#Domestic Resource Mobilization

[socialjusticeday]

3rd Meeting, Social Forum 2024.

The Social Forum 2024 focuses on the contribution of financing for development to the advancement of all Human Rights for all.

10h00-10h45       Roundtable: Debt and Debt Sustainability

     Moderator:  Ms. Sakshi Rai, Sustainable Development Section, OHCHR

Mr. Ugo Panizza, Professor of Economics and Head of Department and Pictet Chair in Finance and Development, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Foreign Debt and Development Finance

Mr. Grieve Chelwa, Associate Professor of Political Economy, Chair of Social Sciences, The Africa Institute / African Sovereign Debt Justice Network, Global Studies University, Debt Restructuring - The Experience of Zambia

Mr. Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, Senior Researcher, National and Technical Research Council, Argentina and Consultant for the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), OHCHR and UNDP, Why and How Human Rights in Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA)

Ms. Iolanda Fresnillo, Policy and Advocacy Manager for Debt Justice, Eurodad, Climate Change and Debt Sustainability Analysis

Ms. Penelope Hawkins, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, Debt and Development Finance Branch, UNCTAD, Debt and Fiscal Space for Human Rights and Sustainable Development

10h45-11h30     Interactive dialogue

11h30-12h15       Domestic Resource Mobilization

Moderator: Mr. Serges Kamga, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, South Africa

H.E. Mr. Sharaf Sheralizoda, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Domestic Resource Mobilization and Investment for Sustainable Development

Ms. Chenai Mukumba, Executive Director, Tax Justice Network Africa, Tax Justice

Mr. Abdul Muheet Chowdhary / Tax Initiative, South Centre, Geneva, Lessons Learned and Good Practices – In the Experience of the South Centre Tax Initiative

Mr. Gerard Kamga, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, South Africa, Illicit Financial Flows from Africa and the Financing of Development

Ms. Anu Peltola, Director of Statistics, UNCTAD, Tracking and Measuring Illicit Financial Flows for Domestic Resource Mobilization and the Realization of Human Rights

12h15-13h00       Interactive Dialogue

Watch the 3rd Meeting, Social Forum 2024

[southsouthcooperationday]

(5th meeting) First Session Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

2. cont.'

(b) substantive elements - Discussion of some possible topics for high-level commitments, including: - domestic resource mobilization and capacity building - effective taxation of high-net worth individuals, including wealth taxation; - ensuring that tax measures contribute to addressing environmental challenges.

Related Sites and Documents

Ad Hoc Committee Website

Programme of Work

Watch the (5th meeting) First Session Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

[mapecl-stories]

[ot3]

If you genuinely believe it is acceptable to join the us military because you're desperate or you don't know any better then you are prioritizing the right of an American citizen to be ignorant and self interested over non-americans right to live. Yeah I understand people have to make certain difficult choices if they're poor! But you have to draw a moral line about what you would or would not do to improve your own economic status at some point. The place I draw that line is at joining the united states military and if that's not where your line is drawn then you either don't know enough about what this country has done and should really look into it, or you're too racist for harm committed outside of this nations borders to impact your decision making.

Talking about how "vulnerable" the people who join the military are is something that can only hold any weight if your frame of reference for vulnerability begins and ends within the borders of the united states. Even the absolute least privileged US citizen reaps imperial benefits that are completely out of grasp of most people on the planet. Being ignorant of the crimes the us military has committed is the privilege of someone who has never been victimized by them. Being in a position where you have the option to economically benefit from participating in the military occupation of foreign countries, participating in any step of that apparatus at all, is arguably one of most the definitive and egregious manifestations of colonial privilege that the average american has access to.

Meanwhile, the people in many of these formerly colonized and/or currently occupied countries have had their economic opportunities gutted. The upward mobility you all seem to think justifies any amount of service to the empire is not even an option for them. Cobalt, coffee, rubber, chocolate, bananas, sweatshop, chemical plants, all of their labor and natural resources being siphoned off to boost our economy, funnel money into our military, which is then used to continue massacring them and collapsing their governments if they dare to try and improve domestic conditions. God forbid they own their own water and land! And God forbid they try to come here either because we all know how that works out!

I don't know how else to say it. I am begging you to consider these people as being as fully human as you are. If you wouldn't justify murdering your neighbor for college tuitionyou shouldn't justify joining the army for it either. The bare, bare, rock bottom minimum of allyship against colonialism is not joining the army and not justifying anyone else's decision to do so either. I'm not trying to moralize. I'm not trying to grandstand. This is a fully earnest plea to please consider the wellbeing of the people victimized by imperialism, not just the ones carrying it out, coerced or otherwise. There are plenty of moral gray areas in life but this is not one of them if you consider the lives of people in the global South to be valuable.

[dressed2k1ll]

Book review: Goddesses, Whores, Wives & Slaves by Sarah B Pomeroy (1975)

10/10

This was impossible to put down. A fascinating and vibrant history of Ancient Greek and Roman Women: from all walks of life, using just about every resource available within art and archaeology and anthropology.

It’s also also very very well researched and informative with a HUGE bibliography and a great index and lots of notes for the nerdy (aka me) who has already highlighted the next set of books to chew on.

Overall she argues (and does so persuasively with a great deal of thought and objectivity) that Roman women seemed to have enjoyed a higher quality of life than the Ancient Greek women because of generally (especially in upper class households) having a more public-facing life, being slightly more protected by the pater familias model of the Roman household, and having slightly more social mobility.

However a shout out goes to the Amazons and their social model for living 🏹🏹🏹

If you’re curious about the roles of women in varying Hellenistic and classical contexts, this is a must-read.

