#UN Staff System College

[komsomolka]

The unification process, which in practice amounted to an annexation of the GDR, had all the hallmarks of a colonisation. The intellectual elite was stigmatised, marginalised and dismissed, so that it could be replaced by personnel from Western Germany.

Among the institutions that were to be closed were prestigious intellectual centres like the GDR’s Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Arts. [...] The result of which was that thousands of lecturers and researchers were purged. They not only lost their tenured jobs but were also stripped of their legal contracts and seniority protections.

Those who did manage to hold on to their jobs were subjected to a vetting process in which so-called evaluating commissions (staffed only by West German academics) assessed the professional competence and personal integrity of all academics. The reason given for the necessity of this vetting was the alleged low academic standard of research in the GDR, i.e. the assumption that it was all manipulated to serve the ideological demands of the regime. The assessments were, it seemed, an attempt to denigrate East German intellectual achievement and to break up key centres of research. The process was demeaning and humiliating, and a number of internationally renowned academics refused to undergo it and so were dismissed on the spot. During this process those academics and researchers not immediately sacked were placed ‘on hold’ (Warteschleife). This also meant that they lost their employment rights and could easily be dismissed once the ‘holding period’ came to an end. The actual result of the evaluation surprised the assessors themselves since they had to admit that the standards were, despite often inferior material conditions, comparable to those in the West. Yet it was too late, the assumption of an ‘academic desert’ or, more to the point, the imposition of an ideologically-determined plan to oust the GDR intellectual elite, had led to the decision to close down these centres of research. [...]

The third method of cleansing the intellectual elite was the political vetting of every employee in education (schools, colleges and universities). All staff had to complete questionnaires that, in addition to professional qualifications, asked for detailed information on their present and former party affiliations, political opinions and activities. Although such questions are illegal under the German constitution, people from the GDR were told that the completion of the questionnaires was a pre-condition of further employment. [...] Teachers were found politically unacceptable on the basis of trivial activities, such as being a choir leader, because this was considered to be an activity supportive of the system. [...]

The closing down of academic institutions and university departments as well as political vetting resulted in more than one million people with a university degree or its equivalent losing their jobs. This constituted 50 per cent of that group and it meant that, percentage-wise, the Eastern part of Germany, following unification, had the highest unemployment rate for university graduates in the world. [...]

In this context, it is perhaps of interest to note the comments made by Dr. Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport when she was granted her doctorate in Hamburg over seventy years later, at the age of 102! Her case made headlines in Germany.

She had completed her medical studies in Germany during the 1930s, but was denied her doctorate when the Nazis came to power. Being an active communist and Jewish, she was forced to flee the country and found exile in the USA. But with the rise of McCarthyism in the post-war period she and her husband, also a doctor, were summoned to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Persecution once again forced them to leave the country and they eventually settled in the GDR.

Happy as she was to receive her degree belatedly in 2015, she said that the preparations recalled enough bad memories to rob her of sleep - of brown-shirted Nazis shouting and trampling at lectures by partly Jewish professors, but also of the years after the end of the GDR in 1989. She learned of its demise during a scientific congress in the USA, but when Americans congratulated her on ‘German unification’ she felt no joy. Of the years that followed she wrote: ‘I would never have believed, more than 45 years after the victory over Hitler fascism and 40 years after the McCarthy era, that I would again experience such a flood of sackings, such mass destruction of livelihoods and contempt for talents.’

Stasi State or Socialist Paradise? The German Democratic Republic and What Became of It by Bruni de la Motte & John Green with Seumas Milne (Contributor), 2015.

[warningsine]

Bangladeshi student protesters stormed a prison and freed hundreds of inmates Friday as police struggled to quell unrest, with huge rallies in the capital Dhaka despite a police ban on public gatherings.

This week's clashes have killed at least 105 people, according to an AFP count of victims reported by hospitals, and emerged as a momentous challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's autocratic government after 15 years in office.

Student protesters stormed a jail in the central Bangladeshi district of Narsingdi and freed the inmates before setting the facility on fire, a police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"I don't know the number of inmates, but it would be in the hundreds," he added.

Dhaka's police force took the drastic step of banning all public gatherings for the day -- a first since protests began -- in an effort to forestall another day of violence.

"We've banned all rallies, processions and public gatherings in Dhaka today," police chief Habibur Rahman told AFP, adding the move was necessary to ensure "public safety".

That did not stop another round of confrontations between police and protesters around the sprawling megacity of 20 million people, despite an internet shutdown aimed at frustrating the organisation of rallies.

"Our protest will continue," Sarwar Tushar, who joined a march in the capital and sustained minor injuries when it was violently dispersed by police, told AFP.

"We want the immediate resignation of Sheikh Hasina. The government is responsible for the killings."

'Shocking and unacceptable'

At least 52 people were killed in the capital on Friday, according to a list drawn up by the Dhaka Medical College Hospital and seen by AFP.

Police fire was the cause of more than half of the deaths reported so far this week, based on descriptions given to AFP by hospital staff.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the attacks on student protesters were "shocking and unacceptable".

"There must be impartial, prompt and exhaustive investigations into these attacks, and those responsible held to account," he said in a statement.

The capital's police force earlier said protesters had on Thursday torched, vandalised and carried out "destructive activities" on numerous police and government offices.

Among them was the Dhaka headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television, which remains offline after hundreds of incensed students stormed the premises and set fire to a building.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman Faruk Hossain told AFP that officers had arrested Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, one of the top leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

"He faces hundreds of cases," Hossain said, without giving further details on the reasons for Ahmed's detention.

'Symbol of a system'

Near-daily marches this month have called for an end to a quota system that reserves more than half of civil service posts for specific groups, including children of veterans from the country's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

Critics say the scheme benefits children of pro-government groups that back Hasina, 76, who has ruled the country since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.

Hasina's government is accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including by the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists.

Her administration this week ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely as police stepped up efforts to bring the deteriorating law and order situation under control.

"This is an eruption of the simmering discontent of a youth population built over years due to economic and political disenfranchisement," Ali Riaz, a politics professor at Illinois State University, told AFP.

"The job quotas became the symbol of a system which is rigged and stacked against them by the regime."

'Nation-scale' internet shutdown

Students say they are determined to press on with protests despite Hasina giving a national address earlier this week on the now-offline state broadcaster seeking to calm the unrest.

Nearly half of Bangladesh's 64 districts reported clashes on Thursday, broadcaster Independent Television reported.

The network said more than 700 people had been wounded throughout Thursday including 104 police officers and 30 journalists.

London-based watchdog NetBlocks said Friday that a "nation-scale" internet shutdown remained in effect a day after it was imposed.

"Metrics show connectivity flatlining at 10% of ordinary levels, raising concerns over public safety as little news flows in or out of the country," it wrote on social media platform X.

(AFP)

[da-birb-writes-sometimes]

One of Us is Guilty; Prologue

Eight people, nine rooms, seven weapons. One person is guilty, and until they are found, no one is safe; from the perpetrator of the crime, or of being accused.

Characters; Vil Schoenheit, Divus Crewel, Rook Hunt, Azul Ashengroto, Silver, Jade Leech, Cater Diamond

Content; Gender-neutral reader, unreliable narrators

Content Warning; Death (not described), murder (not described)

Word Count; 1.3 K (includes guide on how to participate at the end)

Find this content triggering but still want to participate? Go to this Google Form! <- form is now closed, thank you to the people who voted!

As a reminder, do not put my work — or others for that matter — into AI as it steals. Link to Masterlist

| Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Epilogue (Part 1) | Epilogue (Final)

You were making your way down the main flight of stairs, ready to go crawl into your bed after the long day.

“Attention! Attention!” Crowley’s voice echoed over the PA system, still annoyingly chipper despite the late hour. What was he even still doing here? “Due to the weather, all remaining staff and students are under orders to stay inside the building until morning!” And the PA system cut out.

You groaned, “Seriously? It can’t be that bad–” A loud crack of thunder sounded directly above the building, causing the chandelier to shake. “Okay then,” you huffed, plopping down on the stairs, “I get the message.”

Of course, you would get stuck here for the night, guess that’s what happens when you stay back to study and work on assignments.

But you weren’t the only person stuck in the desolate halls of Night Raven College; seven others were in the same boat as you.

…

Vil was in the lecture theatre, reviewing his notes for the upcoming performance that the Film Research Club would be putting on next week. He too heard Crowley’s announcement and pushed his hair back, massaging his temple. He would not be getting a good night’s rest tonight.

“Tch, no use lamenting over it,” he sighed to himself. Carefully, he put the notes and suggestions away in their designated folder, and he made his way to the main hall. If anyone was still here with him, they might be there; at least he would have some company for the night, and not be alone in the empty hallways.

