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Governor Cuomo Signs Law to Expand Health Care Coverage for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a law that will require health insurance providers to offer coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
The legislation will help families afford the expensive health care costs related to treating loved ones with autistic disorders. Under the new law, health insurance companies will be required to provide coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders, though coverage may be subject to deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits.
"This bill will help thousands of families across New York who struggle to obtain proper care for loved ones affected by autism spectrum disorder," Governor Cuomo said. "When it comes to autism, early diagnosis and treatment is essential, and it is inexcusable that financial constraints would stand in the way of a brighter future for those affected by this disorder. This bill opens the door to families seeking earlier treatment and better results. I thank Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle for sponsoring this much-needed legislation."
Previously, state law only required that insurance coverage not exclude the diagnosis and treatment of autism disorder. While some health insurers provide limited coverage for ASD treatment, such as vitamins or occupational therapy, most do not offer coverage for treatments that are deemed not medically necessary. Families had little choice but to pay out-of-pocket for the necessary treatment, with costs sometimes more than $50,000 per year. Many families cannot afford to pay for treatment without a severe economic hardship and may have to forgo effective early treatment of ASD for their children.
With today's signing, New York is the twenty-ninth state to require health insurance coverage for conditions relating to autism spectrum disorder. As with other states, this legislation caps the cost of services per year. The law takes effect one year after its enactment on November 1, 2012 and applies to insurance policies issued or renewed after that date.
Autism spectrum disorders are a group of complex, pervasive developmental brain conditions that are often characterized by difficulties in social interaction, impairments in communication, and repetitive patterns of behavior. ASDs occur in approximately one in every 110 children in all racial, ethnic and social groups, and studies suggest that it is four times more likely to occur in boys than girls. Early detection of ASDs, when followed by the right interventions, can lead to better outcomes in functioning. In New York, approximately 30,000 individuals under the age of 19 have been identified with an ASD.
New York State offers a number of services and supports to individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities, including the Department of Health's Early Intervention Program, preschool special education services and special education services for school children under the auspices of the State Education Department, and an "Autism Platform," provided by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities that offers certain services and support for individuals with ASD, most of which are Medicaid-funded and provided in conjunction with an individualized service plan.
Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said, "Thousands of families throughout the state are facing critical choices between providing quality care for children and adults with autism or jeopardizing their finances. This bill will give them access to the tools that have been proven to make a difference in the life of an individual with autism. I thank Senator Fuschillo and Senator McDonald for their leadership, and commend the Governor for partnering with us to get this done."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "A government that steps up to ensure a brighter future for vulnerable children and adults especially in difficult times such as these is a government with its priorities in order. I thank the Governor for standing up for those afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorders and for their families who are striving to give them the best care possible; and to my colleague, Assemblyman Joe Morelle, for his leadership and his tireless efforts to help make today possible."
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. said, "Today is a great day for individuals with autism. For years, families have fought for access to treatment coverage for their loved ones. This new law will afford individuals with autism the opportunity to receive treatments and therapies they need without being forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket every year. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this law which will dramatically improve the lives of every New York family affected by autism."
Senator Roy J. McDonald said, "Autism is quickly erupting into epidemic levels with diagnosis rates climbing at an astonishing level, this is a mental health issue that is going to get much worse before it gets better and this legislation helps real people and their families. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership and support of this bill, along with my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly who sponsored this legislation."
Assemblyman Joseph Morelle said, "With Governor Cuomo's signature today, families will no longer have to decide between affording health care for one child or college education for another. New York has proven with this law that we remain a state that looks out for everyone, especially those who face hardship through no fault of their own. I thank the Governor for his leadership and attention to this issue, and I commend my colleagues in the legislature for passing this important bill."
Dr. Nirav Shah, Commissioner of the Department of Health said, "Early detection of autism spectrum disorders, when followed by the right treatment programs, has been shown to lead to better functioning in patients, and will provide a more stable future for children and their families. I thank and commend Governor Cuomo and our Legislature for working together to enact legislation that will help families all across New York meet the challenges of autism spectrum disorders."
Courtney Burke, Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities said, "I cannot stress enough the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, many families have had to forgo early intervention due to economic hardship. With the signing of this bill, caregivers can continue to advocate and support their child who has been diagnosed with autism, and not have to worry about the financial stress related to needed services. Today, the families of the 24,000 New York State citizens diagnosed with an ASD, whom OPWDD serves, join me in applauding Governor Cuomo and his decision to sign this vital bill."
John B. King, Jr., State Education Commissioner said, "The struggle with autism is hard enough for families. Those families shouldn't be forced to choose between a mountain of medical bills or delaying care for their children. And early and accurate diagnosis is vital for long-term, effective treatment. There are some things that are simply the right things to do. This new law is one of them. The Governor and the Legislature have taken a tremendous burden off the backs of thousands of New York parents with children suffering from autism spectrum disorder."
Bob Wright, Co-founder of Autism Speaks said, "Autism Speaks thanks Governor Cuomo for his wisdom and courage in standing by our families who struggle with autism. We commend the Governor's willingness to work with us and our champions, Assemblyman Joe Morelle and Senator Chuck Fuschillo, to craft one of the most powerful autism insurance reform bills in the nation. Today New York becomes the 29th state to enact reform, joining the growing majority of states that put families first."
Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks said, "Some New York families, already hit hard by the recession, are paying tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket each year to provide their children with the therapies they need and deserve. This critical legislation will not only right this wrong, but also save the taxpayers of this state an estimated $13 million in special education, Medicaid and social service costs in the next six years. This is a good day for all New Yorkers."
Paul A. Hamlin, MD, President, Medical Society of the State of New York said, "On behalf of the physician members of the Medical Society of the State of New York, the signing of this bill is a momentous event. The measure will expand health insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Patients are often faced with significant gaps in treatments which may be needed over and above those provided pursuant to an individualized family, education, or service plan. We commend Governor Cuomo, Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle for their foresight in championing this legislation which will expedite diagnosis and treatment by providing insurance parity for autism sufferers and result in better long-term health outcomes."
