#cayman enterprise city

[caymannewsservice]

CEC aims to shut down objectors to transformed PAD

Artist’s rendition of Signal House, the original anchor building for the CEC campusFlooding at the nearby Vienna Circle (CNS): Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) is hoping to eventually secure planning permission for a new, completely transformed planned area development (PAD) application on a site located off the Linford Pierson Highway in seasonally flooded mangrove forests. Continue reading CEC…

[zahri-melitor]

The Joker War:

Yeah so: this was a good event. The stakes were high, it pulled in and tied off a lot of storytelling since Rebirth, and it reset the status quo for Gotham. Plus, I had a lot of fun reading it.

Sometimes you read an event and come out of it going 'well what was the point'. This is not one of those events; I can see how it sets up a whole chunk of the subsequent 4 years of stories.

It also had an absolutely banger set of writers working on it, supplemented with solid artists. It was very much James Tynion's event, but he clearly was talking to Peter Tomasi, Ram V, Dan Jurgens and Cecil Castellucci to pull the storytelling together. (Scott Lobdell also contributed a single issue but it was very much a tie-in of the 'Jason receives a call' type). Castellucci was the weakest link in that set and even she landed what needed to happen with Barbara during the event.

So. Joker reveals that he knows who all the Bats are, and that he's known that for a long time, as he proceeds to try and break Bruce by plunging the city into chaos, stealing all of the Wayne fortune, revealing Wayne Enterprises to be as 'corrupt' as any other multinational, and using all of the Bat equipment that the company has been manufacturing to cause terror.

Bruce, who has been isolating himself in the wake of City of Bane and Alfred's death, initially starts out trying to fight all of this on his own, and then spends even more time hallucinating Alfred, as Tynion gives him a chance to process what happened. He eventually gets to the classic 'call in the family' round up. But mostly, he's fighting Joker by himself. Harley, who is extremely irritated by Punchline's whole existence (and sewed up her own slit throat with a guitar string at one point), spends a fair amount of time helping Bruce, and eventually sets up a situation in the final Bruce v Joker showdown where she ties bombs to herself and to Joker, tells Bruce he's only got time to defuse one, and sprints away. Joker is VERY put out by Bruce's decisions in this situation, because they contradict what he's been monologuing about.

That's the main Bruce plot. (Oh he also gets to deal with Two-Face bringing Lincoln March back and then my least favourite fake Wayne getting blown up in a way that may or may not be fatal. The wikis cannot agree)

Dick's entire Ric plot arc comes to a head with a series of brainwashings. Joker gets his hands on the crystal that had previously brainwashed him into having no memories and then to thinking he was raised by William Cobb as a Talon, and deciding to join in the fun, rewrites Dick's memories as 'Dickyboy', who was raised by Joker after the circus. Yes. We do Joker Junior (but for Dick!) Most of the bad stuff done during this period is like...calling for help to trick Jason, Tim and Babs to turn up, and then curbstomping Jason. Tim gets to defuse a bomb about to blow up a hospital and is very proud of himself, while Dick's fatal flaw of 'extremely suggestible to redheads' pops up and a combination of Babs and Bea are able to talk him around and restore his memories to actually being Dick Grayson (Bea's purple dreads get her into the category, I think). Thank goodness, Nightwing is back.

Selina is busy playing everyone, and ends up transferring the Wayne fortune she originally set in motion to be stolen from Bruce to end up in Lucius Fox's Caymans bank account, setting up the whole upcoming Jace Fox stories. Also she moves back to Alleytown in the aftermath of everything to get back to her Brubaker roots.

Barbara gets attacked by Joker who wants to replicate A Killing Joke now that he can reveal he knows he shot Batgirl at that time, and hijacks her spinal implant. So Babs digs it out AGAIN, then once she's got away needs Luke Fox to help her fix it and reimplant the connections. The entire point of all of these fun and games is essentially to put Babs in a position where she knows she needs to stop relying on going out as Batgirl: she finally gets to come back online as Oracle, in green wearing glasses, where she seizes control of the city and does some proper Oracle work. There's a fair amount of talk about how she needs to start transitioning back to Oracle at least part time.

Also James Jr has developed a split personality and ends up throwing himself off a building to his death, while Babs as Batgirl tries to grab him, leading to even more extension of the "Jim Gordon hates Batgirl" plot that's been running since n52 and the last time James Jr threw himself to his death (off a bridge). Sigh. I'm bored of that one. There's a broken body at the bottom and we bury him this time, so we're pretty safe from another James Jr plot until someone decides to drop his corpse in a Lazarus Pit or get Superboy Prime to punch time or inject him with electrum or whatever.

Oh and Steph and Cass switch costumes to be both be Batgirl in a short in the anthology issue, which has the most unfortunate art in existence and may possibly be the source of the confusion over their ages at the start of the Batgirls run (It would be fine if it was a DC Super Hero Girls imprint story; it's ridiculous for main universe).

It's fun! Quite a lot goes on! Pretty much everyone shows up at some point, including Kate Kane coming back to Gotham for the first time since the whole 'shooting Clayface' situation; the only big absences are Damian (stuck in limboland and only appearing on one cover; this is presumably due to all the back and forth going on as people try to work out what they're doing with him now that 5G is off the table); JPV, who I think is technically still in space?; and Harper gets namechecked as still working with Leslie, but doesn't show up.

I would definitely recommend it if you have read a decent amount of the Batman/Detective Comics/Nightwing/Batgirl/Catwoman comics between 2016 and 2020. I also would suggest it's a solid choice if you're simply interested in the set up for all the character direction changes spinning out after the cancel/relaunch of titles after Future State at the start of 2021.

This is definitely one of those events where, while there is a lot of Joker, he's actually being used for reasons that make sense, and there's a lot of other villains running around causing problems as well.

[lawofcrime]

Luc Despins v. AA Global Ventured Ltd. et al: Second Complaint (‘Turnover of Assets in $1B Fraud & Money Laundering Scheme’)

Second Complaint against “alter egos” and “shell companies” in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, England, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and USA in Luc Despins, as the Chapter 11 Trustee for Ho Wan Kwok, a citizen of China who is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of a $1 billion fraud and money laundering scheme on July 16th, 2024 in the United States v. AA Global Ventured Limited, AAGV Limited, Alzarro Enterprises Ltd.,

Ampleforth Capital Ltd., Anton Development Limited, Assets Sino Limited, Auspicious Coast Limited, BSA Capital Management Limited, BSA Strategic Fund I, Canadian Agri-product Monetary Investments Limited, Crane Advisory Group LLC, Delta Konsult Limited, Eagle Eye Investments Limited, Feibo Jiang, Fiesta Investment Ltd., Glory Asia (H.K.) Limited, Gold Perfect Limited, Group Dynasty Limited, GS Security Solutions Inc., Guang Hong Limited, H Reserve Management Limited, Haitham Khaled, Haoran He, Head Win Group Limited,

HGA Property Operation LLC, Hing Chi Ngok, Holy City Hong Kong Ventures Limited, Hong Kong International Funds Investments Limited, Hudson Diamond Holdings, Inc., Infinity Treasury Management Inc., Insight Phoenix Fund, Joincorp International Limited, Joy Chance Holdings Limited, Kesen Yang, Kun Ma, Kingdom Rich Limited, Le Qiao, Lichun Guo, Lihong Guo, Long Gate Limited, Max Krasner, Mei Guo, New Federal State Corporation, New Miracle Limited, Pacific King Investment Limited,

Phoenix Capital Management (Cayman) Limited, Qiang Guo, Qin Li, Rich Group Development Limited, Rising Sun Capital Ltd., River Valley Operations LLC, Sail Victory Limited, Scott Barnett, Strong Country Holdings Group Limited, Thousand Stars Company Limited, Wencun Guo, Xinfang Zhang, Yan Su, Yumei Hao, Zhang Wei, and Zongchao Yue at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.

