#Corporate Travel Industry

[industrynewsupdates]

Corporate Travel Procurement Intelligence: Key Insights for Success

The corporate travel category is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 13.99% from 2023 to 2030. APAC holds the largest category share of over 40% and it is expected to be the fastest growing region during the forecast period. The increasing globalization of businesses and the rise of the knowledge-based economy are driving the demand for corporate travel as companies seek to establish and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers around the world. Furthermore, the emergence of new technology and the digitization of the economy allow firms to function more efficiently and effectively across borders, fueling the expansion of the corporate travel sector. Furthermore, as more people desire to engage in international trade, investment, and commerce, the global middle class and the growing number of high-net-worth individuals are also fueling the demand for corporate travel.

The increasing penetration of the Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled both travelers and travel operators to complete tasks quickly and easily. In addition, Virtual Reality (VR) technology enables better, more efficient, and tailored customer experiences, driving industry growth. Aside from that, the growing trend of Bleisure travel, which combines business and pleasure aspects and provides leisure or recreational activities to reduce stress and improve work effectiveness, has given the sector a boost. Also, another trend driving this category is the increasing desire of consumers to book through online travel agencies which has led to the increasing use of internet travel booking portals. Travel portals and agencies are devising new strategies to advertise their web portals. For example, CWT is incorporating WhatsApp into its traveler support channels, with the service presently available to a limited number of customers participating in a pilot. It plans to complete a comprehensive deployment to all clients by the end of 2023.

The corporate travel category is moderately fragmented and highly competitive with a large number of major as well as regional players. The leading companies in the business travel industry are using a variety of strategies to enhance their category share. Various mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations are taking place in order to expand the firm strategically. For instance:

• In August 2022, by collaborating with FairFly, BCD Group (BCD Travel) is able to provide its Air Price Assurance (APA) solution more effectively and efficiently to all of its clients worldwide. Through this partnership, BCD Travel will be able to power its APA service with help of FairFly's technology and artificial intelligence.

• In July 2022, Corporate Travel Management Limited has acquired 1000 Mile Travel Group Ltd. This acquisition has enabled the company to increase its market in the corporate travel arena through the independent consultant model.

• In July 2022, CWT Global B.V. stated that it would add car rental and train booking functionality to the mobile and web channels on its myCWT platform.

Order your copy of the Corporate Travel Procurement Intelligence Report, 2023 - 2030, published by Grand View Research, to get more details regarding day one, quick wins, portfolio analysis, key negotiation strategies of key suppliers, and low-cost/best-cost sourcing analysis

Staff costs, IT costs, marketing & legal overheads, travel and accommodation tie-ups associated costs, and office rental are some the expenses incurred in providing corporate travel services. Corporate travel service providers usually have tie-ups with hotels, and travel companies for clients and end-use organizations. To build network with these companies service providers incur tie-up cost. Staff and IT costs account for a major part of the overall cost structure. Staff cost include staff salaries, staff training and development cost etc. IT costs consist of platform building cost for clients to access different services, and accommodation and travel options available. Clients can also keep a track on their bookings through these platforms. The overall cost of the service mainly depends on the destination, duration of the stay, and the type of services availed.

China, U.S., France, U.K., Japan and Singapore are the some of the preferred business travel destinations. These countries are among the nations focusing significantly attract business tourists. This is also being fueled by the expanding business and trade prospects with these nations. China currently hosts the largest business show in Asia, and experts predict that it will continue its dominance during the forecasted period as well. When sourcing for corporate travel, it is important to research potential suppliers by comparing prices, services, and reviews. It is also important to ensure that the suppliers are reputable and reliable. Once potential suppliers have been identified, it is necessary to negotiate with them to get the best possible prices and terms. However, it is important to be prepared to walk away from a deal if the terms are not satisfactory. Additionally, it is possible to consider using a travel management company to assist with booking flights, hotels, and negotiating discounts. Finally, it is important to utilize technological solutions to track spending and manage budgets, ensuring a smooth travel program. 

Browse through Grand View Research’s collection of procurement intelligence studies:

• E-commerce Fulfillment Services Procurement Intelligence Report, 2023 - 2030 (Revenue Forecast, Supplier Ranking & Matrix, Emerging Technologies, Pricing Models, Cost Structure, Engagement & Operating Model, Competitive Landscape)

• Debt Collection Services Procurement Intelligence Report, 2023 - 2030 (Revenue Forecast, Supplier Ranking & Matrix, Emerging Technologies, Pricing Models, Cost Structure, Engagement & Operating Model, Competitive Landscape)

Corporate Travel Procurement Intelligence Report Scope

• Corporate Travel Category Growth Rate: CAGR of 13.99% from 2023 to 2030

• Pricing growth Outlook: 2% - 3% (annual)

• Pricing Models: Dynamic pricing model, Bundle pricing model

• Supplier Selection Scope: Cost and pricing, Past engagements, Productivity, Geographical presence

• Supplier selection criteria: Service level, reliability, sustainability, reputation, technical specifications, operational capabilities, regulatory standards and mandates, category innovations, and others

• Report Coverage: Revenue forecast, supplier ranking, supplier matrix, emerging technology, pricing models, cost structure, competitive landscape, growth factors, trends, engagement, and operating model

Key companies profiled

• Airbnb, Inc.

• Corporate Travel Management

• Expedia, Inc.

• American Express

• Flight Centre Travel Group Limited

• BCD Group

• Fareportal

• Booking Holdings, Inc.

• Carlson Wagonlit Travel

• Wexas Limited

Brief about Pipeline by Grand View Research:

A smart and effective supply chain is essential for growth in any organization. Pipeline division at Grand View Research provides detailed insights on every aspect of supply chain, which helps in efficient procurement decisions.

Our services include (not limited to):

• Market Intelligence involving – market size and forecast, growth factors, and driving trends

• Price and Cost Intelligence – pricing models adopted for the category, total cost of ownerships

• Supplier Intelligence – rich insight on supplier landscape, and identifies suppliers who are dominating, emerging, lounging, and specializing

• Sourcing / Procurement Intelligence – best practices followed in the industry, identifying standard KPIs and SLAs, peer analysis, negotiation strategies to be utilized with the suppliers, and best suited countries for sourcing to minimize supply chain disruptions

[wat3rm370n]

On the anniversary of Delta Airlines giving orders to the CDC.

The blatant corporate business takeover of the CDC’s worker safety policy, and the inability of workers, including pilots, to recover when sick. (This is an economic issue by the way.)

I wrote about this letter almost a year ago, because I was still angry about this, and I found that some people, perhaps many, were not actually aware that business interests were the only reason why the CDC shortened the isolation guidelines, and it was not based in any science or any reason at all to think that people weren’t contagious as long or anything like that.

3 years ago, the CDC made medical guidelines to please Delta Airlines, and now lots of people work sick and contagious in every industry. Delta Airlines didn’t want employees taking sick time, even if it means flying planes sick. Many Americans don’t have paid sick time at their work, and are already incentivized to work sick. And then, amid an ongoing pandemic, the CDC issued medical advice that specifically encourages employers to prevent employees from recovering properly, and promoting spread of the virus.

Delta Airlines sent a letter to the CDC on December 21, 2021 complaining that the 10 day isolation guidelines were interfering with their operations because of people being off sick too often. Instead of better infection control, stopping the spread among staff, or hiring more staff to cover the “new normal” of everyone getting covid on the job all the time, they instead asked the CDC to reduce the isolation time recommended.

On December 27, 2021, the CDC complied with Delta Airlines request and reduced the guideline for isolation down to 5 days. This is the supposedly scientifically guided medical advice for isolation time, for public health and the wellbeing of citizens. But instead they sided with the corporations.

