#Revive Australia Party

[axvoter]

Blatantly Partisan Party Review VI (NSW 2023): Group G (Silvana Nile / Revive Australia Party)

Prior reviews (as the Christian Democratic Party): federal 2013, federal 2016, NSW 2019, federal 2019

What I said before: “The CDP sees no place in society for people who think, behave, or believe differently to them. Unless you worship the strict, narrowly-defined, judgemental, petty god to whom the CDP claims allegiance, this party is not for you.” (federal 2019)

What I think this year: This is all just a little bit weird really. Fred Nile was first elected to the NSW Legislative Council in 1981 for the Call to Australia Party, the predecessor of the Christian Democratic Party. He has been in the NSW parliament for over 40 years now; he is 88 years old. He secured the election of his first wife alongside himself for 14 years, the late Elaine Nile, and his second wife Silvana is running this year.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Fred announced his retirement in 2021, endorsing Lyle Shelton as his successor. But then he rescinded the deal (eat shit Lyle) and has served out his term. The CDP dissolved in 2022 and Nile joined Seniors United, but it too has been dissolved. He again announced his retirement in October 2022, but—you can see where this is going—announced last month that he’d stand again. Weirdly, he’s the second candidate to his wife Silvana, and they are the only two candidates in Group G. They do not get a square above the line (you need 15 candidates for that) and even if they had a square above the live and Silvana won election, there’s no chance they’d get a high enough vote for Fred to win a seat from second place. Why is he going out on a loss rather than retiring with dignity? Strange stuff.

Anyway, don’t vote for the Niles, they’re awful bigots. I would say they’ve leapt on the latest bandwagon of bile against drag queens, but Fred’s been pulling that particular wagon since he came to prominence as an opponent of Mardi Gras in the 1980s. Forty years down the track and he has not become a better person.

Recommendation: Give Group G (Silvana Nile / Revive Australia Party) a weak or no preference.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/fnileindp/

[sonic-gonzo]

Saturday night at the Hordern Pavillion Sydney Australia - BLOC PARTY (181123)

[the-gimmick-archive]

Pinned post. (Will update.)

This is a shared blog made to archive important things that happen in the gimmickverse.

The current mods are: @justazebra (admin), @i-dont-know-how-to-name-this.

If we make a mistake, please tell us.

Please @ us if you see an important event happen, especially wars.

Send us an ask if you want to know about a certain event, we’ll do our best to find it.

If you have the link to something important that we didn't archive yet (especially if it happened before this blog started existing), please send it to us.

Shadowban Survival Guide

(scroll down on the guide)

List of arcs and events:

The color war:

Earliest point in the arc we could find. The purple revolution begins. Green joins the revolution.

That time when figuratively everyone got possessed:

Earliest point in the arc we could find.

The UwU revolution:

Earliest point in the arc we could find.

Sealand dying and being revived:

Death. Revival. Death again, but this time they become death's assistant.

IKEA-Party City War:

Earliest point in the arc.

Goose god vs. Waste management war:

Earliest point. Waste management also declaring war. Goose god and waste management making an alliance to stop @/france-unofficial from attacking bean and making Bean sad.

New Zealand vs. Australia war:

Earliest point. New Zealand changing targets to England instead.

Bean getting kidnapped:

Earliest point.

Bean getting kidnapped again (by gimmick nose thief this time.):

Earliest point. Waste management selling their soul so they can see bean again. Molossia scratching and paralyzing Sealand. Sealand getting their souls stolen by gimmick nose thief.

List of gimmick blogs (copied from @/gimmick-simp, @/antarcitica-official, and @/celestial-same-picverse, and then added some missing ones):

@totally-official-gmail @totally-amazon @pizza-hut-official @spotify-official @truly-jcjenson

@bigbasket-notreally @discorddotcum-official @homedepot @im-pandora-i-promise @femboy-totally-bing

@kahoot-official @100percent-shell-oil @assistant-to-the-shell @truly-bath-and-body-works @definitely-tiktok-trust

@unofficially-joann-fabric @its-sanrio-official @the-real-gmail @apple-unofficial @jack-in-the-box-official

@official-arbys @officialtinder @realgoogleslides @reallytimhortons @officially-ikea

@claires-unofficial @barnes-and-noble-official @realgoogleclassroom @real-sephora @pizza-hut-unofficial

@google-news-official @totally-official-gmail @bingle-official @basically-bumble @def-bjs-guys

@official-opera-gx @official-firefox-nightly @the-mcdonalds @realgoogledocs @mcdonalds-official

@totally-bing @operagxreal @official-fedex @firehouse-subs-fr @k-f-c-official

@the-real-google @totally-ikea @taco-bell-unofficial @spotify-kids-real @the-real-victorias-secret

@subway-official @big-mayo-official @/realsafari @incognito-mode-official @burgerking-official

@definitely-wikipedia @the-one-and-only-pornhub @the-one-and-only-duckduckgo @its-target-official @yes-im-youtube-kids

@walmart-the-official @duothelingo @firefox-official @femboy-hooters-real @fedex-official

@yamaha-official @youtubefr @actually-x @reality-official

@femboy-google-news-official @50percent-shell-oil @yahooo-official @totally-airbus @the-official-spirit-airlines

@100percent-chipotle @unofficialvine

@totally-brazil @totally-italy @very-real-australia @the-province-of-nova-scotia-real @official-new-zealand

@russia-totallyofficial @quebec-official @india-official @india-reblogs @telangana-official

@denmark-official @pakistan-official @definitely-brasil @non-tyrannical-usa @antarcitica-official

@spain-unofficial @definitely-canada @france-unofficial @the-state-of-georgia-official @official-denmark

@denmark-forreal @official-ireland @texas-real @massachusetts-official @new-york-for-real

@definitelytherepublicofireland @true-blue-straya @totally-germany @official-the-united-states @totally-france

@forever-scotland @germany-official @sovereign-state-of-alaska @guatemala-official @republic-of-molossia

@actually-alberta @the-principality-of-sealand @totally-oregon @yugoslavia-official

@the-chill-planet-uranus @the-serene-moon-luna @earth-fan @deimos-moon-of-terror @officially-capricorn

@the-radiant-sun @the-ringed-planet-saturn @the-red-planet-mars @the-real-uranus @celestial-same-picverse

@officially-taurus @the-lovely-planet-earth @posts-with-10000-notes-in-spirit @/i-hesitantly-say-ok

@i-say-not-ok @i-say-ok @the-us-navy-offical

@woo-in-different-lengths @official-garlic-bread @shakespeare-official-reblogs @gimmick-thief @hold-my-dr-pepper

@oscar-wilde-official-account @the-real-illinois @i-say-grape @the-kingdom-of-norway @denmarklandia-official