Patricia Schissel, LMSW, Executive Director of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA) said, "Today's signing lifts a great financial burden on families in New York who have to care for individuals with autism. By requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism, families can now more easily detect autism in individuals and begin needed treatment as soon as possible. I commend Governor Cuomo and Sponsors Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle for their work in passing this legislation."
Elie Ward, Director of Policy & Advocacy, American Academy of Pediatrics, District II, NYS said, "Having a child diagnosed with autism can create enormous financial difficulties for families already struggling with the impacts of our current economy and compounds the emotional/social challenges of caring for a chronically ill child. Without the kind of health care coverage this legislation requires, these families are often left with no choice to but forgo treatments. As a result of this draconian choice, their children are left even further behind their peers and absorb more services going forward. By requiring health insurance companies to pay for the diagnosis and treatment of autism and autism spectrum disorders, Governor Cuomo is ensuring that the tens of thousands of affected children in New York are given access to proper care and a better chance to grow and develop to their full potential. The more than five thousand pediatricians across New York sincerely I thank Assemblyman Morelle and Senator Fuschillo and their many colleagues for getting this law passed in the legislature. And we thank Governor Cuomo for signing it."
Anita Altman, Deputy Managing Director for UJA-Federation of New York said, "For so long, families who are raising children with autism have been weighed down by backbreaking out-of-pocket costs for autism disorder treatments. And for those families who cannot afford treatment, their children are left with even more of a disadvantage academically and socially. Requiring health insurance providers to cover these costs will change the lives of these families, and I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this into law."
Katie Weisman, Secretary of the Autism Action Network said, "My family and I were so relieved when this bill finally passed in the legislature and could not be more excited that the Governor is signing it today. I would like to thank Senator Fuschillo, Assemblyman Morelle and all the advocates who worked on this piece of legislation. This law will acknowledge that autism is a medical condition and not just a psychiatric condition. I have seen first-hand how effective treatment can be. My children have grown leaps and bounds through both medical treatment and intensive educational support. It is important that all the individuals and families affected by autism be able to afford the care they so desperately need. We cannot pinch pennies over something as significant as improving long-term quality of life. This new law should smooth the road for those families whose loved-ones are affected by autism."
Susan Hyman, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center said, "In today's economy, having a child diagnosed with autism can be an enormous financial difficulty on already strained family budgets. Governor Cuomo is ensuring that proper medical and behavioral care will be reimbursed for the 1 in every 110 children and youth in New York with autism by requiring health insurance companies to pay for the diagnosis and treatment of this neurodevelopmental disorder. I would like to personally thank Assemblyman Morelle and Senator Fuschillo for getting this law passed in the legislature."
Stephen Sulkes, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital and Director of the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities, said, "Autism spectrum disorders have profound effects on the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, their friends and their family members. Today, Governor Cuomo's show of support for those impacted by ASDs proves the state government is on their side. I thank the Governor for signing this bill into law and working to minimize the challenges that result from ASDs by requiring health insurance providers to cover its treatment and diagnosis."
Paige Pierce, Executive Director of Families Together in New York State and President of the Board of the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region said, "I congratulate New York on becoming the latest state to pass the Autism Bill requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage for treating people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This Bill demonstrates an understanding of the importance of comprehensive and early care and treatment for our children. As a parent of a young man with ASD and the co-chair of the Timothy's Law Campaign, I know firsthand the challenges that families have faced in the past. I thank Governor Cuomo, Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle for their progressive leadership and commitment to our children and families."
Jan Campito, Vice President of the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region said, "Governor Cuomo has made the improvement of healthcare and its financial impact on New York and its constituents a priority since taking office. Today's signing is another example of his commitment to progressive health care for families with special needs. This new law is great news for our children and families who have had to make enormous sacrifices to afford the high costs of ASD treatments, and I commend the Governor, Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle for their hard work."
Michael Smith, Chairman of the Foundation for Autism Information and Research, Inc. said, "This bill signing is a monumental achievement for the tens of thousands of New Yorkers directly affected by autism, and their families. Governor Cuomo, together with Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Morelle and the entire State Legislature, has ensured that heath care providers will fulfill their obligations and no longer demand that families suffer the burden of these expensive treatments and care. This bill is a positive step forward, but, much work remains to be done in addressing the overall hurdles to insurance coverage for families. The autism epidemic will continue to be a high priority in the State Legislature."
Sarah Milko, President of Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism Treatment said, "In today's economy, having a child diagnosed with autism can be an enormous financial difficulty on already strained family budgets. And if these families are left with no choice to but forgo treatments, their children are left even further behind their peers. By requiring health insurance companies to pay for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder, Governor Cuomo is ensuring that the tens of thousands of affected children in New York are given proper care. I thank Assemblyman Morelle and Senator Fuschillo for getting this law passed in the Legislature."
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Debugging by printing
Note: This article is currently only a draft and is a part of a series of articles I'm going to publish the next few months - if you want to contribute to it, please feel free to. However it would be nice if you could coordinate your efforts with me
debugging by printing is probably the simplest way to get some information from the kernel, especially when using the kernels equivalent of printf, the printk function.
The main advantage of debugging with printk is that no sophisticated setup is needed and printk can be called from almost anywhere at any time. Printk can be called while holding a lock, from interrupt and process context, is SMP safe and does not need any special preparation. It is just there and just works.
The only real exception is early in the boot process where no console is available yet, but there is special function named early_printk just for this special case, which is available if CONFIG_EARLY_PRINTK is set.
What this article will be about - ideas
- printk format
- Debug/log levels - dmesg -n /proc/sys/kernel/printk
- printk_ratelimited
- dynamic debug, pr_debug and dev_dbg
- pr_warn and family - see printk.h for details
- early_printk,
- maybe Early printk via EHCI debug port (if I have the hardware, which I doubt)
- printascii, printch and printhex (on ARM only?)
- /dev/kmsg , /proc/kmsg
- maybe netconsole
- Examples - maybe use example module.