At the time even conservatives I know scoffed at this - sometimes without even knowing about the Delta Airlines letter. Many people knew that this was about businesses wanting to push people back to work even while sick, even if the authorities sometimes treat us like fools.

I was looking for the CDC notice from December 2021, when I went back to a People’s CDC webpage where I knew it was referenced with a link, which worked when that was posted November 5, 2023. The link to the CDC website no longer works, the page was taken down sometime in the past 2 months. It’s still available on The Internet Archive Wayback Machine, which has not forgotten — along with me, and many Americans who also have not forgotten.

December 21, 2021 Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30333 Dear Dr. Walensky: We are writing on behalf of Delta Air Lines to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reconsider the current guideline for 10 days of isolation in fully vaccinated individuals who experience breakthrough COVID-19 infections. This guidance was developed in 2020 when the pandemic was in a different phase without effective vaccines and treatments. At Delta, over 90% of our workforce are fully vaccinated, and those rates are increasing daily. Our employees represent an essential workforce to enable Americans who need to travel domestically and internationally. With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the 10-day isolation for those who are fully vaccinated may significantly impact our workforce and operations. Similar to healthcare, police, fire, and public transportation workforces, the Omicron surge may exacerbate shortages and create significant disruptions. Further, all airline personnel are required to mask at airports and on airplanes. Current data suggest that Omicron is 25–50% more contagious, and likely less virulent and associated with more mild disease particularly among individuals who are fully vaccinated. Further, Omicron is associated with a shorter incubation period and infectious period among the fully vaccinated. To address the potential impact of the current isolation policy safely, we propose a 5-day isolation from symptom onset for those who experience a breakthrough infection. Individuals would be able to end isolation with an appropriate testing protocol. As part of this policy change, we would be interested to partner with CDC and collect empirical data. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the CDC to protect the health and safety of our people, customers and communities as the pandemic evolves. All our very best, Carlos del Rio Medical Advisor Delta Air Lines, MD Henry Ting MD SVP and Chief Health Officer Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian Chief Executive Officer Delta Air Lines

https://news.delta.com/sites/default/files/2021-12/delta-letter-to-cdc-december-21-2021.pdf

[youthchronical]

Spirit Airlines extends debt refinancing deadline hours before expiration

A Spirit Airlines aircraft undergoes operations in preparation for departure at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2024. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Spirit Airlines on Friday said it reached an agreement with its credit card processor to again extended a debt refinancing timeline to December, hours before it was set to hit its deadline. Spirit said in a…

[hioffsitetravel]

Who is Corporate offsite planner and what They do

Corporate offsite planners are experts or organizations whose exclusive focus is planning and overseeing offsite business activities. From concept to implementation, these planners take care of everything, making sure that every facet of the event fits in with the company's aims and objectives.

They are skilled in a variety of activities, including as seminars, team-building games, fun trips, and tactical meetings. Corporate offsite planners may obtain unusual locations, organize logistics, and create personalized itineraries that improve the entire experience by utilizing their vast network and industry knowledge.

Services provided by corporate offsite planner

The following services are provided by corporate offsite planners:

Venue selection is the process of deciding which places best meet the goals of the event and the demands of the attendees.

Activity planning is the process of creating enjoyable and useful tasks that foster creativity, problem-solving, and team collaboration.

Logistics management is the process of organizing lodging, food, transportation, and technical assistance to guarantee a smooth event.

Organizing talks, seminars, and team-building activities with the goal of maximizing involvement and results is known as facilitation.

Post-Event Evaluation: Evaluating the event's performance and obtaining input to guide future preparations.

In addition to rewarding staff, corporate offsite planners are essential to delivering memorable and impactful events that foster organizational success and growth. They handle the intricate details of event preparation, freeing up businesses to concentrate on their main operations and enjoy the advantages of well-run offsite events.

Visit HI Offsite corporate and incentive travel expert to know more.

[seoparekh]

APAC & MEA Hub Services for Centralized Travel

The value of a centralized travel management system

Centralised travel management system enables an enterprise to control various travel parameters and get better insights on travel pattern through MIS reports. It makes a direct impact on cost savings related to air fares, hotels stays, ground transports and other travel spends. The insights will help an enterprise to take better decisions and make necessary amendments in travel policies for safer and seamless travel.

Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals, one of the renowned and prestigious travel management companies of india, has successfully operated Global Travel Services, one of the premium travel services, for more than 14 countries across Asia-Pacific South & Middle East & Africa from its location in Kolkata, India. Their dedicated team of travel experts operating 24X7 across all time zones offers global travel services consistently across international borders.

With a robust experience and expertise, their travel management program has evolved over the years to keep the travellers safe and updated with their unique cutting-edge solutions.

Let us now discuss on how the company operates in global travel services and what do they offer to large and small scale enterprises.

What Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals offer in Global Travel services?

Their deliverables are prepared based on clear understanding of the requirements of their clients over decades and suitable solutions they need in their travel programs.

A Dedicated Account Manager

A Team of highly experienced travel consultants

A centralized Profile Management system

Direct Full Service & Low-cost Airlines from Traveller’s POO (Point of Origin) 

Car & Hotel bookings at Contracted Rates

Visa assistance wherever required

Local Invoicing & Local Payments in local currency

Local Payments either via Lodge Card or Invoicing

Monthly Reporting including missed savings

Regular calls with the Corporate, and On-site Visit as necessary

Onboarding and implementation of Travel Services of new countries in APS & MEA region from the HUB in a phased manner

Tech Solutions:

As a part of international travel agency network, they are committed to provide solutions with the support of their latest technology acclaimed worldwide. Their advanced travel tech tools enable contactless booking system from a single interface from where you can easily manage your business travel seamlessly. Moreover they have contactless payment solutions for faster and smoother payments.

Essential Questions on APAC & MEA Hub Services of Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals

How does the centralized travel management system work?

Their centralized travel management system works as a Hub service for a multinational corporate having presence in multiple countries. They have a dedicated team of travel experts that operate 24/7 emergency basis across all time zones offering specialized travel services across the globe. Presently they are offering services in many countries across Asia Pacific South and Middle East & Africa region.

How global travel hub services are helpful?

Corporate can reap multifarious benefits from Global Travel Hub Services because a consolidated travel management program offers dedicated travel support and better clarity on travel data. The benefits of Hub Services are cited below.

Dedicated Account Management

Better control on bookings

Point-of-origin fares

Centralized Profile Management System

Local Accounting System

Country wise customized travel reports

Centralized Duty of Care support

What are the latest travel technologies that are used in Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals?

At Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals, they always trust on advanced technology for superior services. For flight booking, hotel reservations, road transport, international rails and cruises they use Global Distribution System (GDS) and Online Booking Engines (OBE). They rely on latest Cloud Telephonic System for automated call distribution and Profile management tool for clients’ data security.

How is their APAC & MEA Hub services better than others?

APAC & MEA Hub Services are very rare in most of the countries. Among very few of the reputed travel management companies, Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals stands as a specialized and experienced travel management company being part of the most acclaimed international travel franchise – Lufthansa City Center. Their services are –

Competitive pricing & transparency

Easy and fast travel policy compliance

Centralized key account management

Local tax compliant invoicing

Online and Offline travel solutions

With a reputed company like Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals, it is certain that you get best of the travel services and support due to their immense experience across the globe. They have a huge repository of travel suppliers and an expert team of travel experts who have the capability of servicing international customers since years.

[travelsbackoffice]

Optimizing Business Travel: Effective Strategies for Management and Efficiency

Discover the art of seamless business travel management with our comprehensive guide. From cost-effective booking solutions to streamlined itinerary planning, we offer practical insights to enhance efficiency and productivity on your corporate journeys. Learn how to navigate travel policies, leverage technology for smoother experiences, and prioritize traveler satisfaction. Elevate your travel management game and unlock the full potential of your business ventures.

