#General Contractors in Delta

[lonestarflight]

Space Shuttle Development, Phase B: North American Rockwell and General Dynamics B9U/NAR-161-B

North American and General Dynamics B9U / NAR-161-B proposed their final Phase B shuttle proposal on June 25, 1971.

"The fully reusable 'B9U / NAR-161-B' configuration would now weigh 2,290t at liftoff vs. the Phase-A limit of 1,587t and the total estimated cost of the development project had doubled, to almost $10 billion. The thrust of the space shuttle main engines had to be increased from 1,850KN to 2,450KN. Part of the problem was the shuttle now would have to be a much more versatile and capable vehicle than originally anticipated, since the space station and the manned lunar/planetary program evaporated in 1970. Critics in Congress contended that it was 'a project searching for a mission.' As a result, the new space transportation system was instead increasingly being promoted as a low-cost 'space truck' for unmanned NASA & USAF satellites."

"The North American Rockwell 'NAR-161-B' orbiter was designed for carrying a crew of two plus up to ten passengers in the forward crew module. Note the four deployable landing jet engines on top of the vehicle; NASA was planning to use modified F-15 or B-1B aircraft jet engines on some missions and for ferry flights from test sites or alternative landing fields. But the jets would be omitted for heavy-lift missions since the additional weight greatly reduced the shuttle's payload capability. The thermal protection system was based on silica tiles. The blended wing/body design was chosen for uniform load distribution. It would have produced a 2300-kilometer crossrange capability to satisfy USAF reentry requirements; North American also decided to replace the wingtip fins with a single vertical tail. The 2,450KN main engine thrust upgrade was motivated in part by the need to have a single engine-out abort capability. Analysis showed that the orbiter still would be able to return to the launch site after a single orbit in case one of its two main engines failed during ascent, but only if the engines were powerful enough. Unlike McDonnell-Douglas (who proposed to use RL-10s), North American favored a brand new oxygen/hydrogen 45KN-thrust orbital maneuvering system (OMS) engines. Three OMS engines would have been carried for orbit insertion, orbital changes and the de-orbit burn."

"General Dynamics' final 'B9U' booster design differed considerably from the earlier straight-wing 'B8D' concept. The landing jets were moved from the nose back to the delta wing in order to reduce the launch drag & heating effects and to minimize the jet engine exhaust effects on stability, control and drag. General Dynamics felt the delta wing would provide better stability & control over the entire flight regime than the B8's straight wing. It would also create more room for the main landing gear and jet engine installation. The gross liftoff mass was 1,886.2t including a jet fuel load of 62.2t for the 850km flight back to the launch site. The high staging velocity (3300m/s) and altitude (73.8km) created some problems since the booster would have to be very large, require a relatively advanced thermal protection system and carry lots of jet fuel for the return flight. The contractors also examined downrange landing sites or in-flight propellant transfer in order to reduce the amount of booster jet fuel. NASA also seriously considered a proposal to use gaseous hydrogen rather than jet fuel since it would have saved thousands of kilograms, but decided against the idea in the end since it would have increased the technical risk."

North American Rockwell Phase-B shuttle orbiter docks with modular space station.

"Payload capability (without landing jets): 29,484kg into a 185km 28.5 deg. Orbit; 18,144kg into a 185km 90 deg. polar orbit; 11,340kg into a 500km 55 deg. orbit with landing jets installed on orbiter and 20,411kg without landing engines.

Cost per mission: $100-200/lb. [1970 rates] or $950-$1900/kg in 1999. 75 missions/year max. Space station rescue mission capability within 48 hours of emergency call.

Liftoff Thrust: 2,606,810 kgf. Total Mass: 2,188,488 kg. Core Diameter: 10.4 m. Total Length: 98.0 m.

Stage Number: 1. 1 x Shuttle R134C-1 Gross Mass: 1,886,200 kg. Empty Mass: 290,000 kg. Thrust: 29,370-32,233.575 KN. Isp: 442 sec. Burn time: 209 sec. Isp(sl): 392 sec. Diameter: 10.4 m. Span: 43.9 m. Length: 82 m. Propellants: Lox/LH2 No Engines: 12. SSME Study

Stage Number: 2. 1 x Shuttle R134C-2 Gross Mass: 383,260 kg. Empty Mass: 121,560 kg. Thrust (vac): 5,624.8 KN. Isp: 459 sec. Burn time: 264 sec. Isp(sl): 359 sec. Diameter: 4.6 m. Span: 32.6 m. Length: 62.8 m. Propellants: Lox/LH2 No Engines: 2. SSME Study

- information from "INTRODUCTION TO FUTURE LAUNCH VEHICLE PLANS [1963-2001]" by Marcus Lindroos: link

SDASM Archives: 08_00941, 08_00943, 08_00944

Mike Acs's Collection: link, link

Numbers Station: link, link, link, link, link

source

Boeing image: 71SV13043

[qroople]

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[aces-to-apples]