- Linux Kernel Development, Robert Love, 3rd Edition, Chapter 18 Debugging
- Essential Device Drivers

subset: commoncrawl


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Posted 8 years ago
(75 items)
This tin marble game is from the 40s. It will still sling the devil out of the marble at breakneck speed. Made by the Wolverine Supply and Mfg. Company, Pittsburgh, PA. The color of the base pretty much dates it. After 1950 the base was painted red. These are still made today. The simplicity of vintage toys wouldn't hold a child's attention nowadays. It's a shame. Great history with some of the toys of yesteryear. Jimbo


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My single favorite Christmas album is an old cassette tape given to me years ago by the friend who goes by "Marquee Movies" on this blog. Back during the years when I was attending Shirone Lutheran Church in Japan, I would often teach during the day on Christmas Eve (Christmas is just a plain old workday in Japan), then drive the twenty or so miles from the university to the little Lutheran church. Now, normally that drive wouldn't take long; but Christmas Eve is a strangely special time in Japan. For whatever reasons, the Eve (not the day itself) has become, in Japanese pop culture, a time when two things happen: 1.) young couples go on hugely lavish dates to magnificent hotels or the upmost upscale restaurants they (usually the guy) can possibly afford; it's the one night of the year when money is expected to pour out of wallets like Niagara Falls. And 2.) husbands come straight home from work so that the family can have a fancy dinner together (which is supposed to include Kentucky Fried Chicken among all the other feast items — expensive sushi platters, wine, cheese, caviar, etc. ) — and for dessert, there's Christmas cake.
Stores take orders for Christmas cakes months in advance. If you haven't ordered yours well ahead of time and try to search for one on Christmas Eve Day, you may be out of luck — the shelves in bakeries, department stores, and ice-cream shops are looking pretty barren. The cake can be of any flavor; it's generally decorated beautifully. The point is, it's CAKE — it's what MUST be eaten on Christmas Eve, along with Kentucky Fried Chicken. (My students were always shocked and greatly amused to learn that these customs did not come from the U.S.A., since they firmly believed they were doing what all Americans do on Christmas Eve.)
Anyway, my point is that city streets and the roads to the suburbs are gridlocked with traffic starting in the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Cars creep along, bumper to bumper. So my twenty-mile trip to Shirone Lutheran Church could easily take three or four hours on Christmas Eve. Enter that wonderful tape Marquee Movies gave me! I would settle in, thinking the joyful thoughts of Christmas (church service and trombone-playing ahead, followed by a Christmas cake party at church, followed by a late-night feast with friends, followed by presents — and all in celebration of the birth of the Savior, Who provides a point to everything). I would settle into this long, long car ride. The car was a little island of warmth in the cold and dark. Sometimes snow would be falling outside, drifting large and soft and feathery into the bare rice fields. Sometimes the moon would be glimmering on the Shinano River, which paralleled my road. I would inch my way to church, immersed in the best Christmas music that Marquee Movies could assemble. And my favorite among the selections was a carol that had fascinated me since childhood:
"Good King Wenceslas."
The funny thing about it is that it's become a good, solid carol, firmly entrenched in the canon, but it doesn't mention the Nativity. It seems to be associated with Christmas because the song's story takes place on the feast day of St. Stephen, December 26th. If you're willing to trust my Internet research, the tune is of Finnish origin, from the mid-1500s, and the text was written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853.
Wenceslas was King of Bohemia in the 10th century — a martyred Catholic king, assassinated by his brother Boleslaw (whose name, I can't help noticing, is just like "Coleslaw," but with a "B"–it definitely sounds like Monty Python material). Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Czech Republic, and his saint's day is September 28th.
Bear with me, and I'll include the words for you here. I hope they'll carry you back to your childhood, as they always do for me:
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel.
"Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence,
By Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine;
Bring me pine logs hither.
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear them thither."
Page and monarch forth they went,
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather.
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, good my page;
Tread thou in them boldly;
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing:
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing."
That gives me gooseflesh even now! Christmas carols just don't get any better than that. I love it for the way it gives us a glimpse beyond the walls of this world. In the ancient stories and songs, Saints are essentially magical people. They can perform miraculous feats . . . banish dragons (Saint Columba sent the Loch Ness Monster packing!) . . . and in this case, melt the snow underfoot and warm up the ground for us poor little pages who stumble after them in awe. I know that sort of happening appears in many tales. It reminds me most recently of Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke; in that film, the Shishigami, the most sacred Wild creature/god of the forest, leaves hoof-prints in which flowers sprout up.
Back in our carol, I love the pure impulsive charity of this king who spies a wretched peasant and leaps out of the castle to go and help him. Sure, there's a lot outside the borders of the song that cynics will be quick to note: what about all the other peasants out in the cold? And what about all the other cold nights of the year? Does the saintly king have a plan for improving the lot of his people, or is he just full of self-indulgent good cheer because it's the feast of Stephen, and tomorrow it will be business as usual? "Pay your taxes, poor man!"
Clearly, the carol is focused elsewhere, showing us something better, something beyond our winter's cold. It may not reference the Nativity, but there is Gospel here. I'm sure scholars have written about it more eloquently in the going-on two centuries that this carol has been around, but Wenceslas displays some Christ-like qualities here. He doesn't send the army. He goes himself; the King becomes the bringer of help, down in the snow, out in the cold. He ministers to the one in need; he "fills the hungry with good things" by preparing a banquet, the best that there is. And more, he blesses and comforts those who serve him. "Walk in my footprints. I'll press down the snow and I'll heat the ground for you." Why does Wenceslas choose to take only that page along on the mission? If they're carrying food and firewood, wouldn't a team of servants be in order? How about a carriage? How about all the king's horses and all the king's men? But Wenceslas chooses to make the trek with one faithful page. Interesting, huh? He doesn't fault the page for his limitations, either — doesn't mind that the page points out he's about to collapse. Wenceslas simply says, "Come on. I'll enable you to do this."