…

Professor Crewel was grading papers in the teacher’s lounge, and getting a migraine from it as well. “Have those pups learned nothing from me,” he grumbled.

He would much rather be at home in his finest pyjamas, scratching the chins of his dogs, but no, he was stuck here, and would be stuck until the storm passed or Headmaster Crowley got back on the PA system saying it was safe to leave. But knowing his employer, the man had transported himself home, leaving everyone stuck at the college oblivious.

I ought to wring his neck if he did.

…

Rook was in the library, perusing through various books, just looking for something to pass the time. He knew earlier that day that a storm was brewing, he could tell by the clouds and the faint smell wafting on the breeze. He also knew that Vil would be staying late, and he wasn’t going to leave Roi de Poison alone.

After going down a few aisles, Rook finally found a book to his liking. “Hmm, this is new. Ah, how interesting!” Tucking the book under his arm, Rook made his way to the lecture theatre, as that was where he had last seen Vil.

Perhaps un meurtre mystère would make for a good plot for a future performance?

…

Silver had fallen asleep in the cafeteria, apparently he had slept for most of the day. He had only woken up because of Crowley’s voice echoing loudly in the large, empty room.

Did they not notice? Silver rubbed his eyes and yawned. If he was here, there was a possibility of others also finding themselves stuck in the school for the night. The least he could do was make sure others were staying calm, and staying safe. Even outside of his duties he was ever still the protector, and far too kind.

“Hopefully no one got hurt…” he murmured to himself. There was something off, a dark presence of sorts, and it wasn’t just the dark clouds hurling down rain, hail, and lightning outside.

Something doesn’t feel right…

…

Azul was in the alchemy lab, perfecting the most complicated potion that was in his textbook; he had a reputation to upkeep after all, and didn’t want anyone usurping his rank at the top of the class.

There, I just need to add some belladonna and— the suddenness of Crowley’s overly loud voice coming over the PA system caused Azul to add too much, and the potion evaporated. Azul gritted his teeth, but took a step back. Perhaps a walk would help calm him down… he was going to have to replace all of those ingredients tomorrow…

“So close,” he hissed, and he started making his way down the hall, still muttering to himself.

…

Jade was washing the dirt from his hands, having just come back from checking on his fungi in the botanical gardens. He already knew before Crowley made his little announcement that he would be spending the night, which didn’t bother him all that much. Perhaps he could see what was in the kitchen, since he did have that new dish which looked and sounded to be divine.

But that could wait, Azul was most likely still working on that potion of his, and knowing the house warden, he had fumbled with the ingredients at the sudden noise and probably sulking… and Jade could use some amusement at the moment, and a sulking and slightly peeved Azul would do the trick.

…

Cater was in the kitchen, retrieving something for Trey since they were all out in the Heartslabyul kitchen. Of course it was something sweet, but Cater would rather be here than see the outcome of the freshmans’ antics. Sorry freshies, you’re on your own!

But now he was stuck here for the night, and having nothing better to do, and boredom starting to creep in, Cater brought out his phone and started recording. 

“It’s Cay-kun here!~” He gave a peace sign to the camera and stuck out his tongue. “Let’s see who we can find!” And he started chatting to the camera and walking towards the main hall.

…

…

Eventually, everyone had made their way to the main hall; you, Silver, Vil, Professor Crewel, Rook, Azul, Jade, and Cater. But there was no sign of Headmaster Crowley.

“Have any of you pups seen the Headmaster,” Divus asked, turning up a brow, and looked at his students with suspicion.

Everyone shook their head no. Divus sighed, and turned around the corner, in the direction of the Headmaster’s office, but he stopped in his tracks.

Curious, you looked to where Professor Crewel was staring; lying in the middle of the floor was Crowley, and he wasn’t breathing.

Dire Crowley was dead, murdered. And everyone was a suspect, including you.

About this Event

That's right folks, a classic murder mystery in the style of the board game Clue and some inspiration from the book And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

At the beginning and end of each part, I will be including a link to a Google Form where people can vote for who they think is the murderer, what room the murder took place in, and the weapon that was used. There's also an optional question where you can explain your answer, just do know that everything was randomly chosen by a spinner.

The form will be active for at least 72 hours; it may go on for longer if I'm busy. A new form will be added with each part, just with the suspect, room, & weapon that was voted in the last part being removed if they were incorrect... and may take some inspo from the book I mentioned.~

In future parts there will be dark content, as this is a murder mystery; all of the content warnings will be included at the beginning, and also tagged (ie. cw death). Because of this, I will not be tagging people in future parts just as a precaution.

Now, let the investigation begin!

Link to Google Form

Suspects:

- Silver; the kindhearted knight with a mysterious past, is it just for show?  (Plum) - Vil Schoenheit; the actor who is always pigeonholed into the role of a villain (Scarlet) - Divus Crewel; the alchemy teacher with a penchant for fashion, Crowley's co-worker (Peacock) - Rook Hunt; the enigmatic hunter who always has a hunch of what's happening (Mustard) - Azul Ashengrotto; the owner of The Mostro Lounge, a businessman with dubious morals (Green) - Reader; the 'house-keeper', a role that was imposed on them by the late Headmage (White) - Jade Leech; a student enamored by fungi and seems to have a foreboding presence about him (Orchid) - Cater Diamond; the preppy beau of Heartslabyul, but his smile seems forced (Peach)

Rooms:

- Main hall - Teachers' lounge - Cafeteria - Kitchens - Lecture theatre - Botanical garden - Alchemy lab - Library - Crowley's office

Weapons:

- Revolver - Rope - Dagger - Wrench - Candlestick - Lead pipe - Magic

...

Tags; @afunkyfreshblog, @aqua-beam, @azulashengrottospiano, @eynnwwyjth, @hisui-dreamer, @hydra-sea, @identity-theft-101, @inkybloom-luv, @ithseem, @krenenbaker, @leonistic, @lucid-stories, @officialdaydreamer00, @ryker-writes, @savanaclaw1996, @silvers-numberonefan, @twistwonderlanddevotee, @xxoomiii

[dxmurei]

Dr. Shai Sarhan

Overview

Name: Shai Sarhan

Pronouns: He/Him

Race: Human

Ethnicity: Egyptian American

Age: 28

Height: 6 ft 4 in

Job: Head of Research

Features

• Light brown skin scattered with freckles and a few moles.

• Wavy dark brown hair. Often pulled up into a small ponytail, revealing an undercut.

• Grey-blue irises. The whites of his eyes are usually a bit red and sometimes completely bloodshot due to his insomnia and unreasonable hours spent staring at computer screens

• His nose is aquiline and covered in freckles.

• Small amounts of scruff can usually be found on his jawline, chin, and upper lip. He neglects to shave regularly.

• His eyes are deep-set and permanent dark-circles and lines show his lack of sleep and weariness.

• Obvious top-surgery scars are on his chest.

• His right pinky and ring finger have scars from radiation burns.

Shai’s Past

Childhood

Shai grew up in Tuscon, Arizona with his Egyptian mother and American father.

In middle school, his mother left him and his father with seemingly no reason.

His father changed for the worse after his mother left and often took his emotions out on Shai.

Shai came out as trans in high school and his father was not supportive.

Young adulthood

Shai was accepted into a good college with an academic scholarship and left the house as soon as he could.

He studied astrophysics and astrobiology.

His undergrad years were some of the best of his life. He had friends, a stable job, and loved his majors.

He graduated with his bachelors in both astrophysics and astrobiology and went on to a graduate program almost immediately with another academic scholarship.

Shai did well his first several years, but suddenly became ‘obsessed’ with the ‘supernatural’.

He scrapped his supported thesis and began researching ‘anomalous’ activity in the red drawf star system Gliese 667 C.

Staff and his advisors attempted to steer him back to his previous research, but Shai refused.

It’s reported he experienced a ‘mental decline’ and eventually lost his scholarships.

No longer able to afford grad school, Shai had to drop out.

Not long after he dropped out, an organization named SARO took interest in him.

SARO, the Supernatural and Alien Research Organization, got into contact with Shai and offered a dual-pathway program. Basically: the ability to work with them and gain scholarly credit to put towards his doctoral degree with their partner university.

Without asking questions, Shai took said offer and signed the contracts.

For two years Shai worked with the horribly underfunded research organization to study the possibility of life outside of Earth.

After those two years, Shai was able to “officially” earn his doctorate in “xenobiology.”

Present

• At the age of 27, in the year 2035, Shai experienced the beginning of the end.

• Portals opened up in the skies, and Earth became living hell. It was apocalyptic.

