title: Pathankot

text: Maharana Pratap Inter State Bus Terminal Pathankot. It's close to the Pathankot Junction Railway station.


title: Pathankot

text: Chandigarh is 4–5 hours away. It is well connected with bus services from Punjab roadways, Haryana Roadways, Himachal Roadways J&K transport, and private AC volvo buses.


title: Pathankot

text: One can stop over in Pathankot en route to Gurdaspur(35 km), Mukerian (40), Joginder Nagar (149 km), Dharamshala (88 km), Dalhousie (100 km), Amritsar (108), Palampur (112 km), Chamba (100 km) & Jammu (100 km), Hoshiarpur (100 km), Kangra (86 km), Jalandhar (108 km), Srinagar (400 km) all in different directions from Pathankot via Jalandhar-Srinagar National highway (NH-44), Dabwali-Pathankot National highway (NH-54) and Pathankot-Mandi National highway (NH-154).


title: Pathankot

text: Pathankot is a commercial center. Wholesellers and distributors of consumer goods cater to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and northwest Punjab.


title: Pathankot

text: As per data of 2011 census Pathankot urban agglomeration had a population of 159,909, out of which males were 84,145 and females were 75,764. The literacy rate was 88.71 per cent.


title: Pathankot

text: On 8 November 2014, Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal laid the foundation stone for a stadium in Pathankot. But even after 6 years, the stadium is still incomplete. Sportspeople struggle to get any facilities in Pathankot. There are no proper grounds to practice. So they go to other cities, while most of the young population pursue other careers.


title: Pathankot

text: Pathankot city is surrounded by both the Shivalik range, part of which makes up the foothills of the Himalayas, and the river Chakki. Places near Pathankot include Shahpur Kandi with a hanging rest house, Ranjit Sagar Dam which is the highest gravity dam in Asia. Madhopur (Madhopur, Punjab) head works which date back to the Mughal era. head works of Upper Bari Doab, Shahpur Kandi are the attractions of this area. Keshopur Chhamb is home to many Migratory Birds and is only major natural wetland in the state.


title: Pathankot

text: The Union Ministry for Forests, Environment and Climate Change has given the long-awaited signal to develop the twin islands of Kalara and Palangi, located in the midst of the Ranjit Sagar Dam Lake, as world class tourist spots.


title: International availability of McDonald's products

text: McDonald's Corporation () is the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants, serving around 68 million customers daily in 119 countries. McDonald's traces its origins to a 1940 restaurant in San Bernardino, California. After expanding within the United States, McDonald's became an international corporation in 1967, when it opened a location in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. By the end of the 1970s, McDonald's restaurants existed in five of the Earth's seven continents; an African location came in 1992 in Casablanca, Morocco.


text: In order to cater to local tastes and culinary traditions, and often in respect of particular laws or religious beliefs, McDonald's offers regionalized versions of its menu among and within different countries. As a result, products found in one country or region may not be found in McDonald's restaurants in other countries or their ingredients may differ significantly. For example, Indian McDonald's does not serve beef/pork products.


text: In 2001, McDonald's introduced the McFalafel sandwich in its Egypt locations. These restaurants also offer a Chicken Big Mac and Fish Mac, variations on the standard Big Mac which substitute breaded chicken or fish, respectively, for the usual beef patties. In the summer of 2008, McDonald's introduced fish fingers with tartar dipping sauce as a side in Egyptian restaurants. Early 2010 saw the introduction of Egyptian cookies to the Cairo location. McDonald's has almost 70 locations throughout the country.


text: The McArabia, a grilled chicken sandwich from Morocco. In 2005, a product called the McSahara was briefly sold. In late 2006, the Chicken Mythic, "Petit Plaisirs" ("small pleasures," a sandwich usually made from chicken or beef), and a 280-gram Recette Moutarde ("mustard burger") were released. During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a special menu is offered for the breaking of the fast, including local specialties such as dates, milk, and harira.


text: As in all McDonald's locations in the Islamic Middle East, food in Bahraini locations is halal. In addition to the McArabia, Bahraini locations offer, beginning in March 2009, the McCrispy, a meal consisting of up to four chicken fingers with a choice of barbecue, ketchup, sweet and sour, or garlic sauce.


text: In China, Chicken McNuggets can come with the traditional barbecue, sweet and sour, honey and hot mustard sauces; or even a special chili garlic sauce, which is popular in China. Chinese menus also include crispy spicy chicken wings, called McWings. All chicken burgers offered in Chinese McDonald's use thigh fillet (e.g., Premium Grilled Thigh Fillet Burger, Hot and Spicy Grilled Thigh Fillet Burger), rather than breast meat, which is preferred in western countries.


text: Pies come in two standard flavors: pineapple or taro, although special flavors including chocolate, apple, banana, and azuki bean have also been offered on a limited basis.


text: There is a seasonal Chinese New Year meal available, including the Grilled Chicken Burger and curly fries, with a horoscope of the twelve zodiac animals of Chinese astrology and traditional red envelopes.


text: Hong Kong hosts some of the world's busiest McDonald's with many operating 24 hours a day. Breakfasts include pasta soups with sausage or chicken. Locations offer cups of corn as substitutes for French fries or à la carte. Desserts include soft serve ice cream in azuki bean and mung bean flavors; pineapple or red bean sundaes are sometimes offered.


text: A selection of seasonal or other limited-time foods is available, such as spicy French fries, the Shogun Burger (a teriyaki pork patty with lettuce served on a sesame seed bun), salads, soups such as tomato and pumpkin, taco flatbreads, the Rice Fantastic (a burger-like entree with rice patties instead of buns). Other such specialties have included shrimp burgers, Wasabi Filet O' Fish, onion rings, and Shake Shake fries, flavored French fries in flavors such as seaweed, chargrill, French onion, and salt and pepper. During the local Bun Festival, restaurants on the island of Cheung Chau sell mushroom burgers instead of hamburgers and other meat products.


text: Indian McDonalds serve the Chicken Maharaja Mac, a grilled chicken double patty with habanero sauce and Veg Maharaja Mac, a cheese and corn double patty with cocktail sauce. Apart from these, the McSpicy burgers/wraps, McGrill and Pizza McPuff are sold in India. Mc Aloo Tikki, Mc Veggie, Mc Chicken, Mc Egg, Filet-o-fish burger, chicken wraps, veg wraps, chicken kebab burger is very popular in India. Recent additions in India include rice bowls, biriyani and naan wraps.


text: Past promotional items have included the McPaneer and Grilled Chicken Royale, Mexican Spice Chicken and Veg, Asian Hot Garlic Dip and African Peri Peri Shake Shake (as part of the Spice Fest) Indi-McSpicy and the McCurry Pan.


text: McDonald's in India do not serve beef nor pork products, in deference to Hindu and Muslim beliefs respectively. Vegetarian and meat based meals are prepared in separate areas of the restaurant due to religious laws; cooks preparing vegetarian dishes wear a distinctive green apron and non vegetarian cooks wear a red apron.


text: To accommodate Muslim-majority population, all McDonald's in Indonesia are certified halal, which means they do not serve bacon or pork patties, while serving only beef, chicken, and fish. Local items include crispy and spicy fried chicken; the McRice, a small mound of steamed rice wrapped in paper and available to supersize; McSoup, a chicken flavored soup with bits of croutons and vegetables; and "Buryam" (short for "bubur ayam" or chicken congee), later renamed as "Bubur Ayam Spesial" with the addition of fried egg topping. "Sambal" chili sauce, an essential component of Indonesian cuisine, and tomato ketchup are available as condiments.


text: McDonald's fried chicken, McRice, and fruit tea are sold together as PaNas ("paket nasi" or "rice package") with an additional sachet of "sambal" chili sauce. This adopts the Indonesians' way of consuming "ayam goreng" (fried chicken) with steamed rice and "sambal".


text: Other than fried chicken with rice and "bubur ayam" chicken rice congee, locals' preference of rice-based food is accommodated further by the introduction of Chicken with Spicy Tomato and Chicken Teriyaki, which is a bowl of steamed rice topped with strips of fried chicken patty with sauces and vegetables, similar to the Japanese donburi (rice bowl) fashion of serving.


text: McDonald's in Indonesia also promotes some seasonal foods, sold only within a limited certain period of time. Those limited periods include Chinese New Year, Ramadhan, and Independence Day specials.


text: During Chinese New Year, a Beef Prosperity Burger, consisting of two beef patties covered in black pepper sauce and topped with diced onions, is sold.


text: During Ramadhan, McDonald's Indonesia has offered BBQ Beef Flatbread (2014), Curry Beef Delight (2015), Moroccan Burger (2016), Ayam Kremes (2017 and 2018, with addition of Nasi Uduk), Ayam Serundeng Sambal Terasi (2019), Ayam Spesial Sambal Bawang (2020), and Ayam Gulai (2021).


text: In certain periods, such as August (the month of Indonesian independence), McDonald's Indonesia launched local-inspired dishes, which changes every years. For example in 2016 McDonald's Indonesia offers Burger Sate, McFlurry Rujak Pedas, and Markisa soda tea. In 2020 dishes such as the Burger Nasi Goreng, a hamburger with sweet and savoury sauce, Kentang Goreng Gulai Gurih (gulai flavoured french fries) with Soda Asam Jawa (tamarind soda) and Es Kopi Durian Jelly Float (durian flavour ice coffee); Local-inspired dessert include McFlurry with Teh botol and Cone Top Es Teler (Es teler flavour ice cream).


text: The only entirely kosher McDonald's are in Israel and Argentina. In these locations, patties are barbecued on charcoal rather than fried. Some kosher locations serve milk based desserts, but in separate booths, allowing for full separation of dairy and meat products in food preparation areas. However, most of the McDonald's outlets in Israel are not kosher service, as they serve cheeseburgers, which mix dairy and meat products.


text: Specialty items in Israeli McDonald's include the McShawarma and McKebab, both served on flatbread. On January 18, 2011, McDonald's introduced the McFalafel sandwich in Israel, but withdrew the item six months later. Within the last few years they have added a vegetarian option, corn sticks (which are bite sized corn schnitzels).


