#an alternate final mission for the china level

[19-bellwether]

You ever wake up to a train of thought you'd normally never entertain, but you're half unconscious and your brain isn't functioning right? I woke up and was hit with the intense and immediate desire to create a Sly Cooper OC but couldn't decide what species they'd be. I regretfully realized this is basically a fursona so I looked up fursona personality tests, but I wanted to avoid the cliche dog, cat, or fox. I couldn't find any good tests so I started thinking about crabs because they're my favorite animal. Unfortunately good looking crabsonas don't exist because crabs are the dire opposite of attractive so I'm left without a Sly Cooper OC and a renewed desire for crabgirl designs. This was just to self-ship with Sly btw.

[usafphantom2]

USAF launches new stealth tanker plane program, with delivery projected for 2040

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 02/03/2023 - 20:56 in Military

Lockheed Martin's stealth replenishing aircraft concept.

The U.S. Air Force launched its search for the Next Generation Air Refuelling System (NGAS), a stealth tanker project intended to deliver its first aircraft around 2040, with a request for information (RfI) to the industry on January 31.

The new tanker plane should be able to survive in disputed airspace, but the service is open to all ideas about its size and performance.

Contractors were invited to send ideas to NGAS that will be considered in an Alternative Analysis in October, according to the announcement on SAM.gov. Responses to RFI must be delivered on March 2.

KC-135 Stratotanker.

RFI marks the formal beginning of what was previously called "KC-Z". The KC-X program has become the KC-46 that is now being acquired; the KC-Y has become the so-called "bridge tanker aircraft" still in definition, and the KC-Z the U.S. Air Force is now referred to as NGAS, or "increment three" of its three-phase effort to recapitalize the tanker

The Defense Innovation Unit and USAF are already analyzing concepts for a future mixed-wing tanker plane, but the January 31 request specifically leaves the configuration open.

KC-64A Pegasus.

The U.S. Air Force “is interested in innovative solutions in all size and performance classes that can meet the stressful requirements of the mission” of providing fuel in the disputed airspace, the announcement said. The speed of the aircraft concepts presented "must be compatible with modern receivers".

The concepts presented may have new technologies or operational concepts, but the U.S. Air Force said that all the risk needs to be solved for a level of technological readiness of 6 - which means that a representative model or prototype system was tested in a relevant environment - before 2032.

Lockheed Martin bridge tanker proposal based on the A330 MRTT.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, speaking in a webinar of the Foreign Relations Council on January 11, said that the threat posed by China is moving the USAF away from traditional tankers, in which a commercial aircraft is adapted for a mobility aircraft.

"The threat is taking this freedom from us," he said, adding that with new cargo aircraft and tank projects, the USAF needs to place "a high premium on the ability to survive." Chinese aircraft and missiles and other opponents can track tankers and shoot at them long-range ones, forcing the Air Force to advance towards survival concepts, he said. The new replenisher will have to "go beyond" traditional concepts and "live in an environment where the current fleet does not need to work".

In June 2022, the U.S. Air Force sent a request to the "Advanced Air Refuelling Systems Family", a two-way program that seeks a continuation of the KC-46 with additional features, such as a communications node and advanced navigation systems, while separately seeking an advanced replenisher with survival capacity to operate near enemy airspace. NGAS is now defined as the duplicate.

Three current USAF refuelling aircraft, KC-10, KC-135 and KC-46.

Kendall indicated that he thinks that an improved KC-46 will probably be the solution to the requirements of the "bridge tanker", consistently minimizing the idea of a competition.

A proposed amendment to the 2023 fiscal defense budget that requires a replenishment competition has not reached the final bill, but supporters said they will try again this year.

The request for information to NGAS instructs the industry to provide detailed performance characteristics of potential aircraft, including size and weight, "off and landing, ascent, cruise flight and representative mission performance". The U.S. Air Force also wants to know if the proposed aircraft can use “regional or improvised aerodromes or other non-traditional bases”.

Boeing's BWB proposal.

The new replenishers should be able to receive fuel in the air, as well as provide it to other aircraft. Respondents should also identify the level of maturity of projects, which are the areas of greatest risk and how contractors would mitigate them in a development program. The authorities want "cronograms to put into practice" the proposed solutions.

Respondents should explain how their solutions can "change the way air replenishment operations would be performed", what operational or support changes would be necessary to introduce these new concepts, and how "your proposed solution [will] increase, improve or expand the current and planned capabilities of the replenishment fleet (including KC-135, KC-46 and the "Bridge Tanker")."

Proposals for replenishers in Boeing and Lockheed's KC-Z program.

The concepts should also address how they will support unmanned air systems and “acondend anticipated threats ... within 2040”. Industry respondents also need to submit their ideas on how they will combat cyber threats to their aircraft concepts and, in general, identify “high-level cost responsibilities” for any new technologies presented. Potential bidders also need to declare what types of engines they would put on their aircraft and what kind of fuel economy they can obtain compared to current tanker planes.

The program will make use of digital modeling and simulation techniques and all proposals must use a modular architecture of open systems.

Agile replenisher model under test in the wind tunnel.

The U.S. Air Force also wants to know if proponents can offer “ innovative arrangements for training traditional military teams with non-military contractors to gain a mix of experience in advanced aerodynamic configuration design, lean programs, and rapid development and manufacturing of structures.” The service is looking to expand its supplier base to increase competition and avoid the "supplier blocking", in which a particular contractor enjoys a virtual monopoly of updates and software.

The industry has already offered a variety of approaches to future tanker planes, ranging from combined wing body concepts to small highly stealth tanker planes that could penetrate the heavily defended airspace along with attack aircraft.

Last month, at the convention and annual exhibition of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Boeing unveiled a stealth-looking hybrid wing body concept for mobility applications with a butterfly empenage and built-in engines. Lockheed Martin also showed stealth BWB-type concepts for future air transport planes and replenishers.

Kendall said that there is no commercial concept of combined wing body that the U.S. Air Force can take advantage of "yet", but the service is analyzing these concepts with the IUD because commercial variants can also significantly reduce the fuel consumption of the air and freight industry.

Kendall also designated air transport as one of the three "transversal" facilitating mission areas that touch all the activities of the U.S. Air Force - the other two are electronic warfare and ammunition - and underpin all its seven "operational imperatives". Each facilitator received an operational and acquisition co-leader to facilitate the development of capacity scripts.

Source: Air Force & Space Magazine

Tags: Military AviationKC-ZUSAF - United States Air Force / US Air Force

Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[skyfire85]

FLIGHTLINE: 193 - LOCKHEED XFC-130H CREDIBLE SPORT

-Line Drawing of the XFC-130H "Credible Sport" aircraft. | Illustration: Honey Badger

FLIGHTLINE: 193 - LOCKHEED XFC-130H CREDIBLE SPORT

Completed in just three weeks, the XFC-130H were a pair of transports modified for ultra-STOL performance for an ultimately aborted rescue mission.

PRELUDE

During the 1979 Iranian Revolution, fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were captured and held hostage by a group of Iranian students, who demanded the former Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. US President Jimmy Carter refused to extradite Pahlavi, who had fled to the US for cancer treatment after the revolution, and instead ordered the US military to free the hostages in an operation codenamed EAGLE CLAW. The plan called for eight USN RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters to join three USAF EC-130E and three more MC-130E transports at a salt flat, designated DESERT ONE, southeast of Tehran. There members of Delta Force, the US Army Rangers and Detachment "A", Berlin Brigade would transfer to the helicopters for the flight to DESERT TWO, a location in the mountains closer to Tehran, where the groups would remain during the next day. The following evening, the Delta Force and Detachment A troops would board trucks driven by CIA agents to assault the US Embassy and Iranian Foreign Affairs buildings, where the hostages were being kept, while the Army Rangers would capture the abandoned Manzariyeh Air Base to allow two C-141 Starlifters to land and retrieve the hostages and US forces. Support for the operation would be provided by two USAF AC-130 Spectre gunships as well as aircraft from the carriers Coral Sea and Nimitz.

Operation Eagle Claw was launched on 24 April 1980, and almost immediately problems with the weather and with coordination between the various disparate groups surfaced. Only the two MC-130s successfully landed at Desert One, delivering teams of soldiers to monitor the nearby road and supplies to mark a landing strip for the helicopters and EC-130s. Almost immediately after the second group of transports, callsign Republic, arrived, the watch team was forced to detain an Iranian tour bus with 43 passengers and one driver. Shortly thereafter, a tanker truck and pickup later determined to be smuggling fuel attempted to bypass the roadblock and the tanker was subsequently destroyed with an RPG, killing the passenger while the driver escaped in the pickup. The Navy helicopters, callsign Bluebeard, meanwhile, were having equipment and weather issues, with one being forced to land due to a cracked rotor blade. The crew were picked up by another helo while the damaged RH-53 was left behind, but then the flight encountered a haboob, an intense dust storm being driven by winds from a collapsing thunderstorm or weather front. Electrical problems forced Bluebeard 5 to return to the Nimitz, while the remaining 6 helicopters finally arrived at Desert One 90 minutes behind schedule. The last chopper to arrive, Bluebeard 2, arrived with a broken hydraulic system, meaning it was unavailable to continue the mission. Eagle Claw called for a minimum of 6 RH-53s, and the mission commander was unwilling to proceed by reducing the size of the teams. Arguments between the various commands involved further delayed the mission, and finally after two hours and thirty minutes on the ground President Carter aborted the mission. While repositioning the RH-53s to allow them to refuel for the return trip to the carrier, Bluebeard 3 became engulfed in the dust cloud kicked up by its own rotors and drifted into the EC-130, callsign Republic 4, striking the EC-130s vertical tail with its main rotor. Eight servicemen died in the explosion and fire that followed, 5 from the EC-130 and 3 from the helicopter. It was decided at this point to abandon the remaining helos and fly out their crews on the EC-130s, with unsuccessful attempts being made to retrieve or destroy any classified documents, while fears of damage by explosions or shrapnel damaging the transports meant no attempt was made to destroy the RH-53s.

-Disposition of the aircraft just prior to the accident at Desert One. | Illustration: FOX 52

The stinging failure of Eagle Claw resulted in a shake-up of the US DOD, with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) becoming operational on 16 April 1987, charged with overseeing coordination of the various special operations groups of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Additionally, the Army created the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Night Stalkers). with the goal of training Army pilots for low-level night time flying. Another outcome was the creation of the the Joint-service Vertical take-off/landing Experimental (JVX) program in 1981, which (eventually) culminated in the development of the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey.