“A Knight’s Tribute”

Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: Other Relationship: Jango Fett/RC-1138 | Delta-38 | Boss Additional Tags: Jango Fett Lives, Established Relationship, Nonbinary Jango Fett, Alternate Universe - Always a Different Sex, clone commandos speak mando'a, Vaginal Sex, Doggy Style, Hair-pulling, Authority Kink, Sibling Incest Roleplay, Breeding Kink, Creampie, Implied/Referenced Polyamory, Implied Alpha-17/Jango Fett, swrarepairs2022 Treat Words: 1481 Chapters: 1/1

Delta Squad is one of many of the well-trained commando squads serving the Republic under contractor General Jango Fett. Boss, the sergeant of the squad, maintains a...special relationship with Fett.

What more could you possibly want??

[globalaviationanddefense]

Aviation and Defense Reports | Aerospace Industry Analysis

Certainly, I can provide you with some general information about the aviation and defense industry. Keep in mind that my information is based on knowledge up to January 2022, and there may have been developments since then.

Aviation Industry:

Market Overview:

The global aviation industry has been experiencing steady growth, driven by factors such as increasing air travel demand, rising middle-class populations in emerging economies, and advancements in aircraft technology.

Key Players:

Boeing and Airbus are the two major players dominating the commercial aircraft manufacturing market.

Airlines around the world, such as Delta, American, and Emirates, play significant roles in the industry.

Challenges:

The industry faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to reduced air travel, financial strain on airlines, and delays in aircraft deliveries.

Technological Trends:

The industry has been witnessing advancements in fuel efficiency, lightweight materials, and the development of more eco-friendly aircraft.

Defense Industry:

Market Overview:

The global defense industry is characterized by substantial government spending on military equipment, technology, and infrastructure.

Key Players:

Major defense contractors include Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and Raytheon Technologies.

Geopolitical Influences:

Geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts often drive defense spending and impact the industry's dynamics.

Technological Trends:

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems (drones), cyber warfare, and advanced communications are shaping the defense landscape.

Cybersecurity:

As technology plays an increasingly critical role in defense systems, there is a growing emphasis on cybersecurity to protect military infrastructure from cyber threats.

Reports and Analysis:

Market Reports:

Organizations like the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and Jane's Defence provide regular reports on global military expenditures, arms transfers, and defense trends.

Industry Analysis:

Various market research firms, such as Frost & Sullivan and MarketResearch.com, offer in-depth analyses of trends, challenges, and opportunities in the aviation and defense sectors.

Government Reports:

Government agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense and the European Defence Agency publish reports on defense budgets, acquisitions, and strategy.

For the most current and detailed information, it's recommended to refer to the latest reports and analyses from reputable sources and industry publications.

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade JUST IN; Senate asks Tinubu's Minister to probe $500million CCTV installation contract The Senate has called on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory,(FCT) Chief Nyesom Wike to investigate the implementation of 500 million dollars contract on installation of CCTV cameras in the FCT. Senate resolution was sequel to adoption of a motion on Galadimawa Kidnapping Tragedy at plenary on Wednesday. The motion was sponsored by Sen.Ned Nwoko(PDP-Delta). Nwoke in his lead debate expressed concern on recent kidnapping incident in Galadimawa area of the FCT,involving multiple individuals, including his Senior Legislative Aide, Mr. Chris Agidy. He said two weeks ago, a distressing incident unfolded, where 19 individuals were forcefully taken from their homes in Galadimawa area of Abuja. Nwoke said, upon receiving the distressing news, immediate measures were taken, saying that he contacted the Commissioner of Police who swiftly activated the OC Anti-Kidnapping team to secure the release of those abducted. He,however, expressed regret that distressing updates from reliable police sources confirmed that out of the 19 individuals abducted, 12 have been killed, while seven remained in the custody of the kidnappers. He said efforts to ascertain the well-being and status of his staff, among the 7 individuals still held, was ongoing. Nwoke said there was a close coordination with the security operatives who have been diligently working on the matter. He, however, said the challenges persist, as contacting the kidnappers for negotiation has proven immensely difficult. “Their lines remain inactive, hindering direct communication and negotiation efforts. “According to security operatives, efforts are still focused on securing the remaining individuals held captive from the forested area approximately 100 km away, despite the daunting challenges faced in reaching the kidnappers. “As we await further updates from the authorities, we remain resolute in our pursuit of a swift and safe resolution to this distressing situation.” Contributing, Sen.Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA- Abia )said kidnapping i was not just in Galadimawa alone , but also in Lugbe, Kubwa Kuje and other parts of the FCT. He said many residents in these areas no longer sleep in the homes for fear of being kidnapped. He said there was an urgent need for the senate to take the issue seriously as FCT its environs was under seige of kidnapping. Sen.Adamu Alero (PDP-Kebbi) said insecurity was every where in the FCT, saying that urgent steps needed to be taken to put a halt to it. He called for a revisiting of the 500 million dollars contract awarded for the installation of CCTV cameras in the FCT in the past. Alero said it was a shame, national embarrassment for kidnapping activities to be happening in the FCT,saying that the National Assembly had approve over N 1 trillion for security agencies to fight insecurity in Nigeria. Senate in its further resolutions, called for a Joint operation involving the Army, Police and DSS to intenify a search efforts for the kidnapped victims. It also urge the Minister of FCT to revisit the installation of CCTV contract award within Abuja where over 500 million dollars has been spent and make the contractor accountable. It also called on the Inspector General of Police to increase the surveillance patrols in Abuja to prevent kidnapping. Senate also called on the IGP to conduct thorough investigation into the kidnapping in Abuja. It also mandated its committees on securities to enforce a robust security measures within Abuja and prevail on security agencies to consider installation of the CCTV cameras within specific areas in Abuja and other parts of the country. It also urged its b Committee on FCT to liase with the FCT Minster on ways to resolve insecurity in Abuja.(NAN)