text: Regular menu items in Japanese McDonald's include: the Teriyaki McBurger, with ground pork patties, mayonnaise, lettuce, and teriyaki sauce; Shaka Shaka Chicken, a fried chicken strip served in a paper pouch, with cheese or pepper seasonings to shake in the bag; and the Fillet-O-Ebi (shrimp), with a fried shrimp patty and mustard. Breakfast options include a hot dog with pickle relish, ketchup, and mustard, then for lunch and dinner they serve the Chilli McHotdog with egg and chilli sauce. As well as regular soft drinks (which in Japan include grape & melon flavoured Fanta and iced tea), McDonald's in Japan also serve cartons of milk, Minute Maid orange juice and Yasai Seikatsu mixed vegetable juice.


text: On United States military establishments in Japan (like the US Naval Base in Yokosuka), both American and Japanese menus are sold, depending on availability.


text: The burgers in Japan are often marketed based on different regions of America, such as Idaho burgers.


text: Correlating with most Muslim-majority markets, all McDonald's in Malaysia adhered to the Islamic-dietary law (halal) under the supervision by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia. Two Syarie experts in Malaysia also being appointed by the country to advised its food preparation. Thus, meat is slaughtered via the halal technique, while pork and bacon are absent in its Malaysian menu.


text: Among the local bestseller in the Malaysian market includes the Ayam Goreng McD, originally branded as McDonald's Fried Chicken, introduced in March 1986. The product's name was changed to Chicken McCrispy in 2000 and again to Ayam Goreng McD in 2002 to complement the country's culture. There are two variants of the fried chicken: Regular and Spicy. A third version of Fried Chicken - Extra Spicy Ayam Goreng was periodically available between July to November 2019 and November to December 2021.


text: The Malaysian McDonald's first approach on embracing the local tastebuds commenced in July 2002 by the debut of Bubur Ayam McD ("McD's Chicken Porridge"), chicken strips in rice congee with scallions, sliced ginger, fried shallots, and diced chilies; The success of Bubur Ayam McD has spread the porridge to be introduced into the regional McDonalds markets in Indonesia and Thailand. A close spin-off of the product, the Bubur Ikan McD ("McD's Fish Porridge") also led suit, albeit the latter was only served as a periodical offer.


text: Among other popular menu items distinct to the Malaysian market includes the Spicy Chicken McDeluxe, a burger with crispy marinated chicken thigh, lettuce and special sauce in a cornmeal bun; the GCB ("Grilled Chicken Burger"), grilled chicken thigh, with iceberg lettuce and chargrilled sauce, served in a toasted sesame seed bun; Nasi Ayam McD, rice set served with traditional sambal sauce, fried chicken, cucumber slices and sunny side up egg; and iced Milo drink. Concurrently, some of the items that are commonly available in the international market has since being discontinued in the Malaysian outlet, including Big N' Tasty and Quarter Pounder, the latter has been reintroduced following the successful McD Election campaign in June 2019.


text: Similar to McDonalds business design worldwide, periodical and limited-time offers also generally included in the menu, specialties inspired from local, international and fusion menus have ushered the arrival of Nasi Lemak Burger, Thai Fish Burger with Green Curry Sauce, Hawaiian Deluxe Burger, Mexicana Chicken Burger, Burger "Syok" (A Malaysian-styled Burger), among few. Specialty desserts and drinks have included Hershey's Sundae, D24 Durian McFlurry Party, Cendol Sundae, Salted Caramel Pie, Coconut Pie, Pulut Hitam (Black Glutinous Rice) Pie, Bandung drink and Pie à la Mode. Some of the temporary food-items also would later occasionally returned on a periodical basis such in the case of Hot & Spicy McShaker Fries, Spicy Nuggets, Samurai (Japanese styled Burger), Spicy Korean Burger and Rio (Brazilian inspired Burger); while a few being absorbed to be a common Malaysian McDonald's fixture, as the case of GCB Burger, first available briefly in 2010, it later constitute as a permanent item since 2013.


text: McDonalds Malaysia has also introduced seasonal menus to commemorate major festivals and celebration in the multiracial country. Since 1994, McDonalds Malaysia launched Prosperity Burger during the Chinese New Year festival, the menu was then introduced to the Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The burger come in beef and chicken varieties, with black pepper sauce, topped with fresh onions in a sesame seed bun. Additionally, between 2015-2018, and in 2021-2022, McDonalds Malaysia has also included Golden Prosperity Burger in the seasonal menu, with a slice of hash brown is also added on the burger patties; and Fish Prosperity Burger, a fish-based option for the menu between 2019-2020. The Prosperity Burger is usually served together with curly fries. While during the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan since 2015, the chain would offer the Foldover (equivalent to the McArabia) to its customers, there are two variants of the foldover: Lazeez Foldover (Lazeez, which means "delicious" in Arabic) chicken patties with garlic sauce; and the Mashwi Foldover (Mashwi, meaning "food" in standard Arabic) is grilled beef topped with hot sauce.


text: In August 2019, the chain also temporary adopted the local pronunciation of "Mekdi" as its alternate name, an act on celebrating its local market during the Malaysian National Day. Since 2020, there are 16 Malaysian outlet that endorsed the name as a permanent fixture on its signboard.


text: McDonald's Pakistan currently operates 71 outlets across 24 major cities nationwide, serving millions of customers. In Pakistan, McDonald's first outlet was established in Lahore, followed by a second outlet a week later in Karachi, in September 1998. Its franchise locations include Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Multan, Hyderabad, Quetta, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Sukkur, Sheikhupura, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Sahiwal, Abbottabad, Jhelum and Bahawalpur.


text: All McDonald's outlets in Pakistan are certified halal. McDonald's Pakistan menu consists of a variety of chicken, beef, fish, hamburgers and cheeseburgers along with fried chicken, nuggets french fries etc. In addition to this, McDonald's Pakistan also serves several types of fruit pies, desserts, ice creams etc. It also serves juices, shakes and soft drinks in beverages. McCafé of McDonald's serves a large variety of items including cappuccinos, muffins, lattes, frappés, hot chocolates and cakes etc. In March 2019, McDonald's introduced a new food item in Pakistan named Bun Kabab (a local variation of Anday Wala Burger). In Pakistan, all menu items of McDonald's with the exception of ice cream cones are available for delivery.


text: Most Filipinos colloquially refer to McDonald's as "McDo" (equivalent to "Mickey D's"), and the term has been adapted by McDonald's Philippines, even naming most of their products after the term. (However, the use of "McDo" in an official capacity has been discontinued by the end of 2019 and it is now referred to its full form, McDonald's, except in item names.) Menu items in McDonald's in the Philippines include McSpaghetti, Chicken McDo, Burger McDo and McCrispy Chicken Sandwich, in order to compete with the country's largest fast-food retail Jollibee. From 2001 to 2006 the McRice, steamed rice formed into buns, was available as a replacement for bread buns on beef and chicken sandwiches. Breakfast menus include longaniza, a Philippine sausage, served with rice and a fried egg, and the Hamdesal, a Pandesal bun with pineapple glaze syrup, mayonnaise, and Canadian bacon served with scrambled eggs, cheese, or both. It also has the Cheesy Eggdesal, with Pandesal, cheese and scrambled eggs.


text: Some pies come in pineapple and taro flavors, although the McDonald's Apple Pie is served in all locations. Only select locations serve milkshakes. Twister Fries is also served seasonally, as well as Shake Shake Fries, which are McDonald's French Fries that come in a paper bag and served with a packet of flavored powder (Barbeque, Cheesy Butter, Sour Cream, Ketchup, and Pizza flavors); customers must administer the flavoring to the bag of fries themselves, shaking the bag until the powder is evenly distributed among the fries. They are available annually.


text: McDonald's in the Philippines also promotes movie tie-in products seasonally, such as the Banana-Oreo McFlurry and Banana McFloat during the release of "Minions" in 2015.


text: All McDonald's in Saudi Arabia are certified halal. Saudi locations serve the Spicy McChicken, McArabia, and the Big Tasty, the latter of which is also available in some European locations.


text: Singaporean locations offer the McSpicy, a spicy chicken burger. A 24-hour McDelivery service is available in all locations on the island.


text: In 2011, due to congestion at the United States' West Coast ports, the popular curry sauce dip for Chicken McNuggets was unavailable for a period of time, causing a public outcry. A similar crisis happened in 2015.


text: In July 2016, McDonald's launched a limited edition take-home bottle of the curry sauce (375ml), which was limited to four purchases per single receipt. The product was overwhelmingly popular and several outlets ran out of stock on the item extremely quickly.


text: McDonald's has also introduced several special additions to the Singapore menu, such as the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger in 2016, coupled with salt & pepper shaker fries and Gula Melaka McFlurry.


text: McDonald's also introduced new and upgraded products related to Singapore's National Day and public holidays (e.g. Lunar New Year, SG50).


text: McDonald's locations in South Korea serve a shrimp burger as well as a Bulgogi Burger, a pork patty in bulgogi marinade. The bulgogi-flavored sauce was developed by Ottogi, a large South Korean food manufacturer that provides all of the condiments to the country's McDonald's. A 24-hour McDelivery service was launched in 2007 and now is available across South Korea. McDelivery also has an app available on both Google Play and the Apple Store.


text: Dessert options include affogato. Former options included a green tea McFlurry and the McBingsu, a seasonal option similar to patbingsu.


text: McDonald's in Taiwan serve "kao fan" (烤飯, "kǎo fàn") (literally "baked rice"), a burger-like entrée with rice patties instead of buns. It is modelled on the eponymous product of McDonald's Japanese rival, MOS Burger. McDonald's locations in Taiwan sell fried chicken legs to compete with TKK Fried Chicken. Additionally, corn soup is available as a substitute for French fries or à la carte.


text: In Thailand, McDonald's serves the Samurai Pork Burger, with teriyaki sauce, lettuce, and mayonnaise. As in other Asian markets, Thai McDonald's sell fried chicken and spicy chicken wings. Chilli sauce is available as a condiment, along with ketchup. Other Thailand-specific items include rice patties made with jasmine rice, the Caribbean Shrimp Burger, and a salad shaker based on "som tam" papaya salad. McDonald's restaurants in Thailand also serve the Mega animals Mac (known as the Double Big Mac) all year long.


text: Between October 1 and 13, 2013, or until supplies ran out, McDonald's offered a "McVeggie" burger to coincide with the tradition of many people of Chinese descent only eating vegetarian food during the annual "Kin J" period. The McVeggie is an all vegetable fried patty consisting of potatoes, beets, peas and carrot topped with lettuce and teriyaki sauce.


