#current affairs 2021 in english

[vavuska]

Elon Musk is threatening a Brazilian Supreme Court justice after the court issued a summons to him which threatens the suspension of Twitter if he does not comply within 24 hours.

To combat disinformation, Brazil gave a Supreme Court justice sweeping powers to order social networks to take down content he believed threatened democracy. Here's how the experiment led to a ban on X, the social network owned by Elon Musk.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/31/world/americas/brazil-x-ban-free-speech.html?smid=threads-nytimes

Elon Musk claims this is a censorship, because previously he was ordered to ban and close a lot of far-rights account that spread fake news and hate online by that same judge. As protest, Musk closed X offices in Brazil - which means people losing their job or their income.

When free speech is interpreted as anything which matches the law (and viceversa). Under Elon Musk's Leadership, Twitter has approved 83% of censorship requests by authoritarian governments globally. The social network has restricted and withdrawn content critical of the ruling parties in Turkey and India, among other countries, including during electoral campaigns.

Since Musk assumed control in October 2022, the platform has received a total of 971 government requests, a significant increase compared to the 338 received between October 2021 and April 2022.

Prior to Musk's takeover, Twitter had agreed to 50 per cent of such requests, as indicated in their last transparency report. However, no transparency reports have been published since October 2022, making it challenging to assess the current situation. Nevertheless, data from the technology information portal Rest of World suggests that the compliance rate has risen to 83 per cent following Musk's leadership, which again contribute to detect what Elon Musk REALLY think about free-speech: this right is granted only if comply to what oppressive governments and far-right politician approves. Discrimination and criminal behavior are allowed and protected under Musk's Leadership, because targets minorities, immigrants and political oppositors. Musk is a conservative and apply censorship, he isn't the victim of a 'woke' complot lead against him. Musk is receiving the payment for his unlawful action.

Source: El Pais English

As far I can understand, without having many clues here, this order of summon says that Elon Musk refused to appoint a legal rapresentative for X Brasil. For some typology of corporates Brazil require a % of residents in management or a legal rapresentative, with power to vote and deliberate in meetings, to operate online in the country. Yeah. Law apparently seems to be applied to everyone except him.

Summons with translation.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/28/technology/brazil-x-ban-elon-musk.html

Edit: A legal rapresentative is more a managerial position than what do you think of. Yes, it could be an attorney or a lawyer too, but still isn't simply the guy who defend the corporate's interests in court. In Brazil you need a % of residents in management position to operate. This was a problem issued also with WhatsApp and Telegram.

Edit 2 - 31th August 2024: I was curious about the consequences of Musk's decision to close X's offices in Brazil for his employees. Have they been fired? Suspended with or without salary? I didn't find anything. However, I found this article that adds some informations, like Musk declaring he did this to "protect his staff". However, his legal rapresentative is impossible to be found.

Edit 3 - 31th August 2024: Another article of NY Times that analyzes the matter.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/18/world/americas/elon-musk-x-brazil.html

Update - 31th August 2024: Brazil has turned off Twitter. Musk’s genius is again on glorious display in losing the 7th most populous country in the world. Oh well. At least the Cybertruck is doing awesome.

Another Update - 31th August 2024: Musk is freaking out right now. He knows if he gets blocked in Brazil it is just a matter of time before other countries follow suit.

However, someone forgot to tell Musk that you get fined for using VPNs to access Twitter in Brazil before he posted this.

Also seems that for a tech genius Musk isn't very smart though, doesn't he know using a VPN will worth the same with apps as it does with a browser?

However, The Brazilian Supreme Court has moderated its first rule. First, even the VPN apps were targeted and should be banned from App store and Google Store to prevent people getting access to Twitter exclusively. Now, the Court realized that banning VPNs is too extreme, so they will only apply a 50k (about $8,900) fine for those caught accessing the platform.

Basically, you don't get fined for using VPNs, that would be too 1984. You might get fined if they FIND OUT that you're accessing X via VPNs, and this is exactly the kind of thing VPNs are designed to prevent.

Just a reminder, you can always access better platform than X, even on your phone. No app is needed.

VPNs are great tools to use worldwide to get around authoritarian and abusive government surveillance and blocking. Zero to do with Musk. And they can only catch you if you aren't savvy.

In a perfect world you shouldn't need to download any VPNs to access innocent contents, because democratic countries will never block a platform that gives informations and entertainment to people. In a perfect world you won't be stuck with platforms that are not free from disinformation and neo-nazi posts.

3rd Update - 31th August 2024:

Musk owns more of SpaceX than Zuck owns of Meta or Bezos owns of Amazon, fwiw. For all intents and purposes, Musk is Twitter, SpaceX, Neuralink and X.

I'm gonna add some technicalities here:

In Brazil there is something called "Corporate Personality" that protects the shareholders patrimony from the company's debts.

But... If you hide behind legal shenanigans in a fraudulent manner, "corporate personality" is bypassed and thus the court moves into your personal patrimony.

Elon is, personally and fraudulently, removing X office from Brazil so they don't obey Brazilian laws.

So the judges target him on his other shares: SpaceX and Starlink.

[raapija]

Strollonso headcanons that haunt me:

They got together in 2018, Lance had just turned 20 and Fernando was 37.

Lance was the first person to settle Fernando down as he was previously known as a bit of a playboy.

They had to keep the relationship secret as both of them would be accused of corporate espionage. (especially not a good look on Fernando... remembering spygate) The rules were changed later in 2021 when Fernando signed with Alpine.

During Fernando's time off from F1, they came out and it was a bit of a scandalous affair. The media tried to drag Lance but Fernando went on a full-on campaign to support him so they moved on from it in a few weeks.

Fernando buys little gifts for him all the time and Lance pretends to be annoyed but actually loves it.

They mostly talk in English, but occasionally slip into French which sounds like complete nonsense to everyone else because of their accents. But they understand each other perfectly fine.

They got married in 2023 during the summer break. It was a small wedding with just family and some close friends. Lance's parents wanted a Jewish wedding, Fernando's family a Christian wedding. They ended up with a civil officiate to stop them from fighting.

They have two dogs; a shiba inu named Nyla and a golden retriever named Rósa. They treat them like their own kids and they often travel with them to the races.

Lance will tell you that they're polar opposites in their personality; he is quiet and more reserved, Nando is a chatterbox and slightly insane. Fernando thinks it's the other way around (delusion).

They would want to have a family but both of them are too stubborn to retire and become a home dad, so, it's on hold.

When Lance is around, Fernando is banned from practicing any kind of magic tricks as it makes Lance feel dumb for not figuring them out and Nando refuses to tell him how they work.

They have an ongoing bet on which one of them turns gray first. It's currently almost tied and Lance is worrying he's going to lose. (<- suspects Nando of cheating and dying his hair)

They mainly stay in Canada at Lance's or Switzerland at Fernando's house, but spend at least the minimum time in Monaco for taxes 💅 Also Spain. And thinking about Japan, bc Nando is obsessed with the country.

Every formal function they're invited to, Lance has to be dragged in like a cat refusing to go in a bathtub.

They've done Daytona 24h together, with Lando as their 3rd team mate.

Lance has a bad habit of forgetting jewellery everywhere and losing rings all the time which is why Fernando peppers him with pretty things. It also causes Fernando to wear both their wedding rings to keep Lance's safe. Lance would never forgive himself if he lost it.