Her final words are so interesting and prescient too: “Serious intellectual thought about women continued: Stoicism, the most popular of the Hellenistic and Roman philosophies, directed women’s energies to marriage and motherhood. The argumentation is brilliant and difficult to refute. And this rationalized confinement of women to the domestic sphere, as well as the systemization of anti-female thought by poets and philosophers, are two of the most devastating creations in the classical legacy” 😢💔

Also, if you’re upset by reading about things like sexual slavery and infanticide, it might not be the book for you.

Overall, it’s staying in my collection and I’ll definitely be referring to it again.

[metamatar]

One of the world’s top arms exporters, Israel exports annually as much as $7 billion worth of military technology, or 2.2 percent of its Gross Domestic Product. An additional 1.35 percent of GDP is dedicated to military research and development, and 6.7 percent is spent on its defense budget— the world’s second largest military budget as a percentage of GDP after Saudi Arabia. All told, 10.25 percent of the Israeli economy is involved directly in arms. Comparatively, for the United States, the world’s top weapons exporter, arms account for around 3.7 percent of its economy. Israel is actually the world’s largest arms supplier per capita, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and the World Bank, at ninety-eight dollars; it is followed by a distant Russia at fifty-eight dollars, and Sweden at fifty-three dollars.

These figures do not include the contribution from natural resources exploited under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.50 They do not factor in the service sector’s revenue or general industry and construction taking place in the West Bank. Such figures are difficult to quantify, since many companies operate in the West Bank but have offices in Tel Aviv to obscure where operations take place. Nor does this account for Israeli exports into the Occupied Territories, which are 72 percent of Palestinian imports and 0.16 percent of Israeli GDP. All told, the Israeli economy is deeply involved in a web of expenditure and profit around the ongoing occupation and expansion of settlements.

American military aid supplanting open-ended government grants has had the effect of increasing arms production and diminishing the overall economic reach of the state. No longer is foreign aid and imperialist incentive directly invested in the working class. Israeli workers are now rewarded through the arms economy. This is why, despite the lack of social mobility and the economic degradation of neoliberalism, the working class remains committed as ever to Zionism.

The working class has become dependent on the education, housing, and career opportunities that their participation in the IDF affords them. They have found routes for advancement in the military-fueled high-tech industry, with over 9 percent of workers concentrated in high-tech. And as pensions and real wages are eroded, the cheaper cost of settlement living in the Occupied Territories has become essential.

[ghelgheli]

To understand the full context of the American-led ‘53 coup against Mosaddegh in Iran it is imo critical to recognize anti-communism as a proximate cause. Write-up below:

It is commonly understood that the early decades of the 20th century in Iran are characterized by British colonial extortion of material resources (mostly oil) within the boundaries of “Persia” (pre-1935) / “Iran” (post). The penultimate monarchical dynasty, the Qajars, were ousted in 1925—but the exile of the last Qajar Ahmad Shah was the direct result of the 1921 military coup led by then-Reza Khan (later the first “Pahlavi”, Reza Shah) which was directed by Britain. And at this time, British anxieties heavily featured concerns about Bolshevik encroachment from the Caucuses (not just through the newly-formed Azerbaijan SSR, but also through domestic sympathizers that fueled such projects as large as the transient Persian SSR, put down by Reza Khan after Soviet withdrawal).

This is stage-setting. Of course, by the 50s, in tandem with Cold War thread-pulling, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company constituted a thirsty tentacle of British imperialism sucking Abadan dry and contributing pittances to the local economy. It was in the midst of decades of growing resentment against this presence that Mosaddegh became Prime Minister in 1951 as the leader of the broad National Front coalition, and we are familiar with how intensely he campaigned for nationalizing the country’s oil and how pissy this made the British (here’s one and another post on the subject if not).

Here’s the detour: you may know that it was the CIA, an American institution, that orchestrated the ‘53 coup to oust Mosaddegh. But we were just now discussing threats against British colonial power in Iran. How did things get from B to A, as it were? We can’t take this for granted.

The British in fact spent the intervening two years trying to get Mosaddegh out by mobilizing the Shah and various right-wing (often clerical and mercantile) interests in Iran (this point, and much of what follows, draws from bits of Darioush Bayandor’s Iran and the CIA and Mostafa Elm’s Oil, Power, and Principle). They spent the same two years desperately trying to get the Americans on board with their efforts. But—here it is—the Truman regime and American foreign policy was in general intensely hostile to this strain of British interventionism in Iran, going so far as to issue warnings against it.

Why? Well, as you would expect, the Americans were concerned about Soviet influence in the region. Then-U.S ambassador in Tehran Henry Grady claimed that “Mosaddegh’s National Front party is the closest thing to a moderate and stable element in the national parliament” (Wall Street Journal, June 9 1951). This summarizes the American position at the time: Mosaddegh’s nationalist movement constituted the bastion against communism, and the US was very interested in the survival of this bastion lest Iran align with the USSR. 

What happened between 1951 and 1953 is that British pressure, operating through the Shah and more conservative elements of the Iranian government, jeopardized moderate support for Mosaddegh. With the right and center-right against him an entire wing of National Front coalition was falling off, and Mosaddegh found himself leaning more and more on the strengthening Tudeh Party, which had grown in numbers to militaristic significance during Mosaddegh’s tenure (including a network of at least 600 officers in the state military). Tudeh, of course, was the pro-Soviet communist party in Iran. And now the threads come together.