text: All McDonald's meat in Turkey are certified halal by Pinar, a Turkish company. Restaurants offer the Turkish drink ayran and the McTurco, a type of kebab with chicken or beef. Turkish locations also serve onion rings, the Mega Mac (known as the Double Big Mac) and the Kofteburger, with a spiced mincemeat patty. In 2021,they begin to offer "Milli Burger"(Translates to National Burger) to promote Euro 2020.


text: In the United Arab Emirates, as of 2016, McDonald's standard "a-la-carte" menu include the hamburger (marketed as "beefburger"), cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, chicken burger, veggie burger, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Big Mac, Mega Mac, Big N' Tasty, McRoyale, McChicken, Spicy McChicken, Chicken Mac, Chicken Mega Mac, Grand Chicken (Classic, Deluxe, Special, and Spicy variants), McArabia Chicken, Chicken McNuggets, and Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. In some outlets, the Indian-inspired Mc Aloo Tikki burger is also served as part of the McSavers and Happy Meal lines.


text: The McArabia initially was available as both a chicken and beef kofta variants, but only the chicken remained as standard, although the kofta and sujuk variants are sometimes reintroduced in limited promotional runs. Other limited edition sandwiches included The Asian, The Mexican, The French, and The Turkish. The standard menu formerly carried other McDonald's staples such as the Chicken Fillet, the Spicy Chicken Fillet, and the McWings.


text: McDonald's in Vietnam serves rice dishes and fried chicken as part of their daily menu, similar to other competing chains. Vietnamese coffee is also available.


text: In 2016, McDonald's Vietnam introduced their versions of Bánh mì, including the Grilled Pork Baguette, the Ham Cheese Baguette with Round Egg and the Ham Cheese Baguette with Veggie. These are currently unavailable.


text: McDonald's launched the Phở-flavored burger to celebrate the Vietnam's National Day in 2020, consisting of beef patties, cilantro, eggs, onion and special Phở-flavored sauce. The burger also make use of a special type of bun that resembles the McMuffin.


text: Belgian McDonald's serve the Croque McDo, consisting of two slices of Emmental cheese and a slice of ham toasted between two hamburger buns. This is a variation of the traditional croque-monsieur sandwich found in France and Belgium. The "Belgo" burger is a hamburger with bacon, Belgian Maredsous cheese, roasted onions and cocktail sauce.


text: The McCountry sandwich is a regular menu item in Croatian McDonald's restaurants, consisting of two pork sausage patties on a bun with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a special sauce. Another regular menu item is the McToast, a ham and cheese sandwich on toast. The Maestro Burger can also be found which is normally seen in the Netherlands. Seasonal and promotional offers include Greek and Italian offerings.


text: McDonald's in Cyprus used to sell the Greek Mac, a Big Mac variant with pita bread and tzatziki sauce, and the Greek Chicken, a Greek Mac with chicken patties instead of beef. The Greek Mac was discontinued and the Greek Chicken was renamed as Grilled Chicken. A shrimp burger is also sold during the period of Lent when Orthodox Christians don't eat meat. This only applies to the Republic of Cyprus, and not the northern Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, where due to the lack of international recognition, McDonald's does not exist.


text: In 2012, McDonald's added McSmažák, a variation on smažený sýr, a type of cheese sandwich. It is similar to the Slovak McSyr.


text: In the first half of 2019, McDonald's removed Big Tasty sandwich from its menu. It was brought back in June 2019.


text: One item sold in McDonald's restaurants in Denmark, that tries to imitate classic Danish food is the Pommes Frites Sauce that somewhat resemble remoulade. This also for a long period from the opening of the first restaurant replaced mayonnaise dip and where the only condiment available besides ketchup.


text: In Denmark, every McDonald's serves a small size chicken burger called "Chicken Salsa Cheese". Also following its other Scandinavian cousins, Danish McDonald's serve a Daim McFlurry.


text: In Denmark you can buy chilli cheese tops, which is also served in other Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway.


text: In Finland, most McDonald's hamburgers can be ordered with a rye bun, based on the success of the promotional "McRuis" (McRye) burger. "El Maco" is a burger with salsa and sour cream sauce. The El Maco meal is served with a barbecue spice mixture and a paper bag in which the fries and the spice mixture are poured, similar to Japan's Shaka Shaka Chicken. In 2018 McDonald's released the Big Mac with bacon. Also same as in Sweden, they are offering McVegan patty for vegans in wraps, salad or as a burger. Macarons are also served as a McCafé product. In early 2018 they released Valio Oltermanni Juustonapit which is basically small cheese nuggets filled with the famous Finnish cheese.


text: In France, McDonald's offers donuts for breakfast and Kronenbourg 1664 beer in 25 or 33 cl measures. The Croque McDo and various "Petit Plaisir" items are available, as in Belgium and Morocco, respectively. In 2016, McDonald's launched a summer menu, called the "American Summer" Menu, with one burger containing crispy peppers. In France, McDonald’s also serve the McBaguette, a sliced baguette with beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and mustard.


text: Standard menu items at German McDonald's include the Hamburger Royal TS, Caesar salads, a vegan burger called Big Vegan TS, and Caesar, honey mustard, and Ranch chicken wraps. The McRib sandwich, a seasonal item in most countries, is a permanent menu item in Germany.


text: As of Mid-February 2013, McDonald's Germany started selling the McCurrywurst with bread roll or Fries, a hot sausage with tangy tomato sauce and Curry powder in mild and spicy. The item is no longer sold and saw a short revival as McCurrywurst Chicken in 2019.


text: Beer is no longer sold at all locations. It is still served in older outlets owned by German brewers with leases allowing the serving of beer.


text: McDonald's in Greece currently sells the Greek Mac, a Big Mac variant on pita bread with tzatziki sauce. Other regular menus include the McToast, a ham and cheese sandwich on toast, Deluxe fries (potato wedges), and onion rings. Heineken beer is also served in all locations.


text: During the period of Lent when Orthodox Christians abstain from eating meat, McDonald's also offers the McVeggie burger, a Shrimp Burger, a McWrap Shrimp, fried veggie snackers, spring rolls, and fried shrimp with dipping sauce.


text: Hungarian McDonald's sell the McFarm, once available in Greece. Limited-time products available only in Hungary have included McDonald's version of the popular Hungarian breakfast food lángos, and a "Hungarian flavors" menu.


text: Italian McDonald's offers, since 2000, Crispy McBacon, composed of two beef patties, one slice of cheddar, bacon and a special sauce. In 2014 a variation with chicken has been offered in a limited way.


text: It also began offering "McItaly" items from 2010 to 2017 in a limited period. Products include burger with "100 percent made-in-Italy meat" and various typical Italian ingredients. The company advertises burgers in several European countries as using Italian beef, because Cremonini provides it also in various locations. On May 24, 2013 McDonald's Italia in cooperation with Barilla began offering a pasta salad for a limited period.


text: From May 2015 the menu included for a limited time the vegetarian burger McVeggie, offered here with no cheese.


text: Since 2018, McDonald's replaced McItaly with "My selection", special limited offer burgers with high quality Italian and foreign ingredients, selected by MasterChef judge Joe Bastianich.


text: In Malta, McDonald's sell mozzarella sticks and chicken wings as side dishes. The Big Tasty is a variant to the Big N' Tasty while chicken nuggets come with an array of sauces, such as BBQ, sweet and sour, ketchup or mayonnaise. The McCafe was also first introduced in Malta, more specifically on its sister island Gozo, where the only McDonald's and McCafe on the island are found in the Arcadia shopping centre in the capital city of Victoria.


text: It is also the place where the McFtira was sold, a beef or chicken burger with the addition of goat cheese and served in traditional Maltese bread.


text: In the Netherlands, McDonald's sells the McKroket, a deep-fried roll containing beef ragout, similar to the Dutch "kroket" or the smaller "bitterballen" sold in virtually all snack bars. Dutch McDonald's serve Fritessaus or "American Sauce," a yellow mayonnaise-like sauce not eaten in the United States with French fries. The ChickenSaté burger was also offered, consisting of fried chicken with peanut sauce; this popular food is inspired by the Netherlands' historical connection to Indonesia. The Joppie Burger was also available using Joppie sauce, popular in the Netherlands. Since 2015, the Maestro Burger has been available. The Maestro Burger is a large burger with sesame seed bread, 2 Angus beef patties, onion, lettuce, bacon and mustard. The Chicken Maestro Burger, and the Maestro Burger Egg, a version of the regular burger with an added egg, have been made available since the original burger's launch. Also included in the menu is "Boerenfriet", which are thick, large fries, as commonly found in burgerbars, as well as regular mayonnaise. The introduction of the Maestro Burger is part of the revamp McDonald's is going through in the Netherlands since change of directors, focussing more on customers that seek higher quality burgers and that who would usually visit burgerbars.


text: As in Finland, Norwegian McDonald's serve the El Maco (on a seasonal basis) and offer gluten free buns without an extra cost. They also serve a Laksewrap, deep-fried fish with salad and a mango slice in a tortilla.


text: Another popular burger option available in Norway is the Chicken Salsa. Chicken Salsa is a chicken burger with crispy lettuce, salsa sauce, sour cream and nachos.


text: In 2002, the McAfrika burger was introduced in Norway, coinciding with major famines in Southern Africa. The name of the burger drew much negative publicity as being highly insensitive. The burger with vegetables were placed in pita bread.


text: Offerings in Polish McDonald's restaurants include: the WieśMac ("Rural Mac"), a quarter-pound beef patty with onions, lettuce, cheese, mustard, and horseradish sauce on a sesame seed bun; the Red Chikker, a chicken sandwich with lettuce and mild Mexican-style sauce; Chikker, a chicken sandwich with lettuce and honey-mustard sauce McWrap – tortilla with chicken available in two versions: Classic (mayonnaise, mild-Mexican sauce, lettuce, rucola, shredded cheese, two slices of tomato and chicken patty) and Bekon DeLuxe ("Bacon DeLuxe"; honey-mustard sauce, lettuce, shredded cheese, two slices of tomato, two strips of bacon and chicken patty). During winter period you can get Burger Drwala ("The Lumberjack's Burger") – a big bun with pork rinds instead of sesame, a quarter pounder, bacon, big piece of deep-fried cheese, sauce and vegetables. There are other variants of the Burger Drwala with extra beef patty, chicken patty in place of beef, jalapeño peppers and spicy sauce, cranberry, and a vegetable patty instead of meat and cheese roll in place of the pork one. There is a free apple in every Happy Meal.