My other favorite part of this carol is the explanation of where the peasant lives: a good league hence, underneath the mountain, right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes' fountain. That is evocative and atmospheric. It's a Breughel or a Bosch painting. The peasant doesn't live up on Route 8 across from the McDonald's. This is a quieter, greener, greyer land, a country of shadows, dappled light, scudding clouds, and mystery.
I doubt it's a very good thing in this kingdom to live "right against the forest fence" — on the doorstep of wolves, robbers, and evil spirits. The peasant lives there because he's poor. (I had a discussion with a local friend about this on Monday: my interpretation is that there's no man-made fence; "forest fence" means "the edge of the forest; the barrier that is the forest." Do you agree with me? I grew up looking across the field at a "forest fence," which seemed a green cliff, the boundary of another world.) The landscape is marked with such wondrous things as the fountains of saints — crosses and cairns, stones, pools, and boscages, each with its own legend.
What remains in this world of Wenceslas of Bohemia, in addition to a handful of facts in dusty tomes, is a song that is still played each year as the winter solstice approaches. The portrait that carol gives us is most likely anything but an accurate historical account; nevertheless, it preserves some enduring truths. Compassion is a quality to be sought after and practiced. We are empowered with a light and warmth that radiate from beyond this world; and in the best of our actions, we are in turn blessed.
That, and there's a fantastically cool landscape of the imagination out there, hinted at in our old legends and songs, always ready to be tapped by the storytellers and celebrated by those who love them!
So that's my Christmas carol story. A good discussion this month might be: What are your favorite Christmas songs, and why? Do you have any memories to share with appreciative listeners? — memories, perhaps, of great times spent listening to them, and/or what they meant to you? Any Christmas thoughts/stories/memories in general are most welcome!


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Three affluent families are forming a fund with the purpose of raising $30 million to support programs that serve military veterans, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America announced today.
The families have donated more than $1 million and plan to seek contributions especially from other wealthy people, including those without personal connections to any service members.
Philip Green, president of PDG Consulting, a health-care consultancy, and his wife, Elizabeth Cobbs, chief of geriatrics at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C., joined with their friends Glenn and Laurie Garland and with the Jim Stimmel family to create the fund, Mr. Green said in an interview with The Chronicle.
IN PICTURES: The Next Mission: Veterans Returning Home
The money raised for the new Veterans Support Fund will be funneled to five nonprofits that help returning service members and their families.
In addition to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which will operate the fund and conduct fundraising for it, the other beneficiaries include the National Military Family Association, Operation Homefront, Operation Mend, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
Mr. Green and Ms. Cobb have donated $600,000 to start the fund, and the Garland and Stimmel families have each contributed $250,000.
Michelle McCarthy, a spokeswoman for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said the fund will focus fundraising appeals on people who can give at least $250,000, but will accept donations of any size.
The announcement of the fund comes at a crucial time. A recent Chronicle article reported that many charities that serve veterans are desperate for money.
The impetus for the Veterans Support Fund came from Mr. Green and his wife, who said they realized how fortunate they were that their three grown children were not involved in the wars and came to believe that soldiers and their families are owed a special debt.
"The message we're trying to communicate to these families is this is a moral obligation rather than a decision to give a charitable donation," Mr. Green said. "This is different because you really have a moral obligation to give, you actually owe [military families] money."
• This article originally appeared online at The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
• Sign up to receive a weekly selection of practical and inspiring Change Agent articles by clicking here.


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This was published 6 years ago
Turkey outraged as PM's aide kicks mine disaster protester
Ankara, Turkey: A video showing an aide to Turkey's prime minister kicking a protester held on the ground by special forces police sparked outrage on Thursday, tarnishing the Turkish leader's image ahead of his expected run for president.
Turkish newspapers also published photographs showing the adviser kicking the protester and identified him as Yusuf Yerkel, a deputy chief of staff at Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office and adviser to the prime minister.
The incident occurred during Mr Erdogan's visit on Wednesday to a coal mine in the western town of Soma where at least 283 miners were killed in Turkey's worst mining disaster. Scores of others are still missing.
Angry protesters heckled Mr Erdogan and scuffles broke out between demonstrators and police in Soma, forcing the Turkish leader to take refuge in a supermarket before being driven off in a black vehicle.
Hurriyet newspaper said a protester kicked a vehicle in Mr Erdogan's convoy, prompting the special forces police to jump in and force the man to the ground. Mr Yerkel then kicked the protester "three or four times," the paper said.
Mr Yerkel issued a statement on Thursday that expressed regret but also claimed that he was provoked.
"I am sorry that I was not able to keep calm despite all the provocations, insults and attacks that I was subjected to," he said.
Twitter was abuzz with posts condemning Mr Yerkel's action and an opposition party demanded an explanation for it.
"Do his responsibilities include beating up and kicking protesters or citizens? On which legal grounds was he given this authority?" lawmaker Ugur Bayraktutan asked in a question submitted for the government to answer.
The prime minister's office distanced itself from the incident, with one official saying the issue was Mr Yerkel's "own personal matter." The official was not allowed to give his name to the press without authorisation, which he did not have.
Mr Erdogan is widely expected to run in Turkey's presidential election in August, although he has not yet announced his candidacy. He has already served the maximum three terms as prime minister.
As the death toll from Turkey's worst mining accident mounted, labour leaders on Thursday called for a one-day strike.
Demonstrations had already broken out Wednesday in Ankara, the capital, and in Istanbul, as public displeasure surfaced over poor safety standards at the mine and a lack of official information about events since Tuesday, when an explosion ignited underground fires. On Thursday, the police fired water cannons to disperse crowds of demonstrators in the Aegean port city of Izmir, some 120 km southwest of here.
Rescue workers, meanwhile, struggled to locate scores of coal miners still unaccounted for but officials said hopes for finding those trapped were fading. The official death toll increased overnight to 282 as eight more bodies were recovered, surpassing the grim tally from a mine accident on the Black Sea in 1992 that killed 263 workers.