Every time Fernando comes back from the karting school, he recites the whole day back to Lance and updates him on all the kids' progress. When they have small competitions, Lance helps as a race director.

Lance has a lot of hockey jerseys and Fernando wears them all the time. Lance is prohibited from touching Fernando's football shirts.

[nomaptomyowntreasure]

Based on some of the comments on The Kintsugi Kid, and, I think, the surprise at the amount of denial and self-denial in it, here's a very brief and incomplete history of homosexuality in association football (soccer, we can call it soccer). I know the story is fiction but anyway, this is my rant into the void, basically.

Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer to come out publicly and be openly gay in 1990. After coming out, he transferred clubs yearly, sometimes multiple times a year, until his suicide in 1998 amidst media allegations surrounding his sexuality. His brother continued to give interviews stating that Justin wasn't gay, but merely an attention seeker.

Unsurprisingly, the tragedy and hostility that struck his life after publicly coming out persuaded other gay footballers that coming out would not be a good idea. 

Some minor league players come in the early 2000s, mostly after their retirement, some during their active career - for example Messi (not the Messi) who's the first Brazilian football player to come out in 2010. After coming out, he transferred clubs yearly, sometimes multiple times a year. What a coincidence!

Also in the early 2000s, Luis Felipe Scolari (ex-Chelsea manager) goes on record to say he would have thrown out of the team a player whom he found to be gay. 

In 2005, former manager Alan Smith speaks of "the last taboo in football": "I've had players over the years who were single and read books and so others [other players] said they must be gay... I think being openly gay would be something very difficult to live with in football... You can get drunk and beat up your wife and that's quite acceptable, but if someone were to say 'I'm gay', it's considered awful. It's ridiculous."

Also in 2005, the Football Association held a summit aimed at tackling homophobia in football. In that same year, when the BBC asked all of the twenty Premiership managers their opinions on the issue as part of an investigation, all twenty refused.

Many heterosexual players are victims of homophobic abuse - both on and off the pitch, sometimes due to their "unladdish hobbies". Rio Ferdinand gets away with calling someone faggot live on air.

In 2010, Max Clifford says he would and has advised gay players to stay closeted: "It's a very sad state of affairs. But it's a fact that homophobia in football is as strong now as it was 10 years ago. If you'd asked me in 2000 whether I thought we'd have a famous, openly gay footballer by 2010 I would have said yes.

Robbie Rogers, an American football player, played for second-tier English football club Leeds united when he came out in 2013 - and announced his retirement almost in the same breath. He later returned from retirement to play for LA Galaxy, and become the first gay football player in the MLS. In 2013. He did play internationally for the United States, though was not called back for international games after his coming out. What a coincidence!

The first international player to come out as gay is Thomas Hitzlsperger who was a German national team player. He came out in 2014, one year after his retirement. During his active career, he had a long-term girlfriend.

So we're in 2014, and there's no openly gay football player in any major teams or with an international career. Most players who have come out since 2014 either came out after their retirement, or play for very very very minor leagues.

In June 2021, at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, Germany national football team captain Manuel Neuer was investigated by UEFA for wearing a rainbow captain's armband and risked potential fines - they investigated it being a political statement.

The next major league player and first international player to come out whilst actively playing is Jakub Jankto, he came out in 2023 (yes, last year) and currently plays for a Series A team in Italy. He used to play for the Czech Republic but has not been called back for international games after coming out. What a coincidence!

In June 2022, it was revealed that homophobia made up the majority of online abuse aimed at footballers.

Here are some more supporting articles:

Homosexuality in association football

Homosexuality in English football

[m0rtel]

starting  to  breathe  is  a  strange  feeling.  it's  not  like  drowning,  where  your  lungs  are  scratching  for  hair.  at  least,  not  at  first.  because  you  didn't  need  air  a  second  ago.  you  weren't  alive  a  second  ago.  you  woke  up  in  the  dark,  a  silk-lined  wooden  coffin  surrounding  you,  and  you  can  infer  what's  beyond  it.  you're  in  your  dad's  suit,  the  one  he  wore  to  your  college  graduation,  and  things  click  into  place  a  little  slower  than  they  should  have.   it   was   clear   now.   you  were  dead.  NOW YOU ARE NOT.

KAITO  MURAKAMI,  30,  HE+HIM,  PLAYED  BY  KENTO  YAMAZAKI.   POST-MORTEM  ORACLE.   WRITTEN BY ALICE.

legal name ... kaito murakami. meaning ... kaito, meaning "sea" and "to fly." murakami, meaning "village above." date of birth ...   14th of april, 1994. " date of death ...   26th of february, 2021. cause of death ...   car accident. age ... thirty. species ...   oracle. place of birth ... ithaca, new york. astrological sign ... aries. moral  alignment ...   true  neutral.  enneagram ...   type  5,  the  investigator. occupation ...   chronically unemployed.  current  residence ...   apartment above laundromat. bearhold, washington. three  positive  traits ...   clever,  loyal,  perceptive.  three  negative  traits ...   isolated, vitriolic,  sarcastic.  languages ...  english, japanese & french [spoken at home.]  sexuality ...   bisexual, kinsey scale 4. education ...   bachelor  of  arts in art history [cornell university] piercings ...   formerly had a lip ring on the left side of his lower lip, was removed for his funeral and healed during his resurrection. tattoos ...  a kitschy vintage tv set on his inner forearm, now faded and slashed through. family ...  jun murakami professor of business at cornell university, father. ayame murakami deceased, mother. colette bélanger murakami fiction writer, step-mother. utp bélanger murakami, half-sister.

history ... kaito  was  born  to  japanese  immigrants  in  ithaca,  new  york.  his  father,  jun,  was  a  professor  at  cornell.  unbeknownst  to  kaito's  mother,  ayame,  he  began  his  affair  with  colette  during  the  pregnancy.  so  it  follows  that  while  ayame's  death  while  giving  birth  to  their  son  was  oh,  so  tragic,  jun  must  have  felt  a  bit  of  relief.  he  and  colette  were  married  soon  after.  

even  though  he  spoke  french  and  colette  read  him  to  sleep,  kaito  knew  she  wasn't  his  mother  from  a  young  age,  but  it  didn't  really  stick  until  his  younger  sister  was  born.  when  all  he  heard  was  half-brother,  and  aren't  you  glad  to  have  one  of  your  own,  and  how  does  ayame's  boy  feel  about  it.  in  truth,  it  was  probably  the  first  thing  in  the  world  to  really  piss  him  off.  he  was  nine  when  he  started  letting  it  show.  he'd  made  colette  cry  at  bedtime  one  night  and  jun  was  furious.  

his  teen  years  were  pockmarked  with  rebellion.  bleaching  his  hair,  skipping  school,  stealing  his  dad's  cigarettes.  when  he  was  fourteen  his  step-mom  started  publishing  books,  and  whilst  cornell  paid  well,  the  double  income  definitely  helped.  suddenly  he  was  a  rich  teenager  who  spoke  three  languages  and  hung  out  at  a  college.  at  the  height  of  the  indie  sleaze  period,  he  was  getting  a  little  popular.  

when  he  graduated  high-school,  his  dad  made  sure  he  went  to  cornell.  it  was  an  ivy  league,  and  he  was  a  smart  boy.  even  though  they  had  a  few  hiccups  through  the  years,  jun  was  sure  he'd  straighten  out.  until  he  majored  in  art  history.  