text: Portuguese McDonald's offers a variety of soups, including their national dish of kale soup (caldo verde) and cream of carrot, cream of peas, and white bean and spinach soup. These are offered as add-ons to Happy meals as well. There is also a McBifana and a McPrego on a ciabatta roll. The Portugal-specific mixed salad contains olives, corn, onions and tomatoes. In November 2016 McDonald's Portugal introduced a vegetarian burger option called McVeggie (made from quinoa, bell peppers, wheat flour, wheat protein, vegetable oil, wheat bran, eggs, vegetable starch, spices, salt, onion, garlic, green peas, sugar and mixed herbs). For dessert there are Portugal-specific fresh pineapple chunks, apple cinnamon sundae and a sandwich-shaped apple pie. In 2018 McDonald's released a limited-time edition of the Big Mac Bacon, essentially a Big Mac with added bacon.


text: Beer is available in all restaurants. In October of the same year, Chicken Country has been introduced as a cheap option (EuroPoupança) to purchase, considered as a side with any menu, like many other products.


text: McDonald's Portugal launched a loyalty program under the name "MLovers", in the form of an app. This scheme allows adherents to collect points on purchased products and exchange them for products and / or experiences.


text: In Romania, McDonald's was established on 16 June 1995. The burger ingredients are 100% produced in Romania.


text: Before the end of the Russian operation, McDonald's were selling special burgers with ingredients 100% made in the Russian Federation such as cheese, bread, tomatoes, beef, bacon, and lettuce. They were launched in 2015 under the "Биф А-ля Рус (Beef à la Russe)" name, designed to be authentic Russian native hamburgers. McDonald's restaurants in Russia serve chicken wings and shrimps. McZavtrak (McBreakfast) menu offers cheesecake rolls, blini and oatmeal.


text: In Serbia, McDonald's offers the McBaguette sandwich. The sandwich is available in two varieties including chicken or ham & cheese. The restaurants throughout the country offer alcoholic and energy drinks. They also offer orange juice and apple juice for the junior menus.


text: In Slovakia, McDonald's offers the McSyr during seasonal campaigns, a sandwich containing breaded fried cheese and tartar sauce which emulates the Slovak dish vyprážaný syr. It is similar to the Czech McSmažák. Also, like in the United Kingdom, McDonald's restaurants in Slovakia serve donuts, which are named McDonuts. McDonuts can be served with either vanilla or chocolate frosting.


text: The McCountry sandwich served in Croatia is also available in Slovenia, but since 2020 it's been replaced by Bacon Cheese Burger.


text: Swedish McDonald's offer gluten free buns at no extra cost, and occasionally, when there is a time-limited campaign, serve the El Maco. Since 2018 McDonald's in Sweden also serve an all vegan burger called the McVegan. This burger is served with a vegan patty made out of soy, salad, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and vegan McFeast Sauce. Swedish McDonalds's also serve a garlic sauce.


text: Swiss McDonalds serve "The Prime" Burger, a beef burger with bacon, Gruyère cheese and special sauces created by Swiss Chef René Schudel. With a current price of CHF 10.90 (approx. USD 12.00) for the burger alone, it is one of the most expensive McDonald's burgers worldwide.


text: Ukraine features the McLavash sandwich on its menus in the southern part of the country, which is served in flatbread. It has two spicy beef patties, some greens, onion and tomato. The McLavash is also served in some other nearby countries.


text: In June 2011, Deli Choices, a line of sandwich rolls with fillings, was released in the UK. Curry flavoured sauce is available for McNuggets in British and Irish restaurants. From 2003 to 2005, menus included the Quorn Premiere, a vegetarian burger with sweet chilli sauce, light Hellmann's mayonnaise, tomato, and lettuce in a focaccia bun. In 2015, McDonald's released a limited edition burger in the Republic of Ireland called the McMór. In 2016, this burger was brought back for six weeks. It features Ballymaloe Relish, Charleville cheddar and a potato bun. In 2016, McDonald's launched the brand new BBQ Smokehouse Range of burgers. The two burgers that were launched contained chicken and beef with bacon, cheese and BBQ Sauce.


text: Past promotional items have included the Apple Pie Sundae, Mozzarella Dippers, "Cheese Melt Dippers", the "Summer Chorizo Supreme", BBQ Chicken Premiere with Bacon, the "1955 burger", Apple and Blackberry Pie and the "Festive Pie", with mincemeat and custard. A series of burgers intending to represent various American locales has been released under the "Great Taste of America" range. These burgers have represented New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Texas, Arizona, Miami, California and New Orleans. Not all of these burgers resemble their respective local cuisines. British and Irish McDonald's also released a series of burgers representing several different countries in the world. These have included Australia, South Africa, Canada and Mexico. Several Summer and Winter menus have been launched. Also, McDonald's has launched several kinds of McFlurrys over the years, such as Cornetto, Cadbury brands like Dairy Milk (which is available all year around) and the Creme Egg, which is only available around Easter.


text: In 2019 McDonald's released a limited-time edition of the Big Mac called the "Grand Big Mac Bacon", which is essentially a larger Big Mac with added bacon.


text: McDonald's UK also offered a range of premium burgers known as the "Signature Collection", consisting of three burgers: "The Classic", "The Spicy" and "The BBQ". Each comes with a thicker patty made from higher quality beef which takes longer to cook and is served on a brioche bun. These were withdrawn in September 2019.


text: McDonald's UK launched a loyalty program under the name "MyMcDonald's Rewards", in August of 2022, within its existing app. This scheme allows adherents to collect points on purchased products and exchange them for products


text: French fries may be substituted with McDonald's version of poutine. Previously, McDonald's poutine was available widely only in Francophone Canada (Quebec and parts of New Brunswick) and available elsewhere on a more limited basis; however, in December 2013, McDonald's formally announced the nationwide availability of poutine at all of its Canadian restaurants, due to popular demand. Quebec also saw the release of the limited-time 1967 Burger, commemorating Canada's first McDonald's franchise. Deli Choices were introduced throughout Canada in 2006 but were later discontinued. Unique to Canadian McDonald's locations is the McMini, miniature sandwiches with grilled or crispy chicken; flavors include Pesto Chicken (later replaced by Zesty Mango) and Spicy Thai. As in the United States, the McRib periodically appears on the menu for limited runs. The crispy chicken patty used in the McChicken sandwich sold in Canada uses both white and dark meat – it is essentially the same size and taste as the original McChicken that first appeared in the US in 1980.


text: Seasonal items previously available in McDonald's in Canada include the McLobster, a lobster roll, available in the Maritime Provinces, called "McHomard" in French. Regionally a blueberry-shortbread McFlurry is also available. Discontinued items in Canadian McDonald's include pizzas, including a calzone-style "McPizza."


text: Mexican McDonald's locations do not serve fish, except during the period of Lent. Special items at these locations have included the Flaming Hot Doritos Quarter Pounder and the BBQ Double Burger. For breakfast, Mexican McDonald's locations serve the McMollete, which is made on an English muffin spread with beans, topped with a slice of melted cheese and pico de gallo. Mexican locations also serve a version of the McSkillet burrito known as the "McBurrito".


text: McDonald's restaurants in the United States of America offer various types of shellfish dishes on a regional basis, such as seasonal lobster rolls in New England and crab cakes in the Mid-Atlantic states. Parts of the Upper Midwest sell Johnsonville Brats, a toasted hot dog bun with a Johnsonville bratwurst topped with spicy mustard and onions. Other regional variations include the Texas Homestyle Burger, and traditional Southern breakfast items, such as a country ham biscuit and biscuits and gravy. Locations in the Southwest regularly offer burgers topped with New Mexico chile.


text: Hawaii locations offer saimin on their regular menu, and include Spam, Portuguese sausage and rice as a breakfast option. Pineapple and taro pies, as regularly sold in some Asian countries, have been occasionally offered on the regular menu, along with haupia pies; pineapple is also sometimes available as a topping on burgers. In Waikiki locations, small trays of pineapple can be ordered as a side dish. Except for saimin, Hawaiian and selected Asian specialty items can also be found in McDonald's in the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. During Easter time, Hawaii, Guam and the CNMI all feature the Double Filet-O-Fish meal due to having a heavy concentration of Catholics (mostly people who immigrated from the Philippines) in that region.


text: Unlike Mexico, several Puerto Rican McDonald's restaurants serve fish products, although fish is not listed on McDonald's Puerto Rico's official website. Puerto Rican restaurants also serve the McCriollo (with eggs and cheese) for breakfast. Criollo is a Puerto Rican bread, like a baguette, but bigger and softer. Basically, the McCriollo is a sandwich with ham, cheese, and egg on a Criollo roll.


text: Costa Rica, McDonald's Costa Rica was one of the first countries to have McCafe, it also sells fried chicken, McPinto (gallo pinto is the national breakfast which includes rice and beans, sour cream, eggs, sausage, tortilla), they also sell the Mcnifica (burger with tomato and lettuce) and la hamburguesa tica (with a special sauce typical of Costa Rica, salsa lizano), also McFlurry is usually made with local chocolates and McShakes come in local fruit flavours like Passion Fruit.


text: In the Dominican Republic, McDonald's sells the same food as the US and Canada, but the chicken nuggets meal is called the "McDo". It sells hamburgers, fries, nuggets (chicken flavored), and soda.


text: A popular Australian McDonald's menu item is the McOz Burger. Previous products have included: Shaker Fries, similar to Japan's Shaka Shaka Chicken, and has had many variants of seasoning ranging from Cheeseburger, Big Mac and Spicy; a BLT; the McBeefsteak, promoted by country music singer Lee Kernaghan; the Big Kahuna Burger, served with pineapple; the Romano Burger, a chicken patty with Italian sauce and mozzarella served on an herbed focaccia bun; the Tandoori Burger, a chicken patty with lettuce and mint yogurt sauce served on flatbread; and a Chive Omelette Roll.


text: Every so often (typically once a year) the McOz is sold for a limited time. The McOz is a quarter-pounder burger with lettuce, tomato, cheese, mustard, ketchup and the so-called Australian ingredients of beetroot and cooked onion served on a sesame seed bun.


text: The El Maco burger, offered in other markets, was released for a limited time offer last on the 27th of November 2019. These burgers launch alongside Mozzarella Sticks served with El Maco Salsa and an El Maco variant Shaker Fries.


