text:
In today’s fast-paced world, everyone looks for quick and easy ways to relax and have fun, especially during short breaks at school or work. This is where unblocked games come into the picture. They are a type of online game that you can play without any restrictions, even on networks that usually block game websites, like those in schools and offices. This article provides you with a list of the 7 best unblocked games in 2023.
What makes these games so appealing is how simple they are to access. You don’t need to download any special software or apps; you can play them directly in your web browser. This means you can enjoy these games on any computer or mobile device as long as you have an internet connection. It’s perfect for when you want to take a quick break from studying or during a lunch break at work.
Unblocked games cover a wide range of genres, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you like action games that get your heart racing, puzzle games that challenge your brain, or sports games that let you experience the thrill of competition, you’ll find it all in the world of unblocked games. They’re not just for kids or teenagers; adults can enjoy them too!
Another great thing about unblocked games is that they’re usually free. You don’t have to worry about paying for subscriptions or additional features. This makes them a great option for some cost-free entertainment.
This article delves into the best-unblocked games that you must try. So, next time you’re looking for a way to take a break and de-stress, consider diving into the world of unblocked games.
What are Unblocked Games?
Unblocked games are online games that can be played without encountering the access restrictions often found in schools, workplaces, or other environments where internet usage is controlled. These games are hosted on websites that bypass the filters or firewalls set up by network administrators, allowing users to play them even in settings where gaming sites are typically blocked.
Here are some key points about unblocked games:
- Accessibility: They can be accessed from any computer or device connected to the internet, including those in schools or offices where access to gaming websites is usually restricted.
- Variety of Genres: Unblocked games come in a wide range of genres, from simple puzzles and arcade games to more complex strategy and adventure games, catering to a variety of interests and skill levels.
- No Downloads Required: Most unblocked games are browser-based, meaning they can be played directly in a web browser without the need to download or install any software. This makes them convenient and accessible on various devices.
- Free to Play: Many unblocked games are available for free, making them a popular choice for casual gaming without financial commitment.
- Educational and Recreational: While some unblocked games are purely for entertainment, others have educational elements, helping players develop skills like problem-solving, strategic thinking, and hand-eye coordination.
Why Unblocked Games Are Popular
Unblocked games have gained significant popularity, especially in environments like schools and workplaces, for several reasons:
- Easy Accessibility: One of the main reasons for their popularity is their accessibility. Unblocked games can be played on networks where gaming websites are usually restricted. This means students during school breaks or employees during their free time can access these games without any hassle.
- Wide Variety of Choices: These games cover a broad spectrum of genres, from simple puzzles and arcade games to complex strategy and adventure games. This diversity ensures that there’s something for everyone, regardless of their interests or age.
- No installation is required. Unblocked games are typically browser-based, meaning they don’t require any downloads or installations. This convenience allows players to jump right into the game without worrying about device storage or compatibility issues.
- Free Entertainment: Many unblocked games are free, making them an attractive option for people looking for entertainment without a financial commitment. This aspect is particularly appealing to students and others who might not have the means to purchase games.
- A Way to Bypass Boredom: In settings like schools and offices, where options for entertainment can be limited, unblocked games provide a quick and easy way to alleviate boredom and stress.
- Educational Value: Some unblocked games have educational components, helping players develop skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and even learning new concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Best Unblocked Games
1) Masked Forces Crazy Mode
“Masked Forces Crazy Mode” is an exhilarating and dynamic action game that caters to players who crave intense combat and strategic gameplay. This game stands out with its variety of modes, appealing to both solo players and those who enjoy multiplayer experiences.
Single-Player and Multiplayer Options
In single-player mode, gamers embark on a solo journey, navigating through various levels and facing increasingly challenging opponents. This mode is perfect for honing skills, understanding game mechanics, and preparing for the more unpredictable multiplayer environment.
The multiplayer option, on the other hand, brings players together from all around the world. Here, you can team up with others or compete against them in various scenarios. This mode fosters a sense of community and competition, allowing players to test their skills against real opponents, adding a layer of excitement and unpredictability that AI-controlled enemies can’t match.
Intense Combat Scenarios
The game’s core lies in its intense combat scenarios. Players find themselves in diverse environments, each requiring different strategies and tactics. The combat is fast-paced and demands quick reflexes, sharp shooting skills, and tactical thinking. Players must navigate these scenarios, outsmarting and outmaneuvering their opponents to emerge victorious.
Diverse Arsenal of Weapons
A key feature of “Masked Forces Crazy Mode” is its extensive array of weapons. Players have access to a wide range of firearms and melee weapons, each with unique attributes and uses. This variety allows players to choose weapons that suit their play style, whether they prefer close-quarters combat or long-range engagements. The game encourages experimentation with different weapons, adding depth and replayability.
2) 8 Ball Pool Billiard
“8 Ball Pool Billiard” is a virtual rendition of the classic and widely beloved game of billiards, designed to replicate the experience of playing in a real-life pool hall. This game has garnered immense popularity among billiards enthusiasts due to its realistic gameplay, strategic depth, and user-friendly interface. It stands as a testament to how traditional games can be transformed into engaging digital experiences.
Real-Life Pool Hall Experience
The game’s design and mechanics are meticulously crafted to mirror the real-world pool-playing experience. From the baize of the pool table to the sound of balls clacking, every detail is fine-tuned to give players the feeling of being in an actual pool hall. The physics of the game, including ball movement, collisions, and cue stick handling, are simulated with high precision, making the gameplay feel authentic and immersive.
Billiards is a game of strategy and skill, and “8 Ball Pool Billiard” captures this essence perfectly. Players must think several shots ahead, considering angles, spin, and power to outplay their opponents. The game rewards strategic planning, precision, and foresight. It’s not just about pocketing balls but doing so in a way that sets up the next shot or disrupts the opponent’s play.
Aim and Cue Control
Central to the game is the skill of aiming and cue control. Players have the ability to adjust their aim, modify the strength of their shots, and even apply spin to the cue ball. This level of control allows for a wide range of shots and techniques, from simple straight shots to more complex maneuvers like bank shots and spin-induced curves. The game provides an excellent platform for players to practice and refine these skills.
3) Masked Forces Zombie Survival
“Masked Forces Zombie Survival” is an immersive survival game set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse, a theme that resonates with many fans of survival and horror genres. This game combines elements of action, strategy, and survival horror to create a tense and engaging experience.
Setting and Atmosphere
The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies have overrun civilization. The atmosphere is tense and foreboding, with environments that range from deserted urban landscapes to eerie, abandoned facilities. The game’s graphics and sound design contribute to a sense of desolation and danger, immersing players in a world where survival is uncertain.
In “Masked Forces Zombie Survival,” players must navigate through various levels while defending themselves against hordes of zombies. The gameplay involves both combat and strategy. Players must manage their resources, such as ammunition and health supplies, carefully. Resource management is a crucial aspect of the game, as reckless use of supplies can lead to difficult situations with limited options for survival.
Combat and Weapons
Combat in the game is intense and requires quick reflexes. Players have access to an arsenal of weapons, including firearms and melee weapons, each suited to different combat scenarios. The choice of weapon can significantly affect the player’s ability to fend off zombies and survive encounters. Additionally, players must be strategic about when to engage in combat and when to conserve resources or seek a stealthier approach.
“ArmedForces.io” is a military-themed multiplayer game that offers an engaging and realistic combat experience. This game is designed to immerse players in the world of modern warfare, where strategy, teamwork, and quick reflexes are key to success. It appeals to fans of military simulations and first-person shooter (FPS) games, providing a blend of tactical gameplay and fast-paced action.
Realistic Military Setting
The game is set in various military environments that are designed to mimic real-world combat zones. These settings range from urban landscapes to rural outposts, each presenting unique tactical challenges. The attention to detail in the game’s design contributes to an authentic military atmosphere, complete with realistic weapons, vehicles, and equipment.
At its core, “ArmedForces.io” is a multiplayer game that allows players to engage in battles with or against other players from around the globe. This multiplayer aspect fosters a competitive environment where players can test their skills against real opponents. The game supports various multiplayer modes, including team-based battles and free-for-all scenarios, catering to different playstyles and preferences.
Tactical and Strategic Elements
Tactics and strategy play a significant role in “ArmedForces.io.” Players must think critically about their movements, positioning, and the use of cover. Team-based modes require coordination and communication among team members, as well as strategic planning to outmaneuver the opposing team. This tactical depth adds a layer of complexity to the game, making it more than just a typical run-and-gun shooter.
5) Basketball Slam Dunk
“Basketball Slam Dunk” is a captivating and dynamic game designed specifically for fans of basketball, particularly those who enjoy the high-energy and skillful aspect of slam dunking. This game focuses on the art of the slam dunk, one of the most exciting and crowd-pleasing elements of basketball. It combines elements of sports simulation with arcade-style gameplay, making it both realistic and fun to play.
Emphasis on Slam Dunking
The central feature of “Basketball Slam Dunk” is, as the name suggests, the slam dunk. This isn’t just a regular basketball game where you shoot hoops; it’s specifically tailored to those who love the thrill and spectacle of dunking. Players get to experience the rush of leaping high, defying gravity, and slamming the ball through the hoop with style.
Realistic and Engaging Gameplay
The game strives to create a realistic basketball experience, particularly in the physics of jumping and dunking. Players must time their jumps and control their movements in the air to execute the perfect dunk. The game’s controls are intuitive yet challenging, requiring skill and practice to master, much like actual dunking in basketball.
Variety of Dunks and Moves
“Basketball Slam Dunk” offers a wide array of dunking moves and styles. Players can experiment with different types of dunks, each with its own flair and technique. From classic one-handed dunks to more elaborate and acrobatic moves, the game allows players to express their creativity and style on the virtual court.
6) Stickman Ragdoll
“Stickman Ragdoll” is a physics-based game centered around the stickman character, a simple yet iconic figure in the gaming world. This game stands out for its use of realistic physics to create a unique and often humorous gameplay experience. It’s a game that combines elements of strategy, skill, and creativity, appealing to players who enjoy problem-solving and physics-based challenges.
The core of “Stickman Ragdoll” lies in its physics engine, which realistically simulates the movement and interactions of the stickman character with the game environment. Players must navigate the stickman through various levels and obstacles, leveraging the physics to their advantage. This might involve swinging, jumping, falling, or even crashing into objects in a way that feels both realistic and entertaining.
Creative and Challenging Levels
The game features a variety of levels, each with its own set of challenges and puzzles. These levels are designed not only to test the player’s understanding of physics but also their creativity in solving problems. Players might need to maneuver through tricky landscapes, avoid hazards, or use objects in the environment to progress. The levels can range from straightforward to highly complex, offering a satisfying challenge to players of all skill levels.
Intuitive Controls and Gameplay
Despite the complexity of its physics, “Stickman Ragdoll” is known for its intuitive and user-friendly controls. Players typically have simple controls that allow them to manipulate the stickman character easily. This ease of control makes the game accessible to a wide audience, including those who may not be familiar with more complex gaming systems.
7) Highway Traffic
“Highway Traffic” is a fast-paced game that simulates the experience of navigating through busy highway traffic. This game is designed to capture the thrill and challenge of driving at high speeds while maneuvering through dense traffic scenarios. It appeals to players who enjoy racing games, as well as those who appreciate the intricacies of real-world driving and traffic navigation.
Fast-paced and Dynamic Gameplay
The essence of “Highway Traffic” lies in its rapid and dynamic gameplay. Players take control of a vehicle and drive at high speeds on a highway filled with other vehicles. The challenge is to navigate this traffic safely and efficiently, requiring quick reflexes and sharp decision-making skills. The game’s pace is relentless, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience as players weave through cars and trucks, avoiding collisions.
Realistic Traffic Scenarios
One of the game’s key features is its realistic representation of highway traffic. The traffic patterns and behavior of other vehicles mimic real-life driving conditions. This includes varying speeds of other vehicles, sudden lane changes, and different types of vehicles, from slow-moving trucks to fast sports cars. This realism adds to the game’s challenge and makes it more engaging for players.
Variety of Vehicles and Environments
“Highway Traffic” typically offers a range of vehicles that players can choose from or unlock as they progress. These vehicles might differ in speed, handling, and other characteristics, providing varied gameplay experiences. Additionally, the game often features different environments and road conditions, such as urban highways, rural roads, and varying weather conditions, adding to the diversity and replayability of the game.
Are unblocked games safe to play?
Yes, most unblocked games are safe to play. However, it’s always advisable to use reputable websites to avoid security risks.
Can unblock games improve skills?
Yes, many unblocked games are designed to improve cognitive skills like problem-solving, strategy planning, and quick reflexes.
Do I need to install anything to play these games?
No, most unblocked games are browser-based and don’t require any installations.
Are these games suitable for all ages?
While many unblocked games are suitable for all ages, some may contain content that is more appropriate for older players. It’s always best to check the game’s content before playing.
Can these games be played on mobile devices?
Yes, many unblocked games are compatible with mobile devices, allowing for gaming on the go.
Unblocked games offer an accessible and diverse form of entertainment for people of all ages. They provide a convenient way to enjoy gaming without the need for downloads or installations, and their wide range of genres ensures that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quick break from work or school or an engaging way to pass the time, unblocked games are a fantastic choice.
A tech-freak self-motivated professional that thrives on innovation and overcoming challenges. She is a trained writer and scholarship holder. Went through with writing for a lot of big media houses. Writing is her all-time favorite job. Know more about her on facebook