[hobbyetrade]

Strategic Expansion: Exploring Global Business Opportunities with Smart Setups

In today’s interconnected world, businesses are increasingly looking beyond their borders to expand their operations and tap into new markets. Strategic expansion into global markets can significantly enhance a company’s growth potential, profitability, and brand recognition. However, choosing the right setup is crucial to ensuring a smooth and successful expansion. Two popular options for businesses looking to establish an international presence are offshore business setup and freezone business setup. This article explores these smart setups and how they can unlock global business opportunities.

Understanding Offshore Business Setup

An offshore business setup involves establishing a company in a jurisdiction outside the country where the main operations or owners are based. Offshore companies are often used by businesses to take advantage of favorable tax laws, privacy protections, and flexible regulatory frameworks. Common offshore jurisdictions include the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly Dubai.

Key Benefits of Offshore Business Setup:

Tax Efficiency: Offshore companies often benefit from low or zero corporate taxes, making them an attractive option for businesses seeking to optimize their tax liabilities.

Asset Protection: Offshore jurisdictions provide strong legal frameworks for protecting assets from lawsuits, creditors, and political instability, ensuring the security of your business investments.

Confidentiality: Offshore companies enjoy a high level of privacy, with many jurisdictions offering confidentiality for shareholders and directors, shielding your business activities from public scrutiny.

Ease of Setup: The process of setting up an offshore company is typically straightforward, with minimal regulatory requirements and quick incorporation procedures.

Common Uses of Offshore Companies:

International Trade: Businesses involved in global trade often use offshore companies to manage their international transactions more efficiently.

Holding Companies: Offshore entities are frequently used as holding companies to own shares in other businesses or assets, reducing exposure to local regulations and taxes.

Intellectual Property: Companies can register intellectual property (IP) in offshore jurisdictions to benefit from favorable tax treatment on royalties and licensing income.

Exploring Freezone Business Setup

A freezone business setup in Dubai offers a unique opportunity for businesses to operate in one of the world’s most dynamic economic hubs while enjoying numerous benefits. Free zones are designated areas within Dubai that offer special incentives to attract foreign investment, particularly from companies involved in trade, services, and manufacturing.

Key Advantages of Freezone Business Setup:

100% Foreign Ownership: Unlike mainland companies in Dubai, freezone businesses can be fully owned by foreign investors without the need for a local Emirati partner.

Tax Benefits: Companies in free zones enjoy 0% corporate tax, 0% personal income tax, and exemption from import and export duties, similar to offshore setups.

Strategic Location: Dubai’s free zones are strategically located near major ports, airports, and business districts, providing easy access to international markets and supply chains.

Simplified Setup Process: Freezone companies benefit from a streamlined setup process, with support from free zone authorities in obtaining licenses, visas, and office space.

Industries Best Suited for Freezone Setup:

Trade and Logistics: Businesses involved in import/export, warehousing, and distribution often choose free zones like Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) for their strategic location and infrastructure.

Technology and Innovation: Free zones like Dubai Internet City and Dubai Silicon Oasis cater specifically to IT, tech startups, and innovation-driven enterprises.

Media and Entertainment: Dubai Media City is a dedicated free zone for media, advertising, and entertainment companies, offering a vibrant ecosystem and industry-specific facilities.

Offshore vs. Freezone: Which is Right for Your Business?

Choosing between an offshore business setup and a freezone business setup depends on your business objectives, target markets, and operational needs.

Offshore Business Setup is ideal for:

Tax Optimization: If your primary goal is to minimize tax liabilities while maintaining global operations, an offshore setup in a tax-friendly jurisdiction may be the best choice.

Asset Protection: Businesses seeking to protect their assets from legal risks or political instability often prefer offshore setups for their strong legal frameworks.

Global Trading: Companies engaged in international trade can benefit from the flexibility and efficiency offered by offshore entities.

Freezone Business Setup is ideal for:

Regional Market Access: If you’re looking to establish a presence in the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, a freezone setup in Dubai provides direct access to these markets with the added benefits of tax incentives and full ownership.

Industry-Specific Advantages: Free zones in Dubai are tailored to specific industries, offering specialized infrastructure and support that can accelerate growth and innovation.

Ease of Operation: The streamlined regulatory environment and comprehensive support services make free zones an attractive option for businesses that want to get up and running quickly.

Strategic Considerations for Global Expansion

When expanding your business globally, it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure a successful setup:

Regulatory Environment: Research the regulatory requirements of the jurisdiction you’re considering to ensure your business can operate smoothly and compliantly.

Market Access: Consider your target markets and choose a setup that provides easy access to these regions, whether through a freezone or offshore jurisdiction.

Operational Costs: Factor in the costs of setup, ongoing operations, and compliance to ensure your chosen structure aligns with your budget and financial goals.

Long-Term Strategy: Align your business setup with your long-term growth strategy, considering future expansion plans, potential risks, and the scalability of your operations.

Conclusion

Expanding your business globally requires strategic planning and a keen understanding of the available options. Whether you choose an offshore business setup for its tax advantages and asset protection or a freezone business setup in Dubai for its market access and operational ease, making the right decision can unlock significant opportunities for growth and success. By carefully evaluating your business needs and aligning them with the most suitable setup, you can position your enterprise for long-term prosperity in the global marketplace.

[tomorrowedblog]

Friday Releases for August 25

Friday is the busiest day of the week for new releases, so we've decided to collect them all in one place. Friday Releases for August 25 include You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, another triumph of ghetto engineering, and more.

You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah

You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, the new movie from Sammi Cohen, is out today.

Stacy and Lydia are BFFs who’ve always dreamed about having epic bat mitzvahs. But things start to go comically awry when a popular boy and middle school drama threatens their friendship and their rite of passage.

Bottoms

Bottoms, the new movie from Emma Seligman, is out today.

want to get punched in the face by hot girls? WELL GET IN LINE.

Retribution

Retribution, the new movie from Nimród Antal, is out today.

When a mysterious caller puts a bomb under his car seat, Matt Turner (Neeson) begins a high-speed chase across the city to complete a specific series of tasks. With his kids trapped in the back seat and a bomb that will explode if they get out of the car, a normal commute becomes a twisted game of life or death as Matt follows the stranger’s increasingly dangerous instructions in a race against time to save his family.

Bank of Dave

Bank of Dave, the new movie from Chris Foggin, is out today.

Based on the true-life experiences of Dave Fishwick; ’Bank of Dave’ tells the story of how a working class Burnley man and self-made millionaire fought to set up a community Bank.

Scrapper

Scrapper, the new movie from Charlotte Regan, is out today.

This vibrant and inventive father-daughter comedy follows Georgie (Lola Campbell), a resourceful 12-year-old girl who secretly lives alone in her flat in a working class suburb of London following the death of her mother. She makes money stealing bikes with her best friend Ali (Alin Uzun) and keeps the social workers off her back by pretending to live with an uncle. Out of nowhere, her estranged father Jason (Harris Dickinson; Triangle of Sadness, Beach Rats) arrives and forces her to confront reality. Uninterested in this sudden new parental figure, Georgie is stubbornly resistant to his efforts. As they adjust to their new circumstances, Georgie and Jason find that they both still have a lot of growing up to do.

The Dive

The Dive, the new movie from Maximilian Erlenwein, is out today.

A dive at one of the world’s most remote spots becomes a fight to the death for sisters Drew (Lowe) And May (Krause) when a landslide sends rocks tumbling into the sea, trapping May in the depths. As their oxygen runs low, Drew must make life-and-death decisions with no outside help in sight…

The Retirement Plan

The Retirement Plan, the new movie from Tim Brown, is out today.

In The Retirement Plan, when Ashley (Ashley Greene) and her young daughter Sarah (Thalia Campbell) get caught up in a criminal enterprise that puts their lives at risk, she turns to the only person who can help - her estranged father Matt (Nicolas Cage), currently living the life of a retired beach bum in the Cayman Islands.