text: Many McDonald's menu items in New Zealand are similar to those in Australia. Some unique items include the Kiwiburger, a beef patty with McMuffin egg, tomato, lettuce, cheese, onion, beetroot, ketchup, and mustard. In 2011, a special "Kiwi Menu" was featured to promote the country's hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.


text: In April 2012, McDonald's re-released the El Maco, a variant of the product of the same name offered in other markets, such as Scandinavia. El Maco had previously been sold in New Zealand in the early 1990s.


text: In 1996, the New Zealand affiliate bought out failing local fast food chain Georgie Pie, which based itself around Australian and New Zealand meat pies. McDonald's trialed a partial relaunch of the Georgie Pie brand in May 2013 with one pie flavor sold through eleven of its restaurants. In October 2013, the affiliate announced it would expand the sale of Georgie Pie to 107 of its 161 restaurants by the end of 2013. As of January 2017, two pie flavors are available: Steak Mince 'n' Cheese and Bacon 'n' Egg. The Georgie Pie range was discontinued in late 2020.


text: McNífica is served. McDonald's Argentina serves Big Tasty Angus Burger, made with premium Argentinean Angus Beef.


text: Argentina is the only country besides Israel in which McDonald's has full kosher locations. These are the only places in the world where McDonald's burgers are barbecued on charcoal rather than fried.


text: In Brazil, McDonald's offers the Cheddar McMelt, a beef burger with creamy cheddar cheese and grilled onions, flavored with soy sauce on a whole-wheat bun. Banana-flavored pies are served in Brazilian McDonald's.


text: A vegetarian burger started being available, on a trial basis, on 8 November 2018. This followed a trial of a vegan burger in October/November 2017.


text: In Chile, cheese empanadas are sold at all McDonald's locations in Chile as side dishes. Also, customers can add avocado paste to any sandwich, other than the McPalta (Chilean Spanish for "McAvocado"), whose basis is avocado paste along burger as current Cuarto Palta ("Avocado Quarter Pounder") and McWrap Palta with Fuze Tea, sliced fried chicken with lettuce, tomatoes and purple onion in a tortilla.


text: Celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the founding of Chilean republic, in 2010 McDonald's offered Combo Bicentenario, a beef burger with pebre, a Chilean condiment made of coriander, chopped onion, olive oil, garlic and ground spicy chili pepper, and merkén, a smoked chili pepper. Recently, celebrating Chile's 2013 National Day in September, the fast food restaurant served empanadas de pino (stuffed with beef, olives, onions, raisins, and boiled eggs) as special side dishes.


text: For breakfast, McDonald's serves croissants, also known in Chile as Medialuna and local versions of two Chilean sandwiches: Barros Jarpa, whose basis is ham and molten cheese on bread, and Lomo Palta, an avocado paste along a slice pork.


text: Colombian McDonald's restaurants serve the McCriollo breakfast combo, which includes a sausage patty, two traditional Colombian arepas, scrambled eggs and sweetcorn, a hashbrown, coffee, butter, and jam. The McNífica is also served here, just as in Argentina. It is similar to the Quarter Pounder with cheese. The Big Mac is called the Club House. Breakfast and McCafe is similar to the US.


text: In Ecuador, McDonald's started selling cheese empanadas, burgers with cheese sausage or guacamole, blackberry sundae and nuggets with spicy sausage in 2012 under the "Nuestros sabores" campaign, aimed at providing a more local cuisine.


text: In Peru, McDonald's offers ají, a spicy sauce made from peppers, as a condiment. Peruvian locations also serve Pollo Crujiente ("crunchy chicken"), which is fried chicken served in a bucket, and Inca Kola. Now, McDonald's offers "Peruvian Foods" and blackberry Sundae.


text: In Venezuela, McDonald's offers arepas, empanadas for breakfast; these are traditional breakfast foods. Venezuelan locations have also served fried yuca sticks.


title: Spy Kids: Mission Critical

text: Spy Kids: Mission Critical is a Canadian-American computer-animated adventure-comedy streaming television series based on the "Spy Kids" franchise, and is a reboot of the franchise. Its first season was released on Netflix on April 20, 2018. Before the series was released, it was renewed for a second season, which was released on November 30, 2018.


title: Spy Kids: Mission Critical

text: In "Mission Critical", brother-and-sister team Juni and Carmen Cortez attend Spy Kids Academy, a top secret spy school for kid agents. When a new counter-spy agency threatens the safety of the world, it will be up to junior spies Juni and Carmen to train and lead a team of fellow Spy Kids cadets against the forces of S.W.A.M.P. (Sinister Wrongdoers Against Mankind's Preservation) and their diabolical leader, Golden Brain. The Mission Critical team may not be ready, but they are the only ones to call when grown-up spies can't do the job.


title: Spy Kids: Mission Critical

text: On June 16, 2016, Netflix announced "Spy Kids: Mission Critical" was being produced by The Weinstein Company for release in 2018. The first and second seasons each consist of 10 episodes and will be produced by Mainframe Studios.


title: Spy Kids: Mission Critical

text: The series was announced by Mike Fleming, Jr. on May 6, 2015, with Michael Hefferon and Sean Jara announced as creators and with the villains being described as "as colorful" as the protagonists. The series was said to contain "as much comedy as wish fulfillment." FM DeMarco will be head writer of the series. WOW! Unlimited Media Inc.'s Vancouver-based Mainframe Studios, the TV division of Rainmaker Entertainment, partnered with the Weinstein Company to produce the series, with the series having a multi-season commitment. On September 22, 2017, John Tellegen, one of the show's writers, announced its release date as January 2018. Robert Rodriguez and Bob Weinstein were announced as executive producers due to Harvey Weinstein firing, making it the first Weinstein Company title not to have Harvey's involvement.


title: Spy Kids: Mission Critical

text: In August 2017, Ashley Bornancin, Carter Hastings, Travis Turner, Mira Sorvino, Tom Kenny and Christian Lanz announced on Twitter and Instagram that they would be voicing Carmen, Juni, PSI, Ingrid, Golden Brain and Gregorio respectively. The first and second seasons each consist of 10 episodes of 22 minutes apiece. In December 2017, Christian Lanz said on Twitter he'll be voicing Fegan Floop. FM De Marco stated on Twitter that he has had "many inspirations for the series but it has its own very specific style and attitude". He also stated that it would have a nice mix of all kinds of humor, and it would have great characters old and new. In April 2018, Travis Turner faced controversy for being cast as the voice of PSI, a black character, since Travis himself is white. Two days later he issued an apology via his Twitter. On April 18, 2 days before the show's launch, the Weinstein Company was removed as distributor. Dimension Television, a division of Dimension Films, took over production for the first 2 seasons and is credited. Bob Weinstein's name was also removed from the show, however he was credited in 4 episodes.


title: Spy Kids: Mission Critical

text: Four weeks after the show's launch, showrunner F.M De Marco and story editor/writer John Tellegan confirmed future plans, ideas, and a script for future seasons, but for right now the show will be a 2 season arc.


title: Five hindrances

text: In the Buddhist tradition, the five hindrances (Sinhala: "පඤ්ච නීවරණ pañca nīvaraṇa"; Pali: "") are identified as mental factors that hinder progress in meditation and in our daily lives. In the Theravada tradition, these factors are identified specifically as obstacles to the jhānas (stages of concentration) within meditation practice. Within the Mahayana tradition, the five hindrances are identified as obstacles to samatha (tranquility) meditation. Contemporary Insight Meditation teachers identify the five hindrances as obstacles to mindfulness meditation.


title: Five hindrances

text: According to Gil Fronsdal, the Pali term "nīvaraṇa" means covering. Fronsdal states that these hindrances cover over: the clarity of our mind, and our ability to be mindful, wise, concentrated, and stay on purpose.


title: Five hindrances

text: According to Rhys Davids, the Pali term "nīvaraṇa" (Sanskrit: "nivāraṇa") refers to an obstacle or hindrance only in the ethical sense, and is usually enumerated in a set of five.


title: Five hindrances

text: In the Pali Canon's Samyutta Nikaya, several discourses juxtapose the five hindrances with the seven factors of enlightenment ("bojjhanga"). For instance, according to SN 46.37, the Buddha stated:


title: Five hindrances

text: Anālayo further supports this by identifying that, in all extant Sanskrit and Chinese versions of the Satipatthana Sutta, only the five hindrances and seven factors of enlightenment are consistently identified under the "dhamma" contemplation section; contemplations of the five aggregates, six sense bases and Four Noble Truths are not included in one or more of these non-Pali versions.


title: Five hindrances

text: In terms of gaining insight into and overcoming the Five Hindrances, according to the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha proclaimed:


title: Five hindrances

text: The Buddha gives the following analogies in the "Samaññaphala Sutta" (DN 2, "The Fruits of the Contemplative Life"):


title: Five hindrances

text: Similarly, in the "Sagārava Sutta" (SN 46.55), the Buddha compares sensual desire with looking for a clear reflection in water mixed with lac, turmeric and dyes; ill will with boiling water; sloth-and-torpor with water covered with plants and algae; restlessness-and-worry with wind-churned water; and, doubt with water that is "turbid, unsettled, muddy, placed in the dark."


title: Five hindrances

text: According to the first-century CE exegetic "Vimuttimagga", the five hindrances include all ten fetters: sense desire includes any attachment to passion; ill will includes all unwholesome states of hatred; and, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry, and doubt include all unwholesome states of infatuation. The Vimuttimagga further distinguishes that "sloth" refers to mental states while "torpor" refers to physical states resultant from food or time or mental states; if torpor results from food or time, then one diminishes it through energy; otherwise, one removes it with meditation. In addition, the Vimuttimagga identifies four types of doubt:


title: Five hindrances

text: According to Buddhaghosa's fifth-century CE commentary to the Samyutta Nikaya (""), one can momentarily escape the hindrances through jhanic suppression or through insight while, as also stated in the "Vimuttimagga", one eradicates the hindrances through attainment of one of the four stages of enlightenment (see Table 1).


title: Matrix decomposition

text: In the mathematical discipline of linear algebra, a matrix decomposition or matrix factorization is a factorization of a matrix into a product of matrices. There are many different matrix decompositions; each finds use among a particular class of problems.


title: Matrix decomposition

text: For instance, when solving a system of linear equations formula_1, the matrix "A" can be decomposed via the LU decomposition. The LU decomposition factorizes a matrix into a lower triangular matrix "L" and an upper triangular matrix "U". The systems formula_2 and formula_3 require fewer additions and multiplications to solve, compared with the original system formula_1, though one might require significantly more digits in inexact arithmetic such as floating point.