• In the chaos and destruction of the “First Contact”, only Shai and a handful of his coworkers made it out of the collapsing research facility and up onto high grounds away from the destruction on the streets of the city they were stationed in.

• Miraculously, they were found by UNE (United Nations of Earth) aid and were rescued.

• The UNE quickly recognized the importance of Shai and his coworkers’ research and knowledge and promised them a place at the UNE headquarters.

• One thing leads to another, time passes, and Shai is now the head of the SARO research division at UNE.

Shai’s Job

• At the start of his new job at the UNE, Shai spent most of his time in SARO’s newly designated lab. It was much better funded than the old one and he genuinely enjoyed working in it.

• As time went on, his presence was requested more and more often in the field to do research.

• He doesn’t particularly enjoy going out and doing so, but the threat of death or harm does not bother him as much as it does others. It’s the apocalypse. He doesn’t really have anything to live for.

• Currently, he and the team he’s on are regularly going out with the intentions to find and close numerous rifts that have opened up around the world.

Other Info

• Shai’s mother cut off all contact once she left. He had no idea where she went or how to see her again.

◦ He hoped that if he discovered something big- something news worthy- wherever she was she would see it.

• He picked up his alcoholic tendencies from his father and he hates himself for it.

• His ears are pierced.

• His self-esteem has gotten so low, he finds most of his value in the work he does.

◦ This majorly contributes to his workaholic-ness.

• Shai and almost everyone on his team has come into contact with hazardous alien material that has “corrupted” or caused physical anomalies to them.

◦ A material Shai himself has named “machina” has caused “corruption” in him- giving him a sort of 6th sense to be able to detect and see opening portals and rifts.

• Due to the corruption he’s underwent, he often times gets headaches and migraines.

• Said corruption also subjects him to nightmares. The little sleep he does get is now seeming more stressful than it’s worth.

[britt-kageryuu]

Leo for some reason decided to stream at work using the AR system, he claims that it's because it's been pretty slow recently because of the relatively small amount of clients. So his model is dressed in blue jeans, black boots, a minty green shirt, a lab coat with an ID badge, his mask with shorter than normal tails, with a stethoscope around his neck. Sitting in a rolling chair next to a desk and shelves.

The stream can only see the front desk area, and all the paperwork seen looks like it written in an alien language because of a filter, and Leo wanting to mess with the veiwers. Including his Degree(s) on the hall, since they read as presented from a hidden city college/university.

River is there in her robot body disinfecting the waiting room, and organizing the books/magazines, toys, and Cafe station.

A notification goes off with a question about the comic books Donnie supposedly brought from a different reality.

"Oh The Ronin books. Yeah we all read through them, and all agreed while amazing, it was also quite horrifying to think of the scenario happening here." Leo says as he pulls a hard back book from a nearby shelf.

The cover is mostly dark gray, and black with some red. There's a figure in all black with a Katana and Bo staff strapped to their back, and a Sai and metallic Tonfa on a utility belt along with some pouches, and rope. There is a red moon with 'The Last Ronin' in white over top of it. There is some other words and the author and artists names in red and white, but the letters are unreadable, either it's to far from the camera, or the filter is messing it up.

"The other book is at home, Pops finished this one, and wanted to read the second book." Leo says as he flips through some of the pages, "Either way it's kind apocalyptic/dystopian with a mentally not Okay main character out for revenge for most of his family 'H' being killed because the other group 'O/F' didn't truly want a truce between them, or something." He stops at a page and reads it over, "Or that's what we figure, since it's implied that one of the O/F leaders claimed H broke the truce."

"Before anyone asks the reason I'm not saying the names of the families is because the H family is actually the same name as Our family name, and the O/F group are an actual group my family had a rivalry with like 500 years ago. They're still around but there's not a full on grudge anymore." Leo stresses this if only to make it clear no more answers will be given on the subject.

"Anyhoozle the family names are why Donnie believes this is from another universe, but again I don't want to look into it, or mess with things that might lead to trouble." He puts the book on the desk opened to a page with what looks like an explosion on it, "We had enough trouble with getting past our own problems with the other group. Some of their members had some screws loose, and came after us, we don't know why, just that we supposedly had an artifact of theirs. It was just a creepy teapot!" He slouches with a sigh/groan of annoyance.

Just then the sound of sliding doors opening could be heard, and Leo sits up and quickly mutes the stream. The audience is left to watch Leo talk to someone, with him leaning forward you can see his tail sticking out from a slit in the lab coat. He holds up a finger in a 'just a minute' motion, then gets up and goes behind the camera.

Someone can be seen trying to lean into frame, even wave their arm where the camera can see, but the person is not able to lean far enough into veiw. Though it's obvious when Leo returns because they jolt and jump back. Leo walks back into the camera veiw and hands the person a bag with presumably their proscription in it.

Leo talks with them for a few minutes, before the person leaves and he un-mutes the stream.

"Sorry, one of my clients who also watches the streams came in, probably because I was streaming and they thought they could sneak into veiw. Luckily I'm a nice guy, so they're not going to be blocked or banned from the stream, and our socials." Leo informs with some amusement. He sits back down with a slight bounce, and quickly checks the work computer on the desk.

"Unless another veiwer decides to try crashing the stream, let's go back to the books, now the first book, has a bittersweet end, but it leads into the second book which is like 10 to 15 years into the future. And it swaps from present day to the past to tell more of what happened with Ronin, and act as a teaching method for the next generation of the family."

Leo goes on to vaguely describe more parts of the books, all while purposefully ignoring the chat asking why they can't find the books anywhere. And some asking if Mandarin/Mikey wrote/drew the graphic novels.

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

Masterpost

The chat/audience doesn't know their real names, but just incase someone didn't know Mandarin is Mikey. The ones asking about Mikey would be their Friends/People who know them.

[deepwaterwritingprompts]

what was the coolest/most important thing you did with the UN? :0

so my job last summer was basically to run around Geneva CH organizing and leading big groups of students learning about the UN system, how it works, what is diplomacy, what kind of organizations exist within it.

I spent about two months planning and one month literally bursting into different UN agencies, trying to get 40 college kids places on time, sweating to death in the heatwave. WHO staff are super nice and I owe them my life. WIPO took years off my life but they have a piece of the moon in their lobby which is cool. I have beef with a Permanent Mission because they went FORTY MINUTES over their speaking time despite having a moderator present.

that was all wild all the time. the #1 coolest thing I did related to the UN was volunteering at the 2022 Nansen Awards (UNHCR awards for aid to refugees). They ended up needing to fill seats and there wasn't a lot for me to do anyway, so I kind of just...attended them. Angela Merkel spoke. A Eurovision act performed. They served Sri Lankan curry after. it was fabulous and I got a certificate for it.

on a more serious note the coolest/most important thing I did was introduce a lot of university students to the concept that you don't have to major in politics or IR to be involved in the UN. the system is massive and we need people who do every sort of thing, from every country, of every race color gender ability sexuality etc etc.

also if you work in IT please please please apply to work for the UN there are so many jobs and so many web/application portals are so so broken please

- L

(It's Ask Day! Ask me anything about anything. Tag to block/follow is L Answers)

[softavasilva]

What college degrees do you think Ava and Bea would get? Personally I think Ava would get like a psychology or become a therapist because she knows the pains of abuse and would want to help others. And while the logical for Bea would be like theology or religious studies I can see her working towards becoming a neurosurgeon or something because she’s always the best and perfect at everything and that’s like the hardest thing to become

omg yes i completely agree with you on both of these!!! i could def see ava looking for an occupation that involves talking to people (like she loved being a bartender cause she could casually make convo w ppl) and would want to actively listen and try to help them with advices and encouragement. i could also see her working in social service. but not under a system bc she knows how cruel and unjust those things are so she makes sure to directly go to the families and children to find them the best homes. even go as far as actually getting to know each of the kids while also actively working at an orphanage and managing the staff who works there (she would ask camila to run a thorough bg check online). like i feel like her being the purest fucking heart there is would just want to help others in the best way she can. on the other hand i also feel like ava is an animal lover and she would volunteer her off days going to shelters and just hang out with them. she would also convince beatrice to foster dogs and cats (she impulsively does this fjnfj) also also i dont really think ava is someone who tries hard in school but somehow always gets the best grade jfnrjnd shes just naturally smart like that

now beatrice who excels in all things scholar, trades, and abilities would absolutely go for one of the hardest and challenging degree one can go for thus med school jfnfjjf. like we already know how dedicated she is when it comes to her craft so i could def see her spending most of her time and focus studying and practicing to become one the the top neurosurgeon in the world. as for theology i do think she would study this but maybe in hopes that she can start un-learning all the negative implications of this religion but appreciate it for its deep history instead idk? i could also see her maybe being a professor??? she loves education and correcting people with her stacked knowledge jfnjf i feel like she could be getting a masters in education and teach either theology, history or linguistics in an ivy league school

[ranakaushal]

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Inaugurates KIIT School of Public Policy

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday inaugurated the KIIT School of Public Policy, commending India’s democratic strength and transparent policies and advocating for citizen-centric policies that involve all stakeholders, ensure equal rights and is answerable to the people.