domain: game


text:
Fans React to 'Chicago Med' and 'Chicago P.D.' Losing Three Members
Three favorite cast members of the Chicago NBC franchise recently announced their departures due to “creative reasons.”
The departing actors are Chicago Med co-stars Norma Kuhling and Colin Donnell while one of the original actors from the franchise, Jon Seda from Chicago P.D. also bid fans farewell.
While all three Chicago series got renewed for the next season, the chances are they could return for guest appearances.
Sources told Deadline that the reason for their exit stems from “creative reasons related to the characters’ story evolution.”
Norma Kuhling first joined Chicago Med during its second season’s finale as the outspoken Dr. Ava Bekker, a gifted South African trauma surgeon as a recurring member of the cast. Early on in the third season, she got bumped up to a series regular.
After the announcement got made that the three actors would be leaving the respective shows as regulars, Norma expressed her gratitude for being on the show on social media. “Really going to miss this family, but feeling nothing but gratitude. A huge thank you to @nbc and @dickwolf for bringing me on board,” the New York native wrote.
Colin Donnell played the handsome Cardiothoracic- and Trauma Surgery Attending, Dr. Connor Rhodes on Chicago Med since the launch of the series in 2015. He made guest appearances on both Chicago Fire, during it's fourth, sixth and seventh seasons, while he appeared in the third and fourth seasons of Chicago P.D.
On Friday after the news broke, Colin took to social media and confirmed the turn of events on an apologetic note. “Sorry to say that this is true,” he began the post and added, “And a special thank you to all the fans that have made these last four seasons so amazing.”
Jon Seda came to the franchise as one of the original cast members seven years ago and regularly appeared in crossover episodes between the respective Chicago shows.
What started as a recurring role on Chicago Fire, turned into a lead role as Detective Antonio Dawson on Chicago P.D.
During its fourth season, Jon moved over to the Chicago Justice spinoff but the show got canceled after its first season, and he returned to Chicago P.D. at the start of its fifth season.
According to Deadline, Jon’s character had run its course which led to his departure.
On Monday Jon shared a tribute to the show and his fans on social media and wrote, “It’s been an honor portraying Det. Antonio Dawson in the #OneChicago world. To my cast & crew #Family, I’ll always treasure the time and stories we shared.”
Responses from fans streamed in as many wished them well in their future endeavors. “We’re all going to miss both you and Colin so much ? but thank you for these amazing two years! I wish you the very best for the future, and I hope to see you soon in some amazing new projects,” one Chicago fan wrote.
Some took the news hard as a fan of Colin responded his post:
Jon also received a magnitude of comments which one fan aptly summarised. “Ever since you first appeared on Fire, I’ve loved your character with all my heart. Can’t believe you’re really leaving, I’ll miss you SO much. But I can’t wait to see what you do next, and we’ll always love and support you!! Thank you for seven years as the fierce, badass, and absolutely incredible Antonio Dawson ❤❤❤.”
In February the network announced the renewal of these favorite shows and their new airing schedules, and who knows, there might come new characters that will equally creep into the hearts of Chicago fans.

domain: entertainment


JSA - JIS G 3101
Rolled steels for general structure
|Publication Date:||21 December 2020|
|ICS Code (Heat-treatable steels):||77.140.10|
|ICS Code (Iron and steel products in general):||77.140.01|
This Standard specifies requirements for the hot rolled steels used for general structures such as bridges, ships and rolling stocks (hereafter referred to as steel products) and hot extruded sections.
The quality requirements specific to hot extruded sections are given in Annex JB.
NOTE The International Standards corresponding to this Standard and the symbol of degree of correspondence are as follows.
ISO 630-1 : 2011 Structural steels - Part 1 : General technical delivery conditions for hot-rolled products
ISO 630-2 : 2011 Structural steels - Part 2 : Technical delivery conditions for structural steels for general purposes (Overall evaluation : MOD)
In addition, symbols which denote the degree of correspondence in the contents between the relevant International Standards and JIS are IDT (identical), MOD (modified), and NEQ (not equivalent) according to ISO/IEC Guide 21-1.


text:
- Save on luxury holidays & honeymoons with special offers
- From Bora Bora to Barbados & Maldives to Mexico
- Filter offers by star rating, destination, board basis & more
Sri Lanka weather in March 2021
Get the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) updates for Sri Lanka with current travel advice, statistics and online resources.
Below are average maximum temperatures at popular destinations in Sri Lanka in March. Select a destination to see more weather parameters.
The March weather guide for Sri Lanka shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia), the Met Office & the Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Find out more about our data sources.
Recommended for Sri Lanka
How hot is it in Sri Lanka in March?
Daytime temperatures usually reach 32°C in Colombo, Sri Lanka in March with very high heat and humidity, falling to 24°C at night.
How sunny is it in Sri Lanka in March?
There are normally 9 hours of bright sunshine each day in Colombo, Sri Lanka in March - that's 72% of daylight hours.
How warm is the sea around Sri Lanka in March?
The average sea temperature around Colombo, Sri Lanka in March is 29°C.
Does it rain in Sri Lanka in March?
There are usually 9 days with some rain in Colombo, Sri Lanka in March and the average monthly rainfall is 136mm.
Sri Lanka sunrise & sunset times for March 2021
Browse the sunrise & sunset times for Sri Lanka in March 2021. Select a month to view Sri Lanka sunrise & sunset times for the next twelve months. The Sri Lanka sunrise & sunset times shown below are for Colombo.
|Date||Sunrise times||Sunset times|
|Monday, 1st March 2021||06:23||18:23|
|Tuesday, 16th March 2021||06:17||18:22|
|Wednesday, 31st March 2021||06:09||18:20|
- Save on worldwide flights in the Qatar Airways sale
- Fly to Doha, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bali & more
- Depart from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester & more
Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)
Discover more about Sri Lanka
More Sri Lanka destinations
- Arugam Bay
- Mirissa Beach
- Mount Lavinia-Dehiwala
- Nuwara Eliya
Get your weekly fix of holiday inspiration from some of the world's best travel writers plus save on your next trip with the latest exclusive offers
We promise not to share your details
Popular travel offers
*affiliate links: find out how we are funded and why this helps us remain free to use.