Piaffe

Piaffe, the new movie from Ann Oren, is out today.

Introverted and unqualified, Eva is unexpectedly tasked with foleying the sound for a commercial featuring a horse. As she slowly acclimates to the new job, her obsession with creating the perfect equine sounds grows into something more tangible. Eva harnesses this new physicality, becoming more confident and empowered, and lures an unassuming botanist into an intriguing game of submission.

The Inventor

The Inventor, the new movie from Jim Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon, is out today.

The insatiably curious and headstrong inventor Leonardo da Vinci leaves Italy to join the French court, where he can experiment freely, inventing flying contraptions, incredible machines, and study the human body. There, joined in his adventure by the audacious princess Marguerite, Leonardo will uncover the answer to the ultimate question – “What is the meaning of it all?”

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, the new game from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment, is out today.

In ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, players will assemble their mech from a wide variety of parts and weaponry to soar freely through mission locales that redefine three-dimensional mobility. Face down overwhelming opposition by outgunning and overrunning your enemies with dynamic movement that makes full use of ranged and melee combat. Players can experience frenetic, fast-paced action that can only be truly realized with mechs.

another triumph of ghetto engineering

another triumph of ghetto engineering, the new album from Open Mike Eagle, is out today.

I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy

I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy, the new album from Fat Tony and Taydex, is out today.

All who can’t hear must feel

All who can’t hear must feel, the new album from Jaboukie, is out today.

Voir Dire

Voir Dire, the new album from Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist, is out today.

[justasparkwritings]

Codename Cupid: Chapter 3

Previous: Love at First Algorithm 

Pairing: Kim Seokjin X OFC

Genre: Light Angst, Secret AgentAU, AgentAU, Light College AU

Rating: PG13

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: None

Summary: Kim Seokjin and Lee Euna are flirting the line between classmates and crushing, will he return her feelings? 

Daddy’s Favorite & the First Date

Fall, Junior Year

         Lee Euna is the youngest heiress to Lee Enterprises, one of the largest conglomerates in the history of economics. Heralded as one of the leading forces in banking and stock trades, it has banks all over the world catering to the highest cliental, princes and princesses, kings and queens all lined up to put their worth, jewels and all, in the vaults of Lee. Their smaller subsidiaries managed the trading of stocks, networking in millions of dollars for various clients who inhabited a lesser tier of society but strived to reach the upper echelon. Generational wealth, for the Lee’s and their clients, made their work heavily guarded and secretive. Getting hired by them was near impossible, and once you were in, death was the only way out.

         It was a misconception that Euna had little to live up to, as her parents favorite and owner of the highest IQ out of her four siblings, she was set to become CEO, while her siblings were relegated to chairman of the board, and heads of philanthropy. The titles suited her siblings fine. Dae-Seong loved bossing around the members of the board, encouraging frivolity and billable hours while scheduling grueling development that often-bored members to tears. He ruled with an iron fist, what he said went, that is unless the CEO had a differing opinion, and then, both out of spite and seniority, Dae-Seong fell in line with what their father wanted. Dae-Seong didn’t care for the familial atmosphere their father had run Lee Enterprises with, and favored a cold regimented environment that was almost impossible to work in. Dae-Seong always said that the best blooms came from the hardest earth. Whether or not that was proven, he didn’t care, at LeeEnterprises, he would make it so.

         Jun-Seo and Kwan-Min loved running the philanthropy branch of the Enterprise. They, like their father and mother, adored a good party and held several charity balls each year. Together, they raised hundreds of millions for a variety of causes that Euna barely paid attention to. The food was always exquisite, the drinks plentiful, the glimmer of the party always outshining the family feud that erupted hours before guests showed up, and the scandals that would be whispered about the morning after. Though the scandals never tarnished the reputations of Jun-Seo and Kwan-Min, they certainly provided a necessary indulgence to all the attendees.

         Kwan-Min, the second oldest, was thrilled with her role in Lee Enterprises. She and Jun-Seo were heralded as visionaries, doling out millions of dollars every year to causes that ranged from climate justice to underfunded schools, and cancer research. They were responsible for funding some of the most progressive movements, as well as backing lobbyists for liberal, bordering on socialist, legislation. They dedicated an afternoon a week, usually Thursdays, to spend their time scouring the internet for new charities to donate money to. This was the heart of their jobs, finding niche organizations that were struggling, food pantries in rural towns or women’s shelters in battered parts of the city, that sustained their other work and lessened the blow of the billions in their bank accounts.

         It was hard to be known as a large corporation benefiting from tax breaks while subsequently funding social movements. The family never discussed the dichotomy of their predicament, instead choosing to let their actions speak for themselves.

         Anyone could donate thousands to St. Jude.

         Only the Lee’s could donate a hundred million.

         While Kwan-Min found satisfaction in donating to negligible organizations, Jun-Seo found bliss in hounding friends and acquaintances for money. A natural salesman, he strived on the pressure he created for himself. Nothing was ever good enough, or enough period. He was always wanting more. More money to give away, more money to spend on vacations and lavish trips, more alcohol, more clothes, everything in excess. His work, and Kwan-Min’s, was regularly overlooked by both their parents, Dae-Seong and Euna. The good they did was always outshined by the amount that Euna and Dae-Seong pulled into the business, the new dignitaries transferring their funds, the latest piece of the Queen’s jewelry put into one of their vaults. They’d always played the role of second fiddle, and as years went by, no matter their accomplishments, they were never held in the same esteem as Euna and god forbid, Dae-Seong.

         If Jun-Seo and Kwan-Min were relegated to the B-Team, Euna was first off the bench for the A-Team. Every Lee child attended college, but none went to the most elite universities with the most widely renowned business program, with guarantees to intern anywhere they wanted, except Euna. Her older siblings watched as she rose through the ranks, mastering the cello, classic ballet and calculus by the time she was thirteen. They watched, with pride and in horror, as she crunched numbers in her spare time, pirouetted across the most elegant stages and slung her bow delicately against the strings of her hand made instrument. It was clear from an early age that Euna was the best of the four of them.

         In fits of anger, Dae-Seong would chide that their parents had hit it out of the park with him and kept trying until they got another diamond. If fate had been on their side, Euna would’ve been second, and if the gods really favored them, she would’ve been a boy. He routinely failed to acknowledge his other siblings, whom he owed a great deal of gratitude. It was their work that kept the paparazzi and critics at bay, their work that allowed him to go on benders and run his corporate torture seminars. Their good PR paid for his mistakes, with change left over.

         Dae-Seong specialized in breeding discontent, of taunting his siblings, bullying them, forcing them against each other. Euna had recognized this side of him from the time she could identify his actions weren’t full of love, but malintent. The announcement that she would train to be the next CEO had sent Dae into a blind rage, which he quickly turned into a bender in the most elusive clubs. They didn’t hear from him for a week, and when he returned, their father had lashed out at him before sending Dae to a ‘conference’ for a month. The siblings knew what had happened. The belt had come off the wall, and Dae, though grown, had succumbed to his father. Dae was sent to a ‘conference’ every two years or so, when his behavior and attitude became so unkempt that Mr. & Mrs. Lee felt they had no other option than sending him away for a month to sleep, reset, relax and most importantly, detox.

         There was something so pathetic about Dae-Seong’s ability to break bad and as punishment, spend a month being massaged and covered in salt scrubs.

         Euna was relieved when her parents let her move away for university and elated when Mr. & Mrs. Lee took it one step further and sent her, each summer, to work at various branches of Lee Enterprises. A summer in Seoul, a winter break in London, summer in Manhattan, another winter in London, a stop in the UAE, followed by tours of the Cayman Islands and a summer in Rio. Euna was grateful for her time away from her family and absorbed everything she was learning. She didn’t just have to prove Dae-Seong wrong, she had to prove her parents right, show that her genius wasn’t due in part to her rookie status, that her prowess and instincts weren’t dismissible as beginners’ luck.