It was in this context of Mosaddegh, backed into a corner with almost only the communists behind him, that the CIA released a memo on November 20th, 1952 singing a very different tune:

It is of critical importance to the United States that Iran remain an independent and sovereign nation, not dominated by the USSR...

Present trends in Iran are unfavorable to the maintenance of control by a non-communist regime for an extended period of time. In wresting the political initiative from the Shah, the landlords, and other traditional holders of power, the National Front politicians now in power have at least temporarily eliminated every alternative to their own rule except the Communist Tudeh Party...

It is clear that the United Kingdom no longer possesses the capability unilaterally to assure stability in the area. If present trends continue unchecked, Iran could be effectively lost to the free world in advance of an actual Communist takeover of the Iranian Government. Failure to arrest present trends in Iran involves a serious risk to the national security of the United States.

And (!!!)

In light of the present situation the United States should adopt and pursue the following policies:...

Be prepared to take the necessary measures to help Iran to start up her oil industry and to secure markets for her oil so that Iran may benefit from substantial oil reserves...

Recognize the strength of Iranian nationalist feeling; try to direct it into constructive channels and be ready to exploit any opportunity to do so

It took two tries for the CIA to bring about a coup that removed Mosaddegh from power, but the objective of this coup was not the preservation of British control over Iranian resources; it was the maintenance of the Western sphere of influence against communist revolution (this was further prioritized by the arrival of the Eisenhower administration). In fact, after the coup the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now renamed British Petroleum) had to make room for six other companies from the US, France, and the Netherlands as part of a consortium, and this consortium would split profits with Iran 50/50. This is, to be clear, still colonialist extraction! But it constitutes a huge blow to British economic interests, because they were never the CIA’s goal. This is part of why the post-coup government is characterized far more as a US puppet than a British one.

It does remain that this was a sequence of events very much set in motion because of actions taken by the British government; by the time they managed to get shit to hit the fan, though, it was very much no longer in their control where the shit was flying.

[sprucebark]

All about Piggies! (Mobile edition!)

The Entelodont are hypothesized to be the predecessor to all of the pig-types in the Minecraft universe. The Entelodont are based off the Entelodontidae, which were a real thing in this world! (Wikipedia link)

Not much is known about the Sarolin other than they are a race that evolved underground. They evolved large ears and a disadvantage to seeing in the dark, resorting to echolocation similarly to bats. It is theorized that the Sculk drove them out of the Ancient Cities like a plague, though there is currently nothing to prove this. It has been presumed the Sarolin created the Wardens, while others have theorized the Sarolin have turned into Wardens, or that Wardens evolved separately to protect the Sculk. The Sarolin were thought to be completely extinct prior to the discovery of Kheroc. It is currently unknown how Kheroc has lived for supposedly thousands of years, nor is it clear if the Sarolin have always looked like this or if this is unique to her.

The Eirlin are speculative, as no pig species within the End have formed their own civilizations.

Tusklins are from Alex’s Mobs.

Enderbara are technically from the Habitable End Mod - though we conceptualized lore with @leaf4e for new design, which they textured (As seen below). The Enderbara and Enderwarthogs evolved separately from Endermen taking Pigs to the End and interspecies hybridization eventually resulting in the two.

Enderbara have shells to protect from projectiles and predators, heavy rock-like shelling on their feet to keep them from floating away in the low gravity of the End, and multiple eyes to help them detect predators and see in the darkness of the End.

Enderwarthogs are from AdventureZ.

Boarlins and their many variants - Illagers, Zombie Boarlins, Ravagers, Iron Constructs, etc - come from the Village of Pigs resource pack.

Phygs (left) and Taegore (right) are from the Aether mod[s].

It was previously speculated that there was some sort of cataclysmic event in the Overworld. This cataclysm caused some Pigs to turn into Creepers. In search of trying to solve this event, Boarlins unintentionally created an undead virus - in turn creating Skeletons and Zombies.

Many Boarlins went to the Nether in search for a cure to the virus, unintentionally spreading it there. Their travels brought many resources with them, including various animals and building material in hopes of long-term residence and research. Among these animals, Pigs lasted the longest due to being omnivores. These domesticated pigs evolved into Hoglins over time. These travelers no longer saw the point in returning to the overworld due to both dimensions having the virus and the Nether being deemed the safer of the two, and eventually evolved into Piglins.

This information has now been updated upon further research:

The Blight is a microorganism that comes from the Aether after the Sun Spirit was killed, returning Night to the Aether. It rapidly infects its host and spreads to their offspring, resulting in a sped up evolution process toward violent tendencies. The Blight, however, is weak to Sunlight exposure, and will kill its host when exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

When the Blight spread throughout the Aether upon the Sun Spirit's death, it was brought into the Overworld - rapidly spreading and evolving. The Blight is ultimately the cause for the evolution of Creepers, as well as: Zombies, Husks, Drowned, Skeletons, Strays, Bogged, Zoglins, Zombified Boarlins, Zombified Piglins, and is partially responsible for the creation of Wither Skeletons.

Whilst the Boarlins in the overworld discovered a temporary cure for the Blight with Golden Apples and Weakness potions, the Piglins were less successful. It is speculated their attempts at curing their Zombified brethren resulted in the Wither Skeletons as the Blight evolved and mutated, and in turn the Wither.

[theambitiouswoman]

How To Get Started Investing In The Stock Market

Educate yourself: Before investing in the stock market, it's important to educate yourself about the basics of investing, including the different types of investments, the risks involved, and how to build a diversified portfolio. There are many resources available, including books, online courses, and investment blogs.