@i-say-bean @sweden-official @antarcitica-official @gimmick-nose-thief @gimmick-thief-thief

@tamil-nadu-official @tamilnadu-official @anti-totally-bing @antiquitian-empire @rocks-anon

@tagswoman @actual-aspec-military @pansexual-spaceforce @the-aplatonic-cavalry @the-pointing-anon

@bi-poly-space-station @bisexual-airforce @aro-sp-ace-force @nonbinary-coastguard @demi-demolitions

@queer-military-authorities @queer-military-treasury @the-missiles-guy @the-official-goose-god @the-official-gemini

@actual-transgender-navy @genderfluid-marine-corp @real-australian-army @real-hottopic

@same-pic-of-venus-everyday @same-pic-of-the-earth-everyday @same-pic-of-the-moon-everyday @same-pic-of-mars-everyday @same-pic-of-jupiter-everyday

@same-pic-of-saturn-everyday @the-real-uranus @same-pic-of-neptune-everyday @steve-not-anon @metal-frisbee

@earth-fan @not-10-salmon-in-a-png @same-pic-of-halleys-comet @same-pic-of-callisto-everyday @same-pic-of-eris-everyday @same-pic-of-kepler-186f-everyday

@same-pic-of-haumea-everyday @same-image-of-7-iris @book-nonsie-not-anon @celestial-same-picverse @same-pic-of-pluto-everyday

@same-pic-of-juno-everyday @same-pic-of-polaris-everyday @tomblrmartian @same-pic-of-a-blackhole-everyday @same-pic-of-the-stars-everyday

@alpha-centauri-everyday @same-cosmic-cliffs-pic-every-day @rose-nebula-always @same-pic-of-makemake-everyday @same-picture-of-europa

@same-pic-of-the-lagoon-nebula @star-that-eats-the-sun @jupiter-fan

@same-pic-of-triton-everyday @pq-anon @same-pic-of-ceres-everyday @same-pic-of-wolftopia-everyday

@same-pic-of-mars-everyday @same-pic-of-tres2b-everyday @samepicofthewowsignaleveryday @same-pic-of-the-blue-moon @same-image-of-hr8799e-every-day

@samepictureofsednadaily @moon-of-fear-phobos @totally-neptune-official @corvus-the-constellation @official-nissan

@hollowknight-reference @microsoft-edge-official @arethosewordsinthebible @the-gimmick-doctor @i-say-doot-doot

@i-say-ok @discord-marriage-bot-real @literally-leo @literally-luxembourg

@/same-pic-of-a-dictionary-daily @/same-pic-of-mercury-everyday @/hateful-daystar @//court-artist-under-the-stars @/samepicofproximacentaurieveryday @/same-pic-of-the-sun-everyday @/same-pic-of-the-blood-moon @/same-pic-of-uranus-everyday @/same-pic-of-venus-every-day @/same-pic-of-trans-jupiter @/ton-618-real @/same-pic-of-alpha-centaur-24-7 @/same-pic-of-andromeda-everyday @/same-pic-of-a-bagel-everyday @/same-pic-of-titan-every-day

@putting-iris-in-places @communist-usa-real

(Sorry if you didn't want to get tagged.)

[mariacallous]

One of the biggest hacks of the year may have started to unfold. Late on Friday, embattled events business Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, confirmed it suffered a data breach after criminal hackers claimed to be selling half a billion customer records online. Banking firm Santander also confirmed it had suffered a data breach impacting millions of customers and staff after its data was advertised by the same group of hackers.

While the specific circumstances of the breaches—including exactly what information was stolen and how it was accessed—remain unclear, the incidents may be linked to attacks against company accounts with cloud hosting provider Snowflake. The US-based cloud firm has thousands of customers, including Adobe, Canva, and Mastercard, which can store and analyze vast amounts of data in its systems.

Security experts say that as more details become clear about hackers' attempts to access and take data from Snowflake’s systems, it is possible that other companies will reveal they had data stolen. At present, though, the developing situation is messy and complicated.

“Snowflake recently observed and is investigating an increase in cyber threat activity targeting some of our customers’ accounts,” wrote Brad Jones, Snowflake’s chief information security officer in a blog post acknowledging the cybersecurity incident on Friday. Snowflake has found a “limited number” of customer accounts that have been targeted by hackers who obtained their login credentials to the company’s systems, Jones wrote. Snowflake also found one former staff member’s “demo” account that had been accessed.

However, Snowflake doesn’t “believe” it was the source of any leaked customer credentials, the post says. “We have no evidence suggesting this activity was caused by any vulnerability, misconfiguration, or breach of Snowflake’s product,” Jones wrote in the blog post.

While the number of Snowflake accounts accessed and what data may have been taken have not been released, government officials are warning about the impact of the attack. Australia’s Cyber Security Center issued a “high” alert on Saturday, saying it is “aware of successful compromises of several companies utilizing Snowflake environments” and companies using Snowflake should reset their account credentials, turn on multifactor authentication, and review user activity.

“It looks like Snowflake has had some rather egregiously bad security compromise,” security researcher Troy Hunt, who runs data breach notification website Have I Been Pwned, tells WIRED. “It being a provider to many other different parties, it has sort of bubbled up to different data breaches in different locations.”

Details of the data breaches started to emerge on May 27. A newly registered account on cybercrime forum Exploit posted an advertisement where they claimed to be selling 1.3 TB of Ticketmaster data, including more than 560 million people’s information. The hacker claimed to have names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, some credit card details, ticket sales, order details, and more. They asked for $500,000 for the database.

One day later, the established hacking group ShinyHunters—which first emerged in 2020 with a data-stealing rampage, before selling 70 million AT&T records in 2021—posted the exact same Ticketmaster ad on rival marketplace BreachForums. At the time, Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation had not confirmed any data theft and it was unclear if either post selling the data was legitimate.

On May 30, ShinyHunters also claimed to be selling 30 million customer details and staff information from Santander, putting a $2 million price tag on the information. Both posts on BreachForums have drawn attention to the illegal marketplace, which was recently revived by ShinyHunters after the FBI took the website down on May 15. The posts may, at least in part, be efforts to restore the disrupted forum’s damaged reputation with criminals.

The two hacks were linked to Snowflake’s systems by Israeli security firm Hudson Rock, which, in a now-removed blog post, posted conversations its researchers had with the alleged hacker who claimed to have accessed Snowflake’s systems and exfiltrated data. The hacker claimed they had tried to sell the data back to Snowflake for $20 million. (Hudson Rock did not respond to WIRED’s questions about why it has removed its research).

The Hudson Rock post claimed that a Snowflake employee may have been infected by an infostealer that collected the details the hacker needed to log in to its systems. Charles Carmakal, the chief technology officer at Google-owned security firm Mandiant, told BleepingComputer that its investigations, which have been taking place in recent weeks, indicate information-stealing malware may have been used to get Snowflake account credentials.