SUPER STOL

Under the code name HONEY BADGER, the newly created Joint Test Directorate within the Office of Secretary of Defense's joint planning staff had been conducting a series of programs and exercises to develop and validate new capabilities for the DOD. A joint USAF-USN-Lockheed program, code named CREDIBLE SPORT, was established less than two weeks after Eagle Claw with the goal of modifying an existing C-130 to land within the Amjadien Stadium across the street from the US Embassy, from which the plane would extract the hostages and Delta Force members inserted to rescue them. The modified Hercules would then take off and head for a USN carrier, where it would land and off load its passengers. The C-130 was chosen as it was the fastest transport capable of landing on an unimproved surface, but the pitch inside Amjadien was only 500 feet long, too short for even the C-130. A contract was signed on 27 June 1980 with Lockheed-Georgia to produce an engineering study on the modifications needed, then to convert three C-130s, one to act as a test-bed and two XFC-130H aircraft to act as primary and secondary on the mission, all within 90 days. A fourth aircraft, an EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC), was used as a mockup of the interior spaces for training. Lockheed's report, delivered on 16 July, indicated that no fewer than fifty-eight standard JATO bottles would be needed to accomplish the mission, far more than was practical, and that an arresting system would not be able to stop the aircraft in the space available. The expertise of the US Navy's China Lake Weapons Station was then tapped for alternative rocket motors. Personnel from all three organizations then worked to modify the C-130's frame to mount the rockets, as well as to reinforce the structure to withstand the stresses produced. Along with the rocket mounts, extensions to the ventral fin filet and horizontal stabilizers were added, along with double-slotted flaps and extended ailerons, a tailhook for landing on the carrier, a bolt-on aerial refueling receptacle, and a new radome containing avionics taken from an MC-130E Combat Talon, including including a Terrain Following/Terrain Avoidance radar, defensive countermeasures, and a Doppler radar/GPS tie-in to the aircraft's inertial navigation system. The most obvious addition to the XFC-130H were the installation of 30 rockets in multiple sets: eight forward-pointed ASROC rocket motors mounted around the forward fuselage to stop the aircraft, eight downward-pointed Shrike rockets fuselage-mounted above the wheel wells to brake its descent, eight rearward-pointed MK-56 rockets (from the RIM-66 Standard missile) mounted on the lower rear fuselage for takeoff assist, two Shrikes mounted in pairs on wing pylons to correct yaw during takeoff transition, and two ASROCs mounted at the rear of the tail to prevent it from striking the ground from over-rotation.

-Line drawing of the modifications carried out on the XFC-130H. | Illustration: Honey Badger

Three C-130s, s/n 74-2065, 74-1683 and 74-1686 were modified by Lockheed and delivered to TAB 1, a disused auxiliary field at Eglin AFB in Florida, with -2065, the test-bed, flying first on 18 September. The first XFC-130, s/n -1683, arrived on 17 October, and between 19 October and 28 October a number of flight tests validated the configuration and abilities of the Credible Sport modifications.

A full system test with 1683 was then scheduled for the 29th. The takeoff proceeded flawlessly, setting a number of STO records. The Lockheed test crew aboard the aircraft judged that the computer coordinating the firing of the landing rockets was not calibrated properly, and decided to perform the landing under manual control. The upper pair of braking ASROC motors, mounted above the cockpit, could be ignited while the XFC was still airborne (specifically, at 20'), but that the lower pairs would only be fired after the aircraft was on the ground, with the descent-braking rockets being fired after the first pair. During the landing attempt the upper rockets fired successfully, but the flight engineer, blinded by the firings, thought the aircraft was on the runway and fired the lower set early. The descent-braking rockets did not fire at all. Some members of Lockheed test crew's members dispute this, asserting that the lower rockets fired themselves through an undetermined computer or electrical malfunction, which at the same time failed to fire the descent-braking rockets. In either case, the Herc's airspeed was immediately reduced to nearly zero, dropping it hard to the runway. The starboard wing broke between the third and fourth engines, spilling fuel which was then ignited, but a medical evacuation helicopter used its rotor wash to beat back the flames, and crash response teams extinguished the fire within eight seconds. The USAF and Lockheed crews escaped the wreckage with only minor injuries, but 1683 was a total loss. Crews salvaged what had escaped the fire, while the aircraft's fuselage was dismantled and buried on the air base to ensure security.

-A still from USAF film of the XFC-130H's test landing shows the moment that the first braking rocket fire. | Photo: USAF

-Wreckage of 1683 prior to salvaging. | Photo: USAF

The second XFC, s/n 74-1686, was nearly ready for flight, but the accident, as well as Carter's loss to Ronald Reagan in November, saw the cancellation of Credible Sport. The Algiers Accords of January 19th 1981 resulted in the American hostages being released on 20 January. 74-2065, the test bed aircraft, was returned to its original configuration and resumed regular airlift duties, while 74-1686 was stripped of its rockets, but not the other STOL modifications, and was sent to Robins AFB to act as the YMC-130 prototype under CREDIBLE SPORT II. Phase I testing ran from 24 August to 11 November 1981, and involved certifying minor aerodynamics changes, validating STOL performance and handling characteristics, as well as establishing safety margins. Phase II, which began on 15 June 1982 and ended in October, confirmed that the Combat Talon II design met all program goals and that the aircraft was ready for production. The USAF judged that the cost of returning the YMC-130 to standard configuration was more than it was worth, and 1686 was therefore placed on display at the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB in Georgia from 1988 to 2018, after which it was transported to the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in NY. 74-2065, meanwhile, remains in service with the Air National Guard.

-74-1686, still showing some of the Credible Sport modifications, on display in Georgia. | Photo: Mike Egan

-74-2065 in 2012, flying regular missions. | Photo: Esa Kaihlanen

[butsobeautiful]

You could be the king, but watch the queen conquer.

Genre: drabble, alternate history.

Inspired by Daechwita music video and influenced by wine inspired research on Empress Myeongseong

Pairing: min yoongi/reader; min yoongi/unnamed female protagonist

1.6k words

The king was dead. Despite one’s personal opinion of the king, the people of the Joseon dynasty, regardless of class, were shocked. At his own wedding, the king had been murdered. A man entered the temple, parading as a servant, and stabbed him before the king could make his appearance.

The Usurper, the people called him in hushed voices. The bride-to-be looked at him with stoic gratitude. It was no secret the current king still had the mentality of a naïve prince. The woman had no qualms with the duties being a queen and a wife entailed; rather, the husband was the main problem. She had no interest in the king. He had been ruling for six moons, and his reign promised little to his people and his legacy. With Japan looming in the distance, the entire nation watched their king with trepidation.

And then, they watched his funeral rights. The Usurper came from the Yeoheung Min clan, a respectable aristocratic house. The Min bastard surprised everyone. Min Yoongi murdered the king on the day of his wedding.

He did it to prove he is worthy, some gossiped. Others claimed it was an old rivalry between himself and the king. Only Yoongi knew the truth, and he did not deign to share his reasoning with anyone in the court.

The dead king’s bride-to-be did not fear for her life. Once her eyes met the Usurper’s, instead of the king’s, her mind began to plan. While perhaps not renowned for her beauty—though she was by no means unattractive—the bride’s near infamy stemmed from her intellect and wit. Her father had no sons, but that did not deter her from learning the responsibilities of a man. When she saw the blood-stained blade held steady in Yoongi’s practiced hand, she neither screamed nor cried.

“Release your blade, my king,” she announced, while bowing to the floor. “It would be a discredit if you did not seize the opportunity at hand. The bride of your enemy is a spoil of war for your taking.” The words were biting, and made the Usurper—Yoongi—halt in his tracks.

His eyes widened, the scar over his right eye threatening to inhibit his expression. The woman before him was bowing with her head upon the ground in her wedding outfit. This, to say the least, had not been a part of Yoongi’s personal mission whatsoever. The absurdity of the situation, combined with the flustering adrenaline of assassination, caused him to laugh out loud.

The woman tensed, but said nothing. “Why would I want the wife of my enemy?”

At that, her head shot up. “My hand was promised, but the ceremony was incomplete. The marriage has not happened and will not happen, let alone be consummated.” Yoongi was mildly perturbed at her icy words and her lapse of proper behavior. However, he recognized her, and knew her reputation. He had only seen her in passing before, as noble families often mingle. She, however, was instructed to stay away from the bastard. She, however, would at least recognize his presence with direct eye contact and a slight nod of her head.

She knew him, of course. Thus, while her behavior was scandalous for their society, her status and intelligence granted her some level of immunity.

“I did not realize the wedding was... interrupted.” Yoongi lowered his sword. The guards in that room removed their hand from their weapon and relaxed at a pointed look from the former bride. She stood and faced Yoongi head on. The intensity of her person made it seem like she was staring you down eye-to-eye, regardless of any height differences.

“The fact remains. So, my king Min Yoongi, what shall you do with me?” She asked, her stomach flipping. While her face remained a placid calm, her nerves were screaming at her to run, her heart beating faster than it had ever. He pressed his lips together, looking her up and down. “You are a fine woman, and the power of your mind is no secret. I am sure you will figure something out. You are excused from my presence.”

Yoongi had little interest whatsoever in dealing with any of the old king’s business. He was starting afresh, he would change the nation for its people’s protection and prosperity.

“My king.” She bowed again, her eyes returning to his with reflecting levels of intensity as his. His mind saw her at the banquets, her eyes meeting his and refusing to break away. The other men and women would make eye contact and quickly turn to their friends and whisper or gossip, as if he were blind. “Allow me to impart my advice.” Yoongi’s face scrunched up, he wanted anything but advice. She narrowed her eyes and pushed onward.

“The kingdom will be in chaos if you are not prepared to manage the current system we have. Whether you keep to the status quo or completely overthrow our current form of governance is up to you. However, as it stands, you need loyal advisors. For every person who despised the king, there is someone who is loyal. Their loyalty may solely be based upon wages, but they will all resist you—at first. Furthermore, you need an heir as soon as physically possible. This will secure your throne claim and legacy.”

“Why are you helping me? Why have you never treated me for what I am? You never treated me like a bastard and now you refuse to treat me as the murderer of your husband-to-be and king.” Yoongi’s defenses were elevated to extremes.

A smile ghosted upon her face. “You’re like me. Everyone underestimates your abilities. You are a bastard. I am a woman. You are stronger than the majority of men with proud and strong bloodlines. I am smarter than those same men.” She shrugged, softly. Yoongi suddenly returned her slight smile. “It would be dishonorable to treat you as the spoils of war, my lady. Should you so choose, my reign needs a queen, and I could ask of no better woman than the one before me.”

