3 million five-year non-recourse loan over six properites.
Ainslie Chandler
Updated Jan 19, 2013 – 2.44am, first published at Jan 17, 2013 – 11.12am
Astro Japan Property Group is undertaking a $25.4 million institutional placement to retain seven of the properties in its debt-plagued portfolio.
The trust, which holds stakes in 36 Japanese office, retail and residential properties, has struggled to refinance loans over a portfolio of 14 properties held in two vehicles.
The deal means the company has managed to retain an interest in 10 of the 14 properties in its troubled portfolio, after settling on three assets in November, using an extended loan. One of the assets was sold and a further three were taken over by the lender.
Astro Japan Property Group has been hard-pressed to refinance its loans, after suffering through the global financial crisis. Photo: Bloomberg
The fully-underwritten placement will be undertaken at $2.90 per security, a 3.3 per cent discount to the company's January 16 closing price and a 48.5 per cent discount to net tangible assets.
The company has also secured a new $55.3 million five-year non-recourse loan over six of the properites, to help fund the transaction.
Under the latest deal, the lender will release its security over six properties on receipt of $79.4 million from Astro Japan.
The remaining asset will be subject to the same $25.1 million extended loan as the assets settled in October.
Management will now seek to refinance the debt on these four properties, which matures at the end of October, or to sell one or more of the properties.
"We are very pleased to reach this final stage in Astro Japan's emergence from its pre-GFC [global financial crisis] capital structure. Over the past five years we have sold approximately ¥33 billion ($352 million) in assets at an aggregate 7 per cent premium to book value and 10 per cent premium to the price paid for the assets, we have terminated all A$/yen capital hedges, with the counter-party being paid in full and we will have achieved a reduction in AJA's portfolio loan-to-value ratio from a peak of about 79 per cent to just under 60 per cent upon completion of this final stage, a level we are very comfortable with," Astro Japan senior advisor Eric Lucas said.
Astro Japan's board has upgraded its distribution guidance for the second half of fiscal 2012-13 from 7.5¢ per security to 10¢ per security in light of the raising. Earnings per security are expected to be about 48¢ per security for the year, down 16 to 17 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Management said the primary cause of the drop was weakness in the yen. EPS would have been down 8 per cent if the yen had remained at the same average as in fiscal 2011-12.
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