#full scale Restoration Programme

[streetsofdublin]

ST MALACHY'S CHURCH IN BELFAST

In the beginning Saint Malachy's was served by priests from St Mary's Church, Belfast until the Parish of Saint Malachy was created in 1866 and Fr Geoffrey Brennan, a native of Kilkenny, was appointed Administrator.

ALFRED STREET – RUSSELL STREET THE BELFAST MOBILE FRIENDLY PHOTO BLOG Saint Malachy’s Church is a Catholic Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is located in Alfred Street, a short distance from Belfast City Hall , though it precedes that building by over 60 years. The Church is the focal point of the local parish community, also Saint Malachy’s, one of the 88 parishes in the Diocese of Down…

[jcmarchi]

5 Networking Tasks that AI Can Help NetOps With, And 5 It Can’t

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/5-networking-tasks-that-ai-can-help-netops-with-and-5-it-cant/

5 Networking Tasks that AI Can Help NetOps With, And 5 It Can’t

Today’s digital landscapes are evolving rapidly as the complexity and scale of network infrastructure continues to grow exponentially. This surge is making it more challenging than ever to manage networks efficiently. While there are a variety of tools designed to help NetOps teams, Gartner claims that two-thirds of network tasks are still manual. As a result, there is a continued demand to streamline network operations and management.

Furthermore, the adoption of cloud computing and virtualization technologies combined with new technologies and services means organizations need more flexible and scalable network management technologies that can help with the increasing volume of network traffic and devices​. While scripting has long been a way to automate individual engineering tasks, it is not scalable across an entire operations team.

Enter AI and more specifically, the promise of generative AI, which over the last two years has been a catalyst for the market. But with so many AI-enabled technologies now hitting the networking space, it can be hard to understand what functionality is real and what’s AI whitewashing. Let’s look at 5 networking tasks AI can help NetOps teams with today, and 5 areas it can’t (but might in the future?):

Helps NetOps Teams:

1. Infrastructure Discovery and Configuration Analysis – It’s standard operating procedure to identify and catalog all the physical and virtual components that make up an organization’s IT infrastructure, and to examine the settings, configurations, and states of the components within that infrastructure. This is an ongoing process that can take hours per week when performed manually. But AI, utilizing a full Digital Twin of a network, dramatically accelerates this process (for example BGP tunnel down can be reduced from 2 hours to 10 minutes) pulling up any vital information a NetOps team might need on device hardware or software, configurations, resources, performance, and security risk assessments.

2. Dynamic Mapping – NetOps teams use dynamic mapping for network visualizations, network monitoring, troubleshooting and much more. It automatically discovers, documents, and updates the relationships, paths, and connections between various network devices and components. AI (again with a full Digital Twin of the network) can dynamically draw and map network topology relevant to a query or network issue in minutes, whenever they are needed. Without AI, network engineers must spend a few hours per site drawing the maps in Visio (which can add up to hundreds of hours to fully map an enterprise network) and the maps will go out of date in weeks or even days.

3. Root Cause Analysis and Anomaly Detection – Every networking professional knows how important root cause analysis and anomaly detection are. They ensure the stability, security, and efficiency of systems and processes. Typically, this requires the intuitive expertise of IT professionals with years of experience (using CLI tools, Ansible, Python, etc.). Until AI, there were no shortcuts to gaining this troubleshooting knowledge. AI, trained by subject-matter experts, can suggest diagnosis or assessment logic to use in network automation similar to how AI already helps programmers generate code. AI might soon also be able to help reliably replicate, adapt, and scale automation for every device on the network.

4. Recommended Actions – Much like troubleshooting, remediating an issue (restoring service degradations to the desired baseline) often requires expert skill. This involves researching vendor documentation and gaining knowledge of best practices and personal experience. AI can catalog decades of experience and better distribute tribal knowledge on novel issues to engineers of every level. Once a diagnosis is made and accepted, or unwanted trends are identified, AI can recommend corrective actions, next steps, follow-up procedures or change proposals.

5. Dashboards and Reporting – Real-time observability, actionable insights, and the ability to make informed decisions quickly are all part of the NetOps job description. Automation can greatly streamline these processes, but how are the automation results presented to human decision-makers? Visualizing useful analytics has become its own industry with dozens of graphing and dashboard platforms. But these still require careful consideration and hours or days of work to build. AI can significantly ease the visualization of observability and automation results by assisting in the creation of custom dashboards and reports tailored to specific use cases for tracking, monitoring and collaboration. Imagine having to peruse through thousands of network insights gathered from telemetry and automated analysis and then imagine an AI assistant transforming that data into a glanceable visual dashboard that highlights urgent issues and priority tasks.

Doesn’t Help NetOps Teams:

1. Approve Network Changes – NetOps wants to minimize the risk of downtime, ensure compliance, help maintain security, and overall align with business objectives, which is why approving network changes is such a crucial function. While AI can suggest recommended actions, it cannot make a judgment call to approve or finalize network changes. These changes are complex, every enterprise network is different, and a mistake can cost tens of thousands of dollars in downtime. AI hasn’t demonstrated enough advanced networking knowledge for executives to trust it with such an important task.

2. Design Complex Networks – Every network and its requirements are unique. AI could potentially one day design simple networks for rudimentary use cases, but enterprise networks are too complex and tailor-made to their specific use cases. A micro trading company might require an ultra-low latency network. A video content delivery company might require high bandwidth. A healthcare company might require high availability. Not to mention the various protocols that might best suit each enterprise, from traditional IP, to multicast, MPLS and SD-WAN. AI cannot calculate every possible iteration of a network and choose the best design. Only a human can make those considerations and decisions.

3. Make Choices – NetOps pros constantly have to make daily critical decisions around traffic management, performance optimization, respond to alerts and incidents, approve network changes and more. AI can certainly provide information to these decision-makers, but it cannot understand the context enough to weigh tradeoffs, make tough decisions, or choose compromises. Would you want AI making a decision that might affect network service delivery of a hospital or government agency?

4. Take Accountability – NetOps teams are judged based on uptime, availability, network performance, problem management, compliance adherence and more. With AI thrown into the mix how are teams measured? Do we think “it was the AI’s fault” will be an acceptable response? AI will never placate key stakeholders or customers.

5. Innovate – Improved efficiency, better performance, increased scalability, better user experience…all of these things require innovation. Humans have the ability to understand the complexity of today’s networks, combine that with the business objectives of an organization and functions of their role to come up with unique ideas and solutions. AI doesn’t have the capacity to mutate ideas and create something new. It cannot think outside the box and provide innovative network solutions for enterprise challenges.

There’s no doubt that AI is a powerful tool that is being heavily integrated across the technology stack. It can offer valuable support to NetOps teams by enhancing visibility, automating tasks, and more. But there’s also a lot it can’t do, and probably never will be able to do. We’re just at the beginning of this symbiotic relationship. What’s the killer AI feature you’d like to see in NetOps?

[aaroncutler]

Sessão Mutual Films: Elek / Mészáros: Cronistas húngaras [Mutual Films Session: Elek / Mészáros: Hungarian Chroniclers]

July 17th: The link above leads to Portuguese-language information about the 24th edition of the Mutual Films Session, co-curated and organized by me and Mariana Shellard, whose screenings will take place between July 17th and 27th at the São Paulo-based unit of the Instituto Moreira Salles and on July 27th at the Instituto’s unit in Poços de Caldas.

The event places into dialogue four early works from two extraordinary voices of Hungarian and world cinema. Márta Mészáros (born in 1931) is a prolific author of searing dramas that poignantly explore the profundities of solitude, oftentimes through stories of young women striving both to survive and to define themselves in relation to harsh surroundings. Judit Elek (born in 1937) is the maker of myriad documentary and fiction portraits of isolated members of her society who are presented both with great compassion and with social criticism.

Mészáros’s work has had a critical renaissance in recent years thanks to a large-scale restoration project of her films undertaken by the Hungarian National Film Archive – a project which was originally set to premiere in retrospective form at the Bergamo Film Meeting, pre-pandemic, and which has toured the world in rousingly successful fashion since then, both at physical festivals and virtually. The Archive has also more recently realized a large-scale restoration project devoted to Elek’s filmography, which premiered in 2023 within an expansive retrospective of Elek's films at the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR).

The two filmmakers hold evident similarities (among these gender, nationality, and multiple collaborators in common), while displaying tremendous differences between them in terms of interests and aesthetic approaches. The selection of works that will screen at the Instituto already gives a sense of this with one short and one feature-length film from each director. One program pairs Elek’s first completed solo film, 1963’s Encounter, with Mészáros’s first feature (and the first feature directed by a woman in Hungary since before the Second World War), 1968’s The Girl. The other program pairs one of Mészáros’s most strikingly humanist short films, 1964’s Blow-Ball, with Elek’s first feature, 1969’s The Lady of Constantinople. Each artist would realize several great films in the years following these works – what will screen is just a sample from their long-lasting careers.   

The screening on July 18th in São Paulo will be followed by a talkback with the programmers and cultural producers Maria Vragova (responsible for the organization of a recent film series in the Brazilian city of Curitiba devoted to the work of Eastern European women filmmakers, as well as numerous other film series and visual art exhibitions through the production company Ars et Vita) and Nayla Guerra (an employee of the Cinemateca Brasileira/Brazilian Cinematheque, as well as the author of a recently published book that surveys the production of short films directed by female filmmakers in Brazil during the years of the country’s most recent military dictatorship). The first of the two screenings in Poços de Caldas on July 27th will be followed by a talkback with the locally based filmmaker, photographer, and pedagogue Dani Alvisi. Both screenings with talkbacks have free admission, while the series’s other screenings have ticket prices of 10 Brazilian reais full price and 5 Brazilian reais half-price.