domain: geography


text:
The game of Toontown has been up and running for 10 years now, and is a big part of people's lives. We have experienced victories and defeats, happiness and sadness, and have grown to love everything about the little world. It has even saved lives by being able to help people separate from the real world in hard times, and should be able to always continue to do so. Closing Toontown will close down a family, and families are always supposed to stick together.
Jess Keller started this petition with a single signature, and now has 129 supporters. Start a petition today to change something you care about.

domain: sociology


text:
The Valentine’s Richmond History Makers award ceremony, hosted on March 13th at Virginia Union University’s Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center, will recognize the region-wide impact of an impressive collection of hometown visionaries. In lead up to the celebration, Richmond Grid is featuring each of this year’s honorees.
Today we spotlight Diversity Richmond for championing social justice throughout the region. Since its inception, Diversity Richmond has distributed more than $850,000 to area non-profit organizations that use these funds to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to supporting our community financially, Diversity Richmond is a collaborator, convening groups with similar aspirations to effect social change and encourage acceptance. The non-profit has evolved into a multi-faceted organization while remaining a respected voice for the acceptance of sexual and gender minorities. Diversity Richmond envisions a community where LGBTQ+ citizens are treated with respect and dignity, and their unique gifts are championed and celebrated. Last year, Diversity Richmond partnered with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia to recognize and celebrate the lives of Richmond’s Black LGBTQ community. Rodney Lofton, Diversity Richmond Deputy Director, will accept the award.
The award ceremony recognizing Diversity Richmond, and the other honorees, will take place Tuesday, March 13, 2018, from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM, at 1813-1899 Bath Street. Stay tuned for more features on this year’s honorees. Purchase your ticket to join the celebration and get to know the faces behind the awards by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/richmond-history-makers-celebration-community-update-tickets-42139004898#tickets.


text:
VIEW SCORE: SANCTUS–In the Temple of Open Sky–ver II no vibes (SCORE–PDF)
INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, Oboe (opt.), Bassoon (opt.), Bb Clarinet 1,2,3, Bb Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1,2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, Crotales (or Glockenspiel), Triangle, Chimes (Orchestral Bells) (may be omitted or played on glock.), Large Suspended Cymbal
PERFORMANCE NOTES: This piece provides an excellent opportunity for a young band to develop sensitivity, phrasing, and musical ensemble playing through the development of a Gregorian chant-like theme.
Holy Holy Holy, Lord God of hosts
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory
Thus begins the Sanctus, one of the five principal parts of the Mass that has been the basis of much of the great music of the Western canon. It has been set by countless composers a great many times, in plainchant and polyphonic settings and everything in between, and remains a part of religious services in many traditions and denominations. It is often paired with the Benedictus as well.
This is not all of the text of the Sanctus, but to me, it is the most direct and most affecting part. Minus all of the doctrinal and dogmatic statements of faith in various traditions, the core value and belief comes back to these two lines: The belief in a great power beyond our understanding, and our ability to recognize that everything we can experience is in some way a reflection of this great power.
This short piece represents that journey in music. A single-line chant-like melody becomes accompanied by a pedal tone, then adorned with richer harmony, and finally progresses toward a triumphant and transcendent moment in which one realizes that there is no greater temple than the open sky—heaven and earth full of glory.

domain: artistic


LAKE WORTH -- What is being called one of the most ambitious coordinated efforts ever in the city is taking shape to provide sewer and storm drainage service, along with some water service and street improvements, to the last area of the city.
The project, with an estimated cost of $1.3 million, will provide those services to businesses and undeveloped areas west of Interstate 95 between what would be the extensions of 16th Avenue North and Fourth Avenue North, according to acting City Manager John Sczymanski.
But despite the million-dollar-plus price tag, doing all the work as a single coordinated project will be a lot less expensive than doing each area separately, he said.
Because the project will be paid for by taxing property owners who would be affected, Utilities Director Claude L'Engle said some opposition can be expected from established businesses served by septic tanks.
"A lot of them are going to say 'my septic tank has worked for 20 years, and I'll be damned if I'm going to change it,' " L'Engle said.
But the Health Department is pressuring the city about the existence of septic tanks, Sczymanski said, and probably will not approve any further development in the area unless sanitary sewer service is available.
"The city's under pressure to complete the project," he said.
In addition to the sanitary sewer service, Sczymanski said the area also is earmarked for installation of storm drains in conjunction with the citywide storm sewer program under way east of I-95.
By coordinating the storm and sewer work schedule, he said, the reconstruction of Seventh Avenue North between Boutwell Road and the CSX (formerly Seaboard) Railroad tracks can be done at the same time.
L'Engle said that plans also include adding larger water lines in the northern sections of the project that would relieve chronic low water-pressure problems in the Lake Clarke Terrace area, just north of the project.
The area is served by a 6-inch line that also serves the northwest residential area east of I-95, he said. Cutting that line and tying the area into a proposed 10-inch line coming north from 10th Avenue would give the entire area better water pressure, as well as give the eastern residential area better service.
While the project will be paid for through taxes, L'Engle said plans call for the Utilities Department to put up money for the water and sewer work, with money from assessments to replenish the utilities capital reserve fund.
Sczymanski said the storm sewer work and part of the Seventh Avenue reconstruction would be paid for from proceeds of the city's storm sewer bond issue.
The entire project should get under way before the end of the year, Sczymanski said, but the final decision will be made by city commissioners, who still must have a series of public hearings to allow property owners to give their opinions on the assessments.


text:
October has been a busy month for the video game industry. Anticipated titles such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage, EA Sports FC 24, and more, have finally hit the markets. Although the competition has been tough, the top spot is yet to be replaced.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage ranks second in the UK sales chart, just behind EA Sports FC 24. Even though the latter saw a 48% decline in sales, it managed to retain its no. 1 spot, beating new releases such as AC Mirage and Detective Pikachu.
With AC Mirage in second position and Detective Pikachu in third, Mario Kart and Hogwarts Legacy completed the top five rankings. Mortal Kombat dropped from the second position to the eight after a sharp dip in sales. For the first time since its release, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom faced a 10% decrease in sales, bringing the game down to the tenth position.
Here’s UK Boxed Games Sales Chart (as seen on Oct 7th):
- EA Sports FC 24
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Detective Pikachu Returns
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Minecraft (Switch)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Both AC Mirage and EA Sports FC 24 come from popular and highly successful franchises. Either one of them could outperform the other in terms of sales. So, Sports FC 24 at the top spot is not really that surprising.
One of the highest selling points of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is its return to the series’ roots. Taking on a different approach, Ubisoft has decided to focus on its core pillars– stealth, parkour and assassinations. The small-scale design of Baghdad gives it a much more intimate feel.
The initial response to Assassin’s Creed Mirage might not be what anyone expected. However, it has not even been a week since the game went live. Hopefully, as time passes, we might get a better look at how it fares.
About Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is an upcoming game in development from Ubisoft. It is reported to feature Basim, previously seen in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and the gameplay will focus more on stealth than open-world RPG elements. The game is expected to release in 2023.

domain: hobby


text:
Ross Sharkey Joins Panel on Trying a Civil Tax Fraud Case at ABA Criminal Tax Fraud & Tax Controversy Institute
With the creation of the new office of fraud enforcement there is a new focus of discovering fraud in the examination process and the use of the civil fraud penalty as an important enforcement and compliance tool. Practitioners should expect the assertion of more civil fraud penalties and the trial or more civil fraud cases. Join an experienced panel of Government, private practitioners and a member of the Tax Court to discuss how to try a civil tax fraud case if you end up in court.
- Of Counsel

domain: finance


text:
"Let go, or be dragged."
I had not seen them in almost four years. They were taking a paseo after dining out on a Monday evening as a family. I was driving by when my double take almost pinched a nerve. The husband: donning a full beard. The wife: languid. Her body, like all 50-something women's bodies including mine, had shifted in the downward-outward direction. The daughter: unrecognizable. Not even in the same galaxy as the sprite I once knew. This daughter was making a bold statement about her individuality. She carried herself like an adult. Because she was. Is.
They didn’t see me. I didn’t stop.
I grieved the loss of their friendship after my divorce. They're smart, cool, funny, kind, interesting. The people who brought all the really great camping equipment. Anti-priggish. And yet … they took a side. Not mine. But graciously, over time. A slow fade versus, say, an amputation via machete. I know from both.
From this remove on that evening, the lacuna between my former friends and me, having been clearly delineated by the Divorced-Intact Continental Divide, felt less appreciable. To see them as the new people they'd become made me think that their former selves—the ones I knew and loved—were perhaps gone. These palimpsests were thus not the people I knew. Or lost. So therefore I lost a tiny bit less. Or so I rationalized to halt the familiar hotwire of pain that starts in my gut and sears its way up to the back of my eyes.
It worked. For up to 10 or 12 seconds. Until the peanut gallery that is my amygdala pointed out that the current iterations were no doubt Fully Integrated Improved Versions of their Former Selves.
With the emotional slap of that hard truth, I turned the steering wheel onto Third Street ... watching all versions of them swerve out of the rearview.
Just like that.
*The sound of letting go.