[hardynwa]

PAP uncovers 1,370 BVN-linked bank accounts belonging to ex-agitators

The Presidential Amnesty Programme is sponsoring 75 pilots and aircraft engineers to South Africa and France for type-rating as part of its aviation training scheme, the Interim Administrator of the PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (retd.), said on Friday. He also said that sanitary measures carried out on the PAP database revealed that certain beneficiaries and ex-agitators had multiple accounts linked to their BVNs. “Further verification of the payment list revealed that certain beneficiaries had multiple accounts linked to their BVNs. In total, 513 beneficiaries had 1370 accounts on the payment list linked to their BVNs. Other anomalies were that of certain accounts not linked to their BVNs; this group had a total of 2601 accounts. “To rectify those irregularities, a portal was created by PAP (_stver.osapnd.gov.ng) for the affected beneficiaries to log in, and those with multiple accounts linked to their BVNs were to choose just one account in order to have their payments regularised. A total of 1,561 accounts have been cleared and paid in full to date and presently, multiple account fraud has been eradicated from the payment list”, he said. According to him, a total of 847 delegates are currently undergoing training at the National Information Technology Development Agency in various ICT-specialised fields. The delegates would be certified in digital marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, computer appreciation, search engine optimization, as well as technical and computer writing. In a statement, the Special Assistant (Media) to the PAP CEO, Freston Akpor, said that from vocational training centres to opportunities in Federal Government agencies, and incentives for viable SMEs, the innovative ideas initiated by Ndiomu would guarantee the socio-economic sustainability of ex-agitators and young people in the Niger Delta. He said enormous windows of employment opportunities have been provided for ex-agitators in the oil-rich Niger Delta region to thrive. “Similarly, the PAP is sponsoring 75 pilots and aircraft engineers to South Africa and France for type-rating as part of the programme’s aviation training scheme, which General Ndiomu is very passionate about. A breakdown of the figure indicates that 35 delegates are pilots, while 40 are billed for aircraft engineering. “A major boost to that initiative was the launching of the PAP Cooperative Scheme with an initial sum of N1.5 billion as seed money in the account with an additional N100 million operational fund to be solely managed by the ex-agitators. The cooperative scheme has an eminent jurist, Justice Francis Tabai, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as chair of the board with a team of experienced consultants to assist in nurturing the cooperative into fruition. This will create a conducive environment for small businesses to grow to become the catalyst for economic development in the Niger Delta.” Speaking on the vocational training centres designed to provide skills for the teeming youths in the region when completed, he emphasised that the PAP has cleared monies owed to contractors to facilitate the completion of five vocational centres across the region. “Relevant higher institutions of learning, training institutes and development partners have undertaken spot assessments to re-evaluate existing infrastructure, update software and service equipment, including those left at Boro Town after it was burgled, to bring the centres, including an additional one to be sited in Bayelsa, up to speed and eminent take-off. The management under General Ndiomu has also cleared all debts related to ongoing training schemes,” he maintained. He added that under General Ndiomu’s watch, the PAP has provided employment for a critical number of young graduates from the Niger Delta in line with the vision of the PAP, thereby reducing the culture and cycle of dependency and indolence. “The Presidential Amnesty Programme has gained a huge mileage from September last year through the initiatives introduced by General Ndiomu and his managerial acumen has impacted positively on the programme. Unfortunately, the lies and blackmail will not deter the Interim Administrator from doing what is right by the majority of ex-agitators and the people of the Niger Delta,” Akpor said. Read the full article

[kontraktorsby5]