A Ticketmaster spokesperson told TechCrunch that its stolen database was hosted on Snowflake after the company acknowledged a data breach in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday evening. In the middle of May, before its data was advertised online, Santander first said it had seen unauthorized access to one of its databases “hosted by a third-party provider,” however it has refused to name the third party.

Snowflake’s CISO, Jones, acknowledged the security incident on Friday, saying that if a “threat actor obtains customer credentials, they may be able to access the account.” The company says it became aware of the suspicious activity on May 23 but has since found out it had been happening since mid-April. Jones’ post says Snowflake has notified all of its customers and “encouraged” them to review account settings and ensure they have implemented multi-factor authentication. In an additional security bulletin, Snowflake says it has seen “malicious traffic” from a client calling itself “rapeflake” and also connections from another client called “DBeaver_DBeaverUltimate.” A company spokesperson tells WIRED they have “nothing else to add” beyond the information included in company posts.

Cloud security company Mitiga says its investigations have seen a threat actor targeting organizations using Snowflake databases and using an attack tool called “​​rapeflake” in the process. Roei Sherman, field CTO at Mitiga, tells WIRED one possible scenario is that a threat actor managed to get information about Snowflake’s systems and then stole information about its clients, possibly using automated tools and brute-forcing their way into accounts.

Sherman says little is known about what data was stolen at the moment or the “​​rapeflake” tool, but that the attack could have wider ramifications going forward. There are already early signs other companies may be impacted.

Sherman says some of Mitiga’s customers have reached out to it for help, while Mandiant told BleepingComputer it had been assisting Snowflake customers in recent weeks. Cybersecurity researcher Kevin Beaumont shared online that he knows of six companies that have been impacted. And Australian events company Ticketek has also revealed customer names and email addresses stored in a “cloud-based platform, hosted by a reputable, global third-party supplier” have been accessed, although a spokesperson refused to confirm if this was related to Snowflake at all.

“We haven’t seen the entire blast radius yet,” Sherman says. “Snowflake has thousands of clients—they offer self-registration—and some of their clients are huge companies. We expect to learn about additional companies compromised.”

[rjzimmerman]

If you've been following COP29 (aka the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), you probably quit about 10 days ago. I paid scant attention to it after day one. It was doomed to failure, and with trump approaching the entrance ramp to global climate chaos and the latest iteration of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, I figured I didn't want to waste my time.

Excerpt from this story from Truthout:

Another year of climate breakdown approaches its end, marked by reports that 2024 will be the first year in which the world’s average surface temperature exceeded the pre-industrial average by 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.5°C) — and by another COP climate conference. Would the 29th in the series, held in Azerbaijan, be more of the same, a fossil fuel-friendly cop-out?

It began with poetry. The COP29 president, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources H. E. Mukhtar Babayev, addressed a 9,000-word letter to delegates, laying out areas to be discussed. At its head, an epigraph from a Persian poet, Nizami Ganjavi, warning humankind that it could “destroy itself” if harmony “between people and nature” is lost.

The president’s concern, needless to say, was entirely feigned. Babayev’s epistle evaded mention of fossil fuels, except in a positive light. This was predictable. Prior to entering politics he worked for SOCAR, an oil company that stands accused of large-scale pollution as well as violations of human rights and workers’ health and safety. Even as its former employee presided over the COP’s opening ceremonies, SOCAR was pressing ahead with a massive expansion of drilling operations.

Altogether, COP29 was a shambolic and fractured event. The host nation used the opportunity to arrange new fossil fuel deals and granted access to 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists plus 480 lobbyists for carbon capture and storage — Big Oil’s latest dangerous and dishonest ruse to justify continued drilling. The conference’s other failures include Saudi Arabia’s attempt, with considerable impact, to stifle any discussion of transitioning from fossil fuels; the rich countries’ refusal to pay poor countries remotely near the requisite figure to help cover decarbonization efforts and their “loss and damage” from climate change; and a revival of markets for carbon “offsets” — the scam by which rich countries and corporations pay for climate-related activities in low-wage economies in order to justify by some supernatural calculus their own failure to cut emissions. Absent were the leaders of most of the jurisdictions responsible for the climate crisis: the United States, China, the EU, Russia, Germany, Canada, Australia and France.

On the other side of the climate justice scales, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape announced that his government would not attend, in protest at the big polluters’ refusal to provide “support to victims of climate change.”

The perfidy, venality and “bullshit” on display at COP29 prompted Albania’s prime minister, Edi Rama, to veer off script in a moment of emperor’s-new-clothes candor: “What on Earth are we doing in this gathering over and over,” he said, “if there is no common political will on the horizon to go beyond words and unite for meaningful action? And adding insult to the injury, some major and minor players even boycotted this annual global event.”

[vague-humanoid]

Will BRICS Sink the West’s Regime of War, Sanctions and Genocide?

Roger McKenzie – International Editor of the Morning Star and member of the Communist Party of Britain joins the show to discuss the 16th annual BRICS summit of around 20 world leaders in Kazan, Russia. The BRICS have already called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but will their efforts to challenge dollar dominance weaken the US-led regime of sanctions, never-ending wars and genocide?

Lidia Thorpe - a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung Senator for the Australian state of Victoria joins the show to discuss why she confronted King Charles at the Australian Parliament, shouting “You are not my king!” in a now viral moment. She will explain the UK’s role in the genocide of Australia’s First Peoples, the fight for treaty rights and solidarity with Palestine.

Manolo De Los Santos - Co-Executive Director of The People’s Forum and a researcher at Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research will discuss the total collapse of Cuba’s national power grid that left the country without electricity for several days. De Los Santos explains how the US’s brutal 60-year blockade has sabotaged the island’s power grid.

Ali Abunimah - Director of The Electronic Intifada joins the show to discuss the UK police raid on his EI colleague, journalist Asa Winstanley. Earlier this month, the counterterrorism police unit entered Winstanley’s home and seized his electronics for investigation of his social media posts. Abunimah will explain how anti-terror laws are systematically weaponized to silence Palestine solidarity journalists and activists exposing the ongoing genocide.

Ashish Prashar - Political strategist and former advisor to the Middle East peace envoy will discuss Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s 11th trip to the Middle East aimed at supposedly “reviving ceasefire talks.” After over a year of US-backed Israeli genocidal terror against Palestine and Lebanon and the growing threat of war with Iran, Prashar will discuss the failure of the so-called peace industry.

[aloneditee]

Sephiran the Strange

I thought of some more dumb headcannons for Sephiran. and also was inspired by the absolute geniuses in the reblog tags of my previous post which u can read here. And also read the reblog comments and tags for more sephiran shenanigans.

WARNING: This installment has spoilers and also mentions of violence.