         Spending winter and summer breaks at various branches, Euna let her work speak for her. She learned how to manipulate to make a sale, how to aggregate data in order to create an accurate projection of stock trades, to look at holdings of dignitaries and suggest how they could diversify their portfolios. The more she worked, the better she became. The harder she worked, the easier it was to pretend she didn’t know anything. Euna was in for the long haul, and that meant manipulating her persona to mystify and baffle the masses. A woman in power was a threat, and she would be damned if she let the company and the world take that from her.

         She had watched Kwan-Min and their mother being dehumanized in the media, in board meetings, at the hands of her father and Dae-Seong. When they gave too much of themselves, the world readily ate it up, devouring them whole. As a girl, Euna watched Kwan-Min change from intelligent and driven to flirty and ditzy. She watched her sister, who she idolized in secret, disappear into the mold their father had crafted. Euna wondered how long it would be before she had to adapt a highly manicured image? A version of herself in complete juxtaposition of her ingrained personality?

         It was this turmoil, this paradox, that threw Seokjin after their first meeting. She was nothing like he’d read or seen in their years at university or in the news. Though he hadn’t paid much attention to her and would admit he knew nothing about her besides the obvious, he was constantly being surprised.

         “Did you check the latest model and run the analysis?” Euna asked on a Thursday some weeks into their project.

         “Yeah, and it looks like, if Dr. Cho opens the market next class period, we’re going to see a major boom,” Seokjin answered. He’d been working on looking at Euna more, particularly when she spoke to him, and she found it all the more endearing.

         “How major?” She asked.

         “Multi-millionaires by end of week,” Seokjin informed her.

         “Good, what’s going to ruin it?” Euna set her pen down and stared at Seokjin. His lips were pouted, bangs sweeping in front of his glasses. He was beautiful.

         “If some major political event happens in the next four days, or if something happens in China,”

         “Ah, China,” Euna said rolling her eyes. “Always have to look out for the Chinese.”

         “The American market is fairly stable, but it’s the US,”

         “So, hold your breath and pray it’ll be okay?” Euna chuckled, a sound Seokjin had never heard. He laughed in response. “You have a great laugh.”

         “Oh, thank you,” Jin looked back at his computer. “You know, we’ll only have to monitor the project for a few more weeks.”

         “Seokjin, are you trying to tell me you’ll miss me?” Euna inquired.

         “Maybe, maybe I’m trying to ask if you want to hang out, maybe get a drink or coffee outside of work hours,” Seokjin shrugged, his blasé attitude ignited something within Euna. For the months they had been working together, she’d tried and failed to get him to ask her out. His disinterest in her, in anything about her, drove her crazy. He didn’t ask questions, he didn’t inquire about work or god forbid her family, or other classes she was taking, even her friends. She could have anything in the world, and yet, this man, out of reach.

         “I’d like that,” She responded.

         “Cool, how about coffee, this Sunday?” Jin suggested.

         “I can’t Sunday, family obligations,” Euna cursed her family for what felt like the millionth time.

         “Tuesday, instead of working,” Jin compromised.

         “Will the numbers wait?” Euna was partially joking, which Seokjin caught immediately.

         “They’re fictional numbers,” Jin reminded her.

         “It’s a date,” Euna replied.

Next: Codename The First Heartbreak

[richard-ellison-cfa-caia]

Richard Ellison CFA CAIA

Richard Ellison, is a Marketing Specialist and Consultant with WE Digital Strategy. Based in Cayman Enterprise City, the Cayman Islands’ special economic zone, he helps clients maximize their digital presence. Richard also assists clients to build, monitor and if needed repair their online reputation. Richard has spent over twenty years in Professional and Financial Services working with clients around the world. In addition to being both a CFA & CAIA Charterholder, Richard has a MBA in Finance & Strategy from Purdue University and is an active volunteer with the CFA Institute.

[dargeereads]

COCKY HERO CLUB

Release Date: May 17, 2020

Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.

COCKY DUKE

BY ANNABELLE ANDERS

Mrs. Ambrosia Bloomington, now a widow, is ready to start a new life amongst Mayfair elites without the overarching reach of her late husband, Mr. Harrison Bloomington.  With her trunks loaded safely onto her own private carriage, she’s ready to face the world as an independent woman in Regency London.

She does not, however, bargain for cocksure Frenchman, Mr. Charles Cochran Bateman coming along and turning her very ordinary journey into the adventure of a lifetime.

She does not bargain for his laughter, his enthusiasm, nor his Joie de vie.

And blast and fiddlesticks, she certainly is not expecting to experience the sparks that charge the air between them.

And, it seems, apparently, neither is he…

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU Free in Kindle Unlimited ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO CONNECT WITH  ANNABELLE ANDERS

MOTHER CLUCKER

BY CAT JOHNSON

They say opposites attract, but in this case, they might just combust . . .

HEATHER

Hermosa Beach seems to be the place for throwing together unlikely opposites.

My rooster Rowdy and his new crush, Pixy the goat.

Me and the obnoxiously cocky cowboy from Texas . . .

But unlike Rowdy and Pixy, there’s no way I’m going to fall for David Strickland.

Nope. Not gonna happen. I could never be with a man so completely opposed to everything I believe . . . no matter how hot he is.

DAVID

There couldn’t be two people more different than the beautiful little tree hugger and rooster rescuer Heather and me.

We can’t agree on anything, except that we disagree on everything—some times more heatedly than other times. And believe me, things are starting to heat up between us, in more ways than one.

She's the last thing I expected to find at an animal shelter in California. But now I found her, I have no intention of letting her go.

I just have to get her on board with that plan.

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SECRET KEEPER BY CHRISTOPHER HARLAN

She was the fruit of a forbidden tree, but nothing in this world was going to stop me from tasting her.

My name is Dylan Murphy, and I work for the rich and powerful of an exclusive Manhattan building. Graham Morgan was my first boss, but soon after I was working with some of the most famous entrepreneurs, business moguls, and movie stars in the city. They trusted me because I always followed the cardinal rules:

Never betray secrets. And never, under any circumstance, get personally involved.

I’d never dreamed of violating my professional mantra.

Not until she walked past me.

The look we exchanged that night set my body on fire, and I knew right then and there that no matter the consequences, she was going to be mine. But she was one of them—off limits and out of my league, but she was the kind of woman who I was willing to risk everything for.

I keep other people’s secrets for a living, but the biggest secret of all might be my own.

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COCKY CAPTAIN

BY ELLIE MASTERS

Ex-fighter pilot, Logan Reid, is exactly the kind of man I despise. He’s a cocky jet jock, a former Navy Blue Angel, and full of all the arrogance that comes with being the best of the best.

I’m an ex-Zoomie, an Air Force tanker pilot. The rivalry between our sister services is nothing compared to that between fighter jocks and tanker pilots. We’re bitter rivals and I’m low-man (woman) on the totem pole

The last thing I need is to spend six hours at thirty-five thousand feet locked in a cockpit with the cocky captain. But I have no choice. I’m his co-pilot, and we’re taking the CEO of Montague Enterprises, and his family, on a mini-vacation to the Grand Caymans.

We have three days on the ground before we fly back.

Three long days in paradise and he wants to spend them all with me.

I have a thing for fighter pilots.

It isn’t animosity, exactly, but rather a deep-seated dislike. They get all the glory while the rest of us sit at the butt end of their jokes and wither beneath their ridicule.

I hate fighter pilots. There, I said it. I hate the arrogant pricks with a passion.

But after one look into those magnetic eyes, and the devastating wink which follows, I’m thinking of throwing caution to the wind. What harm can come from some innocent flirting? Besides, it’s not as if my job is at risk.

I’m not prepared for the air to sizzle when he’s close.

I’m not ready for our explosive chemistry when he touches my skin.

I’m not equipped for the fallout when our three days come to an end.

And I never expected to fall in love.

But all good things come to an end.