Such was the blend of outrage and grief among survivors and relatives that Mr Erdogan was forced to take refuge at a supermarket during a visit to this town near the stricken mine on Wednesday. Angry crowds called him a murderer and a thief and clashed with police, The Associated Press reported.
Striking a more conciliatory tone at the mine on Thursday, President Abdullah Gul told mourners and relatives, "The pain is everybody's." But one person called out to him that the presence of his security detail was itself obstructing rescue efforts, news reports said.
Public discontent has deepened as victims' families demand answers about what happened at the coal mine.
Five labour unions called for a one-day nationwide strike on Thursday, demanding better health and safety standards for miners. They also said mine inspectors should be drawn from labour unions and that they should include independent experts not employed by the mining corporations. The mine at Soma was formerly state-owned but had been leased to a private company, news reports said.
"Miners suffer long working hours, have no occupational safety or social security, and when most of them are unregistered, they are part of an unregistered economy," said Umar Karatepe, a spokesman for the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey.
Mr Karatepe said the privatisation of mines had led to a sharp increase in accidents "because profit is always more valuable than miners' lives in the private sector."
He said protests would continue until the energy minister, Taner Yildiz, resigned and the government attended to the miners' immediate concerns.
Many relatives of the miners have complained about a lack of information from the government and from local emergency agencies. "No official came here to talk to us, explain what's going on," said the aunt of a 25-year-old miner Wednesday.
The government's emergency centre said on Thursday that 217 of the 282 bodies recovered so far had been handed over to families for burial. The funerals are likely to intensify the anger provoked by the disaster.
The number of people still trapped in the mine is unclear and rescue efforts have been slowed because of the risk of gas explosions and continuing fires underground, according to an official in the prime minister's office, who spoke on the condition anonymity under departmental rules.
On three occasions, the dangers forced authorities to suspend attempts to bring more bodies to the surface, the official said.
"Imagine the mine as a huge nest of coal, which is burning quietly and can be put out only if pressurised water is pumped into all galleries," the official said.
The prime minister's office estimated Thursday that around 120 bodies remained to be recovered, but some miners said the figure could be more than 200.
AP, New York Times


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The unique Quick Detachable (QD) design stops the metal swivel body from contacting the gun. The close machining tolerances provide smooth and silent operation. Super Swivels do not include studs. All others include studs or barrel bands, depending on type.
- For rifles that have swivel base installed
- Silver are nickel-plated
- Includes: 2-super swivels (no studs come with these swivels)


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Mobile World Congress 2013: Italtel Presents at MWC 2013 its Solutions for Network Transformation and its Competence Center on Mobile
22 Feb, 2013, 10:00 GMT
BARCELONA, February 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Italtel, a leading player in next generation networks and services, is present at Mobile Word Congress 2013 with its products and solutions for the wireless and wireline industry that include IMS and VoLTE platform, network migration, HD voice&video, virtualization and Cloud, multi-vendor System Integration. In particular, Italtel has created a Competence Center on Mobile dedicated to support mobile operators, private enterprises and public administration.
The increasing popularity of new consumer devices, particularly smartphone and tablets, and their content-rich applications are changing the way of communication among people. This circumstance, despite offering operators tremendous opportunities, introduces a lot of several complex challenges that affect costs, revenues, traditional business models and quality of experience for users. Mobile operators are faced with the challenge of ensuring better user experience levels, preventing discarded data sessions as well as slow network speed and reducing subscriber churn. Furthermore, they must find new ways of network optimization to deliver existing and new services more efficiently.
"Italtel possesses the core competences to make possible the profound process of networks transformation enabled by IMS systems and aimed at meeting operators' need to address current market challenges - said Stefano Pileri, Italtel CEO. Over the last years we have been working to the development of a complete and flexible IMS framework for mobile and fixed contexts. In addition, we have a system integration expertise in All-IP networks that is crucial for the optimal management of network migration scenarios. This competence is also enhanced thanks to the over 12-year partnership with Cisco, a worldwide leader in these types of networks".
Italtel addresses current market scenarios with a set of solutions covering:
• IMS & VoLTE Platforms
Since when IMS took the first step, Italtel has been very active in designing and evolving its own IMS core. The reason is related to the opportunity offered by IMS technology to gather the complete intelligence of the network in a single point. Italtel has developed on its products all the functionalities for a complete IMS architecture, compatible with "All-In-One" compact concept and ready for VoLTE (HD video included) and RCSe.
The solution is composed by: i-MCS (Italtel Multimedia Communication Suite) which includes elements belonging to Control Layer and Service Layer; i-RPS (Italtel Rounting&Policy Server); i-TDS (Data Layer). Italtel has recently included in its own IMS new functionalities to fit VoLTE architecture evolution in order to minimize the time delay introduced during the handover from LTE E-UTRAN to UMTS/GSM (UTRAN/GERAN) access area coverage. Italtel solution for VoLTE includes, in addition, further modular functional entities which enable a full interconnectivity between 2G/3G and IMS/LTE networks.
- System Integration & Competence Center on Mobile
Leveraging the strong experience in designing and implementing VoIP and IP solutions, Italtel has the required skills and technological readiness to support the enablement of Mobile Internet Solutions both for Enterprises and for Service Providers, helping the latter to achieve their goals of data/video traffic optimization as well as data traffic monetization.
System Integration activities for Mobile projects are powered by the ItaltelCompetenceCenter dedicated to support:
- Mobile Operators in an end-to-end delivery approach, based on its complete portfolio of professional services, from feasibility analysis to network design, from implementation and deployment to operations and proactive assistance.
- Private Enterprises and Public Administration in designing and implementing mobile enterprise architectures. Key areas of deployment are: Mobile Device Management; Mobile Security; Private cloud for enterprise application repository and management; Mobile big data management.
- HDVC - High Definition Video Conferencing
Italtel is a founder member of the HDVC Initiative, an open group of operators and manufacturers that collaborate to jointly agree on the usage of existing and emerging open standards for high quality video conferencing and communication in order to deploy and to promote video services in an IP-based telecommunications environment. By supporting the HDVC Initiative, Italtel strongly believes in the success of this solution initially for small/medium enterprises and consumers but in the next future for large enterprise as well. The latest should appreciate an overall cost benefit by moving gradually toward an HDVC solution and replacing their own current expansive video conferencing platforms.