Speaking to an audience of academicians, policymakers, Judges and students, Birla emphasized the importance of public policy in shaping the future of the country. “India is the world’s largest democracy, and its diversity is its strength. A well-drafted public policy is the foundation of a strong nation,” he stated, noting that the world is now looking to India for its peace-promoting policies, based on the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “the world is one family.” The Speaker lauded KIIT and KISS founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta for his vision and efforts in empowering tribals and the marginalized.

Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy highlighted the critical role the new school will play in shaping future leaders and creating policies for a prosperous Odisha. “For a ‘Vikashit Odisha’ (Developed Odisha), good policy and strong leadership are essential. This school is the need of the hour,” she said in her address.

The School will offer a One Year Master Program from the ensuing academic session. The knowledge partners are Indian Council of World Affairs and United Nations System Staff College.

Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, KV Singhdeo commended Dr. Samanta’s contributions to education. “Public Policy is for the people, not individual goals. Odisha is fortunate that Achyuta Samanta is working for the cause of education,” he noted. Odisha’s Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan called the new Public Policy school “another feather in KIIT’s crown.”

Otto Ramon Sonnenholzner Sper, former Vice-President of Ecuador, stressed the importance of trust and respect for diversity in building strong institutions.

The inauguration also saw speeches from prominent figures like Dr. Jafar Javan, Director of the United Nations System Staff College in Turin, Italy, who called the launch of the school “a milestone for KIIT and India.” He praised Dr. Samanta for his dedication to social change and highlighted the ongoing partnership between the UN and KIIT, including future collaboration on the Nelson Mandela Project for Social Change.

Lok Sabha MP from Bhubaneswar Aparajita Sarangi delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the extraordinary achievements of Dr. Samanta. “One life is not enough to achieve what Achyuta Samanta has achieved. He has demonstrated that every moment in life is important,” she said, lauding Samanta’s humility and dedication to education.

She also highlighted the significance of the new Public Policy school, which will offer a one-year course to 60 students. “Public Policy is essentially what a Government chooses to do or not to do. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in 2014, ‘I want minimum government and maximum governance.’ This vision can be achieved through the right policy design, and I am confident this school will play a pivotal role in that journey,” she remarked.

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, also emphasized the global impact of the new school. “This institution will contribute to global knowledge and foster the leaders of tomorrow,” he said, praising Dr. Samantha’s visionary leadership.

Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Additional Secretary at the Indian Council of World Affairs, described the school as a timely initiative that would shape both Indian governance and international relations. “This school is a forward-looking response to contemporary demands. It will foster deeper alliances among world leaders,” she remarked.

Padma Shri and filmmaker Dr. Chandraprkash Dwivedi emphasized that public policies should be one that is committed to the welfare of the nation while Professor Emeritus, KIIT School of Law Prof. N.L. Mitra said the school will produce the future policy makers who will shape the destiny of the nation.

Dr. Samanta expressed his gratitude for the recognition of his institutions, noting that the visit by the Speaker marked the second time Om Birla has honored KIIT and KISS during his tenure. Dr. Samanta reiterated his commitment to social upliftment through education, which has been acknowledged by various leaders, including in Parliament. KIIT Chancellor Dr. Ashok Parija, Vice Chancellor Professor Saranjit Singh, Senior Director of Asia Society Policy Institute Akshay Mathur, among others, were present at the event.

[esgagile]

Five suggestions for a more sustainable way of life

We as a Sustainability Report Consultant in Agile Advisors, the world is under unprecedented strain due to humankind's unsustainable production and consumption habits. Our decisions about our food, transportation, single-use plastic products, and rapid fashion are all examples of how our lifestyles affect the economy, the environment, and our well-being. The unit unites companies, governments, and other relevant parties to expedite the necessary transformations to tackle the triple planetary crises: environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste. Discover how your actions can a significant difference in environmental protection through the accessible and self-paced Sustainable Lifestyles Learning Module. This online course dives deep into the concept of sustainable lifestyles, the beliefs and values that shape consumer behavior, and the practical strategies for applying lifestyle science in your daily life. The UN System Staff College developed the module UNEP's Sustainable Lifestyles Team and Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with partners.

Being a Sustainability Reporting Consultant in Agile Advisors, Experts advise staying longer when travelling vast distances, eating locally, and sticking to reusable items—including cutlery—instead of disposables. Thus, by saving or renewing existing resources and implementing disaster preparation and prevention plans, adopting sustainable practices promotes business continuity. The addition of a sustainable business model is highly recommended. However, it's important to note that this does not imply that success can be attained rapidly. Businesses can achieve a reputation for sustainability if they work hard, are committed, and persevere. It pays off, so patience is required. However, it's also important to be aware of potential challenges, such as initial investment costs or the need for employee training. Businesses that care about the environment should concentrate on reaching this degree of sustainability in order to expand in the future.

Agile Advisors provide Sustainability Reporting Consultant In Dubai, Many of these beneficial developments are large-scale projects that need to be managed and operated by experts with the knowledge and experience they possess. Companies that want to take on these projects consult with outside consultants or employ in-house experts with the necessary training, such as a degree in sustainability or comparable relevant work experience. The benefit of hiring the best candidates for the job surpasses the minor cost of securing a better and more sustainable future for companies and their workers. People have minimized the importance of sustainability in the workplace for many years, but this needs to change now more than ever. Their actions, such as promoting healthier working environments, utilizing renewable energy, and reducing emissions, can lead to substantial and lasting changes in a company's sustainability practices.

Agile Advisors, a leading Sustainability Reporting Consultant In UAE, the One Planet Network Sustainable Lifestyles and Education Program offers various items, including this one. The most effective way to mitigate the various impacts of food consumption is to opt for plant-based diets whenever possible. Did you know that around 90% of the world's deforestation is caused by agricultural expansion, and 25% of the land is used for livestock grazing? By transitioning to a diet rich in vegetables, you not only contribute to environmental protection but also improve your health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and halt biodiversity loss. Energy consumption in companies and homes can be decreased with simple steps. Examples are using natural light, changing clothes without using the air conditioner or heater, and switching to more eco-friendly furniture and energy-saving gadgets. About 8% of all emissions come from the tourism industry.

[petermacculum]

Dr. Temo Waqanivalu’s contribution to public health and noncommunicable  disease issues is remarkable   

Non communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart and lung problems, diabetes, and cancer, kill 41 million people all over the world, each year, which constitute 74% of all deaths globally. Out of these, 17 million die from NCDs before the age of 70. Adults, older adults, and children, all are prone to be affected by noncommunicable diseases. Besides modification of behaviors like physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, and other major factors contributing to NCDs include rapid unplanned urbanization, aging population, and unhealthy diets. NCDs are one of the major challenges of global health issues of our time. that's why, World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations has placed special focus on the control of NCDs, and set a target to reduce the number of deaths caused by these diseases by 33%, by the year 2030.

The epidemic of NCDs cannot be halted by simply treating the sick, rather healthy persons need to be protected as well by addressing the root cause of the disease. As Unit Head of the Integrated Service Delivery of Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Department, WHO HQ, Geneva, CH 2020 onwards, Dr. Temo Waqanivalu had made impactful contributions in WHO's initiatives to control NCD. He was responsible for introducing and growing the first global group of Heads of State and Government for NCD, that meets every year within the margins of the UN General Assembly to report and encourage one another in making impactful changes in their own countries. Dr. Temo Waqanivalu allocated resources totalling 158M for 116 nations, including 79 African, Carribean, and Pacific Group of States, via strategic and program planning. He also secured funding and led charge for first-ever guidance on integration of noncommunicable diseases into health systems, and started implementing it across five countries, covering over 10 million people.

Program for healthy lifestyles

As Team Lead of Diet & Physical Activity of the Prevention of NCD, WHO HQ, Geneva, CH 2014–2019, Dr. Temo Waqanivalu monitored all facets of diet and physical activities, and facilitated global leadership in a professional manner to prevent noncommunicable diseases. He also helped design Global Physical Activity Guideline, and developed training packages. Dr. Temo Waqanivalu provided direct technical support on Diet and Physical Activity programs in 30 countries, and founded and spearheaded the well known "Walk the Talk" program for healthy lifestyle, covering up to 17,000 staff members all over the world.