I wasn’t prepared when I walked away.

And I wasn’t ready for what came next.

He’s arrogant.

He’s cocky.

He’s determined to get what he wants.

And he’s refuses  to let this end.

He’s fighting for a forever…with me.

But, I’m not ready for our beginning.

He’s arrogant enough to prove me wrong.

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SEXY SUIT

BY J.H. CROIX

When I met Ryan, I might’ve been trying to break into his basement.

It was for a good cause. I swear. Also, my dog broke in first.

Ryan Blake is jaw-dropping handsome, wealthy & cocky. Not quite my type. By some miracle, he doesn’t call the police on me when he catches me trying to rescue my dog. He even fetches a doctor for me. Don’t ask why.

I don’t figure I’ll see him again. Then, I do. Then, he kisses me. Once. Twice. Is three times the charm? To be honest, I swooned at the first kiss.

All swooning aside, we are seriously opposites. I wear cowboy boots and skirts. He wears suits and ties. He’s all New York City. I’m a Southern girl looking for a new start. We even talk at different speeds.

The list of things I don’t expect from Ryan is long. I don’t expect him to think twice about me. I don’t expect him to nearly bring me to my knees with a look. I don’t expect him to be so much more than I ever imagined.

I absolutely don’t expect to fall for him. So hard I’m skidding sideways just to catch my balance.

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WICKED BEDMATE BY JENIKA SNOW

Getting fired and humiliated in front of everyone at my newly acquired secretarial job at Morgan Financial Holdings wasn’t how I’d seen my day going.

And then chaos—or maybe luck—ensured.

I was set up on a blind date, shocked that my former boss was giving me a month’s severance, and had the perfect interview lined up.

Maybe things were looking up for me after all.

And although finding a man should have been on the bottom of my to-to list, I couldn’t get Jason—the uber sexy blind date—out of my head. Sexy and confident—or maybe arrogant—he had me yearning for more with just a smoldering look and a smirk of his lips.

But when a night of drinking leads to getting in bed with him and having the wildest, most intense night of my life, I didn’t know if I should ask to see him again, or do the good old walk of shame.

And it’s when I walk into my interview the next day and come face-to-face with my prospective employer that the reality of my situation sinks in.

Because there, sitting across from me with that devilish smile on his face, that knowing expression of what we’d done the night before, is the one and only Jason, my supposedly one-night stand.

Looked like my humiliation wasn’t over just yet.

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LUCKY BASTARD BY KAYLEE RYAN

Emma

When my best friend Aubrey asked me to tag along to an event with her, I never could have imagined that it would be the day that my life changed forever.

He’s arrogant and demanding and doesn’t take a hint. Landon Barker, the quarterback for the Hermosa Beach Trojans, is a player on and off of the field. He’s got his sights set on me as his next play, but I see right through him. Aubrey says I’m overreacting, that I should give him a chance. What she doesn’t realize is men like Landon don’t fall for the girl next door. That’s not reality. She got her fairytale, although it was a long road. Not all of us are that lucky.

Landon

She’s a friend of our new kicking coach’s wife. When I ask Chance for her number, he tells me I have to find a way to get it myself.

Nothing when it comes to Emma has been easy. She’s the first woman ever to turn me down, and that won’t do. However, as time passes, it’s about more than that. It’s about her smile, her laugh, and just spending time with her. She thinks I’m a player, and she’s right. What she doesn’t know is that I play to win, and her heart is the ultimate trophy.

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COCKSURE ACE BY K WEBSTER

I’m a fighter.

At least that’s what my daddy always told me.

It’s in our blood.

Hard work, hustle, and a little Hennessey is the Reid motto.

He taught me to fight for everything I wanted in life.

Take down those who threaten the dream.

My dream is to marry the perfect man.

That man is my father’s best friend and I won’t stop until I have him.

And at Daddy’s wedding in Costa Rica, I plan to make that dream finally come true.

Then, my life will be smooth sailing.

Until a chance flight with an arrogant pilot throws me off course. 

Literally. 

Camilo’s decisions affect my future, and I can’t allow anything—not even a cocksure, ridiculously hot idiot—to stand in my way.

Problem is, he fights back.

Every battle I’ve won in life, he shoots down and exposes me for the fraud I am.

Trapped in paradise with my devilishly handsome nemesis seems like one of the seven circles of Hell…and, boy, is it getting hot around here. 

He’ll strip me of my armor.

Remind me of my past.

Force me to rethink my future.

And help me live in the moment.

Will he steal my heart too?

One thing’s for sure.

This girl won’t give up without a fight.

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CLUTCH PLAYER BY NIKKI ASH

Harper

I fell in love when I was sixteen. Landon was my entire world and I thought he would be my forever. But I was young and dumb, and with one error in judgement, I destroyed any chance of a future we could’ve had together, along with our hearts.

Twelve years later and I’m going through the motions of life, but not actually living. Which is why I let my friends, Bridget and Simon, set me up on a blind date. Turns out, it’s not so blind after all. Because the man sitting in front of me is the same man who’s held onto my heart all these years.

Landon

They call me a Clutch Player because I’m good under pressure and quick on my feet. I was also quick to fall in love. The first time it was with baseball, the second was with Harper. And for a short time I had them both.

Until I lost Harper and all I had left was baseball.

For years, I focused on my career. I had accepted that baseball was my one true love.

Until I saw her again. I never imagined we’d ever get a second chance, but now that she’s sitting right across from me, I know there’s no way in hell I’m going to let her go again.

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SEXY SCOUNDREL BY RAISA GREYWOOD

Carlina Perez is in way over her head. Unexpectedly jobless and fostering an exotic pet with an insatiable appetite, this pastry chef needs a new gig faster than she can whip up a batch of scones.  But when she’s tapped to serve as the personal chef to a haughty tabloid regular, she only considers the job out of sheer desperation. After all, Giorgio Acardi may be filthy rich and intoxicatingly handsome, but he’s also a first class scoundrel.

Giorgio Acardi has it all:  money, fame, an endless string of beautiful companions, and the respect of his colleagues and rivals. From the outside looking in, his life is perfect. So perfect, in fact, that he’s even got his eye on a new personal chef. She’s talented and gorgeous, and it shouldn’t make a difference whether she hates him or not as long as she does the job. But there’s something about Carlina that Giorgio just can’t resist, and he hasn’t enjoyed success by backing down from a challenge.

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Cocky Hero Club

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AUDIBLE

[conundrums-and-cupcakes]

Corporate AU || The Dead-Pool

@ofarkhxm

If you think your boss is mean about letting you leave early, you've clearly never worked for...her.

It was the dead of night, an office in a less-than-ideal part of town, belonging to a small startup company. "Intimidation Enterprises", it was called, a big name for a relatively small operation. But the woman behind it would soon be going places. She had plans for the city, for the country, then one day the world. The last of her family fortune was going into this new endeavor; an endeavor to round up the cream of the underworld, a means of testing the miscreants and plunderers who would exercise any means to get what they wanted. Once she had amassed a large team of them...the plans could really begin.

"You have mailed out the lists?" "Yes, ma'am." "The Cayman Islands accounts are set up?  Ready to wire the money upon proof of demise?" "Of course." "And you have cleared up all loose ends? No one can trace this back to me?" "No ma'am. You and I are the only ones with any clue of who set this operation up." "Very good." "So does this mean...my debt is repaid?" "In a sense. I'm not going to bother trying to collect from a dead man." "What...?"

The employee only caught a brief glimpse of the weapon in his employer's hand, not even registered that it was a silenced pistol. A common misconception is that the silencer truly silences a weapon, but in truth does little to silence, instead modifying the noise into a less conspicuous one. A few local residents heard the 'crack', but merely assumed it was the beginning of a distant thunderstorm, or a local electrical fault - nothing to lose sleep over.

They were equally ignorant to the next morning when seeing the suspiciously beautiful neighborhood resident tossing oddly-shaped garbage bags into the back of her car - "missed trash day", she laughed it off.