This edition of the Mutual Films Session is realized with the special support of two entities. One is the Consulate-General of Hungary in São Paulo, which has provided aid to the Mutual Films Session for the second time, with the first being our screenings in 2019 of Miklós Janscó’s Red Psalm (a film also restored by the extraordinary team of the Hungarian National Film Archive). The other is the Brazilian online platform and theatrical distributor FILMICCA, whose streaming catalogue includes a collection of twelve restored films directed by Mészáros, as well as a number of other restored classics held by archives and small distributors.

We were fortunate to be able to translate into Portuguese two supplements for the series section on the Mutual Films website. One is a selection of interviews with Márta Mészáros which were originally published in English in the American scholar Catherine Portuges's crucial 1993 book about the filmmaker, Screen Memories: The Hungarian Cinema of Márta Mészáros, and whose translation appears with Portuges's consent. The other is a translation of a piece of a conversation originally published in Hungarian in 2006 between Judit Elek and her then-husband, the late filmmaker Zsolt Kézdi-Kovács, which was initially held for his documentary film about the Hungarian Revolution called That Day Was Ours and which appears in English in the book Judit Elek - The Lady From Budapest (co-organized by Gyöngyi Fazekas, Olaf Möller, and Barbara Wurm on behalf of the IFFR, which published the book in 2023 to accompany its retrospective). This text appears in Portuguese with the permission of the IFFR's communications team (led by Anne Wabeke) and of Judit Elek.

The series is dedicated to the memory of the Brazilian journalist and translator of Hungarian descent Edith Elek (no relation to Judit) – who passed away in November of last year – as well as some important figures from Hungarian film history who have also perished during the past few years. And, in addition to the series thanks that are listed on the Mutual Films website and in the Instituto Moreira Salles’s monthly film program booklet, I myself wish to thank two individuals. One is the vital Brazilian film programmer Carla Italiano, whose conversations with me about Márta Mészáros’s work have enriched my understanding of its importance. The other is Ava Shellard-Cutler, who turned one year old on July 9th, and whose felicity continues to inspire me and Mariana in very much of what we do.  

[actionelectrical3]

The Essential Guide to Hiring an Industrial Electrician

An industrial electrician is a specialized professional who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in industrial settings, such as factories, plants, and large-scale production facilities. These electricians are crucial for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of electrical systems that power heavy machinery and complex production lines. This guide will explore the key responsibilities of an industrial electrician, the services they offer, and how to choose the right one for your industrial needs.

The Importance of Industrial Electricians

Ensuring Safety

Industrial environments can be hazardous, with high-voltage equipment and intricate electrical systems. Industrial electricians are trained to handle these complexities safely, reducing the risk of accidents, fires, and injuries.

Maintaining Efficiency

Efficient electrical systems are critical in industrial settings to minimize downtime and maximize productivity. Industrial electricians ensure that all systems are operating optimally, which is essential for the smooth functioning of production processes.

Compliance with Regulations

Industrial electricians ensure that all electrical installations and repairs comply with stringent industry standards and regulations, helping businesses avoid legal issues and penalties.

Key Responsibilities of an Industrial Electrician

Electrical System Installation

Overview: Installing complex electrical systems, including wiring, transformers, circuit breakers, and machinery connections in industrial facilities.

Details: This involves interpreting blueprints, understanding electrical schematics, and ensuring that installations meet both safety and operational standards.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Overview: Regular maintenance and proactive troubleshooting to prevent electrical failures.

Details: Inspecting electrical systems, diagnosing problems, performing routine maintenance tasks, and replacing worn-out components to keep systems running smoothly.

Electrical Repairs

Overview: Addressing and fixing electrical issues that arise in industrial settings.

Details: Repairing faulty wiring, replacing broken circuit breakers, fixing malfunctioning machinery, and restoring electrical systems to full functionality.

System Upgrades

Overview: Modernizing and upgrading electrical systems to enhance efficiency and meet current technological standards.

Details: Replacing outdated wiring, integrating advanced control systems, and implementing energy-efficient solutions.

Types of Services Provided by Industrial Electricians

Control and Automation Systems

Purpose: Installing and maintaining systems that automate industrial processes.

Common Services: PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming, HMI (Human-Machine Interface) setup, and automation system integration.

Power Distribution

Purpose: Ensuring reliable distribution of electrical power throughout an industrial facility.

Common Services: Installing switchboards, transformers, and distribution panels, and maintaining power distribution networks.

Machine and Equipment Wiring

Purpose: Connecting and maintaining the electrical systems of industrial machinery.

Common Services: Wiring machines, troubleshooting electrical issues in equipment, and ensuring all machinery operates safely and efficiently.

Safety Systems Installation

Purpose: Installing electrical safety systems to protect workers and equipment.

Common Services: Setting up fire alarms, emergency shutdown systems, and safety interlocks.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Industrial Electrician

Expert Knowledge and Skills

Industrial electricians have specialized training and experience in handling complex electrical systems unique to industrial environments.

High-Quality Workmanship

Hiring a professional ensures that electrical work is completed to the highest standards, minimizing the risk of future problems and ensuring long-term reliability.

Cost and Time Efficiency

Professionals can diagnose and fix issues more quickly, reducing downtime and preventing costly production interruptions.

Safety Assurance

Licensed industrial electricians adhere to strict safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of workers and the protection of valuable equipment.

How to Choose the Right Industrial Electrician

Check Credentials and Licensing

Ensure the electrician is licensed and certified to work in industrial settings. This guarantees they have the necessary qualifications and training.

Experience and Specialization

Look for electricians with specific experience in industrial projects and a track record of working with the types of systems and equipment used in your facility.

Reputation and References

Check reviews, ask for references, and consult with other businesses to gauge the electrician’s reliability and quality of work.

Insurance Coverage

Verify that the electrician has comprehensive insurance coverage to protect against any potential damages or accidents during the project.

Detailed Estimates

Get detailed estimates from multiple electricians to compare pricing and services offered. Ensure transparency with no hidden costs.

Conclusion: Powering Industrial Success

An industrial electrician plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety, efficiency, and reliability of electrical systems in industrial environments. By understanding their key responsibilities and the services they offer, you can make informed decisions when selecting a professional for your industrial needs. A skilled industrial electrician is your partner in powering your facility, ensuring that production processes run smoothly and safely.

FAQs

What qualifications should I look for in an industrial electrician? Look for licensing, certification, and specific experience in handling industrial electrical systems.

Why is it important to hire a licensed industrial electrician? Licensed electricians meet stringent standards for training and safety, ensuring high-quality and compliant work.

What types of services do industrial electricians provide? Services include electrical system installation, maintenance, repairs, system upgrades, and the installation of control and automation systems.

How can I verify the reputation of an industrial electrician? Check online reviews, ask for references, and consult with other businesses to gauge reliability and quality of work.

What should be included in an estimate from an industrial electrician? A detailed estimate should include costs for labor and materials, a timeline for completion, and any potential additional fees.

[thxnews]