- Virtualization & Cloud Powered by the Network
A project for building Cloud based solutions (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) is generally composed of several stages that include solution assessment, design and delivery according to a process that starts from the definition of service requirements with the customer, till the choice of the best suited technology partners to support the initiative. In this scenario, Italtel, supported by an extensive ecosystem of partners in which stands out Cisco, can be recognized as a reliable partner of the Service Provider. Italtel supports its customers from the definition of service and project designing, until the supply, configuration and delivery of "turn key" solutions.
- Next Generation Session Border Controller (SBC)
Evolutionary drivers such as Voice&Video over LTE, HD Voice&Video, RCS/RCS-e services, WebRTC and OTT applications, lead the increasing demand for interconnection among IP networks and have strong impacts on both signaling and media adaptations. Furthermore, cloud and virtualization promise significant operational cost savings and cannot be ignored in SBCs evolution path.
NetMatch-S is the Italtel Session Border Controller that provides all features necessary to establish IP-based interconnections among different networks and delivers voice, video and multimedia sessions ensuring a differentiable QoS.
Covering full support of IP Network-To-Network Interconnection between IMS/NGN domains, NetMatch-S provides unique SIP Business trunking and UNI (User Network Interface) features for both fixed and mobile environments.
For more info about Italtel presence at Mobile World Congress 2013 visit Italtel Virtual Press Office at http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/kit/te2l. #MWC13 #Italtel
The Italtel Group
Italtel designs and builds next-generation communication networks and services. Italtel integrates proprietary products and solutions with network and system integration capabilities and offers professional services including networks engineering & consulting, managed services and ICT solutions like UC&C, Cloud Computing, Energy Management, Smart Cities, Integrated Security, HD video-communication.
Italteltechnology is present in over 40 countries worldwide. Besidesto Italy, where Italtel has been playing a key role in the development of telecommunications, its foreign operations focus on EMEA (France, Germany, Spain, UK, Poland, Romania, Libya, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman) and Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru).
SOURCE ITALTEL S.p.A.


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Saturday 21st January. Hitachi Europe Head Office at Whitebrook Park, Lower Cookham Road, Maidenhead, SL6 8YA. 3-round McMahon tournament. Time limit 60 minutes with increasing overtime (10/5, 20/5 etc). Flexible komi with players bidding to play black. Registration by 9:45. Prize giving by 19:00. Supported by Hitachi Europe Ltd. Contact Iain Attwell 01628 676792 wintergarden at talktalk.net A
Sunday 22nd January. Junior Parlour, Whewell's Court, Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TQ. 8-round double elimination, then handicap, tournament. Time limit 15 minutes. Registration by 10:25. Prize giving 17:00. Contact Paul Smith 01223 563932
Saturday 4th February. Melton Mowbray pub in High Holborn, London EC1N 2LE. 3-round McMahon tournament. Time limit 60 minutes + overtime. Registration by 10:00. Prize-giving by 18:30. Contact David Carter-Hitchin A
Saturday 11th February. Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 7QN. 3-round open (top 8 players) and 5-round handicap. Time limits 60 mins and 30 mins, with 40/5 overtime. Registration by 10:30. Prize-giving by 18:30. Contact Tony Atkins 0782-6651796 cheshire at kisekigo.com. B / C
Saturday 18th February. St. Edmund Hall, Queens Lane, Oxford, OX1 4AR 3-round McMahon tournament. Time limit 50 minutes with 30/5 overtime. Extra prizes, and gifts, for Under-9s, Under-12s, Under-15s, and Under-18s. Additional (faster) Novices Tournament, in parallel. Registration by 09:45. Contact Harry Fearnley B SHOP
2nd - 4th March. Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland. Friday evening: Irish Rapid Play. Saturday and Sunday: 5 round McMahon tournament. Time limit 60 minutes with 15/5 overtime. Level 1 European Cup tournament. Contact Rory Wales +353 87 1330317 rorywales at yahoo.com A
Saturday 10th March. St. Columba's Church, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EL. Open Tournament and separate novices' event. Registration by 10:15. Prize-giving by 18:40. Novices' Tournament 14:00 - 16:00 with teaching in the morning. Contact Alex Selby A
Saturday 17th March–Sunday 18th March. Tongadale Hotel, Wentworth Street, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9EJ. 6 round McMahon. (Possibly a small board event Friday evening.) Contact John Macdonald or Carel Goodheir carelgoodheir at gmail.com B SC
Sunday 18th March. Bloxham School, Bloxham, Oxfordshire OX15 4PE. Youth titles at U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 will be contested, in addition to the titles of overall British Youth Champion and British Schools Team Champions. A mixture of even and handicap games. Beginners and those new to the game will be made particularly welcome. Registration by 09:45. Prize-giving by 17:00. Tony Atkins 0118 9268143 bygc at britgo.org.
Saturday 24th March. Welwyn Garden City Bridge Club room, Gosling Stadium, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6XE. Registration by 09:30. Prize giving 18:30. 3-round McMahon tournament. Time limit 60 minutes with 20/5 overtime. Buffet lunch available. A
Saturday 31st March. Arundel Football Club, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PA. 3-round McMahon Tournament. 60 minutes time limit sudden death. Registration by 10:50. Prize giving about 18:00. Contact Sue Paterson 01903 889825 suepat812 at btinternet.com B
Monday 9th April. Burpham Village Hall, Burpham Lane, Guildford, GU4 7LP. Registration by 10:15. Finish by 16:30. For club teams of 3, or come and maybe join a scratch team. Entry £5 per head. Prizes for best team and best individuals. Contact Steve Bailey sgbailey at iee.org .
Sunday 15th April. Nippon Club, Samuel House, 6 St Albans Street, London, SW1Y 4SQ (near Piccadilly Circus). Contact Omar Massoud
Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd April. Durham.