BERKUALITAS, CALL 0811-3272-825, Jasa Konsturksi Gedung Surabaya Klik https://wa.me/628113272825, Jasa Desain Lobby Kantor,Jasa Konstruksi Rumah Tinggal Surabaya,Jasa Konstruksi Rumah Murah,Jasa Konstruksi Bangunan Surabaya,Jasa Konstruksi Kantor Surabaya PT. Multi Power Abadi Merupakan Perusahaan General Contractor Yang Berpengalaman Di Bidang Konstruksi Bangunan Yang Sudah Berjalan Lebih Dari 5 Tahun. PekerjaanYang Ditangani Meliputi: Renovasi Interior & Eksterior Gedung & Perkantoran, Renovasi Interior & Eksterior Perumahan, Pekerjaan CME Gedung / Kantor, Jasa Desain 3D & Animasi, , Maintenance Tata Udara(AC), Pemeliharaan Fasilitas Telekomunikasi, Pembangunan RuangATM Perbankan, Pembangunan Jalan ,Pembangunan Jembatan Multi Power Abadi Sukolilo Dian Regency 2 Jalan Sukolilo Mulia VIII No. 38 RT 09 RW 02 Kelurahan Keputih Kecamatan Sukolilo Kota Surabaya Jawa Timur 60111 (2,5 km dari Universitas Hang Tuah Surabaya) Kunjungi Instagram : www.instagram.com/multipowerabadi/ Hubungi Wa 0811-3272-825 #jasakonstruksigedung, #jasakonstruksigedungsanitasidanperawatan, #jasakonstruksigedungsurabaya, #jasakonstruksigedung, #jasakonstruksigedungbertingkat, #desainapartemen, #desainapartemenmurah, #desainapartemensurabaya, #desainapartementgresik, #desainapartemensidoarjo (di WTC - Delta Plaza) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpCSoA8vrGt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kontraktorsby04]

BERMUTU, CALL 0811-3272-825, Jasa pembangunan Kantor Surabaya Klik https://wa.me/628113272825, Jasa Desain Bangunan Surabaya,Jasa Desain Interior Kantor Surabaya,Jasa Desain Interior Rumah Sursabaya,Jasa Desain Interior Apartemen Surabaya,Jasa Desain Interior Kantor Ruko PT. Multi Power Abadi Merupakan Perusahaan General Contractor Yang Berpengalaman Lebih Dari 5 Tahun. Adapun Pekerjaan Yang Ditangani Meliputi: Renovasi Interior & Eksterior Gedung & Perkantoran, Renovasi Interior & Eksterior Perumahan, Jasa Pemborongan Pekerjaan CME Gedung / Kantor, Jasa Desain 3D & Animasi, Maintenance Genset High Capacity And Marine Machine, Pemeliharaan Tata Udara(AC), Pemeliharaan Fasilitas Telekomunikasi, Pembangunan Ruang ATM Perbankan, Jalan Dan Jembatan Multi Power Abadi Sukolilo Dian Regency 2 Jalan Sukolilo Mulia VIII No. 38 RT 09 RW 02 Kelurahan Keputih Kecamatan Sukolilo Kota Surabaya Jawa Timur 60111 (2,5 km dari Universitas Hang Tuah Surabaya) Kunjungi Instagram : www.instagram.com/multipowerabadi/ Hubungi Wa 0811-3272-825 #jasapemboronglamongan, #jasapemborongtuban, #jasapemborongtaman, #jasaarsitekdandesaininterior, #jasabangununiversitas, #jasarenovasiuniversitas, #jasarenovasisekolah, #jasarenovasisekolahan, #jasarenovasisekolahlamongan, #jasarenovasisekolahgresik Lihat Lebih Sedikit #jasakontraktorsurabaya #jasakontraktorsidoarjo #jasadesainsurabaya #jasakontrakrtorinteriorbangunan #surabaya #sidoarjo #gresik #mojokerto #pasuruan #jawatimur (di Delta plaza-Surabaya) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpCCy3BvH8U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[imperiumallaboveall]

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[ojighodovwan]

Delta Re-awards Ayakoromo Bridge Contract

*** Oborevwori Assures He Will Deploy His MORE Agenda For Betterment Of Deltans

NEWS UPDATE

On Dec 27, 2022

Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday announced that his administration had re-awarded the Ayakoromo Bridge contract to Setraco Nigeria Limited, assuring that the project would be completed as promised.

Governor Okowa made this known during the party’s campaign at Burutu, headquarters of Burutu Local Government Area of the state.

He recalled that the government had some weeks ago revoked the contract due to poor performance by the former contractor.

He disclosed that Setraco would mobilise to site next week.

The governor expressed gratitude to the people of the area for their consistent support to the PDP over the years.

“My dear people of Burutu Local Government Area, I thank you for all your support for our party candidates over the years.

“We have also reciprocated your support by constructing concrete pavement of all internal roads in Burutu town; another 20.29-kilometre Obotobo 1– Obotobo 11– Sokebolou–Yokri road in Ogulagha Kingdom.

“We constructed modern market and built schools in Burutu Town, Ogulagha and other communities but unfortunately there is one project that you people are not happy about which is the Ayakoromo bridge.

“The contractor has not been doing well and we have recently terminated the contract and re-awarded it to Setraco Nigeria Ltd.