It had been ages since the woman allowed surprise to affect her. Now, her mouth softly dropped open. She fully expected that the Usurper would take her and make her his wife. However, Yoongi’s appearance allowed her to hope. Whatever fears she had were no reflection of his character. Simply put, she was a woman, and promised property to the newly deceased king. Further shocking her, Yoongi bowed deeply at her feet.

Moved, she knelt and lifted his face to meet her sight. “I accept.”

“It could bring shame upon your family, upon yourself.”

She scoffed. “You’re the King now. They wouldn’t dare. And you should be well aware that their opinion can rot for all I care.”

Yoongi’s eyes softened at the woman before him as she set her jaw and her eyes burned with a deep conviction he had only been able to catch glimpses of in the past. Now she directed it at him.

She drank in his face as closely as he did to her. In this moment, the bastard felt like an equal more than claiming the title of king made him feel. His eyes, one marred by an old wound, tried to convey that strong feeling as words failed. He had his father’s facial structure; the signature sharp eyes and soft nose of the Min family. At this moment, his family name was just a word—it held none of its authority. His only reason to hold onto it now was to allow her to take it, too. To share it with him and change its legacy.

Despite his strength of body and will, his lips exercised the utmost gentleness when he kissed her. His lithe fingers cupped her face the second she kissed back. His expression when she sighed softly and pulled away was the look of an annoyed old man. This unabashedly honest reaction made her chuckle softly as she stroked his cheekbone.

While not in love, the two were attracted to each other. Without needing to state it, the two knew their union made the best political sense, and it was truly fortunate that their compatibility was based upon—and had always been based upon—respect. Though Yoongi, the bastard son of the Min clan’s patriarch had unfavorable fortune, his new bride never acknowledged his origins. His father had given him the Min name, and a Min he was. To her, it was as simple as that.

The consummation of their marriage was a tender affair. Both parties relished in being able to speak their minds without supervision. Having stayed up all night baring mind and soul, the baring of their bodies finally happened as the sun began to rise on their new kingdom. Yoongi had never felt such wonder at the simple intimacy of lacing his fingers through the soft hand of his wife.

He knew that, with her by his side, they could lift the kingdom to prosperity, and rectify the failures and lack of compassion exhibited by the previous kings and queens. From the moment he laid eyes on her, and from the moment she did not avert her gaze, he knew that fate favored them.

“My Queen?” He asked. The court sat in scandalized silence as their king deferred to his wife.

“The diplomatic relations with Japan are tense. We should confer with the Chinese and the Russians to address the threats of the Japanese empire. Send a member of the Kim clan to China, their queen favors the sons for potential wedding prospects of the daughters.” The queen spoke with clarity, and Yoongi nodded and stared at his court. No one seemed to leap into service. Blatantly rolling his eyes, Yoongi drawled:

“You heard your queen—what are you waiting for?”

[end-of-pizza]

WEIRD ANIME NIGHT

guys, I’m going to level with you. I am running out of weird anime’s I have watched. I want to do these guys every week I really do....and I have a stack of VHS tapes and DVD’s downstairs to dig through that MIGHT have some more gold in them, but it would be SUPER COOL of you if you would DM me some ideas or suggestions to look into in the coming weeks and months now I said I am RUNNING OUT, that doesnt mean I’m empty. Tonight I am going to go on a tangent, and talk about one anime you dudes have LIKELY seen already MOBILE FIGHTER G GUNDAM

You might say to yourself, hey Brian, that show isn’t THAT weird, gundam is a big big robot show, and that is just another cookie cutter big big robo show

BUT YOU ARE WRONG

DEAD WRONG

Mobile fighter g gundam was only the 9th gundam series ever made, and the series it follows Victory gundam is considered one of the darkest in gundams canon, where kill them all Tomino really showed that he earned that name, it wasn’t gifted to him. I mean the shows about a 12 year old who, in its final act fights a giant, moon sized ring full of psychics that try to reduce humanity to animal like stupidity so that they can rule the earth, and also like…..all of his friends die. All of them, most of them children. Victory gundam is dark as shit

G Gundam though? Naw, this show is like two clicks away from being a gundam skin over top of a king of braves show. I mean let me break it down like this. G gundam is about a buncha people, hired by their countries to represent them in a martial arts tournament , with giant robots that used to be used for war, but that war destroyed earth real bad, so instead they still destroy earth real bad with giant robots, but instead of war, its just a boxing match and they make it clear that this ish is bad for the earth like EVERY city is fucked, and whoever wins the tournament, their government gets to be dictators of the world and space for 4 years.

  and its played for laughs

I also want to mention for people who are passingly familiar with Gundam through things like wing or seed etc, and know that gundam has different time lines, THIS is the first alternate timeline, this is the first non UC timeline in the whole of gundam. Imagine if the last few shows were, a war drama about a 14 year old being drafted and getting ptsd, then a sequal where a child psychic also gets drafted then his parents die, then the girl he loves tries to kill him and dies, then a sequal to that where again, a ton of main characters die, then a sequal movie where two of the main characters of the entire show both die, then a show about a boy making a new friend, who turns out to be a soldier, and introducing them to his next door neighbor who turns out to be a soldier, then while trying to help his new friend, his neighbor murders him, ON CHRISTMAS, then he has to just go back to normal life because he kept all of this a secret to everyone.

AFTER THAT ALL WE GET THIS

I mean it took a show that for 20 years had been a dead ass serious war drama, and turned it into well......MMA with robots and dudes (and a few ladies) in latex cat suits using magic to destroy famous land marks

THE WIKI SAYS Unlike previous series in the Gundam franchise which are set in the "Universal Century" timeline, Mobile Fighter G Gundam takes place in an alternate "Future Century" universe.[1][2] Within this timeline, much of mankind has abandoned a ruined Earth to live in space colonies. The countries on Earth have corresponding colonies just outside the planet's atmosphere. Rather than fight wars for political and social dominance, the colonies agree to hold a "Gundam Fight" tournament every four years. Each country sends to Earth a representative piloting a highly-advanced, humanoid mobile fighter called a Gundam. The Gundams compete with one another in one-on-one battles, under a strict set of rules, until only one fighter remains; the nation represented by the winner earns the right to rule all of space for that period.[2] Each Gundam is controlled directly by the user within the cockpit using the "Mobile Trace System", a gesture recognition and feedback mechanism whereby the Gundam mimics the pilot's own body motion, combat skills, and weapon-wielding capabilities.[1]G Gundam opens at the start of the 13th Gundam Fight in Future Century year 60 and follows Neo Japan's Domon Kasshu, fighter of his nation's Shining Gundam and bearer of the coveted "King of Hearts" martial arts crest.[1] Aside from winning the tournament, Domon's mission is to track down his fugitive, older brother Kyoji, who allegedly stole the experimental Dark Gundam from Neo Japan's government, leaving their mother dead and their father (Dr. Raizo Kasshu) to be arrested and placed in a cryogenic state.[3]

Under orders from Major Ullube Ishikawa, Domon and his childhood friend and mechanic Rain Mikamura travel from country to country, challenging each one's Gundam while searching for clues to the whereabouts of Kyoji and the Dark Gundam.[3] Domon's initial matches with Neo America's Chibodee Crocket, Neo France's George DeSand, Neo China's Sai Sai Ci, and Neo Russia's Argo Gulskii end in draws, gaining mutual respect among the fighters.[1][2] As they encounter Gundam pilots who had come in contact with the Dark Gundam, Domon and Rain learn of its unique cellular properties to regenerate, multiply, and evolve by infecting organic matter and causing violent behavior in living things.[3] The duo then journey to Neo Tokyo, a city decimated by the Dark Gundam's army of mobile weapons. Domon reunites with his esteemed martial arts instructor Master Asia, who is also the champion of the last Gundam Fight, the former King of Hearts, and one-time leader of an elite group of Gundam fighters called the Shuffle Alliance. After Domon and Rain help the city's survivors defend their last outpost in Shinjuku, Master Asia reveals himself as a servant of the Dark Gundam, having also gained control over Chibodee, George, Sai Sai Ci, and Argo using Dark Gundam (DG) cells.[2][3] The four remaining members of the Shuffle Alliance intervene and vow to destroy their previous leader for his crimes. Ultimately, the Alliance members offer their lives in purging the DG cells from Domon's four comrades and bestow each of them with a Shuffle Alliance crest as their successors. Kyoji and the enormous Dark Gundam eventually appear from beneath the ground of Shinjuku, but shortly thereafter vanish alongside Master Asia. As the Shuffle Alliance trains in the Guiana Highlands for the Gundam Fight finals, Master Asia and the Dark Gundam reappear.[3] With the help of his friends and a new ally in Neo Germany's masked warrior Schwarz Bruder, Domon defeats the Dark Gundam. When the Shining Gundam becomes incapacitated during the battle, Domon desperately manages to activate a newly acquired God Gundam(AKA Burning Gundam outside Japan), escape Master Asia, and make his way to the finals set in Neo Hong Kong.[2][4]

The Gundam Fight finals are presided over by Wong Yunfat, Neo Hong Kong's prime minister and the current ruler of the space colonies and Earth. Wong chooses to have the qualifying nations battle in one-on-one and tag team preliminary matches to reach a battle royale on Lantau Island, where the tournament is to end with the winner facing the defending champion Master Asia.[2][4] Having gained possession of the Dark Gundam, Wong secretly plots to revive and control it as his trump card to inevitably maintain his own power over space. Domon and his companions make their way to the battle royale while several truths concerning the Dark Gundam are unveiled. Rain's father, Dr. Mikamura, eventually explains that the Dark Gundam (originally called the Ultimate Gundam) was constructed by Dr. Kasshu to rejuvenate the dying Earth. Jealous of his genius colleague, Dr. Mikamura had Neo Japan's officials attempt to confiscate Kasshu's creation. To prevent the military from using his father's invention for its own agenda, Kyoji fled with and crash landed the Gundam on Earth, where its computer malfunctioned, triggering its malevolent activity. Ullube subsequently had Dr. Kasshu arrested, framed Kyoji as a criminal, and used Domon and Rain as pawns in recovering the Gundam.[4] In a separate confession, Master Asia discloses to Domon that, having been distressed by the utter destruction wrought by the Gundam Fights, he planned to use the Dark Gundam to wipe out humanity and allow Earth to heal naturally.[2] The battle on Lantau Island culminates with Domon fatally besting Master Asia in a final confrontation, while Kyoji and Schwarz sacrifice themselves so that Domon can attack the Dark Gundam's cockpit and disable it once again.[4] Though the schemes of both Wong and Master Asia are foiled, Ullube quietly claims the Dark Gundam and transports it to Neo Japan's space colony for his own purpose. Having been corrupted by DG cells with ambitions of supreme power, Ullube kidnaps Rain and places her into the Dark Gundam's core to act as its energy source. The hulking monstrosity then merges with the colony and begins absorbing Earth itself.[2] As the entire world's Gundams unite to assault the Dark Gundam from the outside, the Shuffle Alliance breaks inside the colony and destroys Ullube. Finally, Domon professes his love for Rain and releases her from the core. Invoking the power of the King of Hearts, the couple vanquishes the Dark Gundam once and for all

I just rewatched it like a month ago, its real good, def go watch it

if you are the kind of person who was maybe put off by OG gundams TONE or wing gundams edgy-ness, give g gundam a watch its honestly a good anime, its about as shonen as a shonen can legally get. Also its spiritual successor, the Build series is really good too, really liked Build Fighters Try A LOT, and I guess like.....it might be canon to this reality? its weird. Gundams weird when it comes to canonisity, its sort of all canon kinda.

∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀ ∀

Also the model kits for this show, and you knew I was going to bring up Gunpla at some point, well they come in two qualities

 AWESOME and brand new

 or shit and 20 years old

So if you collect these things like I do…..get both kinds of their kits

They’re good.

 Have a good one

~Hoover

[gamersonthego]

GOTG Review - Banner of the Maid

Banner of the Maid (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC) Release Date: PC - May 27, 2019 | Console - August 12, 2020 Developer: Azure Flame Studio, CE-Asia Co., Ltd.

Banner of the Maid is a strategy RPG cribbing a lot from classics of the genre like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics. But it also has a lot of interesting ideas of its own that prominent SRPG developers like Intelligent Systems should absolutely learn from and incorporate into their future games.

Banner is set during an alternate history French Revolution, a time of political turmoil that has your character, Pauline Bonaparte (sister to Napoleon), being pulled in many directions by the different factions within France. There are the Royalists, led by King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the military-focused Feuillants, the citizens of Paris and more. Pauline is a rising young military general, but she is also thought to be a Maid, one of a number of women blessed with extraordinary abilities who could shape the future of the country. This makes you quite the hot commodity among the factions, and your choices on who to support can affect how you’re viewed and treated by the others…sort of.

While there is potential in this system, in practice, it’s quite shallow, with few actual choices to make. You’ll end up supporting all the different factions as you progress through the story regardless and your only rewards are tiny bonuses like getting the opportunity to buy slightly better gear or getting a bit more money from finishing missions. There aren’t really any drawbacks either. Even when the king is put to the guillotine (spoiler alert if you didn’t take a history class) your potential connection to the Royalists never once raises suspicion. Thematically, the idea is cool, but it could’ve gone a lot deeper.

Being an SRPG, the real focus is on the combat, which is…fine. While there are a number of different classes, they all fall into one of six categories. Line infantry are your basic musket wielders and are strongest when fighting together. Light infantry uses longer range rifles to attack from safer positions. Artillery fights from even further away, but can’t retaliate against close-range enemy attacks. And there are two types of cavalry, light and heavy: the first being faster while the other is bulkier. And lastly are support units who can heal or grant units the ability to take an additional turn.

If you’re familiar with Fire Emblem’s famous weapon triangle, it’s basically represented here, but more as a class diamond (you can see it in the top right of the image above. Light infantry beats line infantry, which beats heavy cavalry, which beats light cavalry, which beats light infantry. Artillery and support are their own thing, but that’s kind of it. There are no flying or naval units and attack ranges are quite short, making battles a bit dull and basic. To spice things up a little, on lower difficulties you are given a choice between two bonuses for each battle. Some of these can really break the game (especially the one that ups all your characters’ damage by 30 points), but it does provide some excitement for each skirmish, which I quite enjoyed.

The units you control are pretty cool too, with cute, anime-style boys and girls of every stripe being represented, from a lush with cannon, to a grumpy veteran, to a little drummer girl, to the damn princess of France herself. Each character has their own exclusive skill, along with slots for four additional skills determined by their class. Some of these skills are earned with level-ups, while others can be taught at the Ecole Militaire training school. Most classes are also able to promote to better classes, but the system is way more rigid than Fire Emblem, only allowing promotion when you’ve maxed out your level. The upgraded classes rarely actually change the abilities of your characters, instead just giving them some extra stats.

While the classes are largely uninteresting, the best part of Banner of the Maid is undoubtedly the weapon system, which has struck the perfect balance between strategy and fun. As much as I love Fire Emblem, I cannot stand its use of weapons with limited uses. I end up hoarding the best weapons so as not to “waste” them, but then never end up using them at all. Some Fire Emblem games let you repair weapons, but those opportunities are either very rare or very tedious (like in Fire Emblem Three Houses.) Banner of the Maid also has weapons with limited uses, but they automatically resupply after each battle. This makes for interesting strategic choices in the moment, but doesn’t bog you down with upkeep between maps and lets you enjoy your coolest stuff more often. I NEED this for the next Fire Emblem game.

What I don’t need is the presentation, which is, unfortunately, a little all over the place. The character portraits are quite pretty, even though most of the female cast is supernaturally and unnecessarily well-endowed. Their pixelated incarnations during battles are also very well designed, as are the maps themselves. What isn’t great is the lack of variety in animations. Each time a character attacks, there’s a slow, boring animation of one line of soldiers firing or charging at another with very little personality. While I keep combat animations on in games like Fire Emblem and Pokemon, I turned them off in Banner of the Maid as soon as possible.

The view is also just a little too far away in battles, with no way to zoom in or out. It’s not terrible when played on a huge, 70-inch TV, but in handheld mode, it can make it really hard to determine the attack ranges of enemies on some terrain types or how much health an enemy has left.

For all its rough edges, I’m actually really enjoying my time with Banner of the Maid. It’s a little odd to see a game with Chinese voice acting (Azure Flame Studio is based in China) and English subtitles that has a French setting, but it’s a weird mishmash that just kind of works. You can tell it was made with a lot of passion and a lot of thought, if not a lot of resources, but that’s part of its charm. It might not be revolutionary in the SRPG genre, but I really do hope some of its lessons take hold.

[inspector-montoya-fox]

#8 - A Starry Eyed Encounter

Setting: this is our second outing in Asia but it’s extremely different. whereas Fire in the Sky was set in rural China and had sprinkles of Chinese culture on top, A Starry Eyed Encounter basks in prestige and elegance. i might as well start by saying that this is my favourite episode in the game. i love everything about this episode, its subtle orientalism and its storyline. the missions are fun, the sky is beautiful, there are enough twists, turns, balconies and tunnels to get lost in. everything feels authentic and charming, and there’s excitement because it’s a ball and everything coincides with it (meaning, everything has to be perfect and we destroy every last bit). also, there’s a nice balance and blend of nature and “man”-made structure. unlike the Canada levels where nature dominates the landscapes, here there’s a mixture. and i know this type of analysis belongs in the Themes section, but sweetie, lemme just lay this down right here, right quick for y’all: the walls keeping the jungle outside represent Rajan and his mental state, his need to present himself in a certain way. the lush palace is Rajan’s friendly image he projects, one of a great host, but his low temper and roots keep growing like the jungle outside. he’s made a fortune and built this amazing palace as a global entrepreneur and social elitist, but he can’t shed his past, how said fortune came from filth, growing up on the streets, how he belongs in the wild. this theory is further proven by the fact that the next level is full-on jungle and vines and rain and mud, etc. which represents Rajan when all hell breaks loose and he reaches his boiling point. this squeaky clean, pristine state of both Rajan and the palace mask his true nature, and set up the stage for his second level. in many ways, A Starry Eyed Encounter is a prequel because it plays out as too easy, and that kind of optimism is put into perspective as the narrative progresses forward.

Characters: basically a clusterfuck because it’s a party and literally everyone shows up. i’ve mentioned before how introducing every single character in the very first part of the game’s second level was a brilliant idea. SP managed to subvert expectations by supposedly revealing all the villains during the ball, just to then keep pulling off reveal after reveal. Neyla as the alternative romantic interest, the Contessa as an Interpol connection, Arpeggio as the petite bird that would 100% be the final boss. but let’s focus on Rajan. as i’ve already said, the palace is a mere illusion, its grandeur and glory representing what the tiger wants to be seen as. i love how A Starry Eyed Encounter and The Predator Awakes both pose as a test to see how angry Rajan can get - and he can get pretty mad (to the point where he summons lightning). but for now, Rajan isn’t shown. there’s the recon mission, and then some cutscenes of him talking with Bison but that’s just it, we don’t get any Rajan in this episode. no, this episode is dedicated to Carmelita, i think. i’ll go into detail in the Themes section but the dominant theme in this episode is romance. there are two dance sequences in A Starry Eyed Encounter and they both focus on getting with Carmelita, the theme of romance also giving this episode a softer edge. the game’s first two episodes are actually very vanilla: a quiet Paris night, and a prestigious ball in India. sure there’s climax within those episodes, but there’s no aggression or character development (brought on by high stakes). it’s like a honeymoon period before shit hits the fan. A Starry Eyed Encounter and The Predator Awakes might be a pair because of Rajan, but it’s actually the latter in combination with the two Contessa levels that are the game’s best. you’ll notice a fluctuation in narrative: everything goes as planned in the first two episodes (good) but Neyla’s betrayal throws the gang off their game in the next three episodes (bad) until Canada during which the gang manages to gather all Clockwerk parts (good) just to face complete chaos by the end (bad). and surprisingly (and to SP’s credit) the game doesn’t end on a good note. they actually had the balls to cripple Bentley and leave it at that, but also manage to not make it seem like they were just setting up the sequel. Sly 2 is very well a game on its own, even though it ends on a cliffhanger. amazing, but i digress. every character in the game minus Dimitri is in this episode but actually there’s not a lot of character development as seen by the analysis above.