domain: literature


text:
The Leading eBooks Store Online
3,840,610 members ⚫ 1,266,180 ebooks
New to eBooks.com?Learn more
- Bestsellers - This Week
- Foreign Language Study
- Bestsellers - Last 6 months
- Graphic Books
- Health & Fitness
- Political Science
- Biography & Autobiography
- Psychology & Psychiatry
- Body Mind & Spirit
- House & Home
- Business & Economics
- Children's & Young Adult Fiction
- Juvenile Nonfiction
- Language Arts & Disciplines
- Crafts & Hobbies
- Science Fiction
- Current Events
- Literary Collections
- Literary Criticism
- Literary Fiction
- Social Science
- The Environment
- Sports & Recreation
- Family & Relationships
- Study Aids
- Folklore & Mythology
- Food and Wine
- Performing Arts
- True Crime
- Foreign Language Books
Most popular at the top
- Infinite Ideas 2010; US$ 9.95
Glasruhen Gate is the sequel to Cooper's award winning The Golden Acorn. When Jack Brenin found out that, beyond doubt, he was 'The One' written about in ancient prophecy, his whole life changed. Now, armed with the golden acorn, his wand and newly acquired skills, Jack must fulfil his promise to ensure that Glasruhen Gate is opened before... more...
- Infinite Ideas 2011; US$ 9.95
With Nora away on a vitally important mission in Annwn, Jack Brenin has to take sole responsibility for rescuing the last two Dragonettes left on earth from being roasted for a Spriggan feast. Using his trusty Book of Shadows for guidance, and with his friends Camelin the raven and Timmery the bat (along with a cunningly captured Dorysk), Jack mounts... more...
- Infinite Ideas 2012; US$ 9.95
Many centuries ago, one of Annwn's greatest treasures, a golden torc, was broken into three pieces and hidden away for safe keeping. If Jack Brenin can find the pieces and remake this lost treasure it will prove beyond doubt that he is the rightful heir to the throne of Annwn. The Lost Treasure of Annwn, following on from his adventures in Silver... more...
- Infinite Ideas 2012; US$ 8.95
The Book of Dragon Lore is an enchanting, beautifully illustrated accompaniment to a series of books that chronicle the adventures of Jack Brenin, finder of the golden acorn. Deep inside Falconrock, hidden from Humankind, is a secret library. None may enter, unless they have permission or know how to open its doors, for it contains all the ancient... more...
- Infinite Ideas 2013; US$ 9.95
It is written in the Law of Annwn that whoever presents the Lost Treasure the torc of kingship to the Queen at Samhain will be crowned King. Having located the torc, it's up to Jack and his friends to keep it from the clutches of Velindur, who threatens to snatch it away and claim the kingship of Annwn, which Jack knows is rightfully his. Meanwhile,... more...
- Infinite Ideas 2012; US$ 30.00
The Golden Acorn has been an ebook sensation since it was launched in 2010, with hundreds of thousands of downloads and overwhelmingly positive reader reviews. Now you can find all five books together in a specially priced ebook bundle. Includes the previously unreleased Book of Dragon Lore. more...
- Infinite Ideas 2015; US$ 8.95
Camelin is getting proficient with his reading and magic. Unfortunately he comes across a book that he was never meant to open and, having looked inside, gets more than he bargained for. Worried by the effects he shows the book to Jack and asks for his help. Together they are compelled to search for the chronicler, Finnik the Delve, who mysteriously... more...
- Infobase Publishing 2006; US$ 30.00
In turn ruled by the Golden Horde in the 13th century, the Grand Principality of Lithuania and Poland, then Russia and the Soviet Union, Ukraine's people strive to reclaim their identity. With a full-color format, essential facts and history at a glance, bibliography, and other study features, this work offers an introduction to this nation. more...
- Taylor and Francis 2006; US$ 54.95
When can contexts and diversity be resources, rather than risks, for children's developmental pathways? Scholars, policy makers, and practitioners increasingly realize that middle childhood matters as a time when children's pathways diverge, as they meet new and overlapping contexts they must navigate on their way to adolescence and adulthood. This... more...


text:
From Saturday July 7, 2018, will come back “Conoscere i Beni Culturali di Terracina” (“Let’s know the Cultural Heritage of Terracina”). A guided tours program organized by the Terracina Archeoclub – under the patronage of the Municipality of Terracina – in order to discover the historical and artistic heritage in our town.
The first guided tour will take place on Saturday July 7, from 6.30 pm, in the Town Hall Square. During this tour, participants can enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Terracina Old Town, with the Aemilian Forum and our sacred achitecture. The cost of the guided tours is € 3.00 per person (free for children up to 10 years old).
The Terracina Archeoclub was founded in 1981 and operates, within the national guidelines, in collaboration with local public and private institutions, in order to protect and share the cultural heritage of the Municipality. The fundamental guidelines of its action are constituted by diversified activities: research, to deepen and improve the knowledge about the history of the city and the territory; teaching, to educate on cultural heritage in schools and universities and to promote a new knowledge of cultural heritage among citizens; enhancing local cultural heritage, to develop a new point of view in management and public use; direct protection, through reporting irregularities to local authority.


text:
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has received credible reports that in the last two days 250 Eritrean refugees were forced into trucks "like cattle" and transported from Misrata prison in Libya to Sabha detention centre, situated on the edge of the Sahara.
CSW has spoken directly to some of the refugees, who report that prior to being relocated, the group endured beatings, electric shocks and other mistreatment administered by members of the Libyan military, who had suddenly descended on the prison.
Once the refugees were too battered and tired to resist expulsion, 250 of them were forced into the trucks and sent to Sabha. However, 20 prisoners were so badly beaten that they had to be sent to hospital, and were returned to Misrata after receiving treatment.
Around 47 Eritreans are left in Misrata, including women and children. Describing his shock at recent events, one of the refugees told CSW that in the three and a half years he had spent in Misrata he had never witnessed anything close to the events of the last two days.
There are fears that given the good relations between Eritrea and Libya, and the manner in which Libya recently cooperated to facilitate "selective returns" of escapees who are of special interest to the Eritrean regime, these refugees will be forcibly returned to Eritrea, where they will be subject to imprisonment, mistreatment, and possibly even death.
According to African refugee law, of which Libya is a signatory, states have a responsibility to find settlement elsewhere for refugees who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin. Libya is a hub in North Africa for refugees from sub-Saharan African and the Middle East. The Libyan government is not party to UN Refugee convention and recently demanded the closure of the local office of the UNHCR, but has temporarily permitted it to resume part of its work.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, "CSW is urging the international community to make urgent interventions on behalf of these refugees, and to remind Libya of its obligations under African refugee law. The Libyan government should also be encouraged to allow the UNHCR to resume its activities fully in Libya, in order to facilitate the registration and transfer of all refugees who are currently languishing in appalling conditions in prisons throughout the country. "
On the web: www.csw.org.uk
Eritrean refugees in Libya face brutality and possible forced repatriation
Published 01 July 2010