Fellowship at the Royal Colleges of Physicians, UK

Public health issues impact the entire population. WHO has defined public health as the science and art of preventing diseases, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized efforts of the society. These can include chronic diseases, like Type 2 Diabetes, and infectious diseases, like COVID-19, and measles. Dr. Temo Waqanivalu has been passionate about public health issues, and given his education in the subject, Dr. Temo Waqanivalu was offered Fellowship by the Royal Colleges of Physicians, UK.

He had the opportunity to work with a number of challenging projects, including programs to address the issues surrounding persistent and debilitating diseases. As a public health professional, Dr. Temo Waqanivalu created public health policies, developed medical education and medical care programs, and analyzed health statistics to educate communities on ways to stay healthy. He drew his fundamental knowledge of epidemilogy, environmental health sciences, and health policy management too address public health issues affecting the masses. He also ensured that the quality of programs met WHO standards, and made changes to improvements as necessary.

A problem solver for public health issues

Dr. Temo Waqanivalu has been a problem solver, and worked on solutions to community and global health issues. His efforts have helped in making a lasting impression to improve the health of communities in various regions of the world, including Fiji, wherein he has served as Sub-Divisional Medical Officer in a few of their provincial jurisdictions before serving as National Adviser Noncommunicable Diseases. Besides helping the community, Dr. Temo Waqanivalu was also involved in worldwide policy initiatives of WHO. He worked on public policy and international programs aimed at improving health in low- and middle -income countries, including the Global Action Plan on NCDs, fiscal policies for healthy diets, salt reduction toolkit, Guidance on Integration of NCD into health systems, and capacity building packages. He also gathered data to determine trends and analyzed statistics to develop plans for reducing health-related problems in specific geographic locations. For any public health problem that arises he always devises ways to solve them!

Research papers published in reputed journals

In his research paper on Understanding Integrated Service Delivery, which was published in BMC Health Services Research, Dr. Temo Waqanivalu considers integration to be an important strategy for scaling up both NCD and mental health treatments. As per his observations, integration must be reflected in the processes of care delivery, organizations of providers, and management of services. Dr. Temo Waqanivalu has published many more research papers in Independent Academia, that included implementation research steps to guide and support noncommunicable diseases, progress on salt reduction in the Pacific Islands, social determinants of behaviors related to salt consumption in the Cook Islands. 

[pooma-education]

Discussion:

Team: The National UN Volunteers-India

Qn:

Being a school leader, How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you believe it positively impacts the school community?

▪️Abdi JAMA Ahmed - UNV Somaliland

Educational leaders play a pivotal role in affecting the school environmental, climate, attitude and reputation of their schools. They are the cornerstone on which learning communities functionality and growth. With successful school leadership, schools become effective incubators of learning, places where students are not only educated but challenged, nurtured and encouraged them to adopt the regulation of schools.

On the other hand, poor or absent school leadership can undermine the goals of an educational system. When schools lack a strong foundation and direction, learning is compromised, and students suffer,hungar,and risky, According to a Wallace Foundation study, “Leadership is second only to classroom instruction as an influence on student learning and teaching process.”

What Does it Take to successful school leader?

The Making of a Successful School Leader

But again what makes a successful school leader? How do you become truly effective as a principal or in a leadership position? While there is no one solution to successful school leadership, there are certain strategies, skills, traits and beliefs that many of the most effective school leaders comman.

The following traits are common among the most successful school leaders.

1. They Understand the Importance of Building Community

Effective school leaders build and sustain reciprocal family and community partnerships and leverage those partnerships to cultivate inclusive, caring,encouraging,and culturally responsive school communities. To build these community networks it is very essential that school leaders are visible in their schools and community, develop trust ,confidence,reliability,and create a sense of transparency and shared purpose with parents, staff, community members and students.

Megan Tschannen-Moran, author and professor of educational leadership at the College of William and Mary, displayed the importance that trust plays in building communities in her book, “Trust Matters: Leadership for Successful Schools.”

Tschannen-Moran explains, “In schools with high levels of trust:

Teachers are motivated and willing to try new strategies because they trust leaders to support them.Students are motivated and connected to the school because they trust their teachers.Families are supportive because the principal and teachers have built trusting relationships with them.”2. They Empower Teachers and Cultivate Leadership Skills

Great school leaders know that they are not running.

“LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING ARE INDISPENSABLE TO EACH OTHER” —JOHN F. KENNEDY said.

To be a successful and effective leader is no easy feat. Yet, effective school leaders are desperately needed in thousands of schools and educational institutions across,in this country of ethiopia.

As noted educational leadership experts of educational leaders stated in a clear vission and mission of policymakers.but this did not make a change in school leaders and education secytor which is effecting learning and teaching process.

The presented Report of 2022 did not indicate that, “Indeed, there are virtually no more change as expected before that report to meet great change in school leaders, instances of troubled schools being turned around without intervention by a leaders to share rule and regulations.”

[rpnewspaperblog]

UNSSC and UN Environment co-design learning modules for sustainable lifestyles and digital transformation | UNSSC

With the global population growing at an unprecedented rate, the demand for resources is increasing. Adopting practices that use natural resources in a way that is both efficient and sustainable is crucial. The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)  is delighted to announce the launch of a joint partnership with  the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) offering a series of modules…

[warningsine]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/who-is-bangladesh-army-chief-who-announced-hasinas-resignation-2024-08-05/

Aug 5 (Reuters) - Just over a month after he became Bangladesh's army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been thrust into the limelight, announcing the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled the country on Monday.

Zaman said in a televised address that after discussions with "all political parties", it was decided that an interim government would be formed.

It was not clear if the army would play a role, but Zaman said: "We will now go to the president of the country, where we will discuss about the formation of the interim government, form the interim government, and manage the nation," he said.

Bangladesh has been engulfed by protests and violence that began last month after student groups demanded scrapping of a controversial quota system in government jobs. That escalated into a campaign to seek the ouster of Hasina, who has been in power for 15 years and most recently swept to a fourth straight term in January.

Nearly 250 people have been killed in the violence.

Zaman, 58, assumed the duties of army chief on June 23 for a period of three years - the normal tenure for the position.

Born in Dhaka in 1966, he is married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman, the daughter of General Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, who was army chief from 1997 to 2000.

Zaman holds a Masters degree in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King's College, London, according to the Bangladesh Army website.

Prior to becoming the army chief, he served as the Chief of General Staff for little over six months - a role in which he oversaw, among other things, military operations and intelligence, Bangladesh's role in UN peacekeeping operations, and budget.

In a career spanning three-and-a-half decades, he has also worked closely with Hasina, serving as the principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister's Office.

Zaman has also been associated with the modernization of the army, the army website said.

As protests rocked the country once again this month, Zaman called upon army personnel to ensure security of people's lives, properties, and important state installations.

[adrianasunderworld]

Jumping the bandwagon on that Ms. Roseheart’s takes over the school and how my You would react/handle things. To preface, in her world (earth) she’s from old money and raised as the heir to her family name. It means absolutely nothing in Twisted Wonderland but it means she has an idea of what to do in socialite circles and come out on top.

No one is spared by Roseheart’s actions but Yuu has both the most and least to lose. She’s an enigma that barely exists in the system. However, she knows exactly what to do to attempt social warfare and get away with it. 

Honestly this is Yuu’s chance to shine the most, they need a rebellion she’s gonna make it happen. With help of course. She’s always taken on a challenge by being crafty and knowing how to use connections she’s made during her short time there and this time is no different. Rosehearts is gonna completely overlook Yuu, what could half a student completely reliant on the whims of the headmaster possibly do?

A lot honestly, especially when she’s got a life debt with a good chunk of the school. It’s a long careful careful process though, She’ll act complacent and civil, and convince as many as she can to do the same. Make a little bit of a show of it to send a message that people listen to her because they want to. (Yuu’s got her friends under control beasts well trained do with that knowledge what you will.) Ramshackle being a neutral ground anyone can crash is more important than ever. Just gathers everyone who wants to attempt an uprising in one place under the guise of a study group. The remaining staff are obviously in the know and on her side. It's a she'll do what she must to win or lose everything situation sure but this kinda thing is her battlefield. (You know it's bad when everyone agrees that they miss Crowley the musical.)

With this au I keep thinking that the outcome is one of two things: Yuu and the housewardens, yes even Riddle, compile a mountain of damning evidence that Mrs. Rosehearts is unfit and legal action can be taken against her.