Themes: uh, romance theme !!!!!!! outstandingly so, considering we’re on the brink of losing everything as 2/3 of the gang is about to get arrested in the next episode. but a first-time player isn’t aware so it’s all fun and games as far as they’re concerned. yes, this is pretty much a romance episode, complete with an erotic episode title card of Sly and Carmelita dancing intimately. even the fact that they’re drenched in soft blue and their characteristics/outline don’t have a 100% opacity shows how it’s a good time, time to forget about the spice shipments, the Clockwerk parts, let’s have fun whilst on the job, no need to worry, things certainly won’t go to shit, right? the narration hits its absolute rock-bottom in terms of love triangle storytelling by steeping to the most basic of tropes, having Sly use Neyla to get to Carmelita (something that will later come to bite him in the ass, when Neyla uses Sly to get Carmelita arrested). other than that, the romance theme doesn’t necessarily mean kissy-kissy, but can also mean romantic backdrops, items, etc. for example, the sky being violet and lilac, a mission to acquire a tuxedo, the ball, y’know what i’m talking about. it’s all very humble, pure and simple, but enhanced by Rajan’s wealth and the palace’s elegance. let’s talk about the masks theme (i call it that instead of deception or appearance v reality, because those themes are predominantly connected to Flight of Fancy in my head and i don’t want to do that theme-heavy episode dirty because its themes are its strongest asset). lots and lots of “masks” here. we have Sly dressing up as a tuxedoed cavalier in disguise, we have Rajan acting as a gentlemanly host, Contessa as a proper prison warden and Interpol agent, Neyla as the cryptic connection - nothing i haven’t already mentioned. what truly enhances the deception and the “masks” is the ball. a fancy dance, the opulence making it all fuzzy and blurry, very Florence + the Machine circa Ceremonials sans the gothic aspects, if you catch my drift. basically, it’s called the masks theme because it also includes the party aspect, this aura of pleasure and leisure which is also seen in The Black Chateau. there’s also the class theme, or class distinction. we often overlook the fact that the guards represent a hoard of employees, working mercilessly under the big bad. there’s something to be said about when one dies a replacement is easily found, but it’s just a game. well, in A Starry Eyed Encounter, this distinction is a bit more noticeable. there’s a ball going on, where all the elites and socialites are gathered, protected by the palace walls and the palace itself, surrounded by pleasures and artifice. at the same time, there are guards stationed within the guests’ rooms, patrolling rooftops and making sure everything is perfect for the ball. in other levels, they ensure the security of their employer’s operation, but here they’re responsible for the party, something way less important and dire. what really made me notice it is the moment you complete Elephant Rampage and a flashlight rhino guard escorts the prized elephants back into their room, it seemed like such a downgrading job, moving elephants, probably stepping into their shit as well because Sly frightened them, in comparison to Rajan and his guests drinking and dancing inside. i don’t know, maybe i’m exaggerating, but it definitely reminds me of that Rick and Morty episode where they spoof The Purge, when the villagers fight each other and the elitists are dining inside, maybe it’s just me.

What I Like: this is my favorite episode as an overall entity, so i’ll mention what i like most about it. the sky’s colour, the rapid tanpura music when you get spotted by guards, dancing with Carmelita, that turquoise 3D globe projection in the boardroom, the goofy voice of that guy that doesn’t allow you to enter the ball with the bulged-out eyes, the destroyed bridge next to the safehouse that leads you to a clue bottle and a treasure, and most importantly Steal A Tuxedo. i think Steal A Tuxedo and Spice in the Sky are my favorite missions from the entire game. ugh, idk, this episode is just so perfect. i sent a confession to @slycooperconfessions​ a while back saying how when i was a kid i always wanted to be invited to the ball, and that still stands today. i wish i was there...

What I Don’t Like: nothing. maybe Battle the Chopper, but other than that, nothing.

Quote: when Carmelita says You look familiar to me, are you in law enforcement? and Sly answers I often deal with police while on the job.

[usafphantom2]

Pentagon stops F-35 deliveries after discovery of engine part manufactured in China

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 09/07/2022 - 17:00in Military

The Pentagon stopped accepting new F-35 jets after discovering that a magnet used in the stealth engine was made with unauthorized material from China, a U.S. official said on Wednesday.

An investigation in mid-August found that an alloy in the engine lubrication pump did not comply with U.S. purchasing laws that prohibit unauthorized Chinese content, Pentagon spokesman Russell Goemaere said.

"We confirm that the magnet does not transmit information or harm the integrity of the aircraft and there are no risks of performance, quality, safety or protection associated with this problem and flight operations for the fleet in service of the F-35 will continue normally," Goemaere said.

Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the jets, said that "the problem is related to a magnet in the F-35 Turbomachine manufactured by Honeywell that includes cobalt and samarium alloy".

At the end of August, Honeywell was notified by one of its 3rd level suppliers for the turbomachine that they were using an alloy from China that was then magnetized in the United States, according to a statement from Lockheed.

"With great caution, there is a temporary pause in deliveries," the statement said, noting that the magnet does not provide visibility or access to confidential information of the program and there are no security problems for the F-35 currently in use.

Honeywell International, which manufactures the part, said it “continues to be committed to providing high-quality products that meet or exceed all the requirements of the customer's contract”.

An alternative source for the league will be used in the future, the Joint Program Office said in its statement.

There are other magnets of Chinese origin on the jet that received exemptions from former Pentagon officials.

Tags: Military AviationF-35 Lightning IILockheed Martin

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. It has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Lockdown named word of the year by Collins Dictionary (Guardian) Lockdown, the noun that has come to define so many lives across the world in 2020, has been named word of the year by Collins Dictionary. Lockdown is defined by Collins as “the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces”, and its usage has boomed over the last year. The 4.5bn-word Collins Corpus, which contains written material from websites, books and newspapers, as well as spoken material from radio, television and conversations, registered a 6,000% increase in its usage. In 2019, there were 4,000 recorded instances of lockdown being used. In 2020, this had soared to more than a quarter of a million. “Language is a reflection of the world around us and 2020 has been dominated by the global pandemic,” says Collins language content consultant Helen Newstead. “We have chosen lockdown as our word of the year because it encapsulates the shared experience of billions of people who have had to restrict their daily lives in order to contain the virus. Lockdown has affected the way we work, study, shop, and socialise. With many countries entering a second lockdown, it is not a word of the year to celebrate but it is, perhaps, one that sums up the year for most of the world.” Other pandemic-related words such as coronavirus, social distancing, self-isolate and furlough were on the dictionary’s list of the top 10 words.

Republicans Back Trump’s Refusal to Concede, Declining to Recognize Biden (NYT) Leading Republicans rallied on Monday around President Trump’s refusal to concede the election, declining to challenge the false narrative that it was stolen from him or to recognize President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the top Republican in Congress, threw his support behind Mr. Trump in a sharply worded speech on the Senate floor. He declared that Mr. Trump was “100 percent within his rights” to turn to the legal system to challenge the outcome and hammered Democrats for expecting the president to concede. And in Washington, Emily W. Murphy, a Trump political appointee and administrator of the General Services Administration, refused to formally recognize Mr. Biden as the president-elect with a letter of “ascertainment,” leaving the country’s transition of power in flux.

White House, escalating tensions, orders agencies to rebuff Biden transition team (Washington Post) The Trump White House on Monday instructed senior government leaders to block cooperation with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team, escalating a standoff that threatens to impede the transfer of power and prompting the Biden team to consider legal action. Officials at agencies across the government who had prepared briefing books and carved out office space for the incoming Biden team to use as soon as this week were told instead that the transition would not be recognized until the Democrat’s election was confirmed by the General Services Administration, the low-profile agency that officially starts the transition. While media outlets on Saturday projected Biden as the winner, President Trump has not conceded the election. “We have been told: Ignore the media, wait for it to be official from the government,” said a senior administration official, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly. The GSA, the government’s real estate arm, remained for a third day the proxy in the battle. Administrator Emily Murphy, a Trump political appointee, is refusing to sign paperwork that releases Biden’s $6.3 million share of nearly $10 million in transition resources and gives his team access to agency officials and information. The Biden transition team is evaluating its legal options and growing increasingly alarmed that the stalemate could drag on and impede its work.

Candidate concessions have been colorful, funny—or absent (AP) Losing presidential candidates have conceded to their opponents in private chats, telegrams, phone calls and nationally televised speeches. Al Gore conceded twice in the same race. President Donald Trump isn’t expected to concede at all—not even with a tweet. Most concessions are gracious—less about the loser and more about closure for the country. Others have a little dry humor mixed in. After failing to win reelection in 1992, George H. W. Bush quoted Winston Churchill and said he had been given the “Order of the Boot,” according to presidential historian Michael Beschloss. The concession tradition had a hiccup in 2000 when Gore called George W. Bush to concede and then called him back to recant as the results from Florida went sideways. Their tight campaign ended with the Florida vote in limbo. “Let me make sure I understand,” Bush told Gore on the phone. “You’re calling me back to retract your concession?” When Bush was declared the winner after the Supreme Court halted further recount action, Gore delivered his second concession. “Just moments ago I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States. And I promised him that I wouldn’t call him back this time,” Gore said. After Gerald Ford and Bob Dole lost the 1976 presidential election to Carter and Walter Mondale, Dole, quipped: “Contrary to reports that I took the loss badly, I want to say that I went home last night and slept like a baby—every two hours I woke up and cried.”

Trump’s Fury Feeds Moscow and Beijing Accounts of U.S. Chaos (NYT) For years, state propaganda in both Russia and China has painted Western democracy as dangerously chaotic compared to what it described as the safety and stability of the countries’ authoritarian systems. With President Trump’s unfounded allegations that Democrats stole last week’s presidential election, Moscow and Beijing got a fresh chance to claim vindication. Russia seized that chance, while China was more restrained, perhaps reflecting cautious optimism that a President-elect Joseph R. Biden could stabilize relations with the United States. Neither country, however, congratulated Mr. Biden for winning the election. A spokesman for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia couched the delay as a technical matter of diplomatic protocol, and pledged that Mr. Putin would be ready to work with “any elected president of the United States.” On the flagship weekly news program on state TV Sunday night, host Dmitri Kiselyov said the election showed the United States to be “not a country but a huge, chaotic communal apartment, with a criminal flair.” For China, state media’s response to Mr. Biden’s win has been more measured. Mr. Biden would be “more moderate and mature” than Mr. Trump on foreign affairs, Global Times, a fiercely nationalistic tabloid, said. Other Chinese outlets emphasized the potential for political violence in the United States all last week as the vote counts trickled in. The Chinese state media shared photos of boarded-up businesses and police officers on watch at poll sites. A narrative of American decline has been a constant refrain in recent months, as an increasingly wealthy and confident China has tried to market itself to the rest of the world as a viable alternative for global leadership.