The Post-Pandemic Employment Landscape Is Shifting
By Julie Norwell
Spring is here, vaccinations are up, Covid-19 cases are dropping, and the economy, which has a $1.9 trillion government-funded, pandemic relief package filling its sails, is recovering. That’s good news for people looking for new work. The post-pandemic employment landscape is shifting. Are we finally going back to normal?
Better days are ahead, to be sure, but normal…? Probably not.
The employment landscape on the other side of the pandemic will look different from how it did. That’s not just because you are more likely to be working from home. It’s also because the pandemic has forced new trajectories for some industries. It teased out winners and losers among businesses, and spurred worker migration away from dense population centers to the suburbs and beyond.
Another interesting development is that Covid-19 is catalyzing many workers to reconsider their personal and professional needs and, hence, their career paths. The pandemic has been a grim reminder that life is short. Why spend it doing a thankless or unfulfilling job or, at least, without compensation commensurate with the challenges?
Job seekers have a lot to think about as they consider their best options.
Buckle Up for the Recovery
Economists are firm in their forecasts of a strong economic recovery in the U.S. this year, but it may be a wild ride. GDP grew by a dizzying, annualized rate of 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021. Employers added 916,000 jobs in March – the best month of job growth since August. Expectations of even better gains in the succeeding month were dashed, however, when the April jobs report came out. Employers added only 266,000 jobs instead of the one million expected.
Few economists found the jobs report worrisome so much as curious.
They are scratching their heads because other indicators suggest that the economy is heating up. And it is on track for strong expansion this year. In fact, demand for workers has been going up. So, why were employment numbers so low?
Some are calling the report a fluke. After all, no one should expect the recovery of a major economy to be smooth sailing after a massive economic disruption. And one disappointing report is not a trend.
Many also point to an underlying labor supply problem with several very reasonable explanations. For one, people are reluctant to return to jobs where Covid-19 infection remains a high risk. After all, less than half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. There are also the oppressive work constraints suffered by working parents (mostly mothers) who can’t return to work until schools and childcare facilities open fully. And some workers are simply unwilling to work for what they deem insufficient pay under the increasingly difficult conditions of the past year.
Despite the challenges of unemployment, these are solid reasons for why many people are not ready to return to work. In the coming months, these hurdles will diminish as more people are vaccinated and schools and camps open up.
In the meantime, industry shifts and reallocation of resources are inevitable. The employment landscape is changing. The Economist reports of employers complaining of a shortage of staff. To attract workers, they’re starting to sweeten their pay packages. The industries experiencing the most acute labor shortages are health care, recreation, and hospitality – not surprising, perhaps, given the requisite person-to-person contact.
With the price of raw materials surging, other industries are contending with rising input prices. Bloomberg.com has published a useful graphic that shows which industries are hiring and which are not for the most recent month.
The migration of workers during the pandemic was facilitated by a huge shift to remote working. This has created a fascinating new dimension of the post-pandemic employment landscape. In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nearly three-quarters of professionals and people in management were teleworking at least part of the time. How much that number slides as offices open up remains to be seen. By April 2021, that number had actually increased to 77%.
Over the past year, thousands of workers in dense population centers decamped to suburbs and remote areas. Because they offered more space for families suddenly needing to work and learn under one roof. Companies are gauging worker sentiment about returning to the office. But employees have been remarkably adaptable to remote working, and very few want to return to the way things were.
If falling rents in major cities and rising house prices (housing prices climbed by 11% in the U.S. in the year to January) are any indication, some won’t go back. While the migration doesn’t necessarily amount to an exodus, these indicators do telegraph that remote work models are here to stay.
With geography no longer an anchor, remote working opens up all kinds of professional opportunities. Some cities are seizing this opportunity to grow their populations and boost their local economies by enticing remote workers with incentives in cash and perks to relocate to their communities. It’s an attractive boon to workers from major cities that are weary of the urban jungle. What’s not to love about getting paid $20,000 to do your six-figure salary job from a scenic mountain community in West Virginia?
On the other hand, compensation schemes may also evolve in the post-pandemic world. A recent LinkedIn blog noted that job posts for “compensation specialist” roles more than doubled in March as businesses wrestle with how to structure compensation for remote workers and whether it’s equitable to scale it based on where workers live. Is it fair for you to be remunerated less if you do the same job from Montana versus San Francisco?
Time for a Career Reassessment as the Employment Landscape changes
The post-pandemic economy’s rebound heralds both new challenges and opportunities. Overall, though, it is a great time for beleaguered workers, emerging from an incredibly stressful year, to reflect and make changes or plans that better align their values and their careers with the lifestyles they want. That’s true whether they’re employed or not. Indeed, it is already happening.
Several recent news reports discuss how pandemic conditions have created a kind of crucible in which Americans are reassessing their lives and their livelihoods. Among middle- and upper-income unemployed adults, 65% report feeling like they’ve lost a piece of their identity. Burnout, stress, and emotional and mental health issues have mounted and forced a change in attitudes about work. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, two-thirds of unemployed U.S. adults say they’ve “seriously considered changing their occupation or field of work” since becoming unemployed.
Times of crisis do call for big changes. That could mean a new job, doing the same job remotely in a new location, or a new career path altogether. What does it mean for you?
Read next: Re-Engaging Post-Covid


A distinguished group of Michigan public health experts has filed in several courts an Amicus Curiae brief defending Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders. Represented by lawyers from Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP in New York City, the brief was first filed June 12 in U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, regarding two cases: Sotheby’s v. Whitmer, brought by individual businesses, and Mitchell v. Whitmer, initiated by Michigan GOP Congressman Paul Mitchell. The brief was also filed June 24 in the Michigan Court of Appeals in regard to the lawsuit brought against Governor Whitmer by the Michigan legislature.
Paula Lantz, associate dean for academic affairs and the James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy at the Ford School was the lead writer. She says, “"Unfortunately, governmental public health responses to the coronavirus pandemic have become overly politicized. This brief presents facts about the virus and the scientific evidence behind the emergency orders Governor Whitmer put in place so that judges can better understand the importance and impact of her response to this public health crisis."
The brief states that the emergency orders put in place by Governor Whitmer have a strong scientific evidence base and have been used to control many other infectious disease epidemics including the Spanish flu and polio. The brief also presents disease modeling results that estimate that “by June 1, 2020 the difference between the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan and the expected number without social distancing interventions is 28,000. This translates into an estimated 3,500 deaths from COVID-19 that were averted by June 1, 2020 because of the emergency orders.”
The brief continues, the University of Michigan COVID-19 modeling exercises estimate that “the epidemiologic curve of COVID-19 was indeed flattened such that the peak number of cases seen in April would likely have been 2.7 times the actual number experienced in Michigan without the emergency orders. In the same vein, absent Governor Whitmer’s executive orders, Michigan hospital systems would have exceeded their capacity for treating COVID-19 patients in mid- to late-April, leading to even more suffering and deaths due to COVID-19.”
The public health scientists also state that, because of the ability of the novel coronavirus to spread easily and fast, lifting the emergency measures all at once for the entire state or removing the Governor’s ability to quickly revise, refine or reimplement certain targeted measures if needed in the future will likely result in a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Oral arguments are expecte ion August.
Other amici include Matthew L. Boulton, Emily Martin, Abram L. Wagner, Marisa Eisenberg, Joseph Eisenberg from the School of Public Health, Howard Markel from Michigan Medicine, as well as Mona Hanna-Attisha and others from Michigan State University and other medical schools, health care institutions and foundations.
Paula Lantz is the associate dean for academic affairs and the James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy at the Ford School. She also holds an appointment as professor of health management and policy in the School of Public Health. Lantz, a social demographer, studies the role of public policy in improving population health and reducing social disparities in health. Lantz is currently engaged in research regarding the potential for and challenges associated with using social impact bonds to fund public/private partnerships aimed at improving health in low-income populations, including Medicaid beneficiaries. An elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the National Academy of Medicine, Lantz received an MA in sociology from Washington University, St. Louis, and an MS in epidemiology and PhD in sociology from the University of Wisconsin.


text:
Last week, a leaked draft of a highly anticipated Supreme Court opinion appeared online. Penned by Justice Samuel Alito, it overturns the landmark Roe versus Wade decision.
In a web exclusive clip, Oliver gets hilariously irate with ‘Air Bud’.
Crack a confession and case closed, right? Well, not really, and on the latest episode of ‘Last Week Tonight’ this was unpacked in greater detail.
Unlike that friend of yours on Facebook who keeps tagging brands and having a moan, people seem to actually enjoy John Oliver’s rants.
Misery loves company, so you might be pleased to know that America also has a serious power grid problem.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is notoriously bad at accepting criticism, and don’t you dare make fun of his hair (or lack thereof).
The US exits Afghanistan after 20 years of war, with little to no success to show for it. John Oliver took an excellent look at how things reached this point during Sunday’s show.
In Sunday’s show, John Oliver did a deep dive into the shady world of ransomware attacks, and why we should all be a little worried.
The name of the show pretty much sums it up. In Danish, “diller” is slang for penis, so Dillermand’s name translates as ‘John Penis-man’.
At least Joe Rogan was self-aware enough to label himself a “f*cking moron” after his vaccine comments. Still, that didn’t save him from being called out on ‘Last Week Tonight’.
Tucker Carlson has risen to the top of the Fox News food chain by stoking outrage at every opportunity, whilst lawyers defending him argue he is “not stating actual facts”.
Whilst police raids are the staple of shows like ‘Cops’, there is much work that needs to be done, both in terms of training and legislation, to prevent the sort of tragedies currently seen all too often.
We’re still knee-deep in the mess that is COVID-19, but John Oliver has a warning for all those who think this is as bad as pandemics can get.
Last week, John focused on the US election. He would have hoped things had drawn to a close by now, more than a week after Joe Biden was declared president-elect, but here we are.
The past week has been a rollercoaster ride, with enough action and intrigue packed in to last us through until the end of the year. Here’s John Oliver’s superb recap.
No matter who comes out tops in the US presidential election, Trump will still call the shots until January 20. That should worry every American.
Donald Trump has formally moved to withdraw the US from the WHO, and there are a number of reasons why that is ill-advised.
On November 3, America will vote for its next president, but the country needs to prepare for what could be weeks and months of legal battles.
As soon as the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was announced, you just knew the final few weeks leading up the US election were going to become even nastier.
When John Oliver laid into the town of Danbury, Connecticut, he set in motion a chain of events that has taken some unlikely twists and turns.
He was going to build the wall (a beautiful wall, more beautiful than any wall ever, so beautiful), and Mexico was going to pay for it. How’s that panning out?
In the US, different states are free to teach their own version of American history. Unsurprisingly, there are some wild inconsistencies.
South Africa is grappling with the issue of the spread of the coronavirus in our prison system, although that’s not a problem unique to this country.
Facial recognition technology is advancing at a rate of knots, but there are many concerns around how it is used, especially by law enforcement and governments.
The second Twitter fact-checked a Trump tweet about voting by mail, you knew a meltdown was imminent.
In his latest ‘Last Week Tonight’ segment, John Oliver once again looked at the coronavirus, but with a particular focus on sport.
In Sunday’s show, John Oliver looks at America’s mass surge in unemployment, and how many essential workers are being hung out to dry.
Fox News sets the bar pretty low, but now there’s a new player in town and they’re really scraping the barrel.
With so much misinformation out there, and government responses that vary from blasé to panic, here’s what John Oliver thinks of it all.
India is the largest democracy in the world, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn’t loved by everyone.