Determine your investment goals: It's important to have clear investment goals before investing in the stock market. Are you investing for retirement, a down payment on a house, or to generate passive income? Your investment goals will help determine the types of investments that are appropriate for you.

Open a brokerage account: To invest in the stock market, you'll need to open a brokerage account with a reputable brokerage firm. Some popular options include Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, and Charles Schwab. When choosing a brokerage firm, consider factors such as fees, investment options, and customer service.

Build a diversified portfolio: Diversification is key to successful investing. By investing in a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets, you can reduce your risk and increase your chances of long-term success. Consider investing in a mix of large-cap and small-cap stocks, domestic and international investments, and bonds with varying maturities.

Start investing: Once you have a brokerage account and have determined your investment strategy, it's time to start investing. Consider starting with a small amount of money and gradually increasing your investments over time.

WAYS TO INVEST

There are several ways to invest in the stock market, including:

Individual Stocks: This involves buying shares of individual companies on the stock market. You can buy shares through a broker or an online trading platform.

Mutual Funds: Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors and invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks. This allows you to invest in a variety of companies with a single investment.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): ETFs are similar to mutual funds, but they trade like individual stocks on an exchange. This allows you to buy and sell ETFs throughout the trading day.

Index Funds: Index funds track the performance of a specific index, such as the S&P 500. This provides exposure to a broad range of companies and can be a good option for long-term investors.

TOOLS TO START INVESTING

Online Trading Platforms: Many brokers offer online trading platforms that allow you to buy and sell stocks and funds. These platforms typically provide research tools and stock charts to help you make informed investment decisions.

Robo-Advisors: Robo-advisors are digital platforms that use algorithms to create and manage investment portfolios for you. They can be a good option for beginner investors who want a hands-off approach.

Investment Apps: There are several investment apps available that allow you to buy and sell stocks and funds from your mobile device. These apps are often designed for beginner investors and offer low fees and user-friendly interfaces.

PLATFORMS

A few popular options:

Robinhood: Robinhood is a commission-free trading app that offers stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency trading. It’s designed for beginner investors and offers a user-friendly interface.

Acorns: Acorns is an investment app that automatically invests your spare change. It rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference in a diversified portfolio of ETFs.

TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade is a popular trading platform that offers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, and forex trading. It offers a variety of trading tools and research resources.

ETRADE: ETRADE is a popular online broker that offers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, and futures trading. It offers a variety of trading tools and resources, including a mobile app.

Fidelity: Fidelity is a full-service broker that offers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, and futures trading. It offers a variety of investment tools and research resources, including a mobile app.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Value Investing: Value investing involves buying stocks that are undervalued by the market and holding them for the long term. This approach requires patience and a thorough analysis of a company’s financial statements and growth potential.

Growth Investing: Growth investing involves buying stocks in companies that are expected to grow faster than the market average. This approach often involves investing in companies that are at the cutting edge of technology or have innovative business models.

Dividend Investing: Dividend investing involves buying stocks in companies that pay a dividend. This can provide a steady stream of income for investors and can be a good option for those looking for more conservative investments.

Passive Investing: Passive investing involves investing in a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds or ETFs. This approach is designed to match the performance of the overall market and requires minimal effort on the part of the investor.

Real Estate Investing: Real estate investing involves buying and holding real estate assets for the purpose of generating income or appreciation. This can include investing in rental properties, real estate investment trusts (REITs), or crowdfunding platforms.

Options trading: is a type of trading strategy that involves buying and selling options contracts, which are financial instruments that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset, such as stocks, at a specific price within a certain time frame. Options trading can be used to generate income, hedge against risk, or speculate on market movements.

Swing trading is a type of trading strategy that aims to capture short- to medium-term gains in a financial asset, such as stocks, currencies, or commodities. Swing traders typically hold their positions for a few days to several weeks, taking advantage of price swings or "swings" in the market. Swing traders use technical analysis to identify trends and patterns in the market, and they often employ a combination of charting tools and indicators to help them make trading decisions. They look for stocks or other assets that have a clear trend, either up or down, and then try to enter and exit positions at opportune times to capture profits.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS TOOLS

There are many technical analysis resources available for traders to use in their analysis of financial markets. Here are some popular options:

TradingView: TradingView is a web-based charting and technical analysis platform that provides users with real-time data, customizable charts, and a variety of technical indicators and drawing tools.

StockCharts: StockCharts is another web-based platform that provides a wide range of technical analysis tools, including charting capabilities, technical indicators, and scanning tools to help traders identify potential trading opportunities.

Thinkorswim: Thinkorswim is a trading platform provided by TD Ameritrade that offers advanced charting and technical analysis tools, as well as a wide range of other features for traders, including paper trading, news and research, and risk management tools.

MetaTrader 4/5: MetaTrader is a popular trading platform used by many traders around the world. It provides a range of technical analysis tools, including customizable charts, indicators, and automated trading strategies.

Investing.com: Investing.com is a website that provides real-time quotes, charts, news, and analysis for a wide range of financial markets, including stocks, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

Yahoo Finance: Yahoo Finance is a website that provides real-time stock quotes, news, and analysis, as well as customizable charts and a variety of other tools for traders and investors.

Finviz: is a popular web-based platform for traders and investors that provides a wide range of tools and information to help them analyze financial markets. The platform offers real-time quotes, customizable charts, news and analysis, and a variety of other features.

[fraterribilis]

The taxonomy of Sly Cooper: Part 1

In which I will be using my higher than average knowledge of zoology to attempt to accurately identify the specific animal species of various characters in the Sly Cooper franchise, sharing some interesting facts about them along the way.