“Next week, we will mobilise them to start and they will finish it because it is a promise I made to you people and I must fulfil it,” he said.

He urged the people to remain committed to the Atiku-Okowa ticket, and assured them that PDP would win the presidency and rescue Nigerians from the hardship caused by the inept APC-led administration.

“Our party has recognised one of your own, my humble self as Vice-Presidential candidate and by the grace of God the Atiku-Okowa ticket will win the election in 2023.

“I appeal to you all to give us your support to enable us turn out more votes for our party; we have done well campaigning in 15 states so far and we are very sure of victory for the party,” he assured.

Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, while addressing the people said that the impressive turn-out of supporters was an indication that Burutu over time, had been a PDP local government area.

He said the Okowa’s administration had done quite a lot for Burutu town in terms of road construction and charged the people to vote all PDP candidates in the general elections.

The Governorship Candidate of the party and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the Ijaw people for adopting candidates of the PDP for the 2023 general elections.

He affirmed that Okowa’s administration had provided a lot of infrastructure for Burutu Local Government Area , with over 30-kilometre roads constructed and over 44 schools renovated and constructed.

Rt Hon Oborevwori, who was flanked by his running mate, Chief Monday Onyeme, assured that he would deploy his MORE Agenda for the advancement of the state.

The State Chairman of the party, Chief Kingsley Esiso, said Deltans were happy that the state would for the first time, produce a Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and urged the people to work hard towards realisation of the Atiku-Okowa presidency.

The Director-General of the State Campaign Council, Chief Funkekeme Solomon lauded the Governor for terminating the Ayakoromo bridge project and re-awarding it to a more competent contractor and for transferring the State School of Marine Technology from Ministry of Transport to Higher Education for effective management.

Chief Funkekeme said that riverine communities in the state believes that an Atiku-Okowa Presidency would be very beneficial to them hence they have decided to throw their weight behind them.

Leaders of the party who spoke at the rally include Peter Biakpara; former Governorship aspirant Chief Braduce Angozi; among others.

[daloy-politsey]

Just got this email from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (Don’t ask me any questions about this opportunity. I’m in no way connected to it.):

Edit videos? Have motion graphics skills? Want to work with ASAN? We are looking to contract with a motion graphics professional for ongoing contract work. Expertise in Premiere and After Effects preferred. The ideal candidate can provide high-quality 2D animation similar to our videos on coronavirus, the Delta variant, and our racial disparities in community living series. Videos will be in English and Spanish, but proficiency in both languages is not required.

The animator will be responsible for creating and animating assets, but not writing or recording the script, or designing the general look. The contractor must be available for work starting immediately to be completed in June or July, as well as be interested in ongoing work.

We strongly encourage autistic & disabled people, people of color, AAC users, and members of the LGBTQ community to apply.

Please submit reels and rates to mbartley@autisticadvocacy.org.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Workers want real jobs

“Saying the quiet part out loud,” is a cliche, but like so many shopworn phrases, it has its roots in real truths that bear repetition.

Back in 2017, a bunch of Wall Street bros shouted the quiet part out loud.

https://www.vox.com/new-money/2017/4/29/15471634/american-airlines-raise

The occasion was an American Airlines earnings call in which management revealed that the company had recorded solid profits and was going to use some of them to bring pilots and flight-attendants wages up to parity with Delta and United.

Wall Street lost its shit. The iconic example was Citi analyst Kevin Crissey, who whined:

“This is frustrating. Labor is being paid first again.”

Wall Street agreed with Crissey. AA’s share price plummeted.

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-american-airlines-raises-20170427-story.html

Crissey was voicing a fundamental truth:

Irrespective of how much profit a company makes, the investors’ earnings go up when the workers’ earnings go down.

Now, it’s true that happy, secure workers can be more productive and secure higher profits, but that doesn’t automatically mean that paying higher wages will make more money for shareholders.

If the additional sums needed to make workers happy and secure swallow the excess profits that security generates, then investors are better off with miserable, scared, unproductive workers.

Not only that: if the investors’ position is short-term, looking for the highest yield over a single quarter or even less, the fact that higher wages will lead to long-term advantages, like worker retention and productivity, is irrelevant to the investors’ interests.

That’s the quiet part: between workers and investors, there’s a zero-sum game. Forty years of anti-labor policies (undermining unions, workplace protections) culminating in the “gig economy” all-out assault on the idea of employment itself have papered over this core truth.

While gig economy companies were spending $200m in deceptive scare-ads to pass California’s Prop 22 — which formalized worker misclassification, allowing bosses to fire employees and re-hire them as union-ineligible “independent contractors” — they insisted this was good for workers.

“Worker flexibility” has been the rallying cry of the shareholder class for decades — even as they maximized employer flexibility and bound workers in legal and economic shackles.

The number one source of noncompete agreements in America today is fast-food chains — where a sub-starvation minimum-wage (or tipped minimum) job is likely to come with a legal prohibition on taking a better job in the industry for three years after you quit this one.