title: Matrix decomposition

text: Similarly, the QR decomposition expresses "A" as "QR" with "Q" an orthogonal matrix and "R" an upper triangular matrix. The system "Q"("Rx) = b is solved by "Rx = "Q"b = c, and the system "R"x = c is solved by 'back substitution'. The number of additions and multiplications required is about twice that of using the LU solver, but no more digits are required in inexact arithmetic because the QR decomposition is numerically stable.


title: Matrix decomposition

text: Refers to variants of existing matrix decompositions, such as the SVD, that are invariant with respect to diagonal scaling.


title: Matrix decomposition

text: Analogous scale-invariant decompositions can be derived from other matrix decompositions, e.g., to obtain scale-invariant eigenvalues.


title: Matrix decomposition

text: There exist analogues of the SVD, QR, LU and Cholesky factorizations for quasimatrices and cmatrices or continuous matrices. A ‘quasimatrix’ is, like a matrix, a rectangular scheme whose elements are indexed, but one discrete index is replaced by a continuous index. Likewise, a ‘cmatrix’, is continuous in both indices. As an example of a cmatrix, one can think of the kernel of an integral operator.


title: Matrix decomposition

text: These factorizations are based on early work by , and . For an account, and a translation to English of the seminal papers, see .


title: Needles, California

text: Needles is a city in San Bernardino County, California, in the Mojave Desert region of Southern California. Situated on the western banks of the Colorado River, Needles is located near the Californian border with Arizona and Nevada. The city is accessible via Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 95. The population was 4,959 at the 2020 census, up from 4,844 at the 2010 census.


title: Needles, California

text: Needles was founded in May 1883 during the construction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which originally crossed the Colorado River at Eastbridge, Arizona three miles southeast of modern Needles. Needles was named after "The Needles", a group of pinnacles in the Mohave Mountains on the Arizona side of the river. However, the crossing was a poor site for a bridge, lacking firm banks and a solid bottom. A bridge was actually built, but it was of poor quality. Not only was it a "flimsy looking structure", but it was also an obstacle to navigation on the river. The flooding of the Colorado River destroyed the bridge three times – in 1884, 1886 and 1888. The railway finally built Red Rock Bridge, a high cantilever bridge, at a narrower point with solid rock footings ten miles downstream near today's Topock. The bridge was completed in May 1890, and the old bridge was dismantled.


title: Needles, California

text: At first simply a tent town for railroad construction crews, the railway would eventually build a hotel, car sheds, shops and a roundhouse. Within only a month, Needles would have a Chinese laundry, a newsstand, a restaurant, several general stores, and about nine or ten saloons. Needles quickly became the largest port on the river above Yuma, Arizona. The railway and the Fred Harvey Company built the elegant Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts style El Garces Hotel and Santa Fe Station in 1908, which was considered the "crown jewel" of the entire Fred Harvey chain. The landmark building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is being restored.


title: Needles, California

text: Needles was a major stop on the historic U.S. Route 66 highway from the 1920s through the 1960s. For migrants from the Midwest Dust Bowl in the 1930s, it was the first town that marked their arrival in California. The city is lined with motels and other shops from that era. The "Carty's Camp", which appears briefly in "The Grapes of Wrath" as the Joad family enters California from Arizona, is now a ghost tourist court, its remains located behind the 1940s-era 66 Motel.


title: Needles, California

text: In 1949, the United States Bureau of Reclamation began an extensive project to dredge a new channel for the Colorado River that would straighten out a river bend that was causing serious silt problems since the Hoover Dam was completed.


title: Needles, California

text: Needles is a tourism and recreation center. The city is the eastern gateway to the Mojave National Preserve, a scenic desert area.


title: Needles, California

text: The city has a desert climate with a subtropical temperature range, with a mean annual temperature of .


title: Needles, California

text: Needles, like Death Valley to the northwest, is known for extreme heat during the summer. The Needles weather station is frequently reported by the United States government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the site of the highest daily temperature recorded in the U.S. during the desert summers. Needles occasionally sets national or world daily temperature records, along with other related records associated with extreme desert heat. For instance, on July 22, 2006, Needles experienced a record high low temperature of at 6:00 am with a high temperature exceeding , making it one of the few locations on Earth that have recorded a triple-digit overnight low temperature. Also, on August 13, 2012, Needles experienced a thunderstorm that deposited rain at a temperature of starting at 3:56 pm, setting a new record for the hottest rain in world history. The air temperature was , tying Needles's record high for the date. Since the humidity was only 11%, the rain evaporated so that "only a trace of precipitation was recorded in the rain gauge". Weather records researcher Maximiliano Herrera reported that this was the lowest humidity at which rain has occurred on Earth in recorded history. Later, on May 4, 2014, Needles reached a temperature of with a dewpoint of , for a relative humidity of 0.33%, the lowest value ever recorded on Earth.


title: Needles, California

text: In the winter, temperatures are typically mild, with December, the coolest month, having a normal mean temperature of . The hottest month, July, has a normal mean temperature of . On average, there are 119 days annually with a maximum of or higher, 175 days with a maximum of or higher, and 2.7 days with a minimum of or lower. Official record temperatures range from on January 22, 1937 to , last recorded on June 20, 2017.


title: Needles, California

text: Annual normal rainfall is , and there is an annual normal of 23 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1939 with of rainfall and the driest year was 2006 with . The most rainfall in one month was in September 1939. The most rainfall in a calendar day was on August 19, 1906. Snowfall is very rare in Needles, with the only month recording measurable snowfall being January 1949, when of snow fell, including inches on January 12, 1949. The city is also known for moderate to locally severe thunderstorms during the monsoon season as well as humid conditions.


title: Needles, California

text: Needles is served by the National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio operating on 162.50 MHz from the Las Vegas National Weather Service.


title: Needles, California

text: As of the census of 2000, there were 4,830 people, 1,940 households, and 1,268 families residing in the city. The estimated population in July 2006: 5,330 (+10.4% change). The population density was . There were 2,551 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 77.9% White, 1.6% African American, 7.0% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.4% from other races, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.4% of the population.


title: Needles, California

text: There were 1,940 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.


title: Needles, California

text: In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.


title: Needles, California

text: The median income for a household in the city was $26,108, and the median income for a family was $33,264. Males had a median income of $39,688 versus $19,483 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,156. About 21.2% of families and 26.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.2% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.


title: Needles, California

text: Major employment in the city is supported by the BNSF Railway (formerly the Santa Fe Railroad). The depot has been a terminal (crew change point) for the railway since the late 19th century. The railroad company has been the city's main employment source for over a century.


title: Needles, California

text: According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of . of it is land and of it (1.36%) is water.


title: Needles, California

text: The once smaller nearby communities of Bullhead City, Arizona, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and Laughlin, Nevada have in recent years become larger communities than Needles.


title: Needles, California

text: The 2010 United States Census reported that Needles had a population of 4,844. The population density was . The racial makeup of Needles was 3,669 (75.7%) White (65.4% Non-Hispanic White), 95 (2.0%) African American, 399 (8.2%) Native American, 35 (0.7%) Asian, 9 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 323 (6.7%) from other races, and 314 (6.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,083 persons (22.4%).


title: Needles, California

text: The Census reported that 4,839 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.


title: Needles, California

text: There were 1,918 households, out of which 650 (33.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 712 (37.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 331 (17.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 159 (8.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 186 (9.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 6 (0.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 588 households (30.7%) were made up of individuals, and 238 (12.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52. There were 1,202 families (62.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.12.


title: Needles, California

text: The population was spread out, with 1,283 people (26.5%) under the age of 18, 401 people (8.3%) aged 18 to 24, 1,038 people (21.4%) aged 25 to 44, 1,357 people (28.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 765 people (15.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.


title: Needles, California

text: There were 2,895 housing units at an average density of , of which 1,015 (52.9%) were owner-occupied, and 903 (47.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 17.2%. 2,578 people (53.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,261 people (46.7%) lived in rental housing units.


title: Needles, California

text: According to the 2010 United States Census, Needles had a median household income of $29,613, with 28.8% of the population living below the poverty line.


title: Needles, California

text: The City of Needles was incorporated on October 30, 1913. It is a charter city, led by an elected mayor and a city council with six elected members. Mayors serve two-year terms of office, and councilmembers serve four-year terms. The council designates a vice mayor from among its members. The city council also appoints a city manager who is responsible for the operation of city departments. As of January 2020, the current city manager is Rick Daniels.


title: Needles, California

text: In 2008, claiming the county had been unwilling to help keep the city's troubled hospital open as a full-service medical facility, the city considered seceding from California and becoming part of neighboring Nevada, only a few miles away. The options of attaching itself to the state of Arizona or even forming a new county were also considered. Proposals to change states would require approval from the United States Congress and both state legislatures.


title: Needles, California

text: Needles' elementary schools and Needles High School are part of the Needles Unified School District. The school district is one of the largest in the United States in terms of area with almost in its boundaries. The district runs from Amboy to Needles, and south to Parker Dam. It has 1,158 students enrolled. The local Needles schools include Katie Hohstadt Elementary School, formerly called 'D' Street School (new home of Needles Head Start, and no longer a regular public school), Vista Colorado Elementary School (grades K–5), Needles Middle School (grades 6–8), Needles High School (grades 9–12), and the Educational Training Center (grades 9–12). Needles High School, due to its distance from other California schools, is a member of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, along with four other similarly placed California schools: Truckee, North Tahoe, South Tahoe, and Coleville.


title: Needles, California

text: Needles also has two private schools: the Needles Assembly of God Christian School and the Needles Seventh-day Adventist School.


title: Needles, California

text: Interstate 40, known locally as the Needles Freeway, is the major highway through Needles, connecting Barstow to the west and Arizona to the east. U.S. Route 95 also enters the city from the east on former Route 66 as a concurrency with the I-40 freeway, then splits with the Interstate west of the city, and heads north to Nevada. The Colorado River Bridge connects Needles directly with Mohave County, Arizona, and Arizona State Route 95.


title: Needles, California

text: Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service to Needles station, operating its Southwest Chief between Chicago and Los Angeles. It arrives between midnight and 2 am.


title: Needles, California

text: As of August 2, 2016, Victor Valley Transit Authority has service from Needles to Barstow and Victorville on Fridays. To Barstow and Victorville, the bus leaves at 6:15 and arrives at Victorville at 10:30 am. On the reverse trip, buses leave Victorville at 2:30 pm and arrives at Barstow at 7:15 pm.


title: Needles, California

text: Vegas Airporter provides service between Lake Havasu City, Needles, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.


title: Needles, California

text: On July 1, 2016, San Bernardino County Fire Department annexed the City of Needles. Fire Station 32 provides fire protection to the City of Needles and houses two Type 1 Engine companies, one Type 7 Engine company, one Water Tender and one 28 foot fireboat. The station is staffed full-time with career firefighters.


title: Needles, California

text: Since December 1989 the City of Needles has been patrolled by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department under the command of Captain Ross Tarangle from the Needles Patrol Station.


title: Needles, California

text: Colorado Medical Center was once a full service hospital but at present it's functioning as an urgent care.


title: Needles, California

text: Well I never been to England, but I kinda like the Beatles. Well, I headed for Las Vegas, only made it out to Needles. Can you feel it? Must be real. It feels so good!