it  was  around  this  time  the  visions  started.  his  internship  at  the  johnson  museum  of  art  had  him  cataloguing  historical  art  pieces  from  all  around  the  world.  he'd  touched  a  painting  one  day  and  in  a  flash  of  light  he  saw  that  someone  had  forged  it.  no  one  believed  him,  this  college  kid  with  a  c  average  and  a  penchant  for  taking  more  smoke  breaks  than  there  were  hours,  until  a  verifier  overheard  him  and  took  a  closer  look.  he  was  right.

the  visions  never  stopped.  and  they  weren't  just  about  art.  he'd  bump  into  a  guy  on  the  street  and  find  out  he  was  a  serial  abductor.  it  was  horrible.  it  began  to  drive  him  crazy.  when  he  went  to  his  father  about  it,  jun  had  thought  the  same  thing,  and  kaito  couldn't  control  the  visions  enough  to  prove  it.  they  tried  treatment  when  kaito  grabbed  his  step-mother  hard  enough  to  bruise,  desperately  attempting  to  coax  out  a  vision.  nothing  worked.  eventually,  after  kaito  embarrassed  them  at  his  graduation,  jun  and  colette  kicked  him  out  when  he  was  24.  

he  spent  three  years  couch-surfing  and  working  odd  jobs  trying  to  get  on  his  feet.  kaito  had  resorted  to  less  savory  habits.  he'd  go  to  a  bar,  strike  up  a  conversation  with  any  single  he  could  find  in  hopes  he'd  find  a  place  to  stay  the  night.  he  was  riding  home  with  one  of  these  people  when  a  vision  came  too  late.  a  semitruck  hit  them  when  they  ran  a  redlight.  

kaito  was  buried  next  to  his  mother.  six  feet  underground,  his  parents  made  speeches  about  how  the  dirt  would  tuck  him  into  rest  at  last.  but  someone  was  giving  him  those  visions,  and  for  reasons  kaito  didn't  understand,  they  wouldn't  let  him  die.  he  had  to  crawl  his  way  through  six  feet  of  packed  soil,  but  he  followed  fading  visions  from  there  to  a  small  town  in  washington.  then,  the  visions  stopped  altogether.  

he  learned  about  the  supernatural  in  bearhold.  he  learned  he  was  probably  an  oracle,  but  he  was  nothing  anymore.  kaito  was  dead.  but  walking.  and  his  body  was  alive  but  not  really.  his  skin  had  a  tendency  to  form  back  together  after  a  time,  and  he  was  always  cold.  probably  from  being  embalmed.  his  blood  was  a  strange  color  from  the  embalming  too,  lighter  than  the  natural  dark  red,  and  technicolor  fluids  floated  on  top  like  an  oil  spill.  

he  didn't  really  need  to  work,  so  kaito  spends  most  of  his  time  at  a  bar  in  town.  he's  trying  to  figure  out  what  he  is,  even  now.  he's  trying  to  figure  out  how  he  got  to  be  this  way.

[rolandneptune]

Fusako Shigenobu, In Her Own Words

Risograph 10 page zine, 2023

Layout and design, printmaker

“Fusako Shigenobu, In Her Own Words” is an English translation by Lisa Hofmann-Kuroda of Fusako Shigenobu’s newsletter written in December 2021. Fusako is the former leader of the Japanese Red Army, a communist guerrilla organization which carried out attacks against the embassies of various Western states, the US military, and multinational corporations from the 1970s until the late 1980s, in solidarity with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

During her time in prison in Japan, Fusako was supported by a small but steadfast group of comrades who called themselves “The Olive Tree.” For over twenty years, this group published a monthly newsletter that allowed Fusako to communicate her thoughts to the outside world, including her reflections on current affairs, particularly the geopolitical situation in the Middle East; daily diary entries detailing her observations from prison; original tanka poems; as well as letter exchanges she had with those who wrote her from the outside. After twenty years incarcerated, Fusako was released in May 2022.

[moneymakedblog]

Kim Basinger Net Worth, Biography, Career, Family & more

Kim Basinger became well-known after having a successful job in New York in the 1970s. She was an actress, model, and singer in the United States. In 1976, she moved to Los Angeles, where she had a great acting career. She acted in a number of TV movies, such as "From Here to Eternity" (1976) and "Hard Country" (1981).

Kim Basinger’s Net Worth

Kim Basinger's net worth is thought to be about $45 million as of December 2021. Her job as an actor and model has brought her tens of millions of dollars. It was thought that she made around $1,000 a day as a model, while her pay for the L.A. Confidential movie was around $3 million. But we don't know how much she makes right now. On the other hand, her net worth has gone up over the past few years and is likely to keep going up in the years to come.

Kim Basinger net worth of $45 million.

Even though she has moved from one job to another, Kim Basinger has had a lot of success in her work. She started out in her job doing something she didn't really like, but she stuck with it.

Kim Basinger Biography

Kim Basinger was born in Athens, Georgia, on December 8, 1953. Ann Lee, her mother, was a model, actress, and swimmer who was in a couple of movies with Esther Williams. Her father, Donald Wade Basinger, was a well-known band leader and score head who died in 2016. He was an officer in the US Armed Forces and was in Normandy on D-Day.

She is the third of five children and has two brothers, James Michael "Mick" and Skip, and two sisters, Ashley and Barbara. Basinger has English, German, Swedish, and Ulster-Scottish ancestry. She was raised in a Methodist family. Basinger has shown herself to be quite shy, which had a big effect on her when she was young and in her teens. She said that she was so shy that she would pass out whenever her teacher asked her to talk in class.

Basinger thought about ballet dance from the time she was three until she was in her mid-teens. By the time she was in her mid-teens, she was more confident and was able to try out for the school cheering team. She was 17 years old when she entered America's Junior Miss Scholarship Pageant. She made it to the local level and was named Athens Junior Miss.

Even though Sue Whitted, who was "Georgia's Junior Miss," beat her in the state competition, her achievements were featured in the national show. She had participated at the state level for the Breck Scholarship, and she and her mother were both in an ad for Breck.

Kim Basinger Career

According to Moneymaked.com, Kim Basinger worked for the Ford Modeling Agency, even though she was turned down at first because of her schoolwork. After posing for Ford, she was in a number of magazines, which is where the name "Breck Shampoo Girl" came from. She did say, however, that she didn't like modeling. She used to put on shows in Greenwich Village in New York City.

She went to Los Angeles to start her acting career after she had done well as a model. She started out by making a few guest roles on the TV show. Her first major part, in the drama "Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold," was a centerfold. "Hard Country" was also a well-known movie.

The 1988 movie "Batman," on which Kim Basinger worked, was also a big hit. "Even Money," "The Sentinel," and "Cellular" are some of the more current movies she has been in.

Kim Basinger Family

Basinger married Alec Baldwin in 1993, but they split up in 2002. In 1995, they had a girl together who they named Ireland Baldwin. Between 1980 and 1989, she was married to Ron Snyder for nine years. Ron Snyder-Britton was the person who did her make-up. In 1981, he was in a movie called "Hard Country." They broke up in 1988, but they didn't get a divorce until 1989.