Florida cities mop up after deluge from Tropical Storm Eta (AP) Cities in South Florida mopped up after Tropical Storm Eta flooded some urban areas with a deluge that swamped entire neighborhoods and filled some homes with rising water that did not drain for hours. It was the 28th named storm in a busy hurricane season, and the first to make landfall in Florida. Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale, was among the harder hit areas. “It’s very bad. In the last 20 years, I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Tito Carvalho, who owns a car stereo business in Fort Lauderdale and estimated the water was 3 feet deep in some places.

Vizcarra impeached in Peru (Foreign Policy) Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra is to leave office after the country’s congress successfully impeached him on charges of corruption. Vizcarra was accused of accepting bribes for public works contracts during his time as a governor. Although he denies the allegations, he said on Monday that he would “leave the presidential palace today.” Manuel Merino, the head of the minority party Popular Action, will assume the presidency until a new one is chosen in April 2021.

Landmines cleared from Falkland Islands 38 years after conflict (Reuters) The final landmines on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic have been cleared, Britain said on Tuesday, nearly 40 years after they were laid by Argentine forces when they seized the British territory. The removal of the mines meant the United Kingdom had met its obligations set by the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Britain’s Foreign Office (FCDO) said, adding that there were now no anti-personnel mines on British soil anywhere in the world. Argentina invaded the archipelago, to which it lays claim, in 1982. Britain sent a task force to retake the islands in a brief war which saw more than 600 Argentine and 255 British servicemen killed. A British-funded programme, which started in 2009, to de-mine the islands completed its mission three years ahead of schedule.

As virus spikes, Europe runs low on ICU beds, hospital staff (AP) In Italy lines of ambulances park outside hospitals awaiting beds, and in France the government coronavirus tracking app prominently displays the intensive care capacity taken up by COVID-19 patients: 92.5% and rising. In the ICU in Barcelona, there is no end in sight for the doctors and nurses who endured this once already. Intensive care is the last line of defense for severely ill coronavirus patients and Europe is running out—of beds and the doctors and nurses to staff them. In country after country, the intensive care burden of COVID-19 patients is nearing and sometimes surpassing levels seen at last spring’s peak. Health officials, many advocating a return to stricter lockdowns, warn that adding beds will do no good because there aren’t enough doctors and nurses trained to staff them. In France, more than 7,000 health care workers have undergone training since last spring in intensive care techniques. Nursing students, interns, paramedics, all have been drafted, according to Health Minister Olivier Veran.

Greece: Floods sweep cars into sea, send people to rooftops (Washington Post) Heavy flooding on the Greek island of Crete damaged roads, flooded hundreds of homes and swept cars into the sea amid ongoing torrential rainfall. Authorities Tuesday said the most serious damage occurred east of the island’s capital, Iraklio, in small towns and villages where schools were closed and residents were advised to stay indoors. In the worst-affected areas, some residents sought refuge on the roofs of their homes as muddy water swept through towns, dragging cars and debris. A state of emergency was declared in flooded areas. It was the third time in less than a month that the area has been hit by flooding. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday.

China gears up for world’s largest online shopping festival (AP) Chinese consumers are expected to spend tens of billions on everything from fresh food to luxury goods during this year’s Singles’ Day online shopping festival, as the country recovers from the pandemic. The shopping festival, which is the world’s largest and falls on Nov. 11 every year, is an annual extravaganza where China’s e-commerce companies, including Alibaba, JD.com and Pinduoduo, offer generous discounts on their platforms. Last year, shoppers spent $38.4 billion on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms Tmall and Taobao.

Erekat, longtime spokesman for the Palestinians, dies at 65 (AP) Saeb Erekat, a veteran peace negotiator and prominent international spokesman for the Palestinians for more than three decades, died on Tuesday, weeks after being infected by the coronavirus. He was 65. The American-educated Erekat was involved in nearly every round of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians going back to the landmark Madrid conference in 1991. Over the years, he was a constant media presence. He tirelessly argued for a negotiated two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, defended the Palestinian leadership and blamed Israel—particularly hard-line leader Benjamin Netanyahu—for the failure to reach an agreement. As a loyal aide to Palestinian leaders—first Yasser Arafat and then Mahmoud Abbas—Erekat clung to this strategy until his death, even as hopes for Palestinian statehood sank to new lows. In the weeks leading up to his death in an Israeli hospital, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain had normalized ties with Israel, breaking with the long-held Arab position that a deal on Palestinian statehood must precede normalization. Abbas and members of his inner circle, including Erekat, found themselves internationally sidelined and deeply unpopular among Palestinians. And decades of unfettered Israeli settlement expansion had made a statehood deal based on the partition of territory increasingly unlikely.

Concern of outright war in Ethiopia grows as PM presses military offensive (Reuters) Ethiopia’s prime minister stepped up a military offensive in the northern region of Tigray on Sunday with air strikes as part of what he called a “law enforcement operation,” increasing fears of outright civil war in Africa’s second-most populous country. Abiy last week launched a military campaign in the province, saying forces loyal to leaders there had attacked a military base and attempted to steal equipment. Government fighter jets have since been bombing targets in the region, which borders Sudan and Eritrea. Aid workers on Sunday reported heavy fighting in several parts of the region.

[ruoyeming]

My Fav Books, another chaotic list

Another quarantine review fest! I know I ranked my top anime but this is seriously too hard so I’m just going to list them to avoid hours of debate. Enjoy!

1) The Skulduggery Pleasant series

This whopper of a series (now at 15 books jesus christ I didn’t know there were that many I’ve only read about twelve) has a special place in my heart. I was FULLY obsessed with it throughout my tween - and teen - years, and for a reason. This shit just butters my bread like nothing else. The story follows a young girl Valkyrie Cain (who eventually becomes a young woman through the series) and her partner in crime, a fashionable living skeleton called Skulduggery Pleasant. They’re MAGICAL DETECTIVES!!!! Bitch!!! They use elemental magic - water, earth, fire, air - to fight off magic-wielding bad guys and look good doing it. The duo is hilarious and seriously shaped my sense of humour, the dry wit and comedic writing style stuck with me and influenced my own writing style to this day! As the series progresses we get a massive cast of characters but to me they’re all memorable, likable (mostly) and well-developed so that’s not an issue. I have no fukcing clue how Derek Landy comes up with his stories because every book in the series has an absolutely wild (yet unique) plot with its own twists and turns. It gets REALLY dark and depressing at times, gory, brutal etc etc especially in the later books I have no idea why this is labeled as a kids series.

10/10 for badassery, humour, and MAD codependency issues

2) The Feverwake series

This bitch is one hell of a YA series. It’s actually only a 2 book-series which is rare, but that’s not the only thing that sets it apart from other creations of its genre. It’s hard to explain the setup without waffling so I’ll just quote the blurb of the first book: “In the former United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro wakes up in a hospital bed, the sole survivor of the viral magic that killed his family and made him a technopath. His ability to control technology attracts the attention of the minister of defense and thrusts him into the magical elite of the nation of Carolinia.

The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous, and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear.”

As you can tell from this, the series is heavy on its politics but in a grounded, realistic and relevant way which is different to many other YA series. Marxist theory is brought up, and you can make some pretty strong links between the books and real events. The magic also has a semi-scientific explanation which is cool and adds to the realness. Anyways this series is action packed and full of twists, plus there’s a bisexual main character and queer romance at the core!! Wig!!! Very good for moral debate - how far is it acceptable to go to protect the oppressed before you become one of the oppressors? Dark and exciting series.

10/10 queer representation and political themes.

3) Spin the Dawn

It’s probably obvious that I’m biased towards YA books but they’re just so exciting and cool! Anyways this is about a girl living in a kind of alternate universe ancient China where magic exists. Maia Tamarin is a skilled seamstress who dreams of being the Imperial Tailor, a position that can only be held by a man. She poses as her brother to go to the royal palace and enter a competition full of skilled tailors, all vying for the role of imperial tailor. She also meets Edan; a mysterious, annoying, but SEXY mage who seems to know her secret identity? Oho? IMO this would be an elevated book if Edan had been a girl but that’s just me being gay. As the final challenge Maia is tasked with making 3 dresses from the sun, moon, and stars - a mission that takes her to the ends of the world in search of these magical materials (obvs Edan goes with her and they kiss kiss fall in love). It’s a fairly classic YA plot and characters but the combination of Project Runway, Mulan, and kind of Lord of the Rings(??) vibes makes for a very entertaining read. It’s also really fun to imagine what the clothes look like, plus the romance between Maia and Edan is very cute. Second book is yet to be published but sounds lit.

10/10 magic fashion and romance (despite its heterosexuality)

4) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Usually I steer clear of angsty gay stories because I’ve consumed too much of the depressing narrative which is all about suffering because of being gay, but fuuuuuuck this book is like the definition of bittersweet. Mostly bitter to be fair but it has a happy ending which was lovely after the emotional torment of the book. It’s about two teen boys - Aristotle is angry and repressed, Dante is eccentric but kind, and the two eventually form a strong friendship after meeting at the local pool. It’s kind of obvious that Ari is in denial about a few things, which leads to some real sad boi hours. There’s also a devastating moment around halfway (not sure) through with a car accident which makes the whole thing 10x heavier. Despite all this, the book has its sweet moments - parents play a big role, but not in the way they usually do in queer stories - and like I said the ending is the bandage for your broken heart. I’m not sure what it is about the writing style, maybe the way it just cuts between scenes randomly or perhaps the way the dialogue and actions are so realistic, but it’s so different to any other book I’ve read that it’s stayed in my mind for a while after reading it.

10/10 really good philosophy plus supportive parents

5) The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

Okay if this was a ranked list, this bad boy would be on its way to the top spot. It’s got everything: historical setting, gays, pirates, alchemy, humour, adventure, angst, character development, and some healthy second-hand embarrassment. It’s not complicated or philosophical but reading this book all in one go is like taking five shots and diving into a pool. It’s exciting and witty, but deals with darker themes like child abuse too. One of the MCs also has a disability and doesn’t treat it as something to be cured, which is a lesson our protagonist has to learn. Speaking of protagonists, Henry ‘Monty’ Montague is a great main character. He’s obnoxious, oblivious, and hedonistic yet quick-witted and passionate, and he has a good heart. Sometimes you just want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him for being such an ignorant idiot, but throughout the book he grows and learns to open his mind more (as well as becoming more humble). He’s a great example of a flawed yet likable main character. He is also a bisexual icon.