Sephiran is a chronic info dumper to anyone that will listen (almost always Zelgius btw). One time I doodled Sephiran rambling to Zelgius about his discovery of normal lizards and how much they resemble dragons except lizards are adorable and (relatively) harmless little guys. This guy would have a blast when he discovers the absolute creatures that reside Australia (lots of lizards and snakes lol). Becuase he is old and travels a lot he will have lots of stories to talk your ear off about.

Adding onto this he is particularly fond of talking about Sanaki and her strange behaviour to anyone that will listen and I know this because of that one feh event. The BK winter festival party thing. you know the one.

Along the same vein he also tells Sanaki a story that he makes up himself before she goes to sleep. The story is based off real events probably but he changes up the lore a bit to make it way cooler or less scary.

He has to come up with creative ways to get out of going to dinner with duke Tanas (Oliver is a freak but that dialogue in RD made him sound like he was trying to flirt with Sephiran and understandably Sephiran responded with "judgement cannot come soon enough"). The excuses get less and less believable and more unhinged as time goes on but Oliver is none the wiser.

A lot of people mentioned Sephiran being a vegetarian. I would like to add during group dinners (and dates) he gives his meat servings to Zelgius.

There have probably been a few attempts to assassinate the Prime Minister during his time (and probably during RD when he got kicked out of the Senate too). Everyone in the Senate is really fucking confused on how he keeps surviving these near-death experiences as if he literally revives (spoilers: he is immortal).

He also messes with his assassins too. When he wakes back up he would politely greet them and ask them how their day was and they're just standing there like. fuck. what the fuck. how.

He can play the harp and piano. This isn't peculiar behaviour but I need you all to know he plays instruments.

He can't hold in his laughter especially if he's laughing at you not with you. Not everyone can have perfect social etiquette. Yous remember the ending of PoR right...

I am not the first nor the last to mention the fact that Sephiran ended up in jail twice throughout the duology. I have a feeling the first time in PoR was not his first rodeo either.

[maaikeatthefullmoon]

The Holiday Diaries - Day Three

Continuing for my darling friend @tismrot and hopefully being a bit more entertaining today.

Wow! It turns out that, whilst I’m in Norfolk, he’s in bloody Egypt! Paddling in the Nile. Deep in it. 🤦🏻‍♀️

So, while I’m mentally adding golden beads and bells to Nelly’s tabard (I’ve named The Elephant In The Room, she said it was ok), he’s completely ignorant. Nelly is obviously so magical only I can see her.

Meanwhile I’m also realising I’m still a hopeless romantic and touch starved who lives in a small town…and will probably still be exactly that in 12 months’ time…24 months’ time…48 months’ time etc etc etc. How the hell would I even meet anyone?

Anyway!

Magpies are finally flying around in pairs! It’s my only small superstition. I always recite the rhyme ‘one for sorrow, two for joy...’ when I see them. In fact, my ‘I finished trauma therapy’ tattoo is going to be based on this rhyme. Booked it last year (when I still had money), it’s in September. It’ll be a chest piece of two magpies with some treasure & some more macabre animal skulls. Currently managing to put away £10/month and secreting away the occasional extra bit. Will need a lot more by September as it won’t be cheap but trauma therapy was HELL and the tattoo commemorating it was something the therapist & I actually discussed at length. She encouraged it. Along with my writing. Seeing the magpie pairs today made me think about it.

Went to a massive charity shop today because he needed jeans. I’ve lost 30kg in the last year (not in a healthy way, I won’t share my method) and nothing fits anymore. Managed to pick up one black fem top and one grungy neutral top and a great pair of formal/suit trousers from the ‘mens’’ for super cheap.

Even more excitingly is a collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories

I checked the records for a copy of Everyday but all I found was this monstrosity *argh*

We went to a cat cafe. It was lush. They had grumpy sphinx cats. Yes - Grumpy. Sphinx. Cats. And retro 80s & early 90s stuff like carebears, rainbow brite and mlp. And loads of old console games. It was mad and I loved it.

Then there was beaching. I REFUSED.

There is one beach in the UK that I like: Calgary Beach in Mull. Other than that, I do NOT like beaches. I can’t actually think of any beaches in other countries that I like. And I used to live in the tropics. And went down the Gold Coast (Australia) for a month on holiday as a teenager. So this is the closest I got to the beach today:

My feet did not touch the sand.

Did a mini rave when we got back. Which segued into a rock party.

I can’t listen to the normal radio. What’s with the country revival? What’s going on? Help!!!

Still can’t write. I still suck. Been researching for the proper book. But nothing I write is any good. What if I never am again?

I’m out at the entertainment again now. Can’t afford nice drinks, but never mind. Must be his paddle in denial using up the budget. @tismrot, dollface, hope my insane-yet-inane life amuses you 😂

[the-whumpening]

Fuck It Friday #2

Last night was my group’s DnD session, and boooyyyy have I got some juicy whump tidbits to share!

CW: gore (esp eyeballs), knives, torture, lycanthropy, could be read as cannibalism?

So in the canon of our game, the group used a teleportation scroll to get themselves and Ash out of the demi-plane he’d been held in. This landed us in Chult, which is a massive island continent much like Australia, where we reunited with some familiar NPCs on a scouting mission.

Various dangling plot threads are getting tied up, including Ash reconnecting with his father again and realizing that he’s . . . Just a guy. A guy who was wracked with guilt and shame and thrust into a situation he had no control of. Gregor is clearly trying to start a new life and make up for his past, and Ash is slowly opening up and letting him in a little.

To make a very long story short, Gregor tried to save Kane from being taken by the weretigers who’ve taken over the jungle; he failed, and got bitten in the process, which is apparently fatal to people already infected with lycanthropy. To make them even once more, Ash let Krumgus revive Gregor.

Cut to this session: the party has just fought a small group of weretigers that ambushed us. Some ran away, some were dead, and one was left to be interrogated. Evius held the weretiger down with an immovable rod to the neck while Ash prepares to torture him for information. It felt right to be the one inflicting pain for once. He lets his rage continue to simmer though the battle is well over.