She is also said to have dated and lived with Dale Robinette in the 1970s, but their relationship didn't work out. Kim also went out with the singer-songwriter Prince and had an affair with the human rights activist Richard Gere. Kim's sisters are Ashley and Barbara Basinger, and her brothers are Skip and Mick Basinger.

After she won a few events, people started to notice how beautiful she was. She went to the University of Georgia and also studied for a short time at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater. Kim's boyfriend right now is a barber named Mitchell Stone.

[source-evaluator]

Website: Medium.com, a collaborative news site that allows any member to write and publish on a variety of topics. Both a basic membership and their app are free of charge and do not appear to require any proof of certification in a specific field in order to write and publish on their website. A basic membership only requires a valid email address or Facebook account, while a higher-tier membership requires a credit card payment for a monthly subscription. This site engages in paywalling certain articles.

Author: Hopeless Romantic Podcast News. Writes extensively on Medium.com about issues in various African, Middle Eastern, and Southwest Asian countries, including Israel, Palestine, Eritrea, Zambia, Somalia, and others. Covers mostly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its effects on countries across the globe, as well as international politics. Publishes 1-3 short articles per day.

Publishing date: June 15, 2024. Well within the accuracy time frame of 5 years.

Photo: stock image of a locked chain-link gate with radiation hazard symbols displayed prominently. Credited to Dan Meyers, a professional drone photographer, originally published on unsplash.com. Meyers does not appear to be affiliated with the author(s).

Source 1: https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5045667-iran-vows-%E2%80%98harsh-punishment%E2%80%99-haniyeh-killing-t%C3%BCrkiye-condemns-assassination-%C2%A0 . Appears to be a standard Arab news site, available in five different languages, including Arabic and English. Authorship unclear. Published December 8, 2021, within required 5-year time frame. Cites a speech by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, a reliable source on the state of affairs in Palestine.

Source 2: https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2021/12/08/672234/Palestine-Israel-radioactive-nuclear-waste . Appears to be another standard Arab news site, available in English and French. Authorship unavailable. Cites the same speech by Prime Minister Shtayyeh, including various details the previous source does not and other uncited facts about both Israel and Palestine. This link seems to be intended to be the source for the data presented in the second paragraph of the evaluated source, but this link does not contain any information pertaining to these statistics.

Source 3: https://www.newarab.com/analysis/waste-israels-nuclear-programme-poisoning-palestinians . Despite the name, this site appears to be a world news site, reporting extensively on many different issues from many different countries. This article was edited and translated to English from the original Arabic by an uncredited translator/editor. Authored by Anas Abu Arqoub. Published June 30, 2015, 4 years outside of the required five-year accuracy period. This source, rather than the previous one, is the true source of the previously mentioned statistics and information about the Dimona nuclear reactor. The article cites research conducted by Dr. Mahmoud Saadah, a locally-based physicist, and also references testimony by locals of the town of Yatta mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Source 4: https://prc.org.uk/en/post/4641/report-israel-s-lethal-disposal-of-nuclear-waste . The official UN record of Prime Minister Shtayyeh’s speech.

After this point, the article moves on to examine other examples of Israel’s aggression against Palestine, many of which align with current events but are not the direct subject of the article’s headline.

OVERALL EVALUATION: Outdated

This article is based mainly on reliable sources - the testimony of Palestine’s prime minister, and research done by a locally-based, qualified physicist. However, the information contained within this article has not been updated within the past five years. Follow-up investigation and update is required in order for this source to be useful in 2024.

Man this shit is depressing.

[stadtfunk]

Radio Slovakia International

Hey there, Happy New Year and all that. I hope you had a good holiday and I wish you all the best for 2022.

I spent most of Christmas and the New Year at work, but one of the positives of that was that I got to spend time with the many international radio podcasts I’ve subscribed to, either through radio360.eu, radiobenengineering or direct from the broadcasters themselves.

Incidentally, do you have trouble with Google Podcasts not liking RSS feeds? If you do, do you have any tips or ideas on alternatives?

Anyway, I digress. As I said, I spent a lot of time listening to podcasts of the various English services and it gave me an idea. I should write about one station every month, in a friendly review kind of way. I did have this one planned out, but I’ve forgotten what I was going to say, and I’m a bit tired so my brain has slowed down!

To start, I’ll be looking at Radio Slovakia International, because that was the first station I subscribed to, back in the days of the UK lockdown.

To me, Radio Slovakia International (RSI) is more than just a 30 minute broadcast. I’ve spent so much time listening to the voices of Zuzana, Jonathan, Mojmir, Romana, Martina, the late Anca, and Natalia, RSI’s former 2021 intern, that it’s almost as if they’re familiar and close friends.

I really like the features and current affairs issues that they report on, and of course my favourite broadcast is the Sunday Listener’s Tribune show. I’ve been mentioned on it a couple of times during the year, and my voice has also been heard on it too.

The podcasts feature significant historical events in Slovakia, including the times when it was Czechoslovakia, issues affecting the country, technological developments and many other topics. It really is a great listen.

If you’d like to give it a go, you can subscribe through your normal podcast app

Apple/iTunes | Android/Google | Spotify

Dopočutia.

[sydneysspins]

Field Guide to Research / Blog #4

To finally sum up our fact checking blogs, we were tasked to head over to the website Buzzsumo. Buzzsumo credits itself as a tool that can aid content creation, marketers and SEO professionals in order to analyze the performance of ones content, find influencers, growing trends and create new content ideas. This trends can range from content ideas to recreate and have your shot at a viral video and news stories from all over the world. In order to chose my fact checking news story, I set my Buzzsumo filters to the last 24 hours, English and any location in the world.

From here, I chose a news story with a trending score of 511, or which news stories have received the most attention. This news story was the 2nd headline from the top which read, “Afghanistan national plots election terror attack in US”. The engagement was well over 3k with most of the attention coming from Facebook and X. I questioned the validity of this story and began conducting my research into its truthfulness.

Clicking on the Buzzsumo link, it redirected me to an article from foxnews.com written by Louis Casiano and David Spunt.

Ahead of reading the article, I began a deep dive into both authors and the validity of Fox News’ creation of this article.

Mediabiasfactcheck.com revealed that Fox News is a questionable source and holds an almost extreme far right view point. On the basis of factual reporting, they hold a mixed stance. Among the detailed report, MBFC credits their questionable reasoning to “Conspiracy Theories, Pseudoscience, Propoganda, Poor Sources and Numerous Failed Fact Checks”. Continuing, the MBFC gives them a rating of low credibility. Although the uncovered findings from the media bias fact checker paint Fox News to be a questionable source, that did not completely discredit my chosen article.

From here, I began my research on both Louis Casiano and David Spunt. Questioning what credibility and expertise they hold. Beginning on Casiano, he has his own page on the Fox News website which describes him as “A breaking news protester for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. He joined Fox News in September 2018 after freelancing. Since coming to Fox News, he has covered crime, foreign affairs, immigration and the economy”. Within his LinkedIn profile, Casiano has graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Journalism. So, no background on politics.

Next, I did the same thing for David Spunt. Typing his name followed by Fox News into my search bar and seeing what popped up in regards to him. In his Fox News biography, he is a correspondent for the news outlet based in Washington D.C. He joined Fox News around the same time as Casiano in December 2018. For Spunt, he received a bachelors degree in political science and journalism from Miami University. Spunt may have some credibility here.