Or, it's like that episode of icarly (hear me out lol) where essentially this scenario plays out. The principal is dismissed and the super mean and strict teachers are put in charge and everyone is miserable. So all the students all meet up and hatch a plan to essentially make them look bad. Which is essentially what they do. When the arcane school equivalent of the superintendent goes to NRC to evaluate her, all the students go wild. They cut class, run around out of uniform. Basically a college with madhouse and at this scale is completely un able to control it. and if her temper is anything like her sons, she absolutely loses it.

[ukrainenews]

Daily Wrap Up November 3, 2022

Under the cut:

Russian forces launched three missile and 16 air strikes, and carried out more than 40 multiple launch rocket system attacks on more than 25 settlements today, the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said.

In the past 24 hours, Russian forces have killed four civilians and wounded five in Donetsk Oblast, according to the oblast governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko. The bodies of four more people killed by Russian troops during the occupation have been discovered in villages Rubtsi and Lozova, Kyrylenko added.

The UN nuclear watchdog said on Thursday it found no sign of undeclared nuclear activity at three sites in Ukraine that it inspected at Kyiv’s request, in response to Russian allegations that work was being done on a “dirty bomb”.

107 Russian prisoners of war (POW) were swapped for 107 Ukrainian POWs on Thursday.

The Swiss government on Wednesday agreed to provide $100 million in aid to Ukraine as winter approaches the conflict-torn country. In a statement, the Swiss Federal council said it has "adopted an action plan to mitigate the impact of the coming winter on the people of Ukraine." The Swiss government said it will in particular help to provide drinking water and rehabilitate Ukraine's damaged energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

Kyiv wary as Russian official signals new retreat in southern Ukraine across the Dnipro River and out of Kherson

“Russian forces launched three missile and 16 air strikes, and carried out more than 40 multiple launch rocket system attacks on more than 25 settlements today, the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said.

In particular, Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast and Avdiivka and Vuhledar in Donetsk oblast were hit hard.”-via The Guardian

~

“In the past 24 hours, Russian forces have killed four civilians and wounded five in Donetsk Oblast, according to the oblast governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko. The bodies of four more people killed by Russian troops during the occupation have been discovered in villages Rubtsi and Lozova, Kyrylenko added.

Russia has also struck Kharkiv Oblast, killing an 82-year-old woman in Kupiansk, and injuring six people in other settlements, said Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. According to him, Russian troops attacked the city of Kharkiv overnight with S-300 missiles, damaging a civilian building and a trolleybus.

Over the past day, Russian forces have shelled Mykolaiv, damaging an agricultural enterprise, a transformer substation, a water tower, and electrical poles, according to Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitaly Kim.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian strikes damaged energy and water infrastructure facilities, industrial enterprises, houses, a college, and a furniture factory; they left 1,000 families in Marhanets without electricity, said Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Valentyn Reznichenko.”-via Kyiv Independent

~

“The UN nuclear watchdog said on Thursday it found no sign of undeclared nuclear activity at three sites in Ukraine that it inspected at Kyiv’s request, in response to Russian allegations that work was being done on a “dirty bomb”.

“Our technical and scientific evaluation of the results we have so far did not show any sign of undeclared nuclear activities and materials at these three locations,” the International Atomic Energy Agency said, adding that environmental samples taken would be analysed, Reuters reports.

Last week Vladimir Putin said Russia knew “about an incident with a so-called ‘dirty bomb’ being prepared”, and that Russia knew “where, generally, it was being prepared”.

He gave no evidence of the alleged plot, which he said included the possibility of a device being loaded on to a Tochka-U or other tactical missile, detonated and then “blamed on Russia”. Kyiv has strongly denied the accusations.”-via The Guardian

You can read the IAEA official report here.

~

“Russia's defense ministry is reporting that 107 Russian prisoners of war (POW) were swapped for 107 Ukrainian POWs on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, Denis Pushilin, head of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), said that 107 "of our fighters" are being returned from "Ukrainian dungeons."

In exchange, 107 Ukrainian soldiers are being released, he added.

"Today we are returning 107 of our fighters from Ukrainian dungeons. We are giving Ukraine the same number of prisoners, mostly servicemen of the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) again. 65 people of the total number of the released are from the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Soon they will be able to hug their loved ones," Pushilin said on his Telegram channel Thursday. Ukraine confirmed the exchanged.

"I know how Ukrainians wait for good news every day. And today we have them. We have returned home 107 of our people from Russian captivity. Among the liberated 107 soldiers: 6 officers, 101 privates and sergeants. 74 'Azovstal' defenders," said Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, on his Telegram channel Thursday.

Lubinets said that "seriously wounded and bedridden" prisoners from Mariupol were among those released with "with shrapnel wounds of arms and legs, gunshot wounds of different parts of the body. There are people with amputated limbs and burns, who cannot feel part of their face, with infected wounds." Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Thursday that the POWs included service members from the National Guard, Navy, Armed Forces and other agencies. The POWs range in ages from 18 to 54. It said 83 were wounded during hostilities, with some in critical condition.”-via CNN

~

“The Swiss government on Wednesday agreed to provide $100 million in aid to Ukraine as winter approaches the conflict-torn country.

In a statement, the Swiss Federal council said it has "adopted an action plan to mitigate the impact of the coming winter on the people of Ukraine." The Swiss government said it will in particular help to provide drinking water and rehabilitate Ukraine's damaged energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

Some 18 million people in Ukraine – around 40% of the population – are already dependant on aid since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the statement said, adding ''with the onset of winter, this number threatens to increase to 24 million'' and ''as around a third of Ukraine's energy infrastructure had been damaged.'' Switzerland's President Ignazio Cassis and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Kyiv last month had discussed how best to provide help to those affected by the war as winter approached.

''The humanitarian situation of the war-affected population in Ukraine has become even more precarious in recent weeks due to targeted attacks on energy infrastructure and basic supply systems,” the statement warned.

Switzerland is calling for the international community to step up with additional aid to help with what it calls an urgent situation in Ukraine.”-via CNN

~

“A Russian-installed occupation official in southern Ukraine said on Thursday Moscow was likely to pull its troops from the west bank of the Dnipro River, signalling a huge retreat that, if confirmed, would be a major turning point in the war.

Still, Ukrainian officials and Western analysts remained cautious about signs that Russia was abandoning the area, and there was silence from higher-ups in Moscow over what would amount to one of Russia's most humiliating retreats so far.

Kyiv said it was still fighting in the area and was wary that Moscow could be setting a trap by feigning a pull-out.

"Most likely our units, our soldiers, will leave for the left (eastern) bank," Kirill Stremousov, the Russian-installed deputy civilian administrator of the Kherson region, said in an interview with Solovyov Live, a pro-Kremlin online media outlet.

The area includes Kherson city, capital of the region of the same name, and the only major city Russia has captured intact since its invasion in February. It also includes one side of a huge dam across the Dnipro which controls the water supply to irrigate Crimea, the peninsula Russia has occupied since 2014.

Previously, Russia had vehemently denied its forces were planning to withdraw from the area, one of the most important new conquests which President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed to Russia at the end of September.

Speculation swirled on Thursday over whether Russia was indeed pulling out, after photos circulated on the internet showing the main administrative building in Kherson city with Russia's flag no longer flying atop it. Ukraine said those images could be Russian disinformation.

Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Ukraine's southern military command, said it could be a Russian trap.

"This could be a manifestation of a particular provocation, in order to create the impression that the settlements are abandoned, that it is safe to enter them, while they are preparing for street battles," she said in televised comments.

"We continue fighting, also in the Kherson direction, despite the fact that the enemy is trying to convince us that they are leaving the settlements and creating the effect of a total evacuation," she said.”-via Reuters

[leiawritesstories]

Speak To My Heart

Rowaelin Month, Day 15: A bad day

Word count: 3422

Warnings: language, bit of depression, fighting. In short, there is angst in this fic. Hope the ending makes up for the rest.

Linguistics and foreign languages are two of my personal passions, so please bear with the bits of language talk that I couldn’t resist including. Brief word of clarification: a lot of expressions we use in English either translate into something extremely rude or don’t make sense in other languages. Translation companies have been trying for quite some time to make sure they don’t accidentally send a client a translated instruction manual that reads “fuck your mother” instead of “for questions, contact your local energy department.” All right I’ll get off my soapbox. :)

The phrases in foreign languages, marked with *, are translated into English at the end. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rowan’s day had been shit. The second he walked through the door, he’d been bombarded with an endless slew of crash reports, malfunctioning equipment, faulty passwords, and best of all, having to rewrite half the security firewalls because one of the rash young idiots in his department couldn’t be bothered to check his work for errors before sending it to management. And management thought it was the department boss’s job to fix all of his employees’ fuckups.