Her single employee was the first casualty of her 'dead pool' experiment. But he wouldn't be the last.

[chrisjsnook]

A Special Evening With Digital Sense- Hosted by @exclusiveresorts @meticulosity

Exclusive Resorts and Meticulosity in association with Cayman Enterprise City are delighted to bring Chris J Snook, the bestselling author of Digital Sense and forthcoming Rebooting Retail (Jan 2018) for a fireside chat on beautiful 7-mile beach. 

This exclusive and intimate gathering of Digital Nomads, Offshorepreneurs, Marketing leaders and cryptocurrency investors for a happy hour and evening of insights and power networking will take place at Villa #9 in the Ritz Carlton Beachside Residences. 

To request an invitation for RSVP please email dward@meticulosity.com or kodyscott@launchha.us before Oct 1, 2017.

[caymannewsservice]

CEC campus still in early stages

CEC campus still in early stages

Cayman Enterprise City, artist’s rendition

(CNS): Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) has confirmed that the long-anticipated campus for companies ring-fenced in the special economic zone, established to encourage technical and knowledge-based industry to the Cayman Islands, is still under construction. CEC broke ground more than 18 months ago and has spent around US$8million so far on the project,…

[joansloman62218-blog]

Booking Tours To Pompeii, The Amalfi Coast And Naples - The Huge Company Fantasy

Cruise line operators are no various than any other holiday setting up enterprise. Each cruise line gives discounted fares and travel packages. You will be enticed with the phrase your ship board functions and meals are integrated. I am writing this to point out that a discounted fare is not the true price of your cruise holiday. Think about these generally forgotten expenditures and charges that you will have to pay in excess of and higher than that discounted ticket. Visit Naples and do this correct. Positive!! You'll be a enjoyment to get the thought Naples tours via Earth Tours is trending with a large tourist crowd. Naples is manufactured up of stories which can be exceptional, stories that you just want to locate out, look at and pay out awareness to. We strive to inform them, we consider to enclose within our Naples tours which Neapolitan character to just take in for as a amount of travellers as attainable. By describing the attract, the colours drastically much better appears and in addition to choices of Naples. Globe Tours divides them whole tour offer that allows attendees poor rapid and pleasurable fashion to lookup one point relating to this outstanding to wn. And then there's food items!

Belize is a tiny English talking region in Central The us. It is located just south of Mexico, east of Guatemala, and its whole coastline is bordered by the Caribbean Sea. With all its normal attractiveness, various cultures, and warm, friendly persons Belize is definitely a hidden gem in the Caribbean. A lot of people look at it the "Jewel of the Caribbean". pompeii And amalfi coast tours The stage of service you will obtain is the most significant aspect in your closing selling price. If you are on a restricted budget, keep away from the substantial finish luxury cruise. Instead go with a top quality or even mainstream cruise. The area and measurement of your cabin will also make a variance. If you are seriously tight for cash, acquire a little cabin on the inside of the ship. When your food items and cabin may well not be as grand as fellow passengers on the distinctive decks, you will at the very least nonetheless be in a position to afford the airfare property. And you will have the exact same experiences as the better shelling out travellers. Consider a seven working day Caribbean cruise. Some ports of get in touch with could include things like The Cayman Islands, Cozumel Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, any of the Virgin Islands. They will usually stay at individuals ports for at minimum eight several hours. This presents you a lot of time to check out, tour and see the islands. In the Southern Area of Italy you find the metropolis of Naples, the lovely and passionate amalfi coast tours from naples cruise port, and the ruins of Pompeii. Naples has a fantastic gulf coast and is residence to the well known Mt. Vesuvius lively volcano. Other spots to check out in the South are Abruzzo, Basilicata, Campania, and Molise. We've been the pioneers in providing the Pompeii tours for many several years. We have obtained our palms put in curating the leading-notch Pompeii Tour itinerary the position travellers get the greatest a way to leap not only the regular points of interest, infact, we'll will permit you bounce there are a quantity of richly spectacular city of Pompeii to receive your Mediterranean shore vacation ambitions fixed. You will pay out a session with the little city's ruins which have been incredibly properly preserved from your associated authorities. Non-community Working day Tours to Pompeii from Earth Tours let you to travel in suburban autos with an pro English speaking driver immediate from your hotel. You could just find the very ideal of the incredibly ideal must-go to sights of the big archaeological web-site. By pursuing the higher than strategies on baggage, you must ideally have a restricted quantity of it which is usually a significantly far more secure way to travel. If you end at whenever to make preparations, constantly remain with your baggage, and if doable constantly preserve a hand on it. Un-attended luggage is the No.one sort to go missing in significant website traffic regions, these kinds of as prepare & bus stations. For this motive when travelling on trains about more time periods, you must preserve your luggage close to you, or at minimum wherever you can see it. Preferably, get a compartment the place you are assured to have it with you.

[malusvio]

Is Bernie more radical than he seems?

Is Bernie Sanders a real Democratic Socialist, or a Social Democrat?

I found a post on reddit a while back with various sources on Bernie Sander's history with socialism, including his advocation for worker self management and real socialist policies, but it seems it was deleted. fearing this, i did manage to save the entire post on a file before it was deleted. I will be posting it now, then post my thoughts afterwards

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

[–]Rvb321 100 points 2 months ago* I've said it before and I'll say it again, Bernie Sanders is a fair bit further to the left then he initially seems. While attending the University of Chicago, Sanders was a member of the Young People's Socialist League, and he discusses his reasons for joining it, in this interview . Sanders began his political career as a member of a socialist party in Vermont called the Liberty Union Party. Here is their platform, Sanders put out a short documentary about American Socialist, Eugene Debs. This article from 1982, discusses Bernie's election as Mayor of Burlington.This image depicts Sander's speaking at a 1983 meeting of the Socialist Party USA, and this WNYC piece gives some context to his what he says and features clips from the speech itself.