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual award ceremony honouring individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year. It was established in 1999 by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation founding patrons Daimler and Richemont. It is supported by its global partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. The awards support the work of Laureus Sport for Good, which supports over 160 community projects in more than 40 countries. These programmes aim to use the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage, and prove that sport has the power to change the world. The name "Laureus" is derived from the Greek word for laurel, considered a traditional symbol of victory in athletics.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The first ceremony was held on 25 May 2000 in Monte Carlo, at which South African president Nelson Mandela gave the keynote speech. , awards are made annually in eight categories, with a number of discretionary categories irregularly recognised. The recipient of each award is presented with a Laureus statuette, created by Cartier, at an annual ceremony held in various locations around the world. , the ceremonies have been held in eleven different cities, and are broadcast in at least 160 countries.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: Swiss tennis player Roger Federer holds the record for the most awards with six, five for Sportsman of the Year and one for Comeback of the Year. A number of awards have been rescinded, namely those presented to American cyclist Lance Armstrong, American sprinter Marion Jones and Canadian amputee sprinter Earle Connor, each of whom were subsequently found to have illegally used drugs to achieve their records. In the 2020 ceremony, Argentine Lionel Messi became the first footballer to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. He is also the first athlete to win it coming from a team sport.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The World Sports Awards was conceived by former Austrian Olympic ski jumper Hubert Neuper, who "hatched the idea as a way to celebrate the top sportsmen of the 20th century". Initially named World Sports Awards of the Century and backed by the Austrian government, Neuper conducted a nominating conference in the month of June, 1999 with around 20 representatives of the media from around the world; followed by an award ceremony gala event in November. Shortly thereafter it was decided to make this an annual event and Neuper searched for corporate sponsorship, leading to Laureus taking over the project. South African businessman Johann Rupert, chairman of Richemont, proposed that an organisation be created "based on the principle that sport can bridge the gaps in society and change the way people look at the world." The organisation, established in 1998 to do charity by a partnership of Richemont and Daimler became known as "Laureus", its name being derived from the Greek word for laurel, considered a traditional symbol of victory in athletics. The first Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony was held two years later, at which the patron and president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, delivered a speech which Edwin Moses has described as "iconic".


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: Awards were made in seven regular categories and two discretionary categories at the inaugural ceremony, hosted by the American actors Jeff Bridges and Dylan McDermott. Two of those awards would later be rescinded: both the American cyclist Lance Armstrong and the American track athlete Marion Jones were found to have used performance-enhancing drugs and had their awards withdrawn. The award for American amputee sprinter Earle Connor, who won the 2004 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award, was also later rescinded.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The awards are frequently referred to as the sporting equivalent of an "Oscar" for movies. The awards have been criticized, with comments that their criteria are not clear.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The Laureus Nominations Panel, composed of more than 1,000 members of sports media from more than 70 countries, vote to create a shortlist of nominations in six categories:


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The nominees of the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability are chosen by the International Paralympic Committee.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The Laureus World Sports Academy is an association of 68 retired sportspeople who volunteer to support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. They also vote each year to decide the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards. , the chairman of the Academy is Sean Fitzpatrick, former rugby player from New Zealand. The members of the Academy vote by secret ballot to select the winners.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The public votes to select the winner for one category, the Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony is held annually at various venues in various locations around the world. The inaugural ceremony took place at the Sporting Club in Monaco on 25 May 2000. , the ceremonies have been held in eleven cities around the world, and are broadcast in at least 160 countries. Each Laureus World Sports Award winner receives a Cartier Laureus statuette which features a "representation of the striving human form". The award weighs approximately (with of solid silver and a gold-finish base) and is tall.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: The Best Sporting Moment Award, inaugurated in 2017, and voted for by the public, was won by the FC Barcelona under-12 ("Infantil-B") side for their sportsmanship in consoling a defeated opposition team. The 2018 award was won by fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team, who at the end of the first quarter of each home game turn toward the children's hospital that overlooks the playing field and wave to patients watching the game. For the 2020 ceremony, the Best Sporting Moment was drawn from the previous two decades and voted for by the general public. Referred to as the "Laureus Sporting Moment Award (2000–2020)", it was won by Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. In 2021, Chris Nikic was presented with the Best Sporting Moment award.


title: Laureus World Sports Awards

text: Since 2000, the Laureus World Sports Awards have included a number of accolades given by the Academy at their discretion. At the first ceremony in 2000, Brazilian footballer Pelé became the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, while American Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics was presented with the inaugural Laureus Sport for Good Award. The first Spirit of Sport award was presented in 2005 to the Boston Red Sox who had won the World Series for the first time in 86 years. In 2013, American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first recipient of the Exceptional Achievement Award. , Chinese tennis player Li Na (2015) and Italian footballer Francesco Totti (2018) are the only other people to be honoured with the award. In 2017, the Refugee Olympic Team, comprising ten athletes from Syria, Congo, Ethiopia and South Sudan, was awarded the first Sporting Inspiration Award. The following year, the award was presented to the American footballer J. J. Watt whose "exceptional humanitarian efforts" raised more than US$37 million for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was presented with the Athlete Advocate of the Year Award.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: Field hockey was introduced at the Olympic Games as a men's competition at the 1908 Games in London, with six teams, four from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and other two were France and Germany.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: Field hockey was removed from the Summer Olympic Games at the 1924 Paris Games because of the lack of an international sporting structure. The International Hockey Federation (FIH, "Fédération Internationale de Hockey") was founded in Paris that year as a response to field hockey's omission. Men's field hockey became a permanent feature at the next Olympic Games, the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: For a long time, India dominated the Olympics, winning the men's gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics from 1928 to 1964. Later, Pakistan was also dominant, winning three gold and three silver medals between 1956 and 1984. India lost their dominance after the 1980s and Pakistan after the 1990s. India won their last gold medal in 1980 and Pakistan in 1984 Games. However India again won bronze medal in 2020 games after a long time.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: Since 1968, various teams from around the world have seen gold-medal success at the Olympics. Since 1968, several countries in the Southern Hemisphere have won various medals in men's and women's field hockey, including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Zimbabwe. A leading group of teams from the Northern Hemisphere has come from the Netherlands and from Germany.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: Spain has appeared in the most Olympic men's competitions without winning the men's gold medal, having won silver three times in 1980, 1996, 2008 and bronze once in 1960. Australia had competed in 12 Olympics without winning gold before breaking their streak in 2004.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: The first women's Olympic field hockey competition was introduced by the IOC at the 1980 Summer Olympics. Olympic field hockey games were first played on artificial turf at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: Until the 1988 Olympics the tournament was invitational but FIH introduced a qualification system since the 1992 games.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: India is the leading team in overall medal tally with 12 medals (8 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze). India also lead in most number of gold medals.


title: Field hockey at the Summer Olympics

text: Australia and the Netherlands are the only teams to have competed at almost every Olympic Games, except for only one edition; 21 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games.


title: Sulu

text: Sulu (; Tausūg: "Wilāya sin Lupa' Sūg"; ) is a province of the Philippines in the Sulu Archipelago and part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).


title: Sulu

text: Its capital is Jolo on the island of the same name. Maimbung, the royal capital of the Sultanate of Sulu, is also located in the province. Sulu is along the southern border of the Sulu Sea and the northern boundary of the Celebes Sea.


title: Sulu

text: Prior to the arrival of Islam in Sulu, the province used to adhere to local animist religions; this later changed to Hindu and Buddhist belief systems. Throughout this time, the Kingdom of Lupah Sug had been established centuries before Islam arrived.


title: Sulu

text: The advent of Islam around 1138 through merchants and traders had a distinct influence on Southeast Asia. The coming of Arabs, Persians and other Muslims paved the way for the arrival of religious missionaries, traders, scholars and travelers to Sulu and Mindanao in the 12th century.


title: Sulu

text: A landmark born of the social process was the founding of the Sultanate of Sulu. Year 1380 CE, Karim-ul Makhdum came to Sulu and introduced Islam to the Philippines. In 1450 CE, Johore-born Arab adventurer Sayyid Abubakar Abirin came to Sulu and lived with Rajah Baguinda Ali. Sayyid Abubakar eventually married Ali's daughter, Dayang-dayang Paramisuli, and inherited Rajah Baguinda's polity (which was a principality before), which he turned into the Sultanate of Sulu and become its first Sultan. To consolidate his rule, Sayyid Abubakar united the local political units under the umbrella of the Sultanate. He brought Sulu, Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, and Basilan under its aegis.


title: Sulu

text: The navigational error that landed Ferdinand Magellan in Limasawa brought awareness of Europe to the Philippines and opened the door to Spanish colonial incursion. The Spaniards introduced Christianity and a political system of church-state dichotomy, which encountered fierce resistance in the devastating Moro wars from 1578 to 1899. The Sultanate of Sulu formally recognised Spanish sovereignty in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu in middle of 19th century, but these areas remained partially ruled by the Spanish as their sovereignty was limited to military stations, garrisons, and pockets of civilian settlements, until they had to abandon the region as a consequence of their defeat in the Spanish–American War.


title: Sulu

text: After Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States, American forces came to Jolo and ended the 23 years of Spanish military occupation (1876 to 1899). On August 20, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II and Brig. Gen. John C. Bates signed the Bates Agreement that continued the gradual emasculation of the Sultanate started by Spain (Treaty of 1878) until March 1915 when the Sultan abdicated his temporal powers in the Carpenter Agreement. The Agreement eliminated opposition to the civilian government of Gov. Clinton Solidum.