Oof forgot to even talk about the story. Monty embarks on a tour of Europe, usually taken by lads his age to get all cultured before they settle down and inherit the family company or whatever. With him are his younger sister Felicity, a girl with a brilliant mind for science who isn’t taken seriously by anyone because of her gender, and the lovely Percy, Monty’s lifelong best friend (and crush). Monty ends up stealing a very valuable object that turns the Tour into a manhunt across Europe, and drags the trio into a big ol’ conspiracy involving something that may or may not be the philosopher’s stone????

Issues of race, gender, and disability in historical context are really well done, and it’s an absolute banger of a book.

10/10 very exciting adventure, plus GREAT GAY ROMANCE

6) Heaven Official’s Blessing

HOOOOOO BOY. This is probably my absolute fave on this list. It’s a webnovel (originally Chinese but the full translation is online). Set in ancient china in the cultivation world (difficult as shit to explain if ur not into all of that but I’ll try), basically there’s three realms - the heavenly realm, the human/mortal realm, and the ghostly realm. If a mortal reaches a certain point (good deeds, power etc), they ascend to become a god - or if they fall far enough, they become a ghost. 

I’ll just quote the author’s description again cause I don’t have the brain cells required:

 “Eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian was the Crown Prince of the Xian Le kingdom. He was loved by his citizens and was considered the darling of the world. He ascended to the Heavens at a young age; however, due to unfortunate circumstances, was quickly banished back to the mortal realm. Years later, he ascends again–only to be banished again a few minutes after his ascension. Now, eight hundred years later, Xie Lian ascends to the Heavens for the third time as the laughing stock among all three realms. On his first task as a god thrice ascended, he meets a mysterious demon who rules the ghosts and terrifies the Heavens, yet, unbeknownst to Xie Lian, this demon king has been paying attention to him for a very, very long time.”

It’s hard to describe the enormity of this story and all the emotions it encapsulates, you really have to read it for yourself. But bitch the undying, pure, Hozier-devotion-level LOVE is by far my favourite part of this story. If you’re looking for an epic, god-tier gay romance, then this is it baby!! This story has comedy, action, and downright harrowingly depressing moments, but throughout is this achingly beautiful love between fallen god and last believer.

I don’t wanna give too much away cause there are some big ol’ plot reveals, but oooh this shit made me cry. The protagonist is MY FAVOURITE EVER I didn’t think it was possible to like a protag so much!! He’s legit my fave character! At first he seems oblivious and carefree but he’s just doing his goddamn best after all he’s been through and he’s so fukcing kind and just wants to help everyone for fuckcs sake excuse me I need to go have a breakdown.

Okay I’m back, anyway there’s a great cast of characters, even the background characters are all incredibly memorable and all given their time to shine and develop. My faves include Quan Yizhen, a rowdy himbo who just wants to fight, and Shi Qing Xuan, a friendly genderfluid god who controls the wind. Read this shit I’m not joking it’ll change your life. 

10/10 for everything

[globalfunds6-blog]

Take the VIP Approach to Investments With HULT Private Capital

Mutual Funds

Integrity. Passion. Boldness. Exclusivity.

These core values have been monumental behind the success of HULT Private Capital’s VIP approach to capital investments since their doors opened back in 2008. Today HULT  still take center stage as an international boutique firm with over 60 employees and a firm grip on the secure alternative investment market

Mutual Funds

It’s this adherence to quality of mission; to well-calculated, robust investments that elevate HULT’s efforts above the rest. This gives power to why both founders, Lewis Hill and John Williams, have been able to achieve great returns during the European financial collapse of the last decade. And it’s for all of these aforementioned reasons that HULT Private Capital  invite you to work with some of the most sophisticated private investors in the industry. By invitation only.

HULT Private Capital, investments cover: bank guaranteed investments, UK property investment, loan notes, and food commodities and energy. Think of HULT as the complete solution to all of your investment demands.

Its time to invest wisely. Wealthy investors who have 250k or more, that are looking to broaden investments and amplify returns can do so and more as part of the elite HULT Private Capital Members Club. A fully tailor made and individual, private service with a number of benefits associated with a private concierge but on a different level.

The VIP Effect

Private equity firms are a dime a dozen — it’s true. They boast potential returns, push portfolios, and promises that can’t always be kept. All in an effort to drive the success of their own businesses above all else.

HULT Private Capital, place the value of a relationship on a pedestal. Investments are by invitation only — ccentred  on trust, transparency, and deliverability. In short what they say they have proven to do. HULT work towards the long-term of both the firm and the client’s goals with a focus on investing across industry verticals. Additionally, these industries are primarily dominated by tangible assets; capable of providing stable returns over time.

This exclusive investment group operate two types of investments: alternative asset secured or bank guaranteed.

The latter involves UAE bank-backed holdings capable of performing at upwards of 5% capital guaranteed. Asset backed alternative investments, provide a similar security but often perform upwards of 8-12% per calendar year. HULT cater towards the needs of our mid-tier investors and high net worth clients and to be a part of their elite investment group you must apply. Rare is it seen that an investment company  focused on delivering have the power and ability to turn down investors that do not suit their distinction.

The difference lies in what they do. The difference is HULT Private Capital.

A Step Above the Competition

As we’ve already mentioned, you have a choice when it comes to not only the investments you make but the firm managing them. Over the last decade, HULT Private Capital have proven themselves to be one of the best, most reliable investment houses across Europe, UAE and China.

They outshone competitors, like FJP Investment, and partnered with affiliates of the highest esteem. These affiliates include: Barclays, Zurich, Coutts, Aviva, Santander, and bradesco — to name just a few.

The growth of their business is a direct reflection of the growth experience across their client’s investments. It is their confidence in what they do, helping each and every investor to achieve and exceed their financial goals, that truly makes HULT Private Capital the right choice when for effective capital management.

Blending Tradition With Innovation

HULT continue to look into the future, whether in relation to their creative portfolios or initiatives in sustainability, the need for innovation is always near. Their foundation may be built on time-tested methods and experience, but it’s their ability to build upon this through innovative portfolios that progress the business forward.

Their team — spread across offices in Munich, London, Dubai, and Hong Kong — is built on powering people. HULT have masterminded together some of the sharpest, most challenging brains in the market to constantly propel and evolve the potential of their elite clientele.

At the helm are the founders. In partnership, they have merged methods and built an internationally-recognized boutique firm with over 340 million(£) assets under management. They understand that investors are no longer after the typical, making their experience in the alternative investment market and fund creation prime for providing atypical solutions.

Final Thoughts: HULT Private Capital Offers a VIP Approach to Investments

Choosing a private equity firm is just as much about fit as it is potential earnings. Partner with a team that sees you as more than your bank accounts — a team that embraces your personal visions as their own.

HULT Private Capital is that team. They bring tried and true experience to the table with fresh ideas that work.

If you’re ready to explore how everything at HULT is designed to ensure the success of your wealth, now is the time. High Net-worth and Sophisticated investors exclusively. Contact their team today.

Media Contact Company Name: IFLT Media Group Contact Person: Sam Lane Email: Send Email Phone: +44 20 8123 5164 City: London Country: United Kingdom Website: https://www.hultprivatecapital.com

[londonproperty2-blog]

Can WEALTH be engineered? – HULT Private Capital

Mutual Funds

Integrity and Passion.

These core values have been monumental behind the success of HULT Private Capital’s tailored investments since their doors opened back in 2008. Today HULT still take centre stage as an international boutique firm with over 60 employees and a firm grip on the secure alternative investment market.

Mutual Funds

It’s this adherence to quality of mission; to well-calculated, robust investments that elevate HULT’s efforts above the rest. This gives power to why both founders, Lewis Hill and John Williams, have been able to achieve great returns during the European financial collapse of the last decade. And it’s for all of these aforementioned reasons that HULT Private Capital invite you to work with some of the most sophisticated private investors in the industry.

“HULT Private Capital has returned £5.5m of investors capital plus £1.5m of interest making a total of £7m paid back on “just” Property Loan Notes’s over the last 12 months.”

HULT Private Capital, investments cover: bank guaranteed investments, UK property investment, property loan notes, food commodities and energy. Think of HULT as the complete solution to all of your wealth management needs.

Its time to invest wisely. Wealthy investors who have 250k or more, that are looking to broaden investments and amplify returns can do so and more as part of the elite HULT Private Capital Members Club. A fully tailor made and individual, private service with a number of benefits associated with a private concierge but on a different level.

Tailored Investments

Private equity firms are a dime a dozen — it’s true. They boast potential returns, push portfolios, and promises that can’t always be kept. All in an effort to drive the success of their own businesses above all else.

HULT Private Capital, place the value of a relationship on a pedestal. Investments are by invitation only — centred on trust, transparency, and deliverability. In short what they say they have proven to do. HULT work towards the long-term of both the firm and the client’s goals with a focus on investing across industry verticals. Additionally, these industries are primarily dominated by tangible assets; capable of providing stable returns over time.

This exclusive investment group operate two types of investments: alternative asset secured or bank guaranteed.

The latter involves UAE bank-backed holdings capable of performing at upwards of 5% capital guaranteed. Asset backed alternative investments, provide a similar security but often perform upwards of 8-12% per calendar year. HULT intentionally cater towards the requirements of sophisticated and high net worth investors to be a join their VIP Investment Club. To do so is not easy and you must apply or be recommended.

Rare is it seen that an investment company focused on delivering have the power and ability to turn down investors that do not suit their distinction. The difference lies in what they do. The difference is HULT Private Capital.

Leading the Field

As we’ve already mentioned, you have a choice when it comes to not only the investments you make but the firm managing them. Over the last decade, HULT Private Capital have proven themselves to be one of the best, most reliable investment houses across Europe, UAE and China.

They outshone competitors, like FJP Investment, and partnered with affiliates of the highest esteem. These affiliates include: Barclays, Zurich, Coutts, Aviva, Santander, and bradesco — to name just a few. The growth of their business is a direct reflection of the growth experience across their client’s investments. It is their confidence in what they do, helping each and every investor to achieve and exceed their financial goals, that truly makes HULT Private Capital the right choice when for effective capital management.

Power by Innovation: Key to Growth

HULT continue to look into the future, whether in relation to their creative portfolios or initiatives in sustainability, the need for innovation is always near. Their foundation may be built on time-tested methods and experience, but it’s their ability to build upon this through innovative portfolios that progress the business forward.