Friday 20th April. Durham School, Quarryheads Lane, Durham DH1 4SZ. Lightning Tournament, part of British Go Congress. Contact Andrew Thurman andrew at thurman.org.uk
Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd April. Dunelm House (Student Union), New Elvet, Durham DH1 3AN. 6 round British Open Tournament (50 mins + overtime), part of British Go Congress. BGA AGM at 18:30 on Saturday evening. Contact Andrew Thurman andrew at thurman.org.uk B SC
Saturday 5th - Monday 7th May. Club Room, International Student House (ISH), 229 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PN. For qualifiers only (all British players who are members of the BGA with rating above 1899 from a tournament April 2011 - March 2012). You will be sent a letter of invitation. You can check online if you qualify. 6 round Swiss tournament. 90 minutes time limit with 20 moves in 5 minutes overtime. BC A
Sunday 6th May. Whewell's Court, Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TQ. 5 round McMahon tournament for kyu players only. 35 minutes time limit with no overtime. Registration by 10:25. Prizes at 16:45. Contact Brook Roberts C
Saturday 19th May - Sunday 20th May. Mason's Hall, 7 Artillery Lane, Dundee, DD1 1PE. 5 round McMahon. 80 minutes without overtime. Small board rapid on evening of 18th May from 18:00. Registration Saturday by 10:30. Prize Giving at 16:30 Sunday. Contact Pete Clinch A SC
Sunday 20th May. Woosehill Community Centre, Emmview Close, Wokingham, RG41 3DA. 3 round McMahon tournament. 60 minutes time limit with 30 moves in 5 minutes overtime. Registration by 10:00. Prizegiving 18:45. Contact Ian Marsh 01344 422296 bracknell at kisekigo.com B
Saturday 26th May - Sunday 27th May. Bridge Club, St Mary's Road, Galway City, Ireland. 5 round McMahon. 50 minutes with 20 second byoyomi. Registration by 10:50 Saturday. Prize-giving 17:00 Sunday. Contact Claas Roever claas.roever at nuigalway.ie or Rick Brennan +353-91-555878 B
Friday 1st – Monday 4th June. Nippon Club, Samuel House, 6 St Albans Street, London, SW1Y 4SQ (near Piccadilly Circus). For qualifiers from the Candidates' Tournament only. BC A
Sunday 10th June. Foxcombe Lodge Hotel, Boars Hill, Oxford, OX1 5DP. A tournament for teams of one male and one female who play alternately with no conferring. The top 8 pairs play for the title. Remaining pairs play in the handicap section. Contact Francis Roads, 61 Malmesbury Road, London E18 2NL 020 85054381 francis.roads at gmail.com
Saturday 16th June. Kenworthy Hall at St. Mary's College, Elvet Hill Road, Durham DH1 3LR 3-round McMahon tournament. Evening meal. Social event (BBQ) on the Sunday. Registration by 11:00. Prize-giving by 18:00. Contact Andrew Thurman or go.club at durham.ac.uk B
Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th June. Min-Y-Mor Hotel, The Promenade, Barmouth, LL42 1HW Registration by 12:30 Saturday. Prize-giving 15:30 Sunday. 5-round McMahon tournament. Time limit 50 minutes with 20/5 overtime. Will feature workshops with Korean professionasl Sohyun Park 3p and Juyeon Ko 8p. Contact Tony Pitchford 01925 730583. B
Sunday 24th June. Meadows Community Centre, 1 St Catharine's Road, Cambridge CB4 3XJ Arrive by 11:00, depart by 16:00. 13x13 tournament for all youngsters (under-18) whether qualified from UK Go Challenge heats or not. Those still learning to play are encouraged to take part as well as those with established grades. Titles in age groups for boys and for girls. Contact Tony Atkins 01189268143 info at ukgochallenge.com More on UK Go Challenge
Saturday 30th June. Sports Pavilion, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. 3-round McMahon tournament. 65 minutes time limit with 30 moves in 5 minutes overtime. Registration by 10:00. Prizing giving 18:30. Contact Tim Hunt A
Saturday 18th – Sunday 26th August. University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY. 16th edition.
Saturday 25th August. University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY. 14:15 to 18:00. 13x13 boards. Entry fee £10 (Juniors £9). Go introduction in the morning.
Sunday 26th August. University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY. 10:00 to 18:15. 4-round McMahon. 40 mins + 30 in 5 overtime. Entry fee £15 (Juniors £13.50). B
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September. 5-round McMahon Tournament. Registration by 10:30. Prizegiving 16:30 Sunday. Belfast Boat Club, Lockview Road, Stranmillis, Belfast BT9 5FH. Contact James Hutchinson james8hut at hotmail.com B
Saturday 8th September. Game 1 in this year's Title Match between Andrew Kay and Nick Krempel, location TBA, (with live relay on KGS from 10:00 featuring commentary by Alexandr Dinerchtein 3p). Contact Maria Tabor for more information. BC More Info
Sunday 9th September. Stockport Masonic Guildhall, 169 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3UA. Large car park at rear, near to public transport links. 3-round McMahon. Registration 09:45 to 10:00. Prize giving 18:00. Contact Chris Kirkham 0161 9039023 chris at cs.man.ac.uk B
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September. The Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance, TR18 4HG, tel. 01736 362371. Handicap Tournament takes place on Saturday afternoon. Registration by 13:30. Open Tournament takes place Sunday. 3-round McMahon. Registration by 09:45. Buffet lunch. Prize giving by 18:45. Teaching Event Saturday morning, 10:00 to 12:30. Contact John Culmer 01326 573167 johnculmer at btinternet.com A
Saturday 22nd September. Game 2 in this year's Title Match between Andrew Kay and Nick Krempel, location TBA, (with live relay on KGS from 10:00). Contact Maria Tabor for more information. BC More Info
Sunday 23rd September. Even Swindon Community Centre, Old School, Jennings Street, Swindon, SN2 2BG. 3-round McMahon Tournament. 60 minutes time limit + overtime. Registration by 10:15. Prize giving 18:15. Preferably by email or mail to Paul Barnard (for email see club page) 16 Braemar Close, Swindon, SN3 1HY, but phone entries will also be accepted on 01793 692408 evenings before 21:30. A
Saturday 29th September. Hinstock Memorial Hall, Shropshire, TF9 2TE 3-round McMahon tournament. 50 minutes per round plus progressive overtime. Side competition of a set piece yose test. Registration by 10:20. Contact Roger Huyshe B
Sunday 30th September. Game 3 - now not needed.