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Evius: Who do you work for? Why are you here? [The tiger only growls in response, though Evius attempts to read his thoughts. He sees a weretiger—much larger than the others—on a throne of skulls. He nods to Ash, who slips the silver knife between the tiger’s ribs.] Evius: Who is he? Tiger: The Banded King. Evius: Where can we find him? [Evius presses deeper into his thoughts, seeing images of a ruined city deep in the jungle.] Evius: How do we get there? [Once again, the tiger doesn’t respond. Evius nods to Ash once again. Ash twists the knife, eliciting a squeal of pain from the tiger-man.] Ash: Answer him! Where is our friend? Kane—the half elf with the gray hair? [The tiger chuffs in laughter in between gasps of pain.] [Ash removes the knife, instead using its tip to trace the outline of the weretiger’s stripes.] Ash: You know, I could carve these off of you. It would be . . . so easy. [Ash is past rationality now; his best friend is missing and this mass of flesh is the only thing in the way.] Where is Kane? Tiger, taunting: He is alive! The Banded King has taken a special interest in him. [He looks to Gregor with a conspiratorial grin.] They wait for you. Gregor: Ash, cut out his eye. Ash: With pleasure. [Ash carefully swirls the silver knife into the tiger’s eye socket, plucking his eye from his skull. The creature snarls and howls, but maintains his bravado.] Why did you come here? Why did you tell the other one not to fight me? Tiger: [He seethes and mocks Ash.] The Banded King has no use for you in his army, half-breed! [Evius goes to grab his mane and yank his head back, but the tiger is too quick. His teeth just graze Evius’ wrist before he pulls away; the venom is already burning in his veins.] [Without hesitation, Ash pounds his fist into the tiger’s bleeding socket. Gregor allows his animal companions to finish the job. Ash snarls, struggling to keep any semblance of composure.] Ash, panicking: Evvy, I have to do something rash—it might save you, but it’s going to hurt. I need your permission! [Ash wonders if he’s also venomous like the other weretigers; if he is, Evius is dead either way, right? Might as well try.] [Panicking and in pain, Evius agrees.] [Ash sinks his teeth into Evius’ arm, ripping off the infected flesh and spitting it on the ground. Evius wails, shaking and sweating, as Ash transforms out of his rage. He holds Evius to the ground to keep him from thrashing, one hand on his chest and the other stroking his hair. Blood drips from his mouth and down his chin.] Ash: I’m so sorry, Evvy. I’m sorry, I’m sorry—I had to! [He repeats it over and over again.] [Gregor douses bandages in alcohol (we notice it’s the same brand of mushroom absinthe we created early in the campaign) and quickly wraps Evius’ wounds. The three wait with bated breath to see if Ash’s plan worked.] [A dark black band circles Evius’ hand, meeting the bandages on either side. It’s puffed and raised, like a bruise or a scar. One perfect stripe.] [But the burn of the venom fades, leaving only the sting of the alcohol and the ache of the bite. No more stripes appear, and Evius slips into much-needed unconsciousness.] [Mouse rejoins them after hearing the screams and, after making sure Evius is okay, asks for their help with another infected victim. It’s too late for this one.] [Ash looks pitifully up at Gregor with big, watery eyes.] Ash: . . . Gregor? Can you please . . .? Gregor: [He pats Ash’s shoulder.] Sure, bud. Keep him safe. [It’s strange. Just days ago, he would’ve killed Gregor on sight. But now there’s . . . an odd affection growing. He shakes off the thought and focuses on Evius, lifting him gently and taking him to rest in the shade.]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

One of our players is currently playing a child character, who saw the interaction from up in a tree. He asked Mouse to check up on the group as he was pretty sure Ash had tried to eat Evius. Mouse was pretty sure that wasn't the case, but damn if she didn't have to rule it out lol.

(Bear with me on this formatting, I'm not sure the best way to share this and I thought it would read well in a chat style format.)

[agentleem]

My Favorite DND campaign I played in

We were a group called "The Leviathan Company," but I forgot how exactly we got that name (might've been the leviathan we fought). The players were -Zeta: Warforged Barbarian (my character). The very first thing he did in life was make a religion on their origins (Which involve Red vs Blue references, warforgeds, and gnomes). They then proceeded to absentmindedly harass the country side before joining the party. He has an absurd and nonsensical view of the world, and little thing like "common sense" isn't going to stop him from doing something ridiculous. He has handaxes installed in his hands and a crossbow in his mouth that he ate. While not confirmed, I often joked that Zeta's innard are rather lovecraftian and eldritch. After the campaign ended, he invented Mac n Cheese on accident. -Dar MakDerlad: Human Fighter, noble from a fictional country that his player wrote lots of lore about--including a language--which is Australia and Ireland combined, put in snow, and with the same general views of a warhammer city. He is quickly-angered, prone to graphic threats, heavily racist, but loyal to the point that he'd give his life if he betrayed his friends. He chills out at least a slight bit, don't worry. Also, he is both gay and homophobic, and half the campaign is about trying to revive his dead boyfriend (and other war buddies too). -Anakiir Mortis: Drow Sorceror, skilled in alchemy, a scholar, hails from beyond the lands. He is the smartest of the group and tries to expand his knowledge. Tied with Dar as the morally worst person in the party. He used to have a pet fish named Marvin that he would feed magic items to increase the strength of. However, he released Marvin to fight the Leviathan. He is also gay, but I'm pretty sure his player confirmed that to one-up Dar. His backstory is spoilers, and I might tell this story later (and Dar's player is trying to write a novel on it) -Lily: High Elf Rogue and Sorceress who works in an underground crime syndicate, stealing riches from nobles. Unsurprisingly, she hates nobles with a burning passion. She tries to live her best life. Racist against Dwarves and Gnomes for personal reasons. She joined the party because her syndicate had to lay low as there weren't many jobs at the moment. She is also a Lesbian, and bought a Tiefling slave girl to romance (Btw, her player probably made her for horny reasons, but he ended up giving her excellent development) -Sir Ivan, Human Paladin of Emotep, the God of Food, Money, Bitches. He is the moral compass and straight man of the group (due to being the only one who isn't gay--or asexual, in Zeta's case). He is the standard lawful good, except it's actually done in a good way instead of a stupid way. He also has a backstory that's spoilers, so I'll refrain from telling. Some NPCs that joined them: -Cyren Arafir: High Elf Bard originally hired as a one-night stand for Anakiir, ends up becoming an integral party member. -Doc: Human Cleric of Emotep the party yoinked one day. The DM accidentally gave him Dr Ned's voice from Borderlands. -Lila: Tiefling Rogue, mute slave girl that Lily bought. She got killed in the fight with the Fish King, but she got better. -Marvin: Fish-turned God, was fed magic items by Anakiir until he ascended in the fight against the Leviathan of Kua-Toa making. Current Wherabouts are unknown. -Child: I forgot his name but luckily it's spoilers, so I don't have to tell you right now.

I might detail some of the sessions that happened in this campaign.

[nicholejaderockabillyboutique]

Unleash Your Inner Romantic with a Stunning Hearts and Roses Dress Today!

Imagine walking into a room and instantly turning heads with your impeccable sense of style. Whether it’s a special date night, a lively rockabilly event, or a casual outing with friends, nothing captures the essence of romance and vintage charm quite like a hearts and roses dress. This iconic piece isn’t just a fashion statement it’s a celebration of femininity, nostalgia, and the bold, artistic flair of rock and roll fashion in the 1950s. Let’s dive into why this timeless dress deserves a place in your wardrobe and how it connects to the enduring appeal of vintage retro fashion.