domain: news


text:
On 18 December 2008, Chris Bowen MP, the Assistant Treasurer,
announced changes to the Government's foreign investment
screening arrangements for acquisitions of residential real estate
by foreign persons. The purpose of the changes is described as
streamlining the current notification and administrative
A number of the changes related to foreign investment policy and
became effective on 18 December 2008. These include:
removing the $300,000 limit on acquisitions of property being
acquired by student visa holders as their principal place of
the removal of the requirement that no more than 50% of new
dwellings can be sold to foreign persons on an "off the
plan" basis (provided that the developer has marketed both
locally as well as overseas).
extending the definition of "new dwelling", which
previously had a requirement that the dwelling had never been
occupied or sold, to include dwellings that have not been sold but
that have been rented out for no more than 12 months.
permitting foreign-owned companies to purchase established
dwellings for use by their Australian based staff provided that
they sell or rent the dwelling if it is expected to remain vacant
for more than 6 months.
A number of other changes have been announced but will be
subject to amendment of the current Foreign Acquisitions and
Takeovers Regulations 1989 and include:
accommodation facilities such as resorts, hotels and serviced
apartments will be treated as commercial real estate rather than
residential real estate and therefore notification and approval
will only be required where the value of the property exceeds the
commercial property thresholds (currently $5 million for heritage
listed properties, $953 million for US investors or otherwise $50
million for non heritage listed properties).
exempting temporary residents from notification of proposed
acquisitions of established residential real estate for their own
residence, new dwellings and single blocks of vacant residential
The Regulations were expected to be amended before the end of
February 2009, but this is now not expected until March 2009.
Of particular note to developers is the abolition of the current
procedure of issuing advance approval for sales of new dwellings to
foreign persons (the previous "off-the-plan" approval).
It will now be necessary for all non-resident foreign purchasers to
submit individual applications for approval. A developer may submit
an application on behalf of a foreign purchaser. Therefore either a
developer will not be able to enter a contract with a foreign
person until approval is received or any contract will need to be
conditional on approval. While the abolition of the 50% limit of
sales to foreign persons is a welcomed change, the requirement for
individual applications will place an administrative burden and
uncertainty on sales.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
To print this article, all you need is to be registered on Mondaq.com.
Click to Login as an existing user or Register so you can print this article.
Many retail leases include a covenant to trade, requiring the tenant to open the premises for trade during certain hours.
Some comments from our readers… “The articles are extremely timely and highly applicable” “I often find critical information not available elsewhere” “As in-house counsel, Mondaq’s service is of great value”
Register for Access and our Free Biweekly Alert for
This service is completely free. Access 250,000 archived articles from 100+ countries and get a personalised email twice a week covering developments (and yes, our lawyers like to think you’ve read our Disclaimer).


text:
Proposals to jail reckless bankers
Labour MP John Mann, who sits on the influential Treasury Select Committee, said the Banking Commission's report does not go far enough:
Thatcher's coffin in Parliament
The Labour MP for Bassetlaw, John Mann, has weighed in on the debate about subsidising Margaret Thatcher's funeral with taxpayer money:
Read: Prescott attacks Thatcher's funeral costs
BoE warned about Libor in 2008
The Labour MP John Mann has been responding angrily to being left out of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards. despite being on the Treasury Select Committee.
He has tweeted:
A Labour MP's wife has spoken of her shock after being sent a dead bird in the post.
Newly-elected councillor Jo White, wife of Nottinghamshire MP John Mann, discovered the decomposing bird at their home earlier this week.
In a statement, Ms White said she was left shaken and frightened after finding the package when she returned home from her first official meeting at Bassetlaw District Council.
"I came home after the council's AGM and found a pile of post waiting for me," she said.
"Whilst there was an unpleasant smell I thought nothing of it until I began opening the last package when the smell became so overwhelming I retched and felt really sick."


A committee that formed to take an in-depth look at the financial condition of the Perry Area Joint Recreation District is making good progress.
That update was provided by Recreation District Board Chairman Rick Amos during the Oct. 27 meeting of the Perry Township trustees.
“They’ve done a lot of work putting together some numbers and what they see (the rec district’s) needs are going to be,” Amos said.
The committee, which is composed of recreation board members, began meeting in late September. Along with conducting a comprehensive financial review, the group also is considering the topic of annual subsidies that Perry and North Perry villages and Perry Township pay to the district.
In a previous News-Herald story, Amos said the panel intended to study the district’s projected finances for the next five years or so, and determine if funding will be able to keep community recreation sustainable in Perry.
At the Oct. 27 trustees’ meeting, Amos also talked about how the group’s findings will be shared.
“As soon as (the committee) is done, I think that they’re going to kind of give a CliffsNotes version of (the district’s) needs, and our plan is to send it to (Perry Township trustees), to all council people and to all mayors so everybody has it in their hands, so they can get a better idea,” Amos said. “I think that if we write this down, it will answer a lot of questions for everybody.”
Amos anticipates that leaders in all three communities will receive the special financial report on the rec district “way before the end of the year.”
Traditionally, the township, and Perry and North Perry villages all have provided the recreation district with annual subsidies to help the district pay for items such as insurance, employee wages and salaries, and overhead. Each year, the rec district sends out letters in January to the communities’ government leaders, reminding them about the subsidies.
Operating costs for the rec district, on the other hand, are covered through fees paid by participants in sports and other activities.
Perry Area Joint Recreation District, which offers programs for children and senior citizens, serves the three Perry communities and Perry Schools.
Although Perry Schools used to pay annual subsidies to the rec district, it hasn’t done so in recent years, However, Amos said that the school district does provide in-kind contributions by allowing its athletic fields and buildings to be used for rec district activities.
The next gathering of the committee spearheading the study of rec district finances is slated to take place at 4 p.m., Nov. 9, at the township Administration Building. That session will be followed by a meeting of the full recreational board at 5 p.m.


text:
ATLANTA --- Georgia's tough sex offender laws turned Cedric Bradshaw into something of a nomad.
Twice he moved in with relatives in Statesboro, and twice he was forced to leave because he was violating Georgia's sex offender law by living too close to spots where children gather.
After the 25-year-old was arrested for failing to register as an offender -- his second time doing so -- he was sentenced with the only punishment allowed by the law: life in prison.
Mr. Bradshaw's lawyers will ask Georgia's top court Monday to reduce his punishment in the latest test for the state's oft-challenged sex offender laws. While others have targeted the residency restrictions, Mr. Bradshaw's challenge takes aim at the criminal penalties as "cruel and unusual punishment."
"It's not like this guy is out chasing children, yet the law required him to receive a life sentence," said Robert Persse, a public defender who is Mr. Bradshaw's attorney. "And we believe that constitutes cruel and unusual punishment because the penalty is totally disproportionate to the crime."
Prosecutors contend they were following the letter of the law and that there's no question legislators clearly intended to raise the criminal penalties.
"That should be used as the best evidence of legislative intent -- and society's view on the punishment," said Scott Brannen, an assistant district attorney in Statesboro.
Since the measure was passed, it has been tangled up in a series of court challenges. A lawsuit targeting the school bus stop portion of the measure is still pending, as is a separate challenge targeting a provision that could evict offenders who live near churches or volunteer at them.
Legislators were forced to retool the law this year to allow sex offenders who own their homes to stay there if a center where children gather later opens up nearby. The Georgia Supreme Court had ruled that the measure didn't protect the property rights of offenders.
Mr. Bradshaw was 19 when he was sentenced to five years in prison on statutory rape charges in December 2001. After he was released on parole in 2006, he was slapped with 10 years of probation for not registering his address with the offender registry.
ABOUT THE LAW
The 2006 measure bans sex offenders from living, working or loitering within 1,000 feet of just about anywhere children gather. That includes schools, churches, parks, gyms, swimming pools or one of the state's 150,000 school bus stops.
It also increases the maximum sentence for a second failure to register from a maximum of three years in prison to a mandatory life sentence.
The change applies to all sex offenders.

domain: politics


text:
This year we will be reading Pig Heart Boy by Mallorie Blackman, Clockwork by Philip Pullman, Kidnapp in the Carribean by Lauren St John and The Inventions of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.
We will be conducting science investigations, dissecting a heart and building a bug hotel, painting and drawing and engaging in many more exciting activities.
In November we are going away on residential to the Pioneer Centre, which we are all looking forward to.
Here's to a year of hard work and lots of fun!
Well, here we are in the final term of Year 5 and we still have an action packed few weeks to go!
Firstly, we will be voting in the General Election (well in our own class anyway) following a discussion of the main manifestos and then comparing our results with the rest of the country
Then we are going to be reading the book 'Wonder' by RJ Palacio which challenges our thinking and how we see ourselves and others. We will be taking each others fingerprints to see how unique we each are and talking about, drawing and recording our likes and dislikes - celebrating our differences. We will be looking at the local environment and considering its physical and human features.
In science, we will be gathering data about our heights, foot size, hand span etc together with our sporting abilities - how far we can jump, how quickly we can run and finding if we can draw any conclusions from our data.
Summer 1 Hola Mexico
As part of our topic we will be discovering the geography of Mesoamerica, the ancient Maya civilisation, tasting Mexican food, learning to sing and dance to Mexican music and investigating Mexican festivals, especially the Day of the Dead. In DT and Art we will be making, decorating and evaluating Day of the Dead masks. We will be reading the story of Frankenstein.
Spring 2 Alchemy Island
What and where is Alchemy Island? Discover the ancient art of Alchemy. Investigate the properties and changes of materials. What are precious stones and metals? Where can they be found. Using maps and co-ordinates we will discover the wonders of Alchemy Island and its hidden treasures. We will hear the mystical music, see the fantasy images of the island and read a letter from an Alchemist to his son.
Spring 1 2017
Reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This term we are going to investigate Earth and Space. We will be learning about each of the planets in our Solar System and using large numbers to calculate distances from the Sun. We will be reading the book 'The invention of Hugo Cabret' by Brian Selznick and considering some of the issue it raises including links to the early silent movies and automatons. We will also research the space race in the 1960's and significant people from history related to space. David Bowie's music and lyrics will be listened to and interpreted into dance.
Autumn 2 Music
Year 5 had a wonderful afternoon working alongside Year 7 at TQEA on Friday 17th November. They had to use their brains to memorise a sequence and listen to the music to sychronise their actions. We all seemed to be fingers and thumbs to start with but with a little practice most of us seemed to improve, however it will take more practice to be as good as the Year 7's!
We spent two nights and three days exhausting ourselves climbing walls, abseiling, caving, on a zip wire, meeting animals and being special agents and trying to be code breakers. Y5 really enjoyed our time at the Pioneer Centre which culminated in a sing along around a campfire. We may have been exhausted but a wonderful time was had by all and some of us even managed to overcome our fears and try new things. Well done everyone.
This term we will be researching the similarities and differences between the North and South Poles. We will read recounts from the explorers diaries and follow their journeys across the frozen wastes.
In Science we will investigate how icebergs float and how much of each iceberg is visible above the water and how much is not visible below the water. We will discover the fatal consequences this had on RMS Titanic's maiden voyage in 1912. We will also investigate the biodiversity of both regions and how Global Warming could impact on the flora and fauna of these areas and the seas surrounding them.
In PE and Music we will interpret the theme tune to the movie Titanic and incorporate images from the Polar Regions.
In English we will read and understand information about the Arctic and the Antarctic, read diary entries and newspaper reports and will use these to reproduce our own non-chronological reports and recounts.
In Maths we will use Venn diagrams to sort information and measurements to calculate the percentage of iceberg above and below the water line.
Welcome to Year 5
Mrs Fraser, Mrs Maling and Mrs Smith will be helping the children to reach their full potential this year and we will start with securing basic number knowledge in Maths using all four operations and ensuring the understanding of place value and negative numbers.
In English we will be helping children to read for meaning and understanding in comprehensions, to find information to answer questions and to infer information based on clues we are given in the text. We will be trying to expand our vocabulary by reading more challenging texts with support and reading a wide range of texts.
In PE we are swimming this term on a Friday and playing football on a Tuesday afternoon
Our topic is a Child's War and we will be researching how WWII effected children in the 1940's. We will be reading the book 'Johnny and the Bomb' by Terry Pratchet.