Now, I began reading the article and its detailed claims. In summation, the article states that an Afghan man going by the name of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, aged 27, obtained firearms and ammunition in order to conduct a violent attack on Election Day.

Tawhedi entered the United States on September 9th, 2021 using a “special immigrant visa”. Tawhedi was then subsequently arrested on Monday. Tawhedi was then charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm to be used to commit a felony or federal crime of terrorism. He then appeared in Oklahoma federal court on Tuesday.

Casiano and Spunt then go on to detail the court hearing and statement by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

From this, I searched up any relating headlines on Google. There were many articles of the same nature from News 9, CBS News and Reuters. I decided to view the Reuters article due to its unbiased nature. The article is titled, “Afghan man in Oklahoma City arrested for plotting Election Day attack”, where I will then compare the information in both articles.

The Reuters article confirmed the same name and age as Fox News. As well as affirming the correct date in which Tawhedi entered the U.S. It also included some detailed information about what the Special Immigrant Visa Program was as well as that Tawhedi searched for firearm laws and accessed Washington D.C. cameras- specifically the White House and Washington Monument.

Shockingly, Tawhedi and his underage brother in law met with FBI assets to buy two AK-47 rifles and ammunition. Within his post arrest interview, Tawhedi states “The attack planned to target large gatherings of people, during which he and his co-conspirator expected to die as martyrs” (Ward).

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/afghan-man-oklahoma-city-arrested-plotting-election-day-attack-2024-10-08/

Although Buzzsumo may contain some false trending topics, as well as Fox News, this news story was ultimately completely true.

[pozzonero]

The Portanova case.

I wrote the following essay and posted it on 11/23 while the debate about Ethan was raging throughout fandom. An examination of the Portanova case seems to me to be essential in exploring the question of his sexual ethics and how they inform his behavior. In a February 2021 interview, he stated, "Mi sento amorosamente libero perché ho capito quanto l’amore sia più bello vivendolo liberamente" (I feel lovingly free because I understood how much more beautiful love is by living it freely). His honesty about the way he's wired has been used against him in numerous ways-- slut-shaming, objectification, etc. It's even been used against other people such as the plaintiff in the rape case, deemed immoral by her very association with a person like him. To be singled out as a tarnish on another's integrity simply for being himself must have been painful, yet he didn't back down, apologize, or abandon his friend. His role in the Portanova case says a great deal about his character.

Recently, a mutual asked me what convinced me that the accusations against Ethan Torchio are false.  My reply:  the Portanova gang rape case.

In 2021, four men were arrested for brutally assaulting a young woman in Siena.  She reported it to the police; an emergency room exam confirmed her injuries, and a female friend testified to the trauma she exhibited immediately following the assault.  However, the men - among them footballer Manolo Portanova - claimed that the sex had been consensual.  So in regrettably typical fashion, she was put on trial along with them.

In order to overturn the rape charge against their client, the defense obtained transcripts of the plaintiff’s chats.  They isolated a conversation between her and a male friend in which sexual preferences were discussed.  At one point, her friend asked her opinion about group sex.  Ostensibly believing they’d hit paydirt, the the defense subpoenaed the friend as a witness. 

The trial was extensively covered in the Italian press.  Not only was the defendant a famous football player… but the witness was a well-known rock drummer whose band had just won Eurovision. He was in no way implicated in the crime; he was called as a witness simply because he'd been one of two voices in that past dialogue about sex.

In court, the defense held up the chat as exculpatory evidence, insinuating that the plaintiff’s private conversation about sex indicated a receptive frame of mind-- in other words, according to the age-old trope, “she wanted it”.  But the prosecution noticed that her most important statement about group sex - Non mi interessa proprio (“I’m really not interested”) - had been purposefully omitted by the defense.  They demanded its reinstatement.   In the end, the court determined that the sex was not consensual, but RAPE-- and accordingly found Manolo Portanova and his friends guilty.

I want to be clear: the plaintiff is the hero of this story*. Her own words from the chat vindicated her and ensured her rapists' punishment. In regards to her friend, as reluctant as he might have been to have to act as a witness for those who hurt her, he had to obey the law. She understood this, pointedly stating to La Nazione, “I was very sorry that it was brought up.  He had nothing to do with it.  We remained on very good terms. Even in the face of this affair he proved to be a gentleman; others would have reacted very badly.” 

But is it possible that some people didn’t believe this?  Did they equate him being called as a witness for the defense with his actually supporting the rapist--and therefore the rape itself?  If so, is that why they are currently pursuing him with such hostility?

I’m not the only one positing that theory.  An online editorial published on November 4th (https://it.italy24.press/trends/802747.html ; English translation https://news.italy24.press/trends/1003066.html) offers the following take:

What does the Måneskin drummer have to do with the sexual accusations made by a social account that denounces abuse? The musician is not explicitly mentioned, but a series of likes, comments and shares (by exes and friends of exes, including Giorgia Soleri), suggest precisely that. It was also a chat of Ethan Torchio of Måneskin in the documents of the trial for rape against the footballer Manolo Portanova. An affair, you will remember, dating back to last year; the musician (who had nothing to do with it and is not under investigation, but called to testify by the defense) spoke about sex with the alleged victim with whom he had a relationship prior to the disputed facts. In the chat, about ten pages long, the two casually wrote about the possibility of having a group sexual intercourse. Some time later, yesterday to be precise, a cryptic post appears on the profile of callout_influencers, a solidarity network (as it defines itself) whose caption reads: “If you have suffered a form of abuse at the hands of an influential person, you can use this safe space to make a public warning. You’re not alone.”

The article then quotes the call-out post almost in its entirety.  Rather than reproduce it here, I’ll skip ahead:

Therefore a series of very strong accusations which seem to be addressed to the drummer of a well-known band (never explicitly mentioned) due to a series of likes (including that of ex-girlfriend Laura) and shares that suggest exactly this. Starting from the comment in the IG stories of Federippi, the Instagrammable feminist friend of Giorgia Soleri: “The day will come when I will stop surprising myself, but that day is not today”. And other stories: “Sooner or later we will stop asking for justice and we will ask for revenge.” In the same ambiguous way, the ex of Damiano David, Giorgia Soleri, attempts to exonerate herself from the possibility of having spread this gossip herself via social media, with the complicity of her friends. A rumor that could, however, have serious implications and which plays on the precedents of group sex recorded in the trial documents. Meanwhile, there are those who point out a curious detail about the account’s posts - callout_influencers - born only in August, and always shared by the same ones.  And if this were revenge…

The callout accuses Ethan of ignoring his partners' safety for the sake of his own desires. It leans heavily on previously-known details about him - with a specific focus on his sexuality - to authenticate its claims of deviant behavior. Has he stated his queerness, or expressed his belief in free love? Have his friends ribbed him playfully about his appetites?  All that’s in there, phrased with forceful disgust and moral outrage-- proof that the practice of sexual shaming can be inflicted ON any gender, BY any gender. But sadly, fandom is so busy listening to this rhetoric that they forget the quieter voices of those who don’t have axes to grind.

The chat transcript used in the Portanova case shows that Ethan understands the dual concepts of consent and boundaries. Consent is defined as "an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity... clearly and freely communicated. A verbal and affirmative expression of consent can help both you and your partner to understand and respect each other’s boundaries" (RAINN). Ethan and his partner spent considerable time dialoguing about their preferences, as mature and responsible people in a relationship do. He voiced an interest in the idea of group sex; she stated that it was a turn-off; he respected it, as he should. This is what mature and responsible people do in any type of romantic or sexual encounter.