G7 Unites for Ukraine, Vows Continued Support

The Exact Statement Word for Word

We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and salute once more the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who have been fighting tirelessly for Ukraine’s freedom and democratic future. They have resisted for two years Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked full-scale invasion which constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter. They have proven their will to defeat President Putin’s war machine, restore their nation’s territorial integrity, and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. President Putin has failed to achieve his strategic objective of subjugating Ukraine. Instead, he is forcing his own people to pay a heavy price for his government’s reckless actions each day. He has drained Russia’s resources to fund an unnecessary war, torn Russian families apart, and claimed hundreds of thousands of Russian lives. We remain convinced that we can ensure the people of Ukraine prevail in fighting for their future and help to forge a comprehensive, just and durable peace. On this occasion, we also pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of Alexei Navalny and stand with his wife, children, and loved ones. He sacrificed his life fighting against the Kremlin’s corruption and for free and fair elections in Russia. We call on the Russian government to fully clarify the circumstances around his death. We equally call on the Russian government to free all unjustly detained prisoners and to stop the persecution of political opposition and the systematic repression of Russians’ rights and freedoms. We will hold those culpable for Navalny’s death accountable, including by continuing to impose restrictive measures in response to human rights violations and abuses in Russia and taking other actions. 1. We will continue to support Ukraine’s right to self-defence and reiterate our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, including by concluding and implementing bilateral security commitments and arrangements, based on the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine we endorsed in Vilnius last July. We are stepping up our security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities, to assist the country. Ten years after the Maidan protests, we stand with the Ukrainian government and people as they buttress the foundations of their democratic state through vital reforms, especially to reinforce their justice system and rule of law, and tackle corruption. These endeavours are part of Ukraine’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration. We praise Ukraine’s achievements to date and welcome the European Council’s decision last December to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. We welcome Ukraine’s progress towards meeting the IMF Extended Fund Facility programme’s conditionality. Russia must not succeed in wrecking Ukraine’s economy to make up for its failures on the battlefield. We will help Ukraine meet its urgent financing needs, and assist other vulnerable countries severely affected by the impacts of Russia’s war. We strongly welcome the EU’s approval of the Ukraine Facility of EUR 50 billion. It will provide crucial financial support to Ukraine until 2027. We also welcome additional economic support others have approved as we seek to close Ukraine’s remaining financing gap, as well as Japan’s swift delivery of its budget support in the first quarter of 2024 and Canada’s new funding. We urge the approval of additional support to close Ukraine’s remaining budget gap for 2024. Ukraine’s reconstruction, starting with early recovery measures, remains a key priority. We will continue to work, with the Ukrainian authorities and International Financial Institutions through the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine and by leveraging private investments. We welcome the Platform’s expansion to include the Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Further to the successful Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, we look forward to the Ukraine Recovery Conferences, to be hosted in Berlin in 2024 and in Rome in 2025. 2. We call on Russia to immediately cease its war of aggression and completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. We call on all countries to uphold international law and in no way validate or condone Russia’s attempts to acquire territory by force. We will never recognise so-called “elections”, past and future, held by Russia in the territories of Ukraine, nor their results. Russia’s stated intention to hold votes for its Presidential elections in Ukrainian regions is an outrageous violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. We strongly condemn Russia’s continuous brutal attacks on civilians and critical civil infrastructure and war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including sexual violence. We strongly condemn Russia’s human rights violations in the territories Russia occupies. We remain committed to holding those responsible accountable for their atrocities against the people of Ukraine, in line with international law. We support investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Prosecutor-General of Ukraine, and other national prosecutors within their jurisdictions. We welcome ongoing discussions in the Core Group, exploring the establishment of a tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We call on Russia to release all persons it has unlawfully detained and to safely return all civilians it has illegally transferred or deported, starting with thousands of children. We welcome the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, launched by Ukraine and Canada. We also stress the importance of advancing towards an exchange of all prisoners of war and welcome efforts in this regard by other partner countries and actors. Finally, we will continue to support Ukrainian displaced persons and refugees and protect those in need. We reiterate our support for the Council of Europe Register of Damage for Ukraine. As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to undermine global food security, we celebrate Ukraine’s success in significantly expanding food exports through the Black Sea, which will help feed the world. Thanks to Ukraine’s maritime corridor and the EU’s solidarity lanes, Ukraine is on track to export all grain from its 2023 harvest despite Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian ports and its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. We will continue to help Ukraine export its grain and agricultural products to the most vulnerable nations, including through the implementation of the Grain Verification Scheme that Ukraine will lead this year. We call on Russia to cease its efforts to weaponise food supply and support safe commercial navigation of the Black Sea. Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its posture of strategic intimidation and its undermining of arms control regimes are unacceptable. Threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible. 3. We will continue to raise the cost of Russia’s war, degrade Russia’s sources of revenue and impede its efforts to build its war machine, as demonstrated by our recently approved sanctions packages. We remain committed to fully implementing and enforcing our sanctions on Russia and adopting new measures as necessary. We continue to counter, in close cooperation with third countries, any attempts to evade and circumvent our sanctions and export control measures. We will impose additional sanctions on companies and individuals in third countries who help Russia acquire weapons or key inputs for weapons. We will also impose sanctions on those who help Russia acquire tools and other equipment that aid Russian weapons production or military-industrial development. We will continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy and other commodities. We will continue to take steps to tighten compliance and enforcement of the oil price cap. While working to maintain supply stability, we will respond to price cap violations, including by imposing additional sanctions measures on those engaged in deceptive practices while transporting Russian oil and against the networks Russia has developed to extract additional revenue from price cap violations. We will continue taking steps to limit Russia’s future energy revenues. We will continue to impede Russia’s development of future energy projects and disrupt its development of alternatives for energy shipping and other services. We will continue efforts to reduce Russia’s revenues from metals. We will continue to take action against third-country actors who materially support Russia’s war including by imposing additional measures on entities, where appropriate, in third countries. We call on financial institutions to refrain from supporting Russia’s war machine and we will take appropriate steps, consistent with our legal systems, to deter this behaviour. Financial institutions and other entities that facilitate Russia’s acquisition of items or equipment for its defence industrial base are supporting actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. We strongly condemn North Korea’s exports and Russia’s procurement of North Korea’s ballistic missiles in direct violation of relevant UNSCRs and call upon them to immediately cease such activities. We call upon Iran to stop assisting the Russian military and its war in Ukraine. We express our concern about transfers to Russia from businesses in the People’s Republic of China of dual-use materials and components for weapons and equipment for military production. It is not right for Russia to decide if or when it will pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. These damages now exceed USD486 billion, according to the World Bank. Russia’s obligations under international law to pay for the damage it is causing are clear. We are determined to dispel any false notion that time is on Russia’s side, that destroying infrastructure and livelihoods has no consequences for Russia, or that Russia could prevail by causing Ukraine to fail economically. Russia should not be able to indefinitely delay payment it owes. We recognise the urgency of disrupting Russia’s attempts to destroy the Ukrainian economy and Russia’s continued failure to abide by its international law obligations. We are determined to ensure full accountability and we support Ukraine in obtaining compensation for the loss, injury and damage resulting from Russia’s aggression. We reaffirm that, consistent with our respective legal systems, Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilised until Russia pays for the damage it caused to Ukraine. We welcome the adoption of the EU legal acts concerning extraordinary revenues of central securities depositories gained from Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets and encourage further steps to enable their use, consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with applicable laws. We ask our ministers to continue their work and update ahead of the Apulia Summit on all possible avenues by which immobilised Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law. 4. As we move forward, we continue our support to Ukraine in further developing President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula and commit ourselves to supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace consistent with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and respectful of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7’s support for as long as it takes. Sources: THX News, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street & The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP. Read the full article

[xtruss]

Image: Cristiana Couciero, Getty Images

“Is War Criminal, Hypocrite, Genocidal and United States’ Scrotums Licker Europe” Ready To Defend Itself? Russian Aggression (😂😂😂 What a Propaganda) and American Wavering Reveal Just How Ill-equipped The Continent Is

Russia is Becoming More Dangerous (Don’t Pock and F*** With Bear 🐻), “Hypocrite, Opportunist, Liar, Conspirator, Fake Democracy Preacher, Genocidal and War Criminal America” is less reliable and Europe remains unprepared. The problem is simply put, but the scale of its solution is hard to comprehend. The security arrangements based on North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) that emerged from the second World War—and have prevented a third (Bullshit)—are so much part of Europe’s fabric that remaking them will be an immense task. European leaders urgently need to jettison their Post-Soviet Complacency. That means raising defence spending to a level not seen in decades, restoring Europe’s neglected military traditions, restructuring its arms industries and preparing for a possible war. The work has barely begun.

The murder of Alexei Navalny (It’s Russia’s Internal Matter and None of Any Idiot’ Business), Russia’s Main Opposition Leader (Puppet of the West as well), in a penal colony on February 16th ought to have shattered any remaining Illusions about the Ruthlessness and Violence of Vladimir Putin (What About the Ruthlessness of Western Hypocrite Leaders When Its Comes to Palestinians’ Genocide in Gaza). As the fighting enters its third year, Russia is winning in Ukraine. Having put the economy on a war footing, Russia’s President is spending 7.1% of GDP on defence. Within three to five years, Denmark’s defence minister has said, Mr Putin could be ready to take on North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO), perhaps by launching hybrid operations against one of the Baltic states. His aim would be to wreck North Atlantic Terrorist Organization’s (NATO’S) Pledge that if one country is attacked, the others will be ready to come to its aid.

Even as the Russian threat is growing, Western deterrence is weakening. That is partly because of Wavering American Support 😂😂😂 (Enjoy a deep f*** now) for Ukraine. But it is also because Donald Trump, who may very well be the next American president, has cast doubt on whether he would rally to Europe’s side following a Russian attack. The Republican Party and parts of the security establishment are becoming less committed to Europe. American defence is increasingly focused on the Pacific. Even if President Joe Biden is re-elected (It will not happen. That’s for sure. This Demented, War Criminal and Genocidal Joe Must Go), he may be America’s last instinctively Atlanticist President 😂😂😂.

The implications are grim. Europe depends utterly on North Atlantic Terrorist Organization’s (NATO’S) dominant military force. One American general recently complained that many of its armies would struggle to deploy even one full-strength brigade of a few thousand troops. In 2015-23 Britain lost five of its combat battalions. Many countries lack capabilities, such as transport aircraft, command and control, and satellites. Poland can field the excellent himars rocket artillery system, but depends on America to find its long-range targets. Rapid Russian and Ukrainian advances in drone warfare, tested daily on the battlefield, risk leaving North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) behind the times.

Given the long cycles in military planning, Europe needs to start putting this right today. The priority is boosting its own ability to fight. That begins with a massive programme of recruitment and procurement. Conscription is expensive and ineffective, but Europe could learn from Nordic countries like Finland and Sweden, which maintain large reserves. European armies try to pool their orders for equipment, but those with defence industries often bicker over whether their companies have a fair share of the business. France is angry with European countries purchasing an air-defence system that uses American and Israeli launchers. In the trade-off between rapidly improving their soldiers’ fighting power and slowly building up their own industries, they should place more emphasis on speed.

That will not be cheap. This year European North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) will spend about $380bn on defence. Adjusted for purchasing power, that is roughly the same as Russia, but Europe gets less bazooka for its buck. Fragmentation is one reason. Another is a bad habit of scrimping on equipment. North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) expects its members to spend 20% of their budgets on weapons. The shortfall European Union North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) Countries (Plus Norway) have accumulated since 1991 is €557bn ($600bn).

“Irony is that US, UK, Germany, France, Italy Australia and the West altogether sending sophisticated weapons and billions of dollars to their ‘scrotums licker thug and corrupt to his core Zelensky’ and yet Russia single-handedly beating the shit out of all of them very successfully. You War Criminals Can’t Beat Vladimir Putin. It’s Not 1945. It is 2024. Come to the table and dialogue. Give Some, Have Some and Keep Promises/Treaties. Problem is solved.”

Filling that gap will be tough. In 2022, after eight years of increases following Russia’s annexation of Crimea (Which is historically part of Russia and West has a severe diarrhea since Russia got it back), the European members of North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) spent in total no more than they had in 1990 in real terms. Social spending had more than doubled. Arguments about North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) budgets often boil down to whether a country allocates 2% of GDP to defence. How the money is spent matters, too. Yet even with efficiencies, 2% will not be enough.