[vyasmeghna]

Innovating the World of Textiles: A Preview of ITMA 2023 in Milan

The International Textile Machinery Exhibition (ITMA) is a global platform for textile machinery manufacturers and textile industry professionals to showcase their products, share knowledge, and network with their peers. ITMA is held every four years, with the next edition scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy in 2023.

ITMA 2023 promises to be an exciting event for the textile industry, bringing together some of the world's leading textile machinery manufacturers and suppliers to showcase the latest advancements in textile manufacturing technology. The exhibition will feature a wide range of machinery and equipment, including spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing, and finishing machines, as well as software and automation solutions.

The theme of ITMA 2023 is "Innovating the World of Textiles", reflecting the industry's growing focus on innovation and sustainability. The exhibition will showcase the latest innovations in textile manufacturing technology, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and circular economy principles. This includes developments in materials, processes, and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacturing, such as waterless dyeing and closed-loop production systems.

ITMA 2023 will also feature a comprehensive conference program, where industry experts will discuss the latest trends and developments in the textile industry. The conference program will cover a wide range of topics, including sustainability, digitalization, and circular economy principles. The conference will provide an opportunity for textile industry professionals to share their knowledge, network with their peers, and learn from experts in the field.

One of the highlights of ITMA 2023 will be the Innovation Lab, a showcase of the latest innovations and technologies in the textile industry. The Innovation Lab will feature cutting-edge products and services from exhibitors, as well as interactive exhibits and demonstrations that highlight the latest advancements in textile manufacturing technology.

ITMA 2023 is expected to attract thousands of visitors from around the world, including textile manufacturers, suppliers, designers, researchers, and academics. The exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for textile industry professionals to learn about the latest advancements in textile manufacturing technology, network with their peers, and explore new business opportunities.

Milan, the host city for ITMA 2023, is a hub of fashion and design, making it the perfect location for this prestigious event. Milan is known for its rich history in textiles, with a strong tradition of textile manufacturing dating back to the Middle Ages. Today, Milan is a center of fashion and design, home to some of the world's leading fashion brands and textile design studios.

In conclusion, ITMA 2023 promises to be an exciting event for the textile industry, bringing together some of the world's leading textile machinery manufacturers and suppliers to showcase the latest advancements in textile manufacturing technology. The exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity for textile industry professionals to learn about the latest trends and developments in the industry, network with their peers, and explore new business opportunities. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, ITMA 2023 is sure to be a key event for anyone involved in the textile industry.

For those interested in attending ITMA 2023 in Milan, book yourself ITMA 2023 Travel Package with Delmos World Pvt. Ltd., one the Best International Tour and Travel Management Company, which offer all-inclusive travel packages. These packages typically include flights, hotel accommodations, and entry to the exhibition. By booking a travel package, attendees can save time and money while also having the convenience of a pre-arranged itinerary. It's always a good idea to shop around and compare prices to find the best deal that fits your budget and travel needs.

[collapsedsquid]

Consider, for example, the following situation. A characteristically modern form of social interaction, familiar from the rail and air travel industries, has become ubiquitous with the development of the call centre. Someone – an airline gate attendant, for example – tells you some bad news; perhaps you’ve been bumped from the flight in favour of someone with more frequent flyer points. You start to complain and point out how much you paid for your ticket, but you’re brought up short by the undeniable fact that the gate attendant can’t do anything about it. You ask to speak to someone who can do something about it, but you’re told that’s not company policy. The unsettling thing about this conversation is that you progressively realise that the human being you are speaking to is only allowed to follow a set of processes and rules that pass on decisions made at a higher level of the corporate hierarchy. It’s often a frustrating experience; you want to get angry, but you can’t really blame the person you’re talking to. Somehow, the airline has constructed a state of affairs where it can speak to you with the anonymous voice of an amorphous corporation, but you have to talk back to it as if it were a person like yourself. Bad people react to this by getting angry at the gate attendant; good people walk away stewing with thwarted rage, and they may give some lacerating feedback online. Meanwhile, the managers who made the decision to prioritise Gold Elite members are able to maximise shareholder value without any distractions from the consequences of their actions. They have constructed an accountability sink to absorb unwanted negative emotion.

[cosmicpuzzle]

Mercury in Houses

Mercury in 1st House

You are an intellectual person and have a lot of questions. You are curious and restless. You may have difficulty slowing down your mind. You are quick witted and mercurial (especially in signs Gemini, Virgo, Aries). You learn a lot from experiences than textbooks. You can be proud intellectually or don't appreciate others viewpoints.

Mercury in 2nd House

Your mind is often focused on financial matters and wealth. You often think about increasing your income. You have a good mind for selling and commerce and may succeed in business. You can micromanage your finances. You may be a good speaker too.

Mercury in 3rd House

You have an active mind, and you are good at writing and communication. You are a quick learner and may be employed in customer care, IT and education sector. You love short travels on cycles, bikes, trains and cars. You can have a lot of contacts.

Mercury in 4th House

You can be bit introverted, and your feelings are strong. You are interested in psychology and the past. You are interested in human behavior. You are nostalgic and remember things from the past. You can change residences often.

Mercury in 5th House

You are interested in love and romance. You are communicative and flirty in love. Your thoughts are on romance and fun often. You can be a creative person and do well with storytelling. You like to read romantic novels and may publish storybooks for children. You can be good at stockmarket.

Mercury in 6th House

You can be nervous and interested in health, diet and hygiene. You are a hard worker and do well in fields related to numbers, accounting and documents. You are good in solving day to day problems practically and efficiently.

Mercury in 7th House

You are attracted to people who are intelligent, witty and communicative and seek these attributes in a partner. Intellectual rapport with others is important to you. You need to feel that you can discuss any aspect of your relationship with your partner. You are suited to public relations work, as you enjoy meeting people and dealing with the public in general.

Mercury in 8th House

You have a deep interest in occult and metaphysics. You can be uncommunicative and reserved. You are good at research and investigation. You may be good at managing other's assets and in corporate finance.

Mercury in 9th House

You are interested in higher knowledge, philosophy and spiritual matters. You are motivated to broaden your horizons. You can travel abroad for education and may be good at learning foreign languages.

Mercury in 10th House

Your mind is focused on professional achievement. You are suited to business, academic work, writing, journalism, politics and the communication industries. You have organizational skills, leadership capabilities and the ability to make executive decisions. You enjoy variety in your profession and may hold down more than one job or seek a career that constantly tests your skills.

Mercury in 11th House

Spending time with your friends is important to you. You belong to common interest groups or societies. A natural networker, you are able to bring people together for a purpose or cause.

Mercury in 12th House

You need to create a space in your life where you can retreat into your own private thoughts. You are quite happy in your own company and tend to prefer to work alone or behind-the-scenes. You may forget things easily.

For Readings DM

[lunarjimin]

𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐘 - Jeon Jungkook

Synopsis - After a long day at work, you come home, still feeling sick and in need of rest. Luckily, your boyfriend knows exactly how to take care of you.

Pairing - boyfriend!jungkook x female reader

Genre - established relationship, unhealthy amount of fluff, very little angst if you squint.

Tags - slice of life, mentions of low-self esteem issues and insecurities, subtle hints of self-loathing, soft!koo hours, oc and jungkook are too altruistic for anyone's liking (but we all love a compassionate couple), jungkook offers oc so much reassurance that it's sickening, mentions of low-key making out, overall oc and jk are full on domestic and adorable.

Word Count - 4.5k

Ratings - PG-13

It's finally the weekend and you huff a big sigh of relief as you unlock the door to your shared apartment with Jungkook, eager to unwind from all the stress work has put you through throughout the week, you head straight to the kitchen to grab some snacks as you are starving.

Typically, your ideal weekend would involve a movie night with Jungkook, but that’s the last thing on your mind since you've been sick for the past few days, leaving you with little to no energy for getting out of bed and facing the day.