To close, I reiterate what I told my mutual:

I think these events show several things about Ethan: a) that he understands consent, b) that he respects other people's stated boundaries, c) that he is willing to face discomfort & judgment to do what is right.... In short, I think Ethan has strong ethics that override his personal desires/fears, and that is why these accusations seem "off" to me.

That's what's up.

Links:

Libero Quotidiano, 22 June 2022

Corriere Della Sera, 22 June 2022

Corriere Della Sera/La 27 Ora, 2 July 2022

La Nazione, 29 March 2023

*At the time that I first wrote this, it had not yet come to light that the plaintiff had, in fact, confided in a friend her actual intentions toward Ethan Torchio:

Settimana Sport, June 24 2024

Given that the Portanova case was so extensively covered by the Italian press, the following comment by a now-defunct IG account seems more significant now... particularly because it dates back approximately to that infamous month, August 2023. By now, the voice is familiar, as is the sockpuppet account modus operandi. It forces me to wonder if news of Ethan's (legally required) testimony was the straw that broke Signorina's back and started this whole mess.

[swldx]

BBC 0408 4 Sep 2024

12095Khz 0358 4 SEP 2024 - BBC (UNITED KINGDOM) in ENGLISH from TALATA VOLONONDRY. SINPO = 45333. English, dead carrier s/on @0358z then ID@0359z pips and newsday preview. @0401z World News anchored by David Harper. § A mother and her three daughters were among seven people killed in Ukraine's western city of Lviv, during a fresh wave of Russian attacks. A baby and another girl were also killed, officials said. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy said Russia had attacked with drones and hypersonic missiles early on Wednesday. The attack came as Ukraine reeled from Russia's deadliest single bombardment this year, a strike on a military institute in the central city of Poltava that left 53 people dead. § The lower house of Mexico’s Congress approved contentious legislation Wednesday that would launch the most sweeping judicial overhaul of the century by requiring all judges to stand for election. In a marathon session in which legislators were forced to meet in a gymnasium after protesters blocked the Congress building, the lower chamber approved the constitutional measure 359-135 in a party-line first vote. Mexico’s ruling party says judges in the current court system are corrupt, and wants the country’s entire judicial branch, some 7,000 judges, to stand for election. § A top New York state government aide secretly helped the Chinese government access an official call about Covid-19 while enjoying a lavish lifestyle as an undercover agent for Beijing, according to a US indictment. The side and her husband pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in a Brooklyn federal court to a range of charges, from failing to register as a foreign agent to visa fraud and money laundering. US law requires that individuals acting for or in the interests of foreign countries or political parties register as foreign agents. § Cannons boomed as Pope Francis joined Indonesian President Widodo on the veranda of the palace along with President-elect Prabowo Subianto. A marching band, stiff-legged troops and children in traditional Indonesian dress welcomed the first pope to visit in 35 years. § The US has charged Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and several other prominent figures in the Palestinian group in connection with its deadly attack in Israel on 7 October last year. The justice department said it was indicting six Hamas members with seven charges, including the murder of dozens of US citizens, conspiracy to finance terrorism and use of weapons of mass destruction. The criminal complaint covers decades of alleged attacks by Hamas, as well as last October's unprecedented assault. It is the first step by US law enforcement to hold accountable the ringleaders of that attack, but has been seen by analysts as partly symbolic, not least because some of those named in the indictment are already dead. § The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, saying he had refused to appear before the panel to testify on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken had testified before Congress on Afghanistan more than 14 times, including four times before McCaul's committee. He also said the State Department has provided the committee with nearly 20,000 pages of department records, multiple high-level briefings and transcribed interviews. § UK conservationists on Wednesday announced a collaboration with e-commerce giant eBay to combat the illegal plant trade, which is threatening the existence of some species. @0406z "Newsday" begins. Backyard gutter antenna w/MFJ-1020C active antenna (used as a preamplifier/preselector), JRC NRD-535D, 250kW, beamAz 315°, bearing 63°. Received at Plymouth, MN, United States, 15359KM from transmitter at Talata Volonondry. Local time: 2258.

[news-locus]

Current News English (10 - 16 DEC, 2021) | Weekly Current Affairs | UPSC Current Affairs 2021

[dealgemeneverwarring]

De Algemene Verwarring #104 - 8 January 2024

Episode one hundred and four of De Algemene Verwarring was broadcast on Monday, January 8, 2024, and you can listen to it by clicking on the link below that will take you directly to the Mixcloud page:

Pictured below is the Swiss all girl punk-pop band Chin-Chin, I just recently got to know them and I think I heard them first in one of Erika Elizabeth's curated Maximum Rock'n Roll radio shows (who arz, by the way, highly recommended if you're into that kind of edgy post-punk and girly pop and all). Erika used to host the Futures And Pasts podcast, and is also a member of the band Collate. Chin-Chin was formed in 1982 in Biel, Switzerland and released two singles and a full length (reissued by Slumberland Records and Mississippi Records), and now there's also a compilation released by Sealed Records, which includes the unreleased four track Janice Long Session recorded for the BBC from 1988, never released before. I'm playing the song Cheat Boy Cheat in this episode (it has a Ramones bass riff yes!). Other tracks in this episode come from a few of the records that I listed in my best of 2023 posts last week (Sheaves, Famous Mammals, Blod, Drifting, and the anarcho punk compilation on Optimo Music) and older and newer tracks from DAF, Suburban Lawns, Violent Change, Maan, Current Affairs, The Shapiros, and a brand new single from Swedish legends Brainbombs! And beneath the photo you can find the playlist for the show. Enjoy!

Playlist:

The Weedons: Shimmy Shimmy (LP “The International Vicious Society Vol. III” on University Of Vice Records, 2016, originally released on a 7” in 1964)

Brainbombs: Hello From Hell (7” “Blackout Ripper” on Skrammel Records, 2023)

Suburban Lawns: Flying Saucer Safari (LP “Suburban Lawns” on Superior Viaduct, reissue 2021, originally released in 1981 on IRS Records)

Honey Bane: Girl On The Run (2LP “Cease & Resist - Sonic Subversion & Anarchy Punk In The Uk 1979-1986” on Optimo Music, 2023, originally released on a 7” in 1979 on Crass Records)

Chin-Chin: Cheat Boy Cheat (LP “Cry In Vain” on Sealed Records, 2023)

Flux Of Pink Indians: Tube Disasters (2LP “Cease & Resist - Sonic Subversion & Anarchy Punk In The Uk 1979-1986” on Optimo Music, 2023, originally released on a 7” in 1981 on Crass Records)

The Suburban Homes: I-Phone Suicide (12” “…Are Bored” on Total Punk, 2017)

Current Affairs: Right Time (LP “Off The Tongue” on Tough Love Records, 2023)

DAF: Liebe Auf Den Ersten Blick (LP “Gold Und Liebe” on Virgin, 1981)

The Sheaves: Mid English Perversion (LP “Excess Death Cult Time” on Minimum Table Stacks, 2023, originally released on cassette in 2022 by Moone Records)

Famous Mammals: Comets For Poets (LP “Instant Pop Expressionism Now!” on Siltbreeze Records, 2023)