Their team — spread across offices in Munich, London, Dubai, and Hong Kong — is built on powering people. HULT have masterminded together some of the sharpest, most challenging brains in the market to constantly propel and evolve the potential of their elite clientele.

At the helm are the founders. In partnership, they have merged methods and built an internationally – recognized boutique firm with over 340 million(£) assets under management. They understand that investors are no longer after the typical, making their experience in the alternative investment market and fund creation prime for providing atypical solutions.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a private equity firm is just as much about fit as it is potential earnings. Partner with a team that sees you as more than your bank accounts — a team that embraces your personal visions as their own.

HULT Private Capital is that team. They bring tried and true experience to the table with fresh ideas that work.

If you’re ready to explore how everything at HULT is designed to ensure the success of your wealth, now is the time. High Net-worth and Sophisticated investors exclusively. Contact the VIP team today.

Media Contact

Company Name: IFLT Media Group

Contact Person: Carter Wright

Phone: +44 20 8123 5164

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

[sjsuraj]

Solar Inverter Market 2022 Comprehensive Shares, Historical Trends And Forecast By 2032

With the increasing prevalence of alternative energy sources and growing number of technological innovations, the solar power industry is gaining ever-increasing importance in the commercial and residential landscape. Government support and rising concerns over environmental pollution are anticipated to boost the global solar inverter market through the forecast period.

Government Initiatives toward Sustainable and Green Technologies to Drive Solar Inverter Market

The global solar inverter market is expected to witness a healthy rate of growth, owing to the ever rising consumption of solar power worldwide, for both residential and commercial purposes. In addition, recent years have also witnessed technological innovations in the sphere. Growing investments in the renewable energy sector has proper up the solar energy market worldwide. For instance, investments in large-scale initiative is projected to witness a 222% rise in line with the Australian Federal Government’s large-scale renewable energy target (RET) of 33,000 gigawatt-hours by 2020. In 2017, India was ranked 2nd in the most attractive renewable energy markets globally. The country has set a target of 175 GW of renewable power by 2022.

Similarly, Dubai’s state utility, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has agreed to update a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a consortium led by Saudi Arabia energy company ACWA Power to increase the capacity of the fourth phase of the Dubai solar park from 700MW to 950MW. The project aims to have a final capacity of 5,000MW of solar powered energy by 2030 at a cost of AED50 Bn (US$13.6Bn), thereby, increasing the widespread adoption of solar inverters, in the coming years.

Module level power electronics in solar inverters are expected to witness a high rate of demand owing to reduced requirements of maintenance, lower installation costs and high solar power production, such as those produced by SMA Solar Technology AG.

Market players are also offering higher durability in their equipment along with extended guarantees to buyers, which means that users can now expect to have solar invertors which have a guarantee of approximately 12 years, which can be further extended to even 25 years. This is expected to push the market forward in the years to come.

On the other hand, a gradual but constant drop in prices is expected to lower revenues for solar inverter market players and act as the major constraining factor for the market. Another challenge for market players is the high cost of maintenance required to operate a solar inverter setup.

Inadequate Supply of Supplementary Energy Sources to Boost Asia Pacific Solar inverter Market

Developing economies such as India and China constantly face the serious problem of intermittent power outages. As a result the demand for inverters in the recent past has overtaken supply. In addition, government initiatives such as the India’s national solar mission are also significantly pushing the solar inverter market in the region. For instance, NABARD is providing 40% subsidy for those who are purchasing solar inverters, in addition to making loans available for half the cost through commercial banks.

The Latin America region is also expected to provide large and lucrative opportunities of growth to market players owing to a nascent energy infrastructure and industry in numerous countries of the region including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil Uruguay and Paraguay. Mexico alone has successfully held 7 gigawatts of installed capacity in the past 2 years at record low prices.

On the other hand, Europe is expected to see a relatively slow rate of growth for the solar inverter market, owing to fall in equipment prices in most areas of this region resulting from constant price pressure on equipment suppliers, a rise in anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese manufactured components, depreciation of the Euro and a downward trend on minimum import prices.

Key Solar Inverter Market Players are Focusing on Technological Innovations to Boost Efficiency

A number of the major players in the solar inverter market are focusing on research and development activities to improve on inverter performance and improved consumer service through tech innovations.

For example, Sungrow Power has introduced a solar inverter which make use of a single switching transistor and provide users with a an immense range of voltage levels as opposed to conventional counterparts  which provide only a single voltage level even with multiple transistors.

SolarEdge has also introduced a number innovative solar inverter products where the power optimized gauges power point tracking and voltage management separately. This results in the inverter only working on converting DC to AC, which ensures operational faculty regardless of temperature or string length. In addition the company has also developed compact solar inverters for homes which have highly limited roof space.

Siemens has developed a three phase inverter which makes use of a technology to maintain fixed voltage which remains unchanged despite changes in the environment or the number of modules that are present in a string. Data from the inverter can also be monitored and accessed through the internet for an improved facet of analysis.

In addition, companies are also focusing on increasing production capacity, to meet the growing demand. For instance, Bonfiglioli has recently increased its capacity from nearly 200 MW to more than 500 MW.

Other major key players in the solar inverter market include Emerson Electric Company, Schneider Electric Co., Power-one Inc., SMA Solar Technology AG, and KACO New Energy inc. among others.

This detailed report on the solar inverter market gives a complete assessment at regional and global levels to extract actionable insights along with relevant and reliable information, which has been supported ably by extensive research. The report helps readers gain a greater comprehension about the competitive scenario and lucrative business opportunities in the future.

The report has a full examination of essential factors such as:

Driving Factors – Crucial market influencers that create a significant impact on the market situation.

Market Segmentation – Breakdown of key market categories for a good understanding of each area.

Supply and Demand

Market Value – The size of the global market

Trends and Challenges – Trending factors that affect market growth and obstacles that market players are likely to face.

Technology – The changes in the scope of the market arising from new technologies.

Competitive Analysis – Strategic activities of key market players

Segmentation Breakdown of the Global Solar Inverter Market

The global solar inverter market can be categorized on the basis of technology and end use. In terms of technology, solar inverters can be divided into central inverters, micro-inverters, string inverters and power optimizers. On the terms of end use solar inverters can be categorized into Industrial, commercial, residential and utility inverters.

The report is a compilation of first-hand data about the solar inverter market on a quality and quantity basis, obtained from prominent industry analysts and experts. The complete study of market trends, market attractiveness, and economic factors for a better understanding of the effect each factor will have on the various regional market and also for each segment.

In addition to this the report also contains a regional market analysis of the following geographic areas.

Western Europe solar inverter market (Germany, France Italy, U.K, Spain)

Eastern Europe solar inverter market (Poland, Russia)

North America solar inverter market (U.S., Canada)

South America solar inverter market (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America)

Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) solar inverter market (China, India, Australia, New Zealand and ASEAN)

Japan solar inverter market

Africa and Middle East solar inverter market (S. Africa, N. Africa, GCC Countries, and Rest of MEA)

 To Know More @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/solar-inverter-market

[sagarg889]

Solar Inverter Market Segmentation and Analysis by Recent Trends, consumption by Regional data, Development, Investigation, Growth Forecast 2028

With the increasing prevalence of alternative energy sources and growing number of technological innovations, the solar power industry is gaining ever-increasing importance in the commercial and residential landscape. Government support and rising concerns over environmental pollution are anticipated to boost the global solar inverter market through the forecast period.

Government Initiatives toward Sustainable and Green Technologies to Drive Solar Inverter Market

The global solar inverter market is expected to witness a healthy rate of growth, owing to the ever rising consumption of solar power worldwide, for both residential and commercial purposes. In addition, recent years have also witnessed technological innovations in the sphere. Growing investments in the renewable energy sector has proper up the solar energy market worldwide.

For instance, investments in large-scale initiative is projected to witness a 222% rise in line with the Australian Federal Government’s large-scale renewable energy target (RET) of 33,000 gigawatt-hours by 2020. In 2017, India was ranked 2nd in the most attractive renewable energy markets globally. The country has set a target of 175 GW of renewable power by 2022.

Similarly, Dubai’s state utility, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has agreed to update a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a consortium led by Saudi Arabia energy company ACWA Power to increase the capacity of the fourth phase of the Dubai solar park from 700MW to 950MW. The project aims to have a final capacity of 5,000MW of solar powered energy by 2030 at a cost of AED50 Bn (US$13.6Bn), thereby, increasing the widespread adoption of solar inverters, in the coming years.

Module level power electronics in solar inverters are expected to witness a high rate of demand owing to reduced requirements of maintenance, lower installation costs and high solar power production, such as those produced by SMA Solar Technology AG.

Market players are also offering higher durability in their equipment along with extended guarantees to buyers, which means that users can now expect to have solar invertors which have a guarantee of approximately 12 years, which can be further extended to even 25 years. This is expected to push the market forward in the years to come.

On the other hand, a gradual but constant drop in prices is expected to lower revenues for solar inverter market players and act as the major constraining factor for the market. Another challenge for market players is the high cost of maintenance required to operate a solar inverter setup.

Inadequate Supply of Supplementary Energy Sources to Boost Asia Pacific Solar inverter Market

Developing economies such as India and China constantly face the serious problem of intermittent power outages. As a result the demand for inverters in the recent past has overtaken supply. In addition, government initiatives such as the India’s national solar mission are also significantly pushing the solar inverter market in the region. For instance, NABARD is providing 40% subsidy for those who are purchasing solar inverters, in addition to making loans available for half the cost through commercial banks.

The Latin America region is also expected to provide large and lucrative opportunities of growth to market players owing to a nascent energy infrastructure and industry in numerous countries of the region including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil Uruguay and Paraguay. Mexico alone has successfully held 7 gigawatts of installed capacity in the past 2 years at record low prices.

On the other hand, Europe is expected to see a relatively slow rate of growth for the solar inverter market, owing to fall in equipment prices in most areas of this region resulting from constant price pressure on equipment suppliers, a rise in anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese manufactured components, depreciation of the Euro and a downward trend on minimum import prices.

Segmentation Breakdown of the Global Solar Inverter Market

The global solar inverter market can be categorized on the basis of technology and end use. In terms of technology, solar inverters can be divided into central inverters, micro-inverters, string inverters and power optimizers. On the terms of end use solar inverters can be categorized into Industrial, commercial, residential and utility inverters.

The report is a compilation of first-hand data about the solar inverter market on a quality and quantity basis, obtained from prominent industry analysts and experts. The complete study of market trends, market attractiveness, and economic factors for a better understanding of the effect each factor will have on the various regional market and also for each segment.

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