Lately, things have been quite stressful for you—not just because you’re sick, but also due to the overwhelming and unpleasant environment at work.

You recall the time your manager belittled you for working at a slower pace on an upcoming project your team was handling. It felt utterly ridiculous because you were putting in your work, even while being sick and getting ridiculed despite your best effort left you feeling irked and resentful of the workplace culture.

This is why you absolutely hate, even despise, the corporate industry: it’s the same everywhere, regardless of your niche. The toxic work culture, the myth of the nine-to-five working hours when you're expected to stay back until half past seven and the fake smiles that mask subtle criticism from coworkers—none of this fools you. Unfortunately, this is the only way to survive in this profession.

You only need to hustle a few more years to achieve some financial stability, after which you can quit your job and invest in the stock market or maybe even start a business of your own. Although the said “few more years” feels like forever, you have no other practical alternative if not for this.

You're a patient person; you credit yourself for that. You might not be as patient as you should be when you travel by conveyance that gets stalled, but you're patient enough to wait a few more years to get stable and resign from your job, huffing out a breath and pushing these thoughts aside as you head to the living room, turning on the television and picking up the show where you last paused.

Settling onto the couch, you exhale, feeling every bit of energy visibly draining away from you, you’re not really proud to admit that you have such a weak immune system even a relatively small flu can leave you feeling completely wiped out (like a mess).

You try to shake your mind off it by focusing on the show you started, reminding yourself that it’s futile to dwell on things you have no control over, especially since there’s nothing that can be done.

As you’re getting cozy on the couch, you hear the soft creak of your front door opening and you don’t really need to look to know who it is.

It's Jungkook, who enters your shared space, removing his shoes and socks, glancing at you from the doorway.He flashes you his typical eye-crinkle smile, which you faintly mirror, while he takes off his coat and hangs it on the nearest rack, you look at him for a moment longer before shifting your attention back to the show."

How was your day?" Jungkook asks, stepping forward and moving to stand right behind you. Gently placing his hand on your forehead, checking your temperature to see if you’re feeling any better than you did before, caught off guard by his random gesture, you turn to see him gazing at you with a raised brow, clearly waiting for your response.

“Just the usual—a bit hectic here and there, but on the whole, it was alright I guess.”, you answer with a slight shrug before focusing back on the television.

Humming in response, he notices that your temperature still hasn't dropped down, taking a mental note to prepare you a hot bowl of soup later.

Joining you on the couch, he turns to watch the show you’re occupied with. As you both get snuggly, you instinctively shift closer, resting your head gently on his shoulder.

Jungkook stretches his arm out, giving you more space to get comfortable prompting you to settle against him.Your body feels so calm and relaxed around him, melting in his touch. Oh, how much you could get used to this every day. Everything feels so peaceful and you wish you could stay like this forever, but as the moment stretches, you notice him settling in a bit too comfortably.

"Not going to shower?", the question slips out on impulse, watching him get cozy on the couch. It's not that you mind; matter of fact, you’d love it if he chose to stay with you right after a weary day at work. Still, you think he might need a proper shower to feel renewed.

"Not yet. I just don't feel like taking one right now—maybe later, if you don't mind?" he probes, pulling you into his arms even further so you're almost half-lying down on the couch.

Of course, you wouldn’t mind and you’re certain Jungkook knows that too. You were just a bit concerned since Jungkook is the type who never skips a shower, whether it's after a workout or even just after doing the dishes. He always protests, saying he feels unclean as soon as he finishes any chore.

You just asked out of intrigue.

“Of course I don't mind, Kook. It's just that I'm not used to seeing you rest right after coming home from work, since you usually head straight to the shower,” you state plainly.

“That’s right,” he mumbles, pressing a gentle kiss to your nape as he continues, “I usually wouldn’t, but I just feel like cuddling with you right now.”

“Well, come to think of it, I don’t think I’m too opposed to the suggestion,” you say, pondering on it while feeling a tickle as he nuzzles deeper into your neck and rests there.

Jungkook looks up at you from where he’s lying and as you lock eyes, you both burst into a fit of laughter, finding the whole scenario amusing.

It feels peaceful like this—just another day with your boyfriend, in your shared space, being all domestic and silly.

Eventually, silence falls over as you both laze in each other's arms, with the only sound in the background being the show running on the television and you find that you’re not really focused on the show anymore; all you can think about is how at ease you feel being curled up next to Jungkook, noticing that he has grown muscles over the week; you can tell by how bulked up his arms feel as they're wrapped around you.

One thing you're more than sure of is that Jungkook is a fitness freak and has always been one. He injects (figuratively) any fancy sport implements he comes across and is always best at what he does.

You don't envy him, although you wish you could be as dedicated to working out as he is, never missing out a single day, but you’re not quite there yet. You only manage to work out on days when you’re not too tired or worn out, which usually falls on weekends.

Snapping out of your thoughts, you feel Jungkook carefully remove his arm from your back, trying not to disturb you, as he gets up and heads to the bedroom. You figure he might have finally decided to take a shower.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧

You’re close to dozing off when Jungkook comes back into the living room after a while, dressed in a black oversized tee matched with gray sweats. He looks pretty with his damp hair, water collecting at the ends, threatening to drip.

Lounging on the couch beside you, Jungkook sighs, you guess he must be tired as well. “Are you tired?” you question, noticing the heaviness in his eyes as he leans back.

“Kind of,” he waves off dismissively. At times like this, you wish he weren't so guarded, Jungkook has always been like this, prioritizing his close ones over his happiness and willing to sacrifice his comfort just to please those closest to him.

His compassion often borders on altruism, leading him to put others before himself—a trait well-known to those who know him well (you).

You find this really ironic, particularly coming from you, who parallels Jungkook in certain attributes (altruism being one of them).

All of a sudden, you sense Jungkook sneaking his arm around your side, pulling you in by your waist as his scent hits you—a strong musk with a subtle hint of cinnamon, the fragrance of his cologne, your favorite. You think that you might actually combust this way.

You feel a deep sense of contentment. No matter how chaotic your life can be, Jungkook makes you feel better and helps you keep grounded at the end of the day. This is your home. He's your home and without him, you think that this place would just make for a house, you certainly don't mind lying in his arms, sprawled down with no care, even wishing you could stay like this forever if it meant feeling at home with him.

Maybe it's the intense emotions built up throughout the week taking over you, or perhaps it's the mood swings making you unpredictable, or maybe it's the exhaustion lingering; whatever the feeling is, it feels strangely soothing.

Something about laying in the arms of your lover after a grueling week feels so intimate it's unexplainable. You like it though, making you feel all dizzy.

As you gradually feel exhaustion setting in, you're suddenly jolted by a cough rippling at the back of your throat. Fuck, can’t you just relax in peace? It seems like luck is not on your side right when you try to get cozy with your boyfriend. Perfect, seems like just what you needed.

“Are you alright?” Jungkook asks, his gaze fixed on the side of your face with concern.

You’re unable to answer him as your cough intensifies struggling to clear your throat, you groan out your response, “I’m fine, just the cold taking a toll on me. Don’t worry, Kook,” voice coming out more groggy than intended as you assure him, though you can tell from the look on his face, that it's clear that he isn’t convinced.

“Kook,” you try again, emphasizing his name, trying to make it clear that you really are fine.

Sighing out long he gives up. “Alright but if I hear you cough one more time, we will take a trip to the doctor.”

“You know I hate swallowing pills, right? I’d get a shot injected rather take those pills,” you whine. Fuck this, why can't you be like your healthy self again?

A trip to the doctor is the last thing you would need right now. You'd rather doze off in your bed with a prolonged flu than swallow the pills you're being prescribed.

You try to calm down, despite still feeling very weak, but that's alright; all you want to do is rest and take it easy and your peace is abruptly stripped away by yet another coughing fit, leaving you struggling to contain it in.