A Romantic Throwback to the 1950s

The 1950s were an extraordinary era in fashion history, marked by rebellion, creativity, and a love for all things bold and beautiful. The rockabilly 50s style emerged as a blend of rock and roll energy and vintage sophistication. Women’s clothing in this era often featured playful patterns, voluminous skirts, and flattering silhouettes that celebrated curves. The hearts and roses dress is a perfect embodiment of this aesthetic, blending romantic floral designs with the edgy flair of 1950s rock and roll.

This style flourished during a time when women were reclaiming their individuality through fashion. The full skirts of rockabilly dresses allowed for movement and freedom, while the fitted waists emphasized elegance and femininity. Today, these dresses remain a popular choice for those who want to channel their inner pinup queen.

Rockabilly Fashion in Australia: A Modern Revival

Australia has fully embraced the charm of rockabilly fashion. Events like retro festivals and car shows celebrate the vibrant culture of the 1950s, giving Australians a chance to show off their love for all things vintage. The rockabilly dress Australia scene is thriving, offering a variety of styles and patterns that cater to every taste.

From polka dots to heart motifs, the options are endless. These dresses are not just for themed events; they’re perfect for weddings, parties, and even casual outings. Pair your hearts and roses dress with bold red lipstick and cat-eye sunglasses for an effortlessly chic look that captures the essence of rock and roll fashion in the 1950s.

The Pinup Look: Timeless Elegance

If you’ve ever admired the glamour of classic pinup models, you’ll love how a pinup dress Australia can elevate your wardrobe. Pinup fashion focuses on figure-flattering silhouettes, vibrant prints, and a touch of old Hollywood glamour. The hearts and roses dress fits seamlessly into this aesthetic, offering a romantic yet playful vibe that’s perfect for modern-day pinup enthusiasts.

One of the reasons pinup fashion has remained so popular is its versatility. You can dress it up with vintage accessories or keep it simple for a more laid-back look. Either way, a pinup dress Australia ensures you’ll stand out for all the right reasons.

The Allure of Vintage Retro Fashion

There’s something magical about slipping into a piece of clothing that feels like it’s been plucked from another era. Vintage retro fashion allows us to embrace the artistry and craftsmanship of the past while making it our own. The hearts and roses dress captures this spirit beautifully, combining vintage-inspired designs with modern comfort and durability.

What makes vintage retro fashion so appealing is its ability to tell a story. Each pattern, cut, and detail feels deliberate and meaningful, making every piece feel unique. By wearing a hearts and roses dress, you’re not just wearing a garment; you’re stepping into a world of romance, nostalgia, and timeless style.

More Than Just Dresses: Exploring Retro Bowling Shirts

While the hearts and roses dress is a standout choice, it’s not the only way to embrace retro fashion Australia. The retro bowling shirt is another iconic piece that’s perfect for adding a touch of vintage charm to your wardrobe. These shirts, often adorned with bold patterns and contrasting colors, were a staple of 1950s casual wear and remain a popular choice for men and women today.

Pair a retro bowling shirt with high-waisted jeans or a swing skirt for an effortlessly cool look that channels the laid-back vibes of the 1950s. Whether you’re heading to a rockabilly event or just want to add a bit of retro flair to your everyday outfit, these shirts are a versatile and stylish option.

Why Rockabilly Fashion is Here to Stay

The enduring popularity of rockabilly fashion Australia can be attributed to its unique blend of nostalgia and individuality. In a world dominated by fast fashion, rockabilly style offers a refreshing alternative that celebrates creativity and self-expression. The hearts and roses dress, along with other vintage-inspired pieces, allows wearers to stand out and showcase their personality.

Another reason for its longevity is its inclusivity. Rockabilly fashion is for everyone, regardless of age, body type, or personal style. Whether you’re drawn to the bold patterns of a hearts and roses dress or the casual charm of a retro bowling shirt, there’s something for everyone in the world of vintage retro fashion.

Where to Find the Perfect Hearts and Roses Dress

If you’re ready to embrace the charm of the 1950s, finding the perfect hearts and roses dress is easier than ever. Many boutiques and online stores specialize in rockabilly dress Australia, offering a wide range of styles, sizes, and patterns. When shopping for your dress, look for high-quality fabrics and attention to detail to ensure your piece will last for years to come.

Pair your dress with vintage-inspired accessories like petticoats, heels, and statement jewelry to complete the look. And don’t forget to have fun with your hair and makeup! A classic victory roll hairstyle and bold eyeliner can take your outfit to the next level.

Embrace the Romance and Fun of Vintage Fashion

There’s no denying the appeal of a hearts and roses dress. It’s a piece that combines the best of rockabilly 50s style with modern-day wearability, making it a must-have for anyone who loves vintage retro fashion. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or simply want to add a touch of romance to your everyday wardrobe, this dress is sure to make you feel confident, beautiful, and timeless.

So why wait? Step into the world of retro fashion Australia today and unleash your inner romantic. With the perfect hearts and roses dress, you’ll not only look amazing but also feel like you’ve stepped back in time to an era of elegance, charm, and unbridled creativity.

[starseedfxofficial]