Thus bound over to their employers, workers were subjected to zero-hours contracting terms, where you are not guaranteed any shifts in a given week, but must take all shifts you are offered.

If you’re scheduled for a graveyard shift until 3AM and then a morning shift the next day that starts at 6AM, you have two choices — take the double-shift or look for work elsewhere (just not in the same industry).

This “flexibility” transfers all the value from the employees’ side of the ledger to the bosses’. Bosses get to schedule based on demand, or in order to ensure that workers don’t cross the weekly hours threshold that would entitle them to benefits.

Workers, meanwhile, can’t schedule another job, or childcare, or continuing education. There’s a tiny minority of legit freelancers (including me) for whom contract work is genuinely beneficial — but almost every “independent contractor” is actually a misclassified employee.

A new McKinsney-Ipsos poll shows up the myth of the happy, flexible contract worker. 62% of gig workers overall want real jobs — that number rises sharply for PoCs in gig jobs: for immigrant workers, the figure is 76%.

https://www.mckinsey.com/about-us/covid-response-center/covid-19-impact/impact-on-economies/unequal-america-ten-insights-on-the-state-of-economic-opportunity#

As striking as that figure is, it is even more significant when places alongside another finding: 70% of employers want to fire their workers and replace them with part-timers, temps and gig workers.

Employers have always been comfortable with waging class war — they just don’t like to talk about it.

The poll found that most Americans have a poor economic outlook and half of US workers are “on the brink of financial ruin.”

Despite neoliberal rhetoric, a firm that replaces jobs with gig/contract/temp roles is not engaged in “job creation.”

That is literal job destruction — turning “jobs” into precarious, sub-starvation contracts with no rights or protections.

Workers do want “flexibility” — like protection from noncompetes (the flexibility to take a better job), from arbitration waivers (the flexibility to sue your abusive boss).

Workers want protection from arbitrary shift assignments (the flexibility to plan your family and other work and life activities), universal health care, child care and sick leave (the flexibility to take care of your health without losing your job and home).

Flexibility is great, but like wages, it’s zero-sum. The more flexibility workers have, the less flexibility their employers have. Giving workers flexibility means depriving employers of the flexibility to abuse, underpay and fire those workers.

Workers are wise to that fact. The quiet part has been said out loud, forcefully and for a long time.

[anarkissm]

according to official records, the United Nations’ Department of Peacekeeping Operations is described as a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the organization as a way to “help” countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace. spearheaded by Under-Secretary-General Gabrielle Adawe, OVERWATCH was contractually developed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Security Council, which collaborated with the United Nations Command (and consequently the entirety of the United States military and international security contracting companies). the U.S. government has been a powerful contributor (particularly where funds and manpower are concerned) and ally to the United Nations, and the majority of the U.N.’s military power derives from it. as overwatch became officially established after the Omnic Crisis, JSOC proposed the secret cadre known as BLACKWATCH, as part of the United Nations Special Operations Group (UNSOG), a branch designated to conduct various specialist tactical and covert operations on behalf of the United Nations Security Council.

overwatch was just a single entity among a multitude of entities within the Security Council’s conglomerate defenses, under the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the UNSOG; collectively, they work towards the goal of lasting peace alongside Private Military Security Contractors (Helix Security International), and government militaries (U.S.A.’s DEVGRU, MARSOC, Delta, Rangers and Green Berets, Poland’s GROM, the British Special Air Service, Egypt’s Task Force 777, and other international special forces groups).

the United Nations does not have its own military; instead, peacekeepers are voluntarily contributed by members of the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations Command is the unified command structure for their multinational military forces—  the United Nations have no control over them. instead, that obligation regularly falls onto the united states government, the largest contributor to the UN’s military force. by design, military forces under the UNC are not lawfully considered United Nations troops. the acts of the UNC are not considered the acts of the United Nations.

the u.s. government were also responsible for the controversial Soldier Enhancement Program, and later two of their SEP soldiers would go on to lead the international task force that eventually became overwatch, following the end of the Omnic Crisis. it is not unreasonable to presume (considering that the U.S. government is heavily involved with the UNC, the UNSC, and the majority of their peacekeeping operations) that overwatch was also controlled by the imperialistic u.s. military on behalf of the United Nations Security Council. while the u.s. government has always made a point to appear progressive (omnic hollywood directors, omnic-starring movies, omnic rights as sentient beings and citizens — and, in the case of the OM1 program, allowing omnic citizens to enlist and serve their country), things were much more complicated than that. unreliable narratives often paint simple pictures, sugarcoated and easier to digest. in reality, the opportunity to enhance their global military might was seized.

the reaper’s goal is to destroy these systems which allowed him to become, in his mind, inhuman. unnatural. not organic. not robotic. something else. something that can not die. can not rest.

his allegiance with talon and the doomfist are a means to an end, as their goals become perfectly aligned.