He hated IT.

Even more so since being promoted to department chair. 

All he wanted to do was the fun stuff--program design and development, fixing the flaws in his own designs, and of course making those who tried to break into his company’s systems regret their pitiful existence. But Cadre Tech’s bitch of a CEO refused to let the best software engineer on her staff actually do his job. 

Most days, he could cope with the pile of useless shit she directed to his desk. Most days. Today was not one of those days. Probably because on top of all the meaningless tasks he’d had to field, he was also forced to sit through one of Maeve’s bullshit “department head strategy sessions,” where every department chair had to pretend they gave a single shit about any word coming from their CEO’s garishly red, pinched mouth. 

As if she knew anything her staff actually did. 

Thanks to the compulsory meeting, Rowan was stuck in his office at nearly ten o’clock, painstakingly combing through the final draft of the update to CT’s translation program. This program had shot the company to fame and fortune, or at least insane stock value. “A Google Translate that actually translates,” their marketing department called it, and by the gods, that stupid slogan worked. And made sense. Rowan knew the program was just as good as it claimed to be.

He’d put in the hours, alongside a team of linguists, software engineers, designers, and people fluent in at least one other language. Frequent were the sessions where the project whiteboard turned into a jumble of words in twenty or more languages, Spanish alongside Arabic next to a column of simplified Japanese characters spilling over into a row of Cyrillic lettering. Rowan himself spoke German and some Spanish, but even he was lost amid the cacophony of eighteen different people switching from language to language, trying to figure out how idiomatic expressions translated from one language to another and what words should never, ever be placed together. 

It took the team well over a year of bickering, or as they called it, friendly linguistic disagreements, to make it from loosely mapped concept to functioning program. By the time it hit the market three years ago, the software had been so well promoted that companies all over the world snapped up their chance to finally communicate properly with the client they’d offended years ago with a bad translation. 

At launch, of course, Maeve stood in front of a sea of shouting reporters brandishing microphones, smiling her serpentine smile, and proceeded to thank the creative team for all their “contributions” before taking all the credit herself. 

Said creative team went to the bar that had become their usual gathering spot that night to get drunk and shit-talk their horrible boss, not necessarily in that order. 

His favorite memory of that night was hearing the chief linguist, an outside contract with multiple advanced degrees who spoke eight separate languages besides English fluently, refer to Maeve as “quella puttana rugosa che non riusciva a convincere un cazzo a venire a dieci metri da lei se si vestiva da figa.*” The Italian speakers on the team were crying with laughter, and so was everyone else, once she translated it.

And then she downed another shot of vodka and hissed something that sounded like “sukya bliyad, no puedo mich betrinken con esta ordures.**” When everyone blinked in confusion, she sighed and relayed the sentiment in English. 

Nobody had laughed as hard as Rowan. Aelin Galathynius just had that effect on him.

She brightened his darkest days.

But she couldn’t ease the strain of today.

And it was all his fault.

~

Aelin glanced up at the clock on her wall and cursed in three different languages when she saw that it was nearly eleven. Without meaning to, she’d spent all afternoon and evening writing lesson notes on idiomatic expressions. She really couldn’t help herself once she got into the topic; it was her pet project.

And the subject of one of her dissertations. Yes, she had multiple. 

She’d worked her ass off for years to get through college, then through graduate and doctoral work while teaching at universities to offset costs, then earned a full-time teaching position at one of the top-ranked universities in the world. She got to teach linguistics, her lifetime love, and give guest lectures at other universities and at conferences, teaching people all over the world about the complexities and interrelatedness of language. Hell, she spoke ten; she’d be qualified to speak on linguistic relationships by virtue of that alone.

Gods, she was the chief linguist behind the most successful translation software ever produced. Even if the bitch who owned the rights to said software had literally threatened to sue over ownership rights if any of the people who’d poured their figurative blood and sweat and literal tears into building the program tried to claim a small piece of the credit each of them so richly deserved. 

That software and her role in its creation--even though Maeve Ond had claimed the public credit, the creative team spoke at interviews and made news features for their work in Cadre Tech’s massive success--had solidified her credentials as a professor of linguistics, had boosted her into her lecturer spot.

Last year, her university granted her tenure. 

She should have been overjoyed, and she was, but not as much as earning tenure deserved. 

Because there was nobody to share her joy.

Three years ago, in the wake of CT’s overnight jump to worldwide fame, Aelin fled a love she did not and never would deserve. 

She told herself she would never look back. But she did. Almost every day, she looked back at the life she’d shared with Rowan and tried to convince herself that she did the right thing.

Try as she might, she could never silence the whisper that echoed always in her mind. 

“You broke both of your hearts” 

Someday, she told herself, someday she would be back in Doranelle. Someday, she would have a chance to apologize. Someday, maybe she could fix the Rowan-shaped chasm that gaped wide in her heart. 

Yet here she was, sitting in a very nicely appointed hotel room in the university district of Doranelle, typing furiously away as if burying herself in notes and prep for tomorrow’s lecture could make the urge to contact Rowan disappear.

~

Three years earlier. Doranelle.

“Knock, knock.”

Rowan’s head jerked up from where it had most definitely not been slumped on his desk. “Wha--Oh. Hi, Aelin.”

“You’re falling asleep, buzzard, let’s go home.” He heard laughter in her soft voice. 

“As if you won’t just get home and start cross-checking every single one of the phrases on your ‘potential problem’ list.”

She chuckled, walking over to him. “Fine. We’re both perfectionist work whores. Doesn’t mean we don’t need sleep.”

“I know you too well to believe you’re actually going to sleep.”

“All right, you win. Come home now, I’ll make some food, and you can put me to bed.” She winked saucily at him, leaving very little doubt what putting her to bed would entail, and he was up out of his chair in seconds. 

“Hand over your computer, Fireheart,” he grinned as they walked into the small house they shared on the outskirts of the city. 

“What?”

“Your computer, love. I’m leaving both of our work bags on the shelf by the front door so we can actually catch some rest tonight.” He pressed a finger to her mouth to silence her protests. “Uh-uh, Ae, we have interviews tomorrow and I won’t let the genius behind this program’s flawless word-to-word be anything but well-rested.”

She sighed, but he saw the love in her eyes. “Here, then, my dear brilliant software engineer. Leave your notebook, too, because I know if it’s anywhere near you, you’ll be up at three in the morning scribbling blocks of gibberish and picking apart your faultless code until you go insane.”

Both of their work satisfactorily put aside, Aelin made good on her promise to cook Rowan dinner. 

And then he made very good on his promise to put her to bed. 

The next morning, they were both awake with the sunrise, content to lay curled in each other’s arms as the morning light spread across their room.

Rowan drifted back into sleep, waking for good when he caught a whiff of coffee from the kitchen’s direction. 

“Morning, you sleepy buzzard,” Aelin grinned, sipping from her mug.

Rowan dropped a kiss on her head as he reached for his mug. He took a long drink, sighing as the milky, sweetened caffeine hit his mouth. 

“I will never understand how you drink your coffee black, Fireheart.”

“Not all of us need to sweeten the hell out of coffee to drink it, Ro. Maybe if you can’t handle the real thing, you should go back to your pretty little cups of crappy cafe tea.”

“Mention my pretty little teacups again, Ae…”

She giggled. “You be quiet and drink your coffee-flavored milk, my love.  We both know you’re impossibly grumpy until you have caffeine in your veins.”

He grumbled something unintelligible as he drank his coffee.

They were nearly late to work that morning, even having planned an extra half hour to arrive, thanks to Aelin wearing what Rowan dubbed her “sexy professor suit.” She fixed the pins in her French twist in the car, making herself once again a portrait of professionalism, and slipped Rowan’s hand from her leg.

“Two hands on the wheel, Whitethorn.”

He pouted. “But I’m a safe driver and I want to hold your hand.”

“My hands are over here, love, not down by my skirt.”

When he pulled into his spot, Aelin closed her eyes and took a deep, slow breath. 

“You good, Fireheart?”

Gods, she loved hearing him call her that. “Yeah. I just…needed a moment to settle myself. To tell myself the cameras aren’t here to tear apart what I say.”

Rowan wrapped his hands around hers. “Dr. Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the bland reporters are here to stand in awe of your expertise. Not a single word you say will come across as anything but brilliant and beautifully said.”

She squeezed his hands, her usual confidence returning. “I love you, buzzard.”

“I love you too, Fireheart. Let’s go talk about our amazing achievement.”

The day sped by in a blur of reporters, interviewers, teleprompters, practiced speeches, lights, cameras, and crew. When the last bleached-blonde anchor of the last interview of the day cut her crew’s cameras, Aelin flopped against her second-in-linguistic-command, Dr. Nehemia Ytger, the expert on ethnic African languages. 