You really don’t want Jungkook worrying over something as trivial as this mild fever, as a result, your eyes start watering the more you try to suppress it and you don't think you can hold it in any longer. Coughing more intensely, you jerk your whole body forward, feeling more frail than ever.

Jungkook looks at your side with an expression which morphs concern as your cough continues, clearly worried about your condition.

This was supposed to be a perfect date night with your boyfriend, but unfortunately, you caught the flu and your body couldn't handle it well and the last thing you would want is for your boyfriend to pity you. Great, it just happens to be your misfortune, isn’t it? Things always turn into mishaps right when you think you're in a better place in life and you hate it.

Warm tears trail down your cheeks before you know it, overwhelmed by the emotions you’ve bottled up all week, breaking down in front of your boyfriend feels downright humiliating. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go—everything should have gone well, but somehow, it all took a turn for the worse.

You're unable to stop the full-blown breakdown as you're now sniffling in the middle of the hiccups. It's embarrassing to say the least.

“Hey, look at me,” Jungkook shakes your shoulders to get your attention, but his words go unheard.

“Baby, look at me, please,” he tries again by placing a finger under your chin and lifting it up to make you face him.

As soon as you meet his gaze, you start breaking down, wailing aloud. Why does everything feel so overwhelming?What was supposed to be a relaxing date night has now turned into a disaster.

You're unable to stop from crying when Jungkook pulls you into his embrace as you bury your face in his chest, soaking his fabric with your tears. You can't help it, but he doesn't seem to mind, gently drawing circles on your back, trying to comfort you.

Gradually, you try to calm down as your sobs ease and you gather yourself sniffling in his shirt.

"Are you feeling any better?" Jungkook looks down at you with genuine worry.

Not really having the energy to speak, you quietly hum in response, letting him know that the breakdown left you feeling a bit better.

“Alright, just wait for me here. I'll be right back, okay?” Jungkook says, looking at you, waiting for a response.

“M'kay,” you nod meekly, watching him get up, turn off the barely-watched show and make his way to the kitchen.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧

Jungkook returns after a while with a ladle and a bowl of soup, along with a plate full of air-fried breadsticks, setting them on the living room counter.

Plopping down on the couch, he looks at you, gesturing toward the table near you, “Have some. You’ll feel a lot better,” he mutters, grabbing a breadstick from the plate, and dipping it into the mustard sauce before taking on a bite.

Your gaze softens as you look at him. At moments like this, you feel deeply loved, as if you receive more than you give. Jungkook makes you feel cherished, filling your senses with warmth.

Although, you feel guilty knowing you're making him care for you, even when he's already feeling drained, you're still thankful for him, you realize you're not so different from him. He always puts others' needs before his own, just like you do. Jungkook has always been a big empath, and so have you; maybe that's why you two got emotionally connected—sharing similar interests and values.

You try your best not to burden him with what you see as trivial concerns, but you forget that those who care about you are always willing to help.

You tend to overlook the fact that you are not merely an obligation to your loved ones but instead a priority.

Taking the bowl of soup from the table, you start eating, smiling to yourself because he made your favorite—French onion; you're thankful to have found a man who gives you more than you ever asked for—it feels surreal, but you're not complaining.

Glancing his way, noticing him staring right back at you as you bring the ladle to your mouth, slurping the soup in an obnoxiously loud manner while keeping your eyes locked on his.

Jungkook is the first to look away, bursting into laughter as he finds your actions comical, seeing you mirror his laugh.

You look his way again and speak up, “You want some?”

“Not really,” he shrugs, shaking his head.

“You know that I love you, right?” you question all of a sudden, not really expecting an answer.

“I really do,” you affirm, needing to get it off your chest.You've always been this way—confessing at random times, during random occasions, with words of affirmation as your dominant love language.

“I know and I love you too, you're too precious not to be loved,” he says, smiling cheekily right after confessing.

It warms your heart to know that Jungkook is always there to offer reassurance, whether in subtle or obvious ways. Although you take pride in not seeking external validation, when it comes to Jungkook, even the slightest compliment makes you dizzy and you can’t help but blame him for it.

Shaking your head, smiling to yourself as you dig in with the soup. “You know, I don’t always say this, but I’m really grateful to have you as my partner.”

It's not that you don't express your gratitude for having him as your boyfriend at all, but you don’t say it as often as you think you should. You know that Jungkook needs to hear how thankful you are to have him in your life, just as much as he reassures you whenever you need it the most.

Junkook smiles, his eyes crinkling with sincerity. Humming, he replies, “You know what? I could probably say the same about you.”

You look sharp at him, puzzled as you question, “Probably?”

“Mhm, yeah, probably,” he shrugs as he says, with a hint of mischief.

Carefully reaching your hand down on the couch, fishing and grabbing the nearest object—a heart-shaped cushion—and you aim it right at his face, but he's quick, catching it with a laugh and placing the pillow back down.

Scratching at the back of his nape he laughs at you as he speaks up, “How are you feeling now? Better than before, I hope?”

You can tell that he sounds a bit anxious, unsure if you're really feeling better, you sigh, “A lot better, actually, thanks to you and your bowl of soup,” you deadpan, rolling your eyes at him while offering a fake smile.

He chuckles, clearly amused. “I'm seriously asking you, babe. I just hope you're truly more at ease now.”

“What do you think, Kook? Of course, I am. Nothing can happen to me as long as my boyfriend has my back,” you tease, giving him a playful nudge.

He shakes his head, amazed at how quickly you’ve bounced back to your usual self and visibly feels a sense of relief as he lets his shoulders relax. “And now my favourite brat is back,” he states.

“Jungkook!” you scoff as you exclaim, clearly knowing that he's trying to get a reaction out of you by calling you a brat, not that you mind.

Finally finishing the bowl of soup as you place it down the counter, you feel there are things you need to get off your chest—thoughts that have been weighing on you as you try to speak up, “I’m sorry for spoiling your weekend with all this. I know it should have gone as planned, but I’m really so—”

You’re cut off mid-sentence when a sauce-dipped breadstick is suddenly shoved into your mouth as you shriek, bringing your hands to your mouth and wiping off the remains while munching on the piece shoved inside.

“Save it. That apology might come in handy when you accidentally slip up and get ridiculed by your moron of a boss.”

Jungkook always gets bitter when it comes to your job. You've told him multiple times how your manager treats you and your coworkers with no regard for professionalism, which makes him have a sour spot for your boss, often calling him names. Although it’s worth a laugh to hear him call your boss a moron, you're grateful he holds back and doesn’t take it any further.

“I don't like it when you invalidate your feelings like that, Y/N and I’m sure you’re aware of that,” he says, searching for your eyes.

“Yes, our weekend didn’t go as planned, but we’re still able to relax and chill as usual. So, I’m not sure why you feel the need to apologize for something you’re not to blame for,” he lets out a sigh, lowering his gaze and shaking his head. It feels disheartening for him that you feel the need to apologize, believing that you have ruined the night for him.

It’s ironic to see someone as upbeat as you think this way, though he’s no stranger to your struggles with low self-esteem. “You know, I really wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”

“How so?”, your response comes out weaker than you intended, overwhelmed by the way he looks at you.

He looks your way, amused, doubting that he could ever put it into words, so he chooses to show you instead, just how grateful he truly is. “You really wanna know?”, as he probes, inching closer to you.

You simply nod, unable to find the right words to speak.

Jungkook lowers himself to your level and stops right before your lips are about to touch, looking at you with your eyes closed, waiting for him to make a move. he takes it as consent and gently leans in, brushing his lips against yours, testing the waters before diving in, deepening the kiss with such intensity.

You're quick to move your lips as soon as he finds yours. The intensity of the kiss makes you feel as if you're burning up, not in a fleeting or shallow way, but with a deep, longing passion.