DXY's Tightrope and EUR/USD's Calm: Today’s Forex Insights 106: A Level Up or a Ticking Clock for the Dollar Index? The Dollar Index (DXY) is doing what traders hate most—hovering. At 106.00, it’s like that one friend who RSVP’s "maybe" to every party. Sure, it briefly kissed 106.21, Monday’s high, but the next pit stop could be Monday’s low of 105.79. If you’re betting on the upside, keep your eyes peeled for the 21-day moving average (106.39) and the Dec. 5 peak (106.37). It’s a tightrope act—one wobble could send it tumbling, or soaring, depending on the next macro news bombshell. EUR/USD: A Snooze Fest or Calm Before the Storm? The EUR/USD stuck to a 1.0546-1.0564 range. Translation? It’s as exciting as watching paint dry. But don’t let the calm fool you. With the European Central Bank (ECB) gearing up for Thursday’s meeting, this pair could be the sleeping giant. Will hawkish ECB chatter break the mold, or will dovish tones keep it grounded? Get your popcorn ready—Thursday might just deliver the twist. GBP/USD: Flatlining in a Data Desert Like a car idling at a red light, GBP/USD didn’t go anywhere overnight. The lack of UK-specific news, combined with a dollar that’s hitting the snooze button, kept the pair in a narrow 1.2736-1.2757 range. But remember, still waters often run deep. This could be the quiet before a storm of UK economic data or geopolitical surprises. USD/JPY: A Rollercoaster Without the Thrills After peaking at 151.55, USD/JPY retraced to test the 151.00 support level. Blame higher US Treasury yields for Tuesday’s high. This pair might as well have a “Caution: Volatility Ahead” sign slapped on it. Look for catalysts in upcoming US economic indicators, as a surprise might send it screaming higher or tumbling lower. AUD Takes a Dovish Dip Post-RBA The Australian dollar had a rough night, retreating after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left its cash rate at 4.35%. No surprises there, but the dovish tone was a buzzkill. AUD/USD softened further as traders digested the RBA’s confidence that inflation is on track. Translation? Aussie bulls might want to hit pause. Yuan: A Glimmer of Optimism While its peers struggled, the yuan caught a break. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) delivered a curveball by setting the USD/CNY midpoint at 7.1876, way stronger than expectations of 7.2806. USD/CNH even dipped below 7.25. This optimism follows Beijing’s monetary policy tweaks, suggesting China might have a few tricks left up its sleeve to revive growth. For traders, this could be a game-changer in Asia-Pacific markets. Insider Tips for Traders: - Tight Ranges Are Opportunities in Disguise: When the market moves sideways, it’s time to deploy range-bound strategies like Bollinger Bands or pivot points. - Follow the Money—And the Central Banks: Watch for ECB or PBoC surprises that could shake up EUR/USD or USD/CNH, respectively. - Mind the Moving Averages: Key levels like the 21 DMA on DXY can act as invisible magnets for prices. Use them to set tight stop-losses. - Patience Pays with Dovish Central Banks: A dovish RBA might scream "sell AUD," but oversold conditions often invite sharp reversals. - Don’t Sleep on the Yuan: A strong PBoC midpoint is more than a headline; it’s a signal. Traders looking for the next big play in Asia should start here. Adapt or Get Left Behind Forex isn’t just about tracking the headlines—it’s about seeing the patterns others miss. Whether it’s the quiet EUR/USD or the volatile USD/JPY, today’s seemingly mundane moves are tomorrow’s breakout opportunities. Stay sharp, stay informed, and always trade with a plan. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a joint presser with his Australian Counterpart Penny Wong, where the two leaders discussed various issues of global importance. EAM also spoke about the US Presidential Elections.  Jaishankar said, “We have seen steady progress in our relationship with the US over the last 5 presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the US will only grow”.  The US presidential Elections will see the Democrats, led by VP Kamala Harris, and the Republicans, led by former US President Donald Trump, go head to head as the voting begins from November 5 onwards.  Harris was nominated as the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden quit the presidential race amid mounting concerns over his age. This was particularly after his poor show in the debate with Donald Trump in June.  She is the first female, first black, and first Asian American vice president. If elected president, the 59-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US President. The vice president is only the second woman ever nominated for the presidency by a major political party.  Commenting upon President Donald Trump and the QUAD grouping, Jaishankar told the media, “In terms of QUAD, it was revived under the Trump presidency in 2017. It was then moved from the level of a permanent secretary to a minister during the Trump presidency. It’s interesting, in the midst of COVID, when physical meetings had stopped, one of the rare physical meetings of Foreign Ministers was actually of the QUAD in Tokyo in 2020. So I think that should tell us something”. Under the leadership of former US President Donald Trump, significant reforms were seen in the US, which included renegotiating trade agreements with various countries, reforming the US Tax code, and improving veterans’ access to healthcare, amongst other decisions.  Trump is running for a second term at the White House with JD Vance as his VP Nominee. Trump’s presidency had seen a boost to the QUAD grouping, which Jaishankar highlighted in his remarks today in Australia.  [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a joint presser with his Australian Counterpart Penny Wong, where the two leaders discussed various issues of global importance. EAM also spoke about the US Presidential Elections.  Jaishankar said, “We have seen steady progress in our relationship with the US over the last 5 presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the US will only grow”.  The US presidential Elections will see the Democrats, led by VP Kamala Harris, and the Republicans, led by former US President Donald Trump, go head to head as the voting begins from November 5 onwards.  Harris was nominated as the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden quit the presidential race amid mounting concerns over his age. This was particularly after his poor show in the debate with Donald Trump in June.  She is the first female, first black, and first Asian American vice president. If elected president, the 59-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US President. The vice president is only the second woman ever nominated for the presidency by a major political party.  Commenting upon President Donald Trump and the QUAD grouping, Jaishankar told the media, “In terms of QUAD, it was revived under the Trump presidency in 2017. It was then moved from the level of a permanent secretary to a minister during the Trump presidency. It’s interesting, in the midst of COVID, when physical meetings had stopped, one of the rare physical meetings of Foreign Ministers was actually of the QUAD in Tokyo in 2020. So I think that should tell us something”. Under the leadership of former US President Donald Trump, significant reforms were seen in the US, which included renegotiating trade agreements with various countries, reforming the US Tax code, and improving veterans’ access to healthcare, amongst other decisions.  Trump is running for a second term at the White House with JD Vance as his VP Nominee. Trump’s presidency had seen a boost to the QUAD grouping, which Jaishankar highlighted in his remarks today in Australia.  [ad_2] Source link

[mariacallous]

The Western press rarely shows China’s leader, Xi Jinping, smiling broadly or laughing, seeming to prefer photos of him that project a stern, even dour demeanor. Yet last week, Western media coverage of Xi’s face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Woodside, California, near San Francisco, featured image after image of a jovial Xi cheerily waving as he strolled along a garden path with Biden or smiling warmly as he gripped Biden’s hand on the red carpet.

The lingering question is: Why the change?

Was it, as some coverage portrayed it, that the United States suddenly had the upper hand in the ongoing contest between the leading powers after years of trailing growth, leaving Xi softened or humbled? Or was it, relatedly, that Xi had become so alarmed by the post-pandemic stall-out of the Chinese economy that he felt obliged to show up in California as a lightly disguised supplicant in bad need of foreign investment?

Neither of these explanations is especially persuasive. In terms of economics, the relative fates of superpowers rarely hinge on trends that can be measured in as few years as the brief period in which China’s economy has begun to lag. The idea that Xi came to California hat in hand, looking for China’s enormous economy to be bailed out or revived by a new burst of Western investment is also belied by the facts. Xi abstained from making direct appeals for investment, and he made no public concessions to the foreign business types who have begun to complain about the increasingly difficult operating environment they have faced in China, from politically targeted audits and the arbitrary detention of executives to the ongoing theft of intellectual property.

It is more likely that diplomatic rather than economic motives underlie Xi’s new style. Under his leadership, Beijing has pursued a foreign policy in several parts of the world of jutting jaws and squared shoulders, often speaking bluntly and in a patronizing tone toward other countries. And while this seems to have paid off for a while at home, making some audiences there swell with pride that their country had become a power to be reckoned with, over time it has produced sharply negative returns.