title: Sulu

text: The Department of Mindanao and Sulu under Gov. Carpenter was created by "Philippine Commission Act 2309" (1914) and ended on February 5, 1920, by Act of Philippine Legislature No. 2878. The Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes was organized and briefly headed by Teofisto Guingona Sr. With the enactment by the US Congress of the Jones Law (Philippine Autonomy Law) in 1916, ultimate Philippine independence was guaranteed and the Filipinization of public administration began. Sulu, however, had an appointed American governor until 1935, and the Governor General in Manila had a say in Sulu affairs.


title: Sulu

text: At any rate, the essence of local governance forged by Rajah Baguinda continued to permeate the ethos of Sulu politics despite centuries of colonial presence. History points to a local government in Sulu that antedates other similar systems in the country.


title: Sulu

text: The province hosted the Daru Jambangan (Palace of Flowers) which was the royal palace of the Sultan of Sulu since historical times. The palace, located in Maimbung was made of wood, and was destroyed in 1932 by a huge storm.


title: Sulu

text: During the brief Japanese occupation years, Sulu was bombed by the Japanese and was conquered afterwards. The Japanese were eventually expelled by the Americans and the natives of Sulu, and the Americans started to push for the independence of the Philippines as 'one country'. This prompted various leaders from Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago to campaign against being lumped with the Catholic natives of Luzon and the Visayas. Despite the campaign against the 'one Philippines model', the United States granted independence to the Philippines, effectively giving control of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago to the Filipino government in Manila.


title: Sulu

text: At the beginning of Philippine independence era, the reconstruction of the Daru Jambangan continued to be of huge importance to the people of Sulu as only a few arches and posts remain from the once grand palace complex. Many members of the royal family advocated for the reconstruction of the palace, however, the government of the Philippines made no official position or fund for the matter. During that time, the Mindanao sentiment to become a free country on its own was also felt in Sulu.


title: Sulu

text: In 1948, Hadji Kamlon, a World War II veteran, started an uprising on Luuk, Sulu. He surrendered in 1949 but started another uprising in 1952. He then surrendered on 31 July 1952 to Secretary of Defense Ramon Magsaysay. However, he started a third uprising a week later. He surrendered again on 9 November 1952 but would start another uprising in early 1953. He would then surrender on 11 August 1953 after an encounter with Philippines Government troops. He violated the terms of his surrender a week later. Two years later, on 24 September 1955, he would then surrender after an encounter with government troops in Tandu Panuan, Luuk.


title: Sulu

text: In 1973, the municipalities of South Ubian, Tandubas, Simunul, Sitangkai, Balimbing (Panglima Sugala), Bungao, Cagayan de Sulu (Mapun), and Turtle Island were transferred from the jurisdiction of Sulu to the newly formed province of Tawi-Tawi pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302 of September 11, 1973.


title: Sulu

text: During Marcos era, Sulu was one of the provinces that fought back against Ferdinand Marcos as his regime tortured, killed, and exterminated hundreds of Moros. When news broke out regarding the planned invasion of eastern Sabah, Marcos ordered the military to massacre Tausug warriors, which led to the brutal 1968 Jabidah massacre, the worst human rights violation against the natives of Sulu.


title: Sulu

text: News about the Jabidah Massacre led to the rise of numerous separatist movements in Mindanao, including Sulu, eventually leading to groups engaging in armed conflict with the Philippine government. One of the most destructive clashes, the 1974 Battle of Jolo, was so destructive that it was estimated to have rendered 40,000 people homeless in Jolo, the capital of Sulu.


title: Sulu

text: The Sultan of Sulu, members of the royal family, and the leaders of Sulu were in favor of the People Power Revolution in Manila that successfully toppled the dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.


title: Sulu

text: In 1989, the province of Sulu became part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM. A peace pact between the Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF and the Philippine government was also made. The founder and leader of the MNLF, Nur Misuari, who was a native of Sulu and adhered to the Sultanate of Sulu, became the governor of the entire ARMM from 1996 to 2001.


title: Sulu

text: In 2016, a small replica of Daru Jambangan was built in the neighboring town of Talipao and became a centerpiece for a 'vacation park'. The replica was about 25% of the actual size of the real Daru Jambangan during its heyday. A campaign to restore the Daru Jambangan in its original location in Maimbung is still ongoing. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Museum of the Philippines were tasked to faithfully restore or reconstruct the Daru Jambangan in Maimbung.


title: Sulu

text: In 2019, the Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite led to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to replace the ARMM. The initiative lost by a 54.3% margin in Sulu, but was carried nonetheless because the votes of the entire ARMM were counted as one. (Several other localities in Mindanao which had not originally been part of the ARMM also ratified the BOL and were thus added to the BARMM.)


title: Sulu

text: The province covers an area of . Sulu's main island, Jolo, has an area of , making it the 16th largest island of the Philippine Archipelago by area.


title: Sulu

text: Sulu is a part of the Sulu Archipelago, which stretches from the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula on the north to the island of Borneo in the south. The main island and its islets are situated between the island-provinces of Basilan to the northeast, and Tawi-Tawi to the southwest. Sulu is bordered by two seas; the Sulu Sea to the north, and the Celebes Sea to its south. Sulu has over 157 islets, some of which remain unnamed.


title: Sulu

text: Sulu comprises 19 municipalities that are organized into two legislative districts and further subdivided into 410 barangays.


title: Sulu

text: Although consisting of a mixed community of Muslims, the Tausugs dominate the Sulu Archipelago. The Tausug were among the first inhabitants of the Philippines to embrace Islam as a religion and a way of life. They are referred to as ‘people of the current’, reflective of their close ties to the sea.


title: Sulu

text: Sulu inhabitants are predominantly Muslim, constituting about 99% of the provincial population in 2015.


title: Sulu

text: A majority of Sulu's Muslim population practice Sunni Islam of the Shafi'i tradition, as taught by Arab, Persian, Indian Muslim, Chinese Muslim and Malaccan missionaries from the 14th Century onwards.


title: Sulu

text: Relatively newer Islamic sects, mostly brought by returning veterans of the Afghan wars and missionaries from Pakistan's stricter Sufi traditions, referred to as the Tableegh, have been active in propagating what they believe to be a "purer" Islamic way of life and worship. A very small number who have since married into Iranian or Iraqi families have converted to Shiite Islam.


title: Sulu

text: The majority of Sulu Christians are Catholics. They are under the jurisdiction of Archdiocese of Zamboanga through its suffragan Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo. Non-Catholic Christians include Evangelicals, Jesus Miracle Crusade, Episcopalian, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and a number of other Protestant denominations. Only the most recent Chinese immigrants adhere to Buddhism or Taoism, while most of the older Chinese families have acculturated and have either converted to Christianity or Islam while retaining many of their Chinese beliefs.


title: Sulu

text: The Tausug language is the "lingua franca" of Sulu. The other local language is the indigenous Sama, which is widely used in varied tones and accents. This variety led to the development of Sinama dialects. The major ones are Sinama Sibutu (spoken mainly in the Sibutu-Sitangkai Region), Sinama Simunul (concentrated in Simunul-Manuk-Mangkaw Islands), Sinama Kapoan (spoken in the South Ubian-Tandubas and Sapa-Sapa Regions) and Sinama Banguingui (concentrated in Buan Island and spoken by Banguingui people).


title: Sulu

text: The Bajau-Sama language is also spoken, as are the official languages of Tagalog (Filipino) and English. Many locals and barter traders can speak Sabah Malay, while Chavacano is also spoken by Christian and Muslim locals who maintain contacts and trade with the mainland Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan. Many Muslims can also speak Cebuano because of the mass influx of Cebuano settlers to Mindanao, especially among the Tau Sūg since Tausug is a related Visayan language.


title: Sulu

text: Sulu is predominantly agricultural with farming and fishing as its main livelihood activities. Its fertile soil and ideal climate can grow a variety of crops such as abaca, coconuts, Sulu coffee, oranges, and lanzones as well as exotic fruits seldom found elsewhere in the country such as durian and mangosteen.


title: Sulu

text: Fishing is the most important industry since the Sulu Sea is one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. The province also has an extensive pearl industry, with a pearl farm on Marungas Island. The backs of sea turtles are made into beautiful trays and combs. During breaks from fishing, the people build boats and weave mats. Other industries include coffee processing and fruit preservation.


title: Sulu

text: The handicrafts of Sulu have both Islamic and Malay influences. Skilled artisans make boats, bladed weapons, bronze and brassware, pis cloth, embroidered textiles, shellcraft, traditional house carvings, and carved wooden grave markers.


title: Sulu

text: The province used to be one of the most prosperous in the southern Philippines. However, due to conflicts, terrorism, and the establishment of jihadists groups such as the Abu Sayyaf, the province's economy has suffered badly and has been reduced to its current state.


title: Sulu

text: After the success of new flight of Philippine Airlines inside Bangsamoro region, the government is already looking forward to open the route to Cotabato City. As of to date Gove


title: Sulu

text: Leading Edge, Cebu Pacific Cebgo and Platinum Skies from Zamboanga are existing operational flight utilizing the newly renovated Jolo Airport.


title: Michael Angelis

text: Nicolas Michael Angelis (29 April 1944 – 30 May 2020) was an English actor. He was best known for his television roles as Chrissie Todd in "Boys from the Blackstuff", Martin Niarchos in "G.B.H." and as a UK narrator of the British children's series "Thomas & Friends" from 1991 to 2012, as well as several other products and media related to the franchise.


title: Michael Angelis

text: Nicolas Michael Angelis was born on 29 April 1944 in Paddington, London to an English mother, Margaret (née McCulla) (1920–1947), and a Greek father, Evangelos Angelis (1894–1959). He was raised in Dingle, Liverpool. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, where he played roles in, among other works, Brendan Behan's "The Hostage" and "The Zykovs" by Maxim Gorky. He was featured in "Boys from the Black Stuff" (1982) and "G.B.H.".


title: Michael Angelis

text: Angelis appeared in comedies such as "The Liver Birds" (1975–1978) and "Luv" (1993–1994) and films such as "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" (1979) and "No Surrender" (1985). In 1983, he appeared at the Royal Exchange, Manchester in Harold Pinter's "The Caretaker". He was a villain in the revived television series "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet" (2002), alongside former fellow "Black Stuff" star Alan Igbon. He narrated the British version of "Thomas & Friends" from 1991 to 2012.