Moving your hands to the back of his head, you twirl your fingers in his hair while kissing in sync—his slightly damp hair feels so soft, almost like a newborn’s and you smile at that thought.

Jungkook is quick to slip his tongue into your mouth as you part your lips and gasp in surprise, as he intertwines with yours kissing you more deeply, his hand curls around your waist locking you in, while the other gently caresses the side of your face, brushing aside the strands of hair that have fallen across it.

You're the first to pull away, placing your hands against his chest to keep him still as you gasp for breath.

Letting go reluctantly, his heavy gaze staying on you while he pants for breath and leans in to steals one last kiss—a soft peck—on your parted lips.

You narrow your brows at him, trying to appear stern, which only makes him just return you a sheepish smile.

“You kind of taste like caramelized onions,” Jungkook breaks the silence, teasing you about the kiss.

“Jungkook!” you exclaim as you physically gasp feigning offence, giggling and playfully shoving him by the chest.

He pouts, sulking at you.

“That’s so mean! Of course, I taste like onions—I just had the soup you made!” you say with a hint of annoyance.

He casually shrugs, cocking a brow.

You can’t help but chuckle, realizing how fond you’ve grown of him over the years, being with Jungkook feels instinctive, like something you’ve become so habitual with.

“You know, I was so concerned for you a while ago when you were constantly coughing,” he brings up.

You smile knowingly, seeing him back to his usual self. “Yeah, I knew, your face said it all.”

“Am I that predictable?” Jungkook asks, knitting his eyebrows with a scrunched nose, looking puzzled.

“Hm, you kind of are. It’s hard for you to hide your expressions,” you reply with a knowing look. “But honestly, I felt bad making you work right after you came home tired. It just made me feel guilty.”

“That’s part of my duty as your boyfriend. There’s no need to feel guilty. I’m more than happy to be here for you and you know that very well Y/N,” Jungkook says with a sincere tone. He’s willing to do anything you ask for and more; deep down, he still feels like he hasn’t done enough for you.

Words can't fully express how grateful you are to the universe for bringing someone like Jungkook into your life. He embodies what it means to be a gentleman and you don't think you can picture yourself with anyone else but him. “I know, but sometimes it's really difficult dealing with my self-worth issues,” you tell him honestly.

“That's exactly why I think you should see yourself through my eyes,” he replies, his gaze softening as he looks at you gently. “You’re everything I could ever want and more, I hope you know that,” he says sincerely as your smile comes off weak.

“It’s hard for me to believe that someone would want me with as much passion as you do, especially when you’re much more good-looking”, you try not to break down as your voice cracks and your throat feels tight talking about such a sensitive topic. “I’m not saying I don’t believe you, Kook, but it takes everything in me not to bring myself down every single time. It’s really hard dealing with all of my insecurities.”

Jungkook feels devastated hearing this. He’s aware of the issues you’re struggling with but never really realized how deeply rooted they must be, which makes him question his role as your partner as his conscience gnaws at him, filled with the fear of failing to be a better partner for you, knowing how you feel. He knows it’s not entirely his fault, but the guilt simmers inside him, threatening to overflow the more he thinks about it, to him, you deserve the world and so much more.

“I surely understand that; while I might not know exactly how you feel, I get the sense of it babe and I want you to know that I’m here for you—no matter what you need, I'll always be right here.” Jungkook places his hands on either side of your face, drawing you close and gently kissing your forehead.

“Let’s just not focus on this right now, alright? I don’t want you to worry about it too much unless you really want to talk about it?” He looks at you with slight distress, unsure of what you’re thinking. Whatever it is, he hopes you’ll share it, reassuring you that he’ll listen attentively, easing the weight of your feelings.

You nod in agreement, suggesting that you don’t want to discuss this any further, especially not now, after everything you’ve been through this week, you smile instinctively, seeing him look concerned and finding an odd sense of comfort in it.

You know Jungkook well, maybe a little too well than anyone else in his life. While you might normally share your concerns with him, you’d rather let it be and take some time to rest now.

It’s not that you don’t appreciate his support, but you’re simply not in the mood to talk about it right now, although his ways of reassurance always feel the best, making you want to listen to him even more.

You don’t think you’ve ever felt this kind of sense of belonging with anyone before. It feels like everything has fallen into place just as you’ve always wanted, despite the chaos in your life.

“What’s on your mind?” Jungkook asks, seeing you lost in your thoughts.

You pause for a moment, staring at him unsure what to say as you blink swiftly, taking a deep breath letting out a sigh.

“Nothing, I’m just tired,” you utter, as you stretch and yawn involuntarily, covering your mouth with the back of your hand.

“Right, I’m tired too. Let’s just cuddle like this for a while, yeah?” Jungkook mumbles as he pulls you closer, resting his chin on your shoulder and gradually closing his eyes.

You smile as you nod, feeling him move closer to your neck and place a gentle kiss as you let your body relax, you feel so safe like this, with his soft breaths calming your nerves. At moments like these, all your worries seem to fade away.

Maybe getting sick doesn’t seem so bad if Jungkook is the one taking care of you. Eventually, it’s only with him that you feel safe and at home, he's your sanctuary at the end of the day.

A/N : It's officially my first fan-fiction? ficlet or drabble? whatever you guys name it! although as much as i'm excited to publish this, i'm equally nervous too and forgive me if there are any errors cause i didn't proofread it. I would really appreciate any feedback or comments about my work, hope you guys had a good read <3 xox.

tmi: this piece of work was purely self-indulgence until it wasn't when I decided to turn it into an actual fiction, even though this basically lacks any plot and the struggle it took for me to figure out how this blog works is a rant for another day (😭).

[robertreich]

The Silent Revolution in American Economics

I don't think you're expecting what I'm about to say, because I have never seen anything like this in fifty years in politics.

For decades I've been sounding an alarm about how our economy has become increasingly rigged for the rich. I've watched it get worse under both Republicans and Democrats, but what President Biden has done in his first term gives me hope I haven't felt in years. It’s a complete sea change.

Here are three key areas where Biden is fundamentally reshaping our economy to make it better for working people.

#1 Trade and industrial policy

Biden is breaking with decades of reliance on free-trade deals and free-market philosophies. He’s instead focusing on domestic policies designed to revive American manufacturing and fortify our own supply chains.

Take three of his signature pieces of legislation so far — the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS Act, and his infrastructure package. This flood of government investment has brought about a new wave in American manufacturing.

Unlike Trump, who just levied tariffs on Chinese imports and used it as a campaign slogan, Biden is actually investing in America’s manufacturing capacity so we don’t have to rely on China in the first place.

He’s turning the tide against deals made by previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican, that helped Wall Street but ended up costing American jobs and lowering American wages.

#2 Monopoly power

Biden is the first president in living memory to take on big monopolies.

Giant firms have come to dominate almost every industry. Four beef packers now control over 80 percent of the market, domestic air travel is dominated by four airlines, and most Americans have no real choice of internet providers.

In a monopolized economy, corporate profits rise, consumers pay higher prices, and workers’ wages shrink.

But under the Biden, the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department have become the most aggressive monopoly fighters in more than a half century. They’re going after Amazon and Google, Ticketmaster and Live Nation, JetBlue and Spirit, and a wide range of other giant corporations.  

#3 Labor

Biden is also the most pro-union president I’ve ever seen.

A big reason for the surge in workers organizing and striking for higher wages is the pro-labor course Biden is charting.

The Reagan years blew in a typhoon of union busting across America. Corporations routinely sunk unions and fired workers who attempted to form them. They offshored production or moved to so-called “right-to-work” states that enacted laws making it hard to form unions.