“If I never see a news crew again, it’ll be too soon,” she sighed. “I’m beat.”

Nehemia snickered. “But we’re done talking about how proud we are that Maeve and her marvelous company have done such a grand service to the world.”

Aelin snorted softly. “Right. And now we servicepeople want to go home and take off our heels.”

“Amen to that.”

As the team filed out of the studio, Rowan made his way over to Aelin. “Holding up?”

“Not anymore,” she said, leaning casually into his side. “My heels are killing me, there’s a hairpin stabbing into my scalp, and I really, really need to pee.”

Rowan laughed, deep and husky. “Let’s get you home, then.”

“I’m stopping in the bathroom first.”

Just before she left the ladies’ room, Aelin heard voices in the break area. Familiar voices--Rowan’s, Maeve’s, and the snippy, borderline whiny tones of Remelle Frelau, who worked in the marketing department and had a hell of a boner for Rowan. 

“--looking at revenue over--” Maeve’s voice cut out, but from the gasps of the other two, the revenue was through the roof. 

“And it’s all thanks to this genius here,” drawled Remelle, who if Aelin had her guess was probably clinging onto Rowan like a platinum-blonde leech. 

“Ms. Frelau, this was the product of a team. No single person could possibly have made it happen alone.”

“Oh, call me Remelle, or even better Remy. And you’re the team leader, so you practically did create it by yourself.”

Aelin snickered to herself. Vapid bitch had no idea what she was saying. 

“That’s not how teams work, Ms. Frelau. We wouldn’t be here without Dr. Galathynius and Dr. Ytger’s language expertise, not to mention the creative genius of the engineers, graphic designers, linguists, and programmers.”

“Ms. Frelau, though her judgment is clearly biased, has a point, Mr. Whitethorn,” Mave said. “You demonstrated remarkable collaborative leadership qualities throughout this project, and I fully expect that you will continue to do so.” Maeve’s heels clicked away. Rowan’s voice followed her.

“Thank you, Ms. Ond, but I have to credit Dr. Galathynius--”

“Will you stop kissing that woman’s ass?” snorted Remelle. “Gods, she’s not worth your time or your praise; all she does is translate words into different languages and you idiots drool over that like it means anything.”

Aelin jerked like she’d been slapped. She knew Remelle was a self-centered, shallow, spiteful bitch, but she hadn’t known she would do this.

“--did more for this project than you and your useless whiteboard of catchphrases,” growled Rowan. 

“I don’t care what she ‘did for the project,’ Rowan, she’s never going to be good enough for you.”

“Thank you for caring about my welfare, Frelau, now please kindly fuck off.”

Aelin chose that moment to saunter out of the bathroom and head straight for Rowan, her face showing no hint of having heard that conversation. She did note with satisfaction Remelle’s vain attempt to march out of the room with some semblance of dignity. Too bad her heel caught on the seam of the hallway carpet and the break room’s tile flooring and she had to grab the doorframe to keep from collapsing. 

“You’re awfully quiet, Aelin.”

“Just thinking. Processing, really. It’s been a hell of a day.”

Rowan nodded. “I bet.”

“And hearing fucking Remelle rip into me for being useless…didn’t make it better.”

“Shit, you heard that?”

“Yeah. I heard that.” Her voice was hollow. 

Rowan pulled into their driveway and shut off the engine. Reaching across the console, he cupped Aelin’s face in his hands. “Aelin. You are brilliant. You are terrifyingly smart. You are a force of nature. Nothing, nothing you will ever do is useless. Don’t let that jealous bitch make you think you are less than the perfect woman.”

She smiled tentatively at him. “She…she told me before that last interview that I could never be enough for you. Because you--because of Lyria.”

Rowan raked a hand through his hair. “Ae, can we talk about this inside?”

That night, he told her about his former fiancé, Lyria. He told her about their whirlwind romance, their youthful dreams. He told her about the horrific crash that stole away Lyria’s life. A drunk trucker, a narrow pass in the mountains. He showed her the box in which he kept all the memories of that life. He cried. Aelin cried. He curled against her, let her comfort him.

“Sometimes, I wish she was still here. She’d understand everything. She always did.”

Aelin had no response. She let Rowan fall asleep, his weight shifting off her and into his bed, and looked through the box. Everything she saw served as another reminder that this was the first woman he loved, the woman who understood everything. 

She was worthy of him. 

But was Aelin?

The more she looked at Rowan and Lyria’s happiness, the more the answer solidified. 

No.

When Rowan woke up the next morning, Lyria’s box sat on Aelin’s side of the bed, a side that had not held Aelin.

He glanced out the window.

Her car was gone.

He got up and frantically paced through the house.

Everything she’d brought into his home was gone.

As was she.

~

Present day. 

Rowan opened his front door mechanically, pulled off his shoes, dropped his work backpack on its shelf, and was halfway to his bedroom before he realized he’d just opened his front door. His front door that was always locked. 

Someone was in his house.

Someone who either had a duplicate key or insanely good lockpicking skills.

Exactly one person owned a duplicate key to his house.

Aelin.

That’s impossible, she lives in Orynth, she can’t be here, he told the traitorous part of his brain that leapt with joy at seeing Aelin’s face again.

He turned around and made his way through the kitchen--nobody there--to the living room. He flicked on a lamp, casting a soft light around the room.

And nearly had a heart attack.

Aelin Galathynius sat on his couch. 

For a moment, he just gawked at her. She looked so…different. Older. Gone was the infectious smile that had captured his heart. Dark shadows smeared under her eyes, testament both to the long hours she devoted to her work and to recent sleepless nights. She was twisting a ring on her right hand, a familiar sign of her nerves. From his angle, Rowan could see a hint of dark script on her wrist. A tattoo. The Aelin he knew didn’t have tattoos.

“I’m not a ghost.” Her voice, weary and hollow, broke the tense silence.

Rowan crossed the room, propped an arm on the fireplace. “Why?”

“Why am I here? Why did I leave? Why did I cut you out of my life?”

“Everything.” He couldn’t keep the waver from his voice, but his eyes burned into hers.

She took a steadying breath. “I’m here to apologize, first of all. I’m here to face what I ruined and to try and start mending it. I’m here to come to terms with everything I broke when I left three years ago.”

Whatever he’d expected her to say, it certainly wasn’t that.

“I’m sorry, Rowan. I’m sorry I left like that. I was…I was scared.”

“You can’t just run away from your fears, Aelin!” He couldn’t keep the frustration from his tone. “You can’t just abandon someone when you have a bad day!”

“I’m sorry! I know I shouldn’t have left! I know I can’t run from my fears; I’ve spent the last three years trying and fucking failing to do that! But I don’t know what else to do.”

“Saying something about it would have been a good first step.” 

“I’m bad at emotions, Rowan. I tried. It wasn’t enough.”

“That’s not a good enough excuse.”

Aelin flicked a tear from her face. “I know.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m so sorry, Rowan. I should never have left. I let some stupid comment root into my head and make me doubt myself. I made myself believe I would never be good enough for you. I left you. I loved you, and I still left you. I still love you, even though I’ve tried to suppress it. I can never make up for that. I…I just wanted to tell you how much I’ve regretted that horrible decision all these years. I want you to be happy, Rowan, I--”

“How am I supposed to be happy without a source?” He’d dropped onto the couch, close enough to touch her but still keeping his distance.

“What?”

“You didn’t just take yourself away, Aelin. You were my happiness. I’ve spent three fucking years trying to make myself believe I’m better without you in my life, and I can’t.”

She was unabashedly crying by that point. “What do you want me to do? How can I make up for abandoning you?”

“Stay.”

Her gaze locked onto his, both of their eyes pooling with tears.

“Stay with me, Fireheart.”

“But--”

“I never stopped loving you either.”

A choked sob ripped out of Aelin. Rowan couldn’t hold himself in check any longer; he reached out and tugged her gently into his arms. To his shock, she didn’t resist, burying her face into his chest as sobs shook her shoulders. When she calmed, he tilted her chin up.

“Will you stay, Aelin?”

“Yes. Even though I will never deserve your forgiveness, yes.”

~

Translations:

* = “that pinched old whore who couldn’t convince a dick to come within ten metres of her if she dressed up provocatively” (Italian)

** = loosely translated as “Fucking hell, I can’t get drunk off this garbage.” (in order, Russian (badly phonetically spelled out because Rowan POV), Spanish, German, Spanish again, French) (the Russian doesn’t directly translate, so it could mean several different variations of expletive)

~

Might there be a second part? Perhaps......