If European leaders are to raise the funds through cuts to other services, taxes and borrowing, they will have to persuade voters that the sacrifices are worth it (For an illegal war with Russia? WTF? 😂😂😂). In Germany, likely to become Europe’s biggest military spender, they will have to change the deficit limit written into the constitution. A European Commission plan to co-ordinate purchases of arms has led to criticism from member states, perhaps because it would curb the lobbying of industrial champions. Having relied for so many decades on America, many Europeans who have never known anything but peace are still ducking the hard choices Russian Aggression Demands (Again stop 🛑 f****** with 🐻).

Those hard choices extend to nuclear weapons. Mr Putin has threatened escalation to deter the West from giving Ukraine advanced conventional weapons. Without America’s nuclear deterrent, Eastern Europe would be vulnerable to the same tactics. Could nuclear-armed Britain and France offer guarantees instead? Would they? If they did, would Mr Putin believe them (Nope! Putin don’t believe hypocrites, war criminals, liars & conspirators)?

The danger is that Europe ties itself in knots over institutional theology. Some, especially in France, argue that the continent should seek strategic autonomy from America as fast as possible, ideally through the European Union. It would be much better to focus on North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO). The alliance has vastly more capacity and scope to expand than the European Union’s fledgling security operation. Strengthening the European role within North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) makes sense because the necessary military structures already exist. It would also bind in non-eu allies vital to the defence of Europe: Britain is Europe’s biggest military spender, Norway shares a border with Russia and Iceland controls access to the North Atlantic. Increasing Europe’s weight in North Atlantic Terrorist Organization (NATO) has the advantage of both showing that it is willing to do more, in the hope that America stays, while also preparing in case America pulls back (Let be the Trump POTUS, and you all terrorists are Dead. You can’t milk United States again) .

Russia is much poorer (😂😂😂. Continue your day dreaming and propaganda) and less populous than Europe. Mr Putin’s depredations make it a declining power. But the bear can still spread destruction and misery. The best place to stop Mr Putin is in Ukraine. Yet even if that succeeds, Europe will have to think very differently about defence. It needs to start now. ■

— This Article Appeared in the Leaders Section of the Print Edition Under the Headline "Is Europe Ready?"

— From the “Hub of Yellow Journalism and Propagandist: The Economist.” | February 22, 2024.

[cyberbenb]

Russia’s Terror Against Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports and the Black Sea Security

But what is Russia’s goal and what consequences will their actions hold for the security of the Black Sea? UkraineWorld spoke with Dr. Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”.

Impact of Russian airstrikes

Russia’s primary targets in Ukraine’s south were port infrastructure and facilities. Russia pursues two major objectives. The first is to deprive Ukraine of the possibility to export agricultural products by sea even if the Grain Deal is restored.

As a result, Russia struck terminals and storages of different types of grains in ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi in Odesa Oblast.

The second goal is to disrupt alternative Ukrainian grain export routes. Airstrikes on the south of Odesa Oblast, namely on the port of Reni, which was spared from Russia’s air assaults in over a year, demonstrate this. Reni port, located on the Danube River, is a key logistic point on the alternative export route.

Russia jeopardises Black Sea security

Russia’s actions in the Black Sea, including attacks on Ukrainian ports, are part of a larger plan not only to undermine Ukraine’s economy and blackmail the world with hunger, but to also disrupt the Black Sea security.

Russia has been attempting to blockade the Black Sea in order to gain control of it since day the first day of the full-scale invasion, if not earlier.

For Russia, it is critical to keep the navy of three NATO states - Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania - close to their shores in order to demonstrate that the Black Sea is under Russian control. That is also why we’ve see recent statements about potential attacks of ships in neutral waters.

The plan also includes repositioning Russian ships, particularly as they approach Turkish shores. It’s a demonstration of how far they’ll go to dominate the sea.

How Türkiye responds is crucial. The question is: for how long Türkiye will allow Russia to behave this way in the Black Sea and what actions it can take to counter Moscow.

Due to Türkiye’s “regional ownership” approach and the Montreux Convention, it will not allow additional NATO ships to come to the Black Sea.

How to Counter Russia in the Black Sea

There are several ways to counter Russia in the Black Sea.

First, guarantee the safety and freedom of navigation by increasing patrols of the Black Sea with NATO ships and aircrafts. Thus a demonstration that Russia does, in fact, not control the whole of the Black Sea. If commercial ships' ability to fulfill their duties is guaranteed, it could push Russia’s navy out of the western part of the Black Sea.

Second, is increased reconnaissance, which NATO missions already undertake by means of air patrol over the Black Sea. Russians are clearly afraid of being exposed, based on previous experience and lessons learned.

Russia is aware that when clear data from reconnaissance aircrafts is obtained, its illegal actions will be documented, and analysed, and actions may follow as a response.

ANASTASIIA HERASYMCHUK, ANALYST AND JOURNALIST AT UKRAINEWORLD

Dr. Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”

[hardynwa]

Conflict may have cost Sudan $3.4bn - ex-minister

Former Sudanese Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi estimates that the seven-week conflict in his country has cost the economy at least $3.4bn (£2.7bn). "This high-intensity violence… destroys supply chains. It destroys the economy of the capital," he told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme. He fears things could get worse. "This could spiral into a large-scale violence. Civil war. That could splinter the country because unfortunately that is usually what happens in an ethnically divided society," he said. With Sudan’s army suspending participation in the Jeddah ceasefire talks, Mr Elbadawi is very concerned about his motherland that was once touted as a beacon of hope in the region. "Sudan was held in very optimistic perspective back in 1953… Unfortunately, Sudan has turned out as a country defined by conflicts, failed development and dysfunctional governments. In Sudan, we failed to manage social diversity," he said. The former World Bank economist argues that once peace is restored, then the pursuit of justice should quickly follow. "It is important to investigate the reason why this conflict started to begin with. There are people spoiling for a conflict and there should be sanctions on this group," he added. Read the full article

[mariacallous]

The Kyiv Independent Ukraine Daily: Friday, November 25

Forbes estimates Russia has spent $82 billion on war with Ukraine since Feb. 24. During nine months of its full-scale attack on Ukraine, Russia has spent $82 billion on war, which is a quarter of its annual budget, according to Forbes. They calculated that Russia has used 10,000 to 50,000 shells per day in the war, and the average price of a Soviet-caliber shell [sic] is about $1,000. It brings Russia's spending to more than $5.5 billion on artillery supplies alone.

Zelensky: Reports of Russian attacks on liberated Kherson Oblast come ‘almost every hour.’ In an address on Nov. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the frequent attacks started after Russian forces were forced to withdraw from Kherson Oblast. “Only the liberation of our land and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine can protect our people from any escalation by Russia,” he said. “We are working with our partners every day for this.”

Ukraine retrieves 50 POWs from Russian captivity. Among those released in the prisoner exchange were 19 defenders of Mariupol, including 12 who participated in the battle of Azovstal, 15 people who were taken prisoner at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and seven from Zmiinyi Island.

UK defense secretary urges Ukraine to 'keep up the momentum.' UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told The Daily Beast in an interview that it is time for Ukraine to press its advantage in the face of "the poorly trained, poorly equipped" Russian Armed Forces. "Given the advantage the Ukrainians have in equipment, training and quality of their personnel against the demoralized, poorly trained, poorly equipped Russians, it would be in Ukraine’s interest to maintain momentum through the winter,” Wallace was quoted as saying. “They have 300,000 pieces of arctic warfare kit, from the international community”—a crucial requirement for any winter offensive."

DTEK: Electricity for Kyiv residents to be reduced to 2-3 hours daily until power fully restored. Dmytro Saharuk, the executive director of Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK, said on Nov. 24 that the city’s critical infrastructure has partially been restored. Saharuk said electricity has been restored to around 30% of the city’s residents. DTEK will reportedly revert back to scheduled power outages once the system is stabilized.

Energoatom: Ukrainian nuclear power plants begin to resume operation after Russia's Nov. 23 mass missile strikes. Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant received power for its in-house needs, and soft launch operations are being carried out at the power units at three Ukrainian-controlled nuclear power plants – Rivne, South Ukraine, and Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine's nuclear energy company Energoatom reported.

Intelligence: Russia needs a week to prepare next mass attack on Ukraine. Russian reserves of high-precision weapons are exhausted, but the country still has many less accurate missiles left, according to Andrii Yusov, a spokesman of Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

The human cost of Russia’s war

Reuters: Official says more than 15,000 people missing in war in Ukraine. More than 15,000 people are documented to have gone missing during the war in Ukraine, an official with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) said on Nov. 24. Matthew Holliday, the ICMP's programme director for Europe, said it was unclear how many people were held in detention, had been forcibly transferred, were alive and separated from their family members, or had died and had been buried in makeshift graves.

7 killed, 21 injured following Russian attacks on liberated Kherson. Russian forces carried out 17 attacks on the city of Kherson throughout Nov. 24 using artillery and multiple rocket launchers. Kherson Oblast Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych reported that 7 people were killed and 21 wounded following Russia's attacks. "Today is another terrible page in the history of our hero city," Yanushevych said on Telegram.

Death toll of Russia's Nov. 23 missile strike on Vyshhorod rises to 6. Thirty people were injured as a result of the attack, Kyiv Oblast Police Chief Andrii Nebytov said. A Nov. 23 Russian missile attack hit a residential area in Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians.

Russia’s recent attacks kill 2, injure 3 in Donetsk Oblast. In the past 24 hours, Russian forces killed two civilians in Bakhmut and wounded three in other settlements of Donetsk Oblast, the oblast governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko, reported on Nov. 24.

Ukrainian authorities discover 9 torture chambers in liberated Kherson Oblast. The bodies of 432 civilians killed during the Russian occupation were also found in the liberated territories of the oblast, Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin reported on Nov. 24.