Violent Change: McCartney The Fox (LP “Starcastle” on Sloth Mate Productions, 2023)

The Shapiros: Gone By Fall (LP “Gone By Fall: The Collected Works Of The Shapiros” on World Of Echo, 2022)

William Henry Meung: Airport Song (LP “Hiraeth And Limerence” on Horn Of Plenty, 2023)

Maan: Love Lost (LP “Manifold” on Kraak Records, 2013)

Blod: Ondskans Frö (LP “Ondskans Frö”, self-released, 2023)

Drifting: Sun Sings A Song For No-One But You (LP “Dream Autopsy” on Förlag For Fri Music, 2023)

Jef Mertens: Hapering (LP “No Mathematics” on Kraak Records & Feeding Tube Records, 2023)

[educationalinstitutesindia]

Top 10 Government Exams In India

Looking to embark on a promising career in the public sector? Exploring the top 10 government exams in India can be your key to success. These examinations offer a gateway to coveted positions in various government departments and organizations. From the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination to the highly competitive SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam, these assessments assess your skills and knowledge comprehensively. Discover the diverse range of opportunities that await you and set your path towards a fulfilling government job in India.

Let’s take a look at some of the Top 10 Government Exams In India:

1. IBPS CLERK This is one of the top government exams in India, as it opens up the opportunity for candidates to get a position in a nationalized bank. The exam is known to be very tough, as the competition is high and it requires a lot of hard work to score well. It is recommended that the candidates take a few IBPS Clerk mock tests and try to improve their accuracy and time management skills before appearing for the actual exam. It is also important to carefully review your application form and make sure that all information has been entered properly. To check the results of the IBPS Clerk Prelims and Main Exam, visit the official website and login with your registration ID/roll number, date of birth and password. Once logged in, you can view your result and download it. 2. CBSE TEACHER EXAM Taking part in various competitive exams helps children build confidence and develop a strong work ethic. It also teaches them to accept defeat and learn from mistakes. A government job is one of the most prestigious professions and provides several benefits, including a set salary structure and regulated working hours. It also offers stability and security, even after retirement. The CBSE CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) is a national level exam that helps recruit teachers for KVS, NVS, and unaided schools. The exam has two papers and covers subjects such as Pedagogy, Child Development, Language 1, and Language 2. A person can apply for the CTET once they have cleared class 12 and are 18 years old. The last date to apply is January 15, 2021. The exam is held in two shifts from 16th December to 13th January. 3. RBI Grade B Examination This is one of the toughest government exams in India. It’s an elite exam that attracts thousands of candidates. However, to crack it, you must be well-prepared. It’s important to stay up-to-date with current affairs, and take mock tests to identify your weak areas. Achieving success in this exam can open doors for a number of career opportunities. RBI Grade B officers play a critical role in maintaining the country’s financial stability. They can also avail of housing facilities and a transport allowance. The examination is divided into two phases. Phase I comprises objective-type questions on general awareness, English language, quantitative aptitude, and reasoning ability. After clearing Phase I, you will be shortlisted for Phase II, which consists of three papers on economic and social issues, English writing skills, and finance and management. The last phase is the interview. 4. RRB JE/SSE Examination Getting a job in a government establishment, also known as a Sarkari Naukri is the dream of many students. Considering that there are tens of thousands of candidates vying for these positions, cracking the top government exams in India is no easy feat. But, with the right kind of understanding and a systematic preparation pattern, students can get through the examinations easily. The RRB JE/SSE Examination is held by the Railway Recruitment Board to hire candidates for Senior Engineer and Junior Engineer posts in various railway departments. The exam is objective in nature and the candidates who score higher than the minimum cut-off marks are shortlisted for the next stage. The candidates who are visually impaired or have difficulty writing can use a scribe at their own expense. The minimum qualification for this exam is a Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline. 5. UPPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM Obtaining a government job offers you a secured career, set compensation structure, and regulated working hours. However, clearing these exams isn’t easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. The Staff Selection Commission conducts this exam to recruit workers for different departments and ministries of the government. The exam consists of two stages – a preliminary and main examination. The preliminary exam consists of 2 papers with objective-type questions. Paper 1 tests a candidate’s knowledge of History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, Environment, General Science and Current Affairs, while Paper 2 assesses the candidates’ Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Problem-solving, and general mental ability. Applicants can apply for the UPPSC Civil Services Exam after graduating from 12th. The preparation for this exam starts almost a year before the actual examination date. Practicing with Testbook’s practice materials can help you clear this exam in your first attempt. 6. IFS EXAM Government jobs offer several perks and benefits such as stability, high pay-scale, and job security. They are coveted by individuals who want to secure a respectable career in the public sector. To clear these top government competitive exams, one must have steadfast dedication and effective preparation. It is essential to make a detailed study plan and revise often. The IFS exam is one of the toughest government exams in India. IFS officers serve at India’s Embassies, Consulates, and Permanent Missions to multilateral organisations like the United Nations. This is a challenging but rewarding profession. Those wishing to take this exam should be between 21 and 32 years old. However, there is an age relaxation for those from reserved categories. Moreover, you must have at least a degree from a recognised university. 7. NDA EXAM Government jobs are a dream for many aspirants because of the perks they offer in terms of salary, benefits and stability even post-retirement. This is the reason why lakhs of candidates appear for the Government exams. NDA (National Defense Academy) is one of the toughest Government Exams in India because it requires you to qualify a written test with vast syllabus, psychological aptitude and intelligence tests, as well as being physically fit. However, there are a few tips that can help you prepare for the NDA exam in the best way. 8. IPS EXAM Government jobs offer high salaries, job security, and a sense of prestige. They also provide a range of other benefits, including medical facilities and free housing. This makes them an attractive career option for many people in India. To get a government job, students must clear several government exams. These exams are very difficult and require a lot of hard work. Many people dream of becoming an IAS or an IPS officer. However, this is a very challenging goal to achieve. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help prepare for these exams. This blog post provides some helpful tips for preparing for these exams. It covers everything from the exam syllabus to preparation strategies. By following this advice, you can improve your chances of passing the IPS exam. This will help you get a government job and enjoy all the perks that come with it! 9. LIC EXAM Government exams are tough but can be cracked by anyone who prepares well. The key is to start early and remain consistent in the process. Also, it is crucial to find the right mentor for your preparation. The mentor will help you build the right strategy and plan for your success. The LIC AAO exam is conducted by LIC to fill up various posts of Assistant Administrative Officer in its insurance sector. The exam is national in nature and offers a secure job with added government allowances and benefits. The LIC AAO exam includes sections like Quantitative Aptitude, Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles and English Language. To succeed in these sections, one must keep up to date with the latest policies and news in the insurance industry. One should also take LIC mock tests regularly and practice the topics they are weak in. 10. SBI EXAM The State Bank of India is the largest public sector bank in the country. It offers a variety of banking jobs and other perks like vacation insurance and health insurance. However, getting a job with the SBI requires extensive studying and dedication. The SBI exam is a difficult one to pass, but it isn’t impossible. It’s important to start preparing early and make a schedule so you can stick to it. This will help you prepare and focus on the most important topics. Government exams can be very challenging, but they can also lead to a rewarding career. If you’re looking for a well-paid, secure job after graduation, consider taking one of these top 10 government exams. It’ll be worth it! iDreamCareer helps young people plan their careers and choose the right profession. You can learn more about this service here. Read the full article

[booktownn]

Lakshya Publication Books: Your Path to Success in Learning

The Book Town is a hidden jewel for book lovers in the heart of Rajasthan, amidst beautiful sand dunes and lively culture. This attractive town is paradise for dedicated readers and scholars, offering a wide range of publications (books) from the renowned Lakshya Publication books. Some popular titles from their collection include:

LAKSHYA RAJASTHAN SUJAS

LAKSHYA INDIA (BHARAT) HALF YEARLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

LAKSHYA LDC Solved Paper

LAKSHYA POCKET CAPSULE SOLVED PAPER

LAKSHYA ECONOMIC CONCEPTS AND ECONOMY OF INDIA

LAKSHYA RAJASTHAN CURRENT AFFAIRS

Lakshya Publication Books: A Commitment to Quality Education

In the world of education and competitive exams, the suitable study material can make all the difference. That's where we shine as icons of knowledge and success.