I'll start with the four most prominent characters; Sly, Bentley, Murray and Carmelita. If people are interested I'll be making similar posts for the other characters.

WARNING: I will be unleashing my inner Animal Kid™ in this post. Verbose language and casual dropping of scientific names abound

Starting off with Sly himself, I like to believe that he is a crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus). This quirky little carnivoran is found throughout South America and parts of Central America. Despite its name, it has a varied diet including crustaceans, fish, small turtles (watch out Bentley), fruits and nuts.

As opposed to the common raccoon (Procyon lotor), which can be a bit of a chubby little furball, the crab-eating raccoon has shorter and sleeker fur, and its slender proportions makes it an even better climber than its northern cousin. All of this makes it a perfect fit for Sly in my opinion. Also, its jaws are more defined and powerful than those of common raccoons, which i think is very appropriate for Sly's dashingly chiseled jawline.

Bentley was a little bit tricky to identify, as he seems to be a rather generic looking turtle. However, a closer inspection of his shell reveals his kinship.

This rather flat, ring-marked shell has led me to conclude that he must be a diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin).

Like Bentley, diamondback terrapins are very resourceful animals, being able to survive in both fresh and saltwater habitats, where they priamrily feed on insects, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They can be found in brackish marshes and mangrove forests thoughout the east coast of North America. The beautiful diamond-like markings on their shells are unique for every individual. Some people believe that the markings indicate the turtles age, like growth rings on a tree.

I have seen others identify Bentley as a box turtle, which I don't get at all. Box turtles are distinquished by their bulky BOX-shaped shells. The diamondback on the other hand has a flatter, more streamlined shell, which makes it very mobile in the water. Though, I guess this makes it all the more ironic that none of the core members of the Cooper gang know how to swim, despite all of them being based on semi-aquatic animals, but I digress.

Speaking of semi-aquatic, I firmly believe that Murray is a pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). Not just because I have an affinity for these animals, but I can back this up by examining Murray's design and characterization.

Murray has a very stocky and robust body (friend-shaped), with a relatively short compact snout, not unlike the pygmy hippo. This is in stark contrast to the common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) which has a very large ungainly (and less "cute"-looking) head in proportion to its body.

I think the main reason that Murray's design in the unfinished Sly-movie was so unappealing, is that they based his proportions too much on those of a "realistic" common hippo.

Anyways, pygmy hippos can be found in scattered populations across forests along the west coast of Africa, where they feed on broad-leafed plants and fallen fruits. They are extremely rare and endangered due to habitat loss and the bush-meat trade.

Unlike the infamously aggressive common hippo, the pygmy hippo is a rather docile and shy animal, whose first instinct when threatened will typically be to run away and hide (not unlike Murray in the first game) though it can defend itself with its powerful jaws. True to its name, the pygmy hippo is less than a quarter of the size of its larger relative, with the biggest specimens weighing in at about 600 pounds (which is lighter than some domestic pigs).

Moving on to Carmelita, there's no getting around the fact that she is supposed to be a red fox (Vulpes Vulpes), what with her strikingly orange fur colour and long bushy tail. The red fox needs no introduction, being one of the most succesful and abundant carnivorans on earth (besides domestic dogs and cats), with a range covering basically the entire northern hemisphere (aside from the Arctic), along with a worryingly invasive population in Australia.

Even though Carmelita is often characterized as a spicy latina, (being inspired by latina actresses such as Selma Hayek and Jessica Alba) Latin America is one of the few places on earth not inhabited by red foxes. These areas of course have their own native fox species. I considered the possibility that she could qualify for being a gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), a kit fox (Vulpes macrotis), or even a culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus), but the thing that really cements her as being a red fox is her jumping ability.

Red foxes are able to jump up to 2 meters into the air, which is four times their shoulder height of about 50 cm. This would be the equivalent of a 6-foot person jumping 24 feet in the air, which feels appropriate given some of the insane feats of athleticism we've seen Carmelita pull off throughout the series.

[nenelonomh]

human resource management pt.2

i've begun posting my notes in tumblr post format to revise for my exam tomorrow (this was written on 27-05-24, i'm probably going to schedule though to avoid spamming). here's the second hrm topics post!

part 1 | part 3 | part 4

in the last post, we looked at demographic change, employee welfare, and flexi-time. this time we will focus on the gig economy and immigration.

the gig economy is characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. for example, freelance, delivery drivers, taxi services, contract services, and other flexible work opportunities. a huge example of this is uber - which is an app that offers various 'rides' to assist people to reach their destinations.

businesses can use gig workers by hiring them as independent contractors, in the place of full-time employees. this is a cheaper alternative for the business, as it saves on employee benefits and rids the need for training employees.

however, gig work limits workers' potential for career development, lacks job security and secure income, and the worker misses out on employee benefits.

compliance with labour laws and regulations can be complex when managing gig workers. companies must understand legal requirements and adapt their hrm policies to address gig workforce management.

immigration refers to the action of moving to live in a different location with intentions to stay in the area. this is not the same as labour mobility, since immigration is the movement of people for non-work-related reasons.

one advantage of immigration on businesses includes the filling of job positions that domestic workers cannot be placed in. also, the company may benefit from new points of view - and gain a niche marketing opportunity.

negatives of this topic are that migrant workers may be unfamiliar with federal laws and regulations, and the workers may be more unproductive than the local employees. therefore, a business may need to invest more time into the foreign employee.

///

again, hope this post was fun to read! it's definitely more fun to post than read over my notes.