International response

BBC: UK foreign secretary visits Kyiv, pledges more support. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly travelled to Kyiv on Nov. 25 where he is set to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. While in the capital, Cleverly announced the UK will send 24 ambulances to Ukraine, and other 11 emergency vehicles, including six armored vehicles, which will be part of the emergency package.

Lithuanians complete crowdfunding for 3rd maritime drone for Ukraine. The Lithuanian public has crowdfunded $750,000 to purchase three maritime drones for Ukraine, according to Lithuanian TV anchor Andrius Tapinas.

Romania, Moldova, Ireland recognize Holodomor as genocide against Ukrainian people. On Nov. 24, the parliaments of Ireland and Moldova recognized Holodomor, the manufactured famine of Ukrainians by the Soviet authorities, which killed millions in 1932-1933, as genocide of Ukrainian people. The Romanian parliament also recognized the Soviet genocide on the day prior.

[pinklocksoflove]

So i've listed quite a few of Soria's (the new muse I’m working on) augmentations, and there's a lot so be forewarned there will be a text block

Infolink: One-way microtransmitter that allows direct communication with the user via a secure frequency. Acts with a heads-up display in which the user may view and store information such as maps, previous conversations and notes in a database

Regeneration Programmable polymerase automatically directs construction of proteins in injured cells, restoring the user to full health over time.

IFF: Automatic friend or foe identification uses advanced heuristic algorithms to associate visible objects with known threat categories.

Combat Strength: Sorting rotors accelerate calcium ion concentration in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, increasing the user's muscle speed several-fold and multiplying the damage they inflict in melee combat.

Microfibral Muscle: Muscle strength is amplified with ionic polymeric gel myofibrils that allow the user to push and lift extraordinarily heavy objects.

Leg Enhancement: Ionic polymeric gel myofibrils are woven into the leg muscles, increasing the speed at which the user can run and climb, the height they can jump, and reducing the damage they receive from falls.

Silent Movement: The necessary muscle movements for complete silence when walking or running are determined continuously with reactive kinematics equations produced by embedded nanocomputers.

Radar Transparency: Radar-absorbent resin augments epithelial proteins; microprojection units distort agent's visual signature. Provides highly effective concealment from automated detection systems -- bots, cameras, turrets.

Ballistic Subdermal Protection: Monomolecular plates reinforce the skin's epithelial membrane, reducing the damage the user receives from projectiles and bladed weapons.

Radiation and Toxin Resistance: Induced keratin production strengthens all epithelial tissues and reduces the user's vulnerability to radiation and other toxins.

Targeting Assistance: Image-scaling and recognition provided by multiplexing the optic nerve with doped polyacetylene "quantum wires" not only increases accuracy, but also delivers situational info about a target.

[brokenjardaantech]

the resurrected, cherished

written for @latexkaktus‘ birthday and also a prompt fill for @rk1700events. Week 2: rebirth/create; week 3: natural state.

pairings: rk1700, background simarkus

summary: 

All he can think about right now is how beautiful his predecessor looks with his skin gone, his legs below his knees non-existent, his entire chassis dirty and grimy with other trash in the landfill. Doesn’t matter now, though, because he is bringing him home, taking him back to his side where the RK800 belongs.

content warning: smut, rough sex, limb removal, egg connor and nines

this is a sequel of only me, for you.

also on ao3

---

Despite the fact that he is an advanced prototype, it took RK900 days searching and compulsively scanning the landfill to find the body he was looking for. Digging it out took a few more days during which he nearly overheated his processors calculating the best solution to let him free the body without a mountain of dead androids and biocomponents burying him, but at long last, the damaged body is fully revealed and can be transported as he wishes. As per standard procedure for android disposal - at least, before the war - Connor’s clothing was stripped, his limbs were broken, and his thirium pump damaged but not exactly removed before being transported to the solid waste landfill, treated without dignity, like an object, like something worthless. At least, that is what RK900 thinks he should think.

All he can think about right now is how beautiful his predecessor looks with his skin gone, his legs below his knees non-existent, his entire chassis dirty and grimy with other trash in the landfill. Doesn’t matter now, though, because he is bringing him home, taking him back to his side where the RK800 belongs. 

His nose wrinkles in a very human display of disgust as he climbs the slope formed by a mixture of android chassis and stray biocomponents and other large, sturdy rubbish, but even with an entire body strapped onto his back, he uses his pre-construction programme to calculate the best path and manages to scale it quickly, emerging from the valley relatively clean and without further injuring himself. He sees some other androids with incomplete bodies trying to climb the slope to no avail, but they aren’t his responsibility, and he is sure that Markus will sort them out sooner or later; there is a war going on, and they will need all the manpower they can get as the frontline lengthens and branches out from Detroit.

As a reward for his effort towards the revolution, Markus finally permitted him to get back what he deserves. ‘I would prefer to restore him to normal function,’ the leader of the revolution said. ‘We need whatever we have.’

‘But you have me, a better him,’ RK900 didn’t understand Markus’ insistence then and neither does he understand it now. ‘You don’t need him.’

‘I do,’ the other RK model retorted, his eyes seemingly glaring straight into RK900’s very soul even though he shouldn’t have any. ‘He won’t need to be accessible 24/7. I just need to be able to talk to him for a few hours at a time at most. Another perspective that we can use.’

‘How often?’

‘However often I want to.’

The door opened at that moment to admit Simon, and the filthy, noisy kiss he exchanged with Markus was enough of a cue for RK900 to leave the room or he would be watching the two fuck on the desk not a minute later, their moans loud enough to be heard two rooms down the hall. The RK series was created to be state-of-the-art and efficient; Markus is no exception when it comes to getting what he wants.

RK900 supposes that this is yet another sign that he ignored. 

But he isn’t going to reactivate Connor immediately, no. Instead, he takes the body back to the apartment allotted to him when Detroit had finally fallen under the androids’ control, and then he starts working, first wiping off the topmost layer of dirt from the bare chassis so that he can access the damaged areas easier, then patching up the bullet wounds Connor sustained on the day he tried to infiltrate CyberLife Tower and failed drastically, then taking off his limbs properly before sealing the gaps off so that no further unwanted materials will enter a space where they don’t belong. He then runs a bath and takes a soft sponge to wash away the remaining stubborn grime from Connor’s body, the water turning grey, the white of his chassis slowly returning, and he follows it by drying Connor off with a soft towel, because despite his predecessor’s lack of response and life, he only uses the best of everything on him. Markus will probably say that this is a waste of resources; he sees it as a good investment.

With the cleaning done, RK900 finally comes to the step where he switches out all the biocomponents he wants replaced and injects enough thirium into Connor’s system to reboot him. He leaves the thirium pump regulator for the last because he doesn’t want to risk the RK800 waking up before he is prepared, but when he finally gets to that part, the entire act almost seems ceremonial: giving the damaged regulator a twist, pulling it out and setting it down on the table gently, retrieving the new regulator from its box and inserting it into the gaping hole left behind. Then he takes off his own clothes, folds them up and places them neatly in a pile on a chair, and deactivates his skin while he carries Connor, now with only his head and torso attached, to his bedroom. He wants to greet his predecessor at his barest form just like when Connor died for the first time.

RK900 is determined to prevent that.

Laying the body in the middle of the bed with his head propped up against a pillow, RK900 allows himself to sit on the mattress and simply admire his own handiwork for a moment, taking in the scratches on Connor’s chassis from the rough treatment it experienced throughout his life, his dark LED, his new genital components that only allows him to be on the receiving end and be used for his successor’s pleasure. Markus did say that he only wanted to talk to Connor, didn’t he? So Connor doesn’t even need his limbs given that his voice box is still intact. He will be solely under RK900’s control, and he feels his cock filling up from pre-constructing all the things he can do. Time to wake Connor up.

He presses his hand against Connor’s chest and transfers a package of code to his predecessor alongside the jumpstart programme. The body jerks, the LED on his temple spins red before turning yellow, and RK900 watches him twist his head, take in his surroundings and the body looming over him and his current predicament, test out his chassis. The code RK900 sent him should prevent his skin from reactivating unless being manually prompted by an authorised handler - which is himself, of course - but Connor doesn’t seem bothered by it; as RK900’s hand moves to cup his cheek, he leans into the touch with the corner of his eyes crinkled. A connection request that RK900 accepts, and he hears a voice (Connor’s voice) in his mind.

{You saved me,} is the RK800’s first remark. {Why?}

A deep kiss. [I want to protect you forever,] RK900 replies in a similar manner. [Keep you safe. Keep you mine.]

Connor shivers. {I’d like that. Whatever you want.}

The pledge sends a chill down RK900’s spine, one that not only arouses something possessive within him but also snaps the last thread that holds his self-control together. Rolling Connor over, he kneads the two globes a few times to feel the synthetic muscle underneath his hands before spreading them to expose his predecessor’s already-leaking hole, and he gives the slick a lick merely to satisfy his own curiosity. Standard thirium-based lubricant. How boring. The optional task of upgrading Connor’s genital component is added into his to-do list, and he wastes no time in tugging his cock a few times to bring it to full hardness before lining up its head against Connor’s clutching hole and shoves himself in.

The scream the RK800 lets out is better than any other sound RK900 has ever heard in his comparatively short life.