Even though Democratic presidents promised labor law reforms that would strengthen unions, they didn’t follow through. But under Joe Biden, organized labor has received a vital lifeboat. Unionizing has been protected and encouraged. Biden is even the first sitting president to walk a picket line.

Biden’s National Labor Relations Board is stemming the tide of unfair labor practices, requiring companies to bargain with their employees, speeding the period between union petitions and elections, and making it harder to fire workers for organizing.

Americans have every reason to be outraged at how decades of policies that prioritized corporations over people have thrown our economy off-keel.

But these three waves of change — a worker-centered trade and industrial policy, strong anti-monopoly enforcement, and moves to strengthen labor unions — are navigating towards a more equitable economy.

It’s a sea change that’s long overdue.

[luvmahae]

live, laugh, y/n!

‣ y/n (my melody): business admin/management major, wants to be a human resources manager for a corporation in the future. she's addicted to matcha lattes (specifically with oat milk) and has a huge passion for music festivals and concerts, particularly electronic dance music events. her chaotic yet fun-loving spirit is what her friends love most about her—she’s always down for anything and everything. in chenle's words, "what a down ass friend fr".

‣ karina (cinnamoroll): majoring in early childhood development with a psychology minor, she dreams of becoming a kindergarten teacher. her natural nurturing qualities make her the "mom" of the group, always giving great advice and is the #1 person you run to for comfort. poor girl is a lightweight with everything... but at least she can hang! she's patient, empathetic, and did i mention she's drop dead beautiful?

‣ ningning (kuromi): the sassy bombshell who's a hospitality major with aspirations of becoming a corporate event planner. she's the organizer of the group, always making sure their trips and events go off without a hitch. whether it’s a casual hangout or a full-on vacation, she's the reason why they "made it out of the group chat". queen of standing on business... literally.

‣ chenle (pochacco): a sports management major not because of stephen curry but because he's obsessed with the sports industry as a whole. he's the type to always has some game or match streaming, no matter where you are. like why are we watching basketball reels at the club? not to mention, he's the king of scoring tickets for events, count on him during presale!

‣ renjun (pompompurin): surprisingly, he's a nursing major on track to become a pediatric registered nurse. like karina, he loves working with kids but has chosen the medical path instead. he's the responsible one in the friend group, always prepared and looking out for everyone. he's actually crazy— not in a bad way, more like how does a nursing student pull all these missions and benders back to back? renjun is just god sent according to ningning (is she wrong tho) (all hail renjun)

the "sanrihoes" group formed during their first year of college when they all lived in the same dorm building, just on different floors. karina and y/n were roommates and ningning roomed right next to them (she basically had the room to herself because her assigned roommate never came... rip). initially, they met through a series of study sessions and campus events, but their bond truly solidified after attending a university-hosted music festival together. despite their different majors and interests, they found common ground in their shared energy for college life, late-night hangouts, and their love for edm. since then, they've been inseparable.

masterlist — haechan's group

notes: i highkey love this friend group so much... just reminds me of the good ol times! just a couple of besties battling college together!!!it took me forever to make both yn's group and haechan's group... im just so nervous doing this LMFAO </3 also it took me so long to even finish up half of these things bc ive been traveling!!!

[gaargoyle]

My current much-loved possession, an original 1993 copy of Space Marine. I wanted it for its lovely cover, mostly, (also physical media is supreme) even though it's seen better days. The pretty foil lettering has worn away in spots.

Inside is the timeline that was canon in 1993. You can still get this book today digitally, but I do not know if they include a timeline with it still, and if they do, if they kept it as it was for posterity or made updates.

Transcribed below!

A TIMELINE FOR THE WARHAMMER 40,000 UNIVERSE

15th Millennium - Humanity begins to colonise nearby solar systems using conventional sub-light spacecraft. At first, progress is painfully slow. Separated from Terra by up to ten generations in travel time, the new colonies have to survive mainly on local resources.

The Dark Age of Technology

20th Millennium - Discovery of warp drives accelerates the colonisation process and the early independent or corporate colonies become federated to Terra. The first alien races (including the ubiquitous Orks) are encountered. The development of the Navigator gene allows human pilots to make longer and faster 'jumps' through warp space than was previously thought possible. The great Navigator families, initially controlled by industrial and trading cartels, become a power base in their own right.

Humanity continues to explore and colonise the galaxy. Contacts are established with the Eldar and other alien races. A golden age of scientific achievement begins. Perfection of the Standard Template Construct (STC) system now permits an almost explosive expansion to the stars.

The Age of Strife

25th Millennium - Humanity reaches the far edges of the galaxy, completing the push to the stars begun over ten thousand years before. Human civilisation is now widely dispersed and divergent - with countless small colonies as well as many large, overpopulated planets. Localised wars and disputes with various alien races (especially the Orks!) continue, but pose no threat to the overall stability of human-colonised space. Then, two things happen almost simultaneously. First, humans with psychic powers begin to appear on almost every colonised world. Second, civilisation starts to disintegrate under the stress of widespread insanity, demonic possession, and internecine strife between these new 'psykers' and the rest of humanity. Countless fanatical cults and organisations spring up to persecute the psykers as witches, and/or degenerate mutants. At this time, the existence of the creatures of the warp (later known and feared as demons), and the dangers they pose to the human mind with newly awakened psychic powers, is far from understood.

Terrible wars tear human civilisation apart. Localised empires and factions fight amongst themselves as well as against fleets of Orks, Tyrannids [sic], and other aliens whose forces are quick to seize the opportunity to sack human space. Many worlds fall prey to the dominance of Warp Creatures whilst others revert to barbarism. Humans survive only on those worlds where psykers are suppressed or controlled. During this time, Terra is cut off from the rest of humanity by terrible warp storms, which isolate the home world for several thousand years, further accelerating the ruin of humanity.

The Horus Heresy

30th Millennium - Humanity itself teeters on the brink of the abyss of extinction. Civil war erupts throughout the galaxy as the Emperor of human space is betrayed by his most trusted lieutenant, the Warmaster Horus. Possessed by a demon from the warp, Horus seduces whole chapters of humanity's greatest warriors - the Space Marines - into joining his cause. When the final battle seems lost, the Emperor defeats Horus in single combat, but only at the cost of his own humanity.

His physical life maintained by artificial means, and his psyche by human sacrifice, the Emperor begins the long task of reconquering human space. With the creation by the Emperor of the psychic navigational beacon known as the Astronomican, the foundations are laid for the building of the Imperium, as it to be known in the 41st millennium. Fuelled by the dying spirits of those psykers who would otherwise fall prey to the demons of the warp, and directed by the Emperor's indomitable will, the Astronomican soon becomes an invaluable aid to Navigators throughout the galaxy. Interstellar travel becomes even easier and quicker, while the repression and control of psykers and creatures from the warp releases much of humanity from its hellish bondage.

The Age of the Imperium

41st Millennium - Throughout the portion of the galaxy known as the Imperium, humanity is bound within the organisations and strictures of the Administratum. The Emperor grows ever more detached from the day to day concerns of his mortal subjects, while the Inquisition works ceaselessly to protect humanity from the ever-present dangers posed by renegade psykers and the terrible creatures inhabiting warp space. The armies of the Imperium - the Guard and the almost superhuman Space Marines - maintain a constant vigil against the threat of invading Orks, Tyrannids [sic] and other aliens. But still the number of psykers increases steadily, and other more sinister groups associated with Warp Creature domination continue to gain ground...

[seoparekh]

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You will need vital services and support from the moment you decide on your travel. It is necessary that you keep essential information on hand and plan accordingly. And that’s where the company will offer you a bouquet of services for your pre and post trip including travel planning, account management, visa & passport, and MIS reporting. 

Premium Travel Services

All you need for a corporate travel is well timed information, crucial support during trips, emergency alerts, faster implementation and round the clock service. The company will offer worldwide business travel management services to corporate clients and that’s where Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals have introduced Asia Pacific (APAC) & Middle East & Africa (MEA) Hub services along with 24 X 7 service and VIP services in order to support their domestic and international corporate clients.