❤️ nene

image source: pinterest

[mapecl-stories]

Above the Clouds of Hope

"Mrs. Magnusen speaking, how can I assist you?" Mrs. Magnusen said into the receiver, listening to Lena's desperate voice.

Lena, with a trembling voice: "Please, help me! I'm in a terrible situation. My partner is becoming increasingly violent, and I don't know what to do anymore."

Mrs. Magnusen, empathetic: "Don't worry, Lena. I will do everything in my power to help you. First, we need to ensure you are safe. Do you already have a plan on how to separate from your partner?"

Lena, sobbing: "I'm scared to leave him. He's threatened to kill me if I go."

Mrs. Magnusen, determined: "This is a very difficult situation, and I understand your fears. But you are not alone. Together, we will find a way for you to protect yourself. I will connect you with a women's shelter near you, where you will be safe from your violent partner."

Lena, relieved: "Thank you so much, Mrs. Magnusen. I don't know how to thank you enough."

Mrs. Magnusen, encouraging: "Don't think about it, Lena. It's my duty and my passion to help women in your position. No one should have to endure violence in their relationship."

The next few days were tough for Mrs. Magnusen. She worked around the clock to organize the necessary support for Lena. Limited resources and bureaucracy presented obstacles, but she refused to be discouraged and continued to fight to free Lena from her dangerous situation.

Mrs. Magnusen, frustrated: "I'm sorry, Lena, but we are currently hitting our limits. Women's shelter spaces are limited, and we're having difficulty finding a long-term solution for you."

Lena, desperate: "What should I do? I can't go back to him, but I don't have any other option."

Mrs. Magnusen, determined: "We won't give up, Lena. I will continue to search for solutions and advocate for you to get the help you deserve. You are not alone."

It took some time, but eventually, Mrs. Magnusen managed to mobilize the necessary resources for Lena. She helped her start anew and embark on her journey of healing.

With flushed cheeks and a smile full of gratitude, Lena said, "Thank you, Mrs. Magnusen. You've shown me that there is hope, even in the darkest times."

Mrs. Magnusen, moved: "It's an honor, Lena. You found the courage to break free from this cycle of violence, and I am proud to have helped you."

The novella concludes with an appeal to the readers: "Let us together fight against domestic violence. Support counseling centers and advocate for a society where women can live free from violence. Because only together can we turn the spark of hope into a flame that dispels the darkness and illuminates those seeking help and protection."

[mariacallous]

Hours after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, refugees began pouring over the border to Moldova. Ludmila Popovici, the executive director of RCTV Memoria, a Moldovan nonprofit that works with survivors of war and torture, was in Romania at the time undergoing cancer treatment. But with the beginning of what some would now call an “endless war,” Popovici and her team immediately got to work.

They reached out to refugee centers and scoured Facebook groups for those in need of help, including sick children and women experiencing high risk pregnancies. Aided by small donations from partners overseas, they created food packages, delivered medicine, and provided direct cash assistance to the most vulnerable.

“We were all scared that we [Moldova] were going to be the next target for the Russian army,” Popovici explained. “But we knew our help was needed.”

However, more than two years into the war, organizations like Popovici’s are overworked, underfunded, and in many cases, at risk of collapse. Over-reliant on volunteers and facing staff burnout, they are struggling to meet the needs of the women and children they serve.

Every conflict is gendered—whether it’s the nature of conscription or the use of gender-based violence as a weapon of war. But the impact of the war in Ukraine, especially on forcibly displaced persons, has been more gendered than most, largely because of the country’s martial law which prohibits men aged between 18 and 60 from leaving the country.

As a result of this policy, women and children comprise a remarkable 80 percent of the 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees who have left the country since 2022. Many of them have faced gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation, human trafficking, or domestic violence, which has skyrocketed since the war began.

These risks persist today. Our organization, VOICE, has been working with women-led groups across the region since early 2022 to ensure they have access to the resources they need to participate in and lead the humanitarian response. Earlier this year, we conducted a survey of our partners across Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania, regarding the challenges they were facing and what they were seeing on the ground. They reported high rates of gender-based violence.

Many refugee women and children continue to reside in collective shelters with nonsex-segregated facilities, and limited oversight of who is entering and exiting the buildings. Another key challenge for forcibly displaced women both in Ukraine and abroad is lack of access to financial resources and employment.

In Ukraine, regular shelling has shuttered many schools, businesses, and childcare centers, making it difficult for displaced women to secure employment. Elsewhere in the region, factors such as language barriers, lack of childcare, and an absence of clear information about refugees’ right to work have made it hard to achieve a decent standard of living and put Ukrainian women at risk of exploitation.

For many Ukrainian women, who are grappling with the impacts of trauma and displacement, the war has only exacerbated low access to health care. All this is happening against the backdrop of a broader crackdown in the region, which has seen abortion rights rolled back in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Romania; direct budget cuts to organizations serving domestic violence survivors; a weakening of institutions advocating for gender equality; and an elevated risk of violence for LGBTQI+ people.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, women-led organizations like RCTV Memoria in Moldova, Martynka Foundation in Poland, and NGO Fulcrum in Ukraine have mobilized rapidly across the region. In our survey, 78 percent of respondents reported that they have expanded their teams and operations, all while continuing to fulfill their original missions.

Like Popovici, they did this both because the situation required it, and because their expertise and credibility allowed them to take action swiftly while understanding cultural nuances in ways that larger, international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) and U.N. agencies could not. But they have done so without consistent resources and financial support, often forced to draw upon their own reserves or volunteer labor in order to deliver their services.