Sunday 14th October. The National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS. 3-round McMahon Tournament. Time limit 60 minutes with 40/5 overtime. Registration by 09:45. Prize giving 18:15. Contact Peter Fisher B
Sunday 21st October. Nippon Club, Samuel House, 6 St Albans Street, London, SW1Y 4SQ (near Piccadilly Circus).
Sunday 28th October. St. Mark's Community Centre, St. Mark's Road, Bath BA2 4PA. 3-round McMahon tournament. 60 minutes per round plus overtime. Registration by 10:00 GMT; prize giving about 18:00. Contact David King davidking68 at yahoo.com B
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November. Commodore Inn, Main Street, Grange-over-Sands, LA11 6DY. Tel 015395 32381 5-round McMahon tournament. Time limits 50 minutes with increasing overtime (20/5, 30/5, 40/5, 40/5 etc). Registration by 10:45 Saturday. Contact Bob Bagot B
Friday 16th to Sunday 18th November. Barford, Warwickshire. With Guo Juan 5p. Limited places; players above 2100 rating get priority. Contact martha.mcgill at hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 17th November–Sunday 18th November. Mardyke Pavilion, near UCC, Cork, Ireland. 5-round McMahon Tournament. Time limit 45 minutes with 25/5 overtime. Registration by 10:30 Saturday. Prize-giving by 16:30 Sunday. Contact goclub at umail.ucc.ie B
Saturday 24th November. University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL. 3 round McMahon tournament. Registration by 10:30. Prize-giving by 19:00. Contact Bruno Poltronieri A
Saturday 8th December. Old St Paul's Episcopal Church Hall, Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DH. 4-round McMahon tournament. Time limit 45 minutes with 30/5 overtime. Registration by 09:45. Prizegiving 18:00. Followed by teaching day on Sunday 9th December with Andrew Simons. Contact Donald MacLeod donald.macleod284 at virgin.net 0141 8806169. B SC
Friday 28th–Monday 31st December. International Student House (ISH), 229 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PN. European Cup level 1 tournament. McMahon tournament with 7 rounds. Time limit 90 minutes with 20/5 overtime. Also Lightning, Pair Go and Rengo tournaments. A More Info


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Cook the Book: Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast Recipe
In Scharffen Berger's The Essence of Chocolate, this mascarpone-and-chocolate-stuffed French toast is described as an "upgraded" version of the classic breakfast dish.
It's much simpler than other stuffed French toast recipes, which call for making a slit in the bread and piping in the filling. Here, you simply sandwich the chocolate-mascarpone mixture between two slices of day-old brioche, drench, and fry. The sandwiches can even be assembled the night before, making brunch run that much more smoothly.
- Yield:4
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) mascarpone, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 to 1 ounce 62 percent semisweet chocolate (to taste), melted and cooled
- Twelve 1/4- to 3/8-inch slices day-old brioche
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (1/2 to 1 ounce) unsalted butter
- 62 percent semisweet chocolate for grating
- Maple syrup, warmed
Combine the mascarpone, cream, and sugar in a small bowl. Add the melted chocolate, and mix until incorporated. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the mixture on one slice of brioche, and top with another slice. Repeat with the remaining slices, making 6 sandwiches.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and half-and-half.
Preheat a nonstick griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter. Dip each sandwich in the egg and half-and-half, turning to soak both sides. Let any excess drip back in the bowl. Place the sandwich on the griddle. Repeat with only as many sandwiches as fit comfortably in the griddle, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden. Transfer to a platter and cover to keep warm. Add more butter to the pan as necessary and cook the remaining sandwiches.
Slice each sandwich in half on the diagonal, and serve 3 halves per person. Using a microplane, grate chocolate over the top. Serve with maple syrup.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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|International orders may be delayed up to 15 days or more due to carrier labor challenges.
I researched many products/sites before deciding on this Christmas gift and I could not be happier. Great product and great service from gammon village. I would strongly recommend this to anyone.
Warm waves of undulating caramel and honey wrap this beautiful wood backgammon set in delicious taste and winning style.
Sensation, the latest series of uniquely handcrafted wood backgammon sets from Neroulia, evokes extravagant luxury and delivers it in a decorative package that's ready for play.
Open the gleaming case to the sunny blond walnut interior; silver and ebony points add easy elegance to the silken surface, and gleaming monochromatic accessories add just the right note of sophistication to this seductive wood backgammon set.
Click the specifications tab (above) for a detailed description of this backgammon set, including all materials and sizes. You may click any photo above for a closer view.
|Backgammon Set Dimensions:
|Closed Length:
|18 3/4"
|2 1/2"
|Open Length:
|18 3/4"
|23 3/4"
|1 1/4"
|Backgammon Set Materials:
|Case Material:
|Colored Mahogany
|Case Color:
|Field Material:
|Walnut Veneer
|Field Color:
|Points 1 Color:
|Points 2 Color:
|Backgammon Stone Dimensions:
|1 3/8"
|Stones 1 Color:
|Stones 2 Color:
|Backgammon Dice/Cube Dimensions:
|Dice Size:
|Dice Set 1 Color:
|Dice Set 2 Color:
|Cube Color:
|Backgammon Cup Dimensions:
|Cup Height:
|2 3/4"
|1 1/2"
|Cup Exterior:
|Cup Interior:
|Red Velour
|Cup 1 Outer:
|Cup 1 Inner:
|Cup 2 Outer:
|Cup 2 Inner:
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