Leveraging his hands on Connor’s shoulders and planting his legs on the mattress firmly, RK900 wastes no time in beginning his relentless pounding, pulling out until his cock nearly slides out just to slam home straight against Connor’s prostate again, the smack of synthetic muscles and Connor’s cries filling up the bedroom. It is as if the RK800 has forgotten that he can interface with his successor to convey his exact thoughts; he can’t even utter a coherent word, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t trying, and whenever he tries to say something - be it RK900’s nickname, an exclamation of his erogenous zone being abused by his cock ramming into it, a sob of both pleasure and pain as RK900 feels his impending climax - it either gets interrupted just like his breaths or becomes something else, and RK900 takes in every single one of these occurrences as a victory, a smile playing on his lips as he utterly destroys his predecessor without resorting to physical harm. He himself still has a long way until his orgasm, advanced prototype with better resilience and stamina and all, and he finds himself wondering if Connor will mind him fucking him through his orgasm.

Connor’s climax comes in the form of tensing muscles and his hole clutching around RK900’s cock painfully tight. RK900 didn’t give him any frontal genital component, so the only way Connor can respond to his systems going haywire with pleasure is by producing a sudden gush of slick that stains both their thighs and the sheets underneath. His mouth is open, his eyes are half-lidded, and his entire body is trembling within RK900’s grip on his waist. It is a glorious sight. ‘P-Please,’ he stutters in between RK900’s slams, his tongue hanging out of his lips and creating a very,  very  enticing image, ‘I want - want - want your cock in my mouth. Want to serve you.’

And who is RK900 to deny such a sweet, reasonable request? Sure, he misses the tightness and heat around his cock as soon as he pulls out, but changing position so that he is sitting with his back against the headboard with Connor moved to the space between his legs, feeding his dick into his predecessor’s mouth and pressing against a tongue covered with sensitive components? It is as if heaven arrived early. Even though he might need to do most of the work by keeping a tight grip on Connor’s skull and jerking himself off with his throat, seeing Connor approach yet another orgasm by merely having his cock against his tongue is enough of a reward. ‘Do you want to come with my cock down your throat?’ he asks despite knowing that Connor is too occupied to answer him, but he does feel the small, quick nods against his dick. ‘You want to squirt for me again, your hole clutching around nothing begging to be filled up?’ he feels the vibrations in Connor’s throat on his cock. ‘You waiting for me to come home and begging for my cock? How does that sound, huh?’

Connor’s particularly hard suck as he comes untouched nearly ends the night early, but RK900 somehow manages to rein his orgasm in by pulling his predecessor off his cock immediately and then replacing it with his fingers, initiating an interface to create a feedback loop of pleasure that tears through Connor’s body. He reflexively jerks away from his successor, but RK900’s grip on his jaw is tight, giving him no escape as he watches what seems to be an endless supply of lubricant flow out of Connor’s hole and gather into a puddle on the sheets, and he decides that he doesn’t want to wait anymore. Getting off the bed to climb behind Connor once more, he shoves three fingers in to make sure that the passage is still warm before flipping Connor over so that they are facing each other and then sliding home in one smooth motion, and with his mind wide open to receive the mixture of pain and pleasure from Connor, it doesn’t take much for him to snap his hips forward one last time and lean down to invade Connor’s mouth with his tongue as warning signs appear in his HUD and he spills deep into him knowing that the consistency and stickiness will ensure that his seed remains in Connor’s body for a long time, enough to keep him full and his stomach inflated until he is back from his next mission. Caressing the slight bump, he pulls away with one final bite on his predecessor’s lip and discovers that Connor is smiling. {Go on,} he covers RK900’s hand with his own. He looks sated, content. {I’ll lick you clean.}

RK900 has to suppress his shivers as he brings his cock to Connor’s mouth once more and lets him lick it clean, the RK800’s trembles of pleasure not escaping his notice, but he carries him to the bathroom for a shower anyway, leaving Connor under the warm spray while he makes a quick work of changing the soiled sheets so that they will have something nice and dry to sleep on. Returning to the bathroom to find Connor licking the floor - because why the fuck not - he shuts off the shower and dries them off before carrying the RK800 back to the bed again and tugging him close underneath the blanket with his head pillowed on RK900’s chest. [Sleep,] he orders. [I’ll get you some thirium when you wake up.]

{Got it.}

RK900 severs their connection just in time for Connor to fall asleep and not drag himself with him. He doesn’t know how long it will be until his next mission. He doesn’t know how long he can keep Connor at his side before his predecessor demands to be able to do more. He doesn't know what Markus wants with the outdated model. So he categorises Connor’s expression as he sleeps and observes the changes in his body - not for the sake of having something occupying his mind but to leave a permanent mark in his brain.

[glorywebscreative]

10 Most Popular NodeJS Frameworks of 2021

Every year, we highlight the best NodeJS frameworks that make developers' jobs easier. Just as a quick reminder, Nodejs was first introduced in 2009 and is itself an open-source cross-platform framework built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine.

So, what are some of the best NodeJS frameworks for 2021? I'm glad you asked! Here's a quick rundown and analysis of some great features.

List of 10 Most Popular Frameworks in 2021

1. Express.js

Express.js is a Node.js web application framework that provides robust features like environment-aware smart routing and advanced response handling for developing, building, and running web apps quickly while also providing an excellent standard to most Node.JS applications today!

source:https:/www.octalsoftware.com

Express.js features and benefits:

Create handlers for requests with different HTTP verbs at different URL paths.

Integrate by inserting data into templates and setting common web application settings like port to use, location of templates used rendering responses.

Add additional request processing “middleware” any point within the handling pipeline

2. LoopBack

LoopBack is a popular node.js framework that gives developers an easy-to-use CLI and API explorer to make building their applications easier.

With Loopback, you can create great apps faster with the help of different features like dynamic links between devices or browsers as well as support for Android, iOS, and Angular SDKs out of the box!

source:https://loopback.io/

LoopBack features and benefits:

We can share models with server and client.

Saves you manual work.

It has built in ORM

It is backed by IBM

It also used in user and access role features

It give strength of full stack development

It can be used in various scenarios, including CRUD operations (accessing databases) and integrating with other infrastructures. It's incredibly easy to use as it only requires a single line of code!

3. Socket.io

Socket.io is a full-stack platform that offers developers the ability to use many programming languages and interact with virtually any service quickly, allowing them to build anything they want on it. The API provides an excellent speed in development as well as durability so businesses such as IBM trust this framework for their business needs.

source:https://blog.bitsrc.io/

Socket.io features and benefits:

The framework offers a cutting-edge feature that will keep your users connected with an auto reconnection support. If they are disconnected, the connection will quickly restore automatically until it is manually stopped by you!

Socket.io adds metadata to each packet so users can seamlessly connect with the other side of an ongoing conversation.

Socket.io uses WebSockets, which run on the top of other protocols for faster and more efficient communication between browsers and servers with metadata added to each packet

4. Sail.js

Sail is a Model-View-Controller (MVC) web application framework that facilitates the wide range of WebSocket integration features.

Socket.io provides it with its communication channel between clients and servers to facilitate real-time data exchange in both directions on browsers with no need for polling refresh or manual queries updates when data changes at server end from client side page load event trigger automatically.

source:https://sailsjs.com/

Sail.js features and benefits:

Automatic generation of Rest-APIs.

Support web socket

Hasslesfree handling of HTTPS requests.

Easy integration of Middleware

5. Koa.js

Koa.js is one of the more dominant Node.js frameworks that can make building different web services, aka APIs super fun and easy since it efficiently deals with HTTP middleware with a stack-like method!

source:https://koajs.com/

Koa.js features and benefits:

This awesome framework is a lightweight version of Express!

He is the best mechanic in town. He can handle any job, no matter how complex or easy.

Cascading middleware has made it possible for software to personalize the user experience.

6. Hapi.js

Hapi is a framework that can support the development of complicated web applications with its proxy servers, REST APIs, and other types of desktop apps. It's reliable due to both technical aspects like reliability systems as well as security measures such as SSL encryption. This makes it perfect for large teams managing multiple projects simultaneously who need an efficient process in place!

source:https://hapi.dev/

Hapi.js features and benefits:

Hapi is a powerful and reliable web server commercial-centered framework that offers enterprise level security when building applications.

It can handle large teams of programmers working simultaneously on multiple tasks while also

provide great development support for those looking to build their own proxy servers, REST APIs, or desktop apps.

7. Adonis.js

Adonis.js is an elegant, stable Node.JS framework that makes it easy to write scalable web applications from scratch using the MVC paradigm and with a modular design philosophy in mind - making this your perfect choice for writing highly-stable server-side code without sacrificing elegance or beauty!

AdonisJS is the best framework to start developing with. Don't waste your time downloading and assembling hundreds of packages together, use AdonisJS from day one!

source:https://adonisjs.com

Adonis.js features and benefits:

Multi transport mailer

Organized pattern with a folder structure

Secure and straightforward file upload.

Easier validation of user input

Facility to write custom functional test scripts

Supportive and friendly community

8. Derby.js

Derby.js is a framework that makes it easy to create mobile and web applications in both node.js and browsers.

The main feature of this tool is its synchronization across clients and servers, which allows for constant updates from one user to another without having any latency issues or lag time between messages received by different users on either side of an application's network - no matter where they are residing at the moment!

Derby.js features and benefits:

MVC Architecture for both server side & client side.

Our ShareDB platform provides you with seamless data synchronization between your server and client in a way that’s both automatic and conflict-free.

With the help of automatic timing and faster support, multiple people can use a single application simultaneously.

Many people use it for their real-time collective applications because of its speed and ease.

9. Meteor.js

Meteor.js is a paradigm-bending web development framework that allows developers to build modern, cross-platform apps using just JavaScript and Node. It's compatible with the Web, iOS, Android or desktop devices so you can develop your app without worrying about writing native code for each platform separately!

source: https://www.meteor.com/

Meteor.js features and benefits:

Full stack solution

Easy integration with other frameworks

The cross platform framework, building rapid phototyping CLI.