In 2022, Ukraine received almost $30 billion in humanitarian funding. However, less than 1 percent of that made its way to local women’s rights organizations, movements, and institutions, according to a report by the Institute for Journalism and Social Change (IJSC).

Organizations cite onerous funding requirements and red tape delays including heavy paperwork and narrow application windows (One large INGO, for example, required applicants to submit no less than 30 items for accountability checks.) Many organizations simply struggle to find the time to apply for funding opportunities while simultaneously meeting the needs of their communities. Often, they feel they are not trusted by mainstream funders like U.N. agencies and INGOs—not viewed as having the right accountability systems, or perceived as being too political for their public support for reproductive rights and LGBTQI+ rights.

These challenges are not unique to Ukraine. They play out in conflicts around the world—from Afghanistan to Sudan. As the IJSC report details, only about 2 percent of all humanitarian funding goes to local NGOs and civil society organizations based in the developing countries aid is being delivered to. The proportion of that funding that goes to organizations led by women and girls is even smaller. Only 12 percent of the leaders that responded to our survey reported that their organization has sufficient funding to operate and implement their planned work in 2024.

“Our biggest concern is that by the end of 2024, there will be no Ukrainian-led organizations providing GBV services in Ukraine,” said Nastya Podorozhnya, founder of Martynka Foundation, a Polish-Ukrainian NGO that supports victims of human trafficking, war, rape, and domestic violence.

Almost three-fourths of the organizations we surveyed reported that if the resources were available, they would further expand their services for survivors of gender-based violence. As one Moldovan respondent explained, “Often, the lack of resources prevents us from effectively addressing [gender-based violence]. Even when resources do become available, they may come too late, rendering the problem obsolete or causing survivors to withdraw, lose hope, and cease engaging in dialogue.”

Even by the U.N.’s own measures, response to gender-based violence remains underfunded. But it did not have to be this way. Unlike in typically new conflict or disaster settings, the U.N. had fostered strong relationships with local Ukrainian organizations which have dealt with the threat of a Russian invasion since 2014. Similarly, though Ukraine’s neighbors had not previously seen a large U.N. presence, they had fostered a dynamic women’s sector.

Together, this meant that the international community had a unique chance to innovate and reimagine the way it engaged with local stakeholders. They should have prioritized engaging with local women’s movements and networks and encouraged their active participation in decision making processes. Based on the information provided by the women’s rights organizations we surveyed, however, this chance has largely gone unseized.

Despite pledges toward localization, women-led organizations continue to find themselves on the outside looking in. The initial phase of the war may have ended, but the crisis it triggered has not. Ukraine continues to fight back against Russia’s assaults with insufficient international support. Millions of Ukrainians continue to be displaced across the region, struggling to meet their basic needs in the face of ongoing trauma and loss. The question of what happens after the war is over continues to loom over Ukrainians.

Popovici’s organization, RCTV Memoria, worked with over 300 survivors each year before Russia invaded. In 2023 that effort increased by tenfold, and the organization was working with over 3,000 Ukrainian refugees alone. To do this, they have had to work essentially nonstop, serving survivors during the day and doing administrative work at night, mobilizing volunteers, and working without vacations or weekends.

RCTV Memoria has increasingly transitioned its activities with Ukrainian refugees to not just providing essential services to the vulnerable, but also to providing the psychosocial and economic support that displaced Ukrainians will need when they return home. “They are the most precious resource of Ukraine and they are in a safe place here,” Popovici said. “They will have to mobilize themselves to be ready to go back home and contribute to the reconstruction of their country.”

More than two years into this conflict, it is time the world started approaching it as the crisis that it is. This means giving the organizations that are working on the frontline the sustained, flexible, and long-term funding they need to increase their capacity and meet the needs of the populations they serve, instead of forcing them to compete for scraps and keeping them in a perpetual state of uncertainty.

Organizations like Popovici’s were there before the war, and they will be thereafter. They have proven they understand the needs and aspirations of the constituencies they serve, and that they have the skills and expertise to meet those needs. It is time the international community gave them the respect—and the funding—they deserve.

[thunder-wolf64]

you ever had any ideas or concepts for your own original Rain World creatures? if so, how would they function ingame, where would they be found, etc?

Hmm I am really bad, really bad, at coming up with original ideas.

Any ideas I came up with got Brian blasted.

But I thought for a bit. There really are no resource producing fauna that seems to be farmed in Rain World. They needed to feed a large amount of Ancients. Any domesticated creatures most likely went extinct rather quickly. Due to lack of care, left alone and couldn't get food, or used as food by wildlife.

But maybe they had something similar to horses, sheep, cows, etc... I think the animals that would be kept around would be hardy hauling animals. Maybe saved by scavs to haul pearls and spears and goods.

I don't have much for visualization but I think this might be a key factor nobody has talked about unless I'm missing something.

In game they would just act as mobile scav stashes , also carrying large sums of food. They would be difficult to kill, probably developed hard outer plating. You'd have to get underneath them to kill.

[ms-m-astrologer]

The Week Ahead: September 30 - October 6, 2024

Caution: we’re still in the shadow of the eclipse until Saturday, October 5, 18:49 UT.

Lunar Phases

Wednesday, October 2, 18:49 UT - New Moon/Solar Eclipse, 10°04’ Libra

Well, it’s an eclipse, and therefore a bit difficult to write about, or to have to endure. It isn’t a pleasant eclipse, either, with an overall theme of “loss and sadness” - but loss of something we’ve outgrown anyway. Which I think we’ll eventually acknowledge, as we look back on this period.