[newstfionline]

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Across the World, Covid Anxiety and Depression Take Hold (NYT) A recent cartoon in the French daily Le Monde featured a bedraggled man arriving at a doctor’s office for a Covid-19 vaccine. “I am here for the fifth shot because of the third wave,” he says. “Or vice versa.” His bewilderment as France suffers its fifth wave of the pandemic, with cases of the Delta variant rising sharply along with Omicron anxiety, captured a mood of exhaustion and simmering anger across the world two years after the deadly virus began to spread in China. Uncertainty bedevils plans. Panic spreads in an instant even if, as with the Omicron variant, the extent of the threat is not yet known. Vaccines look like deliverance until they seem a little less than that. National responses diverge with no discernible logic. Anxiety and depression spread. So do loneliness and screen fatigue. The feeling grows that the Covid era will go on for years, like plagues of old.

Military planners face multiple crises (Financial Times) For decades, American military planning was based on the idea that the US should be able to fight two wars, in different parts of the world, simultaneously. But even the gloomiest strategists did not plan for three wars at the same time. The administration of Joe Biden, however, is currently facing militarised crises in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Collectively, they amount to the biggest challenge to America’s global power since the end of the cold war. American officials have briefed that Russia is planning an invasion of Ukraine “as soon as early 2022.” Meanwhile, Lloyd Austin, America’s defence secretary, has warned that China’s military maneuvers near Taiwan look like rehearsals for a full-scale invasion. Iran may also be weeks away from creating enough fissile material to manufacture a nuclear weapon—an outcome the US has spent decades trying to stop.

AP seeks answers from US gov’t on tracking of journalists (AP) The Associated Press sought answers Monday from the Department of Homeland Security on its use of sensitive government databases for tracking international terrorists to investigate as many as 20 American journalists, including an acclaimed AP reporter. In a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, AP Executive Editor Julie Pace urged the agency to explain why the name of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Martha Mendoza was run through the databases and identified as a potential confidential informant during the Trump administration, as detailed in a report by Homeland Security’s inspector general. “This is a flagrant example of a federal agency using its power to examine the contacts of journalists,” Pace wrote. “While the actions detailed in the inspector general’s report occurred under a previous administration, the practices were described as routine.” The DHS investigation of U.S. journalists, as well as congressional staff and perhaps members of Congress, represents the latest apparent example of an agency created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks using its vast capabilities to target American citizens.

Conflicts of interest (Insider) A new analysis of 9,000 financial disclosure forms submitted by members of Congress and their staff found 48 members and 182 senior-level staff who violated a federal conflict-of-interest law. It further found 75 members who owned stocks in vaccine makers—many of whom bought and sold them in the early days of the pandemic—as well as 15 members who directly oversee defense policy who also invest directly in military contractors.

Big California storm dumps snow, drenches parched regions (AP) Motorists spun out on whitened mountain passes and residents wielded umbrellas that flopped in the face of fierce winds as Northern California absorbed even more rain and snow on Monday, bringing the possibility of rockslides and mudslides to areas scarred by wildfires following an especially warm and dry fall across the U.S. West. The multiday storm, a powerful “atmospheric river” weather system that is sucking up moisture from the Pacific Ocean, raised the threat of flooding and was expected to dump more than 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow on the highest peaks in California and Nevada and drench other parts of the two states before it moves on midweek, forecasters said.

Gasoline truck explodes in northern Haiti; dozens killed (AP) A truck carrying gasoline overturned and exploded in a fireball in northern Haiti, engulfing cars and homes in flames as it killed more than 50 people and injured dozens of others in the latest disaster to hit a country whose troubles deepened greatly this year. The explosion occurred as Haiti struggles with a severe shortage of fuel and spiraling gas prices that recently forced hospitals to turn away patients, temporarily shut down gas stations, schools and businesses and prompted the government of U.S. and Canada to urge its citizens to leave while they still could.

Colombian police responsible for ‘massacre’ of 11 people in 2020 protests, U.N.-backed investigators conclude (Washington Post) Colombia’s national police were responsible for the deaths of 11 people during two days of protests of police brutality last year, according to an independent investigation requested by the mayor of Bogotá and supported by the United Nations. The killings amounted to a “massacre,” former national ombudsman Carlos Negret wrote in a scathing 177-page report released Monday. Negret and a team of researchers blamed the deaths on an institutional failure to instruct officers not to use firearms against the crowds, and on a response that prioritized the protection of police stations over the lives of officers and protesters. They described the violence as “one of the most serious episodes of violations against human rights in the history of the city of Bogotá.”

Chile sees migrant crossings rise ahead of presidential vote (AP) A merciless sun seared the migrants as they walked through one of the driest places in the world, trying to illegally cross the border from Bolivia into Chile fearing it might soon be closed. It has become common in recent months to see migrants trudging across the Atacama Desert but the flow appears to have increased in recent days ahead of Chile’s presidential runoff Sunday. The migrants fear that if far-right candidate José Antonio Kast wins he will close the border as he promised during his campaign. Immigration has been a recurring topic in Chile’s presidential campaign as the country sees an increasing flow of migrants, mainly from Venezuela, but also from nations like Haiti and Colombia. It’s a divisive issue and recently there was a widely publicized case of Chileans attacking Venezuelan migrants in Iquique, near the border with Bolivia and Peru.