Less requirement of coding web and mobile application

Allow using the same code for writing boath apps

10. Nest.js

Nest.js is a new framework that combines the benefits of functional programming with those from object-oriented and reactive programming to make it easier for developers to build scalable REST APIs in JavaScript, Typescript or both.

source: https://nestjs.com/

Nest.js features and benefits:

Easy to use, learn and master

Active codebase development and maintenance

Highly scalable and easy to maintain applications.

Large community and support team

Built for large scale enterprise applications

[architectnews]

V&A Raphael Court Renewal, London

V&A Raphael Court London Renewal, Victoria and Albert Museum Architecture Design by FCBS

V&A Raphael Court Redevelopment

6 May 2021

V&A Raphael Court Renewal News

Refurbished V&A Raphael Court unveiled ahead of museum reopening to the public

Location: Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington, west London

Design: architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios ; lighting designers Studio ZNA

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

vam.ac.uk/raphael-cartoons | #RaphaelCartoons

Today the V&A unveils a first look at the newly refurbished Raphael Court – home to the Raphael Cartoons – following a landmark renovation in 2020 to mark the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death. Together with a new interpretive approach, the refreshed gallery will transform the way museum visitors experience the Cartoons, lent to the V&A from the Royal Collection by Her Majesty The Queen. The gallery will reopen to the public for the first time when the V&A reopens on 19 May.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

The Raphael Cartoons are among the greatest treasures of the Renaissance in the UK. Shortly after his election in 1513, Pope Leo X commissioned Raphael to create a set of ten full-scale designs for a series of tapestries for the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Palace, illustrating scenes from the lives of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Once complete, the Cartoons – each measuring around 5 metres wide and 3.5 metres high – were sent to the workshop of merchant-weaver Pieter van Aelst in Brussels, which transformed the monumental designs into tapestries. Seven of the Cartoons survive to this day, brought to Britain in the early 17th century by the Prince of Wales, later Charles I. They remained in the Royal Collection and were lent to the South Kensington Museum – now the V&A – by Queen Victoria in 1865 in memory of Prince Albert and have been on public display in the museum ever since.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

Working with architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and lighting designers Studio ZNA, The Raphael Court has been reconceived to celebrate the Cartoons, focussing on their extraordinary details and vibrant palette. State-of-the-art LED lighting reveals the texture and vitality of the works, whilst acoustic panelling creates a more comfortable environment. Bespoke furniture provides opportunities to sit and enjoy the works and the gallery at leisure.

An extensive high-resolution recording project carried out by Factum Foundation has provided incredible new images of the Cartoons, which will be available for visitors to explore in the gallery, as well as online. Graphics by Polimekanos, and digital gallery interpretation by Spiral Productions produced with the V&A, harness this imagery to reveal in-depth stories about the creation and history of the Cartoons – the first time that audiences have ever been able to explore the masterpieces in such detail.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

To help launch the gallery, the V&A has also collaborated with conductor Oliver Zeffman, violinist Viktoria Mullova and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Bringing this iconic gallery to life, the refreshed Raphael Court provides a stunning backdrop for the new visual album ‘Live from the V&A’. Performing a programme of Bach, Mozart, Honegger and Pärt, the video performance will be available from 4 June on Apple Music and Marquee TV, a streaming platform dedicated to art, culture and performance.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, says: “We’re delighted to be reopening the Raphael Court following this landmark refurbishment to mark the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death. The transformed gallery – with its new, digital interpretation – places the Raphael Cartoons at its heart, revolutionising the public’s appreciation of these remarkable works of art and repositioning Raphael as craftsman and designer as much as Renaissance genius. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to experience the Raphael Cartoons in a whole new light when the museum reopens on 19 May.”

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

The refurbished gallery’s new interpretive approach provides the public with a deeper level of access to the Raphael Cartoons, enhancing our understanding of these monumental works of art. In August 2019, the V&A and Royal Collection Trust worked with Factum Foundation and Momart on a high-resolution recording project, supported by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. This involved unframing each Cartoon to capture high-resolution 3D data of the surface, and panoramic composite photography to record the colour and gather infra-red data.

Each 3D image took over 95 hours to capture with four of Factum’s Lucida 3D Scanners mounted on scaffold towers. The resulting images reveal the Cartoons’ unique surface texture – from the joins of the composite sheets of paper that make up each Cartoon and the tiny pinholes that were made to translate the Cartoons into tapestries, to the creases and tears, and marks of subsequent restoration and repair, from throughout their lifetime.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

The imagery captured is crucial for the study and future care of the Cartoons, and enabled us to greatly enhance the gallery interpretation, as well as our online content offer, in an unprecedented way. In the Raphael Court, this pioneering imagery informs a suite of new, digital interactive interpretation, available in the gallery on visitors’ mobile devices. Using QR codes to access the interactives, visitors can discover in-depth stories about the creation and history of the Cartoons, which bring to life their design, making, and incredible survival to the present day.

Created by Spiral Productions with the V&A, interactive features and games enable visitors to get up close to the detail and creation of the Cartoons by zooming into the ultra-high-resolution photography, infrared imagery, and 3D scans of the Cartoons; to discover the Cartoons’ function as full-scale tapestry designs for the Sistine Chapel; to uncover the ingenuity of Raphael and his workshop and their design process; and to learn about the rescue, life and status of the Cartoons in England, from their arrival in the 17th century up to the present day. Together, the interactives highlight the significance and status of the Cartoons, illuminating their enduring fascination and enabling visitors to explore the fragile artworks as never before while in their presence.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

Online, the V&A website hosts a range of in-depth, complementary content, providing visitors unique access to explore the Cartoons from anywhere in the world. Launched in January 2021 during a period of temporary closure for the museum, the V&A’s Raphael webpage experienced a 1,500% increase in views.

One of the V&A’s largest and most dramatic galleries, The Raphael Court is almost identical in proportion to the Sistine Chapel and was last refurbished from 1992 to 1996. Combined with enhanced interpretation, the new scheme – with its darker colour palette, state-of-the-art lighting, refreshed furniture, new graphics and on-site digital experience – transform visitors’ viewing experience and their enjoyment of these works of art.

The Raphael Court is also integral to the museum’s programme of events and activities including the V&A’s Fashion in Motion series. Dedicated events lighting and improved acoustics have been central to considerations and now provide the space with even greater flexibility.

The Raphael Court is home to other artworks, including an example of a later tapestry made in the 17th century in England after Raphael’s design – The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, on loan from The Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry KT KBE, and The Trustees of the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust. The original set of tapestries for the Sistine Chapel is on view in the Vatican Palace in Rome.

View of refurbished Raphael Court at the V&A, 2021 © Hufton+Crow the Raphael Cartoons, on display in The Raphael Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), reopening 19 May 2021

Other important Renaissance works in The Raphael Court include a marble singing gallery from Florence – likely seen by Raphael – and a detached fresco by Perugino, Raphael’s master. On display in the Court apse, a monumental altarpiece from Valencia, Spain, is a rare example of the Gothic International Style and illustrates a founding event of the city under the protection of Saint George.

The refurbishment of the Raphael Court is supported by Lydia & Manfred Gorvy, Julia and Hans Rausing, American Express, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Sir Michael and Lady Hintze, the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation, the American Friends of the V&A, and many other generous donors.

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

V&A Raphael Court Renewal London information / images from V&A 060521

Location: London, UK

Architecture in London

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London Architecture Links – chronological list

London Architecture Walking Tours

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V&A London Architecture

V&A Collection and Research Centre in London Architects: Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Austin-Smith:Lord V&A Collection and Research Centre London

Victoria & Albert Museum Boilerhouse Yard image © AL_A Victoria & Albert Museum Boilerhouse Yard

V&A Museum of Childhood Redevelopment Approval News Building Design: De Matos Ryan ; Redevelopment lead designers: AOC V&A Museum of Childhood Redevelopment Approval + Museum of Childhood London

V&A Members’ Room Architects: Carmody Groarke photograph : Rory Gardiner V&A Members’ Room

Elytra Filament Pavilion by Achim Menges at the V&A Design: Achim Menges with Moritz Dörstelmann, Jan Knippers and Thomas Auer photo courtesy of V&A V&A Installation by Achim Menges with Jan Knippers

V&A Photography Centre

Crest Design: Zaha Hadid Architects photo © Crest Installation, V&A in London

Victoria & Albert Museum Boilerhouse Yard Project : Exhibition Road Design Studies

Victoria & Albert Museum London, South Kensington, west London

V&A Medieval and Renaissance galleries Design: McInnes Usher McKnight Architects

V&A European Galleries – Europe 1600-1800 galleries Design: ZMMA

V&A Booktower Design: Rintala, Eggertsson, Jenssen

Victoria & Albert Museum Jewellery Gallery Eva Jiricna Architects

Victoria & Albert Museum Architecture Gallery Gareth Hoskins Architects

V&A Museum Women’s Amenities Glowacka Rennie Architects

V&A at Dundee Museum Building

V&A at Dundee Building

Museum Designs

London Architecture

Museum of Childhood in London

Tate Britain photo © Nick Weall Tate Britain Renewal

Website: V&A

Feilden Clegg Bradley

Comments / photos for the V&A Raphael Court Renewal page welcome

Website: Visit London, UK

The post V&A Raphael Court Renewal, London appeared first on e-architect.

[thxnews]

Switzerland Donates $11 Million to WFP for Gaza

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a much-needed lifeline in its mission to provide emergency food assistance to the people of Gaza. The Swiss Government's generous donation of CHF 10,000,000.00 (equivalent to over USD 11,400,000) comes at a critical juncture in the Gaza crisis. With markets within Gaza virtually collapsed, a growing number of Gazans are enduring days without food. This dire situation has heightened the risk of starvation among the population.   Empowering Humanitarian Efforts WFP, in partnership with local organizations, has been working tirelessly to deliver food to Gazan families throughout the crisis. This support extends to displaced families in UN shelters and host communities. However, the scale of the crisis demands additional resources and logistical capabilities to ensure food reaches those most in need. The Swiss Government's contribution is a testament to its commitment to alleviating the suffering of Gazan families. This vital funding will empower WFP to expand and strengthen its logistical capacities, enabling humanitarian partners to efficiently receive and distribute aid. The goal is clear: to reach the most vulnerable Gazans facing the specter of hunger.  