In this speech from the 1985 Progressive Entrepreneurship Forum, Sanders talked about worker alienation, the need of people to see themselves in their work, and the necessity of worker ownership. In this 1985 interview, Sanders can be seen defending the gains of the Cuban Revolution. And Here is a video of Sanders introducing Noam Chomsky, at Burlington City Hall, where Chomsky gives a speech about US foreign policy. Sanders discusses his opposition to US foreign policy in Latin America, in particular. Sanders even sent a letter to Ronald Reagan expressing his opposition to US support of the Contras in Nicuragua, around the same time. Here is a 1998 C-span interview, in which Sanders talks about Class. Sanders gave an address as Mayor about US imperialism in Latin America. This video includes Sanders, on a panel of others, discussing observations about the Soviet Union after a trip there, in 1988. In 1991, Sanders gave a talk at a DSA meeting, and talked about how, in the short term, he believes that the US should catch up with the rest of the world, in terms of Social Democratic policies, but that we should ultimately move towards Worker Control of the economy, as a long term goal. In 2007, Bernie Sanders advocated Worker Ownership in the US Congress. Here is a speech that Sanders gave that is very similar to the one he gave at the Progressive Entrepreneurship Forum. Sanders advocated for worker cooperatives in point 3 his 12 point economic plan. He doubled down on his views on Cuba, and the rest of latin america on Democracy Now shortly after the death of Fidel Castro. He even denied his status as a Capitalist on CNN. This 2015 Guardian interview has Sanders discussing the impact that the moving of Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles had on his Politics. This 2016 Jacobin article discusses Sander's roots in in America's rich Socialist Tradition. In this Reddit AMA from a few years ago, Sanders expresses a clear intent to move towards worker control. And very recently, in 2017, Sanders and his fellow Vermont senator introduced legislation to expand co-operatives nationwide. Furthermore, Sanders also discusses worker co-ops and other examples of collective ownership on pages 243 and 259-262 of his book Our Revolution (Thomas Dune Books 2016). Speaking of Our Revolution, let's look at some quotes from the book: What I learned playing on the streets and playgrounds of Brooklyn was not just how to become a decent ball player and athlete. I learned a profound lesson about democracy and self rule. (Our Revolution. pg 11) O'Malley's [Owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers] devastating decision to rip the Dodgers out of Brooklyn in order to pursue greater profits on the West Coast was, I suspect, one of my first observations regarding the deficiencies of Capitalism. (Our Revolution. pg 13) It wasn't just that racism, war, poverty, and other social evils must be opposed. It was that there was a cause and effect dynamic and an interconnectedness between all aspects of society. Things didn't just happen by accident. There was a relationship between wealth, power, and the perpetuation of Capitalism. (Our Revolution. pg 18) In Israel, we spent time working on several kibbutzim [collectively own and run Israeli communities]...People there were living their democratic values. The kibbutz was owned by the people who lived there, the "bosses" were elected by the workers, and the overall decisions for the community were made democratically. (Our Revolution. pg 21-22) This type of greed, and ruthless Capitalism is not an economic model we should be embracing. We can do Better; we must do better. The economic establishment tells us that there is no alternative to this type of rapacious, cutthroat, Capitalism, that this is how the system and globalization works, and that there's no turning back. They're dead wrong. (Our Revolution pg 260) Employee owned enterprises boost morale, because workers share in profits, and have more control over their own work lives. The employees are not simply cogs in a machine owned by someone else. They have a say in how the company is run. (Our Revolution pg 261) The Workers in these operations understand that when employees own their workplaces, when they work for themselves, when they are involved in the decision-making that impacts their jobs, they are no longer just punching a time clock. They become more motivated, absenteeism goes down, worker productivity goes up. (Our Revolution pg 261) We have got to send a message to the billionaire class: "You can't have it all." You can't get huge tax breaks while children in this country go hungry. You can't continue getting tax breaks by shipping American jobs to China. You can't hide your profits in the Cayman Islands and other tax havens, while there are massive unmet needs in every corner of this nation. Your greed has got to end. (Our Revolution pg 266) Even if you're unconvinced that he's a Socialist, which is perfectly fair, he definitely helped push plenty of people further left, and help make Socialism much less of a dirty word in American Politics. Plus, a lot of this information is useful in helping introduce Bernie supporters to Socialism. Edit: Apparently, not only is it Bernie Sanders' birthday, it's also the birthday of Star Trek. I think we all know what that means https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOim8Y2bSoI.

---------------------------------------------- End of reddit post

---------------------------------------------- So it seems to me that there are 2 possibilities 1) Bernie has abandoned actual socialism but is unable to detatch himself from his history as a DemSoc, and so has continued to call himself a socialist while moving to SocDem 2) Bernie is using his socdem policies as a cover. He is simply a reformist. He plans to slowly move the country further and further left, first to Social Democracy, then towards Socialism (perhaps a "socialist state"?) and while he does this, he calls himself a DemSoc and quotes Eugene V. Debs etc. in order to make socialism more popular. If this is true, it seems to be working effectively as more young folk have positive views towards what they call socialism, and its increasing at a fast rate. Honestly if it werent for him, I NEVER would have become the Anarcho-Communist I am today.

What do I believe? I'm not sure. I don't have enough evidence from RECENT events, since the 2016 election, to make a conclusion. He's not said a word as far as I know about worker ownership post 2016 election. So I leave it up to you instead

[findsunbiz]

The Cayman Islands is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, the largest by population, in the western Caribbean Sea. The 264-square-kilometre (102-square-mile) territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located to the south of Cuba and northeast of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.

There are only about 55,000 people on the Grand Cayman, and the majority of these residents are native Caymanians. This means you will be immersed in local culture from day one when you come to visit.

In the past, Christopher Columbus called the Cayman Islands “Las Tortugas” because of the high density of sea turtles swimming in its nearby waters. He wasn’t wrong – there is indeed a naturally rich population of sea turtles surrounding the Cayman Islands, and current preservation efforts ensure that there will be sea turtles for the next generations to see and appreciate.

It was in the Cayman Islands that scuba diving developed into the wonderful hobby (and for some, professional preoccupation) that it is today. This wonderful aquatic pastime was first introduced in year 1957. Today, numerous dive sites scattered throughout the Cayman Islands ensure that divers both local and international will have a great experience here. The Cayman Islands are widely recognised as the birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean, and a top choice for diving holidays. With more than 40 dive operations and 365 dive sites, people from all over the world choose to dive in the Cayman Islands for the warm, calm waters, 30m+ visibility, stunning reefs and incredible variety of marine life.

In Cayman Islands, Pirate’s Week is celebrated yearly from November 12-22. There are plenty of fun events and activities, including a mock “invasion by sea pirates.” Exciting and always innovative, this is one event that you’d want to participate in if you happen to be in the area by November.

At the end of this topic, I will leave a link which includes all companies and enterprises in Cayman Islands, for those who want to research and discover more about its. Thanks for reading.

All businesses address in Cayman Islands: https://findsun.net/KY

[enterprisessolution]

Cyber-Security Company Picks Bartlesville as New Home

Garrett Giles

The Bartlesville Development Authority on Wednesday approved an employee relocation incentive in support of HeraSoft, a cyber-security company that has selected Bartlesville for its new headquarters.

BDA Trustee Chris Batchelder said this is exactly the opportunity they want to target when it comes to recruiting new companies to Bartlesville. Batchelder says having a high-quality company such as HeraSoft come to town is a dream come true.

Chad Koehn, president and founder of United Capital Management, said he was referred to Blanchard by a friend for a software build he was doing, and became impressed with the security solution like gamification solutions, enterprise security, finance solutions.

Batchelder says the BDA is excited to partner with HeraSoft and its leadership to recruit employees to the community. He said they want to do whatever they can to support the technology sector and the cyber-security industry.

HeraSoft applies distributed cloud, ransomware-proof software to meet today's cyber and enterprise security, finance, gamification and logistics challenges, helping enterprise and government organizations operation securely, more efficiently, and at lower cost.

In March of 2021 HeraSoft announced receipt of $5 million in Series A financing led by United Capital Management of Kansas, using the funding to scale the company, add to its sales and marketing and continue software development via its teams in Brazil, Europe, Grand Cayman, Kansas City, New York, Houston, Orlando, Oklahoma City and other locations.

HeraSoft's diverse client base includes the Holland-based Gold-Florin and the Tourism Board of Qatar, as well as a partnership with Casper Labs.

"The company is actively building relationships with government and private sector clients worldwide," said BDA President David Wood. HeraSoft principals Anthem and Cynthia Blanchard, who is a graduate of Dewey High School and Oklahoma State University and whose father and grandfather had lifelong careers at Phillips Petroleum Company, recently acquired the historic former Washington County Courthouse building (pictured left) to serve as the company's corporate headquarters. So far 10 employees have quietly relocated to Bartlesville, with an additional 10-50 employees expected to be Bartlesville-based within the next two years.

"HeraSoft represents what could be a dream opportunity for Bartlesville: a growing need and market in cybersecurity and inbound young, bright and diverse global talent, as well as a substantial financial investment in the community with the purchase of the former county courthouse building by principals with Bartlesville roots who have consciously chosen our community for their permanent home and global headquarters," Wood said.

Consistent with the recent resident attraction program BDA executed for inbound employees from Concho Resources in Midland, Texas under the ConocoPhillips acquisition, up to 50 family residence of $20,000 upon commencing construction of a new home within the Bartlesville city limits over the next two years.

"Each new household is an immediate 'win' not only from anticipated sales tax collections but also from the recognition Bartlesville will receive in the marketplace," Wood said.

The proposal will now go to the Bartlesville City Council for final approval.