text:
As human beings, we all feel comfortable on solid ground. For as long as we can remember, our ancestors have traversed these terrains and sustained themselves by living off the land. From precious stones to the weirdest mementos, we have discovered quite a bit by toiling in the mines of history.
But what about the ocean—that vast, unknown space that may well engulf us all one day? Some of the most unique artifacts have been discovered in the depths of the sea, including giant ships, temples, pyramids, and cities.
10. Artifacts From The Roman Empire
In October 2014, divers off the coast of Italy discovered the remains of a shipwreck. Although the object had already been detected before the dive, it was only after reaching the location that the team realized the magnitude of their discovery. It was the remains of a 2,000-year-old Roman ship.
The boat was 15 meters (50 ft) long and believed to be either a merchant ship or a military vessel. Terra-cotta pots were discovered in the wreckage, indicating that the cargo had included olive oil and wine.
The ship is purported to have been an active transport vessel between Rome and Carthage from 218 BC to 210 BC. Named Panarea III, the ship has provided significant insight into the dynamics of ancient trade in the Mediterranean as well as daily life at that time.

domain: history


Passenger is bringing his brand new tour to the Ulster Hall, Belfast on 13 February 2021.
A classic journeyman musician, cut from the same mould as Van Morrison, Neil Young and John Prine, Passenger has the unique ability to move from the humorous to heartbreaking with every song.
For almost a decade this unique troubadour has been performing his much loved one-man show across the globe – from busking on street corners to playing some of the most prestigious venues and theatres throughout the world.
His much loved 'Let Her Go' song reached number 1 in 19 countries and has now notched more than two billion plays on YouTube. 'Let Her Go' was also nominated for British Single of the Year at The BRIT Awards!
Don't miss this special performance from the multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter in Belfast this summer.
Have a listen to one of Passengers songs from his new studio album, Sometimes It's Something, Sometimes It's Nothing At All.


text:
Milli Gazette Online
Muhammad Iqbal, senior most Professor and Dean of the Faculty of
Science at Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, has taken over charge as the
Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard after the successful completion of the tenure
of his predecessor, Mr Siraj Hussain, IAS. He will hold this office until the
Vice-Chancellor Designate, Mr Wajaht Habeebullah, currently Secretary to the
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India, joins as the next Vice-Chancellor.
Sabri, a graduate from Delhi University in Political Science, belongs
to a family of musicians and his lineage goes down to many generations of
Sarangi masters. Given the freedom of choosing his own professional career he
chose to master the art of Sarangi playing and learnt this art from his father,
Padmashri Ustad Sabri Khan on the ancestral Sarangi which originally belonged to
his great grand father. He says that at the age of 9 he for the first time
played on this musical instrument in a television concert and thereafter played
on many occasions including in Indo-Pak film, Khamosh Paani, Hollywood film
Republic Love and another film Mother Teressa. His latest album is Swar Alankar
which has five tracks. He says that Sarangi has hundred notes or colours and
that is probably why it is called ‘Sau Rangi’.
Raza Foundation, an institution set up by SH
Raza, a familiar and famous name in the world of arts, aims at
promotion of art among Indian youth. Though based in Paris for the past about
five decades, his heart burns with the passion of helping talented aspirants who
want to devote themselves to art. He thinks that budding artist should be free
from economic worries and then only they can rise higher and higher. That is why
he has set up Raza Foundation to provide financial help to such youths in the
fields of art, music, poetry etc and also to encourage them by awarding prizes.
Recently he was in Delhi when the English translation titled Passion of his
autobiography was released by another famous artiste and stage personality,
Habib Tanvir in Alliance Francaise’s Romain Rolland Gallery at Lodhi Road. He
also gave away Raza Foundation Award, which carries an amount of Rs one lakh, to
Bhopal’s Rahim Mirza. Raza says that he knows the language of art and wants
this language to spread among budding artists.
PROF. KHALIDUZ ZAMAN KHAN of the department of poetical works has been
appointed new Dean of the Faculty of Unani Medicines, AMU for a period of two
ADNAN HIROLI , a student of Ness Wadia College Pune, has been selected by
Bristol Academy of Sports UK for training in football. Soccer Nova, a Pune based
football academy, organised a nationwide talent search on the grounds of Poona
Club under the supervision of five coaches of the academy led by Tony Ricketts.
As many as 95 young talents from all over the country proved their prowess. Two
of them were selected for a year’s scholarship offered by the Academy to study
and honing the football skills at the Academy itself. Hiroli during his school
days participated in school, district and state level competitions and reached
the national level twice in 2002 and 2003.
Justice Altamash Kabeer, a
judge of Kolkata High Court has been appointed Chief Justice of Jharkhand High
Court. According to an official announcement, his new appointment will be
effective from the date he assumes charge.
The Central government has constituted a 28-member Scientific Advisory Council
to the Prime Minister headed by chemical scientist, CNR. Rao to assist and
advise the prime minister on matters pertaining to science and technology in the
country. Muslim members of this Committee are SE Hasnain and EA Siddiq of the
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad.
Mohammad Ehtashamul Haq Ansari,
who has been spearheading the movement for improving the lot of bidi workers of
Bihar for about a decade through Azad Bidi Mazdoor Union has been appointed
president of Bihar Unit of Bandhua Mazdoor (bonded labour) Mukti Morcha by its
national president Swamy Agnivesh.
Prof Tarannum Mushtaq,
head of the department of Urdu in Narasinha Dutt College, Howrah has been
conferred upon Doctorate Degree by Kolkata University on her thesis in Urdu on
Maghribi Bengal main Urdu Nazm ka Irtiqa (Evolution of Urdu Poem in West
Bengal). She had completed her thesis under the supervision and guidance of Prof
Yusuf Taqi, a renowned Urdu poet, writer and researcher.
Distinguished geographer and Padmashri awardee, Prof
Mohammad Shafi of Aligarh Muslim University has been appointed member
of the Scientific Committee of International Social Science Council whose Head
Office is in Paris. He is the first Indian to be conferred this honour.
Neema Khalil, a Commerce
student of Ghulam Mohammad Momin Women’s College, Bhiwandi, was elected
general secretary (GS) of Mumbai University, representing its 271 affiliated
colleges and 3.75 lakh students. She is the first Muslim girl student to be
elected to this enviable post, defeating her 15 rivals. She says that previously
she had no interest in politics and in a way she hated politicians but after her
election as GS when she visited the Parliament House in Delhi, she was impressed
to see the Parliamentary proceedings and great political leaders and all her
antipathy to-wards politics and politicians vanished. She says that political
power, capability and media are the three things without which Muslims cannot
succeed in educational, economic and political fields. She thinks that power can
be achieved through politics and capability and command over media can be
acquired through education which must not be ignored at any cost.
Tamanna Yasrab bint Yunus Baig,
a 6th class student of Oxford Nursery and Higher Primary School secured
distinctive position in Kolar district level declamation contest in English. She
was honoured at a function held on the occasion of Republic Day in which state
minister Srinivas Gauda and others were also present.
The Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi has conferred
Doctorate Degree on Mohammad Faheem
Akhtar Nadwi for his thesis in Urdu on Problems of Modern Age, their
Solutions and the Problem of Ijtehad with reference to India. He completed his
thesis under the supervision and guidance of Prof Akhtarul Wasey, Dean of
Faculty of Humanities and Languages. Akhtar Nadwi is a scholar of Nadwatul Ulama
and author of many books. «
to the PRINT edition NOW: Get the COMPLETE picture
pages choke-full of news, views & analysis on the Muslim scene in India & abroad...
Delivered at your doorstep, Twice a month
Indian Muslim News