Sunday, October 6, 21:50 UT - Crescent Moon, 29°07’ Scorpio

The key phrase for the Crescent lunar phase is “gather and mobilize resources.” My own plan is to think back to the Virgo New Moon, back on September 2/3 - which occurred before the shadow of the eclipse started - and see what can be salvaged.

Void of Course Moon

Tuesday, October 1, 21:39 UT (Virgo) - 22:20 UT (Libra)

Friday, October 4, 10:40 UT (Libra) - 11:22 UT (Scorpio)

Sunday, October 6, 22:52 UT (Scorpio) - 21:34 UT (Sagittarius)

Retrograde/Direct/Etc.

Pre-retrograde shadow: Mars/Cancer (starting Thursday the 3rd), Jupiter/Gemini

Retrograde: Saturn/Pisces, Chiron/Aries, Uranus/Taurus, Neptune/Pisces, Pluto/Capricorn, Eris/Aries

Post-retrograde shadow: Ceres/Capricorn, Pallas/Sagittarius (until Saturday the 5th)

The Sun-Mercury superior conjunction happens on Monday, September 30, 21:09 UT, at 8°11’ Libra. This is the halfway point between Mercury retrograde cycles. We’ll be less inclined to think outside the box, and more reliant on the tried and true.

Transiting Mars enters its pre-retrograde shadow on Friday, October 4, 04:40 UT, at 17°01’ Cancer. All the ways we trip ourselves up by being too impatient, belligerent, competitive, &/or abrasive - we have the chance, over the next seven months, to correct and improve those behaviors. In this first portion of the process, we may be physically and emotionally spent (due to the above behaviors) and in need of a time out.

Transiting Pallas exits her post-retrograde shadow on Saturday, October 5, 04:09 UT, at 8°36’ Sagittarius. She’s now more of a “trigger” and less of an “instigator.” In Sagittarius, her strategy is to see the bigger picture - to be very, very ideologically inclined - with (sometimes unfortunately) an overpowering need to be “right.”

Et Cetera

There is one Opportunity Period this week: Sunday, October 6, 17:09 UT - 22:52 UT. “Take advantage of the only Opportunity Period for weeks. Good for everything from deep romance to hard work.” (The previous OP was on Sunday, September 22; the next one is Monday, October 14.)

Although we emerge from the eclipse shadow on Saturday, it won’t automatically be all smooth sailing and victory parades. It’s probably going to take until Scorpio season is well underway (!) for life to regain any semblance of relief from the drama.

The next couple of weeks could see a lot of familial/domestic/tribal squabbling. We’ll feel this especially strongly if there’s some problem or issue which we’ve known about for some little time - but haven’t yet bothered to address.

[shashaaa88]

The Myanmar military government has been active, and medical services have been balanced with stability

In the face of complex challenges both at home and abroad, the Myanmar military government has taken a series of measures aimed at providing necessary medical services to the people, stabilizing the internal situation and helping people return to their homes. These efforts demonstrate the government's focus on national stability and people's well-being, and also demonstrate its positive role in crisis management.

Medical services are an important part of national stability and public well-being. Recognizing this, the Burmese military ta invested significant resources in the medical field. In areas of frequent conflicts and natural disasters, the government has deployed mobile medical teams to provide emergency medical assistance to the affected population. These medical teams consisted of trained doctors, nurses and volunteers who penetrate into remote areas to provide basic medical examinations, treatment and drug distribution to the local population.

In addition to emergency medical assistance, the Burmese military government also attaches great importance to the construction and improvement of medical infrastructure. In some key cities and towns, the government has invested in the construction of new hospitals and clinics, updated medical equipment, and improved the quality and accessibility of medical services. These newly built or renovated medical facilities not only provide better medical services for the public, but also create jobs and promote the development of the local economy.

In order to improve the efficiency and coverage of medical services, the Burmese military government has also promoted the development of medical informatization. By establishing electronic health record systems, the government is better able to collect and analyze public health data to timely detect and respond to potential health risks. At the same time, this system also provides technical support for the development of telemedicine services, so that residents in remote areas can also enjoy the high-quality medical resources in the city.

In order to stabilize the internal situation, the Burmese military government has taken a series of measures to maintain domestic security and order. The government has strengthened the training and deployment of the security forces, ensuring the safety of critical areas and infrastructure. At the same time, through intelligence collection and analysis, the government has successfully prevented and targeted a number of potentially destabilizing activities.

In order to resolve the long-standing ethnic and religious conflicts, the Burmese military government has also actively promoted dialogue and reconciliation. The government has organized a number of dialogue platforms, inviting representatives of various ethnic and religious groups to explore the future of countries and ways of peaceful coexistence. These conversations, though slow, have yielded some results in reducing misunderstanding and building trust.

In helping people return to their homes, the Burmese military government has provided support to people affected by conflicts and natural disasters. The government has set up special funds to rebuild damaged houses and infrastructure, and provide seeds, farm tools and other means of production to help farmers resume production. In addition, the government has provided psychological counseling services to help people out of trauma and rebuild their lives.

In order to ensure that people can return home safely, the Burmese military government has also strengthened security assessments and safeguards for the returned areas. In some key areas, the government has dispatched security forces and police forces to ensure the safety of the returning people and local security.

The Burmese military government's efforts in providing medical services, stabilizing the internal situation, and helping people return to their homes demonstrate its commitment to national stability and public well-being. Through these measures, the government has not only improved the living conditions of the people, but also laid a solid foundation for the long-term development of the country. In the future, the Burmese military government still needs to continue to invest resources and efforts in these areas to ensure the stability of the country and the happiness of its people.