[michaelandy101-blog]

Journey search engine optimization Tendencies and Pivots from 2020 (and What to Carry into 2021)

New Post has been published on https://tiptopreview.com/travel-seo-trends-and-pivots-from-2020-and-what-to-carry-into-2021/

Journey search engine optimization Tendencies and Pivots from 2020 (and What to Carry into 2021)

If 2020 taught us something, it’s that you may’t predict the way forward for tourism. In contrast to practically another business, tourism is concurrently dictated by numerous elements together with client proclivity, climate and local weather, world economics, and authorities.

Journey was undoubtedly one of many hardest hit sectors within the 2020 shutdowns, which affected each enterprise area from the most important vacation spot marketing organizations (DMOs) to native small companies that thrive on the foot visitors tourism usually brings. US Journey’s year-end assessment decided there was a 48% drop in travel-related spending for December 2020 in comparison with 2019, and a year-long lack of $500 billion. Success in tourism in 2020 meant merely surviving for a lot of companies, accompanied by whole content material technique revamps, product pivots, native search engine optimization investments, and native marketing activations.

What labored in 2020

Locals-only tourism

With out-of-state quarantines in impact for many of the US, and particularly prevalent within the northeast, as soon as world locations and metros turned intensely native. Succeeding domestically meant celebrating native tradition and taking part in to the hometown benefit, and creating and activating hyper-local content material and search engine optimization to promote reimagined experiences and drive renewed curiosity at dwelling.

Go to Philadelphia, the DMO for the better Philadelphia area, revamped its 2020 marketing efforts to rollout “Our Turn To Tourist” by way of winter 2021, a “regional marketing initiative [that] encourages individuals to take staycations and close-to-home drive journeys.”

Go to Philadelphia’s foremost goal is to draw vacationers from everywhere in the nation to town of Philadelphia. With thousands and thousands of out-of-state guests every year, and big progress every year continuing 2020, Go to Philadelphia had the early foresight to create content material geared in the direction of each locals and guests, and adopted a local-first search engine optimization technique for issues to do, see, and eat close by.

The group went as far as to create local-centric mini itineraries based mostly off of present restrictions, optimizing for native tourism and attraction-related key phrases, and extensively distributing new COVID-19 content material. This marketing campaign supported not solely the accommodations and points of interest within the metropolis, but in addition the native eating places and small companies.

Whereas not completely divergent in its method, the long-term funding that Go to Philadelphia has made into successful at native search, snagging SERP options, and embracing new options like Uncover, helps guarantee it is going to proceed to be a profitable advocate for Philadelphia as “the greatest city in the USA to spend the weekend”.

Reinvented experiences

Tourism and experience-based corporations hadn’t extensively ventured into the digital house previous to 2020 — in any case, why plan to observe the motion from dwelling when you may board a aircraft and participate reside and in-person?

Philadelphia-based Past the Bell Excursions, the one LGBTQ+-owned-and-run tour operator within the metropolis, confronted a crucial resolution in Might 2020: Their hallmark Delight-themed “Drag Me Along” drag queen trolly bar crawl was unable to launch with bars closed indefinitely and social gatherings restricted. As searches continued to extend for digital occasions, digital gatherings, and digital issues to do, companies that rose to satisfy the demand discovered success. For Past the Bell, that meant turning the “Drag Me Along” idea into “Pride In A Box”: a collection of 5 totally different themed Delight containers that included merchandise and experiential parts to be used at dwelling.

Although their web site was initially constructed on a tour-booking engine, to execute a pivoted product technique, they restructured it to permit an e-commerce built-in operate, and optimized to promote merchandise and experiences for Delight.

Founder Rebecca Fisher stated, “We thought about how a box could embody a community. We highlighted queer people, businesses, and queer products, and held weekly events for Pride, all proceeds of which were donated to racial justice. A single ‘box’ purchased during Pride supported many queer businesses, and we wanted people to feel that impact.”

Finally, companies that tailored rapidly to modifications in client search conduct, and that performed and applied key phrase analysis for brand spanking new content material focusing on beforehand unranked/low-volume phrases, have been higher positioned to keep up client help and visibility though precise vacationers continued to drop.

Up-to-date data on increasing and altering rules

Home journey is never regulated within the US, so when cities throughout the nation responded to close down orders, scorching spots beloved by locals and vacationers alike emptied out and income started to drastically fall.

As an search engine optimization group (particularly native!) we’re at all times advocates of the worth of protecting native listings in Google My Business up-to-date, and it by no means mattered greater than in 2020. Popping out on prime have been those that up to date hours, COVID-19 insurance policies and procedures, and revealed supply or third-party partnerships. Unsurprisingly, AirBnB’s and VRBO’s new Covid content material “enhanced cleaning protocol” and “guidelines for owners” come out prime in searches for brief time period rental cleansing finest practices, and cleanliness associated to journey accomodations. Up to date native listings allowed exasperated customers to simply see what companies have been open, and allowed search-savvy companies to leverage their GMB to place themselves as safety-conscious, accessible, and prioritize addressing client issues (to not point out the features released to assist companies entry these instruments).

What to anticipate from tourism in 2021

It’s exhausting to recollect a time of better collective cabin fever. Although with border closings, pre-travel testing, and enterprise closures remaining a shifting goal, we are able to nonetheless anticipate majority of journey will occur nearer to dwelling in early 2021. Right here’s the place we are able to anticipate to see progress first.

Quick time period stays: highway journeys, workspace respites, and snow birds

What’s forward for short-term travels? Continued RV gross sales, for one, which have been up 4.5% annually in 2020. These progress indicators, in addition to public perceptions of journey security, proceed to slate hometown and close-by exploration because the early 2021 winners.

Out of doors and spaced-out actions present continued curiosity in search quantity and gross sales. Yellowstone Nationwide Park alone noticed a 21% enhance in year-over-year visitation in September 2020. Don’t anticipate this to decelerate any time quickly.

One other pattern we anticipate to see proceed in early 2021? Snow birding. As soon as reserved for the retired, heading south for the winter is particularly standard this yr for northerners leaving lockdowns at dwelling. Count on prolonged stays, fuller flights, and busier seashores than regular.

One closing place you’ll be able to anticipate to see vacationers? In a close-by lodge. Previously reserved for the luxurious staycations, native accommodations have turn into office respites for these totally distant employees who lack ample dwelling workplace house. Although not “technically” journey, many accommodations (Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, for starters) are providing single-day, day-time solely, “work from hotel” offers to assist relieve misplaced income and fried nerves of managing co-occurring zoom calls on the kitchen desk.

Prolonged visits: distant relocations

With many kids and households, to not point out previously distant staff, feeling the squeeze of their partitions at dwelling, many accommodations and villa properties are providing cost-effective prolonged stays (three weeks or extra). Mid-term relocations have gotten extremely frequent, with specific flight occurring from metro centers in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Particular person international locations are actively attempting to scoop up client demand for change of surroundings and tempo, with international locations like Dubai, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands providing non permanent prolonged work visas to US residents as a technique to revive native tourism.

Quick time period rental properties similar to seaside home bookings, waterfront properties, mountain cabins, and southern getaways — or you already know, only a yard if you happen to’re a city-dweller — are booking in greater numbers in 2020 than practically any time in 2019. AirDNA notes, “Among those leading the rebound are beaches, mountain towns, lakeside getaways, and really anything within driving distance of a major urban hub.”

Longer-term distant stays, whether or not for your self or your loved ones, are more and more standard, as are distant work choices which, in accordance with Google pattern knowledge, have elevated by two-times the earlier ranges pre-pandemic. Searches for prolonged keep holidays peaked on the finish of December 2020, with earlier highs in October and April 2020. Shifting into 2021, we’ll doubtless see expanded tourism choices to match this client demand, and likewise to accommodate pre-quarantine necessities, which differ metropolis to metropolis.

In conclusion

Journey isn’t what it was once, and in the interim, we’re seeing more and more essential native search activations and have adoption. And as distant work and placement agnostic work turns into extra the norm, the teachings we realized from pandemic journey search will assist companies thrive on this new tourism local weather shifting ahead.

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