With a legacy of excellence, Lakshya Publication has been a trusted name in educational publishing for years. Their books cover a wide spectrum of subjects, from general knowledge and mathematics to language proficiency and competitive exam preparations.

Lakshya Publication's also provides resources such as "English Grammar Made Easy," which simplifies the development of language abilities, and "Mathematics for Competitive Exams," which is essential for math aficionados. What distinguishes Publication is their dedication to quality and relevance. Their books are meticulously produced and routinely updated to keep up with changing educational standards.

Lakshya Publication's is well-known brand in the area of educational books & study materials. Their dedication to a providing quality content to students & learners of all age groups is evident in the extensive range of books. We offer a wide range of consumers, from competitive exam preparations to academic textbooks.

So, whether you're a student striving for academic excellence or an aspirant gearing up for competitive exams. Lakshya Publication Books are your trusted companions on the journey to success. With their well-researched content and dedication to education, they continue to guide countless individuals towards achieving their goals.

Rajasthan's level competition exams

When it comes to Rajasthan's level competition exams conducted by RPSC (Rajasthan Public Service Commission) and RSMSSB (Rajasthan Subordinate and Ministerial Services Selection Board), Manu Prakashan's Lakshya Rajasthan books are the top choice among aspirants.

These books cater to a wide array of exams, including RAS Pre (part of the Lakshya RAS Series Books), RAS Mains, Rajasthan Police Sub Inspector, School/College Lecturer, 2nd Grade Teacher, Lakshya REET, Junior Accountant, Patwar, Gram Sevak, Lab Assistant, Lab Technician, & many more.

Among these, the Lakshya Rajasthan 2020/2021 stands out as one of the best resources for Rajasthan General Knowledge, which is essential for all these exams. It's a comprehensive guide that covers the intricate details of Rajasthan's history, culture, geography, and current affairs.

Additionally, Lakshya books for NRA CET (National Recruitment Agency Common Eligibility Test) have gained popularity, reflecting their quality and relevance for candidates aiming to crack this nationwide competitive exam.

Manu Prakashan's Lakshya Rajasthan books have earned their reputation through accurate content, up-to-date information, and a focus on exam-specific requirements. Aspiring candidates across Rajasthan trust these books as their companions on the path to success. Also making them an indispensable part of their exam preparation journey.

For info :- reet main exam book

CET Exam Books

UGC NET Exam Books

KVS Books for sale

Health Officer NHM CHO exam books

[jamiewrandall]

(2021) Entertainment after isolation: a sudden shift or acceleration of the inevitable?

I wrote this article in 2021 as a piece of A-Level English Language coursework, it reflects on and evaluates the state of entertainment media after and during the pandemic.

Everybody was affected by COVID 19 and the subsequent lockdowns. The restrictions put in place resulted in many things we took for granted changing, amongst these being the way we consume media.

Audiences fulfil many needs by interacting with entertainment mediums however the pandemic changed our priorities. The social impact of a hit show has been amplified far beyond the water cooler, expanding across the internet, but in a world without social events and workplace chat Tweets counted more. An example of this social importance during lockdown can be seen with Marvel Studios first TV escapade, Wandavision, which for all its viewers spawned an inescapable current of rumours and debate which a lot of people seemingly felt the need to be a part of hence Wandavision being 2021’s most pirated show.

It’s been easy to spot trends in a society deprived of anything non covid related to talk about, we’ve seen some surprise viral hit; you must remember watching Tiger King or at least seeing Tik Tok’s take on the Netflix show. It’s not a shock to see outlandish content entertaining people especially with the phenomenon of ‘News Blues’ hitting hard as people tune into weekly broadcasts and controversy.

Through all of this what happens to cinema? The new Spiderman proved that audiences are still willing to venture into the frightening wild as long as you have enough fanfare around a product however if you’re not pushing an action epic it will be a struggle, with the reopening of cinemas in August 2021 only seeing 50% of pre pandemic profits. The return of the entertainment industry as we remember it won't happen, rather an evolved form will take its place.

Television can continue to prosper

COVID restrictions were in force and headlines reported news of disease and social unrest but shows like It’s a Sin and Line of Duty still garnered high viewership even with stories focussing on health and corruption, topics you’d assume had been saturated by current affairs. However, with the suspense carried by episodic dramas and social discourse generated it begins to make sense why people would be interested, and having relatable topics isn’t a bad thing. It’s not only hard-hitting dramas delivering quality entertainment. As identified by the Thinkbox the ‘doing shows’ show of the past have gone through a renaissance with hits like The Repair Shop and Clarkson's Farm taking the instructional, informative style but infusing drama and emotion whilst maintaining some reality. Even with the heralded demise of broadcast television it’s clear people will continue to tune in given that your show has the social impact, relevance, and gravitas to interest viewers. Niche products do still have a place when they can connect more with viewers.

2. Viral Viewing and Cultural Relevance

Not everyone will consume your product based on supposed quality alone, especially when a trip to the cinema could be risky, or its exclusive to a new SVOD service, this requires any release to have some ‘hype’ and with all the spare time people have had to tweet about and meme things we’ve seen even more devoted fandoms and viral successes. This is why unique iconography and memorable musical motifs are even more important when trying to create mainstream content and the mockery of your product not necessarily being a bad thing. Social media trends allowed some releases to transcend their target audiences notably with Squid Game’s popularity on Tik Tok leading it to reach primary school playgrounds despite its 15 rating.

3. Social Connections in the digital world

 As everyone’s day-to-day lives adapted, so that they could be conducted from home, the take up and development of various online platforms was greatly accelerated and it’s no surprise to see companies desperately leveraging this market with new communications features and the elusive but vague promise of “The Metaverse”. These changes are easier to observe in the videogame industry where convergence of social events, general discourse, and entertainment has already taken place inside huge online experiences like Fortnite and Roblox where concerts and even businesses are taking place within them. It's no longer just enough to offer entertainment, audiences will be expecting more of an expansive social experience that fulfils all their needs. As this way of socialising becomes more common, we can hope for enhanced awareness as to the effects and dangers that could come from this future. Though all the events proceeding the news of lockdown in March 2020 have been controversial we all can agree that the restrictions on our lives have irreversibly accelerated some inevitable changes in the media industry and primed us for a future where we become an active audience in all forms of entertainment we interact with. As we move towards this, we can continue to look back on how TV, film and videogames changed and attempted new things as they tried to figure out entertainment after isolation.