text:
Water engineers advocate good governance structure to tackle sector challenges
Engineers in the water sector have called for a good governance structure to tackle the challenges in the provision and supply of quantitative and quality water across the country.
The engineers made this call at the Dinner and Awards Night, Conferment of Fellowship, culminating a 3-day Conference organised by the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE) on Thursday, in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is ‘Innovative Solutions to Water Supply and Water Infrastracture Challenges in Nigeria. Mr Imo Ekpo, a Consultant in water and hydropower and a Guest Speaker at the dinner, said that among the resolutions that had come out of all the discussions during the conference was the need for a good governance structure.
According to him, a good governance structure would help to develop the water sector which will help to develop Nigerians and boost the economy of the country.
“Government can do the policy and the private sector can do the implementing. We need what is called a good governance structure.
“Government working hand in hand with the people, the private stakeholders.
“Government should be less involved in business and let the private sector handle it. It is the private sector that can develop the economy, the bureaucracy in government is too much but the private sector will be conscious of results.
“We should be looking ahead in terms of the future. You know the population is increasing in Nigeria and the world, the climate change is a challenge in Nigeria and globally and then the issue of stability in terms of drought is also a problem,” Ekpo said.
The expert also added that greater investment in water infrastracture with the implementation of all the points advocated in the conference Nigeria would be a better country that would move from where it is to where it ought to be .
The President of NIWE, Mrs Chinyere Igwegbe, speaking at the dinner said the conference came up with 37 resolutions which would be forwarded as a Communique to Nigerian Society of Engineers the parent body of NIWE to be acted upon.
According to her, each of the resolutions would form an advocacy point of action to bring about the much needed solutions to the challenges confronting the sector starting from the grassroot.
“By the time we have addressed the nature based solutions we have proffered and the political discuss we believe we need to start the advocacy from the grassroots.
“I think we will do more and the government will better understand us and we will work in synergy.
“We talked about politics in water, that is, advocate more and let the state and the local government come in to play their part and work with us to make sure that we have good water supply to the masses.
“The researchers also came up with other ways of purifying water that will cost less by the time they have more input from the government to do more research on them it will be of benefit to us,” Igwegbe said.
The highpoint of the dinner was the Conferment of Fellowship on nine members of the institution.
They include Mr Clement Onyeaso, Mr Douglas Oloton, Mr Joshua Santa, Mr Gambo Malan among others. One of the Conferees Mrs Lynda Bitrus said she was joyful that all the efforts she put into the practice over the years have been recognised.
Among her contributions to the sector are water-based solutions and wastewater treatment. She was also part of a team that had developed the water hand book for students and the pioneer coordinator of water clubs in the FCT and in Nigeria.
Speaking on the merits of the conference Bitrus said the theme of the conference was epic because the discussion was centred around innovative ways of finding solutions to the numerous challenges in the sector.
“It had been so phenomenal because we had people from the NGO, from the academia from the regulatory agencies brainstorming and bring up innovative ideas that can bring solutions to the myriad of problems that we have in water supply.
“As well as in water infrastracture in Nigeria and am sure if the communique is rolled out and given to the relevant ministries they will find it quite useful,” Bitrus said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIWE was established in 2009 and formerly known as Nigerian Society of Engineers, Water Division.


text:
A rare Silesian Renaissance Teschen rifle, circa 1580/90
Fine Antique and Modern Firearms | A89s | Live auction | 1043 Lots
Starting Price € 19,000
Countdown for bids : 9 days and 16 hours leftLogin
DescriptionThe slender, slightly conical, octagonal barrel with smooth bore in 9 mm calibre. Dovetailed brass sights in brass and iron. The wheellock with the typical external main spring, the wheel with embossed geometric décor. The spring-loaded pan cover with a release button. The full shaft made of walnut with lavish inlays of blackened and engraved bone. Portrait cartouches featuring figures in contemporary costume amidst mythical creatures, angels' heads and fruit festoons, interspersed with fine, petal-shaped dot inlays. The patch box with a sliding lid and spring catch, iron fingered trigger guard, the wooden ramrod with bone tip. Length 129 cm.
An unusual, early tschinke, which is doubtless one of the earliest known specimens of this rare type of Silesian rifle.
The metal surfaces of the barrel and lock lightly pitted in places. The
stock inlays original apart from minor replacements, a small repair to
the left edge, below the lock plate. Questions about the lot?

domain: design


text:
An exciting two day exploration of Ausangate!
Peru Fitness Holidays offers the exciting opportunity to stay in a small Andean community before exploring the incredible Lagunas of the Ausangate trek.
Difficulty Level - Medium
Distance - 18km
Altitude 4000 - 4600 - 4000 metres
Scenery - Breathtaking
Worth it - 100%
Leaving Cusco in the morning of the first day, we pass incredible scenery as we make the 3.5 hour journey to the small community.
We will be welcomed with a Mate of Coca and lunch before having the afternoon to relax and explore the surrounding area.
The community has several hot springs, so you are able to relax in the warm water, or if you prefer you can explore the impressive area. Staying with a local family, you will be able to view their skilled textile work whilst enjoying a nice dinner prepared by the family.
The next day, we leave early and begin the trek. The route is extremely scenic, passing many lagunas, some turquoise and some crystal clear. We will have plenty of opportunity to stop to take photos or even take a dip in one of the mountain top lakes.
Along the way there are two lookouts that showcase the beauty of the Ausangate area.
We eventually make it back to the community, where a late lunch will be waiting for you. You will be able to relax in the hot springs before traveling back to Cusco for the evening.
Words are difficult to describe this place but hopefully this will convince you!
|Number of people
|Price USD per person
- Private transport
- Accommodation with a local family
- Dinner/Breakfast/ Lunch/ Snacks
- Support Horseman
- Support Runner (for 3 persons or more)
If you are interested to book or have any questions or queries then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

domain: travel


text:
Only $22.99 per coin over spot!
This coin features depicts the Mexican hero, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on the obverse and the National Coat of Arms of Mexico on the reverse. This coin was struck at Mexico City Mint, mint mark M and contains .2411 oz of gold!
Mexican Gold Peso -- why buy Mexican Gold from APMEX?Gold bullion is the world's favorite bullion investment metal. Gold is a popular way to diversify wealth. Call our Account Managers toll free at (800) 375-9006 or click on the “Live Chat” button. APMEX is where to buy Precious Metals! Also, you can come to us when it is time to sell Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium.
|Metal Content:||0.2411 troy oz|
|Manufacturer:||Mexico City Mint|


text:
As much as I was looking forward to our Disney vacation I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it seemed strange and sad that I wouldn’t finish a single day watching ‘Wishes’ at the Magic Kingdom. Over ten years ago Wishes sparkled into the Magic Kingdom, and since my first CP position was in the Magic Kingdom and included hosting a dream of watching Wishes from Astro Top as part of the Year of a Million Dreams this firework display holds a special place in my heart.
Still as with ‘when in Rome…’, ‘when in Disney…’ I couldn’t not watch the Magic Kingdoms new firework show:- ‘Happily Ever After’. If I’m honest I was prepared to hate it, I couldn’t conceive that anything could be more magical than ‘Wishes’… Well let me tell you, you should never doubt Disney! I was blown away and truly loved every single second.
Alistair filmed Happily Ever After on one of our, I want to say 5 nights of viewing the show! He used his very impressive 360 camera and having watched this recording at least 3 times in the last week I can highly recommend it. But what I will say is, apart from the song (which I love more now that I’ve seen the display) I’d not looked at anything online and I’m pleased I didn’t as seeing it live for the first time took my breath away.
I’m not going to give anything away in this review as I’d hate to spoil the magic but I’ve jotted a few bits and bobs down.
The first time we watched it wasn’t really planned. We were over in the New Fantasy Land area and it was almost 8 pm so we headed over to near Cinderella’s Carousel and decided to unconventionally watch from there. I’m so pleased we did. The display was all around us, it was like being in the middle of pixie dust and was incredible. The music is piped through in the area and we were joined by a number of other Guests albeit nowhere near the crowds that line Main Street. I hadn’t taken my camera so I literally just emerged myself in the performance and simply fell in love with Happily Ever After within minutes.
Having found my new Number 1 must do at WDW we watched the show from other location. Once at the top of Main Street and once at the bottom end. Now whilst I don’t want to add spoilers I will say that projections are a big part of the show; however, I would add that even after watching from in front of the Castle we still returned the Fantasy Land and watched it from there a second time. To some extent, I even prefer watching the display from near the Carousel as I found watching the fireworks, projections and other effects you see from Main Street that at times I didn’t know where to give my attention to.
I truly believe Disney has outdone themselves with Happily Ever After. They seem to have created the perfect balance of Traditional Classics with moments from beloved films that rarely feature elsewhere. The projections go one further with this balance, with even more underrated but loved characters pop up and receive their moment in the sun. The original song which frames the show is just as good and possibly (in my opinion) even more magical than Wishes. Disney has pushed the boundaries and moved forward with new fireworks featured, so make sure you watch carefully as like in Wishes where hearts flared in the sky, Happily Ever After features, new shapes and these were so well themed it’s impressive to see.
I will never be as talented as Walt Disney and all those who still work in relation to his legacy so I will close by quoting Happily Ever After and say ‘Grab hold of your dreams and make them come true, for you are the key to unlocking your own magic. Now go, let your dreams guide you, reach out and find your happily ever after.’