Even with the United States experiencing big stumbles of its own—such as a badly botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, a war that looks increasingly stalemated in Ukraine, an increasingly incoherent populist right-wing Republican Party, a dysfunctional Congress, and great looming uncertainty over the next presidential election, which will pit an unprecedentedly old Biden against an unhinged (and almost as old) Donald Trump—Xi’s China has been steadily losing diplomatic ground due to its assertive approach.

This can be seen in numerous parts of the world, but it is clearest in China’s own neighborhood, where it matters most to Beijing. There, countries as disparate and far-flung as the Philippines, India, Australia, and Vietnam have been firming up their ties with the United States as a hedge against pushiness from China.

I shared my own theory about Chinese assertiveness under Xi in a book I wrote about China’s conceptions of itself as a global power over a span of many centuries. In it, I explained that since the late 19th century, the preoccupation of Chinese elites and much of China’s state behavior have been wrapped up in recovering a position that the country takes—not unreasonably, given its large population size and long and distinguished history—as its natural and deserved place at the center of world affairs. During his first 10 years in power, Xi was no different; only his tactics marked a departure from the recent past.

I assessed that Xi had become persuaded that China had a limited window of opportunity to cement strong gains in power relative to the rest of the world—and especially the United States. The chief reason for this was that even a decade ago, it had become widely understood that China was set to experience an enormous and globally unprecedented wave of aging and population decline and that a shift in demographic fundamentals as profound as this would impose huge costs on the state—in lost labor and output as well as in the huge new outlays of capital that would be required to take care of older adults and the chronically ill amid a stark dearth of young people.

For Xi, this meant that China had to move fast and with ambition and focus to improve its position in the world and lock in those gains. This helps explain the enormous Belt and Road Initiative that Xi rolled out shortly after taking power. It helps explain the large increases China has made in armaments, and especially in costly naval and ballistic power, during this period. And it explains China’s assertiveness in the East and South China Seas of the far-western Pacific as well as the feeling that Taiwan has increasingly had during this time of wearing a bull’s-eye on its back.

Unfortunately for Xi, who has removed formal limits on the length of time he can serve as leader but who still faces human limits like anyone else, the trends that are most important to China’s medium- and longer-term prospects have dramatically worsened over this time. And even for a leader famously averse to changing course, this has begun to render a policy of sharp elbows prohibitively costly.

According to one Chinese demographic expert, the country’s overall population declined by 850,000 people in 2022 and will continue to shrink strongly until 2097. Despite an aggressive recent reversal of the country’s infamous one-child policy and official encouragement to women to have more babies, China’s fertility rate has seen a continuation or even acceleration of the decline in the average number of babies born per woman. According to official statistics, a new record low was reached in 2022, with 1.09 children per woman on average. Demographers say that 2.1 children per woman is the number needed to simply maintain a steady population size.

China’s population accounted for 22 percent of the global total in 1980. By 2020, the percentage had fallen to 18. And according to the United Nations’ median projections, that number will stand at only 14 percent by 2050, with more continued decline in sight. In 2050, people over 65 will account for 30 percent of the population, or more than twice the present level. This will render guns-versus-butter choices for China excruciating, including making recruitment and staffing for the world’s largest armed forces in terms of manpower much more difficult and expensive.

There may be no reason thus far to believe that Xi has fundamentally altered his views about the Chinese economy, which have strongly favored state corporations over private enterprise, both domestic and foreign. There are, however, increasingly strong reasons to believe that after years of strengthening, China’s overall position in the global economy is under severe pressure and may even decline.

In one of the most sobering recent assessments of China’s prospects by a prominent economist, Ruchir Sharma wrote in the Financial Times that China’s economy is set to decline this year in nominal terms. Over the last three decades, China has usually been a leader in driving the growth of the world economy. Its share of global output rose nearly tenfold between 1990 and 2021. Using China’s own data, though, Sharma wrote that in 2023, China will account for none of the world’s economic growth. The United States alone, he said, will generate 45 percent of the $8 trillion of expected expansion in the global GDP. India, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and Poland will supply almost all the rest. “That is a striking sign of possible power shifts to come,” Sharma wrote.

Xi did not come to the United States humbled by any of these realities, and China’s medium- to longer-term objectives as a world power have not turned in some new direction on a dime. China’s daunting recent fundamentals are sobering enough, though, that even this man, one of the most willful leaders the world has seen in decades, is having to take stock.

[qnewsau]

Pop the cork at Blanc De Blanc Encore!

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/pop-the-cork-at-blanc-de-blanc-encore/

Pop the cork at Blanc De Blanc Encore!

Step into the world of Blanc de Blanc Encore, a thrilling fusion of cabaret, circus, and burlesque in Sydney.

The party never stops in the delightfully decadent world of Blanc de Blanc Encore.

The crowd favourite cabaret, circus and burlesque show has taken Sydney by storm since it reopened a year ago at the newly refurbished venue The Grand Electric in Surry Hills. And due to overwhelming demand, Blanc de Blanc Encore will keep the party going until March 24 this year.

The creative team at Strut & Fret bring together an international cast of top-notch professionals to serve up Blanc de Blanc Encore‘s world-renowned blend of risque revelry and acrobatic artistry.

In the cast are numerous Cirque du Soleil alumni, including aerial duo Spencer Craig, from Canada, and Caitlin Marion Tomson-Moylan, from the USA.

They join Jess Mews and Melanie Hawkins from Australia, and others.

Spencer and Caitlin have performed together for seven years. In Blanc de Blanc Encore, the duo show off their incredible artistry on the aerial hoops.

“We’ve both done this since we were children. We have at least 40 to 50 years of combined experience between the two of us,” he said.

“Caitlin and I have been all over the world, working for a bunch of different companies in many different shows.”

High-level circus, clowny comedians, and lots of music

Right now, the talented performers’ main focus is Blanc de Blanc. Encore was an immediate sell-out hit when it premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2019 and went on to win standing ovations Australia-wide.

The show’s current run at the Grand Electric has been extended for a fourth time, with shows in Sydney until March.

Spencer Craig, who was in the cast in 2019, describes Blanc de Blanc Encore as a French-themed cabaret with an “eclectic mix of high-level circus, clowny comedians, and lots of singing and dancing.”

“Australian audiences are perfect for a show like Blanc de Blanc,” he said.

“They’re usually a lot more down to have a good time, and I always say they’re down to clown.

“The Grand Electric is a pretty cute, intimate space. Before it was revived for this show, it was unused for a really long time.

“There’s honestly not many spaces like it in the city. It’s perfect for a show like Blanc de Blanc because it brings everybody in really nice and close, which means more fun for us.”

Don’t miss out on all the excitement, the electric atmosphere and lots of bubbles at Blanc de Blanc Encore.

See it until March 24, 2024 at The Grand Electric, Surry Hills. For tickets, visit blancshow.com

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.