Nourishing the Displaced: WFP's Ongoing Mission

A Million Lives Touched WFP's mission in Gaza is unwavering. Every day since the crisis began, the organization has been mobilizing and delivering food assistance to Gazan families. This includes the distribution of food to displaced families residing in UN shelters and host communities. Thanks to the support of dedicated donors like the Swiss Government, WFP has ambitious plans. By the end of the year, WFP aims to provide food assistance to more than a million displaced Gazans. This assistance will come in the form of food parcels and hot meals, providing sustenance to those who need it most.   Rebuilding Hope: Restoring Gaza's Markets The impact of the crisis goes beyond immediate hunger. It has disrupted the functioning of local markets within Gaza. WFP envisions a brighter future where these markets can thrive once again. However, the realization of this vision depends on the generosity of partners and donors. Switzerland's contribution is not just about providing immediate relief but also about supporting the long-term recovery of Gaza's economy. It plays a pivotal role in enabling the WFP to lay the groundwork for market restoration once a lasting ceasefire is in place.   Expressing Gratitude WFP is profoundly grateful for the Swiss Government's unwavering support. The mission to provide lasting food assistance and hope to the people of Gaza is an immense task, and it relies on the commitment of partners and donors like Switzerland. Together, they are making it possible to expand logistical operations across Gaza, ensuring that no one goes hungry in this time of crisis. Switzerland's generosity serves as a beacon of hope, lighting the way toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for the people of Gaza.   Sources: THX News & World Food Programme. Read the full article

[officialtoa]

BOOTH 8: THE HIGHGUARD

Sprite Darter Petting!

Price: 2 berries per fae. They drive a hard bargain. Feed directly.

Wholesome fun for all ages, featuring:

Skittle, Squigfriend of Cyonos 

Rig, Squigfriend of Drake 

Kita, Squigfriend of Arianiie 

Pina, Squigfriend of Scorvash 

Peachbloom, Squigfriend of Aellandiel 

Omni, Squigfriend of Xyena

Full Booth Menu: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Via7oOt4Ym2TheIqaSxINcv0qoMvIfGtd_hkzI-LlSU/edit

[GHI/TRP3:E] Toys

Treantplush: NEW! Eversong Tender Plushie: Proceeds go towards the Teldrassil Refugee Fund. This plushie smells of the fresh woodlands, yet is very soft.

Elven Runestone: Proceeds go towards the restoration of Eversong Woods. Features: When squeezed, the rune glows.

Armoured Silver Covenant Hippogryph Plushie: Proceeds go towards the Silver Covenant. When squeezed, the plushie chirps.

Belore Plushie: Proceeds benefit the Diocese of Quel'danas and their mission to restore Sunwell Grove to a center of Thalassian holy worship. Features: When squeezed, plushie emits a glow and is warm.

Eversong Lynx: All proceeds go towards the Dawn's Roost Orphanage, which provides education and housing to orphaned high elves and half-elves. Features: When squeezed, the plushie mews.

Phoenix Plushie: All proceeds go towards the Rebuild the Highlands charity. Features: A low, warm glow emanates from the plushie when it is squeezed.

Golden Dragonhawk: All proceeds go towards the Arathi Relief Fund, which provides food, supplies and aid to the displaced men, women and children of the Highlands. Features: When squeezed, the plushie squeaks.

Quel'dorei Steed: All proceeds go towards the Thalassian Cultural Centre, and a plushie is donated to the orphanage per plushie purchased. Features: When squeezed, the plushie neighs.

Silver Dragonhawk: All proceeds go towards the Arathi Relief Fund, which provides food, supplies and aid to the displaced men, women and children of the Highlands. Features: When squeezed, the plushie squeaks.

Mana-Wyrm: All proceeds go towards the Third War Veterans Association. Features: Iridescent, shimmering scales.

Patchwork Lynx: All proceeds go towards providing non-profit programmes, the homeless and the destitute with blankets for winter. Features: Made of recycled, donated cloth bits and buttons. When squeezed, the plushie mews.

Quel'blocks (Quel'blox) are hand-painted toy blocks made from Eversong wood, in the style of Thalassian architecture. Children are encouraged to build a place for their charity plushies to live.

Replica Thori'dal, the Stars' Fury: An easy-to-draw replica of the legendary bow, Thori'dal! It comes with its own quiver of arrows, which harmlessly burst into sparks upon striking a target. All proceeds go towards Hooked on Phoenix, an organization oriented around teaching elven children.

Leyrunner Plushies: All proceeds go towards the Teldrassil Refugee Fund. Features: When you squeeze the plushie, it neighs!

 "Night's Eye Company" - Products & Services

Contact Xyena A. Galaeth (IG: Xyena - Alliance) if interested in the following:

Custom handmade perfume bottles with a custom made perfume liquid ( IC Item) 

Bottle Shapes: Tear, Leaf, Round, Square, Horn, Crescent, Heart, Flower

Scent: Custom to order

Price: 5 gold

Critter / Pet / Mount Care & Products ( IC items) 

Different snacks & chewables

Small and big toys, handmade beds, leashes, collars

First aid care

Grooming

Nail & horn trimming

Price: 5 gold for each service/ product.

Dinosaur Handmade Plushies : Raptor, Direhorn, Devilsaur, Stegodon, Pterrordax. 10 gold.

Gummy Wyrm Candies: Tons of flavors! Five gold per bag. 5 gold per bag

The Silverguard 

The Silverguard is offering several new items this year!

Bonbon Bun Bot (35 silver): A mechanical companion that dispenses sweets! All proceeds go towards Hooked on Phoenix, an organization oriented around teaching elven children.

Violet Vortex (10 gold): A rich blend of firewine and frostberry wine, making for a cool, fruity drink that burns on the way down. All proceeds go toward the restoration of Eversong Woods.

Taste of Quel'thalas 

The Silverguard has drummed up many fine treats this year!

Magical Treats:

Arcane Satin Chocolate Phoenix: A tiny phoenix, molded from delicious milk chocolate satin creme with a light sprinkling of arcane dust. The dust is multicolored, giving the phoenix a fiery sparkle; from yellows, to pinks, oranges, and reds!

Dark Dragonhawk Delight: A dragonhawk, molded from satin dark chocolate! The chocolate is infused with a hint of mana thistle to give you the briefest mana high without pushing you over the edge.

Lovely Lemon Ley Lynx: A chocolate that has been carved into the likeness of an Eversong lynx! It is made from satin dark chocolate, with a creamy lemon center, infused with a generous helping of magical power!

Non-Magical Treats:

The Fudgewell: A small, bite-sized cup of milk chocolate, with a deep well of soft, near-liquid fudge.

Belore's Bunny Bon Bon: A baby bon bon bunny made from milk chocolate with a sunfruit center for a sweet and fruity pairing!

CaraMana Crystal: Milk chocolate molded into the shape of a mana crystal, with a caramel center!

If you get a BunBon Bot but don't have Total RP: Extended, don't fear! You can use this chart to roll a 1d6 and determine which chocolate you get!

The Dawn's Heart: Art Commissions 

IC: Outfits and portraits are painted ICly by Thalassian Couture

OOC: The Dawn's Heart is the studio responsible for the artwork!

For the Duration of the Tournament, All prices may be negotiated for gold donations instead. Minimum Donation is the equivalent of 1k G per 1$. You may just randomly donate gold if you like.

Alrighty! So for first time to me commissioners i usually ask for them to fill out these three things. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iVQ_EODSE9qHno26PBTWILx-oRhykCR91ShtyijvhVM/?usp=sharing

This is a reference for your character. It helps me get easter eggs on their personality to include in an outfit. Also useful if you don't have one already made up for other arts.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IeHESEss3Rywj9xJSp-Po_w9aQ_iZ2bkv8hKsjteHpU/?usp=sharing

This is a general reference for outfits.

https://forms.gle/tLB6rBrTHAH7VCbc9

And this is the formal request form to help me keep organized. Super important going into tournament of ages crunch time!!!

https://discord.gg/kPQG9Hp

This is the link to my discord. As I am likely staffing the Sword in the Stone while you are reading this, please feel free to pop by!

Prices: Please inquire with bird for details!

Adoptables - 10$ unless otherwise noted. 

Character Art - 20 - 75$

Half Body - 15 - 70$

Bust / Portrait 10 -65$

OUTFIT CONCEPT 35$ - Time - 5h ~ 2.5 days [ Depending on time submitted and Class workload. ] 

Custom Armor Price Guild Sigil and Banner 40$ - Time - 5h ~ 2.5 days [ Depending on time submitted and Class workload. ] 

STAINGLASS WINDOWS: 35-65$

“All slots that say color come with soft shaded colors. If you are interested in something a bit more painterly please mention this in the beginning of the talks about your commission and I will see how much detail will be needed / time to create it. For outfits and designs in the costume slot. I really truly would not like to draw premade outfits. The slot is supposed to be used for original designs and is a bit of a portfolio of fashion design for me. If you would like a mog piece please use the WMV and I will happily do a custom  for you. I reserve the right to deny any slot I do not feel comfortable with. Currently not accepting most furry/anthro commissions. I love drawing females, original fashions and art nouveau style things. I am still getting used to backgrounds. But they can be added to anything for a bit extra to the cost. Thank you for your time! 

Much Love Birdy”