Business Travel MiCE

Lufthansa City Center Travels & Rentals has also made its mark with their global travel agency network with the support of which they can organize a business conference, incentive tour, meeting or an event at your favourite hotels or preferred destinations. Being a leading MiCE expert of India, they have a huge supplier contact base with best of the corporate travel packages and massive scope for money savings.

Some essential questions related to business travel 

What is important when organizing business travel?

While organizing business travel, it is essential to put top priorities on latest travel information, comfortable travel and safety of the business travelers. Lot of factors taken together make a successful business travel management program. These are -

Strong supplier relations

Expertise in corporate account management

Seamless travel planning

Easy travel booking platform

24 X 7 emergency travel service

Accurate documentation process and

In-depth analysis and reports

What are the benefits of business travel management services?

The benefits of business travel management services are multifarious. An expert business travel management company will always facilitate with prompt services and news on destinations and travel. The travel management company can also offer alternate options to your travel route and plan based on requirements. More than that they can offer the followings for better travel experience.

Better fares and special deals

Choice of airlines, hotels and road transport

Cost savings

Round the clock travel support

Guidance on travel plan with travel policy compliance

What are business travel risks?

Business travel risks can be defined as unforeseen circumstances that a business traveler experiences in travel. The travel risks may be categorized in several ways as follows.

Loss of travel documents – One of the common risks is misplacing the travel documents or getting stolen. This can lead to unnecessary delay and lot of stress in your business travel.

Abrupt changes in travel – Your travel plan may change suddenly which can lead to early departure, sustained stay in the destination and/or relocation. This can impact on your travel budget, documentation process and other allied activities.

Disruption in destination – There can be a sudden pandemic outbreak, roadblock or a terrorist attack in the region which may lead to lot of confusion and delay.

Health issues – There is a high chance that your business traveler may fall sick due to climate and weather change, food, accident or any other issues in the destination. It is better to have a contingency plan ready.

Local laws – Business travelers must have a clear knowledge and understanding of the local laws of the destination they are travelling to. There can be hundreds of stuffs that are forbidden in that destination, and you may land into a big trouble while doing them.

The best way to tackle all the above issues is to contact your travel management company who will guide you with all the necessary steps that you need to perform to overcome the situation. That’s the reason it is highly essential to choose a travel management company that has a 24-hour-emergency service.

What is travel management process?

In simple words, corporate travel management is a process of strategizing end-to-end travel plan in a cost-effective manner supported by travel analytics and data.

How does corporate travel management work?

Corporate travel management works in a systematic manner. It combines the activities of travel booking with special rates, travel policy adherence and supporting the business travelers with Duty of Care facilities.

[travelsbackoffice]

Efficient Business Travel Management: Strategies for Success

Unlock the potential of your Business Travel Management with our comprehensive management solutions. From itinerary planning to expense tracking, we streamline every aspect, ensuring cost-efficiency and traveler satisfaction.

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Military Industrial Complex

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

Summary report of Terran Republic

Homeworld: Terra. Alias: Earth

Territory: 23 Planets 16 Star Systems 54 Orbital Stations 267 Asteroid Mining Operations

Population: 20.9 Billion

Military Threat Level: Red

Technological Level: Yellow

Personal Log from observer Nul Yand

“On the surface the Terran Republic should not even exist.

Their technological level is far below their neighbors such as the Olon Alliance or the Fenrar Empire.

They barely have the means to travel between their worlds and even then it requires months when the previously mentioned governing bodies can do it in days.

The one quality these humans have that has kept them alive for so long is the scope of their military; or more accurately their military industrial complex.

One could be forgiven for equating the two to be one in the same, but the distinction is made quite obvious when dealing with humans.

Their military operates under three branches known as the Fleet, the Army, and the Home Guard.

 The fleet maintains the various orbital and suborbital craft almost completely. This ranges from the kilometer long Kepper Warships to atmospheric attack craft and is the primary partner for the second branch as a means to travel between worlds.

The army is made up of ground forces ranging from standard infantry to heavy mobile assault tanks. During times of war they are the spear tip and conduct numerous covert operations against human aggressors. When these operations are not enough the ground forces are then deployed which conduct full scale planetary invasions or man the numerous defensive forts dotted throughout their territory.

The final branch is the least militaristic of the three but serves a crucial role nonetheless. Home Guard serves as the eyes and ears within the human domain as a sudo military surveillance force. They enforce the laws while also rooting out enemies to said laws such as common gang members to spy’s and collaborators.

All three of these organizations are supplied through what is known as the human Military Industrial Complex.

The MIC is not a single entity but a collection of private corporations, weapon manufacturers, scientific committees, political lobbyists, and countless other unnamed groups who have saw fit not to make themselves known. 

They provide the human military with a near endless supply of weaponry, ammunition, vehicles, ships, and more ensuring that at no time are their forces underequipped.

Research divisions conduct numerous lines of inquiry which include biological and advanced robotics. This has resulted in the military having a wide variety of advanced war machines such as the attack bot 5000, and the UAV dubbed “Seekers” which are capable of tracking down individual targets across an entire planet.

 The biological division has made several advances in medical technology which have equally contributed with the production of Healing Pods which can induce accelerated healing process for even the most injured soldier. On the more questionable front they have also created several strains of lethal viruses to be used against enemy combatants. Rumor is that the Red Vein Plague was one such concoction when the war against the Tumari began taking a turn for the worse against humanity.

With this vast network of resources, the Terran military has been able to adapt to nearly any situation it has faced allowing it to survive even against impossible odds.

When the vast fleet of organic Milnani ships invaded human borders it was expect the human fleets would be wiped out within the first week. The first few engagements resulted in losses, but by the third engagement the humans had deployed new boring missiles that chewed through the thick hide of Milnani ships and dispersed a lethal toxic into the ships bloodstream. Within minutes the ships were violently convulsing as entire portions were torn open from muscle spasms, exposing the passengers to the cold void of space.

When the Tucmal used their advanced weaponry advantage to conquer an outlying colony, the human military dispatched a covert strike team to capture one of the weapon platforms and return it to a research lab on Omega VI. A month later effective shields had been deployed to counteract Tucmal weaponry rendering it useless. A week later the first phase plasma canons were being deployed that could burn through Tucmal armor protecting weapon platforms

When a War Sphere was deployed to obliterate the human homeworld a relay station was deployed to follow it just outside of weapons range. A cryptology team intercepted all incoming transmissions and was able to decipher the communications from the war sphere back to whoever was controlling it thanks to a recently acquired quantum gen III computer and over two dozen alien speakers who had been “invited” to a private facility. The team was able to interject into the transmissions and send a new command to turn around, return to its point of origin, and destroy the planet it came from. They then ordered it to turn off its transmission center so the human command could not be countermanded. In short order the war sphere followed its new directive and returned to its point of origin somewhere in the Ocares Sector.

This shadowy collective has been a backbone of human survival and though many have sought to remove this bountiful source of progress none have been able to completely destroy the MIC. Research groups have been tracked down and their teams wiped out to the man only for another group to take up the notes half a sector away. Factories and facilities obliterated in orbital bombardments were relocated to space stations orbiting no stars in the space between systems off all charts and maps.

It was deemed that only an overwhelming force of unprecedented vastness striking all at once would be sufficient to deal a crippling blow to the MIC. This in of itself however has proved a problem as to gather such a force would almost immediately be noticed and countered before it could even be put into motion.

My recommendation would be to isolate humanity and avoid combat as much as possible.

If conflict is inevitable then it must be prevalent that all significant technology not fall into their hands lest it be deconstructed and used against us.

Only then do we have a slight chance of victory."