India’s Latest Religious and Cultural Flashpoint: Eggs (NYT) The raid came just after sunset. Plainclothes municipal workers swarmed into the busy neighborhood, seizing contraband. The dealers ran or watched helplessly as the authorities took their illicit goods. And with that, the government had conducted a successful crackdown on eggs. The place of the humble egg in the street food culture of Gujarat, a state in western India where people take their snacks seriously, has become the latest flash point in the growing role of religion in everyday life. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a Hindu nationalist base, the national government has taken steps in recent years to promote the religion and to sideline Muslims and other groups. Many Hindus are vegetarian, particularly among the elite within India’s traditional caste system, and some of them consider eggs to be meat products. Citing complaints from Hindus as well as health concerns, local officials in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city, and at least four other cities in mid-November banned the sale and display of meat, fish and eggs on the street. As the mayor of one city, Rajkot, told the local news media: “Carts with nonvegetarian food can be seen everywhere in the city. The religious sentiments of the people are hurt by this.”

Philippines' Duterte withdraws from 2022 Senate race (AFP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday withdrew his candidacy for the 2022 Senate race, the government elections monitor said, a month after he made a last-minute entry into the contest. Duterte, 76, is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, and his decision to run for the Senate had been seen as a way of staying in politics while facing an international probe into his deadly drug war. No official reason was immediately provided for Duterte's sudden withdrawal from the elections in May.

Taliban seek ties with US, other ex-foes (AP) Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers are committed in principle to education and jobs for girls and women, a marked departure from their previous time in power, and they seek the world’s “mercy and compassion” to help millions of Afghans in desperate need, a top Taliban leader said in a rare interview. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also told The Associated Press that the Taliban government wants good relations with all countries and has no issue with the United States. He urged Washington and other nations to release upward of $10 billion in funds that were frozen when the Taliban took power Aug. 15, following a rapid military sweep across Afghanistan and the sudden, secret flight of U.S.-backed President Ashraf Ghani. “Sanctions against Afghanistan would ... not have any benefit,” Muttaqi said Sunday, speaking in his native Pashto during the interview in the sprawling pale brick Foreign Ministry building in the heart of the capital of Kabul. “Making Afghanistan unstable or having a weak Afghan government is not in the interest of anyone,” said Muttaqi, whose aides include employees of the previous government.

Iran bans foreign sunglasses and musical instruments (Worldcrunch) Iran's customs are clamping down on imports of musical instruments and sunglasses, which are on a list of foreign "luxury goods" the country has banned. Reports were not entirely clear whether the ban relates more to religious or economic concerns. The country is currently under Western sanctions and short of foreign exchange. Beyond the financial crisis, Iran's clerical regime also has fraught relations with music and the arts, and broadly opposes modern, Western or "vulgar" music that leads to "indecency." It has likewise never hidden its disdain for Western clothing or styles, which can include sunglasses, T-shirts and neckties, discouraging youngsters from attempting to look fashionable. A deputy head of parliament's Economic Committee, Kazem Musavi, said that "Importing musical instruments is not in the country's interests, because we are an Islamic Republic. Why should anyone import musical instruments into the country when we have so many martyrs and theologians?" By martyrs, he was referring to hundreds of thousands of Iranians who died in the 1980-88 war against Iraq.

Libya’s Presidential Election in Doubt (Foreign Policy) The internationally-backed plan for Libya’s presidential election is in danger of falling apart after electoral officials announced a delay in publishing the final candidate list amid legal disputes, making a planned vote on Dec. 24 increasingly unlikely. The near-collapse of Libya’s political transition was foreshadowed on Nov. 23, when Jan Kubis, the United Nations special envoy for Libya, abruptly resigned his post less than a year into the job. His position was itself only filled after nine months of negotiations following the resignation of his predecessor. Legal challenges over eligibility still hang over several candidates with militia leader Khalifa Haftar and Saif al-Islam Qaddafi—the son of former dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi—both accused of war crimes. Whether the election goes ahead on time or not is mostly a moot point, Jason Pack, the author of Libya and the Global Enduring Disorder told Foreign Policy, with global powers still divided on how to approach the country. “The election is a sideshow. The only reason the election exists is an international attempt to punt the problem and create someone to deal with.”

Protests in Sudan continue (Washington Post) Security forces fired tear gas Monday to disperse protesters in Sudan’s capital in the latest street demonstrations against the October military coup and subsequent deal that reinstated deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Thousands of people took to the streets in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities, embracing the pro-democracy movement’s slogan: “No negotiations, no compromise, no power-sharing” with the military. There were no immediate reports of casualties.